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A round-up of the action from the Coca-Cola Pro50 Championship 2011-12

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Jan-2012Mid West Rhinos put in an all-round team performance and eased to a seven-wicket win over Southern Rocks at the Kwekwe Sports Club. The Rhinos put the Rocks in to bat and kept striking at regular intervals, eventually bowling them out for 211 in 48.3 overs. That the Rocks even got past 200 was only due to their captain Richmond Mutumbami, who scored a fluent 82. While the Rhinos bowlers shared the wickets around, new-ball bowler Richard Muzhange finished with the best figures: 3 for 30. In the chase, Rhinos’ top three, Vusi Sibanda, Steve Marillier and Gary Ballance, all scored half-centuries to make sure their side got home comfortably in the 43rd over.Mashonaland Eagles continued their dominance in the tournament, beating Mountaineers by 59 runs in a rain-hit encounter at the Harare Sports Club. After being put in, the Eagles got to 218 – a commendable total when you consider their start. They were reduced to 11 for 4 and 80 for 6 by Tendai Chatara, who claimed a five-for. However, Sikandar Raza and Elton Chigumbura, batting at Nos. 7 and 8, made 58 each to set up the competitive total. Mountaineer’s chase didn’t quite get going at any stage, and needing a revised target of 193 from 33 overs, they could manage only 133 for 8. Kyle Jarvis, with 3 for 39, was the most effective of the Eagles’ bowlers.

Debasis Mohanty, the former India seamer, has replaced Michael Bevan as coach of Orissa after Bevan had to return to Australia due to a “family problem”

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Nov-2011Debasis Mohanty, the former India seamer, has replaced Michael Bevan as coach of Orissa after Bevan had to return to Australia due to a “family problem”. Bevan had agreed to coach Orissa for the 2011-12 domestic season in India and began his term when Orissa toured Australia in the pre-season. He then led the team through a poor Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign, where they won just one game, after which he requested permission to go home for 15 days.The Orissa Cricket Association decided they did not want to have a stop-gap coach so have appointed Mohanty, who has played for Orissa since 1996-97 and has a level one coaching license.”He [Bevan] had some family problem and wanted to fly home for 15 days. We cannot have somebody as a stop-gap coach so had to part ways,” OCA secretary Asirbad Behera told . “Mohanty has already joined the side. He is the best available option.”Mohanty has played 117 first-class games for Orissa, and was named captain last year after Shiv Sunder Das was dropped from the squad. Mohanty played two Tests and 45 one-day international for India between 1997 and 2001.”He has been associated with Orissa cricketers and knows all of them,” Behera said. “He was the obvious choice. He has been given a contract for the whole season.”

Peter Borren strode into his post-match conference after his team’s 231-run loss to South Africa with his chest puffed out

Firdose Moonda at the PCA Stadium03-Mar-2011Peter Borren strode into his post-match conference after his team’s 231-run loss to South Africa with his chest puffed out. The defeat was the largest margin of humiliation in this World Cup but his eyes were brighter than they were after they went down to the West Indies, his smile was shyly peeking out and his voice didn’t crack and waver as it had then.”We bowled really well in the first 40 overs,” he said proudly. “We just didn’t take the wickets we needed to create pressure.” The Dutch bowlers had kept South Africa to 43 runs within the first 10 overs, 108 at the halfway stage and 215 in 40 overs.The problem, as Borren said, was wickets. After 40 overs, South Africa had lost just Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis and had two centurions at the crease. They’d given themselves enough time and enough batsmen to launch from there and launch they did. “Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers are both magnificent players and it was a good experience for us to see how they batted. Even when they weren’t hitting boundaries they were taking singles.”It seems as though Borren and his team have got over the ignominy of hefty defeats and are starting to view their World Cup games as learning experiences and time to play against the Full Members that they hardly ever get outside of major tournaments. Borren spoke about the team setting their own targets and playing to try and achieve those, instead of to get results and notch up upsets. Today, he thinks they did that, in part. “In those first 40 overs, we bowled to our own standards,” he said.Netherlands were happy with their bowling for the first 40 overs•AFPBorren chose to put South Africa in because he wanted to give his bowlers an opportunity to capitalise on the conditions. With rain around and some juice expected in the pitch, he hoped that they would be able to snag a few big guns and “get their middle-order players in early.” They weren’t able to do that, but doesn’t frustrate him entirely; it’s their showing with the bat that does. “We didn’t bat to our standards so we let ourselves down again,” he said.With the Netherlands putting on such a commanding performance against England with the bat, it was that aspect of their game that was talked up as their strength and Borren was disappointed with how they fared in their last two outings. “I think the pressure of chasing big scores got to us.” When asked if he wasn’t inspired by Ireland’s supreme effort in chasing 329 against England, he grinned. Perhaps they weren’t inspired, they were awed.”Full credit to Ireland for the way they played in the second half of their innings. Kevin O’Brien’s century was incredible,” Borren said. “I think if you tried to emulate that, you wouldn’t be able to for 1000 years.”His answer almost reflected what everyone has been saying: that the gulf between the Associates and the Full Members is too great and that the smaller teams don’t have any reason to believe they’ll be able to close it. Borren didn’t even feel his team could match the performance of another Associate.In some ways, that carefree attitude should stand them in good stead for their remaining matches, because it will take away the burdens they’ve had to prove themselves up to now. The Netherlands next outing is against India and instead of wanting to cause an upset, Borren said they are just looking forward to the spectacle. “India are a magnificent cricket team. Hopefully we will do a bit better than we did today but to play them at home is going to be a great occasion.”

Shahid Afridi will not turn out for Hampshire in the English Twenty20 season after the revoking on Tuesday of his No-Objection Certificate (NOC) by the PCB

Osman Samiuddin01-Jun-2011Shahid Afridi will not turn out for Hampshire in the Friends Life t20 season after the revoking on Tuesday of his No-Objection Certificate (NOC) by the PCB, with whom he is presently at loggerheads. The ECB has suspended Afridi’s overseas registration and has said it is checking that the correct procedures have been followed with regard to his NOC revocation.Afridi announced his international retirement this week in protest at the PCB’s decision to remove him from the ODI captaincy earlier this month. After he criticised the PCB in a television interview, the board suspended Afridi’s central contract, revoked his NOCs and slapped him with a showcause notice on Tuesday.After several communications between the ECB and PCB today, Afridi confirmed that until the NOC remains withdrawn he “will not be playing for Hampshire.” Afridi had been signed by Hampshire as one of their two overseas players and was due to play on the opening day of the Twenty20 tournament on Wednesday.Rod Bransgrove, the Hampshire chairman, also confirmed the news to ESPNcricinfo. “My understanding of the process is that Shahid retired two or three days ago, the following day the PCB announced they would withdraw his No-Objection Certificate, and from what I can gather today the ECB have removed his registration, which makes him unavailable to play. We’re still discussing with various parties whether he’s a retired player, a contracted player, but at the moment it looks as though he won’t be playing. If he’s not registered, he can’t play, so it’s an ECB issue at present.”Afridi will remain in the UK for some time now before he plans his next step. Legal action has not been ruled out. “They are using all their powers against me right now and they can use them all they want. We are looking right now at all various options and obviously when such actions are taken, unjust actions, then that [legal action] is a consideration,” Afridi told ESPNcricinfo. He also confirmed he had appealed directly to the president of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, who is also patron of the PCB and the man who appoints the board chairman.In the immediate future, Afridi had also been lined up to play in the Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL) and possibly lead a team. There are likely to be several complications though. Afridi was confident he would “be able to take part in the league” as his central contract – presently suspended – finishes in June this year. The league is scheduled to take place over two weeks between July and August but precisely what his status will be at the time cannot be predicted.If, as is the general practice and ICC requirement, the league requires NOCs from all players who take part – current or former, centrally contracted or otherwise – then obtaining it from the PCB might remain a problem for Afridi.Afridi’s retirement, as he made clear, is a conditional one and applied only to this administration. Asked if there was anyway he could return under this board, he said: “Absolutely not, no way at all.”

A devastating spell from Kent’s left-arm seamer Adam Ball left their County Championship Division Two game against fellow strugglers Leicestershire finely poised at Grace Road

03-Aug-2011
Scorecard
A devastating spell from Kent’s left-arm seamer Adam Ball left their County Championship Division Two game against fellow strugglers Leicestershire finely poised at Grace Road. Ball took 3 for 14 in 7.2 overs as Leicestershire slipped from 126 for 2 to 148 for 5 to lead by 186 runs at the close of the second day.Earlier in the day Leicestershire offspinner Jigar Naik also produced an eye-catching performance with figures of 5 for 34 as Kent lost their last seven wickets for 58 runs, slumping to 219 all out to hand Leicestershire a first-innings lead of 38.The hosts then looked to be moving into a commanding position, with Will Jefferson and Matt Boyce sharing their second half-century opening partnership of the game. They put on 72 in 25 overs before off-spinner James Tredwell bowled Jefferson for 37 as the batsman tried to work the ball away on the leg side.Then Tredwell trapped Greg Smith lbw before Ball was brought into the attack and rapidly turned the match in Kent’s favour again. He first had Boyce caught behind two runs short of a half-century and then removed Josh Cobb in the same fashion as the youngster went for an ambitious drive outside the off stump.Ball struck again with what proved to be the last ball of the day, having Wayne White lbw for 14 to dampen Leicestershire’s hopes of achieving their first Championship win since the opening match of the season against Northamptonshire.Kent, who began the day at 47 for 3, had a good pre-lunch session with Martin van Jaarsveld and Darren Stevens sharing a fourth-wicket stand of 114 in 29 overs. They both enjoyed plenty of good fortune in the first hour of the day, with Stevens dropped at slip and several other shots flying through the cordon to the boundary.Both reached their half-centuries, with Stevens making it off just 60 balls and hitting 11 fours before finally edging Naik to slip shortly before lunch having made 67.But the afternoon session went Leicestershire’s way, with Naik the star performer. He picked up the big wicket of van Jaarsveld, who was also caught at slip, and then added the scalps of Tredwell, Ball and Geraint Jones to the list to claim his second five-wicket haul of the season.Nathan Buck also returned to something like his best form, picking up 3 for 49, with Kent’s last six wickets going down for 43 runs in nine overs.

Round-up of the second day of the fifth round of Division One of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Nov-2010Kamran Akmal scored 268, his first double-century in first-class cricket, to carry National Bank of Pakistan to a first innings total of 467 in their match against Faisalabad at the Sports Stadium in Sargodha. Akmal, who has lost the wicketkeeper spot in the Pakistan Test side to his younger brother Adnan, got NBP accelerated on the second day as he scored 133 of the 191 runs made by his team. Faced with a big target, Faisalabad’s openers were undaunted, as Shahid Siddiq and Farrukh Shehzad both made unbeaten half-centuries to take their side to 152 for no loss at the close of play.Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited put themselves in pole position against Islamabad in a low-scoring match at the Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad. The hosts were 117 runs ahead with just one wicket in hand, as they attempted to set SNGPL a decent total to chase. SNGPL seamers Imran Ali and Asad Ali, who shared all ten wickets in Islamabad’s first-innings, did the job again taking five and three wickets respectively to reduce the hosts to 205 for 9. An unbeaten half-century by Imad Wasim provided Islamabad’s only resistance. SNGPL’s tail wagged in the morning, as they added 43 runs to their overnight score of 142 for 8.Water and Power Development Authority continued their dominance against Karachi Blues on the second day at the National Stadium in Karachi. Sohaib Maqsood scored 182 before WAPDA declared on 399 for 5. Pakistan fast bowler Naved-ul-Hasan, who took four wickets in Karachi’s first innings, struck an early blow by dismissing opener Naved Khan to leave Karachi 19 for 1, and needing another 247 to make the visitors bat again. WAPDA scored at a brisk rate of 3.78 in their innings, and their captain Naved-ul-Hasan showed real intent to win the match by declaring before the close of play on the second day.Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited were three wickets away from their third victory of the season at the Multan Cricket Stadium, as they took 15 Multan wickets on the second day. Having scored 325, the ZTBL bowlers set about dismantling Multan’s batting, bowling them out for 134 and then getting a further seven wickets after making as the hosts followed on. Multan still trail by 42 runs.Rawalpindi took control of their match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium as they bowled Habib Bank Limited out for 164 on the second day. HBL started the day positively, allowing Rawalpindi to add just 56 to their overnight score of 334 for 5, as HBL fast bowler Fahad Masood ran through the tail, finishing with figures of 5 for 83. Unfortunately for HBL, the start of their innings was equally wicket-laden, as they collapsed to 29 for 4. A couple of late partnerships pushed HBL’s score to 164, but they still conceded a 226-run lead to the hosts.A half-century by their captain, Mansoor Amjad, restored some parity for Sialkot at the end of the second day after Pakistan International Airlines had posted a big first innings score at the Jinnah Stadium. Sialkot were stuttering at 61 for 3 at one stage before their captain ensured they finished the day at 142, still 246 runs behind PIA with seven wickets in hand. PIA Wicketkeeper Anop Santosh scored the majority of the visitors’ runs on the second day, getting 105 off 159 balls.

A round-up of the action from the sixth day of matches in the 2010-11 Vijay Hazare Trophy

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Feb-2011South ZoneTamil Nadu saw off a spirited fightback by Andhra’s lower order to complete a 24-run win at the Perintalmanna Cricket Stadium in Malappuram. S Badrinath’s 99 and R Sathish’s 76 had helped Tamil Nadu reach 300, and the seamers then took early wickets, reducing Andhra to 116 for 6. Vemu Lenin, who made 65 not out, and Andhra’s tail made a fight of it, but Tamil Nadu always looked in control. Badrinath and Sathish had taken the game away from Andhra with their sixth-wicket partnership of 129 off 90 balls. Sathish’ 76 came off just 53 balls. Seamer Sunil Sam did the early damage for Tamil Nadu, taking three wickets, before the lower order battled. Andhra were finally bowled out for 276 in the final over.Goa’s spinners were all over Hyderabad at the Fort Maidan in Palakkad, leading their team to a seven-wicket win. Amit Yadav, Shadab Jakati, Dhiraj Narvekar and Sher Yadav took eight wickets between them – the other two were run-outs – as Hyderabad were bowled out for 158. After a solid start, Hyderabad collapsed from 54 for 0, with Amit Yadav the most successful of the spinners, taking 3 for 22. Goa lost some early wickets in their chase, but Rohit Asnodkar made sure there were no further hiccups, scoring and unbeaten74 off 85 balls, as his team eased home in 39.5 overs.

In his first series as Test captain, Michael Clarke has delivered Australia a 1-0 victory over Sri Lanka, moved them up to fourth in the ICC rankings, and broken his own personal drought with his first Test century in 18 months

The Report by Brydon Coverdale20-Sep-2011
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsMichael Clarke made his first Test hundred as Australia’s captain•AFPSmart stats

Michael Hussey’s aggregate of 463 runs in the series is the fourth-highest overall by a batsman in a three-Test series in Sri Lanka and the second-highest among visiting batsmen after Brian Lara’s 688 runs in 2001-02.

This is the fourth time that Australia have scored over 400 in their second innings in Sri Lanka. On the three previous occasions, they went on to win the Test.

Michael Clarke scored his 15th century in Tests. It is also his first century since his 168 against New Zealand in March 2010.

Clarke scored 86 of his 112 runs in front of the wicket. In all, he hit 13 fours and three sixes. In contrast, Phil Hughes scored 63 of his 126 runs behind the wicket.

The five fifty-plus partnerships in Australia’s second innings is joint-second on the list of most fifty-plus stands for visiting teams in Sri Lanka. Pakistan are on top, with six fifty-plus stands in Galle in 2000.

The 176-run stand between Hussey and Clarke is the highest ever fifth-wicket partnership for Australia against Sri Lanka.

This is Sri Lanka’s first defeat in a home series since the 1-0 loss to Pakistan in 2006. The previous series defeat in a three-match home series also came against Australia, in 2004, when they lost 3-0.

Australia’s 1-0 triumph is their first series win since the 2-0 win in New Zealand in 2010. In between, they drew a series against Pakistan and lost to India and England.

Rangana Herath’s haul of 7 for 157 is the best bowling performance by a Sri Lankan bowler in Tests against Australia. He also became the fourth Sri Lankan bowler to reach the 100-wicket mark in Tests.

In his first series as Test captain, Michael Clarke has delivered Australia a 1-0 victory over Sri Lanka, moved them up to fourth in the ICC Test rankings, retained the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy and broken his own personal drought with his first Test century in 18 months. Not a bad way to start a new job. On the final day of the series, Clarke played a true captain’s innings to deny Sri Lanka any hope of winning the match, which ended in a draw that was as good as a victory for Australia.Sri Lanka began the morning needing quick wickets to knock Australia over and set up a chase. By tea, Tillakaratne Dilshan’s men had added only two breakthroughs to the three wickets they had taken on the fourth afternoon, and they were left not only to rue their slow batting in a match they had to win, but also to wonder how long their attack will take to deliver them a Test win in the post-Muttiah Muralitharan era.Rangana Herath toiled manfully to earn a career-best 7 for 157, but the harsh truth is that Sri Lanka haven’t won a Test since Murali last played for them in July 2010. And by losing a home series for just the third time in ten years, they have fallen to fifth on the ICC rankings list. Besides Herath, none of the bowlers looked threatening on the final day, not that their task was an easy one on a pitch offering nothing.There was a glimmer of hope early, when Phillip Hughes (126) top-edged Herath to square leg, having added only four to his overnight total. But that brought Clarke and Michael Hussey together, and they proceeded to bat Sri Lanka out of the game in a 176-run partnership, an Australian fifth-wicket record against Sri Lanka, beating the 155 set by David Hookes and Allan Border in the first Test ever played between the two countries.And while Hussey missed the chance to score his third hundred of the series, falling for 93, Clarke didn’t waste his opportunity to end a drought that stretched back to Australia’s tour of New Zealand last March. It was an outstanding effort from Clarke, for when he came to the crease late on day four, a Sri Lanka victory was very much a possibility.He batted precisely the way a captain should in such circumstances, first and foremost guarding his wicket fiercely, but also ticking the scoreboard over to add to Sri Lanka’s problems. At one point during the morning, he was 24 from 80 deliveries, but he lifted his rate as the day wore on, three times advancing down the pitch to Herath to drive him down the ground for six.Although he survived a stumping chance when Prasanna Jayawardene failed to glove the ball cleanly, Clarke provided a masterclass in handling spin, using his feet and smothering the turn where he could. He brought up his century in exactly that manner, from his 139th ball, dancing down the pitch to clip Herath wide of mid-on for a boundary, and it was a fine way to cap off a tour during which his captaincy has been bold and thoughtful.Eventually, Clarke fell for 112 driving a catch to mid-on from the bowling of Herath, following some banter between Clarke and Kumar Sangakkara, and the chirping continued as Clarke walked off the field. But the most important thing was that he had ensured a series win.The only remaining point of interest was whether Hussey would finish his incredible tour with a century in each innings of a Test for the first time, having scored 118 in the first innings. Alas, he top-edged a sweep off Dilshan and was caught for 93. Still, he was unequivocally the Player of the Series, with scores of 95, 15, 142, 118 and 93, as well as two wickets and a stunning catch.It continued a remarkable renaissance for Hussey, 36, whose past two series, the Ashes at home and this Sri Lankan tour, have been the most prolific in his Test career. Herath also produced his best Test series, easily topping the wicket tally from either side with 16 at an average of 23, despite missing the second Test to injury, but it will hardly be a series he’ll remember with fondness.Still, he finished off strongly, securing his first six-for when Brad Haddin (30) was caught at wide mid-off, and that became a seven-wicket haul when he trapped Peter Siddle lbw for 26 as the sun set on the SSC. It was also his 100th Test wicket, making him the fourth Sri Lanka player to the milestone, after Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga.Australia were finally bowled out for 488, and Sri Lanka had to bat for two overs before the captains could agree to an early end. Clarke handed the ball to Trent Copeland and Nathan Lyon, who both debuted during the series, and finished with one over each.It was a fitting way to end a series in which Australia’s debutants – Lyon, Copeland and Shaun Marsh – played key roles. Their next job is to take on the world No.2, South Africa, in Cape Town and Johannesburg. For now, Clarke and his men can celebrate. Finally, they are moving in the right direction.

Sachin Tendulkar has surged to the top spot in the ICC Test rankings for batsmen, for the first time since 2002, following a prolific run of form, culminating in his performance in the Bangalore Test

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Oct-2010Sachin Tendulkar has surged to the top spot in the ICC Test rankings for batsmen, for the first time since 2002. Tendulkar’s heroics in the Test series against Australia earned him 82 rating points, taking him to 891, 17 clear of Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara in the second spot. Virender Sehwag, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Mahela Jayawardene completed the top five.List of dates when Sachin Tendulkar claimed top spot

November 18, 1994 (34 and 85 v West Indies in Mumbai)

March 6, 1998 (4 and 155 v Australia in Chennai)

October 15, 1998 (By default, above Steve Waugh)

December 26, 1998 (47 and 113 v New Zealand in Wellington)

January 28, 1998 (0 and 136 v Pakistan in Chennai)

May 18, 2000 (By default, above Brian Lara)

February 21, 2002 (176 v Zimbabwe in Nagpur)

August 22, 2002 (193 v England in Leeds)

October 13, 2010 (212 and 53* v Australia in Bangalore)

This is the ninth time Tendulkar has become the top-ranked Test batsman in the world, and the first since the new ratings system came into place. He held the position for the first time in 1994, ahead of consistent runs at the top in the late 90s and early 2000s. His ascension comes close on the heels of his winning the ICC Cricketer of the Year award.Tendulkar has enjoyed a watershed 2010, topping the run charts with 1270 runs, inclusive of four centuries and two double-hundreds. With India set to play three Tests against New Zealand at home and three Tests in South Africa in the immediate future, Tendulkar has the opportunity to better his career-best rating of 898 and become the 26th batsman to cross the 900-point mark.Rahul Dravid held on to the 22nd position after a patchy series where he managed only one half-century in four innings. VVS Laxman retained the eighth spot despite missing the Bangalore Test, while M Vijay’s maiden century helped him jump 29 places to 57th.Ricky Ponting’s inability to convert starts into centuries may have hampered his side, but his three 70s in four innings helped him climb three spots to the 16th position. Michael Clarke struggled for runs through the series, resulting in him dropping out of the top ten, while Simon Katich also slipped two spots to 14th. Shane Watson, who scored 271 runs in the two Tests, moved up to 24th, while Marcus North’s fifth Test hundred lifted him to 46th.In the bowler ratings, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh and Ben Hilfenhaus have all gained one place each. Zaheer, who picked 12 wickets in the series and impressed with his reverse swing, surged to 744 rating points, tied fourth with England’s James Anderson. Johnson moved up to the seventh spot, one clear of Harbhajan who in turn pushed Doug Bollinger to ninth. Dale Steyn, Graeme Swann and Mohammad Asif continue to hold the top three spots in the bowling table.

South Australia’s progress to the semi-finals has made it a crucial Sunday for the other four teams in Group B. Lions will start as clear favourites against Guyana in the first game tomorrow

The Preview by Abhishek Purohit18-Sep-2010Match factsSunday, September 19
Start time 1330 (1130 GMT)Big PictureNeil McKenzie has been in good touch in the Champions League•Getty ImagesSouth Australia’s qualification to the semi-finals has made it a crucial Sunday for the other four teams in Group B. If the Lions lose to Guyana and Mumbai Indians beat Royal Challengers Bangalore, the last group game between the Lions and Bangalore will become a virtual quarter-final, with net run-rate also coming into play. The Lions would want to avoid that situation with a win at the Wanderers over a Guyana side that has struggled in its first two games.It is hard to believe that this is the same side that beat Trinidad & Tobago on their way to the Caribbean T20 title less than two months ago. T&T had an unbeaten run to the final of the inaugural Champions League last year with a style of play that was distinctly Caribbean. The only thing distinct about Guyana has been their inability to compete with the IPL sides, who themselves haven’t done well against better opposition. Defeat will put Guyana on the flight back home and even a win will barely keep them alive, given their woeful net run-rate.While the batting that clicked in the Caribbean T20 – particularly Travis Dowlin, Jonathan Foo and Sewnarine Chattergoon – looked out of touch against Bangalore, the bowling was mauled by Mumbai’s Kieron Pollard. It will be hard for Guyana to recover from that thrashing within three days.Weekend scheduling means the Lions have had six days off after their previous match. Their bowlers have gone for almost nine an over so far, putting pressure on the batting. And but for Shane Burger’s twin strikes against Mumbai, they might well have been in a situation similar to Guyana’s. Still, the home team will start as clear favourites tomorrow.Team newsShane Burger missed the match against South Australia due to injury and should be back for this game.Lions (probable): 1 Alviro Petersen (capt), 2 Jonathan Vandiar, 3 Richard Cameron, 4 Vaughan van Jaarsveld, 5 Neil McKenzie, 6 Robert Frylinck, 7 Zander de Bruyn, 8 Thami Tsolekile (wk), 9 Shane Burger, 10 Aaron Phangiso, 11 Ethan O’ReillyFast bowler Paul Wintz replaced offspinner Lennox Cush in the previous match, and was smashed for 46 runs in four overs. Cush should regain his place in the XI.Guyana (possible): 1 Travis Dowlin, 2 Sewnarine Chattergoon, 3 Ramnaresh Sarwan (capt), 4 Narsingh Deonarine, 5 Chistopher Barnwell, 6 Robert Crandon, 7 Jonathan Foo, 8 Derwin Christian (wk), 9 Lennox Cush, 10 Esuan Crandon, 11 Devendra BishooWatch out for …Guyana are heavily dependent on Ramnaresh Sarwan, their only world-class batsman, and he knows it. He has to fire if Guyana are to have even a remote chance of winning.Neil McKenzie delighted with his strokeplay against Mumbai and was looking good against South Australia till a brilliant piece of fielding led to his run-out. Guyana’s bowling should not pose too many worries.Key contestsDevendra Bishoo v Lions’ batting: The legspinner was Man-of-the-Series in the Caribbean T20 and took three wickets against Mumbai, including that of Sachin Tendulkar. How the South Africans tackle him could determine Guyana’s chances.Stats and triviaTravis Dowlin has made five of the six half-centuries for Guyana in T20s.Neil McKenzie has made the most T20 runs for Lions, 914 from 36 games at a strike rate of 123.34.