West Indies seal a historic victory

Few gave West Indies any chance of breaking their downhill slide when they started the three-Test series in South Africa, but it has taken them just four days to turn things around in a quite spectacular manner. Thirty-one months after they last won a Test match, West Indies demolished South Africa by 128 runs, and inside four days, to take a 1-0 lead in the series. It provided a glorious finish to their year, and a glorious start to Chris Gayle's tenure as captain.

West Indies dominated large parts of the Test, but it seemed they had given South Africa a sniff when they collapsed on the third evening. They managed just 175 in their second innings, but their fast bowlers turned in another awesome display to ensure that 389 was more than enough runs to defend.

For South Africa, it was a shock defeat, their first at home to West Indies. For the second time in the match, the top order collapsed without a trace - the first four wickets went down with just 45 on the board. Jacques Kallis revived the run-chase with a flawless 85 and added 112 with AB de Villiers to give them a chance, but once he was at the receiving end of an unfortunate decision, the result was never in doubt.

Source : http://content-ind.cricinfo.com

Sublime Tendulkar powers India to victory

Sachin Tendulkar fell within tantalising distance of a first match-winning century in a run chase since July 2001, but India weren't to be denied as they romped to a six-wicket victory [with 21 balls remaining] that wrapped up the series with a match to spare. As in 2006, when India won 4-1 in Pakistan, there was a considerable gulf between the two sides, best exemplified by Tendulkar's sublime batting as India set about their pursuit of 256. Pakistan's total owed much to their own 90s man - Mohammad Yousuf finished the innings on 99 not out - but ultimately, they paid the price for their diffidence in the Powerplay, when only 79 runs were scored.

On a pitch where most other batsmen were restricted in their shot-making, Tendulkar played with the fluency and confidence of old, finding gaps with effortless ease. To compound Pakistan's problems, Shoaib Akhtar, who bowled with genuine menace for three overs, went off with what looked like a shin injury after completing his fourth. He returned only in the 25th over, by which time India were well past half-way. In his absence, Tendulkar unveiled some stunning drives, including a couple of pushes through the covers off the back foot that brought back memories of the halcyon years.

Steyn Helps South Africa Complete Huge Victory

South Africa 226 & 422/3 declared beat New Zealand 118 & 172/9

Fast bowler Dale Steyn completed a 10-wicket haul to seal South Africa's record win in the first test against New Zealand on Sunday.

Steyn, who took five for 34 in the first innings, claimed five for 59 to finish with match figures of 10 for 93 as South Africa wrapped up victory by 358 runs with more than a day to spare.

New Zealand, who needed 531 to win, were dismissed for 172 after lunch on the fourth day.

The result marked New Zealand's heaviest defeat, surpassing the 299 runs Pakistan beat them by in Auckland in 2001.

The visitors resumed on 57 for three and they lost their fourth wicket to the ninth ball of the day when Steyn had Scott Styris caught behind by wicketkeeper Mark Boucher for 16.

Steyn struck again eight overs later when Brendon McCullum, who scored 26, flapped at a delivery outside his off-stump and was caught by Herschelle Gibbs.

New Zealand slipped to 109 for six when Michael Papps edged a delivery from fast bowler Jacques Kallis and was caught by AB de Villiers at third slip for five.

Jacob Oram, who batted with a runner because of a hamstring injury, scored a doughty 40 before driving a delivery from left-arm spinner Paul Harris into the hands of Andre Nel at long-on.

Steyn ripped through the tail by having Iain O'Brien caught by Hashim Amla at short leg for a duck and bowling Chris Martin for nought to end the match nine overs after lunch.

Shane Bond did not bat in the second innings because of the torn abdominal muscle that has ruled him out of the rest of the tour.