Team India on top in test

It has been a 77 years long stay. Indian cricket team, under the leadership of captain MS Dhoni, reached a historic achievement when it secured 124 points in ICC Test rankings to attain at the top spot. India defeated Sri Lanka on the home soil by an innings and 24 runs, thereby confirm the 3-match Test series win with 2-0. It was the second consecutive innings defeat of the Sri Lanka. Now, South Africa has been consigning to the second place. Surely it was the combined team efforts, as commented by skipper Dhoni did the magic. It was the excellent contribution of all departments of the game- the batsmen, the bowlers and the fielders, which saw the defeat of the Lankans. Sehwag's super performance has merited him with `Man of the Match' and the `Man of the Series' award. Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakara put the defeat due to the shortcomings of their bowlers. Brabourne stadium saw Test cricket returning to it after 36 years where the fans had turned up in great numbers to cheer for the team.

Now, the real defy lies with the Indian boys to sustain the top honor. Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar has termed the side under MS Dhoni to be the best one. It is the combined efforts of the players which has made India proud to be on the number one spot in the Test matches.

Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar expressed his delight at India becoming the No. 1 Test team in the world. It's not just the team and the support staff, you also have to give it to the selection board, who often get criticized, to the cricket board, which has backed the team, which has backed the support staff and the selection committee,".

India in good position in Mumbai Test

India took control of the third and final test match against Sri Lanka in Mumbai, with a record-breaking score of 726/9. In reply to Sri Lanka's first innings total of 393, India declared at 726/9, which is its highest score in test cricket. Sehwag was the top scorer with 293, while Dhoni remained unbeaten on 100.

India took a massive 333-run over Sri Lanka in the first innings and all set to press for a win in Mumbai. From here, India cannot lose the match. If they win this test, that will propel them to the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test Rankings.

Earlier, Virender Sehwag missed a milestone by a whisker. He was out for 293 and lost the golden opportunity to become the first cricketer in test history to score three triple hundreds. Sachin Tendulkar too fell short of completing his 13,000 runs in test cricket. He made 53. Laxman scored 62.

For Sri Lanka, Muttiah Muralitharan took 4 wickets, while Rangana Herath took 3 wickets. Sri Lanka were 11/0 at stumps on Day 3. It would be interesting to see whether the Sri Lankan batsmen can withstand the pressure and save this test match.

India Lead the Mumbai test Sehwag leads the day

Virender Sehwag smashed the second fastest double century in Test cricket and Rahul Dravid completed a fifty as India dominated with the bat on Day 2, in the third and final Test against Sri Lanka, at the Brabourne stadium, in Mumbai, on Thursday.

Sehwag celebrated the return of Test cricket to the Cricket Club of India (CCI) after nearly 37 years with an unbeaten 284 off 239 deliveries, batting nearly six hours and hitting as many as 40 boundaries and seven sixes.

At the other end, Dravid also looked quite comfortable as he finished unbeaten on 62 from 121 deliveries (five boundaries), the two batsmen having already added 222 runs in 224 deliveries for the second wicket.

India went past their own record for most runs in a day, as they finished Day 2 on a mammoth 443 for 1 in 79 overs, a lead of 50 runs, after Sri Lanka were dismissed for 393 in their innings. India's previous best score in a day's play was 419, which they put up in the previous Test in Kanpur.

The day belonged to Sehwag as he registered his sixth double century in Test cricket and his second double against Sri Lanka after the 201 not out he made in Galle last year.

Sehwag single-handedly dominated proceedings on the second day and was involved in two successive double century partnerships for the first and second wickets.

Murali Vijay, playing in only his second Test, played a fluent innings of 87 from 121 deliveries, having hit ten boundaries and a six, before he was dismissed leg before wicket by Rangana Herath.

The Tamil Nadu opener played a vital role in helping India get off to a blazing start as he added 221 runs for the opening wicket with Sehwag.

Earlier, Angelo Mathews fell agonizingly short of a maiden Test century when he was run-out for 99. Resuming on their overnight score of 366 for eight, Sri Lanka lasted 26 minutes on the second day, adding 27 runs before losing their last two wickets in 34 deliveries.

All-rounder Mathews was the first wicket to fall on the second day as he attempted a tight second run to complete his century, but Sachin Tendulkar caught him short with a brilliant throw from deep square leg.

Mathews stroked a breezy 99 from 131 deliveries, having hit 15 boundaries, before his dismissal reduced the visitors to 379 for nine in the 93rd over.

Pragyan Ojha finished off the innings when he trapped Chanaka Welegedara leg before wicket for eight. Harbhajan Singh finished as the most successful bowler for India, with figures of four for 112 in 32 overs, while Ojha claimed three for 101 in 23.4 overs.

On Day 1, Tillakaratne Dilshan smashed 109 from 160 deliveries, inclusive of ten boundaries and two sixes, his second century of the series to give the visitors a fine start.

India lead the three-match series 1-0 following their victory in the second Test at Kanpur by an innings and 144 runs. The first Test in Ahmedabad had ended in a high scoring draw.

India make their task fine in day 1 of Mumbai test

Sri Lanka finished Day 1 of the third and final test match in Mumbai at 366/8. Tillakaratne Dilshan led from the front and was wrongly given out on 109. Paranavitana and Prasanna Jayawardene made 53 and 43 respectively. Angelo Mathews is batting on 86. For India, Harbhajan Singh took 4 wickets.

The Sri Lankan batsmen played positive cricket throughout the day and scored at an average of above 4 runs per over. Indian fast bowlers were not so effective, while Harbhajan was the pick of the bowlers today. He took four wickets. Pragyan Ojha took 2 wickets.

Sri Lanka would like to score at least 425-450 and put pressure on the Indian batsmen on a turning wicket. Muralitharan and Herath have the abilities to run through the Indian batting order, while Gautam Gambhir's absence may hurt India badly.

India Ready for the Mubai test and to maintain the 1st place in the test ranking

Indian winning skipper M S Dhoni says that the players will go all out for the series win against Sri Lanka in the 3rd Test. A win against Sri Lanka in Mumbai will do the ruse and it all sets up perfectly with the Brabourne playing hosts. It's a rare prospect for India to hold onto the No 1 position in Mumbai.

After winning the first Test they jumped to the number 1 mark in Test rankings and will become the clear No 1 with 124 points. South Africa will be in the second spot and Australia will overtake Sri Lanka to the 3rd spot.

A draw will also guarantee the top spot separated only by a minor difference from South Africa.

However, if India loses to Sri Lanka in the 3rd and final Test it will be back to square one and India will slip back to the 3rd position with 119 points behind South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Sreesanth following his planetary performance in the Kanpur Test but there was a minor injury scare while the Indian team was practicing in Mumbai ahead of the final Test. Sreesanth injured his little finger of his right hand and was immediately attended to and MS Dhoni has made clear that Sreesanth will be available for the final test in Mubai.

In the meantime, his successful comeback has inspired his Kings XI teammate Irfan Pathan who is also eyeing a comeback to the national fold.

Expectations on Murali

Sri Lanka are backing Muttiah Muralitharan to return to form in the third and final test against India starting on Wednesday, the master spinner's last overseas test.

The world record holder for test and one-day international wickets will retire from the Test cricket next year but the Sri Lankans are hoping he can help them record their first test win on Indian soil to square the series 1-1.

The 37-year-old had a rough time in the first two matches, picking up five wickets at a cost of 396 runs on unhelpful pitches.

"Murali is still the lead of our attack and we back him 100 percent to turn it around and win the match for us," Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara told reporters on Tuesday.

"He's still our best spinner and he still might be the best spinner in the world. When you have that quality in the side you have to back that quality, that ability."

Leg-spinner Ajantha Mendis will miss out as Sri Lanka opt for a more balanced attack after playing three specialist spinners in the second-test defeat in Kanpur.

Indian, SL players spend time with Deprived children

It crooked out to be a memorable evening for needy children from ‘Make A Wish Foundation’ as they got to spend few fun moments with members of the Indian and Sri Lankan team on Monday.

The juncture was a fun fair at the G D Somani School in south Mumbai here organized by the Yuvraj Singh Foundation.

Zaheer Khan, S Sreesanth, left arm spinner Pragan Ojha and stylish middle order batsman Yuvraj were present from the Indian side; the Sri Lankans were represented by Captain Kumar Sangakara and Mahela Jayawardene.

The children, many of them distress with life bullying diseases, had to wait for over two hours from the scheduled time but the cricketers made up for the delay by handing them gifts of their choice, besides taking stills with them.

“It’s a great opportunity to make a few wishes of these kids possible,” Yuvraj said on the occasion.

India's 1st Test victory in 1952 Century Victory in 2009 1952 victory in Madras(Chennai)2009 Victory in Kanpur put India on top of the table

India attains their biggest victory in opposition to Sri Lanka and in the process confirms their 100th Test win on the fourth day of the second Test in Kanpur. India's previous best against their neighbors was a victory by an innings and 119 runs in 1994 and they well again that with easy win today. Thilan Samaraweera resisted the inevitable with an assured fifty but it was always just a matter of time before India swathed up the match.

The only question at the start of the day was how long Sri Lanka would delay defeat. They batted positively, adding 149 runs in the first session, but India kept taking wickets at regular intervals. Samaraweera was involved in two fighting partnerships with Prasanna Jayawardene and Ajantha Mendis, which not only proved that the pitch wasn't bad for batting but also showed the top order in poor light.

India's only concern was Zaheer Khan's no-ball problems but he started the day by send away Angelo Mathews in his first over. Mathews had hit three consecutive fours, which included a pull, and Zaheer placed a man at deep square-leg and tested Mathews with more bouncers. The first was fended off in an ungainly manner and the next was top-edged to backward point where Rahul Dravid took a grabbing catch.

Samaraweera continued to stitch together a 61-run partnership with Prasanna who, much like in the first innings, grateful to mislead. He was looking good with his cuts and sweeps but was cleaned up by an off break from round the stumps from Harbhajan Singh. It glides away and broke back in but Prasanna left a big bat-pad gap and was bowled. Muttiah Muralitharan indulged himself with a typical hit-and-giggle knock filled with slog sweeps but fell, going for yet another big hit.

Samaraweera, who then added 73 runs with a determined Ajantha Mendis to frustrate India, was rarely troubled during his stay, the highlight of which was a whippy on-drive to a delivery on off and middle stump from Sreesanth. He rarely looked hurried, tackled the spinners and seemers and unfurled several pleasing on drives. The series now moves to Mumbai for the third Test that starts on December 2.

A Great Come back by Sreesanth in the Kanpur testhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

It was one of the greatest days of leading the side for MS Dhoni as his team almost dominated the Sri Lankan.

Sri Lanka were left staring at one of their most crushing defeats of recent times, hoping for a miracle as their scorecard at the end of the third day’s play read a dismal 57/4, trailing by 356 runs.

Sreesanth was emitting toxin all over again in the islanders’ second innings as he claimed opener Tillakaratne Dilshan early-on. Harbhajan too wasted no time in getting into the center of the action, getting the wicket of Captain Kumar Sangakara.

Virender Sehwag, the man with the good spin, came well and scalped Tharanga Paranavitana at a score of twenty runs, giving India its second breakthrough of the innings. It would have been sweeter if Dravid had not dropped Jayawardene yet again, but the outfit would look to amend such issues at the continuation of play tomorrow.

However, the fielding drifts was made-up for, with Yuvraj Singh being lightning fast to run Mahela Jayawardene out of his crease. The top order yet again futile to make for Sri Lanka, that too on the same 3rd day of the Kanpur test.

Dravid make India to pass 600 run mark

India piled up 642 in their first innings of the second Test at Kanpur and has Sri Lanka battling hard at 66 for 1 at Stumps on Day 2. The visitors had lost Tillakaratne Dilshan in the very first ball of their innings when he played a flick shot too early off Zaheer Khan to get caught off a leading edge. Paranavitana (30) and Sangakkara (30) have gone past some nervous moments against pace and spin to see the day through for Lanka who had to bat for 24 overs before stumps.

Overnight batsman Rahul Dravid went onto score 144 (from 226 balls with 15 fours and a six) before getting run out at the non-striker’s end for no fault of his. His overnight partner Sachin Tendulkar was the first to depart on the second day after failing in an attemt to loft Ajantha Mendis over mid off. It was in the same over that Tendulkar had taken the bowler for a straight six over his head. Sachin fell having scored 40 from 91 balls. VVS Laxman and Yuvraj Singh helped themselves to score 60s to put on a century stand for the fifth wicket.

India was charging towards the 700-run mark but were bowled out for less than 650 itself with left arm spinner Rangana Herath producing some late magic. Herath produced a couple of sensational deliveries that came back with the arm instead of turning away from the right hander. Skipper MS Dhoni and Harbhajan were the victims of those deliveries as they got bowled through the bat pad gap. Herath wrapped up the Indian innings with a five-wicket haul.

Virender Sehwag Expectations for the win in Kanpur test

Virender Sehwag smack a reverberating century at the placid Green Park Stadium pitch here and promptly predicted a score upwards of 700 for the home side. "Once we have 700 or 800 on the board, we can put them under strain and go for a win," said Sehwag, who struck 131 and was coupled in an important 233-run stand with opening partner Gautam Gambhir, the second double-century stand between the two at the venue.

"I think the pitch will help spinners later on in the match and I am optimistic we can bag the 20 wickets needed for a win. We have done that long-ago, against Australia in Mohali last year, and we can do it again," said Sehwag. "As of now, this pitch looks as good for batting as Motera, but it is slightly slower and the ball skids on a little. I think we have done a good job of capitalizing batting on the first day as it may not be so easy batting on it towards the end," he added.

Sehwag said the opening pair's plan of seeing off the early overs had paid rich dividends. "I got an early chance but I decided to leave balls outside the off stump from then on. I knew it was a matter of seeing off some overs and was confident of knocking the spinners around for some runs, though we were not targeting any bowler as such," said the opener, who was all extol for Gambhir. "Gautam is in superb form and I told him early on to concentrate and get a fourth consecutive century in Tests and go on to set some kind of record. He once hit centuries in five consecutive Ranji Trophy matches, so he is used to this kind of run," reminded Sehwag.

Sehwag said he was not concerned at missing a 150-plus score after passing that figure in each of his previous 10 Test centuries. "I don't repent playing that shot against to the spin of Muralitharan. And 131 is not a small score," he said.

India Ready for the Test inKanpur

Their batting inconsistency and bowling frailties laid bare in the yard-earned draw in Ahmedabad, India go into the second Test against Sri Lanka on Tuesday hoping not to repeat the follies again.

The famed Indian batting line-up both embarrassed and redeemed itself in the Ahmedabad shirtfront, where it collapsed like a house of cards in the first innings and then rose from its ruins in the second to salvage a draw from the jaws of a seemingly imminent defeat.

But to expect such resurgence everyday would be to invite trouble and Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men would do well to learn the lessons from their Ahmedabad escapade and mend their way.

Source: CNN

Sachin Saves the India In the last day of the 1st test against Sri Lanka

Sachin Tendulkar was unbeaten on exactly 100 and passed 30,000 international runs as India batted out for a draw in the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Ahmedabad on Friday.

Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir, who made 114, helped India to 412 for four wickets when the match was called off on the fifth day.

The home side had faced a massive 334 runs deficit on first innings and were in danger of losing a Test to the Sri Lankans for the first time on home soil.

Batting maestro Tendulkar reached the new record landmark, he is the leading run-getter iin Test and one--day internationals, when he reached 35 soon after lunch, turning Chanaka Welegedara to square-leg for a routine single.

He was on his way to his 43rd Test century, but the result was still in doubt when Gambhir departed.

But Tendulkar compiled an unbroken fifth wicket stand of 137 with VVS Laxman, who finished unbeaten on 51.

It completed a high-scoring Test in which 1,598 runs were scored with just 21 wickets falling.

Sri Lanka placed their hopes on Test world record holder Muttiah Muralitharan but he was wicketless in the second innings despite bowling 38 overs.

Gambhir was making his third century in successive Tests, but once again it was Tendulkar who stole the headlines as the 36-year-old continues to add more runs to his massive tally.

The second Test of the three-Test series starts in Kanpur on Tuesday.

In other cricket news, the first one-day international between South Africa and England in Johannesburg was called off due to heavy rain at the Wanderers.

The Highlights of Day 4 in Ahmedabad test

Statistical highlights on fourth day of the first cricket Test between India and Sri lanka here today.

Mahela Jayawardene has created history by becoming the only player to share world records for three different stands - 624 for the third wicket with Kumar Sangakkara against South Africa at Colombo SSC in 2006; 437 for the fourth wicket with Thilan Samaraweera against Pakistan at Karachi in 2009 and 351 for the sixth wicket with Prasanna Jayawardene against India at Ahmedabad in November 2009.

Four Indian bowlers have conceded 100 runs or more in an innings - Amit Mishra, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma - the third instance for India against Sri Lanka.

Harbhajan has produced his worst bowling performance (48.4-4-189-2) in terms of runs gien, eclipsing the 53.3-6-185-2 against Sri Lanka at Colombo, SSC in 2001.

Mahela Jayawardene`s 275 is his second best – his career-best being 374 against South Africa at Colombo, SSC in July 2006. He is the ninth player (and the first Sri Lankan) to amass 9000 runs in Tests, taking 178 innings to reach the landmark, which is the fourth fastest, next to Rahul Dravid (176), Brian Lara (177) and Ricky Ponting (177).

Mahela Jayawardene`s innings is the highest individual by a visiting batsman in India, eclipsing Pakistan`s Younis Khan`s 267 for Pakistan at Bangalore in March 2005.

Mahela (1436) is the leading run-getter in India-Sri Lanka Tests, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar`s run-aggregate of 1412.

Sri Lanka have registered their highest overseas total, obliterating their 713 for three wickets declared against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo in 2004. The said total is the highest by a visiting team in India.

The first visiting team to register a total of 700 is Sri Lanka, surpassing the 652 for seven wickets declared by England at Chennai in 1984-85.

Gautam Gambhir has registered his 11th fifty in Tests - his fourth against Sri Lanka.

Gambhir (74 not out) has posted his highest innings at Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, eclipsing the 30 against Sri Lanka in December 2005.

Amit Mishra, for the first time, has conceded 200 runs in a Test innings. He became the fourth bowler to concede 200 runs or more in an innings against Sri Lanka, joining India`s Rajesh Chauhan (276 at Colombo RPS in 1997-98), Anil Kumble (223 at Colombo RPS in 1997-98) and South Africa`s Nicky Boje (221 at Colombo, SSC in 2006).

For the third time in an away Test, three batsmen have recorded hundreds in the same innings for Sri Lanka – the first two instances being vs Zimbabwe at Bulawayo in 2003-04 and vs Pakistan at Lahore in 2008-09.

Amit Mishra`s unbeaten 12 is his highest score against Sri Lanka - his career-best being 23 against England at Mohali in December 2008.

Rahul Dravid (177 & 38) has taken his run-aggregate at Motera to 666 at an average of 60.54 in six Tests, which is a new record at this venue. His tally includes two centuries and one fifty.

Virender Sehwag`s 51 off 67 balls is his 19th fifty in Tests, his second against Sri Lanka. The said innings is his first fifty at Motera, surpassing the 29 against New Zealand in 2003-04.

Sri Lanka (760 for seven wickets declared) have registered their second highest - the highest being 952 for six wickets declared against India at Colombo RPS in 1997.

Prasanna Jayawardene and Mahela have shared a sixth-wicket world record with their 351-run partnership, surpassing the 346 between Jack Fingleton and Don Bradman for Australia against England at Melbourne in 1936-37.

Mahela Jayawardene`s outstanding innings is now the highest at Sardar Patel Stdium, Motera, eclipsing Rahul Dravid`s 222 against New Zealand in 2003-04.

Mahela`s innings of 275 is his best overseas innings, beating the 240 against Pakistan at Karachi in February this year. The said knock is his best against India, obliterating the 242 against India at Colombo, SSC in 1998-99.

Sri Lanka Still Moving in a Good Position

Sri Lanka were 591 for five wickets at the close on the third day of the first test on Wednesday in reply to India's first-innings 426.

Scores: Sri Lanka 591 for five in 160 overs (T. Dilshan 112, M. Jayawardene 204 not out, T. Samaraweera 70, P. Jayawardene 84 not out); India 426 in 104.5 overs (R. Dravid 177, M. Dhoni 110; C. Welegedara 4-87, M. Muralitharan 3-97).

Sri Lanka Rules the day 2 in the firts test against India

The Sri Lankan cricket side took on the Indian cricket team yet again today, in the second day of the first test. It bowed out to be a great day for Sri Lanka, as they appeared to rule all the three sessions.

They handled to bowl out India in the first hour of the day, before there was a superb bang from Dilshan, who was his natural aggressive self. He scored his runs at a fast rate, to register the highest score by a Sri Lankan in Inida.

But then India controlled to fight their way back, with Zaheer getting purge of Sangakara and Dilshan in quick succession. But Mahela and Samaraweera made a good finish with a 81-run partnership for the 4th wicket, the day ends with the score of 275 for 3.

Dravid Completes his 11000 Runs in his Test history

Rahul Dravid on Monday became the second Indian to complete 11,000 Test runs when he took a single to take his individual score to 177 (not out) in opposition to Sri Lanka on Day 1 of the first Test in Ahmedabad.

The hosts, who were stumbled at 32 for four wickets at the start, ended the day at 389 for six.

Yuvraj was the first one to reach the half-century and was out at 68.

The partnership between Yuvraj and Dravid was 125 runs. Later, Dhoni joined Dravid and took India out of troubled waters. Dhoni made 110 before getting out. On the other end, Rahul Dravid kept his cool and completed 11,000 runs. At the close of the day, he was at 177 while night watchman Harbhajan was at 2 runs.

India vs Sri Lanka Full Schedule

With India losing the India Vs Australia 2009 series 4-2, India would very badly want to bounce back strongly in the India Vs Srilanka 2009 series which starts on November 16, Friday. Sri Lanka team has arrived in India on Sunday, November 8 and will play 3 test matches, 5 ODIs and two twenty20 matches against India.

Sri Lankan Captain Kumar Sangakkara would want to win the first ever test series in India and Indian Skipper MS Dhoni would want to keep the record of not losing a test series in India intact.

The schedule of India Sri Lanka series 2009:

Mon Nov 16 - Fri Nov 20
09:30 local, 1st Test - India v Sri Lanka
Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad

Tue Nov 24 - Sat Nov 28
09:30 local, 2nd Test - India v Sri Lanka
Green Park, Kanpur

Wed Dec 2 - Sun Dec 6
09:30 local, 3rd Test - India v Sri Lanka
Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai

Wed Dec 9
20:00 local, GMT
1st T20I - India v Sri Lanka
Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, Nagpur

Sat Dec 12
20:00 local: 2nd T20I - India v Sri Lanka
Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh

Tue Dec 15
09:00 local : 1st ODI - India v Sri Lanka
Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Ground, Rajkot

Fri Dec 18
14:30 local :2nd ODI - India v Sri Lanka
Andhra Cricket Association-Visakhapatnam District Cricket Association Stadium, Visakhapatnam

Mon Dec 21
14:30 local: 3rd ODI - India v Sri Lanka
Barabati Stadium, Cuttack

Thu Dec 24
14:30 local: 4th ODI - India v Sri Lanka
Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Sun Dec 27
14:30 local : 5th ODI - India v Sri Lanka
Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi

Vettori back on top of rankings in bowlers Rank table

Daniel Vettori has regained the No.1 spot in the ODI bowling rankings after leading New Zealand to a 2-1 series win against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi. Vettori jumps back to the top-spot he lost in March this year by replacing team-mate Kyle Mills, who slips four places.

There are three spinners in an unlikely top-five that includes Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh captain, second and Ray Price, the Zimbabwe spinner, jumping three places to third. Both have enjoyed recent success with Price taking six wickets in the recently concluded 2-0 defeat in South Africa.

MS Dhoni retains his No.1 batting ranking with Michael Hussey strengthening his second spot after both enjoyed a successful ODI series. Dhoni contributed 285 runs in his team's 4-2 loss, while Hussey was the most successful batsman with 313 runs.

Brendon McCullum, the explosive New Zealand opener, enters the top 20 batsmen for the first time, climbing 16 places to claim the 16th spot.

Yousuf take the Captain responsiblity for Pakistan team for Test series against New Zealand

Pakistan on Wednesday appointed Mohammad Yousuf as captain for the Test tour of New Zealand after Younus Khan asked for a rest following the one-day series defeat against the same country.

"Yes, Younus has asked for a rest so we have appointed Yousuf as captain for the three-Test tour," Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt told AFP, adding,"it has nothing to do with the defeat against New Zealand."

Pakistan lost the three-match series 2-1 after a narrow seven-run defeat in the final match on Monday.

Following the one-day series defeat, Pakistani media reported that Younus had lost the confidence of his fellow players, who wanted him to be replaced.

Pakistan will fly from here on Sunday to play three Tests in New Zealand. The first Test starts in Dunedin on November 25.

Butt said he had no objection to Younus asking for rest.

"We did appoint Younus captain until the 2011 World Cup, subject to his performance and fitness, but we have no objection to him asking for a rest, and I don't think it's a turmoil in Pakistan cricket," said Butt.

The 31-year-old Younus replaced Shoaib Malik following Pakistan's defeat in a home one-day series against Sri Lanka in January.

But despite leading Pakistan to the World Twenty20 title, Younus' tenure was full of turmoil and controversies.

Younus was forced to offer his resignation over unproven allegations of match fixing after Pakistan lost to New Zealand in the semi-final of the Champions Trophy held in South Africa last month.

His resignation was rejected by the PCB.

Under Younus, Pakistan drew a two-Test home series against Sri Lanka in February-March, the second match being abandoned after the visiting team's bus was attacked by terrorists in Lahore.

Pakistan then lost a one-day series against Australia in the United Arab Emirates and then went down in three-Test and five one-day matches on the tour of Sri Lanka.

Before the latest defeat against New Zealand, former players, including ex-captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, demanded Younus be sacked as one-day captain.

As a player, Younus also fared poorly, scoring 0, 19 and three in the latest series against New Zealand.

The 35-year-old Yousuf, who was not made captain after Inzamam retired in 2007 because of his involvement in religious activities in the moderate rule of Pervez Musharraf, has previously led Pakistan in three Tests and four one-day matches.

Younus said he has no personal grudge against anyone.

"I have taken this decision after giving it serious thoughts, since I am not in the best of form I need rest and there is no personal grudge against anyone, that's for sure," Younus told AFP.

"I want to tell my fans that I am not finished, I will come back. My country comes first, more than my family and more than my self."

Pakistan's chief selector Iqbal Qasim told AFP a replacement player may be announced soon.

Zaheer, Sreesanth, got back in the line up for Test Series against Sri Lanka

The 15-man Indian team for the three-Test series in opposition to Sri Lanka opening November 16 was announced in Mumbai on Tuesday.

The selection panels, headed by K Srikkanth summon up fast bowlers Zaheer Khan and S. Sreesanth to share the bowling responsibilities, while Ashish Nehra has again sidelined despite his consistent performance in the ongoing seven game ODI series against Australia.

Khan, who played his last Test match against New Zealand in Wellington in April, has recovered from his shoulder injury and proved his match fitness in a Ranji Trophy match last week.

Meanwhile, the batting order has been retained with Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, VVS Laxman and MS Dhoni.

The selectors have also recalled Tamil Nadu batsmen M Vijay and S Badrinath, left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha and leg spinner Amit Mishra.

The first Test will be played at Ahmedabad from November 16-20, the second at Kanpur from November 24-28 and the third at Mumbai from December 2-6.

Team:
MS Dhoni (Captain/wicket keeper), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, M Vijay, S Badrinath, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Sreesanth, Pragyan Ojha, Amit Mishra. (ANI)

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Schedule

Date and Time	Match
Sat Feb 19	1st match - India v Bangladesh Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
Sun Feb 20	3rd match - Sri Lanka v Canada (Hambantota) Venue TBC
Sun Feb 20	2nd match - Kenya v New Zealand MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
Mon Feb 21	4th match - Australia v Zimbabwe Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad
Tue Feb 22	5th match - England v Netherlands Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur
Wed Feb 23	6th match - Kenya v Pakistan (Hambantota) Venue TBC
Thu Feb 24	7th match - South Africa v West Indies Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
Fri Feb 25	9th match - Bangladesh v Ireland Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
Fri Feb 25	8th match - Australia v New Zealand Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur
Sat Feb 26	10th match - Pakistan v Sri Lanka (Colombo) Venue TBC
Sun Feb 27	11th match - India v England Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Mon Feb 28	12th match - Netherlands v West Indies Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
Mon Feb 28	13th match - Canada v Zimbabwe Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur
Tue Mar 1	14th match - Kenya v Sri Lanka (Colombo) Venue TBC
Wed Mar 2	15th match - England v Ireland M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Thu Mar 3	17th match - Canada v Pakistan (Colombo) Venue TBC
Thu Mar 3	16th match - Netherlands v South Africa Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh
Fri Mar 4	19th match - Bangladesh v West Indies Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
Fri Mar 4	18th match - New Zealand v Zimbabwe Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad
Sat Mar 5	20th match - Australia v Sri Lanka (Colombo) Venue TBC
Sun Mar 6	21st match - India v Ireland M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Sun Mar 6	22nd match - England v South Africa MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
Mon Mar 7	23rd match - Canada v Kenya Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
Tue Mar 8	24th match - New Zealand v Pakistan (Pallekele) Venue TBC
Wed Mar 9	25th match - India v Netherlands Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
Thu Mar 10	26th match - Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe (Pallekele) Venue TBC
Fri Mar 11	28th match - Bangladesh v England Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong
Fri Mar 11	27th match - Ireland v West Indies Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh
Sat Mar 12	29th match - India v South Africa Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur
Sun Mar 13	30th match - Canada v New Zealand Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Sun Mar 13	31st match - Australia v Kenya M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Mon Mar 14	33rd match - Bangladesh v Netherlands Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong
Mon Mar 14	32nd match - Pakistan v Zimbabwe (Pallekele) Venue TBC
Tue Mar 15	34th match - Ireland v South Africa Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Wed Mar 16	35th match - Australia v Canada M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Thu Mar 17	36th match - England v West Indies MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
Fri Mar 18	37th match - New Zealand v Sri Lanka Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Fri Mar 18	38th match - Ireland v Netherlands Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Sat Mar 19	40th match - Bangladesh v South Africa Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
Sat Mar 19	39th match - Australia v Pakistan (Colombo) Venue TBC
Sun Mar 20	41st match - Kenya v Zimbabwe Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Sun Mar 20	42nd match - India v West Indies MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
Wed Mar 23	Quarter Final - TBC v TBC Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
Thu Mar 24	Quarter Final - TBC v TBC (Colombo) Venue TBC
Fri Mar 25	Quarter Final - TBC v TBC Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
Sat Mar 26	Quarter Final - TBC v TBC Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad
Tue Mar 29	Semi Final - TBC v TBC (Colombo) Venue TBC
Wed Mar 30	Semi Final - TBC v TBC Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh
Sat Apr 2	Final - TBC v TBC Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Dhoni and his Mens are looking for a win on Sunday match in Guwahati in the & match series against Australia

The frustration of the three-run loss in Hyderabad behind them, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni today said his team is focused on making a fresh start in the must-win sixth cricket one-dayer in opposition to Australia tomorrow in Guwahati.

"It was hurting and disappointing. But we have left everything in the dressing room. We have two more matches to go and that's what count now. Whatever has happened has happened.

You cannot change much about it. It's important to focus on what lies ahead and stay fresh mentally," Dhoni said at the pre-match press meeting.

India trails the seven-match series 2-3 after the loss in Hyderabad. Asked about the team's plan, Dhoni said the hosts would rely on a good batting effort and an improved fielding display.

"Strategy is to get off a good start and then capitalize on it and dictate terms on the opposition side.

India Drop the Win in The Edege of the match in 5th ODI against Australia in Hyderabad

Australia held on for a thrilling victory over India in the fifth one-day international Thursday despite a heroic 175 from Sachin Tendulkar.

India seemed to be heading towards the second-highest run-chase in ODI history but Tendulkar's dismissal, off his 143rd delivery, prompted a collapse that ultimately left it three runs short of victory.

India is now 3-2 behind in the seven-match series.

Earlier an outstanding 145-run opening partnership between Shane Watson (93) and Shaun Marsh (112) led Australia to an imposing total of 350-4 in 50 overs.

Little Master Sachin passed ove 17000 runs in ODI Cricket

India's Sachin Tendulkar became the first batsman ever to surpass 17,000 runs in one-day internationals during the fifth match against Australia here on Thursday.

Tendulkar, 36, achieved the landmark when he reached seven runs with a three off paceman Ben Hilfenhaus past square-leg in his 435th one-day international.

The batsman already holds the records for most runs in Tests (12,773) and one-day cricket (17,168). He has also scored most Test hundreds (42) and one-day hundreds (45).

India Will Come back in 5th ODI against Australia said Dhoni

Indian cricket skipper MS Dhoni has said the players were determined to bounce back with a win on Thursday in the ongoing ODI series in opposition to Australia.

"We need a good start tomorrow. The wicket looks good," Dhoni said on Wednesday ahead of the fifth ODI between the two countries.

Dhoni said he was pleased with the performance of youngsters in the team. He also felt that the spinners were lending a big help. "The spinners are doing the job for us against Australia. I am happy that Harbhajan is back in form," he said.

The Indian captain also informed that Gautam Gambhir had been declared fit for Thursday's match.

India and Australia have won two matches each in the seven-match series.

Penalty for Australia Team for slow over rate

The Australian side has been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during their 24-run victory over India in the fourth ODI at Mohali on Tuesday.

Chris Broad of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees imposed the fines after Ricky Ponting’s side was ruled to be two overs short of its target at the end of the match when time allowances were taken into contemplation.

In accordance with the ICC Code of Conduct regulations governing over-rate penalties, players are fined five per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

As such, Ponting was fined 20 per cent of his match fee while his players received 10-per-cent fines.

The offence is contrary to Section J of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to slow over-rates. For such offences, the decision of the ICC match referee is final and binding.

Siddle Injured Out of the Series

Australia's fast bowler Peter Siddle will miss the last three games of the one-day series against India with a side injury.

Siddle will be sent home after being injured in the series-levelling 24-run win on Monday, in which he bowled just five overs.

Colleague bowlers Brett Lee and James Hopes have previously returned home with injuries and experienced pacer Nathan Bracken was ruled out before the series even began.

Cricket Australia has yet to give a replacement for Siddle.

"Peter's hurt does not appear to be a serious trouble but it is unlikely he will be able to safely bowl within the next week, which would therefore not allow him to have any further contribution in the tour," said team physio Kevin Sims.

India down Under in Mohali ODI Series Levels 2-2

India slumped to a 24-run defeat in the fourth one-dayer that not only allowed Australia to level the seven-match cricket series 2-2 but also prolonged the hosts' wait to become the number one ODI team in the world here tonight.

Chasing 251, India got off to a flier with Virender Sehwag (30 off 19 balls) looking eager to wrap up the issue and Sachin Tendulkar (40) going great guns.

But their undoing was no less spectacular as the middle and lower could not forge a single significant partnership and the team folded for 226 in 46.4 overs.

Earlier put into bat, Australia stitched together half-centuries from Ponting (52) and White (62) and cameos from Shane Watson (49) and Michael Hussey (40) to reach 250 before wilting in 49.2 overs.

Lee Washed out of the rest of the Series

Australian fast bowling leader Brett Lee, affliction an elbow injury, has been ruled out for the remainder of the one-day series in opposition to India and will be flying back to home for treatment, Cricket Australia said Friday.

Lee was unable to complete his 10-over spell during the first ODI in Baroda and was not available for selection in following matches in Nagpur and Delhi.

'Brett's elbow injury has not responded as well to treatment as we would have liked and, therefore, a verdict has been made to send him home to consult with an elbow specialist,' CA physiotherapist Kevin Sims said.

'With an exact diagnosis, we can determine how best to manage the injury and give Brett the best chance of being available for selection at the beginning of the Australian summer,' he added.

Lee's mystery elbow injury also threatens to derail his Test comeback hopes. The timing could not be worse for veteran Lee - trying to convince selectors of his durability as he strives to again be Australia's Test spearhead this summer and take 400 Test and one-day wickets.

Lee's absence will also be a big blow for the Australian team. Captain Ricky Ponting admitted that Lee's absence at the death overs did make a difference as India pillaged 108 runs in the last 10 overs in Nagpur.

'Injuries cost a little more than expected at Nagpur. That's bit of a concern for us (bowling at the death). Brett is one guy who bowls well at the death and he has been doing a good job for us. But it depends whom you are bowling at. If there is somebody like (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni then you will go for some more runs in the end and that's what happened in Nagpur. He was well supported by Raina,' Ponting said.

Bangladesh to win over Zimbabwe in 2nd ODI

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan smashed 105 off 69 balls after teammate Abdur Razzak took five wickets Thursday to lead their team to a seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the second one-day international.

Bangladesh scored 221-3 in only 29.3 overs after Zimbabwe was bowled out for 219 at Shere Bangla National Stadium to level the five-match series at 1-1.

Shakib hit 15 boundaries and three sixes for his fourth ODI century, sharing in an unbeaten stand of 165 with Raqibul Hassan, who scored 39 off 75 balls.

Bangladesh openers Junaid Siddque and Tamim Iqbal raced to 44 off 23 balls before Elton Chigumbura caught and bowled Siddque for 23 in the fourth over.

Chigumbura removed Mohammad Ashraful for 3 in his next over, and Justice Chibhabha dismissed Iqbal for 26 on the very ball as Bangldesh fell to 56-3 in the seventh over.

Shakib and Hassan then put on Bangladesh's third highest ODI partnership to lead their team to victory.

Earlier, Razzak finished with a career-best 5-29 to run through the Zimbabwe batting lineup.

Zimbabwe made a steady start after winning the toss and batting, but lost regular wickets once captain Hamilton Masakadza was trapped leg-before-wicket for 34 while trying to sweep Naeem Islam.

Three wickets then fell with the score on 96 and Zimbabwe never fully recovered. Bangladesh did the real damage to Zimbabwe's batting order in the 21st and 22nd overs.

Justice Chibhabha was stumped by Mushfiqur Rahim for one of Mohammad Ashraful's two wickets, Brendan Taylor was bowled by Razzak and Charles Coventry was caught in the slips, also off Razzak.

Malcolm Waller replaced the injured Prosper Utseya and top-scored with 40 but he also fell to Razzak.

Ashraful finished with 2-28, while Islam took 2-43.

Team India Smashes the Ausis in Nagpur ODI

India beat Australia by 99 runs in the second ODI in Nagpur. Chasing a victory target of 355, Australia bowled out for 255 in 48.2 overs. The seven-match series is now levelled at 1-1. For India, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma and Praveen Kumar were the pick of the bowlers.

India had put up 354/7 in 50 overs. Dhoni was the top scorer with 124, while Gambhir made 76. Raina and Sehwag contributed 62 and 40 respectively. ForAustralia, Johnson took 3 wickets.

Australia never looked like chasing the mammoth target set by India and they lost wickets at regular intervals. Only Mike Hussey and Adam Voges showed some resistance, but that was not enough.

Australia bowled out for 255 in 48.2 overs. Hussey was the top scorer with 53. Adam Voges contributed 36, while Nathan Hauritz remained unbeaten on 30. ForIndia, Ravindra Jadeja took 3 wickets. Ishant Sharma and Praveen Kumar took 2 wickets each. MS Dhoni was declared "Man of the Match".

David Shepherd Passed Away

David Shepherd, one of cricket's most genial and best-loved umpires, has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 68 and leaves a long-time partner, Jenny, who he married last year.

Shepherd stood in 92 Tests between 1983 and 2005 and 172 ODIs, including three consecutive World Cup finals, advancing England's reputation, with Dickie Bird, for producing the finest umpires in the world. He was a romantic, sentimental man, especially when it came to cricket, and resented what he saw as examples of greed creeping into the modern game.

"I'm very sad and shocked it's happened," said Bird. "He was a fine umpire. We umpired together all over the world. He was a character, a great man, and a tremendous bloke. I've lost a friend. A great friend."

Born in December 1940 in Bideford, Shepherd was educated at Barnstaple Grammar and St Luke's College, Exeter, and his love for Devon never wavered. He lived in the North Devon coastal village of Instow and for many years supplemented what for the most part were meagre umpiring earnings by helping his brother run a small sub-post office.

Shepherd began his cricketing life as a rotund middle-order batsman for Gloucestershire, playing from 1964‑79, starting his county career in his mid-20s after a short period playing for Devon and working as a teacher. He played 282 first-class matches and made a hundred on debut. A modest average — a touch under 25 in the first-class game, and a little over 20 in 183 one-dayers — does not tell of his enduring popularity in the West Country.

"As an umpire he has always been a familiar and much-loved face, not only here but at cricket grounds around the world," said Gloucestershire's chairman John Light. "He was friendly, outgoing and straightforward. He believed cricket was a simple game and he took a straightforward approach to it in his cricket and his umpiring. He always put a smile on your face."

Shepherd was appointed as a first-class umpire in 1981, and within two years had graduated to the Test panel where his portly, ruddy features became instantly recognisable. He became well known for standing on one leg whenever the score reached 111 or a multiple of it — a harmless little routine, in response to cricket's superstition that 111 is an unlucky number — but it was the quality of his umpiring, immense fair-mindedness and good man-management skills that endeared him to the cricketing fraternity.

His lowest moment came in 2001 during a Test between England and Pakistan at Old Trafford. Saqlain Mushtaq's off-spin won the Test for Pakistan and Shepherd failed to spot that three of his four victims were dismissed by no balls. He briefly considered early retirement. "I'd like to block out the memory of that final day for ever,'' he later wrote in his autobiography.

'Shep', as he was universally known, was awarded an MBE in 1987 and made an honorary life member of MCC in 2006. In his later years he also became president of Devon, the Minor County club.

His last Test was between West Indies and Pakistan at Kingston in June 2005 and his final appearance in an ODI came at The Oval in July of that year. As retirement beckoned, he was praised wherever he went. He turned down the offer of a farewell Test at Lord's believing that the ICC should maintain its policy of neutral umpires, and in any case he didn't really need any fuss.

"Shep was not only one the greatest umpires of all time but he was also a friend to all involved in cricket," said David Collier, the chief executive of the ECB. "His cheery personality created a wonderful atmosphere at every match in which he was involved and he will be sadly missed by everyone involved in cricket throughout the world."

India made a good Cricket Treate In Nagpur ODI Today

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni smashed 124 off 107 deliveries Wednesday to lift his team to an imposing 354 for seven wickets in the second one-day international against Australia.

It was Dhoni's fifth ODI hundred as he featured in century partnerships with Gautam Gambhir (76) and Suresh Raina (62) that gives India an excellent chance of bouncing back from its four-run defeat in the opener and leveling the seven-match series.

Dhoni, who hit nine boundaries, moved from 90 to 108 by hoisting three sixes _ the first off swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus and then two from successive deliveries in the next over from medium-pacer Shane Watson.

Coming in to bat with India struggling on 97-3, Dhoni helped resurrect the innings with a 119-run partnership dominated by the in-form Gambhir, who was eventually run out by a direct hit from Nathan Hauritz at the non-striker's end.

Gambhir's composed 80-ball innings included six boundaries.

Dhoni then took charge of the game as Raina took some time to get his eye in. They shared a 136-run partnership for the fifth wicket that didn't end until the 50th over, when Dhoni was bowled by paceman Mitchell Johnson.

Johnson, who passed a fitness test before being included, claimed 3-75 after having Raina caught behind off the second last ball of the innings. Praveen Kumar was run out on the final delivery.

Raina's 50-ball innings included one six and six boundaries.

Put in to bat after Australia captain Ricky Ponting won the toss, India lost opener Sachin Tendulkar for 4 as he edged seamer Peter Siddle to Cameroon White in the slips to make it 21-1 in the fourth over.

Virender Sehwag hit 40 from 34 deliveries with a six and six boundaries before lofting Johnson straight to Hilfenhaus at mid off.

Yuvraj Singh, returning from an injury-forced absence, made 23 before hitting a soft return catch to Hilfenhaus.

Hilfenhaus replaced pace ace Brett Lee in the team, while top-order batsman Shaun Marsh came in for injured allrounder James Hopes.

Yuvaraj is Fit to Play 2nd ODI at Nagpur

Indian cricket skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said today said that flashy middle order batsman Yuvraj Singh has been confirmed fit for Nagpur ODI on Wednesday.

Addressing a press meeting on the eve of 2nd one-day, Dhoni said, "Yuvraj is fit for second ODI. His return will make major variation in the middle order."

Dhoni further said that dew factor will play major role in tomorrow's day-night encounter.

"During Challenger trophy we seen lots of dew in a match but there was no impact of dew in another match here. So it will be vital."

Reacting on ex- Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist proposal to promote himself up in the order, Dhoni said that it is impossible to disturb the current batting order.

Dhoni further said that Yuvraj's presence in the side will strengthen the batting and bowling department. "We have Sachin and Sehwag in opening order followed by Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj at No-3 and No-4 respectively. So there is no possibility for me to move myself up."

Indian skipper said that team's priority is to improve the bowling performance in the death overs.

Injury makes Australia in Back Foot In @nd ODI against India in Nagpur

Injured Australian fast bowlers Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson have been ruled out of the second one-day international against India to be played in Nagpur on Wednesday.

Lee was detected with a mild elbow damage following the opening game at Vadodara, while scans showed Johnson had sustained a minor ankle strain while fielding.

The injuries are minor and both are expected to play in the third game of in the seven-match series.

All rounder James Hopes had previously been ruled out of conflict for the Nagpur game due to a cramp injury.

New South Wales all rounder Moises Henriques has been called up as cover and will stay with the squad until after game four, the Courier Mail reports.

Henriques will leave Australia on Tuesday night and will arrive in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Sachin Tells need of Technology in Umpire's desicions

Sachin Tendulkar has put his burden at the back of calls for umpires to make more use of technology in their decision-making method.

But while the famous India batsman is not entirely persuaded by the player referral system, he believes new innovations like Hot Spot should be used by the third umpire.

Sachin said: "We are already using technology for doubtful catches; they should use the Hot Spot technology for bat-pad decisions so the on-field umpire has to only make leg-before calls.

"I'm quite happy with Hot Spot technology because it founds quite clearly if contact was made with the bat and pad.

"Hot Spot technology will come in handy for caught-behind decisions as well."

The ICC has trialed the umpire decision review system, which allows players to ask for the television umpire to review a decision made by the on-field officials, with mixed results.

And Tendulkar believes the referral system needs to be perfected before it is applied on a full-time basis.

"I'm not particularly happy with the referrals because I'm not convinced of the angles," he added.

"I was not happy when we first went through it."

India to play a hard and concentrated game of cricket tomarrow's openning match against Australia in 7 ODI series

Indian cricket team on Friday sweats it out at the nets here, in advance of the first of the seven match One-Day International ODI series in opposition to Australia.

World-class batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag were seen committed hard as Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar and Harbhajan Singh bowled to them.

India has been braced by the return of the explosive batting pair of Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh from hurts.

Australia, on the other hand, is hoping to carry the energy from this month's Champions Trophy success into the seven-match one-day series in India, starting tomorrow.

The venues of the other matches are Nagpur (October 28), New Delhi (October 31), Mohali (November 2), Hyderabad (November 5), Guwahati (November 8) and Mumbai (November 11).