Report
Sublime Tendulkar powers India to victory
Sachin Tendulkar's 97 powered India to a six-wicket victory that wrapped up the series with a match to spare
The Bulletin by Dileep Premachandran
15-Nov-2007
India 260 for 4 (Tendulkar 97, Yuvraj 53*, Dhoni 45*) beat Pakistan 255 for 6 (Yousuf 99*, Younis 68, Zaheer 2-40) by six wickets
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
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Sachin Tendulkar fell within tantalising distance of a first match-winning
century in a run chase since July 2001, but India weren't to be denied as
they romped to a six-wicket victory [with 21 balls remaining] that wrapped up the series with a match to spare. As in 2006, when India won 4-1 in Pakistan, there was a considerable gulf between the two sides, best exemplified by Tendulkar's sublime batting as India set about their pursuit of 256. Pakistan's total owed much to their own 90s man - Mohammad Yousuf finished the innings on 99 not out - but ultimately, they paid the price for their diffidence in the Powerplay, when only 79 runs were scored.
On a pitch where most other batsmen were restricted in their shot-making, Tendulkar played with the fluency and confidence of old, finding gaps with effortless ease. To compound Pakistan's problems, Shoaib Akhtar, who bowled with genuine menace for three overs, went off with what looked like a shin injury after completing his fourth. He returned only in the 25th
over, by which time India were well past half-way. In his absence, Tendulkar unveiled some stunning drives, including a couple of pushes through the covers off the back foot that brought back memories of the halcyon years.
Full postHasan Raza 149 helps Habib Bank gain lead
A round-up of the second day of the fifth round matches of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy
Cricinfo staff
15-Nov-2007
Group A
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Pakistan Customs were staring at their fifth consecutive loss in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, trailing Water and Power Development Authority(WAPDA) by 103 runs at the Jinnah Stadium. After bowling out Customs for 73 on the first day, WAPDA notched up 247 to take a 174-run lead. Bilal Khilji top scored for WAPDA with 73 and he was supported by captain Aamer Sajjad (51). By the close of play, Customs were 71 for 3.
Multan were well-placed at 169 for 2 in reply to Sui Southern Gas Company's (SSGC) 299 at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Multan were led by wicketkeeper Gulraiz Sadaf, who scored a career-best 70, and was involved in a 163-run stand for the second wicket with opener Usman Tariq. Tariq was unbeaten on 63 when stumps were drawn.
Full postWest Indian reject Benjamin handy weapon for Gauteng
Johannesburg: If Courtney Walsh is considered too valuable to the West Indies attack to leave out of their side at the age of 37, consider then the case for 32-year-old Antiguan reject Kenneth Benjamin now plying his trade for Gauteng
Trevor Chesterfield
14-Nov-2007
If Courtney Walsh is considered too valuable to the West Indies attack to leave out of their side at the age of 37, consider then the case for 32-year-old Antiguan reject Kenny Benjamin now
plying his trade for Gauteng.
It could be that, as with many from the Caribbean, he fell out of favour with Brian Lara, the ultimate egotist who led the West Indies as the lurched from one disaster to the next during last summer circus of South Africa.
Whatever the reason, Benjamin has become a handy weapon for Gauteng as they try to rescue some sort of image out of an average season. Not that the Leeward Islander, whose career best is a seven for 51 against Lara Trinidad and Tobago when the left-hander was of a more
humble, pleasant nature as he made his way in the world. It is a lesson for all.
Yesterday Benjamin, the third West Indian fast bowler employed by Gauteng, since the rebel era, collected his second five wicket haul in a SuperSport Series Super Eights match against KawZulu/Natal. His 5 for 34 in 15 overs against Natal was a little short of a South
African best 5 for 22 against lowly ranked Easterns.
Full postPakistan Customs shot out for 73
A round-up of the first day of the fifth round matches of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy
Cricinfo staff
14-Nov-2007
Group A
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Azharullah's 6 for 35 prompted a collapse in the Pakistan Customs batting order and they crumbled to 73 inside 35 overs against Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) at the Jinnah Stadium. Bilal Shafayat, the Nottinghamshire batsman playing for Customs, top scored with 20, while nine batsmen registered single figures. WAPDA gained a 50-run lead by the end of the day, with Aamer Sajjad scoring 52 before he was bowled by Yasir Shah, who took 2 for 30 in his ten overs.
Habib Bank Limited (HBL) couldn't hold on to the advantage they had gained by bowling out Faisalabad for 144, when they ended day one of their match at 0 for 2 at the Sargodha Stadium. Shahid Nazir, Fahad Masood and Dilawar Khan took three wickets each, as the highest partnership for Faisalabad was 35 for the fourth wicket. Captain Ijaz Ahmed jnr top scored with 33. Faisalabad's new-ball pair Ahmed Hayat and Ali Raza then removed HBL openers Rafatullah Mohmand and Khaqan Arsal for ducks in the seven balls bowled before stumps.
At the Multan Cricket Stadium, Sui Southern Gas Corporation (SSGC) batted the day for 206 for 7 against Multan. Opener Mohtashim Ali got a half-century and added 94 with Imran Abbas before he was caught behind off Zulfiqar Babar. SSGC took 82 overs for their 206, scored at 2.51 runs an over. Babar was among the most economical bowlers, giving away two runs an over for his two wickets.
Full postSwan on song as Bulls stampede
A four-wicket opening spell from the debutant Chris Swan set up a convincing win for Queensland, who secured a bonus point with one ball to spare against Western Australia
Cricinfo staff
14-Nov-2007
Queensland 8 for 148 (Philipson 62, Magoffin 3-29) beat Western Australia 145 (Hogg 33, Swan 4-24) by 2 wickets
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Scorecard
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A four-wicket opening spell from the debutant Chris Swan set up a convincing win for Queensland, who secured a bonus point with one ball to spare against Western Australia. Craig Philipson's 62 made sure of the Bulls' victory after they had some early stumbles of their own in the chase of 145.
The Warriors never really recovered from Swan's initial damage; his four strikes and the run-out of Luke Ronchi sent the home side crashing to 5 for 31 from ten overs after Adam Voges chose to bat. Swan, 29, was not even listed to play until Ashley Noffke's late withdrawal due to a groin injury.
Full postEagles maintain SuperSport lead
A round-up from last week's matches in the South African domestic season
Telford Vice
12-Nov-2007
SuperSport Series
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Albie Morkel, Pieter Koortzen, Johann Louw and, yes folks, Steve Harmison delivered the outstanding performances of the third round of Supersport Series matches. Morkel scored 151 to steer the Titans to a draw after Koortzen's 158 had earned the Eagles the advantage in the same match. Louw took 11 wickets to spur the Dolphins to a 10-wicket win over the Warriors in East London, the only match of
the round in which a result was reached. In another draw in Paarl, Harmison took nine wickets for the Cobras against the Lions. However, the England firebrand didn't impress all who saw him in a first innings in which he took six for 91 but also sent down nine no-balls and 14 wides. "Harmison go home," yelled one spectator as a wayward delivery bounded into the distance for four wides. "He was either two feet outside off-stump or two feet outside leg stump," said another. "He was a bloody disgrace."
CJ de Villiers - or Cornelius Johannes Du Preez De Villiers, to give the Eagles' seamer the glory of his full name - took 4 for 54 to help dismiss the Titans, who won the toss and chose to bat, for 215 In in Benoni. By stumps on the first day the Eagles were 52 for one in reply, and, anchored by Koortzen's stout effort as well as by half-centuries from Loots Bosman (55), Jacques Rudolph (53) and De Villiers (58), they would forge ahead to 450 before they were dismissed. Pierre Joubert mopped up the tail to take 5 for 74. Maurice Aronstam's 86, Faf du Plessis' 74, Morkel's blazing innings - he faced 159 balls and hit 17 fours and six sixes - and 55 extras ensured the Titans would save the match. The Eagles went through the motions of chasing the academic target of 228, reaching 28 for two before play was abandoned.
Full postHogg's five consigns Queensland to thumping defeat
Brad Hogg's five wickets helped Western Australia complete a thumping victory against Queensland on the final day, by an innings and 170 runs
Cricinfo staff
12-Nov-2007
Western Australia 5 for 565 dec beat Queensland 228 and 165 (Noffke 44, Hogg 5-77) by an innings and 170 runs
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Scorecard
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Brad Hogg's five wickets helped Western Australia complete a thumping victory against Queensland on the final day, by an innings and 170 runs. Queensland could not recover following a brutal day of Warriors batting on Sunday, which left them 260 runs off the pace.
They headed into the fourth day four down and they finally crumbled in the afternoon session, spun out by Hogg. He picked up three in the morning, quickly removing Chris Simpson in the fourth over of the day. Queensland were in trouble at 5 for 87, and their woes were compounded when Ashley Noffke's resistance finally gave out, caught behind for 44.
Full postKatich and Thornely ease Blues to win
Simon Katich and Dominic Thornely defied an early wobble to take New South Wales to the inevitable win against South Australia
Cricinfo staff
12-Nov-2007
New South Wales 309 and 3 for 162 (Thornely 80*, Katich 63*) beat South Australia 178 and 291 (Ferguson 59, Bracken 4-57) by seven wickets
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New South Wales recorded an inevitable victory on the fourth day in Adelaide, although not without a few wobbles on the way. Their batsmen were 3 for 13 chasing 161 on the final day, but an unbeaten third-wicket stand of 149 from Simon Katich and Dominic Thornely secured the seven-wicket win. Katich reached 63 and Thornely made 80 after the top three stumbled.
South Australia's batting resistance finally gave in after the final pair Ryan Harris and Mark Cleary had added a further 16 runs on the final morning, to take their last-wicket partnership to 43. Harris ended unbeaten on 42, while the Redbacks were also grateful for Cleary's 23.
Full postDenton six seals Bushrangers victory
Gerard Denton's six wickets killed off his old side Tasmania early in the final morning at the MCG, as the visitors lost 6 for 40 to slide to defeat by an innings and 4 runs
Cricinfo staff
12-Nov-2007
Victoria 408 beat Tasmania 235 and 169 (Birt 51, Denton 6-40) by an innings and 4 runs
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Gerard Denton's six wickets killed off his old side Tasmania early in the final morning at the MCG, as the visitors lost 6 for 40 in 15.1 overs to slide to defeat by an innings and four runs. Denton ended with 6 for 32, just short of his best first-class figures of 6 for 31.
Tasmania were already in trouble heading into the fourth day at 4 for 129, still trailing after another of their former colleagues, Matthew Wade, had made 95, and Denton made sure to give them no room for manoeuvre. But it was Shane Harwood who struck first, bowling Daniel Marsh for 35 on the sixth ball of the day to make it 5 for 133.
Full postLee spearheads a big Australia win
Brett Lee helped Australia beat not only Sri Lanka but also the unpredictable Brisbane weather as the hosts rattled out the last five wickets between rain breaks on the final day to win by an innings and 40 runs
The Bulletin by Brydon Coverdale
11-Nov-2007
Australia 4 for 551 dec beat Sri Lanka 211 and 300 (Silva 43, Lee 4-86) by an innings and 40 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
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Brett Lee helped Australia beat not only Sri Lanka but also the unpredictable Brisbane weather as the hosts rattled out the last five wickets between rain breaks on the final day. Lee claimed 4 for 86 to confirm Australia's 1-0 lead ahead of the second Test in the two-match series, which starts in Hobart on Friday.
Australia won their first Test of the post-Warne, McGrath and Langer era by an innings and 40 runs and it was fitting that Lee, the attack's new spearhead, was the leading trouble-maker and the Man of the Match. Pleasingly for Australia, he was also building on the work of their new opener, Phil Jaques, who made 100, while another fresh face, Mitchell Johnson, chipped in with two wickets in each innings.
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