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Cricket News - by Craig Hill

Back in 2003 I wrote a paper analysing every ball of the Cricket World Cup. I have now taken those results and applied them to the current tournament, predicting that Bangladesh will meet India in the final.

To find out why, visit www.robbrooks.net
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The latest edition of The Big Issue Magazine features veteran Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting on the cover and question’s whether his Test team is being upstaged this summer by a brash new form of cricket – Twenty20. Grab a copy now from your local vendor or purchase a subscription online. $5 with $2.50 going straight into the pockets of homeless and marginalised Australians (www.bigissue.org.au)
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Australia Win First Test Over India

December 29th 2011 17:09
Australia's pacemen demolished India for 169 in their second innings as the home side claimed a 122-run win in the first Test at the MCG.

Australia resumed on day four at 8-179 and were dismissed for 240, setting India a target of 292 to win.

Man-of-the-match James Pattinson led Australia's bowling, taking 4-53 in India's second innings after also scoring 18 not out and 37 not out.

His fellow Victorian quick Peter Siddle also played a key role with figures of 3-63 and 3-42 in the match and contributing a vital knock of 41 in Australia's first innings of 333, helping to set up a 51-run lead on the first dig.

Ben Hilfenhaus claimed 2-39 after his career-best haul of 5-75 in India's first innings.

Sachin Tendulkar top-scored with 32 in India's second innings.

The second Test of the four-match series starts in Sydney on January 3.

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Luckiest cricket fan in Australia

November 25th 2009 02:14
Did anyone watch the All*Stars Twenty20 match on Sunday night? If so, you may have noticed the Johnnie Walker 12th Man.

Dave Cameron from the Gold Coast won the incredible opportunity to be 12th Man for some of the biggest legends in cricket, including Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden and Glenn McGrath, as part of the Johnnie Walker ACA All*Stars team.

Dave and 19 other finalists were flown to Brisbane on Friday to be put through their paces in a series of batting, bowling and fielding tests in the nets at the GABBA to prove to the judging panel that they had what it took to win the 12th man spot. But, in the end, it was Dave that proved to judges (Darren Lehmann, Damien Fleming, and Chief Executive of the ACA, Paul Marsh) that he was their man.

As part of his prize, Dave got to train with the Johnnie Walker ACA All*Stars Team on Saturday, stay with them in their hotel, be presented with the team kit and perform 12th man duties during the match last night. He also got to go to a swanky cocktail party with all the players and their partners.

Check out some footage from the selection day at YouTube - The Selection - Johnnie Walker ACA All*Stars 12th Man

Disclaimer: I work on behalf of Johnnie Walker
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has anyone ever fancied taking their place in a team with some of the biggest legends in Australian cricket? Well this is your chance to join the Johnnie Walker ACA All*Stars squad, as they take on the KFC Australian XI in a T20 clash at the Gabba! (Disclaimer: I work on behalf of Johnnie Walker)

The All*Stars are a team made up of cricketing legends and the best of Australia’s emerging young talent. They will be captained by Shane Warne, and will feature former Test greats Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath and Matt Hayden.

Johnnie Walker is giving you a once in a lifetime chance to live the life of an international cricketer: you’ll train with the squad, stay in the team hotel, pull on the kit, carry the drinks at the game and also attend a players and partners season launch party.

Check out www.johnniewalker.com.au for details
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Following Australia’s historic Ashes defeat on Sunday, Australian Captain Ricky Ponting has been dropped from the up coming Twenty20 matches in England and Scotland starting Aug 28th. Other casualties include out of form batsmen Mike Hussey and seam bowler Peter Siddle.

Despite publicly backing Ricky and his teams’ performance throughout the Ashes series it seems that the Australian Selection Panel’s actions are somewhat different from their words – Australia lost to England therefore changes need to be made.

National Selector Andrew Hilditch commented that the Twenty20 squad was picked keeping in mind the looming World Twenty20 series in the West Indies in May.

Hilditch goes on to say that the omission of Ricky Ponting will provide a great opportunity for Vice Captain Michael Clarke to captain in the two Twenty20 matches and one ODI against Scotland.

“The selection panel is using the two matches against England to look at different make-ups to the squad and include players who we consider Twenty20 specialists in preparation for the ICC World Twenty20 next year," he said.

Gary Bowen
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Day 3, Lord's, 18/7/09

July 20th 2009 15:43
Day 3
Lord’s
18/7/09

By Andrew Starkie

Overnight details:

England 425
Strauss 161
Hilfenhaus 4/103

Australia 8/156
Hussey 51
Anderson 4/26

First session:

Play started under light clouds with Australia needing 70 runs to avoid the follow-on.

Broad opened with a handful of bouncers. Hauritz and Sidds ignored them or edged and sliced boundaries through the fortunately empty third man area. Broad looks like a public school toff, or Julian from the Famous Five (‘Come on Dick, let’s have a yummy picnic in the castle!’).

Onions, who would look at home playing the spoons in an Irish pub, replaced Anderson after forty minutes and was immediately driven through point for four by Hauritz. Two balls later he slashed outside off and was caught smartly by Collingwood at third slip. Hauritz was out for 24 and Australia was 9/169.

Australia still needed 30 to avoid the follow-on when Hilfenhaus walked to the crease. The responsibility lay with Sidds who continued to cut and hook Broad whose bottom lip started to quiver. Onions pitched up to Sidds who edged to Strauss at first slip. Sidds’ 35 is his highest Test score. Australia were all out for 215, a deficit of 210.

Perhaps to rest Freddy who didn’t bowl this morning, or maybe because he liked the look of the flattening pitch, Strauss didn’t enforce the follow-on. He and Cook strode back out under a warm sun. Strauss immediately pulled Hilfy for four and England looked set for a big day at the crease.

Punter’s patience with Johnson lasted three overs. He was cut and pulled everywhere and after Strauss swatted a full toss off his pads for another four, Sidds replaced him.

Things didn’t improve. Strauss and Cook plundered 50 from their first ten overs. England were 0/57 at Lunch and the overall lead, 267.

Tiredness crept in during the break. I had to keep busy, so I put on a load of dirty washing, cleaned the kitchen and gulped down some strong coffee.

Second session:

I settled in for the start of the middle session expecting to witness an English run feast. When Strauss flicked Sidds off his pads for four, dread filled me. Here we go, I thought.

Suddenly, funny things started happening. Hauritz came on - sore finger and all - and trapped Cook plum in front with his first ball. In his next over, he tossed one up to Strauss who edged to Clarke. Both batsmen made 32. Pietersen opened his scoring by waltzing down the pitch and lifting the off-spinner over mid-wicket.

Hilfenhaus replaced Hauritz to have a go at Pietersen who survived an LBW appeal and runout chance – all in the same ball. Hilfy twice whistled his outswinger past Pietersen’s bat. An uncontrolled off-drive caught his inside edge and almost the off-stump.

Ponting, at second slip, dropped a simple chance off Bopara. Punter looked at the ground like someone who had farted loudly in church. Sidds crouched mid-pitch with his head in his hands.

Normalcy returned when Haddin gave away four more byes.

The hour after drinks saw Australia produce their best spell of bowling for the Test. Hilfenhaus dominated Pietersen with his outswingers and even Johnson found a better line. Our fielding was sharp and pressure was maintained on the English.

England managed only fifteen runs in a ten over period.

England were edging towards Tea when Bopara pulled Johnson to mid-on and Hauritz claimed a tumbling catch. Rudi Koertzen referred to his colleague in the grandstand and Bopara was given the benefit of the doubt.

England went to Tea at 2/130 with Bopara on 19 and Pietersen 28. It had been Australia’s session, yet England’s overall lead was 340 and growing.

Third session:

Punter employed go-slow tactics after Tea. He found it necessary to speak to his bowlers – and anyone else for that matter – whenever possible in an attempt to hinder England’s momentum.

The plan worked. Bopara and turned Hauritz off his thigh pad and into Katich’s hands at short leg. He never looked comfortable and made 27 from 93 balls. Pietersen edged Sidds to Haddin on 44 from 101. England had strolled to 4/174.

Punter’s tactics worked on me as well. He obviously didn’t have sympathy for sleep deprived cricket watchers at home. The tough grind set in and I was doing it tough with about 30 overs left in the day’s play (and it was about 2am Reservoir time). I had to step outside into the cold night air to wake up.

Prior emerged with instructions and he and Collingwood lifted the scoring rate. Hauritz came in for punishment as drives and cheeky sweeps found the boundary. The 50 partnership came up in 49 balls. Prior took just 37 balls to score his half-century and looked destined for a brilliant century until, on 61, North ran him out with a direct hit from the outfield. England were 5/260.

Freddy came out to huge applause and Punter discussed his dinner plans with Johnson. I folded towels and prayed for rain. Collingwood carried on and brought up his 50 from 72 balls and the lead was 500. Party time

Things became embarrassing when Freddy got going. The field retreated and runs were easy. Our quicks were plastered everywhere. Dark clouds drew in and the umpires discussed the light. Rain stopped play as Collingwood fell for 54.

No further play was possible and the day closed with England 6/311 and with an overall lead of 521. As I fall into deliriously bed, I’m struck by the realization that only rain can save Australia’s beloved Lord’s record.

Close of play details:

England 425 and 6/311
Prior 61
Flintoff 30*
Broad 0*
Hauritz 3/80

Australia 215
Hussey 51
Anderson 4/55



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Ashes - 1st Test, Day One 2009

July 8th 2009 14:49
Well. It's 48 overs through the highly anticipated 1st 2009 Ashes test! So far not much to write about some people think. But I believe their is a bucket load to write about. Mostly pre-match stuff e.g Hiflenhaus and Haurtiz selection over Stuart Clark. Are the selectors serious?!?! Okay credit where it is due, Hilfenhaus hasn't bowled too badly up until now, taking the pretty valuable wicket of Cook. (with immense assistance from Hussey at gully!) But he is not a test match bowler! In my opinion it's a joke he is playing, sorry Ben, but Stuart Clark should easily pull rank over an amature such as Hilfenhaus. Clark has far more experience and far more test attributes to offer as opposed to Hilfenhaus. But! Hauritz is horrible. They already have part-time spin bowlers, Clarke, North, Katich, I don't think they need Haurtiz. Something is appealing Ponting and the selectors that I obviously can't see. So with the whinging out of the way, back to the cricket! I feel England has a superior side, both experience and talent wise, but Australia has that knack to never sod off. Kevin Pietersen has the ability to take the game away from you in a heartbeat (speak of the devil just brought up his half century) and I feel he will do that. One of the Australian bowlers needs to step up and show the way and Brett Lee would of been perfect for that, had he not bruised a leg hair. Sorry side strain. Poor bugger! Anyway, cmon the Poms and cmon K.P!! BJ.
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T20 box office hit

July 6th 2009 13:01
T 20 format of cricket has emerged as a global phenomenon .Right from its start it has gained momentum and success by attracting volumes of spectators around the world.
Not only does it contracts the time span of viewing it but the frequency of the cricket moments has risen.The number of sixes,fours,slogging,hard hitting has become the norm for the purpose.People enjoy the tense speedy nature of this format.
Its invention has sparked the debate of inclusion of cricket as a game in olympics too.
One couldnot turn his ear and eyes away onces the match begins.This is the beauty of the T20 format.
However this format is leaving no stone unturned to make sure that timing of shots,good techniques and grace of gentlemen cricket to be lost from the game forever.
Now one cannot expect to see stevewaughs timed captains knock.One cant expect to see sir ianbotham bowling for days to make a match out of it.
Felt held elderly citizens statued on the spectators seats ,giving a decent thump of clap on once a while good looking shot will become a rare treat with this format.
The entertainment of T20 has taken away the precision and accuracy from the true nature of game of cricket.
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Australia rode an unbeaten century from captain Michael Clarke and a five-wicket haul from Doug Bollinger to hand Pakistan an eight-wicket defeat and secure an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match one-day series.

Clarke scored a fluent 100 off 122 deliveries while Shane Watson supported him with 85 not out as the two helped Australia easily reach its measly target of 198 set by Pakistan.

Doug Bollinger had wrecked Pakistan's line-up with an accurate spell which earned him the brilliant figures of 5-35 in only his second one-dayer, but Shoaib Akhtar threatened to better that effort when he sent back both openers cheaply, reducing Australia to 2-3.

But Clarke and Watson weathered the storm and lifted Australia out of a slump with an unbroken third-wicket stand worth 197 as Australia finished at 2-200 in 44.2 overs.

Shoaib dismissed Brad Haddin for a golden duck and ended debutant Marcus North's innings early by trapping him in front for one.

Shoaib should have had the wicket of Watson immediately thereafter, but his appeal for leg before was turned down by umpire Aleem Dar.

Sohail Tanvir, Akhtar's new-ball partner, kept the pressure on with a maiden first up, but Clarke and Watson slowly wrested control.

Younus Khan shuffled his bowlers around and even brought on Shahid Afridi inside the powerplay in an effort to break the partnership, but the Australian duo remained watchful and resolute.

Afridi's match ended at the start of the 36th over when he came on to bowl and pulled up with a strained calf muscle even before he could deliver. He hobbled off the field, with three overs of his quota remaining.

Clarke brought up his fourth one-day century with a cracking cover drive off Shoaib, while Watson finished off the chase by sweeping Saeed Ajmal for a boundary.

Earlier Afridi made a run-a-ball 40 and opener Ahmed Shehzad top scored with a patient 43, but Pakistan's innings stuttered and stumbled and eventually ended in 48.4 overs.

Bollinger, who was handed the new ball, secured his first one-day international wicket when he dismissed the dangerous Salman Butt (two) off just the third delivery of the innings.

Then Younus, who got off the mark with an inside-edged boundary that narrowly missed leg stump, made seven before he was accounted for by Nathan Bracken, the left-arm seamer pegging back leg stump via an inside edge.

Bracken should have had the wicket of Misbah-ul-Haq with his next ball, the Pakistan vice-captain edging to Haddin, but umpire Dar ruled not out.

Misbah struggled against the spinners and looked scratchy right through, but he rode his luck and added 68 for the third wicket with Shehzad.

Misbah's laboured innings finally ended on 34 when he attempted to sweep Clarke, missed the ball completely and was trapped plumb in front.

Pakistan then lost wickets in quick succession as Shehzad holed out to long-on.

Shoaib Malik (27), who had shown positive intent, became Bollinger's second victim when he was trapped in front by the left-arm quick and Kamran Akmal managed just one run before he was bowled by Stuart Clark.

Afridi, in typically brisk fashion, knocked the bowlers around, all the while getting Pakistan closer to the 200-run mark.

He had hammered Clark for a couple boundaries in the seamer's sixth over, but mistimed a pull while attempting to force the pace in the batting powerplay and presented Bollinger with his third wicket.

Yasir Arafat chipped in with a useful, unbeaten 23, but Bollinger ran through the tail, claiming the wickets of Shoaib and Saeed Ajmal in his eighth over as Pakistan's innings came to an end.

The fifth match of the series is on Sunday.
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Australia took a 2-1 lead in the five-match one-day series after beating Pakistan by 27 runs in Abu Dhabi on Monday evening.

Pakistan had restricted Australia to 7-198 from its 50 overs but could only manage 171 all out in reply.

Skipper Michael Clarke was again Australia's hero as he made a battling 63 before taking 3-15 with the ball.

A ragged spell from left-arm seamer Sohail Tanvir - who was picked at the expense of Shoaib Akhtar - helped Australia openers Brad Haddin and James Hopes make a cracking start in good batting conditions.

Haddin struck Tanvir for consecutive blows in his first over, the left-arm seamer conceding 14 runs in his first two overs.

Umar Gul, who had handled the new ball, was also a touch expensive to begin with, helping Australia flourish.

But Pakistan hit back with skipper Younus Khan throwing down the stumps at the non-striker's end with a direct throw from mid-off catching Hopes (15) just short of his crease while the batsman attempted a single.

Gul then sent back Shane Watson for a second-ball duck immediately after to have Australia reeling at 2-28.

Clarke and Haddin steadied the ship somewhat but Australia lost its way again with the advent of the spinners.

Shahid Afridi was pressed into action at the start of the 14th over and Australia's scoring rate dropped dramatically.

But it was Shoaib Malik who separated the pair, bowling Haddin (26) as the wicketkeeper-batsman moved too far across while attempting to tuck one down to third man.

Andrew Symonds, who had survived a good shout for leg before on only the second ball he faced, was eventually snared by Afridi for only six and Clarke fell while attempting to force the pace while the batting powerplay was in progress.

Clarke had put on 54 for the fifth wicket with Callum Ferguson, who carried on briefly after his skipper's departure, while Nathan Hauritz got Australia close to the 200-run mark with an unbeaten 19 off only 18 deliveries.

Gul finished the top wicket-taker with 3-38 from eight.

Pakistan made a good start to its reply, with Salman Butt and Ahmed Shehzad putting on 95 for the first wicket and seemingly putting their side on course for victory.

But Butt's wicket, two short of a half-century, proved the turning point, the opener edging Hauritz to first slip.

Khan went for a duck the next ball before Misbah-ul-Haq became Clarke's first victim.

The same bowler then snared Shehzad for 40 while Afridi (6), Kamran Akmal (8), Yasir Arafat (3) and Tanvir (11) all went cheaply.

Malik chipped in with a useful 30 but, when he was run out, the game was up, and Gul quickly became the last man out with nearly three overs left.
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Andrew Symonds rewarded the faith of the Australian selectors as he led his side to a six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second one-day international in Dubai.

His two wickets for 12 runs helped finish off the Pakistan tail as it made 207, and his brisk half-century carried Australia almost all the way in reaching its target with 29 balls to spare.

After Brad Haddin went for eight, Shane Watson's 30 and 48 from James Hopes had helped Australia build a solid platform, but Pakistan dismissed the pair within the space of three balls to leave the tourists in a more nervous position at 3-93 when Symonds strode to the crease.

He took a while to play himself in, but after the offer of a free hit against Shoaib Malik was smashed for his first four in the 29th over, Symonds began to express himself a little more and hit Saeed Ajmal for six in the next over.

By the time he was bowled by Shahid Afridi for 58 off 62 balls, the damage had been done with Australia well ahead of the run rate and only 25 runs from its target.

Michael Clarke's unbeaten 39 and 10 from Callum Ferguson saw it home.

Earlier, Pakistan had scratched its way to a competitive total mainly thanks to opener Salman Butt and his laborious 57.

Shahid Afridi slammed 41 off 40 deliveries, but his dismissal while the batting powerplay was in progress left Pakistan's tail exposed in the final overs.

Shoaib Akhtar, however, threw his bat around and landed some lusty blows en route to 25 off 14 deliveries as Pakistan breached the 200-run mark.

That target looked unlikely at the start when debutant opener Ahmed Shehzad was run out with five runs on the board.

Shehzad turned a delivery from Nathan Bracken to square leg and set off for a single. Butt at first responded and was almost halfway down the pitch when he turned back while Shehzad continued with the run.

Clarke swooped on the ball and fired in a return to wicketkeeper Haddin, who whipped off the bails at the striking end. Umpire Billy Bowden adjudged Shehzad as the batsman out.

Butt rebuilt the innings in the company of skipper Younus Khan (28), who looked in fine touch. The two added 53 for the second wicket.

Younus, who survived a run-out attempt on one, was out edging the first ball from Ben Laughlin to Haddin.

Nathan Hauritz then claimed three wickets in quick succession as Pakistan wobbled, ending with figures of three for 41, while debutant Doug Bollinger turned in an economical spell conceding 26 in his 10 overs.
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Shahid Afridi claimed six victims to pave the way for Pakistan to claim victory by four wickets in its opening one-day international against Australia in Dubai.

The Pakistan all-rounder claimed career-best figures of 6-38 as Australia could only manage 168 in an innings that lasted just 38.5 overs.

The world champions again lost their way in the middle overs, losing 8-27 at one stage as they wilted against Afridi's spin.

It could have been worse for the Australians who relied on a last-wicket stand of 46 runs between James Hopes (48 not out) and Ben Hilfenhaus (four) to give their score some respectability.

Pakistan's reply, while slow going at times, always looked on track with Kamran Akmal hitting 48 at the top of the order before Misbah-ul-Haq anchored the innings with an unbeaten 30 from 68 balls.

A near-capacity crowd filled the Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium as the venue hosted international cricket for the first time.

The postponed series, which was originally due to be played last year, had been moved from Pakistan to neutral turf because the Australian team harboured security concerns about touring the strife-torn nation.

That meant this series came after its 3-2 series defeat to South Africa, when Australia's middle order had shown weakness against spin.

That again proved to be the case on Wednesday after openers Brad Haddin and Shaun Marsh had got it off to a solid start. They added 41 in nine overs before Marsh, who re-injured the hamstring injury that kept him out of the South Africa series, was run out for 16.

Haddin, who was dropped by Shoaib Akhtar while on 38, although the chance was a difficult one, was joined by Shane Watson and the pair put Australia back on top with a 54-run stand for the second wicket.

Watson played the dominant hand, blasting two fours and a six while racing along at better than a run a ball.

All that ended when Pakistan captain Younus Khan brought his spinners on.

Afridi made the breakthrough in his fifth over, inducing an expansive drive from Haddin (40) which was snapped up by Younus at short cover.

That prompted Australia's stunning collapse with off-spinner Saeed Ajmal (two for 19) also getting in on the act.

Ajmal snared stand-in Australia skipper Michael Clarke (four) cheaply, while Afridi picked up the wicket of Watson (40) - bowled while playing down the wrong line - in his next over.

Andrew Symonds (two) offered little on his return to the team after spending nine months on the sidelines.

Callum Ferguson (two), Nathan Bracken (one) and Stuart Clark (two) followed in quick succession as Australia slipped from 2-95 to 9-122.

Hopes revived the innings at the end, but Gul ended it, clean bowling Hilfenhaus.

The early end to Australia's innings meant Pakistan was forced to bat for seven overs before the interval and lost Salman Butt for five when Hilfenhaus trapped him lbw.

Kamran and Younus avoided any further damage before the break to steer Pakistan to 1-25.

Younus (11) fell soon after the re-start when he was frustrated into playing a cross-bat shot off Hopes which he mis-timed to Bracken at mid-off.

Kamran, however, kept the scoreboard ticking over and had closed to within two runs of a deserved half-century when Stuart Clark had him caught behind by Haddin.

Australia showed signs of a fightback when it then had Shoaib Malik (24) caught by Haddin off Hopes shortly after, to leave Pakistan on 4-99.

But Pakistan got the steadying innings it needed from Misbah.

With Afridi adding a quickfire 24, Misbah was content to play a patient a role, eventually guiding his team home with 5.5 overs to spare.
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Australia has gained some respectability with a 47-run victory over South Africa in Johannesburg in the fifth one-day international but still lost the series 3-2.

The hosts were set 304 to win after Brad Haddin and Michael Clarke helped Australia to a strong position and despite 82 from Herschelle Gibbs the Proteas crumbled in the latter half of their innings, collapsing from 4-213 to 256 all out with Mitchell Johnson taking 3-58 for the tourists.

Australia struck an important blow before skipper Graeme Smith (20 runs off 15 balls) could get fully into his stride.

The left-hander waved at a wide Nathan Bracken delivery in the eighth over and got a healthy edge which Haddin did well to hold on to high to his left.

That brought veteran all-rounder Jacques Kallis to the crease and he immediately set about his task in combination with Gibbs.

The pair were untroubled as they easily kept pace with the required rate in a 104-run stand that was brought to an end by a dubious lbw decision against Gibbs.

The 35-year-old attempted to sweep Nathan Hauritz while on 82 and while the ball rapped his front pad, he had made a stride down the wicket which could have offered some doubt about the decision.

Kallis followed for 64 off 69 balls, caught by Haddin off Bracken, and there was little in the way of resistance from the lower order with only AB de Villiers (15) managing double figures outside the top four batsmen.

Earlier, Smith won the toss and inserted the Australians who were looking to earn back some respectability having already conceded the series 3-1.

The tourists had not won since the opening match, but were soon on the front foot through Haddin (64 off 66) and Clarke (66 off 60) who made full use of the early powerplays to clear the in-field with regularity in their opening 127-run stand.

Both fell in quick succession but skipper Ricky Ponting (40 off 45) and rookie Callum Ferguson (41 off 33) picked up the slack to have the Australians at one point 2-191 after 31 overs and dreaming of a total in excess of 350.

But when both fell - to soft dismissals - all momentum the Australians built was soon lost.

Ponting's dismissal, caught at mid-on as he went in search of back-to-back sixes off the part-time spin of JP Duminy, prompted a collapse of 4-23 in a four-over spell that left Australia on 7-246 and with more than 10 overs still to bat.

Instead of putting their foot on the gas the tourists were restricted to just trying to bat out their overs - a feat they achieved thanks to an unbeaten 57-run partnership between Michael Hussey (49) and Hauritz (24).

Duminy finished with figures of 3-48, while fellow spinner Roelof van der Merwe chipped in with 2-44 as the slow bowlers again restricted Australia, but its bowling attack ensured they kept the series deficit to just one.

Australia skipper Ponting said: "It's a great way for us to finish the tour."

"I'm disappointed with way we've played in the series as a group, but a few of the younger guys have had some impact on the game tonight and hopefully they can take that into the series against Pakistan."

De Villiers was named man of the series after hitting 240 runs in the five-match series and said: "I've had an awesome season but I have to say thanks to my team-mates for playing great cricket."

"I'm pretty relaxed and confident and enjoying my cricket at the moment."

Proteas skipper Smith added: "It's been a terrific summer for South African cricket, both teams deserve a lot of credit for the way the series has been played."

"It's been an interesting summer for me. There have been a lot of highs and some injuries thrown in there but I've battled through."
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A fine century from Herschelle Gibbs led South Africa to a comfortable 61-run victory over Australia in the fourth one-day international in Port Elizabeth and an unassailable 3-1 series lead.

Dale Steyn was the star with the ball, claiming 4-44, and was given good support by the spinners as the visitors were dismissed for 256 in pursuit of 318.

Brad Haddin, Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting all made half-centuries, but it was not enough as they fell well short.

The Australians began their chase promisingly with a 129-run opening partnership in just over 20 overs, before the introduction of spin changed the game.

Johan Botha (1-48) was first to strike, ending Haddin's 61-ball 78 when he had the wicketkeeper caught at long-on by Wayne Parnell.

Roelof van der Merwe (3-46) then claimed a triple blow by removing Clarke (50), Callum Ferguson (three) and Michael Hussey (two) to leave the visitors limping at 4-151.

David Hussey and Ponting tried to rescue the situation, putting on 37 before the former also perished, this time caught and bowled by Steyn for 20.

The Australian skipper decided to take the batting powerplay in the 41st over and his decision initially looked like a good one as he plundered Steyn for four boundaries, whilst also raising his half-century in 66 balls.

But he went for one shot too many off the final delivery and was caught by Albie Morkel at mid-wicket for 53.

With Ponting went Australia's last chance of winning and only Mitchell Johnson and James Hopes (31) briefly threatened before South Africa dismissed its opponents in 45.5 overs.

Earlier, Gibbs made 110 and together with AB de Villiers (84) helped the Proteas tear into the visitors' bowling after Ponting had won the toss and elected to field first.

The home team started out slowly, putting on 46 before Graeme Smith (20) was out in the 11th over, chasing a wide ball from Hopes and sending a thick edge behind to Haddin.

Debutant Shane Harwood (2-57) followed that up by accounting for Jacques Kallis, caught at third man by Ferguson for 17, to leave the Proteas at 2-87.

But that was as good as it got for the tourists with Gibbs and De Villiers piling on the misery in a 136-run stand.

The pair reached their half-centuries in 62 and 51 balls respectively, followed by a run-a-ball hundred partnership.

The flamboyant opener brought up his 21st one-day ton in 106 deliveries as South Africa raced past 200 in the 36th over.

Ferguson then dropped De Villiers off Nathan Hauritz diving forward at long-on, but Gibbs perished not long afterwards when Clarke took a simple catch off Nathan Bracken at long-on, ending his 116-ball stay.

Johnson (2-59) removed Morkel (four) and De Villiers in quick succession, but the Australians did not help their chances by twice putting down JP Duminy in the deep.

The South Africa middle-order batsman was eventually out with the final delivery of the innings for 40, but he had already forged a 65-run partnership in just 44 balls with Mark Boucher (29 not out) to help the hosts end on 6-317.
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Half-centuries from Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers proved decisive as South Africa eased to a 25-run victory over Australia in the third one-day international in Cape Town on Friday morning.

Kallis and De Villiers shared a 114-run partnership for the third wicket to rescue the home side from early trouble to post 6-289.

The tourists struggled in their chase, with Callum Ferguson (63) and James Hopes (63 not out) only briefly threatening as outstanding fielding and Roelof van der Merwe's 3-37 restricted the visitors to 7-264.

They made a solid enough start in their response, reaching 30 before the first wicket fell - Brad Haddin run out via a direct hit from JP Duminy fielding at cover.

Ricky Ponting was then dropped twice in successive balls by Mark Boucher and Kallis, although the first chance to the South African wicketkeeper seemed to have been taken on the bounce.

Ponting had another close shave when he survived a run-out chance after running halfway down the track, only to be saved by a poor throw from Albie Morkel at mid-wicket.

But he finally perished for 20, caught and bowled after being outfoxed by a flighted delivery from spinner Johan Botha.

Van der Merwe was introduced into the attack and he struck a double blow in his third over, bowling Michael Clarke (35) and trapping Michael Hussey (one) leg before wicket, despite the batsman getting a big inside edge.

Duminy too was an instant hit when he was brought on to bowl, claiming the wicket of David Hussey (20) with his second ball, caught at long-on by Dale Steyn as Australia fell to 5-114.

But Ferguson brought up his fifty in 59 balls and shared a 97-run partnership with Hopes before he was dismissed when caught by de Villiers running back from cover off the bowling of van der Merwe.

Another brilliant piece of fielding by Duminy in the deep saw Mitchell Johnson (nine) run out as Australia fell well short of its target.

Earlier, after winning his first toss of the series and electing to bat, Graeme Smith was sent on his way in the seventh over when he walked down the track to Johnson (4-34) and edged a seaming delivery behind to Haddin.

Herschelle Gibbs was next to go when he holed out to a good catch by Hopes at deep mid-wicket off Nathan Bracken.

But in company with de Villiers, Kallis reached his fifty from 69 balls. And Kallis soon followed him to a half-century, at a marginally quicker tempo.

Brett Geeves grabbed a fortuitous breakthrough when Kallis (70) slammed a short and wide delivery straight to Hopes.

Johnson then removed de Villiers for 80 with a slower delivery that took a leading edge and was snapped up by Nathan Hauritz at mid-off.

After Duminy had smashed Johnson straight to Michael Hussey at cover, Boucher and Morkel plundered late runs.
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Wayne Parnell and Dale Steyn shared eight wickets to set South Africa on its way to a seven-wicket win over Australia in the second one-day international in Pretoria.

Chasing 132 for victory after the tourists had totalled 131 all out, Graeme Smith (40) led the South African charge as it eased to victory with more than 23 overs to spare.

It was all set up by career-best figures from Parnell (4-26) and Steyn (4-27), who had reduced the Australians to 5-19 before returning at the death to finish off Ricky Ponting's side in 40.2 overs.

It was Australia's third lowest total ever batting first in ODI cricket, having twice before scored 101.

Steyn began the carnage when he tempted Brad Haddin (one) to chase a wide ball in the first over that was played onto his stumps by the wicketkeeper.

After a maiden in his first over, Parnell sent in a seaming delivery to Ponting (eight), whose attempted drive took the outside edge and was snapped up by a diving Mark Boucher.

The paceman then fired an inswinger into the right-handed Michael Clarke, trapping him plumb leg before wicket for five, before a poor shot from David Hussey (one) led to his departure - the tourists' No.4 slashing at the ball outside off-stump and nicking behind to Boucher.

Parnell's late movement then saw Michael Hussey (three) caught on the crease lbw as the Australians slumped at 5-19 in just the eighth over.

James Hopes looked like he settled in quickly, striking two fours early in his innings, but he went for a shot too many attempting to cut Jacques Kallis (1-11) through point and edged to Johan Botha at first slip.

It could have been even worse for the visitors when new man Mitchell Johnson was dropped an over later by Albie Morkel - the all-rounder spurning a tough return chance diving forward.

Johnson recovered though and along with Callum Ferguson raised the half-century stand in 75 balls, before taking the score past 100 in 29th over.

But the partnership ended on 63 when Botha surprised Johnson with a turning delivery that trapped him lbw for 30.

Ferguson brought up his half-century in 82 balls, giving his side a rare moment to cheer, but then fell on the same score.

This time Steyn doing the trick with the South Australian trying to fend a bouncer that took a leading edge and AB de Villiers flew in from point to take a good diving catch inches off the ground.

Parnell then came back into the attack and claimed the wicket of Nathan Bracken (five), caught by JP Duminy running back from cover, before Nathan Hauritz was last man out when he edged Steyn straight to Boucher for 10.

The home side made a poor start to its response, losing Herschelle Gibbs (two), who was caught by Hauritz at cover while driving Johnson (2-47).

Smith and Kallis steadied the ship though, bringing up the half-century partnership in the 11th over, before their stand was ended at 69.

It was the captain who went, chipping a slower ball from Ben Laughlin straight to Clarke at mid-on.

Kallis followed five overs later for 31 when he got a faint nick off Johnson to Haddin, but Duminy (11) and De Villiers (36) helped South Africa square the series 1-1.

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Nathan Hauritz claimed four wickets to help Australia post a record 141-run victory over South Africa in the first one-day international in Durban on Saturday morning.

Chasing 287 for victory, the Proteas were all out for 145 in just 33.1 overs as they suffered their worst defeat against Australia in the 50-over game.

Hauritz claimed the key wicket of Graeme Smith for 52 and looked dangerous throughout as the home side was bundled out for the paltry total after the visitors compiled 7-286, which was built around Michael Hussey's unbeaten 83.

Brad Haddin (53) also notched a half-century for the Australians, who recovered from being 4-115 just after the 20th over to post the third-highest total ever in an ODI at Kingsmead.

Like Makhaya Ntini did for the home side, Nathan Bracken struck early for the visitors when he tempted Hashim Amla to play at a wide ball that was tickled behind to Haddin for seven.

It was a bonus wicket for Australia which only appealed half-heartedly, but Amla walked off to leave his side at 1-17.

His opening partner Smith then survived a massive appeal for leg before wicket off Mitchell Johnson (2-24) that looked plumb, before helping his side fight back in a half-century stand with Herschelle Gibbs.

The South Africa No.3 was out not long after though when he was caught superbly by a diving Michael Clarke at point off James Hopes (2-24) for 33.

In the next over, AB de Villiers (two) was sent on his way, trapped lbw by Johnson, albeit through a poor decision from umpire Asoka de Silva after the ball took the bat before hitting the pad.

Smith then reached his fifty in 51 balls when he tapped Hopes for a single, before a double strike from Hauritz (4-29) saw the hosts slump from 3-110 to 5-112.

First the off-break bowler outfoxed the South African skipper with a flighted delivery that was played straight back to the bowler.

Mark Boucher then tried to sweep Hauritz but top-edged to Haddin without troubling the scorers.

Hopes and Johnson then combined to remove JP Duminy for 25 with a short ball from the former pulled via a mis-hit straight to the latter at mid-on.

And Johnson then sent in one of the deliveries of the day to get rid of Johan Botha - the ball was banged in and kicked off the pitch leaving the batsman no option but to try and fend off as it grazed the gloves and lobbed straight to Hussey at gully for eight.

Hauritz then claimed the key wicket of the dangerous Albie Morkel, stumped by Haddin for 14, before Dale Steyn (one) became Ben Laughlin's first ODI victim when he played an early shot and was caught by Hussey at short cover.

Morne Morkel (two) was the last man out caught in the deep by Laughlin off Hauritz with Ntini left not out on two.

Earlier, Michael Hussey was the star after captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and chose to bat.

The scenario looked totally different at the start, after Ntini (1-67) put the tourists on the back foot when he sent in an angled delivery that Clarke tried to fend off and only succeeded in edging straight to Duminy at second slip for one.

Haddin and Ponting then dug in raising a half-century stand in just over 10 overs, before the skipper went for one shot too many and was done for by the Morkel brothers - Morne (2-61) the bowler this time and Albie taking a good catch paddling back from mid-on as the Australia No.3 failed to clear him and was on his way for 37.

Then came the first of two bizarre run-outs within the space of eight deliveries.

In the 21st over, Haddin dug out an Albie Morkel yorker towards de Villiers at backward point and took a step forward, inviting David Hussey to come charging down from the non-striker's end only to be easily run out for 18.

The Australian wicketkeeper then brought up his half-century from only 55 balls, before being himself run out.

This time new man Michael Hussey steered Botha down to Albie Morkel at third man for a single and was not interested in a second run, which did not faze his partner, who found himself way short to leave the visitors at 4-115.

Callum Ferguson then joined Hussey, putting on 50 in 71 balls, before Steyn (2-45) struck off the first delivery with the changed ball in the 35th over to end the partnership.

All-rounder Ferguson (25) was the one to go, slashing a wide delivery straight to Botha at third man.

Another half-century stand followed between Hussey and Hopes, with the former also raising his fifty from 61 balls as the tourists entered the last five overs taking their powerplay at 5-233.

But they were dealt two early blows, first losing Hopes (38), who was out caught by Steyn at short fine leg after walking across his stumps and trying to flick Morne Morkel over the fielder.

Johnson followed an over later when he swung at a widish Steyn delivery and feathered behind to Boucher for one.

But Hauritz (20 not out) offered Michael Hussey good support as they helped Australia set what proved to be a match-winning total.
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Johan Botha led his team from the front to guide South Africa to a 17-run victory over Australia in the second Twenty20 international in Pretoria.

The Proteas captain took 2-16 runs and was given good support from debutants Yusuf Abdullah (1-16) and Roelof van der Merwe (1-30), while Johann Louw (2-36) also chipped in as the visitors were limited to 8-139.

Van der Merwe also made a useful contribution with the bat, slamming 48 from only 30 deliveries as the hosts posted 5-156.

In response, the tourists raced to 37 from only four and a half overs before they were pegged back by Albie Morkel, who managed to outfox David Warner walking down the wicket and yorked him for 20.

One run later, Abdullah sent a slanting delivery across Ricky Ponting, tempting him to drive, but he only managed to edge behind to Mark Boucher.

Botha brought himself on and, after going for only two in his first over, came back and bowled Michael Clarke going for a powerful sweep with the first ball of his second for 27, before hesitation between new man Callum Ferguson and David Hussey led to the former being run out.

Needing 92 from 54 balls, Hussey briefly threatened to emulate his 88 from 44 balls at the Wanderers on Friday before he was eventually out for 27.

The score was 101 at the time and only five more runs were added before the fall of the next wicket - Cameron White slogging a Botha delivery straight to JP Duminy on the boundary for 23.

Louw then came in to bowl the final over with Australia needing 27 to win and he struck with his second ball - James Hopes miscuing a slower ball to Morkel at mid-wicket for 18.

Nathan Bracken (nought) then top-edged his fifth ball, leaving Brad Haddin unbeaten on 16 and Australia 17 runs short of victory.

Earlier, Titans all-rounder Van der Merwe's innings proved the highlight in front of his home crowd at Supersport Park, thumping four sixes and two fours in his 30-ball innings to help the South Africans post a decent total after they were kept in check by the Australian bowlers.

Shane Harwood (2-21) and Hopes (1-26) were largely responsible for that after Ponting had earlier won the toss and decided to bowl.

Gibbs and Robin Peterson, who was promoted to open the batting, made a decent start, taking the score to 22 before the former was out for 20.

Seven balls later, another debutant in Ben Laughlin struck in his first over of international cricket when De Villiers went hard at a wide delivery but only managed to pick out White at short cover for a duck.

Peterson and Duminy began to build nicely thereafter with a 47-run partnership before Peterson gave himself too much room on the leg side and was bowled by Hopes for 34.

Duminy then walked across his stumps looking to paddle-sweep but completely missed the ball and was bowled by Harwood for 23.

Morkel (14 not out) and Boucher (nine not out) tried their best to up the tempo but were restricted by the Australians.
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Australian captain Ricky Ponting was happy with the overall performance in the four-wicket loss to South Africa in the first Twenty20 international against South Africa, but not as pleased with the result.

The Aussies looked likely to win the match when the hosts needed 84 from 47 balls with only five wickets remaining.

However, Australia couldn't get the wickets it needed and South Africa won a thrilling encounter with just four balls to spare.

"I'm disappointed to lose the game, because we certainly got ourselves into a position in which we probably should have won," he said.

"That's what's the disappointing thing about it. If we hadn't gotten ourselves into that position then I wouldn't have been too disappointed."

"You want to win every game you play and we wanted to win tonight. We've trained well the last couple of days."

"We were a long way off our best cricket tonight, but the satisfying thing is that we had a very good chance to win the game."

Australia had several unfamiliar names in its team tonight, including Shane Harwood and Brett Geeves - who conceded 83 runs between them in 7.2 overs - and Ponting is hoping they can learn from the experience.

"Geeves and Harwood playing tonight, a couple of guys that have been the best performers in domestic cricket back in Australia, they deserved the opportunity to play," he added.

"Both would have learned a lot from the experience, they're bowling to good players on good wickets."

"It just goes to show in this game you've got to execute everything, almost perfectly as a bowler or you're going to go around the park."

"So, they'll learn a lot from that and the more games we can get into the younger guys, it's a chance for them to learn and for us it's a chance to learn more about them and the better off we'll obviously be."

Proteas captain Johan Botha was full of praise for Mark Boucher and Albie Morkel after they helped South Africa snatch the unlikely victory at the Wanderers.

Chasing 166, the Proteas looked well out of the game at 5-83 with just under eight overs remaining, before the pair put on 58 in five pulsating overs to edge the hosts closer to victory.

Morkel was eventually out for 37 off just 19 balls with the score on 141, but Boucher finished unbeaten on 36 to hand his side a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Speaking afterwards, the captain was full of praise for his wicketkeeper, who has come under intense pressure in recent months following his lack of contribution with the bat.

But Botha said: "He's done it many times before and he just showed us again tonight that he's probably our best finisher with Albie."

"He deserves his place in the team and has a lot of input off the field as well which makes him very valuable."

Reflecting on Morkel's performance, he continued: "I think he showed us all summer how good he can be."

"With 62 off 30, a lot of teams will think they're out of it, but with our two guys that were still in, we knew we were still in it."

"They showed that at the end and Albie's bowling too is important. He's a world-class all-rounder."

Botha admitted that the victory, only their second in a total of five against the Australians, was very pleasing.

"It was a really good win tonight," he added. "It got a bit tight, but with those two out there we had hope.

"That's what they get paid for, the big bucks, because they do it under pressure and they did it again tonight. But with those two in and with a long way to go, we knew we still had a chance."

The two sides have a day's rest before doing battle again on Sunday (SA time) at SuperSport Park.
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A maiden career century from Mitchell Johnson was little consolation for Australia as Paul Harris grabbed six wickets to help South Africa wrap up the third Test by an innings and 20 runs in Cape Town.

The tourists, who won the opening two matches of the three-Test series, were all out for 422 on the fourth afternoon at Newlands to lose by an innings for the first time in exactly 11 years.

Harris, the slow left-armer, was the Proteas' star man in notching his best-Test haul of six for 127, but the day undoubtedly belonged to Johnson after he slammed an unbeaten 123 in just 103 balls to help his side go down fighting.

He was given superb support from Andrew McDonald, who made 68 to share a 163-run partnership for the seventh wicket, as the visitors tried their best to make the home side bat again.

But the dismissal of the Victorian all-rounder spelt the beginning of the end, which came when Harris sent Ben Hilfenhaus on his way to hand the Australians a first innings defeat since they lost to India at Calcutta in 1998.

The day began with Ricky Ponting's men playing a game of patience, which saw them score a mere 40 runs in the morning session.

They had to wait until the sixth over of the day for their first run, which came courtesy of a fine cover drive by Michael Hussey off Makhaya Ntini for four.

Simon Katich had a real let-off in claiming his first run - Dale Steyn sent in a full delivery outside off stump that was chased after by the left-hander with the ball flying straight to Harris, who failed to hold on to a simple chance at gully.

The New South Wales batsman then brought up his half-century by walking across his stumps and swatting Albie Morkel down to the fine leg boundary for four.

But he was out for 54 not long after, playing a wide and tossed up delivery off Harris straight to JP Duminy at mid-off to end a 159-ball stay.

There was still time for another scare for the tourists, which came in the final over before lunch when Michael Clarke was given out caught behind by umpire Steve Bucknor - who was standing in his last-ever Test match.

Mark Boucher took a simple catch, but the batsman referred the decision on the grounds that he failed to get an edge on the Jacques Kallis delivery and replays revealed he was correct.

Australia headed into lunch at 142 for three.

Resuming after the break, Hussey's determined innings of 39 soon came to an end when he was surprised by a Steyn ball that kicked up off the pitch and succeeded only in finding Duminy at gully.

Brad Haddin came in with a little more intent and was handed a lifeline when he was put down in a Harris over by close fielder AB de Villiers in what was a tough chance that took the bat and pad along the way.

However, the bowler had his revenge in his next over when he tempted the Australian wicketkeeper to come down the track and attempt to lift him for four.

The ball only ended up being chipped into the air and Duminy ran back from mid-on to take a fine diving catch with Haddin gone for 18.

And Steyn then removed the last of the recognised batsmen, when he sent in a full length ball that Clarke tried to play through the covers, but the ball was played on to his stumps for 47 as the visitors reached tea at 231 for six.

But any hopes by the home side had of immediately wrapping up the Australia tail were thrown out the window by McDonald and Johnson's free-flowing stand.

The pair scored 116 runs in the first hour after tea, including raising the 50 partnership in just over nine overs.

McDonald brought up his first half-century off 56 balls when he drove Kallis for a single, which was followed by Johnson bludgeoning Morkel square of the wicket for four to raise his fourth Test fifty and third against South Africa that came from 51 balls.

The hundred partnership came from 91 balls, before Harris finally managed to put the brakes on when he claimed two wickets in two balls.

The first was that of McDonald, who was caught by the close in fielder De Villiers.

However, he was not convinced and went upstairs, with TV umpire Billy Bowden confirming his fate.

The very next ball, Harris forced Peter Siddle to try and defend and he too succumbed to the same man at silly point as the hosts sensed victory.

But Johnson, who made 96 not out in the first Test at the Wanderers, kept them waiting and brought up his maiden first-class hundred by pulling Steyn for a massive six over mid-wicket reaching his ton in just 86 balls.

In the next over though, he ran out new man Bryce McGain for a duck while attempting to retain the strike - substitute Sybrand Engelbrecht the fielder.

And with the light quickly fading, Hilfenhaus was last man out when he edged Harris to Ashwell Prince at first slip for 12 leaving South Africa to cherish a consolation victory.

Harris was the pick of the bowlers with his six wickets, while Steyn claimed three for 96.
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The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars have booked their passage into the Super Six stage of the ICC Women's World Cup with a 47-run over West Indies at Drummoyne Oval in Sydney today.

In testing early conditions, the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars batted first and amassed 7-211 before restricting West Indies to 7-164 to finish second in Group A behind New Zealand.

With Australia sent into bat, Shelley Nitschke again provided the drive at the top of the order with 45 from 61 balls, while regular opener Alex Blackwell, slotting into the middle order, top scored with 46 not out.

Shelley Nitschke
Shelley Nitschke


The other main contributors to the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars' total were Jodie Fields (42) and Ellyse Perry (36). The pair hit 10 boundaries between them as Australia recovered from a potentially dangerous position to launch a counter attack in the final overs.

Australia took advantage of its batting powerplay by belting 40 from the final five overs of the innings. Blackwell and Perry used the increased field restrictions well and added 57 for the seventh wicket after the innings stuttered when the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars lost 3-7 in five overs to drop to 6-130 in the 37th over.

The pair's rescue mission ensured the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars attack had at a significant target to defend.

"The plan when I went out to bat with Alex was for us to make the 45-over mark, take the batting powerplay and launch from there," Perry said.

"For us it was about knocking it around and accumulating runs and getting us back on track a bit."

"We lost consecutive wickets throughout our innings, especially early on, and that really hurt us in the middle overs, but I think we regrouped well to get a defendable total on the board," vice captain Blackwell said.

"Building partnerships throughout the order - it doesn't really matter where they are - are important, like Ellyse and I did today. She came out and we formed a really good partnership which helped us.

"There are expectations for the number one ranked team to beat lesser ranked teams, but it's been very positive to see how teams have stepped us against us. I actually think West Indies and South Africa have had two good games against us.

"We do need to work on the some things, which we are definitely doing to improve each game."


The West Indies chased the target with enthusiasm but at 5-85 the match looked headed for a quick conclusion before Deandra Dottin and Debbie-Ann Lewis put together a 56-run stand to take the score to 141.

Lewis's dismissal came at the wrong time for West Indies, with their batting powerplay taken in the over following her exit and her team needing 10 an over to win.

Dottin's innings was especially entertaining. The 17-year-old smashed four towering sixes in an innings of 51 from 54 balls before holing out to Delissa Kimmince at long on with four overs remaining.

West Indies finished on 7-164, its highest score against Australia in four one-day internationals, passing the 151 it made at the 2005 World Cup.

Best of the Australian bowlers was Erin Osborne (2-22), player of the match Perry (2-28) and Lisa Sthalekar (2-32).

In other ICC Women's World Cup matches today, England completed the group stage unbeaten with a crushing eight-wicket win over Pakistan, New Zealand easily accounted for Sri Lanka by 199 runs, while India battled hard for a 35-run win over Sri Lanka.

The Super Six stage of the tournament starts on Saturday with the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars playing India at North Sydney Oval. Play starts at 10am.
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Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP) today announced the Australia squad that will contest two Twenty20 and five one-day internationals on the VB Tour of South Africa 2009.

The squad is:

Ricky Ponting (c) TAS
Michael Clark (vc) NSW
Nathan Bracken NSW
Callum Ferguson SA
Brett Geeves TAS
Brad Haddin NSW
Nathan Hauritz NSW
James Hopes QLD
David Hussey VIC
Michael Hussey WA
Mitchell Johnson WA
Ben Laughlin QLD
Adam Voges WA
Cameron White VIC
David Warner NSW *
Shane Harwood VIC *

* David Warner and Shane Harwood will return to Australia after the two Twenty20 matches

ODI Twenty20 Australia Squads South Africa Tour


Commenting on the squad, NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch, said:

“Both Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle are being rested from the South African one-day series as part of their workload management to prepare for their possible inclusion in key upcoming events which include the World Twenty20 and the Ashes.”

“Both Peter and Ben had significant injuries during the 2008 off season. Since returning to cricket they have had a demanding and heavy Australian season and will have completed three back-to-back Test matches in South Africa. The recommendation of the coaching and fitness staff was that they have time off now to allow them to recuperate and then commence a structured training program in ideal preparation potentially for the World Twenty20 and the Ashes.

“This recommendation is fully supported by the National Selection Panel as an appropriate strategy leading into key tournaments and in particular the Ashes.

“With this of course comes opportunity. Brett Geeves performed well in the Commonwealth Bank Series in Darwin against Bangladesh for Australia and has continued to perform well domestically. In addition to his bowling he is a potentially explosive batsmen and fielder and adds to the versatility of the one day side. It is a well deserved opportunity for Brett.

“We also take the opportunity to introduce Ben Laughlin to Australian cricket. Ben has had an extremely good summer for Queensland and was instrumental in their one-day final victory. Ben will add to the versatility of the Australian bowling line up as we continue to look at options progressing forward to the 2011 World Cup.

“David Warner has been added for the Twenty20 games only. He is an exciting player who has had a very strong domestic season in one-day and Twenty20 cricket and had a dynamic initial impact in Australian Twenty20 cricket.

“We have also rewarded Shane Harwood for a number of outstanding years in domestic cricket. He has consistently been one of the leading bowlers in one day and Twenty20 cricket. We want to take the opportunity to look at Shane as a possible option for the World Twenty20.

“It was not considered appropriate to rush Shaun Marsh back into one-day cricket for Australia. Shaun is recovering from a significant hamstring injury. He is recovering well, but further testing of hamstring strength is being undertaken and he has not been match tested at all. We would expect Shaun to be available for selection in the Pakistan one-day series.

“South Africa will be extremely competitive as always in one-day cricket and it will be a great test for the players to see where they are currently in both one day cricket and Twenty20 cricket. We look forward to a hard fought and entertaining series.”

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Important contributions from captain Karen Rolton and opener Shelley Nitschke have helped get the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars’ ICC Women’s World Cup campaign back on track in a 61-run win against South Africa in Newcastle today.

Rolton (96 not out) and Nitschke’s (87) innings were the highlights of the closer-than-expected result which moves the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars into second place on the Group A points table behind New Zealand.

“It was a good fight for the girls and I thought South Africa batted well. We got off to a bit of a slow start and I would have liked a few more runs early on but to the South African girls’ credit they bowled well,” Rolton said.

Southern Stars


“It’s tough when you don’t play a team for four years. We haven’t played South Africa since the last World Cup in 2005 and even then it was only once.”

“It was good to middle a few when I came out to bat. We’ve been working hard to try and get some partnerships going and some people batting through and making runs because we haven’t been able to do that.

“I’m a little bit disappointed with the way we bowled and that’s something we can work on before our next match against West Indies.”

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Rolton was left agonisingly close to a record ninth one-day international century when Australia’s innings closed at 4-258, its highest against South Africa. In reply, South Africa recorded its highest score against Australia before being bowled out for 197 in the 50th over.

Rolton looked certain to reach three figures in the final over of Australia’s innings – and become the most prolific century-maker in women’s one-day cricket – but couldn’t get enough strike to convert her effort into a second hundred against South Africa.

She started the final over on 95 and after a single from the first ball was unable to get back on strike for the remaining five balls. Her 87-ball innings included 13 boundaries and was complemented by Nitschke’s 87 from 94 balls at the top of the order.

The pair added 77 for the second wicket, a partnership which was responsible for increasing the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars’ scoring after South Africa’s Ashlyn Kilowan and spinner Charlize van der Westhuizen held Australia to 22 from the opening 10 overs.

Rolton’s arrival at the crease in the 21st over boosted the run rate and despite Nitschke’s departure 17 runs short of her first international century, the most capped woman in one-day cricket continued to attack and guide the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars to 4-258.

South Africa vice-captain Alicia Smith was impressive with ball, taking 3-42 in an effort that included a wicket-maiden in the 46th over, the first of Australia’s batting powerplay.

The South Africa innings began unsteadily when the opening wicket fell in the fourth over with Jessica Cameron taking a low diving catch at second slip to dismiss Claire Terblanche (2) off the bowling of Rene Farrell.

Trisha Chetty and Cri-Zelda Brits then played well, finding the gaps and taking the score past 50 in the 12th over. The pair’s 50-run partnership came in the next over off 52 balls as they forced Rolton into rotating her bowlers.

With Chetty and Brits in control, Rolton’s tactic of introducing spin from both ends had the desired result and in the five overs before the drinks break, Erin Osborne and Lisa Sthalekar combined to stem the flow of runs and put the pressure back on the South Africa pair.

The pressure eventually brought its reward in the 25th over with Sthalekar dismissing Brits for 36 to end her 82-run stand with Chetty. Soon after reaching her first one-day international half century, Chetty’s entertaining knock (58 from 78 balls) also came to an end when Emma Sampson forced a loose stroke and Alex Blackwell accepted an easy catch at mid-off.

The South Africa resistance ended in the space of six balls with Alica Smith (19) and Mignon de Preez (37) dismissed in quick succession to reduce South Africa to 5-169.

Nitschke took some late wickets to finish with 3-43 and claim the player of the match award, while Rene Farrel was the other multiple wicket-taker with 2-30.


In other ICC Women’s World Cup matches today, England crushed India by nine wickets while New Zealand defeated West Indies by 56 runs.

Australia’s next match at the ICC Women’s World Cup is against West Indies at Drummoyne Oval in Sydney on Thursday. The team will travel to Sydney tomorrow.

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Australia claimed the three wickets they needed in the final hour before tea to win the second Test match against South Africa by 175 runs and seal an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

The host came into the final day in Durban with hopes of gaining a draw but lost the key wicket of Jacques Kallis (93) early in the first session and never looked like saving the game thereafter.

Only Mark Boucher put up any resistance for the hosts with a gritty 107-ball 25.

The tourists skittled the Proteas for 370 for nine - Graeme Smith not coming out to bat due to a broken finger - with Simon Katich claiming three wickets to help his side retain their world number one ranking with the final Test in Cape Town still to come.

David Hussey Chris Rogers
David Hussey and Chris Rogers


Resuming the final day on 244 for two, Kallis was soon dropped for the second time in the innings, this time by Michael Clarke after also being let off the hook by Marcus North when on nought yesterday.

This time the missed chance was not so costly, however, as Kallis fell in the next over when he tried to fend off a Mitchell Johnson delivery but found captain Ricky Ponting at second slip.

Kallis' demise just seven short of a ton broke a fighting 187-run partnership with AB de Villiers, and with it seemed to signal the end of the hosts' resistance.

De Villiers followed a short time later for 84 when he received an almost unplayable delivery from Peter Siddle that he deflected to Brad Haddin behind the stumps.

The Australian wicketkeeper then dropped JP Duminy off the same bowler when the ball slipped through his gloves with the batsman on six.

But Haddin made amends when a Ben Hilfenhaus bouncer gave Duminy no chance of getting his gloves out of the way and he edged behind for 17.

With lunch on the horizon, Ponting threw the ball to Katich who struck with his second delivery when a thick edge from Paul Harris (5) was snapped up by Siddle running back from mid-on.

Boucher and Morne Morkel dug in after lunch, the pair batting for over an hour before the former tried to turn North onto the leg side only to send a leading edge back to the bowler.


Morkel followed a short time later when he edged onto his pads and Haddin managed to trap the ball between his legs to send the batsman back to the pavilion for 24.

Dale Steyn was last man to fall when he attempted to swing Katich across the line and was stumped by Haddin.

Katich was the pick of the Australia bowlers with three for 45, while Siddle also claimed three at the cost of 61 runs.

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An unbroken 164-run partnership between Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers kept South Africa's slim hopes of saving the second Test against Australia alive after it reached stumps on day four at 2-244.

The home side, which is chasing an improbable 546 to win, lost openers Neil McKenzie and Hashim Amla before tea, with an inspired Peter Siddle doing the damage, but the intact third-wicket stand saw no damage done in the final session and left it with realistic hopes of keeping the series alive.

There is also still an outside chance of the host winning the game with the target having now been reduced to 302 but there is no doubt Kallis, not out on 84, and De Villiers (68) will have their initial thoughts on batting the team to safety.

Jacques Kallis
Jacques Kallis Stands Firm Against The Australians


The Proteas began the chase confidently enough, reaching lunch at 35 without loss after visiting captain Ricky Ponting had declared Australia's second innings at 5-331.

There was only one scare early on, which came when umpire Billy Bowden sent McKenzie on his way after giving him out leg before wicket off a Ben Hilfenhaus delivery.

However, after asking for the decision to be referred, the call was reversed by Steve Bucknor as the ball looked to be going over the stumps.

After the break, McKenzie and Amla, who was shifted one place up the order following captain Graeme Smith's broken finger, began steadily, raising the 50 partnership in the 19th over, before the former was out for 31.

A good ball from Siddle bowled just on the line of off stump nipped back and left the opener uncertain as he edged behind to Brad Haddin, ending a 63-run stand.

And off the next delivery, Kallis was enticed into playing at an out swinger that was edged to Marcus North, who reacted late and failed to hang on at first slip.

But Siddle was rewarded for his fine spell of bowling when Amla lost his concentration and chased a wide seaming delivery that was snapped up by Ponting at second slip for 43.

But De Villiers and Kallis held firm and brought up the 50 stand off only 71 balls to leave their team 2-145 at tea.

And they continued to build on that momentum, going through the final session without losing any further wickets.

The century stand was brought up in the 59th over, before Kallis reached his 50 when he squeezed Mitchell Johnson through the covers for two.

That was followed by De Villiers' half-century from 106 balls as the pair looked relatively comfortable against a tiring Australian attack and took their partnership through to the close.

Earlier, the host was set the daunting chase after Ponting's declaration came just under eight overs into the day.

However, it did not stop Phillip Hughes from crossing the 150 mark as he continued to pile on the misery for the Proteas, before eventually being dismissed by Makhaya Ntini for 160.

Resuming on 3-292, and with Hughes unbeaten on 136, the opener added another 38 runs in his partnership with Michael Clarke.

The New South Wales batsman had already been dropped on 142 by wicketkeeper Mark Boucher but Morne Morkel fared better at third man after Ntini's delivery had looped up from a top edge.

Hughes' replacement, North, failed to trouble the scorers and his dismissal for a duck, which saw De Villiers pluck the ball out of the air at second slip, was quickly followed by Australia's declaration.

Clarke was unbeaten on 23 when the innings was ended, leaving South Africa with a huge task to level the series after the 162-run loss in Johannesburg.

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Phillip Hughes described scoring back-to-back centuries in the second Test against South Africa in Durban as a 'very special moment' after helping Australia move into a position of total command.

The 20-year-old opener became the youngest player to score tons in both innings of a Test match since West Indian George Headley achieved the feat against England 79 years ago.

The New South Wales batsman was unbeaten on 136 when his side reached stumps on day three at 3-292, an overall lead of 506.

"It's a very special moment," Hughes said afterwards. "Something I'll never forget and I'm just really excited."

Ricky Ponting Phillip Hughes
Ricky Ponting and Phillip Hughes


On day one, he made 115 in very quick time, bringing up his century with consecutive sixes off Paul Harris, but he admitted his innings the second time around was much tougher on a difficult pitch.

He added: "Today I thought Harris bowled beautifully into the rough, a few balls spitting here and there, and going everywhere really."

"I knew if I just kept going and batting there was a big one for the taking. I had to be very patient and just a few overs here and there sit on him. It was great."

"Every day is different and today I had to grind it out, tough it out. I was determined not to give it away after I got a start."

South Africa is now staring a series defeat in the face after losing the first Test by 162 runs.

Things will be even more difficult for it after Graeme Smith was ruled out for the rest of the match, and possibly the next one, with a broken finger in his right hand.

However, JP Duminy, who made 73 not out in the Proteas' first innings, is confident it can still come fighting back.

He said: "We are a bit run down but we have the character to come back with a good performance tomorrow."

"If we come out with a positive attitude, who knows what might happen. Gary Kirsten scored 275 here to save a test against England and we have the capability to do that."

"We have the top five, and Mark Boucher, to cope with the situation."

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New Zealand has made a terrific start to its ICC Women's World Cup campaign, beating Australia in a rain-marred encounter at North Sydney Oval.

The match was abandoned at 5.22pm (AEDT) with Australia 6-132 in the 33rd over chasing New Zealand's 205.

Under the Duckworth-Lewis method, the White Ferns were declared victors.

New Zealand pace bowler Kate Pulford, who took 3-32, was named player of the match.

Australia, the pre-tournament favourite and five-time World Cup winners, did well to restrict the Kiwis in the field but batted poorly to throw away any hope of victory.

Karen Rolton
Karen Rolton


The home side's run chase began badly, opener Alex Blackwell out for just four in the third over.

Skipper Karen Rolton (21) joined Shelley Nitschke at the crease and took the score to 49 before mistiming a pull shot to present McGlashan an easy catch at mid-on off Kate Pulford's bowling.

The Southern Stars sunk deeper into trouble when Lisa Sthalekar (six) was brilliantly caught one-handed by wicket-keeper Rachel Priest, leaving Australia a shaky 3-58.

The White Ferns continued to take wickets at regular intervals, Nitschke (27), Jessica Cameron (15) and Lauren Ebsary (one) all falling before rain forced play to be halted with the hosts 6-100.

The Aussies moved the score on to 6-132 when play resumed before the rain returned to wash play out for the day.

New Zealand's 205 looked a little skinny on the postage stamp-sized North Sydney Oval.

The Kiwis were looking at a large score after moving to 3-171 in the 41st over before a dramatic late collapse saw them lose 7-34.

New Zealand skipper Haidee Tiffen (59) played a lone hand at the top of the order, with cameo knocks from Suzie Bates (29), Amy Satterthwaite (38) and Sara McGlashan (29) setting up what should have been a 250-plus score.

But some poor shot selection and steady bowling from Sthalekar (2-35) and Ellyse Perry (3-40) brought the Kiwis undone.

Perry made a brave and remarkable return after earlier leaving the field with a dislocated finger.

Australian won the toss and sent New Zealand into bat in overcast conditions.

The Kiwis made a disastrous start, losing opener Pulford (three) in the fourth over to a brilliant piece of fielding from Sthalekar.

Sthalekar picked the ball up at mid-wicket and through the stumps down at the keeper's end to leave Pulford well short of her ground.

Bates and Tiffen moved the score on to 42 before Bates (29) was bowled after failing to get her feet moving to a beautiful Rene Farrell (1-20) inswinger.

Tiffen was joined by Satterthwaite and the pair was untroubled in posting 67 for the third wicket.

But there was no keeping Sthalekar out of the game.

She enticed Satterthwaite (38) into an ill-advised drive which ballooned to skipper Karen Rolton at mid-off.

Tiffen's well-crafted knock came to an end on 57, the skipper lofting Erin Osborne (2-37) down the throat of substitute Jessica Cameron in the deep.

The captain's departure triggered a dramatic collapse, the visitors going from 3-171 to all out 205 in the 48th over.

But the modest total proved beyond Australia, with rain eventually ending their unlikely bid for victory.

New Zealand innings
Pulford run out (Sthalekar) 3 (12)
Tiffen c sub (Cameron) b Osborne 57 (113)
Bates b Farrell 29 (24)
Satterthwaite c Rolton b Sthalekar 38 (51)
McGlashan c Fields b Perry 29 (54)
Mason c Nitschke b Sthalekar 0 (2)
Browne b Osborne 3 (2)
Tsukigawa c & b Sampson 2 (9)
Priest c Sthalekar b Perry 7 (9)
Devine c Rolton b Perry 13 (7)
Burrows not out 3 (7)
Extras: 21 (3lb, 2nb, 16w)
Total: 205 (10 wickets; 48 overs)
FOW: 1-6, 2-42, 3-109, 4-171, 5-171, 6-174, 7-176, 8-180 9-187, 10-205

Bowling
Sampson 9 – 0 – 33 - 1
Farrell 7 – 1 – 20 - 1 (6w)
Perry 6 – 1 – 40 – 3 (2nb, 2w)
Nitschke 6 – 0 – 37 - 0 (2w)
Osborne 10 – 0 – 37 - 2 (2w)
Sthalekar 10 – 1 – 35 – 2 (2w)

Australia innings
Nitschke lbw b Pulford 27 (41)
Blackwell c Mason b Devine 4 (8)
Rolton c McGlashan b Pulford 21 (28)
Sthalekar c Priest b Pulford 6 (12)
Fields not out 26 (53)
Cameron c Browne b Devine 15 (27)
Ebsary c Priest b Mason 1 (5)
Perry not out 17 (27)
Extras: 14 (3lb, 2nb, 9w)
Total: 132 (6 wickets; 33 overs)

FOW: 1-12, 2-49, 3-58, 4-71, 5-98, 6-100

Bowling
Devine 7 – 2 – 19 – 2 (1nb, 1w)
Burrows 3 – 0 – 15 – 0 (2w)
Browne 7 – 0 – 25 – 0 (1nb, 1w)
Pulford 7 – 0 – 32 – 3 (4w)
Mason 6 – 1 – 21 – 1 (1w)
Bates 3 – 0 – 17 - 0

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Andrew McDonald claimed three wickets in the final session to ensure Australia maintained a firm grip on the second Test against South Africa in Durban with the host reaching stumps at 7-138.

Paul Harris, Jacques Kallis and Morne Morkel were all victims of the all-rounder's nagging medium pace, which followed Mitchell Johnson's earlier burst that reduced the Proteas to 2-0 in the first over of their innings.

The Australian paceman was also responsible for injuring Graeme Smith and then Kallis with two brutal deliveries that forced the pair to retire as the home side saw its morning effort, which claimed the visitors' last six wickets for a miserly 23 runs to bowl them out for 352, thrown out the window.

Mitchell Johnson
Mitchell Johnson


In the end JP Duminy was left to carry South African hopes with his unbeaten 73 helping it reduce the deficit to 214, still 15 runs short of avoiding the follow-on.

Resuming after tea with the score at 4-62, Duminy reached his half-century from 88 balls when played Peter Siddle through the gully region for four, before McDonald snared Harris with a good delivery that jagged back to bowl the batsman for four.

Two balls later he dismissed Kallis, who returned to bat after x-rays revealed no serious damage to his jaw, which was hit by a Johnson delivery.

The South African all-rounder chipped a tame delivery on leg stump straight to Ricky Ponting at short mid-wicket for 22.

McDonald then cleaned up Morkel for a duck as the home side slumped to 7-106, before Dale Steyn (eight not out) and Duminy took the hosts to the close without further damage.

Before the tea break, Johnson was the star as his double strike at the start of the South African response left it 2-0 after just five balls.

The paceman removed Neil McKenzie and Hashim Amla for ducks, before dishing out injuries to Smith and Kallis - the former more serious as his broken little finger on his right hand ruling him out for the next Test.

McKenzie was first out when he found a short delivery outside off stump too hard to resist and got a fine edge to Brad Haddin, with Amla next to follow courtesy of a fine inswinging delivery that trapped him leg before wicket.

In Johnson's next over, Smith was hit plush on the right hand as he tried to fend off a short delivery on the leg side and was forced to retire hurt for two.

AB de Villiers was next to go when Ben Hilfenhaus managed to get a good length delivery to cut back sharply, trapping the batsman lbw for three as the hosts slumped to 3-6.

But Duminy and Kallis then consolidated, bringing up the 50-run stand in just under 18 overs, before the South African all-rounder was knocked down with a bloody chin after being struck by Johnson.

He had to go off for 22 leaving the home side in a desperate position, which only got worse when tea was called after Boucher was cleaned up by the same bowler when he was yorked for one.

During the morning, a much-improved bowling performance from South Africa helped it fight back to dismiss Australia for 352.

Only 48 runs were scored at the cost of four wickets in a morning that was cut short by rain, with the visitors' only plus point coming courtesy of Michael Hussey's half century.

Play started 30 minutes late due to a wet outfield, but Australia, resuming on 4-303 made a steady start with Hussey reaching his 14th half-century off 137 balls.

But he was ruffled by Steyn in the 11th over of the day - the paceman knocking him on the head with a brutal bouncer that was followed by two similar deliveries as the pair exchanged words.

And the very next over Morkel took full advantage when he bowled the Western Australian for 50.

North was next to go for 38, caught by Steyn at square leg, before Ntini had Haddin (five) and Johnson (nought) out in the same over - the former caught by Amla at midwicket, with the latter trapped plumb in front for a first ball duck as tourists went into lunch clearly shaken by a rejuvenated South Africa.

And it took only four deliveries after lunch for the tail to be wrapped up.

Steyn had Siddle caught behind by Boucher with his second ball without scoring, before Hilfenhaus also went for nought when he edged the same bowler straight to Smith at first slip.

Steyn was the pick of the bowlers with 3-83 in 25.4 overs, while there were two wickets each for Ntini, Kallis and Harris.

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Two wickets in the final session helped South Africa fight back after a tough opening day of the second Test in Durban for the hosts, but centuries from openers Phillip Hughes and Simon Katich still kept Australia firmly in command at 4-303 at stumps.

The Australian opening pair took the attack to the Proteas from the start, putting on 184 for the first wicket to lay a firm foundation as the home side struggled with its line and length through the opening two sessions.

But Dale Steyn and Paul Harris sniffed out two wickets after tea to give South Africa renewed hope with Michael Hussey (37 not out) and Marcus North (17 not out) forced to consolidate in the closing overs.

Phil Hughes
Phil Hughes


It proved a good ending for Graeme Smith's team, which will now sleep much better with renewed optimism of staying alive in the series and overtaking its opponent at the top of the world rankings.

Resuming after tea with the score at 2-218, the Proteas captain and his players looked to have dismissed Hussey in the third over when he was trapped in front by Morne Morkel and given out by umpire Asad Rauf.

But after eventually deciding to refer the call, he was deemed not out by Steve Bucknor after the ball pitched narrowly outside the line of leg stump forcing the initial call to be reversed.

At the other end, Katich brought up his patient century from 177 balls when he carved a wide ball from Morkel through the off side for four as Australia moved to 2-250.

But the opener added only eight more runs to his total before Steyn tempted him into a false stroke off a good length that he nicked to Smith at first slip for 108.

Three over later, Michael Clarke was cleaned up by an excellent delivery from Harris, who watched as the ball was pitched on middle stump and straightened its way past the uncertain batsman for three.

But Hussey was joined by North and the pair steadied things with an unbroken 37-run stand as Australia ended the day well placed at Kingsmead.

Earlier, Hughes' maiden century helped the tourists take full command as he and Katich raced through the morning session to leave them 0-119 at lunch.

Both sides decided to retain the same line-ups that did duty in the first Test that was won by 162 runs by the Australians - Ponting winning his fifth toss in as many games against Smith and electing to bat.

The two openers made a flying start and were especially harsh on Morkel - Hughes taking 21 runs off his second over of the morning to bring up the 50 in just the 12th over.

Morkel, already taken for two fours in the over, sent in a high no-ball bouncer in anger that flew over wicketkeeper Boucher for yet another boundary, with two more following off the final two deliveries.

The young New South Wales opener, in his second Test match, then brought up his fifty in 63 balls, including 10 fours, to help his side reach lunch in a commanding position.

After the break, he survived an early scare when Harris appealed loudly for leg before.

Umpire Rauf decided it was not out - and after Smith decided to use the first of his two referrals, Bucknor confirmed the initial decision with the batsman having a slight inside-edge to thank for his reprieve.

At the other end, Katich continued his patient knock bringing up his half-century off 100 balls when he clipped Steyn past square-leg for two, before his partner raced through to his hundred with consecutive sixes off Harris.

He did so off only 132 balls, including 17 fours and those two sixes.

Then followed two dropped catches, Hashim Amla first putting down a sharp chance from Katich on 55 at midwicket - before Hughes' outside edge was grassed low down by Jacques Kallis off Morkel.


The young opener was out in the next over though, when he chased a wide Kallis delivery only to cut it into the waiting hands of Neil McKenzie at gully.

The hosts then used up the second of their referrals unsuccessfully. Morkel thought he had heard Katich get a nick through to Mark Boucher - but 'Hot Spot' technology, available to the third umpire for the first time in this match, confirmed there was nothing to it.

The second breakthrough did arrive a few overs later when Ponting, on nine, uncharacteristically miscued a Harris delivery - and McKenzie took the catch at deep mid-off.

Harris was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts, taking 2-66 in 21 overs, while Steyn and Kallis grabbed the other two wickets.

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Gatorade Under 18 Twenty20 Cup

March 6th 2009 06:48
Junior teams from across Australia will have the chance to be crowned Twenty20 national club champions when they compete in the inaugural Gatorade Under 18 Twenty20 Cup. One Under 18 team from each state and territory will travel to Canberra next week to take on the rest of Australia in the first national junior club competition in the newest form of the game on March 10 and 11.

Each state association has held various knockout tournaments to determine their representative club or association team, giving a unique chance for club cricketers to perform in a national competition.

Cricket Australia General Manager of Game Development, Damien Bown, sees the competition as important to Australian cricket in developing Twenty20™ cricket:

“Fans across the world have taken to Twenty20 cricket and in recent times we’ve seen a number of young players rise to prominence through their performances in Twenty20 matches,” Bown said.

“The Gatorade Under 18 Twenty20 Cup puts club cricket on the national stage and hopefully inspires young club cricketers to progress to higher levels.”

The competing teams will be:

Alice Springs Cricket Association (NT)
Cricket ACT Under 18 Team (ACT)
Cranbourne Cricket Club (Victoria)
CUSA Cats (SA)
Sandgate-Redcliffe Cricket Club (Queensland)
Shore School (NSW)
South Hobart – Sandy Bay Cricket Club (Tasmania)
Wanneroo Districts Cricket Club (WA)

The Gatorade Under 18 Twenty20 Cup is the first national junior club tournament to focus on Twenty20™ cricket and will be a chance for young club cricketers from across the nation to showcase their talents at the newest form of the game.

Gatorade U18 Twenty20 Logo


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Hot Spot Technology To Be Used

March 6th 2009 06:24
'Hot Spot' technology is to be added to the permitted decision-making aids at the disposal of the third umpire in the second and third Tests between South Africa and Australia.

The International Cricket Council on Wednesday confirmed the addition to its ongoing technology trial in Test matches.

Third-umpire referrals caused much controversy in the recently-concluded fourth Test between West Indies and England in Bridgetown, thanks to a succession of debatable lbw rulings.

'Hot Spot' was not available to Daryl Harper at the Kensington Oval, where it was the absence of 'predictive Hawkeye' from the third umpire's armoury which was the main bone of contention.

Billy Bowden
Billy Bowden


Whereas that facility would have made it easier for Harper to advise his colleagues on the likely track of the ball had it not first hit the batsman's pad, 'Hot Spot' indicates, using infra-red cameras, the ball's exact point of impact with bat, pad, glove or ground.

Looking forward to a 'Hot Spot' debut in Durban on Friday, ICC general manager - cricket David Richardson explained: "By having 'Hot Spot' available, it means the television official will have even more information at his disposal if he is called upon, via a request for a review, to assist the on-field umpires with a decision. That has to be a good thing."

"It also means that when the ICC cricket committee meets in May to consider the issue of the technology trial it will have a much more complete picture of the aids available for use and whether, and if so how well, they worked in a match situation."

"The key purposes of the technology trial are to see if we can lift the already-high percentage of correct decisions made by our umpires and also eradicate the rare occasions when a clearly incorrect decision has been made."

"We hope 'Hot Spot' can play a part over the next two Tests in Durban and Cape Town in establishing whether technology has a role to play in helping achieve those aims."

The third official in Durban will be Steve Bucknor, and the on-field umpires will be Asad Rauf and Billy Bowden.

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Australia’s Southern Stars have completed their preparations for the ICC Women’s World Cup with a runaway win over Sri Lanka at Manly Oval yesterday afternoon.

The world’s top-ranked team was far too strong for Sri Lanka in the last match for both teams before the start of the World Cup on Saturday, making 7-284 before bowling their opponents out for 54 in the 25th over.

“Despite the ease of the win, it was still good to have another hit out in match conditions today after Monday’s win against England,” Australia captain Karen Rolton said.

Australian Women Cricket Southern Stars


“We’ll still learn some things from today’s game. We should have made more runs but overall we bowled and fielded well and I think it was pretty solid hit out.

“We’ll now use training over the next couple of days to fine tune our game so that we’re ready to go for the start of our World Cup campaign on Sunday against New Zealand.”

Batting first, Alex Blackwell and Leah Poulton got off to a quick start with a partnership of 99 for the first wicket before their stand ended with Poulton’s stumping for 49 off 52 balls. Blackwell (56 from 51) then retired soon after reaching her half century to ensure players down the order received time in the middle.

Jessica Cameron (42 off 33) and Jodie Fields (59 not out from 57) used their opportunity well with excellent contributions, while Rene Farrell’s (23 from15) late hitting helped guide Australia to an imposing 7-284.

Sri Lanka’s batters were never a match for the Australian attack and were bowled out for 54, with Southern Stars opening pair Emma Sampson (2-10) and Sarah Andrews (2-12) leading a dominant effort with the ball. Delissa Kimmince was the other multiple wicket taker with 2-12 from six overs as Australia cruised to any easy 230-run win.

Australia will play its first match of the ICC Women’s World Cup against New Zealand at North Sydney Oval this Sunday.

Tickets to ICC Women’s World Cup matches start at just $5 and a tournament pass can get you into all matches for only $35.

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Australia's upcoming one-day series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in April will go ahead, but Cricket Australia admits it will step up its security processes in the wake of the terrorist attack against the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore.

At least six Sri Lankan cricketers were injured as gunmen opened fire on the team bus as it made its way to the third day's play in the second Test against Pakistan in Lahore. The attack has stunned the cricket world and thrown a major cloud over the future of international cricket in the troubled nation.

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland said at this stage the series in the UAE, which was initially scheduled to be played in Pakistan, will go ahead but it reserves the right to call off the tour pending updated security advice.

"We're scheduled to play against Pakistan in the UAE starting in late April, at this stage that tour will go ahead as planned," Sutherland said.

James Sutherland
James Sutherland


"Of course with any tour we play overseas, it is always subject to the latest security advice we have. We will go through our usual course of pre-tour visits ahead of that tour. Within that we reserve judgement at any stage if we feel it is not safe for out team to be in a certain place, we will take appropriate action and the appropriate steps just as we have in the past."

Sutherland said that Cricket Australia has every confidence in its security advice, but that the brazen and blatant targeting of international cricketers in the Lahore attack would se CA put even more focus on player security.

"We're very aware and very concerned about security issues surrounding our team, and to others. Other members of Cricket Australia staff travel overseas from time to time. We need to be very aware and take the best possible advice," he said.

"We have our own independent security consultants. We take the best advice we can from government and other sources. We won't in anyway be stepping down, we will be stepping up in that."

Pakistan is one of four hosts for the 2011 World Cup, and while Sutherland said that it was too early to discuss the suitability of Pakistan for that role, he admitted that security concerns would remain.

"That's way too far ahead to be predicting the future. The 2011 World Cup is two years away, there's a lot to happen between now and then. Needless to say, there would obviously be security concerns about Pakistan, who are one of the four host nations for the 2011 World Cup. Let's see how that unfolds," he said.

Sportal

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Australia is doing its best to shed the favourites tag ahead of the start of the 2009 ICC Women's World Cup – but few rivals are buying it.

The West Indies and England both declared the five-time champions the team to beat in the eight-team tournament, which begins in Sydney on Friday.

England captain Charlotte Edwards has high hopes for her ever-improving side but concedes the hosts and defending title holders will take some beating.

"Australia in Australia have to be favourites. They are the current champions and they've dominated the game for the last 10 years," she said on Tuesday.

"But I think it's going to be the closest World Cup we've been part of. The teams are coming closer together."

Lisa Sthalekar
Lisa Sthalekar


Former Windies opener Sherwin Campbell, coach of the women's side, also installed Australia as favourites but didn’t discount strong showings from at least three other nations.

"They (Australia) have been around for a while, they are (defending) champions and they are definitely one of the favourites," Campbell said.

"Along with New Zealand, England and India, I think any of those four teams can win the tournament."

Handling the expectation and the ticking bomb that is the favourites tag is one of the many challenges facing Australian skipper Karen Rolton.

She knows anything short of a sixth World Cup victory will be viewed as a failure.

"I think we will try and keep a lid on it (the hype). We've just had a tough series against New Zealand and they're going to be up there and so are England," she said.

"We have a little bit of advantage playing in Australia (but) there are going to be at least three teams tough to beat."

"New Zealand is going to be a threat along with England and India."

"Teams are getting really strong now. We are playing a lot more cricket and the quality is getting a lot stronger."

Rolton and the consistent Lisa Sthalekar - hard to pronounce and even harder to get out - along with the multi-talented Ellyse Perry and in-form batter Alex Blackwell, form the nucleus of a powerful Australian side.

Playing at home only adds to the Southern Stars' potency.

"Our team is pretty confident. Hopefully we will have a bit more knowledge of the grounds than the other teams." Rolton said.

"Hopefully that will hold us in good stead."

Australia begins its campaign against arch-rival New Zealand at North Sydney Oval on Sunday.

CA Media Release

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The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars had an unexpected guest drop into training last Friday while they were in a Canberra-based training camp ahead of the ICC Women's World Cup getting underway this weekend.

Governor General of Australia Quentin Bryce called in to training to observe how training was going and to wish the team the best of luck ahead of the ICC Women's World Cup.

The ICC Women's Cup gets underway this Saturday 7 March, with round matches followed by finals, with the final played on Sunday 22 March at North Sydney Oval.

FOX SPORTS will cover all four group matches played at North Sydney Oval plus the three final matches.

CA Media Release

Quentin Bryce Southern Stars
Governor General Quentin Bryce with Southern Stars Lisa Sthalekar, Alex Blackwell and Karen Rolton
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Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle claimed four and three wickets respectively as Australia wrapped up the first Test against South Africa at the Wanderers with a comfortable 162-run victory just after tea on day five.

The home side had come into the final day confident of at least saving the game, but the tourists' ability to strike at regular intervals proved decisive as Graeme Smith's team were bundled out for 291 in pursuit of a record 454.

Hashim Amla (57) and Jacques Kallis (45) were the only two batsmen to put up any real resistance, and the dismissal of the Proteas' No.3 followed by that of AB de Villiers ended any hope of a draw, let alone victory.

In the end, Johnson's three wickets on the final day, coupled with good support from the rest of his attack, helped Ricky Ponting's team move 1-0 up in the three-Test series.

Mitchell Johnson


The hosts began the day well enough with the score at 2-178 as Amla and Kallis looked comfortable through the opening hour when they brought up the 50 partnership from the first delivery of the day.

The Proteas' No.3 then reached his half-century in 103 balls when he capitalised on a Johnson half volley and drove him through the covers for four.

But seven runs later he perished when attempting to flick Siddle through the leg side - his failure to keep the ball down proved his undoing as Phillip Hughes gathered a simple catch at short square-leg.

De Villiers was next to follow when Billy Bowden sent him on his way after being trapped leg before wicket by Andrew McDonald for three.

The batsman was not convinced though and asked for a referral, but his fate was confirmed by TV umpire Asad Rauf, who eliminated any doubt the bowl was sliding down leg side.

The new ball, which was expected to be crucial on the final day, was taken as soon as it became available and Johnson almost struck with the first delivery when Kallis was trapped low on his pads and given out leg before by Bowden.

Kallis also opted to go upstairs - this time the decision proving a correct one as Rauf decided that ball pitched outside the line and reversed the initial call by the on-field umpire.

But Kallis only lasted until Johnson's next over when he tried to drive a fuller delivery and instead succeeded in playing on for 45 as South Africa slumped to 5-247 at lunch.

After the break JP Duminy was first to go when his attempts to fend off a Siddle bouncer saw the ball float easily to Ponting at second slip for 29.


That ended a 39-run stand with Mark Boucher, who continued his resistance with Morne Morkel, but the latter threw his wicket away cheaply with an attempted pull shot off Mitchell Johnson that only flew high to Phillip Hughes at mid-on for two.

Wicketkeeper Boucher was next to follow, this time off a fine Ben Hilfenhaus delivery that cut back off the pitch and cleaned up the stumps as Australia closed in on victory, which came eight deliveries after tea.

Paul Harris was first to go, when he was caught at short-leg by Simon Katich off Siddle for eight, before Johnson bowled Dale Steyn for six to seal the win.

The Australian strike bowler, who was the pick of the bowlers in the second innings with 4-114, was named man-of-the-match for his eight-wicket haul in the game, while he also made 96 not out with the bat.

Siddle claimed 3-46 in the second innings, while Hilfenhaus picked up 2-68.

The next Test begins in Durban on Friday.

AAP

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South Africa's hopes of saving the first Test match against Australia at the Wanderers lay in the balance after day four, with the wickets of Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie in the final session leaving the tourists firmly in command.

The Proteas reached stumps at 2-178 in pursuit of an unlikely 454, but the dismissal of the captain especially, for a well-played 69 will certainly hurt them going into the final day.

After reaching tea at 57 without loss, McKenzie was first to go with the score on 76 when he edged a full delivery from Mitchell Johnson to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin for 35.

Hashim Amla then came in and survived an early scare when he was almost run out after pushing Andrew McDonald straight to Michael Clarke at cover point, with the fielder narrowly missing the stumps as the batsman's hesitation left him well short of his crease.

But he survived and together with Smith, who brought up his half-century in 84 balls, took the score to 130, before the captain attempted to pull a short ball from Ben Hilfenhaus and only succeeded in top-edging to Johnson at mid-on.

Jacques Kallis
Jacques Kallis


But Amla (43) and Jacques Kallis (26) remained unbeaten at the close to help the hosts reduce the target on the final day - which will be 98 overs due to time lost over the previous three days - to 276.

Earlier, Kallis starred with the ball, taking three wickets and a stunning catch to help his side dismiss the tourists for 207 in their second innings.

The all-rounder claimed the wickets of Ricky Ponting (25), Michael Hussey (nought) and Marcus North (five) in a five-over burst that went for 22 - with Makhaya Ntini and Paul Harris also contributing to the cause with three and two scalps each.

Phillip Hughes, who is playing in his first match, made a rather fortunate 75, but watched as his country slipped from being 1-99 at one stage, to losing eight wickets for 75 runs by the time the extended morning session had ended.

After surviving when he gloved a Morne Morkel delivery to Mark Boucher for 21 late on Saturday - no-one, including umpire Billy Bowden, spotted the edge - the 20-year-old again received a let-off when the same thing happened on Sunday with his score on 36.

However, he rode his luck and went on to bring up his 50 in 85 balls when he punched Morkel for four through mid-off, before completing a half-century stand with Ponting as Australia looked the only side in the game.

But Kallis was then brought into the attack for the first time and his introduction proved a masterstroke move by captain Smith as he struck with the last two balls in the 27th over.

First the all-rounder tempted Ponting into pulling a shorter, slower delivery that he only succeeded in guiding straight to Amla at deep square-leg.

He followed that up with another short ball to Hussey, who could only top edge after he tried to pull the ball away and was snapped up by Ntini at square leg.

Kallis then pulled off a stunning catch two deliveries later when he took a sharp one-handed chance to his right at first slip to send Clarke on his way for a second ball duck.

Harris was the bowler this time, enticing the Australia vice-captain into a thick outside edge off a nicely flighted delivery.

First-innings centurion North survived the hat-trick delivery from Kallis, but could do nothing with the fifth ball of the over, which was pitched short but failed to rise as North expected before crashing into his off stump as the score quickly changed from 1-99 to 5-104.

Another superb catch ended Hughes' brave 123-ball stay, with AB de Villiers this time plucking a one-handed blinder with his left hand inches from the ground at leg slip after the debutant opener tried to turn the ball around the corner.

McDonald lasted just 11 deliveries before he was on his way after edging a wider Ntini delivery on the drive straight to Boucher for seven.

It could have been worse for the tourists an over later when Haddin was given out to Harris leg before wicket by umpire Bowden, but after calling for a review was deemed not out by Asad Rauf.

Ntini though did capture the eighth wicket in his very next over when his angled delivery to Johnson took a regulation edge straight to Kallis for one.

And the same bowler then had Haddin out caught by Boucher in the penultimate over before lunch for a vital 37, before Dale Steyn wrapped up the last wicket 20 minutes after the interval when he cleaned up Hilfenhaus for 16, leaving Peter Siddle unbeaten on 22.

South Africa began the massive run chase solidly with Smith and McKenzie helping it reach tea at 57 without loss.

The Proteas openers were largely untroubled in their pursuit, with the only real scare coming in the first over when Johnson struck the home captain with a seaming delivery on the pads and his opposite number Ponting decided to refer the decision after Bowden gave not out.

It proved the right call with replays clearly showing the ball making contact outside the line of the off-stump as the two batsmen continued to bat fluently to give their side real hope of at least saving the match.

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An unbeaten century from AB de Villiers was South Africa's only positive on the third day of the opening Test against Australia at the Wanderers, with the tourists reaching 1-51 when bad light stopped play - an overall lead of 297.

Responding to the massive 466 set by Ricky Ponting's team in the first innings, the home side endured a mid-morning collapse, before eventually being bowled out for 220 - a 246-run deficit and still 47 runs short of avoiding the follow-on.

But the visitors decided against putting their hosts back in, and by the time the bad light and heavy rain arrived, they had just crossed the half-century mark for the loss of Simon Katich, who got a fine edge off Morne Morkel to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher for 10.

Debutant opener Phillip Hughes, who made a duck in his first innings, was 36 not out alongside captain Ponting as they took Australia to a position of total control.

Earlier, two wickets in four deliveries of the 58th over from Mitchell Johnson helped his team take charge after he had JP Duminy (17) and Mark Boucher (0) both caught by Brad Haddin in the seventh of a nine-over spell.

Mitchell Johnson
Mitchell Johnson


Resuming on 3-85 overnight, Neil McKenzie added just one more run to his score before he was dismissed in the fourth over of the morning.

Peter Siddle was the bowler, delivering a good ball that cut back off the pitch and hit the Proteas opener just below the knee roll with umpire Steve Bucknor having no doubt in giving the batsman out leg before wicket.

McKenzie was not convinced, though, and opted to use the first of two available referrals, which proved a wrong decision as he was given out for 36.

In Siddle's next over, he fired in a short ball to Duminy that looked to have clipped something along the way to Haddin, but after Ponting decided to go upstairs, he then reversed his call after the camera required for the replay broke down.

The South Africa batsman then received another let off when Ponting put down a relatively comfortable chance at second slip when he was on 13.

But the hosts threw away any initiative that had been slowly developing when Duminy, who added four more runs after that chance, tried to guide a leg-side delivery from Johnson past Haddin, but only succeeded in gloving the ball to the wicketkeeper.

Three deliveries later the same two Australian players combined to dismiss Boucher, who feathered behind for a duck - the South Africa batsman challenging Billy Bowden's call, but his fate was confirmed by third umpire Asad Rauf.

Morkel was next to follow when he tried to pull a short delivery from Siddle and only succeeded in a tame top-edge that was snapped up by the bowler for two.

In the very next over Marcus North picked up his first Test wicket by trapping Paul Harris leg before for one as Australia turned the screw on the hosts.

Resuming after lunch, Dale Steyn and De Villiers began their attempt to again rebuild.

The South African No.5 was dropped by Haddin soon after lunch, off the bowling of Siddle, when the New South Wales gloveman dived in front of North at first slip only to spill the chance.

De Villiers had one other scare in the early nineties when Ponting decided to refer a decision by Bowden not to give him out leg before wicket off an Andrew McDonald delivery, which proved the correct call by the on-field umpire.


The two then brought up the 50 partnership in 82 balls, but three balls later, Steyn's determined effort came to an end when he gave McDonald his first wicket of the game by edging him to North for 17.

De Villiers continued his charge towards an eighth Test century in his 50th match for his country, bringing up his ton in 181 deliveries in the first over with the new ball, when he pulled a short one from Ben Hilfenhaus through mid-wicket for four.

In the next over, Johnson cleaned up Makhaya Ntini for one, leaving his partner not out on 104 as the hosts were all out for 220 - still 47 short of the follow-on, which the tourists decided not to enforce.

Johnson was the pick of the bowlers claiming 4-25 in 18.1 overs, while Siddle bagged 3-76 in 21.

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A century from debutant Marcus North and an unbeaten 96 from Mitchell Johnson has helped Australia to a dominant 466 on day 2 at the Wanderers.

The Proteas' heavy reliance on the new ball was almost their undoing early on until Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn struck midway through an extended morning session with the overnight pair continuing where they left off on day one.

There were 12 overs to be bowled before the new ball was due and the home side looked to be going through the motions as they waited for its availability.

During that time North and Haddin were under no pressure, with the former bringing up a patient 104-ball 50 when he nudged Paul Harris for two towards fine leg in the fifth over of the day, while the latter followed not long after raising his half-century off 79 deliveries.

Michael Clarke
Michael Clarke


They put on 113, before Haddin was out for 63 when he pulled the penultimate ball of the fourth over with the new ball from Ntini to Harris at mid-on.

Five deliveries later Steyn enticed the new man Andrew McDonald to push at an away swinger that he only succeeded in edging to Jacques Kallis at second slip for a duck.

However, North remained defiant and continued on to make his maiden century scored in 316 minutes off 233 balls, finally falling to Harris for 117.

Johnson's 96 not out included a 26 run over off Harris where he belted 2 fours and 3 sixes, the last of which went out of the stadium.
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An unbroken 72-run partnership between Brad Haddin and debutant Marcus North helped Australia reach 5-254 when bad light and rain ended day one of the first Test against South Africa at the Wanderers.

It capped a good fightback in Johannesburg from the tourists, who earlier had captain Ricky Ponting and his deputy Michael Clarke to thank for instigating the recovery.

Half-centuries from Ponting and Clarke had helped the team recover from the loss of three early wickets - two of which came from the impressive Dale Steyn - to reach 3-151.

Australia was in more trouble after the pair departed within a short space of time, leaving it at 182 with half the team out shortly before tea, but North (47 not out) looked at home in his first match at the highest level and together with Haddin (37 not out) took the tourists team to the close without any further damage.

Marcus North
Marcus North


Earlier, Steyn's burst set Australia firmly on the back foot as he struck with the fourth delivery of the day to remove another debutant, Phil Hughes, for a duck, before a stunning catch from Neil McKenzie helped him dismiss Simon Katich for three in the ninth over.

Ponting had won the toss and his side decided to go with the all-round ability of Andrew McDonald, while the team also featured three debutants in Hughes, North and Ben Hilfenhaus.

That made it the first time since 1985 against India that three Australia players had been awarded their first caps in the same game.

But Hughes found himself in a tangle first up when he tried to lift a rising Steyn delivery over the slips and only succeeded in under-edging a simple chance to wicketkeeper Boucher.

Ponting was in next and took the score to 18 with Katich, who was next to go when he tried to steer another Steyn delivery to third man and was snapped by a brilliant diving catch by McKenzie at gully - the South African batsman was horizontal to the ground when he took the catch to his right with an outstretched hand.

Michael Hussey followed not long after when he edged Morne Morkel to Jacques Kallis at second slip for four, leaving the Australians reeling at 3-38.

It could have been four down at lunch, but in Steyn's final over home captain Graeme Smith could not hold a simple chance at first slip that would have had his opposite number Ponting out for 40.

It was 3-78 at the interval and Ponting brought up his fifty in the second over after lunch.

Ponting and Clarke tucked in to Steyn and Makhaya Ntini by putting on 58 in the first hour - including 36 in five overs off the two pacemen.

Ponting survived some close shaves along the way and, after being dropped by Smith, he was again deemed not out when South Africa used the first of its two television appeals when he was on 70.


Morkel was the bowler delivering another sharp-moving delivery, there was a nick from somewhere and Boucher took the catch, but after being referred the ball was clearly shown to have brushed Ponting's thigh pad rather than his bat.

The experienced pair then brought up their century stand in just under 25 overs, but just as Ponting was looking odds on for a century, he uncharacteristically misjudged an inswinging Ntini delivery, which cut back in and brushed his pads en route to taking the stumps for 83.

Clarke and North added 31 for the fourth wicket, before the former found it hard to resist a wide delivery from Steyn and edged an easy catch to Boucher for 68.

North and Haddin remained firm though, taking the score to 194 at tea, and then negotiated the shortened 75-minute final session without further damage.

Steyn was the pick of the bowlers, picking up 3-82 in 19 overs, while Morkel with 1-65 and Ntini with 1-53 claimed the other two wickets.

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It’s not often you see Brad Haddin do a handstand or Michael Clarke deliberately hit catches for an entire innings, but the Australian Cricket Team let their hair down today, holding a clinic for local kids in one of South Africa’s poorest areas in Soweto.

With kids from all over the area taking a few hours off school to meet the team, local coaches had a number of different stations set up for boys and girls of all levels. While captain Ricky Ponting rolled his arm over in a mixed game in the middle, Mitchell Johnson and Mike Hussey got more technical with specific batting and bowling groups.

“It’s been great, there’s some really talented players here which is good to see," Hussey said.

"It’s good to come out to a community like this and if we can help out in any way it’s great for world cricket."

“It’s amazing how many kids are here and how good they are. There are some great bowlers here and they’re naturals with the bat which is really good.”

Australia South Africa Kids Cricket Clinic


Meanwhile vice-captain Michael Clarke with a group a little younger than the skipper’s, joked with team physio Alex Kountouris about his recent back injury as he hit catches to a stacked leg-side field.

“How’s my form physio?” He jibed.

“Is this my fitness Test?”

“If he gets through this he can play the Test Match,” Kountouris jokingly replied to CATV’s camera.

While Simon Katich and Nathan Hauritz worked with some local spinners on a drill designed to work on flight, Andrew McDonald, Phillip Hughes and Ben Hilfenhaus had a laugh with a local pace-coach at his inability to complete his own drill.

“You’re supposed to hit the red cones coach!” Hughes said.

“I’m trying Mr Hughes, I’m trying,” the coach laughed.

Speaking to the media later in the day, Hughes could only marvel at the reception of the hundred or more kids in attendance.

“It is definitely a long way from Macksville," Hughes said of his home town.

"I know all of our guys have thoroughly enjoyed today. It has been great to see the smiles on the kids' faces."

The Aussies get back to business tomorrow with a team training at Wanderers Stadium ahead of the opening Test of the VB Tour of South Africa on February 26. CATV will be taking you On Tour with the team right through the three-Test series.

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Marcus North did his chances of a Test debut no harm by claiming six wickets and a half-century as Australia's warm-up for Thursday's series opener against South Africa ended in a draw.

The tourists began the final day of their match against a President's XI in Potchefstroom by declaring on their overnight score of 4-360, before dismissing the hosts for 182 in their second innings.

It came after several below-par performances in recent months and on the back of a first-innings pasting by the home batsmen, who totalled 7-403 declared in just over a day.

But Ricky Ponting and the Australian selectors will now have plenty of positives to take into the first Test at the Wanderers with North showing encouraging form with both bat and ball.

After the middle-order batsman hit an unbeaten 52 in the first innings, he claimed a career-best 6-69 and then led his side's pursuit of 226 with another half-century, before it ended with 2-171 as the game laboured to a draw.

Marcus North
Marcus North


The day started with Australia putting its opposition back in to bat and it had them in all sorts of trouble from the start with first-innings centurion Imraan Khan trapped leg before by Mitchell Johnson for six with the score on 15.

Another player pushing for a Test place, Doug Bollinger, then picked up the first of his three wickets when Blake Snijman's attempted pull was mistimed straight to Johnson at mid-on for 11, before Vaughan van Jaarsveld was cleaned up for a duck.

Captain Alviro Petersen (36) became North's first victim when he was bowled after a 53-run stand with Gulam Bodi, who was next to fall when he edged behind to Brad Haddin for 29 - the score then was 121.

The off-spinner then had David Wiese (18) caught by Bollinger at mid-off, Roelof van der Merwe (one) snapped by Johnson at long-on, Imran Tahir (16) claimed at mid-wicket by Mike Hussey and Heino Kuhn (47) holing out in the same manner, before Craig Alexander was yorked by Bollinger for a duck.

North was then thrown in to lead the chase of 226 as he and Phillip Hughes made a positive beginning putting on 105 for the first wicket, before the 20-year-old opener (53) retired, followed by his partner (50) two runs later as the Australians looked to give the rest of the team a bat.

All-rounder Andrew McDonald and Haddin were sent in putting on 30, but Tahir struck 30 runs later when he had the wicketkeeper (13) caught by Bodi at mid-off.

Johnson (21) was next in and when he was caught at second slip by Petersen, the two captains decided to call the draw with McDonald unbeaten on 29.

South Africa Board President XI 2nd Innings

Khan lbw b Johnson 6
Snijman c Johnson b Bollinger 11
Petersen b North 36
van Jaarsveld b Bollinger 0
Bodi c Haddin b North 29
Kuhn c M Hussey (sub) b North 47
Wiese c Bollinger b North 18
van der Merwe c Johnson b North 1
Tahir c M Hussey b North 16
Mbhalati not out 0
Alexander b Bollinger 0
Extras: 18 (b 8, lb 5, nb 5)

Total: (All out; 182; 41.1 overs)

FoW: 1-15 (Khan, 6.5 ov), 2-35 (Snijman, 12.1 ov), 3-35 (van Jaarsveld, 12.3 ov), 4-88 (Petersen, 22.3 ov), 5-121 (Bodi, 30.2 ov), 6-157 (Wiese, 36.1 ov), 7-159 (van der Merwe, 36.4 ov), 8-177 (Imran Tahir, 38.5 ov), 9-182 (Kuhn, 40.6 ov), 10-182 (Alexander, 41.1 ov)

Bowling

Johnson 10-3-27-1
Hilfenhaus 6-1-22-0 (2nb)
Bollinger 8.1-2-29-3 (2nb)
McDonald 6-1-22-0 (1nb)
North 11-0-69-6

Australia 2nd Innings

Hughes retired hurt 53
North retired hurt 50
McDonald not out 29
Haddin c Bodi b Tahir 13
Johnson c Petersen b Tahir 21
Extras: 5 (lb 5)

Total: (2 wickets; 171; 40.4 overs)

FoW: 0-105* (Hughes, retired not out, 26.6 ov), 0-107* (North, retired not out, 27.6 ov), 1-137 (Haddin, 34.1 ov), 2-171 (Johnson, 40.4 ov)

Did not bat: Ponting, Siddle, Katich, McGain, Hilfenhaus, Bollinger

Bowling

Mbhalati 6-1-24-0
Alexander 7-2-24-0
Wiese 4-0-19-0
van der Merwe 13-1-59-0
Tahir 7.4-0-25-2
Bodi 3-0-15-0

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Simon Katich hit a century on day two of Australia's three-day tour match against a President's XI to help ease pressure on his side ahead of the first Test encounter with South Africa next week.

Ricky Ponting (93) and Marcus North (52 not out) were also amongst the runs in Potchefstroom as the visitors reached 4-360 at stumps, still trailing the home side's first innings declaration total of 7-403 by 43 runs.

However, it was a much happier day for the Australian captain and his team after they were made to toil in the field on day one with their bowlers struggling on a pitch that offered little.

They started the day impressively wasting little time with Ben Hilfenhaus tempting Heino Kuhn to edge to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin in his first over for 99, before Doug Bollinger had Roelof van der Merwe caught behind for a first-ball duck - all of that taking 15 deliveries before the declaration came.

Simon Katich
Simon Katich


In response, the tourists made a solid start with Phillip Hughes, the 20-year-old in line for his Test debut in Johannesburg on Thursday following the retirement of Matthew Hayden, putting on 47 with Katich for the first wicket, before edging a nasty bouncer from Ethy Mbhalati to keeper Kuhn for 24.

Ponting then came to the crease and together with the Katich put on 185 in just over 35 overs as the home bowlers also struggled to get anything out a flat pitch at Senwes Park.

But the breakthrough finally arrived courtesy of leg-break bowler Imran Tahir, who enticed the Australia skipper into a slog, which he only ended up edging to his opposite number Alviro Petersen at slip.

Five overs later Katich retired, ostensibly with a bruised arm, for 124 off 182 deliveries in which he was hardly troubled, allowing North, who was looking to book himself a place in the side for the opening Test, and Andrew McDonald some time at the crease.

They batted well for a 47-run partnership, which was ended by Tahir trapping McDonald for 23, before Craig Alexander claimed his first wicket with a swinging delivery that Haddin could only edge behind to Kuhn for 23.

North then brought up his 50 in 111 balls, including eight fours, and took the Australians to the close, along with Mitchell Johnson (12 not out), without any further damage.

Tahir was the most successful of the home bowlers, despite being the most expensive, claiming 2-92 in 18 overs.

SABPXI 1st Innings

Snijman c Haddin b Hilfenhaus 13
Khan c MacGain b Siddle 100
Petersen c McDonald b McGain 31
Van Jaarsveld c Hughes b McDonald 49
Bodi c Haddin b McGain 48
Kuhn c Haddin b Hilfenhaus 99
Wiese not out 50
Van den Merwe c Haddin b Bollinger 0
Extras 13 (b 2, lb 7, nb 4)
Total 403 (7 wickets (declared); 93.3 overs)

FoW: 1-37, 2-106, 3-192, 4-202, 5-309, 6-402, 7-403

Bowling

Bollinger 14.3 – 1 – 75 – 1 (2nb)
Hilfenhaus 21 – 2 – 64 – 2 (1nb)
Siddle 11 – 2 – 35 – 1 (1nb)
Johnson 13 – 0 – 56 - 0
McGain 19 – 1 – 126 - 2
McDonald 8 – 3 – 23 – 1
North 7 – 2 – 15 – 0

Australia 1st Innings

Hughes c Kuhn b Mbhalati 24
Katich retired hurt 124
Ponting c Petersen b Imran Tahir 93
North not out 52
McDonald lbw b Imran Tahir 23
Haddin c Kuhn b Alexander 23
Johnson not out 12
Extras 9 (b 4, lb 1, nb 4)
Total 360 (4 wickets; 86 overs)

FoW: 1-47, 2-232, 3-305, 4-348

Bowling

Mbhalati 19 – 5 – 61 – 1 (2nb)
Alexander 15 – 2 – 48 – 1 (1nb)
Wiese 9 – 1 – 42 – 0 (1nb)
Imran Tahir 18 – 0 – 92 – 2 (1nb)
van der Merwe 24 – 1 – 109 - 0
Snijman 1 – 0 – 3 - 0

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Australia was made to toil on its first day of action in South Africa as Imraan Khan's century helped a President's XI total 5-393 in their three-day tour match at Potchefstroom.

The opener made exactly 100 and received good support from Vaughn van Jaarsveld (49) and Gulam Bodi (44), while Heino Kuhn's unbeaten 95 late in the day ensured Ricky Ponting's men have plenty of work still to do ahead of the first Test, which begins next week.

Australia would not have imagined such a tough examination ahead of play, especially after the decision earlier this week by South Africa's selectors to field a hastily arranged President's XI instead of the planned national A team due to the climax of the domestic Pro20 competition.

After winning the toss, Ponting watched Khan and Blake Snijman put on 37 for the first wicket, before the latter edged a Ben Hilfenhaus outswinger straight to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin for 13.

The Dolphins opener was then joined by captain Alviro Petersen and the pair took the score to 106 with the next breakthrough coming courtesy of a Bryce McGain delivery, which Peterson hit straight to Andrew McDonald at midwicket for 31.

Ben Hilfenhaus
Ben Hilfenhaus


Khan remained firm at the other end, bringing up his century in 108 balls by flicking Doug Bollinger for four through midwicket, before he was removed three deliveries later by Peter Siddle, who had him caught by McGain at mid-on.

The score then was 3-192, and 10 runs later they were four down after Van Jaarsveld found a diving Phillip Hughes at cover.

Bodi and Kuhn piled more misery on the tourists adding 107 for the next wicket with the Titans batsman handing McGain a second wicket when he feathered to Haddin, before Kuhn and David Wiese (44) took the hosts to stumps.

Spinner McGain was the most successful of the bowlers, despite being the most expensive, claiming 2-126 in 19 overs.

Hilfenhaus was also impressive with 1-60 in 20.

SABPXI 1st Innings

Snijman c Haddin b Hilfenhaus 13
Khan c MacGain b Siddle 100
Petersen c McDonald b McGain 31
Van Jaarsveld c Hughes b McDonald 49
Bodi c Haddin b McGain 48
Kuhn not out 95
Wiese not out 44
Extras 13 (b 2, lb 7, nb 4)
Total 5/393 (5 wickets; 91 overs)

FoW: 1-37, 2-106, 3-192, 4-202, 5-309

Bowling

Bollinger 13 – 1 – 69 – 0 (2nb)
Hilfenhaus 20 – 2 – 60 – 1 (1nb)
Siddle 11 – 2 – 35 – 1 (1nb)
Johnson 13 – 0 – 56 - 0
McGain 19 – 1 – 126 - 2
McDonald 8 – 3 – 23 – 1
North 7 – 2 – 15 - 0

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AIS Cricket Scholars For 2009

February 19th 2009 04:24
A host of ‘young guns’ have been selected to participate in the 2009 Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) men’s scholarship program at the Cricket Australia Centre of Excellence (COE).

Fourteen of the 16 full-time scholars have already represented their state in either Twenty20, one-day or first-class cricket and their selection is aimed to assist them take the next step in the career journey.

Three of the 16 scholars – Moises Henriques, Usman Khawaja and Jon Holland – are full-time scholars for the second intake in a row.

Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP) announced the AIS squad that will undergo a 16-week program including an Emerging Players Tournament in Brisbane with teams from India, New Zealand and South Africa in July, as well as a 3-4 week international tour in August.

The 2009 scholars will be split into three smaller groups with each group commencing the program on a different date.

The three key start dates ensure that scholarships are individually tailored and flexible.

The scholars will undergo a targeted development program at the COE at Allan Border Field in Brisbane under the guidance of the COE Head Coach Greg Chappell and his team of coaches including Troy Cooley, Brian McFadyen, John Davison, David Fitzgerald and Mike Young. Additional specialist coaches will add to the program at key times.

A player's weekly schedule will include a combination of cricket skills training, game scenarios, strength and conditioning training, injury prevention strategies, nutrition, recovery, sport psychology, career and welfare program and various sport science related activities.

As part of an exciting initiative implemented in 2008, to further develop elite coaches in Australia, several state-based coaches will also be involved in the COE program during this time.

Callum Ferguson
Callum Ferguson Part Time Scholar


The AIS scholarship intake for 2009 is:

AIS full time scholars (16)

Burt Cockley - NSW, 22
Josh Hazlewood - NSW, 18
Moises Henriques - NSW, 22
Usman Khawaja - NSW, 22
Steven Smith - NSW, 19
Mitchell Starc - NSW, 19
Alister McDermott - QLD, 17
Nathan Reardon - QLD, 24
Peter George - SA, 22
Tom Cooper - SA, 22
Tom Triffitt - TAS, 18
James Faulkner - TAS, 18
Jon Holland - VIC, 21
Rob Quiney - VIC, 26
Josh Mangan - WA, 23
Mitchell Marsh - WA, 17

In addition, the intake will be complemented by six additional part-time scholarships. The part-time scholars will attend the COE for periods of time over the course of the program

Part-time scholars (6):

Luke Doran - NSW, 18
Peter Forrest - NSW, 23
Adam Zampa - NSW, 16
Callum Ferguson - SA, 24
Kane Richardson - SA, 18
Chris Duval - TAS, 25

Development scholars (4)

Jason Floros - ACT, 18
Sean Abbott - NSW, 16
Alex Carey - SA, 17
Jackson Coleman - VIC, 17

The average age of the 2009 AIS full time scholarship intake is 20.6 years. This is in comparison to the previous two full time AIS intakes with average ages of 21.2 years (2008) and 22 years (2007).

Commenting on the selection intake, National Selection Panel (NSP) Chairman Andrew Hilditch said:

“This group of players has been chosen by the NSP with an eye to the short term needs of Australian cricket, but with an emphasis on the development of a group of very talented youngsters to meet the long term needs of Australian Cricket.

“The NSP sees selection in the AIS intake as a very important step in the development of our talented young players as they seek to further develop their physical and mental cricket skills and strive to achieve international honours. This year is the first intake under the new head coach Greg Chappell.

“Greg has worked very hard, together with all the COE staff, to develop this year’s program which has some new innovations and a slightly different emphasis than previous programs .This selection presents all these players with a very exciting opportunity.

“Moises Henriques, Usman Khawaja and Jon Holland were all full-time scholars last year and have returned for a second stint at the COE, which will provide them with an excellent opportunity to build on the skills they developed here last year and during the recent season.

“In addition, James Faulkner, Steven Smith, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh were all part-time or development scholars last year and will come back for the extended stint this year.

“The part-time scholarship group has a mix of youth and experience, highlighted with Callum Ferguson who recently made his ODI debut for Australia coming back to the COE to further refine his skills.

“The four development scholars – who will undertake a shortened training period – have a great opportunity to taste the environment at the COE professional tuition given by the coaching staff that will help their cricket progression.”

AIS Director Professor Peter Fricker said he was proud of the significant role that the COE had made to the success of Australian cricket.

“Watching young cricketers develop and reach new heights is very exciting, and to know that the Australian Institute of Sport has played a major part in that development is a tremendous reflection of the program’s success,” Professor Fricker said.

“The COE’s collaboration with AIS Sports Science and Sport Medicine, particularly in biomechanics and injury prevention, has been an important aspect of this development.

“We are extremely proud of our record and tradition of producing talented cricketers who have gone on to excel at the elite level of the game.”

Commenting on the 2009 AIS program, COE Head Coach Greg Chappell said;

“We appreciate the support of the AIS in delivering a great program for all our scholarship holders and we will continue to work with state associations to develop the nation’s best cricketers over the short, medium and long term.

“This is an exciting time for cricket in Australia as we continue to rebuild an Australian Team that has dominated world cricket for the past 10 years. It’s a great time to be a young cricketer with ambition, dedication and talent.

“We are lucky enough to have some great facilities and the support of the AIS is crucial in developing this next generation of international cricketers.”
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All-Star Apearances For Bushfire Appeal

February 16th 2009 05:52
Steve Waugh and Mark Taylor will make a special comeback in a Victorian bushfire fundraising match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday February 22. Some famous singing relatives of famous cricketers will also be there, along with would-be cricketers from other sports.

Waugh and Taylor, two of Australian’s finest captains, will skipper rival teams that will feature both current and former cricket greats plus a wide range of Australia’s biggest sports and entertainment stars.

The three hour spectacle will commence at the family friendly time of 5.00pm.

Final team line-ups will be announced in coming days but among those who have also agreed to play are former Test stars Glenn McGrath and Michael Slater, current Australian Twenty20 players David Warner, Nathan Bracken and Moises Henriques and women’s stars Lisa Sthelaker and Ellyse Perry.

Steve Waugh
Steve Waugh


The match will also see several juicy clashes including rugby league stars Braith Anasta and Anthony Minichiello lining up against rugby union bluebloods Phil Waugh, Lote Tuqiri and Matthew Burke while Swans hero Barry Hall will be squaring off against Anthony ‘The Man’ Mundine.

Singer Shannon Noll, cousin of Steve and Mark Waugh, is keen to show off his cricket skills as are surfing stars Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson.

Former Midnight Oil lead singer Peter Garrett returns to the SCG in footsteps of his great grandfather, Tom Garrett, who played 19 Tests for Australia between 1877 and 1888, after singing at the Waveaid concert fundraiser for the Asian Tsunami disaster four years ago.
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The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars collected their third win on the trot against the New Zealand White Ferns with a dominant nine-wicket Twenty20 victory at the SCG.

Playing before the men’s KFC Twenty20 International, Shelley Nitschke starred with both the bat and ball, first collecting 2-16 from her 3 overs as the Stars restricted the Kiwis to a modest total of 91 (off a rain shortened 14 overs).

The all-rounder then blasted 8 boundaries on the way to 54* to carry the side to a win in the 10th over (chasing down the revised total of 83).

“It’s nice to be back scoring runs,” Player of the match Nitschke said.

"The win was good but it was probably more a psychological thing for us going into the World Cup.”

"It really gives us a little bit of momentum for when we come out for the first game of the World Cup (against New Zealand)."

Lisa Sthalekar also performed well with both bat and ball, picking up 2-28 and 23 runs of 25 balls in the run chase while also finishing not out.

Australia Women Cricket Southern Stars


Kate Pulford got the White Ferns off to a flyer, plundering two boundaries off Ellyse Perry’s first over before losing partner Rachel Priest after a moment of confusion and subsequent run-out.

Pulford reached 29 off 24 with 4 boundaries before falling to Nitschke in the sixth over.

After losing opener Leah Poulton early in the run-chase, Sthalekar joined Nitchke and the pair went about picking apart the White Fern attack. Sophie Devine was the pick of the New Zealand bolwers with figures of 1-17 from her 3 overs.

The Stars head home before a training camp in Canberra ahead of their March 7 ICC Women’s World Cup opener against the White Ferns in Sydney.
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Queensland confirmed their dominance of Indigenous cricket by winning the 2009 Imparja Cup on Saturday night in Alice Springs, defeating Tasmania by 87 runs in the Final that was broadcast nationally through NITV.

18 year-old Queenslander Preston White capped a magical week in which he took 8-3 against Victoria and was named to tour the United Kingdom, by making 101 and backing up with 4-15 as Tasmania were bowled out for 115 in reply to Queensland’s 4-202 from 40 overs.

White’s match-winning performance backs up his six wicket haul in last year’s Final against the same opponents.

It completes back-to-back titles for Queensland, who have now won five from six Imparja Cups since 2004.

The women’s division saw a tight contest between runaway table leaders New South Wales and the gallant Bellette Cougars of Alice Springs. Batting first New South Wales made a powerful 3-112 from 14 overs before a spirited chase from the Cougars ended 20 runs in arrears at 6-92. It was New South Wales’ second consecutive women’s division title.

Queensland Imparja Cup Winners
Queensland Imparja Cup Winning Team


The Indigenous All-Star team also had a triumphant day as they defeated the ACA Masters XI in a crowd-pleasing curtain raiser to the men’s Final.

The major centres division title was won by Alkupitija who defeated Alice Springs in the Final, while Tangentyere took out their first community division title when they were too good for the Stuart Highway Mob.

The Imparja Cup’s Presentation Dinner on Friday night also saw two significant announcements for Indigenous cricket.

Cricket Australia Chairman Jack Clarke and the National Chairman of the Lord’s Taverners, Greg Brown, agreed to proceed with the formalisation of the Lord’s Taverners becoming a major partner of Indigenous cricket, involving the Imparja Cup, the overseas tour to the United Kingdom and localised activities.

The night was capped with the naming of an Indigenous Development squad to tour the United Kingdom during this winter. The primarily Under 23 squad aims to develop players in a range of ages, while allowing for some older players to fill leadership roles. The squad was picked from performances at the Imparja Cup as well as player’s performances in club and representative cricket and will be captained by South Australian Redbacks Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield and Ford Ranger Cup player Daniel Christian, a former player at the Imparja Cup.

The squad is:

Daniel Christian (c) SA 25

Peter O’Callaghan (vc) ACT 24

Trent Clemments QLD 16

Josh Lalor NSW 21

Brad Lovell TAS 23

Ben Mainhardt QLD 19

Darcy Short NT 18

Chris Swain QLD 18

Cameron Trask QLD 19

Dane Ugle WA 20

Lewis Upton WA 16

Josh Walmsley TAS 19

Preston White QLD 18

Worrin Williams QLD 21

Coach: Michael Mainhardt (QLD)

The squad will gather at the Cricket Australia Centre of Excellence in Brisbane on 16 June for a training camp before leaving for the United Kingdom on 19 June.

An Honour Squad for the 2009 Imparja Cup was also selected and presented with the ‘baggy black’ cap for performances at this year’s carnival:


Ryan Bulger (NSW)

Barry Firebrace (VIC)

Andrew Gordon (NSW)

Josh Lalor (NSW)

Bernie Lamont (TAS)

Anthony Smith (TAS)

Chris Swain (QLD)

Cameron Trask (QLD)

Dane Ugle (WA)

Lewis Upton (WA)

Josh Walmsley (TAS)

Preston White (QLD)

The Imparja Cup is Cricket Australia’s national Indigenous cricket carnival.
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Australia Beats New Zealand In Twenty20

February 16th 2009 02:00
An extraordinary boundary catch from Adam Voges has helped Australia escape with a thrilling one-run win over New Zealand in the Twenty-20 international at the SCG.

The heavy-hitting Brendon McCullum (61 from 47 balls) appeared to be sweeping the Black Caps to victory when he launched into a Ben Hilfenhaus (1-32) delivery in the penultimate over.

Voges, fielding at long on, took the ball on the boundary but lost his balance and was about to fall over the rope to concede a six.

But in a remarkable piece of quick thinking and composure, he threw the ball in the air as he tumbled over the rope and rose quickly to his feet to re-enter the playing field.

Voges stumbled on the boundary rope but completed the catch on his knees to get rid of the dangerous McCullum.

The visitors went into the last over requiring 14 to win but were unable to get specialist death bowler Nathan Bracken (0-16 from four overs) away.

Nathan Bracken Brad Haddin
Nathan Bracken and Brad Haddin


But the brave Kiwis went down fighting, Nathan McCullum (10 not out) hitting a six off the last ball to ensure his team went down by the barest of margins.

Australia's victory before a boisterous crowd of 22,101 ends an indifferent summer on a positive note.

After losing the Test series to South Africa and finishing 2-all in the Chappell-Hadlee series, the Australians made sure their last international appearance for the season was a memorable one.

Set 151 to win, New Zealand's run chase began disastrously, Peter Siddle (2-24) striking twice in successive overs to reduce the Kiwis to 2-12.

The Victorian paceman got rid off Martin Guptill (0) lbw and followed up with the wicket of Peter Fulton (1) in his next over.

McCullum and Neil Broom (36 off 26 balls) embarked on a repair job that yielded 61 for the third wicket and threatened to take the game away from Australia.

But James Hopes (1-40) halted the run flow just when it was starting to look ominous for the home side, enticing Broom into an injudicious swipe over mid-wicket.

Callum Ferguson had to wait for what seemed an eternity as the ball made its way back to earth before taking a very well-judged catch.

The loss of the match-winning McCullum was one the Kiwis never fully recovered from.

The Australians can thank a 52-run fourth wicket partnership between Voges (26) and David Hussey (41) for setting up a competitive total after stand-in captain Brad Haddin won the toss and batted first.

Skipper Daniel Vettori (1-22 from four overs) was again the pick of the Kiwi bowlers.

Haddin made a whirlwind 15 off 10 balls before blasting a return catch to Tim Southee (1-31), who tapped the hot chance in the air before clinging onto the rebound.

The dangerous Dave Warner (23) went the next over, slapping a catch to Vettori at mid- off from Iain O'Brien's (2-34) bowling as Australia's early momentum was temporarily halted.

Ferguson (8) attempted to give himself some room and was yorked by debutant Ian Butler (1-30), leaving the hosts 3-52.

Australia reached 67 at the halfway point of the innings as Vettori's clever finger spinners again put the brakes on the run flow.

Voges' invaluable knock came to an end with the score on 104, trapped lbw by handy all-rounder Grant Elliott (1-11).

Hussey bankrolled the Australians innings with a well-constructed 41 from 39 balls, eventually holing out off Vettori (1-22).

Big-hitting Cameron White (16), debutant Moises Henriques (1) fell at the death chasing quick runs, leaving Hopes (16 not out) and Siddle (1 not out) to see out the overs.

But no-one could have predicted such an amazing finish to the game, the result in the balance until the final few balls and arriving just minutes before heavy rain hit the SCG.
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In-form keeper-batsman Brad Haddin has welcomed the challenge of leading his country in Sunday's KFC Twenty20 International against New Zealand at the SCG.

The New South Welshman takes the reins in the absence of resting skipper Ricky Ponting and deputy Michael Clarke who has a niggling back complaint.

Haddin led the way with the bat throughout the Chappell-Hadlee Series scoring 283 runs at an average of 70, including his maiden ODI century in game three when he was promoted to the top of the order.

"It's pretty exciting," Haddin said of his appointment on Saturday.

"It's probably come about the same way it's come about me opening the batting at the moment with blokes being injured or rested."

"I'm definitely excited and especially about it being in front of my home crowd (at the SCG) so I'm really looking forward to this challenge."

Brad Haddin


While admitting his surprise, Haddin, who has become a fixture behind the stumps in all forms of the game since Adam Gilchrist's retirement in early 2008, says he has come to expect the unexpected.

"I think that's the one thing I've learnt about professional sport is that things happen so quickly," he said.

"You can be thinking you're down and out and then the next week something like this comes along."

"I think the one thing that can learn from all this is that if you just stay true to yourself and make sure that you're doing all the things that can make you a better cricketer, you just never know what will happen."

But the 31-year-old insists he has no aspirations of leading the side on a permanent basis.

"I'll enjoy this occasion and to do it as a one-off but to do it on a full-time basis, it's quite tough for a wicket-keeper to be captain full-time," he said.

Meanwhile, Black Caps skipper Daniel Vettori remains confident Ross Taylor will play on Sunday despite nursing a hamstring niggle.

But the visitors will be without paceman Kyle Mills (achilles) who returned home on Saturday.

"Ross has travelled with us, I think he'll be ok we'll probably err on the side of caution with him but we'll see how shapes up tomorrow," Vettori said.

Vettori warned his side is desperate to finish their tour on a winning note after rain denied them the Chappell-Hadlee trophy.

"A win I think would be great," he said.

"We're still looking towards that Indian series, we've got Twenty20 matches coming up against them."

"We've got a bit of new-look team so we're looking to finish our tour off on a high."

Haddin agreed the Chappell-Hadlee decider would have been an interesting finish but played down talk Sunday's clash will double as a virtual decider.

"This is a totally different game, Twenty20 is all about entertaining and getting everyone involved and doing everything with a smile on your face," Haddin said.

Sportal
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Indigenous CricKids Program Launched

February 14th 2009 05:47
As the Imparja Cup in Alice Springs reached its climax, Matthew Hayden yesterday spoke to the next generation of Indigenous cricketers at the Yipirinya School as he launched the Indigenous CricKids Playing in Harmony School program.

The program follows on from Cricket Australia’s successful Playing in Harmony resource, with Federal Government funding making it possible to have the entire resource redeveloped specifically for, and then introduced to, Indigenous communities.

“The Indigenous CricKids program introduces the Harmony themes of leadership, respect, fair play, teamwork and dealing with racism in the school curriculum,” Hayden said.

“Not only does the program help engage children in school by using fun methods but it also introduces the children to cricket and the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle.

Matthew Hayden Yipirinya School
Matthew Hayden With Indigenous CricKids At Yipirinya School


“Some of the talent I’ve seen in remote communities out here is quite amazing, and with programs like this hopefully we’ll get closer to the having the next Indigenous player to wear the baggy green.”

Hayden also visited and spoke to students at the Clontarf Football Academy in the morning to see another example of how sport is helping engage Indigenous children in education.

For more information about how schools in Indigenous communities can be involved in the program please leave a message
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The Imparja Cup Final teams have been settled with defending champions Queensland to meet Tasmania in the Final at Traeger Park today, a replay of the 2008 Final. The match will be broadcast nationally through NITV (Channel 180 on the Foxtel/Austar platform) from 5:30pm (Eastern Summer Time) on Saturday.

For the Queenslanders 19 year-old Cameron Trask has been the player to watch, taking out Player of the Tournament Honours, while for Tasmania Imparja Cup favourite Bernie Lamont will be a key to his side's chances.

In the women’s division New South Wales has this morning defended their title defeating the Bellete Cougars. The Bellette Cougars put up a brave fight against the strong New South Wales side that features NSW Breakers development squad player Sam Hinton. New South Wales scored 3-112, but received a scare from the improving Cougars who opened with a wave of clean hitting before falling 20 runs shy.

Another highlight of Final day will be the appearance of the Australian Cricketers Association Masters XI, who will take on an Indigenous All-Star XI from the tournament in a Twenty20 curtain-raiser to the men’s final. International stars such as Brad Hogg, Greg Matthews, Terry Alderman, Matthew Elliott and Ryan Campbell will take part in the match.

Imparja Cup Queensland Yeam 2009
Imparja Cup Queensland Yeam 2009


First held in 1994 as a Northern Territory community-based event between Alice Springs and Tennant Creek, the Imparja Cup has grown to become a premier fixture on the Australian cricket calendar.

The Imparja Cup is hosted by Northern Territory Cricket and Cricket Australia.

The Imparja Cup Final can be seen on Saturday on NITV at 5:30pm (Eastern Summer Time), while other matches will screen on NITV through March.

NITV can be found on Channel 180 on the Foxtel/Austar platform.
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Australia Rain Supreme Over New Zealand

February 14th 2009 01:50
Australia has retained the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy after a stop-start game five was finally abandoned due to heavy rain with the game delicately poised at the Gabba.

Chasing a revised total of 156 from 20 overs in the series decider after Brad Haddin and Callum Ferguson struck unbeaten half-centuries to propel the hosts to 4-168 off 22 overs, the Black Caps progressed to 6-123 through 14 overs before rain intervened.

The Kiwis, who still had their two-over batting power-play up their sleeves, needed a further 33 runs off 36 deliveries to claim a rare series win on home soil.

Opener Martin Guptill was the star with the bat smashing an unbeaten 64 from 34 balls to put the Kiwis within sight of a famous victory.

Debutant Brendon Diamanti provided solid support with a timely 26 off 22 as the pair put on an unbeaten 50-run stand.

The series finished all tied up at two apiece after the Australians clawed their way back from a 2-0 deficit to set up the decider.

Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting walks off the field as the rain falls


New Zealand made the worst possible start to their pursuit when Ben Hilfenhaus (1-28) bowled Brendon McCullum for two with the second ball of the innings.

But Guptill made his intentions clear depositing Nathan Bracken (2-33) over the mid-wicket fence before Peter Fulton chimed in with consecutive boundaries.

The onslaught continued when Hilfenhaus conceded 21 runs from his second over but Fulton's luck ran out on 22 when he skied Bracken to Callum Ferguson.

Guptill welcomed Mitchell Johnson (1-28) into the attack with a massive six behind square but Johnson soon had reason to smile when he removed the dangerous Ross Taylor for four.

The lanky opener continued to plunder the attack but the wickets kept falling as Grant Elliott (0), Neil Broom (0) and Kyle Mills (1) all went cheaply.

Guptill continued to score freely and finally found support in Diamanti as the Kiwis took the ascendancy before the weather spoiled their party.

Earlier Haddin continued his fine series blasting an unbeaten 88 off 65 deliveries to guide the hosts to a respectable total.

The in-form gloveman appeared in total control throughout striking five boundaries and three sixes, but his patience under pressure defined his knock.

Haddin didn't do it all on his own, however, with Ferguson continuing the dream start to his international career with a brilliant 55 not out off 35 balls.

Having joined Haddin at the crease at 4-70, the pair added an unbeaten 98-run-stand to steal the upper hand at the midway point.

James Hopes (5) got the Australian innings going with a boundary in the second over but his aggression soon cost him his wicket.

Mills (2-22) kept the pressure on the home side when he removed captain Ricky Ponting (2) caught behind with a well directed out swinger, and when game-four hero David Hussey fell for six the hosts were in early trouble.

Diamanti (0-25) was unlucky not to remove Haddin with his first ODI delivery but the in-form right hander put things right with a boundary from the next delivery.

Haddin continued to plunder the new-comer but Vettori (1-24) halted Australia's momentum when Hussey (9) hit a long-hop straight to Diamanti at mid wicket.

Ferguson was lucky not to depart for two when Grant Elliott failed to throw down the stumps in his follow through, and the South Australian made the visitors pay hitting Tim Southee (0-49) for three-consecutive boundaries in the first over of the batting power-play before Haddin took 14 runs off the final over.
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Matthew Hayden’s Imparja Cup adventure in the outback continued as Tasmania knocked off reigning champions Queensland.

The biggest story of Day 4 on the field was undoubtedly the clash of last year’s Finalists Queensland and Tasmania, with the underdog Tasmanians turning the tables and defeating the previously unbeaten Queenslanders. Tasmania did it convincingly bowling out Queensland for 109 and then chasing the runs down with overs to spare, grabbing second spot on the table ahead of Saturday’s Final.

Off the field Matthew Hayden and Brad Hogg took an amazing journey 120 kilometers south of Alice Springs where they visited the remote community of Titjikala. The 250-strong population of Titjikala were treated to a surprise visit from the recently retired internationals, Hayden and Hogg experiencing all aspects of the local culture – from school and the local women’s art centre through to some breathtaking sights and digging for bush onions.

First up was a visit to the Titjikala School, where bats, balls and t-shirts were handed out and games of cricket quickly broke out, Hayden particularly impressed by the hand-eye coordination of the children in hitting the stumps with throws from the field.

Matthew Hayden Brad Hogg Imparja Cup
Matthew Hayden and Brad Hogg have a hit with the locals


Next stop was the Women’s Art Centre, where all were fascinated by the stunning range of pieces and met the artists to get the stories behind the paintings. CA Chairman Jack Clarke was so impressed that he purchased a huge piece to take back home to Adelaide. A number of painted cricket bats were signed by the players that will be used for charity auctions at a later date.

Meanwhile a barbeque was started for the locals outside, giving the hungry travelers a chance to re-energise themselves before another game of cricket where children again displayed some brilliant raw skills.


Local woman, and cricket fan, Dora then jumped aboard with Matt Hayden at the wheel to head to Chalmers Pillar, a spectacular outlook , and as explained by the locals, inspiration for a dreamtime story of unrequited love.

Heading back to Titjikala there was one more stop as the crew were shown how to dig for, and sample, bush onions. It was here that the rough terrain proved too much for Hayden’s vehicle, a flat tyre leaving the party in a spot of bother. However the two cricketers combined in a way that cricket fans have never seen, the two bush boys Hayden and Hogg getting amongst the red dust to change the tyre together and everybody safely back to Alice Springs.
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The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars have retained the Rose Bowl after today’s fifth and deciding match against New Zealand was abandoned due to rain in Wellington.

With the series tied at 2-2, the match at Basin Reserve was abandoned without a ball being bowled. However the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars retained the trophy as reigning holders following last year’s 3-2 series win.

After losing the first two matches of the series, the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars rebounded strongly in games three and four with strong batting performances setting up a pair of comfortable wins.

After a slow start, Shelley Nitschke, who was last week named Australia’s 2008 Women’s International Cricketer of the Year at the Allan Border Medal, led the series run scorers (144), while fellow all-rounder Lisa Sthalekar was the leading wicket taker (7).

Australian Women Cricketers Southern Stars


A number of records were set during the series:

• Game four featured the most runs scored in a women’s one-day international (570), eclipsing the 563 scored when England and New Zealand met in 2007;
• In game three, Alex Blackwell and Shelley Nitschke recorded the highest first-wicket stand (148) for the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars against New Zealand – a partnership that included 18 boundaries from 158 balls; and
• The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars’ game four total (4-307) was their third-highest in history and the first time they had passed the magic 300-mark against a top four-ranked team.

The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars have now held the Rose Bowl for nine consecutive series. New Zealand last won the Rose Bowl in 1999.

Attention now turns to Sunday’s Twenty20 Internationals at the SCG, when cricket fans will be served a double dose of trans-Tasman rivalry with a men’s and women’s double-header between Australia and New Zealand.

In a repeat of the concept successfully pioneered by Cricket Australia in early 2008 in Melbourne, the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars will play New Zealand before the men’s KFC Twenty20 International between the same nations.


The world’s first men’s and women’s Twenty20 International double-header was contested at the MCG in February 2008 when the Australian and English women’s teams played before Australia and India’s clash in a KFC Twenty20 International.

It will be the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars’ last official match before they defend their ICC Women’s World Cup crown in Sydney.
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Cricket Imparja Cup Day 3

February 12th 2009 01:30
Day 3 at the Imparja Cup saw play in the senior men's division move to 40 over cricket with New South Wales defeating South Australia in the NITV feature match at Traeger Park. However off the field there was just as much action as some former greats arrived in Alice Springs. ACA Masters Greg Matthews, Terry Alderman, Brad Hogg and Wayne Holdsworth were in town and participated in children's clinics before sitting in on the NITV broadcast.

Wednesday also saw the arrival of Matthew Hayden as the recently retired Test opener made his first trip to the Imparja Cup in what he sees as a long-term role in fostering the growth of indigenous cricket.

It was Hayden's meeting with another first-timer that provided one of the stories of the carnival thus far. Morris Nona hails from Badu Island in the Torres Strait Islands, and is the only Torres Strait Island local to make the trip to this year's Imparja Cup.

Morris Nona Matthew Hayden Imparja Cup
Morris Nona and Matthew Hayden


Last year's community division winners the Cooktown Crocs are now participating in the major centres division and the message got through to Morris that they needed a hand for their team. Morris, who grew up idolising Steve Waugh and Matt Hayden, answered the call and travelled 40km's in his tin boat to get to the mainland and then continued his long journey with the Cooktown team.

While Morris has only really played what he terms 'backyard cricket' due to the rudimentary sporting facilities on his island, he and friends on the island follow the fortunes of the Australian team closely and cricket is as much a part of their summer life as it is to those in major cities around the country. So getting the chance to meet and chat to Matt Hayden is one great story that Morris will take back to Badu Island from the Imparja Cup.

Morris hopes to bring back his experiences to help improve the skills of his friends back home and work towards a goal to bring an entire team from Badu Island to the Imparja Cup in the next few years.
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Australian Twenty20 Squad Named

February 11th 2009 07:58
Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP) today announced a 13-man squad for Sunday’s KFC Twenty20 clash against New Zealand in Sydney.

The 13-man squad is:

Michael Clarke (c) - NSW , 27
Brad Haddin (vc) - NSW , 31
Nathan Bracken - NSW , 31
Callum Ferguson - SA , 24
Moises Henriques - NSW , 22
Ben Hilfenhaus - TAS , 25
James Hopes - QLD , 30
David Hussey - VIC , 31
Mitchell Johnson - WA , 27
Peter Siddle - VIC , 24
Adam Voges - WA , 29
David Warner - NSW , 22
Cameron White - VIC , 25

Ben Hilfenhaus
Ben Hilfenhaus


Commenting on the selected squad NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch said:

“The National Selection Panel has again picked a squad for this KFC Twenty20 against New Zealand with a view to continuing the development of our younger players and in preparation for the ICC World Twenty20 to be played in England during June this year.

“Given the high workload of Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey since the Indian Test series in October we have decided, in consultation with these players, it is appropriate they miss this game.

“With a hectic and competitive South African campaign departing the day after this match, we felt this option was best in the interest of the player’s workload management.

“This also provides a wonderful opportunity for Moises Henriques. The NSP regards Moises as an exciting young player with the all-round ability to play a role in the World Twenty20. We recently included him in the PM’s XI match against New Zealand where he played exceptionally well and we are hoping this opportunity will help him to continue his development.

“David Warner also returns to the Australian squad for this Twenty20 match. While David was disappointed to be dropped from the one-day squad, we regard him as an exciting young player who definitely remains in our thoughts for the World Twenty20.”

In a repeat of the curtain-raiser concept successfully pioneered by Cricket Australia earlier this year in Melbourne, the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars will play New Zealand before the men’s KFC Twenty20 International between the same nations on Sunday 15 February.

The world’s first men’s and women’s Twenty20 International double-header was contested at the MCG in February last year when the Australian and English women’s teams played before Australia and India’s clash in a KFC Twenty20 International.

It will be the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars’ last official match before they defend their ICC Women’s World Cup crown in Sydney.

That match starts at 3.30pm.

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Australia has kept the Commonwealth Bank Series alive with a six-wicket win in game four at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday. Needing 245 for victory, the Aussies posted 4-247 with 10 balls to spare.

David Hussey ran out Brad Haddin in the 25th over when the opener was on 43 but made amends by registering a career-best 79 from 96 balls.

He joined forces with brother Mike (75 not out from 71 deliveries) to compile a match-winning fourth-wicket partnership of 115.

Mike Hussey hit a mid-on six off Kyle Mills to win the game while Callum Ferguson, playing his first ODI on his home ground, was unbeaten on 13.

Iain O'Brien took 2-54 off his 10 overs while Tim Southee was the other wicket-taker.

Craig Cumming dropped Mike Hussey in the deep when he was on 40 but apart from that spill the Black Caps had limited chances to change the course of the game.

Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke
Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke


And despite a rush of runs in their batting powerplay, their total of 244 was never going to be enough against a desperate Australian unit.

Both sides have won twice meaning the series will be decided in game five at the Gabba on Friday.

In the end it was a comfortable victory for the Aussies but the run chase had been tighter at the half-way mark of their dig.

Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting were back in the shed without making much of an impact while Haddin was run out when the score was 101.

David Hussey called the wicketkeeper through for a second run and then left him stranded metres from the striker's end and an accurate throw from outfielder Cumming to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum made sure of the breakthrough.

It was a massive blow for the home side as Haddin had been controlling the innings with some clean hitting.

However the Husseys' union brought the game back into Australia's favour with the brothers running hard and hitting the bad balls to the boundary - especially during the batting powerplay (overs 42 to 46).

David Hussey was eventually bowled but the crowd weren't too upset - the dismissal bringing to the crease home-town hero Ferguson.

In the afternoon a fruitful batting powerplay helped New Zealand post a competitive total.

Clusters of wickets and cheap dismissals made it difficult for the tourists to accelerate earlier in the innings but they bludgeoned 53 runs - between overs 45 to 49 - to finish with 8-244 from their allotment.

Ross Taylor led the charge with 76 from 72 deliveries while some lusty blows saw Mills chip in with a handy 23 from 27 balls.

Openers Martin Guptill (45) and McCullum (33) were the other major contributors.

Mitchell Johnson finished with 3-51 while James Hopes (2-37) and Michael Clarke (1-23 off eight overs) were also handy with the ball.

New Zealand made a steady start to the contest with McCullum and Guptill putting on 69 for the opening stand but in a matter of minutes the tourists had slumped to 3-86 and the Aussies were on top.


The Kiwis' innings regained momentum when Taylor and Grant Elliott went after Cameron White and combined for a flowing 55-run stand.

Cumming and Neil Broom went cheaply before Taylor and Mills came together for an explosive 53-run partnership.

Before the game the players, umpires and spectators held a minute silence to pay their respects to the bushfire victims in Victoria.

The Commonwealth Bank Series Bushfire Appeal has raised more than $6 million for people affected by the natural disaster.
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Cricket Imparja Cup Day 1

February 10th 2009 11:40
The 2009 Imparja Cup started on Monday with Twenty20 action and defending champion Queensland opened strongly on the back of a day of individual brilliance from 19 year-old Cameron Trask.

Senior men’s division teams each played two Twenty20 matches on Day 1, with New South Wales and Queensland the only teams that remain unbeaten.

The standout performer of the day was Queensland’s Cameron Trask who started his day with a tidy 2-17 against the Northern Territory before guiding his team home with 63 not out in a tricky run chase of 152.
Trask’s day got even better in the last match of the day under lights at Traeger Park as he destroyed the South Australian batting order in pursuit or Queensland’s 6-135, taking 5-9 to reduce the South Australians to just 45. Young leg-spinner Chris Swain also showed his abilities with the bat in top scoring with 45 not out to put Queensland in a winning position.

South Australia had earlier produced a major upset as they thrashed the highly fancied Western Australians, dismissing them for just 67. WA recovered later in the day to thump the Northern Territory by 8 wickets with Dane Ugle scoring 63 not out. Both teams are 1-1 and very much in the mix for the Final.

Cricket Imparja Cup Todd Street March
Imparja Cup Opening - Todd Street March


SpeedBlitz NSW Blues squad member Josh Lalor started the day blasting 60 in a tight win for NSW over Victoria and he looms as a key figure as NSW go into day 2 vying with Queensland for top spot on the table with two wins. Captain Ryan Bulger has also impressed ending with the amazing figures of 4-2 that saw Tasmania bowled out for just 66 in the afternoon, following up his 2-18 in the earlier game.

Of the other challengers Tasmania fell to NSW in a low-scoring affair but on the back of all-round performances by John Pregnall remain at 1-1, while Victoria’s narrow loss to NSW was followed with a comfortable victory over the ACT and they loom as a potential threat to their northern counterparts. David Gilliam’s 47 in game one and 3-23 in game two for Victorian stamps him as an all-round talent to watch though the week.

While the Northern Territory and the ACT have yet to register a win there has been encouraging performances, with NT stalwart Ian Redpath scoring 42 and 37 on opening day while the youngest member of the ACT team, 18 year old Danny Tye top scored with 40 for the ACT as they set a competitive total against Victoria.

Matches continue today with the final to be televised on same day delay through NITV (Channel 180 on Foxtel/Austar) on Saturday from 4:30pm.

Day 1 Senior Men’s Division:

NSW 5-173 (Josh Lalor 60, A Gordon 52) def Victoria 8-154 (K Stevens 57 D Gilliam 47 R Bulger 2-18)

WA 67 (P Thomas 3-4 K Karpany 2-10) def by SA 3-68 (A McKenzie 21)

NT 5-151(I Redpath 42 A Fett 32 C Trask 2-17) def by Qld 5-152 (C Trask 63 not out D Parrington 2-13)

Tas 6-131 (J Walmsley 45 J Pregnall 31 not out T Lee-Keen 3-27) def ACT 58 (S McGuire 3-7 A Smith 2-10 J Pregnall 2-14)

NSW 91 (A Gordon 25 Schumann 4-4) def Tasmania 66 (J Pregnall 26 R Bulger 4-2 J Turner 2-8)

ACT 7-101 (D Tye 40 N Frail 32 D Gilliam 3-23) def by Victoria 5-104 (B Firebrace 45 not out R Best 21 J Hampton 2-23)

Northern Territory 7-99 (I Redpath 37 J Feehan 2-19) def by WA 2-101 (D Ugle 63 not out)

Qld 6-135 (C Swain 45 not out) def SA 45 (C Trask 5-9)

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The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars have levelled the Rose Bowl Series 2-2 against New Zealand in a history-making afternoon for women’s cricket in Hamilton.

Never before in 679 previous women’s one-day internationals have two teams scored as many runs (570) in a single match as another powerhouse Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars batting display crafted a 44-run win.

The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars top order batters all made significant contributions with Lauren Ebsary (86 from 76) and Leah Poulton (81 from 97) well-supported by Shelley Nitschke (58 from 69) and Alex Blackwell (37 from 35) in a total of 4-307.

The White Ferns batted well and posted its highest score against Australia in reply but they were still well short of the target when dismissed for 263 in the 48th over.

“Scoring 300 in a match is something that we’ve been working towards as a team since the India series late last year,” Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars captain Karen Rolton said.

Australian Cricket Women Southern Stars
Australian Women Southern Stars


“We made some good scores in that series but it’s been fantastic to build on that and reach that goal today.

“Batting-wise, the main difference between the first two matches in this series and last two is that we’ve been able to put big partnerships together. We’ve also had some of the batters go on and get big scores, so while it would have been nice for someone to go on and make a hundred, the contributions allowed us to make big totals in the last two games.

“We’ve got to make sure now that we keep this form going in the final match on Thursday.”

As well as setting the record for the most number of runs scored in a single match, the total was also Australia’s third highest in history and the first time it had passed the magic 300-mark against a top four-ranked team. It also shattered its previous record total against New Zealand (8-260) which was set in Chennai in early 2007.


The match aggregate for runs scored eclipsed the 563 when England and New Zealand met in 2007.

Such was Australia's dominance with the bat that New Zealand captain Haidee Tiffen used nine bowlers - every player except herself and wicket-keeper Katey Martin – in an attempt to stem the flow of runs.

The bowling changes had no effect on the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars’ rhythm however as they marched relentlessly towards 300.

Although Amy Satterthwaite (67), Nicola Browne (45) and Sara Tsukigawa (45) batted strongly for New Zealand in reply, it couldn't maintain a mid-innings surge as late wickets ended the charge.

Emma Sampson returned to the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars line-up and took 3-34 while the remainder of the wickets were evenly shared.

The deciding match in the Rose Bowl Series will be played in Wellington on Thursday.
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Women Southern Stars Defeat New Zealand

February 9th 2009 14:04
A record opening partnership between Alex Blackwell and Shelley Nitschke was the key to the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars’ 104-run win over New Zealand in Hamilton on Friday.

In just the fourth day/night match for the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars, Blackwell and Nitschke's effort was the highest first-wicket stand for Australia against New Zealand and included 18 boundaries from 158 balls.

The pair eclipsed their previous best which was set in the corresponding series last year to provide the perfect platform for the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars to post 8-258, their second highest score against New Zealand.

After moving past their previous highest partnership of 144, both openers were dismissed in quick succession with Blackwell (59 from 79 balls) and Nitschke (73 from 85), playing in her 50th one-day international, gone in consecutive overs as the White Ferns slowed the scoring at the midway point of the innings.

Alex Bladwell and Shelley Nitschke
Alex Bladwell and Shelley Nitschke


Blackwell was dismissed first by Nicola Browne and then Nitschke fell six balls later to Lucy Doolan to leave the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars at 2-149 in the 28th over.

Browne struck for the second time soon after with Lisa Sthalekar’s dismissal, but Lauren Ebsary (30) and captain Karen Rolton (28) quickly found their rhythm to keep the run rate moving at more than five per over and past the 200-mark.

Wickets fell regularly in the final overs as the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars middle and lower order searched for quick runs, but the total still reached the second highest ever for Australia against the White Ferns.

In reply, New Zealand started well before slumping to be all out for 154 with Erin Osborne (3-32) and Sthalekar (3-16) taking three wickets each.

New Zealand’s innings began brightly before Rene Farrell broke through in the eighth over with the wicket of Katey Martin.

Aimee Mason and Suzie Bates then mounted a stern challenge but after their exit the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars bowlers gained the upper hand and quickly ended hopes of a White Ferns victory and series win.

With New Zealand leading the series 2-1, the fourth match will be played at Hamilton on Sunday. The Rose Bowl Series matches are the last one-day internationals for both teams before the ICC Women’s World Cup in Australia from 7-22 March.

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Australia has kept the Commonwealth Bank one-day series alive after defeating a courageous New Zealand by 32 runs in game three at the SCG.

Set a massive 302 to win their third straight match against Australia, the Black Caps looked dead and buried when they slumped to 7-183 in the 37th over.

But a frenetic 69–run union between century-maker Grant Elliott (115) and Brendon McCullum (36), batting with a serious shoulder injury, threatened to steal the match.

Elliott's dismissal in the 45th over ended the New Zealand fightback, allowing a relieved Australia to claim a desperately-needed victory after five successive defeats.

The Kiwis, bowled out for 269 in the 48th over, lead the series 2-1 heading into game four in Adelaide on Tuesday.

But the visitors are unlikely to have the services of keeper-batsman McCullum, who was struck by a rearing delivery from Kyle Mills while standing up to the stumps during the Australian innings.

Brad Haddin
Brad Haddin


He bravely played on, batting in obvious pain, and will undergo scans on Monday.

Back-up wicket-keeper Gareth Hopkins will fly over from New Zealand to join the squad ahead of Tuesday's game.

McCullum's injury added to a testing night for the Kiwis, who struggled to keep pace with Australia for most of the match after winning the toss and asking their hosts to bat.

Brad Haddin's first century at one-day international level underpinned Australia's imposing target, the Black Caps' chase beginning poorly.

After sliding to 2-16 in the sixth over after losing Martin Guptill (six) and Ross Taylor (four), Elliott and Peter Fulton (40) repaired some of the early damage with a stand of 80 for the third wicket.

But Fulton's departure just before the halfway mark put the Black Caps back behind the eight ball.

Wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals – Neil Broom (15), Mills (two), Daniel Vettori (two) and Tim Southee (17) departing in quick succession.

Elliott and McCullum, batting at No 9 due to his injury, gave Australia a massive scare before James Hopes (2-49) returned to the attack to remove Elliott, caught at deep mid-wicket by Michael Hussey.

The South African-born Elliott faced 124 balls in peeling off his first one-day international ton, striking eight boundaries.

McCullum perished soon after to extinguish any thought of a cricketing miracle.

Earlier in the day, Haddin blasted eight fours and three sixes in an entertaining 114-ball stay to give the hosts every chance of keeping the series alive after they dropped the opening two matches.

Haddin, promoted to the top of the order, raised his arms in triumph after bringing up the three figures with a sharp single.

He was eventually dismissed in the 38th over, run out by rival gloveman Brendon McCullum after attempting to pinch a single.

A bright 62-run partnership between Callum Ferguson (28 off 23 balls) and Michael Hussey (51 off 32) late in the innings ensured Australia topped 300.

"It was very special to get the opportunity to open (and) great to get one (a century) out there today," Haddin said after his dig.
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Manage Twenty20,where ICC?

February 8th 2009 23:26
Need of time...indeed twewny 20 horse,is there nay one to handle the ruions of this horse?Certailnly as expected ICC has a confused policy.All the member countries are running thier own leagues etc.There is no system alogether which can be put into a perfect mechanism.
Twenty 20 comes as a great blessing in rather short world of cricket and can cause abrupt development in cricket due to its huge popularity even in domestic competitions.It is a golden moment for cricket and if it not handled properly then the cricket should not get the advantage it should gain.
All the players,ex players,expertises and lovers of cricket game should come forwar and formulate a policy how to handle the twenty 20 format.Its a big time really.
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New Captain, different team, same result. Australia's lean run continued, with a six-wicket loss to New Zealand in the second Commonwealth Bank one-day international at the MCG on Friday night.

Not even a stellar 98 from stand-in captain Michael Clarke and an intelligent 75 from his deputy Michael Hussey could prevent Australia from sinking to its sixth defeat from seven matches.

Playing only his 13th game, Grant Elliott proved the unlikely hero for New Zealand, making a career-best 61 not out to steer the visitors past Australia's modest 5-225 with seven balls to spare.

Australia's best chance for victory came after Ross Taylor threw away his wicket on 47 with an unnecessary slog but an unbeaten 50-run stand off 44 balls between Elliott and Neil Broom snuffed out hopes of a come-from-behind win.

Chancing their arm, Elliott and Broom regularly cleared the fingertips of desperate Australian fieldsmen by only a matter of inches.

Grant Elliott
Grant Elliott


The loss saw Australia move down to third place on the latest ICC rankings, one point behind India and only four clear of the Kiwis.

Another victory in Sydney on Sunday for the Black Caps will give them an unassailable three-nil lead in the best-of-five series and ensure the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy heads across the Tasman.

This was a match which the visitors assumed control of almost from the get go.

Fielding one of its most inexperienced line-ups in recent times, Australia could not afford another poor start with the bat.

If Clarke's promotion to open the batting was designed to calm a relatively inexperienced top order, it did not work.

David Warner, Brad Haddin and David Hussey were all back in the pavilion by the 18th over - the trio guilty of a rush of blood or a lack of judgement, or in Warner's case a bit of both.

Warner made just two, continuing a topsy-turvy start to his international career.

Predictably, Australia appeared most settled when its two most senior batsmen - Clarke and Michael Hussey - were at the crease.

Showing the patience that comes through experience, the pair took few risks in their 133-run stand, preferring instead to pick holes in the field.

Not that the Black Caps, with Kyle Mills and Iain O'Brien more than capable bookends to their bowling innings, gave them many balls with which to find or clear the rope either.

Mills, who claimed 1-12 from his six overs with the new ball, and O'Brien denied Australia a final flurry at the death.

O'Brien was particularly effective, taking the key wickets of Clarke and Michael Hussey.

Despite an early wicket from Nathan Bracken, Australia's attack again lacked penetration.

James Hopes, a non-descript all-rounder who rarely lets the team down, lifted the home side's spirits by removing Peter Fulton and key man Brendon McCullum.

Hopes was the pick of the Australian bowlers, taking 2-30 from 10 overs.

With victory in sight, the composure Taylor showed early in his innings evaporated.

He was dropped on 37 in the deep by Michael Hussey in the 37th over then surrendered his wicket four overs later when he was caught behind trying to slog Mitchell Johnson into another postcode.

Fortunately for Taylor, Elliott and Broom ensured his mistake did not spark a remarkable comeback.
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Indigenous Cricket Imparja Cup

February 6th 2009 15:26
Test great Matthew Hayden will start work on his ambition to see indigenous cricketers wear the baggy green when he attends the Imparja Cup that starts today in Alice Springs.

“I’ve stated that I have a dream to get Indigenous players wearing the baggy green and the journey starts for these players at the Imparja Cup.

“It’s my first chance to be involved and I’m looking forward to helping out in whatever way I can to see these talented players develop into first-class, and eventually international, cricketers.”

The Imparja Cup starts today in Alice Springs, with over 400 players or volunteers and 26 teams expected to be involved across four divisions of competition with the week culminating in Finals on Saturday 14 February. Each state and territory is represented at the 2009 Imparja Cup with Twenty20, 40-overs per side and Super 8s cricket to be played.

Senior state squad members Dan Christian (SA), Worrin Williams (Qld) and Josh Lalor (NSW) have all competed in the Imparja Cup in recent years, while Samantha Hinton who competed for New South Wales in the women’s division last year has since been added to the NSW Breakers development squad, confirming it as the major nurturing ground for indigenous cricket.

Indigenous All-Star Cricket Team Australia
Matthew Hayden and the Indigenous All-Star team


For the second year National Indigenous Television (NITV) will broadcast all matches from Traeger Park, including the men’s and women’s final. In a first, the men’s final will screen nationally on NITV (Channel 180 on the Foxtel/Austar platform) on same day delay on Saturday 14 February from 4:30pm, while the rest of the series will screen through March.

Along with Matthew Hayden there will be a number of other former greats in attendance thanks to the Australian Cricketers Association, with Brad Hogg, Greg Matthews, Ashley Mallett, Matthew Elliot and Ryan Campbell in Alice Springs to conduct children’s clinics and community visits. An ACA All-Stars XI will take on a team of the tournament XI (Imparja Cup Honour squad) in a Twenty20 match as the curtain raiser for the men’s final on Saturday.

Cricket Australia will also have a female ambassador in attendance to work closely with the women’s division, with former Commonwealth Bank Southern Star and current Vic Spirit player Melanie Jones attending.

Cricket Australia General Manager of Game Development Damien Bown said that the Imparja Cup is part of the growing momentum for indigenous cricket.

“Cricket is serious about fostering a greater connection with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and the Imparja Cup is the focal point for indigenous cricket.

“Each year the competition improves on the field and off, whether that by the standard of cricket played or through the new audiences being reached through the NITV television broadcasts of the event.

“Our ambition to see Indigenous cricketers wearing the baggy green has received a boost through Matthew Hayden’s offer to help in this area. We are very pleased with his support and through the collaborative work of Cricket Australia, the Federal Government, the ACA and the Lords Taverners we hope to make good on Matthew and Cricket Australia’s ambition” said Bown.

Teams contesting the state and territory division will play a mix of Twenty20 and 40 overs per side cricket with a 50 overs per side final. Queensland has been the dominant team in recent times, winning four of the last five titles, including 2008. However strong competition is expected from last year’s finalists Tasmania along with Western Australia.

The major centres division will do battle in a Twenty20 challenge while the Northern Territory community division and the women’s competition will play under Super 8s conditions.

First held in 1994 as a Northern Territory community-based event between Alice Springs and Tennant Creek, the Imparja Cup has grown to become a premier fixture on the Australian cricket calendar.

The Imparja Cup Final can be seen next Saturday on NITV at 4:30pm, while other matches will screen on NITV through March.

NITV can be found on Channel 180 on the Foxtel/Austar platform.
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Cricket Australia has responded to reports today of a change-room altercation between Michael Clarke and Simon Katich following this year’s 3 Mobile Test at the SCG.

CEO James Sutherland said that while he was aware of the altercation, he believed that the players had put it behind them.

“To be honest I’m not too concerned,” he said.

“These sorts of incidents happen from time to time even in the happiest of families and I’m comforted by the fact that both players have moved on and I’m very confident they’ll be looking forward to touring together in South Africa.”

Sutherland also praised Clarke’s abilities as a captain as he prepares for another stint filling in for Ricky Ponting during the Commonwealth Bank Series against New Zealand.

“He (Clarke) has clearly been identified as someone who has leadership potential as vice-captain and when Ricky’s away, he’ll step in and fill the breach,” Sutherland said.

James Sutherland


“I know he’s very much looking forward to the game today at the MCG and I think there was some nice symbolism about the Allan Border Medal with Ricky and Michael sharing that.”

“They’ve both had fantastic seasons and were recognised by their peers and other judges as the best two Australian players of the year and I’m really looking forward to seeing how Michael continues on his good form, but also steps up as a leader.”

And while supportive of players who choose to play in the Indian Premier League, Sutherland said that he also supports Clarke’s decision to pull out of the much publicised player auction to take place today.

“Look I think decisions like that are really up to the individual. I’m not specifically aware of what considerations Michael has taken into account when making that decision but I certainly support that decision."

"He’s clearly focussed on his Australian ambitions and I think from the point of view of Australian Cricket that’s a good thing.”
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Australian Squad For South Africa Named

February 5th 2009 13:29
Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP) today announced a 14-man squad to take part in the three-Test VB Tour of South Africa 2009.

The squad is:

Ricky Ponting (captain): TAS, 34
Michael Clarke (vice-captain): NSW, 27
Doug Bollinger: NSW, 27
Brad Haddin: NSW, 31
Nathan Hauritz: NSW, 27
Ben Hilfenhaus: TAS, 25
Phillip Hughes: NSW, 20
Michael Hussey: WA, 33
Mitchell Johnson: WA, 27
Simon Katich: NSW, 33
Andrew McDonald: VIC, 27
Bryce McGain: VIC, 36
Marcus North: WA, 29
Peter Siddle: VIC, 24

Phillip Hughes
Phillip Hughes


Commenting on the squad NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch said:

“This is an extremely challenging, but in the same breath very exciting, period in Australian cricket.”

“We have gone through immense change in the last couple of years with many of the true legends of Australian cricket leaving the game. We are also enduring an unprecedented run of injuries to many of our contracted players. That being said, with all this has come great opportunity as the side rebuilds.

“This rebuilding process has already seen some outstanding progress being made by some of our best young players including Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Brad Haddin who have made excellent contributions to Australian cricket during the initial phase of the rebuilding process.

“There is probably no greater challenge in world cricket at present than playing South Africa away. South Africa has an extremely strong side and will be extremely tough, particularly in home conditions. The tour represents an exciting challenge for the squad which contains a very good blend of experienced, proven international batsmen and some of our outstanding young talent.

“We have the utmost faith in the young group of Australian cricketers coming through. Whilst the next 12 months will undoubtedly be extremely testing and challenging, we are confident that the new breed of Australian cricketers will hold Australian cricket in a strong position moving forward.

“It is one of the most exciting things I have had the pleasure of doing since being a selector in naming Phillip Hughes in the Test touring squad. Phillip has been given the fairly daunting task of filling the shoes of one of Australia's greatest batsmen Matthew Hayden. Phillip is a young man who has had an outstanding debut in first-class cricket for New South Wales.

“From the time of his century in the Sheffield Shield final last season and through this year, he has played extremely well and we are confident that he is someone with the potential to have a long international career. I don't suppose the introduction could be any tougher for a young opening batsman, but he will be surrounded by experienced batsmen and we are confident he will meet the challenge.

“Phil Jaques has not been selected in the squad. Phil has bravely come back from back surgery in an attempt to make himself available for the tour, but in the NSP’s view, he has simply not played enough cricket since surgery to force his way into the team.

“Marcus North gets his long-awaited chance to join an Australian squad. Whilst Marcus is still a young man, he has had over eight years of first-class experience. He has been added to the squad both because of his strong Shield batting form this year and his ability to bowl off-spin which adds greatly to the flexibility of the squad.

“This is consistent with our approach since 2005 in having batsmen in the top six providing quality overs to support the bowling group. His addition, together with the retention of Andrew McDonald following his successful debut in the Sydney 3 Mobile Test, gives the squad great flexibility.


“It is very exciting also that we are taking four fast bowlers to South Africa, all of whom are aged 27 or under and with the potential to have long international careers. The development of Johnson and Siddle has been dramatic and Doug Bollinger debuted well in Sydney and we are confident Ben Hilfenhaus is someone who will succeed at international level. Whilst the experience and ability of Brett Lee and Stuart Clark will be sorely missed, it does create great opportunities for these young men.

“We are very pleased with the role played by Nathan Hauritz in the 3 Mobile Test Series in Australia. He has also returned to New South Wales to play a key role in their recent Sheffield Shield victory against Tasmania and richly deserves to retain his spot.

“Bryce McGain joins the squad after recovering from his shoulder injury. The loss of Bryce before the start of the India Test series was a significant one and we are very pleased with his progress following surgery. In his return match for Victoria he took five wickets in the second innings and bowled extremely well. His addition adds further flexibility to the squad with him being the outstanding leg spinner in Australian cricket at present.

“Whilst not underestimating in any way the challenge which faces this young group of players, the NSP is confident the group will perform extremely well and build on the success they had in the recent Sydney Test.”

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Skipper Ricky Ponting and vice-captain Michael Clarke were named joint winners of the Allan Border Medal on Tuesday night.

Ponting and Clarke were locked on 41 votes, three ahead of Michael Hussey on 38, with paceman Mitchell Johnson and the born-again Simon Katich sharing fourth on 30 votes.

For the first time in the event's 10-year history, the medal was awarded with Australia's on-field superiority in question, adding significance to the victory of the team's two on-field leaders.

"As we all know it's been an up and down year for the team. Everybody right now is writing us off but I know deep down in my heart we're not far away at all," Ponting said.

"And the results would even prove that over the last couple of months. It's been an amazing time with some of our greats leaving the team and some very young and exciting players coming into the team."

"It's an amazing challenge for me and Michael to keep leading this team in the right direction, hopefully showing some direction and passing on some experience to the younger guys."

Ricky Ponting


A winner in 2005 when relatively new to the international scene, Clarke's second Medal triumph comes at a time when he is shaping as the heir apparent to Ponting.

"I guess for me as soon as I walked into the Australian team I've tried to learn as much as possible from Ricky Ponting and nothing's really changed to be honest," he said.

"I guess being vice-captain has brought me a lot closer. I'm involved now, sometimes in selections, leadership meetings and things like that."

"So it's really given me a greater opportunity to continue to learn."

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Michael Clarke Test Player Of Year

February 4th 2009 12:59
Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke has been named the Test Player of the Year for the first time at the 2009 Allan Border Medal.

The 27-year-old tallied 12 votes to win by two from skipper Ricky Ponting and opener Simon Katich, who finished tied for second place on 10 votes.

Mitchell Johnson, who was one of the favourites for the award after leading the Australian attack in the absence of the injured Brett Lee and Stuart Clark, was fourth with seven votes.

Clarke, who polled in seven of the 11 Tests he played in the voting period, which took in tours of the West Indies and India as well as home series against New Zealand and South Africa, posted 1019 runs at an average of 56.61, including four 50s and four centuries.

The New South Welshman missed the first Test of the tour to Caribbean but returned to the side with a vengeance with a century in the second match in Antigua.

Clarke was named man-of-the-series in the two-match 3 Mobile Test series against New Zealand in Brisbane and Adelaide with scores of 110, 98 and 10.

Michael Clarke


He was also the top run-scorer in the recent three-Test series against South Africa, including a top score of 138 and 41 in Australia's 103-run win in Sydney.

Ponting was vying for a fourth win in this category after taking it out in 2003, 2004 and 2007.

The 34-year-old scored his 10,000th Test match run against the West Indies in Antigua in May, becoming the third Australian to reach the milestone after Allan Border and Steve Waugh.

Left-handed batsman Katich was rewarded for a stellar season in which he recorded 1129 runs at an average of 56.45 with a highest score of 157.

Among his highlights for the year was when he carried his bat through the innings in the first Test against New Zealand before finishing on 131 not out.

Johnson, meanwhile, captured 54 wickets at just over 27, including his best haul of 8-61 against South Africa in Perth.

Fifth in the voting was Victoria paceman Peter Siddle on six votes, followed by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin and Lee on five.

Each member of the playing squad for each match votes individually on a 3-2-1 basis for the best players in each game. These votes are aggregated and the top three nominated players are allocated votes for this award.

Previous winners:

2000 Glenn McGrath
2001 Colin Miller
2002 Matthew Hayden
2003 Ricky Ponting
2004 Ricky Ponting
2005 Damien Martyn
2006 Shane Warne
2007 Ricky Ponting
2008 Brett Lee
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Nathan Bracken ODI Player Of Year

February 4th 2009 12:57
Paceman Nathan Bracken has been named the One-Day International Player of the Year at the Allan Border Medal presentation in Melbourne on Tuesday night.

Bracken, who played in all 17 matches during the voting period, won a nail-biting count by one vote from Michael Hussey, with Shaun Marsh another vote back in third place.

Marsh led by one vote from Bracken and Hussey entering the final game of the voting period - Australia's clash with New Zealand on Sunday night in Perth.

Bracken collected the maximum three votes for taking 3-38 from his 10 overs, while Hussey was awarded two votes for top-scoring with 49.

Marsh, who made 15, did not collect a vote.

Bracken joins champions such as Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden and Ponting on the award's honour roll.

"It actually came as a surprise," Bracken said of his win. "I was a little bit disappointed in the last few games I've played, wasn't performing as well as I could have been."

Nathan Bracken


"It's a privilege to be listed among the names that are there."

Bracken, Ricky Ponting's go-to man at the death, was Australia's leading wicket-taker, his 22 wickets coming at an average of 24.5.

Hussey, who also did not miss a match, made 639 runs at 45.64 with a strike rate of 76.44.

Marsh has established himself as Australia's first-choice opener in the one-day side since making his debut in the Caribbean last year.

The 25-year-old struck 566 runs at 43.54 at the top of the order.
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Michael Kilnger Named State Player

February 4th 2009 11:55
Michael Klinger Named State Player

Michael Klinger's transformation from fringe player to top-class performer is complete with the South Australia opening batsman being named the State Player of the Year at the 2009 Allan Border Medal on Tuesday night.

The 28-year-old, who transferred from Victoria to the Redbacks at the end of the 2007-08 summer in order to get more opportunities at state level, was a runaway winner of the award with 60 votes, a massive 42 votes ahead of Tasmania paceman Brett Geeves (18) with Bushrangers opener Chris Rogers third on 13 votes.

"I'm pretty shocked to be honest," Klinger said. "I'm very excited. It's something I never would have expected three or four months ago when I moved from Victoria. To be in this position now is unbelievable."

Klinger, who made his state debut in 1998/99, played in 15 matches during the voting period - including games for both Victoria and South Australia - where he amassed 1334 runs at an average of 74.11.

Michael Klinger


He currently tops the Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield run-scorers list with 1013 runs at an average of 84.42.

Klinger has been a revelation with the Redbacks from his very first game when he scored 150, ironically against his old state. He followed that with his maiden double century and a highest score of 255.

"It's been a really good move. I'm really enjoying the Adelaide lifestyle as well and my new team-mates have welcomed me with their arms wide open," he said.

"Everyone gets along very well and I love the atmosphere and can't wait to keep playing well for them."

Klinger is the 10th winner of the award, joining the likes of three-time recipient Darren Lehmann, Andy Bichel, Simon Katich and Phil Jaques.

All Australian contracted first-class cricketers are given one vote to choose the best State Player of the Year. Players were not permitted to vote for their state team-mates.

State Player of the Year - Top 3

Michael Klinger (South Australia) - 60 votes
Brett Geeves (Tasmania) - 18 votes
Chris Rogers (Victoria) - 13 votes
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The star of gun NSW opener Phillip Hughes continued rising on Tuesday night when he was named Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year at the Allan Border Medal presentation in Melbourne.

Touted as a Test player of the future, Hughes scored 1405 runs at an average of 45.32 during the voting period, more than double his nearest rival, to become the 10th recipient of the award.

The 20-year-old collected 78 votes to win from Victorian paceman Peter Siddle, who collected 39 votes, and South Australian opener Tom Cooper on four.

Hughes joins a star-studded honour roll which includes Brett Lee, Nathan Bracken and Shane Watson, all of whom have played for Australia in the three different forms of the game.

The award is open to any player under the age of 24 who had not played more than 10 first-class matches before January 25 2008.

Phillip Hughes


Hughes has hardly put a foot wrong since making his first-class debut last season, which culminated in a century in the Pura Cup final against Victoria.

"I think I scored six 50s in six games leading up to that Pura Cup final so there was talk he can get starts but can he get on with the big one," said Hughes, who has been part of champion Pura Cup and KFC Twenty20 Big Bash sides in the past 12 months.

"And that made me really hungry to get the big one and that happened to be in the Pura Cup final which was a great thing."

"It's definitely been an exciting two years for myself and New South Wales cricket."
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Shelley Nitschke Best Woman Cricketer

February 4th 2009 11:22
Southern Stars all-rounder Shelley Nitschke was named the Women's International Cricketer of the Year at the Allan Border Medal presentation in Melbourne on Tuesday night.

Despite missing two matches during the voting period, Nitschke collected 27 points to defeat all-rounder Lisa Sthalekar by two, with Jodie Fields (22), Alex Blackwell (19) and Emma Sampson (15) rounding out the top five.

Her win denied Sthalekar a third straight victory.

The award was recognition for Nitschke's stellar performances during the voting period which saw her average 38.13 with the bat and 24.43 with the ball in the eight one-day and Twenty20 internationals she played.

Nitschke was not able to receive the award in person as she is currently away with the Southern Stars, who are engaged in a five-match Rose Bowl series against New Zealand.

Previous winners of the award have been champion batter Karen Rolton (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006), fast bowler Cathryn Fitzpatrick (2004) and Sthalekar.

Shelley Nitschke

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Cricket Australia (CA) has advised its National Selection Panel (NSP) that Andrew Symonds cannot be considered for national selection until he has completed further counselling and rehabilitation.

CA Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland today announced that Symonds will be unavailable for consideration for selection for the South Africa Test tour this month and will need to satisfy formal rehabilitation criteria before again being made available for international selection.

Mr Sutherland said CA had re-assessed Symonds’ progress with his rehabilitation after the player was fined $4000 for a Code of Behaviour breach relating to detrimental public comment late last month.

“Our assessment is that he is making good progress but that his commitment needs testing against new, tougher criteria we will finalise after consultation with his counselors, the ACA and Queensland Cricket,” he said.

“We have a responsibility to Andrew and his welfare but we also have a responsibility to Australian cricket to ensure his commitment is as it needs to be before he can be considered for national selection”.

Andrew Symonds


In making the decision, Mr Sutherland noted feedback from the state, national players and Australian team management supporting that Symonds was making good progress with the rehabilitation program he is undertaking.

Mr Sutherland said he had advised Andrew Symonds of the decision.

Rehabilitation criteria are likely to include that:

• Symonds review and re-affirm his personal documented commitments
• The counselling program is increased in concentration and treated as a priority above Symonds CA and QC commitments
• Formal fortnightly rehabilitation progress reports are made to CA

He said CA would review Symonds’ progress at the end of the Sheffield Shield season, which is prior to the NSP selection of its squad for the Australia-Pakistan ODI series to be played from April.
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New Zealand Defeat Australia In ODI

February 2nd 2009 07:43
New Zealand has produced a dramatic two-wicket victory over Australia off the final ball in the first Commonwealth Bank Series match at the WACA.

A brilliant performance by the Black Caps in the field saw the home side bowled out for 181 but New Zealand made hard work of overtaking the meagre total.

Needing five off Nathan Bracken's last over to win the match, New Zealand lost Tim Southee (three) with the second ball, a slower delivery from the New South Welshmen who claimed 3-35 from his 10 overs.

But skipper Daniel Vettori (seven not out) held his nerve to slip the final delivery of the innings through a packed infield, seeing New Zealand finish with 8-182 as Australia slumped to its fourth consecutive one-day international loss.

To make matters worse for the hosts, opener Shaun Marsh appeared to badly injure his left hamstring chasing a ball in the outfield, the Perth local slipping to the ground in agony.

Daniel Vettori
Daniel Vettori


Despite the loss of Marsh, Australia's attack continued to press and the combined effort of Bracken, Shaun Tait (2-40) and Michael Clarke (1-18 from six overs) reduced the Black Caps to 5-105 in the 38th over.

But a match-winning half-century from Ross Taylor (64) in a 62-run stand with Kyle Mills (26) steadied the ship and all-but saw the Black Caps home before Mills was bowled by Tait in the 47th over.

While his team-mates didn't have much luck, Taylor enjoyed a life on 15, dropped by Mitchell Johnson in the 17th over off James Hopes (1-23) bowling, the ball slipping through Johnson's hands as he stared into the setting sun.

As Tait and Bracken claimed five wickets between them, they were ably supported by Hopes, Clarke and Johnson (1-34), who took one of the catches of the summer to dismiss Peter Fulton caught and bowled in the 14th over for seven.

Mills, though, walked away with the Man of the Match award, having taken 4-35 for New Zealand as Australia struggled to impose itself on the contest with the bat.

The bowler opened his account early on, claiming the wicket of Marsh (15) in the seventh over and David Warner (seven) 11 deliveries later. Both openers were dismissed in identical circumstances, sharply caught at short cover by the towering Fulton as they attempted to drive on the rise.

Mills also claimed Haddin's (31) wicket just as he and Australian top scorer Michael Hussey (49) had compiled a 61-run stand that looked set to blossom into a solid partnership for the hosts.

Michael Hussey led the resistance with the bat as his team-mates departed around him.

After Marsh and Warner fell, Australia lost skipper Ricky Ponting and vice-captain Michael Clarke to unnecessary run-outs, both players falling victim to exceptional throws by Broom and Martin Guptill in the outfield.

Johnson (20) and the unbeaten Tait (nine) produced a late flurry at the end of Australia's innings after Bracken lasted four balls for his duck but their efforts weren't enough to give Australia a confidence-restoring win.
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Half centuries from Michael Hussey and Brad Haddin weren't enough to save Australia in the fifth Commonwealth Bank Series match against South Africa, the Proteas storming to a 39-run victory at the WACA on Friday night.

In the final one-day international clash with South Africa this summer, Australia struggled to build momentum from the start of its run chase after the tourists overcame a slow start of their own to post an imposing 6-288.

Hashim Amla starred with the bat for the Proteas while left-armed paceman Lonwabo Tsotsobe enjoyed a dream one-day international debut, taking 4-50 as Australia was bowled out for 249 in the second last over.

The elegant Amla compiled a chanceless 97 before falling short of his century, caught behind by a diving Haddin off James Hopes in the 42nd over, with A.B de Villiers and J.P. Duminy ably supporting him, both batsmen scoring 60.

In reply, Australia slumped to 4-53 as Tsotsobe claimed the vital wickets of Shaun Marsh and Ricky Ponting. But a 69-run partnership between Michael Hussey and his brother David (30), batting for Australia for the first time together in their native Perth, wrested the momentum back towards the home side.

Hashim Amla
Hashim Amla


But the hosts lost wickets at regular intervals, the Australians struggling to maintain a consistent run-rate as David Hussey (30) dolled up a catch to Johan Botha at short cover just as the brothers appeared set to lead a revival.

Mike Hussey and Haddin then combined for 72 runs, but 'Mr. Cricket' became Tsotsobe's third victim, bowled for 78 in the 40th over attempting one slog too many after belting the youngster for 12 runs from three balls during Australia's batting powerplay.

As the required run rate mounted Haddin (63) defiantly scored his half-century from 39 balls, but it was too late to prevent Australia falling to a 4-1 series defeat to South Africa.

The Proteas did the job without meaningful contributions from Herschelle Gibbs (seven) or Neil McKenzie (10), who both fell cheaply earlier in the day.

But Amla and de Villiers soon set about laying the foundation for a big total, patiently building the score as they compiled a 118-run third-wicket partnership.

De Villiers slashed recklessly at Hopes (3-44) and was out for 60 but his replacement Duminy produced a sterling shift, firing off an unbeaten 60 from 42 deliveries as the Proteas took full advantage of their batting powerplay, scoring 53 runs from the five overs.

Indeed, the tourists had a field day during the last 10 overs. Restricted early on by some tight bowling and excellent fielding, particularly by Michael Clarke and David Warner in the inner circle, the Proteas broke the shackles in the final 10 overs, plundering 92 runs.

Mitchell Johnson (1-68) was the main offender, the frontline bowler smashed for 20 off his final over during the batting powerplay as Duminy treated him with contempt. Nathan Bracken (0-70) also endured a torrid return to the Australian side, his last six overs conceding 53 runs, although Ben Hilfenhaus (2-43) and Clarke (0-30) kept things tight.

In reply, Australian opener Marsh could only manage five runs in his home debut for Australia before losing his wicket in the second over to a sharp catch by Amla at mid-wicket.

Australian skipper Ponting (12) attempted to pull a shorter Tsotsobe delivery, lofting the ball up for an easy catch by wicketkeeper de Villiers in the eighth over while Clarke followed him back to the shed seven balls later after chopping Morne Morkel onto his stumps for a duck.

A composed Warner (22) looked set to take on South Africa's attack but fell victim to a fluke run out by another Proteas' debutant Wayne Parnell, who got the tip of his finger to a straight drive by Mike Hussey that crashed into the stumps with Warner well out of his ground.

The two Hussey's and Haddin gave Australia some fleeting hope but the tourists did enough to hold the hosts at bay, completing a memorable summer for the touring team.

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Andrew Symonds Fined $4,000

January 30th 2009 07:12
Andrew Symonds has fully accepted his fine for derogatory remarks about Brendan McCullum on a satirical FM radio program, and reiterated his sincere apology to the New Zealand wicket-keeper batsman.

Symonds was fined $4000 by Cricket Australia code of conduct commissioner Gordon Lewis following a hearing at CA headquarters in Melbourne on Thursday.

Symonds pleaded guilty to the breach at the hearing which lasted more than two hours.

In a prepared statement, Symonds said he was pleased the commissioner determined the penalty - which is $1750 less than the maximum penalty for a breach of the code for detrimental conduct - based on the full 14-minute interview with Roy and HG on Triple M rather than the comment that received extensive coverage.

Symonds made the offending comment when discussing McCullum's recruitment by New South Wales to contest last Saturday's final of the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash against Victoria.

Andrew Symonds


"Whilst the comments were intended to be light-hearted, I acknowledge that they were careless and, as such, I accept the fine that I have received today," Symonds said.

"I want to again apologise to Brendon McCullum for my comments and thank him for his understanding."

"I want to reinforce that I remain committed to Cricket Australia and Queensland Cricket and I look forward to putting this matter behind me so that I can focus on my cricket."

Symonds' future is expected to be discussed at a meeting of the Cricket Australia board scheduled for next Tuesday.
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Prime Minister's XI Beat New Zealand

January 30th 2009 06:39
A 153-run fourth-wicket partnership between Tasmanian batsman George Bailey and retired champion Justin Langer has steered the Prime Minister's XI to a six-wicket victory over New Zealand at Manuka Oval in Canberra.

Chasing 272 for victory, thanks to a superb century to Kiwi opener Brendon McCullum, Australia's emerging stars managed to record the win with 13 balls remaining.

Bailey hit an unbeaten 107 while Langer, coming in at No.6, showed he was still capable of mixing it at international level with a knock of 72.

This summer's domestic superstars Michael Klinger and Phil Hughes were dismissed for six and 22 respectively, failing to replicate their scintillating Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield and Ford Ranger Cup form against the visitors.

Jeetan Patel (2-51) was the leading wicket-taker for New Zealand while Iain O'Brien and Trent Boult took a wicket each.

George Bailey
George Bailey


Earlier, McCullum propelled New Zealand to 5-271 thanks to a glittering innings of 114.

The veteran wicketkeeper was well supported by Peter Fulton, who made 53 and combined with McCullum for a valuable 81-run second-wicket partnership.

Ross Taylor contributed a solid 38, while Grant Elliot ensured the total got above 270 with a quickfire 29 off just 23 balls.

Clint McKay was the pick of the PM XI bowlers, finishing with 3-52 from his 10 overs, while Moises Henriques and Jon Holland picked up a wicket each.
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Andrew Symonds will face a Cricket Australia hearing on Thursday. Cricket Australia has charged Andrew Symonds with making detrimental public comment after he made derogatory remarks about New Zealand player Brendon McCullum in a radio interview last week.

Symonds will face a Cricket Australia hearing on Thursday to explain his conduct during the radio interview last week.

The charge of making detrimental public comments is a breach of Cricket Australia's code of behaviour but Symonds' contract will not be under threat.

The maximum fine under the code is $5,750. A player can also be suspended, but Symonds is not currently part of the Australian squad.

Andrew Symonds


The Queensland all-rounder had knee surgery last month and is expected to make his return to domestic cricket in this week's Sheffield Shield game against Western Australia.

During last week's interview, Symonds was slurring his speech and made uncomplimentary remarks about McCullum.
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South Africa has defeated Australia and clinched the Commonwealth Bank Series with an emphatic eight-wicket win in game four at Adelaide Oval on Monday.

The Proteas made light work of their run chase, finishing at 2-223 with 11.5 overs to spare. It gives the tourists a 3-1 series advantage with only Friday’s game at the WACA to be played.

An unbeaten 144-run third-wicket partnership between AB de Villiers (82 off 85 deliveries) and Hashim Amla (80 from 103 deliveries) was the backbone to South Africa’s tally while opener Herschelle Gibbs released the pressure on the rest of the line up with a scintillating cameo of 38.

De Villiers, who won the man-of-the-match award, brought up the winning run with a leg-glance.

Hashim Amla South Africa
Hashim Amla


James Hope was the best of the Aussie bowlers with 1-28 off 7.1 overs while Ben Hilfenhaus was the other wicket taker. The rest of the attack was disappointing with the majority going home with some unflattering figures next to their name.

Gibbs faced just 29 balls, smashed eight boundaries and was the key player in the 58-run opening stand.

He eventually miscued one of several lofted drives and was caught by Mike Hussey at mid-on.

Jacques Kallis also made batting look easy but he was dismissed soon after and the score was 2-79.

Amla and de Villiers consolidated after the veteran’s dismissal, picking up the singles and the twos in the pursuing overs.

They then played with more flare with a mid-innings powerplay sparking a more aggressive approach.

The duo rarely strayed from the orthodox as time was on their side and the ever-decreasing run-rate ensured life out in the middle remained low key.

Earlier, Australia won the toss and batted but was bowled out for a below-par 222 in 48 overs.

The Aussies were in a strong position at 2-110 with top scorer Ricky Ponting (63 off 70 balls) and Mike Hussey controlling play and keeping the run-rate ticking over at around a run per ball.

But the team's leaders were dismissed in quick succession and when Brad Haddin followed soon after the home side was 5-130 at the 25-over mark.

It was then left to the tail to scramble as many runs as they could in the second half of the innings.

Hopes posted a responsible and well-timed 42 off 44 deliveries while Cameron White made a fighting 30 but got out chasing a wide Steyn delivery.

Wickets fell at regular intervals and many of the batsmen would’ve been disappointed with their dismissals rather than overwhelmed by the Proteas’ hard-working bowling attack.

Steyn had the best figures with 3-49 while Makhaya Ntini took some early punishment from Ponting but fought back to finish with 3-52. Captain Johan Botha delivered a retro, 80s-style bowling performance with a tight 2-28.

The Proteas got the early ascendancy against an aggressive Australia by dismissing openers David Warner and Shaun Marsh cheaply.

But Ponting launched a stinging counter attack with the skipper hitting Ntini out of the attack with a hat-trick of boundaries in the eighth over. He then kept the momentum going with another couple of fours off the opening bowler's replacement Albie Morkel.
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South Africa Win Third ODI

January 24th 2009 11:33
A brilliant exhibition of late hitting from Albie Morkel has sealed a comprehensive three-wicket victory for South Africa in game three of the Commonwealth Bank Series at the SCG on Friday.

Chasing 270 for victory after New South Welshman David Warner blasted a memorable 69 off 60 deliveries at the top of the Australian innings, Herschelle Gibbs (64) and Jacques Kallis (60) laid the platform for victory before Morkel again took advantage of the batting powerplay.

Having arrived at the crease needing 60 runs from as many balls, the clean-hitting lefty struck a whirlwind 40 off 22 to guide the tourists home with 19 balls to spare to clinch a 2-1 series lead.

Mark Boucher also played a vital role remaining unbeaten on 31 after coming to the crease with the game in the balance before the Proteas cruised to 7-270.

Hershelle Gibbs South Africa


Skipper Johan Botha, who kept the visitors in the contest with a superb spell of bowling returning figures of 3-32 from 10 overs, fittingly struck the winning runs.

Gibbs' half-century gave South Africa the start it was craving as the veteran opener blasted 10 boundaries and a six on his way to a rapid 64 off 52 deliveries.

Both openers received a life in the first over of the run-chase as first Ricky Ponting dropped Hashim Amla, before David Hussey put down a simple chance at backward point to let Gibbs off the hook and deny Shaun Tait (1-55) an early breakthrough.

Amla's stay came to an abrupt end with his score on 13 when a horrible mix-up between the wickets gifted Australia the breakthrough.

Gibbs, meanwhile, continued to look threatening blasting Mitchell Johnson (1-71) over the extra-cover fence, while Jacques Kallis was content to nudge the ball around bringing up 10,000 runs in one-day internationals along the way.

Momentum turned when Johnson removed Gibbs who edged to Michael Hussey at slip before Bracken (1-29) continued the revival removing De Villiers cheaply, also caught by Hussey at first slip.

Australia's chances were further strengthened when Nathan Hauritz bowled JP Duminy for nine, and when Tait had Kallis caught behind the Australians were right back in it.

Boucher and Neil McKenzie (27) set about rescuing the innings, putting on 46 runs before McKenzie was caught short of his ground attempting to steal a run on the arm of Warner.

But Morkel, who was not without luck as Tait dropped a diving chance with his score on 10, was up to the task.

Having won the toss and elected to bat, Australia appeared on course for a mammoth total but a steady flow of wickets saw the hosts bowled out for 269 in the final over.

The opening hour of play belonged to Warner who slammed six boundaries and two sixes to set the SCG alight and hand his side a dream start.


Warner's attack began in the fifth over blasting spearhead Dale Steyn (2-47) for 15 runs.

The visitors turned to Kallis (0-38) to try and stem the flow of runs but Warner showed the veteran all-rounder little respect sending his first delivery to the mid-wicket fence.

With momentum on their side the hosts opted to take their batting powerplay in the 17th over forcing Botha to bring Steyn back into the attack.

Despite the loss of both Warner and Shaun Marsh (43), the hosts made good use of the powerplay but the contest quickly turned in the visitors' favour when Australia lost 3-23 in a damaging six-over period.
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Andrew Symonds returned to training this morning at the Gabba, and announced his commitment to shed his trademark dreadlocks to support the Leukaemia Foundation and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

On Monday 16 February Symonds plans to shave his head live on the Today Show for the ‘World’s Greatest Shave’.

Symonds has accepted the challenge to have a lucky competition winner shave his hair, but only if he is able to raise $10,000 for these charities.

“Every person who donates through my profile page on www.worldsgreatestshave.com goes in the draw to shave my head,” said Symonds. “Any amount will make you eligible so donate now!”

Andrew Symonds Shaves Hair Cricket Cares


“The funds we raise will help the Leukaemia Foundation to provide practical care and support to patients and families living with leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders. The Leukaemia Foundation has generously offered to donate half of the funds raised through my profile page to The Royal Flying Doctors Service in recognition of my role as ambassador for this good cause.”

Every hour of every day, someone in Australia is diagnosed with leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma and every two hours, someone loses their life to these diseases.

For more information or to register to participate, go to www.worldsgreatestshave.com call 1800 500 088 today.
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Womens World Cup Squad

January 22nd 2009 11:12
Cricket Australia’s Women’s National Selection Panel (WNSP) has today announced Australia’s 15-player squad to contest the ICC Women’s World Cup from 7-22 March this year and defend the title Australia won in 2005.

The squad will also travel to New Zealand for a five-match Rose Bowl Series from 1-12 February before the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars play in a Twenty20 International against New Zealand at the SCG on 15 February.

The squad is:

Karen Rolton (c) (SA)
Alex Blackwell (vc) (NSW)
Sarah Andrews (NSW)
Jessica Cameron (VIC)
Leonie Coleman (NSW)
Lauren Ebsary (WA)
Rene Farrell (WA)
Jodie Fields (QLD)
Delissa Kimmince (QLD)
Shelley Nitschke (SA)
Erin Osborne (NSW)
Ellyse Perry (NSW)
Leah Poulton (NSW)
Emma Sampson (SA)
Lisa Sthalekar (NSW)

Womens World Cup Squad Australia


Commenting on the squad, WNSP Chairperson Marg Jennings said:

“The squad announced today is a dynamic outfit capable of defending the ICC Women’s World Cup, with two exciting players included in Australia’s senior squad for the first time.

“We have taken the opportunity to reward two young players for their performances in interstate cricket this season. Erin Osborne has performed brilliantly for the Wolf Blass Breakers in this year’s WNCL. She was the equal leading wicket-taker in the preliminary rounds and the WNSP believes she is a player who can play an important role in the Southern Stars attack.

“Jessica Cameron is another player with enormous talent. She has been an influential member of the Vic Spirit middle order this season and the WNSP will be looking for her to play a similar role for Australia.

“Two players in particular can feel unlucky to have missed selection. Kate Blackwell and Sarah Edwards have been regular members of the Australian team in previous seasons and while it’s obviously disappointing for both to miss selection for such an important tournament, the WNSP feels it has chosen well-balanced squad for the defence of the World Cup.

“Kirsten Pike has also missed selection. Her WNCL campaign was unfortunately cut short by a foot injury which made it extremely difficult for the WNSP to include her in the final squad.

“With a Rose Bowl Series against New Zealand and a Women’s Twenty20 international at the SCG to come before the World Cup, we are confident that the team will be well-prepared for the challenge of defending their title on home soil.”

Notes:

About the ICC Women’s World Cup

The ICC Women’s World Cup tournament will be played from 7-22 March in Sydney, Newcastle, Bowral and Canberra.

The 25-match tournament features the top eight teams in women’s cricket with Australia the number one seed and defending champion.

Tickets to ICC Women’s World Cup matches start at just $5 and a tournament pass can get you into all matches for only $35. For further information on the ICC Women’s World Cup, visit www.cricket.com.au/wwctickets.

Women’s Twenty20 at the SCG

Cricket fans will be served a double dose of trans-Tasman rivalry on Sunday 15 February with the of a men’s and women’s Twenty20™ double-header at the SCG.

In a repeat of the concept successfully pioneered by Cricket Australia earlier this year in Melbourne, the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars will play New Zealand before the men’s KFC Twenty20 International between the same nations on Sunday 15 February.

The world’s first men’s and women’s Twenty20 International double-header was contested at the MCG in February this year when the Australian and English women’s teams played before Australia and India’s clash in a KFC Twenty20 International.

It will be the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars’ last official match before they defend their ICC Women’s World Cup crown in Sydney.
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Cricket Australia today announced Justin Langer as captain of the Prime Minister’s XI when it plays against New Zealand on 29 January at Manuka Oval in Canberra.

The team also includes young New South Wales opener Phillip Hughes who has been a prolific run-scorer in the Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield. The team was selected by Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP) with input from Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd.

The Prime Minister’s XI team is:

Justin Langer, WA (Captain) 38
Phillip Hughes, NSW 20
Michael Klinger, SA 28
George Bailey, TAS 26
Tim Paine, TAS 24
Dan Christian, SA 25
Jon Holland, VIC 21
Callum Ferguson, SA 24
Clint McKay , VIC 25
Moises Henriques, NSW 21
Jason Behrendorff, ACT 18
Ashton May , ACT (12th man) 19

Prime Ministers XI Australia 2009


“Having a great Australian cricketer like Justin leading the PM’s XI will not only add great interest in the event but it will be fantastic to have him lead a group of young and talented Australian cricketers,” NSP Chairman, Andrew Hilditch said.

“There has been quite a lot of change in the Australian team in the last couple of years and this game provides yet another opportunity for young Australian players to push their case for selection.

“Michael Klinger and Phillip Hughes have both been in terrific form in domestic cricket with both batsmen among the top three run-scorers in the Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield. Phillip has gained the attention of the selectors at the top of the order while Michael is also one of the leading run getters in the Ford Ranger Cup.

“All of the young players have been performing well in their respective state teams including Moises Henriques, Callum Ferguson and George Bailey. Also picked is Victorian Jon Holland who has been impressive this year and is considered an exciting prospect as a left-arm finger spinner.”

All players have been selected with their domestic duties in mind which will see Queensland and Western Australian players rested for this game as they will play the night before in the Ford Ranger Cup.

“Few cricketers have worn the baggy green with such immense pride and distinction as Justin Langer. This is a great opportunity to again honour the momentous contribution he made to Australian cricket,” Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said.

“It is exciting also to see a young squad of emerging players given an opportunity on this stage, who we hope will go on to be our champions of tomorrow.”

Local players Jason Behrendorff and Ashton May will also get the opportunity to mix with the country’s best young talent. Jason is a left arm fast bowler, who was identified by Australian pace bowling coach, Troy Cooley, and selected in the Australian Honours squad from the National Under 19 carnival played in 2008

Ashton also caught the selectors’ eye with an impressive performance with the ACT Comets in the Cricket Australia Cup.

Langer is no stranger to Manuka Oval having being asked to captain the Prime Minister’s XI match after returning from injury during the West Indies tour in 2005.

“It is an honour to be asked to captain any Australian cricket team and leading the PM’s XI will be no different. When I last played at Manuka we didn’t get a result so I’m keen to help the Prime Minister chalk up his first win,” Langer said.

“With so much change taking place in the Australian team at the moment, this match provides some of our younger stars with a chance to hone their skills against another international team and show selectors they can mix it with the best. I’m sure the Black Caps will also be keen to find some form before they get stuck into the Commonwealth Bank Series as well.”
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Powerplay Rule Is Vital Factor

January 19th 2009 10:44
The powerplay rule is shaping as the new x-factor in one-day cricket after playing a starring role in the opening two matches of Australia's Commonwealth Bank series with South Africa.

The Proteas used their batting powerplay with devastating effect on Friday night and nearly pinched Sunday's game in Hobart, clubbing 43 runs at the death only to fall six short of victory.

By contrast, Australia could post only 23 during its powerplay, losing two wickets in the process.

The powerplay rule allows the bowling and batting captains to choose which five-over periods when no more than three fielders can be placed outside the circle.

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting said his team was yet to take full advantage of the rule.

Shaun Marsh
Shaun Marsh


He admitted he had erred on Sunday by not using the batting powerplay at around the 15-over mark when he and Shaun Marsh were in the midst of a 135-run partnership.

"Steyn and Ntini had both bowled six overs at that stage. If we took it then it would have forced them to bring those guys back and they would have had to bowl eight overs each by the 20-over mark and they would have been short at the back end," Ponting said.

"It's one of those rules that you have to be very flexible with and try and use it the best that you can to your advantage every time and today we didn't use it as best as we could have."

Ponting said he was a fan of the rule, introduced in 2005 to increase excitement during the middle overs of one-day innings.

"I think it's added a bit to the game, there's no doubt about that, especially if the batting team uses it effectively," he said.

"Even in Melbourne the other night it was pretty spectacular with them getting their 50 over the last five overs to win the game and they tried it again today and came up that little bit short."

"It's added an extra dimension to the game and it gives me a little bit more thinking to do out on the field which is not always a good thing."

The Proteas denied they had over-invested in the powerplay following their heroic feats in the opening game but admitted they may have been guilty of a lack of urgency during the middle part of their run chase.

"We discuss it before the time when we're going to take it (the powerplay)," Botha said.

"The last two games we've taken it quite late. It's been our plan so far and we'll have to chat about it for the next game."

"The guys out in the middle will think what's best and let us know and we'll come with something then."
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Australia overcame another potential powerplay roadblock to scrape home by five runs in the second Commonwealth Bank one-day international, against South Africa, at Bellerive Oval in Hobart.

In an eerily similar situation to Friday night, the Proteas, chasing 250 to take a two-nil series lead, required 60 runs from their final six overs when they initiated their batting powerplay.

But Mark Boucher, with 37 not out, and Albie Morkel, the Proteas' hero from the MCG, nearly pulled off the impossible with an unbeaten whirlwind stand of 39 off only 19 balls.

With 41 required from the final three overs, they heisted 15 and nine off the next two, bowled by Ben Hilfenhaus and Nathan Bracken, leaving an unlikely 17 off the final over to pinch victory.

Seven runs were still needed from the final two balls after Boucher slogged Hilfenhaus over mid-wicket for six but the Tasmanian quick held his nerve on the final two balls.

Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting


After Australia reached 9-249 on the back of half-centuries from Ricky Ponting and man of the match Shaun Marsh, the Proteas were on track for another against-the-odds victory thanks to a 93-run stand between Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers.

But Hilfenhaus's the reintroduction into the attack in the 35th over changed the complexion of the match.

Tantalisingly close to having Kallis caught behind with his first ball, Hilfenhaus had his man four deliveries later.

A tidy throw from the deep two overs later by debutant Ryan Harris caught de Villiers, who made 44, short of his ground chasing a second, leaving the Proteas with two new batsmen in the middle.

Even though Jean-Paul Duminy, run out by a cool Brad Haddin, made 35 at better than a run a ball before departing in the 47th over, a Proteas win seemed near impossible until Boucher and Morkel opened their arms.

A 135-run stand off 145 balls between Marsh and Ponting, who both made half-centuries, formed the nucleus of Australia's innings but their departures within minutes of each other saw the run rate head south rather than north.

The home side could garner only 92 runs in its final 20 overs, a period when most sides aim to double their score.

Nor was it helped by a lean batting powerplay which saw 23 runs added for the loss of two wickets.

Ponting, who arrived after new kid on the block David Warner failed on his one-day international debut, mixed the streaky with sublime in an eventful 64.

Ponting was troubled early by Ntini, who unleashed two searing lifters which whistled past the captain's grille.

Unafraid to hit over the top, Ponting was abetted by dropped chances from Neil McKenzie when on 10, then by Ntini in the deep on 50.

Interspersed with his good fortune were some delightful strokes, the highlight of which was a flick off his pads off Kallis which split a narrow gap in the deep.

Marsh, though batting more cautiously, also had his share of worrying moments.

He recovered from a nasty blow to the groin, which left him on his haunches for several minutes, to post his second consecutive half-century and fifth from 10 matches.

Given a life on 51 by Johan Botha, Marsh made it to 78 before being deceived by Duminy, whose gentle off-spin along with the pace of Ntini and Steyn stifled Australia in the latter overs.

Michael Hussey, David Hussey and Haddin made small contributions but could not produce the fireworks to give Australia the impetus it needed at the death.
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As Female Cricket Ambassadors, Kate Blackwell, Alex Blackwell Delissa Kimmence and Ellyse Perry have the opportunity to travel far and wide raising public awareness of females in cricket and the profile of the Southern Stars.

Ellyse and Delissa kicked off 2009 with some pretty amazing activities, the biggest so far was an opportunity to meet the Prime Minster of Australia, The Hon Kevin Rudd PM, at the New Year’s Test in Sydney.

On Friday 2nd January, Ellyse joined teammate Lisa Sthalekar at the SCG for an in2Cricket activity day with local club juniors. The Aussie men’s team entertained over 60 kids during their fielding session on the SCG with high catches and fielding drills inspiring the youngsters to greatness before they took to the field for modified in2CRICKET activities. Ellyse and Lisa took part in the activities followed by some interviews, a bbq lunch and a signing session. They were joined later in the day by special guest, wicket-keeper Brad Haddin, who was also a big hit with the juniors.
Signing session.

Ellyse Perry Delissa Kimmince PM Kevin Rudd Kate Ellis
Ellyse Perry and Delissa Kimmince with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Sports Minister Kate Ellis


Delissa jumped a plane from Queensland on Saturday 3rd and arrived at the Sydney Cricket Ground for the iconic New Year’s Day test. Along with Ellyse, the Ambassadors circled the ground, working through a full schedule of social and promotional activities that was prepared for them.

The Ambassadors began the day as guests at the function hosted jointly by the SCG Trust, Cricket NSW and Cricket Australia in the recently opened Victor Trumper Stand. Distinguished guests included Australia’s political figure-heads Her Excellency Quentin Bryce, Governor General of Australia and the Prime Minister, The Hon Kevin Rudd, and some of the biggest names in Australian cricket, including members of the 1948 Invincibles team and Steve Waugh.

During the lunch break, the Ambassadors took their frocks down to the pitch for an on-ground interview, shadowed by the impressive ICC Women’s World Cup trophy, before returning to the function for a well-earned meal and formal speeches by the SCG Trust, Cricket Australia and Cricket NSW.

The opportunity to meet and be photographed with the Prime Minister and Federal Minister for Sport, The Hon Kate Ellis MP then presented itself and the group took to the balcony where they were all smiles - receiving rousing applause from the public sitting below watching the spectacle of the gleaming trophy, stunning Ambassadors and an obviously proud Prime Minister.

A quick trip around the ground to the Media Centre and the pair launched into some interviews with recently appointed Women’s World Cup Ambassadors, Ian Healy and Belinda Clark.

Next it was off to an interview by Glenn Mitchell on ABC Grandstand during the Tea break. Discussing all things international cricket, the Ambassadors shared their expectations of the team ahead of the Rose Bowl series and also as defending champions of the World Cup. Both pressing claims for selection in the WWC team to be announced later this month.

The shadows were growing long and it was off to the airport for Delissa, and an afternoon in the stands for Ellyse who caught a few quiet overs of final session on Day 1.

Ellyse and Lisa Sthalekar met up again at the lunch break on Day 3 of the New Year’s Test to share their thoughts on the upcoming ICC Women’s World Cup with Ian Healy and the Channel 9 Cricket Show.

All credit to the Female Cricket Ambassadors and Southern Stars players who certainly learned the real meaning of the old saying “there’s no such thing as a free lunch”! The worked tirelessly this week to spread the message of the inaugural ICC Women’s World Cup, exciting the public to be a part of the action on 8th March when Australia meets New Zealand in the opening match at North Sydney Oval.

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David Warner Replaces Michael Clarke

January 17th 2009 09:19
The Cricket Australia National Selection Panel (NSP) has today advised that David Warner will replace Michael Clarke in Australia’s Commonwealth Bank Series squad for Sunday’s match against South Africa at Bellerive Oval.

Warner has been called into the squad for tomorrow’s match against South Africa at Bellerive Oval in Hobart, with Clarke to rest his injured thumb for two weeks in an attempt to play in the Commonwealth Bank Series against New Zealand.

Australian team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said:

“When Michael arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday, it was evident that after one weeks rest the pain in his thumb had decreased enough for him to bat at training the following day.

David Warner


“However during last night’s match, he experienced pain while batting. It was the first time that he had batted without an injection since suffering the injury during the 3 Mobile Test match at the WACA.

“While Michael could continue to play with pain-relieving injections, this will ultimately slow his recovery. As a result, it was decided that he will now rest for two weeks, after which point he will be reviewed by Cricket Australia medical staff with the plan for him to be available for the Commonwealth Bank Series against New Zealand.”

“With an important Test series against South Africa starting in four weeks, this is the best course of action.”

NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch said:

“This is obviously very disappointing for Michael and his presence will be sorely missed. However it presents an exciting opportunity for David Warner to follow his spectacular Twenty20 debut in the 50-over format for Australia.”
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Phil Jaques Delays Return

January 16th 2009 09:00
Forgotten Test opener Phil Jaques has decided to delay his return from back surgery by another week based on medical advice.

The New South Welshman was hopeful of having his first competitive hit-out this week for club side Sutherland since having a bulging disc operated on in October.

But the 29-year-old experienced some discomfort last week which led to his surgeon recommending he give himself another week to recover before putting his back to the test.

Jaques was forced to leave last year's tour of India early in order to go under the knife on October 20.

Phil Jaques


The usual recovery time needed for such an operation is three months and with the recent retirement of Matthew Hayden, Jaques will no doubt be desperate to prove his fitness in time for the South African and English tours in the coming months.

Before leaving the subcontinent prematurely due to his injury, Jaques had been in good form for Australia hitting a ton and a half-century in the three-Test series against the West Indies in the Caribbean.

Late in 2007 he scored his sixth consecutive Test score of at least 50 but a duck at Sydney early last year stopped him from equalling the record of seven in a row.
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Michael Clarke Fit To Play

January 15th 2009 08:47
Despite some ongoing soreness, Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke has passed a fitness test on his injured thumb and will line up in the opening match in the ODI Commonwealth Bank Series against South Africa at the MCG on Friday night.

Twenty20 sensation David Warner, who had been placed on standby for Clarke, has been released from the Australian squad and was expected to return to Sydney on Thursday afternoon.

Queensland quick Ryan Harris has been left out of the 12 named for Friday night's match, with the make-up of the final 11 to be determined, according to skipper Ricky Ponting, by the conditions.

Michael Clarke Fit To Play


Clarke underwent a 30-minute test at the MCG on Thursday morning before joining his team mates in the nets.

"He'll be fine to play," said Ponting. "He's completed all his training well today."

"He's still got a bit of discomfort in his thumb but he's had that from the start of the Perth Test match and got through really well."

"It's good signs for us that he's fit for selection."

Ponting said he could feel the momentum building for Australia through the Test win in Sydney followed by successive Twenty20 victories over South Africa coming off the Test series loss to the tourists.

He said he didn't expect the Australians would have too much trouble adjusting to the ODI series in the wake of the back-to-back Twenty20s.

But he agreed that Twenty20 cricket will have a growing influence generally on the way the 50-over game is played.

Ponting said the Australians will need to be at their best to take out the Commonwealth Bank Series but he believes the squad is talented enough in the absence of injured regulars such as Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson and Brett Lee, to perform well.

"The energy and enthusiasm of some of the young guys around out squad has been terrific," Ponting said.

"We've got a very flexible squad, a lot of versatility around our group at the moment which is a massive bonus for 50-over cricket."

"Everything's heading in the right direction as far as our 50-over cricket is concerned."
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South Africa has already claimed this summer's Test series against Australia, but knocking off the home team in the one-day series will prove a harder task.

Friday's opening match in Melbourne will be the first time the two sides have clashed in a 50-over match since the semi-final of the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean.

Australia crushed the Proteas on that occasion, winning by seven wickets with more than 18 overs to spare, but both teams have since changed significantly.

Gone from the Australian side are opening pair Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden, spinner Brad Hogg and champion paceman Glenn McGrath.

Six of the 13 players in the current squad have played 21 matches or fewer.

With regular one-day players Andrew Symonds and Brett Lee sidelined, there are many spots in the Australian side up for grabs.

Nathen Bracken
Nathen Bracken


Nathan Bracken, Shaun Tait and Ben Hilfenhaus will be Australia's first-choice pace attack but Queensland's Ryan Harris can expect to make his international debut sometime during the five-match series.

But that is the only area of the team which appears to pick itself.

Shaun Marsh appears to have one opener's berth secured after making a promising start to his international career in the Caribbean last year.

Other options include vice-captain Michael Clarke, who usually bats at No.4, and all-rounder James Hopes, who have both opened in the past.

Ponting, Clarke, should he not open, and Michael Hussey are all experienced batsmen in the middle order while the hard-hitting David Hussey has the weaponry and nerve to fill the spot left vacant by Symonds.

Hopes appears to be the premier one-day all-rounder but is at the mercy of pitch conditions and team balance.

Cameron White's ability to clear the pickets in the final overs will be invaluable but his inconsistent bowling will count against him.

As the only recognised spinner in the side, Nathan Hauritz can expect game time this series, especially on turning wickets.

The Proteas, who readily admit they are in a transitional period ahead of the 2011 World Cup, have lost experienced pacemen Shaun Pollock and Charl Langeveldt in the past year.

Test trio Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Makhaya Ntini will be rotated, the Proteas have already confirmed, giving opportunities to youngsters such as Wayne Parnell and Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

Herschelle Gibbs returns to the set-up after losing his Test berth last year and, at nearly 35 years of age, his career is on the line should he not deliver.

One player who has already seized his opportunity is budding star Jean-Paul Duminy.

Excellent in the two Twenty20 matches after a superb Test series, Duminy will have no problem adjusting to 50-over cricket.

"We're probably nowhere near the finished article in one-day cricket," coach Mickey Arthur said.

"Obviously our goal in one-day cricket is to be that in two years' time when the World Cup comes about."

"I see it as a very exciting phase for us. I see it as an exciting challenge for our younger players."
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Under 18 Female Talent Camp Squad

January 15th 2009 07:49
Cricket Australia (CA) has announced a 24-player list for a three-day under-18 talent camp to be conducted at the Cricket Australia Centre of Excellence in January.

The camp will be conducted at the CA Centre of Excellence from 20 to 23 January.

Players have been selected by the National Youth Selection Panel comprising Julie Savage (Chair), Joanne Broadbent, Avril Fahey and Richard McInnes after observing performances through the National Uunder-15, 17, 19 Championships and CA Women’s Cup matches this season.

CA Logo Under 18 Female Talent Camp Squad


The Under-18 Female Talent Camp squad:

Sarah Coyte NSW
Molly Strano VIC
Emma King WA
Lisa Griffith NSW
Tamara Clapton SA
Jessica Jonassen QLD
Beth Mooney QLD
Angela Reakes NSW
Cassie Brock VIC
Kaitlyn Fryett TAS
Keagan Tucker NSW
Hayley Pattison QLD
Kate Waetford NSW
Erica Kershaw VIC
Clair Koski NSW
Meg Lanning VIC
Rhiannon Dick NSW
Nicole Curtis QLD
Emilee Preston ACT
Katie Mack NSW
Selena Tainton QLD
Kara Sutherland NSW
Sammy-Jo Johnston ACT
Kathryn Jenkin QLD

General Manager Cricket Michael Brown said: “Following the National Underage Championships, this Talent Camp at the CA Centre of Excellence provides the selected players with a great opportunity to experience to develop their skills around some of the best coaches in the country.

“The CA high performance pathway continues to be a world-leader for producing interstate and national cricketers and we hope to unearth some more young talent here.

“The facilities at the CA COE are first-class and I’m sure the players will enjoy the challenges, and benefit from the experience.”
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Victorian Cameron White still has much work left to do before cementing his place in Australia's one-day side, the all-rounder said on Wednesday.

But more performances of the ilk of Tuesday night, when he hit a whirlwind 40 off only 18 balls in Australia's Twenty20 win over South Africa, will do his cause no harm.

Although White is a hard-hitting batsman capable of clearing the pickets, his inconsistent leg-spin bowling is a major obstacle standing in his way of becoming a regular Australian one-day player.

Since being challenged by captain Ricky Ponting to fill the mantle as Australia's No.1 one-day spinner last June following the retirement of Brad Hogg, White has taken five wickets at 15.2 apiece in five matches.

Victorian Cameron White


But since returning from India in November, the Victorian captain has bowled only 40 overs for his state in all three forms of the game for seven wickets, four of which came in a Twenty20 match.

White said he saw himself as a batting all-rounder.

"I'm not really sure to be honest," he said.

"I'm happy to play anywhere they want. If I do play, probably somewhere in the middle and probably mainly as a batter, and bowl if needed."

"I'm not taking anything for granted that's for sure."

"I feel as though I'm under pressure every time I play for Australia, looking for the performances to cement my spot."
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Cricket Australia is pleased to announce a partnership with UAE based company Fourth Dimension International Limited that will see Cricket Australia develop a Cricket Education Program for delivery in educational institutions initially in India.

Plans are already being developed by Fourth Dimension International Limited and Cricket Australia to expand this innovative Program into countries such as South Africa, Canada and China in the future, as well as selected countries in the Middle East, Europe and other parts of Asia.

The Fourth Dimension International Cricket Education Program is a six year progressive competency based program with participants undergoing cricket development activities and learning in addition to their regular schooling. School students from 10 to 15 years will learn about the breadth and depth of cricket, from playing and umpiring, to coaching and administration. Students completing the International Cricket Education Program will learn the intricacies of the game along with the business of cricket.

Cricket Australia Announces International Education Program


The first Programs to run in India are likely to take place in schools in Mumbai. Representatives from Fourth Dimension International Limited and Podar Enterprise were recently in Melbourne to finalise the agreement between Cricket Australia and Fourth Dimension International Limited. Pictured above, Ranjeet Prakash representing Fourth Dimension International Limited (left) and Rajiv Podar from Podar Enterprise (Centre), recently met with Cricket Australia’s General Manager of Game Development Damien Bown (left) to sign the agreement and celebrate the strengthening of Australia-India relations through cricket.

Under this agreement, Cricket Australia will take responsibility for developing a Program that will enable Fourth Dimension International Limited to set up a sustainable infrastructure for cricket coaching, umpiring and administration. After commencing in Mumbai, the Program will move to other parts of India in the near future. International Cricket Education Program will see successful students achieve the Diploma of Cricket from Cricket Australia and Fourth Dimension International Limited.

Cricket Australia’s General Manager of Game Development Damien Bown sees this Program as a logical extension of Australian cricket’s emerging presence globally: “The Australian cricket playing, coaching, umpiring and administration infrastructures are highly regarded on the world stage. This partnership with Fourth Dimension International Limited will not only see Cricket Australia supporting cricket’s growth globally, but will also provide new opportunities for cricket to continue to grow its investment in grassroots participation, volunteering, coaching, umpiring and administration – which is critical to securing the next generation of cricket’s players and fans”.
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Matthew Hayden has nominated Australia's most recent Ashes triumph, World Cup wins and his partnerships and friendships formed with fellow Australian cricketers as some of the personal highlights he will cherish the most.

Hayden, speaking after announcing his retirement, was at first coy when talking about his recollections of his 15-years international career.

"There's a book of them," Hayden replied when asked about his favourite cricket memories.

"If you were to ask me what the highlight of my personal career would be, I think my answer would be playing in the Australian cricket team for the last decade and the absolute highs and highs of winning series."

Matthew Hayden Nominates Personal Highlights


"It's a wonderful achievement to play one Test match ... I feel very privileged to be in a position where I've had longevity because I've experienced the enormity of the experience in the longer term."

The 37-year-old opened up when talking about Australia's effort to regain the Ashes in the 2006-07 series, which it took out 5-0.

"Team highlights have been phenomenal, Ashes victories both home and away," he said.

"The last one here at home was particularly rewarding because our backs were up against the wall, we had a changing of the guard to a smaller degree, but we had great passion and energy going into that domestic summer."

"The one before in 2001 we retained the Ashes in 11 days, it was a ridiculous thumping, but this was a good side on our soil which had great confidence and had tasted victory."

The opener, who plundered 659 runs at an average of 73.22 to be the best batsmen at the 2007 World Cup, also nominated his side's successes in the one-day format as something exceptional.

"The World Cup victories were phenomenal achievements, there were headlines going around that Australia was unbeatable and it was boring to watch," he said.

"Both the World Cup campaigns, these are times which I'm sure will be cherished and will be highlights of cricketing agendas for decades to come ... but to be a part of it is just amazing."

"We'll never forget them."

Hayden paid special tribute to the captaincy of Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh, along with the efforts of Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist and Justin Langer amongst others.

"The wizardry of Warne spinning it past the off stump of batsmen, (and I was fortunate to be) standing there in the grandstand position of first slip (to watch it)," he said.

"To be there with the McGraths, the Gillespies, and the gutsy players like your Bichels and Kasprowiczs that have run in and just bowled their heart out for decades."

"The partnerships that I have forged with someone like 'Gilly' (Gilchrist), who statistically cannot be defined because it just does not do his skill-set justice, sitting there watching the way that he plays was just a front-row seat to a highlights package."

"The determination, the ruggedness and desire of Justin Langer, just such a quality human being and I feel so privileged to have played with him."

"To share something like Justin retiring, Warney retiring, 'Gilly' retiring, they are memories that you never get back."

Hayden nominated legendary West Indian new-ball duo Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh as the best bowlers he had faced in combination, with Harbhajan Singh and Muttiah Muralitharan the best spin bowlers he had dealt with.

"Your (Allan) Donalds, (Shaun) Pollocks of South Africa, there have just been so many guys that we've competed with over a long period of time that have been the masters of their game," he said.
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Mike Hussey Guides Australia To Victory

January 14th 2009 00:34
A crowd of 37,457 has witnessed Australia take a 2-0 clean sweep of the KFC Twenty20 international series with a gritty six-wicket win over Proteas at the Gabba on Tuesday night.

A maiden Twenty20 half-century from Mike Hussey, who was handed a life when on two courtesy of a missed stumping by South African keeper Mark Boucher, saw the hosts overhaul South Africa's total of 5-157 with seven deliveries left.

Hussey joined skipper Ricky Ponting at the crease with their side precariously placed at 2-29 in the seventh over and proceed to slam five boundaries and one booming six in a gutsy unbeaten knock of 53 runs from 32 balls.

Ponting (38) and Hussey put on 61 runs, but just as they looked to be taking control of the match, Morne Morkel struck twice for the visitors in the 13th over.

Mike Hussey Australia


Morkel found Ponting short of his ground with a skilful piece of fielding from his own bowling before JP Duminy held onto a spectacular catch in the deep to see David Hussey out for two.

Four overs later Duminy turned from hero to villain for the visitors, misjudging a catch in the deep when slugger Cameron White was on nine.

It was the first of four consecutive boundaries from White as Australia jumped into the box seat, requiring 17 runs from the final three overs.

From there the hosts eased towards their target, with White dispatching Morkel for a huge six to bring up the required runs and move his personal score to an impressive 40 runs off 18 balls.

Earlier Duminy's second half-century in as many games played a lone hand propping up the Proteas total of 5-157.

Promoted to No.3 in the absence of AB de Villiers and fresh from a sparkling 78 at the MCG, Duminy continued his one-man show with a gutsy knock of 69 off 41 balls that featured seven boundaries and two sixes.

But Duminy received little support, with Hashim Amla (26), Mark Boucher (19) and Albie Morkel (19) the only other men to make it into double figures for the visitors.

In reply, David Warner, fresh from cracking 89 runs off only 43 balls on Sunday night at the MCG, could not repeat his clean-striking heroics in Brisbane, clean bowled by Dale Steyn for seven in the fifth over.

Opening partner Shaun Marsh (15) joined him in the change rooms soon after when, shooting for a six, he gave South African skipper Johan Botha a tough catch at mid-on.

Ponting and Hussey initially struggled to keep the runs flowing and at the halfway point of the Australian innings, they had reached 2-56 and required a challenging 10.2 runs an over off the final ten.

Ponting went but Hussey proved up to the task as he and White put on an unbeaten 69 for the fifth wicket.
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Matthew Hayden Honoured

January 14th 2009 00:13
Matthew Hayden has been honoured in spectacular style at the Gabba, performing a lap of honour during the innings break at the Twenty20 international between South Africa and Australia in Brisbane on Tuesday night.

Hayden, accompanied by his three children, was greeted with a standing ovation from the sell-out crowd at his home ground as he made his way around the Gabba in a blue Mustang.

Speaking to Channel Nine, the 37-year-old described the humbling sign of admiration from the crowd he 'loved playing in front of' as 'overwhelming'.

As a sea of camera flashes from spectators lit up the Gabba, Hayden showed he still had plenty of trademark quick wit, saying the only thing missing was a photo of him in the Mustang.

Matthew Hayden Honoured


The message from the tens of thousands of fans that turned out to salute the legendary opening batsman was clear, one of gratitude for the 15 years of service to Australian cricket.

A simple but effective message of 'Thanks Matt' was displayed on the scoreboard, while plenty of fans brought banners of their own, with one labeling 'Hayden the Gabba God'.

As a sign of respect, a number of senior South African players made their way over to shake hands with Hayden before the resumption of play.

The whole Australian Twenty20 squad gave Hayden a standing ovation earlier today when the Queenslander announced his retirement to the media.
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Matthew Hayden Praised

January 14th 2009 00:08
Former teammates and cricket officials have joined the chorus of praise directed at retiring opening batsman Matthew Hayden.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting was full of admiration for the champion opener as he bowed out of international cricket, describing the big Queenslander as a 'huge loss' to the Australian dressing room.

"Taking his 30 Test hundreds out of it and his average of 50 and all that, he's a massive loss for our dressing room, there's no doubt about that," Ponting said.

"We'll all miss him greatly, as an experienced guy around the team and obviously a great mate."

Matthew Hayden Retires


Ponting was also quick to cement Hayden's place in the pantheon of champion openers.

"I don't think there is any doubt about that (being Australia's best opener), you can even look back through the history books of the game and try and see if there has ever been a better opening batsman in the game, let alone Australia," he said.

"His opening partnership with Justin (Langer) in Test cricket will always be remembered as something very special."

Fast bowling legend Glen McGrath also paid tribute to his former teammate.

"It's been an absolute honour and a privilege to play with him and even more so to call him a mate," McGrath said.

"And to me Matty is a legend of the game; he's got nothing left to prove, his career stands alone."

"Hopefully now we'll be able to spend a bit more time together off the field."

Queensland Cricket's senior officials have lauded the contribution Matthew Hayden made to domestic cricket.

Chairman Damien Mullins described Hayden's as a 'wonderful career'.

"Matthew Hayden has, through his outstanding performances, earned the admiration and respect of the Queensland cricket public. He is truly one of the legends of Queensland sport," Mullins said.

"In Sheffield Shield cricket, only Sir Donald Bradman scored more runs in fewer matches than Hayden."
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Queensland allrounder Ryan Harris has replaced Peter Siddle in Australia's Commonwealth Bank Series squad after the Victorian fast bowler was forced to withdraw with a foot injury.

Siddle has been ruled out of the entire series against South Africa after scans revealed the early stages of mild stress in his left foot.

Team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris confirmed Siddle will need to rest to allow the foot time to heel but expects a speedy recovery.

"He had previous pain in his left foot which became worse during the Test Series against South Africa," he said.

Peter Siddle Australia
Peter Siddle


"Peter needs a short period of rest before resuming bowling which we anticipate will be in a further two weeks but he is expected to take part in the Commonwealth Bank Series against New Zealand in February."

David Warner has also been placed on standby for the Commonwealth Bank Series while Michael Clarke has an assessment on his injured right thumb.

Harris was close to making his debut in Australian colours in the Twenty20 clash against South Africa at the Gabba on Tuesday only to be made 12th man.
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