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It’s one thing to win a title, it’s a completely different thing to defend it.Stephen Fleming’s TelstraClear Black Caps found that out in no uncertain manner in Colombo yesterday.Their 164-run loss was an embarrassing start to a highly-significant summer for the New Zealand one-day game.Next year’s World Cup in South Africa is quite likely to be the last chance for several members of this side to attempt to win the Cup, and a good deal of time, effort and money has gone into preparing the side.Since the re-structuring of New Zealand Cricket the emphasis has been on achieving consistency in Test and one-day play. This result is not indicative of any advance being made.Notwithstanding the fact it is without key players in Chris Cairns, Craig McMillan and Andre Adams, the facts are that the elements of putting up a competitive chase still seem to elude the side.Even while the wickets were falling so rapidly at the start of the innings, the only semblance of anyone trying to put down an anchor was Mathew Sinclair, and even that was an all-too brief effort.This sort of rapid collapse is not new to New Zealand one-day play, and even if the cause was lost very early in the piece it should not be too much to expect a show of resistance to start much higher in the order than Nos 9 and 11.That’s to take nothing away from some fine Australian bowling.But when has anything different been expected of this outstanding cricket machine?Surely New Zealand knew what to expect? Even moreso after the humiliations New Zealand inflicted on Australia last year.Some will trot out the lack of preparation as an excuse.But there can be no excuse and the reality must be that New Zealand’s ability to prepare a suitable match plan while playing the game will now need to be concentrated in the remaining Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh and the seven matches available in the home series against India.That is, of course, if New Zealand’s summer weather holds up.The degree of difficulty in World Cup aspirations just got significantly higher.While the spirit shown in a last-ditch half-century stand between Kyle Mills and Shane Bond was admirable, the only real obvious positive to come out of the game was the seeming return of left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori to something like the vitality of his early days with a superb bowling performance.There was a vigour to his short bowling stint that has been lacking while he has battled with his back problems. That offers some encouragement for the season ahead, although the real test will come in the Test match arena.The match itself produced a minefield of reminders of just how much work this side has in front of it before it can claim a much higher degree of consistency in its achievement levels.Some points to ponder:The marginThe 164-run margin is New Zealand’s worst against Australia, beating the 150-run loss at Christchurch in 1989/90.It is the second highest loss by New Zealand in all One-Day Internationals by runs – the worst is 174 runs against India at Hyderabad in 1999/00.The win was Australia’s third highest by a runs margin against all-comers.Australia’s inningsAustralia’s 296/7 was the second successive match in which New Zealand has conceded more than 290 in an innings.It was the fifth highest total conceded by New Zealand to Australia, and it was the 14th highest total conceded by New Zealand against all-comers.New Zealand’s inningsThe 26.2 overs was New Zealand’s second shortest complete innings in uninterrupted ODIs. The 94 in 25.2 overs, also against Australia, at Christchurch in 1989/90 remains the shortest. And it was the fourth shortest innings against all-comers in ODIs.That last-wicket partnershipMills and Bond achieved the highest 10th wicket partnership by any country against Australia with their 50-stand. New Zealand’s best had been 33 by Chris Harris and Shayne O’Connor at Melbourne in 1997/98.It bettered the unbroken 43 achieved by Angus Fraser and Phil Tufnell for England at Melbourne in 1990/91.It was the second highest 10th wicket stand for New Zealand against all-comers. Only Martin Snedden and Ewen Chatfield have done better with their 65 against Sri Lanka at Derby in 1983.Sadly for New Zealand it was the highest partnership of the innings, 27 by Sinclair and Scott Styris being the next highest, while it was also the longest partnership of the innings, 45 as opposed to 37 balls for Sinclair and Styris.Before that standWhen New Zealand were 82/9 after 19 overs they were staring at both their lowest total and first double figure score in 259 ODIs since 1989/90.They were looking at their largest loss in ODIs which would have made a twin pair after the record Test loss to Pakistan earlier this year.It could have been the second shortest complete innings by any team in ODIs, as the worst is the 15.3 overs by Zimbabwe when scoring 38 against Sri Lanka in 2001/02.Vettori’s bowlingVettori’s one for 25 from 10 overs was his third most economical bowling figures behind his three for 21 against Sri Lanka at Napier in 2000/01 and his two for 21 against Pakistan at Auckland in the same season.Mills’ battingKyle Mills 23 not out was his highest score in ODIs and headed his 18 not out against Sri Lanka, also at Colombo in his previous ODI innings in which an unbroken 32-run stand with Daryl Tuffey saved New Zealand from another double figure innings, albeit in a 36-over match.Bond’s inningsBond’s 26 bettered the 19 not out he scored against the West Indies in Kingston earlier this year.He now has 78 runs at 19.50.Despite mostly playing No 11 so far his average is better than five of his team-mates – Styris (19.16), Jacob Oram (14.57), Mills (12.50), Vettori (10.48) and Tuffey (8.90).10 embarrassing one-day defeats (in chronological order)v Australia (3rd ODI at Wellington, 1981/82)A full house, a series decider but a dog of a pitch and New Zealand all out for 74. At that time it was New Zealand’s lowest score and the pain of defeat was numbing.v Australia (2nd World Series Cup Final at Melbourne, 1982/83)This game was saved from complete Kiwi ignominy by Lance Cairns’ six sixes, but it can’t hide the fact that Australia scored 302/8 and won by 149 runs.v Pakistan (Austral-Asia Cup Semi Final at Sharjah, 1985/86)This was a semi-final but New Zealand suffered their lowest ODI score of 64 with only Evan Gray achieving double figures. Leggie Abdul Qadir took four for nine off 10 overs!v Australia (Rothmans Cup at Christchurch, 1989/90)Dean Jones and David Boon undid New Zealand’s bowling and then Simon O’Donnell took five for 13, including ‘that ball’ to dismiss John Bracewell for a 150-run loss.v Pakistan (Austral-Asia Cup Semi Final at Sharjah, 1989/90)Having scored 338/4 against hapless Bangladesh in their previous game, New Zealand were completely undone for 74 runs by a new bowler by the name of Waqar Younis who took five for 20. Pakistan rattled off the runs in 15.4 overs.v Zimbabwe (3rd ODI at Christchurch, 1997/98)This is a beauty. Zimbabwe 228/7 after 50. New Zealand 104/0 after 15 overs but 227/9 after 50. Dirk Viljoen (Dirk who?) two for 31 off 10 overs.v Australia (Commonwealth Games Semi Final at Kuala Lumpur, 1998)All out for 58 in 26.4 overs and Brad Young four for four off four overs, including a hat-trick and Australia did it in 10.5 overs. Not recognised as an official One-Day International.v South Africa (5th ODI at Auckland, 1998/99)With the series tied up, Daryll Cullinan scored 94 runs off 56 balls, as South Africa totalled 290/5 and New Zealand were all out for 147 in a weak response.v India (2nd ODI at Hyderabad, 1999/00)India’s Sachin Tendulker and Rahul Dravid boosted their averages and strike rates by adding a world record 331 runs together as India reached 376/2. Will Chris Drum ever forget nine overs that went for 85?v Australia (ICC Champions Trophy at Colombo, 2002/03)Poor bowling was hammered and poor batting was crucified. Poor fielding made the humiliation complete.

The day began with Surrey pressing on, losing nightwatchman Ian Salisbury almost immediately for four and Ward, Brown, Stewart and Tudor then each lost his wicket assaulting the Somerset attack, who, Bulbeck aside, were less threatening than in the first innings. Sadly for the sake of the game wickets came in the wrong numbers and at the wrong times for either side to force the issue. When Martin Bicknell began his innings in defensive mode it became clear that the home side had given up on persuit of a victory. Blackwell bowled tidily for his wickets and Parsons last spell of the game was his best – good news for Somerset who will be without their main strike bowler for most of the Summer.For Somerset Caddick was warned for running on the wicket (something Salisbury and Saqlain would presumably have applauded more than his own batsmen) and consistantly overstepped when delivering his effort ball. The wickets of Salisbury, Ward, Stewart, Brown and Tudor were due at least in part to forcing shots, but they were taken nonetheless, had a couple more awkward catching chances been held onto then a target might have been on for the visitors, however the field was never overly attacking and it was clear that after the first hour’s play a draw was the visitor’s preferred result.Surrey could, and perhaps should have tried to make more of the game, especially since, as both Dutch and Blackwell enjoyed some success, their own spinners would probably have presented Somerset with troubles aplenty, had the upper order managed to generate another thirty or forty runs in their early attack – or indeed been bowled out cheaply, an exciting finish would have been the result. In the end the loss of four sessions and two sides more eager to preserve their unbeaten status than charge after an improbable victory killed the game.Somerset’s brief innings saw James Ormond handed the new ball, and unfortunately use it to produce the two worst overs I have seen him deliver, the no-ball and three easy four balls that were capitalised on by the Somerset openers could easily have been accompanied by two or three wides given and a couple more boundaries, before he found his length and line and began to trouble the batsmen. At the other end a classic confrontation between Alex Tudor and Marcus Trescothick in particular who struck him for two fine boundaries before being undone by a magnificent ball across him from the tall londoner. After that though both Cox and Burns failed to connect with the edge for the balls that beat them and middle those that didn’t so the game petered out.

Somerset Under 19’s bowled just 45 overs in their match against Glamorgan in their match that was scheduled to last two days.After winning the toss Somerset and putting the visitors into bat, Glamorgan had scored 165 for 4 before the rains fell and play was abandoned for the day. There were two wickets each for Michael Parsons and Adam Kelly.No play at all was possible on the second day of the match.The Under 19’s are next in action when they play against Gloucestershire at Keynsham next Monday and Tuesday.

It’s days like today that batsmen like James Marshall dream of.The Northern Districts batsman became the second player from his side to score a double century this season when hitting 235 runs in their final State Championship match of the summer, against Canterbury at Christchurch’s Village Green.Marshall scored his highest first-class score and beat numerous other records throughout his innings.His 524 minute innings saw him face 445 deliveries.He said he was disappointed with the way he got out to the catch that bobbled in Aaron Redmond’s arms at short leg, but set the team up with a good lead.”We want to finish the season on a good note, and have already lost our spinner [Bruce] Martin, through a shoulder injury during practice,” he said.At the start of play Marshall resumed on 88 and Michael Parlane 33, with ND chasing 175 further runs to secure first innings points.Paul Wiseman began the bowling for Canterbury with Chris Harris, and after finishing play early yesterday due to bad light, Marshall was able to carry through with his century. It was his second for the season, and third in first-class cricket. He then went on to beat his highest first-class score of 122.Parlane got his 12th first-class 50 shortly after, by smashing a six through mid-wicket off the bowling of Wiseman.The pair got their 100-run partnership off 208 balls.ND continued to accumulate their total, scoring at nearly run a minute pace, bringing up 200 in the 79th over.Parlane ably supported Marshall, until Ryan Burson had Parlane given out lbw for 68, in a delivery that he went forward to and played alongside pad. This was the end of their 165-run partnership.When Scott Styris came to the crease, there was no mucking around. The pair hit several shots square of the wicket to the rope.Seven Canterbury bowlers were used, but none of them could answer the Northern Districts batting effort.By lunchtime, the Knights had increased their total to 299/2, with Marshall on 152 and Styris on 29.Three balls after lunch the pair established their 50-run partnership, driving the team past the 300 mark.In the 114th over, two balls after Styris reached his half century with a six, he was stumped by wicket-keeper Gareth Hopkins. This gave Redmond his first wicket.Identical twin brother Hamish Marshall then joined James, making it difficult to distinguish the two.The Knights surpassed the Canterbury score in the 116th over, securing ND two first innings points.The small number of spectators at Village Green were then witness to several record-breaking feats.James Marshall hit his double century off 398 deliveries. This beat the previous highest score against Canterbury of 195 by John Parker in the 1972/73 season.Soon after, he beat the previous highest ND score of 212, scored by team-mate Styris in the last State Championship round, and then went on to beat Nathan Astle’s 222 – the highest first-class score this season.He said it was a very special moment to achieve his double century with brother Hamish at the crease, who wanted to be there when he broke Styris’ record. “I have had a lot of starts this season, but wanted to make this into a big one.”ND brought up 400 runs in the 133rd over.The bowlers had to work hard to get wickets on the Waikari soil-based pitch, which proved very good for batting.Wiseman, who had over 100 runs hit off his first 24 overs, finally achieved the breakthrough when Hamish Marshall went down the wicket and was caught by Redmond at mid-on.After tea, ND lost two wickets, but brought their total to 470 runs.James Marshall and debutant Mark Orchard had resumed at the crease, but in a rather sedate end to Marshall’s innings, he tried to turn a ball towards leg for the single, but found the hands of Redmond under the helmet at short leg. This was Wiseman’s third wicket of the innings.Skipper Robbie Hart then took to the crease to establish a partnership with Orchard. This was not to be however. Orchard padded a full pitch delivery that appeared to be going down leg, but it was umpire Gary Baxter who had the last word, giving him out for four.The third new ball of the innings was taken in the 160th over, with Canterbury captain Gary Stead opting for fast-medium bowlers Stephen Cunis and Burson.This proved too much for Hart, who after being dropped on 23 was given out lbw for 31 off the bowling of Burson.Cunis eventually bowled Joseph Yovich for 12, while Daryl Tuffey was not out 11 and Graeme Aldridge on four when Northern opted to declare four runs short of 500.They finished with a lead of 158 runs.Burson had figures of three for 98 off 35. Off-spinner Wiseman also finished with three wickets, with 126 runs hit off his 12 overs.Canterbury were required to face two overs, off which Robbie Frew made one and Redmond three, before the end of day three.Play finished at 5.35pm, which was able to continue due to easterly winds gusting away thick cloud cover.

Sun Bank has signed a six-figure deal with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to sponsor its National Under 15 Club Cricket Championship for the next three years.Sun Bank has been associated with the competition for many years, making SunBank one of the ECB’s longest standing partners. The number of clubs competing has grown from an entry of 817 clubs in 1985, to a record number of 1479 last year. This year’s tournament started in April with more than 1500 clubs taking part which means many thousands of young cricketers participating throughout the British Isles.The Championship has featured in the development of a number of Englandcricketers such as Nasser Hussain, Marcus Trescothick, Graham Thorpe and Andrew Flintoff. One of the first ECB National Cricket Academy students and now drafted into the current England Squad, Flintoff is often remembered for hisextraordinary feat in the 1993 competition of scoring 234 not out in 20 overs.Tim Lamb, ECB’s Chief Executive, said, “I am delighted that Sun Bank hasdecided to continue it’s association with the tournament with the signing ofthis three year sponsorship deal.. Grass roots development is vital for thefuture of the game, and this competition in particular has played an important role in the development of some of England’s best cricketers. I am certain it will continue to do so.”The Sun Bank Under 15 National Club Cricket Championship provides a focalpoint for Under 15 club cricket, giving the players something to aim for intheir season. Club cricket in England and Wales would be poorer without it.”Despite a challenging market for sponsorship, this deal proves that cricketcontinues to appeal to investors, and we look forward to making furtherannouncements during this summer.”Commenting on the deal, Sun Bank’s Chief Executive, Peter Lucas, said: “SunBank is pleased to be playing a part in the ECB’s objectives of encouragingthe widest possible participation and interest in the game. Cricketprovides a marvellous opportunity for young people to play sport within ateam environment with all the positive benefits that can bring. We knowthat team work is crucial in today’s business world and at this excitingtime in Sun Bank’s history we are actively pursuing a larger share of themortgage market through team work with Independent Financial Advisors toprovide relevant specialist products and continuing excellent service forour clients.The Under 15 National Club Cricket Championship has been in existence since1972, when it was initiated by the Lord’s Taverners.

The silence has been broken. Arjuna Ranatunga, the former Sri Lankan captainaccused of fixing matches by bookmaker Mukesh Gupta in the Central Bureau ofInvestigation (CBI) report, has lashed out at the recently dissolved cricketboard and Desmond Fernando, the chief investigator of the cricket boardinquiry, for taking the “patently ridiculous” allegations seriously.Ranatunga, who was questioned by Fernando and two detectives from the ICC’sAnti Corruption Unit (ACU) earlier this week, denies any involvementwhatsoever with bookmakers throughout his international career in a formalwritten response to Fernando, the contents of which were printed in full bythe Sunday Leader today.The former captain’s indignant letter claims that the allegations, “basedentirely on the wholly uncorroborated evidence of a self-confessed rogue”,represent an attempt to rubbish his name by the former cricket board, whohad sacked his brother, Dammika Ranatunga, as Chief Executive of the board.”The very fact that the recently dissolved Executive Committee of the BCCSLhas purported to take these allegations seriously makes evident the factthat the majority of the members have been actuated by `Mala Fides’ againstme,” he said.Ranatunga attacks Fernando for taking the allegations seriously. “I amamazed that you, Mr Desmond Fernando, President’s Counsel, who is said to bean experienced and eminent counsel, have evidently failed to advise the boardthat these allegations are so utterly and patently unsubstantiated andunworthy of credit that no other proceedings need to be taken on them.”He defends his reputation, stating: “I have always played cricket for andonly for the love of the game and have never sought to make cricket abusiness or a means of amassing personal wealth,” adding that he has neverappeared in a advertisement for his personal gain, and pointing out that bydoing so he has “passed up the opportunity of making a colossal amount oflegitimate money”.He goes on to reveal why he believes the allegations to be “so patentlyridiculous”, after denying that he knows Mukesh Gupta or has had any dealingwith a bookmaker.Responding to the allegation that he agreed to under-perform in a Test matchagainst India in 1994, he points out that Sri Lanka had lost two consecutiveseries to India and one to South Africa. Moreover, they had never won a Testmatch on Indian soil. In these circumstances he asks the question: “Is iteven scarcely conceivable that a bookmaker would offer bribes to any SriLankan cricketer to `under-perform’ in any match against India on Indiansoil?”He derides the logic of Gupta’s evidence, pointing out that: “I appear tohave agreed to have under-performed without any kind of negotiation withregard to the price of betrayal. Even Judas Iscariot agreed upon a price of30 pieces of silver before he betrayed Jesus Christ!”Further, according to Gupta, he had paid Aravinda a sum of US $15,000 tounder-perform but makes no mention of having made any payment to me. Itwould appear from his statement that I have betrayed my country, my peopleand my team just to oblige Gupta,” he says, before adding that “this is sofanciful that it defies belief”.The long letter goes on to question why Gupta would pay Manoj Prabhakar foran introduction with Aravinda in 1991, but not make use of this investment forthree years? Why did Prabhakar need Aravinda to introduce Martin Crowe toGupta when Crowe was well known to Prabhakar? Why, if they had agreed “to doother Tests”, as is alleged, did Gupta not make use of this in 1996 or afterwhen Sri Lanka were riding high in international cricket and the odds wheretherefore far more favourable?He signs off by demanding that the BCCSL do not harass and insult acricketer again in the future just because of “a scurrilous complaint by anunsavory character”, stating that “I believe that our cricketers deservebetter treatment than this”.Desmond Fernando is expected to submit an interim report on match-fixing tothe Sri Lankan board within two weeks. Vijaya Malalsekera, the Chairman ofthe Interim Committee, said recently that the contents of the report wouldbe revealed to the ICC before a decision on the correct course of action.

Torrential rain wreaked havoc with the 2nd Americas Cricket Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for the second consecutive day.It all added up to another sad and rainy day, as in two days, five out of six games have been abandoned without a ball being bowled, while the Argentina v USA clash at Hurlingham somehow managed to find enough respite between the storms to fit in some 35 overs of play, but not enough to somehow manafacture a result one way or another.On top of all the disappointment, a further setback for local organisers is the temporary loss of San Albano as a venue when the area was hit by a freak storm, uprooting trees and unleashing savage winds and heavy rain on the ground and the immediate vicinity.This after the Argentine Cricket Association and dedicated members of the local St.Albans club had succeeded against all odds in a race against time in order to complete the construction of a brand new turf wicket facility, so that this important event could be played only on turf wickets.For the next few days at least, some fixtures will have to be completed on artificial wickets at reserve venues.The unseasonal and severe weather has forced organisers to restructure the entire tournament, which will now consist only of a round-robin group without a final between the top two teams to establish the champion. Instead, the winner of the mini-league, after five consecutive days of matches from Tuesday 12th to Saturday 16th, will be declared Americas Champion.No games will be played on Monday 11th, allowing locals to put various logistical changes into place, as well as to allow the grounds some recovery time from the violent climatic onslaught over the weekend.The fixture schedule sees some changes – matches previously scheduled for Saturday 9th will now be contested on the final day, Saturday 16th, while matches that we due to be completed today, Sunday 10th, will be completed on Thursday 14th. The original fixture schedule for Tuesday 12th, Wednesday 13th and Friday 15th, will remain as previously scheduled, apart from the venues to be confirmed for matches previously scheduled for San Albano.In the only cricket action witnessed thus far, hosts Argentina may take a great deal of confidence into their next game, after reducing the United States to 97 for 5 after 28,2 overs before the first storm intervened. Hero for the home side was medium-pacer Christian Tuon, who completed his 10 overs, taking a fine 4 for 43. Still, even though the Argentines will feel satisfied with that solid effort, of that 97 total, 33 of those runs were gifted by wides and no balls.After heroic efforts by local officials and assistants, the game eventually got underway again at 4.40 pm, with Argentina needing 117 to win in 25 overs after the Duckworth-Lewis adjustment. They looked to be heading towards an historic victory, when (no prizes for guessing) another storm promptly ended the days play with their score poised at 33 for 1 after 7 overs, and a no result conclusion.Summarised scores:
UNITED STATES 97 for 5 (28,2 overs) A.Afzaluddin 23, S.Pathak 16 not out, C.Tuon 4 – 43, L.Paterlini 1 – 17
ARGENTINA 33 for 1 (7 overs) M.Paterlini 16 not out, L.Paterlini 14, D.Blake 1 – 20 ; No Result.

Hampshire captain Dimitri Mascarenhas has criticised the pitch at SuperSport Park in Centurion, calling it “no good for 20-over cricket” after his team was knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers having played only one match. Hampshire posted 121 on a surface with inconsistent bounce that did not allow the ball to carry through quickly, and Auckland reached the target with 33 deliveries to spare.”When we saw the pitch yesterday, we thought there was no way we could play on the wicket,” Mascarenhas said. “We knew that whoever won the toss would win the game. I heard there was a chance the match would be moved to the Wanderers but obviously that didn’t happen.” There has been no confirmation that a request was put in to change the venue and the second match continued as scheduled in Centurion.When the Hampshire team saw the pitch on Monday it was being watered, which groundsman Hilbert Smit said was “standard practice.” He admitted he may have “misread the weather,” when he watered the pitch during last week’s heat wave in anticipation of no rain early this week. Instead, 38 millimetres fell on Monday in the summer’s first storms, and the water table rose substantially.”Because of that [the rain] we knew the pitch would be slow and a few deliveries would hold back. But one team still scored at more than eight runs to the over and there is nothing wrong with that,” Smit said, referring to Auckland’s chase.Mascarenhas said the pitch had eased after the heavy roller was used in the innings break and it “definitely got better” to bat on. He thought his team had lost the match because of the batting performance. “Not many teams defend scores of around 120. When you are, you’re desperate for wickets and in doing that, you will give a few away.”Rather than a low-scoring game, Mascarenhas would have preferred a strip with runs in it. “In 20-over cricket, you want a flat wicket and you want to see runs on the board. You don’t want the ball to be dominating the whole time,” he said. “I am a bowler and even I don’t want the ball to dominate.”Auckland captain Gareth Hopkins was less scathing about the surface. “The toss did play a little part in it and it was easier to bat on second, but I don’t think it was too tricky up front,” he said. “It was a little bit slower than the pitch we had last night at the Wanderers and one or two balls did something funny.”Hopkins was the happier of the two captains not just because his team won but because Auckland have now qualified for the main draw. Their victories in both group matches mean they will progress irrespective of the result between Hampshire and Sialkot tomorrow.Hampshire were gutted not only to be out of the competition in the space of a day but because, as Mascarenhas said, “The most disappointing thing is that it was all in the toss, it was decided on that.”

Tamil Nadu is grinding Delhi to abject submission, making the Delhi playerstake the field to be in the scorching sun. Tamil Nadu have virtually sealeda place in the Ranji Trophy quarter-finals by taking the first innings leadagainst Delhi in the pre-quarter-final at the IIT-Chemplast Ground,Chennai, on Tuesday. Tamil Nadu are 278/4 at close of play, piling up anoverall lead of 516 runs.Resuming at 354/7, Delhi were bowled out for 365. MR Shrinivas picked upone more wicket in the morning to finish with the figures of 29-5-111-4. SMahesh finished with 3/102 off 29 overs.Robin Singh decided not to enforce the follow on and took the opportunityto get his batsmen some more batting practice. Theopening batsmen did not justify their captain’s good intentionsthough; both Sriram and Badarinath got themselves run out aftermaking just 16 and 21 respectively.It was all S Sharath and Hemanth Kumar for the rest of the day,both the batsmen smashing the ball all over the park. They added207 runs for the third wicket before Hemanth was dismissed at 244.He made a classy 87 (1 six, 6 fours) and was distinctly unlucky tomiss out on his second century of the match. He has had a remarkable startto his first class career scoring a century in his only innings againstKerala on debut and then going on to score a hundred in the first inningsin this match.Sharath who missed out on a big score in the first innings, made itup in the second by belting the ball to the fence with gay abandon, hittingan unbeaten 144 by close of play. He has so far smashed 18 fours and twosixes off 251 balls. S Mahesh is unbeaten on four.Given the fact that Tamil Nadu has a long batting line up, it might well beanother long day in the field on the last day for Delhi.

The good form of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq in the middle order, individually and in partnership, has been one of the significant factors in Pakistan’s winning starts in Group A. They made two fifties each against Kenya and Sri Lanka, putting on a quick 45 in Hambantota and a platform-setting 108 against the co-hosts at the R Premadasa.Their partnerships have been doubly important given the pre-tournament concerns that batting Younis and Misbah at No. 4 and No. 5 would rob Pakistan of impetus in the middle overs. Instead, the pair has brought stability and momentum. In recent years, Younis has been the regular one down, but the arrival of Ahmed Shehzad pushed Kamran Akmal to that spot, pushing Younis down one further. The two fifties have been his first in World Cup cricket, having failed to perform in 2003 and 2007.”My job is that wherever there is a need, I play there,” Younis said at the P Sara Oval in Colombo after a practice session. “I played at No. 3 before and now we need me at No. 4, so whatever the situation is for the team or in the match, I will do. Misbah and I are the seniors and we talk about our roles. We’ve made a couple of good partnerships so we want to keep that going. In both of the games I have missed hundreds but I am happy that I have scored fifties.”Younis and Misbah, at 33 and 36, are very much the senior members of the squad, and along with another old pro Shoaib Akhtar (35), were involved in the moments that won the Sri Lanka game. Younis and Misbah have also been involved in leading the fielding performances of the side which, though it faltered towards the end of Saturday’s game, has shown signs of improvement over the last few months and series.Senior players, including Umar Gul, got together before the World Cup and decided they would take the lead. “The seniors got together and decided that we have to make an extra effort with juniors,” Gul said. “Whatever is in the junior’s workload, we should also take that on so that we can be role models roles for them. That is our target, that we should take the load and fulfill as much responsibility as we can ourselves.”Pakistan’s second win puts them in a good position to not only qualify for the quarter-finals but also to be in a good position in the group, as two of their four remaining games are against Canada and Zimbabwe, which they would expect to win comfortably.”It is getting easier now because by winning every match we make it easier to get to the quarter-finals,” Younis said. “We want to keep playing like this and win every match. We all know that it’s a big tournament, so senior or junior, the goal is that we give our best and contribute to every game.”Pakistan’s win has put them on the radar as far as serious contenders in the tournament are concerned. Shahid Afridi has already said he wants, at the least, a semi-final berth, but Younis was more cautious about where he saw Pakistan reaching. “I have said this before, right now these are round matches. In knockouts, if it is your day, if someone bats well or bowls well or has a lucky day, then the match turns. First we want to reach the quarter-finals.”