Clarke to lead Aussies into Boxing Day Test

Updated December 26, 2012 10:24:49

Cricket Australia has confirmed Michael Clarke will play in the Boxing Day Test Match against Sri Lanka at the MCG.

Clarke has been nursing a hamstring tweak sustained while batting in the first Test in Hobart, but has been declared fit to play.

Meanwhile, Jackson Bird has received his baggy green cap from Bill Lawry as he prepares for his Test debut in Melbourne.

Bird was chosen ahead of the fit left-armer Mitchell Starc, who was rested as per Cricket Australia's controversial bowling rotation system.

After Australia lost the toss and was sent into bowl on day one, Clarke told Grandstand he was fit and thrilled to be playing.

"I'm here, so I'm fine. I'm 100 per cent fine and I'm looking forward to this Test match," he said.

"I've trained well over the last couple of days and my running's improved, and I'm ready and 100 per cent able to perform."

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

First posted December 26, 2012 09:40:48

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'Buoyant' Aussies dominant in Hobart

Updated December 15, 2012 23:48:52

Centurion Michael Hussey described Australia's mood as "buoyant" after his 19th Test hundred, Michael Clarke's bold declaration and four quick wickets left Sri Lanka in turmoil at the end of the second day in Hobart.

The tourists ended the day on 4 for 87, still 363 runs adrift of Australia in the first Test in the three-match series

Clarke declared the innings at 5 for 450 just before tea, with Hussey unbeaten on 115 and Matthew Wade on 68.

Tillakaratne Dilshan is still at the crease on 50 and with fellow opener Dimuth Karunaratne falling for 14 - and Australia nabbing the two key wickets of Sangakkara (4) and Mahela Jayawardene (12) - he will need to hold his wicket well into the third day if his side is to get back into the game.

The day was wrapped up in perfect style when Thilan Samaraweera nicked Nathan Lyon behind, leaving Australian players and fans at the Bellerive Oval alike in celebratory mood.

"It's quite buoyant at the moment (in the dressing room), getting a wicket in the last over just makes it better," Hussey said.

"I think we've put ourselves in a great position.

"To get four wickets late in the day is great - and three of those wickets were big wickets."

Hussey feels Sri Lanka will struggle to get out of this position as he expects the wicket to get increasingly difficult to play on as the match goes on.

"Even having a low score (to aim at) on the last day, it could be quite challenging," he said.

Sri Lanka's only other hope of avoiding defeat is the variable Tasmanian weather which forced a delayed start to the game and then a long spell off the field midway through the second day.

There is more rain forecast for day three.

Hussey resumed the day on 37, along with Michael Clarke who added just four runs to his overnight tally before edging Shaminda Eranga to Sangakkara at slip for 74.

That would be the Sri Lankans' only success of the day as Hussey and Wade patiently built the Australian total.

Just about Hussey's only false shot brought up his hundred in fortuitous style as the usually reliable Angelo Mathews dropped him on the boundary and the ball spilled over the rope for a four.

"You need a bit lof luck, like when I was on 96," he said.

"It's just a great honour to represent Australia. At my age you know it's not going to last forever, you've got to take advantage of every moment."

Hussey's contribution did not end with the bat as he took a sharp catch in the gully off Peter Siddle to dismiss Sangakkara.

Playing on his home ground Ben Hilfenhaus found his line early on and took the first wicket when the fluent-looking Karunaratne nicked behind.

Shane Watson trapped Jayawardene in front to add to Sri Lanka's woes, which were then compounded by Samaraweera's late dismissal.

Tags: sport, cricket, hobart-7000, australia, tas

First posted December 15, 2012 19:44:45

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Ponting urges Aussies to rise to occasion

Updated November 06, 2012 20:50:13

Veteran batsman Ricky Ponting wants Australia to embrace the challenge of taking on South Africa this summer, saying the home side is within touching distance of the world's best team.

The Proteas head into the first Test starting on Friday at the Gabba as the number one-ranked Test side, boasting a settled line-up that oozes quality.

An experienced and proven batting line-up featuring captain Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and veteran all-rounder Jacques Kallis is combined with world-class pace bowling trio of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander to make South Africa's team one of the best sides to tour Australia in several summers.

But Ponting believes his team-mates should not forget it was largely that same line-up they defeated in Johannesburg just 12 months ago to secure a share of the spoils in their two-Test series in South Africa last summer.

"It's really important for us as a group to realise just how close we are to them as a team," Ponting told reporters on Tuesday.

"They're the number one-ranked team in the world, and deservedly so, but we're breathing down their necks."

Ponting says South Africa is cricket's benchmark and, just like in Australia's time as the world's top team, the Proteas should be a scalp everyone wants to acquire.

The 37-year-old got used to teams doing all they could to beat Australia during his captaincy and he expects the same approach to be taken against the Proteas.

"I know whenever we were the number one team in the world it just meant every time the opposition played you they wanted to knock you off, they wanted to see where they were at compared to you," he said.

"We're really excited about that and looking forward to that challenge. I know if we play our best, we'll give them a hell of a scare that's for sure."

Ponting came through Tuesday's first training run at the Gabba unscathed and believes his hamstring injury will not prevent him taking to the field on Friday.

Victorian Rob Quiney faced a testing session in the nets against pacemen James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle.

The pace barrage was obvious preparation for the 30-year-old's likely baptism of fire against Steyn, Morkel and Philander in his debut Test but captain Michael Clarke said Quiney could nail down a Test spot if he does well.

Clarke said it was far from certain all-rounder Shane Watson would be automatically recalled after his calf injury clears up if the current players do the job in Brisbane.

"It is about performance, about making the most of your opportunity, and then it is about selecting the best 11 players," he said.

"As I have said throughout my career, a winning team is hard to change.

"If we perform well it is something we will need to assess."

AAP

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

First posted November 06, 2012 20:48:12

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Aussies use refugee spinner as Tahir tune-up

Updated November 06, 2012 16:27:44

Australia has utilised the leg-spin bowling of a Pakistani asylum seeker in its first net session ahead of the first Test against South Africa starting in Brisbane on Friday.

Fawad Ahmed, who is still awaiting a decision from the federal government about his refugee protection claim, bowled in the nets against Australia's best as a preparation for South African spinner Imran Tahir.

The Melbourne club cricketer, who has bowled in nets sessions to Australia's batsmen previously, was flown to Brisbane due to the similarities in his action with that of Pakistan-born Tahir.

Despite a temptation to play a four-man pace attack on what is expected to be a bouncy Gabba wicket, the tourists are expected to to play Tahir, who has played 10 Tests for the Proteas.

All of Australia's players took part in Tuesday's first training session at the Gabba, including Rob Quiney, who is set make his Test debut on Friday.

The Victorian top-order batsman begun with some solid work during a fielding session before padding up and facing a testing session against Australia's four frontline fast bowlers in James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus and Mitchell Starc.

The pitch for the first Test has a healthy grass cover at this stage but is already showing the shine and colour to suggest it will be a pretty dry and hard wicket for a Brisbane match.

South Africa will train in the afternoon in what will be the tourists' first look at the Gabba since arriving in Brisbane on Monday.

AAP

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

First posted November 06, 2012 16:27:44

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Home comfort gives Aussies the edge: Warne

Updated October 23, 2012 13:52:08

Shane Warne has backed Australia to win the upcoming Test cricket series against the Proteas, but only because it is the home team.

The leg spin legend said on Tuesday there is very little separating Australia, South Africa, England and India - and perhaps Sri Lanka as well when it plays at at home.

The three-Test series against South Africa starts on November 9 at the 'Gabba in Brisbane.

"When you're at home, you're expected to win," Warne said.

"There's no real standout side for me.

"Anyone can beat anyone and when it's at home, I would expect Australia to beat South Africa.

"It will be a great contest - it will be the bowlers who are on display for both teams, they will really test the batsmen's techniques.

"Young (James) Pattinson is really on fire here at the moment."

Warne expects Victorian Matthew Wade to be named wicketkeeper for the first Test, but said there could also be room in the side for fellow gloveman Brad Haddin.

"Brad Haddin is a good friend and he's done well, but maybe there's a spot for him as a batsman," Warne said.

"Whichever way the selectors go will be fine, but I think Matthew Wade will probably get the nod."

While Jon Holland is out with a shoulder injury, Warne also predictably called on selectors to pick a spinner in the first Test team.

"I mean, c'mon, you always play a spinner no matter what the conditions are," he said with a grin.

Warne added it was a shame Holland could be a long-term casualty because of his shoulder injury, which might need surgery.

"Jon Holland is a big loss, I had him pencilled in about 12-18 months ago that he and Nathan Lyon would be on the Ashes (tour) next year," he said.

"I was hopeful that both would play, especially with the balance of the team when you have guys like Shane Watson, Mitchell Marsh who could play as all-rounders.

"It's a real big loss to lose 'Dutchy' (Holland), he's really improved."

Warne called for patience with the current crop of Australian spinners, saying it would take time for them to develop.

He said the strength of Australia's pace bowling meant the spinners could bide their time.

"When the times comes, when the pitches start to 'rag' ... then that's when it's pay day for them," he said.

But Warne is unimpressed about the lack of wrist spinners coming through Australian cricket, blaming it on impatience at junior level.

"I don't want to bang my chest ... it would be a long conversation, but to try to have it in a minute or two - it's hard," he said.

"You need encouragement and sometimes the captaincy at junior level that I found with a lot of the kids ... they get smacked around the park, they bowl a few double-bouncers, the encouragement's not there."

Meanwhile, the 43-year-old, who will captain the Melbourne Stars in this year's Big Bash, admitted he has no idea when he will pull up stumps.

"I have to 'never say never', because in 2007 I said I'd never play cricket again," he said.

"I think I've retired nine times.

"But 18 months later the IPL came up, so that was something that interested me, to captain coach and do it the way I always thought it should be done.

"It's the way it all panned out.

"I do love cricket, I'm passionate about the game and if I can help Australian cricket in any way, shape or form then I will."

AAP

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

First posted October 23, 2012 13:45:40

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Aussies target return to top, says Clarke

Updated October 16, 2012 08:57:16

Captain Michael Clarke expressed his confidence Australia can reclaim cricket's world number one ranking in a gruelling schedule of 20 Tests in the year ahead.

Australia, currently ranked third, begins its quest to return to the top of world cricket in the first of three Tests against the top-ranked South Africa at the Gabba on November 9.

That will be followed by three Tests at home against Sri Lanka in December-January, a four-Test tour to India in February-March before back-to-back Ashes series away and home.

After dominating world cricket since 1995, Australia's fortunes dived following the retirement of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden, culminating in a 3-1 Ashes defeat at home in the 2010/11 season.

But Australia showed signs of a revival with a 4-0 whitewash of India last summer at home and the emergence of a new generation of rising stars - David Warner, James Pattinson and Pat Cummins.

"I make no bones about the Australian team getting back on top," Clarke told the official launch of the Australian cricketing summer in Sydney on Monday.

"It's a really exciting 12-15 months, as big a time that I will have in my career.

"I can guarantee you it certainly won't be lack of work ethic that lets the Australian cricket team down."

Clarke said Australia had good foundations to build from their thrashing of India which, only months before, was ranked as the world's leading Test side.

"We started well against India and we are wanting to build on that," Clarke said.

"It is a really exciting time for this young side."

Back-to-back Ashes series will be played for the first time next year in a bid to avoid a scheduling conflict with this year's London Olympics and the 2015 World Cup in Australia.

Clarke said while there was mounting anticipation ahead of the Ashes in England next July-August his side needed to first prove their character against a battle-hardened South Africa.

"We have some really tough opposition in South Africa, the number one side in Test cricket, coming to Australia very soon and our main focus is on that," he said.

"England is always a tough series over there, the Ashes away and the Ashes at home, a very exciting 15 months.

"South Africa are as good a team as there is in the world. They are not only strong with the ball but they have a lot of batting. It is really important for us to stay focused on them and not to look too far forward."

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, australia

First posted October 16, 2012 07:31:19

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Hodge to lead Aussies in Hong Kong sixes

Updated October 10, 2012 13:24:48

Brad Hodge will captain and coach the Australian squad for the Hong Kong Sixes tournament later this month.

Meyrick Buchanan, Cameron Borgas, Travis Birt, Tim Armstrong, Theo Doropoulos and Steve Paulsen have also been named in the squad.

It is a surprise return to the green and gold for Hodge who was consistently overlooked for Australian selection from 2008 onwards despite scoring heavily in domestic cricket and averaging 55.88 in Tests.

"I'm excited about the tournament, especially because it's been a long time since I've put on the Australian colours," Hodge said.

"I'll be taking on a bit of a mentoring role as coach and captain and I look forward to sharing my knowledge with the guys, particularly with someone like Meyrick Buchanan, who's still only a teenager but has been very impressive so far.

"I think it will be a great learning experience for all of us and a good opportunity to find a bit of form before the start of the Big Bash League."

National talent manager Greg Chappell selected the team for the tournament at the Kowloon Cricket Club, which begins on October 27, and said there is the incentive of other limited over cricket honours for players who perform well.

"We have a good mix of youth and experience in this squad and the younger squad members will benefit from Brad Hodge's presence as captain/coach," Chappell said.

"Australia has a good record in Hong Kong and this tournament has exposed the talent of the likes of David Warner in the past. No doubt Brad will be keen for his team to acquit themselves well."

David Warner and Glenn Maxwell were both in the side when Australia won the 2010 tournament.

According to the tournament rules, each team fields six players with each game consisting of a maximum of five six-ball overs bowled by each side. This is increased to eight-ball overs in the final.

Tags: sport, cricket, hong-kong, australia

First posted October 10, 2012 13:24:48

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Gayle goes Gangnam-busters to dump Aussies

Updated October 06, 2012 13:38:33

Chris Gayle smashed an unbeaten 75 off 41 balls as the West Indies stormed into the World Twenty20 final with a record 74-run demolition of Australia in Colombo.

The left-hander pounded six sixes and five fours as the Windies piled up the tournament's highest total of 4 for 205 after electing to bat on what was regarded as a slow pitch unsuited to aggressive batting.

The Australians found the huge target too intimidating and folded for 131 in 16.4 overs at the Premadasa stadium in front of 28,000 awe-struck spectators still reeling from the West Indies innings.

The biggest Twenty20 win for the West Indies, surpassing their 70-run victory over Ireland in 2010, was celebrated by the entire team performing an energetic version of global hit "Gangnam Style" in the middle.

Skipper George Bailey played a lone hand for the Aussies, making 63 off 29 balls with four sixes and six boundaries after adding 68 for the seventh wicket with Pat Cummins.

Darren Sammy's men take on hosts Sri Lanka in Sunday's final with both sides looking for their first World Twenty20 title.

"To be honest it was a slow track, but it was important not to panic," said man-of-the-match Gayle.

"I waited for the bad balls and when they came in my slot I hit them. Frankly we did not expect this big a total. We were looking at 140-150, but we got 50 runs as a bonus.

"We had to get the top three Australians early and that helped to win the game."

Bailey admitted Australia was outplayed and the West Indies deserved to be in the final.

"Were we helpless? Probably Chris Gayle can do that to you. When he did go, he went beautifully," Bailey said.

"In hindsight you can do things differently, but the fact is that we just got outplayed.

"There are no excuses. The best team absolutely won the game tonight. There is a gap between your best and worst cricket, and we did not play good cricket at all.

"Anything can happen in this game. You can bowl full tosses and get hit down mid-wicket's throat, or the good ball will go for a six."

Bailey said once his side failed to dismiss Gayle early, they knew they were in danger.

"The plan always was to get Chris out early. His record speaks for itself, so the key is to get him out early," he said.

Asked who will be his favourites to win Sunday's final, Bailey said: "If Sri Lanka can get Gayle out for under 20, they will win. But if they don't, the West Indies will prove too strong.

"With the West Indies attack, you can chase down 160. I am sitting on the fence a bit. But the two best teams got into the final."

Gayle, who lost his opening partner Johnson Charles in the third over, plodded for nine balls to make 4 before swinging Shane Watson for a six over long-off.

That opened the floodgates for an onslaught as Marlon Samuels and Gayle smashed left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty for a six each in one over and Brad Hogg was greeted into the attack with another six from Samuels.

Samuels contributed 26 in a second-wicket stand of 41 with Gayle when he was bowled by Cummins attempting another big hit.

Gayle, who faced just 18 balls in the first 10 overs, still managed to bring up his half-century off 29 deliveries with the help of four sixes and three boundaries.

All-rounder Dwayne Bravo (37) helped Gayle add 83 for the third wicket from just 51 deliveries to propel the innings at a brisk pace.

Kieron Pollard hit 38 off 15 balls as the West Indies plundered 55 runs in the final three overs, including 25 off the last six deliveries by Doherty.

Doherty was the most expensive Australian bowler with 1 for 48 from three overs, while Watson went for 35 runs in four unsuccessful overs.

Australia never recovered after opener David Warner (1) was bowled by spinner Samuel Badree with the sixth delivery and crashed to 6 for 43 by the eighth over.

Badree took two of those wickets and seamer Ravi Rampaul chipped in by removing Cameron White (5) and the recalled David Hussey (0) in the space of three balls.

Pollard dismissed Bailey and Cummins (13) off successive deliveries in the 14th over to end Australia's resistance.

AFP

Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, sri-lanka, jamaica, australia

First posted October 06, 2012 07:12:13

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Aussies to go hard at Gayle

Updated October 05, 2012 09:40:48

Australia hopes to remove big-hitter Chris Gayle early to put the West Indies under pressure during their World Twenty20 semi-final in Colombo tonight.

The belligerent left-hander holds the key to his team's batting success and Australian captain George Bailey said it was important not to let Gayle settle down at the crease.

"Their (West Indies) batting is no doubt their strength," Bailey said.

"If you can knock Gayle over early it really does put pressure on the rest of their batsmen to step up."

Gayle hit 54 to help West Indies to 8 for 191against Australia in their group match, before Shane Watson scored a 21-ball 41 to steer his team home via the Duckworth-Lewis method.

Gayle also smashed 58 during a 103-run opening stand with Johnson Charles to set up a 15-run win over defending champions England in the Super Eights in Pallekele.

But when the opener fell for 2 against Sri Lanka, the West Indies crumbled for a paltry 129 to lose by nine wickets.

Bailey, smarting against the unexpected 32-run defeat by Pakistan, wanted an aggressive attitude by his team against the West Indies bowlers - even if it costs Australia a place in the final.

"I'd rather see us throw caution to the wind. If we get knocked over, we get knocked over," Bailey said and hinted that David Hussey could be back for the semi-final in place of Glenn Maxwell.

"I saw (coach) Mickey Arthur had weighed up those two players and that's probably the only one to be weighed up. But the structure doesn't change in terms of a like-for-like," the captain said.

Australia's four wins in five matches so far in the tournament have been made easier by a sensational all-round display by Watson, who has scored 242 runs and taken 11 wickets.

The West Indies, in contrast, have just two wins from five matches and need to lift their game if they are to stop Australia from making its second successive World Twenty20 final.

Skipper Darren Sammy insisted his team's success did not hinge on Gayle alone.

"It's not only about Chris," said Sammy.

"Obviously he sets the momentum for us at the top of the order. But to win the game, it will need a total team effort.

"In any cricket match, you get one individual doing something brilliant. But it will take a collective effort to win the semi-final."

Sammy predicted a close game with the result depending on who wins the key moments in the game.

"It could be a spectacular catch somewhere, or guys out in the middle making the right decision at a crucial time," he said. "I think the team that wins at the end of the day is the team that will make less mistakes.

"But it's two evenly matched teams and it promises to be an exciting game."

AFP

Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, australia

First posted October 05, 2012 09:40:48

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Watson leads the way as Aussies thrash Proteas

Updated October 01, 2012 11:13:46

India crushed arch-rivals Pakistan and Australia put on another Shane Watson show as the race to the World Twenty20 semi-finals heated up on Monday (AEST).

Virat Kohli hit an unbeaten 78 off 61 balls as India, which would have been knocked out had it lost, bowled out Pakistan for 128 and then surpassed the modest target in 17 overs with eight wickets in hand.

Australia also defeated South Africa by the same margin in the first match of the double-header, after Watson claimed 2 for 29 and smashed 70 off 47 balls to win his fourth successive man-of-the match award.

Australia restricted the Proteas to 5 for 146 and won by the 18th over to record their second win in a row in group two, but will still need to beat Pakistan on Tuesday to make the semi-finals.

Australia leads the group with four points, India and Pakistan have two each, while South Africa has lost both matches so far.

India will also have to beat South Africa in Tuesday's second match to remain in the hunt.

Watson, the star player of the tournament so far, hit 10 boundaries including two sixes to cap another brilliant all-round display.

"It's nice to be able to continue playing well because I know how important my role is," Watson said.

"We are doing well but it's still hell of a long way to go in the tournament.

"Facing (Dale) Steyn and (Morne) Morkel was going to be a very big challenge. I knew if we got through the first four overs, the momentum would be with us for the rest of the innings."

South African captain AB de Villiers said he was frustrated by the second defeat after losing to Pakistan on Friday.

"We are very disappointed," he said.

"It is just so frustrating when we don't click. I just can't put my finger on one thing, because it went wrong everywhere.

"They did not allow us to get off to a flier and we lost quite a few wickets and that did not give us the momentum. Hopefully it is not all doom and gloom for us."

A sell-out crowd of 35,000 at the Premadasa stadium, including Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, also saw India continue its stranglehold on Pakistan in major world tournaments.

Pakistan has never beaten India in either the 50-over World Cup or the World Twenty20, in which the two rivals contested a thrilling final in 2007.

India lost Gautam Gambhir off the second ball of the innings, offering a tame return catch to 20-year-old left-arm spinner Raza Hasan, but Kohli and Virender Sehwag denied Pakistan another immediate break.

Kohli put on 74 for the second wicket with Sehwag and 54 for the unbroken third with cancer survivor Yuvraj Singh, who followed his two wickets and a run out in Pakistan's innings with 19 not out.

The impressive win was set up by the bowlers as seamer Lakshmipathy Balaji claimed three wickets and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took two to leave Pakistan in tatters after it elected to bat.

Shoaib Malik top-scored with 28, but only one other batsman managed to touch 20 in the face of steady bowling by the Indians.

"We did not think too far ahead," said Indian captain MS Dhoni.

"I always felt that if you are desperate for a win you put more pressure on yourself.

"But I was glad to see the players were relaxed and I knew that something good will come out of it."

Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez praised Kohli's match-winning innings on what he said was a difficult pitch to bat on.

"It was not easy to bat out there and we just did not get the partnerships," said Hafeez.

"Kohli was excellent. We were hoping to get him out and put pressure on the rest but we could not do that.

"We also need to improve our fielding but it is a relief that we still have a chance to qualify for the semis."

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, sri-lanka

First posted September 30, 2012 23:13:43

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Aussies ready to renew Harbhajan hostilities

Updated September 27, 2012 11:38:37

For more than a decade Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has got under the skin of Australian batsmen and Mike Hussey is prepared for more of the same when the teams meet in a World Twenty20 Super Eight clash.

The build-up to the game against India at Colombo's Premadasa Stadium, which begins at 12.00am on Saturday (AEST), has been dominated by the return to form of spinner Harbhajan, who has a long history of antagonising Australian cricketers.

Harbhajan sprung to worldwide fame when he took a hat-trick against Australia in the famous Kolkata Test in 2001, after VVS Laxman's 281 set up India's remarkable victory, but infamously sparked a furore when allegedly calling Andrew Symonds a monkey during Australia's controversial Test victory at the SCG in 2008.

The veteran celebrated his first international appearance for more than a year by taking a national-record 4 for 12 last weekend against England, and Hussey says the Australians are expecting the talkative spinner to engage the Aussies in some verbal duels.

Australia's number three says he tends not to get involved with bowlers but admits combative opener David Warner may take a different approach.

"I prefer to walk away and not worry about it," says Hussey, 37.

"If he (Harbhajan) wants to use his energy up sledging and carrying on, that's fine.

"Some other guys really thrive on it. Davey Warner, he likes a little bit of interaction out there and it gets him going.

"So I don't think there is a right way or wrong way to handle it, but I think it's up to the individual to know he's going to try these tactics so you've got to be ready for it, and be sure it doesn't affect your concentration but handle it in your own way.

"I just think let him (Warner) go, let him play his way. That's what given him success so far."

Australia qualified for the Super Eights with wins in the group stage over Ireland and West Indies but they will find the going tough against India, South Africa and Pakistan.

The ICC has released its latest rankings following the completion of the World Twenty20 group stage, with Australia rising two spots to seventh and all-rounder Shane Watson up four places to a career-best third on the batting list.

Watson is also Australia's highest-ranked bowler at number seven.

AAP/ABC

Tags: sport, cricket, sri-lanka, australia, india

First posted September 27, 2012 11:03:43

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Arthur urges Aussies to attack Narine

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Aussies account for Irish

Updated September 20, 2012 11:09:09

Shane Watson pounded Ireland with both bat and ball, as Australia began its World Twenty20 campaign with an emphatic seven-wicket victory in Colombo.

Watson (3 for 26) grabbed three wickets, as Ireland was restricted to 7 for 123 and then smashed 51 off 30 balls to help Australia surpass the modest total in the 16th over of the Group B match.

The all-rounder put on 60 for the first wicket with David Warner (26) in seven overs, and 31 off 18 balls for the second with Michael Hussey (10), before he was run out in the 11th over.

Watson, who hit five boundaries and three sixes, was named the man-of-the-match, but praised the intensity shown by all the team in dominating Ireland from the first ball.

"We knew how important it was to really make a statement in this game," Watson said.

"I know by bowling the first over it really starts with me, so I knew how important it was to be able to set the tone.

"It's a bit of a blueprint of the intensity that we need to have as a team.

"We knew going into it exactly where we had to be mentally especially more than anything to know we were going to be at our best.

"We knew if we were really up for it, which we certainly were, that we were going to give ourselves the best chance of not having that tag of getting beaten by Ireland."

Barely 3,000 spectators were present at the 35,000-capacity Premadasa Stadium to watch Australia teach the non-Test nation a cricketing lesson in the first ever Twenty20 clash between the two sides.

Australia, which lost to England in the final of the 2010 World Twenty20 in the Caribbean, had briefly slipped below Ireland in the Twenty20 rankings earlier this month.

Ireland's slump started with the first ball of the innings, which skipper William Porterfield hooked down fine leg's throat to the great delight of bowler Watson.

In-form batsman Paul Stirling (7) was caught at third man off Mitchell Starc (2 for 20) and Ed Joyce (16) holed out to mid-off against Glenn Maxwell after making 16.

Left-arm spinner Brag Hogg, the oldest player in the tournament at 41, struck with his second delivery when he trapped Gary Wilson lbw for 5.

Kevin O'Brien top-scored with 35, adding 52 for the fifth wicket with elder brother Niall (20) after Ireland had slipped to 4 for 33 by the eighth over.

The O'Brien brothers were dismissed in the space of four balls from Watson.

Australia plays West Indies in its final group fixture in Colombo on Saturday. Ireland takes on West Indies on Monday.

Two teams from the group will advance to the Super Eights round.

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, sri-lanka

First posted September 19, 2012 23:07:04

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Arthur urges Aussies to attack Narine

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Aussies clinch series win over Pakistan

Updated September 04, 2012 10:38:45

Veteran Mike Hussey and youngster Glenn Maxwell scored half-centuries to guide Australia to a brilliant series win with victory in the third and deciding one-day international against Pakistan.

Set a target of 245 to win, Australia was struggling at 5 for 159 before Mike Hussey (65) and 23-year-old fourth-gamer Maxwell shared a 67-run partnership to put Australia back in the contest.

Maxwell's unbeaten 56 came off 38 deliveries and included four fours and three sixes.

After reaching his maiden half-century, the Victorian fittingly hit a six for the winning runs for a total of 7 for 250 at the end of the 47th over as Australia claimed a 2-1 series victory with three overs and three wickets to spare.

"It's a very special feeling and a very special win after our defeat in England," Australia captain Michael Clarke said afterwards.

"I've never played in heat or humidity like this and the series was won by the whole team.

"As a captain you always say it's important to have a blend of youth and experience and today we saw that as Mike Hussey continues to perform consistently while Glenn Maxwell played his natural game and showed no fear."

Pakistan has now not won a series against Australia in ten years and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq wants the result to serve as a wake-up call for his team.

"We have to improve in every department," Misbah said.

"We have to find ways of getting the right combination of fast bowlers and we have to improve our batting and fielding.

"At important stages we collapse and we mess up chances in fielding and we have to improve in those areas."

Pakistan's star spinner Saeed Ajmal, whose first spell yielded 3 for 11 off five overs, finished with 3 for 37 off nine while fellow spinner Abdur Rehman took 2 for 41 off nine.

Earlier, pacemen Mitchell Starc (4 for 51) and Mitchell Johnson (2 for 33) helped restrict Pakistan to 7 for 244.

Clarke won the toss and wanted his bowlers to get first use of the conditions to avoid having to confront the slippery late-night dew which contributed to their defeat in game two in Abu Dhabi.

Mohammad Hafeez (78) and Nasir Jamshed (48) shared a partnership of 129, which was 12 runs shy of the highest opening stand by Pakistan against Australia.

The 22-year-old Starc claimed the key wickets of Asad Shafiq (27), Misbah-ul-Haq (25), Ubmar Akmal (duck) and Kamran Akmal (two).

Australia pushed opening batsman Matthew Wade down the order to give him a rest after wicketkeeping for 50 overs in on-field temperatures in the mid-40s.

David Warner (21) added a brisk 44 with new opening partner David Hussey, who had spoken pre-game of Australia's plan to play attacking cricket against Ajmal.

Warner fell to Rehman and Pakistan's hopes soared after Ajmal claimed the prize wicket of Clarke (32) stumped.

Ajmal also removed David Hussey (43 off 45 balls) caught at long-on. George Bailey (one) tried a sweep shot and was caught behind off Ajmal at 4 for 108.

Australia took the batting power play in the 36th over but Pakistan took control of the game when number six Wade (22) was bowled by Reman three balls later.

The 37-year-old Mike Hussey's innings of 62 came to an end when he missed a slog-sweep and was bowled by paceman Junaid Khan.

Bailey's Australia Twenty20 side take on Mohammad Hafeez's Pakistan in a three-match series starting on Wednesday night in Dubai (2:00am Thursday AEST).

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, united-arab-emirates

First posted September 04, 2012 08:18:00

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Aussies into under 19 World Cup semis

Updated August 19, 2012 20:01:36

Australia progressed through to the semi-finals of the under 19 World Cup after a tense five-wicket win over Bangladesh in Townsville on Sunday.

Australia bowled Bangladesh out for 171 in 43 overs with part-time Travis Head claiming 3 for 30.

The hosts were then reduced to 3 for 11 in just the sixth over before captain Will Bosisto came to the rescue with a match-winning knock of 71 not out.

Bosisto combined with Head (44) for a much-needed 67-run partnership before Ashton Turner (27 not out) joined his skipper to guide Australia home without further loss.

Australia's opponents in the semis will be South Africa, which defeated England by 103 runs.

India plays Pakistan and New Zealand takes on West Indies in the other quarter-finals on Monday.

Tags: cricket, sport, townsville-4810, qld, australia, bangladesh

First posted August 19, 2012 19:57:13

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Aussies fall from number one in ODI rankings

Updated August 09, 2012 15:48:39

For the first time in almost three years Australia is no longer officially cricket's number one-ranked one-day nation.

After the International Cricket Council's annual update of its limited overs rankings, Australia has dropped to fourth on the ladder - its lowest ranking since the ODI table was launched in 2002.

Making the news worse for Aussie fans, rivals England are the new top-ranked team, just ahead of second-placed South Africa with world champions India in third spot.

Australia's decline comes after their outstanding record of 30 wins from 40 ODIs in 2009-10 dropped out of consideration for rankings points.

The ICC updates the rankings each year and the new tables only include results from matches played from August 2010 onwards.

It is the first time England has topped the ODI championship table with Australia nine points adrift of their rivals.

On the Twenty20 rankings, South Africa has taken over from England at number one with Australia plummeting from sixth to ninth - below New Zealand and even minnows Bangladesh.

England could regain the number one Twenty20 spot when they take on the Proteas in a three-match series starting on September 8.

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, australia

First posted August 09, 2012 13:37:09

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Aussies name preliminary World Twenty20 squad

Updated July 18, 2012 18:23:36

Paceman James Pattinson and off spinner Nathan Lyon have been left out of Australia's provisional 30-man squad for the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.

Off-spinning all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and left-handed batsman Rob Quiney, who have no international experience, were the big winners.

"The ICC World Twenty20 will be a fiercely contested tournament," chief selector John Inverarity said.

"A great deal of flamboyant cricketing talent will be on display and some games will be turned on their heads by 10 minutes of brilliance.

"The squad announced today is full of talent, enterprise and all-round strength.

"Within the 30 players named is depth and cover for all departments within the team."

Maxwell's selection came as no surprise after being picked for the series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in early September.

But the choice of Quiney, 29, is more unexpected.

He made the grade after a decent Big Bash League season where he averaged more than 30 with the bat.

The tournament starts on September 18.

Australia, runner-up in 2010 to England in Barbados, faces Ireland and the West Indies in Group B.

A final squad of 15 is due to be named by August 18.

Australia squad: George Bailey, Travis Birt, Dan Christian, Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, Brad Hogg, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Ben Laughlin, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Andrew McDonald, Clint McKay, Dirk Nannes, Stephen O'Keefe, Tim Paine, Rob Quiney, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Adam Voges, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Shane Watson, Cameron White

AFP

Tags: sport, twenty20, cricket, australia

First posted July 18, 2012 15:02:51

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Aussies unfazed by UAE weather

Updated August 23, 2012 08:49:21

Australia's acting coach Steve Rixon expects his players will adjust to the hot conditions in United Arab Emirates during their matches against Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Australia's squad arrived in Dubai on Wednesday with the temperature as high as 43 degrees Celsius, but Rixon hopes sleeping late and breakfast at noon will help during the series, in which one-day matches will start as late as 6:00pm.

Australia takes on Afghanistan in the first-ever one-day international between the two countries in Sharjah on Saturday, before facing Pakistan in three one-day matches and as many Twenty20 fixtures.

The pre-series hype focused on how Australia will cope up with the high temperatures but Rixon says a policy has been devised to combat the oppressive weather.

"Our guys will have to eat late in night and just start the pattern," he said.

"We need to start the patterns now so by the time the first game comes around, we'll be starting to build some sort of body clock that's going to work for us."

Rixon, a former Australia Test wicket-keeper, is standing in for head coach Mickey Arthur, who will join the tour later as he has been working on preparations for next month's World Twenty20.

Rixon says the team has prepared to combat heat.

"The weather was very warm up in Darwin where we camped but nothing as oppressive as over here," he said.

"We're well aware of how hot it's going to be. If we sit here and talk about the weather all day, we're not getting the job done."

Rixon says the matches in United Arab Emirates will help the team tune up for the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.

"Whatever happens here will be a very big stepping stone to us being successful in Sri Lanka," said Rixon of Australia, who slipped to fourth on the one-day rankings for the first time in three years.

Rixon says players are now accustomed to playing in heat.

"I think a lot of players in the modern day games playing a lot more in the sub-continent with IPL (Indian Premier League) and other forms of cricket played in the sub-continent in place like Chennai where it is very warm," he said.

Pakistan and Australia will play the first one-day match in Sharjah on August 28 followed by second in Abu Dhabi (August 31) and Sharjah (September 3).

All three Twenty 20 matches will be played in Dubai on September 5, 7 and 10.

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, united-arab-emirates

First posted August 23, 2012 08:39:59

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Aussies chasing domination again

Updated June 14, 2012 17:45:18

Australia Test and one-day captain Michael Clarke says the limited-overs tour of England and Ireland represents the start of a two-year campaign to make his squad the top nation in all three forms of the game.

Australia heads the one-day ratings, but is third in the Test standings and sixth in the Twenty20 format.

"We've been the number one ODI team in the world for a while now but we need to continue to raise the bar," Clarke said before the one-day international squad's departure on Thursday.

"I think our cricket of late in the shorter form hasn't been as consistent as we would like.

"I think once we get on the plane it's probably the start of a two-year journey for this Australian team, whether it be the one-day team, the Test team or the Twenty20 team, to have a lot of success and get back to being the number one in all forms of the game."

Australia will play two English county teams and a one-day international against Ireland before facing fourth-ranked England in five one-day internationals.

England will be without Kevin Pietersen, who annnounced last month he was retiring from one-day internationals.

Clarke says he was surprised by Pietersen's announcement.

"I'm thrilled I don't have to play against him in one-day cricket because he's such a good player and he's had a lot of success and he's a natural in it," he said.

"But England have a lot of good players in their team."

Clarke nominated David Hussey to fill the batting role of innings closer and pacer of run chases in the absence of his elder brother Michael, who withdrew from the tour for family reasons following the premature birth of his fourth child.

Meanwhile, Clarke says he is confident that a pay dispute between Cricket Australia and the players will be resolved this month, suggesting strike action would be avoided.

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, australia

First posted June 14, 2012 17:45:18

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