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)

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

Rahul Dravind Crosses Ten Thousand Runs in Test Cricket

Rahul Dravid crossed his ten thousand run mark in test cricket on Day 4 of the first test against South Africa in Chepauk, Chennai. He is the third Indian batsman achieve this milestone. The others are:

Sunil Gavaskar

Sachin Tendulkar

He has achieved this in his 120th test match. Requring 80 runs at the start of this test match to reach 10,000 and he did it without any trouble.

The BCCI and other leading cricketers congratulated and sent their wishes to Dravid!

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)

Kumble Honored for Getting 600 Wickets!

The veteran and Indian skipper Anil Kumble was honored today for his great achivement--bagging 600 test wickets, in test cricket.

Sharad Pawar, the BCCI president, presented him with a special ball, weighing close to 300 gram and studded with 1,500 of the finest diamonds sourced from Antwerp. Made by Orra Diamonds, it was interspersed with approximately 600 oval rubies.

Pawar started by remembering this time a year ago. "India lost to Sri Lanka on March 23 and I needed to have an urgent meeting with the members of the home ministry to discuss plans to protect the players and their families. I'm happy that we are in a joyous mood today, celebrating India's victories and leaving that bad phase behind."

Shastri saluted Kumble for his champion qualities but said his humility stood out among the legends. He also lauded Dilip Vengsarkar, the chairman of selectors, for appointing Kumble as India's Test captain at a period of transition in Indian cricket.

The hour long function was attended by Indian and South African team members, members of BCCI, Gerald Majola, Chief Executive of the Cricket South Africa.

The function was arranged almost after two months of completing 600 wickets. The victim was Andrew Symonds, leg before wicket in Perth Test, which India won. He is the first Indian cricketer to achive this land mark.

Kumble said, "I'm overcome by emotion and am at a loss for words and over the 18 years of playing cricket I have seen several changes in the game."

He also said, "Cricket has been seen as a batsman's game but it's important to have a bit of balance between bat and ball. I hope the balance is restored in the future."

He thanked all those who were involved with his development as a cricketer and fondly remembered his first captain Azharuddin, first coach Bishan Singh Bedi, first room mate Ravi Shastri--all of whom were present in the fuction. He added Andrew Leipus to the list for playing a big role in his rehabilitation from a shoulder injury in 2001.

He also said that Shane Warne and Muralitharan are good friends of his. They discuss about spin bowling during their chat. They have high regards for each other.

He thanked Sachin, Dravind, Ganguly, Venkatesh Prasad, and his spin partners from Raju to Harbhajan.

He finished by saying, "with so many tests coming up, I am sure we'll get a chance to meet again soon to celebrate 700 wickets." After a wry smile, he finished by saying "Thank you!"

Congratulations on a wonderful achievement Kumble! We are proud of you! Keep going.... All the best!

England in New Zeland - 2008 Schedule

Schedule:
England is touring New Zeland during this year and play in two 20-20, 5 ODI and 3 test matches. The schedule is as follows:

20-20:

1st 20-20: February 5, 2008, D/N at Eden Park, Auckland
2nd 20-20: February 7, 2008 D/N at Jade Stadium, Christchurch

ODI (50-50):

1st ODI: February 9, 2008 D/N at Westpac Stadium, Wellington
2nd ODI: February 12, 2008 D/N at Seddon Park, Hamilton
3rd ODI: February 15, 2008 D/N at Eden Park, Auckland
4th ODI: February 20, 2008 D at McLean Park, Napier
5th ODI: February 23, 2008 D/N at AMI Stadium, Christchurch

Test Matches:

1st Test: March 5-9, 2008 at Seddon Park, Hamilton
2nd Test: March 13-17, 2008 at Basin Reserve, Wellington
3rd Test: March 22-26, 2008 at McLean Park, Napier

The last time England tour to New Zeland ended in a drawn series with each team winning one test match and one ended in a draw.