exciting this At least 52 dead in Iraq car bombs: officials

Watch At least 52 dead in Iraq car bombs: officials



AFP – Iraqi troops search cars at a mobile checkpoint in central Baghdad following a series of apparently co-ordinated

BAGHDAD (AFP) – More than a dozen apparently coordinated car bombs targeting Iraqi police and other attacks killed 52 people on Wednesday, just days before the US military officially ends its combat mission here.
The trail of bloodshed started in the capital Baghdad before stretching to the north and south of the country, hitting 10 cities and towns in quick succession in tactics that bore the hallmark of Al-Qaeda.
Some 250 people were also wounded, security officials said, as a total of 14 car bombs wrought havoc for police and soldiers whose ability to protect the country is under close scrutiny as US forces withdraw.
In the worst attack, a car bomb at a passport office in Kut, southeast of Baghdad, killed 20 people, including 15 police, and wounded 90 others, most of them police, Lieutenant Ali Hussein told AFP.
In Baghdad, a suicide car bomber blew up his vehicle at a police station in the northeastern suburb of Qahira, killing 15 people and wounding dozens more, security and medical officials said.
The attack in the mixed Sunni-Shiite neighbourhood took place at around 8 am (0500 GMT), according to an interior ministry official who gave the toll. "The victims include policemen and civilians," he said.
A doctor at Medical City Hospital said they had received the bodies of two women, two children and two police officers, and that 44 other people were receiving treatment.
A spike in unrest over the past two months has triggered concern that Iraqi forces are not yet ready to handle security on their own, and with no new government formed in Baghdad since a March 7 general election.
No one from the Iraqi police or army was available to comment on Wednesday's violence.
The US Army announced on Tuesday that troop levels were below 50,000 in line with President Barack Obama's directives as part of a "responsible drawdown" of troops, seven years on from the invasion which ousted
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Umar Gul winning fulfil fitness race

Watch Umar Gul winning fitness race


Umar Gul appears back to full fitness and will be aiming for a recall © Getty Images
Umar Gul, who suffered a stiff hamstring during the second Test at Edgbaston, has recovered completely from the injury and is likely to be available for selection for the final Test of the England series, which begins on Thursday at Lord's.

"We can't say anything for certain but we are hopeful," Salman Butt, the Pakistan captain said. It was feared that Gul would take no further part in the Test series when he first picked up the injury but Gul, who is Pakistan's most experience fast bowler, has been working hard with Dale Nyler, the team physio, and trainer David Dwyer, to bounce back.

While his team-mates were scripting Pakistan's remarkable victory in the third Test, Gul was on the sidelines where he bowled 'no-effort' balls which involved him charging in from a full run-up and going through the remainder of his action before finishing the sequence without delivering the ball. The exercise was essential to determine if the injury was healing fast.

"So far his recovery has gone as desired," Dwyer said. But both him and Nyler will have a final look on Wednesday morning before giving their final assessment on Gul's fitness to the team management which will sit in the evening to pick the playing eleven.

For the last two days Gul has progressed to bowling flat out without any cause for concern. At the indoor training centre at Lord's he bowled marathon spells of nearly 90 minutes and was happily sharing tips with Wahab Riaz, the man who replaced him in the previous Test.

Gul's recovery is good news for Pakistan, who are spoilt with riches in the bowling department. At The Oval last week, Riaz, the left-handed quick, made a memorable debut by claiming 5 for 63 on the first day to help set up Pakistan's four-wicket victory. Riaz earned further points on the second morning when he offered stubborn resistance with the bat. His 27 logged over a two hours, and he stitched a 34-run partnership with Mohammad Yousuf for the third wicket to rob England of the chance of putting pressure on the Pakistan middle-order.

Gul won't be worried about the competition. At Trent Bridge he top scored with 65 in addition to a match haul of 4 for 102. At Edgbaston he was forced off the field after bowling nine wicketless overs in the first innings but batted with a runner to bolster Pakistan's lead with a 27-run stand with Mohammad Asif for the last wicket.

Gul will have fond memories of playing at Lord's, after performing well there against Australia earlier in the year. He was on the verge of a hat-trick during Australia's second innings and finished the match with five wickets. Waqar Younis, Pakistan's coach, was positive about Gul but remained non-committal about his availability for the final Test: "We will have to see tomorrow and then decide."

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Expect a lot of run Clarke tips big things from Ponting

Watches Clarke tips big things from Ponting

Michael Clarke expects a lot of runs from Ricky Ponting over the next eight months © Getty Images
Michael Clarke believes Ricky Ponting's tendency to fire in the biggest contests will be the spark to overcome a long-term period as a batting mortal. Ponting wants to forget the past year, which included a tenderised elbow courtesy of Kemar Roach, and in his past four series has 681 runs at 40.05, figures inflated by a double-century against Pakistan.

Clarke, the vice-captain, has watched his leader closely in the nets and spots encouraging signs before huge Test series against India and England, and next year's World Cup. "He's a wonderful leader and been an amazing player for such a long time, and he always plays his best cricket in big tournaments," he said. "I know he is excited about the next eight months."

It is not unusual for elite players to ease off in intensity during smaller series, but it was strange for Ponting's standards to slip so much against Pakistan in England (average of 24.5), West Indies (34) and New Zealand (23). The only time he broke free was against Pakistan, with his 209 - he was dropped before he scored - pushing his mean up to 63. Since the 2006-07 Ashes series his overall average has dropped from nudging 60 to 54.66.

Ponting, 35, insists he has more to show. "Last year for me Test-wise is one of those years where I look back and almost write it off," he said. "I think I got run out three times, got caught at bat-pad three times. I am working as hard as I have ever worked, if I am averaging 54 now I have to push that up again, up to a level I know I am capable of playing at. That's the great challenge for me."

Since Roach roughed up Ponting at the WACA, bowlers around the world have sensed an opportunity with short balls. "They have probably changed the way they bowl at me as a result of the start of last summer in Australia," he said. "I am probably getting more short bowling than I used to get as a result of getting hit on the elbow."

He has no plans to move from No.3 and said it was nothing to do with ego. "I feel when I am playing well that I am the best person for that role," he said. "I will work hard, try and take my chances and be the player I want to be."

After Ponting comes Clarke, following his switching of spots with Michael Hussey for the Pakistan series. Now 29, Clarke said his position in the line-up isn't important, but the move is significant as it puts him closer to the No.3 role that he needs to star in if he is to become one of the game's best.

"When I was younger where I batted was probably more important to me but now it doesn't bother me," he said. "It's about whatever Ricky thinks and best suits the team ... I am not really stressed about it. I am pretty carefree about wherever I bat and I am going to play the way I want to play, I am going to try and be as successful as I can."

During Ponting's tough times Clarke said he has been available to take on extra duties. International captains, even those in charge of only two formats, can be over-loaded easily, stealing concentration from their batting.

Clarke is starting to know what that is like with extra glare on his Twenty20 strike-rate when he is in charge of that team. "I make it very clear to [Ponting] that anything he needs I am there for him 24-7," he said. "Anything he needs off the field, on the field, I will be there for him."

Peter English is the Australasia editor of Cricinfo

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© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
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Enjoy India out for 223 in must-win game

India out for 223 in must-win game


It appeared as though Virender Sehwag was batting on a different pitch

New Zealand gave themselves a shot at qualifying for the tri-series final by restricting a wobbly India to 223. An overwhelming percentage of the total once again came from Virender Sehwag, as the lack of contributions from his colleagues continued in India's inconsistent batting displays through the series. Sehwag's whirlwind century formed the mainstay of a 107-run stand with MS Dhoni and gave India some amount of control, but his dismissal in the 33rd over heralded a quick end to the innings.

Credit should go to the way New Zealand's varied attack made India struggle in conditions that didn't suit trigger-happy batsmen. The fresh pitch had bounce, nip and a bit of seam movement early on and the majority of the Indian batsmen lacked the temperament to last 50 overs in testing conditions.

It appeared as though Sehwag was batting on a different pitch. He was unfazed by the early movement and nip off the wicket, which made the seamers look potent. Dinesh Karthik and Virat Kohli were out poking at deliveries outside off stump, while Yuvraj Singh was hurried by the pace and bounce of Andy McKay. When Suresh Raina was out pulling Tim Southee while trying to force the pace, India had lost four wickets by the end of 13 overs. Those wickets took the sheen away from a fluid and entertaining start from Sehwag.

Not known for exaggerated foot movements, Sehwag used the crease to loft the seamers over the off side, through the line of the ball. He barely moved across the stumps but such was his confidence that he managed to stretch, scoop and slash powerfully over backward point. He backed away and slapped the slower bowlers past the infield as well. A more conventional punch through cover brought up his 1000th ODI four and that was part of a sequence of three consecutive fours off Southee.

India were lucky to have Dhoni at the other end for he rotated strike and built a solid partnership. Their stand produced a valuable 107, but India needed them to stay longer as they were the last capable pair, with only Ravindra Jadeja, who is still trying to find his feet in ODIs, and a long tail to follow. Sehwag didn't drop anchor, though. He continued charging the spinners, lifting Kane Williamson inside-out over extra cover for boundaries and also cleverly picking the gaps at fine leg off the seamers. He played the upper cut over the vacant slip cordon shortly after getting to his century, but the fun ended for India when Sehwag found deep midwicket when on 110, his dismissal coming against the run of play.

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Excited this Amir vaults into career-best 17th position

Amir vaults into career-best 17th position

rankings, which puts him just behind Paul Harris of South Africa and makes him the third Pakistan fast bowler in the top 20.

Four-wicket defeat means England cannot go ahead of Australia in Test Championship at the end of this series

Pakistan's fast bowler Mohammad Amir has rocketed into his career-best 17th position in the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers after playing a leading role in his side's four-wicket victory over England in The Oval Test which concluded on Saturday.

Man of the match Amir took 1-49 and 5-52 in the Test and was awarded with a jump of 14 places in the rankings, which puts him just behind Paul Harris of South Africa and makes him the third Pakistan fast bowler in the top 20.

Amir has played a total of 13 Tests in which he has taken 45 wickets. As such, he is still in the qualification period for bowlers as a bowler qualifies for a full rating when he reaches 100 Test wickets.

This means he could potentially edge closer or even overtake 14th-ranked Jerome Taylor of the West Indies depending on how he performs in the fourth and last Test, which starts at Lord's from Thursday. Amir now trails Taylor by six ratings points after earning 91 ratings points from The Oval Test.

Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who took 4-71 in the second innings after bagging 1-32 in the first, has also jumped nine places to claim a career-best 48th position while Wahab Riaz, who took 5-63 and 1-40 on his debut Test, has entered in 60th position.

For England, off-spinner Graeme Swann has moved up one place to regain his second position on the bowling chart.

Swann, who had match figures of 7-118, had first climbed to second position in March this year after the first Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong. Swann, who took his 100th Test wicket in the first innings when he caught Yousuf off his own bowling, earned 24 ratings points that has put him on a career-high 820 ratings points.

However, there is bad news for the England pace trio which has slipped in the latest rankings which were released on Sunday morning.

James Anderson has fallen one place to fifth position, Stuart Broad has dropped three places to 11th spot and Steven Finn has slipped three places to 35th position.

In the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen, Pakistan's Mohammad Yousuf, Umar Akmal and Azhar Ali, and England's Alastair Cook and Matt Prior all rose up the rankings.

Yousuf, who scored 56 and 33, has climbed two places to 14th position with India's Gautam Gambhir firmly within his sights, Umar has jumped six places to share 41st position with Australia's Phillip Hughes and Azhar has vaulted 28 places to 55th spot.

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Umpires will create Bowden and Hill set to make history

Bowden and Hill set to make history
ICC Media ReleaseTue, Aug 24, 2010 3:18 PM




Billy Bowden and Tony Hill of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires will create history on Thursday by becoming the first neutral umpires from the same country to officiate together in a Test match at Lord's.

New Zealanders Bowden and Hill will take charge of the fourth and final Test match between England and Pakistan at the Lord's Cricket Ground.

Bowden, who will be standing in his 62nd Test match, said: ?To umpire with my fellow New Zealander Tony Hill for the first-time ever in a Test match will be special.

"To be at Lord's and to create a little piece of history by being the first two neutral umpires from the same country to umpire there makes it super special. Yes, it will be a proud moment for us, our families, New Zealand Cricket and to all our fellow umpires in New Zealand.

"We will be proud Kiwis for sure as we walk out to the middle together. It is a testimony to the umpiring structure that has been put in place in New Zealand and I trust in a small way it will inspire future generations of Test umpires from New Zealand."

Tony Hill, who like Bowden hails from Auckland, added: "To say I am looking forward to the Lord's Test is an understatement.

"Although I have already stood there for a couple of shorter version games, to get to stand in a Test there is brilliant. To have a Kiwi at the other end is a bonus and the full impact of the occasion probably won't sink in for a while yet."

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playing this India have the experience to bounce back: Taylor

Watch India have the experience to bounce back: Taylor


ndia might be in woeful form right now but New Zealand captain Ross Taylor says the recent poor run would make Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men all the more dangerous when the two sides clash in a do-or-die encounter of the ODI cricket tri-series on Wednesday.

"I think it almost makes them dangerous, they didn't play that well against us in the first game, and then they came back and played well against Sri Lanka, obviously they didn't play as well as they would have liked to play against Sri Lanka in the last match, that makes them dangerous," Taylor said.

"I would not read too much on the Indian side. They are a good batting unit. They have played a lot of cricket. I am sure with their experience they will come firmer and we just need to put pressure on them," he added.

India have been handed a couple of embarrassing defeats in the ongoing tri-series and would be out if they lose tomorrow. Dhoni's men lost by 200 runs to New Zealand in the lung-opener before being reduced to 103 and then thrashed by eight wickets by Sri Lanka.

But Taylor said every side goes through such phases and New Zealand cannot afford to take the Indians lightly. "Obviously they didn't play that well against us in the first game and then they came back and played very well against Sri Lanka. Obviously they did not play as well as they would have liked against Sri Lanka in the last match. I think we cannot really think about that too much and just got to work ourselves," he said.

"I think a lot of the batsmen in their side probably have not scored as many runs as they would have liked. But they have scored runs in the past or in the warm up game. So it is not all doom and gloom for them," he added. On whether India's pathetic batting form would work to New Zealand's advantage tomorrow, Taylor said Dhoni and Co are not the only ones struggling in the seaming conditions here.

"I think every top order has struggled not just India. We (also) struggled at the top and Sri Lanka had their troubles as well. It has done lot of things. I guess their batting is under pressure but I would say even we were under a bit of pressure," he explained.

Taylor said his bowlers would continue to pitch it up against the Indians, who are known to be susceptible to the rising ball. "I guess we would have to wait and see how the pitch is like and see how the bounce is. I think it is a fresh wicket. And most of the wickets that we played on turned a lot than we expected and then bounced a lot," he said.

"But since our boys are tall and get a little extra bounce than most. So if it does bounce then we will have to wait and see. If it doesn't bounce to the knee height then we should pitch it up," he added.

Taylor said his inexperienced side has not done too badly considering it was without proven performers such as Daniel Vettori, Jesse Ryder and Bredon McCullum. "Probably when we came in we did not have a experienced side. That was part of the deal that we wanted to give other guys experience and also to come here, win and play well."

"Scott (Styris) and I scored runs. But we only scored runs once. It is going to be 12 days since we have actually had a bat. Obviously played Sri Lanka and it rained for two days. We did not get to bat. It is going to be a little more anxiety probably more the fact that we have not had a bat for 12 days than the actual game itself," he said.

On the status of side's fitness, Taylor said Kane Williamson has a bicep niggle and would be observed more before a final decision is reached. "(Martin) Guptill is fit and raring to go. Kane Williamson has got a bit of bicep injury and he will be under observation. He did not bowl or throw yesterday. We will have to wait and see how it goes. And if he gets through that, we will just have to wait and see on selection," he said.

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