AMI Stadium, Christchuch=Good hunting ground for hosts

Pakistan have won just one and lost seven in eight limited overs international matches played at AMI Stadium, Christchurch where they will play third match of the six-match series against New Zealand on Saturday (January 29).

New Zealand, on the other hand, have a good record at this ground. They have won 26, lost 19 in 45 matches played here. Since 2000, they’ve won 13 and lost four. New Zealand average 30.59 runs per wicket at this venue, while Pakistan average 22.85

The 36,500-seat capacity ground has undergone two name changes. Originally Lancaster Park, it was renamed Jade Stadium in 1998. In 2007, it was renamed AMI Stadium after the insurance company acquired the naming rights.

Pakistan’s only victory against New Zealand at this ground came in the league match of the 1992 World Cup on March 18,1992. It was the leg-spinner, Mushtaq Ahmed, who claimed the bowling honors and the match award, but Ramiz Raja was a strong rival. His second unbeaten hundred of the World Cup, and its highest score (119 not out off 155 balls with 16 fours), sustained Pakistan after they were nine for two. Dipak Patel then put down a return catch from Javed Miandad, on three. Javed Miandad stayed to contribute 30 to a 115-run stand with Ramiz Raja.

The victory had been set up by the bowlers, however, especially Mushtaq Ahmed , who came on in the eighth over. He conceded no boundaries and only 18 runs in all. He also removed Chris Harris, stumped off a wide, and Mark Greatbatch, the one batsman in the top eight to reach double figures. Only a ninth-wicket partnership of 44 from Gavin Larsen and Danny Morrison, both batting for the first time in the tournament, presented any challenge.

New Zealand recorded a seven-wicket victory over Pakistan when two teams met last time at this ground on January 10,2004.

A record total of 24 sixes were hit in the Twenty-20 international match between India and New Zealand at the AMI Stadium on February 25,2009. There may not be as many on Saturday but if the weather stays clear the runs should flow because of the small boundaries. The trick, however, will be trying to steal ones, twos and threes on a small field. The weather on the eve of the match was warm and sunny but there is a 20% chance of rain on Saturday. Hopefully it will leave enough time to squeeze in a 50-over contest.

Pakistan’s perfect record at Queentown events centre

Pakistan is the only team to beat New Zealand at Queenstown Events Centre where the second match of the six-one day match series will be played on Wednesday (January 26).

Pakistan recorded a six-wicket win over New Zealand when two teams met only time at this ground on January 7,2004.

New Zealand’s performance failed to match the ground’s stunning setting. They lost Craig Cumming early, and spent the first half of the innings stumbling along. After 30 overs they were 104 for five, and only a dogged 91-run stand between Jacob Oram (54) and Brendon McCullum (56 not out) allowed a respectable total of 235 for eight in 50 overs . Pakistan also lost an early wicket, but Imran Farhat (87) began flowing into his strokes, even though the pitch still helped the seamers. The best of the Pakistan batting came when Mohammed Yusuf (88 not out) joined him in a classical exhibition of nifty scoring through clever running and deft placements: had they cared to hurry, Pakistan would have won long before the 47th over.

New Zealand have won five, lost one and abandoned one in seven one day international played at this ground. The last match played here between New Zealand and West Indies on December 31,2008 was washed out. The two and a half hours’ play possible before heavy rain arrived was as much a misery for the West Indian batsmen as for those swaddled in their winter clothing on the grass banks.

The Queenstown Events Centre is bordered by farmland and nestles in the foothills of the stunning mountain range, The Remarkable. They are aptly named, and the ground is situated in a very picturesque area, near Lake Wakatipu.

The ground held its first international on January 4, 2003, just two years after becoming a first-class venue. There are no plans to hold Tests there just yet, as the facilities aren’t quite up to scratch, but discussions are being held about the possibility.

The centre itself holds events such as dinners, film shoots and concerts, including acts such as international icon Joe Cocker, Jimmy Barnes and Little River Band.

South Africa’s third series victory over India

South Africa won the five-match series 3-2 by winning the fifth and final one day international match by 33 runs at Super Sports Park, Centurion on Sunday (January 23).

It was South Africa’s third series win over India. They beat India by 5-2 in 1992-93 under Kepler Wessels and achieved a 4-0 victory under Graeme Smith in 2006-07.

** Yusuf Pathan became only the second Indian after Mahendra Singh Dhoni and to hit eight or more sixes in an innings in limited overs international cricket by hitting eight sixes during his 105-run knock. Mahendra Singh Dhoni smashed 10 sixes during his unbeaten 183-run knock against Sri Lanka at Jaipur on October 312005. Sourav Ganguly who hit six sixes during his unbeaten 141-run knock at Nairobi on October 13,2000 held the previous record of most sixes in an innings for India against South Africa.

**Hashim Amla became the ninth South African batsman to score a hundred against India in one day internationals.The right hand top order batsman from Durban achieved this feat by making an unbeaten 116 in 184 minutes off 132 balls with nine fours. It was the 14th century for South Africa against India in 65 one day internationals. Gary Kirsten (four hundreds in 26 matches), Abraham de Villiers (three hundreds in 17 matches), Herschelle Gibbs (two hundreds in 30 matches), Jacques Kallis (two hundreds in 34 matches) Justin Kemp (one hundred in 11 matches), Daryll Cullinan (one century in 16 matches), Andrew Hudson (one hundred in 22 matches) and Graeme Smith (one hundred in 17 matches) are the other South African batsmen to score a hundred against India before Hashim Amla. Hashim Amla’s previous highest against India was 87 off 103 balls with eight fours at Ahmedabad on February 27,2010.

** The 102-run stand between Hashim Amla and Jean-Paul Duminy was the fourth century stand for the fourth wicket position for South Africa against India in one day internationals. It was second time when Jean-Paul Duminy involved for the century partnership for the fourth wicket in the series. He and Abraham de Villiers added 131 runs for the fourth wicket in the first match of the series at Durban on January 12,2011.

** Morne Morkel’s duck was his maiden against India in fourth innings of sixth one day international match. It was his third duck in 16 innings of 38 one day international matches.

** Dale Steyn received his fourth duck in 19 innings of 48 one day internationals. It was his second duck in seven innings of nine one day international matches against India.

** Piyush Chawla played in a limited overs internationals after a gap of two years and 205 days. He played his last one day international against Pakistan at Karachi on July 2,2008 before this one.

** Zaheer Khan and Yusuf Pathan set up a new record of the ninth wicket position for India against South Africa by adding 100 runs. The two batsmen erased the previous best of 36 between Ravindra Jadeja and Abhimanyu Mithun at Ahmedabad on February 27,2010.

New Zealand end losing streak in Style

New Zealand recorded their biggest ever victory in terms of wicket against Pakistan by winning the first match of the six-one day match series by nine wickets at Westpac Stadium, Wellington on Saturday (January 22).

New Zealand’s previous biggest victory over Pakistan was eight wickets, at Dunedin on February 6,1989 and at Napier on January 14,2004.

** New Zealand’s victory with 196 balls to spare was the biggest in terms of ball remaining. Their previous biggest win in terms of balls remaining was 163 balls at Napier on January 14, 2004.

** New Zealand’s victory was their first after 10 successive defeat in one day internationals. Kiwis have lost 10 matches in a row after playing a washed out match against Sri Lanka at Dambulla on August 19,2010. The reserved day was washed out too. Their last win in one day internationals came at Dambulla against India on August 10,2010. After this New Zealand have lost 11 and abandoned one in last 12 matches played.

** Pakistan recorded their lowest ever total against New Zealand in New Zealand by making 124 in 37.3 overs. It was their second lowest total against New Zealand in one day internationals after 116 in 43.1 overs at Dambulla on May 11, 2003. Pakistan’s previous lowest against New Zealand in New Zealand was 126 in 36.3 overs at Napier on January 14, 2004.

** Tim Southee recorded best bowling performance for New Zealand against Pakistan by taking five for 33. Richard Hadlee who took five wickets for 38 runs at Dunedin on February 6,1989 held the previous record. It was also Tim Southee’s best bowling in limited overs international cricket. His previous best was four for 36 against Australia at Wellington March 13,2010.

** Misbah-ul-Haq’s wicket was Tim Southee’s 50th in 39th one day international match. He became the 23rd New Zealander and 221st bowler overall to take 50 or more wickets in one day internationals.

** Brendon McCullum set a new record of most dismissals in an innings for New Zealand against Pakistan by holding five catches. He shared the previous record with Adam Parore. Adam Parore took four catches at Napier on December 28,1992 while Brendon McCullum claimed same number of catches at Dambulla on May 23,2003. It was seventh instance when a New Zealand wicket-keeper dismissed five batsmen behind the wickets.

Laxman’s highest in South Africa

Venkat Sai Laxman recorded his highest individual score against South Africa in South Africa by making 96 in 280 minutes off 171 balls with 12 fours on the third day of the second Test match against South Africa at Kingsmead, Durban on Tuesday (December 28).

It was his second highest score against South Africa after an unbeaten 143 in 352 minutes off 260 balls with 16 fours at Kolkata in 2009-10. Laxman’s previous highest in South Africa was 89 in 181 minutes of 121 balls with 12 fours at Port Elizabeth in 2001-02.

Laxman also became the third Indian after Rahul Dravid (588 runs in 20 innings of 10 Test matches) and Sourav Ganguly (508 runs in 16 innings of 8 Test matches) and 29th batsman overall to score over 500 runs against South Africa in South Africa. Laxman batted 16 innings of nine Test matches to reach this landmark.

** Zaheer Khan became the 56th Indian and 460th batsman overall to score 1000 runs in Test cricket. The right hand tail end batsman achieved this feat during 27-run knock. It was 102nd innings of his 77th Test match. After completing 1000 runs, Zaheer Khan also became the eighth Indian and 53rd player overall to complete the double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets in Tests.

** Lonwabo Tsotsobe recorded his best bowling performance in Test by taking three for 43. His previous best was two for 40 in the first innings of the match.

** Mark Boucher equaled Dave Richardson’s South African record of most dismissals in a match against India by taking nine catches in the match. Dave Richardson took same number of catches at Port Elizabeth in 1992-93.

** Jacques Kallis equalled Brian McMillan’s South African record of taking the highest number of catches against India in Test by holding Harbhajan Singh off Morne Morkel. It was his 21st catch in 15 Tests. Brian McMillan also took same number of catches in 10 Test matches.

** Venkat Sai Laxman and Zaheer Khan’s 70-run stand for the eight wicket was the joint second best for this wicket position for India against South Africa in South Africa. The two batsmen also added same number of runs at Johannesburg in 2006-07. Praveen Amre and Kiran More’s 101-run stand at Durban in1992-93 is the best eight wicket stand for India in South Africa while Mohammed Azharuddin and Anil Kumble’s 161 runs partnership at Kolkata in 1996-97 is the best ever for India against South Africa in Tests.

India’s Third Lowest In South Africa:

India recorded their third lowest total against South Africa in South Africa by making 136 in 38.4 overs on the second day of the first Test match of the three-Test series against South Africa at Super Sport Park , Centurion on Friday (December 17).

India were bowled out for just 66 runs in 34.1 overs at Durban in 1996-97 which is their lowest total against South Africa. They made 100 in 39.1 overs in the first inning of the match which is their second against the Proteas in South Africa.

** The 111-run stand between Alviro Petersen and Graeme Smith was the only fourth for the opening wicket for South Africa against India in Tests. It was South Africa’s second best stand for the opening wicket against India after 189-run stand between Herschelle Gibbs and Gary Kirsten at Bloemfontein in 2001-02.

** Jacques Kallis became the second South African after Hashim Amla and sixth batsman overall to score over 1000 runs in 2010. He achieved this feat when reached 12 during his knock. He played 17 innings of 10 Test matches to reach this milestone. The other batsmen to score over 1000 runs in 2010 before him were India’s Sachin Tendulkar (1432 runs in 20 innings of 13 Test matches) and Virender Sehwag (1302 runs in 22 innings of 13 Test matches), England’s Alastair Cook (1192 runs in 22 innings of 13 Tests) and Jonathan Trott (1126 runs in 22 innings of 13 Tests) and South African Hashim Amla (1145 runs in 17 innings of 10 Tests)

The right hand middle order batsman from Pinelands also became the fifth batsman to score 11500 runs in Test cricket. He batted 242 innings of 143 Test matches to reach this milestone after India’s Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, West Indian Brian Lara and Australian Ricky Ponting.

India end day one at Centurion on 136/9

South Africa took the upper hand on the first day of the first Test against India at Centurion as the touring side ended the day at 136/9. Early morning rains meant that only 38 overs were possible during the day.

Virender Sehwag was out in the third over of the day when he upper-cut a ball outside the off-stump from Dale Steyn. The ball swung away and the timing went awry, in the process offering a simple catch to the fielder at third-man Hashim Amla.

Gautam Gambhir did not have it too easy either and was induced into playing a false stroke outside the off-stump while when Rahul Dravid was sent back lbw off the same bowler, India were 27/3.

Sachin Tendulkar started off well and understanding well that the conditions were going to make it difficult for the side, he took on the bowling. Eight boundaries were hit in his innings of 36 and just when it looked like he had take the side out of trouble, he was dismissed by Steyn.

In the meantime, VVS Laxman and Suresh Raina were also sent back to the pavilion and the Indians were left to fend for themselves. Harbhajan Singh played a few airy-fairy strokes before running himself out and the tail proved no match for the South African bowling.

MS Dhoni was unbeaten on 33 along with Jaidev Unadkat as India will now look to get to as many as possible before trying to exploit the conditions as well.

Australia bowled out cheaply at WACA

England went on top of their opposition on the first day of the third Ashes Test between Australia and England a WACA in Perth. Australia were shot out for 268 on the first day and England ended the day on 29 without any loss.

England won the toss and decided to field first given the grass on the track. They were immediately rewarded by the dismissal of the new opener Phil Hughes who was bowled by the comeback man Chris Tremlett.

Ricky Ponting came out with aggression written all over his batting but after three boundaries he could only edge it to the slips. Michael Clarke’s innings did not last too long and when the other opener Shane Watson also fell the side had been reduced to 36/4. Steven Smith was the fifth man out as the side was at 69/5.

It was only after Michael Hussey scored his fourth half century of the series and was followed by an excellent stand between Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson. Both the batsmen got to their respective half-centuries as well, but the Aussies will be upset that none of the three half-centurions could go on to make a century – something that would have ensured that the side would have got to at least 350.

By the time the stumps were drawn, the English openers had struggled to see off and that should mean that the second day could be interesting based on how the Aussie bowlers bowl.

England cruise to innings win at Adelaide

England won the second Ashes Test match of the series at Adelaide on the fifth and the final day of the game by an innings and 71 runs. This gave them a 1-0 lead in the series and the team will now look to ensure that they defend the lead for the next three Test matches.

The Aussies had started off the day at 238/4 after the last ball overnight had seen the wicket of Michael Clarke go down. However, the dismissal of Michael Hussey immediately after he had got to his half century could have hardly gone down well with the Australian team.

Steven Finn had Hussey pulling the ball but only managing a leading edge to mid-on. Once Hussey was out for 52, the rest of the side capitulated rather easily.

Marcus North’s poor of form continued as he scored only 22, whereas Brad Haddin scored 12 while Ryan Harris made a duck. Graeme Swann picked up the last three wickets of the innings to hasten the side’s charge towards the win that came within 90 minutes of the start of the day.

With Australia bowled out for 304 after their first innings total of 245, the visitors had taken a 1-0 lead.

Kevin Pietersen was declared the man of the match for his superb double-century. The third Test match of the series will be played at the WACA in Perth.

Bangladesh win second ODI at Dhaka

Bangladesh won the second ODI against Zimbabwe by six wicket to level the series at one game apiece.

Shakib al Hasan decided that Bangladesh will field first after winning the toss. Despite an early wicket, the visitors were able to get away to a decent start as they got to 50 in the tenth over for one.

The introduction of spinners put the brakes on the scoring for the Zimbabwean tea yet again, and it was not a surprise that the side also lost the middle-order wickets after this. Both, Brendan Taylor and Revis Chabakva were out within six runs of each other and despite a near-50 partnership, the Zimbabweans lost quick wickets to get to 132/6.

The Zimbabweans were rescued well by the partnership between Prosper Utseya and Craig Ervine, who joined together rather well and ensured that the side was out of trouble with their 67-run stand. The needed only eight overs to score the runs and at one stage, it looked like they 230 was an achievable total.

Unfortunately for the tourists, Abdur Razzaq bowled an excellent last spell to pick three wickets off three balls to bowl the side out. They were all out for 191 in the end.

The target was never going to be difficult for the side, as they lost Imrul Kayes, Tamim Iqbal and Junaid Siddique before getting to the requisite total. Both Siddique and Raqibul Hasan scored a half century and ensured that they had made it 1-1.

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