Emotions an tributes, tremendous batting, competent spin and fast bowling, some sledging and a nail-biting finish summed up the 1st test between Australia and India during the 2nd week of December as the hosts won one of the best matches played during this decade.
Nathan Lyon bowls Australia to a memorable win
Nathan Lyon bowled Australia to a gripping 48-run victory with Indian skipper Virat Kohli almost conjuring a come-from-behind win with a magnificent last day century in the first Adelaide Test.
The off-spinner claimed seven wickets in India’s second innings and 12 for the match as he spun the home side to a thrilling triumph after Australia had set the tourists 364 runs for victory on a rollercoaster final day. Indian skipper Virat Kohli stroked two tons during the match while Australia’s David Warner did the same.
Joe Root ton secures morale-boosting win for England
Joe Root struck an unbeaten 104 to cap Chris Woakes’ six wickets and lead England to a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the 5th ODI at Pallekelle on last Thursday.
Sri Lanka was all out for 239 in 49 overs on last Wednesday, Woakes taking 6 for 47 against Kumar Sangakkara’s 91, and then rain intervened and forced organizers to use the reserve day Thursday for England’s chase.
King of Kandy – Sangakkara delights his home crowd with a ton
A Kumar Sangakkara century led Sri Lanka to a 90-run victory over England in the 6th ODI as retiring maestro piled a memorable ton in his home ground in his final game in up country. 
Sanga steered Sri Lanka to 292 with a superb 112 which consisted 12 fours and 2 sixes. The tourists slumped to 84-5 and, despite 55 from Joe Root, were bowled out for 202 with 8.3 overs unused. Suranga Lakmal captured 4 wickets for the hosts.
Senanayake and Williamson cleared to bowl again
International Cricket Council (ICC) last week cleared Sri Lanka’s Sachithra Senanayake and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson bowling action after remedial work and a re-test.
The ICC confirmed that, following remedial work and a re-test, the bowling actions of Senanayake and Williamson were legal and they could resume bowling in international cricket. The results showed that the level of elbow extension measured for all deliveries bowled was now within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC regulations.
New Zealand secure close win to level the series
Captain Kane Williamson smashed his sixth century in the last seven limited-overs matches and fast bowler Matt Henry grabbed 4 wickets as New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 4 wickets in the second ODI to level the five-match series 1-1.
Williamson held the innings together with an unbeaten 70 off 91 balls, hitting seven fours as New Zealand reached 255 for 6 with four overs to spare. Henry’s four-wicket haul had earlier dismissed Pakistan for 252 with Mohammad Hafeez top-scoring with 76 and captain Misbah-ul-Haq making 47 before they also fell in Henry’s return spell.
An Ahmed Shehzad ‘special’ decimates the Kiwis
Pakistan returned to lead the 5-match series with a comprehensive 147-run win in the 3rd ODI on 14th December.
Ahmed Shehzad’s sixth ODI century and Afridi’s typically entertaining 55 from 26 balls contributed for the hosts as they posted a mammoth 364. In their reply, New Zealand was bowled out for 217 in 38.2 overs. Afridi and Haris Sohail took three wickets each.
Michael Clarke injured AGAIN and doubtful of playing in the future
Australia captain Michael Clarke admits his career could be over after he suffered yet another hamstring injury during their 48-run win over India in the first Test at Adelaide.The 33-year-old pulled up while fielding on the final day and left the ground to undergo scans in hospital. Clarke also needed treatment on Tuesday on his long-term back injury after retiring hurt while batting.
Misbah Ul-Haq ruled out of remaining New Zealand ODIs
Pakistan skipper, Misbah-Ul-Haq has been ruled out of the remainder of the ODI series against New Zealand. Misbah fell awkwardly while chasing the ball in the third over of New Zealand’s innings during the second One-Day International (ODI) in Sharjah.
