Abhaya Srivastava

World champions Australia will not take victory for granted when they clash with India in a seven-match one-day series starting here on Sunday.

Sachin Tendulkar of India overtook retired West Indian captain Brian Lara on Friday to become Test cricket's highest run-getter.

South Africa rode on an unbeaten half-century by Graeme Smith to thrash Bangladesh by seven wickets and become the top-ranked one-day side in the world in Dhaka on Friday. Smith hit three fours and three sixes in his 94-ball 68 as the visitors overhauled the target of 143 with nearly 16 overs to spare for a 3-0 whitewash.

Fiery paceman Andre Nel took 4-27 to set up South Africa's comprehensive seven-wicket victory in the second one-day international (ODI) against Bangladesh on Wednesday. The victory helped South Africa take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and moved them one step closer to reclaiming the world number one spot from Australia.

Tearaway South Africa speedster Dale Steyn is smacking his lips in anticipation of a battle royal with India's batsmen in the upcoming three-Test series. Steyn (24) taught Bangladesh a few lessons in fast bowling in the recent two-Test series, from which he bagged 14 wickets, and is now training his guns on India, who have recently returned from their Australia tour.

Graeme Smith smashed an unbeaten century to guide South Africa to an emphatic nine-wicket win in the first one-day international against Bangladesh on Sunday. Smith hit 14 fours and a six in his 118-ball 103 as South Africa surpassed the victory target of 178 with as many as 13.1 overs to spare in a lop-sided contest at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium.

South Africa will look to their fringe players to deliver the goods against an unpredictable Bangladesh in the one-day international series beginning in Chittagong on Sunday. The South Africans have rested key players Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher and Makhaya Ntini for the three one-dayers.

South Africa left-arm spinner Robin Peterson looks set to board the flight for India after claiming his maiden five-wicket haul in the second Test against Bangladesh. The 28-year-old finished with impressive figures of 5-33 as the Proteas wrapped up the two-Test series against Bangladesh with a comprehensive innings and 205-run win on Monday.

South Africa's bowlers are fast earning a bloody reputation of injuring rival batsmen after the latest incident, involving Bangladesh's Aftab Ahmed, in the second Test. Ahmed was left with a bloodied cheekbone after a short ball from Jacques Kallis bounced through his helmet grille and hit him just below the right eye.

Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie put on a record opening stand as South Africa seized complete control of the second Test against Bangladesh on the opening day on Friday. The South African skipper batted superbly for his unbeaten 223, his fourth double ton in Tests, while McKenzie also impressed with a career-best 169 not out.

After a rude awakening in the opening Test, South Africa will be looking for a more reassuring performance when they meet Bangladesh in the second and final match starting on Friday. Though the South Africans won the opener in Dhaka by a five-wicket margin and with nearly two days to spare, they conceded a first-innings lead to their underrated rivals.

The new generation of South African quicks look all set to establish themselves among the world's best after their impressive show in unhelpful conditions in Bangladesh. The fastest bowler in the side, Dale Steyn, and comeback man Morne Morkel have a tough job of slipping into the shoes of their illustrious countrymen, Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock.