Only the best good enough for Kevin Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen has set England the challenge of surpassing Ashes rivals Australia as the best one-day team on the planet.


Pietersen's appointment as England captain has coincided with their most authoritative displays in recent memory and, having sealed NatWest Series success over South Africa, they can now go second in the official limited-overs rankings.

Victories in the final two matches of the campaign, starting at Lord's tomorrow, will see South Africa displaced as Australia's nearest rivals.

England, as low as seventh earlier this year, rose to fourth place with their latest commanding win over the Proteas, by 126 runs at The Brit Oval.

"It's something we want to strive for," said Pietersen.

"We always said we wanted to be the best team in the world.

"Our goal now is to make sure the guys don't talk about their talent but they deliver their talent."

Pietersen, 28, has used his own hard-work ethic - he is a net addict - as the model for team success.

And it is certainly bearing fruit in his maiden series since succeeding joint leaders Michael Vaughan and Paul Collingwood at the helm.

"I just want the guys to do as much as they can and to deliver, deliver, deliver," Pietersen said.

"There is a lot of mediocrity that people settle for in this country, in terms of county cricket.

"I am not one for settling for mediocrity.

"I want to get better and better and better every single time I practise. "Then you can entertain when you go out because you know you have done the hard yards before."

Pietersen appears a natural winner - his record of four out of four successes captaining against the country of his birth backs that up - and he is now trying to infect the rest of the team with his attitude.

India on mission Target

India take on a beleaguered Sri Lanka in the dead rubber on Friday at Colombo hoping its off-colour batsmen will find form.

With Wednesday's 46-run victory fetching India an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series - ensuring their first-ever bilateral ODI series triumph against Sri Lanka - the team is upbeat, hoping to sign off in style.

The lone worry stems from the poor form of Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh and Rohit Sharma and the team hopes they too would join the party on Friday.

Though an inconsequential match allows the think-tank to tinker with the team combination, the off-colour players are expected to figure in the playing XI in an effort to help them wriggle out of their bad patch.

There, however, is no such worry with the bowlers who did an excellent job in the series. Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel and Harbhajan Singh once again rose to the occasion on Wednesday and helped in containing the hosts with their intelligent bowling.

Another redeeming feature of the fourth ODI was the smart fielding by the Indians after messing it up in the previous matches.

Experts in Colombo feel the toss was also in important aspect of the strategy and that the visitors benefitted out of it.

"The Sri Lankans also have a good batting line up. They could have scored more runs but for playing under the lights," an official remarked after Wednesday's match.

In fact, Indian skipper MS Dhoni himself admitted that the toss played a crucial role in the win as it assisted the spinners in the later part of the game.

"It was a good toss to win, there was something in the wicket for the spinners and they got a lot of turn. Even the pacers did well," Dhoni said.

India could last night make up for an additional batsmen as Yuvraj played a pivotal role as the second spinner, getting two important wickets.

Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene said the spinners were getting more turn in the end of the innings. Though only three Indian batsmen - Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli and Dhoni - came up with worthwhile contributions, the vital partnerships kept the Indians going.

"The toss proved crucial, it put the Indians in an advantageous position but I should say we made too many mistake along the way. There was lack of consistent partnership from the batters and that did not help the team at all," Jayawardene rued.

India clinch series win

India coasted to a 46-run win over Sri Lanka in the fourth one-day international at the Premadasa Stadium to clinch the series.

Speedster Munaf Patel and spinners Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh shared seven wickets.

Sanath Jayasuriya (60) threatened to make short work of India's target of 259, but his dismissal, coupled with failures at the top of the order from Kumar Sangakkara (six) and Malinda Warnapura (nought) meant Sri Lanka were bowled out for 212 in 46.3 overs.

The victory, India's third in succession, helped the visitors secure their first bilateral series win in Sri Lanka in four visits to the island nation.

Opening batsman Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni had each hit half centuries as India piled up a target which eventually proved out of Mahela Jayawardene's side's reach.

In reply, Jayasuriya ploughed a lone furrow at the top of the order as wickets tumbled around him.

Warnapura was dismissed for an 18-ball duck and Sangakkara followed suit shortly later, inside-edging a delivery from Munaf onto his stumps.

Jayawardene was then the victim of an unfortunate mix-up and was run out for 16, while Chamara Kapugedera (30) and Tillekaratne Dilshan (12) fell to dubious lbw decisions as the Sri Lankan innings folded.

Thilan Thushara, who had earlier claimed a five wicket haul, smashed a quickfire 40 at the end, but it was too little too late for the Sri Lankans.

Harbhajan finished with three for 40, while Munaf had figures of two for 48 and Yuvraj two for 53.

Raina (76) and Dhoni (71) had flayed the Sri Lankan bowling with a blistering 143-run fourth-wicket partnership while Kohli's 54 marked his maiden ODI half-century.

Thushara claimed the wicket of each of India's leading run-scorers, and mopped up the visitors' misfiring tail to claim a career-best five for 47 as India were bowled out two balls shy of their allotted 50 overs.

India decide to bat first

MS Dhoni won the toss for the fourth time in the series and decided to bat first as India go into the match with an unchanged side.

Pre-Match

Hello and welcome to our presentation of the fourth ODI between India and Sri Lanka from the R. Premadasa in Colombo.

Unlike yesterday, today is a terrific day for cricket, with the sun shining bright.

India would certainly be keen to wrap things up today and pocket the series. Remember, the visiors are leading 2-1.

Meanwhile, MS Dhoni won the toss yet again and decided to bat first. India go in with an unchanged team while Sri Lanka have decided to bring in Malinda Warnapura so that Kumara Sangakkara can go back to his his number four position. Chamara Silva misses out.

The Teams

India: Gambhir, V Kohli, SK Raina, S Badrinath, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni (capt & wk), RG Sharma, P Kumar, Harbhajan Singh, Z Khan, MM Patel

Sri Lanka: ST Jayasuriya, BSM Warnapura, KC Sangakkara (wk), DPMD Jayawardene (capt), CK Kapugedera, TM Dilshan, KMDN Kulasekara, WPUJC Vaas, T Thushara, BAW Mendis, M Muralitharan

Match delayed by drizzle

India will look to wrap up the series today but the rains in Colombo means play is yet to start today. But when it does, it will be riveting cricketing action.

Pre-Match

Hello and welcome to our coverage of the fourth ODI between India and Sri Lanka from the Premadasa in Colombo.

The news coming in is not good. It is drizzling in Colombo and the heavy outfield has delayed the start of the match.

India need to win today to wrap up the series after having gone 2-1 up on Sunday at the same venue.
Watch this space for all the action from today's match.

India banking on flat wicket

India will take a lot of heart from the batting-friendly pitch at the Premadasa Stadium as they take on Sri Lanka in Sunday’s ODI.

Although India made heavy weather of the second ODI before scraping through by three wickets and draw level, the tourists will once again be banking on their batting prowess to seize the lead in the third game of the five-match series.

The pitch at the Premadasa Stadium is expected to be full of runs in the initial overs and India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni would heave a sigh of relief as his in-form opener Gautam Gambhir has recovered fully from a stiff neck and is expected to open with Virat Kohli, who displayed a gutsy performance in the last match.

Moreover, Indian batsmen can also take some consolation from the fact that only one batsman - Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawarrdene - from either side has managed to cross half-century mark in the first two ODIs, whereas the Premadasa wicket is a traditional ODI pitch that offers runs for the batsmen and purchase for the spinners.

Another heartening news for India is that middle-order batsman Subramaniam Badrinath has been a revelation during the last match and has displayed ample maturity in his debut game to pull his side out of trouble.

The 28-year-old middle order batsman, who walked in when India were reeling at 75 for five in the second ODI at Dambulla, hardly looked troubled during his precious unbeaten 27 runs.

Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene did not seem surprised by the sheet anchor role played by the Tamil Nadu batsmen.

"We knew his capabilities, he played in the IPL also, so we knew who he was," the Lankan skipper told reporters.

Asked whether the pitch would result in team changes, Jayawardene said, "I don't think that after two games we will go in for any major changes. But it is something we will have to think about before the next game."

India win closely fought match

India won the second ODI in Dambulla by three wickets to draw level with Sri Lanka at 1-1. MS Dhoni starred with the bat for India.

End of Match

India made heavy weather of chasing a paltry 143 runs to win the second ODI at Dambulla to draw level with Sri Lanka. Though the bowlers did a briiliant job to restrict the Lankans to 142, the batsmen almost made a mess of it had it not been for enterprising knocks by Kohli (37), Dhoni (39) and Badrinath (27).

The five match series now stands level at 1-1, with three more matches to go.

Irfan dents Lanka further

The Sri Lankan innings is coming apart big time as Irfan Pathan gets into the act, striking in his first over to send Dilshan back.

18th Over: Irfan Pathan into the attack. WICKET! Dilshan flicks it off the pads and S. Badrinath takes a sensational catch at mid wicket to send Dilshan back. Thilan Thushara is the new man in. Brilliant over. Sri Lanka are 45 for six.

Fourth strike by Zaheer: Jayasuriya back to the pavilion

Zaheer Khan and Praveen Kumar have picked up five wickets to peg Sri Lanka firmly on the back foot. India's decision to bowl first is looking like a brilliant move.

14th Over: WICKET! Zaheer Khan is on a roll, he's picked up the big wicket of Jayasuriya. He's trapped lbw though it seemed to strike him a bit higher. But the decision has been made and he walks back to the pavilion. Sri Lanka have lost half their side. Nuwan Kulasekara joins Dilshan. Sri Lanka are 33 for five.

7th Over: Chamara Silva is the new batsman, Praveen continues from the scoreboard end. The key to the Sri Lankan innings is held by Jayasuriya now. He will have to draw on all his experience to dig Sri Lanka out of this hole. WICKET! Chamara Silva prods outside the off stump and Virat Kohli takes the easiest of catches at point. Sri Lanka are 11 for four.

6th Over: Zaheer to Jayawardene and he picks up a couple. That's his first runs and it's taken him nine balls. WICKET! Jayawardene nicks and Yuvraj takes an easy catch at first slip on second chance. That's a big blow and the Indians are euphoric. Chamara Kapugedera is the new man in. WICKET! And he's gone, nicked and MSD completes the catch. This is a dream over. Sri Lanka are 10 for three.

2nd Over: Zaheer Khan to come on from the other end. WICKET! And he's cleaned Sangakkara up. The off stump has been pegged back. Great bowling! Good start by India. Out walks Mahela Jayawardene. Sri Lanka are four for one.

SRI LANKA, 1ST OVER: Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara stride out in to the middle, Praveen Kumar has the cherry in his hand. Jayasuriya gets in to the act immediately, starts off with a single off the first ball. Sanga takes a single off the last delivery. Sri Lanka are two without loss.

Toss and Teams

MS Dhoni has again called the coin correctly and this time the decision to bowl is more of a compulsion. Couple of changes in the Indian side. Praveen Kumar comes in place of Pragyan Ojha and S Badrinath gets his debut cap in place Gautam Gambhir, who has been ruled out with a stiff neck.

MSD says Irfan Pathan will open the batting with Virat Kohli.

Sri Lanka have also made one change to their lineup. Chaminda Vaas is out with a stiff hamstring and has been replaced by Dilhara Fernando.

SRI LANKA: Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Chamara Kapugedara, Chamara Silva, Tilekaratne Dilshan, Nuwan Kulasekara, T Thushara, Ajantha Mendis, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan.

INDIA: Irfan Pathan, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, S Badrinath, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Praveen Kumar, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel.

Murali pushes India against the wall

Murali is on a roll, scalping his third wicket of the match. India are on the verge of a massive collapse

43rd Over: Murali on his way to Harbhajan. WICKET! Bhajji has nicked it to Sanga behind the stumps. Munaf Patel is the last man in. FOUR! Munaf sweeps and is off the mark. India are 121 for nine.

37th Over: Murali continues. The Indian tail enders have somehow managed to take India past 100. WICKET! Zaheer tries to blast Murali out of the park but holds up to Thushara in the deep. Pragyan Ojha is the new man in. India are 107 for eight.

29th Over: WICKET! Murali raps Irfan on the pads and a huge appeal is upheld by the umpire. Things could not get worse for the Indians. But TV replays showed there was some bat involved. Zaheer Khan is the new man in. India are 87 for seven.

28th Over: Dhoni on strike to Mendis. WICKET! The Indian skipper has glided it to his Sri Lankan counterpart at first slip. This is disaster for India. Harbhajan Singh walks into the middle. He fends the first one off nicely. A loud appeal for LBW. India are 87 for six.

21st Over: WICKET! What was Sharma trying to do? He steered it to Jayawardene at first slip, giving Thushara his first wicket of the match. Irfan Pathan is the new man in. And he is off the mark. India are 76 for five.

20th Over: Ajantha Mendis into the attack. Yuvraj on strikes. He is eyeing the deep mid on boundary! The first one goes past the bat. Two byes. A huge appeal for LBW. Umpire Billy Doctrove did not approve. SIX! Bang goes Yuvraj over the long on fence. WICKET! A little inside edge off the bat and Yuvi's timber has been disturbed. MS Dhoni is the new man in. India are 73 for four.

19th Over: FOUR! Sharma steers that away to third man off Thushara. Sharma lets go of a good bouncer.Good comeback by Thushara after the boundary earlier in the over. India are 65 for three.

18th Over: Yuvraj plays Vaas nicley through the covers, off the front foot. Two runs. With Sangakkara standing up to the stumps. Yuvi would have double thoughts about stepping down the track too often. FOUR! Yuvraj picks it off niely and tonks it powerfully to wide of mid on. India are 61 for three.

Senior Cricket player Views

200 Target: Score 200 must be better score for India to fight back Srilanka. Average chasing total in the ground is 230.

250 Target: Might be a Winning total in the ground

Double strike by Kulasekara

Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Kulasekara have struck two quick blows to push India on the back foot.

12th Over: Kulasekara to Raina and that's FOUR! It was pulled to the midwicket fence with ease. WICKET! And he gets his revenge. Raina falls for the trap and is caught by Silva at short cover. Rohit Sharma is the new batsman. India are 36 for three.

10th Over: DROPPED! Yuvraj plays away from the body and it's a sitter, the ball goes straight to Jayawardene at second slip and he drops it. Kulasekara can't believe it. India are 29 for two.

8th Over: WICKET! Kulasekara strikes another blow as Virat Kohli is trapped lbw for 12. That was plumb and no hesitation from the umpire. Yuvraj Singh is the new man in. He got a ton in the warm-up match on Friday. Let's hope he gets one today as well. India are 23 for two.

7th Over: FOUR! Vaas to Kohli and he flicks it to bring up the first boundary of the innings. Woh! That was a long wait. India are 18 for one.

6th Over: Kulasekara continues from the other end. Kohli picks up two runs and that's all from the over. He is miserly, all right!

5th Over: Vaas comes on to bowl his third over. The Lankan bowlers have bowled a great line. They are not trying anything spectacular but just sticking to the basics. Vaas needs another wicket to get 400 ODI wickets Three runs from the over. India are nine for one.

2nd Over: Kulasekara to share the new ball. The two Indian batsman are playing everything with caution. They don't want to give away another wicket and wisely so. Another clean over. Good start.

INDIA, 1ST OVER: Gautam Gambhir and Suresh Raina stride out in to the middle. Vaas to start the proceedings. Gambhir plays it cautiously. WICKET! Bowled 'em second ball. There was a big gap between bat and pad and Gambhir pays the price. This is a fantastic start for Sri Lanka. They have got the in form batsman. Out walks debutant Virat Kohli. Just a single. And India are one for one.

Fixtures: India and Sri Lanka ODI series

Date	Teams
Aug 15	TBC vs India
Aug 18	1st ODI - Sri Lanka vs India
Aug 20	2nd ODI - Sri Lanka vs India
Aug 24	3rd ODI - Sri Lanka vs India
Aug 26	4th ODI - Sri Lanka vs India
Aug 29	5th ODI - Sri Lanka vs India

Plenty Actions for India and Sri Lanka ODI series

A lot will be at stake for the ICC rankings when India and Sri Lanka take on each other for a five match ODI series from Monday.

Sri Lanka and India will be making final touches to their preparations for next month's ICC Champions Trophy 2008 in Pakistan when they go head to head in a five-match ODI series starting in Dambulla from Monday.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2008 will run from 12 to 28 September and Sri Lanka is in group B with South Africa, New Zealand and England while India is with Australia, Pakistan and the West Indies in Group A.

While the series will provide the two teams an opportunity to get in the one-day mode for the second biggest tournament after the ICC Cricket World Cup, plenty is at stake for the two teams in the Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship with fourth-placed India having the chance to leapfrog New Zealand into third place while seventh-placed Sri Lanka can climb three places to fourth position.

On the other side of the coin, India could drop to as low as seventh if it loses all its matches while Sri Lanka could finish behind the West Indies in eighth place on 98 points if it fails to win a match in the series.

PCB confident to host Champs Trophy

The PCB has said that this week's bomb attacks will not adversely affect their chance of hosting the Champions Trophy.

Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Operating Officer Shafqat Naghmi said the Board in its discussions with the ICC officials had already made it clear that such terrorist attacks can happen in the given scenario in some cities away from the stadiums and hotels.

"But we have assured them of the best security arrangements for the players, officials and other stakeholders during the tournament at the stadiums, hotels and wherever they move around," he said.

"We have told all stakeholders that security will be tight during the Champions Trophy but if something happens elsewhere in the city we can't give any guarantees for that. Cricket has been played in cities where bomb blasts have taken place at the same time," Naghmi said referring to the London blasts in 2005 when Australia was playing at the Oval and recently in Jaipur when the Indian Premier League was being held.

The ICC task force members are presently in New Zealand and Australia to brief and convince the players and officials about the security arrangements for the biennial tournament starting from September 12.

They met with New Zealand officials and players on Thursday and would repeat the exercise in Melbourne with the Australians on Friday. Australia, New Zealand, England and South Africa are among the teams which have apprehensions of playing in Pakistan because of security fears.

Naghmi said Pakistan was making the best arrangements for the event and would ensure top class security for the stakeholders with the support of the government.

"I don't think these recent blasts should influence anyone's thinking. As far as cricket is concerned nothing has ever happened in our sphere." He also dismissed reports that the countries reluctant to play in Pakistan had been told to give a final answer by August 20 to the ICC and that the task force would submit its report to all member countries.

Injuries to VVS, Sachin not serious

The injuries picked up by Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman in the final Test against Sri Lanka on Saturday are not serious.

According to Indian team management, the duo is expected to be fit to bat during the visiting side's second innings.

While Laxman picked up an ankle strain during a practice session this morning, Tendulkar suffered an elbow injury while attempting a tough catch today.

Tendulkar and Laxman were forced off the field because of the injury.

Indian team manager T C Matthews allayed fears on the duo's fitness and said the their minor niggles were not much of a concern.

"They are expected to be fit for batting in the second innings," Matthews said.

Laxman underwent an MRI scan which ruled out any major problem, while Tendulkar's elbow injury was also deemed not too serious.

The three-match series is currently tied 1-1 and India is aiming to clinch its first series triumph here since claiming the 1993 series.

Sri Lanka dominate first session

The first session completely belonged to Sri Lanka, even though Kumble prized out Sangakkara. The hosts now lead by 103 runs.

LUNCH

120th Over: Prasanna knocks Kumble aroud for a single. FOUR! Prasad blasts that through extra cover. What a shot! And that's lunch on day three. Sri Lanka are 352 for seven.

114th Over: Kumble is getting the ball to zip through. WICKET! Patel holds on to a fine edge as Sanga mistimes a glance to third man. Debutant Dammika Prasad walks into the middle. Sanga walks away immendiately. FOUR! First runs for Pradad in Test cricket. Sri Lanka are 328 for seven.

106th Over: Ganguly will share the new ball with Zaheer with Ishant sitting out of the park with an injury. FOUR! Prasanna dances down the ground to blast the former Indian skipper through extra cover. Dada is not too happy. FOUR! Prasanna cuts and cuts fine. Sri Lanka are 299 for six.

105th Over: Zaheer into the attack. New ball taken. Sangakkara on strike. Off the inside edge down to square leg for a single. Prasanna lets that one go through. No problems for the batsmen negotiating the new ball. Sri Lanka are 291 for six.

101st Over: Kumble to Prasanna, who is solid in defence. A slip. leg slip and a forward short leg in place. That one spun away from the bat, huge turn. It's a maiden. Sri Lanka are 278 for six.

100th Over: Harbhajan to continue. Sri Lanka have taken their lead to 27 runs. Prasanna takes a single to move into the double figures. He has been an idle foil for Ssangakkara. Sri Lanka are 278 for six.

99th Over: Sanga on strike to Kumble. He has looked as comfortable today as he did last night. Prasanna cut that very closeto his body and a sloppy piece of fiedling by substitute Pragyan Ojha allows the Lankans to run three. Sri Lanka are 275 for six.

98th Over: Harbhajan is bowling a tight line but he needs to lure the left handed Sanga into playing more shots. Another single conceded off the last ball of the over. Sri Lanka are 271 for six.

97th Over: Kumble on his way to Sangakkara. A single gets Prasanna on strike. The Lankan keeper is looking solid n the middle. Just one of the over. Sri Lanka are 268 for six.

93rd Over: Kumble to start proceedings on day three. sangakkara on strike. FOUR! Sanga cracks a full one through covers. First runs on the third day. Sri Lanka are 257 for six.

Pre Match

Hello and welcome to our presenatation of day three of the third Test from Colombo. I am Rajarshi Gupta, your commentator for the day. Sri Lanka etched out a lead of two runs on the second day with Kumara Sangakkara reaching his ton. However, India managed to sneak out six wickets as well.

The third day would be crucial in the context of the game.