English women on top

English women maintained their supremacy in world cricket as they beat New Zealand by six wickets in the final of Twenty20 World Cup at Lord’s here on Sunday. They had won the One-Day International World Cup beating the same opposition earlier this year in March.

The game had no trappings of a final and was heavily loaded in the home side’s favour after New Zealand was all out with just 85 on the board. Fast bowler Katherine Brunt was the chief tormentor. She ran through the top order to return with astonishing figures of 4-0-6-3 that strangled the White Ferns.

Only four Kiwi batters could get into the double figures with Amy Satterthwaite top-scoring with a painstaking 19 churned off 42 balls. Nicola Shaw and Jenny Gunn were the other English bowlers who proved too good for their rivals, scalping two wickets each as the New Zealanders paraded to the pavilion.

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Indians to maintain their supremecy in T20

India registered a commanding win against Australia in their one-off T-20 encounter at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.While the Indian bowlers restricted the Australians to 166 for 5, the Indian batsmen - led by opener Gautam Gambhir - knocked off the runs with ease in 18.1 overs for the loss of just three wickets.Gambhir, taking off from T20 World Championship finals against Pakistan, scored a brilliant 63 in 52 balls, including six boundaries and one six. Gambhir was awarded the Man of the Match award for his brilliant innings.



Earlier, the Indian innings got off to a shaky start with openers Virender Sehwag and Gambhir being watchful against the Australian opening pace duo of Brett Lee and Nathan Bracken.The rusty Sehwag (5) didn't last long, edging a Lee delivery for a comfortable catch to wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist.But a quick-fire 82-run partnership between Uthappa and Gambhir threatened to take the game away from the Australians. Their charge was curtailed by part-time left-arm spinner Michael Clarke struck in the 11th over, as Uthappa was caught behind.Thereafter, while Gambhir fell post an exciting half-century, Yuvraj Singh tore into the Aussie bowlers and, along with skipper MS Dhoni, propelled India to a famous win, which was sealed with a trademark Dhoni six.




The day began with Australia winning the toss and electing to bat.The Australian innings got off to a shaky start with Adam Gilchrist falling in the very first over.Despite Gilchrist's (12) wicket - bowled by RP Singh - Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting led the assault against the Indian bowlers, smashing a blistering 76 off 53 balls, which included 13 boundaries.After Gilchrist's dismissal, Ponting shared a crucial 48-run partnership with Mathew Hayden (17).However, just when it seemed that things were getting out of hand, Hayden dragged a Harbhajan Singh delivery back onto his stumps.Hayden's fall brought the Andrew Symonds to the wicket, but the dangerous right-hander didn't last long, as he was run out by Harbhajan Singh after scoring 20 runs.Thereafter, Brad Hodge (2) joined Ponting, but failed to contribute significantly, as he was bowled by Irfan Pathan in the 15th over.Michael Clarke (24*) then joined Ponting as they looked to attack the Indian bowlers in the final few overs.Although they struggled to impose themselves on the Indian bowlers, the 18th over brought some respite as and undisciplined Sreesanth was taken for 22 runs.Ponting fell in the 19th over bowled by Irfan Pathan in a bid to further accelerate the scoring.For the Indians, spinners Harbhajan Singh and Murali Karthik were the key, as they strangled the Australian batsmen. Singh was especially economical, giving away just 17 runs in his four overs while picking up one wicket.

With this win, India have maintained not only maintained their edge over the ODI champions in the shortest version of the game but also built much-needed momentum before heading down under later this year.

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India through to the semis

Team Young India has a point to prove and they are well on their way to proving it in the best possible manner. India's victory over hosts South Africa and subsequent entry into the semi-finals is a boost for new captain Dhoni and a shot in the arm for the youngsters who have demonstrated tremendous courage and determination. They are now in a position of strength against an Australian that has seemed vulnerable in this tournament with its two losses. If Young India can defeat them, it will set the stage for a tour that is going to be extremely hard fought because the Australians are known to pick themselves up from their defeats and come back on top.

But, what happens if they lose? There aren't too many people expecting them to win against Australia and a loss will not be very hard to digest. However, what they must be congratulated for is the fact that they have reached the semi-finals after bowing out from the World Cup not so long ago. The old guard is going to put down their bats soon and competition is fierce for the lucre that has come to be associated with the sport.

But, all that remains to be said at the end is, "We did it!!!"