Briefly Cricket

Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons has said that Mohammad Ashraful was only retaining his place in the team because there...

Ashraful is lucky to retain his place,says Siddons

Dhaka: Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons has said that Mohammad Ashraful was only retaining his place in the team because there was no replacement for him. There is definitely a lot of pressure on Mohammad Ashraful. He knows that he has been very inconsistent and we have talked about it. In that regard,he is very lucky to be still in the team but unless you find someone else,someone better,to replace him,he will play, he said. After all,it wasnt long time back that he hit a hundred against Sri Lanka. I hope he scores in the second Test and inspires the whole team. The second Test starts in Dhaka from Sunday.

White slams century to give Australia 5-wicket win

Brisbane: Cameron White struck a century to dig Australia out of a tricky chase against Pakistan in the first of the five-match one-day series in Brisbane on Friday. Australia were 83 for four with Shane Watson,Shaun Marsh and skipper Ricky Ponting back in the hut,when White came into bat,still needing 192 to win. Whites 105 of 88 balls saw the hosts getting home with nine balls to spare. Earlier,opener Salman Butts 72 off 81 balls and a late flourish from Shahid Afridi took Pakistan to 274 to set up a stiff target for Australia.

Brief scores: Pakistan 274 all out in 49.4 overs S Butt 72,S Afridi 48; S Watson 4/36,C McKay 3/61 vs Australia 275/5 in 48.3 overs C White 105,M Hussey 35 not out; M Aamer 1/29

Tiwary century not enough for East Zone

Amritsar: Manoj Tiwarys century wasnt enough for East Zone to make the Duleep Trophy semi-finals after they were bowled out for 290 chasing Cental Zone8217;s first innings score of 480 for 8 declared. Tiwary scored an unbeaten 102 but ran out of partners. Central Zone will now play South Zone in the semi-finals at Indore from January 26. Brief scores: Central Zone 480/8 dec vs East Zone 290 all out in 78.2 overs Manoj Tiwary 102 no; RP Singh 3/82