India won Durban Test to set up series decider

Dale Steyn hit the first two boundaries of the day before he edged Khan to gully after making 10.

Ashwell Prince made 39 not out and there was a gusty innings of 20 by Morne Morkel, before South Africa's resistance was ended when last man Lonwaba Tsotsobe was run out by a sharp return from short leg fielder Cheteshwar Pujara. It was Sreesanth's third wicket of the innings and came during a fine spell of one for seven in five overs from the start of play.

South Africa's hopes were well snuffed out by two debatable leg before wicket decisions in the space of three overs.

De Villiers, who had looked solid in making 33, was struck on the pad when he pushed forward to off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.

He appeared dismayed when he was given out by umpire Asad Rauf and replays suggested the ball would have gone over the top of the stumps by several centimetres. But India's bowlers shot out South Africa for 131 to take control of the match and an innings of 96 by man of the match VVS Laxman meant that South Africa had to score by far the highest total of the match to snatch victory.

The win ensures that India will retain their No. 1 ranking in Test cricket, irrespective of the result in the 3rd and final Test.

Second-placed South Africa wanted to win the series 3-0 to displace the tourists at the top of the rankings.

Shanthakumaran Sreesanth struck the first, crucial blow of the day when he produced a vicious bouncer that star batsman Kallis could only fend off his glove to Virender Sehwag at gully.

Kallis was out for 17 after he and De Villiers had added 12 runs in half an hour to the overnight total of 111 for three. India completed an 87-run win on the fourth day of the second Test against South Africa at Kingsmead on Wednesday to set up a series decider in the final match in Cape Town.

Set a target of 303, South Africa were bowled out for 215.

The match finished an hour after lunch but South Africa's hopes were effectively ended when overnight batsmen Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers were dismissed in the first hour of the day.

It was a remarkable fightback by India, who lost the first Test in Centurion by an innings and 25 runs and whose chances seemed to have nosedived when they were sent in at Kingsmead and bowled out for 205.

England won by an innings and 157 runs to retain Ashes

England won by an innings and 157 runs in the fourth test on Wednesday to retain the Ashes on Australian soil for the 1st time in 24 years.

The victory, sealed before lunch on the 4th day, gave holders England a 2-1 lead in the Ashes series, which will be completed with the 5th and final test in Sydney next week.

The England players embraced and pumped their fists in the air upon the final wicket as deafening cheers rang out from England's "Barmy Army" of supporters who had sung happily throughout the morning at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Australia had resumed on 169-6, still facing a 246-run shortfall to make England bat again but lost their remaining wickets soon before lunch to be all out for 258.

Chris Tremlett removed Mitchell Johnson for six in the 2nd over of the morning, the Australian Faster pushing half-heartedly at a fuller delivery that took an inside edge before crashing into off-stump.

Peter Siddle defiantly slogged his way to 40 before belting a lofted drive off Graeme Swann straight to Kevin Pietersen at long on.

The injured Ryan Harris did not take his place leaving Ben Hilfenhaus to take the crease. The paceman was out to Tim Bresnan for a fourth-ball duck, caught behind to wicketkeeper Matt Prior to complete the innings.

Brad Haddin enjoyed a blustering partnership with Siddle, striking four boundaries and a six off Graeme Swann, but was left stranded on 55 not out.

South Africa wrap up victory over India

Fast bowlers Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn took a wicket respectively as South Africa completed victory by an innings and 25 runs on the 5th day of the first Test Match against India at SuperSport Park on Monday.

Sachin Tendulkar was left stranded on 111 not out as India were bowled out for 459, losing their last two wickets for five runs in 26 minutes and 35 balls.

Morkel had Sreesanth caught at 3rd slip before Steyn had last man Jaidev Unadkat caught at gully to give South Africa a 1-0 lead in the three-match Test series against the team ranked number one in Test cricket.

South Africa were always in control after winning the toss and sending India in to bat after rain delayed the start on the first day.

Morkel and Steyn had ripped through India's batting on a lively pitch, dismissing the visitors for 136 in their 1st innings. Taking full advantage of improved batting conditions, South Africa piled up 620 for four declared, with Jacques Kallis hitting a maiden Test double century and AB de Villiers racing to South Africa's fastest Test century.

Faced with a first innings defict of 484, India put up a much-improved performance in the 2nd innings to give them heart going into the remaining two matches of the series, in Durban and Cape Town.

Openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag both made half-centuries before Tendulkar and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni put on 172 for the 7th wicket to ensure that the match would extend into a 5th day.

Tendulkar went on to record his 50th test century.

India resumed at 454 for eight, still trailing by 30 runs.

Morkel struck with the 21st ball of the day when Sreesanth edged a lifting delivery to de Villiers at third slip.

Unadkat could only find a lifting ball from Steyn to gully where Ashwell Prince completed a simple catch.

The second Test starts in Durban on Sunday.

Zaheer Khan's fitness remains a concern

The head of the Indian bowling attack, Zaheer Khan picked to not go through a full practice session with the Indian squad, raising concerns about his injury. Zaheer Khan only went through fitness drills with Paul Chapman, the team physio while the rest of the Indian team were going through their first full practice session in South Africa.

Reportedly, the move was to make sure that Zaheer does not aggravate the injury as scans failed to pin point what the problem was.

A team source said "As of now he is not fit, there are still 3 days to go to the Test, so we didn't want to take any risks." The Indian team was seen at the Supersport Park in Centurion, but Zaheer was going through light fitness drills with Chapman and was frequently holding on to the groin area.

The injury could be results of Zaheer suffering niggle in the 4th ODI against New Zealand at Bangalore. Zaheer was seen holding on to the groin area after bowling the 49th over.

Zaheer had missed the 3rd Test and the first two ODIs against New Zealand with a groin injury. He also didn't play in the 5th ODI in Chennai.

Zaheer has missed out on quite a lot of cricket this year due to injuries. He missed the tour of Sri Lanka with a shoulder injury. He played some T20 cricket in the Champions League Twenty20 following that up with a good performance in the Test series against the Aussies, but got injured again.

India have Umesh Yadav and Jaydev Unadkat to choose from in case Zaheer is ruled out with injury.

Warne never in the mix for Perth Test: Chappell

Former Australian skipper and current national team selector Greg Chappell has sought to put the lid on Shane Warne's comeback rumors by stating the famous leg-spinner was never in conflict for the Perth Test starting on December 16.

There have been strong calls for Warne's comeback since Australia was whipping by an innings and 71 at Adelaide to go 0-1 down in the five-Test Ashes series against England. In fact, a group of businessmen have offered Warne $ 1 million to come out of retirement and save Australia in the remainder of the series.

Chappell said he was smiling by the sudden hype surrounding Warne, especially considering, the latter has only played Twenty20 cricket since his retirement four years back. "Warne's been a great bowler but he's 41 years of age, or near enough to 41," Chappell was quoted by the Telegraph as telling his brother Ian in an interview for the Sunday Herald.

Australia has tried out nine spinners since Warne's retirement, and the latest incumbent in that role, Xavier Doherty has been axed from the Ashes squad after a disappointing performance in Adelaide. Australian selectors have now turned to rookie Michael Beer to fill in the spinner's position for the Perth Test.

Chappell also said he wasn't sure if Warne's comeback was the way to take Australian cricket forward. "I'm sure he could still land a few but I don't know that that's going to take Australian cricket forward. We haven't really given a lot of thought about it other than that," Chappell added.

No thought of quitting despite Ashes pains: Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting may be just one Test defeat away from becoming the 1st Australian skipper in 120 years to lose three Ashes series but he is not entertaining any retirement thoughts.

Ricky Ponting, who turns 36 on December 19, has not been at the top of his form with the bat while his team trail England 1-0 in the five-match series with 3 Tests remaining.

"My absolute focus is on all the things within my control, preparing the team and myself to perform at our very best in Perth, Melbourne and then Sydney over the next three tests," Ponting wrote in the Australian newspaper on Saturday.

"I have not stopped for one moment to consider retirement. The question of my future as skipper is ultimately a decision for Cricket Australia and categorically the future of Australian cricket must come first."

"I have every confidence in my ability to score runs and be the experienced batsman and leader that my teammates can rely on."

"As captain, I am accountable for the performance of my team and I accept that our most recent results mean that I am being assessed more seriously than at other times in my career as skipper."

"The team is my priority, not my own ego or the status that comes with being the captain of the Australian cricket team."

Ponting accepted England had dominated the series so far.

"We've been ordinary, we've played poorly. I haven't played the way I would like to have played, especially in Adelaide, but I don't think I'm that far away."

"I've got to keep trusting the way I prepare and play and keep working hard. If anything I might have worked a bit too hard on my batting over the last couple of weeks."

England crush Australia by an innings and 71 runs

Australia suffered a massive blow with the loss of key batsman Michael Clarke in the final over Monday to leave them facing an uphill battle to salvage the second Ashes Test against England.

Clarke looked set to go to stumps leading a fighting rearguard action at the Adelaide Oval only to fall to a catch close to the wicket off part-time spinner Kevin Pietersen, with only four balls left of the fourth day.

Clarke had appeared to have recaptured his best form after cheap dismissals in Brisbane and the Adelaide first innings before he was out for 80.

At stumps Australia, chasing 375 runs to make England bat again, were 238 for four with Mike Hussey the not out batsman on 44.

Clarke was initially given not out and refused to walk off until England called for a referral and replays showed that the ball had come off his bat to Alastair Cook fielding close in.

"Just want to apologise for not walking off the ground tonight when I hit the ball. I was just so disappointed, my emotions got best of me," Clarke said via Twitter after play.

England spinner Graeme Swann, who looms as his team's major weapon on Tuesday's final day, said it was a significant wicket for the tourists.

"It's a massive bonus for us. It was tough going for us in the last session, their two best players against spin at crease, both playing well," he said.

"Sometimes you need a bit of inspiration and who else but Pietersen to come on and give you it."

Hussey said it was a "kick in the guts" to lose Clarke. England amassed their fifth highest innings in Ashes Tests and their second best in Australia, only surpassed by a 636 scored in Sydney in 1928.

Captain Strauss finally called a halt to the run onslaught at 620 for five with Ian Bell unbeaten on 68 and wicketkeeper Matt Prior not out 27.

The tourists lost only the wicket of Pietersen for his Test best score of 227 in the 40 minutes of free scoring, in which they added 69 off nine overs.

Pietersen smashed beleaguered spinner Xavier Doherty's first ball of the day through midwicket for four but went for a lusty swing at the next ball which turned sharply out of the rough to Katich at slip.

Pietersen amassed his haul off 308 balls with 34 fours and a six and he shared in a 116-run partnership with Bell in 125 minutes.

His previous best Test score was 226 against the West Indies in May 2007.

On Sunday Pietersen became only the fifth Englishman to score a double century in Australia with his first century in 28 Test innings since his 102 against the West Indies at Port-of-Spain in March last year.

Dominant England have amassed 1,137 runs runs for six wickets in their last two innings in this series.

England paceman Stuart Broad strained stomach muscles during his second bowling spell but returned to the field after the rain break. "We?re going to have to keep fighting hard and I thought we fought pretty hard today. It was a bit of a kick in the guts to lose that one in the last over."

Clarke, the Australian vice-captain, went to the crease under pressure following scores of nine and two and his team needing him to produce a long match-saving innings against dominant England, who are chasing their first win in Adelaide since 1995.

Rain might yet assist Australia's rearguard after a storm suspended play for an hour after tea and with more bad weather forecast for Tuesday's final day.

Top-rated spinner Swann proved the major threat with his sharp turn out of the footmarks and he captured the key wickets of Simon Katich and Ricky Ponting.

Katich's painful resistance ended in the 30th over, when he pushed forward to Swann and got a touch for wicketkeeper Matt Prior.

The stoic left-hander battled a painful Achilles injury and hobbled for his 43 off 85 balls to help build an opening stand of 84.

Katich later went to hospital to have scans of his injury with the results expected on Tuesday.

Swann got Ponting's prized wicket when the Aussie skipper came forward and edged to slip, where Paul Collingwood snapped up a great low two-handed catch.

It was a huge setback for the Australians, with Ponting lasting only 21 minutes for his nine when occupation was more important than runs.

Opener Shane Watson again failed to go on after a good start when he nicked Steven Finn to Andrew Strauss at first slip for 57.

Doherty will best Pietersen: Ricky Ponting

Australia skipper Ricky Ponting on Monday backed uncapped Xavier Doherty to best England batsman Kevin Pietersen during the Ashes series 2010/11, saying the spinner was ready for the tourists' top order.

Xavier Doherty was included in Australia's Ashes team over Nathan Hauritz - a decision retired spin legend Shane Warne slammed on micro blogging site Twitter as "very very harsh on Hauritz" who he said "deserved first break at poms".

But Ricky Ponting said left-arm orthodox spinner Doherty, 28, had been impressive in recent Sheffield Shield domestic matches for Tasmania while Nathan Hauritz had "lost his action".

"Seeing him up close and personal for those couple of games probably gave me a bit more of an idea of how good he was because I haven't played much with him in the last few years," Ponting said.

"He's a good solid character as well and I think he'll handle the situation pretty well and I think we saw that in his 1st ODI Cricket Match at the MCG."

Doherty took four wickets on his ODI debut against Sri Lanka at the MCG on November 3.

"I think he'll be ready for what the English batters try and do," Ponting said.

Pietersen has a patchy record against left-arm orthodox bowlers and was dismissed by Australia A spinner Steve O'Keefe, also a left-arm orthodox, during a tour match in Hobart last week.

Zaheer Khan ruled out of 3rd Test

India were dealt a big blow ahead of the 3rd cricket Test against New Zealand with pace head Zaheer Khan being ruled out of the final rubber because of a groin injury.

Young left-handed pacer Jaydev Unadkat has been drafted in the team in place of him.

Zaheer suffered a groin injury during the 2nd cricket Test, which ended in a domestic draw at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium.

"Zaheer Khan is injured and is unavailable for the 3rd Test against New Zealand, to be played at Nagpur from 20th November to 24th November," BCCI secretary N Srinivasan said in a release.

"The All India Selection Committee has chosen Jayadev Unadkat to replace Zaheer Khan in the squad," it said.

Zaheer was off the field for a good part of the 4th day. The left-handed pacer bowled just 3 overs during the 5th day.

McCullum 225 secures draw for New Zealand

India made 68/0 at close after the visitors declared their 2nd innings at 448/8 at tea, setting the hosts an improbable target of 327 runs to win in 30 overs.

Virender Sehwag returned to hit an unbeaten run-a-ball 54, studded with six boundaries and a six, to bring up his 2nd half-century of the match. Fellow opener Gautam Gambhir stayed not out on 14.

Brendon McCullum (225) frustrated the Indian spinners with his quick footwork and clever reverse sweeps. He was dropped on 148 by substitute fielder Cheteshwar Pujara at short leg off Harbhajan Singh's bowling.

The stylish right-hander reached the coveted double hundred mark with a paddle scoop to the fine leg boundary off part-time spinner Suresh Raina.

"It was quite important for us to bat some time and score some runs, else we were in danger of losing the Test," man of the match McCullum told Neo Cricket channel.

Resuming on 237 for four, McCullum and Kane Williamson (69) added 124 runs for the 5th wicket before the latter was out, adjudged leg before to Harbhajan.

McCullum perished trying to hit paceman Shanthakumaran Sreesanth (3-121) for the third consecutive boundary, skying a slower ball for Raina to take a well-judged catch.

The three-match Test series is tied at 0-0 after the first two tests.

Chris Gayle puts West Indies on top with triple-century

Chris Gayle became the first West Indies batsman to hit a triple-century in an away Test, putting Sri Lanka under pressure in the opening Test on Tuesday.

The former skipper made a career-best 333 as the West Indies posted a massive 580/9 declared in their 1st innings on the second day at the Galle International Stadium.

Sri Lanka are 54/1 in reply at stumps, with debutant West Indies Fast Bowler Andre Russell dismissing Tillakaratne Dilshan with his 2nd delivery in Test cricket.

Skipper Kumar Sangakkara (33) and Tharanga Paranavitana (10) were the not-out batsmen at the close.

Gayle, 31, also became only the fourth batsman to score two triple-centuries in Tests after Australian Don Bradman, India's Virender Sehwag and West Indies' Brian Lara.

Harbhajan Singh slams maiden century, match ends in draw

India found an unlikely batting hero in Harbhajan Singh, who produced a match-saving maiden Test century to turn his team to safety along with VVS Laxman as the first Test against New Zealand ended in a draw on Monday.

Harbhajan (115) notched up his only first class century and combined with experienced person, VVS Laxman (91) as the duo spoiled New Zealand's push for victory with a solid 163-run partnership for the 7th wicket.

Resuming their 2nd innings at a precarious 82/6, Laxman and Harbhajan saved India the blushes by batting carefully before the innings folded up for 266 shortly after the tea break for an overall lead of 294.

The Kiwis were 22 for one in their second innings before both captains decided to call off play.

It was Harbhajan who stole the spotlight on the final day's play and had it not been for his valiant batting effort, the story could have been quite different for the home team.

Harbhajan, who made his highest score of 69 in the 1st innings, achieved his dream of scoring a century in Test cricket. His 115 came off 193 balls and contained 13 boundaries and three sixes.

Harbhajan reached his maiden ton in style with a six off Vettori and held his bat in the air to return the applause of his teammates in the dressing room.

The stylish Laxman, who has bailed India out of many a crisis, was a picture of poise and concentration as he held the innings together and kept guiding Harbhajan.

Laxman was wrongly given out leg before wicket to rival team captain Daniel Vettori by umpire Steve Davis as TV replays showed the ball had deflected on to the pad off the inside edge of the bat.

Laxman and Harbhajan took India from a difficult 65 for six last evening at the fall of captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's wicket and were not separated till close to the tea interval when Vettori won the verdict against the former. The partnership was together for 10 minutes under four hours and faced 328 balls.


Man of the Match: Harbhajan Singh

Steve Waugh warned to out-of-form Australia

Former Test skipper Steve Waugh Friday warned Australia's under-performing senior players they might not count on experience alone to keep their places in the Ashes team to play England next month.

Ricky Ponting's Australians are emotions the heat after a 2-0 series defeat in India this month left them languishing at 5th on the ICC world rankings, below 4th-listed England and on their worst losing streak for more than 20 years.

Waugh, who led Australia to 41 Test victories - including eight out of nine Ashes Tests -- said inexperience should not rule out players when the team is selected for the November 25 1st Test at Brisbane's Gabba ground.

"I don't see why not," the hard-bitten warrior of 168 Test matches told reporters. "Just because it's an Ashes series it doesn't make it any different from any other series.

"You've got to put your best 11 players on the park irrespective of age or experience."

"I'm never a big believer of picking players by age, it's more the passion, your form and whether you're the right person for the job," he said.

Australia's bowlers failed to take all 20 wickets in either Test against India but Waugh said he had no concerns about the pace bowling depth as the team returns to home pitches.

Waugh said under- pressure captain Ponting may be able to turn the censure he has received to his advantage this summer as he bids to reclaim the Ashes urn lost last year in England.

"With criticism, you've just got to look at it and see whether you can get something constructive from those comments," he said.

"If you can learn by it that's a positive, if you think it was unjustified then move on.

"You can't please everyone as captain. It's about having the respect of the team.

"That's your number one priority, if he's got that then I don't think he should worry too much."

Waugh believes Australia will win a tightly-contested Ashes series 3-2 due to superior knowledge of the home conditions.

Pietersen can recover his form if he clears his mind: Tendulkar

England batsman Kevin Pietersen can recover his form if he "clears his mind" before the Ashes series against an Australian side who is no longer the team to beat in Test cricket, feels India's batting genius Sachin Tendulkar.

"If Kevin Pietersen is thinking right it will replicate in his game and the runs will come. All I would say to him is just be relaxed, be calm and watch the ball as closely as possible because that is what a batsman is meant to do," Tendulkar told the “Evening Standard”.

Tendulkar spoke after receiving the "People's Choice Award and the Outstanding Achievement in Sport Award," at the Asian Awards at Grosvenor House last night.

"If Kevin clears his mind and perceives that Australia is no longer the team to beat, he will regain his form. The thought process has to be free flowing and that's when you react and your body movement is not stiff and tight. If he can clear his mind I am sure his game will improve."

The iconic batsman gave Australia a hot time a fortnight ago with his mammoth first-innings score of 214, helping India to a comfortable win over the visitors in Bangalore.

In stark contrast to Tendulkar's dominance, Pietersen has been struggling, with the last of his 16 Test centuries coming way back in March 2009.

I missed being a part of the test squad: Gambhir

Indian opening batsman Gautam Gambhir has said that he is happy with his fitness and cannot wait to start batting again. Gambhir's show has been hampered by knee problems, which also saw him sit out Tests against Sri Lanka and Australia. The left-hander has been named in India's Test team against New Zealand and he will be eager to prove his critics wrong and get back to rhythm.

"It's important to get back into the rhythm," Gambhir told the Indian Express in an interview. "I have increased my batting time at the nets and am happy with my fitness."

"I watched every bit of the Visakhapatnam game and I missed being part of the team. To be frank, missing out on a game after being dropped feels bad but to sit out with injury and watch other people play feels even worse."

Gambhir admitted that it will be a challenge for him to get into groove after a long break. "When you go out to bat in a match after a long break, you just try to test if you still have the old touch. When you come back from a break, you need time to get used to things around you. If you look, I haven't played much in the last three months. It's a challenge that I am now looking forward to meet."

He added that he was focused on the World Cup and wants to use the upcoming series against the New Zealand and the Proteas to provide him with the impetus to play at the peak in the WC. "It is not just about playing the World Cup but it's about being in good form and being absolutely fit. I plan to build on it from this Kiwis series, then to South Africa series and so on."

Gambhir, VVS and Ishant return for test series against Kiwis

India are back to their full power side as the three injured players - Gautam Gambhir, VVS Laxman and Ishant Sharma, returned to the side for the three match test series against New Zealand. The above mentioned players had missed the 2nd test match against Australia at Bengaluru with injuries.

Ishant and Gambhir were stressed with knee problems and VVS had to bat with a runner, due to a bad back in that marathon chase at Mohali. Due to the injuries continued during the opening test at Mohali.

Gambhir would be under pressure to perform against the New Zealand. An in-form Murali Vijay, is breathing down Gambhir's neck.

Though Cheteshwar Pujara played an outstandingly well on his debut, retains his place, making a crucial 72 in a match winning chase, he will have to sit out of the playing eleven as Laxman would take his place. Suresh Raina would maintain to bat at No. 6, while an under pressure Dravid will get a chance at 3 to make some crucial runs before the arduous away tour of South Africa.

Yuvraj Singh, was again left dissatisfied when the selectors preferred Pujara as the standby batsman in case someone suffers an injury. Yuvraj Singh, has not played a test match since the 1st test against Sri Lanka at Galle where he scored 52 and 5.

Indian Test Squad: MS Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag (vice-capt), Gautam Gambhir, M Vijay, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Suresh Raina, VVS Laxman, Cheteshwar Pujara, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Sreesanth, Pragyan Ojha, Amit Mishra.

New Zealand in India 2010, Schedule

3 Match Test Series Schedule
Date	Match Details	Time IST	Place
Nov 04 - 08	India v New Zealand, 1st Test Match Draw	09:30	Ahmedabad
Nov 12 - 16	India v New Zealand, 2nd Test	09:30	Hyderabad
Nov 20 - 24	India v New Zealand, 3rd Test	09:30	Nagpur
5 Match ODI Cricket Schedule
Date	Match Details	Time IST	Place
Nov 28 - Sun	India v New Zealand, 1st ODI	08:30	Guwahati
Dec 01 - Wed	India v New Zealand, 2nd ODI	14:30*	Chandigarh
Dec 04 - Sat	India v New Zealand, 3rd ODI	14:30*	Vadodara
Dec 07 - Tue	India v New Zealand, 4th ODI	14:30*	Bengaluru
Dec 10 - Fri	India v New Zealand, 5th ODI	14:30*	Chennai

* - Day-night Match...

Ricky is the right man to lead Aus for the Ashes: Warne

While suggesting that Ricky Ponting is still the best man for the captaincy, Shane Warne has written on his own website that there was no rift between Ricky and himself, and that he never ever told that Ricky's time as Aussie captain is over.

Former Aussie players including Geoff Lawson have been advised Ricky to give up captaincy and focus on his batting which has seen a slump in the last few seasons. The issue has occupied abundance of airtime on sports talk back radio stations over the past week, but Warne doesn't agree with the many callers who think Ponting's reign should end.

"Ricky Ponting, to me, is the right man to lead Australia for the Ashes Test Series," Warne wrote. "It's a great opportunity for him to show his leadership skills. He also looks in super touch with the bat; I am sure he's going to fill his boots this summer.

"This Ashes series is going to be the biggest of his and the Australian team's career. I think Ricky is at his best when he shows his Tassie devil side which is, aggressive with a dash of flair."

Chris Gayle axed, Darren Sammy Named New WI Skipper

The West Indies Cricket Board axed Chris Gayle as the captain of the national side, and replaced him with Darren Sammy, while installing Brendon Fraser as the vice-captain.

The West Indies will tour Sri Lanka for a 3 match Test series in November, and though Gayle has kept his place as part of the team, he is no longer the skipper. The move came after Gayle and Dwayne Bravo refused to sign central contracts with the WICB. Bravo was before the vice-captain under Gayle.

Gayle, Bravo and Pollard have all got profitable Twenty20 contracts, and are likely to be in high demand in the IPL Twenty20 auctions too, which has led to their refusing the WICB central contracts, which stipulated availability at all times for the West Indies.

Sammy, who is the Windward Islands captain, was not a regular member of the Test starting XI, but he now finds himself in the hot seat. His appointment as skipper and Fraser's as vice-captain will run till the end of the West Indies' home series in 2011. Sammy said he regarded the appointment as a distinction and an honour.

"Being appointed West Indies captain is an honour and distinction which I will treat with the highest regard and dignity," Sammy said. "I believe my captaincy of the Windward Islands, a young team which I have been molding into playing consistently spirited cricket, will stand me in good stead as West Indies captain as we work on building a team for the future.

India sweep the test series 2-0 against Australia

Debutant batsman Cheteshwar Pujara proved an unlikely hero as India thrashed Australia by seven wickets in the 2nd and final Test on Wednesday to sweep the Test series 2-0.

Pujara hit 72 as the hosts, set 207 runs to win on a wearing wicket, cruised home soon after tea on the 5th and final day at Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru.

"University of Cricket” Sachin Tendulkar, who hit a double-century in the 1st innings, remained unbeaten on 53 as India enhanced their reputation as the world's No.1 Test side.

Ricky Ponting's Australia Team, preparing for next month's start of the Ashes series at home against England, slipped to 5th place behind the Indians, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the England.

Match Summary:

Aus 1st Innings 478/10 M. North 128 R. Ponting 77 H. Singh 4/148 P.Ojha 3/120	India 1st innings 495/10 S.Tendulkar 214 M. Vijay 139 M. Johnson 3/105
Aus 2nd innings 223/10 R. Ponting 72 Z. Khan 3/41 P. Ojha 3/57	India 2nd innings 207/3 C. Pujara 72 S. Tendulkar 53*

Man of the match: Sachin Tendulkar

Man of the Series: Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin crosses the 14,000 landmark

In yet another first, India's all time great Sachin Tendulkar became the only person to scale the 14,000 landmark in Test cricket during their 2nd test match against Australia.

Needs 27 runs to reach the landmark, the 37-year-old cut Nathan Hauritz through cover point for a four and accomplished the feat in his 171st Test.

A packed Chinnaswamy Stadium crowd rose and gave the Indian little maestro a standing applause as Australian captain Ricky Ponting came up to congratulate Tendulkar. At 12178, Ponting remains Tendulkar's next-door rival.

Misbah-ul-Haq named Test skipper

Misbah-ul-Haq has been appointed skipper of Pakistan's Test side a day after he was recalled to the squad. Misbah-ul-Haq, who has been in and out of the Pakistan side was axed following the catastrophic tour of Australia in 2009-10, is Pakistan's 4rth Test captain this year. Shahid Afridi has been retained as the captain of the ODI and T20 team.

Former Test Captain Younis Khan however failed to get the nod of the selectors, something that was seen as a surprising choice by the cricketing fraternity in Pakistan.

Taufeeq Umar makes a surprise recall to the squad, after a long gap of 4 years and will be looking to cement his place in the squad.

Zulqarnain Haider, who daunted on his debut in England Test Series, has been included at the cost of Kamran Akmal.

Pakistan Test team: Misbah ul Haq (capt), Imran Farhat, Taufeeq Umar, Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Yousuf, Umar Akmal. Azhar Ali, Saeed Ajmal, Danish Kaneria, Abdur Rehman, Zulqarnain Haider, Umar Gul, Tanvir Ahmed, Mohammad Sami, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanvir.

Pakistan ODI & T20 Squad: Shahid Afridi(Captain), Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Tanveer Ahmed, Zulqarnain Haider.

Gautam, Ishant sharma ruled out of 2nd Test against Aus

In a huge blow to the Indian cricket team, Gautam Gambhir and Ishant Sharma were ruled out of the 2nd Test against Australia due to knee injuries while VVS Laxman was rendered doubtful on account of back spasms.

The celebrations of a narrow 1-wicket win over the Australia had not even ended when the Indians were left to deal with the twin loss ahead of the 2nd and final match of the test series scheduled from October 9 in Bangalore.

"I have an injury and I won't be playing in the Bangalore Test," Gautam Gambhir told PTI.

The BCCI named batsman Abhinav Mukund and fast bowler Jaydev Unadkat as replaces for Gambhir and Ishant sharma.

"Gambhir and Ishant have been ruled out of the 2nd Test against Australia in Bangalore, on number of injuries to their right knees."

"The All-India Selection Committee has picked Abhinav Mukund and Jaydev Unadkat in their place. Mukund and Unadkat will be replaced in the squads for the NKP Salve Challenger Trophy by Harpreet Singh and Pankaj Singh respectively," BCCI Secretary N Srinivasan said in a statement.

While Mukund plays for India Red, Unadkat represents India Green in the tournament.

It was one of my best knocks: VVS Laxman

After single-handedly guiding India to a 1-wicket victory over Australia in the nail-biting 1st Test, VVS Laxman termed his unbeaten 73 as one of his best innings of his career.

"It is definitely one of my best innings. I have always enjoyed batting in such situations and I feel disappointed if I do not perform in such situations. I was able to deliver," he said after helping India taken unassailable 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series.

"Whatever knock you play, if it helps the team in winning it feels really satisfying," he added.

VVS Laxman gave credit to the tailenders Ishant Sharma and Pragyan Ojha for supporting him in completing a unforgettable win.

"It was a great effort from Ishant at the other end because with an injured leg he played and showed his character. He displayed great temperament. The partnership with Ishant was very important," said Laxman.

"All our tailenders take a lot of pride in their batting and they work really hard on their batting," he said.

Asked about how he reserved his best for the Australians, Laxman said, "You always feel good when you play well against Australia. Each session, the fortunes were fluctuating."

Injured Laxman guides India to nail biting 1 wicket victory

VVS Laxman defied a back injury to make an unbeaten 73 as India rushed a amazing 1-wicket victory from the jaws of overcome in the first Test against Australia on Tuesday.

In a nail biting encounter, India sealed the cliffhanger by 1 wicket. India thrashed Australia in the1st Test of two-match series here at PCA ground in Mohali on Tuesday.

It was the Very Very Special Laxaman innings, which helped Team India to take 1-0 lead in the two test-series.

VVS Laxman made crucial 9th wicket partnership with Ishant Sharma (31) to take India close to the target of 216 runs.

However, Ishant Sharma fell prey to wrong decision of umpire Ian Gould, bringing Australia back to the match.

But After several ups and down, Laxman and Pragyan Ojha took India home. It must be one of the greatest innings by Laxman, who was playing with a runner due to back stiff.

Earlier, Zaheer and Sachin Tendulkar started final day's proceedings on positive note but Zaheer khan was dismissed by spinner Hauritz for 10 runs.

Later, Tendulkar and Laxman embarked on run chase brilliantly but confident Sachin Tendulkar was caught at Gully region off Bollinger for 38.

After Tendulkar’s dismissal India lost skipper Dhoni (2) and Harbhajan Singh (2) in fast session.

Credit should go to Ishant Sharma, who shown brilliant spirit against might Australian fast bowling attack.

Sharma's crucial partnership with Laxman helped India to win the Mohali Test.

Match Summary:

Aus won the toss elected to bat first

Aus 1st innings: 428 all out S. Watson 126 T. Paine 92 Z. Khan 5/94 H. Singh 3/114 Aus 2nd innings: 192 all out S. Watson 56 Z. khan 3/43 I. Sharma 3/34

India 1st innings: 405 all out S. Tendulkar 98 S. Raina 86 M.Johnson 5/64 India 2nd innings: 216/9 VVS Laxman 73 not out B. Hilfenhaus 4/57

Man of the Match: Zaheer Khan

Australia in India 2010, Schedule

Kumble appointed the chairman of the NCA

Anil Kumble on Wednesday was appointed the chairman of the National Cricket Academy (NCA)by the BCCI.

"Kumble is an excellent cricketer. He has the knowledge of the game and is Bangalore-based. So he can look after the academy very well," BCCI president Shashank Manohar said on the assessment taken at the annual general meeting.

"The Board has purchased about 50 acres of land in Bangalore where the Board is developing its academy. According to all of us, Kumble is the excellent choice for that post," Manohar said.

When asked about his commitments when playing for IPL, Manohar replied "He does not work for 365 days for the Bangalore franchise; neither will he work for 365 days for the NCA. We have a director in Sandeep Patil to look after cricket."

Clarke wary of India's bowling ability

Australian Vice-Captain Michael Clarke is hopeful his team will be able to counter India's bowling attack in home conditions in a two-Test series starting on 1st Oct 2010.

The hosts' attack has been supported with the return of left-arm Fast bowler Zaheer Khan, who was forced to miss a recent Test series in Sri Lanka due to an injury.

"Zaheer and Ishant Sharma are two very good bowlers of reverse swing. It can be very hard to combat at times and we have experienced that in the past," Clarke told reporters in Chandigarh on Tuesday.

"But we've been preparing and batting against reverse swing and against spin bowling too. Hopefully, come Friday, we'll be able to do well."

Harbhajan leads India's spin attack, having already given a good account of himself against the Australians with 79 wickets in 14 Tests.

The off-spinner rose to fame in 2001 when he took 32 wickets in three Tests series against Steve Waugh's Australians to lead his side to a stunning 2-1 series victory at home.

"Every player plays spin differently. I think individually we all have a plan and it's all about trying to adapt to the pitch conditions and the bowler," said Clarke.

"I have a plan against the spinners and will try to stick to that. Hopefully, it works."

Australia, who lost the last Test series in India in 2008, will play the opening Test in Mohali and the second match in Bangalore. The Tests will be followed by three ODI internationals.

Shahid Afridi hinted at a return to Test Cricket

Pakistan ODI skipper Shahid Afridi hints at test return Friday as the team returned from what he called the ‘most difficult’ tour of his 14 year career in England.

The corruption-tainted tour ended Wednesday with England taking the ODI series 3-2 after an Afridi-led Pakistani fightback had levelled the series. Pakistan also lost the Test series, 3-1.

"The best part of the whole tour was that the players showed unity even in difficult times and gave a good fight in the ODI series against England," Afridi told a scrum of reporters outside Karachi airport.

"I will think about it and if the team needs it, I may consider playing the Test series against South Africa," added the explosive all-rounder.

After a 4 year break, Afridi came out of Test retirement this summer only to quit after one game when Australia won Pakistan by 150 runs at Lord's in July.

Pietersen included in England squad for Ashes Series

The England selectors named a 16-member tour party under the captaincy of Andrew Strauss for the Ashes Test series in Australia with faster Chris Tremlett and spinner Monty Panesar both recalled to the test squad.

Tremlett, who won the last of his 3 Test caps against India in 2007, is recalled to the England set-up for the 1st time since the tour of New Zealand in 2008, while Monty Panesar wins a place in the tour party after a successful domestic season which saw him take 52 first-class wickets for his Sussex team.

Surrey's Steven Davies has been named as England's deputy wicketkeeper behind Sussex's Matt Prior and is the only member of the squad uncapped at Test Cricket level.

Also included in the team was the high profile Kevin Pietersen, who had tired a brief spell out of the team through the limited-overs matches against Pakistan.

The selectors also named 11 players to be awarded 12-month England central contracts with Warwickshire's Jonathan Trott and Middlesex pace bowler Steven Finn each winning a central contract for the first time. A further five players have been awarded incremental contracts.

England Ashes Squad: Andrew Strauss (c), Alastair Cook, Chris Tremlett, Eoin Morgan, Graeme Swann, Ian Bell, James Anderson, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Monty Panesar, Paul Collingwood, Steve Davies, Steven Finn, Stuart Broad, Tim Bresnan

Indian squad announced for Aus Test Series

Cheteshwar Pujara, after his excellent performances in the recent times, finally he get the place in the Indian team when the selectors met at Chennai to select the team for the Test series against Australia.

Gautam Gambhir also returned to the Indian squad after missing out of the last two Test match against Sri Lanka while the youngsters Suresh Raina and Murali Vijay retained their places in the team.

Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman were the regular choices.

Spinner Harbhajan Singh and Faster Zaheer Khan also returned from their wound layoffs to boost the Indian bowling attack.

Ishant Sharma and Sreesanth were the other seamers in the team while both spinners Pragyan Ojha and Amit Mishra were included.

India Team: MS Dhoni (c & w), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Suresh Raina, Cheteshwar Pujara, M Vijay, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Pragyan Ojha, Sreesanth and Amit Mishra

Flintoff announced retirement from all cricket

English All-rounder Andrew Flintoff announced his retirement from all forms of the game in a statement after being told by his doctor that his knee could no longer stand the rigours of top level sport.

"It is with both disappointment and sadness that I am today (Thursday) announcing my retirement from all forms of cricket," former England captain Flintoff said in a statement released by his agents, International Sports Management.

"The decision to end my career came yesterday after consultation with medical advisers," added the 32-year-old all-rounder, who quit the Test format after helping England regain the Ashes last year.

Flintoff underwent knee surgery last August and needed a second operation in January before returning to training with Lancashire in June. Hopes of an early comeback were shelved, however, and he missed the entire county season.

He will always be remembered for his performances in the 2005 Ashes when his destructive bowling helped England beat Australia in a series for the first time since 1987.

Flintoff made his England debut in 1998 and went on to play 79 tests and 141 one-day internationals, scoring 3,845 test runs, including five centuries at an average of 31.77.

He took 226 test wickets and scored 3,394 runs in ODIs, taking 169 wickets in that format.

He captained his country for the first time in 2006 in India but was also in charge for a disastrous 2006-7 tour when Australia gained revenge for their 2005 series defeat -- thrashing England 5-0.

At the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean he became embroiled in controversy when he had to be rescued from the sea after taking out a pedalo after a night out. He was subsequently stripped of the vice-captaincy.

His popularity never waned, however, and despite ankle surgery he was selected for the 2009 Ashes squad.

India-Aus series important for cricket: Lawson

Former Australian fast bowler Geoff Lawson considers the forthcoming Australia tour of India 2010 as a very important tour in the conditions of the 'spot-fixing' scandal that has engulfed the game.

"This series is very important. A good, tough and hard series before the Ashes Series will do a whole world of good for the Australian team. People's faith in the game will return if they see good cricket. They will start thinking about the current action, not the one which has happened in the past," said Lawson.

"If the players play good cricket, the public will forget what's gone before. The people want their heroes to play well. There wasn't a hero in this argument," he said.

The former cricketer, who was the coach of the Pakistan team for two years and has seen the spot-fixing tainted trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir from close quarters, was secure the game would come out of the latest scandal as it has done several times in the past.

"Cricket is a very resilient game. People in Australia are looking forward to this series as well as the Ashes. The game will move on if better and competitive cricket is played at regular intervals," said Lawson when asked whether the game can bounce back in style.

India in England 2011, Schedule

England will host Test, Twenty20 and ODI series against India in 2011, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced Thursday.

London Lord's ground will stage its 1st Test during a four-match test series between England and India that will be followed by a Twenty20 international and five ODI internationals.

Date	Match Details	Time	Place
Jul 21 - 25	England v India, 1st Test	-	Lord's, London
Jul 29 - Aug 02	England v India, 2nd Test	-	Nottingham
Aug 10 - 14	England v India, 3rd Test	-	Birmingham
Aug 18 - 22	England v India, 4th Test	-	London
Aug 31 - Wed	England v India, Only T20I	-	Manchester
Sep 03 - Sat	England v India, 1st ODI	-	Chester-le-Street
Sep 06 - Tue	England v India, 2nd ODI	-	Southampton
Sep 09 - Fri	England v India, 3rd ODI	-	London
Sep 11 - Sun	England v India, 4th ODI	-	Lord's, London
Sep 16 - Fri	England v India, 5th ODI	-	Cardiff, Wales

Sri Lanka in England 2011, Schedule

England will host Test and ODI series against Sri Lanka in 2011, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced Thursday.

Hampshire's Rose Bowl ground will stage its 1st Test during a three-match test series between England and Sri Lanka that will be followed by a Twenty20 international and five ODI internationals.

Date	Match Details	Time	Place
May 26 - 30	England v Sri Lanka, 1st Test	-	Cardiff, Wales
Jun 03 - 07	England v Sri Lanka, 2nd Test	-	Lord's, London
Jun 16 - 20	England v Sri Lanka, 3rd Test	-	Southampton
Jun 25	England v Sri Lanka, Only T20I	-	Bristol
Jun 28	England v Sri Lanka, 1st ODI	-	London
Jul 01	England v Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI	-	Leeds
Jul 03	England v Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI	-	Chester-le-Street
Jul 06	England v Sri Lanka, 4th ODI	-	Nottingham
Jul 09	England v Sri Lanka, 5th ODI	-	Manchester

Panicky Pakistan end England with winning streak

Pakistan won the 3rd Test at The Oval by beating England by 4 wickets - the hosts lead the four match series 2-1 in Test Series.

Pakistan's triumph was their 4th at The Oval - but only their first over England since Lahore in December 2005 - and sets up a mouthwatering contest next week at Lord's for the 4th and final test.

Chasing 148 to succeed the tourists had reached 115 for 3 at lunch with experienced person Mohammad Yousuf 22 not out and looked well set for an easy victory.

England given a twinkle of hope just before the break when Graeme Swann had skipper Salman Butt caught at slip for 48, to give him his 2nd wicket of the innings.

Swann blocked up one end with his off spin but at the other runs were coming freely as Butt and Imran Farhat looking determined to finish things early got Pakistan past 50 in the eight over after they had lost opener Yasir Hameed to the fourth ball of the innings and the first he had faced.

Pakistan were directly put on the back foot when Hamed edged James Anderson to second slip, Swann wanted two attempts to hold on to the chance and leave Pakistan 5 for 1.

Farhat made 33 before he was leg before to Swann, the only bowler who gave skipper Andrew Strauss any control whatsoever. Butt nearly saw his team home, making his 48 runs from 64 balls but he was neatly caught by Paul Collingwood, again off Swann, just before lunch.

Mohammad Aamer recorded his Test best figures of 5-52 to give Pakistan a good chance of pulling one Test back in the series.

England who lost six wickets for 26 runs in a frantic period on Friday night could only add one run to their overnight total of 221 with Steve Finn getting off the mark.

Winning Ashes 5-0 “absolutely possible”: Ricky Ponting

Australian captain Ricky Ponting said Monday it was "absolutely possible" that his team could reclaim the Ashes with a 5-0 sweep against England later this year.

Ponting, who lost the Ashes for a 2nd time as a skipper in the 2-1 series defeat in England last year, said the Australians had learnt from their mistakes and were a better side than the last Ashes contest.

Australia have slipped to 4th, narrowly ahead of England, in the Test rankings after their 1-1 drawn Test series against 6th ranked Pakistan in England last month.

But Ponting, who met Cricket Australia officials in Melbourne on Monday to map out preparations for the November-January Ashes series, is unconcerned.

"It's absolutely possible. There's no reason why not," Ponting told reporters at the Melbourne Cricket Ground when asked about a 5-0 Ashes sweep. "It's all in our hands. It's how well we play and how well we take charge of different situations.

"We've learnt from a lot of the mistakes that we've made. There's no doubt we made some mistakes in the last Ashes series in England that probably at the end of the day cost us the series.

"We know now that we're a more experienced and probably a better team now than we were then. We put that together plus we're playing in our conditions, we hope to win this series and win it well.

"I've got confidence in the squad of players that we've got that they are going to be good enough to win an Ashes series."