Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Ten-wicket Swann fires England to big win
Graeme Swann claimed a match haul of 10 wickets as England roared to a series-levelling win over Sri Lanka in the second and final Test on Saturday to retain its number one ranking.
Swann followed his four wickets in the first innings with six in the second as Sri Lanka was bowled out for 278 at the stroke of lunch on the fifth day at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo.
England, set a modest target of 94, coasted home by eight wickets despite a brief stutter at 2 for 31 following the dismissals of skipper Andrew Strauss for no score and Jonathan Trott for 5.
Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen carried the tourists home with a brisk third-wicket stand of 66 in 69 balls, amid wild celebrations from some 5,000 travelling English fans at the ground.
Left-hander Cook remained unbeaten on 49 and Pietersen, who hit a century in the first innings, smashed 42 not out from 28 balls, signalling his team's emphatic victory with a six off Tillakaratne Dilshan.
"We are still number one, for a while yet, hopefully," said Strauss, who has been under pressure for both his leadership skills and his poor form with the bat.
"The most important thing was winning the game. We did not want to walk away from Sri Lanka having lost the series. I'm delighted by the way the guys reacted to the challenge.
"At the end of the day this will look like a reasonably comfortable victory, but we all know how hard we had to work for that. It's been a tough winter and we're delighted to come through at the end of it."
It was England's first win in five Tests on its Asian sojourn this year after being thrashed 3-0 by Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates and losing the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
The ICC confirmed that England and South Africa were level at the top of the Test charts with 116 rating points, but Strauss' men nudged ahead when the ratings were calculated beyond the decimal point.
Strauss saluted Swann, man-of-the-match Pietersen and seamer Jimmy Anderson.
"Anderson was outstanding on an unresponsive wicket, Swann proved his worth once again and Pietersen showed everyone why he is such a special talent," the skipper said.
Sri Lanka, currently ranked sixth, paid the price for not reaching 300 in either innings of the match and will remain without a series win since 2009, when it beat New Zealand at home.
Skipper Mahela Jayawardene, who ended with 354 runs in four innings at an average of 88.50 with two hundreds and a half-century, was declared the man of the series.
"We knew England would come hard at us because good players and good teams always step up to the plate," Jayawardene said.
"We made a few mistakes. It was important to get a big first-innings score, which is always so important in our part of the world. We probably fell 100 runs short.
"And then KP (Pietersen) came and turned the game around. His century shifted the momentum of the Test match. We were outplayed on the first two days and that proved the big difference."
Jayawardene paid rich tribute to Swann, saying he was one of the best spinners he had faced.
"We knew going into the series that Anderson and Swann would be the main threats because they can bowl well in any conditions," he said.
"It was a hard-fought series. We made mistakes and we have to learn from that and become more consistent going forward."
AFP
Tags: cricket, sport, sri-lanka, england, united-kingdom First posted April 07, 2012 21:11:56CA considers smaller board
Cricket Australia (CA) said on Tuesday it would seek approval from state associations to begin a transition to a smaller board.
The move needs a majority of 11/14ths to be passed at a special CA meeting in July, following a board meeting in June.
CA chairman Wally Edwards is confident of success although South Australia opposes the stage-two model of all nine directors being independent of state boards.
The current CA board has 14 members from six states, with each state nominating between one and three directors each.
Tuesday's resolution, which was not unanimous, follows a recommendation to CA in 2011 from sports governance specialists David Crawford and Colin Carter to consider moving to a smaller, independent board.
CA's board has resolved to ask for member feedback on proposed changes that could lead initially to a board consisting of six state-appointed directors plus three independent directors.
The new-look panel could be in place for CA's annual general meeting in October.
After three years, CA's board would review the success of the changes and consider then moving to a board of nine independent directors, with at least one director resident in each state.
Edwards says CA has staggered the reform over three years for legal reasons and also because of the need for a transitional period.
"We didn't get a unanimous position because of this issue of the independent director," Edwards said.
"One state is pretty well locked in on wanting to have their own delegated director, from the SACA.
"SACA are against it. I don't want to hide that fact.
"They want the director located in South Australia. They want to appoint him and they want him to be on their board.
"My belief is that it will be passed.
"July is the big one.
"If five out of the six states agree, it moves forward and Cricket Australia's constitution will be changed, that directors can't be a member of their state board.
"It's an issue SACA will have to come to grips with. They've got a lot of time to think about it."
Edwards said three previous reform attempts over the past two decades had failed because the bigger states didn't want to give up their voting strength.
"There's been a lot of grumpiness about some states being more equal than others, three, two and one (votes)," he said.
"This first step gets rid of all that. It gets us back to nine directors (including three independently elected directors)."
Edwards said constitutional change would always be difficult to enforce when there's no crisis, especially after a profitable home summer against India.
"(But) I'm pretty happy with where we've got to," he said.
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, australia First posted April 24, 2012 21:13:12Watson calls out Aussie batsmen
Australian captain Shane Watson has challenged himself and fellow batsmen to find answers quickly after misfiring again as the West Indies drew level in the five-game ODI series.
The tourists struggled to just 9 for 154 off 40 overs as the Windies claimed a five-wicket win in game two in St Vincent on Sunday - their first ODI victory over Australia since 2006.
In both games, the Australians had trouble adapting to the low and slow conditions at the Arnos Vale Ground, with George Bailey's 48 in the first game remaining the highest individual score of the series.
As in game one, several Australian batsmen - David Hussey (37), Watson (25) and Michael Hussey (24) - made starts on Sunday but failed to go on.
Watson said the batting had to improve before Tuesday's third game at the same venue, where Australia has been troubled despite the low, slow pitch and impressive form of young spinner Sunil Narine, who took a career-best 4 for 27.
"There's no doubt the conditions make it a little bit more difficult," Watson said.
"You're definitely never in and Narine is bowling very well ... he makes it difficult to be able to keep going but there's no doubt one or two of us need to go and make a big score to be able to really set the platform."
Watson has made starts in his past five innings for Australia but is yet to pass 30 and he admits he's one of the batsmen who needs to lift his output.
"I know I need to put my hand up as well because what I'm doing is not good enough at the top of the order," he said.
"I need to be able to go on and get a bigger score to make sure that we do get the total that we really need."
The Windies' rare victory over Australia prompted the prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines to declare a public holiday for Tuesday's third match.
The home fans were also boosted by rumours exiled opener Chris Gayle had resolved his differences with the West Indies Cricket Board and could yet play a part in the series.
The rumours were unconfirmed but big-hitting Gayle was in the stands on Sunday and all-rounder Kieron Pollard turned in his direction to celebrate when the winning runs were hit.
Watson said he was unsure if there would be any changes to Australia's team for Tuesday's match.
Fast bowlers James Pattinson and Ben Hilfenhaus as well as spinner Nathan Lyon are yet to feature in the series but Watson said bowling was hardly the problem.
"The bowling part of our team has actually been doing a really good job," he said.
"It's going to be difficult to change the bowling side of things even though we've got a few big guns ready to go."
AAP
Tags: onedayseries, cricket, sport, saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines, australia First posted March 19, 2012 23:31:23Narine stars as Windies bounce back
A career-best one-day international haul by West Indies spinner Sunil Narine sent Australia to a five-wicket defeat in a rain-affected clash, and levelled the five-game series at 1-1 in St Vincent.
Narine claimed 4 for 27 off eight overs as Australia limped to 9 for 154 in a match shortened to 40 overs per side after a 100 minute rain delay in St Vincent.
Chasing a Duckworth-Lewis revised target of 158, the West Indies scored the winning runs in the 39th over as all-rounder Kieron Pollard compiled an unbeaten 47.
After their horror batting collapse in Friday's opening one-dayer, the Windies still had their moments during their innings with promising opener Johnson Charles (26) needlessly run out in a mix up with Darren Bravo (16).
But Pollard and Dwayne Bravo (30) shared a match-winning 64-run fifth-wicket stand before Carlton Baugh sent the capacity crowd at the Arnos Vale Ground into party mode with a six to seal the West Indies' first one-day victory over Australia since 2006.
"It's a good feeling," West Indies captain Darren Sammy said after the match. "The team played much better today, the bowlers did well again and there was much more responsibility when chasing the runs.
"We were searching for a win and we are glad we got over the line."
Australia's innings never really got going despite David Hussey (37), Shane Watson (25) and Michael Hussey (24) all making starts.
Narine used the slow pitch and his variations well while fast bowler Kemar Roach gave a good supporting hand, claiming the wickets of David Warner (13) and Peter Forrest (0) in the same over before finishing with 2 for 23 off eight overs.
"We kept on fighting but we were a little short," stand-in Australia skipper Watson said.
"Once the sun got on the wicket it seemed to settle a little more but that's the great challenge of the playing in the West Indies and we have to adapt a little better."
The Australians will not have long to bounce back from the defeat with the third match of the series to be played at the same venue on Wednesday (AEDT).
That game could be the last of opener Chris Gayle's exile from the West Indies squad with the explosive batsman watching from the stands amid reports his long-running feud with the West Indies Cricket Board had come to an end.
The reports were not confirmed but if true, Gayle may well be back in the squad in time for the fourth and fifth matches in St Lucia later this week.
AAP
Tags: sport, cricket, saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines First posted March 19, 2012 09:10:05Risk-free Aussies go for kill against Windies
Australia coach Mickey Arthur vowed his team will go for the West Indies' jugular in the third and final Test even if their full throttle assault backfires in Roseau, Dominica.
The tourists have already ensured it will keep the Frank Worrell Trophy it has held for almost two decades after winning the first Test in Barbados and then seeing the rain-hit second match in Trinidad fade out into a draw.
But Arthur says his side will continue their positive approach, which was highlighted by two sporting declarations made by skipper Michael Clarke in the first two Tests.
"I'd rather lose a Test match trying to win it than just play dull cricket, because then you don't learn anything about your players," Arthur said, ahead of the final Test starting at Windsor Park on Monday (local time).
"You want to see players stand up in pressure situations. I'd rather that we went all out to win a game rather than just let a game meander."
Australia faces a selection dilemma after fast bowlers Peter Siddle and James Pattinson were both forced to return home with back injuries.
That means Ryan Harris, man-of-the-match in Barbados before being rested in Port of Spain, may be recalled while left-armer Mitchell Starc could also get the nod if the pitch looks likely to favour pace.
In Trinidad, Australia played two specialist spinners in Nathan Lyon and Michael Beer while paceman Ben Hilfenhaus remains the visitors' top wicket-taker with eight dismissals.
"When you lose two of your quality quick bowlers it does disrupt plans just a little bit," Arthur said.
"They're world-class bowlers so it is a bit of a pity but we cater for that. We felt Ryan needed a break. We're going to have him fit and ready to go and we've got Starc, who has been fantastic all tour, to take his spot if we decide to go with three seamers.
"Lyon was outstanding and Beer did a really good job for us in Trinidad. We've still got the options of going with the seam or going with the spin."
For West Indies, Fidel Edwards, who bowled some excellent spells without luck in Trinidad, has some back soreness.
Ravi Rampaul, who is set to replace him, last played a Test in November 2011. He has been recovering from a bout of dengue fever and a shoulder problem.
AFP
Tags: sport, cricket, dominica First posted April 22, 2012 10:49:58Pattinson, Siddle returning home
Australian fast bowlers James Pattinson and Peter Siddle were ordered to return home from West Indies because of back injuries.
Siddle departed the Caribbean before the end of the second Test in Port of Spain, having already been forced to miss the match with back soreness, while Pattinson will leave for Australia in the next 24 hours.
Pattinson injured his back when fielding on day three of the Test, which ended in a draw this morning.
"We have since monitored his (Pattinson) condition over the last couple of days and the initial investigations suggest that while the injury is not serious there is insufficient time for him to recover to play in the third Test match," Australia physiotherapist Kevin Sims said in a statement.
No replacement will be called up, leaving Australia with three pacemen - Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus and Mitchell Starc - available for the third Test starting next week in Dominica.
Tags: cricket, sport, trinidad-and-tobago First posted April 20, 2012 06:26:44Watson leads Aussies to easy T20 win
Shane Watson starred with both bat and ball as Australia claimed an eight-wicket victory in the opening Twenty20 international against the West Indies this morning (AEDT).
Watson belted 69 off just 43 balls after conceding a mere 16 runs off his four overs with the ball as Australia cruised to a victory target of 151 with 11 balls to spare at the Beausejour Stadium in St Lucia.
Batting first the West Indies made a steady if unspectacular start, with Kieron Pollard providing some big-hitting in the final few overs to lift their total to 7 for 150.
Pollard smashed an unbeaten 54 off just 26 deliveries, scoring the fastest half-century by a West Indian in T20 cricket in the process.
The big all-rounder managed five sixes in his knock, including two off two balls in Xavier Doherty's third over.
But Watson (1 for 16) and Dan Christian (3 for 27) did the job with the ball to restrict the damage in a total that proved nowhere near enough.
The Windies made the perfect start with the ball, dismissing David Warner (0) in the first over before Watson and Michael Hussey (59 not out off 45) added 108 for the second wicket to put Australia in charge.
Watson emulated Pollard's innings, clobbering six sixes and five fours in his knock before falling in the 13th over.
But captain George Bailey (21 no) combined with Hussey in a well-constructed 45-run stand to close out the win with Bailey smashing a four off the first ball of the penultimate over to seal victory.
Bailey was thrilled to claim a win in his first match overseas as Australia's Twenty20 skipper.
"To lose one in the first over always puts you on edge a bit," Bailey said.
"But the class there of Shane and Huss, they suit each other perfectly I think. Watto clears the pickets and Huss just pierces the gaps so beautifully."
Disappointed Windies skipper Darren Sammy, who lost all-rounder Andre Russell for the two-game series before the match to a hamstring strain, hinted at changes for Friday's final game of the series.
Fast bowler Fidel Edwards was left out of the team on Tuesday and Sammy suggested he may feature in the second match in Barbados.
"We have one more game in Barbados and hope to change things there," he said.
"We might try to add some firepower to the bowling for the next game."
AAP
Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, australia, saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines First posted March 28, 2012 08:25:19Aussies drop Forrest for third one-day clash
Batsman Peter Forrest has been dropped as Australia turns to a two-man spin attack for the third one-day international against the West Indies in St Vincent on Wednesday (AEDT).
Forrest, who made a duck in the five-wicket defeat to the Windies in Sunday's second one-day international, has been axed in favour of spinner Nathan Lyon as the tourists seek their best options to reclaim the series lead on the slow Arnos Vale Ground pitch.
Lyon, who made his one-day international debut in the third final of the tri-series against Sri Lanka in Adelaide earlier this month, joins Xavier Doherty for a dual spin assault.
Since making his maiden one-day international century against Sri Lanka in Hobart last month, Forrest has struggled for form, only passing 20 once in his past five innings for Australia.
His axing means a reshuffle of Australia's batting order for Wednesday's game is likely, with Matthew Wade likely to move back to opener alongside David Warner while captain Shane Watson slots in at number three.
Veteran batsman Michael Hussey says Wednesday's game will be a vital one in the five-game series, with Australia desperate to take a 2-1 series lead going into the fourth and fifth games on the nearby island of St Lucia.
"Just to not think too much about it and get back out there is a good thing," Hussey said of the quick turnaround following Sunday's loss.
"Obviously we'd prefer to be two to the good but it's one-all and it's really a pivotal match in the series."
The match begins at 9.30am (12.30am Wednesday AEDT) with morning showers again forecast.
Australia: Shane Watson (captain), David Warner, Matthew Wade, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, George Bailey, Dan Christian, Brett Lee, Clint McKay, Nathan Lyon, Xavier Doherty.
AAP
Tags: cricket, saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines First posted March 20, 2012 08:06:50Cummins finally ready for comeback
Test fast bowler Pat Cummins will make his comeback from injury with the Australian under-19 team at next week's international quad series in Queensland.
Cummins was ruled out for the summer with a foot injury and has not played competitively since his impressive Test debut in South Africa late last year.
Cricket Australia on Friday announced the teen quick will make his long-awaited return to competition in Townsville next week.
"Pat's inclusion in the Australia under-19 squad for the quad series in Townsville is part of his management plan to reintroduce him to competitive cricket while being able to closely monitor his workload," CA General Manager Team Performance Pat Howard said.
"His progress will be assessed on a day-by-day basis throughout the series to ensure his overall program remains on track."
CA Physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said Cummins is nearing the end of his rehabilitation program and would benefit from bowling in a competitive environment.
"He'll be on a restricted program and is being taken to Townsville so we can continue his progression and introduce some competition time," Kountouris said.
The quad series, featuring Australia, England, India and New Zealand, will start in Townsville next Thursday and will be used as a warm-up up event ahead of the ICC under-19 World Cup in Queensland this August.
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, townsville-4810 First posted March 30, 2012 16:32:31Aussies stretch lead despite Windies fight
Australia ended day three of the third Test against West Indies with a commanding 310-run lead despite a brave fightback by the hosts at Windsor Park in Dominica.
The tourists were 6 for 200 at stumps, losing its last three wickets for 32 runs after Ricky Ponting and Ed Cowan shared in a vital 87-run third-wicket partnership to rescue a rocky start.
David Warner (11) and Shane Watson (5) both fell cheaply either side of lunch after the plucky West Indies were bowled out for just 218 in reply to Australia's first-innings total of 328.
In difficult conditions to make runs, West Indies will need to produce a comeback similar to their remarkable chase down of 418 against the Australians in Antigua nine years ago to level the three-Test series.
Cowan, for one, believes that is an unlikely outcome.
"I think we're in control, definitely. I think 300 already is a big score. If we can get to lunch unscathed and maybe have 350, 360 lead, all of a sudden I think that's a winning total," he told reporters.
"We're confident we've got heaps of runs on the board already."
Warner started aggressively but, in the last over before the interval, he drove loosely at a Kemar Roach delivery and edged to Shivnarine Chanderpaul in the slip cordon.
Spinner Shane Shillingford then struck in his second over. Watson guided a ball off the face of the bat straight to leg slip where Darren Sammy held on to a sharp chance and the tourists were looking shaky at 2 for 25.
Cowan made it to 20 for the fourth consecutive innings and went past his highest score of the series when he reached 35.
The opener eventually departed for a typically patient 55 before Ponting (57) followed in strange circumstances after adding 56 runs with skipper Michael Clarke.
The former Australian captain looked to have found his feet in his final Caribbean knock when he ducked under a Roach bouncer but left his bat telescoped in the air.
The ball hit it and looped up for Chanderpaul to scoot around from slip and take the catch.
Roach has dismissed Ponting more times than any other West Indian bowler.
"Unbelievable, I guess if you play cricket long enough you are going to be dismissed every which way, I guess he was due for a periscope," said Cowan of Ponting's wicket.
"I feel sorry for the bloke because he has been batting beautifully and again it will give ammunition to some bloody journalist back home.
"Ammunition to lampoon, but you guys have seen how well he is playing in tough conditions."
Clarke (25) and Matthew Wade (4) followed in quick succession as West Indies showed spirit in a Test series now slipping out of reach at 1-0 down.
Mike Hussey (17) and Ryan Harris (4) took Australia to stumps without any further scares.
West Indian all-rounder Narsingh Deonarine admitted it would be tough for his team to get the win it needs.
"Whatever Australia put on the board we have to go there and look to get it," said West Indian all-rounder Narsingh Deonarine, who picked up the wicket of Wade.
"The first thing is to try and get those four wickets for as low as possible tomorrow morning and when the time comes to bat you're just going to have to fight very hard because the pitch is not conducive to stroke play as we've seen.
"Everybody will have to dig in there, score some runs and hopefully when we get a chance to bat again we just knock off the runs"
Earlier, the hosts' total owed much, as ever, to a typically stubborn innings of 68 by veteran Chanderpaul.
West Indies had been 8 for 165 overnight with Chanderpaul and Ravi Rampaul having already put on 45 for ninth wicket.
They took their partnership to 66 before Nathan Lyon (4 for 69) broke through for his fourth wicket.
The visitors took the new ball after 83.1 overs and in the end it was Chanderpaul that fell lbw to Mitchell Starc (2 for 29).
Chanderpaul had faced 164 balls for his 68 as he once again top scored for the home side.
He is also the highest scorer in the series with 277 runs at an average of 92.33.
He has managed to face up to the Australian's bowling for more than twice as many balls as any of his team-mates.
ABC/AFP
Tags: cricket, sport, dominica, australia First posted April 26, 2012 07:47:49Australia spun into trouble in Trinidad
Australia needs another strong performance from its tail after the top-order batsmen failed to capitalise on good starts on day one of the second Test against the West Indies.
At the close of play in Trinidad, Australia was 5 for 208, with Michael Hussey (26) and Matthew Wade (11) at the crease, after Michael Clarke had won the toss and elected to bat.
Despite the underwhelming total, Shane Watson, Australia's top scorer with 56, believes a score in excess of 300 will put Australia in a very strong position in the game.
"No doubt if we can get around 300 it will be a good first innings score and the wicket is only going to get worse," Watson said.
"It's only going to get slower, it's only going to turn more. There's no doubt our two spinners who we've got playing will certainly be able to make the most of these conditions because the wicket is only going to deteriorate and get worse.
"It was hard to get the pace of the ball because it was very slow. Also the ball was very soft.
"The fields that (West Indies skipper) Darren Sammy set meant it was hard to rotate the strike at times. I was trying to do everything I could to keep the scoreboard moving, but on a wicket like this it does make it difficult."
David Warner (29) and Ed Cowan (28) put on 53 for the first wicket before the former edged off-spinner Shane Shillingford to captain Darren Sammy at slip.
Cowan was a little unfortunate to be given leg before to Kemar Roach, a decision he reviewed hoping the ball struck him outside the line but replays showed it was a borderline call and his appeal was rejected.
Ricky Ponting (7) was the only top-order batsman not to get a start receiving a ball from the erratic Roach (2 for 77) that left him slightly and forced a nick that wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh parried and Sammy at slip grasped.
Watson and Michael Clarke (45) put on 84 runs for the fourth wicket before the captain hit a rank long-hop from Narsingh Deonarine straight to Shillingford on the square leg boundary.
The West Indies will have viewed Clarke's wicket as just reward as moments earlier he was given out leg before to Shillingford, a decision that looked correct to the naked eye, only for video replays to indicate it struck him just outside the line.
Shillingford did take the crucial wicket of Watson thanks to a sharp catch above his head from Adrian Barath at short leg.
Perhaps crucially Baugh dropped Hussey on 1 denying Shillingford another wicket when the left-hander edged a quick turning delivery.
Shillingford, the pick of the West Indies bowlers with 2 for 56 from 32 overs, agrees with Watson that a score over or under 300 will tip the balance in either the tourists or the hosts' favour.
"We know the wicket's hard work so realistically we want to get them out for under 300," said Shillingford.
"It's hard to get set. Its a wicket where you really have to concentrate as well."
Australia won the first Test in Bridgetown, Barbados, largely thanks to 121 runs put on for the last two wickets in its first innings.
The tourists made two changes to the side that won the first Test. James Pattinson was brought in for Peter Siddle who has a sore back and left-arm spinner Michael Beer comes in for the rested Ryan Harris.
Tags: sport, cricket, trinidad-and-tobago First posted April 16, 2012 06:25:27Gibson fined for DRS criticism
West Indies coach Ottis Gibson has been fined by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after comments made about the decision review system (DRS) during the second Test against Australia.
The current series is not using the full technology, such as Hotspot and Snicko, and Gibson claimed his team had suffered from some decisions.
Gibson argued that if the full technology was not available then it would be better not to use the DRS at all.
The ICC says Gibson's comments broke their Code of Conduct and that he will be fined 20 per cent of his match fee.
The rain-affected second Test was drawn leaving Australia 1-0 up heading into next week's third and final match of the series in Dominica.
Reuters
Tags: cricket, sport, trinidad-and-tobago First posted April 21, 2012 10:18:51Arthur wants improvement from Aussies
Australia coach Mickey Arthur has warned that his team must improve if it wants to win the one-day series against the West Indies.
The two teams played out a thrilling tie in the third one-dayer in St Vincent to leave the series level at 1-1 going into Friday night's (AEDT) fourth match in the nearby island of St Lucia.
Defending 220, Australia reduced the West Indies to 6 for 117 in its chase before the hosts recovered to need just one run to win off the final three deliveries.
A horrible mix-up between Darren Sammy and tail-ender Kemar Roach gifted Australia a run-out and a tie and left both teams feeling they should have won the match.
Arthur said it was time for the team to learn the importance of closing out a game when it was on top after Australia collapsed to lose 6 for 18 with the bat, then nearly allowed the Windies to snatch victory after looking down and out in their run chase.
"We haven't played anywhere near the perfect game yet," Arthur said.
"We've made some bad mistakes in every game. We probably haven't done the basics well enough and we haven't done the one per centers well enough.
"We're sitting here at 1-1. We're playing against a West Indies team that has never gone away, never rolled away.
"They seem to have a lot of spirit and they're really up for the fight but we've certainly missed opportunities to be 2-1 ahead."
Australia travels to St Lucia on Wednesday and will have its first look at the Beausejour Stadium - the venue for games four and five - today.
The West Indies is yet to name its squad for the final two games, although Chris Gayle is set to be excluded again after his meeting with board officials failed to resolve the dispute which has left the big-hitting opener out of international cricket since last year's World Cup.
AAP
Tags: onedayseries, cricket, sport, saint-lucia, australia First posted March 22, 2012 16:31:06Windies series proves costly for Aussies
Australia's hold on the one-day international world number one ranking has been loosened after the disappointing drawn series against West Indies.
While Australia's victory in the opening match of the series ensured it retains top spot, the 2-2 series result has cost four ranking points to bring South Africa just five points behind in second place.
The series also proved costly for stand-in captain Shane Watson, who has lost his world number one all-rounder position to Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan, who starred for the Tigers in the Asia Cup tournament.
Watson had only just regained the top spot from Al Hasan after the completion of the tri-series in Australia earlier this month.
The news was more positive for West Indies after its strong display in the series, gaining seven ranking points to join New Zealand on 86 points.
West Indies remains below the Black Caps in eighth place, however, when ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point.
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, saint-lucia First posted March 27, 2012 08:43:22Law to quit as Bangladesh coach
Former Australian cricketer Stuart Law will step down as Bangladesh coach in June, citing family reasons for his surprise decision to quit one year into a two-year contract.
His announcement came a day after the Bangladesh cricket board said it planned a short tour later this month to Pakistan, where international cricket has been suspended since a militant attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in March 2009.
"My resignation is purely for family reasons," the 43-year-old told reporters in Dhaka, insisting that security concerns had not been a factor.
"It has nothing to do with the Pakistan tour," he said, adding that he would complete a year on the job in June before heading to Australia to join his family.
He declined to confirm whether he would travel with the national team which will play a solitary one-dayer on April 29 and a Twenty20 international the next day - both in Lahore.
Bangladesh Cricket Board spokesman Jalal Yunus said Law should go to Pakistan.
"The coach is part of the team and he should travel with the team," Yunus said.
The 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore left eight people dead and seven visiting players and their assistant coach wounded.
Pakistan's government has promised fool-proof security for the Bangladesh team for the two matches in Lahore.
Law's finest moment as coach came last month when Bangladesh defeated India and Sri Lanka on way to the Asia Cup final in Dhaka, which it lost to Pakistan.
Law, who played one Test and 54 one-day internationals for Australia, had also served as an assistant coach for Sri Lanka under Trevor Bayliss.
AFP
Tags: cricket, sport, bangladesh First posted April 16, 2012 20:13:12Wade, Hilfenhaus unscathed from collision
The moment Matthew Wade collided heavily with Ben Hilfenhaus during Sunday's fifth one-day international against the West Indies brought back horrible memories for Australian cricket fans.
Wade, sprinting back from his wicketkeeping position, barrelled into Hilfenhaus' knee as the fast bowler arrived to claim a high catch during the 30-run win over the Windies in St Lucia.
As Wade lay on the ground in agony following the collision there was immediate concern and thoughts went back to Steve Waugh and Jason Gillespie's sickening collision in Sri Lanka in 1999.
That moment had far worse repercussions with Gillespie sustaining a broken leg while photos of Waugh's bloodied face and badly broken nose became an enduring memory.
Thankfully for Australia this time the worst injury sustained was Wade being winded.
The wicketkeeper quickly recovered to resume his duties while Hilfenhaus, a former bricklayer, lived up to his hardman reputation by barely flinching.
"I was fielding at cover so I saw it coming a mile off and when he (Wade) stayed down you never want to see that on a cricket field," captain Shane Watson said of the incident.
"It was a good thing everyone came out okay."
Perhaps the most surprising outcome apart from the lack of injury was the fact Hilfenhaus successfully held on to the chance despite the collision.
"It was a brilliant catch, probably the best one he'll ever take in his career, I know that much," Watson said.
"Hilf, he'll just get up and keep going, he is made of brick."
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, saint-lucia, australia First posted March 26, 2012 16:44:47Swann edges England close to win
A double strike by off-spinner Graeme Swann in the penultimate over of the fourth day put England within reach of victory in the second and final Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
England needs to win the match to square the series and retain its world number one ranking.
Having safely negotiated the second new ball, Sri Lanka appeared to be relatively safe at 4 for 215 before Swann sent back Thilan Samaraweera (47) and nightwatchman Suraj Randiv for a duck in the space of three balls to swing the Test England's way.
At the close, Sri Lanka who trailed England by 185 runs on the first innings, was 6 for 218, an overall lead of 33 runs.
Sri Lanka's hopes of saving the Test rest on the shoulders of captain Mahela Jayawardene, who was unbeaten on 55 with Angelo Mathews on 3.
Swann, who also dismissed Tillakaratne Dilshan (35) and Kumar Sangakkara (21), ended the day with figures of 4 for 82.
Dilshan, who was fined 10 per cent of his match fee for excessive appealing, was unhappy after he was given out, caught at slip by James Anderson.
The batsman asked for a review but with no Hot Spot technology available, there was no conclusive evidence to overrule the on-field umpire's decision.
Swann then removed Sangakkara, who had struggled for nearly two hours before edging a catch behind the wicket to Matt Prior.
Sri Lanka lost both openers in the morning session when the English pace bowlers removed Dhammika Prasad (34) and Lahiru Thirimanne (11) but not before the visitors paid for some sloppy fielding.
Anderson got rid of the shaky Thirimanne, who edged a catch to Andrew Strauss at slip with the total on 23.
Prasad, sent in as a nightwatchman, justified his promotion and hung around for 87 minutes before he pulled Steven Finn straight to Tim Bresnan at deep square leg.
It was some relief for Finn, who had dropped Prasad at mid-off when the batsman was on 21.
The missed opportunity was a second heartbreak for Swann, who earlier saw Prior gift Thirimanne a reprieve by wasting a simple stumping chance.
Bresnan also dropped Jayawardene on 20 when he lofted Samit Patel but the fielder, at deep mid-wicket, could get only a hand to the ball as it sailed over his head for four.
Reuters
Tags: cricket, sport, sri-lanka First posted April 07, 2012 08:10:07Proteas off to solid start
South Africa's batsmen made a mockery of supposedly helpful bowling conditions to finish the weather-affected first day of the third and final Test against New Zealand on 2 for 136.
Alviro Petersen was on 44 and JP Duminy on a quickly-compiled 23 when umpires offered them the option of leaving the field in the murky gloom, with 21 overs remaining in the day's play at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
Hashim Amla was the only wicket to fall after tea when his mistimed pull shot from a Mark Gillespie bouncer fell for wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk.
Amla, who did not add to his tea score of 63, was forced to wait for several minutes as umpires reviewed Gillespie's foot placement, with television replays suggesting his back foot was touching the line on the return crease, which would have meant a no-ball and Amla being recalled.
Third umpire Billy Doctrove upheld the decision, however, the second time he was forced to make a controversial ruling in the Proteas' innings.
Prior to tea, he affirmed a decision to give Proteas captain Graeme Smith out for 5 when he was adjudged to have got an inside edge to a Doug Bracewell delivery and was caught by van Wyk.
Smith initially stood his ground, walked down the pitch to talk with Petersen then asked for the decision to be reviewed.
Television replays showed clear daylight between his bat and the ball as it passed by, though microphones indicated some sort of sound and Doctrove upheld the decision.
Smith was shaking his head as he walked off the field.
The Black Caps failed to capitalise on the help that conditions offered after the pitch was covered for almost a week due to wet weather in Wellington.
They did not put any pressure on the Proteas batsmen, bowling wide of off-stump or too short allowing them to leave too many deliveries.
Such was captain Ross Taylor's desperation to upset the Proteas' rhythm before the tea break he introduced part-time medium pacer Dean Brownlie, who was belted for 20 runs from two overs.
Overnight rain had delayed the start of the match, with umpires deeming the ground unsuitable for play until 2:00pm (local time). The match had been scheduled to start at 10:30am
The Proteas only need to draw the match to seal the three-Test series after they won the second Test at Seddon Park in Hamilton by nine wickets.
Reuters
Tags: cricket, sport, new-zealand, south-africa First posted March 23, 2012 18:19:50Windies mix youth, experience for T20 series
West Indies named a 14-man squad on Saturday for the two Twenty20 internationals against Australia.
Seamers Fidel Edwards and Krishmar Santokie, batting all-rounders Dwayne Smith and Nkrumah Bonner, as well as left-arm spinner Garey Mathurin were included, having all missed out on the ongoing one-day international series, which West Indies leads 2-1 ahead of Monday's (AEDT) final match.
"We have named a squad with a mixture of experience and youth and we believe they have the quality to defeat the Australians," West Indies chairman of selectors Clyde Butts said
The two matches are to be played in Saint Lucia on Wednesday (AEDT) and Barbados (Saturday).
West Indies squad: Darren Sammy (captain), Dwayne Bravo, Carlton Baugh, Nkrumah Bonner, Darren Bravo, Johnson Charles, Fidel Edwards, Garey Mathurin, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Krishmar Santokie, Dwayne Smith
AFP
Tags: cricket, sport, saint-lucia First posted March 25, 2012 08:23:12Injuries leave Aussies thin for third Test
Australia's fast bowling injury woes have left captain Michael Clarke walking a tightrope ahead of the third Test against the West Indies in Dominica.
The tourists have an unbeatable 1-0 series lead going into the final game of the series after the second Test in Trinidad ended in a draw on Thursday.
Chasing 215 off 61 overs after Australia made 8 for 160 declared in its second innings, the Windies were 2 for 53 after 11 overs when the rain, which marred the entire second Test, returned after lunch.
Clarke will be without both Peter Siddle and James Pattinson for next week's game after the Victorian pair were sent home from the Caribbean with back injuries.
It means the Australian captain will have just three fast bowlers to select for the third Test - Ryan Harris, Mitchell Starc and Ben Hilfenhaus.
Should any of the trio pull up lame in the three days before the start of the Dominica Test, Clarke will almost have his hand forced to stick with the dual spin attack of Nathan Lyon and Michael Beer he used in the second Test.
Harris remains a match-to-match proposition for selectors given the fragility of his 32-year-old body, as evidenced by the decision to rest him for the Queen's Park Oval Test despite a man of the match performance in the first Test win in Barbados.
Starc has not bowled a competitive delivery since the washed-out Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Queensland at the SCG seven weeks ago.
But if Clarke was concerned about the prospect of going into the last Test of a three-game series with a 1-0 lead and a thin squad of bowlers, he was not showing it.
"I think it's great we have Ryan Harris coming back," he said.
"It's a really good opportunity if we go with three fast bowlers to go with Mitchell Starc.
"I think he bowled very well throughout the Australian summer. He's bowling very well in the nets. I've seen that first hand and I think if he gets an opportunity he'll grab it with both hands."
What might be of more concern to Clarke is what the injuries could mean to both Siddle and Pattinson.
Siddle has a history of back problems after suffering a stress fracture in 2010 that kept him out of the game for a long time and has also struggled with serious shoulder and foot injuries during his Test career.
Pattinson's injury is his third since bursting into Test cricket last December, after he hurt his foot and then a buttock muscle during the domestic summer.
The latest problem could leave Pattinson in a race against time to be fit for Australia's one-day tour of England starting in June given it's believed both face up to five weeks on the sidelines.
That tour is vital preparation for the 21-year-old ahead of next year's Ashes campaign, as he has not yet experienced English conditions.
"Obviously it's disappointing that he's not going to be available for the third Test but the reality is, if he's not going to be fit for the third Test, our best option for both him and Peter is to put them on a plane and get them home and get them stuck into treatment ASAP so they're fit for our next tour," Clarke said.
One change for Windies
Meanwhile, left-hander Assad Fudadin has been called into the West Indies squad for the third Test in Dominica starting on Monday.
He comes in for leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo.
Middle-order batsman Kirk Edwards, who was in the squad for the second Test, has not recovered from a leg injury and is not available for selection.
Fudadin, a 26-year-old from Guyana, is a steady batsman, who was the second highest run-scorer in the recently-concluded regional four-day competition where he made 576 runs at an average of 48 with a top score of 108.
AAP/AFP
Tags: cricket, sport, australia, trinidad-and-tobago First posted April 20, 2012 16:00:57Redbacks bring in Botha for Klinger
Michael Klinger has stepped down as South Australia's captain to make way for South African Johan Botha.
Botha, who played for the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash last summer, will captain the Redbacks for the next two seasons.
Klinger said the opportunity for Botha, a former South African limited overs and T20 captain, to lead the Redbacks was "too good an opportunity".
"There is no doubt captaining the Redbacks and the Strikers has been a highlight of my cricket career so far," Klinger said on Saturday.
"I have loved every minute of it and am really proud of what I have achieved.
"No one just walks away from captaining.
"But I agreed Johan was too good an opportunity ... I have already rung Johan to offer him my full support and start planning."
South Australia coach Darren Berry praised Klinger for his attitude to the leadership change.
"It is a testament to the character of Michael Klinger that he made a tough decision to make the ultimate act of leadership and support Johan's captaincy," Berry said.
Berry said Botha offered "the complete package" as a leader.
"A ruthless international competitor who has the experience of leading a successful international team," Berry said.
"And he has the know-how to harness our younger talent.
"I unapologetically state that this journey is not for everyone and that it will be tough.
"Our objective is to become the most respected first class system in the country and we need to be strong in our pursuit of this objective."
The Redbacks won this year's one-day competition and also last year's T20 trophy, before the competition was altered to city-based franchises this season.
But South Australia has collected three consecutive Sheffield Shield wooden spoons.
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, sa, australia First posted March 31, 2012 12:50:18Wade set for Test debut as Haddin stays home
Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin will not return to the cricket tour of the West Indies, opening the way for a Test debut for Victorian Matthew Wade.
Haddin flew back from the Caribbean a week ago due to personal reasons, with NSW's Peter Nevill named as his replacement and no timeline given on a potential return.
Cricket Australia confirmed on Friday that Haddin would stay in Australia due to family reasons.
"Cricket Australia fully supports Brad's decision to remain in Australia and sends its best wishes to him and his family at this time," CA's general manager of team performance Pat Howard said.
The news means Wade is almost certain to make his Test debut against the West Indies next month.
The 26-year-old, who has already usurped Haddin as Australia's one-day and Twenty20 wicketkeeper in recent months, is likely to play the first Test against the West Indies starting in Barbados on April 8.
Nevill will remain with the national squad as Wade's understudy.
AAP
Tags: sport, cricket, australia, sydney-2000 First posted March 23, 2012 15:56:52Clarke loses top batsman ranking
Australia captain Michael Clarke has lost his status as the world's top-ranked Test batsman despite his team's first Test win over the West Indies this week.
Clarke, who achieved the number one ranking when the International Cricket Council updated their world Test player lists at the end of March, has fallen two spots to third behind South Africa's AB de Villiers and Jacques Kallis in the wake of the three-wicket win in Barbados.
The Australia captain managed 73 and six in his two innings at Kensington Oval but the scores weren't enough to hold on to top spot.
The news was better for man of the match Ryan Harris and impressive fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus who have both achieved career-high rankings on the bowling list after their first Test efforts.
Harris made an unbeaten 68 in the first innings to turn the match around as well as five wickets while Hilfenhaus's devastating spell before tea on day four, where he claimed three top order wickets in six balls, proved pivotal in putting Australia on top.
The Tasmanian finished with 4-27 in the second innings and also scored the winning run in the match with Harris at the other end.
Hilfenhaus's efforts lifted him three spots to eighth on the list of world Test bowlers while 32-year-old Harris is up five to 16th.
Windies veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul has moved up to fifth on the batting list after his unbeaten 103 in the first innings in Barbados.
The 37-year-old was removed for just 12 in the second innings by Harris but Australia coach Mickey Arthur fully expects Chanderpaul to provide more headaches for his team in the second Test in Trinidad starting on Monday (00.00 AEST).
"You've never got a handle on a player like Chanderpaul," Arthur said.
"The last series we had them when I was coach of South Africa I think he got a hundred every Test, and he's kicked off here with a hundred.
"So I've seen enough of Chanderpaul to know he's world class."
AAP
Tags: sport, cricket, australia First posted April 14, 2012 12:03:59Hilfy triggers Windies collapse
Ben Hilfenhaus put Australia on top with the ball after Ryan Harris sparked a remarkable comeback with the bat in the first Test against the West Indies in Barbados.
At stumps on day four, the Windies were 5 for 71, leading by 114 runs with five wickets remaining in its second innings.
Peter Siddle (1 for 11) claimed the vital wicket of Darren Bravo (32) in the closing overs of the day after a 50-run stand between the left-hander and Narsingh Deonarine (20 not out) to ensure Australia go into the last day's play chasing a win to go 1-0 up in the three-Test series.
The tourists could have reached stumps on even more of a high but Carlton Baugh (2 not out) survived an lbw appeal which was reviewed by Australia when he padded up to Siddle in the last over of the day.
Australia's position of strength hardly seemed likely midway through Tuesday's opening session, as three quick wickets left the tourists 8 for 258 in their first innings and staring down the barrel of a 150-run plus deficit.
But Harris engineered a remarkable turnaround, scoring his maiden Test half-century and adding 121 runs with tail-enders Ben Hilfenhaus (24) and Nathan Lyon.
The Queenslander ended with an unbeaten 68 when Michael Clarke called time on Australia's innings a half-hour before tea, the tourists ending on 9 for 406 declared to be behind by 43 runs.
"We've done it pretty much all summer so it was just very important for us to get out there and make runs today and get as close as we could to the total," Harris said.
"And that's what we did. Everyone, Hilfenhaus and even Lyon, we all worked together and got us close.
"To declare and put them in straight away, it probably didn't give them a chance to get their head around batting.
"I think it showed, obviously, taking three or four quick wickets. I think it was a good declaration. We want to win the Test match."
Harris shared an unbroken stand of 77 with last man Lyon, who also hit a career-best 40 not out to guide Australia from danger.
That position then turned to one of potential victory as Hilfenhaus (3 for 17) ran through the Windies' top order in the 25-minute session before the tea break.
The Tasmanian removed openers Adrian Barath (2) and Kraigg Brathwaite (0) as well as vice-captain Kirk Edwards (1) with just six deliveries to leave the stunned Windies 3 for 4 at the break.
Harris (1 for 14) then came in to bowl after tea and took just five deliveries to do what had proven impossible in the first innings, luring Windies linchpin Shivnarine Chanderpaul (12) to edge a catch to delighted wicketkeeper Matthew Wade as the hosts slumped to 4 for 17.
"To get him out second innings for not many was a huge wicket because I think they batted around him a fair bit," said Harris.
"Whatever's given to us, providing we've got enough time, we'll definitely chase - we want to win this."
West Indies coach Otis Gibson thought that the 145 overs in the field had an impact on the top order.
"Hilfenhaus came out and bowled a great spell, some tired legs, batsmen didn't move their feet and so on and he got a couple of wickets," he said.
"This is why it's called Test cricket. It's tough. It's tough on you mentally, it's tough on you physically. That three hour session this morning was tough on the guys but they hung in."
However; Gibson still believed his side could win.
"We believe if we get 200 on the board it'll be a very interesting run chase tomorrow (Wednesday)"
The final day's play begins at 11.50pm (AEST) on Wednesday.
AFP/AAP
Tags: sport, cricket, barbados, australia, tas First posted April 11, 2012 05:47:52Stars go down in final T20 clash
The Australian women's cricket team won its Twenty20 series against India, despite losing the fifth and final match by eight wickets in Vizag.
The Southern Stars, who claimed a 4-1 series triumph, were dismissed for 89 with opener Leah Poulton top-scoring with 30.
India lost on two wickets in its reply, reaching the victory target in the 15th over.
Tags: cricket, sport, india First posted March 24, 2012 14:17:53Southern Stars win India T20
The Australian women's cricket team remain undefeated on their tour of India after claiming the second T20 match in Vizag.
Another unbeaten half-century to Jess Cameron (68 not out) helped the visitors to a comfortable eight-wicket win with 16 balls remaining.
After winning the toss and electing to bat India reached 3 for 111 with a run out and wickets to Julie Hunter (1 for 27) and Sarah Coyte (1 for 20) the only breakthroughs.
With the early loss of Leah Poulton (1), Cameron and Meg Lanning (40) again combined to build an integral partnership of 98 runs.
Cameron had no trouble finding the boundary during her stint at the crease, with seven fours and two sixes as she reached her total off 54 balls.
Lanning was run out in the 17th over with the visitors at 2 for 103 but Cameron notched the final runs needed for victory, with Australia finishing 2 for 115 in the 18th over.
The third T20 will be played at the same venue on Wednesday.
AAP
Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, india First posted March 19, 2012 23:09:27Akram supports Aamer return
Pakistan legend Wasim Akram has swung behind Mohammad Aamer, saying he deserves to be forgiven and allowed back into international cricket after serving a ban for spot-fixing.
"I think we should move on in Aamer's case, forgive him as he has served his punishment for the mistake he committed and allow the youngster another chance," said Akram.
The 19-year-old Aamer was released from a British jail after serving half of his six-month sentence for spot-fixing at the Lord's Test against England in 2010.
Aamer bowled deliberate no-balls, together with his new-ball partner Mohammad Asif. Pakistan's then captain Salman Butt and agent Mazhar Majeed were found guilty of contriving the no-balls in exchange for cash.
Butt and Asif are still serving 30 and 12-month jail terms respectively. The International Cricket Council (ICC) also banned the three players for a minimum of five years.
In his first interview since his release, which was broadcast last week, Aamer accused Butt of tricking him into taking part in the scandal.
"As a cricket-loving nation we must forgive him (Aamer). He has done his time and once he serves his ban he should be allowed back into international cricket as he is one of the most talented bowlers," said Akram.
Aamer was likened to Akram during the 2010 England tour and Akram himself admitted Aamer was a better bowler than he was aged 19.
"Lots of people including Imran Khan praised his talent and he was the hottest property in international cricket until he committed that mistake," said Akram, who played 104 Tests and 352 one-dayers for Pakistan.
Indian batting legend Rahul Dravid, who retired from international cricket this month, also backed Aamer's return. But England's Kevin Pietersen said no player caught spot-fixing should be allowed to play again.
"If Pakistan is fine, the ICC is fine, then it doesn't matter what others say. Aamer should play once he serves his ban," said Akram.
The Pakistan Cricket Board said this month they would liaise with the ICC to start a rehabilitation process for Aamer and consider him for selection once he completes his ban.
AFP
Tags: cricket, sport, pakistan First posted March 30, 2012 08:09:24Clarke hails belief after Caribbean comeback
When times are tough in next year's bid to regain the Ashes in England, Australia's cricketers can draw on their comeback win over the West Indies in Barbados to show nothing is impossible.
From 8 for 258 in reply to the Windies' first innings of 9 for 449 declared on the fourth morning in Bridgetown, Australia rose from nowhere to stun the home team and complete a three-wicket win in the evening gloom.
Australia's three-wicket win on the fifth and final day completed a remarkable five-session turnaround at Kensington Oval, chasing down 192 runs in 47 overs.
Earlier, Australia claimed the five Windies' second-innings wickets in the morning session to dismiss the hosts for 148.
Victory was achieved through Ryan Harris's match-turning 68 not out, Michael Clarke's bold decision to declare while still 43 runs behind in the first innings - the first time an Australian team has declared behind and won the match with all 11 players available to bat - and then a devastating three-wicket spell by Ben Hilfenhaus to gut the Windies' top order.
Clarke said the victory is the sort of effort which his team can draw upon in the challenges that lie ahead - particularly next year's Ashes campaign in England.
"As a player individually, I guess you realise and experience the thought of things not going to plan at the start of the game but you can still win - you can turn it around," he said.
"It gives every single player in the team confidence that if they back their own ability, whether it be with bat or with ball, you can have success at this level, in any conditions, even if your back is to the wall."
The back-from-the-dead nature of the win harked back to Australia's turnaround in the 2006-07 Ashes Test in Adelaide where England posted 6 for 551 declared only for Shane Warne and Michael Hussey to lead Australia to a stunning win on its way to a 5-0 series whitewash.
That team was of a more-experienced nature than Clarke's line-up but, with five straight Test wins under their belt, Clarke is hopeful a new winning mentality based on unwavering self belief is being developed.
"I remember Warney telling me back then that with a day and a half left in the (Adelaide) Test match, that we would win the game and I was trying to work out how," Clarke said.
"At best, surely, we'd get a draw but he had no doubt in his mind. For me as a young player, I thought 'righto, that's my attitude - I'm going to win'.
"A few years on and I'm in the change rooms telling the boys we're going to win this Test match. Hopefully, a few of them believe me the way I believed Warney back then.
"It shows, if you have that self belief ... that you find ways.
"I know it's tough. I know we're tired. I know there's going to be issues of the foot marks. I know it's going to be a tough run chase but find a way.
"Credit to the boys, they certainly found a way."
AAP
Tags: sport, cricket, australia, barbados First posted April 12, 2012 16:52:09Proteas soldier on despite poor weather
South Africa made light of the grim weather as it cruised to 2 for 246 on the second day of the weather-affected third and final Test against New Zealand on Saturday.
Alviro Peterson, who struggled for runs in the first two Tests, found the Basin Reserve pitch in Wellington to his liking as he moved to 96 not out and closed in on his third Test century, while JP Duminy was on 76.
The pair had put on 140 for the third wicket when bad light stopped play for the second consecutive day with only 79 of a possible 180 overs bowled in the first two days.
South Africa, which already has an unbeatable 1-0 lead in the three-Test series, was clearly intent on batting its way to an imposing total with the aim of dismissing New Zealand cheaply and enforcing the follow on.
The tourists resumed the second day at 2 for 136 and put on 110 runs without loss in the 37 overs available after rain wiped out the morning session.
The New Zealand bowlers have been unable to benefit from the favourable fierce wind, overcast skies and a green-tinged wicket and the fielders were incapable of taking the few chances on offer as the batsmen dominated.
Petersen offered two edges through the vacant third slip position but Martin Guptill, diving from second slip, was unable to grasp either one.
Otherwise Petersen looked comfortable with senior bowler Chris Martin unable to generate significant swing or garner extreme pace from the tail wind.
Duminy had little trouble finding gaps in the New Zealand field, although he brought up his fourth half-century with a wayward shot that that was intended for square leg but went behind wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk.
The only bad news for South Africa was the likelihood it has lost key batsman Hashim Amla for the rest of the match after undergoing emergency surgery on his groin area.
Amla was hit on the first day by an inside edge from a Martin delivery. He was able to bat on and progressed from 33 to 63 before he was dismissed and then rushed to hospital.
"Hashim underwent emergency exploratory surgery resulting from blunt trauma sustained to his groin region," team manager Mohammed Moosajee said in a statement.
"He spent the night in hospital and was discharged this morning. The surgeon is satisfied with the outcome and expects Hashim to make a full recovery.
"However, it is unlikely that he will be able to take further part in the current Test match at the Basin Reserve."
South Africa is without star all-rounder Jacques Kallis for this Test after he was ruled out with a stiff neck.
AFP
Tags: cricket, sport, new-zealand, south-africa First posted March 24, 2012 17:08:06Haddin still first choice: Clarke
Brad Haddin will remain Australian captain Michael Clarke's number one wicketkeeper despite Matthew Wade's solid start to his Test career in the Caribbean.
Wade has ably filled Haddin's gloves during the three-Test series against the West Indies, quickly settling into cricket's top level despite the challenge of foreign conditions.
He was given his chance after Haddin rushed home from the Caribbean before the start of the five-match one-day series in March due to personal reasons, believed to be a serious illness to his young daughter.
But Clarke was pulling no punches ahead of the third Test against the West Indies in Dominica when asked if Haddin still had a place in his team.
"In my opinion, Brad will still come back into the Test team when he's fully fit and available ... and that's certainly nothing against Wadie," Clarke said in Dominica.
"He's done everything in his power to put his hand up there and perform.
"He'll play a huge role in Australian cricket going forward and he wants to continue to get better like the rest of us.
"I see it as a really positive thing for this team to have a good handful of keepers around to be honest."
Wade says he's well aware he's filling in for Haddin until the 34-year-old's personal issues allow him to return to the cricket field.
"Brad's had to go home with an unfortunate situation so, the way that I feel, I'm filling in for Hadds - he was supposed to play here in these Test matches," Wade said.
"Obviously, Hadds has played a lot of Test cricket, he's experienced and done really well.
"If the selectors go to Brad ... I wouldn't be too disappointed. I'm only young so I've got a lot of time to learn and hopefully I can get better and better as it goes."
Whether Wade retains his Test position or not next summer, he knows he'll leave the Caribbean with memories to last a lifetime.
From having his baggy green cap presented to him by fellow Tasmanian Ricky Ponting to receiving a congratulatory text before his Test debut from idol Adam Gilchrist, it's been a special tour.
"When I sit down at the end, it will be an amazing feeling to know I've represented my country," he said.
"I didn't expect Gilchrist to ever text me and say good luck for my first Test match, that's for sure.
"When it's all finished, you sit back and look at that kind of stuff but, when you're playing, you're so in the moment at that time.
"It's been an unbelievable experience - the West Indies is an amazing place."
AAP
Tags: sport, cricket, australia, dominica First posted April 23, 2012 14:17:40Watson vows to end run-out glut
Enough is enough when it comes to Shane Watson and his appalling record of run-outs at Test level.
The Australian all-rounder was involved in his eighth run-out in 33 Tests when he and Ricky Ponting got caught up in a horrible mix-up during this week's series opener against the West Indies in Bridgetown.
The incident left Ponting fuming and Watson distraught and the 30-year-old admitted ahead of the second Test in Trinidad, he needs to find a way to improve his running between the wickets.
"Unfortunately I've been involved in too many run-outs, which is not good enough, but this one especially really did affect me," Watson said.
"I made sure that I've given Ricky a few presents ... because it did affect me a lot.
"I'll be doing everything I possibly can to make sure it doesn't happen again."
As the common denominator in almost half the 21 run outs that Australia have endured when Watson is in the Test team, he freely admits it's his issue alone to solve.
And is an issue he needs to solve fast with Watson's teammates also starting to lose their patience over the problem.
"I know from my perspective I'm very honest with myself to know that's something I do need to rectify," he said.
"But also peer group pressure means I certainly need to.
"I've got to have a look at my technique of running between the wickets and my calling, because in the end it hasn't been compatible with the guys I've batted with as well.
"I seriously need to find a way to make sure it works, because at the moment it hasn't been working consistently ... especially in a Test match on a flat wicket when runs are so valuable, it's certainly not good enough.
"I've been having a chat to a few guys and I know there are a couple of specific things that I know I can do differently to be able to communicate better to ensure there's less chance of that occurring again."
AAP
Tags: sport, cricket, trinidad-and-tobago, australia First posted April 14, 2012 09:04:06Aussies rebound against West Indies
Australia withstood a marauding innings by West Indies captain Darren Sammy to secure a series-levelling victory in the final one-day international in Saint Lucia.
Hometown favourite Sammy belted 84 off just 50 deliveries in Gros Islet, including six sixes to thrill a capacity crowd, but Australia held on to secure a 30-run victory that ensured the five-match series finished 2-2, with the third match tied.
In its best batting performance of the series Australia posted 9 for 281 after being sent in by West Indies, with David Warner (69), captain Shane Watson (66) and Peter Forrest (53) all scoring half-centuries.
In reply West Indies was always on the back foot after a Brett Lee double-strike, before Sammy combined with Andre Russell (41) to smash 101 runs off 59 balls for the eighth wicket.
Russell's dismissal halted the onslaught and Australia was able to close out the match to avoid its first one-day series defeat against West Indies in 17 years.
"We've had them in trouble throughout the whole series and they (West Indies) just seem to find a way to fight back," Watson said.
"There's no doubt we're not executing our skills exactly right but it's some pretty impressive batting as well.
"The way Darren Sammy batted today, I've never seen him bat like that. To be able to do it under pressure was very impressive."
Warner and Watson gave Australia the perfect start, adding 118 for the first wicket at a run a ball before Forrest held the middle overs together with his patient knock.
A decision to promote Lee to number five in a pinch-hitting role did not work out with the fast bowler only scoring 12 but Matthew Wade's late cameo (26 off 17 balls) gave Australia momentum going into the innings break.
All-rounder Russell, who made several athletic stops in the field, claimed 4 for 61 off nine overs with Kemar Roach (3 for 53) and Sunil Narine (2 for 55) the other wicket-takers.
Lee (3 for 42) made a brilliant start with the ball, removing Johnson Charles and Marlon Samuels for ducks as he bowled three straight maidens to leave West Indies 2 for 7 after five overs.
A sickening collision between wicketkeeper Wade and Ben Hilfenhaus as the fast bowler claimed a high catch to remove Carlton Baugh left Wade on the ground in agony.
The Victorian recovered to see out the match but will be hoping any injuries he sustained are not serious enough to rule him out of Wednesday's (AEDT) first Twenty20 match.
Baugh's wicket came when Australia was cruising to victory, the dismissal of Kieron Pollard for 33 shortly after leaving West Indies 7 for 118.
But that was before Sammy arrived to ensure a fitting end to a thrilling series.
"It's disappointing but looking at the team, the way the guys have shown signs of maturity ... the whole camaraderie of the team, the way we play with a never-say-die attitude, it gives me hope," Sammy said.
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, saint-lucia First posted March 26, 2012 09:10:16Black Caps fend off hostile Proteas
Martin Guptill and Daniel Flynn battled hostile pace bowling to guide New Zealand to 0 for 65 loss at the close of the third day's play in the third Test against South Africa at the Basin Reserve on Sunday.
The pair's opening stand was the highest of the series against South Africa and only the second time New Zealand's openers have passed 50 in the southern hemisphere summer.
Guptill and Brendon McCullum posted 124 against Zimbabwe in Napier in January.
Guptill was on 28, while Flynn, who was struck at least twice on the body as he tried to duck, weave and bob his way past the short-pitched bowling, was on 35 after the first full day's play in the weather-hit match.
The first two days of the Test had been badly affected by rain with more than seven hours of play lost, while both days also ended early due to bad light.
South Africa captain Graeme Smith had declared the visitors' first innings closed at 9 for 474 shortly after tea, with Mark Gillespie taking 6 for 113.
Vernon Philander (29) was the final wicket to fall when he was caught on the boundary by Flynn to give Gillespie his sixth victim, following up his 5 for 59 in the second Test in Hamilton.
Alviro Petersen top scored with 156, while JP Duminy scored 103 for the visitors, who look to have batted New Zealand out of the Test and series.
South Africa resumed the day on 2 for 246 with Petersen on 96 and Duminy on 76 with the pair wasting little time to bring up their centuries.
The 31-year-old Petersen, who had accumulated just 66 runs at an average of 16.5 in four Test innings in New Zealand, punched a Chris Martin delivery through the covers for two then cut him square for his 13th boundary.
Duminy followed him to the milestone shortly afterwards when he flicked a Gillespie delivery behind square for his second Test century.
His celebrations were short lived, however, as he went hard at a good length delivery in Gillespie's next over and was caught by Ross Taylor at first slip, just after he and Petersen had brought up their 200-run partnership.
Duminy was the only wicket to fall in the first session, before New Zealand had some success after lunch.
At one stage the hosts took four wickets for 42 runs, before Mark Boucher and Philander steadied the innings.
South Africa upped its tempo after tea with Boucher caught by Kane Williamson in the gully for 46 before Philander holed out on the boundary to force Smith to end the innings.
Reuters
Tags: cricket, sport, new-zealand First posted March 25, 2012 18:30:42Australia can eclipse England in Caribbean
It seemed impossible 12 months ago but Australia can overtake England in cricket's Test world rankings if results go the tourists' way during the series against West Indies starting this week.
Australia plummeted to fifth in the world after last year's home Ashes humiliation while England was on a climb that took it to number one following its mid-year thrashing of India.
Since then Australia has risen steadily under new skipper Michael Clarke's leadership, as England was swept 3-0 by Pakistan in the UAE before another defeat in the first Test in Sri Lanka last week.
England must now win the second Test in Colombo to avoid another series defeat and the loss of the top ranking to South Africa.
A defeat would open the door for Australia to also move above the old enemy.
A 3-0 series sweep in the West Indies would then move Australia into second on the rankings, above India and England.
It is a scenario that appeals to former skipper Ricky Ponting, who has made it his goal to regain the Ashes in England next year.
"It goes to show we're on the right track to turning our cricket around and probably goes to show that England might have been at the start of the end of their cycle," he said.
"It's really hard to stay up and dominate international cricket as long as we did a few years ago.
"England have got a taste of it up there for a little bit and have started to struggle a bit in their last couple of series.
"When you're up the top and you've got everyone trying to chase you, it's hard to maintain that."
A lot has to happen for that rankings scenario can play out and Ponting warned his team-mates not to get ahead of themselves, insisting they treat the Windies with respect ahead of the first Test in Bridgetown starting on Saturday (Sunday AEST).
"You've got to give the Windies credit for what they did in the one-dayers and T20s here but I guess by the end of the Test matches we'll have a better idea of where they're at," he said.
"We're definitely not taking them for granted or taking them lightly.
"That's a big part of my job in the next few days, to make sure we don't get too carried away with things and prepare as we would for one of the powerhouse nations in world cricket."
Ponting is also aware his return to form with the bat in the 4-0 series win over India in the domestic summer will quickly dim in memory unless he can back it up in the Caribbean.
The 37-year-old scored 544 runs and two big hundreds against the Indians but his one-day axing shows he is on limited time if his form slumps again.
"International cricket's not about having one good series here or there. It's about being consistent and putting performances on the board game after game," he said.
AAP
Tags: sport, cricket, barbados First posted April 02, 2012 15:40:04Windies declare after Chanderpaul ton
An unbeaten hundred from Shivnarine Chanderpaul has put the West Indies in a strong position in the first Test against Australia in Barbados.
The veteran batsman made 103 not out as the Windies scored 9 for 449 declared in its first innings at Kensington Oval, his 25th Test hundred and fifth against Australia.
In reply, Australia had reached 0-44 at stumps on day two with openers Ed Cowan (13 not out) and David Warner (27 not out) putting together a good counter-attack in 9.5 overs before bad light stopped play.
Australia's new number three, Shane Watson, believes it is key the Australian batsmen continue to score quick runs on day three.
"We're going to have to bat well and score quite quickly as well to keep the game moving forward," Watson said.
"There's potential for the wicket to break up in some way, balls might stay a bit lower and maybe there might be a bit of spin if the footmarks dust up a little bit.
"The way these wickets can work if the game peters along for three or four days the result can turn around pretty quickly with a good session.
"We've got to put ourselves in that position by batting well."
Chanderpaul's 248-ball epic took in most of the second day's play after he started with Darren Bravo with the Windies with the overnight score on 3 for 179.
Bravo went on to make 51, joining Kirk Edwards (61) and Kraigg Brathwaite (57) as top-order half-century makers for the Windies.
The hosts' innings was sparked by a 36-ball 41 from Darren Sammy which included three sixes as well as being felled by a Shane Watson bouncer.
But while Sammy's belligerent innings was over in a flash, unflappable Chanderpaul batted on, adding 28 with last man Devendra Bishoo (18 not out) to reach three figures.
The left-hander also had to survive a close leg before decision, which was reviewed, on 85.
Chanderpaul believes Bishoo could be a key man with the ball, tipping the leg-spinner to make life difficult for the Australian batsmen.
"It depends on how well we bowl," he said.
"There's still some rough out there for the spinner.
"If he (Bishoo) pitches in the right areas, there's some spin in the wicket and things can happen for us."
Australia's bowlers were made to toil through 153 overs with only Ryan Harris (2 for 83) and part-timer Warner (2 for 45) taking multiple wickets.
Peter Siddle (1 for 83) bowled well without luck, while Nathan Lyon toiled through 31 overs for 1 for 94.
AAP
Tags: sport, cricket, barbados, australia First posted April 09, 2012 06:50:38Ponting rejects county stint
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting will not play English county cricket in 2012.
Rumours had emerged that the 37-year-old Ponting was considering a move to Somerset this year but his manager James Henderson has rejected the reports.
"Ricky is not turning his back on playing county cricket in the future but the 2012 season does not line up with his current priorities," Henderson said.
"He will not be playing cricket from after the West Indies tour through until the start of the Sheffield Shield season.
"He will use the down time to spend more time with his family and refresh after a hectic past nine months."
Ponting briefly played with Somerset in 2004.
Tags: cricket, sport, australia, united-kingdom, england First posted March 23, 2012 17:17:05Aussie run chase down to the wire
Australia needs 131 runs in the final session to claim victory in the first Test against the West Indies in Barbados.
Set 192 to win, Australia is 1 for 61 at the tea break on day five with Shane Watson (23 not out) and Ed Cowan (11no) at the crease.
A draw looks the most likely result, with it unlikely the full 41 overs left in the day will be bowled after rain delayed the resumption of play after the lunch break by 40 minutes.
David Warner is the sole man dismissed for Australia so far, caught behind off the bowling of Darren Sammy (1 for 10) for 23 when the score was 31.
Watson has lived dangerously at times, twice surviving LBW reviews after being rapped on the pads by fast bowler Kemar Roach (0 for 30) while Sammy also dropped the number three at gully off the Windies' quick.
Cowan, who has taken 61 balls to reach his 11, has also had a life, dropped on six when wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh was unable to hold onto a tough chance standing up to medium-pacer Sammy.
Earlier, Australia claimed the five Windies' second innings wickets in the morning session to dismiss the hosts for 148 despite Michael Clarke, Watson and Nathan Lyon all dropping catches in the session.
Ben Hilfenhaus finished the pick of Australia's bowlers with 4 for 27 while Ryan Harris took the final wicket to end up with 3 for 31 when he bowled Roach after the tail-ender had made a defiant 25.
AAP
Tags: sport, cricket, barbados First posted April 12, 2012 06:07:31Bulls bowlers have Tigers reeling
The sterling efforts of veterans James Hopes and Chris Hartley on Sunday put Queensland in the box seat to win the Sheffield Shield final against defending champion Tasmania at the Gabba.
But Test opener Ed Cowan stands in the way of a Bulls victory after the hosts dominated day three of the decider before bad light ended play early.
At stumps, the Tigers were 6 for 136 - a lead of 101 runs - with Cowan unbeaten on 59 and all-rounder Luke Butterworth 11 not out.
The decision by umpires Bruce Oxenford and Simon Fry to suspend play clearly irked Bulls coach Darren Lehmann, who vented his frustration to the officials as the players left the field under a grey sky in Brisbane.
"I don't think it's that bad. It wasn't at this time of the afternoon yesterday when we were out there and it was raining," Bulls quick Ryan Harris told Grandstand.
"It's pretty frustrating not to be out there, especially to bowl two balls in an over and all of a sudden it's not good enough.
"The judgement of the umpires isn't going too well I would have thought," added Harris, who was disgruntled with a few lbw shouts being turned away, including one against Cowan.
The Tasmanian and Test opener hit back at Harris' comments, saying the Bulls bowlers need to let the umpires do their job.
"Four-day cricket is not meant to be played in the dark under lights," said Cowan, who rated the Shield final as intense as any of the four Test matches he had played in.
Cowan believed the Bulls could crumble under pressure if they were forced to chase any total over 150 on Monday.
"To chase runs in a Sheffield Shield final, as we found out last year, is nerve-racking - it's gut-wrenching," he said.
"Anything above 150 we can really make challenging with early wickets, 200 starts playing on the mind.
"If we get the right conditions overhead, anything can happen, we saw Queensland lose 9 for 60 against WA not long ago."
But the Bulls have time on their side, needing only a draw to claim their first Shield title since 2005-06.
Hartley and Hopes are the only surviving members from that triumph and they, along with Test quick Ryan Harris, played key roles on Sunday as the Tigers slumped to 5 for 87.
Bulls captain Hopes bowled with venom and guile in claiming two wickets, including the prized scalp of former Test captain Ricky Ponting (6), while Hartley rescued the hosts with a gutsy century in the first session.
In the first ball of his spell, Hopes (2 for 47) clean-bowled Ponting as the Tigers skipper played across the line and missed an inswinger.
The medium-pacer also dismissed James Faulkner (3) while Harris (2 for 35) captured his first wickets of the match in a sizzling spell after being unlucky to miss out in the first innings.
Cowan and Tom Triffitt compiled a 51-run partnership before Harris went around the wicket to have Triffitt (35) caught in the slips by Andrew Robinson, his third catch of the innings.
Regular first-drop Alex Doolan (15) batted at number seven after experiencing back spasms on Sunday but he never looked comfortable, eventually caught hooking in the deep off the bowling of first innings hero Alister McDermott.
It does not take a brain surgeon to realise that Cowan is the only real stumbling block to the Bulls winning their seventh Shield title.
"I guarantee our bowlers will be gunning to get them for less than 150 tomorrow and I think if we can knock Cowan over, we're a big shot of doing that," Hartley said.
Earlier on Sunday, Hartley sparked the hosts' stunning revival with a superb knock of 111 in difficult batting conditions to guide the Bulls to a first-innings total of 276 - a handy lead of 35 runs.
It was Hartley's first Shield century in more than two years and it could not have come at a better time for the Bulls, who were reeling at 5 for 55 in the second session on Saturday.
"I was really glad that on a pretty tricky wicket and in a tough situation, I played the game I wanted to play," said Hartley, who has been battling a virus he picked up on Thursday.
"I've have to rate that (century) up there pretty highly."
Magoffin, despite suffering a back strain, chipped in with a valuable 31 in a 97-run partnership with Hartley, who was the last man dismissed when trapped lbw off the bowling of Jackson Bird (4 for 56).
ABC/AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, hobart-7000, tas, australia First posted March 18, 2012 18:50:21