Determined Australia level up series

Source: AP

Despite numerous injuries, Australia pulled off an impressive and hard-fought win yesterday at Mohali against India.

Man of the Match Shane Watson (pictured) produced with both bat and ball to level the series at 2 – 2.

Watson took three vital wickets as India crumbled to 226 all out – chasing 251 for victory.

India won the toss and opted to field, feeling confident they could chase down the total needed to win. Australia’s score of 250 seemed a little under par given India’s quality batting order and the good nature of the pitch. 

Half centuries from Cameron White (62) and captain Ricky Ponting (52) were the major contributions to the Australian innings. Opener Watson made a useful 49.

Australia would have hoped for a bigger total but having four men run out including White and Ponting did not help the tourists. The Aussies were all out with four balls to spare. 

India were looking well placed in their chase at 78 – 1. But Australia took three relatively quick wickets to get tham right back into the match.

Vijay Kohli was caught behind from Doug Bollinger’s bowling as he chased a wide delivery to get a much needed breakthrough for the green and gold of Australia.

Then the big wicket came when Nathan Hauritz got one to turn into Tendulkar’s pads and umpire Asoka de Silva raised his finger for lbw. 94 – 3.

At a vital time in the match, skipper Ponting ran out in-form Yuvraj Singh from short cover position. The crowd was stunned and in silence.

Australia then seemed to take wickets at just the right time. Dhoni got a slight knick to a ball going down the leg side. Wicketkeeper Manou claimed the catch and Dhoni walked.

Then Hauritz bowled Suresh Raina to place the home side in trouble at 156 – 6. Like Vadodora Harbhajan played his shots and threatened a victory but when Watson got him caught and bowled, Australai could sense victory.

Watson finshed off the tail as Australia recorded an impressive win. The series is now all-square again with just three matches to go. An exciting finale is beckoning.

Gayle confirmed as captain for Australia tour

Chris Gayle has been reappointed captain of the West Indies for their forthcoming tour of Australia.

The announcement marks the end to the players dispute over contracts with the West Indies Cricket Board, where several top names withdrew from the home series v Bangladesh and the Champions Trophy.

As well as Gayle’s selection as captain, the 15-man squad includes the likes of Adrian Barath, Kemar Roach and Gavin Tonge. The three men made impressive performances for the West Indies during the contracts strike saga.

Gayle beat rival Daren Ganga for the captaincy after it was believed Ganga’s poor record in Tests and him not currently being in the team opted the selctors to go with Gayle.

It will be very interesting to see how Gayle responds to the job and whether he will be given the captaincy after the tour – given his open remarks earlier this year regarding  the burden of captaincy and his desire to play more Twenty20 and ODI cricket rather than Tests.

West Indies are to play three tests against Australia, starting in late November, followed by five ODI’s and two Twenty20 matches.

West Indies Test Squad to tour Australia: Chris Gayle (capt), Adrian Barath, Sulieman Benn, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Travis Dowlin, Brendan Nash, Dinesh Ramdin (wk), Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Darren Sammy, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Jerome Taylor, Gavin Tonge.   

Zimbabwe crash to 44 all out

Lowly Zimbabwe were dismissed for 44 – the fifth ever lowest total in an ODI – as Bangladesh coasted to a series win earlier today in Chittagong.

After winning the toss and deciding to bat (the only thing they did right in the match), the tourists were dismissed inside 25 overs with Malcolm waller top-scoring with 13.

Zimbabwe found themselves at one stage on a rather embarrassing 8 – 4. Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan finished on figures 3 – 8 and Nazmul Hossain 2 – 10 from his six overs.

Despite losing four wickets in reply, Bangladesh got to their target in just the12th over. The match was done and dusted inside 36 overs and the home side took an unassailable 3 – 1 lead in the series with just one more match to play.

There were reports a couple of weeks back that Zimbabwe were ready for Test cricket again. Judging by their latest performance today they really should consider again.

Zimbabwe will hope for a better showing in the final match of the series on Thursday. Surely they can only get better, can they?

The On-Drive’s Track of the Day

Here’s a funny track for you today – but I absolutely love it. I know it’s a different sport but I love snooker as well as cricket. ‘Snooker Loopy’ from the cheeky duo Chas and Dave is awesome. It was recored in the 1986 and includes vocals from the then great snooker players Steve Davis, Dennis Taylor, Willie Thorne, Terry Griffiths and Tony Meo. It reached number 6 in the charts.

Listen out for Leicester’s finest Willie Thorne’s line ‘Perhaps I ought to chalk it.’ Classic!!

You can’t help but sing and laugh to that one. Pure genius. That is all from today guys. Join me tomorrow for more On-Drive fun.

This is Nigel Slater signing off.