Vics bowled out for 123

Updated February 07, 2012 17:04:33

Victoria was bowled out for 123 by South Australia in the one-day cup match at Adelaide Oval.

The fourth-placed Bushrangers, needing a victory to remain any chance of making the tournament's final, won the toss but lasted only 37.2 overs.

The Victorians never recovered from losing two wickets in Gary Putland's opening over, the left-arm quick dismissing Rob Quiney and Cameron White for ducks.

After slumping to 5 for 35 in the 16th over, Ryan Carters (44) and Will Sheridan (31) put on 75 runs in 96 balls.

But the end of their partnership heralded the loss of Victoria's last five wickets for just 13 runs.

Fast bowlers Jake Haberfield (4 for 30), Putland (2 for 18) and Joe Mennie (2 for 29) all achieved multiple success for the Redbacks, who will go top of the table with a victory.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, adelaide-5000, melbourne-3000

First posted February 07, 2012 17:01:34

View the original article here

Tremain gets place on plane

Updated March 05, 2012 13:18:42

New South Wales looks set to give young fast bowler Chris Tremain his first-class debut against Victoria in its final Sheffield Shield match of the season starting on Thursday.

The fifth-placed Blues have endured a dismal season, but picked up first innings points during their draw with potential finalists Queensland this week.

Tremain, 20, made his domestic one-day debut for the Blues last month, taking 2-32 against Western Australia at the WACA ground in Perth.

He is in line to add to that performance with an appearance in the longer form of the game, after being named in a 12-man squad alongside fellow youngster David Dawson.

All-rounder Stephen O'Keefe will captain the squad containing former five Test representatives as the Blues look to deny traditional rivals Bushrangers a place in the top two at the MCG.

Victoria's win over Shield leaders Western Australia put the state level on points with the second-place Bulls and third-place Tasmania, as the race for a place in the final goes down to the last round of matches.

Blues squad: Stephen O'Keefe (captain), Trent Copeland, Scott Coyte, David Dawson, Phil Hughes, Simon Katich, Usman Khawaja, Nic Maddinson, Peter Nevill, Ben Rohrer, Steven Smith, Chris Tremain

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, nsw, vic

First posted March 05, 2012 13:12:53

View the original article here

Warner faces final fitness test

Updated March 06, 2012 09:01:01

Dynamic opener David Warner faces a last-minute fitness test before Australia seeks a quick kill in the second tri-series final against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

Warner is in doubt for the second final in Adelaide after complaining of groin soreness following his century-making heroics in Brisbane on Sunday.

The left-hander cracked 163 from 157 balls but did not field in Australia's 15-run win over the Sri Lankans in the first final.

Warner will have a fitness test before the day-nighter, with vice-captain Shane Watson preparing for a possible return to the opening position.

Newcomer Peter Forrest appears likely to return to the starting line-up if Warner is ruled out.

"We all hope he (Warner) is up and firing tomorrow," Australia's David Hussey said.

"It was a fantastic innings and all the boys hope he can replicate that."

Hussey says the Australians are desperate to close out the finals series in consecutive matches.

"This is a chance to win a series - not all of us have actually won a series in Australia in one-day international cricket," he said.

"So it's very important we actually close out the series in a professional manner."

Australia's triumph in Brisbane was marred by late lapses with the ball.

After setting the Sri Lankans 322 to win, Australia had the visitors at its mercy at 6 for 144 in the 31st over.

But bad bowling combined with remarkable knocks from Nuwan Kulasekara (73 from 43 balls) and Upul Tharanga (60 from 67) took Sri Lanka to within 15 runs of victory.

Hussey, who took 4 for 43, says Australia's bowlers failed to deliver on their plans.

"The conditions were a bit greasy and it was very hard to stand up for the fast bowlers," he said.

"But if we can just execute our skills ... I think we will go a long way to winning the game.

"I thought we played three-quarters of the perfect game last night - and hopefully there is a perfect game just around the corner."

Hussey's haul was the second time he has taken four wickets in a one-day international.

"I wouldn't say I'm a spinner. If they hit a few pebbles, they might turn a little bit," he said.

"A couple of years, I was probably just classed as a batsman and a muck-around net bowler who bowled to the tailenders.

"Now I'm opening the bowling in T20 cricket and bowling key overs in one-day cricket, so I definitely take it a little bit more seriously now."

AAP

Tags: sport, onedayseries, cricket, adelaide-5000, sa, australia

First posted March 05, 2012 17:40:42

View the original article here

Waugh critical of selectors' ambiguity

Updated February 15, 2012 06:14:26

Steve Waugh has criticised the Australian cricket selectors for making Ricky Ponting captain for Friday's one-dayer and their handling of Brad Haddin, who returns to Sheffield Shield this week.

Haddin was again omitted from the ODI squad for the matches against Sri Lanka on Friday and India next Sunday and will instead play for New South Wales against Western Australia in the Shield match which begins on Friday.

Waugh, a former NSW and ODI team-mate of Haddin, suggests the National Selection Panel has hid behind the excuse of 'resting' the wicketkeeper.

"I was surprised when they said he was rested and he said he was dropped. There were mixed messages there," Waugh said.

"If he's rested, why doesn't he come back in and be the captain?

"He's vice-captain of the Test side so there was an opportunity for Brad to be captain of the one-day team.

"Obviously he is having an enforced rest. I'm not sure what it is.

"It's a bit confusing and it'd be good for someone to clear it up."

Waugh was equally bemused that David Warner, as the nominal ODI vice-captain in the absence of Shane Watson, did not handle the reins for Friday's match.

"Ricky will do it blindfolded but the future is probably Dave Warner so I'm surprised they didn't go to Warner and go to the future," Waugh said.

"It's only a temporary thing (but) you put Dave Warner in there as vice-captain (so) I assume they think he is leadership material.

"If he's vice-captain why can't he captain the side as well?"

"Maybe they think Dave's not quite ready but why is he vice-captain?"

"It doesn't make sense to me."

Shane Watson will also play in New South Wales' Sheffield Shield team to play WA, as he continues his recovery from the calf injury that has kept him from national selection so far this summer.

Watson replaces veteran Simon Katich in the team, with the former Test batsman still suffering residual concussion symptoms after being struck on the head while batting against Tasmania last week.

Doug Bollinger (hamstring), Moises Henriques (side) and Josh Hazlewood (stress fractures - foot) were all unavailable for selection.

NSW: Stephen O'Keefe (captain), Trent Copeland, Scott Coyte, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Josh Lalor, Peter Nevill, Ben Rohrer, Steven Smith, Shane Watson.

ABC/AAP

Tags: sport, onedayseries, cricket, sydney-2000

First posted February 14, 2012 15:53:21

View the original article here

Warne poised to enter Hall of Fame

Updated February 26, 2012 16:23:59

Test great Shane Warne will be inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame this week.

The legendary leg spinner, the first cricketer to take 700 Test wickets, will be inducted at the Allan Border Medal ceremony in Melbourne on Monday.

Hall of Fame chairman David Crow says Warne, 42, who retired from Test cricket in 2007, is the selection committee's unanimous choice.

"Shane Warne's contribution to cricket has been enormous," Crow said.

"He revived legspin, combining accuracy with variety and enormous turn, even on unhelpful pitches.

"It was the timing of his performances - in addition to his sheer weight of wickets - that further underlined his legendary status.

"Beyond his phenomenal record, Shane Warne changed the way cricket was played and has inspired a new generation of cricketers worldwide to take up the challenging craft of spin bowling."

Warne says he is surprised and delighted to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and will fly from the United States to attend the ceremony in Melbourne.

"To be inducted into the Hall of Fame is just a massive honour, and it makes me feel very proud. I'm glad I'm sharing this with my children and my family," he said in a statement.

Warne, who was named in 2000 as one of only five Wisden Cricketers of the Century, took 708 wickets at 25.41 in 145 Tests and 293 wickets in 194 one-day internationals.

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, australia

First posted February 26, 2012 16:23:59

View the original article here

Watson pleased with comeback

Updated February 11, 2012 20:42:22

Australia all-rounder Shane Watson believes he is about a week out from regaining full fitness after returning from a calf injury on Saturday and is not pushing yet for an international recall.

Watson, who had not played since Australia's second Test win over South Africa in Johannesburg last November, made his Sydney grade debut for Sutherland against Eastern Suburbs at Waverley Oval in a one-day match.

The 30-year-old opening batsman smacked 30 off 27 balls and finished with 0 for 17 off six overs, but there was no joy for Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who turned out for Easts.

Playing for the first time since being left out of the Australia Twenty20 and one-day teams, Haddin made just 1 off two balls for Eastern Suburbs.

Watson says the plan is to gradually increase his bowling workload and play for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia starting in Perth on Friday.

"It's been a very frustrating couple of months. It's something I love, doing so much, so I missed it a lot," Watson said.

"There's been a few false starts over the last month or so, so to be able to get through the game was the most important thing.

"I've been working pretty hard on my batting and making a few adjustments on my batting technique.

"In the end, I suppose I got more than I was hoping out of the day."

Watson was cautious when asked about a return to the Australian one-day side for the current tri-series.

Asked when he expected to be fully fit, Watson said: "Probably about another week or so, if everything continues to go well.

"If I'm able to get through a Shield game then and get some bowling into me in that Shield game, I feel like I will be ready to be able to play one-day cricket especially.

"But I'm not getting too far in front of myself.

"I know how important the next few days are to recover."

Watson appeared to bowl within himself and did not run any singles in his breezy batting cameo, blasting seven fours and a two. He was one of three Australian representatives in a powerful Sutherland batting line-up, with Steve Smith (43 off 53) and Phil Jaques (33 off 42) also getting a start.

Haddin did not take the gloves for Easts, fielding primarily on the offside with Blues custodian Peter Nevill performing the wicketkeeping duties.

Nevill, who is the leading first-class runscorer for the Blues this season and is averaging 56, scored an unbeaten 98 off 118 balls in his team's five-wicket win.

Coming in at first drop, Haddin skied a catch to cover off leg spinner Smith (2 for 37 off 10 overs).

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, waverley-2024

First posted February 11, 2012 20:38:48

View the original article here

Ton-up Pietersen helps England to whitewash

Updated February 22, 2012 09:50:34

Kevin Pietersen hit his second successive century to help a resurgent England beat Pakistan by four wickets in the fourth and final one-day international for a 4-0 whitewash.

The 31-year-old right-hander held the innings together during his 153-ball career-best 130 - his ninth one-day hundred - to help England chase down a 238-run target in 49.2 overs at Dubai Stadium.

Pietersen helped England recover from 4 for 68 with a 109-run stand for the fifth wicket with Craig Kieswetter (43) to maintain his team's domination in the series in which they won the first match by 130 runs, second by 20 and the third by nine wickets.

By virtue of this win England overtook Pakistan at number five and pushed their rivals to sixth in the ICC one-day rankings and partially made up for its 3-0 loss in the preceding three-Test series.

Pietersen hit Junaid Khan for a six and took a single in the next over to reach his hundred off 136 balls and finished with 12 fours and two sixes. His previous best of 116 came against South Africa at Centurion in 2005.

Pietersen had lost his opening partner Alastair Cook - who hit back-to-back hundreds and 80 in the first three matches - off the second ball of the innings to paceman Khan for 4.

Jonathan Trott (15), Eoin Morgan (15) and debutant Jos Butler fell in the space of 18 runs before the Pietersen-Kieswetter stand lifted them from 68-4 to 5 for 177.

When Kieswetter was run out, England still needed 61 but Samit Patel (17 not out) in the company of Pietersen brought England within two runs of the win when Pietersen fell to Saeed Ajmal.

Tim Bresnan hit the winning boundary.

"We really had a very good one-day series," said Cook. "It was a great challenge and we stood up and won."

Misbah said Pakistan did show some fight but England was too good.

"We showed improvement from the last game but England and Pietersen were too good for us," said Misbah.

"Credit to England for playing well in this series and we were below par."

Pakistan promised more than what it made after half-centuries by Asad Shafiq and Azhar Ali but were pegged back in the final overs with paceman Jade Dernbach taking a career-best 4 for 45.

Shafiq made a 78-ball 65 for his sixth one-day fifty while Ali notched a 89-ball 58 for his first to help lift Pakistan from the early loss of opener Mohammad Hafeez (1) after they elected to bat.

Misbah chipped in with a 52-ball 46 which included one four and a six.

Both teams now play three Twenty20 internationals in Dubai (February 23 and 25) and Abu Dhabi (February 27).

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, england, united-kingdom, pakistan, united-states

First posted February 22, 2012 07:31:11

View the original article here

White finds batting form as record looms

Updated February 12, 2012 13:06:42

With some much-needed runs and a personal record looming, Cameron White now has his sights on leading Victoria into the Sheffield Shield final.

White, whose batting form has been below-par all summer, scored 147 for his Melbourne club side Richmond against Prahran on Saturday.

White overcame a bizarre start to the match, in which play started on a pitch wrongly measured at two metres longer than it should have been, to address the issues which have plagued his season.

The 28-year-old's national contract would appear in jeopardy after his difficult summer and losing the Australian Twenty20 captaincy.

But White's timely return to form comes as he prepares to break Bill Lawry's long-standing record for captaining Victoria on the most occasions in the Bushrangers' Shield clash with South Australia starting
on Monday at the MCG.

"It was just great to spend some time in the middle and the game obviously starts tomorrow, so it was good practice," White said on Sunday ahead of his 57th first-class match leading Victoria.

"For whatever reason yesterday, it seemed to work out.

"It was nice to build an innings, and it just reminds you that you can still do it."

Victoria is fourth on the Shield ladder.

But a big win against the Redbacks will give the Bushrangers huge momentum and Shield final destiny in their own hands going into the next match against second-placed Western Australia.

"We're sitting not too far away in the Shield competition, so this is a big game and off to Perth after that, so really our next two games will determine whether we get into the final," he said.

"It makes this game (against the Redbacks) even more crucial.

"We've got two more of our games at home too, so if we can win both of those, we'll be pretty close to a Shield final berth."

The Bushrangers are strengthened with the return of national representatives Peter Siddle and Aaron Finch.

Siddle returns from Test duties, while Finch is back after playing for Australia's Twenty20 side in the series against India.

The Vics beat bottom side South Australia by 186 runs in their Shield match in Adelaide last week, further building their confidence.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted February 12, 2012 13:06:42

View the original article here

Watson wins toss, Aussies to bat

Updated February 26, 2012 14:23:55

Shane Watson will lead Australia for the first time, named as captain on his return to international cricket in place of injured skipper Michael Clarke for Sunday's clash with India at the SCG.

Watson, out for three months due to hamstring and calf injuries, won the toss and chose to bat first in the one-day game.

Watson will become Australia's third captain in three games after Ricky Ponting stood in for Clarke in Brisbane and Clarke returned for Friday's loss to Sri Lanka.

Victorian paceman Clint McKay is also brought into the team in place of Queenslander Ryan Harris, while Clarke has been ruled out due to back soreness.

India, which is four points behind second-placed Australia in the tri-series with two matches to play, has made one change from the team which lost to Sri Lanka in Brisbane last week.

Captain MS Dhoni returns from his one-match ban, with Parthiv Patel making way for his return.

The game begins at 2:20pm AEDT.

Australia: Shane Watson (capt), David Warner, Peter Forrest, Matthew Wade, Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Daniel Christian, Brett Lee, Clint McKay, Xavier Doherty, Ben Hilfenhaus.

India: Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Irfan Pathan, Ravi Ashwin, Vinay Kumar, Umesh Yadav.

AAP

Tags: onedayseries, cricket, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted February 26, 2012 14:23:55

View the original article here

Whatmore signs two-year contract to lead Pakistan

Updated March 05, 2012 11:48:04

Dav Whatmore has been appointed Pakistan's head coach for two years, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Sunday.

The former Australian Test batsman will take immediate charge of the team as it prepares for the Asia Cup tournament.

Whatmore, who previously coached Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, will be joined by English fielding coach Julian Fountain.

"We have reached an agreement with Whatmore who will be the new coach of the Pakistan team for the next two years," PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf said.

"We feel that a foreign coach can best exploit the talent available in Pakistan cricket."

Whatmore, who led Sri Lanka to victory at the 1996 World Cup, said he was looking forward to the challenge.

"We will do our best to produce the best results with our available talent and I am confident of good results," Whatmore said.

Whatmore, 57, played seven tests for Australia and enjoyed a successful coaching spell with Bangladesh, leading the country to its first Test match and subsequent series win in 2005.

He is Pakistan's fourth foreign coach after Geoff Lawson, Bob Woolmer and Richard Pybus.

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, pakistan

First posted March 05, 2012 11:45:46

View the original article here

Warner needs to keep head clear: Ponting

Updated February 18, 2012 16:37:53

Australia captain Ricky Ponting says opener David Warner needs to keep things simple if he wants to turn around his disappointing one-day international form.

While Warner is an established member of Australia's Twenty20 squad and has made a bright start to his Test career, the 25-year-old is yet to fully showcase his talents in 50-over cricket for his country.

In 14 ODIs Warner averages just 20.07 with a highest score of 74 and only two 50s.

His struggles in ODIs have continued this summer, scoring 71 runs in four innings of the triangular series at just 17.75.

But Ponting says just like another explosive left-handed opening batsman, former star Adam Gilchrist, Warner must not start thinking too much about his technique and should just back his natural game.

"He probably hasn't got the results that he'd want in one-day cricket in his relatively short career so far but the one thing players like David can't afford to do is second-guess themselves," he said.

"Gilly was exactly the same. They're hand-eye players and they've got to see the ball, hit the ball and not really think too much about it.

"Sometimes it's the stuff between your ears that gets a little bit clouded and that makes playing your natural game a little bit hard. I think that's probably what Dave's going through right at the moment."

Keeping Warner's mind clear was part of the reason the vice-captain was overlooked earlier this week for the skipper's job in favour of Ponting with Michael Clarke injured.

And coach Mickey Arthur says that was the right call.

"We brought Dave into the vice-captaincy position to learn to be part of our leadership group and to learn from Michael and I when we strategise our position," he said.

"In terms of taking guys on the field right now, he's not ready for that yet and he understands that."

AAP

Tags: onedayseries, cricket, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted February 18, 2012 16:37:53

View the original article here

Warriors hold off Bulls in tight chase

Updated February 11, 2012 23:27:17

A magnificent century by Nathan Reardon was not enough to stop Western Australia grabbing a dramatic five-run victory that dented Queensland's chances of making the one-day final.

Reardon's 113-ball 116 - his maiden ton - was in vain as the Bulls were bowled out for 279 in the final over at the Gabba, chasing Western Australia's 9 for 284.

With Queensland needing nine off the final over, Reardon chanced his arm too many times and was caught on the boundary off the first ball by Nathan Coulter-Nile (1 for 84).

In the end, tail-ender Alister McDermott needed a six off the final ball to complete the highest successful domestic one-day run chase at the Gabba, but it was not to be.

It was the third straight loss for the Bulls and the first win for dead last Western Australia.

Third-placed Queensland must now pull off a big win over second-placed Tasmania in Hobart on Wednesday to be any chance of joining South Australia in the February 25 one-day final.

Reardon gave his side a chance with a 117-run fourth-wicket stand with Joe Burns (82).

Reardon hit 10 fours and two sixes in his knock that lasted almost three hours.

"It was good to get a hundred for myself. That's like a monkey off the back for me, but it doesn't really count for much if we lose," a devastated Reardon said.

Of his lusty hit on the first ball of the final over, Reardon said: "I thought I had enough on it - it was like it got caught up in the wind."

Reardon still backed the Bulls to pull off a bonus-point win over Tasmania next week and make the one-day final.

"We only have ourselves to blame if we don't make it," he said of the Bulls, who won their first four one-day matches this season.

Earlier, captain Marcus North (93) helped Western Australia reach 9 for 284 off its 50 overs after losing opener Shaun Marsh for 7.

He combined with Adam Voges (62) in a 141-run, fourth-wicket stand before Ben Cutting (4 for 68 off 13 overs) sparked a Queensland fightback with the ball.

Western Australia was cruising at 3 for 205 but stumbled, at one stage losing 5 for 47.

However, the Warriors were still able to post their biggest one-day total at the Gabba, eclipsing their previous best of 6 for 264 posted in the 1999-2000 season.

The stand between North - who hit 12 fours and a six - and Voges was sensationally snapped in the 38th over.

Voges - who was dropped on 59 - was sent back at the non-striker's end by North, only to be caught short by a direct hit from Queensland stand-in skipper Ryan Broad.

Alister McDermott - fresh from his 7 for 24 haul in Queensland's dramatic one-wicket Sheffield Shield loss to Western Australia this week - took 2 for 69 off 13 overs.

North's nerves were jangling with the one-day thriller coming just two days after the Warriors' one-wicket Sheffield Shield victory.

"Reardo batted beautifully today. That is the best I have seen him bat. He was nearly the difference," North said.

"At the end of the day, we were lucky enough to have snuck home."

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted February 11, 2012 22:51:00

View the original article here

Enjoy Cricket With Cricket Score Card

West Indies cricketer Morton dies at 33

Updated March 06, 2012 14:37:42

West Indies' cricketers have spoken of their shock and sadness at the death of former international batsman Runako Morton, who was killed in a car crash on Sunday, aged 33.

Morton died when the car he was driving hit a pole in Trinidad.

The Nevisian batsman's last international was in a Twenty20 against Australia in Sydney two years ago.

Morton played in 15 tests and 56 one-day internationals for West Indies. He scored 573 test runs at an average of 22.03, including four half-centuries, but enjoyed better success in limited overs cricket.

In ODIs, he scored 1,519 ODI runs at an average of 33.75 with two hundreds and 10 fifties.

"RIP Runako Morton. Shocked and saddened at the loss of my former WI team mate," all-rounder Dwayne Bravo tweeted.

Chris Gayle said: "We lost a True Warrior W.I Cricketer Runako Morton-May is soul rest in peace! Our memories together Live On!-My Condolences to his Family."

"A cricket warrior gone but not forgotten," Darren Bravo said. "A tough competitor and total team man."

England batsman Kevin Pietersen also gave his tribute: "What a lovely guy & fierce competitor!! RIP bossman!"

Reuters/ABC

Tags: sport, cricket, trinidad-and-tobago, saint-kitts-and-nevis

First posted March 06, 2012 07:48:40

View the original article here

Tigers name Ponting in one-day final squad

Updated February 22, 2012 17:55:10

Ricky Ponting has been named in a 13-man squad for Tasmania's one-day final against South Australia at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

The Tigers are yet to decide who will make way for Ponting, who was dropped from Australia's one-day squad on Monday.

"Ricky Ponting's inclusion injects world-class qualities into our team and we know that he is very excited at the prospect of playing in this final for Tasmania," Tigers chairman of selectors Michael Farrell said.

"The Tigers will take good form into the match as well as plenty of big game experience.

"The team has shown a great ability to play well under pressure throughout the season and have prepared well for the final."

His inclusion means Tasmania could field four batsmen who have represented Australia in Ed Cowan, skipper George Bailey, Mark Cosgrove and the former international skipper.

With short-form specialist opener Jon Wells also in the side, Tasmania certainly has the firepower to deny South Australia an end to its 25-year wait for a one-day cup final victory.

In contrast, Saturday's final will be the Tigers' third in the past three seasons. They won the tournament in 2004/05, 2007/08 and 2009/10.

Tasmania (from): George Bailey (captain), Jackson Bird, Luke Butterworth, Mark Cosgrove, Ed Cowan, James Faulkner, Matt Johnston, Brady Jones, Jason Krejza, Ben Laughlin, Ashton May, Ricky Ponting, Jon Wells (one to be omitted, 12th man to be named)

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, tas

First posted February 22, 2012 17:53:43

View the original article here

Warner leads Australia to commanding total

Updated March 04, 2012 23:02:13

Considered fortunate to keep his place in the side, David Warner now looks irreplaceable after his 163 guided Australia to 6 for 321 in the opening tri-series one-day finals clash with Sri Lanka at the Gabba on Sunday.

Warner had to wait until his 19th ODI to notch his maiden ton - and he made it count by hitting the third-highest ODI score in Australia.

He became the seventh Australian to break through the 150 barrier in one-dayers and he struck the sixth biggest 50-over score by an Australian - and highest ever at the Gabba.

However, the big-hitting opener would have been forgiven for breathing a sigh of relief after being named this weekend.

Someone had to make way for returning captain Michael Clarke on Sunday - and Warner would have been nervous after a modest series return of 195 at 24.37 ahead of the finals opener.

But Peter Forrest - the only Australian batsman to have hit a ton this series ahead of the Gabba clash - was the odd man out when the XI was confirmed.

Warner may not be dropped for some time after his 157-ball, three-and-a-half-hour knock which featured 13 fours and two sixes.

Warner's remarkable hand ended on the last ball of the innings when he was bowled by Dhammika Prasad (2 for 51).

Warner did not quite match his third Test fireworks in Perth against India where he reached triple figures in 69 balls - the equal fourth fastest century ever.

But Warner appeared to have no complaints when he brought up his century in 111 balls on Sunday with yet another four.

An ecstatic Warner jumped for joy and punched the air after he bottom edged Farveez Maharoof past keeper Kumar Sangakkara to the third-man boundary.

Warner had a willing partner in crime in Matthew Wade (64) who helped light up the gloomy Gabba conditions in a 136-run opening stand.

It seemed only something special was going to break their entertaining partnership - and Rangana Herath duly delivered.

Wade stood gobsmacked when Herath pulled off a spectacular one-handed diving catch on the long-on boundary, in front of a delirious pocket of Sri Lankan fans, off Nuwan Kulasekara.

Two brief rain delays came and went before wickets began falling.

Australia lost Shane Watson (21), Dan Christian (10) and David Hussey (1) before Clarke (37) and Mike Hussey (19 not out) helped re-start the batting fireworks.

AAP

Tags: onedayseries, sport, cricket, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted March 04, 2012 18:33:39

View the original article here

Younis ton puts Pakistan on brink of series sweep

Updated February 05, 2012 07:58:55

Veteran Pakistan batsmen Younis Khan scored the first hundred of the series to put his side within sight of a 3-0 win over England.

The 34-year-old made 115 not out to help Pakistan reach 222-2 in their second knock at close on the second day of the third Test in Dubai, giving them a healthy 180-run lead with eight wickets intact.

Pakistan, leading the series 2-0, had bowled England out for 141 in the first innings, conceding a 42-run lead.

Younis shared an unfinished 194-run stand with Azhar Ali, who was unbeaten on 75, to help their team overcome the early loss of openers Taufiq Umar (six) and Mohammad Hafeez (21).

Younis said he drew motivation from his first innings dismissal.

"I was very angry how I got out in the first innings," said Younis dismissed for four in Pakistan's low score of 99. "I was really angry but that failure motivated me to do what no one has done in the series - score a hundred."

Younis, who had managed just 66 runs in the last four innings, notched his 20th hundred - his second against England - with a sweep off Monty Panesar for two.

"I was positive and played my strokes, so with a sincere effort I tried to play and that worked for me and we managed to put up a brilliant partnership," said Younis, who almost gave up on his career after being banned in March 2010.

The Pakistan Cricket Board banned him for an indefinite period following a winless tour of Australia. He had relinquished the captaincy in November 2009 - a month before the New Zealand and Australia tour.

Younis said his bad days were over.

"That's beyond me and now I am enjoying my game. Misbah-ul Haq and I are two seniors who help juniors like Ali and (Asad) Shafiq who both are doing very well, so I am enjoying that," said Younis.

Younis admitted the Dubai Stadium pitch had eased out.

"The pitch is playing well, better than on the first day," said Younis of the pitch on which 16 wickets fell on the first day. In comparison only six wickets fell on Saturday.

England opener Alastair Cook praised Younis and Ali.

"We tried a lot of things, especially Younus took the attack to us. We did not expect that to happen. Till 60-odd he never let the bowlers settle into any kind of rhythm and a lot of credit goesn to him."

Cook emphasised England's top six batters will have to fare better.

"We all know that we are a very long way behind in this game. We need a couple of early wickets, then we get to bat again and it is going to take some serious character from the top six to turn that around," he said.

AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, united-arab-emirates

First posted February 05, 2012 07:56:44

View the original article here

Umpires apologise for bad light mix-up

Updated February 09, 2012 10:10:57

NSW and Tasmania have received an apology from the umpires in the Sheffield Shield match at Bellerive after a mistake that cost the two desperate sides crucial overs.

The competition's experiment with twilight games descended into controversy when Tasmania's momentum in the match was halted by a bad-light call and the teams left the ground around half an hour early.

Even with the floodlights on, the conditions were such that under the rules play could not continue.

But it turned out that the umpires applied the twilight rules incorrectly and should have added extra playing time lost from Tuesday's rain to the earlier sessions.

The players walked off with NSW in trouble at 4 for 75, a lead of just 71, after Tigers all-rounder James Faulkner had produced a fiery spell of 3 for 34.

"It's probably going to cost us eight overs which could be important in a game like this," Tasmanian captain George Bailey said.

"The umpires have apologised for it. To be fair, I think as a captain I probably should be aware of it too so I'm certainly not pointing the whole blame on them."

NSW captain Stephen O'Keefe, who was in the middle but still yet to score when the bad-light call came, also said the mistake was understandable.

"In the scheme of things it's not ideal but I think as players we understand and respect the fact that everyone's entitled to make mistakes and we do it all the time and it's all part of the game," he said.

Both sides are desperate for points to chase top sides Queensland and Western Australia, a fact underlined by the Tigers declaring their first innings at 7 for 345 on Wednesday immediately on passing NSW's 7 for 341 declared.

Faulkner then ripped through the Blues top order, removing former Test stars Usman Khawaja (14) and Steve Smith (7) as well as first innings runmaker Ben Rohrer with a brute of a ball.

Phil Hughes was the other wicket to fall, the Test discard playing some cracking off-side shots in making 36 before he was well caught at second slip by Luke Butterworth off Jackson Bird.

Faulkner's efforts capped a good day for Tasmania, which claimed first innings points on the back of Bailey's swashbuckling 117 off 140 balls.

O'Keefe, who said his side would aim for a lead of 200-plus, was unsure whether injured former skipper Simon Katich would bat, meaning the Blues could effectively be five down.

"He did take a 130km mallet to the forehead so it might be a little bit difficult for him," O'Keefe said.

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, tas

First posted February 08, 2012 16:06:33

View the original article here

Vital points on the line at WACA

Updated March 03, 2012 22:29:38

Victoria looks on course to harm Western Australia's Sheffield Shield final hopes as it enters the final day at the WACA Ground with a 337-run lead.

At stumps on day three, the Bushrangers were 6 for 361 in their second innings, with opener Chris Rogers the leading contributor with 124 on his old home ground.

Ryan Carters is not out 27, while Will Sheridan is unbeaten on 21.

Sheridan appeared to be caught on the boundary by Travis Birt for 15 in the final over, but was called back by the umpires, who weren't convinced the catch was completed in the field of play and ruled it was a six.

Both teams will be desperate for the outright result on Sunday.

If the Warriors win they will book their berth in the final, and almost certainly secure the right to play the match at the WACA Ground, having not played in the decider since 1998-99.

The Bushrangers can only stay in the hunt for the final if they secure an outright victory.

Rogers punished his former state with a polished century after the Bushrangers trailed by 24 on the first innings.

The 34-year-old Rogers notched his fourth first-class century against his old state, and his 52nd overall.

Although he slashed several balls through slips, Rogers did not give a chance on his way to triple figures, reaching his ton in 220 minutes, having faced 181 balls and hit 18 boundaries.

Rogers, who was eventually bowled by Michael Beer, has 13 centuries in 37 first-class matches at the WACA Ground.

Rogers and Rob Quiney (66) put on 142 for the first wicket to provide a perfect launching pad for the innings.

Bushrangers skipper Cameron White again struggled in making 33 before being clean bowled by Nathan Rimmington, who was the pick of the home bowlers with 2 for 61.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, wa, vic

First posted March 03, 2012 21:52:57

View the original article here

Tigers into one-day cup final

Updated February 17, 2012 08:43:27

Tasmania powered into the domestic one-day cup final with an emphatic seven-wicket victory over Queensland at Bellerive Oval.

Test opener Ed Cowan and rising star Jonathan Wells cracked centuries as the Tigers chased down a competitive Bulls total of 8 for 282 with 16 balls to spare, never giving the visitors a sniff of the bonus point victory they needed to make the decider.

Cowan and Wells put on 223, the fifth highest second wicket partnership in domestic one-day history as the Tigers completed the highest chase at Bellerive in the competition.

Tasmania will play in their fourth final in five seasons and are now a chance of hosting South Australia on February 25.

The Tigers moved to 26 points on the ladder, ahead of the 23 points of the Redbacks, who still to play Victoria in their last regular season match on Saturday.

Cowan and Wells paced the innings perfectly, ensuring the 226 needed to deny the Bulls the bonus point was in sight before hitting the accelerator in a bid for the home final.

The Tigers' chase did not begin well when Cosgrove was out LBW to Alister McDermott for one in just the third over.

Wells had lives on 7 and 45 when wicketkeeper Ben Dunk dropped him and missed a stumping on a poor night in the field for the visitors.

But he and Cowan put the Bulls out of business in the 38th over when a boundary from the Test opener took the home side to 1 for 228.

Cowan's 125 came off 107 balls with 13 fours and two sixes before he was run out, while Wells steered the side home with an unbeaten 121 from 145 balls.

Earlier, the Bulls rebounded from 2 for 16 with young gun Chris Lynn making 98 off 100 balls and an injured Nathan Reardon 67 off 68.

In-form Jackson Bird was the best of the Tigers' bowlers with an impressive 2 for 20 from seven overs.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, hobart-7000, brisbane-4000

First posted February 15, 2012 22:11:29

View the original article here

Vics primed for Shield assault

Updated February 05, 2012 19:16:28

Captain Cameron White believes Victoria is primed for a late assault on the Sheffield Shield after crushing South Australia in Adelaide.

The Bushrangers sealed a 186-run triumph over the hapless Redbacks on Sunday to rise to third on the ladder.

While White was bullish about his side's prospects, Redbacks captain Michael Klinger challenged his chronic underachievers to improve.

The Redbacks have not won a Shield match since November 2010.

And with just two points this season, they are headed for a third consecutive wooden spoon.

"The selectors are picking young blokes so sometimes we have to expect these sort of results, but there is no excuse for it," Klinger said after the Redbacks were bowled out for 258 before tea on Sunday's final day.

"The guys in the team, and I'm one of them, should be performing as well as can be every time ... we still have some senior guys in the team who need to be putting their hand up a little bit more."

The Bushrangers were missing frontliners including Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Clint McKay, David Hussey, Aaron Finch and Matthew Wade.

But they still smashed the Redbacks on the back of centuries in each innings from opener Rob Quiney.

White says the Bushrangers, with 18 points and another Shield match against the lowly Redbacks to come, are positioning to challenge second-placed Western Australia (20 points) for a spot in the final against pacesetter Queensland (30 points).

White's lean trot continued with the bat with scores of 3 and 18 but on Sunday he produced the match-breaking moment.

The skipper took a stunning slips catch to dismiss Redbacks strokeplayer Callum Ferguson (79), diving full stretch to his right and horizontal to the ground, White plucked a one-hander.

Ferguson's departure ended a threatening 132-run partnership with Tom Cooper, who top-scored with 93.

Cooper's polished knock finished when caught and bowled by spinner Jon Holland, who proceeded to clean up the Redbacks' tail and finish with 4 for 74.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, adelaide-5000, melbourne-3000

First posted February 05, 2012 16:20:17

View the original article here

Wade shrugs off Haddin rivalry talk

Updated March 01, 2012 07:36:39

Australian one-day cricket wicketkeeper Matthew Wade has dismissed talk of a rivalry with Brad Haddin, saying it would be "stupid" not to try to learn from him.

Wade and Haddin have both been included in the national ODI squad for the upcoming West Indies tour.

One of the big stories in this Australian cricket season has been Wade taking the gloves from Haddin for the international T20 and one-day games and it is sure to continue with a question mark over whether the latter retains his role as Test keeper on the Windies tour.

But Wade does not see himself in a contest with Haddin.

"I don't know if competition is the word," he said.

"I'm looking to work pretty closely with Brad and try to tap into his experience.

"He's been on plenty of big tours before, this is my first big tour.

"Hopefully we can work well together."

Wade is confident that despite their competition for the 'keeping role, they will continue to have a good rapport.

"We can definitely work well together, I know Brad reasonably well," he said.

"I spoke to him at the Allan Border Medal at length and he gave me a call when I got picked for the one-dayers - he's been really giving.

"I can't see there being any problem.

"I'm just starting international cricket and he's been playing for a long time ... I'm going to be looking to learn off him, I'd be stupid not to."

Selectors indicated several weeks ago they planned to take both glovemen to the West Indies.

Chairman of selectors John Inverarity is looking forward to the pair pushing each other.

"In competitive sport, rivals - friendly rivalry - pushes each other to greater heights," he said.

"They'll do that in the West Indies.

"I know they're both looking forward to working together."

Inverarity said Haddin remained the Test 'keeper, but added there was a "possibility" that Wade could take that spot as well.

"At this moment, Brad is our Test wicketkeeper," Inverarity said.

"If Matthew does extraordinarily well, of course he comes into contention."

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, australia

First posted March 01, 2012 07:33:13

View the original article here

Vics in control against SA

Updated February 15, 2012 08:04:25

Nineteen wickets tumbled on Tuesday's second day of play as Victoria took a stranglehold of its Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia at the MCG.

Chasing 302 for victory, the winless Redbacks will resume on Wednesday on 3 for 55.

Tom Cooper (21) and Callum Ferguson (14) are the batsmen at the crease for South Australia on a pitch that has offered plenty of assistance to the pace bowlers.

James Smith and Michael Klinger were both out for 1, caught at second slip off the bowling of Test quick Peter Siddle (2 for 21).

The Redbacks also lost Tomas Stray who was caught behind for 18 to Jayde Herrick's bowling.

Fourth-placed Victoria was rolled for 181 in their second innings, although it could have been much worse.

The last-wicket partnership of 77 between Ryan Carters (35 not out) and Jon Holland (55) was the highest of the innings.

Holland slogged a career-best 55 including eight fours off 39 deliveries.

Chadd Sayers, a 24-year-old seamer nicknamed "Leo" and playing in his third first-class match, took his maiden five-wicket haul of 5 for 57 from 24 overs.

Rob Quiney (19) and Chris Rogers (36) shared a 56-run opening stand before Victoria lost 9 for 48.

Quiney and Rogers fell in consecutive overs and Aaron Finch completed a pair when he was caught at first slip off Carl Tietjens' bowling.

Out-of-form skipper Cameron White was LBW for 3 to Sayers.

White slapped his thigh in anger as he walked off, indicating the ball had struck him high.

Peter Handscomb (5) and Andrew McDonald (10) were also LBW to Sayers.

Will Sheridan (7) was stumped in unusual circumstances as Adam Crosthwaite, standing back to paceman Tietjens, brilliantly threw the wicket down.

Joe Mennie claimed 3 for 68 to finish with match figures of 8 for 111.

Earlier, medium-pacer McDonald took 5 for 21 off 16 overs as South Australia collapsed for 100 in reply to Victoria's first innings of 220.

South Australia had resumed on 4 for 81 and lost 6 for 19.

The day's tally of 19 wickets fell one run shy of the record for a Shield match at the MCG.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, melbourne-3000

First posted February 14, 2012 19:33:23

View the original article here

Sri Lanka to target weak Australia bowlers

Updated February 10, 2012 06:24:28

Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene claims Australia's bowling attack is its weakness, and his batsmen will target them in Friday's one-day international at the WACA Ground.

With Brett Lee out injured and emerging stars Pat Cummins and James Pattinson still on the comeback trail, Jayawardene said Australia's bowling attack could potentially be exposed if his team plays smartly.

Those comments are sure to fire up the likes of speedsters Clint McKay and Mitchell Starc, who combined for six wickets to skittle India for just 151 in the series-opener.

Ryan Harris, who boasts a one-day average of 16.80, and spinner Xavier Doherty were also part of that attack and will no doubt want to prove a point against Sri Lanka on Friday.

Jayawardene said his team needed to win the key moments to cause an upset over Australia.

And with Harris having endured an injury-hit summer and Starc and McKay still yet to establish themselves as regulars in the national set-up, Jayawardene felt his batting line-up had a good chance to get on top.

"(Harris) is a decent bowler but they're still missing quite a few frontline guys," Jayawardene said after Sri Lanka's four-wicket loss to India in Perth on Wednesday.

"That's an area we can target."

Sri Lanka was disappointing in its opening match of the series, posting just 8 for 233 before India cruised to the victory target with 20 balls to spare.

The match was Sri Lanka's first under new coach Graham Ford, who controversially replaced the sacked Geoff Marsh last month.

Jayawardene, who took over as skipper from Tillakaratne Dilshan as part of the upheaval, said it would take time for his team to build momentum.

Australian batsman Peter Forrest is likely to be handed his one-day international debut on Friday, but coach Mickey Arthur said he was struggling to decide who to leave out of the side.

Paceman Ben Hilfenhaus has been drafted into the squad as cover for Lee, but Arthur said he was almost certain to stick with the same bowling attack that performed so well against India last week.

AAP

Tags: sport, onedayseries, cricket, sri-lanka, wa

First posted February 09, 2012 16:55:04

View the original article here

Haddin omission lacked clarity: ACA

Updated February 17, 2012 06:43:25

Australian Cricketers' Association chief executive Paul Marsh says Brad Haddin understood he was not being rested from one-day duty after a poor Test series against India and selectors could have handled his omission better.

Haddin was left out for the first three matches of the tri-series against India and Sri Lanka, with chairman of selector John Inverarity citing the need for the player to be "rested" for future international duties.

But he was overlooked again in a 14-man squad named this week for the next two matches against Sri Lanka on Friday and India on Sunday, sparking accusations from former and current players of mixed messages from the selection panel.

His replacement Matt Wade has retained his spot in the squad after scoring 1 and 16 in his two most recent matches, following a match-winning half-century on his one-day debut against India in the series opener in Melbourne.

Marsh says Haddin, at least, is aware of where he stood.

"He told me they had communicated with him that they wanted to try out Matthew Wade," Marsh said.

"It seems a lot of the talk stemmed from the 'resting' line.

"From a player's perspective, we're satisfied that it was handled OK. It could have been handled better from a public perspective."

Former Australia captain Steve Waugh described Haddin's "enforced rest" as confusing, while the wicketkeeper's team-mate Shane Watson saying he felt sorry for him about being in "limbo".

Asked if he thought Haddin was right to assume he had been dropped, Ricky Ponting was characteristically candid.

"I think that's a fair assessment," he said.

Local media have lined up to criticise the newly-minted selection panel, which replaced the previous one led by Andrew Hilditch last year following a team performance review.

The Argus review, launched in the wake of Australia's humiliating 3-1 loss in the Ashes series to England on home soil last year, criticised the former panel for confusing selection decisions and for failing to make adequate succession planning.

Haddin will play a domestic Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales this week as he strives to regain his spot in the team.

Reuters

Tags: sport, cricket, australia

First posted February 16, 2012 19:15:15

View the original article here

Ryder cops ban, misses Test

Updated March 02, 2012 08:43:51

Jesse Ryder has been dropped from the New Zealand cricket team for the first Test against South Africa on form, not as a result of going out for drinks and getting into a verbal stoush with bar patrons.

Ryder and paceman Doug Bracewell were dropped for the final one-day international on Saturday for breaking team protocol following the team's six-wicket loss in Napier on Wednesday.

The pair, despite being injured, went to a bar and then got into a slanging match with members of the public.

Two Rotorua businessmen said they had seen Ryder out and asked whether he should be drinking after scoring a duck against South Africa, a newspaper reported.

They said Ryder then yelled abuse at them.

Ryder, 27, who has a string of booze-related incidents in his past, also broke a self-imposed alcohol ban.

When asked whether it was the final straw for Ryder, a "very disappointed" team manager Mike Sandle told reporters the Napier stoush was not a code of conduct issue, as were the previous incidents, but strictly about team protocol.

Under team rules, injured players were not permitted to drink which was why a third player, Tarun Nethula, was not censured.

Ryder has a hand injury and is recovering from a calf strain, while Bracewell had a hamstring niggle.

The drinking was "very minor" but the argument was a by-product of them being out and they exposed themselves to jibes, Sandle said.

It was up to Ryder to address his drinking, he said.

"Jesse realises that if you are a New Zealand representative there are obligations that come with that.

"He really has to learn from this himself and move on. He is the only one who can make these decisions."

Sandle said Ryder would not be in the squad for the first Test in Dunedin based on form.

Bracewell, 21, is expected to play in the Test.

Auckland's Colin de Grandhomme replaces Ryder in the side for the Saturday's match at Eden Park.

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, new-zealand

First posted March 02, 2012 08:43:51

View the original article here

Whatmore to take over as Pakistan coach

Updated March 02, 2012 23:55:49

Former Australian batsman Dav Whatmore, who guided Sri Lanka to World Cup glory in 1996, will sign a contract to become Pakistan's new cricket coach.

The 57-year-old Whatmore, who played seven Tests and one limited overs international for Australia, also helped Bangladesh reach the second round in the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean.

Whatmore was chosen by a three-member coaching committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after regular coach Waqar Younis left the post citing health issues in September last year.

Former Pakistan opener Mohsin Khan was appointed interim coach under whom Pakistan beat Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and whitewashed England 3-0 in Tests before they went down tamely 4-0 in one-day series and 2-1 in the Twenty20 internationals last month.

The head of the coaching committee Intikhab Alam confirmed Whatmore will sign a contract.

"Whatmore and Julien Fountain (likely to take over as fielding coach) have arrived here and Whatmore will sign a contract as head coach of the Pakistan team," Alam said, refusing to give further details of the contract.

Whatmore's first assignment will be to help the team in the four-nation Asia Cup in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Defending champions India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will also compete in the March 11-22 event.

Alam said Whatmore would assist the newly-formed selection committee along with captain Misbah-ul Haq to pick the squad. Former spinner Iqbal Qasim was appointed head of the selection committee after Mohammad Ilyas resigned from the post on Thursday.

Whatmore will be Pakistan's fourth foreign coach after Richard Pybus (South Africa), Bob Woolmer (England and South Africa) and Geoff Lawson.

Reuters

Tags: cricket, sport, pakistan

First posted March 02, 2012 21:09:45

View the original article here

Bravo in, Gayle out for Aussie tour

Updated March 02, 2012 13:31:27

All-rounder Dwayne Bravo could bring his nine-month international cricket exile to an end next month against Australia after being selected for a West Indies training camp.

But explosive opener Chris Gayle has again been overlooked as his dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) continues.

Bravo's last game for the West Indies was a one-day international against India in June 2011, but was overlooked by selectors for the tour of Bangladesh in October and then suffered an ankle injury.

But the 28-year-old has proven his fitness in recent months playing Twenty20 cricket in Australia for the Sydney Sixers, in the West Indies with Trinidad and Tobago and most recently for the Chittagong Kings in the Bangladesh Premier League.

Bravo's globe-trotting has been rewarded with him being chosen as one of 13 non-contracted players to join 17 contracted cricketers for a two-week camp in Barbados which ends on March 12.

The West Indies squad to play Australia in five ODIs and two T20 internationals will be picked from those 30 players.

Gayle, who also played this summer's Big Bash League in Australia at the Sydney Thunder, has not featured for the West Indies since last year's World Cup after a fallout with the WICB.

But the 32-year-old might be back in contention for selection for the three Tests starting on April 7 in Barbados after a board meeting in St Lucia last weekend.

One of the resolutions of the board meeting was for WICB president Julian Hunte to arrange a meeting with Jamaican prime minister Portia Simpson-Miller to discuss "matters pertaining to cricket in Jamaica and the West Indies and Chris Gayle".

It is not the first time the board have held talks relating to Gayle, however, and even face-to-face meetings with the batsman have failed to provide a resolution to the dispute.

The first one-day international of Australia's tour will be held in St Vincent on March 16.

The 17 contracted players are: Adrian Barath, Carlton Baugh, Devendra Bishoo, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Fidel Edwards, Kirk Edwards, Shannon Gabriel, Nelon Pascal, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels, Shane Shillingford and Devon Thomas.

The 13 additional players under consideration: Samuel Badree, Tino Best, Nkrumah Bonner, Dwayne Bravo, Johnson Charles, Shane Dowrich, Danza Hyatt, Garey Mathurin, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Krishmar Santokie and Dwayne Smith.

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, barbados

First posted March 02, 2012 13:30:26

View the original article here

Aussies labour to 231

Updated February 10, 2012 19:34:55

Sri Lanka took regular wickets to restrict Australia to a disappointing total of 231 in their one-day international clash at the WACA Ground in Perth.

The tourists, coming off a loss to India on Wednesday, won the toss and somewhat surprisingly elected to field first on another hot day in Perth and bowled Australia out in the 50th over.

Skipper Michael Clarke top-scored with a patient 57 while all five of Sri Lanka's bowlers took two wickets apiece.

With the exception of Matthew Wade and Ricky Ponting, who were both dismissed for 1, Australia's batsmen failed to make the most of handy starts on what proved to a be a tough WACA track to judge.

Opener David Warner (34) and middle order match-winners Michael (23) and David Hussey (27) all looked comfortable at the crease but fell victim to some sharp bowling and fielding by Sri Lanka.

That forced Clarke into playing a pedestrian innings as wickets fell around him, bringing up his half-century in 80 balls while a 56-run stand with Dan Christian (33 off 44) proved vital for the sixth wicket.

But the departure of Christian, Clarke and Ryan Harris (3) in successive overs exposed the tail and saw Australia labour to the 50-over mark.

Clint McKay managed a handy run-a-ball 25 before becoming the final man to go, falling to a terrific catch by Lahiru Thirimanne on the boundary to cap off an overall brilliant display in the field by Sri Lanka.

Nuwan Kulasekara (2 for 39) bowled well with the new ball and dismissed Wade in just the fourth over with Ponting following after being given out lbw to Lasith Malinga (2 for 48).

Angelo Mathews (2 for 37) was rewarded with the scalp of Warner and Australia was 3 for 50 inside the opening 10 overs.

Hussey managed 23 off 32 before falling to an impressive return catch by Kulasekara and David Hussey and Clarke's stand of 49 was ended just at it began to pick up speed.

Christian started quick out of the blocks but was stumped off the bowling of inexperienced all-rounder Sachithra Senanayake (2 for 45) before Mathews returned to take the key wicket of Clarke.

Listen to ABC Grandstand's live broadcast of the second innings

Tags: sport, onedayseries, cricket, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted February 10, 2012 19:26:18

View the original article here

Cricket Image Gallery Helps You Travel Back In Time To Relive The Golden Moments

Blues pushing final out of Vics' reach

Updated March 09, 2012 20:24:06

Victoria was left clinging to its faint hopes of qualifying for next week's Sheffield Shield final after New South Wales grabbed a 172-run advantage on day two of their clash at the MCG.

The Blues reached 6 for 149 in their second innings at stumps on Friday, with Peter Nevill unbeaten on 24 and Stephen O'Keefe 4 not out.

Nic Maddinson top scored with 51 on a lively pitch which yielded 26 wickets in two days.

Big wins this weekend by Queensland over South Australia and Tasmania against Western Australia would make it tough for fourth-placed Victoria to squeeze through into a top-two finish.

"You can't worry too much about it. We've still got plenty to be done here," Peter Siddle said.

"We've got to chase down these runs tomorrow or Sunday morning and see how we go (for the final).

"It is probably going to be hard for us.

"Hopefully the rain clouds (come) in the other two places (in Hobart and Brisbane)."

New South Wales coach Anthony Stuart said he was rapt with the performance of occasional medium-pacer Rohrer, who claimed a career-best 4 for 13,
but less pleased with his batsmen.

"We'd still like to have six or seven wickets in the shed but we don't and we have to deal with that," he said.

"Anything over 200 is going to be a good chase. Ideally we should be better-placed than we are so we're disappointed."

New South Wales began its second innings with a lead of 23 but lost Phil Hughes for a third-ball duck, caught at third slip off Jayde Herrick's bowling.

Usman Khawaja (33) was caught behind off Andrew McDonald and Steven Smith fell for 11, lbw to Will Sheridan.

Test quick Peter Siddle (2 for 38) trapped Maddinson lbw and Rohrer (17) was stumped in a bizarre manner.

Quick-thinking wicketkeeper Peter Handscomb threw the stumps down from backward square leg as Rohrer wandered out of his crease and Siddle unsuccessfully appealed for a lbw decision.

Spinner Jon Holland removed David Dawson lbw for 4 to make it 6 for 143 in the following over.

Rohrer and debutant paceman Chris Tremain (3 for 61) combined to bowl Victoria out for 185 in reply to the Blues' first-innings total of 208.

Skipper Cameron White top scored for Victoria with 39 and Glenn Maxwell was unbeaten on 26.

Fourth-placed Victoria had resumed on Friday on 1 for 22 against the fifth-placed Blues, who are out of contention for a spot in the final from March 16-20.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted March 09, 2012 19:36:45

View the original article here

Redbacks show resistance against Tigers

Updated March 02, 2012 20:30:59

Ricky Ponting's dark cloud of being axed from the Australian one-day side contains a silver lining which he says could complete his cricket resume.

Ponting's limited overs omission has gifted the ruthless run-scorer a chance to win a coveted Sheffield Shield for his native Tasmania.

And the former Australian captain isn't going to waste the opportunity, evidenced by his sterling century against South Australia on Friday.

Ponting's 130 helped Tasmania to a whopping 273-run lead on the first innings over the Redbacks, who were 0-103 in their second dig at stumps on day three at Adelaide Oval.

And more importantly, Ponting's ton put the Tigers in contention for the Shield final later this month - ironically to be played as Australia's one-day squad tour the West Indies.

Tasmania's first innings domination of SA lifted them to 30 points on the Shield ladder - equal second with Queensland and just two points shy of leaders Western Australia.

Had Ponting not been dropped by national selectors, he would have missed a chance to fulfill a lifelong ambition of winning a Shield for his beloved Tasmania.

The Tigers have collected two Shields, in 2007/07 and 2010/11, and Ponting was on national duty both times.

"That is why this week is so important to me, to give ourselves a chance of making the Shield final," Ponting said.

"The whole group is striving towards that and I'm lucky enough to be one of the guys to slot back in and hopefully be a part of a successful Tasmanian cricket season again.

"It's one thing on my resume that I haven't achieved: winning a title for Tassie."

Ponting doubted his latest century would change the minds of national selectors who punted him from the one-day outfit.

"You can only listen to what they (selectors) said the other day, that is the door is never closed on anybody," Ponting said.

"I'm not sure I'll get picked again though, I'm 37 now, I'm not sure they will be turning back to me unless they have 10 injuries out of nowhere.

"And I'm fine with that, I can't complain about the run I have had."

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport

First posted March 02, 2012 19:49:40

View the original article here

Smith, Kallis bat Proteas into ascendancy

Updated March 09, 2012 19:57:13

South Africa skipper Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis both scored centuries and combined for a 200-run partnership as the tourists virtually batted New Zealand out of the first Test by the close of play on the third day.

Smith (115) and Kallis (107 not out) had come together with their side at 2 for 47 and with just a 12-run lead after Doug Bracewell had taken two wickets in one over before lunch to give the hosts hopes of pushing for an upset victory.

The experienced duo, however, consolidated their innings before lunch then built on it afterwards to guide South Africa to 3 for 268 by the close of play at University Oval in Dunedin, an overall lead of 233.

Jacques Rudolph, who was given out lbw to Bracewell shortly before the close but had the decision overturned when television replays showed the ball had marginally pitched outside leg stump, was with Kallis on 13.

Smith brought up his 24th Test century from 201 balls when he flicked a Daniel Vettori delivery through a packed onside field for a single, while Kallis achieved his 42nd Test century with a quick single into the off side.

The South African captain had fallen shortly before Kallis reached his ton, becoming Bracewell's third victim of the innings when he was bowled by the seventh delivery with the second new ball.

New Zealand had been buoyed before lunch when Bracewell had dismissed Alviro Petersen (25) and Hashim Amla (2) in the same over to leave South Africa struggling.

Momentum looked to be swinging the hosts' way after Trent Boult's cameo of 33 not out gave them a 35-run first innings lead.

Reuters

Tags: cricket, sport, new-zealand, south-africa

First posted March 09, 2012 19:57:13

View the original article here

McDermott stars but WA secures one-wicket win

Updated February 10, 2012 06:27:22

A remarkable seven-wicket haul by Alister McDermott could not stop Western Australia grabbing a dramatic one-wicket Sheffield Shield win over Queensland at the Gabba.

Chasing just 68 to win, the Warriors were reduced to 9 for 64 after McDermott's incredible haul of 7 for 24 was followed by two wickets from Ben Cutting (2 for 29).

Tail-ender Michael Hogan survived Cutting's hat-trick ball then rattled off the remaining four runs required for victory off the next two balls to break Queensland hearts.

Already boasting an action similar to his former Test-playing father Craig, McDermott provided a fiery spell not unlike his dad on a deteriorating pitch to ensure WA heart palpitations.

McDermott took the first seven wickets to fall ensuring a comfortable run chase became a white-knuckle ride for the visitors.

In just his fifth first class game, McDermott's previous best figures were 3 for 66.

Amazingly, McDermott's figures could have been better - Ryan Broad hung his head after dropping Nathan Coulter-Nile in the slips with the visitors at 7 for 63.

But Cutting ensured Queensland was not finished with yet.

He had Coulter-Nile caught behind before bowling Michael Beer next ball and suddenly WA was 9 for 64.

However, Hogan showed nerves of steel to seal an outright victory for second placed WA that whittled Queensland's ladder lead to just four points with three rounds remaining.

Earlier on Thursday, Queensland set a paltry victory total after at one stage losing 4 for 11 to be bundled out for 175 in its second dig.

Ex-Test spinner Beer (3 for 19) was the main destroyer.

He sparked the collapse by dismissing Chris Hartley (21) and Cameron Boyce (0) in three balls to reduce the hosts to 8 for 164.

Hartley was hardly impressed when given out caught at bat-pad, standing his ground before trudging off as WA celebrated.

Beer completed the rout when he trapped Luke Feldman in front as Queensland overall lost 6 for 49 on Thursday.

Top scorer for Queensland was Joe Burns (43) but Michael Neser received the loudest applause.

The all-rounder defied an ankle sprain to bat on Thursday - a job made harder with runners not unavailable.

He hobbled to 9 before being bowled by ex-Bulls quick Nathan Rimmington (3 for 28).

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, qld, wa

First posted February 09, 2012 16:14:55

View the original article here

Christian hat-trick slows Sri Lanka

Updated March 02, 2012 18:51:35

Dan Christian claimed a hat-trick as Australia bowled Sri Lanka out for 238 in their crucial one-day international at the MCG.

Sri Lanka need a win or a tie to advance ahead of India to the best-of-three finals series against Australia, which starts in Brisbane on Sunday.

While Australia had little to play for on Friday, Christian made sure of his place in the side for the finals series with a stunning performance of 5 for 31 from his nine overs.

Christian's hat-trick came in the 44th over as Thisara Perera fell to a spectacular juggling catch by Mike Hussey on the boundary rope at deep mid-wicket for 5.

Sachitra Senanayake and Nuwan Kulasekara were adjudged LBW for ducks in the following two deliveries, although replays suggested the Kulasekara dismissal was dubious and the ball was missing leg stump.

It is just the fourth hat-trick by an Australian in an one-day international match.

Young paceman James Pattinson claimed 4 for 51 in his first international match since injuring his foot in the Sydney Test two months ago.

Pattinson's career-best haul included the key wickets of Dinesh Chandimal (75), Kumar Sangakkara (64) and Lahiru Thirimanne (51).

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss but failed to give his side a solid platform. The skipper was run out by David Hussey for 5 and Tillakaratne Dilshan fell caught behind off Pattinson for 9.

Chandimal came to the crease at 2 for 17. The 22-year-old was able to steady the innings by combining with ex-skipper Sangakkara to add 123 for the third wicket.

Pattinson's extra pace contributed to Sangakkara falling caught at deep backward square in the 29th over.

Chandimal was caught at mid-off in the 39th over, robbing the tourists of momentum heading into the final phase of the innings.

Xavier Doherty took a fine running catch off Christian's bowling to dismiss Angelo Mathews for five at 5 for 195.

Christian was mobbed by team-mates after his hat-trick reduced Sri Lanka to 8 for 206 and the last two wickets to fall were Thirimanne bowled by Pattinson and Lasith Malinga, who was bowled by Christian for 2.

Australia rested Brett Lee (foot) and skipper Michael Clarke (back/hamstring), while Sri Lanka recalled off-spinner Senanayake for injured paceman Farveez Maharoof.

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, australia

First posted March 02, 2012 18:09:38

View the original article here

Clarke backs Forrest for Test honours

Updated February 10, 2012 07:01:42

He is yet to even make his one-day international debut, but Peter Forrest is on track to become an important member of Australia's Test line-up, according to skipper Michael Clarke.

Forrest has enjoyed a breakthrough season in Shield ranks this summer, plundering three tons and four half-centuries at an average of 58.1.

Although his form in the one-day format has not been nearly as impressive, the 26-year-old did enough to convince selectors to include him in Australia's squad for the triangular 50-over series against India and Sri Lanka.

After missing selection in game one, Forrest is a strong chance make his debut in Friday's one-day clash with Sri Lanka at the WACA Ground.

But Clarke believes the right-hander can achieve even higher honours further down the track.

"Foz is a wonderful talent and has been pretty successful for Queensland this year," he said on Thursday.

"He's got a very good technique, he's a very good top order batsman and I think he can play a big part in Australian cricket going forward.

"Not just in one-day cricket ... I think he's got the potential to play Test cricket as well in the future.

"It's good that Foz is around the group. It gives him a great opportunity to see what it's like around the Australian change rooms and how we go about our work in training and things like that.

"If he gets an opportunity to play, it's important he makes the most of it, but I'm not sure what 11 players we'll take onto the ground at the moment."

Australia will go into the game against Sri Lanka with the same bowling attack that skittled India for 151 last week.

With Brett Lee out injured, Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene claimed Australia's bowling attack was its weak point.

But Clarke said his side had not taken any notice of the comments, and would let its actions speak louder than words.

And with the likes of Ricky Ponting and the Hussey brothers mixing it with youngsters David Warner, Mitchell Starc and Matthew Wade, Clarke felt the team had the perfect blend of youth and experience.

"Guys that have played a lot in Australia in these conditions can help the guys who haven't played too much international cricket in these conditions, so I think the mix is pretty good," he said.

"We know we're playing against two very good teams, two World Cup finalists, and we know we need to be at our best to beat them.

"Our goal is to win every game we play this series."

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, wa, australia, qld

First posted February 09, 2012 19:03:14

View the original article here

Ponting nears ton for Tassie

Updated March 02, 2012 08:10:22

A stylish Ricky Ponting neared a century and helped Tasmania bank vital innings points against hapless South Australia in the Sheffield Shield match in Adelaide.

Ponting compiled an unbeaten 91 and his captain George Bailey made 65 as the Tigers took a 73-run lead by the close of Thursday's second day.

After bowling the Redbacks out for just 126, Ponting steered his state to commanding 3 for 199 at stumps - all after the opening day was washed out.

The last-placed Redbacks crashed spectacularly with the bat, their last seven wickets falling for just 15 runs.

Opener Tom Stray (51) posted his maiden first-class half-century but none of the last eight Redback batsmen passed seven runs.

Tigers paceman James Faulkner (4 for 22) and Jackson Bird (4 for 48) were the destroyers after South Australia won the toss.

The Redbacks were skittled in less than 50 overs, with only captain Michael Klinger (25) and teenager Travis Head (21) joining Stray with double-figure scores.

Tasmania, which entered the fixture in third-place on the Shield table, wasted little time in making ground on competition leaders Western Australia.

The Tigers now have 30 points, equal with second-placed Queensland - both states just two points behind WA.

Ponting was supreme after Test opener Ed Cowan (11) and Alex Doolan (14) fell cheaply and Mark Cosgrove retired hurt on 13 when struck on the left hand by a Gary Putland bouncer.

The former Australian captain and Bailey combined in a 142-run partnership for the third wicket against the demoralised South Australians.

The pair ensured Tasmania collected first innings points within 30 overs on a day's play extended by an hour to compensate for Wednesday's wash-out.

Ponting, in his first Shield game since October last year, hammered the hosts with a blend of trademark back foot strokes, powerful drives and deft placement.

Ponting was within sight of his 76th first-class century at stumps, having struck nine fours and six from his 114 balls faced.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, adelaide-5000, sa, australia, tas

First posted March 01, 2012 23:58:43

View the original article here

Tigers shake off illness against Warriors

Updated March 09, 2012 08:00:44

Tasmania rebounded from the loss of three players from a debilitating bout of food poisoning to have the upper hand after day one of the crucial Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia at Bellerive.

The Tigers lost batsman Alex Doolan and all-rounders Matt Johnston and Jeremy Smith on match morning after several members of their squad had spent time in hospital on intravenous drips.

Spinner Jason Krejza, who was also badly affected, bowled just 1.5 overs for Tasmania, which had already lost Mark Cosgrove with a fractured hand before he was among those hospitalised, and captain George Bailey (Australian duties).

The health crisis did not stop the home side skittling Western Australia for 142 after Ricky Ponting had sent the ladder leaders in on another green deck.

At stumps, after bad light stopped play, the Tigers were 1 for 73 with Ed Cowan unbeaten on 47 and Nick Kruger on 5.

Salmonella poisoning on the Tigers' recent trip to Adelaide for matches against South Australia was suspected as the cause of the illness, with health officials in two states investigating.

With a one-day international final being played between Australia and Sri Lanka in Adelaide on Thursday, SACA chief executive Keith Bradshaw was attempting to calm fears, saying food preparation areas at the Adelaide Oval had been given the all-clear.

"Tasmanian team officials have told us that two Tasmanian players and an umpire are in hospital and that two other players have been withdrawn from play due to illness," Bradshaw said.

"Traces of salmonella and a virus called norovirus are showing in tests from Tasmania but SA Health is continuing its investigation and the source and exact cause of the contamination is still unknown."

Tasmanian paceman Jackson Bird took 5 for 32, his fourth five-wicket haul of the summer, removing both openers in the 13th over to have Western Australia 2 for 20.

James Faulkner (2 for 35) chimed in with the key wickets of Shaun Marsh (34) and former Tasmanian Travis Birt (0) just before lunch and the Warriors went to the break at 4 for 72.

But only Warriors captain Adam Voges (49), Test discard Marsh and tail-ender Nathan Coulter-Nile (26) were able to reach double figures as the visitors at one stage lost 4 for 5 to be 6 for 77.

Cowan continued to mine his rich vein of form as he anchored the Tigers' reply, but opening partner Steve Cazzulino fell for 18 shortly before stumps, edging Coulter-Nile to Marsh at second slip.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, hobart-7000, tas, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted March 08, 2012 18:35:22

View the original article here

Troubled Ryder takes break

Updated March 09, 2012 16:02:24

New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder will take an indefinite break from cricket to deal with personal issues after being dropped following a drinking binge.

Ryder and paceman Doug Bracewell were suspended from the New Zealand one-day team for one match after going drinking after a loss to South Africa in Napier last week and becoming involved in a row in a hotel.

The 27-year-old Ryder was also left out of the Test squad for this week's first Test against the Proteas, although selectors insisted the omission was due to concerns about form and fitness.

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, australia

First posted March 09, 2012 16:02:24

View the original article here

Black Caps seal series sweep

Updated February 10, 2012 06:28:52

New Zealand has completed a 3-0 whitewash over Zimbabwe in their one-day international cricket series, helped by a century from captain Brendon McCullum.

The Black Caps won the final ODI in Napier on Thursday by 202 runs after the tourists never threatened to chase down the target of 374.

Only captain Brendan Taylor, with 65, offered any real resistance as Zimbabwe was bowled out for 171 in 44 overs.

It was the fourth successive heavy defeat for the tourists, after they were beaten by an innings and 301 runs in the one-off Test, and by 90 and 141 runs in the first two one-dayers.

McCullum won the toss at McLean Park and had no hesitation in batting on a good wicket.

New Zealand's total of 8 for 373, its highest on home soil, was set up by a another century partnership from openers Martin Guptill and Rob Nicol.

The pair put on 153, at seven runs an over, to go with their 131-run stand in game two in Whangarei, when Nicol made a century and the Black Caps ended on a similar score of 6 for 372.

Nicol got 61 before the stand was broken, while Guptill fell in the next delivery after making 85 from 69 balls in his third half-century of the series.

Zimbabwe was able to slow down the scoring during the middle stages of New Zealand's innings, before McCullum, batting at number four, picked up the pace on the way to 119, his fourth ODI ton.

He had a life on 48 when Regis Chakabva spilled a regulation catch at long-off.

There was also a stutter when batting partner Andrew Ellis was run out as he tried to make it home for the run that would have got his captain to three figures.

McCullum made no mistake the next ball, driving to long off for a single.

He was dismissed on the final ball of the innings as he went for one last slog to try to improve his tally of seven fours and five sixes.

Zimbabwe completes its tour with two Twenty20 internationals, the first in Auckland on Saturday.

AAP

Tags: onedayseries, cricket, sport, new-zealand

First posted February 09, 2012 20:05:55

View the original article here

Sri Lanka overcome shaky start

Updated March 02, 2012 16:43:51

Sri Lanka has overcome a shaky start in the tri-series one-day international against Australia at the MCG.

Sri Lanka, who won the toss and elected to bat, were three for 152 after 33 overs.

Kumar Sangakkara and Dinesh Chandimal put together a partnership of 123 off 144 balls to rescue their side from a poor start.

Sangakkara was caught in the deep by Peter Forrest off the bowling of James Pattinson for 64 runs. Chandimal was not out 63 after 33 overs.

Sri Lanka is level on points with India and will advance to Sunday's first final against Australia in Brisbane on Sunday if it wins today.

That looked unlikely in the early stages of the match when Mahela Jayawardene was run out by David Hussey in the second over for five runs.

Soon after Tillakaratne Dilshan was dismissed for 9 off the bowling of James Pattinson.

Australia: Shane Watson (captain), David Warner, Peter Forrest, Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Matthew Wade, Daniel Christian, James Pattinson, Clint McKay, Xavier Doherty, Ben Hilfenhaus

Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Tillekeratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Thissara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekera, Sachithra Senanayake, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath

Tags: sport, cricket, australia

First posted March 02, 2012 14:31:53

View the original article here