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Australia 323 and 284 for 3 dec (Hayden 99) drew with India 409 (Ganguly 144, Gillespie 4-66, MacGill 4-86) and 73 for 2 (Dravid 43*)
Scorecard

Steve Waugh provided an already exciting Test with one final twist by declaring late on the final day, just when no-one expected it. Australia set India an improbable victory target of 199 from 23 overs, on the back of a savage 99 from Matthew Hayden. India then lost both openers cheaply before Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman took them to a respectable 73 for 2 from 16 overs, at which point play was called off, and the Test drawn. Amazingly, even with almost ten hours lost, this Test kept spectators interested till the very end.When Akash Chopra and Virender Sehwag walked out to bat, chasing over 8.5 runs an over, they had little to gain and almost everything to lose. They could either shut up shop and help themselves to some time out in the middle, or go for quick runs and risk being dismissed cheaply. What the openers decided to do, we may never know, but the results were there for all to see. Sehwag (0) tried to flick the first ball he faced, from Nathan Bracken, closed the face of his bat too early, and could only get a leading edge to Damien Martyn at midwicket (4 for 1). Chopra (4) poked at the very next ball, and presented Justin Langer with a catch in the slips.In an instant, the match came alive, and Bracken was on a hat-trick on his Test debut. VVS Laxman came out to the middle. Sachin Tendulkar, who was off the field for 48 minutes of the Australian innings, could not bat till that much time had elapsed, or five wickets had fallen. Laxman squirted the first ball he played through gully to avoid the hat-trick.From then on, there were no scares for India. Dravid dominated Stuart MacGill to pick up an unbeaten 43 from 47 balls, while Laxman (24 not out) was his charming self, as India reached 73 for 2 from 16 overs, and the match was drawn.

But apart from the last session, and Hayden’s savage assault, the day did not hold as much interest as the scorecard might suggest. On the fourth day, India’s tail had wagged with all the enthusiasm of a terrier’s when in pursuit of a fox, but it subsided limply on the morning of the final day. India lost two wickets without adding to their overnight score of 362 for 6. Ajit Agarkar (12) slashed one to the slips, and Parthiv Patel’s top-edged hook was well taken by a diving Andy Bichel at fine leg and he was on his way for 37.Zaheer Khan then merrily drove three boundaries, and lofted one glorious straight six in his 27, while Harbhajan Singh swatted the ball in inimitable fashion as India pushed along to 409. Zaheer took some effort to convert a MacGill delivery into a yorker, and was bowled (403 for 9). Ashish Nehra then confirmed his No. 11 position by padding up to a fuller one from MacGill. While Nehra might have looked quizzically back at Steve Bucknor when the finger went up to confirm the lbw, it is unlikely to inspire any of the outrage another similar incident did.India had taken a first-innings lead of 86, which in itself was an achievement for a team written off by many even before the series began. And when Langer edged Agarkar to Patel before he’d scored, the Indians were cock-a-hoop. Australia were 6 for 1 and suddenly Test cricket Down Under did not seem such a tough ask after all.

Hayden then brought the Indians crashing back to earth with an array of heavy strokes that would have done a wood-chopper proud. He stood on the crease, transferred his weight from back to front foot, and simply bludgeoned the ball in all directions. The straight hits were particularly savage, and left the bowlers spinning in their followthroughs to track the flight of the ball back towards the fence. And he did this with gay abandon even as Ricky Ponting made as less-than-inspiring 50 and departed. He continued to biff the ball as the hundred approached, and moved from 93 to 99 with a big six.His confidence high – perhaps too high – on a wave of form that has made him the first man to score 1000 runs in a calendar year three times in succession, Hayden holed out. He swatted Harbhajan straight down Sehwag’s throat at the midwicket fence. Hayden’s 98-ball 99 had put India on the back foot.With the field well spread out, and Zaheer Khan back in the pavilion nursing a hamstring niggle, Waugh (56 not out) and Martyn (66 not out) kept the scoreboard ticking over at a steady pace. A brace of sweetly timed straight sixes from Martyn signalled that a declaration was imminent. It came with 23 overs left in the day, with the lead 199, but it did not change the end result.Anand Vasu is assistant editor of Wisden Cricinfo.

Sri Lanka’s performance against New Zealand was not only convincing but alsouplifting, with the manner in which it was attained giving credence to theteam’s claims that their form is peaking at just the right time.

During the last three months Sri Lanka’s confidence had received a severebruising from a string of humiliating defeats in South Africa and Australia.Pundits predicted further embarrassment in the World Cup.

But, all along, coach Dav Whatmore urged players and fans to look at the bigpicture and realise that, despite losing, Sanath Jayasuriya’s side wasgaining priceless experience in unfamiliar conditions.When Sri Lanka claimed back-to-back victories at Sydney the managementclaimed that they had turned the corner and were gradually becomingacclimatised to the quick, bouncy pitches that predominate in Australia andSouth Africa.

Yesterday’s 47-run victory provided credibility to Whatmore’s positiveassertions, which had previously been considered little more than wishfulthinking. It appears that all the heartache may have been worthwhile afterall.Crucially, Jayasuriya, the key player in Sri Lanka’s limited overs toporder, is in the best form of his life. Crucially, immaculate shot selectionhas been married to his natural belligerence, meaning that he is able tosustain his batting onslaughts and build match-winning scores.

A phenomenal strike rate ensures that when Jayasuriya fires properly, SriLanka invariably emerge victorious. Should he be able to sustain his purpleform throughout the tournament then no side is unbeatable and World Cupglory is attainable.

The batting of Hashan Tillakaratne was perhaps even more encouraging. Thenumber three position was a serious concern and there were doubts as towhether the adhesive 34-year-old could adapt his patient game to the demandsof the modern one-day game.But he answered those doubts emphatically during a mature and industriousinnings, gluing the innings together and ensuring that Sri Lanka did notlose their way when wickets tumbled in the slog over. With the side packedwith so much attacking flair his presence is reassuring.

In the field the side produced their most disciplined performance forsometime. All the bowlers contributed and not a single no ball was conceded.Moreover, the fielding – with the exception of a fumbling Pulasthi Gunaratneon the boundary – was slick and businesslike.The next three games now provide an opportunity to build momentum with gamesagainst Bangladesh, Canada and Kenya. The next crucial encounter will beagainst West Indies at Cape Town.

Qualification for the Super Sixes sis now virtually assured, assuming nomajor upsets, but wins against South Africa and/or West Indies will beimmensely valuable with points due to be carried through to the second roundleague.If they can with one or both of those games then their chances of qualifyingfor the semi-finals will be much improved. From there, with the likes ofJayasuriya and Murali in the side, anything is possible.

Nepal set the Youth Asia Cup 2003 alive from the outset with a crushing victory over Maldives in one of two opening day games played in Karachi yesterday.The tournament was shifted from Singapore to Pakistan due to SARS concerns.Ten Under-19 Asian teams are playing at seven different grounds and the finalists will qualify for next year’s Youth World Cup to be staged in Bangladesh in January-February.This Asian Cricket Council-sponsored tournament has been organised by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). This year’s event has been split into two pools. Pool A is: United Arab Emirates, Maldives, Singapore, Nepal and Qatar while Pool B is: Malaysia, Kuwait, Hong Kong, Oman and Thailand.

A total of 23 matches will be played and the league round matches will be played on single league basis. The opening matches on Monday were Nepal vs Maldives at National Stadium, Karachi and Singapore vs Qatar at the Karachi Gymkhana Ground.Nepali opener Kanishka Chaugan gave his team a great start by scoring a 109-ball 125, including 15 fours and a six, as his side scored 391 for 4 to set his side on the way to a massive 344-run victory over Maldives at the National Stadium in Karachi. Maldives were bundled out for a paltry 47 in 31.3 overs with extras finishing as the top scorer with 13.Chaugan shared a 138-run first-wicket stand with Yashwant Subedi who hit 63 from 66 balls that included eight fours and a six.For the second wicket, Chaugan put on 70 runs with Sharad Veswakar (30) while the third wicket produced 99 of which Shakti Gauchan’s contribution was 60 from 54 balls with four fours.Maldives were unable to cope with the Nepali bowlers and wickets were evenly shared between Lakpa Lema (3-5), Shakti Gauchan (2-3), Irfan Ahmed Siddiqui (2-6) and Manjean Shrestha (2-16).In the other game at the Karachi Gymkhana, Qatar’s Qamar Sadiq’s all-round performance was not enough as Singapore won their opening match by 40 runs.Batting first, Singapore collected 249 for 9 in 50 overs with Iftikhar Haider belting four sixes and a four in his rapid 51-ball 65.Mohammad Athar picked up 3 for 25 while Qamar chipped in with 3 for 38.Allrounder Qamar was in action again when Qatar batted scoring 36. Mohammad Imran finished unbeaten on 44, as Qatar were restricted to 209 for 9.Qatar’s Ronald Josphe stole the bowling honours with 3 for 34 while Rizwan Madakia bagged 2 for 21.Brief scores:
Nepal vs Maldives: Nepal 391-4 in 50 overs (Kanishka Chaugan 125, Yashwant Subedi 63, Shakti Gauchan 60, Ahmed Hassan 2-73) beat Maldives (47 in 31.3 overs) by 344 runs (Lakpa Lema 3-5).Singapore vs Qatar: Singapore 249-9 in 50 overs (Iftikhar Haider 65, Athar Khan 3-25, Qamar Sadiq 3-35) beat Qatar (209-9 in 50 overs) by 40 runs. (Mohammad Emran 44 not out, Qamar Sadiq 36, Rizwan Madakia 2-21, Ronald Josphe 3-34).Tuesday’s fixtures are, Kuwait vs Malaysia at Quaid-e-Azam Park (Umpires: Asad Rauf and Islam Khan. Match referee: Munawar Agha); Hong Kong vs Oman at National Stadium (Umpires Nadeem Ghauri, Afzaal Ahmed, Match referee: Taslim Arif).

Lance Hamilton of Central Districts, showed he might be a left-arm bowler in New Zealand who can fill the boots of the now-retired Geoff Allott with his five-wicket bag against Canterbury at the Village Green today.In his comeback year, after missing the 2000/01 season through injury, Hamilton took four wickets in 10 balls at either end of Canterbury’s innings today as the early-season pacesetters stumbled against accurate swing bowling on a dead pitch.Five wickets went for 45 runs this morning, with the last three going to Hamilton, as Canterbury collapsed to a first innings score of 153.Hamilton’s career-best of 5-30 was complimented with two wickets in his opening over when Canterbury followed on 212 runs behind.But then Robbie Frew, with 79 not out, and Shanan Stewart (54) added 111, the highest partnership of the match, to give Canterbury a chance of setting a target on the fourth day in a match where teams have made whole sessions belong to them.CD took all three on the first day, Canterbury the first yesterday and the last two today, and Hamilton ensured the Stags, took the opening session today.”We had two good sessions, but they were definitely needed,” laughed Canterbury coach Michael Sharpe.”After that Auckland pitch,” Sharpe explained, “where our batters were in a bit of a different mind about what to play and what not to play, I think it overran into this game as well.”Canterbury had its first loss of the season, by an innings, on a suspect Auckland wicket last week.”Even up in Auckland Robbie Frew showed some good signs. He’s come into the side and waited for a couple of games and he’s really taken his opportunity, occupying the crease very well,” said Sharpe of his 31-year-old opener, who saw off Hamilton today after his devastating start.Hamilton took 14 wickets in three matches for New Zealand A in England during June 2000 after taking 31 at 20.22 for CD in 1999/00.Missing the whole of last season through injury, the Papakura-born 28-year-old has now taken 18 wickets this term.”He actually got the ball to swing back in from over the wicket,” noted Sharpe. “To be able to angle the ball back in is very dangerous on a low, slow wicket.”Canterbury lost Jarrod Englefield (completing a pair) and Michael Papps in Hamilton’s opening six balls, but survived a further 83 overs in the rest of the day, occasionally batting eloquently towards stumps.When Stewart was unluckily lbw to the second ball after tea, a third Riccarton club player, Gary Stead, helped Frew see Canterbury to within 34 runs of CD by the close.Frew nudged to his highest score for a year, after joint top scoring in Canterbury’s first innings, while Stead also hung around, increasing his stroke play to the spinners towards the close. They made CD bowl top lines, leaving everything that wasn’t straight and, in Frew’s case, after being left out for most of the season, reproducing his second team form today.At a ground where the southwesterly wind was so cold CD coach Dipak Patel wore a scarf, Canterbury may be able to set Central a target tomorrow and copy their 102-run comeback win at Pukekura Park early in the season.”It’ll be great to get into that position where we can put some pressure onto them, but its a long way to go yet,” smiled Sharpe after his team showed the mettle for a fight to reward their new coach yet again today.

PAARL, Feb 25: Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram on Tuesday had reasons to celebrate after he became the first bowler to scalp 500 batsmen in One-day Internationals when he dismissed Holland’s opener Nick Statham.Wasim had to wait a bit longer for his 500th victim as Holland decided to field first after winning the toss but he wasted little time in achieving the milestone. He has now taken 502 wickets in 354 one-dayers.Incidentally, Wasim’s first scalp was Australian opener Robbie Kerr when the demon left-arm speedster began his international career in late 1984.Wasim intends to quit international cricket after the World Cup but was undecided when to make the announcement.”I am talking to my family, friends and well-wishers about the retirement. It (the decision) will not be a hasty one as I do not want to regret it afterwards,” he told Dawn.Wasim said he was lucky to have won every honour the game could bestow on a player and would not like to become a liability and quit when on top.”I am no longer getting younger and I am fully aware that it is getting difficult every day to keep yourself motivated and fit to give your best at both limited over and Test versions of the game,” he said.The former Lancashire captain also revealed that he was considering an offer from English county Hampshire to skipper their team this season as a replacement for the banned Australian spin king Shane Warne.Wasim also disclosed that after quitting the game he would be signing on with television channel ESPN as a commentator as cricket had been his life and the only job.Reuters adds: The 36-year-old admitted he was a relieved man. “I was really under pressure last night and, like any youngster, although I am not a youngster, I couldn’t get to sleep. But now I’m relaxed and, yes, relieved… It was a feeling more of relief than ecstasy.”Statham out for a duck after playing a typically inswinging Wasim delivery back on to his stumps.”I’m very excited but in the end what matters is that Pakistan should qualify,” added Wasim, who later returned to the attack to take two more wickets and help his side to a 97-run victory. “I think we are going in the right direction.”I would like to dedicate this to all the people who have supported me in the last 18 years.”Wasim said two former Pakistan captains as the biggest influences on his career.”Imran (Khan) was the main man who helped me, and Javed Miandad,” he said. “Imran and Javed Miandad taught me how important it was to work hard and do it with passion, and I am still doing that.”Pakistan captain Waqar Younis is the only other player to take more than 400 One-day International wickets.

1st Grade – Two-Day CompetitionSt Albans 58.75,LPW 42.26,East Shirley 27.93,HSOB 15.99,Old Collegians 15.75,BWU 15.53,Sydenham 12.45,Marist 10.82,Riccarton 9.68.1st Grade – One-Day CompetitionEast Shirley 18,Riccarton 18,St.Albans 18,HSOB 12,BWU 6,Canterbury Country 6,LPW 6,Marist 6,Old Collegians 0,Sydenham 0.2nd Grade – Two-day CompetitionOld Collegians 59.57,Riccarton 32.45,BWU 30.17,East Shirley A 20.66,Sydenham 18.65,East Shirley Budgies 18.07,Marist 17.23,HSOB 16.47,LPW 15.59,St.Albans 14.37.2nd Grade – One-day CompetitionEast Shirley A 18Old Collegians 18,East Shirley Budgies 12,HSOB 12,LPW 12,Marist 6,Sydenham 6,BWU 6,Riccarton 0,St Albans 0.3rd Grade GoldBWU Maroon 55.67,LPW 51.72,St Albans 33.58,HSOB Cavaliers 32.76,BWU Gold 28.13,Old Collegians 27.73,Sydenham 21.62,Riccarton 16.6,East Shirley Gold 16.11,East Shirley Blue 11.67.3rd Grade Red – Two-Day Competition:Christ College 60.96,Christchurch Boys HS 34.05,St Andrew’s College 32.74,Shirley Boys HS 31.31,Timaru Boys HS 18.64,St Thomas 11.46,St Bedes 10.76,Burnside HS 9.12.3rd Grade BlackChristchurch Boys HS Blue* 61.48,St Andrew’s College 46.87,Christ’s College 34.48,Shirley Boys HS 31.86,Burnside HS* 21.1,Christchurch Boys HS Black 16.48,Christchurch Boys HS Red 11.59,Riccarton HS 6.09,St Bedes 4.11.4th GradeSt Albans B 25,Old Collegians Cavs 20,LPW Yabbage 17,St Albans A 17,East Shirley Hooters 15,Burnside West 10,Marist 5,Sydenham Muppets 5.5th Grade:LPW Yaks 27,Riccarton Gold 25,St Albans 22,Riccarton Hogs 15,Burnside West SNCC 17,Burnside West Maroon 10,Burnside West Blue 5,Burnside West Gold 5,Old Collegians Tan 0,Old Colls Gold 0.6th GradeSt Albans 22,Sydenham Blue 20,Sydenham Red 20,Burnside West 17,Marist Fozzie Bear’s 12,Marist Gold 10,Lancaster Park Woolston 7,Parklands 5,Old Collegians SGC 0.Presidents Grade:East Shirley Gold 27,Riccarton+ 27,Sumner Misfits 22,Sydenham 25,Hospital 17,Burnside West 15,High School Old Boys 15,LPW Gladiators 15,St Albans Gold 15,LPW Red 10,East Shirley Blue 7,St Albans Blue 7,Old Collegians 5,Marist 0.+denotes holder of the G.Frampton Challenge CupWomen’s Cricket1st Grade – One-Day Competition:Lancaster Park Woolston 20,St Alban’s 20,Old Colls/Country 10,East Shirley 0.1st Grade – Two-Day Competition:St Alban’s 4,East Shirley 2,Lancaster Park Woolston 2,Old Colls/Country 1.1st Reserve:Sydenham 42,St Alban’s 30,Riccarton 28,Burnside West 11,Old Colls/Country 10,East Shirley 8.2nd Grade:St Alban’s 27,Lancaster Park Woolston 25,Sydenham 17,Harewood 15,Old Colls/Country 5.3rd Grade:St Albans 27,Hornby 20,Riccarton 17,Sydenham 12,Burnside West 10,Lancaster Park Woolston 2.4th Grade Sen Trad Girls:St Albans Gold 27,Lancaster Park Woolston 20,Hornby 15,St Albans Grammar 15,Old Colls/Country 10,East Shirley 2.

The eleven young cricketers who are currently attending the E.C.B. Regional Academy at the County Ground in Taunton are benefiting from Athletic Careers Advice (A.C.E.), a new initiative that originates from Australia.Regional Academy Director Mark Garaway told me: "The A.C.E. initiative is being funded jointly by Sport England and the E.C.B. and at present three people have been appointed to oversee the programme in the eighteen first class counties and the sixteen E.C.B. certified Academies."Mark continued: "Martine Woodward from Bath is working on the A.C.E. initiative in our region, which includes Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Worcestershire and ourselves, and she will be here to work with the Academy boys again on this coming Sunday. Martine will be here to consolidate the A.C.E. modules and provide careers and higher education advice to the members of the Academy."The A.C.E. programme has been running at the Regional Academy at Somerset County Cricket Club since September, and sessions so far have included, time management, personal presentations, media training, outward bound and public speaking. This Sunday’s session will focus upon personal image and presentation.The Academy Director stressed: "We have got to be able to cater for the career needs of the players outside of the game whatever stage they are at in their career. It is equally applicable to an 18 year old as it to a 35 year old who is at the end of his playing career."Mark concluded: "Currently Martine is spending quite a bit of time with us because the Somerset Regional Academy is now established and up and running."

St.Kilda all-rounder Nick Jewell will make his ING Cup debut when the Bushrangers tackle the Queensland Bulls at the GABBA on Friday.In the only change, Jewell comes in for Jason Arnberger who will miss with a back injury. His elevation comes after registering his second century last week, in the ACB Cup competition this year against the England Cricket Academy at the MCG.The son of Victorian football identity Tony Jewell and a former Richmond footballer himself, Jewell was looking forward to the match. “I’ve been happy with my improvement over the season and feel I am ready to contribute to the side at the next level. Cricket has always been my passion and to get this opportunity is very exciting”.In other Victorian cricket news, the Second XI travel to Perth on Sunday to take on W.A in a clash likely to determine the 2001/02 ACB Cup champion.Captain Damien Fleming will spearhead the Vics bowling line up after some encouraging recent form against the England Cricket Academy and in Victorian Premier Cricket.BUSHRANGERS ING Cup team to play QLD Bulls at the GABBA on 1/2/02
Matthew Elliott (c), Rob Bartlett, Brad Hodge, Michael Klinger, Nick Jewell, Jon Moss, Andrew McDonald, Darren Berry, Ian Hewett, Damien Fleming, Mick Lewis, Mathew Inness.Victorian ACB Cup team to play WA in Perth from Monday Feb 4-7th
Damien Fleming (c), Tim Welsford, Andrew Kent, Nick Jewell, Andrew McDonald, David Hussey, Peter Roach, John Davison, Bryce McGain, Brett Harrop, Anthony McQuire, Will Carr.

Tamil Nadu captain Robin Singh claimed four wickets to lead his side to a seven-wicket win over Goa at the STRSA Stadium, Visakhapatnam.Goa, who won the toss, lost their captain VV Kolambakar in the fourth over of the day and they never recovered from there, being dismissed for 177 in 44.1 overs. For Tamil Nadu, medium-pacers L Balaji and MR Shrinivas also bowled well claiming two wickets each.A 84 off just 76 balls from No. 3 J Madanagopal meant that Tamil Nadu then overhauled the target with minimum off fuss in just 32 overs. The seven wicket-win that they achieved in the end was enough to guarantee them the maximum of five points.

CFX Academy go into the third day of this Logan Cup game at Mutare Sports Club with a lead of 305 runs, three batsmen still in hand, and are clear favourites to prevail with time to spare. In a day which saw the Mutare track flatten and batsmen prosper, the youngsters have created a near impregnable position from which Manicaland will do well to draw.Resuming his overnight score of 69, Manicaland captain Neil Ferreira pushed on to 106 (14 fours) in the best knock of the match so far. Granted another life by the Academy wicketkeeper off unlucky speedster Nicholle in the 80s, Ferreira accumulated runs calmly, showing his teammates what a four-day temperament can achieve. He left well, defended well and was happy to attack when opportunities arose.For the Academy, blond rugby-forward-proportioned Peter Rinke improved his control greatly from the previous day to capture four for 39 with his inswinging off-cutters. Bowling a similar line but with more zip the unlucky Nicholle – recently returned from Zimbabwe Under-19 tour of New Zealand – looked the best and most likely to progress to the next level. Chouhan picked up one for 24 with his leg-spinners and, whilst he varied his pace and was prepared to toss it up, the Manicaland batsmen were guilty of letting him settle. The Academy will encounter better batting line-ups than Manicaland and their failure to put them away will worry chief coach and team manager Dave Houghton.The second century of the day went to left-arm spinner Ian `Coolbox’ Coulson, who suffered violent treatment at the hands of Glen Barrett for a second day running. Smacking consecutive missiles over the clubhouse and scorebox and another right through the top right corner of the sight-screen, Barrett continued his dominance of Manicaland’s bowlers and ominously remained unbeaten on 74 (6 sixes, 4 fours in 52 balls) at stumps. An entertaining batsman who is much more than a slogger, it is however unlikely that his flamboyant technique would survive the more detailed examination of a Wasim Akram or Saqlain Mushtaq. The unlucky Coulson was left to contemplate a catch offered by Barratt in the 50s that resulted in a high-speed head-collision between Tino Mawoyo and Nyeem Sheth.As the two (and the cricket ball) lay motionless at backward square leg, visiting Hippo Valley MD (and square-leg umpire) Mark Deary was able to verify that everyone would live and the game resumed after a 10-minute time-out. Also amongst the runs was Chouhan with 72 (12 fours) who drove and pulled well but, as with his bowling, Manicaland allowed him too much free time to acclimatize.Manicaland face huge problems of survival on the third day, having under-performed for most of the match to date.