Ponting crosses10,000 Runs in Test Cricket!

Ricky Ponting, the Australian captain crossed the 10,000 run mark in test cricket. He reached 10,000 run mark during his 65 in the 2nd test. He required 61 to reach the five digit mark and he did that a two of Sarwan's delivery.

He reached this milestone in his 118th test and 197th innings. He has joined the 10,000 club with 7 other players across the world. Leading the table are:

1. Brain Lara - 11953 in 131 Test, 232 Innings with 34 hundreds and a highest of 400 not out (Retired)
2. Sachin Tendulkar - 11782 in 147 Test, 238 Innings with 29 hundreds and a highest of 248 not out
3. AR Border - 11174 in 156 Test, 265 Innings with 26 hundres and a highest of 205 (Retired)
4. SR Waugh - 10927 in 168 Test, 260 Innings with 32 hundreds and a highest of 200 (Retired)
5. SM Gavaskar - 10122 in 125 Test, 214 Innings with 34 hundres and a highest of 236 not out (Retired)
6. R Dravid - 10098 in 122 Test, 210 Innings with 25 hundreds and a highest of 270
7. RT Ponting - 10042 in 118 Test, 198 Innings with 35 hundreds and a highest of 257

Congratulations Ponting! You have come a long way and proved that you are one of the Best Batsman in the World!

Warne Wishes Many More Cricketing Years for Tendulkar!

"He is a great player. We may have to wait for many-many years to have another player like him. He should be allowed continue till he wants to," said Warne while his stay in the city for a recent Indian Premier League match.

Warne, who is captaining and coaching the Rajasthan Royals team in the Indian Premier League, said Tendulkar was "the best" batsman in the recent times.

"I feel West Indian Brian Lara and Sachin are the best batsmen of the recent times but I rate Sachin "the best" not only because of his amazing cricketing ability but also because of the exemplary manner in which he conducts himself on and off the field.

"He is a wonderful guy. Naturally and exceptionally talented, affectionate and always smiling. There may be other good batsmen in the world but I feel that the word 'great' has been used most often for him. I feel Sachin is truly 'great' because of the manner in which he conducts himself. He is disciplined, co-operative, naturally talented and dedicated player," he said.

Of course, who is the master batsman in this era? He is a role model for so many of us not only in Cricket, but also in the way he conducts himself on and off the field. He is a real good ambassador of Cricket and also India!

Tendulkar is out of 3rd Test Too!

Sad news for India! Tendulkar is not yet fully fit to play the 3rd and final test in Kanpur. He is still suffering from groin injury.

The Indian board confirmed this in a release and added that he would continue with his rehabilitation program. "This decision has been taken to give Sachin the opportunity to make a full recovery from this injury," the release said. "Sachin has a rehabilitation program to continue with and will be monitored closely."

Tendulkar didn't appear fully fit during the first Test in Chennai and missed part of the action on the first, second, fourth days. He didn't take the field on the fifth day and was rested for the next Test.

There was an injury concern over Tendulkar even before the start of the series. Tendulkar was advised two-weeks rest after the Australia tour and the then physio, John Gloster, in his fitness report, warned against the injury entering a chronic phase.

We have to wait and see whether he will be fit before the IPL which starts on April 18, 2008.

He has another 172 runs to get to go past Lara who has scored 11953 runs and become the highest run getter in test cricket history. Everyone thought that he would create it during the South Africa series, but his injury has prevented it. Has to wait one more series to create this record!

Records - Most Runs in Test Cricket!

You can read, review and understand the highest run scorer in test cricket. This list contains the top 10 highest run-getters in test cricket:

1. Lara - 11953 runs in 131 matches and 232 innings
2. Sachin - 11782 runs in 147* matches and 238 innings (* currently playing 147th test)
3. Border - 11174 runs in 156 matches and 265 innings
4. Steve Waugh - 10927 runs in 168 matches and 260 innings
5. Gavaskar - 10122 runs in 125 matches and 214 innings
6. Dravid - 10031 runs in 120* matches and 206 innings (* currently playing 120th test)
7. Ponting - 9776 runs in 116 matches and 193 innings
8. Kallis - 9490 runs in 117* matches and 198 innings(* currently playing 117th test)
9. Gooch - 8900 runs in 118 matches and 215 innings
10. Miandad - 8832 runs in 124 matches and 189 innings

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)