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Gooch mulling over selector job
2007-12-11 21:17:00
Gooch mulling over selector job Gooch is England's all-time leading Test match run scorer Former England captain Graham Gooch is considering applying for the position of English cricket's national selector. David Graveney is currently chairman of selectors but the role is set to be rebranded as national selector and will become a full-time post. Graveney has said he will apply for the job, while 54-year-old Gooch told BBC Sport the role was "attractive" but he needed clarification on certain issues. "I am considering the position," said Gooch, a former England selector. "The job is an attractive one in as much as if you're keen on helping English cricket and have been involved in the game, as I have down the last three decades, it's the sort of job that would interest you. "But there are a number of unknowns t...
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Sri Lanka v England 2nd Test - Mahela Speaks after 3rd day
2007-12-11 20:40:00
Sri Lanka v England 2nd Test - Mahela Speaks after 3rd day Broad has yet to take a wicket despite bowling 25 overs England coach Peter Moores admitted his team faced an uphill struggle after Sri Lanka closed day three of the second Test 28 runs ahead on 379-4. Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene hit a superb unbeaten 167 as England toiled hard for just two wickets. "There's been no lack of effort. We're disappointed not to take wickets but we kept them to under three runs an over. "The game's still on but we've got to take two wickets early and keep their lead to a minimum," said Moores. England, who need to draw the match to stay in the series, face the prospect of a large first-innings deficit as well as the threat of Muttiah Muralitharan's spin in their second innings. Their chances will be boosted if they can remove Jayawardene early on Wednesday. Jayawardene, supported by fellow centurion Michael Vandort, played magnificently o...
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Sri Lanka v England 2nd Test - 3rd Day
2007-12-11 18:01:00
Sri Lanka v England 2nd Test - 3rd DaySecond Test, SSC Colombo: (day three, close)Sri Lanka 379-4 v England 351 By Jamie Lillywhite Jayawardene celebrates reaching his century on the third day Mahela Jayawardene became the first Sri Lankan to score 7,000 Test runs as his team closed day three of the second Test 28 runs ahead of England on 379-4. Sri Lanka began on 105-2 but skipper Jayawardene shared 227 in 71 overs with Michael Vandort, who thwarted England with a battling fourth Test century. Vandort finally fell to Ryan Sidebottom with the second new ball after lunch. Jayawardene remained on 167 and added 128 in 44 overs with Chamara Silva who fell late on to Steve Harmison for 49. England...
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Sri Lanka v England 2nd Test - 2nd Day
2007-12-10 16:17:00
Sri Lanka v England 2nd Test - 2nd Day Dilhara Fernando glances at Prior as the England man reaches 50England's batting hero Matt Prior said the team's bowlers would be looking for reverse swing to gain an advantage over Sri Lanka on day three in Colombo. The second Test was well poised with Sri Lanka on 105-2 in reply to England's 351, in which Prior hit 79. And the wicket-keeper said: "We've got to get this ball doing something. "We saw a bit of reverse swing in Kandy and hopefully it might do something here. If we can get a few early wickets tomorrow this could be wide open." Prior put on 74 with Ryan Sidebottom for the eighth wicket, and the two men later combined for each of the Sri Lanka wickets to fall. "In pressure situations you've got to try to put the pressure back on the bowler so if you do get a bad ball, you try to put it away," added Prior. "I thought we applied ourselves very well, and Ryan did brilliantly. "He really g...
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Sangakkara heads world rankings
2007-12-09 21:35:00
Sangakkara heads world rankings Sangakkara's knock of 152 against England put him in the record books Kumar Sangakkara has become the first Sri Lankan to top the Test batting rankings after inspiring them to victory over England in the Kandy Test. He has unseated Ricky Ponting from the top of the list after scores of 92 and 152 - and is the first man to score 150 plus in four successive Tests. The 30-year-old is now also joint sixth in the all-time batting rankings. And to complete a Sri Lankan double, world record wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan tops the bowling rankings. Kevin Pietersen remains the highest ranked England batsman, retaining sixth place despite making 31 and 18 in Kandy. The only other Engl...
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Sri Lanka v England 2nd Test
2007-12-09 21:22:00
Sri Lanka v England 2nd Test England captain Michael Vaughan believes Kevin Pietersen's dismissal on day one of the second Test should have been referred to the television umpire. Umpires Aleem Dar and Daryl Harper gave Pietersen caught for one in a slip cordon ricochet, although replays suggested the ball was grounded. They did not ask for a TV replay and Vaughan told BBC Sport: "I honestly think that common sense has to prevail. "You've got the technology, let's use it," he added. "There's no way you can be 100% sure the ball carried. "Common sense should have prevailed, and I'm sure the umpires will feel exactly that way now. "It has cost us a wicket, but 258 is still a lot of runs on a first-day wicket." England ended the day on 258-5 against Sri Lanka in Colombo after their bright start was derailed by the controversy - and two wickets in two balls for Lasith Malinga. Pietersen edged a drive at Chaminda Vaas and watched as Chamara Silva s...
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Strauss hopes for England return
2007-12-09 21:10:00
Strauss hopes for England return Strauss hopes to rediscover his form in New Zealand Andrew Strauss has targeted a return to Test cricket after signing a short-term deal with New Zealand club side Northern Knights. Strauss, 30, has suffered a dip in form over the past year and was dropped for England's current tour of Sri Lanka. But Strauss hopes the move will help him regain his Test place for England's tour of New Zealand in February. "I am very focused on getting selected for this tour and winning my place back," said Strauss. "I am really excited about the possibility of playing cricket in New Zealand ahead of England's tour there in the new year." The Middlesex left-hander is to feature in the Northern Knights' State Shield and Twenty20 competitions in January and February. Northern Knights confirmed ...
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Eng. VS Sri Lanka, Second Test, SSC Colombo:
2007-12-09 21:10:00
Sri Lanka v England 2nd Test Second Test, SSC Colombo : (day one, close)England 258-5 v Sri Lanka By Jamie Lillywhite Malinga's late burst brought Sri Lanka back into the match Lasith Malinga struck twice in two deliveries with the second new ball as England closed day one of the second Test against Sri Lanka on 258-5. Michael Vaughan and Alastair Cook put on 133 in 39 overs, an England record for the first wicket against Sri Lanka. Vaughan hit 12 fours in a fluent 87 but wickets fell in consecutive overs, Kevin Pietersen given out caught when the ball seemed to have been grounded. Cook made a battling 81 from 234 balls before he was unfortunate to fall lbw. Seeking to level the series f...
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Sanga toast of Sri Lanka
2007-12-09 03:49:00
Sanga toast of Sri Lanka Lakbima NewsKumar Sangakkara joined spin-king Muttiah Muralitharan on top of ICC rankings when he knocked off Australia’s Ricky Ponting following a dazzling run feast in the 2007 season. Sangakkara has scored 938 points, two points ahead of Pointing, who was dominating the batting rankings for a while.Though his first innings brought him just 6 runs, Sangakkara made a remarkable come back since then scoring 200*, 222*, 57, 192, 92, and 152. The first two double tons though came against a relatively meager bowling attack, Bangladesh, his 57 and that magnificent 192 against mighty Aussies at Hobart is a proof of his excellent form which he continued at Asgiriya against England.After being denied a deserving century in the first innings (92) Sangakkara continued his tremendous run form hammering a match winning 152. In the process he became the only cricketer in the annals of world cricket history to score 150 or more runs in four consecutive matches.His ...
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Murali - emblem of unruffled courage
2007-12-09 03:49:00
Murali - emblem of unruffled courage By Champika Fernandohttp://www.lakbimanews.lk Muttiah Muralitharan entered his name into the great filing cabinet of history as a hero of unruffled courage and perseverance, a victim of injustices and bias, than a villain whose dark deeds tainted his otherwise greatness.But even then a great ambiguity surrounds his career as some paint him a sinner while others hail him a saint of the modern game. However the arguments over Muttaih Muralitharan and his bowling action are never-ending as they are alive with bias and conceptual conclusions reached by men suffering from attention deficiency, despite being cleared by the sports governing body, ICC, after years of medical examination.The beauty of his illustrious career may have been somewhat overshadowed by the controversy surrounding his bowling action, but to put him in the company of those of Marion Jones, a drug cheat, Hansie Cronje and Mohamed Azharuddine, match-fixing cheats, and...

Second Test starts at SSC today
2007-12-09 03:42:00
Second Test starts at SSC today Mahela ready for English backlashhttp://www.lakbimanews.lk/ Jason Perera Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene buoyant following a 88 run win over England in the first Test against Michael Vaughan’s men in Kandy last week is under no illusions of the challenge facing his charges in the second Investec Test commencing at SSC today, and says ‘they (England) are going to throw the kitchen sink at us’.“They are a very good side,” he told reporters after a net session with his players at the SSC grounds last morning.“Losing that Test and now looking back, they might as well be feeling they could have saved it in the end given the situation they were in after the first couple of days.“In that regard we are very happy with the outcome in Kandy, and I am expecting them to bounce back pretty strongly here.“We just need to make sure we concentrate and look out for those moments to put them under the cosh quite early and make them chase ...
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Jayasuriya cold-shouldered - Still Sanath can change the decision ! Do It S
2007-12-09 03:40:00
Jayasuriya cold-shouldered Sri Lanka’s recently retired Test great Sanath Jayasuriya was snubbed by Sri Lanka Cricket officials when he was not invited to attend the function held at Temple Trees to felicitate spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan and a few other cricketers by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.The members of the national cricket team were invited to grace the occasion by the Sri Lanka Cricket through its team manager. However, Jayasuriya attended the function through an invitation he received from the Presidential Secretariat.It is learnt that President Rajapaksa has asked the veteran cricketer of his decision to retire before the series is over. Meanwhile it is reported that cricket interim committee chief, Jayantha Dharmadasa is yet to speak to the veteran opener following his retirement from Test cricket. Jayasuriya is set to make his debut in international commentary today in the second Test match between Sri Lanka and England.
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Sri Lanka beat England; SLC officials beat everyone at Asgiriya
2007-12-09 03:38:00
Sri Lanka beat England ; SLC officials beat everyone at AsgiriyaLakbimaNews Ranjan Paranavithana Sri Lanka cricketers led by Mahela Jayawardene weathered a valiant rearguard action by England to seal victory in last week’s Test match in Kandy. But from some bizarre happenings at the Asgiriya Stadium, the venue for the match, it was clear that who scored the most were Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials. A roof of a temporary stand at the stadium came down during the match injuring three Englishmen. A close inspection revealed that those stands were not properly installed as a breeze was enough to bring them down causing injury and fear to spectators, a good number of foreigners among them.Each member of the Barmy Army – English cricket’s cheer squad – had paid Rs. 1500 each to find shelter under those roofs. And they were in for a mighty shock thanks to Sri Lanka cricket authorities. Later it was learnt that those stands had been transported to the venue fro...
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Through the looking glass
2007-12-09 03:36:00
Through the looking glass By S.R.Pathiravithana--The Sunday times One good ball a match? Does that mean you merit a place in a Test team? Back to square one. Today starts the second Test in a different surface than the one at Asgiriya, but, there are a lot of factors that must be ascertained for the good of the game in Sri Lanka. Yes, Sri Lanka won a memorable Test match which almost went to the wire, but finally by a margin of eighty eight runs. But, how they achieved it is the most intriguing aspect of it. We here in this column think that it was the game that really brought out the best in skipper Mahela Jayawardena and showed the cricketing world he is a captain who reads the run of play and then makes the decisions. On the fourth day when Sri Lanka had got their lead close to a three hundred runs with Sangakkara back in the pavilion ...
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Thank You Sanath,……..For.. What've you done ....
2007-12-09 03:27:00
Thank You Sanath,…….. By Shahzad A Chaudhry, The Sunday times Sanath Jayasuriya decided to hang his gloves after a period of some fascinating pleasure that he gave to the Cricket lovers all over the world. I am not great at statistics, but possibly it was seventeen years of pure Cricketing genius and thus the pleasure for all that long. He has done it however on an occasion when Murali broke the world record, when Sangakarra won his team a test, and when Vaas played his 100th match. All great occasions, but none as great as the passing way, metaphorically of course, of a genius. If that gives you an indication that other than being a diplomat and a great enthusiast for the sport, I somehow relish getting my turn with the bat, whenever there’s an opportunity, you are not too far from truth. But more importantly, I admit to being a passionate, a very passionate, follower an...

So Long Sanath - Can't leave you !
2007-12-09 03:26:00
Lakbima News Online
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No special Australian security for Murali
2007-10-26 23:15:00
No special Australian security for Mural i----Daily MirrorSYDNEY, Oct 27, 2007 (AFP) -Cricket Australia on Friday denied introducing special security measures to protect Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan from crowds Down Under, saying existing measures would catch any offenders.Muralitharan arrived this week for his first full Australia Test tour in 12 years, braced for a chilly reception from fans as he bids to break local hero Shane Warne's Test wicket record.His arrival on Wednesday raised eyebrows when a federal police officer escorted him through the media throng in Adelaide, unusual in laid-back Australia, where England players last year often mingled freely with fans.The Sydney Morning Herald reported Friday that plainclothes security officers would be sent to sections of Australian grounds near Muralitharan's fielding positions to swifty idenitfy and eject trouble-makers.There are fears the Sri Lankan could receive unsportsmanlike treatment in Australia, where he has ...
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Lambs to the slaughter - The Sri Lankans
2007-10-26 21:19:00
Lambs to the slaughter By Pelham Juriansz - The Friday's News Paper The Sri Lankan team left for Kangaroo land on Tuesday to participate in two Test matches. It is true that Mahela and Muthiah won two awards bringing fame to Sri Lanka but if Sri Lanka’s batting form is anything to go by, then the think-thank has a lot to worry about. At the press conference before departing for Aussie territory Mahela said that the bowling is great and the batting is good. Well, if the recently concluded English tour is anything to go by, the batting is anything but good. In fact, it is downright awful. With the late, somewhat controversial decision to send former skipper Marvan Atapattu into the Lions den, or should I say ‘Kangaroo territory’, the batting on paper or psychologically seems to be strengthened. It is yet to be ...
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Murali , Again in the Danger Zone ? Schedule of the matches
2007-10-25 09:38:00
With the silent of this blog, I'm going to break it again after a few weeks. Now again , time to live with cricket. The matches will begin in next month.Until then, we have something to talk about. Also, you can see the schedule of Sri Lankan tour in Australia, below.************************ No doubt, Murali on Top ************* Darell HairSome of Murali loving people burning a stunt of Darell Hair to show their openion Beginning from Arjuna Ranathunga's time, a gap between Murali and Australia has raised. Some times it must be between Shane Warne and Murali, but both of them are not responsible for the matter, it's between some people in both countries like umpire Darrell Hair ,who created this big controversy. Darrell Hair, who called No-Ball action against Murali, before the world cup of 1996, has created many troubles for him after that.But Murali has reached to the world no.1 figure through those rival activities.************************ Arjuna advised Muralidharan ***...
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Lanka 'ready' for Australians
2007-10-25 01:16:00
Sri Lanka 'ready' for Australians Bayliss (left) and Jayawardene meet the Australian press in Adelaide Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene says his side are full of confidence ahead of the Test series in Australia. Jayawardene's side arrived down under on Wednesday ahead of a two-Test series and he insists they have the bowlers to test the world's number one outfit. Off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan will complement a four-strong seam attack and Jayawardene said: "We have proved we can handle pace and bounce." Coach Trevor Bayliss added: "Our pace bowling attack is extremely strong." The Sri Lankans kick off their tour with a warm-up three-day match against Queensland on 2 November, before Tests from 8 November and 16 November. The tour precedes their home series against England and Jayawardene believes his si...
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Derbyshire swoop for Jayawardene - BBC
2007-10-24 22:51:00
Derbyshire swoop for Jaya wardene Derbyshire fans will see one of the world's best batsmen in action Derbyshire have signed Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene for the first half of the 2008 season. The 30-year-old batsman, who will arrive before the end of April and stay until mid-July, is the county's fifth signing since the end of last season. "I knew he was the right player after I spoke to him," said boss John Morris. "And I could tell that he has the desire to play county cricket and contribute both experience and flair to Derbyshire's batting line-up." Counties can have only one overseas player from 2008 and Jayawardene - who has scored 6,630 runs in Test cricket at an average of 49.84 - can be replaced at the halfway stage. His signing comes on the back of the captures of Rikki Clarke as captain and W...
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India beat Australia in Twenty20
2007-10-21 22:13:00
India beat Australia in Twenty20 TWENTY20 INTERNATIONAL, Mumbai: India 167-3 (18.1 overs) bt Australia 166-5 (20 overs) by 7 wkts Gambhir's 63 came from 52 balls India beat Australia by seven wickets in the Twenty20 International in Mumbai, Gautam Gambhir hitting 63. Australia had posted 166-5 in their 20 overs, captain Ricky Ponting top-scoring with 76. But India won with 11 balls to spare as they eased to victory with Australia uncharacteristally sloppy in the field. The Indian opener enjoyed a 82-run partnership with Robin Uthappa (35), Yuvraj Singh hit an unbeaten on 31 as India won for the first time at home. Australia had won the toss and Ponting led the way with a 53-ball 76 which included 14 fours before he edged Irfan Pathan onto his stumps. Despite losing Adam ...
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Woolmer died from heart disease
2007-10-18 23:01:00
British coroner tells Jamaica inquest:Woolmer died from heart diseaseHoward CampbellHeart disease was the likely culprit in the death of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer during last spring’s Cricket World Cup, a British pathologist said Wednesday.The enlarged condition of Woolmer’s heart, the fluid in his lungs and blood on his pillow were all signs of a death from natural causes, Dr. Nathaniel Cary, told a jury on the second day of an inquest convened to determine what killed Woolmer.Cary examined photos of the coach’s body as part of a global investigation sparked by a Jamaican’s pathologist’s conclusion that Woolmer, 58, had been strangled in Kingston’s downtown Pegasus Hotel. But the British expert said he saw no signs of foul play.“Forget Bob Woolmer, forget the Pegasus,” he said. “If this was a routine autopsy, I would account IHD (ischaemic heart disease) as the cause of death.”Woolmer, a highly regarded coach and former player from South Africa, died March 18, ...
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Sri Lanka spring Atapattu surprise -Marvan To Australia
2007-10-18 22:58:00
Sri Lanka spring Atapattu surpriseCOLOMBO, Oct 18, 2007 (AFP) - Sri Lanka's selectors on Thursday named former captain Marvan Atapattu as a surprise late inclusion for the upcoming trip to Australia , nearly two years after his last Test match.The 36-year-old veteran, who has the support of Sri Lanka's sports minister, was added almost two weeks after the initial 16-man squad was announced.“Marvan has been included as the 17th player in the squad,” Sri Lanka Cricket media manager Samantha Algama told AFP.Atapattu was not named in the original line-up despite chief selector Asantha de Mel saying the batsman's experience would be useful on the two-Test Australian tour.The opener last played a Test in 2005 and did not feature during this year's World Cup. He has scored 5,330 runs in 88 Tests and 8,529 runs in 268 one-day internationals.Atapattu had earlier lashed out at the selectors, saying he had no faith in them although he planned to play for at least two more years.But Spor...
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Rugby World Cup 2007 - Semi Final :Ashton targets historic final win
2007-10-14 21:41:00
Ashton targets historic final win Ashton said the defeat by South Africa helped England England coach Brian Ashton insists his side are not content just to have reached the World Cup final and have set their sights on creating history. England beat France 14-9 in Saturday's semi-final and now have the chance to become the first country to win back-to-back World Cups. "The players have come so far on a very difficult journey," said Ashton. "I can't imagine they will be satisfied with reaching the final. They will want to create history." England's achievement comes after being beaten 36-0 in the group stages by South Africa, who will play Argentina in Sunday's second semi-final. And Ashton cited that early group game as the turning point in his team's fortunes. "The South ...
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Win clinches series for Australia
2007-10-14 21:41:00
Win clinches series for Australia SIXTH ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL, Nagpur:Australia 317-8 (50 overs) bt India 299-7 (50 overs) by 18 runs Symonds put India's bowlers to the sword with some big hitting Andrew Symonds blasted an unbeaten 107 and Brad Hogg took 4-49 as Australia beat India by 18 runs to take a winning 4-1 lead in their one-day series. Symonds smashed nine fours and four sixes in his 88-ball knock while Adam Gilchrist made 51 and Ricky Ponting 49. Sachin Tendulkar (86) put on 140 with Sourav Ganguly (72) but Hogg profited from poor shots to leave India reeling. Robin Uthappa hammered 44 off 28 balls to give them a chance but once he was caught the hosts faded away to 299-7. After Ponting won the toss, Michael Clarke was caught behind off left-armer Zaheer Kha...
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Sri Lanka v England 5th ODI - Sri Lanka has won after two defeats
2007-10-14 21:25:00
Sri Lanka v England 5th ODIFIFTH ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL, Colombo:Sri Lanka 211 (48.1 overs) bt England 104 (29.1 overs) by 107 runs By Paresh Soni Fernando cleverly mixed up his pace and lengths to floor England England were shot out for 104 as they ended their one-day series in Sri Lanka with an embarrassing 107-run defeat. Seamers Ryan Sidebottom (2-41) and Stuart Broad (3-36) helped bowl the home side out for 211 in Colombo, with only Chamara Silva (73) resisting. But Dilhara Fernando ripped through the tourists with a superb spell of 6-27. Apart from Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen, who both hit 28, there was not much else as England, who won the series 3-2, crumbled in 29.1 overs. It was a disappointing ...
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Gibson takes England bowling role
2007-10-14 21:25:00
Gibson takes England bowling role Gibson (right) has made a significant impact in Sri Lanka England have appointed Ottis Gibson as their full-time bowling coach after the team's one-day success in Sri Lanka. The 38-year-old had been filling the role on a temporary basis but helped England to their first major series win on the sub-continent for 20 years. "I am delighted to be a part of the England team in a full-time capacity as bowling coach," said Gibson. Barbados-born Gibson won a host of awards after a successful final season for Durham in which he took 80 wickets. He has been instrumental in helping seamers Ryan Sidebottom, James Anderson and Stuart Broad produce a string of consistent performances in the 3-2 series win in Sri Lanka. "The way you've seen the bowlers improve and learn quickly is a credit to...
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Murali absence irrelevant - Shah
2007-10-12 08:58:00
Murali absence irrelevant - Shah By Oliver Brett I'm just lucky and really happy to be part of Peter Moores' plans Owais Shah England's Owais Shah says the absence of Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan knocks none of the gloss off his team's one-day series victory on the island. England have a 3-1 lead with the l...
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FOURTH ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL, Colombo:
2007-10-10 22:31:00
FOURTH ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL, Colombo :England 212-5 bt Sri Lanka 211-9 by five wickets By Sam Lyon England last won a one-day series in the Asian subcontinent in 1987 England produced a fantastic display with both bat and ball to ease to a five-wicket win in Colombo and seal a first one-day series win in Sri Lanka. James Anderson and Ryan Sidebottom were the heroes with the ball, taking three wickets apiece as Sri Lanka made 211-9. Even a 126-run stand between Chamara Silva and Kumar Sangakkara (69) could not disguise a superb bowling effort. And Kevin Pietersen (63no) and Alastair Cook (80) then dug deep with the bat to help England home with 19 balls left. It put the tourists 3-1 up with one to play in the five-m...
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