Roach likely out for Strikers clash

Updated December 13, 2012 11:35:16

Kemar Roach is unlikely to play for Brisbane in Thursday's Big Bash League clash with Adelaide as flight problems have delayed his arrival into Australia until late on Wednesday.

The pace bowler was delayed en route from Bangladesh where he played for the West Indies in the one-day international on Monday.

Kieron Pollard played in the same match and safely arrived in Adelaide in time to face the Heat.

Roach has not been as fortunate with his connections from Dhaka and, after initially being expected to arrive in Adelaide today, is now flying into Melbourne where he will likely stay the night before heading to South Australia hours before the match.

Speaking to ABC 612 Brisbane, Heat general manager Andrew Blucher suggested Roach was unlikely to take the field at the Adelaide Oval but said the decision would be left to coach Darren Lehmann.

Blucher conceded the Heat "did not bowl well enough" after being denied the services of Dale Steyn in defeat to the Hurricanes at the Gabba on Sunday, so the likely absence of another international quick came at a bad time.

With Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson away on international duty, it may be that Alister McDermott comes into the side.

Whatever the case, Brisbane will need a better contribution from Twenty20 international players James Hopes, Dan Christian and Thisara Perara who all went for 10 runs an over or more against the Hurricanes.

Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, brisbane-4000, adelaide-5000

First posted December 12, 2012 19:25:59

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Bulls quick Cutting returns for Shield clash

Updated November 06, 2012 11:14:38

Queensland paceman Ben Cutting will return from a groin injury in this week's Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania in Hobart.

Cutting, named 12th man for last year's first Test of the Australian summer in Brisbane, replaces Michael Neser in the Bulls squad that recorded a six-wicket win over NSW on Sunday.

The 25-year-old burst into contention for his maiden national call-up after a stellar start to last year's domestic season, only to suffer a side strain shortly after being omitted from the opening Test against New Zealand.

Having overcome a series of setbacks, Cutting made a strong start to the 2012/13 first-class season, snaring 11 wickets at an average of 23.9 in three Shield games as well as scoring 240 runs - including his maiden century.

While Cutting proved his fitness in a one-day club game on Sunday, Queensland selectors opted to give skipper James Hopes (knee) another week on the sidelines.

Usman Khawaja, who scored two half-centuries against the Michael Clarke-led Blues, will look to impress national selectors with a big score in the game that starts on Friday.

Tasmania lost to South Australia in Hobart over the weekend and will lose Test squad members Ricky Ponting and Ben Hilfenhaus for the first rematch of last season's Shield final.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, australia, hobart-7000, tas

First posted November 06, 2012 11:14:38

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Murali takes on Warne in Big Bash clash

Updated December 06, 2012 21:13:26

Sri Lanka spin wizard Muttiah Muralidaran says he is not seeking revenge against Melbourne Stars' recruit Brad Hodge despite Hodge helping to lure Murali to Melbourne Renegades.

Test wicket world-record holder Murali, 40, has signed to play for the Renegades in the Big Bash League Twenty20 which opens on Friday at Docklands as the Renegades host cross-town rivals and tournament favourites the Stars.

Twenty20 batting great Hodge has crossed to the Stars this summer while another ex-Renegade Andrew McDonald has joined the Adelaide Strikers.

"Hodge and McDonald convinced me to come and play Renegades," Murali told a media conference on Thursday.

"At the time they were in the Renegades. Unfortunately they're not there but still we have a good side."

Murali said he phoned Hodge recently to ask what happened to their plans to play together for the Renegades.

"Yeah he convinced me to come and play and after that he was gone to the Stars. So then I asked him, just a friendly call," Murali said, grinning amid laughter from the media pack.

"No revenge as such because we want to play a good game. We want to compete with them and see how it goes."

Murali and his long-time rival Shane Warne, who boast over 1500 Test wickets between them, will clash on Friday with the 43-year-old Warne captaining the Stars.

Warne appeared genuinely moved at their joint press conference when Murali praised his Australian rival.

"Once in a hundred years you can get a bowler like him. I have a lot of respect for him," Murali said, adding reports of a rift between the pair over the years had been media hype.

Warne said: "Having Murali there weaving his magic, the wirly-twirly man, it should be a bit of fun. He'll be smiling as well."

Proud Melbourne product Warne said the city remained the sporting capital of the world, with officials hoping for a record crowd of 43,000 for the clash between the two great spinners.

"I feel ready to go. There's a good vibe amongst our side," Warne said.

"They've got a very good side and so have we."

Renegades' skipper Aaron Finch was happy to play along with the "Hollywood" tag that has been applied to the star-studded Stars, whose lineup includes last summer's player of the tournament David Hussey.

"There's been a lot of media hype around the Stars.... but we're confident that we can probably contend with the World XI over there," Finch said.

In Brisbane, the Heat have added some bowling backup after internationals Daniel Vettori and Dale Steyn were ruled out of the Big Bash series.

The Heat have signed attacking all-rounder Thisara Perera, who was part of the Sri Lankan team that made it to the final of the T20 World Cup early this year.

Brisbane had suffered a double blow ahead of the tournament, with New Zealand's Dettori ruled out through injury, while Cricket South Africa withdrew permission for Steyn to play a one-off game in the Heat's opening match.

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, twenty20, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted December 06, 2012 21:10:51

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Pakistan thrashes Australia in first T20 clash

Updated September 06, 2012 10:56:24

Australia suffered a humbling defeat to Pakistan in the first Twenty20 international losing by seven wickets after being bowled out for 89, its second-lowest ever total in the shortest form of the game.

In response, Pakistan comfortably chased down the Australian total, Kamran Akmal leading the way with 31 not out.

The target was surpassed with 31 balls to spare, the earliest any Australian side has been beaten in Twenty20 internationals.

"I'm very disappointed and there's plenty to go away and work on," Bailey said.

"You don't ever want to be setting those sorts of records.

"But in terms of the group we've got together and what we're capable of, it certainly hasn't altered my thoughts that we can still be a very good team.

"I still think we can win it. Definitely. Absolutely," he added.

"I certainly don't think we'd win if we played like we did today."

Bailey said he couldn't pinpoint one reason for the team's batting collapse.

"It's just one of those things. It's hopefully just a bad performance and one that you won't see again," he said.

"Even if we gained a tiny bit of momentum, we gave it back by losing a wicket."

Bailey's side narrowly beat Australia's record-low score of 79 against England in Southampton in 2005.

Opener David Warner (22) was the only batsman to reach 20 in a terrible display of shot-making by the Australian side just two weeks shy of their opening Twenty20 World Cup clash with Ireland in Sri Lanka.

Pacemen Sohail Tanvir (3 for 13) and Umar Gul (1 for 17) always looked threatening while spinners Mohammad Hafeez, Saeed Ajmal and Raza Hasan, on debut, claimed two wickets each.

Gul and Shane Watson had both been rested from the one-day international series and it was the Pakistan paceman who began in better form, trapping the Australian vice-captain lbw for eight with his fifth delivery after coming on to bowl the third over.

Mike Hussey, fresh from two consecutive ODI half-centuries, was caught at cover for one.

Warner continued his modest form against Pakistan as he popped a return catch to Hafeez on 22 after scoring a total of 50 in the ODI series.

But his score was made to look good by his teammates.

David Hussey (three) and Bailey (14) were both caught on the leg-side boundary and Matthew Wade (six) and Glenn Maxwell (four) followed in the same fashion.

Ajmal dismissed Maxwell and Cameron White (bowled for 15) in successive deliveries but tailender Xavier Doherty was at least able to deny the spin genius a hat-trick.

Australia's innings ended with three balls remaining in the 20th over when Ben Hilfenhaus was caught behind for a duck.

ABC/AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, twenty20, united-arab-emirates, australia, pakistan

First posted September 06, 2012 05:04:06

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Aussies drop Forrest for third one-day clash

Updated March 20, 2012 16:02:10

Batsman Peter Forrest has been dropped as Australia turns to a two-man spin attack for the third one-day international against the West Indies in St Vincent on Wednesday (AEDT).

Forrest, who made a duck in the five-wicket defeat to the Windies in Sunday's second one-day international, has been axed in favour of spinner Nathan Lyon as the tourists seek their best options to reclaim the series lead on the slow Arnos Vale Ground pitch.

Lyon, who made his one-day international debut in the third final of the tri-series against Sri Lanka in Adelaide earlier this month, joins Xavier Doherty for a dual spin assault.

Since making his maiden one-day international century against Sri Lanka in Hobart last month, Forrest has struggled for form, only passing 20 once in his past five innings for Australia.

His axing means a reshuffle of Australia's batting order for Wednesday's game is likely, with Matthew Wade likely to move back to opener alongside David Warner while captain Shane Watson slots in at number three.

Veteran batsman Michael Hussey says Wednesday's game will be a vital one in the five-game series, with Australia desperate to take a 2-1 series lead going into the fourth and fifth games on the nearby island of St Lucia.

"Just to not think too much about it and get back out there is a good thing," Hussey said of the quick turnaround following Sunday's loss.

"Obviously we'd prefer to be two to the good but it's one-all and it's really a pivotal match in the series."

The match begins at 9.30am (12.30am Wednesday AEDT) with morning showers again forecast.

Australia: Shane Watson (captain), David Warner, Matthew Wade, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, George Bailey, Dan Christian, Brett Lee, Clint McKay, Nathan Lyon, Xavier Doherty.

AAP

Tags: cricket, saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines

First posted March 20, 2012 08:06:50

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Stars go down in final T20 clash

Updated March 24, 2012 14:17:53

The Australian women's cricket team won its Twenty20 series against India, despite losing the fifth and final match by eight wickets in Vizag.

The Southern Stars, who claimed a 4-1 series triumph, were dismissed for 89 with opener Leah Poulton top-scoring with 30.

India lost on two wickets in its reply, reaching the victory target in the 15th over.

Tags: cricket, sport, india

First posted March 24, 2012 14:17:53

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MacGill named for Sixers clash

Updated December 15, 2011 17:29:20

Veteran trio Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee and Stuart MacGill will take centre stage once more in the Big Bash League's season-opening clash on Friday night.

Lee, 35, and MacGill, 40, will turn out for the Sydney Sixers while Hayden, 40, will be headlining for the visiting Brisbane Heat in the Twenty20 clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Hayden will be joined by some of the game's biggest hitters, with New Zealand's Brendon McCullum, Test hopeful Dan Christian and skipper James Hopes all turning out for the Heat.

Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin will lead a strong Sixers line-up that includes West Indies import Dwayne Bravo and young guns Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc.

Lee says he has fully recovered from appendicitis and is ready to do some damage after a long wait on the sidelines.

"I've been ready for two months, so (Friday) night can't come soon enough," he told reporters on Thursday.

"I'm really excited about it - I've done a lot of work and a lot of preparation in the nets. I had a really good hit-out (on Wednesday).

"I bowled for 40 minutes in the nets and bowled with some decent pace."

Also on show for the Sixers is Tasmania's opening batsman Ed Cowan, who is putting pressure on out-of-form Test opener Phil Hughes ahead of the Boxing Day Test against India.

AAP

Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, sydney-2000, brisbane-4000, qld, nsw, australia

First posted December 15, 2011 17:10:06

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Beer fined for clash with Smith

Updated December 01, 2011 14:07:07

Cricket Australia (CA) has fined one-time Test spinner Michael Beer 50 per cent of his match fee for clashing with New South Wales' Steve Smith in Wednesday's one-day cup match at the SCG.

Western Australian Beer was reported by both on-field umpires Geoff Joshua and Paul Wilson for making inappropriate and deliberate contact with Smith.

The incident happened while Beer was bowling in the 35th over of the first innings on Wednesday.

Beer pleaded guilty to breaching CA's code of behaviour.

Beer, who played his only Test against England in Sydney at the start of this year, has been displaced in the national side by Nathan Lyon.

Beer recorded match figures of 1 for 174 while playing for Australia A in the recent tour match against New Zealand.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia, perth-6000, wa

First posted December 01, 2011 14:07:07

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Bulls unchanged for Vics clash

Updated November 29, 2011 16:32:04

Unbeaten Queensland has stuck with an unchanged line-up for the top of the table Sheffield Shield match with Victoria starting on Friday at the MCG.

The Bulls head into the contest 16 points ahead of the Bushrangers, with Monday's four-wicket win over South Australia making it a perfect five outright wins from as many matches this season.

Much of the Bulls' success is down to the performances of their young brigade, with the likes of leg-spinner Cameron Boyce and batsmen Joe Burns, Peter Forrest and Wade Townsend leading the way.

Boyce's five-wicket haul against the Redbacks left him with 17 wickets at an average of 23.88 from four matches this season.

Opener Townsend, who scored 166 not out against the Redbacks, has 430 runs at 53.75, while former New South Wales middle order batsmen Forrest has 429 runs at 53.62.

The clash with the Bushrangers is Queensland's last Shield match before the hiatus from first-class cricket for the Twenty20 Big Bash League.

Queensland: James Hopes (captain), Cameron Boyce, Ryan Broad, Joe Burns, Luke Feldman, Peter Forrest, Matthew Gale, Chris Hartley, Chris Lynn, Alister McDermott, Michael Neser, Wade Townsend (12th man to be named)

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, brisbane-4000

First posted November 29, 2011 16:32:04

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Vics regain Wade for Shield clash

Updated December 01, 2011 14:29:55

Fourth-placed Victoria will regain wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade for Friday's crucial Sheffield Shield match with unbeaten Queensland at the MCG.

Ryan Carters makes way for Wade, who returns from Australia A duties, and top order batsman Aaron Finch has been recalled for youngster Peter Handscomb, who made a duck and 16 in last month's loss to Tasmania.

The Bulls, meanwhile, are considering rushing Ben Cutting into their line-up after the pace bowler was on Thursday named 12th man for Australia's first Test team against New Zealand in Brisbane.

The Bushrangers have lost both their home matches this season. They have 10 points from five appearances, while the James Hopes-led Bulls have claimed 30 points in their five-match winning streak this season.

Victoria: Cameron White (captain), Chris Rogers, Rob Quiney, Aaron Finch, David Hussey, Andrew McDonald, Matthew Wade, Glenn Maxwell, Clint McKay, Scott Boland, Jayde Herrick, Jon Holland

Queensland: James Hopes (captain), Cameron Boyce, Ryan Broad, Joe Burns, Luke Feldman, Peter Forrest, Matthew Gale, Chris Hartley, Chris Lynn, Alister McDermott, Michael Neser, Wade Townsend, Ben Cutting (possible late inclusion following omission from Test XI)

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, melbourne-3000

First posted December 01, 2011 14:29:55

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