Sehwag 219: fastest 200, highest ODI score

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Indore: At 5.42pm on Thursday evening, in front of a 40,000-strong crowd at the Holkar Stadium, with a perfectly-placed cut backward of point, Virender Sehwag became only the second batsman in one-day international history to score a double-century in an innings. His phenomenal achievement came in the 3223rd ODI to be played, and came 260 matches after Sachin Tendulkar touched the 200-mark against South Africa in Gwalior on February 24, 2010.
Sehwag - who came into the fourth ODI of the series against West Indies with scores of 22, 26 and 0 in the three previous games - needed 140 deliveries to reach the landmark. His mood from the start of the match, having won the toss and opted to bat, was belligerent and Sehwag never took his foot off the pedal. His fifty came up in 41 balls with a six in the 15th over - his fourth of the innings – and he sped to a 15th ODI century in 69 balls. Sehwag proceeded to cruise past 150 in 112 balls and showed no signs of tiredness.

On 170, he offered a catch to the deep but West Indies captain Darren Sammy dropped an easy catch. That was just the lifeline Sehwag need to reassess the situation; a slew of boundaries and coolly-collected singles took him past 190, and a flick off a rank full toss from Kieron Pollard eased him to 195, in the process raising 8,000 career runs.
Two singles in two balls followed, before Sehwag sent the packed house into raptures by cutting the third ball of the 43rd over, bowled by Andre Russell, to the deep backward point boundary for his 23rd boundary to reach his double-century. Immediately he set off down the pitch in animated celebrations as his India team-mates and the fans stood as one to cheer on a most enthralling century.

Sachin Tendulkar fires record 200 against South Africa

• Second one-day international, Gwalior: India 401-3 (50 ovs) bt South Africa 248 (42.5 ovs) by 153 runs Match scorecard Tendulkar underlined his sensational class with a double century in Gwalior Sachin Tendulkar created history with the first double century in one-day internationals as India thrashed South Africa by 153 runs in Gwalior. The 36-year-old hit 25 fours and three sixes in an unbeaten 200 off 147 balls. It passed the previous best of 194, set by Pakistan's Saeed Anwar in 1997 and Zimbabwe's Charles Coventry last year. Mahendra Dhoni hit four sixes in 68 from 35 balls in a mammoth 401-3, and South Africa were 248 all out as India took an unassailable 2-0 series lead. Tendulkar, whose previous best one-day knock was the 186 not out he scored against New Zealand in 1999, is already the leading run-scorer in Test and ODI cricket. But to have reached such a landmark, with a single in the final over, only serves to underline his class and add to the legacy that already surrounds arguably the finest batsman to have played the game. His innings, the 46th one-day century of his career, was typified by wristy strokes, trademark boundary shots and, above all, stamina as he batted through the entire innings. He passed the previous best score in ODIs off 140 deliveries before taking his time over the final six runs, completing his double century with a single off Charl Langeveldt four balls from the end of the innings. Despite clearly suffering with cramp towards the end, Tendulkar was not to be denied and the packed Gwalior crowd were in raptures as he brought up the record. Around him, Dinesh Karthik and Dhoni provided able support. Karthik, who came to the crease in just the fourth over after Virender Sehwag sent a high catch down to Dale Steyn at third man off Wayne Parnell, struck four fours and three sixes on his way to an 85-ball knock of 79. He departed when he mistimed a pull shot to Herschelle Gibbs at mid-wicket but Yusuf Pathan upped the pace with 36 off 23 balls, including two huge sixes. However, not even he could match Dhoni's remarkable strokeplay, the India captain providing a staggering display of power hitting with four sixes and seven fours that allowed Tendulkar to calmly build his record-breaking innings at the other end. When Mark Boucher departed in the 23rd over South Africa were 134-7, and though AB de Villiers struck 13 fours and two sixes in an unbeaten 114, his fifth one-day hundred, the tourists were never in the hunt. They must now try to avoid a whitewash in the final match of the series in Ahmedabad on Saturday. Several leading former players who were fortunate to witness the innings saluted India's favourite son Tendulkar. Former India captain Bishen Singh Bedi said: "It was a great moment for us and another class act from Tendulkar. Sachin has been a great warrior for us and this innings was a delight to watch." The former Pakistan captain Aamer Sohail, who was Anwar's opening partner, said: "It was a brilliant innings and if you speak to Saeed Anwar, he would be so glad Tendulkar was the one to break his record. "We all know how talented and how passionate he is about the game, but it's incredible that at the age of 36 he is still going on, he plays the full 50 overs, runs hard and at no point during this knock did he look like he was going to throw his wicket away. "But the biggest reason he gets all these records is because he respects the game tremendously." Another former Pakistan captain and top-order batsman Rameez Raja also paid rich tribute to Tendulkar. "He's been a great ambassador for India and world cricket," Rameez said. "He is a great role model because for someone who has played international cricket for 20-odd years there isn't a single scandal against him. "It shows the character of the man and he still has the passion and enthusiasm of a 10-year-old."

Shakib becomes No. 1 Test allrounder

Shakib Al Hasan's fine all-round performance in Mirpur has boosted his ranking © AFP Enlarge Related Links Players/Officials: Shakib Al Hasan Teams: Bangladesh Shakib Al Hasan, the former Bangladesh captain, has become the No. 1 Test allrounder in the latest ICC rankings following his outstanding performance against Pakistan in Mirpur. Shakib's rise ended Jacques Kallis' lengthy hold on the position. "Without any doubt it's great news for me and for the country's cricket, and I'm really happy. I have had the self-belief that it will come my way sooner or later because for a long time I was in the top five, so it was a matter of time," Shakib told the Daily Star. "It's fantastic that the performance in the last Test of the year helped me achieve this feat, but it would be much better if we could manage a good result from the last Test match." Shakib became the first Bangladesh player to score a hundred and take five wickets in an innings during a Test, and his 144 and 6 for 82 won him the Man-of-the-Match award. The century was Shakib's second in Tests and it lifted his average to 34.68. He averages 31.36 with the ball and has 96 Test wickets. Pakistan, however, won the Mirpur Test to take the series 2-0. Kallis, who made 31 and went wicketless in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Centurion, was the No. 1 allrounder for 3696 days and will have the chance to reclaim the top position during the final two matches of that series in Durban and Cape Town. Daniel Vettori, Shane Watson and Stuart Broad complete the top allrounders list in Test cricket.

Malik-Mirza wedding in doubt as woman says she is cricketer's wife

Ayesha Siddique alleges that she and Malik (right), pictured here with Mirza (left), married in 2002. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

Hyderabad police have questioned Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik ahead of his planned marriage to Indian tennis player Sania Mirza about another woman who claims to be his wife. He has been asked not to leave India while police investigate, spokesman AK Khan said todayon Monday. Malik said police have seized his passport.
Ayesha Siddique alleges that Malik married her in June 2002. She accused him of subjecting her to cruelty and harassment by denying that the wedding took place and by trying to marry another Indian woman.
Police visited the home of Mirza in Hyderabad, the capital of southern Andhra Pradesh state, where Malik was staying, to record his statement. They are investigating complaints of criminal intimidation, cheating, fraud and harassment for dowry against the Pakistani cricketer, a deputy commissioner of police, said. Police also questioned Siddique.
Malik and Mirza later appeared before reporters and said they were going ahead with the 15 April wedding. "I am very upset [by the controversy]," Mirza said. "But we are happy that we are getting married. I have full faith in him. We know what the truth is. It will come out."
Malik said he would stay in India to clear his name. "I am cooperating with the police. I have done nothing wrong," he said. A statement released by his agent Salman Ahmed said that Malik signed a nikahnama (marriage certificate) eight years ago but claimed he was duped.
Malik said he married a woman named Ayesha over the telephone in June 2002 after meeting on the internet. But he believed he had been deceived by another woman claiming to be Ayesha Siddique.
Malik said Siddique would turn down requests to meet, and instead sent photographs. "I was made to believe the girl in the photograph was the one I was speaking to," he said.
"The truth is, I haven't, to this day, met the girl in the photographs Ayesha sent me."
He said when he visited Hyderabad in 2002, he was told she'd gone to Saudi to work, and said her parents told him Siddique had put on weight and wouldn't meet him until she lost weight. He said she avoided him during two more visits to Hyderabad.
Malik said he visited the city several times and was told his 'bride' was away. He said he was astonished when his brother-in-law showed him a photograph in 2005 in which a teacher in Saudi was claiming to be his wife. "I was aghast ... the woman in it was the person I called "apa" [elder sister] while I visited Hyderabad," Malik said. He confronted apa and told her that he didn't ever want to speak to her again, he said.
Malik said he was cheated and: "I was wrongly made to believe that the pictures Ayesha had sent me were of the girl I was marrying."
"I feel terrible about the mess, created by a family that has caused great grief to my own people and the family of my bride-to-be."
Siddique said she has a copy of the nikahnama, signed by Malik and two witnesses, issued by Pakistani authorities in Malik's hometown of Sialkot in June 2002.
Farooq Hasan, a lawyer representing Ayesha Siddique in Pakistan, said in Lahore he will soon be filing a case against Malik in Pakistan's civil and criminal courts.
"We will also try to stop Malik's marriage with Sania Mirza," Hasan said. "If the courts in Pakistan asked, Ayesha Siddique will also travel to Pakistan and appear before the courts. The courts in Pakistan will decide about the authentication of nikahnama."
Malik, who has been banned from representing Pakistan for a year due to infighting within the team during a recent tour of Australia, arrived in Hyderabad last week from Pakistan to work out arrangements for his wedding to Mirza.
Mirza broke off a previous engagement this year before announcing her plans to marry Malik.
The news of the Malik-Mirza wedding plans sparked instant news coverage in the region because neighbouring Pakistan and India are longtime rivals, and have fought three wars since their independence from Britain in 1947.

What makes cricket so popular?

There are other sports like soccer, hockey, basketball, wrestling, Tennis, and so on but it seem that no other sport is as popular than cricket where cricket is played. With so much technical stuff, interference of the climate, time consuming and not cheap either. So why so many people are just crazy about cricket?

Extras

Additional runs can be gained by the batting team as extras (called "sundries" in Australia) due to errors made by the fielding side. This is achieved in four ways:

1. No ball: a penalty of one extra that is conceded by the bowler if he breaks the rules of bowling either by (a) using an inappropriate arm action; (b) overstepping the popping crease; (c) having a foot outside the return crease. In addition, the bowler has to re-bowl the ball. In limited overs matches, a no ball is called if the bowling team's field setting fails to comply with the restrictions. In shorter formats of the game (20–20, ODI) the free hit rule has been introduced. The ball following a front foot no-ball will be a free-hit for the batsman, whereby he is safe from losing his wicket except for being run-out.
2. Wide: a penalty of one extra that is conceded by the bowler if he bowls so that the ball is out of the batsman's reach; as with a no ball, a wide must be re-bowled.
3. Bye: extra(s) awarded if the batsman misses the ball and it goes past the wicketkeeper to give the batsmen time to run in the conventional way (note that one mark of a good wicketkeeper is one who restricts the tally of byes to a minimum).
4. Leg bye: extra(s) awarded if the ball hits the batsman's body, but not his bat, while attempting a legitimate shot, and it goes away from the fielders to give the batsmen time to run in the conventional way.

When the bowler has bowled a no ball or a wide, his team incurs an additional penalty because that ball (i.e., delivery) has to be bowled again and hence the batting side has the opportunity to score more runs from this extra ball. The batsmen have to run (i.e., unless the ball goes to the boundary for four) to claim byes and leg byes but these only count towards the team total, not to the striker's individual total for which runs must be scored off the bat.

Runs

The primary concern of the batsman on strike (i.e., the "striker") is to prevent the ball hitting the wicket and secondarily to score runs by hitting the ball with his bat so that he and his partner have time to run from one end of the pitch to the other before the fielding side can return the ball. To register a run, both runners must touch the ground behind the crease with either their bats or their bodies (the batsmen carry their bats as they run). Each completed run increments the score.
More than one run can be scored from a single hit; but, while hits worth one to three runs are common, the size of the field is such that it is usually difficult to run four or more. To compensate for this, hits that reach the boundary of the field are automatically awarded four runs if the ball touches the ground en route to the boundary or six runs if the ball clears the boundary on the full. The batsmen do not need to run if the ball reaches or crosses the boundary.

West Indian Brian Lara holds the record for highest score in both Tests and first-class cricket.

Hits for five are unusual and generally rely on the help of "overthrows" by a fielder returning the ball. If an odd number of runs is scored by the striker, the two batsmen have changed ends, and the one who was non-striker is now the striker. Only the striker can score individual runs, but all runs are added to the team's total.
The decision to attempt a run is ideally made by the batsman who has the better view of the ball's progress, and this is communicated by calling: "yes", "no" and "wait" are often heard.
Running is a calculated risk because if a fielder breaks the wicket with the ball while the nearest batsman is out of his ground (i.e., he does not have part of his body or bat in contact with the ground behind the popping crease), the batsman is run out.
A team's score is reported in terms of the number of runs scored and the number of batsmen that have been dismissed. For example, if five batsmen are out and the team has scored 224 runs, they are said to have scored 224 for the loss of 5 wickets (commonly shortened to "224 for five" and written 224/5 or, in Australia, "five for 224" and 5/224).

Batting

At any one time, there are two batsmen in the playing area. One takes station at the striker's end to defend the wicket as above and to score runs if possible. His partner, the non-striker, is at the end where the bowler is operating.
Batsmen come in to bat in a batting order, decided by the team captain. The first two batsmen – the "openers" – usually face the hostile bowling from fresh fast bowlers with a new ball. The top batting positions are usually given to the most competent batsmen in the team, and the non-batsmen typically bat last. The pre-announced batting order is not mandatory and when a wicket falls any player who has not yet batted may be sent in next.
If a batsman "retires" (usually due to injury) and cannot return, he is actually "not out" and his retirement does not count as a dismissal, though in effect he has been dismissed because his innings is over. Substitute batsmen are not allowed.
A skilled batsman can use a wide array of "shots" or "strokes" in both defensive and attacking mode. The idea is to hit the ball to best effect with the flat surface of the bat's blade. If the ball touches the side of the bat it is called an "edge". Batsmen do not always seek to hit the ball as hard as possible, and a good player can score runs just by making a deft stroke with a turn of the wrists or by simply "blocking" the ball but directing it away from fielders so that he has time to take a run.
There is a wide variety of shots played in cricket. The batsman's repertoire includes strokes named according to the style of swing and the direction aimed: e.g., "cut", "drive", "hook", "pull".
Note that a batsman does not have to play a shot and can "leave" the ball to go through to the wicketkeeper, providing he thinks it will not hit his wicket. Equally, he does not have to attempt a run when he hits the ball with his bat. He can deliberately use his leg to block the ball and thereby "pad it away" but this is risky because of the leg before wicket rule.
In the event of an injured batsman being fit to bat but not to run, the umpires and the fielding captain may allow another member of the batting side to be a runner. The runner's only task is to run between the wickets instead of the injured batsman. The runner is required to wear and carry exactly the same equipment as the incapacitated batsman. It is possible for both batsmen to have runners.

Fielding

All eleven players on the fielding side take the field together. One of them is the wicket-keeper aka "keeper" who operates behind the wicket being defended by the batsman on strike. Wicket-keeping is normally a specialist occupation and his primary job is to gather deliveries that the batsman does not hit, so that the batsmen cannot run byes. He wears special gloves (he is the only fielder allowed to do so), a box over the groin, and pads to cover his lower legs. Owing to his position directly behind the striker, the wicket-keeper has a good chance of getting a batsman out caught off a fine edge from the bat. He is the only player who can get a batsman out stumped.
Apart from the one currently bowling, the other nine fielders are tactically deployed by the team captain in chosen positions around the field. These positions are not fixed but they are known by specific and sometimes colourful names such as "slip", "third man", "silly mid on" and "long leg". There are always many unprotected areas.
The captain is the most important member of the fielding side as he determines all the tactics including who should bowl (and how); and he is responsible for "setting the field", though usually in consultation with the bowler.
In all forms of cricket, if a fielder gets injured or becomes ill during a match, a substitute is allowed to field instead of him. The substitute cannot bowl, act as a captain or keep wicket. The substitute leaves the field when the injured player is fit to return.

Bowling

The bowler reaches his delivery stride by means of a "run-up", although some bowlers with a very slow delivery take no more than a couple of steps before bowling. A fast bowler needs momentum and takes quite a long run-up, running very fast as he does so.

A typical bowling action

The fastest bowlers can deliver the ball at a speed of over 90 miles per hour (140 km/h) and they sometimes rely on sheer speed to try and defeat the batsman, who is forced to react very quickly. Other fast bowlers rely on a mixture of speed and guile. Some fast bowlers make use of the seam of the ball so that it "curves" or "swings" in flight. This type of delivery can deceive a batsman into mistiming his shot so that the ball touches the edge of the bat and can then be "caught behind" by the wicketkeeper or a slip fielder.
At the other end of the bowling scale is the "spinner" who bowls at a relatively slow pace and relies entirely on guile to deceive the batsman. A spinner will often "buy his wicket" by "tossing one up" (in a slower, higher parabolic path) to lure the batsman into making a poor shot. The batsman has to be very wary of such deliveries as they are often "flighted" or spun so that the ball will not behave quite as he expects and he could be "trapped" into getting himself out.
In between the pacemen and the spinners are the "medium pacers" who rely on persistent accuracy to try and contain the rate of scoring and wear down the batsman's concentration.
All bowlers are classified according to their looks or style. The classifications, as with much cricket terminology, can be very confusing. Hence, a bowler could be classified as LF, meaning he is a left arm fast bowler; or as LBG, meaning he is a right arm spin bowler who bowls deliveries that are called a "leg break" and a "Googly".
During the bowling action the elbow may be held at any angle and may bend further, but may not straighten out. If the elbow straightens illegally then the square-leg umpire may call no-ball: this is known as "throwing" or "chucking", and can be difficult to detect. The current laws allow a bowler to straighten his arm 15 degrees or less.

Team structure

A team consists of eleven players. Depending on his or her primary skills, a player may be classified as a specialist batsman or bowler. A well-balanced team usually has five or six specialist batsmen and four or five specialist bowlers. Teams nearly always include a specialist wicket-keeper because of the importance of this fielding position. Each team is headed by a captain who is responsible for making tactical decisions such as determining the batting order, the placement of fielders and the rotation of bowlers.
A player who excels in both batting and bowling is known as an all-rounder. One who excels as a batsman and wicket-keeper is known as a "wicket-keeper/batsman", sometimes regarded as a type of all-rounder. True all-rounders are rare as most players focus on either batting or bowling skills.

Umpires,overs,innings, and scorers?

The game on the field is regulated by two umpires, one of whom stands behind the wicket at the bowler's end, the other in a position called "square leg", a position 15–20 metres to the side of the "on strike" batsman. When the bowler delivers the ball, the umpire at the wicket is between the bowler and the non-striker. The umpires confer if there is doubt about playing conditions and can postpone the match by taking the players off the field if necessary, for example rain or deterioration of the light.

An umpire

Off the field and in televised matches, there is often a third umpire who can make decisions on certain incidents with the aid of video evidence. The third umpire is mandatory under the playing conditions for Test matches and limited overs internationals played between two ICC full members. These matches also have a match referee whose job is to ensure that play is within the Laws of cricket and the spirit of the game.
Off the field, the match details including runs and dismissals are recorded by two official scorers, one representing each team. The scorers are directed by the hand signals of an umpire. For example, the umpire raises a forefinger to signal that the batsman is out (has been dismissed); he raises both arms above his head if the batsman has hit the ball for six runs. The scorers are required by the Laws of cricket to record all runs scored, wickets taken and overs bowled. In practice, they accumulate much additional data such as bowling analyses and run rates.

Innings

The innings (ending with 's' in both singular and plural form) is the term used for the collective performance of the batting side.^[25] In theory, all eleven members of the batting side take a turn to bat but, for various reasons, an innings can end before they all do so.
Depending on the type of match being played, each team has one or two innings apiece. The term "innings" is also sometimes used to describe an individual batsman's contribution ("he played a fine innings").
The main aim of the bowler, supported by his fielders, is to dismiss the batsman. A batsman when dismissed is said to be "out" and that means he must leave the field of play and be replaced by the next batsman on his team. When ten batsmen have been dismissed (i.e., are out), then the whole team is dismissed and the innings is over. The last batsman, the one who has not been dismissed, is not allowed to continue alone as there must always be two batsmen "in". This batsman is termed "not out".
An innings can end early for three reasons: because the batting side's captain has chosen to "declare" the innings closed (which is a tactical decision), or because the batting side has achieved its target and won the game, or because the game has ended prematurely due to bad weather or running out of time. In each of these cases the team's innings ends with two "not out" batsmen, unless the innings is declared closed at the fall of a wicket and the next batsman has not joined in the play.
In limited overs cricket, there might be two batsmen still "not out" when the last of the allotted overs has been bowled.

Overs

Main article: Over (cricket)

The bowler bowls the ball in sets of six deliveries (or "balls") and each set of six balls is called an over. This name came about because the umpire calls "Over!" when six balls have been bowled. At this point, another bowler is deployed at the other end, and the fielding side changes ends while the batsmen do not. A bowler cannot bowl two successive overs, although a bowler can bowl unchanged at the same end for several overs. The batsmen do not change ends and so the one who was non-striker is now the striker and vice-versa. The umpires also change positions so that the one who was at square leg now stands behind the wicket at the non-striker's end and vice-versa.

What is pitch, wickets and creases?

At either end of the pitch, 22 yards (20 m) apart, are placed the wickets. These serve as a target for the bowling (aka fielding) side and are defended by the batting side which seeks to accumulate runs. The pitch is 22 yards (20 m) or one chain^[24] in length between the wickets and is 10 feet (3.0 m) wide. It is a flat surface and has very short grass that tends to be worn away as the game progresses. The "condition" of the pitch has a significant bearing on the match and team tactics are always determined with the state of the pitch, both current and anticipated, as a deciding factor.

The cricket pitch dimensions

Each wicket consists of three wooden stumps placed in a straight line and surmounted by two wooden crosspieces called bails; the total height of the wicket including bails is 28.5 inches (720 mm) and the combined width of the three stumps is 9 inches (230 mm).

Aerial view of the MCG displaying the stadium, ground and pitch

Four lines, known as creases, are painted onto the pitch around the wicket areas to define the batsman's "safe territory" and to determine the limit of the bowler's approach. These are called the "popping" (or batting) crease, the bowling crease and two "return" creases.

A wicket consists of three stumps that are hammered into the ground, and topped with two bails.

The stumps are placed in line on the bowling creases and so these must be 22 yards (20 m) apart. A bowling crease is 8 feet 8 inches (2.64 m) long with the middle stump placed dead centre. The popping crease has the same length, is parallel to the bowling crease and is 4 feet (1.2 m) in front of the wicket. The return creases are perpendicular to the other two; they are adjoined to the ends of the popping crease and are drawn through the ends of the bowling crease to a length of at least 8 feet (2.4 m).
When bowling the ball, the bowler's back foot in his "delivery stride" must land within the two return creases while his front foot must land on or behind the popping crease. If the bowler breaks this rule, the umpire calls "No ball".
The importance of the popping crease to the batsman is that it marks the limit of his safe territory for he can be stumped or run out (see Dismissals below) if the wicket is broken while he is "out of h
is ground

Rules and game-play of Cricket?

A cricket match is played between two teams of eleven players each^[19][20] on a grassy field, typically 137–150 metres (150–160 yd) in diameter.^[21] The Laws of Cricket do not specify the size or shape of the field^[22] but it is often oval.
A cricket match is divided into periods called innings. During an innings (innings ends with 's' in both singular and plural form), one team plays defense (the fielding team) and the other offense (the batting team). The two teams switch between fielding and batting after each innings. All eleven members of the fielding team take the field, but only two members of the batting team (two batsmen) are on the field at any given time.
The key action takes place in the pitch, a rectangular strip in the centre of the field. The two batsmen face each other at opposite ends of the pitch. The fielding team's eleven members stand outside the pitch, spread out across the field.
Behind each batsman is a target called a wicket. One designated member of the fielding team, called the bowler, is given a ball, and attempts to throw (bowl) the ball from one end of the pitch to the wicket behind the batsman on the other side of the pitch. The batsman tries to prevent the ball from hitting the wicket by striking the ball with a bat. If the bowler succeeds in hitting the wicket, or if the ball, after being struck by the batsman, is caught by the fielding team before it touches the ground, the batsman is dismissed. A dismissed batsman must leave the field, to be replaced by another batsman from the batting team.
If the batsman is successful in striking the ball and the ball isn't caught before it hits the ground, the two batsmen may then try to score points (runs) for their team by running across the pitch, switching positions. Each switch of positions is worth one run. The batsmen may attempt multiple runs or they may attempt no runs. By attempting runs, the batsmen risk dismissal, which can happen if the fielding team retrieves the ball and hits a wicket with the ball before a batsman has reached that end of the pitch.
If the batsman hits the bowled ball over the field boundary without the ball touching the field, the batting team scores six runs and may not attempt more. If the ball touches the ground and then reaches the boundary, the batting team scores four runs and may not attempt more. When the batsmen have finished attempting their runs, the ball is returned to the bowler to be bowled again. The bowler continues to bowl toward the same wicket, regardless of any switch of the batsmen's positions.^[23]
After a bowler has bowled six times (an over), another member of the fielding team is designated as the new bowler. The new bowler bowls to the opposite wicket, and play continues. Fielding team members may bowl multiple times during an innings, but may not bowl two overs in succession.
The innings is complete when 10 of the 11 members of the batting team have been dismissed or a set number of overs has been played. The number of innings and the number of overs per innings vary depending on the match.

What is cricket?

Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the runs scored by the batting team. A run is scored by the striking batsman hitting the ball with his bat, running to the opposite end of the pitch and touching the crease there without being dismissed. The teams switch between batting and fielding at the end of an innings.
In professional cricket the length of a game ranges from 20 overs of six bowling deliveries per side to Test cricket played over five days. The Laws of Cricket are maintained by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) with additional Standard Playing Conditions for Test matches and One Day Internationals.^[1]
Cricket was first played in southern England in the 16th century. By the end of the 18th century, it had developed into the national sport of England. The expansion of the British Empire led to cricket being played overseas and by the mid-19th century the first international matches were being held. The ICC, the game's governing body, has ten full members.^[2] The game is played particularly in Australasia, the Indian subcontinent, the West Indies, Southern Africa and England.

Why parents don't let there children to play?

Parents who do not let their children play freely are doing more harm than good, experts warn

 

By Fahim

Have your say(1)

PUSHY parents who do not let their children play freely are doing more harm than good, experts warn.

Overprotective mothers and fathers who restrict unstructured play can increase the risk of depression in their children and may even cause suicide.

Such parents – branded “hovering helicopters” by researchers – prevent their children from playing outside, where they might build dens, climb trees or explore the countryside.

The American Journal of Play asked a group of experts to investigate the near-extinction of free play and its effects on children and society.

They said that without free outdoor play, children are prone to obesity, poor physical health and are unable to develop social skills.

Peter Gray, professor of psychology at Boston College, said: “Over the last 50 years opportunities for children to play freely have declined dramatically in the United States and other developed nations.

Parents who do not let their children play freely are doing more harm than good, experts warn

“That decline continues, with serious negative consequences for children’s physical, mental, and social development.”

Calling for the restoration of free play, Professor Gray said there was a clear correlation between its decline and the rise of depression, suicide and narcissism among children.

Mixed age play was also beneficial, he said, because older children were able to teach younger ones new skills, while also learning themselves.

Lenore Skenazy, author of a book called Free-Range Kids, blamed protective parents, organised sports and fears about “stranger danger”, as well as computer games and social media for the decline of free play.

Bangladesh vs Pakistan Series'11

Bangladesh v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Mirpur

Pakistan too powerful for Nasir Hossain's fight

Reported by Fahim

December 3, 2011

Comments: 162 | Text size: A | A

Pakistan 262 for 7 (Akmal 59, Afridi 42, Shakib 1-27) beat Bangladesh 186 for 6 (Nasir 100, Gul 4-36 Hafeez 2-15) by 76 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

	Shahid Afridi scored 42 off 27 balls to help Pakistan reach 262 © AFP Enlarge
Related Links Features : Nasir's temperament the tonic for Bangladesh Players/Officials: Mohammad Hafeez | Nasir Hossain | Umar Akmal Matches: Bangladesh v Pakistan at Dhaka Series/Tournaments: Pakistan tour of Bangladesh Teams: Bangladesh | Pakistan

For the second time in two matches, Bangladesh's top-order batsmen collapsed quickly, this time playing rash shots on an easier pitch, and Pakistan secured the three-match series 2-0 without being stretched in Mirpur. The home side's approach to their innings was in contrast to that of Pakistan, who had batted with deliberate caution to guard against early wickets and build a platform for a strong total. The difference in how the teams fared in the first ten overs of their innings decided the match.

Bangladesh's batsmen did not even begin to challenge Pakistan, crumbling against Mohammad Hafeez and Umar Gul, whose economical yet incisive spells with the new ball made the target of 263 disappear from sight. The collapse began in the fourth over and went on until the tenth, at the end of which Bangladesh were 19 for 4. Tamim Iqbal slashed at a potential wide and toe-ended it to slip; Imrul Kayes chipped a drive softly to cover; Shahriar Nafees might have inside-edged on to his pad but he had just survived a closer lbw shout; and Mushfiqur Rahim pushed away from his body and was caught at gully. In between these dismissals the batsmen couldn't get the ball off the square and the asking-rate spiraled irreversibly out of control. Hafeez eventually finished with figures of 10-2-15-2.

Pakistan, on the other hand, used an old-school approach. They were content to play within themselves and build slowly. Pakistan weren't entirely successful, because Bangladesh broke steady partnerships before they caused too much damage, but the power-hitters, Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi, fired from the platform built for them to reach a sizeable total.

Hafeez and Younis Khan laid the foundations with a partnership of 57 for the second wicket. They blocked the good deliveries when they had to, and shouldered arms when they could. Shafiul Islam and Rubel Hossain conceded only 28 in the first nine overs before Mushfiqur turned to the left-arm spin of Shakib Al Hasan, who continued to tighten Bangladesh's grip on the run-rate. Hafeez and Younis eventually fell in succession and, at 93 for 3 in the 26th over, Bangladesh had inched ahead.

Then began Pakistan's strongest partnership, between the two most different batsmen in the XI: Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal. Misbah ensured solidity, while Akmal infused the innings with urgency with his running between the wickets and his repertoire of attacking shots. Though Misbah had begun batting earlier, Akmal was soon double his captain's score in virtually the same number of deliveries.

The fifty partnership for the fourth wicket came off 54 balls and Akmal brought up his half-century off 49. Shakib had been Bangladesh's best bowler and his only wicket broke the threatening partnership: Akmal skied the ball inside out to long-off to be caught for 59. Misbah fell soon after, becoming the debutant Elias Sunny's maiden ODI wicket. At 193 for 5 in the 42nd over, Bangladesh had restored parity.

Shahid Afridi hit his second ball for six, over long-off, and was then dropped on 8 by the bowler Shafiul. He went on to hurt Bangladesh, hitting the ball powerfully and charging between the wickets to score 42 runs off 27 balls. That Bangladesh had to chase more than 250 was their own fault, for they conceded 22 runs in extras, 17 of them through wides.

Bangladesh were not without a hero, though, for Nasir Hossain entertained the strong crowd by scoring his maiden ODI century. Unfortunately for Hossain, he began his innings after the game was lost, and he did not have partners who batted with similar purpose. Even Shakib, who is usually hard to subdue if he bats long, managed only 34 off 90 balls. That partnership of 106 for the fifth wicket took 32.1 overs and caused the asking-rate to skyrocket.

Hossain could have been out on 9 had the wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed held an easy catch, and as Pakistan eased their intensity because they were never going to lose, he began to play his shots, taking on a formidable spin attack. Hossain began the 49th over on 86 off 127 balls and reached his century in the next four deliveries. He slammed Afridi over the extra-cover boundary for six, and cut through point, before playing a dot ball. On 96, he charged and swung, getting an edge that beat Sarfraz and went to the boundary. The crowd and his team-mates applauded him warmly, for he had been an example to his more experienced team-mates.

Innings Dot balls 4s 6s PP1 PP2 PP3 Last 10 overs NB/Wides Pakistan 172 21 3 29/1 23/1 (16-20) 42/1 (36-40) 72/3 0/17 Bangladesh 199 14 1 19/4 9/0(16-20) 23/0 (36-40) 65/3 1/8

Season 2011, ODIs

One-Day Internationals

Australia in Bangladesh ODI Series, Apr 2011

Result Australia 3-0 (3)

Pakistan in West Indies ODI Series, Apr-May 2011

Result Pakistan 3-2 (5)

Pakistan in Ireland ODI Series, May 2011

Result Pakistan 2-0 (2)

ICC Intercontinental Cup One-Day, Jun 2011 - Oct 2013

Current series

India in West Indies ODI Series, Jun 2011

Result India 3-2 (5)

NatWest Series, Jun-Jul 2011 (Sri Lanka in England)

Result England 3-2 (5)

Tri-Nation Tournament in Scotland, Jul 2011 (Ireland, Scotland, Sri Lanka in Scotland)

Winner Sri Lanka

Australia in Sri Lanka ODI Series, Aug 2011

Result Australia 3-2 (5)

Bangladesh in Zimbabwe ODI Series, Aug 2011

Result Zimbabwe 3-2 (5)

England in Ireland ODI Match, Aug 2011

Winner England

NatWest Series, Sep 2011 (India in England)

Result England 3-0 (5)

Pakistan in Zimbabwe ODI Series, Sep 2011

Result Pakistan 3-0 (3)

ICC ODI ranking as 11 Dec'11

11 December 2011

Team	Matches	Points	Rating
Australia	33	4291	130
India	44	5149	117
South Africa	22	2537	115
Sri Lanka	33	3693	112
Pakistan	37	4018	109
England	35	3706	106
New Zealand	25	2174	87
West Indies	27	2146	79
Bangladesh	32	1995	62
Zimbabwe	30	1402	47
Ireland	12	492	41
Netherlands	9	137	15
Kenya	7	0	0

History of Cricket

The history of cricket to 1725 traces the sport's development from its perceived origins to the stage where it had become a major sport in England and had been introduced to other countries.

The earliest definite reference to cricket occurs in 1598 and makes clear that the sport was being played c. 1550, but its true origin is a mystery. All that can be said with a fair degree of certainty is that its beginning was earlier than 1550, somewhere in south-east England within the counties of Kent, Sussex and Surrey, most probably in the region known as the Weald. Unlike other games with batsmen, bowlers and fielders, such as stoolball and rounders, cricket can only be played on relatively short grass, especially as the ball was delivered along the ground until the 1760s. Therefore, forest clearings and land where sheep had grazed would have been suitable places to play.

The sparse information available about cricket's early years suggests that it was originally a children's game. Then, at the beginning of the 17th century, it was taken up by working men. During the reign of Charles I, the gentry took an increased interest as patrons and occasionally as players. A big attraction for them was the opportunity that the game offered for gambling and this escalated in the years following the Restoration. By the time of the Hanoverian succession, investment in cricket had created the professional player and the first major clubs, thus establishing the sport as a popular social activity in London and the south of England. Meanwhile, English colonists had introduced cricket to North America and the West Indies, and the sailors and traders of the East India Company had taken it to the Indian subcontinent.