Probe-panel finds no evidence against Kundra, Meiyappan

Probe-panel finds no evidence against Kundra, Meiyappan

BCCI President-in-exile N Srinivasan seems set to return to the helm of affairs after a two-judge probe panel found no evidence against his team Chennai Super Kings in the IPL spot-fixing and betting scandal which rocked the sixth edition of the event. 

The two-member panel, comprising former judges T Jayaram Chouta, R Balasubramanian, submitted its report at the BCCI Working Committee, clearing the decks for the Tamil Nadu strongman to make a comeback. 

The panel was mandated to enquire into the roles of Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan, who was the Team Prinicipal of Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals and its co-owner Raj Kundra. 

"There is no evidence of any wrongdoing found by the judges against Raj Kundra, India Cements and Rajasthan Royals. The report will now be forwarded to the IPL Governing Council which will take a final decision when it meets on August 2 in New Delhi," BCCI vice-President Niranjan Shah told reporters. 

Addressing a brief press conference, BCCI interim chief Jagmohan Dalmiya said that the inquiry report will be forwarded to the IPL Governing Council as per the operational rules of the Board. 

"IPL Governing Council will meet on August 2 in New Delhi to take a decision on these issues," Dalmiya said. 

Asked whether India Cements have been given a clean chit in the report, he said, "The final call will be taken in the IPL GC meeting. It will be discussed in the proper forum which is the IPL GC. The GC will examine the report and accordingly will take a decision. The copy of the report will be made public in due course," he said. 

Srinivasan could be reinstated as the president as early as August 2 when the Working Committee meets in New Delhi. There was no clarity on Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan's role in the scandal while it is learnt that the inquiry commission has not given him a clean chit. 

Shah, when asked whether Meiyappan has been given a clean chit, did not give any answer. According to a source, Meiyappan has been cleared of spot-fixing in the inquiry report but could be involved in betting though there was no clear evidence. 

Dalmiya said that the order of the probe commission was received only this morning and speculation that it had come to the BCCI earlier was not correct. "The order was received by secretary Sanjay Patel here and it was placed in the afternoon before the Working Committee," he said. 

Asked who will chair the August 2 meeting, Dalmiya said, "Let Mr Srinivasan decide. Let Srinivasan take his decision." 

Dalmiya also said that BCCI Anti-Corruption Unit chief Ravi Sawani's report was discussed but since one player -- Ajit Chandila -- is in police custody, the probe could not be completed. "We will wait for some time and then proceed accordingly. Sawani is currently on leave because of his son's marriage. Let him come back," Dalmiya said. 

On who will chair the IPL GC meeting since chairman Rajiv Shukla has resigned, Dalmiya said, "I have requested him to continue. I have not accepted Shukla's resignation." 

Dalmiya said the BCCI was in the process of finalising the itineraries for the tours of South Africa and New Zealand. "It is under process. There are other tours also. We will come to you in due time," he said.

Regarding the controversy over India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's alleged conflict of interest issue, Dalmiya said nothing will be swept under the carpet. "I had said nothing will be swept under the carpet, many were asking what happened to that...," he said. "We have changed our mode of working. We don't believe you to be after any player or anybody. Therefore, the players will have to declare their interest in sports management companies." 

The IPL spot-fixing scandal broke out when India pacer S Sreesanth, along with two other Rajasthan Royals players Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan and 11 bookies, was arrested for alleged spot-fixing in the IPL. The contracts of the tainted players were terminated by their franchise, which also lodged a criminal complaint against them. It snowballed into a crisis for the BCCI when Board President N Srinivasan's son-in-law and Chennai Super Kings Team Principal Meiyappan was arrested on charges of betting on May 26. 

A internal probe panel, originally comprising former judges Chouta, Balasubramanian and the then BCCI Secretary Sanjay Jagdale, was constituted on May 28 to investigate the allegations against Meiyappan, who maintained his innocence after getting bail. Srinivasan, who owns the CSK franchise, remained defiant through the turmoil and refused to resign but had to step aside as BCCI President after a stormy emergent Board meeting on June 2 where Dalmiya took charge of an interim arrangement to run the Board's affairs pending the inquiry. 

The upheaval led to the resignations of Board Secretary Sanjay Jagdale and Treasurer Ajay Shirke, who asked for Srinivasan's resignation on moral grounds. 

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5:51 AM

Kevin Pietersen included in squad

Pietersen included in squad

Kevin Pietersen was included in a 14-man squad for next week's third Ashes Test against Australia at Old Trafford despite concerns over his calf injury, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced Sunday. 

Star batsman Pietersen will be given time to prove his fitness for the match, which starts at the Manchester venue on Thursday, with Nottinghamshire's James Taylor added to the squad as cover. 

England have also altered their bowling options by bringing in Monty Panesar as a second spinner and recalling fast bowler Chris Tremlett in place of seamers Steven Finn and Graham Onions. 

Ashes-holders England, who lead the five-match series 2-0 after victories by 14 runs and 347-runs in the first and second Tests at Trent Bridge and Lord's respectively, will retain the urn if they win again at Old Trafford. 

More to follow 

Squad: Alastair Cook (capt), Joe Root, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Jonny Bairstow, James Taylor, Matt Prior, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Chris Tremlett, Monty Panesar 

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5:50 AM

Taylor presses Ashes claim against Aussies

Taylor presses Ashes claim against Aussies

James Taylor advanced his case for an England recall by making an unbeaten 64 for Sussex against Australia on the second day of three at Hove on Saturday. 

Nottinghamshire batsman Taylor has been given special dispensation by England chiefs to 'guest' for Sussex, with officials concerned about the fitness of star batsman Kevin Pietersen for next week's third Test in Manchester. 

Ashes-holders England, 2-0 up in the five-match series with their arch-rivals, are due to name their squad for Old Trafford on Sunday and Taylor, who last played Test cricket a year ago, seems set to be included as cover in case Pietersen does not overcome a calf injury. 

The 23-year-old Taylor batted for nearly three-and-a-half hours before rain forced an early close at Sussex's Hove headquarters on England's south coast, with the hosts 228 for five in reply to Australia's 366 for five declared. 

However, the diminutive Taylor was almost yorked first ball by paceman Mitchell Starc and then saw Steven Smith drop a low, hard, second slip catch off Jackson Bird on 23. 

But, after Rory Hamilton-Brown had made a dashing 73, Taylor batted through until the close. He'd so far faced 146 balls, including five fours. 

Both Bird and Starc are bidding to replace James Pattinson in the Ashes side after their fellow fasr bowler was ruled out of the remainder of the tour with a stress fracture of the back after Australia's colossal 347-run second Test loss at Lord's. 

Bird had the marginally better figures Saturday, taking two wickets for 33 runs in 14 overs compared to Starc's one for 28 in 13. 

Earlier Smith, 98 not out overnight, reached three figures before Australia declared, the all-rounder cutting England left-arm spinner Monty Panesar for four to complete a 165-ball century including 16 boundaries. 

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5:49 AM

Fortunate they dropped my catches: Dhawan

Fortunate they dropped my catches: Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan is relishing the challenges that face opening batsmen under the testing conditions imposed by the latest ODI laws, having scored his third century in two months to see India to a 58-run victory over Zimbabwe on Friday. 

Shikhar Dhawan enjoyed more than his fair share of luck, surviving two dropped catches as well as a catch off a no-ball on his way to 116 - his highest ODI score - as India took a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. 

However opening batsmen such as Dhawan would argue that they deserve some fortune under the current laws, with the use of two new balls in one-day internationals tilting the balance back towards the bowlers. 

"It's more difficult nowadays because you've got new balls from both ends," Dhawan said. "When the ball is swinging you really need to play close to your body. You'll see that in the first 10 overs, openers are not scoring that many nowadays because the ball is new and it swings a lot and you have to be more careful." 

The wicket wasn't easy to bat on. "The ball was swinging and cutting, and they bowled really well in the first 25 overs. I was just fortunate enough that they dropped my catches today," Dhawan added. 

Despite gifting Dhawan three lives, Zimbabwe still made inroads into the Indian batting line-up as they reduced the tourists to 65 for four, only for Dhawan to put on a 159-run stand with Dinesh Karthik that changed the course of the match. 

"It was a very important partnership which brought us back into the game, because we knew that we had to score big runs on this wicket because it gets much better in the second innings," said Dhawan. "Then things went our way." 

Dhawan said he was impressed with the performance of the young Indian side, mentioning that the fielding has improved a lot. "Our team is gelling really nicely. All the young boys are very fit and really good in the field. Fielding-wise, we have really improved a lot. I feel like everything is working our way." 

After India had finished on 294 for eight in their 50 overs, Zimbabwe made a bright start to their reply when Vusi Sibanda's bold 55 took them to 109 for one after 20 overs. 

However Jaydev Unadkat effected two dismissals in the next over, and Zimbabwe faded to a final total of 236 for nine. 

"After 20 overs I thought we were going to win the game, even though we let them get away with a lot more runs," Zimbabwe coach Andy Waller said. "I thought we had a chance but then we made some silly errors. 

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4:37 AM

We handled the pressure well: AB de Villiers

We handled the pressure well: AB de Villiers

South Africa did well under pressure to emerge victors in the third ODI against Sri Lanka to stay alive in the five-match ODI series. Thanks to the efforts of David Miller (85 off 72) and Lonwabo Tsotsobe (4/22) the Proteas managed a 56-run win, coming back well after consecutive losses in the opening two ODIs. 
South African captain AB de Villiers was happy with the way his team handled the pressure situations to come out on top in the end. Having posted a competitive 223/7, The visitors had Sri Lanka reeling thanks to the bowling efforts of Tsotsobe. However, the de Villiers-led side were under pressure when Robin Peterson gave away 35 runs in the in the 33rd over which included 5 sixes and a four off Thisara Perera's bat. The South Africans though managed to stay calm to make it through in the end. 
Speaking at the post-match conference, de Villiers said: "It's a great win. We handled the pressure situations extremely well, which pleased me very much. Robbie [Peterson] went for a big over when I threw him into the deep end. But it's the way the boys reacted which is what made me really proud after that. We stayed really calm, stuck to our game plans, kept it really simple and came out on top. The guys looked really hungry today and I'm glad we made it through." 
While Perera was going all guns blazing, Tsotsobe put down a sitter in the 39th over which could have cost the visitors the game had Faf du Plessis not held on to a skier from Perera three overs later. de Villiers mentioned that the Proteas were lucky that the dropped chance did not prove costly. 
"After Lopsy [Tsotsobe] dropped the catch I told him it could happen to anyone, because I felt he might get another catch, which he did. He improved the second time around. Those kinds of things happen. Sometimes it costs you the game, sometimes it doesn't. This time we were lucky it didn't cost us the game. We moved on, which was the positive thing again. We stayed calm in all the situations and that was great." 
The win was South Africa's first against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka after close to 20 years and de Villiers credited his seamers for the victory, commending Tsotsobe in particular for his excellent bowling performance. 
"After missing the first two games and having to prove his form and condition, Lopsy coming back like that, and showing his skill that's in him was really pleasing for me. The partnership he and Morne formed up front was outstanding and they set the standard for us. Lopsy picked up the wickets so congrats to him for that, but you've got to give credit to Morne as well. He hit the deck really hard and stuck to his lengths. He didn't give them much to hit and to score off." 
de Villiers had a special word of praise for the fielding efforts of his side, mentioning that they saved close to 20 runs thanks to their fielders. "We saved about 20 runs in the field I believe. Fielding is an attitude and it's a hunger to win the game. If you have that, you'll always have a good fielding set-up. I thought we had that tonight. We can still improve, but I'd like us to do that more consistently." 
Man of the Match David Miller said they were hoping to play out as many overs as possible after the top order collapse. He reckoned that the wicket was slow and had a lot of turn which is why they had to work really hard to build partnerships. 
"When AB went and Robbie got out, I just said to Ryan we really need to hang in here until the last three overs. We were looking at 45 overs the whole time and if either Ryan or myself had got out, it's Morne Morkel and Tsotsobe coming in, so we thought let's really take it as deep as we can. We just decided the last two overs would be key. The wicket was very slow and had a lot of turn. We really had to work hard up front and try and build partnerships and take a little bit longer than normal. This innings means a lot to me," Miller said.

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4:36 AM

WI vs Pak, 1st T20I, Kingstown, St Vincent

WI vs Pak, 1st T20I, Kingstown, St Vincent West Indies will be hoping to avenge their ODI series loss when they take on Pakistan in the 2-match T20I series starting at Kingstown, St Vincent on Saturday. The hosts, who lost the five-match ODI series 1-3 under Dwayne Bravo, will be hoping for a turnaround of fortunes under T20 skipperDarren Sammy. Pakistan, meanwhile, will be hoping that Twenty20 captain Mohammad Hafeezcontinues the good work done by Misbah-ul-Haq as they look to get the better of the T20I champions. Curiously, these two sides have met only once in Twenty20 Internationals so far - on Pakistan's last visit to the Caribbean in 2011, West Indies held on for a seven-run win at the Beausejour Stadium. The weekend fixtures therefore provide a chance to redress that deficiency on a stage where both teams are blessed with players cut-out for the shortest format. West Indies: Inconsistency has been the problem for West Indies, as was evident in their recent performances. Barring the series against Zimbabwe, the Caribbean side's showing in the recent times has been disappointing. Having failed to qualify for the semi-final stage of the Champions Trophy, the Windies faltered in the tri-series involving India and Sri Lanka before being humbled by Pakistan. They now have a chance to salvage some pride in a format West Indies are quite good at, having not lost a single T20I since winning last year's T20 World Cup. Watch out for: Chris Gayle has not quite been at his best and was forced to move down the order in the last two ODIs owing to poor form. The big hitting Kieron Pollard too was struggling for runs and had to be left out for the last couple of games. These are capable of winning matches on their own and have shown their prowess with the bat in the past. They will be hoping that they can make in impact in this T20I series. Who's in and who's out: From the team that contested in the ODI series, Kemar Roach, Devon Smith and Jason Holder move out while the inclusion of Shannon Gabriel and Samuel Badree will boost the home team. Also included in the squad is Christopher Barnwell, whose impressive domestic T20 form augers well for the West Indian side. Pakistan: Since winning the T20 World Cup against Sri Lanka in England in 2009, Pakistan's form in the shortest format has been up and down, as the sub-continental team has flattered to deceive on many occasions. Like West Indies, they too had a poor run in ODIs recently before they managed to turn things around impressively. They will be hoping that they can extend their recent ODI success to the T20 games and look to topple India from the third position in the T20I rankings, which they can do so if they win the series 2-0. Watch out for: Umar Akmal, having been recalled to the Pakistan set-up as a wicketkeeper-batsman, has had an impressive run in the ODI series. Umar made his selection count with fine knocks in the One-Dayers, complementing Misbah's anchored presence with his aggressive style of batting, as he played a key role in Pakistan's series win. The talented youngster, who is one of the important members in the batting department, will be hoping he continues in the same vein in the T20I series. Who's in and who's out: Left-arm seamer Sohail Tanvir brings with him a lot of T20I experience while all-rounder Hammad Azam and all-rounder Zulfiqar Babar are also part of the Pakistan T20I set-up, replacing Mishab-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan and Abdur Rehman. Numbers: 6: The number of Twenty20 Internationals that West Indies have won in a row. They need two more victories in succession to join England as the the team with most consecutive victories in the T20I format. 7: The number of runs Chris Gayle requires to reach the mark of 1000 runs in T20I cricket. In case he gets the required runs, the left-hander will become the 9th player overall and the first West Indian to reach the mark. Quotes: The teams are evenly matched, the difference is somebody like Misbah (ul-Haq) batted throughout the innings in most of the games that they won. I'm looking forward to the two T20s, this is the format I think we're best at and we have to go out there in St Vincent and show why we are T20 champions: Darren Sammy

Teams:

West Indies (From): Darren Sammy(c), Johnson Charles(w), Dwayne Bravo, Tino Best, Darren Bravo, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Samuel Badree,Christopher Barnwell, Shannon Gabriel

Pakistan (From): Mohammad Hafeez(c), Umar Akmal(w), Nasir Jamshed, Ahmed Shehzad, Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Irfan, Asad Ali, Umar Amin, Haris Sohail, Hammad Azam, Sohail Tanvir, Zulfiqar Babar

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4:35 AM

Smith strengthens hold on Test spot

Smith strengthens hold on Test spot

Steve Smith looks to have secured his place in Australia's team for next week's third Ashes Test after top-scoring with an unbeaten 98 on the first day of the tour match against Sussex at Hove.
The 24-year-old from Sydney was one of several batsmen under pressure after making just three runs in Australia's heavy defeat at Lord's, but his was the standout performance on an encouraging day for the Australians looking to force their way into contention for Old Trafford on Thursday.
Ed Cowan (66) and Phil Hughes (84) figured in an opening stand of 150 in 35 overs but reserve wicketkeeper Matthew Wade was out for a duck as Australia ended the first day on 354 for five after winning the toss.
Smith and all-rounder James Faulkner revived the tourists with a stand of 131 in 28 overs for the fifth wicket after Australia had failed to build on the platform provided by Cowan and Hughes when they lost four wickets for 68 runs in 27 overs.
They were particularly effective when Sussex took the new ball, with 47 runs plundered in five overs including three successive boundaries by Smith off Chris Liddle.
Faulkner became Monty Panesar's third victim in the penultimate over when he was bowled hitting across the line and although Smith hit the first ball of the last over for his 15th boundary, he still needs two runs to complete what would be only the third hundred on the tour so far by an Australian.
Earlier, Cowan and Hughes batted throughout the morning session, although Hughes was badly dropped on 22 by Sussex skipper Chris Nash at second slip off Chris Jordan.
The left-hander chanced his arm on several occasions against the new ball in a somewhat skittish innings, although he did play some pleasing back-foot shots when offered any width by the Sussex seamers.
Cowan looked more assured until he tried to work a ball from Lewis Hatchett off his hips and was well caught by James Taylor, the Nottinghamshire batsman playing for Sussex as a guest at the request of the ECB. Cowan's 66 came off 112 balls with 10 fours.
Hatchett, in only his second first-class game of the season, looked Sussex's most threatening seamer and he struck again in the 42nd over when Hughes was caught behind, drawn into playing at a ball that held its line outside off stump.
Hughes, whose innings included 14 fours, looks to have cemented his place at Old Trafford despite scoring only two runs in his last three Test innings and the same applies to Usman Khawaja, who looked reasonably secure until he pushed hard at Panesar and edged to Jordan at slip.
Wade, playing his first game for a month, had talked optimistically before the game about forcing his way into the Test team as a specialist batsman but he lasted just six balls before being held at backward point in the first over after tea aiming a forcing shot off the back foot at Panesar. 

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4:33 AM

SA tour itinerary to be discussed at BCCI WC meet

SA tour itinerary to be discussed at BCCI WC meet

The itinerary for the upcoming tour of South Africa and a disciplinary panel report on sacked Indian Premier League chief Lalit Modi are among the issues that would dominate discussions when the BCCI's working committee meets in Kolkata on Sunday. 
The Board of Control for Cricket in India is keen on playing two Tests, five ODIs and two Twenty20 Internationals during the series beginning November, while Cricket South Africa had announced the schedule with three Tests, seven ODIs and two T20Is. 
"We have not taken any final call on the tour as yet, hopefully we will send an alternative itinerary over to CSA after tomorrow's meeting," BCCI's acting President Dalmiya said. 
There is also a section in the BCCI which wants to curtail the series to protest the appointment of former International Cricket Council CEO Haroon Lorgat as the CSA's CEO. 
The Working Committee is also likely to discuss the findings of a Disciplinary Committee comprising Jyotiraditya Scindia and Arun Jaitley, who were appointed to investigate charges of financial bunglings against Modi. An exhaustive report of about 500 pages had been earlier submitted but it is unlikely that interim president Dalmiya would take a decision on Modi in tomorrow's meeting. 
There is also speculation that the two-member internal probe panel, comprising former judges T Jayaram Chouta and R Balasubramanian, has also submitted its report on the IPL spot-fixing scandal. The committee, according to some media reports, has cleared sidelined BCCI chief N Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan of betting charges but no BCCI official was willing to speak on the issue. But both Dalmiya and BCCI Secretary Sanjay Patel have denied receiving the report. 
But insiders claim that the report was submitted on Thursday and the verdict would be read out absolving Meiyappan of the charges of betting in the last edition of the Indian Premier League. A verdict in favour of Meiyappan would pave way for Srinivasan into the BCCI fold as he had stepped aside from his post of president after the Mumbai Police had levelled charges against his son-in-law in the spot-fixing and betting scandal. 
Srinivasan's return would also mean that he will be technically eligible to contest in the Board's elections in September. Srinivasan, however, would not attend the meeting tomorrow and Kasi Viswanathan would represent the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. 
Among other things, there's likely to be a debate over the Board's move to cap the age limit for domestic-level match referees at 60 as that would mean that BCCI would lose out on some prominent names like Kalyan Sundaram, B Raghunath, Raju Mukherjee and Balbir Singh, who have all crossed the age limit. 
Former India captain and leg spinner Anil Kumble, now the president of the Karnataka Cricket Association, may raise the issue in the working committee meeting as no such cap had been placed by even the ICC. 

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4:32 AM

Fourth IND-ZIM ODI postponed due to elections

Fourth IND-ZIM ODI postponed due to elections

The fourth ODI of the ongoing series between India and Zimbabwe has been postponed by a day due to general elections in the African country.
The match will now be played at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, on August 1 instead of July 31. 
"The fourth ODI of the ongoing series between India and Zimbabwe has been postponed by a day on account of Elections in Zimbabwe," a BCCI release said. 

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5:02 PM

It was one of my lucky days: Dhawan

It was one of my lucky days: Dhawan

India managed to overcome a top-order collapse and a spirited futile reply from Zimbabwe, to emerge victorious by 58 runs in the second ODI at Harare to extend their lead in the five-match series. Riding on Shikhar Dhawan's fine 116 and a valuable 69 from Dinesh Karthik, the visitors managed to post a commanding 294/8 before restricting the hosts to 236/9. 
Speaking after the match, Virat Kohli said the batsmen found the going challenging, especially after losing early wickets. The Indian skipper praised Dhawan for his knock while mentioning that luck too had a role to play. 
"It was going to be a challenge for the batsmen. We lost a few early wickets, there were a few tricky calls as well. There are two sides of having luck. You could get bogged down or keep going. Dhawan kept going despite nicking a few. Dinesh as well, pity he did not get a 100. We ended up getting 294. Those two batted beautifully." 
Despite a good start from the Zimbabwe openers, India kept chipping away and managed to restrict the hosts in the end. Jaydev Unadkat was the star with the ball, picking up 4/41, which included the prized scalps of the openers and the bowler was praised by Kohli, who mentioned that the pitch suited the lanky left-armer. 
"The wicket suited Unadkat. He bowls a good length and has good change of pace as well. The others supported him well. We are a new side. We are going to be put under pressure. The guys responded beautifully today." 
Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor rued the missed chances, mentioning that they proved to be costly in the end. The home-team skipper also said his top-order had to take some responsibility for the loss as they failed to capitalize on a good start. 
"We gave them too many chances and they made us pay. That partnership (between Dhawan and Karthik) really killed us. It was a good wicket to bat on. The top order has to take responsibility for this failure. We were really slow on the field. There were penalties in place. In hindsight, we should have just slowed the game down a bit. Our seam attack is pretty strong. We have to tighten up in the middle overs." 
Dhawan, who registered his third ODI ton, was named the Man of the Match for his efforts with the bat and the left-handed opener thanked his luck while mentioning that the wicket was not easy to bat on. 
"It was one of my lucky days. You have some lucky days. I was playing well in the earlier matches but kept getting out. The wicket was not easy to bat on. But Dinesh and I batted well. That partnership got us through. I'm enjoying the moment. I'm in good form. We just wanted to play on the merit of the ball. We just wanted to stay. We knew we could recover later because both of us had a good range of shots."

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5:02 PM

Dhawan, Unadkat help India to comfortable win

Dhawan, Unadkat help India to comfortable win

Shikhar Dhawan and Dinesh Karthik starred with the bat while Jaydev Unadkat did well with the ball as India defeated Zimbabwe by 58 runs to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match ODI series. Put in to bat, India suffered a top-order collapse before Dhawan (116) and Karthik (69) put on a 167 run stand for the 5th wicket to lift India to a commanding 294/8. In reply, Zimbabwe could only manage 236/9 in the available 50 overs, despite half-centuries from Vusi Sibanda (55) and Prosper Utseya (52*). Jaydev Unadkat was the top wicket-taker for the visiting team, picking up 4/41 while Amit Mishra (2/46) also did well. 
The hosts got off to a solid start in pursuit of the daunting target with Sibanda and Sikandar Raza batting positively. They added 45 runs for the opening wicket before Unadkat delivered the first blow in the 11th over by dismissing Raza for 20. The visitors though had to wait for a while before making their second breakthrough as Sibanda and Hamilton Masakadza put on a good stand to keep the Indians at bay. 
Sibanda reached his fifty with a hit off Mishra over long-on for six and, in the process, also took his side's total past 100-run mark. However, Zimbabwe could not hold onto their strong position for long as Sibanda once again failed to covert his innings into a big score after dominating the Indian bowlers with his powerful hits. Sibanda, who had escaped with a missed stumping chance after jumping down the track to Mishra, fell to Unadkat in the 21st over. 
Zimbabwe's innings faded rapidly thereafter as Brendan Taylor (0) ran himself out while Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra accounted for Sean Williams and Malcolm Waller respectively. A defiant late-order resistance by Elton Chigumbara (46) and Utseya delayed the inevitable with the duo adding 88 runs for the seventh wicket to frustrate the tourists. However, the former fell to Mohammed Shami before Unadkat finished things off in style, dismissing Kyle Jarvis and Brian Vitori off back-to-back deliveries in the final over, to lead India to a comfortable victory in the end. 
Earlier, India had Dhawan, Karthik and Vinay Kumar to thank for getting them to a huge first innings score of 294. Dhawan and Kathik were involved in a massive 167 run stand to help India overcome their top-order setbacks while Vinay applied the finishing touches with a blitzy 12-ball 27 as India finished with a massive score. Dhawan smashed his 3rd ODI hundred in the process, but luck played its part as Zimbabwe put down as many as 3 chances the left-hander offered. The Delhi-lad, however, continued unperturbed as he led the Indian recovery in fine fashion. Karthik too played a fine hand in India getting back on track with his fine fifty. 
The duo were left to do all the hard-work after Zimambwe pacers struck regularly at the start to leave India struggling on a seaming wicket. Brian Vitori had struck off his very first ball in the match to send back Rohit Sharma for just 1. Virat Kohli too followed soon after, albeit in controversial circumstances. The India skipper looked good to survive after it seemed that the ball had not carried clearly to fielder Malcolm Waller but the umpires found no issue with it and he out. India's innings went from bad to worse as Ambati Rayudu and Suresh Raina too followed in quick succession to leave India reeling at 65/4 in the 17th over. 
With India in a precarious position, Dhawan and Karthik eased the pressure with some clever batting. The duo rotated the strike well and ensured India made progress at a steady rate. They soon brought up their hundred run stand and started to put pressure on the Zimbabweans with a few big shots. Both batsman used the reverse sweep to good effect as India started to eye a score in excess of 250. 
The left-hander soon opened up and started to carve up the Zimbabwe attack at will. Karthik too joined in the party smacking back-to-back boundaries in the 40th over to take India past 200 runs. Zimbabwe struck against the run of play, however, as Karthik was out run-out for 69. Dhawan too, who had notched up his 3rd ODI hundred, fell soon after to leave India with much work to do to ensure they have a strong finish. Kohli's men looked set to end with around 270, but Vinay Kumar gave India a big boost by helping smash 23 runs off the last over to give India 294. 

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5:01 PM

South Africa win to stay alive in Sri Lanka series

South Africa win to stay alive in Sri Lanka series

David Miller and Lonwabo Tsotsobe played key roles as South Africa stunned hosts Sri Lanka by 56 runs in the third one-dayer in Pallekele on Friday to stay afloat in the five-match series. 
Miller plundered a robust 85 not out off 72 balls to steer South Africa to 223-7 after unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis had reduced the tourists to 154-7 in the 42nd over. 
Tsotsobe then ripped through Sri Lanka's top order with three wickets in the space of six runs before finishing with 4-22 as the hosts were bundled out for 167 in the day-night game. 
The victory ended South Africa's 11-match losing streak in one-day cricket on Sri Lankan soil and gave AB de Villiers' tourists a badly-needed win in the current series. 
With Sri Lanka 2-1 ahead, South Africa must also win the fourth match at the same venue on Sunday to take the series into the decider in Colombo next Wednesday. 
Thisara Perera lit up the gloomy evening for the hosts by smashing five sixes and a boundary in the 33rd over sent down by left-arm spinner Robin Peterson. 
With the second ball declared a wide, the 35 runs taken in the over fell just one run short of the world record of six sixes hit by South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs off Dutch bowler Daan van Bunge during the 2007 World Cup. 
Perera's run sequence in the over was six, a wide, six, six, six, four and a six, but his sensational hitting came too late for the hosts to deliver an unlikely win. 
"It's hard to explain how proud I am of the boys," de Villiers said. "It was not easy and we were under pressure through the game. 
"It was a really good performance. But we did not have enough partnerships going." 
Left-handed Perera made 65 off 49 balls with five sixes and as many boundaries, before he was caught in the deep off Farhaan Behardien, who finished with three for 19. 
Sri Lanka paid the penalty for a shoddy batting display in which six batsmen failed to reach double figures and only two others entered their 20s. 
Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews, returning to the side after serving a two-match suspension due to his team's slow over-rates in the tri-series in the West Indies, paid rich tributes to Perera. 
"He is turning out to be a good all-rounder," said Mathews. "The pitch was not easy to bat on, but it looked as if Thisara was batting on a different wicket. 
"With Thisara playing so well, I should probably have stayed there with him. We need to get everything together on Sunday." 
Earlier, Miller hit five sixes and four boundaries to boost the total from 100-5 after South Africa had won the toss and elected to take first strike. 
Skipper de Villiers led the recovery with 47, before left-handed Miller pushed the scoring with his fifth one-day half-century, the first by a South African in the series. 
Miller put on 69 for the eighth wicket with Ryan McLaren, who remained unbeaten on 14. 

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4:59 PM

Don't know where the power comes from: Miller

 Don't know where the power comes from: Miller

David Miller came up with a blistering knock while Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Farhaan Behardien came up with fine efforts with the ball as South Africa defeated Sri Lanka by 56 runs in the third ODI at Pallekele. Opting to bat, the visitors were reeling at 154/7 in the 42nd over before Miller's quick-fire 85 off 72 balls lifted them to a competitive 223/7. In reply, a fighting 65 from Thisara Perera went in vain as Sri Lanka were bowled out 167 with Tsotsobe (4/22) and Behardien (3/19) doing the bulk of the damage. 

The victory was South Africa's first against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka since September 2nd, 1993 and skipper AB de Villiers was pleased that the visiting team were finally able to end their losing streak. Speaking after the match, de Villiers said: "It's hard to explain how proud I'm of the guys. It wasn't an easy game. We've made a big step forward after today." 
While praising Miller for his fine knock, de Villiers was also happy with the performances of Tsotsobe and Morne Morkel. The South African captain though mentioned that his team played irresponsibly at times and have to improve going forward. "Lopsy (Tsotsobe) is a class performer and bowled exceptionally well today. Morne was quite aggressive today, he is the leader of the attack and set the standards upfront. Very irresponsible cricket at times from us, a run-out and I take responsibility for that. I cost Faf (du Plessis) his wicket." 
Home team captain Angelo Mathews, who was back in the side after missing the first two games due to a suspension, said Sri Lanka did a good job with the ball but failed to deliver in the end overs. The Lankan skipper also praised Thisara Perera for his breezy knock while asking for the rest of the batters to step up. 
"Our bowlers did a brilliant job, except for the last three overs we did well. The batters have to step up. Thisara was batting on a different strip, in the end it was too much for him. I got out at the wrong time, with Thisara at the other end I should have hung out, but it was unfortunate. Unfortunately, we kept losing wickets at the wrong time." 
Man of the Match Miller said it was a tough track to bat on with the ball not coming on to the bat. He also mentioned that they could not accelerate a lot earlier as they did not have wickets in hand. 
"It was tough upfront. The wicket was really slow and it took time to adjust. (I) really don't know where the power comes from, (I) work hard in the nets and then play my shots. Our plan was to go hard late on as we didn't have wickets in hand, (we) should have gone a bit earlier." 

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4:59 PM

Bell looking to end Australia hopes

Bell looking to end Australia hopes

Ian Bell, once derided by Australia, is relishing his lead role in the destruction of the tourists' Ashes ambitions and he is determined to put the final nail in the coffin at Old Trafford next week. 
Bell struggled for form during England's 2005 Ashes triumph, scoring just 171 in 10 innings with his only meaningful contributions being two half-centuries in the draw at Old Trafford. 
The Warwickshire batsman, nicknamed 'The Shermanator' by Shane Warne after a geeky character from the American Pie films, averaged just 32 in 18 Tests against Australia before this series. 
But Bell has matured into England's middle-order lynchpin. He has scored a century in the last three Ashes Tests, including vital innings in the victories at Trent Bridge and Lord's. 
"From my first couple of (Ashes) series I knew I had to improve on that," Bell said. 
"The (Australian) team I started against was pretty good, so it is nice to be putting my hand up now as a senior player when we've needed it. 
"I feel pretty confident right now and it is good to be putting it together in an Ashes series which is what I've wanted to do. 
"I don't really feel too bad about the previous series but it is nice to be able to do things when the team need it most and scoring hundreds is what you want to do. 
"To have three now against Australia is exactly where I want to be." 
Bell has always found Old Trafford to be a happy hunting ground. He has scored two hundreds and a 97 in five Manchester Tests, at an average of 87. 
England's record there is positive too, winning six of their nine Old Trafford Tests since the turn of the century. 
In short, it is a good place for England to be heading as they look not just to retain the Ashes, which they will do with a draw, but win the urn outright. 
But if there is anything Bell takes from that titanic drawn Test in 2005 - the last Ashes match played at Old Trafford - it is that Australia will be battling for their lives. 
"I know that the Test matches I've been involved in there, we've got a good record so it is a good place for England to go to now," Bell said. 
"The 2005 Test was a game we were looking at (targetting) another win, but Australia battled right to the end. 
"They were so excited about getting the draw, so you felt a little shift in the series right there because they were happy to get out of it. 
"It was an intense game as all Ashes games are and I would expect another tough game coming up. 
"Coming into this series it has been about contributing to the team and at Lord's we had to work hard in different periods of the game and we got our rewards at the end. 
"It has been hard work, but these couple of days will give us a nice break from the cricket so we're right for Old Trafford." 
Bell's bid for a Lord's hundred could have ended on just three when he fended a rising delivery from Ryan Harris to Steve Smith in the gully, only for the third umpire to rule the ball had not carried. 
David Gower, commentating on television, described it as an appalling decision and it reignited the debate about whether a batsman should walk. 
Bell revealed he was told to stand his ground by the umpires. 
"At the time it didn't look quite right. I looked around and as the umpires got together they told me to hold fire at the crease," Bell said. 
"As soon as they say wait there because they're going upstairs it is out of your hands. 
"If the umpires had said 'go' then I'd have gone. I didn't see the replay but at the time it looked like it was just in his finger tips so did some of the ball touch the ground. 
"Generally the rule is the batsman gets the benefit of the doubt on things like that so it probably goes more in the batter's favour when it goes upstairs." 

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4:57 PM