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Mushfiqur Rahim, the Bangladesh wicketkeeper, is confident he will only improve with more exposure at the international level

Cricinfo staff25-Nov-2008
Mushfiqur Rahim: “There were a few regulation chances that I shouldn’t have missed” © Getty Images
Mushfiqur Rahim, the Bangladesh wicketkeeper, is confident he will only improve with more exposure at the international level. Mushfiqur, who has largely been Bangladesh’s first-choice keeper after being picked ahead of Khaled Mashud for the 2007 World Cup, has missed a few catches behind the stumps on the current tour of South Africa but is confident his rhythm is improving.”It’s not so easy to keep in seaming and bouncy conditions but I’m not taking it as an excuse. There were a few regulation chances that I shouldn’t have missed,” Mushfiqur told the . Graeme Smith, who scored 157 in South Africa’s innings-and-129-run win in the first Test in Bloemfontein, was given a reprieve on 83 – he came down the track and was beaten by left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan, but Mushfiqur failed to collect the ball and effect the stumping.”It’s likely that top-class keepers miss sometimes. As a keeper I was initially nervous but now I am more comfortable and confident,” he said. “And I feel, day by day, my rhythm is getting better.”Mohammad Ashraful, the Bangladesh captain, highlighted the batsmen’s inability to cope with the bounce in South Africa as the reason behind the team’s poor showing after the first Test. “It’s really a new experience for all of us to play in South Africa,” Mushfiqur said. “It was really tough out there in the middle with the ball bouncing and swinging like anything. But the problem is that we rarely come across such deliveries on flat tracks at home.”Mushfiqur scored 89 in Bangladesh’s practice game before the Test, and offered some resistance with his 48 in the first innings in Bloemfontein. However, he is looking to improve his batting averages – it is below 20 in both Tests and ODIs. “I think someone’s average ultimately shows how good he is as a player. And my average in both one-day and Tests is hardly satisfying. I have a target to achieve an average of 40-plus in Test and 35 to 40 in one-day matches.”I’m trying to be consistent in my batting. I had a problem with gripping the bat and leaving the ball and worked on these in the Premier League [a domestic 50-over competition] and got the results. I scored few runs in the last few series but I have to play some long innings.”Mushfiqur’s nearest competitor for the keeper’s spot, Dhiman Ghosh, joined the ICL, but he said he cannot be complacent. “There is no scope to be relaxed in international cricket. It’s only a matter of time that an alternative will come if I fail to deliver,” he said. “I want to be an international figure and this is my ultimate goal. I am preparing myself to achieve the goal.” Mushfiqur had been dropped for a few ODI series this year, including the three-match series in Australia, but Ghosh’s signing with the unauthorised league saw him make a comeback for the recent home series against New Zealand.

New Zealand and West Indies may have shared the Tests and Twenty20, but when it comes to one-dayers their form could hardly be more contrasting

Cricinfo staff30-Dec-2008Match factsDecember 31, 2008
Start time Noon (2300 GMT)
New Zealand will look to Brendon McCullum for the initial impetus © Getty Images
Big PictureThe two teams may have shared the Tests and Twenty20, but when it comes to one-dayers their form could hardly be more contrasting: New Zealand have won all their series this year, while West Indies have been victorious in only two of their last 13 ODIs against Test-playing countries.One of the main problems for West Indies is their over-reliance on senior batsmen Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Despite one of that pair making a century in each of the three ODIs against Pakistan last month, West Indies ended up losing 3-0. It remains to be seen whether the likes of Xavier Marshall follow the lead of newcomer Brendan Nash, who made two responsible half-centuries in the Tests.In terms of rankings, there’s little at stake for West Indies in this series – the best they can do is climb one place from eighth. However New Zealand, who would have been as high as second had they not dropped a game against Bangladesh in October, will sink to eighth if they lose all five upcoming matches.ODI form guide (last five games, most recent first)West Indies: LLLWW
New Zealand: WWLWWWatch out forChris Gayle has starred in both the Tests and the Twenty20s and remains New Zealand’s biggest threat in the one-dayers as well. Besides his explosive form on the tour so far, he’s coming off two centuries in the three-match series against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi last month.Brendon McCullum is now one of the most feared hitters in international cricket, and the small grounds in New Zealand will make him even harder to stop. Six years after his debut, he still has only one ODI century; he will fancy his chances of improving that count in this series.Jesse Ryder: He is already forming a destructive partnership at the top of the order with McCullum. He is also expected to contribute with the ball, with captain Daniel Vettori indicating that Ryder’s medium-pacers could be used in the death overs.Team newsWith the pitch expected to favour the quick bowlers, New Zealand are contemplating going in with only one spinner. That means Jeetan Patel could miss out despite effective performances in the Twenty20s. Uncapped Otago batsman Neil Broom is the other player expected to miss out. The trio of allrounders – Daniel Vettori, Jacob Oram, and Grant Elliott – gives them plenty of options with the ball.New Zealand (probable): Brendon McCullum (wk), Jesse Ryder, Jamie How, Ross Taylor, Daniel Flynn, Grant Elliott, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori (capt), Tim Southee, Mark Gillespie, Kyle Mills.West Indies are expected to go in with a four-pronged pace attack, leaving no room for left-arm spinner Nikita Miller. The inclusion of Carlton Baugh in the squad has also increased the pressure on vice-captain Denesh Ramdin to deliver with the bat as well as behind the stumps.West Indies (probable): Chris Gayle (capt), Sewnarine Chattergoon, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Xavier Marshall, Brendan Nash, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Jerome Taylor, Daren Powell, Fidel Edwards, Lionel Baker.Pitch and conditionsThe Queenstown track has traditionally favoured the bowlers, with the highest total at the ground in six ODIs being 236. Wednesday is likely to be no different with Peter Domigan, the man in charge of the pitch, saying it is “nice, hard and shiny” and that it has some “fast bounce”.Stats and Trivia Australia are the only team to have won a one-day series in New Zealand since February 2001.All six matches at Queenstown have been won by the team batting second. New Zealand have lost only four of their 21 ODIs against West Indies since 2000.Quotes”It’s a more structured game, guys can identify their roles much more clearly and understand them much more than test cricket.”
“We view Gayle like they probably view Brendon. If they can get him early or we can get him early, that changes the momentum of the game.”

Just Joe Football show presenter Joe Wainman doesn’t believe that Leeds United will sign a striker this summer.

Leeds have been linked with a move for CSKA Moscow striker Adolfo Gaich, who has one cap for Argentina, and TuttoMercatoWeb previously reported that the Whites had made an offer for the 22-year-old.

Last season Gaich featured in 33 games for CSKA Moscow and also Benevento Calcio where he had a loan spell and scored three goals in all competitions.

Whilst Leeds have been linked with Gaich, Wainman can’t see the club purchasing a striker this summer, telling Football FanCast: “Maybe in an ideal scenario if money wasn’t an object we could go and get another striker. 

“With Bielsa, he sees Tyler Roberts as being a backup to Bamford and of course Rodrigo can play there as well, and I just think in this current window any links to a striker are wide of the mark for me.

“I think the key areas Leeds are focusing on now after getting the left-back is centre-midfield and a winger.”

One midfield player that Leeds have been linked with this summer is Huddersfield Town’s Lewis O’Brien, with the Yorkshire Evening Post reporting earlier this month that they understand that the two clubs aren’t a million miles apart in their valuation.

If O’Brien does sign for Leeds, he will join Junior Firpo, Jack Harrison, Kristoffer Klaesson and Lewis Bate at Elland Road after all penned permanent deals with the club this summer.

It’s been a busy summer for Crystal Palace, with new manager Patrick Vieira overseeing a significant overhaul of the first-team squad, yet there’s still plenty of work left to be done.

What’s the story?

The Eagles have addressed serious weaknesses in their defence and midfielder, bringing the likes of Marc Guehi, Joachim Andersen, Michael Olise and Conor Gallagher to Selhurst Park.

However, after failing to secure a victory or even score a goal in their opening three encounters of the new campaign, it’s clear Vieira needs to focus his attention on the final third of the pitch in the closing stages of the transfer window.

Therefore, a move for PSV Eindhoven winger Noni Madueke must become a priority for the capital club ahead of the August 31st deadline.

The Dutch giants were dumped out of the Champions League play-off round by Benfica on Tuesday night, reportedly lowering the Philips Stadion outfit’s asking price for the highly sort after 19-year-old and providing a boost to his potential suitors.

Patrick Vieira needs him

Palace have been one of several Premier League sides linked with a move for Madueke throughout the summer, and now PSV are out of Europe’s elite cup competition, an imminent exit could be on the cards.

Journalist and transfer expert Pedro Almeida has provided an update on the England Under-21 international’s situation, claiming that PSV have dropped their asking price to just £17.1m following their defeat to Benfica.

As a result, Palace chairman Steve Parish must swoop for Madueke, providing Vieira with the attacking quality he needs to implement his playing style in south London.

During the capital club’s first three games of the season in all competitions, Palace have created just three big chances and have missed them all, failing to score a single goal against Chelsea, Brentford and Watford.

They have also recorded just seven shots on target across 270 minutes of action, highlighting their need for a natural creator and prolific finisher. In Madueke, the Eagles could ger both in one player.

The London-born attacker contributed nine goals and eight assists in 32 appearances for the Dutch giants last term, earning praise from several plaudits, including former PSV ace Tommie van de Leegte.

“He’s fast and has the capability to trick his opponent. He brings creativity and is very explosive in his actions,” said Van de Leegte (via Goal).

And he’s started the new season in emphatic style, bagging six goals and providing one assist in nine outings in all competitions.

Therefore, a move for Madueke could be a realistic solution to Vieira’s current goalscoring conundrum at Selhurst Park, and the hierarchy must attempt to secure his services this summer.

And, in other news…Parish must complete Palace move for “extraordinary” £20m gem, fans would love him 

The controversy surrounding the England team, following reports of a rift between Kevin Pietersen and Peter Moores, the coach, appears to have intensified with the captain admitting that the “situation is not healthy”

Cricinfo staff04-Jan-2009Former captains say problems can’t remain “It’s a bit of a mess but I’ve got a feeling Kevin Pietersen will get hisway. I think they are going to have to go with their captain because their captain is a mightily important figure in what happens this year and over the next few years.” David Gower speaking to BBC Radio Five Live”It is vital that a healthy working relationship between these two is in place even if socially they don’t mix – and a united front is paramount so that there is no chance of a split within the camp.” Alec Stewart writing in his column.”If it’s between Moores and Pietersen there’s only one winner and that’s Pietersen.” Nasser Hussain talking to Sky Sports News”From my own perspective Peter is a good friend and, I believe, an outstanding coach. Kevin has shown what a fantastic player he is, but I’m slightly surprised that having spent so little time in the job, he appears to be concerned about certain things.” Chris Adams, who worked alongside Moores, speaking to the The controversy surrounding the England team, following reports of a rift between Kevin Pietersen and Peter Moores, the coach, appears to have intensified with the captain admitting that the “situation is not healthy”. Pietersen also said he wants the ECB to resolve the conflict as soon as possible.”Obviously this situation is not healthy, we have to make sure it is settled as soon as possible and certainly before we fly off to the West Indies,” he told the . “Everything has to be hunky dory, everybody has to have the same aims and pull in the same direction for the good of the England team.”The ECB had entrusted Hugh Morris, the managing director of England cricket, with the responsibility of resolving the ongoing conflict. It has also reportedly shortlisted a set of coaches to replace Peter Moores if the captain and coach cannot sort out their differences. The said that Ashley Giles was being lined up as a stop-gap coach for the West Indies tour. Giles, currently an England selector, coached Warwickshire for a season after retiring last year, helping them back into Division One of the county championship.Pietersen, however, was said to be favouring Graham Ford the Kent director of cricket.Ford coached South Africa between 1999 and 2002 and has been involved with Kent since 2005. He earned his coaching spurs during a popular and effective stint in the nineties in charge of Natal, where Pietersen played his first competitive cricket. He also worked with Pietersen during his school days.He is reportedly not on the ECB shortlist, though. Andy Flower, the former Zimbabwe batsman and current England batting coach, is also not in the running as the ECB has apparently deemed him to have too little coaching experience.

Cricinfo previews the fifth ODI between Sri Lanka and India in Colombo

Cricinfo staff07-Feb-2009Match factsSunday, February 8, 2009
Start time 10:00 local, (04:30 GMT)
Sanath Jayasuriya has been kept quiet after his century in the series opener. Will he step up to prevent a whitewash?© AFP
The Big PictureIt’s been a demoralising series for Sri Lanka, but they need to pick themselves up for Sunday’s final game to avoid their first-ever whitewash in a five-match contest. Mahela Jayawardene hasn’t been able to do much to arrest the slide. He tinkered with the bowling combination in the previous two games but Sri Lanka still leaked in excess of 300 in both matches. His hands have been tied as far as the batting line-up is concerned – the four senior batsmen and the promising Thilina Kandamby being undroppable, leaving little room for personnel changes.Winning the toss could be one way he can help – the spinners have had plenty of assistance when they bowl second at the Premadasa but Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis haven’t had the chance to bowl under lights.India are on their longest winning streak in one-day internationals but have to watch out for complacency. One motivation for them is that if Australia beat New Zealand on Sunday, and India lose, they will slip back to No. 3 in the rankings.ODI form guide (most recent first)Sri Lanka LLLLW
India WWWWWWatch out for …Sanath Jayasuriya has enjoyed some success against India at the Premadasa Stadium, and the fact that he has only scored 44 from three innings after his century in game one suggests he is due for some runs. If he survives the early overs, the Indian bowlers could be in for a tough time. With the series out of control and pride on the line, don’t be put it beyond the 39-year-old to provide some fireworks on Sunday.Gautam Gambhir shrugged off an indifferent series with a career-best 150 in the last game. Gambhir’s strategy of walking down the track before the delivery may have a bit of risk in it, but it clearly speaks of his self-assurance and purpose of throwing the bowler off key. Virender Sehwag’s early departure forced Gambhir to steady himself and set a platform, and together with Mahendra Singh Dhoni he flourished. Dhoni always speaks of getting good starts, so it would fall on Gambhir to bat responsibly.TeamsIndia are probably going to rest Yuvraj Singh and Praveen Kumar and bring in Sachin Tendulkar and L Balaji. Tendulkar received three dubious decisions before being rested for the fourth ODI, and he will be itching to get in an innings of substance before India head off on a grueling tour of New Zealand. Balaji was recalled to the team in place of an injured Munaf Patel and, on the back of a good domestic season, will be keen to add to his 29 ODI appearances, the last of which came in 2005 in Sri Lanka. There is also a possibility that India will hand young allrounder Ravindra Jadeja his maiden Indian cap, and sit out the left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha. Zaheer Khan may come back too.India: (likely) 1 Sachin Tendulkar, 2 Virender Sehwag, 3 Gautam Gambhir, 4 Suresh Raina, 5 Rohit Sharma, 6 Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt & wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Irfan Pathan, 9 Zaheer Khan, 10 L Balaji, 11 Ishant Sharma.Sri Lanka gave no indication of making any changes to their squad the day before the final match. Chamara Kapugedera failed again, so his spot is under pressure. If he does indeed make way it would be for Jehan Mubarak, unless Sri Lanka bring in Upul Tharanga, who has not got a match all series, and move a patchy Tillakaratne Dilshan back to the middle order.Sri Lanka: (probable) 1 Sanath Jayasuriya, 2 Upul Tharanga, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene (capt), 5 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 6 Thilina Kandamby, 7, Angelo Mathews, 8 Farveez Maharoof, 9 Nuwan Kulasekara, 10 Muttiah Muralitharan, 11 Ajantha Mendis.Pitch and conditionsThe pitch is expected to be more like the last two, unlike the second game, even though this is a day game. As Ishant Sharma put it, “it would be better to bowl first as conditions will be helpful. The track becomes flat as the match progresses, to even 300 becomes an easy target’.Stats & Trivia Yuvraj and Dhoni have been the most successful batsmen against Murali. Yuvraj has scored 47 from 58 balls and been dismissed once, while Dhoni has done better, scoring 45 off 42 without getting out to him. Murali has proved expensive this series, going for 203 runs in 40 overs at 5.07-an-over. Sri Lanka have struggled in the middle overs in the three matches they’ve lost chasing. They have lost an average of five wickets between overs 16 and 40, and have averaged 29.86 at a rate of 4.48. India’s figures tell a different tale. They’ve lost 11 wickets at an average of 52.54, and have scored at a healthy rate of 5.78.Dilshan and Jayasuriya average 39.83 while batting together. However, after an impressive display against Pakistan, they’ve been below-par in this series (at the bottom), averaging just 19.25.

Lille have made a formal approach for Tottenham Hotspur defender Serge Aurier, as reported by Fabrizio Romano on Twitter.

The Lowdown: Spurs look to streamline right-back position before the window slams shut

With less than a week until the window slams shut, Lilywhites manager Nuno Espirito Santo will be keen to complete any remaining transfer business at the club, in order to solely focus on the important playing schedule that lies ahead on domestic and European fronts.

Right-back looks to be one particularly overpopulated area within the Spurs roster, with Japhet Tanganga, Matt Doherty and Aurier all rivalling each-other for playing opportunities.

Now, the north Londoners look set to slim down in that spot following recent reports.

The Latest: Romano confirms Lille approach

Speaking to his large audience on Twitter, transfer guru Romano signified that Lille have made their move for the Ivorian, stating: “Tottenham have received an approach from Lille for Serge Aurier in case Çelik will leave.”

Atletico Madrid have commenced discussions with Lille full-back Zeki Celik, paving the way for Aurier to move to France.

Of course, the 28-year-old has been subject to speculation for a number of months after refusing to sign a new deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium [Sky Sports].

The Verdict: Right move for player and club to part ways

Enduring an erratic career in the Premier League, moving on to pastures new may be the best option for Aurier before the end of the summer window.

In 2020/21, the ex-Paris Saint Germain defender helped his current employers to UEFA Conference League qualification, registering five goal contributions in 27 appearances; two goals and three assists [Transfermarkt].

Aurier managed to win 123 duels across the piece in the Premier League last term [Premier League], but his lapses of concentration at the back were a major concern for some pundits.

Once labelled as ‘amazing’ by former Tottenham Hotspur man Paul Robinson, Spurs should look to sell Aurier on and re-invest any monetary gain to secure priority targets [Football Insider].

In other news, Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a fee for a Premier League star. Find out more here.

West Ham United fans have been full of praise for their manager David Moyes after he was nominated for August’s Manager of the Month award.

Moyes guided the Hammers to seven points from three matches, including a rip-roaring 4-1 win over Leicester City.

In that time, no other team has scored more than their ten goals and they sit second in the Premier League table.

In his second reign in charge at the club, Moyes guided the club to the Europa League last season with a sixth-placed finish and has continued the good form with two wins in three.

He will go up against Nuno Espirito Santo of Tottenham, Thomas Tuchel of Chelsea and Rafael Benetiz of Everton for the award after the nominees were announced by the Premier League.

The impressive performances of Michal Antonio and Said Benrahma have been influential in the Hammers’ sizzling start to the campaign, with both players nominated for the Player of the Month.

West Ham fans delighted with Moyes news

These West Ham fans took to Twitter to show their support to their manager, with one supporter claiming he ‘should win it’.

“Should have got manager of the season last season but that’s reserved for managers of certain teams.”

Credit: @dockcopper

“Should win it and Antonio should win player of the month”

Credit: @tommb22

“Come on Hammers fans. It’s about time our fantastic gaffer got this award representing the Massive West Ham United. PLEASE GET VOTING!!!”

Credit: @DEPtones

“Genuinely feel he should be the one winning it.”

Credit: @Akhi707

“MOYESSS”

Credit:@conwhufc03

“Definitely manager of the month”

Credit: @49whufc_smh

“Dawson cost him the award. All jokes aside, cracking start”

Credit: @FPL_Cockney 

Thilina Kandamby almost masterminded a great escape for Sri Lanka, but just fell short in the face of Ishant Sharma, who kept his nerve and struck three crucial blows in the last 10 overs of a thrilling chase

The Bulletin by Sidharth Monga31-Jan-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Thilina Kandamby hit an unbeaten 93 under pressure, but failed to stop India from clinching a 15-run win © AFP
Thilina Kandamby almost masterminded a great escape for Sri Lanka, but just fell short in the face of Ishant Sharma, who kept his nerve and struck three crucial blows in the last 10 overs of a thrilling chase.India’s 256 was at least 30 short of what they would have expected after a fiery start, but half-way through Sri Lanka’s innings it seemed they had shot over by at least 30. Kandamby had other ideas, though, stringing together a 100-run partnership with Mahela Jayawardene from 36 for 3, and smaller crucial ones with the lower order to take the match into the last over. Coming into the match Kandamby had scored 171 runs in eight matches, with one prior half-century, and ended unbeaten on 93 today.After all three Indian pace bowlers had struck a blow in the first eight overs, slicing open the line-up, Jayawardene and Kandamby had no choice but to consolidate and rely on the death overs to make up for the slow run-rate. The asking-rate crossed six in the 19th over, and seven in the 30th over, but the two kept their cool. There were extremely quiet spells during their partnership: early on in the Powerplays they went through a 34-ball span where they scored only eight runs; in the middle overs they spent 88 balls without hitting a boundary.Slyly during that period, Mahendra Singh Dhoni got through his weaker bowlers, and had nine overs from Ishant and Zaheer Khan in the kitty when the match entered the death overs. Jayawardene ended the boundary-less span with a six off Suresh Raina in the 34th over, but was dismissed soon after reaching his first half-century for 16 matches. Sri Lanka needed 121 from 94 balls at that stage, with Kandamby on 48 off 91 balls.Upon reaching his half-century Kandamby accelerated, and Chamara Kapugedera (31 off 29) provided the impetus. Kandamby didn’t have the power to clear the field, but he kept finding the gaps regularly. Boundaries started coming regularly, and the two took Sri Lanka to a stage where they needed 91 in the last 10 overs. In the 42nd over Sri Lanka opted for the batting Powerplay, and forged a string of overs that gave them at least one boundary. Overs No. 41 to 47 went for 11, 9, 11, 9 ,11, 8 and 7. But during those overs Ishant stayed cool and used the slower delivery well. He dismissed Kapugedera, Faveez Maharoof and Thilan Thushara with the equation reading 70 off 53, 51 off 36, and 29 off 21 respectively.Zaheer and Ishant bowled two tight overs after that, giving away four and one, and panic set in. Two run-outs left Sri Lanka needing 20 off the last over with one wicket in hand. Praveen Kumar, who had bowled a superb first spell of 8-1-18-1, bowled a wide and two low fulltosses, the second of them resulting in Ajantha Mendis’ run-out. Had Kandamby – who scored 45 off the last 38 deliveries he faced – managed the jailbreak, this would have been the third-highest chase at the R Premadasa.That Sri Lanka were still in the match when they came out to bat was thanks largely to the efforts of Maharoof and Muttiah Muralitharan, who thwarted India’s rapid progress twice after Dhoni had won yet another toss against Sri Lanka.After Sachin Tendulkar got a second ordinary lbw decision in as many matches (the ball was heading down leg), Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir looked ominous in the first Powerplay. They took India along to 62 in the first nine overs, engaging in a sort of boundary-hitting contest. They were tied with four boundaries each when Jayawardene introduced Maharoof, and with immediate results. The third ball he bowled pitched within the stumps, nipped away with extra bounce, and took Gambhir’s edge. Three overs later, Sehwag tried to pick up his third three on a relay throw, but was beaten by the Murali-Sanath Jayasuriya combo.Yuvraj and Suresh Raina recovered well from that double-strike and their own shaky starts. After edging Mendis’ carom ball between Kumar Sangakkara and Jayawardene when on 18, Yuvraj went on to unleash his trademark crunchy boundaries, the most satisfactory being a six over long-off in Mendis’ next over. But with Murali came further troubles for the batsmen: in his first over he made both Raina and Yuvraj cut and miss. With Murali in the vicinity, Yuvraj couldn’t quite break away, but reached his half-century in 74 deliveries.Bowling changes then worked for Jayawardene again. Although Raina slogged Tillakaratne Dilshan’s first ball for a six, the bowler had his back in his third over, surprising Raina with some extra bounce. The major blow came two overs later, in the first over of Nuwan Kulasekara’s second spell. Yuvraj was given out lbw, but replays showed he had clearly played the ball onto his pad. India could add only 76 in the following 16.5 overs, including only one boundary in their batting Powerplay.Maharoof was exceptional in the Powerplay, choking the batsmen with slower deliveries. His stock pace was the variation then, and the batsmen couldn’t get any power into their shots. He gave only 40 runs in his 10 overs, six of them bowled in the Powerplays. But the efforts of Kandamby and Maharoof were not enough to deny a cool India their seventh win in a row.

Andrew Symonds has revealed the depth of his lows during a troubled year that involved twice being suspended from Australia’s teams

Cricinfo staff07-Mar-2009
Andrew Symonds is not throwing in the towel © Getty Images
Andrew Symonds has revealed the depth of his lows during a troubled year that involved twice being suspended from Australia’s teams. Symonds, who has also battled a knee injury and various off-field controversies, said he had experienced “bad days and really bad days” during the summer, including bouts of binge drinking.”They didn’t sit me down and tell me I was diagnosed with depression,” Symonds told the Sunday Telegraph. “But I was affected somehow … I had bad days and really bad days, and then I had great days and really great weeks.”It’s all part of my personal development and improving. These bushfires and this terrorism stuff towards the Sri Lankans, it puts things into perspective as to what’s important. Walking out there and scoring no runs is pretty unimportant if you have had your house burnt down and you have lost your family. Things like that have helped me realise what’s important in life.”Symonds has had regular counselling sessions since being sent home from Darwin before the Bangladesh one-day series last year, and he was also stopped from being part of the South Africa Test tour. “I’ve become more tolerant of the way I’ve got to accept I’ve got to live,” he said. That’s the thing that used to frustrate me. I enjoy it [counselling]. It’s really helped. I’ll see it right through because it’s been great for me.”Symonds said there were times during the season when he was “drinking too much and binge drinking, using it as an out or as an excuse if I’d had a bad day”. “The answer for me is controlling it and knowing when to have a beer and what’s appropriate,” he said. “I believe I’ve done that well now.”He also lost money in the collapse of a financial firm he invested in and broke up with his girlfriend during the season. However, the pair has reunited and he is now looking towards the Ashes.”If I was to never play for cricket for Australia again, that’s something I could live with,” he said. “But it’s something I’m not prepared to give up trying to achieve.”