Tendulkar ton helps India take control

Well the fourth and final Test has begun between India and Australia, and the Aussies need to win this one to level the series. The Indians, however, are challenging them in their quest as they amassed 311 for 5 at the close on day one.

Sachin Tendulkar’s 40th Test century enabled India to take early control of the Fourth and final Test against Australia on day one.

Tendulkar, the highest run scorer in Test cricket, played a brilliant knock of 109 and put on 146 for the fourth wicket with VVS Laxman, who scored 64 in his 100th Test, to help India close day one at Nagpur on 311 for 5.

Left arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson brought Tendulkar’s innings to an end as he had him trapped LBW with the second new ball after debutant off-spinner Jason Krejza claimed his third wicket. The 25 year old Krejza dismissed R Dravid (0) and V Sehwag, who blazed him for a four and a six in his first over.

Australian Captain Ricky Ponting has a lot to ponder as his team tries to win this one and avoid their first series defeat since the 2005 Ashes tour of England.

The Cricket Insider

The Cricket Insider was started out of my love and passion for the game of Cricket. I know there are millions of fans around the world, male and female, and I thought it was time we had a woman commenting and reporting on this great game of Cricket.
Growing up in Trinidad in the West Indies, I was exposed at an early age to the two main things that seem to exemplify my country, Cricket and Carnival. Since I was too young to participate in Carnival, my attention immediately turned to Cricket. I grew up following all the great legends from Australia, India and, of course, the West Indies do battle at the Oval. The only thing better than watching Cricket at the Oval, was listening to the fans “ponging” (commenting) the teams. There is nothing better than the classic Test Matches. Unlike most of my other friends and fellow Cricket fans, I would stay for the entire 5 days until the last over or last wicket fell. In fact, I’m so crazy about Cricket, I won’t even leave until I hear who wins Man of the Match….

Ponting ends his drought

After the first-over dismissal of Matthew Hayden for a duck, Ricky Ponting and Simon Katich foughtback on day one of the first Test. Ponting ended his drought on Indian soil with a superb 123 to steer the tourists to a comfortable 254 – 4 by stump on the opening day at the Chinnaswammy stadium..

Ponting elected to take the strike first after winning the toss, put on 166 for the second wicket with Simon Katich. Left handed Katich scored 66. Ponting added 60 for the third wicket with Michael Hussey (46 not out) before he was trapped lbw by Harbhajan Singh. It was the ninth time the Australian Captain has fallen to the off-spinner.

Ponting set aside a disappointing average of 12.28 in eight previous Tests in India to compile his 36th career Test century, just three behind record holder Sachin Tendulkar.

There was no time that Ponting looked more like the batsman who has dominated attacks everywhere in the world but India than when he brought up his half century with a classic cover drive.

Ponting celebrated his first century in India while completing his third run before raising his bat in triumph. Not only had he kept his vow of improving his average in India, but he had also broken a record. The century was Ponting’s16 as Captain, he was previously tied with Steve Waugh and Allan Border on 15.

Stanford Twenty20 Tournament

The phenomenon called Twenty20 cricket will see the largest ever payout for a single cricket match as the Stanford Twenty20 All Stars Team, clash with England for a winner takes all US $20m match in Antigua on November 01.

This will be an annual event for the next five years and the lucrative investment will see a total of $100m being poured into the game during that period.

Steyn is Test Player of the Year

Quite how Dale Steyn beat him to the test awards elude me. In 2008, Chanders has batted 13 times in Tests, against South Africa, Sri Lanka and Australia, the three strongest attacks in the game, remaining unbeatable on six occasions, each of which he tallied at least 65. He passed 50 eight times, and averages 101. In South Africa his series average was 82.33. Against the Aussies he averages 147, scoring one fewer 50 plus.

SHIVNARINE WINS COVETED TITLE

He totally deserves it. Shivnarine Chanderpaul has been crowned as ICC Player of the Year, namely for his patience, but mostly for the inspiration and hope, he provides for Caribbean cricket and her supporters.