Ponting quits as Aussie Test, ODI captain

Sydney, March 29 (AFP): Ricky Ponting quit as Australia's Test and one-day captain on Tuesday, just days after the champions were knocked out of the World Cup, but said he remained available for selection.  The 36-year-old, who led Australia in more than 300 Test and one-day matches, insisted he was "not tapped on the shoulder" to give up the captaincy, and endorsed deputy Michael Clarke as his successor.  "I have resigned as captain of both the Test and one day Australian teams," Ponting told a press conference. "I will continue to play and am available for selection in both the one-day and Test teams."  "I have thought long and hard about what Australian cricket needs. Now is the right time for the next captain to assume the responsibility for both the Test and one-day teams," he added.  Ponting said Australia's exit in the quarter-finals of the World Cup last week in India prompted his decision to stand aside.  "The fact that we went out of the World Cup when we did was the main reason," he said, while denying he had been forced out by Cricket Australia.  "Today is a new start for me and I am very excited about the future. I will give my complete support to our new captain and continue to do my best to set the best possible example for my team-mates and emerging cricketers alike."  Cricket Australia chairman Jack Clarke paid tribute to Ponting's "outstanding" leadership.  "Ricky Ponting has been an outstanding batsman, one of the best to wear the baggy green," he said.  "His leadership as captain has been outstanding and I sometimes think his brilliance with the bat has overshadowed his fine work as captain."  "Those close to the team know his true worth in guiding his players and setting a personal example of commensurate professionalism, particularly in recent years following the retirement of so many greats of the game."  Ponting captained Australia in 77 Test matches for 48 wins - the most of any Test skipper - 16 losses and 13 draws.  In his 228 one-day matches in charge, he returned 164 wins and 50 losses.  Cricket Australia will meet later on Tuesday to discuss who succeeds him, with Clarke the overwhelming favourite.  "I fully endorse Michael Clarke as the next captain," said Ponting.  The Australian team for the three-match one-day international series in Bangladesh will be announced on Wednesday.

India Beat Pak by 29 Runs, now India in Final

India extended its unbeaten streak in World Cups over Pakistan to five matches as MS Dhoni's team defeated Shahid Afridi's boys by 29 runs in the second semi-finals of the 2011 World Cup at Mohali tonight to set up a final clash with Sri Lanka on April 2.

Chasing a target of 261, Pakistan was never in the hunt as they lost wickets at regular intervals even as only Misbah-ul-Haq scored a half-century and they were eventually bowled out for 231 in 49.5 overs.

Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez got Pakistan's run chase of 261 off to a steady start without taking too many risks, before the wicket keeper-batsman chased a full Zaheer Khan delivery outside off stump as he tried to play his favourite shot, the square drive. Instead, he only succeeded in slicing a catch to Yuvraj Singh at point to give India a much-needed breakthrough in the ninth over courtesy its most consistent bowler after Pakistan's openers had got 44 runs on the board.

Hafeez and Asad Shafiq then took on the task of getting Pakistan back on track and were hardly troubled by either Munaf Patel or Ashish Nehra ( a surprise inclusion in place of R Ashwin), who despite keeping the runs in check didn't look threatening enough to take a wicket. In fact, if it weren't for a brain freeze moment on Hafeez's part, who looked comfortable and had scored 43 including seven hits to the fence despite hardly taking any risks, chose to play a paddle sweep off Munaf and only managed to get an edge to Dhoni behind the stumps as both Pakistan's openers gifted away their wickets.

The onus then fell on Shafiq, who rotated the strike and looked good in the middle, and the experienced Younis Khan to get Pakistan back on track, but Yuvraj made up for his failure with the bat by dismissing both the batsmen in consecutive overs to shift the advantage back India's way. While Yuvraj clean bowled Shafiq (30) with a straight ball, he had Younis caught at cover by Suresh Raina with Pakistan 106 for 4 in the 26th over. Yuvraj (2-57) played the role of the fifth bowler and while he was a tad expensive, he did the job that was asked of him.

Younis has been a consistent performer against India, but in this crunch match he failed to get going and continued his poor form in the 2011 World Cup as he failed to rotate the strike and struggled to a painstaking 32-ball 13. Umar Akmal then tried his best to get Pakistan back into the match even as the required rate started to climb thanks to the slow going on the part of Younis and Misbah-ul-Haq. Umar did hit two massive sixes in his 24-ball 29 before he played all over an Harbhajan Singh arm ball to be clean bowled, and then Munaf, who impressed as the match went on, got into the act too as he cleaned up Abdul Razzaq with an excellent slower ball to leave Pakistan gasping at 150 for 6 in the 37th over.

The final nail in the coffin was delivered when Afridi (19 in 17 balls) gave an easy catch to Virender Sehwag at cover off a high Harbhajan full toss with Pakistan 184 for 7 in the 42nd over. Nehra, who mixed things nicely up towards the end of the match then had Riaz caught at cover and then trapped Umar Gul LBW, the decision of which was upheld on review. Misbah, who was last man out for 56 caught at midwicket by Virat Kohli, did his best to get Pakistan back into the match in the batting power play, but it was too little and too late for Afridi's team and they really have themselves to blame for leaving the batting power play so inexplicably late in their innings and letting the match get out of their grasp in the middle overs. Misbah did try to increase his scoring run rate in the end, but his slow and tedious going early in his innings all but ensured Pakistan would have a mountain to climb. All of India's bowlers took two wickets each, but Nehra (2-33), Munaf (2-40) and Harbhajan (2-43) did well.

Earlier, Sachin Tendulkar didn't get to his 100th international century, and probably that was for the best, because this innings was far from being the in-control knocks that he has played for most of his career. Even then, Tendulkar top-scored with 85 in India's total of 260 for 9, but had the butter-fingers of Misbah-ul-aq, Younis and the Akmal brothers to score those many runs in the first place, and, in the final analysis, it would come back to haunt Pakistan.

Tendulkar was on 27 when Misbah dropped a catch at short-mid wicket off Afridi; and when on 45, Younis dropped a straightforward chance at mid-off with Afridi again being the unfortunate bowler. The Indian batting legend had earlier been adjudged out LBW by umpire Ian Gould off Saeed Ajmal when he was on 23, but the decision was overturned on review, as the ball would have just missed the leg stump; and off the very next ball the third umpire ruled Tendulkar not out following a stumping appeal by Kamran Akmal.

Tendulkar did hit some of his trademark boundaries in his knock, but for the most part it was a patchy and chancy innings, and at times it appeared he wasn't really enjoying being out in the middle. Tendulkar though rotated the strike and strung together partnerships of some accord with Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli for the second and third wickets even as he brought up yet another half-century, this one off 67 balls when he hit an Afridi delivery over extra cover for a boundary. He was then to be given two more reprieves when Kamran failed to hold on to an edge off an Afridi delivery, and then again on 81 when the wicket-keeper's younger brother Umar failed to hold on to a catch at short mid-wicket despite leaping and getting both his hands to a checked drive off Mohammad Hafeez.

Indian captain MS Dhoni earlier won the toss and elected to bat and the Indian innings got off to an electrifying start courtesy Sehwag, who hit five boundaries off the third over of the match bowled by Pakistan's spearhead Umar Gul, who leaked 41 runs in his first four overs. Sehwag's breezy 25-ball 38, which contained nine hits to the fence, was brought to an end by the impressive Riaz, who trapped the Indian opener plumb in front with a short of length delivery. Sehwag challenged umpire Simon Taufel's decision without consulting Tendulkar, and it turned out to be an unnecessary review in the end.

Tendulkar and Gambhir then added 68 runs for the second wicket at almost a run a ball, with the southpaw looking more at ease than his senior partner, who found the going tough, especially against Ajmal. But, just when it looked as though Gambhir (27) and Tendulkar would take India to a position of strength, the former was stumped by Kamran off a flighted Hafeez delivery with the score 116 for 2 in the 19th over. Virat Kohli, who had an excellent start to the 2011 World Cup, has struggled for runs in recent matches, and that trend continued in the semi-finals where he looked ill at ease before Riaz had him caught by Umar at backward point and the left-arm pacer gave Pakistan more reason to celebrate off the very next delivery when he castled Yuvraj Singh with a full swinging delivery as India's in-form batsman walked back to the pavilion for a first-ball duck even as the co-hosts slipped to 141 for 4 from 116 for 2.

Dhoni had said before the match that his form wasn't a concern, but the manner in which he struggled during his 42-ball 25 belied the confidence the skipper had in his own form. In all, Dhoni played 25 dot balls in his innings, an apt reflection of his struggles at the crease, and the two boundaries he hit were edged through the vacant slip region. At the other end, meanwhile, Tendulkar continued to lead a charmed life, before he was finally caught by Afridi off Ajmal with the score 187 for 5 in 37 overs. Tendulkar's 115-ball 85 contained 11 boundaries, but also included a massive 71 dot balls.

Riaz (5-46) then returned to dismiss Dhoni and Zaheer as he picked up his maiden five-wicket haul in one-day internationals even as Suresh Raina played a lone hand in the lower middle-order with a 39-ball 36 that gave the Indian innings some impetus in the batting power play in which India scored 43 runs for the loss of Harbhajan Singh's wicket who was stumped off Ajmal. While Riaz impressed, Gul struggled in his second spell as well and eventually Pakistan spearhead's failed for the first time in the World Cup, albeit in an important match, and had figures of 8-0-69-0. Afridi failed to take any wickets, but Hafeez (1-34) was the most economical of Pakistan's bowlers and kept things in the middle overs.

But, in the end, India did enough to maintain their dominance over Pakistan in World Cups and give the full house in Mohali a lot to cheer about. All eyes will now be focused at the Wankhede Stadium on April 2, where either India or Sri Lanka will win their second World Cup title.

Do or Die Match For Both England and Sri Lanka

England captain Andrew Strauss shrugged off Michael Yardy's World Cup withdrawal on Friday, saying his players were all focused on Saturday's quarter-final against Sri Lanka.

All-rounder Yardy left for home Thursday after suffering depression, leaving injury-hit England with more problems ahead of their knock-out game at R. Premadasa stadium.

"It's not difficult to focus our minds on this game of cricket," said Strauss.

"It's a must-win game. It's a one-off event. If we lose, we are on the plane home. If we win, we are in the World Cup semi-final."

England, who have not qualified for the semi-finals since their runners-up finish to Pakistan in 1992, have called up leg-break bowler Adil Rashid from the England Lions' tour of the Caribbean.

But he will not be able to make it in time for Saturday's match.

Rashid is the fourth replacement in the England squad since Stuart Broad (side strain), Kevin Pietersen (hernia) and Ajmal Shahzad (hamstring) were forced out.

Strauss said facing Sri Lanka will be a big challenge.

"Sri Lanka are a good side with a lot of attacking options both with bat and ball and they are obviously on their home patch," he said.

"It's going to be a significant challenge for us. The key, like it always is, to get your nose in front of the game and the pressure is big, especially at this stage of the World Cup."

"We are very excited about the challenge. At this stage there is nothing to lose. You have got to go out there and win games of cricket. And that sort of mindset has served us well in the past."

Strauss said England have battled through the group stages, beating South Africa but losing to Ireland and Bangladesh after their tied match against title favourites India.

"We have shown a lot of resolve, we have shown that we are able to stick together in close encounters, but you never know what this game is going to throw at you. You have to be quick enough to adapt to whatever comes your way."

Strauss said dealing with injuries has tested his side.

"We have had to deal with that right from the end of the Ashes (in Australia). We have had a lot of injuries, a lot of people coming and going, and I think that tests out your resolve as a group."

Strauss said struggling paceman James Anderson, who has taken only four wickets in five matches, could be an option against Sri Lanka.

"He has freshened up to a certain extent. Obviously he didn't play in the last game. He has had nine or 10 days away from cricket, and he certainly bowled very well in the nets and, with his experience, he is an option."

Strauss added that medium-pacer Tim Bresnan should be fit for Saturday after suffering a calf injury.

Oram Bowls New Zealand To Win Over South Africa by 49 Runs

Dhaka:  South Africa's reputation as cricket's perennial chokers returned to haunt them as New Zealand pulled off a dramatic 49-run win on Friday to qualify for the World Cup semi-finals.

The Black Caps, restricted to 221-8 after taking first strike, bundled out South Africa for 172 in an exciting finish in front of 23,000 fans at the Shere Bangla Stadium.

Jacob Oram was New Zealand's Man of the Match with four wickets and two catches while off-spinner Nathan McCullum sealed the Proteas' fate with three for 24 from 10 overs.

Skipper Graeme Smith (28) and Jacques Kallis (47) put on 61 as South Africa moved to 108-2 by the 24th over, before the last eight wickets crashed for 64 runs.

It will be New Zealand's sixth appearance in the semi-finals, where they await the winners of Saturday's match between Sri Lanka and England in Colombo.

South Africa, often regarded as the best team never to have the World Cup, have now lost in three semi-finals, two quarter-finals and once in the first round.

"There are no words to describe how I feel," said Smith. "We just have to take it on the chin. It was a very disappointing evening. I thought we bowled pretty well and at 100 for 2, we were sitting well and then we lost too many wickets."

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori praised his team's spirit.

"Every single bowler stepped up today and probably it was the fielding that got us through," said Vettori. "Once we got 220, we knew we had to be aggressive. We knew it was a tricky wicket and knew it was going to be an old-school one-day game."

Defending a modest total, New Zealand earned a lucky break in the first over of the innings when Hashim Amla tried to cut a ball from Nathan McCullum. The edged ball bounced off wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum's boot to Daniel Vettori in the slips and umpire Aleem Dar declared the batsman out after consulting the TV umpire.

Smith and Kallis rallied the Proteas before the skipper cut Oram to point where substitute fielder Jamie How picked up a low catch in the 15th over.

Kallis moved steadily towards his half-century when, in an uncharacteristic rush of blood, he pulled seamer Tim Southee high to deep mid-wicket where Oram took a running catch.

New Zealand then claimed two wickets in one over to reduce the rattled South Africans to 121-5 in 28 overs. JP Duminy was bowled by Nathan McCullum for three and AB de Villiers, who made 35, ran himself out after a mix-up with Faf du Plessis.

The spot-on Oram tightended the screws further when he bowled Johan Botha and had Robin Peterson caught behind in successive overs. Du Plessis hit 36 at the end but South Africa's slim hopes ended when he holed out in the covers off Oram.

New Zealand's innings had revolved around burly left-hander Jesse Ryder, who finally struck World Cup form with a fluent 83. Ryder, whose best score in six previous innings in the tournament was 38 against Canada, hit eight boundaries.

Ryder put on 114 for the third wicket with Ross Taylor (43) after New Zealand were reduced to 16-2 by the sixth over. New Zealand were sitting pretty at 130 for two in the 33rd over when the Proteas bounced back with three wickets for 26 runs in six overs.

Kane Williamson hit an unbeaten 38 in the slog overs to ensure South Africa's target exceeded 200 runs under lights.

South Africa's ploy to throw the new ball to a spinner worked again as left-armer Robin Peterson dismissed Brendon McCullum in his second over with a superb diving return catch.

It was Peterson's 15th wicket in the tournament, behind only Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi (21) and Indian seamer Zaheer Khan (17).

Ponting to carry on as Australia player

Ahmedabad, March 24 (AFP): Australia captain Ricky Ponting said he would be continuing as an international cricketer despite the champions' exit from the World Cup at the hands of India on Thursday. "Didn't I answer that question the other day? Nothing's changed," said Ponting after the five-wicket defeat by the co-hosts in the quarter-finals.

 Ponting made 104 - his first international hundred in 13 months - in Australia's total of 260 for six.

But it wasn't enough, as India finished on 261 for five with an unbeaten 57 from Yuvraj Singh seeing his team to victory with 14 balls to spare.

However, despite having now presided over the end of Australia's 12-year run as World Cup champions and an Ashes defeat, Ponting still said talk of the end of an era was misplaced.

"It's a bit premature to say it was the end of an era for Australian cricket, it was a pretty good game tonight (Thursday night)," he insisted.

"I didn't think we were far away from winning a game against a very good Indian team on their home soil. I think it's a bit too early to say it's the end of an era."

The 36-year-old Ponting, who has also been under intense pressure for his controversial behaviour at the World Cup, on Wednesday denied reports he planned to retire from the international scene at the end of World Cup and finish his career at an English county.

"That's completely false," Ponting said on Wednesday. "I've never even thought about or contemplated retiring at the end of this World Cup. I'm enjoying my cricket as much as ever."

"You'll hopefully see me playing a lot in the next few years."

 Ponting, who has been captain for nine years, was under pressure even before the World Cup, having earned the dubious distinction of becoming the only Australian skipper of the modern era to fail to win the Ashes three times.

He did himself few favours in India, taking a reprimand from the International Cricket Council after smashing a dressing-room TV in a fit of fury after being run out during Australia's win over Zimbabwe.

He was also criticised for angrily throwing the ball to the ground after colliding with teammate Steven Smith during their victory againsy Canada, and for failing to walk in Saturday's defeat by Pakistan.

There was a fresh flashpoint on Thursday when, with India's Gautam Gambhir - who eventually made 50 - on nought, Ponting said he was unsure about a catch which, when referred, was shown by replays to have bounced well in front of him.

The retirement rumour came a day after a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, in which an unnamed Cricket Australia official was quoted as saying that Ponting faced a challenge at board level to retain the captaincy.
Ponting said if he was asked to step aside as leader to make way for Michael Clarke, it would not be an issue.

Mud and glory as Yuvraj lives dream

Ahmedabad, March 25 (AFP): Yuvraj Singh said he'd fulfilled a dream after his man-of-the-match-winning 57 not out saw India beat champions Austria by five wickets in the World Cup quarter-finals.

India, chasing 261 for victory, were faltering badly at 187 for five when skipper Mahendra singh Dhoni was out.

But Yuvraj and fellow left-hander Suresh Raina (34 not out) delighted frenzied fans in a 42,000 capacity Sardar Patel Stadium crowd with an unbroken stand of 74 that saw the co-hosts triumph.

The victory sets up a semi-final with arch-rivals Pakistan in Mohali on March 30.

Yuvraj, who joked it was the first time he had been applauded at a press conference, was asked if everything he was touching was now turning to gold.

"I think so. Last year, whatever I was doing was turning into mud," he said.

"I have been thinking about beating Australia in this World Cup for one year, that I would be there till the end and winning the game for India."

"I honestly thought about this 365 days of the year. I have been dreaming of this. Probably because Australia are three-time (successive) champions," explained Yuvraj.

The 29-year-old's fourth 50 in six innings, also including a hundred, took his average at this World Cup to an astonishing 113.66.

It also represented a remarkable turnaround after he'd not that long ago found himself out of the side, struggling for fitness and runs.

"This is a moment we live for," added Yuvraj, who mysteriously said he was playing this tournament for a "special person".

But he would only reveal the identity if India, bidding for a second World Cup title to add to their 1983 triumph, made it to the final.

In order to do that they must first beat arch-rivals Pakistan, who thrashed the West Indies by 10 wickets in their last eight clash in Dhaka on Wednesday.

Yuvraj, who also took two for 44 with his left-arm spin against Australia, said that would be another "dream game" for India.

However, asked about the tactics for that match, he joked: "I'm sure whatever plans we have for Pakistan, MS (Dhoni) will tell you at the next press conference."

"We are just doing the best we can."

Yuvaraj Singh rocks in the ground

New Zealand stumble to 221 on slow track

South Africa attacked with spin and seam, shuffled their bowlers regularly like a pack of cards, and hustled on the field to keep a tight leash on New Zealand. Jesse Ryder and Ross Taylor were at the forefront of a revival from the depths of 16 for 2 but their departure in quick succession left New Zealand scrambling towards a below-par total on a slow track.

Carefully, almost mindful of a potential lower-order collapse on this pitch, Ryder and Taylor battled through. The odd boundary signalled growing comfort, but they never broke away decisively. A nervy equilibrium had been reached by the end of the 30th over with New Zealand reaching 112 for 2 and the game was waiting to be seized. New Zealand, however, weren't brave enough, or skilful enough, to take it. They made couple of weak-hearted attempts but only stumbled and stuttered.

First, it was Taylor, who raised New Zealand hopes with a slog-swept six off Peterson in the 32nd over but soon exited, falling to the same shot. He top-edged a slog sweep off Imran Tahir in the 33rd over to cue charged-up celebrations from the bowler.

Next, it was the turn of Scott Styris to flatter and deceive. He unfurled a lovely on driven four and a pulled boundary off Morne Morkel and lifted Johan Botha to the straight boundary to push New Zealand to 153 for 3 in the 38th over, but then fell, edging a slog on to his stumps against Morkel.

New Zealand sent in Kane Williamson and pressure escalated on Ryder to attack. Ryder tried but failed, top-edging a slog sweep off a delighted Tahir. With Ryder's exit New Zealand were on 157 for 5 by the 39th over and 250 went flying out of the window as they settled for a "decent" total. It was left to Williamson, who worked the angles with grunted pushes and punches, to lift New Zealand past 200. He lifted Robin Peterson for a six over long-on and punched Steyn to the extra cover boundary to give some joy to the New Zealand fans.

Credit must be given to South Africa, and Graeme Smith, who made innumerable bowling changes on this slow track. No bowler was exposed to any batsman for any length of period and barring Morkel, all the bowlers turned up with their A game. Morkel had an off day, struggling to find a nagging line or length and leaked almost six runs per over but redeemed himself somewhat by picking up a couple of wickets in the final overs.

It was Morkel who had allowed Ryder, and New Zealand, to break away initially at the start. Ryder made a scratchy start, playing too late on many deliveries, but broke free against Morkel, pulling and whiplashing him through the off side. Ryder also slapped Peterson for a couple of boundaries.

The back-lift was minimal, the foot movement was limited but precise, and the bat-speed increased tremendously whenever he unfurled those lashes through the off side. He brought up his fifty in the 22nd over and the hundred partnership with Taylor in the 30th over as New Zealand slowly moved towards a position of some comfort before it all went pear shaped.

India seal semis spot

At the other end, Brad Haddin played the perfect foil. For someone who came in to the side with the reputation of a berserker, Haddin has matured remarkably in recent outings. Early on, he took on himself the onus of facing Ashwin after seeing his partner struggle against the off spinner who, yet again, opened for India (and it is noticeable that when MS Dhoni switched the bowler to the other end, Watson ended up facing him, got fuddled, tried to break free, and got out).

Once Ponting joined him, Haddin batted with monumental calm, knocking the ball around the park, playing largely in the V to counter spin, and latching on to the odd loose ball with fierce intent. The partnership (70 in 12.5 overs) wasn't electric, but it was very effective in keeping the Indian bowlers pegged.

One critical difference in the Indian side on the day was the entry of Suresh Raina, who teamed up with Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh (and Ashwin out on the long boundaries) to finally give the fielding some legs. And this factor was what resulted in the wicket: Haddin, who had single-handedly shamed Munaf Patel in front of his home crowd, was consumed by his own exuberance for once and against Yuvraj, chanced his arm to a ball that was floated, hit off, and spun away. Haddin tried a drive of sorts but failed to account for the spin; the ball went off the toe of the bat, and was dying on him when Raina dived headlong and held. And Yuvraj, feeling his oats, got another one quickly when Clarke played as ugly a slog sweep as you want to see.

That was the cue for the game to turn on a dime. Again. And Zaheer Khan - again - started it with as perfect a set up as you will ever see. Scratch that - as perfect a set up as you have seen, over and over, from the left arm seamer.

He took the ball out, had Michael Hussey fishing, then he produced his now famous knuckle ball - the one that slows down, and shapes in off the deck. Hussey, playing for it to go away, opened a gap as wide as all outdoors; the ball lazily crept through it and onto the stumps, and the batsman's bemused look said it all. The next time he produced a variation was when he held one back on Cameron White - again, the batsman was foxed, and could merely pat it back to the bowler.

David Hussey walked in - and proved that his selection was spot on, with an innings of explosive power that took the onus of run-scoring from his captain, allowing Ponting to continue his calm accumulation. 55 runs at a tick over 7.7 runs between the pair threatened to take the game away from India - but yet again, the game spun around with Ashwin ending Ponting's vigil. That made the difference between a potential 275-plus, and the 260 Australia ended up with.

Rarely has a score made so many people happy. In a note for the team ahead of this game, coach Gary Kirsten had told his wards, 'Do not allow Australia to score over 260.' At the toss, when asked what score he wanted to defend, Ricky Ponting said 260.

As it turned out, Kirsten knew exactly what he was talking of. Though Virender Sehwag, looking a pale shadow of his usual self (there is something seriously wrong with the man, physically - and the most visible symptom is his inability to use his shoulders and wrist to play off his pads, a shot with which he earns his daily bread when he is fully fit and switched on), left early, Sachin Tendulkar looked totally assured and in his shadow, Gautam Gambhir took root, and began to flourish.

Their 50 run association was vital in calming nerves; it ended with the dismissal of Tendulkar, feathering an edge off one of the rare deliveries Shaun Tait got on target. But then followed the best period of play: Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir bled Australia in a way I personally haven't seen since Asanka, Aravinda and Arjuna combined in the 1996 final.

Against pace and spin alike, they tapped the ball around the park with almost casual ease, running effortlessly and chipping chunks off the target without looking in the least troubled. It didn't help the bowling side that without exception, their bowlers failed to string a series of good deliveries together. (At the halfway mark, India had taken 14 more singles and twos against Australia's sharp fielding than the Aussies had managed against India).

Just when it looked like India would canter to a one-sided win against the reigning world champions, the home side decided to spice things up a bit. Virat Kohli started it with an incredibly ugly swipe at a David Hussey full toss. Then Gautam Gambhir, who till then had been running as if he had taken lessons from a hamster, totally lost his wits. He has played enough with Yuvraj to realize that the middle order batsman is no longer as fleet of foot as in his heyday, but insisted on calling his partner for incredibly risky singles. Thrice Gambhir looked to run himself out; on the third occasion, after an uncharacteristic miss by Australia on the second try, the batsman succeeded.

When MS Dhoni fell to a superb catch by Michael Clarke at point off a fierce cut, and the score slid from 2/142 in 28 to 5/187 in 37.3, it seemed as if India was set to outdo its earlier collapses.

If, in the end, it cantered to a win with five wickets in hand, credit owes to Yuvraj Singh who, yet again, played a calculating knock that perfectly mixed his trademark punched drives and ferocious pulls with some touch play to work the ball around, and Suresh Raina, in for Yusuf Pathan, taking the likes of Lee and Watson head on as they tried to bounce him out.

What had the potential of being a tense haul to the finish line turned into a thrill a minute ride for the full house at the Motera, with both batsmen opening their shoulders and smashing the ball all around the park. Perhaps the one shot that epitomized both their mood, and the helplessness of the Australians against the sudden counter-attack, came in the 46th over. Lee, bowling around the wicket, speared down an extra quick delivery on length; Raina wound up and smashed the ball effortlessly over the long on fence. As the ball sailed off the bat, you saw, for one moment, Lee stop in his follow through, stare at Raina in disbelief, and drop his head.

16 more runs were needed after that six, but as far as the game was concerned, that shot effectively ended it - and set up what, for fans of both nations, is a dream semi-final between Pakistan and India at Mohali.

The former had ended Australia's 34-game winning streak, the latter had ended its reign as the defending champions.

At the end, you felt for Ponting. He played out of his skin, and way beyond the dictates of form - but he could not find one ally to do for his team with the ball what he had so bravely done with the bat. Australia's batting chinks had been exposed before, but somehow its bowling fault line (the sameness of Johnson, the self-indulgent rubbish dished out by Tait, the fairly ordinary skills of Jason Krejza) had managed to remain hidden till first the Gambhir-Kohli partnership, then the spell of brilliance by Yuvraj and Raina, exposed them cruelly.

Bottomline: The champions have been knocked out. Whoever succeeds them will find very big boots to fill.