Sri Lanka Break The Home Hoodoo

Trott made old fashioned
modern masterpiece

In the end, it all happened very quickly for Sri Lanka. Its been nearly two years - twenty months to be precise - since Muttiah Muralithiran, the worlds greatest wicket taker, played in a home Test for Sri Lanka. Nine Test matches. It's been the same length of time since they have won a home Test but today, in Galle, the counting stopped and Rangara Herath could finally step away from Murali's shadow and stand in the spotlight without apology.

Sri Lanka prevailed over England by 75 runs but not before a fine century from Jonathan Trott and a feisty, shot filled 41 by Matt Prior. The pair came together after Bell was dismissed by technology. Coming so far forward that his back foot was out of the batting crease, he swept at Herath and was struck just above his front foot. Umpire Rod Tucker, widely regarded as the best in the world, immediately acted to remove him but Bell, with some justification, called for a review. The resultant decision is one of the reasons players are now starting to question the ball tracking technology. The computer animated tracking showed the ball landing on off and marginally hitting the top of off stump so Bell had to go. Had Tucker said not out and Mahela Jayawardene reviewed it, Bell would have stayed. There must be doubt about this decision, especially given the wobblies which ball tracking experiences when the distance between the ball pitch point and pad are so close.

At 4-152, England needed less than 200 hundred  but Trott, although slow, looked comfortable. Prior, England's last recognised batsman, dropped the anchors and England limped to lunch at 4-177, adding only 66 runs in the session for the loss of Bell.

After lunch, the Englishmen started to pick off the bowling with regular singles and the occasional two, particularly Prior. The 200 milestone was greeted with sustained applause from the partisan English crowd, mostly sunburned tourists chowing down on post lunch ice creams and enjoying the hospitality of a former colonial outpost. The 50 partnership was raised and again the English supporters were expansive and their hosts, fewer in number, joined in politely. Around the ground and in the English dressing rooms, guts were starting to suggest something heads still could not agree with. The new ball arrived into Herath's hands but not much happened and he retreated, seemingly subdued for the time being. Prior's confidence stepped up a notch as he drove Suranga Lakmal for 4 through cover and in the next over from Chanaka Welegedera, pushed confidently off his legs for a boundary through mid wicket to conclude an over which yielded eight.

Herath 12-171 and MOTM

Next over, Herath was back, apparently only changing ends. Trott swept to square leg for a boundary and raised a superb hundred but was quickly back on task next ball with a trademark single and the last of the partnership. Prior, sweeping the last ball of the over, hit straight into the midriff of Lahiru Thirimanne and he somehow retained it for a freakish catch. The defence of the realm was on shaky ground again but the result didn't stay tenuous for long. It took just thirteen overs as the last five wickets added 31 additional runs. So much for the much vaunted English tail: no one, seven to eleven, made double figures.

Trott's own defiance ended at the hands of off spinner Suraj Randiv when he turned an off break around the corner to Tillakaratne Dilshan who took an outstanding catch at leg slip. Trott may be of South African birth but he has earned his stripes as an Englishman and this was one of his finest innings.

Herath (6-97) and Randiv (4-74) achieved what was expected, the left armer taking twelve for the match and winning the Man of the Match award but it was the batting of Mahela Jayawardne on the first day that was the difference between the sides, constantly taking risks and backing his skills against an English attack which bowled very well without support. Sloppy fielding dropped Jayawardene three times.

For England, they must take the positives of a better approach to the spinners in the second innings to Colombo next week and find a way to score enough runs to win. Their bowlers can take the wickets they need but they must be given a reasonable chance, otherwise England will go home having lost five Tests from five in their winter of discontent away from home.

As it is, if world rankings were updated after each Test rather than each series, England would be drinking their sorrows tonight as No 2. A stay of execution perhaps. I don't like their chances of finding a way of avoiding disaster in Colombo, many of them convinced Asian snake charmers have seduced them.

Get Off Jesse's Back

Jesse Ryder - give him a break

More brewhaha today after it was announced that Jesse Ryder would be travelling to India to fulfil his IPL contract, having not played any cricket since being dropped from The NewZealand team for disciplinary reasons. He withdrew from opportunities to play at club and first class level and it was thought he would be unlikely to play in this year's IPL. What has created the most comment has been the news that his psychologist  would be travelling with him in order to continue to work with him on the problems which have beset his cricket and more importantly his life.

The incident in a pub at Napier, where Ryder and team mate Doug Bracewell had broken team protocol and gone out for drink and ended with push and shove involving a patron with opinions contrary to Ryder's, was the final straw for team management. It followed a string of incidents in the previous years where Ryder's apparent misuse of alcohol and risky attitudes even on the field had the coach, John Wright, asking whether the big fellow was worth the trouble.

It's now that his behaviour has come to a head that New Zealand cricket needs to set an example that much of the rest of the cricket world could follow and support Jesse Ryder in dealing with his mental health issues. Traditionally, cricket has dealt with them so very badly. Even in recent years, Shaun Tait and Andrew Symonds come quickly to mind but Australia is not alone in identifying mental health problems as personality issues rather than the illnesses they are. The nature of bipolar, for instance, means that the illness is more prevalent in high achievers as its super heated states of mania can create individuals who can do things those without such self belief and drive can. The flip side is when the state changes to depression.
In either state, the individual can be a handful and not just to team mates. No one gets more damaged by a bipolar than himself.

Ryder is immensely talented and immensely troubled but as is often the case with people with such obvious public gifts, he sails on dark currents underneath. Its very hard for most to understand but much of his conflicted dark behaviour is almost impossible to control without medication and psychological support. Set aside his potential contribution to NZ cricket for a minute and lets concern ourselves with the man. This is not a fault with his personality, its an illness. If he was a diabetic or had a broken arm or a heart condition, the public would rush to be sympathetic. Why the hell should a mental illness be any different? Its an illness which manifests in displays by the individual which make us squirm but in the main, sufferers can't resist its urges. Ryder should have to take responsibility for his actions but he is still a victim.

Forget the accusation of it being the celebrity disease and find out how much sufferers from bipolar go through which is unreasonable and ultimate untenable. Check out the mortality rates for instance from suicide, where the person with bipolar I (one) is 17 times more likely to kill themselves; the increased risk of heart disease, lung cancer, drug dependence and death from risk taking, non intentional death. Open your eyes before you open your mouth and give Ryder some space to get well.

If Jesse Ryder has bipolar disorder, he didn't choose it. Nothing he has done has caused it. What's worse, he can't get rid of it. It is an illness and it can only be managed. How would that news make you feel?

Instead of being so quick to condemn actions which he has never ducked responsibility for, perhaps some tea and sympathy and applause for his willingness to try again, with the right support structures in place, might be the more appropriate response.

After all, there's nothing wrong with you.

England's Chance To Show Cause

To be the best, you have to do more that set a high standard. In sport, as in life, the best are not marked by their rise to the top. Rather, their standing as "the best" is determined by their ability to maintain the quality of performance regardless of circumstance. In the same way as couples make promises on their wedding day, the best cricket teams at Test level promise "to have the ICC No1 world ranking and hold it, from this day forward, on better wickets or worse, for richer sponsorship or poorer, through injury and health, to love and cherish #1 status till a Test us do part."

England haven't lived up to their promises in the northern winter but like a wayward spouse whose head has been turned by a pretty girl or perhaps even boy, they crave redemption at the very moment that this dream relationship with #1 looks likely to slip away.

Broad's no ball lost a wicket

On the third day at Galle, after doing most things wrong for the first two days and being frustrated in watching the chase total grow into record status, England's batsmen finally found the path back to chastity. Perhaps it was the conversion by Ian Bell in the first innings, whose haggard performances on the sub continent become even worse if the free love of runs against the Bangers is discounted. His batting has spun out of control in the last few months, yet he took charge in the first innings and has swung open the gate on the path to redemption.

For once, it was the bowlers who let the side down but to be fair, a difficult dropped chance by Matt Prior of Randiv and a poor throw by Jonathon Trott which left Prior with a backhander to run out Prasanna Jaywardene didn't help the cause. Stuart Broad blew the chance to remove Jayawardene before the damage became extreme, his badly placed front foot spoiled the moment. How many times must wickets be wasted before bowlers will get it right. Graeme Swann and Jimmy Anderson were impressive in the heat and England had reduced Sri Lanka to 7-115 after the first hour. Even at that point, England were facing an uphill task on a ground where 253 is the highest fourth innings total.

Prasanna Jayawardene

Jayawardene, resuming after a break from Test cricket, is well respected as both a keeper and batsman. Other Test players know him as a man who can hurt you because of his ability to innovate and bat with the tail. A tailend warrior, there is something Waugh-like about his approach to the impossible task. So it proved this day, as he took risks, trusted his poorly accredited batting partners and made a vital 61 as the last three wickets added 99. When Suranga Lakmal was run out in that very modern way as Anderson took the ball in front of the stumps at the bowler's end and reached back, Jayawardene and associates had seemingly batted England into a losing position.

Requiring 340 to win on a dusty road which is spinning would be no mean feat for any side but for England, even more so. Their previous best was the 328 achieved in Melbourne in 1928-29 but of course they have scored more and lost too, twice passing 400, including the celebrated 45 run loss in the Centenary Test. Cricket history rarely lies if applied to the present and for England to win, they will have to achieve what has only been achieved 11 times 2038 Test matches - for the maths majors, that's only 0.5%.

Cook out to a thin edge
on a DRS appeal 

Records, they say, are meant to be broken and so they are ... but rarely, so very, very rarely and this particular fairy tail, whilst appealing, looks Grimm despite the encouraging opening paragraphs by Strauss, Trott and Pietersen. Cook left in the 9th over, on no more than Bruce Oxenford's third umpire's eye. After the initial appeal from Jayawardene had been turned down, the wicket keeper immediately appealed and it was referred. No hot spot showed but the slightest deviation may have been evident and in the end human judgment made the call, not technology. Cook was not impressed. Half an hour later, Strauss was out with the English intent obvious. Not prepared to stay in his crease and be bamboozled by Rangara Herath, he danced with the devil aiming to smote over mid on but the turn took the ball to the inside edge and Tillakaratne Dilshan held a low, sharp catch at mid wicket.

Trott through all of this was superb. He, along with Cook, was not completely dominated by the Pakistanis and he looked more like the ruthlessly efficient No 3 that was the linchpin to England's rise. His is the most complete game of all the English batsmen, even Cook and for the impossible to happen, Trott must score 150+. Kevin Pietersen was down the track at the spinners from the off, taking Herath from his length second ball for four through the covers. Three of his four fours came from Herath and although not all of them were convincing, the clear message seems to be that the English batsmen have no intention playing from their crease. If nothing else, it will test the quality of the spinners. 

Trott looked confident

Can England score the remaining 229. Of course, all things are possible but the past - distant and recent - suggests otherwise, as do the conditions and the bowling attack. Herath, Randiv and perhaps Dilshan are not, as a group or individually, as good as the Pakistani spin trio. However Herath showed in the first innings and against Australia that he has the skills to undo this English batting line up and he is the threat. Given his ability to bowl long, unchecked spells, the English tactic of attacking him is the point at which they can change the game in their direction. Having declared their hand, its now up to Mahela Jayawardene to hold his nerve and back his bowlers. 

Why is Sri Lanka, which has been so poor in Tests cricket since Vaas and Murali retired, suddenly a competitive unit again? The cattle haven't changed but the shepherd has. 

England's Brittle Batting Galle(ing)

Rangara Herath 6-74

Sri Lanka added just 29 on the second morning and Jimmy Anderson claimed the last two wickets to finish with five. His victims included Mahela Jayawardene, who rode is luck through an innings of 180 which rescued his side.

The English turn at the crease was simply a continuation of the form they showed against Pakistan a month ago. Apart from Ian Bell, who looked all at sea early on but blossomed once he found the confidence to get down the wicket to Ranga Herath, the rest were an ordinary bunch. At 6-92 in the 27th over with Herath having four of them, England were dreadful. Had it not been for 8 to Jack, they might not have made 120. As it was, 193 was a disastrous lead to hand to Sri Lanka on a pitch which isn't just taking turn from the foot marks but is dry and dusty and the ball is regularly going through the surface.

Alastair Cook, the only batsmen in this side with more than 40 runs in Galle, was plumb to a ball from Lakmal which moved in at his pads from off stump for a rare duck (only his fourth in 132 Test innings). Trott was out in a farce worthy of the Pythons, running down the pitch to Herath, missing a full toss, being stumped by Prassana Jayawardene and then in his hurry to turn and get back, head butting the keeper's gloves and knocking himself flat on his back! So much for poise and grace. Andrew Strauss swept at a full delivery from Herath, was given not out by Asad Rauf but was marched on review. Kevin Pietersen pretty much bowled himself, playing loosely to an ordinary ball outside off stump from Welegedara and inside edging back onto his stumps. Prior went right back to his stumps and missed and new boy Samit Patel did the same, both to Herath.

Ian Bell found some confidence

Bell found support from Stuart Broad (adding 30) and Swann (adding 35), before he and Swann left in consecutive overs. Bell, for all his good work, played inside a straight ball from Herath, perhaps looking for monsters and finding teddy bears and was bowled. Monty Panesar and Anderson added a very useful 36 for the last wicket. Herath finished with six, four of them lbw, part of a group of six lbw decisions for the innings and not a local umpire in sight to blame.

Sri Lanka had the same poor start as the first innings, this time 3-14 and Jayawardene among them. Swann was on early, replacing Anderson after only two overs and made an immediate impact. He bowled Lahiru Thiramanne with a ball that dipped rather than turned and Jayawardene edged a straight ball to Anderson at slip. Samaraweera lead the resistance, losing Kumar Sangakkara along the way. Samaraweera had looked untroubled by any of the bowlers but an error in judgment rather than any great deception saw him advance down the wicket and miss a ball delivered around the wicket from Swann and Prior effected the easiest of stumpings. Randiv, the number 8, came out as night watchman to protect Prasanna Jayawardene, the No 7. Go figure.

Swann gets Jayawardene
caught by Anderson at slip

Sri Lanka lead by 209, with 25 wickets falling in the first two days (17 of them today). Given the low confidence in the England camp and the fact that no side has ever chased a total over a 100 at Galle and won, it seems obvious that Sri Lanka might already lead by enough. In fact, the highest fourth innings total at the ground in any of the 19 Tests played here was Sri Lanka's 253 in losing to Australia last year. England made 9-210 nine years ago when they just managed to hold on for a draw. Showers are predicted for each of the next three days but not enough to save Strauss' men. No, it will be win or die for England at a time when they have failed to pass  200 in five of their seven Test innings following a five month break from Test cricket.

Should Sri Lanka win here and and next week in Colombo, England will return home for their summer and a show down with South Africa as the No 2 team in the world. That wasn't a scenario their planning expected in mid January.

You Know That Lever You Pull Out When You Start Your Mower ...

Graeme Smith - not again

Note to Graeme Smith:
I wonder if your generation of cricketers are as sick of hearing it as those in the media, those in every bar in South Africa and every other international cricketer are sick of saying it? Its not our fault Graeme. We didn't get frightened and declare too late. We didn't drop four catches. We didn't spit the dummy over an umpires decision. We didn't give the worst off spinner since David Boon 13 overs in an 81 over innings when the side was pushing for victory.

You and your team did that.

Choked again. Thank God for Greg Norman or your team would be the worst chokers in sport.

Note to the rest of us:

It was a match which South Africa should have swallowed whole but didn't for the following reasons:

• Yesterday afternoon, they failed to bowl New Zealand out before the follow on. Failed by one run in an innings where Chris Martin got 2 notout - the same Chris Martin who has been out for a duck in a third of his 98 Test innings. The world record holder for ducks in fact. He and Mark Gillespie added 12 for what proved to be the last wicket. Then before bedtime, Smith and Alviro Petersen touched up the Kiwis at five an over and led by as many as New Zealand made in the first innings and that was their highest score of the series;
• They batted on this morning when it wasn't needed but when Smith was caught with a Doug Bracewell blinder of Dan Vettori, they led by 305 with 88 overs left in the day and that's when they should have declared. Why then? If they had, they would have had eight overs with a new ball at the end of the day. Smith was over cautious and it cost them a victory.
• New Zealand's hero, Kane Williamson was dropped three times and twice getting to twenty and was also the recipient of a controversial decision by the third umpire. Petersen dived to his left at gully and it was a fifty, fifty call as to whether fingers or grass experienced first contact but as we have seen in Australia, the depth of field of even the best of cameras will foreshorten distances and perhaps the bowler, Dale Steyn was unlucky. Smith carried on like a pork chop, which didn't help the team demeanour or confidence;
• JP Duminy was bowled well past his useby date, whilst four beefy fats bowlers were left wondering why. He bowled only two less overs than a fully fit, aggressive and dangerous Dale Steyn. The answer lies directly with the ICC rules on over rates. Smith was suspended for four ODI's because of slow over rates in 2007 and was warned in the recent series against Australia. He was way behind by lunch and used Duminy to speed things up.

Morne Morkel was the perfect storm

In amongst all of this abysmal cricket from the men who would be kings, were two outstanding performances and several strong supporting ones. I choose to mention Morne Morkel first, because his was the more perfect performance. After he had bowled Dean Brownlie with a perfect yorker after an hour long, resolute innings which added 51 with Williamson, he bowled a better one next ball for the same result with Dan Vettori. Vettori had as much idea what hit him as a pulped kangaroo on the front of a Mack truck. Morkel's figures read 5-8 of eleven overs. A combination of back spasms and odd captaincy took him from the bowling crease until he returned to break the 80 run stand between Kruger van Wyk and Williamson. He was quick, very quick. The way he worked over Brownlie was classical fast bowler stuff, pushing him constantly onto the back foot and then the perfect yorker. Only Vernon Philander came close to his line but even he wasted too much outside the off stump.

van Wyk is a busy little bloke at the crease and he also suffered the worst of three blows which Kiwis took on the day. Morkel ducked on back at him, lined him up and knocked him down with a resounding crack on his protector and upper thigh. He'll be singing soprano in the church choir tonight. Earlier, Williamson had a similar blow which cracked his protector to the extent it had to be replaced. In my day, batsmen were very suspicious about changing protectors but that was mainly because we only had one and the replacement had to come the communal kit.

Kane Williamson 102x

Kane Williamson played a wonderful hand, the first century against South Africa at the Basin Reserve for 80 years. Without doubt he had a large dose of luck in the first half of the innings but he also faced the hardest day of cricket in his life. Not even the back yard track, a wet tennis ball and ugly neighbours could match the venom of constant short stuff at 140km/h plus Williamson copped today. It was a innings that may transform this talented 21 year old with only one Test hundred before today and an average of 30 because it was the innings of man not a boy. Even when Steyn was cursing and spitting near the end, his focus was fixed the task and nothing would divert him.

Along with van Wyk, Brownlie and Bracewell played important innings for New Zealand. Its a pity they couldn't have been played in a win rather than avoid a loss. Its also a pity that New Zealand cricket fans will be deliriously happy tonight because they limited the loss in the series to 0-1. They fact they were out gunned and out played until South Africa pulled their ties in too tight on the last day of the series might escape them. Instead of patting each other on the back, they should be kicking each other up the backside. I just get the feeling that the likes of Bracewell, Brownlie and Williamson are the sort that will. I hope so. Australia could do with having competition from across the Tasman again.

There was still 188 between them at the end with Graeme Smith needing to find three wickets, perhaps only two real ones if consider the likelihood of Martin striking twice. Despite the robust rhetoric of the Kiwi commentators, Ross Taylor wouldn't have batted. It didn't matter. It was never runs that needed to be calculated, just overs.

Can you sing whilst you choke? If so Biff, try that Anthony Newly classic "... what kind of fool am I ..."

England Play Three Who Spin But None Who Catch

Jimmy Anderson struck
twice early

It was a radical move but the English captain and his selectors, so badly shaken up by the drubbing they received from Pakistan in the UAE in January, chose three spinners for the first of  two Tests against Sri Lanka. Along with Graeme Swann and the resurgent Monty Panesar, left arm orthodox Samit Patel debuted in Galle, meaning Matt Prior would bat at six, with the allrounders Patel and Stuart Broad to be followed by the bowlers.

Sri Lanka won the toss and batted, something which didn't exactly play into England's plans but on a day when only skipper Mahela Jayawardene passed 30 and Thilan Samaraweera was the only other batsmen to bat long than an hour, England bowled well. They made the perfect start, removing Lahiru Thiramanne, Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan in the first twenty minutes as Sri Lanka slumped to 3-15. Jimmy Anderson struck twice, being on the hatrick after Thiramanne edged to Swann at second slip and then Sangakkara snicked his first ball to Prior. Jayawardene entered and started resolutely against the hostility and great line from Anderson and Broad. He square cut a rare short ball from Anderson early but then went into a defensive shell as he and Samaraweera started the rescue mission. His second boundary - a six off Swann's first over- came off his 56th delivery and set the tone for a day in which he treated the off spinner with contempt. Samaraweera left at 67 and 29 overs which added only 52 but held England at bay.

Mahela Jayawardene 168x

A series of handy partnerships kept lifting Sri Lanka's cause - 61 with Dinesh Chandimal, reinstated to Test cricket after the Australian tour; 42 with wicketkeeper Prassana Jayawardene, also reinstated; and 62 with Ranga Herath. Jaywardene was superb. After his early stout defence, he blossomed as wickets fell but in doing so took some risks. On 64, he gloved a ball off Swann which Anderson couldn't grab at slip. On 89 he hit a return catch to Anderson who let an easy chance go through his hands. Jayawardene came down the wicket next ball, Anderson dragged it down short to stop him and they picked it out of the crowd at mid wicket. His 8th hundred at Galle was raised a short time later off 200 deliveries. He has more than 2000 runs here at an average of 84, scoring a century here last year against the Aussies. Amongst an array of shots, he was dropped twice more, after the new ball was taken, once of each off the new ball bowlers, Anderson and Broad but both times the culprit was Panesar, who hardy got skin on two easy chances.

Oops Monty - everything
old is new again

The day finished even but despite the quality of the bowling from Anderson and Broad who were threatening and Panesar who was tight, as many of the modern day left arm spinners are. Patel twice got important breakthroughs when they were needed, despite being given far less opportunity than his more fancied spin fraternity. Swann bowled without conviction and his predictability made him an easy target for Jayawardene. Since the Ashes tour, he has slipped dramatically and regardless of ICC rankings, Ajmal, Rehmann, Herath are more effective spinners on current form. In fact, he's not even the best spinner in his team.

England may pay for the chances missed on an opening day where they would have preferred to bat. It would be hard for their own turn to the crease not to be on their minds and not only because of their recent failure against the spin of Pakistan. Apart from Cook's second innings 118 in Galle four years ago, the rest of the batting line up has 89 runs @ 12.7 to show from Tests at Galle Stadium, including ducks in their only innings for Andrew Strauss and Jonathon Trott! With Sri Lanka scoring 100 more than they deserved through English ineptitude and the Pakistan hidings, perhaps the vastly experienced Englishmen might be feeling more like beginners when their turn comes on the second day.

South Africa on Target For 2-0

South Africa stayed on task at the Basin Reserve Wellington and will go into the final day with a target in mind. It won't be a run target, as such, but a targeted number of overs in which they will believe they can dismiss the New Zealanders. The best of all options would be to have a second new ball available at the end of the day should the Kiwis hang on but to do that, they would have to offer to juicy a target by declaring overnight. A lot will depend on whether they umpires are still making early starts to make up for Wellington's foul weather on the first two days.

Ross Taylor broke his wrist

Leading by 274 at stumps and bearing in mind the Kiwis made only 275 in the first innings and it was their highest total of the series, Graeme Smith reasonably figure that 75 overs will be all he needs as he only has to take 9 wickets following the broken wrist sustained by New Zealand's skipper Ross Taylor in the first innings. Morne Morkel pushed one up into his high chest area and Taylor was struck on the wrist trying to avoid worse damage. He'll take no further part in the game. With the world's worst No 11 in their side, its fair to say South Africa only needs 8 wickets. They started day four needing three wickets a session for the outright and despite having to bat again, they are still ahead of schedule. They are not likely to drop four catches again in the second innings.

The first seven all made starts for New Zealand in what was a brave batting display until tea. The openers, Martin Guptil and Dan Flynn continued on in the morning, taking their partnership to 86 before Vernon Philander made the inevitable breakthrough, finding the edge of Flynn's bat and Boucher the poucher did the rest. Brendon McCullum and Guptil added a further 50 but both were gone in the last six overs before lunch, with Dale Steyn returning for some of the spoils. New Zealand were 3-145 at the long break. After Taylor left at 160, Dean Brownlie and Kane Williamson - young men with New Zealand's future in their hands - combated  and then blunted the frustrated South African attack until just before tea. The new ball was thrown to Philander instead of Steyn and he got immediate results when Brownlie top edged a pull shot to fine leg where Steyn showed no sign of disagreement with the captain and took a good diving catch. By tea, New Zealand were 4-231, effectively five, but fighting hard.

Vernon Philander 6-81

After tea, the house of cards fell down, as New Zealand lost 5-44 in only eleven overs. Philander roared through the tail, bagging another sixfa and taking his wicket tally to 51 wickets in just his 7th Test. Only Charlie Turner (6 Tests) and Rodney Hogg (113 days) have done in faster. Steyn and Marchant de Lange played supporting roles but egos don't seem to be a part of the South African equation.

Chris Martin made a heroic 2 not out - as good as a century to his side in the circumstances. With Gillepsie, they added 12 for the last wicket and forced South Africa to bat again.

Graeme Smith batting
with a target in mind

Smith and Alviro Petersen made light work of the Kiwis, clearly in search of enough runs to expedite a declaration. Their 75 run partnership has come at five an over which is just what was needed. New Zealand didn't help matters, Gillespie bowling with as many as seven men on the boundary at one stage and giving away ten an over from good running between the wickets. Even when his bat is free flowing its hard to imagine how the South African captain has amassed 8000 runs with such a wicket bat outside off stump. Even in 25 overs he inside edged three times. Special commendation to Mark Gillespie who took six first innings wickets and was bowling this afternoon with a split in the front of the big to on his back foot, adding difficult to the already large handicap of being captained without imagination.

New Zealand spent most of the day trying to avoid defeat. It would be nice tomorrow if they died trying to win but I wouldn't be betting my house on it.

Australia Tie ODI Series

Brett Lee took 3-42

Australia won the final match of the ODI series with the West Indies to tie the series 2-2 but not before they were given a nasty scare in the last third of the match.

Batting first, the Australians were hardly bothered reaching 2-193 in the 37th over, with Shane Watson, Dave Warner and Peter Forest all making half centuries but they lost their way, losing the last 8 wickets for just 88. Again, it was a change to the batting order which may have been the cause, with Brett Lee sent in to pitch hit when George Bailey was dismissed. It was a strange decision, not withstanding Lee's efforts in the fourth match and one which highlighted Watson's lack of experience. With two ODI specialists in Mike and David Hussey and the fire power of Matthew Wade, there seemed no reason for the change at a time when Australia was scoring at 5.2 an over. Sunil Narine removed Lee quickly and an inspired performance by Andre Russell bought the West Indies back into the game. He got Mike Hussey with a clever slower delivery and then next ball, bowled a fast lifter which brother David edged behind. Not only that but the big man threw himself about the field with great athleticism and with Darren Bravo, who held two very good catches, inspired his team mates. Wade was out in the last over hitting but Australia looked at least 20 short of what they should have scored.

Lee got back to doing what he's picked for, knee-capping the West Indies innings in his first four over spell. Removing Johnson Charles in his first over and Marlon Samuels in his second, he started with three maidens and suddenly that target had those extra runs back on it. It continued from their with both Bravo's gone cheaply toClint McKay and Watson, followed by Adrian Barath who had provided the bulk of the scoring. The little man is a fine player off the back foot, venturing deep into his batting crease by the point of delivery and he plays the horizontal back foot shots with power and efficiency but he is no position to come forward, often hitting in the air in ODI cricket down the ground. Doherty fooled him with a ball that was fuller and wider and coming forward he aimed a big off drive but wasn't to the ball and donked it straight up in the air to George Bailey at mid on. When Carlton Baugh (Lee) and Keiran Pollard (Watson) followed in the 29th and 32nd overs, the West Indies had slumped to 7-118 and it was just a matter of cleaning up.

Darren Sammy 84 ff 50
with six 4's & six 6's

No one told the West Indies captain, Darren Sammy. An extensive hitter of either colour of cricket ball, he launched an attack on the Australians which saw his fifty raised in just twenty deliveries, equally his own record for the fastest by a West Indian in ODI's. He hit clean and long but he was aided by some dumb cricket by the Australians. The standard for stupidity had been set with the Baugh dismissal. Swiping a shorter ball from Lee to the leg side, it sailed high off his top edge toward Ben Hilfenhaus at fine leg. With only three or four metres to travel, it was a doddle. Wade had other ideas and sprinted with pads and gloves on straight at Hilfenhaus, closing the gap rapidly and arriving at the instant the big bearded fast bowler grabbed the catch. Wade's shoulder dropped into Hilfenhaus' rib cage and the big man's knee struck Wade flush in the nethers. When the trainer arrived, he may well have repeated the words of Wally Grout, struck by Wes Hall. "Don't rub 'em, count 'em." It was a ridiculous piece of cricket that could have cost Australia two valuable members of the Test side and Mickey Arthur shouldn't just explain Wade's mistake, he should excise some of his match fee.

Hilfenhaus, for his part, just stood up laughing. Footie club executives across Australia would have had itchy fingers on their biros.

Andre Russell joined in the assault but both he and Sammy were greatly aided by some very ordinary bowling. In one period of 19 balls, 11 full tosses were served up and a neat 50 runs scored (six 4's, three 6's). McKay was the worst offender, bowling all but one ball of his 8th over full between knee and waist height. It came after a conference with his Victorian team mate David Hussey. The 9th wicket climbed to 101 and the West Indies fired as favourites before Doherty trapped Russell in front on review, the question mark being over the order in which the ball hit pad and bat. Narine didn't last long, giving McKay some compensation when he skied a slower ball straight up and then down into Wade's gloves with Hilfenhaus perhaps calling "yours" from fine leg.

Sammy thumped Lee again - a slow bouncer chest high - but in the end it all proved to much for a gallant skipper refusing to submit and he eventually tugged a ball from Hilfenhaus around the corner to Mike Hussey and a deep forward square leg to end it.

The series finished the way it should have, with fierce competition from both sides. The West Indies are back - not all the way yet- and will be a handful in the Test series. The news that Sunil Narine may not play because he is contracted to the IPL after the West Indies released him for a fee, is a further blow to not only cricket in the Caribbean. ODI cricket never threatened Tests - in fact, it built the skills of Test cricketers and provided an interesting alternative to the longer game which raised interest from sections of the public never before interested in watching cricket. T20 in the hands of private franchises is a different animal and unless the ICC and member associations are careful, it will destroy the longer game if it is allowed to compete with it.

A short T20 series between the West Indies and Australia follows before the Test begin on the 7th Aptil.

Petersen & Duminy Bat Kiwis Into a Corner

Alviro Petersen celebrates
150 with AB deVilliers

The sun came out in Wellington, lasting for a whole day and the Test cricket was robust.

Alviro Petersen and JP Duminy both scored centuries in a third wicket stand of 200 before Duminy edged Mark Gillespie to Ross Taylor at slip for the first of six wickets. Petersen and Duminy had added 60 in the first hour with the stand ending right on drinks. Ab deVilliers added 58 with Petersen before Chris Martin moved one back in at the right handed opened and trapped him in front for his highest Test score. deVilliers, Jacques Rudolph and Dale Steyn all fell as 42 runs were adding to take South Africa past 400. Mark Boucher and Vernon Philander added 55 before they both became victims of Gillespie: Boucher caught by Kane Williamson in the gully as he slashed in search of quick runs and Philander pouched on the mid wicket boundary by Daniel Flynn. Graeme Smith preferred to keep Marchant de Lange fresh but as he's in the Glenn McGrath mold of lower order batsmen, there was little point wasting an extra ball.

Flynn pulls Villander for six

474 was enough and still was at stumps, despite the stubborn batting from Martin Guptill and Dan Flynn. They batted for nearly two hours until stumps, with the only thing resembling a chance being a full bodied shot by Flynn off his legs and straight into the helmet grill of Duminy standing less than two metres away. Guptill was the better of the two early but continues to bring his bat down from point to the ball which is slightly short of a length outside off stump and again looked a candidate for playing on to the woodwork. Flynn, perhaps steadied by the Duminy incident, was very defensive, having only 14 off his first 65 deliveries before welcoming South Africa's most dangerous bowler, de Lange, with a back foot drive to the long off boundary. de Lange only bowled four overs before stumps but he was quick and suddenly had batsmen, who looked dreamily comfortable the over before, hopping about. The four was a signal for Flynn to think of himself as back in the middle order and he took 21 off his remaining 18 deliveries until stumps, including a wonderfully timed pull shot from Philander which landed well back over the fence at forward square leg, let alone the rope. Replays on the infrared showed a white spot parked as if hand painted in the middle of the bat.

There was nothing through the air or off the pitch for the South Africans, who have finally played their four pace men here. With no Jacques Kallis to provide his pace variations, Smith gave Duminy a few overs to send down his off spin but little faith will be invested in him during overnight planning. The Kiwis batted well but despite that, they ended the day still more than 400 hundred behind. Conditions will be cold for the next two days but should stay dry, so Smith can rotate his pace quartet around without risking a sweat in much the same way as Clive Lloyd made famous ... six overs on, six overs off. The pitch seemed to hold no dangers: it's flat and starting to slow down but two days of facing such a quality pace attack as this will test the best of them and New Zealand's batting line up has few who would be contenders for that title. Their tendency has been towards crumbling after a good partnership.

Its a simple equation thanks to to Guptill and Flynn, as the Kiwis can't win in the time left but South Africa can: 20 wickets in six sessions and approximately 180 overs, plus whatever is added on for lost time ... lets say 30 overs. So far in the series, New Zealand has lost 12wickets in 129 overs in Dunedin and 20 in 129 in Hamilton. I think I'd prefer to be South Africa.

Lifeboat of Sanity In A Sea of Madness

A new member of thecricketragics, Cricket Mum, commented with enthusiasm after the post Slaughter & Mayhem But The Spirit is Willing, complimenting the manner in which the post highlighted the sportsmanship shown by Brett Lee and Kemar Roach in their battle during the 4th ODI at Gros Islet. Its nice to know others still hold the game in such esteem and want their boys to do likewise.

 CM, please feel accepted into thecricketragic family.

It will come as no surprise to know I have been greatly inspired by the writing of Peter Roebuck and Jack Fingleton - among others - who both described the game in such gloriously layered narratives. Like any jewel, you will see different facets of the game as you hold it to the light but the sum of the parts certainly isn't the whole. Each of the truly great players understood this and remembered to pay homage to the game rather than themselves. In an age when the individual has become God and money and possessions the offering at his alter, cricket provides the lifeline to a more balanced, sane view of life - a life where your mate is more important than you because you place him there. Maverick might have learned to never leave his wingman, but Australians announced their ethos to the world in 1915. Discarded by Empire generals as expendable, the Anzacs screamed their intentions for months and we have found it impossible not to emulate their example. You don't let your mates down.

Unfortunately, its a sentiment which has become perverted, as has the obnoxious use of the Australian flag as a second skin for boofheads on days of significance. If youngsters could only learn the hierarchy of "the game-the club-the team-the player" as well as they learn how to execute a cover drive or bowl an outswinger, then our communities and our planet would be richer, quite apart from the game.

Welcome to my lifeboat of sanity in a sea of madness.

New Zealand Can't Spit The Duminy

JP Duminy poking tongue
at the bowlers

After two short, wet days at Wellington's Basin reserve, South Africa have batted themselves through stops and starts and into control of a Test which is likely to get hectic on the third day.

The second day was similar to the first, with just 37 overs possible but even less success for the Kiwis. After Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla had left on the first day, Alviro Petersen and JP Duminy offered no respite, adding a further 110 runs without loss. Duminy, one of the stars of the South Africa tour without a Test appearance, came into the side for a stiff-necked Jacques Kallis and is making hay when the sun doesn't shine. Petersen finished the day four runs short of his third Test hundred in what has been a stop and start career with only moderate results. A big hundred here might be the catalyst for more success. For Duminy, who has battled with Jacques Rudolph for the number six spot, a big hundred will reignite the confidence of the selectors after his career started so brilliantly against the Australians three years ago and then quickly petered out. Few international cricketers have worked as hard to regain their spot. It is often the case that the player who starts well and is then dropped, comes back a far better player than when he was in the starry spotlight. Take Michael Clarke as just one example of many.

Alviro Petersen nearing his hundred

New Zealand created few opportunities and their bowling, whilst tight, was symptomatic of the paradox of Daniel Vettori - he'll make you work for runs but he's unlikely to get you out. Martin Guptil had the best opportunity, diving well away to his right at slip when Petersen flashed at Doug Bracewell but he couldn't hold on. Bracewell continues to be New Zealand's brightest spark. He brings an energy and a belief in his work which has gone missing from the men with many appearances in the Black Cap, such as Chris Martin and Vettori. Like any scatologist, they are simply going through the motions.

With the forecast suggesting blue skies but limp sunshine, South Africa will press on quickly to 500 plus in an effort to make sure they only bat once. Aggression should reward them by tea and Vernon Philander and his supporting cast should do the rest.

Slaughter & Mayhem But The Spirit Is Willing

Pollard hits Lee for six
and raises his hundred

The West Indies have gone one up with one to play after the fourth of five ODI's being played in the current Australian tour of the Caribbean, after one of the most destructive individual batting displays in 50 over history.

Batting first, Adrian Barath set the pace early with 9 fours in his 31 ball innings of 41. His opening partner, Johnson Charles couldn't match the fireworks but was solid before being the fourth out at 106 in the 25th over. The West Indies had become bogged down by the Australian bowlers and with half the overs gone, 220 was looking to be about their best.

Step in Kieron Pollard, who for the next 25 overs, went at the Australians like a starving man attacks steak. In an hour and a half of mayhem, the previously tight Australians went at seven and a half an over, with Pollard's hundred taking just 69 balls and including 8 monstrous sixes and a paltry 5 fours. The speed of his century isn't in the Shahid Afridi class but it was still quick, with the last half coming off just 19 balls as the Windies made 117 off their last ten overs.

Of course, such acts of destruction rarely happen single handed and so it was at St Lucia. At the other end, Andre Russell (34 off 32) and the inspirational skipper Darren Sammy (31 off 13) were suitable lieutenants in this punitive attack on the men in yellow. Brett Lee suffered the worst of the treatment but finally got his man in the last over when Pollard was caught deep in the covers by Mike Hussey.

It was a stiff task after such a mauling and it got worse when David Warner left at the start of the second over when he was done by a first up slower ball from Dwayne Bravo. The rest of the batting order down to eight delivered starts but few finishes, with David Hussey and Brett Lee the only batsmen to go on and mount a threat. As had been the case in the West Indies innings, the Australians were done and dusted at 5-112 in the 21st over but the younger Hussey provided his usual refusal to submit. He and Wade added 67 in thirteen overs before the wicketkeeper holed out to Russell off the hero of the day, Pollard. The next five overs looked to have cruelled the Australian, with Sammy, Sunil Narine and Kemar Roach combining to keep things tight, frighten the life from Lee and dismiss Hussey. In the crucial 39th over, Roach struck Lee with a beamer - quite obviously unintentionally - took the opportunity to follow it up with a fast rising ball and then bowled Hussey with a ball pitched up just outside off and moving back. It would have been too good for most.

Lee smashes Roach over cover

Brett Lee has always been a man for lost causes. With ten overs left, there would be no lower order support for him in the manner Pollard received. With Clint McKay, Xavier Doherty and Ben Hilfenhaus for mates, it was obvious that any heroics would have to come from the Wheatbix Kid himself. McKay is a handy defender and pusher of the single, neither quality of any use in this situation. Doherty is a ferret at best and Hilfenhaus was batting below him. Despite the credentials of his batting companions and perhaps stirred on by the treatment he received at the hands of Roach earlier, he smashed 24 from the 41st over delivered by a returning Roach. His tally included three sixes, two of which cleared long on but one mighty flog disappeared into the crowd - literally - after travelling over cover. Order was restored when Dwayne Bravo bowled a variety of slower balls, reducing the effectiveness of the hitting and caused McKay to lob a simple catch Pollard, unable to stay out of the game no matter what happened. Narine returned for his last over, deceived Doherty with flighted off break which he steered to Darren Sammy at short cover - the safest hands in world cricket. Narine's quiet contribution of 1-21 from his ten overs played a large part in the victory and even when the flogging sticks were out at the death, this last six balls cost him 1 run.

The end came when Lee sent another booming drive down the ground but couldn't clear the substitute's head at long off and the impossible dream ended well short. Fittingly in such scripts, Roach was the bowler.

In the washup, Wade was again wasted at seven and must open. Watson must bat at three. Australia doesn't need to panic about the bowling attack, as efforts such as Pollard's don't happen that often. Watson will always be successful at the death because he has several varieties of change of pace, something the others bowlers seem to lack. Note please Billy - something to work on.

An important postscript to the game was the high level of sportsmanship shown by players in what otherwise was a pressure cooker situation. Yet again, as it was in England in 2005, it was Lee who was a central player. Fast bowlers are much like that line of Dylan's ... "they took a clean cut kid and they made a killer out of him, that's what they did" ... but in Lee's case, he has always played the game to the highest expectations and aspirations of sportsmanship, without ever compromising competitiveness and hard nosed, fierce sporting aggression. He understands the difference between sportsmanship and gamesmanship is like having two hands but knowing which is your strongest. In this encounter, he was flogged for all he was worth for the first part of his day in the office and then, at the start of his innings, felled by an accidental delivery that everyone in cricket hates. To both players credit, Lee accepted the immediate and unconditional apology from Kemar Roach who had moved quickly to him and stooped to checked on his well being. The next ball was delivered and played in the harshness of competition, as it should have been and the camera's caught Lee and Roach smiling up the wicket at each other - no slanging of insults, no snarls. What a lovely change.

Lee took to Roach. Roach finally dismissed him. Mark the next. With the game over, the Windies moved into a huddle and celebrated for a few minutes. Lee stayed, directed his batting partner Hilfenhaus to stay and both waited to congratulate their opponents when they broke from their huddle. On other days, other men would have just walked off and left the winners to be grinners.

This is why I played the cricket my uncles loved and taught me. Its why I listened to the tales of humility of the greats my father met from St George in the 1940's and 50's. This is why I write about it now.

Its more important than money or winning or ratings or positions on a competition table. Its beyond all of that.

It's the spirit of cricket.

Haddin Not Returning

Brad Haddin steps away
for family reasons

In a startling development, Brad Haddin has made a decision which with probably end his international career, announcing with Cricket Australia's full support, that he will not return to the West Indies. No specific reason has been offered by either Haddin or Cricket Australia beyond what has already been stated. He will be staying in Australia for "family reasons". Its a commendable choice in these days of the super professional sportsman and even if the media never knows the specifics, Haddin is to be commended in placing his family first. At 35, he is unlikely to regain a spot in any form of the game at a national level.

Baring Peter Nevil leaving banana skins outside his hotel door, Matthew Wade will be certain to make his Test debut against the West Indies at Kensington Oval, Barbados on the 7th April.

Haddin has been a solid member of the Australian Test team since making his Test debut nearly four years ago, also in the West Indies. He has been another in that tradition of wicketkeeper batsmen who can peel of hundreds when they are most needed at No 7 and do a tidy job behind the stumps. Like all who follow Adam Gilchrist, they will always look pale by comparison but Haddin's 2257 runs at 35 and his average of two dismissals per innings, give him a better batting and wicket keeping record than his current selector Rod Marsh. In fact, his dismissals per innings record among Aussie keepers who have played more than twenty Tests, is bettered only by Gilchrist. If that be a guide, we are losing the second best keeper in our history but its unlikely anyone will see it that way - almost certainly unfairly. His slide in form and outspoken comments haven't aided him in relieving the pressure he put on his place in the team.

Like most, there must be a better way to go. If it needs a buffing and shining before its put into folklore, his legacy should reflect that he kept family at the top of his priorities and acted on that. Take note buffoons.

Kiwis Last Chance

Dean Brownlie recalled

Ross Taylor's men need to recapture the spirit which saw them beat Australia at Hobart in December if they are to have any hope of beating South Africa in Wellington in the final Test of their three match series starting in Wellington today.

To aid them, they have recalled Daniel Flynn, an ordinary mid order batsman who last played as Black Cap in 2009, averaging 28 as a middle order batsman and not scoring a hundred in 29 Test innings. On the strength of three consecutive first class centuries in the home domestic competition, he has taken Rob Nicol's opening position. Nicol's career lasted four innings but he learns the hard lesson ... when the batting fails, blame the new guy. In a sign that Ross Taylor knows where the problem lies, Dean Brownlie has been bought back into the side following injury and he'll bat at six, moving Dan Vettori and Kruger van Wyk down a spot. New Zealand always looks a strong side with Vettori at 7. This removes a seamer, so only Chris Martin, Doug Bracewell and Mark Gillespie get spot, leaving Tim Southee watching.

In truth, it won't make any difference. Ross Taylor has shown thought patterns which focus on not getting beaten - as opposed to winning - and his best defence will be the Wellington weather, with forecasts predicting lots of rain interruptions and potentially, days lost. South Africa are by far the superior side, with only Brendan McCullum and Taylor doing the business with the bat and Bracewell easily the best of the bowlers, not withstanding Gillespie's first innings effort in Hamilton. Hashim Amla, Graeme Smith and Jacques Rudolph have dominated the Kiwis and Jacques Kallis (113) and AB deVilliers (83) both strong individual innings. However, its the freakish skills of Vernon Philander that have put a gulf between the sides and he is line here to become the second fastest to 50 Test wickets in the 2037th Test since 1877.

South Africa to win if the rain stops long enough.

India Embarrassed Again

Julie Hunter 4-15

The Australian Women's team again restricted India to under 100 and won by ten wickets in the 4th T20 international at Visakhapatnam. Julie Hunter took starred with the ball and along with Sharon Millanta, gave the top order Indians batting indigestion, reducing them to 3-5 after just eleven deliveries. As has been the case on this tour, the Australian bowlers strangled the Indian, as only Harmanpreet Kaur seemed capable of getting the ball off the square.

It was the complete reverse for the Australians, with the target reached in just the 13th over. Alyssa Healy followed up her 90 in the 3rd T20 with another half century as both she and Meg Lanning remained not out in the ten wicket victory. The Australians are unbeaten in the eight matches of the tour to date and are likely to finish that way with the final match to be played at the same venue today.

Alyssa Healy 54x

It has been a dominant tour by the Aussies, with both bat and ball. Meg Lanning is closing in on 400 runs for the tour at an average close to 54, despite only one score over fifty - her 128 in the second ODI at Mumbai being the only century by the tourists. Not only has she been prolific but her 376 runs have been scored at better than a run a ball, always getting the Australians away to a swift start. Jess Cameron has average 90 scoring 270 runs. Rachael Haynes made her 179 runs in the ODIs and Healy has chimed in with rapid runs in the T20s. Of a strong bowling attack, Ellyse Perry with 14 wickets at 11 and Hunter 11 at 16 and the two bowlers with more than ten wickets, but all of the bowlers have proven too strong for the Indian players.

Its hard to find negatives on such a successful tour but the form of Alex Blackwell with the bat - despite her resounding 81 in an earlier game - has been of concern. Its not easy batting in the middle order when the top three are scoring heavily and leaving little time for batsmanship and perhaps this is a reasonable excuse. The other Aussie whose light has dimmed a little on this tour has been Erin Osbourne. Her line has been tight but given plenty of opportunities, her 3 wickets at 49 are well short of her best.

As with the men, the hosts have a strange idea of the term "tour". All five of the T20s of this tour have been played at the same venue.

Series Looking Tied

Mike Hussey 67 and MOTM

After three ODI's at the same ground in St Vincent, the series is still level with a win each and a tie in the third game. It took three games to get the Australian attack just about right, with Nathan Lyon included. It must be a long time since Australia has played two genuine spinners in their line up in the West Indies. Without checking, three toured in 1973 - Kerry O'Keeffe, Terry Jenner and the worst selection in Australian history, John Watkins. Watkins was the Albert Patrick Field of Australian cricket, although thankfully he didn't bring it down.

Australia batted first again but as in game one, it was Watson's choice. He again opened with Dave Warner, Matthew Wade having been promoted from No 8 to first drop. It was an improvement in the balance but still not right with the Test series looming and Watson sure to bat at three. It hardly mattered as both failed. Spin again dominated on a pitch that held no vipers but took turn and Sunil Narine was again superb. Warner looked more fluent and appeared to be adjusting to the slower, lower pitch at Arnos Vale. Despite this, Australia was 3-58 and in no great shape.

George Bailey, promoted above the Husseys to four - as suggested by the cricketragics - shared 112 runs with Mike Hussey which set up the Australia score of 220. Hussey was all busyness at the crease, a sign he is in good nick. The Bros Huss added a further 32 before the Australians wasted the last five overs of the innings losing 6-18.

The West Indies were placed under immediate pressure when Xavier Doherty, on in only the 7th over, pushed a flatter ball across the left handed Kieran Powell. The opener wandered forward and was efficiently stumped by Wade. Marlon Samuels, Darren Bravo and Johnson Charles were all victims to cross-seamed wobblers by Watson. Bravo looks woefully out of form, driving a full ball meekly into Bailey's hands at a short cover. Charles, by comparison, had played a robust innings, hitting boundaries with a selection of the sweet and the butchered. Despite hitting a extraordinary Garry Owen high to the heavens and over the cover boundary of Lyon,  Dwayne Bravo edged Doherty to Wade soon after and the Windies were teetering at 5-78. Kieron Pollard sent Brett Lee on a "fetch it", smashing the aging quick over the stand at long on and into the street and then sent Lyon into the crowd before holing out to the same bowler when Doherty took the catch on the boundary. It was impetuous batting and dumb cricket.

Russell bowled off a Watson no ball

At 6-117 in the 29th over, the West Indies were finished but with plenty of overs left. Carlton Baugh and Andre Russell then set about rebuilding and played sensible cricket for the next ten overs. The turning point came in the 40th over. Watson, best placed to bowl at the death, bought himself back earlier in order to break the partnership. After the preceding three overs of a power play had seen just one leg bye added to the total, the first ball of Watson's second over did the trick. Andre Russell stepped back to slog the ball through cover and was bowled. It was the final straw until Russell was recalled because Watson had over stepped. Sooner or later, international bowlers will learn the unprofitably of errant feet. The salt hit the wound when Watson bowled Russell with the next ball but as it was a free hit, he couldn't be out.

From there, the runs flowed freely, with 56 added off the final ten overs. Baugh and Russell both went but the tail wagged enough to put skipper Darren Sammy in position to take the winning runs. After Sammy smashed a ball from Lee to the long on boundary to tie the scores, Watson bought everyone inside the circle with three balls left. Nerves got the better of Kemar Roach and he called for a phantom single, left Sammy stranded and Bailey's calm throw from point to Lee at the bowler's end ended the match.

Whilst Shane Watson and Xavier Doherty were again Australia's best bowlers, Dan Christian must have wondered why he was playing, batting at seven and bowling just two overs.

The players finally move on to the Beausejour Ground at Gros Islet, a beautiful town only in recent years promoted from village status. It will make a change from St Vincent where the first three games have been played. The next two ODI's will be played at Beausejour and the first of the T20's.

The West Indies are apparently unaware of the concept of "tour".

West Indies Finally Win

Dwayne Bravo & Keiron Pollard

A dismal batting performance by Australia in a game reduced to 40 overs a side, has handed the West Indies their first win over Australia in ODI cricket since October 2006.

Darren Sammy won the toss and sent the Australians in, somewhat bravely in the light of the weather conditions as the Duck Duck Goose Method for deciding rain affected matches rarely, if ever, provides a fair contest for the side batting second. The Australians never really got going, with Dave Warner and Peter Forrest both gone inside seven overs. The Husseys and George Bailey all made starts but none went on, although Dave Hussey batted manfully until the end, trying to lift what was a woeful run rate. Shane Watson was again betwixt and between at the top of the order, not seeming to know whether to hit, stroke or defend and Matthew Wade was again a complete waste at 8.

The bowlers were never going to defend the total, although Clint McKay and Watson tried very hard to. At 4-74 there was a window of opportunity but it was slammed shut by Keiron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo.

The batting looks badly balanced. Forrest just doesn't seem to be handling batting at three and Wade should be opening. He and Warner were a success in the CBA series and the return of Watson seems to have upset that balance. Watson needs to bat at three and Forest and Bailey should be contesting Michael Clarke's No 4 spot. Husseys at 5 and 6, Dan Christian, Brett Lee, McKay, Xavier Doherty and bring back Ben Hilfenhaus. If you can't get enough runs out of that top seven, what's the point of having another batsman and pushing a talented bloke like Wade down to 8.

Too much is being made of where Watson used to bat and what he used to do. The team has moved on since then and he's the one who should fit in to balance the team, not the other way around. Lee's days are numbered. He still gets the early breakthroughs but he is as effective as jelly thrown at a brick wall at any other stage of the innings. Hilfenhaus, a wicket taker, will be offset by the tightness of McKay and Watson and must play.

Watson still has much to learn about the captaincy.

Australians Win Again

Jess Cameron

The Australian Women's team continues to enjoy success in India, taking a 2-0 lead in the T20 series, following their 3-0 drubbing of the Indians in the ODI series.

In the latest match at Visakhapatnam, India batted first but a breezy start from Amita Sharma (28 off 16 balls) was ended by a Julie Hunter run out and from there, the India could never score fast enough to set the Australians a competitive total. The five and a half per over target was passed in comfort by Jess Cameron (68 off 54) after she added 98 with Meg Lanning (40 off 39).

The remaining matches in the series will be played at the same venue, with third match to be played tomorrow.

Qld Win The Shield

Steve Magoffin & Chris Hartley

Queensland won a pulsating Sheffield Shield final which was dominated by bowlers over its four days but it took a tail end recovery for the trophy to be hoisted at the Gabba.

Neither side could top 300 and as often happens in low scoring games,  everyone was on the edge of their seats. Tasmania started what was to be the last day with a lead of only 101 but with Ed Cowan and Luke Butterworth, a hero of previous Shield finals, at the crease. James Hopes removed both of them, ending a 54 run seventh wicket partnership and Ryan Harris finished it, leaving Queensland just 133 to be the champions. The Shield's leading wicket taker, Jackson Bird, removed Alex Kemp early but Wade Townsend and Andrew Robinson steadied Queensland with a 61 run second wicket partnership. With 50 required and only two wickets down, Queensland were cruising until James Faulkner and Luke Butterworth took 5-5 between them in a seven over spell. Tasmania were not only back in the game but were at shortening odds to win it.

In the space of the next 18 overs, two veterans of domestic cricket, first innings hero Chris Hartley and fast bowling journeyman Steve Magoffin, defied Ponting's attempts to end it and gradually cut the target down, reaching it at the start of the 63rd over. It was slow, grinding cricket, with finger nails chewed to the bone as both sides pushed for victory. If Hartley and Magoffin were magnificent, they were matched by Faulkner and Butterworth.

The much vaunted Tasmanian batting line up missed George Bailey and although Ed Cowan batted with authority on a difficult wicket and Steve Cazzulino with doggedness, the Tasmanians were never able to break the shackles that Ryan Harris, Alastair McDermott and James Hopes locked them in. Despite good bowling from Bird, Butterworth and Faulkner, it was, in the end, partnerships of resistance from Chris Hartley and Steve Magoffin in both innings which kept Queensland in the game.

Philander Loving It

Another emphatic effort
from Vernon Philander

South Africa beat New Zealand by 9 wickets in Hamiliton, in a match where the Kiwis batting failed twice against Vernon Philander. The tall pace man with all the swing and seaming tricks collected another ten wicket haul after wrecking the Kiwi second innings by taking 6-44. It was his fifth five wicket innings and his second ten wicket match in a career of only six Tests. If he takes five wickets next week in Wellington, he'll reach 50 Test scalps in the second fewest Tests and the second fastest time. Charlie "The Terror" Turner (6 Tests) and Rodney Hogg (113 days) will still better him.

Only Kane Williamson stood in his way in a paltry batting effort by Ross Taylor's men, fulfilling the promise he has offered but not delivered for some time. The target was achieved  by Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla at five runs an over after Doug Bracewell's first ball strike removed Alviro Petersen. Ross Taylor used seven bowlers in a desperate attempt to make something happen, punishing his bowlers for his batsmen's lack of application. It was another example of Taylor's haphazard captaincy which is overly conservative one day and recklessly erratic the next. How New Zealand miss Dan Vettori at the helm.

The third and final Test of the series starts on Friday at Wellington.

Tendulkar Reaches His Hundred

Finally - a century of centuries

Give thanks to the cricket gods, for he's finally done it. Where as the Don rested on a mystical figure 99, Tendulkar has raised his century, a century of times. What it means will be written about many times, now and into the future, but the achievement hardly marks the quality of the man, on or off the field. It speaks of his endurance and patience, both of which have been sorely tested in this past twelve months of media pressure anticipating the completion of the task. Amongst other things, it ruined India's summer in Australia.

In the final wash up, it will mean nothing in determining opinions of the man's ability or poise or class. All of these have been beacons in the modern game, pointing us repeatedly back to the basics - showing as decency and honour, the treasured remnants of a game once played for the love of it, can still flourish in this best example of the modern, pragmatic cricketer.

This hundred is as meaningless as many scored in short term cricket contracts. Scored in one of cricket's backwaters at Mirpur, it was a storm in which the minnow would be lost. Not Tendulkar's best, not his worst. Important only as milestone but not an important innings. Its in the body of the work you'll find them ... and many examples which did more than raise a reputation or secure a win. Those innings embellished the game itself.

To know his greatness is not to pour over his figures. For that, you went down to the ground and watched, where even thirty could be a masterpiece.

Since I was five, I have seen the best of the best, either in person or by studious examination which passes through decades of film, video tape and digital images or through the practised eyes of writers for bought wit and adjectives to their task. Before that, I'm happy to trust Cardus and Fingleton and EW Swanton and a rich library held at arms length from a furtive mind.

Such happily applied service to the history, then and now, of rich moments woven into cricket's ebb and flow, find only one conclusion.

Tendulkar is the best there has ever been.

Australia One Up In the Caribbean

George Bailey made his ODI debut

Two collapses have cost the home side an opening victory in the five ODI series being played against Australia in the Caribbean. After Australia could only just top 200 batting first, the West Indies lost 3-33 at the start of their innings and then 6-7 when they were cruising at 3-97.

Xavier Doherty (4-49) and Dan Christian (2-12) were the innings wreckers after Brett Lee (1-25), Clint McKay (2-22) and a sharp run out reduced the West Indies to 3-33 in the 11th over. DJ Bravo, returning to the side after an exclusion which has been largely self-induced, then added 64 with Marlon Samuels before the innings imploded.

Earlier, Australia struggled on a slow and low wicket the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown on the island of St Vincent. George Bailey, batting at six, took 67 balls to make a top score of 48 and even Dave Warner plodded, taking 55 balls over 40. Five of the top seven made starts but failed to go to play a decisive innings around which the rest could build. David Hussey and Matthew Wade made ducks: the Australian keeper a first ball effort to an off spinner from Sunil Narine which turned across him and was edged to slip. At 6-162 in the 44th over, Bailey and the tail did enough to set a reasonable target in the circumstances.

Kemar Roach was the best of the West Indian bowlers and looks to be approaching the sort of form which made heads turn when he first came on the international cricket through the ODI squad in 2008. If he can carry this form to the Test matches in April and the West Indies batsmen can adjust to the longer game after these frivolous preliminaries, it could yet prove to be interesting.