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Pakistan retained the advantage in the Hamilton Test with their batsmen edging out a testing battle against the New Zealand bowlers on a placid surface more deserving of a one-sided contest

The Bulletin by Siddhartha Talya07-Jan-2011
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Asad Shafiq and Misbah-ul-Haq batted patiently and put Pakistan ahead•Getty Images

Pakistan retained the advantage in the Hamilton Test with their batsmen edging out a testing battle against the New Zealand bowlers on a placid surface more deserving of a one-sided contest. Middle-order batsmen Asad Shafiq and Misbah-ul-Haq batted patiently to rebuild Pakistan’s reply to 275, which had lost track in the session before tea against a determined spell from the seamers. The pair provided stability to the innings and set the platform for a lead with an unbeaten 128-run stand that has eased the burden on the inexperienced line-up to follow.The bowling was unthreatening, the conditions even more so with the virtual absence of swing and movement. Such a situation lent itself to a waiting game, one that New Zealand appeared to have an upper hand in after Taufeeq Umar and Younis Khan brought about their own downfall post lunch. Misbah and Shafiq played their own waiting game, assured that the pitch would have little role to play in their dismissals and aware that a bad ball wasn’t too far away with New Zealand rotating their bowlers. Both were opportunistic, Shafiq more so than Misbah, helping offset any extended period of quiet with the occasional boundary and taking their team closer to the first-innings target.Shafiq found the boundaries with ease on a quick outfield, clipping and driving the seamers through midwicket and fine leg and using his feet well against spin. He charged out to Daniel Vettori to loft him over mid-on, rocked on the back foot to punch Kane Williamson through the covers and stepped out to part-timer Martin Guptill to smote him over midwicket. Too often did the seamers bowl on his pads – his fifty was brought up with a tickle to fine leg – but he also scored through off, driving through point and cover.Misbah’s intention was to occupy the crease and he did that well with his solidity in defence and not feeling compelled to force the pace with a fluent partner at the other end. He’s been Pakistan’s in-form batsman in Tests with three half-centuries in four innings against South Africa, and a century in the warm-up match prior to this. His first major expansive shot, quite inexplicably, came towards the end of the day; a slog-sweep for six off Williamson. He then went a notch higher, reverse-sweeping the same bowler successive boundaries to reach his half-century just two overs before stumps. For the bulk, Misbah ceded floor to Shafiq and secured one end for Pakistan.The pair built on the efforts of the Pakistan seamers, who brought about an early conclusion to New Zealand’s innings on the second morning, and Taufeeq. Tim Southee and Williamson had set up frustrated Pakistan with a fighting stand to save New Zealand the embarrassment of being bowled out for under 200 on a track full of runs. But their resistance ended this morning when Pakistan’s seamers made up for the lack of purchase from the pitch by ruffling the batsmen up with short deliveries.When the time came to defend 275, New Zealand’s bowlers were guilty of doling out freebies on the pads, Chris Martin particularly, and Taufeeq duly dispatched them. Martin was struck for three boundaries in an over, through midwicket, square leg and mid-on, while Brent Arnel paid for dropping too short, slashed and pulled to the ropes.Post lunch, however, New Zealand bowled better. Lengths were rethought and both Martin and Arnel targeted the good-length area, and angled the ball in by bowling round the wicket to the left-hander. Taufeeq, who had dealt in boundaries, became more restrained and didn’t help himself when he struggled to middle the ball when opportunities came his way. He lost a solid partner in Azhar Ali not too long after lunch, and that gave New Zealand an opening.Taufeeq fought through his frustration by reaching his first half-century since 2003 by guiding Arnel to the third-man boundary, while at the other end Younis injected some urgency to the innings. Like Taufeeq had done before lunch, Younis went after Martin, opening the face to square-drive him thrice for fours and flicking him to the fine-leg boundary.But just when it seemed Pakistan were emerging out of a difficult phase, they put themselves back into one. Taufeeq played a loose flick straight to midwicket, and Younis closed the face too early to spoon a catch back to the bowler. It was Arnel who dismissed the pair, leaving it to the captain Misbah and Shafiq to rebuild.

ESPNcricinfo previews Ireland’s chances in the 2011 World Cup

Andrew Miller13-Feb-2011Everyone loves an underdog, especially one dressed in green. From Italia ’90 in football to West Indies 2007 in cricket, Ireland have long been the neutral’s favourite World Cup team, and four years on from their extraordinary Caribbean campaign, they are back in the mix and hungry to prove their credentials once again.Everyone loves an underdog – except, that is, the sport’s administrators. The magnificence of Ireland’s performance in Jamaica four years ago came at a price. By dumping Pakistan out of the competition with a gripping three-wicket victory in their group-stage encounter at Sabina Park, they eliminated one of the tournament’s major drawcards, just as Bangladesh were accounting for India over in Trinidad.The upshot of that remarkable day – St Patrick’s Day, no less – has been a rehashed competition, with more group stage games designed to safeguard against a repeat of Ireland’s heroics, a fact conceded by the tournament director, Prof Ratnakar Shetty. And if that seems harsh, then worse is to follow in 2015, when the format is set to eliminate all non-Test playing nations, even those like Ireland with some pedigree at this level.It means, therefore, that for Ireland, this time, it’s personal. They have six matches in Group B in which to make as big a splash as possible, and prove that the administrators have got their priorities badly wrong. The core of the contenders from 2007 are back for another go, and while the injured Eoin Morgan has long since thrown in his lot with England, their batting has been bolstered by the return of Ed Joyce.Ahead of the tournament four years ago, Ireland’s tally of official ODIs was a measly eight – seven of which had come against fellow minnows. Now they are relative veterans, with 58 official contests under their belts, and a wealth of reasons to give it their best shot. It is asking too much to expect a repeat of the Kingston miracle, but with six opportunities to make their presence known, they’ll be gunning for at least one sizeable scalp.World Cup pedigreeJust the one tournament, but what a tournament. Ireland showed their mettle with an agonisingly close-fought tie against Zimbabwe, then held their nerve in a fraught finale to eliminate Pakistan in that unforgettable three-wicket triumph. The Super Eights were a let-down on many fronts, as their lack of experience took its toll, but they at least managed to win their mini-World Cup, by downing Bangladesh in their penultimate appearance, at Bridgetown.Form guideA little patchy in recent months. A shared series in Canada was followed by a 2-1 defeat in Zimbabwe, and their warm-ups on the subcontinent haven’t gone entirely to plan either, with consecutive losses to Zimbabwe and Kenya in Dubai. They may be saving their best for when it matters, but they’ll need to raise their game soon.Where they’re likely to finishProgression to the quarter-finals would be a miracle given the format, but they’ve got a few teams in their group that they are sure to target – England, West Indies and Bangladesh, to name but three.WatchabilityMore doughty than flamboyant, Ireland at their best are a team with tenacity who refuse to accept when they are beaten. Their bowling attack relies on diligence above all else, with Trent Johnston setting the example and Boyd Rankin providing the height and a touch of class.Key playersGeorge Dockrell is just 18 years old, but already he’s a player with an immense future ahead of him. In the World Twenty20 back in May, he blended nous with audacity as his flighted twirlers saw off Netherlands in the qualifying tournament, before taking 3 for 16 against West Indies and choking England’s middle-order with four overs for 19 in the main event. His school exams ruled him out of an ODI against Australia, but a two-year deal with Somerset was ample consolation. Another mature performance, and it might even be England who come sniffing next …Ed Joyce has made more trips across the Irish Sea than your average RyanAir flight. Born in Dublin, he set about qualifying for England during his county stint with Middlesex, before eventually making his debut in June 2006 – against Ireland in Belfast, no less. Soon afterwards, he travelled to the 2007 World Cup on the back of an ODI century against Australia, but having been jettisoned by England in the wake of that disastrous tournament, he decided to requalify for his native land. At the age of 32, he is arguably in his prime, and his experience will be invaluable.

While no-one will take Ireland lightly after their upset of England, India’s batting line-up and spinners may prove too much of a challenge for them

The Preview by Liam Brickhill05-Mar-2011

Match facts

March 6, Bangalore

Start time 2.30 pm (0900 GMT)

Big Picture

A week ago it would have been hard, if not impossible, to countenance the thought of an Ireland win over India. What a difference a week makes. After their stunning win over England, Ireland will believe they have the ability to take on anyone, and while India will undoubtedly be respected they will not be feared.Ireland are coming up against one of the most formidable batting line-ups in world cricket on a featherbed at the Chinnaswamy stadium, however, and as they prepare to do battle with a top six that packs a whopping 44,503 ODI runs between them (although 17,777 belong to one man) perhaps a little fear wouldn’t go amiss. There are significant dangers lurking in India’s bowling line-up too. Ireland’s XI is likely to have no less than five left-handers in it, and despite the docile playing surface, the challenge of countering multiple offspinners – and possibly Piyush Chawla’s googly too – will be a daunting task.Ireland will insist they’re up for it, and after Wednesday night’s events, who could argue with them? But if Ireland appear a team transformed, that is only in the eyes of those not close to the setup. Several players, including captain William Porterfield and allrounder John Mooney, have insisted that the result achieved against England is the sort the team go into all their games believing they can pull off.That may be true, but whether they can convert belief into performance against the World Cup favourites, in the hothouse atmosphere sure to be provided by India’s fanatical supporters, remains to be seen. India’s fans were always going to pack the stands to watch their heroes, and tickets for this match sold out some time ago, but there is a lustre and sense of anticipation – not to mention the whispers of an upset – now that there might not have been before Kevin O’Brien’s giant-killing epic.There was similar talk before India’s World Cup opener against Bangladesh, but the imperious ease of their eventual win made that sound like a misguided fantasy. While India’s opinion of Ireland may well have changed in the last week, they will expect nothing less on Sunday.

Form guide

(completed matches, most recent first)
Ireland: WLWLL
India: TWLLW

Watch out for …

It’s almost superfluous to point out that all eyes will be on Kevin O’Brien when he comes out to bat on Sunday, but it could hardly be any other way after his record-breaking hundred. The burly allrounder was brutally dismissive of both pace and spin against England and there’s no reason to think he’ll play any differently against India – although this time he won’t have the crowd’s support when he does so.It’s no secret that international sides have attempted to counter Yusuf Pathan’s destructive big-hitting by targeting him with short-pitched fast bowling. Ireland lack the firepower to adopt the same approach and Boyd Rankin, the 6′ 6″ seamer, is the only bowler who’ll come close to troubling him. If Yusuf gets going India could post a total out of the reach of even O’Brien’s expansive reach.

Team news

MS Dhoni didn’t give anything away when asked about a likely playing XI on the eve of the game, but appeared to confirm the rumour that Ashish Nehra was match-fit once more. India will play to their strength, which is batting, and that’s likely to leave four spots up for grabs for the bowlers. The same group that played against England – Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel, Harbhajan Singh and Piyush Chawla – is the logical conclusion.India (probable): 1 Virender Sehwag, 2 Sachin Tendulkar, 3 Gautam Gambhir, 4 Virat Kohli, 5 Yuvraj Singh, 6 MS Dhoni (wk/capt), 7 Yusuf Pathan, 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 Zaheer Khan, 10 Piyush Chawla, 11 Munaf PatelIreland were forced to make some last-minute changes to their line-up against England, with allrounder Andre Botha’s unavailability meaning wicketkeeper-batsman Gary Wilson slotted in at No. 5. Botha is one of Ireland’s most accomplished bowlers in the end overs – his accuracy and canny changes of pace brought him three cheap wickets against Bangladesh – and if he is match-fit, he’ll play. Otherwise, Ireland have little reason to change the team that beat England.Ireland (probable): 1 William Porterfield (capt), 2 Paul Stirling, 3 Ed Joyce, 4 Niall O’Brien (wk), 5 Kevin O’Brien, 6 Alex Cusack, 7 Andre Botha/Gary Wilson, 8 John Mooney, 9 Trent Johnston, 10 George Dockrell, 11 Boyd Rankin

Pitch and conditions

The pitch used will be the same one that produced 676 runs in India’s game against England. It wore a green and grassy look on Saturday, though that may well change after it’s been shaved and rolled, and though a dryer surface might give a little more help to the spinners (and help scuff up the ball and aid reverse swing later on), it’s unlikely to be greatly dissimilar to the pitches seen here in recent times. Expect another high-scoring game on what should be a bright, sunny afternoon and a warm, clear evening.

Stats and trivia

• The County cricketers in Ireland’s team will no doubt have helped them puncture England’s aura, but their experience against India is limited to a one-off match in Belfast in June 2007 that resulted in a nine-wicket win for India. There’ve been extensive changes to both line-ups since, but they will at least have some experience of facing the likes of Sreesanth and Piyush Chawla, although they will not have many happy memories of that experience as Chawla picked up 3 for 29, dismissing Kevin O’Brien for just 3, to rip the stuffing out of Ireland’s middle order.
• Gary Wilson, who played in the match against England, made his ODI debut in the 2007 game against India.
• Kevin O’Brien became Ireland’s leading run-scorer in ODIs in the course of his century against England, and now has 1,486 runs at 36.24. He’s also hit 40 sixes in ODIs, almost double the number of anyone else in Ireland’s squad.
• Before this tournament started, the warm-up matches in Bangalore suggested conditions might favour spinners, but the ground has since produced 1,332 runs in just two games. The average score in the last three full internationals played here is 328.
• The two men opening the batting for India, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar, have scored more runs at the Chinnaswamy Stadium than anyone else. Tendulkar leads the way with 496 runs at 49.60, while Sehwag has 323 at 64.60 – although he’s never scored an ODI hundred here. Zaheer Khan leads the way with wickets, having taken 11 at 30.18.

Quotes

“We have done the servicing and overhauling of all the cars for the race, and if at night there’s no electrical failure then everyone will be available, so we’ll pick the best XI cars.”
MS Dhoni cannot hide his enthusiasm for motor-vehicles while discussing the team selection”If you can’t go out there and get up for a game in front of 40-50,000 people then I think there’s something wrong with you. Whether they are for you or against you, it doesn’t matter. Obviously we will be looking to silence them as well.”
William Porterfield, the Ireland captain, is not worried about the pressures of a partisan crowd cheering against his team

With Sri Lankan cricket undergoing a complete change at their helm, new head of selectors Duleep Mendis said there will be new blood in the team as well

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Apr-2011With Sri Lankan cricket undergoing a complete change at their helm, new head of selectors Duleep Mendis said there will be new blood in the team as well. Kumar Sangakkara, when quitting the captaincy, said it was because Sri Lanka needed to build a new team for the 2015 World Cup, and Mendis echoed those sentiments, saying the team needed to rebuild.”Rebuilding is going to be the key in the coming months,” Mendis said. “Some things may not work, some tactics may pay off.” Mendis will head a panel that features four past cricketers: Brendon Kuruppu, Don Arunasiri, Ranjith Madurasinghe and Chaminda Mendis.Muttiah Muralitharan, who had led Sri Lanka’s bowling for more than a decade, is retired from all forms of the game, while some of their other key players are past thirty: Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene are both 33, while Tillakaratne Dilshan is 34. In addition, Lasith Malinga, though just 27, has had an injury-laden career and said he will not be around for the next World Cup.Mendis said the 2015 World Cup was something Sri Lanka had to build towards from now, and that required looking for players from junior squads.”Right now, the A team is the most important feeder mechanism for the main team. Our job in the months ahead is to scout for talent to replace some of the older players as we face several tours in the coming months.”Our cricket calendar is full in the coming months, but our task is also to build a pool to face the 2015 World Cup to be played in Australia and New Zealand.”Sri Lanka will tour England in May, and Australia later in the year. They are also hosts for the World Twenty20 in 2012. Ahead of the England tour, the selectors will have to name a captain and vice-captain. Sangakkara has offered to captain the Test side in England, in order to give the selectors more time to choose a new one, but Mendis said nothing had been decided yet.”We need at least a week to make the announcement,” Mendis said. “I was very surprised with Kumar’s resignaton. Very surprised he wanted to quit captaining the one-day side too.”

After bowling out Dhaka Division for 280, Rajshahi Division played out the one over they had to manoeuvre at the end of Day 1, going to stumps with all wickets intact to set up an interesting second day of the National Cricket League final in Mirpur

ESPNcricinfo staff10-May-2011
Scorecard
Rajshahi’s spinners troubled Dhaka on Day 1 of the National Cricket League final in Mirpur•BCB

After bowling out Dhaka Division for 280, Rajshahi Division played out the one over they had to manoeuvre at the end of Day 1, going to stumps with all wickets intact to set up an interesting second day of the National Cricket League final in Mirpur.Choosing to field, Rajshahi began ideally, with Shafiul Islam sending back opener Rony Talukder first ball. Shamsur Rahman and Anamul Haque put on a half-century partnership to steady Dhaka briefly, before a double-strike reduced them from 55 for 1 to 56 for 3. From then on the spinners – left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib and offspinner Farhad Hossain – took over, periodically striking to finish with five wickets between them. The middle order produced valuable cameos – Mahmudullah and Elias Sunny scoring fifties – to carry Dhaka to 280, but none of them could kick on to make a big score. First-change bowler Farhad Reza cleaned up the tail without too much effort late in the day, to finish with 3 for 41 off 17 overs.Rajshahi’s openers Jahurul Islam and Junaid Siddique survived the six-ball crack Dhaka had at them prior to stumps, and will resume Day 2 on 2 for no loss.

Mark Wallace became Glamorgan’s first century-maker of the first-class season as the Welsh county beat Kent by an innings and eight runs with a day to spare

12-May-2011
Scorecard
Mark Wallace became Glamorgan’s first century-maker of the first-class season as the Welsh county beat Kent by an innings and eight runs with a day to spare of their County Championship Division Two clash at Cardiff.The wicketkeeper made 107 out of 434 all out – a first-innings lead of 192 over Kent, and in reply the visitors could only make 184 as they were bowled out in the penultimate over of the day. Glamorgan, who have not beaten Kent at Cardiff in a Championship game since 1967, took a maximum 24 points from the win to Kent’s three.At the start of the day Glamorgan had resumed on 366 for seven – a lead of 124 – and wicketkeeper Wallace soon scored the 10 runs he needed to pass 7,000 first-class runs for the hosts. James Harris, who was omitted from the England Lions squad, chipped in with his second-successive fifty – the sixth of his career – which came in 106 balls with six fours.Wallace and Harris followed up their individual milestones by then setting the record eighth-wicket partnership for Glamorgan against Kent, passing the 116-run stand between John Derrick and Rodney Ontong in Cardiff in 1988.Wallace hit James Tredwell for a straight six before pushing the single which brought up the 400 in the first innings – the first time the county had secured maximum batting bonus points for 15 matches since the visit of Gloucestershire last May.Rain caused the loss of 28 overs either side of lunch, and when play resumed at 2.40pm Harris soon fell to give Neil Saker (5 for 112) his fifth wicket and end a superb stand of 169 with Wallace. But the gloveman continued unperturbed and duly went to his hundred from 169 balls with seven fours and two sixes in two minutes short of four hours.He eventually departed after being trapped in front by Tredwell, with Will Owen the last man out just a few minutes later.Kent began their second innings unconvincingly by sinking to 32 for 3. Seamer Harris (3 for 43) trapped Sam Northeast lbw, and 20 for 1 became 28 for 2 when Graham Wagg struck at the other end as Rob Key edged to James Allenby at first slip.Harris then picked up his second wicket as he had Geraint Jones leg before to leave the visitors in trouble. At that stage Kent still had hope of taking the game into the fourth day until Owen took two wickets in as many balls, trapping Martin van Jaarsveld leg before and having Darren Stevens first ball, caught at first slip.There were some cavalier hitting from both Alex Blake and Matt Coles, who both scored half-centuries, but wickets fell regularly until Harris wrapped up Glamorgan’s second Division Two victory by yorking Dewald Nel.

Shaun Marsh has said he wants to claim the Australian Test opener’s berth left vacant by the removal of Simon Katich.

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Jun-2011Shaun Marsh, the West Australian batsman, has said he wants to claim the Australian Test opener’s berth left vacant by the removal of Simon Katich from Cricket Australia’s contracts list.The man most likely to get the first chance to open alongside Shane Watson is Phil Hughes, who replaced Katich for the final three Tests of the Ashes summer, without success.He is to tour Zimbabwe with Australia A next month, while Marsh cools his heels after the Indian Premier League.”I’m sure Phil Hughes will get the first crack. He played in the last Test match in the Ashes, so I’m sure he will get another crack there and try and cement his place,” Marsh told .”But if they wanted me to open, I’m ready. I feel as though my game’s at a really good stage now. I’ve been really consistent over the last few seasons in all formats. If I get the opportunity, I feel as though I’m ready to go.”I’m pretty versatile in the batting order. I’ve shown I can open the batting and I can bat down at No.6 as well.”Though he has seldom opened the batting for his state in first-class cricket, 27-year-old Marsh has done the job for Australia at limited overs level, and over the past four summers has slowly improved his Sheffield Shield record, which has lagged well below the level generally required of Test batting aspirants.Since the 2007-08 season that saw his first elevation to the fringes of the Australian limited overs squad and ensured stop-start Shield appearances since, Marsh has tallied 1,721 domestic first-class runs at an average of 52.15 (as against a career mean of 37.97), generally batting in the top four.He has also been severely hampered by hamstring injuries during that time, but believes he is now ready.”It is tough. I’ve probably had three major injuries now, all playing for Australia in the one-day series,” Marsh said.”It does take a lot out of you. I thought after I did the last one, my opportunity was slipping away, but I’m back on the contract list now and I’m really looking forward to the next 12 months.”I know if I can stay on the park and play some good cricket, hopefully I’ll get an opportunity back in the green and gold and grab it with both hands.”

Chris Gayle will still remain in the stands, and West Indies deprived of their best player against the world’s No.1 ranked Test team

The Preview by Siddhartha Talya19-Jun-2011

Match facts

Monday, June 20, Jamaica

Start time 1000 (1500 GMT, 2030 IST)Shivnarine Chanderpaul has been India’s chief West Indian tormentor in Tests•AFP

Big Picture

He played no part in the ODI series, but Chris Gayle couldn’t be missed in the stands and was all anyone could talk about. He was there at the Queen’s Park Oval, braids, shades and a cap that said ‘captain’, and at home at Sabina Park, those braids redesigned as an Afro. He lived it up in the crowd and, deliberately or not, reminded every one about the mess over his non-selection.Who is to blame? Is there an end to this impasse, this battle of egos? There are no clear answers. That meeting between Gayle and the WICB held hope for many West Indies fans, but it resulted in more disillusionment amid reports of gloves almost coming off, literally. The details of the discussion were bared and the outcome was inconclusive. The upshot was that Gayle will still remain in the stands, and West Indies will still be deprived of their best player against the world’s No.1 ranked Test team.West Indies made another significant decision in leaving out Dwayne Bravo, who had sought, and was granted, rest after only two ODIs, following a six-game IPL stint. He hoped to return for the Test series after having time to “reflect, refocus” on his game. That break has now been extended. The return of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who will have another meeting with the WICB prior to the Test, and Adrian Barath to the top of the order are welcome developments. However, replicating what West Indies managed against Pakistan, after back-to-back wins in the ODI series, will be harder against a stronger, though depleted, Indian outfit.India are without their formidable openers – Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir – as well as Sachin Tendulkar, but are strengthened by the return of their captain MS Dhoni and veterans Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman. With several new players getting a chance to showcase their Test skills, the series is an opportunity to compete for spots on the tour of England, for which the resting and injured regulars are certain to return. The weakened bowling attack, though, is a worry on a pitch expected to favour movement and bounce, and not much turn. For India, the focus of the ODI series was on how their younger players would step up away from home and face the pressure of living up to expectations after the World Cup victory. The pressures will be similar in the Tests, though there are a few more seasoned, experienced hands to guide them.

Form guide (most recent first)

India: DWLWD
West Indies: LWDDD

The spotlight

Abhinav Mukund: He did not play the previous time he was picked in the Indian squad but will almost certainly make his debut in Kingston. Mukund, 21, has been a prolific run-scorer for Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket, and was deservedly rewarded for his consistency with a Test call-up. He was Tamil Nadu’s second-highest run-getter in the Ranji Trophy, scored a century in each innings for South Zone in the Duleep Trophy semi-final and is part of a successful opening partnership with M Vijay, who is also part of the Test squad. Mukund’s temperament, ability to bat long and score big – he has a triple-ton to his name – and reputation as one of India’s most promising young talents will be a source of both nerves and confidence in his first international game.Shivnarine Chanderpaul: Ahead of his previous Test, Chanderpaul, in one of his most outspoken interviews, slammed the West Indies management for interfering with his batting, subjecting him to unreasonable questioning and even asking him to retire, which he refused to do. In the end, he played a crucial role in his team’s second innings to help beat Pakistan in Guyana. His build-up to this Test has been relatively low key but he’ll still have to meet with the management, which will “outline to Chanderpaul the WICB’s expectations of him and his future participation in the West Indies team as a player.” What that meeting will produce, we don’t know, but he’s been India’s chief West Indian tormentor, averaging 71.86 in 18 Tests. Both he and the management will know that.

Team news

Zaheer Khan and Sreesanth aren’t in the Caribbean because of injuries, Abhimanyu Mithun will only arrive on June 20 while Munaf Patel has an elbow problem that has put him in doubt for the first Test. If Munaf misses out, Ishant Sharma will open the bowling with Praveen Kumar, a Test debutant. Swinging the ball both ways is Praveen’s strength, though his effectiveness with the older ball will be tested in the event he plays. Without Munaf, India will not have a third seamer, a scenario they would want to avoid on a pitch expected to have pace and bounce.India have a batting concern as well. M Vijay hurt his left forefinger and went for an x-ray, the result of which is not yet known. If he can’t play, Parthiv Patel could open with Mukund. Virat Kohli could be in line for a Test debut as well. Kohli, S Badrinath and Suresh Raina will be competing for two places in the XI.India (possible): 1 Abhinav Mukund, 2 M Vijay/Parthiv Patel, 3 Rahul Dravid, 4 and 6 Virat Kohli, S Badrinath, Suresh Raina, 5 VVS Laxman, 7 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 Ishant Sharma, 10 Praveen Kumar, 11 9 Amit Mishra/Munaf Patel.Barath replaced Kraigg Brathwaite in the squad and will open with Lendl Simmons. Chanderpaul’s return – he missed the second Test against Pakistan due to injury – means Marlon Samuels, who scored a half-century in that second Test and played important knocks against India in the ODIs, may have to sit out.West Indies (possible): 1 Adrian Barath, 2 Lendl Simmons, 3 Darren Bravo, 4 Ramnaresh Sarwan, 5 Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 6 Brendan Nash, 7 Carlton Baugh (wk), 8 Darren Sammy (capt), 9 Kemar Roach, 10 Ravi Rampaul, 11 Devendra Bishoo.

Pitch and conditions

“Indians like slow pitch,” said Charles Josephs, who’s been the curator at Sabina Park since 1962. He’s, therefore, made a hard one, as is custom in Kingston, favouring pace and bounce. He reckoned the ball would come on to the bat well after a point, but unlike the slow pitches in Trinidad and Antigua, this one wouldn’t turn much or keep low.

Stats and trivia

• India have lost six and won one of the ten Tests they played at Sabina Park. In 2002 they were beaten in the series decider by 156 runs, a game featuring Laxman, Dravid and Harbhajan Singh. In 2006, Dravid won India the Test and series on a tough pitch with a half-century in each innings.
• This will be Dravid’s 150th Test for India. He will become the second Indian after Tendulkar to reach that landmark, and the fifth to go past 150 overall.
• Harbhajan has bowled 557 balls to Chanderpaul in Tests and never dismissed him.
• For a comprehensive stats preview, please click here.

Quotes

“They have bowlers who can bowl fast, and if they can bowl at the right areas they can cause problems to the batsmen. That’s what Test cricket is all about, you have to negotiate good bowlers and balls, and as a batsman you need to push the bowlers to bowl into your zone.”


“I am bowling far better, in more consistent areas and swinging a lot more than before. I am training a lot harder, gym a lot, strengthening my back, my legs, my muscles, my weak areas a lot.”

This may be a critical match for both sides, for reasons it was hard to foresee at the start of the campaign

20-Jul-2011
ScorecardSteven Croft kept Lancashire ticking with a half-century•PA Photos

This may be a critical match for both sides, for reasons it was hard to foresee at the start of the campaign. Who would have tipped Yorkshire to be battling to stay out of the bottom two in the Division One or given Lancashire a fighting chance of winning the title?Yorkshire arrested their slide by beating Worcestershire at Scarborough last week but began this match knowing, like a tennis player who has just broken serve, that it will count for nothing if they don’t follow up with a hold. With that in mind, confronted with what looked like a decent pitch, Andrew Gale might have been expected to take the safe option on winning the toss and opted to bat first.Instead, he chose to bowl, perhaps anticipating some help from moisture in the air, even though one of his quick bowlers is making his Championship debut. Iain Wardlow, a 26-year-old right-armer who plays for Cleckheaton in the Bradford League, stepped up after making a good impression in Twenty20 matches, although he will drop out of this match if England release Tim Bresnan.Gale’s second season at the helm has been difficult, not least because the loss of Jacques Rudolph has left a gap in their batting that has not been filled. How relieved he must be that Yorkshire have found the resources to bring the South African back for the remainder of this campaign, although the decision to leave out Adam Lyth to make room for him raised an eyebrow or two. The left-hander, who topped 1,500 runs in 2010, has been much less effective this year, yet it is difficult to argue that his dip in form has been more pronounced than that afflicting Anthony McGrath.McGrath probably expected to be asked to justify his retention fairly soon but instead it was Wardlow under the spotlight, sharing the new ball with Ryan Sidebottom. His first spell generated some movement and while he invited the drive a few times there was a boundary or two off the edge of the bat. Greater accuracy will come, although he will have to develop considerably to match the standards of the man at the other end, whose first eight overs cost a mere 10 runs and brought the wickets of Stephen Moore, leg before to an in swinger, and Karl Brown, although the latter contributed to his own downfall with an unwisely expansive drive.Lancashire did not emerge badly from a difficult morning, lunching at 79 for 2, but lost a third wicket early in the afternoon session when Ajmal Shahzad, who had generated a testing pace at the pavilion end, had Paul Horton caught behind. McGrath held a catch at second slip as Mark Chilton became Sidebottom’s third victim; he should have had a fourth soon afterwards but McGrath then missed a chance offered by Steven Croft on 25.It was a relatively costly mistake. Lancashire would have been 131 for 5 and Croft and Tom Smith added 62 more before the next wicket fell.Lancashire probably felt it should have cost a few more. When Croft fell, to the ball before tea, dark clouds were gathering and the batsman clearly did not pick up the yorker length ball from Shahzad that bowled him. He appeared to communicate his displeasure to umpire Neil Mallender as he walked past him and was summoned to the umpires’ room to explain himself at close of play.Wardlaw celebrated his maiden wicket when Smith, who had played solidly to reach 51, rather wasted an opportunity with an ill-chosen slash and was caught behind. If he had been a shade unlucky at times, that sentiment clearly applied to Pyrah, who has made himself a candidate for player of the season since his graduation to the four-day side. He beat the bat repeatedly and at least was rewarded when he gained an lbw verdict against Gareth Cross.It may have been one of those days that needs a match to unfold before it can be evaluated properly but the balance almost certainly swung towards Lancashire in the evening, between showers. Adil Rashid, another whose form is down on last season, bowled an expensive spell that Sajid Mahmood, in particular, used to his advantage. He and Glen Chapple have added a valuable 53.

Steven Davies hit his first century of the season to keep Surrey in control on the second day of the Division Two clash against bottom-of-the-table Leicestershire at Grace Road

24-Aug-2011
ScorecardSteve Davies hit his first century of the season to keep Surrey in control on the second day of the Division Two clash against bottom-of-the-table Leicestershire at Grace Road. The 25-year-old wicketkeeper scored 121 out of Surrey’s first-innings total of 343, which gave them a lead of 176 runs.Davies then took two catches as Leicestershire struggled to 66 for 2 by the close to trail by 110.It added up to another tough day for Leicestershire, whose only consolation was the performances of youngsters Shiv Thakor and Rob Taylor who took three wickets each to prevent Surrey building up an unassailable lead. Teenager Thakor took 3 for 57 while 21-year-old Taylor followed up his impressive knock of 70 in Leicestershire’s first innings by claiming 3 for 53 on his Championship debut.But it was the batting of Davies which enabled Surrey to keep a firm grip on the game. They began the day on 122 for 2 but lost an early wicket when Zander De Bruyn chopped the ball back into his stumps to give left-arm seamer Taylor his maiden Championship wicket.It did not take him long to add to that with Tom Maynard driving an easy catch to cover with the total at 182. Taylor’s lively seven-over spell brought him figures of two for 23. Jason Roy quickly showed his attacking intentions with a straight six off left-arm spinner Claude Henderson and gave Davies good support as the left-hander closed in on his century.He had a few nervy moments in the 90s but finally made it, having faced 196 balls and hit 15 boundaries. But he was out soon after lunch, caught at point off Henderson. His departure ended a fifth-wicket stand of 84 and when Roy holed out to long-on off Henderson six overs later for 46, Leicestershire looked to be back in the game.A brisk 40 from Gareth Batty however, ensured Surrey picked up a third batting point but with Thakor trapping Stuart Meaker and Tim Linley lbw with successive deliveries and Batty caught behind off Taylor, the visitors’ total of 343 was less than seemed likely at one stage.But despite two interruptions for bad light, Surrey made early inroads into Leicestershire’s second innings. Matt Boyce gloved a catch to Davies off Linley and Greg Smith provided the wicketkeeper with another catch with a thin edge off Batty shortly before the close. It could have been worse for Leicestershire when Jefferson was caught at second slip off Chris Jordan only for a no-ball to be called.