Alastair Cook's ton, stand with Prior give England hope in first Test

November 19, 2012

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Ahmedabad, November 19: Despite Umesh Yadav's two wickets in two balls and Pragyan Ojha's two wickets in a span of two overs, India couldn't press home the advantage, what with one Mr. Alastair Cook standing between the hosts and victory on Day 4 of the first Test.

England skipper Cook (batting on 168) and Matt Prior (batting on 84) taught their teammates a lesson in application as England finished the day at 340/5 - a lead of 10 runs - with Cook still at the crease after a marathon 505-minute vigil in which he faced 341 balls.

Cook's hundred was his third against India and the 21st of his career. He also became the only cricketer to score three hundreds in his first three Tests as skipper. His other two hundreds came against Bangladesh in Chittagong and Mirpur.

Cook also put on 141 runs in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand with Prior, who has faced 190 balls so far and hit 10 fours, to help England sail towards respectability. India are still in a dominant position, though, setting up a tantalizing final day's play.

Cook and Prior's innings restored England's belief in their ability to handle India's spinners on turning tracks after the debacle in the first innings. No wonder batting coach Graham Gooch, who himself saw enough of India's spinners during his playing days, was all praise for Cook's efforts.

"This lad has had a great temperament from when he first started and made his debut here. He proved even then the priceless skill of knowing how to play in different situations.

From the outset he knew what he could do and what he couldn't do and he still has that skill today. He crafted a century today. It wasn't a flamboyant innings, he did the job that was necessary," said Gooch.

But before Cook and Prior took over, there were some tense moments in the English camp soon after play started on Sunday. Nick Compton tried his best to discipline himself but was lucky to survive a leg-before appeal and a sure-shot stumping in R Ashwin's second and third over of the day.

Aleem Dar turned down what looked like an easy chance when Compton was wrapped on the pad after playing slightly forward to one that was pitched outside off and turning just a bit. Then MS Dhoni failed to collect one that kept a little low than expected when Compton stepped out.

Compton was uncomfortable against spin and he also looked uncomfortable against Zaheer Khan's seam-up stuff. Zaheer was troubling him coming round the wicket and got one to come in with the angle to trap Compton in front and get the first breakthrough.

Ojha then got into the act, bowling a beauty to Jonathan Trott, who could only push his bat out and manage a faint edge. Then it was the turn of Pietersen, who is fast turning into Ojha's dummy.

For the second time in two days, KP was bowled around his legs, this time attempting a costly sweep to an overpitched delivery.

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News Network
May 1,2020

Melbourne, May 1: Reclaiming the top spot in Test cricket has brought smiles back on their faces but Australia coach Justin Langer says beating India in their own den remains the ultimate test and their numero uno status will be put to test when they clash with the Virat Kohli-led team.

After a tumultuous transition phase post the ball-tampering scandal, Australia on Friday displaced India as number one side in Test format but Langer is aware that it does not take long for the situation to change.

"We recognise how fluid these rankings are, but at this time it was certainly nice to put a smile on our faces," Langer told Cricket Australia website. "We've got lots of work to do to get to be the team that we want to be, but hopefully over the last couple of years not only have we performed well on the field, but also off the field," Langer added.

The former left-handed opener underlined what he felt will be the ultimate test of character.

"Certainly a goal for us has been the World Test Championship ... but ultimately, we have to beat India in India and we've got to beat them when they come back (to Australia).

"You can only judge yourself as being the best if you beat the best and we've got some really tough opposition to come," Langer put his priorities in place. The team he insists needs to get better as now others will come gunning for them.

"Getting to No.1 is a great thing, but when you're No.1, you're always the hunted," Langer said. "We've been the hunters for a while, now we're the hunted and we need to get better and better."

Langer also hoped that white ball team under Aaron Finch will win the World Cup. "I know how hard it is to win World Cups ... everything has to go right. One day, I'd love to see Aaron Finch with all his mates lift that T20 World Cup above his head."

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News Network
June 25,2020

New Delhi, Jun 25: India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Thursday called the 1983 World Cup win as the 'landscape' changing moment for the game of cricket in the country.

Today, India is celebrating the completion of the 37 years of the maiden World Cup triumph under the leadership of Kapil Dev.

"Today 37 years ago, changed the cricketing landscape in India. Thank you @therealkapildev and team for making the game a career for many of us today. Deeply indebted," Ashwin tweeted.

In 1983, in the finals between India and West Indies, the latter won the toss and opted to bowl first.

The Kapil Dev-led side managed to score just 183 runs as Andy Roberts took three wickets while Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding, and Larry Gomes picked up two wickets each.

Defending 183, India did a good job of keeping a check on the Windies run flow, reducing the side to 57/3.

Soon after, the team from the Caribbean was reduced to 76/6 and India was the favourites from there on to win the title.

Mohinder Amarnath took the final wicket of Michael Holding to give India their first-ever World Cup title win.

In the finals, West Indies was bowled out for 140, and as a result, India won the match by 43 runs.

Kapil Dev lifting the trophy at the balcony of Lord's Cricket Ground still remains an image to savour for all the Indian fans.

In the finals, Mohinder Amarnath was chosen as the Man of the Match as he scored 26 runs with the bat and also picked up three wickets with the ball.

India has been the regular participant in the World Cup from its beginning to the latest edition. The first edition was held in 1975 and from there on, it has taken place after a span of every four years.

West Indies won the first two World Cup titles (1975, 1979) and was the runner-up in 1983. India has won the title two times, in 1983 and in 2011.

MS Dhoni captained the 2011 team to win their second title after 28 years. Australia has won the tournament five times (1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2015).

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News Network
June 10,2020

Kingston, Jun 10: "Enough is enough", said West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo as he opened up on the raging issue of racism and called for "respect and equality" for black people, who have faced discrimination for years.

Bravo joined the likes of his former captain Darren Sammy and Chris Gayle in denouncing racism in the wake of African-American George Floyd's killing at the hands of a white police officer in the USA.

"It's sad to see what's going on around the world. As a black man, we know the history of what black people have been through. We never ask for revenge, we ask for equality and respect. That's it," Bravo told former Zimbabwe cricketer Pommie Mbangwa in an Instagram live chat on Tuesday.

"We give respect to others. Why is it that we are facing this over and over? Now enough is enough. We just want equality. We don't want revenge, war.

"We just want respect. We share love and appreciate people for who they are. That's what is most important."

The 36-year-old, who has played 40 Tests, 164 ODIs and 71 T20Is for West Indies, said he wants the world to know that they are powerful and beautiful people and gave the example of greats such as Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan.

"I just want our brothers and sisters to know that we are powerful and beautiful. And at the end of the day, you look at some of the greats of the world, whether it is Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan we have had leaders who paved the way for us," he said.

Two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain Sammy had earlier alleged that a racist nickname was used to address him during his IPL stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad and demanded an apology.

Sammy said he was called 'Kalu' while he was in India. 'Kalu' is a derogatory word to describe black people.

Gayle, who too plays in the IPL, took to Twitter to back Sammy, saying that racism does exist in cricket.

"It's never too late to fight for the right cause or what you've experienced over the years! So much more to your story, @darensammy88. Like I said, it's in the game!!," Gayle tweeted.

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