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Cricket-lovers certainly won't be complaining. The players who figured in the IPL returned to their respective national sides after a brief break, and gave it their all, as all professionals are expected to.
The West Indies beat Australia in the curtailed T20 encounter, but the world champions returned to their winning ways in the first one-day international at St Vincent.
New Zealand snatched two exciting wins in the one-day series against England. The advent of Tim Southee, who took four wickets in the third game and three in the fourth, augurs well for New Zealand cricket. The New Zealand selectors ought to be complimented for picking him in the senior side at just the right time after his impressive show in the under-19 World Cup.
The week was however dominated by the cricketers from the world's most cricket-crazy continent. The first six matches of the ongoing Asia Cup witnessed enthralling action. While Bangladesh, UAE and Hong Kong tried their hardest, they will have to do a lot better to make a significant impact when up against the likes of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Outstanding
The Indians got off to a rollicking start in their opening encounter against Hong Kong. Openers Sehwag and Gambhir scored at breakneck speed, and those who followed them were no less outstanding. Suresh Raina, who has been in and out of the side since 2005-06, completed a superb hundred. The Indian bowlers disappointed in the 'big game' against Pakistan, and a close encounter was expected after the home team set a target of 300 at Karachi's National stadium. Unfortunately for the hosts, Umar Gul was forced to pull out of the attack in his second over. But that should not take anything away from the brilliance of the Indian batting. It is common knowledge that when Virender Sehwag gets going, there is nothing even the best bowlers in the world can do to stop him.
Hundred
The in-form Raina, shrewdly promoted to no. 3 after Gambhir's dismissal to an outstanding catch, simply carried on from where he had left off in the game against Hong Kong. The stupendous stand between Sehwag and Raina demoralised the Pakistanis and made India's task a cakewalk. Sehwag's hundred would have delighted him and his teammates. To use a cliché, he hasn't looked back since his return to the national side for the tour of Australia in December 2007. The construction of his innings was exemplary. He allowed Gambhir, and after him Raina, to get the innings off the blocks. He played himself in and then let himself go. The impact of his and Raina's batsmanship can be gauged from the fact that the Pakistanis were going through the motions towards the end.
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