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Guyana need another 287 runs on the final day against the Windward Islands at the Providence Stadium to register their first win in the competition. The Guyana players will be upbeat about their chances since it is just seven runs more than their first-innings total. Half-centuries by Camilus Alexander, Darren Sammy and Donwell Hector took Windwards to 375 for 9 before captain Rawl Lewis declared, giving his bowlers eight overs to have a go at the Guyana. But openers Christopher Barnwell and Sewnarine Chattergoon batted out till stumps without any mishaps. A win will take Guyana to sixth place ahead of Combined Colleges and Campuses.Leeward Islands improved their chances of moving up two places on the points table after Gavin Tonge’s spell of 3 for 37 rocked Jamaica‘s chances of chasing 204 on the final day in Kingston. However Jamaica still have Xavier Marshall at the crease, unbeaten on 60, and need another 106 to win and extend their lead at the top of the table. Wilden Cornwall’s 102, amid a collapse, took Leewards to 202 in their second innings. The visitors will take heart from the fact that the highest innings total in the game was their first-innings 221. Spinners Nikita Miller, Odean Brown and Gavin Wallace took two wickets each for Jamaica.But Jamaica’s No.1 spot is not in much danger of being usurped any time soon with Barbados (51 points) staring at defeat after following on against Trinidad & Tobago at Pointe-a-Pierre. Ravi Rampaul took four wickets in the day – two each in either innings – to take his match tally to seven as Barbados trailed T&T by 67 runs in their second innings. Dwayne Smith and Patrick Browne scored half-centuries but Barbados still managed a first-innings deficit of 232. Their second innings began just fractionally better than the first – Rampaul dismissed opener Jason Haynes (9) for the second time in the match – with the first wicket falling with 22 on the board. Jason Parris, who fell to Rampaul for a duck on day two, turned in a much better performance to score a maiden first-class half-century before he took became Rampaul’s victim for the second time in the game. Parris and Kevin Stoute (60) added 99 together before Imran Khan dismissed Stoute late in the day.

Match facts

Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Start time 19:00 local, (13:30 GMT)

The Big Picture

It’s the first Twenty20 international in Sri Lanka. India overwhelmed the home side in the five-match ODI series and are again favourites for the Twenty20 game. India are winners of the ICC World Twenty20 and Sri Lanka are without several key players, but the format gives the underdogs an outside chance to spring a surprise. More than the result, however, this match allows Sri Lanka to try out a few players. The return of Lasith Malinga is undoubtedly the high point and Dilhara Lokuhettige, reputed to be a Twenty20 specialist, should get a chance to show his skills.For India, it’s a nice way to round up a successful tour. Everyone in the squad has got at least one game in the ODI series and it could be just a fun night in the park for the Indians.

Twenty20 form guide (most recent first)

India LWWWW
Sri Lanka WWLWL

Watch out for …

Dilhara Lokuhettige You can’t be a bad Twenty20 player when your favourite cricketing stroke is the lofted drive. In 2007, he was a big hit in the Hong Kong sixes and increased his reputation in the inaugural Twenty20 provincial tournament in 2008. Lokuhettige is a low orderbatsman who can be a more than useful seam-up bowler.Virender Sehwag Yuvraj Singh is the easy pick for this slot. However, Sehwag, who has failed in his last two ODIs, will seek to finish the tour on a high. He averages 21.50 from nine games, with a highest of 68.

Teams

India are likely to bring in Zaheer Khan for L Balaji. Sachin Tendulkar has already returned to India and Ravindra Jadeja, who made an immediate impression on ODI debut, should get a spot tomorrow.India: (likely) 1 Virender Sehwag, 2 Gautam Gambhir, 3 Yuvraj Singh 4 Suresh Raina, 5 Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt/wk),6 Yusuf Pathan 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Rohit Sharma, 9 Zaheer Khan, 10 Praveen Kumar 11 Ishant Sharma 12 Irfan Pathan.Dilshan is slated to keep for Sri Lanka, even though 35-year-old Indika de Saram, a wicketkeeper-batsman who played a few games for Sri Lanka between 1999 and 2001, is in the squad. Mahela Udawatte, Malinga Bandara and Jeevantha Kulatunga are not likely to play.Sri Lanka: (likely): 1 Sanath Jayasuriya, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt/wk), 3 Chamara Silva, 4 Chamara Kapugedera, 5 Jehan Mubarak, 6 Farveez Maharoof, 7 Dilhara Lokuhettige 8 Kaushalya Weeraratne, 9 Thilan Thushara, 10 Dilhara Fernando, 11 Lasith Malinga.

Pitch and conditions

The pitch is expected to be the same as the one from the ODI games.

Stats & Trivia

• Dilshan averages 17 in 11 games but it increases to 22 when he has played as a ‘keeper-batsman.
• Ishant Sharma has played just one Twenty20 game. It was India’s last Twenty20 game that was played against Australia in February 2008.
  

  Quotes

  “[Lasith] Malinga is coming back into the side after a long while, and he has been bowling well in the nets and domestic one-dayers. He is in good form and good to have him back in the side.”
  “We have to enjoy the Twenty20 game, and that is important. We are trying to enjoy the game while giving our best.”

Two wickets and a spectacular catch gave audiences the impression that Cameron White’s focus had never been sharper, but the allrounder admitted his thoughts were elsewhere during Sunday’s win against New Zealand. White spent much of the morning watching television coverage of the Victorian bushfires that have claimed at least 111 lives, many of them from the Gippsland region from which he hails.White’s aunt lost three friends over the weekend, and Victoria’s captain remains in regular contact with his mother, who is in the vicinity of several other blazes. The harrowing tales of loss and scenes of devastation prompted him, along with James Hopes, to request black armbands be worn by players at the SCG in recognition of the many victims, and White said his mind was never far from those affected by bushfires described as the worst in Australia’s history.”It really hits home when you have been to a lot of the places and know what they were like before the fires, and now to see them totally destroyed in some places,” White said. “I was on the internet after the game looking at the photos and reading the stories, and just thinking how lucky I am to be doing what I am doing and that my house is still standing.”Some of the fires are pretty close to where I grew up. My mum is not far away from a couple of the fires so I am calling her a fair bit, and her sister lost three close friends over the weekend. It is awful what’s happening, and everyone is grateful to all the firefighters out there who are doing their best.”White’s Victoria team-mate Peter Siddle also comes from the Gippsland region, and it is understood his brothers have also lost friends. Siddle will join the one-day squad in Adelaide on Monday, and is favoured to play the final two matches against New Zealand.Cricket Australia, in conjunction with Channel Nine and the Commonwealth Bank, will stage a bushfire appeal to coincide with the one-day international in Adelaide on Tuesday. The Australian squad will donate their match fees of A$67,000.White said the move had the full support of the Australian players, and hoped the funds would help. “We have all been following it pretty closely; we had the TV on in the dressing room,” White said. “[The bushfire appeal] is a great cause, and it is always good when cricket can reach out and help in that sort of way.”Cricket Victoria will on Monday hold discussions as to how it might help in the relief effort. Exhibition matches, equipment donations and an appeal surrounding the FR Cup final – should they host the game – are among the moves under consideration.

Group A

National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) took pole position against Pakistan Customs at the National Bank of Pakistan Sports Complex in Karachi. Mohammad Talha’s 5 for 44 provided little joy for the visitors after captain Bilal Shafayat chose to bat. After both openers had departed for ducks, it was left to Rameez Aziz to fight a lone battle – his 73-ball 52 the top score in a disappointing total of 130. Nasir Jamshed led the charge during the reply with a powerful unbeaten 96, and together with Fawad Alam (61 not out) helped NBP extend their lead to 73 at the end of the first day.Misbah Khan’s five-wicket haul and a strong opening stand from Ali Asad and Murtaza Majeed gave Karachi Whites opening day honours against Habib Bank Limited (HBL) at the Southend Club Cricket Stadium in Karachi. Misbah’s right-arm offbreaks proved too much for HBL as they were bowled out for 176, with Ahmed Shehzad top scoring with 50. During their reply, Asad led from the front with 58 from 105 balls, including eight fours, while Murtaza kept him company with a 83-ball 35. They were 95 for no loss at the end of play and are well on course for the first-innings lead.Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited did well restrict Lahore Shalimar to 176 for 7 in their match at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground. Abid Ali and Muntazir Mehdi put on 34 for the opening wicket after being put in by the visitors. But four wickets fell with the score on 76 – severe blows dealt by Rahat Ali and Samiullah Khan. Captain Zulqarnain Haidar and Mohammad Saeed did well to buoy the innings and took Lahore safely to stumps. Rahat picked up 3 for 24, while Samiullah and Imran Ali picked up two wickets each.Imran Abbas’ patient 82, off 217 balls, helped Sui Southern Gas Corporation shake off the disappointment of their heavy loss to HBL in the previous match, as they reached 206 for 6, on the opening day of their match against Group A toppers Pakistan International Airlines at Quaid-e-Azam Park. Tahir Khan ended as the most successful bowler for Pakistan International Airlines with two wickets, while Fahad Iqbal starred in the field, playing a part in both run-outs of the innings.Azhar Attari and Junaid Nadir were the wreckers-in-chief as they helped Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) shoot out Water and Power Development Authority for 199 at the Sheikhupura Stadium. In reply, ZTBL finished on 37 for 1, with Afaq Raheem and Umar Javed at the crease. Having been put in by ZTBL, the Water and Power Development Authority openers put on a 53-run opening stand, but a collapse ensued at the end, as none of the batsmen even managed to cross 40.

Group B

Usman Tariq’s 65 was the highlight of Multan’s first innings against Faisalabad at Okara. In the 54 overs on the first day, Multan were 153 for 4, with Usman and Naved Yasin at the crease. Usman, whose 135-ball effort included eleven boundaries, was involved in two key partnerships – 49 with Gulraiz Sadaf for the second wicket, and 50 with Rameez Alam for the third. Zahoor Khan was the most successful bowler for Faisalabad picking up 3 for 62.Rashid Mansoor put Abbottabad in the driver’s seat in their match against Karachi Blues at the United Bank Limited Sports Complex. Abbottabad captain Adnan Raees’ decision to field first paid off as Rashid tore through the Karachi batting line-up. The right-arm fast bowler ended with 6 for 76, as only Ashfaq Afridi (38) and Daniyal Ahsan (33) offered some resistance. However, the hosts responded strongly to reduce Abbottabad to 13 for 3, before a 92-run partnership between Fawad Khan (62) and Adnan (40) propped them up. Riaz Kail and Rashid Mansoor then guided them safely to 146 for 5 at stumps.Quetta made a cautious start after opting to bat, on the opening day of their fixture against Lahore Ravi at Muridke. Ata-ur-Rehman missed out on a half century but Mohammad Aslam, who remained unbeaten on 48, took Quetta to 181 for 4 at stumps, after 66 overs were played in the day. For Lahore Ravi, Azam Khan finished with 2 for 40, while Aamer Hayat and Kashif Siddiq took a wicket apiece.Rawalpindi kept up a high run-rate of 3.78 to post 231 for 5 against Group B leaders Sialkot in Islamabad. From 8 for 2, after twin strikes from Naved Arif, Babar Naeem (79) and captain Naved Ashraf helped mount a strong comeback. Ashraf, hit an unbeaten 64, which comprised nine boundaries and together with Fawad Hussain put on a 69-run partnership to take Rawalpindi through to stumps.

With their pride dented after they failed to defend the Ranji crown last year, Mumbai started this season with honest intentions of bouncing back. Going into their final league match, things couldn’t have been more positive: with 26 points, Mumbai lead Group A and are the only team in the Super League to have won four matches outright.The main target for them, against Punjab at the Brabourne Stadium, will be to finish at the top. The confidence shows in that they have already announced their starting XI. The favourites are also in a position to experiment: Dhawal Kulkarni, the highest wicket-taker this season, has been rested. Kulkarni has become Mumbai’s strike weapon despite Ajit Agarkar’s presence in the side. Agarkar, who has not had a great season so far, will miss his second game in a row because of a viral fever.Wasim Jaffer felt the challenge for the other fast bowlers was to emulate Kulkarni. “He [Kulkarni] has been exceptional, has been the key to our victories, and it is now for the others to perform,” Jaffer said.Mumbai will continue trying different combinations after having given opportunities to the second string of Kshemal Waingankar, Rahil Shaikh and Ankeet Chavan against Orissa. While Abhishek Nayar, Rajesh Verma, Usman Malvi and Ramesh Powar will come back, Waingankar, Sairaj Bahutule, Vinayak Mane and Sahil Kukreja will be missing.Malvi was benched in the previous round while Verma was unfortunate to miss the campaign, having suffered a freak injury after he slipped in his house just before the tournament started. Powar, who was rested against Orissa, was never in doubt as he has been Mumbai’s premier spinner even as Bahutule has struggled to find form. The selectors opted to give the senior legspinner a break, and young left-arm spinner Chavan another chance. Kukreja will miss his second game this season, having struggled in the first innings of prior matches.Nayar, who has missed the season so far because of dengue, is a key inclusion. His proven abilities with both ball and bat are vital for Mumbai, who still have a few creases to iron out. Their middle order has not been consistent. Amol Muzumdar’s form (an average of 25.44 and two half-centuries in six matches) is a matter of concern, as the inconsistency of Rohit Sharma, who has not done much apart from a century in one session against Rajasthan. Rohit, having played only three matches, has the leeway that Muzumdar doesn’t.With the ball, Mumbai would like to wrap up tails faster than they have been doing so far. “We have had long conversations about our weak points,” Jaffer said. “With Sachin [Tendulkar] and Zaheer [Khan] expected to join from the quarter-finals, the challenge now is for the players to perform and cement their places.”Pankaj Dharmani, Punjab’s captain, conceded that the visitors had only a thin chance of upsetting Mumbai, but Jaffer was not willing to relax. “There is no reason why we should not go flat out. If Gujarat win outright, and we take first-innings [lead] they finish on top, so we need make sure we win,” he said.Jaffer will not mind the absence of Manpreet Gony, though. Gony, who shot to fame during the inaugural IPL, has been forced to sit out because of a shoulder injury. Punjab do not want to risk aggravating the injury to his bowling shoulder, which he picked in the previous game against Hyderabad. “He has a slight tendinosis [muscle pull] in his right shoulder, and even though it is mild he needs to rest it,” said Nikhil NP, Punjab’s physio.Gony, the second-highest wicket-taker (15) for Punjab, could have been influential on a pitch that Dharmani thought was “pace-friendly”. The responsibility now lies with their best bowler, Gagandeep Singh (19 wickets), who is likely to be supported by Siddarth Kaul and Amanpreet Singh, with Sarabjit Ladda being the main spinner. Ladda, who took a career-best 9 for 111 against Hyderabad last week, turned the match on its head to help Punjab register their second victory.Punjab have never managed to scale the heights they achieved under the guidance of Inthikab Alam, the Pakistan legend, who was their coach in 2004-05 and 2005-06. They reached the final in 2004-05, but later suffered a huge loss when many established players defected to the ICL. Dharmani admitted it was a developing squad, and his only message to the team was that they had a mountain to climb. “Mumbai are the team to beat, and so they need to rise to the occasion.”Teams
Mumbai: Wasim Jaffer (capt.), Ajinkya Rahane, Amol Muzumdar, Rohit Sharma, Abhishek Nayar, Ramesh Powar, Vinayak Samant (wk), Ankeet Chavan, Usman Malvi, Rajesh Verma, and Rahil Shaikh.
Punjab (probable): Pankaj Dharmani (capt.), Sunny Sohal, Karan Goel, Ravi Inder Singh, Uday Kaul (wk), Ankur Kakkar, Varun Khanna, Gagandeep Singh, Siddharth Kaul, Sarabjit Ladda, and Amanpreet Singh

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

This Test series only consists of two matches, but Andrew Strauss has already batted for longer than some players manage in full-length contests. He followed up his first-innings century with a composed, unbeaten 73 on the third day in Chennai as England built a strong lead of 247, leaving them superbly placed to push for one of their unlikeliest Test victories. Paul Collingwood helped him add 129 for the fourth wicket and by the close India were walking around without much energy or purpose.The home side face a huge challenge to try and salvage the game. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh added 75 to limit the first-innings deficit, before the last four wickets fell for 29. Even though the equation was evened up when England slipped to 43 for 3, the crucial moment came in the over after Kevin Pietersen had fallen to Yuvraj Singh’s first ball. Strauss, on 15 at the time, went to cut Amit Mishra, a shot that has brought him so many runs in this match, and a thin edge was spilled by Dhoni. It would have made the score 43 for 4 with the Indian spinners bounding in.Apart from that blemish, Strauss was again in complete control at the crease, playing himself in against the early pace and then playing to his strengths against the spin. He has barely produced a shot down the ground during more than 10 hours at the crease, scoring most of his runs with well-controlled sweeps and his favourite cut. Batting in the subcontinent is a draining experience, both mentally and physically, so to back up a first-innings century puts Strauss on course for his finest Test. If he converts this start into a second hundred it will surpass Port Elizabeth in 2004-05 when he scored 126 and an unbeaten 94.After Ishant Sharma, who struggled with no-balls and overstepped seven times, removed Alastair Cook with a thin outside edge it was the spinners who provided the major threat, although Harbhajan was a disappointment. The pitch offered encouragement, but it also looked worse that it played. As in the first innings Mishra was introduced in the ninth over and produced one that bounced more from a length to take Ian Bell’s glove to short leg.Then came the latest Dhoni masterstroke. As soon as Pietersen walked in Yuvraj was brought into the attack. All of England’s batsmen have struggled with Yuvraj, both in the one-dayers and this Test, but as much against his sliders as his spin. His first delivery angled in with the arm, trapping Pietersen in front and the England captain knew his fate before the finger went up.

Collingwood was the perfect man to walk into a dicey situation which needed some grafting. He was the ideal partner for Strauss, someone to work the gaps and run hard between the wickets. India’s fielding has improved out of sight in recent times, but they still carry a few passengers and the England pair harried them on occasions.Mishra became a touch expensive as Strauss put him off his line and Collingwood came down the pitch. It was pleasing to see an England batsman advance, and although Collingwood didn’t always convince – he lofted one narrowly over Yuvraj at mid-off – it was a statement that some of the first-innings batting lacked.Alongside spin, reverse swing was the other trump card Dhoni would have banked on. However, Sharma was struggling for rhythm and Zaheer couldn’t replicate his first-innings threat. It was noticeable that the two Indian players to show most frustration as the partnership grew were the strike-bowling pair of Zaheer and Harbhajan.Harbhajan had been much more feisty during the morning session as he and Dhonirattled up 75 in 17 overs and it appeared India would make a decent fist of getting level with England. Dhoni played a very mature innings and the more flamboyant shots came from Harbhajan, who has an individual style to his batting. When Monty Panesar went over the wicket, Harbhajan brought out the reverse sweep which left the bowler with a rather bemused smile.Panesar provided the breakthrough when Harbhajan got an inside edge to short leg. It was a confidence-boosting strike for Panesar, who had again seemed at odds with his game. Pietersen sensed the opening and almost immediately returned to Andrew Flintoff. Once again he was rewarded with a first-over breakthrough as Zaheer was trapped on the back foot by one that shaped in.Dhoni played within himself and brought up a half-century off 77 balls despite the pain of a twisted ankle which he picked up while running a three. However, with the final two tailenders in, he felt it was down to him to reduce the deficit and attacked Panesar, only to find Pietersen stationed two-thirds of the way back at mid-off. Panesar’s trademark smile was returning and his spirit will be vital when England defend their fourth-innings target. Thanks to the remarkable efforts of Strauss he should have plenty of runs to work with.

Scorecard
South Africa completed the formalities of a 2-0 series victory with a comfortable seven-wicket success in the second one-day international in Kimberley. Hashim Amla took his chance to impress with a 76-ball 78, and Jacques Kallis continued his return to form with an unbeaten 92, as South Africa eased to their target with nearly 15 overs to spare.Kenya did produce a better effort with the bat as Seren Waters, the 18-year-old, made an eye-catching 74 to provide further evidence of his talent. For the home side this has been a good chance to shake off the early-season cobwebs and both victories have come without much fuss. It was a useful exercise for their bowlers to have first use in this match, allowing them to hone their skills ahead of the Bangladesh series.After 4-0 defeat in England, South Africa were trying to re-establish their credentials as a top limited-overs unit. Two wins over Kenya don’t prove anything, but time in the middle is always of greater value than net sessions. Kallis used both games to good effect after a barren England trip, following his 71 in the first match with a clam and efficient innings to carry South Africa home. He hurried the match to a conclusion by attacking Hiren Varaiya and finished the game with a six off a free hit.Kallis said he had worked hard during the off season with former Western Province and England coach Duncan Fletcher. “It’s nice that the hard work has paid off,” he said. “You never stop learning in this game. The slight technical changes I have made have opened up a few new scoring options for me.”The run-chase platform had been laid by Amla, who was one of few bright spots during the loss to England after being handed a chance to open by Graeme Smith’s injury. The captain’s continued absence allowed him another chance and he cracked 13 boundaries, after taking 16 balls to get off the mark, as the Kenya bowlers continually fed his strengths of cutting and driving.Herschelle Gibbs went early, smartly caught at midwicket by Waters, but Amla and Kallis added 118 in 17 overs. Amla reached his first ODI fifty off 47 balls and was on course for a maiden century when he was caught behind off the left-arm spin off Varaiya.While Kenya cannot take many positives from their fielding effort, the performance of Waters, who was educated at Cranleigh school in England, gives them something to leave with. In his fourth ODI, Waters needed 105 balls to reach his half-century before hitting debutant Johann Louw for two fours and a six in the 35th over. Another boundary followed off Albie Morkel before he was beaten for pace and bowled for 74, but useful contributions from Thomas Odoyo and Jimmy Kamande ensured a respectable total.Morkel finished with three wickets, including that of Steve Tikolo caught behind for duck, while Louw collected his first international scalp early on when Maurice Ouma edged to Mark Boucher. Louw was handed his chance with Morne Morkel being rested and it was a chance for South Africa to test their reserve strength. Smith and Dale Steyn are hoping to return against Bangladesh, another series that should allow South Africa to ease into their season before they head to Australia in December. That will be where the challenge really starts.

The India opener Gautam Gambhir, who has appealed his one-Test ban for elbowing Shane Watson, is regularly on the lookout for a confrontation when he is batting, according to Australia’s Michael Hussey. Gambhir, who is the leading run-scorer in the series with 463, was punished for his run-in with Watson on the opening day of the third Test in Delhi and also argued heatedly with Simon Katich.”He looks around for it [chat], to be honest,” Hussey said. “It hasn’t been a plan of ours to go at him and talk or whatever … but I must admit he does go around the field looking to engage certain players and looking to get involved and that sort of thing.”So maybe that is part of his character, looking for a clash to try to pump himself up a bit more. He’s always looking to engage, not so much ‘g’day how are you going’, but an intense look. It’s quite funny really.”Hussey said Gambhir reminded him of Justin Langer because he was a “small and punchy little character”. “He’s a very good player and probably someone who has exceeded our expectations about how well he has played,” he said. “We’re sort of hoping he’ll miss the last Test but I think he’ll still play pending his appeal.” The South Africa judge Albie Sachs has been appointed to handle Gambhir’s case.India lead the series 1-0 and Hussey has noticed extra confidence in the home side, which has not been afraid to have a dig at the visitors in the three Tests thus far. In Bangalore, Zaheer Khan called the Australians defensive, an accusation supported by VVS Laxman over the past week, while Gambhir successfully stirred his opponents, even before the elbow incident.”They have got a team that’s very, very experienced, a lot of seasoned, hardened international players and they know their games very well,” Hussey said. “They are quite confident about their games and perhaps in our team we haven’t got the 80-90-100-Test players they have. So they probably see themselves as a bit superior in the experience stakes and maybe aren’t scared of giving a little bit back.”Hussey was pleased Australia’s younger players had not been intimidated. “The good thing I have seen is the guys who have only played 15 to 20 Tests or less haven’t backed down from that,” he said. “They haven’t just taken it on the chin, they’ve been willing to bite back. We don’t want to go over the top, but if a guy is going to needle you you’re not going to back away from it.”

The battle between the bottom two teams in the tournament ended with Mumbai Champs completing a 58-run victory against the Delhi Giants in Gurgaon. It was Mumbai’s first victory in the league, after five defeats, and it came soon after their coach Sandeep Patil had stepped down.Mumbai’s batting clicked after they were put into bat and substantial contributions from Dheeraj Jadhav, Hasan Raza and Ranjit Khirid helped them to a competitive 174. Their bowlers put up a strong defence and Avinash Yadav’s terrific spell of 4 for 18 crippled Delhi’s chase. The home team was dismissed for 116 in the 17.3 overs.Jadhav laid the platform for Mumbai’s total, after they had lost two wickets for 44 runs, with a solid half-century. He found the boundary in each of the first five overs – thrice behind square leg, once over extra cover and over mid-on – but ensured he did not fritter a start. He settled down after Taufeeq Umar was bowled by Abid Nabi and added 72 for the third wicket with Hasan Raza. Jadhav eventually fell for 59, lofting Ali Murtaza to Shane Bond at long-off.The crucial push to the innings came from Raza and Ranjit Khirid, who scored 43 each in quick time. Raza got going by hitting Jai P Yadav over the midwicket boundary and was lucky to survive a dropped catch on the cover boundary when on 15. He favoured the leg side, smashing Shalabh Srivastava for a six over midwicket and a four towards fine leg in the 12th over.Khirid was on 14 when Raza holed out to long-on in the 18th over and he stepped up and took charge. He lifted Nabi for a massive six over the sight-screen and then deposited Srivastava over the boundaries at cover and square leg in the penultimate over to end the innings with a flourish.Delhi’s chase was shaken, after a brisk beginning, when Monish Mishra top-edged to short fine leg and Marvan Atapattu was caught behind off Anupam Sanklecha, leaving them on 36 for 2. S Abbas Ali was trying to build momentum when a flurry of wickets permanently derailed the innings.Dhruv Mahajan was bowled off an inside edge by Khirid with the score on 71 and in the next over – the 11th – Abbas became the first of Yadav’s four wickets. Yadav wrecked the lower-middle order, having Abhinav Bali caught at sweeper and Paul Nixon at cover. In between those dismissals Delhi lost Jai P Yadav and Nabi to run-outs and, at 103 for 8, the contest was over.

Opener Leah Poulton has regained her place in Australia’s squad for the upcoming series against India, which starts in Sydney in late October. Poulton and Lauren Ebsary were named in the 14-player squad with Sarah Andrews and Renee Chappell dropped from the group that won the Rose Bowl in New Zealand earlier this year.The India series begins with a Twenty20 international on October 28, followed by five ODIs in Sydney and Canberra. The games will be Poulton’s first chance to impress at international level since she was dropped following the quadrangular tournament in India in March 2007.A powerful opener, Poulton announced her arrival on the international scene with a brilliant century against New Zealand in Brisbane in October 2006 and she will be desperate to return to that sort of form against India. Ebsary, a Western Australia allrounder, is yet to make her international debut.The series will also be Australia’s first under their new coach Richard McInnes, who was formerly the performance analyst with the Australia men’s team. McInnes took the reins of the women’s squad in July and he said the India games would be an important step along the way as Australia prepared for next year’s World Cup and World Twenty20 tournaments.”We’ve been working and training hard in the last couple of months,” McInnes said. “We had a great training camp here in August which provided me with a good opportunity to engage with all the players. Since the Rose Bowl series in March we haven’t played a lot of cricket so this series will be a great opportunity for the team to have a solid hit-out against quality opposition in the lead-up to the WNCL getting underway in November.”Australia squad Alex Blackwell, Shelley Nitschke, Karen Rolton (capt), Leah Poulton, Lisa Sthalekar, Kate Blackwell, Lauren Ebsary, Jodie Fields (wk), Leonie Coleman (wk), Sarah Edwards, Ellyse Perry, Emma Sampson, Kirsten Pike, Delissa Kimmince.