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Sri Lanka rout Pakistan as Murali hits 500 mark

LAHORE, Jan 24: Spinner Muttiah Muralitharan took his 500th wicket in one-day internationals as Sri Lanka thrashed Pakistan by 234 runs to win their series 2-1 today.Pakistan, replying to Sri Lanka’s 309 for five, were skittled out for just 75 in the third and final one-dayer with Muralitharan claiming two late wickets after pacemen Nuwan Kulasekara (three for 17) and Thilan Thushara (three for 33) had created havoc.It was Pakistan’s lowest total against the Sri Lankans, their biggest loss to the visiting side and the second largest defeat in a one-day match between two test-playing nations.Sri Lanka opener Tillakaratne Dilshan thumped an unbeaten 137 to guide the tourists to a commanding total at Gaddafi stadium.Muralitharan picked up the last wicket, that of Sohail Khan, to become only the second bowler to take 500 one-day wickets.He now needs another three to overhaul Pakistan’s Wasim Akram and become the highest wicket-taker in one-dayers. He is already the highest wicket-taker in tests with 769 victims.Pakistan never recovered from a disastrous start when Kulasekara and left-armer Thushara sliced through their top order to reduce them to 22 for six inside 10 overs.Umar Gul, the pick of Pakistan’s bowlers with three for 45, top scored with 27.“It is never easy coming back in a three-match series after a big defeat,” Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene told reporters. “But the players showed character and I think our batsmen weathered the most demanding conditions to give us a big total.” Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik said the Pakistan batting reflected his team’s lack of international cricket over the past year.“It was a very disappointing performance by us. Chasing 300 was never going to be easy but our batting show was not justified at all,” he said. (PTI)

Tendulkar, Bhajji spend a day with NSG commandos

Tendulkar, Bhajji spend a day with NSG commandos

New Delhi, Jan 24: Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh spent a day at the National Security Guard (NSG) head Quarters in Manesar.The two cricketers witnessed a life time of grit, determination and endurance of the commandos. They had a chance to witness and try their hands at the very tough 26 obstacle course that commandos train on, which includes jumping through heights, climbing heights of, running through large distances.They also witnessed the Anti Terrorist Conditioning Course, which has commandoes going through artificially stimulated, but almost real life terror situations, complete with fire, smoke and live bullets.The day had its emotional moments as well in plenty. Sachin and Harbhajan had a chance to interact with the commandoes who participated in the 26/11 Mumbai operation.Sachin in response to a question on who the real heroes were?, said, “Without a doubt its you guys, we just play cricket, you play with your life so that we are secure, I salute you and your families because they have an important role in your sacrifice.” Sachin and Harbhajan also had a chance to spend some moments with the wife and children of Late Havaldar Gajendra Singh and the parents of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, the two NSG commandoes who lost their lives in the Mumbai siege.The two cricketers made their way through the crowd to meet Sandeep’s parents who were also present there at the same time.Sachin paid his condolences to Sandeep’s father and said, “You are a brave man, and your sacrifice is supreme.” Sachin and Harbhajan had donned the NSG uniform for the day, complete shoes, nametags and beret.The commandoes had a field day with questions ranging from when Bhajji would get married, to what Sachin would want his son to become? In response to the latter, Sachin said, “He had left it to his son to do whatever he wanted, whether it was to become a cricketer or a commando.” The commandoes were keen to know what Sachin thought of the Mumbai operation and their conduct.One of the commandoes, who stood up to speak, V Sathish was full of emotion, as he had seen his colleague and buddy Gajendra fall to the terrorist’s bullets at the Nariman operation.The commandoes, who had been eagerly waiting this interactive session, managed to get the cricketers to break into a dance.The day as expected, ended with a friendly four-over match between Sachin XI and Bhajji XI. The teammates were on opposing sides. But in the end Sachin XI won.CNN IBN and IBN7 took the initiative to bring the two heroes of the cricketing world to talk face-to-face with the heroes of the nation. (Agencies)

India will grab numero uno position next year: Sehwag

India will grab numero uno position next year: Sehwag

New Delhi, Jan 24: After a fantastic 2008, swashbuckling opener Virender Sehwag feels that India will become the number one team in world cricket next year.“I think in 2010 because if we win all the Test series in 2009, then we will be number one in 2010,” Sehwag said.The right-handed batsman further added that he wants to play his natural attacking game in all the three formats whether it is a T20, ODI or a Test cricket.“When I was growing up, I was playing a lot of 10-over, 15-over, 20-over games in Najafgarh. So I didn't want to waste a single ball and score runs on every ball because there are only 90 or 120 balls,” Sehwag told CNN-IBN.“It’s just my natural approach to batting and it doesn't matter if it’s a Test, one-day or Twenty20, I play the same way,” he added.Looking forward to the upcoming New Zealand tour, where India’s past track record was not very satisfying, the right-handed batsman said, “Last time the wickets were very damp and Tests finished in two days. This time we will get good batting pitches hopefully. I’m sure we will get good start to the team this year.” However, speaking about his opening partner and Delhi team mate Gautam Gambhir, Sehwag said, “I hardly knew Gautam before he made his debut in international cricket because we hardly played together in the domestic circuit or in company-level games.”“But I got to know from my friends that he is a very stylish and a talented opener. I backed him a lot in international cricket and in Ranji games, but he took a little extra time to perform in international cricket. But once he performed at the international level, he told everyone that I am here and I can rule. He did that and proved everyone wrong,” he said.Sehwag also stressed that a left-hand and right-hand combination at the top of the order is good for the team as the bowlers has to adjust quickly and have to bowl at right place every time.“Yes, the bowler has to change his line and length when I am batting and then when Gautam his batting. And both of us are very aggressive and are playing our shots; so it becomes very difficult for the bowlers to bowl in the right areas every time,” he added.The 31-year-old batsman also went on to add that despite performing well at the initial level of his career, coach and captains have not backed Gambhir, who in Sehwag’s opinion is the best left-handed batsman after the former skipper Sourav Ganguly.“When he first came into the team, he scored a hundred against Sri Lanka, a 90 against South Africa and a hundred against Bangladesh in Tests. But nobody was backing him. The only problem was that the captain and the coach were not backing him.”“I was convinced because I got to know about him from Aakash Chopra and Mithun Manhas that he is very talented and scores a hundred in every second innings. I backed him a lot but I was not the captain or the coach. I told them to stay with him but they refused and after he flopped in three-four innings, they dropped him.” (Agencies)

Strauss bats away England's IPL concerns

England captain Andrew Strauss believes his side's stars will be able to appear in the lucrative Indian Premier League and still play for the Test side without jeopardising the national team's results.

England are set to head to the West Indies on Wednesday for a four-Test tour under new skipper Strauss with the players central contracts still unsigned.

Talks were ongoing on Tuesday between the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and England's Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) regarding the possiblities for the likes of stars such as Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff to play in the IPL, a cash-rich Twenty20 tournament.

But the deadline for players making themselves available for the IPL is February 4 - the same day as the first day of the opening Test in Jamaica.

The IPL debate was an issue before the personality clash which saw Pietersen forced to resign the England captaincy and Peter Moores sacked as head coach earlier this month and it threatens to again destabilise a team now doing its best to rally round Strauss.

"There's a huge will on behalf of the players, the PCA and the ECCB to get it done and dusted as soon as possible," Strauss told reporters at England's Gatwick Airport Hotel here Tuesday.

"Everyone will work as hard as they can to ensure it's done before the cricket starts," the opening batsman added.

"From the players' point of view, there are huge opportunities there financially. We need to find a way of marrying the opportunities available to the players and making sure the players are able to commit themselves to playing for England."

During last season's inaugural IPL campaign, England players were effectively barred from the tournament because of a fixture clash with their home international programme.

IPL chief Lalit Modi has said players must be prepared to commit for at least a four-week stint.

England would have no problems with players going for two weeks from April 10-24 in a competition which features franchise teams, whose wealthy owners will bid for some of the world's best players at an 'auction'.

But one compromise being mooted is a three-week IPL spell for the likes of England stars such as Pietersen and all-rounder Andrew Flintoff.

That would allow them to return to England in time for the first Test against the West Indies at Lord's on May 6.

However, they would then be ruled out of the preceding round of English county championship fixtures, a move that would anger their domestic sides and raise questions about whether their readiness to play Test cricket.

Strauss, unlikely to be an IPL target even before becoming England captain as he has not played one-day international cricket since the 2007 World Cup, said: "Players have to be fully prepared for a Test match.

"What that preparation is depends on the player to a certain extent.

"I believe the players who will be involved in the IPL are experienced campaigners. They didn't just turn up yesterday. They know what Test cricket is about and know what preparation they need."

England are only playing the West Indies at home in the run-up to the Ashes after Sri Lanka pulled out when it became clear they couldn't field their best team because of players' IPL commitments.

But there are concerns the West Indies could be similarly weakened, leading to accusations that Test cricket - which administrators continue to insist is the pinnacle of the world game - was being devalued.

Source: Cricinfo

Windies search for star spinner

John Dyson is looking for a spin bowler to make a big impact on the West Indies' home Test series against England, starting next month.

The West Indies coach is expecting the series to be "tense, hard-fought" cricket, but he believes his side can gain an edge if they can identify and select a match-winning spin bowler.

"The series is a further opportunity for a spinner to make a major contribution to the bowling effort," he said.

Historically, spin bowling has not featured prominently in the West Indies' attack, and it has done so far less in the last three decades, particularly when the Caribbean side ruled international cricket between 1980 and 1995.

But the quest to find a champion spin bowler has been revived under Dyson who has been willing to experiment with the likes of Suleiman Benn, Nikita Miller, and Amit Jaggernauth in recent international matches.

Dyson however, feels it's an important role and expects the contenders to use the ongoing West Indies domestic first-class championship to advertise their suitability.

"Hot competition for the spinning role exists between Sulieman Benn, Nikita Miller, Amit Jaggernauth, Dave Mohammed and others, and all should be desperately keen to impress the selectors in the regional four-day matches," he said.

"Whoever is ultimately given the job must provide the wicket-taking variety West Indies need to balance the established pace attack."

Dyson also believes there is room for a new face in the fast bowling bowling department, although he is satisfied with the work of the established trio of Jerome Taylor, Fidel Edwards, and Daren Powell, if others are not.

"The trio is no longer a 'rookie' combination and big things are expected of them," he said.

"Edwards had a fine series in New Zealand and returned his best ever haul of seven for 87 at Napier. His pace and controlled aggression will be important weapons in the home series and strong support from Taylor and Powell will be required to bowl out England in the Tests."

England face West Indies on February 4 at Sabina Park in the Jamaica capital of Kingston in the first of four Tests.

This will be followed by Tests in Antigua (February 13-17), Barbados (February 26-March 2) and Trinidad (March 6-10) before the two sides play a Twenty20 International and five One-day Internationals between March 15 and April 3.

Smith returns to Windies test squad

KINGSTON (Reuters) - Left-hander Devon Smith was recalled to the West Indies squad on Friday for next month's first test against England while Barbados opener Dale Richards earned his first call-up.

Smith, who has opened the batting and filled in a lower middle order slot, was omitted from the recent tests in New Zealand but earned his latest recall thanks to a double century for the Winward Islands in a regional game against Guyana.

Richards, a late developer at 32, has shown consistent form in the regional competitions but will have caught the eye of the selectors with his century against Trinidad and Tobago.

There is no place in the squad for Guyana opening bat Sewnarine Chattergoon.

Seamer Lionel Baker, of Montserat, retains his place after debuting in the drawn test series in New Zealand.

Slow left-armer Sulieman Benn of Barbados and wrist spinner Amit Jaggernauth of Trinidad and Tobago are the the two spinners named in the 14-man man squad which will be captained by Chris Gayle.

The four-test series against England starts on Feb. 4 at Sabina Park in Kingston.

Squad: Chris Gayle (captain), Lionel Baker, Sulieman Benn, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Fidel Edwards, Amit Jaggernauth, Xavier Marshall, Brendan Nash, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Dale Richards, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith, Jerome Taylor.

IPL auction in Goa on February 6th

The player auction for the second season of the Indian Premier League(IPL) will be held in Goa on February 6, this was announced to the media by IPL commissioner Lalit Modi on Friday.

During next month's auction franchises will have the opportunity to purchase current international players to fill the remaining slots for overseas players in their squad.

"I know that all the franchises are putting in a lot of work to ensure that their playing squads are even better than last season. The second players' auction at Goa on February 6, will be an opportunity to sign some experienced internationals to complete their playing squads," Modi said.

"Following the Goa auction, I believe that we will have most of the world's top cricketers registered to play in the DLF IPL. But, I am particularly pleased to see franchises investing in the Gen-Next of World Cricket with the addition of many top young players," he said.

The tournament will run from April 10 - May29.

© Cricbuzz

Seven players traded during IPL

A list of players traded during the transfer period of the Indian Premier League(IPL).

*Royal Challengers Bangalore traded Zaheer Khan for Robin Uthappa from Mumbai Indians.

*Mumbai Indians traded Ashish Nehra for Shikhar Dhawan from Delhi Daredevils.
In a three-way trade, Jaydev Shah of Rajasthan Royals moved to Mumbai Indians, Gaurav Dhiman of Mumbai went to Bangalore Royal Challengers and Pankaj Singh will switch from Rajasthan to Bangalore.

Apart from these trades the "replacement" players from 2008, Brad Hodge and Ajantha Mendis were signed up for long term contracts by the Kolkata Knight Riders, while Dwayne Bravo of the Mumbai Indians and Chamara Kapugedera - Chennai Super Kings also secured long term contracts. The replacement players came in place of international stars who could not play in the entire IPL season last year.

Besides these trades unsigned players like Australians David Warner and Andrew MacDonald both were picked up by Delhi, while Queensland allrounder Ryan Harris went to Deccan Chargers, Graham Napier (Essex batsman) went to Mumbai Indians.

Source; © Cricbuzz

Zaheer - Uthappa swap finalised

Zaheer Khan and Robin Uthappa have returned to their respective domestic teams as the second deal of this year's IPL has been finalised. Brajesh Patel, the chief executive of the Bangalore Royal Challengers, the team Uthappa moves to from the Mumbai Indians, said the deal was "being finalised".

Also there is a strong possibility of Robin Uthappa being made captain of the Bangalore Royal Challengers as Vijay Mallya is keen on giving incumbent skipper Rahul Dravid the boot.

On the other hand the Mumbai Indians have already made one trade-off during the window by swapping their left arm pacer Ashish Nehra with left handed opener Shikhar Dhawan of Delhi Daredevils. Zaheer Khan will now fill the void left by Shaun Pollock who has decided not to return this year.

Bangalore have also signed on Dillon du Preez, an Eagles and Leicestershire fast bowler, du Preez was last season's leading-wicket taker in South Africa's first-class competition as he took 55 wickets at 16.90.

© Cricbuzz

KP, Flintoff to give 10% to their counties

Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff have agreed to a 10% county cut or in other words they have agreed to pay their respective counties 10% of their potential earnings from the Indian Premier League after England's cricketers were given a 21 day window to take part in the lucrative IPL that will rule them out of the start of the English season.

"It's something the players are supportive of," Sean Morris, the chief executive of the PCA, told the Guardian. "One game's absence could net a county a fair bit of money, so commercially it makes sense. The counties would probably prefer it that way round than having a player for one game that he might not have played in anyway."

Pietersen is projected to earn almost US$650,000 on a pro-rata basis for his three weeks' work, which would net his county a valuable £46,000.

© Cricbuzz

Modi wants two year commitment from ECB

The England Cricket Board(ECB) might have given their players a 21 day window to participate in this year's IPL tournament but the commissioner of the IPL Lalit Modi wants a two-year commitment from the players and a four-week window for non-Test players.

Lalit Modi said that "England players will be considered if we get answers to the above [conditions] by Monday, along with the No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for next two years." He also told that these conditions have been conveyed to the ECB and further added that "Most of the players listed for the first auction last time, including those from Australia and South Africa, were signed on three-year contracts backed by firm commitments of availability by those boards," Modi said. "We are only asking the ECB for a similar official commitment."

Tim Wright, chief executive of Deccan Chargers also seemed to back Lalit Modi when he said that "If we are going to bid for an English player at the auction, we would need a commitment for at least two years". "We are 100% with the IPL on this. Such a commitment is essential for a franchise because team-building and balance is a long-term exercise that requires a certain element of continuity."

Source: Crickinfo

Free Test match tickets to kids

KANPUR, Jan 13 (PTI): Sachin Tendulkar’s prescription to revive Test cricket’s popularity found a taker in the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) which is planning to dole out free passes for students at the Green Park stadium.“The UPCA liked the suggestion put forth by Tendulkar and therefore we are ready to give free tickets to kids upto the high school level,” UPCA Director Jyoti Bajpai told PTI. Tendulkar, during a recent felicitation in Mumbai, made the suggestion to keep fan interest in the longer version of the game alive. “Tendulkar’s suggestion is praiseworthy because most of the time we find it tough to fill in the stadiums during Test matches. But to implement this idea we have to ensure that kids who come to watch the matches have guardians accompanying them.

Matthew Hayden calls it quits

BRISBANE, Jan 13 (PTI): Matthew Hayden, Australia’s most prolific opening batsman who had a stunning Test average of 59 against India but was battling poor form of late, today announced his retirement from international cricket bringing an end to an illustrious 15-year-old career. The 37-year-old Hayden, who had come under scrutiny for a prolonged form slump which saw him fail in the Test series against India and South Africa took the decision even though his original plan was to continue till the Ashes. “Today I’m announcing my retirement from representative cricket, effective immediately,” Hayden read out from a statement as his son Thomas looked on. “Now is the time to move on to the next stage of my life. I’ve lived the dream of every kid who’s ever picked up a bat and ball...It is a privilege and an honour that I’ll always remember,” said Hayden, whose prolonged bad patch saw him being dropped from the ODI squad against South Africa. Australia’s recent decline and his form slump had led to intense speculation on Hayden’s future with a number of former players demanding his axing. Hayden thus joined Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist and Justin Langer — all members of the ‘Invincible’ Australian team which dominated world cricket for years. Hayden made his Test debut against South Africa in 1993-94 but became a regular only in 2000 and went on to play 103 Test matches, scoring 8625 runs — highest by an Australian opener — at an average of 50.73. Against India alone, he scored 1888 runs, including six centuries, from 18 matches with a stunning average of 59. Overall, Hayden slammed 30 Test centuries and only two Australians — Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh — scored more. Hayden formed a lethal opening pair with Gilchrist in the one dayers, scoring 6133 runs in 161 matches at an average of 43.80 with 10 hundreds and two World Cups against his name. Hayden is part of the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. Revealing his original plan was to quit after the Ashes, Hayden said, “If it was, I believe I would be going on that tour. This is the point where I want to step off.” Even though it was not the ideal way to go, Hayden said he had no regrets whatsoever. “There’s absolutely zero fear. I’ve got zero regrets. I’ve tried to, rightly or wrongly, extract every ounce of whatever ability that I’ve been given and turn it into performance,” he said. Taking the opportunity to thank his teammates, Hayden said, “To my team-mates who have shared this exciting part of my life, I want to say thank you for your support and friendship. We have all relished in the opportunity to play in one of the iconic eras of Australian cricket and as brothers of the baggy green, it is our calling to ensure that cricket remains strong.” Post-retirement, Hayden said he wanted to do charity work and pursue passions like cooking, fishing and boating. “Importantly for me today I’m retiring from cricket but not from life. This is a decision that I’ve not taken lightly and I’m here after much thought and consideration and discussion with my family,” he said. Hayden’s exit creates a void in Australia’s lineup and Simon Katich’s potential opening partners include Phil Jaques, Chris Rogers and Phillip Hughes.

SS Das to lead East Zone Duleep Trophy team

Sports reporter GUWAHATI, Jan 10 – Former Team India Test opener Sib Sundar Das of Orissa will lead the 16-member East Zone team in Duleep Trophy. Disclosing this in a press conference here today, the East Zone convenor and secretary of the Assam Cricket Association Bikash Baruah said, the team was unanimously picked up by the selection committee comprising of Raja Venkat (chairman), Sambaran Banerjee (Bengal), Chira Ranjan Paul (Tripura), Daniel Rout (Orissa), Jodh Singh (Jharkhand) and Nagesh Singh (Assam).Asked why Team India captain M S Dhoni was not selected for the team, Raja Venkat said, Dhoni was intimated about the selection committee meeting but he did not send any reply and anticipating his unwillingness for playing in the Duleep Trophy the selection panel did not prefer to consider his name. The representative from Dhoni’s home association Jharkhand, Jodh Sing said they have no information about the India skipper where he is at the moment.Three Assam players-Rashmi Ranjan Parida, Anand Katti and Krishna Das are in the squad while Sarupam Purukayastha is in the stand bye list. Nagesh Singh of Assam has been named manager of the team. East Zone will play West Zone at Mumbai from January 29. All the selected players have to report at Cuttack on January 24.The team: SS Das (capt), Niranjan Behra, Basant Mohanty, Haladhar Das (all Orissa), Wridhiman Saha (wk), Manoj Tiwary, Ashok Dinda, Ranadeb Bose, Dibyendu Chakraborty (all Bengal), RR Parida (v.c), Anand Katti, Krishna Das (all Assam), Sourav Tiwary (Jharkhand), Nishit Setty, Jayanta Debnath, Tushar Saha (all Tripura). Coach-Utpal Chatterjee, manager-Nagesh Singh. source: assam tribune

GCCC storm into semis

Sport reporter GUWAHATI, Jan 9 – Guwahati Cricket Coaching Center (GCCC) have completed the semifinal line up of the Servo Challenge Trophy Cricket Tournament defeating Ankurjyoti Club by six wickets in the last quarterfinal at the Latasil playground here today.Chasing a moderate winning target of 132 set by Ankurjyoti, GCCC hit up 134 losing four wickets in 20.3 overs. The tournament has been temporarily put off due to unavoidable circumstances. The dates for the semifinals will be intimated later Brief scores: Ankurjyoti 131(Manashjyoti Gogoi 52, Robin Das 29, Pankaj Tamuly 24, Chanakya Sarma 3/15, Pallab Das 2/28). GCCC 134/4 (Nishanta Bordoloi 42, Abhijit Singha Roy 25, Pallab Das 22, Mahmadul Hussain 2/23). source: assam tribune

Duleep Trophy selection in city today

Sport reporter GUWAHATI, Jan 9 – For the first time in its history Assam Cricket Association (ACA) will hold the selection committee meeting of the East Zone here at the Landmark Hotels tomorrow at 2 pm.National selector Raja Venkat, who is also the chairman of the East Zone selection committee, will be present in the meeting along with the representatives of the other states.The ACA secretary Bikash Baruah informed that as a convenor of the East Zone, they are holding the important selection committee meeting. He further revealed that, as their would be no international matches during the Duleep Trophy Tournament, Indian captain Mohinder Singh Dhoni is likely to lead the East Zone team.Baruah further stated that Margherita team has been debarred from the U-17 inter district cricket tournament for the RG Baruah Trophy. The ACA has found irregularities in the birth certificates of Jabed Khan, Dhanti Buragohain, Dhruba Kumar Dutta, Suman Roy, Manjit Barman, Raja Deb, and Kalu Chetry. assam tribune

Lanka to finalise itinerary for Pak tour by Friday

KARACHI, Jan 6 (PTI): Sri Lanka Cricket will by Friday finalise the itinerary for its tour of Pakistan after the host country asked them to speed up their decision making, a senior official of the Pakistan Cricket Board said today. “We had conveyed to them we just want to play maximum international cricket and they should finalise the itinerary soon,” Altaf said.

“They have confirmed the tour but they say they would finalise the itinerary by Friday,” Saleem Altaf, Chief Operating Officer of PCB told PTI.

There are indications the Sri Lankans, who are keen to host India for a one-day series in January or February, might first tour Pakistan for a one-day series and then come in late February for a Test series.

But it is obvious that their delay in finalising the itinerary for their Pakistan series has something to do with their desire to play India as well.

Altaf said Pakistan was not concerned with what plans Sri Lanka had about playing against India in the coming weeks. He said there was no doubt over the tour taking place and said so far the Sri Lankans had also not talked about splitting the tour into two parts in writing. “But if they come up with a suggestion we will look into it because our main purpose is to organise some international cricket at home,” Altaf said.

Meanwhile, India is waiting for an answer from New Zealand to add an extra Test to their confirmed two-Test series in March.

Altaf said Pakistan was prepared to host Sri Lanka and then Australia in the coming months but insisted they were keen that Sri Lanka finalised the itinerary as soon as possible.

“We need to get all logistical details into place for the one-day and Test matches,” he added. Pakistan invited Lanka for a series after India had cancelled their scheduled Test tour to Pakistan from Jan 4 due to the strained relations between two countries after the Mumbai terror attacks.

SA 62 for 1, need 314 for 3–0 whitewash

SYDNEY, Jan 6 (PTI): Ricky Ponting’s bold declaration today injected drama into the third and final cricket Test which seems headed for a nail-biting finish with South Africa needing 314 runs on a tricky track to complete a rare 3-0 whitewash.

Set a daunting target of 376 runs, South Africa lost makeshift opener Morne Morkel for a second ball duck before reaching 62 for one at stumps on day four of the match.

Acting skipper Neil McKenzie (25) and in-form Hashim Amla (30) were in the middle with South Africa still needing another 314 runs for a memorable win that would also make them the number one Test side in the world.

With just one day left, South Africa may go for the target despite their captain Graeme Smith not being in a position to bat.

On the other hand, Australia will also fancy their chances of picking up the remaining wickets to prevent what could be their first whitewash at home.

Earlier, resuming on 33 for no loss, Australia declared their second essay at 257 for four wickets with Simon Katich (61), Ponting (53), Mike Hussey (45 not out) and Michael Clarke (41) scoring bulk of the runs.

Matthew Hayden, under tremendous pressure to justify his selection in the playing XI, squandered a good start and fell for 39.

Hayden dragged a Morkel delivery onto the stumps to depart after what turned out to be his highest score of the summer.

Next man in Ponting almost had a golden pair against his name but the Australian skipper proved lucky and the first ball he faced, from Morkel, took an inside edge and missed the leg-stump by a whisker. Ponting had fallen to the pacer for a first ball duck in the first innings.

The Australia skipper also survived a leg before appeal before successive fours off Makhaya Ntini eased the pressure and he went almost at run-a-ball rate.

He clipped Paul Harris to long on and ran three to complete his fifty but departed soon, dragging a Morkel delivery onto his stumps.

Katich, at the other end, played his natural patient game and completed his fifty as well without fuss before Dale Steyn trapped him in front of the wicket.

Dropped by Jacques Kallis in the slip, Michael Clarke scored at a brisk rate before falling to Paul Harris and Ponting too decided to call unbeaten batsman Mike Hussey back to the pavilion.

Hussey’s unbeaten 45 included three hits to the fence apart from a soaring six off Ntini.

With Smith ruled out of action, McKenzie walked out with Morne Morkel to open South Africa’s second innings, a ploy probably prompted by the handy 40 runs Morkel had scored in the first innings batting at number eight.

Opening the innings proved a different ball game altogether and Doug Bolling claimed his maiden Test wicket when Morkel perished at mid-on with a second ball duck against his name.

Things could have been worse for South Africa but Brad Haddin could not collect an edge offered by Amla, then at five, off Peter Siddle.

Amla and McKenzie, however, didn’t flounder anymore and were unseparated after putting on 60 runs so far.

ACA tourney put off

Sport reporter GUWAHATI, Jan 3 – The semifinal and final matches of the Plate Division senior Inter District Cricket Championship, organized by the ACA were put off.The matches were scheduled to be played at the Nehru Stadium here from January 8 onwards. But due to some unavoidable reasons it has to be postponed, said ACA secretary Bikash Baruah.However, the preliminary phase of the championship was already completed and four teams-Karbi Anglong, Bilasipara, Margherita and Biswanath Chariali have qualified for the knock out stage. When Karbi Anglong was scheduled to take on Bilasipara from January 8 to 11 in the first semifinal, Margherita was to lock horns against Biswanath from January 13 to 16. The final was slated for January 18 to 21.On the other hand the Elite Division league matches will be played at Maligaon, Dibrugarh, Silchar and Nagaon from January 7 onwards. One team each from four centers will qualify for the knock out semifinals. As per the BCCI guidelines, the ACA for the first time has introduced the Elite and Plate Divisions this year. source: assam tribune