Venue Changed for England Test Series

After the recent terror attacks in Mumbai at Taj Mahal Hotel, Trident-Oberoi Hotel, and Nariman House on 26th of November 2008, England team called off the remaining 2 ODIs and went back to England citing security concerns. After a detailed discussions with the ECB, BCCI has agreed to change the venue of the test series.

Below is the revised schedule with change in the venue:

December 5-7, 2008 - Practice Game - Indian Board Presidents XI v. England XI - Vadodara
December 11-15, 2008 - 1st Test - India v. England - Ahmedabad
December 19-23, 2008 - 2nd Test - India v. England - Chennai

The venue of the 2nd test has been changed to Chennai.

Ganguly Plans to Play in India A v. NZ A 2nd Test!

Ganguly should be a happy man after getting his place in the test side against the Australian Team. Before joining the Indian team in the net practice in Bangalore, Ganguly is planning to play in the 2nd test for Indian A.

India A team is playing 2-Test series against New Zealand A. India A won the first test and leading the series 1-0.

After added to the Indian team for the first two test that was announced on October 1, Ganguly wanted to get real time match practice and will be playing in the 2nd test.

This is a 4-day game that will be played in Chennai. So, you can see Ganguly in Chennai soon.

After getting some match practice, he will join the Indian team in Bangalore for the practice session.

Dhoni into Singing!

Dhoni will be singing for the first time in an album! He will be singing in Hindi for his IPL team, the Chennai Super Kings. He has been roped in to get more attractions into the team and also for selling the CDs and most importantly attracking the kids.

Already, Dhoni is the hero in the minds of many young Indians and kinds.

By entering into music, he will surely be a competition to others! Guys, get ready to listen to Dhoni!

IPL Kicked Off in Style!

The much awaited Indian Premier League (IPL) was kicked off yesterday. The first match was played between Kolkata Knight Riders and Bangalore Royal Challengers. The first match was played in Bangalore and the ex-captains of India were leading each side--Ganguly was leading Kolkata and Dravid leading Bangalore.

For complete schedule, click here!

The eight teams that are competing for the championship are:


Bangalore Royal Challengers
Chennai Super Kings
Deccan Chargers
Delhi Daredevils
Kolkata Knight Riders
Mumbai Indians
Punjab Kings
Rajasthan Royals

South Africa Fined!

South Africa captain Graeme Smith was fined 20 per cent while his teammates were docked 10 per cent match fees after the visitors were found guilty of slow over-rate in their first Test match against India.

ICC Match Referee Roshan Mahanama imposed the fines after Smith's side was ruled to be two overs short of its target when time allowances were taken into consideration, according to an ICC release.

In accordance with the ICC Code of Conduct regulations governing over-rate penalties, players are fined five per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

Smith and Kumble Blame the Pitch!

The skippers of both the sides blamed the Chepauk pitch for the drawn first test match in Chennai.

Probably the rain before the week of the start of the test could have hampered the conditions of the pitch. He also mentioned that the pitch did not crack or deteriorate as expected and the weather condition also added to the existing woe.

Both the captains praised the batting of Virendra Shewag. Smith said, "all credit to him for the way he played"

In the meantime, Sachin is not playing the second test due to groin injury. Kaif is his replacement.

Both the captains expect the Ahemadabad pitch to produce a result.

McKenzie's Century Helps SA to Draw first test!

The first test ends in a draw on the 5th day in Chepauk, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. McKenzie played a crucial innings again scoring a century this time. He missed the century in the first innings but didn't make the mistake this time. He went beyond 150 in the 2nd innings to take this test to a draw!

Resuming the day at 131 for 1, the first hour was crucial for both the teams. If India succeded in getting erly break-throughs, it would have been tougher on the tourists. But, Amla, the man in form along with McKenzie played both Kumble and Harbhajan very well to bring another 150 run partnership in this test. Though McKenzie was dropped by Sreesanth in the deep square leg, the partnership was growing until Kumble produced a delivery that bounced and hit the edge and went to the hands of Dravid in the slip. Though India took wickets of Kallis for 19, Prince for 5, and de Villiers for 11, it seemed tough to take all the wickets of South Africa in time.

McKenzie was not out on 155 off 339 balls with 13 fours and a six and Amla scored 81 off 148 balls with 9 fours. These two have batted out 81.1 overs of the 123 overs SA had to bat.

Kumble's effort of trying VVS Laxman to bowl 10 overs and couple of overs from Ganguly did not help.

Kallis has to find his form immediately to help South Africa to further strengthen their batting line up. He failed in both the innings and is important that he scores in the next two games.

Shewag for his record breaking 319 was adjudged man of the match, though Amla and McKenzie contributed in both the innings.

Final Score:

Toss: South Africa

Result: Match Drawn

Man of the Match: Shewag (India)

Venue: Chennai, India

Date: March 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 2008

Captain: Smith (SA), Kumble (India)

Score:

South Africa 1st Innings 540 allout in 152.5 overs (Smith 74, McKenzie 94, Amla 159, deVilliers 44, Boucher 70, Morkel 35, Kumble 2 for 106, Harbhajan 5 for 164)

India 1st Innings 627 allout in 155.1 overs (Shewag 319, Jaffer 73; Dravid 111, VVS Laxman 39, Steyn 4 for 103, Nitni 3 for 128, Harris 3 for 203)

South Africa 2nd Innings 331 for 4 declared in 109 overs (McKenzie 155 not out, Smith 35, Amla 81, Harbhajan 3 for 101)

India Missed Opportunity to have Upper Hand!

Though India took 87 runs lead in the first innings, they missed a good opportunity to take a lead of more than 175 and to put pressure on SA. This would have definitely put SA in trouble as they should play for draw and not for win, whereas India had all the opportunity to go for full attack and try for a win.

Resuming the day at 468 for 1, Shewag added ten and went past his own previous record of 309 against Pakistan in 2004 in Multan. His new highest score in test cricket is 319. Smith took th new ball in the first over of the day. Nitni dismissed Shewag caught at slip. He played the shot away from the body without moving the feet. The book took the outside edge and flew to slips. When Tendulkar walked-in, as usual, the crowed cheered him with a thunderous applause. He didn't last long. Nitni once again struck for South Africa through his outswinger pitched up to Tendulkar, who chose to drive, but ended up edging into 2nd slip for a duck.

At the one end Dravind was timing the ball well and staying at the crease. Ganguly was hitting the ball well, but the curt of a short ball from Harris took the edge and Boucher took the catch.

After the first two wickets partnership, nothing flourshing in favor of India. The batsman were surrendering to South Africans cheaply. When Dravind and Laxman were cruising well, Dravind scored his century after lunch. During lunch, India were 7 runs ahead with Dravind on 99. He scored his 25th test century and first in Chennai. He also crossed 10000 run mark when he was on 80.

The Chepauk cricket ground had full of records in this test. Dravid reached his 100 off 272 balls with 14 fours. He was caught at slips by Kallis of Nitni. The three crucial wickets of the day were picked by Nitni--Shewag, Sachin and Dravid. India were leading with 33 runs when Dravid was out. It was left to Dhoni and Laxman to add more to the total, but Dhoni trying to hit Steyn, stepped out of the crease couple of times. Steyn expecting it, he bowled a short ball, which took the gloves and went to Boucher. He was out for 16. This was the first wicket of Steyn, but he used that opportunity and rattled the tail enders. Kumble, Harbhajan and RP Singh were bowled and their stumps were uprooted by Steyn. Kumble scored 3, Harbhajan and RP Singh were out for zero.

Sreesanth got injured just above his left wrist trying to prevent the bouncer from Steyn. The swelling was treated and he continued his innings. Laxman mis-timed the Harris flighted delivery and gave a simple return catch to him. India were all out for 627 and missed a good opportunity to put a huge total on the board. They also didn't carry out their plan of playing out the full day.

Summary of the records:

1. Shewag scored his highest score in test cricket--319;

2. Shewag scored fastest triple hundred--300 of 278 balls;

3. Dravid scored 10,000 runs and is the 6th batsman in test cricket history and third batsman for India. The others are: Lara, Tendulkar, Waugh, Border, and Gavaskar;

4. This is the first time where a double century partnership was scored for the first two wickets;

Starting the 2nd innings with a deficit of 87 runs, Smith and McKenzie played well hitting few bounderis and taking singles and twos. Smith was adjudged leg before off Harbhajan for 35. McKenzie scored his 2nd fifty of this series and is back-to-back 50. He is still batting on 59 and his partner Amla is batting on 35.

Score at the end of Day 4:

Toss: South Africa

Venue: Chennai, India

Date: March 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 2008

Captain: Smith (SA), Kumble (India)

Score:

South Africa 1st Innings 540 all out in 152.5 overs (Smith 74, McKenzie 94, Amla 159, deVilliers 44, Boucher 70, Morkel 35, Kumble 2 for 106, Harbhajan 5 for 164)

India 1st Innings 627 all out in 155.1 overs (Shewag 319, Jaffer 73; Dravid 111, VVS Laxman 39, Steyn 4 for 103, Nitni 3 for 128, Harris 3 for 203)

India lose 3 wickets in the first session!

India lost three wickets in the first session of the 4th day's play. Shewag was out for 319, adding ten more to the over-night score. He has gone past his previous best and set a new highest score for himself. He is also the highest individual run scores in Indian test cricket history.

The new ball did the trick when his foot didn't move for the ball pitched-up to him. The outside egde went straight to slips.

Tendulkar, didn't last for long. He tried to kick-off his innings with a single, but Amla fielded it very well. He was out in the same over trying to drive the ball, but it took the outside edge and flew to second slip. Both Shewag and Sachin fell to Nitni.

Sourav was timing and placing the ball well. He tried to cut the short ball from Harris, but it raised little higher than he anticipated. On the way to keeper, it just kissed the edge of the bat and Boucher took the catch.

During lunch, India were 547 for 4 and leading by 7 runs with Dravid on 99 and Laxman on 6.

Shewag demolished South African Hopes!

Shewag, the man of the day, test, innings, test! He demolished the South African bowling attcak all over Chennai ground. The MA Chidarambaram Stadium in Chennai was under complete fire of fours. The statdium known as MAC in Chennai proved lucky to India this time.

Lots of records were broken in the day and in the Indian innings. Shewag's triple hundred is the fastest triple hundred in test cricket, with 278 balls.

The beauty was his six to go from 193 to 199 off Nitni. He then glanced to mid-wicket for a 3 to cross the double hundred. He reverse swept Harris, pulled Steyn and Nitni. Steywn had not effect in the innings as the pitch was not helping the bowlers.

The only wicket that fell on the day was off Wasim Jaffer. He playd the forward, but the ball took outside edge and flew to first slip. He scored his 50 off 107 balls and that was his 10th fifty in Test Cricket. Both Jaffer and Shewag added 213 runs for the first wicket.

Shewag scored his century of 116 balls. During lunch India were 176 for no wicket with Jaffer on 60 and Shewag on 110. Between lunch and tea India lost the wicket of Jaffer for 73. Kallis acted quick to grab the catch in 1st slip.

The wall of Indian cricket, Dravid joined Shewag for the 2nd wicket. Dravind started slowly scoring 11 off 61 balls. Shewag's batting should have added to the confidence of Dravind and he also scored fifty. Shewag scored 108 runs between lunch and tea in less than 100 balls.

He scored the 2nd hundred off 78 balls and was timing the ball very well. Steyn had no clue about the line and length because Shewag was in scoring mood.

The 3rd hundred of the triple-century came in 84 balls. He was smashing the ball in all parts of the ground of all the bowlers. Smith was struggling to place fielders as the ball was always going in the gap. Smith didn't place the field well during the start of the day. Both Jaffer and Shewag was under no pressure as they were taking singles placing the ball in the gaps in deep cover and square leg.

Shewag and Dravid were at the crease batting with 309 (off 292 balls with 41 fours and 5 sixes) and 65 respectively. Shewag needs 1 run to go past his own record of his highest score. If he scores another 92, he will be the highest run scorer in an innings in Test Cricket. Wait and see whether he does it.

Click here to see the full records of this test match.

Score:
Toss: South Africa
Venue: Chennai, India
Date: March 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 2008
Captain: Smith (SA), Kumble (India)
Score:
South Africa 540 all out in 152.5 overs (Smith 74, McKenzie 94, Amla 159, deVilliers 44, Boucher 70, Morkel 35, Kumble 2 for 106, Harbhajan 5 for 164)
India 468 for 1 in 106 overs (Shewag 309 batting, Jaffer 73; Dravid 65 batting)

Records Day in Chennai!

Lots of records were created and broken on Day 3 of first test in Chennai between India and South Africa. Indian's were breaking the records this time. India scored 376 runs for the loss of one wicket in 90 overs today.

1. He is the first batsman to score more than 250 runs in a day of more than 50 yeaers; It was dne by Dennis Compton in 1954 against Pakistan.


2. This is the second triple-century by an Indian. He was the first one too. He scored 309 against Pakistan in Multan in 2003-04.


3. This is the first time that a batsman had gone past 300 runs in India; previous best was the unforgettable 281 by Laxman in Kolkata.


4. This is the fastest triple hundred in Test Cricket. He scored his 300 in 278 balls.


5. Shewag is the third batsman to score two triple-hundreds; Others are Brain Lara and Don Bradman.


6. Shewag joined Bradman and Dennis Compton in the record for scoring more than 250 runs in a day.


7. This is the first time two double-century partnerships have been made for the first and second wicket in test cricket. The first wicket partnership was between Wasim Jaffer and Shewag for 213 runs and an unbeaten 2nd wicket partnership of 255 between Dravid and Shewag.


8. Shewag's lucky day seems to be March 28. He scored 200+ runs on March 28 against Pakistain in 2004 and in the next day he made 308. Again in 2008, March 28, he made 257 runs. Out of the total 468, he made 309 which is 66%.


9. In a day, he has scored 257 out of the 376 runs scored by Indians, which is 68.35%.

Records are meant to be Broken and let us hope Shewag breaks Lara's Record of 400!

Shewag Creates Record!

Shewag has created history in Indian and world cricket! He was hitting all over the ground and it was a tough day for South Africans. The ball was flying in all directions. This is his 3rd consecutive 150 or more runs.

This is his 2nd three hundred plus score in test cricket. His has equalled his previous record of 309 against Pakistan. If we scores one more run, that will be his highest score. He is continuing his good form against South Africa.

He never gave a chance to the South African to earn his wicket. He was reverse sweeping, pulling, driving, hooking, hitting in the air, and what not.

He never bothered about his hundred or double hundred and trible hundred. He hit a six off Nitni over square leg to go to 199 Then he glanced to mid-wicket for a 3 to go past beyond 200.

He has created many records during the day and still batting at 309. Can he go past 400 and create one more world record? Wait and see day 4!!

He scored his 300 in 278 balls, which is a record.

South Africa Tour Schedule to India

South Africa to tour India during March and April 2008. They play 3 test matches against India and no one-day international or 20-20 matches scheduled. They have beaten Bangladesh 2-0 this month in Bangladesh and are in full form to take the only team that has beat Australia in Australia during the last 5 years. South Africa will a tough challenge especially in the sub-continent soil.

Schedule:
1st Test: March 26-30, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
2nd Test: April 3-7, Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad
3rd Test: April 11-15, Green Park, Kanput

Good luck to both the teams!