India lead 2-0 : Yuvraj again helps with his magic hands

Yuvraj Singh blasted his second consecutive century and grabbed four wickets to spur India to a 54-run win over England in the second one-dayer on Monday. The 26-year-old top-scored with 118 to lift India out of trouble and to an imposing 292 for nine before denting England's fightback, earning the hosts a 2-0 lead in the seven-game series.

England collapsed to 238 all out after Yuvraj ended a 96-run second-wicket partnership by removing both Owais Shah (58) and Matt Prior (38) in successive overs before returning 4-28 bowling slow left-arm spin on a sluggish pitch. He returned to dismiss Andrew Flintoff (43) and skipper Kevin Pietersen (33) in the same over after their racy 74-run fourth-wicket partnership had kept alive England hopes before they lost four wickets for eight runs.

Yuvraj, who stroked 138 not out to set up India's crushing 158-run win in Friday's first contest of the seven-match series, took over after paceman Stuart Broad's triple strike left the hosts reeling at 29 for three. He struck his 10th one-day hundred and raised 134 runs for the fourth wicket with opener Gautam Gambhir, who made 70 for his second fifty of the series. Broad removed Yuvraj to return four for 55 but Yusuf Pathan hammered 50 not out from 29 balls on his 26th birthday to help India regain the initiative. The third match will be played in Kanpur on Thursday.

Viralink
********************
******************************

Subscribe in a reader

Best is yet to come : says Freddie

Andrew Flintoff, set to play his first test in 18 months on Friday when England face South Africa in the second test at Headingley, is relishing a new beginning and believes his best years are still ahead of him.

Flintoff, 30, last played a test in January 2007 when he was captain of England as they lost the Ashes 5-0.

After that he experienced more ankle pain and had to undergo a fourth operation last October before a side strain delayed his comeback this season.

The all-rounder, who has been England's most influential cricketer of the past decade, will add firepower to a bowling attack that failed to force a win at Lord's in the first test, which was drawn.

"For me it is almost a fresh start," Flintoff, expected to earn a 68th test appearance, told reporters on Wednesday.

"A few years ago I was out for a while and then came back with some success - hopefully I can do that again.

"I was pleased, ecstatic almost, just to get the call back in the England squad. If you have ever pulled on an England shirt it is enough to get you back out playing one-day internationals, or test cricket."

Flintoff has proved his fitness after two four-day matches for county side Lancashire and he is now likely to replace out-of-form Paul Collingwood in his regular number six position.

The man known as "Freddie" has been written off several times because of the history with his ankle, but he is putting that behind him and thinking positively about his future.

Probable teams:

England: Michael Vaughan (captain), Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Andrew Flintoff, Tim Ambrose, Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom, Monty Panesar, James Anderson.

South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Neil McKenzie, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, Ashwell Prince, AB de Villiers, Mark Boucher, Paul Harris, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini.

Thanks to: www.yahoo.com

If you liked this post..you can Subscribe as a reader

South Africa counter attacks after follow on.

Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie continued to frustrate England in first test at Lord's.After the follow on, South Africa in second innings, had a score of 128/0 at tea on fourth day McKenzie had a lucky break when he went to 48 with an edge off left arm quick Ryan Sidebottom. But Vaughan had decided to do without a second slip & ball went through a gap.His single off Panesar saw McKenzie to a 190 ball fifty with seven fours.

At the end of the day, South Africa were trailing by 140 runs & Score was 206/1. Graeme Smith was out on 107 runs.McKenzie was not out on 85.

Earlier, A huge score on board for England (593-8 dec) & Spin-ace attack from England demolished the batting line-up for South Africa on 247/10 in first innings . Earlier, England lost some of the wickets at crucial stage; but Ian Bell & Pieterson rescued England with a 286 runs partnership for the fifth wicket.Unfortunately, I. bell was caught & bowled by P.Harris, when his score was 199 runs.As soon as the wicket of Bell fell, Skipper declared the innings at 593-8.

Match Summary:
England(first innings) : 593/8 dec (Bell 199, Morkel 4/121 )
South Africa (first innings) : 247/10 (Prince 101 , Panesar 4/74)
South Africa (Second Innings) 206/1 (stumps) (Smith 107 , McKenzie 85*)

South Africa trail by 140 runs.






....Liked This Post???...then Subscribe to blog for free