Sunday, July 08, 2007

Dravid buoyed by Flintoff absence

Andrew FlintoffIndia captain Rahul Dravid believes the injury to Andrew Flintoff gives his side an excellent chance of winning the three-Test series with England.

Flintoff has 22 wickets in nine Tests against India and, as captain, took 3-14 as England won the final Test in Mumbai to level the series in 2005-6.

"Fast-bowling all-rounders are like gold and England have a problem replacing him," Dravid said.

"His absence makes things far more equal this time."

Flintoff is not expected to play any part in the three Tests, which begin at Lord's on 19 July and culminate at The Oval on 9 August, having undergone further surgery on his troublesome ankle.

"When England came to India last time he was brilliant," Dravid enthused. "He led really well and he was outstanding with bat and ball."

Things have not gone so well for Flintoff since that tour, however, losing the Ashes 5-0 as captain and then being stripped of the vice-captaincy at the World Cup after some well documented late night exertions.


I'll probably go with four bowlers in these conditions

Rahul Dravid


The charismatic 29-year-old is currently working hard to recuperate with long-term physio and mentor Dave Roberts and may feature in the seven-match one-day series beginning at The Rose Bowl on 21 August.

Dravid, meanwhile, believes England have been strengthened by the selection of Sussex wicket-keeper/batsman Matt Prior, who has scored a century and two fifties in his first six Test innings.

"Prior lends a lot of balance, but we've got to play the whole team. England are ranked second behind Australia so obviously they have a good set-up and I followed their series against West Indies closely."

Dravid, one of four India batsmen to pass fifty in the tour match against Sussex at Hove, is pleased with his team's preparation ahead of the match against England A at Chelmsford on 13 July and the forthcoming Test series.

"I know my best top six for the first Test and for the next game it will be clear," he said. "I'll probably go with four bowlers in these conditions and it's a tidy balance to find an all-rounder. It's a question to find that balance."

Live Cricket Scores- India dominant in Hove tour match

Tour match, Hove, day two (close): Sussex 146-5 v India 388-7d

County champions Sussex struggled to 146-5, 242 behind India after two days of the tour match at Hove.

VVS Laxman moved within five of a century, firing 12 fours in a 178-ball knock before Saqlain Mushtaq found some sharp turn and he edged to slip.

Former Paksitan spinner Saqlain, 30, on his first-class debut for Sussex took 3-71 before India declared on 388-7.

Michael Yardy made a watchful 53 for Sussex but veteran spinner Anil Kumble took 2-28 to put his side in command.

India resumed on 281-3 but skipper Rahul Dravid decided not to resume his innings and spent the day resting a slight calf strain.

Laxman made his highest score in England, sharing a fourth-wicket stand of 76 in 30 overs with Yuvraj Singh who made 31.

Yuvraj fell to the fourth ball after lunch when he was stumped attempting to drive spinner Ollie Rayner, who then struck again when Mahendra Dhoni was trapped in front trying to work the ball to leg.

Laxman thumped Rayner through the covers to move into the 90s but when Saqlain found extra bounce as well as turn to take the shoulder of the bat, the fourth wicket to fall inside 12 overs, Dravid decided to declare.

Having switched to the Sea End, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth had Richard Montgomerie caught at third slip as Sussex made a hesitant start to their reply.

Chris Nash, who hit a series of towering sixes in the Twenty20, was becalmed early in his 28 from 72 balls but hit three successive fours before he also fell to a slip catch.

Carl Hopkinson was yorked by RP Singh and 19-year-old Michael Thornely was bowled through the gate by Kumble.

Yardy reached his first half century since the opening game of the season with a fine square drive off Kumble, before the wily slow bowler ousted him with a deceptive googly.

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Windies thrash England in decider!

One-day international, Trent Bridge: West Indies 289-5 beat England 196 by 93 runs
Here are the Live Cricket Scores England Vs Windies

West Indies crushed England for the second time in a week as the hosts lost the one-day series 2-1 at Trent Bridge.

The tourists capitalised expertly on some wild bowling, putting on 116 off the last 10 overs for a total of 289-5.

Chris Gayle and Runako Morton both made 82, Dwayne Bravo 42 from 24 balls with Stuart Broad taking 0-71 in nine overs.

Daren Powell with 4-40, including Kevin Pietersen for a duck, and Fidel Edwards with 3-30 were superb as England were bowled out for 196 to lose by 93 runs.

The innings had reached the 45th over when Ravi Rampaul trapped Monty Panesar lbw.

It is back to the drawing-board for coach Peter Moores and captain Paul Collingwood as they assess two disappointing performances - with the prospect of a much tougher seven-match series against India in the offing.

Gayle won the toss against an England side showing two changes from the team that lost the second match of the series at Edgbaston.
The return of Panesar and Liam Plunkett - at the expense of Ryan Sidebottom and Michael Yardy - gave the hosts the same side who had succeeded in the series opener at Lord's.

West Indies retained the same XI who had played in both previous matches.

Anderson struck a blow for team morale in the third over to oust Devon Smith, edging a drive to Ian Bell at backward point.

But England, who endured a moderate day in the field, soon found themselves under pressure.

Alastair Cook, at short extra cover, could not cling on to a firmly struck drive from Gayle in the very next over, but it was Bell's drop of Gayle on 20 which was the major error.

Anderson, in the middle of a spell of 1-17 from six overs, cramped the Jamaican left-hander for room and the ball looped straight towards the Warwickshire man at point.
But Bell completely misread its flight and barely got his hands to the chance.

A flurry of runs followed, including a straight six from Shivnarine Chanderpaul off Panesar.

Chanderpaul's summer of plenty came to an end when he fell for 33, however. It was his lowest score in the seven matches of varying lengths he had played against England.

Trying to pull the first ball of Plunkett's third over, he got a big top-edge and Pietersen took a good catch after having to run back almost to the boundary from his position at mid-wicket.

After Plunkett had removed Marlon Samuels cheaply, West Indies were not ideally placed at 108-3 in the 23rd over.

But as they had done at Edgbaston, they showed plenty of patience in electing to accrue runs quietly before a final onslaught.

On a luckier day for England, Dimitri Mascarenhas may have seen the thin edge from Morton, then on four, snaffled by Matt Prior standing up to the stumps.

Instead, Gayle and Morton stretched their partnership as far as the last ball of the 42nd over, by which time they had added 85.

The final few overs, featuring repeated bowling changes, were a chaotic medley of wides, long-hops and full tosses, with Broad and Anderson each throwing a beamer into the mix.

Morton hit two fours and a six off a Broad over, and the same bowler then conceded 19 off his ninth and final set of six.
The running between the wickets was brilliant, England's fielding just as ragged as their bowling. The last 10 overs cost 116 runs.

But it may well be asked why the admirably accurate Mascarenhas only bowled eight overs and Panesar six, with Collingwood bowling two of the last seven.

Cook and Prior had not produced a half-century partnership in their four previous opening stands in limited-overs cricket and they failed again.

Powell had Prior nibbling outside the off-stump, before adding his partner when Cook picked out backward point.

The first ball faced by Pietersen was a vicious bouncer which produced four byes. But the trade-off for Powell was highly satisfactory - the next ball was driven by the batsman to the slip cordon.

After a brilliant Edwards over featuring five dot balls and the wicket of an uncomfortable Bell for 27, Shah and Collingwood had to come up with something.

They produced a 72-run stand in good time before Shah was caught behind for 51 attempting one of his inventive sweep shots off Dwayne Smith.

That ended any lingering hopes of a heroic England win, and in any case four further wickets, including Collingwood for 44, fell in a heap.

It left final pair Panesar and Anderson facing fields of six slips and a gully.

Surprisingly, the duo put on an entertaining 25 to eclipse the efforts of previous partnerships, but they could not wallpaper over the cracks in England's batting.

Friday, July 06, 2007

Live Cricket Scores|Windies end with formidable score

Live Cricket Scores|Ian bellOne-day international, Trent Bridge: West Indies 289-5 v England
England's bowling fell apart in the final 10 overs as West Indies amassed 116 runs to finish with 289-5 in the one-day series decider in Nottingham.
Here are the Live Cricket scores England Vs WestIndies

Runako Morton finished with 82, he and Dwayne Bravo adding 92 off 54 balls - and England even bowled two beamers.

The hosts endured a woeful day in the field, with Gayle (82) dropped on four and 20, Morton missed on four and some poor ground-fielding throughout.

Liam Plunkett (3-59) and James Anderson (2-51) were the only wicket-takers.

Gayle won the toss against an England side showing two changes from the team that lost the second match of the series at Edgbaston.

The return of Plunkett and Monty Panesar - at the expense of Ryan Sidebottom and Michael Yardy - gave the hosts the same side who had succeeded in the series opener at Lord's.

Anderson struck a blow for England in the third over to oust Devon Smith, who edged a drive to Ian Bell at backward point.
Alastair Cook, in at short extra cover, could not cling on to a firmly struck drive from Gayle in the very next over, but it was Bell's drop of Gayle on 20 which was the major error.

Anderson, in the middle of a spell of 1-17 from six overs, cramped the Jamaican left-hander for room and the ball looped towards the Warwickshire man at point.

But Bell completely misread its flight and barely got his hands to the chance.

A flurry of runs followed, including a straight six from Shivnarine Chanderpaul off Panesar.

But Chanderpaul's summer of plenty came to an end when he fell for 33, his lowest score in the seven matches of varying lengths he had played against England.

Trying to pull the first ball of Plunkett's third over, he got a big top-edge and Kevin Pietersen took a good catch after having to run back almost to the boundary from his position at mid-wicket.

Plunkett then had Marlon Samuels edging to Matt Prior to make it 108-3 in the 23rd over during the final over of the third powerplay.

That allowed Paul Collingwood to bowl himself and Dimitri Mascarenhas in tandem in a quiet period of accumulation for Gayle and Morton.
Mascarenhas should have celebrated his first wicket in one-day internationals early in his spell, but Morton was missed by Prior on four from a ball that barely deflected off his outside edge.

To be fair on the Sussex stumper, he was standing up to the wicket to deny the batsmen the opportunity to come down the track to Mascarenhas.

Finally, with Gayle and Morton having nurdled their way to 173-3 with 10 overs to go, it was time for more positive intent.

Gayle did power Plunkett through the covers for his first boundary since the 17th over, but got into a terrible tangle next ball and gave the Durham man his third wicket with an easy caught-and-bowled.

That ended an 85-run stand, but the next man in - Bravo wasted no time getting himself going and made 42 off just 24 balls before departing to the penultimate delivery.

Morton hit two fours and a six off a Stuart Broad over, and the same bowler then conceded 19 off his ninth and final set of six to end with 0-71.

Even the eventual wicket of Bravo, bowled by Anderson, was of little consolation as Dwayne Smith crashed his only delivery wide of the cover boundary-runner for four to end the innings in suitable style.

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Live Scores England Vs WestIndies|3rd ODI

NatWest One Day International Series: England v West Indies
07-07-2007 at Trent Bridge

West Indies beat England by 93 runs

West Indies won the toss and decided to bat
West Indies Innings
289 for 5 (50.0 overs)
England Innings
196 all out (44.2 overs)
Live Cricket scores England Vs WestIndies
Live Cricket scores England Vs WestIndies
Live Cricket scores England Vs WestIndies

Umpires: M R Benson, B G Jerling
England: Cook, Prior, Bell, Pietersen, Collingwood, Shah, Mascarenhas, Plunkett, Broad, Panesar, Anderson
West Indies: Gayle, DS Smith, Chanderpaul, Samuels, DR Smith, Morton, Ramdin, Bravo, Powell, Rampaul, Edwards

India squad ready for tour opener

Tour match, Hove: Sussex v India
Play starts 1200 BST
India will begin assessing their options for the Test series in England when they take on county champions Sussex in a four-day game at Hove.

It is the first of two warm-up games for the tourists, who are hoping to repeat their 1986 win over England.

They are likely to include Anil Kumble, VVS Laxman and Wasim Jaffer, who did not play in the recent one-day series against South Africa in Belfast.

And Shanthakumaran Sreesanth is also set to play after recovering from flu.

The 24-year-old has taken 37 wickets in eight Tests and is expected to be a key figure in the Test series, having bowled superbly on seamer-friendly wickets in South Africa last winter.

India may also take a look at uncapped Ranadeb Bose, who was a surprise inclusion in the tour squad ahead of the likes of Munaf Patel, VRV Singh and Irfan Pathan.

Bose only needs six wickets to reach 200 in first-class cricket, but now faces the task of proving he can make the step up to international level.

For batsman Laxman, meanwhile, his focus is on simply trying to force his way back into the Test line-up.
He was not involved in their most recent series against Bangladesh, despite having scored more than 4,800 runs in 80 appearances at an average of 42.

"It was frustrating because I thought I did reasonably well in South Africa, but then the situation was such that the team management had to take a call on five bowlers.

"In a team game, someone misses out. It was unfortunate that I did in Bangladesh," he said.

"It is quite disappointing honestly, but it is not in my control. What is in my control is to go out and get runs whenever I'm given a chance."

Laxman added: "Playing in England is special. I firmly believe we can win the series this time round."

India have agreed to a delayed start at mid-day because Sussex were involved in a Twenty20 Cup match against Hampshire on Friday evening, and it remains to be seen how strong a side the county puts out.

Prior tips Pietersen to find form

Kevin PietersenEngland wicket-keeper Matt Prior has backed Kevin Pietersen to return to form in the deciding one-day match against West Indies on Saturday.

Pietersen has managed just 77 runs in two Twenty20 and two one-day innings against the tourists this summer.

"When he doesn't score runs for a couple of games, people start talking about a crisis," said Prior.

"I'm sure he'll score a brilliant hundred very soon - and it might even be on Saturday."

Sussex gloveman Prior, who scored 52 in a losing cause at Edgbaston on Wednesday, added: "Kevin is a fantastic cricketer, a champion who will become a legend of the game."


Chanderpaul is very experienced and I don't think any vocals from behind the stumps are going to affect him

England wicket-keeper Matt Prior


Meanwhile, Prior admits Edgbaston centurion and man-of-the-match Shivnarine Chanderpaul could decide the destination of the series.

The Windies left-hander has passed 50 in each of his seven Test and one-day innings so far but is struggling with a right ankle injury and will undergo a fitness test on Friday.

"I've spent most of the summer looking at the back of his bat," Prior said.

"He's a fantastic player and he's showed that time and again in the past few weeks. You must take your hat off to him.

"We have plans when we bowl to him but sometimes you must allow for someone playing well. His concentration seems unbreakable and he's just so stubborn.

"He wants to bat and bat, he never gets bored. He's having one of those purple patches that the top players go through.

"He's very experienced and I don't think any vocals from me from behind the stumps are going to affect him.

"I don't think I can get into his head, he's unflappable. All we can do is to continue working on our plans and hope we get him out early on Saturday."

Chanderpaul regaining fitness

ChanderpaulOne-day international, Trent Bridge: England v West Indies
Match starts 1045 BST on Saturday
Live Scores England Vs Westindies will be available here.

WestIndies are expecting that the start batsmen Shivnarine chanerpaul will regain his fitness and will play in the one-day series decider versus England at Trent Bridge on saturday.

Chanderpaul,who is in great form went passed 50 in each of the seven test and one-day Innings on tour,unfortunately injured his ankle.

He contributed solidly through 116 not out in West Indies' 61-run victory in the second one-dayer at Edgbaston on wednesday.

Damp conditions are expected in Nottingham,which will suite seam bowling.Hence,monty hasn't got a great chance of getting the match.

"We are very hopeful Shiv will be right, the physio has been working on him constantly," said coach David Moore.

"He's played exceptionally well in the Test matches and now in the Twenty20s and one-dayers he's been fantastic, very versatile

Moore added that Chanderpaul, who was unable to field in Birmingham on Wednesday, had been an inspiration to his team-mates.


The good thing about Chanderpaul is he's always available to talk to players

West Indies coach david Moore

"It just shows the quality of the player. When a man like that can do what he's done, it's no fluke."

Chanderpaul averaged 148.66 in the Test series and has yet to be dismissed in the current one-day series after scoring an unbeaten 53 in the opener at Lord's last Sunday.

"The good thing about Chanderpaul is he's always available to talk to players, he never cuts himself off," said Moore.

"You don't even have to talk to Chanderpaul, you just stick your head out that window there and see how he trains and you'll see why he scores runs."

England skipper Paul Collingwood admitted that Chanderpaul had been the main topic of conversation ahead of Saturday's encounter.

"A little bit of luck here and there wouldn't go amiss, but sometimes you have to give these guys credit," Collingwood said.

"He is in such a rich vein of form and when a player like him has his confidence up it is very difficult to get him out in any kind of way.

"We have discussed him more than anyone else because he has scored the most runs against us.

"Hopefully he will make a misjudgment or we can get a really good ball to him to get him out early. Sometimes it takes a jaffa to get a guy like him out."

As for Panesar, who was overlooked for the first two matches, Collingwood said: "It is all about the balance of the side.

"Under the right conditions we obviously want to get Monty in. But it all comes down to the weather and the condition of the wicket."

Collingwood added that he hoped his new-look England side would show a ruthless streak in Nottingham.

"We have spoken about having a ruthless edge - hopefully we don't give West Indies an inch on Saturday and leave with nothing," said the Durham all-rounder.

Moore, meanwhile, said a series success outside the Caribbean would be a cherished achievement.

The Windies' last one-day series triumph was in the ICC Champions Trophy in England in 2004.

"It would be nice to win something away from home. It's all about consistency and we have let ourselves down badly in our inconsistency," added Moore.

"If we could put two good games together it would be very good but, in the big picture, it would still only be two games."


England (from): PD Collingwood (capt), AN Cook, MJ Prior, IR Bell, KP Pietersen, OA Shah, AD Mascarenhas, SC Broad, RJ Sidebottom, JM Anderson, MS Panesar, IJ Trott, MH Yardy, LE Plunkett.

West Indies (from): CH Gayle (capt), DS Smith, S Chanderpaul, MN Samuels, RS Morton, DJ Bravo, DR Smith, DJG Sammy, D Ramdin (wkt), DB Powell, R Rampaul, FH Edwards, LMP Simmons, A Richards jnr.

Umpires: MR Benson & BG Jerling (SA)

Anderson fined after Morton clash

England's James Anderson has been fined 50% of his match fee after clashing with Runako Morton during the second one-day international at Edgbaston.

He appeared to impede the West Indies batsman as he ran between the wickets and words were then exchanged.

Anderson, who conceded 78 runs from his 10 overs, was found guilty of breaching clause 2.4 of the players' code of conduct by match referee Mike Procter.

It involves "inappropriate, deliberate physical contact" with another player".

A statement issued by the International Cricket Council confirmed Anderson had been found guilty of twice "nudging" Morton during his innings and then running towards him following his dismissal to start a "verbal confrontation".

"I have no problem with players being aggressive on the field because our game is all about passion and commitment. But, at the same time, they have to recognise they are role models watched by people all over the world," said Procter.

"Cricket is, after all, a non-contact sport and when players fail to recognise that fact and engage in needless nudges, then that is where we have to draw the line.

"James Anderson is not a player with a reputation for bad behaviour...and I am sure he will do everything he can to ensure there is no repeat of this unfortunate incident."

Morton was cleared of an offence under clause 2.8 of the code, which covers the use of offensive language or gestures.

"I concluded that Runako Morton was the victim of James Anderson's aggression, rather than guilty of bad behaviour," Procter added.

The ICC hope the fine will take the heat out of Saturday's final one-dayer at Trent Bridge.

But England skipper Paul Collingwood, interviewed immediately after Wednesday's match and before Anderson was fined, said he would not stop his players getting involved in "feisty" exchanges.

He said: "To be perfectly honest, I don't mind the boys getting stuck if they need to get stuck in. I don't mind that at all."

And opposite number Chris Gayle said: "We were just trying to get on top of them as early as possible and they did the same thing, so it was a little bit of give and take.

"I hope no-one takes it too seriously.


I am sure James Anderson will do everything he can to ensure there is no repeat of this unfortunate incident

Mike Procter


"To be honest we are aggressive people and in cricket we need to be more determined. Once you can get on top of opponents earlier the better you tend to play."

Another of England's pace bowlers, Stuart Broad, was reprimanded for wearing a white lycra bodysuit under his coloured one-day uniform.

That contravened regulations which ban any type of visible white clothing in matches played with white balls.

"Hopefully this sanction against Stuart will serve as a reminder to him not to wear such garments in the future," said Procter.

Thursday, July 05, 2007

collingwood confident for decider

England captain Paul Collingwood has challenged his side to raise their game for the one-day series decider against West Indies on Saturday.

They were outplayed at Edgbaston on Wednesday, losing by 61 runs.

But Collingwood said: "We're confident. We are a young side and Saturday is going to be a great experience.

"It is a final in effect, and we will get mentally prepared for that. It will stand everyone in the squad in good stead for the future."

Collingwood admitted, however, that England need to find the secret to dismissing Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who has passed fifty in all his seven innings during the Test series and one-dayers.
"We have theories as to how we might get him out. Hopefully, come Saturday, we'll get that little bit of luck or a magic ball which gets him out early," he said.

Chanderpaul's unbeaten 116, and his partnership of 175 with Marlon Samuels (77), was the key to his side's win at Edgbaston, which squared the series at 1-1.
It enabled the tourists to post a total of 278-5 and they then bowled England out for 217 in 46 overs.

Chanderpaul suffered an ankle problem during his innings and did not field in the game, but West Indies skipper Chris Gayle afterwards said he would definitely play at Trent Bridge.

"I will push him out there, even if [he's] on one leg. Shiv can destroy any attack when he wants, he can step it up whenever he needs to," Gayle commented.

Looking ahead to the third match, he took the same positive view as Collingwood, adding: "I am confident in the guys. It would be tremendous to win the series."

Collingwood, meanwhile, has insisted Monty Panesar is still a major part of England's one-day plans.

Panesar played in the opening victory over the West Indies at Lord's, taking 1-29, but was left out at Edgbaston.

"We believe that was our best side to win the game on the day," said Collingwood.


We are all still learning and experimenting and finding out what are the best players in these certain conditions and situations

Paul Collingwood


"[But] I've always said Monty is going to be a big one-day player for us, certainly in the future."

Panesar was overlooked in favour of Sussex all-rounder Michael Yardy, who produced a reasonable 0-29 from six overs with the ball but made a scratchy 19 from 42 balls with the bat. "We have to find the right balance," Collingwood admitted.

"We are all still learning and experimenting and finding out what are the best players in these certain conditions and situations.

"When it comes down to conditions, we assess on the day and see what the wicket is like and go from there and it was getting the balance right in the side."

Windies receive $100m cash boost

Billionaire Allen Stanford is to invest $100m (£49.6m) in West Indies cricket over the next three years.

The Texas businessman, who lives in Antigua, is determined to bring cricket in the region into the 21st century.

"We are stuck in the 1950s and 60s. We can't allow ourselves to stay stuck forever," he commented.

Part of the investment will fund the second Stanford 20/20 tournament, which will feature Cuba for the first time as one of 21 competing Caribbean nations.

Funding will be provided to each team to enable them to prepare for the tournament, along with Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, who are expected to make their debut in 2009.
The Stanford 20/20 will take place from 25 January to 24 February next year, with the winning team collecting $1m from a total prize fund of $2.9m.

"I have committed my resources and I believe that within the next three years we will have a world beating West Indies team again.

"The Stanford 20/20 and the professional league we are creating are going to be the instrument that brings about that success, the catalyst that takes us back to the glory days of West Indies cricket," Stanford commented.


I have said over and over that this region has the best cricket players in the world

Allen Stanford


He admitted that he hoped to make a profit on his investment in time, but insisted: "As you can tell from these plans, we are in this for the long haul."

Stanford added: "I have said over and over that this region has the best cricket players in the world. We just need to harness this talent, steer these players in the right direction, reward their efforts and raise the standard of professionalism all around.

"Only then will we see the success that we have been hoping for. Let's partner together and make it happen."

Last year Stanford handed over $28m (£16m), which funded the first 20/20 tournament, won by Guyana.

Plans for a $5m winner-takes-all match between a Stanford Super Star XI and South Africa came to nothing because of a scheduling conflict with the West Indies tour to Pakistan.

This time, he has already has several Caribbean governments on board to support his proposals for developing grass roots cricket and establishment of a professional league.

"We want them to buy into this proposal and grasp our vision for West Indies cricket," said former West Indies fast bowler Reverend Wes Hall.

"I feel we have accomplished this and the future of cricket is bright."

Live Scores Srilanka Vs Bangladesh[day 3]

Test Match Series: Sri Lanka v Bangladesh
03-07-2007 at Colombo , Day 3 of 5
Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by an innings and 90 runs
Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to field
Bangladesh 1st Innings
62 all out (25.2 overs)
Bangladesh 2nd Innings
299 all out (86.2 overs)

Sri Lanka 1st Innings
451 for 6 (124.5 overs)

Bangladesh 1st Innings - All out
Runs
Balls
4s
6s
Omar c P Jayawardene b Malinga
8
23 1 0
Nafees lbw b Malinga
0
5 0 0
Saleh c M Jayawardene b Muralitharan
21
62 0 0
Bashar c M Jayawardene b Malinga
5
5 1 0
Ashraful c Warnapura b Malinga
0
3 0 0
Mehrab
b Fernando
6
15 1 0
Rahim c P Jayawardene b Muralitharan
9
10 2 0
Mortaza c M Jayawardene b Fernando
0
2 0 0
Rafique c Vaas b Muralitharan
2
8 0 0
Sharif not out
4
17 0 0
Shahadat
b Muralitharan
1
6 0 0
Extras
4nb 1w 1lb 6
Total
all out 62 (25.2 ovs)

Bowler
O
M
R
W
Vaas 5.0 1 6 0
Malinga 9.0 1 25 4
Fernando 6.0 1 16 2
Muralitharan 5.2 1 14 4

Fall of wicket
3 Nafees
14 Omar
22 Bashar
22 Ashraful
33 Mehrab
45 Rahim
48 Mortaza
51 Rafique
59 Saleh
62 Shahadat



Sri Lanka 1st Innings - Declared
Runs
Balls
4s
6s
Vandort
b Mortaza
14
51 1 0
Warnapura c Nafees b Shahadat
82
140 9 0
Sangakkara not out
200
325 20 2
M Jayawardene c Nafees b Shahadat
49
106 5 1
Silva c Mortaza b Mehrab
33
48 3 0
Dilshan
b Mehrab
0
2 0 0
P Jayawardene c Omar b Mortaza
14
26 1 0
Vaas not out
30
61 4 1
Extras
13nb 3w 6b 7lb 29
Total
for 6 451 (124.5 ovs)

Bowler
O
M
R
W
Mortaza 30.0 7 77 2
Shahadat 21.0 3 81 2
Sharif 24.0 4 86 0
Rafique 35.0 3 134 0
Ashraful 7.0 0 31 0
Mehrab 7.5 0 29 2

Fall of wicket
41 Vandort
169 Warnapura
267 M Jayawardene
359 Silva
359 Dilshan
395 P Jayawardene



Bangladesh 2nd Innings - All out
Runs
Balls
4s
6s
Omar lbw b Vaas
28
23 6 0
Nafees c P Jayawardene b Vaas
20
26 4 0
Saleh c M Jayawardene b Fernando
0
2 0 0
Mehrab
b Fernando
8
7 1 0
Bashar
b Fernando
12
26 2 0
Ashraful not out
129
236 18 0
Rahim c and b Muralitharan
80
183 9 1
Sharif lbw b Vaas
2
10 0 0
Mortaza lbw b Vaas
0
1 0 0
Rafique run out
3
3 0 0
Shahadat run out
2
10 0 0
Extras
9nb 2w 2b 2lb 15
Total
all out 299 (86.2 ovs)

Bowler
O
M
R
W
Vaas 20.2 8 55 4
Malinga 15.0 1 86 0
Fernando 17.0 2 60 3
Muralitharan 28.0 6 84 1
Dilshan 6.0 1 10 0

Fall of wicket
48 Nafees
51 Saleh
55 Omar
59 Mehrab
78 Bashar
269 Rahim
276 Sharif
276 Mortaza
286 Rafique
299 Shahadat


Umpires: Asad Rauf, R E Koertzen
Sri Lanka: Vandort, Warnapura, Sangakkara, M Jayawardene, Silva, Dilshan, P Jayawardene, Vaas, Malinga, Muralitharan, Fernando
Bangladesh: Omar, Nafees, Saleh, Bashar, Ashraful, Mehrab, Rahim, Shahadat, Mortaza, Rafique, Sharif

Sangakkara puts Tigers on brink

Second Test, Colombo, day two (close):
Sri Lanka 451-6d v Bangladesh 62 & 69-4
Here are the Live Scores.
Kumar Sangakkara struck his fifth Test double century as Sri Lanka closed in on victory after two days of the second Test with Bangladesh in Colombo.

Sangakkara, who resumed on 51, reached his 13th Test century with a six.

He advanced down the wicket to chip the single he needed to reach 200, which included 20 fours and two sixes, at which point Sri Lanka declared 451-6.

The Tigers began well but lost four wickets for 11 runs in less than three overs to trail by 320 runs at 69-4.

Malinda Warnapura was out for 82 while debutant left-arm spinner Mehrab Hossain took two wickets in three balls after lunch.

Warnapura had added only three runs to his overnight score in 40 minutes when he miscued a hook to mid-wicket.
Bangladesh were left ruing the position of their slip cordon as Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene edged his seventh ball between the wicket-keeper and a very wide first slip.

Jayawardene also survived a straightforward caught-and-bowled chance on 28 off left-arm spinner Rafique before falling to Shahadat for 49.

Mehrab slowed Sri Lanka's progress by removing Chamara Silva for 33 and Tillakaratne Dilshan for a duck in the space of three deliveries.

He had Silva caught low in the slips by Mashrafe Mortaza before bowling Dilshan after deceiving the batsman in the air.

The Tigers, bowled out for a meagre 62 in their first innings, made a defiant start to their second innings, with openers Javed Omar and Shahriar Nafees both hitting Lasith Malinga for two fours.

Nafees fired three successive boundaries off Dilhara Fernando as 48 were scored in only six overs before the all too familiar collapse.

Nafees edged a widish one from Chaminda Vaas and Jayawardene dived across from second slip to pouch a Rajin Saleh edge in the next over.

Vaas struck again in his next over, cutting one back to trap Omar, whose 28 contained six fours, and five balls later Mehrab edged into his stumps off Fernando.

Bangladesh are behind 1-0 in the three-match series after losing the first game by an innings and 234 runs last week.

Live Scores-Srilanka Vs Bangladesh[day 2]

Test Match Series: Sri Lanka v Bangladesh
03-07-2007 at Colombo , Day 2 of 5
Close
Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to field
Bangladesh 1st Innings
62 all out (25.2 overs)
Bangladesh 2nd Innings
69 for 4 (14.0 overs)
Sri Lanka 1st Innings
451 for 6 (124.5 overs)

Bangladesh 1st Innings - All out
Runs
Balls
4s
6s
Omar c P Jayawardene b Malinga
8
23 1 0
Nafees lbw b Malinga
0
5 0 0
Saleh c M Jayawardene b Muralitharan
21
62 0 0
Bashar c M Jayawardene b Malinga
5
5 1 0
Ashraful c Warnapura b Malinga
0
3 0 0
Mehrab
b Fernando
6
15 1 0
Rahim c P Jayawardene b Muralitharan
9
10 2 0
Mortaza c M Jayawardene b Fernando
0
2 0 0
Rafique c Vaas b Muralitharan
2
8 0 0
Sharif not out
4
17 0 0
Shahadat
b Muralitharan
1
6 0 0
Extras
4nb 1w 1lb 6
Total
all out 62 (25.2 ovs)

Bowler
O
M
R
W
Vaas 5.0 1 6 0
Malinga 9.0 1 25 4
Fernando 6.0 1 16 2
Muralitharan 5.2 1 14 4

Fall of wicket
3 Nafees
14 Omar
22 Bashar
22 Ashraful
33 Mehrab
45 Rahim
48 Mortaza
51 Rafique
59 Saleh
62 Shahadat



Sri Lanka 1st Innings - Declared
Runs
Balls
4s
6s
Vandort
b Mortaza
14
51 1 0
Warnapura c Nafees b Shahadat
82
140 9 0
Sangakkara not out
200
325 20 2
M Jayawardene c Nafees b Shahadat
49
106 5 1
Silva c Mortaza b Mehrab
33
48 3 0
Dilshan
b Mehrab
0
2 0 0
P Jayawardene c Omar b Mortaza
14
26 1 0
Vaas not out
30
61 4 1
Extras
13nb 3w 6b 7lb 29
Total
for 6 451 (124.5 ovs)

Bowler
O
M
R
W
Mortaza 30.0 7 77 2
Shahadat 21.0 3 81 2
Sharif 24.0 4 86 0
Rafique 35.0 3 134 0
Ashraful 7.0 0 31 0
Mehrab 7.5 0 29 2

Fall of wicket
41 Vandort
169 Warnapura
267 M Jayawardene
359 Silva
359 Dilshan
395 P Jayawardene


Bangladesh 2nd Innings
Runs
Balls
4s
6s
Omar lbw b Vaas
28
23 6 0
Nafees c P Jayawardene b Vaas
20
26 4 0
Saleh c M Jayawardene b Fernando
0
2 0 0
Mehrab
b Fernando
8
7 1 0
Bashar not out
3
12 0 0
Ashraful not out
7
15 1 0
Extras
1nb 2b 3
Total
for 4 69 (14.0 ovs)

Bowler
O
M
R
W
Vaas 6.0 3 13 2
Malinga 2.0 0 22 0
Fernando 5.0 0 28 2
Muralitharan 1.0 0 4 0

Fall of wicket
48 Nafees
51 Saleh
55 Omar
59 Mehrab


Umpires: Asad Rauf, R E Koertzen
Sri Lanka: Vandort, Warnapura, Sangakkara, M Jayawardene, Silva, Dilshan, P Jayawardene, Vaas, Malinga, Muralitharan, Fernando
Bangladesh: Omar, Nafees, Saleh, Bashar, Ashraful, Mehrab, Rahim, Shahadat, Mortaza, Rafique, Sharif

Live Scores-Skipper Collingwood backs panesar

England captain Paul Collingwood insisted Monty Panesar was still a major part of his team's one-day plans.

Panesar played in the opening victory over the West Indies at Lord's, taking 1-29, but was left out at Edgbaston where England lost by 61 runs.

"We believe that was our best side to win the game on the day," said Collingwood, whose team conceded 278.

"I've always said Monty is going to be a big one-day player for us, certainly in the future."

Panesar was overlooked in favour of Sussex all-rounder Michael Yardy, who produced a reasonable 0-29 from six overs with the ball but made a scratchy 19 from 42 balls with the bat.

"We have to find the right balance," Collingwood admitted.

"We are all still learning and experimenting and finding out what are the best players in these certain conditions and situations.

"When it comes down to conditions, we assess on the day and see what the wicket is like and go from there and it was getting the balance right in the side."

Live Scores-Resilient Windies square series

One-day international, Edgbaston:
West Indies 278-5 beat England 217 by 61 runs
Here are the Live Scores
West Indies levelled the one-day series in a match at Edgbaston that underlined how much England still need to improve in limited-overs internationals.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul continued his superb summer by hitting an unbeaten 116 in a total of 278-5 - a fine effort on an awkward, two-paced surface.

England's bowling lacked penetration in the middle overs and James Anderson's last three overs disappeared for 47.

Their batsmen were then bowled out for an insipid 217, lasting just 46 overs.

Trinidadian seamer Ravi Rampaul cashed in with figures of 4-41, a welcome return for someone who had missed so much international cricket with injuries.

Chris Gayle and Devon Smith produced plenty of aggressive shots over the opening few overs after Paul Collingwood had won the toss.

They raised the 50 in the ninth over, despite obvious signs that batting would not be an easy task on a wicket that was soaking up moisture during regular periods of drizzle.
But England then had their best period of the match.

Anderson removed Smith thanks to a Matt Prior catch - and Ryan Sidebottom, recalled in place of Liam Plunkett - had Gayle mistiming a drive to mid-on.

The loss of their skipper put the brakes on the Windies innings, with just eight runs coming off the final five overs of powerplay, leaving the tourists on 84-2 after 20.

Acceleration was required, and gradually it was provided by Chanderpaul and Marlon Samuels (77) - who ultimately put on 175 in less than 34 overs.

Each man had a bit of luck early on, however.

Chanderpaul - batting at three - was lucky not to be given out lbw on 21 when facing Collingwood, while the England captain only had himself to blame when dropping Samuels off his own bowling on 14.

Samuels did not score his runs with any great ease initially, but did hit three boundaries in one Stuart Broad over to build some momentum.
Mascarenhas bowled an immaculate set of 10 overs, costing just 31, and Michael Yardy, chosen to play at the expense of Monty Panesar, also provided few hitting opportunities.

Chanderpaul had to resort to some very inventive shots - including a reverse sweep - to gain meaningful runs off the Sussex spinner.

Anderson's comeback spell was poor, and with his final three overs proving so expensive his credentials as a "death" bowler may have to be reconsidered by Collingwood and Peter Moores.

Chanderpaul also clobbered 17 off a Sidebottom over costing 19 in all and England's problems were mounting.

But Broad - the only bowler to escape punishment in the final few overs - finally struck when Samuels was caught at backward gully off a clever slow bouncer that he failed to control.

Chanderpaul duly reached his century, however, and most observers would have felt the West Indies total was better than par.

England's new-look opening pair of Prior and Alastair Cook has not yet worked and Cook was the first to depart this time, driving to mid-off.
Ian Bell got a poor decision from umpire Brian Jerling to fall lbw and Kevin Pietersen had his middle stump knocked back as he charged Rampaul.

A heavy shower delayed play for half an hour and when England resumed at 68-3 after 14 overs they were well behind the Duckworth-Lewis par score.

It remained that way as Prior, after clubbing his way to his first one-day international fifty, tamely gave mid-wicket a catch to depart for 52.

Then Collingwood completed a forgettable match for him as he was lbw to a fiery Fidel Edwards for one.

Yardy looked ill-equipped to provide the big shots that were now needed - and was eventually caught on the boundary for 19, using up 42 deliveries.

Owais Shah fell soon after for a creditable 45 - giving Rampaul a third wicket - and with 107 needed from less than 13 overs, with just three wickets in hand, that was effectively game over.
The rain started falling heavily on a miserable day for the home spectators - but the grim viewing continued as Mascarenhas holed out to mid-off.

There was another brief delay at 180-8 and the few spectators who were left watched the match end when Anderson was caught behind off Edwards.

The series now heads to a decider at Trent Bridge on Saturday, where, touch wood, the forecast is pretty good.

Live Scores-England VS WestIndies

NatWest One Day International Series: Live Scores-England v West Indies
04-07-2007 at Edgbaston
West Indies beat England by 61 runs
England won the toss and decided to field
West Indies Innings
278 for 5 (50.0 overs)
England Innings
217 all out (46.0 overs)

West Indies Innings - Close


Runs
Balls
4s
6s
Gayle c Anderson b Sidebottom
36
40 2 3
DS Smith c Prior b Anderson
17
21 2 0
Chanderpaul not out

116
122 7 3
Samuels c Sidebottom b Broad
77
104 8 1
DR Smith lbw b Broad
7
5 0 1
Morton c Bell b Sidebottom
3
5 0 0
Ramdin not out

2
3 0 0
Extras

15w 5lb 20

Total

for 5 278 (50.0 ovs)

Bowler
O
M
R
W
Anderson 10.0 3 78 1
Sidebottom 9.0 1 56 2
Broad 10.0 0 49 2
Mascarenhas 10.0 1 31 0
Collingwood 5.0 0 30 0
Yardy 6.0 0 29 0

Fall of wicket

50 DS Smith
67 Gayle
242 Samuels
257 DR Smith
274 Morton


England Innings - All out


Runs
Balls
4s
6s
Cook c Edwards b Powell
19
24 3 0
Prior c DS Smith b Powell
52
73 3 1
Bell lbw b Rampaul
2
6 0 0
Pietersen

b Rampaul
9
11 1 0
Shah c Ramdin b Rampaul
45
64 2 1
Collingwood lbw b Edwards
1
5 0 0
Yardy c DR Smith b Bravo
19
42 1 0
Mascarenhas c Powell b Rampaul
3
11 0 0
Broad not out

22
19 2 0
Sidebottom run out

15
7 2 0
Anderson c Ramdin b Edwards
3
18 0 0
Extras

4nb 13w 10lb 27

Total

all out 217 (46.0 ovs)

Bowler
O
M
R
W
Rampaul 10.0 0 41 4
Powell 10.0 0 45 2
Edwards 10.0 0 43 2
DR Smith 9.0 0 54 0
Bravo 7.0 0 24 1

Fall of wicket

23 Cook
30 Bell
64 Pietersen
113 Prior
117 Collingwood
171 Yardy
172 Shah
179 Mascarenhas
195 Sidebottom
217 Anderson


Umpires: B G Jerling, N J Llong
England: Cook, Prior, Bell, Pietersen, Shah, Collingwood, Mascarenhas, Yardy, Broad, Sidebottom, Anderson
West Indies: Gayle, DS Smith, Morton, Samuels, Chanderpaul, Bravo, Ramdin, DR Smith, Powell, Rampaul, Edwards