NZ 351-4 at stumps day 1, 2nd test

Ross Taylor scored his third test century and Jesse Ryder his second in a record 271-run fourth-wicket partnership which lifted New Zealand out of trouble and to 351 for four at stumps on the first day of the second cricket against India.

Taylor and Ryder were thrown together in only the 11th over Thursday, with New Zealand's innings in collapse at 23 for three. They pursued their partnership for the next 58.2 overs to lift the home side to 294-4 before Taylor was out for 151.

The partnership was the highest by a New Zealand pair for all wickets against India, beating 231, and the highest for New Zealand's fourth wicket against all nations, beating the previous mark of 241.

Ryder was unbeaten on 137 at stumps, having batted more than seven hours for his second century in consecutive tests after his 102 at Hamilton, where India won by 10 wickets.

Taylor's century was his first in five tests, since his 115 against Australia at Brisbane in November, and came within 18 runs of his highest score of 169, made against England at Old Trafford 10 months ago.

Taylor struggled to curb his aggressive nature and offered chances throughout his innings before finally lofting an attempted sweep to Yuvraj Singh on the square leg boundary off Harbhajan Singh in the final session.

Ryder, in contrast, played a composed and technically expert innings, limiting his scoring shots to precise and predetermined areas and offering few opportunities to the fielding side.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was ruled out of the match Thursday with a back injury, handing the captaincy to Virender Sehwag who led India for only the second time in a test.

Sehwag said he was not surprised by New Zealand's revival.

"We knew it was a good track (even) at 23 for three, and that someone will get a hundred here," Sehwag said.

Taylor's innings of 262 minutes and 204 balls was still the foundation of New Zealand's strong position at stumps on day one. He had come to the crease when New Zealand was in the throes of its early collapse and was the first batsman to offer resistance to India's attack.

"I think I was a bit more nervous than normal," Taylor said. "I haven't had a score for a while in the test arena so I was happy to get one today.

"I put a lot of pressure on myself with goals and high standards and the way I've played over the last few months hasn't lived up to those standards. This wasn't the best hundred I've got but it was good to get there."

Taylor praised Ryder's contribution.

"A lot credit has to go to Jesse," he said. "I think he played outstandingly well and to still be there, after over six hours, he's been great.

"He played a big part in my innings today. He kept me going and I have to thank him."

Ryder and Taylor batted for more than two full sessions to change the course of the opening day and to answer captain Daniel Vettori's call on batsmen to occupy the crease for long periods.

It was a message lost on New Zealand's top order as Tim McIntosh was out, unluckily, for 12, Jamie How for 1 and Martin Guptill for 8.

ipl for shah rukh khan

‘It is a great decision. We will follow what the IPL and BCCI decide. All the franchise owners have decided to stick together and see it through’ - Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)-owner Shah Rukh Khan reacted.

South Africa seal innings win over Australia

South Africa completed victory over Australia by an innings and 20 runs in the third test at Newlands on Sunday, despite an entertaining maiden test century from Mitchell Johnson.

Johnson hammered 123 not out but it was in a losing cause, as Australia were bowled out for 422, shortly before the scheduled close on the fourth day.

Australia had already clinched the series by winning the first two tests.

"Obviously, any time you lose it really hurts, but this has been really poor," Ponting told a news conference after Australia were condemned to their first innings defeat since India beat them in Calcutta in 1998.

"The first two tests were as good as we have played, while the first two days here were as bad as we have ever played. It shows if you're not quite there in terms of your best then results are not going to go your way."

Left-arm spinner Paul Harris was South Africa's hero with the ball, taking six for 127.

South Africa had scored 651 in their first innings, in reply to Australia's 209.

The Newlands pitch remained wonderful for batting and Johnson and Andrew McDonald used the final session to post a seventh-wicket stand of 163 off just 161 balls.

Johnson clobbered 11 fours and five sixes and reached his century half an hour before the end.

Harris claimed three wickets in the final session after McDonald and Johnson had threatened to take the match into the final day.

Harris eventually killed off the innings by having McDonald, who scored a career-best 68, and Peter Siddle caught at silly point by AB de Villiers off successive deliveries, then having Ben Hilfenhaus caught at slip for 12.

South African stand-in captain Jacques Kallis said the triumph had provided the team with a major boost before their next test series.

Tendulkar scores ton as India take control

Sachin Tendulkar scored 160 for his 42nd test century to guide India to a dominant position at the end of the third day of the first test against New Zealand at Seddon Park on Friday.

The hosts were 75 for three in the second innings, 166 runs behind India who were bowled out just before the tea break for 520 in reply to New Zealand's 279.

New Zealand made a disastrous start to their second innings with opener Tim McIntosh controversially caught at first slip by Tendulkar off the third ball for a duck.

Television replays suggested the ball may have bounced just in front of Tendulkar before he closed his hands around the ball. The 35-year-old Tendulkar immediately left the field to receive treatment to his hand.

New Zealand coach Andy Moles said he thought the catch should have been referred to the third umpire.

"You all saw the TV shots, it's fair to say we're surprised it wasn't referred," Moles told reporters.

Tendulkar, however, disagreed.

"I have the seen replays and I have seen my fingers under the ball," he said.

"Sometimes on camera it looks different. I was pretty much confident otherwise I would not have appealed for it."

DIRE STRAITS

Debutant Martin Guptill (48) and Daniel Flynn combined for a 68-run second wicket stand before Guptill threw his wicket away in sight of his first test half century when he smashed a Harbhajan Singh half volley to Virender Sehwag.

New Zealand's crisis deepened when night watchman Kyle Mills, who lasted 19 balls in the fading light, was trapped in front by Munaf Patel for two on the last ball of the day.

Flynn was left on 24 not out and will be joined at the crease on Saturday by Ross Taylor with New Zealand's last three specialist batsmen in Flynn, Taylor and Jesse Ryder needing to bat the entire day to avoid a heavy loss within four days.

"We find ourselves in a very difficult position," Moles said.

"We've been outplayed for the first three days and we've got to make sure we show a bit more character over the next two.

"We've under-performed, we dropped four catches, there were balls in the outfield we should have cut off.

"It's not a very good advert for the test team so far in this game."

Tendulkar had anchored India's powerful batting line up to an imposing total.

Resuming on 278 for four, just one run behind New Zealand's first innings, Yuvraj Singh (22) was the only wicket to fall in the morning session when he shouldered arms to a Chris Martin delivery and was bowled.

Tendulkar and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni combined for a century stand until the afternoon session before Dhoni was caught behind by Brendon McCullum for 47 when an Iain O'Brien bouncer brushed his gloves.

Tendulkar, who had brought up his 150 shortly before Dhoni was dismissed, did not last much longer when O'Brien had him playing at a short ball outside off stump and he was caught by Taylor at first slip.

"I think we're in a strong position now, that is what really matters to us," Tendulkar said.

"We've lead from the front right from the first session of this test match."

India bundle out Kiwis for 279, score 29 for 0

India was 29 without loss in their first innings in reply to New Zealand's 279 at stumps on day one of the first cricket test at Hamilton's Seddon Park today.

Virender Sehwag (22) and Gautam Gambhir (6) safely negotiated the seven overs available before stumps, the Waikato Times reported.

Captain Daniel Vettori top scored for his side with 118 - his third test century - while Jesse Ryder brought up his maiden test ton the ball before his dismissal for 102 ended the innings.

Ishant Sharma was the leading Indian bowler with four for 73 from 19.2 overs.

Ryder had a few nervous moments on 98 as number 11 batsman Chris Martin had to bat out five balls from spinner Harbhajan Singh.

However, in the next over Ryder promptly hit the first ball for four to bring up his maiden test ton.

He was out next ball for 102, but together with Vettori's 118, New Zealand salvaged a horror first morning to end on 279.

After being sent into bat and going to lunch teetering at 61 for six, skipper Vettori and Ryder added an unbeaten 185 for the seventh wicket getting New Zealand to 246 midway through the final session of the opening day before Vettori was out for 118 with Ryder 77 not out.

Their batting through the afternoon was in complete contrast to the efforts of the top order.

Following Vettori's demise the Black Caps lost Kyle Mills for a first-ball duck making New Zealand 246 for eight, then Iain O'Brien almost saw Ryder through to his ton but was out for eight with Ryder on 98.

The opening session totally vindicated Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's late change of heart over whether to bat or bowl after winning the toss.

India's players had been expecting to bat first if Dhoni won the toss but he instead inserted New Zealand, reasoning there could be some early assistance for his pace attack.

Vettori did admit he would have batted had he won the toss.

New Zealand have recalled experienced pace bowler Chris Martin after he was dropped for the drawn series against the West Indies in December.

Kyle Mills passed a fitness test on a shoulder early today meaning uncapped right armer Brent Arnel has been omitted.

India have opted for Munaf Patel as their third seamer ahead of Lakshmipathy Balaji and the uncapped Dhawal Kulkarni.

With big test coming up, India change gears

There were enough signs at Seddon Park to suggest that a Test match was just round the corner. Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman formed the slip cordon as edges flew from fielding coach Robin Singh's bat. Gautam Gambhir crouched low as he prepared for his role as a close-in fielder. And there was the ultimate indication that a classical bat-ball encounter was just a couple of days away when the first thing Daniel Vettori did on reaching the stadium was to seek out the curator.

On a day when members of both teams gingerly walked on the grass-covered 22-yard strip, wondering if the greenish tinge will stay or go, the action eventually moved to the nets outside the playing area. As has been the case during most of Team India's sessions, Sachin Tendulkar was ready with tips for his team mates. Padded up against Ishant Sharma, he asked the young paceman to disguise his in-cutters better. Shouting out instructions, he told Ishant that his action was giving away the trajectory of the ball. Changes were made, and the results were clearly visible. When Virender Sehwag came to bat next, he lost his leg stump to a ball that jagged back.

In the far corner, Rahul Dravid was seen working on his front-foot play as coach Gary Kirsten gave him throw-downs. Another player who had an extensive workout was Zaheer Khan, continuously bowling for most of the two-hour session.

There were no clear indications, however, about who would be India's third seamer for the first Test. Just after the warm-ups, when bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad took Zaheer, Sharma and Munaf Patel for catching and throwing practice, it seemed that Lakshmipathy Balaji would be doing drinks duty. But gradually, the heavy bowling workload on Balaji hinted that he had a fair shot of making the XI.

When asked later, Balaji said he hadn't been told if he would play the match. Munaf, too, said nothing had been decided.

India chase rare series win in New Zealand

New Zealand claimed an early victory ahead of the opening test against India when they kicked out a proposal to delay the start of the match by an hour, but it remains to be seen whether they will have similar success on the field.

Indian broadcasters had lodged a last-minute request to change the starting time for the opening test, which begins at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Wednesday, in the hope of attracting more television viewers at home.

However, the request was dismissed by New Zealand cricket officials, according to local media reports, meaning the match will start as scheduled.

Each of their recent five one-day matches was interrupted by heavy rain and delayed starts during the tests would likely increase the chances of matches being cut short by foul weather.

India easily won the one-day series 3-1, with the other match completely washed out, and while everything points to a win for the visitors, the record books would suggest otherwise.

India have not won a test series in New Zealand for over 40 years and have not managed to win a single test there since 1976.

However, the current Indian team holds a huge advantage over the New Zealanders in terms of quality and experience and will go into the first test at full strength with Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman all passed fit.

"They are the kind of guys that have performed everywhere and it's not just their batting," India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni told a news conference on Tuesday.

"It helps you a lot as a skipper when you look around and you see guys that have played more than 100 test matches."

New Zealand finished the one-day series on a high by winning the last game to go into the tests with some momentum.

But New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori conceded the Indians had a powerful batting lineup that would take some stopping and said he needed all his batsmen to perform.

"If you look at the Indian top order it's very impressive through their weight of games and their weight of runs," Vettori said.

"We're going to need a lot of guys within our team, not just one or two stepping up to give ourselves a chance."

Dhoni expects Sehwag fireworks in Test series

After demolishing the New Zealand bowling attack with consummate ease in one-dayers, explosive opener Virender Sehwag will once again be crucial for India to dominate New Zealand in the Test series starting tomorrow, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said today.

Speaking to reporters on the eve of the first Test, Dhoni said he wants Sehwag to play his natural game.

"We want him to play the way he wants to play, because that is his natural style. We all know if he gets going he can dominate the bowlers and all of a sudden you see the bowling attack rattled," the 27-year-old said.

"We have seen if he plays for two hours or three hours, he is a batsman who is capable of getting big scores. He is not the kind who gets out in 30s or 40s; 50s or 60s. If he gets going, he gets big scores." With India chasing an elusive Test series victory in New Zealand, something they haven't achieved in 41 years, Dhoni knows the importance of an in-form Sehwag up the order.

The right-handed batsman can change the course of the game in one session by pulverising any bowling attack into submission.

India look to deliever KO punch

THE AIR of expectation that has preceded each of the first four ODIs is almost missing before the final game in Auckland. Had it not been for Kiwi pride and the hunger of players on the India bench to get a piece of the action, this game would have been just another dead rubber. But the Test series that follows, with India not having won a series here in more than forty years, has ensured that the needle will remain till the last ball is bowled.

For Daniel Vettori the most important thing is for his team to show that the 2-2 draw against Australia was no fluke. This New Zealand team has made steady gains over the last 18 months, and when they execute their plans precisely - something we have heard a lot about all series - they can bring down the best in the world. That hasn't happened so far, and the final match offers them this shot at redemption.

India have little to prove, but the damage that Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir did in the last game with their unbeaten, almost unchallenged, 201-run stand, can be built on. After all, the core of the two teams going into the Tests is the same, and you can be sure the bowlers will have a clear memory of how they were treated by the batsmen.

Dinesh Karthik, Pragyan Ojha and Irfan Pathan have not played at all in the ODIs and the team has the option of resting some key players.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who took a painful blow on the knee in the last match, could sit out, giving Karthik the gloves and Sehwag the reins. Zaheer Khan has been the stand-out quick bowler on either side and with pitches playing true he will have to shoulder a sizeable load in the Tests. Sachin Tendulkar is making steady progress towards full recovery from a bruised and sore abdominal muscle and the choice of taking further rest or having a match-hit before the Tests could be left to him.

Over the last two days in Auckland the Indian team has barely been given a chance to miss home. With 120,000 Indians or people of Indian origin in the city - the highest in New Zealand - the team has had its share of supporters and hangers on and every turn.

This, in itself, will provide motivation for the team as they go into the final match knowing that the series is already in the bag.

Tendulkar ruled out of Hamilton ODI

India coach Gary Kirsten today said Sachin Tendulkar being ruled out due to injury is "no issue" for his on-a-roll team as it has the depth to cope with the batting maestro's absence in the fourth one-dayer against New Zealand here tomorrow.

Kirsten said he was not worried as the Indian team, which has an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, had good batting resources at its disposal.

"Well it is always a setback. He has been around for 20 years, so every time he does not play it is a setback. But this team has got enough depth in it, especially from a batting perspective," Kirsten told reporters.

"There are guys itching to get on the field, so there are certainly no issues about it. Also we fully back and believe in the guys that are replacing him," he said.

The former South African batsman said his boys will strive to continue with the momentum gained after two wins.

"We have not won the series yet. So, tomorrow is a big game for us. We are focussing on our game. We are very happy with our batting, though there is work to be done. But we are encouraged by our momentum at the moment"

A gud news for the Indian cricket Fan

Sachin Tendulkar's 43rd one-day international century hoisted India to a 2-0 series lead over New Zealand with a 58-run victory in Christchurch on Sunday.

Exploiting the short boundaries at Lancaster Park, Tendulkar stroked his way to 163 before he was forced to retire hurt after apparently pulling a stomach muscle, though he managed to guide his side to an imposing 392 for four off 50 overs.

"It's a pleasure to watch Sachin's innings in the way he paced it," India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said in a televised interview. "He took a balls up front then later on he knew what kind of shots he could play. He's an amazing batsman."

New Zealand began their chase enthusiastically with openers Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum putting on 166 for the first wicket before Ryder called the stand-in captain through for a suicidal single in the 22nd over and McCullum was run out for 71.

Ryder moved to his first one day century, which included 12 boundaries and four sixes, before Ross Taylor absentmindedly left his ground and was run out for seven and Martin Guptill was trapped in front by Yuvraj Singh for one.

The home side slumped to 188 for four when Ryder holed out in the deep for 105, leaving the last recognised pairing of Grant Elliott and Jacob Oram at the crease.

Oram, however, was bowled by Harbhajan for seven and Zaheer Khan bowled Elliott (18) and Peter McGlashan (seven) in three balls to effectively end the run chase in the 34th over.

Kyle Mills (54) Tim Southee (32) and Ian Butler (24) extracted some revenge on the Indians for their own treatment with some lusty blows at the end of the innings, with Mills and Southee combining for an 83-run ninth-wicket in seven overs.

The onslaught, however, was not enough and the hosts were bowled out for 334 on the first ball of the 46th over.

Earlier, Tendulkar smashed 16 boundaries and five sixes and shared a brutal 138-run partnership with Yuvraj (87) and a 135-run stand with Dhoni (68) to help India post the highest one day score in New Zealand.

"It was amazing batting," McCullum said. "The way Sachin played was outstanding and he got a lot of support from the senior players as well.

"I guess we just weren't accurate enough with our plans."

New Zealand's attack was hampered by the absence of captain Daniel Vettori, who missed the game to attend the birth of his first child in Auckland, and a muscle strain suffered by Butler after he had bowled just five overs.

"You take Dan's 10 overs and lock them away and know you have some pretty economical overs there," McCullum added.

"I guess Ian Butler going down injured half way through his spell and Jacob (Oram) not being able to bowl the full 10 as well I guess it showed we were a bit light.

"In the end we didn't bowl well enough."

Master batsman gives brilliant knock aganist NZ

Sachin Tendulkar of India hits the ball during the second one day international match between the New Zealand Black Caps and India at Westpac Stadium on March 6, 2009 in Wellington, New Zealand. He scored 61 runs from 69 balls (9*4, 1*6). Tendulkar on the other end got to his 91st ODI half century

Shewag on a fire

Virender Sehwag of India hits a six off of a delivery by Kyle Mills of the Blackcaps during the second one day international match between the New Zealand Black Caps and India at Westpac Stadium on March 5, 2009 in Wellington, New Zealand.

Rain plays spoilsport, washes out second ODI

ncessant showers stopped a galloping India in their tracks in the second cricket one-day international against New Zealand, resulting in the abandonment of the game at the Westpac stadium here tonight.

India were rocking at 130 for one in 19 overs when rain disrupted the proceedings. After two restarts, the tourists had surged to 188 for four from 28.4 overs when the skies opened yet again.

Umpires Rudi Koertzen and Ewan Watkin, abandoned play at 8.15 pm (local time). Three interruptions had reduced the 50-over game to a 34-over affair, frustrating the motley crowd which hung on patiently for almost four hours before the umpires put them out of their anxiety.

The teams move to Christchurch for the third ODI with India leading the five-match series 1-0.

Virender Sehwag (54) and Sachin Tendulkar (61), prudently playing second fiddle to his adventurous partner, put India in the driver's seat with a quick-fire 76 run partnership for the first wicket.

The hapless Kiwis were smacked all over in the first 12 overs as Sehwag, despite being hampered by a cramped leg muscle, spanked their attack with gay abandon.

Sehwag's 31st half-century came off just 36 balls and was studded with nine fours and one shot over the fence.

IPL submits revised schedule to Home Ministry

New Delhi, Mar 5 (PTI) In a desperate bid to save the Indian Premier League's second edition, its organisers have sent a revised schedule of the high-profile event to the home ministry, which will now decide whether security can be arranged for the Twenty20 tournament. The tournament has come under a cloud of uncertainty in the wake of the deadly terror attack on Sri Lankan team in Lahore and the general elections in India which coincide with the league that starts April 10.

After a series of meetings, the IPL organisers have re-drawn the schedule of the tournament taking care that no matches are held on polling days in the cities hosting the games. "We have taken care to ensure that host cities are not alloted a match two days before and after the polling day.

We have submitted the schedule to the home ministry. It is upto them now to advice us," a top IPL source said.

The IPL officials are not meeting the Home Ministry officials for the time being. "We will have a meeting if they call us to seek certain clarifications or for any other matter," he added.

The organisers are not in favour of postponing the tournament as it may lead to massive financial loss for the franchise owners as well the tournament itself. PTI.

It could've been us, we're soft targets, says Dhoni

Man of the Match Mahendra Singh Dhoni returned to the dressing room with a bottle of champagne but this wasn't the day. To be sure, there were smiles after the first win of the tour but celebrations were the last thing on the Indian cricketers' minds. They had heard about the attack on the Sri Lankan team bus and injuries to the players during the game but now the reality was sinking in. And the first thought to flash across was: "It could well have been us."

Bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad had a harried look. "It's less about feeling lucky that we didn't tour Pakistan but what really concerns me is that cricketers have been attacked. Even when we were in Sri Lanka, it was tense there. Things are getting really tough," he said.

With the initial reports sketchy, the Indians were keen on updates. Irfan Pathan checked if there was any information about his King's XI Punjab team mate from the Indian Premier League, Mahela Jayawardene. He had heard that the Lankan captain was injured and looked relieved when told about the evacuation of the players from the Gaddafi Stadium.

Rohit Sharma got an "all-well" message from his Deccan Chargers team mate Chaminda Vaas. Outside the dressing room, there was another huddle involving actor Preity Zinta, coach Gary Kirsten and Yuvraj Singh. "The problem is they've to be lucky just one time while we've to be lucky all the time," she said as Kirsten and Singh nodded.

At the press conference, Dhoni spoke about the fears. "People say sport is not targeted but you are not immune to it. Once a guy decides he has to attack, we are not tough targets. Cricketers roam about freely on tours, so you have to be cautious," he said.

In the commentary box, when Ravi Shastri broke the news, former New Zealand opener Mark Richardson was reminded of the trauma he'd suffered six years when the hotel he and his team mates were staying in was bombed in Karachi.

"It was difficult to get through the work today, because you don't want this sort of thing happening to players you have played against," he said.

Richardson's team mate on that tour, Chris Harris, said he got a shiver down his spine when he heard about what had happened in Lahore. "It's devastating. Cricket in Pakistan was starting after a really long time but it's not pretty hard to guess what will be the future of international cricket there," he said.

Recalling 2002 Karachi blast

Remembering the 2002 incident, Richardson said, "We were finishing our breakfast and getting ready to leave for the ground when this almighty blast happened. It lasted for a number of seconds, and then it all went quiet. We marched towards the car park. The worst part was waiting there and not knowing what to do next."

Harris, too, has harrowing memories of that day. "It wasn't a very nice feeling. There was chaos all around. After things settled, there was a meeting and it was decided that we'd head home," he said. Both said that the family and friends had the toughest time dealing with such a situation. "It was an anxious time, and the only time I got emotional was when I managed to get through to my parents and told them about the blast and that I was safe," said Richardson.

Harris said it was best in such a situation to call home at the earliest. "My thoughts go out to the friends and family of the Sri Lankan players. Just after the blast, I called my family and told them what'd happened. It's better if they hear such news from you," he said. Harris added that the Lahore attack was more serious since the Sri Lankan cricketers had been specifically targeted.

Meanwhile, Richardson sees no future for international cricket in Pakistan. "You could play at stadiums in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, but nobody is likely to tour Pakistan."

Indian batsman have a splened victory aganist NZ at 1st one day

McCullum keeper for the Blackcaps injures his hand from a delivery past Yusuf Pathan of India during the first one day international match between the New Zealand Black Caps and India at McLean Park on March 3, 2009 in Napier, New Zealand. (Photo by Marty Melville/Getty Images)

indian actress feels shootout

Bollywood star Preity Zinta wipes a tear from her eye after hearing that two of IPL Punjab Kings players Jaywardne and Sangakara were injured in a terrorist shooting in Pakistan while she was attending the New Zealand and India 1st one day international cricket match at McLean Park, Napier, New Zealand. A dozen masked gunmen armed with rifles and rocket launchers attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team as it traveled to a match in Pakistan on Tuesday, wounding several players and killing five police officers, officials said. (AP Photo/NZPA, Ross Setford)