Kumar Sangakkara became the first batsman to hit 150-plus scores in four consecutive Tests as Sri Lanka pressed for victory in the first Test against England on Tuesday. The left-hander made 152 as Sri Lanka piled up 442-8 in their second innings when they declared 30 minutes before stumps on the fourth day to leave England an imposing victory target of 350.
England closed the day on 9-1, losing Alastair Cook to the fourth ball of the innings from Chaminda Vaas, who forced an edge to Chamara Silva at first slip. Skipper Michael Vaughan was unbeaten on one and nightwatchman James Anderson was on four as England return on the final day to attempt a history-defying win.
Sangakkara's 16th Test century -- the sixth in his last 10 innings -- made him only the ninth batsman in history to score a hundred against all the other nine Test-playing nations.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Yousuf and Younis saves the day for Pak. - Day 5
Stand-in captain Younis Khan staved off a spin threat and scored an unbeaten 107 under pressure to help Pakistan draw the second Test against India here on Tuesday. Pakistan finished at 214-4 in their second innings chasing a stiff 345-run target off 81 overs on the fifth and final day. Mohammad Yousuf played the supporting role and was unbeaten on 44 when the game was called off with four overs remaining. Pakistan, trailing 1-0, now have a chance to square the three-Test series when they clash with India in the third match at Bangalore starting Sunday.
Indian spinners Anil Kumble (2-73) and Harbhajan made the batsmen struggle for runs on a slow turning track, keeping a tidy line and length with four men in catching positions close to the bat. Pakistan were in trouble midway through the afternoon session when they lost four wickets for 78 in 40 overs, but Younis came to his team's rescue as he added 136 for the unfinished fifth-wicket stand with Yousuf. Former captain Sourav Ganguly, playing on his home ground, completed 6,000 runs in Test cricket during his 46 before being bowled by fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.
Pakistan, trailing 1-0, now have a chance to square the three-Test series when they clash with India in the third match at Bangalore starting Sunday.
Indian spinners Anil Kumble (2-73) and Harbhajan made the batsmen struggle for runs on a slow turning track, keeping a tidy line and length with four men in catching positions close to the bat. Pakistan were in trouble midway through the afternoon session when they lost four wickets for 78 in 40 overs, but Younis came to his team's rescue as he added 136 for the unfinished fifth-wicket stand with Yousuf. Former captain Sourav Ganguly, playing on his home ground, completed 6,000 runs in Test cricket during his 46 before being bowled by fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.
Pakistan, trailing 1-0, now have a chance to square the three-Test series when they clash with India in the third match at Bangalore starting Sunday.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Murali's Test wicket record will stand forever, says Warne
Shane Warne has congratulated Muttiah Muralitharan on reclaiming the world record for most Test wickets, declaring on Monday that the mark will stand forever. Muralitharan claimed his 709th wicket in Sri Lanka's first Test against England in Kandy on Monday to become Test cricket's most successful bowler. The off-spinner, playing his 116th Test, bowled Paul Collingwood to grab his fifth wicket in the innings and surpass retired Australian leg-spinner Warne's world record tally of 708 wickets in 145 matches.
"I congratulate Murali for breaking the record I had," Warne said Monday. "I knew I would only have it for a short time. Murali has said he wanted to take 1000 Test wickets and he has every chance of getting there. "If he does I don't think anyone else will catch him." Muralitharan's career has been blighted by concerns over the legitimacy of his action but Warne refused to denigrate the achievement.
"Despite what people say he'll be remembered as one of the game's great bowlers," Warne said. "He's an excellent competitor and has been great for Sri Lankan cricket. He's a great bloke too. I've been to Sri Lanka to help him after the (December 2004) tsunami and we now even have a trophy named after the two of us. I'd just like to say 'well done on the record'." Tom Moody, who coached Sri Lanka for two years before departing after the World Cup in April to take charge at Western Australia, believes Muralitharan could reach 1000 Test wickets.
"If his body holds together and he's still got the burning desire to achieve those personal milestones, he's going to do it, simple as that," Moody said. "Obviously, there are a lot of obstacles, particularly physically when you're getting older, but if he manages to stay on the park, there's enough cricket around for him to do it because he takes wicket at such a fast rate."
"I congratulate Murali for breaking the record I had," Warne said Monday. "I knew I would only have it for a short time. Murali has said he wanted to take 1000 Test wickets and he has every chance of getting there. "If he does I don't think anyone else will catch him." Muralitharan's career has been blighted by concerns over the legitimacy of his action but Warne refused to denigrate the achievement.
"Despite what people say he'll be remembered as one of the game's great bowlers," Warne said. "He's an excellent competitor and has been great for Sri Lankan cricket. He's a great bloke too. I've been to Sri Lanka to help him after the (December 2004) tsunami and we now even have a trophy named after the two of us. I'd just like to say 'well done on the record'." Tom Moody, who coached Sri Lanka for two years before departing after the World Cup in April to take charge at Western Australia, believes Muralitharan could reach 1000 Test wickets.
"If his body holds together and he's still got the burning desire to achieve those personal milestones, he's going to do it, simple as that," Moody said. "Obviously, there are a lot of obstacles, particularly physically when you're getting older, but if he manages to stay on the park, there's enough cricket around for him to do it because he takes wicket at such a fast rate."
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