It’s been four years since Azhar Mahmood last played for his country. Now a county pro, he still rues the missed chances and the mismanagement of his national career

Kanishkaa Balachandran04-Jul-2011The quaint St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury is a pretty picture despite the construction girders hugging the half-finished stands. The sight and smell of sand and cement haven’t deterred loyal patrons from compiling their scoresheets while absorbing every ball. Others lie in deck chairs on the grass embankments, soaking in the joys of the sunny yet windy April afternoon. It’s a scene far removed from the urban jungle of Islamabad, but Azhar Mahmood, Kent’s Pakistan professional, is at home.It’s the penultimate day of Kent’s County Championship match against Gloucestershire – Mahmood’s first four-day game of the season. He has just returned from stints as a studio analyst for Sky Sports and ITV for the World Cup and the IPL respectively.His run-up and pace are down by a few yards, but he is still effective, taking 4 for 56. He also looks far less menacing than in his days as a street-fighting allrounder in a sun hat, sporting a moustache.Mahmood sips his tea while keeping an eye on Kent’s chase of 291 as he recounts his stop-start career with Pakistan and his life as a county pro. Would it be factually incorrect to label him a “former Pakistan player”? Is Azhar Mahmood a spent force in international cricket?”I’m always available for Pakistan. I haven’t retired yet,” he says with a chuckle. “On March 17 I qualified for England as well. But there’s nothing like playing for your home country.”A lot of people have been asking me if I want to play for England. It’s like a bubble in the air, if the opportunity comes up I will take it.”Turn the clock back four years to the day, probably the gloomiest in Pakistan’s cricket history, when they were ejected out of the World Cup by Ireland. Mahmood had the misfortune of bowling the delivery that sealed Pakistan’s fate. Their coach, Bob Woolmer, died tragically that night. Mahmood didn’t know it then but his Pakistan career was to take a nose dive. It was his last international to date.Now, married to a British-Pakistani, Mahmood’s options have increased. He joined Surrey in 2002, thanks to his Pakistan team-mate Saqlain Mushtaq, who was their overseas player at the time. Six seasons later Mahmood signed for Kent. It was quite a transition, going from a power-packed Surrey unit to struggling Kent, now relegated in the County Championship.”In Surrey there was competition for places, as we had Saqlain, Graham Thorpe, Alec Stewart,” he says. “Adam Hollioake [the Surrey captain] and Wasim [Akram] are the best captains I’ve played under. Surrey is like a big company, but Adam made sure we gelled well. Kent is a much smaller club, and has more of a family atmosphere.”The talk shifts to Pakistan. Did success come too soon for Mahmood? His CV boasts a century on Test debut: one hundred of three in his first five Tests against South Africa – no mean feat considering they had Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock in the side. Mahmood’s 132 in Durban in 1997-98 was ranked at No. 8 in Wisden‘s Top 10 Batting Performances of all time list (compiled in 2001). Wisden wrote: “Even more impressive, for a batsman two days short of his 23rd birthday, was the way he protected the tail.”That was the last time he passed 50 in a Test, though. He stayed on for a bit as a vital member of the one-day team, forming a deadly all-round partnership with Abdul Razzaq, which helped Pakistan reach the final of the 1999 World Cup. For reasons known only to his supposed betters, he was dropped from the Test side after the summer of 2001, and his one-day appearances became sporadic.Mahmood says Pakistan’s frequent captaincy changes led to poor man-management. “After Imran bhai [Khan], no other allrounder has performed like Razzaq and myself,” he says. “Each captain has his own way of thinking. Some captains had more trust in Razzaq, some trusted me more. When you keep changing captains, you can’t settle.”He looks back at one conversation with regret. “In 2000, Gen Tauqir Zia [the PCB chairman then] took me aside and said, ‘You’re the next Pakistan captain.’ I said, ‘No, make Waqar [Younis] the captain’.”Why did he hold back? “I was too young then,” he says. “That was the biggest mistake I made in my life.”The captaincy wasn’t offered for a long term. I saw no point having it for one tour alone. It’s in the culture in India and Pakistan where seniors wonder why the captaincy is given to the youngsters and not them. I thought it would disturb my cricket. That’s why I said no.”When Waqar became captain, I got injured. They couldn’t drop Shoaib Akhtar. Wasim was too good to be dropped, Razzaq was playing well. They had to play four seamers and one spinner. Who could they have dropped?Hindsight is a wonderful thing. No Pakistan captain since Imran has been able to balance the soaring highs and torturous lows that come with the job. Mahmood believes he was a victim of lack of communication and clarity from his bosses, but he has learned to be philosophical about it since. “I believe in God and destiny,” he says. “I was meant to play 143 ODIs and 21 Tests.

“Players and the board should be careful of people who approach you pretending to be friendly. Give them the autograph and stop at that”

“It was tough missing so much cricket for Pakistan. People said, ‘He’s not fit, he has put on weight.’ It was just a media thing. I’ve played county cricket for nine years and I’ve proved my fitness.”In the few chances I got for Pakistan, I wasn’t given the new ball. I was batting at No. 6 or below. It’s tough when you have only the last three or four overs to bat. I’m not a selfish player. I don’t think of taking a single to get to the non-striker’s end at the end of the over. If I have 10 balls I try to get minimum 10 runs.”A half-chance of a comeback came his way last year, when he captained Kent, ironically against the touring Pakistanis. Waqar, the Pakistan coach, was impressed with Mahmood’s fitness and hinted at a recall to the one-day side. But nothing came of it.It was, of course, Pakistan’s Summer of Shame, when the spot-fixing scandal blew up. Mahmood chooses not to debate the legitimacy of the spot-fixing allegations, but says the Pakistan board isn’t paying enough attention to teaching its players life skills. “The PCB needs to educate them. Over here we have the PCA, who look after us on various issues – anti-doping, spot-fixing etc. Players and the board should be careful of people who approach you, pretending to be friendly. Give them the autograph and stop at that.”Mahmood says his middle-class upbringing has made him what he is today. “I play card games with team-mates, but being a Muslim, I just play for enjoyment and not for money. I come across as a gentleman. That’s how I’ve earned my respect from players.”Marriage has changed his perspectives on life and career. He chuckles when he recounts that his wife, Ebba, had no clue who he was when she met him during the 1999 World Cup. They were married four years later, and now have a five-year-old daughter. Having lived out of suitcases for a while, they came to settle in Surrey.It is on Ebba’s insistence that Mahmood spends few months playing domestic cricket in Pakistan, for the Islamabad Leopards. Family is his top priority, and he has no regrets about having played a season in the unrecognised Indian Cricket League. He was not contracted with Pakistan at the time, which meant he wasn’t jeopardising his career, unlike many others. He doesn’t foresee a problem with Kent if he bags an IPL contract either, since he’s only contracted as a four-day player.”Mentally I am relaxed now. I only have to play 35 days per season, so I have more time to train. Whenever I get a chance to play four-dayers, I’m hungry.”The shadows lengthen and bad light curtails play. Mahmood has a friendly chat with one of the stewards outside the dining room. I can see what he meant by the “family atmosphere” in Kent.He offers me a lift in his SUV. I politely decline. He continues his journey to Worcester Park, where his young family waits for him.

Plays of the day from the match between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings in Jaipur

Siddarth Ravindran09-May-2011Three strikes
Suresh Raina and M Vijay were timing the ball beautifully during their half-century stand, and with their kamikaze running, a run-out seemed Rajasthan Royals’ best chance to break through. In the 14th over, Vijay glanced the ball to fine leg and was zipping back for the second when he realised Raina didn’t want the second. The throw missed, and he survived. Two balls later, he was haring for a single which Raina didn’t want. Again the throw missed, and he survived. In the next over, Vijay toe-ended the ball towards backward point and jogged through for a single, looking back to see where the ball was. Johan Botha fielded and unleashed a slide-rule throw which caught the dallying Vijay just short.Dwayne Bravo checks in
It took a marathon journey, including four stopovers, to transport Dwayne Bravo from the Caribbean to Jaipur. He was so tired that he was the only member of the Chennai squad to be given a business-class ticket for the final leg of his flight, from Mumbai to Jaipur. If he was feeling any effects of the exhausting voyage, he didn’t show it during the match. In the second over of Rajasthan’s chase, he almost pulled off a stunning bit of fielding. He swooped on the ball from point, and under-armed it at the stumps as he fell over. He would have got the big wicket of Shane Watson if the throw had hit. It narrowly missed, and Watson batted on.How not to catch
Shadab Jakati doesn’t have the reputation of being the most sure-fingered of fielders, and he showed why in Jaipur. When Watson top-edged a sweep, the ball swirled towards Jakati, who settled under it but nearly fumbled. The ball popped out of his hands two times, and a relieved Jakati clasped it on the third attempt. In the 12th over, another top edge looped towards him at mid-off. He got under the ball early and attempted to take it Australian-style but he overbalanced and the ball bobbled out of his hands, and on to the ground.How to catch
Suresh Raina is among the finest fielders in India, and he showed why in Jaipur. Rajasthan’s challenge was just about being kept alive by a dashing half-century from Ajinkya Rahane. In the 15th over, Rahane tried to club Bravo over long-on. It was a flat, brutal hit that seemed headed for the crowd, but Raina intercepted it with a well-timed leap to pluck the ball overhead, landing just a couple of yards inside the rope.A double take
There have been plenty of surprises from the bowlers this season. There have been several double-bouncers, and Vinay Kumar has shown off a Lasith Malinga-style sidearm delivery. Add to that list the Jakati two-timer. On the final delivery of the 11th over, he walked up to bowl, and half-rolled his arm over without actually releasing the ball. He went through with his bowling action once more, and the second time he did fire the ball in towards the unsettled batsman, Johan Botha, who chipped it to mid-on. Umpire Simon Taufel quickly walked over to Jakati and warned him not to repeat the trick, as it constituted unfair play.Keeping his feet on the ground
Doug Bollinger has always been termed a trier, someone who gives it everything when he’s on the field. Bollinger found himself on the floor early during the Rajasthan chase, when he fell over after attempting a pacy bouncer. Even in the penultimate over, with the match safely in Chennai’s bag, there was no shortage of enthusiasm. He slipped in another short ball, which Botha top-edged. The ball soared high and was going to land just behind the stumps. Bollinger called early for the catch, and sprinted to pouch it. He got there in time, and hung on to it. Once again he couldn’t balance himself, though, and tumbled over clumsily.

ESPNcricinfo presents the Plays of the Day from the third quarter-final of the World Cup, between New Zealand and South Africa in Mirpur

Firdose Moonda and Osman Samiuddin at the Shere Bangla Stadium25-Mar-2011The carbon-copy catch of the day
Robin Peterson seems to have been practising moving to his left and taking superb catches off his own bowling. He first did it against England to dismiss Ian Bell and he got his chance to show off the move again in the third over on Friday. Brendon McCullum was the man who thought he could test Peterson’s athleticism. He came out of the crease to drive and popped it up. Peterson launched himself to his left, got both hands under it and claimed the catch. Then came the roar and the pumping of both arms in the air.The first six of the day
It took more than 30 overs for the ball to be launched over the boundary, but when it came it was a good old whack. Ross Taylor, down on bended knee, pulled out the slog-sweep in some style. Peterson flighted a delivery and Taylor was happy to show him what should be done with balls like that. He got a good stride in, reached outside the line of off stump, dipped the left knee, connected wood with leather and, although it didn’t reach the heavens, it had the distance and broke the tension that had been building for over 180 balls before that.The party crowd
Some people said only 5,000 fans would come to the Shere Bangla Stadium for the quarter-finals because the home team would not feature, but both matches have been packed to capacity. The crowd showed a genuine love of cricket, cheering on runs and wickets irrespective of which side was getting them. They even started a chorus of “Bangladesh, Bangladesh” when matters on field were getting a little dreary, and enjoyed all the music, from the Bangla beats to the South African cricket anthem, “Nkalakatha”, which used to be played for Shaun Pollock.The acrobatsman
Kane Williamson was doing his best to gather runs at the end, playing a range of not-so-cricket shots and trying to make room for himself. Off the third-last ball of the innings, he made so much room that when he tried to get to the ball, a wide one outside off, he threw himself completely off balance. He stumbled over, did a back roll and ended up on the edge of the next pitch. And he didn’t make contact with the ball.The boot
New Zealand needed a break early if they were going to have any chance of defending 221, but nobody could have imagined the part Brendon McCullum’s boot would have played in it. Hashim Amla had already whipped two elegant drives through the covers off Brendan’s brother, Nathan, before he bottom-edged an attempted cut. Unfortunately for Amla, it bounced off Brendan McCullum’s boot and looped up in the air straight to first slip.The spin twins
A spinner opening the attack is not a novelty in the international game anymore, and it certainly hasn’t been in this World Cup, where it is in danger of becoming the rule. It has been a successful move too. But New Zealand went one better tonight by opening with spin at ends, the first time that has happened at this World Cup. It is actually only the fourth time it has happened in ODIs and, unlikely as it sounds, only Zimbabwe and New Zealand had done it before, all in the last year. Nathan McCullum struck in the first over and Daniel Vettori immediately caused a few scares, so South Africa were probably happy to see the tactic off with 27 runs and just one wicket down, after six overs of it.The retro statement
This was the first match in this World Cup in which neither side used a single referral. Ah, for the good old, uncomplicated days.

Ireland were the best of the Associates by far and their performances more than justified their presence in the tournament

Andrew McGlashan22-Mar-2011World Cup performanceIn many ways, Ireland had the most to lose of all the Associate teams at this World Cup. After performing they way they did in 2007, there was the pressure of expectation and with the next tournament set to be reduced to 10 teams, and no clear way for the Associates to qualify yet determined, they also knew it may prove to be their last chance. Once again, though, they played a vital part in bringing the tournament to life and, despite not reaching the quarter-finals, did more than enough to show they deserve to be in the mix for future versions.It’s a sign of their development that not progressing was such a disappointment. Their defeat against Bangladesh always looked a costly slip and so it proved after they managed the major upset by beating England. The anger shown at Gary Wilson’s controversial lbw against West Indies stemmed from the belief they could still win that match. Even against a powerful South Africa unit they were competing strongly, until JP Duminy took the game away.Unlike fellow Associates, they don’t rely on one or two key names to carry the rest of the line-up; there is talent throughout the team. They found new heroes in Kevin O’Brien and John Mooney against England, not to mention the unheralded Alex Cusack, and in the run chase against Netherlands, Paul Stirling showed his potential.William Porterfield is a mature captain, who speaks intelligently about the game, and led the side impressively. There should be plenty to feel positive about regarding the future, but these remain uncertain times for Associate nations. Ireland have done enough to deserve better.HighThe run-chase against England in Bangalore wrote another chapter in Irish sporting history and Kevin O’Brien opened the door to potential personal riches. O’Brien couldn’t quite live up to his 63-ball 113 for the rest of the tournament, but that one innings began the talk of IPL and county deals. From Ireland’s view there was no better side to turn over in such circumstances than their close neighbours. Both Ireland and O’Brien can’t live on that performance forever, but it will never be forgotten by anyone watching.LowThe failed run-chase against Bangladesh, in Dhaka, left Ireland with a mountain to climb. Most gallingly they should have reached the target – their subsequent batting in the tournament proved that – but their conviction went missing for a three crucial hours.StrengthsThey have the deepest batting in Associate cricket, which was clearly demonstrated by their magical chase against England. Ireland also had as many centuries batting second – two – as the rest of the teams combined. Before the tournament it was suggested Porterfield, Ed Joyce and Niall O’Brien would need to do most of the scoring, but Kevin O’Brien showed he has a touch of Andrew Flintoff about him. Due to the county exposure of most of the top order, Ireland’s batsmen have a toughness and technique not displayed regularly by Associates. In George Dockrell, they have an outstanding prospect, while their fielding put some Test nations to shame.WeaknessesBoyd Rankin had a disappointing tournament and it left Ireland short on pace bowling. At one time, Rankin was being suggested as another who might gain England’s interest, but he went backwards at this event, albeit on some flat pitches. With Trent Johnston’s knees on the verge of giving way, his career won’t last much longer, so Rankin is a vital part of Ireland’s future if they want to consistently compete against top teams.ProspectsAll eyes will be on the decision regarding qualification for the 2015 tournament. If Ireland aren’t given a chance to be involved, it will be a travesty but that will require some open-mindedness from the Full Members. On the field they can’t really have done much more to make their case; now it’s down to the boardrooms and political manoeuvring of the ICC.Four years, though, is a long wait regardless of what decisions are made. In the shorter-term, Ireland need more exposure to the top sides but this will be difficult in a cramped calendar, although playing the mini tri-series with Sri Lanka and Scotland during July is a start. It would be nice to see England take a lead – beyond their one-off ODI in August – but their current fixture-list is at breaking point. Ireland, too, have a host of Associate-level agreements to keep and need to maintain their standards at that level as well as look for greater challenges.However, the game has been put on a sound footing by strong management. Central contracts, helped the financial backing of loyal sponsors, have given players who aren’t county professionals some security and allowed them to focus on their game. Still, the challenge is keeping hold of the very best of Ireland’s talent. Dockrell could be the next to leave – his performances with Somerset once he recovers from a dislocated shoulder will be monitored closely – but at least Associate players can continue to play for the country of birth until qualifying for a Test nation.The ultimate ambition of Test cricket remains a long way off and is unlikely to ever come to fruition. Ireland has no first-class structure and it’s difficult to see how one could be put in place. But they are more than worthy of their place on the international stage.

With no victories in their last 14 Tests, Sri Lanka have earned their underdog tag. But South Africa have not won a home Test series in three years and also have a point to prove

Firdose Moonda in Centurion 13-Dec-2011The last time Sri Lanka played a Test in South Africa, Twenty20 cricket was not a recognised format of the game, even at domestic level, the ICC rankings had only just come into being and Gary Kirsten was part of South Africa’s top order. That was nine years ago, in the summer of 2002.Then, Sri Lanka were expected to lose the series. When they showed signs of tenacity in the second Test and Dilhara Fernando almost bowled them to victory, they were heralded. Pat Symcox, who had criticised Sri Lanka’s Test performances before, wrote on ESPNcricinfo that Sri Lanka had proved their Test credentials.This time, things are vastly different, but also, curiously, the same.Sri Lanka’s underdog tag is not an exaggeration. They have not won a Test match since July last year, when they beat India at home. Their last away win came 19 months before that, in Chittagong. The batting, formidable on paper, has floundered in the middle, and their bowling has been beset by injuries. Add to that the fact they have never won a Test in South Africa and it’s clear that the visitors will need to punch above their weight – quite hard – to compete here.But South Africa also have something to prove. They have not won a Test series in 18 months, with their last three being drawn. Although they are still ranked third in the ICC Test rankings, South Africa will want to demonstrate that they are not simply a competitive outfit but convincing winners too.There would be no better place to do that than at home, where they last won a series three years ago, against Bangladesh. In conditions that are created to favour them, South Africa will have nowhere to hide if they do not capitalise this time. For the last two seasons, the pace and bounce in the pitches has worked as a double-edged sword, assisting both the hosts’ quicks and the opposition’s. With Sri Lanka struggling in the pace department, it is expected that the local surfaces will finally be a clear advantage for the local team, although South Africa have been cautious not to announce their desire to create havoc on green tops as loudly as they did against India last season.Big talk like that has not translated into big action for South Africa in the recent past. Their inability to close out series and turn advantages into results is a growing concern. Kumar Sangakkara quietly reminded South Africa that they have not “even come close” to beating Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka; their most-recent trip there yielded a 2-0 thrashing. With the number of potential matchwinners in their squad – from Hashim Amla to Dale Steyn – the general feeling surrounding the South Africa team is that they need to start winning more matches.They have kept experimentation to a minimum in the squad, making it clear that it is consolidation they are after. From a batting perspective, two areas will come under the microscope – the opening partnership and the No. 6 position. Alviro Petersen is back in the squad and may return to partner Graeme Smith, which will leave Jacques Rudolph to compete with Ashwell Prince for a middle-order spot.Prince faces pressure from within the squad and outside of it, where Dean Elgar is waiting for his first national call-up. Prince will have to find the balance between protecting the tail and either building on the top order’s platform or rescuing the team from trouble. With tours of New Zealand, England and Australia to come, the No. 6 role is a pivotal one that South Africa will need nailed down, and Prince has this opportunity to prove that he is the man to fill it in the next 12 months.South Africa’s bowling has a settled look, with Vernon Philander establishing himself as the best candidate for the third fast bowler’s role. Jacques Kallis will have to play a containing role with the ball, and will have to be carefully managed as he enters the end stages of his career. The spotlight will also be on Imran Tahir, the legspinner who made his debut against Australia.Sri Lanka’s challenge is to put up tough enough resistance, and carve out a series of upsets to turn around a dismal period for them. Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Dilhara Fernando and perhaps even Tillakaratne Dilshan could well be on their last tour of South Africa, with the next one scheduled for 2016, and would cherish leaving with a victory.They will have to blend their roles of ushers in the side’s transition period with the need to perform individually and create foundations on which victories can be built. The senior players will have to guide the younger members of the squad, including vice-captain Angelo Matthews, as Sri Lanka look to find a group that can serve them well in the next few years.Sri Lanka’s inexperienced bowling attack is expected to be the deciding factor in the series. The gulf between the performances of both teams’ bowlers in recent times is vast. If Sri Lanka’s bowlers can make use of conditions and be effective, the series could turn from what is expected to be a one-sided affair into a real battle.The performances of the two Sri Lanka spinners, Rangana Herath and Ajantha Mendis, could prove to be decisive. With one a seasoned and consistent performer, and the other bringing an element of mystery with his variations, they may well outshine their pace attack and puzzle their opponents. Spinners are not usually expected to play a leading role on South African pitches but for Sri Lanka, Herath and Mendis hold the key to taking 20 wickets.Off the field, both teams have had significant administrative issues. Cricket South Africa’s ongoing bonus scandal has damaged the reputation of the game in the country but it has not had the same effect on players as Sri Lankan cricket’s financial crisis. South Africa don’t have sponsors, Sri Lanka don’t have salaries.The South Africa team has escaped boardroom shenanigans, while the Sri Lanka team has often been a victim of them. It may not amount to much during the matches, but it is the background that this Sri Lanka team looks to rise out of. They will have to rise extremely high, but if they do it would make a great story.

Ishant Sharma’s five overs for four runs and three wickets before lunch is up there among the best spells of fast bowling in recent years

Nagraj Gollapudi at Lord's24-Jul-2011It is good fast bowling when ball beats bat repeatedly. All of a sudden there is a contest. The bowler’s run-up suddenly assumes greater speed and intensity, his length gains accuracy, his line becomes consistent. The batsman is reduced to second-guessing. All of a sudden a spell is born.Spells are something that form an important segment in the drama of Test cricket. They remain etched in the mind forever. Take Andrew Flintoff v Ricky Ponting in 2005 at Edgbaston; Mitchell Johnson at the WACA last year; Dale Steyn against India in Nagpur last year; Ishant Sharma and his 60-minute tormenting of Ponting in Perth in 2008. And now, Ishant against England in the final hour before lunch at Lord’s, where his spell read 5-3-4-3.In order to enjoy a spell, it is important to stay clued in. That was always going to be difficult if you were an Indian fan, as the circumstances on Sunday morning were in England’s favour. It was a wonderful sunny morning; the pitch had become much slower; England’s powerful batting line-up looked set to secure their stranglehold over the series-opener. Both sides were resigned to a dull day. But what did they know?Andrew Strauss left after a brisk start, but in walked Kevin Pietersen, who had trampled all over the Indian bowling attack once Zaheer Khan had limped off on the first afternoon, and gone on to get an unbeaten double-century. But, like everyone else, Pietersen had to start from scratch in the second innings. This time, Ishant had a new plan.Pietersen was already trying to lord it over the India bowlers by walking across the off stump. In the first innings, Ishant had failed to maintain an off-stump line and an unerring length consistently. On the fourth day, with his first ball to Pietersen he dragged back the length, sensing that Pietersen would charge him. The ball was a screamer that took off and overwhelmed Pietersen, who walked back stunned having gloved the delivery.It was a mode of dismissal that South Africa had successfully worked out against Pietersen last year. It was also a clever ploy to attack Pietersen before he could settle down. Four deliveries later, bowling slightly wide of the crease, Ishant bowled a perfect legcutter that pitched fuller and coaxed Ian Bell to offer a thick edge. Ishant rounded of a mesmerising spell with one of the best deliveries of the day. Sixteen minutes to lunch, he came up with an angled delivery that pitched on a length before it jagged in off the seam, beating the defences of Jonathan Trott, whose Alsatian-like powers have been well catalogued.Ishant had taken three wickets in sixteen deliveries. England had slipped to 62 for 5. India were back in the match. There was even an outside chance of them winning it. Suddenly, there was a competitive atmoshphere. England went to lunch with a knot in their stomachs. India chewed with a renewed sense of vigour.But Matt Prior and Stuart Broad took advantage of an exhausted Praveen Kumar and the absence of a third seamer. Normal service was resumed by the end of the second session as England fought back to take charge of the match.But it was that hour before lunch that brought the day alive. This was not the first time the lanky Ishant has showed his ability to produce match-turning moments. His finest hour had come at the WACA, where he had dismantled Ponting’s mental make-up with aggressive fast bowling in a Test which India won. In Galle last year, in a match India ended up losing, Ishant made Mahela Jayawardene look like a club batsman with both the old and new ball.Ishant Sharma’s ball to dismiss Jonathan Trott was the delivery of the day•Getty ImagesIt was an admirable performance today, but Ishant was honest enough to admit that things would have been more favourable for India had he bowled with the same plans and intensity in the first innings. “I would have been happier if I bowled similar lines and bowled with the same energy in the first innings as then we could have been in a different position in the match,” he said.In the first innings, in which Ishant had figures of 32-5-128-0, he admitted that he was coming to terms with the dreaded slope at Lord’s, as he bowled most of his spells from the Pavilion end. But Zaheer had strongly suggested to Ishant that he bowl from the Nursery end. “My natural ball is the inswinger but the odd ball was holding its line and I did not know much how it was happening,” Ishant said about the difference between his lines of attack in the two innings.There was one question that lingered immediately after lunch: why did Ishant, a rhythm bowler, not come back and re-start his spell? He said MS Dhoni had asked him if he wanted to continue but he decided that it would be better to play it safe. “I had bowled 11 overs in the first session, and there are three more Test matches coming and it is a long schedule.”In hindsight, he might think it was not wise to rest. Ishant is currently in the top 10 in the ICC Test bowling rankings. Last month, in Bridgetown, he took his maiden Test 10-wicket haul, joining the 100 wickets club in the process.Ishant’s spell at Lord’s may not have a bearing on the result of the match, but if he lives up to his desire to be more consistent, to not commit the mistake of copying anyone else, to be himself, then there are many similar spells in the offing.

ESPNcricinfo previews the Bangladesh Premier League, on the eve of the player auction in Dhaka

Mohammad Isam18-Jan-2012The landscape of cricket in Bangladesh is set to be altered on January 19, when 180-odd cricketers go under the hammer during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) player auction in Dhaka. The prospect of Chris Gayle, Shahid Afridi and Kieron Pollard being fought for by the six BPL franchises, who can spend up to $2 million each, is exciting, but it is the potential for a few Bangladesh cricketers to change their fortune through unprecedented riches that will bring fervor to the event.On Thursday morning, the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel, the venue for the auction, will be buzzing with organisers, team owners and the media. The “open bidding” conducted by Cyrus Madan – better known in India as a horseracing expert and commentator – will take place behind closed doors. Each franchise will have six representatives seated at different tables, as it is for the IPL. It begins at 10.30 am and will be telecast live on Channel 9, a Bangladesh television channel.The six franchises were bought for prices ranging between $1.01 million and $1.2 million, with SQ Sports picking up Chittagong for the highest value during the auction on January 10. SQ Sports had previously run the Chittagong Tigers side in the Port City Cricket League. Orion Group bought the Khulna franchise for $1.10 million, Shakib Al Hasan’s presence as the icon player being the drawing card for a leading industrial conglomerate.The BPL governing council released a list of 176 players, both international and local, a week ahead of the auction but are likely to update both sets before the hammer falls. Afridi, Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and Abdul Razzaq are the marquee names up for auction at a base price of $100,000. Some of the other players in the auction are Scott Styris, Shoaib Malik, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis and Azhar Mahmood. Gayle, Dirk Nannes and Herschelle Gibbs will be available for a few matches.The Zimbabwean contingent includes their captain Brendan Taylor, who is in the A category, while Vusi Sibanda and Stuart Matsikenyeri are in the B category. Taylor will join the competition five days after it begins on February 10. The base prices for categories B and C are $50,000 and $30,000.The team owners, most of whom aren’t known faces on the cricket circuit in Dhaka, have hired ex-cricketers as consultants and most have finalised the coaching staff. They can buy up to eight overseas players with at least one from an Associate nation. A maximum of five overseas players are allowed in a XI.The six icon players – Shakib, Tamim Iqbal, Shahriar Nafees, Mohammad Ashraful, Mushfiqur Rahim and Alok Kapali – could also feature in the auction, though their salary is not yet confirmed because the BPL governing council was asked to review their cost (5% more than highest paid player in franchise) by some of the teams. Among the listed local players, Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Nasir Hossain, Junaid Siddique, Imrul Kayes and Mashrafe Mortaza will have their bidding start at $45,000.A Bangladeshi player, who earns no more than 1 million Taka from first-class cricket and the Dhaka Premier League, could hit a massive payday since the base price of category C is about 1.6 million Taka.For category A players, the bidding will increase by $15,000, while there will be raises of $10,000 and $5000 for categories B and C. BCB director Mahbubul Anam is the commissioner and will be called to resolve disputes if any should arise.A franchise will be allowed to spend up to $2 million in the auction, though rumours abound that some of them have already negotiated with players, making the auction redundant. The admission by former cricketer turned commentator Athar Ali Khan, who is also a Rajshahi team consultant, that they have contacted players has cast a shadow over the bidding process.”We will be very strict with underhand deals,” BPL secretary Sirajuddin Mohammad Alamgir said. “We have been hearing of these rumours but we won’t let it happen. There will be strict punishments for franchises and players, so I hope they refrain.”

Plays of the Day from the third ODI of the CB series, between Australia and Sri Lanka at the WACA

Sidharth Monga at the WACA10-Feb-2012The breaks
It’s hot in Perth, but just how hot it is, is evident from how the authorities had to shorten the interval between drinks breaks. Usually there are two drinks breaks in one innings, after every hour and 10 minutes, but today the players were allowed replenishments every 50 minutes. There can’t be many envying them.The catch
There haven’t been many spectacular ones this season, but Nuwan Kulasekara’s catch will make it to that category, not least because his came off his own bowling. It was no mean wicket either – that off Michael Hussey. In the 18th over, a fullish delivery seemed to have stopped and Hussey popped it back to the on side of the umpire. Kulasekara fought his forward momentum, leapt full length to his right, across the breadth of the pitch, and the ball stuck between his thumb, index and middle finger.The running
Mitchell Starc and Clint McKay had added 32 valuable runs for the ninth wicket when Starc skied the last ball of the 48th over towards long-off. It was not an easy catch, and Starc and McKay were about to cross with both looking at the fielder. However, McKay realised it was the last ball of the over, and needed to retain strike for the penultimate over, and stopped running. Starc took the cue, and ran back to uncross, keeping McKay down at what would become the striking end for the next over.The edgy visiting left-hand opener
Gautam Gambhir has found company. He has been pushing outside off and edging all summer. Viewers didn’t miss him in the non-India game as Upul Tharanga took up the mantle, and after two or three attempts at pushing away from the body – not slashes, just limp pushes that would get him nothing even if the ball hit the middle of the bat – he finally edged Starc with an angled bat, and Michael Clarke at first slip did the rest.The relief
During the Kumar Sangakkara run-out, McKay, the bowler, rushed towards short midwicket, picked the ball, turned around and threw the only stump visible to him down. However, he had not seen that Sangakkara had slipped and all it would have taken was a lob to Ricky Ponting, who had rushed to the stumps, to complete the run-out. Ponting’s reaction as it happened was lovely. While the ball was in the flight, his hands went down, about to the height of his knees, palms facing McKay, as if about to say, “I was right here.” And then he saw the ball hit the stumps, and there was relief on his face with the wicket taken.

A look at the numbers from Sri Lanka’s largest Test victory over Pakistan

Madhusudhan Ramakrishnan25-Jun-2012 The 209-run win was Sri Lanka’s tenth against Pakistan and their first since the seven-wicket victory at the P Sara Oval in 2009. It was their fourth win against Pakistan in home Tests. The margin was the largest (in terms of runs) for Sri Lanka against Pakistan. It was also Sri Lanka’s third Test victory since the retirement of Muttiah Muralitharan in 2010. All three wins have come in the last five matches. Since Murali retired, Sri Lanka have lost seven and drawn ten tests. The win was Sri Lanka’s 11th in 20 Tests in Galle and their second in three Tests against Pakistan at the venue. Sri Lanka’s win-loss ratio of 2.75 in Galle is their second-best at home. Their best win-loss ratio is at the SSC (2.83). Pakistan, who were bowled out for 100 in their first innings, were dismissed for 300 in their second innings. It is the first time in Tests that a team has been bowled out twice in the same match for a round-figure total (100, 200, 300 etc)Sri Lanka failed to take 20 wickets in a Test in the first eight matches after Murali’s retirement. Since then (12 matches), they have bowled the opposition out on five occasions.Younis Khan became the 21st batsman and the first from Pakistan to aggregate 1000 runs in the fourth innings. His average of 59.70 is the highest among batsmen with 1000-plus runs in the fourth innings. By falling for 87, Younis missed out on becoming the only player to score five centuries in the fourth innings. He is level with four other batsmen on four hundreds. Asad Shafiq’s 80 was his fifth half-century and his second against Sri Lanka. His only century was against Bangladesh in December 2011. Despite Shafiq and Younis scoring half-centuries, Pakistan lost by 209 runs. It is the ninth time Pakistan have lost a Test despite two or more batsmen making fifty-plus scores in the fourth innings.The 151-run stand between Younis and Shafiq was the second-highest fifth-wicket partnership for Pakistan in the fourth innings. It was also the second-highest fifth-wicket stand for Pakistan in a Test defeat. The partnership between Younis and Shafiq was also the best fifth-wicket stand in Galle.Suraj Randiv’s match haul of 7 for 99 was the third-best bowling performance by a Sri Lankan spinner against Pakistan in home Tests. It was also Randiv’s second-best match performance after the 9 for 162 against India at the P Sara Oval in 2010.Only on four previous occasions have Pakistan played more overs in the fourth innings as they did in this match (114 overs). Of the eight times Pakistan played 100-plus overs in the fourth innings, they won one and lost three

Stats from the fourth day of a spin-dominated first Test in Galle

Madhusudhan Ramakrishnan29-Mar-2012

• Sri Lanka’s win is their seventh against England and their fifth against them in home Tests. Their last defeat against England at home came at the SSC in the 2001 series. Sri Lanka’s win is only their second since Muttiah Muralitharan’s retirement and their first at home. England have now gone on to lose four consecutive Tests. This is the first such sequence for them after the 0-5 whitewash in Australia in 2006-07.
• Rangana Herath’s performance is his best in Tests. His 12-wicket haul makes him only the fifth Sri Lanka bowler to pick up ten wickets in a match. Muralitharan has picked up 22 of the 27 ten-wicket hauls by Sri Lanka bowlers. There have been only seven previous occasions when a spinner has achieved better match-figures in a Test against England. Herath’s 12 for 171 is second only to Muralitharan’s 13 for 171 among best bowling performances in Galle. Herath’s match-figures are also the second best for a left-arm spinner against England, after Vinoo Mankad’s 12 for 108 in 1952.
• Jonathan Trott became only the fourth England batsman, and the first since Nasser Hussain (in 2001), to score a fourth-innings century in the subcontinent. His century is also the seventh by an England batsman in Sri Lanka. The previous one was scored by Alastair Cook in Galle in 2007. Trott also joins Cook and Marcus Trescothick on the list of 15 England batsmen (17 instances) to score a century in a defeat in the fourth innings.
• Galle once again proved to be a result-oriented venue. Six out of the last seven matches there have produced a result. Overall, Galle stands joint-second with Kandy among Sri Lankan grounds with the lowest draw percentage (minimum five matches played) since 2000. England’s total of 264 is the highest fourth-innings total in Galle, surpassing the 253 made by Sri Lanka in their loss to Australia last year. It is the fourth-highest fourth-innings total in a defeat in Tests played in Sri Lanka since 2000.
• Twenty-eight wickets fell to spinners in the match. This is joint third-highest on the list of most wickets falling to spinners in a game in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka spinners, led by Herath, picked up 18 of the 20 England wickets. There have been only three previous occasions (two in Galle) when Sri Lanka spinners have picked up more wickets (19) in a match.
• From a total of 233 for 4, England lost their last six wickets for just 31 runs to be dismissed for 264. Only once before against Sri Lanka (Galle in 2001) have England aggregated fewer runs (22) for the last five wickets. Their lowest aggregate in an innings for the last five wickets in Tests since 2000 is 14, in Mohali in 2001.