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McGrath and Gillespie strangle India
Glenn McGrath, playing his 100th Test, spearheaded a powerful Australian attack, as India were restricted to 5 for 146, in reply to 398
Cricinfo staff
21-Jul-2005
India 5 for 146 (Kaif 47*) trail Australia 398 (Martyn 114, Clarke 91) by 252 runs
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Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
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Only in cricket can pigeon mean predator. Glenn McGrath, playing his 100th Test, spearheaded a powerful Australian attack, perhaps their best in the subcontinent, as India were restricted to 5 for 146 in reply to 398. They were choked for runs, and no-one pulled the noose tighter than McGrath, who took 2 for 18 in his 20 overs. Mohammad Kaif's 47 not out, an innings that was both obdurate and fluent, helped India back on track, but Australia were far ahead.
Start as you mean to go on, they say, but India's start was completely at odds with what followed. Virender Sehwag smashed four boundaries off Jason Gillespie's first over, but once he was out, the runs stopped flowing. Or even trickling. Aakash Chopra made 9 off 42 balls, Rahul Dravid made 21 off 140, and Sachin Tendulkar managed 8 off 36. The Indians collected only 60 runs in the afternoon session, as the run rate dived below two an over and stayed there. It was not all the batsmen's fault. The bowling was magnificent.
Full postNew Zealand ride on Fleming's 202
New Zealand made good progress towards victory on the second day of the Chittagong Test,
The Bulletin by Chandrahas Choudhury
21-Jul-2005
Bangladesh 82 for 3 (Omar 45*, Vettori 2-23) trail New Zealand 545 for 6 dec (Fleming 202, Styris 89, Marshall 69) by 463 runs
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Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
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New Zealand made good progress towards victory on the second day of the Chittagong Test, adding 207 to their first-day score in two sessions and then taking three Bangladesh wickets for 82 in the third. Stephen Fleming was the pivotal figure for the second successive day, moving from his overnight score of 137 to 202, his second double-hundred in Tests, before timing his declaration perfectly.
Fleming began the day with his sights clearly set on a double-hundred, but he found it hard going, especially as his partners were of little help. He added only 48 in the first session, at one point resorting to the reverse-sweep against Enamul Haque jr. to keep the scoreboard moving. But after lunch, tiring after more than seven hours at the crease, he moved to his double-hundred with a flurry of strokes. A few balls later he drove Rajin Saleh uppishly and was caught by Mushfiqur at cover for 202 (447 for 5). Fleming clearly enjoys batting in the subcontinent: he made a monumental 274 not out last year to help draw a Test in Sri Lanka - probably a more crucial innings, even if this one was likely to set up a victory for his team.
Full postRedbacks stay unchanged despite loss
South Australia have stuck with the same squad that copped a drubbing from Queensland last weekend for their ING Cup match against Victoria at Adelaide Oval on Saturday
Cricinfo staff
21-Jul-2005
South Australia have stuck with the same squad that copped a drubbing from Queensland last weekend for their ING Cup match against Victoria at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
Queensland won by 69 runs at the Gabba and the South Australia captain Graham Manou said his young side could learn from how the Bulls approached the game. John Davison will continue in the role of vice-captain, but the position will still be selected on a match-by-match basis.
Victoria have chosen Tim Welsford, the 22-year-old allrounder from Northcote, for the first time after his strong performances at Mooloolaba during the pre-season. Adam Crosthwaite, the wicketkeeper, has been picked for the second occasion after playing an ING Cup match against Queensland in 2002-03.
South Australia Graham Manou (c), Callum Ferguson, John Davison, Ryan Harris, Greg Blewett, Mark Higgs, Ben Cameron, Mick Miller, Mark Cleary, Shaun Tait, Mark Cosgrove, Matthew Weeks.
Full postMeuleman makes quick recovery from dislocated shoulder
Scott Meuleman has made an amazing recovery from a dislocated shoulder and will play for Western Australia in the ING Cup match against New South Wales
Cricinfo staff
21-Jul-2005
Batsman Scott Meuleman has made an amazing recovery from a dislocated shoulder and will play for Western Australia in the ING Cup match against New South Wales at North Sydney Oval on Sunday.
The return of Meuleman, who injured his left shoulder in the first over of Western Australia's opening match on October 15, is a big boost for the side that has missed his tenacious defence and sweet timing at the top of the order. The only change to the team that took on Tasmania was Beau Casson, the left-arm wrist spinner, replacing Aaron Heal, the left-arm orthodox spinner.
New South Wales have named an unchanged team to the one that lost to Tasmania on Sunday. The Blues were beaten by three wickets despite an impressive debut from the spinner Jason Krejza, who took 3 for 45. Krejza has been selected alongside the experienced legspinner Stuart MacGill.
Western Australia Michael Hussey (c), Murray Goodwin, Beau Casson, Michael Clark, Kade Harvey, Brad Hogg, Steve Magoffin, Scott Meuleman, Marcus North, Luke Ronchi, Adam Voges, Darren Wates.
Full postTaibu misses out on hundred
Mashonaland's captain Tatenda Taibu fell nine runs short of his third first-class century
Simon Park
21-Jul-2005
Matabeleland 16 for 2 trail Mashonaland 328 (Taibu 91, Samunderu 67, Chigumbura 50) by 312 runs
Scorecard
Scorecard
Mashonaland's captain Tatenda Taibu fell nine runs short of his third first-class century as the defending Logan Cup champions recovered from an early batting collapse to remain in control of proceedings on the first day of their match against Matabeleland at the Bulawayo Athletic Club.
Taibu scored 91 from 207 balls and had support from Kudakwashe Samunderu (67), on his debut, and Elton Chigumbura (50) as Mashonaland posted 328 in 93.1 overs after winning the toss. Matabeleland closed on 16 for 2.
Mashonaland had been in early trouble. Brendan Taylor was caught behind off Mluleki Nkala in the fourth over with only five runs on the board. That became 29 for 2 when Barney Rogers edged Tawanda Mupariwa to Wisdom Siziba for 3, before Bernard Mlambo, the other opener, fell for 16 in exactly the same way.
Full postFive-star McGrath stuns England
Glenn McGrath needed just five balls of the final session to haul Australia right back into contention in the first Test at Lord's
The Bulletin by Andrew Miller
21-Jul-2005
Close England 92 for 7 (Pietersen 29*) trail Australia 190 (Harmison 5-43) by 98 runs
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How they were out
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
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The big question ahead of this match was: "Would it, could it, live up to the hype?" The big answer, after a first day at Lord's that reeked of blood, sweat and gunpowder, was an emphatic "yes". In 40 high-octane overs before tea, England blew away the mighty Australian batting line-up for a paltry 190; in 31 metronomic deliveries afterwards, Glenn McGrath strangled five of England's finest to canter past 500 wickets in Tests, before Brett Lee, in a scorching, searching old-ball spell, ripped out two more in his final two overs, including Ashley Giles with the very last ball of the day.
Lee's bodyblows meant that the day ended as it began, with a pumped-up pace bowler straining every sinew to give his team the advantage. But, for all that Lee and, earlier, Steve Harmison found venomous lift on a capricious surface and left cuts and bruises like calling cards, it was McGrath's stunning return of five wickets for two runs in 6.1 overs that turned this match completely and utterly on its head. Not for the first time, McGrath demonstrated that the scalpel is mightier than the sword, as he rubbished all notions that Australia's attack is past its prime.
Full postEbrahim puts Manicaland in charge
When two indifferent teams play mediocre cricket, it is comparatively easy for one individual who rises above the pack to turn in a matchwinning performance
Terry Brown
21-Jul-2005
Manicaland 181 and 309 for 5 (Marumisa 59, Ebrahim 166*) lead Midlands 239 (Sibanda 62, Matsikenyeri 5-41) by 251 runs
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Scorecard
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When two indifferent teams play mediocre cricket, it is comparatively easy for one individual who rises above the pack to turn in a matchwinning performance. Dion Ebrahim probably did this on the second day for Manicaland against Midlands at Mutare Sports Club. Batting for most of the day, he played an outstanding innings of 166 not out, taking his team to 309 for 5 at the close.
Earlier Manicaland had conceded a first-innings lead of 58, thanks to an impressive 45 from the debutant Hilary Matanga at No. 9. Midlands totalled 239, but Ebrahim bucked the trend of low scores. Helped by 59 from opener Johnson Marumisa in a second-wicket stand of 142, he showed determination and enterprise from the start. The third century of his career came off 143 balls, and he played many fine drives - which he rarely shows in international matches.
Full postSnell saves Gloucestershire's blushes
Stephen Snell cracked a fine 83 not out on his first-class debut
Cricinfo staff
20-Jul-2005
Bangladesh A 98 for 3 (Tushar 36*, Alok 41*) trail Gloucestershire 232 (Snell 83*, Talha 3-37) by 134 runs
Scorecard
Scorecard
Stephen Snell cracked a fine 83 not out on his first-class debut, to haul Gloucestershire out of a tight corner against Bangladesh A on an intriguing opening day at Bristol.
Snell, a former Hampshire reserve wicketkeeper, came to the crease with Gloucestershire facing humiliation at 67 for 6 - which soon became 72 for 7 - but together with James Averis and the stand-in captain, Jon Lewis, he set about a salvage operation.
Snell and Averis added 88 for the eighth wicket, and when Averis fell for 33, Lewis was on hand to belt a quickfire 47, including 10 fours from 49 balls. He was eventually dismissed by the deserving Talha Jubair, who was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 37, before William Rudge was run out for 0 to deny Snell a chance of a century.
Full postSublime Martyn leads the way
A sublime 114 by Damien Martyn was the highlight of the first day at Nagpur as Australia ended on 7 for 362
Wisden Cricinfo staff
20-Jul-2005
Australia 7 for 362 (Martyn 114, Clarke 73*, Lehmann 70) v India
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Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
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Some strange soul brought a banner into the VCA Stadium in Nagpur that read, "A cheerful loser is a winner". Neither of these teams had any sympathy for that sentiment. The first day of the third Test between India and Australia was bitterly fought, with both sides playing intense, determined cricket, desperate to end the day with an advantage. The Aussies, on 7 for 362, had the upper hand at close of play thanks mainly to Damien Martyn's ninth Test century, but the Indians were still emphatically in the hunt.
All day, memorable things happened. To start with Rahul Dravid walked out to toss, and handed Adam Gilchrist a teamsheet that lacked the names of Sourav Ganguly (groin strain) and Harbhajan Singh (flu). Gilchrist won the toss and chose to bat on a much-hyped pitch that he described as "almost Australian-looking". And an Australian-looking start happened, as Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden added a quick 67, before India struck back with three wickets.
Full postFleming turns the screw
Stephen Fleming scored a commanding unbeaten 137 to take his team to 338 for 3 on the first day of the second Test at Chittagong
The Bulletin by Chandrahas Choudhury
20-Jul-2005
New Zealand 338 for 3 (Fleming 137*, Styris 89, Rafique 2-85) v Bangladesh
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
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New Zealand dominated the first day of the second Test at Chittagong, and were put on course for a big first-innings total by Stephen Fleming and Scott Styris, who put on 204 for the third wicket. Fleming, who made an accomplished and chanceless hundred, was the star of the show. His efforts on the day gave pleasure to spectators and also to statisticians: it was his 87th Test appearance, a national record, and he also went past Martin Crowe's record for the most Test runs by a New Zealander. He came to the crease in the 13th over of the day, and was not out with 137 at the close, by which time New Zealand were firmly in charge with 338 for 3.
Bangladesh were only in the game for a short period in the morning session, when Mohammad Rafique and Enamul Haque junior took a wicket apiece to reduce New Zealand to 61 for 2. But Fleming batted with assurance from the very start, and in the company of Styris he put New Zealand into a position that they should eventually convert into their second win of the series.
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