India eye clean sweep to cap off tour

Match facts Sunday, January 31, 2016Start time 1938 local (0838 GMT) Play 04:08 Agarkar: India would like to keep the same team Big Picture Friday was a good day for India. In the afternoon, their women’s team wrapped up their first ever bilateral series win against Australia in any format, and in the evening their men completed a second T20 victory to ensure their first series win in Australia in…

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Central Districts crush Canterbury to defend title

Central Districts 405 for 6 (Worker 159, Bruce 71, Ryder 62) beat Canterbury 249 (Ellis 101, Astle 65, Small 3-59) by 156 runsScorecard File photo – George Worker smashed 12 fours and seven sixes in his 151-ball 159 © Getty Images Central Districts comfortably defended the Ford Trophy after crushing Canterbury by 156 runs in the final in New Plymouth. Central Districts piled on 405 for 6 on the back…

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McKenzie calls it a day

Former Hampshire and South Africa batsman Neil McKenzie has announced his retirement from first-class cricket. The 39-year-old decided to call time on his playing career after hitting an unbeaten double-hundred for Lions against Warriors. His 19,041 runs came at an average of 45.77, and McKenzie shared in two record breaking partnerships. A stand of 415 with Graeme Smith against Bangladesh in 2008 remains the highest in Test cricket for the…

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Duminy, Puttick propel Cobras to easy win

File photo – JP Duminy scored a 62-ball 68 and picked up two wickets in Cape Cobras’ comfortable win over Dolphins © AFP Half-centuries from Andrew Puttick, JP Duminy and Jason Smith gave Cape Cobras the platform for a 68-run win over Dolphins in Cape Town. Cobras, who chose to bat, got off to a good start courtesy Puttick and Stiaan van Zyl (35), who added 116 for the first…

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Hong Kong thrash Scotland

Hong Kong defeated Scotland by nine wickets in a weather-affected first Twenty20 international at Mong Kok. The match was delayed due to a wet ground and reduced to 10 overs per side when it did get under way, with George Munsey, Calum MacLeod and Matt Machan the only Scots to reach double figures after the tourists were asked to bat first. They stuttered their way to 66 for seven, their…

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'Kane did an outstanding job as captain' – McCullum

Brendon McCullum believes Kane Williamson ‘did an outstanding job as captain’ in his absence © Getty Images Having literally flung himself into injury in an ODI late last month, Brendon McCullum earned a four-week glimpse into his future. McCullum aggravated a back complaint when he dove into advertising hoardings, attempting to save a boundary in the second ODI against Sri Lanka. Since then he has watched Kane Williamson lead the…

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Pakistan hope for feel-good Auckland vibe

Match facts January 31, 2016Start time 1100 local (1000 GMT) Martin Guptill is a doubtful starter after rolling his ankle during training on the eve of the match © AFP Big Picture This tour ending where it began – in Auckland – may lead to good vibes taking hold in the Pakistan camp. They have been outclassed so far, but their solitary win of the trip came at Eden Park….

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McCullum set to return as NZ eye series win

Match facts January 31, 2016Start time 1100 local (1000 GMT) Brendon McCullum is back in the New Zealand side after recovering from a back injury © PA Photos Big Picture This tour ending where it began – in Auckland – may lead to good vibes taking hold in the Pakistan camp. They have been outclassed so far, but their solitary win of the trip came at Eden Park. Their previous…

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McCullum back as NZ look to wrap up series

Match facts January 31, 2016Start time 1100 local (1000 GMT) Brendon McCullum is back in the New Zealand side after recovering from a back injury © PA Photos Big Picture This tour ending where it began – in Auckland – may lead to good vibes taking hold in the Pakistan camp. They have been outclassed so far, but their solitary win of the trip came at Eden Park. Their previous…

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McCullum comes back for Australia ODIs

Brendon McCullum hasn’t batted for New Zealand since the first ODI against Sri Lanka on Boxing Day © Getty Images Captain Brendon McCullum is on the verge of returning from the back issue that has sidelined him December after he was named to lead a 13-man New Zealand squad for the home ODI series against Australia beginning February 3 in Auckland. McCullum hasn’t played since the second ODI against Sri…

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