Pakistan beats West Indies by four wickets

Bang in the middle of the desert and on a cool and breezy day, West Indian captain Chris Gayle threatened to blow the opposition away but Pakistan produced a late fightback to restrict them to 294 for 9 in 50 overs in the first one-day international of the Fortune Cup three-match series at the Zayed International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

West Indian captain Gayle had no hesitation to take first strike on a wicket which was a perfect batting strip, but also had something in it for the bowlers who used their mind a bit.

After a cautious start against the Pakistan new ball bowlers Sohail Tanvir and Abdul Rauf, the West Indian skipper cut loose and threatened to take the game away from Pakistan.

From a modest beginning of just 11 runs from the first five overs, Jamaican Gayle went into overdrive, taking medium pacer Abdul Rauf to the cleaners, especially in the eighth over the innings.

In the eighth over, Rauf bowled short of a length and the skipper slammed it to midwicket boundary for his third boundary and the team’s third as well.

In the same over, Gayle smashed Rauf for a straight boundary and off the next ball, glanced it to the third man fence to finish up the over. Gayle, who was on 15 at the end of the seventh over, moved to 32 off just 21 balls with Rauf having conceded 17 runs in that over. West Indies had raced to 41 for no loss, thanks to that blitz. Rauf’s five-over spell read 5-0-55-0. Prior to that eventful over, his spell had read 4-0-33-0.

Umar Gul, who came on as first change and replaced a battered Rauf at the South Stand End, too wasn’t spared. Gayle whacked Gul for a huge six over midwicket and followed it up with an identical shot which had the same result. Gul’s first over cost 13 runs for Pakistan, which also included a no-ball.

The 29-year-old Gayle brought up his half century with a two off Gul. His knock of 50 came off 36 balls and was peppered with seven boundaries and three mighty sixes. He had 22 dot balls in that half-century.

While Gayle went on a rampage, fellow opener Sewnarine Chattergoon played the second fiddle to perfection. He just milked the singles and twos. His first boundary came after West Indies had crossed 50, and were 59 for no loss. His first boundary came off Sohail Tanvir.

Southpaw Chattergoon too tried to match up his mate but wasn’t as fluent as his captain. He tried to hoick Gul at one time over midwicket but didn’t time it well. The skier landed in no man’s land.

Off the next over, he scooped it off his pads for a boundary as West Indies raced to 93 for no loss in the first 15 overs. Gayle had made 58 off 45 balls with eight boundaries and three sixes while Chattergoon had moved to 29 off 47 balls with four boundaries.

West Indies opted for the third Power Play after the 15 overs. The batting side are allowed to opt for one Power Play. With the innings slipping out of his hands, Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik brought himself on to stem the run flow. Replacing Gul, who too was smashed around the park, Malik’s off-breaks gave away just three runs off his first over. Malik introduced spin at both ends, bringing on Shahid Afridi, who replaced Rauf, for his leg breaks. Gayle’s eyes lit up and he smacked Afridi’s third ball for a six over midwicket.

Pakistan finally achieved the breakthrough when Chattergoon didn’t get on top of the ball and skied Malik only to be caught at long on by Khurram Manzoor. His knock of 33 came off 55 balls with four boundaries. The first wicket partnership was worth 125 runs. West Indies were cruising along at a run rate of 6.41 then.

West Indies were still chugging along nicely at 151 for the loss of one wicket and then 168 for one when Gayle brought up his century off just 89 balls with 10 boundaries and five lip-smacking sixes. Gayle earned a reprieve just after his century, when on 109, but Gul failed to hold onto a lollipop after Gayle had hit it back to him.

But that didn’t prove costly as three balls later, Gayle was caught by Afridi off Gul to end a smashing innings of 113 from the West Indian captain.

His knock was studded with 11 boundaries and five sixes and came off 106 balls. He had a strike rate of 106.60. it was his 17th ODI century and the second one on the trot.

The second wicket partnership between him and his deputy Ramnaresh Sarwan was worth 73 runs, with Sarwan doing the bulk of the scoring with 43, and Gayle 28.

West Indies had moved to 198 for 2 by the 35th over and Sarwan reached his half century by cutting Gul, who bowled short and outside off, between cover and point for a boundary. Afridi removed Sarwan with wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal lapping it up after Sarwan had nicked down the leg side.

The run flow slowed down a bit as Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Xavier Marshall worked their way around to take West Indies to 255 for 4 by the 44th over. Marshall tried to smash Gul but missed and was castled.

Their partnership was worth 42 runs. Lower down, wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh and Australian-born Brendan Nash pushed West Indies to 294 for 9. Sohail Tanvir was on a hat-trick in the final over, removing Jerome Taylor and Daren Powell but Nikita Miller denied him that.

Sohail Tanvir finished up with three wickets while Umer Gul too had three wickets.

Proteas complete Kenya sweep

South Africa sealed a series sweep over Kenya with a comprehensive seven-wicket win in the second ODI in Kimberley.

Jacques Kallis hit an unbeaten 92 as the Proteas eased to a target of 223 with over 13 overs to spare at the De Beers Diamond Oval.

Opener Hashim Amla had made sure the run chase got off to a brisk start with 78 from 76 balls, while AB de Villiers chipped in with 28.

Kenya had posted a respectable score thanks to the efforts of opening batsman Seren Waters, after they had won the toss and chosen to bat first.

The 18-year-old, playing in just his fourth one-dayer for his country, hit nine fours and a six in his 116-ball innings of 74.

A Surrey second XI player, Waters shared a fourth-wicket stand of 88 with Thomas Odoyo, who made 32 before being run out.

Jimmy Kamande chipped in with 29 in the closing overs. All-rounder Albie Morkel was the pick of the South African attack, claiming 3-47.

The hosts suffered an early blow in reply when Herschelle Gibbs was dismissed by Nehemiah Odhiambo after only two runs were scored.

Dominated

Opening partner Hashim Amla took 16 balls to get off the mark before blossoming with a succession of fine shots to dominate a second-wicket partnership of 116.

Kallis was happy to play second fiddle until putting his foot down as the finishing line approached. He hit a six off a free hit to finish the game.

The all-rounder's knock followed up his 71 in Friday's victory in Bloemfontein after he spent time in the off-season working with former England coach Duncan Fletcher trying to find some form with the bat.

South Africa next play on Wednesday in a one-off Twenty20 international against Bangladesh before the start of a three-match one-day series between the two countries.

Clarke drives Australia recovery

India 613-7 dec (G Gambhir 206, V V S Laxman 200 no, S R Tendulkar 68) & 43-2 v Australia 577 (M J Clarke 112, R T Ponting 87, M L Hayden 83, S M Katich 64, M E K Hussey 53, V Sehwag 5-104)

Michael Clarke's eighth Test century led Australia out of trouble on the fourth day against India in Delhi.

The New South Welshman made 112 to help get the tourists up to 577 all out, a first-innings deficit of just 36.

He was dropped three times - on 21, 90 and 94 - before being ninth out in the evening session.

India stumbled to 43-2 in their second innings by the close, losing Virender Sehwag and nightwatchman Ishant Sharma.

Sehwag (16) fell to Brett Lee (1-19) for the second time in the match, bowled via the inside edge, while Lee's new-ball partner Stuart Clark (1-16) removed Ishant (1) from a simple catch off the splice to Ricky Ponting at point.

The hosts, who lead the four-match series 1-0, hold an overall advantage of 79 but, with just one day of the third Test at the Feroz Shah Kotla remaining, a positive result appears unlikely.

Australia resumed on the fourth morning at 338-4 in reply to India's 613-7 declared, needing another 76 just to avoid the follow on.

Clarke was handed a reprieve in the fourth over of the day when Ishant grassed a straightforward chance at long off after the right-hander had danced down the track and attempted to cart leg-spinner Amit Mishra out of the ground.

Shane Watson (36) was the first to depart when, after some early belligerence, he was bowled playing back by a delivery from a Sehwag that turned sharply to hit leg-stump.

That was the part-time spinner's fourth wicket of the innings but his hopes of completing a maiden five-wicket haul were initially stymied by his team-mates' poor fielding.

Clarke was twice the beneficiary - VVS Laxman dropped a simple chance at long-off and shortly afterwards Mishra failed to grasp another straightforward opportunity on the square-leg boundary.

India captain Anil Kumble, who missed most of the third day due to a finger injury, brought himself into attack immediately upon returning to the field after 14 overs had been bowled.

He finally picked up his first wicket of the series, getting rid of Brad Haddin (17), who was stumped after charging down the pitch and missing.

Cameron White joined Clarke in a 106-run, seventh-wicket stand that took Australia to the brink of tea.

Sehwag finally completed his five-wicket bag when White (44) dragged an bottom edged sweep back onto his stumps just before the interval.

There was just enough time left in the session for Clarke to reach three figures by chopping a Sehwag delivery into the covers. Australia's vice captain had faced 219 balls and hit just six fours and a six during an unusually restrained contribution.

Australia went to tea on 539-7 and at that stage had ambitions of claiming a first-innings lead.

But they lost their final three wickets in quick time during the evening session to be all out for 577.

Lee was the first to go, trapped lbw playing across the line to Kumble for eight. Clarke was then finally caught at deep extra cover by Zaheer Khan off Mishra (2-144) for 112 and Kumble (3-112) wrapped up the innings, dismissing Mitchell Johnson caught and bowled for 15.

Gambhir shines for India in third Test

Opening batsman Gautam Gambhir struck a career-best unbeaten 149 to propel India to 296-3 on an ill-tempered first day of the third Test against Australia here on Wednesday.

Gambhir put on 130 runs with Sachin Tendulkar (68) and also shared 139 runs with Venkatsai Laxman (54 not out) for the unbroken fourth wicket after the hosts were reeling at 27-2 in the morning session.

The opener, who bettered his previous-best knock of 139 against Bangladesh, was involved in verbal sparring with the tourists, who must avoid defeat here if they are to keep alive their chances of retaining the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

They trail 1-0 in the four-Test series after losing the previous match in Mohali by 320 runs. The opener in Bangalore ended in a draw.

Tensions between the two teams came to the boil when Gambhir apparently elbowed Shane Watson while taking a second run after the all-rounder seemed to mutter something to the batsman.

Watson unleashed a nasty bouncer in his next over but Gambhir responded by lofting him for a six over long-on to bring up his third Test century and second on the trot after his second-innings 104 in Mohali.

The left-hander also became involved in a spat with part-time bowler Simon Katich and umpire Billy Bowden had to intervene.

The trouble started when Katich apparently tried to obstruct Gambhir from taking a run and the Indian made his displeasure known. Katich charged at Gambhir but Michael Clarke pulled him away and Bowden stepped in promptly.

Laxman, playing his 99th Test, batted with composure amid all the action around him, reaching his 36th Test fifty.

Tendulkar made a fine 68 with 11 boundaries before edging behind to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin off Mitchell Johnson (2-69) in the last over before tea.

Tendulkar, 35, looked in sublime touch during his 124-ball knock, whipping Cameron White past extra cover and following it up with a slog sweep over midwicket to force the leg-spinner out of the attack.

The star batsman reached his 51st half-century with a four off Stuart Clark, who conceded just 29 runs off his 21 overs but failed to take a wicket.

The hosts lost in-form opener Virender Sehwag (one) and the usually dependable Rahul Dravid for 11 after Anil Kumble won the toss and elected to bat on an easy-paced track.

Sehwag had faced just two balls when he was trapped leg before off Brett Lee (1-70) in the third over of the day.

Dravid hit Johnson for a four to fine leg but then edged the bowler to Matthew Hayden, celebrating his 37th birthday, in the slips.

The fourth and final Test will be played in Nagpur from Nov 6-10.

New Zealand recover after early wobble

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori took three wickets in one over as Bangladesh slumped to 13 for three at the close of the fourth day of the rain-affected second and final Test.

The visitors declared their first innings on 262 for six midway through the final session with Jesse Ryder (91) and Brendon McCullum (66) hitting half-centuries.

In his only over Vettori had Zunaed Siddique stumped by McCullum for four before trapping Mohammad Ashraful and Rajin Saleh lbw for ducks.

Rain washed out the first three days and New Zealand, 1-0 up in the series, were put in to bat after play was delayed a further hour as groundstaff mopped up the soggy outfield.

The Kiwis lost three wickets in an eventful morning session as the Bangladesh pace attack exploited the damp pitch.

The innings was steadied by a stand of 137 for the fourth wicket between Ryder and McCullum.

Ryder fell nine runs short of a maiden Test century when he was caught at square-leg by Mehrab Hossain off left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak. He faced 140 balls and hit 12 boundaries.

"It is hard to accept falling short by nine runs after you have worked so hard to get there. But I will learn from that," Ryder said.

Resuming on 198 for four after tea, New Zealand lost two more wickets with McCullum caught at mid-wicket by Ashraful off spinner Shakib Al Hasan.

Vettori was then bowled by Ashraful for 22 while Daniel Flynn finished unbeaten on 35.

India thrash Australia by record margin in second Test

A sizzling performance by Zaheer Khan in the second Test here on Tuesday helped India to a crushing 320-run win against Australia and go 1-0 up in the four-Test series.

The left-arm paceman, 30, picked up three wickets, two of them on the trot, on the fifth and final day to wrap up the Australian second innings on 195 with more than two sessions to spare.

This was India's biggest Test win by runs ever and their 12th victory at home against Australia out of 38 matches.

Zaheer's effort capped an outstanding performance by off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and lanky fast bowler Ishant Sharma who gave India the crucial breakthroughs on Monday.

Singh took the top out of the Australian batting order by removing openers Matthew Hayden (29) and Simon Katich (20) before adding the key wicket of Michael Hussey (one) for figures of 3-36.

Sharma (2-42) claimed skipper Ricky Ponting (two) for the fifth time in as many matches and also took the wicket of Shane Watson, the top-scorer with 78 in Australia's first innings score of 268.

The Indians also owed the win to a sterling show from their batsmen who piled up 469 in their first essay before making 314-3 declared in their second.

The retiring Sourav Ganguly struck 102, Sachin Tendulkar a record-breaking 88 and stand-in skipper Mahendra Dhoni a sparkling 92 to lay the winning platform for the hosts.

The Australians struggled with the bat on a surface that Indian batsmen thrived on, the only saving grace being Watson's knock. Their bowlers, led by an off-colour Lee, also looked clueless against the Indian run machine.

Resuming the day on a wobbly 141-5 while chasing an insurmountable target of 516, the Australians tried to delay the inevitable but not for long.

Left-arm paceman Zaheer Khan struck in his very first over of the day, removing overnight batsman Brad Haddin (37) with a ball that crashed into the middle and off-stump.

Khan, man of the match in the drawn Bangalore opener for his exploits with the bat and the ball, followed it up with two wickets in two balls in his very next over.

Cameron White (one) tried to go for an expansive drive but ended up getting an outside edge which was taken by Mahendra Dhoni diving to his right behind the stumps.

Lee, in news for a reported tiff with captain Ricky Ponting, saw his off-stump uprooted by a searing delivery that nipped in sharply.

Michael Clarke, who put on 84 runs for the sixth-wicket stand with Haddin, continued to defy the fired-up Indian attack though, reaching his 9th Test half-century in process.

Clarke (69) was the last man out when he edged one to Virender Sehwag off leg-spinner Amit Mishra who picked five wickets on his Test debut on Sunday.

The third Test will be played in New Delhi from Oct 29-Nov 2 followed by the fourth and final in Nagpur (Nov 6-10).

Tendulkar nears Lara mark as India draw

Australia fell six wickets short of victory over India as the first Test petered out to a disappointing draw on the final day in Bangalore.

Set 299 for victory on a slow but occasionally difficult wicket, the Indians were 4-177 when Australian captain Ricky Ponting agreed to call a halt to proceedings after a final session lengthened by two delays for bad light.

Batsman VVS Laxman (42no) and Sourav Ganguly (26no) held firm either side of the breaks to ensure the Australians would leave the M Chinnaswamy Stadium disappointed after failing to finish off a match they controlled for long periods.

India had been a shaky 3-77 when Mitchell Johnson (1-23) found a way through the defence of Gautam Gambhir (29) soon after lunch, but Tendulkar and Laxman then combined for a stand of 61 that all but ended Australian hopes of squeezing out a last day win.

Tendulkar began his innings needing 64 to pass Lara's total of 11,953 runs and so become the greatest scorer in Test history, but after reaching 49 and with the light getting murky, he drove impatiently at a well-flighted ball from debutant Cameron White (1-49) and was caught at short cover.

White's delight at a momentous first wicket enhanced a creditable maiden Test appearance, in which he also fielded well and made a handy 18 not out as the tourists set their target this morning.

Australia declared at 6-228 after adding 35 runs in five overs of play, losing Shane Watson (41) in the second over to Ishant Sharma (3-40) before Brad Haddin (35no) and White batted swiftly to allow the tourists to build the lead.

Their defence of it began in ordinary fashion when Haddin, who did not have a good match behind the stumps, dropped an awkward but catchable snick from Sehwag off Brett Lee (1-26).

Fortunately for Haddin and the Australians, Sehwag was to last only one more ball.

Stuart Clark (1-12) gained a hint of away swing to claim Sehwag's outside edge when the batsman tried to flick to leg, Hayden clasping a low catch at slip.

Sri Lanka lash Pakistan to claim Canada T20 title

Veteran Sanath Jayasuriya, with his trademark big-hitting, and newboy Ajantha Mendis, delving into his bag of bewildering spin tricks, led Sri Lanka to a five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Canada Twenty20 final here on Monday.

Chasing 133 to win, Sri Lanka registered their first win over Pakistan in the new-style, wham-bang format with six balls to spare. He may be pushing 40 years old but Jayasuriya (40 runs) showed little sign of ageing as he and fellow opener Mahela Udawatte (25) put on 66 in 6.6 overs.

They took advantage off a wayward Pakistan attack with Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir and Umar Gul being hit to all parts of the ground in front of 9,000 fans at King City.

Jayasuriya was particularly harsh on Akhtar, flicking the recalled quick for four in his first over and then pulling him for consecutive sixes over midwicket. Desperate Pakistan, who had won the group match between the two sides by three wickets on Saturday, turned to spin and Shahid Afridi dismissed Udawatte while Shoaib Malik accounted for Jayasuriya.

But despite losing skipper Mahela Jayawardene for just five, Kaushalya Weeraratne (12) and Chamara Kapugedera (17 not out) saw Sri Lanka home.

Earlier Mendis, 16 years Jayasuriya's junior, took 3-23 for a tournament total of 11 wickets as he put the brakes on the Pakistan middle order.

Opener Salman Butt top scored with 44 before he fell to Mendis who also accounted for Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal. Zimbabwe trounced Canada by 109 runs to claim third place.

Zimbabwe had needed a bowl-out to beat the hosts in the group stage on Saturday but there was no repeat of that drama this time as the African side piled up 184-5, the highest score of the tournament. Opener Hamilton Masakadza smashed 79 with useful contributions coming from Chamu Chibhabha (40), Elton Chigumbura (25) and Keith Dabengwa (16 not out). Masakadza had made a brave 53 in his side's seven-wicket loss to Pakistan on Saturday and he was in brutal form again on Monday smashing two giant sixes off Abdool Samad.

Canada were immediately in trouble slipping to 10-3 by the sixth over as captain Ashif Mulla (2), Rizwan Cheema (2) and Sandeep Jyoti (0) all failed. Canada just managed to avoid the lowest Twenty20 score of all time - Kenya's 67 against Ireland in August - as they were skittled out for 75 with Zimbabwe's 23-year-old captain Prosper Utseya taking 3 for 26 with his off-breaks.

Pakistan crush Lanka by 3 wickets

Considering that cricket bats have normally been packed away at this time of year, it is hardly surprising that the T20 Canada tournament is proving tough for batsmen. The fourth match of the event was the major glamour tie and King City was almost a sell-out as Sri Lanka reached 137 for 9, which should be enough to make for an interesting run chase, although Umar Gul's four wickets kept the late scoring down.

The opening over provided a large proportion of the drama as Sanath Jayasuriya began the innings with consecutive boundaries off Shoaib Akhtar, but fell next ball when he top-edged to fine leg. There were signs that Shoaib was starting to find some rhythm and the crowd responded to his efforts with increasing volume.

A large section of support was reserved for Sri Lanka and they built a solid base as Mahela Udawatte and Jehan Mubarak added 51 for the second wicket. They made four changes form the team that beat Zimbabwe, including leaving out Ajantha Mendis which took something away from the contest, perhaps with a view on a likely final against Pakistan.

Mubarak was the more dominant, continuing positively after Udawatte was bowled round his legs by Shahid Afridi. Mubarak had struck six fours when he came down the track and was beaten by turn from Shoaib Malik, with Kamran Akmal completed a safe stumping - not something he has always managed.

As has been the case in all the matches, scoring off the spinners was tough and the middle order struggled to push on against Afridi and Malik. However, the main late action came from Gul, who showed why he has developed into one of the best death bowlers in the world.

He was held back towards the final stages of the innings and Malik may regret not allowing him his full four overs. His first wicket was Chamara Kapugedera, who was setting himself for a late assault, then he bowled full and straight at the tail, who kept swinging and missing. There was nothing fancy about Gul's plan, but it worked a treat.

Pakistan beat Canada by 35 runs

Pakistan in first match of four nation Twenty 20 championship here on Friday beats Canada by 35 runs, earlier Pakistan set target of 138 runs for Canada. Salman Butt won man of the match award.

Pakistan after beating Canada by 35 runs register their first win in the Four nation Twenty 20 championship held here, Canada despite opening well was not able to continue their chase with same pace, the hieghest scorer from Canada was Rizwan Cheema with 35 in 43 balls.

Pakistani bowlers made their mark by bowling well but apart from bowling Pakistan has to maintain good standards in upcoming matches especially in feilding and bating.

Pakistan won the toss earlier and elected to bat first thankfully with the efforts of Salman Butt as his 74 off 56 balls lifted them to 137 for 7.

Pakistan struggled for momentum on a tricky pitch, however Butt bided his time and gave the innings a late kick. But three wickets apiece for Umar Bhatti and Harvir Baidwan mean a major upset isn't out of the question.

Runs were hard to come by after a brisk start from Butt. Shoaib Khan, making his debut, fell in the fourth over to Bhatti and Younis Khan couldn't find the boundary in his 19-ball effort. Younis eventually pulled a catch to deep square-leg as Canada's tight bowling brought rewards.

With the innings stuttering, Butt took over and was the commanding presence in a fourth-wicket stand of 64 in seven overs with Misbah-ul-Haq. With overs running out Butt began to play his shots, passing fifty off 48 balls with a six off Balaji Rao and taking 17 off an over from Sunil Dhaniram.

Pakistan team prepared well for this event by playing the RBS 20-20 Cup at home. The team looks a balanced one with ace fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar being the star inclusion. The speedster will be returning to the side after almost a year and will be eager to give a solid performance which he quite often does on his comeback.

Shoaib might be a bit rusty but the 20-20 format will enable him to get himself back into the groove as he can go flat out from the word go and has to bowl short spell. Some other talented youngsters have also been given their first chance with the likes of Sohail Khan, Anwar Ali and Shoaib Khan and their performances will be scrutinised closely. For this game Pakistan shouldn't have much of a problem disposing of Canada but still will have to play according to a plan and not be complacent.

Australia complete Bangladesh ODI sweep

Australia beat Bangladesh by 73 runs to complete a 3-0 sweep of their limited-overs series in Darwin.

The world champions posted a modest total of 198 for five from their 50 overs but sealed a comfortable victory by bowling out Bangladesh for 125 in the 30th over.

Mike Hussey, who was named player of the series, top scored for the Australians with an unbeaten 57 while opener Shaun Marsh made 30 after scoring half-centuries in the previous two matches.

"It was closer than the first two games but our mindset was to win this game," Australia's acting captain Michael Clarke said.

"Bangladesh batted well at the start, they were positive, but we all knew if we could just take one or two wickets it would put them on the back foot."

Bangladesh, who were thrashed in the two previous matches, produced easily their best performance of the series, briefly threatening an upset when they reached 82-3 on the back of a splendid half-century from Tamim Iqbal.

The teenage opener made 63 off 69 balls, featuring five fours and a six, but received little support from his team mates as only two other players made double figures. He threw his wicket away when he started running out of partners.

"I played a stupid shot, I shouldn't have played that shot and should have carried on the innings," he said. "The result would be different if I'd carried out the innings."

Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons was pleased with the progress of his bowlers but said the batting needed drastic improvement to challenge the best teams.

"A couple of guys are believing, but there's a few who aren't, that it requires hard work to make a big score," Siddons said.

"Those guys need to really look at their game and what they're doing when they go out to bat."

Bangladesh fail with bat again

Bangladesh's batting woes continued when they were dismissed for just 117 after winning the toss and electing to bat in their one-day match against Australia here on Wednesday.

Already 1-0 down in the series after being routed for a record low 74 in a 180-run defeat on Sunday, the tourists were in trouble from the moment they arrived at the crease, and lasted just 36.1 overs.

The first ball of the innings saw Tamim Iqbal caught by David Hussey from the bowling of Nathan Bracken for a golden duck, after the left-hander got an outside edge to a ball that swung away late.

It set the tone for the rest of the innings, as a ruthless Australia quickly capitalised on some good early movement with the ball.

It was nine for two in the fifth over, when fellow opener Mehrab Hossain jnr became Bracken's second victim for just one.

Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful carried his team's hopes but made just three before getting a thick outside edge when he attempted to drive Stuart Clark, Cameron White taking a sharp catch at first slip as the visitors slumped to 15 for three in a disastrous start.

Junaid Siddique, back in the team due to a finger injury to Raqibal Hasan, and Shakib Al Hasan finally offered some resistance, putting on 38 for the fourth wicket, but once their partnership was broken Bangladesh collapsed again.

Siddique fell to a superb rising delivery from Mitchell Johnson that took the outside edge and was caught by Haddin for 21.

Hasan (19) was trapped lbw by Johnson just four runs later and when Alok Kapali holed out to mid-off with a poor shot for just two, Bangladesh had lost three wickets for just six runs and slumped to 59 for six.

Dhiman Ghosh briefly lifted Bangladesh spirits when he lofted the leg-spin of White over mid-wicket for a six and four in successive balls to bring up their century, but when he went for 30, off 36 balls, his side crumbled again and the last three wickets fell for just 13 runs.

Five of the six Australian bowlers used tasting success, Johnson leading the way with 3-17.

Aussies thrash Bangladesh

Australia ensured history didn't repeat as they overcame another Andrew Symonds controversy to thrash Bangladesh by 180 runs in the first one-day match at TIO Stadium in Darwin.

The home side recovered from the distraction of having Symonds again pulled out of the match for disciplinary issues – just as he was in Cardiff in 2005 – to post a commanding 8-254 on a slowish wicket after being sent in.

They then wrapped up an imposing victory by skittling the tourists for 74 in 27.4 overs thanks to some excellent bowling and several dreadful shots by the Tigers' over-awed batsmen.

The victory was a significant one for Mike Hussey and Michael Clarke, the only two members of the side who were part of the embarrassing defeat to Bangladesh in the Welsh capital after Symonds showed up at the ground drunk.

Hussey's superb 85 from 87 balls bankrolled Australia's innings and earned him the man-of-the-match award, while Clarke sealed his first one-day win as acting skipper on home soil with the final catch of the match.

Clarke was forced to confront one of the less joyous parts of leading the team – he is doing so in Ricky Ponting's absence after wrist surgery – by deciding to send Symonds home after he missed a compulsory team meeting because he was fishing.

Even without Ponting, Symonds, Matthew Hayden and Brett Lee, it was clear Australia were able to exert their aura over their opponent.

"I'll be disappointed if we don't because our performances have been fantastic, especially in one-day cricket," Clarke said.

"We beat the West Indies 5-0 and we've come here and won convincingly today.

"We've got a fantastic squad, we've got so much talent around Australia and it doesn't matter who we play – every time we walk out to play for Australia we expect to win."

Opener Shaun Marsh also retained his composure with an elegant 76 in his first international innings on home soil, before Hussey provided the aggression in Symonds' absence, smashing three fours and a six off the 48th over. In reply, Bangladesh were on the back foot from the fourth over, when Stuart Clark first struck.

Any thoughts of another upset were then dashed when Mitchell Johnson removed the visitors' two best batsmen, Tamim Iqbal and captain Mohammad Ashraful, in successive overs to have the tourists 3-33 in the 11th over.

Highlighting a series of poor shots, Iqbal (21) scooped a rising delivery to Brett Geeves at third man, while Ashraful made a mess of a ball he should have defended and was leg before for 5.

Johnson finished with 2-10, Geeves took 2-11 in his one-day international debut and leg spinner Cameron White cashed in with a career-best 3-5.

Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons said the pre-meditated and poor shots proved the tourists were not ready for the challenge, by forgetting to remain patient.

"It changes every day for our boys, they can be wonderful with that minimal footwork and shot-playing, but they can also be ordinary," Siddons said.

"It's more the selection of shot.

"I think the occasion was too big for them.

"The people back home have built up this series a lot and the players felt that a bit today. It looked like they weren't up to it mentally."

Bangladesh's score was their lowest in a one-day international, surpassing the 76 against India in 2003.

Kulasekara, Mendis fire Sri Lanka to consolation win

Nuwan Kulasekara wrecked India's top order with a career-best haul of 4-40 to bowl Sri Lanka to a consolation 112-run victory in the fifth and final one-day international here yesterday.

India, who already had a winning 3-1 lead, were shot out for 103 chasing a rain-revised target of 216 off 44 overs under lights. They clinched the series 3-2.

It was India's third-lowest total against Sri Lanka in one-dayers. Teenager Virat Kohli was the top scorer with 31 in a brittle batting performance.

New-ball bowler Kulasekara was superbly backed by unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis, who finished with 4-10 off 4.3 overs.

"It was a good way to finish the series, but the Indians played well and deserved to win it," said Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene.

"Credit goes to the boys for the way we came back. We kept making mistakes through the series. We were not consistent in the batting department."

Man-of-the-match Kulasekara dismissed Kohli, Gautam Gambhir (11), Suresh Raina (10) and Rohit Sharma (three) in his sharp opening spell to build on Thilan Thushara's impressive maiden half-century under pressure.

Sri Lanka were struggling at 133-6 before Thushara (54 not out) and Jehan Mubarak (47 not out) added 94 off 78 balls for the seventh wicket with hard and clean hitting to help their team reach a competitive total on a slow pitch.

The hosts hardly felt the absence of main spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and seamer Chaminda Vaas as Kulasekara and Mendis did the job. Muralitharan and Vaas were rested.

"It was good to win the series with a game to spare," said India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was named man of the series for scoring 193 runs in five matches.

"These tracks are said to be slow, but the bounce has improved over the last few years. I am happy with the way our batsmen have played the spin. It was important to keep the strike rotating and our batsmen did that well."

Kulasekara ended India's early flourish when he had Gambhir caught by wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara. Gambhir added 38 for the opening wicket with Kohli.

The 19-year-old Kohli batted fluently, once pulling Kulasekara for a six. He fell just when he looked well-set, trapped leg-before playing across the line.

Kulasekara got a big wicket when he dismissed in-form Raina, who mistimed a pull to be caught by Dilhara Fernando at mid-off.

The seamer then returned after a rain interruption to trap Sharma leg-before to reduce the tourists to 76-4.

Sri Lanka virtually wrapped up the match when out-of-form Yuvraj Singh and Dhoni fell in the space of six runs to leave their team wobbling at 85-6.

Yuvraj inside-edged a Mendis delivery on to his stumps to finish the series with just 72 runs in five matches, while Dhoni was bowled by paceman Fernando, who finished with 2-24.

The hosts earlier plundered 84 in the last 10 overs, thanks to Thushara's brisk 46-ball knock containing six fours.

Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha (2-28) and seamer Irfan Pathan (2-52) raised India's hopes of restricting Sri Lanka to a modest total before Thushara and Mubarak rallied their side.

Pathan ended Sri Lanka's recovery when he removed well-set Mahela Udawatte (43) and opener Malinda Warnapura (30) in the space of four deliveries.

Udawatte and Warnapura batted sensibly to add 77 for the second wicket after the dismissal of veteran opener Sanath Jayasuriya (one) in seamer Zaheer Khan's first over.

Ojha kept a tidy line and length, removing Jayawardene (12) and Chamara Kapugedera (26) in the process.

Jayawardene, who won the first toss of the series, was held in the covers by Yuvraj, and Kapugedera was caught in the deep by Rudra Pratap Singh while going for a big shot.

Rudra Pratap also claimed a wicket when he had Sangakkara (one) caught by Gambhir at first slip. Sangakkara could make just 37 runs in five matches.

England clinch series in style

England clinched the NatWest Series with another dominant performance in a 126-run victory over South Africa at The Oval.

Samit Patel finished with five wickets as the tourists were shot out for just 170 in just 42.4 overs in persuit of England's total of 296-7, inspired by another well-timed knock from Andrew Flintoff.

Under the captaincy of Kevin Pietersen, England have now won all three of their completed one-day internationals - they had an ODI against Scotland washed-out - and the fourth Test at the end of the series against South Africa.

They lead the NatWest Series 3-0 with two matches to play, at Lord's on Sunday and Cardiff on Wednesday.

South Africa never got going in their run-chase, only Hashim Amla making any significant contribution (46 from 59 balls) after being brought in to replace injured captain Graeme Smith.

Spinner Patel continued his impressive start to international cricket adding 5-41 to his earlier 31 from 33 balls, while Flintoff returned figures of 2-33.

The big all-rounder had earlier top-scored with 78 not out from 77 balls, although England looked set for a much higher total after they were given a fine start by Ian Bell and Matt Prior.

Bell scored 73 off 77 balls, putting on 101 for the first wicket with Prior (33), England reaching 50 in less than eight overs and passing the hundred-mark immediately after the second powerplay.

Bell's departure started a top-order collapse, Owais Shah (23) and captain Pietersen (5) both falling to Jacques Kallis in quick succession for the addition of just 11 runs.

Their demise brought Flintoff to the crease and the all-rounder produced some punishing strokes with a variety of batting partners.

Former England one-day captain Paul Collingwood (14) briefly kept him company until he edged a Johan Botha delivery to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher.

Flintoff then enjoyed a 74-run partnership with Patel before Luke Wright added a quick-fire 17 at the close.

England crush South Africa by ten wickets

England demolished South Africa by ten-wickets at Trent Bridge to take a 2-0 lead in the NatWest Series.

The tourists were blown away for 83 by Stuart Broad's five-wicket haul after South Africa captain had won the toss and chosen to bat.

England openers Ian Bell and Matt Prior then cruised home in a flurry of boundaries, crossing the finishing line in just 14.1 overs in the latest comprehensive victory of new skipper Kevin Pietersen's already impressive reign.

All-rounder Broad, opening the bowling on his home ground, completed the fifth most successful figures in England one-day international history.

The 22-year-old finished with 10-3-23-5 as the South Africans were dismissed in 23 overs.

He completed his quintet when he was fortuitously awarded the dismissal of Johan Botha as the batsman jabbed down at a ball which nipped back off the seam.

Although he had four balls to surpass Paul Collingwood's England record return of six for 31, his statistics took something of a battering from Andre Nel, who struck three of them to the boundary.

But an attempt to launch Steve Harmison's opening delivery from the pavilion end into the stratosphere had disastrous consequences as Luke Wright steadied himself under a skier and Nel departed having top-scored with 13.

Although Albie Morkel, returning from a shoulder injury, put his side past South Africa's lowest one-day total of 69, scored against Australia in Sydney in 1993, with a hoik through the leg-side for four off Harmison, he was soon providing wicketkeeper Prior with a sixth catch behind the stumps.

South Africa's second-worst total was confirmed when Andrew Flintoff rearranged Dale Steyn's stumps.

After Proteas captain Graeme Smith won the toss, Nottinghamshire's Broad completed a stunning spell of four wickets in 16 balls to rip the heart out of the tourists' batting.

Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis and JP Duminy all succumbed to edges as did Smith, who was sensationally caught one-handed by a diving Prior.

The second of those was 22-year-old Broad's 50th one-day international wicket in his 34th appearance - and established him as the second youngest England bowler to reach the milestone behind James Anderson, his new-ball partner.

Broad's burst reduced the tourists, who slumped to a surprise 20-run defeat in the opener to the five-match series at Headingley on Friday, to 53 for seven by the end of his spell.

Flintoff's firepower with the ball accounted for both AB de Villiers and Mark Boucher and put England on course for a two-match NatWest Series advantage.

India crushes Sri Lanka by 33 runs

India's seamers destroyed Sri Lanka's batting order to fashion a 33-run victory in the third one-day international in Colombo.

On a seaming pitch, Sri Lanka's batsmen found run-making a difficult task and succumbed to 204 all out in 49 overs chasing India's total of 237 for nine.

The win gave India a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

India's three-pronged seam attack of Praveen Kumar, Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel made full use of the conditions under lights to cause a Sri Lankan top-order collapse.

They bowled in good areas, forcing the batsmen to commit errors as Sri Lanka slumped to 59 for six by the 18th over.

Only skipper Mahela Jayawardene stood tall, scoring an elegant 94 off 111 balls with six fours and a six as wickets fell around him. He was caught by Kumar off Patel.

Khan was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets for 23.

Jayawardene needed someone to stay with him if he was to turn the game on its head but found only Thilan Thushara (30) willing to hang around long enough to partner him in a stand of 81 off 102 balls, the highest of the match.

Half-centuries from Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Suresh Raina steered India to 237 for nine after they had won the toss and decided to bat first.

Raina and Dhoni shared a fifth-wicket stand of 54 off 45 balls after India had lost their way and were struggling at 91 for four in the 23rd over.

Raina went on to score 53 off 80 balls, including one six and four fours, before being run out because of a misunderstanding with his captain.

Dhoni, who made 76, forged another useful partnership with Rohith Sharma (32) that produced 67 off 39 balls for the sixth wicket to enable India to reach 212 in the 46th over.

The fourth match of the series is on Tuesday at the same venue.

England beat South Africa in first one-day international

Kevin Pietersen's golden start to the England captaincy continued as he hit 90 not out to set up a 20-run win in the first one-day international against South Africa at Headingley here on Friday.

Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff, who made 78 from 70 balls, hauled England up from 113-3 after 30 overs to 275-4 from 50 with a stand of 158 for the fourth wicket - a record for 50-over internationals on this ground.

And Pietersen's Midas touch returned in the South African innings when four bowling changes -- Steve Harmison (twice), Samit Patel and the captain himself -- produced wickets in their first over as the tourists were all out for 255.

Pietersen ended with figures of 2-22 with his off-spin and Harmison 2-43. In contrast to England, South Africa set off at pace in pursuit of their target with Herschelle Gibbs and Graeme Smith taking the score to 50 before Pietersen called up Harmison for his first one-day international bowl for nearly two years. Four balls later, the Durham quick had Smith caught behind and Gibbs was then bowled by Patel to leave South Africa 93-2 in the 15th over.

Pietersen immediately took Patel off, called a Power Play and brought back Harmison but he and Flintoff - who slowed down the scoring rate - could not break through. Pietersen brought himself on and immediately had AB de Villiers caught at midwicket for 24 then was involved in the run out of dangerman Kallis for 52 after a quick throw from Ian Bell.

Mark Boucher was next to fall under Pietersen's spell getting stumped by Matt Prior and after a stand of 34 for the sixth wicket, with Johan Botha Harmison returned to dismiss J-P Duminy and signal the end of South Africa's hopes. But it was with the bat that Pietersen made his most telling contribution.

After playing themselves in carefully, Flintoff and Pietersen unleashed a torrent of boundaries to demolarise the South Africans. Flintoff hit his highest score in one-day internationals since 2005 and he hit nine fours before being bowled backing away by Sale Steyn in the final over.

Pietersen escaped two big leg before appeals and a close run out when his bat appeared to bounce over the crease when he was on 23 and took 52 balls to hit his first four.

But once he had found his range, Pietersen and Flintoff took the score from 150 to 200 in just 38 balls before accelerating once more towards the end of the innings. On a sluggish pitch Pietersen's openers Prior and Bell got the score up to 27-0 off the first five overs England got bogged down afterwards and at one stage went 169 balls and only hit the fence twice. But the fireworks from Pietersen, who won his first Test as captain at the Oval, and Flintoff ensured that England had enough runs to bowl at. Kallis, who was spared the onslaught, was the pick of the South African bowlers with 2-25 from five overs.

Dhoni leads India to three-wicket win

India levelled the five-match one-day series with Sri Lanka with a tense, three-wicket victory in a low-scoring second one-day international.

Indian left-arm fast bowler Zaheer Khan claimed four for 21 to bowl out Sri Lanka for a paltry 142 in 38.3 overs in the morning.

At one stage, as India slumped to 75 for five, Sri Lanka looked capable of pulling off a shock victory but Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni settled the visitors' nerves, leading from the front with his 39 off 54 balls.

Dhoni added 60 with S. Badrinath, who scored a composed 27 from 57 balls on his debut.

With only eight required for the win, Dhoni was bowled by Dilhara Fernando and then spinner Ajantha Mendis, who finished with two for 22, trapped Harbhajan Singh (one) lbw to leave India on 139 for seven.

However, Badrinath and Zaheer Khan (two not out) pushed India past the winning line.

Young opener Virat Kohli also impressed for India with a skilful and mature 37.

Earlier, Khan had ripped through the top order with the new ball after India won the toss, dismissing Kumar Sangakarra (two), skipper Mahela Jayawardene (two), Chamara Kapugedera (nought) and explosive opener Sanath Jayasuriya (13).

Sri Lanka, who had been 1-0 up after an eight-wicket win on Monday, were reduced to 33 for four and later 44 for six.

Lower order batsman Thilan Thushara provided some resistance, top-scoring with 44 from 46 balls including seven boundaries and adding 74 runs for the seventh wicket with Nuwan Kulasekera (25).

Khan was supported by seamer Praveen Kumar, playing instead of left-arm spinner Pragyan Ohja, who took three for 34.

Sri Lanka's problems started early when Khan produced a beautiful delivery in his first over that cut back off the seam and hit the top of Sangakkara's off stump.

Khan struck a double blow in his third over, forcing Jayawardene to edge a catch to Yuvraj Singh at first slip before Kapugedera edged to the 'keeper.

Chamara Silva lasted two balls before Kumar had him caught at backward point off a delivery that went off the bat shoulder.

Jayasuriya, whose blistering 125 had rescued Sri Lanka from a perilous position in the Asia Cup final, hinted at a recovery before being dubiously adjudged leg before.

Thushara and Kulasekera provided the best partnership of the innings. However, when Thushara was caught in the deep off a slower ball from Kumar, the innings quickly subsided.

Sri Lanka's bowlers struck back in a short session before lunch with Kulasekera finding the outside edge of Irfan Pathan (five), who had been promoted up the order after Gautan Gambhir pulled out of the game with a stiff neck.

India were then reduced to 16 for two when Kulasekera also trapped Suresh Raina lbw for one.

Kohli and Yuvraj Singh (20) added an important 36 after the lunch interval before Mendis trapped Singh lbw.

Thilan Thushara dragged Sri Lanka further back into the game when Kohli was caught at short cover and Rohit Sharma was pinned lbw.

Although Sri Lanka pressed hard, chopping and changing their bowlers in pursuit of wickets, Dhoni and Badrinath were able to guide India home.

Triple blow puts India on backfoot

Danger bells sounded early on in the innings as India lost the third wicket in the form of Suresh Raina. With Sri Lanka taking wickets at regular intervals, Rohit Sharma arrived on the crease with the Indian scorecard reading a dismal 36 runs for the loss of three wickets at the end of 12 overs.

Earlier, Mahela Jayawardene dropped a rare opportunity in the slips on the last ball of the tenth over, Yuvraj Singh mistimed a delivery and would have added to India’s woes if the catch was taken cleanly.

Prior to this, Virat Kohli was trapped plumb in front of the wicket by Nuwan Kulasekara. The batsman departed after scoring 12 runs.

The visitors received the first jolt of the morning as opener Gautam Gambhir was clean bowled by veteran pacer Chaminda Vaas for a duck. He was bamboozled by a straighter delivery that moved a bit in the air. With the first wicket down with no runs on the board, Sri Lanka made an emphatic start to the ODI series. Earlier in the morning, India skipper MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat. The team composition had a change from the expected as Delhi blaster Virender Sehwag had to pull out due to an ankle injury. He was replaced by Virat Kohli.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara(w), Mahela Jayawardene(c), Chamara Kapugedera, Chamara Silva, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Kulasekara, Thilan Thushara, Ajantha Mendis, Muttiah Muralitharan

India (Playing XI): Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Mahendra Singh Dhoni(w/c), Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Pragyan Ojha, Munaf Patel