Windies win T20 World Cup

Updated October 08, 2012 12:23:48

West Indies captain Darren Sammy hailed Sunday's World Twenty20 triumph as the start of a new golden chapter for Caribbean cricket.

The West Indies secured a 36-run victory over Sri Lanka in a dramatic final in Colombo, its first world title since the 50-over World Cup triumph under Clive Lloyd in 1979.

"This is just the start, we will go far," Sammy said.

The West Indies, restricted to 6 for 137 after electing to bat, hit back to bowl the hosts out for 101 in front of 35,000 spectators at the Premadasa stadium that included Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse.

Sammy's men handed Sri Lanka their fourth defeat in a major final since 2007.

"This is the start of something special for the West Indies team and the fans back home," said Sammy.

"I will always cherish this moment. The team has been through a lot in the past few years, but there was belief amongst us that we could win the World T20.

"Today we were down and out, but our never-say-die attitude came out. We expected Sri Lanka to come hard at us and they did, but we never gave up and that helped us win."

Sammy said people back home will celebrate the win wildly because they had craved for years for a success like this.

"From Jamaica to Guyana the party must have started," he said. "And I tell you we know how to party. I am sure they will need a lot of bartenders out there tonight."

Sammy showered praise on middle-order batsman Marlon Samuels, who engineered the victory with a superb 78 off 56 balls that included six sixes and three boundaries.

"He has been brilliant in this tournament and lived up to our expectations," said Sammy of Samuels, who served a two-year-ban from 2008 to 2010 for alleged links with bookmakers.

Samuels' brilliant strokeplay, which earned him the man of the match award, helped the West Indies add 105 runs in the last 10 overs after it was reduced to 32-2 from the first 10.

He was particularly severe on Lasith Malinga whose four overs went for 54 runs.

Sri Lanka lost opener Tillekeratne Dilshan for a duck to a superb swinging delivery from Ravi Rampaul, but with Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara at the crease the hosts looked well capable of victory.

After a stand of 42, in the space of three overs Sangakkara holed out to Kieron Pollard off Samuel Badree and the skipper was caught by his opposite number Sammy when reverse-sweeping Sunil Narine.

In between these dismissals, Sammy (2 for 6), who earlier contributed a crucial 26 off 15 balls, bowled the dangerous Angelo Matthews for one.

With these three gone the Sri Lankan cause was effectively lost.

Defeat was especially harsh on spinner Ajantha Mendis who took 4 for 12 to finish the tournament as the leading wicket-taker.

AFP/ABC

Tags: sport, cricket, twenty20, sri-lanka

First posted October 08, 2012 06:57:11

View the original article here

England out as Sri Lanka, Windies reach semis

Updated October 02, 2012 07:27:10

Sri Lanka sent defending champions England packing at the World Twenty20 as it booked a spot in the semi-finals along with the West Indies after a dramatic night of action.

Sri Lanka's 19-run win over England, thanks in large part to Lasith Malinga's career-best 5 for 31, put the hosts into their third successive World Twenty20 semi-finals as they hunt their first major title in 16 years.

Earlier the West Indies snatched victory from New Zealand in a thrilling super over finish after they were tied on 139.

Despite New Zealand scoring17 off its extra over, West Indies smashed 19 with a ball to spare.

England's reshuffled team may regret sending Sri Lanka in to bat after the hosts posted a challenging 6 for 169.

In reply, at a packed Pallekele stadium, England managed 9 for 150 and only briefly threatened to pull off an unlikely win.

The chase was in trouble from the start as England was rocked by Malinga, who took the first three wickets in his first over.

It needed a fourth-wicket stand of 55 between Samit Patel (67) and Eoin Morgan (10) to repair the early damage, but England lost wickets at regular intervals.

Patel added 51 with Graeme Swann (34) for the eighth wicket as hope fluttered. But Malinga bowled Patel in the penultimate over to snuff out the danger and improve on his previous best of 3 for 12 against New Zealand in 2010.

"The guys played really well. Lasith is unbelievable, both with the new ball and with the old ball. It would be fantastic if we can win it (the title) but the focus is to keep our feet on the ground," said captain Kumar Sangakkara.

In the earlier match, New Zealand started with a bang as they bowled out the West Indies for just 139 in 19.3 overs, with Tim Southee (3 for 21) and Doug Bracewell (3 for 31) doing the damage. Chris Gayle's 30 was the innings' top score.

Ross Taylor was the mainstay of New Zealand's reply with an unbeaten 62.

New Zealand needed 14 off the last over, bowled by Marlon Samuels, and Taylor hit a six off the fourth delivery but managed just a single on the penultimate ball.

Bracewell hit the final delivery but was run out while taking a second run, tying the match as New Zealand closed on 7 for 139.

Taylor scored an impressive 17 for New Zealand in its super over off the bowling of Samuels. But the all-rounder then stepped up for West Indies to hoist the winning six off Southee.

"Samuels is my go-to man in pressure situations, he's suffering from a bad shoulder so that's why he doesn't bowl more," said captain Darren Sammy.

"It was a great fight-back and I am very happy at that."

A disappointed Taylor rued New Zealand's missed opportunity but admitted that the West Indies' super over was "pretty awesome".

"We probably should have won it in normal time. Credit to West Indies, to score 18 off five balls is pretty awesome. When the first ball is a no-ball that goes for six, it ruins the over," said Taylor.

"That's cricket and we're going home now."

On Tuesday, Pakistan plays Australia and India faces South Africa in Colombo to decide the semi-finalists from group two. The semi-finals will be played on Thursday and Friday, and the final is on Sunday.

AFP

Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, sri-lanka

First posted October 02, 2012 07:23:28

View the original article here

Windies down defending champion

Updated September 28, 2012 07:28:25

West Indies edged out defending champion England by 15 runs in an exciting finish to the World Twenty20 Super Eight group one match at Pallekele stadium.

Chasing a daunting 180-run target, England came close with Eoin Morgan (71 not out) and Alex Hales (68) putting on a resolute 107-run partnership for the third wicket but in the end fell short.

England lost Craig Kieswetter and Luke Wright for first-over ducks but Hales, who hit five boundaries and two sixes off his 51 balls, and Morgan's 36-ball knock, with five sixes and four boundaries, defied West Indies's four-pronged spin attack.

England needed 125 runs in its last 10 overs but Morgan and Hales paced the innings well before Marlon Samuels bowled an excellent last over, conceding only eight runs.

West Indian captain Darren Sammy said spinners made the win possible.

"We backed ourselves to set a target and the openers got us going well," said Sammy.

"With (Sunil) Narine, Samuel, Chris (Gayle), we decided to maximise our spinners against England and it worked out."

England skipper Stuart Broad was left disappointed.

"We had to regroup, obviously losing two wickets in that first over hurt us but we showed how good the wicket was. We were quite happy with our effort with the ball and I think we're disappointed not to win tonight," said Broad.

West Indies was set on its way for a big total by openers Johnson Charles and Gayle.

Charles smashed three sixes and 10 well-timed boundaries in his 56-ball 84 while Gayle hit four sixes and six fours in his 35-ball 58.

West Indies had raced to 103 by the 11th over when Gayle was finally out, caught by Steven Finn as the left-hander tried to hit Graeme Swann out of the ground.

Three of his sixes came in one over from left-arm spinner Samit Patel.

But Gayle's dismissal allowed England to pull back as they dismissed Marlon Samuels (two) and Kieron Pollard (one) in quick succession, with Broad claiming one wicket besides bowling a maiden over.

Charles finally holed out at mid-on, missing out on a low Jade Dernbach full toss and was caught by Jonathon Bairstow.

Broad was the pick of the England bowlers with 2-26.

Earlier Sri Lanka beat New Zealand in a sensational super over finish after both teams were tied in the 40-over contest.

AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, twenty20, sri-lanka

First posted September 28, 2012 07:28:25

View the original article here

Roach and Gayle lead Windies to victory

Updated July 30, 2012 07:09:13

The pace of Kemar Roach and the confidence of Chris Gayle led West Indies to a nine-wicket victory in the first of its two-Test series against struggling New Zealand in Antigua.

Roach took 5 for 60 with a fine spell of pace bowling which ripped the heart out of New Zealand's middle order before Gayle, who struck 150 in the first innings, eased the Caribbean side to its target of 102 with a solid, unbeaten 64.

It was just the third win for West Indies in 34 Tests since its victory over England in Jamaica in February 2009.

New Zealand's hopes of batting out the day, or at least setting the hosts a challenging target came undone with West Indies seamers Roach and Ravi Rampaul doing the damage.

Resuming on 3 for 199, after losing Brendon McCullum for 84 late on Saturday, the Kiwis lost two crucial wickets for just 27 runs before lunch.

After a short rain break, paceman Roach trapped Ross Taylor (21) lbw and then clean bowled Kane Williamson with a superb delivery that straightened and removed the right-hander's off stump.

The impressive Roach struck again shortly after lunch with the third delivery of the new ball, luring Neil Wagner into an edge to keeper Denesh Ramdin.

Rampaul then removed Dean Brownlie and Daniel Vettori, before spinner Sunil Narine claimed his eighth wicket of the match by trapping Doug Bracewell leg-before.

Kruger van Wyk had provided the only real resistance but stuck with number eleven Chris Martin he had to go for his shots and was undone by a lovely slower ball from Roach.

The total of 272 all out left West Indies with a comfortable target of just 102 to win and plenty of time to get it.

Its first Test win since beating Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2011 was never in doubt as Gayle took charge with Kieran Powell, who made 30 before he was caught by Brownlie off Bracewell.

Assad Fudadin accompanied Gayle to the finish line as West Indies enjoyed the rare taste of victory and handed New Zealand another painful loss after its defeat in the one-day series.

"We didn't look like creating enough pressure at times," skipper Ross Taylor said.

"We have to be smarter in the way we play, bowl in better areas and our batsmen have to spend a lot of time at the crease," he said, looking ahead to the second Test in Jamaica, which starts on Thursday.

West Indies skipper Darren Sammy said Gayle had made the perfect return to Test cricket after 19 months out during a dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board.

"With Chris back, he brings his experience and you could see that in the way he nurtured Kieran Powell along to his first test century," Sammy said.

"We have to just keep our focus in this series and look to repeat what we did," he added.

Reuters

Tags: sport, cricket, antigua-and-barbuda

First posted July 30, 2012 07:09:13

View the original article here

Gayle inspires as Windies take command

Updated July 28, 2012 13:26:35

Chris Gayle marked his return to five-day cricket by hitting 150 as the West Indies moved past New Zealand's 351 all out on the third day of the opening Test in Antigua to build up a healthy lead.

At the close, the hosts were 6 for 442 - a lead of 91 - with Gayle and Kieran Powell both hitting centuries before Assad Fudadun and Narsingh Deonarine weighed in with half centuries to give the home side a solid edge as the Black Caps struggled even given some swing from the new ball.

Deonarine was still there on 54 with skipper Darren Sammy on eight after Fudadin fell to the bowling of Williamson for 55.

Gayle, who was playing his first Test for more than 18 months due to his stand-off with the West Indies Cricket Board following comments he made about officials in a radio interview, smacked 17 boundaries and four sixes as he made his mark in a 206-ball inning before falling to the bowling of Kane Williamson.

The 32-year-old enabled the hosts to put on 254 for the first wicket alongside Kieran Powell before Brendon McCullum took the catch in the deep.

Earlier, Gayle had brought up his 14th Test ton by smashing Chris Martin for six over mid-wicket, having earlier hit four successive boundaries off the same bowler.

Powell also made a century pull to the boundary through square leg off Neil Wagner before going caught behind for 134 including 22 boundaries and a six of 288 deliveries as Wagner bagged his first Test wicket.

But the West Indies carried on regardless of having its openers back in the pavilion as Fudadin and Samuels took them through to 2 for 352 at tea, a run ahead.

Martin Guptill laid the foundation for what appeared a solid first innings score for the Black Caps with a spirited 97 but spinner Sunil Narine took a maiden five-wicket haul, finishing with five for 132, to undermine the tourists.

Gayle and Powell then set the stage for an exciting denouement.

West Indies has dominated the tourists so far this summer, taking the Twenty20 series 2-0 in which Gayle was awarded man of the series, and the ODI series 4-1 in which Gayle made an aggressive century and half-century.

AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, antigua-and-barbuda

First posted July 28, 2012 08:45:18

View the original article here

Black Caps under pressure as Windies strike

Updated July 29, 2012 09:46:07

New Zealand was up against it at stumps on the fourth day of its second Test against West Indies in Antigua after two breakthroughs for the hosts left the Kiwis at 3 for 199, just 28 runs ahead.

Looking to erase a 171-run first-innings deficit, opener Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum strove manfully to move the Black Caps towards positive territory but both fell after taking the tourists to 1 for 170 at one stage in the final session.

West Indies spinner Sunil Narine, who pulled out a maiden five-wicket Test haul in the first innings, made the first breakthrough in the second innings after trapping Daniel Flynn lbw for 20 in an early blow for the Kiwis.

But thereafter Guptill, who just missed a century in the first innings, and McCullum piled on the runs before falling for 67 and 84 as Narine and Kemar Roach claimed their respective scalps.

Guptill and McCullum had put on 123 for the second wicket before spinner Narine had opener Guptill caught by Assad Fudadin at short leg.

Kemar Roach then bowled McCullum to leave nightwatchman Neil Wagner on four not out with skipper Ross Taylor on 11.

West Indies had earlier made the Kiwis' opening tally of 351 look modest as they made 522 all out with skipper Darren Sammy instrumental in helping his compatriots to pass the 500 mark for the first time since Mumbai last year.

Sammy helped himself to a six over deep midwicket to bring up his third Test half-century before falling next ball to Daniel Vettori.

They reached the mark when Narine hit a boundary off Vettori before getting himself run out two balls later.

It then fell to Doug Bracewell to end the West Indies' first innings as he trapped Ravi Rampaul lbw for one before Guptill, who scored 97 in the first innings for the New Zealanders, and Flynn padded up to start chasing down the target.

Although Guptill and McCullum made light of the loss of Flynn their own demise suggested the West Indies looked the likelier victor.

AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, antigua-and-barbuda

First posted July 29, 2012 09:43:19

View the original article here

Bell century sets up England win over Windies

Updated June 17, 2012 10:07:50

Ian Bell marked his return to England's one-day side with a stylish century as it beat the West Indies by 114 runs under the Duckworth/Lewis method in its series opener on Sunday (AEST).

Man-of-the-match Bell, filling the opener's spot vacated by Kevin Pietersen following the South Africa-born batsman's retirement from limited overs internationals, responded with 126 in an England total of six for 288 made after the hosts lost the toss.

"I really enjoyed it, it was nice to go out there and play some shots at the top of the order," Bell said.

"Nerves can be a good thing, some butterflies in the stomach, I've played well in the Tests and wanted to continue that.

"This is a big ground, so if you can't hit fours and sixes, you have to run the ones and twos.

"I've been playing good cricket in Tests, I've got some confidence from that and it's good to transfer it over."

Dwayne Smith looked to be making up for the absence of big-hitting opener Chris Gayle, whose much anticipated international return after 15 months out following a spat with West Indies cricket chiefs was delayed by a shin injury.

However, when Smith was dismissed for 56 it was the start of a slump that saw the tourists lose their last nine wickets for 77 runs.

West Indies, five for 127 off 23 overs when rain stopped play, was set a revised target of 287 in 48 overs.

But it finished on 172 all out as England won with more than 14 overs left.

That meant England went 1-0 up with two to play ahead of Tuesday's match at The Oval.

Tim Bresnan, who led England's attack with 4-34 runs, sealed an emphatic victory when he had last man Sunil Narine well caught by diving wicket-keeper Craig Kieswetter.

"The bowlers again did fantastically and it was a really good effort to get them out for that score," added Bell, whose hundred was only the 30-year-old's second in his 109 one-day internationals, with his 126 not out against India in 2007 also made at the Rose Bowl.

And this innings came just a day after Bell's participation was put in doubt when he was struck a severe blow on the chin while batting in the indoor nets.

But, overcoming fears of a broken jaw, Bell helped the hosts recover from the shock of losing opening partner Alastair Cook, England's one-day captain, for a third ball duck during a second-wicket stand of 108 with Warwickshire colleague Jonathan Trott (42).

"It was a fantastic knock from Ian and close to 300 is hard to chase on any ground," Cook said.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy, who had backed his side to win this series, said: "It was a pretty good wicket and Ian Bell played a good innings but we backed ourselves to get the runs."

"No one went on like Bell, unfortunately.

"Hopefully, Chris Gayle will be fit for Tuesday but we will assess all the guys before then."

There had been concerns England would struggle at the top of the order in the absence of Pietersen, who finished his one-day career with back-to-back hundreds against Pakistan in Dubai in February.

But Bell, dropped from that series, took 16 runs off the sixth over from Andre Russell courtesy of a straight six and two elegant fours.

Bell was out when he top-edged a slower ball from seamer Dwayne Bravo to wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin.

His previous best as a one-day opener was the 77 he made against Australia in a 2007 World Cup match in Antigua.

West Indies saw Smith go on the attack but his 44-ball innings finished when he edged an intended pull off seamer Bresnan to Kieswetter.

Bresnan then made it two wickets for three runs in five balls when Ramdin, promoted because Darren Bravo was unable to bat at number three due to a groin strain, was out leg before wicket for 22.

After the rain break, Marlon Samuels -- a thorn in England's side during the Tests -- holed out off James Anderson and wickets continued to fall steadily.

AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, england, united-kingdom

First posted June 17, 2012 10:02:24

View the original article here

Cook, Bell steer England to win over Windies

Updated May 22, 2012 06:48:30

Alastair Cook and Ian Bell made composed fifties to guide England to a comfortable five-wicket win over the West Indies in the first Test at Lord's on Tuesday (AEST).

The hosts had crumbled to 4 for 57 chasing 191 for victory on a chilly morning but Cook and Bell steadied the ship with a fifth-wicket partnership of 132.

Cook was out for 79 just before the end but Bell steered England home, clipping Marlon Samuels for four through mid-wicket to seal victory and finish on 63 not out.

"There's always a bit of pressure when you're chasing a score but we always had faith the wicket was going to stay very flat," England captain Andrew Strauss told a news conference.

"It was an outstanding performance from Cook and Bell, they played in a very professional way and showed their class.

"We had to work very hard for this victory and it certainly wasn't a formality to wrap it up today."

After resuming on 2 for 10, Jonathan Trott became Kemar Roach's third victim of the innings when he nicked a rapid seaming delivery to Darren Sammy at slip before Kevin Pietersen edged a catch to wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin trying to pull a short ball from Shannon Gabriel.

That left the West Indies scenting an unlikely victory against the world's top-ranked team.

The touring side have won only one of its last 18 tests in England and trailed the hosts by 155 runs on first innings but a battling 345 second time round kept them in the match.

Cook and Bell displayed exemplary calmness in a tense atmosphere, however, rotating the strike neatly and hitting bad balls to the boundary to steer England to 4 for 131 at lunch.

Cook got to his fifty just before the interval with a late cut for four off spinner Samuels, the left-hander reaching the milestone off 78 balls having hit eight boundaries.

Bell passed fifty for the second time in the match midway through the afternoon session and the pair strolled through the final overs picking up runs at will before Cook was caught at gully by Kirk Edwards off Sammy with just two runs needed.

"We are quite pleased with the way we played, we took the game to the fifth day," Sammy said.

"There were good performances by some of our players when nobody gave us a chance.

"We kept coming back and that shows a good team spirit."

The second Test in the three-match series starts at Trent Bridge on Saturday (AEST).

Reuters

Tags: sport, cricket, england, united-kingdom

First posted May 22, 2012 06:43:43

View the original article here

England wobble in Windies run chase

Updated May 21, 2012 07:08:07

Kemar Roach stunned England with a dramatic late burst to give West Indies hope of an improbable victory in the first Test at Lord's on Sunday.

Roach took two wickets for seven runs in eight balls, including England captain, and first innings century-maker, Andrew Strauss, to leave the hosts struggling at 2/10 at the close of the fourth day.

England will need a further 181 runs to reach their seemingly modest victory target of 191 on Monday's final day in the first of this three-Test series.

That West Indies - who started the day 35 runs adrift and in danger of an innings defeat - were still in the game owed much to Shivnarine Chanderpaul's second marathon effort of the match.

Chanderpaul, officially the world's best batsman, made 91 in a total of 345 that followed his first innings 87 not out.

The Guyana left-hander batted for 10 hours and 24 minutes in this match, scoring 178 runs for once out while facing 425 balls - a mammoth effort even by the 37-year-old's high standards.

Nevertheless, with the Lord's pitch holding up well, England will still be regarded as favourites for victory.

But if the tourists maintain their accuracy, and overhead conditions assist swing bowling, the West Indies - who came into this match having won just two of their previous 30 Tests - could yet claim a stunning success.

Roach had Strauss, who made 122 in the first innings, caught in the gully for just one and nightwatchman James Anderson caught behind for six.

After Anderson exited, Roach's next ball rapped Jonathan Trott on the pads and the tourists appealed for lbw, only for Aleem Dar to rule not out.

The West Indies reviewed the decision but as replays showed the ball only just clipping the stumps, the Pakistani umpire's original verdict was upheld.

Trott was nought not out at stumps, as was opener Alastair Cook.

Chanderpaul, downplaying his own effort, said he was looking forward to some final day fireworks from Roach and new-ball partner Fidel Edwards.

"Kemar stepped it up this evening and we're hoping Fidel can step it up also," Chanderpaul told Sky Sports.

"It's not bad (the West Indies' position). Hopefully they can put it in the right areas and get the wickets. It's pretty tough out there."

England's Graeme Swann insisted Roach's late double strike hadn't caused too many jitters in the home dressing room.

"To walk away at the end chasing 191...we'll take that," he said. "We'd have taken a chase of less than 200 and we deserved a chase of less than 200.

"It wasn't great losing the captain tonight but we have a very strong line-up."

Off-spinner Swann, who grabbed the key wicket of Chanderpaul when he had him lbw on the sweep, said of West Indies' star batsman: "Once again he's proving a thorn in our side. With such a crabby, unorthodox technique you think he must get out sometime but he keeps going.

"It's always annoying when you can't get a bloke out, but you can't take anything away from him," added Swann, who took three for 59.

Chanderpaul and Marlon Samuels had shared a fifth wicket stand of 157 that rescued the West Indies from the depths of 4/65.

The 31-year-old Samuels was closing in on what would have been only his third Test hundred when, shortly after England had taken the new ball, he played a flat-footed drive off Stuart Broad and edged straight to Swann at second slip.

Samuels faced 172 balls with 12 fours in an elegant and gutsy innings of 86.

Broad, who took a Test-best seven for 72 in West Indies' first innings, followed up with four for 93 for a match haul of 11/165.

That meant the fast-medium bowler had become the first player to take 10 or more wickets in a Lord's Test since South Africa's Makhaya Ntini in 2003 and the first Englishman since Ian Botham took 11/140 against New Zealand in 1978.

AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, united-kingdom, england

First posted May 21, 2012 07:08:07

View the original article here

Bairstow gets England call for Windies opener

Updated May 13, 2012 19:59:08

Jonathan Bairstow was named in an England Test squad for the first time when he was included in a 13-man party for the series opener against the West Indies at Lord's starting Thursday.

The 22-year-old Yorkshireman is set to bat at number six after all-rounder Ravi Bopara, in line to fill that middle order spot, was omitted from the squad after suffering a thigh injury playing for Essex.

Bairstow, who has played in six one-day internationals and six Twenty20 internationals, is the only player in England's 13 yet to be capped at Test level.

Since making an impressive ODI debut against India in Cardiff last September, he has also continued to shine in the longer format this year with two centuries already in this season's County Championship.

He has also made a fifty in the ongoing tour match between the second-string England Lions and the West Indies which concludes at Northampton on Sunday.

Bairstow was preferred to fellow 22-year-old, Lions captain James Taylor of Leicestershire, who hit a hundred in the current match.

Assuming the batsman/wicketkeeper is selected on Thursday, Bairstow would complete a notable family double as he is the son of the late former Yorkshire and England keeper David Bairstow, who appeared in four Tests from 1979 to 1981.

England's squad also included five seamers in Steven Finn, Tim Bresnan and Graham Onions, as well as likely new ball duo James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

England won just once in five Tests during their winter series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates and away to Sri Lanka after reaching the top of the International Cricket Council rankings at home last year.

England squad:

Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Jonathan Bairstow, Matt Prior (wicketkeeper), Stuart Broad, Tim Bresnan, Graeme Swann, Steven Finn, James Anderson, Graham Onions.

AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, england

First posted May 13, 2012 19:59:08

View the original article here

Narine stars as Windies bounce back

Updated March 19, 2012 10:58:12

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 09:10:05

View the original article here

Risk-free Aussies go for kill against Windies

Updated April 22, 2012 10:49:58

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 10:49:58

View the original article here

Aussies stretch lead despite Windies fight

Updated April 26, 2012 09:38:27

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 07:47:49

View the original article here

Windies series proves costly for Aussies

Updated March 27, 2012 08:43:22

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 08:43:22

View the original article here

Windies mix youth, experience for T20 series

Updated March 25, 2012 08:23:12

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 08:23:12

View the original article here

Hilfy triggers Windies collapse

Updated April 11, 2012 11:48:12

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 05:47:52

View the original article here

Windies declare after Chanderpaul ton

Updated April 09, 2012 10:07:48

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 06:50:38

View the original article here

Lyon triggers Windies' collapse

Updated April 18, 2012 13:48:48

Shivnarine Chanderpaul fell agonisingly short of a century before Australian spinner Nathan Lyon destroyed the West Indian lower order to hand the momentum back to the visitors on the third day of the second Test at Queen's Park in Port of Spain.

Chanderpaul was dismissed for 94 but his gritty performance counted for little at stumps after the fragile West Indian batting crumbled and the home side was reduced to 9 for 252, still 59 runs behind Australia's first innings of 311.

Lyon (5 for 68) triggered the collapse when he captured five wickets in a devastating spell late in the final session on an increasingly difficult pitch.

Chanderpaul, who scored an unbeaten century in last week's first Test defeat in Barbados, shared a 130-run partnership with Narsingh Deonarine (55) to give West Indies hope of a first innings lead when the wheels suddenly fell off and it lost five wickets for just 19 runs.

Deonarine was stumped by Matthew Wade shortly after completing his third half-century in his 10th Test then Lyon trapped Chanderpaul LBW with a ball that turned just enough to beat the inside edge.

Darren Sammy (1), Shane Shillingford (4) and Kemar Roach (duck) then followed in quick succession, leaving Carlton Baugh (17 not out) and Fidel Edwards (duck) to battle through to stumps.

Lyon says his performance meant as much to him as his five-wicket haul on debut against Sri Lanka last year.

"Obviously different playing my first Test match and being able to grab five wickets, but here today's been a hard toil for the whole Australian side," he said.

"I'm still over the moon even though I didn't run around like I did in Galle. Just really happy with the way things panned out, but saying that we've still got a lot of work to do to win this Test match."

Lyon says claiming the wicket of Chanderpaul added to the significance of his dismissals.

"He's one of the best batsman going around in world cricket," he said.

"You look at all the other best batters in the world, they're not easy to get out. It's Test match cricket for a reason and full credit to Chanderpaul.

"He's a great player and it's definitely a challenge for all our players and we're looking forward to every challenge when we walk out to the crease. It's difficult to bowl to him but it's a great challenge and we're definitely up for it."

Chanderpaul, a thorn in Australian sides for years, had been given a life on 8 when the Australian skipper Michael Clarke failed to grasp a difficult chance at slip that deflected off Wade.

The unorthodox left-hander then made the Australians pay for the missed opportunity with a watchful 217-ball innings that featured 10 boundaries and a six, off left-arm spinner Michael Beer.

Deonarine also had a close shave early in his innings, scrambling home by a whisker to avoid being run out on the last ball before lunch.

The day began in bizarre circumstances when play was delayed for 20 minutes because of a power outage.

The two teams walked on to the field as scheduled but were told by match referee Jeff Crowe to retreat back to the dressing room before a ball was bowled because there was no live television footage.

Australia's frontline bowlers failed to make any inroads in the morning session and it was left to part-time seamer Mike Hussey to make the initial breakthrough, removing Darren Bravo for 38.

Australia did not get another wicket until after tea when the second session was interrupted for around 90 minutes because of a passing rain shower.

Reuters/ABC

Tags: cricket, sport, trinidad-and-tobago

First posted April 18, 2012 07:39:29

View the original article here

Clarke ready for first Windies Test

Updated March 25, 2012 16:26:32

Australia captain Michael Clarke says he has come through an intense couple of weeks of physiotherapy in great shape and will be ready for the first Test against West Indies in Barbados starting on April 7.

Clarke was ruled out of the tri-series earlier this month with a hamstring injury suffered against Sri Lanka.

But following two weeks of rehabilitation under the guidance of Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris, Clarke says he is feeling great.

"It's been a busy couple of weeks of rehab and treatment with my physio," said Clarke, who departed for the Caribbean on Sunday.

"I had a fitness test Friday and I passed all of that. I've still got seven days until our tour game starts.

"Alex just wanted to check my strength and see if that had improved over the couple of weeks.

"There was some running - general straight line running and some running between wickets and sideways movement to check I'll be fine fielding.

"He's (Kountouris) really confident at where I'm at now. Knowing that we've got that time before the tour game I'll be 100 per cent."

Clarke also has confirmed he is in talks to join IPL franchise the Pune Warriors.

"That opportunity has been presented to my management company and I," Clarke said.

"Right now they're discussing it. We will continue to talk about that and make a decision in due course.

"But my focus right now is to make sure I get back and play some good cricket for Australia."

Once known for being hard and fast, the wickets of the Caribbean are turning as much as Clarke has seen anywhere for a long time.

Meanwhile, he admitted Australia could play two spinners in the first Test.

"The wickets look really slow and have spun as much as any wickets around the world," he said.

"We always talk about spin in India and Sri Lanka but the wicket in St Vincent ... that's as much as I've seen the ball spin and bounce for a long time.

"If conditions are like what we've seen in the one-dayers, then it's something we definitely need to consider."

Spinners Michael Beer and Nathan Lyon impressed Clarke in recent months and he believes they could make a good double act in the Test series.

"They're two very good spinners who have great control," he said.

"I've seen them both throughout the Australian summer bowl very early in an innings, so they can control the new ball as well.

"From what I've seen in the one-dayers, I think they'll both be a handful."

Fortunately for Australia, impressive West Indies off spinner Sunil Narine is not expected to line up for the home side in the Test series.

"I don't think he's playing. The last I heard he was going to the IPL," Clarke said.

"(But) if he does take part in the Test series, I'm sure we'll all have a really good look at him."

While he admits Australia has not been at its best in the one-day series, Clarke said it was always going to take some players time to adjust to the Caribbean.

"I would like to have won every game but conditions have been tough," he said.

"It's a lot different from what we've been facing in Australia. It's been a great experience for guys who haven't been to the West Indies before.

"We've got plenty of time plus we've got a three-day tour game before the first Test and we will be 100 per cent ready to go for that first Test match."

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, australia

First posted March 25, 2012 12:57:08

View the original article here

Aussies collapse as Windies level series

Updated March 31, 2012 10:58:04

Australia slumped to a 14-run defeat in the second Twenty20 international against the West Indies in Barbados, levelling the two-match series at 1-1.

With the tourists chasing 161 for victory, a brilliant run-out by Dwayne Bravo to dismiss David Warner sparked the home team into action as Australia ended on 9 for 146 in reply.

The result ensures Australia's seven-year wait for a T20 series win overseas continues.

"I thought 160 was about par and even batting I thought we were on track to knock it off as well," Australian captain George Bailey said.

"It would have been nice to get one big partnership at the top, which we missed.

"We lost a bit of composure at the end and there was some good bowling as well."

Warner, on the end of constant chatter by the West Indies fielders after giving Kieron Pollard a send-off during the Windies' innings, scored 58 off 43 balls and appeared to have Australia in control of its chase.

But his innings was ended in dramatic fashion by Bravo, who threw down the stumps at the striker's end from mid-on to catch Warner short, stalling Australia's innings and helping the Windies snatch victory.

"I think that was the game-changer right there. Warner was batting really, really well," West Indies captain Darren Sammy said.

"That's something Bravo is used to doing. He's an impact player and today he had a big impact with that run-out and from there the momentum just shifted."

Bailey said Warner looked as if he would steer Australia all the way to the total.

"That's Twenty20," he said.

"That's the crux of it. It's one run-out, one ball. It's an over or an innings that turns the game.

"For us to be a good team, you've got to be winning the majority of those. Particularly when you get into a situation where, even with Davey's run out, we had a platform to go on and win the game."

The two sides also shared the one-day series 2-2, with the three-Test series beginning next weekend.

"Today was a bit disappointing," man-of-the-series Shane Watson, who was dismissed for a second-ball duck, added.

"It's been an up and down series for us so far. We're continuing to learn and grow as a group and today has been another learning experience."

Fast-bowler Fidel Edwards finished with 3 for 23 off his four overs as did Marlon Samuels, while Bravo took two wickets in the final over to finish with 2 for 27.

Samuels' off-breaks took the three crucial wickets of Bailey (24), Mike Hussey (14) and Matthew Wade (17).

Edwards then picked up two wickets in two balls, Dan Christian and Brett Lee, in the penultimate over which brought Australia's late charge to a standstill.

"The work we've been doing in the camp and throughout the series has been paying off and I want to ask the boys to keep doing that," added Sammy.

"We want to keep doing well in the Tests and hopefully continue the good results."

Earlier, opener Dwayne Smith belted his maiden T20 international half-century as the Windies made 160 batting first.

Smith scored 63 off just 35 deliveries, including six fours and four sixes, to lift the Windies to 2 for 100 inside 10 overs.

But the former New South Wales player's demise sparked a collapse as the Windies lost their last eight wickets for 50 runs.

Johnson Charles (37), who shared a 72-run opening stand with Smith, and Dwayne Bravo (23) were the only other Windies batsman to reach double figures.

Brett Lee took 3 for 23 to lead Australia's bowling effort while Clint McKay (2 for 24) and Watson (2 for 26) supported with two wickets each.

Youngster James Pattinson had a day to forget, conceding 0 for 34 off his two overs including three sixes to Smith in one over.

ABC/AAP

Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, barbados, australia

First posted March 31, 2012 08:59:26

View the original article here