4th ODI: Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina shine as India clinch ODI series against England

Mohali: A rejuvenated India clinched the one-day series against England as the hosts rode on the batting heroics of Rohit Sharma (83) and Suresh Raina (89 not out) to fashion a comfortable five-wicket victory in the penultimate game and take an unassailable 3-1 lead here on Wednesday.

SCORECARD» I AS IT HAPPENED»

Also read Batsmen to watch out for» Not a Happy New Year for Tendulkar fans» Nasir Jamshed – Pakistan’s next Saeed Anwar»

The Indians first restricted the visitors to 257 for seven and then overcame some anxious moments before overhauling the target with 15 balls to spare in a floodlit contest played in cold conditions at the PCA stadium.

Though the hosts had the game in control after putting England into bat, they conceded as many as 100 runs in the last ten overs with unheralded Joe Root (57 not out off 45 balls) and Kevin Pietersen (76) providing the late sparks with some lusty hits.

Captain Alastair Cook was another notable performer with a knock of 76.

But the Indians held their nerve during the run chase and it was ultimately Raina who guided the team home.

It was a creditable series victory for Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men who had come under fire for indifferent performances in recent times, which saw the team lose a Test series to England and an ODI series defeat against arch rivals Pakistan at home.

It was Rohit Sharma, rated as highly talented but one who has seldom delivered, who turned the spotlight on himself as he grabbed with both hands an unexpected opportunity to feature in the playing eleven as an opener in place of Ajinkya Rahane.

Sharma proved his class with some delightful shots to lay the foundation for the chase and his show will enhance his chances of cementing a place in the ODI team.

Ravindra Jadeja hit the winning runs by taking three off Jade Dernbach to trigger off scenes of wild celebrations in the galleries and the Indian dressing room where the players hugged each other.

The two teams will now move to the picturesque town of Dharamsala for the last and final match on Sunday, though it has now been rendered inconsequential.

India lost opener Gautam Gambhir early but the left- hander, who has been out of form for quite a while, was distinctly unlucky to have been adjudged caught behind by umpire Steve Davis as replays suggested that there was no edge.

Gambhir tried to poke at an outside-the-offstump delivery off Tim Bresnan and the English fielders appealed for a caught behind which was upheld by the umpire. Gambhir was shocked and was seen shaking his head while walking to the pavilion.

The hosts could have been in more trouble had Pietersen not spilled a difficult catch of Sharma when he was on 12, with Bresnan being the bowler.

Sharma and Virat Kohli steadied the innings with a 52-run partnership for the second before James Tredwell struck for his team in his very first over by evicting Kohli for 26.

It was a tossed up delivery and Kohli drove it straight to the bowler for a simple return catch.

Local hero Yuvraj, who joined the action after Kohli's dismissal, did not survive long as he fell prey to Tredwell, who trapped him leg before as he went for a pre-meditated sweep shot.

Sharma notched up his 13th ODI half century and celebrated the moment by spanking Tredwell for a six and a four off consecutive deliveries.

Sharma, who came into the team in place of an out-of-form Rahane, found an able ally in Raina who scored at a brisk race to put the pressure back on the visitors. The pair scored 50 runs off just 37 balls.

Just when they seemed to be going great guns, Steve Finn provided the breakthrough by sending back Sharma with a ball that dipped in sharply, trapping the batsman leg before wicket. Sharma's 83 came off 93 balls and contained 11 boundaries and a six.

Raina was lucky to get a reprieve when he was caught by Cook in the slip but Davis signalled a dead ball as the bowler Finn had knocked the stumps over on his delivery stride, much to the relief of a near-capacity crowd.

Earlier, put into bat, England lost three wickets in quick succession in the middle of the innings after a reasonably good start, but the young Root unleashed a stunning counter attack to steer the total past the 250 mark, which looked doubtful at one stage.

Root, who clobbered eight boundaries and a six during his 45-ball blitzkrieg, and Pietersen were largely responsible for England's recovery.

Spinner Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of the Indian bowlers with 3/39 while Ishant Sharma 2/47 and R Ashwin 2/63 were the other wicket takers.

England's opening pair put on 37 runs for the first wicket before Ishant provided the breakthrough by evicting Bell, who perished to a rash stroke.

Bell decided to step out against Ishant but could not get to the pitch of the ball and Kumar pulled off a brilliant diving catch at the third man region.

Pietersen, who joined the action after Bell's dismissal, started off watchfully and took some time to get off the mark.

The experienced duo of Cook and Pietersen kept the scoreboard moving with gentle nudges and pushes and did not take too many risks as they steered England past 100.

The duo stitched 95 runs for the second wicket before off spinner Ashwin came to the hosts' rescue by dismissing Cook in what appeared to be a dubious decision by Sudhir Asnani.

Cook was wrapped on the pad while trying to play forward but the ball appeared to have pitched outside the leg stump line. Cook slammed 13 boundaries during his knock which came off 106 balls.

The departure of Cook triggered off a collapse of sorts as Eoin Morgan (3) and Samit Patel (1) perished in quick succession as England slipped from a comfortable 132 for one to 142 for four.

The visitors could have suffered another jolt on the same score but Kohli dropped a catch at first slip off Root when he had not even opened his account with Ishant being the unlucky bowler.

Morgan was out when Yuvraj took a well-judged catch as he attempted to chip the ball over mid-on off Ashwin.

Left-arm spinner Jadeja, who was India's bowling hero in the last two matches, then got into the act by accounting for Patel who offered a simple return catch.

Pietersen and the young Root ensured that there were further setback as both played with a positive frame of mind and counter-attacked the Indian bowlers.

Root was the more aggressive of the two initially as he smashed a few boundaries before Pietersen also joined him with a flurry of strokes. They completed their 50-run stand in just 46 balls.

Pietersen completed his 24th ODI half century by guiding a Raina delivery to the third man boundary, before opening up to play some glorious shots on both sides of the wicket.

India lucky to have Dhoni: Boycott

London: The Indian cricket team is "very average" at the moment and is "lucky" to have a captain like Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is coping the blame for "lack of quality in the side", feels former England skipper Geoffrey Boycott.

"...Do you judge captains on their win and loss ratio, or do you take into account or consideration the quality, or lack of quality, in his team? If you`re thinking about India, there`s a lack of quality at the moment, lack of quality seam bowling, lack of quality spin bowling, and in some cases your best players are beginning to retire after getting past their sell-by date. Aren`t they?" Boycott said.

"(Rahul)Dravid and (VVS) Laxman are gone, (Sachin) Tendulkar hasn`t got any runs recently, so is it his [Dhoni`s] fault?," he asked.

"I don`t think so. I don`t judge people on the loss and win ratio of the team. You have to look at the team. You are damn lucky you`ve got MS Dhoni," he asserted.

Dhoni has been under severe scrutiny after the recent home Test debacle against England even though he has been in decent form personally.

Boycott said Dhoni has his limitations as a Test skipper but the Indians don`t have a quality replacement at the moment.

"I think he is a brilliant one-day captain. Like a lot of people, I think he has good leadership skills of the players but, tactically, in Test matches, there`s quite a bit to be desired. But you haven`t got anybody else you can call upon," he explained.

"A nice set of lads, but in terms of other quality sides around the world, you are very average and you are not going to win with average teams. And the captains always get blamed. Captains tend to get plaudits when the team wins, which I think is unfair," Boycott said.

The former batsman said Dhoni cannot be held responsible for the slide because India is a team in transition right now.

"...The captain always gets the blame when you lose. It`s like in the war, losing generals always got the sack. It`s like that with Dhoni; because India have hit a sticky situation, with some of the best players retiring or getting to the end of their careers...Zaheer Khan`s gone, Harbhajan`s gone, Dravid and Laxman have gone, Sachin is towards the end of his career," he pointed out.

"It`s very difficult to replace players like that with young kids and do well, and Dhoni`s getting the flak for it, he`s getting the blame. I don`t think it`s Dhoni`s fault. So you`ve to be careful about blaming people for the lack of quality in the side," he said.

Talking about other Indian players, Boycott said star opener Virender Sehwag, who has been dropped from the ongoing ODI series against England, was lucky to hold on to his place for so long. The Englishman felt Gambhir was also fortunate to be continuing despite deteriorating technically.

"Sehwag is lucky to be in the team, really. He`s an explosive, fascinating, unpredictable, brilliant batsman, absolutely keeps you on the edge of your seats. But, I`m afraid, father time comes to everybody, and he`s getting towards the end."

"And Gambhir, he seems to have played so much one-day cricket that his technique has suffered, he`s getting himself out, I don`t think he`s the force as a player as he once was," Boycott said.

"As a batsman, he is still a good player, but his technique has suffered, I`ve watched his footwork and everything. He`s making mistakes himself so it`s not going to help putting himself forward as a captain, as a Test player who can be certain of his place in the side," he added.

On the promising Virat Kohli being seen as India`s next captain, Boycott said the youngster still has quite a distance to cover before emerging as leadership material.

"...He`s too much of a firebrand and all. You want his passion, you want his emotion, you definitely want that from your players but, I`m sorry, you want a cool head at times. That`s what Dhoni has and Kohli hasn`t got a cool head," he said.

"He`s got aggression, passion, emotion, they are all plusses. On the negative side, he loses his cool, you can`t have the captain losing his cool. He is the one person.

"He might be on fire in the heart, but the head has to stay cool, because he`s got to think of the team, not himself, eleven players, not himself. Kohli has got a bit to learn yet," he added.

Clarke expected to play in IPL while Starc snubs lucrative offer

Sydney: Australia captain Michael Clarke will most probably play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) this year, however, fast bowler Mitchell Starc has snubbed the world’s richest Twenty20 tournament to keep himself fit before the all important Ashes series. Clarke is set to feature in the seven-week tournament in April and May after being listed in the IPL`s February 3 auction to be held in Chennai.

Clarke’s manager, James Erskine, said it was likely Clarke would play in the money-spinning T20 tournament, it further reported. Erskine said Clarke playing in the IPL is not 100 per cent yet, but it`s a possibility, adding that’s what the in-form batsman thinking. The IPL tournament starts on April 3, only a week after the fourth Test against India winds up in Delhi, and the IPL final on May 26 falls 13 days before Australia starts its pre-Ashes campaign in England at the ICC Champions Trophy. If Clarke does not use the IPL window to rest, he stands to have almost no time off between now and the conclusion of the tour of England, which is the first leg of back-to-back Ashes series this year.

Cricket Australia (CA) is unable to prevent players appearing in the IPL as it falls during an official leave period. However, fast bowler Starc has turned down offers of up to one million dollars in an effort to be fresh for the five-Test tour of England, the paper reported. It is believed Starc, who was the player of the tournament last year in the Champions League with the Sydney Sixers, could have earned between 750,000 dollars and one million dollar if he had entered the IPL auction.

Peter Siddle skips first-class cricket to prepare for Indian tour

Sydney: Fast bowler Peter Siddle has decided to skip Australia’s domestic Sheffield Shield matches in order to prepare himself for their impending tour to India.

Running sessions, bowling in the nets, lifting weights in the gym, it has all been designed to prepare the 28-year-old Siddle for a gruelling four-Test series starting on February 22 in Chennai.

Siddle claimed 24 wickets in five Tests this summer against South Africa and Sri Lanka, after missing the Proteas Test in Perth with a hamstring problem, and the quick claims he knows his body best along with what works for him, the paper further reported.

Siddle said it was his plan to miss Sheffield Shield games, adding he had long chats with the selectors over the issue.

The pace bowler added he has observed that whenever he plays for long in the first-class games, he breaks down in the corresponding series, therefore, this time he has decided to keep himself fresh ahead of the Indian tour, as it’s a big year for the Australian cricket.

Siddle further said it is also the best way to do it, to have three or four weeks like a mini pre-season and get stuck in and really work hard on the fitness.

Siddle said get the weights back into it and get the strength back in throughout the body that has worn off through a hectic summer and get the body strong again for India and leading into the Ashes, adding he knows his body best and he knew this is the best way forward.

Siddle, whose conversion to a vegetarian diet has helped him develop a leaner frame over the past year, says the national selectors would face a fresh round of criticism if he broke down in India after playing in Adelaide.

Preview: Australia v Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI

Phil Hughes scored a ton on debut and he will be looking to one more.

[© Getty]

Having silenced the critics - who labelled them as a second-string side - with a big win against Sri Lanka in the opening ODI, Australia will be looking to extend their domination as they head to Adelaide for the second match. The visitors, on the other hand, have their work cut-out as they look to prevent the hosts from taking a further lead in the series.

Australia:

Despite the absence of Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, David Warner and Matthew Wade, the ODI outfit, led by George Bailey, got off to a tremendous start with a thumping 107-run victory in the first of the five One dayers against Sri Lanka. Phil Hughes made most of the opportunity with a well-compiled century in his debut ODI. Stand-in skipper Bailey too came good with the bat at Melbourne, providing the fire-power. With the Australian selectors deciding not to include Michael Hussey in the ODI scheme of things, David Hussey was the key man in the Australian middle order and he showed why with a splendid knock that powered Australia to a score in excess of 300 at the MCG. Bailey will be hoping for a similar effort from his batsmen and will be expecting the ones who failed in the opening game - Aaron Finch, Usman Khwaja and Glenn Maxwell - to come good with the bat. With some of the senior members expected to return for the third ODI, this game may be the only chance for the likes of Khwaja and Finch to showcase their prowess.

The Australian bowlers did not have to work too hard for the wickets in the opening game, with most of the Sri Lankans remaining as edgy as they were during the Test series. To add to that, there were three run-outs which made things even easier for the hosts. Clint McKay bowled good lines and picked up a four wicket haul in that game while Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc too stuck to their tasks. The spinners were not as effective though as the likes of Xavier Doherty, Maxwell and Dave Hussey, went for a few runs. While the pacers are expected to do their jobs as well as they have been doing so far, Australia will be hoping for the spinners to lend some assistance.

Team News: Mitchell Starc will not be part of the Australian team for the remainder of the ODI series after picking up a soreness in his calf muscle. While Kane Richardson has been brought in as stand-by, Ben Cutting is in line for an ODI debut at Adelaide.

Sri Lanka

The visitors were utterly disappointing in the just concluded Test series that Australia won 3-0, and their lack-lustre display has continued into the limited overs game with the Lankans showing no signs of improvement whatsoever. One of the main reasons for their failure is the performance of the batsmen. While Upul Tharanga and Mahela Jayawardene fell after they pushed at deliveries out-side off, what was even more appalling was the running between the wickets and poor judgement shown by the Sri Lankan batsmen, which resulted in three run outs. While Dinesh Chandimal's sturdy presence and Dilshan scoring a half-century might be positive signs for the visiting team, the lack of intent on the part of the other batsmen, is something that skipper Jayawardene will be very worried about. He will be demanding better application from the batters, including himself, failing which, Sri Lanka's tour of Down Under will only go further down and under.

Despite the presence of Lasith Malinga and Ajantha Mendis, the Lankan bowling department failed to make any sort of impact. Barring Dilshan, who bowled four tight overs, all the other bowlers had economy rates on the high. Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Jeevan Mendis and Thisara Perera, gave away quite a lot of runs - 194 runs came off 28 overs bowled collectively by these four. Kulasekara and Mathews did not concede as much, but they too lacked the sting. The bowlers need to step up quite a few notches and the batsmen also need to give something for their bowlers if Sri Lanka stand any chance of levelling the series.

Team News: Sri Lanka's main concern will be that their in-form batsman Chandimal has injured his hamstring and the status of his availability for the 2nd ODI is still not known. Sri Lanka may hand a debut for Kushal Perera in case Chandimal is ruled out. With both Ajantha and Jeevan Mendis conceding quite a lot of runs, Sri Lanka might also think of bringing in Rangana Herath.

Upcoming milestones:

151: The number of runs Mahela Jayawardene requires to cross the mark of 11,000 runs in ODIs.

6: Mahela Jayawardene needs to take 6 more catches to become the only player in ODIs with 200 catches.

95: Tillakaratne Dilshan needs 95 more runs to become the seventh Sri Lankan with 7000 or more runs in ODIs.

Quotes:

It was a really great team effort to stand up on the back of some criticism from outsiders and some people who weren't sure if we were up to it: George Bailey reacting to comments of the current Australian squad being called a B-team.

When you're chasing a score like that, you just can't have the guts of your batting taken out through run outs: Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford wants the Lankan batsmen to show better judgement while running between the wickets.

I should have batted for some more overs: Dhoni

Dhoni said India could have chased down the stiff 326-run target had he and Raina stayed till the en

[© AFP]

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said India could have chased down the stiff 326-run target set by England in the first ODI in Rajkot, had he and Suresh Raina stayed till the end.

Chasing England's 325 for four, India lacked the batting firepower at the end and were restricted to 316 for nine in a high-scoring contest to concede a 1-0 lead to visitors in the five-match series.

Till Dhoni (32) and Raina (50) were at the crease, India were well and truly on course but they lost wickets in regular intervals and ended up ten short of the target.

"It was difficult but we should have got there. It was close to 280 or 290 rather than looking at it as 320-odd. Maybe I should have batted a few more overs," he said at the post-match presentation.

"I won't sound arrogant but it seemed easy when Raina and I were in, with five fielders in the circle. But once we fell, it was difficult," he said.

Dhoni lauded his spiners for bringing India back into the match in the middle overs after England got off to a scintillating start.

"There was a situation in the middle when it looked they would have scored 340, but spinners got us back. It is a new batch of bowlers, not much experience in international cricket," he said.

England skipper Alastair Cook attributed the win to team effort.

"It was a good toss to win on a very good wicket, and we made the most of it. I am proud of the side. Samit (Patel) and Craig (Kieswetter) at the end made a difference," he said.

Patel and Kieswetter added quickfire 70 runs off 41 balls for the fifth wicket to take England past the 320-run mark.

Cook said England picked up wickets when it mattered which made the difference in the end.

"It is hard to defend with five men in the circle, India kept getting close, but we got the wickets when it mattered," he said.

The English captain also praised man-of-the-match James Tredwell for spell of 4 for 44.

"Tredwell bowled brilliantly. It is pretty much the same attack we had here in 2001, and good to see how we have learned from the experience," Cook said.

Leaking 38 runs in the last two overs cost us: Dhoni

Yes, we conceded a lot of runs in the last two overs: Dhoni.

[© BCCI]

Leaking 38 runs in the last two overs of England innings cost India dear in the first ODI, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni conceded in the brief media interaction, which ended abruptly after the Saurashtra Cricket Association authorities switched off power.

"Yes, we conceded a lot of runs in the last two overs. (However), we got a good start but did not have enough wickets in hand in the last ten overs to put pressure on them. Had I stayed on for two more overs things could have turned out differently," said Dhoni after his team's nine-run defeat.

The power was switched off by SCA officials to conduct the sound and laser show for the assembled crowd that stayed on after the conclusion of the prize distribution function.

Dhoni had answered a few questions before power was switched off, which prompted him to ask if he "can call it a day".

India's pace spearhead Ishant Sharma was taken to the cleaners for 20 runs in the penultimate over and then Bhuvneshwar Kumar gave away 18 in the final over.

Speaking about the death bowling and the possibility of Shami Ahmed playing, Dhoni said: "We have to look how good Shami Ahmed is when it comes to bowling yorkers and (on) wickets like these where there is not much to offer for the fast bowlers. That's why we went for Dinda (today), because he is experienced and he executes the yorkers well."

Dhoni clouted four sixes in his whirlwind knock of 32 off 25 balls before he was dismissed by Jade Dernbach in the 45th over. India, chasing England's imposing total of 325 for four, finished at 316 for nine.

Dhoni said the fast outfield made it even tougher to stem the flow of runs.

"The outfield was very fast. On a normal ground this could have been a 270-280 score. Once you push into the gap (here) there's a boundary for you." he said.

Pakistan announces Test squad for South Africa

Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez celebrates during a match against Australia in Colombo on October 2, 2012

[© AFP/File]

Pakistan on Friday included lanky paceman Mohammad Irfan in a 16-man squad for next month's three Tests against world number one side South Africa, but there was no place for the three Akmal brothers.

The 30-year-old Irfan, who is said to be seven foot one inch tall, impressed with his steepling bounce during Pakistan's recent tour to India where he featured in all three one-day matches and two Twenty20 internationals. But he has yet to play a Test.

The Test squad, led by Misbah-ul Haq, will open with a four-day side match at East London from January 25 before the first Test in Johannesburg from February 1.

The Pakistan Cricket Board said separate squads for two Twenty20 internationals and five one-day matches, which follow the Tests, will be announced later.

Surprisingly, none of the three Akmal brothers - Kamran, Umar and Adnan - are part of the Test squad and no selector was available to say why.

Adnan has been a regular in Pakistan's Test squad as specialist wicket-keeper. Although he was injured during Pakistan's tour of Sri Lanka last June he played in the ongoing first class season. He is replaced by Sarfraz Ahmed.

Nineteen-year-old paceman Ehsan Adil was also selected for the first time after impressing during the Junior World Cup in Australia last year. Adil has taken 56 wickets in ten first-class matches this season.

Left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman also returns to the squad after being banned for a failed dope test during the county season in England last year. He will partner the wily off-spinner Saeed Ajmal.

The pace squad will be led by the experienced Umar Gul, Junaid Khan and Irfan.

Uncapped left-hander Haris Sohail and Faisal Iqbal also retained their places in the squad after failing to play any match on the Sri Lanka tour while left-handed opener Nasir Jamshed, who has yet to play a Test, also made the cut.

Squad: Misbah-ul Haq (capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali, Nasir Jamshed, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Mohammad Irfan, Sarfraz Ahmed, Umar Gul, Junaid Khan, Ehsan Adil, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman, Haris Sohail, Faisal Iqbal, Taufiq Umar.

Itinerary:

Jan 25-28 vs SA invitation XI at East London

Feb 1-5 Ist Test at Johannesburg

Feb 14-18 Second Test Cape Town

Feb 22-26 Third Test Centurion

March 1 Ist Twenty20 at Durban

March 3 Second T20 at Centurion

March 6 SA invitation XI side match at Kimberley

March 10 Ist one-day international at Bloemfontein

March 15 Second one-day international at Centurion

March 17 Third one-day international at Johannesburg

March 21 Fourth one-day international at Durban

March 24 Fifth one-day international at Benoni

Former umpire Taufel to deliver Cowdrey Lecture

Australia retiring umpire Simon Taufel addresses a press conference in Colombo on October 6, 2012

[© AFP/File]

Australian Simon Taufel will this year become the first umpire to give the prestigious MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Friday.

The lecture began in 2001 in memory of former Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) president Colin Cowdrey, who played a key role in the 'Spirit of Cricket' being enshrined in the preamble of the Code of the Laws of Cricket in 2000.

The retired Taufel, who was voted the International Cricket Council's (ICC) umpire of the year between 2004 and 2008, will become the third non-player to deliver the lecture.

The late British cricket journalist Christopher Martin-Jenkins gave the lecture six years ago, with former Anglican bishop Desmond Tutu following suit in 2008.

"After the initial shock of being asked, I am delighted, honoured and humbled to be able to participate in such an important cricket event," said Taufel.

"I look forward to representing umpiring in this fine tradition and all that Mr Cowdrey stood for."

This year's lecture will take place on July 24.

Smith leads steady start by South Africa

Graeme Smith bats during the final Test against New Zealand at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth on January 11, 2013

[© AFP]

Graeme Smith survived an early blow on the batting helmet to lead a solid start by South Africa on the first day of the second and final Test against New Zealand at St George's Park on Friday.

South Africa were 99 for one at lunch, with Smith on 40 not out. Hashim Amla was undefeated on 32.

Alviro Petersen was the only batsman dismissed, caught at fine leg when he mistimed a pull shot against Doug Bracewell after making 21.

Smith, the South African captain, needed treatment on the field when he took his eye off a short-pitched delivery from Bracewell in the fourth over and was struck on the earpiece of his helmet.

It was one of several short-pitched balls from the New Zealand bowlers as they attempted to match their opponents for aggression after being defeated by an innings and 27 runs in the first Test in Cape Town.

There was minimal assistance for the bowlers on a slow pitch, but Bracewell bowled impressively, taking one for 18 in eight overs.

Rory Kleinveldt replaced fellow pace bowler Vernon Philander, who is recovering from a hamstring strain, in the only change in the South African team.

New Zealand showed two changes. Left-arm fast bowler Neil Wagner replaced veteran Chris Martin, while batsman Colin Munro came in for all-rounder James Franklin, who was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Onus on New Zealand to show fight

 

In the last year, New Zealand have been practically living out of a suitcase, making trips to West Indies, India, Sri Lanka, and now South Africa. The most well-travelled team of 2012 has had more disappointment than joy. A sequence of five consecutive Test defeats started in the West Indies and ended in Colombo, where they recorded an odds-defying win. There were few positives to emerge from the clean sweeps suffered in the West Indies and India. The top order did not contribute enough and was criticised for irresponsibility. As a result, New Zealand's impressive seam attack never had enough runs to work with. Another clean sweep loomed in Sri Lanka after they were vanquished in three days in Galle, but the captain Ross Taylor led by example in Colombo and it rubbed off on his team-mates as New Zealand proved they had the resilience to fight back.

What New Zealand did not need was the internal turmoil that subsequently led to Taylor pulling out of the South Africa tour. With Daniel Vettori out injured, New Zealand are short on experienced hands against the world's highest-ranked Test side, in home conditions. The teams are mismatched on paper, but if one of the seniors can show greater responsibility, the series could get competitive. Much will depend on whether New Zealand can bat for long periods and blunt South Africa's seamers. Setting smaller targets, such as batting out an hour without losing a wicket, will help. They have had the benefit of a warm-up match, but only three batsmen - Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson - made half-centuries.

After lifting the Test championship mace at Lord's, South Africa enhanced their reputation by beating Australia at home. They fought tooth and nail to save the Adelaide Test and then were clinical in victory in Perth. Unlike New Zealand, they have a full-strength side at their disposal. This will also be their first Test at home as the No. 1 team.

Form guide

(Most recent first)
New Zealand WLLLL
South Africa WDDWD

In the spotlight

Kane Williamson may be only 18 Tests old, but is already being identified as a future Test captain. Though not officially the vice-captain, he is perceived as an understudy to McCullum. His temperament has been praised and his 135 in Colombo and crucial partnership with Taylor was an example of that. He is one of New Zealand's better players of spin, but he may not face too much of it in South Africa.

Dean Elgar had a horrific start to his Test career in Perth, making ducks in both innings. Fortunately for him, the selectors have given him another chance. Elgar, a left-handed middle order batsman, will play instead of the under-performing Jacques Rudolph. While the first five positions are secure, of late the No. 6 position has not been. This is a chance for Elgar to nail it down, with the likes of JP Duminy also competing for it. Thami Tsolekile is also in the mix, but for the moment, AB de Villiers will continue to keep wicket.

Team news

With Vernon Philander passed fit, South Africa are likely to play the same XI from Perth.

South Africa (likely): 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Alviro Petersen, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Jacques Kallis, 5 AB de Villiers (wk), 6 Dean Elgar, 7 Faf du Plessis, 8 Robin Peterson, 9 Vernon Philander, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Morne Morkel

For New Zealand, BJ Watling will keep wicket, relieving that responsibility from the captain McCullum. Dean Brownlie will be Taylor's replacement in the middle order. McCullum hinted at playing an extra spinner for a seamer after seeing cracks on the pitch, meaning that the left-arm spinner Bruce Martin could be in for a debut.

New Zealand (likely): 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Brendon McCullum (capt), 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Dean Brownlie, 5 Daniel Flynn, 6 BJ Watling (wk), 7 James Franklin, 8 Doug Bracewell, 9 Trent Boult, 10 Jeetan Patel, 11 Bruce Martin/Chris Martin

Pitch and conditions

The Newlands pitch appeared fairly dark in colour on the eve of the game. It is expected to flatten out from the second day and the spinners will come into play later on.

Stats and trivia

• New Zealand have won just one Test in South Africa, since their readmission, at the Wanderers in 1994-95. They went on to the lose the next two, and the series.
• Dale Steyn is one wicket away from 300 Test wickets.
• Jacques Kallis is 20 away from 13000 Test runs. Only Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting and Rahul Dravid are above him.

Quotes

"The team has taken big steps forward. We've travelled a lot in the last year. It was hostile, it was tough. Hopefully now we can play the same style of cricket in South Africa with home support."
Graeme Smith, South Africa captain.

"We pushed them quite hard in that series and put them under pressure at times. We've just got to make sure we get better and compete for longer in this series."
Brendon McCullum on the previous series between the two, earlier this year.

BCB chief hopeful of Pakistan participation in BPL

The fall-out of Bangladesh's reluctance to tour Pakistan could be costly for the forthcoming second season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), but the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is confident that cricketers from Pakistan will be made available. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf's use of the word "might" in the case of the Pakistan players' availability has eased fears of a complete pull-out.

"I still believe that a large number of Pakistani players will play in the BPL," Nazmul Hassan, the BCB president, said on Tuesday. "He [Zaka Ashraf] didn't directly say that the players won't play in the BPL. He said that they will have their own league at that point of time, something which might not allow their players to come to Bangladesh. All I can do is hope for their availability."

The BPL is scheduled to begin on January 18, clashing with the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan's domestic first-class tournament. The PCB is unlikely to let some of the top Pakistan players take part in the BPL, though more than 50 cricketers were bought by the franchises in the auction.

The seven franchises will begin their training camps from the second week of January, with foreign players expected to start arriving from January 4. If the PCB is to give NOCs (No-Objection Certificate) for the BPL, the BCB would prefer them soon because a pull-out would require the governing council and Game On Sports, BPL's event management firm, to host a closed-door auction. In that case, it would throw the tournament into chaos, a scenario that is a major concern for the owners.

"We did not receive any information of the Pakistan players not attending this year's BPL yet. Of course it's a concern as all the franchises had plans with the Pakistani cricketers that they bought from the auction. If they (Pakistani cricketers) are not available we (the franchisees) will have to look for other options," Shihab Chowdhury, Dhaka Gladiators' managing director, said.

Another owner, Sylhet Royals' Nafeesa Kamal, believed that in the event of a pull-out, the franchises will not have enough players to fill those vacant spots. "Not having Pakistan players is definitely a concern and I think we should be informed soon about their status. If the BPL plans to hold a closed-door auction in the event of their unavailability, we will be left with very few good options."

The overall reaction to Bangladesh's deferment has been of relief in many quarters as the general perception in the country has been negative about the proposed tour. But the BCB is not ready to give up on their bilateral relations with their Pakistan counterparts, and the man having to answer all the questions at this stage, Hassan, has had to resort to diplomacy. "I haven't spoken to them [the PCB] officially regarding this issue. We haven't received the reply to our letter which we sent to them four days back.

"I am not blaming Pakistan, I understand their sentiment but this is not intentional. There is no politics in it. It's the situation that has compelled us not to tour Pakistan at this point of time," said Hassan.

There still remains a sense of confidence among those who run the BPL directly, but if the PCB announces a pull-out of the top players, new players have to be recruited at short notice. The BCB would start the new year on a bad note, off the field, if their money-spinning T20 tournament runs into problems.

Sri Lanka owe Jayawardene a send-off

 

Geoff Marsh had a brief but unhindered view into the workings of the Sri Lanka side, but after his sacking said it didn't take a head coach's insight to know everything there was know about the captaincy. "Every country needs to have its best captain," he began, "and the best captain in Sri Lanka is Mahela Jayawardene. I think everyone knows that."

Jayawardene is not the best player in Sri Lanka's ranks by some distance, nor is he its heart, its soul, its workhorse or its darling. He is the man who keeps things on an even keel. While Sri Lanka Cricket staggers from woe to unfathomable woe, stirring their whirlpool of turmoil ever-larger, Jayawardene has plucked the team out of a funk and kept its heart beating in his twelve months as leader.

He has shown no will to step away from Tests and is determined to have one more crack at a World Cup, but he is about to relinquish the reins, snug though they seem in his grip. Astute and assured at the helm, his side has owed him much in the past year, and if they can lift themselves out of Melbourne's mighty rut, they might repay him with the send-off his leadership deserves.

In many ways, Jayawardene has been Sri Lanka's best leader since Arjuna Ranatunga, and at times he has been peerless tactically, both among his nation's former captains and his contemporary rivals. His first stint as captain was defined by the bravado that his leadership was forged in. In his first Test at the helm, Sri Lanka were wiped out in two sessions in the first innings at Lord's, and were staring squarely at an innings loss until Jayawardene's 119 laid the foundation for a thrilling draw, and eventually, a shared series.

In the years that followed, Sri Lanka played a fearless brand of cricket, seeking safety through aggression, while wielding an attack whose colour became clout under Jayawardene's direction. Field placements were bold to the point of being experimental. Leg slip had almost left the game in the mid-2000s, but it has enjoyed a recent revival, thanks in large part to Jayawardene's canny employment of it to his spinners. Sustained success came too, and at one point, Sri Lanka were the second-ranked side in Tests, ODIs and Twenty20s simultaneously.

His second stint in the captaincy has seen Jayawardene adopt a more cautious approach, but although he has drawn criticism, some of it fair, for this new conservatism, his assignment has also been much steeper this time. Devoid of so wild a talent as Muttiah Muralitharan, and having inherited a team verging on listless, Jayawardene has led the side to three Test victories and their first series win in three years, against Pakistan.

Worse even than on-field woes has been the board, whose financial disarray has sparked a series of short-term manoeuvres likely to detriment Sri Lanka's cricket in the long term, and as its recent public spat with Jayawardene suggested, has an ever-worsening relationship with its captains.

	In many ways, Jayawardene has been Sri Lanka's best leader since Arjuna Ranatunga, and at times he has been peerless tactically, both among his nation's former captains and his contemporary rivals

At a glance Jayawardene's decision to step down now is as puzzling as his choice to give up the captaincy in 2009. In his first tenure, Jayawardene had led the side to five Test series wins out of nine including victories against England and India, with three of those series drawn. In addition Sri Lanka had also progressed to their first World Cup final in 11 years and won the Asia Cup in 2008.

Yet, seemingly at the peak of his career and captaincy, Jayawardene passed the helm to Kumar Sangakkara, who could stand no more than two years of it himself. In most teams, leadership is an honour that is aspired to, but in Sri Lanka the well-suited men who have held the captaincy have treated and spoken about the post like flogging that must be endured with gritted teeth for the greater good.

That Jayawardene defended the board's decision to postpone three Tests against South Africa, effectively to allow the Sri Lanka Premier League to be played, also shows no shortage of diplomacy on his part. He has little to gain from the SLPL, but has been one of its most voracious advocates since the end of its first season, while the postponed Tests would have offered a chance to pit himself against the best side in the world, whom he has built an impressive home record against in the past.

Yet he finds his confidential letters to the board splayed in the press, and then warned of a reprimand, when he states he has lost confidence in a body who treats its captains thus.

He is about to play his final Test as captain now, and Jayawardene says it is because he hopes to guide his young successor in his first stretch of leadership. Angelo Mathews has the temperament of a leader and has had impressive brushes with captaincy, but to move from leading an SLPL side to becoming Sri Lanka's captain in all forms is like taking on Tolstoy, having only read comic books.

Beyond performance, strategy, motivation and man-management, Mathews will also need to be versed in politics and fire-fighting if he is to last long in the job, and he will do well to learn what he can from Jayawardene, for as long as he is around.

Shaking a side out of their gloom after a loss as deflating as Melbourne's will be a stiff task, even for a man as respected by his players as Jayawardene, particularly as they lack their best batsman and two of their better fast bowlers. But if this inexperienced team can muster a fight, they might give deserving captain a final Test to remember.