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Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were outBrett Lee dives into the crease to complete the match-winning bye off the final ball•Getty Images

Pakistan’s bowlers were magnificent in their defence of a modest total, but could not deny Australia a thrilling last-ball victory that ensured their progression to a fourth consecutive Champions Trophy semi-final. The Australians were at one stage coasting at 140 for 2 in pursuit of Pakistan’s target of 206, only to lose six wickets for 47 in a dizzying 12-over sequence that temporarily opened the door for India to leap-frog them into the next round of the tournament.In the end, Brett Lee and Nathan Hauritz guided Australia to a two-wicket win that secured them a rematch with England, and made a dead-rubber of India’s match against the West Indies down the road at the Wanderers. It was anything but convincing though. Mohammad Asif, playing his first international in 18 months, claimed two wickets in an excellent second spell to draw Pakistan back into the contest, and Saeed Ajmal continued to mesmerise the Australians with 2 for 31 from 10 superb overs. Adding to the intrigue was Naved-ul-Hasan, who at one stage conceded a solitary run from three overs at the death, turning Australia’s comfortable stroll into a nerve-shredding climb.Australia entered the final over requiring five runs for victory, and Umar Gul gave them a torrid time. Bowling full, straight and with a hint of movement, Gul forced the Australians to edge and scamper for their runs, with victory eventually coming from a frantically-run bye from the last delivery of the match. Lee, who had played an instrumental role in restricting Pakistan’s batsmen earlier in the day, finished with an unbeaten 12, highlighted by a dancing drive to an Ajmal doosra in the 48th over that broke Australia out of their funk.Shane Watson and Tim Paine seemed set to make short work of Pakistan’s total, frequently hitting and clearing the boundary to kick-start the Australian innings. Watson cast aside memories of his recent run of ducks by blasting 10 runs from Umar Gul’s opening over, and Paine followed with a neatly clipped six over midwicket from Mohammad Asif, who bowled without venom on his return to international cricket.Neither opener made it through the first 12 overs – Watson edged a quicker Gul delivery to Akmal, while Paine was trapped leg-before by Afridi – but Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey ensured there would be no top-order capitulation with an 81-run third-wicket stand. Ponting contributed a stoic 32 from 64 deliveries, and Hussey a more energetic 64 from 87 as Australia eyed an early shower.Their dismissals, however, triggered a collapse that evoked painful Ashes memories in several members of the squad. Callum Ferguson, Cameron White, James Hopes and Mitchell Johnson were all dismissed for single-digit scores as Pakistan roared back into the contest on a difficult Centurion pitch. But their resurgence fell just short, allowing Australia safe passage through to the semi-finals.Earlier, Mitchell Johnson claimed his 100th ODI scalp, but run-restriction rather than wicket-taking proved the key to Australia’s strong bowling performance. Pakistan’s batsmen laboured through the middle stages of their innings and batted with little urgency with wickets in hand at the death, leaving Australia a modest run-chase on a flattening wicket.Mohammad Yousuf (45 off 69) and Kamran Akmal (44 off 63) were the most prolific of the Pakistan batsmen, however neither mastered the conditions nor the bowlers. Misbah-ul-Haq looked more assured during his knock of 41 from 53 deliveries, but his dismissal – stepping on his stumps to a Watson wide in the final over – summed up a Pakistan innings that faltered out of the blocks.

Hemang Badani, who will make a comeback to mainstream cricket after severing ties with the ICL, will represent Rajasthan in the Ranji Trophy Plate League when the Indian domestic season begins later this year. Badani was a part of his state side, Tamil Nadu, for over ten years before opting to join the unauthorised ICL. He was one of 79 Indian players to accept the BCCI’s offer of amnesty in exchange for quitting the league.”They (Rajasthan Cricket Association) have been in discussions with me,” Badani was quoted as saying in the . “I was also considering Assam and Goa before deciding to play for Rajasthan. “I’ve been very happy with how I’ve come back in the (first-division) league here, and put runs on the board. I’m really looking forward to proper cricket after two years of what was like exile.”Badani, 32, has represented India in four Tests and 40 ODIs. He’s played 96 first-class games, averaging 47.91 and scoring 13 centuries, and while in the ICL, played for Chennai Superstars. Badani was overlooked for the Buchi Babu tournament, conducted by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA), and wasn’t picked either in the TNCA XI or the TNCA Presidents XI.Badani, however, was not disappointed with his exclusion. “It makes perfect sense,” he said. “I spoke to (TNCA) officials, and they said they were looking to the future. The youngsters who have come in have done really well, making it to the semifinals (last season). It (picking me over them) would have given a negative vibe to the youngsters.”Badani has been handed a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the TNCA, which he has forwarded to the BCCI and the Rajasthan Cricket Association (DCA).Rajasthan were relegated to the Plate League of the Ranji Trophy after finishing at the bottom of their group in last year’s Super League phase of the tournament.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsMitchell Johnson starred with bat and ball to secure Australia’s 2-0 lead•Getty Images

Already, two matches into this series, a pattern is developing as Australia claimed a 2-0 lead with 39-run victory at Lord’s. Once again they were put into bat and managed only a par score as Callum Ferguson top-scored with 55, but then restricted a run-chase that England should have knocked off with ease, especially after reaching 74 without loss. England were guilty of repeating the same mistakes from The Oval as a number of their top-order made starts, but only Paul Collingwood passed fifty as he forlornly tried to hold the chase together.The key performance in many ways, though, was Mitchell Johnson’s late assault with the bat after Australia had slumped to 208 for 8 in the 46th over. They didn’t look like using up their allocation, but Johnson swung powerfully to club 43 from 23 balls and add 41 off the last 4.2 overs with Nathan Hauritz. It should have been negated by the solid start between Andrew Strauss and Ravi Bopara, but four wickets in 32 balls including two in four by Shane Watson, either side of a fly-past by an RAF Lancaster Bomber, derailed England’s chase.And whereas on Friday they managed to get close thanks to the lower-order, this time the chase limped along. While Collingwood, who reached 4000 ODI runs when he had made 14, had Graeme Swann for company in an eighth-wicket stand of 36 there was still a chance, but Swann’s mow across the line off a slower-ball from Nathan Bracken signalled the end. It was another example of an England batsman picking the wrong shot at the wrong time. The asking rate wasn’t out of control with the Powerplay still to come, but by the time Bracken finished a double-wicket maiden, which also included Ryan Sidebottom’s scalp, the game was up and the batting option hadn’t been used.Of further frustration for England – as they lost all ten wickets for 136 – was that they were comfortably ahead of Australia’s comparison well into the final 10 overs. Strauss had been quickest out of the blocks as he showed the adaptability that is now part of his batting and he and Bopara then began to feast on some loose offerings from James Hopes.However, Watson’s introduction changed the game when Bopara walked across his stumps and was struck in front of middle. Watson, who struggled with the ball during his brief spells in the Ashes, celebrated with vigour and was at it again when Prior drove loosely without much footwork.Strauss’s demise came two balls after a fly-past from a Lancaster Bomber that brought the Lord’s crowd to their feet as it flew in over the Nursery Ground, then turned and made a return pass. The event was to commemorate 65 years since Lord’s was handed back after being used as a RAF receiving base in World War Two. The players came onto the balcony to watch, and Strauss was soon rejoining them as he tried to work Hauritz into the leg side and chipped a gentle leading edge back to the bowler.Owais Shah announced his intentions by coming down the pitch and hammering Hauritz over wide mid-off for an authoritative boundary. But the combination of Collingwood and Shah at the crease did suggest some chaos with the running, with one of team’s quickest alongside one of the slowest.Collingwood played the ball to the off side and wanted the single but saw Shah hesitate. That caused Collingwood to stutter and by the time both began running it was far too late, with Shah being the casualty. It adds to the lengthy list of run-outs Shah has been involved in and it is a significant problem. To Collingwood’s credit he refocused well, but couldn’t find anyone to stay with him.Eoin Morgan was pinned lbw by Johnson and Luke Wright, with time to build an innings, wafted at the hostile and accurate Brett Lee before Tim Bresnan fell to a weak cut against Johnson. There are plenty of Australians with points to prove in this series, Lee and Johnson being two of them, and so far that is a major difference.Australia had also stumbled after a solid opening stand, but had enough in the tank to stage a recovery. Bresnan, recalled after Stuart Broad was ruled out with a stiff neck, broke the first-wicket partnership of 62 when Watson drove to cover where Wright held a sharp, mid-air catch.Then it was Wright the bowler who took charge as Tim Paine pulled a short ball to deep midwicket where Morgan, playing as extra batting cover in place of Adil Rashid, steadied himself well under a spiralling catch. Wright, showing the pace he has added this season, then had Michael Clarke caught behind top-edging a pull. The innings was steadied by Ferguson and Cameron White as the pair added 59 before Bopara had White caught behind first-ball.Swann ensured that Australia’s middle order struggled to find momentum when he removed Michael Hussey with one that straightened a fraction, and also trapped Hopes on the sweep. However, Ferguson remained and notched another half-century, to continue a prolific start to his international career, until playing round a straight ball to give James Anderson his first wicket since August 3. England should have aimed to bowl Australia out, but instead they lost some intensity in the closing overs as Johnson freed his arms and those runs proved the difference. There isn’t much between these sides, but at the moment it’s enough.

Match facts

Sunday August 2, 2009
Start time 14.00 (18.00 GMT)

Big Picture

West Indies need Andre Fletcher to fire at the top of the order•DigicelCricket.com/Brooks LaTouche Photography

It has been a triumphant tour for Bangladesh so far, and they will be aiming to round it off with another victory in the Twenty20 on Sunday. It was the only format in which they had trumped West Indies before setting off for the Caribbean last month, but that famous win in the 2007 World Twenty20 remains their only success against a Test-playing nation in Twenty20s.In the absence of West Indies’ leading players, Bangladesh have had the rare advantage of the being the more experienced side in the contest, and they have made that count in both the Tests and ODIs, holding their nerve at the key moments. Though they have no domestic Twenty20 tournament, Bangladesh’s players are still more acquainted with the format than the home side, with several of them having played two World Twenty20s.West Indies’ two major problems have been the inconsistency of the top order, and their discomfort against spin. Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan capitalised on that, picking four slow bowlers for the one-dayers, and having a pair of them operating in tandem as early as the ninth over.The inclusion of Andre Fletcher has added some dynamism to the top order, and he showed his ability while carting three sixes on his way to a 52-ball 62 in the third ODI. How he and Travis Dowlin, one of the more impressive batsmen for West Indies this series, combat the Bangladesh spinners will play a large part in determining whether the home side can salvage at least one win in the series.

Form guide

(last five matches, most recent first)Bangladesh – LLLLL
West Indies – LWLWL

Watch out for …

Kemar Roach first came into the spotlight when he was picked by West Indies for a Twenty20 against Australia in 2008 barely five months after making his first-class debut. He has troubled Bangladesh batsmen with his pace all through the series, and though he was expensive in the one-dayers he was the leading wicket-taker, finishing with 10 at 16.20.The allrounder Mahmudullah is coming off the best month of his career, spinning Bangladesh to victory with eight wickets in the first Test, before shepherding them with a mature, unbeaten half-century in the third ODI to keep their spotless record on tour in tact. He is yet to make an impact in Twenty20s at the international level, and Sunday’s game provides him the ideal opportunity.

Team news

There aren’t likely to be too many changes to the winning Bangladesh combination. One person who place could be under the scanner is Raqibul Hasan, who is not renowned as a big hitter and had a poor run in the ODIs.Bangladesh: (likely) 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Junaid Siddique, 3 Mohammad Ashraful, 4 Raqibul Hasan, 5 Shakib Al Hasan (capt), 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 7 Mahmudullah, 8 Naeem Islam, 9 Abdur Razzak, 10 Syed Rasel, 11 Rubel Hossain.One of the worries for West Indies is the thigh injury to vice-captain Darren Sammy, who has been one of their key players in both the Tests and one-dayers. But coach John Dyson remains confident Sammy will be fit for Sunday’s game after watching him practice at the nets.West Indies: (likely) 1 Kieron Powell , 2 Andre Fletcher, 3 Devon Smith, 4 Travis Dowlin, 5 David Bernard, 6 Floyd Reifer (capt), 7 Devon Thomas (wk), 8 Darren Sammy, 9 Nikita Miller, 10 Kemar Roach, 11 Gavin Tonge.

Stats and trivia

• Fletcher and Sammy are the only West Indies players who have played 10 or more Twenty20, while Bangladesh have five players with that much experience
• Bangladesh have lost their previous eight Twenty20 games; their last win was nearly two years ago
• The only Twenty20 match that Kemar Roach has played at the senior level is when he made was picked against Australia in 2008

Quotes

“It is a young team. They have got to continue to play, and play hard. We have got to continue talking to each other.”

Chaminda Vaas, Sri Lanka’s most successful fast bowler, ended his Test career during an emotional farewell at the SSC after the third and final Test against Pakistan ended in a draw with the hosts winning the series 2-0.Vaas, a 111-Test veteran, was given a standing ovation by the spectators, who stayed behind after the end of the match, when he was presented with a memento and one million rupees by Sri Lanka Cricket chairman DS de Silva.”This is an emotional time for me. I have played international cricket for the last 16 years with pride and performed at the best of my ability,” Vaas said. “I can confidentially say that I have given my 100 % to my country. In return cricket has made me what I am today. I am grateful for all that I have received. I’ve always adopted a non-confrontational and non-controversial approach in my Test career and I do not intend doing things differently today.”Vaas said he began his Test career at a time when Sri Lanka was nowhere in the top league and was proud to have contributed to his country’s progress. “After 15 years Sri Lanka has made giant strides and is able to rub shoulders with the best. While many people have contributed to this transformation, I am proud to have played my own little part in this process,” he said. “I may not have been the most talented cricketer to play for Sri Lanka but I’ve worked hard on my game and was able to produce good results. There is no substitute for hard work.”While thanking the past captains he had the privilege of playing under, Vaas singled out Arjuna Ranatunga as one who had a strong influence on his career. “He was such a strong leader and had a great influence in me.” Vaas also said current captain Kumar Sangakkara was already showing signs of becoming ‘a great captain’ in the short time he had been in charge.Vaas also thanked the support staff for enabling him to play international cricket continuously without any serious injury.”No one forced me to retire from Test cricket. I am thankful that I got the opportunity to play in my last Test. This is the best time to retire from Test cricket and concentrate on ODIs and Twenty20s because the young fast bowlers who are emerging are doing pretty well.Vaas said taking 14 wickets in a Test at the SSC against Brian Lara’s West Indies in 2001 was the most memorable moment of his career. He picked Wasim Akram as his role model and chose Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara as the two most difficult batsmen to bowl at in world cricket.Vaas said that if he was to start his Test career all over again he would prefer to be a batsman and lamented his lack of focus on his batting in the early part of his career. “I realised how important batting was only in the latter part of my career and I enjoyed batting in the last four to five years.”Bowling in tandem with Muttiah Muralitharan, Vaas said, was a privilege. “I should say that most of Murali’s success was due to me bowling at the other end and keeping things very tight. It was an honour to play with such a world-class bowler.”Having been overlooked for the ODI series against Pakistan, Vaas said that he would fight his way back into the team. “I haven’t played ODI cricket for 11 months and during that time all the young fast bowlers have played very well and grabbed the opportunities with both hands. I am going to work hard to fight for my place. I’ll be back very soon.”

Ten years on from semi-final at Edgbaston, South Africa are ready to bury the ghosts of the past once and for all. The country’s record when it comes to the crunch at world events isn’t one of the nations’ prouder sporting achievements but there is a feeling that this generation of players can make amends.South Africa’s only ‘global’ title came in 1998 when they won the first mini World Cup in Bangladesh and the following year came their most harrowing tournament exit when they tied with Australia. The pressure told again in 2003 when a misread Duckworth-Lewis chart sent them out of their own World Cup and twice in 2007 – against Australia at the 50-over World Cup and against India at the World Twenty20 – batting collapses ended their campaigns.You wouldn’t blame supporters for hiding behind the sofa when the semi-final against Pakistan, at Trent Bridge, starts on Thursday, but the South African team is far more confident. “We’ve been in pressure situations before and have come through them,” Mickey Arthur, their coach, said. “It’s a different team of players, a different set of management and coaching staff.”Yes, we could get beaten tomorrow and then the chokers tag might surface but for us that’s not an issue so long as we are playing the game to the best of our ability. We aren’t scared of losing. Mentally our team is very strong.”While Arthur is right to say this is a new team, there is still a strong element of the past involved, with three survivors from the 1999 campaign in Jacques Kallis, Herschelle Gibbs and Mark Boucher. It is impressive sustainability – few teams can boast such continuity from the late 90s – but even one of those directly involved believes times have changed.”We have been in a few semis before but there’s a different feeling about this team,” Boucher said. “We’ve been through a lot of tests in the last couple of years which we have come through with flying colours. We’ve handled pressure pretty well and hopefully that is a sign of things to come in the final stages of this tournament.”That confidence is not misplaced, either, after a two-year period where they have confronted and overcome some of cricket’s toughest challenges. They have won in Pakistan, Australia and England and drawn in India. Only the home Test series defeat to Australia is a blip.For a significant portion of their successful run they have used the services of Jeremy Snape, the former England offspinner turned psychologist, and while this very modern of roles is often viewed cynically by former players the current set-up are happy to accept Snape’s methods.”He’s been on my couch once or twice,” Boucher joked. “There’s always something you can learn. I don’t think anyone in our side is arrogant enough to think they know too much about the game. We are always welcoming new ideas to move the game forward. He has added a lot of value to our side.”

Snape has come up with the phrase that the chokers have become the stranglers because of the effectiveness of South Africa’s bowling attack in tying down the opposition. Bowlers have certainly had their say in this tournament. A score of 160 has proved very defendable and the semi-finalists (with the exception of West Indies) have progressed on the strength of their attacks. And variety has been the key word.Even South Africa, a team once renowned for fielding an assortment of right-arm pace bowlers, now barely have two of the same kind. There’s the pace of Dale Steyn, the left-arm angle of Wayne Parnell, the swing of Kallis, the offspin of Johan Botha and the left-arm spin of Roelof van der Merwe.”When we were doing our warm-down [following the India game] I said to the guys how playing India in those conditions a few years ago we’d have probably been bowled out for 70 and they’d have got it in three to four overs,” Boucher said. “It’s great to be in a position where you can rock up to a ground, look at the wicket and know you have all the bases covered.”For Arthur it is the reward for a year’s worth of planning. “It’s always very pleasing when you sit down and plan and things work. We started this planning when we were over here touring England,” he said. “We saw quite a bit of the local Twenty20 on television and saw spin bowlers have a good effect.”It all came to fruition in the Australia series when we identified pace off the ball as one way of getting amongst them. And all credit to our spinners because they have come in and done the job. Yes, we have backed them, but eventually you need performances and our guys have given us that.”Now the pressure to maintain those performances has risen to another level. Any slip-ups and all that hard work will come to nothing. “We’ve tried to prepare as though it’s any other game,” Arthur said. “I don’t think we want to put too much emphasis on it being a semi-final.”

Ben Sennik has announced that he will stand down as president of Cricket Canada at the end of June after five years at the helm. His last role will be to attend the ICC’s centenary celebrations in London.”This was not an easy decision,” said Sennick. “However, after reviewing what we have been able to jointly achieve, and recognizing what lies ahead for all of us on the cricket scene, I believe the time is now right for me to pass the responsibility as president to other hands.””I believe Cricket Canada is now at an important crossroads. In the past five years we have revived the organization and we now stand on firm financial footing. We operate as a viable business and all financial undertakings are fully transparent. We have balanced our budget and creating a responsible economic environment to attract new partners and new opportunities.””I fully appreciate the time and commitment that Ben Sennik has put into building the game in Canada,” said Richard Done, the ICC’s high performance manager. “Under his leadership Canada has developed from its voluntary base to start a new professional era both on and off the field. The national team has qualified for its third successive World Cup, the number of schools playing the game is growing, financially the sport is on a sound footing and Cricket Canada has again successfully hosted events involving a number of Full Members during 2008.”While Canada has progressed during Sennik’s time at the helm, he has been a controversial figure, and only last month he faced moves to file a no-confidence vote against him. This has been withdrawn in the wake of his retirement.

North Division

Lancashire complete a Roses double with an impressive win at Headingley•Getty Images

Graeme Swann warmed up for England duty in some style by swiping an incredible 90 not out from 47 balls against Derbyshire to turn a tricky Nottinghamshire run-chase into a stroll under the floodlights at Derby. Swann came to the crease in the first over of the innings, following the dismissal of Ali Brown, and was still there when the match ended 14.4 overs later, with 13 fours and two sixes to his name. Adam Voges (45 from 30 balls) shared in an unbroken 112-run stand for the third wicket and only Graham Wagg, with 2 for 41, was able to break through for Derbyshire. At the halfway mark, their total of 158 for 5 seemed a stiff challenge, thanks to half-centuries for Wavell Hinds and Greg Smith. But Swann’s confidence at present is soaring.Lancashire completed an impressive Roses double by securing their second victory in a week against Yorkshire, and this time in enemy territory at Headingley. Sajid Mahmood and Glen Chapple combined well with two cheap wickets apiece to keep Yorkshire’s batting under wraps, and only their top-scorer, Jacques Rudolph, managed more than a run a ball, falling eventually to Gary Keedy for 38 from 33 balls. In reply, chasing a meagre 112, Paul Horton chimed in with 29 from 16 balls, leaving Steven Croft to ease Lancashire over the line by five wickets with an unbeaten 40 from 49.Jacques du Toit was Leicestershire’s last-gasp hero at Chester-le-Street, as he wrapped up a seven-wicket victory by cracking a six and a four off the last two balls of the match to sneak his side past Durham. Chasing 145 for victory, Leicestershire seemed to have lost their way despite an 82-run stand for the third wicket between Paul Nixon and James Allenby. When Paul Collingwood removed Allenby for 53, 11 runs were still required, but du Toit needed just three runs to rattle those off to deliver his team’s first victory of the competition. Their other star of the night was the teenage seamer, Alex Wyatt, who took 3 for 14 on his Twenty20 debut.

South Division

Middlesex’s faltering defence of the Twenty20 Cup continued against Kent – the team they defeated in last season’s final at the Rose Bowl – with a four-wicket defeat at Canterbury. Batting first, Middlesex never came to terms with the new-ball threat of Robbie Joseph, who strangled their bid for momentum with 2 for 14 in four overs. The top five managed two fours between them, and even Tyron Henderson was limited to a solitary six as he top-scored with 31 from 38 balls. A target of 105 never looked like being enough, not even when Alan Richardson bagged both openers with six runs on the board. Martin van Jaarsveld and Ryan McLaren kept the chase on course as Kent eased home with 10 balls to spare.Essex manoeuvred themselves towards the top of the South Division table with a thrilling final-over victory over Surrey at Chelmsford. After the late dismissals of Matt Walker and Ryan ten Doeschate, Grant Flower hit the winning boundary with one delivery remaining, but it was Ravi Bopara who ignited the run-chase with 53 from 41 balls. Surrey’s total of 165 for 5 was built around a fantastic unbeaten 81 from 60 balls from their opener Scott Newman, but it was not enough.Chris Nash made easy work of Hampshire’s modest total of 122 for 7, cruising to an unbeaten 56 from 47 balls and sealing the contest with a six, as Sussex picked up their second victory of the competition at Hove. Nash was joined in an unbroken third-wicket stand with Dwayne Smith, who made 31 from 29 balls and had earlier picked up two wickets in his only over of the match. James Kirtley also struck twice in a disciplined bowling performance, and only Michael Carberry, with 36 from 38 balls, was able to hang around long enough to build an innings.

Midland/Wales/West Division

Ian Harvey and Riki Wessels turned on the style for Northamptonshire with a pair of hard-hitting half-centuries to bat Glamorgan out of the contest at Wantage Road. Harvey made 64 from 37 balls and Wessels 55 not out from 34, as Northants romped to a commanding score of 195 for 3 in their 20 overs. In reply, Mark Cosgrove replied in kind with a bruising 40 from 22 balls, but he found scant support with Jamie Dalrymple’s 24 from 29 the next highest score. Harvey completed a fine allround match with 3 for 24, while Johan van der Wath – who had earlier clubbed 27 from 13 balls – took 3 for 23. Glamorgan batted out their full 20 overs, but still fell 40 runs short.Craig Spearman’s 51 from 29 balls proved the difference at Taunton, where Gloucestershire picked up their first win of the competition by inflicting Somerset’s their first defeat – by 21 runs. Spearman’s innings contained six fours and a six, and was supported by some sterling cameos from Hamish Marshall and Will Porterfield, who made 27 runs from 15 balls between them, and Richard Dawson, who was unbeaten on 27 from 20 at the end. Chasing 163, Somerset lost Craig Kieswetter and Marcus Trescothick early, and though Justin Langer and Peter Trego threw the bat gamely in the closing stages, they were always behind the asking-rate.Jonathan Trott and Jim Troughton produced a pair of half-centuries to ensure Warwickshire the West Midlands bragging rights against local rivals Worcestershire at Edgbaston. Chasing 149, the pair added 97 for the second wicket to put the result beyond doubt, and Trott was still there at the end with 53 from 48 balls as victory was secured with seven wickets and 10 balls remaining. Earlier Worcestershire had produced a piecemeal innings in which only two men reached double-figures. Daryl Mitchell made 35 from 31 balls, but the undoubted star was the recent England Twenty20 opener, Steve Davies, whose 73 from 48 balls contained nine fours and a six. He eventually fell, however, to Keith Barker, who returned the impressive – and ultimately matchwinning – figures of 4 for 19.

ScorecardTim Murtagh’s sharp opening burst put Glamorgan onto the back foot•Getty Images

This match needed a session dominated by the bowlers to keep interest alive. It found one as Middlesex reduced Glamorgan to 94 for 4 at the close of the third day and the home side have a chance of a far from insurmountable run chase. To add some extra spice, Jamie Dalrymple remains at the crease having been made to feel uncomfortable.Dalrymple is certainly not flavour of the month among some of the Middlesex players and was given plenty of verbals by Danny Evans, who had to be warned to calm down by umpire Ian Gould after repeatedly following through and chirping at the end of his run. He will be desperate not to lose, but Glamorgan could find themselves in trouble if their only thought is a draw.When Shaun Udal declared 91 behind 18 wickets had fallen in eight sessions, but Mick Hunt, the Lord’s groundsman, said he was pleased with the amount of carry for so early in the season – a suggestion, perhaps, that the bowling hadn’t quite been up to the mark.Two bowlers, though, showed that success was possible with Garnett Kruger improving from a poor second day to claim four wickets and Tim Murtagh producing an impressive opening burst to remove both Glamorgan openers. Alan Richardson, who has bowled well throughout the game, finally collected his first wicket shortly before the close when he caught Michael Powell on the crease, shortly after Powell had been dropped by substitute Adam London.The early signs for Glamorgan had been that they would be in for a day of leather chasing, but that changed during a productive burst by Kruger from the Nursury End. Kruger is the county’s first dalliance into the Kolpak market and his performance on the second day had been far from what is needed by a senior quick.However, Kruger’s innings turned around when Phillip Hughes dragged a cut onto leg stump having added 18 to his overnight score. Hughes had scored so many runs with that shot that it brought a gasp when one failed, and Kruger was fortunate that this one hadn’t whistled to the boundary as well, but he left to warm applause from the Middlesex members who were happy to forget he’ll be facing England in a couple of months.Neil Dexter had started fluently, moving past his half century off 110 balls, but he fell in Kruger’s next over when a top-edged pull lobbed to first slip and suddenly Glamorgan had an opening. Eoin Morgan, another of the quintuplet of left-handers at the top of the order, hit some sparkling boundaries, but just when he was set to take advantage of the surface he was trapped leg before by David Harrison.Kruger, who improved the longer he bowled, made further inroads when he jagged one back into the pads of Ben Scott – although there was some doubt over the height – and then had Gareth Berg neatly caught, low down, at first slip as he drove at an outswinger.At 311 for 6, Middlesex weren’t safe from the follow-on, and may have struggled if Udal hadn’t been dropped by Adam Shantry at long leg on 7, but Dawid Malan was playing a compact innings to eliminate the danger of batting again. It is an important season for Malan after he caught the headlines in Twenty20 cricket last year and now the interest will be if he can consolidate in the four-day game. He looked set to make the game’s fourth hundred (and the fourth by a left-hander) when he pulled his hamstring running a three and in the next over guided a cut into the hands of gully.Udal’s declaration, a pleasing sign that he didn’t want to waste time with a couple of tailenders, was followed by Murtagh’s incisive opening burst. After learning from the first innings he had a third man early on and Mark Cosgrove picked him out, then Gareth Rees was pinned leg before. For the second time in the game Ben Wright failed to build on a neat start and dragged a pull into his stumps off Berg and Glamorgan had the wobbles.

Sometimes, perceptions can be dead accurate. Sometimes, they can go so wrong. The buzz before the inaugural IPL season said Royal Challengers – notwithstanding the flamboyance of their owner, Vijay Mallya – looked too much of a “Test” team to shine in Twenty20. Sure enough, they flopped, finishing one place above the bottom. The buzz also had Deccan Chargers as the perfect Twenty20 team. They ended one below Bangalore.
Heads have rolled in both teams. There are new captains – Adam Gilchrist for Hyderabad and Kevin Pietersen for Bangalore (Jacques Kallis will lead when Pietersen leaves after two weeks) – and new coaches, Darren Lehmann for Hyderabad and Ray Jennings for Bangalore. Bangalore have a new approach, Hyderabad a new look – literally, in their redesigned strip. This season, both teams will be seeking redemption.

BANGALORE

Jesse Ryder could be the Shane Watson of this edition•Getty Images

After the embarrassment of 2008, Vijay Mallya may finally have a team to match his persona. Kevin Pietersen will raise the glamour quotient way above Test level, and fellow new boys Jesse Ryder and Robin Uthappa will beef up the team’s T20 skills. And with quite a few South African cricketers in their ranks it will be almost like playing at home. Dale Steyn, who publicly said last season the IPL was like a paid holiday, is sure to rev up his performance. Perhaps the most important South African in their ranks will be the coach – Jennings is known to be a hard taskmaster and will certainly crack the whip.The buzzIt’s all about Ray Jennings, who has fired from the hip right from the start. He warned the “older” players, expressed worries about Rahul Dravid’s captaincy, and criticized the seniors. “The team lacked energy, commitment and skills. If you don’t enjoy each other’s company it must be a long six weeks,” Jennings said. “I will point fingers at the senior players. They are the one who must have run that type of the culture in the side.”New facesDon’t look beyond Jesse Ryder. Yes, they have KP but he’ll be there only for two weeks. Ryder, in contrast, could be the Shane Watson of this edition. He can win a game in 20 minutes of violent batting, with a spectacular fielding effort or with a spell of his nagging, and surprisingly effective, medium-pace.Watch out forDale Steyn has apologised for his silly comment and can be expected to up his game. He has been in great form in international cricket, leading South Africa recently to memorable victories and he will be playing at home.Missing in actionRahul Dravid and KP after two weeks. For all the criticism, Dravid was easily the highest run-getter for Bangalore last year. However, he will be returning home for the birth of his second child. Pietersen will go back to play for England in the home series against West Indies.X FactorBhuvneshwar Kumar. A nippy medium pacer, also known as the man who handed Sachin Tendulkar his first duck in Indian domestic cricket, and a useful lower-order batsman. He is not an explosive talent by any stretch of imagination, but is likely to be a very steady and consistent performer. StrengthThe openers. Bangalore struggled to find a regular pair last year but have Ryder and Robin Uthappa for this edition.Weakness
The relatively thin Indian talent and the unavailability of Pietersen after two weeks. While Ross Taylor will replace KP the batsman, Kallis is unproven as a leader and has lots to prove as a batsman in this format.Prediction for 2009Will do much better than 2008 and will cause a few upsets IPL 2008 – The key figuresFinal position: 7th
Top scorer: Rahul Dravid with 371 runs at 28.53
Top wicket-taker: Steyn with 10 wickets at 25.23 and economy rate of 6.63
Best result: Five-wicket win over Mumbai Indians
Worst result: 140-run loss to Kolkata Knight Riders
Highest team score: 181 v Delhi
Lowest team score: 82 v Kolkata

HYDERABAD

The new uniform, a livelier obsidian blue, may change the team’s fortunes this time around•Associated Press

Strangely, Deccan Chargers didn’t show much interest in the transfer market this year, planning instead to rely on last year’s underperforming squad to seek redemption. They will depend heavily on the likes of Rohit Sharma, their best player last year, Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds and Herschelle Gibbs to justify their paycheques. Symonds’ career graph has gone downhill since last year, Gilchrist hasn’t played much competitive cricket, Gibbs is just making his international comeback – though he has hit form – and even Rohit has slipped since then. The bowling looks pretty weak, with RP Singh leading the attack. They will bank on the fact that for several players, this IPL could be the platform to improve their international career and so, they to perform.The buzzPerhaps the lack of buzz itself was the buzz. For a team that performed woefully last year, they didn’t show any visible sense of purpose in this year’s auction. The sacking of VVS Laxman as the captain was announced, oddly enough, during Australia’s tour of India, a decision widely criticized for its timing. And then the infighting – Shahid Afridi hit out at Laxman, who in turn turned the mirror on Afridi. On the upside – their new uniform, dumping the drab beige for a livelier obsidian blue.New facesNeither of the two big signings – West Indians Fidel Edwards and Dwayne Smith – inspires awe. Edwards is quick but hasn’t proved himself in Twenty20, and Smith, in theory perfectly suited to the format, has rarely turned on the heat in his international career.Watch out forAndrew Symonds. It’s a risky pick, given that he hasn’t coped well in the recent volatile months, but he undeniably has the skills to turn things around. No one can predict which Andrew Symonds turns up but for his team to do well, Symonds has to fire.Missing in actionShahid Afridi. He was the biggest flop last year but it could have just been an aberration for the violent hitter and smart spinner, for whom Twenty20 could have been the calling card.X FactorRavi Teja. He is a young talented attacking opening batsman for the Hyderabad Ranji team and, given the opportunities, can make his name in the IPL. Not many have hit Glenn McGrath for six over cover point. StrengthRohit Sharma. He had a stellar first year that prompted experts to believe he would be the face of the new Indian batting line-up. However, he’s been on the decline since then and his spot in the Indian team is now in question. This IPL could be his platform to charge back to form. He has the game. Does he have the heart?Weakness
The bowling. RP Singh will be leading the pack and the rest don’t inspire much optimism. Safe to say not many batting line-ups will lose sleep over facing this attack.Prediction for 2009Likely to end in the bottom half IPL 2008 – The key figuresFinal position: 8th
Top scorer: Gilchrist with 436 at 33.53
Top wicket-taker: RP Singh: 15 wickets at 29.46 and an economy rate of 8.61
Best result: 10-wicket win over Mumbai
Worst result: Nine-wicket loss to Delhi
Highest team score: 214 for 5 v Rajasthan Royals
Lowest team score: 110 v Kolkata