NatWest series (India, Sri Lanka and England)

NatWest Series, Bristol:
India 304 (50 overs) beat Sri Lanka 241 (44.1 overs) by 63 runs.

Sachin Tendulkar smashed a brilliant century as India beat Sri Lanka by 63 runs in the NatWest match in Bristol.

Tendulkar took Sri Lanka's bowlers apart with a six and 12 fours in a 102-ball 113.

Sourav Ganguly had an inauspicious 200th one-day international at the crease when he was run out for nine, beaten by Chamara Silva's throw from fine leg.

Virender Sehwag hit six boundaries in an entertaining 39 off 40 balls before becoming the second run out victim.

Sehwag's demise brought Tendulkar to the crease, and he set about giving the ecstatic crowd a masterclass in constructing and pacing an innings.

Ind in Eng | Scorecard | Match report

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Indian match-winner Sachin Tendulkar was in a relaxed frame of mind as he scored his 33rd one-day century on Thursday.

The master batsman scored 113 off just 102 balls against Sri Lanka as India posted a formidable total of 304.

When Sri Lanka replied Kumar Sangakkara got them off to a fine start with a 47-ball 66. But they then fell away and India wrapped up a 63-run victory in the dead rubber in the Nat West series.

"Since we have qualified for the final I just wanted to go out there and enjoy myself," said Tendulkar.

"It was a fantastic batting wicket too."

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Rahul Dravid has said that there is obviously no question of keeping wickets after the World Cup. The decision about him keeping wickets was taken after discussion between him the captain and the coach.

In an interview with Asian Age newspaper , Dravid said that he had talked with a few wicket-keepers on how to go about the job. "Obviously my skills as wicket-keeper will never be on par with specialised wicket-keepers, especially when it comes to keeping with the spinners. But I have learnt to do the best I can in the interest of the team," he said.

The vice-captain who is having a great time with the bat in the ongoing NatWest series said that the long-term plan is to get a keeper who can bat too. He admitted that he was no match to the great wicketkeepers.

Match-fixing

The Pakistan Cricket Board is planning action against those who make unsubstantiated claims of match-fixing against international players.

"The PCB and its legal adviser will consult the Law Ministry and evolve a system through which we can take all those accusers to task who fail to provide any proof," PCB chairman Tauqir Zia said.

"With two inquiries we have buried the match-fixing controversy in Pakistan and now we won't tolerate any attempt to malign Pakistan cricket."

Pakistan last month published the findings of a judicial inquiry into allegations of match-fixing against Pakistani players in the 1999 World Cup in England.

Zia said the commission had directed that any accuser without proof should be taken to court in future, and said that would not be limited to Pakistan.

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Celebrated Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram Thursday backed plans to take action against those accusing national players of match-fixing based on flimsy evidence.

"Its better late than never and I am relieved that if a process is evolved then no one would come up with baseless allegations against the Pakistan team and players," Wasim said.

"I had enough of it. So it would come as a big relief for me and I am preparing to take my accusers to court in the very near future."

Pakistan Cricket Board Thursday said it is evolving a system to take action against those who level match-fixing allegations without sufficient evidence.

A judicial probe by Lahore High court judge Justice Karamat Bhandari last month cleared the Pakistan team and its players of match-fixing charges in the 1999 World Cup held in England.

Australia's tour of Pakistan

Pakistan's military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf said on Thursday he would personally intervene to pressure the Australian cricket team into touring this violence-wracked nation.

Australia's three-Test series in Pakistan slated for October is in danger of being shifted to another country, possibly Bangladesh, because of widespread security fears.

But Musharraf, while declaring his national team was the best in the world, said he would contact the Australian government to ensure that the tour would go ahead as originally planned in Pakistan.

"There will definitely be a government (in Islamabad) to convince the Australians to tour Pakistan," Musharraf told the team during a reception to celebrate their one-day series win last month in Australia.

Miscellaneous

England have a side capable of challenging Australia for the Ashes this year, according to Shane Warne.

But the leg-spinner also warned that the county game needs to become far more competitive if England are to ever match Australia on a regular basis.

The Ashes have been in Australian hands since 1989 and England are without a series victory since 1986-87.

Last year's series was much-hyped after England had won four of five series in the lead up while Australia were defeated in India.

But Steve Waugh's team were dominant, returning home with an emphatic 4-1 series victory. "A lot of people thought that the last few Ashes were going to be close, but it didn't turn out that way," he said.

"This time could be close. England have started to play well, and if they don't pick up injuries to major players, it could be an interesting series."

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The United Cricket Board on Thursday announced the appointment of Shane Jabaar as physiotherapist for the national cricket team.

Jabaar, who will join the national team at their training camp at SuperSport Park, Centurion, on July 31, has been involved in the structures of the UCB since 1997 when he first worked with the South African Under 19 team.

Since then, Jabaar, who is currently working as a senior musculoskeletal physiotherapist at a clinic in London, has worked extensively with the South African Under 19 and South Africa 'A' team.

Before joining cricket, Jabaar played soccer for the South African team (1989), and worked as a physio for the South African men's hockey team as well as for several junior soccer teams.

"It has been fantastic to work in cricket and I have always been passionate about the game and the people who play it. I realise this is a position that carries immense responsibilities, particularly as we move towards the world cup.

"I look forward to working with the national team management and support staff -- including the fitness trainer, Andrew Gray -- to ensure our players are all in peak physical condition and injury-free for the challenges that lie ahead," Jabaar said from London.

Women's cricket

Women's one-day tri-series, Jersey:
New Zealand 168-9 (50 overs) beat India 26 all out (19.1 overs) by 142 runs.

New Zealand's Rachel Pullar took five wickets as India were bowled out for their lowest total ever in a 142-run tri-series defeat at St Helier, Jersey.

India's 26 all out was well short of their previous low of 37, achieved against the same opponent during the 1981/82 World Cup in Auckland.

It completes a miserable start to the tournament for India, who were bundled out for 59 by England in a six-wicket defeat on Wednesday.

The first seven wickets fell before India had reached double figures, with Pullar conceding just 10 runs from seven overs.

And only a stands of nine for the ninth wicket and seven for the last stand took India past Pakistan's record low 23, achieved against Australia in 1996/97.

Jhulan Goswami top-scored with eight, narrowly beating the six Extras, before being last out, caught off Haidee Tiffen.

Match report | Slide show

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