Report
England survive scare and Inzamam ton to stay in series
England survived a tense final session to carry hopes of drawing the series to Lahore next week
The Bulletin by Martin Williamson
24-Nov-2005
England 446 and 164 for 6 (Flintoff 56, Pietersen 42) drew with Pakistan 462 and 268 for 9 dec (Inzamam 100*, Butt 50)
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
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When Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen came together shortly after lunch England were 20 for 4 and facing a fired-up Shoaib Akhtar and less demonstrative but equally dangerous Rana Naved-ul-Hasan. The two batsmen eased the nerves, Pietersen in a typically crash-bang-wallop manner while Flintoff preferred a more cautious approach, although he briefly allowed himself to raid the sweetie jar when he slog-swept the disappointing Danish Kaneria for a massive six.
With the benefits of the new ball dissipated and the shirtfront pitch again dominating, Pakistan's job grew harder by the over. As heads drooped, Naved-ul-Hasan gave his side a fillip with tea looming. Pietersen looked to flick the ball, but a thick inside edge ballooned to leg and substitute Asim Kamal took a good diving catch running in from mid-on. And then just as England's pulses calmed as the last hour began, Flintoff gloved an attempted hook off Akhtar and the ball looped to Hasan Raza, a substitute who had just come on as the over began.
Full postJaffer cracks double-hundred on opening day
A summary of matches on the first day of the latest round in the Ranji Trophy
Cricinfo staff
23-Nov-2005
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A superb double-hundred from Wasim Jaffer helped Mumbai get off to an emphatic start in their opening Ranji Trophy game against Delhi. Mumbai, who were edged out by Punjab in the semi-finals last year, were reduced to 23 for 2, after choosing to bat at the Feroz Shah Kotla, but Jaffer and Amol Muzumdar put them on track with a fine 306-run stand. Jaffer, who smashed a hundred on the first day of last season as well, cracked 28 fours and two sixes in his fine effort. Muzumdar played second fiddle in his 231-ball knock as the duo put Mumbai on course to a mammoth total. For Delhi, Kunal Lal, the son of former Indian allrounder Madan, snapped up the two early wickets but the rest, including Amit Bhandari on his first day as Delhi captain, had to endure the leather hunt for the rest of the day.
Railways 186 for 5 (Ali 59) v Karnataka
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Railways began their title defence in shaky fashion as Karnataka kept them down to 186 for 5 at the end of the first day's play at the Karnail Singh Stadium in Delhi. After being sent in, Railways were off to a disastrous start, losing their captain, Sanjay Bangar, in the very first over. All the batsmen found the going tough, with the scoring-rate just over two an over, and it was left to Raja Ali, a journeyman who usually bails them out of trouble, to prop them up. Vinay Kumar, the medium-pacer who finished with 3 for 30, helped Karnataka constantly chip away before Anil Kumble, who bowled 28 overs on the day, claimed the crucial wicket of Ali in the final session.
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Railways began their title defence in shaky fashion as Karnataka kept them down to 186 for 5 at the end of the first day's play at the Karnail Singh Stadium in Delhi. After being sent in, Railways were off to a disastrous start, losing their captain, Sanjay Bangar, in the very first over. All the batsmen found the going tough, with the scoring-rate just over two an over, and it was left to Raja Ali, a journeyman who usually bails them out of trouble, to prop them up. Vinay Kumar, the medium-pacer who finished with 3 for 30, helped Karnataka constantly chip away before Anil Kumble, who bowled 28 overs on the day, claimed the crucial wicket of Ali in the final session.
On a day of unlikely heroes at Pune, Sourav Ganguly celebrated his return to the Indian side with a five-wicket haul but Munaf Patel, the fast bowler, brought Maharashtra back into the match with a fiery 78. Choosing to field at Nehru Stadium, Bengal made inroads into the Maharashtra batting line-up mainly through Ganguly, who finished with fine returns in his 20 overs. Maharashtra were 172 for 6 at one stage, with all the main batsmen gone, but Munaf carted seven fours and four sixes in his 90-ball knock and shared a crucial 52-run partnership with Satyajit Satbhai, the wicketkeeper. He was unbeaten at the end of the day and Munaf will hope to continue the good work tomorrow, first with bat and then with the ball.
Full postSporting declaration leaves England 311 to win
England's women ended the third day of the only Test at Delhi on 3 for 0 , and require another 308 runs to win this match
Cricinfo staff
23-Nov-2005
Close England 3 for 0 and 154 (Brindle 37, Goswami 5-25) require another 308 runs to beat India 175 for 4 dec (Jain 35) and 289 (Raj 78, Jain 40, Chopra 65)
England ended the third day of the only Test at Delhi on 3 for 0, and require another 308 runs to win this match after India declared on 175 for 4. India will be looking towards the impressive Jhulan Goswami - who took 5 for 25 in the first innings - to deliver as they attempt their first Test win against England.
Charlotte Edwards and Laura Newton began England's run chase in cautious mode, facing four overs against the new ball. No doubt they are waiting for the final day to attempt any acceleration. Earlier in the day, Beth Morgan and Jane Smit saved the follow-on by putting on 50 for the ninth wicket, which was also the last after Katherine Brunt retired hurt with a broken hand.
Full postEngland attack keeps Test alive
Pakistan closed on 183 for 6 after England took vital wickets during the final two sessions
The Bulletin by Will Luke
23-Nov-2005
Pakistan 462 and 183 for 6 (Butt 50, Inzamam 41*, Naved 0*, Flintoff 3-46) lead England 446 (Bell 115, Pietersen 100, Afridi 4-95) by 199 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Gallery of the day
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Gallery of the day
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England fought back brilliantly on the fourth day at Faisalabad thanks to plucky tail-end resistance and another marathon performance from Andrew Flintoff. Pakistan closed on 183 for 6 leading by 199 runs, with Inzamam-ul-Haq not-out on 41 and, intriguingly, all three results are now possible.
Flintoff breathed life into a Test which, at one stage in the afternoon session, appeared to be drifting inevitably towards a draw. Stunning Pakistan with two wickets in two balls, he put England right back into the match with a genuine chance of victory.
Full postGoswami leaves England on the rack
England are facing the prospect of following on against India after closing on 103 for 7 in reply to India's 289
Jenny Thompson
22-Nov-2005
Close England 103 for 7 (Birch 14*, Morgan 1*) v India 289 (Raj 78, Jain 40, Chopra 65)
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Unlike the men on their tour of the subcontinent, England's women have only one dart at Test glory. Unfortunately they got it badly wrong on the second day of the only Test after a hostile bowling display by India and they closed on 103 for 7, still 37 short of the follow-on.
Jhulan Goswami started the rot at Delhi, ripping through their top order to swing the match in India's favour, bowling a good line and finding some bounce. She forced both Laura Newton and Charlotte Edwards to play on then found Claire Taylor's edge, and all in a blink. At 25 for 3, England were in trouble and Rumeli Dhar soon made matters worse, trapping Jenny Gunn for 5 and bowling Lydia Greenway for 6 (49 for 5).
In dire straits, England dropped anchor, but Laura Harper fell for 10 after giving Shravanthi Naidu the charge. To seal a gloomy batting display for England while applying the icing to her cake, Goswami prised out Arran Brindle for 37 just before the close. This is a key wicket for India, Brindle having shown her stickability to save the first Ashes Test with a fine hundred at Hove this summer.
Full postBell and Pietersen revive England
England closed the third day on 391 for 7, 71 runs behind Pakistan after centuries from Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen
The Bulletin by Will Luke
22-Nov-2005
England 391 for 7 (Bell 115, Pietersen 100, Giles 23*, Naved 2-63) trail Pakistan 462 by 71runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Gallery of the day
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Gallery of the day
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Pakistan's firm grip on this Test match slackened on the third day at Faisalabad, thanks to centuries from Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen - and their own sloppy fielding. England closed on 391 for 7 largely owing to the centurions but also aided by an elegant, classy knock from Geraint Jones. Had they held their catches, Pakistan would now almost certainly be on their way to victory.
In contrast to yesterday's dramatic events, it was a day of proper Test cricket; one of fluctuating fortunes, of dropped catches and of steady progress by the batsman.
Full postRaj at the helm as India make solid start
India coursed to 241 for 5 by the close after bossing the first day of the one-off women's Test against England at New Delhi
Jenny Thompson
21-Nov-2005
India 241 for 5 (Raj 78, Jain 40, Chopra 65, Dhar 32*, Sarha 4*) v England
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India haven't played any international cricket for six months, but you wouldn't know it. Their batsmen coursed to 241 for 5 by the close after bossing the first day of the one-off Test against England at New Delhi. Mithali Raj led the charge with 78, and she enjoyed solid partnerships with Karuna Jain and Anjum Chopra.
The toss was a no-brainer on a flat pitch under sunny skies, but India were soon in trouble after Monica Sumra perished for 6 with the score on 12. Enter Raj who joined Jain to add 83 for the second wicket, and then 59 for the third with Chopra.
Full postPakistan take firm control on day of drama
Pakistan took a firm grip on the second Test at Faisalabad as England closed on 113 for 3, still 349 in arrears
The Bulletin by Martin Williamson
21-Nov-2005
England 113 for 3 (Bell 36*, Pietersen 4*) trail Pakistan 462 (Inzamam 109, Afridi 92, Yousuf 78) by 349 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Gallery of the day
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Gallery of the day
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It was a day of entertainment, drama and controversy. In the morning Pakistan batted with flair and such was the ferocity of the assault that the cricket often bore more resemblance to a one-day match than a Test. That session was rather overshadowed by the unfortunate dismissal of Inzamam-ul-Haq soon after he had equalled Javed Miandad's record of 23 Test hundreds for Pakistan. And when England batted, some good bowling from Rana Naved-ul-Hasan was followed by a short delay caused by an exploding gas cylinder, and then Shahid Afridi clearly and deliberately appeared to scuff the pitch on a length during a drinks break. His ill-timed act was spotted by the umpires, and the referee rightly slammed him with a three-match ban at a hearing shortly after the end of the day
That was a shame as Pakistan were doing the hard work and again had the best of the day, and it was Afridi who set them on their way with a continuation of the blistering assault he started last night. At the close yesterday he told reporters that he would take things easy against the new ball this morning. He obviously slept on it and changed his mind, and from the off looked to attack. Even Inzamam, who had played a solid anchor innings yesterday, appeared just as keen to open up.
Full postKasprowicz bowls Queensland to victory
Michael Kasprowicz claimed a superb 8 for 44, his career-best figures, as Queensland hammered Victoria by 225 runs in the Pura Cup clash at Brisbane
Cricinfo staff
21-Nov-2005
Queensland 169 and 405 (Perren 90, Bichel 84, Maher 66, Simpson 52, Wise 5-92) beat Victoria 194 and 155 (Mash 52*, Kasprowicz 8-44) by 225 runs
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Michael Kasprowicz claimed a superb 8 for 44, his career-best figures, as Queensland hammered Victoria by 225 runs in the Pura Cup clash at Brisbane. Chasing an unlikely 381 for victory, Victoria were bowled out for 155 midway through the morning session on the final day.
Only Lloyd Mash provided some resistance with a doughty 84 as Victoria managed to add just 60
to their overnight total. Kasprowicz snapped up four of the five wickets to fall this morning and his burst helped Queensland move into third place in the table behind New South Wales and Victoria.
Full postAustralia waltz to thumping win
Australia sealed a nine-wicket win in the second Test and retained the Frank Worrell Trophy
The Bulletin by Anand Vasu
20-Nov-2005
Australia 406 (Hussey 137, Hayden 110) and 1 for 78 beat West Indies 149 and 334 (Bravo 113, Ramdin 71) by 9 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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Australia sealed a nine-wicket win well before lunch on the final day and retained the Frank Worrell Trophy by taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in this Test series. Matthew Hayden, who became the first batsman in the history of the game to score 1000 runs in a calendar year in five consecutive years, and Michael Hussey, ensured there was no fuss as they raced towards the target of 78.
Even on the final day, the pitch at the Bellerive Oval was perfect for batting. The ball came through to the bat at an even pace and there was little wear and tear on the pitch. West Indies' bowlers tried to keep a steady line and length, but with both Australian openers taking no chances, there was really no way of snaffling a breakthrough. Hayden, who has now scored four centuries in as many Tests, helped himself to 46 and levelled the scores, before trying to finish the game off with a big hit, holing out to cover off Chris Gayle. Hayden had played many confident strokes, including a powerful pull off the front foot and a booming cover-drive that simply raced to the fence. Hussey was very much the junior partner, chipping, driving and whittling away to 31 at his end.
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