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Umar leads Pakistan's reply
Taufeeq Umar scored 111, his fourth Test hundred to help Pakistan to close on 275 for 4 against South Africa
Close Pakistan 275 for 4 (Umar 111, Kamal 49*) trail South Africa 320 by 45 runs
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Taufeeq Umar: notched up his fourth Test century |
Taufeeq Umar blended deft touches with careful defence to score his fourth Test hundred which helped Pakistan to finish the second day's play on a handy 275 for 4. South Africa were ragged in the morning, but were much sharper as the game went on, until they took the new ball and conceded some valuable runs. There was no blistering pace and quick-fire innings like yesterday, the day was all about nagging bowling and gritty batting.
Umar held sway for the majority of the day. He began shakily, but then profited from some shoddy bowling, driving anything full with a flourish. He then grew in confidence and put placement ahead of power, glancing and gliding to his fifty in an over in which he tore into Andre Nel. Then came the impressive part when with unerring concentration, he dug deep and entrenched.
Full postRain stops England in their stride
Gareth Batty took 3-19 before England's match against Bangladesh A was washed out
The Wisden Bulletin by Andrew Miller
07-Jul-2005
Bangladesh A 242 (Nasif 118) and 81 for 4 (Omar 29*, Muntasir 2*) drew with England (Trescothick 96) 333
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Top spinner: Gareth Batty boosted his chances of playing in the first Test with three wickets |
Three wickets in seven overs for Gareth Batty put England in command on the third and final day at the BKSP academy in Dhaka, but as the teams left the field for lunch a violent rain-storm put paid to the day's play. It meant that England had failed to win in either of their warm-up matches ahead of Tuesday's first Test, and their coach Duncan Fletcher remains unsure of the balance of the side that he will opt for in that match.
Batty, though, did his bit to ensure that England will enter the match with two spinners, rather than a seam-orientated attack. After being described in the local press as "ordinary', he responded with the wickets of Aftab Ahmed and Rajin Saleh, two men who were yesterday named in Bangladesh's Test squad. When Najimuddin was caught behind by Geraint Jones (standing in for Chris Read), Batty had returned the impressive figures of 3 for 19.
Full postStylish Martyn makes his mark
Damien Martyn's 71 shone bright on a scorching second day of the Australian's tour opener in Mumbai
The Bulletin by Wisden Cricinfo staff
07-Jul-2005
Mumbai 4 for 150 (Muzumdar 50*) trail Australians 7 for 302 dec (Martyn 71 retired, Hayden 67) by 152 runs
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Damien Martyn's 71 shone bright on a scorching second day of the Australians' tour opener in Mumbai. Adam Gilchrist also gained some valuable batting practice, although in a sedate manner, before declaring the innings at 7 for 302. Mumbai had reached 4 for 150 by the close, mainly due to the impetus provided by Wasim Jaffer and Amol Muzumdar.
Martyn's innings brought a more relaxed air to the day's play, unlike the shock-factor that Matthew Hayden induced yesterday. Relying on assured footwork and lithe wrists, Martyn nudged it around and, along with Brad Hodge, took the score past 200. Hodge, broad-shouldered and punching forcefully, didn't face too many problems either and even creamed Ramesh Powar for two successive fours in the 14th over of the day - one off either foot and both through the extra-cover region. However, he was undone by the final ball of the same over. Some extra bounce forced him to prod towards the on side and Vinit Indulkar completed a simple catch at short leg (4 for 206).
Full postJohnson and Blewett make mockery of first-day batting woes
South Australian opener Ben Johnson and skipper Greg Blewett made light of a 17-wicket opening day as they blasted an unbroken 241-run stand on day two of their Pura Cup cricket match against Victoria at Adelaide Oval today.
Sam Lienert
07-Jul-2005
ADELAIDE, Oct 16 AAP - South Australian opener Ben Johnson and skipper Greg Blewett made light of a 17-wicket opening day as they blasted an unbroken 241-run stand on day two of their Pura Cup cricket match against Victoria at Adelaide Oval today.
Johnson was on 143 and Blewett on 96 at stumps, with SA in complete control of the match at 1-268, leading by 264 runs overall with nine wickets in hand and two days left to push for an outright win.
The Redbacks trailed by four runs on the first innings.
David Fitzgerald was the only batsman out in their second innings, caught behind off Mathew Inness for 11.
Full postHayden dominates day one
Matthew Hayden continued from where he had left off in the 2001 series, muscling his way to 67, as the Australians gained some valuable batting practice on the first day of their tour opener in Mumbai
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Matthew Hayden continued from where he had left off in the 2001 series, muscling his way to 67, as the Australians gained some valuable batting practice on the first day of their tour opener in Mumbai. After overnight showers had delayed play by more than four hours, all the batsmen in the Australian top order used the chance to get into their groove. Mumbai did manage to pick up three wickets in the final session, and the Australians finished on 159 for 3.
Hayden was like a bulldog on a leash - always threatening, and at times ferocious. He took an excessively long time preparing himself to face the first delivery, with Ramesh Powar surprisingly sharing the new ball, as he cleared huge amounts of dust from the pitch, squatted several times and checked the field placement twice. Powar got away unscathed in his first spell but suffered when he returned in the 11th over, being clattered for 16 runs, including a six that crashed into the sight-screen.
Full postCarlisle hundred holds Zimbabwe innings together
Stuart Carlisle scored his maiden Test century as Zimbabwe battled to a respectable position in the second Test at Sydney
The Wisden Bulletin by Lynn McConnell
07-Jul-2005
Close Zimbabwe 256 for 8 (Carlisle 118)
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A double first: Stuart Carlisle celebrates his maiden Test century, and the first for Zimbabwe against Australia |
Zimbabwe toasted Stuart Carlisle, whose first Test century put the team in a respectable position on the first day of the second Test at Sydney. His 118 was the glue that bound the Zimbabwe innings together, allowing them to go to stumps on 256 for 8.
The manner in which Carlisle built his innings was a delight, a fact acknowledged by the small crowd, which gave him a standing ovation as he left the ground just three overs before the close. He was especially effective on the pull shot, and in his off-side driving. It was an innings that deserved more support from his team-mates.
Full postZimbabwe bat first
Heath Streak decided to bat first after winning the toss in the second Test at Sydney
The Wisden Bulletin by Lynn McConnell
07-Jul-2005
Toss Zimbabwe elected to bat
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Heath Streak decided to bat first after winning the toss in the second Test at Sydney. Zimbabwe suffered a blow to their hopes, though, when Sean Ervine, their best performer in the first Test, was forced out of the match with a twisted knee. He injured the knee in a warm-up game of soccer. His place in the side was taken by Gavin Ewing, while Blessing Mawhire, who came on tour more as an observer to work with Bruce Reid, the Zimbabwe bowling coach, got his second Test cap. Douglas Hondo was left out of the line-up.
The Australians made three changes, all forced upon them through injuries. Brad Williams - who will take the new ball on his debut Test - replaced Jason Gillespie - while Simon Katich and Brad Hogg got their first opportunities to play a Test on Australian soil. Steve Waugh said at the toss that while the injuries in Perth were of concern, the positive was that it gave other players a chance.
Streak indicated that the pitch looked like it would be on the slower side, and the challenge was to get through the first morning, especially since there was some moisture in the track. Weather conditions in Sydney were overcast at the time of the toss: showers had already fallen in Sydney but the forecast suggested that the skies would clear up later in the day. The temperature was expected to get to 17 degrees.
Full postNew Zealand control proceedings on second day
India had more success on the second day than on the first, but not necessarily more joy, as New Zealand ground their way to a mammoth 536 for 5.
The Wisden Bulletin by Anand Vasu
07-Jul-2005
Close New Zealand 536 for 5 (Richardson 145, Styris 119)
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Scott Styris became New Zealand's third centurion of the innings © AFP |
The best part of the day was dogged, turgid cricket. New Zealand applied themselves in a manner more expected while batting on a greentop under overcast skies at Headingley, or if the ball was spitting and fizzing on a rank turner. But on a wicket that was nice and easy to bat on, with true bounce and pace, against a tiring attack that could only be called an attack because of Anil Kumble, it seemed rather strange. But Stephen Fleming is no fool. The Indians will know that he must have had firm plans in his mind when he instructed his team to play the way it did.
Of all the batsmen, Richardson's plans were easily the best-laid. He puts a high price on his wicket, tries nothing foolish and is utterly predictable in the best sort of way. There was no unseemly haste to score quick runs, and today Richardson dug deep into a seemingly endless well of concentration and accumulated runs, unmindful of whatever little commotion there was at the other end.
Full postThe two Shoaibs restrict South Africa to 320
The two Shoaib's - Malik and Akhtar - revived Pakistan and restricted South Africa to 320 for 9 on the opening day of the first Test at Lahore.
Close South Africa 320 (Boucher 72, Kirsten 53 retd hurt, Malik 4 - 42)
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Mark Boucher played a plucky rebuilding knock © AFP |
Yousuf Youhana made his captaincy debut, but lost both the toss and the morning session. His counterpart, Graeme Smith, literally bullied the inconsistent Akhtar in his first four overs when he clattered him with bludgeoning venom. Mohammad Sami was the antithesis of his partner. He bowled a teasing spell, restricting the flow of runs and occasionally flirting with batsmen's edge. He was rewarded when he pitched a rare one short and wide, and Smith got a top edge while trying to pull him over midwicket (52 for 1).
Kirsten then joined Herschelle Gibbs, and the pair continued the swift pace of scoring until Gibbs edged a full ball from Danish Kaneria to Taufeeq Umar at first slip (84 for 2). Kirsten showed his experience, forcing the bowlers to pitch it up as he paddle-swept everything in sight. But as soon as the ball was tossed up, he came down the track and lofted it over the infield, disturbing the bowlers' rhythm and ensured that his side's runaway start didn't fritter away.
Full postSehwag and Yuvraj propel seniors to victory
Power hitting from Sehwag and Yuvraj lead India Seniors to a convincing five wicket victory over India A
India Seniors 213 and 387 for 5 (Sehwag 146, Yuvraj 115, Mongia 3-39) beat India A 302 and 297 for 5 dec by 5 wickets
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An exhilarating display of power hitting from Virender Sehwag and a stylish century from Yuvraj Singh propelled India Seniors to a convincing five-wicket victory over India A in a warm-up match in which they had been comprehensively outplayed for the first three days.
Needing a further 352 to overhaul an imposing target of 387 when they resumed in the morning, Sehwag and Yuvraj played with such flair and assurance that the A team couldn't even entertain daydreams of success. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly an unforgettable over in which Sehwag - who had reached his century with a straight six - smashed Murali Kartik for 35 runs, including five sixes in an arc between midwicket and extra-cover.
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