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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.

Kamikaze missions on a good batting pitch are usually the prerogativeof the Indian batting line-up, but Wednesday’s one-day internationalsaw the West Indies trespass into that territory as well. India,funnily enough, donned the unfamiliar mantle of collapse-instigators,and despite the suicidal streak running through the Caribbean side,India’s bowlers must be given their share of credit.

Carl Hooper, the West Indies’ highest scorer, got a staggering 29 runsout of 76 in the third-man area, unnaturally high for the one-dayarena, in which a third-man on the fence is a routine placement.Hooper milked three boundaries and a number of singles in that region- shots that could be played only with the ball short and outside theoff-stump.Hooper, however, is a natural innovator, gifted with a quick enoughgrasp of length to glide and cut even not-so-short balls to third man.The remaining batsmen in the West Indian side, unfortunately not asblessed, struggled to score runs against the Indian bowlers’persistent line just outside the off-stump, frustrating themselvesinto throwing their wicket away.

Dinesh Mongia’s wagon-wheel hints at a less disciplined West Indianbowling attack. Mongia scored 20 runs in the mid-wicket area, as wellas 15 runs between deep extra-cover and the sight-screen. Both runconcentrations are telling. The West Indian bowlers pitched either tooshort or too full, both cardinal faults on a good batting wicket.Mongia, accordingly, had no trouble in pulling the short balls away tothe mid-wicket fence four times; to make things even easier for him,the host bowlers erred in line as well, pitching on middle rather thanjust outside off as the Indians did. When the West Indians tried tocompensate and pitched too full in the process, Mongia simply drovethem down the ground.At the post-match press conference, Hooper blamed the loss on a senseof complacency among the West Indian batsmen. While that mayundoubtedly have contributed to the defeat, India’s bowlers have everyright to feel that their discipline gave their side a significantedge.

Queensland has staged an heroic fightback against New South Wales late on the third day of the teams’ Pura Cup match here at the Sydney Cricket Ground, endingthe day on 4/154 in its second innings after earlier being 4/57 and in distinct danger of suffering an innings defeat.Captain Stuart Law (58*) combined with debutant Brendan Nash (36*) to construct a solid partnership of ninety-eight runs in the latter stages of the afternoon,dashing any hopes New South Wales had of despatching the Bulls in short time. Queensland trailed, instead, by only sixty-eight runs overall by stumps.Earlier in the day, New South Wales was the team again in control, unleashing an in-form Nathan Bracken (4/44) on the Bulls, leaving them unable to avert thefollow-on as they crumbled to be all out for 276 before tea. In Bracken’s twenty-one overs, he demonstrated the composure and confidence that he has probablygained from his recent international call-up and clearly exhibited some of the ruthless characteristics inherent in the national side.The morning session was characterised by the Bulls’ unsuccessful efforts to try and build a meaningful partnership; just as they seemed to be getting into a rhythm,their work would be routed by an efficient Blues bowler.New South Wales off spinner Anthony Clark opened the day well and continued the good form he found in the closing overs yesterday, targeting the key wicket ofskipper Stuart Law. It wasn’t till the fifty-first over, New South Wales gained the break they were looking for, when captain Law (27) was stumped after stumblingout of his crease attempting a sweep at a wide ball from Clark.It was an unfortunate mistake, but even more difficult to believe was Law’s fit of pique at being given out by Umpire Hair. On his way back to the pavilion, hecrashed out the middle stump with his bat, but has been fortunate to escape without penalty on this occasion.Coming back from lunch, Queensland was 6/222 with Andrew Bichel (18) and Wade Seccombe (27) charged with the task of guiding their team out of danger.Bichel failed to help hold the lower order together, though, and was sent back to the pavilion by Bracken with a slick yorker that bounced off his foot and onto thebails in the ninety-seventh over. Seccombe fell just four overs later, another victim of Bracken’s precise line and length.Another three overs and Adam Dale (10) was taken, caught by Michael Bevan off the bowling of MacGill. And just one further over on came the end of the inningswhen Joe Dawes (4) went for four runs, also the prey of an unstoppable Bracken.If Bracken (0/18) was the wrecker of the first innings, then Mark Higgs (2/20) has become the terror of the second after claiming two wickets in rapid succession toconsign Queensland to potential disaster at a scoreline of 4/57 by the fifteenth over of the innings.The two spin bowlers, Higgs and Clark (2/19), have worked superbly in tandem, maintaining an excellent attack with Clark’s right arm off spin complementing Higgs’left arm wrist spin. A wearing pitch has certainly helped them, serving up the possibility of some amazing turn on deliveries at times. For the fifteen overs that theybowled together, Clark and Higgs certainly made the most of the conditions.Queensland had begun the second innings needing to play with greater resolve and, by as early as the fifth over, matters looked encouraging. Openers Jerry Casselland Jimmy Maher were in sparkling touch and rapidly took the score beyond thirty during this period.When Maher (21) was given out caught behind in the eleventh over – to a rather questionable call by Umpire Brandon – the Bulls were 1/51. Maher was movingforward and trying to sweep the ball but seemed to miss it entirely. It appeared to come off the pad, and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin caught it and initially made anattempt at a stumping. But, after a few seconds’ thought, he then changed course to join in on an appeal from other fieldsmen stationed around the bat for a caughtbehind verdict. Maher was not happy about the decision and television replays showed why.Just four overs later, Clark claimed his second scalp for the innings when Cassell (31) was caught by Higgs, standing at silly mid off. Higgs then took the ball at theother end and promptly claimed Martin Love (2) and Andrew Symonds (0) within the space of an over, leaving the Bulls in a very tight spot at 4/57.It was then that Law and Love came to the rescue, albeit that the Bulls are still far from out of the woods yet. Particularly as they still need those extra sixty-eightruns to force New South Wales to bat again.

ScorecardMichael Yardy was the one batsman to pass fifty on a tricky pitch•PA Photos

There was nothing wrong with Surrey’s commitment here, and not much awry with their cricket, either. But taking complete command of a Championship match remains beyond them, for another day at least.Having won a toss they would not have been distraught to lose, bowling first had to be the right decision – given that the pitch spent all of a wet day one under cover and conditions this morning were ripe for a bit of lateral movement.But, as is almost always the way at this delightful tree-ringed and grassy banked ground, batting was not even close to being an impossible occupation, meaning that the visitors could never quite claim to have a significant advantage, despite periods of real success and a four-wicket haul for the deserving Tim Linley.Given that Sussex are the leaders and their opponents arrived only one place off the bottom, denying all but Mike Yardy a half-century can count as a Surrey triumph. Collectively, though, the hosts posted the sort of total which could yet see them in a position to apply pressure over the final two days.This was a situation, and a grafter’s pitch, made for Yardy. More than happy to dig in, play low and wait for opportunities to drive and pull, the left-hander enabled Sussex to overcome the early loss of Luke Wells and the unexpected departure of Chris Nash, just before lunch, with some comfort.Getting rid of Wells, lbw to Jade Dernbach when shouldering arms, counted as a perfect start for Surrey. Back in April, the opener scored a double hundred at The Oval, having made a century in each of last season’s four-day fixtures between the two sides. But it was Nash’s dismissal that underlined the need for care on this surface.Driving at Linley, Nash was undone by a ball that appeared to stick in the pitch, was through his shot too early and succeeded only in poking a simple catch to cover.Thereafter, Yardy and, for a time, Ed Joyce, kept Surrey’s attack at bay with confidence and increasing success. Indeed, six overs immediately after lunch yielded 34 runs with Linley and Dernbach, especially, being punished for errors of length.Joyce fell victim to a combination of pitch and lightning reflexes – miscuing a pull against one that also stopped on him but then looking aghast as Linley stuck out a hand to hold a return catch to treasure. But Yardy appeared well set for a second century of the season, only to have those thoughts ended by a yorker-length delivery that capped an excellent spell from Zander de Bruyn.Soon it was time for the pendulum to swing Surrey’s way. Matt Prior, victim of a controversial catch at Lord’s last week, survived two chances in the deep but could not get away with a third error, top-edging a sweep against left-arm spinner Zafar Ansari. Then Ben Brown had his stumps re-arranged by one from Dernbach that nipped back and Sussex were in trouble at 206 for 6.In trouble, but not in tatters. Luke Wright, hero of that great escape against Middlesex at Lord’s last weekend, and Chris Jordan both scored useful runs with some ease to put this match perfectly back in the balance.The second new ball did for Sussex’s last four wickets in just 10 overs. Then Surrey survived the final 24 deliveries without alarm. Yes, the visitors can be said to have their noses in front, just about, but this contest could yet go any one of three ways. Perfect, really.

Jacques Kallis will make a return to South Africa’s one-day squad for the Champions Trophy, which is due be announced in Cape Town on Thursday. The final 15 will also see a return to action for JP Duminy, who has not played competitively since last September.Duminy has spent the last six months recovering from a ruptured Achilles’ tendon which he sustained on the first day of the first Test against Australia in Brisbane last November. He was named in the XI but was injured before he could take any part in the fixture.As of last Wednesday, he was sprinting at 80%, batting unrestricted and was due to start bowling at full capacity this week. “We are exercising extreme caution because of the sensitive nature of the injury but we remain cautiously optimistic of his speedy return to action,” Mohammed Moosajee, South Africa’s team manager who is also a medical doctor, said.South Africa’s other injury concern, Faf du Plessis, has also made a full recovery in time for the tournament. Du Plessis missed the last two matches of South Africa’s March ODI series against Pakistan with lower-back trouble. The niggle meant he was unable to bowl throughout the series and it eventually became too painful for him to bat as well.He underwent a six-week rehabilitation program and left for the IPL last week, where he has joined up with the Chennai Super Kings. Although du Plessis has not played a game yet, he is available to make his return imminently.As much as both his and Duminy’s returns have been eagerly anticipated, it’s the inclusion of Kallis that will lift South Africa’s hopes as they aim to claim major tournament silverware for the first time since 1998 when they won this tournament in Dhaka.Kallis no longer takes part in bilateral one-day series, as part of the management plan to ensure he is fit for as many Tests as possible. He has, however, made no secret of his desire to compete in the next World Cup. He is not completely out of short-format practice as he has been playing in the IPL.Gary Kirsten previously stated South Africa will reserve the right to turn to Kallis for what they deem important enough situations and this is one of them. Although Colin Ingram has settled into the No.3 role and Ryan McLaren has been in the allrounders’ spot, Kallis’ value will be welcomed. Both Ingram and McLaren are likely to be retained but Chris Morris, the other allrounder in contention, who has given a good account of himself at the IPL, is likely to miss out.Others for whom there will be no space are promising wicketkeeper batsman Quinton de Kock as South Africa have reinstalled AB de Villiers as their wicketkeeper in the 50-over format, Titans opening batsman Henry Davids, because Graeme Smith will still be used and middle-order batsman Dean Elgar.The bowling attack should have a familiar look and will be spearheaded by Dale Steyn. Morne Morkel, Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Rory Kleinveldt will make up the rest of the pack with Robin Peterson the lone specialist spinner. Aaron Phangiso, Imran Tahir and Roelof van der Merwe, were all named in the preliminary squad but will have to wait for a turn in more helpful conditions.South Africa’s 30-man preliminary squad: AB de Villiers, Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Henry Davids, Quinton de Kock, Marchant de Lange, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Imran Tahir, Colin Ingram, Jacques Kallis, Rory Kleinveldt, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Justin Ontong, Robin Peterson, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Rilee Rossouw, Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn, Rusty Theron, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Roelof van der Merwe, Vaughn van JaarsveldSouth Africa squad (probable): AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, Jacques Kallis, Ryan McLaren, Rory Kleinveldt, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Robin Peterson, Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe

ScorecardSteven Davies passed 50 for the first time since the death of Tom Maynard•PA Photos

It had been, as Elton John might have said, a long, long time. But, after a grim year and a spell spent reflecting on his career options, Steven Davies provided a welcome reminder of his class with a first Championship century in almost a year.There would have been something rather pleasing in a 147 from a Steve Davies at any time – the snooker parallels are obvious – but in the context of this game, this was a return to form that will be celebrated far beyond Surrey.Like many of his team-mates, Davies was hit hard by the death of Tom Maynard. So horribly did he lose form after the incident that he was omitted from the side by the end of the season. After June 18, the day of the incident, he averaged just 15.40 in the Championship and he had not passed 50 since making a century, also against Somerset and also at The Oval, in May of last year. A player who had once appeared joyous and natural, often appeared careworn and crushed.He responded by taking some time away from the game during the off-season. Unlikely though it sounds, he accompanied Elton John on tour in Asia – they became friends when the singer sent champagne to The Oval following news that Davies had ‘come out’ as gay in early 2011 – and, slowly, recovered his love of the game.Here Davies provided a persuasive reminder of his extravagant gifts with a chanceless century. On a pitch that remains slow and against an attack that, on the whole, maintained its discipline, he timed the ball sweetly, but also showed abilities for which he is less well known: patience, shot selection and resilience. Playing noticeably straighter than he has previously, he helped wear down an honest Somerset attack before producing some of those familiar, dreamy caresses through the off side.”Elton is a good friend,” Davies told ESPNcricinfo “and going on tour with him was the break I needed. It took me away from the game, cleared my head and allowed me to return refreshed.”It felt good today. I’ve worked hard to be where I want to be with my game and we just concentrated on spending time at the crease on a flat wicket.”Yes,” he continued with a smile, “I suppose you could say that I’m still standing.”Less than a year ago, Davies was the man the England selectors called when Matt Prior was an injury doubt ahead of the third Test against West Indies at Edgbaston. Whether he remains England’s reserve Test wicketkeeper is debatable – Jonny Bairstow and Craig Kieswetter are among those who may have usurped him – but this was an innings that will have provided some assurance that he is back in the frame of mind to be considered.But while Davies will gain the headlines, the chanceless century by Rory Burns was just as important. Indeed, it was Burns who saw off the attack at its freshest and the new ball at its hardest and Burns who laid the platform for much of what followed.Burns is not a particularly eye-catching cricketer. He does not have Davies’ innate timing – not many do – or his range of stroke. But his judgement at which balls to play at and which to leave outside off stump is exceptional, while his ability to concentrate for long periods is most unusual in a 22-year-old in the modern game.His first 50 occupied 151 deliveries – 128 of them scoreless – but his second took only 77 more as Somerset’s attack began to flag just a little. Scoring primarily between mid on and square leg, he also cut well when appropriate and looked to have a sound defence. He will face tougher attacks on tougher pitches, but he looks to have the temperament and technique to go a long way in the game.Together the pair steered Surrey from the perilous position of 87 for 4 late on day two with a stand of 159 before Burns’ innings was ended by a catch down the leg side.It is testament to Somerset’s bowling, however, that Surrey had to be content with only two batting bonus points. They had scored just 290 when the 110th over of the innings was bowled with Steve Kirby, who delivered 33 overs and remains as enthusiastic as ever at the age of 35, and Alfonso Thomas, who gained more movement off the pitch than any of his Somerset colleagues and conceded under two an over, the pick of the bowlers. Only George Dockrell, who struggled with his length, was a disappointment though in mitigation, this pitch offered him little and aged just 20, such days are bound to occur.In general though, Somerset remained patient and tight on a desperately slow wicket. They won belated reward when Gary Wilson was drawn into nibbling at one he could have left, Gareth Batty’s enterprising innings ended when he missed an attempted flick across the line and Stuart Meaker prodded outside off stump. When Davies, slogging in search of quick runs, finally fell Surrey declared to leave Somerset a potentially awkward couple of overs.There are few demons in this pitch, though, and it will take some remarkable cricket to conjure victory for either side on the final day.

Big Picture

The IPL is a two-month long exercise but the controversies and issues it has thrown up in recent years have kept it in the news long after the last ball of each season has been bowled. The financial woes of Deccan Chargers was one such matter and it led to the franchise’s termination by the BCCI, followed by its acquisition for US$79.4 million by the Chennai-based Sun TV network. The new owners of what is now the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise retained 20 players from the original squad, but there have been some changes since.The team had a forgettable season in 2012, finishing second from the bottom. Among the attempts made by its new owners to reverse those fortunes is introducing changes to the support staff. Tom Moody has been appointed coach, Waqar Younis has been roped in as a bowling consultant, Simon Helmot was named Moody’s deputy, and Kris Srikkanth and VVS Laxman drafted in as team mentors.Kumar Sangakkara has been retained as captain, though he won’t play the team’s match(es) in Chennai. There are few specialist batsmen in the squad, which relies primarily on allrounders – those of the bowling variety. Sunrisers, at the auction this year, bought Darren Sammy, Thisara Perera, and Nathan McCullum. They also strengthened their attack with the purchase of medium-pacer Clint McKay and have replaced Darren Bravo with South Africa opener Quinton de Kock.Chargers managed to save face last year by winning their last two league games after beginning the season horribly, losing five in a row. Theirs was an all-round failure, with bowlers failing to defend sizeable targets when their batsmen clicked, and the batsmen not helping matters with their inconsistency when the bowling did better. Some of their overseas signings this time should boost the middle order and add more depth to the bowling attack.

Key players

Shikhar Dhawan was the team’s highest run-getter last year and remains a crucial player in the XI, though he’ll miss the first two weeks of the tournament due to a hand injury he suffered during the Test series against Australia. Dhawan has de Kock, Parthiv Patel, and Sangakkara as potential opening partners, and has plenty of confidence coming in to this IPL after a successful domestic season and a whirlwind century on Test debut in Mohali.Dale Steyn is the Sunrisers’ biggest bowling asset, but equally important will be Sangakkara‘s leadership. He’s playing under a new group of owners, though with a familiar face in coach Moody, who formerly coached Sri Lanka. Sangakkara had a poor IPL last year, averaging 18.18 in 12 games but has had an excellent run this year with a productive series against Bangladesh. If his own form was a contributing factor to the batting failures last year, he has a team with a group of players – Sammy, Steyn, Dhawan and himself – with recent successes that should be able to drive them to prevent the kind of beginning they had last season.

Big names in

Thisara Perera: Sunrisers spent US$675,000 on Perera, a reliable seamer with good variations and big-hitting batsman in the middle order. Perera has a strong reputation for the skills he brings, and his team might be faced with a tough choice between picking him and Sammy in the playing XI given the overseas quota, and Sangakkara and Steyn as likely starters.

Big names out

Dan Christian was bought for a whopping US$900,000 by Chargers in 2011, but that didn’t seem to have paid dividends last year. Christian played less than half of his team’s matchers and proved expensive with the ball. He was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for this season, for US$100,000.

Below the radar

Amit Mishra, the legspinner, has not played for India since August 2011 but has been doing well for Haryana of late. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Twenty20 tournament, he picked up 10 wickets in five games at 10.80, conceding just six an over. Together with McCullum, he is one of two specialist spinners likely to get a full spell and has warmed up well for the IPL this season.

Availability

Sangakkara and Perera will miss the Sunrisers’ game in Chennai on April 25. Should Sunrisers qualify for the knockouts, it remains to be seen if the current Tamil Nadu government makes an exception for those matches vis-à-vis the participation of Sri Lankan players. There is a possibility McCullum might miss the latter stages of the tournament, as New Zealand are scheduled to tour England then, with the first Test beginning on May 16.

A comprehensive performance from Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) set up their second big win in two matches and sent them to the top of the Group B table, while Sri Lanka Army topped group A, having won a low-scorer, in the second round of the Premier League Tournament. Ports Authority Cricket Club (PACC) recorded the only innings victory of the round, which yielded two draws and eight outright results. In addition to NCC and Army, Colts Cricket Club, Tamil Union and Sinhalese Sports Club have also won both matches so far.NCC’s victory over Chilaw Marians was set-up by an unbeaten 205 from Upul Tharanga in the first innings, which helped his side to 405 for 6 declared by the third session on day one. Tharanga’s innings came off 266 deliveries, and featured a 174-run fourth-wicket partnership with Angelo Perera, who joined Tharanga at the crease at 65 for 3. The Marians’ reply began well, with Sachith Pathirana and Angelo Jayasinghe adding 163 for the second wicket, but Tharindu Kaushal’s most successful spell in an already brilliant debut domestic season ensured NCC took a 149-run lead into the second innings, with Kaushal finishing with 7 for 69. Dinesh Chandimal and Perera then pushed home NCC’s advantage with the bat, with Perera adding a stroke-filled 100 not out from 77 balls to the 87 he made in the first innings, before Kaushal took his third five-wicket haul in four innings, to complete a 289-run victory.Army succumbed to 174 in the first innings, surrendering eight wickets to Panadura Sports Clubs trio of spinners, but that total turned out to be the highest in the match on a Panadura pitch heavily tilted towards spin bowling. Legspinner Seekkuge Prasanna opened the bowling alongside Ajantha Mendis, and took 6 wickets for 45, skittling Panadura for 121 from 28.1 overs. Army only fielded one fast bowler, but he was unused in the first innings, and only delivered an over in the second. Left-arm orthodox spinner Gayan Sirisoma took 6 for 66 for Panadura to help dismiss army for 135, but the hosts fell 54 runs short of their target of 189 in the final innings, as Mendis collected a five-wicket haul of his own.Badureliya Sports Club had an opportunity to score a major upset when they dismissed SSC for 102 in the first innings, having made 227 themselves after being sent in, but saw their chance slip away when they could only muster 115 in the second innings, before Dimuth Karunaratne century took the hosts to their target. First-innings fifties to Pabasara Waduge and Mapa Bandara saw Badureliya breach 200 on a green SSC pitch, before right-arm fast-bowling allrounder Saliya Saman took a career-best 8 for 53 in 14 overs, to hand his side a 125-run lead. But a resurgent SSC ensured they would prevail, first by dismissing the visitors cheaply – despite opening with the spin of Sachithra Senanayake – and then making the highest total in the match in the fourth innings. Karunaratne’s 109 came in 155 deliveries, as he continued to play himself into form, having also made a 70 and an unbeaten 27 in the last match. Thilan Samaraweera also backed up his hundred from round one, with a second-innings 57 against Badureliya.Tamil Union were missing Shaminda Eranga and Rangana Herath for the second round, but still managed an eight-wicket win over Colombo Cricket Club, thanks largely to an unbeaten 206 from Jeevan Mendis in the first innings, that set up a 160-run lead. Mendis’ innings at the Colombo Cricket Club ground featured 21 fours and three sixes, and came in 225 deliveries. Allrounders Sachithra Serasinghe and TM Sampath took three wickets each with their offspin in the first innings, before Colombo were asked to follow on. Suranga Lakmal then took 5 wickets for 63, to leave his side with only 128 to win. Gihan Rupasinghe and Hasantha Fernando both made 80s for Colombo.Elsewhere, Bloomfield Cricket Club’s clash with Sri Lanka Air Force ended in a draw, just as the match headed towards a nail-biting finale. Air Force needed 51 more runs to win with four fourth-innings wickets in hand at stumps on the final day, having fought back from a 75-run first-innings deficit. Bloomfield will feel they should have won however, given they had the three best individual performances in the match. Suraj Randiv took 11 for 145 in the match, with seven of those wickets coming in the first innings, after Madawa Warnapura and Nipun Karunanayake made hundreds. But the remaining batsmen only made 74 in the first innings, and could not manage an intimidating second-innings total either. Bloomfield were hamstrung in the field, by an injury to speedster Nuwan Pradeep, who only bowled nine overs in the match.Ports Authority subjected Kurunegala Youth to their second innings loss in as many matches, after amassing 523 for 8 declared in the first innings. Ports Authority’s opening pace bowlers Chaminda Bandara and Sanitha de Mel took three wickets each, as their side dismissed Kurunegala for 171, after sending them in. Opening batsman Manoj Sarathchandra fell two short of a hundred for Kurunegala in the second innings, but although wicketkeeper-batsman Bhatiya Ratnayaka and captain Saman Priyanthaka also made fifties in a much-improved second innings, Kurunegala fell 37 runs short of wiping out their massive deficit.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Suresh Raina boosted his chances of making the Test team with a century•Associated Press

It’s a battle of the bats at the Irani Cup, as Mumbai responded strongly to Rest of India’s 526 on the second day at the Wankhede Stadium.As was the case on the first day, there was much that unfolded on the second to keep the national selectors interested ahead of the Australia Tests: Suresh Raina reached his second first-class hundred this season to stake his claim for a possible opening in India’s middle order, Sreesanth, Abhimanyu Mithun, Ishwar Pandey and Harbhajan Singh each got a bowl, and Wasim Jaffer and Ajinkya Rahane continued to have a productive time in the middle. As the game seemed to meander towards another high-scoring encounter, the focus remained on individual performances.On the eve of the match, Raina had spoken of his aim to play more than 50 Tests and seeking advice from VVS Laxman about batting with tailenders. He did his Test prospects no harm with an attacking century, and received excellent support from Abhimanyu Mithun at No.8 – the two had made their Test debuts in the same series, in Sri Lanka in 2010. Mumbai’s bowling continued to be lackluster – the left-arm spinners picking up wickets long after enough damage had been inflicted and the seamers largely ineffective – claiming just one wicket on the second day and unable to break a 153-run stand for the seventh wicket between Raina and Mithun.Raina had moved smoothly to 36 at stumps on the first day, and Ambati Rayudu had matched him in a sprightly partnership. He took a while to take charge on the second, scoring his first boundary almost 50 minutes into the morning session after he’d lost Harbhajan Singh. Mithun looked assured at the other end, defending well, and scoring fluently, starting off with a lovely flick off Dhawal Kulkarni through square leg. Raina brought up his fifty off 103 balls, but opened up when part-timer Rohit Sharma was brought on to bowl. He took him for three boundaries in an over, cutting him past point then launching him twice over extra cover.Even as the field spread out, Raina picked up boundaries with ease through point, targeted the spinners through mid-on and midwicket and struck the seamers hard down the ground. He took just 37 balls to get from 50 to 100, celebrated animatedly after reaching the landmark, and stepped out to Vishal Dabholkar and Ankeet Chavan to smack three more sixes before holing out. Mithun’s confidence had grown in the company of his senior partner and he didn’t hesitate to dispatch length balls from Kulkarni down the ground, pull and cut him for fours and play the slog-sweep against the spinners en route to his own half-century. Only their pursuit of quick runs appeared to give Mumbai a chance of claiming a wicket, which they did but only after conceding a huge first-innings score.The Mumbai batsmen, too, were beneficiaries of excellent conditions to score in, and the three-pronged Rest of India pace attack including Sreesanth, Mithun and Pandey could do little against the in-form Jaffer and Rahane until the close. Sreesanth and Mithun offered considerable room for Jaffer to cut and drive which he did with flair, before feasting on a couple of freebies on the leg side from Mithun after tea to raise his fifty. Sreesanth dismissed Jaffer shortly before stumps when he belatedly tried to withdraw from playing a good-length delivery outside off and nicked to the keeper.Rahane has been in contention for a Test place for a long time. He was watchful at the start but got going against Pandey, reaching out to drive through extra cover for two fours in an over. He was the more restrained during a century stand with Jaffer, but comfortably ended any quiet spell with a boundary, once lofting Pragyan Ojha over mid-on. He reached his half-century with an off-drive off Pandey and set about, not for the first time, pushing his case for a Test berth.

Match facts

January 15, 2013
Start time 1200 local (0630 GMT)India need their fast bowlers to bowl yorkers more consistently•BCCI

Big Picture

If the pitches and outfields for the rest of the series are going to be like what was served in Rajkot then the bowlers, especially India’s, better take cover. In 12 balls, England leapfrogged from 287 to 325, and as a result of those two overs at the death, they had made just enough to secure a match-winning total. Though India did well to run them close, falling short by nine runs, the positives were overshadowed by overs 49 and 50 in England’s innings, that hemorrhaged 38 runs.That India’s most experienced bowler, Ishant Sharma, was partly responsible for those runs says a lot. Ironically, his death bowling had been effective in the previous ODI, when India snatched a low-scoring game against Pakistan in Delhi. Take a look at his figures in Rajkot, and it’s easy to miss his two maidens among the ten overs that leaked 86. Ishant wasn’t solely at fault, for all of India’s bowlers haven’t been as consistent as they should be.Death bowling has been a problem for India since Zaheer Khan’s slump in form. In good batting conditions, yorkers are the bowler’s best weapon but India’s attack hasn’t been able to deliver them consistently. Not that England set the best example either. Steven Finn and Jade Dernbach went in excess of six an over in their ten overs, while Tim Bresnan leaked 8.37 in his eight overs, though he picked up two wickets. The captain Alastair Cook defended the trio, saying the conditions left little margin for error. Spin came to England’s rescue in the form of James Tredwell, who not only took four wickets but went for less than five an over. India’s relatively more experienced spin attack wasn’t as effective, picking up just one wicket. Not the first time, after the Tests, an England spinner upstaged India’s spinners.The Rajkot ODI was a change from the trend of low scores in the Pakistan ODIs. While it benefited the likes of Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh, who got some runs and confidence, the fast bowlers were battered. More sporting conditions would allow for a better assessment of the side as a whole.

Form guide

(Most recent first)
India LWLLW
England WLWWL

In the spotlight

Twenty-one, 38, 9, 27, 0, 6, 7, 15 – a breakup of Virat Kohli‘s scores across T20s and ODIs since his century in the Nagpur Test against England. Apart from the first four scores, made in the T20s, the remaining four are worrying, considering that he bats in the top order and has more time to build an innings. Kohli was found out by the moving ball against Pakistan and in Rajkot he edged a straight one to the keeper. His place in the lineup may not be in doubt, but India are missing a big contribution from him.Ian Bell has been shifted around the batting order in his one-day career but of late he has found a second wind as an opener. Bell filled in at the top after Kevin Pietersen was dropped last year and in 12 innings he averages 57.63 with a century and five fifties. If there was one positive to emerge from the Pietersen drama, this is it. Bell has given the Indian bowlers a few headaches, with scores of 91 and 108 in the warm-up games and 85 in Rajkot.

Team news

Cook confirmed that England will keep with their top seven, giving Joe Root another chance. Root didn’t get to bat in Rajkot, but bowled nine overs of spin for 51. The only change could be in the pace attack.England (possible) 1 Alastair Cook (capt), 2 Ian Bell, 3 Kevin Pietersen, 4 Eoin Morgan, 5 Craig Kieswetter (wk), 6 Joe Root, 7 Samit Patel, 8 Tim Bresnan, 9 James Tredwell, 10 Jade Dernbach, 11 Steven FinnIndia could also make a change to their seam line-up. MS Dhoni said after the first ODI that they would like to test Shami Ahmed’s death bowling skills at some stage. India opted for Ashok Dinda in Rajkot as he was more experienced.India (possible) 1 Gautam Gambhir, 2 Ajinkya Rahane, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Yuvraj Singh, 5 Suresh Raina, 6 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 R Ashwin, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Ishant Sharma, 11 Ashok Dinda/Shami Ahmed.

Stats and trivia

• England have played only one ODI in Kochi, losing by four wickets to India in 2006. Pietersen is the only survivor from that game.
• India have won four of their six matches in Kochi.
• Virat Kohli is 86 shy of 4000 ODI runs.

Quotes

“The way we have learned to tackle the spinners is incredible. It’s a big credit for us.”
“Whenever the batsmen don’t do well, bowlers cover up for them and vice-versa. I don’t believe in blaming one area of the game. I think the bowlers are putting in all the hard work, and the way they won the match for us against Pakistan (in Delhi) was commendable.”