MS Dhoni can create a reverse history too !!!!!

After triumphing over West Indies, Indians headed to England to play a test series on the hosts. But everything went in vain. India being a best team is now suffering a lot of damage done by England. The wall of India i.e, Rahul Dravid is the only consistent performer who is saving the prestige of India being drastically hindered. I will tell you that it is not India tour of England, it should be "Dravid tour of England" :-)

The first match was little OK for India as they lost the opening match by 196 runs. After this, things began to worsen very much. In the second match they lost by 319 runs. In the 3rd match, England won by an innings and 242 runs. By this, England won the series and also took the #1 position pushing India to drop down the second position.

Indians had  to at-least make a draw in the fourth test if they want to remain in #2 position. But even this has become a doubt now. England scored a total of 491 runs loosing only 6 wickets (ENG - 491/6) and finally declared. Ian Bell contributed 235 runs and Kevin Pietersen contributed 175 runs to the team's score. India were all out scoring only 300 runs (IND - 300/10) and started to play their second innings as follow on. Highest scorer from India was Rahul Dravid who was unbeaten scoring 146 runs. As of now, India have scored 25 runs with no loss in the follow on innings (IND - 25/0).

On-going series

Yesterday, second test match between India and West Indies ended up in a draw. India were very close to  the victory but unfortunately they could remove remaining 3 wickets. As of now India lead the series West Indies by 1-0. One more test match to go and it will be played on 10th of July at Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica. This will be the only chance for the West Indies to level the series and for that they have to win the match. Indians are already in safer zone as they have won the first test match. If West Indies wins the match, the series will end up in a draw else it will Indians who will be returning home victorious. Indians have got higher chances of winning this series.

ODI series is currently being played between England and Srilanka. England won the first match and the second match was won by the visitors. Third ODI match was played today at Lord's, London. England won the toss and they batter first. They had put up a total score of 246 runs in 50 overs. Opener, Alastair Cook put up his century and scored 117 runs which helped England to put this score. In reply Srilankans chased the target successfully in 48.2 overs. Dinesh Chandimal put up his century and remained unbeaten scoring 105 runs. He was chosen as the man of the match who helped his team to victory. Now Srilanka leads the series by 2-1 and 2 more matches to go.

ICC World Cup 2011 updates: Day 4

On the day 4 of the ICC World Cup 2011, Only one match was played. It was between England and Netherlands at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur, India. Netherlands won the toss and elected to bat first.

Alexei Kervezee and Wesley Barresi opened the innings and gave a good start. The run rate was pretty good constant at an rate of 6 runs per over. First 2 partnerships did not add up a good total. Tim Cooper and Ryan ten Doeschate added up some decent runs that helped Netherlands team to gain confidence as well. Ryan ten Doeschate played magnificently and scored 119 runs in 110 deliveries that included 9 fours and 3 sixes. By 50 overs, Netherlands team scored a total of 292 runs for the loss of 6 wickets. Graeme Swann was the economical bowler for England with an economy rate of just 3.5 runs per over and also took 2 wickets.

England opened its batting innings with the openers Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen. They both started off well and put up a partnership of 105 runs that helped England to get more conifidence in winning the match. Andrew Strauss scored 88 runs 83 deliveries which included 9 fours. By 48.4 overs, England scored a total of 296 runs and lost only 4 wickets. Ryan ten Doeschate was the economical bowler for Netherlands where his economy rate was 4.7 runs per over and also took 2 wickets.

England won the match by 6 wickets. Man of the Match went to Ryan ten Doeschate from Netherlands for his brilliant performance shown in batting as well a in bowling. He scored 119 runs and took 2 wickets.

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Second test match: England vs Pakistan

Pakistan and England played their second test match at Edgbaston, Birmingham, England. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first.

Imran Farhat and Salman Butt opened the batting innings for the Pakistan. At the last delivery of the 8th over, Pakistan lost it first wicket. It was Imran Farhat who was caught by Matt Prior, he departed without scoring a run. Pakistan lost its first wicket when its total score reached 8. Salman Butt followed Imran Farhat when Pakistan 1 more run to its total. It was really a poor start from the Pakistatotal nis. No one stayed for longer time as the wickets kept on falling regularly. Pakistan managed to score a of 72 runs only which was worst and lowest total in test cricket.

England opened its first batting innings pretty good. Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen scored their half centuries which helped England to put up a good total and lead the Pakistanis by a good margin. England scored a total of 251 runs thereby leading Pakistan by 179 runs before loosing all its 10 wickets.

In the second innings, Pakistan's top order batsmen failed to score a good score. But there was one good partnership which helped them to put up a decent total. it was between Saeed Ajmal and Zulqarnain Haider who partnered to add 115 runs. Haider scored 88 runs and Ajmal scored 50 runs respectively. Pakistan lost its 10 wickets after scoring 296 runs in its second innings. Pakistan were leading England by 117 runs only.

This total is a cake walk for England as their team was performing extremely well in recent matches. Alastair Cook got out when England's total was 7. After this fall, Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott partnered well and chased the score successfully. They both scored unbeaten 53 runs respectively. By 36.3 overs, England scored 118 runs with the loss of a wicket and won the match.

England are leading the series by 2-0. Man of the match award went to Graeme Swann.