Heat beat Stars to keep finals hopes alive

Updated January 04, 2013 09:50:49

The Brisbane Heat weathered a Lasith Malinga onslaught before keeping their Big Bash finals hopes alive with a 24-run victory over the Melbourne Stars at the Gabba.

In a match where tempers frayed between Australian one-day teammates Clint McKay and Dan Christian, the Heat (5 for 171) ended the Stars' four-match winning streak with a spirited comeback on Thursday night.

Super slinger Malinga continued his destructive BBL form with an amazing 3-0 from his first 10 balls to have the home side staring at a sub-par total of 140.

But thanks largely to Shane Warne's rusty fielding and Chris Lynn's late-innings hitting, Brisbane set a respectable target which couldn't be reined in.

Dropped by Warne, his second embarrassing miss in the field, Lynn (26 not out) then helped peel off 17 runs off the final over by Malinga (3-26).

Heat skipper James Hopes followed his 49 with the bat to take 3 for 28 with the ball in a man-of-the-match performance which tormented the Stars' international-quality line-up.

Sri Lankan all-rounder Thisara Perera, in his last match for Brisbane, chimed in with 3 for 18 as the visitors were kept to 9-147.

A big crowd of 24,500 - the biggest of the season at the Gabba - lapped up the result which moves the Heat to fifth on the table with 3-3 record.

The Stars (4-2) remain in second place on eight points.

Emotions boiled over in the Heat innings when McKay and Christian engaged in a heated exchange, trading insults from close quarters, after the batsman prevented a run-out with his running line.

Warne, who won the toss and bowled first, showed his own lack of confidence in the field by calling Luke Wright to take a skied ball from Perera that landed where the 43-year-old had been standing.

Warne admitted the Stars let the home side off the hook following their impressive start.

"It was a little disappointing tonight in all three departments - our fielding and our bowling, we didn't quite get it right, and in our batting we lost wickets at crucial times," he said.

"Our last four overs went for 52 and 170 was a par score here as it was a really good wicket so we thought we could chase it down."

Hopes, who set the foundations with a two-paced 63-run second-wicket stand with surprise number three Chris Hartley, felt the Heat had some momentum after winning just one of their first four matches.

"It's a funny thing with our side, we tend to play our best when our backs are to the wall and we have to lose a few first to get on a winning streak," he said.

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, twenty20, brisbane-4000, melbourne-3000

First posted January 03, 2013 23:47:29

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Sri Lanka's golden generation hopes for rare win

Updated December 10, 2012 13:21:05

In what could be the last series for Sri Lanka's golden generation, there has never been a better time for the Lions to snare their first Test victory on Australian soil.

As Australia comes to grips with the retirement of champion batsman Ricky Ponting, the last member of Steve Waugh's record-breaking team of the early 2000s, so too will Sri Lanka have to rebuild in the coming years.

Mahela Jayawardene has already earmarked this series as his last as skipper, while Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara are likely visiting Australian shores for the final time.

Jayawardene and Sangakkara will retire as Sri Lanka's two greatest run-scorers, with only the order in which they finish to be decided.

As their careers wind down, following on from the exits of Murali in 2010, Sanath Jayasuriya in 2007 and Chaminda Vaas in 2009, it is the end of a golden era for Sri Lankan cricket.

But for all its successes, Sri Lanka has never won a Test in Australia - a continent it has visited five times only to come away with eight losses and two draws.

The 36-year-old Dilshan acknowledges time is running out for him and his team-mates.

"Definitely. For me I think this is my last tour (in Australia) in Test cricket. This is a real challenge for everyone," he said.

"We've never won a Test match here. If we can win a Test match it's great for the team and the country.

"It's never easy when you're playing Australia because the conditions are different. But we're looking forward to a great run with them in this series."

So much of Sri Lanka's current hopes are pinned to the batting of its veteran trio, prompting Dilshan to demand the top order makes runs, or risk being whitewashed in the three-Test series.

"Definitely in the top order someone has to put their hands up and put some big runs on the board, to help the middle order and the tailenders," the opener said.

"That's our target. The top order should make some runs this series.

"It's really important that Mahela and Sanga come into form. They're two experienced guys in the side."

Jayawardene sits ninth on the all-time run-scorers list with 10,640 runs - 287 short of Australian great Steve Waugh, who is seventh.

As one of the most prolific run-scorers of all time, his opinion on what affect Ponting's retirement will have carries some weight - but he has undecided as to whether Australia will lift without its out-of-form former skipper or miss his infectious will to win.

"I don't know whether it's a good thing or a bad thing but he's been a fantastic cricketer for the game," Jayawardene said in praise of Ponting.

"I think the record speaks for itself in the sense of what he's achieved for himself as a player and as a captain.

"For us as opponents and for me personally he's probably the ultimate competitor out there in the middle.

"Once you go up against him you know what you're going to get."

Ponting has been replaced in the Australian line-up by left-handed dynamo Phil Hughes, who earns a recall after 12 months out of the team with a refined technique and a thirst for runs.

Hughes will resume his career in the spot from which Ponting dominated world cricket for nearly a decade, coming in at number three.

The regenerative process is on in earnest on the sub-continent as well, with Jayawardene pointing to 25-year-old all-rounder Angelo Mathews as his natural successor.

The tourists have also pinned their hopes on batting prodigies Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne.

Like Ponting has done for Michael Clarke and countless other budding Australian batsmen, Dilshan says it is important to impart as much wisdom as possible during this transitional period.

"(Chandimal is) one of the youngsters we've found the last couple of years. He's getting more opportunity and is doing really well, especially in one dayers," Dilshan said.

"Now he's come into the longer version.

"If we have time, we can spend some time and give more opportunity to the youngsters, who are the future of Sri Lankan cricket."

AAP

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

First posted December 10, 2012 13:17:43

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Rain ruins Black Caps' victory hopes

Updated November 13, 2012 07:15:06

New Zealand's hopes of posting a consolation win against Sri Lanka were shattered by rain as the fifth and final one-day international was called off after 28.3 overs in Hambantota on Monday.

Sri Lanka won the five-match series 3-0, with the first and last one-dayers abandoned due to rain.

New Zealand was strongly placed to register its first win of the series as it reduced Sri Lanka to 8 for 123, with fast bowler Tim Southee taking three wickets to put the hosts under pressure.

Southee, who finished with 3 for 18 off 5.3 disciplined overs, was brilliantly supported by seamers Andrew Ellis (2 for 22), Trent Boult (1 for 23) and Adam Milne (1 for 17) to give his team a hope of victory.

Opener Upul Tharanga (60) top-scored for Sri Lanka, cracking eight fours before being caught by wicket-keeper Bradley-John Watling off Southee in the 29th over.

He added 47 for the fifth wicket with skipper Mahela Jayawardene (24), the highest stand of the innings, after four wickets had fallen for 44 runs.

Southee did the early damage when he bowled opener Dinesh Chandimal for no score and then had Lahiru Thirimanne caught behind to reduce Sri Lanka to 2 for 33.

Thirimanne, promoted in the batting order, contributed a 15-ball 17 with three boundaries.

Boult dismissed Angelo Mathews before Milne got his maiden one-day wicket when he had Kumar Sangakkara caught behind for 5.

Sri Lanka made two changes from the side that played the last match, bringing in paceman Shaminda Eranga and debutant spinner Akila Dananjaya in place of Nuwan Kulasekara and Rangana Herath. New Zealand retained the same side.

Sri Lanka and New Zealand will now play a two-Test series starting in Galle on Saturday.

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, sri-lanka, new-zealand

First posted November 13, 2012 07:15:06

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Rain hits England hopes at Headingley

Updated August 06, 2012 16:00:24

England's hopes of squaring its Test series against South Africa flickered briefly before heavy rain brought an early end to the fourth day of the second Test at Headingley on Sunday.

A fluent innings of 68 by Matt Prior gave England a six-run first innings lead with the hope of bowling out an injury-hit South African team cheaply in a second innings which started shortly before lunch.

But opening batsmen Graeme Smith and Jacques Rudolph resisted some hostile bowling before a mid-afternoon thunderstorm - the second rain stoppage of the day - ended play with South Africa unbeaten on 39, a lead of 33.

"It's very frustrating," Prior said. "To get a small lead and put South Africa under a bit of pressure, it would have been nice to have had the opportunity to bowl all day at them and pick up a few wickets going into the last day."

Prior said the positive side of the lost playing time was that it meant there were only two possible results - a draw or an England win.

"For them to know they have to bat out a day can sometimes be quite tough. We've got nothing to lose, we have to come very hard tomorrow morning. It'll take a bit of luck and a lot of skill, but who knows?"

Smith was one of three of South Africa's regular top four batsmen carrying an injury. He had to be helped off the field on Saturday after falling heavily on his left knee.

But he led his side onto the field with the knee heavily strapped and when he batted he did not appear to be hampered in his running between the wickets.

Rudolph opened the batting with Smith in place of first innings century maker Alviro Petersen, who did not field because of a hamstring injury and will be unable to bat until five wickets have fallen.

South Africa suffered a further injury blow when all-rounder Jacques Kallis could not take the field on Sunday because of back spasms.

South African team manager Dr Mohamed Moosajee said Kallis was the major concern.

"Jacques has a an issue with lower back spasms. He has had this problem before. Playing 17 years of international cricket, being an all-rounder and the load that his body has to handle, every now and again his back will seize.

"We'll monitor him overnight. There have been times when Jacques responds within a day but there have been times when it takes four or five days."

Moosajee said Petersen was responding to treatment but was about seven days away from full fitness, although he would bat if necessary.

He said Smith had jammed his left knee into the ground.

"We assume he has damaged something but will have a proper look once the Test match is over."

South Africa lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test at the Oval by an innings and 12 runs. It will overtake England at the top of the world Test rankings if it wins the series.

Short of a sensational collapse by South Africa on Monday, a draw is probable at Headingley, leaving England needing to win the final Test at Lord's, starting on August 16, to stay at number one.

England was bowled out for 425 shortly before lunch on Sunday.

South Africa was unbeaten on five in its second innings when lightning and rain drove the players off the field three balls into what would probably have been the last over before lunch.

After a two-hour delay, which included the lunch break, only another hour of play was possible before the players had to leave the field again.

Smith and Rudolph batted watchfully against disciplined bowling under a heavily overcast sky before rain swept in again.

England lost top scorer Kevin Pietersen to the second ball of the day when he was trapped leg before wicket by Morne Morkel without adding to his overnight score of 149.

It ended an innings which changed the course of the match after South Africa had seemed in control.

Prior took over the attacking role played by Pietersen on Saturday, cracking eight fours before he was ninth man out, top-edging a sweep against leg-spinner Imran Tahir to deep fine leg.

Tim Bresnan helped Prior add 45 for the seventh wicket before Tahir wrapped up the innings. Tahir took the last three wickets at a cost of nine runs to finish with three for 92.

AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, england, united-kingdom

First posted August 06, 2012 16:00:24

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Bulls hopes washed away at SCG

Updated March 02, 2012 19:01:01

Queensland's hopes of reaching the Sheffield Shield final are on the brink of being washed away by Sydney's big wet - and now the Blues are determined to put a further dent in their title chances.

Queensland's precarious position on the Shield ladder was not helped on Friday when day two of its clash with New South Wales at the SCG was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

And now, despite sitting in second place, the Bulls will nervously scan the weather forecasts knowing that Tasmania, which is just two points behind, is dominating South Australia after a Ricky Ponting century gave them a 273-run first-innings lead.

A victory over the Blues would put Queensland in the box seat to reach the final - but as Blues captain Stephen O'Keefe is quick to declare, the Bulls can ill afford to drop points.

Led by a return to form from opener Phil Hughes, who compiled a classy 73, NSW reached 4 for 207 by stumps on day one, something O'Keefe believes gives them the upper hand on a tricky wicket.

"They have to get points the way it looks with the other Shield games going on at the moment," O'Keefe said after play.

"For us, if we can get 300 plus we can control the running of the match. That's our plan tomorrow to build on that 200 runs and see what happens.

"I think there's enough in it for the bowlers in these sorts of conditions."

With the overcast conditions and a green wicket perfect for seam bowling, O'Keefe predicted his bowling line-up, spearheaded by fringe Test players Mitchell Starc and Trent Copeland, would enjoy getting a bowl.

"Definitely, I'm not going to curse them too much, but the ball is still moving around at 66 overs and seaming and whatever else," the off-spinning all-rounder said.

"If you're asking me as a tall quick bowler, these are the conditions you want - overcast and seaming around."

Meanwhile, entry to the match will be free for the final two days' play, with Cricket NSW opening the gates to all spectators.

Play is scheduled to start at 10.30am (AEDT).

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, qld, nsw

First posted March 02, 2012 19:01:01

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Tigers keep Shield hopes alive

Updated February 10, 2012 06:30:37

Tasmania eased to victory by six wickets over New South Wales on the final day of the Sheffield Shield Clash at the Bellerive Oval.

The Tigers' win lifts them to third in the points table, four adrift of second-place Western Australia with three games remaining.

With the Blues beginning the day at 4 for 75, James Faulkner added to his three wickets of the previous evening by dismissing Peter Nevill for 10.

From this point onwards it was the Jackson Bird show as he took the wickets of Steve O'Keefe (35), Scott Coyte (17) and Sean Abbott (0) before Brendan Drew dismissed Trent Copeland, ending the New South Wales innings with Simon Katich unable to bat after being struck on the head on day two.

Chasing 147, Tasmania started well before losing the wicket of Steve Cazzulino (18) to Steve O'Keefe just before the half-century mark.

Ed Cowan perished for 39, bowled by Josh Lalor, and wickets kept tumbling but not until each player had made a contribution towards the meagre total.

Scott Coyte trapped Alex Doolan (22) leg before and Copeland bowled first inning centurion George Bailey (27).

Mark Cosgrove (25 not out) and Faulkner (8 not out) brought the Tigers home for a well-earned victory.

Tags: cricket, sport, tas, australia

First posted February 09, 2012 18:49:42

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Heat keep alive Big Bash hopes

Updated January 18, 2012 00:00:57

The Brisbane Heat are back from the dead in the Big Bash League thanks to a record 91-run Gabba thumping of the Sydney Thunder on Tuesday night.

Inspired by an unbeaten 75 by Dan Christian, the Heat blasted 4 for 195 and then kept the Thunder to 6 for 104 - the second worst total in the revamped competition.

After losing their first four matches, the last-placed Heat were given no chance of making the BBL semi-finals 12 days ago.

But three straight wins, topped off by Tuesday night's drubbing has resurrected Brisbane, which is now sitting in fourth spot on net run rate.

The Melbourne Stars (3-3) can retain fourth place if they beat the Adelaide Strikers (2-4) on Thursday night at the MCG but otherwise the Heat are in pole position.

The dominant victory was set up by scintillating batting effort after being sent in on a green, underprepared Gabba pitch following two days of rain.

While all-rounder Christian made it look like a batting paradise, the Heat's bowlers relished the conditions by ripping through the Thunder's top-order with the new ball.

Alister McDermott dismissed West Indies master blaster Chris Gayle for a golden duck and then had Tim Cruickshank caught behind for a rare double-wicket maiden.

Sorely missing captain and Test opener Dave Warner, the Thunder also struggled to get their run rate above four and were a beaten team at 5 for 34 in the 12th over.

The 91-run winning margin was easily bigger than the previous biggest of 67 by the Strikers against the Melbourne Renegades.

Brisbane also struggled against the new ball before Christian entered the fray at 2 for 14 and reeled off five fours and four sixes in his classy 48-ball knock.

He combined with captain Peter Forrest (33 off 27 balls) for an 80-run stand before young gun Chris Lynn (37 off 17) joined the party to put on 71 off the last 27 balls.

"We just had to get through that first part because the wicket had a little bit in it," said Christian, a T20 international, who was averaging a lowly 17 before the match.

"It's a little bit of a monkey off the back."

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, twenty20, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted January 17, 2012 23:08:42

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Christian hopes Big Bash leads to baggy green

Updated December 19, 2011 18:11:04

Donning Brisbane Heat's distinctive teal in a bid to secure a baggy green has not made all-rounder Dan Christian see red.

Test quick Ryan Harris will launch his comeback from injury in the Heat's Big Bash League Twenty20 clash with Shane Warne's Melbourne Stars at the Gabba on Tuesday night.

But Christian is hoping Harris will not be the only Heat player national selectors will be monitoring ahead of the Boxing Day Test against India.

The Big Bash League's arrival ensures there will be no domestic first-class cricket for players to impress selectors in during the entire four-Test series against India.

Christian - 12th man in the second Test against New Zealand in Hobart - believes an eye-catching display for the Heat can earn a nod when the Boxing Day Test squad is announced this week.

"I don't see why not," he said on Monday.

David Warner's transformation from Twenty20 slogger to Test opener stunned some - but Christian is not surprised the "hit and giggle" format is suddenly being taken very seriously by selectors.

"It is obviously not ideal in terms of not having a four-day game, but if I am bowling well and hitting the ball well ... I don't think it matters what format of the game you are playing," he said.

"Runs are runs and form is form. I think Twenty20 is just as valuable as four-day cricket."

Christian, 28, said he was more than ready to become Australia's second indigenous Test cricketer.

"I feel like I am at the top of my game," said Christian, who has played three international T20s for Australia.

"I reckon now is (the right time) for me (to be picked). But I will just have to wait and see what the selectors come up with."

Harris is expected to slot back into the national team on Boxing Day after overcoming a hip complaint suffered on the recent tour of South Africa.

He got the nod to make his BBL debut after emerging unscathed from Heat training on Monday.

Harris and all-rounder Michael Neser, who missed last Friday night's seven-wicket loss to the Sydney Sixers, replace Chris Hartley and Matthew Gale.

Meanwhile, Christian backed Warne to bounce back after the ex-Test legspinner's underwhelming Big Bash League debut (0 for 19 off two overs) in last Saturday night's six-wicket loss to Sydney Thunder.

"I faced him in the IPL this year - he has still got it," he said.

AAP

Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted December 19, 2011 18:06:42

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Hopes, McDermott skittle Vics

Updated December 07, 2011 18:20:54

James Hopes and Alister McDermott took four wickets each for Queensland to bowl Victoria out for 237 in their one-day match at the MCG on Wednesday.

Victoria was struggling at 5 for 94 before Aaron Finch (71) and Rob Quiney (38) added 61 for the sixth wicket.

Quiney and Glenn Maxwell (50 off 37 balls) continued the home side's lower-order fightback with a 67-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

However McDermott (4 for 30) took three of the last four wickets to fall as Victoria lost 4 for 25 to be all out after 48.4 overs.

Skipper Hopes claimed 4 for 64 off 13 overs in a fine effort considering he appeared to be still troubled by a knee injury which kept him out of last weekend's Sheffield Shield game at the MCG.

Hopes made the initial breakthrough by removing Matthew Wade (6) caught behind and Brad Hodge (16) was bowled attempting a big drive off the bowling of McDermott.

David Hussey (1) was caught behind off Cameron Gannon's bowling at 3 for 44.

Finch was given out lbw to Michael Neser for 32 but a referral by the third umpire judged there was an inside edge.

The opener had another life on 36 when Hopes dropped a difficult return chance.

Cameron White (15) and Andrew McDonald (8) both fell to top-edged hook shots off the bowling of Hopes as Victoria reached a modest 5 for 94 at the 25-over mark.

After mounting a fightback, Victoria lost Quiney, Maxwell and Clint McKay in three successive overs late in the innings and McDermott also removed Scott Boland in the 49th over.

Fifth on the table with only two wins from their first five games, the defending champion Bushrangers desperately need a win on Wednesday to keep themselves in the hunt for a place in the final.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted December 07, 2011 18:20:54

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Misbah, Shafiq restore Pakistan hopes

Posted May 15, 2011 09:27:00

Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq rescued Pakistan from a perilous 3 for 2 to be 3 for 80 at stumps on day three of the first Test against the West Indies, as the tourists chased down a 219-run winning target.

Shafiq led the way with 40 not out and Misbah scored an unbeaten 34 before bad light stopped play early in Guyana.

This followed a dramatic top-order batting collapse that left the visitors wobbling in the third over.

Misbah and Shafiq added 78 for the fourth wicket to deflate the Windies and put the visitors' victory bid back on track.

The unnerving start to Pakistan's chase overshadowed career-best bowling from Saeed Ajmal that undermined the hosts and led to their dismissal for a modest 152 in their second innings just before tea.

Ajmal finished with 6 for 42 from 23.5 overs for match figures of 11 for 111.

The Pakistani off spinner exploited a tricky Guyana National Stadium pitch, getting deliveries to bounce awkwardly and turn sharply to shatter the home team's batting after it resumed from its overnight total of 2 for 34.

Ajmal struck with the fifth ball of the day, removing night-watchman Kemar Roach, and added the scalps of Ramnaresh Sarwan, Carlton Baugh, Ravi Rampaul and Devendra Bishoo.

The visitors, however, were held up by a defiant, record last-wicket stand of 48 between Shivnarine Chanderpaul, whose 36 not out was the Windies' top score, and Bishoo, with 24.

Pakistan was then rocked early when Ravi Rampaul trapped Taufeeq Umar lbw and had Azhar Ali caught behind - both for ducks - in the space of three balls in his first over, the second of the innings.

The Pakistanis stumbled further when Kemar Roach had Mohammad Hafeez lbw, following a review of New Zealand umpire Billy Bowden's not-out verdict.

It was the 16th lbw dismissal in the match.

The visitors had a big slice of fortune when Darren Bravo dropped Shafiq - on nought - at fourth slip off Rampaul, and from this point, the momentum shifted Pakistan's way.

Shafiq responded with a flick through mid-wicket for his first boundary off Rampaul, and then glanced the fast-medium bowler for his second four to deep fine leg.

Misbah brought his steadying influence to the crease, and Shafiq benefitted as the two batted resolutely through until the close.

-AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, guyana, pakistan

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