Report
India defeat West Indies to win series
Toronto, Sept 15: Rahul Dravid cracked 77 and held four brilliant catches as India defeated West Indies by 88 runs to win the Toronto Cricket Festival series of the three One-day Internationals 2-1 here on Tuesday
Latafat Ali Siddiqui
16-Sep-1999
Toronto, Sept 15: Rahul Dravid cracked 77 and held four brilliant
catches as India defeated West Indies by 88 runs to win the
Toronto Cricket Festival series of the three One-day
Internationals 2-1 here on Tuesday.
The Indians, who scored an eight-wicket victory in the series
opener on Saturday, played with great determination in the final
game yesterday to beat Brian Lara's side comprehensively.
Put in to bat first, the Indians managed to reach 225, the
highest total of the series, for the loss of seven wickets in 50
overs. In reply, the West Indians crashed to 137, all out, in
34.2 overs despite a stroke-filled knock of 76 by Ricardo Powell.
The 20-year-old rising star from Jamaica came to the crease when
the West Indies had lost seven wickets with only 52 runs on the
board.
Full postCUMBERLAND v DORSET at Netherfield
Steve O'Shaughnessy, the former Lancashire and Worcestershire batsman, answered Cumberland's call with a priceless innings of 118 on the opening day of the Minor Counties final at Netherfield
16-Sep-1999
CUMBERLAND v DORSET at Netherfield - Day one of three
Steve O'Shaughnessy, the former Lancashire and Worcestershire batsman,
answered Cumberland's call with a priceless innings of 118 on the opening
day of the Minor Counties final at Netherfield.
O'Shaughnessy revived the Eastern Division winners from 12 for three to a
formidable 315 for seven off their mandatory 80 overs. Dorset, however, rode
their luck to finish the day on 84 without loss off 31 overs. The final was
off to a sensational start after Cumberland skipper Simon Dutton chose to
bat on winning the toss. John Glendenen pushed back a return catch to Steve
Forshaw from the first ball of the match, dangerman Ashley Metcalfe sliced
Toby Sharpe to third-man in the second over and Terry Hunte then played a
lazy shot to square-leg.
Survival then turned into revival as O'Shaughnessy and opener David Pearson
(62) set about repairing the early damage.
Full postAustralia 'A' drub India 'A' to begin AXN America Challenge
The first match of the five match series between India 'A' and Australia 'A' in the AXN America Challenge saw Australia drub India
Anand Vasu with Badri Seshadri
16-Sep-1999
The first match of the five match series between India 'A' and
Australia 'A' in the AXN America Challenge saw Australia drub India.
On winning the toss, Adam Gilchrist put India 'A' in to bat. Dodda
Ganesh and Ashish Nehra opened the bowling for India 'A'. Adam
Gilchrist and Campbell began cautiously and did not really take the
attack to the opposition. The pitch looked underprepared, and the
Australians had to be watchful. Both Ganesh and Nehra bowled tidily,
and with the pitch playing up, the Australians were 8 for no loss
after 5 overs. Campbell attempted to push the scoring rate ended up
skying the ball into the off-side. Harbhajan Singh at mid-off covered
good ground and took the catch safely. Campbell had made 8. Michael Di
Venuto was came in at the fall of Campbell's wicket. Di Venuto and
Gilchrist began to build a partnership. Harbhajan Singh came in to the
attck first change, began poorly and was punished by Gilchrist. Singh
however got revenge when Gilchrist edged a ball to Laxman at slip
who took a good catch, falling to his left. Gilchrist had made 19 off
42 balls.
The next man in was Damien Martyn. Di Venuto had spent some time out
in the middle and began to play a few strokes. After driving Nehra
well to get three runs, Di Venuto attempted to go after Harbhajan
Singh and payed the price. Di Venuto went after a ball that was well
tossed up. The ball turned sharply off the pitch and took the edge of
the bat. Rahul Sanghvi completed the catch and Australia 'A' were in a
spot of bother at 45 for 3.
Symonds joined Martyn out in the middle and the two handled the Indian
spinners well, milking them for runs. Both Symonds and Martyn played
sensibly and pushed the score to 87 after 25 overs. After the 30th
over, Symonds began to stroke the ball more freely, came down the
wicket and lofted Sanghvi over long-on for six. Martyn then attempted
to pull Sanghvi, missed the ball completely and was bowled around his
legs. Brad Hodge came in at the fall of Gilchrist's wicket and had to
be content playing second fiddle to Symonds. Symonds cut and pull in
fine style and began to notch up boundaries with regularity. The India
'A' captain Laxman, tried various bowlers including Shewaw to no
avail.
Full postWindies crushed
Another spell-binding demonstration of clean, uncomplicated power hitting by Ricardo Powell saved the West Indies from complete humiliation but not from heavy defeat by India in the final of the DMC Cup here yesterday
Tony Cozier
16-Sep-1999
Another spell-binding demonstration of clean, uncomplicated power
hitting by Ricardo Powell saved the West Indies from complete
humiliation but not from heavy defeat by India in the final of
the DMC Cup here yesterday.
The latest manifestation of the 20-year-old Jamaican's
astonishing ability came as a repudiation of his teammates' limp
performance that reduced them to 52 for seven in the 18th over,
in pursuit of a winning target of 226.
They had fallen meekly in the face of spirited, but hardly
menacing, Indian bowling backed by keen catching and fielding, on
another afternoon of sparkling sunshine.
When Powell marched purposefully to the middle, the indignity of
their lowest total in a One-Day International 87 against
Australia six years ago loomed ominously.
Full postAmerican Challenge begins in LA
Forget the "International All-Star" shambles from last month
Rick Eyre
15-Sep-1999
Forget the "International All-Star" shambles from last month. Today, in
California, the most serious and most credible attempt so far to take
big-time cricket to the United States gets under way. The five-match AXN
America Challenge starts today at Woodley Cricket Field, Van Nuys, in
suburban Los Angeles, between Australia 'A' and India 'A'. The tournament
is being conducted with the co-operation of the USACA, ACB and the BCCI.
WorldTel are promoting the tournament which will be telecast live into India
by Sony TV's AXN channel.
Though for both countries the main cricketing focus is currently in other
parts of the world - India, with the role in the Toronto series just ended,
and with Australia, the tour of Sri Lanka under way - but the success or
otherwise of this series will be watched closely as future plans to take
international cricket to the USA are formulised, with hopefully the flow-on
effect of fostering interest in the game locally. The USACA have already
expressed their intention to make the series an annual event, with full
national teams playing in official one-day internationals in future. Plans
to make this inaugural series a three-way event including West Indies 'A'
fell through after the WI were invited at short notice to take part in what
is now the Toronto Cricket Festival.
Both Australia and India have sent strong sides to Los Angeles. Australia
'A' includes six players with ODI experience (Adam Gilchrist, Damien Martyn,
Shane Lee, Brad Young, Andrew Symonds, Michael Di Venuto), with captain
Gilchrist having been a member of the victorious World Cup side on final day
in June. India 'A', led by VVS Laxman, includes four players with full Test
or ODI experience, the others being Rahul Sanghvi, Harbhajan Singh, and
Dodda Ganesh.
Unlike some past exhibition cricket events in the US, this series will be
played on a genuine cricket ground, Woodley Park Cricket Fields being in
continuous use throughout the summer by the Southern California Cricket
Association.
Full postRain gods to the rescue
The final between India and West Indies began on time, with no rain delay
Anand Vasu
07-Sep-1999
The final between India and West Indies began on time, with no rain
delay. Sachin Tendulkar won the toss and elected to bat first. India
opted to go into the final with Ramesh opening the batting. This
meant that Amay Khurasiya missed out. West Indies played the same team that
played the match against Zimbabwe. The only change from their previous
match against India was the return of Sherwin Campbell to the team in
the place of Wavell Hinds.
Walsh and Dillon began erratically, mixing some high quality
deliveries with wides and no balls. While Tendulkar did not come out
all guns blazing like he did against Zimbabwe, he played a solid
steady knock. Tendulkar defended firmly. Sadagopan Ramesh did not get
his feet moving, but timed the ball impeccably. When the ball was on
leg stump, Ramesh lost no time in guiding the ball to the on-side
fence. Ramesh worked the ball magnificently through the on-side, both
off his hips and off his toes.
Reon King came in to the attack at the end of the 6th over. King has
had a very successful tournament so far and replaced Walsh after the
veteran had bowled just three overs. Though Ramesh stroked the ball
for a couple of well timed boundaries, King got sweet revenge at the
end of the over. Ramesh's lack of footwork was his downfall once
again. King put the ball in the slot out-side off-stump and Ramesh
took the bait and drove the ball straight to Perry at short-cover.
Perry diving full length took a very good reflex catch to dismiss the
opener. Ramesh had made 15 off 23 balls.
Rahul Dravid came in at the fall of Ramesh's wicket. Dravid came in to
bat off a lean patch. In the last few games, Dravid had hardly made
any significant scores in the last four or five innings and was
looking to get his eye in. After beginning watchfully Dravid found
some form, pulling Dillon to the mid-wicket fence. At the end of 10
overs India were well placed at 50 for 1.
Full postAussies get a taste of Kaluwitharana whiplash
Colombo (Sri Lanka) - Sri Lanka is a nation of contradictions: one half believes the selectors should be drawn and quartered the other half firmly that a local version of the Tooth Fairy exists and Romesh Kaluwitharana deserves to have a medal
01-Sep-1999
Colombo (Sri Lanka) - Sri Lanka is a nation of contradictions: one half
believes the selectors should be drawn and quartered the other half firmly
that a local version of the Tooth Fairy exists and Romesh Kaluwitharana
deserves to have a medal struck in his honour.
And while you are about it give Sidath Wettimuny, the chairman, and the
other selectors a hamper of liquid refreshments as well. They deserve it
after the thirsty work of putting together a youthful squad and then being
pilloried for their belief in a policy which saw Sri Lanka upset World Cup
winner's Australia at the Premadasa Stadium last night in a comprehensive
eight wicket victory to take the Aiwa Cup.
When suggesting to the driver of the rickety three-wheeler that Sri Lanka
had a chance to beat Australia, he almost felt it was an insult to the
memories of Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva. No doubt he considered
the fare was more important than the argument of what he would like to do
to Wettimuny and Co. Beat the Aussies indeed. World has beens taking on the
world champions.
Well, last night, as the critics of the selection policy scuttled for
cover, embarrassed at how their outspoken views had seen a large smattering
of egg plastered across their faces, Wettimuny, the captain Sanath
Jayasuriya and coach Dav Whatmore did not take delight in reminding anyone
how their refurbishment policy was showing signs, after a shaky start, of
working.
Full postIA Healy XII v SR Waugh XII
This match was played between the members of the Australian contracted players prior to the Limited Over squad leaving for Sri Lanka
Warwick Torrens
15-Aug-1999
This match was played between the members of the Australian contracted players prior to the Limited Over squad leaving for Sri Lanka. The day was fine and sunny though a cool breeze came across the ground and the umpires soon called for their sweaters. Hayden began with an on drive for three from the first ball of the match and Slater then cut the next to the boundary just backward of point. Runs came at a good rate until the eleventh over when Dale was introduced while Moody came on next over, both bowling steadily and keeping the batsmen watchful. Hayden was playing quite firmly but Slater seemed astray with his timing and it was not until he had been at the crease for some two hours that he really middled the ball with consistency. The dismissal of Hayden brought some further quick wickets. Symonds and Katich both hit the ball well. Warne used the occasion to loosen up and put in a quite good spell of bowling.
When Waugh's team batted Gilchrist took second place for a time but later hit well. However as an opener he would be most unlikely to succeed at Test level as has often been suggested, though he performs the role well at One Day level. At one time it seemed Waugh's team could well be beaten but Steve Waugh and Bevan recovered the situation. Moody, wearing a McGrath shirt causing confusion amongst the spectators, was as usual somewhat scratchy at first but later settled in to play some firm shots. In the end Bevan and Lee carried their team to victory with just three balls remaining.
Obviously with a number of players seeking to impress for a position in the Australian team, particularly for the One Day Internationals, the match was played fairly competitively. However a good spirit existed between the players of both teams throughout the day. The day was a great public relations exercise with all players being quite willing to sign autographs and posing with both young and old alike for photographs. The match was not well publicised and at no time would the spectators around the ground have been more than about three or four hundred.
Twenty-four players contracted to the Australian Cricket Board were in attendance and each team was of twelve players, though only eleven would bat, the match being played to the rules of the Australian One Day competition.
Full postHeadley inspires remarkable England victory
Dean Headley engineered one of the most dramatic victories in Test history as Australia lost their last seven wickets for just 32 runs in 79 balls to allow England to snatch a thrilling 12-run triumph in fourth Ashes Test at the MCG on Tuesday
Paul Andreacchio
29-Dec-1998
Dean Headley engineered one of the most dramatic victories in Test history as Australia lost their last seven wickets for just 32 runs in 79 balls to allow England to snatch a thrilling 12-run triumph in fourth Ashes Test at the MCG on Tuesday.
Australia's first innings hero Steve Waugh stood in disbelief at the non-striker's end when Darren Gough trapped Glenn McGrath lbw for a duck at 7:32pm local time to cap an unforgettable final session that lasted four hours and two minutes. Chasing 175 for victory to extend their series lead to 3-0, Australia seemed to be cruising at 3-130 when Headley (6-60) ignited an astonishing collapse.
After England were dismissed just before tea for 244, Australia stumbled early in their chase, losing the wickets of openers Mark Taylor (19) and Michael Slater (18) cheaply. Slater was first man out when trapped plumb lbw by Headley, who featured again at fine leg when he caught an attempted pull shot from Taylor off Alan Mullally with the score 2-41.
Mark Waugh (43) and Justin Langer (30) then settled Australia's nerves and seemed to guarantee victory by adding 62 for the third wicket, before Mullally struck again thanks to a spectacular catch by Mark Ramprakash, which visibly inspired the Englishmen. Mullally (2-20) had earlier watched Graeme Hick at second slip drop Langer before he reached double figures, but exacted some revenge when the left-hander launched into a pull shot which seemed to travelling wide of Ramprakash, who dived full length to his right, stuck out his right hand and caught the ball inches off the ground.
Full postWaugh, MacGill pull rug from underneath England
The imperious figure of Steve Waugh and a memorable cameo from Stuart MacGill conspired to pull the rug from underneath England on day three of the fourth Ashes Test at the MCG on Monday
Paul Andreacchio
28-Dec-1998
The imperious figure of Steve Waugh and a memorable cameo from Stuart MacGill conspired to pull the rug from underneath England on day three of the fourth Ashes Test at the MCG on Monday.
At the end of a remarkable day extended to almost eight hours to compensate for the first day washout and England's poor over rate, England went to stumps 2-65, still five runs short of Australia's total.
The dashing Waugh found an ally in MacGill to torment the England attack and steer Australia to a healthy, if unlikely, first innings lead of 70. Waugh (122 not out) played with controlled aggression to blast his 17th Test century while MacGill (43) scored his highest first-class score as the pair added 88 runs for the ninth wicket to guide Australia to 340 in reply to England's 270.
The shellshocked Englishmen then promptly made a disastrous start to their second innings when opener Michael Atherton (0) was clean bowled by Damien Fleming in the second over.
Full post