India in South Africa

Sachin Tendulkar (155) and Virendra Shewag (105) rescued India from a dangerous position with a 220 run partnership that delighted the hearts of cricket fans all over the world. The duo got to their respective hundreds in emphatic style and ensured India reach a comfortable position at the end of the first day.
To make matters worse for the South Africans keeper Deep Dasgupta too dug in to play sensibly. However Boucher, of the last ball of the day snapped up Kumble. With only the bowlers to come one hopes against hope the Indians can manage to put up 400 just to gain that little extra bit in terms of psychological advantage.

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It was a mixed day for skipper Sourav Ganguly. The Prince of Kolkata disappointed by managing to score only 14 leaving his team stranded at 68-4, but it must have warmed his heart to know that he had become a father to a baby girl early yesterday.
Sourav's father Chandidas Ganguly said Sourav was delighted, as he had wanted a girl.
India are without Harbhajan Singh who has this mysterious groin infection with the team management and the skipper coming out with different versions of his injury. D Dasgupta too replaced Sameer Dighe in the last minute after the later was ruled not fit enough.

Khaleej Times Trophy, Sharjah

Pakistan and Sri Lanka gear up for the final of the Khaleej Times Trophy with injury worries. For Pakistan Saeed Anwar is troubled by a wrist injury while Sri Lanka have doubts over the fitness of Romesh Kaluwitharana and Dilhara Fernando. Jayasuriya said the decision on whether to play the injured two will be taken on the morning of the match as they have a long home series against the West Indies beginning next week. Muralitharan who was rested for the last inconsequential league match will be back in the team for the final.

West Indies in Sri Lanka

West Indies warmed up nicely towards the first Test with a solid batting performance on the first day against a Sri Lankan A side.
Put into the bat the visitors were in trouble straight away when Darren Ganga was out of the second ball of the match.
They however amassed 334-7 at the end of the day with useful contributions from C Gaye (41), Brian Lara (43), Marlon Samules (54) and Neil McGarrel (34 not out).
The toast of the day however belonged to skipper Carl Hooper who compiled a confident 117 including 7 fours and 4 sixes.
For the home side, Pushpakumara stepped up his claims for a place in the Test with a 4-wicket haul.

Miscellaneous

Bangladesh named their side that is to play a home series of Tests and one-day matches against Zimbabwe beginning next week.
Fast bowler Mashrafee bin Mortuza and off-spinner Fahim Muntasir have been added to the team that has lost all the five Tests it has played so far.
The full team is Naimur Rahman (captain), Akram Khan, Aminul Islam, Javed Omar Belim, Mohammad Ashraful, Habibul Bashar, Khaled Masud, Enamul Hoque, Al-Shahriar, Manjurul Islam, Mohammad Sharif, Khaled Mahmud, Mashrafee bin Mortuza, Fahim Muntasir.
The Zimbabwe team in the meanwhile led by 24-year-old Brian Murphy arrives in Dhaka tomorrow hoping the end their miserable run of failures in the past few months.
Zimbabwe are without Alistair Campbell and Guy Whittall both of whom have been dropped after their clash with the Zimbabwe Cricket Union over selection procedures.

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Australian skipper Steve Waugh had a successful test run of his fitness when he knocked up 84 for his Sydney Club side yesterday. Waugh who has been plagued with injury since the fourth Ashes Test in England said he felt comfortable through out.
Waugh is keen to lead his side against New Zealand before the big challenge comes up in the form of South Africa as the two teams clash for the title of number one in a home and away series.

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The BCCI have agreed in principle to pay former Indian skipper Dilip Vengsarkar a sum of 5 lakhs for his job of talent spotting in the country.
Vengsarkar has been appointed to spot talent and Balwinder Singh Sandhu as coach of the India U-19.
He will tour with the team for the to New Zealand for the junior World Cup to be held in New Zealand early next year.
With the appointment of Vengsarkar as consultant it is presumed the services of Geoff Marsh would be terminated.

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England bowler Ashley Giles says he is still unsure as to whether he will be fit enough to make the tour of India.
He will face his first practice session next week after being operated upon for an Achilles tendon injury.
Giles was England's top wicket taker when England toured Pakistan last year. He said he had worked very hard to make the tour and hoped he would be able to overcome the fitness worries.

SCORES AT A GLANCE

INDIA vs SOUTH AFRICA (1st Test)
Played at Goodyear Park, Bloemfontein (1st day)
Toss: South Africa

India:372-7 (SR Tendulkar 155, VVS Laxman 32, V Shewag 105; Hayward 2-64, Pollock2-90)

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