Cricket Digest For Jan 04, 2009

Posted by B.V. Swagath on January 4th, 2009

Aus Vs SA, 3rd Test

Well the most important match of the day is at Sydney where the South African batsmen are grinding the inexperienced Australian attack pretty well. However, the homeside had a slightly better day as they stretched their first innings total to an impressive 445. Australia had a disappointing first day ending at 267 for 6. So they will be happy with what they have got. They wouldn’t have got so many runs as yesterday Hashim Amla had put down a dolly of a catch offered by Michael Clarke. The overnight pair of Clarke and Johnson frustrated the Proteas with a 142-run stand. Clarke went onto make 138 and Johnson scored 64, Nathan Hauritz, the off spinner joined the party with 41 and so did Siddle with 23.

The Proteas had a solid opening stand until Graeme Smith was forced out of the first innings atleast with a nasty blow on his finger. Smith had to retire hurt and is unlikely to return back in this match. At stumps on Day 2, SA are well placed at 125 for 1 with Amla and Kallis looking good with their 30s. The only wicket to have fallen has been that of Neil McKenzie. Well happened to see the bowling of two debutants – Doug Bollinger and Andrew McDonald. Bowlinger, the left armer bowled at around 135 kmph and does look a fine bowler. McDonald on the other hand bowled at a military medium pace of 125 kmph, his strength lies in swinging the ball in both the directions. Here is the Live link for this Test Match.

BD Vs SL, 2nd Test

There is another Test Match going on between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at Chittagong. The Sri Lankans have been put in the Driver’s Seat by the Mystery bowler – Ajantha Mendis, who has straightaway made the impact by taking 4 wickets. Mendis didn’t play in the first test match at Mirpur which saw the Tigers pile up over 400 in their second innings. This time though Bangladesh folded for just 208 in reply to SL’s 384. All rounder Mortaza did some damage control by scoring 63. At stumps on Day 2, SL have got to a second innings lead of 189 with all their 10 wickets intact. Here is the Link to the Full Scorecard.

Ranji Trophy

Well India’s premier Domestic Tournament has reached the Semi-Finals stage with Mumbai taking on Saurashtra at Chennai and Tamil Nadu taking on Uttar Pradesh at Nagpur. Both the matches have seen the batsmen dominate totally on the opening day’s play. The biggest attraction is the participation of Sachin Tendulkar who had just finished his holiday in Mussourie. Sachin didn’t get a chance to bat at all as Mumbai ended the first day strongly at 268 for 1 with Skipper Wasim Jaffer on an unbeaten 162. The Mumbai team also has Zaheer Khan for this match! It will be a big test for India hopeful Cheteshwara Pujara, who has been getting tons of runs for Saurashtra in this season. Well in another match at Jamtha in Nagpur, Tamil Nadu are sitting pretty at 296 for 2 against the Mohammad Kaif led Uttar Pradesh. Left handed Opener Abinav Mukund has notched up a century while Murali Vijay, Badrinath and Dinesh Karthik have scored 50s.

Cricket

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