Sports FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2016 44

India eye NZ whitewash as Kohli searches runs

INDORE: skipper will look to lead Test ’s new number one side to a whitewash in the series finale against New Zealand starting tomorrow-and halt a rare slump in his own form in the process. Since scoring his first Test double century against the West Indies in July, the normally prolific Kohli has failed to pass 50 in any of his subsequent seven and is averag- ing only 20 against the Black Caps. India’s comfortable wins in the first two matches of a three-Test series have allowed them to overtake Pakistan at the top of the rankings and also divert attention away from Kohli’s downturn in form. New Zealand’s dismissed the right-hander both times in the second Test in after his strike partner had soft- ened him up the other end with a string of bouncers. Kohli, who has been widely praised for soaking up the additional pressure since taking from MS Dhoni as Test last year, has been playing down the con- cerns about his own form. “I don’t think there is anything called form. It’s how you feel on a particular day,” the 27-year-old said in com- ments carried by Indian media this week ahead of the third Test at ’s Stadium. “My own form? I don’t really think about these things, because cricket is a game where you prepare well but the cannot be in your hand all the time, especially where you have only one chance.” Kohli aside, India’s batting has been sound in the first two Tests but Shikhar Dhawan’s broken thumb has opened the door for a recall at the top of the order for : South African batsman and Captain plays a shot during the third ODI between South veteran Gautam Gambhir. The aggressive left-hander, Africa and Australia at Kingsmead cricket stadium. — AFP who enjoyed a successful opening partnership with the now retired , played the last of his 56 Tests on India’s tour of England in the summer of 2014. South Africa chases down But he has forced his way back into contention after a strong showing on the domestic circuit. Aust’s 371 to win ODI series Kumar blow There will also be a change to the line-up after medium-pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who took six DURBAN: David Miller thumped 118 not the latter part of his innings. “It’s a spe- South Africa chased that down for in Kolkata, was ruled out on Wednesday with a out from No 6 to take South Africa to the cial one,” Miller said of his match-win- what’s still by some way the highest back strain and the uncapped Shardul Thakur drafted in second-highest successful run chase in ning knock. “You don’t get those ones chase to win an ODI. as a replacement. New Zealand are expected to welcome one-day international cricket and a too often.” On Wednesday, Australia slipped to a back skipper , who missed the second series win over Australia on Wednesday. Miller and South Africa completely third straight loss on the tour, this time Test due to a viral infection. The Black Caps will be aiming On his home ground, Miller blasted his overshadowed an impressive batting by four wickets but possibly the most to avoid their second successive series whitewash in 118 from just 79 balls, with 10 fours and effort from top-ranked Australia after painful considering the situation. “We India after losing the 2012 rubber 2-0. The tourists have six sixes, as South Africa made 372-6, the tourists, desperate to stay alive in posted 370, which is a pretty good performed well in patches but have been guilty of failing overtaking Australia’s 371-6 with four the series, opted to bat first. Opener score,” Australia captain Smith said. to push home their advantage at key moments. balls of the last over to spare. Miller’s David Warner made 117, captain Steve “You don’t lose too many games scoring Senior batsman , who led the team in third ODI century - surely his best - gave Smith added 108, and Australia posted 370. We’ve just got to keep learning and Kolkata, said New Zealand were still keen to display their South Africa an unassailable 3-0 lead in the highest ODI total at Kingsmead. That trying to find a way to win.” Facing an aggressive brand of cricket in the final Test. “We’re still the five-game series, and gave the record lasted just a few hours. South imposing target, openers Quinton de fizzing to go for Indore, hopefully we can play some fear- Proteas their first ODI series win over Africa’s victory revived memories of the Kock (70) and (45) gave free cricket to put India under pressure,” Taylor said after Australia in seven years. He did it while game between the two countries in South Africa its early momentum, but the 178-run loss in Kolkata. “We’ve tried to be aggressive, hobbling with a groin injury for much of 2006, when Australia made 434 and the home team was teetering having we always try and be aggressive. It didn’t work this time lost six wickets when Miller took control. but we will still be aggressive in the next Test and hope- The big-hitting left-hander had cru- fully we can get a better result.” There had been question War games in Bangladesh cial support from Andile Phehlukwayo, marks over whether the Test would go ahead following a the fast bowler playing just his fourth row between the Indian board and a Supreme Court- ahead of England battle one-day international and who hit a appointed panel which has order the organisation to career-best 42 to carry South institute reforms. DHAKA: Bangladeshi army comman- Holey Artisan Cafe in Dhaka’s upmar- Africa home alongside Miller. South The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had pri- dos abseiled into the national stadium ket Gulshan district, casting doubt Africa stayed with or near the required vately threatened to cancel the series after their accounts yesterday in a show of strength over whether Bangladesh’s security run rate for much of its chase, but when were allegedly frozen by the panel but they later stepped designed to reassure England’s crick- forces could guarantee the England Miller and Phehlukwayo came together back from the brink. The match marks the first time the eters over their security on the eve of team’s safety. But speaking to they still needed 107 runs off 74 balls. , located in Indore in the opening ODI of their controversial reporters yesterday, Buttler insisted Phehlukwayo got away with one when state, has hosted a Test match and the pitch is expected tour. More than a dozen commandos there had been no sense of unease he appeared to edge behind early in his to favour batsmen and seam bowlers. scaled down ropes from helicopters among the players since they had knock. Umpire Adrian Holdstock said hovering over the nets at Dhaka’s arrived last weekend. not out and Australia didn’t have any Squads Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, “Everything has been in good decision referrals left. India: Virat Kohli (captain), Murali Vijay, Gautam which is hosting the first two games order. Travel to and from the ground Miller crunched a four to backward Gambhir, , Karun Nair, , in a three-match series beginning on has been great for us although I’m square leg to get to his century, and , Wriddhiman Saha (wicketkeeper), Friday night. sure it’s been a bit frustrating for the Phehlukwayo attacked anything he , Amit Mishra, , Jayant The side is being skippered by Jos locals,” he said in reference to road could, hitting four fours and two sixes. Yadav, , Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur. Buttler after regular one-day captain closures ordered on security grounds. He hit a looping reverse sweep to win New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Trent Boult, decided not to go on the “Security has been great so far, I think the game and the series, causing - Doug Bracewell, , Martin Guptill, Tom tour in the wake of an attack by the guys within the group haven’t cous celebrations in the South African Latham, BJ Watling (wicketkeeper), Henry Nicholls, Luke jihadists earlier this year on a cafe full even mentioned it. That’s fantastic for dressing room. “I would rank that up Ronchi, , Ish Sodhi, , Jimmy of foreigners. Twenty-two people us as the guys in the group are very there as the best win I’ve been involved Neesham, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner. — AFP were killed in July’s assault on the settled and focused on cricket.” — AFP in,” South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said. — AP