Tiwary's 151 guides East into Deodhar final

Skipper Manoj Tiwary continued his blazing form in domestic competitions with a magnificent 151 that powered East Zone to a comfortable 52-run win over North in the Deodhar Trophy semi-final in Mumbai.

Courtesy Manoj's career-best one day knock that came off only 121 balls, East scored 273 for eight in 50 overs.

In reply, North were never in contention as a disciplined bowling effort saw them get all out for 221 in 47.1 overs.

Fittingly, it was the East Zone captain who winded up the innings with the wicket of Sandeep Sharma. Senior Bengal off-spinner Saurashis Lahiri (3/41) bowled brilliantly with able support from Biplab Samantray (2/51), Ashok Dinda (2/59) and Shahbaz Nadeem (1/34).

However the day belonged to Manoj, who certainly staked a strong claim to be included in the 30-member preliminary squad for the World Cup as well as a berth in the team for the tri-series Down Under.

In the past one month, Manoj has scored a century each in Duleep Trophy (vs West Zone), Vijay Hazare Trophy (130 vs Vidarbha)and now Deodhar Trophy (151 vs North Zone).Tiwary, who had 15 hits to the fence and four sixes, was severe on spinners.

Rishi Dhawan (2/53) and Sandeep Sharma (2/490, who were economical in the beginning were treated with disdain during the death overs.

North Zone captain Harbhajan Singh, didn't take part in the match due to viral fever and throat infection.

Such was Manoj's dominance, the next-best score in the East innings was 43 off 61 balls from glovesman Shreevats Goswami, who helped his captain in steadying the innings after a shaky start.
Chasing the stiff target North began poorly to be 29 for 3 before being shot out for 221 in 47.1 overs to leave East comfortable winners. Gurkeerat Singh Mann (83) was the highest scorer for the losers.
In the morning, Manoj showed plenty of fortitude and determination to pull his side out of the woods after they were put in to bat by North on a track offering assistance to the bowlers early on.
Manoj's 151 is the second highest individual score in Deodhar Trophy after Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan's 158 for South Zone versus Central in Jaipur in 2004.
Manoj first upped the ante when he stepped out to offie Parveez Rasool hitting him for a six and a four off successive deliveries.
He then paced his innings to a nicety though he lost partners at regular intervals after putting on 60 for the third wicket with opener Shreevats (43 in 61 balls), to pull the stuttering innings around from 33 for two.
Manoj's 100 came off 93 balls, his third in List A cricket.
Manoj raced from 100 to 150 off just 27 balls – striking 5 fours and 3 sixes – with the last two overs bowled by Rishi Dhawan and Sandeep Sharma taken for 34 runs thanks to his belligerence.
North were never in the match save an odd-partnership between Punjab boys Mandeep Singh (40) and Gurkeerat Singh Mann (83), who added 74 runs for the fourth wicket.
Mann also added 71 for the fifth wicket with Rishi Dhawan (38) but the partnership never looked threatening. 

Boult takes four as New Zealand level series

Paceman Trent Boult took four wickets as New Zealand beat Pakistan by an innings and 80 runs to win the third and final Test within four days and level the series 1-1.

Scorecard 

Pakistan, who won the first match of the series in Abu Dhabi by 248 runs, were all out for 259 in their second innings in Sharjah on Sunday. 

Asad Shafiq staged a lone battle for Pakistan and completed his fifth Test hundred with an aggressive 137 off 148 balls but ran out of partners in the end. 

On a docile pitch at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium where New Zealand posted their highest total in Tests, the 25-year-old Boult extracted enough movement and pace to rattle the Pakistan top order. 

Shan Masood (4) edged Boult to Tim Southee at slip in the third over, while the paceman bowled Azhar Ali (6) with the last delivery of his fourth over and then returned to dismiss Younus Khan for a duck leg before with the first ball of his next. 

Off-spinner Mark Craig, who took seven wickets in the first innings, continued to punish Pakistan by dismissing opener Mohammad Hafeez and captain Misbah-ul-Haq. 

Hafeez (24) looked solid before he fell in the second over after lunch, offering a tame return catch to the 27-year-old Craig. Misbah (12) then reviewed the umpire's bat-pad decision off the same bowler but failed to overturn it. 

Sarfraz Ahmed (37) took the attack to the New Zealand bowlers and added a quickfire 73 for the sixth wicket with Shafiq. 

But leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, who saw Sarfraz dropped twice off his bowling in one over, took out the wicketkeeper-batsman and Yasir Shah (10) to take New Zealand closer to victory. 

The 28-year-old Shafiq smashed 18 fours and six sixes in his knock and added 78 for the ninth wicket with Rahat Ali to delay New Zealand's celebration. He fell to Boult. 

Rahat became the last man out and Craig's 10th victim in the match. 

Earlier in the morning, New Zealand's first innings closed on 690 with Craig (65) becoming the sixth batsman to score at least a half-century in the innings. The visitors hit 22 sixes in total, another record for the most number of maximums in a Test innings. 

Paceman Rahat and leg-spinner Yasir Shah picked up four wickets each for Pakistan, while part-time off-spinner Hafeez, who was reported for an illegal action after the first Test in Abu Dhabi, took the remaining two wickets.

Umar Gul recalled for Pakistan's ODI squad

Experienced pace bowler Umar Gul has been recalled to Pakistan's squad for the limited over series against New Zealand after struggling with a knee problem since last year. 

The Pakistani selectors included Gul in the squads for two Twenty20 matches and first two ODIs against New Zealand in the United Arab Emirates. 

Gul, 30, has struggled to keep his place in the limited overs side since knee surgery in Australia last year after he broke down during the tour of South Africa. 

Since then he has not played any Tests but has been in and out of the limited over squads despite being Pakistan's leading pace bowler in the present team with 173 one-day wickets. 

The selectors have also recalled senior batsman Younis Khan for the ODIs after he hit four centuries against Australia and New Zealand in recent Tests. 

First India-Australia Gabba Test postponed after Hughes' death

Cricket Australia on Saturday confirmed that the first Test between India and Australia at the Gabba scheduled for December 4 has been postponed until an unspecified date. While, the funeral of Phil Hughes will be held in his hometown Macksville on December 3.

Shortly after Cricket Australia announced details of Hughes' funeral next Wednesday in his hometown of Macksville in northern New South Wales state, chief executive James Sutherland said the team would not be ready to play the first Test as initially scheduled.

"These are extraordinary circumstances and we simply couldn't or wouldn't expect our players to be emotionally ready to start a Test match the day after farewelling one of their team-mates," Sutherland said.

"Their welfare is our absolute priority. They are grieving and to expect that they could play a high-pressured, five-day Test match the following day is out of the question."

Cricket Australia said on Saturday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the India team had been understanding and supportive.

Ticket sales for the Test were suspended and no new date has been announced. The second Test in Adelaide is scheduled to begin on December 12 - only four days after the Brisbane match would have ended.

Cricket Australia also said Hughes' funeral will be held in the sports hall of Macksville High School where he was educated. Overflow areas will be made available for guests to watch the service and the funeral will be broadcast live on radio and television across Australia and on a video screen at the SCG.

Hughes who was stuck by a bouncer on Tuesday playing in a Sheffield Shield match, passed away two days later in a Sydney hospital.

ICC World Cup 2015 Series starts on Feb 14 2015 and ends on Mar 29 2015 Teams: New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Australia, England, South Africa, Pakistan, India, Zimbabwe, Ireland, West Indies, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Scotland, United Arab Emirates.

ICC World Cup 2015 Series starts on Feb 14 2015 and ends on Mar 29 2015 Teams: New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Australia, England, South Africa, Pakistan, India, Zimbabwe, Ireland, West Indies, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Scotland, United Arab Emirates.	Print this seriesPlay Fantasy Cricket

Date	Match Details	Time			Venue		D/N
		GMT	IST	Your Time	Ground	City
Feb 14 - Sat	Australia v England, 2nd Match, Pool A	03:30	09:00	09:00	Melbourne Cricket Ground	Melbourne
Feb 14 - Sat	New Zealand v Sri Lanka, 1st Match, Pool A	22:00 Feb 13	03:30 (Feb 14)	03:30 (Feb 14)	Hagley Oval	Christchurch
Feb 15 - Sun	South Africa v Zimbabwe, 3rd Match, Pool B	01:00	06:30	06:30	Seddon Park	Hamilton
Feb 15 - Sun	India v Pakistan, 4th Match, Pool B	03:30	09:00	09:00	Adelaide Oval	Adelaide
Feb 16 - Mon	Ireland v West Indies, 5th Match, Pool B	22:00 Feb 15	03:30 (Feb 16)	03:30 (Feb 16)	Saxton Oval	Nelson
Feb 17 - Tue	New Zealand v Scotland, 6th Match, Pool A	22:00 Feb 16	03:30 (Feb 17)	03:30 (Feb 17)	University Oval	Dunedin
Feb 18 - Wed	Bangladesh v Afghanistan, 7th Match, Pool A	03:30	09:00	09:00	Manuka Oval	Canberra
Feb 19 - Thu	United Arab Emirates v Zimbabwe, 8th Match, Pool B	22:00 Feb 18	03:30 (Feb 19)	03:30 (Feb 19)	Saxton Oval	Nelson
Feb 20 - Fri	New Zealand v England, 9th Match, Pool A	01:00	06:30	06:30	Westpac Stadium	Wellington
Feb 21 - Sat	Australia v Bangladesh, 11th Match, Pool A	03:30	09:00	09:00	Brisbane Cricket Ground	Woolloongabba, Brisbane
Feb 21 - Sat	Pakistan v West Indies, 10th Match, Pool B	22:00 Feb 20	03:30 (Feb 21)	03:30 (Feb 21)	Hagley Oval	Christchurch
Feb 22 - Sun	India v South Africa, 13th Match, Pool B	03:30	09:00	09:00	Melbourne Cricket Ground	Melbourne
Feb 22 - Sun	Afghanistan v Sri Lanka, 12th Match, Pool A	22:00 Feb 21	03:30 (Feb 22)	03:30 (Feb 22)	University Oval	Dunedin
Feb 23 - Mon	England v Scotland, 14th Match, Pool A	22:00 Feb 22	03:30 (Feb 23)	03:30 (Feb 23)	Hagley Oval	Christchurch
Feb 24 - Tue	West Indies v Zimbabwe, 15th Match, Pool B	03:30	09:00	09:00	Manuka Oval	Canberra
Feb 25 - Wed	Ireland v United Arab Emirates, 16th Match, Pool B	03:30	09:00	09:00	Brisbane Cricket Ground	Woolloongabba, Brisbane
Feb 26 - Thu	Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, 18th Match, Pool A	03:30	09:00	09:00	Melbourne Cricket Ground	Melbourne
Feb 26 - Thu	Afghanistan v Scotland, 17th Match, Pool A	22:00 Feb 25	03:30 (Feb 26)	03:30 (Feb 26)	University Oval	Dunedin
Feb 27 - Fri	South Africa v West Indies, 19th Match, Pool B	03:30	09:00	09:00	Sydney Cricket Ground	Sydney
Feb 28 - Sat	New Zealand v Australia, 21st Match, Pool A	01:00	06:30	06:30	Eden Park	Auckland
Feb 28 - Sat	India v United Arab Emirates, 20th Match, Pool B	06:30	12:00	12:00	W.A.C.A. Ground	Perth
Mar 01 - Sun	Pakistan v Zimbabwe, 23rd Match, Pool B	03:30	09:00	09:00	Brisbane Cricket Ground	Woolloongabba, Brisbane
Mar 01 - Sun	England v Sri Lanka, 22nd Match, Pool A	22:00 Feb 28	03:30 (Mar 1)	03:30 (Mar 1)	Westpac Stadium	Wellington
Mar 03 - Tue	Ireland v South Africa, 24th Match, Pool B	03:30	09:00	09:00	Manuka Oval	Canberra
Mar 04 - Wed	Pakistan v United Arab Emirates, 25th Match, Pool B	01:00	06:30	06:30	McLean Park	Napier
Mar 04 - Wed	Australia v Afghanistan, 26th Match, Pool A	06:30	12:00	12:00	W.A.C.A. Ground	Perth
Mar 05 - Thu	Bangladesh v Scotland, 27th Match, Pool A	22:00 Mar 4	03:30 (Mar 5)	03:30 (Mar 5)	Saxton Oval	Nelson
Mar 06 - Fri	India v West Indies, 28th Match, Pool B	06:30	12:00	12:00	W.A.C.A. Ground	Perth
Mar 07 - Sat	Pakistan v South Africa, 29th Match, Pool B	01:00	06:30	06:30	Eden Park	Auckland
Mar 07 - Sat	Ireland v Zimbabwe, 30th Match, Pool B	03:30	09:00	09:00	Bellerive Oval	Hobart
Mar 08 - Sun	Australia v Sri Lanka, 32nd Match, Pool A	03:30	09:00	09:00	Sydney Cricket Ground	Sydney
Mar 08 - Sun	New Zealand v Afghanistan, 31st Match, Pool A	22:00 Mar 7	02:30 (Mar 8)	02:30 (Mar 8)	McLean Park	Napier
Mar 09 - Mon	England v Bangladesh, 33rd Match, Pool A	03:30	09:00	09:00	Adelaide Oval	Adelaide
Mar 10 - Tue	India v Ireland, 34th Match, Pool B	01:00	06:30	06:30	Seddon Park	Hamilton
Mar 11 - Wed	Sri Lanka v Scotland, 35th Match, Pool A	03:30	09:00	09:00	Bellerive Oval	Hobart
Mar 12 - Thu	South Africa v United Arab Emirates, 36th Match, Pool B	01:00	06:30	06:30	Westpac Stadium	Wellington
Mar 13 - Fri	New Zealand v Bangladesh, 37th Match, Pool A	01:00	06:30	06:30	Seddon Park	Hamilton
Mar 13 - Fri	Afghanistan v England, 38th Match, Pool A	03:30	09:00	09:00	Sydney Cricket Ground	Sydney
Mar 14 - Sat	India v Zimbabwe, 39th Match, Pool B	01:00	06:30	06:30	Eden Park	Auckland
Mar 14 - Sat	Australia v Scotland, 40th Match, Pool A	03:30	09:00	09:00	Bellerive Oval	Hobart
Mar 15 - Sun	Ireland v Pakistan, 42nd Match, Pool B	03:30	09:00	09:00	Adelaide Oval	Adelaide
Mar 15 - Sun	West Indies v United Arab Emirates, 41st Match, Pool B	22:00 Mar 14	03:30 (Mar 15)	03:30 (Mar 15)	McLean Park	Napier
Mar 18 - Wed	TBC v TBC, 1st Quarter-Final (A1 v B4)	03:30	09:00	09:00	Sydney Cricket Ground	Sydney
Mar 19 - Thu	TBC v TBC, 2nd Quarter-Final (A2 v B3)	03:30	09:00	09:00	Melbourne Cricket Ground	Melbourne
Mar 20 - Fri	TBC v TBC, 3rd Quarter-Final (A3 v B2)	03:30	09:00	09:00	Adelaide Oval	Adelaide
Mar 21 - Sat	TBC v TBC, 4th Quarter-Final (A4 v B1)	01:00	06:30	06:30	Westpac Stadium	Wellington
Mar 24 - Tue	TBC v TBC, 1st Semi-Final	01:00	06:30	06:30	Eden Park	Auckland
Mar 26 - Thu	TBC v TBC, 2nd Semi-Final	03:30	09:00	09:00	Sydney Cricket Ground	Sydney
Mar 29 - Sun	TBC v TBC, Final	03:30	09:00	09:00	Melbourne Cricket Ground	Melbourne