Sparkling White ton flattens England

Australia 230 for 4 (White 105, Clarke 52) beat England 228 for 9 (Strauss 63, Watson 3-36) by six wickets

Cameron White's 116-ball hundred followed his half-century at The Oval © PA Photos

Cameron White scored his maiden international hundred, and Michael Clarke signed off as captain with a sheet-anchor 52 from 92 balls, as England's under-performing batsmen were taught an object lesson in how to pace a run-chase in the third ODI at the Rose Bowl. Chasing 229 under the floodlights after losing the toss for the third time in the series, White and Clarke added 143 for the third wicket to steer Australia to a comfortable six-wicket victory with nine balls remaining, and secure a virtually unassailable 3-0 lead with four matches of the NatWest Series still to come.

Though England's bowlers put up something of a fight with the ball, the match was lost during another inadequate performance from the batsmen, in which Andrew Strauss, once again, was the only redeeming feature. Australia lost both openers early in their chase, and at 56 for 2 after 15 overs, it looked as though they might be forced to struggle for the ascendancy. But whereas England's batsmen produced five partnerships worth between 34 and 41 runs - a stat that perfectly encapsulated the wastefulness of their performance - the Aussies needed just one hefty alliance to make the game safe.

For differing reasons, White and Clarke had plenty to prove in tonight's contest - the return of Ricky Ponting for Saturday's fourth ODI will require White to relinquish his No. 3 spot, and Clarke to hand back the captaincy. But both men ensured that the skipper will return to a steady ship after silencing a full house at The Rose Bowl with a performance that was light on fireworks but brimful of determination. Clarke contributed a solitary boundary to a stay that spanned 30 overs, which also happened to be his last shot before being bowled by Graeme Swann one ball later, and while questions remain about his lack of impetus in the middle-order, tonight is not the night for quibbling.

Instead, it is a night for White to celebrate his arrival on the international stage. Having never batted higher than No. 5 before this series, today's 116-ball hundred followed on from his maiden half-century in the first match at The Oval, and whereas England's skittish batsmen have continually found new and innovative ways to squander their promising starts, he belied his reputation as a biffer to set himself a platform and, then, crucially, to build on it.

His only error with the bat came on 92, during Australia's Powerplay, when Tim Bresnan fluffed a skier at long-on - and while the bowler, James Anderson, was not best pleased at that let-off, Anderson himself had earlier been guilty of letting White off the hook with two run-out chances - the first an underarm shy from five yards that somehow missed the stumps with the batsman on 46, and later a failure to break the stumps with White on 70, and floundering for the crease having worked a single into the leg-side.

There was no panic at any stage of Australia's performance, however. They claimed the Powerplay at 154 for 2, with 66 balls of the chase remaining and 75 runs still needed, whereupon White drilled Sidebottom over mid-on for their first six of the series. His own contribution ended with nine runs still required, when he scudded a Luke Wright slower ball to mid-off, but Callum Ferguson and Michael Hussey ensured there were no late dramas.

And so England were left to rue another day in keeping with their performances all year, in which their fortunes were dictated entirely by their captain. Having won his third toss of the series under overcast skies, Strauss might well have been tempted to bowl first, were it not for the memory of the failed run-chases that England compiled in the first two matches at The Oval and Lord's. This time, he took it upon himself to set the agenda personally, and at first he did so to fine effect. Though he did not open his account until his 11th delivery of the innings, he then climbed into Brett Lee with three fours in a row - a pull, a cut and a drive, the three staples of his international diet - en route to a 60-ball half-century.

	James Anderson holds his head in his hands as England drift towards another defeat © Getty Images

At the other end, Ravi Bopara showed signs of his returning confidence when he drilled the first ball of Nathan Bracken's third over over long-on for six, and at 40 for 0 after seven overs, England were looking in command of their destiny. But then, however, it all started to go wrong. Bopara attempted a repeat stroke, but picked out James Hopes at full stretch running back towards the pavilion, and in the very next over, Matt Prior sized up a violent pull shot to get himself off the mark, but he fizzed a simple chance straight to Hopes once more, this time off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson.

Owais Shah, under pressure again thanks to his haphazard running in the second ODI, was adjudged lbw, somewhat unluckily, as replays suggested that Johnson's delivery would have slipped past the off stump. And then, in a lapse in concentration that has been an unfortunate part of his otherwise excellent form in this series, Strauss worked Hauritz in the air with a flick of the wrists, and Clarke swooped low at midwicket to send him on his way. At 98 for 4, Australia were firmly in the ascendancy.

Collingwood, charged with raising the tempo as well as providing mature support to the tyro Eoin Morgan, then produced arguably the most culpable dismissal of the lot, as he attempted to biff Shane Watson's medium pace over the leg-side field, but succeeding only in scuffing his drive to Bracken at mid-on for 28 boundary-free runs. And when Luke Wright scorched to short extra cover, it was left to Morgan to cobble together a defendable target. He added 36 in seven overs with Bresnan, including a rare six as Hopes was punched over the top, but the decision to call for the Powerplay in the 42nd over once again scuppered all England's momentum.

On 43, Morgan was suckered by a slower-ball full toss from Lee, and patted a tame drive to Johnson at wide mid-off, before Swann played across the line to a wicket-to-wicket delivery from Shane Watson to be adjudged lbw for 3 from three balls (188 for 8). As England dribbled through their allocation, it wasn't until Bresnan cleared his front leg to smash consecutive fours off Watson with three balls of the Powerplay remaining that they managed so much as a boundary in their five sloggable overs.

Bresnan and Ryan Sidebottom ensured that the innings was not a total surrender by hauling England through their 50 overs in a ninth-wicket stand of 40, with both men posting their highest scores in ODI cricket before Sidebottom holed out to White off Watson's final ball of the innings. Nevertheless, their modest achievements were a further indictment of the failings higher up the order. Only an inspired performance with the ball would have enabled England to escape. And sure enough, White and Clarke ensured it did not materialise.

Herath five-for hands Sri Lanka clean sweep

Sri Lanka 416 (Samaraweera 143, Jayawardene 92, Patel 4-78) and 311 for 5 dec (Sangakkara 109, Jayawardene 96) beat New Zealand 234 (Taylor 81, Herath 3-70, Muralitharan 3-71) and 397 (Vettori 140, Oram 56, Herath 5-139) by 96 runs

Daniel Vettori's innings panned more deliveries than any New Zealand batsman this Test © Associated Press

Sri Lanka were expected to wrap up victory early on the final day, but had to wait until the 68th over of the day to seal a 2-0 sweep and cement their place at No. 2 in the ICC Test rankings. They had New Zealand six wickets down for 182 at stumps on day four, but were thoroughly frustrated by a century stand between Daniel Vettori and Jacob Oram in a cracking morning session. When Tillakaratne Dilshan snapped an excellent 124-run partnership by dismissing Oram two minutes before lunch, it seemed likely that victory was around the corner, but Vettori found an able ally in Iain O'Brien and the pair added 69 in 78 gut-wrenching minutes.

Like in the morning, Sri Lanka struck shortly before the interval and tea was pushed back by half an hour. The last wicket to fall was Vettori, excellently held at deep square leg by a tumbling Rangana Herath - who took five wickets - and New Zealand had finally been dismissed for 397, the highest fourth-innings total at the SSC. They were owned for the better part of four days, but fought back credibly on the fifth. It was not enough, for the damage was irreparable, and Sri Lanka finished deserved winners.

With his back to the wall, needing to bat three sessions, Vettori dipped into his reservoir of 94 Tests and summoned immense concentration to survive two of them. He helped buy time after a delayed second session - owing to a brief but fierce Colombo downpour - even as Muttiah Muralitharan returned to the field and had Jeetan Patel caught sweeping to short leg. He received tremendous support from O'Brien, who played an innings unlike any he has played in the past, plodding 75 balls for a career-best 12. There were plenty of shouts for lbws and close catches, and the umpires were tested as much as the batsmen, but O'Brien was resolute.

Vettori pulled and swept boundaries off Murali and Herath to reach a most appreciable century, one that put his entire batting unit to shame. His shot selection and confidence were amazing, supple wrists and dancing feet complimenting a fierce determination. Kumar Sangakkara spread his field as singles and doubles ticked away, but the pair played on. Dammika Prasad returned and O'Brien ducked and swayed, while Vettori pulled for four between two fielders.

Smart Stats Mahela Jayawardene became just the fourth player, and the first Asian, to score two nineties in a Test. New Zealand's 397 is their fourth-highest score in the fourth innings of a Test. It's also the highest fourth-innings score in Sri Lanka. New Zealand batted 123.5 overs in the fourth innings, which ranks No.4 in the list of most overs faced by a team while chasing in Sri Lanka. It's also the second-most faced by New Zealand in away Tests since 2007. Daniel Vettori's 140 is the fourth-highest score by a No.8 batsman in Tests. Vettori scored 55 of his runs (in 89 balls) off Rangana Herath, who took a five-for. He was aggressive against Thilan Thushara (23 in 29), Dammika Prasad (25 off 21) and Muttiah Muralitharan (28 in 36). Jacob Oram played out 37 Herath deliveries for 9 runs while Iain O'Brien batted for 40 balls against him, without scoring a run.

Vettori was always looking for doubles to get back on strike and singles to retain strike, and with some exceptional judgment and able running, managed it. Tired fielders often lugged themselves towards the ball and runs became easy. With each ball O'Brien patted back or left, and each run scampered, New Zealand's belief soared. But Herath ended O'Brien's stubborn resistance 12 minutes before tea. O'Brien lunged at one turning away and immediately walked off without waiting for the umpire's verdict. In walked a notorious No. 11, Chris Martin, who played 13 balls before Vettori was dismissed for 140. He has been a hero all tour and today his innings panned more deliveries than any New Zealand batsman this Test.

Beginning the day with victory 312 runs away and six down, New Zealand were not expected to pull off any miracles. But with their backs to the wall, needing to bat three sessions, Vettori and Oram turned the heat on the hosts, at times defiantly and at times with fortitude, thanks to Daryl Harper and some shoddy fielding. Oram batted with assurance and the determination of a player who has started to return to form after a lean spell - his batting had been poor all tour. His sweep to Ajantha Mendis in Galle and reverse-sweep in the first innings here had been criticised. This morning he continued from last evening, presenting steadfast defence and judgment against the spinners. He shunned the bent-knee shots and refrained some sweeping and lapping the spinners, which had led to his decline earlier.

He had a slice of luck, however. Prasad bowled a good first spell should have had Oram on 36 when he rapped him flush in front of middle and leg, but Harper turned it down. Prasad thoroughly improved on his performance in the first innings and got the ball to swing away from the left-handers after pitching much closer to the batsmen. In one frustrating over he got Oram to inside-edge to fine leg and Vettori to drag onto his front boot and then edge between the slip fielders, who failed to react. There were other occasions where Oram attempted forcing drives through the off side but inside-edged past his stumps. Still, he was skillful enough to rough it out.

Vettori was comfortable against pace and spin, and worked the ball off the square mostly on the back foot initially, before gaining the confidence to reach out and drive. Thilan Thushara pitched the ball up but didn't always make the batsmen play; on a slow track, Vettori had ample time to work the ball square. Thushara didn't test Vettori with a single yorker and too often strayed down the pads to Oram, who played come fierce clips. In his first spell, Oram took 15 runs off 22 balls and Vettori 10 off 16.

Oram and Vettori played exceedingly well but you expected the Sri Lankans to be sharper. Herath failed to collect a flat throw at the stumps with Vettori short and later reacted late to a top-edge off the same batsman. The second edge Vettori steered off Prasad went smack between first and second slip and nobody moved. Even if such risky shots were not necessary, they seemed to prevent the tension from bogging Vettori down. Rarely were there scoreless periods, which can often build up anxiety. Vettori got to his half-century first, off 77 balls and in 111 minutes. Oram followed with his first significant contribution all tour but, after 173 minutes of tremendous application, punched Dilshan to Sangakkara cover for 56. At the other end Vettori sank to his knees. It was a crushing blow.

Vettori lost Oram before lunch and Patel soon after, yet batted on to a brave fourth century as the pressure mounted on his dependable shoulders. Ultimately, his brilliance was not enough to hold out for a famous draw.

Jayawardene and Samaraweera grind New Zealand - 2nd Test, SSC

Sri Lanka 262 for 3 (Mahela Jayawardene 79*, Samaraweera 78*) v New Zealand

	Mahela Jayawardene's knock was a typical effort, full of careful leaves and text book pushes to the off side played with perpendicular front elbow and resourceful tucks off his pads © AFP
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For the second Test running, Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera batted with a purity of purpose, which New Zealand have been unable to produce all tour, to help the hosts share the first day's honours. The truncated first session was shared by both sides, the second saw Kumar Sangakkara try and dominate with a sweep-fuelled 50 before he became Daniel Vettori's 300th Test victim, and in the third Sri Lanka fully assumed control as Jayawardene and Samaraweera put together an unspectacular alliance of 147 that chipped away at New Zealand's spirits.

A sparse crowd at the SSC witnessed a slow-paced, gritty battle between bat and ball leading into tea. Neither Sri Lanka nor New Zealand really took control on a slow surface and under constantly threatening clouds, but the final session solidified the hosts' position. In the first session Sri Lanka scored 62 and lost one wicket; in the second they made 83 and lost two; between tea and stumps they scored 116 without loss. New Zealand are still one wicket away from an inexperienced lower middle order but need something spectacular tomorrow because conventional wisdom says that day two is best for batting at this venue.

Jayawardene batted as if he expected to score another century at the SSC. It was a typical effort, full of careful leaves and textbook pushes to the off side played with perpendicular front elbow and resourceful tucks off his pads. No frills, just obstinate, indomitable, remorseless batting.

By the time Samaraweera walked out, Jayawardene had eased himself in; all he needed was someone to reciprocate. They blocked their way through the start of their association with hardly a shot in anger. Yet as he settled in, Samaraweera began to use his feet well and looked to score off Jeetan Patel. Jayawardene waved the bat in acknowledgement of his half-century and then prepared for his 118th delivery.

The pair stepped up a gear as they built on their platform. Samaraweera twice hammered Patel for fours and Jayawardene paddled Jacob Oram to fine leg and then played a pearling drive on the up off the same bowler. Samaraweera raised his half-century in a Jesser Ryder over in which he clipped, drove and edged 13 runs. Sri Lanka meandered along at a leisurely pace.

In the last session, with the sun out and a pleasing breeze blowing, batting was easy. Vettori used pace and spin at the same time and later brought himself on with the new ball, but a flat pitch and twinkle-toed batting from Jayawardene and Samaraweera ensured the ball was worked all across the field. Vettori operated with a slip and short leg with spin, for the most part, but put only one man out for the seamers. He could perhaps have been more productive with an inside-out field when the clouds passed over in the afternoon. Overall, batting together in Tests, Jayawardene and Samaraweera have scored 2132 runs.

Once again Vettori was New Zealand's best bowler, maintaining a consistent line and length to take 2 for 65 in his 30 overs. There wasn't much bite in the track, which offered slow spin, and Vettori had to rely on flight and variation to test the batsmen. He was not given much support, though, by his spinner partner Patel, who the batsmen were able to drive off both front and back foot with ease. Patel rarely threatened as he was a bit flat and frequently dropped short. Oram once more failed to make a mark.

Earlier in the day, both teams had fought for a truncated first session's honour, which was evenly shared. In their first spells, Chris Martin and Iain O'Brien operated on two lengths, back of a length and full outside off stump, to keep the openers quiet. Martin was making the ball move late and O'Brien repeatedly tried to extract lift from the surface. It set the tone for Vettori.

Either side of the lunch interval, Vettori bowled 17 unchanged overs with a slip and short leg throughout. In that spell, he took the two wickets needed to reach 300. Vettori's introduction in the 11th over, from around the stumps, was welcomed by an announcement over the PA system that he was two short of 300 wickets. Wicket No. 299 came immediately, when Vettori drifted his second delivery away from a bemused Tharanga Paranativana, who edged to slip for 19. Tillakaratne Dilshan and Sangakkara took a few chances against Vettori, frequently trying to get under his skin by sweeping, and denied him the landmark wicket going into lunch.

Dilshan fell early in the session, popping a leading edge back to O'Brien. Sangakkara had a plan against Vettori, perhaps because he'd heard him say how sweeping unsettled him the most. He swept two of his first five deliveries from Vettori for four and showed a preference to get on the front foot, looking to drive anything on the fuller side. Most of Sangakkara's innings was against Vettori's bowling: 65 of his 96 deliveries in fact. There was a man at deep midwicket and long leg yet Sangakkara went for his sweeps.

He stepped out twice to club Vettori over mid-on for four, but fell to a slog-sweep to Oram in the deep for 50. With that, Vettori became the first left-arm spinner to take 300 wickets. He raised his arms and allowed himself a smile, nothing fancy. From there on the lack of support told. It is the story of Vettori's career.

Solid Sri Lanka remain favourites - Sri Lanka v New Zealand, 2nd Test, SSC

Match facts

August 26-30, 2009
Start time 10.00am (04.30 GMT)

The Big Picture

	Daryl Tuffey is in line for his first Test match in more than five years © AFP
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Over the past year, debate about the top teams in Test cricket has usually centred on three teams: Australia, South Africa and India. Sri Lanka are almost never mentioned but they now find themselves at No .2, thanks to a superb record over the past three-odd years during which they have lost only one series. To remain second, though, they need to defeat New Zealand (who haven't won any series against strong opposition in the same period) in Colombo.

After a shaky start in the first Test, Sri Lanka were handed the advantage by newly promoted opener Tillkaratne Dilshan's counter-attacking 92. A solid performance from the middle-order strengthened their grip, and New Zealand were left to play catch-up for the rest of the game. Sri Lanka's bowling unit, while not at its best, was disciplined and didn't dish up too many freebies.

In contrast New Zealand's bowlers leaked runs, with fast bowler Iain O'Brien and spinner Jeetan Patel having a particularly hard time. Captain Daniel Vettori has stressed the need for cutting off the runs and forcing the batsmen into risks. He will have the luxury of fielding a full-strength side after all his team-mates recovered from the stomach bug which laid them low midway through the first Test.

At a ground which is something of a fortress for Sri Lanka, the visitors need big performances from their two most talented batsmen, Jesse Ryder and Ross Taylor, if they are to make a fight of it. Else, the pressure will start to mount on coach, Andy Moles (who along with Vettori is now in the selection panel), under whom New Zealand have yet to win a Test.

Test form guide

(last five matches, most recent first)

Sri Lanka - WDWWD
New Zealand - LDDLD

Watch out for ...

New Zealand's opener Tim McIntosh isn't likely to provide a dashing start like Dilshan but his patient vigil in the first innings - sticking around for nearly five hours -was just what a fragile top order needed. Importantly, he negotiated the spin threat of Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis well.

Thilan Samaraweera is another batsman who isn't likely to set the pulse racing, but he is the second highest run-getter in Tests this year. A big century in the first innings at Galle put Sri Lanka in complete control, and when they were looking for quick runs in the second innings he smashed two sixes, as many as he had in 82 previous Test knocks.

Team news

A hamstring injury has ruled Angelo Mathews out of the match, and Sri Lanka will replace him with either batsman Chamara Kapugedera or left-arm spinner Rangana Herath. Kumar Sangakkara hasn't ruled out a triple-spin attack, but that would mean a very long tail for Sri Lanka. Opener Tharanga Paranavitana's place is also under scrutiny after his twin failures in Galle.

Sri Lanka (probable) 1 Tharanga Paranavitana/ Malinda Warnapura, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (capt), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Thilan Samaraweera, 6 Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), 7 Chamara Kapugedera/Rangana Herath, 8 Nuwan Kulasekara, 9 Thilan Thushara, 10 Ajantha Mendis, 11 Muttiah Muralitharan.

After O'Brien's forgettable performance in Galle, his place could be taken by fast bowler Daryl Tuffey, who last played a Test in 2004.

New Zealand: (probable) 1 Tim McIntosh, 2 Martin Guptill, 3 Daniel Flynn, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Jesse Ryder, 6 Brendon McCullum (wk), 7 Jacob Oram, 8 Daniel Vettori (capt), 9 Jeetan Patel, 10 Iain O'Brien/Daryl Tuffey, 11 Chris Martin.

Pitch and conditions

Sangakkara's statement, "We would love to play three spinners on this track," sums up how this pitch is expected to play. Traditionally, though, it isn't a pitch that turns into a minefield; in the four of previous six Tests teams have ended the final day on 391 for 4, 250 for 3, 474, and 337 for 4.

The weather forecast for the game isn't too good, with heavy rain expected through the week.

Stats and trivia

• Sri Lanka have lost only one of their last fifteen Tests at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground
• After going past Derek Underwood's haul in the first Test, Daniel Vettori is the leading wicket-taker among left-arm spinners. He needs two more to complete the double of 3000 runs and 300 wickets
• Mahela Jayawardene's previous seven innings at the SSC: 82, 374, 127, 195, 136, 79, 2

Murali and Thushara hand Sri Lanka the advantage

New Zealand 281 for 8 (McIntosh 69, Vettori 33*, O'Brien 3*, Muralitharan 3-66, Thushara 3-80) trail Sri Lanka 452 by 171 runs

Tim McIntosh struck six fours and a six during his gritty knock © Associated Press

After heavy morning rain had caused a 90-minute delay, Sri Lanka's bowlers chipped away relentlessly, whittling out six wickets before bad light took the players off with New Zealand having just avoided the follow-on target. Thilan Thushara and Muttiah Muralitharan were Sri Lanka's bowling heroes, while Tim McIntosh, who faced 226 balls for his 69, led the resistance for the visitors. Along the way, Murali passed Shane Warne for the most maidens bowled in Test cricket (1761), and New Zealand were left to rely on their allrounders to take them past the follow-on target.

When Jacob Oram was wrongly given out caught off the pad soon after tea, New Zealand were still in danger of being asked to bat again. But Jesse Ryder, who had got going with a couple of emphatic pulls off Thushara, and Daniel Vettori staved off the spin threat and when the new ball was finally taken after 97 overs, a cover-drive from Ryder ensured that there would be no prospect of an innings defeat.

He went soon after, bowled playing an airy drive at Nuwan Kulasekara, and there was a stroke of fortune for New Zealand just before stumps when Daniel Vettori was palpably plumb to a Murali doosra. Everyone but the umpire was convinced, and Vettori could have been excused a shy grin as he walked off for the day.

McIntosh and Ross Taylor had batted through most of the afternoon, long periods of stolid defence interspersed with moments of real anxiety. McIntosh survived a couple of vociferous leg-before shouts from Murali, while Taylor was twice reprieved, on 15 and 27. Mahela Jayawardene couldn't get his hands to a low chance at slip off Ajantha Mendis, and he was again the injured party as Nuwan Kulasekara spilled a slog-sweep.

It was a stroke that Taylor had employed earlier, with one soaring over the rope at square leg, but by and large, attacking strokes were few and far between. McIntosh struck one superb straight six off Mendis, but neither batsman was remotely assured against Murali's wiles, especially with the ball angling in from round the wicket.

The two spinners bowled in tandem for most of the session, but it was only when Mendis was taken off after a 14-over spell that Sri Lanka broke through. Taylor hung his bat out at one from Thushara, and Prasanna Jayawardene did the rest. Soon after, McIntosh's luck ran out. This time, the leg-before shout was marginal, on or just outside the line of off stump, but after a long think, Daryl Harper raised the finger. When McCullum then chopped Thushara onto his stumps, New Zealand were in desperate trouble.

They had managed fine in the abbreviated first session as McIntosh, troubled periodically by the short ball, gritted his way to a half-century. Patel provided stout resistance as the bowlers toiled hard without reward. Murali bowled the first over and was then taken off, and it was Thushara who asked all the initial questions. Patel was sound and confident in defence, nudging the odd single, while McIntosh left the ball alone more often than not. Against the short ball though, he was in all sorts of strife, getting hit first on the shoulder and then flush on the helmet.

Patel's innings was part grit and part good fortune. There was one lovely drive through the covers off Thushara, but it was followed by an awkward shot that flew past the slips as he sought to duck under a bouncer. McIntosh survived a huge shout from Mendis, with the umpire perhaps thinking there was an inside edge, and it looked like it was going to be New Zealand's morning as a rare full toss was pummelled away to take McIntosh to his half-century. But then Murali struck, trapping Patel in front after a 57-ball 26, and it was left to Taylor and McIntosh to rebuild. But so slow and painstaking was the progress, with Murali putting together 29 uninterrupted overs for just 54 runs, that it was only a matter of time before Sri Lankan pressure told.

Sri Lanka v Pakistan 2009 - only Twenty20, Colombo

T20 World Cup News

India begin title defence against Bangladesh

Nottingham, June 5: India will be wary of sticky customers Bangladesh when they begin their title defence in the ICC World Twenty20 at Trent Bridge here on Saturday.

India are strong favourites to retain the trophy, but they would be aware that any slip-up can spoil the party. This is something Bangladesh did in the ODI World Cup when they beat India in the legaue stage. India were eventually knocked out of the championship in the Caribbean in 2008.

This Indian team, however, is a more confident lot and are backed by tremendous success at the international level in all forms of the game in the last 12 months. They are also battle-hardened with the just-concluded Indian Premier League in South Africa.

Two years back, Mahendra Singh Dhoni's boys entered the inaugural edition as underdogs and went on to script history by winning the title. It created a sensation in the cricket crazy country and Dhoni's team found a place alongside Kapil's Devils for bringing a world title home after 24 years.

The same bunch, except for a few changes, has now gained more experience and are better equipped to handle pressure.

Also, Dhoni's shrewd leadership abilities came to the fore in South Africa in 2007. Since then, he has successfuly led the side in all the three formats.

India would be sorely missing two of their frontline players, Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan, who are both fighting injuries and likely to sit out Saturday.

'I am not sure about Viru (Sehwag) and even though Zaheer has started bowling, it may be too early to risk him,' Dhoni said.

The IPL, however, has given more options to Dhoni besides helping players like Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and R.P. Singh peak at the right time.

Rohit is almost certain to open the batting with Gautam Gambhir in Sehwag's absence. The right-hander stood to the test of his captain when he mauled Pakistan with a fiery 80 off 53 balls to lead India to an emphatic nine-wicket victory in the warm-up match.

The strong middle-order has Yuvraj Singh and skipper Dhoni while Yusuf Pathan can clobber any attack at any stage of the game.

The Pathan brothers - Yusuf and Irfan - give more options to Dhoni in both the batting and bowling departments.

Yusuf did a good job with his off-spinners while opening the bowling for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.

RP, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar and Irfan will share the pace workload while experienced Harbhajan Singh and impressive Pragyan Ojha will be the main spinners.

RP showed good form in the IPL and emrged as the top wicket-taker. Both Harbhajan and Ojha, too, were in the thick of things in IPL.

Bangladesh lost to Australia and Sri Lanka in practice matches this week, but they put up a fighting display in both games.

'We need to play to our potential and if we do that, we can surprise a lot of teams,' said captain Mohammad Ashraful.

Bangladesh would take confidence from their show at the inaugural World Twenty20 where they scored surprise wins over the West Indies and reached the Super Eights.

The team will count of all-rounder Shakib-al Hasan, explosive opener Tamim Iqbal and pacer Masrafe Mortaza to come good.

Squads:

India - Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Gautam Gambhir, Ravindra Jadeja, Praveen Kumar, Irfan Pathan, Suresh Raina,Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Pragyan Ojha, Yusuf Pathan, Ishant Sharma, R.P Singh.

Bangaldesh - Mohammad Ashraful (captain), Zunaed Siddique, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mushfiqur Rahim, Roqibul Hasan, Shahadat Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Abdur Razzak, Mahmudullah, Mithun Ali, Naeem Islam, Rubel Hossain, Shamsur Rahman, Syed Rasel.

Kumble starts new innings as commentator

New Delhi, June 5: Former India cricket skipper Anil Kumble, like his team mate Sourav Ganguly, will start a new innings as a commentator and will make his debut with the ICC Twenty20 World Cup.

Both Kumble and Ganguly will be part of ESPN STAR Sports commentary team as expert analysts for the tournament.

Kumble said: 'I have always wanted to contribute to the game of cricket whether on or off the field. My association with ESPN STAR Sports poses an interesting challenge for me as I have never tried serious analysis before. I am looking forward to this unique opportunity with its mouth-watering prospect of rubbing shoulders with so many greats from the game of cricket.

'The T20 format does not leave much of a breathing space for both the player as well as the viewer as the match situation changes really fast. This fast format will surely open up many facets and nuances for the TV expert which I am sure will prove to be an enjoyable experience.'

R.C. Venkateish, managing director of ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd, said 'Anil is one of the greatest spin bowlers of all time. He has recently hung up his boots but the wealth of experience in handling all the great batsmen of the last two decades will surely come in handy when he is behind the mike. His understanding of match situations as well as inputs on bowling psychology will give a definitive edge to the illustrious roster of experts for the tournament.'

Besides Ganguly and Kumble, the panel will also have Wasim Akram, Sanjay Manjrekar, Alan Wilkins, Harsha Bhogle, Nasser Hussain, David Lloyd, Ian Chappell, Simon Doull, Kepler Wessels, Ian Bishop, Ranil Abeynaike and Athar Ali Khan.

Sehwag, Zaheer likely to miss opener

Nottingham, June 5: Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni indicated on Friday that his star performers Virender Sehwagand Zaheer Khan are almost certain to miss the opening game against Bangladesh in the ICC World Twenty20 here on Saturday.

Opening batsman Sehwag and pace spearhead Zaheer are suffering from shoulder injuries. Both players missed the warm-up matches against New Zealand and Pakistan.

'I am not sure about Viru (Sehwag) and even though Zaheer has started bowling, it may be too early to risk him,' said Dhoni. 'They are important players for us, but we are trying to adjust without them.'

Zaheer picked up the injury while playing for Mumbai Indians in the early part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in South Africa while Sehwag was injured after landing in England.

Sehwag's injury forced Dhoni to gamble with Rohit Sharma as Gautam Gambhir's partner to open the innings. The 22-year-old Rohit didn't let his captain down and scored a brilliant 80 off 53 balls to script an emphatic win over arch-rivals Pakistan in a warm-up game.

Rohit, in all probability, will open the innings with Gambhir again.

Dhoni had words of praise for Rohit.

'It's nice to see someone filling in so well,' said Dhoni. 'When Viru got injured, Rohit said he was keen to open and showed his immense talent in the game against Pakistan. I hope he continues in the same way during the tournament.'

In Zaheer's absence, the pace attack will revolve around Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma and Rudra Pratap Singh and will be backed by spinners Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha.

'We have a good balance in the squad and this gives me a lot of confidence,' said Dhoni.