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India rout Pakistan by 140 runs

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Virender Sehwag made his first ODI fifty in a year © AFP
 

India showed how the hectic pace of Twenty20 cricket could be replicated in ODIs, pounding 330 on a sluggish pitch before their bowlers rounded off a thumping win in their opening match of the tournament. Pakistan, coming off 12 successive wins against weak opposition, crashed to their worst defeat against India and their coach Geoff Lawson, who had hoped for a 150-run win, would have been embarrassed to see the shoe on the other foot.India’s domination was complete. Their mammoth total was made possible not by one but three batsmen: Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir made the most of some sloppy catching, getting within four runs of India’s highest opening stand against Pakistan, before Yuvraj Singh raised visions of a 375-plus total. They settled for 330 but that didn’t matter in the final analysis. Once Pakistan crumbled to 26 for 3, it was only a case of picking up the pieces.A run-rate of 6.6 is impressive in all conditions but the fact that India kept it up on a sluggish pitch that offered some assistance to the medium-pacers added more gloss to the effort. Their fifty came up as early as the seventh over but Pakistan’s four-pronged pace attack didn’t start as badly as the run-rate suggested. They troubled the batsmen with swing and seam and even managed the edge on a few occasions but they were let down by poor fielding. Younis Khan allowed Gambhir two lives – on 4 and 29 – with identical edges flying past him at second slip and Kamran Akmal let off Sehwag on 43 when he lost control of the ball after appearing to have snared an edge to his right.Sehwag, who walked all the way back to the boundary before returning, made the most of his good fortune, racing to his first fifty in a year. He was dropped for the final stages of India’s CB Series but an injury to Sachin Tendulkar allowed him another chance. He wasn’t his customary buccaneering self, and that was probably because of the nature of the surface, but he continuously peppered the region behind square. Preferring to use the pace of the bowlers, he walked across and whipped a few off his pads while settling for the judicious glide on other occasions.The area behind square was productive for Gambhir as well but it was the occasional skip down the ground that unsettled the bowlers. He didn’t hesitate charging the quicker men and actually cut one over the infield, off left-armer Wahab Riaz, with both his feet in mid-air.Riaz dismissed both openers in the space of a couple of overs but went on to have a forgettable day. It was the first time he was up against top-class opposition and the wheels began to come off once Yuvraj went after him. He even let slip two beamers – the second was probably because of the slippery ball – and wasn’t allowed to complete his final over. It meant he earned the dubious distinction of bowling the most expensive spell against India, conceding one more than what Ata-ur-Rahman did in Sharjah back in 1996.

Praveen Kumar’s four-wicket haul floored Pakistan’s hopes of chasing 331 © AFP
 

Incidentally it was in that game where India passed 300 for the first time in an ODI. Here, more than 12 years later, they were in sight of much more as Yuvraj began striking it clean. He gauged the slow nature of the track and ensured he played late. A couple of half-trackers were swatted away over midwicket and his neat clips towards square leg suggested a batsman preparing to explode, but he fell to Umar Gul in the quest for quick runs.It was always going to be an uphill task for Pakistan and the contest was all but over once Praveen Kumar struck four big blows, including a two-in-two. Swinging the new ball either way, he showed how dangerous he could be in congenial conditions. Praveen had Rohit Sharma to thank for the opening breakthrough: a sensational reflex catch at short cover got rid of Salman Butt.A slightly wide ball was lashed hard but Rohit, throwing himself to the left and ensuring his hands got around a low chance, hung on superbly. There was no need of any such acrobatics for the next one: Younis Khan snicked to the wicketkeeper and walked back for his second successive duck.Akmal and Misbah ensured Praveen didn’t have a perfect day – taking 17 off his fifth over, including four cracking fours – but Akmal was livid after falling to a full toss, lobbing a leading edge to mid-on. Misbah too couldn’t carry on, falling to an injudicious waft, and it was left to Shoaib Malik to pick up the pieces. He soldiered on to a fifty but his meaty blows were largely inconsequential in the face of a steep mountain. Chawla finished with four wickets, tormenting the tail and giving the finishing touches to a near-perfect day for India.

So where you right? The 2002 SPCL polls results

Now that the 2002 Southern Electric Premier League has been successfully concluded it is time to look back on your thoughts in our season-long running polls on who you thought would scoop the three divisional titles.And you were wrong on all three counts, too!!!The majority of the 406 votes cast in the Division One poll thought that Liphook and Ripsley would take the title. Some 24.1% (98 votes) were cast in favour of the East Hampshire club, comfortably ahead of their nearest rivals B.A.T.Sports and actual runners-up, who gained 71 votes (17.5%).Havant, who regained their crown as kings of the league, came in third amongst the SPCL web-site loggers, generating 60 votes (14.8%).It may have been a surprise to many the success of Easton and Martyr Worthy this season, who finished second behind the Hampshire Academy in Division Two, but many of you were not, as 33 voters of the 120 listed thought they would win it!United Services (15 votes) came in second, one vote ahead of the Academy, who of course will be playing in SPCL Division One next term.Division Three was the closest you had come to getting it right. Alton were the season favourites with 26 of the 179 total votes (14.5%), three votes ahead of actual winners Purbrook (23 votes – 12.8%).Thank you for taking part – hope that proved to be a bit of fun during the season. Watch out for some developments on the site during the winter.DIVISION ONE – WHERE THEY FINISHED and WHAT YOU SAID

CLUB ACTUAL FINISH YOU RATED VOTES
Havant 1st 3rd 60 (14.8%)
B.A.T.Sports 2nd 2nd 71 (17.5%)
Bashley (Rydal) 3rd 8th 17 (4.2%)
South Wilts 4th 7th 25 (6.2%)
Bournemouth 5th 9th 12 (3%)
Portsmouth 6th 4th 41 (10.1%)
Liphook & Ripsley 7th 1st 98 (24.1%)
Andover 8th 5th 39 (9.6%)
Calmore Sports 9th 10th 10 (2.5%)
Burridge 10th 6th 33 (8.1%)

DIVISION TWO – WHERE THEY FINISHED and WHAT YOU SAID

CLUB ACTUAL FINISH YOU RATED VOTES
Hampshire Academy 1st 3rd 15 (12.5%)
Easton & M.W. 2nd 1st 33 (27.5%)
Lymington 3rd =5th 7 (5.8%)
United Services 4th 2nd 22 (183%)
Sparsholt 5th 10th 4 (3.3%)
O.T. & Romsey 6th =5th 7 (5.8%)
Winchester KS 7th 4th 14 (11.7%)
Hungerford 8th =7th 6 (5%)
Rowledge 9th =7th 6 (5%)
Trojans 10th =7th 6 (5%)

DIVISION THREE – WHERE THEY FINISHED and WHAT YOU SAID

CLUB ACTUAL FINISH YOU RATED VOTES
Purbrook 1st 2nd 23 (12.8%)
St.Cross Symondians 2nd 5th 16 (8.9%)
Gosport Borough 3rd 10th 8 (4.5%)
Hursley Park 4th =8th 11 (6.1%)
Havant II 5th =8th 11 (6.1%)
Alton 6th 1st 26 (14.5%)
New Milton 7th 6th 15 (8.4%)
Portsmouth II 8th =3rd 19 (10.6%)
Paultons 9th 7th 12 (6.7%)
Hook & Newnham B 10th
Flamingo 11th 14th 2 (1.1%)
Waterlooville 12th 15th 1 (0.6%)
Bashley II 13th
Ventnor 14th =12th 5 (2.8%)
Hambledon 15th =3rd 19 (10.6%)
Leckford 16th =12th 5 (2.8%)
Hartley Wintney 17th
Redlynch & Hale 18th 11th 6 (3.4%)

Cricket Victoria appeal for minute's silence for Bali victims

Cricketers across Victoria will this weekend observe a minute’s silence as a mark of respect to the victims of the Bali bombing attack.Cricket Victoria CEO, Mr Ken Jacobs issued the appeal this morning. “The events of last Saturday evening in Bali were of tragic consequences for all Australians, particularly those families directly involved. The thoughts of the wider cricket community in this state go out to them at this sad time. As a mark of respect, I would ask that all cricket matches being played across Victoria this coming Saturday, observe a minute’s silence prior to their commencement”.

Modi reiterates ICL ban for Champions League

Chris Read and his county Nottinghamshire will be out in the cold even if they qualify for the Champions League © Getty Images
 

Lalit Modi, the IPL chairman and commissioner, has firmly ruled out the possibility of any team that includes cricketers associated with the unauthorised Indian Cricket League (ICL) participating in the proposed Champions League Twenty20 tournament, even if these players are dropped just for the event. This implies that those cricketers cannot play even in the domestic tournaments that serve as the qualifying stages for the Champions League.It’s a scenario that could open up a host of legal issues in England, with the possibility of players suing their counties if they are dropped from the Twenty20 sides. Alternatively, it could mean that most of the English county teams will not be eligible for the proposed US$ 5 million event that is expected to feature the top two Twenty20 domestic teams from India, England, Australia and South Africa. Currently, there are around 25 players, spread over 15 of the 18 county teams, with official links to the ICL.”We are very clear on that,” Modi, who is a major force behind the Champions League, told Cricinfo. Asked if counties with ICL players would be invited if they drop these players for the event, Modi said, “No, even that is not possible. Only teams that have no ties at all with ICL players will be invited… others are automatically disqualified.”The ECB had on Saturday issued a press release which said that the ECB, Cricket Australia, the BCCI and Cricket South Africa had “reached an agreement for the staging of the inaugural Champions League this autumn” to be staged either in India or the Middle East.An ECB spokesman told Cricinfo that Cricket Australia were drawing up the rules for the competition and “it would be wrong to prejudge their decision”. It is expected that the regulations will be finalised during the ICC annual conference in Dubai at the end of the month.However, Modi indicated today that the ECB’s press release did not present the final picture and was issued earlier than expected. He said details of participating teams, venues and possible dates were yet to be finalised and all that had been formalised was just an “in-principle agreement” to host such an event.

Hampshire select from 13 for Championship match v Sussex

Hampshire return to Frizzell County Championship action for the first time in two weeks, when they take on neighbours Sussex starting at The Rose Bowl on Wednesday 3rd July.Third placed Hampshire take on fifth placed Sussex, with virtually a full strenghth side, but are leaving their options open by selecting a squad of 13.John Francis, who played last week for Loughborough UCCE against Hampshire is included despite a knee injury sustained during that match, and James Tomlinson the 20 year old left-arm seamer who has been performing well for Hampshire against the same Louighborough team, and for the seconds is also included.Robin Smith has recovered from the back injury that had troubled him recently, and John Crawley returns to championship cricket for Hampshire in place of Jason Laney, after missing the Bath match due to England call up.The thirteen are: Derek Kenway, Will Kendall, John Crawley, Robin Smith (captain), Neil Johnson, Giles White, Nic Pothas (wicket-keeper), Dimitri Mascarenhas, Shaun Udal, Chris Tremlett, Alan Mullally, John Francis and James Tomlinson.

Career-first for Stephen Fleming in England

Stephen Fleming completed a career-first for Middlesex in their CricInfo championship match with Durham at the Riverside ground today.He scored 114 to complete back-to-back centuries during a fine 248-run third wicket partnership with Middlesex team-mate Owais Shah. Middlesex were all out for 386 and Durham in reply were 24/1 when bad light stopped play.Fleming, who has admitted problems at breaking through the century barrier, has already taken huge steps towards rectifying the problem in his English campaign.The closest he had come to achieving the feat earlier in his 14-century career was back in the summer of 1993/94 when he scored two centuries in three innings.He scored 105 for Canterbury against Northern Districts then played in a New Zealand XI against the touring Pakistan side and scored 11 in the first innings and 109 not out in the second innings.Before his century earlier in the week against Gloucestershire, Fleming had gone 39 innings without reaching triple figures, although he was dismissed for 99 on New Zealand’s tour of South Africa during the summer.Fleming has made an impact at Middlesex and a story in The Times this week highlighted that.Middlesex coach John Emburey commented: “Stephen’s very calm and calculating in his approach, especially in run chases. He plans every session-and to be there at the end of it. He’ll readjust his sights depending on where he thinks the team should be. He offers a lot in the dressing-room and has certainly helped younger players like Ben Hutton when they’re together at the crease.”One of the younger players in the side, Andrew Strauss, was quoted in the story on Fleming.”He’s a very good influence in the dressing-room. He doesn’t necessarily say all that much but when he does, the words are carefully chosen and you listen.”And skipper Angus Fraser hasn’t minded Fleming’s leadership experience being available.”I’m new as far as captaincy’s concerned but he’s been just what I would have wanted as an overseas player, giving me ideas but letting me get on with things. It feels as if he’s been around for ages now. Whereas things were quite intense with Justin Langer, they are more relaxed with Stephen. The youngsters are expressing themselves better and are not having to worry about being come down on like a ton of bricks.”Fleming said he admired the professionalism of the county players and he said the Middlesex development stage reminded him of where New Zealand was four years ago.

Matabeleland on the verge of registering their first victory this season

Some disciplined bowling by Matabeleland saw them on the verge of registering their first victory as they managed to restrict Mashonaland A on the third day of their Castle Lager Logan cup match at Queens Sports Club today.Mashonaland took a 212-run lead as they closed on 261 for seven after their first innings score of 270 in reply to Matabeleland’s 319.Mashonaland resumed the third day on 13 for no wicket in 13 overs, with their openers Grant Flower and Brendon Taylor unbeaten with eight and five runs respectively. However, Flower failed to find his form with the bat and added only 12 runs to his overnight score when he was dismissed by Mpumelelo Mbangwa, with wicketkeeper Stuart Walker taking a catch behind to dismiss him for 20 runs.Senior national team skipper Stuart Carlisle also failed to impress with thebat, scoring only four when he drove medium pacer Mike McKillop straight back, presenting him with a simple catch off his own bowling. Mbangwa took his second wicket when he had opener Taylor caught behind by Walker for 17. This dismissal sparked a collapse by Mashonaland A as the young batsman had selected his shots well and in the process played a good anchor role for his more experienced colleagues.The left-handed Gavin Rennie and hard-hitting Mark Vermeulen put life in theMashonaland innings with a fourth-wicket stand of 74 runs. Rennie went on to score his half-century in 90 balls and Mashonaland went to lunch on 84 for four.Rennie had added only three runs to his score after the break when he was given out leg-before wicket to spinner Gavin Ewing. Vermeulen was joined by Taibu in the hunt for the runs and the two put on 26 runs for the fifth wicket before Vermeulen was dismissed by McKillop, Gregory Strydom taking a brilliant catch to dismiss him for 43. The batsman was not amused by the decision and stood at the crease before he was told to leave by the umpires. Vermeulen is gaining an increasingly bad reputation for his on-field behaviour.Matabeleland suffered a severe blow in their quest to bowl out their opponents when they lost opening bowler Mbangwa, who left the field of play after lunch because of a back strain and was not able to bowl, though he later returned. Zimbabwe A batsman Alester Maregwede top-scored with 68 runs as Mashonaland A closed the day on 261 for seven in 110 overs, with Elton Chigumbura and tail-ender Prosper Utseya not out on 15 and one respectively.Play resumes in the morning with Matabeleland aiming to bowl out their opponents before they score too many more runs and then complete their victory with the bat.

Shrewsbury crowned Sun Bank Under 15 Club Champions


As the Sun Bank Under 15 Championships reached their climax at Shenley CricketClub, Ralph Dellor spoke to those involved and some of the famous names in attendance.28k-ISDN


Shrewsbury Cricket Club has won the 2002 Sun Bank Under 15 National ClubChampionship after trouncing Cardiff Cricket Club in the national final by 46 runs. The Shropshire side therefore lifted the Harry Secombe Cup for the first time in its history, victors over a record entry list of 1,517 clubs throughout the UK.Hosted at Hertfordshire’s picturesque Shenley Cricket Club, Shrewsbury defeated Fenner CC in the semi-final by a comfortable eight wickets. Restricting the Yorkshire club to just 77 runs in their 20 overs, Shrewsbury cruised to victory in the 14th over thanks to number four batsman, Joe Hart, who eased his side home with 34 not out, having earlier taken an impressive three wickets for 19 runs.Cardiff, who beat Horsham in the semis, were swept away in the final. Robert Foster top scored with 46 as Shrewsbury set a challenging target of 129, and team captain James Gale then dismissed the Cardiff’s first three batsmen as the Welsh side were skittled out for 83 in 16 overs.So Shrewsbury won the tournament, becoming Shropshire’s first ever champions of the prestigious 30-year-old competition, in a finals day made even more memorable by the presence of Nasser Hussain, Alec Stewart and Alex Tudor from the England men’s team, and Clare Connor and Isa Guha from the England women’s side amongst the 300-strong crowd.Mark Campkin, ECB Competitions Manager, underlined the success of the day, “As ever it has been a fantastic occasion. All four teams did tremendously well to get to the final, but well done to Shrewsbury who took the overall honours.”Over 16,000 boys have benefited this year from this expanding competition, which provides the perfect stage for aspiring junior cricketers to show their skills. The ECB is extremely grateful to Sun Bank for their outstanding contribution to the grass roots of the game.”Semi-finals
Cardiff 109-4 (20 overs; Owain Williams 53*) beat Horsham 73 (17.1 overs;Mohammed Usman 3-21)
Fenner 77-9 (20 overs; Joe Hart 3-19) lost to Shrewsbury 79-2 (13.2 overs)Final
Shrewsbury 129-8 (20 overs; Robert Foster 46, Stephen Johns 3-14) beatCardiff (16 overs; James Gale 3-20)

Sri Lanka seeks assistance of batting legend

Barry Richards, the legendary South African batsmen, has been approached by the Sri Lankan cricket board with regard to his possible appointment as a specialist batting coach for the national squad. Richards is yet to confirm his willingness to take up the assignment, but is believed to be interested.At the present moment of time it is unclear as to the details of his appointment, which is supported by both the newly appointed Interim Committee and the Sri Lankan team management. Considering his commitments as a television commentator he is expected to visit Sri Lanka for a series of short technical workshops with both national and A-team players.It is not the first time that Sri Lankan cricket has shown an interest in Richards. The last Interim Committee, which was headed by Rienze Wijetilleke, recommended his appointment to assist in the teams preparations for the South African tour, but the issue was not pursued after the election of the Thilanga Sumathipala in June 2000.The Interim Committee is expected to confirm their interest in Barry Richards on Friday, when they meet the Sri Lankan media for the first time since being appointed by the Sports Minister, Lakshman Kiriella, on 28th March.Richards played only four Test matches for South Africa because of the isolation period. He still had time, however, to score two centuries and two half centuries. He had a first-class average in excess of fifty and is generally consisdered to have been one of the greatest batsmen of the 20th century.

Sydney Sixers annihilate listless Yorkshire

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsIt was sort of a day for Yorkshire•Getty Images

Newlands witnessed its second consecutive one-sided game as Sydney Sixers needed just 8.5 overs to breeze past Yorkshire’s 96 and give the county side the rudest of welcomes to the main draw. The Sixers showed why they are among the better bowling units in this competition, keeping Yorkshire to a score below 100 under sunny skies. The seamers shared all nine wickets to fall, striking with such regularity that the innings failed to gather any momentum.It was as if the teams were batting on different pitches. It was a collective struggle for Yorkshire as several across-the-line swipes failed to find the middle of the bat; punches and lofts hit the toe end of the blade and didn’t have enough to clear the fielders. That only two batsmen went past the 20s – the highest score was Joe Root’s 25 – was indicative of how tough it was. When Brad Haddin and Michael Lumb swung and swished, the ball hit the sweet spot more often than not and found the boundary 16 times during their association. Yorkshire managed only 11 boundaries in all.The Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale himself found it hard to get bat on ball after opting to bat first, and had limped to 8 off 18 balls before he walked across his crease opting to improvise against Josh Hazlewood, only to see his leg stump cartwheel. After Phil Jaques fell for a breezy 19, the seamers applied the stranglehold that stayed through the innings. At one stage, Yorkshire managed only eight runs off five overs. Root broke free with a flick to midwicket and a pulled six – the only one of the innings – off Watson. However, the slowness of the pitch consumed him as well as he swung too early against Moises Henriques and lost his off stump.The run-rate took a beating as well – it stayed below five an over for seven consecutive overs, sneaked above five for a couple of overs before slipping again. The pressure piled on with every quiet over as the middle order ended up swishing at thin air as if they were shadow-practising a sword fight. Yorkshire managed only three boundaries of those coming in the last ten overs. Mitchell Starc, who leaked 13 off his first over, came back well, landed his yorkers correctly and finished with 3 for 22.The only consolation in the field for Yorkshire were the wickets of Shane Watson and Brad Haddin. Though Watson lasted just one over, Haddin lasted eight and by the time he was done, the Sixers were eight away from victory. Haddin and Lumb charged the bowlers and bashed the ball to all corners, propelling the score to 62 for 1 after just five overs. It was over so quickly that the few who showed up in the stands had more time to kill before the second game of the evening. With two wins, the Sixers went one step closer to the semi-finals.There was a touch of irony too to the proceedings, that the two players who made the maximum impact in this annihilation, Starc and Lumb, have both represented Yorkshire.

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