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John Dyson, the West Indies coach, believes a record-breaking chase of 437 is possible for the hosts as they dream of a 1-0 lead in the series with Sri Lanka. West Indies chopped 96 from the target for the loss of Devon Smith as Dwayne Bravo, the stand-in opener, and Ramnaresh Sarwan combined for a 74-run stand.”We will wait and see what happens [on the final morning] and see how things pan out,” Dyson said. “History says that it is possible to get a total like that and it has been done in the West Indies before so you never put that totally out of the question. I think all teams these days look to win wherever possible and if the opportunity to win comes along then we will look to take it.”Chris Gayle, the captain, dropped to No. 4 so he could employ the attacking instincts of Bravo and the move has been a success so far. “Chris felt that it was a good chance to have a change in this innings,” Dyson said. “He feels that Bravo is a very positive player and also having a left-hand, right-hand opening combination in this innings was something we were thinking about.”Dyson was impressed with the returns of Bravo, who was 46, and Sarwan (34). “They handled the last session very, very well,” he said. The coach said the surface remained a “batsman’s paradise” although the Sri Lankans believe it is tricky for run-scoring.Another strong performance came from the left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn, who picked up 3 for 59 before Sri Lanka declared at 240 for 7. “I thought he bowled very, very well for his first Test,” Dyson said. “He came in, maintained a good line, a good length, he didn’t give away very many easy runs at all, and I was really pleased.”I felt sorry for him that he didn’t take a wicket in the first innings, although there was one opportunity missed form his bowling. I was pleased that he has come out there again and bowled pretty well.”

As a Cricket Umpire of Karnataka State Cricket Association Bangalore in India, I state that Muralitharan is out “RUN OUT” as the ball is not dead. So the umpire’s decision is absolutely correct. Murthy
The run-out of Murali, exhibits much of what makes cricket so much less today. If winningis so important that the “spirit” of sport is violated, then watch the diminishing live crowds and TV audiences and wonder no more. Shame on the Kiwi’s. SHAME, I switched channels. Patrick Welcome
Murali was clearly out. NZ did the right thing, this is not a charity match. Let alone how many matches he has played, the moment you represent the country you become a pro. He should have known that the ball was not dead. Sledging is not fair, but this is absolutely fair, within the rules of the game. Karthick KrishnanI’ve just read of Murali’s unfortunate runout while congratulating his partner on his 100. How cruel is that? Couldn’t the umpires have exercised some discretion and leniency as they did when Tony Greig ran out Kallicharran on his way to the pavilion at the end of the day’s play? Vidhyasagar
The run out of Murali was an absolute shocker.. I didn’t expect that from Fleming who in my view is the best captain in the world. Murali grounded his bat and went to congratulate Sangakarra. Even the umpire was walking towards the other end.. It was obnoxious on NZ’s part. Vivek Chhajer
Any Kiwi who ever whinges about the Chappell brothers and the one-day “underarm” incident, should be forced to watch the disgusting actions of Brendan Mccullum in “running out” Murali in the second innings of this test. Doing no more than congratulating his batting partner, and this keeper chooses the most unsportsmanlike action to end the innings. It’s not the first time he has brought the game into disrepute with this underhand method of stealing a wicket. Fleming should have shown appropriate leadership and decry the actions of his team-mate and called the batsman back. But not from this Kiwi team. Disgusting is the only thing I can say. Wayne
It is perfectly correct the way New Zealanders ran out Murali. There is nothing wrong in their part. There is no question of spirit of cricket coming into play here. Murali, who had played more than 100 Test matches, should be knowledgeable enough to know that he can’t walkout of the crease before the ball is dead. Bob Jacobs
It is not fair to get somebody out just for leaving the crease to congratulate the colleague who made a ton under difficult circumstances. New Zealanders, this is not cricket. Rajeendra
Murali gets out again in a bizarre fashion. He surely must be holding the record for most “weird” dismissals. I remember this one particular instance when he was running, and he kept his bat on the ground to grease it. The thing is he had kept his bat on the ground a meter away from the crease. And was running with the bat rubbing against the ground…and just before reaching the crease line. his bat got stuck unto something in the ground and fell. the wicket keeper pulled the bails off and he was given out. He was also give out for jumping in the air when the ball hit the wicket. Basically he’s one of the most exciting batsman in world cricket today 🙂 cos something or the other happens with him around.Murugan
I felt that NZ should have been sportive and let Murali play. It was not a great way to get him OUT. S.Fleming should have displayed sportmanship spirit! N Viswanath
Murali should not have left the crease but anyone could have seen clearly that he went to congratulate his mate. It is very unsportsmanlike like for a team that has been very sporty for a long time to run out Moral at the end. Anyway it shows that how people act under pressure. Good luck kiwis to win at any cost Dim
Murali should have known better. Laws are laws. NZ did absolutely nothing wrong. Sri Lanka would have done the same if they were in NZ position, i.e., tailender holding up an end.Carl Mason
I think it is Murali’s mistake to turn to greet his partner even before the ball is dead.Bala
Murali should know better. It’s a gentlemen’s game but teams also play to win.Rahul
I think that it is justified, if they did not wait for the dead ball to be called, should we let them off. Expensive lesson, but hopefully they learn it well.David
In my mind, Murali should have known better. The keeper is watching the ball come in, so if he notices the batsman leaving his crease while the ball is live, then his next instinct is to take the bails off when he receives the ball. He doesn’t know whether Murali is going for a run or not. At this level, it surely can’t be hard to put your bat in the crease until the keeper has received the ball.Jeff Moen
Clearly Murali thought it was ok to walk to Sangakkara since umpire Jerling himself started walking down the pitch. The umpire was in no position (walking down the pitch) to rule Murali out or even tell him get back. Nuwan
It may be the rule, but it’s definitely not the true spirit of the game. There are many instances where a player can be sent to the dressing room without a regular dismissal, but good players don’t do that. For example, if a batsman picks up the ball and hand it over to a fielder, we don’t see appeals. But I am truly disappointed with New Zeeland on this incident. Win or Lose but you need to keep the spirit of the game! Roshan Rupasinghe
Murali’s run out: He should have known better, but it is clearly bad sportsmanship. Everyone knew he wasn’t trying for another run. NZ have been the better team – this may well spoil a well earned victory. Steve Miller
No question, Murali was out. Even at club level, you always make sure the ball is dead before you leave your crease. He switched off and Sri Lanka paid the price. Jez
Shameful. Murali was clearly on his way to congratulate his partner, after grounding his bat. In the laws of the game, but certainly not something that adds to its decency. Chris
Talk of Mural’s dismissal being against the spirit of the game is a joke…how many times do we see batsman refuse to walk in situations they must know they have edged a catch? There are numerous examples of (particularly Australians!) grounding catches! and personal insults in the form of sledging … I mean the spirit of the game is nonsense at international level there’s no room for sentimentality and none given which is why no one should bemoan a fair and legitimate wicket which could mean the difference between victory and defeat for New Zealand. Jeff
I am an SL supporter. But based on what I saw on cricinfo, Murali should have known better- and he should not have left the crease. But having said that cricketing authorities have not been consistent. Under a very similarly situation (ball being not dead ) Kallicharan was run out Tony Greig. But authorities reversed the decision to avoid possible riots and harm to Tony. Pooji

Lunch England 83 for 4 (Vaughan 10*, Flintoff 4*) vSouth Africa A
Live scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsCharl Langeveldt grabbed three wickets in six overs to give South Africa Athe upper hand at lunch on the first day at Potchefstroom, as England weregiven a timely reminder of the step-up in class that awaits them ahead ofnext week’s first Test at Port Elizabeth. After being asked to bat first,Andrew Strauss gave England some early momentum by cracking an even 50,but two quick wickets just before lunch left Michael Vaughan and AndrewFlintoff needing to engage in some damage limitation.By lunch, England had reached 83 for 4, in a session that posed morequestions than answers, especially after Mark Butcher had missed out forthe second innings running.Butcher missed much of last summer through injury, but was preferred inthis match to Robert Key on the strength of his international performancesover the past three years. But, following his 6 from 12 balls atRandjesfontein on Wednesday, he lasted just seven more deliveries, beforewafting a simple catch to Mark Boucher behind the stumps, to giveLangeveldt a wicket with his sixth ball of the morning.Boucher was another man with much to prove after his omission from SouthAfrica’s Test squad, but he enjoyed a far more auspicious morning, with ahand in both wickets to fall. His first victim was Marcus Trescothick, whotook 11 balls to get off the mark and had scratched his way to 7 from 43deliveries by the time he fenced a lifting delivery high to Boucher’sleft, to give Ethy Mbhalati a deserved first wicket.Strauss, however, was in fine fettle and needed little time to get intohis stride. He opened his account with two flowing cover-drives, andfollowed up with a square-drive and a pull for four, all off Mbhalati. Hehad one scare on 25, when a inswinging bouncer from Charl Willoughby allbut brushed his gloves, but he responded with a high and handsome cut forfour, and reached his fifty from 68 balls with a push for two through thecovers off Langeveldt.But with lunch approaching, England’s innings floundered dramatically.Strauss was served up a juicy wide delivery, which should have been his11th four of the morning, but was instead plucked at point by JustinOntong. And then, after facing three just three balls, Graham Thorpe wasadjudged lbw to a full delivery, again off Langeveldt. It could have beeneven worse, but Flintoff somehow managed to edge his first delivery cleanthrough the gap between the keeper and Andrew Puttick at first slip.England 1 Marcus Trescothick, 2 Andrew Strauss, 3 Mark Butcher, 4 Michael Vaughan (capt), 5 Graham Thorpe, 6 Andrew Flintoff, 7 Geraint Jones (wk), 8 Ashley Giles, 9 Simon Jones, 10 Matthew Hoggard, 11 Steve Harmison.South Africa A 1 Andrew Puttick, 2 Martin van Jaarsveld, 3 Ashwell Prince (capt), 4 JP Duminy, 5 Justin Ontong, 6 Mark Boucher (wk), 7 Albie Morkel, 8 Alfonso Thomas, 9 Charl Langeveldt, 10 Ethy Mbhalati, 11 Charl Willoughby.

Samir Inamdar, Cricket Kenya’s chairman, has spoken of the difference that qualifying for the final of the World Cricket League will make to Kenyan cricket.Both Kenya and Scotland, who meet on Wednesday, are set to receive US$250,000 from the ICC as their reward for finishing in the top two of the round-robin stage, as well as a place in September’s inaugural Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa. That is the real reward, and while winning the final would be the icing on the cake, it is actually of only significance as far as local bragging rights are concerned.Kenya has been strapped for cash for years, and Inamdar inherited debts of $500,000 from the old regime when his new board took over in May 2005. Since then, they have had to manage on their annual ICC Associate grant of $70,000 and a high-performance grant, earned by a top-six finish in the 2005 ICC Trophy, of $125,000.”It’s enormously significant,” Inamdar, who admitted he was so nervous before the final round of matches that he didn’t sleep, told Cricinfo. “It will enable us to give the player some incentives for winning it and will give them and us some medium to long-term security.”This gives us a chance to structure something for the medium-term at least. It enables us to look at our infrastructure and development, which is very important. We simply haven’t had the resources or the manpower to deal with it until now.”All in all, this is a sizable advance made by Cricket Kenya. It enables us not to have to worry about how we pay people and how to keep the national team going. It will mean the players know where the next pay cheque and the next meal is going to come from.”He added that he hoped to persuade Scotland to travel to Kenya ahead of the September Twenty20 tournament to give both countries exposure to a format that neither has played at international level. He also would be speaking to South Africa to see if the Kenyans could participate in their domestic Twenty20 competition.

Match facts

Monday, April 28, 2008
Start time 20:00 local, 14:30 GMT

The Big Picture

Overwhelmed by Rajasthan Royals over the weekend, the Bangalore Royal Challengers host the Chennai Super Kings at home in a match perhaps most significant for a shifting of guard. For Chennai, Matthew Hayden and Michael Hussey leave on May 1 while Jacob Oram catches a flight on April 30, which means it will be the last the fans see of the trio. Both Hayden and Hussey have scored valuable runs and Oram was Man of the Match against Kolkata. Table-toppers Chennai will surely miss them and it’s hard not to imagine them wanting to sign off in style. Bangalore have struggled to defend and chase totals at home, and their team composition needs serious addressing. Their best bets would be to bring in Misbah-ul-Haq and Dale Steyn, arguably their best players. While Chennai prepare to lose three stars, Bangalore need to embrace two.

Watch out for …

… final hurrahs from the aforementioned Chennai stars. The short boundaries at the Chinnaswamy Stadium will entice Hayden, and Hussey has been a bit quiet since his manic hundred against Mohali; if Oram gets promoted in his last game, well then …; and don’t forget Misbah and Steyn, if they play.

Team news

Misbah didn’t feature on Saturday – surprisingly – but he should slot in this time for Shivnarine Chanderpaul. The longer Bangalore keep him on the bench, the harder they’ll find it to win games. He’s a bona fide Twenty20 star and Bangalore seriously need some power in the batting. Ross Taylor departs on May 1, and given his hard-hitting capabilities, he should get as much playing time as possible, perhaps even open the innings. Steyn’s pace and his ability to swing the ball gives the side plenty of firepower with the ball. He reportedly touched the 150kph mark in the Standard Bank Pro20 final and should play given his form. It may sound harsh, but dropping Jacques Kallis for him seems the best option. Kallis has failed to click in three games; his bowling especially has been pedestrian. Bangalore have persisted with 37-year-old Sunil Joshi but three games and no wickets isn’t encouraging. Charu Sharma, the team’s chief executive, had to field some questions on the logic of fielding Joshi and Kumble after the latest loss, so a change isn’t entirely improbable. There are plenty of local players to pick from.Bangalore (probable) 1 Ross Taylor, 2 Rahul Dravid (capt), 3 Jacques Kallis, 4 Misbah-ul-Haq, 5 Virat Kohli, 6 Mark Boucher (wk), 7 Praveen Kumar, 8 B Akhil, 9 Zaheer Khan, 10 Anil Kumble, 11 R Vinay Kumar.Chennai are unlikely to change their final XI after a convincing win over Kolkata Knight Riders. The South African duo of Albie Morkel and Makhaya Ntini has joined the squad but both will have to wait for Hussey and Hayden to go before slotting in. The two young pace bowlers, Manpreet Gony and Palani Amarnath, have improved with each game.Chennai: (probable) 1 Parthiv Patel, 2 Matthew Hayden, 3 Michael Hussey, 4 Suresh Raina, 5 Jacob Oram, 6 Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt & wk), 7 S Badrinath, 8 Joginder Sharma, 9 Palani Amarnath, 10 Manpreet Gony, 11 Muttiah Muralitharan.

Kenya have recalled the opening batsman, Morris Ouma, for the one-day international series against Bangladesh that gets underway on Saturday.Ouma, who is also a reserve wicketkeeper, replaces Timothy Mwange, one of two youngsters who had been expected to make their international debut in Canada. However, neither featured in the Intercontinental Cup, nor the two one-day matches Kenya played in Toronto.The change is part of head coach Roger Harper’s desire to improve the run-rate from his top order, which has disappointedly failed to deliver in the last four international competitions.Kennedy Otieno Obuya, the struggling veteran opener and wicketkeeper, has retained his place despite heavy criticism for his poor batting during the disastrous tour of Bangladesh, where Kenya suffered a 4-0 series defeat earlier this year.Harper said Kenya, which has won six of the 11 matches they have played with Test-playing Bangladesh since 1997, would be looking to avenge the defeat.”This is a new series and both teams start from scratch,” said Harper. “In Bangladesh they had the advantage of home conditions. We expect to be able to perform a lot better in home conditions and we’re looking forward to being very competitive and really trying to turn the tables on the Bangladeshis this time.”

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details4:24