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West Indies and KKR spinner Sunil Narine has been cleared to bowl once again by the BCCI’s Suspect Bowling Action Committee but he has been given a “final warning”

ESPNcricinfo staff07-May-2015West Indies and Kolkata Knight Riders spinner Sunil Narine has been cleared to bowl once again by the BCCI’s Suspect Bowling Action Committee but he has been given a “final warning”. Narine’s name has been taken off the list of bowlers with suspect actions but he was informed that another transgression would result in him being banned for this IPL season.It is understood Narine was delivering the offbreak with a flex in his elbow, which meant he was going back to the old action that had been reported during the 2014 Champions LeagueTwenty20. The review committee wanted him to be consistent with his remodelled action.”In its decision on 28 April 2015 to ban Mr. Narine from bowling off-spinners in the IPL, the BCCI Suspect Bowling Action Committee noted that the player could request a further Official Assessment by the Committee,” the BCCI said in a release. “This request was received and accordingly the player underwent a third biomechanical analysis of his action at the ICC and BCCI accredited Sri Ramachandra Arthroscopy and Sports Sciences Centre (SRASSC) in Chennai – this time for his remodelled action (i.e. the one that had been cleared by the Committee immediately before the IPL season).This analysis has re-confirmed the conclusion of the first Official Assessment by the Committee – namely that the remodelled action for the off-spinner does not contravene Law 24.2 (as read with Law 24.3).”The Committee, however, has drawn Mr. Narine’s attention to paragraph 4.9 of the IPL Suspected Illegal Bowling Action Policy. Any further report for a suspected illegal bowling action during the course of this season will automatically mean that Mr. Narine is banned from bowling for the rest of the season.”After the match between Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 22, the on-field officials reported a number of Narine’s deliveries as suspect. Narine underwent fresh tests immediately and was cleared to bowl all his deliveries expect the offbreak, which was deemed illegal. On April 29, Narine underwent a retest on his offbreak, which was banned by the BCCI, and was cleared on the evening of May 6.

An anomaly in the Duckworth-Lewis rain calculation system has been addressed in the formula being used at the World Cup, adding a third name to the complex calculation in the form of Australian academic Steve Stern

Daniel Brettig01-Mar-2015An anomaly in the Duckworth-Lewis rain calculation system has been addressed in the formula being used at the World Cup, adding a third name to the complex calculation in the form of Australian academic Steve Stern.The “Duckworth Lewis Stern” formula pays more heed to the issues created by the trend of ODIs towards higher scoring, providing a more layered calculation for instances when tallies cross the 300-mark or beyond, or when extremely high-scoring overs have the potential to change the scenario dramatically.A long-running criticism of the system had been that the weighting of wickets meant a team chasing a high target in questionable weather was better off playing conservatively and keeping wickets in hand rather than being more proactive in chasing the target.”The difference between Duckworth-Lewis-Stern and the original Duckworth-Lewis is DLS starts adjusting the formula if scores get really high,” Professor Stern said. “So it is an improvement for T20 matches and one-day matches with very high scores.”Professor Stern has taken over from the Englishmen Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis as the ICC’s rain formula custodian following the retirement of the older men. Stern was born and raised in the United States but developed a taste for cricket after moving to Australia in 1994. He works in the Science and Engineering faculty of the Queensland University of Technology.”No one wants the game to be uninterrupted more than me. But if it’s only a shower nobody wants the game to be called off,” he said. “The system isn’t designed to be a substitute for a full game but, if part of the game is interrupted, it’s preferable to have some kind of game.”I am trying to educate more people in the game about the method and get it more into the standard parlance of cricket. I think it’s incredible that even international players don’t know the basic underpinnings of the rule – imagine saying the same thing about the lbw law!”The previous edition of the World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand, in 1992, was marred by slack over rates and also a simplistic rain-rule calculation that left South Africa with the impossible task of scoring 22 runs off one ball in their semi-final against England at the SCG. A brief shower had interrupted play when the South Africans required 23 runs from 13 balls.

Goal takes a look at the best classic World Cup matches of yesteryear in anticipation for this summer's tournament in Russia

GettyBelgium 3-2 Japan | 2018

It took until the 93rd minute for Belgium to claim a 3-2 victory over Japan in their last 16 fixture, staging an incredible comeback after finding themselves 2-0 down just after the break.

Belgium missed a host of chances throughout the game with Romelu Lukaku able to have a hat-trick but spurning every opportunity. Japan – outsiders to win the tie – scored twice in the span of four minutes in the second half to visibly shake Belgium, and were the superior team for large amounts of the game.

Roberto Martinez's side, however, were able to dig deep and score three goals after Japan's opening brace. Jan Vertonghen and Marouane Fellaini (the unlikely hero) netted to make it 2-2 before Nacer Chadli scored in the final minute of stoppage time to cap off a brilliant counter-attacking move by Belgium.

AdvertisementFrance 4-3 Argentina | 2018

It was the Kylian Mbappe show as the young forward slotted home twice and played an instrumental role in the build-up to the first goal to send Argentina and Lionel Messi home at the last 16 stage.

France opened the scoring through an Antoine Griezmann spot-kick but Argentina levelled through Angel Di Maria. Benjamin Pavard netted again to put Les Bleus in the lead before Gabriel Mercardo struck home to equalise – but Mbappe scored twice in the span of four minutes to put his side 4-2 up.

Sergio Aguero scored in stoppage time to make it 4-3 but it wasn't enough to force the game into extra time.

It was a thrilling encounter on all sides that fully allowed France to finally showcase their quality in Russia following underwhelming opening group stage performances.

The victory for France means that Argentina crash out disappointingly, and Les Bleus will face either Portugal or Uruguay in the quarter-final.

GettySpain 3-3 Portugal | 2018

Spain vs Portugal was always the match that would have the most build-up ahead of the 2018 World Cup, and it lived up to the hype and more. Enthralling from start to finish, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a penalty to put Portugal up under four minutes before Diego Costa netted shortly afterwards to equalise. Spain led eventually through a fine Isco screamer and another Costa goal, but it wasn't enough to keep Ronaldo quiet.

The Real Madrid star scored an incredible free-kick just before the end of regular time, bagging a hat-trick in the process and putting his name in the history books as he has now scored in four consecutive World Cups. David de Gea's goalkeeping blunder wasn't even the talk of the match as Ronaldo proved that he remains his country's talisman and could very well lead his team far in Russia. The group game between the rival nations has already earned classic status.

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GettySpain 1-5 Netherlands | 2014

Spain had all their hopes of defending their 2010 glory by being hammered 5-1 by the Netherlands in the group stages that sent shockwaves across football. Xabi Alonso opened the scoring through a penalty won by Diego Costa, but the Netherlands retaliated thick and fast through Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Stefan de Vrij to break the hearts of the three-time, back-to-back world and European champions.

The Brazilian winger found the net again as Carlo Ancelotti's side eased to a 2-0 win, with the England midfielder incensed at not getting a penalty

Rodrygo bagged his fifth goal in three games and Brahim Diaz pulled the strings as Real Madrid cruised to a home win over Granada. Goals in both halves settled an otherwise chippy contest to hand Los Blancos a comfortable 2-0 victory.

After a quiet 30 minutes, Madrid came alive. A flowing move opened the scoring, Diaz, dropping a pass off to Toni Kroos, who arrowed a ball in behind, perfectly placed for Diaz to finish with a delightful dink from close range.

It was a frustrating night for Jude Bellingham, meanwhile, who was constantly fouled by the visitors and yet Granada were rarely punished. He almost talked himself into two yellows on multiple occasions, and will perhaps be challenged to monitor his mouth going forward.

Still, his protestations mattered little. Rodrygo eventually provided the second after the break, latching onto a rebound and lashing the ball home after Bellingham's initial effort was saved.

Madrid had few chances otherwise as Carlo Ancelotti's side simply saw out the game, turning in a composed performance and not allowing the visitors a single shot. This wasn't a glamorous performance, but it was certainly convincing.

GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from the Santiago Bernabeu…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Andriy Lunin (6/10):

Would be better off counting the blades of grass in games like these as he didn't have to make a single save.

Dani Carvajal (7/10):

Scampered up the right side when needed, delivered a few nice crosses. Removed at half-time.

Antonio Rudiger (7/10):

Kept the dangerous Bryan Zaragoza quiet. Part of a fine effort to ensure the visitors didn't get a sniff.

David Alaba (7/10):

Pinged the ball around and kept things tidy, a comfortable evening for him.

Ferland Mendy (7/10):

Went about his defensive work well, and offered more going forward than usual. He's now clearly the first choice ahead of Fran Garcia.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Toni Kroos (8/10):

Played a lovely pass into Diaz to open the scoring. Composed in midfield, and hardly misplaced a pass. Classy.

Federico Valverde (7/10):

Operated as a No.6 for long stretches. Didn't have the opportunity to do much pretty stuff, but was solid throughout.

Brahim Diaz (8/10):

Full of tricks and sharp turns. Took his goal wonderfully, and linked up with Bellingham well.

Jude Bellingham (7/10):

Uncharacteristically loose in the first half. Put a good chance wide, and saw another denied by the goalkeeper. Didn't get any calls all game, and was, quite rightly, frustrated. Almost talked himself into a red on more than occasion. Be careful, Jude.

Getty ImagesAttack

Joselu (5/10):

Failed to convince. Works hard, but doesn't really have the quality needed to succeed all the time.

Rodrygo (8/10):

Broke out the fancy stuff when needed. Scored once again. Now has five in his last three La Liga games. Back to his best.

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Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Lucas Vazquez (6/10):

Brought on for Carvajal at half-time and was as reliable as expected.

Dani Ceballos (6/10):

A tidy 30 minutes. Will likely have some more opportunities given the injury situation.

Gonzalo Garcia (N/A):

Another runout for the youth product.

Nico Paz (N/A):

No time to make an impact.

Carlo Ancelotti (7/10):

Showed faith in Diaz after a string of solid performances and was rewarded. Will be delighted with Rodrygo's form, too. A routine win that keeps Madrid on top of the table.

Jordi Alba-to-Lionel-Messi is a combination that we've seen plenty over the years, but Inter Miami will be glad to have seen it again in Los Angeles.

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Messi teed up by AlbaArgentine scores late goalMiami seal 1-1 draw in LAWatch Inter Miami with the MLS Season PassStream nowGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Down a goal in the final moments of Sunday's clash with the LA Galaxy, Jordi Alba set up a crucial Lionel Messi equalizer in the 92nd minute. The strike was Messi's first of the season, and it sealed an unlikely draw for a Miami team that had been totally outplayed up to that point.

AdvertisementWATCH THE CLIPUSA Today Sports THE BIGGER PICTURE

Miami were largely second-best throughout Sunday's match, with Messi and Alba's former Barcelona teammate Riqui Puig running the show. The Spanish midfielder saw an early penalty saved by Drake Callender, but was otherwise unstoppable as he dominated all night long.

Messi, though, made the difference, as he usually does, helping Miami make it four points from their first two matches of the season.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI?

Inter Miami will now turn their focus toward a massive rivalry matchup as they prepare to host Florida rivals Orlando City on Saturday. After that, the club will begin its run through the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

An intriguing second day at Basin Reserve finally settled in England’s favour as they took three top-order New Zealand wickets to take control of the second Test

The Report by David Hopps14-Mar-2013
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsMatt Prior’s attacking half-century, followed by wickets with the new-ball, secured the day for England•Getty ImagesAn intriguing second day at Basin Reserve, which billowed one way then another in the buffeting Wellington wind, finally settled in England’s favour as they took three top-order New Zealand wickets to take control of the second Test.New Zealand’s bowlers, under the cosh when the day began at 267 for 2, had made light of their onerous workload of the past week, sustained by some resilient left-arm spin from Bruce Martin, whose slower pace produced figures of 4 for 130 and a degree of turn not matched by Monty Panesar later in the day, and some determinedly enterprising captaincy in the face of adversity by Brendon McCullum.But it all came to naught as Matt Prior advanced his reputation as one of the most dangerous wicketkeeper-batsmen of the modern era with a counter-attacking 82 from 99 balls. However much Tim Southee, the senior member of New Zealand’s attack, had insisted after the first Test in Dunedin that “bodies were recharged,” under Prior’s assault they drained faster than an old Galaxy Ace.England then inflicted further wounds with the ball. Peter Fulton succumbed to some aggressive new-ball bowling, clumping footwork causing him to edge James Anderson to slip, then just as New Zealand seemed to have weathered the storm, Stuart Broad picked up two wickets in successive balls. If Hamish Rutherford left rueing a poor shot, Broad cleaned up Ross Taylor first ball in impressive fashion.An improving weather forecast, which now suggests the rain that a drought-stricken city is longing for may be delayed until Monday, will invite England optimism that there is still time to force victory.This was all hard on New Zealand, whose four-strong attack had struck back gamely on the second morning. Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell and Joe Root all succumbed as England, superior overnight at 267 for 2, leant heavily on Kevin Pietersen and later Prior to complete their innings at tea content with their lot.Smart stats

England’s total of 465 is their highest in Wellington and the ninth highest by a visiting team at the venue. In each of their last three Tests in New Zealand, England have passed 400.

Matt Prior’s 82 is his highest score in Tests against New Zealand. In 14 innings since the Test at The Oval against South Africa, Prior has scored six half-centuries at an average of 50.84. Three of those have come in away Tests.

The number of fifty-plus scores made by Prior (31) is just four short of the England record of 35 held by Alan Knott. Adam Gilchrist leads the overall list with 43 fifty-plus scores.

Ross Taylor’s duck is only his third (second first-ball duck) in Tests. All three ducks have come since the start of 2011.

Taylor becomes the 14th New Zealand top-order (1-7) batsman to be dismissed for a first-ball duck against England.

New Zealand had bowled 170 overs in the second innings in Dunedin, in a valiant but failed attempt to force victory, and had only two wickets to show for another 90 overs on the first day in Wellington. The first day had belonged to Nick Compton and Trott, but Compton had departed late on the opening day and Trott followed to his first ball of the morning, and the seventh of the day, when he feathered a catch to the wicketkeeper.Southee began with an impressive spell as England mustered only 17 in the first 10 overs. He had little luck as Bell’s edge fell short of the slips and Pietersen top-edged a hook through the despairing fingers of the wicketkeeper, BJ Watling. He spent a short time off the field because he was feeling sick and when he finished wicketless he must have been feeling sicker still.Pietersen responded to the arrival of the left-arm spinner Martin by driving his first ball for six, but any ambitions that Martin would provide England with an outlet were also stymied. Only with lunch approaching did Pietersen seem to get Martin’s measure.Bell had an attack of the Ahmedabads. He had fallen first ball to the left-arm spinner, Pragyan Ojha in Ahmedabad, dancing down the pitch to try to loft him over the top in what smacked off a crazily preconceived plan. It was far from the first ball this time – he had batted for more than an hour – but the outcome was just the same as he failed to deposit Martin down the ground and Fulton ran back from mid-off to hold a neat, swirling catch.Martin, tossing the ball high, found appreciable turn, and he also unpicked Root, who tried to carve him through cover off the front foot and edged a turning delivery to slip. It was an ugly, misconceived shot and Root stomped off with a farmer’s gait. His start to international cricket has been something of a fairy story and disappointments such as this are inevitable.Pietersen has been variously ailing, the knee trouble which hampered him in Dunedin now joined by a dicky back which he stretched gingerly during his innings. He seems in the sort of state where he should not grip an autograph hunter’s pen too tightly. But there was danger in his vulnerable body and he reached 73 before he was goaded into trying to hit Martin over the infield and, even with a strong wind behind him, picked out Fulton halfway back to the boundary at mid-off.Prior fell shortly before tea, denied a seventh Test century that would have taken him only one behind England’s most productive century-maker among England wicketkeepers, Les Ames, by Neil Wagner’s springing catch to intercept a reverse sweep, denied it, too, by the recognition that England had no plans to bat beyond the interval.Predictably, Prior peppered the boundary square on the off side for his fifty, but his range expanded after that. Barely a ball had disappeared down the ground throughout the series so when Prior despatched Wagner for straight sixes in successive overs it could not have summed up more resoundingly how he had changed the mood. On 46, he successfully reviewed umpire Asad Rauf’s lbw verdict as he swept at Martin, replays revealing a thin under-edge.Alongside Prior, the Watford Wall offered shelter. Steven Finn’s nightwatchman heroics to save the Test in Dunedin had brought his batting new respect and he contributed 24 to a stand of 83 in 20 overs, unveiling a sturdy slog-sweep against Martin, before he drove Wagner into the off side.

Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor believes his team could spring a few surprises on Bangladesh in the one-off Test which starts on Thursday

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Aug-2011Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor believes his team could spring a few surprises on Bangladesh in the one-off Test which starts on Thursday, and also suggested that conditions in Harare would suit the Zimbabweans.”It is great that we are coming back to play Tests and as we go into our first match the good thing is that our opponents don’t quite know what to expect from us and we have a few surprises for them,” said Taylor.Zimbabwe have played 33 ODIs against Bangladesh since their Test suspension – including 14 in 2009 alone – with Bangladesh having dominated those games, winning 24 of them. Mohammad Ashraful is the only member of Bangladesh’s squad to have played a Test against Zimbabwe, however, a situation Taylor is hoping work out in his team’s favour.”They have been playing over the years and they have always been improving, so have we behind the scenes,” he said. “They know an awful lot about us in the one-day format of the game but they may not have the information they would have wanted as far as Test cricket is concerned, and we are looking to make good use of that.”Despite Bangladesh’s supremacy over Zimbabwe in recent times, Taylor insisted there was little to separate the teams going into the Test, saying: “We will take each session as it comes and play positively with a winning mindset. We know they will be up for it and so will we and we are confident that if we play our best cricket this is a winnable match.”They are a strong side especially when they are playing at home, but we are at home where we will make sure we put our conditions to good use. We should just make sure they are not as comfortable as they would want to be. We have a plan and if we stick to it we should win.”Zimbabwe will also be bolstered by the return of wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu, one of their most experienced players and one of only two current Zimbabwe cricketers to have recorded a Test century. Taibu has not quite fully recovered from the thumb injury that kept him out of cricket since the World Cup earlier this year, but said he was fit enough to play in both the Test and the limited-overs series that follows.”It’s not fully healed but it is comfortable enough for me to play in the Test match and the ODIs as well,” said Taibu. “It is a very important match and we will need all the resources we can get.”

Anthony Stuart, the former Australian fast bowler, has been appointed coach of the New South Wales state team.

ESPNcricinfo staff12-May-2011Anthony Stuart, the former Australian fast bowler, has been appointed coach of the New South Wales state team, after Matthew Mott departed from the role at the end of the summer. Other applicants for the role included Mott’s predecessor Trevor Bayliss, who enjoyed a successful stint as coach of Sri Lanka before choosing to return home to Australia following the World Cup.”I am extremely honoured to get the opportunity to coach the Blues,” said Stuart, 41. “There is an excellent blend of experience and young talent within the squad and I look forward to working with an exciting group of players that are well placed to compete in the domestic competitions.”Stuart shone brightly but briefly in his first-class and international careers, claiming a hat-trick against Pakistan at the MCG in 1997 in what turned out to be his final ODI appearance, before going on to a lengthy coaching apprenticeship. Most recently he has worked in New Zealand as the coach of Wellington, also presiding over the New Zealand A side in that time.Wellington’s results over the five-year period were decidedly mixed, not harvesting a single trophy, and Stuart was removed from the post in February. However, one of his players at Wellington, Iain O’Brien, said Stuart was a thoroughly professional coach who lost a lot of his best players to New Zealand duties.”He is the most organised, most meticulous in preparation of any coach I’ve had,” O’Brien told ESPNcricinfo. “He had a tough old time of it in Wellington, lost a lot of players to NZ duty at times and that left the stocks pretty light. During Stuey’s time Andy McKay and Luke Woodcock debuted for NZ, not all coaches can say they’ve worked and developed players into internationals.”Stuart also impressed during the interview process for a job that will focus on the Blues’ Sheffield Shield and domestic limited-overs teams. There is a slight chance that Stuart will also be called on to coach one of the two NSW Twenty20 teams in next summer’s expanded Big Bash League.David Gilbert, the chief executive of Cricket NSW, said Stuart’s time in New Zealand had “served him well”.”His passion, determination and disciplined approach to coaching will greatly benefit NSW,” Gilbert said. “Further, his acute knowledge of Cricket NSW’s programs, and his intense desire for success, made him the ideal person to lead our young and talented squad.”

For the first time since fleeing Dubai on the eve of an ODI, Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider is back playing first-class cricket

Umar Farooq07-Oct-2011For the first time since fleeing Dubai on the eve of an ODI, Zulqarnain Haider is back playing first-class cricket. He kept wicket for Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Division One on October 6 – taking three catches on the first day of the match against Faisalabad – and said it felt like he was “starting from scratch”.Haider infamously went missing during Pakistan’s series against South Africa in the UAE in November 2010. He later said he had flown to London because he had received death threats from bookies in Dubai and simultaneously announced his retirement from international cricket. However, he returned to Pakistan in April this year and in May said he wanted to abandon his retirement.Haider is now intent on reviving his career but says he has no regrets about the accusations he made of match-fixing being rampant in cricket. “I know I almost put my career at stake for which I have no regret,” he told ESPNCricinfo. “In fact, I have inspired upcoming players to speak up against happenings around them instead of just going with the flow.”After his return to Pakistan, Haider struggled to find a team, with no one wanting to sign him for the Faysal Bank Twenty20 tournament. ZTBL agreed to include him in their squad for the first-class season, and Haider, who is 25 years old, says he is looking for a fresh start and would like to make it back to the international stage. “I have started my career again and it feels like I’m starting from scratch. I don’t know what prospects I have at the moment but cricket is my bread and butter and I had to get back to playing for my livelihood. I am young and have already lost plenty of cricket for various reasons. I don’t know whether I will be selected for the top level or not but right now I am focusing on my game and the rest is up to the selectors.”My passion for cricket is still alive and I am optimistic that I can put in performances that will catch the selectors’ eye. Playing for the country is always an honour and that desire never dies.”After he fled to the UK last year, Haider had claimed he received threats in Pakistan domestic cricket as well, and suggested the ICC tap players’ phones since “a lot of people are involved” in match-fixing. The PCB set up a fact-finding committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding Haider’s flight to England, and suspended his stipend contract. The ICC’s investigative arm, the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), had said they wanted to wait for the PCB to finish their probe before getting involved, but the report from the committee said there were no clear motives behind Haider’s flight.The bookies behind the threats to Haider were arrested by police in Sialkot in April, after Haider had returned to Pakistan, but Haider was fined 500,000 rupees ($5,800) by the PCB for violating their code of conduct when he left the series in the UAE midway without informing team management. The board also put Haider on probation from the national team for a year, and said he had had no proof of any wrongdoing against any player or official of the board. Haider said he realised he should have informed the board and seniors in the team of his predicament rather than leaving the tour without notice.However, he stands by the claims he made and says he knowingly took a risk by speaking out about corruption while his career was still at a nascent stage. Referring to Shoaib Akhtar’s recent comments about ball tampering and Shahid Afridi’s criticism of the Pakistan board and team management, Haider questioned why these players had waited so long to come forward with their statements.”I know to the world I am a fool but to me I did the right thing,” he said. “I was well aware I was risking my career but I opted to follow the righteous path. I am not like Afridi and Shoaib who when done with their career are now coming out busting the system. On the contrary I was at the beginning of my career and I raised my voice against the odds, putting my career at risk without any fear.”Both Afridi and Shoaib have earned a lot of respect and money through the system, and now when they see things are out of their hands they have started lashing out the at entire structure and culture of Pakistan cricket. Why at the end of their career?”Haider had played just one Test and four ODIs for Pakistan before his departure from Dubai. He got his opportunity in the wicketkeeper’s slot after Kamran Akmal’s horror tour of England and had helped Pakistan level the series against South Africa in the UAE with a cameo in the fourth ODI.

When play finished early on day three of the Railways v Saurashtra Ranji Trophy game, the devil it was established, was not residing in the Karnail Singh Stadium track, it was to be found in the home team

Sharda Ugra23-Dec-2011When play finished early on day three of the Railways v Saurashtra Ranji Trophy game, the devil it was established, was not residing in the Karnail Singh Stadium track that had consumed 40 wickets in just over two days and a bit. It was to be found in the home team, Railways, whose season “started and finished poorly, sandwiched with good cricket in between,” according to their captain Sanjay Bangar.When the race for the Ranji knockouts begins to get tighter, it is often alleged, the Karnail minefields begin to materialise and then, only the toss matters. Bangar, one of the more seasoned men in first-class cricket, rejected the stereotype constructed about his home ground. “The toss didn’t really matter in this match, did it? It didn’t make for a runaway game. We negated the advantage,” he said. “We know the history of the wicket and that it begins to slow down as every day passes. Even after that [first-innings collapse] a target of 245 was gettable.”Saurashtra batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, who is working his way back into the national selectors’ line of vision, did not criticise the conditions either. “It’s a challenging wicket, a bowling paradise if you like. But it’s not dangerous, it’s not a minefield or anything like that. You have to be patient, apply yourself, wait for loose balls and punish them.” Pujara was one of only four batsmen to cross 30 in the entire match.On Wednesday, Saurashtra coach Debu Mitra had been reprimanded for letting rip in public about the surface where 18 wickets had fallen on the day. At the finish on day three, Mitra abstained from qualitative assessments about the pitch and said instead that his side had “played better [than the opposition], according to the [requirements] track.”The 97-run defeat to Saurashtra brought to a halt Railways’ Ranji season, which had involved five of seven matches at home, at the Karnail Singh Stadium. Previously this year, the venue has witnessed totals of 483, 347, 521, 525 and 379. If there is any indication to be got from the totals of Railways v Sautrashtra’s match – 175, 81, 152 and 149 – it is that matches here turn into quick on the draw shoot-outs of skill and temperament. “Speak to any of the players who have excelled here and they have all said it is difficult for stroke play,” Bangar said. “It has a history of being very difficult to get runs here.””On this track, you have to be there [at the crease] for some time to know what the wicket is all about which they [the batsmen] didn’t do,” said the somewhat placated Mitra. The time occupied by the Railways in their response to 175 was a mere 24.5 overs. With Ravindra Jadeja picking up 10 wickets wickets and the Man-of-the-Match award, Railways’ felt the absence of their most experienced spinner, Murali Kartik, who pulled out of the game due to an injury.The Karnail pitch, Railways loyalists say, often turns into a double-edged sword for the groundsman. Abhay Sharma, the Railways coach, said the tight three-day turnaround between Ranji matches and the Delhi winter had made it difficult for the surface to be watered correctly. “In this weather, a shirt won’t dry in a day, how can a wicket be watered properly? If it is watered enough, it won’t dry. If it’s not watered, then it will crumble. It’s not the groundsman’s fault really.”Surfaces of the kind found at the Karnail, Bangar said, are easily tarred. “If there’s grass and the ball swings five degrees then that’s a good wicket, but if it’s like this then it gets vicious turn. For some reason no one likes to think of a turning wicket with the same parameters as you do a wicket where the ball seams.”