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Chris Gayle lit up the Sawai Mansingh Stadium with a quite spectacular display of power-hitting as West Indies stormed into their second successive Champions Trophy final. Gayle’s run-a-ball unbeaten 133 - and his 154-run opening wicket stand with Shivnarine Chanderpaul - turned what was supposed to be a close game into an absolute no-contest, as West Indies chased down 259 with six wickets in hand and 36 balls to spare to earn the right to challenge Australia for the title on Sunday.

No-one would have thought the match would have been such one-way traffic after South Africa puffed their way to 258 for 8 on the back of a controlled innings of 77 from Herschelle Gibbs. With the ball not coming on to the bat in the afternoon, it was assumed that West Indies would have to battle hard to get to the target. It took just two balls to alter that assumption significantly.

Shaun Pollock, the epitome of accuracy, started with a wide, then was spanked down the ground off the next two deliveries - once off either foot - for fours. That set a trend which continued through the entire innings, as Gayle decided to make this match his own. Pollock’s gentle pace was just perfect, as Gayle creamed him down the ground and took a giant stride forward and deposited a huge six over long-on. Pollock’s five overs went for 34 - 24 off them courtesy Gayle from 18 balls - and Pollock wasn’t needed again.

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JAIPUR, Nov 2: Even before the start of the Champions Trophy, Chris Gayle had made up his mind to occupy the crease and play his shots according to the merit of the ball. With two hundreds already in the tournament, he was confident and sure about about his role in the team as well.

So, when the big moment arrived in the second semi-final against South Africa at the Sawai Man Singh stadium on Thursday, Gayle yet again responded like a champion.

He marshaled his resources to perfection by cracking a match winning knock 133 as West Indies blew away South Africa by six wickets. Brian Lara and his men will now face Australia in the final at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on November 4.

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Match in Pics: Windies vs South Africa

Earlier, South Africa won the toss and elected to bat on a double-paced track. The decision was hardly justified by the top-order batsmen who looked tentative. Yet, South Africa managed to make 258 for the loss of eight wickets.

The second half was a complete Gayle show that enabled his team to finish the match with as many as six overs to spare. The Jamaican made his 15th ODI ton, his sixth on Indian soil and third in the championship.

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The last two times South Africa have come up against West Indies in big tournaments - the World Cup and the Champions Trophy - they have been at the losing end. It could be just coincidence, but Graeme Smith, the South African captain, is certainly aware of the history. "We know that they beat us in the World Cup and the last Champions Trophy," he said at a pre-match press conference. "They’ve got some top-class players and if they play like that, they can beat any team in the world, like they’ve shown in the game against Australia in the earlier part of the tournament. You’ve got to give them all the credit."

But the same West Indian team folded for only 80 on another day, and consistency isn’t a word you’re likely to use in their context. This unpredictable nature could go against them in a big semi-final. "It’s the semi-final, so you’ve got to be sure you’re up for the game. West Indies have match-winners and in one-dayers one match-winner can win you a game," said Smith. "It’s like what we did against Pakistan, we just made sure that our own game is right, that’s our game plan. It’s been one of our strengths so far in this tournament. Tomorrow is going to be no different."

Another thing that has been inconsistent in this tournament is the pitches. From city to city, from strip to strip, each 22-yard patch has played differently. What did Smith make of this one? "It does look pretty dry at the moment but just looking at it and speaking to some guys in the teams that have played here in the earlier games, it has been a bit two-paced, a little bit up and down," he said. "I guess the harder ball will be difficult to bat against. Otherwise, the teams will have to adapt to the conditions. This wicket has been different from the ones we have played on. That’s the tough part of the tournament, every wicket has been different and adapting to the conditions has been the key."

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Graeme Smith and Shaun Pollock can take heart from the surface on view © Getty Images

Graeme Smith might just be enjoying himself a little more in the state of Gujarat than he did in Mumbai. The Sardar Patel Stadium, for starters, resembles more closely the stadia he is used to playing at back home - it’s big, has colourful bucket seats as a backdrop, the outfield is a lush green. And most importantly, the pitch also had just a tinge of green on it - not the kind of grass that would make it a seaming bunsen, but the kind that would hold it together and ensure that the top didn’t come off, as it did when South Africa went down to New Zealand in Mumbai.

Smith was livid after that match, lambasting the pitch after a game of two halves was easily won by New Zealand. When he appeared for his pre-match press conference in Ahmedabad, looking forward to the game against Sri Lanka, he was far more relaxed, and even smiled once or twice, as he fielded the usual questions. But then, that has been the nature of this tournament.

The format has made it such that each team needs at least two wins to be reasonably assured of making it to the semifinal. With one loss and two games to go, South Africa have no uncertainty left - they just must win, to stay in the competition. Sri Lanka, who already have one win, against New Zealand, but lost to Pakistan, can’t breathe any easier. In that sense, the manner in which results have unfolded has meant that this tournament has virtual quarterfinals, even if the organisers did not design it thus.

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Stephen Fleming waged a lone battle for New Zealand

The trend of low scores and poor pitches continued at the Champions Trophy, as New Zealand crushed South Africa by 87 runs at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. In conditions where batting was an onerous task, Stephen Fleming played an outstanding knock for the second time in a major one-day competition against South Africa. In the World Cup, he had creamed 134 effortless runs; here, his 89 was the difference between the two sides, enabling New Zealand to mount 195. His opposite number for South Africa, Graeme Smith, was the second-highest score with 42 - but none of the other batsmen had much of a clue.

The pitch was a different one to what had been used a couple of days back when West Indies were mauled by Sri Lanka, but the result wasn’t much different. Early on it offered more pace and bounce than the track on which West Indies got rolled over, but as the day wore on strokeplay became increasingly tougher, especially against the older ball. By the time South Africa were midway into their innings, there was a puff of dust every time the ball landed on the turf, and the abrasive nature of the pitch made the ball grip the surface - it was all far too much for the South African batsmen, and for most of the New Zealanders as well.

The one batsman who conquered these tough conditions was Fleming. At the start, when strokeplay was relatively easier, he executed some crisp strokes, flicking wide off mid-on with characteristic flair and cutting and driving with panache on the off side. He played and missed more than once early on, but when wickets fell regularly at the other end, he cut out the risks and ensured that he stayed through most of the innings.

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Cricket South Africa has confirmed India’s tour of the country in November-December as it announced the national team’s full schedule of home and away international fixtures till the World Cup in the West Indies next March.

CSA CEO Geral Majola, announcing the schedule, said SA’s 2006-07 season would begin next month.

“Cricket fans are in for a bumper season that includes the tour of Sri Lanka in July, the ICC Champions Trophy in India in October, tours by India and Pakistan in November and January respectively, and ending with the World Cup in the West Indies in March,” Majola said in a statement yesterday.

India will play five one-day internationals and three Test matches in South Africa after they visit the sub-continent for the ICC Champions Trophy in October.

CSA’s General Manager for Cricket Affairs, Brian Basson, who announced the itineraries, said: “We are delighted that after months of negotiations, confirmation of the outgoing tour of Sri Lanka and the incoming tours of India and Pakistan have been finalised.

“The reasons for the protracted delay can be attributed to full member countries having displayed reluctance in entering into any fixed tour arrangements prior to final confirmation of the ICC’s Future Tours Programme,” Basson said.

“Additionally, the incoming tours are scheduled to take place between the ICC Champions Trophy and the ICC Cricket World Cup which reduced the period for the allocation of the tour’s itinerary”. (more…)

South African fast bowler Makhaya Ntini took five for 35 to dismiss New Zealand for 119 on the first day of the third and final Test on Friday.

Captain Graeme Smith then scored 63 and Hashim Amla 56 to take the home side to 133 for four before play was halted by bad light 13 overs early.

Stephen Fleming’s 46 was New Zealand’s top score and the 55 he shared with Nathan Astle for the fourth wicket was the visitors’ best partnership.

Four New Zealanders were dismissed without scoring. Paceman Dale Steyn took three for 43.

South Africa lead the series 1-0 after Ntini took 10 wickets in a 128-run first Test win.

New Zealand lost their first three wickets with just two runs on the board. Ntini had Jamie How caught by AB de Villiers at third slip with the eighth ball of the match.

New Zealand had yet to score their first run four overs later when Michael Papps edged a jagging inswinger from Ntini on to his stumps.

The visitors needed 33 deliveries to move off the mark and they did so when Fleming drove Steyn down the ground for two.

Those were the only runs on the board when Scott Styris edged a delivery from Ntini and was spectacularly caught by De Villiers diving to his left at third slip. (more…)

On a day of firsts at Cape Town, New Zealand maintained their supremacy but were left looking towards the heavens as the weather threatened to ruin their chances of squaring the series. After James Franklin had reached his maiden Test century, Jeetan Patel opened his Test-wicket tally with two scalps. However, Hashim Amla marked his return to the Test arena with a hardworking first fifty as he guided South Africa’s pursuit of the follow-on target of 394.

Faced with a huge total - and a follow-on target of 394 - Graeme Smith and Boeta Dippenaar had made steady progress against the new ball after New Zealand extended their innings for 13 overs. Patel and Daniel Vettori were in action by the 13th over of South Africa’s reply, and both found appreciable assistance, with Vettori ripping deliveries past the edges of all the right-handers.

Patel, though, was something of a surprise package. He has produced some promising performances in one-day internationals but a career average of over 41 in first-class cricket would not send shudders through a batting line-up. However, he made an immediate mark when Stephen Fleming threw him the ball flighting a full delivery to Smith, who tried to work it to the onside, but could only spoon it back to the bowler. Smith stood his ground, believing it to be a bump ball, but the TV evidence was clear and he was on his way. (more…)

A career best performance by Kyle Mills saw South Africa in trouble on 266 for eight wickets at close of play on the first day of the first Castle Lager Test against New Zealand at Supersport Park on Saturday.

Graeme Smith won the toss and decided to bat first on a pitch that appeared to offer something to the bowlers. South Africa had made some changes to the batting order, with Herschelle Gibbs opening the batting with Smith and AB de Villiers moving down the order to six.

Gibbs went out early when he played on to a delivery from Kyle Mills in the sixth over of the day.

Smith won the toss

Graeme Smith and Boeta Dippenaar put on 79 runs for the second wicket before Smith was given out leg before wicket to James Franklin for 45 shortly after lunch.

Jacques Kallis, playing in his 100th Test - 99 for South Africa and one for the World Eleven - faced just two balls before he called for medical assistance, apparently after jarring his troublesome elbow. He was given a painkilling injection on the field, and continued with his innings.

Dippenaar reached his seventh Test half century off 95 balls, including 10 balls, with a magnificent straight drive to the boundary off Mills, but the very next ball Dippenaar tried to hook the ball, which went straight to Peter Fulton at square leg.

Ashwell Prince lasted 35 minutes before he was caught by Scott Styris off Mills for nine.

South Africa went to tea on 153 for four, but things really fell apart after tea, with another four wickets falling for the addition of 113 runs. (more…)

SOUTH Africa won the toss and decided to bat in the first Test against New Zealand at Centurion Park today.

South African captain Graeme Smith declared himself fit despite still suffering pain from the left ring finger injury which kept him out of the third and final Test against Australia earlier this month.

But New Zealand was without fast bowler Shane Bond because of a knee injury.

South Africa, which lost all three home Tests against Australia, dropped middle order batsman Jacques Rudolph and reshuffled the batting order, Smith opening alongside Herschelle Gibbs.

Boeta Dippenaar was at number three and AB de Villiers moved from the opening slot to the middle order.

Fast bowler Andre Nel, who has struggled with a foot injury and who could not bowl Friday after falling on his shoulder, was replaced by Dale Steyn.

New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram returned for his first Test since November 2004 while swing bowler Kyle Mills replaced Bond, who suffered a recurrence of a knee injury during a warm-up match against the Rest of South Africa last weekend.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming and South Africans Shaun Pollock and Jacques Kallis were playing in their 100th Test. Kallis played one of his Tests for the World XI against Australia last October.

Teams:

SOUTH AFRICA: Graeme Smith (capt), Herschelle Gibbs, Boeta Dippenaar, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Nicky Boje, Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn.

NEW ZEALAND: Stephen Fleming (capt), Hamish Marshall, Peter Fulton, Scott Styris, Nathan Astle, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, James Franklin, Kyle Mills, Chris Martin.

See also New Zealand vs South Africa, 2006.

Jacques Kallis and Stephen Fleming could mark their 100th cricket Tests by leading South Africa and New Zealand in the series-opener on Saturday.

The match will also be the 100th for South Africa bowler Shaun Pollock.

Whether Kallis captains the home side will depend on if regular skipper Graeme Smith passes a final fitness Test today on his injured ring finger. Smith batted in the nets yesterday and was in some discomfort, but team physio Shane Jabbar was encouraged.

“We will treat the finger some more, and then we’ll take a final decision tomorrow,” Jabbar said.

Kallis hoped Smith came through, and helped to make his latest milestone match all the more special.

“When you play in your first test, you never really think about playing in a hundred,” Kallis said. “But it is an honour and a privilege, and it will be something to remember in the future. But I won’t be expecting any favours from the opposition because it’s my hundredth test.”

Asked for career highlights, he listed his debut against England in December 1995, his first Test century against Australia two years later, and the friends he’s made among teammates and opponents.

“I have also had the opportunity to travel the world–what guy at 30 has been to some of the places I’ve been to? And I get paid for something I love doing.” (more…)

A fired up Brett Lee claimed 4-27 as Australia thrashed South Africa by 80 runs in their VB Series clash at Melbourne, leaving the door ajar for Sri Lanka to sneak into the finals. (more…)

Graeme Smith is a strike bowler in exactly the same way that Glenn McGrath is a half-century maker. Discuss.

It may not have been quite as unlikely a sight as McGrath’s maiden Test 50 against New Zealand in 2004, but there have been few more curious cricket phenomena in recent years than yesterday’s bowling performance by the South African captain at the WACA.

Smith, who had never bowled ten overs in a one day international before yesterday, picked up three key wickets – including the seemingly unstoppable Sanath Jayasuriya – and somehow crashed the Sri Lankan juggernaut by bowling slow spinners which have been charitably described in the cricket press as “gentle.”

That he did this on a Perth wicket which was playing like the centre court at Rod Laver Arena only deepens the mystery.

Before arriving in Australia for the VB Series, Graeme Smith had bowled only 55 overs in his 78-match ODI career, for a grand total of four wickets. That’s one every nineteen games. (more…)

If there are two things that can be said to mark an Australian summer, they are the beach and cricket.

But this year, both Aussie iconic pastimes have been marred by a series of racist incidents that have shocked most people and threatened the future of international cricket tours down under.

By far the most serious was also the first. More than 30 people were hurt in early December’s race-related riots and reprisal attacks in and around Cronulla beach in Sydney.

Politicians, including cricket-loving Prime Minister John Howard, were quick to reject accusations the riots showed racism is on the rise in Australia.

Instead, the unrest has essentially been blamed on simmering local tensions. (more…)

Sri Lanka finally fought their way out of a poor patch with their first win of the VB Series at the Gabba which has thrown the tournament wide open. It may be just their third win in their last 13 one-dayers, but it was a resounding one, crushing South Africa by 94 runs. Kumar Sangakkara and Jehan Mubarak both struck fifties to propel them to 6 for 282, which proved to be an insurmountable total on an excellent pitch.

It was a swift comedown for South Africa after the jubilation of beating Australia, at last, earlier this week. And when the post-mortem comes in the dressing room, the toss will probably be first up for dissection. Graeme Smith chose for his team to endure a long, hot day in the field and then, after falling early for three, he watched his side grind their way towards inevitable defeat on a used pitch. Afterwards he was adamant he did the right thing. “The pitch played well right through,” he said. “Our basics let us down.” (more…)