Cricket

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.

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 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.

The Pakistan Cricket Board is ready to provide all documents and clearance for its players if the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decides to allow its cricketers to take part in the IPL 4. A senior official of the PCB Subhan told at a press conference on Saturday that the Board was interested in sending its players for the IPL 2011 to India. "We are keen on this and if the Indian board requires us to provide any clearance or NOC for any player we will do it," Subhan said. He added that the PCB had already written to the BCCI on the issue last week and were awaiting a reply from them.

Indian opener Gautam Gambhir  injured his left hand and the team management will take a decision on his participation before the toss on Sunday. While captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said that Zaheer Khan, who missed the first Test in Centurion due to hamstring injury is fit to play, he did admit that Gambhir's injury in the knuckles of his left hand is a concern ahead of the second Test. If Gambhir comes ready on time, booking opens Murali Vijay is inducted into the playing XI. However, it is a test signal Vijay who is known to be too comfortable while playing a short sharp stuff.