Thirty five players to celebrate their birthdays during the World Cup

A total number of 35 players will celebrates their birthdays during the 10th edition of the World Cup to be held jointly in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka from February 19 to April 2, 2011.

Six players from England, five players from Zimbabwe, four players each from South Africa and New Zealand, three players each from Sri Lanka, Holland and Canada, two players each from Bangaldesh and Pakistan and one player from Ireland will celebrate their birthdays during the 43-day tournament. There is no birthday boy in Kenya, West Indies and Indian teams.

Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan, Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi, England’s Andrew Strauss and Zimbabwean Elton Chigumbura are the four skippers to cut his birthday cake during this mega event.

Australian Shaun Tait, Canadian Khurram Chohan and New Zealand’s Hamish Bennett will be first three players to celebrates their birth day. The all three were born on 22nd February.

Australian vice-captain will celebrate his 30th birthday on the final day of the tournament. It will be lucky holiday for him if Australian in the final and win the tournament for the fourth time in a row. But it looks hard and impossible.

England’s James Tedwell will cut their birthday cake on February 27 when their team will play against India at Banglaore. It will be a birthday gift for him if England defeated hosts in this match. Zimbabwean Greg Lamb also celebrate his 30th birthday on March 4,1981 when his team playing against New Zealand at Ahmedabad.

New Zealand’s Hamish Bennett will be the youngest to celebrate his birthday during the 10th edition of the World Cup while Holland’s Bas Zuiderent and England’s Andrew Strauss will be the oldest. Hamish Bennett will cut his 23rd birthday cake on February 22 while Bas Zuiderent and Andrew Strauss will celebrate their 34th birthdays on March 2.

BIRTH DAY BOYS IN THE 2011 WORLD CUP:

Player Date of Birth Birth day

Shaun Tait (Australia) 22-02-1983 28th

Khurram Chohan (Canada) 22-02-1980 31st

Hamish Bennett (New Zealand) 22-02-1987 23rd

Chamara Kapugendera (Sri Lanka) 24-02-1987 24th

Zubin Sukari (Canada) 26-02-1980 31st

Matt Prior (England) 26-02-1982 29th

James Tredwell (England) 27-02-1982 29th

Tim Bresnan (England) 28-02-1985 26th

Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) 01-03-1980 31st

Abdur Rehman (Pakistan) 01-03-1980 31st

Andrew Strauss (England) 02-03-1977 34th

Bas Zuiderent (Holland) 03-03-1977 34th

Balaji Rao (Canada) 04-03-1978 33rd

Kevin O’Brien (Ireland) 04-03-1984 27th

Greg Lamb (Zimbabwe) 04-03-1981 30th

Berend Westdijk (Holland) 05-03-1985 26th

Lonwabo Tsotsobe (South Africa) 07-03-1984 27th

Luke Wright (England) 07-03-1985 26th

Ross Taylor (New Zealand) 08-03-1984 27th

Charles Coventry (Zimbabwe) 08-03-1983 28th

Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) 11-03-1985 26th

Elton Chigumbura (Zimbabwe) 14-03-1986 25th

Kyle Mills (New Zealand) 15-03-1979 32nd

Rangana Herath (Sri Lanka) 19-03-1978 33rd

Luke Woodcock (New Zealand) 19-03-1982 29th

Morne Van Wyk (South Africa) 20-03-1979 32nd

Terry Duffin (Zimbabwe) 08-03-1983 28th

Atse Buurman (Holland) 21-03-1982 29th

Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) 24-03-1987 24th

Geraeme Swann (England) 24-03-1979 32nd

Prosper Utseya (Zimbabwe) 26-03-1985 26th

Imran Tahir (South Africa) 27-03-1979 32nd

Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh) 27-03-1998 22nd

Hashim Amla (South Africa) 31-03-1983 28th

Michael Clarke (Australia) 02-04-1981 30th

Meet the England team for the World Cup

The following are the pen sketches of England team who are participating in the 10th edition of the World Cup to be held jointly in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka from February 19 to April 2, 2011.Eight players, Tim Bresnan, Matt Prior, Ajmal Shahzad, Graeme Swann, James Tredwell, Jonathan Trott, Like Wright and Michael Yardy are participating in the World Cup for the first time.

ANDREW JOHN STRAUSS (MIDDLESEX-CAPTAIN):

Born on March 2,1977 at Johannesburg, South Africa. Left hand opening batsman and left arm medium pace bowler. Played 120 one day internationals since debut against Sri Lanka at Dambulla on November 18, 2004. Led England in 55 one day internationals, won 24 ,lost 30 and abandoned one match. Participating in the World Cup for the second time.

JAMES MATTHEW ANDERSON (LANCASHIRE):

Born on July 30,1982 at Burnley. Right hand batsman and right arm medium pace bowler. Played 137 one day internationals since debut against Australia at Melbourne on December 15,2002. Participating in the World Cup for the third time.

IAN RONALD BELL (WARWICKSHIRE):

Born on April 11,1982 at Walsgrave Coventry. Right hand middle order batsman and right arm fast medium bowler. Played 90 one day internationals since debut against Zimbabwe at Harare on October 28,2004. Participating in the World Cup for the second time.

 TIMOTHY THOMAS ‘TIM’ BRESNAN(YORKSHIRE):

Born on February 28, 1985 at Pontefract. Right hand lower order batsman and right arm medium fast bowler. Played 35 one day internationals since debut against Sri Lanka at Lord’s on June 17, 2006. Participating in the World Cup for the first time.

STUART CHRISTOPHER JOHN BROAD (NOTTINGHAMSHIRE):

Born on June 24, 1986 at Nottingham. Right hand tail end batsman and right arm fast medium bowler. Played 73 one day internationals since debut against Pakistan at Cardiff on August 30, 2006. Participating in the World Cup for the second time.

PAUL DAVID COLLINGWOOD (DURHAM):

Born on May 26,1976 at Shotley Bridge. Right hand lower order batsman and right arm off break/medium pace bowler. Played 193 one day internationals since debut against Pakistan at Birmingham on June 7,2001. Captained England in 25 one day internationals, won11, lost 12, tied one and abandoned one match. Participating in the World Cup for the third time.

EOIN JOSEPH GERBARD MORGAN (MIDDLESEX):

Born on September 10,1986 at Dublin. Left hand middle order batsman, right arm medium pace bowler and occasional wicket-keeper. Played 61 one day internationals since debut for Ireland against Scotland at Ayr on August 5,2006. Participating in the World Cup for the second time. Played for Ireland in 2007 World Cup.

KEVIN PETER PIETERSEN (NOTTINGHAMSHIRE):

Born on June 27,1980 at Pietermartizburg, South Africa. Right hand middle order batsman and right arm off-break bowler. Played 42 one day internationals since debut against Zimbabwe at Harare on November 28,2004. Participating in the World Cup for the first time.

MATTHEW JAMES PRIOR (SUSSEX):

Born on February 26, 1982 at Johannesburg, South Africa. Right hand opening/ lower oder batsman and wicket-keeper. Played 61 one day internationals since debut against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo on December 5, 2004. Participating in the World Cup for the first time.

AJMAL SHAHZAD (YORKSHIRE):

Born on July 27, 1985 at Huddersfield. Right hand tail end batsman and right-arm fast medium bowler. Played nine one day internationals since debut against Bangladesh at Chittagong on March 5, 2010. Participating in the World Cup for the first time.

GRAEME PETER SWANN (NOTTINGHAMSHIRE):

Born on March 24, 1979 at Northampton. Right hand tail end batsman and off break bowler. Played 44 one day internationals since debut against South Africa at Bloemfontein on January 23, 2000.Participating in the World Cup for the first time.

JAMES CULLUM TREDWELL (KENT):

Born on February 27, 1982 at Ashford. Left hand tail end batsman and right arm off break bowler. Played three one day internationals since debut against Bangladesh at Dhaka on March 2, 2010. Participating in the World Cup for the first time.

IAN JONATHAN LEONARD TROTT (WARWICKSHIRE):

Born on April 22, 1981 at Cape Town, South Africa. Right hand opening batsman and right arm medium fast bowler. Played 18 one day internationals since debut against Ireland at Belfast on August 27, 2009. Participating in the World Cup for the first time.

LUKE JAMES WRIGHT (LEICESTERSHIRE):

Born on March 7, 1985 at Grantham, Lincolnshire. Right hand lower order batsman and right arm fast medium bowler. Played 44 one day internationals since debut against India at The Oval on September 5, 2007. Participating in the World Cup for the first time.

MICHAEL HOWARD YARDY (SUSSEX):

Born on November 27, 1980 at Pembury. Left hand lower order batsman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler. Played 25 one day internationals since debut against Pakistan at Nottingham on September 8, 2006. Participating in the World Cup for the first time.

Laxman gets Padma Shri

 Vangipurappu Venkata Sai Laxman will be conferred the Padma Shri for his services to the game.The Hyderabad batsman, who has played significant turns in securing many memorable wins for Team in Tests, follows teammate Virender Sehwag in the list, the swashbuckling opener having been conferred the honour last year.

The Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian honour in the country after the Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan.

Laxman became 28th Test cricketer and 31st overall to receive Padma Shri. He joins the long list of cricketers to have been confirred the honour. It includes names like Bishan Singh Bedi ,Sunil Gavaskar , Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble and Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

The first cricketers to receive Padma Shri was Vijay Hazare and Jasu Patel who received the same in 1960. Swarup Kishen Reu is the only umpire to receive the same while Prof Dinkar Balwant Deodhar is the only non-Test playing cricketer to be awarded Padma Shri. Diana Edulji is the only female cricketer in this honours list.

Laxman scored 7903 runs at 47.32 with 16 centuries and 49 fifties in 198 innings of 120 Test matches.

 PADAM SHRI CRICKETERS:

 Year Player

The Club of unlucky 99 in Tests

There is nothing in cricket more disappointing than to be dismissed or left stranded on 99 in a Test match.

In the second Test match between Pakistan and New Zealand at at Basin Reserve, Wellington on Monday (January 17). Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq became the 74th player in the history of Test cricket to become the victim of 99. It was 83rd instance when a batsman missed his century by one run.

The 36-year old, right hander from Mianwali was leg before by Chris Martin to become ninth Pakistani batsman on 10 occasion in Test cricket, to be dismissed for 99. The Pakistani skipper had been incredibly patient as he clawed his way to 99 off 206 balls, but shuffled across his stumps to try to force a Chris Martin delivery to the leg-side only to be hit in front and given out leg before wicket.

Misbah-ul-Haq is the second Pakistani batsman after Inzamam-ul-Haq and 11th batsman overall to be dismissed leg before on 99.

England’s Mike Smith, Geoff Boycott and Mike Atherton, West Indies’ Richie Richardson, Pakistan’s Salim Malik, New Zealand’s John Wright, India’s Sourav Ganguly and Australian Greg Blewett, and Simon Katich are the batsmen who achieved this ‘unwanted’ feat twice.

Donald Bradman had said to Arthur Chipperfield after his dismissal on 99 on debut: “Never mind, many people score centuries on debut. Very few got out at 99 and so you will be remembered as the first.

Nine of 74 batsmen who were dismissed on 99 never scored a hundred in Tests. They are Norman Yardley (England), John Beck (New Zealand), Maqsood Ahmed (Pakistan), Rusi Surti (India), Martin Moxon (England), Dipak Patel (New Zealand), Alex Tudor (England), Shane Warne (Australia) and Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka).

Hashim Amla’s fifty of Test matches

Hashim Amla became the 16th South African and 234th player overall to appear in 50 or more Test matches.

The second Test match between India and South Africa which start at Kingsmead, Durban on Sunday (December 26) is the 50th for the right hand batsman.

Hashim Amla who made his debut against India at Kolkata on November 28, 2004, took six years and 29 day to reach this landmark.

** Dale Steyn became the third South African bowler to take 40 or more wickets against India. The right arm fast bowler from Phalaborwa achieved this feat by dismissing Virender Sehwag, caught by Jacques Kallis in only the ninth Test match. Allan Donald (57 wickets in 11 Tests) and Shaun Pollock (52 wickets in 12 Tests) were the other two South African bowlers to take 40 or more wickets against India before Dale Steyn.

** Sachin Tendulkar’s dismissal on 13th was his sixth time in 287 innings of 176 Test matches. He became the 10th player to be dismissed on 13 for sixth or more times in Tests. Australian Steve Waugh and England’s Mike Atherton shared the record with seven dismissals each on 13.

** Jacques Kallis became only the second South African fielder after Brian McMillan to take 20 or more catches against India. Jacques Kallis achieved this feat in his 15th Test match against India by holding Sachin Tendulkar off Lonwabo Tsotsobe. Brian McMillan took 21 catches in 10 Test matches against India.

** Mark Boucher became the first South African and fifth wicket-keeper overall to dismiss 50 or more Indian batsmen behind the wickets. Mark Boucher achieved this feat, in his 13th Test match against India, by holding Rahul Dravid off Dale Steyn. The other wicket-keeper to achieve this feat before him were Australian Adam Gilchrist (75 dismissals in 18 Tests), West Indian Jeff Dujon (60 dismissals in 19 Tests), Pakistan’s Wasim Bari (55 dismissals in 18 Tests) and England’s Allan Knott (54 dismissals in 14 Tests).

A fifty of centuries for Sachin Tendulkar in Tests

Sachin Tendulkar became the first batsman ever to score 50 centuries in Test cricket. The master blaster achieved this feat by making an unbeaten 100 off 197 balls with 12 fours and a six on the fourth day of the first Test match against South Africa at Super Sport Park , Centurion on Sunday (December 19).

Sachin Tendulkar’s 50th hundred came in the 286 innings of 175 Test matches. He scored 22 centuries in 130 innings of 79 Test matches at home while his 28 centuries came in the 156 innings of 96 Test matches outside India.

The right hand batsman from Mumbai, scored his first hundred in the 14th inning of the ninth Test match against England at Old Trafford, Manchester on August 14, 1990. He made an unbeaten 119 in 225 minutes off 189 balls with 17 fours. At 17 years and 107days, he became the second youngest batsman to score a hundred in Test matches. Pakistan’s Mushtaq Mohammed (17 years and 78 days) holds the record of youngest ever centurion in Tests when Sachin scored this hundred. Now Bangladesh’s Mohammed Ashraful (17 years and 61 days) is the youngest to score a century in Tests, puts Sachin on third position.

Master balster made a century without a cover-drive, goes on to get an unbeaten 241 in Sydney in 2003-04, and rates it the best among his centuries. Australia manages to hold on for a draw, and the series ends 1-1.

By making 109 against Sri Lanka at Delhi in 2005-06 became the highest centurion in Test cricket, overtaking Sunil Gavaskar’s 34 in 125 Tests. It was his 35 century in 201 innings of 125 Tests.

During the six-year period from January 1997 to December 2002, Tendulkar managed 21 centuries – an average of one every 2.81 matches in 59 Tests.

Out of the 286 innings Sachin Tendulkar has played in Tests, 233 have been at the number four position. And 44 of his 50 hundreds have been scored at this slot, with four coming at No. 5 and two at No. 6.

Sachin Tendulkar has the distinction to score centuries against each Test playing nation. Except Zimbabwe he scored century in each Test playing nations too.

The champion batsman scored 20 centuries for the winning cause in 60 matches and the same number of hundreds were scored in the 69 drawn matches. Sachin Tendulkar scored 10 hundreds in 45 Tests for the losing cause

Aus-Sri Lanka one day series

World Champion Australia takes on Sri Lanka in the first match of the three-match series at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday (November 3).

It will be the 69th in one day internationals between the two teams and 41st on Australia soil.

Australia have a good record against Sri Lanka in one day internationals. They have won 46 out of 68 played against the Islanders who have won 20 while two matches ended without a result.

The Aussies also have a good record against the Lankans at home. They have won 32 and lost eight in 40 matches played against Sri Lanka in Australia.

In the last 10 encounters played between the two teams, Australia achieved victories in eight matches while Sri Lanka have won on two occasions.

Australia have won 28 and lost 10 in 28 matches played against Sri Lanka under lights.

Sri Lanka achieved a 13-run victory over Australia when two teams met in the Commonwealth Bank Series at Melbourne Cricket Ground on February 29,2008. Batting first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 221 in 50 overs. In reply, Australia scored 208 runs in 48.1 overs to loss the match by 13 runs.

HIGHEST INNINGS TOTALS :

Australia piled up 368 for five in 50 overs at Sydney on February 17,2006 which is their highest ever total against Sri Lanka in one day internationals. Sri Lanka’s highest against Australia is 343 for five in 50 overs at Sydney on January 9,2003.

LOWEST INNINGS TOTALS :

Sri Lanka were bundled out for 91 runs in 35.5 overs at Adelaide on January 28,1985, which is their lowest total against Australia. Australia’s lowest against Sri Lanka is 162 in 48.4 overs which was made at Colombo on September 27,2002

HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL SCORES :

Adam Gilchrist who made 154 at Melbourne on February 7,1999, holds the record of highest individual score for Australia against Sri Lanka. Sanath Jayasuriya’s 122 at Sydney on January 9,2003 is the highest individual score by a Sri Lankan batsman against the World Champions.

BEST BOWLING PERFORMANCES :

Anthony Dodemaide’s five for 21 at Perth on February 1,1988 is the best bowling performance for Australia against Sri Lanka. The record of best bowling performance for Sri Lanka against Australia is held by Sanath Jayasuriya who took five wickets for 28 runs at Galle on August 22,1999.

HIGHEST MARGINS OF VICTORY:

Australia’s 232-run victory at Adelaide on January 28,1985 and 9-wicket win at Perth on December 30,1989 and February 3,1985, at Sharjah on April 14,1994, at Melbourne on January 21,2003 and at Brisbane on February 14,2006 are their biggest against Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka recorded their biggest victories by defeating Australia by 8 wickets at Colombo on August 31,1999and by 79 runs at Sydney on January 9,2003.

Simon Katich and Michael Hussey Joins 4000-Run Club

Simon Katich became the 23rd Australian and 107th batsman overall to score 4000 or more runs in Test cricket.

The left hand middle order batsman from Middle Swan, Western Australia reached this milestone during his 56-run knock on the fourth day of the first Test match at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali on Monday (October 4). It was 93rd innings of his 53rd Test match.

Simon Katich also became the eighth Australian batsman to score 1000 or more runs against India. His 1000 runs against India came in the 24th innings of 13th Test match. Matthew Hayden (1888 runs in 18 Tests), Ricky Ponting (1862 runs in 24 Tests), Allan Border (1567 runs in 20 Tests), David Boon (1204 runs in 11 Tests), Bobby Simpson (1125 runs in 11 Tests), Steve Waugh (1090 runs in 18 Tests) and Justin Langer (1047 runs in 14 Tests) were the other Australian who scored more than 1000 runs against India before Simon Katich.

After Simon Katich, Michael Hussey joined the 4000-run club during his 28-run knock. The left hand batsman from Mt Lawley, Perth, Western Australia, batted in 92 innings of 53 Test matches to reach this milestone.

** Gautam Gambhir received his maiden duck in the 10th innings of fifth Test match against Australia. It was his third duck in 59 innings of 33rd Test match.

** Shane Watson scored a century and a fifty century in the same Test match for the first time in 21 Test matches. The Australian opener went to score 56 in the second after making 126 in the first innings.

** Zaheer Khan recorded the best bowling performance in a match against Australia by taking eight for 137. It was his third best bowling performance in a Test match after 10 for 149 against Bangladesh at Dhaka in 2009-10 and nine for 134 against England at Nottingham 2007.

** Suresh Rains was out for a duck for the first time in the fifth innings of the third Test match

Sri Lanka’s 24th Title Win In One Day Tournaments

Sri Lanka defeated India by 74 runs in the final to win the three-nation Micromax Cup at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Saturday (August 28).

It was Sri Lanka’s 24th title win in limited overs international cricket and second under Kumar Sangakkara. Eleven of Sri Lanka’s 24 title wins in limited overs international cricket came at home.

Sri Lanka achieved their first tournament victory under the captainship of Duleep Mendis in 1986 when they won the John Player Asia Cup played in Sri Lanka.

The victory under Arjuna Ranatunga in the Wills World Cup in 1996 was Sri Lanka’s biggest in international cricket.

The Islanders have won eight titles under Sanath Jayasuriya between 1999 and 2002.

SRI LANKA’S ‘CUP’ VICTORIES:

Year                       Venue                                  Tournament                       Captain

1986                       Sri Lanka                              John Player Asia Cup      Duleep Mendis

1995                       Sharjah Singer                   Champions Trophy          Arjuna Ranatunga

1996                       Ind/Pak/S.L                        Wills World Cup                Arjuna Ranatunga

1996                       Sri Lanka                              Singer Cup                          Arjuna Ranatunga

1997                       Sharjah                                 Singer-Akai Cup                Arjuna Ranatunga

1997                       India Pepsi                          Independence Cup         Arjuna Ranatunga

1997                       Sri Lanka                              Pepsi Asia Cup                   Arjuna Ranatunga

1998                       England                                Emirates Triangular         Arjuna Ranatunga

1999                       Sri Lanka                              Aiwa Cup                             Sanath Jayasuriya

2000                       Sri Lanka                              Singer Cup                          Sanath Jayasuriya

2000                       Sharjah                                 Coca Cola Cup                    Sanath Jayasuriya

2001                       Sharjah                                 ARY Gold Cup                    Sanath Jayasuriya

2001                       Sri Lanka                              Coca Cola Cup                    Sanath Jayasuriya

2001                       Sri Lanka                              LG Abans Cup                    Sanath Jayasuriya

2002                       Tangier                                Morocco Cup                     Sanath Jayasuriya

2002                       Sri Lanka                              ICC Trophy                          ** Sanath Jayasuriya

2004                       Sri Lanka                              Asia Cup                               Marvan Atapattu

2004                       Pakistan                               Paktel Cup                          Marvan Atapattu

2005                       Sri Lanka                              Indian Oil Cup                    Marvan Atapattu

2008                       Pakistan                               Asia Cup                               Mahela Jayawardene

2009                       Bangladesh                         Tri-Nation Cup                   Mahela Jayawardene

2010                       Bangaldesh                         Tri-Nation                             Kumar Sangakkara

2010                       Zimbabwe                           Micromax Trianguler      Tillakaratne Dilshan

2010                       Sri Lanka                              Micromax Cup                   Kumar Sangakkara

**Shared with India

Sehwag Joins 1000-Four Club in One Dayers

Virender Sehwag became the third Indian and seventh batsman overall to hit 1000 or more fours in limited overs international cricket.

The right hand opening batsman from Delhi reached this landmark, in the 221st innings of 227th match, by hitting third four off Kyle Mills during his 110-run knock in the last league match of the Triangular series against New Zealand at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Wednesday (August 25).

Virender Sehwag who made his international debut against Pakistan at Mohali on April 1,1999, took 11 years and 146 days to reach this landmark.

Viru hit 337 fours in 71 innings of 74 matches at home while he smashed 676 fours in 150 innings of 153 matches outside India.

Sachin Tendulkar (India-1927 fours in 442 matches), Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka-1500 fours in 444 matches), Ricky Ponting (Australia- 1164 fours in 351 matches), Adam Gilchrist (Australia-1162 fours in 287 matches), Sourav Ganguly (India-1122 fours in 311 matches) and Brian Lara (West Indies-1035 fours in 299 matches) were the other bastsmen to attain this distinction before him.

The Sultan of Multan also became the highest century makers for India against New Zealand in one day internationals by making his sixth century in 23rd innings of as many matches. Sachin Tendulkar who made five hundreds in 41 innings of 42 one day international matches held the previous record.

By hitting sixth hundred against New Zealand, Viru also equaled Australian Ricky Ponting’s record of most hundreds against Kiwis. The Australian skipper made six hundreds in 49 innings of 50 against New Zealand.

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