Muttiah Muralitharan, playing in his 100th Test, reached another landmark when he became the first bowler to take 1,000 international wickets during his 6 for 54 in Bangladesh’s second innings at Chittagong.Wicket No. 1000, his second of the day, came in slightly controversial circumstances when he had Khaled Mashud given out caught when the ball appeared to have only struck his pad. He finished the innings with 593 Test and 411 one-day international wickets.”I am delighted,” he said. “When I played my first Test I never thought I would have all these records. All I wanted was to play a few games.It is a dream for me to play 100 Tests and to take 1,000 international wickets. I never expected it.”I am still young, just 33 years old. I have had 16 years of hard cricket and that has included good times, bad times, and very difficult times.”Asked the almost inevitable question about how long he would continue, Murali smiled. “I am a father and I have to plan my future carefully,” he said. “I will play until the World Cup and maybe then decide. But today was special.”
Sourav GangulyOn the suggestion that India lacked the killer instinct in the last match Everyone has got his own opinion. I don’t think we lack killer instinct. We have to give credit for how they [Pakistan] batted under pressure. But we should have sealed the game.On the pitch at Eden Gardens They have left a bit of grass on the pitch. It looks similar to the Mohali track. There’s a bright chance that we will play three seamers.On whether India were under more pressure after failing to win the first Test It’s a three-Test series and we came close to winning the first Test. There will be pressure on both teams to win. We will try hard to win this game and I’m sure the same goes for Pakistan.On the reasons for scoring slowly in the last two sessions of the third day at Mohali Obviously when Sehwag gets going he scores fast. Also at the start of the innings there are lots of fielders in attacking positions so there are more scoring options. When Sachin [Tendulkar], [VVS] Laxman and myself batted the ball was about 100 overs old and they set defensive fields and had a defensive line of attack. You can’t score at six an over against quality opposition for 120 overs in Test cricket.On Harbhajan Singh coming into the playing XI There’s an option of Harbhajan playing. We will look at the wicket tomorrow and then decide.On the Pakistan team I said even before the series that they are a very good team. Young guys want to make a name for themselves and the best platform is an India-Pakistan series.On whether he is under more pressure to score runs because this is his home ground When you play for India there is pressure to perform anywhere in the world. I’ve been trying [to score a hundred here] for the last five Tests but it just has not happened. Hopefully I’ll go out there and stay positive and it will come.On Danish Kaneria’s performance in the first Test He bowled very well but still went for 150 runs. He is a quality bowler. We have to play him well again. He might have got six wickets but we got runs off him too.
Inzamam-ul-HaqOn what the team took from the Mohali Test The performance at Mohali has given us a lot of confidence. If we play with the same spirit we can come up with a better result here. But there is a lot of hard work ahead of us. Even now India are the more experienced side.On Naved-ul-Hasan’s fitness Rana has a shoulder problem. We are looking at maybe two changes, one in the top order and one in the bowling. Younis Khan will not be dropped.On the pitch It looks a good Test wicket. It should be good for the batsmen as well as for seamers, if they are prepared to bowl in the right areas. After two days it will start helping the spinners.On Kamran Akmal’s performance We all knew Akmal was a very good wicketkeeper. But now he has also performed with the bat. He has gained a lot of confidence and knowing that we have a good batsman lower down the order will definitely help the team.On the lack of good opening batsmen in Pakistan team We are trying to unearth good openers through academies. The ones here are young and still learning. They will be better for the experience.On drawing inspiration from Pakistan’s win here in 1999 Everyone knows how we won from a difficult position in 1999. Our record at this ground is good. But each match is a new one. We have to work hard to win here. Not many of our boys have played a Test here, but most have played a one-day international. There is more atmosphere in a one-dayer, and having played here recently will help us.On the pressure of playing against India If India and Pakistan play each other more regularly obviously the pressure will be less. But there is always pressure in international cricket, and especially in India-Pakistan matches, but we enjoy that.
As the dust started to settle over recent allegations about Shane Warne’s off-the-field activities, a new allegation has emerged that will further damage his already tarnished reputation. Warne has, in fact, already withdrawn from a charity match after these allegations emerged.The London-based Mirror newspaper reported that Angela Gallagher – “a 38-year-old mother-of-two from Melbourne” – has claimed that Warne bombarded her with raunchy text messages after they met at a nightclub. “It wasn’t just text messaging,” Gallagher explained. “It was sex.”The allegations were made in an Australian television interview due to be screened tonight. Gallagher is reported to have taken a lie detector test, the results of which her agent described as “amazing”. He added: “A pass on a polygraph test is three-and-a-half. She scored 20.”Gallagher said that she met Warne in May at a Melbourne lap-dancing venue called The Men’s Club where she worked as a stripper, and that she gave him her mobile number after they chatted. “Ten minutes later, I got my first text message from him,” she explained. “They were extremely full-on sexual messages. He told me he had an open marriage. I asked him about his wife and he led me to believe they weren’t together.”I want Shane to apologise and I want him to get help,” Gallagher continued.”I expect awful things will be said about me after this, but everything that happened is true and I hold my head up high.”Gallagher revealed further details on Channel Seven’s because she was angry at public criticism against Helen Cohen Alon, a South African woman who had rasied similar allegations against Warne. “Hopefully with me speaking out that’s enough for him to go back to his family and do the right thing,” Gallagher said on the show.Gallagher added that she had seen Alon’s story and “said to my husband ‘That is the same message that was sent to me on my phone’ and I thought ‘This person must make a habit of doing this to women.'”A sexual relationship had apparently developed between Gallagher and Warne at a party. “We’d all had way too much to drink and were having a few more drinks, and I actually had to take some time out and went to the guest room to sleep because I wasn’t feeling that fantastic,” she said. “Shane came in about 15 minutes later … we had sex.”Gallagher claimed that she continued to receive explicit text messages from Warne after their sexual relationship ended. Paul, Gallagher’s husband of 16 years, from whom she was separated during the affair, saw one of the messages, as did her 11-year-old son. “I basically wanted to go over there and kill him,” Paul told .On Friday, Warne told reporters, “Any issues or allegations concerning my private life are exactly that – private, and will remain so.” Simone, his long-suffering wife, came out in support of Warne saying that she stood by him. “I always have and will continue to.”Warne would be well advised to stop using his mobile phone as a way of communicating with female friends. Earlier this month he was the target of accusations from Alon, a 45-year-old South African, who maintained that she had been pestered with text messages after the pair had met a club. Before that he was stripped of the Australian vice-captaincy following allegations that he had pestered a nurse with calls while he was in England playing for Hampshire.Australian View: Let Warne play … on the field that is
Brett Lee’s sheer pace is no guarantee of a place in the Australian cricket team according to his brother and state captain Shane Lee.Brett Lee returns from a long injury layoff when NSW plays South Australia in a Pura Cup match starting at the SCG tomorrow.A good performance will push him into calculations for selection against New Zealand in the Test starting at the Gabba on November 8. But according to his big brother, Lee must do more than just get through the game to prove his worthiness of a 13th Test cap.”Obviously he’s got to get through the game for starters but he’s got to bowl well and take wickets,” the NSW captain said of his younger brother.”I don’t think anyone should walk into the Test team if they’re not bowling well.”He’s like any other guy – even though he’s quick he still has to perform.”However, Shane Lee said any glimmer of form from his sibling should be enough to ensure his selection.”If they think he can get through a Test match and if he’s bowling well, they’ll have to pick him because he’s a match-winner.”Lee promised he wouldn’t give his brother an easy time at the crease.”He’s picked to play, he says he’s fit – I’ll treat him like any other bowler. He’ll have to bowl a 10-over spell at some stage.”For his part, Brett Lee said he just wanted to “have fun” in his first first-class match since a wayward performance in the final Ashes Test.”It’s good to be back – I’m not trying to look too far ahead as far as the first Test is concerned,” he said.”I just want to go out there and enjoy myself and try to bowl like I have for the past two years.”The NSW-SA match is a Test selectors’ dream with its Ashes pace trio of Lee, Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie all in action. At the top of the NSW order Michael Slater will again be trying to push his case for a Test recall and a big examination for him will be facing up to Gillespie and the new ball.And with indications the pitch will eventually provide bite and turn for the spinners, Stuart MacGill has a chance to keep the pressure on Shane Warne as well as redeeming himself after last week’s angry outburst against umpire David Brandon.Add to that the in-form batting of Mark Waugh, Michael Bevan, Greg Blewett and Darren Lehmann and it’s the closest thing to a trial match for some of Australia’s top players.NSW suffered a blow today when wicketkeeper Brad Haddin was ruled out of the match after failing a fitness test on a thumb injury he picked up against Tasmania last week. He has been replaced by Nathan Pilon, who will play his second match for NSW.Teams:SA: Darren Lehmann (captain), Greg Blewett, David Fitzgerald, Shane Deitz, Jeff Vaughan, Darren Dempsey, Ben Higgins, Graham Manou, Jason Gillespie, PaulRofe, Peter McIntyre, Mark Harrity. 12th man to be named.NSW: Shane Lee (captain), Michael Slater, Greg Mail, Michael Bevan, Mark Waugh, Mark Higgs, Nathan Pilon, Brett Lee, Nathan Bracken, Stuart MacGill,Glenn McGrath, Stuart Clark. 12th man to be named.
West Ham United have been dealt yet another injury setback ahead of their upcoming Europa League fixture.
What’s the latest?
That’s according to a claim made by ExWHUemployee, who revealed on a recent episode of The West Ham Way podcast that Declan Rice is a doubt for the Europa League round of 16 clash against Sevilla on Thursday, as the midfielder has a virus.
Speaking about the current condition of the 23-year-old, the West Ham insider said: “Declan has some kind of virus which needs to be monitored. Apparently, he’s still not feeling great today [Monday], which is not good news.
“It’s not [the ongoing viral pandemic]. They’ve done a number of tests, and it’s been proven it’s not [related to the pandemic].
“I think it’s more like a chest infection with virus symptoms. Obviously, you can’t really play through that. You know what it’s like when you’ve got a real bad temperature and you just feel so run down and lethargic – there is no way you can play 90 minutes feeling like that.
“So, we’ve just got to hope that he miraculously recovers by Thursday because I think, at the moment, it’s going to be touch and go whether he’s going to be fit enough.”
Moyes will be devastated
Considering the fact that Jarrod Bowen looks as if he will be unavailable for selection for the trip to Sevilla after picking up an injury in the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool on Saturday, the news that Rice could also be set to sit out the round of 16 first leg tie is sure to have left David Moyes devastated.
Indeed, over his 26 Premier League appearances so far this season, the £75m-rated England international has been in imperious form for the Hammers, scoring one goal, registering four assists and creating two big chances for his teammates, as well as making an average of 0.8 key passes and taking 0.7 shots per game.
The £62k-per-week defensive midfielder has also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 1.7 interceptions, 2.4 tackles, 51.9 passes, 71.2 touches and winning 5.4 duels – at a success rate of 58% – per fixture.
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These returns have seen the 23-year-old average a quite extraordinary SofaScore match rating of 7.20, not only ranking him as West Ham’s best performer in the league but also as the joint 25th-best player in the top flight as a whole.
As such, it is clear for all to see that being without the services of Rice, in addition to not being able to call upon Bowen, against Sevilla will come as a huge blow to the Hammers’ chances of securing a positive result at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium on Thursday – as well as being a situation that is sure to have left Moyes and West Ham supporters alike gutted.
In other news: Major blow: WHU dealt fresh injury setback ahead of Sevilla, Hammers will be seething
Jenny Gunn starred with bat and ball as England took a 1-0 lead in the five-match ODI series with a comprehensive 56-run win at the MCG. Gunn made 48 in England’s healthy total of 6 for 233 and then got rid of both Australia’s openers to set the tone for what became a lethargic chase.Australia were listless compared to their sharp efforts in the field and at the crease in their Twenty20 victory on Friday. Dropped catches helped England get away to a challenging score and there was little urgency in Australia’s reply, with the captain Karen Rolton taking 62 balls to post her 30.While she remained the hosts had a sliver of hope. However, the required run-rate ballooned into double-figures and when Rolton departed in the 37th over, caught behind trying to cut Laura Marsh, who grabbed three wickets, Australia were 6 for 110.The only matter of interest then was whether Australia’s 17-year-old allrounder Ellyse Perry could register her first ODI half-century; she reached 40 before she was run out backing up too far. The result had been set up by the early strikes of Gunn, who finished with 2 for 35 from ten overs.Shelley Nitschke had shown promise with a pair of boundaries off Gunn – one superbly timed late cut and an impressive cover-drive – before she scooped Gunn to Nicky Shaw at mid off. England’s fielding remained spot on, unlike that of Australia, who dropped four gettable catches.Alex Blackwell, Kate Blackwell, Nitschke and Leonie Coleman all spilled what they should have taken. Lydia Greenway, who finished unbeaten on 48, had a life on 33 when she skied to point, where Alex Blackwell badly misjudged the drop of the ball.Greenway and Gunn combined for an 80-run stand after England were in danger of falling away at 4 for 116. Greenway scored quickly but managed only one boundary while Gunn had more luck piercing the field for four fours. The partnership ended when Gunn was backing up too far and a Greenway drive clipped the fingers of the bowler Perry and ricocheted onto the stumps.It was a rare piece of good fortune in the field for Australia after Beth Morgan was dropped by Kate Blackwell at cover and a diving Coleman behind the stumps. Sarah Taylor, the wicketkeeper restored to the opening position after missing the Twenty20 game through injury, played well for 44 until she gave Nitschke one of her two wickets, cutting a short ball to Perry at point.Claire Taylor contributed 30 before she was caught behind trying an expansive cover-drive off Nitschke. The two teams return to the same ground for the second ODI on Monday and Australia, who were so impressive in the Twenty20, must find the power switch to spark a more energetic effort following a 50-over fadeout.
Gold League Karachi Urban took another step towards toppling Rawalpindi from the top of the Gold League table as they piled up 506 for 5 declared on the second day of their Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold League match at the National Stadium . By the close of play, Rawalpindi had reached 122 for 3, still 357 away from averting the follow-on.Hasan Raza, the captain, hit an unbeaten 108 and Mohtashim Ali 67 in a 149-run fifth-wicket stand after overnight centurion Saeed Bin Nasir fell for 107. Raza, 24 and playing in his 139th first-class match, notched up his 27th hundred off 140 deliveries with the help of nine fours and two sixes. Asif Zakir (79) added 193 with Nasir.Rawalpindi progressed to 87 before three wickets fell for seven runs. Babar Naeem, the left-handed batsman, was unbeaten on 73, with14 fours and a six off 87 balls in just under two hours. Captain Mohammad Wasim has still not come out to bat, but Rawalpindi’s task to save the match is a difficult one.Karachi Urban, currently placed at number three in the seven-team Gold League table with 15 points, are in the ideal position to take their tally to 24 with an outright win and move to the top of the table.Playing like true champions, last season’s winners Sialkot transformed their poor situation on day one by taking their overnight 212 for 6 to an impressive 384 on the second day at the Jinnah Stadium . In reply, Lahore Shalimar had slipped to 139 for 6, with 96 required to make Sialkot bat again.Khalid Mahmood, Sialkot’s wicketkeeper was the man mainly responsible for the turnaround. Coming in at No.9, he first saw his partner Ayub Dogar leave the field with an injury. At 258 for 9, Ayub returned and the two proceeded to add an incredible 126 for the last wicket. Khalid remained unbeaten on 93, after being in sight of his first-class career’s third century, that came off a mere 110 balls in a little over two hours with nine fours and three sixes. Ayub, 28 overnight, had earlier helped add 67 for the seventh wicket with Tahir Mughal (31). He was last out, after having made 81 off 259 balls with eight fours and a six. Tahir then bagged 4 for 70 in Lahore’s innings, with only Ahmed Shahzad (52 off 115 balls) and Ashraf Ali (35*) offering resistance.Sialkot, with 12 points from their previous three matches, should now be looking towards an outright win so as to remain in contention for making the Gold League final.The chances for last season’s runners-up Faisalabad lifting themselves from the bottom of the seven-team Gold League brightened, as they gained the crucial first-innings lead against Peshawar at the Iqbal Stadium. Having dismissed second-placed Peshawar for a modest 215 on day one, Faisalabad took their overnight 39 for 0 to 254 for 9 by stumps, a lead of 39.The openers, Imran Ali (51) and Asif Hussain (48) added 94 before Ijaz Ahmed Junior hit an unbeaten 71 off 182 deliveries with ten fours. With a four-man attack, Arshad Khan, Peshawar’s captain, bowled superbly to pick up 4 for 74 in 34 overs. Riaz Afridi, the medium-pacer, sent down 32 overs for a return of 3 for 88.Champions in 2003-04 and runners-up during the two subsequent seasons, Faisalabad are trying desperately to avoid being demoted to the Silver League circuit.Silver League Shoaib Khan,Quetta’s left-handed opener, hit a century as his team gained a first-innings lead of 97 over Hyderabad on day two at the Niaz Stadium.It was Shoaib’s second first-class hundred and personal best as Quetta, resuming at an overnight 91 for 4, overhauled Hyderabad’s 193 with an impressive total of 290. Shoaib batted for more than six hours, facing 253 balls and hitting six fours and a six. His fifth-wicket stand with Arun Lal (52) was worth 97.Farhan Ayub, Hyderabad’s in-form left-arm fast bowler, returned figures of 6 for 76, while Naseer Khan (42) and captain Faisal Irfan (35) chipped in with useful runs. In their second innings, Hyderabad were 1 for 37, still 60 behind.Following Multan’s poor show in their match against Islamabad yesterday, Abbottabad must have seen a flicker of hope to make the Silver League final as they gained a splendid 152-run first-innings lead over Lahore Ravi at the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) Ground . Having dismissed Lahore for 62 on the first day, Abbottabad resumed at their overnight 89 for 1 and managed 314. At stumps, Lahore Ravi had made 72 for 1, still 80 runs in deficit.Fast bowlers Wahab Riaz (4 for 77) and Imran Ali (4 for 64) acquitted themselves well but Abbottabad prevailed on a fruitful day. Opener Mohammad Naeem, who top-scored with 54, took his second-wicket stand with Wajid Ali (42) to 53. Later, debutant Hammad Ali (45 off 85 balls with five fours) and captain Sajid Shah (30) added a crucial 92 for the seventh wicket, their stand being boosted by several extras. There were eventually as many as 40 of them, with fast bowler Wasim Khan conceding 10 wides and seven no-balls.If Multan are beaten by Islamabad in their ongoing encounter, and Abbottabad win here, either side will have an identical record after five matches and a total of 21 points. Who goes on to meet Islamabad in the Silver League final will then be decided on the basis of net run-rate.Instead of Multan improving their position, it was table leaders Islamabad who were looking for their fifth straight win in as many matches, as they finished with a 324-run lead on day two at the Diamond Club Ground .In reply to Islamabad’s 314, Multan folded for 153 and conceded a 161-run lead. Centurion Azhar Mahmood, the captain, took 3 for 45 for Islamabad and medium-pacer Bilal Asad excelled with figures of 4 for 13 in 11.2 overs. In Islamabad’s second-innings 163 for 3 opener Raheel Majeed hit a 76-ball 71in just short of two hours, with 10 fours and three sixes.With four wins and a full 36 points, Islamabad have already qualified for the Silver League final, scheduled to be played from February 7. Multan, second-placed in the five-team table, have 21 points but now appear to be in danger of losing their position to Abbottabad.
7.5 Rahul DravidProduced two hundreds under pressure, in an unfamiliar role as opener, and helped India to fighting draws in the opening two games. He shuffled around his options in the field and sent out aggressive signals by picking five specialist bowlers for the second Test, but he will always rue his twin failures in the decisive game.7 Mahendra Singh DhoniMet fire with fire when India were on a slippery slope at Faisalabad, racing to a fabulous maiden Test hundred. Barring a couple of missed opportunities, had a fine series behind the stumps.7 Irfan Pathan Came back strongly after a torrid time on the first two days of the series. But he soaked up the pressure in his crucial 90 and turned in an improved bowling performance in the second innings. Hat-trick will remain a career-high, regardless of the result.6.5 Yuvraj Singh Spanked a vital 45 and a glorious hundred in a losing cause at Karachi, and fell to an impetuous pull shot in his only other innings in the series. He was outstanding in the field, snaffling a sensational catch at a crucial juncture at Faisalabad.6.5 RP Singh Snapped up four wickets on an impressive debut at Faisalabad and but fell away a bit in the crucial second innings at Karachi. Overall, it was a promising beginning to his Test career.6.5 Zaheer Khan Enjoyed a good return to the international fold and ended with 10 wickets, the most by an Indian in the series. Appeared jaded in the second innings at Karachi but was impressive enough to earn a recall into the one-day side.6 Virender Sehwag Thundered a devastating 254 at Lahore, leading a most stunning riposte when faced with a mammoth total. Failed in all three innings that followed, and was hampered by an illness mid-way through the series.5.5 VVS Laxman Steadied the ship at Faisalabad with a stylish 90. Was on the receiving end of two Mohammad Asif jaffas at Karachi and was cleaned up for cheap scores.5.5 Sourav Ganguly Displayed tremendous composure in the first innings at Karachi, before falling for a loose stroke, and played another assured knock in the second innings. Bowled some handy overs and took a blinding catch at Lahore.5 Anil Kumble Toiled away for 143 overs in the series, on pitches hardly suited to his style. Ended with nine wickets but will probably look back at this as the most forgettable series in recent memory.4 Sachin Tendulkar Didn’t come to terms with Shoaib’s pace and, despite promising much in his brief stint in the second innings at Karachi, finished with a miserable average of 21.3.5 Harbhajan SinghWent wicketless after struggling throughout. He made no impression on featherbeds used for the opening two Tests and was dropped for the third.3.5 Ajit Agarkar Had a tough time on a pancake-flat pitch at Lahore, picking up two wickets and being carted for more than five an over. Suffered a hamstring injury at Faisalabad and missed the next two games.
ScorecardGlenn McGrath and Stuart MacGill shared eight wickets to end Victoria’s ambitions for a berth in the final. The 114-run defeat inflicted on them by New South Wales meant they failed to secure the two points for a place in the ING Cup decider. Tasmania, only a point ahead, will now take on Queensland in the final on Sunday.McGrath dismissed the first four batsmen to leave Victoria reeling at 4 for 61. MacGill then claimed one before coming in for severe punishment, particularly at the hands of Cameron White, whose 61 contained four sixes. But MacGill struck back, removing White and Shane Warne within an over to effectively halt Victoria’s tournament. The match ended with Victoria all out for 152.A blazing 96 by Brad Haddin took New South Wales to 4 for 266. NSW’s innings began with a 106-run stand between Simon Katich and Michael Clarke. Katich’s 78 took 100 balls, but Clarke, who scored 35, had a strike-rate of less than 50. Clarke’s dismissal brought Haddin to the crease, and the runs began to flow immediately. Haddin’s innings contained three sixes, five fours and gave the innings an impetus it did not lose even when Katich and Matthew Phelps fell within four balls of each other.
England v South Africa, third Test, Trent Bridge, Day 1
Mark Butcher: eighth Test century, and one of the best
It has been a familiar sight on the first day of all three Tests in this series: a left-hander pinging the ball to all parts. The good news for England was that this time it wasn’t Graeme Smith bashing the boundary-boards, it was Mark Butcher.It was Butcher’s eighth Test century and, with the possible exception of his matchwinning effort against Australia at Headingley in 2001, his best. His hundred included 21 fours, a very high percentage, almost all of them solid and sure. He reached three figures by easing one off his legs to the midwicket boundary, in a carbon copy of so many of Smith’s runs so far in this series.Since that seminal knock against Australia, which came at a time when he was unsure of his place, Butcher has made five Test centuries – more than anyone for England except Michael Vaughan – and inked his name in for as long as that clunking off-drive remains well-oiled. It remains an oddity, both statistical and cricketing, that Butcher has not played a single one-day international to put alongside his 55 Tests.His partner in a saving stand today, Nasser Hussain, rode his luck to collect his 13th Test century. Hussain started scratchily, narrowly avoiding Marcus Trescothick’s fate of getting out to the innocuous-looking induckers of Andrew Hall: one wobbled past dangerously close to the bat on its way through to Mark Boucher.But later Hall felt the rough edge of the bat as Hussain also dealt in bountiful boundaries, smacking 17 in all. Any doubts about his hunger for Test runs were quashed when he celebrated his hundred in typical Nasser style: left-fist pumping up and down accompanied by some barking expletives to no-one in particular, but to anyone who would listen.Ed Smith had a nervy wait, and a longer one than usual for an England No. 5 these days. He followed his first-ball block off Shaun Pollock with a bashful anxious smile reminiscent of a young Prince William facing the media, but then grew impressively into his role as the form-horse in the England pack.There was a defining moment shortly before tea. Just after dropping onto one knee to cream Hall through point for four, Hussain top-edged obligingly between the back-rushing Boucher and the incoming Ntini. It just showed that, after all the heartache of Edgbaston and Lord’s, this really was England’s day.Steven Lynch is editor of Wisden CricInfo.Click here for today’s bulletin