Zimbabwe in India
Second Test, Delhi, day five:
India 354 & 126-6 beat Zimbabwe 329 & 146 by four wickets to win series 2-0.
Man of the match Harbhajan Singh finished the match with a six as India held their nerve to complete a 2-0 series victory.
Singh cleared the ropes with a straight hit off pace bowler Heath Streak after the loss of three wickets for 12 runs had caused a murmur of concern among the home crowd.
It was a fitting climax as it was Singh's six wickets which had turned the game decisively in India's favour on the fourth day.
India have won four home series in succession, but now face the task of trying to improve a dismal away record when they travel to the West Indies next month.
Match report |
Statistics
India's tour of West Indies
Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly set his sights on victory in the Caribbean after leading his side to a 2-0 success against Zimbabwe.
Despite an impressive record on home soil, India have consistently failed to do themselves justice away from the sub-continent.
Next month's trip to the West Indies will be a tough challenge for Ganguly, who is hoping to become only the second Indian captain after Ajit Wadekar in 1971 to win in the Caribbean.
"We want to win overseas. The West Indies tour is coming up and it will be crucial," said Ganguly, who returned to form in Delhi with a first innings century against Zimbabwe.
Australia in South Africa
South African veteran Daryll Cullinan is unworried by his poor past record against Australia as he prepares for the second Test, beginning in Cape Town on Friday.
Cullinan celebrated his 35th birthday on Monday as he was named as one of four changes to the side that lost the first Test by an innings in Johannesburg.
The veteran has played 70 Tests for South Africa, scoring 4554 runs at an average of 44.21, including 14 centuries.
"There are a lot of people who will probably think that my track record won't make a difference when you look at my record against Australia," Cullinan said.
"I think there will be mixed reaction to my selection, but right now at the age of 35 that doesn't bother me."
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Uncapped fast bowler Dewald Pretorius will fill the gap left by Allan Donald's retirement when South Africa try to avenge a record defeat by Australia later this week.
The 24-year-old has been given his chance after taking five wickets against the tourists for South Africa A.
Pretorius, like Donald, plays for Free State and his inclusion is one of four changes made by the selectors following Australia's innings and 36-run triumph in Johannesburg.
Captain Shaun Pollock returns in place of Andre Nel but will have to pass a fitness test on his side strain. Twelfth man, all-rounder Andrew Hall, will play if Pollock is unfit.
England in New Zealand
New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming has suffered an injury scare ahead of the next week's first Test against England.
It happened while he was facing new one-day international player Ian Butler in a State Championship match between the Kiwi captain's Wellington and Northern Districts.
Warren Frost, a member of New Zealand Cricket's medical staff, said Fleming was hit on the elbow by a quick delivery which then deflected onto his hip bone.
"He is bruised but not battered," Frost said.
"He continued to bat and tried to take a run but appeared to lack power. He continued batting with a runner but was out soon afterwards."
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Batsman Michael Vaughan is ready to stake his claim for a place in England's Test line-up after recovering from a dislocated shoulder.
Vaughan suffered the injury last month when he dived to try and take a catch during the fourth one-day international against New Zealand in Auckland.
He missed the game against Otago in Queenstown but has been receiving intensive treatment from physio Dean Conway and expects to be picked for the three-day match with Canterbury, which starts on Thursday.
Vaughan played in two of the three Tests in India before Christmas after Graham Thorpe returned home early.
Miscellaneous
Some of the great names of West Indies cricket, including Sir Viv Richards, have gathered in Trinidad for a coaching workshop intended to revive the team's fortunes.
The two-day meeting will, it is hoped, lead to the drawing up of a definitive coaching manual to be used all over the Caribbean.
Other luminaries due to attend include former fast bowler Wes Hall, now president of the West Indies Cricket Board, Sir Everton Weekes, Gordon Greenidge, Seymour Nurse, Jeff Dujon and Colin Croft.
"Cricket means so much to the people of the Caribbean and we could not haver a workshop like this one without inviting persons of this calibre.
"We are looking forward to having their input," said Dr Michael Seepersaud, head of the WICB's development unit.
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