Hashim Amla And Morne Morkel Claims Top Honours

Hashim Amla scored the highest number of runs while his teammate right arm fast bowler Morne Morkel claimed the highest number of wickets in the just concluded five-one day matches series between Pakistan and South Africa in United Arab Emirates which South Africa won 3-2.

The right hand opening batsman scored 291 runs at an average of 72.75 and a strike rate of 105.43 with one century and two fifties in five innings of as many matches. He hit 30 fours and two sixes in this series. Mohammed Hafiz took the number one position for Pakistan. The right hand opening batsman, scored 203 runs at 40.60 and a strike rate of 89.03 with two fifties in five innings of as many matches. He hit 22 fours in five innings.

Morne Morkel took the first sport among the bowlers. The African fast bowler claimed eight wickets at an average of 26.37 and a economical rate of 4.68 in five matches. Shoaib Akhtar was the most successful bowler for Pakistan. The right arm fast bowler claimed seven wickets at 38.57 with a economical rate of 6.13 in five matches.

As many as three centuries, two each from South Africa and one from Pakistan, were scored five matches in this series. Colin Ingram (100) and Abdur Razzaq (109 not out) scored centuries in the second one dayer while Hashim Amla’s hundred (119 not out) came in the third match.

Two bowlers, both from South African side, claimed a four-wicket haul. Lonwabo Tsotsobe claimed four wickets for 27 in the first match while Morne Morke took four wickets for 47 runs, in the third match.

Hahshim Amla received his third man of the series award. He also became the first batsman to score over 1000 runs in 2010 during his 62-run knock in the final match.

Fifty of Victories Under Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Mahendra Singh Dhoni became the third Indian after Mohammed Azharuddin and Sourav Ganguly and 19th skipper overall to complete a half century of wins in limited overs international cricket.　

The five-wicket victory with seven ball remaining against Australia at Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam on Wednesday (October 20) was 50th win in 88 matches under Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Mahi who made his one day international debut against Bangladesh at Chittagong on December 23, 2004, led India for the first time against Australia at Bangalore on September 29,2007 after playing 84 limited overs international matches. He won 16 out of 30 matches at home while his 34 wins came in the 58 matches outside India.

Ricky Ponting (Australia-160 wins in 220 matches), Allan Border (Australia-178 wins in 160 matches), Hansie Cronje (South Africa-99 wins in 138 matches), Stephen Fleming (90 wins in 218 matches), Mohammed Azharuddin (India-90 wins in 174 matches), Arjuna Ranatunga (Sri Lanka-89 wins in 193 matches), Graeme Smith (South Africa-81 wins in 134 matches), Sourav Ganguly (India-76 wins in 147 matches), Imran Khan (Pakistan-75 wins in 139 matches), Vivian Richards (West Indies-67 wins in 105 matches), Steve Waugh (Australia-67 wins in 106 matches), Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka-66 wins in 118 matches), Wasim Akram (Pakistan-66 wins in 109 matches), Clive Lloyd (West Indies-64 wins in 84 matches), Shaun Pollock (59 wins in 97 matches), Brian Lara (West Indies-59 wins in 125 matches), Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka-57 wins in 97 matches) and Inzamam-ul-Haq (52 wins in 90 matches) were the other captains to win 50 or more limited overs international matches before Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

India’s Number Two Position Is At Stake

The first match of the three-match series between India and Australia will be played at Nehru Stadium, Kochi on Sunday (October 17).

India will have to beat Australia in this series, to retain second place in the ICC rankings. While Australia sits pretty at No 1 with 132 ratings points, India, South Africa and Sri Lanka are locked on 115. However, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s side is placed second by a fraction.

India will retain second place if it beats Australia 3-0 or 2-1, as they will have 121 or 118 ratings points in that case.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s side, however, can drop to fourth if it loses the series, as South Africa are 1-0 up against Zimbabwe in a three-match series. If South Africa wins all the three matches, it will move to 116 ratings points.

Sunday’s encounter will be the104th between the two teams in one day internatioanls and 44th on Indian soil.

Australia have a good record against India in previous one day internationals played between the two teams. The World Champions have won 61 and India 34 in 103 matches played between the two teams in one day internationals. The remaining eight matches could not produce a result.

The Australians also have a good record against India in matches played on Indian soil. They have won 23, lost 16 and abandoned four in 43 matches played against the former World Champions in India.

The Aussies have won 34, lost 18 and abandoned four in 56 matches played against India under the Sun lights.

In last 10 matches played between the two teams, India have won four while Australia achieved victories in the five encounters. The remaining one matches was ended without a result.

India and Australia have won one match each in two matches played at Kochi. India achieved a 41-run victory over Australia when two teams met first time at this ground on April 1,1998 while Australia defeated hosts by 84 runs in the last encounter on October 2, 2007.

Australia defeated India by six wickets in the last encounter between the two teams at Nehru Stadium, Guwahati on November 8, 2009.

Ten Straight Toss Loss For India

Ricky Ponting equaled Matthew Hayden’s Australian record of most fifty plus scores against India in Test cricket by making 77 off 147 balls with 12 fours on the opening day of the second Test match against India at M.Chinnawamy Stadium, Bangalore on Saturday (October 9).

It was Ricky Ponting’s eighth half century and 14th fifty plus knock in 44 innings of 25 Test matches against India. Matthew Hayden also scored 14 fifty plus knocks, six centuries and eight fifties in 35 innings of 18 Test matches against India.

** The Punter also became only the fourth batsman to play 250 or more innings in Tests. The other batsmen to achieve this feat before him were Sachin Tendulkar (India- 278 innings), Allan Border (India-265 innings) and Steve Waugh (Australia-260 innings)

** India lost the toss for the 10th time in a row. Mahendra Singh Dhoni has lost nine tosses. Virender Sehwag, in Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s absence, led India in the Chittagong Test in January 2010, and lost the toss. India have now lost 10 tosses in a row since December 2009.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni also became the third Indian skipper after Lala Amarnath and Sunil Gavaksar to loss nine tosses in a row. Lala Amarnath lost four against Australia in 1947-48, all five against West Indies in 1948-49 and one toss against England in 1951-52 while Sunil Gavaksar lost five tosses against England in 1981-82, three tosses against England in 1982 and one toss against Sri Lanka in 1982-83.

** Ricky Ponting also became the first Australian and fourth player overall to play 25 or more matches against India. Pakistan’s Javed Miandad and West Indian Clive Lloyd and Vivian Rihcards shared the record of playing highest number of Test against India. All three players appeared in 28 Test matches against India.

** Marcus North became the 91st Australian and 456th batsman overall to score 1000 runs in Test cricket. The left hand middle order batsman from Pakenham reached this milestone, in the 31st innings of 19 Test matches, during his unbeaten 43-run knock.

** Picky Ponting was dismissed; leg before, for the ninth time in 44 innings of 25 Test matches against India. It was his 40th such dismissal in 250th innings of 148 Test matches.

** Ricky Ponting’s wicket was Suresh Raina’s first in the second innings of fourth Test match. While Shane Watson’s wicket was Pragyan Ojha’s 25th in 15 innings of eight Test matches.

Cheteshwar Pujara Gets Maiden Call-Up

Left hand batsman Yuvraj Singh has been dropped for next month’s home Test series against Australia with Cheteshwar Pujara, the Saurashtra batsman who has been scoring heavily in domestic and other first-class cricket, replacing him.

The 22-year-old is a run-machine, having aggregated 3925 runs in 49 first class matches, at an average of 60.38, with a highest score of 302 not out. He will get a chance to showcase his talent during the three-day tour match between the Indian Board President’s XI and Australia, in Chandigarh from September 25 to 27.

Cheteshwar Pujara captained India A on the recent tour of England and Scotland, during which he scored 776 runs in 10 matches. He also hit a double hundred in the four-day match against the West Indies A on the same tour.

Yuvraj missed the second Test against Sri Lanka in July due to fever and could not make it back to the squad after his replacement Suresh Raina hit a century on debut and then scored 62 and 41 not out in his next two innings.

Zaheer and Sreesanth both made comebacks from injury, along with Harbhajan Singh and Gautam Gambhir. All four missed India’s series-levelling win at the P Sara Oval last month. Zaheer and Harbhajan were part of Mumbai Indians’ unsuccessful campaign in the second Champions League in South Africa.

Gautam Gambhir and Sreesanth began their return in the Corporate Trophy and will continue it in the three-day game between the Board President’s XI and the Australians, starting September 25 in Chandigarh.

Abhimanyu Mithun and Wriddhiman Saha, who toured Sri Lanka with Indian team, failed to find a place in the squad.

The first Test of the series will be played at Mohali from October 1 to 5, while the second will be played at Bangalore from October 9 to 13.

Mumbai Indians In Must Win Scenario

Stunned by two back-to-back defeats, Sachin Tendulkar-led Mumbai Indians will be desperate to find their winning ways when they take on a low-profile Guyana in a Champions League match at Kingsmead, Durban on Thursday (September 16). This group B match will start at 21.00 hours (IST).

The Indian Premier League runner-up side had a forgettable start in the show-piece event as they first went down to Lions by just nine runs in the tournament’s opening match and then fell prey to South Australia, who comprehensively beat them by five wickets on Tuesday (September 14).

The two consecutive defeats have put the Mumbai Indians on the brink of an early elimination and it will now need an inspired effort from Sachin Tendulkar and his men to bounce back.

Guyana have also lost their campaign-opener to another Indian Premier League side Royal Challenger Bangalore by nine wickets and will find Mumbai Indians a tough nut to crack.

Skipper Ramnaresh Sarwan is the only big name in their batting line-up which somehow managed to cross 100-run mark against Royal Challenger Bangalore’s mighty bowling attack. But Mumbai Indians is unlikely to take the West Indian side lightly because the players like Christopher Barnwell, who helped Guyana to cross 100-run mark with a 54-ball 30, and Sewnarine Chattergoon are capable of changing the equation of any match just in a few overs.

It will be first Twenty-20 match between the two teams. Mumbai Indians have won 23 and lost 22 in 45 Twenty-20 matches player so far while Guyana have won 10 and lost just two in 12 Twenty-20 matches.

All eyes will be on Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga who has bowled 34 batsmen in his 68 Twenty-20 matches. Only five men have found the stumps more often. Victoria’s Dirk Nannes holds the record with 44 bowled in 88 matches. The Australia fast bowler claimed 121 wickets so far.

Chenai Super Kings Favourites Against Wayamba

After notching a thumping win in their tournament opener, Mahendra Singh Dhoni led Chennai Super Kings are favorites to register another victory when they take on Sri Lanka’s Wayamba Elevens in the second Champions League Twenty-20 match at SuperSport Park, Centurion on Wednesday (September 15). This group A match will start at 21.00 hours (IST).

Chennai Super Kings had a fantastic start to the tournament, thrashing Central Stags by 57 runs. It was not a very convincing performance with the bat though as the top-order let the team down.

On the other hand, Sri Lankan champions Wayamba lost their opening match against Warriors by seven wickets.

It will be the first Twenty-20 match between the two teams. Chennai Super Kings have won 27, lost 18 and abandoned one in 47 Twenty-20 matches played so far while Wayanma have won Wayamba have won 19, lost four and abandoned one in 24 Twenty-20 matches.

In the first match of the day, Central Stags face off against Victoria Bushrangers at the same venue, both the teams hoping to open their account in the tournament. This group A match will start at 17.00 hours (IST)

Central Stags collapsed against Chennai Super Kings, while Victoria Bushrangers were beaten by the Warriors.

Central Stags were thoroughly outplayed in the opening match and will have to raise their game by several notches to match. David Hussey’s Victoria Bushrangers, who despite being beaten in their opening match, should be a handful for the Kiwi team.

It will be the first ever Twenty-20 match between the two teams. Victoria Bushrangers who played 33 Twenty-20 matches so far, won 23 and lost 10 while Central Stags have won 15 and lost 17 in 32 Twenty-20 matches.

Mumbai hopes to bounce back against South Australia

After a stunning loss in the tournament-opener, Sachin Tendulkar led Mumbai Indians would be determined to post a win when they take on South Australia in the Champions League Twenty-20 match at Kingsmead, Durban, on Tuesday (September 14).

The Indian Premier League runners-up started their campaign in the showpiece event on a disappointing note, going down to Highveld Lions by nine runs in Johannesburg in the first match of the tournament.

But Highveld Lions then fell prey to South Australia, who beat the local side by 11 runs in another keenly-contested encounter in Centurion.

It will be the first Twenty-20 match between the two teams. Mumbai Indians have won 23 and lost 21 in 44 Twenty-20 matches player sofar. South Australia have won nine, lost 13 and abandoned one in 23 Twenty-20 matches.

All eyes will be on pacer Shaun Tait who opened the bowling attack for South Australia in the last match and scalped three wickets for 36 runs but his new-ball partner Gary Putland went for runs.

The 27-year old from Adelaide, said quick bowlers will relish bowling on the fresh pitches in South Africa during the Champions League Twenty-20. He has been in top form this year, reclaiming a regular place in Australia’s limited-overs sides and sending down one of the fastest deliveries in history – 161.1kmh at Lord’s in July.

Shaun Tait expected stiff competition in the Champions League, and didn’t think the cash-rich IPL teams will have an edge in the tournament. “It’s a good chance for all the countries to put their best teams on the park and see how they measure up against each other,” he said. “IPL teams have the big-gun players and the Sri Lankan team, Wayamba, are pretty talented themselves, so it’s a big raffle about who’s going to make the final.”

HIGH-FLYING HIGHVELD LIONS TAKE ON SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Underdogs Highveld Lions, who beat favorites Mumbai Indians in the opening match, take on South Australia in their second match at Super Sport Park, Centurion on Sunday (September 12).

It will be the first Twenty-20 match between the two teams. Highveld Lions have won 19,lost 21 and tied two in 42 Twenty-20 matches played so far while South Australia, runners-up to Victoria in Twenty20 Big Bash, have won eight, lost 13 and abandoned one in 22 Twenty-20 matches.

The second match of the day will be played between West Indian domestic champions Guyana and Royal Challengers Bangalore at the same ground.

It will be the first Twenty-20 match between the two teams. Guyana have won 10 and lost just one in11 Twenty-20 matches played so far while Royal Challengers Bangalore have won 23 and lost 27 in 50 Twenty-20 matches.

Guyana are aiming to replicate the performance that helped them win the Caribbean Twenty-20 during their Champions League campaign in South Africa, their captain Ramnaresh Sarwan has said. When the team arrived in South Africa and Ramnaresh Sarwan said his players were determined to go a step further than Trinidad & Tobago did last year, when Darren Ganga’s team made the final of the inaugural Champions League but lost to New South Wales.

Champions League – Mumbai Indians Are Favorites

Mumbai Indians who finished runners-up in the third edition of Premier League will open their campaign in the second Champions League against Lions at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg on Friday (September 10). This group B match will start at 21.00 hours (IST).

Lions led by Alviro Petersen qualified for the Champions League after losing to Warriors in the final of the Standard Bank Pro20 at Port Elizabeth on March 12, 2010. Their road to the final was based on solid team efforts rather than stand-out individual performances. They have only one national player in their captain, Alviro Petersen, which allows for consistency in their line-up. The deceiving medium pace of Robert Frylinck, the speed of Ethan O’ Reilly, the hard-hitting approach of Jean Symes and Vaughn van Jaarsveld and the all-round abilities of Richard Cameron and Shane Burger could help them roar on home soil.

The skipper of Mumbai Indians, Sachin Tendulkar, of course, was the top-scorer in IPL-3, compiling 618 runs at 47.53 and though Dwayne Bravo flopped with bat and ball, Kieron Pollard chipped in with some vital contributions. They were the first team to make it to the final four and with Lasith Malinga, back in roaring form, much will depend on how their batsmen fare in the South African conditions. Will their Indian players tackle the bouncy pitches?

It will be the first Twenty-20 match between the two teams. Mumbai Indians have won 23 and lost three in 43 Twenty-20 matches played so far while Lions have won 18, lost 21 and tied two in 41 Twenty-20 matches played.

PERFORMANCE IN TWENTY-20 CRICKET

Players to watch for Mumbai Indians

 Players to watch from Lions

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