Editor
259 was a competitive target, but the West Indian opener (133 n.o. off 135 balls) made it a no-contest by almost single-handedly taking the Proteas to the cleaners, handing them a six-wicket thrashing and putting the Aussies on notice ahead of the fi
Assisted by a track with a lot of carry and bounce, Makhaya Ntini (5-21) flattened Pakistan for 89 to author South Africa's 124-run victory and their march into the semi-finals.
Stephen Fleming made history by becoming the most capped ODI captain and the Kiwis gave the perfect gift to their leader by stunning Pakistan with a 51-run victory to become the first team to secure a semi-final berth.
It was back, with Sehwag's form, as Dravid, Dhoni and Yuvraj sparkled and then Pakistan was P-squared by Pathan and Powar, finishing off the lone-challenge from Inzy to give India an emphatic series-equalling win.
Yuvraj, Dhoni, Dravid, Pathan fail to score big while Rao and Raina's heroics aren't enough as Pakistan canter to a thumping six-wicket win, with Younis Khan scoring 71 n.o.
After getting a foot in the door through Kumble (4-70), Munaf Patel (4-25) ensured there was no let-up, England being skittled out for 181. The target of 144 was achieved with the loss of Jaffer as Sehwag returned to form with a 76 in the company of
Backed ably by the lower order, Dravid's 95 saw India take a slender lead of 38. Another inspired display by Kumble (3-41) reduced England to 112-5 and placed the hosts in a position to press for victory.
In his 105th Test, the veteran leggie (5-76) scalped three wickets in four balls to pack off England for 300 and be the first Indian and fifth cricketer to claim 500 Test wickets. The joy was shortlived as India lost four top order batsmen to end at
There was frustration all around as bad light and drizzle allowed just 15 over to be sent down, leaving England at 200-5 and Kumble agonisingly close to his 500th Test victim.
Indian bowlers dealt crucial blows to smother a spirited England fightback led by Pietersen (64) and give the hosts a slight upper hand on a rain-marred day.
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