Cricket the game of confidence
Slide 4 Code End -->

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja gives a dramatic finish to the 3rd ODI between India and New Zealand


The 3rd ODI between India and  New Zealand ended up dramatically as India managed to tie the match thanks to the all-round effort of both Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin .After winning the toss Indian skipper MS Dhoni decide to field first which went against his favor as New Zealand posted a huge total of 314 runs in 50 overs.

New Zealand lost their first wicket on 36 runs.Kane Williamson joined Martin Guptill after the dismissal of the first wicket.Both this players batted superbly to set up a strong platform for the kiwis.This pair added 153 runs for the 3rd wicket.Martin Guptill scored a very impressive 111 facing 129 ballls and Kane Williamson made 65 runs.Wicket keeper Luke Ronchi palyed a very good innings down the order scoring 38 runs of just 20 balls.Indian pace attack was not very impressive today.Mohammad Shami took 2 wickets given away 84 runs of his 10 overs and Ravindra Jadeja also picked up 2 wickets for 47 runs which was a very decent bowling performance.

After getting a big total of 314 runs Indian openers provided a good start to India.They were able to post 64 runs as an opening pair before Shikhar Dhawan got out.Indian batting line up fumbled after the dismissal of Dhawan as kiwi bowlers picked up the next three wickets pretty quickly.India were in a very big trouble when Dhoni and Raina joined in.Both of them batted very well to take India to 146-4.Suresh Raina got out on a short pitch delivery.Skipper MS Dhoni got out after getting his fifty.Ashwin started scoring runs very quickly with Ravindra Jadeja.Both of them took India to a better position.Ashwin got out caught when India was on 269.Martin Guptill showed a great presence of mind while taking the catch of Ashwin in the leg side boundary.India in the last over needed 18 runs.Jadeja smashed the very first ball of the over for a boundary.He hit two fours and one massive six in the last over of the match and was able to score 17 runs in the last over which helped India to tie the match.Overall it was a very good one day game.

Ravindra Jadeja was chosen the man of the match for his brilliant all-round performance which kept the hopes of Indian fans alive in the series.Now India will have to win the next two matches to level the series.

New Zealand beats India in 2nd ODI to take 2-0 lead in the 5 match series


India have lost their 2nd game of 5 match ODI series against New Zealand at Hamilton.After winning the toss Indian skipper MS Dhoni decided to field first.Coming to bat New Zealand lost the wicket of Jesse Ryder early on 25.After the dismissal of Ryder, Williamson and Guptill made a handy partnership for the 3rd wicket.

New Zealand was on 170-2 when rain interrupted the game and the match officials was compelled to apply the D/L method.Match was reduced to 42 over each.Kane Williamson got out early after the resumption of the game.He made 77 of 87 balls with 5 boundaries and 1 six.Corey Anderson made very useful 44 of 17 balls.He smashed 5 sixes.Ross Taylor made 57 of 56 balls.Mohammad Shami picked up 3 wickets for india.New Zealand made 271 runs in their 42 over.

India was given the target of 297 in their 42 overs according to the D/L method.Indian openers failed again to provide a good start to their team.After the dismissal of both Indian openers Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane composed the game very well for india and made a very crucial partnership of 90 runs.Virat Kohli showed again why he is considered to be one of the best talent of international cricket.He made 78 runs from 65 balls.This Match was looking pretty much in the balance when the pair of Dhoni and Kohli was batting.But the kiwi bowlers was able to pick up wickets in crucial times.

It was the first delivery of 40th over when the departure of Indian skipper MS Dhoni paved the way for the kiwis to win this game.Corey Anderson took the wicket of Jadeja in the same over and pushed India fully backwards.

Rain again interrupted the game when India was on 277-9 in 41.3 overs.Umpires decided to go off the field.New Zealand was declared the winner of the match by 15 runs(D/L method).Tim Southee took 4 wickets and Corey Anderson was able to pick up 3 wickets for New Zealand.New Zealand takes the lead of 2-0 in 5 match ODI series.Indian players will have to pull their socks up.The visitors will have to win the next 3 games to win the series.

Pakistan VS Sri Lanka:2nd test updates

Pakistan looks in all sorts of trouble in the third day of second test in Abu Dhabi.Mahela Jayawardene proved again why he is considered to be one of the greatest cricketer ever produced by Sri Lankan Cricket as he made the 32nd century of his career.His hundred helped Sri Lanka to take a commanding position in this match

He made 129 of 279 balls hitting 12 fours.Sri Lankan opener Kushal Silva missed out on his maiden test century.He made 95 runs facing 221 balls.Sri Lanka was all-out on 388 runs.they took a lead of 223 runs.Junaid Khan took 3 wickets.Saeed Ajmal and Rahat Ali was able to pick up 2 wickets each.

Pakistan did not have a very pleasing start of their second innings.They lost three quick wickets.Young Nuwan Pradeep hunted down 2 Pakistani batsman's.Pakistan was on 19-3 in 7.5 overs when Pakistani captain Misbah and experienced Younis Khan joined in and build a partnership which was required at that moments.They made an impressive partnership of 113 runs.

Pakistan was on 132-3 in 49 overs at the stumps.Now the responsibility is on the shoulders of this veteran duo to save this test match for Pakistan.


Firts Grand Slam of the year, Australian open starts on Jan 13


One of the biggest and most prestigious tournament of tennis world, Australian Open is going to start on the 13th of  January 2014.This will be the first grand slam of the new year 2014.This tournament is going to be staged is Melbourne park, Melbourne.The matches of this tournament will be played on outdoor hard court.This is the 102nd edition of this tournament.The tournament will start on 13th January and ends on 26 January.

                                                           





Novak Djokovic was the winner of the men`s single from last year who defeated Andy Murray of Britain in breathtaking final of Australian open 2013.He is the three time defending champion.But this time he will have to play hard to defend his tittle for the fourth time.

                                                           


  Victoria Azarenka was the winner of women`s single last year.She defeated Chinese number one Li Na in the final of 2013 Australian open.She will be trying to win the championship for the third consecutive time.

Rafael Nadal who was forced to miss last years tournament due to his knee injury is the biggest threat for Djokovic.He made a great come back winning both French and U.S open last year.He defeated Djokovic in both occasions.He had a great last year and was able to come at top of the rankings.

Victoria Azarenka had a decent last year.There is no doubt that she is one of the best talent of tennis world.She is going to be tested hard by world number Serena Williams.Azarenka lost last week`s Brisbane International final to Williams in a straight sets.Serena must be feeling confident after this victory over the Belorussian.Let`s see if Azarenka can go through Williams to grab the Australian open trophy again..                                                                         

 















1st day updates of 2nd test between Pakistab Vs Sri Lanka


Sri lanka looks in full command at the end of the 1st day of second test in Dubai.Sri Lankan bowlers bowled really well to get Pakistan out on 165 runs.Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bowl first and justified their decision of bowling first.

Pakistan did not have a good start.Ahmed Shehzad lost his wicket early.Khurram Manzoor and Mohammad Hafiz piled up 50 runs for the third wicket.Khurram Manzoor reached to his sixth test fifty before Sri Lanka began to dominate the game.He scored 73 runs facing 136 balls with seven boundaries.

Four of the Pakistani batsman's got out while trying to play the out swinger delivery.Sri Lankan bowlers did not give any chance to any Pakistani batsman's to settle down.They kept taking wicket and destroyed the middle order during the middle session.

Nuan Pradeep who is making his come back in test cricket took 3 wickets and Rangana Herath also took 3 wickets.Khurram Manzoor was the high scorer in the 1st innings for pakistan.

Sri Lanka had a decent start of their innings.Openers added 40 runs before Karunaratne got out lbw by junaid khan in the last ball of 11th over.Sri Lanka is on 57 for 1 in 16 overs at the end of the first day.Sangakkara and Silva will be starting the proceedings tomorrow for Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka is trailing by 108 runs.

As Sri Lanka has performed well in the first day, they will try to take a big lead to dominate the game and to give themselves a better chance to win the second test match.On the other side Pakistani captain Misbah and his bowlers will try to get Sri Lankan batsman's out early to prevent them taking a big lead.
  

5th Test New Zealand Vs West Indies Updates

West Indies beats New Zealand by 203 runs to level the 5 math one day series 2-2 at Hamilton on Wednesday.After winning the toss New Zealand decided to field first which turned out to be a wrong decision for the Kiwis.West Indian batsman Kirk Edward was able to reach the first hundred of his career.Dwayne Bravo made the 2nd hundred of his career in his 154th ODI game.Edwards and Bravo batted really well to take West Indies to its highest ever ODI total of 363 runs loosing only 4 wickets.The previous best total of West Indies was 360 runs against Sri Lanka back in 1987.
               
                                                                       


At the start of the West Indian Innings Kieran Powell Started punishing the bowlers as he reached his fifty in a flash.It took only 28 balls for him to reach his fifty.The opening pair put up a partnership of 95 runs in 12 overs.The pair of Edwards and Bravo made a massive partnership of 211 runs for the fourth wicket which gave West Indian team a real chance to level the series.

After a wounder full  display of batting performance by the West Indian batsman's now it was time for the bowlers to bowl well to defend this big total which was not a very difficult task.Kiwi batsman's was not able to show a good batting performance.They kept loosing wickets in a regular intervals which helped West Indies to push New Zealand far back to chase this total.Dwayne Bravo showed his bowling skills as well.He took 1 wicket and gave away only 12 runs in his 5 overs.

New Zealand was all-out on 160 runs in 29.5 overs which made New Zealand see a massive ODI defeat.spinner Nikita Miller of West Indies took 4 wickets.Dwayne Bravo was given the man of the match award for his impressive all-round performance. 

FIFA president Blatter upset over the world cup preparations


FIFA president Sepp Blatter has criticized Brazil for its preparations for the world cup 2014.He has raised a question over the countries ability to stage this big event in the country.No other world cup host countries has been so much behind in the preparations to host the Football World Cup since he has taken the charge as a President of FIFA, he said.Brazil had 7 years since it was given the opportunity to host the 2014 world cup but they have started the preparations far too late, he said to a newspaper during an interview.

More than half million tickets of the 2014 world cup matches has been sold but the host Brazil still lacks the preparation to stage one of the biggest events in the world.

                                                     

Brazilian President Dilma Roussef came into the defend of her country saying that her country has all the ability to host the 2014 world cup.Construction delays, safety measures, protests and lack of finance is amongst the major problems in the preparation delays.Many of its venues are still under construction which will be hosting the world cup matches.People protested against billions of dollars are being spent in World cup preparations.

FIFA authorities are showing real concerns over the preparations of world cup, But Brazilian authorities is fully confident that Brazil is going to be a great host.Because football is like a religion for the people of Brazil.



Former F1 champion is in critical but stable condition, Hospital officials says


Former seven-time formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher stays in critical but stable condition, Grenoble hospital says.He was injured last week while skiing in France and rushed to the hospital immediately after the accident.He was very lucky that he was wearing helmet during the accident which saved his head from more critical injuries. 

He remains in coma and his doctors considers his condition critical but stable.He turned 45 on 3rd January.The 45 year old  has had two brain surgeries.His head was badly injured during the skiing when he hit his head to a rock.

The German formula 1 driver won formula 1 championship in 1994 & 1995.He won 5 consecutive championships from 2000 to 2004.He is considered to be a legend of formula 1 race.He had a great career of more than 20 years and took his retirement after 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix.

Rafael nadal wins the Qatar open final


New world number 1 Rafael Nadal has defeated French tennis star Gael Monfils 6-1, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2 to win the Qatar open final.This win was included to his 61st career title.Nadal had a great opening of the new year.Now he hopes to regain the Australian open title after 5 years.

Mofils has been in the Qatar open three times but went home without the title.Nadal was on the driving seat during the first set.He took only 23 minutes to win the first set over Mofils.The second game was a tiebreaker.Mofils won the tiebreaker.

In the third set Nadal played like a champion.He was leading 3-1 when he saved four break points to take the lead of 4-1.Nadal won the third set 6-2 to win the Qatar open title.

Nadal is now on number eight in the all time list.He opened his new year campaign with a victory.Though he has not been in best of his form but after winning the Qatar open  he sent a straight message to his opponents that he is not going to be an easy rival through this year.


Australia beats England in the 5th Test to win back the Ashes urn 5-0

Australia has white washed England after the victory in the 5th Test in Sydney.That ends the 4 years wait for the Australian team to win the Ashes urn.At the start of the 3rd day Bailey and Rogers was very watchful.They made 109 runs stand for the sixth wicket.Broad took the first wicket of the day.After the dismissal of Bailey, Brad Haddin walked in the middle.He was looking to have a go after every English bowlers.

Chris Rogers smashed a delivery from Pietersen Through the point to reach his 3rd test hundred.He turned out to be an excellent opener for the Aussies.Cook was trying to use every available options he had to end the Australian innings.Australia set up a huge total of 447 runs.England team needed a miraculous performance to chase down this huge total in the 4th innings.Ben Stokes was the pick of the bowler from England side.He took 6/99 & 2/62 in the match.

At the start of the England innings the devastation started as English batsmans were not able to stand in the middle for a long time.Mitchelle Johnson provided the break through to Australia.He took the wicket of Cook.English team lost their last 7 wickets for just 79 runs.Ryan Harris took 5 wickets to break the spine of English batting line-up.England lost all their wickets for just 166 runs.Carberry was the highest run getter from English side.He scored 43 runs off 63 balls with eight boundaries.It was the fourth delivery  of 31st over when Rankin got out by Harris and England innings was wrapped up.English team lost the series 5-0 and was unable to escape the white wash.

Ryan Harris was chosen the man of the match for taking 8 wickets in the match.Mitchelle Johnson was chosen the man of the series for his brutal fast bowling through out the series.He took 37 wickets in the series.

 

5th Ashes Test 2nd day updates

Australia is firmly on the driving seat of the 5th Ashes Test going on in Sydney.At the start of the second day Aussie bowlers bowled exceedingly well to wrap up England innings cheaply.English team was all-out for just 155 runs.

Australia took the lead of 171 runs.Aussie pace trio Harris, Johnson, and Siddle took 3 wickets each.They devastated the English innings.Spinner Nathan Lyon took 1 wicket.English all-rounder Ben Stokes was the highest run scorer for England.He scored 47 runs off 101 balls with 4 boundaries.

Australia also lost few wickets to set up a big target for the English team in the 4th innings.Warner, Watson, Clark, and smith went very cheaply.But opener Chris Rogers kept going from the other end to reach yet another half century.He scored 73 off 89 balls with 9 fours.English bowler jimmy Anderson took 2 wickets

At the end of the 2nd day Australia was on 140-4.Australia has the lead of 311 runs at the end of the day.Australian team is on the way to set up a huge fourth innings total for the visitors.Now English team will have to restrict Australia as quickly as possible to escape the defeat in the match and white wash in the series.

Victoria Azarenka in the final of Brisbane international

Victoria Azarenka Beats Jelena Jankovic to reach the final of Brisbane international on Friday.Azarenka had a very shaky start.She lost the first set but came back strongly.She won the next two sets to defeat the former world number 1 Jelena Jankovic.

Jelena was playing very well and giving a very tough competition to this current Australian Open champion.But she was unable to held her nerve.

The score was 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.On the other side Serena Williams defeated Maria Sarapova to reach the final.Now Victoria Azarenka and Serena Williams will be facing each other in the final match of the Brisbane international.  

5th Ashes Test Updates

The 5th test between Australia and England has started in Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney.Australia was in a very big trouble during the initial Phase of the game as they were on 97/5 before Brad Haddin and Steve Smith walked in the middle.

Brad Haddin and Steve Smith made a very crucial partnership to take Australia to a better position.Though England had a very good start but Still Australia managed to score 326 runs.Steve Smith scored a massively impressive 115 runs.He was the last man who got out.

All-rounder Ben Stokes took 6 wickets and gave away 99 runs.He took 3 wickets in 1 over to close the Australian innings.At the start of the 2nd innings English opener Michael Carberry was struggling against the Australian pace battery Mitchell Johnson and got out early courtesy of a brilliant catch by Nathan Lyon.

After the dismissal of Carberry the arrival of English bowler James Anderson was a surprise.At the end of the 1st day English team was on  8/1 in 6 overs.English captain Alastair Cook is in the middle along with James Anderson.

Croey Anderson of New Zealand cracked the fastest century in ODI Cricket

New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson smashed the fastest hundred in the history of one day cricket breaking the record of Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi.It took only 36 balls for him to score the hundred.

Corey Anderson scored  an unbeaten 131 of just 47 balls hitting the third highest 12 sixes in an innings.Indian batsman Rohit Sharma has the record of hitting most number of sixes in an innings Which is 16 followed by the Australian all-rounder Shane Watson.

Anderson and Jesse Ryder put on 191 runs for the fourth wicket.Jesse Ryder faced 46 balls to reach his ton.Anderson said he did not think that he will break the record of Shahid Afridi.

Anderson was on 95 of 35 balls when he nailed the next ball out of the park to become the record holder of fastest century in one day cricket.New Zealand beat West Indies in the 3rd ODI courtesy of the brutal innings played by Corey Anderson