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

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Aussies keen to strike first in Ashes build-up

Updated June 21, 2012 08:41:06

Australia all-rounder Shane Watson has backed his side to land a crucial early blow ahead of next year's Ashes when they meet England in a forthcoming one-day series.

Australia is in England for five one-day matches, starting at Lord's on June 29, in what will be their first meeting since England's Ashes triumph on Australian soil 18 months ago.

Since that chastening 3-1 Ashes defeat, Michael Clarke has replaced Ricky Ponting as captain, while South African Mickey Arthur has been hired as Australia's first-ever foreign coach.

Watson believes Australia is a more formidable force than the team that crumbled so tamely when it last faced England.

He has refused to downplay the significance of beating England in the one-day matches that serve as an appetiser for the 2013 Ashes series.

"You've got to make the most of any series you play against England, especially in England with next year's Ashes coming up," Watson said ahead of Australia's opening tour match against Leicestershire beginning Thursday.

"First of all it's a great time for the younger guys to experience what it is like to play in England, but it is also an opportunity to be able to make our mark here in England as well leading into next year's Ashes.

"Hopefully we can play the cricket that we know we can and get the result that we want."

Watson is wary of underestimating England after it wrapped up a sixth consecutive home one-day international series win with its victory over West Indies this week.

It seemed England's hopes of building a strong one-day outfit had been damaged before the series following Kevin Pietersen's untimely retirement from limited overs cricket.

But Ian Bell and Alastair Cook have both scored centuries to ensure an unassailable 2-0 lead over West Indies with the final match at Headingley on Friday.

"They are playing very good one-day cricket at the moment," Watson said.

"I think their batting has been a big strength. For guys to continue to be able to get hundreds at the top of the order obviously sets a very good platform for the team.

"Ian Bell is a world-class player. For me it had been a little surprising that he hadn't taken on the one-day game as he has because he's a highly-skilled player and hits the ball in great areas.

"It's no surprise to me that he's performing the way he has in these past couple of games.

"We'll definitely have to play at our best to get the result we want."

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, england, united-kingdom

First posted June 21, 2012 08:36:43

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Australian cricketers won't rule out strike

Updated June 04, 2012 21:42:15

Australia's top cricketers have refused to rule out strike action if a June 30 deadline passes without a new pay agreement with the country's cricket board, the players' union said.

Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) chief Paul Marsh said his organisation and Cricket Australia (CA) had hit a stalemate over negotiations for a new five-year deal and were looking at all their options.

However, he insisted any strike would be "an absolute last resort".

Marsh said the ACA was looking for about $30 million but it is not clear yet how much CA has put on the table.

Marsh said Australia's participation in the Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka in September could be under threat, along with Australia's one-day international tour of England in June-July.

"You can't rule anything out. I don't want this to sound like the players are all preparing to go on strike because that's not the case at all," Marsh told SEN Radio.

"That type of action is an absolute last resort."

Marsh said if a new deal could not be agreed upon by the end of this month, the ACA would prefer to keep the current deal rolling along in the short term.

"If Cricket Australia don't want to do that, then we're forced with a decision to make," Marsh said.

"We either accept the position that they put forward or we look at what our other options are.

"We should be making sure we know what all the different options are so if that time comes, we can sit down with the players and say 'what do you want to do?'"

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, australia

First posted June 04, 2012 21:42:15

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White's triple strike puts Vics on top

Updated December 03, 2011 20:31:31

Cameron White claimed three late wickets as Victoria put Sheffield Shield pacesetter Queensland under enormous pressure on day two of their clash at the MCG.

Victoria resumed on 4 for 340 and declared after lunch on 7 for 498 led by David Hussey's 130.

The unbeaten Bulls reached 5 for 153 at stumps on Saturday night, with Joe Burns unbeaten on 58 and Chris Hartley 2 not out.

Jayde Herrick bowled with impressive pace and bounce on a placid pitch to grab 2 for 66 from 20 overs, lifting his season's tally to 28 at the top of the Shield wicket-taking list.

With Test selector Rod Marsh looking on, former quarry worker Herrick removed openers Ryan Broad (19) and Wade Townsend (26) either side of the tea break.

White dismissed Peter Forrest (37) caught at short leg and Chris Lynn (0) bowled by a wrong 'un in successive overs as the Bulls slumped to 4 for 124.

Sixteen runs later White had Nathan Reardon caught at slip for nine. The former Test leg spinner claimed 3 for 27 off 12 overs.

Victoria lost the wickets of Hussey, Andrew McDonald (76) and Glenn Maxwell (65 off 67 balls) before declaring.

Nathan Reardon (2 for 99) and Matthew Gale (2 for 122) were Queensland's leading wicket-takers.

The Bulls struggled without Test squad member Ben Cutting who was restricted to only nine overs because of a side strain.

Queensland team physio Martin Love says Cutting is likely to be out for at least four weeks.

"He basically stiffened up from the flight (from Brisbane to Melbourne on Thursday after training with the Test squad)," Love said.

"I'd be very surprised if he's fit for the Hobart Test (starting on December 9).

"Side strains are normally anything from four to eight weeks."

Scans on Saturday confirmed a side strain but Love says Queensland will know more in the next few days regarding the severity of the injury.

Meanwhile, Herrick says he is giving no thought to how his success this season might push his name under the eyes of Test selectors.

"With the figures and people talking and stuff like that, I've put my hand up or got a lot closer than what I was at the start of the season," said Herrick, who has played only 10 first-class matches.

"I'm not getting ahead of myself.

"My aim this year is to play as many four-day games as I can and do my job and help the team and try to get us to the final."

Herrick says the shoulder injury to John Hastings has opened a door at state level.

"I've taken my chances and now with bowlers going down (for Australia), as long as you keep putting your hand up you're always a chance," the 26-year-old said.

AAP

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

First posted December 03, 2011 20:31:31

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