Cricket History and Facts

M.S. Dhoni was the captain of the Indian team that won the Commonwealth Bank Series in Australia in early 2008.

Chris Gayle scored the first-ever century in the ICC World Twenty20 tournament during the opening match against South Africa in 2007.

Brian Lara holds the record for the highest individual score in a Test match innings, scoring 400 not out against England in 2004.

True Colours is the autobiography of the Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist, published in 2008. It details his career and personal life.

The Rest of India team won the 2008 Irani Trophy by defeating the Ranji Trophy champions, Delhi.

Sourav Ganguly became the second Indian cricketer to reach the 10,000-run milestone in One Day International (ODI) cricket, following Sachin Tendulkar.

John Wright, a former New Zealand cricketer, was appointed as the first foreign coach of the Indian cricket team in 2000.

In February 2012, Ricky Ponting announced his retirement from ODI.

Christopher Martin-Jenkins, BBC's Test Match Special commentator, will serve as the next President of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).  His one-year term will begin on October 1, 2010. This announcement was made at Lord's on May 5, 2010 during MCC's annual general meeting headed by John Barclay, the current president.

The third season of the Indian Premier League was played between 12 March and 25 April 2010. It was also the first ever cricket tournament that was broadcast live on YouTube.

Last year's losing finalist Chennai Super Kings defeated Mumbai Indians in the final played at D.Y. Patil stadium, Mumbai to clinch the DLF IPL -III title by 22 runs. Batting first Chennai Super Kings scored 168 runs for five wickets in 20 overs. Suresh Raina (not out) at 57 runs was the top scorer. In reply Mumbai Indians scored 146 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs, falling short of the target by 22 runs. Suresh Raina of CSK was Man of the Match in the final.

Royal Challengers completed a nine-wicket win over Deccan Chargers Hyderabad in the match for the third place at the D.Y. Patil stadium in Mumbai.

Wicketkeeper Matt Prior, spinner Graeme Swann, batsman Graham Onions, fast bowler Stuart Broad (all from England) and Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke were the 'Five Cricketers of the Year' chosen by Wisden on April 14, 2010.

Indian batsman Virender Sehwag was on Apr 14, 2010 named 'Wisden Cricketer of the Year' for the second year in succession. The award, which was instituted in 2004, has Australian captain Ricky Ponting, spinner Shane Warne and England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff among its past winners.

Sehwag averaged 70, with a strike-rate of 108.9, in the Tests he played in 2009. In one-day internationals, Sehwag had a strike-rate of 136.5 while averaging 45. The award, which was instituted in 2004, has Australian captain Ricky Ponting, spinner Shane Warne and English all-rounder Andrew Flintoff among its past winners.

Sir Ronnie Flanagan, the former chief constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary took over as chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption and security  unit  (ACSU) with  the  retirement  of Lord  Paul Condon in June 2010.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting was on January 14, 2010 chosen as the ESPN Cricinfo Player of the Decade for the 2000s by a 38-strong panel of experts, including current and former players. Over the past decade, Ponting has scored more runs and centuries in both forms of the game than any other batsman and is the only player to go past the 9000-mark in both forms. Ponting is followed by South Africa's Jacques Kallis and Australian Adam Gilchrist. Sachin Tendulkar is placed sixth in the list.

Intikhab Alam was appointed as the coach of the Pakistan national cricket team in 2008.