Nielsen happy with Lee's progress

Pakistan v Australia 2009

Bulletin by Shwe Wai

	Brett Lee: "Do I want to get back to that number one spot? Definitely."

Australian coach Tim Nielsen has hinted that fast bowler Brett Lee may be fit in time for the lone Twenty international against Pakistan, though he ruled out the possibility of Lee playing a part in the two remaining ODIs in the series.

"He [Lee] bowled in the nets but we will not play him on Friday," Nielsen told AFP. "If he continues to progress well, we may consider him for the Twenty20 match."

The 32-year-old, who has been absent from international cricket after an injury sustained last year during the Boxing Day Test against South Africa, has been progressing well towards full fitness after ankle surgery in January.

He arrived in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday and trained with the Australian squad the following day. Australian team doctor Trefor James said Lee would be monitored and may be considered for selection later on during the series.

Lee hoped to be at his best in time for the Ashes, and wanted to lead the bowling attack against England in two months' time. "I am really close (to full fitness)," he said. "The main aim here is the Ashes, with all due respect to all other cricket. If I'm back to my best, which I hope to be doing, I don't see a problem at all [in being selected]. Hopefully, my 10-year-career... will speak for itself, provided I am fit, of course."

Punjab aim to get back in top four

Kings XI Punjab v Kolkata Knight Riders, IPL, Port Elizabeth

The Preview by Shwe Wai

Kings XI Punjab are the only team in the IPL to hold the dubious distinction of having lost to the bottom-placed Kolkata Knight Riders, and come Sunday, they'll be keen to set the record straight and win back a place in the top four. Though the setback against Royal Challengers Bangalore dented their three-match winning streak, there were some positives with Yuvraj Singh's all-round performance, especially his success as opener, and the proven reliability of their bowlers.

Kolkata's only success is also an indication of their struggling form, for the win over Punjab came in a rain-affected game. Though it is fair to say they were in a dominant position in that encounter before the D-L method came into play, they have since suffered the dual misfortune of failing to hold their nerve in tight situations, and being shut out completely to lose by convincing margins.

The pressure was on Kolkata from the outset. The multiple-captains saga, the popularity of the franchise owner and the expensive signings ahead of the second season made them one of the most closely followed teams in the competition. The pre-tournament hype, however, is gradually turning into an embarrassment.

The impending departure of Chris Gayle, a struggling captain in Brendon McCullum and an inconsistent icon player in Sourav Ganguly have compounded their worries. Morne van Wyk and Brad Hodge have impressed; but with little indication of being capable of mounting a dramatic comeback, another failure will put Kolkata perilously close to being ruled out of a chance at the semi-finals.

Top priority for the middle overs

The major difference between this IPL and its previous edition has been the way teams have handled the middle overs

Bulletin by Shwe Wai

	Herschelle Gibbs has handled the middle overs superbly in the IPL

Traditionally, South Africa is a venue for fast bowlers: the pitches generally offer bounce, and the conditions assist swing and seam. That has been demonstrated to some extent in the ongoing IPL, with Lasith Malinga and RP Singh leading the wicket-takers' list, and some of the others enjoying the pitches too.

The major difference between this tournament and its previous edition, though, isn't the performance of teams in the first six overs. There have admittedly been several early wickets - six times the first one has fallen off the first legitimate ball, and nine times teams have lost their first wicket without a run on the board - but overall the Powerplay overs have still been reasonably productive, and the numbers aren't that different to what they were in 2008. The average runs per wicket is slightly lower, but the runs per over is almost the same.

The numbers are somewhat similar in the last six overs as well, but the big difference has been in the eight overs in the middle of the innings - from the seventh to the 14th. In 2008, the middle overs were a period when teams continued from where they had left off after the Powerplay, scoring at the same rate despite the fielders being scattered all over the park. This time, though, the pitches have offered a far greater challenge to batsmen, with the option of hitting through the line being a low-percentage one as tracks have lacked pace and have offered a fair amount of turn for the spinners. The average runs per over has dropped by almost ten - a huge difference - while the runs per over is lesser by more than one. On an average, where teams used to score 63 in the eight middle overs in 2008, they average 54 this time.

No respect for West Indies "Flintoff"

West Indies in England 2009

Bulletin by Shwe Wai

	England don't appear too concerned about Andrew Flintoff's absence for the West Indies series despite their recent defeat

Even after beating them, we're still not respected.

He may have very different and quite effective ways of motivating his charges, but if John Dyson is looking for something to really get the West Indies players focussed and worked up ahead of the two Tests against England next month, highlighting the comments of Hugh Morris last week in relation to Andrew Flintoff might not be such a bad idea.

When the news broke that England's premier all-round cricketer and talismanic figure was cutting short his already truncated but very well-paid commitments with the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League due to a knee injury, this is what Morris, the former Glamorgan and England opening batsman and now managing director of cricket at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), said:

"Andrew has been extremely unlucky with injuries but if there is one saving grace it is that the injury has occurred now rather than on the eve of either the ICC World Twenty20 or the Ashes. Having the surgery now means that Flintoff should be available for both those events although he is certain to miss the Test series against the West Indies."

You know, you would think that after losing the four-Test series in the Caribbean a few weeks ago 1-0-a result that confounded most very confident forecasts, both English and West Indian-anyone speaking on behalf of English cricket would have the sense to at least pretend that the regional team is worthy of some consideration as a competitive outfit and should not be simply overlooked again.

Look, even if they don't mean it and are saying it just for public relations and mamaguile sake, surely the West Indies, by virtue of their performances at home against the same opponents, are worthy of some acknowledgement in light of the fact that they will go into the opening encounter at Lord's next Wednesday as holders of the Wisden Trophy.

Bravo playing for the wrong Indians

It is baffling that Dwayne Bravo is fit enough for IPL matches but not for the Tests in England

	Should Dwayne Bravo be playing in the IPL?

Dwayne Bravo is a curious case.

To the medically ignorant, or just plain cynical, the reason given by the West Indies Cricket Board for the omission of so vital a player from the team for the two forthcoming Tests in England is illogical. It simply doesn't ring true.

"The WICB's medical panel has advised that Dwayne Bravo is unavailable for the Test series as he is still recovering after ankle surgery," was the terse postscript to the announcement of the squad of 17.

But had Bravo not returned to the West Indies team on March 15, six months after his operation, to play in the Twenty20 and all five ODIs in the home series against England?

Certainly there was not the slightest indication on the field that he was "still recovering". He bowled his 38.3 overs and celebrated his nine wickets as energetically as ever ('you have to run and try and catch him when he gets a wicket', Chris Gayle noted), stroked ten fours and two sixes in his five innings and cavorted around the field like soca singer Machel Montano on stage, not someone worrying about whether his ankle could cope with all his energy.

Fit Taylor looks forward to England Tests

West Indies in England 2009

Bulletin by Shwe Wai

	Jerome Taylor is fit and raring to make a comeback

West Indies fast bowler Jerome Taylor, who passed a fitness test before flying out to join his team-mates in England earlier this week, has said he is looking forward to another hard-fought Test series.

"Everything went well and I'm feeling all right. It's a matter of getting back in the groove and doing the job," the Jamaica Gleaner quoted Taylor as saying after a three-hour training session in preparation for a four-day game against England Lions starting Friday.

It was Taylor's five-wicket haul in the first Test in Jamaica two months ago that proved decisive in West Indies regaining the Wisden Trophy after nine years. However, he sustained an injury in a vehicle accident which forced him out of the IPL.

"It is always a pleasure to be among the boys (West Indies team)," he said. "I missed being among the boys when I was not playing, so I'm happy to be back. We all get along well together and we have a good team spirit."

The first Test of the series is at Lord's and starts next Wednesday.

Morgan named in one-day squad

West Indies in England 2009Bulletin by Shwe Wai

	Eoin Morgan has been given a chance in England's one-day squad as well as the Twenty20 team

Eoin Morgan has been included in England's one-day squad for the series against West Indies alongside his selection for the ICC World Twenty20. Ian Bell has been recalled, while Matt Prior retains his 50-over wicketkeeping role and Tim Bresnan follows Test selection with a call-up.

Andrew Strauss leads what is a far less adventurous squad than the Twenty20 party announced earlier today, with Morgan the most eye-catching name. Andrew Flintoff has been ruled out after knee surgery although the selectors are confident he will be fit for the ICC World Twenty20.

Ryan Sidebottom, who has recovered from his Achilles operation, replaces Steve Harmison from the squad that won 3-2 in West Indies while a fit-again Graeme Swann is back in place of Gareth Batty.

The wicketkeeping position continues to be a hotly-debated position and Prior has been retained ahead of James Foster who got the nod for the Twenty20. It looks likely that Prior will bat in the middle order after Strauss and Ravi Bopara formed the opening partnership in West Indies.

Squad Andrew Strauss (capt), Ravi Bopara, Ian Bell, Owais Shah, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Ryan Sidebottom, James Anderson

Taylor burst boosts West Indies spirits

England Lions v West Indians, Derby, 2nd day

Bulletin by Shwe Wai

England Lions 143 for 6 (Ambrose 49*, Rashid 13*) trail West Indies 203 (Bernard 58, Woakes 6-43)

	Jerome Taylor made an impressive start to his England tour with three early wickets

Jerome Taylor handed the West Indians a timely boost with a hostile first spell of his tour, to take out the England Lions top order, after the visitors' batting had continued to struggle in bowler-friendly conditions. Taylor's three-wicket new-ball burst reduced the Lions to 13 for 3 before they rallied to 143 for 6 in reply to the West Indians' 203 with Chris Woakes claiming a career-best haul.

Taylor only arrived earlier this week having been allowed to spend extra time at home to recover from a car accident, but he showed no ill-effects as he slotted straight into his work to revive memories of his memorable spell at Sabina Park when he took 5 for 11 to skittle England for 51.

He began by putting a dampener on Robert Key's day after the Lions captain had been named in England's Twenty20 squad. Key couldn't respond with a score when he played around his first delivery and was trapped leg before. His opening partner, Stephen Moore, fared little better as he fended a catch to second slip and when Jonathan Trott edged behind England's second-string were in deep trouble.

Ian Bell, eager to continue his good form after being omitted from the Test squad, managed to weather the early problems as he and Samit Patel - another with plenty of prove - steadied the innings. Taylor's support bowlers were not quite the same threat and runs came more easily but David Bernard broke through with Bell given out to a marginal lbw decision.

Disappointingly for Patel, on a day where he was again criticised by Geoff Miller, he top-edged a pull when well-set on 27 as the Lions wobbled again on 78 for 5. It required some pugnacious strokeplay from Tim Ambrose to revive the innings as he struck 10 boundaries in a confident, unbeaten 49, between stoppages for bad light which limited play to 68 overs, although he also lost Luke Wright to Bernard's medium pace.

Raina gem inspires Chennai to victory

Chennai Super Kings v Rajasthan Royals, IPL, Centurion

The Bulletin by Shwe Wai

Chennai Super Kings 164 for 5 (Raina 98, Badrinath 29) beat Rajasthan Royals 126 for 9 (Jadeja 37, Balaji 4-21) by 38 runs

In a demonstration of power-hitting with which he carried Chennai Super Kings in the first IPL, Suresh Raina again showed his ability to dominate and, when the need arose, get out of a jam. Chennai were in early trouble after being put in to bat but the early loss of the openers to Shane Warne's introduction of spin didn't deter Raina, who dispatched the Rajasthan Royals attack to all parts of SuperSport Park. His one-man show was complemented by a disciplined and enthusiastic fielding display - including a wicket and two catches to the man of the moment - and Chennai wrapped up victory by 38 runs.

The spade work for victory had been done with a gem from Raina. His blazing innings started and ended in the face of adversary but it didn't show on his face or in his choice of shots. Chennai had lost their leading run-scorer, Matthew Hayden, and Parthiv Patel to loose shots against Yusuf Pathan, who opened the attack with Dimitri Mascarenhas. But after that edgy start Chennai were put back on track through a 67-run liaison between Raina and S Badrinath. Raina was due a good score and he decided attack was the best way of defence.

He took the initiative early on, taking Mascarenhas for four and six and then clubbing Yusuf over long-off for six more. Badrinath was promoted ahead of MS Dhoni, Jacob Oram and Albie Morkel with Chennai in trouble and he reciprocated with a smart cameo of 29. He relieved the pressure with three off-side boundaries and hit Yusuf out of the attack. Badri's inventiveness - making room, getting the wrists into play, lofting over the infield - allowed Raina to continue blazing and he carved a brilliant front-foot six over point off Munaf Patel's first delivery.

Once he found his tempo, Raina was unstoppable. A deft tickle for four off Siddharth Trivedi was one for the purists, a thick inside-edge next ball for the same result just the bit of luck Raina needed to script an epic. He continued to produce punishing pulls and gorgeous shots down the ground, but the slice over cover-point was the sight of the evening. Shane Warne was pulled and cut for boundaries in his first over as Raina reached fifty from 27 balls.

Ghost hundred of the week

Suresh Raina on 98

Ghost hundred of the week
Suresh Raina's 55-ball dazzler against the Rajasthan Royals carried all the weight of a century, and the scoreboard at Centurion confirmed it. Raina even twirled his bat in acknowledgment. Little did he know that, thanks to a scoreboard error, he was the first - and possibly last - batsman in the history of cricket to celebrate a 98. For good measure, he got out next ball.

Gayle given permission to extend IPL stay

Indian Premier League 2009

Shwe Wai

	Kolkata could have Chris Gayle in their side for Sunday's match against Punjab

West Indies have reluctantly given Chris Gayle permission to extend his day with Kolkata Knight Riders at the IPL by two days if he wants to play an extra game. It means he could arrive in England just 48 hours before the first Test at Lord's, which will leave him precious little time to adjust to conditions.

With poor batting and inclement weather robbing West Indies of much-needed momentum ahead of the Test series, the tourists are now bracing for Gayle to remain in South Africa longer than originally agreed.

"The West Indies Cricket Board has been informed of this development and has agreed for him to arrive in England on Monday, May 4 if it becomes necessary," Omar Khan, the West Indies team managed, confirmed to reporters at Derby where they are playing England Lions, but also admitted it would "not be ideal preparation for a Test match."

Fresh from a 1-0 Test series victory in the Caribbean - a win that moved them within sight of sixth-ranked England on the ICC table - the West Indians have experienced a substantial reversal of fortunes since arriving in England. Already without the services of star allrounder, Dwayne Bravo, who was mysteriously ruled out of the Test series on medical grounds but cleared to play in the IPL, West Indies are desperately in need of Gayle's services after indifferent batting displays against Essex and England Lions.

Gayle was originally scheduled to join his West Indian team-mates after Friday's IPL game against Mumbai Indians, but he wrote in his column in the Times of India that he "might still stay back for the game on May 3 [against Kings XI Punjab]". The West Indies captain said he had "yet to make a final decision on the matter" and was mindful of his commitment to play in the first Test, which begins at Lord's on May 6.

Tendulkar's experience sets up Mumbai's win

Chennai Super Kings v Mumbai Indians, IPL, Cape Town

The Bulletin by Shwe Wai

May 2, 2009

Mumbai Indians 166 for 7 (Tendulkar 59*, Nayar 35) beat Chennai Super Kings 145 for 7 (Hayden 44, Malinga 3-15) by 19 runs

	Sachin Tendulkar carried the Mumbai Indians with an unbeaten 59, and how crucial it proved

In the first match of the IPL in 2008, Brendon McCullum smashed an unbeaten 158 from just 73 balls to set up a crushing win for his side. A year later, as season two got underway across the Indian Ocean in different conditions and under grey skies, Sachin Tendulkar batted 20 overs for an unbeaten 59 from 49 balls. It was as valuable as McCullum's blitzkrieg, if utterly different in execution and appeal, for it came on a track not entirely conducive to batting and laid the platform for Mumbai Indians' victory.

Stumbling and bumbling, Mumbai managed to put together a competitive total after the core of their vaunted batting struggled to cope with the uneven bounce at Newlands. There were few fireworks from the big bats and the team owed plenty to the vast experience of Tendulkar, who absorbed the pressure superbly. Where Chennai's pacers were tidy in restricting runs during the middle stages of Mumbai's innings, it was the spinners Harbhajan Singh and Sanath Jayasuriya who derailed Chennai. They varied their pace and reined in the big hitters before Lasith Malinga kept the tail under control.

The pre-match drizzle in cloudy Cape Town influenced MS Dhoni's decision to field on a damp pitch, and though Mumbai's opening partnership yielded 39 in 5.4 overs, it wasn't convincing. Jayasuriya slashed and swiped and survived a run-out before he mowed fellow Sri Lankan Thilan Thushara to midwicket for 26. The ball didn't come on to the bat, as was evident in Tendulkar's frequent grimaces and constant shuffling to manoeuvre the bowling. Tendulkar attempted and connected with a few risky shots over the infield and was dropped on 10 by Matthew Hayden at first slip, off a leading edge induced by Andrew Flintoff.

Pathan is the hero again for Rajasthan Royals

Deccan Chargers v Rajasthan Royals, IPL, Port Elizabeth

The Bulletin by Nishi Narayanan

May 2, 2009

20 overs Deccan Chargers 141 for 5 (Suman 41, Harwood 2-25) v Rajasthan Royals

	Yusuf Pathan's early strike changed the complexion of Deccan's innings

T Suman and Rohit Sharma could not undo the early efforts of the Rajasthan Royals' bowlers with a partnership that was still a shot in the arm for the Deccan Chargers, who had scored under six an over in the first ten overs.

At the toss Shane Warne had said Rajasthan would look to restrict Deccan to 160 at the small St George's Park but they did better - largely owing to Yusuf Pathan and Shane Harwood - by keeping them to 19 less. Rajasthan began with a spin-heavy attack - only three of the first 10 overs were bowled by the fast bowlers - and it looked like it would take the game way from them when Deccan got 27 from the first three overs. But Yusuf and Harwood ensured Deccan went into the strategy break not feeling quite comfortable.

After Adam Gilchrist's dismissal an over before the break, Suman and Rohit took two overs to settle down before beginning an assault that would let Deccan breathe a little easier at the end of their innings. They scored 44 of their 59-run stand between overs the 11th and 15th overs.

Suman stepped out of the crease to hit Warne for a six and a four and used his feet well against the spinners, getting them out of the way to work singles to the leg side. Suman also enjoyed a life when he stepped down to the track to Ravindra Jadeja but the wicketkeeper Mahesh Rawat fluffed a regulation stumping. There was also a near run-out when Munaf Patel kicked the stumps with his foot as a good throw came in from the fielder.

Rohit had hit Munaf for a six just before the mistaken kick and flicked a four to fine leg off the next. Abhishek Raut and Siddharth Trivedi, who bowled their first overs after the partnership got going, were also taken for runs but Trivedi got Rohit to edge a fuller delivery to Warne at mid-off for a 32-ball 38.

The President meets the Prince

The President meets the Prince

Posted by Shwe WAi

	© The White House

George Bush tried – and failed – to swat a tennis ball with a cricket bat on a trip to Pakistan in the dog days of his presidency, but the meeting between Brian Lara and President Barack Obama in Trinidad was an altogether more successful affair.

Obama took time out from attending the Fifth Summit of the Americas to meet with Trinidad’s most famous cricketer. While his sport of choice is basketball, Obama was given a brief batting lesson by Lara, although attempts to teach him to drive were slightly less successful that his lesson in playing the forward defensive.

Obama greeted Lara by saying that he “always wanted to meet the Michael Jordan of cricket”. Lara repaid the compliment by presenting the president with a signed bat.

“It was beautiful,” gushed hotel manager Ali Khan. “You could see the expression on [Obama’s] face and his daughter’s. He was truly emotional and touched as were all of us.”

Napier reflects on rapid rise

ICC World Twenty20 2009

Cricketupdates Staff

May 2, 2009

	Graham Napier: 'This selection is the opportunity

Graham Napier is still trying to come to terms with what has been a whirlwind year as he has gone from a bit-part county player to an England international with a stop at the IPL on the way.

Napier was one of two uncapped players named in England's ICC World Twenty20 as he gained reward for his memorable displays in last year's Twenty20 Cup where he hit 152 against Sussex. That innings was enough to earn an IPL deal with Mumbai Indians and on the same day he earned his international call he was also told he would make his first appearance for Mumbai.

"I got a phone call from the selectors on Thursday evening to notify me I would be in the squad," Napier told cricketheroes.co.uk. "Around about the same time I was told there was a possibility that I would play for Mumbai Indians the next day, which made for a very nervous evening. I didn't sleep well at all that night."

"Everything has happened very quickly; the last year has whizzed by in terms of where I'm going with my cricket," he added. "This selection [for the England Twenty20 squad] has capped off all I've been working towards. But the really hard work begins now."

The following day Napier hit 15 and took 1 for 27 as Mumbai beat Kolkata Knight Riders by nine runs, but he said his experience in South Africa would have been invaluable even if he hadn't managed to play a game before returning to England.

"I got to train and play with some of the best cricketers in the world for a month. When you mix with people like Sachin Tendulkar, Sanath Jayasuriya, Harbhajan Singh, JP Duminy and Lasith Malinga you can only learn new things and get better.

The 'turning' point

Royal Challengers Bangalore v Kings XI Punjab, IPL, Durban

Shwe Wai

May 2, 2009

	The Kumble roar: Reserved only for the tensest moments and mostly, when he has got rid of pesky big-hitters © AFP

The action of the night was Anil Kumble v Yuvraj Singh. It lasted just six balls but it was not only riveting but a match-turning event.

"He is a great bowler," Yuvraj, the Kings XI Punjab captain, said later. "I was the one set. I should have stayed longer. I can't blame anyone else for losing the match." Kumble, the latest Royal Challengers Bangalore captain, knew if that they got Yuvraj's wicket, the match could be in the pocket.

The contest actually began in the previous game between the two. With 66 runs required in 36 balls, Kumble came on to bowl his last over. A couple of balls into the over, he sensed Yuvraj was intent on just playing him out and started to tempt him with flighted googlies and floaters. Yuvraj resisted the bait, even padding up one, and the game was won next over when Ravi Bopara got stuck into Praveen Kumar.

Today, the battle came down to Kumble's googlies against Yuvraj's signature slog-sweeps. Yuvraj won the first round, welcoming Kumble into the attack with a big swipe out of the park. He tried to repeat the shot for the next two balls but didn't connect well. He steadied himself with a copy-book forward-defensive stroke before swinging the next over square leg again. Game on. Mark Boucher ran to Kumble, who kept staring ahead, entrenched in his bubble. It was pure drama.

Punjab find merit in multiple-captaincy theory

Indian Premier League 2009

Shwe Wai

May 2, 2009

	Tom Moody: "The best thing for us is that our seniors - Yuvraj, Mahela and Sangakkara - get along really well with each other and have no egos in working together."

When Kings XI Punjab clinched their first win in their third game, Yuvraj Singh walked out to the post-match ceremony and said, "Thank god, no rain!" Their first two games were affected by weather and they lost both. Nothing seemed to be going right for the team. The bowling didn't look potent, the batting seemed to depend too much on Yuvraj Singh and they were hit by injuries to key players - Brett Lee, Sreesanth, Shaun Marsh, James Hopes and Jerome Taylor. Their latest signing, Yusuf Abdulla, was struggling at this level and Irfan Pathan, no longer a regular in the India line-up, was the strike bowler.

In the background, the think-tank was working furiously to swing things around. Coach Tom Moody asked his team to forget the first two games - "they don't count" - and concentrated on assigning individual roles. Yuvraj Singh, the captain, harped on a similar theme: "Boys, forget the results, even in the next few matches. All we need to do is play with intensity, high energy and get off the park with our heads held high. Let's just go and have fun out there."

Yuvraj has a ball with the ball

Royal Challengers Bangalore v Kings XI Punjab, IPL, Durban

Shwe Wai

May 2, 2009

	Yuvraj Singh admitted he was shocked at having taken a hat-trick © AFP

Yuvraj Singh is perhaps one of the more irritating bowlers to face, certainly one of the more amusing to watch and arguably one of the most enjoyable to write about. What does he do to get under the skin of quality batsmen like Kevin Pietersen and what does he have to get a hat-trick in a Twenty20 game? It's too easy to dismiss it as luck for there is intelligence - street smartness, perhaps - in his bowling.

Let's get the amusing part out of the way. Look at how he ambles in to bowl, almost like a Sunday park bowler. For someone who used to throw himself around on the field like a kid, Yuvraj has always looked old as a bowler, aged while he was still young. There is an almost disinterested air about as he sways in - a jog conjures up too strong a visual - to bowl as if to say, 'I have been asked to bowl, so here I am. Do what you want with my pies'. It's not a carefully developed act of deception; it is how he bowls.

Here is where Yuvraj's street smartness shows. He can turn the ball slightly but what he does do cleverly is vary his pace by using a scrambled seam. He is usually slow, slower and not so slow but can surprise the batsmen - like Mark Boucher today - with his quick one.

Before the one to Boucher, Yuvraj had produced his best ball - a skidding arm-ball - to beat the defenses of a shocked Jacques Kallis. And just before that, he had bowled his most clever ball, the first of the hat-trick, to get rid of Robin Uthappa. He had sensed Uthappa was preparing to go after him and the mode of attack would be the slog sweep. Yuvraj could have fired it in but instead, he floated the ball wider outside off stump and Uthappa fell while attempting to fetch it from there. As the catch was held, Yuvraj turned around and shot him an 'I told you so' look.

Along came Boucher. It was the first ball of a new over and it was almost predictable that Yuvraj would bowl an arm-ball. It's his only genuine wicket-taking ball, especially when the batsmen are not going after him - he tries to slide it in and get an lbw decision - and also, the one he turns to when he is really desperate to stem the runs. Boucher knew it wouldn't turn but looked to work it to the leg side and was caught in front. Yuvraj was away even before he had appealed or the finger went up. Suddenly he stopped, shouted out an appeal, saw the finger going up and went berserk, ending up finally at deep midwicket before being enveloped in a hug by Simon Katich.

He nearly won the game for Punjab with the bat as well but was out-thought by Anil Kumble, who did what Yuvraj did to Uthappa. Kumble made him fetch a googly from outside off and Yuvraj fell while going for another six.

AB de Villiers is the hero in IPL

AB de Villiers Player profile Full name Abraham Benjamin de Villiers Born February 17, 1984, Pretoria Current age 25 years 74 days Major teams South Africa, Africa XI, Delhi Daredevils, Northerns, Titans Batting style Right-hand bat Bowling style Right-arm medium Fielding position Wicketkeeper Batting and fielding averages Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave BF SR 100 50 4s 6s Ct St Tests 52 89 8 3558 217* 43.92 6707 53.04 9 17 434 18 75 1 ODIs 85 81 10 2761 146 38.88 3217 85.82 3 18 284 48 52 0 T20Is 15 14 3 176 52* 16.00 164 107.31 0 1 17 4 17 2 First-class 76 132 13 5407 217* 45.43 9550 56.61 12 31 121 2 List A 107 102 13 3630 146 40.78 5 24 71 0 Twenty20 36 33 6 766 105* 28.37 587 130.49 1 4 62 27 31 4 Bowling averages Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10 Tests 52 4 198 99 2 2/49 2/49 49.50 3.00 99.0 0 0 0 ODIs 85 1 12 22 0 - - - 11.00 - 0 0 0 T20Is 15 - - - - - - - - - - - - First-class 76 228 133 2 2/49 66.50 3.50 114.0 0 0 0 List A 107 12 22 0 - - - 11.00 - 0 0 0 Twenty20 36 - - - - - - - - - - - - Career statistics Test debut South Africa v England at Port Elizabeth, Dec 17-21, 2004 scorecard Last Test South Africa v Australia at Cape Town, Mar 19-22, 2009 scorecard Test statistics - Statsguru Test analysis - Player analysis menu/filter Test match list --------------------------------- Batting career summary Batting innings list High scores Batting series averages --------------------------------- Bowling career summary Bowling innings list Bowling match list Best innings bowling Best match bowling Bowling series averages --------------------------------- Fielding career summary Fielding innings list Most dismissals in an innings Fielding series statistics ODI debut South Africa v England at Bloemfontein, Feb 2, 2005 scorecard Last ODI South Africa v Australia at Johannesburg, Apr 17, 2009 scorecard ODI statistics - Statsguru ODI analysis - Player analysis menu/filter ODI match list --------------------------------- Batting career summary Batting innings list High scores Batting series averages --------------------------------- Bowling career summary Bowling innings list Bowling series averages --------------------------------- Fielding career summary Fielding innings list Most catches in an innings Fielding series statistics T20I debut South Africa v Australia at Johannesburg, Feb 24, 2006 scorecard Last T20I South Africa v Australia at Centurion, Mar 29, 2009 scorecard T20I statistics - Statsguru T20I analysis - Player analysis menu/filter T20I match list --------------------------------- Batting career summary Batting innings list High scores Batting series averages --------------------------------- Fielding career summary Fielding innings list Most dismissals in an innings Fielding series statistics First-class debut 2003/04 Last First-class South Africa v Australia at Cape Town, Mar 19-22, 2009 scorecard List A debut 2003/04 Last List A South Africa v Australia at Johannesburg, Apr 17, 2009 scorecard Twenty20 debut Titans v Lions at Centurion, Apr 8, 2004 scorecard Last Twenty20 Deccan Chargers v Delhi Daredevils at Centurion, Apr 30, 2009 scorecard Profile Few Test debutants can have been asked to play so many roles in such a short space of time as AB de Villiers, and fewer still can have risen to the challenge with such alacrity that, at the tender age of 21, he was already being regarded as the future of South African cricket. A product of Afrikaans Hoer Seunsskool in Pretoria, de Villiers was born to be a sportsman - although such was his natural talent, tennis, golf, cricket or rugby could have been his calling. Cricket won out, however, and after a prodigious spell in the South Africa Under-19 team, he made his debut for Titans in 2003-04, racking up five half-centuries in his 438 runs. He earned his call-up for the first Test against England the following season, and after a composed debut as an opening batsman, he was handed the wicketkeeping gloves for the second Test in Durban, which he helped save with a maiden Test half-century from No. 7. By the end of the series, however, he was back at the top of the order, and after falling eight runs short of a deserved century in the first innings at Centurion, he made instant amends second-time around. His development continued at a rate of knots in the Caribbean, where he helped seal the series with a wonderful 178 at Bridgetown. On South Africa's tour of Australia at the end of 2005 he managed just 152 runs at 25.33 - despite playing Shane Warne well - and was sent home ahead of the tri-nation VB Series. When South Africa hosted Australia for a return series, de Villiers managed only one good Test, hitting 50 and 46 at Durban, and overall failed to showcase his undoubted talent. However, he was South Africa's highest scorer in a 2-0 loss to Sri Lanka in July-August with 217 runs, including two impressive fifties. The 2006-07 South African season was a mixed bag, but his fielding, breathtaking, and his speed in the field, top-class, are two of his biggest assets even though he has failed to convince as a Test opener. He occasionally showed his best form during the 2007 World Cup, but South Africa needed him to kick on. He did just that in 2008. He became the first South African to hit a double hundred against India, and his match-winning knocks of 174 at Headingley and 106 not out in Perth paved the way for historic Test series wins in England and Australia. Andrew Miller/Jamie Alter December 2008 Latest Articles Smith and Pathan script remarkable win (Apr 28, 2009) Delhi clinch high-scoring thriller (Apr 23, 2009) Almost perfection (Apr 23, 2009) Northern lights (Apr 15, 2009) Smith happy with 'good energy' in the squad (Apr 14, 2009) View the full list of 150 related articles Latest Photos Apr 28, 2009 AB de Villiers is slightly cramped for space © Associated Press Apr 23, 2009 AB de Villiers smashes it through the offside © AFP Apr 23, 2009 AB de Villiers reached his fifty off 35 balls © AFP View the full list of 299 related images Search for a profile from the extensive database of over 50000 players:

Smith and Pathan script remarkable win

Delhi Daredevils v Rajasthan Royals, IPL, Centurion

New Updates

May 2, 2009

Rajasthan Royals 147 for 5 (Pathan 61*, Smith 44*, Mishra 3-34) beat Delhi Daredevils 143 for 7 (de Villiers 50, Vettori 29, Munaf 2-14, Mascarenhas 2-28) by five wickets

	Yusuf Pathan was once again the hero for Rajasthan Royals.

A brutal innings from Yusuf Pathan, a more sedate but no less important knock by Graeme Smith and another typically inspired tactical tweak from Shane Warne combined to script perhaps the most amazing turnaround of this tournament. Delhi Daredevils' first defeat of IPL 2009 also owed itself to some miserly bowling from a revived Munaf Patel and some sloppy fielding of their own.

Spin continued to play a major influence, as Amit Mishra rattled Rajasthan with a three-wicket burst to leave them reeling at 64 for 5 and needing 80 off nine overs. But Smith's assurance and Pathan's ability left Delhi shell-shocked; they held the cards for much of the innings but ended up with the joker.

A target of 144 was tricky given this was the IPL's first game here but Rajasthan would have backed themselves after a laudable performance with the ball. However, they made a meal of it thanks to a shoddy display by their rejigged top and middle order.

Rajasthan had already been pegged back by the time spin was introduced. Rob Quiney was pushed up to open but didn't last long, trapped in front by Ashish Nehra in the fourth over. Next to go was the impatient Swapnil Asnodkar, run out attempting an impossible run, and Paul Valthaty - included to beef up Rajasthan's misfiring batting line-up - who holed out at long-off off Mishra. At 34 for 3, Rajasthan were reeling and the ploy of pushing up the greenhorns seemed to have backfired.

Worse was to follow after the tactical break: Mishra struck back with two wickets in the 11th over, deceiving both Ravindra Jadeja and Shane Warne, who had promoted himself ahead of Pathan. 64 for 5 and an embarrassment seemed on the cards.

But Warne usually has a method to his apparent madness. In the middle for Rajasthan were Smith and Pathan, with the assurance of Dimitri Mascarenhas to follow. Pathan seemed to have taken up from where he left off in the Super Over against Kolkata Knight Riders. He needed two balls before unleashing his power. He first ended Daniel Vettori's enviable run, depositing him over deep midwicket off successive deliveries, and drilling one past him off the final ball to net 19 in a match-turning 13th over.

Dilshan guides Delhi to victory

Bangalore Royal Challengers v Delhi Daredevils, IPL

The Bulletin by Aye Aye Maung

May 2, 2009

Delhi Daredevils 150 for 4 (Dilshan 67*) beat Bangalore Royal Challengers 149 for 7 (Pietersen 37, Nehra 2-34) by six wickets

	Tillakaratne Dilshan scored his second rapid half-century in a row, this one completing a comfortable.

For a while it looked like Delhi Daredevils' batsmen had been a tad complacent while chasing a modest target, which Bangalore Royal Challengers' bowlers defended tenaciously, but an unbeaten half-century from Tillakaratne Dilshan completed their third consecutive win in the tournament. The six-wicket victory took Delhi level with Deccan Chargers on top of the points table, with six each.

The only highlight for Bangalore, who suffered their fourth consecutive defeat, was the performance of their weak bowling attack, who kept them in the game longer than most people expected. Their top-order batsmen, despite changes to personnel and order, disappointed once again. Their overseas players failed to fire, and their fielding went to pieces just when they had a sniff at pulling off an upset win.

Delhi lost their openers, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, early and Dilshan and AB de Villiers went about chasing the target of 150 calmly. They hardly attempted expansive shots, preferring instead to play the ball into gaps and run swiftly between the wickets. The spinners, Anil Kumble and KP Appanna, bowled a tight line and length and conceded few boundaries. As a result Delhi had scored only 64 for 2 after 10 overs but the equation - 86 runs off the last 10 - was manageable.

Dilshan was perhaps lucky to survive a run-out appeal soon after the tactical time-out. He was short of his crease when Ross Taylor's throw hit the stumps, but the third umpire was not convinced that Boucher had not broken the stumps with his glove before the ball found its target. de Villiers, however, fell soon after, bowled by a delivery from Appanna that turned past the bat from outside leg to hit leg stump. Dinesh Karthik started brightly, clouting a four and a six, but fell soon after, caught by Jacques Kallis at deep cover, and left Delhi at 106 for 4.

Top priority for the middle overs

The major difference between this IPL and its previous edition has been the way teams have handled the middle overs

Shwe Wai

May 2, 2009

	Herschelle Gibbs has handled the middle overs superbly in the IPL © AFP

Traditionally, South Africa is a venue for fast bowlers: the pitches generally offer bounce, and the conditions assist swing and seam. That has been demonstrated to some extent in the ongoing IPL, with Lasith Malinga and RP Singh leading the wicket-takers' list, and some of the others enjoying the pitches too.

The major difference between this tournament and its previous edition, though, isn't the performance of teams in the first six overs. There have admittedly been several early wickets - six times the first one has fallen off the first legitimate ball, and nine times teams have lost their first wicket without a run on the board - but overall the Powerplay overs have still been reasonably productive, and the numbers aren't that different to what they were in 2008. The average runs per wicket is slightly lower, but the runs per over is almost the same.

The numbers are somewhat similar in the last six overs as well, but the big difference has been in the eight overs in the middle of the innings - from the seventh to the 14th. In 2008, the middle overs were a period when teams continued from where they had left off after the Powerplay, scoring at the same rate despite the fielders being scattered all over the park. This time, though, the pitches have offered a far greater challenge to batsmen, with the option of hitting through the line being a low-percentage one as tracks have lacked pace and have offered a fair amount of turn for the spinners. The average runs per over has dropped by almost ten - a huge difference - while the runs per over is lesser by more than one. On an average, where teams used to score 63 in the eight middle overs in 2008, they average 54 this time.

'Ordinary' Ojha writes Deccan's success script

Chennai Super Kings v Deccan Chargers, IPL, Durban

Shwe Wai

May 2, 2009

	Pragyan Ojha's bowling is an uncomplicated art © AFP

Pragyan Ojha was not the reason Deccan Chargers ended up bottom of the heap last season - that was because their superstars had gone missing - but he is a crucial factor in their topping the table in the current tournament. He is the highest wicket-taker (six wickets) among spinners in the competition, has the best economy rate (5.16), and the second-best strike rate (12.0). His success is, in fact, a window to the change in the team's fortunes.

If, last season, Deccan Chargers were a star-studded team where every big name played at Superman, this year they have thrown off their capes, returned to earth and resumed life as Clark Kent. They are, so to speak, a team of Ojhas, each playing for the other.

"No one is complaining about each other now," Ojha said on Sunday. "Sometimes it happens, you know, when you are playing and losing ... lots of differences crop up [between people]. There is nothing like that now. We are gelling well together."

Ojha points to an instance from Saturday's match, against Mumbai Indians. Sachin Tendulkar was in control of the chase at the 10-over break. "I had not bowled my first over well. I went to Laxmanbhai, Gilchrist and the coach to discuss how to bowl to him. We decided we'd make him drive to the off side. If he swept, fine, but we'd not let him cut. We had our field set for a shot over the covers; he connected well but didn't get the elevation. It was an amazing feeling for me to get Sachin."

Ojha is the kind of bowler who thrives on the captain's confidence. Adam Gilchrist understands that and is backing him up. "He is a captain who gives us lot of liberties, lets you put your own field and backs you. He knows my strengths and has told me to bowl the way I am doing now; not try too many things and, when in doubt, to fall back on senior players like him or Laxman or the coach."

Ojha's bowling is an uncomplicated art. There is no mystery ball or a standout different delivery. His success lies in the patient use of the stock ball. "I just want to stay calm and keep it simple. Especially, Twenty20 is all about a batsman just trying to hit you. My biggest strength is my flight but here [in this format] I am trying to bowl a bit quicker and use variations in pace. Mainly, though, I am just trying to keep it simple. As a spinner, more than going for wickets, if you try to restrict the batsman - not in a negative way but because it's an attacking option in this format - you can get the batsman out as he will have to try some thing different."

Tait targets late-season IPL return

Tait targets late-season IPL return

Shwe Wai

May 2, 2009

	Shaun Tait now senses a chance of participating in the latter stages of the IPL after a torn hamstring had put him on the sidelines for three months © AFP

Shaun Tait is aiming to play in the closing rounds of the IPL, despite Cricket Australia this month ruling him out of the tournament on medical grounds. Tait returned to the nets this week after three months on the sidelines with chronic hamstring tendonitis, and is hopeful of being cleared for the final stages of the Rajasthan Royals' campaign in South Africa.

Tait was the only senior Australian player to be selected in the 2009 IPL auction when purchased by Rajasthan for $375,000. The South Australian paceman was disappointed on learning of CA medical staff's intention to stand him down from the lucrative Twenty20 league, but believes he has now made sufficient progress in his recovery from injury to be reconsidered.

"If I can get myself fit, and there is a window for the final two or three games, that would be fantastic," Tait told Cricinfo. "Because of the injury, Cricket Australia weren't keen to release me to play [in the IPL], which ruled me out of training and playing with Rajasthan. That was pretty frustrating, because it was something I wanted to be a part of. But now that I am back in the nets and feeling good, hopefully there's a chance there."

When fit, Tait has been an integral member of Australia's 50- and 20-over squads in recent seasons, and the right-armer rates himself a "50-50" chance of being named in the final 15-man line-up for the World Twenty20 in June. The IPL, he feels, represents an ideal opportunity to gain much needed match-practice ahead of the tournament, in which Australia were defeated by India in the semi-finals in 2007.

Vaughan helps Yorkshire to victory

Michael Vaughan thumps a leg-side four on his way to 82 during Yorkshire's Friends Provident Trophy win over Sussex © PA Photos

Vaughan helps Yorkshire to victory

Reporter: Shwe Wai

Michael Vaughan returned to form with 82 as Yorkshire beat Sussex by 14 runs at Headingley. His innings helped Yorkshire to 227 for 5, and Sussex were always struggling after Tim Bresman took three quick wickets. Luke Wright (46) and Murray Goodwin (45) kept the match alive but Will Beer was run out in the penultimate over.

Brian Lara celebrates reclaiming the world record for the highest Test score

Brian Lara celebrates reclaiming the world record for the highest Test score, ten years on from doing it for the first time © Getty Images

1969
Brian Lara, who was born today, was one of the game's most exciting batsmen, and the author of some of the most famous innings of all time: 375, 400 and 501, the highest in Test and first-class history, as well as 213 and 153 not out to single-handedly beat Australia in 1998-99. But his career had its fair share of problems and run-ins with authority, and as a captain he often struggled to inspire colleagues, although he was battling to lead a side in decline. Many hoped he would bow out on a high at the World Cup in the Caribbean, but West Indies were poor and Lara quit as captain amid rumours that he was pushed by the board. He deserved better.

Brian Lara celebrates reclaiming the world record for the highest Test score

Brian Lara celebrates reclaiming the world record for the highest Test score, ten years on from doing it for the first time © Getty Images

1969
Brian Lara, who was born today, was one of the game's most exciting batsmen, and the author of some of the most famous innings of all time: 375, 400 and 501, the highest in Test and first-class history, as well as 213 and 153 not out to single-handedly beat Australia in 1998-99. But his career had its fair share of problems and run-ins with authority, and as a captain he often struggled to inspire colleagues, although he was battling to lead a side in decline. Many hoped he would bow out on a high at the World Cup in the Caribbean, but West Indies were poor and Lara quit as captain amid rumours that he was pushed by the board. He deserved better.