THREE MARVELS FIGHT FOR THE TOP SPOT

Ricky Ponting, Graeme Smith and MS Dhoni, three men with one new year resolution, to take their team to the top of the ICC Test rankings."I think the balance of power is evening out in world cricket. Credit to Australia they have dominated world cricket for decade or so and they obviously enjoyed their time and it doesn't mean they are going to be beaten in future tours or going to be easy to beat," said Graeme Smith after South Africa clinched the three-Test series 2-0 against Ponting's men.Australia are much like a wounded tiger, losing two out of the last three series in 2008 has been a hard blow for a proud cricketing outfit. If another loss comes in the new year Test at Sydney, their crown will pass on."International sport and life is all about ups and downs, this year for us had been an indifferent one but its been a learning curve and a learning year for us all. Even me who has played nearly 130 tests, you learn something from every game that you play," stated Ponting.They will learn, but to the keen eye the gap hasn't just narrowed between Australia and the rest, the men from down under are left to play catch-up.

"We have seen the end of the last men standing; the Haydens, the Symonds and probably Brett Lee too. They need to find some new people. India and South Africa are the two stand-out sides," opined former player and cricket writer Peter Roebuck.But even in the gloom of the decline, the man at the helm of Aussie cricket holds out hope."I'm still very positive and very sure that with some of these younger guys coming through and coming on in a few years time that we can get back up there and be dominating world cricket once again," said Ponting.So 2009 will be the story of this three-horse race and cricket fans will be looking forward to the ride.

SRILANKA TOUR TO PAKISTAN AGAIN IN TROUBLE

The Sri Lankan tour of Pakistan seems to have hit another road block just when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was preparing to host Sri Lanka for a test and one day international series.

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has turned down the PCB’s proposal to play three tests and five one-dayers.“Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has turned down the Pakistan Cricket Board’s proposal to play three Tests and five one-dayers, making it clear that such an assignment would put extra work-load on their players,” The News quoted an SLC source, as saying.SLC is now insisting that they want to delay their proposed tour of Pakistan by three weeks and reduce it to two Tests, three One-day Internationals and twenty20 game.

The SLC’s demand for rescheduling the series has created another headache for PCB as Pakistan has to tour Bangladesh from March 3.Any rescheduling would now mean clashing of dates with the Bangladesh series“The situation is tricky now, because if we go by Sri Lanka’s revised itinerary then this series clashes with our confirmed tour of Bangladesh scheduled from March 3,” chief operating officer of PCB Saleem Altaf, said.The Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan has been ‘troubled’ earlier also. The interim committee of the SLC was disbanded and its chief Arjuna Ranatunga was sacked when he allowed the team to visit Pakistan. Later President Mahinda Rajapakse gave the series a green signal.

It seems that problems for PCB are endless. After a series of cancellation of tours Pakistan is hoping to play a test match for the first time in a year, but the latest controversy regarding dates has clouds of uncertainty hovering over the home series against Sri Lanka too.

SRILANKA VS BANGLADESH 1st TEST 2008:SRILANKA WON THE 1st TEST COMFORTABLY

Muttiah Muralitharan took three wickets to strengthen Sri Lanka's chances of winning the opening Test against Bangladesh here on Tuesday despite a fighting 70 not out by skipper Mohammad Ashraful.Bangladesh, shot out for 178 in the first innings, put in a better performance in the second innings when they reached 254-5 at stumps on the penultimate day, chasing an unlikely 521-run target.The highest fourth-innings total to win a Test is 418-7, by the West Indies against Australia in Antigua in 2003.
Ashraful offered stiff resistance to the Sri Lankan attack, hitting 11 fours in his eighth Test half-century -- his first since July 2007. He also completed 2,000 Test runs during his 153-ball knock.Off-spinner Muralitharan (3-85), who bagged six wickets in the first innings, again did the maximum damage as he did not allow Bangladesh's middle-order batsmen to settle with his clever variations.

He had Junaid Siddique (37) caught by skipper Mahela Jayawardene at first slip and bowled Raqibul Hasan (24) in his four overs in the afternoon session. Muralitharan reduced the hosts to 180-5 when he had Mehrab Hossain (23) caught by substitute Chamara Kapugedera at mid-off in the last session.Ashraful and Shakib Al Hasan (34 not out) then denied Sri Lanka further success with a 74-run stand for the unbroken sixth wicket.

The Bangladeshi captain reached his half-century in the last session when he drove Muralitharan through the covers for a four.Sri Lanka, resuming at 291-4, added 114 in the morning session before declaring their second innings closed at 405-6. Jayawardene top-scored with a superb 166, his 24th Test century.The Sri Lankan captain, unbeaten on 129 on Sunday, put on 95 for the fifth wicket with Tillakaratne Dilshan (47) before being caught at first slip by Siddique off spinner Mehrab Hossain. He hit one six and 19 fours.The second and final Test starts in Chittagong on Saturday.

AUSTRALIAN MEDIA MOURNS ON AUSSIE TEAMS WATERLOO

The Australian media mourned the 'crumbling of an empire' with the Aussies on the verge of losing the second Test against South Africa here and their first home series loss since 1992-93.The media asked the selectors to make wholesale changes in the team for the third and final Test starting in Sydney on January 3 and said if they don't do that they should also be sacked.

Headlined 'Day that shook the world champs as Ricky Ponting's empire crumbles', The Australian wrote, "Not even Ricky Ponting's tragic heroics can avoid the reality that if the selectors do not make wholesale changes for the last Test in Sydney then they, too, should be sacked."The Sydney Morning Herald echoed the sad reality of Australia's decline but sympathised with Ponting.

"An empire is crumbling around Ricky Ponting, who in agonising circumstances stands 153 runs away from becoming the first Australian captain in 16 years to preside over a series defeat on home soil," it said."The handover, when it came, was almost poetic. Captain Ricky Ponting had played an innings that amounted to a lone last stand against the usurpers from South Africa and the march of time," The Age wrote under the headline 'Winds of change at MCG'."All good things come to an end, but the end nonetheless often still comes as a shock. This was true of Ponting's innings and Australia's, metaphorically a long and good one, both suddenly over.

AUSTRALIA VS SOUTHAFRICA 2nd TEST DEC2008:-SOUTH AFRICA WINS THE 3 MATCH TEST SERIES BY BEATING AUSSIE 2-0

Australia won't forget this one easily. If India challenged the Aussie dominance, South Africa sealed the last nail in the coffin on Tuesday.


Graeme Smith's men romped to a nine-wicket win at the MCG and clinched the three-Test series against Australia 2-0.


Chasing 183 to win the match, South Africa started the day on 30-0. Skipper Smith dented the Aussie hopes of jangling a few South African nerves with his usual confident strokeplay. Along with fellow opener Neil McKenzie, Smith added 119 for the first wicket, playing out Australia completely of the game and more importantly the series.


Smith scored a blazing 75 off 94 deliveries before he was trapped by Nathan Hauritz. Smith spent more than two hours at the crease and scored 10 boundaries. This is Australia's first Test series defeat at home in 16 years.


McKenzie (59 not out) and Hashim Amla (30 not out) notched up the remaining runs to hand the Aussies their second series loss in three series. This is Australia's first defeat at home in 16 years.


Having taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, South Africa will topple Australia from their top ranking if Graeme Smith's men can win the third and final Test in Sydney.


The result leaves no doubt that with defeats against India and South Africa in the space of three months, Australia have gone from being a brute winning force to a team that can be tamed.

SHANE WARNE GIVES A WARM WELCOME FOR DAY-NIGHT TESTS

The concept of night Tests may be seen as breaking away from tradition by purists but Australian spin legend Shane Warne feels the innovation can help bring back fans to cricket's longest format, which is struggling for spectators currently."I think day-night Tests will definitely help Test cricket. Test cricket is strong in Australia, England, South Africa and India.
"But we need other countries to support Test cricket and day-night Tests, as I said, will help," Warne said in a live chat with fans organised by The Herald Sun newspaper here.The outspoken former leg-spinner felt the standard of umpiring in international cricket is also dwindling fast and singled out Pakistan's Aleem Dar as the one making too many mistakes."To me Aleem Dar makes too many mistakes and needs a break. Umpiring standards are pretty poor," he remarked.


Warne, who once claimed to be happily retired, said he was well aware of the clamour for his return amid the continuing Aussie slump. And although he missed his days in the dressing room, Warne insisted that he was focussed on being a good dad right now."Of course I miss playing for Australia. It was nearly 20 years of my life and I enjoy the ups and downs of playing cricket. And I never saw it as a job," Warne said."I saw it as a sport and something to be enjoyed so that I can give my best for the country. My job is to be the best father I can possibly be to my children. I especially miss the Boxing day Test match," he added.

LATEST ICC NEWS AS ON 29th DEC 2008

Plenty at stake for New Zealand in Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship table

Black Caps can rise to fourth place but could slip to as low as eighth in series with the West Indies .New Zealand can climb one place to fourth in the Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship table but could drop to as low as eighth when it goes head to head with the West Indies in the five-match ODI series starting in Queenstown on Wednesday. 

Daniel Vettori’s side currently sits in fifth place on 113 ratings points and a 5-0 series win will put it ahead of Pakistan in fourth place on 118 points. A 4-1 series win will also be enough for the Black Caps to improve upon their current standing. 

However, if the 5-0 series result goes the other way, New Zealand will concede 11 ratings points and the West Indies will gain 11 points. This will put both the teams level on 102 ratings points but Chris Gayle’s side will be placed higher than the Black Caps in seventh place when ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point..........

Accreditation process for ICC Women's World Cup 2009 opens

The accreditation process for all members of the media intending to attend the ICC Women’s World Cup 2009 in Australia is now open. Members of the media who wish to cover the event are urged to submit their applications before the close of business on Sunday 15 February 2009 (Dubai time). 

The tournament will see the world’s top eight teams – hosts and holders Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies – compete at six venues across New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in 16 days from 7-22 March. ESPN Star Sports, ICC’s official broadcaster, will broadcast all seven matches that will take place at North Sydney Oval, including the final. This will ensure that the event will be the most widely viewed to date, with the coverage likely to be aired in more than 100 countries..........

AUSTRALIA VS SOUTHAFRICA 2nd TEST DEC2008:-STEYN STRIKES AGAIN

In what has been nothing short of a miraculous turnaround, South Africa accelerated their surge towards a series win against Australia on the fourth day at Melbourne.Australia were bowled out for 247 in their second innings before close of play, giving South Africa a 183-run target to clinch the series.In reply, South Africa got off to a perfect start as Graeme Smith sped up the chase with an unbeaten 25 off just 19 balls. The visitors reached 30-0 at stumps, needing only 153 more to claim their biggest series win.Brett Lee, bowling with an injury, would have tasted success had he not overstepped when he cleaned up Niel McKenzie. The incident perhaps rounded off what have been two horrid days for the Australians.


On the penultimate day, the home side crumbled at the MCG, with only Ricky Ponting putting up a fight to the resurgent Proteas. The Aussie skipper followed up his first innings ton with a gritty 99 when the rest of his fellow batsmen buckled under pressure.After JP Duminy and Dale Steyn turned the tables with the bat on Sunday to gain a vital 65-run lead, the visitors ran through the Australian batting with some hostile pace. Steyn was the leader of the pack once again, removing the openers Matthew Hayden (23) and Michael Katich (15) early.


Michael Hussey (two) was sent back with a snorter from Morne Morkel, although replays suggested the southpaw may have been unlucky.Vice-captain Michael Clarke stuck it out in the middle with Ponting looking at his peerless best at the other end. The duo put up a gritty 93-run stand. But Steyn was back in action soon and gave skipper Graeme Smith a double bonanza as he snared Clarke (30) and Andrew Symonds (zero) in successive overs.


Brad Haddin (10) and Brett Lee (eight) could not do what the South African tail did a day before. Both departed before tea with skipper Ponting stranded on the other end.Mitchell Johnson (43 not out) hung in there but the Proteas were in no mood to give it away. Jacques Kallis cleaned up Nathan Hauritz (three) and Dale Steyn took his second five-wicket haul of the game when he scalped last man Peter Siddle (six).

AUSSIES SHUNNED AS INDIA DOMINATES 2008 DREAM TEAM

Six Indians cricketers -- including Sachin Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni -- figure in The Guardian newspaper's 'World Test XI of the Year' which interestingly does not include a single Australian.Former England all-rounder Vic Marks prepared the list which came out in today's edition of the daily where Marks is a writer.Apart from Tendulkar and Dhoni, the other Indians in Marks' team were opener Virender Sehwag, pace partners Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma with Harbhajan Singh as the only spinner."This is brilliant; we do not really know which is the best team in the world. For a decade, it has been Australia and there has been nothing to argue about. Now there are three contenders as India and South Africa challenge Australia's supremacy," said Marks.


"Pick the best XI from these four sides (apologies to Sri Lanka, Pakistan, West Indies and New Zealand for being so exclusive) and it is possible, without too much mischief, not to select a single Australian. This may be an indication of the way things are going," he added.Marks picked South African captain Graeme Smith as the skipper of his World XI and the other opener alongside Sehwag."He (Smith) is the best ugly batsman in the world," quipped the former Somerset player"Seeking romance and adventure, the choice has to be Virender Sehwag. But, even if pragmatism rules the day, the alternative is another Indian, Gautam Gambhir, who - while not especially pleasing on the eye - is fiercely combative and oozing runs in 2008," he said. Marks said he gave Australian skipper Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey's names a thought for the middle-order but ultimately decided to select England captain Kevin Pietersen, Tendulkar and South African AB de Villiers on the basis of their current form.

"Of course, there is a case for Ricky Ponting at three if we take into account his entire career. But he has failed too often recently and is no longer playing his cricket with a smile," he explained."So the middle order comprises Kevin Pietersen, Sachin Tendulkar and AB de Villiers. All three have hit brilliant centuries during the past fortnight, so they are in form.

"It was odd that, after 156 Tests, there were still some Indians who questioned whether Tendulkar was capable of playing the "match-winning" innings. In Chennai, he willed himself to the hundred and the victory that a wounded country demanded. In some ways, it was a humble innings as Tendulkar declined to play extravagant strokes in case they jeopardised his goal," Marks said.The all-rounder's place went to Andrew Flintoff despite his recent lean patch."Andrew Flintoff may seem an Anglo-centric selection, but watching him bowl on the energy-sapping pitches of India clinched his place, even though we have to question his ability to score enough runs for our number six." For the wicket-keeper it was a toss up between Dhoni and his South African counterpart Mark Boucher but Dhoni got Marks' vote for his energy. "Dhoni made his name as a long-haired flayer of all types of bowling, who quickly became a folk hero in India. Now he has a sober haircut and, as captain, is the ultimate pragmatist, prepared to revert to all-out defence if necessary. Already, his record in charge is mighty impressive: played five, won four, drawn one," he said.

"Harbhajan Singh gets the spinning slot in a weak field. In the real World XI, Sri Lanka provides the spin. A year ago, Monty Panesar might have been considered - now he is fretting about his England place." The pace attack is all-Indian with Zaheer and Ishant and marks' said the duo is simply unmatched right now."The first-choice pacemen are India's two opening bowlers. Zaheer Khan's mastery of swinging the old ball, especially from around the wicket, cannot be matched by anyone in world cricket," he pointed out."So there are six Indians, three South Africans and two Englishmen, which may not accurately reflect the status quo, but does suggest where the momentum lies. Whatever the ICC table says, there is an argument that India are already the best team, especially in their own conditions.Vic Marks' select XI: Grame Smith (c), Virender Sehwag, Kevin Pietersen, Sachin Tendulkar, A B De Villiers, Andrew Flintoff, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Dale Steyn.

AUSTRALIA,PAKISTAN TO CLASH IN A FIRST EVER NIGHT TEST

Australia and Pakistan are all set to make history by becoming the first cricket teams to play a night Test next November in Adelaide.According to a report in The Sunday Telegraph, Cricket Australia (CA) will soon seek the International Cricket Council's approval for holding the match that will have a 1400hrs (local time) start."Test cricket is our premium form of the game so why (not) play it at a time when most people can watch it? There's no doubt it will happen - people can go after work and it's a cooler time of the day for spectators," CA chief executive James Sutherland said.

"The Olympics, the NRL and the AFL ... Much of it is played at night because it's a more convenient time for viewers and fans," he pointed out.The biggest roadblock in holding the match is the availability of a suitable ball but CA says it will be taken care of by November."The white ball for one-day cricket that lasts 50 overs is not suitable," Sutherland said.

SRILANKA VS BANGLADESH 1st TEST 2008:MAHELA JAYAWARDENE'S TON TURNS MATCH IN FAVOR OF SRILANKA

Mahela Jayawardene smashed a solid 129 not out to put Sri Lanka in a winning position on the third day of the opening Test against Bangladesh here on Sunday.


The Sri Lankan captain hit one six and 15 fours in his 24th Test hundred to help his side post 291-4 in the second innings at stumps for a massive overall lead of 406. The tourists were in trouble at 18-2 before Jayawardene bolstered the innings with a 135-run stand for the third wicket with Kumar Sangakkara (67) and 138 for the next with Thilan Samaraweera (62). Paceman Mahbubul Alam struck in the eighth over when he trapped Malinda Warnapura (eight) leg-before and Mashrafe Mortaza bowled Michael Vandort (six) in the next over.


Jayawardene, 31, and left-handed Sangakkara then kept the Bangladeshi attack at bay with their responsible knocks, batting comfortably against both pace and spin. The Sri Lankan skipper reached his century in the final session when he hit Alam through mid-wicket for a four. He punished the bowler again, hitting three successive fours in an over.


Bangladesh got just one wicket in the afternoon session when left-arm spinner Mehrab Hossain had Sangakkara caught behind. The Sri Lankan batsman struck eight fours in his 27th Test half-century. But there was no respite for the hosts as middle-order batsman Samaraweera gave valuable support to his captain before being bowled by Mortaza off the day's last delivery.

Samaraweera, who top-scored with 90 in the first innings, hit eight fours in his 17th Test half-century. Bangladesh were earlier dismissed for 178 in their first innings in reply to Sri Lanka's 293 after having resumed at 177-9. Off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan finished with 6-49.

Sri Lanka needed just one over to end Bangladesh's innings, with Muralitharan having last-man Alam caught by Warnapura at short-leg for no score. It was Muralitharan's 66th haul of five or more wickets in a Test innings. The match will resume on Tuesday after a rest day on Monday because of Bangladesh's election. The second and final Test starts in Chittagong on January 3.

WI VS NZ 2nd T20:BRENDON MCCULLUM,JESSE RYDER PUT NZ TO A WIN OVER WI

Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder put on 130 runs for the opening wicket to set up New Zealand's 36-run win over the West Indies in the second Twenty20 international.

The win tied the two-match series 1-1 after the West Indies won the opener in a one-over eliminator after the teams were tied.

McCullum hit 59 from 34 balls with six fours and four sixes and Ryder 62 from 41 balls with seven fours and three sixes as New Zealand reached 191-9 from its 20 overs, its highest score in Twenty20 matches.Daniel Vettori took 2-19 and Jeetan Patel 2-12 as New Zealand restricted the West Indies to 155-7 in their 20 overs in reply.

New Zealand's win ended an eight-match losing streak in Twenty20 internationals and produced the first definitive result of the West Indies tour after both matches in the two-Test series were drawn."It was a very good win," New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori said. "I'm really pleased with the performance barring five or six overs when we were batting.

"Brendon and Jesse were obviously outstanding. They were able to get themselves set today more than they did in Auckland and when they get set anything can happen. You can pile up some very big scores off a few balls in this type of cricket."

Ryder and McCullum smashed their way to 130 from only 11.4 overs before McCullum was caught by Shivnarine Chanderpaul off the bowling of Chris Gayle. The hosts threatened a massive total but collapsed as the last nine wickets fell for 61 runs off 51 balls.Jerome Taylor took 2-29 for the West Indies, Gayle 2-27 and Kieron Pollard 2-29.New Zealand struck a vital blow early in the West Indies innings when debuting paceman Ewen Thompson removed Gayle for 1 with his second ball in international cricket. Gayle had been the difference in the first match of the series, hitting 67 in the allotted overs and dominating the one-over eliminator.Ramnaresh Sarwan found form after struggling in the Test series and hit 53 runs from 36 balls.The West Indies weren't able to keep up with the onerous run rate and their challenge gradually wilted. A 68-run sixth wicket partnership between Pollard (38) and Denesh Ramdin (30) gave some substance to the total"We had a disappointing start, put down a few chances and didn't really recover from that," Gayle said.A five-match one-day series begins at Queenstown on Wednesday.

AUSTRALIA VS SOUTHAFRICA 2nd TEST DEC2008:-DUMINY,STEYN GAVE SA UPPERHAND

In a dream recovery, South Africa turned the table on Australia with Jean-Paul Duminy’s maiden Test hundred helping the tourists reach 459 in their first innings on the third day of the second Test match on Sunday.


Duminy, playing in his only second Test, scored a majestic 166 off 339 balls and raised fruitful partnerships along with Dale Steyn (76 off 191 balls with nine fours and a six) and Paul Harris (39 off 67 balls with four fours) to give his team a vital 65-run first innings lead.


The Aussies had made four for no loss in their second innings at stumps.


The magnificent fightback by the Proteas provided more evidence for their claims they are the best side in the world on a day when Australian bowlers struggled and flopped even as the visitors' recovery has dashed certainly the hosts’ chances of winning the series.


Resuming at their overnight score of 198 for seven, the Proteas added 261 runs for the last three wickets with some exceptional stands after their skipper Graeme Smith has struggled to keep their innings afloat on the second day of the three-match test series.


The thing that the Aussie bowlers let the visitor’s wobbly tail wag as much as it did was unthinkable a couple of years ago though the South Africans, who started the morning 196 behind with only three wickets, should be given full credit for their dogged show.

SRILANKA VS BANGLADESH 1st TEST 2008:MURALIDARAN CASTS HIS MAGIC AGAIN

Master spinner Muttiah Muralidaran’s five-wicket haul put Sri Lanka in a strong position as the visitors reduced Bangladesh to 177-9 at stumps on day two after being dismissed for 293.

After a steady opening partnership of 44, paceman Vaas made the initial breakthrough, dismissing Imrul Kayes (33) caught at slip by Prasanna Jayawardene off a short delivery.

Star spinner Muralidaran removed fellow opener Tamim Iqbal (17), who lunged for a defensive stroke but got hit on the glove and gave the catch to Malinda Warnapura at short leg. Vaas later picked up skipper Mohammad Ashraful (12) caught at cover point by Tillakaratne Dilshan. Muralidaran then bowled Zunaed Siddique (29), who dragged Murali's trademark "doosra" onto the stumps just before the tea break, as the hosts lost four wickets for just 50 runs.

Bangladesh was largely help by a 41-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Mehrab Hossain jnr (18) and Shakib Al Hasan (23). Earlier, Bangladesh spinner Shakib Al Hasan completed a five-wicket haul.Thilan Samaraweera scored 91 runs to help Sri Lanka push on from a precarious 172-6 at the start of play to a respectable total.

Samaraweera and Vaas refused to bow down in the morning session, adding 98 runs before the first wicket fell. Mashrafe Mortaza made the breakthrough, taking the new ball and getting Vaas (37) caught behind by Mushfiqur Rahim.The Sri Lanka tail folded quickly after Vaas' departure, losing the last four wickets for 23 runs.Hasan got Dammika Prasad (3) lbw for his fourth scalp. Rangana Herath was run out when backing up too far at the bowler's end, and Hasan (5-70) then ended the innings as he got Samaraweera to nick a ball to first slip where Siddique made the catch. Samaraweera's 91 came off 141 balls and included 13 fours.

INDIA WILL BE NO1 BY NEXT YEAR KRISHNAMACHARI SRIKKANTH

A spectacular collective failure in Sri Lanka had the fans up in arms. The world champions had touched down and were hungry to devour a fragile Indian outfit. The road ahead seemed bumpy and uncertain. In times of doubt and anger, a new man was brought in to do a job that is often described as thankless.


As a former India captain and a blunt TV critic, Krishnamachari Srikkanth was known to be a man who spoke his mind. Three months have passed since he took over and what a three months they have been. The trophy cabinet is fuller. Suddenly, a robust Indian team is being called the best in the world. And 'Chairman Cheeka' has overseen it all, and lived the joy with the men he chooses to wear the India crest.

AUSTRALIA VS SOUTHAFRICA 2nd TEST DEC2008:-PETER SIDDLE SPELL PUTS AUSSIES ON COMMAND

Australia's young Peter Siddle scalped three as South Africa were reduced to 198-7 at stumps on the second day of the second Test match here at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday.


South Africa, in reply to Australia's 394 all out in the first innings, lost their first wicket in N McKenzie in the second over for no run.


Mitchell Johnson struck to dismiss Hasim Amla soon after Peter Siddle drew the first blood for the hosts. Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis fought back with 63 runs between them. As the visitors were taking the fight to the hosts' camp, N Hauritz unsettled the pair, getting rid of Kallis for 26.


Wickets fell at regular intervals after Kallis' departure. South Africa lost Smith, de Villiers, Boucher and Morkel for 82 runs. The visitors were 196 runs behind Australia's first innings total of 394. Skipper Smith was the top scorer with 62 runs.


Peter Siddle was rewarded for his nagging line and ended the day with impressive figures of three for 24. Johnson and Hauritz got two wickets each as Brett Lee failed to bag any.


Earlier, Australia started the day on the overnight score of 280 for six and added 114 runs to their total. Michael Clarke remained unbeaten on 88 as Dale Steyn claimed his 10th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

WI VS NZ T20:VETTORI WANTS TIE BREAKER TO BE BANNED FROM T20

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori wants tie-breakers banished from Twenty20 cricket after his side were belted into submission by the West Indies in their opening limited-over international.


"What's wrong with a tie, I have no issues with it," Vettori said Saturday, on the the eve of the second and final Twenty20 match between New Zealand and the West Indies in Hamilton.


When the first match in Auckland on Friday ended in a tie at 155-all the teams were forced to play a one-over "eliminator" involving three batsmen and one bowler to decide the winner.


West Indies captain Chris Gayle belted Vettori for 25, including three sixes, in his over while New Zealand were out for 15 after four balls.


The only previous Twenty20 clash between the two teams in 2006 also ended in a tie and was won by New Zealand after a "bowl-off" where bowlers needed to hit unguarded stumps.


But, Vettori did not believe it was necessary to break a deadlock in an international. "I think a tie's a tie," he said. "I understand the appeal of it (an eliminator). I suppose if you're sitting on the other side of a win you might enjoy it.


"(But) The game's called Twenty20, it's not called One1. We don't want to dilute it too much."


Gayle, who quipped after the first match that "it was a good one-over game", again threatens to be the central figure in the second encounter.


His man-of-the-match performance in Auckland included a bowling spell in which he took two for 16 and a whirlwind 67 off 41 balls with the bat before sealing the issue 25 runs in the play-off over.


New Zealand meanwhile will be without limited overs specialist Scott Styris who will miss the remaining matches against the West Indies because of a broken thumb.


All-rounder Styris was injured during his short-lived knock of 21 from 12 balls on Friday when he was rapped on the hand by a delivery from Fidel Edwards.


The New Zealand management said Styris was to have a pin inserted in his right thumb. There would be no replacement added to the squad for Sunday's match, opening the way for either the uncapped Ewen Thompson or Friday's 12th man Mark Gillespie to make the starting XI.


After the second Twenty20 the teams move to Queenstown to start a five-match one-day international series.

WI VS NZ T20:WEST INDIES BEAT NEWZELAND IN A HISTORICAL TIE BREAKER

The West Indies and New Zealand made Twenty20 International history on Friday, with the Caribbean side winning the format's first one-over tiebreaker (super over) after the sides were tied after 20 overs.

Captain Chris Gayle smashed 67 from 41 balls to guide his team to 155-8 in reply to New Zealand's 155-7 to set up the tie.

Gayle then hit three sixes among 25 runs as the West Indies outscored New Zealand in the super over, giving the tourists a 1-0 lead in the two-match series which concludes at Hamilton on Sunday.

The West Indies and New Zealand were the first teams to play a tie in a Twenty20 International, at the same venue, Eden Park, two years ago. That match was the first in cricket history to be decided by a bowl-out.

Friday's match added a new footnote to Twenty20 history, as the first match decided by a super over.

Ross Taylor top-scored with 63 and Scott Styris made 21 as New Zealand reached a moderate total of 155 after winning the toss.

The West Indies were well on target to overtake that score when Gayle, whose innings included five fours and five sixes, sharing a 63-run second-wicket partnership with Xavier Marshall. But after reaching 82-2 in the 10th over and 114-4 when Gayle was out in the 15th over — well ahead of the necessary run rate — the West Indies lost their way and were unable to surpass New Zealand's total.

Spinners Daniel Vettori (3-16) and Jeetan Patel put the brakes on the tourists' scoring and left the West Indies needing 16 runs from their last two overs and then seven from the last to win the match.

Young fast bowler Tim Southee took a wicket with the first ball of the final over and forced a run out on the fourth, but Jerome Taylor edged a boundary and took a single off the last two balls to leave the scores tied.

The teams were then required to nominate three batsmen and a bowler to play out a super over designed to break the tie.

The West Indies chose Gayle, Marshall and Shivnarine Chanderpaul to bat and the tall spinner Sulieman Benn to bowl. New Zealand chose Jacob Oram, Taylor and Brendon McCullum to bat and Vettori to bowl.

Vettori was unable to curb Gayle's hitting in the super over. The West Indies captain smashed sixes from the first, third and fourth balls then ended with a four and a two, after an earlier run-out, to take 25 from six balls.

Oram smashed six from the first ball he faced, then ran two byes, but was out to the third ball of the New Zealand over. McCullum hit a six off the next ball and was out to the fifth ball, ending the game.

"It's the second time I've played a Twenty20 game against New Zealand here and the second time it's ended in a tie. At least this time we came out on top," Gayle said.

"It was good. Both teams enjoyed it, though I'm glad we won."

LATEST NEWS ON IPL AS ON DEC 26th 2008

IPL franchises are firming up their plans for the second auction of players which is to be held on February 6, CNN-IBN has learnt.


According to sources, if England's players do become available then the Chennai Super Kings are likely to net Andrew Flintoff.


The struggling Bangalore Royal Challengers, meanwhile, in all probability will bag England captain Kevin Pietersen.


Even though the trading window is open for already contracted players, most teams are adopting a wait and watch approach.


Newspaper reports suggested that Zaheer Khan of the Bangalore Royal Challengers and Rohit Sharma of the Deccan Chargers were to be released. Both were said to be headed for the Mumbai Indians, who wanted the players to play in their home city.


But those moves have fallen through. Zaheer has been in great bowling form of late and Rohit was the highest scorer for Hyderabad in the first season.

AUSTRALIA VS SOUTHAFRICA 2nd TEST DEC2008:-RICKY PONTING TON RECOVERS AUSSIES AFTER EARLY JOLT

Australia, bolstered by a hundred by Ricky Ponting, were 280 for six at stumps on the first day of the second cricket Test against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground here on Friday.


The hosts, after electing to bat, lost their first wicket in Matthew Hayden who has been under pressure for lack of form with bat this year. Hayden made eight runs before he became the first victim of Makhaya Ntini.


As the hosts were looking in control, Dale Steyn struck to send back Katich. He followed it up with the wicket of Michael Hussey for a duck. And suddenly Aussie slipped from 1-128 to 3-143.


However, skipper Ponting recovered the hosts who are already trailing the five-match series 1-0. Ponting led from the front with a magnificent hundred that included 10 boundaries and one six.


Ponting was caught by Amla off Harris just before tea as the hosts were reduce d to 184 for four.


Australia lost two more wickets for 96 runs in the final session. All-rounder Symonds who was cleared a couple of days back to play in the match after injury, chipped in with 27. Haddin was the other batsman dismissed for 40. Ntini and Morkel claimed the two wickets.

MS DHONI NAMED THE LEADER OF 2008's WORLD TEST TEAM

The year seems to be getting better for Indian skipper MS Dhoni and opener Gautam Gambhir even as it draws to a close. The duo were included in Sydney Morning Herald's Team of the year.


Dhoni was chosen the skipper of the team that includes stalwarts like South African captain Graeme Smith, England skipper Kevin Pietersen and West Indies' middle order batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul.


"After culpably missing the tour to Sri Lanka, Dhoni led his team to victory over Australia and England, displaying an ability to forge a fighting unit and pursue ruthless strategies," said the Sydney Morning Herald about the Indian captain.


Gambhir, who scored 1134 runs at an average of 70.88 from eight Tests this year, will have Smith as his opening partner.


In what could be seen as a significant reflection of Australia's cricketing fortunes, the daily chose only one Australian in the eleven. Pacer Mitchell Johnson, who took eight wickets in South Africa's first innings in Perth a few days ago, was the lone Australian in the team.


South Africa had the maximum candidates with as many as three batsmen (Smith, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers) and one bowler (Dale Steyn) in the line-up.

AUSTRALIA VS SOUTHAFRICA 2nd TEST DEC2008:-SOUTH AFRICA GOES WITH FULL CONFIDENCE TO MELBOURNE TEST

THE PROTEAS Castle Test squad attempt the final leg of their destiny-defining treble when they aim to clinch their series against Australia over the festive season fortnight.

Having drawn with India on the sub-continent and having beaten England away for the first time under the banner of Cricket South Africa to win the prestigious Basil d'Oliveira Trophy, Graeme Smith's men now take a 1-0 lead with two to play into Friday's second Test at the world-famous MCG with the third Test scheduled for Sydney at the New Year.

The MCG ranks alongside Lord's in England and Eden Gardens at Kolkata as one of the dream venues to play a Test match. Melbourne is Australia's sporting capital hosting such major events as a Grand Slam tennis event, just across the railway line from the MCG, and the Australian Formula 1 grand prix.

Smith was asked yesterday what advice he would give to some of his younger players, notably Dale Steyn, who have yet to experience the atmosphere of playing in front of an anticipated 70 000 screaming Aussies on Boxing Day.

As Smith pointed out, this is the reason why young men play international sport. It is the stage they have always dreamed of playing on. In any case Australia are in much the same boat as the South Africans with internationals greenhorns such as Nathan Hauritz, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus listed as possible starters.

On top of it all the Proteas are potentially playing what could be the greatest game in South African Test history, even greater than the runs chase at Perth if they manage to clinch the series.

Smith put the match into context. “From our point of view we have had three of the toughest tours this year with India, England and now here. We drew in India, we won in England and, if we can close off this series here in Australia, it will be an incredible performance for this team and probably the most successful season ever for South African cricket.

“That is what we have the chance to achieve and to beat Australia in Australia is something everybody would like to have in their career.

“As a sportsman a Boxing Day Test is one of those great occasions. We will obviously discuss a few things and be as well prepared as we can from that side but on the day it is a motivation to perform well. There is no greater occasion to perform well.”

The South African captain said it was also a chance to reflect on his own life and career and the changes he had gone through since his last tour to Australia in 2005.

“It is nice to come back here and see how far I have progressed in my life and my career and how things have changed.”

One thing that has, of course, changed is his chronic elbow injury and that on its own has taken considerable adjustment.

“Mentally you look forward to coping with it as best you can. Fortunately I have been batting well through it and I have been able to adapt my game quite well. But it is something that we need to deal with in the longer run because I can't keep treating it like this over a long period of time, so we need to plan the way forward.

“At the moment our focus is purely on this Test match and we don't want anything to get in the way of that.”

Smith also dwelt on the pressure the Australian team has been subjected to since Perth. “I was surprised at some of the Media reports and statements after the Test match. It wasn't something I expected. Having played against Australia for some time they are always composed and well directed, so it did come as a surprise.

But it does not affect our preparation or the way we think. They have picked a formidable team for this Test match and they will come out to play an aggressive game and take the game to us, so we will have to be focused and ready.

“We put our peg in the ground at Perth and we have made them respect us a huge amount as we do respect them. But from a psychological aspect we know we have got a lot more petrol in our tank. It took something special to win the Test match and I expect much the same again with a pretty even contest.”

Ashwell Prince, South Africa's other casualty with a cracked thumb, had a try out in the nets on Wednesday and a decision on his availability will be taken after Christmas Day's practice.

HAYDEN BLASTS SELECTORS AND SPEAKS ABOUT HIS RETIREMENT

Striking a defiant pose, out of form opener Matthew Hayden said his future in Test cricket is up to him and not Australia's selectors, as long as he keeps on scoring runs.


Hayden has scored just 282 runs at an average of 23.5 in seven Tests since recovering from an Achilles injury, but said he would choose his time to exit from international cricket.


"I've got into a habit of not asking too many questions when it comes to selectors over the years. You'd have to ask them what their plans are. If I'm putting up the performances then it's just a matter of how long I want to play," the 101-Test veteran said.


The broad-shouldered opener, however, admitted he needed to perform well in Melbourne (December 26-30) and Sydney (January 3-7) if he wanted to continue his career.


"Kellie my wife and I have just really put every series into context. We weigh it up, as simple as that. I'm not looking to (next year's tours of) South Africa or England at this stage. I'm looking for these next two Test matches.


"If that (performing well) is not the case then I'm vulnerable like everyone else. I feel like I'm buoyant and striking the ball really nicely," he was quoted as saying by 'The Age'.


The MCG has been a happy hunting ground for Hayden having hit six Test hundreds in the past seven years and he is hoping he would come out of form slump at the Boxing Day match.


"I think (the) Boxing Day Test match is by a long way my favourite Test match. The venue (and) where we are currently at in the series as well is going to evoke some really great emotions." Hayden admitted the Proteas, who have never won a series in Australia, have prepared exceptionally well.

CRICKET AUSTRALIA HAD A MISERABLE YEAR

Australia will be looking for a happy ending to a miserable year by their standards in the Boxing Day Test against South Africa that starts on Friday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.


After Ponting's men managed to win their series at home against India, they were drubbed 2-0 in India and now, they are 1-0 down against another worthy adversory who are threatening to take Australia's numero uno position.


Australia have to win if they have to keep their terrific home record against South Africa in tact. However, a defeat in Melbourne would mean a series loss and more questions raised on Australia's domination.


Graeme smith's men are on a high after their incredible victory in Perth when they successfully chased down 414 in the final innings to take a 1-0 series lead. It was the second highest run-chase in the history of Test cricket and not surprisingly South Africa have named an unchanged eleven for the second Test at the MCG.


Australia, on the other hand, have included spinner Nathan Hauritz in their eleven in place of Jason Krejza.


Ponting has conceded that 2008 has been the hardest year of his career and another defeat would mean not just a series defeat but also raise serious question marks over the future of several players including opener Matthew Hayden who has been in very poor form in recent times.

TENDULKAR PRAISES DHONI AND INDIA'S TEAM WORK

After a hectic season at home, Sachin Tendulkar is finally getting some rest. He is in Mussorie and reflected on the gains of a successful campaign against Australia and England at home.


Tendulkar lauded captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for his inspirational leadership and praised his entire team for a string of successes during the year.


"Dhoni is obviously a good captain," he said. "But a good captain needs a good team. Obviously his captaincy is good but the team's performance, its collective effort, is essential for a captain. A team never wins by the performance of one or two players only. When the entire team performs, we get good results."


Tendulkar arrived at the quiet hill station along with his family. "As the series against the England was over, I planned to stay here for some time... trying to spend time with family," Tendulkar said. "I was looking for this time for many days where I can spend time with family and close friends, so I am enjoying this."


Tendulkar said although India wouldn't be playing international cricket, he would go back to domestic cricket to help Mumbai.


"For the next month and a half, we would be free of international engagements," Tendulkar said. "There would be domestic ties and then getting together in time to prepare for the tour to New Zealand. Hopefully, our good form would continue next year."


Despite a terrific season, Tendulkar has been repeatedly asked the question of when he would decide to hang up his boots.


"It will only be right for me to speak about retirement, if and when I feel the time is right," he said. "It's not for others to speak or speculate on the subject. I have been subjected to such questions for long now. Let everyone wait till I have something to say on the matter."


Tendulkar lauded opener Gautam Gambhir's prolific season with the bat, which helped set up winning platforms for India throughout the year in all forms of the game.


"Gambhir has batted very well throughout the year," he said. He has shown the kind of form that gives nightmares to the opposition. He has shown great consistency, he attacked when attack was required, defended when defence was required.


"He has displayed solid technique and capacity for making big runs. His team-mates knew his capability, now the whole world knows about it."

MATHEW HAYDEN'S RETIREMENT PLAN

Clearing the air on speculation over his retirement plan, Australia opening batsman Matthew Hayden on Wednesday said he would reassess his cricketing future after the Test series against South Africa ends next month.


"I'm still enjoying the game. I've still got a role to play as a senior player," Hayden was quoted as saying in the Australian Associated Press.


The 37-year-old has been under fire recently owing to a form slump as he has made only 282 runs at 23.5 in seven Tests since recovering from an Achilles injury.


"I've got to perform as we've all got to perform, because that's the expectation of Australian cricket. I really want to play good Test match cricket for this next series and then see where we are at," he said.


Hayden also said he was taking one series at a time and not looking at 2009 Ashes yet.


"We've still got one-dayers and a long summer ahead of us. Kellie, my wife, and I have just really put every series into context. We weigh it up, as simple as that. I'm not looking to (next year's tours of) South Africa or England at this stage, I'm looking at these next two Test matches," he said.

AUSTRALIA VS SOUTHAFRICA 2nd TEST DEC2008:-SYMONDS FITNESS DOUBTS HIS INCLUSION IN 2nd TEST

Captain Ricky Ponting is unsure whether all-rounder Andrew Symonds, struggling with a knee injury, would be fit enough to play the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.


Already 1-0 down against South Africa, Australia face the prospect of making up to three changes for the second Test if Symonds fails to prove his fitness, The Australian reported.


Fellow all-rounder Shane Watson would play if Symonds' condition does not improve, while fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus is putting pressure on Peter Siddle and off-spinner Jason Krejza has already been dropped to make way for Nathan Hauritz.


Symonds was able to deliver just two overs of medium pace in South Africa’s first innings in Perth before his knee injury prevented him from bowling again in the match.


"It’s really a day-to-day thing with him at the moment. He went into the game (first Test) okay and bowled in the first innings but couldn't really bowl after his second over. He got through his second over and that was it," Ponting said.


"He got better on days three and four and limped about on day five. It's one of those things that comes and goes a little bit," he added.


Watson's inclusion for Symonds would strengthen Australia's bowling, the paper said.


However, it would severely weaken the batting. Symonds averaged 58 or better in his past four series leading into this summer and scored 57 and 37 in Perth despite playing under duress.


Watson has a batting average of less than 20 from eight Tests, although he showed glimpses of promise on the recent tour of India.


Ponting claimed that Symonds batted without apparent discomfort in the nets on Tuesday, but much would depend on how he felt when he woke this morning.


Asked if Symonds would play, Ponting replied: "I don't know. He wasn't hindered at all with his batting in the second innings and that was when it was at its worst. He can definitely bat for us and run between the wickets. He hobbled about a bit on the last day but nothing that was too alarming."

INDIA COULD DETHRONE AUSSIES

It was a perfect finish to a perfect home season. After humbling Australia 2-0 in the recent four-Test series and blanking England 5-0 in the one-dayers, lifting the RBS cup was the icing on the cake for India.


Now, it is this winning momentum which needs to be kept intact, even though Indian skipper MS Dhoni says, "We don't really need to focus on rankings, we just need to focus on cricket."


The raw material for a charge up the rankings is in place and the names in the Indian batting line-up are enough to send shivers down the spine of bowling attacks around the world. The latest jewel in the Indian batting crown is Gautam Gambhir, who reeled off over 800 runs in the season to announce his pedigree.


Gambhir says, "I think it is just the hunger for runs because I haven't got this easily. It is important to make it count when you are in good nick."


And Dhoni can even call upon the bowling talent, which will hold the key in future matches. While Harbhajan and Amit Mishra were below par against England, in Ishant Sharma and Man of the Series against England, Zaheer Khan, a formidable new ball pair is in place.


"He provides that extra pace which is required at this level," Zaheer says of his pace bowling partner. "It is good to bowl in tandem with him because I can maintain my line and length and I can do the restricting job and he can be the attacking bowler."


So who will it be that snatches away Australia's crown? India or South Africa? To this, former England pacer and cricket writer Angus Fraser says, "South Africa are a very good side, but I just think India's spin bowling gives them the slight edge."


There is no cricket slated for India over the next couple of months, but there is little doubt that there is a team in place worthy of etching its name in history.

GAMBHIR THE RUN MACHINE HAD A TREMENDOUS YEAR

India opener Gautam Gambhir has muscled his way into the top 10 of the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen for the first time in his career after a stellar performance against England in Mohali.


The 27-year-old, who made 179 and 97 in the Mohali Test, has jumped 10 places in the rankings to become the highest-ranked India batsman, at the 10th place.


Gambhir was in 37th place in October but had rocketed 27 places after scoring 824 runs in five Tests at an average of 82.4, an ICC release said on Wednesday.


While Gambhir has made movement in the right direction, his team-mates Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman have slipped in the latest rankings. Outside the top 20, Rahul Dravid has climbed two places to 28th while Yuvraj Singh has jumped 10 places to 46th, the release adds.


England captain Kevin Pietersen has returned to the top five for the first time in 14 months and now sits in fifth place after jumping three places due to a magnificent innings of 144.


Meanwhile, Shivnarine Chanderpaul of the West Indies has strengthened his hold on the top of the rankings by becoming only the 25th batsman in the history of Test cricket and the sixth West Indian to reach the magic 900-point mark.


The 34-year-old from Guyana, who won the ICC Cricketer of the Year 2008 award at the LG ICC Awards in Dubai, reached the milestone while making 126 not out in the first innings against New Zealand in the Napier Test which ended in a draw on Tuesday.Chanderpaul has been joined in the top 20 by his captain Chris Gayle who has climbed seven places to 20th after an impressive 197 in the second innings at Napier. It is the best ranking of his career to date.


Another new addition to the top 20 is South Africa’s AB de Villiers whose 63 and 106 not out was the cornerstone of South Africa’s six-wicket victory over Australia in a record final-innings run-chase of 414. This performance has lifted him seven places to 17th in the rankings.


There was no good news for Australia whose captain Australia captain Ricky Ponting has dropped three places to ninth – his lowest ranking since October 2002. Mike Hussey has slipped two places to sixth, Michael Clarke has dropped one place to 12th and Matthew Hayden has slipped three places to 16th.


For New Zealand, Ross Taylor remains the highest ranked batsman in 37th place while Jesse Ryder has made the biggest move by rising 15 places to 55th position after scoring 57 and 59 in the Napier Test.


In the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers, Australia’s Mitchell Johnson has broken into the top five for the first time after his man-of-the-match performance in the Perth Test.

NEWZELAND VS WESTINDIES 2st TEST 2008:-GAYLE HELPS WINDIES TO A DRAW

A masterful 197 by Chris Gayle saved the West Indies and ensured a drawn series as New Zealand gave up their run chase on Tuesday with nine overs remaining in the second cricket Test.


Facing a target of 312 in 60 overs, New Zealand passed the 200 mark with 16 overs left but then dropped off the pace when Brendon McCullum, their last hard-hitting batsman, fell to a questionable dismissal.


When captains Gayle and Daniel Vettori agreed to call the players in, New Zealand were 220 for five with Jesse Ryder not out on 59.


The result meant both Tests were drawn and ensured the West Indies remained at seven in the world rankings, one place ahead of New Zealand.


But the second Test could have gone down to the wire had McCullum not been given out in a series which served as a trial for players to appeal to the third umpire in an attempt to overturn wrongful dismissals.


The batsman was given out caught behind for 19 and McCullum referred the decision to the third umpire, Mark Benson, who found no reason to overturn the original finding.


However under the rules Benson could refer only to the normal camera coverage and could not access the sensitive "snicko" equipment, which did not detect any connection between bat and ball.


In a contest which produced a string of personal bests, including a maiden century for Tim McIntosh and impressive bowling by Iain O'Brien, Jeetan Patel and Fidel Edwards, it was the man-of-the-match performance by Gayle that defined the outcome.

SMITH CLEARED TO PLAY BOXING DAY TEST

South Africa captain Graeme Smith has been cleared to play against Australia in the second Test at the MCG from December 26.


Smith, one of the stars of the Proteas’ six-wicket win in Perth, has battled pain in his right elbow for some time and regularly undergoes painkilling injections, The Age reported.


But coach Mickey Arthur said on Tuesday that the left-handed opener would definitely play on Boxing Day, although the Proteas had to determine whether Smith needed to undergo corrective surgery in the future.


"He had a jab this morning, it's fine. At some point we're going to have to sit down and discuss a plan going forward as to exactly what we do with it. But it's not going to keep him out of this Test match or the next one," Arthur said.


"There's going to be a point, a breakthrough point, where we're going to have to make some sort of a decision," he added.


While Smith is a certain starter, fellow batsman Ashwell Prince remains in doubt to play in Melbourne, after a thumb injury kept the vice-captain out of the first Test.


"He was re-X-rayed (sic) yesterday and he's making very, very good progress. The Test now will be when he has to get in the nets tomorrow and then we'll know exactly where we are," Arthur said.

INDIA VS ENGLAND 2nd TEST DEC 2008:-INDIA CLINCHES SERIES AFTER A DRAW AT MOHALI

India wrapped up the two-match Test series against England with a 1-0 margin as the second and final Test ended in a tame draw here on Tuesday with the hosts preferring to play it safe rather than push for an improbable victory.After being set a near-impossible target of 403 from 43 overs, England scored 64 for one in their second innings to bring the curtains down on an emotional series which got under way barely two weeks after the Mumbai terror attacks.


With the fog robbing away much of the opening session's play on most of the days, a draw appeared to be the likely result as both teams took the field on the last day.With the Indians in no mood to take any risks, the final day's play turned out to be quite boring with Gautam Gambhir (97) and Yuvraj Singh (86) briefly providing the sparks before the belated Indian declaration came shortly after the lunch break.Resuming on overnight 134 for four, India declared at 251 for seven wickets in the post-lunch session, a total they owed to the 153-run stand between Gambhir and Yuvraj.It was the second successive Test series triumph for the Indians after beating Australia 2-0 in the four-match series in October-November.


But more than the result, the series will be remembered for reasons beyond cricket as it was played under the shadow of terrorism in the aftermath of the Mumbai carnage.With no possibility of an outright result, both the sides decided to stop the pointless exercise an hour before its schedule close.To inject some life into the dull match, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni took his pads off and bowled the last over with VVS Laxman donning the wicketkeeper's gloves.This was the first time that India drew under Dhoni's captaincy. It was a sharp contrast to the epic first Test in Chennai where India had successfully chased down 387 runs for a memorable win.


The 153-run stand between a sedate Gambhir and a sizzling Yuvraj was the lone highlight of India's second innings.A thick fog that became a ritual in the match once again threw the schedule in complete disarray and play finally got underway at 1130 hrs with a one hour morning session.That India would not go out of the way to press for a win was completely evident as the hosts batted on. By the time India declared following Gambhir's dismissal some 10 overs after lunch, the prospect of a result had long gone up in smoke.The only point of interest seemed whether Gambhir could notch up his second century of the match which the pint-sized left-hander from Delhi could not, falling three runs shy of the milestone.


It still turned out to be a memorable match for the diminutive Delhi player, who had scored 179 in the first innings.On a dull gloomy day when the hosts, despite dominating the proceedings, decided to play it safe and even an otherwise attacking Gambhir retreated into a shell, it was Yuvraj Singhs scintillating strokemaking which lit up the sparse crowd who had braved the fog and chill to throng the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium.Both the Indian overnight batsman began on a cautious note before Yuvraj broke free and hit the England bowlers all over the park as the hosts clobbered 82 runs in 13 overs in the hour-long morning session.


India's first boundary of the day came in the fifth over when Yuvraj slog-swept Graeme Swann and a single in the same over brought up the left-hander's fiftyOvertaken by Yuvraj, Gambhir too reached his fifty with a single off Stuart Broad and the celebration came in the form of a four off Anderson.Yuvraj then took centre stage and hit Broad for back-to-back sixes to refresh the memories of the Twenty20 World Cup in which he had hit the lanky seamer for six sixes in an over. Broad, however, escaped the trauma this time even though the over cost him 15 runs.
Matt Prior also bore the brunt of Yuvrajs attack and took a body blow when the left-hander reverse swept Swann and the ball hit the England stumper on his collar bone. Prior needed medical attention before resuming duty behind the stumps.


It was rather surprising to see both Yuvraj and Gambhir returning to continue from where they had left and by then it was clear that Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men were playing for a draw.Playing without a purpose, India suddenly lost three wickets in six overs before Dhoni felt it was safe to set England on a chase.


An almighty mix-up with Gambhir saw Yuvraj falling short of the crease as Ian Bell's direct throw broke the stumps. It was a sad end to Yuvraj's entertaining 93-ball 86 which was studded with four sixes and six fours.Dhonis was a two-ball duck as the Indian captain offered a tame catch to Monty Panesar and Gambhir then fell to Swann in the 73rd over when Bell took a brilliant catch at backward point.It was an uncharacteristically patient knock by Gambhir, who spent five-and-half hours in the middle, facing 229 balls, five of which was hit to the fence.


For England, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann got one wicket apiece.With India not interested in a win and an England victory just not a possibility, the only task at hand for the visiting batsmen was to bat out the rest of the day and return with honours even.Opener Andrew Strauss avoided the pair and remained not out on 21, while Ian Bell was unbeaten on 24.

INDIA VS ENGLAND 2nd TEST DEC 2008:-England hold heads high despite defeat

England captain Kevin Pietersen said on Tuesday the tour of India had provided his team a learning experience after losing the two-Test series 1-0. "It's been a good tour. We have got a lot to learn from this tour," said Pietersen after the second Test ended in a draw at the Punjab Cricket Association stadium here. The tourists, set an improbable victory target of 403 in 43 overs, had made 64-1 when the match was called off with 15 overs remaining on the fifth and final day. India won the first Test in Chennai by chasing down a tough target of 387 on the back of Sachin Tendulkar's 40th Test century, and left-hander Yuvraj Singh's 85 not out. Pietersen said he was happy England decided to return to India for the Test series despite last month's Mumbai terror attacks.


"We have enjoyed ourselves, everyone's been very hospitable in India," he said. "We have enjoyed our time here and in Chennai. I am just really proud to be captain of bunch of lads who jumped on a plane to come here and play some really good cricket. "They have concentrated solely on their cricket, they have enjoyed their cricket, they have played with smiles on their faces. You can't ask for anything more. We have got to take our hats off and say congratulations to India for a fantastic tour. They have played some fantastic cricket."


Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni described the series win as a team effort to which everyone contributed, either with the bat or the ball.

"The conditions were tough for fast bowlers but they took the responsibility when it was needed," he said after seamer Zaheer Khan was named man of the series for his eight wickets. "As for the batsmen, whenever we needed a big partnership, there was one. There were situations where we lost a few wickets, but someone stood up and said, 'I will be the person that takes the team through'. So, it was a very good team effort." 


Dhoni downplayed India's rise to number two in the International Cricket Council's world rankings behind Australia after the series win. "We just concentrate on preparing and executing our plans," he said. "Whether we are top of the chart or third or fourth position does not matter. We are enjoying the cricket we are playing. We are backing each other and enjoying each other's success. That is what is important." England coach Peter Moores endorsed the team's decision to return to India for the series, despite security concerns. "We made our statement as a team and I think it is the right one," he said. "Since we have been here, it has felt very secure. It is a great place to play and everybody has learned a huge amount. There have been some tough lessons. We have got to take them away, improve ourselves and go to the West Indies after Christmas and move it forward. 


"It was definitely worth coming here. We have learned something, there has been some good cricket played and we move on to the challenges of 2009."

IPL TEAMS ALL SET TO TRADE PLAYERS

The Indian Premier League's transfer window is now open. What that basically means is that over the next month, the eight teams can trade players among each other and some early indications are already emerging about what to expect.


Preity zinta has started enjoying her cricket and at Mohali, the co-owner of the Kings XI Punjab was relishing some Test cricket. Soon it will be Twenty20 time though and her team too will be looking for reinforcements to improve on their semi-final finish last year.


"As far as Kings XI is concerned we are always looking at ways to improve and talent is something that we want the best of," said the Mohali team's co-owner Ness Wadia.


While most franchises are being tight-lipped about the players they intend to offload, some sketchy reports are emerging.


Kolkata for instance is putting the mercurial Shoaib Akhtar for sale.


Deccan Chargers are willing to let Herschelle Gibbs, Rohit Sharma and Shahid Afridi go.


Zaheer Khan may be released by the Bangalore Royal Challengers and Makhaya Ntini by the Chennai Super Kings.


"We may love a player as a person but maybe he doesn't fit into it and we may have a glut of that kind of a bowler and that kind of a batsman and hence we have to move forward," stated Kolkata Knight Riders CEO Joy Bhattacharya.


The other tricky issue confronting the franchises is what to do about the Pakistan players? In the current climate, will those players be allowed to play in the second edition?


There are 11 Pakistan players under IPL contracts and for the moment, the franchises are taking a wait and watch approach.


"Mohammad Asif and Shaoib Malik are key players in our team and we look forward for their continued participation in the IPL. But let's see how things unfold in the next few months," stated Delhi Daredevils CEO Amrit Mathur.


The final list of players on the trading list will be out in another week but it isn't just players on the transfer list who can be traded for. Teams can negotiate among themselves for players too.

NEWZELAND VS WESTINDIES 2st TEST 2008:-GAYLE'S TON REVIVES WESTINDIES

West Indies captain Chris Gayle made a timely return to the century ranks on Monday to ensure a final day showdown in the second cricket Test against New Zealand at McLean Park here. Gayle, unbeaten on 146 -- his first century from 24 Tests in three years -- provided more than half of the West Indies total as they ended the fourth day at 278 for seven in their second innings, for an overall lead of 214.New Zealand felt in with a chance to end the West Indies innings before the final day when they had the tourists at 106 for four. But they were thwarted by a valuable 124-run stand for the fifth wicket by Gayle and Australian-born Brendan Nash. With no Shivnarine Chanderpaul to rely on after the world's most prolific batsman in the past two years fell on the first ball, Gayle and Nash dug in to bring the West Indies back into the Test. Gayle started in fiery form, but became more watchful as his century neared, spending 15 overs in the 90s. On 99 he offered one of his few chances when he played upishly to midwicket and the ball fell just short of Daniel Flynn. He then offered a chance going for his 100 when he stopped in the middle of the pitch and had second thoughts about the run before he saw Jeetan Patel misfield at point and he was able to get home for his century.


By the close of play he had been at the wicket for nearly five-and-a-half hours in an innings that included 13 fours and six sixes. For the West Indies, survival through the day mattered most. They only scored 216 runs in the three sessions but ensured they would go into the fifth day with three wickets to build a demanding chase for New Zealand.Nash, in only his second Test, provided valuable support for Gayle as they stayed together for 55 overs, batting right through the middle session. The partnership was broken soon after when a James Franklin bouncer clipped Nash on the gloves and went straight to Jamie How at second slip. It was desperately needed stand for the West Indies after an early collapse when they lost two wickets on 106, which included the first-ball dismissal of Chanderpaul.After resuming the day at 62 for two, Gayle and Xavier Marshall raced past the 100 mark before Patel made his breakthrough. He had Marshall caught at first slip by Ross Taylor for 18, three balls after the same batsman had been dropped by gloveman Brendon McCullum.


Then with Patel's next ball, a full toss he would not be proud of, Chanderpaul attempted to find runs down the leg side but instead miscued and sent the ball straight back to the bowler for the simplest of catches. The player ranked the world's best cricketer was back in the pavilion for a golden duck after batting through the first innings for an unbeaten 126.Franklin, who had been kept out of the attack for most of the day, followed up his dismissal of Nash by removing Denesh Ramdin for six when the batsman flashed at a wide delivery and was caught at point by Flynn.


Iain O'Brien claimed the third wicket to fall in the final session. He first upset Jerome Taylor with a a short-pitched ball that caught him on the grill and then fired a full length delivery which trapped him leg before wicket.Patel has the best bowling figures for New Zealand with three for 83 and Franklin has two for 40. Going into the final day New Zealand, with three wickets still to get before they can start their run chase, have only one referral left under the trial system where a side has three chances to contest an umpire's decision. Vettori questioned two leg before wicket chances but both were turned down by the third umpire.

INDIA VS ENGLAND 2nd TEST DEC 2008:-Gambhir, Yuvraj give India edge after early collapse

India lost a few quick wickets but recovered sufficiently to put themselves in a position to push for an improbable victory on the fifth day though a draw appears to be the likely result in the second and final cricket Test against England here on Monday.


After bundling out England for 302 in the first innings, the hosts were 44 for three at one stage but accelerated the pace of scoring late in the day to reach 134 for four at close on the penultimate day, taking an overall lead of 285 runs.


Opener Gautam Gambhir (44) and Yuvraj Singh (39) were at the crease at stumps on a day which saw England's victory hopes being completely shattered.


With just one day left in the match, a draw or an Indian victory appear to be the only two results possible but the hosts have to show more urgency to force a result.


With fog expected to delay the start of the game on Tuesday too, India may not get the required time to force a result and it remains to be seen what target captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni will give the visitors who are trailing the two-match series 0-1.


As his 39-ball 40, including five fours and a six would suggest, Yuvraj looked the only Indian at ease with the England attack which put up a disciplined performance. Gambhir's was a patient 155-ball knock that included just three fours.


Considering the attacking cricket that has of late been their trademark, India's star-studded top order cut a sorry figure against the likes of Stuart Broad and James Anderson who did everything to make life difficult for the hosts.


The English seamers completely straitjacketed the Indians in the post-lunch session, which yielded just 47 runs in 23 overs, which cost India the wickets of Virender Sehwag (17), Rahul Dravid (0) and Sachin Tendulkar (5).


Early signs, however, looked positive. Gambhir looked his fluent self, hitting Anderson for two boundaries in the first over of the innings. Sehwag, however, didn't look convincing and the right-hander scored his first run through a streaky lemon cut.


Two boundaries off Anderson promised a lot before an agile Ian Bell cut short Sehwag's stay. The opener had hit it hard back at bowler Stuart Broad, who only managed to deflect the ball, prompting Sehwag to set off for a risky single.


From short extra-cover Bell darted, picked up the ball and dived straight into the stumps with Sehwag way short of the ground.


The long-awaited century in the first innings was expected to do world of good to Dravid's confidence but he seemed back to square one again, looking thoroughly unconvincing before Broad squeezed one through his gate to rattle his stumps for a 19-ball duck.