Yuvraj in a theatre watching movie " THE TOURIST"

Irfan Pathan Hat-trick v Pakistan Karachi 2006

Weather and Toss plays a key role as India, SA square up on boxing day.

After playing a decisive role in the first Test at Centurion, weather holds the key to the second battle - the Boxing Day Test - too. In all likelihood, it's going to be one of those Tests where cricket writers also need to keep a close watch on met reports. The Test begins here on Sunday.


Weather reports here suggest that the elements will be a crucial factor in the contest with rain forecast for the first, fourth and fifth days of the Tests. On other two days too, the sun is expected to play hide and seek.

5 wickets in 9 balls by Tim Southee

New Zealand pace bowler Tim Southee ripped through Pakistan's order by taking five wickets in 9 balls, including a hat-trick, in the first Twenty20 International at Eden Park on Sunday.


Southee's spell reduced Pakistan from 58/1 to 68/6 within the space of 10 minutes and included just the third hat-trick in Twenty20 Internationals.

Nz won on Pakistan by 5 wickets.

Tim Southee claimed a hat-trick and Martin Guptill scored a rapid half-century as New Zealand won on Pakistan by 5 wickets in the first T20 International on Sunday.


Southee claimed five wickets for 8 balls, finishing with 5/17 -- the first five-wicket bag by a New Zealander in Twenty20 Internationals -- as New Zealand held Pakistan to 143/9 after winning the toss.


Guptill then made 54, including a 23-ball half century -- the fastest by a Kiwi in T20s -- to guide New Zealand to victory with 17 balls to spare.


Southee set up the win, which puts New Zealand 1-0 up in the three-match series, with an outstanding spell of swing bowling.

Australia all out for 98.

Australia were routed for 98 in their lowest total in 133 years of Ashes Tests at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as England closed in on retaining the famous urn in the fourth Test on Sunday.


England's bowlers had the Australians all at sea on a seaming MCG drop-in wicket to bowl out the home team in just 42.5 overs.


James Anderson (4/44) and Chris Tremlett (4/26) did the damage, while wicketkeeper Matt Prior took six catches as all the Australian wickets fell to catches behind the wicket.