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World Cricket Roundup: September 22nd, 2011

India vs. England; Sri Lanka vs. Australia; Champions League Twenty20 Qualifiers

India's abysmal tour of England came to an end with yet another loss, but this game was anything but abysmal. Batting first, India rallied around magnificent century from Virat Kohli, with Rahul Dravid making 69 in his final ODI appearance for India and Mahendra Singh Dhoni smashing 50* off just 26 balls. Finishing at 304/6, it seemed like India had finally done enough to leave England on a high.

India in England, ODI Series: 4th ODI

India's best performance is rained on, again

The tussle between two of the best sides in international cricket took a bizarre, complicated and controversial turn in the fourth ODI. India went into the game knowing that they couldn't win the ODI series, but desperately searching for a win to draw some blood. England had done all the right things to have the better of India across all three formats of the game, and knew that letting up on the pressure would damage their quest to be the best England team in history.

Australia in Sri Lanka, 2nd Test: Day 4

A belated fightback from the hosts

Not much has gone right for Sri Lanka this Test series, with even tactical victories being tempered by the fact that Australia have easily taken the upper hand. This couldn't have been more evident than on the final session of play on Day 3, when Suraj Randiv's consecutive wickets didn't mask Australia's huge lead, which had significantly eclipsed Sri Lanka's meager first innings total. With Australian's poised for a declaration, it was only question of how much pain Michael Clarke wanted to inflict, before letting his bowlers take another shot at Sri Lanka.

Australia in Sri Lanka Test Series, 2nd Test: Day 3

A satisfied Marsh

Shaun Marsh went to bed a happy man, having scored an unbeaten 87* on Test debut, and playing a big role in his team sealing their dominance over a misfiring Sri Lanka. With Australia leading by 90 runs with still 7 wickets left, Day 3 was set to be another long slog for the new-look Sri Lankan bowling attack, which was, yet again, let down by its batsman. Even though Australia's top order stuttered, Marsh and Michael Hussey had no trouble guiding the visitors to a position of dominance only two days into the game.

Australia in Sri Lanka Test Series, 2nd Test: Day 2

Sri Lanka fight, but Australia ascend again

Sri Lanka's struggle to assert any dominance in this series continued in the second Test, as they were shot out for 174 and watched Australia easily move to 60/0 by stumps on Day 1. Phil Hughes was looking comfortable at 23*, while Shane Watson was as solid as ever on 36*. With no Ajantha Mendis to turn to, even the absence of Ricky Ponting in this game wouldn't be enough to give the Sri Lankans any opening to try and claw their way back.

India in England, ODI Series: 3rd ODI

When even the rain gods are against you

Since the first match of India's ODI series against England was washed out, it came down to this game. Having lost the first actual encounter, India would need to win the second and third to win the series and leave England with something to smile about. If they lost any of those games, then the 4-game series would be tied, and the World Cup winners and erstwhile #1 Test team in the world would leave England with precious little to show for their accomplishments.

Australia in Sri Lanka Test Series, 2nd Test: Day 1

Sri Lanka's fortress falls again

Since making it to the World Cup finals back in April, things haven't gone easily for Sri Lanka. There was a controversial leadership shakeup, two legendary players retired, and the team lost both the Test and ODI series in England. Facing Australia (even a young, transitional Australia) is never easy, and the home advantage proved fleeting for the Sri Lankans, as they lost the ODI series and the first Test to the visiting Aussies. Much was needed for Sri Lanka to prevent yet another series slipping away.

India in England, ODI Series: 2nd ODI

What will it take for India to beat England?

As though India's tour of England couldn't get any worse, Sachin Tendulkar was ruled out of the rest of the ODI series with a recurrence of his foot injury. Surprisingly, England also had a contribution to the injury list, with Eoin Morgan's shoulder problem forcing him to the sidelines. With Kevin Pietersen not playing this series, and Craig Kieswetter struggling, would this mean that India had their best chance of beating England?

India in England ODI Series: 1st ODI

So close....

After being bossed around in the Tests and losing the only Twenty20 game, India might have breathed a sigh of relief when it came to the 50-over games. They are the reigning World Champions in this format, after all, and England are only gradually turning their seemingly invincible Test form into similar ODI results. But India's preparations for the first ODI took a major blow, as Sachin Tendulkar was ruled out of the game with an injury, meaning the wait for his 100th international century will continue, and India - already struggling with injuries up and down their batting lineup - were forced into their backup plans before the series even started.

Australia in Sri Lanka Test Series, 1st Test: Day 4

Australia easily winning Test matches? This sounds familiar

Much like their Cardiff Test against England, an otherwise-solid Sri Lankan performance was undone by one innings of bad batting. They'd done well to restrict Australia to 273 and 210, but then succumbing to 103 all out and conceding a 168-run lead in the process undid any chance Sri Lanka might have had of saving the first Test. With their last established pair at the crease, it all depended on for how much longer Angelo Mathews and Mahela Jayawardene could hold out before inevitability took over.