Finn hope to make tough contribution

Lanky pacer Steven Finn and left-arm spinner Samit Patel are sure that they will make significant aid to help England win the ODI series.

"It is an thrilling opportunity for us to play in India and I hope that I can add for my team in order to win this series," the right-arm fast bowler Finn said during an open session ahead of the first ODI against India on October 14.

Finn, who is predictable to be in Alastair Cook's scheme of things in the nonappearance of premier bowlers Stuart Broad and James Anderson, wants to make full use of the opportunity provided.

For Patel, who was a part of the squad that was blanked 0-5 in 2008, feels that winning the series will be a "massive attainment" for the side.

Medium pacer, Chris Woakes, said,"I am very thrilled about the series. It is a great chance not just for me but for England to try and beat India in their own country, although we know it is going to be tough."

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Ashes hero Graham Dilley passed left

Former England fast bowler, Graham Dilley, has died aged 52 after a short sickness.

The former Kent and Worcestershire bowler played 41 Tests and 36 one-day internationals for England during a ten-year international vocation, which integrated two Ashes wins in 1981 and 1986-87.

One of the quickest bowlers of his age group, he took 138 Test wickets at 29.78 but his best remember giving to the England cause came with the bat in the famous 1981 Ashes Test at Headingley. Dilley helped Ian Botham put on 117 runs for the eighth wicket in Leeds, after England had followed on that not possible position.

They go on to be successful the match by 18 runs on the back of Botham's 149 not out and Bob Willis' eight for 43.

After retiring, he moved into coaching and enjoys spells as an Assistant Coach with England and bowling coach to the England Women's team before taking up a place as head cricket coach at Loughborough University.

ECB chief decision-making David Collier said: "Graham made a life-long involvement to the game of cricket at all levels and we are deeply distressed by the sad news this morning. He will be fondly remembered for his aid both as a player and a coach.

"Graham enthused many young cricketers through the University programmed and was a highly respected coach to our envoy teams. Few will forget his contribution during the historic Ashes win at Headingley in 1981 and the part he played in two Ashes series victories. Graham will be sadly missed by all his friends all through cricket and ECB sends our sincere commiseration to Graham's family."

ECB managing director Hugh Morris said: "This is very sad news for Graham's many friends and generation in cricket, both in this country and overseas.

"As well as being a bowler of the highest class, Graham made a huge contribution to our game as a coach - and his ability to pass on his knowledge and wisdom to future generations of young cricketers will be sorely missed."

What They Said:

Stuart Broad: "Very sad to hear about Graham Dilley. Wonderful fast bowler and lovely man. 52 is too young. RIP."

Monty Panesar: "So sad to hear my uni coach passed away graham dilley,great man and top coach did a lot for me ,will miss him."

Kevin Pietersen: "What an amazing guy Graham Dilley was.. Always smiling & always helping spread his knowledge about our great game."

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ROI lift significant Irani Cup

Rest of India have won the impressive Irani Cup after beating Ranji champions Rajasthan by a enormous 404-run margin at Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh Stadium.

Chasing a massive 618 runs for victory, Rajasthan unsuccessful to bat out the day as Rest of India bowlers kept chipping away at regular interval before bowling out their challenger for 213.

Left arm spinner Pragyan Ojha was the star player for Rest in the second innings as well taking four crucial wickets and reminds the Indian selectors of his accessibility with nine wickets in the match.

Middle order batsman Rashmi Parida, who scored 85 in the first innings, show some confrontation in the second innings until he was caught by Manish Pandey of Vinay Kumar’s delivery.

The result of the match was foregone conclusion after Rajasthan accepted a 263-run first innings lead to Rest.

Named after, former BCCI president late Shri Z R Irani – the match is played between Ranji champions and Rest of India team every year.

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Last-ball six take RCB into semis final

Royal Challengers Bangalore 215 for 8 (Dilshan 74, Kohli 70, Tait 5-32) strike South Australia Redbacks 214 for 2 (Harris 108*, Ferguson 70) by two wickets

Royal Challengers Bangalore scripted a striking entry into the semi-finals of the CLT20 when Arun Karthik hit a six off the last ball while chase a enormous 215 set by South Australia Redbacks here at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday.

The tormentors-in-chief for the Redbacks, although, were Virat Kohli (70) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (74) who put on a 100-run partnership after a not-out century from Daniel Harris (108) had propel the visitors to a mammoth total.

Dilshan continued with Kohli and the pair pummel the Redbacks' attack to all corners of the park for a 100-run partnership within nine overs before Kohli became Shaun Tait's first victim for 70. Kohli faced 36 balls and hit four boundaries and hity six sixes out of the park.

Dilshan sustained on the quest, but the wickets kept plummeting around him as Shaun Tait found his radar, and dismiss Saurabh Tiwary, follow by the in-form Dilshan (74) with 15 runs still needed off 11 balls.

Tait was not over, and he also got rid of Daniel Vettori and Raju Bhatkal in the 19th over to finish with 5/32 and give the South Australian team hope to still save a victory.

However, Sreenath Aravind made up for his unhappy bowling by scoop a four over the wicketkeeper, running a bye and Arun Karthik hit the winning six off the final ball to see the Redbacks crashing out of the competition.

Earlier elect to bat, the Australian outfit made a mockery of the unfortunate RCB bowlers to post the highest total in the event. The Redbacks have four points and need a victory to take the top slot.

The last six overs twisted 92 runs with Sreenath Aravind being hit for 69 runs in his four over spell. The manner in which the left-arm seamer was hit all over the park may critically dent his chances of making it to the playing XI against England.

For the Australian side, Harris was the star of the innings.

The right hander took charge from the word go with his impudent strokes that stunned the RCB bowlers. His wonderful innings was laced with 17 hits to the fence and two sixes one of which was the one which help him reach his maiden T20 ton.

Ferguson was equally brilliant at the other end, scoring a 43-ball 70, studded with four boundaries and three sixes.

After losing Captain Michael Klinger (7), Harris connected hands with Ferguson as the second wicket pair stitch an aggressive century partnership of 114 runs coming off only 75 balls.

Harris show no respect to RCB's left arm seamer Dirk Nannes, hitting him for four successive boundaries taking 18 runs in the process. He was mainly severe on Arvind, creaming 28 runs in two overs.

For RCB, Syed Mohammad and Rajoo Bhatkal claim a wicket apiece.

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