Ryder shines to avoid whitewash

Jesse Ryder shone with both bat and ball in New Zealand’s eight wicket win over India in their fifth and final one-day international at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.

Ryder captured three wickets then blasted a quick half-century to set up his team for their first win of the series as the hosts avoided a whitewash.

Jesse Ryder

Martin Guptill also chipped in with an unbeaten 57 as New Zealand cruised past India’s modest total of 149 with a reply of 151-2 in 23.2 overs.

India’s chances of winning the match were in ruins after they were bowled out cheaply with 25-year-old Ryder picking up the wickets of Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yusuf Pathan with his medium pacers.

For complete news visit:www.octansports.com/cricket/cricket-news/2097/Ryder-shines-to-avoid-whitewash.htm

Preview: Second ODI, India vs New Zealand

Team India seems to be settled and attuned to the diverse conditions of the land where Sun rises first, but hardly shines.

suresh-raina

As most of the team is touring New Zealand for the first time, the Juveniles showed their nerves of steel and convincingly won the first rain affected ODI after losing closely fought T20’s series which raised few eyebrows and doubts on the capability of the young brigade led by MS Dhoni.

Downpour is expected in Wellington. The moisture and wind has always assisted bowling; testing real character of batters. Toss will be a key factor in Westpac Trust Stadium – so far team winning the flip has triumphed in the tour.

Indian Batting appears to be in good shape as the team is no more dependent on one player’s performance, though they have to avoid mini collapses in middle order to continue the momentum against a side known for its come backs.

Dont’s For India

Sehwag’s brilliance at the top order has been exceptional. He is making the best use of the short boundaries in the dual stadiums.

The young lad Suresh Raina has played brilliantly on the tour so far and will be the man to watch when India tries to double the lead in Wellington on Friday (01: 00 GMT.)

Changing Gautam Gambhir’s preferred opening slot hasn’t been too successful so far, experiment can be dicey in long run for the team.

Hard hitter Yusuf Pathan should be used smartly as he is playing as an all-rounder in the team.

Team India improved the bowling department as Praveen Kumar has filled in the gap left by speedster Ishant Sharma who will be missing the second ODI too due to shoulder injury. Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh can be lethal if they manage to keep it tight.

For Complete Preview Visit:www.octansports.com/cricket/cricket_info/278/Preview-Second-ODI.htm

In Doubt – Future of Cricket in Asia

Is global terror shifting its campaign from suicide bombers to commando style operations? And is sports becoming the new endeavor of terror?

Sri Lankan players board helicopter at Gaddafi stadium

The events in Lahore have cast serious doubts after terrorists attacked international sportsmen.

A dozen gunmen remain still at large after opening fire on Sri Lanka cricket team, who were on their way to Gaddafi Stadium to start the third day’s play of second Test match against host Pakistan

The convoy was attacked with rifles, grenades, and rocket launchers. Seven members of Sri Lanka squad including a British assistant coach were injured. Eight Pakistanis died in the attack, which include; six police officers assigned to protect the team, and one of the drivers of the bus.

For Pakistan it may be a big wakeup call, as nation’s flamboyant cricketer, Shahid Afridi calls it a “golden moment” for his nation to unite and fight, before it’s too late.

For Complete Story Visit:www.octansports.com/cricket/cricket_info/275/In-Doubt-Future-of-Cricket-in-Asia.htm

IPL Rescheduled

India’s cricket board is looking to reschedule its popular Twenty20 league after the government, worried by Tuesday’s attack in Lahore, said the security forces would be preoccupied with general elections.

Rajasthan Royal

Six members of the Sri Lanka team and a coach were wounded when gunmen attacked their bus in Pakistan, heightening security concerns for the league involving many international players and due to be staged between April 10 and May 24.

The league had been looking to rework dates for some of the games because it would have clashed with the poll, a multi-phased affair to help deploy security forces for the massive exercise.

India goes to the polls between April 16 and May 13 with the votes to be counted three days later.

Indian Home (interior) Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram said he had asked the senior-most bureaucrat to discuss the issue with cricket officials.

“I have spoken to the home secretary and asked him to get in touch with the (league) organisers to find out if the schedule can be adjusted,” Chidambaram told CNN-IBN channel.

He added: “Cricket in India will be safe. We will provide security. Only that (whether) the dates are adjusted so that our security forces are not stretched.”

The franchise league drew big crowds in its inaugural edition in 2008.

For Complete News Visit:www.octansports.com/cricket/cricket-news/1782/IPL-Rescheduled.htm

India Win by 53 Runs in McLean Park

India won the rain curtailed first ODI in Napier against New Zealand on Tuesday, after racing to 4-273 in their allotted 38 overs – thanks to blistering half centuries by Virender Sehwag, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Suresh Raina.

virender-sehwag

New Zealand scored 9-169 in reply after a second rain halt reduced their innings to 28 overs and they finally fell 53-runs short of the revised target.

Loosing both openers cheaply, 58-run partnership between Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor returned some hope to the Kiwi camp, but when Yousuf Pathan got rid of Taylor (34), and Elliot Grant becoming victim of Yuvraj Singh’s superb fielding, last hopes of recovery became more grim as weather over the McLean Park. 

Dhoni top scored for India with a well crafted 84 not out from 89 balls.

For complete News Visit:www.octansports.com/cricket/cricket-news/1749/India-Win-by-53-Runs-in-McLean-Park.htm

1st ODI Preview, India Vs New Zealand

Towering on back to back wins in twenty20 series, New Zealand will have the advantage when they meet India in Mclean Park, Napier to play the first of 5 ODIS on Tuesday (01:00 GMT.)

brendon-mccullum

But Black Caps coach, Andy Moles is trying to be humble as he fancies India as the predominant force in five match epic. “We must respect them but we mustn’t be scared of them,” Moles said to New Zealand Herlad, “The two results have given the guys the confidence that they can compete”.

“From an individual point of view, some of the younger players have found there’s nothing to be scared of and are looking forward to the next challenge.”

Moles felt Kiwis gave too much of a respect to Indian bowling as they chased 150 runs to win the two match series in Wellington and players should know the line which separates respect from getting bogged down.

Brendon McCullum’s recent twenty20 knocks of 61, 56, 49, and 69 has pleased the coach Moles but believes that other players also need to chip in if host are going to make an impact in the series.

For Complete Preview Visit:www.octansports.com/cricket/cricket_info/258/1st-ODI-Preview,-India-Vs-New-Zealand.htm

West Indies Magnificent

England face a quest for survival after West Indies made 749 for nine declared thanks to a masterful 261 run partnership between double centurion Ramnaresh Sarwan and Denesh Ramdin.

Ramnaresh Sarwan

Sarwan fell just nine runs short of a triple century, after batting from the evening of the second day, while wicketkeeper Ramdin made 166 before being bowled by five-wicket Graeme Swann.

The West Indies score, the ninth highest innings total in a test match, sets up an unexpectedly tricky final day for Andrew Strauss’s side after they made 600 for six declared in their first innings.

No team has ever lost a test match after making such a big first innings total but West Indies will take heart from the first test when they bowled a panicking England out for 51.

For Complete News Visit:www.octansports.com/Cricket/cricket-news/1702/West-Indies-Magnificent.htm

England Look For Changes

England will be without the likes of Andrew Flintoff and Matt Prior when they play West Indies in hope of leveling the series during the third Test in Barbados on Thursday.

Star all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has been sidelined due to a strained hip muscle he sustained during the drawn third Test. Matt Prior will be on a maternity leave to England to see his wife and just born son.

andrew-flintoff

Flintoff’s presence at number six allowed England to add another bowler in all the three Tests – second Test was abandoned due to unplayable conditions at Sir Viv Richards Stadium in Antigua, but in just two days time another Test was added to the schedule and was played in the near by Antigua Recreation Ground, which turned out to be a belter – West Indies managed a draw in the final hour of match.

To replace the talent of Andrew Flintoff will impossible for Andrew Strauss but he has got substitutes to fill the big shoes in Barbados and the replacement will be either freshly arrived Ravi Bopara or Ian Bell.

England might go with Bopara who hasn’t played a Test match for England from last 14 months, but considering the form of Bell, Strauss might favor the all-rounder candidate.

For complete Feature And Latest Updates Visit: www.octansports.com/cricket/cricket-news/1619/England-Look-For-Changes.htm

Preview: First Test Australia vs South Africa

This might be the golden phase of South African cricket “But” the ghost of Wanderers has always haunted the home side. If the Proteas want the top echelon, they have to drop this monkey off their back and change the poor record they have at Johannesburg.

As South Africa’s test record on this ground is patchy; Australia has won the last two test matches one with an innings in 2002 and their previous visit in 2006 produced a thriller with the tourists managing to chase 292 on the last day of Test match. Even India and England have comfortably won against the home side on this hostile track.

Toss will play the decisive role at Jo’bourg where since 2000 all eight Test matches have produced a result, and six of these are won by the side who had the better of coin.

The first match of the Test series will be crucial as a positive result will definitely give the winning side the psychological edge.

South Africa will go with the same winning eleven with no weak links, making them the favorites. They have the likes of Hashim Amla and Paul Harris, exciting match winners Greame Smith and Dale Steyn, trusted lieutenants Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis, and Makayah Ntini, the nerves of steel comes in the likes of wonder kid JP Duminy.

Where as Australia will go with new faces; Philip Hughes will open with Katich, Ponting, Hussey, and Michael Clarke (unfit) will   complete the top order. Brad Haddin, who has been the new Australian hope in recent past will be holding the lower order with Andrew McDonald or Marcus North who will compete for the all rounder’s spot.

For Complete Preview visit:  http://www.octansports.com/cricket/cricket-news/1601/Preview:-First-Test.htm

New Zealand Beat India in First Twenty20

New Zealand won the first Twenty20 by seven wickets against India in Jade Stadium Christchurch on Wednesday.

After wining the toss, Black Caps put India to bat and tourists got to a flyer as opening batsman Virender Sehwag hit Tim Southee for three consecutive sixes in the first over, but after that tourists lost their way as wickets crumbled, reducing India to 162-8.

Brendon McCullum

Kiwis responded in a more methodological approach in which Brendon McCullum’s unbeaten half century guided them to victory while the rest of the team paced the innings.

For complete News visit: http://www.octansports.com/cricket/cricket-news/1592/New-Zealand-Beat-India-in-First-Twenty20.htm