Report
Bell scores ton as Wellington secure a draw
Matthew Bell, the former New Zealand opener, struck a brilliant 162 as Wellington batted out the last day to earn a draw against Auckland
Cricinfo staff
22-Mar-2006
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Matthew Bell, the former New Zealand opener, struck a brilliant 162 as Wellington batted out the last day to earn a draw against Auckland at Eden Park in their State Championship match. Dewayne Bowden, the Wellington lower-order batsman, played a match-saving innings of 79, as his side hung on, eventually losing nine second-innings wickets. After Bell's dismissal with the score on 321 for 7, Wellington were in danger of folding, but Bowden and Mark Gillespie frustrated Auckland, adding 48 for the eighth wicket.
There were tense moments for Wellington when they lost their ninth wicket at 373 but Jeetan Patel and Charlie Shreck withstood the pressure. Bell and Jesse Ryder ensured that they didn't stumble early, with a partnership of 97 for the third wicket. Ryder's innings of 61 included ten fours and a six. Tama Canning took three wickets for Auckland to finish with a match haul of 7 for 103.
Full postPakistan ease to series victory
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka with some comfort by four wickets and wrapped up an impressive one-day series win
The Bulletin by Osman Samiuddin
22-Mar-2006
Pakistan 229 for 6 (Yousuf 53, Malik 46, Muralitharan 3-58) beat Sri Lanka 224 (Kapugedera 50, Dilshan 44, Afridi 3-37)
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
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Pakistan, with the new, facially-hirsute Mohammad Yousuf leading the way, bounced back from an Indian thumping, to beat Sri Lanka with some comfort by four wickets and wrap up an impressive one-day series win. Although Yousuf's untroubled 53 - his 48th ODI fifty - saw them to within touching distance, Pakistan's upper-order had earlier shrugged aside their recent flimsiness to set up the platform for the win.
Until this match, Pakistan's top-order had displayed all the solidity of jello in recent contests; since the first ODI against India last month, they had managed 'starts' of 68 for 4, 82 for 4, 97 for 5 and more recently, in Sri Lanka 54 for 3 and 47 for 5. They re-jigged the order today, bringing in Imran Farhat in place of Salman Butt, moving Shoaib Malik up to open and Younis Khan - in the most democratic decision in Pakistan given the level of public support - to one-down.
Full postRampant England level series
A rampant England side clinched a famous series-levelling win on the final day at Mumbai as India caved in for a paltry 100, chasing 313 for victory
The Bulletin by S Rajesh in Mumbai
22-Mar-2006
England 400 and 191 beat India 279 and 100 (Udal 4-14) by 212 runs
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How they were out
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
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Missing six frontline players, dogged by injury and health problems, England defied all odds and pulled off a magnificent series-levelling 212-run win, their biggest victory in the subcontinent since that memorable performance in Karachi in 2000-01. Requiring 313 for an unlikely win, India were never in the hunt in the face of a superb bowling performance, and capitulated to 100, losing seven wickets for 25 in a manic 75 minutes after lunch, as England quite emphatically ended their 21-year winless streak in India
Andrew Flintoff, England's talisman throughout the series with bat, ball, and in the field, starred on the final day as well with spells of sustained hostility, taking 3 for 14. But the bowler who finished with most wickets was the one who was reckoned to be the least threatening of the lot. Shaun Udal, who turned 37 on the first day of this Test and who had a tally of three scalps in three matches before this one, found appreciable turn and bounce from the fifth-day pitch and spun out four batsmen, including the most crucial one of them all, Sachin Tendulkar, to set the Indian innings into a tailspin and hasten England's march to victory.
Full postHarris stars in Canterbury win
A round-up of the State Championship matches that took place on March 21
Cricinfo staff
21-Mar-2006
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Chris Harris set an excellent example as captain, guiding Canterbury to an 86-run win against Central Districts in their State Championship match at Christchurch. Harris enjoyed a match aggregate of 174 runs (without being dismissed) and seven wickets, including an unbeaten 55 and 4 for 44 with the ball in the second innings, to dismiss the opposition for 273. Harris and Craig McMillan (42*) added 90 for the fourth wicket as Canterbury declared their second innings at 252 for 4, leaving Central Districts to chase 360. Harris got rid of Jarod Englefield, who top-scored with 77, one of his three caught-and-bowled victims. Ewen Thompson made a spirited half-century (54) at No.8 before falling to Gary Stead. Harris claimed the last two wickets as his side romped to victory.
Auckland went from strength to strength at the end of the third day in their State Championship match at Eden Park setting Wellington a tall target of 510. Martin Guptill of Auckland was unlucky to fall one short of what would have been his debut ton in first-class cricket, caught behind by Chris Nevin off Jesse Ryder. His knock came off 272 balls with 14 fours and a six. Matthew Horne had a good outing, scoring 81 as Auckland declared at 443 for 6. In reply, Wellington lost two wickets, that of Luke Woodcock and Michael Parlane after an opening stand of 54. Matthew Bell was not out on 52 at stumps with the score on 89.
Otago gained valuable first-innings points after their match against Northern Districts ended in a draw at Dunedin. A dogged display of batting by Bruce Martin and Joseph Yovich bailed Northern Districts out of trouble, after they were reduced to 141 for 7, losing three wickets in the morning session. The pair added 102 for the eighth wicket and Martin remained unbeaten on 62, putting in an impressive allround show in the match, after his five-wicket haul on the third day. David Sewell, the left-arm bowler, was the most effective bowler for Otago, with figures of 4 for 58.
Full postPathan falls as India chase 313
India lost makeshift opener Irfan Pathan early as they began their chase of 313 on the fourth evening at Mumbai
The Bulletin by S Rajesh in Mumbai
21-Mar-2006
India 279 and 18 for 1 need 295 more runs to beat England 400 and 191 (Flintoff 50, Kumble 4-50)
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How they were out
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
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A tantalising fifth day was in prospect at the Wankhede Stadium as India fought back magnificently to give themselves a chance of eking out a memorable win, though England still had the advantage after an intriguing contest on the fourth day. England's curiously passive approach meant they only managed 160 from 77.4 overs and were bowled out for 191.
But, chasing a victory target of 313 - more than has ever been scored in the fourth innings at Mumbai - India's start was disastrous. With Virender Sehwag sidelined with back spasms, his replacement, Irfan Pathan, was bowled by James Anderson for 6, as India closed on 18 for 1, needing a further 295.
Full postAuckland pile on the pressure
A round-up of the State Championship matches that took place on March 20
Cricinfo staff
20-Mar-2006
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Auckland took firm control on the second day of their State Championship match against Wellington at Eden Park with a splendid allround performance. First, their bowlers bundled out the opposition for 157 and their batsmen rubbed it in by finishing on 215 for 1 at stumps in their second innings, with an imposing overall lead of 281. Tama Canning (4 for 48), Lance Shaw (3 for 10) and Andre Adams (3 for 43), the Auckland seamers, combined to earn a first-innings lead of 66. Then, Richard Jones and Martin Guptill, Auckland's openers, piled on the pressure with an opening stand of 148. Jones fell eight short of his ton, bowled by Mark Gillespie. His innings included 16 fours and a six while Guptill remained unbeaten on 71, with Lou Vincent.
A sporting declaration
by Craig Cumming, the Otago captain, after gaining a valuable first-innings lead of 58, laid the foundation for an interesting final day's play, in their State Championship match against Northern Districts at Dunedin. Stubborn batting by the Otago lower order helped extend the lead, giving good support to Neil Broom, who top-scored with 78. Bruce Martin was the most effective bowler for Northerns, taking 5 for 73. In their reply, Northerns lost Grant Robinson early but ended the day at 117 for 3, with Alum Evans remaining unbeaten on 59.
Canterbury strengthened their position on day three of their State Championship match against Central Districts at Christchurch after their bowlers triggered a collapse which saw them bag a first-innings lead of 107. Centrals lost their last five wickets for 29 runs, dismissed for 299 in response to Canterbury's 406. Chris Harris had a good outing with the ball as well, with three scalps, including that of Ross Taylor for 53. Canterbury lost Gary Stead early, but Michael Papps (55*) and Shanan Stewart (52) added 132 for the second wicket. The hosts ended the day at 153 for three.
Full postBangladesh race to emphatic win
Bangladesh raced to a crushing nine-wicket win over Kenya in a woefully one-sided OD at Khulna
Martin Williamson
20-Mar-2006
Bangladesh 162 for 1 (Javed Omar 64*, Aftab Ahmed 59*) beat Kenya 161 (Syed Rasel 3-28) by nine wickets
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The pitch looked good for batting, even though it kept low throughout, and in contrast to the first match, a large crowd delighted in Bangladesh's success. Their only complaint would be that they did not witness any kind of contest.
Once again, the game was done and dusted by the halfway point after Kenya had failed to capitalise on winning the toss. Without Steve Tikolo, their captain and key player, who was sidelined with a viral infection, they needed a good start from an experienced top order. As it was, Syed Rasel, who had put the skids under their innings at Bogra, grabbed two more early wickets to reduce them to 25 for 3. From then on, Bangladesh were always on top.
Full postEarly wickets dent England lead
England's chances of fighting what seemed insurmountable odds and drawing level in the series improved significantly after a thoroughly dominant performance on the third day at Mumbai
The Bulletin by S Rajesh in Mumbai
20-Mar-2006
England 400 and 31 for 2 lead India 279 (Dhoni 64, Dravid 52) by 152 runs
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How they were out
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
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England's chances of fighting what seemed insurmountable odds and drawing level in the series improved significantly after a thoroughly dominant performance on the third day at Mumbai. They bowled India out for just 279, snatching a first-innings lead of 121, and then stretched that lead to 152 by close of play, though they lost both openers in the process.
After the first two days England had the edge, but they needed a strong performance today to further that advantage. They didn't finish India off completely - Rahul Dravid will still hope for a collapse and a chaseable target - but Andrew Flintoff will have few complaints with his team's performance in the field. Despite dropping a couple of chances, England put in a wholehearted performance - the fast bowlers were aggressive and disciplined, with James Anderson leading the way on his return to the side, while the spinners played a vital hand, bowling a crucial 21 overs at a stretch in the afternoon for just 46 runs and a wicket, allowing the fast bowlers an extended period of rest before they returned with the second new ball. Geraint Jones came up with three excellent catches behind the stumps and finished with five for the innings, while Flintoff maintained a happy balance between defence and attack throughout the day, keeping enough fielders in the ring to save the runs even as he searched for wickets.
Full postNew Zealand race to historic victory
New Zealand clinched the series with an emphatic ten -wicket victory over West Indies in the second Test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington
The Bulletin by Jamie Alter
19-Mar-2006
New Zealand 372 and 36 for 0 beat West Indies 192 and 215 by 10 wickets
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Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
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New Zealand clinched the series with an emphatic ten-wicket victory over West Indies in the second Test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. Bagging wickets at regular intervals, New Zealand's bowlers turned in another impressive performance to dismiss the opposition for 215 on a truncated fourth day. Hamish Marshall and Jamie How then knocked off the 36 required runs to take their side to a fifth straight Test victory, a national record.
Play began an hour late due to overnight and early morning rain, but matters looked much the same as the previous days, when New Zealand bowled with fire and to a plan and West Indies got stuck in a mess. Aggression got the better of Dwayne Bravo, who mistimed a hook shot off the nagging Chris Martin straight to Nathan Astle at square leg and New Zealand had made further inroads early into a session.
Full postRailways and UP set up title clash
A round-up of the semi-final matches that took place on March 19
Cricinfo staff
19-Mar-2006
Tejinder Pal Singh's unbeaten 90 helped Railways advance to the finals of the Ranji Trophy one-day tournament beating Bengal by 101 runs
at Lucknow. Tejinder, the Railways left-hander, anchored the innings, after Sanjay Bangar (44) and Amit Pagnis (31) laid the foundation with another solid opening stand. Shib Shankar Paul was most effective bowler for Bengal with figures of 3 for 44 as Railways finished on 266 for 8.
Bengal had a reasonably good start, with the openers putting on 62. Sourav Ganguly was unable to carry on his good form from the last game, falling to Harvinder Singh for 22. From then on, the Railways slow bowlers led by Kulamani Parida (3 for 15) struck at regular intervals and combined to bundle out Bengal for 165. Madan Yadav and Bangar shared four wickets between them as Railways set up a title clash with Uttar Pradesh.
Ranji Trophy champions Uttar Pradesh gave themselves a chance to bag another title this season, as they comprehensively beat Baroda by 102 runs
in the semi-finals of the Ranji Trophy one-day tournament at Lucknow. Jyoti Prasad Yadav, the UP middle-order batsman, was unlucky to be stranded on 99, but played a major role in overcoming a shaky start and lifting the total to 217 for 9. Sankalp Vohra, the Baroda medium pacer, struck early blows, picking up the first three wickets, including that of Suresh Raina, the captain. Yadav held the innings together till the end, facing 113 balls and cracking seven fours.
Baroda failed to get going from the start and were staring at defeat at 44 for 7. The UP seamers, Shalabh Srivastava, Ali Murtaza and Praveen Kumar shared seven wickets between them and bundled out Baroda for a paltry 115. UP, who were joint winners in last year's edition of the tournament, will have the home advantage when they meet Railways in the finals at Lucknow on March 21.
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