Kerala holds upper hand going into the last day

After being forced to follow on, 190 runs behind, Goa made a good start intheir second innings, scoring 111 for one at stumps on the third day of theSouth Zone Ranji Trophy league match against Kerala at the Jawaharlal Nehrustadium in Kochi on Friday.Starting the day at 86/2 in reply to Kerala’s first innings score of 370,Goa added only six more runs to the total when Yeshwant Barde was given outlbw to Tinu Yohannan for 43. In the following over Sreekumar Nair bowledTanveer Jabbar for a second ball duck. When Ajay Kudua caught SatyajitMedappa for 34 of the bowling of Sreekumar Nair, Goa were reeling at 122/5.Kerala captain KN Ananthapadmanabhan (3/49) and Renjith Menon (2/10) ranthrough the Goa second half as they lost their last five wickets for 58runs. Goa were asked to follow on for the first time in the Ranji Trophyagainst Kerala as their first innings came to an end at 180.In their second innings, the Goa batsmen applied themselves admirably tofinish the day in a good position. Though Goa lost Barde early in theirinnings, Satyajit Medappa compiled a patient half century, his first of theseason and he came through unbeaten on 63 with Vivek Kolambkar giving himcompany on 32.

Journalist bemoans Wolves contract latest

The situation surrounding Romain Saiss and Joao Moutinho’s Wolves deals expiring is ‘not ideal’, admits journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Saiss and Moutinho out of contract

Wanderers have had a number of key players hit top form this season, as Bruno Lage’s side continue to push for a European finish, despite their recent dip.

Saiss and Moutinho have been the two experienced heads of Wolves’ team, making 48 Premier League starts combined and producing consistently strong performances.

Both players are out of contract at the end of this season, however, and there is no news over whether or not they will extend their stays at Molineux.

The Latest: Journalist bemoans situation

Speaking to Give Me Sport, O’Rourke admitted the situation regarding the two Wolves heroes is not the healthiest:

“It’s an interesting one. Wolves have let their contracts run down, which is not ideal.”

[freshpress-quiz id=“388797″]

The Verdict: Short-terms offers?

At 31 and 35, respectively, there is no denying that Saiss and Moutinho are in the autumn of their respective careers, but they have shown how influential they remain this season.

For that reason, offering both players a short-term extension on their current contracts makes perfect sense, with their experience invaluable in and around the squad.

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To lose both Saiss and Moutinho at the same time would feel like a big blow to Lage, especially if European football does come to Molineux next season, when nous and knowledge of top-level football will be required.

In other news, a journalist has talked up the future of one Wolves player. Find out who it is here.

Sri Lankan spin king returns to haunt Pakistan

Muttiah Muralitharan returns to haunt Pakistan when they face Sri Lanka in the final of the Asian Test Championship on a seamers’ friendly track at the Gaddafi Stadium from Wednesday.The spinner was the force behind Sri Lanka’s four victories in the last six Tests in Pakistan when he captured nearly 40 wickets. “He is a world class spinner and there is no denying the fact that all the teams are scared of him. His presence means pressure on everyone but then again he is just one,” Pakistan captain Waqar Younis said.”We have to cope with Muralitharan and play very carefully. But I wouldn’t say he is a threat. But yes, he has been bowling well and has the capacity to turn even on glass,” Waqar said.Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya piled on more psychological pressure on Pakistan when he said he was not counting on Muralitharan alone. “Chaminda [Vaas], Nuwan [Zoysa] and Bhuddika [Fernando] are also there and they are bowling excellently,” Jayasuriya said.Muralitharan was virtually seen smelling the wicket to have a feel of the conditions after being disallowed to inspect the pitch. But Jayasuriya and Whatmore had a closer look at the strip and should have gathered all the needed information for the maestro.Going by the current form of Pakistan batsmen, it appears they will have a real job in hand. Against Test greenhorns Bangladesh and the spent force West Indies, now the whipping boys of international cricket, Pakistan batsmen failed to live upto expectations. Had there not been a rearguard action, led by Rashid Latif, there might have been a different story to tell than to write, at least against the Caribbeans.Pakistan’s best batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq is badly out of form while it was still unclear who will be opening the innings. Younis Khan has been scoring some runs but his technique against a quality bowler like Muralitharan is yet to be seen. That leaves Yousuf Youhana as the batsman Pakistan would be looking to play a big innings he is very well capable of. Youhana has blossomed into a brilliant batsman who has time and again carried the innings on his shoulders.There are no two opinions that Youhana was the best batsman for Pakistan in the three-Test series in 2000 and almost pulled victory from the jaws of defeat at Peshawar with a defiant 80 odd. A cruel leg before decision ruined Pakistan hopes in the end.A green top wicket has been prepared for the match and chief curator Mohammad Bashir is confident that it would support the seamers as it had a rock-solid base. But Waqar dismissed impressions that such a wicket had been prepared to counter the brilliance of Muralitharan.”The wicket has been prepared according to our strength. I believe bowling remains our strong point. Although I am the only experienced bowler, Mohammad Sami and Shoaib Akhtar have been bowling well,” he said without ruling out the possibility of going into the match with a four-pace attack.Waqar agreed that it was the clear test of his team’s character despite going into the Test with a six-win record. “Although I believe the opponents were not that much though, we had to go out in the field and beat them,” Waqar said. “It would require a sheer hard work to compete against a team like Sri Lanka and I think it will be a fantastic game,” he added.Sri Lanka too had a good home season last year when they won eight successive Tests. They beat India 2-0 before whitewashing West Indies and Zimbabwe. “Both Sri Lanka and Pakistan had a good run upto the final. And I do hope that it will be a good game,” Jayasuriya said.Pakistan and India reached the final after canning minnows Bangladesh in the league matches. The round match between the two teams was scrapped as it would have had no bearing on the final.The tournament went ahead after India pulled out after being drawn to play Pakistan at Lahore between Sept 12 and 16. The competition was devalued to an extent but Waqar said: “Who knows if India had participated, even then Sri Lanka and Pakistan would have qualified for the final.”I think the two best Asian Test sides are competing in the final. It would have been nice if India had competed in the event, nevertheless,” he said. In case of no result the trophy would be shared as first innings lead would not decide the fate of the game.Teams (to be selected from):Sri Lanka: Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Russel Arnold, Hashan Tillakaratne, Thilan Samaraweera, Chaminda Vaas, Bhuddika Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Nuwan Zoysa, Upal Chandana, Tillakarante Dilshan, Dulip Liyange.Pakistan: Waqar Younis (captain), Taufiq Umer, Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Abdur Razzaq, Rashid Latif, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Shoaib Malik, Saqlain Mushtaq, Faisal Iqbal, Mohammd Zahid.Umpires: Daryl Harper (Australia), Athar Zaidi (Pakistan).Tv Umpire: Saleem Badar.Match Referee: Justice Ahmed Ebrahem (Zimbabwe).

Symonds special seals the series

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Andrew Symonds combined brute power and masterly timing during his sixth ODI hundred © Getty Images

Riled by the behaviour of some of the Indian cricketers and the crowd in Vadodara, Andrew Symonds channelled his ire to hit the Indians where it hurt most, with a glorious 82-ball century which inspired Australia to a series-sealing victory with a match to spare. Just for good measure, he added a nearly immaculate spell of offspin as Australia staved off a 140-run partnership between Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, and a thrilling late flourish from Robin Uthappa to clinch an 18-run triumph.Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting had established the perfect platform with a dazzling 96-run partnership, and with Brad Haddin and James Hopes providing invaluable support, Symonds combined brute power and masterly timing to utterly destroy the Indian attack. Hopes cut and drove superbly as the pair added 90 from just 9.4 overs to wrest control.But there was never any doubt as to who was the main man, with Symonds providing a lesson in late-overs batsmanship. Murali Kartik had been outstanding in his first spell, giving away just 15 from seven overs, but even he was a helpless bystander as Symonds clubbed one over the roof of the temporary stand at midwicket before coolly lofting over long-on for six more.He followed up with a late cut, just to show that he could do finesse as well, and it was with the deftest of dabs off Irfan Pathan that he got to three figures. His coiled-spring-unleashed celebrations left no one in any doubt as to how much it meant after the events of the past few days.

Robin Uthappa’s improvisation towards the end kept India in the hunt © Getty Images

When it was India’s turn to tilt at a 318-run windmill, Tendulkar and Ganguly reeled off a 26th century stand, giving India hope of a first successful run-chase against Australia in nearly a decade. The turning point was undoubtedly Tendulkar’s dismissal after a magnificent 72, smartly stumped by Gilchrist off Hopes.Brad Hogg’s left-arm variations then fetched him four wickets, and when Rahul Dravid holed out to long-on, India’s chances appeared non-existent, with 100 needed from 57 balls. But Uthappa laced some stunning drives and lofted with Twenty20 panache as he and MS Dhoni rattled off 72 from just 46 balls, leaving India 28 to get from the last two overs.The door was ajar, but Mitchell Johnson, the five-wicket hero in Vadodara, soon plunged the ground into darkness, with an ice-cool maiden. Uthappa’s 28-ball 44 ended with a superb tumbling catch by Hopes, while Dhoni’s attempt to maim the man on the moon ended up in Ponting’s safe hands. The capacity crowd, so buoyant moments earlier, was stunned into silence.They had cheered themselves hoarse for three hours. After the embarrassing display in Vadodara, it was Ganguly who was the first to announce intent, with a sliced drive off Johnson, and a quite glorious extra-cover drive off Brett Lee. Lee came in for some stick, with Tendulkar taking three consecutive fours off him. It mattered little to the capacity crowd that one was a top edge and the other off the bat’s outer.Both men played some lovely shots through the covers, and Tendulkar produced one trademark stroke down the ground as India more than kept up with the asking rate. When Ganguly charged down the pitch to heave Nathan Bracken for six, Ponting sensed that it was time to slow things down. On came Symonds, and down went the rate, with neither batsman able to pierce the field.They had more success against Hogg, though, with Tendulkar getting to his 50 courtesy of a huge six over midwicket. Ganguly wasn’t far behind either, lofting Hogg over long-on, and it was clear that India weren’t about to exit the series quietly.

Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly got India off to a strong start © Getty Images

Tendulkar’s exit slowed Ganguly down, and it was left to Pathan to inject some momentum with some clean hits down the ground. But when he cut Hogg to point, the rot set in. Ganguly, who was again in sight of an elusive century, fell to a catch in the deep, while Yuvraj Singh was cleaned up by a full toss that struck him flush on the pad.India’s spin element had dragged them back into the game after Ponting and Gilchrist had unleashed mayhem. Michael Clarke, opening in place of the injured Matthew Hayden, was snaffled by Dhoni down the leg side in the first over, but India’s new-ball pairing of Sreesanth and Zaheer Khan came in for a real hammering as the pair carried on in the same vein as they had finished in Vadodara.Ponting set the tone by glancing the first ball he faced for four, and when he then crunched Zaheer over midwicket for six, it was clear that circumspection would have little role to play in the Australian approach. At the other end, Gilchrist cut and drove Sreesanth for fours, but was then reprieved as Dravid failed to hold on to a chance high to his left at gully.Gilchrist was on 16 at the time, and he soon made India pay with three fours in a Sreesanth over. Dhoni was forced to turn to Pathan and he nearly provided the breakthrough, squaring up Ponting, only to see the edge go through where slip would have been. Harbhajan was on as early as the 13th over and Gilchrist was on to him immediately, driving and cutting for fours, but Harbhajan had his moment in the next over, when Ponting’s prod at one that straightened was superbly pouched by Dravid at slip.Gilchrist got to his half-century in just 46 balls, but then slammed the next straight to cover, and after a couple of fine sweeps, Brad Hodge’s wretched tour continued, with Dravid taking the catch at slip off Kartik’s bowling. Then came the key moment.Had Sreesanth latched on to a difficult chance running in from deep square leg when Symonds had made just 2, Australia’s plight would have been immeasurably worse. Instead, as they had in the rain-affected series opener at Bangalore, Symonds and Haddin lifted Australia towards a huge total, after a cautious phase against Kartik and Tendulkar.After his initial success, Harbhajan went for plenty, with Symonds using his feet beautifully to counter the turn. The partnership was worth 75 when Haddin miscued Sreesanth to mid-off, but that would be the last moment of cheer for India in the field. Hopes came in, and India’s sank, with Symonds jubilant at having dealt the most painful blows of all.

Afridi and Nazir left out of ODI squad

Shahid Afridi, with 114 runs from 17 matches this year, did not make the 14-man one-day squad © AFP

Pakistan have left out Shahid Afridi from the 14-man squad announced forthe first ODI against the West Indies. Shahid Nazir, despite impressing through the Test series, has also not been considered, alongside Faisal Iqbal and Samiullah Khan Niazi.Afridi has been in desperately poor form through the year managing just114 runs from 17 matches at an average of just over eight. His 14 wicketshave also come at a relatively high cost. Younis Khan will lead the teamin Rawalpindi in place of Inzamam-ul-Haq, who will be serving the finalpart a four-match ban for his part in The Oval Test fiasco in August thisyear. “He hasn’t performed so well domestically,” Wasim Bari, the chairman of selectors told Cricinfo. “But the door is open always and he can do well on the domestic circuit and make a comeback.”Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, overlooked for the ongoing Test series, has beenrecalled, alongside Danish Kaneria, Yasir Hameed and Mohammad Sami. Thelatter three were not in the squad for the Champions Trophy in India inOctober.Bari said that Kaneria was selected keeping in mind the team’s future commitments in South Africa and the World Cup. “Anil Kumble has been successful in South Africa and we are going there soon so he might be a handy option in the ODI series there.”The West Indies have already announced their one-day squad with CoreyCollymore, Fidel Edwards, Daren Ganga and Omari Banks returning home afterthe Test series. Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Smith and Ian Bradshaw havearrived as replacements.The first in the five-match series will be played in Rawalpindi onDecember 5, followed by the second at Faisalabad (Dec 7), third in Lahore(Dec 10), fourth at Multan (Dec 13) and the final game in Karachi (Dec16).Squad: Younis Khan (capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed,Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Yousuf, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Rao Iftikhar,Umar Gul, Mohammad Sami, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Danish Kaneria, AbdulRehman.

Zimbabwe facing crisis as stakeholders revolt

Peter Chingoka: facing another crisis © Getty Images

Zimbabwe cricket was heading towards another crisis after the provincial associations passed a vote of no confidence on the Peter Chingoka-led Zimbabwe Cricket board at an emergency meeting in Harare on Friday night.The meeting at the Old Hararians club was attended by chairmen of Masvingo, Manicaland, Matabeleland, Midlands, Matabelaland Country Districts, Mashonaland Country Districts and Mashonaland, as well as players’ representatives.However, Mashonaland, the most influential single province, who are themselves embroiled in an internal power struggle, were represented by Cyprian Mandenge, who leads the pro-ZC board faction, and Elvis Sembezeya who heads the anti-ZC board faction. As a result, the two did not have a say in the proceedings.The other six provincial associations passed a vote of no-confidence in the national board, and that motion will be communicated to Malcolm Speed, the ICC chief executive, on Monday. They also demanded the appointment of a forensic auditor to investigate the board’s finances amid growing reports of irregularities.The result of the vote is that Zimbabwe Cricket will almost certainly have to call a special general meeting within 21 days to hear the views of all stakeholders. However, in a bid to avert the potential embarrassment of a no-confidence motion being passed then, ZC have announced the creation of five new provinces – Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Matabaleleand South and Matabeleland North – despite the fact that critics claim there is precious little cricket played in these regions.The new provinces are likely to vote in favour of the existing regime. One, Mashonaland West, already have an executive – Themba Mliswa. He is a well-known figure and was described as a pro-Mugabe activist who has been involved in activities close to the ruling Zanu-PF party.According to a source at the club on Friday, Mliswa interrupted proceedings and claimed that he had been sent by the state security department to call it off as it was an illegally convened meeting of the opposition MDC party. It seems that word of his likely disruption was leaked in advance and local police were on site to remove him.Earlier in the day an emergency ZC board meeting did not take place after thedirectors once again failed to constitute a quorum as signs of cracks grew deeper.Most board members failed to turn up for the meeting on Friday in a move insiders said was a protest against the way some executives have been unilaterally making unpopular decisions. The sources say there has been internal divergence in ZC against the selection process used to choose three new directors appointed on the ZC board this week. Wilson Manase, a lawyer, Charlie Robertson, chairman of Mashonaland Country Districts, and Tavengwa Mukuhlani, the controversial former chairman of the Mashonaland Cricket Association, were appointed to the board this week, replacing ZC managing director Ozias Bvute, and former directors Hemant Patel and Rick Pettipher.This latest showdown follows weeks of player unrest over contracts and the dismissal of Phil Simmons as national coach. Three cricketers – Heath Streak, Stuart Carlisle and Craig Wishart – have announced their retirement in the last month while others have made clear their deep unease with the way the national game is being administered.On the field, a sequence of dismal results were capped this week when an almost full-strength Zimbabwe A side were whitewashed 3-0 in Harare by Kenya.

New Zealand lose Franklin to groin injury

Brett Lee faces another Test match away from the action© Getty Images

James Franklin, the left-arm fast bowler, has been ruled out of the first Test against Australia with a groin injury that has upset New Zealand’s preparations for the two-match series. Franklin complained about the strain in the final build-up to the match, which starts tomorrow, and his absence forced a late reshuffle with Kyle Mills coming in and Ian Butler missing out.The coach John Bracewell said Franklin would have been a certain starter and his withdrawal influenced the selection of Mills. “We want to have at least one swing bowler as Brisbane is one of the few places in Australia where you get the opportunity to swing the ball,” he said. “It will be about taking the opportunity to pick up a couple of wickets with a swinging ball against a team that goes hard at the bowling.”As expected Craig McMillan, a late addition to the tour as cover for Stephen Fleming and Nathan Astle, will replace Hamish Marshall. Marshall scored a half-century in his only Test innings in Bangladesh, but Bracewell said McMillan was preferred because of his experience. “McMillan’s selection gives us someone who is battle hardened for a Test match of such magnitude,” he said. “What it really came down to was the small mental things – the fact that Craig has been there and done that. The added bonus of a few overs may help.”Brett Lee’s time in the dressing room has been extended after he was named 12th man. But Lee, who was used only as a substitute fielder in the India series, will be released from the 12-man squad to play for New South Wales in the ING Cup against Victoria in Melbourne on Sunday.Ricky Ponting said it was important that Lee was given the opportunity to bowl for his state. “Brett’s knocking on the door and is fitter, stronger and lighter than he’s ever been,” Ponting said. “The more overs he has under his belt the better he’s going to be.” Lee will stay with the Test team for the first two days.With Shane Warne coming back after a broken finger, the bowling attack is the same one that led Australia to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. “The guys in the side deserve to be there and you can’t fault for one second the work of Michael Kasprowicz in both forms of the game,” Ponting said. “Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillepsie are the same.”Ponting said he was confident Darren Lehmann would be mentally ready after giving evidence on Monday at the trial of a hotel bouncer charged with the manslaughter of David Hookes. “I brought it up at a team meeting and it’s been a tough couple of days,” he said. “But seeing Darren you’d have thought there was nothing different.”Australia 1 Matthew Hayden, 2 Justin Langer, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Damien Martyn, 5 Darren Lehmann, 6 Michael Clarke, 7 Adam Gilchrist (wk), 8 Shane Warne, 9 Jason Gillespie, 10 Michael Kasprowicz, 11 Glenn McGrath.New Zealand 1 Mark Richardson, 2 Mathew Sinclair, 3 StephenFleming (capt), 4 Scott Styris, 5 Nathan Astle, 6 Craig McMillan, 7 JacobOram, 8 Brendon McCullum (wk), 9 Daniel Vettori, 10 Kyle Mills, 11 Chris Martin.

Hutt Valley junior draw for Saturday

The Hutt Valley Junior Cricket draw for November 22 is:All games start at 8.30 amUnder 14: Hutt Cutters v Petone Sellwood, Petone 4; Hutt Doolan v U H Goodwin, Te Whiti 1; U H Ingham v Taita, TMP 1; U H Whiteford v Petone Goldsbury, Petone 3Under 12: U H Walklin v Hutt van Baarle Construction, Te Whiti 2; Petone Walker v U H Cole, Petone 2; S V Thompson v U H Morris, TMP 2; Tokelau v Hutt Richardson, Te Whiti 6; Wainui Sharks v Naenae, R Prouse 1; E’bourne Bodie v Hutt St P & P, WellesleyColl; Hutt Vodafone v Hutt Narasy, Trafalgar; S V Red v Hutt Shaw, Delaney 3AUnder 11: U H Blue v Hutt Patterson, TMP 4; U H Red v Hutt Pawson, Fraser 6A; Hutt Spiers Finance v Wainui Steelers, R Prouse 2; Taita v Hutt Hilligan, Fraser 2; Hutt Mackie v E’bourne Withers, Te Whiti 4; Naenae byeUnder 10: Hutt Coyle v Wainui Gold, Fraser 5A; Naenae v S Valley, Naenae 2; Hutt Laing v E’bourne Hampton, H W ShorttUnder 9: E’bourne Bielby v Hutt Classic Hits 90 FM, Bishop 1; Hutt Serci v Petone Panthers, Fraser 4; E’bourne Gordon v Petone Lawrence, Fraser 7A; Hutt Ravi v E’bourne Simon, Hutt 2; Hutt Green v Taita, Fraser 3Under 8: Hutt Red v Hutt Baird, Hutt 5; S Valley v E’bourne Healy, Bishop 2; Tokelau v Hutt Webster, Bishop 3; Naenae Ryan v Wainui Royles, R Prouse 4; Taita v Naenae de Jonge, Naenae 1; Hutt Gandhi v Wainui Tigers, B Heath 1Kiwi: Hutt AyJay v Hutt Azad, Hutt 7; Petone Tigers v Hutt Neutrons, Petone 1; Hutt Borthwick v Wainui Broadhurst, B Heath 2; E’bourne Skene v Hutt Stirling, Hutt 6; E’bourne Barrett bye

Niranjan Shah: It is very unlikely that we will host the ICC KnockOut

The fate of the International Cricket Council (ICC) KnockOut, continues to hang in the balance as the date for a final decision draws near. It was initially proposed that India host the tournament, one of the flagship competitions of the ICC, a veritable ‘mini-World Cup’. For a host of reasons however, it seems more and more unlikely that the tournament will be played in India as planned.Speaking to CricInfo from his office in Rajkot, Niranjan Shah, honorary secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said, “It is very unlikely that we will be able to hold the tournament as first proposed. We have withdrawn from hosting the event, but there is still a small chance that we might be able host the event.”The BCCI had withdrawn from hosting the event because the Indian government had refused to give the board the tax breaks it required to conduct the event in a profitable manner. “We have written to the government asking for tax exemption, but have not heard from them. Without the tax exemption, the tournament is financially not viable to the BCCI,” said Shah. He however re-iterated that the BCCI was keen to see the tournament progress as scheduled. “We have been in touch with the ICC too and I believe they have also approached the Indian government in connection with this matter,” he explained.The Indian government, however, does not seem at all receptive to the pleas of the Board. There is a growing feeling among the powers that be, that the world’s richest national cricket board has already got all the breaks it needs. Understandably, Shah is not at all optimistic on the chances of the government doing a volte-face in this regard.”I don’t think the government will change its mind in time. With the date for the tournament fast approaching the ICC will have to take a decision on the matter soon,” he began. “You see, we can’t give the government any ultimatums. The board cannot tell the government to take a decision by such-and-such date,” he said.The secretary added, “The ICC is considering several alternatives, with Sri Lanka, Sharjah and Australia being the main contenders.” Although he would not commit to a particular venue, Shah suggested that Sri Lanka were the front runners at the moment.Apart from all the complications regarding tax exemptions, there have been serious security concerns surrounding a tour of India. With the situation at the India-Pakistan border escalating considerably, several teams have expressed reservations about playing in India and Pakistan.

Yashpal Sharma benefit: Kapil's XI wins by five runs

The Yashpal Sharma benefit match played in New Delhi on Wednesday between Kapil’s XI and Tendulkar’s XI was a welcome change after the recent match fixing scandal as a number of Indian cricket stars, past and present, picked up the willow to do what they do best – play the game.Put in to bat, Kapil’s XI posted 251 for eight in their alloted 40 overs with Saba Karim (88) and the battle scared Kapil Dev (60) being the top scorers. In reply, Tendulkar’s XI were 158 for 8. Then Ashish Nehra (19), Murali Karthik (42) and Ajit Agarkar (32) put up a strong rearguard action. But that was not enough as Tendulkar’s team were all out for 246 in 39.4 overs.

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