India 271 (Sehwag 81, Ganguly 79, Yuvraj 50) beat Sri Lanka 267 for 9 (Jayasuriya 130, Sehwag 3-37) by 4 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

There are days when a team imposes its will over another one simply because it is more desperate to win. Today was one of those days, when India held their nerve and overcame a rampant Sanath Jayasuriya in a heart-stopping match that ended with them squeaking through by four runs under the bright lights of the Premadasa Stadium. The Pakistan team, no doubt cheering every Sri Lankan run across Colombo at their hotel, now have no chance of making the final of the Asia Cup.But, the Pakistanis were left to chew their nails till the very last over. With 42 balls left, and 37 runs needed, Sourav Ganguly stared defeat in the face and did not blink. He threw the ball to Virender Sehwag, and took his time to set the field. Tillakaratne Dilshan, who had come in under tremendous pressure, and Jayasuriya had put on 101 runs and seemed prepared and able to finish the job. Then, with a looping offbreak that would have done Erapalli Prasanna proud, Sehwag bowled Dilshan (39) through the gate. Upul Chandana, heart no doubt warmed by Jayasuriya’s presence at the other end, dug in. Three overs later, 18 runs were needed from 18 balls, with four wickets in hand.Jayasuriya was still menacingly at hand, and Ganguly persisted with Sehwag. Not for long, though, as Jayasuriya (130 from 132 balls, with 14 fours and a six) played a tired heave only to see Sehwag call early and settle under a swirler (254 for 7). Now, with two inexperienced tailenders to come, India were well and truly back in it.And then, the pressure proved too much for Sri Lanka’s inexperienced tail. Irfan Pathan rose to the occasion with a four-run 49th over, and 11 were needed from the final six balls. Ganguly, faced with a tough decision for the final time in the day, surrounded by his team-mates, threw the ball to Zaheer Khan. Six calm and cool balls later, Sri Lanka were still four runs short.On a dry pitch that slowed down with every passing over in the second half, the target of 272 loomed large, and if it were not for one man, would probably have been enough to ensure a thumping win for India. After surviving a loud shout for lbw in the second over of the innings, when he was trapped fairly adjacent by Zaheer, Jayasuriya harked back to his golden period in the midand late-’90s, mercilessly bullying bowlers with brutal strokeplay. He set the tone early on, twirling that blade of his as though it were weightless, bringing into play one of the quickest bat-speeds in the world. Zaheer suffered early on, being looted to the tune of five consecutive boundaries in one over. A brace of flicks that sailed over the square-leg region were followed by a lap around the corner and a couple of quick jabs to third man.But, while Jayasuriya plundered along to his 18th one-day century, his colleagues were getting caught out with a regularity that would have had the coach tearing his hair out. Avishka Gunawardene sliced Zaheer down third man’s throat (20 for 1), and Saman Jayantha feathered an edge to the keeper (36 for 2). Marvan Atapattu played a delicious cover-drive early on, but he too panicked, jumped down the pitch and dragged the ball to square leg (76 for 3). Kumar Sangakkara then did his bit, throwing the bat around as though the required rate was 15.44 rather than 5.44, and holed out to mid-on (103 for 4).When India had the top four back in the hutch with just over 100 on the board they would have known that only Jayasuriya stood between them and victory. Mahela Jayawardene helped steady the Sri Lankan ship, blocking, nudging and nurdling a 31-run partnership before a ripper from Sachin Tendulkar somehow squeezed into the stumps via bat and pad (134 for 5). That, as we now know, almost knocked the wind out of the Sri Lankan team.

There are many vital decisions a captain has to make, and when playing day-night matches in Sri Lanka calling correctly at the toss is one of the most important. Ganguly managed that, even if he made a hash of pencilling in names in the Indian teamsheet, and decided to bat. He then backed that up with an innings of 79, and with a little help from his friends Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh, took India to a highly competitive 271 for 6.If India had thrown the kitchen sink at Pakistan in pursuit of 301 in the last match, they took out the surgeon’s knife today. Sehwag bucked a run of low scores with a measured, sometimes scratchy innings. His difficulty at having to curb his natural attacking style was plain to see, but somehow he stuck to the task at hand. Sehwag built a 134-run partnership with Ganguly for the second wicket, and laid the foundation for a large total. Even when he was dismissed on 81, caught behind attempting a big heave off Jayasuriya, India were well placed at 168 for 2.On the day, Ganguly made sure he cut out the ambitious swings through the off side. He ran hard for most of his runs and only backed himself to play the big shots when the run rate needed a boost. Yuvraj (50) was an ideal foil to Ganguly at this stage, standing tall and hitting the ball with power. Anything that was too full or too loose disappeared, and plenty in between was pushed away for ones and twos. Ganguly took his chances against the spinners, using his feet well and lofting over the infield. Eventually, Lasith Malinga had the better of Ganguly (79) when he chipped one down mid-on’s throat. The tail scrambled a few, India reached 271, a little short of what they wanted – but in the end, it was just enough to stay in the tournament.

John Wright has been retained as India’s coach for a further year. Wright, 50, has held the job for four years and his extension lasts until September 2005. India have put in some good performances during Wright’s tenure, beating Australia in a home Test series in 2001 and drawing with them in Australia earlier this year, as well as reaching the World Cup finals in South Africa in 2003, and beating Pakistan in the first Test series between the two for 14 years.The extension to Wright’s contract was widely expected, but is surprisingly short-term. Jagmohan Dalmiya, the Indian board president, explained why this was the case: “It all depends on whether the coach wants to continue and if the players are comfortable.”Two other members of the coaching staff, Andrew Leipus, the team physio, and trainer Greg King have had their contracts extended until the end of the 2007 World Cup in West Indies.The national team left India today (August 16) for their European tour, which starts with the Videocon triangular one-day tournament in the Netherlands, involving Australia and Pakistan, followed by the NatWest Challenge against England, and the ICC Champions Trophy in September.

Jim Maxwell, Glenn Mitchell and Harsha Bhogle stare intently at the television as meaningful numbers flash, only to be replaced by other important figures. A map of the United States appears, divided into red or blue blocks. Kerry has 252 votes, and bleary-eyed news anchors tell us that there’s more counting to be done.”Tell me,” says Harsha, “why does it take so long to count these votes?” Because the candidates’ legal teams are involved, someone offers. So what’s the difference between them and the BCCI, another asks. The drizzle outside creates a misty atmosphere within the stadium, and beyond it there are fans bunched together. A cup of steaming coffee arrives.”In Australia, we’d have the covers off in 30 minutes … 45 max,” says Mitchell, leaning back in his chair, rubbing his beard as he observes the bleak picture unfolding outside the tiny commentary box. He’s been with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation for 15 years. He and Maxwell make an odd couple. He’s young, unshaven, wearing shorts and a shirt, and talkative, while Maxwell, who’s been with ABC for 30 years, is fifty-ish, less vocal, and clad in chequered blue trousers. Maxwell is also less restless right now. Mitchell can’t believe a light drizzle has stopped play.”What happened today, at this ground, is an absolute farce. In Australia, England, South Africa, the ground would have been ready for play 90 minutes earlier. When it started to rain today… there would have been a tractor pulling out a trailor, and the covers would have been laid within 20 seconds. What’s the point of having 240 million dollars in the bank if you can’t play cricket?””Riddikilous!” Maxwell chimes in, not looking up from a recorder he’s fiddling with. “Simply riddikilous!” The man from the BBC pops in. “Any official announcement on the state of play?” Nah, we reply.Some timed the groundstaff’s reaction time at six minutes. Others claimed seven passed between raindrops hitting the ground and harried staff scurrying to lay out the covers. One story had it that the men in charge were sipping tea somewhere, unaware that it was drizzling, and that the match referee was horrified when he found out – but this hasn’t been confirmed.”What do you think the TV channel will be saying about it?” questions Maxwell, pointing at the covers. “What about them?” Mitchell counters, pointing at the silent spectators. “No refund!” Four overs have been bowled so far, and even if they do resume, not many more will be delivered. A man at the ticket counter where the sign says “Rs 700″ says there’s no refund. Even if there’s no play? Even if there’s no play.”In Australia, if you don’t get 25 overs bowled, you get a refund.” Mitchell’s flow is interrupted by a roar, hoots, whistling, the works. The umpires walk to the middle, and then walk away. “People here probably can’t afford tickets as much as people in Australia can. We’ve given them four overs, mainly because of the incompetence of the fact that this ground doesn’t have a support staff and the necessary equipment. And yet, the BCCI will say `here, have a look at our bank account.’ You can have ten billion dollars in the bank, but you’ll just have an hour and a half’s cricket today.”These grounds, to be very honest, are a disgrace. Some of the facilities, the toilets and things like that are a disgrace.” Where does the money go, Mitchell wonders. “Four hundred million dollars should go back into the development of the game.”He explains how much sport means to Australians. They can’t compete on a financial scale, so they try dominating sport instead. “That makes us walk tall.” Mitchell has covered golf, tennis, soccer, and explains how competitive sports are even at league level back home.Maxwell has a simple suggestion about why Australia are good at sport. “It’s the climate. The climate.” He believes the weather is great for sport. There are wide open areas, the air is breathable, and the water is clean. It all helps.Bhogle wanders out of the room for a stretch. So how’d he start with the ABC? “He was with us in 1991-92,” Mitchell squints as he remembers. “I think he had sent some tapes over, and we picked him. He’s very popular in Australia. I think we picked him before anyone else had heard of him in India.”The mood has lifted again, now that we’ve stopped talking about the BCCI and the ground. I ask about a moving public ceremony where a Baggy Green was presented to Nathan Hauritz by Glenn McGrath. There were tears as the cap was accepted. But Hauritz’s inclusion had been questioned before. Was this Australia’s best team?Now there’s something, Mitchell says. He was included because Warne broke his thumb. Stuart MacGill was on standby, ready to be flown to India if anything happened to Warne. But the injury occoured the day before the game began, and was diagnosed in the evening. It was too late to get MacGill down. What would have happened if India had won at Chennai and both teams came to Mumbai with the series alive? Would the decision to include Hauritz in the final side have come under increased scrutiny then?There’s another cheer as the covers come off. The writer Peter Roebuck joins the box as Mitchell talks into his microphone to the studio. Play begins shortly afterwards, and Mitchell begins, “McGrath bowls to Tendulkar, who defends it.” He goes quiet then, until the next ball is bowled. Why does he do this? They haven’t linked to Australia yet, Harsha says. He’s just practising. Soon, the evening news in Australia is done and the commentary goes live. Roebuck picks up from Mitchell and, within two overs of play restarting, the talk moves from cricket to how people consume pesticide to commit suicide. Everyone but Roebuck is laughing. Mitchell turns around and evilly says, “See? You can’t do that on television!”

Nottinghamshire, who were promoted in both the County Championhip and National League in 2004, have given new contracts to four of their players to stay at Trent Bridge.Wicketkeeper/batsman Russell Warren, allrounder Gareth Clough and seamer Andy Harris have agreed terms to keep them at Trent Bridge until the end of 2006, while the opening batsman Darren Bicknell, the elder brother of Martin Bicknell (who passed 1000 first-class wickets in 2004) has signed a one-year contract.Mike Newell, Nottinghamshire’s director of cricket, expressed his pleasure at the signings: “Everyone in our squad had a part to play in our successes this year. And I’m sure they will in 2005 as well.”

Scorecard
Day 5
Bulletin – Australia complete another easy win
Verdict – A no-contest
NZ View – The Bracewell factor
Roving Reporter – A window into Adelaide’s rich past
Roving Reporter – The heavyweight dash
Quotes – ‘We deserved the criticism’ – Fleming
Quotes – ‘We achieved what we wanted to achieve’ – Ponting
The Big Picture – Two apieceDay 4
Bulletin – New Zealand on the slippery slope
Verdict – McGrath’s critical contribution
Commentary – Cartoon capers
Quotes – ‘It’s always going to be tough’ – Oram
The Big Picture – Chin musicDay 3
Bulletin – Australia march into dominant position
Verdict – Warne’s unrequited love
Roving Reporter – Not just for flannelled fools
Quotes – ‘We are being thumped’ – Fleming
The Big Picture – Fleming’s close shaveDay 2
Bulletin – Aussies on top after Langer double-century
Verdict – Paying for a lack of penetration
Analysis – Changing the pace of the game
Quotes – Vettori – ‘I’ll take five against Australia any day’
The Big Picture – Langer’s double-hundred
Day 1
Bulletin – Langer and Hayden put Aussies on top
Roving Reporter – A day for cork hats
Verdict – The rewards of toil
Quotes – Langer – ‘I am the aggressor’
The Big Picture – Feeling the heatPreview package
Preview – Standing their ground
News – Chappell offers help

The growing dispute between Cricket Australia and the country’s players escalated over the weekend with a report claiming that the cricketers are angry at what they see as a deliberate leak of information aimed at undermining their position.A report in The Sunday Age said that Tim May, the Australian Cricketers Association’s chief executive, had admitted that the players had reacted badly to the revelation last week of details relating to contracts, match payments and sponsorship income. They were, he added, especially uneasy of the timing of the leak and its source, given that the board was due to present a proposal to the ACA. “The players are suspicious about where the disclosure of individual contracts came from," he said, "and where the figures on sponsorship deals came from.”The players are concerned that Cricket Australia wants to change the way their pay is calculated. In 1997, similar negotiations nearly brought a players’ strike. At the moment, all Australian players, whether they represent state sides or the Test team, are paid from a 25% pool of Cricket Australia’s revenue. By way of comparison, their rugby counterparts share a 30% pool of their board’s revenue.Cricket Australia proposed on Friday that the players should receive a fixed amount rather than a percentage. The players want a continuation of the revenue-share system, because it makes them feel like shareholders rather than merely employees of the board, but CA says that it cannot afford to continue that arrangement.Another contentious issue is that of the number of centrally-contracted players. The Herald Sun cited five such players – Stuart Clark, Ashley Noffke, Michael Hussey, Wade Seccombe and Matthew Elliott – who received a total of Aus$640,000 in seasons they never played a Test or one-day international.May is expected to put the players’ position to the board on Tuesday.

Ravi Rampaul, the promising West Indian seamer, returned to competitive cricket last weekend in the Carib Beer League limited-overs competition after being out for almost six months due to shin splints. Rampaul, who was forced out of last year’s summer tour to England, resumed training only in December and is slowly getting back to full fitness.Anthony Gray, the coach of Rampaul’s club CLICO Preysal, told CMC Sports that Rampaul is primarily being played as a batsman in the one-day series, following the advice of Dr Terry Ali, the West Indian board’s physiotherapist. “We are using him in short spells. He bowled okay, but we are a bit concerned as his landing foot is twisting. We are awaiting an innersole from England for his bowling boots, before any more corrective measures are taken.”Rangy Nanan, the cricket manager at Preysal Sports Club, indicated that the support staff was careful not to rush his recovery process. “Ravi is working hard to come back at 100% full fitness. He is eager for action, he wants to be back on the T&T and West Indies teams. But his training programme is fully set out and monitored by Dr Terry Ali.” Nanan also stated that while his progress was encouraging, a more clear picture would only emerge in about four weeks.Rampaul played the last of his 17 one-dayers against England in the Natwest series in 2004, and has captured 11 wickets at an average of 49. He was forced to miss out on Trinidad and Tobago’s triumph in last year’s President Cup in Guyana and Barbados, and has already missed out on the first five matches in the 2005 Carib Beer Regional Series.West Indies have a packed season ahead of them, with two home series, against South Africa and Pakistan. The South African series, consisting of four Tests and five one-dayers, begins in March, while Pakistan will tour immediately after, for two Tests and three ODIs.

Police have stopped 50 political protesters from entering the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, according to the Press Trust of India. They were suspected of being affiliated to the same group that had attempted to damage the Mohali pitch two days ago.Eye-witnesses claimed that the protesters raised slogans and attempted to enter the stadium, a move that had little success because security had been increased there after it became known that the Green Park ground was a potential target for protesters unhappy at Pakistan’s proposed visit.Grounds around India have strengthened security to prevent untoward incidents that could hamper the smooth running of the tour.

A strong Pura Cup season has won Brad Hodge a spot in the streamlined 13-man squad for the three-Test series against New Zealand. Hodge beat a strong list of contenders including Mike Hussey and Andrew Symonds as the selectors resisted the urge to add more options.Rewarded for his consistency with Victoria this summer and 735 Pura Cup runs at 61.25, Hodge, 30, will make his second tour of the season after he was part of the squad that won in India for the first time in 35 years. Picked for the opening first-class match, Hodge registered 30 and 29 not out but narrowly missed replacing Ricky Ponting for the first Test when the selectors gambled on Michael Clarke.”I’m not surprised,” Hodge said. “I was more hopeful for the result. But I thought that I was more of a chance if there was a 14-man squad than a 13-man squad, so being selected has given me great hope.”Hodge and Simon Katich, who scored 58 and 43 opening in the current one-day series, will vie for the sixth batting spot and Katich is expected to play in the opening Test. Katich has been in and out of the side over the past year but performed strongly in India with 276 runs in four Tests before Darren Lehmann replaced him for the Australian summer. “It won’t be a Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan-type fight,” Hodge said in reference to the vicious rivalry of the US ice-skaters.Hodge, who scored 204 not out, 140 and 88 in his last three Pura Cup innings, has also benefited from Lehmann’s shoulder injury, although his decision to have surgery may have given the selectors a couple of months to prepare the leaving speech for his international career.”Brad has presented an irresistible case to be part of this tour and if he gets the opportunity we feel confident that he can do a good job,” Trevor Hohns, the chairman of selectors, said. “During the India series, when he missed out on a spot in the Test XI, we said he was still in line for national selection. His domestic form has ensured that this is the case.”Shane Watson, the Queensland allrounder who played in the last Test, was ruled out with a side strain suffered in the second VB Series final against Pakistan. The other contentious position is for the third fast bowler, which is a battle between Brett Lee’s speed and Michael Kasprowicz’s wicket-taking consistency.The three Test series will be completed in 22 days and Hohns did not see the value of picking an expanded squad when players could be performing in the Pura Cup. “We feel that this is a balanced squad and don’t believe we have to extend the size of the touring party,” he said. “We have plenty of options and given the close proximity of the two countries we always have the option of flying players in.”Australia squad Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting (capt), Damien Martyn, Michael Clarke, Brad Hodge, Simon Katich, Adam Gilchrist (wk), Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz, Glenn McGrath.

Rain severely disrupted the opening day of the 2005 World Cup, with all four matches washed out after heavy rain lashed Pretoria. There are no reserve days in the opening group matches and so all teams will receive three points.
ScorecardEngland struggled after choosing to bat at the Technikon Oval, and were indebted to a brisk 40 from 50 balls by Jenny Gunn to give their total some respectability. Charlotte Edwards and Laura Newton gave the innings a steady start, content to see off the new ball threat of Cathryn Fitzpatrick. But Julie Hayes removed both openers, and when Clare Connor fell without scoring England were struggling at 63 for 3.Clare Taylor set about trying to rebuild the innings, as Australia’s seamers proved hard to get away. The middle-order fell trying to up the tempo, and when Rosalie Birch was run out England were in trouble at 102 for 6, leaving them trying to bat out the overs. Gunn played positively, adding 41 with Jane Smit for the eighth wicket, but the rain arrived before England got the chance to see how competitive their total would be.

ScorecardSouth Africa were on course to post a decent score at Centurion Park, before rain put paid to their opening match against Ireland. They were made to work for their runs by a determined Irish team, who reduced them to 92 for 5 before the middle-order led a recovery.Barbara McDonald was the pick of the Irish attack, here two early wickets included Johmari Logtenberg, the teenage star who is tipped for an impressive future. Shandre Fritz and Claire Terblanche added 90 for sixth wicket before bad light, and eventually rain, arrived with two overs of their innings remaining.
ScorecardMaia Lewis was the star for New Zealand, the defending champions, making 77 from 148 balls, but the rest of the batting struggled. Nicola Browne offered the only real support, making 25 from 35 balls, while Philippa Thomas and Nelly Williams claimed two wickets each.
ScorecardThe Indian bowlers kept a constant stranglehold on the Sri Lankan batting, never allowing them to gain any momentum. Even Shashikala Siriwardena, the top-score, struggled for 63 balls to make 29. Neetu David was the pick of the attack with 3 for 17, and the Indians would have been highly confident of reaching their target, but only had the chance to face two overs.