Cricket News In Brief – January 27, 2012 – Part 2
England surpassed the Men In Green’s first innings score of 257 on the 3rd morning of the second Test, currently being played at Abu Dhabi.
Resuming on 207 for 5, the Poms lost Matt Prior early after he was caught lbw off Saeed Ajmal but Stuart Broad and Ian Bell cemented their team’s position by adding brisk runs.
The Men In Green started poorly on the field by dropping a couple of catches and now will look to restrict their opponents on a meagre total on a relatively flat pitch.
Australia are on track to inflict 4-0 series whitewash after setting India a mammoth target of 500 to chase in the 4th Test at Adelaide.
The Aussies added 117 after resuming on 50 for 3, with Ricky Ponting remaining unbeaten with a half-century as Michael Clarke declared to give his bowlers almost five sessions to bowl out their opponents.
India again struggled in their second innings, losing the top six batsmen to hand the hosts the ascendency. The only player to offer resistance was skipper, Virender Sehwag, who made a brisk knock of 62.
Rain washed out most of the second days play between New Zealand and Zimbabwe at Napier, with the host adding 62 in 15.2 overs bowled in the One off Test.
Skipper, Ross Taylor had to retire hurt after suffering a calf strain and added just 11 to his overnight score of 111.
Other notable contribution on a rain affected day came from BJ Watling, the Kiwi wicket-keeper, who reached to an impressive half-century as the hosts ended the day on 392 for 5.
Sri Lankan captain, Mahela Jayawardene insisted that he will only stay for a year in his new role, with the main aim of rebuilding the team after a poor 9 months.
"I took up the captaincy once again, for one year. Our target is to win matches, to regain our place as one of the top four Test-playing nations," Jayawardene said in Colombo.
Jayawardene took over from Tillakaratne Dilshan after the flamboyant opener stepped down, following defeats in four consecutive Test and ODI series.