Hughes takes confidence from return knock

Updated December 15, 2012 08:06:42

Phil Hughes wants the 86 he scored on his Test return to lead to a permanent spot at number three for Australia, who reached 4 for 299 at stumps on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Hobart.

On a day where the man Hughes replaced, Ricky Ponting, was given a cavalcade farewell around the Bellerive Oval during the lunch interval, the left-hander batting at three for the first time in a Test match showed patience and a more solid technique than in his last appearance for Australia at the same ground a year ago.

It seemed that he would crown his return with his fourth Test ton before he was bowled by an in-swinger from Chanaka Welegedara (3 for 99) just after tea.

"It was nice to get runs today, disappointing to get out then, would have been good to get three figures and beyond," Hughes told Grandstand.

"It wasn't to be, but on a personal note it was nice to get a few."

Hughes said his mindset going in was to play his natural game.

"There were periods of the game where it was quite tough (to bat) ... there were a few areas where they bowled quite straight, made it tough to score.

"But once you got in, you wanted to make the most of it.

"Early on they bowled quite well ... I had to leave early and play positively outside the off stump - that was probably the number one thing for me."

A year ago, Hughes left Hobart a distraught man after being caught cheaply in both innings against New Zealand after nicking to second slip off Chris Martin.

He has no doubt he is a tougher proposition to bowl at now.

"I feel like I'm totally a better player, being out of the team for 12 months, I had to do the work behind the scenes," Hughes said.

"My game's in pretty good order at the moment. It's nice to get a few - the confidence is quite high - I just want to push in and cement this number three spot.

"I've opened in 17 test matches for Australia and today was just a different challenge and I really enjoyed it.

"I have batted in various positions for state teams over the years but I really enjoyed (batting at) three and hopefully I can make it my own."

Hughes came to the wicket in the sixth over after Ed Cowan was caught after an uncharacteristic mistimed hook looped to Shaminda Eranga at midwicket off Welegedara.

David Warner batted well for his 57 before a mix up with Hughes saw him run out thanks to smart fielding from Angelo Mathews.

The other wicket to fall was Shane Watson (30) who drove Welegedara to Mahela Jayawardene at second slip.

It was a frustrating knock by Watson, the 13th time in 66 innings he has lost his wicket between 30 and 40, but one that typified his Test batting career - a solid start before losing his wicket after the hard work had been done.

Not for the first time this summer Michael Clarke (70) and Mike Hussey (37) solidified the innings, putting on an unbroken stand of 101 for the sixth wicket.

Clarke passed the 1,400-run mark for the year and has in his sights Ricky Ponting's record of 1544 set in 2005.

Hughes praised the way the captain and veteran left-hander dealt with the conditions in closing out the day on a pitch he felt "was a little bit up and down".

"A couple of deliveries kept low through the day. It will be quite interesting as the day goes on (tomorrow); I think it might play some funny tricks going on," Hughes said.

"There were periods there where they bowled well; there were periods where they let off.

"But there was an hour period after the lunch break where they bowled exceptionally well I thought.

"As a batsman you have to be more patient than the opposition, and Michael (Clarke) and Huss (Hussey) at the end they showed that."

Tags: sport, cricket, australia, hobart-7000

First posted December 14, 2012 18:57:04

View the original article here

Warne refuses to rule out Test return

Updated December 13, 2012 08:15:23

Legendary spinner Shane Warne is adamant he is good enough to make a Test comeback, claiming he is bowling as well as he was when he retired in 2007.

And although the 43-year-old says any talk of him returning in time for next year's Ashes is just hypothetical, he feels it could benefit Australia's next wave of spinners if it did happen.

The odds of Warne making a Test comeback remain slim.

But the 145-Test veteran hasn't closed the door completely on the prospect, saying he will give it some thought once the Twenty20 Big Bash League season has finished.

"I've been bowling as good as I have since I retired from international cricket, which was five or six years ago," Warne said in Perth on Tuesday ahead of the Melbourne Stars' clash with the Perth Scorchers.

"And if it gets to the serious stage about that stuff, there's obviously a process - grade cricket, state cricket, and then you've got to get selected, too.

"So there's a lot of things to happen before that even gets to a serious stage.

"At the moment I'm being asked, 'could I do it?'

"And I'm saying, 'Yeah, I have absolutely no doubt that I could because of the way I'm bowling'.

"But whether it's going to happen or not is a completely hypothetical situation and a different chat.

"At the moment I'm just worried about the Stars and getting us on the winning ledger."

Scorchers spinner Brad Hogg, who at 41 years of age made a shock return to international T20 ranks earlier this year, felt the longer form of the game would be a bridge too far for older players.

"I'm 41, Warney's 43. You might get through the first day. But if you had to come back a second day and bowl for a session and a half, that's where the older blokes would struggle," Hogg said.

Although some people would view a Warne return as a backward step for Australian cricket, the leg-spinner said it could also have some crucial benefits.

"It might be a short-term thing where you work with a few of the younger spinners and take them with you and work with them all and see how it goes," Warne said.

Warne made a disastrous start to this summer's T20 competition, returning figures of 0-41 from just two overs in the Stars' eight-wicket loss to the Melbourne Renegades.

Although he was disappointed with his return, Warne said the hit-and-miss nature of T20 cricket meant it was inevitable for bowlers to have a bad day out every now and then.

The Stars welcome back all-rounder Glenn Maxwell into their line-up, while Scorchers batsman Marcus North will replace the injured Shaun Marsh (hamstring).

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, twenty20, perth-6000, wa, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted December 11, 2012 21:00:27

View the original article here

Hughes in no rush to return

Updated October 31, 2012 20:53:59

This time Phil Hughes is in no hurry to rocket to the top of Test cricket.

Hughes' debut in 2009 as a 20-year-old was accompanied by a whirlwind of expectation, on and off the field.

The high life, typified by the ringside seat at Anthony Mundine's fights, was meant to accompany the high scores.

Almost four years later, it's the higher level of maturity that Hughes is banking on with his new team South Australia.

The maiden domestic one-day hundred he made on Tuesday night against Tasmania at Bellerive, on top of a stack of big scores already this season, showed it is paying off.

"There's never a rush, I feel," says Hughes, who in his second Test became the youngest player to score centuries in both innings.

"It's about taking it a day at a time.

"I've got age on my side. I'm still 23 - a lot of years ahead of me hopefully.

"I don't want to look too far ahead. It's about being patient really and taking it day-in day-out."

The former New South Welshman spent the Australian winter honing his technique with English side Worcestershire following his latest axing from the Test side last summer.

It had come after he'd infamously nicked New Zealand pacemen Chris Martin to slip Martin Guptill in all four innings of the two-Test series against the Black Caps.

"As a top order batsman, you're going to nick off a few times," he says.

"I've opened my leg-side play up hugely and put that into practice in county cricket.

"But I think the great players - Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke, these type of guys - once they get in, they get really big scores.

"Going forward as a batsman, that's what I really want to do.

"If I get in, I want to make these big scores."

Hughes' captain at the Redbacks, experienced South African Johan Botha, says the talented left-hander should just be allowed to play.

Botha compares him to Proteas star Hashim Amla.

"(Amla's) changed it very slightly and now he's one of the best in the world," Botha says.

"I think Hughes is the same.

"I think the answer's just let him play.

"He will get out sometimes, we all get out, but he is only 23.

"Everyone's worried about his technique and so on but he's just worried about the amount of runs and that's the key.

"I think he'll definitely be back in the future."

Hughes says making more runs is enough for him at this stage of his career.

"I want to continue this form," he says.

"I suppose confidence is high so I want to continue it."

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, sa, australia

First posted October 31, 2012 20:53:59

View the original article here

Aussies target return to top, says Clarke

Updated October 16, 2012 08:57:16

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, australia

First posted October 16, 2012 07:31:19

View the original article here

Maxwell could return for dead rubber

Updated September 10, 2012 07:29:38

Australian cricket selectors have named a 12-man squad for the third and final Twenty20 clash with Pakistan, with all-rounder Glenn Maxwell pressing for a return to the side.

Maxwell was 12th man for game two which ended in a tie before Pakistan won the single-over eliminator by one run to take a two-nil lead in the series.

The 23-year-old Victorian made his one-day international debut last month against Afghanistan and hit an unbeaten 56 in Australia's victory in game three of the one-day international series against Pakistan in Sharjah.

However he was dropped after making four runs and taking 0 for 25 off two overs on his Twenty20 International debut in game one against Pakistan in Dubai last week.

Maxwell could take the place of fellow all-rounder Dan Christian although middle-order batsman David Hussey, who also bowls some handy offspin, is another candidate to make way.

The Australians need to regain winning form although middle-order batsman Cameron White insists that fine-tuning ahead of the World Twenty20 is the team's main focus.

White admits victory in game three (starting 2:00am Tuesday AEST) would be a confidence-booster ahead of the World Twenty20 which starts in Sri Lanka next week.

Australia's first game in the tournament is against Ireland on September 19 in Colombo.

George Bailey's men have suffered the embarrassment of dropping to 10th on the world rankings, below the semi-professional Irish side, although victory against Pakistan would allow Australia to rise one spot.

White says they have shown improvement after being bowled out for 89 in game one and scoring 8 for 151 in game two to level the totals before losing the tie-breaker.

"We know where we're ranked," said ex-skipper White, whose 2-4 record as captain in 2011 has been matched by Bailey.

Australia has won four of 13 matches since the current rankings period began on August 1, 2010.

"Things can change around quickly," White said.

"If we start winning in that (World Twenty20) tournament we can easily shoot back up and if we win it, there's no arguments to say that we're not number one in the world."

Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore says leg-spinner Shahid Afridi is unlikely to return from a thumb injury while offspinner Saeed Ajmal is expected to play despite a sore left shoulder.

Australia squad: George Bailey (captain), Shane Watson, David Warner, Mike Hussey, David Hussey, Cameron White, Matthew Wade, Dan Christian, Brad Hogg, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell.

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, united-arab-emirates

First posted September 10, 2012 07:29:38

View the original article here

Gayle return put on hold

Updated June 16, 2012 20:25:21

Chris Gayle's return to international cricket was delayed on Saturday after the powerful West Indies batsman was ruled out of the first one-day international against England at the Rose Bowl in Southampton with a foot injury.

Gayle, 32, was set to make his first appearance for the side since last year's World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

He had been unavailable for selection after falling out with West Indies Cricket Board.

England batsman Ian Bell was passed fit to play and will open the batting, despite suffering a suspected fracture jaw in training.

Bell required 10 stitches after being struck when batting in the nets on Friday.

West Indies won the toss and elected to field in the opening fixture of the three-match series.

Reuters

Tags: cricket, sport, england, united-kingdom

First posted June 16, 2012 20:25:21

View the original article here

Banned Aamer wants to return

Updated June 19, 2012 17:39:29

Pakistan's disgraced paceman Mohammed Aamer is looking forward to returning to cricket "as and when possible", the psychologist helping to rehabilitate his career said.

In the first of several counselling sessions Maqbool Sabri, who was hired by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to counsel Aamer, said his client appeared "positive and relaxed" despite his five-year ban from the game for cheating.

The 20-year-old was found guilty of spot-fixing during a Test at Lord's in 2010, spent three months in a British jail and was banned from the game by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The ICC also banned pace partner Mohammad Asif and ex-captain Salman Butt, ordering the trio to undergo rehabilitation.

Sabri said Aamer was upbeat in the first of eight to 10 sessions.

"I am very surprised that he was very positive and relaxed during the first session with me on Saturday," Sabri said.

"I think that Aamer's lawyer was a positive influence on him and has guided him well."

Before the scandal, Aamer was regarded as the hottest new international talent due to the lethal left-arm pace bowling which likened him to Pakistan former great Wasim Akram.

Sabri said Aamer believes he belongs in the cricketing world.

"Aamer realises that cricket is his profession and he wants to return to the game as and when possible, and during the session we moved towards enlightment," he said.

"I think he realises that he made a mistake... and since he is very passionate about his cricket I have to make him ready for that."

Aamer has decided not to appeal his ICC ban. He was released from prison in February. Asif was freed last month and Butt is still serving his 30-month sentence.

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, pakistan

First posted June 19, 2012 17:39:29

View the original article here

Strauss' return to form continues

Updated May 27, 2012 07:25:06

England captain Andrew Strauss was determined to post an even bigger score after his unbeaten century saw the hosts reduce West Indies' first innings lead in the second Test at Trent Bridge.

Strauss was 102 not out at the close of Saturday's second day, with England 2 for 259 in reply to West Indies' first innings 370 - a deficit of 111 runs.

This was the 35-year-old left-handed opener's second hundred in as many matches after he ended an 18-month wait spanning 25 innings for a Test century with 122 in the five-wicket series opening win at Lord's.

On a beautiful batting pitch, and against a modest Windies attack, Strauss and Kevin Pietersen, 72 not out at stumps, added an unbroken 136 for the third wicket as England looked to go an unbeatable 2-0 up in this three-match series.

Strauss, asked to explain his recent form, said: "I suppose to a degree it's confidence but it's a strange game -- sometimes batting feels difficult, with a few runs under your belt it's easier.

"I'm delighted to be in form and determined to make the most of it. You can never look too far ahead. I'll focus on getting myself back in the morning - that's a big enough challenge for me."

A curious fact of Strauss's Test career is that he's never added more than six runs when not out overnight on a hundred - at Lord's it was just one run.

And with England still some way off a first innings lead, Strauss joked he might have to change his routine if he was to keep on batting on Sunday.

"It's nice to feel back in form and as a captain it's great to contribute and lead from the front," said Strauss, playing his 96th Test. "I've never got blindly drunk the night before so maybe that's an option.

"There's no reason why you can't (kick on the next day), that will be an opportunity for me tomorrow (Sunday)," explained Strauss, whose Test-best score remains the 177 he made against New Zealand in Napier in 2008.

Strauss's 21st Test century left him just one short of the England record of 22 held jointly by Walter Hammond, Colin Cowdrey and Geoffrey Boycott.

However, Strauss played down his achievement by saying: "It's a different game to those days, we play more cricket.

"You only have to look at Sachin Tendulkar to realise 21 is not that many (the India great has 51 Test hundreds). But it's still nice to get them."

Saturday proved a memorable day too for West Indies captain Darren Sammy as he completed a maiden Test century after being 88 not out overnight.

The all-rounder's place in the side has been repeatedly called into question, most recently by West Indies great Michael Holding, and a delighted Sammy said: "I'm playing against the number one team in the world and everybody wants to perform against the best.

"To do that (score a hundred) in this Test match with the bat, it feels good for somebody like me who has been under pressure from day one."

Sammy, whose 15 wicketless overs of medium-pace on Saturday cost 69 runs, helped rescue West Indies from the depths of 6 for 136.

Together with Marlon Samuels, who made 117, he shared a seventh-wicket stand of 204.

But neither Samuels, who only added 10 runs to his overnight score, nor Sammy lingered long after getting to a hundred.

"We're quite disappointed me and Marlon couldn't continue because we knew how flat the wicket was, as we saw when we bowled," said Sammy.

"We both should have carried on to get a bigger total for the team."

AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, england

First posted May 27, 2012 07:23:54

View the original article here

Akram supports Aamer return

Updated March 30, 2012 08:09:24

Pakistan legend Wasim Akram has swung behind Mohammad Aamer, saying he deserves to be forgiven and allowed back into international cricket after serving a ban for spot-fixing.

"I think we should move on in Aamer's case, forgive him as he has served his punishment for the mistake he committed and allow the youngster another chance," said Akram.

The 19-year-old Aamer was released from a British jail after serving half of his six-month sentence for spot-fixing at the Lord's Test against England in 2010.

Aamer bowled deliberate no-balls, together with his new-ball partner Mohammad Asif. Pakistan's then captain Salman Butt and agent Mazhar Majeed were found guilty of contriving the no-balls in exchange for cash.

Butt and Asif are still serving 30 and 12-month jail terms respectively. The International Cricket Council (ICC) also banned the three players for a minimum of five years.

In his first interview since his release, which was broadcast last week, Aamer accused Butt of tricking him into taking part in the scandal.

"As a cricket-loving nation we must forgive him (Aamer). He has done his time and once he serves his ban he should be allowed back into international cricket as he is one of the most talented bowlers," said Akram.

Aamer was likened to Akram during the 2010 England tour and Akram himself admitted Aamer was a better bowler than he was aged 19.

"Lots of people including Imran Khan praised his talent and he was the hottest property in international cricket until he committed that mistake," said Akram, who played 104 Tests and 352 one-dayers for Pakistan.

Indian batting legend Rahul Dravid, who retired from international cricket this month, also backed Aamer's return. But England's Kevin Pietersen said no player caught spot-fixing should be allowed to play again.

"If Pakistan is fine, the ICC is fine, then it doesn't matter what others say. Aamer should play once he serves his ban," said Akram.

The Pakistan Cricket Board said this month they would liaise with the ICC to start a rehabilitation process for Aamer and consider him for selection once he completes his ban.

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, pakistan

First posted March 30, 2012 08:09:24

View the original article here

Test stars to return for Big Bash

Updated January 16, 2012 17:04:10

Four Australian members of the Test squad will play in the Big Bash League this week, before returning for national duty in the fourth Test.

Cricket Australia announced on Monday that Shaun Marsh, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon would be available to play Twenty20 this week.

The rest of the Australian Test squad will have a break for several days until they head to Adelaide for the fourth Test which starts on January 24.

"Others being workload/fitness managed for Adelaide Test," Cricket Australia spokesman Peter Young said on Twitter.

One player who will not be appearing is big-hitting Australian opener David Warner.

The Thunder hoped to have Australia's big-hitting opener to partner Chris Gayle for Tuesday's clash with Brisbane Heat at the Gabba but their request was denied.

Warner had previously unsuccessfully put his case to Cricket Australia to allow him to play in the Sydney derby when the Thunder met the Sixers between the second and third Test.

Haddin and Starc will return to the Sixers side when they face Marsh and the table-topping Scorchers at the SCG on Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, Lyon and his Adelaide Strikers side will face Melbourne Stars at the MCG on Thursday.

The Strikers are in need of a big win to have any chance of making the BBL finals.

AAP

Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, australia

First posted January 16, 2012 16:36:36

View the original article here

Hogg keen for shock international return

Updated January 10, 2012 06:59:07

Former Test spinner Brad Hogg has declared he will end his international retirement if Australia requires his services for September's World Twenty20.

Hogg, who last played for Australia in 2008, has been in blistering form in the Big Bash League, snaring 3 for 20 off four overs to inspire Perth Scorchers to a 42-run victory over Adelaide Strikers at the WACA ground on Sunday.

The man-of-the-match performance took Hogg's tournament figures to 6 for 115 at the miserly run rate of 6.4 an over.

But more importantly, the 40-year-old now has the belief he could again match it with the world's best at the highest level.

Hogg, who notched seven Tests, 123 one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches for Australia, has put his hand up for the next edition of the Indian Premier League, while he is also keen to play on with the Scorchers next summer.

And this year's World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka is also in his sights, but only if selectors feel he truly deserves a berth.

"I've been part of two 50-over World Cups and one Twenty20 World Cup and we didn't do too well in that Twenty20 World Cup," Hogg said.

'So, if they asked me I would definitely put my hand up and say yes.

"At the end of the day, if they're picking the best 15 and they think that I'm in the best 15, I won't say no.

"But there's a lot of good young cricketers around."

Meanwhile, Hogg has urged national selectors to stick with spinner Nathan Lyon for the third Test against India in Perth.

Hogg was controversially left out of the Test team four years ago when Australia opted for a four-man pace attack on what they thought would end up being a fiery wicket.

But the tactic backfired badly as India notched a 72-run victory, with Hogg's replacement - Shaun Tait - wildly misfiring to return match figures of 0 for 92.

"I think you've got to go in with a spinner no matter what conditions you're in," Hogg said.

"And for Nathan Lyon, even if he doesn't get any wickets here it'd be a good lesson for him to bowl on something like the WACA.

"It'll improve his bowling, so I'd be backing them to play the option of the spinner."

Ryan Harris is almost certain to replace the injured James Pattinson, while left-armer Mitchell Starc could squeeze out Lyon.

AAP

Tags: twenty20, sport, cricket, perth-6000

First posted January 09, 2012 20:01:26

View the original article here

Harris poised for Test return

Updated January 08, 2012 09:09:52

Australia coach Mickey Arthur says fit-again Ryan Harris is ready to take the place of injured fast bowler James Pattinson for next week's third Test against India in Perth.

Rising pace star Pattinson will miss the rest of the four-Test series with a stress injury to his left foot after playing a leading role in Australia's 2-0 lead over India.

Pattinson has taken 21 wickets in his first four Tests, as Australia inflicted heavy defeats on the tourists in Melbourne and Sydney.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series switches to the bouncy WACA wicket in Perth, where Australia lost to the tourists on India's last tour in 2007/08.

Paceman Harris is nearing full fitness after a hip injury in November's Cape Town Test against South Africa.

"We have a proven Test bowler waiting in the wings, ready to go. We've put a lot of work into Ryan over the last two weeks, he was close to getting a game in Sydney, but we felt that he hadn't had enough work," Arthur said.

"We've put that work into him and we're satisfied that if selected he's ready to go come Perth."

Arthur, the former South Africa coach who came initially to Australia to coach Western Australia, is familiar with the normally pacy WACA wicket.

"While the Sydney wicket and Adelaide most resembles the sub-continent (wickets), the WACA pitch is going to be totally different," he said.

"There will be a lot of pace, a lot of bounce in the WACA wicket, so it will be interesting to see how they (India) go there."

Although India have been thrashed by 122 runs and an innings and 68 runs in the opening two Tests, Arthur says he is not writing the tourists off.

"You're looking at the team that is the current World Cup champions and a team that got to number one in the world. I would never ever say they were a team of individuals," he said.

"There are a lot of very good individual players but over the last couple of years they've certainly played as a team and have had some huge successes as a side."

Arthur was also backing misfiring number three batsman Shaun Marsh to hit back on his home ground after scores of 0, 3 and 0 in his three Test innings against India.

"He had quite a severe (back) injury and was out for six weeks, where before his injury he was right on top of his game and it's going to take him a little bit of time to get that back," he said.

"We've been working quite a lot with Shaun and (batting coach) Justin Langer has put a lot of time into him."

Arthur also praised captain Michael Clarke for his man-of-the-match performance in Sydney.

Clarke became only the sixth Australian to score a triple Test century with his unconquered 329, before snaring Sachin Tendulkar's prized wicket for 80 in the second innings to send India tumbling to another heavy defeat.

"When Michael Clarke is hitting the ball late and hitting the ball under his eyes he's playing exceptionally well," Arthur said.

"The moment he goes and feels out in the front of his pad he gets himself into trouble.

"He's not doing that now, he looks the complete package and he's a complete captaincy package as well. He is truly inspirational in the dressing room."

The third Test gets under way in Perth on Friday.

AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, australia, perth-6000, wa

First posted January 07, 2012 21:32:39

View the original article here

Ponting open to return to three

Updated December 07, 2011 16:57:19

Ricky Ponting is ready to move back to number three in the Australian batting order if the side is reshuffled for the second Test against New Zealand in Hobart.

Former skipper Ponting, who held down the crucial position for most of his illustrious career before dropping to number four, could find himself back there if out-of-sorts opener Phil Hughes is dropped and Usman Khawaja moved up a spot to open.

"I'll bat wherever the captain wants me to bat," Ponting told reporters at Bellerive Oval.

"If that's the best balance for the team then, absolutely, I'll go back into that position."

The call-up of South Australian all-rounder Dan Christian to the squad has added plenty of intrigue about the make-up of the Australian XI for the Test beginning on Friday.

If Christian plays, he is likely to bat at six or seven, with Hughes the likely omission and Australia's other batsmen all moving up a rung.

Christian is widely considered a replacement for injured all-rounder Shane Watson, who opens the batting.

But speculation is rife Watson will drop down the order on his return to ease his workload.

"It's no surprise to me, with Watson being out of the side, that (Christian's) the next cab off the rank as far as all-rounders in Australia are concerned," Ponting said.

The 36-year-old Ponting is back in his home state after rediscovering some form with half-centuries in his previous two Tests, against South Africa in Johannesburg and the Black Caps in Brisbane.

"Just the hard work I've been doing is starting to pay off, which is nice," he said.

"I felt nice and comfortable at the crease through that innings in Brisbane and obviously disappointed with myself not to go on and make a hundred that I've been striving for for a long time.

"I know that if I keep doing the things that I'm doing ... hopefully that big score's not too far away."

AAP

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

First posted December 07, 2011 16:09:52

View the original article here

Johnson vows to return to Test ranks

Updated December 01, 2011 08:08:45

Beleaguered fast-bowler Mitchell Johnson has laughed off claims his Test career is over as he vowed to overcome his injury-ruined summer and return to international cricket.

Johnson is set to be sidelined for five months after a specialist indicated he needed an operation to repair a damaged big toe.

It is expected he will go under the knife while his Australian team-mates are in action in the first Test against New Zealand at the Gabba.

There were suggestions prior to his injury setback that Johnson could have missed out on the XI for the opening Test of the summer after a barren recent run with the ball.

He has captured just 13 wickets at an average of 56 this year before the injury flared during his match-winning knock of 40 not out in Johannesburg last week.

But the left-arm quick said neither form nor fitness would prevent him from returning to the Australian set-up.

"I'm definitely going to be back," Johnson told reporters on Wednesday.

"I've heard a few reports that my career's over due to form - not because of this injury ... I just laugh at it.

"I'm only 30 years old and I've got plenty of cricket left in me.

"I'm going to take a lot of positives out of this (injury) layoff."

Johnson is not the only one to see a silver lining to his injury setback, with skipper Michael Clarke tipping the out-of-sorts bowler to follow in Shane Warne's footsteps and return from surgery better than ever.

Clarke said it was disappointing news to lose his most experienced paceman for the Test series against New Zealand, India and probably the West Indies but felt it would help him overcome his mental demons.

Johnson has 190 wickets in 47 Tests at 31 but has battled for form and consistency since being the ICC's international cricketer of the year in 2009.

"I don't see it as that big a deal with Mitch," Clarke said.

"I think it could have a good impact, to be honest. It will give him more time away from the game to clear his head and get himself fit and strong.

"Injuries I've seen in the past with a few of our players, that time off has helped them come back bigger and better.

"I think Warney is a great example."

Leg-spinner Warne underwent major surgery on his lingering shoulder problem in 1998 but, by the 1999 World Cup, he had returned to his best to lead Australia to the tournament crown.

Johnson's enforced absence magnifies the opportunity for uncapped fast bowlers, James Pattinson, Ben Cutting and Mitchell Starc, with two of the young trio set to make their Test debuts at the Gabba on Thursday.

With teenage sensation Patrick Cummins to return from a heel injury and Ryan Harris (hip) also sidelined, an impressive debut could put a deposit on a regular place in the attack.

"They've got the chance to come in and be a part of this great team and hopefully build a career," Clarke said.

"For these kids, it's about making the most of your chance."

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, australia

First posted December 01, 2011 08:08:45

View the original article here