Warm Up

Fawad Ahmed wicketless in opening Australia A stint

Belfast: Australia leg-spin hope and possible Ashes call-up Fawad Ahmed went wicketless in his first representative bowling stint for his adopted country on Sunday.

The former Pakistani asylum-seeker, who did not bat in Australia's A first innings 312 for 9 declared against Ireland in Belfast, returned figures of none for 40 in 11 overs as the hosts made 186 for 4 declared on the third day of four at Stormont.

However, the 31-year-old's control hinted at better things to come. The prospects of Ahmed playing full international cricket for his adopted country improved dramatically when a bill to amend the Citizenship Act, which will help fast-track his application, passed through Australia's lower house of parliament earlier this month.

Cricket Australia said that if the bill should become law, and Ahmed obtains citizenship and an Australian passport, he will immediately be available for the national side. ...more    

I think Karthik has earned his place in the side, says Dhoni

Cardiff: Captain MS Dhoni indicated that Dinesh Karthik has more or less "earned" his berth in the playing XI with an unbeaten century in India's crushing win over Australia in a warm-up match for the Champions Trophy, here on Tuesday. "I think he has earned his place in the side and we'll just have to see who misses out when we play against South Africa. I'd like him to play...  

India worried about their top order despite warm-up wins: Ashwin

Cardiff: Despite recording two facile victories in the warm-up games, India are worried about their top-order batting, spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said here on Tuesday. Like the first warm-up game against Sri Lanka in Edgbaston on Saturday, India suffered a similar top order collapse against Australia on Tuesday. India were struggling at 55 for 5 in the 17th over till skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (91) and Dinesh Karthik rescued the innings...  

All-round India warm up with 243-run win over Australia

Cardiff: India hammered Australia by 243 runs in a Champions Trophy warm-up match after skittling out the defending champions for just 65 here on Tuesday. Umesh Yadav, who joined the squad late following his recent marriage, took the first five wickets to fall in a stunning return of 5 for 18 in just five overs. Meanwhile fellow paceman Ishant Sharma bagged 3 for 11, including Shane Watson, who scored a...  

Kohli, Karthik tons help India beat SL by five wickets in warm-up

Birmingham: Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik smashed a century each as India warmed-up their Champions Trophy campaign with a five-wicket thumping win over Sri Lanka in their first practice game on Saturday. Kohli (144) teamed up with Dinesh Karthik (106 not out) to rescue India from a wobbly start with a 186-run stand for the fifth wicket in just 23.2 overs to chase down a huge target of 334 with...  

Pakistan's CT warm-up game against SL washed out

London: Pakistan's Champions Trophy warm-up against Sri Lanka was abandoned without a ball being bowled on Thursday. With persistent rain soaking the Birmingham area, the umpires held a series of pitch inspections at Edgbaston to test the conditions, but the day-night fixture had to be called off. Pakistan's last chance to practice before the tournament comes against South Africa at The Oval on Monday. The next warm-up fixtures for the...  

Focus on bowlers as India prepare for first Test

Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma looked good as India warmed up for the first Test against Australia, starting Monday. ...