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The wicketkeeper Brad Haddin found himself as a Test player and allowed himself to relax during an entertaining 169 that swept the match from New Zealand and confirmed his international future. Haddin, playing his ninth game as Adam Gilchrist’s replacement, was the aggressor throughout the day and comfortably outscored the more considered Michael Clarke, who posted 110.

Australia were dismissed for an imposing 535 late on the third day and the total left them as the only side that can win the fixture and the series, which they lead 1-0. At stumps the visitors, who started with a deficit of 265, were 0 for 35 from nine overs.

In the wake of Mumbai terror attacks, the Indian tour to Pakistan was thought to be scrapped, but now as the semblance of sanity seems to be prevailing across the border, it is hoped that the things will improve in this regard, and the common people across the borders who are the real victim of the terrorism won’t get deprived of their game.

This week’s shocking terrorist attacks in Mumbai and India’s decision to point the finger of blame at Pakistan has raised tensions between the two neighbours, who are both passionate about their cricket. Former Pakistan captain Moin Khan, coach of ICL Pakistani — a team that consisted of several Pakistani Test cricketers — and his teammates like Mohammad Sami, Imran Farhat, Imran Nazir have also encouraged India to tour Pakistan.

The terror threat has damaged the cricket no more than in any country of the world than in Pakistan. Games become the first causalities in the terror threats, security concerns and in the wars. Who knows it better than Pakistan? Pakistan have also suffered from teams refusing to tour because of security threats, most recently when the ICC Champions Trophy was postponed in September.

Now India is facing the same situation. England cut short their one-day series in India after nearly 200 people died in the Mumbai attacks. Captain Kevin Pietersen said there was still doubt whether they would return to play two before Christmas. Australians and South Africans have also shown their concerns for coming over to the Indian Champions League.

The newly appointed Director General of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad held an extensive meeting with the coaching staff in Karachi and directed them to divert their energies for the improvement of the game at the grassroots level.

“It is imperative for the upliftment of the game that proper coaching is provided at the lower level,” he told coaches, analysts and physios and others connected with the game during the meeting here at the National Stadium.

The BCCI and the ECB are engaged in “positive discussions” to hold the two-Test series, which starts on December 11, with Mohali and Chennai believed to have been identified as the new venues. The BCCI said last week that Chennai would replace Mumbai as the host of the second Test, but it now turns out that discussions are being held on whether Chennai can host the first Test and Mohali the second.

The pre-Test practice match is also likely to be held at the venue of the first Test, underscoring reports that the ECB had made this request.

Sri Lanka completed a series whitewash over Zimbabwe with a 19-run victory in the fifth and final ODI at Harare Sports Club, but, not for the first time in the last week, Zimbabwe threw away a gilt-edged chance of winning within sight of the finishing line. Given a little more experience and common sense, Zimbabwe could actually have won two, if not three, of the matches, but when you average only 128 an innings, it is always going to be an uphill battle.

Brett Lee’s five-wicket haul was responsible for another disastrous performance from New Zealand’s ailing batting order as Australia stormed to an innings-and-62-run victory and a 2-0 series success. Run making has been a severe problem for the tourists throughout the contest, but they left their most inept performance till last on a friendly pitch, falling to 6 for 84 on the way to 203.

Lee, who took nine wickets for a career-best match return, was not at his best during the India tour, but he has improved with each innings since coming home and re-affirmed his status as the attack leader by finding life in the dead surface. All the serious damage came in the first session when Lee blasted four wickets in a 10-over spell that cost 23 runs.

Pakistan’s leading cricketers especially the ones who defected to the breakaway Indian Cricket League (ICL) are confident that cricket will certainly bring back Pakistan and India closer like it did in the past.

This week’s shocking terrorist attacks in Mumbai and India’s decision to point the finger of blame at Pakistan has raised tensions between the two neighbours, who are both passionate about their cricket.

“Cricket brought Pakistan and India closer in the past and I’m sure this great game will once again help defuse any tensions between the two countries,” said premier Pakistani batsman Mohammad Yousuf, who defected to the rebel ICL earlier this month and later blamed a shabby treatment he had received from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and national team captain Shoaib Malik for the switch.

India’s scheduled tour of Pakistan in January stands closer than ever to being cancelled after reports suggested the government wanted to take a tougher line against Pakistan in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. A neutral venue may also be ruled out as an alternative.

The BCCI is yet to receive instructions from the Indian government. “In this atmosphere it looks [the tour] very difficult,” a top board official told Cricinfo. The Indian board had written to the government seeking security clearance for the tour but has not received a reply yet.

Michael Hussey and Ricky Ponting produced contrasting half-centuries on a day when Australia continued to control the second Test but could not bury New Zealand in perfect batting conditions.

At stumps on the second day on Saturday the hosts were 3 for 241, 29 behind New Zealand’s below-par 270, and had lost a couple of opportunities to ensure they were the only ones capable of winning the game.