Wellington woo Zimbabwe star

Wellington have signed Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor and Surrey skipper Rory Hamilton-Brown as the remaining overseas imports for their domestic Twenty20 cricket campaign.The province's director of cricket Robbie Kerr confirmed the signings this morning.Batsman Taylor will play the full 10-match campaign, starting on December 18, and possibly also some 50-over matches for the Firebirds in mid-December.The 25-year-old had a remarkable run of form in the recent series against New Zealand, scoring 128 not out, 107 not out and 75 in the ODIs and 50 and 117 in the one-off test in Bulawayo.''He caught our eye in Zimbabwe and seemed to find the New Zealand bowlers quite enjoyable,'' Kerr said.Taylor's stint with Wellington will serve as a lead-in to his country's tour of New Zealand which starts in late January.Hamilton-Brown is a batting all-rounder, who also bowls offspin. The former England under-19 player was recommended by England coach Andy Flower.The 24-year-old will play the second half of the competition, replacing Sri Lankan star Muttiah Muralitharan when he departs after the round five game against Northern Districts in Mt Maunganui on January 4. Hamilton-Brown's debut will be the home match against Canterbury on January 6.World Test wicket recordholder Muralitharan is only available for the first five games as his wife is due to give birth to their second child in early January.Wellington's T20 opener is against Auckland in Auckland on December 18.

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Sanath Jayasuriya blames poor batting for loss against Pakistan – Cricket News Update

Sanath Jayasuriya blames poor batting for loss against Pakistan – Cricket News UpdateFormer Sri Lankan skipper Sanath Jayasuriya blamed poor batting display for his side’s Test and One Day International (ODI) series loss against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Sri Lanka toured UAE with high hopes to deliver against the Men in Green, who are known to be inconsistent in international cricket.However, the visitors failed to make an impression and have won just one game out of the total eight played until now, three being Tests and five ODIs.Jayasuriya was extremely disappointed with the outcome of the series and said, “It's a bit disappointing to lose both the series. It would have been ideal had we won at least one. I think sometimes in Tests we batted well and sometimes we just got stuck and did not look for runs and bogged down. Batting was poor and the only batsman in form was Kumar Sangakkara.”The legendary all-rounder said that the team needs to work out some plan in order to get out of the current crisis.The 42-year-old added, “You need three or four batsmen to be among the runs. I didn't see others chipping in with runs and that's what Sri Lanka is lacking in and they should have a chat and discuss what went wrong because this is the third series ending in this manner.Jayasuriya further went onto say that the team should not still panic and give time to the youngsters to settle down. He added that this phase can come at any team where senior players are leaving and the youngsters are struggling to cope up with the pressure of international cricket.Earlier, the Sri Lankan skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan echoed the words of Jayasuriya, saying that his batting was not up to mark in the UAE series.The 35-year-old said that he was proud of the bowlers, who were considered as a weakness before the start of the series against Pakistan.However, things turned out to be entirely different once the series kicked off and the Sri Lankan batting started failing regularly.Dilshan will now be hoping to win the only Twenty20 of the tour, which is scheduled to be played in Abu Dhabi on Friday, November 25, 2011Tagged in: Twenty20, Dubai, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, ODI, Test, Sanath Jayasuriya, Abu Dhabi, UAE Test your Cricket knowledge by placing free betting on cricket matches. Get most accurate Cricket betting odds and picks for successful betting.

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Ponting confronts his cricket mortality

Ricky Ponting has conceded he does not have much time left in the game, saying he will quit as soon as he considers himself incapable of improvement, and will not wait for a "tap on the shoulder. However Ponting believes he is not yet ready to retire because he has not felt the same loss of drive common to the greats he once shared a dressing room with.In Ponting's time as captain, Justin Langer, Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist all related the same drain of enthusiasm for the work required to keep playing international cricket. Ponting said he was yet to feel similarly empty, and was flushed with further enthusiasm by his 62 in Australia's memorable win over South Africa."If I keep doing all the work that I'm doing and then not getting the results then maybe it's time. But at the moment I don't feel that time is here just yet," Ponting said in Sydney. "I feel there's enough there still to keep working hard. I was captain when Langer, Warne and Gilchrist and all those guys stood down so I know the things that were going through their mind having spoken to them."A lot of them, what they said about it they just didn't have the drive and the desire to work as hard as they needed to work to get their games back on track again. With me, there's no doubting that at all. You can ask all the other players, all the other coaches and the things that I've been doing and putting myself through over the last few months it' s been about trying to get every little last bit out of myself and giving myself the best chance to perform."I'll continue to do that but there's only a certain amount of time I can keep that going for as well. If it is that I've reached a point where I can't get better then it might be time.Ponting is clearly preparing himself for the possibility this may be his last summer in Australian colours, even though the possibility is hurtful to a man who has known the inside of the dressing room for 16 years. His recent struggles in South Africa, brightened partially by the final innings, gave him plenty of time to consider his own technical fallibility."When you have three dismissals that I've had in that Test series I had to have a look at where things were going wrong," Ponting said. "I was seeing the ball clear enough, I felt I was moving early enough but I was moving into the wrong positions. Head position was one thing I had to look at and I was locking myself off with my front foot, straight ball was hitting me on the pads.I did a lot of work leading up to the second Test match and got out the same way in the first innings of the second Test. I noticed some differences with my own batting in the second innings of the second Test. It's probably been highlighted as well. I saw some footage on the big screen when I was batting showing things were a little bit different in that innings."I know if I get some time in the middle then all those things will start coming back. It's when you're deprived of time in the middle you wonder how long it's going to take for that stuff to come back again. I couldn't bat more in the nets than I have over the last few months and it's about now getting myself in the same frame of mind as I was for this last Test match then hopefully start the summer really well in Australia."Though he has been the subject of unstinting criticism and analysis over the past year, first for his captaincy and latterly his batting, Ponting said he understood the reasons why, and did not need to hear his captain Michael Clarke say he needed to contribute more often."I don't have to ask questions to know I have to make runs," Ponting said. "We're in a professional game and if you're not making runs you'll arrive home and you'll answer questions that I've been answering the last few weeks, that's just part and parcel of what we do."I totally understand why I'm being asked the questions I'm being asked, but by the same token I believe I'm good enough, one, to be in the team and I'm good enough to win games for Australia. Hopefully in the next little bit I can start doing that again.

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World Twenty20 plans begin here

Twenty20 might have become the origin of everything that is bad (or good, depending on your affiliation) about cricket, but the international Twenty20 game has had almost no role to play in that development. Consider these stats: we have had 32 Tests so far in 2011 and 139 ODIs - a number inflated by the World Cup, no doubt - but only a piddling 19 Twenty20 internationals. Comparing that number against the 74 fixtures IPL 2011 alone had, gives you even better perspective of the space T20Is occupy.T20Is have been reduced to irrelevant one- or two-match series, shoe-horned at either end of long bilateral tours. The stakes are so low that teams don't take these games seriously. A part of the reason is the quirky scheduling of the World Twenty20. Initially planned as a biannual event that would lend context to the format, it made three London-bus appearances in four years, before hibernating out of our conscious. The next edition will be held in September 2012 in Sri Lanka, and teams will want to start drawing up plans now, after a year dominated by the World Cup and a clutch of marquee Test series.Sri Lanka haven't looked like winning anything in the longer formats since the World Cup. Indeed, they have lost all their Test and ODI series since then. However, in that same period, they have been unbeaten in Twenty20s, and are in the middle of an impressive sequence of five successive wins. They will be desperate to extend that run and build momentum in the lead-up to the World Twenty at home, even as they seek succour from their reversals in the other formats.Pakistan have always impressed in Twenty20s, a six-match losing run last year notwithstanding. They have won the World Twenty20 once, and made the final and the semi-finals on the other two occasions. Their fortunes next year will hinge on how the team responds to Misbah-ul-Haq's leadership. His safety-first method has been an unequivocal success in the Test and ODI versions, but it remains to be seen whether it will work in Twenty20s. Watch out for Misbah-ul-Haq is now known for his equanimity as much as his poetic forward defence. He has moulded the Pakistan side in his own image, leading to the increasing popularity of the hash-tag #TeamMisbah on Twitter. When he first announced himself, Misbah was anything but the obdurate middle-order milker that he has become now. He lit up the inaugural World Twenty20 with a bunch of audacious innings that took Pakistan to within a shot of glory. Which version of Misbah will be on display in this game?At various points during the tour Tillakaratne Dilshan has looked tired, indignant, sad and frustrated. By the end of the ODI series, with his form and his side's fortunes in a seemingly terminal slump, his dominant expression seemed to suggest resignation. The chance to thrash it around in the shortest format should lift his spirits; on Friday, no one will question his shot-selection if he gets out playing those loose on-the-up heaves.Team newsIn Mahela Jayawardene's absence, Sri Lanka might be forced to open with Dinesh Chandimal, unless Upul Tharanga gets a look in. Given his poor ODI form, that is unlikely.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt), 2 Dinesh Chandimal, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Chamara Silva, 5 Dimuth Karunaratne, 6 Angelo Mathews, 7 Jeevan Mendis, 8 Dilruwan Perera/Kosala Kulasekara, 9 Thisara Perara, 10 Lasith Malinga, 10 Dilhara FernandoPakistan have 14 fit players in their squad, of which Abdur Rehman and Sarfraz Ahmed are almost sure to miss out.Pakistan (possible): 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Imran Farhat/Asad Shafiq, 3 Younis Khan, 4 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 5 Umar Akmal (wk), 6 Shoaib Malik, 7 Shahid Afridi, 8 Sohail Tanvir, 9 Aizaz Cheema, 10 Umar Gul, 11 Saeed Ajmal Stats and triviaThere's a Pakistan traffic-jam at the head of the list of leading wicket-takers in the format. Shahid Afridi has 53, followed by Umar Gul (47) and Saeed Ajmal (45). How Sri Lanka would have loved to have No. 4 on that list - Ajantha Mendis - fit and available.Dilshan is one of only five T20I centurions. Jayawardene is another, but like Mendis, he isn't around for this game Quotes"It will be a new game on Friday and a change of format, so I hope the players lift themselves.Tillakaratne Dilshan hopes a change in format will lead to a change in fortunes"He still has a lot of cricket in him and just needs one innings to get back in touch.Misbah-ul-Haq backs Shoaib Malik to come good soon

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Paceman Junaid Khan out of Pakistan's Bangladesh tour

ABU DHABI : Pakistan paceman Junaid Khan was ruled out of the team's tour of Bangladesh after injuring his abdominal muscle during the fifth and final one-day against Sri Lanka here on Wednesday.The 21-year-old left-arm paceman had a MRI scan after he felt pain during his three-over spell in the match, which revealed a partial tear."The scan revealed a partial tear of the abdominal muscle which requires six weeks of rest," said assistant team manager Naushad Ali. "He is out of the Bangladesh tour and needs rehabilitation."Khan's injury is the second blow to Pakistan after allrounder Abdul Razzaq was Tuesday ruled out of the tour with a shoulder injury.Pakistan have already announced a 16-man squad for the tour of Bangladesh where they play one Twenty20 match, three one-day internationals and two Tests, starting with the Twenty20 in Dhaka on Tuesday.Ali said Pakistan Cricket Board's selection committee would in time name replacements for the injured duo.Khan, who made his Test debut on the tour of Zimbabwe in September this year, has so far played four Tests, nine one-day internationals and two Twenty20s. AGENCIES

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England eyes 50-over domestic league

LONDON : English cricket is considering replacing its 40-over domestic one-day league with a 50-over tournament to replicate the international game, the ECB said on Wednesday.England are Twenty20 world champions and have risen to the top of the world test rankings but have struggled for years at 50-over one-day cricket."In order to compliment the Team England goal of mirroring success in the Test and Twenty20 formats at the forthcoming Cricket World Cups, the format of ODI cricket must be introduced within domestic cricket from 2014," a statement said following an extensive consultation."To support and strengthen the domestic County game, 14 T20 matches should be played, and to provide preparation time for high quality four-day cricket, the County Championship should be reduced to 14 matches."The ECB is also looking to reduce the number of four-day county matches on the calendar. AGENCIES

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Tendulkar again falls short of 100th century

MUMBAI : Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar fell short of his 100th international century once again on Friday after being dismissed for 94 in the third and final test against West Indies.Tendulkar, playing his 184th test at his home Wankhede Stadium, has scored 51 centuries in tests and 48 in one-dayers. He recorded his 99th century in March during the 50-over World Cup.He was caught by West Indies captain Darren Sammy and bowled by Ravi Rampaul. AGENCIES

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Pakistan eye clean sweep vs SL with T20 win

ABU DHABI : Pakistan will be looking to complete a clean sweep of all three forms of the game against Sri Lanka tonight after their comfortable three-wicket win in the final ODI on Wednesday night.Tonight the two teams meet in a one-off T20 international and, after having won both the Test and ODI series, Pakistan will be starting off as favourites in the game, which gets off to an 8pm start at the Zayed International Cricket Stadium.The Lankans will be boosted by the presence of Ajantha Mendis and newcomers wicketkeeper-batsman Kushal Janith Perera and opening batsman Dimuth Karunaratne as Tillakeratne Dilshan looks to reverse his team's fortunes in the shortest version of the game.On Wednesday night, Pakistan's young wicketkeeper-batsman Umar Akmal scored an unbeaten 61 and also picked up three catches behind the stumps to emerge as Man of the Match.Giving him a helping hand was skipper Misbah-ul-Haq with an innings of 66 from 99 balls and he was involved first in a 62-run stand for the third wicket with Younus Khan and then added 84 runs for the fifth wicket with Akmal.Pakistan

, who lost Abdul Razzaq before the final ODI to an injury, suffered another blow on Wednesday night when their strapping young left-arm paceman Junaid Khan was ruled out of action for six weeks following a muscle tear in his abdomen.But Misbah's squad have had a fine run in this series, which was also reflected in Wednesday's win when Sohail Tanvir regained his form to finish with a four-wicket haul and then Akmal stepped in to finish the run chase on a confident note.Dilshan, who has been woefully out of form himself, will be hoping to get back in what is his favourite form of the game, while the Lankans will once again depend on Kumar Sangakkara.Vice-captain Angelo Mathews impressed with both bat and ball in the final ODI and much of Sri Lanka's chances will depend on him. The Islanders will also be looking to Lasith Malinga and Mendis to provide some firepower with their pace and spin respectively.Squads:Pakistan: Misbah-ul Haq (capt), Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malek, Sarfraz Ahmad, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Gul, Aizaz Cheema, Sohail Tanvir, Asad Shafiq.Sri Lanka:Tillakaratne Dilshan (captain), Angelo Mathews, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kushal Janith Perera, Thisara Perera, Ajantha Mendis, Dilruwan Perera, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Kosala Kulasekera, Charmara Silva, Dimuth Karunaratne. AGENCIES

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Saeed Ajmal ranked number-one ODI bowler in the world

Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal has rocketed to the top of the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for ODI bowlers following an impressive series performance against Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates.Ajmal took 11 wickets at an average of just 16.27 and an economy-rate of less than 4.00 to help his side to a 4-1 series win. That effort won him five places on the latest rankings and puts him at the top, just ahead of two other spinner, Daniel Vettori of New Zealand and England's Graeme Swann.In what has proven to be a very successful series for members of the Pakistan attack, two other bowlers - Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Hafeez - have shot into the top 10 with Afridi now occupying seventh position and Hafeez one place further back.And it's not just the Pakistan bowlers who are making moves up the rankings. With an average of 53.66 for the series, Umar Akmal has gained six places on the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen and now sits in 11th spot. There is no change, however, in the top 10 of the batting chart with South Africa's Hashim Amla still leading the way followed by his team-mate AB de Villiers in second.

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Five Australia players unavailable for selection for first Test vs New Zealand

Cricket Australia has today advised that Shane Watson, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris and Pat Cummins will be unavailable for selection for the first Test against New Zealand starting at the Gabba on 1 December.The squad will be announced tomorrow.Cricket Australia General Manager Team Performance Pat Howard said:"We unfortunately suffered some injuries during the recent Test series against South Africa. With such a short turnaround time between series, five players who were involved in the series will not fully recover in time to play the first Test against New Zealand."Speaking about the individual players, Australia team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said:Ryan Harris"Ryan Harris is recovering from the pelvis injury that kept him out of the second Test against South Africa. He is making good progress but has not returned to bowling as yet and is therefore unavailable to play the first Test against New Zealand. A decision on his return to training will be made early next week and will determine his return to playing. Shane Watson "Shane Watson has not fully recovered from a hamstring strain sustained in the second Test against South Africa earlier this week. He is making good progress and will be reviewed next week to determine his availability." Shaun Marsh "Shaun Marsh has made significant progress from the back injury he sustained in South Africa. He has not returned to training as yet and will continue to have intensive treatment. We are hopeful that he will return to training sometime next week and possibly be available for selection for the second Test."Mitchell Johnson "Mitchell Johnson injured his left foot while batting in the second innings of the second Test against South Africa earlier this week. His foot was considerably swollen and painful after the game but he is showing early signs of improvement. He will not return to training in time to be fit for the Gabba. His return to training and playing will be clearer in coming days after he is assessed by a foot specialist in Perth and the swelling has had a chance to resolve." Pat Cummins "Pat Cummins experienced left heel pain towards the end of the second innings in his debut Test match. He had scans that have cleared him of any serious injury but we don?t expect that he will fully recover in time. He will be reviewed early next week to determine his workload plan for the summer.

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Ireland and Bangladesh secure ODI status

ICC Cricket : Hosts of the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier 2011, Bangladesh, today secured One-day International status for first time for its women's side after Salma Khatun's side beat USA in a low-scoring fixture.Meanwhile, Ireland defeated fellow European qualifier and ODI side Netherlands, to retain its ODI status - the result means that Netherlands has lost its ODI status for the women's side. Bangladesh and Ireland will now face-off on Saturday in the 5th/6th play-off for the tournament at BKSP* 2.In order for all the ODI-qualified sides to maintain its statuses it must play three ODIs and three T20Is in any 12 month period and the statuses will be reviewed at the next ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier ahead of the ICC Women's World Cup 2017.In the semi-final fixtures between the ICC Women's World Cup qualified sides - Pakistan defeated South Africa to secure a place in the final which will be played on Saturday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS).Facing Pakistan will be Merissa' Aguilleira's West Indies after the Americas side beat Sri Lanka in a high-scoring showdown at Khanshaheb Osman Ali Stadium by 58 runs.Sri Lanka will now play South Africa in the 3rd/4th play-off at KSOAS on Saturday.USA and Netherlands will now play each other on Saturday in the 7th/8th play-off at BKSP 3.At the most anticipated match of the day for the hosts, Bangladesh won the toss and Salma made the decision to send the USA into bat - a decision that paid off for the home side.Salma's bowlers proved difficult to score runs off. Doris Francis led from the front for the Americans, top scoring for the team with 23 runs, but the rest of the team struggled to make runs.In-form batter Shebani Bhaskar took 51 balls to make just 13 runs before she departed after being caught and bowled by Suktara Rahaman. Things didn't get much better for USA with Khadiza-Tul Kubra showing her great worth as a spin bowler - the 16-year-old claiming 4-20 in her allotted 10 overs.Kubra dismissed three of the USA's key middle-order batters, Durga Das, Nadia Gruny and Erica Rendler - tempting two of the three into striking the ball into the safe hands of Panna Ghosh and Suktara.Bangladesh's bowling once again proved the winner with the entire USA line-up being bowled out for just 78, but not before Francis' side had played some 47 overs.In response, Bangladesh lost a wicket early on after Ayesha Akhter was dismissed for just nine runs, the 27-year-old being declared leg-before off the bowling of Triholder Marshall. It was then up to Suktara and Fargana Pinky to secure another win for Bangladesh, in addition to a place in the fifth/sixth play-off and the ODI status for the first-ever time.A delighted Bangladesh captain, Salma said: "It feels fantastic to have gained ODI status and it means a lot for Bangladesh women's cricket, things can only get better from here."It was very much a team effort and hopefully we can continue this momentum and beat Ireland on Saturday in our first ODI and finish ninth in the global rankings.Salma's team coach, Mamatha Maben reiterated the team delight at gaining ODI status, "This is the culmination of three months of hard work with the women's side and it has paid off with us gaining ODI status for the country."There is now a minimum amount of cricket the team will have to play, which is great news for the women playing cricket here. I'm sure the BCB will continue its support of the women's game and things can only get better from here. I am very proud of how the whole side has played over the last few weeks and hopefully we can continue on this path and beat Ireland on Saturday," said Mamatha Maben, the Bangladesh coach.In the major European clash of the day at BKSP 3, Helmien Rambaldo's side took on old foes Ireland led by Isobel Joyce which would ultimately see one team walk away without its ODI status.Having won the toss, Rambaldo elected to bat first and the Dutch side managed to amass 139 in its 50 overs during an average bowling performance from the Irish side. Joyce's side gave away some 25 extras but also failed to bowl in the right areas to dismiss the Dutch for less in the first innings.Eimear Richardson claimed two wickets, but the 25-year-old gave away some 34 runs in the process, the most economical of the Irish bowlers being the young Elena Tice who claimed 1-22 in her 10 overs. The Dutch side never managed to get going and the innings never really took off.In response, Ireland's top order failed to fire, struggling against Kerry-Anne Tomlinson and Leonie Bennett and also laboured in reaching its target.That being said, Ireland still managed to finish proceedings off and retain its ODI status midway through the 32nd over. The side will now face Bangladesh in an ODI at BKSP 2 on Saturday.Joyce said: "Those were tough conditions today, the wicket got very slow and The Netherlands were able to take advantage of that with their slower bowlers. We aimed to retain ODI status today so I'm not too disappointed with the team's performance. That being said, we will have to improve if we are to beat Bangladesh and retain ninth place in the global rankings on Saturday."In the semi-final play-off at SBNCS, Pakistan created an upset, beating pre-tournament favourites South Africa. Having come into the tournament ranked fifth in the world, the South Africans are certain to drop down the global rankings after eighth placed Pakistan defeated the side by three wickets.South Africa put on one of its weakest performances in the field so far in the tournament, posting just 180 in its 50 overs, captain Mignon du Preez providing the most runs for the side. Asmavia Iqbal proved the pick of the Pakistani bowling attack as the fast bowler from Multan claimed three wickets for just 15 runs.Asmavia's run with the ball saw the 23-year-old dismiss opener Shandre Fritz, Kirstie Thomson and Sunette Loubser, while Pakistan showed its pace in the field as it ran out three of the South African middle-order.In reply, Pakistan played a patient innings to reach its target of 181, despite losing both Sana Mir and Nida Dar for ducks, the side ensured partnerships were made and Javeria Wadood's healthy contribution of 47 had the side well on its way to defeating Du Preez's team.Fittingly it was up to Asmavia, alongside Marina Iqbal to score the winning runs for Pakistan and secure it a place in the final of the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier. Win or lose, Pakistan are guaranteed a rise up the Reliance ICC Women's ODI Team Rankings at the conclusion of the tournament. Currently ranked eighth in the world, Sana's team can rise to either fifth or sixth in the global rankings.In the other semi-final, at Khanshaheb Osman Ali Stadium (KSOAS), West Indies took on Sri Lanka for a place in the final of the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier.West Indies took its time to get into the swing of things with the bat after winning the toss and electing to bat and it was a day for Stafanie Taylor, captain Merissa Aguilleira and top-scorer Deandra Dottin.Taylor took to the crease with her usual calm demeanour and to set the Americas side on its way to an impressive total of 235 for five in its 50 overs. Taylor provided early runs, but it was Dottin who put in the performance of the innings, the petite Barbadian hitting 73. Dottin has seen a return to form in this event after a dip in her batting prowess since she scored her maiden T20I century back in 2010 at the ICC Women's World Twenty20 in St Kitts.Aguilleira came down the order today but the batter from Trinidad didn't let that stop her scoring runs, finishing the innings at 52 not out.In reply, Sri Lanka's batters were always going to find it a tough task to chase down a high score and despite a valiant effort by opener Chamani Atthappathu of 47, the rest of the side failed to spark. Anisa Mohammed's off-spin proved key once again for the West Indies bowling attack, Mohammed claimed 3-29 and the important run-out of opener Yashoda Mendis. West Indies' unbeaten run in the tournament continued as Mohammed claimed the seventh wicket, top order batter Inoka Galagedara who came in down the order today and some tight bowling and fielding from the athletic side ensured that by the time the 50th over arrived Sri Lanka were still 58 runs short of the target, despite having wickets in hand.The victory will see West Indies play Pakistan on Saturday in the 1st/2nd play-off, as previously stated, the victor of the match will claim fifth place in the Reliance ICC Women's ODI Team Rankings which is currently topped by England.Tomorrow is a rest day, with the final matches being played on Saturday, fixtures are listed below.

Upcoming fixtures:


26 November


ODI - Pakistan v West Indies – 1st/2nd play-off - SBNCS

ODI – South Africa v Sri Lanka – 3rd/4th play-off – KSOAS

ODI – Bangladesh v Ireland – 5th/6th play-off – BKSP 2

50-over match – USA v Netherlands – 7th/8th play-off – BKSP 3


Scores in brief – Semi-finals day


At Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (ODI)

South Africa 180-9, 50 overs (Du Preez 41; Asmavia 3-15)

Pakistan 181-7, 47.5 overs (Javeria 47, Marina 28 not out, Asmavia 22 not out; Loubser 2-22)

Pakistan won by three wickets

Player of the Match: Asmavia Iqbal (Pak)


At Khanshaheb Osman Ali Stadium (ODI)

West Indies 235-5, 50 overs (Taylor 58, Dottin 73, Aguilleira 52 not out; Ranasinghe 2-31)

Sri Lanka 177-7, 50 overs (Attappathu 56; Mohammed 3-29)

West Indies won by 58 runs

Player of the Match: Deandra Dottin (WI)


At BKSP 2 – ODI status play-off

USA 78 all out, 47.3 overs (Francis 23; Kubra 4-20)

Bangladesh 79-1, 18.5 overs (Suktara 29, Pinky 27)

Bangladesh won by nine wickets

Player of the Match: Khadiza Tul Kubra (Bang)


At BKSP 3 (ODI)

Netherlands 139-9, 50 overs (Tomlinson 34; Richardson 2-34)

Ireland 140-6, 32.3 overs (Whelan 27, Richardson 22)

Ireland won by four wickets

Player of the Match: Eimear Richardson (Ire)

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Saeed Ajmal tops ICC ODI bowlers list

DUBAI : Pakistan’s spin bowler Saeed Ajmal has topped the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) ODI bowlers ranking at the end of Pakistan-Sri Lanka series that ended with Pakistan’s 4-1 victory. Saeed Ajmal took 11 wickets in the 5-match series. Pakistan has strengthened its no. 5 ranking in the ODI list. Ajmal grabbed that position from New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori who has retired from ODI and T20 after the World Cup 2011.Shahid Afridi has secured no. 7 slot, Mohammad Hafeez no. 8 while Mohammad Hafeez is at no. 3 and Afridi no. 4 in All Rounder category.No Pakistani batsmen could make to the top-ten batting list

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(ICC) President and India’s Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawa

NEW DELHI : International Cricket Council (ICC) President and India’s Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar was slapped by a man in New Delhi.According to Indian media: “The man identified as Harvinder Singh slapped Pawar shouting slogans against price rise and corruption cases. He has been arrested by the police and taken to Parliament Street Police Station”.On being asked why he slapped the minister, he said that he was tired of scams in the country. Speaking agitatedly, he also said he did not not do it for publicity and added, "I would have killed him if I had my kripan today."After slapping Pawar, Singh also brandished a small knife and threatened to kill politicians accused of being involved in corruption cases. He also said that he was not worried about the consequences

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Windies all out for 590 in third India Test

MUMBAI : The West Indies were bowled out for 590 in their first innings on the third morning of the third and final Test against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.The tourists added 15 runs off 3.1 overs to their overnight total of 575-9 before off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin bowled Devendra Bishoo to finish with 5-156

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Shakib Al Hasan on the ICC WWCQ 2011 and the upcoming series against Pakistan

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Bravo ton takes Windies to mammoth total

MUMBAI : Darren Bravo continued his dream run with a third century in four Tests to help the West Indies post a mammoth 575-9 on the second day of the third and final Test against India on Wednesday.Bravo, cousin of former West Indies batting great Brian Lara, dominated the Indian attack with a superb 166 as the tourists scored 308 runs on a batsmen's day after resuming at 267-2.Kieran Powell (81), who replaced injured batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, and Marlon Samuels (61) also made merry on a batting track at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.The West Indies' batting flourished for a second successive day, with the top-six batsmen all scoring a half-century or more only the fifth instance in the history of Test cricket.The left-handed pair of Bravo and Powell consolidated their team's position with a 160-run stand for the fourth wicket to virtually shatter India's hopes of making a clean sweep.The hosts lead 2-0 in the series after winning the opening Test in New Delhi by five wickets and the second match in Kolkata by an innings and 15 runs.Powell hit nine fours in his second half-century in four Tests before being caught behind off spinner Pragyan Ojha while Bravo became debutant seamer Varun Aaron's first Test victim, caught behind while attempting to drive.The day belonged to Bravo, whose superb run in Test cricket began in Bangladesh where he scored 195 in Dhaka for his maiden hundred in his team's series-clinching victory early this month.The 22-year-old then cracked a brilliant 136 against India in the last innings of the previous Test in Kolkata before scoring a second successive hundred on Wednesday.Bravo, 57 overnight, completed his century in the morning with an aggressive shot when he square-drove off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for a boundary. He hit 17 fours in his 284-ball knock.It was another frustrating day for India on a pitch offering no help to bowlers as they could take just two wickets in the opening two sessions, with paceman Ishant Sharma and Ojha bagging one each.India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni also pressed part-timers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag into the attack in a desperate bid to break the Bravo-Powell stand before Aaron struck thrice in four overs in the evening.Aaron also bowled Carlton Baugh (four) and had skipper Darren Sammy (three) caught by wicket-keeper Dhoni, who took five catches.He nearly got another wicket but Dhoni missed a difficult chance off Samuels when the batsman was on 46.Sharma was rewarded for his hard work in the opening session when he had Kirk Edwards (86) caught behind with a delivery that moved away.Edwards, 65 overnight, looked set for his third century in six Tests as he began on an impressive note, flicking and pulling Aaron for two fours in the opening hour.He hit 13 fours in his 165-ball knock and added 164 for the third wicket with Bravo.

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Pakistan take ODI series 4-1 against Sri Lanka

ABU DHABI: Pakistan completed the five-match series with a 4-1 victory against Sri Lanka to strengthen their fifth position at the ICC Rankings.Chasing 219 runs, they completed the three-wicket win with 16 balls to spare in the final One-day International when young Umar Akmal hit the winning boundary here at the Sheikh Zayad Stadium on Wednesday.Umar Akmal remained not out on 61 while captain Misbah-ul-Haq top scored with 66.

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Misbah hopes for resumption of Pakistan-India Tests

ABU DHABI : Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq expressed his hope Tuesday that there could soon be a resumption of Test matches between his country and India, stalled after the terrorists attacks on Mumbai in 2008."Of course, we'd like to play against India," Misbah said. "It's a very important series for both players and fans.""It's always good fun to play in these contests. The interest is high, I hope it happens because for all fans and players it is a good occasion.Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Zaka Ashraf is due to meet Narayan Srinivasan, his counterpart in India's Board of Control for Cricket in India, in Chennai early next month to discuss the possibility of a resumption of ties sooner than later.Both countries are slated to play in International Cricket Council (ICC) Future Tours Programme but are hard pressed to find a slot because of India's hectic schedule.Misbah, speaking here ahead of Pakistan's fifth and final one-day international against Sri Lanka on Wednesday with an unassailable 3-1 lead, said the current Pakistan team was more mature than the one which lost to India in the Cricket ODI World Cup semi-final in March."That World Cup team wasn't so different to this side, maybe one or two changes," he said. "That also had teamwork and commitment in it."But this team is now more mature than before, we've won a few series since then and the confidence grows the more the you win."If these performnances continue and these players stay together, then definitely we can get better. It looks more improved basically because it has more experience.Misbah said his team would not ease off going into their final ODI against Sri Lanka."We want to win every game we play. The series win had its own importance but Wednesday's game we will play like a series decider, or the first match," said Misbah.If Pakistan take the series 4-1, they will jump to fifth in ICC one-day rankings, relegating England to sixth and Misbah said that was one of the goals.Of course to improve our rankings is a team goal. We have been playing for the last 18 months and through that we want to improve our ranking," said Misbah, whose team has won 22 of their last 33 one-day matches.Sri Lanka will be without their ace batsman Mahela Jayawardene who returned home after aggravating a knee injury. He is replaced by Chamara Silva

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Defiant Asif files appeal against conviction, sentence

LONDON: Cricketer Muhammad Asif has launched an appeal against his conviction and sentence after changing his legal defence team, can disclose.It can be confirmed that prominent defence Barrister Ravi Sukul of Balham Chambers, South London, has been instructed by Muhammad Asif to represent him in all matters that relate to the cricketer’s appeal against conviction  sentence Speaking exclusively to this correspondent, Ravi Sukul could only confirm that Balham Chambers will be responsible for the preparation and presentation of Asif's appeal against conviction & sentence. “My professional services would be provided under the Bar Council’s Direct Access rules. That means that there is no requirement for me to be instructed by a solicitor. I am solely responsible for all matters that relate to the appeal,” he added, confirming that appeal documentation has been filed with the Criminal Appeals Office at the Court of Appeal. Asif’s appeal hearing will be delayed by a short period by reason of the change of his legal representatives.This scribe expects the basis of Asif’s appeal would include the argument that the Judge may have fallen into error in some of the rulings he made during the trial. Other grounds would be filed in support of Asif’s appeal. Whilst the grounds of appeal are confidential at the time of this publication, they are expected to released in due course.The News/Geo has been reliably informed that Mrs. Savita Sukul, the principal solicitor and proprietor of SJS Solicitors in South London, has been instructed to act for, and represent Muhammad Asif in his immigration matters. Mrs Sukul has confirmed that she has been instructed by the fast bowler.The News has learnt that UK visas held by Muhammad Asif and Salman Butt have expired. Technically, they both could face deportation to Pakistan at the completion of their prison term. Any such application,learnt, would be met with formidable legal arguments from Asif’s representatives.A source told The News that Asif has already spoken to his new legal team and a meeting was held recently at Canterbury prison where he is in custody with Salman Butt.Mrs Sukul’s law firm SJS Solicitors is completely independent of Balham Chambers who are dealing with Mr Asif’s criminal appeal. SJS Solicitors are in conduct of Mr Asif’s immigration matters only. It is anticipated that the two legal services providers will engage in professional co-operation in the best interests of their mutual client

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Windies batsmen keep India at bay

MUMBAI : In-form Kirk Edwards and Darren Bravo capped an impressive West Indies batting performance with unbeaten half-centuries on the opening day of the third and final Test against India on Tuesday Edwards (65 not out) and left-handed Bravo (57 not out) put on 117 for the unfinished third-wicket stand as the West Indies reached 267-2 at stumps in their first innings at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.The tourists suffered a setback even before the first ball had been bowled when key batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul was ruled out of the Test due to a calf injury.But the West Indies made the most of winning the toss on a good batting track, with teenager Kraigg Brathwaite (68) and Adrian Barath (62) adding 137 for the opening wicket to give their team a solid start.Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin removed the well-set openers in four overs in the afternoon session, but there was no respite for India as Edwards and Bravo executed attractive shots.India took the second new ball in the 85th over, but failed to break the Edwards-Bravo stand.Edwards, who scored a century on Test debut against India in Dominica in July, extended his impressive run in Test cricket as he has so far made two hundreds and three half-centuries in six matches.He has so far hit 10 fours in his 117-ball knock in the ongoing Test.Bravo, who cracked a brilliant 136 in the last Test in Kolkata, was lucky to survive on 33 when he was dropped by Rahul Dravid at lone slip off left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha. He hit seven fours in his seventh Test half-century.India struggled for success on a first-day pitch which had little in it for the bowlers as they went wicketless in the opening and last sessions.The hosts had to wait for more than three hours for their first wicket, with Ashwin having Barath caught behind. Barath, who scored 62 in the last match, hit eight fours in his second successive Test half-century.Ashwin struck again when he removed Brathwaite, with Virat Kohli holding a bat-pad catch at forward short-leg. Brathwaite cracked eight fours in his third Test half-century.Brathwaite, who turns 19 next month, was dropped on 57 by Venkatsai Laxman at backward short-leg off Ashwin, but failed to capitalise on the chance as he could add only 11 more runs.The West Indies openers batted patiently in the morning, with Barath playing some handsome shots especially against Aaron and Ishant Sharma in the opening hour.Barath fluently drove Aaron through the covers and turned him to fine-leg for fours before cover-driving Sharma for another boundary.He continued to punish loose deliveries, cutting and driving Ashwin for two fours in an over.The hosts lead 2-0 in the series after winning the opening Test in New Delhi by five wickets and the second match in Kolkata by an innings and 15 runs.The West Indies made two changes from the side that played in the last Test as they brought in batsman Kieran Powell and paceman Ravi Rampaul in place of Chanderpaul and Kemar Roach.

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