IPL poster boy wallows in obscurity

Visakhapatnam -- Ravindra Jadeja's Rs. 10 crore tag at this year's IPL auction may have led to raised eyebrows, but it instantly put him in the bracket of the world's best T20 players. But less than four months after he played his last IPL game, Jadeja finds himself out of favour.

He is not in the T20 team that will play New Zealand from Saturday, and also does not feature in the squad for the World T20 later this month. Worse, he does not figure even in the India 'A' squad that will tour New Zealand next week.

The Chennai Super Kings, captained by MS Dhoni, had shelled out the huge sum for him in the February auction. Incidentally, the player management firm that manages Jadeja and his contracts, Rhiti Sports, also manages the India skipper.

Ejection justified

Board sources say his ejection from the India team is justified as he failed in the IPL (191 runs in 19 matches @ 15.91 and just 12 wickets). "He hasn't been consistent," says a source. In fact, they are not in favour of grooming him for the future by picking him for India 'A'. This raises the question that whether the amount paid to players like him is justified.

Ex-players like Madan Lal agree. "Others must have fared better. That is why he is not in the team. First of all, I don't understand how anyone can pay so much for a player who is not sure of his place in the national side."

Unlike other players, who have gone back to the National Cricket Academy for fitness and off-season programmes, Jadeja hasn't done so.

In the run-up to the Test and T20 series, players not in the India and 'A' squads were at the NCA for various reasons. But not Jadeja.

His coach Mahesh Chauhan says Jadeja is grinding out at the inter-district level. "He has scored a century and picked up a few wickets. He captained Jamnagar to the final."

Awaiting a call

Jadeja had to skip the Buchi Babu tournament (in Chennai) for Saurashtra (a pre-cursor to the domestic season) as his father was in hospital.

The left-arm spinner is awaiting a call to one of the two teams for the Challenger Series, which will be played from September 29 at Rajkot.

There is a strong chance he'll make it to one of the teams as India will be busy at the World T20.

Proteas showed great character by beating England: De Villiers

Nottingham: Proteas captain AB de Villiers has said his team showed great character in beating England by seven wickets in their fifth and final one-day international at Trent Bridge, to tie the series 2-2.

South Africa recovered from 14-3 to coast home on 186-3 with 15.3 overs remaining, after bowling out England for 182.

Hashim Amla hit an unbeaten 97, while Proteas captain AB de Villiers scored 75 not out. James Anderson had England's best bowling figures with 2-41.

"We've been a little bit inconsistent to my liking. (But) there are a lot of positives, especially today, the way the boys came back with a lot of character. Under pressure, we showed a lot of guts there and that's the thing I would like to hang on going forward," De Villiers said.

Earlier, South Africa's Robin Peterson claimed 3-37 as the hosts were all out with 4.4 overs to spare, Sport24 reports.

Captain Alastair Cook made 51, but Chris Woakes and Craig Kieswetter were the next highest scorers, with 33 not out and 33 respectively.

England won the toss and chose to bat.

Despite their loss, England remains at the top of the ODI world rankings.

Innovations at India A camp for NZ tour

Bangalore: Members of the India A team are practising with plastic balls, which swing more than the leather ones, and are undergoing match simulation at ‘open nets’ here to prepare for the conditions that they are expected to encounter in New Zealand.

India A team coach Lalchand Rajput is making them do these and other exercises during the ongoing 10- day camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) here.

“Since the ball swings a lot in New Zealand, we are practising with plastic balls, which really swing appreciably. We will also have match simulation at ‘open nets’,” Rajput, a former Test opener, told MAIL TODAY . “There are various things we can do in a 10-day camp, and prepare them in such a way that they are really raring to go when they reach New Zealand,” said the coach, who was also in-charge of the India A team that toured the West Indies recently.

He said a few friendly matches will also be organised at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where the NCA is located.

While the weather conditions in New Zealand can’t be replicated here, 50-year-old Rajput is ensuring that players prepare mentally to tackle whatever they encounter during the 19-day tour.

“I’ve been to New Zealand with an under- 19 team, so I’m aware of the conditions there. That’s a challenge for these youngsters — to prepare themselves mentally for what they’re going to encounter there,” he said.

“That’s why we’re having a 10-day camp, so that we could take them as close to those conditions as possible.” Rajput said that during match simulation different challenges will be thrown at members of the Abhinav Mukund-led team, which also comprises the likes of Unmukt Chand, Ashok Menaria, Rahul Sharma and Jaydev Unadkat.

“We can do match simulation at the ground, like ‘open nets’. Then, we give them certain targets and the number of overs in which they’ve to achieve it. This way batsmen and bowlers have a challenge."

“Whenever I’m in- charge, I do that, whichever country we tour,” he said. “And it’s good for players as well, and they’re responding very well. It’s good that we’ve enough days to prepare.”

India A will play three ODIs and then two unofficial four-day ‘Test’ matches against New Zealand A, beginning on September 18. All the matches will be played at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln.

Since the NCA is located within the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Rajput took the players inside the stadium to watch part of the fourth day’s play in the second India-New Zealand Test match on Monday.

“It would’ve given them additional motivation, and they’d have told themselves: ‘yes, one I day I have to be here’. You always prepare for what you require,” he pointed out.

Rajput said that no member of the Indian team could be approached to give a motivational talk.

“Since we are here, we will look into that aspect and see if a player can come and talk to them,” he said.

Stalwarts like Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath, who also happen to be the president and the secretary of the Karnataka State Cricket Association, have their offices just a few metres away from the NCA and can be invited for such a talk. Rahul Dravid and Venkatesh Prasad are also part of the KSCA. There will be no boot camp for the India A team, like the one organised for the Unmukt-captained under-19 side that went on to win the World Cup in Australia recently.

“That happens for big tournaments. But that’s the reason why we are having a 10-day camp, so that we get to know each other and have a good bonding,” reasoned Rajput.

“Definitely, we’ve to perform well and win the series. But, above all, the main aim of a coach is to take players to the next level, and the level for them is the Indian team.”

Misbah in no mood to step down

Under fire Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul Haq has no intention of retiring from ODIs or step down from the post despite his side's loss in the ODI series against Australia in the UAE.

"No doubt we struggled to dominate in batting and didn't take command on the field but we tried to select the best playing eleven for all the matches," Misbah told reporters after returning home from Dubai.

"I enjoy the honor of leading Pakistan in ODIs and Tests and take pride in my own personal performances. It is disappointing we lost to Australia but we need to move on and learn from our mistakes. Definitely, we need improvements in different areas as we repeating same mistakes," he said.

Soon after Pakistan lost the final match and the series, several former players and critics have called for Misbah to retire from one-day international cricket.

The 38-year old suffered his second successive one-day series loss as captain since the Asia Cup.

Former chief selector and the coach of the national team until March this year, Mohsin Khan said that the captain and coach had made several mistakes in the series.

"Honestly speaking this was a weak Australian side and conditions didn't favour them at all. We had a great chance to win a one-day series against them after 10 years and we squandered it due to poor tactics and a defensive approach," Mohsin, a former Test player, said.

Aamir Sohail was also unimpressed by Misbah's captaincy. "He should learn how to use his fast bowlers better like Australia did. He didn't utilise Junaid Khan when the spinners were struggling with the wet ball in the final match."

Former captain, Wasim Akram has also criticised Misbah's captaincy and batting and blamed him for the defeat.

Pakistan's former Test pacer, Sarfaraz Nawaz said he was surprised at the way Misbah led the side. "I don't know why he was under so much pressure. He led the side defensively and even his batting was not inspiring. We should have won this series."

South Africa beat England to draw ODI series

Nottingham: Hashim Amla piled on the runs once again as he led South Africa to a series-levelling seven-wicket win in the fifth and final one-day international against England at Trent Bridge on Wednesday.

South Africa, chasing a seemingly modest 183 for victory, collapsed to 14 for three inside five overs under the floodlights in this day/night fixture. But opener Amla responded with a superb 97 not out and, together with Proteas captain AB de Villiers (75 not out) he shared an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 172.

Victory, with more than 15 overs to spare, saw South Africa share the series at 2-2.

Amla, who made a brilliant 150 in South Africa's 80-run win in the second ODI in Southampton, was named man of the series for a tally of 335 runs in four innings at an average of more than 111.

That followed on from his corresponding award in the Proteas' 2-0 Test series win over England where he scored a South Africa record 311 not out at The Oval. Amla's combined tally for both series was a colossal 817 runs at 116.71.

One consolation for England was that, despite this defeat, they remained top of the 50-over world rankings having won 12 of their last 14 completed matches.

Amla could only watch as the Proteas slumped at the start of their reply. Left-hander Graeme Smith fell when he edged Jade Dernbach and James Tredwell held on at the second attempt.

International novices Faf du Plessis and Dean Elgar then both nicked excellent James Anderson deliveries to wicket-keeper Craig Kieswetter. But de Villiers then pulled two successive short balls from South Africa-born seamer Dernbach for four.

Amla eased paceman Chris Woakes, in for Steven Finn who had a back problem, off the backfoot for a typically stylish four through the covers. And when Woakes carelessly dropped short, de Villiers pulled him for four.

Amla then went advanced to drive left-arm spinner Samit Patel through the covers for four. He completed a 63 ball-fifty, with de Villiers taking just 54 balls to get to the landmark. Amla drove off-spinner Tredwell over extra-cover for six and ended the match with a wristily flicked boundary off Dernbach. In all he faced 107 balls with a six and nine fours.

Earlier, left-arm spinner Robin Peterson took three for 37 after enterprisingly being given the new ball by de Villiers as England, without injured top-order mainstay Jonathan Trott and the still exiled Kevin Pietersen, were bowled out for just 182.

Fast bowler Dale Steyn, a more familiar new-ball operator, took two for 24. Only England captain Alastair Cook (51), Kieswetter (33) and Woakes, with a career-best 33 not out, got past 30.

Peterson had in-form opener Ian Bell lbw for 10 before removing tailenders Tredwell and Anderson with successive deliveries. Ravi Bopara, promoted up the order in Trott's absence despite a run of low scores, and Eoin Morgan both exited for ducks.

England's low total was built upon a third-wicket partnership of 55 between Cook and Jonathan Bairstow. Cook completed a 69-ball fifty with six fours. But the left-handed opener fell meekly when he chipped a return catch to spinner du Plessis.

Pakistani spinners wreck Australia in first T20

Pakistan's spinners Mohammad Hafeez, Saeed Ajmal and Raza Hasan bowled Australia out for just 89 to set up an easy seven-wicket win in the first Twenty20 international here on Wednesday.

Ajmal (2-13), Hasan (2-15) and skipper Hafeez (2-24) shook the Australian batting before left-arm paceman Sohail Tanvir (3-13) wrapped up the innings in 19.3 overs. Pakistan then romped home in 14.5 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

It was an easy win for Pakistan at Dubai Stadium after going down 2-1 in the preceding one-day series.

Shoaib Malik hit the winning boundary, finishing with nine not out while Kamran Akmal finished with an unbeaten 31 with three boundaries and a six.

The victory was never in doubt once Pakistan bowled well. Hafeez (17) and Imran Nazir (22) gave Pakistan a solid start of 30 before losing Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed (10) in quick succession.

Akmal and Malik saw off the target without any discomfort.

The second match will be played here on Friday.

Earlier Australia were let down by poor shot selection against quality spin bowling after they were sent into bat.

Australia hit only three boundaries in the innings with their last coming in the fourth over as Pakistani spinners never allowed them to settle on a turning track, reducing their opponents to their second-lowest Tweny20 total.

Opener David Warner top-scored with 22 off 25 deliveries, hitting two boundaries.

Cameron White (15) and captain George Bailey (14) were the only others to reach double figures.

Paceman Umar Gul dismissed Shane Watson (eight) in the third over while Tanvir accounted for Michael Hussey (one) in the next before Warner and Bailey put on the best stand of the innings, adding 33 for the third wicket.

Pakistan's spinners then came into their own, as the last eight wickets went for a mere 43 runs.

Australia's lowest Twenty20 total of 79 came against England at Southampton in 2005.

Trott out of South Africa finale

England's Jonathan Trott has been ruled out of the fifth and final one-day international against South Africa in Nottingham on Wednesday because of a hand injury.

The South Africa-born batsman was hit on the right hand by a short ball from Proteas paceman Dale Steyn during England's six-wicket victory at Lord's on Sunday, a result that put them 2-1 up in the five-match series, but was cleared of any "major fracture" after an X-ray on Monday.

He took no part in Tuesday's practice, however, and the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed later Tuesday he would not play in the series finale.

Somerset batsman Jos Buttler was called into the squad as cover on Monday, but Jonathan Bairstow is a more likely candidate to play his first match of the series.

Meanwhile England coach Andy Flower will miss Wednesday's match as well.

Flower is taking a short break to spend some time with his family, before England continue their packed schedule with three Twenty20s against South Africa -- and then fly to Sri Lanka to defend their ICC World Twenty20 crown.

England fielding coach Richard Halsall will deputise for former Zimbabwe batsman Flower in Nottingham.

Parnell issues Dale warning to England

South Africa's Wayne Parnell has told England to expect a fired-up Dale Steyn as the Proteas look to square the five-match one-day series at 2-2 in Wednesday's day/night finale in Nottingham.

England went 2-1 up with one to play after a victory at Lord's on Sunday rounded off by Craig Kieswetter -- a former South Africa junior international -- launching Steyn for six.

It is not a gesture any fast bowler takes kindly to, especially one regarded as the world's best, and left-arm seamer Parnell told reporters at Nottingham's Trent Bridge ground on Tuesday: "He (Steyn) obviously wasn't happy with that.

"No fast bowler likes to be hit, but Dale's a competitor -- and he'll be back tomorrow [Wednesday]."

But South Africa's biggest problem in losing back-to-back matches in London at The Oval and Lord's has been a lack of runs, not wickets with England easing past scores of 211 and 220 for eight respectively.

By contrast, England fell well short of the 287 for five South Africa made in the second one-dayer at Southampton, where Hashim Amla compiled a brilliant 150.

"We just didn't score enough runs," said Parnell. "Whatever it might be, if England have bowled well or we have batted poorly, is up for debate ... it's probably a bit of both," he added.

"But we have a pretty quality batting line-up, and I expect us to do better tomorrow."

South Africa are currently without the outstanding Jacques Kallis, currently being rested after helping the Proteas to a 2-0 Test series win over England.

One of the world's leading batsman and a fine fast bowler, Kallis leaves a big whole to fill but Parnell insisted South Africa could win in the absence of the all-rounder.

"It's up for debate," he said. "If he were here and we were 2-1 down, what would people be saying?"

"Now he's not, people are questioning whether he should be here or not."

De Villiers says ODI top spot not in Proteas' minds during England tour

Johannesburg: South Africa one-day captain AB de Villiers has claimed he wasn't even aware of team's limited over rankings prior to their England tour, and added the becoming world's number one team was not on their minds.

Proteas need to win the final one-day match at Nottingham on Wednesday to tie the five-match series two all after the first match of the series was washed out due to rain.

South Africa pipped England to become world's number one ODI team after winning the second match, but consecutives defeats in the series has again pushed them back to second position.

Even winning the final one-day match would keep South Africa behind England, and when asked about losing the numero uno status, De Villiers said it was immaterial.

"It was never our focus before this tour. I didn't even know where we were ranked," Sports 24 quoted De Villiers, as saying.

"Anyway, you can't think or talk about world rankings when you are only playing at 70 percent capacity," he added.

Hussey, Maxwell help Australia to a series win

Australia ended up successful against the trial by spin and the heat in the UAE as they won the 3rd ODI to clinch a 2-1 series win.

Michael Hussey was one of the stars for the team from Down Under, scoring a fine 65 while Glenn Maxwell came up with a crucial 56 to help Australia beat Pakistan by 3 wickets in the final ODI at Sharjah. Hussey scored his 39th fifty and Maxwell hit his maiden half-century in ODIs to round off a challenging chase of 245 in 47 overs, spoiling Pakistan's chances of beating Australia for the first time since 2002.

Hussey added an invaluable 51 for the fifth wicket with Matthew Wade (22) after Saeed Ajmal (3/37) had threatened to wreck their rival's batting as Australia were struggling at 108-4. But the 37-year-old Hussey, regarded as one of the best finishers in limited overs cricket, kept his cool during a 72-ball knock. Even when Wade was bowled by Abdur Rehman, Hussey fought hard, adding 67 with Maxwell. When Hussey was bowled by Khan, Australia still needed 19 but Maxwell ensured the chase was successful, hitting four fours and three sixes in a vital knock that saw his team through.

Australia got off to a rapid start with David Hussey, who came out to open, putting on 44 by the ninth over with David Warner (21). Both took the attack to the Pakistanis from the outset with David Hussey hitting three sixes during his 45-ball knock of 43.

But once Ajmal came on the Australian innings faltered as the off-spinner dismissed David Hussey, Michael Clarke (32) and George Bailey in his first five-over spell.But David's elder brother foiled Ajmal in his second spell to keep his team on track before Maxwell completed the formalities.

Earlier, Mohammad Hafeez came up with a fine half-century and was involved in a century partnership with Nasir Jamshed, which happened to be Pakistan's first century stand by their openers against Australia since 1985. The 31-year-old right-hander hit 78 off 97-balls for his 13th one-day fifty and added 129 runs with Jamshed (48) to give Pakistan a good platform.

At that stage, it seemed likely that Pakistan would post a total in excess of 300. However, a persistent Australian seam attack restricted the sub-continent team to 244/7. Mitchell Starc did most of the damage, finishing with figures of 4/51, while Mitchell Johnson contributed his bit with 2/33.

Jamshed, who hit 97 in the previous match, was again at his fluent best as he hit six boundaries during his 75-ball knock. Jamshed, along with Hafeez, laid a solid platform for Pakistan to capitalize upon before he became the first one to depart when he was out caught behind off Johnson.

Shahid Afridi was promoted up the order to accelerate the scoring but he did not do much as he was caught by Glenn Maxwell at deep mid-wicket for seven, giving Johnson his second wicket. Pakistan's momentum was further hindered when Hafeez fell, trapped leg-before by Michael Clarke in the 33rd over, which left Pakistan hard pressed for runs.

Starc, who took a career best 5-42 in the opening game, accounted for Asad Shafiq (27) and Umar Akmal (0) in the 39th over before bringing about the dismissals of Misbah-ul Haq (25) and Kamral Akmal (2) in the 47th over. Azhar Ali and Abdur Rehman managed a few boundaries towards the end which helped Pakistan post a competitive tota.

No fracture for England's Trott

England will make a last-minute decision over the fitness of Jonathan Trott after scans showed the batsman did not fracture his hand in Sunday's one-day victory over South Africa.

Trott, England's number three, suffered a painful blow on his right hand after being hit by a short ball from Dale Steyn during his side's six-wicket win at Lord's.

With the 31-year-old showing obvious signs of discomfort during a century stand with Ian Bell, there were fears South Africa-born Trott might have broken bones.

That would have forced England, who lead the series 2-1, to call up a replacement for the fifth and final one-day international at Trent Bridge on Wednesday.

But an England and Wales Cricket Board update on Monday revealed there was no break and Trott and the team's medical staff will wait 24 hours before deciding if he is fit to feature against the Proteas.

"X-ray of hand rules out any major fracture," the ECB statement said. "Further medical assessment required tomorrow (Tuesday)."

Hafeez optimistic about landmark win

Vice-captain Mohammad Hafeez said Pakistan were focussed on winning the third one-day match at Sharjah Stadium here on Monday to take their first series against Australia in ten years.

Pakistan and Australia go into the third and final one-day at 1-1, with Australia winning the first match here by four wickets before their rivals earned a series-levelling seven wicket win in the second at Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Hafeez said records did not matter as Pakistan always go for a win.

"We, as a team, think about winning every game but if in the process we are able to achieve a record then it's fine," said Hafeez of Pakistan's prospects of winning their first one-day series against Australia since 2002.

Hafeez said Pakistan's varied bowling gave them the edge over Australia.

"We want to take the winning momentum of the second match into the third and our varied bowling attack gives us an edge ovr Australia," said Hafeez, himself part of the spin trio led by Saeed Ajmal.

Left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman replaced Shahid Afridi in the second match after the leg-spinner had a recurrence of a back problem. Afridi was a doubtful starter for Monday.

Ajmal took three wickets in the first match and four in the second, exposing Australia's weakness against spin.

Hafeez refused to admit that it will be a win toss, win match situation after Pakistan benefitted from Australia's decision of batting first in Abu Dhabi.

"They were wet conditions in Abu Dhabi but they are the same for both the teams and I don't think the toss will be decisive," said Hafeez.
Australian allrounder David Hussey admitted Ajmal has been a threat.

"He (Ajmal) is a hell of a great bowler. It is totally different from the way Australians play him, you might see a different technique against him in the third game," said Hussey.

Hussey said all Pakistani spinners warrant attention.

"All their bowlers warrant lots of attention. We do our planning very deligently and when it comes to planning and Hafeez definitely does not slip under the radar and he is number one ranked spinner in the world at the moment."

Apart from the Pakistani spinners, Australia were smarting from the oppressive heat in the United Arab Emirates.

"It is just a different humidity than we are used to. The key is to keep your body temperature down. We are strengthening and our conditioning coach has been fantastic and the key is to keep your body temperature down and you have to adapt that," said Hussey.

Australia were hopeful their openers Matthew Wade and David Warner fire after failing to score big in the first two matches.

Paceman Mitchell Starc was a doubtful starter after complaining of chest pain on Friday.

PCB likely to postpone Zimbabwe series to accommodate proposed tour to India

Islamabad: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to postpone the national team's tour to Zimbabwe in favour of their proposed tour of India.

"We have requested Zimbabwe to reschedule the series because of the India-Pakistan series," Dawn.com quoted a PCB spokesman, as saying to a cricket website.

"They agreed to work out another plan to host us so there is no way the series will be canceled. Instead the PCB and Zimbabwe Cricket are in discussions make it happen next year," the spokesman added.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has invited Pakistan for a series in December-January when England, who are due to tour India later this year, return home briefly for Christmas and New Year.

Pakistan is scheduled to visit Zimbabwe during the same period to play two Test matches, three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and two Twenty20s.

De Villiers unhappy with persistent middle-order collapses

London: South Africa's captain AB de Villiers has criticised his middle-order after they failed to score enough runs for the second match in a row against England.

England beat the Proteas by six wickets in which opener Ian Bell's innings was the cornerstone of his team's 224 for four, as they won with 20 balls to spare after good work by their bowlers restricted South Africa to 220 for eight.

"Unfortunately the middle-order failed again so we'll have to look at that," said De Villiers.

"The guys will have to have a look at themselves, including me. It's a matter of knuckling down. We go to Trent Bridge 2-1 down but we could make it 2-2 which would be quite a good result," he said.

England skipper Alastair Cook was happy after England topped a memorable few days for their captain with a six-wicket win in the fourth one-day international at Lord's on Sunday.

England, who had been knocked off top spot in all three international formats by South Africa this season are now set to regain their place at the summit of the 50-over world rankings even if the Proteas square a series, Sport24 reports.

"It was a really good performance again. When you win a toss in those conditions you need to make the most of it and I thought we did. Finn and Jimmy asked plenty of questions up front. A couple of chances went down but we hung in there," said Cook.

"Then with the bat we had that really good partnership between Bell and Trotty which probably got us most of the way home. We came here to win the series, we had a slow start but now it is 2-1 and all to play for at Trent Bridge," he said.

Cook buoyed as England go 2-1 up against Proteas

Alastair Cook was in an upbeat mood after England topped a memorable few days for their captain with a six-wicket win in the fourth one-day international against South Africa at Lord's on Sunday.

A week that saw England fall 1-0 behind in this five-match series following an 80-run thrashing in Southampton on Tuesday ended with them 2-1 in front after a four-wicket victory across London at The Oval on Friday was followed by Sunday's success at Lord's.

In between going 1-0 down and levelling at 1-1, Cook, the one-day skipper for more than a year, was appointed England's Test captain after his longstanding opening partner Andrew Strauss retired from all cricket on Wednesday.

England, who had been knocked off top spot in all three international formats by South Africa this season are now set to regain their place at the summit of the 50-over world rankings even if the Proteas square a series, which started with a no-result in Cardiff, at 2-2 by winning Wednesday's finale in Nottingham.

Cook's bowlers backed him up after he won the toss in overcast conditions at Lord's by restricting South Africa to 220 for eight.

Then, after Cook himself fell early to Dale Steyn, a stand of 141 between the Warwickshire duo of man-of-the-match Ian Bell (88) and Jonathan Trott (48) saw England chase down the bulk of their target as they won with 20 balls to spare.

New-ball duo Steven Finn, on his Middlesex home ground, and James Anderson both proved difficult to get away.

Finn might have had two early wickets but for spinner James Tredwell, who later took three for 35, dropping a couple of slip catches

"It was a really good performance again," said Cook. "When you win a toss in those conditions you need to make the most of it and I thought we did.

"Finn and Jimmy asked plenty of questions up front. A couple of chances went down but we hung in there.

"Then with the bat we had that really good partnership between Bell and Trotty which probably got us most of the way home.

"We came here to win the series, we had a slow start but now it is 2-1 and all to play for at Trent Bridge."

Bell has been in fine form since replacing Kevin Pietersen, now in England exile following "provocative" texts he sent to South African players, at the top of the order in one-dayers earlier this season.

"It's been good, it's nice to get to the top of order," said Bell, who faced 137 balls with a six and eight fours on Sunday.

Meanwhile South Africa captain AB de Villiers criticised his middle-order after they failed to score enough runs for the second match in a row.

"Unfortunately the middle-order failed again so we'll have to look at that," said de Villiers, carelessly stumped for 39 when well set.

"The guys will have to have a look at themselves, including me. It's a matter of knuckling down.

"We go to Trent Bridge 2-1 down but we could make it 2-2 which would be quite a good result."

Bell stars as England go 2-1 up

A fine knock of 88 by Ian Bell and useful contributions from Jonathan Trott (48) and Eoin Morgan (36*) helped England beat South Africa by 6 wickets to go 2-1 up in the series and keep their No.1 ranking in ODIs intact. Chasing 221 after a good bowling performance by James Tredwell (3/35), Bell was involved in a century partnership with Trott, before Morgan and Craig Kieswetter finished things off for the hosts.

Lucky South Africa hold firm

With overcast conditions to assist the seamers early on, Alastair Cook won the toss and decided to bowl first. England were unchanged while South Africa made one change by bringing in Ryan McLaren in place of Morne Morkel. Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla were watchful to begin with.

There was good bounce on offer and the likes of Steven Finn, James Anderson and Jade Dernbach also generated good pace, making it difficult for the batsmen to get them away. Although they were off to a slow start, the South African openers ensured that they did not lose early wickets.

England were also to blame for that as they gave South Africa early reprieves. Finn was the unlucky bowler as Tredwell put down Amla at second slip when the batsman was on 4. Then there was a close shout for leg-before in the 9th over when Finn rapped Amla on the pads.

Umpire Richard Illingworth ruled it not-out and when England reviewed the decision, replays justified the umpire's decision. There were a lot of dot balls while the boundaries were not so regular, but Smith and Amla took the singles and twos to take South Africa past fifty in the 16th over.

Meanwhile, Finn's bad luck continued as Smith got a let-off with Tredwell being the culprit again, putting down another sitter in first slip.

England strike back with quick wickets

England finally managed a breakthrough when Dernbach struck to send back Smith (29). The left-handed opener tried to pull a delivery that lifted off from short of a length but only managed to get a top edge through to the keeper.

JP Duminy, who was the next man in, started positively and built a partnership with Amla to help South Africa to the 100-run mark. Amla was looking good for a half-century but Ravi Bopara had other plans as he got one through Amla's defences to send him back on 45.

Soon, it was Duminy turn to depart - he was out stumped to Tredwell. Duminy (18) came skipping down the track to a flighted delivery but did not quite get to the pitch of it and was beaten by the turn to be stranded way out of the crease.

South Africa were in more trouble when Bopara struck for a second time, dismissing Faf du Plessis for 1. The right-handed batsman's poor form in this series continued as he tried to run one down to third man, only to chop it onto the stumps.

Regular strikes restrict South Africa

Following the loss of quick wickets, the responsibility rested on skipper AB de Villiers to help his team to recover. He stuck to his task, batting steadily by gathering the runs in ones and twos and received help from Dean Elgar as they tried to get South Africa back on track with a fifty run stand.

Although they kept South Africa steady, the boundaries were not coming - even the batting powerplay yielding none. The pressure therefore remained on the Proteas and this led to another wicket. de Villiers (39) attempted an expansive drive off Tredwell and dragged his back foot outside the crease and was out stumped.

Tredwell might have dropped a couple of catches early on but he made up for that by going on to pick up one more wicket. Wayne Parnell (5) was also done in by an excellent piece of spin bowling, the mode of dismissal being a stumping again which made Craig Kieswetter the only England wicket-keeper to effect three stumpings in an ODI.

South Africa were hoping to post a total of some respectability and to achieve that, they needed some boundaries. Robin Peterson provided them that as he came out with an aggressive frame of mind.

The left-hander thumped Tredwell for a four and a six in the 46th over before dispatching Dernbach for a couple of hits to the rope in the 48th to help South Africa past 200. While Peterson remained positive, Elgar on the other hand was struggling to find the boundaries and he eventually departed, falling to Finn on 35.

England soon left South Africa eight down when McLaren was run-out on 1. Peterson stayed till the end, scoring an unbeaten 31 off 20 balls to help South Africa to 220/8.

Trott and Bell build steady partnership after an early wicket


Cook has not had a great time with the bat in this series and this match provided him another opportunity to find form with the bat. However, that was not to be as he fell in the very first over, out leg-before to Dale Steyn on 2.

The England captain, who was trapped on the crease, looked to defend but missed the ball that came into him and was trapped plumb in front. Steyn and his new ball partner Lonwabo Tsotsobe kept the pressure on the England batsmen, trying to force another breakthrough.

But they were denied that courtesy of an intelligent partnership between Trott and Bell, who did not take too many risks and instead were content in picking up the runs in ones and twos while scoring boundaries whenever an opportunity presented itself.

By playing in this manner, the pair brought up a steady fifty-run partnership to get England going in the chase. There was a slight concern with Trott as he kept feeling his wrists, after being hit earlier by a Steyn delivery and needing the physio's attention. But the batsman continued his solid partnership with Bell even as it got a bit darker at Lord's, necessitating the flood lights to be switched on.

Bell and Trott push England forward

Bell was slower of the two partners before he upped the ante with some crisply timed boundaries in the bowling powerplay. Parnell was the bowler who came in for some expensive treatment, conceding 16 runs off his 2 overs in the powerplay.

South Africa's search for a breakthrough continued but they could not find any and extras did not help their cause either. Soon, it was time for the 100 run partnership to be raised and Trott brought that up in style with a flick over mid-wicket for four off McLaren.

Steyn was introduced in the 25th over and like always, he steamed in, giving his 100% to force a wicket. But the bowler was unlucky as Bell got an thick outside edge which went between the wicket-keeper and widish first slip. Personal milestone was next on Bell's agenda as he brought up his 23rd ODI fifty with a couple to third man off Steyn.

He took most of the strike after getting past 50 and batted positively to keep England in the driver's seat. He got a lucky break when Peterson grassed a simple chance at mid-on, denying Tsotsobe a wicket.

England go 2-1 up with comfortable win


While Bell kept going strong, the lack of strike for Trott eventually resulted in his dismissal. Trying to sweep Elgar, Trott (48) missed the delivery and was struck on his pads.

Umpire Simon Taufel turned down the appeal but when South Africa decided to review it, they ended up making the right decision. The dark clouds, which were getting darker as the match went on, finally gave away and the umpires decided to walk-off. England were ahead at this stage at 150/2 in the 35th over, with Bell on 80*.

According to the D/L method, England had scored 33 runs more than what was required. The interruption turned out to be a short one as both teams resumed their duties on the field and no overs were lost. The rain break seemed to have done South Africa a favour as Bopara fell cheaply to McLaren.

The batsman's poor form continued and he had to depart on 6 when he got a thick edge to the keeper while attempting a drive through the off-side. Morgan, who was the next man in, looked clearly a confident batsman after his knock of 73 in the previous match, and the way he started his innings showed that he was in a positive mindset.

Meanwhile, the next thing that was left for Bell to do, having built a platform and having pushed England forward, was to reach his 3rd ODI ton and see his team through. But the right-hander failed to get to the century mark, nicking a Steyn delivery to de Villiers to head back on a well-made 88.

After the rain break, Bell had consumed quite a few dot deliveries which slowed his team down a bit, and South Africa sensed an avenue to restrict England when they left the hosts 32 to win off the last 6 overs. However, Morgan in Craig Kieswetter's company, made sure not to raise South Africa's hopes, as they took England to the threshold of victory.

Kieswetter (21*) finished things off in a grand fashion, hitting Steyn for a couple of fours before lifting him for a maximum over long-off to help England win with 20 deliveries to spare,

Hafeez sees Pakistan win in third ODI

Vice-captain Mohammad Hafeez said Pakistan were focussed on winning the third one-day match at Sharjah Stadium here on Monday to take their first series against Australia in ten years.

Pakistan and Australia go into the third and final one-day at 1-1, with Australia winning the first match here by four wickets before their rivals earned a series-levelling seven wicket win in the second at Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Hafeez said records did not matter as Pakistan always go for a win.

"We, as a team, think about winning every game but if in the process we are able to achieve a record then it's fine," said Hafeez of Pakistan's prospects of winning their first one-day series against Australia since 2002.

Hafeez said Pakistan's varied bowling gave them the edge over Australia.

"We want to take the winning momentum of the second match into the third and our varied bowling attack gives us an edge ovr Australia," said Hafeez, himself part of the spin trio led by Saeed Ajmal.

Left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman replaced Shahid Afridi in the second match after the leg-spinner had a recurrence of a back problem. Afridi was a doubtful starter for Monday.

Ajmal took three wickets in the first match and four in the second, exposing Australia's weakness against spin.

Hafeez refused to admit that it will be a win toss, win match situation after Pakistan benefitted from Australia's decision of batting first in Abu Dhabi.

"They were wet conditions in Abu Dhabi but they are the same for both the teams and I don't think the toss will be decisive," said Hafeez.

Australian allrounder David Hussey admitted Ajmal has been a threat.

"He (Ajmal) is a hell of a great bowler. It is totally different from the way Australians play him, you might see a different technique against him in the third game," said Hussey.

Hussey said all Pakistani spinners warrant attention.

"All their bowlers warrant lots of attention. We do our planning very deligently and when it comes to planning and Hafeez definitely does not slip under the radar and he is number one ranked spinner in the world at the moment."

Apart from the Pakistani spinners, Australia were smarting from the oppressive heat in the United Arab Emirates.

"It is just a different humidity than we are used to. The key is to keep your body temperature down. We are strengthening and our conditioning coach has been fantastic and the key is to keep your body temperature down and you have to adapt that," said Hussey.

Australia were hopeful their openers Matthew Wade and David Warner fire after failing to score big in the first two matches.

Paceman Mitchell Starc was a doubtful starter after complaining of chest pain on Friday.

Need to pull up our socks for decider: Hussey

Sydney, Sep 2: Mike Hussey has urged his Australian teammates to stay positive and put their heavy loss in the second ODI behind them, and pull up their socks for the Monday night's decider in their three-game series against Pakistan in the UAE.

Despite the extreme and suffocating humid conditions in Abu Dhabi, Pakistan chased down Australia's 9-248 with 38 deliveries and seven wickets to spare.

"It didn't go well but we need to put that game behind us and come in with a really positive frame of mind and come in for one huge effort in the third game," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Hussey, as saying.

Hussey claimed that it was similar to playing in Chennai, "where walking out to bat leaves a player drenched in sweat."

Australia had won the toss but found themselves in trouble at 4-87 with the dismissals of Matthew Wade (seven), Warner (24 off 68 balls), Michael Clarke (37) and David Hussey (duck).

Mike Hussey top-scored with 61, sharing half-century partnerships with George Bailey (39) and Maxwell (28 off 27 balls).

Clarke says 'top order' firing 'critical for success' in series decider against Pak

Sydney, Sep 2: Australian Captain Michael Clarke has claimed that the whole top order of his team needed to improve their performances and give their best in the Monday night's decider after being defeated by Pakistan in the second ODI of the three match series in the UAE.

"Playing spin bowling is an area of our game that we need to continue to improve. It's something that we've focused on when we've played away from home," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Clarke, as saying.

"I've got three starts now [on the tour] and haven't been able to go on, so it's an area I need to continue to work on, and our top order needs to do so," he added.

Despite the extreme and suffocating humid conditions in Abu Dhabi, Australia made 9-248 before Pakistan replied with 3-249 to ease to a big victory with 38 deliveries to spare.

Clarke gave credit to the Pakistan team for their splendid performance on the pitch and admitted that they did manage to outplay the Australian team.

"I think he [Warner] found it quite difficult to score, and full credit to Pakistan, I thought they played really well today. They bowled really well upfront, then they came out and played really well with the bat, so I don't want to take anything away from Pakistan, they outplayed us," he said.

Jamshed helps Pakistan level series

Opener Nasir Jamshed hit an aggressive 97 to guide Pakistan to a seven-wicket win over Australia in the second one-dayer, levelling the three-match series at 1-1 in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

The 22-year-old left-hander took the attack to the Australian bowlers during his 98-ball innings, hitting 11 boundaries and two well-timed sixes to help his team successfully chase a 249-run target in the 43.4 overs at Abu Dhabi Stadium.

Australia owed their recovery to another left-hander Michael Hussey (61) to post a challenging total despite an impressive performance by Pakistan's ace spinner Saeed Ajmal (4-32).

Australia had won the first match by four wickets in Sharjah on Tuesday. The third and final match will be played in Sharjah on Monday.

Pakistan's batting, which folded in the first one-day for 198, showed a remarkable improvement as Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez (23) raced to 66 by the 12th over to set their team on course for a win.

Even when Hafeez pulled Dan Christian straight into the hands of Hussey, Jamshed remained unperturbed, as he pulled Christian for two exquisite sixes over mid-wicket.

He brought up his sixth one-day fifty off 58 balls.

As he looked set for his second hundred, Jamshed miscued a drive off Mitchell Johnson straight into the hands of Mitchell Starc at mid-off. He added 101 for the second wicket with Azhar Ali who made 59 not out.

Pakistan also lost Asad Shafiq (nine) but Ali and Misbah-ul Haq (35) saw off the target.

Australian paceman Starc and James Pattinson, who shared eight wickets between them in the first match, found the ball hard to grip in the humid conditions and dismissed just one batsman.

Misbah showed delight after the win.

"I am really, really happy that we showed remarkable improvement and won this game," said Misbah. "The bowlers did a wonderful job and then Jamshed and Ali played good knocks, so it's satisfying."
Australian captain Michael Clarke praised the winners.

"Full credit to Pakistan. I was difficult to bowl under lights but there are no excuses," said Clarke.

Earlier Hussey came good with his 38th one-day fifty to lead an Australian recovery from a precarious 87-4 after they won the toss and batted. Australia scored 73 runs in the last 10 overs foiling Ajmal, who at one point looked capable of keeping Australia down to 220.

Hussey added an invaluable 66 for the fifth wicket with George Bailey (39) and then a rapid 58 for the sixth with Glenn Maxwell who made 28 in 27 balls to propel the Australian total.

Hussey hit two sixes and a boundary off 72 balls before he was bowled by Ajmal in the 46th over.

Australia had lost opener Mathew Wade in the second over for seven before David Warner and Clarke added 66 for the second wicket.

Warner, who played an uncharacteristically slow knock, with his first run coming off his 19th delivery, and Clarke (37) slowly built the score to 74 before Pakistani spinners Ajmal and Hafeez (1-28) took three quick wickets.

Hafeez dismissed Clarke while Ajmal accounted for Warner -- both trapped in front of the wicket. Warner hit two boundaries in his 24, which came off 68 balls.

Australia upped the pace of their innings when Maxwell hit two towering sixes off Abdur Rehman in the 40th over, helping them to 31 in the batting power-play. Paceman Junaid Khan took 3-52.