Report
Asif strikes after Iqbal boosts lead
Pakistan continued to make all the running on the fourth day at The Oval as they piled up a 331-run lead despite an improved performance in the field from England, and especially Steve Harmison
Bulletin by Andrew McGlashan
19-Aug-2006
England 173 and 78 for 1( Strauss 37*, Cook 33*) trail Pakistan 504 (Yousuf 128, Hafeez 95, Farhat 91, Iqbal 58*, Harmison 4-125) by 253 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
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Asif could easily have had further wickets during the evening session as both Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook were uncomfortable against his late swing. He ended Trescothick's poor series with the bat by jumping wider on the crease, slanting the ball across him, and the nick flew through to Kamran Akmal, whose diving catch was another sign of Pakistan's sharpness. Strauss and Cook played positively before bad light arrived 20 minutes before the close, but the ball is turning for Danish Kaneria. For the first time in the series he will be able to bowl a long spell with Pakistan in the ascendancy.
The day went virtually how Inzamam would have planned, even taking into account the flurry of wickets during the afternoon session when he was one of three to fall for 19 runs after a lengthy rain break. Inzamam has found a variety of ways of being dismissed in the series - from being caught off the boot at Old Trafford, to falling on his stumps at Headingley - but has carried the air of a man determined to gain some revenge. He drove and pulled with conviction between the rain and appeared set to end the series with a significant score.
Full postFive-star Brown wrecks Ireland
Dougie Brown took five wickets for Scotland to put them in a very strong position against Ireland after the first innings
Cricinfo staff
18-Aug-2006
Scotland 24 for 4 (Brown 2*, McCallum 0*, Johnston 3-12) and 265 lead Ireland 174 (Porterfield 48, Brown 5-37) by 115 runs
Scorecard
Scorecard
Dougie Brown took five wickets for Scotland to put them in a very strong position against Ireland after the first innings, as they dismissed them for just 174. But by the close Ireland had Scotland in all sorts of trouble at 24 for 4, leaving Scotland with a 115-run advantage.
Trent Johnston did the damage to Scotland's top order, taking three wickets, and he was joined in his efforts by Dave Langford-Smith who dismissed the opener Fraser Watts for just 1.
Earlier, William Porterfield had been the rock in Ireland's first innings before being caught at fourth slip off Gavin Hamilton. That was once play got underway after a slight delay. There were damp, misty conditions with the Scottish bowlers hoping to extract their share
of assistance from the atmospheric conditions.
Full postSussex storm to the top
A round-up from the latest County Championship matches
Cricinfo staff
18-Aug-2006
Division One
3rd day
It took Sussex less than 40 overs to crush Durham by an innings and 133 runs at Hove and leap to the top of the table. Yasir Arafat and Mushtaq Ahmed struck three early blows as Durham slumped to 79 for 5 and it was only a matter of time. However, the inevitable was delayed by a 95-ball century from Phil Mustard and he found support from Ben Harmison as the pair added 82 for the sixth wicket. Harmison eventually fell to Jason Lewry, who claimed three quick wickets, and Mustard needed the support of No. 11, Mick Lewis, to reach his ton. He was eventually the last-man out for 103 to give Arafat his fourth wicket of the innings.
Warwickshire moved into a strong position against Hampshire on the third day Southampton, forcing them to follow on after dismissing them for 235. Hampshire managed to add just 109 runs to their overnight score before losing their last seven wickets under pressure from Paul Harris who took six wickets in the innings. Alex Loudon helped him sweep up, with 2 for 58, and there was a wicket too for Neil Carter. Warwickshire had made inroads into Hampshire's second innings by the close, with Heath Streak taking his first wicket of the match, dismissing Mike Carberry for 6. Hampshire now trail by 139 runs with 9 wickets remaining.
Full postRain the winner at Trent Bridge
The final day of Nottinghamshire's match against West Indies A was abandoned without a ball bowled
Cricinfo staff
18-Aug-2006
Nottinghamshire 205 for 5 (Patel 66*, Franks 10*) drew with West Indies A 211 by six runs
Scorecard
Scorecard
The final day of Nottinghamshire's match against West Indies A was abandoned without a ball bowled. Heavy thunderstorms have been sweeping through the country and the umpires called the game off before the scheduled start. This was the last first-class match of the tour for West Indies, who now finish their trip with a one-day match against Hampshire, at The Rose Bowl, on Sunday.
Full postYousuf ton builds commanding lead
The most significant obstacle to Pakistan's continued domination of the final Test was the weather, with just 60 overs possible at The Oval, and the elements were about all that was going to stop Mohammad Yousuf's remorseless accumulation
Bulletin by Andrew McGlashan
18-Aug-2006
Pakistan 336 for 3 (Yousuf 115*, Inzamam 2*) lead England 173 by 163 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
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While Pakistan's cricket throughout the series has given plenty of material for those who talk about their mercurial nature, Yousuf has consistently gorged himself on the England attack. His latest century seemed almost inevitable and was as elegant and confident as the 202 at Lord's and 192 at Headingley. And, unless the rest of the side suffer a collective implosion that would do even Pakistan proud - or the weather closes in for three days - this one will be in victory.
Yousuf reached his century off 174 balls when he took Paul Collingwood for three fours in an over, having already set a new record for a Pakistan batsman in a series against England. It confirmed his standing as the in-form player of world cricket and the only semblance of a problem he encountered was against Monty Panesar, but even that wasn't as pronounced as earlier matches.
Full postPlay abandoned after incessant rain
The Unitech Cup finally got underway four days after it originally scheduled, but the action was all too brief - only 22 balls were bowled - as the reserve day was washed out as well
The Bulletin by S Rajesh
18-Aug-2006
3.4 overs India 11 for 0 (Dravid 9*, Tendulkar 2*) v Sri Lanka. Match abandoned.
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
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The Unitech Cup finally got underway four days after it originally scheduled, but the action was all too brief - only 22 balls were bowled in the brief interlude when the Sinhalese Sports Club wasn't being battered by torrential downpours. The reserve day was washed out completely, and with the forecast suggesting more rain, prospects aren't bright for the second match either, which is scheduled to be played at the same venue tomorrow.
Wet weather in Colombo has wrecked havoc with the cricket over the entire week, but there was some hope when the skies brightened up yesterday morning, after overnight rain. The groundstaff worked tirelessly, and the better drainage facilities at the SSC meant that the umpires were satisfied with the conditions for play to start at 2.30pm. The captains walked out to toss in bright sunshine, the pitch was in good shape despite all the rain, and Rahul Dravid decided to bat after calling correctly.
Full postRain forces wash-out at Shenley
England were denied the chance to build on the psychological advantage of their 100-run at Lord's when rain washed out the second one-day international against India, at Shenley, after just 16 overs
Cricinfo staff
17-Aug-2006
England Women 42 for 2 (Newton 24*, Gunn 4*) v India Women - No result
Scorecard
Scorecard
England were denied the chance to build on the psychological advantage of their 100-run at Lord's when rain washed out the second one-day international against India, at Shenley, after just 16 overs.
It was India, in fact, who were better placed when the rain arrived after restricting England's early scoring. Charlotte Edwards followed her duck at Lord's with just four this time around before edging Jhulan Goswami. Caroline Atkins, batting at No. 3 in place of Claire Taylor was soon trapped lbw. aylor missed this match after suffered a sore arm, the result of her unbeaten 156 at Lord's. Therefore, India were sensing their opportunity.
However, a series of heavy showers sent the players heading to the pavilion and although the sun appeared during the afternoon, the outfield had become too wet for any further play.
Full postPatel shines before the rain
An unbeaten 66 from Samit Patel put Nottinghamshire within touching distance of a lead against West Indies A. However, rain had the final say on the second day and now leaves the match heading for a draw
Cricinfo staff
17-Aug-2006
Nottinghamshire 205 for 5 (Patel 66*, Franks 10*) trail West Indies A 211 by six runs
Scorecard
Scorecard
An unbeaten 66 from Samit Patel put Nottinghamshire within touching distance of a lead against West Indies A. However, rain had the final say on the second day and now leaves the match heading for a draw.
Trailing by just 100 overnight, Nottinghamshire lost Darren Bicknell in the first over the day without adding to their overnight score. He edged Daren Powell to Patrick Browne, the wicketkeeper, and the same combination then brought the downfall of David Allenye as West Indies pegged back the home side.
However, Patel soon hit his straps and added 52 for the fourth wicket with Joshua Mierkalns, a 20-year-old, who is making his first-class debut. Mierkalns fell to Dave Mohammad but Patel had time to pass his half-century before the rain arrived.
Full postSussex power towards vital win
A round-up from the latest County Championship matches
Cricinfo staff
17-Aug-2006
Division One
2nd day
Chris Adams struck a belligerent 156 for Sussex who finally declared on an impressive 531 for 6 against Durham at Hove. The visitors then capitulated in their reply - Mushtaq Ahmed picked up 6 for 64, and Jason Lewry 4 for 55 - as Sussex dismissed them for just 150. Phil Mustard top-scored with 58 but there was scant little from his team-mates. Their day didn't improve when they followed on, either, with Yasir Arafat and Mushtaq picking up two wickets as Durham stare down the barrel, still trailing by 339 runs.
Simon Cook made the most of his role as nightwatchman with 71 as Kent and Yorkshire battled out a tight day, reduced by rain, at Headingley. Cook and Robert Key added 80 for the second wicket and then when Cook fell, Martin van Jaarsveld stroked an unbeaten 59. Yorkshire hit back as Deon Kruis took two wickets and Adil Rashid impressed again with two wickets in two balls, which included trapping Dwayne Bravo lbw for a duck.
Full postScotland struggle after Langford-Smith's five
David Langford-Smith took five wickets for Ireland on the first day of their Intercontinental Cup match at Aberdeen against Scotland who were dismissed for 265
Cricinfo staff
17-Aug-2006
Ireland 43 for 1 (Porterfield 19*, Botha 9*) trail Scotland 265 by 222 runs
Scorecard
Scorecard
David Langford-Smith took five wickets for Ireland on the first day of their Intercontinental Cup match at Aberdeen against Scotland who were dismissed for 265. Ryan Watson was the only top-order batsman to star for the home side with a pugnacious 74 before he was caught at deep backward square by Langford-Smith off the bowling of Trent Johnston, the Australia fast bowler.
Watson received little support from the Scotland middle-order until John Blain arrived at the crease, who proceeded to at last take command of the Ireland bowling, hitting 53 from 94 balls. In reply, Ireland lost Jeremy Bray in the slips and they now trail by 222 runs.
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