Irfan Pathan cleared for World Cup

It was simple and straightforward... Irfan Pathan had to go there and bowl to convince the national selectors of his fitness. And he did precisely that to confirm his berth in the World Cup squad. In doing so, he may not have returned very impressive figures — 2/48 in 8.4 overs. This led to an anouncement that Irfan Pathan will play in the World Cup in the West Indies in March, according to the chairman of the Indian selection team Dilip Vengsarkar.
Pathan has been off colour for some time and even though Indian team Physio has provided the BCCI with a certificate saying Pathan was fit, the presence of Chairman of Selectors Dilip Vengsarkar is a clear indication that pressure is on the Baroda speedster. In the last five ODI series that Pathan has played he has failed to set the stage alight with a top haul of six wickets in the 4-1 series loss to West Indies in May last year.

Since then his performance graph has fallen like a stock market crash with just one wicket to show for in his last two series.

In fact things had gotten so bad for the Baroda speedster that he was sent home in the midst of the Test series against South Africa to find his line and length.

Just when it seemed like the right time to bring him back into the team he suffered an injury which kept him out of the remainder of the ODI Series vs Sri Lanka.

Irfan Pathan seems to have his task cut out. He not only has to prove to the selectors that he is 100 per cent match fit but also to perform on a wicket which seems batsmen friendly

Indian cricket coach Greg Chappell enjoys a secret vacation.

Cricket coach Greg Chappell and his wife managed to duck the media and the locals to enjoy a peaceful two-day stay here before they were identified by a cricket-loving auto rickshaw driver when they took a ride on his vehicle. Chappell and his wife Judy were enjoying a quiet holiday in the backwaters of Alappuzha this week, protégé Sreesanth had ensured they were driven down in around two hours from Kochi on Thursday without word spilling out. All was working according to plan — the media had not a whiff about the visit — till the shopping bug bit the Chappells.

Stepping out of the houseboat, the couple flagged down an autorickshaw to go to a garment store. In no time, a large crowd of journalists was tailing them. It turned out the driver had recognised who he was taking for a ride and, thrilled to bits, had called up all his friends. Now, the owner of Rainbow Cruise faces punishment for not letting police know that the Chappells had stayed in his houseboat.

Under the Foreigners Act, hotel owners are required to fill out a form — Form C — and hand it to the police within 24 hours of a foreign national checking in. Mathew could spend six months in prison if found guilty of violating the law.

But Mathew claims he found out he was hosting the Chappell couple only after the media reported on the visit. Kovilakam Lake Villa managers had booked the houseboat, he said, and they did not tell him who the guests were.

Mathew would take heart if he heard Alappuzha police superintendent E.P. Jayraj speak. Jayraj said it was a case of sour grapes for the local TV channels, who had missed the big story of the visit and were now trying to make up by sensationalising the slip. But he admitted that the cruise providers had failed to inform the police of the presence of foreigners, inviting action under the law.

Hussey 'demoralised' by series defeat ...

A demoralised Michael Hussey has admitted it will take him a while to recover from his Chappell-Hadlee Trophy experience. Hussey, the stand-in captain, was expected to guide the side easily as Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist were rested, but his short-term role quickly became a nightmare as the team lost the first game by ten wickets and conceded two of the three biggest chases in history.

Hussey, who is yet to win a game from his four ODIs in charge, was let down by the failure of his bowlers to maintain their lines and lengths as they were attacked by the aggressive New Zealand batsmen. In the second match at Eden Park they could not defend 336 and in Hamilton on Tuesday they were over-run despite scoring 5 for 346, which was set up by Matthew Hayden's 181.

"Under pressure we just couldn't nail our yorkers or put the ball where we wanted it to go," Hussey said in The Australian. "It's disappointing but it shows us that we still have some work to do to before the World Cup."

The loss was Australia's fifth in a row - the streak began in the first match of the CB Series finals against England - and the squad also suffered with injuries to Brett Lee (ankle), Michael Clarke (hip) and Matthew Hayden (broken toe). However, Glenn McGrath, who did not play in the final match, said after landing in Sydney that Australia could recover in time for the World Cup.

"Very much so," McGrath told AAP at Sydney airport. "It wasn't the best tour for us over there in New Zealand, but we would rather get that out of the way now a few weeks before the first [World Cup] game so we can work out what we need to do differently and turn it around.

"We've experienced quite a few injuries, five or six of our top players weren't there, so it's a bit of a different mix of players and it sometimes takes a little while to get settled. If you take one or two players out of any other team in the world it would unsettle them, but to take five or six out would really destroy them."

After the match Hussey said he was confident of reversing Australia's poor form. "I know we've been planning for the World Cup for a long time but hopefully we can turn it around," Hussey said. "Work hard in the early stages of the World Cup and get our confidence up and I think we'll be fine."

However, the series will be hard to forget for Hussey, despite scores of 42, 105 and 13. "It's pretty difficult and I feel pretty demoralised really," he said. "I'll probably take a little while to get over it."

Irfan in form is of immense value says Chappell

A motivational ploy of putting him in the middle order seems to have worked in stoking Virender Sehwag's appetite for runs, it was claimed by coach Greg Chappell in an interview on Monday.

"Viru was put in the middle order as a cover for Yuvraj Singh in case the latter didn't return in time as well as to motivate him. Something has worked," Chappell said after the dashing right-hander had contributed 46 in India's series-winning cause against Sri Lanka in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.

Sehwag, who had drawn much flak in the media over his poor form of late having failed to score a single century in the last 59 ODIs, opened the innings on Saturday and batted with characteristic flourish to re-ignite the almost dying hopes on his form and attitude.

The Delhi dasher was initially projected as a middle order batsman for the World Cup in media by Chappell but the Australian now claims it was all a part of his plan to challenge Sehwag to reclaim his batting style.

Chappell indicated in no uncertain terms that Sehwag would now bat in any of the first three batting slots in the World Cup. Sehwag has batted in 134 of his 167 One-Day Internationals as opener and seems set to resume the role.

As a reverse psychology, it also seems to have worked for Yuvraj who was struggling for fitness and form and made a handsome return to form with an innings of 95 in the last game against Sri Lanka.

"Yuvraj can be a critical difference during the World Cup. When he is in form, he is one of the best in the business. We need batsmen who can make the most of middle overs. Yuvi can help us do well in that area," said Chappell.

Chappell also spoke his mind on Irfan Pathan whose form and fitness is shrouded in mystery in recent times.

Sent back from South Africa in the middle of a tour in December last, Pathan has only played one international and two first class matches in the first two months of the year and now appears an unknown and unproven prospect for the World Cup.

"Irfan (Pathan) is down on confidence, there is little doubt on it. And that's because he hasn't had much success recently. All he needs is an injection of wickets," asserted Chappell who still feels the Baroda player in form gives the side much needed balance in both batting and bowling.

"Irfan has a role which, when in form, can give the side a critical balance. Irfan in form is of immense value. It's not his batting but bowling which is in question. But all this would change when he is among wickets. But at the moment he needs to be fit and then chances would come his way", he said.

The issues of Sehwag, Yuvraj and Pathan has generated much heat in cricket circles in recent times but bigger scorn and ridicule has come the side's way because of injuries to key players.

"Frankly I am not concerned about injuries. There is always going to be a niggle but nothing is serious enough to get worried about," Chappell said. Chappell claimed that couple of weeks in cricket can make critical difference to a team's fortunes and cited the examples of India and Australia to back his words.

"We look far better than we did in South Africa and a lot of issues seem to have been answered. We still have some days to World Cup and further progress would be made. There are some domestic matches, practice ties and a couple of group games in the World Cup which would provide us answers."

"Australia too was a huge favourite till a few weeks ago but now it's changed. Injuries have played a part in it. So the way things have changed and shaped up, it would appear anyone can do well if they play well. Most of the teams are fairly well matched", he pointed out.

In Chappell's opinion, India has got as good a chance as anyone else in the biggest competition in the game.

"There is no guarantee that any team would go on to win the World Cup. I have always believed that I would be happy if we make the semi-finals. From then on, any of the four teams can win the World Cup".

Chappell admits fielding could be India's grey area and exhorts his batsmen and bowlers to make up for the deficiency in their respective areas in the World Cup.

"As an Australian, I have strong views on fielding. But I wouldn't ignore reality. You need to review and I am prepared to do it for better results.

Bond finishes off Aussies for 148 ...

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming won the toss and chose to bowl in the first of three Chappell-Hadlee limited-overs cricket matches against Australia on Friday.

Fast bowler Daryl Tuffey returned to international cricket after a two-year absence to share the new ball with Shane Bond in a strong New Zealand lineup. Locally-based spinner Jeetan Patel was named 12th man and the well-performed right-hander Ross Taylor was promoted to three in the New Zealand order.

Michael Hussey was set to lead Australia for the second time in the absence of Ricky Ponting and to bat at No. 5 in the Australian order.

Fast bowler Shane Bond captured five wickets as New Zealand dismissed Australia for just 148 in Friday's first Chappell-Hadlee One-Day match on Friday.

Bond demolished the Australian batting line-up to finish with figures of 5-23 and leave the Kiwis chasing a modest total for victory in the opener of a three-match series on a lively Basin Reserve pitch.

The visitors were missing five key players - Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds, Brett Lee and Michael Clarke - but their absence was only partially responsible for the batting collapse.

Beaten 2-0 by England in the tri-series finals last week, the Australians have struggled for form in their last few matches and are danger in falling below South Africa as the world's top One-Day team if they lose in New Zealand.

Stand-in captain Mike Hussey top-scored with 42 off 96 balls while Brad Hodge (22) and Brad Hogg (20) both made starts but only two other players reached double figures.

Bond, who took a hat-trick against the Australians in Hobart last month, continued his success against them with a supreme display of fast bowling.

He removed replacement opener Phil Jacques (one) and Gilchrist's standby wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (six) in his first spell, then took a superb one-handed catch to remove the dangerous Cameron White (13) in his second spell.

Bond completed his fourth five-wicket haul in One-Day Internationals when he clean bowled Nathan Bracken for a duck then Hogg to polish off the Australian innings inside 50 overs.

However, there was some concern for the hosts when big all-rounder Jacob Oram injured a finger after taking a routine catch off Mitchell Johnson and was rushed to hospital for X-rays.

Pollock praised after superb bowling display

Paceman Shaun Pollock bowled superbly to set up another simple victory for South Africa in the fifth and final one-day international against Pakistan on Wednesday.

Pollock took five for 23 from his 10 overs as South Africa won the series 3-1 after the third game in Port Elizabeth was rained out. The former South Africa captain tore through the Pakistan top order to help limit the visitors to 153 all out in 40.5 overs.

AB de Villiers and Jacques Kallis then gorged themselves on the Pakistan bowling, both scoring 71 not out as South Africa raced to 156 for one in 28.2 overs, to win by nine wickets.

Pakistan claimed the wicket of South African captain Graeme Smith, caught behind off Mohammad Asif for a duck, in the first over, but a flurry of runs followed as Kallis attacked the bowling with abandon.

Kallis was first to his half-century, in the 19th over off 61 balls, followed by De Villiers four overs later, off 63 deliveries. The pair added an unbeaten 155 off 179 balls as South Africa, playing their last one-day international before the World Cup, continued to close in on Australia at the top of the International Cricket Council rankings.

Kallis hit eight fours and launched a remarkable six over the covers off Rao Iftikhar Anjum, while De Villiers was also close to his attacking best with seven fours and two sixes.

Earlier, Pakistan had their momentum killed from the outset as Pollock took the new ball and bowled his ration of 10 overs on the trot, reducing them to 71 for five after 17 overs.

Pollock struck in the first over by having Mohammad Hafeez caught behind for a duck, but Imran Nazir then struck two fours and a six in a run-a-ball 22 before Pollock held on to a steepling return catch.

The experienced Younis Khan scored 19 before he dragged a Pollock delivery into the stumps and the in-form Mohammad Yousuf then shuffled across the stumps and was trapped lbw for five.

Pollock completed the fifth five-wicket haul of his one-day career when he found the edge of Inzamam-ul-Haq's bat with extra bounce. Kallis took a sharp, head-high catch at second slip to dismiss the Pakistan captain without scoring.

Kamran Akmal, batting at number four, scored a battling 22 before Ashwell Prince took a diving catch at square-leg to catch him off Charl Langeveldt, while Shoaib Malik took Pakistan past 150 with a brave 43 not out.

Srilanka hold on after top order collapse …

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and elected to bat against India in the third One-Day International at Goa on Tuesday.

Zaheer Khan, returning to the side after missing the second ODI, made an immediate impact on the game as he dismissed both the openers Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga in his second over, leaving the hosts jolted at 5/2.

Sourav Ganguly took a stunner at square leg to get rid of Jayasuriya for two, while Zaheer trapped Tharanga in front of the stumps for one, making way for captain Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara to take early guard.

Zaheer added a third when he castled Kumar Sangakkara, centurion during the last game, for no score to leave the Lankans reeling at six for three.

The Sri Lankans, hit hard at the onset, consolidated with Marvan Atapattu and the skipper. Atapattu looked to have regained his elegance, and was in full flow, dispatching boundaries with feather touches.

Jayawardene was more composed of the two, curbing his flashy instincts to help the visitors amble towards 50 runs withough further hiccups after 15 overs.

Thirty two runs were further put on by the duo when Munaf Patel added insult to the Lankan injury, dismissing Marvan Atapattu who was threatening to seize the initiative back for the tourists. Sachin Tendulkar took a tumbling catch at square leg as the stylish batsman departed for 42 from 61 balls.

Harbhajan Singh added another in the next over as the Lankans further slumped to 91 for five; skipper Jayawardene making way, out leg before to the off-spinner for 30.

The start of play was delayed by half an hour due to a damp outfield.

After a shock defeat in the second One-Dayer in Rajkot, India are looking to bounce back with the series now virtually a best-of-three encounter. The first game was abandoned in Kolkata on Sunday.

India missed the services of Anil Kumble, S Sreesanth and Robin Uthappa for the game. Ajit Agarkar, Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh returned to the side. Irfan Pathan didn’t make the cut as he hadn’t recovered from his shoulder niggle.

Virender Sehwag was pipped to take opening guard for India alongside Sourav Ganguly in the absence of Uthappa.

For the visitors, fast bowler Dilhara Fernando returned in place of Lasith Malinga to mark the only change in the side from the one that played in Rajkot.

Ponting confident that his team would be on track during the World cup …

Australia captain Ricky Ponting is confident his team’s sudden form slump in one-day cricket will not carry over into the World Cup.

Australia remain favourites to win the tournament for the third time in a row after claiming last year’s Champions Trophy, but chinks in their armour have suddenly appeared.

They struggled to beat New Zealand in three successive tri-series matches and lost three games, including two finals, to England.

The Australians have undergone a gruelling physical training programme over the past two weeks to ensure they peak for the World Cup but Ponting said the extra workload was no excuse for the loss of form.

“I don’t really have any explanation as to why we have played the way we have in the last couple of games,” he told reporters after his team’s 34-run defeat by England on Sunday.

“But maybe this is the kick up the backside we needed.”

Australia’s slump has raised fresh questions about the makeup of their World Cup squad, which is due to be announced today.

Ponting was meeting with the selectors yesterday but does not expect the defeats to have any bearing on the makeup of the 15-man squad. The 13 players chosen for the tri-series finals are all likely to go to the World Cup along with injured all-rounder Andrew Symonds and another fast bowler, probably Stuart Clark.

“I don’t think this changes too much,” Ponting said.

“I’m sure the selectors will be asking a few more questions of me with regards to selection for the World Cup squad but I guess that’s to be expected when you have a couple of bad performances in a row.

“I don’t think any individuals have had two really dreadful games so I don’t think they’ll be a great deal of panic from the selectors.” The World Cup starts in the West Indies next month but Australia have five more warm-up matches, three one-dayers in New Zealand beginning on Friday, and two more after arriving in the Caribbean.

India’s final 15 for the World cup ….

India's cricket selectors on Monday picked Virender Sehwag in India's World Cup squad despite the aggressive batsman being woefully out of touch in the run-up to the showpiece event.

The selectors also included the injured duo of seamer Irfan Pathan and batsman Yuvraj Singh in the 15-man squad, confident they will recover in time for the World Cup opening in the Caribbean on March 13.

Rahul Dravid will captain India with senior pro Sachin Tendulkar, set for his fifth World Cup, appointed the deputy, ahead of former skipper Sourav Ganguly.

"I am quite excited about the team," said Dravid, himself a veteran of two World Cups.

"But we are aware and believe that it is not about the team, but how it performs. How six or seven key players perform supported by the others in the team, that will be the focus."

Sehwag, 28, was selected despite scoring just 273 in his last 15 one-dayers, including an unimpressive 19 off 23 balls in the five-run defeat against Sri Lanka on Sunday.

Sehwag, the only Indian to compile a triple-century in Test cricket, was favoured for his career record of 4 775 runs from 165 one-dayers, with seven centuries.

Sehwag is also a useful off-spin bowler, with 71 one-day wickets, giving Dravid an option of an additional spinner.

"It is a show of faith by the selectors in Sehwag, the ball is in his court now," the captain said. "He has to prove the faith the selectors have shown in him is justified.

"It is a challenge for him to go out and deliver. The onus is on him, as it is on the rest of the players who have been picked, to perform the way he has in the past."

Coach Greg Chappell and Dravid joined the five-man selection committee, headed by former Test captain Dilip Vengsarkar, in picking a squad that has a good blend of experience and youth.

Six players - Robin Uthappa, Dinesh Karthick, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Irfan Pathan, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth and Munaf Patel - will be playing in their first World Cup.

But the remaining nine - Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Sehwag, Yuvraj, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Ajit Agarkar and Zaheer Khan - were part of the 2003 squad in South Africa that made the final.

"Many guys in the team realise that it is their last shot at the World Cup," said Dravid. "These guys in particular would be keen to stand up and be counted."

Yuvraj (back injury) and Pathan (sore shoulder) were picked after team physiotherapist John Gloster said he was confident both would be fit before the team departed for the Caribbean on February 28.

India are drawn with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and first-timers Bermuda in Group B of the preliminary league. The top two will advance to the second round.

India won the World Cup once, in 1983, under Kapil Dev.

India's World Cup squad:

Rahul Dravid (captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Robin Uthappa, Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Dinesh Karthick, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Irfan Pathan, Ajit Agarkar, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, Munaf Patel.

MANU , Chelsea win their matches as Liverpool stumble …

Manchester United maintained their six-point lead at the top with a 2-0 victory over Charlton, as Chelsea beat Middlesbrough 3-0 at Stamford Bridge.

At the other end of the table Watford won the relegation six-pointer with fellow strugglers West Ham at Upton Park.

Newcastle ended Liverpool's recent unbeaten record as they came from behind to win 2-1 at a rain-soaked St James' Park.

Manchester United showed no sign in letting up in their pursuit of the title as goals in each half from Park Ji-sung and Darren Fletcher gave them another three points.

Chelsea remain in pursuit of the leaders and they broke the deadlock right on the stroke of half-time with Didier Drogba firing home a free-kick from the edge of the box.

The Blues doubled their lead on 66 minutes when the unfortunate Abel Xavier diverted Arjen Robben's shot into his own net.

Drogba grabbed his second of the game seven minutes from time to wrap up the win for Jose Mourinho's men.

Darius Henderson scored his first goal of the season from the penalty spot to help Watford beat West Ham 1-0.

Watford were handed the penalty on 11 minutes when Anton Ferdinand tugged back Henderson in the box and the big striker kept his cool from the spot to break his duck in the Premiership.

West Ham won a penalty of their own on the hour mark when Gavin Mahon hauled down Nigel Reo-Coker inside the box, but to the despair of the home fans Harewood hit his spot-kick wide of the target.

Newcastle spoiled Craig Bellamy's return to St James' Park as they beat Liverpool.

Bellamy silenced the jeers of the Newcastle faithful after just six minutes when Steve Harper's poor clearance fell straight to Jermaine Pennant who burst past Celestine Babayaro before pulling it back for Bellamy to slot the ball home.

Newcastle were gifted their equaliser on 26 minutes after a terrible clanger by Reina.

Reina made a mess of a straightforward clearance kicking it straight against Daniel Agger and the ball dropped to Obafemi Martins who had the simple task of sliding the ball into the empty net.

Newcastle forged ahead on 70 minutes with a controversial penalty from Nolberto Solano after Steven Taylor went down in the box under a challenge from John Arne Riise.

Sheffield United came from a goal down to beat Tottenham 2-1 at Bramall Lane.

Spurs got off to a flying start with Jermaine Jenas firing them in front after just two minutes.

United hit back and drew level on 27 courtesy of Rob Hulse's strike and Phil Jagielka netted the winner just past the hour mark when he converted from the penalty spot.

Everton gained revenge for their FA Cup exit to Blackburn with a 1-0 win over Mark Hughes' men at Goodison Park.

Andy Johnson celebrated his birthday in style with the only goal of the game after just ten minutes to give Everton the victory.

Reading maintained their push for a shock European place with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa in the lunchtime kick-off at The Madejski Stadium.

Steve Sidwell was the hero for the home side with both goals to help Reading to their fourth successive Premiership win.

The midfielder broke the deadlock on 15 minutes when heading home a corner from Stephen Hunt and he sealed the victory with his second in the final seconds of the game.

Collingwood gives Aussies the first blow …

ENGLAND'S resurgence continued when Paul Collingwood inspired a four-wicket win over Australia in the first tri-series final in Melbourne.

Ravaged by injury, without skipper Michael Vaughan and barely competitive less than two weeks ago, England overcame disastrous starts with both bat and ball before overhauling Australia's 252 to win with three balls to spare.

The second final is in Sydney on Sunday and England is just one win away from a fairytale end to an horrific tour that saw it lose the Ashes 5-0.

Collingwood, himself enjoying a renaissance after struggling since the early part of the tour, scored his second successive century and scored the winning run to finish on 120 not out.

The right hander also scored a hundred and took two wickets in a man-of-the-match performance in the last qualifying game to get England into the finals at the expense of New Zealand.

He batted superbly under pressure on Friday night and his brilliant fielding enabled England to rein in Australia after the home side had made a flying start and looked set to score well in excess of 300.

"To restrict them to 250-odd was a fantastic effort and then when you lose three wickets in a run-chase on a pitch which was hard to score on times was going to be tough,'' stand-in skipper Andrew Flintoff said.

"I can't speak high enough of the way Paul played. In all my time playing one-day cricket for England, wearing the blue shirt, it's the best innings I've seen.

"The way he paced it, his stamina, his concentration - it was a lesson for everyone watching. It's fantastic to see Paul playing like that and all the lads really did appreciate it."

Collingwood took a superb catch to dismiss dangerman Ricky Ponting and end the 138-run stand with Matthew Hayden before claiming two run-outs with brilliant direct hits.

The 30 year old then came in with his side in deep trouble at 3-15 in the chase and set it on the path to victory with a 133-run partnership with Ian Bell (65).

Collingwood, who also teamed with Flintoff (35) for a crucial 74-run stand, worked the ball into the gaps perfectly.

With tension rising in the dying overs, Collingwood showed he was capable of the big shots as he hit several boundaries to ease the pressure.

While England celebrated a third successive win, Australia veteran Glenn McGrath had a horror 37th birthday.

Had he held onto a sitter off Nathan Bracken when Bell was 18 England would have been 4-33.

He finished wicketless, was hit in the head by a ball thrown from the outfield, was smashed back over his head by Collingwood for six, and was also involved in a botched run-out attempt when Flintoff had just come to the crease.

His woes summed up Australia's night, with some crucial chances going down and the England batsmen benefiting from several near misses.

Lee was the only Australia bowler to impress with 3-41 from his 10 overs.

Collingwood's fielding, combined with some fine bowling from Flintoff and spinner Monty Panesar, turned the match on its head during the Australia innings.

At 1-170 in the 31st over on a perfect batting pitch, with Ponting and Hayden both in top form and having added 138, Australia looked to have set the perfect foundation for a late onslaught.

However, Collingwood's superb diving one-handed catch to remove Ponting for 75 was the catalyst for an unexpected collapse by the home side.

Hayden, who made 82 from 102 balls and showed his best form of the tri-series, fell soon after to part-time spinner James Dalrymple, caught on the long-on boundary by Sajid Mahood.

The home side was 3-180 and the innings subsequently unravelled spectacularly, the home side losing its last six wickets for 23 runs in just 37 balls. The last four wickets added just four runs.

Collingwood ran out Michael Clarke (33) by centimetres with a direct hit from mid-off. He also ran out Brett Lee for a duck with another direct hit, this time from gully.

The lionhearted Flintoff bowled impressively to claim the wickets of Mike Hussey, Brad Hogg and McGrath in finishing with 3-41 from 9.3 overs.

Panesar (2-44) chimed in with the crucial wickets of Ponting and Brad Hodge.

Panesar did botch what should have been a simple run out of Hayden when the left hander was 75 and Mahmood dropped a sitter off Hussey, but for once Australia didn't punish the England errors.

Ponting said it was a disappointing night and was concerned at Australia's inability to put together 100 overs in a match.

He said Australia fielded poorly and lost wickets at key times, but denied complacency was to blame.

"I can't see how,'' he said.

"I was keen to put a good performance on the board tonight. It's a final and you want to play your best cricket in finals and we've played our worst game in a long time in a final tonight, so that's the disappointing part for me.''

Ponting was hopeful Australia could respond like it did last summer when it lost the first final to Sri Lanka but bounced back with two wins.

"It's up to us to stop (England's) momentum now and we should have been able to do that today, getting off to the start we did but we let it slide,'' he said.

"The worrying thing for me is lately in games is we haven't put 100 overs together. If we've batted well we haven't bowled well and if we've bowled well we haven't batted well.''

Flintoff said England would enjoy the victory, but was desperate to win again in Sydney.

"We want to take something home and we're in a position now where we can do as long as we keep doing the basics right and believing we can do,'' he said.

Collingwood was happy he succeeded when he took on the responsibility in the dying overs, and agreed the knock was the best of his career.

Samuels denies any wrongdoing ...

Marlon Samuels has denied the allegations that he was involved in fixing the first One-Dayers between Indian and the West Indies that was played at Nagpur on January 21.

"I don’t do such things man. I have not done anything wrong. The West Indies Cricketers’ Association will take up the matter if necessary,” the West Indian all-rounder said.

Nagpur Police had said on Wednesday that Samuels was in touch with a bookie, Mukesh Kochar, prior to the first ODI and passed on the information about the bowling order and batting lineup.

Commissioner of Police, Nagpur, SPS Yadav had said: "Samuels had contacted the bookie about three times. Marlon Samuels had given the bookie the details about bowling order in the second half. He had also told him that he will be staying in Mumbai after the tour and Marlon did indeed stay back in Mumbai. Our report is on breach of ICC code of Conduct by Marlon Samuels."

Yadav also said that there was no criminal offence since the player and the bookie only spoke about the match and no money transaction was involved.

"Letter on the conversation between Samuel and the bookie was sent to BCCI as there was no criminal offence. There was no criminal offence as conversation was not on money matter. It was confined to only bowling details," Yadav said.

"Police investigations into the conversation have no clues of match-fixing nor criminal offence. We only know that ICC norms were violated," he added.

Samuels admitted knowing Kochar but denied passing on any sensitive information to the bookie.

“I don’t think he’s a bookie. I usually talk about cricket but don’t give out any such information,” he said.

Samuels' mother Daphne Lunan also denied that her son was involved in fixing matches though she admitted that Kochar was a close friend of Samuels.

Samuels gave 53 runs in his 10 overs and scored 40 runs off 60 balls as the West Indies fell short by 14 runs chasing the target of 339. India won the Nagpur ODI by 14 runs.

The International Cricket Council has confirmed receiving the letter from the Nagpur Police.

The letter sent to the BCCI reportedly has details of the taped phone conversations between Samuels and Kochar, an associate of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

Meanwhile, the West Indies Cricket Board has said it will look into the allegations as soon as it gets a formal request.

Afridi Stunner posts a huge total against Africa ...

Shahid Afridi unfurled his full repertoire of individual brilliance as it was South Africa's turn to feel the punishment of flashing blades. With a masterful anchoring century from Mohammad Yousuf, Pakistan racked up a massive 351 for 4 in the second one-day international at Durban.

In an attempt to level the series after their dismal effort at Centurion Park, Pakistan packed their side with allrounders, handing Azhar Mahmood a first ODI since February 2005, and the long batting line-up enabled the top order to play with freedom. The result was Pakistan's highest total against South Africa and the highest score at Durban.

The 200 arrived in the 33rd over, but that wasn't a patch on the entertainment to follow when Yousuf joined Afridi at 222 for 4 in the 39th. The next 11.4 overs brought 129 thunderous runs as Afridi bludgeoned the ball to all corners of Kingsmead. His first six came off his fifth ball and five more followed, including two of amazing power from low full tosses and another than hit the roof of a stand and finished in the road off a waist-high delivery. His half-century came off a blink-off-the-eye 20 balls.

This was Afridi had his cheeky best, never better exemplified than when he twice walked across his stumps and swept Makhaya Ntini to fine leg. Then he brought out his best Kevin Pietersen impression, effortlessly flicking a full toss through midwicket.

When Afridi arrived, Yousuf was on 52 and his century was almost a by-the-way moment such were the headline-grabbing feats at the other end. But it was a typical Yousuf knock, working the gaps and punishing the loose balls. His 12 ODI century came in the last over off 110 balls and he fed Afridi the strike at every opportunity during their stand.

Even before the Afridi show arrived in town, Pakistan had shown that they'd decided to get out of bed on the right side this morning. Shahid Nazir, recalled in place of Mohammad Hafeez, set the ball rolling with a rollicking 57 after the early loss of the suffering Kamran Akmal.

Ntini and Shaun Pollock hadn't been treated with such disdain for the whole summer and the introduction of the change bowlers didn't slow the rate. Nazir favoured the leg side, occasionally stepping across his crease, and pulled a couple of huge sixes into the crowd. The extent of his onslaught was shown as he raised his own 50 off 33 balls with the Pakistan total reading 60.

Charl Langeveldt hit back by trapping Nazir with a fine slower-ball and with the innings only 12 overs old Yousuf and Younis Khan sensibly opted for accumulation and worked the strike with sharp running, not always a facet of Pakistan cricket. Younis was set for only his third ODI century but picked out long off against Graeme Smith's offspin and when Inzamam-ul-Haq decided today was the right time add to his run-out count, Pakistan threatened to lose their way. Afridi put them back on the right path in a style that is volatile and exhilarating.

Golden era is ending worries Malcolm Speed …

A golden era in cricket is ending and top Test teams need to find young players to replace their retiring big names, says International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Malcolm Speed.

“We’re in a golden era at the moment with a number of great players coming to the end of their careers...Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Shaun Pollock to name but a few,” Speed told Reuters at the Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament.

“All great players with great records. The challenge now is for the teams to replace those players quickly and to maintain their momentum.”

Speed said Australia showed the way in the recent 5-0 Ashes whitewash of England.

“Australia have done it very well, bringing in Michael Hussey and Michael Clarke and a couple of young players,” said the 58-year-old Speed. “That’s the start of the challenge.”

Although the visiting England team have been heavily criticised for their drubbing, Speed said no one could ignore the strength of Ricky Ponting’s side.

“We should not underestimate the brilliance of this Australian team,” said Speed.

“I thought that was exemplified when Damien Martyn retired halfway through the Ashes series and the team seemed to get better when one of their good batsmen left (and Hussey was brought in).

“It is a great Australian team, one that was on a mission (after losing the 2005 Ashes series in England). The England side was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Speed said the now-retired Warne, one of the architects of Australia’s Ashes rout, would be a hard act to follow.

“I think Shane’s picked the right time to retire but he will be very difficult to replace,” said the Australian.

“There are several leg spinners playing cricket around the world now so hopefully that’s part of Shane’s legacy.

“Leg spin is perhaps the most fascinating part of the game for the spectator to watch,” he said. “The battle between bat and ball where all of the elements come into play, the state of the pitch, state of the match.

“A great leg spinner in action delights cricket fans around the world. It is one of those aspects of the game which is so different from any other sport.”

Speed, who will attend the ICC’s final pre-World Cup board meeting in Trinidad on Friday, commended the timing of the retirements of Warne and McGrath.

Paceman McGrath will follow the lead of his leg-spinning countryman by bowing out after the World Cup in the Caribbean which starts next month.

“They are two great players who have served their country for many, many years,” said Speed. “It is good to see players retiring on their own terms, with people asking them why they are retiring, rather than why they are not retiring.

“It is always pleasing to see that with great players like Glenn and Shane.”

Pressure spill victory from the hands of KIWIS ….

Kiwis were going on smoothly with Fleming scoring a century but couldn’t make the finals on Friday. Wickets of Ross Taylor & Scott Styris at crucial points were the reasons for the downfall of Kiwis today at GABBA.

Earlier in the day, Paul Collingwood reached his third One-Day century as England made 270 for seven, batting first in a pivotal tri-series match at the Gabba ground in Brisbane on Tuesday.

Collingwood scored 106 and Andrew Strauss 55 to lead England's scoring in the match, the winner of which will play Australia in the best-of-three finals, which begin in Melbourne on Friday.

Michael Vaughan returned to the England team after missing the Ashes Test series against Australia with a knee injury and most of the tri-series with a strained hamstring.

Vaughan won the toss and chose to bat but his further contribution to England's cause was constrained when he was bowled by Shane Bond - with a fast, swinging yorker - before he had scored and by only the second ball he faced.

Bond took four for 46 from 10 overs in the best performance of the New Zealand bowlers but poor fielding and some wayward bowling under pressure allowed England to achieve a competitive total.

Collingwood reached his half-century from 68 balls during a partnership of 103 for Strauss for the third wicket.

He went on to his century, his second in Australia and first against New Zealand, from 118 balls with seven fours.

Strauss' half-century, only his second of the season in Australia, came from 51 balls with three fours and a six.

Vaughan was out in the second over of the innings when England had only one run on the board.

Ian Bell followed, Bond's second victim, when England was 28 and Ed Joyce was out for 26 when England was 52, after threatening a big score to match his recent century against Australia.

Collingwood and Strauss lifted England from 52 for three to 155 for five after 33.3 overs, setting the platform from which they were later able to build a substantial total.

Andy Flintoff made 17 from 15 balls, Jamie Dalrymple an unbeaten 29 from 26 balls and Liam Plunkett 15 not out as England took 79 from its last 10 overs.

England with 13 points would face Aussies in the final on Friday.

Vaughan out for nought as Strauss & Collingwood hold the innings ….

MICHAEL Vaughan was back leading England today, but he last just two balls after winning the toss and electing to bat against New Zealand at the Gabba.

The right hander was cleaned bowled by an inswinging yorker from fast bowler Shane Bond, included in the New Zealand side despite rumours he would be rested because of his dodgy back.

Bond's first ball was a wide, at least meaning England had a run on the board when Vaughan was dismissed in the second over.

Vaughan, who has missed England's past two games with a hamstring injury in his right leg, had no time to test the injury after having his castle demolished.

It was a bad start for the England side that must win to make the finals against Australia, a best-of-three series.

Vaughan was opening the batting with Ed Joyce, who scored a classy century in England's shock win over Australia last Friday night at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The man to make way for Vaughan was mal Loye, and young spin bowler Ravi Bopara, who is England's 12th man, also missed out.

New Zealand made no changes to the side that lost to Australia on Sunday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and included Bond, who looks in good form.

the Black Caps' defeat made today's match - the last of the group phase - crucial for both teams.

The equations is simple - win, and you'll play Australia in the best-of-three finals series.

"It's make or break now, and we're really looking forward to it," Vaughan said after calling correctly at the toss today.

Unfortunately for him, and his side, he was broken far too early.

Shane Watson back into the side after injury ...

Shane Watson has been rushed back into Australia's one-day team after they lost Andrew Symonds with a shoulder injury. Shaun Tait's ODI career is on hold despite an impressive start as he and Stuart Clark were left out of the 13-man squad for the CB Series finals.

Watson, who has been hampered by hamstring injuries all season, made a successful return just over a week ago. The selectors' desire to balance their line-up with an allrounder ran into trouble on Friday when Symonds retired hurt against England and required surgery that could keep him out of the World Cup and Watson is the logical replacement.

Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, said there were no concerns that Watson would break down again under the pressure of international cricket. "Shane has been given a full medical clearance and has successfully returned to domestic cricket," Hilditch said. "We feel the time is now right for him to return to international cricket."

Hilditch said Watson's comeback meant fewer bowlers were needed. "There is no need to continue with five specialist fast bowlers in the squad," Hilditch said. "Both Stuart and Shaun were unlucky to be omitted and remain very much in contention for selection in the ICC Cricket World Cup squad, which will be named at the conclusion of the final's series."

Although Tait and Clark have both made an impact in the CB Series, Brad Hogg, who has played only one match, was retained in the finals squad. "Hogg has played limited cricket so far in the Commonwealth Bank Series, however he has been in extremely good form in domestic cricket with both bat and ball," Hilditch said. "We will look at his possible inclusion for the remaining games depending on the conditions we face at the different venues."

Squad : Adam Gilchrist (wk), Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Brad Hodge, Michael Hussey, Shane Watson, Cameron White, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Bracken, Glenn McGrath.

Can Joyce hold on till the end …

ENGLAND, looking for its first win over Australia on tour, shrugged off the loss of a dazed Mal Loye to take control at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Loye was caught for 29 one ball after top-edging an attempted sweep off Glenn McGrath onto his helmet grille. The blow connected with the opening batsman's chin and there was a lengthy break in play while he received attention.

The right hander perished to an ill-conceived and miscued pull shot which was pouched by Nathan Bracken at backward square.

But England, which needs to win its remaining two round-robin matches to join Australia in the best-of-three finals series, was otherwise untroubled in reaching 1-162 after 32 overs.

In-form Ed Joyce was unbeaten on 66 with No.3 Ian Bell 49 not out in what represented England's best showing of the series after captain Andrew Flintoff won the toss.

Bell wasted no time finding his feet after Loye's dismissal, taking McGrath for successive boundaries past point, while Joyce also took a liking to the veteran paceman with a cracking pulled four at the end of the 13th over.

England's second-wicket pairing took their partnership near triple figures just after the halfway mark of the innings when Joyce crashed Andrew Symonds through the covers for four at the start of a highly eventful over.

Next ball, Symonds missed a catchable caught-and-bowled chance off Joyce to his left before keeper Adam Gilchrist allowed a tough inside edge to go past him for three.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting suffered a hip injury in training and was replaced by Victoria batsman Brad Hodge, leaving Adam Gilchrist to captain the unbeaten leader of the limited-overs tri-series.

South Australia fast bowler Shaun Tait was handed a one-day international debut by Australia.

Tait opened the bowling with Bracken and bowled with real pace, but did little in an initial five-over spell apart from drop Joyce while resting inbetween overs at deep point.

He returned in the 21st over but could not find the breakthrough, conceding five wides down leg-side after being spanked to the deep cover fence by Joyce.

England, left out ill batsman Paul Collingwood and brought in debutant Ravi Bopara and paceman Sajid Mahmood, who replaced Chris Tremlett.

Bopara is a 21-year-old all rounder who plies his trade with Essex in English county cricket. He averages 34 with the bat and 50 with the ball in 48 first-class matches.

Boycott lauds comeback man Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly's comeback to Team India has earned him rich praise around the cricket world.

The latest to join the chorus is former England opener and well-known commentator Geoffrey Boycott.

"I am very happy that Sourav Ganguly is back into the Indian team. He is the best captain India had for a long time and he is mentally very tough,"Boycott says.

Boycott, who is in India to promote a cricket reality show said Ganguly had shown great mental strength to regain his place in the Indian team.