West Indies in India

Centuries from Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman secured a draw in the final Test of the series, which India have won 2-0. Laxman completed his fourth Test hundred at the Eden Gardens venue he has come to love after India opted to bat on until the end. Sourav Ganguly declined the possible declaration that would have given his bowlers a faint chance to push for a series whitewash. After lying low for some time, Sachin Tendulkar, who scored his 31st century in Tests against the West Indies in Kolkata, was back into the limelight, aggregating the maximum runs in the three-match Test series against the West Indies. Tendulkar's 176, which was also the highest individual score by any batsman in the series, helped him score 306 runs from five innings at an average of 76.50. Virender Sehwag, who made 147 in the first Test at Mumbai, was the second highest scorer with 286 runs at 57.20, followed by V V S Laxman with 271 runs at 90.33. The spin duo of Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble dominated the bowling, capturing more than two-thirds of the total wickets taken by Indian bowlers. Ace West Indian batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul on Monday visited the local branch of the Bharat Sebasharm Sangha and distributed woolen clothes to tribal students. The left handed batsman, accompanied by his wife, reached the Sangha branch at Sonari at about 6.30 pm and took part in the evening 'aarti'. Chanderpaul, who had taken 'diksha' (spiritual initiation) from Swami Vidyananda of the Sangha at Guyana, had also visited the Sangha headquarters in Kolkata on October 28. The batsman scored 140 in the first innings in the third and final Test match against India at Kolkata which ended in a draw. India won the series 2-0.

England in Australia

Australia wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist was released from hospital on Tuesday is expected to be fit for Thursday's first Ashes Test against England. The 30-year-old had been on an intravenous antibiotic drip to treat an infected elbow injury. Speaking on Monday, Gilchrist said: "It's frustrating not being able to train but I'm working on the basis this is a frustration and nothing more. "I'm keen to get back on deck as soon as possible and my expectation at this stage is that I will be fully fit and ready to play in the Test match come Thursday morning." Gilchrist is one of Australia's key players - as well as being wicket-keeper and vice-captain, he is also one of the world's best batsman. He is seventh in the latest Test batting rankings and averages 58.51 after 34 Tests, with six centuries. Michael Vaughan hit a timely century on his return from injury as England drew their final warm-up match before the Ashes. Vaughan, who was returning from knee surgery, reached his ton midway through the afternoon session of the final day against Queensland. He went on to make 127 before being trapped lbw by spinner Nathan Hauritz. Vaughan, who resumed on an overnight score of 49, had some fortune along the way - he was dropped four times. Nightwatchman Matthew Hoggard was the only casualty of the morning session, out for one in the first over of the day. Vaughan was then given good support by Mark Butcher as England sought valuable batting practice ahead of Thursday's first Test. Australia have a dilemma over how to re-order their batting line-up following Mark Waugh's retirement from Test cricket. With Darren Lehmann drafted into the squad, the debate centres on who should fill Waugh's number four position. If skipper Steve Waugh retains his normal slot at five, it would then come down to a straight choice between Lehmann or promoting Damien Martyn two places from number six. Martyn is happy to fill whatever role is asked of him, but is keen to make the step up after scoring 1,680 runs in 28 Tests at an average of 48. Just days from the opening Test in the Ashes campaign, England cricket captain Nasser Hussain said Tuesday his team has not yet shown its best form on its tour of Australia. Hussain acknowledged Australia deserved its position as favorite to win the five-Test series that begins Thursday at Brisbane's Gabba ground. England has not won an Ashes series in 16 years and has been unconvincing since arriving in Australia last month. Australia is bidding for an eighth consecutive Ashes series win, going into this series on the back of a convincing 4-1 series win in England last year. But Hussain insisted his young team is capable of beating Australia. "Australia hasn't seen the best of the England cricket team for a long while," Hussain said. Australian paceman Jason Gillespie proved his fitness here on Tuesday for the opening Ashes cricket Test against England. Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns watched Gillespie complete two bowling workouts in the nets and said he could take his place in the Test starting eleven at the Gabba on Thurday if selected. Gillespie said he felt well after bowling two 40-minute spells to prove he had overcome the calf muscle injury which kept him out of the last two Tests in Australia's 3-0 series win over Pakistan in Sharjah. Gillespie said he had no doubt he would be ready for a five-day Test. That would leave Brett Lee and Andrew Bichel fighting for the third fast bowling place in the team behind new-ball spearhead Glenn McGrath and Gillespie.

Sri Lanka in South Africa

Russel Arnold narrowly missed out on a century as Sri Lanka enjoyed valuable batting practice ahead of Friday's first Test. Arnold hit two sixes and 12 fours in making 98 before he was caught behind off Garnett Kruger. The left-hander shared an opening stand of 184 in 48 overs with Marvan Atapattu, who contributed 81, and Kumar Sangakkara also reached a half century before a halt was called. Starting the day on 368 for eight, the home side added 24 for their last two wickets in the morning session. Kruger was lbw to Sujeewa de Silva for 11 before Arnold brought their innings to a close with the wicket of Jon Kent for 48.

Miscellaneous

Inzamam-ul-Haq marked his return to action following a heel injury with an aggressive half century as Pakistan piled up the runs on the opening day of their tour. He made 63 off 62 balls, including two sixes, to give the tourists a timely boost following their recent 3-0 defeat by Australia. Pakistan were given an excellent start by Saleem Elahi (49) and Taufeeq Umer, who put on 127 for the first wicket. Umer collected 12 boundaries in his 86 and Younis Khan later weighed in with 84 before he was caught off Campbell MacMillan in the first over of the new ball. Younis also played a part in Yousuf Youhana's unlucky dismissal, run out for one when Blessing Mahwire deflected a straight drive onto the stumps at the bowler's end with his foot. The International Cricket Council has confirmed that there will be no reserve days for rain-affected first round matches at next year's World Cup in South Africa. The decision was taken to avoid travel chaos for teams, supporters, tournament officials and the media. "Everything, including hotel accommodation, air travel and satellite television would have had to be double booked to accommodate these reserve days," explained tournament director Dr Ali Bacher. "Logistically for the teams, their supporters, the local and overseas media and the organisers this created several potential risks to the tight schedule and had the potential to disrupt the remainder of the tournament." World Cup matches will be played at 15 different venues in three countries - South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya. "For this to be managed effectively, the schedule needs a degree of certainty in the first round," ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed commented.

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