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Ed Cowan stakes claim with century

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ScorecardEd Cowan celebrates his century against the Indians•Getty Images

Two batsmen and two spinners performed impressively for either side on the second day in Canberra, leaving the tour match between the Indians and the Cricket Australia Chairman’s XI evenly poised.Virat Kohli, who is likely to be India’s No. 6 on Boxing Day, converted his half-century into a hundred, before the left-arm spinner Jon Holland triggered a lower-order collapse and limited the visitors to 269. Holland finished with figures of 6 for 70.Opening batsman Ed Cowan then strengthened his case for a call-up to Australia’s Test squad by scoring his fourth consecutive long-format hundred. The 109 off 154 balls he made at the Manuka Oval came after two centuries in the Sheffield Shield and one for Australia A against the touring New Zealanders. Cowan steered CA Chairman’s XI to a position from where they were well placed to take a first-innings lead, but the offspinner R Ashwin struck three quick blows to help reduce them to 7 for 214 at stumps, still trailing by 55 runs. Ashwin had figures of 4 for 52.Another focal point of the day’s play was the performance of Zaheer Khan, who did not play the first tour game. Zaheer is working his way to an international comeback after ankle surgery and his first outing in Australia wasn’t impressive – he went for 41 in 10 overs and took no wickets.The day began with the Indians on 4 for 162, with Kohli batting on 55. Rohit Sharma was dismissed early, ending a partnership of 101 for the fifth wicket. Kohli continued to bat briskly, hitting 18 fours and two sixes on his way to 132 off 171 balls, but the Indians lost MS Dhoni and Ashwin to Holland. Kohli was eventually caught by the wicketkeeper Tim Ludeman off Holland, who then polished off the tail in a jiffy.The CA Chairman’s innings began poorly, with the captain and Test opener David Warner getting bowled by Abhimanyu Mithun for 2. The rest of the innings was all about Cowan, as none of his team-mates got stuck into the Indian attack. Cowan, however, was fortunate to reach his century. On 95, he was caught short of his crease by a direct hit from Rohit, but Cowan had run behind the umpire John Ward, who was unable to see that the batsman was run out.The two other Australia batsmen in the CA Chairman’s XI line-up had ordinary outings. Usman Khawaja made 25 off 49 balls and Phillip Hughes, who batted at No. 4, managed 20 off 29 before he was caught off a sweep.The CA Chairman’s XI had reached 184 for 3 before Ashwin began to work his way through the middle order. Four wickets fell for 30 runs, with left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha dismissing Cameron Boyce in the day’s final over.

Australia on top after day full of wickets

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Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsJames Pattinson picked up the wicket of Gautam Gambhir in the first over of the Test•Getty Images

In the 129 years since the SCG hosted its first Test, batsmen’s lives have been made infinitely easier. Pitches are now covered. Boundaries have been shortened by ropes. Helmets have allowed batsmen to hook with impunity, and they do so with heavier bats. It is to the credit of the bowlers that the contest between bat and ball remains gripping. So it was on the first day of this match, as James Pattinson and his Australian colleagues, and then Zaheer Khan for India, dominated proceedings.By stumps on the opening day of the SCG’s hundredth Test, 13 wickets had tumbled – more than the 11 that fell on the first day of Test cricket at the ground back in 1882. India’s captain MS Dhoni chose to bat on a pitch that featured some grass, but his batsmen didn’t back him up. Dhoni was the only man to score a half-century in India’s innings of 191, which ended soon after tea, and it was the wrong way for India to start a Test in which they needed victory to retain a chance of winning the series.Briefly, and surprisingly, their total appeared competitive, for Australia’s inexperienced top order wobbled to 3 for 37 against the swing of Zaheer. But through Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting, Australia wrested back the advantage. At stumps, their partnership had grown to 79, Australia’s score was 3 for 116, and Ponting (44 not out) and Clarke (47 not out) both looked in ominous form.Things could easily have gone badly wrong for Australia after Zaheer’s early strikes. David Warner edged in the first over of the innings, the catch snapped up by Sachin Tendulkar at first slip after it bounced out of the hands of VVS Laxman at second. In Zaheer’s next over, his first ball caught the edge of Shaun Marsh’s bat and was taken by Laxman, placing Zaheer on a hat-trick.It continued a disappointing return to Test cricket for Marsh, whose golden duck followed 0 and 3 in the Melbourne Test. This time he played limply at a ball he should have left alone, returning the favour from earlier the day, when Laxman fell to a similarly poor stroke that was edged to Marsh in the cordon. Both men would be happy with their catches, neither with their choice of shot.Zaheer’s hat-trick ball was negotiated by Ponting, but a few overs later the opener Ed Cowan became Zaheer’s third wicket, trapped lbw for 16 to a ball that struck him just in line with off stump. It was a fine spell of bowling from Zaheer, but the partnership of Clarke and Ponting, both of whom played some fine pulls late in the day, gave Australia a strong chance of a first-innings lead.But as India showed in their first innings, good starts from two men don’t necessarily mean anything. Dhoni finished unbeaten on 57 and Tendulkar, searching for his hundredth international hundred in the SCG’s hundredth Test, made a confident 41 but a distinct lack of support from the rest of the batting order cost India dearly.Again, they were beaten by an excellent bowling performance from Australia’s three fast men, Pattinson, Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle, who between them collected all ten wickets. Watching the strongly-built Pattinson bound in and attack some of the world’s best batsmen, it is easy to forget how inexperienced he is – this was the first time he had played a first-class match at the SCG.

Smart stats

  • This is India’s 16th sub-300 total in their last 12 Tests in Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand and West Indies. They’ve lost six of the previous 11, and won two.

  • India’s average in the first innings of overseas Tests in the last year is 27.29 runs per wicket, which is the lowest among all teams.

  • Of the 24 wickets that James Pattinson has taken in four Tests so far, 17 have been of batsmen in the top five, and four of those 17 have been dismissed for ducks.

  • India’s total is the fourth-lowest in the first innings of a Sydney Test since 1990. However, on two of those three earlier instances, the team which was bundled out went on to win the match.

  • Since the beginning of 2009, Zaheer Khan has taken 46 wickets of left-hand batsmen at an average of 17.52; against right-handers he has taken 40 wickets at 31.27.

  • This is the first time in the last five years that Sachin Tendulkar hasn’t scored a hundred in his first Test innings of the year.

He betrayed no nerves and struck in the first over of the Test: his third ball pitched on leg and nipped away from Gautam Gambhir, who edged to first slip for a duck that continued his slump. It was tough going early on for India’s batsmen and Rahul Dravid departed for 5 off 33 deliveries when he inside-edged onto his leg off Siddle and was taken by Cowan at short leg.That brought Tendulkar to the crease to a standing ovation, as is the case in every innings he plays these days, and he played some wonderful cover-drives as Siddle bowled full, seeking an edge. But while Tendulkar was calm and classy, his partner Virender Sehwag never looked completely settled.There were a few typical Sehwag flashes and he was lucky not to be caught at second slip on 23 when he edged Hilfenhaus and Ponting put down a simple chance, and a Siddle offcutter beat the bat and sailed over the stumps. Sehwag’s luck ran out on 30 when he got a regulation edge behind off the outswing of Pattinson, who had returned for another spell and bowled full and fast to test the batsmen.It was precisely that sort of delivery that Pattinson used to get rid of Laxman (2), a man who has tormented Australia over the years, especially at the SCG, where his Test average before today was 96.20. Laxman didn’t move his feet and wafted at a drive before he was well set – but it was Pattinson’s outswing that ensured the edge behind.That left India at 4 for 72 at lunch, and although Tendulkar and Virat Kohli steadied and batted solidly in the half hour after the break, the wickets again started to fall. Kohli was done in by Siddle’s aggression – two bouncers were followed by a fuller outswinger and the batsman didn’t move his feet well enough, edging behind for 23.Soon afterwards, Pattinson picked up the huge wicket of Tendulkar, who had looked good in his 41 but played on when he tried to drive a fullish ball wide of off stump. A ton of tons would have to wait. R Ashwin and Dhoni steadied the innings with a 54-run stand but in the last over before tea, Ashwin (20) edged to slip and off the next ball Zaheer fended a catch to short leg to put Hilfenhaus on a hat-trick.After tea, Ishant Sharma survived the hat-trick ball but few more – he also gloved a well-directed Hilfenhaus bouncer to short leg. Siddle finished the innings by having Umesh Yadav caught behind for a duck off a full outswinger – India’s last three batsmen all made ducks. Australia’s lower order showed in Melbourne how important late runs can be; India may rue their tail’s inability to stick around and support Dhoni, who ran out of partners.His decision to bat was sound, but much of India’s batting was not. Their chances might now rest with the bowlers.

Harbhajan Singh recovers stolen documents

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Harbhajan Singh, the India offspinner, has recovered a part of his valuables which were stolen from his car on the Punjab-Delhi highway. Haryana Police on Tuesday found his bag, lying in an abandoned area, containing his passport and other documents, including credit cards. However Rs 9500 in cash was still missing.Harbhajan registered the theft at the local police station, after his parked car was broken into outside a coffee shop.”It took us only three minutes to go to Cafe Coffee Day and bring coffee back to our car. But when we reached, we were shocked to find that our car glass had been cut and our important belongings were not to be found,” Harbhajan told .He was recently ruled out of Punjab’s Ranji Trophy campaign after a long-standing shin injury in his left leg resurfaced. Harbhajan, who was leading Punjab, was using the Ranji matches to try and make a comeback to the Indian team. He had returned home early during the tour of England because of an abdomen injury and was then left out of the home series against England and West Indies. Harbhajan was also not selected in the Test squad for the upcoming tour of Australia.

SL chief selector criticises team

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Duleep Mendis, Sri Lanka’s chairman of selectors, has lashed out at the players and coaches of the national team for their dismal performances against Pakistan in the ongoing Test series in the United Arab Emirates.”The performance of our cricketers is way below of what we expected of them,” Mendis said.”We may not have played Test cricket in the UAE before but then we should have gone there a few weeks ahead and got ourselves acclimatised to the pitches and conditions.”Apart from Kumar Sangakkara the batting has been a complete let down. There have been occasions where other batsmen have also contributed but overall our batting from one to six has been disappointing. Sangakkara has been brilliant and he alone is carrying the Sri Lanka batting most of the time.”Mendis noted that this was not the first time the Sri Lanka batting has failed to live up to its potential. “This has happened in three consecutive series starting in England and Australia and now against Pakistan. Compared to Pakistan we have one of the best batting line-ups in Test cricket and experienced players who have made centuries at the highest level. I think it has something to do with the mental approach. Something is not right there and it is the coaches who have to address it.”Unlike during our time, today there are coaches to handle every aspect of the game, batting, bowling, fielding, so it is their duty to see where we are going wrong. As much as it is the responsibility of the coaches the players must also take a fair share of the blame.” Pakistan’s bowling attack has been much more incisive than Sri Lanka’s over the course of the series, and Mendis felt that was an indictment of the bowling coach. “You take our bowlers there is a marked difference when Pakistan bowl and when we bowl. Their bowlers are able to get life out of a lifeless pitch. I think it is something to do with technique and our bowling coach is responsible for it.”He was also critical of the rest of the support staff for not performing their roles properly. “See the number of players who are injured? Dammika Prasad is unable to play in two consecutive Test matches without breaking down. Yesterday (third day) he did not bowl and we were down to four bowlers. Thankfully we played five bowlers in the Test.”Apart from Prasad there is Nuwan Kulasekara, Shaminda Eranga, Ajantha Mendis and Prasanna Jayawardene all on the injury list. I don’t know what our physios and masseurs are doing with the players for them to get constantly injured.”On the question of promoting captain Tillakaratne Dilshan to open the batting in the third Test against Pakistan at Sharjah, Mendis said it was a tactical change to allow for an extra bowler in the XI.”We tried the 6-5 combination in England also but it didn’t work in our favour. We are 1-0 down in the present series and we need to win the final Test to square it. We made the change with that intention. [Lahiru] Thirimanne didn’t bat all that badly for a newcomer. He was left out because we are looking for a result in this Test.”Mendis also pointed out that Sri Lanka was presently in the process of rebuilding the team after the retirements of Muthiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Sanath Jayasuriya and Marvan Atapattu and during such a period there can be setbacks.”It is not easy replacing players in the calibre of Murali, Sanath, Vaas and Marvan overnight. It will take some time and we will hit some rough patches while in the process of doing so.”

Powerplay tweaks and end of runners

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West Indies’ tour of Bangladesh, which begins with a Twenty20 on October 11, will be the first international series under the ICC’s revised playing conditions, which are effective from October 1. The amendments are only applicable to international cricket.The ICC’s cricket committee had made the recommendations after its meeting in London in May and they were passed by the executive board at the annual general meeting in Hong Kong in June.Powerplays (ODIs only)
In a full ODI, the teams can take the bowling and batting Powerplays (five overs each) at the start of an over after 15 overs of an innings have been bowled. They must complete the Powerplays by the 40th over, which means the last block of fielding restrictions must begin in the 36th over. The first ten overs will comprise the mandatory Powerplay. This condition will not apply to innings reduced to fewer than 40 overs.Under the previous playing conditions, teams were allowed to take the bowling and batting Powerplays at any time after the completion of the tenth over of the innings.Runners (All formats)
A batsman will not be allowed a runner under any circumstances. The batsman can retire hurt and return to bat at a later stage in the innings.Two new balls per innings (ODIs only)
Each fielding team will be given two new balls to be used in alternate overs, one at each end. The mandatory change of the ball after the 34th over of an innings will not take place anymore.Obstructing the field (All formats)
If a fielding team appeals and the umpire feels the batsman has significantly changed his direction without probable cause, while running between the wickets, and obstructed an attempt to run him out, the umpire can give the batsman out for obstructing the field. It is not relevant whether a run out would have been affected or not. The on-field umpires are allowed to consult the third umpire in making the decision. The other circumstances in which a batsman can be out obstructing the field are still applicable.Penalty time (All formats)
This amendment refers to the calculation of the time for which a player cannot bat or bowl because he or she was off the field.If a player, who still has some unexpired penalty time remaining from a previous absence, is on the field when play is interrupted by bad weather, light or other reasons, the duration of the stoppage will be deducted from the remaining penalty time.Bowler attempting to run out a non-striker before delivery (All formats)
Previously, the bowler could run out a non-striker backing up only if he did so before entering his delivery stride. This meant that as the bowler’s back foot landed, the non-striker could move down the pitch before the bowler delivered the ball.According to a new playing condition, 42.11, “The bowler is permitted, before releasing the ball and provided he has not completed his usual delivery swing, to attempt to run out the non-striker. Whether the attempt is successful or not, the ball shall not count as one of the over. If the bowler fails in an attempt to run out the non-striker, the umpire shall call and signal dead ball as soon as possible.”The umpires shall deem the bowler to have completed his delivery swing once his bowling arm passes the normal point of ball release.Extra time to complete a match (Tests only)
According to clause 16.2.2 of the Test match playing conditions: “The umpires may decide to play 15 minutes (a minimum of four overs) extra time at the scheduled lunch or tea interval of any day if requested by either captain if, in the umpires’ opinion, it would bring about a definite result in that session. If the umpires do not believe a result can be achieved no extra time shall be allowed.”If it is decided to play such extra time, the whole period shall be played out even though the possibility of finishing the match may have disappeared before the full period has expired.”Only the actual amount of playing time up to the maximum 15 minutes extra time by which play is extended on any day shall be deducted from the total number of hours of play remaining, and the following session of play shall be reduced by the amount of time by which play was previously extended under this clause.”Delay of lunch interval when nine wickets down (Tests only)
If a team is nine wickets down at the time of the lunch interval, the break will be delayed by a maximum of 30 minutes. Previously, only tea was delay-able, while lunch was taken even if a team was nine down.Duration of interval between innings (ODIs only)
The minimum interval for an uninterrupted ODI match has been increased from 20 minutes to 30 minutes.

Pakistan seek to maintain winning ways

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Match facts

September 16, Harare Sports Club
Start time 1400 (1200GMT)Younis Khan wants to extend his good ODI form to the T20s•AFP

Big Picture

After two weeks of hard grind, the fun part of the tour has arrived, with two Twenty20 matches to end the series between Zimbabwe and Pakistan. The hosts won’t be taking things too lightly, after their four defeats (in the one-off Test and the three ODIs) so far and will want to show Pakistan that they can compete with and beat them. They will also be anxious to turn around a mini-run of poor form ahead of an important home-and-away series against New Zealand.Zimbabwe are not an experienced outfit in T20 cricket and last played an international match in October 2010 against South Africa. They have, however, revolutionised their domestic setup with a sizeable sponsorship for the T20 competition and a number of international players taking part. They have taken enormous pride in that particular tournament and will be keen to show that the efforts that went into that have not gone to waste.Pakistan have already wrapped up the majority of the tour but to go home without conceding a single defeat would be a significant achievement for them. Besides the clean sweep, they have another important thing to keep in mind – Waqar Younis has entered his last weekend as the national coach and will want to leave on a high.All the players that Pakistan brought in or re-introduced into their line-up, barring Shoaib Malik, have impressed and with the most expressive format of the game left to play, they will want to show their flair as the tour draws to a close.

Form guide (most recent first)

Zimbabwe LLLLL
Pakistan LWLLL

In the spotlight

The shortest format of the game relies on big hitters and Elton Chigumbura has been talked up as the Zimbabwean who can hit it the furthest. He unleashed some of his killer blows in the ODI series but was often left with too many to get off too few deliveries. Similar equations exist in T20 only to be defied and Chigumbura will have to be the man that defies them. Zimbabwe will have to box clever with him and consider giving him more time at the crease to show off his big shots.Aizaz Cheema has not put a foot wrong so far on this tour. He has been the master of variation, mixing up his slower balls with yorkers and bouncers and showing the less experienced lot the only way to succeed on unresponsive surfaces. With the change in format, he could be a key component of Pakistan’s success. Cheema has played 19 T20 matches domestically and has 27 wickets at an average of 18.40 and could prove a handful for Zimbabwe’s tentative batsmen.

Team news

Zimbabwe have added Mr 194, Charles Coventry, to their squad and the little known allrounder Cephas Zhuwao to their squad. Coventry will likely slot into the middle order, perhaps even ahead of the likes of Taylor or Taibu. Malcolm Waller should pay the price for a number of promising starts without pushing on. Senior paceman Chris Mpofu should be brought back in, with Ray Price operating as the solitary spinner.Zimbabwe: (probable) Vusi Sibanda, Chamu Chibhabha, Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor (capt), Charles Coventry, Tatenda Taibu (wk), Elton Chigumbura, Ray Price, Brian Vitori, Kyle Jarvis, Chris MpofuFor Pakistan, Rameez Raja should be given a chance after sitting out of the lone Test match and all three one-dayers. He would replace Imran Farhat in the opening slot. Asad Shafiq was impressive in his first outing and will be competing with Shoaib Malik for a spot, if Umar Akmal is going to be brought back. Yasir Shah also earned praise and may be retained instead of Saeed Ajmal while Sohail Khan and Junaid Khan may be given turns in the third seamer role.Pakistan: (probable) Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat/Rameez Raja, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Shoaib Malik/Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Adnan Akmal (wk), Sohail Tanvir, Sohail Khan, Aizaz Cheema , Yasir Shah

Pitch and conditions

Brendan Taylor described the Harare pitch as “one of the best around,” and it is, for batsmen. Batsmen will again have the freedom of the surface as shot making should not be problematic. Taylor also expects “balls to be flying everywhere,” in the shortest form of the game, with a quick outfield and good carry expected. It will be tough work for the bowlers again but they are probably anticipating as much in a T20.

Stats and trivia

  • Zimbabwe have only played 14 T20s and have won just three. All of their victories have come away from home.
  • Pakistan’s lowest score in a T20 was when they were bowled out for 89 by England in September last year. None of their batsmen scored more than 20 in that match.

Quotes

“It’s a quick turnaround from the ODIs to the T20s so it’s a good chance for the guys to showcase their talent and their skills.”

“I am enjoying my cricket these days and I want to participate not only in batting, but in fielding and to be able to talk to the captain when we are under pressure and deliver my experience in all departments.”

Mushfiqur Rahim named Bangladesh captain

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Wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim has been named the Bangladesh captain for the home series against West Indies and Pakistan in October and December. Mahmudullah, the allrounder, has been appointed vice-captain by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).”This is the ultimate honour for any cricketer. I thank the board for entrusting me with this responsibility,” Mushfiqur said. “I am fully aware of the expectations of the entire nation and I will be totally committed towards ensuring that the Bangladesh team strives towards fulfilling the dream of millions.”To lead the team well, I will have to perform both off and on the field. At this moment we are trying to set our mind on the West Indies series, the preparation is going on and we still have a month left.”Bangladesh were left without a captain and vice-captain after the board had sacked Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal from the positions after a disappointing tour of Zimbabwe, where they lost the one-off Test as well as the ODI series. The BCB said that Shakib and Tamim had been axed because “their leadership was not satisfactory” and there were reports of indiscipline as well during the Zimbabwe series.”In Zimbabwe only one or two of our players performed while the whole team was missing its rhythm,” Mushfiqur said. “My target will be to lead the team so that we come out with a result that is achieved through team performance.”Mushfiqur was the favourite to succeed Shakib as captain since he was one of few Bangladesh players who command a spot in the XI in all formats of the game. He also led the Bangladesh team during the BCB Cup, while Mahmudullah led the Bangladesh A side.Preliminary squad for West Indies series: Mushfiqur Rahim (capt), Mahmudullah (vc), Imrul Kayes, Tamim Iqbal, Shahriar Nafees, Mohammad Ashraful, Junaid Siddique, Shakib Al Hasan, Alok Kopali, Abdur Razzak, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Nasir Hossain, Naeem Islam, Shahadat Hossain, Nazmul Hossain, Shuvogoto Hom, Shurawadi Shuvo, Raqibul Hassan, Syed Rasel, Robiul Islam, Mohammad Elias, Sahagir Hossain.

Bowlers put Afghanistan on top

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ScorecardA strong bowling performance from Afghanistan helped them take control of their Intercontinental Cup match against Canada at King City. After no play was possible on the second day due to rain, fast bowler Hamid Hassan ran through the Canada batting line-up on the third day, allowing Afghanistan to enforce the follow-on. Canada struggled in their second innings and had managed a lead of 13 at stumps, with just three wickets in hand.Hassan, who picked up four wickets on day one to leave Canada tottering at 21 for 4, continued in the same vein on the third day, picking up three early wickets to leave Canada in a shambles at 70 for 7. Only No. 7 Zeeshan Siddiqi offered some resistance with a half-century, before offspinner Mohammad Nabi struck to pick up the final three wickets as Canada were bowled out for a paltry 130, 163 runs adrift of Afghanistan’s first-innings total of 293.Afghanistan captain Nawroz Mangal had no hesitation in enforcing the follow-on. Once again Hassan struck early as Canada stumbled to 30 for 3. However, their middle order showed more fight; Hamza Tariq made an aggressive 52 with four fours and three sixes, while there were handy contributions from Zubin Surkari (35) – who was dismissed for obstructing the field – and Siddiqi (23). Harvir Baidwan (29*) and Tariq put on the most substantial partnership of the innings for Canada – 81 for the seventh wicket – before Tariq was dismissed in the penultimate over before stumps to leave Canada at 176 for 7, a lead of just 13.

Nitschke, Coyte help Australia to tight victory

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ScorecardShelley Nitschke anchored Australia’s successful chase with 78 from 100 balls•Getty Images

Australia Women edged home off the last ball to complete a nail-biting three-wicket win against India Women in Chesterfield. The victory was crafted on two fine all-round performances from Shelley Nitschke and Sarah Coyte, who helped Australia overcome a tenacious India side.Set 216 for victory, Australia were given an excellent platform from Nitschke who made 78 from 100 balls. All the top order contributed, though, with Meg Lanning adding 23 before she was run out, Leah Poulton 34 and Alex Blackwell 23.While coasting on 121 for 1 the game looked set to be an easy win for Australia, but four wickets fell for 47 runs to drag India back into contention. When Gouher Sultana had Lisa Sthalekar trapped in front for 6 Australia were 168 for 5 and wobbling. But a calm 11 from 22 balls from captain Jodie Fields steadied things, before Coyte helped Australia over the line with an unbeaten 17 from 19 balls.It meant no reward for India who would have been frustrated to end up all out for 215, having been 163 for 3 at one stage. Poonam Raut made a stodgy 60 from 106 balls, sharing a 75-run partnership with Mithali Raj, who made a brisk 49 from 61 deliveries. The only other sizeable contribution came from Harmanpreet Kaur, who made 31.Coyte and Nitschke took three wickets each, with fast-bowler Clea Smith also chipping in with 2 for 32 from her 10 overs.

'We are missing Gayle' – Sarwan

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Ramnaresh Sarwan has admitted that West Indies are missing Chris Gayle but said the players knew they couldn’t do anything about the situation. Gayle was not chosen in the squad for the opening one-day internationals against India due to an ongoing disagreement with the WICB, and in his absence West Indies struggled to 214 for 9 in the first ODI.”You are putting me in the spot,” Sarwan said with a smile after the loss in Trinidad. “Yes, we are missing him to be honest. It’s very difficult to replace someone like Chris at the top. He is the most feared batsmen in world cricket when it comes to ODI or T20. The selectors have made a decision and we need to work with what we have.”Sarwan also said that he wasn’t at his fluent best yet but that he remained confident of a turnaround. He made 56 off 94 balls after Darren Sammy won the toss and chose to bat, and West Indies’ total wasn’t enough to hold off India.”I haven’t had the best run since the World Cup,” Sarwan said. “I am not still fluent. Few things are wrong; I am working hard at it with Desmond Haynes. For me it’s the matter of rotating the strike. I don’t think I am as fluent as I used to be. My strike rate has been a little awkward . This innings will give me some confidence and hopefully I can kick on from here.”West Indies’ struggles with spin were accentuated in the series against Pakistan and the problem has continued against India, with Harbhajan Singh taking three wickets in the opening ODI, while Suresh Raina collected two and Amit Mishra bowled tightly. Sarwan said the team was working hard to rectify the situation.Ramnaresh Sarwan made a half-century against India, but he knows he’s not yet at his fluent best•Associated Press

“It’s a matter of adjusting to the conditions and to the quality of the bowlers we have been playing against,” he said. “It’s not frustration. It’s bit disappointing for us. Most of us have got starts since the World Cup and it’s a matter of improving on those. We have tried to help each other. It’s just a process and hopefully couple of young guys will pull through.”West Indies have lost the opening Twenty20 game and the first ODI but Sarwan was confident of a change of fortunes in the rest of the series. “The spirit is still pretty high. Don’t forget we did well against Pakistan. We won the last two ODIs and the first Test. We haven’t got the start we wanted this series but there are four games to go. We have had some positives: Marlon Samuels hasn’t played for a while and it was good to see him get a good score today. Bishoo has consistently bowled well and Anthony Martin did well today. Dwayne Bravo is a sort of individual who never lacks confidence. Before this series ends he will come back with a good knock.”There has been lot of criticism of West Indies lately, especially in the way their batsmen have struggled to score against spin, and Sarwan sees it as an obvious fall-out of the team not doing well. “When you are not winning, everything becomes an issue with media and public. It’s bound to happen. Yes, the spinners have been giving us trouble in the middle overs; we need to bat well and get more consistent. We haven’t had the best of runs in the last 15-20 years. It’s the matter of us getting everything together. We need to be consistent with batting and bowling. Consistency has been lacking.”