PUNE — Yuvraj Singh starred with bat and ball as India won the first Twenty20 international against England by five wickets here Thursday. Having won the toss and putting England into bat, India restricted the tourists to 157-6. In reply, Yuvraj top-scored for India with 38 as the host reached the target with 13 balls to spare. Alex Hales hit 56 and Jos Buttler 33, but England's total was well below par. Yuvraj took 3-19 from his four overs. England's bowling attack served up 10 wides and will have to be far more disciplined if it is to square the series in Mumbai Saturday. With regulars Kevin Pietersen, Graeme Swann and Steven Finn all rested after their exploits in the 2-1 Test series win and Stuart Broad injured, Eoin Morgan had led an inexperienced England line-up. Scores: England: 157-6 in 20 overs. (Alex Hales 56, Luke Wright 34, Jos Buttler 33 not out; Yuvraj Singh 3-19, Ashok Dinda 2/18). India: 158-5 in 17.5 overs. (Yuvraj Singh 38, Suresh Raina 26, M S Dhoni 24 not out; Tim Bresnan 2-26). Hathurusinghe NSW coach Former Sri Lankan Test player Chandika Hathurusinghe has been appointed head coach of the NSW Blues until the end of the season after Anthony Stuart was sacked. At a NSW Cricket board meeting this week, it was decided that Stuart's contract would not be renewed and the 42-year-old stepped down immediately. “NSW Blues assistant coach, and former Sri Lankan Test player, Chandika Hathurusinghe has been appointed acting head coach until the conclusion of the 2012-13 season,” the team said on its website Thursday. Southee out of SA tour Fast bowler Tim Southee has been ruled out of New Zealand's tour of South Africa due to a thumb injury which is expected to keep him off the field for up to two months, the country's cricket board said Thursday. Southee, who was the most impressive bowler for New Zealand during their drawn Test series in Sri Lanka, suffered the injury while diving in the field during a domestic match. “Tim Southee has unfortunately been ruled out of the Test series against South Africa,” a New Zealand Cricke statement quoted physiotherapist Paul Close as saying ahead of Friday's opening Twenty20 game in Durban. — Agencies
