India overcome Pollard scare, finish series 4-1

Chennai: India overcame an aggressive century by Kieron Pollard to defeat the West Indies by 34 runs in the fifth and final one-dayer in Chennai on Sunday to take the series 4-1.

Pollard smashed 10 sixes and four boundaries in his 110-ball knock before the tourists were bowled out for 233 in reply to India's 267-6 in the day-night match at the Chidambaram stadium.

Pollard was last man out, caught in the deep off Suresh Raina, to deny his team a win in the last match of the Indian tour, where the West Indies also lost the Test series 2-0.

The West Indies were reduced to 78-5 by the 16th over before Pollard and Andre Russell turned the game around by smashing 89 off 79 balls for the sixth wicket.

The pair pounded the Indian bowling with a flurry of fours and sixes before the hosts earned a lucky break when Russell was run out by a direct throw from Gambhir.

Russell hit 53 off 42 balls with five boundaries and three sixes.

Three more wickets fell in quick succession to leave the West Indies tottering at 213-9, but Pollard reached his maiden one-day century in the company of last man Anthony Martin.

Earlier, Manoj Tiwary smashed 104 as India recovered from a shaky start to post a challenging total.

The 26-year-old from Bengal, making his first appearance in the series, registered his first international century after India had lost two wickets in the first over of the innings.

Tiwary put on 83 for the third wicket with stand-in captain Gautam Gambhir and 117 for the fourth with Virat Kohli before retiring hurt in the 38th over due to cramps.

Kohli went on to make 80 off 85 balls.

India, already assured of a series win, rested three players, including skipper Virender Sehwag, who had compiled a world record one-day score of 219 in the previous match in Indore.

Sehwag, Ravichandran Ashwin and Vinay Kumar, who leave for Australia on Monday for the Test series starting later this month, made way for Tiwary, Irfan Pathan and Ajinkya Rahane.

The right-handed Tiwary, who had scored only 61 runs in five previous one-day internationals, seized his opportunity, hitting 10 boundaries and a six in his 126-ball knock.

Tiwary prevented a hat-trick when he came to the crease in the first over after Kemar Roach had trapped Rahane leg-before with his second delivery and bowled Parthiv Patel with his third.

Vinay in for injured Aaron

Young Indian fast bowler Varun Aaron has been ruled out of the upcoming tour of Australia due to a back injury. The 22-year-old Aaron will be replaced by Vinay Kumar.

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Aaron played one Test against the West Indies in Mumbai last month where he claimed three wickets. The back injury was detected during the ongoing one-dayers against the West Indies in which Aaron played the first two games but was left out of the next two. 'I have got a stress reaction in my back and won't be a part of the Test squad,' a disappointed Aaron said. 'I have now been advised (to undergo) rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore. I hope to be fit soon.' The four-Test series in Australia starting later this month was seen as the perfect opportunity for the promising bowler to make a mark. Vinay Kumar, 27, who bowls a steady line and length at medium-pace, has yet to play a Test despite 15 one-day appearances in which he has claimed 16 wickets. Vinay Kumar's inclusion is the second change in the original 17-man squad after seamer Praveen Kumar was sidelined with a fractured rib and replaced by fast bowler Abhimanyu Mithun. India open the three-month tour on 15 December, with two practice matches in Canberra ahead of the first Test starting at the MCG on 26 December. The remaining Tests will be played in Sydney, Perth and Adelaide

India can be competitive Down Under, says Dravid

Despite going through a transitional phase of late, Australia will be a tough nut to crack in their own den, feels India's middle-order maestro Rahul Dravid ahead of the team's tour Down Under.

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'I don't think so,' Dravid said when asked if it would be comparatively easy for India to win a series for the first time in Australia. 'There will two evenly-matched teams. They have definitely lost some of the big names, some of the great players, but we have seen there performance against New Zealand and South Africa,' he added. Dravid, who has so far scored five centuries this year, felt India can be competitive. 'If we play well, we can be competitive,' he said. The Indian also believed that the absence of new pace sensation, Pat Simmons, who has already been ruled out for a major part of the upcoming series, would not impact the Aussies much. 'It's not just about Cummins, even (James) Pattison can be good. We are not focussed on any particular individual,' Dravid, who has a great record in Australia, told <I>NDTV<P>. The modest batsman said he has not set any target as far as runs are concerned. 'There is no particular target in terms of runs. The only target is to win the series. Hopefully, we prepare well, and play well. 'Australia is a great place to play cricket. It's a great challenge on and off,' he said

Dhoni offers help in development of sports

An avid sports lover, India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has vowed to offer his help for the all-round development of other sports.

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'I am ready to help for the development of all sports in whatever possible way,' Dhoni said while speaking at the 'Cash Award Ceremony' to honour medal winners of the National Games held in February this year. Dhoni's offer to help all sports comes in the backdrop of Jharkhand producing sporting talents such as boxer Aruna Mishra and archer Deepika Kumari. It was a moment of glory for the ace archer, who received cash prize from Dhoni as part of the government's announcement to reward medal winners. Dhoni, who took a break before joining the team on its tour of Australia, on Thursday visited the famous Deori temple to offer puja, a ritual the cricketer has been doing from his Ranji trophy playing days.

Taylor holds the key as Kiwis aim for big lead

Visitors New Zealand looked to build on the slender first innings lead despite losing early wickets as skipper Ross Taylor aimed to put his first day failure behind on the second day of the second Test at Bellerive Oval at Hobart today.

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New Zealand held a lead of 43 runs at tea after rolling Australia for 136 in the first innings. After the tea break, the Kiwis lost openers Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill in quick succession as the Aussies fought back after a poor batting display. McCullum was the first to fall, edging James Pattinson to Phil Hughes at third slip while Guptill fell to Peter Siddle at the same score, when he feathered a catch to 'keeper Brad Haddin. The burly Jesse Ryder tried to make amends for his first innings duck and looked to be finding his touch when he was stumped brilliantly by Haddin of Mike Hussey's bowling, for 16. The skipper (Taylor) and the talented Kane Williamson pushed the total past 100 as they mixed caution with aggression. Fast bowlers Peter Siddle and James Pattinson helped the Australians avoid their lowest Test score against the Kiwis with a 56-run eighth-wicket stand after the home side went to lunch at 81 for seven. At tea, New Zealand had added to their 14-run innings lead to be 29 without loss with Martin Guptill on 12 and Brendon McCullum on nine. Australia struggled in their pursuit of the Kiwis' first innings of 150 and at one stage were on track for their lowest Test total against New Zealand of 103 set in Auckland in 1986. But Siddle (36) and Pattinson (17) saved their blushes with their partnership as the Bellerive pitch began to play easier after its first-day demons. New Zealand's all pace attack kept the Australians under pressure with Chris Martin (3 for 46), Trent Boult (3 for 29) and Doug Bracewell (3 for 20) among the wickets. Australia lost six wickets in the extended morning session after resuming at 12 for one following Friday's loss of Phil Hughes for four. David Warner only lasted 17 minutes into the second day before he nicked Martin to Ross Taylor at first slip for 15. Ricky Ponting walked before he was given out leg before wicket for five after playing Tim Southee across his pads. It was the fifth time in his last six Test innings that Test cricket's third-greatest runscorer was out lbw and the 30th Test innings since his last century. Ponting's last big knock was 209 against Pakistan almost two years ago in Hobart. Usman Khawaja's watchful 51-ball vigil ended when he edged Martin to wicketkeeper Reece Young for seven in 77 minutes and left Australia 35 for four. Mike Hussey tried to get his bat out of the way of a Boult lifter only to bottom-edge a catch to Young for eight to send Australia reeling at 58 for five. Brad Haddin was out to a loose shot finding Brendan McCullum at mid-off for five and giving Bracewell his first wicket. Michael Clarke did not offer a shot and was surprised by Bracewell's low bounce to be bowled for 22. But Siddle and Pattinson eased Australia past their trans-Tasman Test lowest score before Siddle was caught in the slips by Guptill off Bracewell and Pattinson fell in the next over, brilliantly caught in the gully by Kane Williamson off Boult. Boult took his third wicket in his debut Test trapping Mitchell Starc lbw for four.

Cricket world raises a toast to 'Swashbuckler Sehwag'

Virender Sehwag's awe-inspiring double hundred, only the second in ODI history, continued to fetch him effusive praise with cricketers, athletes from other sports and international media bowing in admiration to his epic knock.

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Sehwag smashed 219 off 149 deliveries in the fourth one-dayer against the West Indies yesterday in Indore, overtaking his idol Sachin Tendulkar's unbeaten 200 to become the highest individual scorer in an ODI. Leading the praise was Tendulkar himself, who said he was happy that a fellow countryman had broken the record created by him. 'I am very happy for Viru and also happy about the fact that someone who has broken my record is my team mate and an Indian. Well done Viru,' the veteran right-hander, who is in Melbourne right now, said in an SMS. The knock also created ripples far away in Australia, a country which India tours next for a Test series. Staying up to catch Sehwag's brutality was Aussie swashbuckler David Warner and he claimed the 33-year-old left him amazed. 'Wow, Test match tomorrow but am still up watching Virender Sehwag score, hopefully, 200. Unreal, and he does [get the] highest ever. Well done mate,' Warner tweeted referring to the second Test against New Zealand today. Sehwag's Indian colleagues were expectedly in awe with players such as Dinesh Karthik and Murali Vijay congratulating the marauding opener. 'It's a great effort. Once he got a triple hundred (in Tests) it was just a matter of time for him to bring up this one. I am a big fan of him. The fact that he can even dispatch good balls to boundaries makes him so different,' Karthik said. Vijay said, 'I was just watching it. I am so happy for him. It's unbelievable. He is such a great batsman. He batted like himself.' Former chief selector, Kiran More described Sehwag as one of the greatest cricketers India had ever produced. 'One of the greatest cricketers India ever had. He is one of the biggest destroyers of spin bowling. Be it Test, one-day or T20, he bats with equal flair. If you see the records, Indian Test cricket have improved tremendously in last 10 years and Viru is a key factor. 'The results are showing. He will be a vital cog in the Indian wheel in their upcoming tour Down Under. He has done well in difficult conditions and on various types of pitches. We can't compare Sachin with Sehwag. When he came, he tried to copy Sachin. But Sehwag has played very freely since then,' More said. Sehwag had athletes from other sports also glued to the TV sets and among them were Indian tennis players Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza who were effusive in congratulating Sehwag. 'Holy cow is all I am gonna say about that innings. Amazing stuff by Viru. As Johnny Mac would say 'you can't be serious,' said Bhupathi. 'What an achievement. What a player. Hats off to Sehwag,' added Mirza. Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar said, 'Congrats Viru for that incredible 219 which was an epic inning! What timing and energy, indeed SehWhacked. Respect.' Not to be left out, Indian Premier League CEO Sundar Raman said, 'If one did not see Viru's innings could easily mistake the scorecard for a game of book cricket!' Former India captain Ajit Wadekar said Sehwag's phenomenal knock of 219 was 'out of the world' stuff. 'I think the knock was out of the world. I have never seen anyone hitting so hard and so aggressively. His cuts, pulls were ferocious. We talk about Vivian Richards, the Aussies but in Sehwag we have someone who can play breathtakingly,' Wadekar said. 'He has got so many 200s. He has such confidence. He knows that he can do it and it was just a matter of time. This knock is one of the best. People will remember his knock for a long time,' he added. Wadekar said the knock would give Sehwag a confidence boost ahead of the Australia series later this month. 'The record breaking knock will give him a lot of confidence. Having played such a knock, helping the team to 418 is not a joke. I'm sure the Aussies would be very worried now,' he Wadekar said. 'It gives us a thrill. We have all the record breakers in our team -- Sachin Tendulkar, Sehwag, VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid. This is the best Indian team ever,' he said. Former Test player Lalchand Rajput said that it was only Sehwag who could have broken Tendulkar's record. 'This was one of the best knocks I have ever seen. People were casting aspersions on him. Many were writing that he had not scored for the past five innings. But he answered them in the right way,' Rajput said. 'If there was anyone who could have broken Sachin Tendulkar's record it was Sehwag. Had he stayed there till the end who knows he could have even scored even a 250. A innings such as this before the Australia tour will give him a lot of confidence.' The international media too gave a round of applause to the rustic Najafgarh-lad, whose simplicity with words and high-risk batting has bowled over many.

Cummins interested but not certain for IPL V

A day after former Australian captain Steve Waugh warned Pat Cummins against falling for the lure of IPL cash, the teen pace sensation today said he will pull out of Twenty20 league if he feels it could have a negative impact on his national team performances.

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Cummins has been ruled out for most of Australia's four-Test series against India due to a heel injury that he picked up during his seven-wicket haul on debut against South Africa in Johannesburg last month. The injury, however, has not deterred the fast bowler from giving his name for the IPL auction next season. But Cummins said it is too premature to take a call on his participation in the cash-rich league. 'I've been talking to some of the other guys. It's a worthwhile opportunity going over there,' Cummins said about his discussions with Australian teammates regarding the IPL. 'But to get in there you have to nominate right now. You can always pull out later. I think it would be great to play, but we'll look at it again closer to the date. If it's going to affect any other cricket over here...I definitely don't want it to be affected,' he was quoted as saying by the Australian media. If Cummins decides to play in the IPL, he will at least miss the first half of the tournament as it clashes with Australia's tour of the West Indies. The IPL begins in Chennai on 4 April and ends on 27 May, while  Australia's tour of the West Indies starts from 16 March till 27 April.

I am a capable batsman: Rampaul

Ravi Rampaul may have surprised one and all by scoring a 66-ball 86 coming at No. 10 but the West Indies new-ball bowler himself isn't surprised about his record-breaking feat.

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'I didn't surprise myself. I am a capable batsman and have done well down the order. I just played my natural game and it came off. It's one of those days when everything has gone my way,' Rampaul said at the post-match media conference. The speedster feels that a stoppage of 44 minutes was very important in the context of the match as he feels that it broke their momentum. 'It broke our momentum. We bowled a little bit short and were not consistent enough,' Rampaul reasoned. But the Windies looking for an elusive win on Indian soil hoped to pick their first win of their tour soon. 'We are learning as a team. We hope get across the line soon.' 'But credit to Indian bowlers and there was lack of application at the crease. The ball was moving around. You can't go out there and play shots and some batsmen played defensive shots.' On his ruthless approach against India off-spinner Ashwin, he said: 'I just played as per merit.' Rampaul also praised the match-winning 163-run fourth wicket partnership between Kohli and Sharma. 'They batted pretty well and paced the innings well.'

Sehwag praises maturity shown by Virat, Rohit

Stand-in captain Virender Sehwag lavished praise on the young duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma stating that they batted as if they were 'veteran of 200 matches.' 'They both batted with lot of maturity as if they have played 200 matches in between them although they have only played around 60-70 matches,' Sehwag told the media persons at the post-match conference.

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The skipper said he was happy that Rohit kept his vow to finish the game this time around as he remained unbeaten to guide India to a five-wicket win. 'I am pretty happy with their performance. Especially with that of Rohit Sharma. Yesterday he had promised that he would finish the game for us and he did just that. Also Virat Kohli batted superbly.' Sehwag feels that both Kohli and Sharma would get the requisite confidence from this series before embarking on a tough assignment of Australia later this month. 'It's important for everyone whoever going to Australia to take the confidence and play well there. It's a big challenge in Australia. I am sure they will handle the pressure well. They will practice hard and get used to bounce and play well there.' Sehwag was also effusive in his praise for the new-ball duo of Vinay Kumar and Umesh Yadav. 'With the new ball, both Umesh and Vinay bowled really well. They are learning and improving with each match.' Sehwag also praised Ravi Rampaul for his record breaking 86 runs coming in at No 10. 'Suddenly, Rampaul came in and he started connecting. I tried everything. The day belonged to Rampaul. Every ball he connected went to six or four. Credit goes to him also for putting a challenging total.' The captain didn't seem too concerned about his own form and feels that it's just a matter of time and may be Motera will be his day. 'I am not thinking about myself. My batting is natural. I am not worried about myself. Sometimes you hit from the first ball but today I was not connecting well. Everything was going towards third men. Sometimes you work hard but remain edgy in your innings. But hopefully, I will do well when I go to Ahmedabad.' Similarly he had words of encouragement for Ravichandran Ashwin who got hammered by Rampaul. 'It happens sometimes. Like today was Ashwin's off day. He went for 74 runs in 10 overs. It happens with batsmen also. I totally agree and am aware of that.' Like an elder statesman, he also defended Parthiv Patel's failure at the top of the order. 'Right now, we are not worried about Parthiv. It happens with openers. When you come out to open the batting after keeping wickets for 50 overs, your legs are tired. But he has to learn. He has to be consistent. He is still a young lad. I am sure he will do well in the coming matches.' Meanwhile, Virat Kohli intends to make hay till the sun shines. 'I know you can't continue in good form for ever. Therefore I want this good form to be extended as much as possible because when never know when you hit a bad patch,' Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony while receiving his man of the match award. 'It's the worst thing that a batsman has to go though. Suddenly, there will be a five-match series and a few low scores would make things difficult for you,' he said. He has now scored two centuries at this particular ground but Kohli feels that both innings can't be compared. 'You can't compare my century against Australia with any effort. Against Australia, the wicket was slow and scoring wasn't really difficult. But today, it wasn't a wicket where you could just go out there and play your shots. You needed time to adjust before starting to play your shots,' Kohli explained. Asked about his 163-run partnership with Rohit Sharma, Kohli said, 'It's always been a great experience to bat with Rohit. Batting together, we are constantly learning about how to put partnerships.' Rival skipper Darren Sammy expressed his disappointment at not being able to deliver the knock-out punch. 'We tried to punch the Indians but they punched us harder. Ravi played well and it was great to see Kemar bowl like this. The smile is back on his face but somehow we are not being able to give the final push.'

Akmal meets PCB chief after being ignored for national call-up

Disca rded Pakistan glovesman Kamran Akmal met with the PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf in another attempt to resurrect his international career. The experienced wicketkeeper, who received a lot of flak for his shoddy work behind the stumps during World Cup and since been ignored has reportedly complaint about selectors overlooking him despite his good performances in domestic matches.

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'Kamran conveyed to the board Chairman that the selectors were being unfair to him despite his good performances in domestic cricket as he had ignored him for the Sri Lanka series and Bangladesh tour,' a source close to the cricketer informed. Kamran's name also came up during the spot-fixing scandal along with pacer Wahab Riaz who has also not been picked during recent matches. 'Kamran wanted to clear a few misunderstandings surrounding him,' the source revealed. The source even added that Kamran had told Ashraf that he has submitted all necessary documents regarding bank accounts and assets to ICC and PCB's integrity committee. Kamran has been in good form in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and scored another half century in a ninth round match for National bank on Wednesday.

Vettori, Brownlie lead Kiwi fight back

Daniel Vettori and Dean Brownlie restored the New Zealand first innings after a clatter of wickets on the opening day of the first cricket Test against Australia at the Gabba today. With storm clouds building, the Black Caps went to an early tea through bad light at 176 for five after winning the toss.

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Former skipper Vettori was on 45 off 66 balls and Brownlie, dropped twice on three, unbeaten on 32 off 89 deliveries. The Kiwis were faltering at 96 for five shortly after lunch when Jesse Ryder on six cut Mitchell Starc straight to David Warner at point for the pace debutant's second wicket. Starc dismissed opening batsman Brendon McCullum for 34 in the morning session, also caught by Warner, playing in his first Test match. Left-armer Starc had the figures of 2 for 52 off 13 overs at tea. All four of Australia's bowlers each took a wicket in the morning session. Australia made their first breakthrough with the wicket of Martin Guptill for 13 in the 11th over. Siddle, leading the inexperienced Australian pace attack in his 26th Test match, got an edge which wicketkeeper Brad Haddin snapped up, leaving the Black Caps at 44 for one inside the first hour. McCullum was out to a careless dismissal, bottom-edging a square cut to Warner to give Starc his first Test wicket in his sixth over. Captain Ross Taylor had a lucky escape on four runs when he was dropped by Usman Khawaja off Pattinson before Kane Williamson was out for 19. Williamson played across his pads to finger spinner Nathan  Lyon and flicked a head-high catch to Khawaja close in to the bat leaving the Kiwis at 78 for three. Pattinson got the prized wicket of Taylor, who dragged a wide delivery on to his stumps for 14 nearing lunch. But Vettori and Brownlie restored some respectability by combining 77 runs before tea. Australia left paceman Ben Cutting out of the starting eleven, which contained three debutants -- Pattinson, Starc and Warner. The Black Caps omitted fast bowler Trent Boult and brought in Vettori, who sat out the warm-up four-day game against Australia A in Brisbane.

India lets Pakistan off the hook

India squandered a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 against arch-rivals Pakistan in an ill-tempered match of the double leg tri-nation hockey tournament here yeserday. Veteran drag-flicker Sohail Abbas struck twice for Pakistan in the 46th and 64th minutes while captain Shakeel Abbasi scored the equaliser a minute later after India had taken what seemed to be an unassailable 3-0 lead at the breather.

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For India, Tushar Khandkar, Danish Mujtaba and Rupinder Pal Singh scored in the violence-marred match which was stopped one minute and 35 seconds before the end of regulation time due to ugly incidents on the field involving players of both sides. Despite one minute and 35 seconds remaining in the clock, the drawn result of the thrilling match stand as the two teams decided to stop the match after a half-an-hour stoppage. India were clearly the better side in the first half with numerous attacks on the Pakistani citadel. Immediately after a Danish Mujtaba's hit was palmed away by Pakistan goalie Imran Shah, Khandar put India ahead in the fifth minute. He latched on to a cross from the right and gently tapped in an aerial ball into the net. This fifth minute goal added venom to Pakistan attack but the Indian defence, manned by VR Raghunath and Manjit and ably assisted by Sardar Singh, withstood the pressure

Barca cuts Real lead to three

An Alexis Sanchez brace helped Barcelona to a 4-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano which reduced Real Madrid's lead to three points and showed they will not give up their title without a fight. Barca were given a quick chance to respond to their 1-0 away defeat to Getafe at the weekend as yesterday's fixture was brought forward due to the Catalan side's involvement in the Club World Cup next month in Japan, and they ran out resounding victors.

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While Real have been in ominous form and recorded their 13th consecutive victory by beating local rivals Atletico Madrid at the weekend, Barca have stuttered recently away. At home though they have been as impressive as ever and with their victory over Rayo they have now scored 34 goals without reply at the Camp Nou.     Still they started nervously until Sanchez gave them the lead after 28 minutes and then before the break the Chilean again and David Villa gave them a commanding advantage. Lionel Messi made it 4-0 four minutes into the second half.     Andres Iniesta returned to Barca's starting line-up while Cesc Fabregas, also fit again, was on the bench along with the rested Sergio Busquets. Promoted Rayo lost at home to Valencia on Saturday but they have had a fairly good start to their first top-flight campaign since 2002-03. The visitors from Madrid held their own in the opening stages and were unlucky not to take the lead with Lass Bangoura shooting wide from close range in only the third minute. Barcelona were tentative and struggling to find their rhythm, and while Dani Alves had a shot well saved by keeper David Cobeno, at the other end keeper Victor Valdes tipped a free-kick, which had been crossed in by Michel Sanchez, onto the crossbar. A goal for the home side did not look on the cards but then a moment of magic from Sanchez put them in the driving seat. He moved the ball from his left to his right foot and curled a shot in off the post from the edge of the area.     It opened the floodgates as Rayo began to pay for their expansive play. Alexis prodded in a second after 40 minutes in slightly fortuitous  circumstances with the ball coming back to him off Xavi Hernandez's heel and then two minutes later Villa slotted into an empty net after being supplied selflessly by Dani Alves. After the break Messi burst away from Javi Fuego on the right wing before running in unchallenged on goal and finishing clinically to complete the scoring.