India in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka beat India by an innings and 77 runs to win the deciding third Test and claim the series 2-1 on Sunday.
Sri Lanka, who had reduced India to 217 for six overnight, dismissed the tourists for 299 in their second innings 70 minutes into the fifth morning.

New ICC decree on playing conditions

The following changes have been made to the playing conditions for Test matches and limited over international matches by the ICC with immediate effect:
• The five run penalty for breaches of discipline on the field have been introduced for a 12-month trial period Offences under this category will include sledging, ball tampering and time wasting.
• The umpires will also be able to fine players - a power hitherto solely held by match referees appointed by the ICC.
• An extra hour of play can to be added on subsequent days following a stoppage for rain - 30 minutes before the normal scheduled start time and the rest at the end of the final session.
• Limited over international tournaments will now feature a bonus points system. Winning teams will earn four points, with an extra point if they achieve a run-rate 1.25 times that of their opponents. Two points will be awarded for ties and no results.

Miscellaneous

The three and half year old daughter of Pakistani opening batsman Saeed Anwar, Bismah passed away after a prolonged illness on Saturday. Saeed who played in the Asian Test Championship game against Bangladesh in Multan has rushed back home in Lahore.

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The Bangladesh Cricket Board secretary Syed Ashraful Haq has come out strongly at the suggestions that the Bangladeshis were given the Test status too soon. The team were beaten by an innings and 264 runs by Pakistan at Multan to record Test cricket’s sixth biggest loss in history. According to Haq it took New Zealand 26 years and India 19 years to win their respective first Tests and he is confident his team will not take that long to achieve their first win.

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Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne is of the opinion that England will find it difficult to win in India. According to Warne “India is the most challenging overseas tour. The heat is oppressive and they have some great players." He warned the England team to prepare for some long, difficult days under intense heat. Interestingly, Warne’s statement comes two days after Australian skipper Steve Waugh had said just the opposite - that England should do well in India since the Indians are inconsistent performers.

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Somerset won the C&G title by 41 runs after beating Leicestershire in the final at Lord’s. It was the county’s first title in 18 years. They had last won the NatWest Trophy in 1983.

SCORES AT A GLANCE

India v Sri Lanka(3rd Test)
at Colombo (5th day)
Toss: India

India: 234 (SS Das 59, S Ramesh 46, R Dravid 36, H Badani 38; Muralitharan 8-87)
299 (SS Das 68, S Ramesh 55)
Sri Lanka: 610-6 (M Atapattu 108, K Sangakkara 47, M Jayawardene 139, H Tillekeratne 136 not out, T Samaraweera 103 not out; V Prasad 3-101)
Sri Lanka won by an innings and 77 runs.

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