Report
Munaf gives Board XI the upper hand
A 93-run opening stand between Wasim Jaffer and Gautam Gambhir gave India the advantage at stumps on day one
The Bulletin by Jamie Alter at Vadodara
23-Feb-2006
Indian Board President's XI 93 for 1(Jaffer 48) trail England 238 (Munaf 5-59) by 145 runs
Scorecard
How they were out
Scorecard
How they were out
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A 93-run opening stand between Wasim Jaffer and Gautam Gambhir gave India the advantage at stumps on day one after Munaf Patel's 5 for 59 had dismissed the England XI for 238 at the IPCL Stadium in Vadodara. Cutting, driving, glancing - and edging, on occasion - the dominating duo capped a good day's performance for the home side.
Matthew Hoggard banged it in and Gambhir flayed him over gully; Steve Harmison followed suit and Jaffer uppercut him for four. Then he sprayed it down leg, and was glanced fine for another four; pitched up, the same bowler was driven coolly through mid-wicket. At the other end, Gambhir eased Hoggard through the covers for another boundary, and the Indians were on their way. Andrew Flintoff was introduced in the 12th over and Jaffer greeted him with two back-foot cuts for four. It was hot, yes, and England's bowlers were not at their peak, but that takes nothing away from Gambhir and Jaffer. Occasionally there was lift and late movement, but both batsmen knew where to draw the line between aggression and recklessness.
Full postFans take to the streets
Tens of thousands of Bangladeshis poured on to the streets of Dhaka and other cities and towns across the country to celebrate the win over Sri Lanka
Cricinfo staff
22-Feb-2006
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People of all ages made up a victory procession on the Dhaka University campus immediately after the four-wicket victory, Bangladesh's first win against the former world champions. Young men beat drums, waved national flags and honked motorcycle horns as they gathered to celebrate the victory.
"We have shown once again that we can beat any team," said Hamidul Haq, a Dhaka University student. "Our players have proved that they deserve a place in top-class cricket."
The biggest celebrations took place in the northern town of Bogra, where more than 30,000 spectators watched the match. The revellers sprinkled coloured water and flower petals, beat drums and shouted slogans such as "Long live Bangladesh".
Full postOtago trounce Auckland by six wickets
A round-up of the 3rd day's play of the fourth round of matches in the State Championship
Dylan Cleaver
22-Feb-2006
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Otago coasted to a six-wicket win over Auckland after the home team were dismissed for a disappointing 216 in their second innings. Only Tim Lythe, with a marathon 47 that took nearly 200 balls, Tama Canning (51) and Andre Adams (25) provided any resistance to the pace attack of Bradley Scott, Warren McSkimming, Gareth Shaw and David Sewell. Otago lost early wickets chasing 139, but an unbeaten 60 from Jordan Sheed ensured there would be no dramatic collapse.
Northern Districts face the prospect of batting all day to save, or possibly win, the match against Wellington. After posting 312 for 9in their first innings thanks to wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan's brilliant century, Northern sat back and watched the hosts smash 303 for 3 in just 68 overs. Matthew Bell (54), Michael Parlane (82) and first-innings centurion Jesse Ryder (66) all posted half centuries. Northern made the worst possible start chasing 440 for victory, with Mark Gillespie capturing BJ Watling's wicket before stumps as Northern closed on 22 for 1.
Michael Papps posted his eighth first-class century but Central Districts took first-innings points in this match that appears destined for a draw unless Canterbury make an imaginative declaration on day four. With a first-innings lead of 60 thanks to Ewen Thompson's bludgeoned 122 and debutant Tim Weston's measured 85 not out (and despite Brandon Hiini's 5 for 82), Central could do nothing about Canterbury's second-innings onslaught. Papps made an even 100 while Shanan Stewart completed a fine match double with 94. Canterbury reached stumps at 244 for 3 with Brendon Diamanti capturing all three wickets.
Full postBangladesh clinch historic win
Bangladesh batted with controlled aggression for their first-ever victory against Sri Lanka at the Bogra District Stadium
The Bulletin by Sriram Veera
22-Feb-2006
Bangladesh 213 for 6 (Ashraful 51, Omar 40, Aftab Ahmed 32*) beat Sri Lanka 212 (Jayasuriya 96) by four 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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Bangladesh batted with controlled aggression for their first-ever victory against Sri Lanka at the Bogra District Stadium. Javed Omar got the run-chase off the ground, Mohammad Ashraful provided the ballast, and Aftab Ahmed finished it off in style after a fine allround bowling performance - Syed Rasel, Mohammad Rafique and Alok Kapali grabbed two wickets apiece - had restricted Sri Lanka to 212 in the second of the three-match ODI series.
Ahmed, who had bowled parsimoniously, batted like a millionaire. Fifty seven runs were needed in 11.3 overs when Kapali joined him in the middle. Bangladesh had just lost their attacking-duo of Habibul Bashar and Ashraful, who in a 63-run partnership had taken Bangladesh close, and a collapse under pressure was the expected tale. But Aftab and Kapali held their nerves and inched close before Aftab decided to hasten the end with some stunning hits. Khaled Mashud's push to short third-man ushered in the historic win.
The chase got off in style with the recalled opener Omar and Shariar Nafees powering Bangladesh to 38 in eight overs before Sri Lanka fought back, prising out two wickets. Omar, crouching slightly at the crease, preferred to move quickly on his front foot, and wasted no opportunity to drive. He started off with a lofted on-drive past mid-on but subsequently eschewed the aerial route. Ruchira Perera was punch-driven through the off side for successive fours, Dilhara Fernando was cut twice to the point fence, and in the interim Omar concentrated on taking singles to rotate the strike. Nafees, moving back and across, slapped a few fours before falling to a poke outside off stump.
Full postCool Vettori takes New Zealand home
New Zealand found a cool head in Daniel Vettori and held their nerve to sneak home in a low-scoring ODI against West Indies at Queenstown
The Bulletin by Anand Vasu
21-Feb-2006
New Zealand 204 for 7 (Vettori 53*, Fulton 47) beat West Indies 200 for 8 (Hinds 76, Morton 39) by 3 wickets
Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary
How they were out
Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary
How they were out
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New Zealand found a cool head in Daniel Vettori and held their nerve to sneak home in a low-scoring ODI against West Indies at Queenstown to take a 2-0 lead in the series. When West Indies were put in to bat and restricted to 200 for 8 it appeared as though New Zealand would saunter to victory. But Ian Bradshaw and Fidel Edwards reduced New Zealand to 13 for 4, and wrested the initiative back for West Indies, but watched in dismay as Vettori made a calm and collected unbeaten 53 to guide New Zealand home with three wickets to spare.
West Indies' inability to close out a game once they had a grip on it - they simply lacked the firepower in both batting and bowling departments - once again came to the fore, and New Zealand's depth in batting, with Vettori coming in at No. 8 ensured that even the loss of early wickets could be overcome. Had New Zealand been asked to score at more than four an over the situation may have been different, but in the end all it took was for one man to bat sensibly.
Full postTrott guides Otago to first-innings lead
State Championship roundup
Dylan Cleaver
21-Feb-2006
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Auckland remains in big trouble after two days of this absorbing encounter.
Otago looked shaky chasing Auckland's first innings total of 272 when it found itself 4 for 58. However import Jonathan Trott continued his rich summer with a brilliant 120 from just 156 balls. Handy knocks by Gareth Hopkins (52) and Nathan McCullum (66) saw Otago post a lead of 80. Auckland found itself in further trouble at 31 for 2 at stumps, Warren McSkimming picking up both Tim McIntosh and Richard Jones. Earlier Auckland seamer Kyle Mills took 4 for 91from 20.5 overs.
Wellington moved into a position of complete dominance
after reducing a disappointing Northern Districts batting line-up to 186 for 6 at stumps in reply to its first inning total of 448. Many of the Northern batsmen made starts but as of yet Nick Horsley's 42 is the best score. Any hope Northern has of remaining competitive in this game is for Joseph Yovich (14 not out) to score big on day three. The consistent Mark Gillespie took 3 for 46 of 19 overs. Earlier Wellington posted a big first innings total thanks to a handy contribution down the order from Sam Fairley (59 not out) to supplement Jesse Ryder's excellent 141 on the first day.
Ewen Thompson is having a match to remember
in Christchurch. Fresh from taking 4 for 66 in Canterbury's first innings score of 314, Thompson was the inspiration behind a remarkable Central Districts revival with the bat, his unbeaten 100 drawing Central even with Canterbury at stumps with four wickets in hand. At 104 for 5 and then 163 for 6, you would have got long odds on Central taking first innings points but Tim Weston, playing in his debut first-class match dropped anchor and was unbeaten on 63 from 179 balls. Thompson needed about half that amount to bring up his third first-class century with 15 fours and three sixes.
Full postKasprowicz and Bichel guide Bulls to three-day win
Michael Kasprowicz produced a timely performance as Queensland jumped to a four-point Pura Cup lead
Cricinfo staff
21-Feb-2006
Queensland 252 and 6 for 365 dec (Perren 168*, Love 58, Tait 3-90) beat South Australia 114 and 209 (Lehmann 74, Kasprowicz 4-63, Bichel 4-77) by 294 runs
Scorecard
Pura Cup table
Scorecard
Pura Cup table
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Michael Kasprowicz produced a timely performance ahead of the South Africa tour as Queensland jumped to a four-point Pura Cup lead with a 294-run victory over South Australia. With Glenn McGrath expected to be ruled out of next month's Test series, Kasprowicz went head-to-head with Jason Gillespie in the match and today he combined with Andy Bichel for eight wickets as the Redbacks were dismissed for 209.
Clinton Perren's brilliant 168 from 202 balls allowed Jimmy Maher to declare from the comfort of 6 for 365, setting South Australia a massive target of 504. The chase began poorly when both openers departed by the time they reached 2, Kasprowicz collecting Ben Cameron and Bichel taking caring of Greg Blewett. Mark Cosgrove and Cameron Borgas fell with the score on 72 before Kasprowicz struck twice in three balls to end a 97-run partnership between Darren Lehmann and Callum Ferguson.
Full postKhaled Mahmud signs off in style
Khaled Mahmud, Bangladesh's veteran allrounder and former captain, finally bowed out after the first ODI against Sri Lanka at Bogra
Cricinfo staff
20-Feb-2006
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Mahmud's announcements of his impending retirement had become as frequent as his Test wickets, but his decision to hang on for one last day in the sun worked out well. It could have gone horribly wrong, but he saved one of his better performances with the bat until the end. It was a far cry from when he was booed off by home supporters after an abject performance - both personally and by his team - against England at Chittagong in 2003-04.
His stats do not make pretty reading. In 77 ODIs he scored 991 runs at 14.36 and took 67 wickets at 42.76 with an economy rate of 5.07. He also played 12 Tests, scoring 266 runs at 12.09 and capturing 13 wickets at 64.00. But against that, it should be remembered that he was part of a team that was being beaten regularly, and for some of that time had the added burden of the captaincy. His first-class record, however, is far more impressive.
While those statistics were often ridiculed on the international stage - never more so than when he briefly had a Test bowling average of over 400 - he stuck to the task in hand, and was a valued contributor in a young squad off the field. At 35, he was a positive geriatric in such a youthful side.
Full postBulls ride on commanding Perren century
Clinton Perren's forceful century gave Queensland a huge lead of 426 as they controlled the second day against South Australia
Cricinfo staff
20-Feb-2006
Queensland 252 and 3 for 288 (Perren 123*, Love 58) lead South Australia 114 (Bichel 4-37) by 426 runs
Scorecard
Scorecard
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Clinton Perren's forceful century gave Queensland a huge lead of 426 as they controlled the second day against South Australia and attempted to jump into the outright lead in the Pura Cup table. The Bulls, who are now level with Victoria on 24, collected the two first-innings points before lunch and then set their sights on another four while reaching 3 for 288 at stumps.
In a match where the ball has dominated on a cracking pitch, Perren, who was Queensland's best batsman in the first innings with 74, controlled the opposition bowlers with an unbeaten 123 from 160 balls. Perren's eighth first-class century included some punishing strokeplay, including 18 from one over of Cullen Bailey's legspin, and he finished with 15 fours and a six.
Full postSthalekar pushes Australia to innings victory
Australia crushed India by an innings and four runs on the third day of the one-off Test at the Adelaide Oval
Cricinfo staff
20-Feb-2006
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Australia crushed India by an innings and four runs on the third day of the one-off Test at the Adelaide Oval. Lisa Sthalekar, the offspinner, set up the win with career-best figures of 5 for 30 as India folded for 153 to follow their first-innings 93.
Australia bowled a suffocating line and delivered a total of 60 maidens as India scored at one-and-a-half runs an over. Resuming on 3 for 51, the visitors lost Devika Palshikar to Cathryn Fitzpatrick after adding only two runs before Rumeli Dhar and Sunetra Paranjpe offered some resistance in a stand of 51.
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