In a swift turnaround, South Africa has overtaken England as the preferred venue to host the IPL next month. Lalit Modi, the IPL chairman, was flying to South Africa on Monday night to meet with senior officials of the South African government and an announcement is expected on Tuesday.
Weather turned out to be the principal factor that swayed the BCCI officials, a bulk of whom had been in favour of England until Monday morning when the realisation occurred that rain could seriously affect "as many as 70% of the matches" in the Twenty20 tournament, which runs from April 10 to May 24.
In England, concerns have been voiced by senior police officers about the practicalities of arranging sufficient security for such a high-profile event. The IPL clashes with the London Marathon and the FA Cup semi-finals and finals, among other events, while the G20 summit reaches a conclusion in the week before the tournament is due to start. " "Frankly they've been getting a bit ahead of themselves," one senior figure told The Times.
Another reason for England's chances receding is the assurance from top officials within the South African government and CSA that the IPL will receive the full red carpet treatment, well-placed sources told.
"The weather in South Africa seems to have become the deciding factor," the sources said. "Besides, South Africa is working out to be a much cheaper option. The South African government's interest in hosting the event is a major factor, too."
South Africa is also considered a better option when it comes to TV timings in comparison to England. For instance, the IPL wants to start its first match of the day at 4 pm IST, which would mean a 11.30 am start in England. In South Africa it would be a 12.30 pm start. The TV rights scenario is also less complicated in South Africa as Supersport owns the rights both for the IPL and for international cricket played in the country. Additionally, the cost of running the tournament in South Africa would be substantially less than in England. And the fact that the South African domestic season concludes a day before the IPL's scheduled start date should lead to less logistical problems than in England, where the county season will be just underway.
Modi and Gerald Majola, the CSA chief executive, are known to have a strong personal relationship, especially since the two boards became founding partners of the Twenty20 Champions League last year. It is believed that such a rapport would prove crucial in organising a tournament of this magnitude at such short notice. "This gives both the boards a lot of room for negotiations, adjustments and quick decisions, something that may not be possible with the ECB, which has to go by its board for almost every decision," the sources said.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) summoned their provinces to a teleconference on Monday afternoon, where they were updated on the latest IPL developments. "We have been told to expect a decision by Wednesday morning," said a South African provincial official with knowledge of the conference call. "We have had some early discussions about what we might need to do to prepare for this, but as far as we are aware, no final decisions have been made."
Majola spoke cautiously on Monday evening when asked to assess South Africa's chances of hosting the IPL's second season. "Until I meet with Mr Modi and BCCI officials and know exactly what they want and how they think this should proceed, then I cannot say where we stand," Majola told . "It has been strangely quiet since we were first asked by officials from the BCCI and IPL whether we can assist them, and to the best of my knowledge we remain just one of the options out there. We are interested in assisting, but we have not heard anything further."
Manoj Badale, co-owner of IPL's Rajasthan Royals, said he considered South Africa a likely venue. "Certainly based on the conversations I've had, if it [IPL] goes outside India, you'd have to suggest South Africa is the likeliest venue," Badale told BBC Sport.
Shaun Pollock, the former South African captain and current advisor to the Mumbai Indians, said he would be open to serving as a conduit between his IPL franchise and the KwaZulu-Natal board if approached. Pollock is currently in Durban with eight members of the Mumbai squad for a pre-season training camp.
"I would love the Mumbai Indians to come to Durban," Pollock told . "But, having said that, I don't know who will decide which franchise goes where, or even if (the IPL) will come here. It's hard to know at the moment. One person tells you it's 60-40 in South Africa's favour and another tells you it's 60-40 to England. But if it were to come here, I would be happy to help Mumbai if they were interested in basing themselves in my home area and conditions."
As of Sunday evening, England had emerged as the preferred venue to host the tournament after a powerful lobby within the BCCI and the Indian team management felt that such a move would help in preparing for the World Twenty20 in June.
However, that decision was almost entirely dependent on the ECB overcoming considerable obstacles related to costs and logistics and the approval of its stakeholders, including the counties, many of whom fear that their domestic schedule will be affected by the IPL.
Apparently, there is also a certain amount of concern at the ICC level about the state of venues in England for the World Twenty20 starting on June 5. The IPL will run until May 24 alongside the English domestic season starting in April and the West Indies Test series in May. "It's the beginning of the season in England and Wales and there is a lot of Twenty20 cricket being played including the ICC World Twenty20," David Morgan, the ICC president, told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I do think there will be great difficulties in relocating it."
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Aussies crash despite Johnson ton
South Africa completed an innings victory over Australia on day four of the third Test in Cape Town, despite a fine century from Mitchell Johnson.Johnson finished on 123 not out from just 103 balls as Australia made 422 in their second innings, just 20 runs short of making South Africa bat again.Paul Harris took a career-best 6-127 in the innings and 9-161 in the match, while Dale Steyn finished with 3-96.The result means the three-Test series finished 2-1 to Australia.
"Obviously, any time you lose it really hurts, but this has been really poor," said captain Ricky Ponting, after Australia were condemned to their first innings defeat since India beat them in Calcutta in 1998.
"The first two Tests were as good as we have played, while the first two days here were as bad as we have ever played. It shows if you're not quite there in terms of your best then results are not going to go your way.We can take the momentum from this match into our series with England
Stand-in South Africa captain Jacques Kallis
"Bringing along a new generation of Australian players we've played some really good cricket. The Ashes series will be another opportunity for them."
South African stand-in captain Jacques Kallis said the triumph had provided the team with a major boost before their next Test series against England next winter.
"Obviously we're elated, it was huge to turn around our fortunes after the last two Tests. We've gained in confidence from this game and we can take the momentum from this match into our series with England," Kallis said.
Harris, the slow left-armer, was named man of the match at Newlands, but the day belonged to Johnson in notching his maiden first-class ton from just 86 balls.
He was given superb support from Andrew McDonald, who made 68 to share a 163-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
Ricky Ponting's men, resuming their second innings on 102-2, scored just 40 runs in the morning session and had to wait until the sixth over of the day for their first run.
Simon Katich moved to his half-century by flicking Albie Morkel down to the fine leg boundary for four, but he was out for 54, hitting Harris straight to JP Duminy at mid-off to end a 159-ball stay.Michael Clarke was given out caught behind in the over before lunch, but the batsman referred the decision and replays showed he had not edged Jacques Kallis' delivery.However, Hussey's determined innings of 39 came to an end just after lunch when he was surprised by a Steyn ball that reared up and fended to Duminy at gully.Brad Haddin was put down by close fielder AB de Villiers off the bowling of Harris, but the Australian wicketkeeper chipped to mid-on in the next over, where Duminy took a fine diving catch to dismiss him for 18.Steyn then removed the last of the recognised batsmen, Clarke playing a full-length ball onto his stumps, as the visitors reached tea at 231-6.
However, McDonald and Johnson dashed any hopes the hosts might have had of an early finish, scoring 116 runs in the first hour after tea and raising the 50 partnership in just over nine overs.
McDonald brought up his first half-century off 56 balls, which was followed by Johnson bludgeoning Morkel for four to raise his fourth Test fifty and third against South Africa.
The hundred partnership came from 91 balls, before Harris finally managed to put the brakes on when he claimed two wickets in two balls.The first was that of McDonald, who was caught by close fielder De Villiers, with TV umpire Billy Bowden confirming his fate.And the very next ball, Peter Siddle edged Harris to the same man at silly point.But Johnson, who made 96 not out in the first Test at the Wanderers, kept them waiting and brought up his hundred by pulling Steyn for a massive six over mid-wicket.In the next over, however, he ran out new man Bryce McGain for a duck while attempting to retain the strike.
And with the light quickly fading, Ben Hilfenhaus was last man out when he edged Harris to Ashwell Prince at first slip for 12.
The game was West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor's last Test match.
Test Match Series: South Africa v Australia
19-03-2009 at Cape Town , Day 4 of 5
South Africa beat Australia by an innings and 20 runs
Australia won the toss and decided to bat
Australia Innings
209 all out (72.0 overs)
Australia Innings
422 all out (121.5 overs)
South Africa Innings
651 all out (154.3 overs)
Australia Innings - All out
Runs
Balls
4s
6s
Hughes lbw b Harris
33
64 4 0
Katich c Khan b Harris
55
160 7 0
Ponting c Boucher b Morkel
0
6 0 0
Hussey
b Steyn
20
20 4 0
Clarke
b Steyn
0
3 0 0
Haddin lbw b Harris
42
67 8 0
McDonald c Kallis b Ntini
13
44 1 0
Johnson c Prince b Steyn
35
54 6 0
Siddle c de Villiers b Ntini
0
2 0 0
McGain c de Villiers b Steyn
2
14 0 0
Hilfenhaus not out
0
0 0 0
Extras
2nb 1w 6lb 9
Total
all out 209 (72.0 ovs)
Bowler
O
M
R
W
Steyn 16.0 5 56 4
Ntini 17.0 7 38 2
Kallis 10.0 2 31 0
Morkel 12.0 3 44 1
Harris 17.0 5 34 3
Fall of wicket
58 Hughes
59 Ponting
81 Hussey
81 Clarke
152 Katich
158 Haddin
190 McDonald
190 Siddle
209 Johnson
209 McGain
Back to top
South Africa Innings - All out
Runs Balls 4s 6s
Khan c and b Siddle 20 64 1 0
Prince c Haddin b Hilfenhaus 150 249 19 2
Amla c Haddin b Johnson 46 88 8 0
Kallis c and b Hilfenhaus 102 163 14 2
de Villiers c McDonald b Katich 163 196 12 7
Duminy b Johnson 21 1 0
Boucher c Ponting b Johnson 12 26 3 0
Morkel
b McDonald
58
71 10 1
Harris c Haddin b Johnson
27
49 4 0
Steyn c Clarke b Katich
0
4 0 0
Ntini not out
4
6 1 0
Extras 10nb 9w 19b 24lb 62
Total all out 651 (154.3 ovs)
Bowler O M R W
Johnson 37.3 5 148 4
Hilfenhaus 34.0 4 133 2
Siddle 35.0 15 67 1
McGain 18.0 2 149 0
McDonald 27.0 7 102 1
Katich 3.0 1 9 2
Fall of wicket
65 Khan
162 Amla
322 Prince
415 Kallis
443 Duminy
467 Boucher
591 Morkel
637 de Villiers
637 Steyn
651 Harris
Back to top
Australia Innings - All Out
Runs Balls 4s 6s
Hughes c Kallis b Harris 32 46 4 0
Katich c Duminy b Harris 54 159 4 1
Ponting c Boucher b Steyn 12 24 1 0
Hussey c Duminy b Steyn 39 153 5 0
Clarke b Steyn 47 106 7 0
Haddin c Duminy b Harris 18 27 3 0
McDonald c de Villiers b Harris 68 99 8 0
Johnson not out 123 103 11 5
Siddle c de Villiers b Harris 0 1 0 0
McGain run out 0 2 0 0
Hilfenhaus c Prince b Harris 12 16 2 0
Extras 5nb 2w 8b 2lb 17
Total all out 422 (121.5 ovs)
Bowler O M R W
Steyn 27.0 5 96 3
Ntini 19.0 6 66 0
Morkel 20.0 1 88 0
Harris 42.5 9 127 6
Kallis 10.0 4 21 0
Duminy 3.0 1 14 0
Fall of wicket
57 Hughes
76 Ponting
138 Katich
146 Hussey
191 Haddin
218 Clarke
381 McDonald
381 Siddle
388 McGain
422 Hilfenhaus
Umpires: Asad Rauf, S A Bucknor
South Africa: Prince, Khan, Amla, Kallis (C), de Villiers, Duminy, Boucher (W), Morkel, Harris, Steyn, Ntini
Australia: Hughes, Katich, Ponting (C), Hussey, Clarke, Haddin (W), McGain, Johnson, McDonald, Siddle, Hilfenhaus
"Obviously, any time you lose it really hurts, but this has been really poor," said captain Ricky Ponting, after Australia were condemned to their first innings defeat since India beat them in Calcutta in 1998.
"The first two Tests were as good as we have played, while the first two days here were as bad as we have ever played. It shows if you're not quite there in terms of your best then results are not going to go your way.We can take the momentum from this match into our series with England
Stand-in South Africa captain Jacques Kallis
"Bringing along a new generation of Australian players we've played some really good cricket. The Ashes series will be another opportunity for them."
South African stand-in captain Jacques Kallis said the triumph had provided the team with a major boost before their next Test series against England next winter.
"Obviously we're elated, it was huge to turn around our fortunes after the last two Tests. We've gained in confidence from this game and we can take the momentum from this match into our series with England," Kallis said.
Harris, the slow left-armer, was named man of the match at Newlands, but the day belonged to Johnson in notching his maiden first-class ton from just 86 balls.
He was given superb support from Andrew McDonald, who made 68 to share a 163-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
Ricky Ponting's men, resuming their second innings on 102-2, scored just 40 runs in the morning session and had to wait until the sixth over of the day for their first run.
Simon Katich moved to his half-century by flicking Albie Morkel down to the fine leg boundary for four, but he was out for 54, hitting Harris straight to JP Duminy at mid-off to end a 159-ball stay.Michael Clarke was given out caught behind in the over before lunch, but the batsman referred the decision and replays showed he had not edged Jacques Kallis' delivery.However, Hussey's determined innings of 39 came to an end just after lunch when he was surprised by a Steyn ball that reared up and fended to Duminy at gully.Brad Haddin was put down by close fielder AB de Villiers off the bowling of Harris, but the Australian wicketkeeper chipped to mid-on in the next over, where Duminy took a fine diving catch to dismiss him for 18.Steyn then removed the last of the recognised batsmen, Clarke playing a full-length ball onto his stumps, as the visitors reached tea at 231-6.
However, McDonald and Johnson dashed any hopes the hosts might have had of an early finish, scoring 116 runs in the first hour after tea and raising the 50 partnership in just over nine overs.
McDonald brought up his first half-century off 56 balls, which was followed by Johnson bludgeoning Morkel for four to raise his fourth Test fifty and third against South Africa.
The hundred partnership came from 91 balls, before Harris finally managed to put the brakes on when he claimed two wickets in two balls.The first was that of McDonald, who was caught by close fielder De Villiers, with TV umpire Billy Bowden confirming his fate.And the very next ball, Peter Siddle edged Harris to the same man at silly point.But Johnson, who made 96 not out in the first Test at the Wanderers, kept them waiting and brought up his hundred by pulling Steyn for a massive six over mid-wicket.In the next over, however, he ran out new man Bryce McGain for a duck while attempting to retain the strike.
And with the light quickly fading, Ben Hilfenhaus was last man out when he edged Harris to Ashwell Prince at first slip for 12.
The game was West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor's last Test match.
Test Match Series: South Africa v Australia
19-03-2009 at Cape Town , Day 4 of 5
South Africa beat Australia by an innings and 20 runs
Australia won the toss and decided to bat
Australia Innings
209 all out (72.0 overs)
Australia Innings
422 all out (121.5 overs)
South Africa Innings
651 all out (154.3 overs)
Australia Innings - All out
Runs
Balls
4s
6s
Hughes lbw b Harris
33
64 4 0
Katich c Khan b Harris
55
160 7 0
Ponting c Boucher b Morkel
0
6 0 0
Hussey
b Steyn
20
20 4 0
Clarke
b Steyn
0
3 0 0
Haddin lbw b Harris
42
67 8 0
McDonald c Kallis b Ntini
13
44 1 0
Johnson c Prince b Steyn
35
54 6 0
Siddle c de Villiers b Ntini
0
2 0 0
McGain c de Villiers b Steyn
2
14 0 0
Hilfenhaus not out
0
0 0 0
Extras
2nb 1w 6lb 9
Total
all out 209 (72.0 ovs)
Bowler
O
M
R
W
Steyn 16.0 5 56 4
Ntini 17.0 7 38 2
Kallis 10.0 2 31 0
Morkel 12.0 3 44 1
Harris 17.0 5 34 3
Fall of wicket
58 Hughes
59 Ponting
81 Hussey
81 Clarke
152 Katich
158 Haddin
190 McDonald
190 Siddle
209 Johnson
209 McGain
Back to top
South Africa Innings - All out
Runs Balls 4s 6s
Khan c and b Siddle 20 64 1 0
Prince c Haddin b Hilfenhaus 150 249 19 2
Amla c Haddin b Johnson 46 88 8 0
Kallis c and b Hilfenhaus 102 163 14 2
de Villiers c McDonald b Katich 163 196 12 7
Duminy b Johnson 21 1 0
Boucher c Ponting b Johnson 12 26 3 0
Morkel
b McDonald
58
71 10 1
Harris c Haddin b Johnson
27
49 4 0
Steyn c Clarke b Katich
0
4 0 0
Ntini not out
4
6 1 0
Extras 10nb 9w 19b 24lb 62
Total all out 651 (154.3 ovs)
Bowler O M R W
Johnson 37.3 5 148 4
Hilfenhaus 34.0 4 133 2
Siddle 35.0 15 67 1
McGain 18.0 2 149 0
McDonald 27.0 7 102 1
Katich 3.0 1 9 2
Fall of wicket
65 Khan
162 Amla
322 Prince
415 Kallis
443 Duminy
467 Boucher
591 Morkel
637 de Villiers
637 Steyn
651 Harris
Back to top
Australia Innings - All Out
Runs Balls 4s 6s
Hughes c Kallis b Harris 32 46 4 0
Katich c Duminy b Harris 54 159 4 1
Ponting c Boucher b Steyn 12 24 1 0
Hussey c Duminy b Steyn 39 153 5 0
Clarke b Steyn 47 106 7 0
Haddin c Duminy b Harris 18 27 3 0
McDonald c de Villiers b Harris 68 99 8 0
Johnson not out 123 103 11 5
Siddle c de Villiers b Harris 0 1 0 0
McGain run out 0 2 0 0
Hilfenhaus c Prince b Harris 12 16 2 0
Extras 5nb 2w 8b 2lb 17
Total all out 422 (121.5 ovs)
Bowler O M R W
Steyn 27.0 5 96 3
Ntini 19.0 6 66 0
Morkel 20.0 1 88 0
Harris 42.5 9 127 6
Kallis 10.0 4 21 0
Duminy 3.0 1 14 0
Fall of wicket
57 Hughes
76 Ponting
138 Katich
146 Hussey
191 Haddin
218 Clarke
381 McDonald
381 Siddle
388 McGain
422 Hilfenhaus
Umpires: Asad Rauf, S A Bucknor
South Africa: Prince, Khan, Amla, Kallis (C), de Villiers, Duminy, Boucher (W), Morkel, Harris, Steyn, Ntini
Australia: Hughes, Katich, Ponting (C), Hussey, Clarke, Haddin (W), McGain, Johnson, McDonald, Siddle, Hilfenhaus
Sunday, March 22, 2009
England take title after late drama
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England lift World Cup after late drama
England woke up on Sunday morning to find their women crowned world champions for the third time following a final in which they had the edge throughout against New Zealand in Sydney on Sunday. As Jonny Wilkinson had kicked his rugby side to glory in 2003 in the same city, so England's Nicky Shaw sealed success for her team to see them home, having taken a career-best 4 for 34.
This match was not quite as nail-biting as the rugby final but certainly had its moments. Though at one stage England were coasting in their chase of 167, they eventually made it home by four wickets.
And while Shaw earned the player of the match - unlike Wilkinson - she wasn't even supposed to play. Although vice-captain, it was only an injury to premier allrounder Jenny Gunn that meant her last-minute inclusion. It proved a stroke of fortune for England.
The final had promised to be a much tight affair with the best two sides in the competition contesting the ultimate honours, but Shaw's wicket burst helped keep New Zealand to a modest total and then England's big batting guns had just too much firepower when it counted.
Their all-round game was a credit, the bowlers taking wickets when it mattered, the fielders the catches and then their batsmen took advantage of bowling that was both too short and too full at times. And the most important thing was that, even though they went on to lose a few wickets, they held their nerve at the crucial point.
The key passage of the game came in the New Zealand innings, kickstarted by Shaw who removed the dangerous Suzie Bates, then Amy Satterthwaite off successive balls. New Zealand went on to lose 6 for 92, Shaw dismissing form batsman Haidee Tiffen and Nicola Browne, becoming the first woman to take four wickets in a World Cup final.
The wicket of Browne was an important one - she had offered New Zealand some hope, along with Lucy Doolan in an eighth-wicket stand of 62. Together they boosted their side from 7 for 101. Partnerships were badly lacking for New Zealand, in initial contrast to England who found themselves on 1 for 74 in their reply.
The hard-working Caroline Atkins and Sarah Taylor seized the advantage quickly and entertained with some pure cricket shots. Having pleased the crowd with her typically strong shots, Taylor then perished to a soft one, such has been her wont this tournament.
No matter, it simply brought the world's No. 1 batsman to the crease. Claire Taylor had arrived in the final averaging 75.75 for the tournament. She began by sparing no mercy on the New Zealand attack before Aimee Mason bowled her on 21, giving her opposition some hope (2 for 109).
Atkins departed soon afterwards for 40, brilliantly caught by the tumbling Sophie Devine in gully off Doolan and New Zealand had a hint of a chance. Their determined bowlers continued to try their best but with Doolan again striking, with Edwards adjudged caught behind when she hadn't touched it.
Lydia Greenway then fell top-edging to midwicket, before Beth Morgan ran herself out failing to push back into her crease. With 15 runs required and four wickets in hand, Tiffen then dropped a hard chance off Holly Colvin, but Shaw stood defiant, with some classy drives that belied the pressure of the final.
Both sides had started nervously - the usually solid Tiffen consistently poking away from her body under Katherine Brunt's pace and swing, while the bowler and her fellow opener Isa Guha delivered some wides. But it was all about who held their nerve and, while England's bowlers struck golden rhythm and crucial wickets, New Zealand's batsmen were prone to losing their heads.
It could have been the same story for England at one point, but with a vast bank of experience from which to draw, they stood firm.
England played the more complete cricket and deserved the trophy. They will now enjoy the benefit of the world No. 1 ranking for the foreseeable future - perhaps even until the World Cup in 2013. And with the World Twenty20 coming up, England are already looking a fair bet. For now, though, they will enjoy their first World Cup title since 1993.
England woke up on Sunday morning to find their women crowned world champions for the third time following a final in which they had the edge throughout against New Zealand in Sydney on Sunday. As Jonny Wilkinson had kicked his rugby side to glory in 2003 in the same city, so England's Nicky Shaw sealed success for her team to see them home, having taken a career-best 4 for 34.
This match was not quite as nail-biting as the rugby final but certainly had its moments. Though at one stage England were coasting in their chase of 167, they eventually made it home by four wickets.
And while Shaw earned the player of the match - unlike Wilkinson - she wasn't even supposed to play. Although vice-captain, it was only an injury to premier allrounder Jenny Gunn that meant her last-minute inclusion. It proved a stroke of fortune for England.
The final had promised to be a much tight affair with the best two sides in the competition contesting the ultimate honours, but Shaw's wicket burst helped keep New Zealand to a modest total and then England's big batting guns had just too much firepower when it counted.
Their all-round game was a credit, the bowlers taking wickets when it mattered, the fielders the catches and then their batsmen took advantage of bowling that was both too short and too full at times. And the most important thing was that, even though they went on to lose a few wickets, they held their nerve at the crucial point.
The key passage of the game came in the New Zealand innings, kickstarted by Shaw who removed the dangerous Suzie Bates, then Amy Satterthwaite off successive balls. New Zealand went on to lose 6 for 92, Shaw dismissing form batsman Haidee Tiffen and Nicola Browne, becoming the first woman to take four wickets in a World Cup final.
The wicket of Browne was an important one - she had offered New Zealand some hope, along with Lucy Doolan in an eighth-wicket stand of 62. Together they boosted their side from 7 for 101. Partnerships were badly lacking for New Zealand, in initial contrast to England who found themselves on 1 for 74 in their reply.
The hard-working Caroline Atkins and Sarah Taylor seized the advantage quickly and entertained with some pure cricket shots. Having pleased the crowd with her typically strong shots, Taylor then perished to a soft one, such has been her wont this tournament.
No matter, it simply brought the world's No. 1 batsman to the crease. Claire Taylor had arrived in the final averaging 75.75 for the tournament. She began by sparing no mercy on the New Zealand attack before Aimee Mason bowled her on 21, giving her opposition some hope (2 for 109).
Atkins departed soon afterwards for 40, brilliantly caught by the tumbling Sophie Devine in gully off Doolan and New Zealand had a hint of a chance. Their determined bowlers continued to try their best but with Doolan again striking, with Edwards adjudged caught behind when she hadn't touched it.
Lydia Greenway then fell top-edging to midwicket, before Beth Morgan ran herself out failing to push back into her crease. With 15 runs required and four wickets in hand, Tiffen then dropped a hard chance off Holly Colvin, but Shaw stood defiant, with some classy drives that belied the pressure of the final.
Both sides had started nervously - the usually solid Tiffen consistently poking away from her body under Katherine Brunt's pace and swing, while the bowler and her fellow opener Isa Guha delivered some wides. But it was all about who held their nerve and, while England's bowlers struck golden rhythm and crucial wickets, New Zealand's batsmen were prone to losing their heads.
It could have been the same story for England at one point, but with a vast bank of experience from which to draw, they stood firm.
England played the more complete cricket and deserved the trophy. They will now enjoy the benefit of the world No. 1 ranking for the foreseeable future - perhaps even until the World Cup in 2013. And with the World Twenty20 coming up, England are already looking a fair bet. For now, though, they will enjoy their first World Cup title since 1993.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
India end drought with thumping win
This is India's first Test win in New Zealand since the Auckland Test of 1976. They take a 1-0 lead in the series and have lived up to their billing at least in this game. The match headed in their direction at lunch on the opening day with NZ at 61 for 6. New Zealand mounted a fightback but their bowlers failed to back the efforts of Vettori and Ryder. India piled on the half-centuries, Tendulkar scored an exquisite 160 and there was no looking back. The adjudicators for the Man of the Match will have a tough choice between Tendulkar and Harbhajan, whose 6 for 63 happens to be his best Test figures away from home. MS Dhoni is yet to experience defeat in a Test as well.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Ryder, Vettori revive New Zealand
A maiden Test century from Jesse Ryder and a third by captain Daniel Vettori rescued New Zealand, enabling them to post 279 on day one of the first Test against India in Hamilton.
Having fallen to 60 for six after India won the toss and bowled, the pair shared 186 for the seventh wicket to get their side back on track before India closed on 29 without loss.
Ryder was the last man to fall for 102, while Vettori's 118 was the only other score greater than Ross Taylor's 18.
Martin Guptill was handed a Test debut by New Zealand and he opened the innings alongside Tim McIntosh but he only lasted 20 balls, scoring 14 runs before giving Rahul Dravid a record-equalling 181st catch when he edged a seaming delivery from Zaheer Khan.
In Khan's next over he had Daniel Flynn well caught by wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni for a duck and after the first hour of play, the home side had crawled to 40 for two.
Tim McIntosh was the next to depart and it was another good catch, this time Virender Sehwag taking one low down in the gulley off Ishant Sharma, who was to finish as India's most successful bowler with four for 73.
Sharma struck again soon after when Ross Taylor was dismissed, the first man to go having not been caught behind the wicket. He was instead bowled via his pads and two balls later, James Franklin was given out caught behind by Dhoni off the same bowler for the second duck of the innings.
When Munaf Patel had Brendon McCullum (3) caught by VVS Laxman at second slip, New Zealand were 60 for six and in danger of being bowled out before lunch before Ryder and Vettori's superb rearguard.
The pair batted through until tea, adding 101 runs together, Ryder reaching his half-century just one ball before the interval.
Their stand was finally ended when Vettori, who faced 164 balls and hit 14 fours and two sixes, edged Munaf Patel to Dhoni Patel was on a hat-trick when Kyle Mills was bowled first ball but Iain O'Brien (8) survived and went on to edge a four through the slips as everybody waited in earnest to see whether Ryder could reach a maiden century.
He was into the 90s and past his previous best when he pulled Patel to the boundary but when O'Brien was stumped by Dhoni off of Harbhajan Singh, Ryder looked in trouble, marooned at the wrong end with 98 to his name and Chris Martin making his way to the crease.
Somehow, Martin kept his wicket intact for the rest of Harbhajan's over, allowing Ryder to pull Sharma for four at the next opportunity to reach his century in 161 balls with 14 fours. One ball later and it was all over, Ryder trying to hit Sharma over the top but only succeeding in picking out Laxman at mid-on.
India then had time to play out seven overs, Sehwag climbing into both Mills and Martin, scoring five boundaries in all. Sehwag was unbeaten on 22, Gautam Gambhir had six.
Monday, March 16, 2009
India in New Zealand 2008-09
After a breathtaking ODI series, if the two teams needed any motivation before the start of the Tests, it has arrived through reinforcements to the Test squad. One each in particular for the two sides. Men who lost years in their prime to injuries. Men who came back transformed: one with a changed bowling action, the other with a different role. They will both be looking to fulfil primarily the third pace bowler's responsibility for their teams. For inspiration, look no further than L Balaji and James Franklin.
Two years ago, Franklin was struggling to get through the 2007 World Cup. In the game against Bangladesh, he had to go off the field because of what seemed like a migraine attack but was actually much worse. "I get tunnel vision and a headache that spikes me in the head," Franklin said then. "In the drinks break I was fine, but when I tried to focus on something it was all blurred. I bowled an over after that. It was a blur and in the later part it was all blue vision."
Franklin has had such attacks since he was 12, three times on the field. But what really laid him low was a crippling knee injury. Six months later he learned he required surgery.
Around the same time Balaji, already out of international action because of his back injuries, was not sure which way his rehabilitation was heading. That was when he was told he needed to undergo back surgery. Before he went in for the operation, he needed a reassurance from mentor and friend WV Raman that he would be able to bowl again.
Franklin has been ahead of Balaji in terms of rehabilitation and comeback. After the knee surgery, Franklin said he wanted to make a comeback as an allrounder, not as the same left-arm swing bowler who could bat. He worked hard on his batting, trying to become the "50-50" allrounder. Sure enough, he scored 219 against Auckland in the initial part of this season to back up his claims. The reward came in the form of two Tests against West Indies at the end of last year.
"[I bring in] just a little bit of variation," Franklin said. "Left-armer, I can swing the ball so it'll be a different angle of attack for the batsmen to come up against. I'd like to think I can do the job both with the ball and the bat."
Franklin has taken only 14 wickets in seven matches in his comeback season but has averaged 69 with the bat, scoring two hundreds and two fifties. "My focus this season hasn't changed so much," he said. "It's just been a case of being able to get myself in and the runs have been forthcoming, so it's just a continuation."
Unlike Franklin, who is almost a sure starter in the New Zealand XI, Balaji will most likely be competing against Munaf Patel for a final place. But it's no less a credit to him that he is in the squad. Back injuries and surgeries do not leave even the strongest of men unaffected. Balaji has come back with a modified action, running in a unique fashion, tiptoeing for the first few steps and then slowly easing through. The big challenge was to get through the season and repeat the restructured action over and over again. The back injury has not affected Balaji's wrists and his release, which produces the swing that got him 36 wickets at 17.5 on unresponsive wickets in the Ranji Trophy. As a reward he was selected for the ODIs in Sri Lanka, and now finds himself in New Zealand.
"[I am] feeling good [to be back]," Balaji said. "I have worked very hard in the last two years, and I am looking forward to the big series. It's good to be coming back to the side and I am enjoying the team atmosphere."
Balaji realises the scale of his comeback, the hard work that has gone in to just come level with his team-mates and opponents. "I haven't set any expectations," he said. "I am just enjoying my bowling so far, given whatever I have come through in the last two years."
The last two years, both Franklin and Balaji will know, are history. Test cricket is a tough place. Come Wednesday, if both play, the Seddon Park pitch will make no allowances for their past troubles. After having been through so much, ironically the Test is just starting.
Monday, March 2, 2009
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