Arthur tells bowlers to sharpen up

Updated September 24, 2012 17:17:13

Coach Mickey Arthur says Australia's bowlers must learn a lesson, believing they panicked in a sloppy World Twenty20 performance against West Indies.

Captain George Bailey's team have moved into the Super Eights stage where the Australians face heavyweights India and South Africa.

But Arthur was unhappy about the way some Australian bowlers strayed from the game plan and warned they must improve after copping stick from the Windies in their final group game.

Australia faced the task of making the fifth-highest successful run chase in T20 International history after the Chris Gayle-inspired Windies belted 8 for 191.

But rain intervened and they won by 17 runs on the Duckworth/Lewis Method after scoring 1 for 100 from 9.1 overs.

Offspinner Glenn Maxwell conceded 17 runs from his only over as Gayle blasted his way to 54 off 33 balls.

Pace bowlers Shane Watson (2-29) and Mitchell Starc (3-35) were Australia's leading wicket-takers but Arthur didn't spare Starc or fellow young speedster Pat Cummins (1-41 off four overs) in a damning critique of the team's bowling efforts.

"I was really disappointed the way we executed with the ball," said Arthur.

"We were just a little bit sloppy and that annoyed me a little bit."

Arthur said he didn't mind a bowler trying to bowl a particular type of yorker and narrowly missing the mark and getting hit for six.

"I've got problems when we're hit both sides of the wicket and I know what plans I want to execute against Chris Gayle," Arthur said.

"When we get it completely wrong, then I really get annoyed.

"Short and wide, back of a length. He just stood (in the fifth over, the second bowled by Cummins) and took 18 runs.

"I don't mind if they bowl a wide with a bouncer, particularly with a guy like Gayle, just to let the batter know. Then you've got to get it head high.

"We wanted to try and cramp Gayle up a little bit, which we did to a certain degree.

"Once he started going, I thought we panicked just a fraction.

"But saying that, we've got Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, young bowlers who can only have benefited from (Saturday night's) experiences.

"I'm not massively disappointed but we need to take from that and learn."

Arthur gave his squad a two-day break before training resumes on Tuesday for Friday night's opening Super Eights clash with the strong Indian battling line-up.

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, sri-lanka, australia, jamaica

First posted September 24, 2012 17:17:13

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Mind your own game, Zaheer tells Haddin

Updated January 11, 2012 08:14:58

The Australian and Indian camps have traded barbs as tensions escalate in the build-up to the third Test in Perth.

Australia leads the four-match series 2-0 and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin is confident the home side has found the secret to exploiting India's weaknesses.

Haddin claims Michael Clarke's men were determined to make India field for a long time during last week's second Test in Sydney because they knew cracks would emerge in the tourists' resolve.

"We know this side can be as fragile as any team in the world if things aren't going their way and they can turn on each other and the media turns on them pretty quick," Haddin told Sky Sports Radio Australia.

Haddin's comments were quickly mocked by India pace bowler Zaheer Khan.

"Brad Haddin, I think he should focus on his keeping. That looked really fragile to me," Zaheer said.

Zaheer suggested the Australian players loved taunting touring sides in the media.

"By the sound of it, it looks like Haddin is appointed for that in the Australian team," Zaheer said.

"He's doing all the talk. He's definitely playing his role."

Australian paceman Peter Siddle enjoys directing bumper barrages at India's batsmen and the sight of a green-tinged pitch at the WACA ground in Perth has not dimmed his enthusiasm.

But it was Siddle's turn to be on the receiving end of a barrage when he fronted Australia's media conference after Zaheer had returned fire at Haddin.

Siddle giggled when asked by an Indian reporter if Haddin was appointed within the team as this week's "big mouth" to upset the tourists.

"There's no appointment. These things come out," Siddle said.

"Zaheer says he (Haddin) has got to concentrate on his keeping. I wouldn't like to see how good a tip Zaheer could give him on his keeping.

"I don't think it's his place to say that either. It's just part of the game.

"Zaheer, he's going all right at the moment and he likes to say those things."

Siddle says he has no idea what motivated Haddin to label India fragile.

"I'm not too sure what's going on in his mind and he's probably not too sure what's going on in mine. I haven't spoken to him about it," Siddle said.

"The pressure that we've been building as bowling partnerships is what's been working for us.

"Whether that's intimidation or whether that's just good team bowling, that can be whatever you think. But that's what Bradley has been getting at."

Siddle says it is too early to say whether Australia will recall pace duo Ryan Harris and Mitchell Starc and play four quicks at the expense of spinner Nathan Lyon on a pitch that is expected to offer plenty of bounce.

Harris, who has not played a Test for two months, has returned to full fitness despite having no first-class matches at domestic level in recent weeks because of the Big Bash League schedule.

He is set to replace the injured James Pattinson, with Starc battling Lyon for the fourth bowling spot.

"He (Harris) is a little bit smaller than Patto but (bowling) 145 kilometres per hour outswingers isn't a bad bloke to come in to replace him," Siddle said.

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, australia

First posted January 10, 2012 19:10:35

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Warne tells Clarke to be himself

Updated January 06, 2012 12:37:39

Shane Warne says people are starting to see the real Michael Clarke and the new Test skipper has the full support of Australia's cricket fans.

Warne says his former team-mate has grown into a superb captain since taking over from Ricky Ponting in 2011.

Clarke's unbeaten 329 in the second Test against India at the SCG made Warne feel great pride that his close mate was showing the world his wonderful talents.

Clarke, like Warne, has battled negative media but has rebuilt his public image.

"Michael Clarke has been one of my best friends for a long time," Warne said.

"I have helped him out from gaining his first baggy green cap and helped him out as a friend over the years.

"I was just very proud to see him play yesterday and do what he did, the way he played, the way he went about it and the way he has grown into a superb Australian captain.

"He has always been a wonderful player and I think we got to see yesterday what a talent he actually is.

"Hopefully, the people out in Australia, I think they've always liked him.

"He went through a stage where he copped a bit of a rough time unfairly.

"It's nice to see now people are starting to see the real Michael Clarke. They like him.

"They enjoy watching him bat and watching him captain.

"That makes me feel pretty proud too."

Warne, who has made a comeback to Australian domestic cricket at 42 to play with Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League, says his advice to Clarke is to be himself.

"I suppose you go through different stages. No one stays on top," said Warne, who claimed 708 Test wickets.

"I've had my own ups and downs. I'm pretty happy with where I'm at.

"Contrary to what some of you (media) guys write, the public have always been fantastic to me. They've always got behind me through thick and thin.

"It makes you feel nice to know when you've got the (public's) support ... people always go out there and scream and want an autograph.

"And we always take the time out to do it too.

"All we can do is be ourselves and if people like you, great."

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted January 06, 2012 12:37:39

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