England claim ODI whitewash – Cricket Roundup – February 22 – Part 1
On Tuesday, February 21, 2012, England won the four-match One Day International (ODI) series against Pakistan after winning the fourth and final match of the tournament by four wickets at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
After amassing an impressive tally of 237 runs on the board, Pakistan still failed to restrict England from chasing the total as Pakistan’s bowling attack was shredded by a belligerent batting displaying from all-rounder Kevin Pietersen.
The batsman belted an innings of 130 runs as he played a crucial role in steering his side to a series whitewash in 49.2 overs, as England avenged their 3-0 Test defeat by Pakistan.
Pietersen was named as the Player of the Match, while his skipper Alastair Cook, who had tortured the Pakistan bowlers throughout the one-day series, earned the Player of the series title.
South Africa, have denied T20 hero Richard Levi a place in the one-day squad for the forthcoming three-match one-day series against New Zealand.
Speaking on the decision of sending Levi back home after the T20 series, convenor of selectors Andrew Hudson said, “Levi's batting performance was fantastic - one of the best I have watched, We hope that he can continue in the same way for the Cape Cobras in the T20 Challenge back home.”
After Levi’s record breaking performance of hitting a hundred on just 45 deliveries in the second T20 against New Zealand, there were calls for naming him in the one-day squad, but South African selectors have decided otherwise.
South Africa's 14-man squad for the ODI series: Hashim Amla, Graeme Smith, AB de Villiers (captain), Jean Paul Duminy, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Johan Botha, Faf du Plessis, Jacques Kallis, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Justin Ontong, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn.
India's under fire opener, Virender Sehwag, has admitted that he needs to improve his batting to validate his place in the national team.
"Five times I have been dismissed caught at third man or in the slips. I am looking at my performance and I have to improve for the side to win matches," opined Sehwag.
The batsman was the stand-in captain in the absence of regular skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni in their match against Sri Lanka, which the Lankans won by 51 runs.
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