All roads lead to India

Oct 09, 2006

Sachin Tendulkar warmed up for the Champions Trophy with a rousing century that propelled India Blue into the finals of the Challenger Series. India Green wilted under the onslaught as Tendulkar pummelled his way to 139 to 100 balls. India Blue amassed a colossal 381 for 6•AFP

Unfortunately for him, Ganguly managed only 27 runs in two matches and though he bowled economically, he failed to pick up a wicket. The window of opportunity that leads into the Indian dressing-room is shrinking for Ganguly•AFP

A security guard watches the rain pelt down. The Challenger Series final is another addition to Chennais wash-outs. Last year a Test match against Sri Lanka and a one-day international against South Africa were washed out. In 2004-05 the final day of an enthralling Test between India and Australia was spoilt by the weather•AFP

Destination China, Shanghai to be precise. The MCC is on their first ever tour of China and played a match against the Shanghai Cricket Club.•Getty Images

Lets play musical chairs shall we? Younis Khan relinquished the captaincy because he didnt want to be a dummy captain. No reasons were given but there were plenty of rumours. Mohammad Yousuf was named the replacements replacement. Shaharyar Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan board, resigned and Mushtaq Ahmed was sacked from his role as assistant coach. Younis was then reinstated as captain and Yousuf was back to playing deputy. Thats how it stands at the moment•AFP

Where else but in India? Adoring fans tumble over each other to try and get a handshake from Brian Lara after the West Indian entourage visited the Sabarmati Ashram for Mahatma Gandhi in Ahmedabad. The garland you see around Laras neck is made from traditional Gandhian cotton thread. "Humbled, it was a humbling experience," was how Imran Khan, the media manager, described the visit to the ashram•AFP

While the bustle around the Champions Trophy gathers momentum, two spectators enjoy a drink while watching Shane Warne turn out for St Kilda Saints and Foots-Edgewater Bulldogs during Cricket Australias Long Live Club Cricket weekend•Getty Images

The tide turned, and how. Sourav Ganguly runs in purposefully to bowl while Rahul Dravid watches from the non-strikers end. After Dilip Vengsarkar replaced Kiran More as the chairman of selectors, the Challenger Series was perhaps Gangulys final chance to try and stage a comeback to the national side. He needed to give it everything he had•AFP

A flying bat and not of the mammalian variety! Mahendra Singh Dhoni loses his grip as he searches for yet another six during his 79 off 59 balls against India Green in the Challenger Series. Before this innings Dhoni had batted 11 times and passed 30 only once•AFP

If I can play golf, why cant I play cricket? As he practises for the Dunhill Links Championship, Michael Vaughan said that there was still a possibility of him being fit for the Ashes although the general view was that he would only return for the one-day series that follows. John Buchanan for one wasnt surprised and rubbished it as a smokescreen. Hed been keeping tabs on Vaughan through Jason Gillespie who had a stint with Yorkshire and expects England to bring a squad very similar to the last Ashes. The mind games go on •Getty Images

As the week progressed, the focus shifted to the Champions Trophy as teams began to arrive in India. Mushtaq Ahmed leads the Pakistan team in prayer at the start of a training camp in Lahore before their departure for New Delhi. In spite of losing Inzamam-ul-Haq through suspension, Pakistan were strong contenders for the title•AFP

Working night and day, the groundstaff go about their business to prepare the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad for Sundays clash between West Indies and Zimbabwe•AFP

Can they pull off an upset? Dav Whatmore has the rapt attention of his charges as they plot to bring about Sri Lankas downfall in the tournament opener. Though Whatmore said that he was under no illusion about Bangladesh chances, deep down hell know that they are capable of springing a surprise.•AFP

A perfect picture. Universities play Bankstown in a Sydney Women's third grade match at an idyllic ground in Sydney University•Getty Images

If it's a cricket match in Chennai, it must be raining! The weather once again plays truant in Chennai during the final of the Challenger Series between India Blue and Red. Sachin Tendulkar scored a duck but India Blue recovered from that setback to reach 210 in the 32nd over before the rain came down. The groundstaff did what he could but it didnt abate.•AFP

And take 81! Mark Cosgrove, George Bailey, Cameron White, Mitchell Johnson and Beau Casson pose during the launch of the Australian domestic season. The one-day which was called the ING Cup last season has been renamed the Ford Ranger One-Day Cup. And cut. Thats a wrap gentlemen, thank you very much.•Getty Images

Inzamams absence apart, all seemed well in the Pakistan camp. Their bowling was back to full strength and with Mohammad Asif and Shoaib Akhtar leading the pack, they had reason to be optimistic about slicing through a team. Younis Khan was their captain for the series and Mohammad Yousuf his deputy. Little did we know a storm was brewing•AFP

Approximately a year ago, Marvan Atapattu led Sri Lanka on a disastrous tour of India where they were drubbed 6-1. A back injury forced him to miss the series against Bangladesh, Pakistan and crucially the tour of England. Enter Mahela Jayawardene, stand-in captain fantastic, who smacked a match-saving century at Lords, completed a 5-0 rout of England in the one-day series, beat South Africa 2-0 at home and contributed 374 in the first Test and 123 in the second. Atapattu was declared fit for the Champions Trophy but Jayawardene remained captain•AFP

Careful you dont strain a finger signing all those bats. Andrew Flintoff fulfils commercial obligations before leaving for India to lead Englands Champions Trophy campaign. England are pitted against Australia, India and one team from the qualifying round. Given their recent form and their one-day performances on their recent tour of India, theyll have their task cut out.•Getty Images