Marlon Samuels shredded the Bangladesh attack in the morning, reached his maiden Test double hundred and then sat back to watch Shivnarine Chanderpaul breeze to his 27th century

The Report by Abhishek Purohit23-Nov-2012
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsMarlon Samuels made 260, his highest Test score•Associated Press

Marlon Samuels shredded the Bangladesh attack in the morning, reached his maiden Test double hundred and then sat back to watch Shivnarine Chanderpaul breeze to his 27th century, which followed his unbeaten 203 in the Mirpur Test. The Khulna pitch refused to stand up for the third day running and apart from ruing their lack of luck, Bangladesh could do little else as West Indies piled on the lead. They did take two wickets, as they had on day two, but at the cost of 323 runs.Almost unobtrusively, Darren Bravo reached his fourth Test hundred, all of which have come in the subcontinent. His partnership with Samuels swelled to 326, West Indies’ sixth-highest ever, before Sohag Gazi ended it by trapping Bravo in front. The one between Samuels and Chanderpaul added 177.Samuels switched gears each session from spectacular to sedate to smooth, with Chanderpaul outscoring him comfortably after lunch. Samuels had taken 82 off 81 deliveries in the morning; he took 86 to make 29 after lunch. He did accelerate to score 40 off 57 in the final session before falling to the third new ball off Rubel Hossain.Samuels had an extremely edgy start to the day for a man resuming on 109, but he recovered to slam 14 boundaries till lunch as Bangladesh wilted after the initial burst from their quick bowlers. He was to hit just two edged fours in the second session.The second new ball was two overs old at the start, and Bangladesh could have had a wicket in each of the first four overs. Bravo edged Rubel Hossain’s second delivery of the day and it nearly carried to the lone slip. Nearly. The word was to define Bangladesh’s morning.Samuels was dropped once and survived several times in the next three overs. He was beaten by both Rubel and Abul Hasan and edged both through the slips for fours. In the day’s fourth over, an edge off Abul even carried low to first slip, but Naeem Islam was late to react. By now, Samuels must have realised it was his day, and three balls later, he thumped Abul through covers for four.

Smart stats

• Marlon Samuels’ 260 is his highest Test score and the second-highest by a West Indies batsman in the subcontinent. It is also the second-highest score in Tests against Bangladesh falling just short of Ramnaresh Sarwan’s 261 in 2004.

• Abul Hasan became the only player to score a century and concede over 100 runs in his debut Test. His economy rate (4.70) is the highest in an innings on debut for a Bangladesh player (min 20 overs bowled).

• The number of balls faced by Samuels (455) is the highest by any batsman in an innings against Bangladesh. The previous highest was 425 balls faced by Jason Gillespie during his 201 in 2006.

• Darren Bravo’s century is his fourth in 21 matches. All four of them (two against Bangladesh) have come in the subcontinent.

• The 326-run stand between Bravo and Samuels is the sixth-highest partnership for West Indies in Tests and their highest in away games. It is also the fourth-highest stand against Bangladesh.

• Shivnarine Chanerpaul’s century is his 27th in Tests and his second in consecutive games. It is also his third century in eight Tests against Bangladesh.

• The 177-run stand between Samuels and Chanderpaul is the highest fourth-wicket stand for West Indies against Bangladesh and their fourth-highest stand for the fourth wicket in the subcontinent.

• West Indies registered their second 500-plus total of the series. For the fourth time (first outside West Indies) since 2000, West Indies have made two 500-plus scores in the first innings in a series.

Bravo did the same to the next two deliveries, off Rubel, and West Indies were now galloping. Bravo was to add 42 to his overnight 85, but he might as well have been invisible, such was Samuels’ assault.Yet again, Shakib Al Hasan, who had troubled him on day two, almost dismissed Samuels today. Samuels had been exploiting the slowness of the Khulna pitch, which gave him ample time to stand front-on against the spinners and swing length deliveries over square leg. After doing the same to Shakib in the 102nd over, he tried repeating the stroke next delivery. The ball took the inside edge, hit the pad and rolled onto leg stump, but to Mushfiqur Rahim’s utter disbelief, did not dislodge the bails. Samuels gleefully charged out and hit the last ball of that over for six down the ground.Had Bravo not gone back to cut a quick and straight Gazi delivery and been hit on pad first, Bangladesh could have spent the break cursing their luck, which did not change in the afternoon. Rubel struck Samuels on the pad first ball on resumption, but a close shout was turned down. First ball of Rubel’s next over, Samuels slashed and the edge flew over slip. He had further issues against Rubel, whose short deliveries did not rise enough to be ducked under, and did not come quickly enough to be pulled with timing. A tuck to leg off his 329th delivery brought up Samuels’ first Test double century in what has easily been his most productive year.Chanderpaul did not need the kind of fortune Samuels had. His pace of scoring was also more consistent across sessions. He made 52 off 96 in the second, and added 57 off 110 in the third. As he so often does, Chanderpaul began quietly. He opened up an hour after lunch to play several cuts, steers, and sweeps, and stepped out to lift Shakib for a straight six. Chanderpaul hit fewer boundaries after tea, but that made little difference to his strike-rate.With the old ball difficult to time on the slow wicket, both Samuels and Chanderpaul went after the third new ball. The Bangladesh quicks were largely wayward with it, with Abul being taken for three fours in the 164th over. Previous edges had hardly carried, but Rubel finally got one to rear enough to take the shoulder of Samuels’ bat and carry to gully.Abul was taken off after that over, only his second with the third new ball. Gazi came on, and Chanderpaul lifted his first ball over mid-off to move to 99, and reached his hundred in the same over. Like Samuels had on day two, Chanderpaul also ended day three unbeaten on 109. Bangladesh would be hoping for the small mercy that Chanderpaul does not cut loose on Saturday morning, like Samuels did today.

MS Dhoni has all but ruled out playing three spinners on an Ahmedabad track that is “on the drier side”

Sidharth Monga14-Nov-2012MS Dhoni has all but ruled out playing three spinners on an Ahmedabad track that is “on the drier side”, but not quite the turner India got in Kanpur when they beat South Africa inside three days in 2008. Even though they were not present at the pre-match training session, Zaheer Khan and Umesh Yadav are fit and sure starters. With Ishant Sharma down with viral fever, Ashok Dinda is being flown in as cover for any last-minute injury to either Zaheer or Yadav.Dhoni has made no secret of his demand of Indian groundsmen that visiting teams be given a stern spin test, but his faith in two quicks on the eve of the start of the series suggests the pitch might not be a “rank turner”. “If we get a wicket like we got in Kanpur against South Africa, maybe we will even go with four [spinners],” Dhoni said. “Also what we need to see is if the wicket is like that, the fast bowlers also get a bit of reverse swing. It is always advisable to have a bowling attack where you have people for different scenarios, and I believe fast bowlers are important.”The square at the Sardar Patel Satdium has been relaid recently, the lower clay content promises breaking up, the pitch looks completely bald, but the groundsman is worried the turn on offer could be slow. “Looks like a good wicket,” Dhoni said. “As the game progresses it may slow down, and the spinners might get some assistance. Maybe a bit of reverse swing for the fast bowlers.”Definitely it looks on the drier side. I feel they have changed the soil from the last time we played here… Definitely I feel it will turn.”That Dhoni is not thinking of a third spinner has a lot to do with the return of Yuvraj Singh, who can – in the contest against England and Kevin Pietersen – even pass off as an allrounder. Even when Dhoni was asked about Pietersen’s return, he said they will enjoy the contest between him and the “piechucker”.MS Dhoni has welcomed the return of Yuvraj Singh, saying his part-time spin will be vital for India•AFP

“He bats at No. 5 or No. 6, and his left-arm spin is very crucial for us,” Dhoni said of Yuvraj. “The reason being, more often than not, because we don’t have a genuine allrounder, we play four bowlers. So it’s important that the part-timers contribute. Especially that phase when the ball becomes old and you are waiting for new ball, you can’t use your fast bowlers, you don’t want your spinners to be really tired because even with the new ball they come into play after just 10 overs. I feel his contribution will be very important. He is quite intimidating when he bats. If you see his good innings, he can really dominate.”The third spinner in the squad, who is all but likely to miss the Ahmedabad Test, is Harbhajan Singh. Dhoni said his experience, even if he doesn’t get to play, will be valuable. “If you look at the top four or five spinners [in India], Bhajji features there,” Dhoni said. The good thing is, he is now part of this series, and he can share his experience with youngsters. [Pragyan] Ojha has played with him in quite a few games. With [R] Ashwin he can share a bit more experience. He has a big contribution to make in the coming series. He will work a lot with the team. That should help him in the future.”Dhoni reinstated his faith in the spin combination of Ashwin and Ojha. “They understand each other very well,” Dhoni said. “That’s something very important. If it’s not turning, Ojha is someone who can keep it tight.”Ashwin will always be a more aggressive bowler, in the sense he has got plenty of variations. He loves to use those variations. I think one of the important roles of Ojha’s is to keep it tight so Ashwin can attack from the other end. It’s not just that. We have seen in innings where Ojha gets the breakthrough for us, Ashwin does the containing job. Best part is, if they know there is something for them, they come into the game.”Dhoni showed so much faith in Ashwin, he made Ashwin sound like the most versatile bowler of all time when asked to compare him with Saeed Ajmal. After paying due respect to Ajmal, Dhoni said: “Ashwin has also got variations. He can bowl almost each and every delivery that anyone can bowl. He has got the flipper, the googly, bowls legspin, offspin, the carrom ball…”If Dhoni the captain is to believed, Dhoni the keeper better watch out.

Sri Lanka will be without batsman Kumar Sangakkara for the remainder of their tour of Australia, after scans revealed a fracture to his left hand

Andrew Fernando at the MCG28-Dec-2012Sri Lanka will be without batsman Kumar Sangakkara for the remainder of their tour of Australia, after scans revealed a fracture to his left hand, where he was hit by a Mitchell Johnson bouncer during the Boxing Day Test. Sangakkara will undergo surgery this evening and will be unavailable for six to eight weeks, as he recovers. Fast bowler Chanaka Welegedara has also been ruled out of the Sydney Test with a hamstring injury, and will likely fly home, having not been named in the limited overs squads.Sri Lanka are also waiting on the fitness of wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene and fast bowler Nuwan Kulasekara, who are both suffering from hairline fractures. Jayawardene sustained his injury during Sri Lanka’s first innings, when Johnson hit him on the right thumb. Kulasekara meanwhile had been complaining of soreness in the ribs after being hit there while batting on the fifth day in Hobart, before scans on Thursday revealed he had a cracked rib.Sangakkara was hit on the bottom hand while fending a short ball after lunch, and immediately called for the physiotherapist upon crossing for a single. The removal of his glove revealed significant swelling on the bottom of his index finger, and he left the field for the hospital soon after.The three injuries in the game meant that Sri Lanka only had eight batsmen who could complete their innings in the second dig. Their innings ended at 103 on day three, when they slipped to an innings and 201-run defeat. Sangakkara is the side’s leading batsman, while Welegedara is considered the leader of Sri Lanka’s pace attack and had been their top wicket-taker in the first Test.Dinesh Chandimal is the only reserve batsman on tour, and is almost certain to be included in the XI for the Sydney Test that begins on January 3. He has also kept wickets for Sri Lanka in Tests, and will take the gloves if Jayawardene is unfit to play. Lahiru Thirimanne is on stand-by for the tour, and may also be flown in as cover.Among the fast bowling reserves, Nuwan Pradeep may earn a start in Sydney, if three seam bowlers are required and Kulasekara cannot play, while Thisara Perera may also be brought into the squad. Perera is already in Australia, playing for the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League.

Round-up of the Zimbabwe’s pro-50 Championship matches held on January 9, 2013

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Jan-2013
ScorecardSean Ervine’s all-round efforts set up Matabeleland Tuskers’ comfortable seven-wicket win over Mashonaland Eagles in Bulawayo. Sean Ervine, after taking three middle-order wickets to break Eagles’ back, top-scored for his side with 45 to help overhaul the target with more than 17 overs to spare.Eagles got off to a shaky start, and were reduced to 6 for 2 by the seventh over. Although Stuart Matsikenyeri rebuilt the innings through partnerships with Nathan Waller and Sikandar Raza worth 46 and 39 respectively, they lost seven wickets for 66 runs, sparked by Sean Ervine’s three-for.Tuskers were always in control of their chase as Sean Ervine and Craig Ervine, who scored an aggressive unbeaten 42, steered their side to the win, which consolidated Tuskers’ position at the top of the table.
ScorecardAt Mutare Sports Club, Mountaineers defeated Mid West Rhinos by seven wickets in a rain-shortened contest. After Rhinos scored 225 for 6 in 43 overs, the target for the Mountaineers was brought down to 200 in 28 overs. Openers Mark Pettini and Hamilton Masakadza put on a 111-run stand in 13.2 overs to establish a firm hold over the game, and they reached the target with ten balls to spare.Rhinos’ innings was based on a collective effort by their top order. Although wickets fell regularly, decent contributions from Jaik Mickleburgh, who scored 49, Brendon Taylor, Malcolm Waller and later Steven Trenchard got them to a challenging total. Seamer Shingi Masakadza was the most economical of the bowlers, with a spell of 1 for 26 off eight overs.Mountaineers, after their dominant start, slightly stuttered, losing two wickets, but chased down the target comfortably. They are, however, still at the lower half of the points table.

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has defended the decision to cut support coaching staff from tours

Firdose Moonda08-Feb-2013Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has defended the decision to cut support coaching staff from tours, saying it was based on recommendations made the country’s cricket committee. The change to the technical structure was proposed and accepted at a meeting on October 5 last year, to which captain Brendan Taylor was party.Earlier this week, Taylor made known his disappointment on the decision, which means Grant Flower and Heath Streak will not travel to West Indies, and called it a “step in the wrong direction.” ZC reacted to his statements with “concern,” especially over the insinuation that Taylor was not consulted because they say he was involved in the process.They attribute the reasons for not having the batting and bowling coaches and fitness trainer travelling with the team as an attempt to try and streamline the structure. ZC also said it resulted in mixed messages to the team.”The recurring theme was the differences the coaching staff have, the divisions in the team as a result, and their reservations about a coaching staff of that size,” Shingai Rhuhwaya, ZC’s general manager of media and public affairs told ESPNcricinfo.The cricket committee, who at the time included Alistair Campbell, Dave Houghton, the late Kevin Curran, Cyprian Mandenge and Freddy Kapuya discussed a new coaching structure which was debated at a ZC board meeting in November. The suggestion was accepted and adopted at that meeting.The recommendations state that the technical team structure will consist of the head and assistant coach, an analyst, a physiotherapist and a manager who will be appointed on a tour by tour basis. “The head coach should be given the opportunity to make an input on the appointment of the rest of the technical staff, taking into consideration the status of the contracts of the current members of the national technical staff,” and a further point added “specialist consultants should be engaged on a needs basis.”Taylor posted a message on Facebook pointing out the importance of having specialist coaches, particularly Flower, on tour. He cited their experience and knowledge as being important to any chance of Zimbabwean success.His outburst will not have gone down well but ZC do not look likely to take any action against the captain. A source close to the situation said he had been “spoken to,” about his statement while ZC have only asked for his co-operation.”We understand that he would prefer to have the batting coach there but we trust that he understands the need to try a different system, especially since he was part of the feedback that suggested a change was in order,” Rhuhwaya said.

The opening day of the series was abandoned without a ball bowled in Dunedin as rain swept across the ground shortly after New Zealand had put England into bat

The Report by Andrew McGlashan in Dunedin05-Mar-2013Toss
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsGraeme Swann has been forced out of the Test but Stuart Broad is back•Associated Press

The opening day of the series was abandoned without a ball bowled in Dunedin as heavy rain swept across the ground shortly after New Zealand had won the toss and put England into bat.Although there were periods when the rain eased off, and occasionally the groundstaff would make it to the middle, further bursts kept ensuring no mopping process was able to start. The umpires called the day off after the tea interval and time will be made up over the remaining days, with a 10am start and late finish, although the forecast is not too promising.The day was dominated by news of Graeme Swann being forced out of the tour for elbow surgery after Monty Panesar had been named in England’s team for this Test. There was also a return for Stuart Broad after his heel problems.Despite the overhead conditions, New Zealand handed a debut to left-arm spinner Bruce Martin instead of playing Ian Butler as a fourth seamer. Butler, who hasn’t played a Test since 2004, was called into the squad after Doug Bracewell was ruled out when he cut his foot on glass as he cleaned up after a party.Martin, 32, was first part of a New Zealand squad in 2000 but did not get another call-up until the tour of South Africa earlier this year.New Zealand 1 Hamish Rutherford, 2 Peter Fulton, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Dean Brownlie, 6 Brendon McCullum (capt), 7 BJ Watling (wk), 8 Tim Southee, 9 Bruce Martin, 11 Neil Wagner, 11 Trent BoultEngland 1 Alastair Cook (capt), 2 Nick Compton, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Ian Bell, 6 Joe Root, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Steven Finn, 10 James Anderson, 11 Monty Panesar

West Indies completed a second crushing victory over Sri Lanka in the Twenty20 series, winning by six wickets with 26 balls to spare at the R Premadasa

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Mar-2013
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsWest Indies completed a crushing victory over Sri Lanka in the second game of the Twenty20 series, winning by six wickets with 26 balls to spare at the R Premadasa. That puts West Indies 2-0 up with three to play.Like in the first game, Sri Lanka chose to bat, and yet again their batsmen flopped. Their top-scorer was No. 9 Chamani Seneviratna with just 12, as they crawled to 73 for 8. That the innings included just two fours shows the dominance the West Indies’ bowlers enjoyed. None of the bowlers’ figures stood out though, the wickets shared among Tremayne Smartt, Shanel Daley, Subrina Munroe and Shemaine Campbelle.None of the visitor’s batsmen scored substantially either, but the tiny target meant a succession of cameos from the top order was enough. The only highlight of the match for Sri Lanka came from medium pacer Eshani Kaushalya, who was on a hat-trick in the second over of the chase, having bowled Deandra Dottin and Juliana Nero off consecutive deliveries.The third T20 will be played at the same venue on March 5.