1st August 2006
Hi friends !

It seems that the test matches are really happening. While England stormed back to form with the most comprehensive victory over Pakistan in the 2nd test at Old Trafford taking a 1-0 series lead, the home team at Colombo, beat South Africa and made one record breaking partnership of 624 that will be remembered in the history of cricket for ages to come.

Steve Harmision Pakistan's batsmen failed for the second time in the match as England completed victory by an innings and 120 runs inside three days in the second Test at Old Trafford Left-arm spinner Monty Panesar broke Pakistan's backbone by dismissing the tourists' prized middle order trio Younis Khan , Mohammad Yousuf and Inzamam-ul-Haq during a wonderful spell that stretched from the 11th over throughout the remainder of the day. He took a Test-best 5 for 72 and fast bowler Stephen Harmison 5 for 57 as Pakistan, replying to England's first innings 461 for 9 declared, were bowled out for 222 in their second innings with more than two days to spare. Harmison, who'd taken 6 for 19 in Pakistan's meager first innings 119 all out, in which Younis Khan was the highest scorer with 44, finished with a match haul of 11 for 76 - the first time he'd taken 10 or more wickets in a Test. England's Alastair Cook (127) and Ian Bell (106 not out) earlier both scored their second successive Test hundreds after they had each reached three figures in the drawn series opener at Lord's. Harmisson was declared the man of the match. The third Test starts at Headingley on Friday. Read more...
:: More News
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Murali spins South Africa to their doom
Sachin felt let down by Dravid's declaration
Pakistan perish in Panesar web
:: Sangakkara, Jayawardene smash their way in record books
Mahela Jayawardene Mahela Jayawardene's staggering knock of 374,all time 4th highest ever made by any cricketer, demolished the South African attack as he recorded best ever test partnership with Kumar Sangakkara, in the history of Test cricket. Jayawardene (374), and Sangakkara (287 ) with their classic partnership of 624 outshined the nine-year Test record for any wicket of 576 set by Sanath Jayasuriya and Roshan Mahanama made against the Indians. Jayawardene crossed West Indian Sir Garfield Sobers' 365 not out and was one run away from equaling Brian Lara's 1994 feat of 375 against England. " Sanath has been such a great player and to be able to pass him is something great. I am disappointed not to have got to the 400 mark. " said Jayawardene. His 15th three-figure knock had 43 boundaries and a sixer as the exhausted South African bowling attack wilted in the sub continent heat. The 29-year-old, who declared the Lankan innings at the fall of his wicket, received a standing ovation from the fans as he returned after a marathon innings lasting 12 hours and 42 minutes in sultry weather at the Sri Lankan capital. Ultimately, Sri Lanka's spinners knocked South Africa over, securing victory by an innings and 153 runs in a Test match that will be remembered for years to come for the brilliant record-breaking partnership. More...
That's all we have this week. There's plenty of cricket coming up next week, with Bangladesh and Zimbabwe one day matches and the test match teams gearing up for the next test series. Amidst all this excitement, do not forget to write at nik@corp.123india.com. See you soon
With Warm Regards,
Nik - Editor, 123India.com Cricket
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:: ScoreZone
Pakistan in England
PAK v ENG (2nd Test) Old Trafford , 27th- 31st July
South Africa in Sri lanka
SAF v SRL (1st Test) Colombo , 27th- 31st July
Bangladesh in Zimbabwe
BAN v ZIM (1st ODI) Harare , 29th July BAN v ZIM (2nd ODI) Harare , 30th July
:: BattleNext
Bangladesh in Zimbabwe
BAN v ZIM (3rd ,4th & 5th ODI) Harare, 2nd, 4th & 6th August

Pakistan in England
PAK v ENG (3rd Test) Headingley, 4th- 8th August

South Africa in Sri Lanka
SAF v SRL (2nd Test) Colombo, 4th- 8th August
:: Did you know ?
Sachin Tendulkar scored a duck on his ODI debut.
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