India amazing victory against England

India 241 (Dhoni 53, Flintoff 3-49) and 387 for 4 (Tendulkar 103*, Yuvraj 85*, Sehwag 83, Gambhir 66) beat England 316 (Strauss 123, Prior 53*, Cook 52) and 311 for 9 dec (Strauss 108, Collingwood 108) by six wickets

After all the turmoil of recent weeks, India couldn't have picked a better moment to create history, completing a famous six-wicket victory in Chennai by chasing down the fourth-highest total in Test cricket. And there could be no better figure than Sachin Tendulkar to mastermind the uplifting success with a century of such serenity that he made the pressure-cooker environment seem like an afternoon in the park. Along with Yuvraj Singh, he added an unbroken 163, sapping the England spirit that had carried them into such a dominant position.
The closing stages were dominated by scenes of a hysteric crowd cheering dot-balls as Yuvraj ensured Tendulkar had time to reach his 41st century. The moment came with perfect symmetry as Tendulkar swept Graeme Swann to fine leg to reach the hundred and complete victory. All the previous times India have come up short in run-chases, and claims that Tendulkar doesn't contribute at crunch times, will be forgotten.

At the end of the third day Gary Kirsten, a man of few words, said he believed this Indian team was capable of anything. Now, after following their victory over Australia with this triumph, the momentum of the side is starting to feel unstoppable. The batting faltered in the first innings, but they never lost confidence in their own ability, highlighted by Virender Sehwag's bombast, Tendulkar's calm and Yuvraj's flair.

England have been through such a range of emotions that it will probably take them a while to dissect what has gone on. They performed above expectations for much of the game, but on the final day wilted against a great batting line-up. Their bowlers couldn't summon up the same consistency that was successful earlier in the match. They failed to break through in clusters, with Andrew Flintoff's third-over removal of an out-of-form Rahul Dravid and James Anderson's curtailing of Gautam Gambhir's stylish 66 proving false dawns. Each time another Indian batsman would bed in on a pitch that never quite developed into the viper it promised to be.

The stand between Tendulkar and Yuvraj was worthy of such a significant occasion - when they came together the match was still in England's favour after Graeme Swann had VVS Laxman taken at short leg shortly after lunch. Yuvraj struck two early boundaries off Swann and made it clear he was going to play his natural game, rather than prod around as in the first innings. England tried everything to unsettle him, but this time he didn't get sucked into any verbals with Flintoff, instead just turning away and giving the silent treatment. Steve Harmison ended up hurling the ball back at him from his follow-through, but Yuvraj calmly patted it away and bit his tongue.

The presence of Tendulkar was vital. He remained entrenched and massively focused after overcoming a testing start against Flintoff, who was the only pace bowler Kevin Pietersen could rely on for control, and ensured Yuvraj focused on his batting. He manoeuvred the spinners with great skill and Pietersen was always a few deliveries late with his field changes. The England captain will learn with time, but his team's tactics had been strangely negative since lunch yesterday, although Sehwag's innings clearly impacted their mindset on the final day.

The closest England came to breaking the decisive stand was when Yuvraj swept at Swann and all the close fielders went up for a gloved catch. It was only the bowler who believed in the lbw shout, and replays showed it was hitting halfway up middle stump. Swann found turn and bounce, reward for giving the ball a tweak, although he had a tendency to drift too straight rather than making the batsmen drive. However, he can hold his head high after a promising debut.

Monty Panesar, on the other hand, was again hugely disappointing and remained wicketless from 27 overs while conceding nearly four an over. For the second time in three Tests, following South Africa's successful chase at Edgbaston, the pressure of a final-innings situation that should have suited him perfectly instead caused him to seize up. He was cut and pulled far too often and even when he tried to build pressure, by bowling over the wicket to Tendulkar, runs still ticked along.

Once the target was below three figures Yuvraj began to express himself by pulling Panesar for six then attacking the new ball. That had been England's last chance, but the batsmen were so well set that it barely made a difference. The belief was surging through India and Yuvraj even brought out one of his one-day specialities, clearing his front leg to launch Anderson over mid-on. This innings could be the making of him.

He offered a half chance on 55, gloving a short ball from Harmison down the leg side, but Matt Prior couldn't take it tumbling to his right, and a more clear-cut opportunity when Prior missed a leg-side stumping late on. However, by then only 20 more were needed and any chance of an England fightback had long since disappeared. This experience will be tough to take, but extenuating circumstances should allow them a greater degree of pride in their performance. Nothing, though, will take the glory away from India, and after a performance like this nothing should.

Sehwag blitzkrieg leaves Test tantalizingly poised

Chennai: One man – who literally held the key to India successfully chasing down the fourth innings target of 387 set by England – treated a Sunday afternoon crowd at the MA Chidambaram Stadium with a truly special innings.

No team has successfully chased down more than 276 in fourth innings of Tests in India, and that meant the odds were heavily stacked against the hosts. But Virender Sehwag, as is his natural style of batting, came out all guns blazing and took the Chepauk by storm.

He got off the mark by running down the ball to the thirdman fence, and soon added another boundary to his tally when he pounced on a short delivery from James Anderson and hammered it through his favourite area – backward of point.

That second over of the innings, which saw Sehwag scoring nine runs, set the tempo, and from there on, it was all traveling in fifth gear until his eventual dismissal – a good 102 minutes after he came out to bat.

All the English bowlers were treated with the same degree of disdain – Harmison went for 26 runs from 17 balls, Anderson 14 from 8, Panesar went for 21 runs from as many balls, Flintoff 10 from 9 balls and Swann 12 from 13 balls.

The first fifty of the run chase came in 5.3 overs, while the next fifty came in more Test-cricket-like 12.3 overs. Sehwag raced to 50 from 32 balls, narrowly missing out on registering the fastest half-century by an Indian in Test cricket – Kapil Dev had done it in 30 balls against Pakistan.

1st Innings:
ENG 316 (128.4)
R/R: 2.46

2nd Innings:
ENG 311/9 dec (105.5)
R/R: 2.94

1st Innings:
IND 241 (69.4)
R/R: 3.46


2nd Innings:
IND 131/1 (29.0)
R/R: 4.52

India fought back strongly during the afternoon session in Chennai, claiming three early wickets after conceding a lead of 75. Andrew Flintoff and Monty Panesar wrapped up the home side for 241 shortly after lunch, but England's top order found life hard, especially against the spinners, with Yuvraj Singh providing a huge bonus for India by removing Kevin Pietersen with his first ball.

Trailing by 161 overnight, India made strong inroads into the deficit as Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh added 75 before the last four wickets fell for 29. However, the equation was evened up when England slipped to 43 for 3 although the advantage of bowling last gives them a little extra breathing space.

Andrew Strauss, who again looked at ease in the middle, and Alastair Cook made comfortable progress during the opening overs. Ishant Sharma struggled with his front foot, sending down seven no-balls in his first spell, but made the first breakthrough when Cook fished at one outside off stump.

As in the first innings spin was introduced in the ninth over and again it was Amit Mishra ahead of Harbhajan, who even had to wait his turn behind Yuvraj. Mishra tossed the ball up, imparting nice side-spin and produced one that bounced more from a length to take Ian Bell's glove to short leg.

Then came the latest Dhoni masterstroke. As soon as Pietersen walked in Yuvraj was brought into the attack. All of England's batsmen have struggled with Yuvraj, both in the one-dayers and this Test, but as much for his sliders as his spin. His first delivery angled in with the arm, trapping Pietersen in front and the England captain knew his fate before the finger went up.

It could have been better for India too, because Dhoni put down a thick edge off Strauss when he had 15. Strauss continued his first-innings form, moving to a compact 30 by tea and Paul Collingwood had enabled some calm to return to the innings.

England's precious lead of 75 grew in importance with each setback although there was a feeling they missed a chance to nail India. They found it hard to replicate the intensity of the second evening when play resumed, with Steve Harmison suffering stiffness behind his knee, although a scan cleared him of serious problems, and Flintoff having been sick overnight.

Flintoff opened the bowling with Panesar, but wasn't as fearsome as he was on the second evening when he rattled Yuvraj, although still had the heart and character to deliver for his captain. He also needed to leave the field to have his ankle re-strapped.

Dhoni played a very mature innings and the more flamboyant shots came from Harbhajan, who has an individual style to his batting. He isn't afraid to use his feet against the fast bowlers and doesn't have much respect for opposition spinners. When Panesar went over the wicket, Harbhajan brought out the reverse sweep which brought a rather bemused smile from the bowler. He was equally confident against the quicks, slashing Harmison over the slips and through the covers during a loose spell.

The closest England came to a breakthrough during the first hour was when an inside edge from Dhoni shot low past Bell at short leg and it was a surprise that Graeme Swann was kept waiting for his chance. However, the first wicket went to Panesar as Bell held on to a more routine offering from Harbhajan to break the stand. It was a confidence-boosting strike for Panesar, who had again seemed at odds with his game.

Pietersen sensed the opening and almost immediately returned to Flintoff. Once again he was rewarded with a first-over breakthrough as Zaheer was trapped on the back foot by one that shaped in. Dhoni largely played within himself and brought up a half-century off 77 balls despite the pain of a twisted ankle which he picked up while running a three. However, with the final two tailenders in, he felt it was down to him to reduce the deficit and attacked Panesar, only to find Pietersen stationed two-thirds of the way back at mid-off. Panesar's trademark smile was returning and his spirit will be vital when England defend their fourth-innings target.

Mishra and Sharma whittled England's advantage down by a further 22 before Flintoff wrapped up the innings with the fourth ball after lunch. Two hours later and an already fascinating contest was turning into a cracker.

India ahead despite Strauss century

This Test looked like it might never go ahead, and some still argue it's too soon to be playing cricket, but in the end the opening day produced a fascinating start to the short series. Despite a fine century from Andrew Strauss, a brace of wickets apiece for Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan reduced England to 229 for 5 at the close although the surface is threatening to break up later in the game.
Against the odds England controlled the first two sessions and were 164 for 1 at tea after an opening stand of 118. However, India hit back strongly, led by another outstanding display of reverse swing from Zaheer. He removed Ian Bell with the second ball after tea and bounced-out a scratchy and skittish Kevin Pietersen. Andrew Flintoff did well to survive his early trial by spin and swing, and faces a huge role on the second day with nightwatchman James Anderson for company.

Strauss's effort was a remarkable show of concentration. Barring three short innings during the Stanford week, this was his first knock since the end of the English season. He brought up his 13th Test century off 191 balls, but his dismissal late in the day, offering a low return catch to Amit Mishra, put India firmly ahead on points. The four sessions splits confirm how India fought back: 63 without loss, 101 for 1 and 65 for 4.

Zaheer's first ball after tea slanted across Bell, then the second arched back in and was heading for middle when he was trapped in front. Dhoni hadn't used Zaheer between lunch and tea, but when called upon played a vital part. Pietersen has had more to deal with in recent days than most, so it was unsurprising that he struggled at the crease. He was tested by Zaheer's swing but also Yuvraj Singh's left-arm sliders. Yuvraj caused as many moments of discomfort as Harbhajan, who was introduced in the ninth over, or Mishra and had a very close lbw shout turned down against Pietersen. Zaheer, though, claimed a deserved second wicket as Pietersen top-edged a pull which the bowler claimed in his follow-through.

Paul Collingwood retained his place in the side ahead of the in-form Owais Shah, and when your spot is being debated it doesn't help to get a rough decision. Billy Bowden thought he'd got a glove to short-leg off Harbhajan, but he missed it by at least six inches. A lot of the players have spoken about how events in Mumbai have given them a greater perspective, but once the contest is resumed in the middle, instincts take over and the disappointment was easy to detect.
England Ist innings Runs Balls Fours Sixes SR FoW
Andrew Strauss c and b Mishra 123 233 15 0 52.79 5-221 ( 83.3 ov. )
Alastair Cook c Zaheer b Harbhajan 52 116 5 0 44.83 1-118 ( 39.6 ov. )
Ian Bell lbw b Zaheer 17 51 1 0 33.33 2-164 ( 57.2 ov. )
Kevin Pietersen (c) c and b Zaheer 4 33 0 0 12.12 3-180 ( 65.4 ov. )
Paul Collingwood c Gambhir b Harbhajan 9 26 1 0 34.62 4-195 ( 72.2 ov. )
Andrew Flintoff not out 18 64 2 0 28.13
James Anderson not out 2 17 0 0 11.76
Matt Prior (wk)
Graeme Swann
Steve Harmison
Monty Panesar
Extras: ( 0 wd, 4 lb, 0 b, 0 nb, 0 p) Total: 229 / 5 in 90.0 overs (Run Rate: 2.54)
Bowler Overs Maidens Runs Wickets NoBall Wide Eco
Zaheer Khan 17.0 7 36 2 0 0 2.12
Ishant Sharma 15.0 2 29 0 0 0 1.93
Harbhajan Singh 26.0 2 67 2 0 0 2.58
Amit Mishra 20.0 4 63 1 0 0 3.15
Yuvraj Singh 11.0 2 22 0 0 0 2.00
Virender Sehwag 1.0 0 8 0 0 0 8.00

"We need to start from scratch" - Dhoni

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India's captain, has said his team has only been focusing on maintaining the intensity from a successful last couple of months. Dhoni conceded England had a better fast-bowling attack, but countered by saying that India's batting juggernaut and the 5-0 ODI success put the home side in a good position.

"It does not matter which opposition we are playing. You have to be aggressive in international cricket, it has to be controlled," he said in Chennai. "The focus should be on execution of plans, and if we can execute them on the field to our potential we have a good chance of doing well. We have got the plans, and the preparation and execution have been good. We need to focus on that. We need to start from scratch and do the good things that we have done in the one-day series."

While most of India's players went home to visit family or played in domestic cricket, England return for the Tests short of practice. Rain hampered their preparations in Abu Dhabi and the only warm-up game was cancelled for security issues. "They got time off in between and they must have planned a few things," said Dhoni. "They are a better bowling side, and at the same time our batsmen are in good nick and we have been doing the basics right."

Yuvraj Singh has been given one more chance to resurrect his stop-start Test career. He muscled his way back into contention with two successive one-day hundreds against England but Dhoni cautioned him against filling Sourav Ganguly's place at No. 6. "The biggest fault will be if he tries to fill the shoes of Ganguly. He should be himself," said Dhoni. "He is a very different individual. His game plan is different and he plays in a different way. We don't want him to fill in the shoes of someone.

"He is in good nick and he just needs to continue with that. He can be a part-time bowler as well. The SG ball does a bit and if he can put it in the right areas he can have an impact on the game."

The one glaring blot in India's batting line-up is Rahul Dravid, who has only two half-centuries in his previous 17 innings. But like Kris Srikkanth, India's chairman of selectors, Dhoni felt Dravid was "just one innings away from regaining form". "He has been shaping up really well in the net sessions," he said. "We know the amount of talent he has got, and he is also one the most committed cricketers around. He will definitely get scores in the series."

India were undecided on their XI. Dhoni felt the spinners would get assistance from the Chennai pitch. He said it was an opportunity for the youngsters to gain experience, and that those who read the game well would "come out as winners".

While a couple of England players have spoken about a "duty to the game", Dhoni said such talk did not affect India, who just had to concentrate on cricket. "It is up to them to come [back to India]. We have an important series to play. The best thing that I could give to India in this juncture is a good game of cricket. That is what we are here to do as professional cricketers."

New Zealand batting key to entering seventh heaven

December 10, 2008

The problems at the top of the New Zealand order will need to correct themselves if the hosts are to overcome West Indies in the two-Test series starting in Dunedin on Thursday. New Zealand have dominated recent encounters with the visitors, but this time the batting concerns will make it a difficult record to maintain, especially when their opponents carry Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

Nowhere is the problem bigger than with the openers and yet another partnership will be on show in Dunedin. Jamie How and Tim McIntosh will form the 17th combination for their country in the past 36 Tests, ending the seven-match pairing of How and Aaron Redmond, who was dropped despite making 83 against Australia in Adelaide.

It was a surprising decision and considering the difficulties with the openers, he could have been persevered with for longer. The main reason the selectors favoured Auckland's McIntosh, a left-hander, was his early season first-class form, which included 349 runs at 69.80 with two centuries.

Another change made by the new coach Andy Moles, who takes over from John Bracewell, is the movement up to No. 3 of Daniel Flynn. Flynn, who pushes Jesse Ryder to five, is seen as a player better suited to negotiating the new ball. Moles hopes Ryder's free-flowing nature will be better suited to the middle order, which could be strengthened by the expected return from injury of Jacob Oram. However, Oram sent a scare through the camp by picking up a calf problem on the eve of the game.

New Zealand's highest score in four innings in Australia was 270, but the new squad carries much more depth. Oram, who had recovered from back and finger problems before the latest setback, is due to bat at six while James Franklin, who is now a fully-fledged allrounder, could be as low as No. 9, despite hitting consecutive centuries, including a double, in his past two first-class matches for Wellington.

Both teams will be desperate for a series win. The loser will take eighth spot in the rankings, one place ahead of the cellar-dwellers Bangladesh, while the winner will be in seventh. Five years ago New Zealand were third and threatening to go into second.

While a win would move the hosts up, it is also important for the game in the country. When West Indies toured in 1980 there was huge excitement and expectation, despite that team being one of the best in history. This time their arrival has gone largely under the radar and a big reason for that is the lack of recent success by the New Zealanders. West Indies' rise to seventh is more to do with the poor form of the hosts than a sudden reversal of fortunes in the Caribbean.

The last time the sides met in a Test series was in New Zealand almost three years ago, when Stephen Fleming's team won convincingly. Only four of that outfit remains, leaving a very inexperienced squad. New Zealand's top five batsmen have amassed 39 Tests between them; Chanderpaul has played 112 and Gayle 73.

West Indies have not had a Test engagement since July when they lost 2-0 to Australia at home. That may work against them in Dunedin, where the conditions have been damp, but at least they have world-class batsmen in their top order.

Mark Gillespie has come into the side for Chris Martin, who was a surprise omission, and the change further depletes the experience of the home line-up

Gayle's explosive play will suit the tiny ground, where the boundaries are among the shortest in the world. Chanderpaul showed his class against Australia, scoring 442 runs at 147.33, while Sarwan warmed up for the series with 158 in the draw against Auckland.

One group hoping to benefit from the moist conditions is the bowlers. Mark Gillespie has come into the side for Chris Martin, who was a surprise omission, and the change further depletes the experience of the home line-up. The new spearhead has played only two Tests - Martin has a reasonable record after 45 - but the New Zealanders may still hold a slight advantage with the ball.

Gillespie can operate over 140kph while Iain O'Brien has been in form recently and Franklin offers left-arm variation. The captain Daniel Vettori might also be dangerous on a pitch that has offered little assistance to pace recently.

In contrast, West Indies have nothing like the venom their attacks had in the 1980s. In the warm-up match Auckland made 587 for 7 declared. Fidel Edwards, who is on 95 Test wickets, can bowl fast, but after a promising start to his career is yet to make a big mark in the international game. Daren Powell and Jerome Taylor are likely to be Edwards' support partners on an unpredictable surface.

The pitch in Dunedin was under intense scrutiny last year, when it was so dry in a first-class match that a huge crater the size of a foot was created. That led to an inquiry by New Zealand Cricket, but the strip was cleared for use for the first Test against Bangladesh. Since then it has offered little help to the quick bowlers, but heavy rain over the past few days could change that.

Another of the major talking points is the size of the boundaries. Vettori has already been critical of distance, which ranges from 52 to 62 metres. However, Gayle and Ryder will be particularly excited by them at the start of such a crucial contest.

New Zealand (from) Jamie How, Tim McIntosh, Daniel Flynn, Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum (wk), Daniel Vettori (capt), James Franklin, Mark Gillespie, Iain O'Brien, Jeetan Patel.

West Indies (from) Chris Gayle (capt), Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lionel Baker, Carlton Baugh, Sulieman Benn, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Fidel Edwards, Leon Johnson, Xavier Marshall, Brendan Nash, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Kemar Roach, Jerome Taylor.

Moores doubtful over Flintoff and Harmison

December 6, 2008

With less than 24 hours before the fate of England's tour of India is decided, Peter Moores has admitted that both Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison remain concerned about returning to the subcontinent for the two-Test series which begins on Thursday.

England flew back from India after the Mumbai terrorists struck several high-profile establishments. Ever since, the tour's future has been in doubt. But in flying to the halfway-house of Abu Dhabi on Friday, and with their security consultant Reg Dickason assessing the venues in Chennai and Mohali, it is still hoped that the series will go ahead. A final decision will be made once Hugh Morris, managing director of England Cricket, and Sean Morris, chief executive of the Professional Cricketers' Association, return to the players' camp in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

England have been cautiously optimistic about returning to India ever since the attacks, but remain insistent that they will only make their decision on the security advice they are given. Yet with only five days to go until the first Test, Moores admitted that certain players were "in different places" - in other words, uncertain or undecided - and those included Flintoff and Harmison, two of his key weapons. "I'm fairly confident everybody will go if the security report is okay," Moores told PA at a press conference this afternoon. "But it is a difficult situation and everybody sees things differently. Individuals have different views. The worry is that if somebody makes their choice one way or the other they get marginalised for it.

"Players are in different places. There are players I've spoken to more than others. Some make a decision quite quickly. For others it takes a bit longer. Fred has had issues and it's fair to say Steve Harmison has as well. The important message from me is that we respect people and allow them to have their views. That's okay - they are human beings," Moores said. "What I do know about those two guys is that they are massively proud to play for their country and both have missed out on Test match cricket and are both desperate to play again."

Worryingly for England, with only five days to go until the Chennai Test, their practice session today was hampered by rain in a city more used to sandstorms than showers. Should Flintoff, Harmison or any other player make himself unavailable, England will dip into the Performance Programme squad whose numbers swell the party to 38 (24 players).

Flintoff, inevitably, remains England's key player but Moores refuses to place any pressure on him or other players whose minds are not yet made up. "The more you get to know Freddie you understand that he is a highly articulate man, he's been round the block and knows international sport and knows what he wants. That's his strength as a person," Moores said. "In this instance, he quite rightly wants to take all the information in and make his call. If he thinks it's right he will go and represent his country.

"If he thinks he can't, that will be a tough decision for him, and it will be his decision. You have to want to go. If you force people to go that can have an equally damaging effect. They have to go for the right reasons. I want us to go proud as an England team and put on an entertaining spectacle for the whole of cricket - English fans, Indian fans - and put security to the back of the mind and get on with the game."