Report
Shankara Rao spins Railways to huge win
A summary of the fourth day in the latest round of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group
Cricinfo staff
12-Dec-2005
Shankara Rao, the left-arm spinner, picked up career-best figures to pummel Gujarat on the final day in Delhi, giving Railways an emphatic 193-run victory. Gujarat, 57 for 2 overnight, lost Niraj Patel on the fifth ball of the morning with Rao snapping up the return chance off his own bowling. From this point on, Rao spun a web around Gujarat's batsmen and barring a defiant 48 from Parthiv Patel it turned out to be a shambolic performance overall. With just two points from three games, Gujarat have an ardous road ahead if they harbour thoughts of a semi-final berth. The win, though, came as a welcome relief for Railways after two disappointing outings in the opening two rounds.
Punjab 550 for 7 beat Hyderabad 200 and 199 (Gagandeep Singh 5-54) by an innings and 151 runs
Scorecard
Full postScorecard
Hasan Raza boosts Habib Bank to 663
Pakistan discards starred as Habib Bank amassed a first-innings total of 663 for 8
12-Dec-2005
Pakistan discards starred as Habib Bank amassed a first-innings total of 663 for 8 on the second day of their first-round Patron's Trophy Cricket Championship match against Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), at the United Bank Limited (UBL) Sports Complex Ground No.1 on Sunday.
Imran Farhat achieved a first-class career-best score of 242, Hasan Raza - who played in two of the recent Test matches against England before being sent back to the barracks -- contributed 178 and Humayun Farhat hit a characteristic quickfire 71 down the order.The third-wicket partnership between Imran and Hasan was worth 361 runs and took the total from 148-2 to beyond 500. Imran added an exact 100 to his overnight 142. Having already attained his 15th hundred in 90 first-class matches, he batted for nine hours 23 minutes and faced 402 balls for his 242, with 25 fours and a six. Hasan scored 178 runs off 303 deliveries in just short of seven hours with 15 fours and two sixes. This was his 26th knock of hundred or more in his first-class career.
Imran now has 6,000 runs in first-class cricket at an average of 42.25. His brother Humayun, playing in his first season for Habib Bank, needed only 66 balls to hit 71 runs with six boundaries. Junaid Zia and Humayun added 74 runs for the eighth wicket. Junaid was still at the crease with an unbeaten 32, made off 48 balls with one four.
Service Industries took a first-innings lead of 50 runs against Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) on the second day of their first-round Patron's Trophy Cricket Championship match at the Iqbal Stadium. Masood Asim hit an unbeaten 96 in Service Industries' first innings of 234, before he ran out of partners after having gone in at No.3. He was assisted capably by Afaq Rahim (46) and Mohammad Irshad (28).Tahir Mughal captured 5-64 for PTCL with Waqar Ahmed taking 3-63. In PTCL's score of 184 all out, the best innings was Zulqarnain Haider's 59 off 127 balls with seven fours. For Services, Mohammad Irshad (3-79) and Jamshed Ahmed (4-35) were the pick of the bowlers. At the end of the day, the Services' opening pair had made 24 without being separated, having taken the team's overall lead to 74 runs.
Full postBailey and Birt lead record-breaking recovery
A record partnership of 292 for the fourth wicket picked Tasmania up from a horrible start and moved them into a dominant position against South Australia
Cricinfo staff
12-Dec-2005
A record partnership of 292 for the fourth wicket picked Tasmania up from a horrible start and moved them into a dominant position against South Australia at Bellerive Oval. The Tigers suffered a disastrous opening when their first three batsmen were all dismissed caught behind by Graham Manou off Paul Rofe, but George Bailey and Travis Birt joined forces at 3 for 15 to drag their team to safety as they finished the day at 6 for 311.
Bailey struck his second hundred of the season and Birt secured the first century of his career as the pair first plugged the damage - they were 3 for 39 off 29 overs at lunch - and then opened up in the remaining two sessions. Batting in blustery conditions, they produced the highest fourth-wicket partnership for Tasmania, beating the 258 of Michael Taylor and Danny Buckingham in 1987-88.
Jason Gillespie finally broke the partnership on 307 when he dismissed Bailey for 155, which included 18 fours in 226 balls, and Birt followed one run later when he was run out for 140. Birt hit 14 fours and two sixes from his 231 deliveries. Paul Rofe chipped in again when he trapped Shannon Tubb lbw and was rewarded with figures of 4 for 57 on an ultimately disappointing day for the Redbacks.
Full postYovich and Orchard revive Northern Districts
Mark Orchard and Joseph Yovich shared a record unbeaten 239-run sixth-wicket partnership for Northern Districts
Cricinfo staff
12-Dec-2005
Northern Districts 277 for 5 (Orchard 112*, Yovich 106*) v Central Districts
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Jamie How would have been very pleased after he won the toss and inserted Northern Districts. At 38 for 5, Northern's batsmen looked certain to collapse as pathetically as they did in their opening match against Otago. However, Mark Orchard and Joseph Yovich found no demons in either the McLean Park pitch or Central's bowlers. Both posted their maiden first-class centuries and shared a record unbeaten 239-run sixth-wicket partnership. Orchard was first to reach hundred, and ended the day on 112 after 245 balls of dedicated graft. Yovich, who previously had a 99 to his name, made 106 from 219 balls. Central's bowlers shared the early wickets with Ewen Thompson the best with 2-46.
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Jamie How would have been very pleased after he won the toss and inserted Northern Districts. At 38 for 5, Northern's batsmen looked certain to collapse as pathetically as they did in their opening match against Otago. However, Mark Orchard and Joseph Yovich found no demons in either the McLean Park pitch or Central's bowlers. Both posted their maiden first-class centuries and shared a record unbeaten 239-run sixth-wicket partnership. Orchard was first to reach hundred, and ended the day on 112 after 245 balls of dedicated graft. Yovich, who previously had a 99 to his name, made 106 from 219 balls. Central's bowlers shared the early wickets with Ewen Thompson the best with 2-46.
Canterbury 92 for 3 v Auckland
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There was little to get excited about at the Village Green in Christchurch as rain dominated proceedings. In the 27.3 overs bowled, Canterbury stuttered to 92 for 3 against Auckland. Michael Papps (2), Peter Fulton (18) and the out-of-form Nathan Astle (5) went early before Gary Stead (31*) and another under-fire batsman, Craig McMillan (24*), took the home side through to some safety. Tama Canning was the most successful bowler with 2 for 32 from his eight overs.
Scorecard
There was little to get excited about at the Village Green in Christchurch as rain dominated proceedings. In the 27.3 overs bowled, Canterbury stuttered to 92 for 3 against Auckland. Michael Papps (2), Peter Fulton (18) and the out-of-form Nathan Astle (5) went early before Gary Stead (31*) and another under-fire batsman, Craig McMillan (24*), took the home side through to some safety. Tama Canning was the most successful bowler with 2 for 32 from his eight overs.
Otago 37 for 3 trail Wellington 292 (Parlane 57, Ryder 79) by 255 runs
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Wellington were in early trouble after they were asked to bat at Dunedin's University Oval. At 34 for 3, there was an opportunity for Otago to squeeze the visitors, but a strong middle order performance, led by Jesse Ryder (79), enabled Wellington to take a position of strength after a rain-affected first day. Ryder followed up his round-one century with a typically fluent innings and it was a big surprise to see him lose his stumps after he played down the wrong line to Brad Scott.
Scorecard
Wellington were in early trouble after they were asked to bat at Dunedin's University Oval. At 34 for 3, there was an opportunity for Otago to squeeze the visitors, but a strong middle order performance, led by Jesse Ryder (79), enabled Wellington to take a position of strength after a rain-affected first day. Ryder followed up his round-one century with a typically fluent innings and it was a big surprise to see him lose his stumps after he played down the wrong line to Brad Scott.
Neal Parlane (57), Mark Gillespie (42) and James Franklin also contributed. Warren McSkimming, Scott and Jonathan Trott each picked up two wickets. Otago did not enjoy the cold conditions when they replied late in the day, slumping to 7 for 2. AJ Harris had the worst possible start to his first-class career, being trapped in front by Franklin without offering a shot to the first ball he faced. Trott (18) was caught in a similar fashion on the first ball of the last over to leave Otago 37 for 3 with Jordan Sheed unbeaten on 11.
Full postRajan's ten-wicket haul gives MP shot at victory
A summary of the third day in the latest round of the Ranji Trophy Plate Group
Cricinfo staff
12-Dec-2005
Madhya Pradesh 241 and 32 for 2 require another 178 runs to beat Jharkhand 319 and 131 (Rajan 5-44)
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Scorecard
Anand Rajan, Madhya Pradesh's debutant fast bowler, gave his side a good chance for victory by bundling out Jharkhand for 131 on the third day at Indore - leaving MP 210 to win on the final day. This was an impressive performance from the 20-year-old Rajan, whose five wickets completely dominated the day's play and capped a fine comeback for MP, who had earlier lost four quick wickets in the morning as Shankar Rao's medium pace ripped through the tail. Much of MP's fortunes in the run-chase will rest on Devendra Bundela, their first innings centurion, after they got off to a shaky start, losing two quick wickets towards the end of the day.
Goa 316 for 6 (Asnodkar 162*, Jakati 59*) lead Tripura 309 by 7 runs
Scorecard
Scorecard
Swapnil Asnodkar compiled his highest first-class score as Goa surpassed Tripura's first-innings total on the third day's play at Margao, ending on 316 for 6. Asnodkar batted for a marathon 530 minutes, stroking 21 fours, and he added 117 runs for the seventh wicket with Shabad Jakati, the left-arm spinner. Eight bowlers were used by Rasudeb Datta, Tripura's captain, with only Vineet Jain's medium pace accounting for two wickets on a tough fielding day.
Full postAkmal ton fires Pakistan level
Pakistan eased to a seven-wicket win in the second one-day international, on the back of Kamran Akmal's second one-day ton, to level the series
The Bulletin by Andrew McGlashan
12-Dec-2005
Pakistan 231 for 3 (Akmal 102, Butt 43) beat England 230 (Plunkett 56, Shoaib 5-54) by seven 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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Akmal's second one-day century came from 108 balls, his first against West Indies was also as an opener, and followed on from Shoaib's fiery five-wicket haul which knocked the stuffing out of England. Chasing 230, Pakistan did not need to race along but Akmal was in a hurry from the start. Despite kick-starting his knock with an uppercut for six off Steve Harmison he did not take any undue risks and found few problems with any of the bowlers. He indulged in his favourite cover drive, peppering the off side with timing and placement.
Defending a well-below-par total, England knew that early wickets were their only chance and needed a repeat of Shoaib's performance which had earlier left them floundering on 130 for 8. A bowler light after subbing James Anderson with Vikram Solanki, they threw their new-ball heavyweights at the Pakistan openers. Akmal and Salman Butt responded to the challenge by setting a rapid pace, latching on to any hint of width and having the confidence in the pitch to drive through the line.
Full postOpener Pathan sets India up
Irfan Pathan's career-best knock at the top of the order helped India set their sights on an imposing lead in their second innings at Delhi
The Bulletin by Siddhartha Vaidyanathan
12-Dec-2005
India 290 and 237 for 5 (Pathan 93, Dravid 53) lead Sri Lanka 230 (Kumble 6-72) by 297 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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The cricketing world may soon remember December 12 as Irfan Pathan's day. Exactly two years after he made his Test debut, and exactly one year after his first ten-wicket haul, Pathan, opening the batting for the first time in a Test, produced a triumphant career-best 93 to propel India to a dominant position in the Delhi Test, with a lead of 297 with two days to play.
As a young colt sparkled in a new role, two old warhorses played their part admirably: Anil Kumble, ending with a six-wicket haul, extended his astonishing record at Delhi - he now has 44 in nine innings - while Rahul Dravid, displaying a silken flourish, produced his highest score as captain. There was a landmark moment for another battle-scarred campaigner - Chaminda Vaas snapped up his 300th Test wicket - but Sri Lanka, playing catch-up for most of the day, will now have to score more than any other team to win a Test at the Feroz Shah Kotla.
Full postTitans stutter to a win
A summary of the sixth round of matches from the Standard Bank Cup
Keith Lane
11-Dec-2005
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Set a small target of 171, the Titans got off to a cautious start as Cobras
bowlers maintained a disciplined line to subdue most of the Titans batsmen.
Charl Willoughby's immaculate line and length was rewarded with 3 for 21 in an uninterrupted nine overs. Ian Harvey took 1 for 12 in a spell of seven overs while left arm spinner Con de Lange took three wickets in the middle of his spell.
With the Titans at 125 for 7 after 36 overs, the match was in balance
but Johan Myburgh kept his head scoring a match winning 59 not out as the
Titans scraped home with six balls to spare.
The Cape Cobras had earlier also struggled to come to terms with the quick
and bouncy SuperSport Park pitch and, after being asked to bat first, they were kept under pressure throughout their innings. Losing four wickets for 71 in the first 20 overs had not helped their cause, but JP Duminy (43) and Henry Davids (40) put on a near match winning partnership of 60 for the fifth wicket.
Full postBangladesh slip up against Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh in the latest match of the Under-19 triangular tournament
Cricinfo staff
11-Dec-2005
Sri Lanka 240 for 8 (de Zoysa 48, Serasinghe 45) beat Bangladesh 226 all out (Iqbal 55, Hasan 77) by 14 runs
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Scorecard
Bangladesh's unbeaten record in the triangular series was finally broken by Sri Lanka in the final group match which was both a dead rubber and a dress rehearsal for Tuesday's final.
Sri Lanka will now head into the deciding game in buoyant spirits after completing back-to-back victories against the tournament whipping boys England and now the
boys-to-beat Bangladesh.
Saqibul Hasan and Mehrab Hossain took five wickets between them to put Sri Lanka in some difficulty at 174 for 8, but an unbeaten ninth-wicket stand of 66 between Prabhadda Perera and Malinda Pushpakamara boosted them to their eventual total of 240 for 8. Sameera de Zoysa had helped to set a decent platform, with 48, and Sachithra Serasinghe added 45, but the innings began to unravel before the last-minute rescue operation.
Full postKhaleel sparkles amid the gloom
A summary of the third day in the latest round of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group
Cricinfo staff
11-Dec-2005
Hyderabad 200 and 168 for 7 (Khalil 101*) trail Punjab 550 for 7 (Sharma 126*) by 182 runs
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Scorecard
Ibrahim Khaleel's second century of the season - a fighting knock under trying circumstances - appeared unlikely to prevent Hyderabad, still 183 runs behind with only three wickets in hand, from slipping to defeat against Punjab at Chandigarh. Punjab were in a dominant position after amassing 550 for 7 in their first innings, thanks to centuries from Ravneet Ricky, who notched his career-best 180, Gaurav Gupta and Muneesh Sharma, whose maiden first-class hundred came in only his fifth match. Punjab's day of dominance continued through its fast bowlers - Gagandeep Singh, Hardevinder Sandhu and L Ablash picked up two wickets each. All three bowlers were irrepressible in the afternoon session, leaving Hyderabad shell-shocked at 4 for 11 before Khaleel, the wicketkeeper, led a fine counterattack.
Haryana 260 and 223 for 3 (Rana 83*, Verma 55*) lead Baroda 339 (Solanki 74*, Joginder Sharma 4-102) by 144 runs
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Scorecard
A brilliant 133-run partnership between Sachin Rana, the first innings centurion, and Siddharth Verma, gave Haryana a lead of 144 over Baroda on the third day of their Elite Group B match at Sirsa. Rana carried on from his magnificent display in the first innings, but it was a marked improvement from the supporting act, namely Verma and Bagheshwar Bist, who hit a solid 40 from the No.3 spot. Earlier, four wickets from Joginder Sharma, Haryana's opening bowler, helped dismiss Baroda for 339, but not before Rakesh Solanki stroked a vital 74, a knock that could help them gain first-innings points.
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