A sturdy century by Phillip Hughes and a striking all-round display from Johan Botha lifted South Australia to a bonus-point victory over Tasmania in Hobart

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Oct-2012
Scorecard
Phillip Hughes made his first century for South Australia•Getty Images

A sturdy century by Phillip Hughes and a striking all-round display from Johan Botha lifted South Australia to a bonus-point victory over Tasmania in Hobart, the Redbacks’ second consecutive limited overs win.On a sluggish pitch, the off-season recruits Hughes and Botha guided the visitors to 8 for 248, a tally that was to prove far too steep for the Tigers as the Redbacks delivered a beguiling combination of pace and spin.Hughes survived a difficult chance to the Tigers’ wicketkeeper Tim Paine on 24 but otherwise showed power, poise and a wide stroke range on a surface most other batsmen found difficult to get comfortable on.Botha’s stand of 76 with Hughes ensured SA would post a strong total after the innings had slipped to 5 for 142 against a decent spin spell from Jason Krejza. Ben Hilfenhaus shared the new ball with Krejza and nipped out Michael Klinger early but was hit about Bellerive by Hughes in later stints at the crease.Tasmania’s reply began well enough, but turned when Tim Paine’s flat pull shot was smartly held on the midwicket fence by Hughes. Two balls later Jake Haberfield pinned George Bailey on the crease, and added a critical third when Ricky Ponting drove to wide mid off.Botha, Dan Chrisitan and the economical Nathan Lyon constricted the remainder of the innings, wickets falling regularly as the Tigers’ chase petered out well short.

The future of Sajid Mahmood, the former England fast bowler, has been resolved with Essex signing him on a two-year deal.

Alex Winter20-Nov-2012The future of Sajid Mahmood, the former England fast bowler, has been resolved with Essex signing him on a two-year deal.Mahmood was released by Lancashire, for whom he took 260 first-class wickets, at the end of the 2012 season after sending him out on loan to Somerset at the end of the year where he made three appearances.It is perhaps indicative of Mahmood’s fall from grace that he has extended his career by signing for a team that finished fifth in Division Two of the County Championship last season. In 2011, he was part of the Lancashire side that won the title, taking 35 wickets in the campaign, but missed the end of the season and made just three appearances at the start of 2012.Mahmood’s drift into the cricketing wilderness was quite a contrast from the fearsome fast bowler who was signed from the Bolton league in 2002. A year later he was on an England A tour and demonstrating his pace by breaking Alex Gidman’s hand and injuring Andrew Flintoff with a beamer.An ODI debut quickly followed in 2004 and two years later he played the first of his eight Tests against Sri Lanka at Lord’s, Mahmood a beneficiary of Duncan Fletcher’s policy of finding raw pace. But the concluding act of England’s 5-0 whitewash in Sydney was the final Test he played and, after the World Cup that followed in the West Indies, his ODI career was almost over too.Mahmood’s domestic returns remained modest, averaging just over 30 in first-class cricket from 2007 to 2010 and his economy rate in one-day cricket rose – last season he went at over eight-an-over. And it was a high economy rate that ended his Lancashire career – his last appearance saw him concede 42 from 2.3 overs, including 17 off his last three legitimate deliveries, in Lancashire’s opening Friends Life t20 defeat to Derbyshire.While other promising fast bowlers have moved to Division One counties – Liam Plunkett and Jack Brooks both moved to Yorkshire, Ajmal Shahzad signed for Nottinghamshire – Mahmood has been forced to find a less fashionable county to continue his career, where he will look to prove the credentials that earned him an international career.Proving a point is a factor that attracted Mahmood to Essex head coach Paul Grayson. “I’m really pleased Saj has joined the club,” Grayson said. “I like cricketers who feel that they have something to prove to people and he has lots of ability, he’s experienced and he’s a fit guy who can bowl with good pace as well so we feel Saj will be a real addition to the squad.”Mahmood added: “I am delighted to be joining Essex. Playing at Lancashire was a great experience for me and I thank them for all they did for my cricket. I see this move as a new beginning and can’t wait to get started. Paul Grayson has been brilliant throughout the recruitment process and I appreciate the faith he’s shown in me.”

Kevin Pietersen described the Nagpur pitch as “the toughest I have played Test cricket on” after the first day of the final Test against India

George Dobell in Nagpur13-Dec-2012Kevin Pietersen described the Nagpur pitch as “the toughest I have played Test cricket on” after the first day of the final Test against India.Pietersen top-scored for England with 73 out of 199 for 5 but, on a day when England were unable to score off 483 of the day’s 582 deliveries, Pietersen admitted that the slow pace of the pitch had made batting a real struggle. He remained confident that England were well-placed in the game, however, suggesting the balance of their attack – with two seamers and two spinners – would prove crucial over the remainder of the game.India utilised four spinners on the first day, but the only seamer in their side, Ishant Sharma, was by far the most dangerous of the bowlers and dismissed both England openers, Nick Compton and Alastair Cook.”It is tough and it is the toughest wicket I have played Test cricket on in terms of trying to play strokes,” Pietersen said. “I think we have done okay at 200 for 5 but what the wicket is going to do from now on, I haven’t got a clue because it looks pretty similar to what it did when we started the day. The key today was to try and bat for as long as possible because I don’t think that wicket is getting any better.”My guess is as good as anyone’s in this room as to what that wicket is going to do. I don’t know, but goodness, it is slow.”I think we are in a position of strength, having two seamers. I found Ishant Sharma incredibly difficult to play today. All I know is that scoring was incredibly hard, especially against Ishant, so we hope Tim Bresnan and Jimmy Anderson can do us a really good job.”Pietersen was also impressed by the performance of Joe Root. The 21-year-old, winning his first Test cap, reacted to challenging circumstances with a composed innings that revived England’s hopes of setting a competitive first innings total. England slipped to 139 for 5 not long after Root came to the crease, but did not lose another wicket for the rest of the day as he and Matt Prior added 60 runs in 30 overs. On a pitch that may well deteriorate sharply, the time occupying the crease could prove almost as important as the runs scored.”Joe was brilliant,” said Pietersen. “He is his own man. He played some lovely cricket shots. He has got a good head on his shoulders. I always say never judge anyone after a couple of hours batting for England but he showed signs that he will have a very good Test career.”He didn’t need too much help. He came in there, and was scoring freely. He’s a good little player and a lovely man as well. He’s a good human being.”Pietersen accepted that it had not been the most entertaining day for spectators and suggested that the slow pace of play would have persuaded many to stop watching long before the close.”The Indians think that is the kind of wicket they can produce to pull the series back,” he said. “The viewers have got no interest in what I’ve got to say because they switched off four or five hours ago. It is an incredible challenge for the lads to see what we can get out of this over the next four days. We’ve had some incredible challenges over the last two or three years.”

Wasim Jaffer and Sachin Tendulkar scored centuries to take Mumbai to a position of strength in the Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Baroda

The Report by Sidharth Monga06-Jan-2013
ScorecardFile photo: Mumbai’s big batsmen came good on big day•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

The last time Sachin Tendulkar played first-class cricket in Mumbai, his team fell to arguably its worst defeat in Test cricket. The last time Wasim Jaffer played in Mumbai, he scored a hundred to get his side three points but had to leave midway to tend to his father who had suffered a heart attack. On Sunday in Mumbai, albeit against a limited Baroda attack, normal services resumed as the two scored centuries to take Mumbai to a position of strength in the Ranji Trophy quarter-final.This was Jaffer’s 31st Ranji century, which takes him level with Ajay Sharma as the highest centurions in Ranji Trophy. Jaffer is now just 44 short of reclaiming his record of most runs in Ranji Trophy, which he lost to Andhra’s Amol Muzumdar in the first half of the tournament. Tendulkar, too, took a step towards records. This was his 80th first-class hundred, just one behind Sunil Gavaskar’s Indian record of 81. Also, with 18 centuries in this competition, he is two behind Gavaskar’s 20.The two came together with Mumbai 35 for 2 after choosing to bat first. Jaffer had already survived an lbw decision when South African umpire Adrian Holdstock – part of umpires exchange programme – reprieved him off an inswinger from left-arm quick Gagandeep Singh. Tendulkar squashed all nerves by batting with intent, and racing away to 23 off 32 without taking any risks. A straight drive between the stumps and the non-striker stood out.Tendulkar now settled in for a big innings, and Jaffer began to look comfortable. It was a slow pitch, and scoring was not easy, which showed in how Tendulkar once ended up dragging a lofted shot to cow corner while he intended to hit it straight down the ground. He stopped taking risks then. Jaffer, who cut one wide of Yusuf Pathan at first slip just after lunch, began to score more freely with some beautiful flicks through wide mid-on and midwicket. The two were complimenting each other again.No wicket fell in the middle session as Mumbai went from 77 for 2 at lunch to 193 for 2 at tea. Tendulkar’s strike rate had dropped to around 50, but Jaffer’s had risen to about a run every two balls. Jaffer began the final session not out on 92, and soon made his only mistake of the day after an uncertain start. As he edged a cut off Gagandeep to slip, Baroda’s captain, Yusuf, couldn’t hold on to a fairly simple chance. Jaffer then went on to bring up his century with an exquisite cover-drive off the same bowler.Tendulkar wasn’t far behind, and brought his three figures up with a nudge fine of long leg and scampering for two. A spectator, a middle-aged man, charged onto the field, and embarrassed Tendulkar by insisting to touch his feet in reverence. You could see Tendulkar wasn’t comfortable with the notion, but it seemed he had no choice.Murtuja Vahora, Baroda’s spirited right-arm fast bowler, finally broke through Tendulkar’s defence with a beauty that swung prodigiously in to sneak through the small gap between bat and pad even as Tendulkar strode forward. The off stump went cartwheeling, and Vahora was overjoyed. Jaffer, though, had become even more fluent, ending unbeaten on 137. Nightwatchman Dhawal Kulkarni did his job with an unbeaten 0 off 15 balls.

Jonathan Trott has said the team should aim to improve the 3-1 margin of victory they secured there in 2010-11

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Jan-2013England batsman Jonathan Trott has said the team shouldn’t try to recreate history when they visit Australia next winter.”It will be important to hopefully retain the Ashes over here, but then go to Australia and not try to emulate what happened,” Trott said, speaking to Alison Mitchell on ESPNcricinfo.”Try to do it again based on what we did last time, I think that would be quite dangerous. I don’t think there’s one recipe for everything. We need to go there and see how it goes, and who knows, try to win even more than before, not try to recreate history but just do it in its own way and set standards for ourselves.”England have a big year ahead, with two Ashes series within six months of each other, five Tests against New Zealand (three away and two home) and a Champions Trophy at home. They are currently No. 2 in the ICC Test rankings, just five points below South Africa.Trott, who scored a hundred and a half-century in England’s historic Test series win in India, has been rested from the ongoing one-day series. He backed Ashley Giles, his former Warwickshire coach, to do well in his role as England’s limited-overs coach, and said he was the “best man for the job”.”He’s done his years with Warwickshire and learnt about being a coach,” Trott said of Giles. “I think it can be quite tricky coming straight from being a player to being a coach. He knows the lines between being a mate and being a coach, and what’s expected of you and what’s expected of himself. So I think the English team of the future, in one-day cricket, is looking pretty good. There’s a lot of one-day cricket, another Champions Trophy – something we want to really do well in.”Trott credited Giles with helping him regain his focus while at Warwickshire and getting him ready for Test cricket. “He had a lot of experience to draw on from what happened in his career – media, pressure, and getting the most out of his talent. He probably saw me as a guy not doing things quite right and could probably do better. He sat me down and said, ‘I think you’re going about your business in the wrong fashion, maybe tinker with a few things here and there.'”

Sylhet Royals prevailed in a tight contest against Rangpur Riders after Nazmul Hossain Milon’s late charge

The Report by Mohammad Isam31-Jan-2013
ScorecardSylhet Royals prevailed in a tight contest against Rangpur Riders after Nazmul Hossain Milon’s late charge. The five-wicket win, their sixth of the season, gave the Royals a clear lead at the top of the points table.Known for his ability to clear the boundary, Milon has lived up to his reputation so far in the tournament with some short bursts in the middle order. On Thursday, he hit one over deep midwicket off Nasir Hossain and when the asking rate rose in the last five overs, Milon blasted Fidel Edwards over cover and drove Abdur Razzak straight and edged him past the wicketkeeper. The late blows put the Royals firmly in control and they won with three balls to spare. Milon remained unbeaten on 45 off 29 balls.Milon added 37 for the fifth wicket with captain Mushfiqur Rahim, who made 17 off 24 balls, before finishing the chase with Elton Chigumbura, who was unbeaten on 10. Earlier in the innings, opener Dwayne Smith had scored 31 off 21 balls but Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Mominul Haque fell cheaply.The Riders had imploded from a position of strength after they were sent in to bat. From 101 for 1 in the 15th over, they collapsed to 122 all out, the same score they had been dismissed for in the last game. The platform had been set by Shamsur Rahman’s third half-century in the competition, 52 off 46 balls with five fours and a six, but it was wasted.Smith and Sohag Gazi picked up three wickets each, while Dirk Nannes took two for the Royals.

, a compilation of in-depth interviews with the greats of the modern era on various aspects of cricket, was launched in Hyderabad on Friday by VVS Laxman, the former India batsman

Kanishkaa Balachandran in Hyderabad01-Mar-2013, a compilation of in-depth interviews with the greats of the modern era – from the Nawab of Pataudi to Mark Taylor – on various aspects of cricket, was launched in Hyderabad on Friday by VVS Laxman, the former India batsman. The book, which was launched in the company of commentator Harsha Bhogle and ESPNcricinfo editor Sambit Bal, brings together selected long-form interviews covered in ESPNcricinfo, Wisden Asia Cricket and Cricinfo Magazines over the past decade.The book features 22 interviews in the Q&A format with current and former players giving their inputs on topics including the technical aspects of the game, and the mental side. Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis explain the nuances of swing and fast bowling, Matthew Hayden speaks on intimidation, Ian Chappell on Australianism, Sachin Tendulkar on how he changed his game and Bill Lawry on commentary. Captaincy has been explored in great detail, with four players – Nasser Hussain, Mark Taylor, Mahela Jayawardene and Pataudi – speaking on the subject.The idea with the series was to broadly explore a single theme in each interview. “Over the years, we interviewed cricketers across generations and countries on a variety of subjects,” Bal wrote in his introduction. “If you wanted to know how VVS Laxman developed the gift of caressing the ball from outside off through midwicket, or why Virender Sehwag bats the way he does, you can hear it from the men themselves.”He says the Q&A style does justice to delving deeper into a particular topic: “The Q&A is a format that keeps the interviewee centre stage. The interviewer contributes by steering the conversation, but the spotlight never leaves the subject. The embellishments of the written-through format may at times read better, and the impressionistic interventions of the writer may provide a deeper sense of place and time, but for revelation of soul and exploration of depth, the Q&A is incomparable.”During a live chat with Bhogle and Bal, ahead of the launch, Laxman spoke about how he became a better player of spin, how he developed his wristy style of batting, and why youngsters should be taught early on how to handle fame and pressure.

Poonam Yadav’s 3 for 21 helped derail the Bangladesh run chase, and give India a 3-0 series whitewash over their neighbours

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Apr-2013
ScorecardIndia women completed a 3-0 whitewash over Bangladesh with a 10-run win in Vadodara. India elected to bat first, and the openers put up a 53-run stand within eight overs. Mona Meshram fell to Fahima Khatun, which brought together opener Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, who put together a 31-run stand for the second wicket. India lost two more wickets in the next over as they stumbled to 86 for 4 in the 14th over. Poonam Raut was the only other batsman to post a double-digit score, apart from Kaur and Mandhana, as India stuttered to 123 for 9. Bangladesh’s bowlers put up a collective effort in restricting the batting, with Salma Khatun and Panna Ghosh picking up two wickets each.Bangladesh looked good in their chase, when the first two wickets produced partnerships of 25 each. They had reached a stage where there were 61 for 2, before losing a couple more wickets through the bowling of Poonam Yadav, to be at a precarious 110 for 7. Contributions from Lata Mondal (32), Shukhtara Rahman (25), Rumana Ahmed (15) and Ritu Moni (15), were not enough as they fell 10 runs short of the target by the completion of their 20 overs.

David Miller became the fourth centurion of this edition of the IPL as he single-handedly kept Kings XI Punjab in contention for a playoff place

The Report by Firdose Moonda06-May-2013
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
David Miller smashed a 38-ball 101 to pull off a heist for Kings XI Punjab•BCCI

David Miller became the fourth centurion of this edition of the IPL, as he single-handedly kept Kings XI Punjab in contention for a place in the play-offs. Miller’s 38-ball century resurrected Kings XI from 64 for 4 and was chiefly responsible for the 99-run blaze off the last five overs of the chase. It ensured his side pulled off a grand coup against a team studded with superstars.Royal Challengers Bangalore would not have expected this Kings XI, especially after posting the tournament’s fifth-highest score. The Royal Challengers innings was built on the shoulders of Chris Gayle – who went past the fifty mark for the first time since his whirlwind 175 against Pune Warriors and reclaimed the orange cap – and the fit-again Cheteshwar Pujara, and was given legs by AB de Villiers’ cameo at the end.Kings XI responded with only a spine in Miller. He proved it remains the most important component of the human body and can be totally self-sustaining if needs be. Miller’s father would have been a proud man, if he was watching in Durban. He gave his son an important piece of advice when he was growing up and tonight he followed it to the letter.”If it’s in the V, it’s in the tree and if it’s in the arc, it’s out of the park,” Miller senior said.Against an attack that continued to offer him length, Miller had both those options and took full advantage. His innings was a masterclass in hitting straight, although not all his shots found the boundary. He top-edged one attempt when he was on 42. Virat Kohli spilled the skier which proved match-changing. The next over confirmed it, as Miller took 26 off RP Singh to begin the assault. He started by dispatching a half-volley over long-off and ending with a cut over point to display his ability in hitting to other areas of the ground as well.Miller went on to pick the slower ball with ease and targeted wicket area as well, bringing up the 100 partnership with Rajagopal Sathish with a six off a short-ball. Sathish had only scored 11 at that point and was happy to play a bit-part role until the end.Sathish managed 14 runs off Gayle’s over and then dutifully gave Miller the strike to end the match. With three runs to get – it was only the 18th over – and Miller on 95, he needed a big hit to reach a century and he duly sent a length ball over the sightscreen to bring up his milestone in characteristic fashion.Fittingly, it came off Gayle who had himself showed intent in the other half of the match but had to be a spectator this time. Gayle started well, despite being peppered with short balls from the Kings XI attack. Praveen Kumar and Parvinder Awana did not have the pace to test Gayle on the back foot and he had Pujara as an ideal foil. When Gayle was bowled, Pujara went on to record his first half-century in the format in typically classy fashion. His only ungainly shot came when he charged Manpreet Gony and played on.Kings XI clawed back but ran into de Villiers at the end of the innings. His cheeky defiance began with a flyswat through midwicket and he innovated with the sweep shot and square cut to take Royal Challengers to a total they would have been satisfied with.Having reduced Kings XI to 64 for 4 at the halfway stage, with David Hussey among those dismissed, Royal Challengers would have been confident of victory. But the other David was still at the crease and it is his name Royal Challengers will remember after tonight.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the Pune Warriors seamer, conceded 23 runs in 24 balls despite Chris Gayle going crazy at the Chinnaswamy on Tuesday

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Apr-2013Royal Challengers Bangalore’s run rate on Tuesday night was 13.15 an over. There was Chris Gayle and there was also AB de Villiers, whose exhibitions in big-hitting lifted them to the biggest total ever in Twenty20 cricket. Yet, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the Pune Warriors seamer, conceded 23 runs in 24 balls. His team-mates’ economy rates, Luke Wright apart, varied between 12.00 and 29.00.While that was personally satisfying, Bhuvneshwar said it was a night when it was natural to regret becoming a bowler. “As a team it was a tough match to play but individually for me it was good. We gave away 265 runs out of which I gave only 23 runs. That was satisfying for me,” he told the IPL site after the match. “[But] when Gayle bats like that nobody wants to bowl, especially on a wicket like this where the ball comes on well onto the bat. All I can say is that it’s tough luck for the bowlers if he decides to bat like that.”In all Bhuvneshwar bowled seven balls at Gayle, conceding 11 runs. At the start of the game, Bhuvneshwar said, he was eager to get Gayle out as soon as possible, but as the match progressed he was happy to get him off strike. “With the new ball I was trying to get him out because he’s that kind of batsman who can make up later on even if you bowl some dots to him initially,” he said. “In the death overs I just tried to keep him off strike so that I can bowl to the other batsman. I just tried to keep the ball away from his body so that he can take a single and get off strike.”During the first strategic timeout we spoke of getting him out as soon as possible. But we couldn’t do that. We could have bowled better but then you never know. We tried to do different things but he just kept hitting. Ishwar Pandey was playing his first match in this tournament and he went for 21 runs in the first over, and he obviously became nervous. It happens when you’re playing against Gayle.”Warriors now have four points from eight games and the worst net run rate among all nine teams: -1.467. They had experienced a high after ending an 11-game losing streak by beating Rajasthan Royals and then upsetting Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk, but have since three matches on the trot again. Gayle’s innings will prove to be a particularly tough blow to take, Bhuvneshwar said: “It is very difficult [to recover from an assault like this], especially for us as we are going through a tough time.”All we can do as a team is stick together and keep backing each other. We’re trying to be as positive as we can and can only hope for the best from here.”