Doug Bracewell wind up Aussies

Seamer Doug Bracewell bowled New Zealand to a sensational seven-run victory over Australia in the second Test in Hobart on Monday for the Kiwis' first win in Australia for 26 years.

The Black Caps captured eight wickets for 74 runs for a dramatic victory midway through the fourth day of an extraordinary Test match at Bellerive Oval.

Seamer Doug Bracewell finished with six for 40.

Bracewell finished with 6-40 off 16.4 overs in a match-winning performance to stun the Australians, who appeared on track for victory at 159 for two chasing 241 runs to win.

Struggling Hughes 'needs runs' says Clarke
Warner's Test century buries T20 typecast

But the Australians folded spectacularly and David Warner's unbeaten maiden Test century went in vain as wickets tumbled around him and Nathan Lyon was bowled by Bracewell in the 64th over to claim victory.

It was the Black Caps' first victory in Australia since 1985 as they tied the two-Test series after comprehensively losing the first Gabba Test by nine wickets.

"We believed in ourselves that we could win this match. We knew we had to fight, we had to play a lot better than we did in Brisbane," skipper Ross Taylor said.

Bracewell turned the match around with the wickets of Ricky Ponting (16), Michael Clarke (0), Michael Hussey (0), James Pattinson (4), Mitchell Starc (0) and Lyon (9).

"He bowled outstandingly well for a young guy, 21, and to come in only his third Test and to get Ponting, Clarke and Hussey, that's something to tell your grandkids about," Taylor said of Bracewell.

Clarke said his team were proving too inconsistent with their third defeat in eight Tests under his captaincy.

"You're seeing some really good patches of individual excellence and as a team we're playing really well in patches, but then you see the other side as well where we're letting ourselves down with very poor performances," he said.

"We're inconsistent at the minute which is giving us all a pain in the backside."

Warner carried his bat to finish unbeaten on 123 off 170 balls with 14 boundaries to cement his Test position after fellow opener Phillip Hughes was out again cheaply.

Warner surprisingly was preferred to Bracewell as official man-of-the-match in a television viewers' poll.

Wickets continued to fall around Warner with Brad Haddin snapped up by Ross Taylor in the slips off Tim Southee and Peter Siddle taken at third slip off Southee for two.

Bracewell removed Pattinson and Starc within three balls to have the Black Caps one wicket away from victory after Australia had lost seven wickets for 40.

Lyon survived two tense reviews for lbw as Warner went after the runs against a spreadeagled field before Bracewell finished the game when he bowled Lyon.

Ponting's possible final Test innings in his home state finished in a whimper after he was given a standing ovation to the wicket.

Test cricket's third-highest runscorer spooned a catch to cover after playing back to Bracewell and was out for 16 after scoring just five in the first innings.

Clarke was caught at slip by Taylor and Hussey was out first ball lbw after a review went in bowler Bracewell's favour.

Hughes's Test future again looked uncertain after he was out in the day's second over with no addition to his overnight score of 20.

It was the fourth straight time Hughes was caught by Martin Guptill in the slips off Chris Martin's bowling in the series.

His latest batting failure -- 41 in four innings against the Kiwis -- will intensify the pressure on his spot ahead of the Test series with India, starting at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Boxing Day.

While Hughes's technical deficiencies outside offstump continued to hound him, Warner built a strong case for his retention, possibly partnering Shane Watson against India.

Usman Khawaja again failed to go on after getting a start and went to drive Trent Boult only to give an edge to Taylor at first slip. Khawaja made 23 off 48 balls.

Watch Exclusive highlights of India Vs West Indies 4th ODI, Indore. Which Includes extraordinary inning of 219 runs from Sehwag. and Set a new world record

India sealed series, won 4th ODI vs West Indies

Indore was home to two of India's greatest cricketers, CK Nayudu and Syed Mushtaq Ali. The two richly talented all-rounders were known for their fearless big-hitting that entertained Indian crowds.

How fitting was it that the most fearless of India's batsmen and the straightest of talkers — Virender Sehwag — paid rich tribute to those masters by breaking the record for the highest score in a one-day international at Indore's Holkar Stadium today.

After electing to bat against the West Indies, the Indian opener and stand-in captain made 219 off 149 balls, becoming just the second man to score a double-ton in ODIs. Sachin Tendulkar was the first in 2010, when he made 200 not out not too far from Indore in Gwalior against South Africa.

As you would expect in an innings of this nature, the West Indian bowlers threw everything they could at Sehwag to no avail. The Indian opener toyed with the field placements, picked up boundaries with ridiculous ease, prompting Chris Gayle to jocularly describe the innings as "child abuse."

Sehwag's form had been questioned after a string of casual dismissals and small scores. However, with this innings, he buried those concerns, powering India to a record 418-5, setting up a series win with a game left in Chennai. [See match scores]

West Indies at one point were in danger of being bowled out for less than Sehwag's score when their ninth wicket fell on 201. Denesh Ramdin's 96 and a last-wicket stand of 64 with Sunil Narine delayed an Indian win.

Sehwag had two big partnerships along the way: 176 with the opening wicket with Gautam Gambhir (67 at a run-a-ball) to kick off the run-fest and 140 with Suresh Raina (55 off 44) to keep the momentum strong.

The 33-year-old completed a hundred off just 69 balls and the double off just 140. He had some luck along the way. On 97, a difficult catch was put down at point as Sehwag slashed a four to get to his hundred. Later on a 170, West Indies captain Darren Sammy put down a sitter running back at extra-cover.

Sehwag completed the double hundred in just the 44th over, cutting Andre Russell for four. The shot took him to 201, beating Tendulkar's record.

List of 400 scores.

Riding on Virender Sehwag's record 219, the highest individual score in 50-over cricket, India reached their highest total in ODI, 418 for five in 50 overs against the West Indies here Thursday.
The following is the list of ODI scores more than 400 in ODIs:
Sri Lanka 443/9 vs. Netherlands, Amstelveen, July 4, 2006
South Africa 438/9 vs. Australia, Johannesburg, March 12, 2006
Australia 434/4 vs. South Africa, Johannesburg, March 12, 2006
South Africa 418/5 vs. Zimbabwe, Potchefstroom, Sep 20, 2006
India 418/5 vs West Indies, Indore, Dec 8, 2011
India 414/7 vs. Sri Lanka, Rajkot, Dec 15, 2009
India 413/5 vs. Bermuda, Port of Spain, March 19, 2007
India 411/5 vs. South Africa, Gwalior,Dec 8, 2011
Sri Lanka 411/8 vs. India, Rajkot, Dec 15, 2009
New Zealand 402/2 vs. Ireland, Aberdeen, July 1, 2008
India 401/3 vs. South Africa, Gwalior, Feb 24, 2010

Sehwag hits 219 against West Indies

Virender Sehwag said during this year's World Cup that he would try and play the full 50 overs in One-Day Internationals (ODI). For good measure he added that he had been trying to do so for a decade and that is hard to believe, though everyone knows how he builds monumental innings in Test cricket. He doesn't remember he has ever batted for more than 42 or 44 overs.
He knew in his heart of hearts that if he plays 50 overs, he can get to a mindboggling score. He was modest to say that Sachin Tendulkar batted 50 overs more than once but he could get only one double hundred and that showed how difficult it is to get 200 runs in an ODI innings.
He tried against Bangladesh in a Dhaka World Cup game but could not, he was out for 175 in 140 balls. Now that he has scored the highest ODI score, 219, against West Indies in Indore, he knows that he doesn't need to bat 50 overs to score a double hundred. He was out in the 44th over and in 140 deliveries he was past 200. Had he carried his bat through he would have, perhaps, closer to 300! He didn't have to hurry to the landmark, that's Sehwag for you.
He considers getting out to a score of 50-odd is a failure. Because, he invariably goes on to play a monumental innings once he crosses the half-century mark.
Sehwag has shown all the human failings in attaining greatness. He has scored runs by the ton and at the other end of the spectrum he just could not get going to get dropped from both the Test and ODI teams! If it had not been for Rahul Dravid, he would not have gone for the disastrous 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean.
Sehwag can be self-critical as only he can. After India lost the third One-dayer in Ahmedabad earlier in the week, he lambasted the top-order, including himself, saying the main batsmen should click and fire if the team has to succeed. Those who know the Delhi blaster knew very well that Darren Sammy and his men will have to pay for the Ahmedabad victory.
Now that he has crossed the line, surely it won't be the only double century for him in limited overs cricket.
The West Indians did not know what hit them here. Their hopes of running close in the series vanished into thin air. By nightfall, the dispirited West Indies just went through the motions to complete the formalities. That is the Sehwag effect.

"India will miss Bhajji in Australia", says Gilchrist

Former Australian captain Adam Gilchrist feels that Harbhajan Singh will be missed by India during their tour Down Under as the feisty off-spinner can get under the skin of the champion team.
Harbhajan's slump in form has paved the way for two young spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha to be picked for the four-Test series against Australia.
'Bhajji is a great competitor, his fighting qualities are admirable, he is very much like an Australian that way. He will be missed. But a player has to be picked on performances,' Gilchrist told reporters when asked about the exclusion of the turbanator.
'Ashwin and Ojha have set very high standards,' he added.
India's tour to Australia starts Dec 26 and with both teams fielding new faces in their bowling attack.
Gilchrist feels that the bowlers will play the key role in deciding the series.
'It is a series that's quite difficult to predict. Both teams are equal, the batting of both the teams are the strong points, while injury has plagued both the bowling line-ups.'
'Whichever bowling line-up settles down first that team will have the upper hand,' Gilchrist said on the sidelines of a promotional campaign on behalf of University of Wollongong in New South Wales.
India will be taking an inexperienced bowling attack, with the likes of Varun Aaron, Umesh Yadav and Abhimanyu Mithun, all touring Australia for the first time.
Australia, on the other hand, are having an injury crisis with Ryan Harris, Mitchell Johnson, Pat Cummins and Shane Watson currently side-lined.
Gilchrist felt that India-Australia contests are of high intensity and among the best sporting rivalries in the world.
'The rivalry between India-Australia is terrific. I was a part of the 2001 series and it was one of the best series ever.'
'Any series India play is an interesting one, the Indian people are very passionate about he sport. I love coming to India it's a fascinating country.'
'I continue to come stay here 2-3 months every year with the IPL and other things,' he said.

Pitch report: India Vs West Indies 4th ODI, Indore

India will have to raise their game against a buoyant West Indies if they are to seal the series in the fourth One-day International at the Holkar Stadium here Thursday.
The West Indies showed fighting spirit in the first two ODIs before finally winning the third at Visakhapatnam to keep the five-match series alive. India lead the series 2-1.
India allowed the West Indies to make 269 after having them on mat at 170 for nine in the second ODI. In Ahmedabad, India had things under control until late fireworks by captain Darren Sammy and all-rounder Andre Russell took the West Indies to 260 from 181 for five in 45th over. The score in the end proved enough for the tourist's first win on the tour.
The Caribbean side, however, have already received a setback with in-form batsman and leading scorer of the series Darren Dravo ruled out due to a hamstring injury.
A lot has already been said about the form of Indian captain Virender Sehwag and ace batsman Gautam Gambhir, who got out to first ball at Motera. The Delhi duo are yet to shine in the series. Suresh Raina will be another one looking for runs after scores of 5, 0, 2 in three successive outings.
Rohit Sharma has been the stand out Indian batsman so far, scoring three consecutive fifties, including an unbeaten 90 in Visakhapatnam and 95 in Ahmedadbad.
The seamers also need to show consistency. They have got the early wickets but proved expensive in the death overs. The West Indies amassed 73 runs in the last five overs at Ahmedabad as Umesh Yadav and Abhimanyu Mithun's erratic line provided fodder for Sammy and Russell.
Irfan Pathan, who has been inducted in the squad for the last two ODIs, is likely to play.
The confidence in the West Indies camp must be sky high after their maiden win and they would be keen to end the tour on a high by performing well in the remaining two games.
'Morale of the team is good. So far, we kept seeing we have been coming close. It is about taking the opportunity, grabbing it and winning,' Sammy said on the eve of the match here.
'It is two games left and most of the guys have been away from home for two and a half months. We want to finish on a high. We have to believe we can win. It is an important game for us and hopefully we can win it and take it down to Chennai for the final.'
The West Indies would expect some runs from the openers, who have failed to score in tandem.
The highest opening wicket partnership for them has been 18 that was between Lendl Simmons and Adrian Barath.
India: Virender Sehwag (captain), Varun Aaron, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Abhimanyu Mithun, Parthiv Patel (wicket-keeper), Irfan Pathan, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Rahul Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Manoj Tiwary, Vinay Kumar.
West Indies: Darren Sammy (captain), Lendl Simmons, Adrian Barath, Marlon Samuels, Darren Bravo, Danza Hyatt, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin (wicket-keeper), Andre Russell, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Anthony Martin, Sunil Narine, Kieran Powell, Jason Mohammed.

West Indies sweat on Bravo's fitness for crucial fourth ODI

West Indies batsman Darren Bravo is recovering from the hamstring injury that curtailed his innings in the last One-Day International Monday, but the visitors are continuing to sweat on his fitness for their fourth game against India here Thursday.
The stylish left-hander, who has been a key player for the Windies on the current tour, was forced to retire hurt on 26 while engaged in a promising 55-run, third wicket stand with Marlon Samuels (58).
Bravo was, however, able to walk around freely Tuesday with no discomfort from the injury and was expected to test his fitness while training at the Holkar Cricket Stadium Wednesday. The team officials were hoping that Bravo will be able to suit up.
The 22-year-old, the younger brother of all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, has emerged as one of the leaders of the West Indies batting, and scored a half-century in the opening game in Cuttack last week.
He was outstanding in the preceding Test series, scoring two brilliant centuries in his last four innings.
The West Indies trail 1-2 in the five-match one-day series, after winning the last game in Ahmedabad by 16 runs.

When Majola cries

Cricket South Africa (CSA) CEO Gerald Majola burst out in tears after appearing in front of a commission of inquiry into the organization's bonus scandal.
The Beeld newspaper reports that Majola was in tears when he faced journalists after appearing in Pretoria before the Nicholson Inquiry, chaired by Judge Chris Nicholson.
Majola said the whole ordeal was a "nightmare" for him and his family.
"There have been a lot of misconceptions and unfounded allegations and today (Tuesday) I had the chance to put my side of the story in front of the judge and in front of the public of South Africa," Sports24 quoted him, as saying.
He added: "At least I'm happy now that people will know what the truth is."
"We could have dealt with the matter totally differently, more quickly and better," he told SAPA.
"Whatever has happened was undesirable. It was totally uncalled for and, as cricket administrators, we all have to take the blame for what has happened."
He was questioned at length about the fact that he and Don McIntosh, the Indian Premier League tournament director and former CSA chief operations officer, received more than two-thirds of a pool of money meant for bonuses after the tournament.
"Fairness is relative. Fairness is if I am happy to pay you for the job you have done," Majola said.
He added: "In my view, if the people who authorised these payments thought the people who got this money deserved it, then it was fair."
Majola earlier denied not disclosing his contentious bonus after the IPL series in 2009.
Majola said the CSA board had taken a decision to move forward and to rectify the errors it had made.
He said : "Good governance is key and we will make sure the governance of cricket is clean."
At the end of his oral submission, the inquiry's chairman Judge Chris Nicholson asked Majola if he would have done things differently had he been fully informed of the correct process, and Majola said: "I would have done so and if the new process says I have to disclose to Remco, I will do so."

Dilshan confident about the finance obligations

Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan said on Wednesday he was confident his board would honour their obligations and pay the team's outstanding salaries before the first test against South Africa starting on December 15 in Centurion.
Sri Lanka's players have not been paid since the World Cup ended in April but Sports Minister Mahindanda Altuthgamage promised on Tuesday they would be paid 65 percent of the outstanding amount within three days and the rest by January.
Dilshan told reporters on Wednesday he accepted Altuthgamage's word.
"I think they will try and sort it out within the next week. That's the news I've got from the cricket board. They are going to sort out all the payments," he said,
"We have had discussions, myself and the cricket association, the last few weeks and they promised they will sort it out next week. They are definitely going to sort it out before the first test. As a captain, I have to focus on cricket and not worry about the payments."
Sri Lanka are chasing their first series win in South Africa after losing in 1997/98, 2000/01 and 2002/03 and Dilshan said it was crucial they adapted to the conditions as quickly as possible.
"We haven't played a test match here for a while, but we have played one-day series on-and-off in South Africa. Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara have played a lot of cricket in South Africa and if we can get ready for these conditions, I can say it will be a good series," the opening batsman said.
Dilshan was appointed as Sri Lanka's captain after the World Cup since when they have lost test series to England, Australia and Pakistan. He said the team still relied heavily on his two predecessors, Sangakkara and Jayawardena.
"We know the last few series our batting didn't click. That's the main goal for us, to see that our batting unit can put some runs on the board," he said.
"We are carrying a few young players. It's not easy coming to South Africa, especially as they have been playing good cricket. We can't do any mistakes here, they are a good team."
The Centurion test is the first of three with the others scheduled for Durban from December 26 and Cape Town from January 3.