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Warding off a scare before the final Test at The Oval, the Indian batsmen held on for a hard-fought draw on the final day of their tour game at Grace Road. The Sri Lankans will rue declaring a bit too late, leaving the Indians an improbable 294 to chase in 57 overs. In the end, they didn’t have enough time to polish off the tail.At 152 for 6 with 15 overs to go India were staring at a morale-shattering defeat but Gautam Gambhir’s calm half-century, his second of the match, defied the Sri Lankans. Instead of withdrawing into a shell Gambhir remained positive, going for his shots when given the chance to pilot the team through to stumps. Both Rangana Herath and Dammika Prasad were causing problems but Gambhir’s hour-long stand with Ramesh Powar ensured that the Indians continued their undefeated run on this tour.Until the action-filled final hour, a couple of laidback innings brightened what threatened to be a drab day. Michael Vandort’s assertive century stretched the Sri Lankans’ lead to 293 before Wasim Jaffer responded in typically languid style. Vandort was the bully who waited to pounce; Jaffer, the artist who simply waved the brush. Both reeled off joyous drives, used their feet against spin and batted with an air of effortlessness. In a situation that could have led to drudgery, both injected a vital spark.A 57-run second-wicket stand between Jaffer and Yuvraj Singh allowed the Indians to sniff an unlikely win. Yuvraj’s 33 was chancy – he was dropped early and survived a big shout for caught behind – but bristled with crackling strokes on both sides of the wicket. In the eighth over, delivered by left-armer Chanaka Walegedera, he ripped fours through square leg, midwicket and cover, telegraphing his intentions of going for the victory target.His dismissal, though, trapped lbw while trying to paddle-sweep offspinner Dilruwan Perera, set the match on course for a draw. Jaffer continued to prosper and brought up his fifty with a delicious cover-drive struck on the up. Waltzing down the track to Perera, he lofted as if enjoying a net, smacking him for a handsome six over long-off. It was all too easy until he was deceived by the left-arm spin of Herath and popped an inside edge back to the bowler. Two more quick wickets caused some flutters but Gambhir downed the shutters calmly.Twelve wickets fell on a day when conditions were ideal for batting. Vandort, resuming on 61, dispatched the bowling to different parts, pounding straight-drives with minimum fuss. Tall and usually taking a big stride forward, he was aggressive in bursts – a string of dot balls being followed by a couple of meaty blows.Perera, his partner this morning, fell one short of a well-deserved half-century and Malinda Warnapura capped a forgettable game with a first-ball duck, prodding unconvincingly. It was only because of Kaushal Lokuarachchi and Dammika Prasad that the Sri Lankans could boost their total. Both used agricultural methods – mowing across the line with abandon – and took on the spinners. Prasad’s two sixes pushed the total to 248 before his attempt at a third saw him caught at long-off.Despite the final-day stumble the Indians will leave Leicester upbeat, especially with their captain, Rahul Dravid, striking form with an assured half-century in the first innings. However, a couple of issues remain: one surrounding Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who didn’t keep wicket for most of this game and endured two batting failures, and another involving Anil Kumble, who didn’t make any sort of impact in his 20 overs. It’s unlikely, though, that either will sit out at The Oval.How they were outDilruwan Perera run-out (Gambhir/Karthik) 49 (115 for 2)Malinda Warnapura c Karthik b Bose 0 (115 for 3)Michael Vandort c Bose b Powar 117 (196 for 4)Thilan Samaraweera c and b Powar 24 (205 for 5)Kaushal Lokuarachchi c Kumble b Laxman 16 (217 for 6)Dammika Prasad c Karthik b Gambhir 21 (248 for 7)IndiansDinesh Karthik b Walagedera 9 (9 for 1)\Yuvraj Singh lbw b Perera 33 (66 for 2)Mahendra Singh Dhoni lbw Prasad 1 (73 for 3)Wasim Jaffer c and b Herath 55 (116 for 4)VVS Laxman lbw Herath 3 (122 for 5)Rahul Dravid lbw b Prasad 15 (152 for 6)

South Africa have become the first side to secure three consecutive victories in the World Twenty20 and there is now an indisputable momentum to their campaign. Admittedly, they haven’t yet had to facetheir demons Australia, or the effervescent strokeplay of the Sri Lankans, but tonight they had to fight back from a tough position against England and in the end came away with a relatively comfortable19-run win. It draws a line under a sporting weekend of vastly contrasting fortunes for the two countries.However, the cricket team didn’t have it as easy as the rugby players did at the Stade de France on Friday, and they had Albie Morkel to thank for reaching a defendable total. Morkel had demonstrated his batting prowess against Bangladesh, making 41 off 29 balls after being promoted to No. 3. This time he was back in the middle order and it’s a role he seems well suited to.His 43 from 20 balls turned a likely total of 125-135 into a more imposing 154 for 8, and with theappreciable seam movement on offer it was always going to be a testingchase for England. The crucial moment came when he miscued ChrisSchofield over midwicket on 14. Paul Collingwood rushed back for the catch, butit would have been an easier effort for Owais Shah coming in from long-on. In the end the ball landed in no-man’s land between them.Morkel then dispatched Schofield’s last three balls for sixes ofvarying vastness and his striking was reminiscent of Lance Klusener inhis pomp. Like Klusener he is a left-hander and plays with anuncompromising swing of the bat. Shortly before the Twenty20 he hit 97while batting at No.3 against Zimbabwe and he has a large role to play inSouth Africa’s limited-overs sides. In the end, those 18 runs – plus the single he salvaged during his reprieve – were the difference between the teams.But Morkel, whose brother Morne took the match award againstBangladesh on Saturday, also played his part with the ball as heremoved Matt Prior and the dangerous Owais Shah, who was keepingEngland in with an outside chance. “This is definitely my best game inthe green and gold,” he said afterwards.After the non-contest between Australia and Bangladesh, the incidentsthrown up by this clash were appreciable. It was another match wherethe ball held sway on a surface with extra bounce and the assistanceof the floodlit evening.Bowling tactics have been fascinating to watch as this tournament hasevolved. In theory, bowlers are on a hiding to nothing in this format, and yet with a bit of skill and variation they too can bask in the limelight. Brett Lee’s pace earlier in the day took quick bowling back to its basics while Nathan Bracken is developing a fine art with his off-cutters. Awayfrom Cape Town, Lasith Malinga has been held back for the latter partof the innings as a specialist death bowler with his low, slingingyorkers.England added another box of tricks to the list as Collingwood broughta new meaning to rotating the bowlers. Only three times did anyonebowl a spell of two consecutive overs as everyone was kept on their toes. Therewas some sound thinking behind the move and for a while England’sattack were the “one-over wonders”. It certainly didn’t let thebatsmen settle and, with South Africa on 94 for 6, the move was workinga treat until Morkel’s intervention.Graeme Smith went completely the other way with his attack, bowlingShaun Pollock for his full four overs off the reel for the first timein the tournament. It was traditional Pollock, all line and length, and with the ball zipping around there was no need to try anything new. His first over was a maiden, a rare species in the past week. Therewas even the sight of a slip catch, when Collingwood edged to JustinKemp, almost as scarce a sight as the less-spotted maiden.Both these teams now leave Cape Town for Durban, where conditions arelikely to be equally helpful for the quick bowlers. South Africa havebeen criticised for being too one-dimensional, but it is serving themwell at the moment. As for England, their bowling is the onlydimension which is firing at all.

Sourav Ganguly, who pulled his right hamstring while fielding in the first one-dayer against Australia in Bangalore, has been rested for the second game in Kochi as a precautionary measure.The team management has informed that the injury is not serious, and that Ganguly should be available for the remainder of the series. Ganguly went off the field in the 27th over of the first ODI at Bangalore.”An MRI scan was performed on Sourav’s right hamstring this morning and it has determined no injury to the region,” Niranjan Shah, the secretary of the BCCI, said in a statement.”Based on the findings, a vigorous rehab approach will be commencing immediately. On the report of team physio John Gloster and other analysis, the team management feels that Sourav will progress quickly and hence it was decided to rest him for a game.”Ganguly was confident of regaining his fitness for the third game. “Thankfully, it’s a strain and not a tear… I should be available for the third match,” he told the Kolkata-based . The team’s cricket manager, Lalchand Rajput, also echoed his views: “It’s not a tear, but Sourav has to rest … one can’t take a chance.”Meanwhile offspinner Harbhajan Singh admitted to the same newspaper that he was recovering from a stiff neck. “I can now turn my head to the left… I’m much better and should be available for Tuesday’s match.”The second one-dayer gets underway on October 2 while the third, at Hyderabad, is scheduled for October 5.

Cricinfo can reveal Tanmay Mishra was left out of the Kenya squad for the matches against Canada because he was unable to attend training sessions.Mumbai-born Mishra, 20, was absent because he is preparing to travel to India where he will attend university for the next three years. This will limit his availability for the national squad although it is still expected that he will be able to play in some major matches.Mishra was heralded as one of the brightest young talents when he broke into the national side in 2004-05. In 12 first-class matches he has scored 659 runs at 32.95 and in 28 ODIs he has made 698 runs at 31.72.

The eight squads for the women’s World Cup qualifiers have been finalised. The qualifiers take place in Lahore from November 17, with two spots up for grabs at the World Cup which will be held in Australia in 2009.The teams will compete in two groups initially – South Africa are in a pool with Bermuda, Netherlands and Papua New Guinea, leaving the other pool with PNG, Scotland, Zimbabwe and Ireland.Ireland, South Africa and Pakistan had already announced their squads.Bermuda Wendy Woodley, Reuna Richardson, Rhoda Jones, Stacey Simmons, Brittney Marshall, Maryellen Jackson, Rickelle Smith, Sinshea Paynter, Terry-Lynn Paynter, Suzette Albouy, Arkeita Smith, Stacy Babb, Chevonne Furbert.Netherlands Marloes Braat, Lotte Egging, Margaretha de Fouw, Jolet Hartenhof, Mandy Kornet, Maartje Koster, Marijn Nijman, Cheraldine Oudolf, Jacqueline Pashley, Helmien Rambaldo (capt), Annemarie Tanke, Violet Wattenberg, Denise Prins.PNG Konio Heagi, Henao Sam, Fari Mea, Karo Lumis, Pauke Siaka, Lucy Ovia, Vavine Amini, Ura Rigana, Norma Ovasuru, Mebo Ipi, Boni David, Bede Morea, Moa Kamea.Scotland Kari Anderson, Kathryn White, Charlotte Bascombe, Abbi Aitken, Caroline Heron, Catherine Smaill, Fiona Campbell, Fiona Urquhart (capt), Caroline Sweetman, Leigh Kasperek, Sehar Aslam, Charlotte Farr, Diane Pedgrift, Vari Maxwell.Zimbabwe Julia Chibhabha (capt), Yvonne Rainsford, Tina Kamchetsa, Susan Kudzibatira, Nonhlanhla Nyathi, Precious Marange, Hazvinei Saili, Thandakwenkosi Mlilo, Sinikiwe Mpofu, Emily Jinjika, Sharne Mayers, Christabel Chatonzwa, Ruvarashe Chinyemba, Chipo Mugeri.

Lee whacks Sri Lanka with four by four
Brett Lee was the Man of the Series for his 16 wickets – he was consistent with four in every innings – and Ricky Ponting believes he is benefiting from extra thinking about his work. “The more you play the smarter you become and the more you understand what you have to do to be successful,” Ponting said. “That’s where it is with Brett at the moment.”Supersub strikes again
Rhett Lockyear’s impression of the supersub Gary Pratt continued as he contributed to his third dismissal of the match by running out Dilhara Fernando. Fernando hit to midwicket and was lethargically attempting a third when Lockyear turned and threw in the same action. The ball bounced over the stumps and Brett Lee completed the duties without the need for the TV umpire. On day three Lockyear, a Tasmania 2nd XI player, helped run out Prasanna Jayawardene and on Monday caught Michael Vandort. Pratt, who ran-out Ricky Ponting at Trent Bridge, would have been proud.Where there’s smoke …
It has been an eventful week for Bellerive Oval’s weather, with rain, bad light, cold conditions and beautiful sunshine. Today there was another element: smoke. A bush fire in south-west Tasmania caused the problem, but despite the poor visibility it did not force an interruption.… there’s fast-bowling ire
Lasith Malinga added to the on-field fire by belting consecutive sixes off Stuart Clark before lunch, but he was nursing a bruise after the break. Brett Lee unleashed more short-pitched bowling on the tailenders and Malinga was struck in the jaw. It wasn’t like Malinga, who blazed 42, had been mean to the opposition fast men. Australia’s Nos 8 to 11 didn’t bat in the series.

England 351 and 48 for 0 (Vaughan 28*, Cook 13*) trail Sri Lanka 548 for 9 dec (M Jayawardene 195, Vandort 138, P Jayawardene 79, Sidebottom 3-100, Harmison 3-111) by 149 runs
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How they were out

It wasn’t the most attractive day of Test cricket, but Sri Lanka’s batsmen put them in a dominating position on the fourth day at Colombo with a 197-run lead over a weary England, grinding their noses into the ground. As ever, Muttiah Muralitharan looms large but England’s openers took them to a position of relative comfort, racing to 48 before bad light curtailed the day’s play.It was another torrid, wearying day for England’s bowlers who battled in intense heat to pick up 5 for 169 before Mahela Jayawardene, the Sri Lanka captain, finally ended their misery with a declaration 30 minutes after tea. The ease with which Prasanna Jayawardene, the wicketkeeper, batted with his No.10, Dilhara Fernando, belied the consistent allround effort England’s bowlers showed – in particular Steve Harmison, who improved upon his encouraging display yesterday with a determined and disciplined performance on a lifeless pitch.It was he who gave England early hope of restricting Sri Lanka’s lead, too, removing Jehan Mubarak with a nasty lifter. Stuart Broad, England’s 6ft 7in debutant, also stuck to his task and was rewarded with his maiden Test wicket when Chaminda Vaas – no rabbit with the bat at No.8 – was too late on a pull, gloving a bouncer to Ian Bell at slip. It was just reward for Broad for what has been a daunting introduction to Test cricket.Jayawardene lacked the fluency and elegance he showed yesterday, and threw away his wicket with an ugly slog off Monty Panesar, top-edging a simple catch to Paul Collingwood at second slip. It was the first and last sign of any form of urgency from a Sri Lanka batsman who, from then on, blocked their way to the declaration, grinding England’s noses and spirits into the ground.Panesar hasn’t bowled with his magical, tantalising flight during this series but was much improved today and, after dismissing Jayawardene, bowled with greater control, trapping Lasith Malinga in front to briefly give hope to England of limiting Sri Lanka’s lead to under 100. However, with one Jayawardene dismissed, England were at the mercy of another, the wicketkeeper who was ably assisted by Dilhara Fernando. The pair put on a determined and turgid ninth-wicket stand of 98, just when England felt they had broken the back of Sri Lanka’s innings.It was grizzly cricket but hugely effective for Sri Lanka, as England’s shoulders dropped. Fernando, with a beaming smile and equally enthusiastic defensive technique, rode his luck against Kevin Pietersen, smacking a straight drive to bring up Sri Lanka’s 500 and the pair’s fifty partnership.Jayawardene might not share his captain’s elegance or range of strokes, but there was no denying his application. He rode the bounce of Harmison’s shorter deliveries and used his feet well to Panesar, flicking him through midwicket before slamming one over mid-off. His second Test fifty came from 109 balls.England didn’t enjoy much luck, however. Fernando back-cut Pietersen for four before he was rapped on the back leg, seemingly plump in front. And, off the next ball, Prior should have stumped him but the ball somehow lodged itself between his pad and leg. As tea approached, Sri Lanka’s lead went past 150, and England were on their knees.The declaration finally came when Jayawardene edged Harmison behind for 79, causing the bowler to roar his delight, justifiably, too, as he bowled with impressive energy and discipline for a man returning from injury. Nevertheless, Sri Lanka’s lead reached 197 and England had an hour of Chaminda Vaas and Muralitharan in which to survive.Impressively – particularly on a day in which the run-rate barely lifted above three per over – Cook and Vaughan were immediately into their stride, cracking 48 from 13 overs. Cook picked off two classy fours, showing impressive timing, while Vaughan continued his fine form, driving with aplomb to reach 28 by stumps.The pitch remains flat and true, and hasn’t cracked up nearly as much as England feared. But Muralitharan remains the big threat, and England have a big fight on their hands.

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Nasir Jamshed scored an entertaining 182 to help Patron’s XI gain a 152-run lead at the close of day two against the Zimbabweans in Karachi.Jamshed’s 240-ball knock rounded off a disappointing day for the tourists, who failed to impress with the ball and dropped crucial chances. Hitting 16 fours and seven sixes – most of which landed in the region between midwicket and long on – Jamshed shred a poor Zimbabweanattack to pieces. He made his intentions clear right from the start as Elton Chigumbura was guided to third man for a boundary in the first over followed by a straight-driven four off Christopher Mpofu in the following over.While Khalid Latif and Afaq Raheem – who shared a 204-run partnership with Jamshed – adopted a sedate approach, Jamshed mixed aggression with defence. After five consecutive maidens were bowled in the first hour, he smashed Chigumbura down the ground followed by a pull to midwicket boundary. Jamshed was particularly severe on Ray Price, the left-arm spinner, who he lofted him over midwicket for a four before smashing two consecutive sixes in his following over, with the latter taking him to 97.Jamshed brought up his century off 128 balls with a guided four to third man, before slowing down – no boundaries were scored for eight overs. He changed gear by dispatching Price over long on for his fourth six. Jamshed keenly took the singles with Raheem, who was solid in defence – occasionally pulling seamer Timycen Maruma’s short deliveries past midwicket – to keep the scorecard moving and bring up the century partnership in 35 overs.The attack was sustained, with slogs being employed on occasion. Jamshed smashed his fifth six to bring up the 150 partnership before Raheem joined in the action by ferociously cutting Mpofu past point. But the Zimbabweans got some respite after two more sixes went over the long-on fielder’s head. Jamshed, perhaps too eager to get to his double century, tried turning Chigumbura down the leg side and the resulting leading edge was taken at mid-on by Gary Brent.Naumanullah – voted the best batsman of the recently-concluded Quaid-e-Azam Trophy – and Fawad Alam put on 68 for the fourth wicket, to keep the scoreboard ticking. Patron’s XI will look for attacking strokeplay from both batsmen in the third day’s morning session, and with Shahid Afridi, their captain, yet to bat, the Zimbabweans may be in for further punishment. However, with the pitch expected to deteriorate and take turn, Price might have a say in proceedings.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has downplayed reports of a rift that has emerged between the national selection committee and the team’s management over a number of issues, mostly revolving around the make-up of the team.The schism first emerged on Pakistan’s tour to India, with what appeared initially to be a miscommunication over the identity of a replacement player. The selectors, in apparent agreement with the coach and captain, had initially agreed on calling up Abdur Rauf as replacement for the injured Umar Gul.Having announced it officially during the second Test at Kolkata, the board changed tack later that evening and decided to send Rao Iftikhar Anjum instead. It is now understood that Shoaib Malik, the captain, and coach Geoff Lawson had wanted Iftikhar Anjum all along and convinced the board directly later, thus bypassing the selection committee.Since then, Cricinfo has learnt, there have been continuing disagreements over the playing XI in the current series against Zimbabwe. The selection committee has been keen to use the opportunity to blood new players in various positions. In particular, they were adamant that Nasir Jamshed should make his debut as opener; the team management, as well as Malik were instead eager to use Kamran Akmal as opener and play an extra bowler in place of Shahid Afridi.Before the series began, a heated debate is said to have taken place between Salahuddin Ahmed, chairman of selectors, and Geoff Lawson, the coach, over the matter. But as a result of a recent policy shift, it is now the selection committee that decides on the final playing XI during a home series.Jamshed has thus played and made an immediate impact in his first twoODIs. But Pakistan have also appeared a bowler short in both games, struggling to bowl out Zimbabwe with only three specialist bowlers and five realistic bowling options in total.Nasim Ashraf, chairman PCB, didn’t deny the reports, but sought to play them down instead, claiming them to be nothing more than everyday professional tussles. “Everyone is operating within their sphere of responsibility,” he told reporters in Hyderabad.”Both the selection committee and team management have separately told me in the last few days that they have a good relationship. If they don’t disagree on matters during meetings, what is the point of having these meetings at all? This is healthy debate and not signs of a rift.”Sources close to the matter maintain, however, that the issue is swiftly developing into more than just professional differences in opinion. One source adds that there has been another run-in with Malik following Pakistan’s win in the first ODI at Karachi. The last selection committee, headed by Wasim Bari, was widely thought to be little more than a rubber-stamp for Inzamam-ul-Haq’s choices while he was captain, particularly towards the end of its tenure. The current committee, the first in Pakistan’s history to employ full-time, paid selectors, is understandably keen to avoid a similar situation with Malik and eager to assert its authority.Ashraf also played down the contents of a report by manager Talat Ali following the tour to India, in which, according to a couple of local newspapers, the contributions of Younis Khan, Gul and Shoaib Akhtar have come under fire. The report is due to be discussed at a meeting of the board’s governing committee in Karachi on January 25.”We expect everybody to give an honest opinion in a respectful way,” said Ashraf. “We expect the manager and the coach to do this in their reports. The governing board is looking at the issue and the report will be discussed professionally. The idea of these reports is not to apportion blame but to learn from mistakes on future tours.”

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