All posts by csb10.top

Having lost the toss and being asked to field, the West Indies made the best of a bad start, restricting India to 275 for six at the end of the first day. Carl Hooper and his attack of four seamers will feel that, in some part at least, they wrested the initiative back from the hosts. With the Indian tail exposed, the West Indies will hope to restrict India to as little over 300 as possible; that will be half the battle won. From there, the skipper will have to hope that his batsmen come good when most needed.The day began in somewhat bizarre fashion as the visitors made wholesale changes to their side. Surprising the pundits, the West Indies went into the game with four seamers on a wicket that looked slow and conducive to spin bowling. Marlon Samuels, Darren Powell and Cameron Cuffy were brought into the team in place of Ryan Hinds, Gareth Breese and injured left-arm seamer Pedro Collins.The strategy seemed to backfire as Virender Sehwag characteristically started to put the bowling to the sword from the moment he reached the crease. Unmindful of the fact that he was beaten time and again, Sehwag slashed merrily at anything even a touch loose. The result was six boundaries in an entertaining run-a-ball 35 before a quicker one from Merv Dillon beat the bat. Straddling his crease, Sehwag was trapped in front of the stumps, and India had lost their first wicket for a brisk 49 that came in 10.2 overs.Sanjay Bangar too seemed to be in an unusually adventurous mood. Driving at several deliveries too wide for the stroke, Bangar even edged a catch into the slip cordon early on, but watched in relief as Shivnarine Chanderpaul floored the tough chance.Rahul Dravid, in perhaps the best form of his life, stroked the ball well from the word Go, looking good for a big knock when his innings was cut short on 14. Getting the ball to come back off the wicket, Darren Powell had Dravid inside-edging onto his pad. Missing the edge, umpire David Shepherd upheld the confident appeal for leg-before. When the teams walked off the field for lunch, India were 98 for two off 26 overs, scoring at a fast clip despite the loss of two crucial wickets.In the second session, the pattern was much the same. Sachin Tendulkar, well on course to a big score, fell against the run of play in the 37th over of the innings. Flashing hard outside the off at a well-directed delivery from Jermaine Lawson, Tendulkar (36, seven fours) only managed to edge the ball to Chris Gayle in the slips.Sourav Ganguly then took over the scoring. Using the angled bat to great effect, the Indian skipper pierced the infield on the off-side off both front and back foot to score five boundaries in his 29. Then, just at the stroke of the tea, Ganguly attempted to cut a straight one from Carl Hooper – in reality, much too close to cut – and tickled the ball through to wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs.Quickly sizing up the situation, Bangar settled down to playing the role of sheet anchor to perfection. The intermittent fall of wickets at the other end only made Bangar concentrate harder. Batting with great care for 201 balls, Bangar (77, 13 boundaries) finally lost his concentration and drove Cameron Cuffy on the up into the waiting hands of Wavell Hinds in the cover-point region. The backbone of the Indian innings, Bangar once more proved his utility with a knock of high value.While Bangar was the only one to spend any significant time in the middle, all the other top-order batsmen got starts. Coming in at number six, VVS Laxman was no exception. As wristy and fluent as ever, the Hyderabadi stylist tucked the ball away to all parts of the ground for 48, including eight boundaries. However, in almost characteristic fashion, Laxman fished at a ball well outside the off-stump to be caught at slip.The Indian captain would have been disappointed with the timing of Laxman’s fall, coming as it did in the 81st over, on a day where just 83 overs were possible. Fortunately for the hosts, Parthiv Patel (18 not out) and Harbhajan Singh ensured that no more than six wickets were lost on the day.Yet again, the West Indies have managed to end a day’s play on a high note. If they are to salvage some of the fierce Caribbean pride that saw their teams rise to the very pinnacle in yesteryear, the visitors must press home the advantage, sustain the momentum, and make life as difficult as possible for India on the start of the second day.

A number of experienced first-class players have been named in the initial Otago A team for this summer’s national Provincial A competition, the bulk of matches to be played in Lincoln in early to mid-January.Left-arm seamer David Sewell, who has played almost 50 matches for Otago, has been named along with aggressive left-hand opening batsman Andrew Hore.Others in the squad with first-class experience named are: Simon Beare, Nathan McCullum, Warren McSkimming and Bradley Scott.Also named is Daryll Reddington, who looks likely to make his Otago debut in the State Championship match against Central Districts, which starts in Wanganui on Saturday.The Otago 2nd XI squad is: Simon Beare, Grant Billcliff, Hayden Finch, Jonathan Homer, Andrew Hore, Robert King, Nathan McCullum, Warren McSkimming, Daryll Reddington, Bradley Scott, David Sewell, Darin Smith, Jarrad Waldron and Tim Weston.And the Otago selectors have also named an Otago development team training squad, this side replacing the Under-22 team.The Development XI will play matches against the Otago Under-19 selection in Oamaru in early-December and a game against the Otago A team in Alexandra later in the month.Players in this side, which includes former first-class representatives Hayden Anderson, Duncan Drew and Scott Waide, have the opportunity to press for higher honours later in the season.The Development squad is: Hayden Anderson, Tom Bates, James Bullick, Duncan Drew, Tim Geeves, Shaun Haig, Mark Joyce, Dion Lobb, Tony McEntyre, Jamie Murley, Jarrod Stewart, Nic Turner, Scott Waide.

Can surprise leaders Andover repeat their slick 50-over form in the longer all-day version of ECB Southern Electric Premier League cricket?That’s the burning question on the eve of nine weeks of all-day `time’ matches, which begin with table-topping Andover facing third-placed Bournemouth at London Road, 11 o’clock."We’ve been on fire in the 50-over stuff," says Andover skipper Roger Miller, who hit his first SL century in ten years against Burridge last weekend. "Actually, we could even have won all five games, but playing all-day matches, in which you bat up to 66 overs, is an entirely different ball game."But we are buzzing with confidence just now and are just as eager to win the all-day games as were the 50-over matches," Miller said.Andover may make two changes for the visit of in-form Bournemouth, who beat title holders BAT Sports and Bashley (Rydal) in their last two games.Mark Miller is certain to replace the injured Ian Langdown (hamstring), with the captain pondering on whether to reinstate teenager James Manning, who played for the Hampshire Academy last weekend.Bournemouth expect to have Richard Scott back in a key all-rounders role after missing the ten-wicket mugging of Bashley (Rydal). "We’ve previously encountered a lot of problems bowling teams out in the all-day games," says Bournemouth skipper Matt Swarbrick."But we now have a much more balanced attack, with four seamers and two young left-arm spinners to work with at Andover."The rain of the past few days suggests conditions may favour the bowlers, but we’ve got a fine right/left-arm mix, which should be ideal."Second placed Havant, four points behind Andover, travel to Liphook & Ripsley, who are currently anchored to the basement after one win in five games. Paul Gover is a continued absentee, while Mackie Hobson and Bev Moynan could be missing through work commitments.Bashley (Rydal), knocked out of the ECB Club Championship by Havant just 24 hours after the Bournemouth mauling, must pick up the pieces from a disastrous last weekend."We didn’t apply ourselves at Bournemouth – and it’s happening time after time," groaned skipper Neil Taylor."How we can score 301 one week and then get bowled out for barely 100 the next baffles me."Shaun Lilley, free from wedding engagements, returns against Portsmouth, who travel to the BCG minus influential skipper Raj Maru. Lee Savident leads Portsmouth, who will rely heavily on Matt Keech to cover their spin bowling options.Dave Banks is still troubled by the thumb injury he picked up playing for the Hampshire Board three weeks ago. But he expects to play at South Wilts, where BAT will be looking to build on last year’s stunning all-day form."We won all seven completed `time’ matches and that, without doubt, won us the championship," Banks recalled."We start this summer’s all-day cricket with an identical record to 2001 – played 5, won 3, lost two – so let’s hope for a repeat performance."South Wilts, two points behind BAT, have Russell Rowe again at the forefront of the batting charts – the beefy opener having clocked up 293 runs in five visits to the crease already this season.Burridge have Neil Cunningham and Matt Godwin back against Calmore Sports at Loperwood Park. But Paul Hawkins, who is using his "Hawkie" ball tracking technology at Queen’s Club, is a major doubt.Calmore, who won five of their eight `time’ games last season, expect inspirational skipper Tom Pegler to return, but teenager Paul Cass suffered a back spasm during the Hampshire YCs trip to Guernsey earlier this week.

West Indies team manager Ricky Skerritt has confirmed today that Brian Lara will miss his team’s forthcoming tour of India.Skerritt said in Colombo: “Brian has been advised by medical specialists in Colombo that he will miss the West Indies immediate cricketing commitments. That will obviously rule him out of the Indian tour and I’ve advised the West Indies selectors that a replacement will be needed for that tour.”However, he did not confirm that the ace West Indies batsman was suffering from hepatitis as earlier reports suggested, adding that there was nothing more to say on the matter for the moment.The champion left-hander has been in a hospital for tests and observation for more than 24 hours now.The West Indies are due to play three Test matches and seven one-dayers in India.

New Zealand’s one-day team to tour Sharjah and Pakistan is to be named tomorrow on what should be the next phase of the side’s World Cup ’03 development.But such is the injury count at the moment that it can only be an exercise in match strategy involving some of the second tier of players who may or may not be called on in the final count, depending on the injuries down the line.Out of consideration are: Chris Cairns, Shane Bond, Dion Nash and it could be that the national selectors decide that Daniel Vettori deserves a rest in preparation for the Pakistan Test series which follows the two one-day exercises in Sharjah and Pakistan.Fourteen players are to be named for the tour which includes a minimum of four games in Sharjah and three in Pakistan.In Sharjah, New Zealand play Sri Lanka on April 9, Pakistan on April 11, Sri Lanka on April 14 and Pakistan again on April 15.The tournament final is to be played on April 17.The basis of the side obviously has to be the team which beat England 3-2 and which made the finals of the VB Series in Australia.That would see: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Lou Vincent, Chris Harris, Daryl Tuffey and Andre Adams as certainties for the side.Chris Nevin should be retained as wicket-keeper and with the absence of Adam Parore for future consideration, there is a chance for him to claim the position for himself with the gloves and as an opener.If the selectors decide that Vettori is still in good enough condition to make the tour then he too, will be in the automatic category. However, if he is rested, then Auckland’s Brooke Walker must be the favoured option. He has had chances in the past and while he was covering for injury to Vettori, there must be hope that he has had a chance to absorb the lessons and be reconsidered.Glen Sulzberger has also been part of the mix in recent times and it could be that he gains his place if two spinners are preferred.One important decision that will be made is whether Brendon McCullum holds his place in the squad. He is a long term investment by the selectors and he has too much to offer to be placed on the substitutes’ bench and he should retain his spot.James Franklin should also be recalled to the side to continue his education in international play and his recent run scoring for Wellington will have been appreciated by the selectors.Another consideration will be Central Districts’ captain Jacob Oram back in action after missing much of the season with a foot injury. He was shaping as a key element in New Zealand’s one-day planning after last summer and given the on-going problems with Cairns, he should be a consideration for the side.The final choice will be in the bowling attack. Whether Scott Styris offers anything more in the bowling than that offered already in the attack and it may be that a workhorse-type of bowler like Chris Drum, especially with the Pakistan leg of the tour in mind, catches the selectors’ eyes.That would leave the team possibly looking like: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Chris Nevin, Brendon McCullum, Craig McMillan, Lou Vincent, Chris Harris, Daniel Vettori/Brooke Walker, Glen Sulzberger, Daryl Tuffey, Andre Adams, James Franklin, Jacob Oram, Chris Drum.

Just two points separate the top three in Southern Electric Premier League, Division 3, where Hambledon, Purbrook and Alton continue to set the early pace. The trio all won again, with Hambledon inflicting Paultons’ second consecutive defeat, Purbrook edging out Gosport Borough and Alton overhauling Hartley Wintney’s 209-4.Hambledon, relegated from Premier 2 last season, wobbled at 20-2 before cruising past Paultons’ 204-7 at Ridge Meadow.Colin James (85), who forged a 122-run opening partnership with Duncan Park (39), took his tally past the 200 mark and then celebrated when team-mate Paul Wilde trapped Imre Chakrabarti and Rob Norris leg before.Former Hampshire spinner Ian Turner dominated the stage thereafter, hitting an unbeaten 82 and sharing an unbroken century fifth wicket stand with Matt Jones (40) as the Dons eased home.Gosport, struggling in fourth from bottom position, took Purbrook to the wire – the visitors struggling at 125-6 (Will Prozesky 46) against Mark Oxford (4-31) and Nathan Collins (3-47) before Wayne Musselwhite’s key 29 not out took them to 174.A five-wicket blast from Mark Stanley (5-39) had Borough wobbling at 85-6, but John Adams (49) and Richard Edwards (26) almost swung it round as Gosport closed at 168-8.In-form Matt Digweed (71 not out) and Tristan Gregory (41) cashed in against Alton’s below par bowling and fielding but Hartley Wintney were unable to defend 209-4. Michael Heffernan’s clean cut 96 guided the visitors home.Favourites St Cross Symondians bounced back in style from the previous weekend’s surprise defeat at Portsmouth.They were far too strong for newly promoted Redlynch & Hale, with Kiwi Mark Parker hammering an unbeaten 127 in a formidable 254-4 (Marc Rees 57).Spin pair Matt Perry-Lewis (4-22) and Will Marriner (4-26) bowled the Wiltshire border side out for 81.”It was a win we needed after what happened the previous week, but to be honest we weren’t stretched,” confessed Perry-Lewis.Portsmouth continued in a winning vein, with James Scott (3-22), Mike Clark (3-30) and Rick Marston (3-42) bowling Leckford out for 97 at chilly St Helen’s, Southsea.James Moon (42) and Clark (31) earlier cemented Portsmouth’s position, although spinner Andy Cattle deserved better after a 6-28 return in PCC’s 190-9.A seven-wicket defeat by Hursley Park has left Hook & Newnham Basics propping up the table – a century start by Raman Prendergast (64) and John Harris (58) pointing the Park towards their hosts 172-9 (Tom Burns 3-15).Matt Gover was in such a tizz after Havant’s double defeats by Leckford and Purbrook that he vowed not to shave until his team won.But a fortnight’s fluff disappeared from his cheeks after debut centurion Simon Greenfield and JJ Owen – plus a helping hand from 13 year old Stuart Ransley – put previously unbeaten New Milton to flight.Greenfield, who spent most of his 1st XI days occupying Havant’s No 11 slot, has taken to his new second team opening role like a duck to water and was elated at his best ever 117 not out.Jon Owen, who hit an accomplished 60, was a middle-order batsman in his Portsmouth Grammar School days, but he too has added a touch of polish to his batting.The pair pointed Havant to 255-4 before Ransley’s spell of 4-18 (chronicled elsewhere on this page) helped send New Milton crashing to 133 all out (John Dolman 35).Ventnor at long last had something to cheer after whisking Waterlooville out for 105 and winning by seven wickets at Rowlands Avenue.Queenslander Chris Baumann (41) took Ville to 67-0, but the innings fell apart when Keith Jones (4-18) took three wickets in four balls.Neil Dodds (6-21) cleaned up and left former Northwood left-hander Neil Westhorpe (43 not out) and Merrill Capenerhurst (34) to complete the formalities.Smiles too for Bashley, particularly former 1st XI captain Graham Pardey, who has taken over the second team captain’s role from Steve Latimore.Pardey had an immediate impact too, using all his experience to make 63 and ease Bashley from a slightly uncertain 95-4 (Ian Britton 49) to 204-6.Chris Gates (32 not out) proved a most reliable partner as Bashley made sure of a total which was to proved just beyond Flamingo’s reach at 199 all out.

An enthralling finish at Lord’s saw Middlesex scramble home by one run in their reduced-overs Benson & Hedges match against Kent who seemed to be progressing comfortably at one stage on 102 for 3 after 24 overs, chasing 147 for victory.But a superb spell of off-spin bowling by Paul Weekes, who had been brought into the attack in the 23rd over, rapidly changed the course of Kent’s innings. He removed the next four batsmen for 13, to eventually finish with four for seventeen from four overs and claim the Gold Award for the player of the match.Kent’s top scorer Matthew Walker, with 36 from 42 balls, was among his victims and after his departure, there was little else to come from the Kent batting. Three wickets went in the penultimate over and two in the last with James Golding the ninth and last to fall, on 145, as he frantically charged for a second run. This was three balls after Paul Nixon’s gallant effort of 20 from 21 balls was ended when he was bowled by Angus Fraser.Earlier, despite a clear blue sky and sunshine at Lord’s – conditions that could be described as alien so far this season – the wet ground conditions delayed the start of play until 2pm, restricting the number of overs to 31 per side.Having put Middlesex in to bat, Kent wasted little time in claiming early wickets. Amjad Khan, in his second B&H cup match, sent Mike Roseberry back without scoring when he was caught at cover point. With Stephen Fleming out next, also without scoring, Middlesex were 21 for two after just four overs.But a fine 74-run partnership between Andrew Strauss, who top-scored with 61, and Owais Shah revived the innings. Strauss’s attacking strokeplay took him to fifty from 59 balls with six hits to the boundary.Shah, who was dropped on 40 on the mid-wicket boundary, fell shortly after, just two runs short of his half-century, having faced 74 balls. Both batsmen were claimed by James Golding who finished with three for 25 as did his captain Matthew Fleming who had a sensational second spell, later in the innings, of three wickets for one in four balls.

With only a few minor alterations, Australia and South Africa read from a script first used at the Wanderers last Friday. This time round, however, Australia increased their winning margin to 45 runs as they took a 2-0 after the second of the Standard Bank One-Day Internationals at SuperSport Park on Sunday.Again Australia batted first – although on this occasion they were asked to do by Shaun Pollock; again they cobbled together a total (226 for eight) that seemed perhaps 30 or 40 runs light; and again South Africa’s top and middle order collapsed.The sense of déjà vu went so far as to include another defiant attempt by Lance Klusener to rescue a lost cause. Once again, though, his efforts were in vain as South Africa were bowled out for 181, Klusener’s contribution being a thunderous, run-a-ball 59.For this match Australia were forced into two changes to the side that won on Friday. One of them involved giving Jimmy Maher only his third match in an international one-day career that started four years ago. The 28-year-old Maher made the most of this rare opportunity, holding the innings together with a thoughtful 95 and sharing in Australia’s two key partnerships.The first, with Matthew Hayden, produced 85 for the second wicket and then, after Nicky Boje had accounted for Hayden and Ricky Ponting in successive deliveries, Maher and Damien Martyn added 93 for the fourth wicket.The stand ended when Martyn was caught behind off Roger Telemachus for 42. Batsman and bowlers exchanged words as Martyn departed and Telemachus sent Martyn on his way with a two-fingered gesture. It is understood that the explanation from the dressing room is that Telemachus was indicating that it was the second time in as many games that he has taken Martyn’s wicket. Whether match referee Cammie Smith will buy this one remains to be seen.Telemachus also picked up the wicket of Maher, caught on the cover boundary as Australia attempted to step up the moment in the closing overs of their innings. He would have been disappointed to have fallen only five runs short and, indeed, Australia might have felt they didn’t kick on with sufficient vigour.Overall, though, South Africa did a good job in the field with Shaun Pollock taking four for 32 to suggest that he is regaining his sharpness.At bat, though, South Africa started badly and got worse, slipping to 110 for seven before Klusener found his range. There were two wickets apiece for Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie and two quite outstanding run outs effected by Ponting’s quickness and accuracy in the field to get rid of Boeta Dippenaar and Pollock.He also snapped up two excellent catches and if Jonty Rhodes won the personal duel in the field between the two in the first game at the Wanderers, Ponting walked this one. His direct hit to run out Dippenaar came in with razor sharp accuracy and it was his speed to the balls and quickness of release that caught Pollock short as he tried to get back into his ground.With Klusener around, though, South Africa still had a sniff. He spent much of 2001 fiddling around with his bottom hand having taken over almost completely, but he has found his range again since being dropped from the Test side in Australia and while he was hitting, Australia could never be entirely sure of victory.This effort contained four huge sixes (two of them coming off successive Shane Watson deliveries), but eventually his luck ran out when he holed out at cow corner off Darren Lehmann.Australia, then, have put some space between themselves and South Africa. With five matches in the series remaining, the home side have to win four to deny the Australians. And for that to happen, the top order needs to function.

Pat Cummins expects to be parachuted in to the New South Wales Sheffield Shield team on the final day of what is shaping as a potentially fiery encounter with a Queensland side not entirely happy to be facing as many as 15 players against their 11 ahead of the first Test at the Gabba.While Cummins has been left out of the New South Wales side for their Sheffield Shield match against Queensland, to start at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane on Friday, there is a chance the 19-year-old may be included as a substitute player for the last day of the match on Monday, with four of the Blues players due to join Australia’s Test squad.Returning home from a trophy-winning Twenty20 Champions League campaign with the Sydney Sixers, Cummins said he hoped to be able to take part in the final day of the match, his first involvement in a first-class fixture since his one and only Test match against South Africa in Johannesburg last year.”We mapped it out three or four months ago so I knew what the process was going to be, I obviously want to be out there playing cricket and Shield cricket especially,” Cummins said. “Hopefully, maybe I’ll play on the fourth day of this game, depending on what the selectors do with the Aussie side and then hopefully after that get into the next Shield game.”I have been playing T20 cricket for about two or three months and we mapped out a plan then and in between the games we knew we wouldn’t be able to fit in enough overs to get right for Shield straight away, so it’s probably building up for two or three weeks and then getting right for the shield game against Victoria at the SCG.”If NSW were bowling on the final day of the match, that would allow Cummins to ease his way back into Shield competition after spending the past two months playing Twenty20 cricket with Australia and the Sydney Sixers. Cummins, who has not played a first-class match for nearly a year, is expected to be considered for the third Test against South Africa in Perth, but only if his body and form holds up through Shield cricket in the meantime.Queensland are unhappy that they do not know the identity of the replacement players they may face, the coach Darren Lehmann pointing out that the side may be stacked with batsmen or bowlers depending on the game scenario.”It’s certainly not fair,” Lehmann said. “I’d like to know who the replacements are when we’re playing a game. They could be bowling or chasing runs and end up picking all batters to replace their bowlers. So I’d like to know who they are replacing them with.”If they don’t replace them, or rather don’t let us know who they are, then they can’t replace them. It’s first-class cricket.”New South Wales have named a squad featuring four members of Australia’s Test squad – Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, David Warner and Mitchell Starc – and only two players who have not played for or toured with the Australians. Brad Haddin will keep the wicketkeeping gloves ahead of Peter Nevill, who has been named as a specialist batsman.The Blues will be without Moises Henriques and Steven Smith, who will instead be part of the Australia A team to play South Africa in Sydney. For Cummins, the chance to play even a walk-on role in a first-class fixture is an enticing prospect after a year beset by injuries and countless T20 engagements.”In the past 18 months [Johannesburg] was the only game of cricket I played with a red ball, so I am itching to get back with the red ball and trying to get it swinging around for more than two overs,” Cummins said. “You want to play as much cricket as possible and it starts with the Shield and I haven’t played Shield cricket for close to 18 months now so I am chomping at the bit to get out there.”It’s ok that it is mapped out three or four months in advance but it does hurt when you are sitting on the sidelines and you feel relatively fit and there are other people playing.”New South Wales squad David Warner, Shane Watson, Scott Henry, Nic Maddinson, Michael Clarke (capt), Peter Nevill, Brad Haddin (wk), Steve O’Keefe, Mitchell Starc, Trent Copeland, Josh Hazlewood, Doug Bollinger.

Cricket’s a simple game when it is played properly and runs are achieved by the top order.New Zealand looked a different team when handing out a record 138-run hiding to Pakistan at Christchurch’s Jade Stadium in the fourth match of the National Bank series today.It is New Zealand’s highest winning margin against Pakistan, and the fourth highest against all nations.New Zealand totalled 284/5 and benefited from the best top order start of the home summer.Skipper Stephen Fleming was out for a duck but a 101-run partnership for the second wicket between Nathan Astle (71) and Roger Twose (42) gave New Zealand a foundation it has long sought.At 113/3 there was the potential for disaster, but Astle and Craig McMillan added 53 for the fourth wicket and while Lou Vincent followed for four from another interesting leg before wicket call that went against the home team, the stage was set for McMillan and Chris Harris to add 112 for the unbroken sixth wicket.It was a situation tailor-made for Harris, coming in with 15 overs remaining, wickets in hand and bowlers on the ropes. He finished 39 not out off 56 balls and the greatest fault in his innings may have been telling McMillan, erroneously as it turned out, that he had achieved his century.McMillan was on 97 with four balls of the innings left. Fortunately, although losing the strike at one stage, he had one chance to secure his century and he did with a six over mid wicket and out of the ground.He achieved the feat with five sixes and six fours and off 75 balls, to equal the record held by Chris Cairns set on the same ground against India two years ago.Pakistan seemed to find demons in the pitch where none existed for New Zealand.The continued development of Daryl Tuffey and James Franklin as one-day exponents continued apace. Success against Pakistan is invaluable as it is one of the better combinations in the one day game when on song.But when as off key as today, it appears more vulnerable than most.The loss of Saeed Anwar to the last ball of the first over immediately diminished Pakistan’s prospects.He offered a chance which was well taken by Astle fielding at second slip.Franklin didn’t want to be left out and his first ball accounted for Imran Nazir, caught at deep fine leg by Tuffey for a duck.Then in the third over Azhar Mahmood was caught by wicket-keeper Adam Parore from Tuffey’s bowling for one.A splendid piece of Vincent fielding resulted in Yousuf Youhana being run out. So quickly executed was Vincent’s throw that Youhana was well short of his ground, although the third umpire was called in before the decision was made.Saleem Elahi was then victim to one of the most consistent themes running through this series, the number of batsmen getting out to the first ball of bowlers’s new spells. He hit one in Harris’ direction backward of point and was well held, out for 13.Then the final blow occurred to extinguish whatever remote thoughts there may have been of getting up to be competitive when Abdur Razzaq was caught at long off by Tuffey for 31.At 71/6 in the 26th over, it was all over.With the required run rate up over 13 an over, the injured Inzamam-ul-Haq and skipper Moin Khan decided to make the most of the chance for some open air batting practice.It short-changed the crowd which might have liked to have seen some more action but as the win belonged to the home team there was little concern.The effort was another triumph for Tuffey who took three for 30 while Astle’s three wickets in one over at the bottom of the innings came at the cost of seven runs.