Afridi hopes for a turnaround in ODI Series against SA

Following the back-to-back losses in the Twenty20 games against South Africa, Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi hoped for a turnaround in the 5-match ODI series against South Africa.

"I am sure we can do far better in the ODIs, since I believe that we have players who have good temperament and can play the 50 overs comfortably," Afridi said.

Speaking about the performance of the batsmen in the Twenty20 matches against South Africa, Afridi said it was their disappointment to get the team off to good starts which resulted in the losses.

"We needed good starts but that didn't come in both the matches. My own performance was not up to the mark so we have to sit down and plan to improve our batting, which is struggling."

Afridi admitted that the players were under pressure after going through some turbulent times during their recent tour to England. However, he mentioned that the players have to put the distractions aside and concentrate on the game.

Ponting to return for Sri Lanka ODI Series

Skipper Ricky Ponting will return to action against Sri Lanka ODI Series, Australia enter final preparations for the Ashes series against England, officials said Tuesday.

Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson were both named in the 15-man squad for three match one-day internationals series next week after being rested for the 2-0 Test defeat in India.

Wicketkeeper and batsman Brad Haddin and fast bowler Peter Siddle were also included as they continue their recovery from injury. Australia face Sri Lanka on November 3, 5 and 7.

Ponting faced calls for his resignation after returning from the Test series defeat to India which pushed Australia down to 5th in ICC test rankings.

Some players including batsman Michael Clarke and spinner Nathan Hauritz will be searching for form against Sri Lanka, the final internationals before the five-Test Ashes series opens on November 25.

Australia squad - Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke (vice-captain), Shane Watson, Shaun Marsh, Brad Haddin(wk), Mike Hussey, Cameron White, Xavier Doherty, John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz, Mitchell Johnson, Clint McKay, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.

Australia lose Hussey, Bollinger for 3rd ODI in Goa

Still looking for their 1st win in the ongoing tour of India, the useless Australian team lost two more key players in Fast bowler Doug Bollinger and batsman Mike Hussey for the deciding 3rd and final ODI on Sunday.

While Bollinger has been forced out due to a stomach muscle strain, Hussey will have to be available for a Sheffield Shield match for Western Australia as part of the Ashes preparations.

“Bollinger reported some minor abdomen discomfort in an area unrelated to the original injury that ruled him out of the 2nd Test and 2nd ODI of the tour," Cricket Australia said in a statement.

"We do not think the new issue is serious, however it will prevent him from achieving the workloads necessary for him to be available for selection in the third one-day match in Goa," added CA physiotherapist Kevin Sims.

National Selection Panel Chairman Andrew Hilditch said, "As part of the ongoing individual work load management ahead of a an exciting Australian Summer and the ICC Cricket World Cup in the subcontinent, Mike Hussey will not play in the 3rd ODI game in India and will return home to Australia."

Kohli, Raina power India to win 2nd ODI Match

Virat Kohli shrugged off cramp to hit 118, his 3rd ODI century, and guide India to a five-wicket win over Australia in Visak. India lead the three-match ODI series 1-0 after the opener was washed out. Australia were slow for much of their innings, but ignited late on as Michael Clarke (111) and Cameron White (89) put on 84 from the last 5 overs. That left India to chase 290, and they got there with seven balls left thanks largely to the efforts of Kohli. He scored his runs from 121 balls, and built India's chase with partnerships of 137 with Yuvraj Singh (58) and 84 from 58 balls with Suresh Raina (71 not out from 47).

After finally departing when clubbing debutant John Hastings to long-on, Kohli watched from the stands as captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was bowled by Hastings for a duck. But Saurabh Tiwary, playing his first one-day international, provided a level head at one end as Raina kicked on to take India past the winning line without further alarm. The home side won the toss on a slow wicket, handing debuts to Tiwary, 20, and opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan, 24. With seamer Vinay Kumar and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwan playing only their second matches it was a very inexperienced side. Australia matched them in that department, as first one-day international caps were dished out to Hastings, 24, and fellow New South Welshman Mitchell Starc, 20, leaving Clint McKay as the only frontline seamer with experience at this level.

Australia batting was not at full strength either, and openers Tim Paine and Shaun Marsh were slow to get out of the blocks, both departing before the end of the eighth over which came with Australia's total on 16. Clarke, skippering while Ricky Ponting rests ahead of the Ashes, was initially very cautious. Impetus came instead from Mike Hussey (69 from 77 balls), before Clarke and White took toll over the closing overs. India's chase was more even-paced, though the openers also failed to provide a platform. McKay took three wickets to keep Australia in the game, but once Yuvraj and Kohli began to find their range the momentum was with India all the way through to the end. Australia looked a beaten team well before the finish which was scarcely imaginable when White was smashing the Indian bowling to all parts, hitting six sixes and six fours. "White's innings was unbelievable and I thought 290 was enough, but India chased well," said a rueful Clarke afterwards.


Man of the Match: Virat Kohli

I'm not under pressure: Stand-in Skipper Michael Clarke

Under-pressure Michael Clarke today said he deserved the censure after a string of poor shows in their 0-2 Test series loss and the stand-in captain said that it's time to look forward and return to winning ways.

Stand-in Captain Clarke scored just 35 runs from four innings in the 2 Test series, said, "My performance in the Test series wasn't good enough so I deserved that criticism and I am very disappointed about that."

But he said he was not under-fire to perform in the 50 over matches as they play the 2nd ODI against India today. The 1st ODI was washed out after a heavy rain in Kochi.

"I am not at all under pressure. Everybody is entitled to voice their opinion. I can't change that. I'm training very hard as possibly as I can. I'm really excited about these two one-day games. My main priority is to win the two ODIs. We are really excited about the bright weather, hope it continues tomorrow."

Asked about the condition of their frontline pacer Doug Bollinger, Clarke said they were yet to decide on him.

"He is going well, though he has not done enough bowling. It's an important day for him today, he will have to bowl at the nets. The physio is happy with his improvement. But we want to make sure he bowls 10 overs for us tomorrow, otherwise I don't think it's worth a risk."

Doug Bollinger had to pull out of the 2nd Test in Bengaluru because of an abdominal strain.

Bangladesh Sweep the series 4-0 against NZ

Bangladesh Fast bowler Rubel Hossain grabbed four wickets as Bangladesh completed a clean sweep with a thrilling 3-run winning over New Zealand in the 5th and final one-day international.

Bangladesh clinched the series 4-0, their first clean sweep against a major team. The 2nd match was abandoned without a single ball being bowled due to rain.

New Zealand wanted only 8 runs to win in the final over with just one wicket in hand but Rubel, who had taken 3 wickets in his opening three overs, sparked celebrations in Bangladesh's camp when he bowled Kyle Mills (33).

He jolted New Zealand in his 1st over, dismissing opening batsman Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder in the space of five deliveries. He then had Kane Williamson caught at 2nd slip by Raqibul Hasan in his 3rd over.

Bradley-John Watling was run out, while Ross Taylor was bowled by Abdur Razzak as New Zealand's top five batsmen failed to reach double figures.

New Zealand were in danger of falling below their lowest ODI total of 64 after being reduced to 20-5, but captain Daniel Vettori (43) and all-rounder Grant Elliott (59) added 86 runs for the sixth wicket.

Vettori (3-32) and Mills (3-36) earlier bowled tight to restrict Bangladesh to a modest total.

New Zealand did not allow the hosts to build a big partnership after the hosts elected to bat on a slow pitch. The highest stand was 55 for the fifth wicket between captain Shakib Al Hasan (36) and Mushfiqur Rahim (29).

Vettori removed opener Imrul Kayes (34) and Raqibul (six) before accounting for Mahmudullah (19).

Kayes was trapped leg-before while attempting to sweep, hitting two sixes and three fours in his 50-ball knock. Andy McKay and Elliott each finished with two wickets.


Man Of the Match: Rubel Hossain

Man of The Series: Shakib Al Hasan

Bangladesh clinch historic series win

Bangladesh claimed victory in its 5 match ODI Series against New Zealand after winning the 4th match at Dhaka.

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan hit a century and took three wickets, while New Zealand was dismissed 10 runs short of the winning target of 242.

Bangladesh have played like forceful tigers to win at home for the 1st time against a fully fledged opponent. 241 wasn't a match winning score by any means but the spinners pegged the New Zealand middle order with some restricted bowling. They didn't allow the game to slip at any stage despite an excellent partnership between Williamson and Nathan McCullum.

This is a proud moment for all the cricket followers in Bangladesh. The fans merit special praise for turning up in large numbers and cheering the side on for every game. This is their day and they deserve all the accolades coming their way. Their talisman cricketer Shakib has once again proved why he is the Number One all-rounder in the ICC ODI rankings.

Shakib became the only Bangladesh player to score a ton and take 3 wickets in the same match.

Williamson became the youngest ever NZ cricketer to score an ODI ton.

Williamson playing the latter part of the innings on one leg, he just fell short of victory. But, Bangladesh deserves this series victory and one hopes that they can only go from strength to strength.

Match Summay:

Bangladesh 241/10 in 48.1 overs

Shakib Al Hasan 106
Imrul Kayes 37
Mohammad Mahmudullah 37

Hamish Bennett 3-44
Kyle Mills 2-38

New Zealand 232 all out

Kane Williamson 108
Shakib Al Hasan 3-54

Man of the Match : Shakib Al Hasan

Sachin, Sehwag and Zaheer rested for Australia ODI Series

India will be without Virender Sehwag in the upcoming ODI series against Australia due to an injury while Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh, Pragyan Ojha and Zaheer Khan have been rested.

The selectors have filled the openers by calling Murali Vijay, which has a new face in batsman Shikhar Dhawan, has also been a regular opener for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL and earlier this week, he had scored a century in the Challenger series.

In the absence of main openers, Dhawan is most likely to open for India along with Murali Vijay, who jagged up his maiden Test Century against Australia at the Chinnaswamy stadium, Bangalore.

Vinay Kumar makes a comeback and would be part of the pace battery which includes the experienced trio of Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel and Praveen Kumar.

With Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha also missing, R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are likely to spearhead the spin department. Ashwin played an important role for the Chennai Super Kings team during their victorious outing in the Champions League tournament held recently in South Africa.

ODI Squad: MS Dhoni (capt & wk), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Saurabh Tiwary, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Praveen Kumar, Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel and Vinay Kumar

Ponting, Watson and Johnson rested for ODI Series against India

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting, fast bowler Mitchell Johnson & all-rounder Shane Watson have all been rested for the 3 match ODI series against India. The National Selection Panel declared a 14 man squad for the ODI series.

NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch said: "Player workload management is particularly important over the course of the next seven months as we prepare a squad to defend the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in India and the subcontinent and to win the Ashes back from England.

"Each individual player has a program developed in teamwork between the players, the coaching and conditioning staff and the NSP, which will get each player to the end of April 2011 in the best possible physical condition and, we hope, with plenty of Australian success on the field.

"With that in mind, Ricky Ponting will not take part in this 3 match ODI series. The NSP has decided as part of the ongoing management of Ponting's workload he should not take part in this series. The demands of nonstop Test matches in tough Indian conditions have been taken into consideration.

"Mitchell Johnson will also have his workload managed and not take part in the series. As Mitchell is now the leader of our bowling attack, and with numerous injuries to our fast bowling stocks at present, it is essential we manage his workload so he can get through the domestic summer and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

"Shane Watson also will not take part in the series. The NSP considers it essential that he has a break to ensure that can fulfil his vital role during our domestic summer and of course the ICC World Cup.

The 14-man squad: Michael Clarke (c), Cameron White (vc), Doug Bollinger, Callum Ferguson, Nathan Hauritz, James Hopes, Mike Hussey, Shaun Marsh, Clint McKay, Tim Paine, James Pattinson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc and David Warner.