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The left-arm quick will miss the start of the tournament due to quarantine requirements

Tristan Lavalette02-Dec-2021Tymal Mills, who starred for England in the recent T20 World Cup before succumbing to injury, has committed to Perth Scorchers for the upcoming BBL, in a late signing coup for last season’s runner-up.Mills, the left-arm quick, replaces compatriot Brydon Carse, who was ruled out of the tournament following a knee injury sustained last month less than 24 hours after the quick signed with Scorchers. Mills adds serious punch to the Scorchers’ fast bowling stocks headed by stalwarts Jason Behrendorff and Andrew Tye.He helps offset the expected lengthy absence of in-form Jhye Richardson, who is likely to be tied up with Ashes duties. Mills arrives in Sydney on Monday after playing in the Abu Dhabi T10, meaning he will miss the Scorchers’ opening two matches due to quarantine rules.Related

• Mills comes full circle in his remarkable England comeback

• Munro accepts international career probably over but questions remain

• Turner backs uncertainty to galvanise Perth Scorchers

“When they got in touch, I was extremely keen,” Mills said. “They’re a great franchise with some great players. It’s exciting to get the opportunity to play in big competitions.”Mills, who has battled a back condition throughout his career, was a key part of England’s strong start to the T20 World Cup with figures of 2 for 17 against West Indies and 3 for 27 against Bangladesh. His pace, left-arm angle and ability to bowl through the middle and at the death helped him balance England’s attack until Mills’ campaign cruelly ended when he suffered a right thigh strain against Sri Lanka.It was a similar injury to the one he sustained in 2018, which also ruled him out of the rest of that English season. Mills finished the T20 World Cup with seven wickets at 15.42 in his four matches, at an economy-rate of 8.00, and his absence was particularly felt in the semi-final against New Zealand, where England were unable to contain the rampaging batters at the death.Tymal Mills had a big impact for England before injury•Getty Images

Scorchers also announced the signings of emerging players Nick Hobson and Cooper Connolly, while quick David Moody – the nephew of ex-Australia player and renowned coach Tom Moody – has been confirmed as Richardson’s replacement.Left-handed batter Hobson played for Scorchers in BBL08 and gave his selection chances a timely boost with a sparkling 90 from 59 balls during the team’s practice match at the WACA on Wednesday.Scorchers start their season against Brisbane Heat on December 8 at Optus Stadium, where they currently only have two fixtures confirmed due to Western Australia’s strict border controls.

We give marks out of ten for West Indies’ 2-1 series loss which saw England reclaim the Wisden Trophy

Nagraj Gollapudi29-Jul-20207Jermaine Blackwood (211 runs at 35.16)

The most improved player for West Indies. Blackwood was the only one who came closest to raising his bat to mark a Test century, missing the landmark by five runs having set up the victory in Southampton. Naturally aggressive, Blackwood learned on the job to not get excited having engaged erroneously with Ben Stokes and losing his head on the penultimate afternoon in the second Test. Finished the tour as Windies’ top run-scorer.Roston Chase (10 wickets at 34.00, 157 runs at 28.16)

Player of the Series mainly for his bowling, but in the Southampton victory, Chase played a significant hand with the bat, providing semblance to the middle order when England were threatening to regain control. Got a five-for in the second Test. His aim was to score a Test century in England, but he was exposed playing back to deliveries coming in. Finished the series caught napping and was run-out.Shannon Gabriel (11 wickets at 32.27, 4 runs at 2.00)

Took the first wicket of the series, ended up being one of most persevering bowlers and the third-highest wicket-taker behind Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes. Started the series stiff, having not played since last September. Remained stiff due the endless workload through the series. Bowled with pain but never showed it as he hit the bat hard and created opportunities.6Kemar Roach (8 wickets at 36.50, 15 runs at 5.00)

Bowled the most overs in the series (116.4). Had the most maidens (31). Was the second most economical bowler behind James Anderson. Yet Roach was not as lucky as others finishing with just eight wickets. He went wicketless in the first Test, but he returned proud to the bowling mark, never allowing the batsman the upper hand. Set an example with endless toil.5Jason Holder (10 wickets at 30.10; 114 runs at 22.80)

It was the West Indies captain who broke England’s back in the first innings with five-for. He swapped the best allrounder position on the ICC rankings with Stokes through the series, Holder failed to play the decisive hand that Stokes managed with the bat. It would hurt the Barbadian’s pride to return home without a Test century. His leadership, too, was under scrutiny especially after he twice inserted England to bat in overcast conditions at Old Trafford.Jermaine Blackwood drives through the covers•Getty Images

4Kraigg Brathwaite (176 runs at 29.33)

Finished the series as a pub quiz question – the batsman who was the 500th Test wicket for Broad and Anderson. Before the series Brathwaite had worked on his technique with former Windies batting great Desmond Haynes. The counselling worked, it seemed, as Brathwaite scored twin half-centuries, both in the first innings of the first two Tests, playing the new ball late. However, the Windes vice-captain failed to cash in on his starts and continued with his string of second-innings failures while struggling with a fraught technique.Shamarh Brooks (195 runs at 32.50)

The most watchable Windies batsman in this series. With an upright, side-on stance Brooks showed composure, timing, placement and good wrist work while making quick starts. However, the promise never lasted long as Brooks struggled to bat for longer or, as in the final Test, played a ball he could have left.3Shane Dowrich (126 runs at 21.00; 7 catches)

Will be remembered for getting hit on the mouth after failing to collect a fast ball from Gabriel in the final Test. It only put under scrutiny his glovework to both types of bowling. Also got exposed with the bat by jumping against the short delivery, which became a weakness as the series progressed.2John Campbell (84 runs at 16.80)

The only left-hand batsman for the visitors, Campbell had his toe bruised by Jofra Arher in the second innings of the first Test. He would return to hit the winning runs, but otherwise Campbell remained a walking wicket despite showing a much more positive attitude in the final innings of the third Test.Alzarri Joseph (59 runs at 19.66; 3 wickets at 60.66)

West Indies head coach predicted Joseph would the difference this series. Joseph got three wickets playing the first two Tests. He has the pace, but he struggled for control and rhythm. According former Windies fast bowler Andy Roberts, Joseph needs to use his body more than his shoulder.Rahkeem Cornwall (12 runs at 6.00)

Replaced Joseph in the final Test as the fast bowler had a sore elbow. Recognised for his bounce, Cornwall started well, but fell silent as England attacked him. Cornwall aims to become a specialist batsman, but his head keeps falling away and he loses balance quickly.1Shai Hope (105 runs at 17.50)

In a chat with Sachin Tendulkar before the series, Brian Lara folded his hands to pray Hope’s talent would flourish during the England series. Hope had not scored a single century since his record twin tons at Leeds in 2017. Hope and everyone in the Windies camp assured the issue was not technical and more mental. Hope finished the series with a highest individual score of 31, amassing just 105 runs in six innings. On the 2017 England tour Hope’s average was 75. This time it was 17. Lara shouldn’t have wasted his time.

Kieron Pollard’s 46 not out off 26 balls lifted Mumbai Indians to a respectable total before Joseph produced one of the great IPL bowling performances

The Report by Andrew Fidel Fernando06-Apr-20191:02

I play to win, not for the limelight – Alzarri Joseph

First IPL match ever, 22-years-old Alzarri Joseph steamed in, bowled the tournament’s top run-scorer David Warner – off an inside edge – with his first delivery, and went on to have a debut beyond all fantasies.In defence of Mumbai Indians’ 136 for 7, which had only been made respectable by Kieron Pollard’s 46 not out off 26 balls, Joseph produced one of the great IPL bowling performances. He claimed 6 for 12, consistently rushing batsmen with his deceptive pace. Those figures broke an IPL record that had stood since the very first season, bettering Sohail Tanvir’s 6 for 14.

Joseph’s stunning IPL debut

• Alzarri Joseph’s 6 for 12 are the best bowling figures in the IPL. The previous best was Sohail Tanvir’s 6 for 14 in the inaugural edition in 2008. The previous best on IPL debut was Andrew Tye’s 5 for 17, in 2017.

• Sunrisers Hyderabad were dismissed for 96, which is their lowest total. Their previous lowest was 113, also against Mumbai Indians, in 2015

• The 40-run defeat was the first loss for Mohammad Nabi in eight IPL matches.

• Joseph also became the seventh bowler to take a wicket off the first ball of his debut IPL game, joining a list that includes Wilkin Mota, TP Sudhindra, Ali Murtuza, Amit Singh, Ishant Sharma and Dwaraka Ravi Teja

• Joseph became only the second bowler to deliver a wicket-maiden in his first IPL over. Pat Cummins was the only other bowler to achieve this feat.

Despite being posed with a modest target, even if it was on a tricky home pitch, Sunrisers never got themselves moving. They lost their in-form openers inside the first five overs, and although several batsmen got starts, no one could push beyond 20. Joseph and Mumbai continued to take wickets, and the required rate ballooned. When Rashid Khan fell towards the end of the 15th over, with 49 to get off 25 balls and only three wickets left, the match was effectively sealed.2:05

Failed to capitalise on our good start – Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Joseph’s star turnHad Lasith Malinga been available, there is every chance Joseph would still be awaiting his IPL debut, but boy how he grabbed the opportunity. Joseph claimed two wickets off his first two overs, bowling David Warner off his inside edge with his first ever IPL ball, before having Vijay Shankar caught at point off a top edge soon after the Powerplay ended.His two wickets off successive deliveries in the 16th over, definitively swung the game in Mumbai’s direction. He bowled Deepak Hooda with a full, straight delivery, which the batsman inside-edged onto his stumps. Next ball, Rashid Khan was rushed into a pull shot, which the batsman could do no better than top edge – Joseph himself running through to take a simple chance.The final two wickets were almost just a bonus. Bhuvneshwar Kumar had his middle stump pegged back by another full, straight one. Four balls later, No. 10 batsman Siddarth Kaul was caught behind trying to run Joseph to third man.That Kaul wicket concluded the second excellent away result for Mumbai, who in the last two seasons had been infamously slow starters in the IPL. With this victory to follow the one against Chennai Super Kings on Wednesday, Mumbai have announced they are once again serious title contenders.Pollard’s manic finishFor so much of Mumbai’s own innings, it seemed as if they would not muster a competitive score. They had been a pathetic 5 for 65 after 12.5 overs – four of their top five batsmen having failed to score at a run-a-ball. Pollard, though, eased himself into his innings, hitting 9 off his first 13 balls, thanks to some good fortune (more on that later), before exploding in the 19th and 20th overs.He walloped the first ball of Siddarth Kaul’s final over over long off, before blasting one into the legside stand two balls later, then muscling another into the stand beyond long on two balls after that. Mumbai made 20 off that Kaul over, then 19 off the final one bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, thanks again to some serious luck for Pollard.Alzarri Joseph wheels away in celebration after completing a five-for•BCCI

Sunrisers’ horror dropsVery rarely does Rashid Khan let a catch slip through his fingers, but he did so today, and wouldn’t you know it, it was Mumbai’s eventual top scorer that he reprieved. Pollard should have been out for 8 off 13 balls had Rashid held a straightforward chance at deep extra cover. He would go on to pummel 37 off 13 balls after the drop.According to ESPNcricinfo’s , the drop cost Sunrisers Hyderabad 21 runs, which very much looks like the difference between the two teams.To make things worse, Mohammad Nabi also dropped Pollard off the penultimate ball of the innings – palming the ball over the boundary to give him six, before Deepak Hooda at long off failed to stop a ball that deflected off his body for four.Mumbai’s support actsAlthough Joseph was easily the visitors’ best bowler, the attack actually put in an excellent performance between them. Jason Behrendorrf claimed 1 for 28 from his four overs, Jasprit Bumrah took 1 for 16 from his three, and Rahul Chahar had struck the first blow, removing Johnny Bairstow in the fourth over of the innings. Chahar finished with figures of 2 for 21, later removing Yousuf Pathan as well.

“There’s no point wasting two days, scoring quick fifties and coming out. We’d rather have them do two sessions, get into Test match zone and prepare the wickets the way we want to,” India’s captain said

Firdose Moonda30-Dec-20172:15

Prepared to face balls that may surprise us – Kohli

The search for high-quality practice time in order to acclimatise to South African conditions was behind India’s decision to cancel their warm-up match ahead of the three-Test series. Instead of facing a South African Invitation side, which may have comprised players with scant franchise experience, as was the case against Zimbabwe 10 ten days ago on a flat, slow deck in Paarl, India have opted for two high-intensity training sessions at the Western Province Cricket Club, where they will try to replicate Test-match conditions.”If you look at the wicket that we are playing on right now, it’s not even 15% of what we are going to get in the game,” Virat Kohli said, at the team’s first media engagement since arriving in the country two days ago. “We understand that. There’s no point wasting two days, guys going in, scoring quick fifties and coming out. We’d rather have them do two sessions like today, get into Test match zone, test ourselves, try and prepare the wickets the way we want to.”If you’re playing a two-day game, there’s no room to change the wicket at different times of the day. Here we have the freedom to put more water on the wicket, roll it, make it harder, come tomorrow’s practice session and then we have conditions that we want. You are never sure of whether you are going to get quality practice games or not. We would rather have practice sessions that are in our control, done the way we want to run them.”India’s reasoning only confirms what is expected: that surfaces will be sporting, with plenty of pace, bounce and seam movement, maybe even a little more than usual given that the last time South Africa were in India, at the end of 2015, they were outspun on rank turners. “We come to South Africa knowing the wickets will be different from back home. The last time that we played, there was a lot of talk about us getting bounced out and struggling against the short ball,” he said.”The most important thing is not to get surprised by the pace and bounce. We have convinced ourselves that it’s going to be much quicker and much bouncier than back home and you are going to get balls that may surprise you every now and then. The most important thing is to put it in the past, put it behind you and focus on the next ball. That’s something that we did last time as well. You can’t afford to think there is too much pace and bounce. You rather take it on, believe in your abilities and take it head on. That’s key to playing conditions that are different from your own.”BCCI

The age-old issue of adapting to foreign conditions is an obvious starting point for the build-up to this series, but the narrative is slightly different because India believe they can do better than they have before. To date, their best result in South Africa is a drawn series in 2010-11. “This team is up for the challenge, If you asked me four years ago, I would have said no but this team has gained in experience,” Ravi Shastri, India’s head coach, said. “For us, every game is a home game. Even this is a home game at Newlands. You see the pitch and you adapt. No excuses, no complaints. Two teams have to play on that surface. If you want to be rated as a side, you adapt to those conditions. It’s as simple as that. Leave all the other crap aside. Just get out there and go and compete.”That may seem like big talk considering India have not played outside the subcontinent or West Indies since 2015, when they toured Australia. Their home series against Sri Lanka ended on December 24, which meant they could not play a Boxing Day Test in South Africa. They only arrived in South Africa on December 28, so they were also not able to start the New Year’s Test on its usual first day, January 2.Instead, the match begins three days later on January 5. With many still in holiday mode, and the second and third days falling on a weekend, Cricket South Africa don’t have too much reason to worry because big crowds are still expected. They can prepare for what Shastri predicts will be a “good contest” against an Indian side that want to start bossing opposition away from home, having done it so confidently in their own backyard for the last nine series.”We are looking forward to this period of playing away from home. We feel we have the skill set to do well in any place in the world. Now is our opportunity because of the average age of the group and the amount of cricket we are going to play together,” Kohli said. “We know exactly what we need to do, if we need to bounce back, how we need to do it or if we want to create chances, how we need to create them.”There is sense of intelligence and awareness that has crept in in the last four years and that provides the excitement we are talking about. We know exactly what we need to do come game time. It’s not like we are going to go out there and explore. We are not in that frame of mind. We know how to win Test matches now. I think that’s very good knowledge to have.”

The England & Wales Cricket Board has announced that it will be doubling its investment in Chance to Shine

Andrew Miller03-Nov-2016The England & Wales Cricket Board has announced that it will be doubling its investment in Chance to Shine, the cricket charity that was founded in 2005 to address the decline of the sport in state schools.Following a decade of pioneering work in the grassroots game, during which time more than 3 million schoolchildren have been introduced to cricket, the ECB yesterday announced that, from October 2017, at least £2.5m will be donated annually to Chance to Shine, with a further £500,000 to be made available for matched funding.According to Luke Swanson, Chance to Shine’s chief executive, the extra investment will targeted on primary schools, with the aim of reaching an additional 200,000 children a year. This places the charity right at the heart of the ECB’s game-wide strategy, as spelt out through their framework, Cricket Unleashed, to inspire more people, especially families, to get involved with cricket.”When we work in primary schools, we have the opportunity to introduce the game to every child irrespective of background, gender or parental involvement,” said Swanson. “In a primary school, cricket has the chance to reach the whole community, and give kids of all backgrounds the chance to play together.”Matt Dwyer, the ECB’s director of participation and growth, said that the timing of the announcement was designed to maximise the opportunity that the sport has in the coming years to reconnect the sport with its public. With the Champions Trophy and Women’s World Cup coming up on home soil next year, followed by the men’s World Cup and the Ashes in 2019, the drive to attract new players and supporters begins now.”It is not just about seeing cricket survive, it’s about seeing cricket thrive for generations,” he said. “As a game we are very much focused on inspiring that next generation, and taking cricket to classrooms and playgrounds across the country.”We believe cricket is uniquely placed to enrich the lives of young people, whether that be through the development of nine of the 10 fundamental movements skills, the fact that we are the only sport that incorporates our values into the official rules of the game, or the fact that cricket can deliver so many in-class curriculum outcomes.Cricket has the ability to inspire kids in our communities in a way like no other and we will do that together with Chance to Shine.”The funding boost was announced by Colin Graves, the ECB chairman, during Chance to Shine’s annual awards dinner at Lord’s on Wednesday evening, following a coaching session at St Mary and St Peter’s Primary School in south-west London, attended by the England batsman, Sam Billings.”Every career starts at the bottom level so it’s fundamental that these kids get the chance to play many sports, especially cricket,” said Billings. “In many schools around the country its football dominated, cricket is not on the curriculum.”Certainly in Bangladesh with England we had this conversation. I think it’s about a 50/50 split in terms of who went to state and independent schools, and club cricket plays a massive role too in getting that relationship right. Club cricket was a great benefit to me growing up but again, it starts with the schools.”

Australia’s tour of Bangladesh appears increasingly in danger of being cancelled, with Cricket Australia’s security team on their way home following a series of meetings in Bangladesh

Brydon Coverdale29-Sep-20151:13

Bangladesh offers Australia extra security

Australia’s tour of Bangladesh appears increasingly in danger of being cancelled, with Cricket Australia’s security team on their way home to brief players and the board following a series of meetings in Bangladesh over the past two days.CA’s head of security Sean Carroll, team security manager Frank Dimasi and team manager Gavin Dovey have held meetings with Australian and Bangladeshi officials after the squad’s scheduled departure was postponed at the weekend. Their trip followed a new travel warning from Australia’s government that: “There is reliable information to suggest that militants may be planning to target Australian interests in Bangladesh.”Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade had contacted CA directly on Friday to inform them of the updated travel advice. On Monday, the United Kingdom government also updated its travel advice for UK citizens to state that: “Militants may be targeting western interests in Bangladesh in late September; UK officials have been advised to limit attendance at events where westerners may gather.”News agencies have also reported that an Italian charity worker was shot dead in Dhaka’s diplomatic zone on Monday evening, and both and AFP reported that an online statement in the name of Islamic State had claimed responsibility for the attack.ESPNcricinfo understands the BCB was caught off guard by the departure of Dimasi and Dovey from Bangladesh on Tuesday – the Bangladesh board had expected the two officials to remain in the country until the Australian team arrived. Both CA and the BCB have, over the past two days, expressed their strong desire for the two-Test series to go ahead, though CA’s chief executive James Sutherland said on Sunday that the safety and security of their players and staff was “the absolute priority”.”There has been no change to our position on the matter,” a CA spokesman said on Tuesday. “Following yesterday’s meetings, our head of security, team manager and team security manager are on their way home from Bangladesh for further meetings with the Department of Foreign Affairs and to brief our board, management and players on the situation.”The BCB on Monday expressed its confidence that the series would go ahead as scheduled, and also named a squad for the first Test in Chittagong. The first Test is scheduled to start on October 9, with the second Test due to begin in Dhaka on October 17.

Ian Blackwell, 34, has announced his retirement from cricket after struggling with a shoulder problem and losing a contract with Durham in January

Tim Wigmore15-Mar-2013Ian Blackwell, 34, has announced his retirement from cricket. The decision comes as little surprise – Blackwell had been struggling with a left shoulder problem, and his contract was terminated by Durham in January.He will not be lost to cricket and has already declared an ambition to train as an umpire, a role his jovial demeanor could be well suited to. He will umpire some second XI games in 2013, with a view to progressing to the first-class reserve list next year.Blackwell’s first-class record – averaging 39 with the bat and 35 with the ball – made him arguably the best county all-rounder of the 2000s. His batting was always explosive, his slog-sweep against spin standing out.Although he says he became “more of a batsman than a bowler”, despite starting his career batting at nine, Blackwell’s left-arm spin remained a very useful county weapon, evidenced by the 398 first-class wickets.Yet internationally, it was his bowling that was better able to handle the step-up in class. In 34 ODIs, he maintained an economy of only 4.27 an over, and was unfortunate to be injured after keeping his head above water during England’s ignominious ODI winter of 2005-06 in Pakistan and India.Two things held him back. Blackwell was always criticised for his attitude to fitness: his frame did not fit easily into Duncan Fletcher’s image of the 21st-century England cricketer. And his greatest county asset, his belligerent batting, seemed becalmed in an England shirt: he averaged only 15 in ODIs. There was a solitary Test cap too, against India at Nagpur in 2006, where he made his debut alongside current England captain Alastair Cook and Monty Panesar.Blackwell says he cherished his international appearances. “I enjoyed the times with England, and I’ll look back and have some fond memories. I can say I performed at a reasonable standard. I was probably selected as an all-rounder but I batted higher for my county than for England, and subsequently never got the chance to bat for any length of time except if we were doing badly.”But at county level, Blackwell was seldom short of success. He ended his career on loan at Warwickshire, winning the Championship and very nearly the CB40 too. He also had Championship success at Durham, and won the Twenty20 in 2005 at Somerset.Although he began his career with home county Derbyshire, it was Somerset that he will be most associated with. Over nine years, he proved a perfect match at Taunton, where he registered a career-best 247* in 2003. The last 147 runs came from 63 balls, testament to how destructive Blackwell’s blade could be. Somerset will now be his home.

Australia’s captain Michael Clarke has confirmed a hamstring complaint will keep him out of Friday’s triangular series match against Sri Lanka in Sydney

Daniel Brettig13-Feb-2012Michael Clarke, the Australia captain, has confirmed a hamstring complaint will keep him out of Friday’s triangular series match against Sri Lanka in Sydney.It will be the first ODI or Test he has missed since replacing Ricky Ponting as leader following the end of the 2011 World Cup campaign.Clarke complained of right hamstring soreness in the field against India during Sunday night’s loss at Adelaide Oval, and upon his return to Sydney underwent scans to check on the injury.A grade one hamstring strain was located, ruling Clarke out of the team’s next fixture, though he hopes not to miss more than one match.After Friday, the squad travels to Brisbane for another meeting with India on Sunday.His absence, at a time when he may have been due for a rest, has opened up a dilemma for the national selectors regarding who should be the stand-in captain. The official vice-captain Shane Watson is making a slow and steady recovery from his own leg muscle problems, while Brad Haddin, Clarke’s deputy in the Tests against India, has been rested while Matthew Wade is given a glimpse of the wicketkeeping spot.
David Warner has served as vice-captain so far during the ODI series, a role he also fills with the national Twenty20 team, while the former captain Ricky Ponting remains a senior figure in the dressing room. Another option would be to call in George Bailey, captain of Tasmania and the T20 team, and in strong form during his state’s last two fixtures against New South Wales.Australia’s team physio Alex Kountouris said Clarke’s availability for the Sunday match would be determined later this week. “He will not recover in time to play in Australia’s next Commonwealth Bank Series game on Friday in Sydney against Sri Lanka,” Kountouris said, “but I will assess him later this week and decide on his availability for the game in Brisbane on Sunday against India.”The Australia squad for the next block of triangular series matches will be named by the national selector John Inverarity on Tuesday.

Yusuf Pathan launched the sort of assault that has made him a rich man to ensure it wasn’t all one-way in Centurion but it wasn’t enough to prevent South Africa from snatching the series with a 33-run victory

The Bulletin by Siddarth Ravindran23-Jan-2011
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Yusuf Pathan smashed eight sixes in his 105•AFP

Yusuf Pathan launched the sort of assault that has made him a rich man to ensure it wasn’t all one-way traffic in Centurion but it wasn’t enough to prevent South Africa from snatching the series with a 33-run victory. After a tough tour over the past month-and-a-half, the last day of the series seemed set to be an anti-climactic non-scrap courtesy yet another Hashim Amla century and a slew of reckless strokes from the Indians.Yusuf, though, blasted a century of utter violence when all looked lost at 119 for 8, and after an hour of Yusuf, the South African bowling was looking clueless and India were 49 short, dreaming of a miraculous win. Yusuf clubbed a 68-ball century but holed out soon after, much to the relief of the Sunday crowd at Supersport Park.The tour had begun with South Africa’s crushing Test victory in Centurion and ends with another defeat for the visitors at the same venue. One reason India’s bowlers will be thrilled to be heading back home will be that there will be less sparring with Amla, who has plundered more than 1100 runs in the past 11 months against India in Tests and one-dayers. He collected another 116 on Sunday to push South Africa to a tall total in a rain-hit match.MS Dhoni had chosen to bowl on winning the toss, perhaps swayed by Supersport Park’s reputation of being a ground where it is easy to chase in day games. No matter what the past record, it is unlikely any team can win when its top order combusts so spectacularly and heedlessly as India’s did. Barring Virat Kohli, the rest of the top six were dismissed not by unplayable deliveries but by attempts at extravagant strokes.Rohit Sharma’s horror series ended as he was bowled by Lonwabo Tsotsobe going for a loose drive through the line; Dhoni’s imperious cut ended as an edge to first slip; Yuvraj Singh edged two boundaries to third man before giving catching practice to JP Duminy at point; Suresh Raina smashed a couple of fours before an upper cut sailed to third man; Parthiv Patel was the only one in the top order to inspire confidence, middling nearly every ball for the second innings in a row before falling to a debatable diving catch by Faf du Plessis at cover. India were 74 for 6 in the 14th over, and their only hope of saving the series seemed to be if the ominous clouds circling the stadium brought a massive downpour which washed away the match before the 20th over.Enter Yusuf. He fell over reverse-sweeping Robin Peterson for a six early in his innings, but the wickets kept tumbling at the other end. With Zaheer Khan adopting a blithe step-away-and-swing approach, the end seemed minutes away, but he knuckled down after some initial scares and kept turning the strike over to Yusuf.Indian fans would have nursed little hopes even when intermittent bursts of hitting took Yusuf to 66 off 58, and India climbed to 175 for 8 in the 33rd over. All that changed as Yusuf pounded four sixes and three fours in the next three overs to reach his century – so quickly that few realised he had reached the milestone till he raised his bat. That frenzy, through which Yusuf remained completely calm, ended with a 21-run over from Tsotsobe that brought the required-rate below five. Yusuf skied another attempted blast down the ground soon after, which du Plessis clasped to settle South African nerves.Yusuf’s ton was in absolute contrast to Amla’s in the morning, when the South African chose patience over pyrotechnics to coolly compile his runs – he reached his half-century on the back of 30 consecutive singles. After Graeme Smith’s troubles against Zaheer Khan continued, Amla let No. 3 Morne van Wyk be the aggressor. van Wyk grew in confidence as his innings progressed, unleashing a series of powerful cuts whenever he was given width, and even pulled off an audacious lap-shot off Munaf Patel for four.India went in with only two quick bowlers, and their armada of spinners didn’t pose too many questions to the South African batsmen. South Africa glided to 113 for 1 before Yuvraj plucked a spectacular caught-and-bowled to send back van Wyk, and had AB de Villiers stumped with a sharply turning delivery.Amla and Duminy, the home side’s two form batsmen this series, both had lives – Duminy surviving a close lbw shout and Amla dropped at square leg – and revived South Africa with a 102-run stand. The standout shot in Amla’s innings was the dab to third man, perfectly timing the ball as he opened the face to pick up several boundaries, one of which brought up his century.In the four overs that remained after an 80-minute stoppage, South Africa lost their heads and plenty of wickets as panicky running, smart bowling and attempted slogging combined to result in a collapse of 6 for 24. Amla played only two deliveries in those last four overs. India went in to lunch on a high, but there was little joy for them after the break barring Yusuf’s heroics, and their dreams of a maiden series win in South Africa were shattered.

New Zealand allrounder Jacob Oram is in doubt for the remainder of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series after sustaining a knee injury in the first ODI

Cricinfo staff03-Mar-2010New Zealand allrounder Jacob Oram is in doubt for the remainder of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series after sustaining a knee injury in the first ODI. Oram sent down seven overs, taking the key wicket of Shane Watson, before he twisted his left knee in the 28th over while fielding a single off Michael Hussey. His spikes appeared to stick in the turf as he fell to the ground, writhing in pain, and he was carried off by team-mates Tim Southee and James Franklin.”His knee is painful, it’s still unclear what it is…there will be further investigation in Auckland tomorrow and we’ll assess after that,” Dave Currie, New Zealand’s manager, said. “It’s pretty painful at the moment so we’ll have to wait and see.”Currie said no replacement had yet been made but fast bowler Ian Butler was a likely call-up. If there is ligament damage, not only will Oram miss the series but his participation in the upcoming IPL with Chennai Super Kings is in doubt as well.Oram, 31, retired from Test cricket in October after injury worries, involving his back and foot, limited him to 33 appearances over a seven-year career. In the two Twenty20s against Australia before Wednesday’s game he scored 1 and 0 and conceded 67 off six overs. Even as there were calls for him to be excluded from the ODI series opener against Australia in Napier, he found support from captain Daniel Vettori.The good news, though, for New Zealand is that Vettori, who was ruled out of the match in Napier due to a neck injury, is expected to back for the second game of the five-match series on Saturday.”His neck had a kink in it yesterday but he thought he would be all right,” Currie said. “Even warming up today he thought he would be all right but he wasn’t and there was no point taking any risk on it. He is fully expected to be back next game.”Ross Taylor enjoyed immediate success as new captain as New Zealand won a tense series opener by two wickets.