Ponting undergoes surgery
Australia captain Ricky Ponting has undergone surgery on a wrist injury suffered during the side's tour of the West Indies.
Ponting left the tour early after sustaining the injury during the third one-day international in St George's, Grenada on June 29.
Australia completed a 5-0 sweep in the one-day series on Sunday after winning the three-match test series 2-0.
"Ricky has sustained a tendon injury that requires repair of tissues that hold the tendon in place - this surgery was performed today," Cricket Australia medical officer Trefor James said.
James said a decision on Ponting's availability for the home series against Bangladesh in August and the Champions Trophy in Pakistan a month later would be made after monitoring his recovery in the coming weeks.
Monday, July 7, 2008
No player would be forced to play in Champions Trophy: CA
Raising the spectre of Australia fielding an under-strength team in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, CA chairman Creagh O`Connor today said players would not be forced to participate in the September event if they give "genuine reasons" for their pullout.
"We have always believed that Australia would be sending their team at this stage. We will however not force any player to go anywhere ... if he has a legitimate reason not to do so," O`Connor told `Geo TV`.
"At this stage we are planning to send our team. The individual requirement of the players is a matter of their conscience and comfort," he added.
O`Connor is here to attend the Asia Cup final and the silver jubilee celebrations of the Asian Cricket Council with officials of other cricket boards including Chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board Giles Clarke.
Top Australian players, including skipper Ricky Ponting, have reservations about playing the Champions Trophy here in September due to security concerns. The Australian Cricketers Association has also said it was not happy with the ICC decision to award the Champions Trophy to Pakistan.
The defending champions had, earlier, postponed a Test tour in March due to security concerns in the wake of suicide bomb attacks in some cities here.
The cricket boards of Australia, New Zealand and England sent a joint security expert here last week to inspect arrangements for the Asia Cup and submit a report in two weeks time.
O`Connor maintained that sending a security expert did not mean that CA was looking for excuses to avoid coming to Pakistan.
Four injured in clash over cricket match
Four persons were injured in a communal clash between two groups during a cricket match at the North Eastern suburb of Deonar, police said.
They physically assaulted each other and pelted stones, they added. The injured have been admitted to the local hospital.
The police fired four rounds of tear gas to disperse the unruly crowd. A group also broke open the gate of a temple near Deonar police station and reportedly pelted stones inside the temple.
Meanwhile, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law & Order) visited the spot.
"The situation is under control and the police have been deployed to check the untoward incidents," he said.
Tendulkar named best Asian batsman
Sachin Tendulkar spoilt what would have been a clean sweep of titles by Sri Lankan cricketers at the inaugural Asian Cricket Council (ACC) awards ceremony here by being named the continent's best one-day batsman.
At a glittering ceremony held at the majestic 19th century Mohatta Palace Saturday night, the Indian players cheered as Tendulkar's name was announced by Rameez Raja. Tendulkar could not attend the function and Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni collected the award on his behalf.
But apart from Tendulkar, the evening belonged to Sri Lankan cricketers as three of them walked away with top awards. Kumar Sangakkara bagged the best Asian Test batsman award while his team-mates Muttiah Muralitharan and Farveez Maharoof were adjudged as the best Asian Test and ODI bowlers, respectively.
Former India and Pakistan captains Sunil Gavaskar and Imran Khan were also honoured with special awards titled 'legendary cricketers' of the neighbouring countries.
ICC confirms security process for Champions Trophy
A security process has been put in place ahead of the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in September, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said Sunday.
'During the annual conference week the Chief Executives' Committee and the ICC Board came together to receive a presentation by the security consultants hired to oversee the matter both before and during the ICC Champions Trophy," ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat said Sunday.
"During the course of that presentation a process was agreed upon to deal with any incidents that may occur between now and the end of the tournament.
"The process involved an exchange of information between the competing teams, the ICC and the security consultants,' he said in a statement.
Players from Australia, New Zealand and England have expressed apprehensions of playing in the strife-torn country.
Lorgat said the ICC will not compromise the safety and security of players and 'if it is not appropriate to play in any country then we will not do so'.
"Our security consultants have been working with Pakistan authorities during the Asia Cup, assessing security, and will report back as soon as possible with their views.
"At this stage we are working towards the ICC Champions Trophy being held in Pakistan in September," he added.
Sri Lanka win Asia Cup
Sri Lanka's unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis took six wickets to lead his team to a 100-run victory over India in the Asia Cup final at the National Stadium in Karachi.
Mendis took 6-13 to bowl out India for 173 in 39.3 overs in reply to Sri Lanka's 273, which revolved around a majestic 125 from experienced opener Sanath Jayasuriya who made 125 from 114 balls.
Sri Lanka won the cup for a record-equalling fourth time, matching India's achievement.
Mendis got rid of Virender Sehwag for 60 and Yuvraj Singh for a duck in his first over. He saw off Suresh Raina (16) and Rohit Sharma (3) to finish with four for eight in his first four overs.
In his second spell, Mendis struck twice in his second over, dismissing Irfan Pathan and RP Singh off successive balls.
Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni acknowledged his batsmen had failed to deal with Mendis.
"Let's face it, we were just clueless against him and his variations and it was tough on the batsmen. We were playing him for the first time and the batsmen just couldn't pick him," he said.
"We can't blame the batsmen because they were playing for one ball and he was sending down another variation. I thought we had a good chance after restricting them to 273."
Mendis, 23, came on to bowl when India were sitting pretty on 76 for one; by the time he had finished they were 97 for five.
Sehwag produced a flurry of boundaries on the fast outfield even though his partner, Gautam Gambhir, went for only six runs, caught at point by Dilshan off Chaminda Vaas at the total of 36.
Sehwag raced to his fifty from 26 balls with 10 fours before he was outfoxed by Mendis who got him stumped on his second ball, deceiving him with a small leg break. Yuvraj faced just two balls before he missed one that skidded on to the stumps.
Raina, frustrated by Mendis, tried to pull him and was bowled while Sharma was caught in front by one that spun in
Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni batted steadily for 49 from 74 balls to hold up one end as he and Robin Uthappa (20) put on 38 for the sixth wicket before Muttiah Muralitharan trapped the latter leg before at 135.
Mendis then returned to take two wickets at the total of 154 to leave eight wickets down.
Mendis finished with 17 wickets in five matches in the tournament.
His captain, Jayawardene said that the youngster was very confident but would have to work harder to remain successful in international cricket.
"In time the batsmen will learn to pick him but he is hard-working and I am sure he will last and provide good support to Muralitharan. But I think Sanath [Jayasuriya] played a brilliant innings to keep us in the final where the players are more tense and under pressure."
Mendis was declared man of the match and tournament, with the winners getting a prize of over £30,000.
Aussies claim whitewash
Australia completed a series whitewash over West Indies with a 162-run victory in the fifth one-day international in Basseterre.
Mitchell Johnson took five wickets as the Windies could only reach 172 in reply to Australia's 341 for eight, after Luke Ronchi, brothers David and Michael Hussey and Andrew Symonds all helped themselves to half centuries.
Shawn Findlay (59 not out) was the only player to pass 50 for the hosts, with Shivnarine Chanderpaul (38) the only other batsman to make any significant headway against a relentless Australia attack.
Chasing a challenging target, West Indies made a dreadful start by losing Marcus Gayle (five) in the second over, the opener thick-edging Johnson to Ronchi.
Ramnaresh Sarwan (seven) fared little better against the paceman as he was caught by a leaping James Hopes at mid off in the sixth and Shane Watson trapped Xavier Marshall lbw for 17 to leave the Windies teetering on 56 for three.
Chanderpaul injected some much-needed life into the innings before skying Michael Clarke into the hands of Brett Lee at long off.
Findlay steadied the ship but Dwayne Bravo's dismissal - caught by David Hussey at long on off Symonds - sparked a collapse.
Andre Fletcher made just one before he was stumped off Clarke and Denesh Ramdin followed the next over when he was caught by Michael Hussey off Symonds for three.
Findlay continued to push on and made his second one-day 50 with a single, but it became a one-man effort as the wickets tumbled.
Johnson picked up his third wicket, bowling Powell (10) comprehensively in the 36th over, and then grabbed a fourth to send Nikita Miller in for eight.
The bowler wrapped up the comfortable win - and his five-wicket haul - by taking the wicket of Fidel Edwards.
Earlier, Ronchi staked his claim to be Adam Gilchrist's long-term successor with a whirlwind knock which made the recently-retired wicketkeeper-batsman look positively pedestrian.
He struck six sixes on his way to 64 off just 28 balls - his maiden ODI 50 - while David Hussey slammed four maximums in his 52 off 21.
Watson and Shaun Marsh put on 70 for the first wicket but the former (29) was the first to fall when his attempted cut off a Bravo delivery wide of off stump was pounced by Powell at third man.
Marsh (49) then got a thick edge to an Edwards away-swinger and Ramdin took the catch behind the stumps.
It was Ronchi though who really caught the eye with an array of huge strokes before Miller got him to edge his first delivery behind to Ramdin.
And Sarwan came up trumps with his first ball too to remove Clarke (five) as the tourists lost two wickets for two runs.
But Symonds, who shared a century partnership with David Hussey in the fourth one-dayer, repeated the feat with his brother Michael as the pair put on 113 for the fifth wicket.
Edwards removed both Symonds and Michael Hussey before Sarwan matched his three-wicket haul by snaffling David Hussey and Hopes (18) with the last two balls of the innings.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Gayle Apologises To West Indies Fans
Chasing 283 for victory, the Windies looked to be on course to clinch their first win of the five-match series in Basseterre at 188 for two in the 34th over. But Gayle's departure to Shane Watson for 92 slowed down the charge and the hosts finished their 50 overs on 281 for six as Australia claimed a one-run win. "I thought myself and (Ramnaresh) Sarwan really set the foundation," said Gayle. "Sarwan getting out in the end and the manner in which I got out as well... I was very disappointed. I really take the blame for that, I should have carried on and get a hundred and seen the team home." The 28-year-old felt it necessary to apologise to the home fans who turned out at Warner Park for the way his team threw away such a promising position. "We apologise for the loss," he told the Jamaica Observer. "I would have given up these runs (his 92) to actually get a victory today. "We really need to give the fans something, I'm really disappointed to come out on the losing side again. "We still have one more game to go (the fifth ODI on Sunday) and we're going to play it hard again." While Gayle was downbeat after his side's defeat, Australia captain Michael Clarke was in contrast happy with his side's fighting spirit. The 27-year-old, standing in for injured skipper Ricky Ponting, thought his team were "probably 20 or 30 short with the bat" but was delighted with how they stuck to their guns in the field. "I never thought it was gone," Clarke told Sky News Australia. "That was probably one thing we spoke about before we went out on the field, to make sure... no matter what we always believed that we could win the game. "We just kept fighting and we got the result we were after." Clarke will again lead Australia at Warner Park on Sunday as the tourists look to complete a series whitewash. 
West Indies captain Chris Gayle admitted his dismissal had been crucial as his team tumbled to a fourth consecutive one-day international defeat to Australia on Friday.
India, Sri lanka showdown today
Karachiites disappointed over the performance of home cricket team are expected to throng National Stadium today when India and Sri Lanka will enter Asia Cup final showdown.
Pakistan and Bangladesh were checkmated out of the tournament in their respective matches in Super Four leg of the tournament.
Sri Lankan Captain Jayawardene said his team will stand on victory stand by outmatching Indian superstars with aggressive policy at the ground.
While, Indian skipper MS Dhoni said his team would rout Sri Lanka in the final as well, adding that his players are on advanced level of confidence to thrash Sri Lankans, as they have previously outclassed Sri Lanka in Super Four leg.
The six-nation tournament featured India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and Bangladesh.
Dhoni said he expected a blistering and tough competition against Sri Lanka, adding the wickets here have been helping the batsmen throughout the event with no friendly pitch for the bowlers.
Indian skipper said that he could not grasp the format of the event.
Sri Lanka Captain said that it does not matter who are the opponents in the final, they would focus on relentlessly defending their title.
Vaughan Confident Of Fitness
Captain Michael Vaughan is unequivocal in his belief he will not only get through next week's first Test against South Africa but the entire npower series.
Vaughan's perennial soreness in his right knee resurfaced in the past fortnight forcing him to undergo an Ostinol injection last Wednesday night, designed to get him through the four-match campaign.
Alarm bells started ringing earlier this week when the 33-year-old was evidently in discomfort during the County Championship defeat to Durham and sat out the final afternoon to have ice applied to the joint.
But he insists the constant rehabilitation of the knee, operated on four times throughout his career, is now part of his professional life.
"It is nothing new, nothing different, I have just learned how to manage it," Vaughan, who has played 15 Tests in a row since coming back from an 18--month exile last summer, said.
"When you have a chronic knee, there are going to be odd days when it doesn't feel as good as others and the good thing about it is I know how to manage that situation.
"I have no doubt whatsoever I will play a full part in the series and move like I did against New Zealand, which was very, very well.
"The knee is as it has been for the last year, it has obviously been aggravated a bit over the last few weeks but we have had those kind of periods over that last year and I have managed to play all the Test matches.
"I have no fear I won't be able to do the same, starting on Thursday, and then all the Test matches against South Africa.
"Ice packs on the knee is just the norm for me at the minute."
Vaughan first revealed a flaring of the problem on the eve of the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge but was still keen to play in Yorkshire's Twenty20 campaign.
He missed a couple of those matches, however, and then sacrificed the chance of playing in Sunday's Friends Provident semi-final clash against Essex to undergo the latest course of injections, which he had not previously disclosed publicly.
"I have courses of injections in the knee, which aren't cortisone injections, it is just a fluid called Ostinol which lubricates the joint and makes it a bit easier to move around.
"The best way to describe it is it's like oiling your limbs; you have a course of three over six months and you feel fine.
"It is something I have had over the year but not had to talk about it until it has been brought to attention these last few days," said Vaughan, who spent the back end of this week netting at Loughborough with fellow Test specialists, and 2005 Ashes fast-bowling hero Simon Jones.
"It was felt this was a period in which I was going to need one of these injections and also to put myself back into the four and five-day mode.
"I have to manage the knee, which means missing the odd game for Yorkshire, for what is the bigger picture, and that is Test match cricket for me."
Andrew Flintoff, another of England's high-profile players sidelined by long-term injury, was not deemed ready for the step up in intensity following a niggling side strain.
However, the door has been left open for his return at Headingley in less than a fortnight.
With the recall of such a talismanic figure imminent, England might feel compelled to ensure they come out from the Lord's opener, which begins next Thursday, on level terms.
But Vaughan, who is set to create Test history by captaining an unchanged XI for the sixth consecutive match, is adamant the looming figure of Flintoff will have an inspirational rather than detrimental effect on their play.
"It will be a real positive for the team," said Vaughan. "Neither do I think the team needs freshening up whatsoever because they are a really committed bunch.
"But everyone will be playing next week with the knowledge that Andrew Flintoff will have to be fitted into this England team when he's available, fit and ready to play.
"That should drive you on, to make sure you're not that one person who misses out.
"I am delighted that he is back playing, give him at least another week and maybe he will play in the second if not the third game."
England, who despite four wins out of five against New Zealand recently failed to dominate their opponents until the final contest in Nottingham, are braced for a step up in class against Graeme Smith's Proteas' fearsome pace bowling and obdurate batting.
It is, Vaughan reckons, exactly the kind of physical and mental examination required 12 months out from the Ashes.
"I am really looking forward to the challenge because I think it has come at the right time for us to be tested against probably one of the top two teams in the world as we speak," Vaughan said.
"This has not got the little urn to play for but this series is up there with the biggest in the world.
"Australia is just a year away and this is just the kind of side we want to be playing.
"At the moment the Aussies seem a long way away because this series should be special."
Australia fined for slow over rate
Australia have been fined for a slow over rate during their one-run win over West Indies in the fourth one-day international in Basseterre, St Kitts.
An ICC statement said Australia had been one over short in the designated time.
Michael Clarke, captaining Australia in a one-day match for the first time because of an injury to to Ricky Ponting, was fined 10 percent of his match fee.
The other team members were fined five percent of their fees.
Australia lead 4-0 in the series with the fifth and final game scheduled for Basseterre on Sunday.
NZ chief confirms Zimbabwe tour
New Zealand's will tour Zimbabwe next year unless they are expressly instructed not to do so, New Zealand Cricket's (NZC) chief executive has said.
The New Zealand government, which is a vocal critic of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's regime, has said they were opposed to the tour of the southern African state next year but would not intervene.
All teams are bound by the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Future Tours Programme, which has the power to fine a country's cricketing body a minimum of US$2 million if they do not fulfil their touring obligations.
Only government intervention, concerns for security and safety or an ICC directive can excuse the team's obligations.
"No ICC team has unilaterally pulled out because they haven't agreed with the politics of the host nation; that's always been a decision for the government of the day," NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan said.
"It's a political question and requires a political solution; it's not a decision NZC should have to make.
"We are a group of cricket administrators. We might have strong feelings about the situation in Zimbabwe but judging international politics is not what we're about. There are other, far more qualified people to do that job, politicians for example."
The British government has led calls for Zimbabwe to be suspended from international cricket following the unopposed re-election of Mugabe. Britain accused Mugabe of using violence and intimidation to silence his political opponents.
Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the main opposition, withdrew from the election following attacks on his supporters.
The England and Wales Cricket Board cancelled Zimbabwe's 2009 tour of England and severed all cricketing ties with the country in June on instruction from the British government.
Zimbabwe said this week it would skip next year's Twenty20 World Cup in Britain, because the players were unlikely to be granted visas.
Vaughan admitted there was still at least a year to go until the Black Caps were scheduled to tour Zimbabwe and NZC would wait and see if the situation changed.
"The tour to Zimbabwe is a year away," he said. "There'll be another ICC conference before then; undoubtedly, a lot will change in Zimbabwe in the next year, and by that time the ICC sub-committee appointed to investigate ZC will have reported back, and we'll have a clearer idea of the situation.
"You never know, we might not have to make a decision. Time is on our side at the moment."
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Mushtaq Ahmad goes in for another knee surgery
Mushtaq Ahmed will have surgery on Monday to determine the extent of an injury to his right knee, Sussex announced yesterday.
Mushtaq has suffered a fresh cartilage tear but has been told he will not know the full extent of the injury until the operation has been carried out.
Former Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq underwent keyhole surgery in May.
The worst case scenario is that Mushtaq is out of the season but, if the tear is only a minor one, he could be back in time for the title-holders` county championship match against Lancashire at Old Trafford on August 6.
Mushtaq took 90 first-class wickets for Sussex last season at a low average of just over 25 apiece as the South Coast Club were crowned county champions.
The Pakistani also notched up a century of dismissals when Sussex first won the title five years ago.
BCCI throws weight behind PCB on Champions Trophy issue
The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) has asseverated its support to hosting of the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan, insisting it never doubted the successful organisation of the elite tournament across the border.
Niranjan Shah, BCCI secretary, though felt that the success of the Asia Cup was essential for the Champions Trophy, considered second biggest cricket tournament after the World Cup.
Media reports in Australia had claimed that the BCCI was keen on postponing the Champion Trophy rather than relocating it, if security concerns arise.
"As always, BCCI is with PCB. We have never asked or thought of postponing ICC Champions Trophy. No question was raised about the tournament during the ICC meetings in Dubai and everybody agreed that it will be held in Pakistan. I think the tournament will go without any doubt," Shah said.
Shah did not agree there was an Asian bloc in the ICC but said the successful organisation of the Asia Cup has shown the world that the game is on in Pakistan.
"We have never raised questions regarding security in Pakistan for the Champions Trophy," he said.
Ponting heads home early
Ricky Ponting will make an early exit from Australia's tour of the Caribbean after being ruled out of the final two one-day internationals against West Indies with a wrist injury.
"Ricky has a tendon injury in his right wrist and he will be flying home to see a specialist in Melbourne," Cricket Australia physiotherapist Justin Steer said.
"Given his unavailability for the last match of the series we see this as a good opportunity to have him see the specialist at his earliest convenience."
Ponting sustained the injury while batting in the third ODI in Grenada last Sunday and missed Friday's fourth ODI at Warner Park.
He was unlikely to be available to play in Sunday's final ODI, and the decision, therefore, was made for him to return as soon as possible.
Michael Clarke was handed the captain's role for the first time for Australia in an ODI and he should again lead the side on Sunday.
Shoaib ban suspended, but fitness continues to haunt him
A Pakistani court on Friday allowed controversial pacer Shoaib Akhtar to return to international cricket for the summer by temporarily suspending his 18-month ban but the player will have to prove his fitness to make his comeback in the Pakistan team, an official said.
Chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed said that the national selection committee respects the suspension of Shoaib's ban by the Lahore High Court (LHC) but was quick to point out that the player's return to the national team will now depend on his fitness.
'We need to check his (Shoaib's) fitness before considering him for the Pakistan team,' said Salahuddin. Earlier Friday, a Lahore High Court judge suspended Shoaib's 18-month playing ban imposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board on the bowler for repeated breach of discipline.
Justice Zahid Hussain said in his ruling that the ban was suspended until after the summer break when the court resumes hearing the case. That is expected to be in September.
A PCB tribunal had originally banned Akhtar for five years and imposed a Rs.(Pakistan) 7 million fine. The ban was reduced to 18 months on appeal. The court said Shoaib still had to pay the fine.
Shoaib has a history of disciplinary and fitness problems. Earlier this summer, he featured for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League but broke down after a stunning four-wicket haul against Delhi Daredevils.
Pakistan's next international assignment is a three-match one-day series against New Zealand in August at home.
Holding resigns from ICC in protest
Former West Indies star Michael Holding has resigned from the International Cricket Council over their decision to change the result of the controversial 2006 Oval Test between England and Pakistan.
Pakistan were originally deemed to have forfeited the game after they refused to return to the field following an allegation of ball tampering from umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove.
The tourists were later cleared of the latter offence and Thursday saw the outcome of the match changed from an England win to a draw.
Holding agrees Pakistan were innocent of ball-tampering but insists their refusal to retake the field should have been punished.
"When you take certain actions, you must be quite happy to suffer the consequences," he said.
"That game should never, ever be a draw.
"I have just written my letter of resignation to the ICC Cricket Committee because I cannot agree with what they've done.
"A lot of things that are happening today I don't want to be involved with, so I've moved on."
Australia clinch dramatic win
Australia staged a late innings fightback to seal a one-run victory and a 4-0 one-day series lead against West Indies.
West Indies appeared to be cruising towards a victory target of 283 before Brett Lee and Nathan Bracken claimed a combined two for five in the 48th and 49th overs to put on the brakes.
That left the unheralded duo of Darren Sammy and Dinesh Ramdin needing eight runs from Shane Watson's final over but they could manage just six to finish on 281 for six.
Opener Chris Gayle blasted four sixes and six boundaries in his 92 and he was supported by Ramnaresh Sarwan (63), with whom he shared a 137-run second wicket parrtnership, and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (53).
Michael Hussey's sublime diving catch to remove debutant Shawn Findlay in the 48th over wrested much of the momentum back Australia's way.
When Chanderpaul fell to Bracken with the last ball of the 48th over, a target that had appeared attainable suddenly appeared distant.
A century partnership between Andrew Symonds and debutant David Hussey had guided Australia to a competitive total.
Symonds (87) and Hussey (50) addeed 127 runs in their fourth wicket stand.
Michael Clarke captained Australia for the first time in one-day international cricket after Ricky Ponting was sent home with a wrist injury.
Butt and Jamshed lead Pakistan rout
Pakistan openers Salman Butt and Nasir Jamshed produced an unbroken century partnership to set up a comprehensive 10-wicket win over Bangladesh in the final Asia Cup super league match.
Butt scored 56 and Jamshed reached 52 as the two left-handers easily overtook the Bangladesh total of 115 in only 19.4 overs.
Both teams had already been eliminated from the tournament with Sunday's final featuring India against Sri Lanka.
Eighteen-year-old Jamshed reached his fourth international one-day half-century in his ninth match from 52 balls with five fours and two sixes in the 18th over. Butt's fifty came from 60 balls with nine boundaries.
Opening bowler Abdur Rauf took the first three wickets to spark a Bangladesh batting collapse at the National Stadium.
Rauf captured three for 24 as Bangladesh were dismissed in 38.2 overs in overcast conditions assisting the pace bowlers.
It was the lowest total of the tournament after Hong Kong's 118 in the preliminary round.
Bangladesh lost Nazimuddin for three in the second over when he miscued a pull and top-edged to Shoaib Malik in the covers.
Tamim Iqbal (26) and captain Mohammad Ashraful (14) combined for the only decent partnership of the innings, adding 41 for the second wicket.
Bangladesh then lost three wickets in eight balls as they slumped from 47 for one to 49 for four.
Mohammad Ashraful pulled Rauf for a six over mid-wicket but then lobbed the next ball to Misbahul-ul-Haq in the gully.
Alok Kapali struck 17 from 27 balls with four boundaries before he succumbed to Iftikhar while Mushfiqur Rahim was run out for 15.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
PCB refused Tanvir to play for Hampshire
Pakistani Cricket Board (PCB) on yesterday refused to Sohail Tanvir to play for Hampshire for a short period in the English county championship.
"I asked the Board for clearance but they said it would be better if I remained with the national team and prepared for upcoming commitments of the national team including the Champions Trophy," said Tanvir. "The offer came because of Warne who felt a stint with Hampshire would help me further polish my skills," he added.
The PCB has imposed a restriction on allowing its pace bowlers to play in the county championship because of the growing fitness issues with its bowlers in recent times along with some other players Rao Iftikhar, Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul from signing contracts with counties.
PCB ditched Shoaib, claims lawyer; accuses it of U-turn
Lahore High Court Chief Justice Zahid Hussain, presiding over Shoaib Akthar’s petition, has suggested an out of court settlement between the concerned parties.
A similar opportunity the PCB tribunal was earlier brushed aside, according to Shoaib`s lawyer Abid Hasan Minto. Shoaib was offered to pay some specific money by the tribunal (the amount not disclosed) which would not have gone to the PCB, but was to be utilised for the benefit of former cricketers.
In his 19-page writ petition filed in the court on Monday, the senior advocate has mentioned how his client was ‘ditched’ by the PCB. "That shortly after the proceedings began before the appellate tribunal chaired by Justice (Retd) Aftab Farrukh on April 28, the members decided to adjourn for some consultation. After a while, they sent for Shoaib and his counsel who on joining the tribunal were informed by the chairman (Nasim Ashraf) that he had read the First Order (life ban) and that he was quite convinced that Shoaib was rightly penalised," it was written. "He also told Shoaib that he was very angry with him because of his behaviour. In any case, he said that notwithstanding the fact that he was convinced that the life ban should stand, the other two members of the tribunal were inclined otherwise.
"He then suggested that Shoaib Akhtar tender a public apology after which the ban imposed on him would be lifted but he would be fined some money which, instead of going to the Board, would be utilised to set up a fund for the benefit of former cricketers," the petition stated further.
"Shoaib agreed to this instantly whereupon he was given a piece of paper, handwritten by one of the members of the tribunal, containing the text of the apology proposed by the chairman. In the above circumstances, an apology was announced by Shoaib, on the clear understanding that on the next date (ie April 30) the case would be concluded in terms of the above stated proposal of the Tribunal," it said.
It than accuses them of doing a volte-face.
"However, this was not to be. On the next hearing the Tribunal refused to suspend or quash the ban and proceeded as if no understanding had been reached on the April 28 hearing."
No Vaughan Back-Up Expected
England will resist naming batting cover for captain Michael Vaughan when the squad for the first Test against South Africa is revealed today.
Vaughan, 33, has played 15 consecutive Tests since returning from a fourth operation on his right knee.
But the joint has provided soreness in recent days, forcing him to sit out some Twenty20 action for Yorkshire last week and apply ice packs to the area on the final day of the County Championship defeat by Durham.
However, England do not intend to name an official standby batsman.
"Not at this stage," national selector Geoff Miller said. "I was with Michael (the other day) and I think everything is under control with him.
"There was a kind of minor thing but we have got on top of it.
"Even so, if anything crops up, we don't need to pick players as cover because we know the people that would come in and we know where those people are."
One-day players Owais Shah and Ravi Bopara, both tourists with England last winter, would be obvious candidates to fill in if a deterioration of the knee occurred.
One argument for including an extra batsman in the official party, however, would be that it may have acted as a warning to an under-performing group to buck their ideas up.
England last scored 400 in a first innings 13 Tests ago and of the established top six only Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Strauss average in excess of 40 since.
But with Andrew Flintoff being held back until the second npower Test at the earliest, national selector Miller is likely to name an unchanged 12-man squad at Lord's this lunchtime.
Unlike earlier in the summer against New Zealand, however, England will resist naming the same party for back-to-back Tests, allowing Flintoff, 30, the opportunity to press his claims for a return at Headingley.
While England take on Graeme Smith's South Africans for the first time in the big event of the summer, Flintoff will hope to further improve fitness and form, following six weeks on the sidelines with a side strain, against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl.
"It's plain for everybody to see where he's at: the work he has put in has been absolutely fantastic but there is bat form to consider, he will want some runs, and a few more miles in his legs as well," said Miller of Flintoff, who sent down 34 wicketless overs in this week's County Championship contest against Sussex.
"We have just picked for this first Test match because obviously Fred (Flintoff) is in a situation and there is a chance for us to have another look at that. We are not sure where we are beyond that first Test match."
Flintoff has not played a Test since January 2007, when he oversaw the defeat in Sydney that condemned England to an Ashes whitewash, and there is no doubt he has been badly missed.
That is also true in one-day cricket and Miller announces the provisional 30-man squad for September's ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan today.
Flintoff will be among them while his Lancashire team-mate Kyle Hogg, Kent opener Joe Denly and Michael Carberry of Hampshire will have been considered in an extended group.
And Simon Jones' wicket-heavy start for Worcestershire could be acknowledged with a call-up - his first since injury struck following his awesome contribution to the 2005 Ashes victory.
Pakistan beat India in Asia Cup
Younis Khan struck his first one-day international century on home soil to take Pakistan to a eight-wicket win over India in a high-scoring Asia Cup super league match at the National Stadium.
Younis's undefeated 123, his fifth one-day century in 174 matches, gave Pakistan their fifth victory while chasing 300 or more runs for victory and revived their fading hopes of a place in the final.
Pakistan reached their victory target of 309 for the loss of only two wickets with 4.3 overs to spare after India had compiled 308 for seven from their 50 overs.
If Sri Lanka beat India on Thursday, Pakistan have to defeat Bangladesh in the final league match by a big margin to play in the final. Sri Lanka have already qualified.
Younis shared partnerships of 56 with Nasir Jamshed (53), who retired hurt with cramps, and an undefeated 144 from 123 balls with captain Misbah-ul-Haq (70 not out).
Younis also passed 5,000 international one-day runs in his innings of 117 balls which contained 11 fours and one six.
Misbah said Younis's century ws one of the best he had seen from him.
"When he plays like this we usually win. We knew we could win this one when we restricted them to 308 after their strong start. The pitch was very good and all credit to our bowlers for bowling aggressively and playing positively," he said.
Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (76) and Rohit Sharma (58) provided the basis for India's competitive total.
Dhoni, who came into bat in the 13th over, was out in the penultimate over after hitting four boundaries from 96 balls.
India scored 77 in the final 10 overs with Irfan Pathan hitting an unbeaten 38.
Dhoni said India would now treat Thursday's game against Sri Lanka as a semi-final.
"I don't know what went wrong today but we just have 14 to 15 hours to recover and give our best against Sri Lanka," he said.
Oval Test result 'to be changed'
The International Cricket Council has agreed to change the result of the controversial Oval Test between England and Pakistan in 2006 to a draw, according to sources at the Pakistan Cricket Board.
"I can just confirm the (ICC) board agreed to change the result," one senior PCB official, who declined to be named, told news agency Reuters.
England were declared winners after Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq refused to lead his team back onto the pitch following the tea session on the fourth day after they had been docked five runs for ball-tampering by umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove.
The ICC board agreed to the change on Wednesday after lengthy discussion at its annual conference in Dubai.
Other PCB sources said all board members, including officials from England, agreed to Pakistan's request which had initially been made in January.
The result led to a strong protest from Pakistan and the ICC appointed an adjudicator to probe the incident that had resulted in the first forfeited result in tests.
The ICC adjudicator, Ranjan Madugalle, banned Inzamam for four games but cleared Pakistan of ball-tampering charges. He also censored Hair for overstepping his authority.
In November the same year, the ICC board suspended Hair from supervising Test and international matches for his conduct and he was only restored in March this year after the Australian underwent a six-month rehabilitation course.
"The ICC will make an official announcement after the conclusion of the board meeting on Thursday. We are happy that the members have accepted our point of view that the result should not be given to either team," one PCB source said.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Pakistan to take on India Today
Shoaib Malik’s Pakistan team will be playing under dark clouds and facing a daunting task as they take on arch-rival India in Super four round of Cricket Asia Cup at National Stadium in a day/night encounter Today.
Pakistan’s tiny chances of qualifying for next Sunday final, depend as they must beat Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Indian side tomorrow and than hoping their rival also loses to Sri Lanka on Thursday.
And there is more calculations that despite this drama practically happening Pakistan team must have better net-run-rate to progress in the final.
Pakistan team is under great stress and pressure and handling the pressure would be key factor in their success. Home team were outplayed both by holders Sri Lanka and India in their previous match in the competition.
However under the current prevailing conditions when form and morale is down, it will be very difficult proposition for the home team to repair their dented pride infront of their home crowd.
Pakistan team is already hit by controversies, injury problems, selection trouble and Coach Geoff Lawson tiff with the media. Lawson has tendered an unconditional apology but it had left the best taste.
Shahid Afridi is struggling both with the bat and ball while team’s bowling suffered a blow with muscle rib injury to Umar Gul and team opening batting problems. Afridi is facing the axe after string of failures.
Shoaib Malik almost certain to lead the team against India after getting proper rest after dehydration problem.
Changes are there in offing as there is likelihood that all-rounder Fawad Alam will be returning to the final 11 after dropped in the game against Sri Lanka.
Reserve opener Nasir Jamshed may also get selectors nod after failure of Salman Butt.
Hosts will be heavily banking in batting aces of Muhammad Yousuf and Younis Khan to salvage team’s pride in break scenario.
Dhoni’s Indian team is good frame of mind with the consistent batting show from their top three Virender Sehwag, Suresh Raina.
All-rounder Irfan Pathan may be appearing in first game after missing the first three because of injury.
Pakistan team: Salman Butt, Shoaib Malik (Captain), Nasir Jamshed, Younus Khan, Muhammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Sarfraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), Sohail Tanvir, Rao Iftikhar, Wahab Riaz, Mansoor Amjad, Abdur Rauf and Saeed Ajmal.
India: Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain-wicket-keeper), Yousuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Pravin Kumar, Rudra Partap Singh, Ishant Sharma, Piyush Chawla, Rohit Sharma, Robin Uthappa, Manpreet Gony, Pragyan Ojha.
Tony Hill (New Zealand) and Ian Gould (England) will be supervise the match. Alan Hurst of Australia will be Match referee.
Crisis man Misbah braces up for captaincy
The fact that captaincy of Pakistan is no less than a crown of thorns, is a well known. So it comes as a pleasant surprise to see an eagerly optimistic Misbah-ul-Haq bracing up for what might be his toughest challenge of his nascent career so far, captaining Pakistan in a do-or-die clash against India.
The lone warrior in their previous Super 4 encounter against Sri Lanka and vice captain, Misbah said that he was ready to don the mantle of captaincy if Shoaib Malik doesn’t play. “I am ready to handle captaincy,” he said. “I have been regularly helping captain…so captaincy should not be a problem”, he said, ahead of the crucial clash against arch-rivals India.
Though the hosts stand on the brink of elimination in the Asia Cup, Misbah felt that the pressure would be on the Indians. “Pressure would be on Indians too. One defeat can put them in trouble. Both the matches are crucial for India too.”
Misbah also ruled out possibility of any wholesome changes in the team. “Minor changes here and there…we will decide the playing eleven after looking at the pitch tomorrow.”
Misbah, who is fast acquiring a reputation as the new ‘crisis man’ for Pakistan rubbished reports that the morale in their camp is low. “All players know the importance of tomorrow’s game”. “We will give it our all”, he promised.
Ian Bell regains form with double ton
Ian Bell played himself back into form with a brilliant double-century as Warwickshire declared on 528-8 against Gloucestershire at Edgbaston.
The 26-year-old England batsman made 215 from 288 balls in setting Gloucestershire a target of 192 to avoid an innings defeat.
Openers Will Porterfield and Kadeer Ali managed to avoid any trouble, reduced the deficit to 152 by making 36-0.
Bell, who hit 32 boundaries, put on 221 with Jonathan Trott (164).
Needing only five runs on the third morning to complete his 22nd first-class, he got to his immediate target in the third over with a cover drive for four and a single to third man off Steve Kirby.
Kirby, with his extra pace and attacking line, was much the biggest threat to Bell's security but once the strike bowler had finished a five-over spell, there was not much to disturb Warwickshire's progress.
Bell did have to negotiate another blast by Kirby before he completed the third double hundred of his career with a clip over midwicket off Jon Lewis.
He then took two more fours off the Gloucestershire captain before a bowling change snapped his concentration.
Hamish Marshall reappeared with his gentle medium pace and Bell lamely planted the first ball into the hands of substitute fielder Vikram Banerjee a few yards in from the cover boundary.
After some indifferent form in the Tests and one-day internationals against New Zealand, it had been a vital spell in the middle for the England batsman. No surgery for Haddin
BRAD Haddin is set to return for Australia's one-day series again Bangladesh in Darwin next month after being told he doesn't require surgery on his broken finger.
The Australia Test and one-day wicketkeeper was sent home from the Caribbean last week after playing for more than a month with the injury.
But after seeing a specialist in Sydney, the 30-year-old has avoided an operation on his right ring finger, with the injury expected to be fully healed in the next 2-3 weeks.
Australia host Bangladesh in a three-match series starting late August, which marks the start of a crowded 16 months of cricket for the Australians.
With Haddin out, West Australian Luke Ronchi has filled in admirably behind the stumps during Australia's one-day series against the Windies, but he admits he is only keeping the gloves warm for the New South Welshman.
"Hads is that good of a player and he hasn't done anything wrong, so I don't think there's any way I'm going to push him out of the spot at all," said Ronchi.
"When I play, I play as well as I can, and if it happens to lead onto more and better things, then hopefully that does happen, but at the moment it's more of a replacement position."
Australia hold an unbeatable 3-0 lead in their one-day series against the Windies with the final two games in St Kitts on Friday and Sunday.
Black Caps Romp To Record Win
New Zealand wound down from their highly-charged NatWest Series against England with a record-breaking display against Ireland.
Three days after completing a 3-1 success over the English, Daniel Vettori's men proved far too strong for a makeshift Irish outfit in the opening game of a Triangular tournament which also involves Scotland.
Their 290-run success at Mannofield was the biggest margin of victory in the history of one-day international cricket, surpassing India's 257-run romp against Bermuda at last year's World Cup.
If Kyle McCallan thought the wicket would offer early assistance to his bowlers, he soon discovered otherwise as the Black Caps rattled-up 402 for two - their highest one-day international total.
That tally included an opening stand of 274 runs between Brendon McCullum and James Marshall - the fifth-highest for any wicket in all one-day international cricket.
McCullum led the way with a blistering knock of 166 from just 141 deliveries for what was his first ODI century.
None of the Irish bowlers were spared from the onslaught as the Black Caps opener stroked 11 fours and bludgeoned 10 sixes.
Marshall, a peripheral figure against England, made the most of his opportunity by also reaching three figures.
Having taken 120 balls to post his hundred, Marshall stepped up several gears to add a further 61 runs from only 21 more deliveries.
Ireland took until the 43rd over to enjoy their first success when McCullum, attempting another clearance, was safely held on the cover boundary by Ryan Haire off the bowling of Phil Eaglestone.
McCullum's departure brought little respite as Ross Taylor set about an increasingly ragged Irish attack with a venomous onslaught which saw him race to an unbeaten 59 from only 24 balls, with one of his four sixes comfortably clearing the pavilion on its way out of the ground.
There was one further consolation for Ireland when Marshall skied a catch to wicketkeeper Gary Wilson off Reinhardt Strydom in the final over.
However, the suffering was to continue for the men from the Emerald Isle as an abject batting display saw them routed for just 112.
Openers Strydom and Wilson looked in little difficulty in moving to 27 without loss off four overs.
However, when Strydom was bowled by Tim Southee in the next over, the rot quickly set in with wickets falling at regular intervals.
Southee and Michael Mason claimed three wickets apiece while only some lusty hitting from tail-ender Peter Connell, who top-scored with 22 not out, ensured Ireland hoisted their tally above the 100 mark.
Smith Wary Of Flintoff Effect
South Africa captain Graeme Smith has admitted a fit and firing Andrew Flintoff will inspire the other England players and their supporters in the forthcoming Test series.
Flintoff is easing his way back into action after his well-documented ankle problems with Lancashire via the Twenty20 Cup and the current LV County Championship clash with Sussex at Hove.
It remains to be seen whether the England selectors deem the all-rounder has had sufficient form or cricket to face the Proteas in the opening match at Lord's on July 10.
But Smith knows Flintoff's presence could make the difference as his side look to win a series in England for the first time since they returned to the international fold in the mid-1990s.
"We all know about Fred's (Flintoff) performances with the ball when he is fit. You only have to look at the Ashes series here a few years ago and the role he played in that," he said.
"I think he is a character who really gets people motivated and his own performance is always up and the crowds love him.
"He really gets them going over here in the United Kingdom. That is the challenge that we have to face."
Smith believes England will face a selection poser if they decide to pick Flintoff, who has not played a Test match since the 2006-2007 tour of Australia.
But in contrast he can see a settled look about the South African squad.
Smith said: "England have got interesting tactical challenges. If Freddy comes in, do they leave out a batter, do they play him as a bowler?
"We are sitting here waiting to see where they will go. Are they going to bring back a few of the old brigade or leave the youngsters in there?
"These are the questions we are waiting to see when they select their team.
"If I think (back) to the last series with England when they arrived in South Africa, they were a very settled outfit who had won a lot of Test matches together.
"Everyone knew their role in that environment and we have come here in that position with all the players we want to be involved and having had success behind us."
South Africa will be favourites for the series by virtue of their second position in the ICC Test rankings and impressed in the opening tour game with Somerset at Taunton, which ended in a draw.
But Smith knows such expectations will count for nothing unless they perform to their potential.
He said: "Even if we were ranked five places below England, we would be expected to win! That is the nature of sport these days.
"But the favourites' tag, whether it is thrown around or not, will come down to the performances on the field. I don't think it is going to matter in terms of our performances, our way of thinking.
"We have come here with a clear plan of what we want to achieve as a team and that is what we will work towards."
Vaughan Will Be Fit Despite Knee 'Niggle'
England captain Michael Vaughan is suffering a recurrence of knee trouble but remains on course to be named tomorrow in the squad to face South Africa in next week's first Test at Lord's.
Any reports of knee problems, for a player who has undergone four operations on the same joint, are bound to raise concerns.
But after Vaughan had to take time out to have treatment on a sore joint in his right leg during Yorkshire's eight-wicket LV County Championship Division One defeat at Headingley yesterday, initial reports allayed obvious fears.
Vaughan - who will disclose the nature of a series of "niggles" in due course - was seen to flex his knee occasionally during a fine innings of 72 and, instead of taking the field for the final session after tea, he had ice pack treatment on the injury.
But Yorkshire director of cricket Martyn Moxon is confident Vaughan's England availability will not be compromised.
"It is difficult for me to say too much, but Michael has a few aches and pains which he will speak about at the press conference [later this week]," said Moxon.
"His knee is a little bit sore. But there is no danger of him missing the Test match, and he will explain things more fully on Friday."
England have already decided Vaughan will not be allowed to play in Yorkshire's Friends Provident Trophy semi-final against Essex at Chelmsford on Saturday - when the hosts' Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara will take part.
Moxon believes the England captain proved during his innings yesterday he is batting well, as he prepares to face South Africa.
"I think Michael is in great touch, and there is no reason to believe he will not make runs for England," he said.
Moxon also praised Durham's out-of-favour England fast bowler Steve Harmison for a 12-over stint that got rid of both Vaughan and Adam Lyth (80) and put Durham in complete control of the match.
"Harmison is always a threat and he proved to be so this morning by knocking our two main batsmen over," said the former Durham coach.
"It is always nice to have someone with that ability in the team. He leaked a few runs. But he was not too bothered, because he wanted wickets - and he got them.
"I think it is good that England have always got someone in their back pocket of his pace and bounce who can take wickets - and it is up to the selectors what they do."
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Flintoff unlikely to return in South Africa series
England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff's eagerly awaited return to international cricket with the home series against South Africa is doubtful as he is yet to recover from his injury.
England coach, Peter Moores has cast doubt on an immediate return to international cricket for Flintoff when the selectors name their squad Thursday for next week's first Test against South Africa at Lord's, reports The Guardian.
'It's great that Andrew is back on the park and bowling well,' Moores was quoted as saying in the report.
'But we are also sensible about it, because we know you've got to be bowling fit and match fit rather than just getting the injury right, and that's common sense. We've got to be sure we don't put Andrew Flintoff in jeopardy if we don't think he's bowling fit,' he said.
Flintoff's last Test was in Sydney in 2007 January and he has not played at all since the World Twenty20 in South Africa in September.
A month later he underwent a fourth operation on his troublesome left ankle but then picked up a side strain playing for Lancashire in May. He sent down only six overs in five Twenty20 matches recently before returning to first-class action in Hove Sunday, when he bowled 15 wicketless overs, conceding 43 runs, against Sussex.
'We've given him plenty of time with this latest injury and that's right because he's worked so hard to get himself back on the park,' said Moores.
Murali is eyeing Wasim Akram's One-Day record
Muttiah Muralitharan has broken many records in his 16-year international cricket career and the Sri Lanka's spin king now says he is eyeing former Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram's One-Day Internationals (ODI) record for the highest number of wickets.
The 36-year-old off-spinner is 37 wickets short of Wasim's 502 wickets and he is already the highest Test wicket-taker with 735 in 120 matches.
'I want to get past Wasim's world record in One-Day cricket and would try out for 1,000 wickets in Tests,' Muralitharan said.
'I love this game, so I want to play on but it would depend on my fitness and how I contribute to the team's performance,' he said.
And there are quite a few opportunities lined up for Muralitharan with Sri Lanka hosting India for three Tests and five One-day Internationals next month, after the ongoing Asia Cup.
Even Wasim says Muralitharan will get past his record.
'I often joke with him to retire from one-day cricket so that my record remains intact, but frankly speaking he deserved the Test record and should get my record in the time to come,' said Wasim.
Stuart Broad Laments Poor Batting
The tourists bounced back from their Test series defeat and further losses in the Twenty20 clash at Old Trafford and opening ODI at Durham to snatch the series in emphatic fashion with a 51-run success on Saturday. Broad believes England's inability to post large totals with the bat was the deciding factor as Daniel Vettori's men turned things around by winning the final three matches. "We all know we didn't get the runs on the board that we would have liked," Broad told skysports.com. "We got 300 once but we failed to chase 180 and we only got 245 at The Oval when everyone was expecting us to get 300-320. "It's an area we've got to look at and get some plans on how we are going to put larger totals on the board. I would say that was the major downfall in the series". The Kiwi's levelled the series 1-1 at Bristol after England failed to chase down a meagre target of 182 - four of the top seven batsmen failing to reach double figures. Broad, 22, believes the County Ground defeat proved the defining moment as it gifted the Black Caps a much-needed route back into the series. "Obviously we started the series well, we won the Twenty20 and then we went on to win very well at Durham," Broad said. "The key moment came at Bristol when we failed to chase 180 on a good wicket and small boundaries and that let them back in the game. "They are third in the world, they're a strong side and they are not going to let up an opportunity like that." Despite the obvious disappointment, Broad still found reason for cheer - particularly the way he and strike bowlers James Anderson and Ryan Sidebottom nullified the threat of dangerous duo Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor. "There were some positives that came out of the series," he said. "We bowled tightly and managed to overcome the challenge of McCullum - he's obviously been in great form over the last couple of months but he didn't really get going. "Ross Taylor is also a key man who didn't get going, so that was pleasing on our behalf as a bowling unit, but ultimately we failed to get the runs on the board and that cost us." The Lord's defeat also saw Kevin Pietersen lead England for the first time after one-day skipper Paul Collingwood was banned for four matches for a slow over-rate. Broad believes the Hampshire star thrived on his opportunity to skipper the side, however admitted he and his team-mates have been left to rue what they believe was an "avoidable" ban for their regular captain. "I think he (Pietersen) did well, he was nice to play under he let you do your own field, he wasn't too overpowering but he was very supportive," added Broad. "I think he did a very good job, I think he thoroughly enjoyed his first captaincy experience and I'm sure he'll look forward to doing it again in the future if the opportunity arises. "It was a very avoidable ban we were just very slow at getting round (at the Oval). A lot of things were obviously going on in that game and we missed the boat by four minutes. "It's cost him (Collingwood) four games, he's bitterly disappointed, we're bitterly disappointed for him but that is the responsibility I suppose which comes with being captain. "It's not particularly his fault that we were slow bowling the overs but he gets the punishment which is a bit harsh but it was very avoidable. "Its happened and we just need to focus on the South Africa Test series coming up now." 
Stuart Broad believes England's inept batting was to blame as New Zealand capitalised clinically to clinch the NatWest series 3-1 at Lord's.
Shoaib launches suspension appeal
Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has challenged his 18-month ban for indiscipline at a Lahore High Court.
The ban came after Shoaib, 32, publicly criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) allocation of central contracts.
A PCB tribunal reduced the suspension from five years at a hearing earlier this month.
"We have filed the writ petition challenging the ban and hope the hearing will be done in the next couple of days," said his lawyer Abid Minto.
"We have termed the decision of the disciplinary committee and the tribunal illegal and my client wants to play for his country."
Shoaib's ban started on 1 April and will end on 30 September, 2009.
Prior to the ban's imposition, Shoaib had been serving a two-year probation for attacking team-mate Mohammad Asif.
The tribunal had temporarily lifted the ban to allow him to participate in the Indian Premier League, where he had a brief stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders.
Shoaib Akhtar launches suspension appeal
Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has challenged his 18-month ban for indiscipline at a Lahore High Court.
The ban came after Shoaib, 32, publicly criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) allocation of central contracts.
A PCB tribunal reduced the suspension from five years at a hearing earlier this month.
"We have filed the writ petition challenging the ban and hope the hearing will be done in the next couple of days," said his lawyer Abid Minto.
"We have termed the decision of the disciplinary committee and the tribunal illegal and my client wants to play for his country."
Shoaib's ban started on 1 April and will end on 30 September, 2009.
Prior to the ban's imposition, Shoaib had been serving a two-year probation for attacking team-mate Mohammad Asif.
The tribunal had temporarily lifted the ban to allow him to participate in the Indian Premier League, where he had a brief stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders.
Murali stars in Sri Lanka romp
Muttiah Muralitharan's five wickets lead Sri Lanka into the final of the Asia Cup tournament after a crushing 158-run win over Bangladesh.
Muralitharan's five for 31 came on the heels of centuries from man of the match Sanath Jayasuriya, celebrating his 39th birthday, and Kumar Sangakkara. The Sri Lankan pair put on a record opening partnership of 201.
Muralitharan, who last took five wickets in April 2004 against Zimbabwe in Harare, helped dismiss Bangladesh for 174 in 38.3 overs after Sri Lanka had hit 332 for eight in their 50 overs.
Bangladesh were unable to put up a fight after their bowlers were belted by Jayasuriya, who hit a quickfire 130 from 88 balls, and Sangakkara (121), who scored his third century of the tournament.
The two left-handers set an Asia Cup record for an opening partnership, their 201 runs bettering the 191 put together by Jayasuriya and Avish Gunawardene against Bangladesh in 2004.
It was Sri Lanka's fourth win in the competition and put them in the final against either India or Pakistan.
Birthday man Jayasuriya became the second-oldest player to score a hundred in one-day internationals after England's Geoffrey Boycott, who made a century against Australia in Sydney in 1979 at the age of 39 years and 51 days.
Jayasuriya struck the 26th century of his career from only 55 balls, with 14 fours and five sixes. He was out in the 28th over, caught at deep extra cover by Tamim Iqbal off leg spinner Alok Kapali. It was his fourth hundred against Bangladesh.
Sangakkara fell in the 45th over, his 121 compiled from 128 balls with 16 fours and one six. It was the 10th hundred of his career.
Bangladesh wilted under the pressure and they had only two partnerships of substance.
Opener Nazimuddin made 47 from 59 balls, hitting seven fours and one six, and Raquibul Hasan top scored with 52 from 63 balls.
Nazim put on 43 with Mohammad Ashraful (14) and a further 43 for the third wicket with Hasan, who made his fourth 50.
Bangladesh lost five wickets for 62 in a middle-order slump and lost their last eight wickets for 78 runs.
Opener Tamim Iqbal (10) was caught behind by stand-in wicketkeeper Dilshan off Chaminda Vaas, while Ashraful edged Thilan Mirando behind.
Nazim was the third to go, run out by a throw from square leg, after which Muralitharan got into the act, dismissing Mushfiqur Rahim, Kapali, Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza and Abdul Razzak in quick succession.
Hasan went after making his fourth half-century from 63 balls when he was caught at slip by Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene.
Lawson sorry for media row
Geoff Lawson, Pakistan's Australian coach, has apologised for a row with the media after Sunday's Asia Cup defeat by Sri Lanka in Karachi.
Lawson said: "A couple of rules before we start: don't make statements, ask questions. If someone asks the question twice I won't answer it, and make your question sensible otherwise I won't answer it, okay."
This led to a heated exchange with some journalists, who accused him of trying to dictate to the media, and a walkout.
Lawson said: "What happened was regrettable and I would like to apologise for the events that led to the incident."
Spin worries for South Africa
South Africa dominated the second day of the tour match with Somerset at Taunton.
The Proteas closed their first innings on 515 for three after the mandatory 100 overs and then pace trio Morne Morkel, Makhaya Ntini and Andre Nel were chiefly responsible for dismissing the LV County Championship title-chasers for 249.
But their spinner, former Warwickshire bowler Paul Harris, struggled to find the right line and length and conceded 89 runs in 18.4 overs before picking up the wickets of tail-enders Mark Turner and Michael Munday.
He will be needed to provide effective back-up to the quicker bowlers and all-rounder Jacques Kallis when the first Test with England starts at Lord's on July 10.
South Africa stand-in skipper Ashwell Prince opted not to enforce the follow-on despite having a first-innings lead of 266.
They chose instead for further batting practice and by the close had reached 56 for one for the loss of Jean-Paul Duminey - an overall advantage of 322.
Morkel was the most impressive of the South African attack and his pace is certain to provide a searching examination for Michael Vaughan's England side.
His first spell was the most effective when he yorked Arul Suppiah (16) and forced James Hildreth (nought) to chop on to his stumps.
The main resistance for Somerset came from South African-born wicket-keeper Craig Kieswetter and Wes Durston.
Kieswetter, who played for his native country in the 2006 Under-19 World Cup, top-scored with 67 off 111 balls with 12 boundaries before holing out to Morkel on the midwicket boundary.
Durston, who was playing Minor Counties cricket for Wiltshire a week ago, made 61 off only 79 balls with eight fours and a six before becoming Morkel's third victim.
He played across a ball of full length and was trapped lbw.
South African were also aided by the two needless run-outs of Zander de Bruyn and Peter Trego in mid-innings.
Durston turned spinner Harris to fine leg but De Bruyn (nought) was sent back after getting halfway down the pitch attempting a third run and was run out at the non-striker's end.
Then Trego (12) fell in a similar fashion. Durston cut Nel behind point for what looked a comfortable two but Trego decided to attempt a risky third and paid the price.
The Proteas resumed on 455 for three after an opening day which saw Somerset stand-in skipper Andrew Caddick criticise the ECB for instructing counties to produce batsman-friendly pitches for tourist games.
And the fourth-wicket pair of AB de Villiers and acting skipper Ashwell Prince plundered 60 runs in 10 overs before the mandatory declaration at the 100-over mark which is required in three-day tourist games.
Prince reached his 50 in spectacular manner with a massive six over long-off off spinner Munday. It came off 69 balls and also contained seven fours.
He was unbeaten on 63 when the innings closure came with de Villiers on 47 not out.
Kallis and batsman Hashim Amla, who were both century-makers on the first day, were absent from the field with a bruised elbow and slight groin strain respectively.
But neither are regarded as major injuries worries ahead of the opening Test with England.
Robin Petersen and Monde Zondeki, who had a brief spell with Warwickshire earlier in the season, substituted for the duo.
Skipper Graeme Smith also came through a testing workout on the outfield before the start of play after his hamstring injury and is expected to play against Middlesex at Uxbridge in a three-day game starting on Friday.