Cricket Training Idea: Half-Time Bowling

Cricket Training Idea: Half-Time Bowling

Pre-match warm ups at the grass-roots level have transformed in recent years, but how would you like an often missed yet simple upgrade to get you more wickets?

Coaches and players spend time making sure the warm up is specific to the game. Batters get their eye in; bowlers bowl at targets; and everyone catches, stops and throws balls. It's great stuff.

The problem occurs when the captain comes back from the toss to announce the team is batting, and the bowlers head of to put their feet up. Runs are scored and at the innings break we have some food to refuel. But it's rare to so this time used by the bowlers.

The warm up is long gone. You may have been sitting about for almost three hours if you have not batted. Unless you are a wily old campaigner, how are you going to get through your spell without some looseners?

So instead of an extra cake or cup of tea, the bowlers should spend 5-10 minutes getting ready to bowl.

Get the stump out

There isn't time for a full warm up, but a couple of stumps are all you need. Mark out 22 yards on the outfield and rope in the keeper or coach to catch the ball. You have halftime bowling all set up.

Extra bonus points are awarded to having some flat marker discs or PV/ONE to use as a target for a length ball, bouncer and yorker. If you have more stumps you can set up two areas and split up the bowlers (spinners and seamers for example).

The aim here is to get into rhythm for bowling and the way you do that is to build up.

A general mobilisation and activation if you have time (glutes, shoulders, core and t-spine are the places to focus)Walk through your actionJog through your actionDeliver from the full run up

How many balls you ball depends on the time available, the number of bowlers and the individual needs of the bowler. Some guys need to bowl a lot of balls to feel in rhythm and 10 minutes will never be enough time. Other guys can hit the spot after one ball. They should spend more time on quick injury prevention work.

Lose the looseners

With a small bit of effort, the halftime bowling drill reduces the number of poor balls you bowl, especially at the start of a spell. It works not only by physically warming you up, but also mentally preparing you for the task that you will be required in the next couple of hours

© 2013 miSport Ltd

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Cricket TV - Tendulkar's 199th Test - India-West Indies Preview

John Pennington and Chetan Narula, covering the game for Cricket World in Kolkata, look ahead to the first Test between India and the West Indies at Eden Gardens.

There is huge attention being afforded to the game, which is Sachin Tendulkar's 199th and penultimate match for his country.

However, Chetan argues that perhaps the focus on Tendulkar has gone a little overboard and it is now time to focus on the contest ahead of us.

The pair discuss what sort of conditions the players can expect, whether Rohit Sharma might be given a Test debut, and if the West Indies can avoid the distractions and genuinely challenge India.

They finish by predicting how many runs Tendulkar will score in the series, which you can also do by clicking the link in the list of related articles on the right.

© Cricket World 2013

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CW Player Of The Week - Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma hit a double-hundred in the deciding ODI against Australia.REUTERS/Philip Brown. Picture Supplied by Action Images

With the southern hemisphere season now in full swing, there have been plenty of contenders from both the men’s and women’s games for this week’s Cricket World Player of the Week award.

Rohit Sharma, though, clinches it for his epic 209 in the deciding One-Day International against Australia on Saturday. Granted, his runs came in what was another ridiculously high-scoring match - spectacularly or worryingly so depending on your point of view - but nevertheless a double-hundred doesn’t happen that often in an ODI.

Despite starting slowly - his first fifty took 71 balls - he ended on 209 off only 158 balls to lead India to a mammoth 383 for six from their 50 overs. Along the way, he broke the record for the number of sixes (16) hit in an ODI innings and, along with MS Dhoni, took 115 runs from the final six overs of the innings.

That match alone produced a couple of other outstanding performances. Glenn Maxwell hit 60 off only 22 balls as a prelude to James Faulkner’s blitzkrieg century which was the fastest by an Australian and gave the tourists a sniff of victory.

The sixth match in that series had also been a run-fest, with four men hitting centuries. Australians Shane Watson and George Bailey were outdone by ones from Indians Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli as they levelled the series prior to Saturday’s decider.

Away from India, and Bangladesh whitewashed New Zealand 3-0 in an ODI series. Rubel Hossain shone in the first match by taking a hat-trick en route to figures of six for 26, while Mushfiqur Rahim and Naeem Islam both hit half-centuries. Naeem also passed 50 in the final match yesterday, while Shamsur Rahman was named man of the match for his knock of 96. Ross Taylor and Colin Munro had helped the Kiwis pass 300 by hitting 107 not out and 85 respectively.

In contrast to the series in India, Pakistan and South Africa are contesting a low-scoring series in the UAE. The Proteas won the first match by a single run thanks to a superb all-round performance from Wayne Parnell. He hit 56 from number eight to help South Africa cope with Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridi sharing seven wickets and then took three for 41. Pakistan won the second match to square the series as Afridi took his second three-wicket haul in as many games.

And finally, the women’s game produced a strong contender for this week’s award. England lynchpin Sarah Taylor helped her side make up for their disappointment at losing in the final of the T20 tri-series by leading them to a 2-0 win in the ODIs. She struck an unbeaten 55 in the first game after Kate Cross had led the demolition of the West Indies batting line-up with four for 51, and then 100 on Sunday. In doing so, she helped England become the first team to beat the West Indies at home in an ODI series since 2005 when the team came under the control of the WICB.

© Cricket World 2013

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England Women Triumph In Trinidad

Sarah Taylor hit an unbeaten half-century to help England to a comfortable win.

England 127-3 (Taylor 55no) beat
West Indies 126 (Cross 4-51) by 7 wickets
Second One-Day International, Trinidad

England Women earnt themselves at least a share of the One-Day International series against West Indies Women by thrashing the hosts in Trinidad.

Kate Cross, Natalie Sciver and Holly Colvin were all exceptional with the ball in dismissing the hosts for 126. Sarah Taylor then ensured that there would no problems for England in the run chase by hitting 55 not out off 74 balls.

West Indies had quickly slipped to 14 for three after winning the toss and electing to bat. Cross, in only her second ODI, was responsible for all of them, including getting the big wicket of Stafanie Taylor for only eight.

Shemaine Campbelle and Deandra Dottin then began to rebuild the innings during a cautious fourth-wicket partnership 39. They, however, both fell in quick succession for 19 apiece to end any realistic hopes of West Indies posting a match-winning total.

Sciver (3-19) got the other big wicket of Dottin and then followed that up by having Shanel Daley (1) caught and Tremayne Smartt (13) bowled. Holly Colvin, meanwhile, was virtually impossible to score off during her ten overs and delivered them for figures of two for seven, including an astonishing six maidens.

Shaquana Quintyne did at least push the West Indies score into three figures, top-scoring with 42 from 50 balls from number eight.

The hosts knew that they needed early wickets if they were to make England sweat. They got just one, when Subrina Munroe trapped Charlotte Edwards in front for six. Lauren Winfield and Sarah Taylor then added 64 for the second-wicket to lay the platform for the successful run chase.

Winfield was caught off Smartt for 31, but Taylor remained until the end and added a further 36 with Lydia Greenway (20) for the third-wicket. She was joined by Tammy Beaumont (9 not out) to hit the winning runs and make sure that England will go into tomorrow’s final match knowing that only they can win the series.

© Cricket World 2013

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How Many Runs Will Sachin Tendulkar Score In His Final Series?

Match reports, latest news and exclusive video content from the West Indies tour of India to play two Tests and three One-Day Internationals including the final two games of Sachin Tendulkar's international career.

How Many Runs Will Sachin Tendulkar Score In His Final Series?

Sachin Tendulkar brings an end to his glittering career at the end of the two-Test series against the West indies, but how many runs do you think he will score?

We are inviting you to guess how many runs the Little Master will score in the series of two matches.

Will he finish with a flourish by scoring at least one more century to wow the full houses at Eden Gardens and the Wankhede?

Or do you think he might struggle?

Simply let us know how many runs you think he will score in the form below and we will see who gets closest on 18th November!

Usual Cricket World competition terms and conditions apply.

How Many Runs Will Sachin Tendulkar Score In His Final Series? 

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Impressive Bangladesh Take Series 3-0

Naeem Islam (left) and Shamsur Rahman played starring roles in Bangladesh's impressive win over New Zealand

Bangladesh 309-6 (Shamsur Rahman 96) beat
New Zealand 307-5 by four wickets
Third One-Day International, Fatullah

Bangladesh sealed a 3-0 One-Day International series win over New Zealand by chasing down 309 to win the final match in Fatullah by four wickets.

After New Zealand, thanks to Ross Taylor's 107 not out and Colin Munro's 85 had posted 307 for five, Bangladesh reached 309 for six with four balls to spare.

Shamsur Rahman hit 96, Naeem Islam 63 and Nasir Hossain 44 not out in 38 balls to help the Tigers maintain their impressive unbeaten run against New Zealand, which in ODIs stretches back to 2010.

They have not lost to the Black Caps in an ODI at home since 2008 and although this was their third highest total in ODI cricket, it wasn't quite their highest successful run chase, beaten by the 313 they achieved against Zimbabwe in 2009.

Nevertheless, it was quite a performance although New Zealand were hampered by the absence of both Kane Williamson and Brendon McCullum. While the former had already headed home with a fractured thumb, McCullum was a late withdrawal due to a back injury and he is on his way back to New Zealand, missing the Twenty20 International on Wednesday in Sylhet.

Bangladesh were missing Tamim Iqbal but his loss was hardly felt as Rahman opened the batting and made his 96 in 107 balls with nine fours and four sixes.

While he missed out on a century, Taylor had earlier reached his eighth ODI ton to help set up a late charge that lifted New Zealand's score past 300.

Anton Devcich (46) and Tom Latham (43) had given them an excellent and after Grant Elliott fell for three, Taylor and Munro added 130 for the fourth wicket.

Munro hit seven fours and two sixes in 77 balls but after he and Corey Anderson (1) fell, Taylor accelerated to reach his century and add 75 runs inside the final six overs with Luke Ronchi helping him along with 13 not out in 10 balls.

Bangladesh charged out of the blocks in reply, Ziaur Rahman making 22 in 20 balls but Shamsur dominating an opening partnership of 61.

He then added 65 with Mominul Haque (32) before New Zealand fought back. Devcich removed Mominul and Nathan McCullum had Mushfiqur Rahim caught by Taylor for two and at 129 for three in the 20th over, the game was still in the balance.

Shamsur and Naeem then shifted it back towards Bangladesh's favour with 75 runs for the fifth wicket; with Shamsur on the brink of a memorable maiden century he was caught by Ronchi off Anderson.

However, Bangladesh built another partnership - at no point did one wicket bring another for New Zealand's captain Kyle Mills.

Naeem added 50 with Nasir Hossain before Mitchell McClenaghan and Ronchi ran him out for 63 in 74 balls.

Nasir then took centre stage and with Mahmudullah (16) and then Sohag Gazi (11 not out) offering excellent support, his 44 in 38 balls with five fours and a six took Bangladesh home in the final over when he cut McClenaghan for four over cover.

© Cricket World 2013

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India On Top After Day One In Kolkata

Ravichandran Ashwin (back to camera) struck to take the key wicket of Shivnarine Chanderpaul

West Indies 234 (Samuels 65, M. Shami 4-65) v
India 37-0 (Dhawan 21no)
First Test, Kolkata, day one
Scorecard | Quotes

India bowled the West Indies out for 234 and then closed on 37 without loss as they dominated day one of the opening Test at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Earlier in the day, Darren Sammy won the toss and elected to bat first, on what seemed like a pitch with variable bounce. In Sachin Tendulkar’s 199th Test match, there were three debutants: for the West Indies, left-arm medium pacer Sheldon Cottrell and for India, middle-order batsman Rohit Sharma and medium pacer Mohammad Shami.

The Windies made a brisk start to the day, with both Chris Gayle and Kieran Powell chasing runs whenever the opportunity provided itself.

Despite the early introduction of spin in the form of Ravichandran Ashwin, the runs flowed for a bit as the opening duo added 34. Just as Gayle was beginning to look dangerous, Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1-33) struck and had him caught behind, for 18 runs. Shami too got into the attack at the other end, snaring his maiden Test wicket, as Powell mistimed his pull and was caught for 28 runs.

Darren Bravo and Marlon Samuels then put up resistance, seeing their team safely to lunch. And this was going to be the highlight of the day, for the two batsmen put on a wholesome display of shot-making and scoring runs.

They put on 91 for the third wicket, with Samuels completing his fifty in just 61 balls. He hit eight fours and two sixes, but was then bowled in spectacular fashion by Shami, with an inswinging delivery rising enough to take the top of his middle stump. He was bowled for 65 runs and thereafter the Windies’ downfall started.

Bravo (23 runs off 96 balls) was dismissed in the next over, the 45th, without a run being added. He was sent back by Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Shami's throw beat him to the crease.

In the next over, Shami clean bowled Dinesh Ramdin (4) to reduce them to 143 for five. Sammy (16) offered some support to Chanderpaul to stem the collapse and they added 29 runs for the sixth wicket. He was out caught by Bhuvneshwar Kumar off the bowling of Pragyan Ojha, trying to clear the boundary.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni brought on Sachin Tendulkar to bowl the last over before tea and the maestro struck with his fourth delivery, trapping Shane Shillingford (5) LBW. West Indies went to tea at 192 for seven, losing five wickets in the second session.

Following the tea break, Ashwin broke through Chanderpaul’s defences with a quicker straight one. In his 149th Test, he scored 36 runs. He then removed Veersammy Permaul for 14 runs and later Shami bowled Cottrell for a duck, meaning the West Indies' innings came to a halt at 234 runs.

Shami finished with four for 71 in a fiery debut effort, while Ashwin finished with two for 52. Ojha (1-62), Tendulkar (1-5) and Kumar finished with a wicket apiece.

India's opening pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay came together for the first time since March as they were left with 12 overs to negotiate. There were the odd short balls, rising sharply, one even hitting Dhawan, that caused them discomfort, but more or less the two batsmen were comfortable at the crease, showing no hurry to score their runs, unlike Mohali earlier in the year.

Dhawan was unbeaten on 21 runs while Vijay finished the day at 16 not out, with India trailing by 197 runs and all their wickets intact.

Select quotes from the press conference:

Marlon Samuels: "We had a particular target in mind when we opted to bat. And we have fallen short of it. But now we have to fight it out in the field and make India work hard for their runs.

"Mohammad Shami bowled really well, using the new ball and the old ball to good effect. He was able to bring it in and then shape it outwards, bowling with good pace. He should be happy with his Test debut.”

Mohammad Shami: "It is a dream, come true, for me to make my debut at my home ground as also play my first Test with Sachin Tendulkar in the same side.

"I would like to dedicate my debut performance to him as well as to my family who have yearned hard to support me all the way through to playing international cricket. I didn’t do anything special, just concentrated on my line and length. This is what I do irrespective of the format and the colour of the ball."

© Cricket World 2013

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India Win Another Run Fest To Clinch Series

Rohit Sharma hit 209 off only 158 balls.

India 383-6 (Rohit 209, Dhoni 62) beat
Australia 326 (Faulkner 116) by 57 runs
Seventh One-Day International, Bangalore

A remarkable series that has seen runs scored with abandon ended in fitting fashion with India the victors in Bangalore and so winning the seven-match series 3-2.

Rohit Sharma hit the third double-hundred in ODI history to set up India’s imposing 383 for six. James Faulkner then smashed the fastest century by an Australian as the tourists mounted a late charge and threatened to chase down their target.

Sharma began cautiously at the top of the order and was content to play second fiddle to Shikhar Dhawan after India had been asked to bat. Dhawan raced to 50 off 43 balls, with Sharma taking a more leisurely 71 balls over his.

However, he soon made up for lost time. The dismissals of Dhawan for 60 and the in-form Virat Kohli for a duck didn’t appear to faze him and he reached three figures off 114 balls. The second half of his innings was much more explosive.

When Yuvraj Singh departed for 12 to make it 207 for four in the 34th over, a total of 350 looked a long way off. Sharma and his captain MS Dhoni, though, made mincemeat of the Australian attack, which was without their rested spearhead Mitchell Johnson. They plundered 167 runs from 94 balls for the fifth-wicket and took India close to 400.

Sharma broke the world record for sixes hit in an ODI innings along the way. His 16 maximums overtook Shane Watson’s 15, hit during his 185 not out against Bangladesh. Dhoni, meanwhile, was no slouch at the other end and finished on 62 off only 38 balls. Together they took an astonishing 115 runs from the final six overs of the innings.

Australia looked destined for a heavy defeat at 138 for six in their run chase. Brad Haddin was promoted to number three owing to a hamstring injury to Shane Watson and made 40, adding 57 with Phil Hughes for the second-wicket.

Aaron Finch had been trapped in front in Mohammad Shami’s opening over, with R Ashwin then getting rid of Hughes and Haddin either side of the increasingly influential George Bailey being run-out for just four.

The dismissal of Haddin brought Glenn Maxwell to the crease to begin a curious partnership with Adam Voges. The two added 58, with Voges making only four. Maxwell was simply power defined. He mullered sevens sixes and wasn’t dismissed until he had made 60 off only 22 balls - the joint fastest half-century by an Australian.

That, though, was only the warm-up act for James Faulkner. He first played second-fiddle to Shane Watson as they added 67; Watson making 49 off just 22 balls. It was his ninth-wicket stand with Clint McKay that was to make the Indians sweat.

McKay made only 18 but provided valuable support as the pair added 115 in fewer than 15 overs. Faulkner reached 50 off 35 balls and 100 off only 57 as the target began to get nearer.

However, with 58 needed from the final five overs, he perished and India were able to celebrate. Mohammad Shami and Ravindra Jadeja largely escaped the carnage and ended with three wickets apiece, whereas Vinay Kumar was left licking his wounds after going for 102 runs from nine overs.

© Cricket World 2013

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Jadeja Fined Following Bangalore ODI

Ravindra Jadeja has been fined for his reaction to Shane Watson's dismissal in Bangalore

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been fined for making offensive remarks to Shane Watson after dismissing him in the seventh and final One-Day International against Australia in Bangalore.

The high-scoring match was won by India but Watson, who suffered a hamstring injury while bowling, managed to hit 49 in 22 balls after coming in at number eight in the order.

Prior to his dismissal, caught by Shami Ahmed off Jadeja, he had been mocked by Shikhar Dhawan and also exchanged words with Virat Kohli.

However, it is Jadeja's transgression that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has acted on, fining the player 10 percent of his match fee for breaching Article 2.1.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct which relates to "using language or a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting."

"Mr Jadeja’s reaction after dismissing Shane Watson was clearly in breach of the Code as the players are always expected to respect their opponents, no matter what the match situation," match referee Andy Pycroft said.

"Mr Jadeja apologised for his action when on-field umpire Nigel Llong spoke to him immediately after the incident and reminded him of his responsibilities."

India won the match by 57 runs after Rohit Sharma became the fourth cricketer to score a double-century in ODI cricket after Belinda Clark, Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag.

© Cricket World 2013

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Kerrigan To Stay At Home This Winter

Simon Kerrigan will train at Old Trafford instead of joining the EPP in Australia this winter

Left-arm spinner Simon Kerrigan will remain part of the England Performance Programme squad this winter although he will not be travelling to Australia.

Kerrigan, who made Test debut against Australia in the final Ashes Test at The Oval earlier this year, will instead train at Old Trafford.

The remainder of the 13-man squad will head for Australia on 14th November.

Kerrigan will work with Lancashire coaches and undertake a development programme drawn up by England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) lead spin bowling coach Peter Such.

ECB Performance Director David Parsons added: "Simon undertook both winter tour programmes with the EPP and England Lions last winter and after further discussions with both Simon and Lancashire CCC, it has been decided that his career development will be best served by remaining in the UK in the pre-Christmas period.

"He will remain part of the EPP and will continue to be considered for selection for the England Lions tour  of Sri Lanka in the New Year."

© Cricket World 2013

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Malik, Razzaq Recalled To Pakistan T20 Squad

Abdul Razzaq hits out for Pakistan against Australia

All-rounders Shoaib Malik and Abdul Razzaq have been recalled to Pakistan's Twenty20 International squad for the two games against South Africa later this month.

The two sides play on 13th and 15th November in Dubai, shortly before Pakistan head to South Africa for a limited overs series.

Malik's last Twenty20 International was the second match against South Africa at Centurion Park in March while Razzaq has not featured since the ICC World Twenty20 in 2012.

Razzaq has fond memories of taking on South Africa following a 72-ball unbeaten 109 in the second ODI in October 2010 in Abu Dhabi which led his side to a one-wicket win.

However, since then both he and former captain Malik have been in and out of the side, neither featuring in recent series against the West Indies and Zimbabwe.

Of the squad that toured Zimbabwe, Sarfraz Ahmed, Zulfiqur Babar, Asad Ali, Anwar Ali and Haris Sohail are left out.

With Umar Akmal fit again, he returns to the squad and will take the gloves and Pakistan's decision to pick two more all-rounders in Razzaq and Malik means that specialist bowlers Zulfiqur, Asad and Anwar, as well as batsman Sohail, miss out.

Pakistan T20I squad: Mohammad Hafeez (captain), Nasir Jamshed, Ahmed Shehzad, Umar Akmal (wicket-keeper), Umar Amin, Shahid Afridi, Sohaib Maqsood, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik, Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman

© Cricket World 2013

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New Zealand Win High-Scoring Twenty20

Anton Devcich hit a 24-ball half-century to help New Zealand pass the 200-run mark against Bangladesh

New Zealand 204-5 (Munro 73no, Devcich 59) beat
Bangladesh 189-9 (Southee 3-38) by 15 runs
Twenty20 International, Sylhet
Scorecard

New Zealand left it until the final game of their tour of Bangladesh to claim their first victory, winning a high-scoring one-off Twenty20 International by 15 runs.

Half-centuries from Colin Munro (73 not out) and Anton Devcich (59) steered the Black Caps to 204 for five and despite being reduced to 19 for three in reply, the home side rallied before eventually falling short on 189 for nine.

Mushfiqur Rahim made 50 and Mahmudullah 34 to keep them in the match before New Zealand prevailed, ending a tour in which they lost all three One-Day Internationals with a victory.

New Zealand's batsmen quickly got themselves off and running with Hamish Rutherford making in as many balls and Devcich, on debut, taking on the Bangladesh bowlers, hitting 10 fours and a six.

A good catch from Nasir Hossain ended Rutherford's innings before Ross Taylor made 28 in 25 balls and Munro then ensured New Zealand would break the 200-run mark for just the fourth time in their history.

He struck three fours and five sixes and faced just 39 balls in all while Corey Anderson needed just six to reach 18 and further punish the Bangladesh bowlers, for whom Al-Amin Hossain picked up two for 36.

In reply, Bangladesh made a dreadful start by losing Shamsur Rahman (4), Ziaur Rahman (6) and Mominul Haque (9) as Tim Southee (3-38) and Mitchell McClenaghan (1-45) made early inroads.

However, Twenty20 cricket allows precious little time to consolidate, so Bangladesh, through Rahim and Naeem Islam to begin with, kept hitting hard.

Islam made 18 in 10 balls, Nasir 28 in 20, Mahmudallah 34 in 25 including three sixes and Sohag Gazi 24 in 15 as they kept themselves in the match.

Rahim hit seven fours and a six before he was well caught by Taylor off Anderson at the end of the 11th over.

Thereafter, Bangladesh were always struggling but gamely stuck to their gameplan and had one of their batsmen managed to join Rahim and make a half-century, they might just have made it.

They lost Abdur Razzak for a duck at the start of the final over and ended with Mashrafe Mortaza unbeaten on seven and Hossain on five.

Anderson returned two for 21 and there was a wicket apiece for Kyle Mills and Nathan McCullum.

© Cricket World 2013

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Pakistan Set To Tour South Africa

Pakistan will tour South Africa to play three ODIs and two Twenty20 games this month

Pakistan are set to tour South Africa for a short series of three One-Day Internationals and two Twenty20 Internationals later this month.

The series has been arranged at short notice after the India tour to South Africa schedule was confirmed last month.

India will be in South Africa in December to play three ODIs and two Tests but the original plan was for a much longer tour.

Pakistan will now provide South Africa with five more home matches and the schedule will be announced at a later date.

"This is certainly fantastic news for the Proteas and our fans," Cricket South Africa Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said.

"With the Indian tour having unfortunately been curtailed, we needed to give our fans the opportunity to see the Proteas in action, and I’m delighted that Pakistan accepted our offer to tour here.

"It’s not been an easy period for South African cricket, but I want to thank our fans and commercial partners for their patience and support during this time," he added.

Pakistan are expected to arrive in South Africa on 18th November.

"We are very happy to tour South Africa and to play against one of the best teams in the world," said PCB chairman, Najam Sethi.

"The tour will be beneficial to both our Boards and we are looking forward to build on our excellent relationship with Cricket South Africa."

The ongoing ODI series between the two sides in the United Arab Emirates is all square at 1-1 with three games to play.

© Cricket World 2013

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Preview - A Tendulkar Farewell And Much More

Sachin Tendulkar will play his 199th Test match in Kolkata

There is a festive atmosphere all about Eden Gardens. You want to think that it is an event of great import that is being marked here in Kolkata, but you would be wrong.

Instead of highlighting Sachin Tendulkar’s walk into the sunset after a glorious career, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is keen on celebrating the cricketer himself.

Hoardings line up all the streets leading to the stadium, while the walls of administrative buildings and the pavilion adorn his portraits, reflecting umpteen moments from a 24-year long career. There is even a wax statue, replicating his signature century celebration, stationed right outside the Indian team’s dressing room.

Sachin has noticed everything that has been done for him, not just in this city but across the nation as billions prepare to bid an emotional adieu. But here in Kolkata, things have been a little overbearing. A gentle reminder of the milestone he has set should have been enough, perhaps a little more.

There was a severe need of knowing where to draw the line, because at the end of the day, this is about cricket more than any one player. Sadly, that aspect has been lost somewhere in between 199 roses, an equal number of sweets, cakes, posters, statues, music albums, picture gallery launches and what not.  

Then again, it is a true reflection of the passion that flows in the veins of Kolkata’s people. Truth be told, they have displayed it in full with regards to Sachin Tendulkar and those moments have become souvenirs in his time on the cricket field.  

It was here at the Eden Gardens in 1993 when he snatched the ball from Mohammad Azharuddin’s hands and bowled a superlative last over in the semi-final of the Hero Cup against South Africa. The emotion those six balls evoked in three generations of cricket fans in this country is unmistakable.

Then there was the semi-final loss to Sri Lanka in the 1996 ODI World Cup. Sachin was the stable force in India’s chase and once he was out, the batting collapsed. There were protests at the stadium, almost rioting, with the match awarded to Lankans and it can be imagined why.  

Rioting did indeed take place and the stadium had to be vacated when Sachin was run out, although obstructed, in the Asian Test Championship match against Pakistan in 1999. Then came his sterling bowling spell in the 2001 Test match against Australia, where after the heroics of VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid and Harbhajan Singh, he played his part with three wickets in the second innings.

Last but not least the least he finally conquered Eden with a century against West Indies in 2002, a match saving 176.

Each of those moments reflects a different stage in Sachin’s long career. From a youth, full of brash energy, to the centre-point of Indian batting and indeed the singular hope for his team’s win, to leading the pack as others were inspired by him and started sharing his burden, to finally becoming the senior statesman with a sedated batting approach, the crowds at Eden Gardens have seem him in all these avatars.

Chennai could have been the only other ground in India to credibly host his 199th Test. Yet Kolkata will do great justice to the man, if only the CAB can reign in the overbearing celebrations and instead just voice their sentiments as a wholesome crowd when he takes the field on Wednesday.

This is how Sachin will want it, as much attention to be given to his team-mates and indeed the opposition against whom he will reach this milestone, walking away thereafter. It brings into context the true purpose of this gathering in Kolkata - the first Test between India and West Indies to be played at the Eden Gardens.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni not only needs to be worried about the hype and hoopla his team has to encounter over the next two weeks. As also the fact that his players have been experiencing too much limited overs cricket of late. His batsmen have gone bonkers in all parts of the world, from the subcontinent to England to the Caribbean to Zimbabwe.

His bowlers have done well abroad and lost all their confidence in the recent ODIs versus Australia. The changeover to this longer format of the game will test them, pun intended, albeit against a relatively weaker side.

Meanwhile, West Indies may not boast of bulging reputations across their squad, but they have a handful of players who can change the game single-handedly. Chris Gayle is at the forefront, bringing the Sachin farewell extravaganza to a stirring stop if he gets going.

Darren Bravo and Shivnarine Chanderpaul are both left handed batsmen, and Indian bowlers struggle against southpaws. Marlon Samules and skipper Darren Sammy are handy all-rounders providing crucial balance to their eleven.

They landed quietly, slipped into Kolkata and played their warm-up game against Uttar Pradesh unnoticed, almost. India need to be wary of this threat, amidst all the distractions.  

Select quotes from pre-series press conference:

Dhoni: "Change in format is a big factor for us. Both batsmen and bowlers have been working hard on it in the nets and we have assessed what all changes need to be made. We haven’t decided yet whether to play with five bowlers or not.

"Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane will have to wait if we do play five bowlers. If not, either of them will get the nod depending on how we assess the pitch tomorrow.

"There is still one more match to go in the series after this game. So let us win the series and then we will decide whom to dedicate this series to. The team has a surprise farewell gift in store for Sachin Tendulkar but I will not reveal it now."

Sammy: "We are not worried about any distractions. It is an honour to be part of the series where Sachin Tendulkar brings down the curtains on his career. But we are here to play Test cricket and compete hard, we are here to win.

"Our young players have gained a lot of experience since we visited here last in 2010. The Indian team has changed a lot as well. Their batsmen have gone from strength to strength, playing a lot of ODI cricket.

"We hope they will play more shots and give us chances. I am not sure whether their bowling is a weakness. If it is, we will certainly exploit it."

© Cricket World 2013

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Smith Withdrawn From ODI Series

Graeme Smith (right) will play no further part in the ODI series in the United Arab Emirates

South Africa Test captain Graeme Smith has been withdrawn from the rest of the One-Day International series against Pakistan due to the after-effects of a blow to the head during the second Test.

He was hit on the temple by a Mohammad Irfan bouncer during the second Test in Dubai and although he was fine to play on, he has subsequently been struggling with concussion-like symptoms and has been advised to rest for at least two weeks.

That means he is likely to miss the start of the recently-arranged series between South Africa and Pakistan which begins on 20th November.

"Graeme was symptom free after the blow except for a mild headache and tests at the time allowed him to continue playing," team manager Dr. Mohammed Moosajee explained.

"However, seven days post-injury, during the second ODI in Dubai he started complaining of blurred vision which progressed to dizziness, unsteadiness on his feet and difficulty focusing.

"The MRI Scan was clear, however it is in keeping with the assessment of Post-Concussion Syndrome, which is usually a clinical diagnosis.

"Post-Concussion Syndrome can be described as a collection of symptoms that some people develop after they have experienced a minor traumatic brain injury otherwise known as concussion.

"Graeme will leave the tour on Thursday, and has been advised a rest period of at least two weeks by the medical team. He will continuously be monitored in the interim."

Henry Davids will join up with the squad as cover for Smith while Quinton de Kock was drafted into the side for today's third One-Day International, along with Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn.

South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first - live scores and commentary available by clicking here.

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South Africa Women Claim T20 Series

Mignon du Preez played a match-winning knock for South Africa against Sri Lanka in the third and final ODI

South Africa Women 111-5 (du Preez 43no) beat
Sri Lanka Women 109-6 by five wickets
Third Twenty20 International, Potchefstroom

South Africa Women recovered from a position of 46 for five to win the third and final Twenty20 International against Sri Lanka Women by five wickets in Potchefstroom.

They were set 110 to win after Sri Lanka reached 109 for six but thanks to an unbroken partnership of 65 between Sunette Loubser (37 not out) and captain Mignon du Preez (43 not out) they were able to seal a 2-1 series win in the 19th over of their reply.

Sri Lanka had also found themselves in trouble during their innings when they collapsed to 13 for three and 34 for five.

Shashikala Siriwardene (25), Sripali Weerakkody (17) and Eshani Lokusiruyia (50 in 34 balls) then got them to a competitive score.

The wickets were shared among the South African bowlers - Loubser, Shabnim Ismail, Marizanne Kapp and Moseline Daniels taking one apiece.

The Proteas then lost openers Liselle Lee (0) and Trisha Chetty (13) to Maduri Samuddika and Siriwardene respectively before Siriwardene struck three times to remove Kapp (7), Dane van Niekerk (6) and Chloe Tryon (1) to leave the home side in big trouble.

However, Loubser and du Preez came together and turned the match in South Africa's favour. The former hit 43 in 41 balls with five fours with du Preez contributing 37 in 30 balls with a four and two sixes.

Their 65-run partnership ensured that the winning runs, struck by du Preez, were hit with 10 balls to spare.

South Africa also won the three-match One-Day International series 3-0.

© Cricket World 2013

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Sri Lanka 'A' Beat Kenya 5-1

Upul Tharanga was in good form on the final day of Sri Lanka A's series against Kenya

Sri Lanka 'A' beat Kenya 5-1 in their Twenty20 series after winning the penultimate match by five wickets and the final game being abandoned.

The Sri Lankans won game six of the seven-match series with four balls to spare and had reached 129 for four in the 17th over of the final match when rain arrived.

The third and final double-header began with Kenya struggling and slipping to 12 for three as new-ball pairing Ishan Jayaratne (2-23) and Lahiru Jayarathne (2-28) combined effectively.

Irfan Karim's 53 in 55 balls helped steady the ship while Collins Obuya (25) and Rakep Patel (28 in 12 balls) helped them reach a score of 131 for six, which represented a decent recovery.

However, it wasn't enough to defeat a strong Sri Lankan 'A' side led by opener Upul Tharanga, who hit 48 in 45 balls.

Mahela Udawatte made 31 and Kithruwan Vithanage 20 not out but a haul of three for 15 from Hiren Varaiya ensured that the home side had to work hard for their win with the final runs only coming in the final over after Nehamiah Odhiambo had dismissed Jayarathne to set up a tense finale.

Sri Lanka 'A' then batted first in the afternoon game and looked set for a big score. Tharanga blasted 52 in 42 balls and wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella registered a new Twenty20 career-best of 42 in 34.

With more than three overs to go, a score in excess of 150 looked on the cards but the weather intervened instead.

Kenya continue their preparations for the ICC World Twenty20 2014 Qualifier in the United Arab Emirates when they play warm-up matches against Namibia on 11th November and Hong Kong two days later.

Their bid to reach their first ICC World Twenty20 event since 2007 then begins with a game against Papua New Guinea on 15th November.

They also play Afghanistan, Bermuda, Denmark, Netherlands, Nepal and Scotland in their group.

© Cricket World 2013

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Sri Lanka Name 16-Man ODI Squad

Sri Lanka will be back in action on 10th November for the first time since hosting South Africa

Sri Lanka have trimmed their 24-man preliminary squad to a 16-man squad for the first two One-Day Internationals against New Zealand.

The two sides will play three ODIs and two Twenty20 Internationals from 10th to 21st November.

Left out from the squad that was named to play South Africa are Angelo Perera, Jeevan Mendis, Upul Tharanga and Jehan Mubarak.

All-rounder Ashan Priyanjan is the only uncapped member of the squad.

Tour Schedule

10th November: 1st ODI, Hambantota
12th November: 2nd ODI, Hambantota
16th November: 3rd ODI, Dambulla

19th November: 1st T20I, Pallekele
21st November: 2nd T20I, Pallekele

Sri Lanka squad: Angelo Mathews (captain), Dinesh Chandimal (vice-captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Rangana Herath, Mahela Jayawardene, Dimuth Karunaratne, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Kushal Perera, Thisara Perera, Ashan Priyanjan, Kumar Sangakkara, Sachithra Senanayake, Lahiru Thirimanne

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Sri Lanka Record Maiden Win On Tour Of South Africa

Dane van Niekerk did her best at the end of the South African run chase.

Sri Lanka 138-5 (Atapattu 39) beat
South Africa 118-8 (Siriwardene 2-16) by 20 runs
Second Twenty20 International, Potchefstroom

Led by their captain Shashikala Siriwardene, Sri Lankan Women kept the Twenty20 International series against South Africa Women alive by winning the second match in Potchefstroom.

Siriwardene was one of four Sri Lankan batters to make useful contributions to a testing total of 138 for five. She then took the key wickets of Mignon du Preez and Marizanne Kapp as the Proteas fell comfortably short, ending on 118 for eight.

The hosts had won the toss and asked Sri Lanka to bat, and it was they who had the better of the opening exchanges. Openers Chamari Atapattu and Lasanthi Madushani added 71 in eight overs before Atapattu was bowled by Kapp for 39 off only 23 balls. Madushani then fell to Sunette Loubser the very next over for 30, but Siriwardene and Yasoda Mendis took the total well past 100.

They shared 51 in 49 balls for the third-wicket to help set South Africa a tricky target if they were to win the series ahead of Monday’s final match. Siriwardene gave Kapp the second of her three wickets when on 30, with Mendis falling to the final ball of the innings.

South Africa got off to a promising start in their run chase despite losing Trisha Chetty in Maduri Sammudika’s first over. Impressive young opener Lizelle Lee hit four boundaries during her knock of 23 off 22 balls and shared 34 with her captain Mignon du Preez (21 off 17 balls).

They and Kapp, though, all fell in relatively quick succession as Sri Lanka took the upper hand, thanks in no small part to the consistent Siriwardene, who finished with two for 16 from her four overs.

Dane van Niekerk did her best to keep the home side in the hunt, but it was to no avail as required run rate began to climb and South Africa began to lose wickets. Sammudika added the scalp of Suné Luus to that of Chetty to end with two for 21, while Sripali Weerakkody (1-17) and Chamani Seneviratna (1-16) were the other wicket-takers.

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Tahir, Du Plessis, Duminy Lead South Africa To Victory

Imran Tahir's four wickets were crucial to South Africa's victory.REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte. Picture Supplied by Action Images

South Africa 259-8 (Duminy 64) beat
Pakistan 191 (Tahir 4-53) by 68 runs
Third One-Day International, Abu Dhabi
Scorecard

South Africa retook the lead in the five-match series against Pakistan courtesy of a relatively comfortable 68-run win in the third One-Day International in Abu Dhabi.

Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy hit half-centuries as the Proteas made a useful 259 for eight from their 50 overs in what has been a low-scoring series thus far. Pakistan then crumbled following an enterprising opening partnership and were all out for 191 as Imran Tahir continued his impressive tour of the UAE by taking four for 53.

Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad did add 50 in eight overs to get Pakistan off to a strong start in their run chase. However, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel accounted for one apiece in successive overs and they never really recovered.

Umar Amin was caught off Lonwabo Tsotsobe, with Imran Tahir then ripping the heart out of the middle-order. He removed Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq and Umar Akmal to leave the country of his birth reeling at 116 for seven following Ryan McLaren’s dismissal of danger man Shahid Afridi.

There was then a brief respite as Sohail Tanvir and Wahab Riaz added 61 for the eighth wicket to just about keep Pakistani hopes alive. However, as expected, those hopes were dashed when Morne Morkel had Riaz caught behind by Quinton de Kock. Tahir then completed his four-wicket haul by trapping Saeed Ajmal in front, with Tanvir the last man to fall to hand McLaren a second wicket.

South Africa had earlier been hit by the withdrawal of Graeme Smith due to post-concussion syndrome resulting from a blow to the head sustained during the Test series, with Quinton de Kock his replacement at the top of the order. They did, though, welcome back Hashim Amla from paternity leave, although he made just 10 before being bowled by Mohammad Irfan.

De Kock and du Plessis then added 77 before the young wicket-keeper was stumped by his opposite number Umar Akmal off Afridi, with man of the match du Plessis following in similar fashion not long afterwards to make it 112 for three after 22 overs.

Duminy then received support from AB de Villiers and David Miller en route to 64 as South Africa ensured that they didn’t squander their good start. He added 70 with de Villiers and 61 with Miller before being caught off Sohail Tanvir in the closing overs.

Mohammad Irfan was the pick of the Pakistan attack with three for 46, while their spin pair of Ajmal and Afridi were effective with combined figures of four for 79 from 20 overs. They weren’t, though, to have the impact on the match that Tahir would later on.

© Cricket World 2013

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Taylor Ton As England Make History With Series Win

Sarah Taylor hits a four during her century in Trinidad

England Women 185 (Taylor 100) beat
West Indies Women 96 (Colvin 4-35) by 89 runs
Third One-Day International Trinidad

Sarah Taylor scored a century as England Women beat West Indies Women by 89 runs in the third and final One-Day International in Trinidad sealing a historic 2-0 series win.

Taylor scored 100 as England were bowled out for 185 and by bowling the West Indies out for 96 in reply, they became the first team to beat the West Indies at home in a series since 2005, when the women's team was brought under the control of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

Debutante Natasha Farrant picked up two wickets and Holly Colvin took four for 26 to end the West Indies' chances of levelling the series.

Taylor was the last player to be dismissed as England batted first, shortly after reaching her fifth ODI century - among compatriots, only Charlotte Edwards and Claire Taylor have more.

Anisa Mohammed took four for 26 but the home side were soon in trouble in their reply as Farrant and Jenny Gunn (2-14) as well as Colvin left them reeling.

They eventually failed to reach triple figures and ended their home series of matches against England and New Zealand with a crushing defeat, although they did beat New Zealand in an earlier ODI series and won the Twenty20 International tri-series.

England finished their final series ahead of the Women's Ashes strongly and will head to Australia with plenty of confidence after their success.

© Cricket World 2013

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Video - England Spots Up For Grabs - Cook

Watch as England captain Alastair Cook says his side are going to be heading into their final two Ashes warm-up matches with places in their Test side still up for grabs.

Unlike in 2010/11 when England arrived with a settled side, this time around there are question marks around key spots in the batting order, particularly at number six.

Furthermore, Michael Carberry's strong showing in the opening match has added his name into the mix as a potential starter in Brisbane.

Now as the side arrive in Hobart to play a strong Australia 'A' side, led by Moises Henrques, Cook says he is going into the game with an open mind.

"We are open to all possibilities. We haven't decided on our batting line up," he confirmed.

"It's very different to say 2010-11 where we came here and it was very clear to see what our full strength side was, what our first choice side was and in that tour we played the first test matches, the first two warm up games as that Test match eleven. In this Test match it's different.

"Circumstances have changed that we are unsure of pretty much two places and it's exciting because everyone in that squad knows that and the competition is there."

If the composition of the batting line-up is likely to cause Cook and head coach Andy Flower some consternation ahead of the series beginning, at least they can take solace in the fact that they have a set of bowlers who are experienced in Australian conditions.

"The bowlers are a lot more experience in these conditions than they were last year, the last time we were here," Cook said.

"So someone like Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann they know their games extremely well, they know the conditions they are about to bowl in so it's almost a matter of tailoring to their needs, making sure they get what they want like Stuart Broad said he would rather play these next two games rather than the first game.

"He feels that's the better way of building up so you know we probably we won't play our best eleven until that first test match just because the game, we are in a different situation with experience."

Video courtesy of SNTV and will be available until 7th November, at which point the video above will display the latest live content.

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Video - India, West Indies Prepare For Kolkata Test

Watch as India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and West Indian counterpart Darren Sammy look ahead to the first Test at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

The match will be Sachin Tendulkar's 199th although both men are keen to focus more on the game than the first part of the great batsmen's farewell series.

"Well, I think the focus has been brilliant so far," Dhoni said. "As far as the team is concerned, we're not thinking about anything apart from cricket.

"There are certain things which have to happen and will happen, but as far as the last few days are concerned, (we) look abolutely normal, you know, how we played in the last series, how the dressing room, atmosphere was, I think it's exactly the same, so in a way, the guys have done really well to maintain that kind of atmosphere."

Sammy says it is important for his players to block out the excitement surrounding Tendulkar's impending retirement and concentrate on the game.

"You know, that's India," he said when asked about the atmosphere. "Sachin, nobody could not see what he's done for cricket. Not only India, but I think he's been a great ambassador for the sport and he deserves all the hype, all the praises he's getting, you know, coming into the last two Test matches of his career.

"For us, we just look to block it out, at the end of the day we're here to play cricket, whatever happens in the media, whatever happens in the next team's dressing room."

Video courtesy of SNTV and will be available until 6th November 2013, after which time the video will display the latest live content.

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Video - South Africa Confirm Pakistan Tour

Watch as Cricket South Africa (CSA) Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat confirms that Pakistan will be touring South Africa later this month for a short series of limited overs matches.

The two sides are currently in action in the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan will arrive in South Africa on 18th November to play three One-Day Internationals and two Twenty20 Internationals.

Due to India's tour of South Africa being much shorter than originally planned, there was a gap in the calendar for Pakistan and South Africa to organise their third series of the year after Pakistan also toured South Africa in February and March.

"It's really a very, very happy moment for us. We've managed to confirm Pakistan to tour South Africa for five matches. Three ODIs and two T20s starting on the 20th November," Lorgat says.

With India only touring for three ODIs and two Tests, it means that some venues will miss out on hosting international cricket but Lorgat says he is trying to address this issue.

"We will look to the revenue loss in the broader sense. So that's an exercise that we will look at differently. But we didn't want to detract at this point from getting the best fixtures we could and to allocate it to where it would be best placed.

"But there will be some venues that do not get a fixture at all and we will look to see how we can work out something to make everybody as best as we can satisifed as is possible.

"Whatever the original schedule was, even if it wasn't India - if it was somebody else and we had to curtail it and change it, it's not the first option.

"But this is better than we would have expected. So I am really grateful to the Pakistan Cricket Board, to those players who are very, very keen - I saw them a week or two ago and they were all excited about coming - and I think there is some great competition developing between the two teams so I am looking forward to it."

Pakistan and South Africa drew the Test series in the UAE 1-1 and the ongoing ODI series is currently level at the same scoreline.

Video courtesy of SNTV and will remain available until 19th November, when the video above will display the latest live content.

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Are bowlers under threat in one-day cricket?

2 November 2013 Last updated at 00:14 GMT By Suresh Menon Wisden India editor India chased down a target of over 350 runs twice in the ongoing series against Australia Batsmen have chased down successfully targets of over 300 runs twice in four completed games in the ongoing one-day cricket series between India and Australia. Sports writer Suresh Menon examines whether the bowlers are under threat in the shorter version of the game.

In the early years of one-day international cricket, 250 runs from 50 overs was considered a good score.

Once the asking rate went up to six an over in the chase, it was assumed the game had gone out of reach for the team batting second.

Today, 300 is a par score at most venues, 350 a good one and so long as the asking rate is kept around eight an over, the chase is on track.

Progress? Or its reverse? Is batting in one-day cricket getting too good for its own good? Are the seeds for the elimination of this format being sown by the game's rulemakers?

If a match has twice produced over 700 runs in the India-Australia ODI series, don't blame the rules alone.

Mediocre

We must acknowledge that the two sets of bowlers have been depressingly mediocre.

Even Mitchell Johnson, the man who rattled India's middle order (meaning Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh) twice, bowled badly, too short, too wide and too fast.

The day after India chased 350 and won against Australia in Nagpur, South Africa and Pakistan played out a close finish in Sharjah where the two teams combined made only 365.

The rules didn't make this a feast of sixes and fours because the bowling was so superior.

Unlike Test matches which are won by bowlers, one-dayers are won by batsmen.

This is the essential difference between the two formats.

The dice were loaded against the bowler from the start - the assumption then, as now, was that spectators came to watch boundaries being hit rather than the ball beating the bat.

Once Twenty20 cricket established itself, it was always more likely that the in-between format would move closer to the 20-over game than Test cricket.

Bowlers in the India-Australia series have been 'mediocre'

To expect the rhythm and flow of Test cricket in a limited-overs game is unrealistic.

Indian skipper MS Dhoni's recent complaint about the irrelevancy of the bowler is surprising - not just because it comes from a batsman, but equally because the ODI was the T20 of its time, with big hits, quick running and a technique all its own.

In other words, it was always thus.

The new ODI rules - two new balls per innings, and a maximum of four fielders outside the circle - have contributed to the big scores, but television is not complaining, the spectators are not, and one hasn't heard a peep out of the sponsors.

India and Australia play the final ODI in Bangalore on Sunday with the series tied at two wins each - who could have asked for more?

One-day cricket is expected not only to produce results, but produce them as late as possible.

Par scores have gone up over the decades because technological advances in batting have been far ahead of technical ones in bowling.

A mis-hit can carry for six thanks to the quality of the bats, the 'sweet spot' is spread over a greater area, and to add to that is the fact that players are fitter and stronger.

Innovations

The only innovations in bowling since the first one-day international was played four decades ago have been reverse swing and the doosra.

If there were no complaints about the two-ball system when it was first tried years ago, it was because there was no reverse swing either.

Yes, the new rules do work against the bowlers. But not to the extent that is being made out.

Can one fielder make a difference? Yes he can, when you consider there are only nine fielders who can be moved around, five of them inside the circle.

Bowlers will have to choose between bowling to their strength or to the batsman's weakness, and that's an interesting choice.

It is, however, difficult to accept the idea gaining currency that this rule has killed the yorker as a weapon.

Any sport evolves through a system of one set of performers working out either a new technique or a tactic, then the other countering it and adding to it their own leading to a further response and so on.

Bowlers have had to counter back-foot play in WG Grace's time to the uppercut in Sachin Tendulkar's. Batsmen have had to deal with the outswinger at the turn of the 20th century to the doosra. It is the natural order of things.

Occasionally, the rulemakers add their weight to the side which already has the advantage.

If the bowlers and captains don't figure out a counter-move soon, maybe the technical committee might have another look at it. But it's too early to throw up your hands. Give the creative response a chance.

Suresh Menon is Editor, Wisden India Almanack

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Ashes could feature Hot Spot & Snicko

Hot Spot could yet be part of the decision review system in the Ashes series in Australia, despite host broadcaster Channel Nine's refusal to pay for the technology.

The heat-sensor tool proved controversial during England's summer Ashes win, but negotiations are under way for it to be utilised this winter.

England back its use, and Snicko, another umpiring aid, may also feature.

"All we want as players is absolute clarity," said England's Ian Bell.

Snicko uses soundwaves to detect if a batsman has edged a ball, while Hot Spot uses thermal imaging cameras. While there have been instances where a faint edge has not shown on Hot Spot, it is hoped using the two tools together can create a better decision review system.

DRS was introduced in 2009, after an earlier trial, to help on-field umpires decide if a batsman should be given out.

Hot Spot forms part of the system, using heat sensors and infrared cameras to determine what, if anything, the ball has made contact with.

Its inventor, Warren Brennan, had said the technology would be scrapped for the winter series amid concerns over its cost and reliability.

The system came under scrutiny during England's 3-0 victory at home when several faint edges appeared to go undetected, with Brennan claiming protective tape on players' bats was diminishing its effectiveness.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan said at the time Hot Spot "had to go", adding Brennan had "admitted his system will not work".

Snicko, meanwhile, uses sound from stump microphones to help detect if a batsman has edged the ball.

"I've always been a fan of DRS," said England wicketkeeper Matt Prior.

"If you are going to take the time out of the game, you have to get the right decision. So if we have more technology, better technology, fine. Use it all but as long as it's correct and accurate, that's the only thing.

"If the powers that be deem that Hot Spot is working again then fantastic, let's use it."

England drew their opening Ashes warm-up match against the Western Australia Chairman's XI in Perth and now travel to Hobart to face Australia A in a four-day game starting on 6 November.

The first Test against Australia in Brisbane begins on 21 November.

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Ashes gossip column

Michael Carberry predictably makes many headlines after his unbeaten 153 on the first day of the tour game with Australia A propelled him into contention for England's Test side. The Sydney Morning Herald dubs him "Shane Warne's Pom protege"  after he played under the legendary Aussie leg-spinner's captaincy at Hampshire, and reports that Carberry's unconventional helmet "belongs in the Star Wars trilogy". Meanwhile, Sydney's Daily Telegraph  claims that "England will never admit it but clearly they have been listening to Shane Warne," reflecting on Carberry's selection. However, in the Tasmania-based Mercury,  Australia A wicketkeeper Tim Paine thinks Carberry has a weakness. "If you stack your gully region, at some point you will get a chance," Paine insisted.

Ex-Hampshire captain Warne has called for his former team-mate Carberry's selection for England

Carberry is now 150-1 with a leading bookmaker to match another unlikely Ashes selection, David Steele, and win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

Full story: Daily Mail 

Well-known Australian cricket writer Malcolm Conn has been critical of Australia's selection for this game. "It is difficult to know whether the unbalanced, batsmen-heavy Australia A side was a cunning plan, lulling England into a false sense of security, or a heavily compromised side to appease states with a full round of Sheffield Shield matches also being played. England's finest are clearly enjoying the hospitable bowling."

Full story: Courier Mail 

Conn also describes captain Michael Clarke as "Australia's most important cricketer since Allan Border" and their "only world class player".

Full story: Daily Telegraph (Sydney) 

England batsman Ian Bell, rested for this match in Hobart, opted to run back to the hotel from the ground after play.

Full story: Kevin Pietersen's Twitter feed 

Of Australia's hopefuls for the first Test, paceman Mitchell Johnson bowled two wides in his first over, and later left the field with a sore toe.

Full story: Sydney Morning Herald 

Tasmania batsman George Bailey, among the favourites to bat at six for Australia, had to withstand a "barrage" from paceman Ryan Harris, who was Australia's best bowler in England earlier this year. Bailey was "terrorised" by Queensland's Harris in their Sheffield Shield encounter in Brisbane but survived to the close of play on 34 not out.

Full story: the Mercury (Tasmania) 

Jackson Bird, who returned home early from the tour of England because of a stress fracture, has voiced concerns about the domestic schedule, with plenty of injury worries among Australia's pace bowling ranks. The first six rounds of Sheffield Shield matches have been compressed into seven weeks - and has called for the Big Bash Twenty20 competition to be shortened. "But Cricket Australia makes a lot of money off the Big Bash," he admitted.

Full story: Sydney Morning Herald 

But all-rounder Shane Watson will play as a batsman in the first Test if his hamstring strain prevents him from bowling.

Full story: Fox Sports 

Australia batsman David Warner has announced that he will no longer be posting on Twitter. The left-hander's brother Steven had launched a foul-mouthed Twitter rant against Shane Watson during the summer's Ashes,  while also memorably describing sacked coach Mickey Arthur as "an escape goat".

Full story: the Guardian 

Australia all-rounder Shane Watson's hamstring injury has been diagnosed as a "low-grade muscle strain", according to team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris. Watson will now undergo "intense treatment and rehabilitation" while the medical staff "will be doing everything possible to get him fit and available for selection ahead of the first Test".

Full story: Cricket Australia news release 

Watson's hamstring injury - which forced him to leave the field in the final one-dayer in India - may have a large bearing on Australia's selection options for the first Test. While George Bailey is the favourite to make his Test debut at six, if Watson is ruled out, all-rounder James Faulkner may play instead as an extra bowling option.

Full story: the Age 

Ricky Ponting (right) has hit back in the latest war of words involving Shane Warne

The Adelaide Oval faces a "race against time" to get building work completed before the second Test, which begins on 5 December. The new 14,000-seat southern stand, which was scheduled for completion on 18 October, will now not be ready until 30 November at the earliest.

Full story: Adelaide Advertiser 

England wicketkeeper Matt Prior has lost nearly two stone since taking up cycling to extend his longevity behind the stumps - but denies the weight loss contributed to his poor run of form with the bat during the English summer.

Full story: Daily Express 

Australia A batsman Shaun Marsh, pushing for a Test recall, insists he is in better mental shape than when he played the last of his seven Tests just under two years ago. Since then, Marsh has been suspended by Perth Scorchers after a drinking session during the Champions League, but worked his way back into the one-day side in England earlier this year.

Full story: the Mercury (Tasmania) 

Alastair Cook, Joe Root and Michael Carberry have all been hit in the nets by bouncers from Essex quick bowler Tymal Mills, who is with the England squad to provide practice against left-arm pace of the sort they may face from Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc during the Ashes.

Full story: Daily Mirror 

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has hit back at former team-mate Shane Warne's criticism of his captaincy compared with current incumbent - and Warne's close friend - Michael Clarke. "At the end of the day I think my captaincy record will stand up for itself," said Ponting, who had been accused of "jealousy" of Clarke by Warne.

Full story: Daily Telegraph (Sydney) 

England may face old enemy Adam Gilchrist one more time, as the legendary former wicketkeeper-batsman is a contender to captain a Prime Minister's XI against England at Canberra on 14 January, between the first and second one-day internationals. The captaincy is traditionally handed to a prominent former Australia international who has retired in the past five years - Brett Lee, Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden and Simon Katich are among the other contenders.

Full story: the Age 

Australia all-rounder Shane Watson is confident a series of fitness programmes, including acupuncture, with Australia team doctor Peter Brukner, the former head of sports medicine and sports science at Liverpool Football Club, will help him overcome a hamstring injury in time for the first Ashes Test on 21 November.

Full story: Canberra Times 

After criticism from Australia legend Shane Warne, England captain Alastair Cook admits there are times he could be "slightly more imaginative" but says his team have had a "pretty good run so far as a Test side".

Full story: the Guardian 

England batsman Joe Root also responded to criticism from Warne, who said the 22-year-old does not have the technique to open the batting in Australia. He said: "It would be wrong for me to listen to everything he says. I can only look to improve my technique and my game but I don't think Shane Warne ever said a nice word about an England touring team."

Full story: Daily Express 

Batsman Alex Doolan, who is thought to be close to Test selection, says former Australia captain and fellow Tasmanian Ricky Ponting, with whom he shared partnerships of 151 and 123 against a Victoria attack which included Peter Siddle and James Pattinson little more than a year ago, has been "a huge influence on my career". He adds: "Under his tutelage, I learnt more in 12 months than I had in the first five years of my career."

Full story: Perth Now 

Lancashire spinner Simon Kerrigan, who was hit for 53 in eight overs on his Test debut at the Oval in August, will not fly to Australia with the England performance programme squad as originally intended and will now stay in Manchester for a special programme drawn up by ECB spin bowling coach Peter Such.

Full story: Daily Star 

Former Australia spinner Shane Warne says ex-international team-mate Ricky Ponting's criticisms of captain Michael Clarke might have been motivated by "jealousy".

Full story: Canberra Times 

Warne says England captain Alastair Cook's "negative" captaincy could cost his side the Ashes.

Full story: Daily Telegraph 

George Bailey has responded to former Australia captain Ian Chappell's claim he is not good enough to play Test cricket.

Full story: Fox Sports 

The new stand at the Sydney Cricket Ground will not be finished in time for the fifth Ashes Test, which starts on 2 January, 2014.

Full story: The Age 

Fast bowler Mitchell Starc says Australia will not underestimate Ian Bell. The England batsman dominated the summer series but Starc said: "We didn't really expect him to perform the way he did. To his credit he performed outstandingly well and more or less won the series by himself."

Full story: Sydney Morning Herald 

Alastair Cook's mid-session pep talk with Steven Finn during England's game with Western Australia XI could have helped the fast-bowler to a place in the first Test starting line up. Cook exchanged words in a drinks break and Finn immediately took two wickets. He is now back in contention for the vacant fourth bowler's spot when the series begins in Brisbane on 21 November.

Full story: Daily Mail 

England coach Andy Flower's "record is phenomenal" says Matt Prior

Former captain Ian Chappell believes Australia needs to give young talent more opportunity at state level if they are to produce world-class batsmen in the future. He said: "All the top batsmen I played with were playing state cricket at 18 at the latest - Bill Lawry, Bobby Simpson, Doug Walters, Greg Chappell. Now the young batsmen are off playing Under-19s cricket instead of grade cricket against men, and the only two 20-year-old Test batsmen Australia has produced in the last 20 years have been Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting."

Full story: Daily Telegraph 

England wicketkeeper Matt Prior hopes coach Andy Flower remains as team director for years to come. "He's been fantastic for this England cricket team," he said. "His record is phenomenal; he's been brilliant as a coach. Hopefully, as far as I'm concerned, I hope he continues."

Full story: BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek

Mitchell Johnson has been sent home from Australia's ODI series in India with one game left to play to preserve his fitness. That means it is likely the fast bowler will feature in the first Ashes Test as replacement for injured left-armer Mitchell Starc.

Full story: The Australian 

Australia all-rounder Shane Watson suffered a pre-Ashes injury scare during their seventh and final one-day international in India. Watson aborted the opening delivery of his sixth over and limped off the field with what was initially reported to be a hamstring problem. He did not bat in his regular number three position, coming in at number eight. (Press Association)

Batsman Michael Carberry would be happy to fill England's problem position at number six, after scoring 78 opening the innings in their first warm-up game in Perth - and admits that if he were not on the Ashes tour, he would be working as an electrician, after becoming fully qualified last March.

Full story: Daily Telegraph (UK) 

Hampshire batsman Carberry is a fully qualified electrician who has his own business

Former Australia leg-spinner Stuart MacGill has urged the selectors not to abandon off-spinner Nathan Lyon - but says rookie leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed could feature alongside Lyon in a twin-spin attack in several Tests.

Full story: Sydney Morning Herald 

Australia paceman Mitchell Johnson is bowling well and will be undaunted by the chants of England's Barmy Army fans who taunted him mercilessly during the 2010-11 Ashes - according to Aussie fast bowling coach Craig McDermott.

Full story: Cricket Australia 

Despite previous reports that Hot Spot technology would not be used in this winter's Ashes, the thermal imaging technology may yet return for the series - and be joined by a trial of "Real Time Snicko" which shows whether the ball has been edged.

Full story: the Guardian 

Rival Ashes captains Michael Clarke and Alastair Cook have been nominated for the People's Choice Award at the International Cricket Council's annual awards. The other nominees are India duo Mahendra Dhoni and Virat Kohli, and South Africa's AB de Villiers.

Full story: ICC news release 

Australia captain Michael Clarke has been reprimanded for breaching Cricket Australia's code of behaviour while playing for New South Wales. When a Tasmania batsman was given not out after NSW appealed for a catch at gully, a frustrated Clarke made a 'T' sign, indicating he wanted the decision reviewed - and the review system is not in use for domestic games.

Full story: Cricket Australia news release 

Fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has been released early from Australia's one-day tour of India, missing the seventh and final ODI, in order to stake his claim for Test selection in longer-form cricket.

Full story: Cricket Australia news release 

Australia leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed, 31, could feature in the first Test in Brisbane after taking a career-best 6-68 for Victoria against Western Australia.

Full story: Daily Mirror 

All available tickets for the opening day of the Boxing Day Test against England have been sold at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and the crowd could break a 52-year-old world record for single-day attendance. The MCG's official capacity is 100,000, although without all the standing room seats being sold, it is between 98,000-99,000. The current attendance record for a single day is 90,800, also at the MCG, during a West Indies Test in 1961.

Full story: Cricket Australia 

Australia's hopes of regaining the Ashes at home this summer will improve if their players are subjected to a more disciplined set-up, rigorous training and minimal leniency, according to former wicketkeeper Ian Healy.

Full story: Cricinfo 

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Carberry stakes Ashes claim with 153

England's Michael Carberry boosted his hopes of playing in the Ashes with 153 not out - then reflected on how close he came to dying just three years ago.

The Hampshire star batted through the entire first day against Australia A in Hobart as he and captain Alastair Cook made a commanding 318 without loss.

“It's been a tough couple of years, but thankfully strength of mind is a big thing”

Michael Carberry But, in 2010, a blood clot on his lung threatened more than just his career.

"It does give your cricket perspective when you're close to losing your life," Carberry, 33, told BBC Sport.

"It's been a tough couple of years, but thankfully strength of mind is a big thing. I've a very supportive family back home and they helped me through it.

"I'm glad to be back. Cricket's a different battle, let's put it that way."

After being named in the Ashes touring party ahead of Nick Compton, and scoring 78 and 153 not out in his two innings on tour, he is remaining grounded about his prospects of playing in Brisbane in a fortnight.

"I didn't come here with any major expectations. I just try to take it from game to game," he said.

"If I bat well when I get the chance, I give myself every possible chance to play, but I'm not trying to look too far ahead.

"The Gabba's still a couple of weeks away, so there's no point in worrying whether I'll be selected or where I'll be batting."

1980: Born in Croydon, Surrey, on 29 September 1999: Plays for Surrey Cricket Board XI in NatWest Trophy 2001: Makes first-class debut for Surrey 2003: Joins Kent 2006: Moves to Hampshire 2007: Plays for England A in Bangladesh. Losing finalist in FP Trophy 2008: Plays for England Lions in India & for MCC against county champions Sussex 2009: Wins FP Trophy final with Hants at Lord's; scores 204 v Warwickshire 2010: Plays only Test in Bangladesh; wins FPT20 with Hants; misses England Performance Programme tour to Australia after being treated for blood clots & shortness of breath 2011: Returns to cricket in July after illness; scores 300 not out v Yorkshire, breaking Hants partnership record 2012: Wins FLT20 & CB40 double with Hants; plays in Champions League T20 2013: Makes ODI debut for England; picked for Ashes tour Carberry and Cook, who hit 154, opened the batting in the penultimate warm-up game before the first Test, which begins on 21 November.

"It was quite tough early on but I think it was a good day's batting. We had to dig in and survive, but as the wicket dried out the ball came on a little bit better and we tried to capitalise," Carberry said.

"We had talked at great length about setting big first-innings scores - it sets it up for the guys coming in later to push the accelerator pedal.

"Alastair Cook's our leader and it's great to see him leading from the front."

Carberry played one Test, opening with fellow left-hander Cook, in March 2010 in Bangladesh before he was left out of the next game as England opted to play a second spinner in a five-man attack.

He went on to hit 1,385 first-class runs that summer - the best haul of his career.

Later that year, he was selected for the England performance programme squad to travel to Australia and shadow the main tour party. But he had to pull out after being treated for blood clots and shortness of breath, which prevented him from going on long-haul flights.

He missed half of the 2011 county season, only returning in July, but a month later scored 300 not out in a partnership of 523 with Neil McKenzie against Yorkshire - a Hampshire record for any wicket and, at the time, the ninth-highest for any wicket in all first-class cricket.

But would he have played in England's first tour game in Perth had Cook not been ruled out with a back injury?

"We'll never know now," said Carberry. "I was just told I was opening in Perth, then opening today, so I was looking for more of the same."

Venue: HobartDate: 6-9 NovemberStart time: 23:00 GMT (5-8 November)Coverage: Ball-by-ball commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra from 22:45 GMT

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Carberry's remarkable cricketing revival

Michael Carberry is in line to complete a remarkable turnaround in his career if he is chosen for England in the opening Ashes Test.

Having made his only Test appearance in Bangladesh three years ago, the Hampshire batsman was almost forced to quit cricket after becoming seriously ill with a blood clot on his lung in 2010.

But after qualifying as an electrician - which has occupied his last two winters - he has now established himself as favourite to open at the Gabba in Brisbane after scoring an unbeaten 154 and 78 in his first two innings on the tour.

"It's been a tough couple of years," Carberry told BBC Sport. "In a strange way, it does give your cricket perspective when you're close to losing your life."

It took Carberry several years to start showing the potential that would eventually lead to his place back in England's squad for the Ashes tour.

1980: Born in Croydon, Surrey, on 29 September 1999: Plays for Surrey Cricket Board XI in NatWest Trophy 2001: Makes first-class debut for Surrey 2003: Joins Kent 2006: Moves to Hampshire 2007: Plays for England A in Bangladesh. Losing finalist in FP Trophy 2008: Plays for England Lions in India & for MCC against county champions Sussex 2009: Wins FP Trophy final with Hants at Lord's; scores 204 v Warwickshire 2010: Plays only Test in Bangladesh; wins FPT20 with Hants; misses England Performance Programme tour to Australia after being treated for blood clots & shortness of breath 2011: Returns to cricket in July after illness; scores 300 not out v Yorkshire, breaking Hants partnership record 2012: Wins FLT20 & CB40 double with Hants; plays in Champions League T20 2013: Makes ODI debut for England; picked for Ashes tour He struggled to establish himself after making his first-class debut for Surrey in 2001 and joined Kent, hopeful of greater opportunity, two years later.

That move did not go as he would have liked, though, and he even considered quitting cricket altogether  when he again failed to become a regular member of their side.

It was his switch to Hampshire in 2006, initially on a two-year contract, that revitalised his career and he revelled in the support shown in him by Shane Warne, his new captain, to earn selection for the England A tour to Bangladesh that winter.

He was also chosen for the England Lions tour to India a year later after scoring over 1,000 first class runs in 2007 and helped Hampshire win the Friends Provident Trophy in 2009 and 2010.

After scoring 1,385 first-class runs in the summer that followed his Test debut in March 2010, he appeared set for a bright England future - and was selected for the England Performance Programme squad trip to Australia that winter.

However, he had to withdraw after being diagnosed with the blood clot and suffering shortness of breath, which ruled him out of taking any long flights. He faced an uncertain future wondering whether he would even be able to continue playing county cricket for Hampshire.

Extensive treatment forced him to miss the first half of the 2011 season while he recovered and, although he returned impressively by scoring an unbeaten 300 against Yorkshire , it was thought his England Test chance had gone.

Carberry, now 33, continued to make regular runs at domestic level and established himself as one of the best fielders in the county game, developing into an explosive one-day batsman, and helping Hampshire win the double of the Friends Life Twenty20 tournament and the CB40 in 2012.

He was rewarded for his consistent form by being given his one-day international debut against Australia at the end of last summer and then became a surprise choice for the Ashes tour ahead of Somerset's Nick Compton.

Even after selection, he was regarded as a reserve opener in case of injury or illness, but took his opportunity by scoring a half century in the opening match against a Western Australia X1 in Perth, when England captain Alastair Cook sat out the match with a slight back strain.

It earned him the chance to open alongside Cook, ahead of Yorkshire's Joe Root, in the match against Australia A in Hobart - where his unbroken 318-run stand with the captain looks to have propelled him towards selection for the first Ashes Test.

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Cook & Carberry shine for England

Tour match, Hobart (day one of four):

Openers Alastair Cook and Michael Carberry shone with unbeaten centuries as England made 318 without loss on the first day of their four-day Ashes warm-up game against Australia A in Hobart.

After Cook won the toss, the two left-handers batted through the entire day.

Carberry put himself firmly in Test contention with 153 not out, hitting 22 fours and lofting spinner Jon Holland for two straight sixes.

Meanwhile, Cook played himself into form with a serene 154.

"A remarkable day for Michael Carberry - talk about seizing your opportunity. It might have a big knock-on effect for England as he may have scuppered Joe Root opening for now, he's absolutely scuppered it for Jonny Bairstow, and probably for Gary Ballance as well, as Root will bat at six. It would be interesting - if they ever tell us - to ask England, if it wasn't for Cook's bad back, whether Cook would have opened with Carberry or Root in the first game in Perth."

The pair's unbroken opening stand was the highest first-wicket partnership for England since Cyril Washbrook and Len Hutton put on 359 against South Africa in 1948.

Graham Thorpe and Mark Ramprakash were the last England partnership to bat through a full day, against South Australia in November 1998.

It was a dream Test audition for 33-year-old Carberry, who, since winning his only Test cap in March 2010, has battled serious illness and set up his own business after qualifying as an electrician  in the expectation England might never come calling again.

With an Ashes place up for grabs, and the first Test in Brisbane a fortnight away, he offered one chance - when he had already scored 135 - but did not look out of place alongside Cook, with whom he opened in that sole Test appearance against Bangladesh in Chittagong when they added 72 and 65.

After making 78 in the previous warm-up game at Perth, Carberry's inclusion meant Joe Root moved down to number five, with Ian Bell rested - pointing towards a possible choice for the Test XI between Carberry and Yorkshire's Gary Ballance, who was handed another chance in the problem position of number six, despite a first-ball failure in Perth.

Jonny Bairstow now looks out of contention for the number six role after failing to feature in either warm-up game, while Chris Tremlett's inclusion in a four-man attack, alongside Test certainties James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann, indicated he may be favourite for the third seamer's role ahead of Steven Finn and Boyd Rankin.

Carberry was outscored by his captain early on as the two left-handers saw off the new ball, but came out of his shell after the opening stand had passed 50, hoisting uncapped slow left-armer Holland over mid-off for a couple of fours.

Australia A skipper Moses Henriques found little assistance for his five-man attack while Holland, nominally the front-line spinner, was outbowled by part-timer Glenn Maxwell, who extracted more turn and bowled with greater economy.

Cook, characteristically strong off his legs, brought up his fifty before lunch with successive fours off Maxwell's off-spin, and had made 80 by the time Carberry had only 44 to his name.

But while Carberry took until halfway through the day to reach his half century, he did so in style with a flashing drive for four, moved up through the gears with some powerful pull shots and used his feet well against the spinners.

Carberry survived a loud lbw appeal from Ben Cutting on 83, with replays showed the ball pitching a fraction outside leg stump, but Holland's return to the attack gave him the chance to draw level with Cook on 94 just before tea with an attractive cover-driven four and a lofted six.

While Cook marked his century in the first over after the interval with an undemonstrative wave of his bat, his partner could be forgiven for a more emotional reaction to reaching the same landmark, three years after a blood clot on his lung threatened more than just his cricket career.

And when his former Hampshire team-mate Maxwell served up an inviting half-volley on leg stump, Carberry helped it through long leg for four to complete his first hundred in England colours, removing his helmet to acknowledge his team-mates who rose to salute the centurion.

By the 77th over, such was the fielding side's desperation they turned to the off-spin of Usman Khawaja, who boasts one first-class wicket in nearly six years.

The Aussies had waited all day for a chance - and it finally came at 288-0 just after the second new ball was taken when Cutting found the edge as Carberry attempted another flashing drive, but Trent Copeland grassed a straightforward chance at gully, as if to sum up Australia's day.

Venue: HobartDate: 6-9 NovemberStart time: 23:00 GMT (5-8 November)Coverage: Ball-by-ball commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra from 22:45 GMT

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