After Adam Gilchrist’s monstrous innings of 83 runs off only 50 deliveries, Australia’s top-middle order batsman failed to deliver as he did and has resulted in a loss to Sri-Lanka, who played their final game of the Commonwealth Bank Series tonight.
The visitors clinched a 13 run victory that, with no excuses, we should have won but our key batsman have yet again come out lacking the runs having only just recently shown their dominant form regained.
Sri-Lanka shovelled their way to reach 221 all out in front of another lively MCG crowd on a beautiful Melbourne evening.
Nathan Bracken (4/24) showed once again why he is becoming the stability point of Australia’s bowling attack in maintaining his place as the top wicket taker in this tournament.
He was well supported by Brad Hogg (1/33 in 10) and James Hopes (1/32) who was consistently brilliant with ball, fielding and batting.
Brett Lee (2/55) and Mitchell Johnson (1/54) both proved costly in their respective spells.
Sri-Lanka managed to smash a valuable 35 runs off the final 5 overs.
What started off as a match winning opening stance with Adam Gilchrist and James Hopes, soon collapsed into a very embarrassing batting display which forced the tail order to try steer us home…which they nearly did!
Hopes (28) played a great anchor role in ensuring Adam Gilchrist lashed out his trademark batting display. Gilly pulverised 11 fours and 2 sixes in his innings of 83. He was fighting to conquer Matthew Hayden’s record for the fastest century, which was off 66 deliveries against South Africa in the 2007 World Cup.
Gilly spoilt us with cover drives, pulls, sweeps, wide late cuts and wild swinging with expert timing. He got a memorable standing ovation from the Melbourne crowd as he departed the field for his final time.
However after Hopes’ very soft dismissal, where Muralitharan bowled him a delivery that just clipped the edge of his off-stump and saw the bail sail to the floor, we lost a lot of momentum.
Clarke (0), Ponting (1), Symonds (0), Hussey (5) and Haddin (7) all failed to reach double figures which tells the story of our middle orders evening at the pitch.
The pressure mounted and the momentum was captured by Mahela Jayawardene and his team.
Brett Lee (37) and Brad Hogg (21) fought hard to make a stand off and see Aussie home but they just couldn’t quite finish it off.
Nathan Bracken chipped in with a bold 14*.
In the end we fell 13 short of a victory as Binga was bowled off Jayasuriya’s first delivery in the 49th over.
No excuses for our middle order. Simply a poor performance by our top-middle order has seen us fall short of a victory that would have set us up with some great fire to head into the first final against India.
However, on obvious terms if our top order can pull off ODI starts like tonight and our middle order capitalises on such brilliant opening stands, we can win this final Triangular series in Australian cricket.
Do I think Australia’s crown is slipping as I have been asked before?
No, synergy is the key to performances in any industry and in cricket as we saw tonight; if our key players don’t perform it intensifies the game at hand. And that is the way sport goes and Sri-Lanka take full credit for taking the opportunity in its stride after both Hopes and Gilchrist were back in the pavilion. The main thing is we peak at the right time…that time is now!
The three finals in the last Commonwealth Bank Triangular series will commence on Sunday as we take on India at the SCG.
It has been a long and very controversial period between Aussie and the Indians. Relationships have been strained and the best thing will be to see this series out, with some good cricket, quality performances in the spirit if the game and an Australian victory.
To see Haydos in action again at the battlefront against India…what a sight that will be as he punishes that ball into the stands of the SCG!
29 February 2008
27 February 2008
BRAD HOGG (AND HIS TONGUE) ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM INTERNATIONAL CRICKET
Another retirement shock from the Australian cricket camp has hit the cricket world today.
This time its Australia’s animated spinner Brad Hogg.
Hoggy has decided he will call it a day after the current Commonwealth Bank series.
He will join Adam Gilchrist in retiring from Cricket at the end of the series. Both are Western Australian Cricketers too.
Other Aussie’s who have recently retired are Michael Kasprowicz, Matthew Elliott and Jimmy Maher.
Hoggy made a statement in which he said;
"I just love that I've been part of it and played alongside these guys."
"These guys have been champions and to be part of such a strong team has been fantastic."
"The cricketing public have all wanted to do that and I was in those rooms."
"I've just had a wonderful time and I didn't have any regrets which is the main thing."
"I've had a real bloody good run at it and I'm really happy with what I've achieved. I'm going out on a high with my team-mates in my home country."
Hoggy and his wife are also expecting their third child and he stated there are personal matters to see to now in his life.
He plans in studying a Business Degree and to see what other opportunities are out there.
One trademark many will remember with him is that tongue that is always sticking out the side of his mouth, be it on the team balcony, behind the batting helmet grill, on the grass fielding or working up some magic with his spin bowling.
At 37 years of age and such a hard working cricketer Hoggy has had some good highlights in his career. Hard work has been a key to his recognition as a spinner for Aussie cricket.
Whilst Hoggy hasn’t been to many a jaw dropping, eye opening cricketer he has certainly done his part for his team.
He represented Aussie at 3 World Cup tournaments and was apart of the winning 2003/07 winning squads.
Hogg’s 2007 World Cup campaign was some of the best spin bowling I have seen him deliver and has had some very ferocious innings’ with the bat in hand. He smashed a 40 run innings off just 15 deliveries against Scotland in that World Cup. He was a big factor in the 2007 World Cup victory with the ball.
He surprised us with a 79 run innings at the SCG against India in the boxing day Test, in his recall to test cricket after a long drought in not wearing the Baggy Green cap and a few other innings in the lower-middle order where he redeemed Aussie’s totals.
His wrongun delivery has caused a lot of problems amongst opposition teams and has picked up the key wickets of many great cricketers in crucial match situations. Hoggy also gives his full commitment in the field and took one of my top 10 best catches of all time, in an ODI against South Africa back in 2006.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zrp8RyGLmYY
Despite his average performances against India this summer in Australia, there are still 4 games to go for Aussie in the Commonwealth Bank Series and it would be great if Hoggy can go out with a bang.
A good sportsman and I wish him and his family all the best for their future! Hopefully he won’t be a stranger to Aussie cricket!
On a more controversial note Matthew Hayden is to be charged after he referred to Harbhajan Singh as an ‘obnoxious little weed’ during a radio interview.
I quote from an online article, ‘Hayden was charged under Rule 9 of CA's Code of Behaviour, which prohibits detrimental public comment.’
Whilst Hayden as a senior player should have known better than to make such a remark in alignment with his contract nature, Singh has been the fuse in a lot of the issues we have seen since Australia’s Future Cup tour to India last year.
The comment I imagine was as a result of possible frustration over Singh’s constant whining and sneaky comment antics.
So we will hear soon what’s the verdict on this matter but the main thing I look forward to now is seeing Adam Gilchrist spoil us with some of his quality-entertaining cricket in his final matches and now alongside him Brad Hogg.
These final matches for them representing Australia will be the three finals of the Commonwealth Bank Series that I am sure should provide some very intense and exciting cricket between Aussie and India!
This time its Australia’s animated spinner Brad Hogg.
Hoggy has decided he will call it a day after the current Commonwealth Bank series.
He will join Adam Gilchrist in retiring from Cricket at the end of the series. Both are Western Australian Cricketers too.
Other Aussie’s who have recently retired are Michael Kasprowicz, Matthew Elliott and Jimmy Maher.
Hoggy made a statement in which he said;
"I just love that I've been part of it and played alongside these guys."
"These guys have been champions and to be part of such a strong team has been fantastic."
"The cricketing public have all wanted to do that and I was in those rooms."
"I've just had a wonderful time and I didn't have any regrets which is the main thing."
"I've had a real bloody good run at it and I'm really happy with what I've achieved. I'm going out on a high with my team-mates in my home country."
Hoggy and his wife are also expecting their third child and he stated there are personal matters to see to now in his life.
He plans in studying a Business Degree and to see what other opportunities are out there.
One trademark many will remember with him is that tongue that is always sticking out the side of his mouth, be it on the team balcony, behind the batting helmet grill, on the grass fielding or working up some magic with his spin bowling.
At 37 years of age and such a hard working cricketer Hoggy has had some good highlights in his career. Hard work has been a key to his recognition as a spinner for Aussie cricket.
Whilst Hoggy hasn’t been to many a jaw dropping, eye opening cricketer he has certainly done his part for his team.
He represented Aussie at 3 World Cup tournaments and was apart of the winning 2003/07 winning squads.
Hogg’s 2007 World Cup campaign was some of the best spin bowling I have seen him deliver and has had some very ferocious innings’ with the bat in hand. He smashed a 40 run innings off just 15 deliveries against Scotland in that World Cup. He was a big factor in the 2007 World Cup victory with the ball.
He surprised us with a 79 run innings at the SCG against India in the boxing day Test, in his recall to test cricket after a long drought in not wearing the Baggy Green cap and a few other innings in the lower-middle order where he redeemed Aussie’s totals.
His wrongun delivery has caused a lot of problems amongst opposition teams and has picked up the key wickets of many great cricketers in crucial match situations. Hoggy also gives his full commitment in the field and took one of my top 10 best catches of all time, in an ODI against South Africa back in 2006.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zrp8RyGLmYY
Despite his average performances against India this summer in Australia, there are still 4 games to go for Aussie in the Commonwealth Bank Series and it would be great if Hoggy can go out with a bang.
A good sportsman and I wish him and his family all the best for their future! Hopefully he won’t be a stranger to Aussie cricket!
On a more controversial note Matthew Hayden is to be charged after he referred to Harbhajan Singh as an ‘obnoxious little weed’ during a radio interview.
I quote from an online article, ‘Hayden was charged under Rule 9 of CA's Code of Behaviour, which prohibits detrimental public comment.’
Whilst Hayden as a senior player should have known better than to make such a remark in alignment with his contract nature, Singh has been the fuse in a lot of the issues we have seen since Australia’s Future Cup tour to India last year.
The comment I imagine was as a result of possible frustration over Singh’s constant whining and sneaky comment antics.
So we will hear soon what’s the verdict on this matter but the main thing I look forward to now is seeing Adam Gilchrist spoil us with some of his quality-entertaining cricket in his final matches and now alongside him Brad Hogg.
These final matches for them representing Australia will be the three finals of the Commonwealth Bank Series that I am sure should provide some very intense and exciting cricket between Aussie and India!
26 February 2008
BRETT LEE RECEIVES ALLAN BORDER MEDAL 2008!
Brett Lee was this year’s winner of the Allan Border Medal, as well as picking up the Test Player of the year award.
Matthew Hayden was the winner for One Day Player of the year.
Brett has played some incredible cricket with solid consistency in the test arena and despite not making the trip to the Caribbean for the World Cup last year he has capitalised on that with great profession and hard work.
I predicted that Matthew ‘Haydos’ Hayden would walk away with the award this time but Binga has made my prediction void for the Allan Border medal winner, however Haydos did claim the One Day Player of the year award. Rightly he should have, that batting in the World Cup was some of the most exciting and destructive top order batting I have seen in a long time.
Binga also won the Test Player of the year, which I predicted he would comfortably win!
Well two out for three on that one isn’t too shabby.
Well done to Brett Lee and Matthew Hayden for their outstanding achievements, and of course not forgetting the others guys who received votes for their cricketing brilliance in their specialist categories. It takes a team of great cricketers for one to stand out as these two cricketers have over the last year!
* See www.cricket.com.au for more information regarding the results and hear audio clips from both Brett and Matthew regarding their awards.
India beat Sri-Lanka today by 7 wickets, which means they meet us in the three finals of the Commonwealth Bank Series. Sri-Lanka still have one more match against Australia on Friday.
MS Dhoni also made a statement claiming that our players have been provoking the younger Indian players.
I am referring to the incident from the last match involving Ishant Sharma giving Andrew Symonds a send off. Symonds is proved to have said ‘Good ball Champ’ after Sharma bowled him.
Sharma went to on to give him a clear verbally driven send off.
Whether a sarcastic moment or not I am not sure but it’s an incident I am not to cared about in all honesty as I believe that’s part of the parcel in intense international cricket matches and at least this incident had no racial attributes or hyped controversy...yet, lets hope it stays as is!
I wonder if Mr. Sreesanth is giving some classes on the side! He’s been quite quiet this tour; his antics are very entertaining and quite wild at times.
MS Dhoni has made a few statements during his captaincy period that I believe should either not be said or at least be less directive. One recent incident was directed at one of his own teammates in a run-out occurence a few games back.
Is it the heat of the moment? Yes, quite possibly as Dhoni is an excellent young cricketer who has a lot to offer his team but maybe a few tips in handling media statements may be a good idea. He’ll certainly have very few financial handling issues after his IPL bid!
Anyway that’s my chirp for the time being!
Matthew Hayden was the winner for One Day Player of the year.
Brett has played some incredible cricket with solid consistency in the test arena and despite not making the trip to the Caribbean for the World Cup last year he has capitalised on that with great profession and hard work.
I predicted that Matthew ‘Haydos’ Hayden would walk away with the award this time but Binga has made my prediction void for the Allan Border medal winner, however Haydos did claim the One Day Player of the year award. Rightly he should have, that batting in the World Cup was some of the most exciting and destructive top order batting I have seen in a long time.
Binga also won the Test Player of the year, which I predicted he would comfortably win!
Well two out for three on that one isn’t too shabby.
Well done to Brett Lee and Matthew Hayden for their outstanding achievements, and of course not forgetting the others guys who received votes for their cricketing brilliance in their specialist categories. It takes a team of great cricketers for one to stand out as these two cricketers have over the last year!
* See www.cricket.com.au for more information regarding the results and hear audio clips from both Brett and Matthew regarding their awards.
India beat Sri-Lanka today by 7 wickets, which means they meet us in the three finals of the Commonwealth Bank Series. Sri-Lanka still have one more match against Australia on Friday.
MS Dhoni also made a statement claiming that our players have been provoking the younger Indian players.
I am referring to the incident from the last match involving Ishant Sharma giving Andrew Symonds a send off. Symonds is proved to have said ‘Good ball Champ’ after Sharma bowled him.
Sharma went to on to give him a clear verbally driven send off.
Whether a sarcastic moment or not I am not sure but it’s an incident I am not to cared about in all honesty as I believe that’s part of the parcel in intense international cricket matches and at least this incident had no racial attributes or hyped controversy...yet, lets hope it stays as is!
I wonder if Mr. Sreesanth is giving some classes on the side! He’s been quite quiet this tour; his antics are very entertaining and quite wild at times.
MS Dhoni has made a few statements during his captaincy period that I believe should either not be said or at least be less directive. One recent incident was directed at one of his own teammates in a run-out occurence a few games back.
Is it the heat of the moment? Yes, quite possibly as Dhoni is an excellent young cricketer who has a lot to offer his team but maybe a few tips in handling media statements may be a good idea. He’ll certainly have very few financial handling issues after his IPL bid!
Anyway that’s my chirp for the time being!
25 February 2008
ALLAN BORDER MEDAL AWARDS…A QUICK PREDICTION
The Allan Border medal began in 2000, which is the regarded as the highest achievement within Australian cricket.
The awards night is seen as the ‘red carpet’ event of Australian cricket, which sees many guest appearances making the event.
There are awards for the following regarding the Australian men’s international cricket side:
Allan Border Medallist, Test Match Player of the year and One Day Player of the year.
Other awards are for State/domestic cricketers and the women’s cricketers. These are:
State Cricketer of the year, Bradman young player of the year and Women International Cricketer of the year.
Ricky ‘Punter’ Ponting has won the award three times. 2003/04/07.
Last year he also picked up both ‘Test Match Player of the year’ and ‘One Day Player of the year’.
Here’s my prediction for this years awards:
Allan Border Medal:
Matthew Hayden
Why? Haydos has done brilliantly in all forms of the game, Test match, One-day and even Twenty 20 cricket.
Recently he hit classy centuries in the Test Series against India, was the top run scorer in the T20 Champions trophy and was outstanding with the bat in his incredible World Cup campaign last year in Australia’s third consecutive victory. He is a huge asset to Australian cricket and I have little doubt he should take this award.
Test Match Player of the Year:
Brett Lee
Why? This one Brett should clinch, as his Test match performances have been top quality. He has done a bit with the bat but that blitz pace has earned him a great wicket tally and his economy rate has been excellent in the last 2 test series against Sri-Lanka and India.
He received ‘player of the series’ in both the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy 2007 & Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2007/08.
In the test arena his pace attack and cricket mind have earned him an achor role for the Baggy Green.
One-Day Player of the Year:
Matthew Hayden
Why? This one will be a tough competition.
I’d say Matthew Hayden as he was the lead role in our path to World Cup success, he blasted three centuries and a fifty including a total of 18 sixes. He finished with an average of 73.22 and 659 runs in 11 matches!
He had the most runs in the T20 Champions trophy and has performed with skill and destruction at the top of the order.
Others for this category would be Michael Clarke or Andrew Symonds regarding their batting and fielding within the One Day format, but I reckon Haydos should take this one.
Well, that’s my prediction and we will see how close I am come tomorrow’s release of the results.
Next game for Aussie is against Sri-Lanka on Friday 29th, it will be played at the MCG.
The awards night is seen as the ‘red carpet’ event of Australian cricket, which sees many guest appearances making the event.
There are awards for the following regarding the Australian men’s international cricket side:
Allan Border Medallist, Test Match Player of the year and One Day Player of the year.
Other awards are for State/domestic cricketers and the women’s cricketers. These are:
State Cricketer of the year, Bradman young player of the year and Women International Cricketer of the year.
Ricky ‘Punter’ Ponting has won the award three times. 2003/04/07.
Last year he also picked up both ‘Test Match Player of the year’ and ‘One Day Player of the year’.
Here’s my prediction for this years awards:
Allan Border Medal:
Matthew Hayden
Why? Haydos has done brilliantly in all forms of the game, Test match, One-day and even Twenty 20 cricket.
Recently he hit classy centuries in the Test Series against India, was the top run scorer in the T20 Champions trophy and was outstanding with the bat in his incredible World Cup campaign last year in Australia’s third consecutive victory. He is a huge asset to Australian cricket and I have little doubt he should take this award.
Test Match Player of the Year:
Brett Lee
Why? This one Brett should clinch, as his Test match performances have been top quality. He has done a bit with the bat but that blitz pace has earned him a great wicket tally and his economy rate has been excellent in the last 2 test series against Sri-Lanka and India.
He received ‘player of the series’ in both the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy 2007 & Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2007/08.
In the test arena his pace attack and cricket mind have earned him an achor role for the Baggy Green.
One-Day Player of the Year:
Matthew Hayden
Why? This one will be a tough competition.
I’d say Matthew Hayden as he was the lead role in our path to World Cup success, he blasted three centuries and a fifty including a total of 18 sixes. He finished with an average of 73.22 and 659 runs in 11 matches!
He had the most runs in the T20 Champions trophy and has performed with skill and destruction at the top of the order.
Others for this category would be Michael Clarke or Andrew Symonds regarding their batting and fielding within the One Day format, but I reckon Haydos should take this one.
Well, that’s my prediction and we will see how close I am come tomorrow’s release of the results.
Next game for Aussie is against Sri-Lanka on Friday 29th, it will be played at the MCG.
24 February 2008
PONTING BLASTS THE AUSSIES TO VICTORY!
Despite having a secured position in the Commonwealth Bank Series final, our Australian batting has had a lot to overcome since this series took off. Today we saw that Aussie trademark batting lead us to an 18 run victory, the first time this series our batting has truly been a spectacle!
Adam Gilchrist smashed 16 runs of just 7 deliveries before falling victim to Sreesanth. This brought out-of-form Skipper Ricky Ponting (Man-of-the-match) to the crease. The out-of-form status was erased as Punter lashed out back into form with a masterful innings of 124 runs off 133 deliveries. He skilfully put away 7 fours and a six!
Matthew Hayden backed Punter before being run out for 54.
Michael Clarke who has been in superb form in this series managed to further back his Captain in scoring 31. He was caught playing a pull shot, which brought Andrew Symonds to partner Punter.
Symonds has been in a bit of a rut himself soon proved he was back in the game in lashing out 59 off 54 deliveries.
The final total settled at 317 off 50 overs. The SCG has provided a beautiful batting surface and saw Aussie steer their way to the 300 zone for the first time this series.
India fought hard in trying to cause an upset but key batsman fell at important stages, which just put the target a bit further out of reach.
Gambhir (113) played his way to a second century in this series and was backed with some aggressive batting from Robin Uthappa (51) & MS Dhoni (36).
Brett Lee who claimed a 5-wicket haul proved costly in giving the Indian’s three gifts. Those gifts were free-hits which didn’t help our cause but in the end Binga managed to put us back on track and a final inswinger to crash into Sharma’s stumps gave us a victory of 18 runs in a game that had a fair share of excitement.
Our fielding was a bit loose and our guys missed some perfect run-out opportunities, which we rarely see them do, but victory was our end result!
Seeing Ricky get another century was great to watch. I can understand his possible frustration being the Captain of his side, one of the world’s best cricketers (notably a batsman/fielder) and not finding your feet…runs. I knew Ricky would get out of his rut and rightly so he did with an innings that set up another victory in this series!
Good on you Punter! I have heard a lot of talk that Punter would not regain his form and should retire…but I hope this silences our critics for the time being. There is still plenty to see from our Captain and I won’t be shocked when I see a few more centuries from him in destructive fashion. He isn’t world-class quality for nothing!
Who do I reckon will be our competition in the final? Well, India most likely.
Whilst being a younger side they proved to be a capable side to take on Aussie and have been playing some hard cricket to try meet with our standards. Sri-Lanka, who do have a chance should they win their next 2 matches convincingly, I just feel won’t make the final cut judging by their lack of key players and reliance upon their top-order to do the work. Even when they took on England last year there was a sense of a lack of balance.
Forecasts aside, you can catch the next game for the Aussies on Friday at the MCG against Sri-Lanka.
Lets hope the rain keeps at a distance this time!
There’s still plenty good cricket ahead for Ricky and co.
Allan Border medal Awards on Tuesday night so will lay down my Baggy Blogger forecast regarding that big event for Australian cricket tomorrow.
Adam Gilchrist smashed 16 runs of just 7 deliveries before falling victim to Sreesanth. This brought out-of-form Skipper Ricky Ponting (Man-of-the-match) to the crease. The out-of-form status was erased as Punter lashed out back into form with a masterful innings of 124 runs off 133 deliveries. He skilfully put away 7 fours and a six!
Matthew Hayden backed Punter before being run out for 54.
Michael Clarke who has been in superb form in this series managed to further back his Captain in scoring 31. He was caught playing a pull shot, which brought Andrew Symonds to partner Punter.
Symonds has been in a bit of a rut himself soon proved he was back in the game in lashing out 59 off 54 deliveries.
The final total settled at 317 off 50 overs. The SCG has provided a beautiful batting surface and saw Aussie steer their way to the 300 zone for the first time this series.
India fought hard in trying to cause an upset but key batsman fell at important stages, which just put the target a bit further out of reach.
Gambhir (113) played his way to a second century in this series and was backed with some aggressive batting from Robin Uthappa (51) & MS Dhoni (36).
Brett Lee who claimed a 5-wicket haul proved costly in giving the Indian’s three gifts. Those gifts were free-hits which didn’t help our cause but in the end Binga managed to put us back on track and a final inswinger to crash into Sharma’s stumps gave us a victory of 18 runs in a game that had a fair share of excitement.
Our fielding was a bit loose and our guys missed some perfect run-out opportunities, which we rarely see them do, but victory was our end result!
Seeing Ricky get another century was great to watch. I can understand his possible frustration being the Captain of his side, one of the world’s best cricketers (notably a batsman/fielder) and not finding your feet…runs. I knew Ricky would get out of his rut and rightly so he did with an innings that set up another victory in this series!
Good on you Punter! I have heard a lot of talk that Punter would not regain his form and should retire…but I hope this silences our critics for the time being. There is still plenty to see from our Captain and I won’t be shocked when I see a few more centuries from him in destructive fashion. He isn’t world-class quality for nothing!
Who do I reckon will be our competition in the final? Well, India most likely.
Whilst being a younger side they proved to be a capable side to take on Aussie and have been playing some hard cricket to try meet with our standards. Sri-Lanka, who do have a chance should they win their next 2 matches convincingly, I just feel won’t make the final cut judging by their lack of key players and reliance upon their top-order to do the work. Even when they took on England last year there was a sense of a lack of balance.
Forecasts aside, you can catch the next game for the Aussies on Friday at the MCG against Sri-Lanka.
Lets hope the rain keeps at a distance this time!
There’s still plenty good cricket ahead for Ricky and co.
Allan Border medal Awards on Tuesday night so will lay down my Baggy Blogger forecast regarding that big event for Australian cricket tomorrow.
22 February 2008
AUSSIE GRAB BONUS POINT WITH 24-RUN WIN ON D/L METHOD
Late night rain has belted down at the MCG.
So the result is that Aussie has beaten Sri-Lanka by 24 runs courtesy of the Duckworth-Lewis method.
The MCG churned out a slower wicket that produced some tough challenges for our stroke players. A strong breeze whipped across the ground and the Sri-Lankans tossed us into bat.
Not a promising day again with the bat as our top order plummeted and left our total at 4/54.
Adam Gilchrist was bowled trying to launch a big one off some quality bowling by Chaminda Vaas, Matthew Hayden got a leaning edge after he was in some destructive overdrive, Ricky ‘Punter’ Ponting was unnecessarily run-out and Andrew ‘Roy’ Symonds failed again with the bat only scoring 4.
So Ricky’s first slump in about 4 years continues and Roy is lacking some confidence in the big hitting he does, although his IPL bid differs with his current form in this series!
Fear not as Michael Clarke had to once again resurrect our batting and pulled together a sensible innings of 50.
Michael Hussey (Man-of-the-match) joined him and a hard working 64* helped Australia to a below average score of 7/184.
The two Australian stroke players took the score to 144 before Clarke was caught and bowled by Muralidaran.
A wicket that didn’t present many opportunities to find the boundary ropes and tenth row as I predicted instead made the Australian batsman run like dogs between the wickets for their runs.
This also saw many missed attempts in hitting the stumps by the Sri-Lankan fielders.
Defending a low target our bowlers had their hands full once again.
With the absence of Brett Lee in his workload management rest, Stuart Clarke claimed the prize wicket of Jayasuriya for a golden duck caught at second slip by Ricky Ponting. Perera soon followed being trapped LBW off Clark in his second over.
Sangakarra and Jayawardene tried to steady the ship but both fell to poor shots. At 4/77 the rain came down and the players did not set foot on the field again. Their poor scoring rate saw the benefit of the D/L method going Aussie’s way.
So the victory has given a bonus point and a guaranteed place in the Commonwealth Bank Series final.
Regarding the D/L method, whilst I am not a fan of it, it is the most statistically accurate method into determining a result.
Even if my side win’s via the D/L method I still get disappointed when a cricket match doesn’t reach its full conclusion.
I was certain we were going to claim the victory despite our low target but like any sports fan would, I will take the victory!
Our top-order is yet again the cause for our poor batting results and as said before if they click it will guarantee a victory in this series.
Michael Clarke can’t be expected to be the anchor role each innings and our bowlers have had a huge responsibility each game.
It’s time we play with synergy to get our dominance back into our ODI cricket.
Aside from that, a victory and a bonus point take us into Sundays match against India at the SCG.
So the result is that Aussie has beaten Sri-Lanka by 24 runs courtesy of the Duckworth-Lewis method.
The MCG churned out a slower wicket that produced some tough challenges for our stroke players. A strong breeze whipped across the ground and the Sri-Lankans tossed us into bat.
Not a promising day again with the bat as our top order plummeted and left our total at 4/54.
Adam Gilchrist was bowled trying to launch a big one off some quality bowling by Chaminda Vaas, Matthew Hayden got a leaning edge after he was in some destructive overdrive, Ricky ‘Punter’ Ponting was unnecessarily run-out and Andrew ‘Roy’ Symonds failed again with the bat only scoring 4.
So Ricky’s first slump in about 4 years continues and Roy is lacking some confidence in the big hitting he does, although his IPL bid differs with his current form in this series!
Fear not as Michael Clarke had to once again resurrect our batting and pulled together a sensible innings of 50.
Michael Hussey (Man-of-the-match) joined him and a hard working 64* helped Australia to a below average score of 7/184.
The two Australian stroke players took the score to 144 before Clarke was caught and bowled by Muralidaran.
A wicket that didn’t present many opportunities to find the boundary ropes and tenth row as I predicted instead made the Australian batsman run like dogs between the wickets for their runs.
This also saw many missed attempts in hitting the stumps by the Sri-Lankan fielders.
Defending a low target our bowlers had their hands full once again.
With the absence of Brett Lee in his workload management rest, Stuart Clarke claimed the prize wicket of Jayasuriya for a golden duck caught at second slip by Ricky Ponting. Perera soon followed being trapped LBW off Clark in his second over.
Sangakarra and Jayawardene tried to steady the ship but both fell to poor shots. At 4/77 the rain came down and the players did not set foot on the field again. Their poor scoring rate saw the benefit of the D/L method going Aussie’s way.
So the victory has given a bonus point and a guaranteed place in the Commonwealth Bank Series final.
Regarding the D/L method, whilst I am not a fan of it, it is the most statistically accurate method into determining a result.
Even if my side win’s via the D/L method I still get disappointed when a cricket match doesn’t reach its full conclusion.
I was certain we were going to claim the victory despite our low target but like any sports fan would, I will take the victory!
Our top-order is yet again the cause for our poor batting results and as said before if they click it will guarantee a victory in this series.
Michael Clarke can’t be expected to be the anchor role each innings and our bowlers have had a huge responsibility each game.
It’s time we play with synergy to get our dominance back into our ODI cricket.
Aside from that, a victory and a bonus point take us into Sundays match against India at the SCG.
21 February 2008
INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE BIDS START ROLLING!
To see the second ‘Classic Moments From The Memory pitch’ article see my previous blog post today.
The big news today is regarding the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The bids for the registered players are in and the cash flow has said enough. This tournament has a huge financial attraction and the hype is just starting.
On the Australian front, thirteen of our guys were ‘sold’ in the auction’s bidding and the grand total is a staggering $ 7,392,000!
That’s right, 7 million Australian dollars!
Andrew ‘Roy’ Symonds was the highest bid as he went for A$1.47 million to Hyderabadad!
This information is how the rest of our Aussie guys, current & past players, stood in the bids:
The franchise they will be representing is stated next to their name
Andrew Symonds (Hyderabad) $1.47 million
Brett Lee (Mohali) $982,000
Adam Gilchrist (Hyderabad) $765,00
David Hussey (Kolkata) $740,000
Cameron White (Bangalore) $546,000
Shane Warne (Jaipur) $492,000
Ricky Ponting (Kolkata) $436,000
Matthew Hayden (Chennai) $409,000
Nathan Bracken (Bangalore) $354,000
Glenn McGrath (Delhi) $381,000
Michael Hussey (Chennai) $381,000
Simon Katich (Mohali) $218,000
Justin Langer (Jaipur) $218,000
Will be interesting to see what the final figures are and the team roundups!
For those of you who maybe aren’t to clear on the IPL I will give you a quick fill in:
The IPL is an Indian Twenty20 competition that will run from April 2008 till June 2008. It will feature 8 franchises featuring some of the greatest cricketers, retired and current! The players have been bid upon by each of the Franchisees to see who will outbid who and where each player will end representing.
The tournament was not recognised by the ICC (International Cricket Council) who is the governing body of all cricket events.
This tournament is seen as a ‘rebel’ tournament and many players have been threatened by their cricketing bodies should they take part in such and event. However, not getting into all the negative speculation I find this to be an attractive product.
For the players it is clearly financially VERY attractive and a chance for many of them to play alongside their cricketing heroes.
They have 44-day accomodation and in a cricketing mad nation the hype that will surround them will be a unique experience within their careers. The stakes will be high and quality Twenty20 performances will be the focus to live up to their proposed standards!
For the fans it will be so exciting so see Shane Warne, Glen McGrath and Justin Langer in action and this is another new feature of cricket we can look forward to seeing.
For the game of cricket it will increase interest and awareness into the game, the financial aspect will monitored by many and if this tournament ends with a high the players who are presently representing their country will become the spotlight to many who watched the tournament and may find their careers followed with enthusiasm! It is very good for cricket. Many may say the financial bidding is not apart of the game but one can’t deny that this is going to prove to be one of the biggest cricketing events in a very long time! The entertainment value may be at a peak we have yet to have seen!
For some more information regarding Australia’s role in it see the news page of www.cricket.com.au (Cricket Australia) or visit the IPL official website at www.indianpremierleague.com
When I gain more knowledge on the tournament and most importantly our Aussie players roles within I will keep you all informed.
The big news today is regarding the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The bids for the registered players are in and the cash flow has said enough. This tournament has a huge financial attraction and the hype is just starting.
On the Australian front, thirteen of our guys were ‘sold’ in the auction’s bidding and the grand total is a staggering $ 7,392,000!
That’s right, 7 million Australian dollars!
Andrew ‘Roy’ Symonds was the highest bid as he went for A$1.47 million to Hyderabadad!
This information is how the rest of our Aussie guys, current & past players, stood in the bids:
The franchise they will be representing is stated next to their name
Andrew Symonds (Hyderabad) $1.47 million
Brett Lee (Mohali) $982,000
Adam Gilchrist (Hyderabad) $765,00
David Hussey (Kolkata) $740,000
Cameron White (Bangalore) $546,000
Shane Warne (Jaipur) $492,000
Ricky Ponting (Kolkata) $436,000
Matthew Hayden (Chennai) $409,000
Nathan Bracken (Bangalore) $354,000
Glenn McGrath (Delhi) $381,000
Michael Hussey (Chennai) $381,000
Simon Katich (Mohali) $218,000
Justin Langer (Jaipur) $218,000
Will be interesting to see what the final figures are and the team roundups!
For those of you who maybe aren’t to clear on the IPL I will give you a quick fill in:
The IPL is an Indian Twenty20 competition that will run from April 2008 till June 2008. It will feature 8 franchises featuring some of the greatest cricketers, retired and current! The players have been bid upon by each of the Franchisees to see who will outbid who and where each player will end representing.
The tournament was not recognised by the ICC (International Cricket Council) who is the governing body of all cricket events.
This tournament is seen as a ‘rebel’ tournament and many players have been threatened by their cricketing bodies should they take part in such and event. However, not getting into all the negative speculation I find this to be an attractive product.
For the players it is clearly financially VERY attractive and a chance for many of them to play alongside their cricketing heroes.
They have 44-day accomodation and in a cricketing mad nation the hype that will surround them will be a unique experience within their careers. The stakes will be high and quality Twenty20 performances will be the focus to live up to their proposed standards!
For the fans it will be so exciting so see Shane Warne, Glen McGrath and Justin Langer in action and this is another new feature of cricket we can look forward to seeing.
For the game of cricket it will increase interest and awareness into the game, the financial aspect will monitored by many and if this tournament ends with a high the players who are presently representing their country will become the spotlight to many who watched the tournament and may find their careers followed with enthusiasm! It is very good for cricket. Many may say the financial bidding is not apart of the game but one can’t deny that this is going to prove to be one of the biggest cricketing events in a very long time! The entertainment value may be at a peak we have yet to have seen!
For some more information regarding Australia’s role in it see the news page of www.cricket.com.au (Cricket Australia) or visit the IPL official website at www.indianpremierleague.com
When I gain more knowledge on the tournament and most importantly our Aussie players roles within I will keep you all informed.
CLASSIC MOMENTS FROM THE MEMORY PITCH #2
Yesterday some of you may have seen the 4th ODI with New Zealand versus England! What a match!
In short the game was tied with New Zealand falling one run short of chasing down the winning target of 340! Exactly a year before New Zealand had chased down our target of 346 in the Commonwealth Bank Series, so they are more than capable of upsetting a side in a run-chase…however Jamie How’s glorious innings of 139 just didn’t see his side home, a game that New Zealand should have won. Was good to see How pick up his debut century as he really is a great stroke player and has a lot to offer the Black Caps.
Having said all that England has been involved in quite a few tight ODI matches. One I recall in this ‘Classic Moment’ is one involving them and our boys in the canary yellow.
2003 ICC World Cup, South Africa. England went into bat first and set us a target of 205 to win. After a promising start to their innings Man of the day, Andy Bichel, tore through the English line up and after his 10 overs ended with world-class figures of 7/20!
Adam Gilchrist got us off to a flyer in typical Gilly style, but our batting collapsed and this brought one of Australia’s greatest all-rounders in my opinion, Michael Bevan, to the wicket.
Despite his effort to restore order in our batting, wickets were falling all around him. Bevan was known for his ability to come in as a lower order batsman at times and change the route of a game with his genius cricketing mind and skill!
8 wickets down, 70 runs needed from 74 deliveries.
I sat in my living room, extremely nervous and my hands and feet uncontrollably tapping away. However this brought Andy Bichel out to the wicket. It was just Andy’s day. He blasted his way to 34* to back Bevan in his innings of 74*.
In the last over I remember sitting there in a fair state of disbelief that we had taken the game down to the final over…2 runs required from 4 balls. Bichel plays the ball down to Michael Vaughan, who at mid on miss fields the ball and our guys scamper a quick single to level the scores. With an incredible run chase by our 9th wicket partnership Bevan ends the game in true fashion by smashing a four to take us to 208!
In the most intense of situations we had been in since the 1999 WC semi-final, we claimed the victory by 2 wickets.
That moved us top of our log with 6 games, 6 wins and 24 points.
Andy Bichel’s match performance was truly spectacular and I still remember my relief when those winning runs were hit. A quality pressure cooker match for Aussie and the desired result it was. We then steered our way to win that World Cup final, two in a row!
On a more current note, a victory against Sri-Lanka on Friday will more than likely guarantee us a place in the Commonwealth Bank Series finals.
Tomorrow is the day for our batsman to find the boundary ropes and the tenth row!
In short the game was tied with New Zealand falling one run short of chasing down the winning target of 340! Exactly a year before New Zealand had chased down our target of 346 in the Commonwealth Bank Series, so they are more than capable of upsetting a side in a run-chase…however Jamie How’s glorious innings of 139 just didn’t see his side home, a game that New Zealand should have won. Was good to see How pick up his debut century as he really is a great stroke player and has a lot to offer the Black Caps.
Having said all that England has been involved in quite a few tight ODI matches. One I recall in this ‘Classic Moment’ is one involving them and our boys in the canary yellow.
2003 ICC World Cup, South Africa. England went into bat first and set us a target of 205 to win. After a promising start to their innings Man of the day, Andy Bichel, tore through the English line up and after his 10 overs ended with world-class figures of 7/20!
Adam Gilchrist got us off to a flyer in typical Gilly style, but our batting collapsed and this brought one of Australia’s greatest all-rounders in my opinion, Michael Bevan, to the wicket.
Despite his effort to restore order in our batting, wickets were falling all around him. Bevan was known for his ability to come in as a lower order batsman at times and change the route of a game with his genius cricketing mind and skill!
8 wickets down, 70 runs needed from 74 deliveries.
I sat in my living room, extremely nervous and my hands and feet uncontrollably tapping away. However this brought Andy Bichel out to the wicket. It was just Andy’s day. He blasted his way to 34* to back Bevan in his innings of 74*.
In the last over I remember sitting there in a fair state of disbelief that we had taken the game down to the final over…2 runs required from 4 balls. Bichel plays the ball down to Michael Vaughan, who at mid on miss fields the ball and our guys scamper a quick single to level the scores. With an incredible run chase by our 9th wicket partnership Bevan ends the game in true fashion by smashing a four to take us to 208!
In the most intense of situations we had been in since the 1999 WC semi-final, we claimed the victory by 2 wickets.
That moved us top of our log with 6 games, 6 wins and 24 points.
Andy Bichel’s match performance was truly spectacular and I still remember my relief when those winning runs were hit. A quality pressure cooker match for Aussie and the desired result it was. We then steered our way to win that World Cup final, two in a row!
On a more current note, a victory against Sri-Lanka on Friday will more than likely guarantee us a place in the Commonwealth Bank Series finals.
Tomorrow is the day for our batsman to find the boundary ropes and the tenth row!
20 February 2008
THE BAGGY GREEN WIN 2007 AUSTRALIAN SPORT AWARDS
The Australian cricket team have added another trophy to the cabinet. Must be a blinding trophy room by now!
This time round the award is the 2007 Australian sport awards International team.
This award was a result of the reclaiming The Ashes in a 5-0 cleanout and our dominance in the 2007 ICC World Cup in the West Indies where we beat Sri-Lanka in the final. That was our third consecutive World Cup victory, our fourth title since the event took off.
Well done Ricky and the guys as well as all the other Australian sport teams who were nominated!
Now we just need to claim the ICC T20 Champions trophy from India. For the mean time we have the Commonwealth Bank Trophy set in our sights for the current Tri-angular series.
A quick forecast for Fridays game against Sri-Lanka at the MCG.
I am confident it should be a game we can win comprehensively if our batting can improve.
Michael Clarke has been our outstanding batsman in this tournament but has had a fair bit to do due to our below standards with the bat. I have said it before but if our top order can get stuck into laying down a solid platform for the middle order to build upon, and our bowlers stick to their guns as they have so far and blast away the Sri-Lankan batsman, we will be on the path to victory again! Having said that, cricket is an incredible game that can go either way and produce some interesting results, but I always stand by my forecast. The team know what to do and at 17 points leading the series a bit of pressure has subsided in the camp.
Tomorrow I will post the second ‘Classic moments from the memory pitch’ feature. For those of you who didn’t read the first one a few weeks back, I simply recall to mind a great game or moment in Australian cricket. I like those moments to be as relevant to the current matches as possible, but sometimes I may need to escape that plan.
Last one was about Michael Clarke’s ton against India last year in the first ODI of the Future Cup. The game was rained out which was disappointing but that innings of Pup’s was quite spectacular and he pulled it off when most needed! The relevance was to the first 2 ODI’s of this series that were rained out and produced no result after some fine cricket had been witnessed.
So more ‘classic moments from the memory pitch’ tomorrow!
To see Ricky accepting the 2007 Australian Sport Award visit,
www.australiansportawards.com.au
* Remaining fixtures for CWB Series in February 17th post.
This time round the award is the 2007 Australian sport awards International team.
This award was a result of the reclaiming The Ashes in a 5-0 cleanout and our dominance in the 2007 ICC World Cup in the West Indies where we beat Sri-Lanka in the final. That was our third consecutive World Cup victory, our fourth title since the event took off.
Well done Ricky and the guys as well as all the other Australian sport teams who were nominated!
Now we just need to claim the ICC T20 Champions trophy from India. For the mean time we have the Commonwealth Bank Trophy set in our sights for the current Tri-angular series.
A quick forecast for Fridays game against Sri-Lanka at the MCG.
I am confident it should be a game we can win comprehensively if our batting can improve.
Michael Clarke has been our outstanding batsman in this tournament but has had a fair bit to do due to our below standards with the bat. I have said it before but if our top order can get stuck into laying down a solid platform for the middle order to build upon, and our bowlers stick to their guns as they have so far and blast away the Sri-Lankan batsman, we will be on the path to victory again! Having said that, cricket is an incredible game that can go either way and produce some interesting results, but I always stand by my forecast. The team know what to do and at 17 points leading the series a bit of pressure has subsided in the camp.
Tomorrow I will post the second ‘Classic moments from the memory pitch’ feature. For those of you who didn’t read the first one a few weeks back, I simply recall to mind a great game or moment in Australian cricket. I like those moments to be as relevant to the current matches as possible, but sometimes I may need to escape that plan.
Last one was about Michael Clarke’s ton against India last year in the first ODI of the Future Cup. The game was rained out which was disappointing but that innings of Pup’s was quite spectacular and he pulled it off when most needed! The relevance was to the first 2 ODI’s of this series that were rained out and produced no result after some fine cricket had been witnessed.
So more ‘classic moments from the memory pitch’ tomorrow!
To see Ricky accepting the 2007 Australian Sport Award visit,
www.australiansportawards.com.au
* Remaining fixtures for CWB Series in February 17th post.
17 February 2008
AUSSIE DEMOLISH INDIAN BATSMAN & CLINCH BONUS POINT
What didn’t start out to be a promising batting display by the Aussie batsman was later capitalised by a brilliant display of bowling and fielding to send India all out for 153.
Our guys only managed to put 203 on the board but that proved to be easily defendable, and in doing so restricted India to 153 and claimed the bonus point.
On a serious note our batting hasn’t met the standards it should and for our top order should be a cause for concern.
All round in this tournament the batting hasn’t been a spectacle but I must make special comment on Michael Clarke’s (MAN-OF-THE-MATCH) batting not only in this particular game but this entire series.
Pup saved our batting with his knock of 79 off 108 deliveries. He managed to place 6 fours with his usual brilliance in stroke playing.
Brad Hogg gave Pup good support in his well-needed 32 runs.
It is important our top order knuckle down soon and secure that brilliance that they possess. In conjunction with our bowling it will give us that fierce depth that gets us into the winners seat more often than not.
If anything that is the only issue to address in the Australian camp.
Not much to be said upon the bowling front.
Even without the presence of Brett Lee our bowlers stuck to their game plan, dug into their abilities and tore through the Indian batting line up at very important intervals.
Adam Gilchrist took 4 catches and a lightning fast stumping.
His final catch, which wrapped up the Indian line-up, was a superb right-handed dive off Nathan Bracken’s bowling.
Nathan Bracken was as usual economically outstanding and remains the top wicket taker in this tournament. His figures were 2/21.
Mitchell Johnson proved his ability is just beginning to breach claiming 3/42.
Brad Hogg spun his way to 2/30 and James Hopes fought hard and is slowly looking to secure a place in this ODI squad. He ended with 2/16.
Good to see an exciting game with our guys been challenged again, but this time we weren’t shot down!
I am very confident we are going to make the final if our bowling stays as outstanding as it has been and especially if we can just get those shots flowing (as in our batting, definitely not at the pubs) and our top order unleashes that World Cup dominance, victory will be very much in sight, I have no doubt at this point in our Aussie team!
* REMAINING AUSSIE FIXTURES FOR THE COMMONWEALTH BANK SERIES:
Fri 22 Australia vs Sri-Lanka MCG, Melbourne - ODI (D/N)
Sun 24 Australia vs India SCG, Sydney - ODI (D/N)
Fri 29 Australia vs Sri-Lanka MCG, Melbourne - ODI (D/N)
MARCH 08
Sun 2 TBC vs TBC, SCG, Sydney - ODI - 1st Final
Tue 4 TBC vs TBC, GABBA, Brisbane - ODI (D/N) - 2nd "
Fri 7 TBC vs TBC, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide - ODI (D/N) - 3rd "
Our guys only managed to put 203 on the board but that proved to be easily defendable, and in doing so restricted India to 153 and claimed the bonus point.
On a serious note our batting hasn’t met the standards it should and for our top order should be a cause for concern.
All round in this tournament the batting hasn’t been a spectacle but I must make special comment on Michael Clarke’s (MAN-OF-THE-MATCH) batting not only in this particular game but this entire series.
Pup saved our batting with his knock of 79 off 108 deliveries. He managed to place 6 fours with his usual brilliance in stroke playing.
Brad Hogg gave Pup good support in his well-needed 32 runs.
It is important our top order knuckle down soon and secure that brilliance that they possess. In conjunction with our bowling it will give us that fierce depth that gets us into the winners seat more often than not.
If anything that is the only issue to address in the Australian camp.
Not much to be said upon the bowling front.
Even without the presence of Brett Lee our bowlers stuck to their game plan, dug into their abilities and tore through the Indian batting line up at very important intervals.
Adam Gilchrist took 4 catches and a lightning fast stumping.
His final catch, which wrapped up the Indian line-up, was a superb right-handed dive off Nathan Bracken’s bowling.
Nathan Bracken was as usual economically outstanding and remains the top wicket taker in this tournament. His figures were 2/21.
Mitchell Johnson proved his ability is just beginning to breach claiming 3/42.
Brad Hogg spun his way to 2/30 and James Hopes fought hard and is slowly looking to secure a place in this ODI squad. He ended with 2/16.
Good to see an exciting game with our guys been challenged again, but this time we weren’t shot down!
I am very confident we are going to make the final if our bowling stays as outstanding as it has been and especially if we can just get those shots flowing (as in our batting, definitely not at the pubs) and our top order unleashes that World Cup dominance, victory will be very much in sight, I have no doubt at this point in our Aussie team!
* REMAINING AUSSIE FIXTURES FOR THE COMMONWEALTH BANK SERIES:
Fri 22 Australia vs Sri-Lanka MCG, Melbourne - ODI (D/N)
Sun 24 Australia vs India SCG, Sydney - ODI (D/N)
Fri 29 Australia vs Sri-Lanka MCG, Melbourne - ODI (D/N)
MARCH 08
Sun 2 TBC vs TBC, SCG, Sydney - ODI - 1st Final
Tue 4 TBC vs TBC, GABBA, Brisbane - ODI (D/N) - 2nd "
Fri 7 TBC vs TBC, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide - ODI (D/N) - 3rd "
15 February 2008
AUSSIE BOWLERS CHOKE SRI-LANKAN BATSMAN AT THE WACA
Not a splendid display with the bat but our bowlers performed with brilliant consistency to give us the result of a 63 run-bonus point victory.
There was plenty atmosphere at the WACA which was an ideal setting to say farewell to Adam Gilchrist who made his last appearance on his home ground.
Gilly seemed to plan it all over night and came on to the WACA wicket and played a well-constructed innings of 118 to assist Australia greatly in a total of 237.
Michael Clarke (43) backed Gilly brilliantly and kept his own solid form up-to-date ticking along very well.
Mike Hussey and Ricky Ponting both contributed but there were not enough partnerships to create the chance of climbing the way up to a 280 odd total. Again the Australian batting has not met the expected standard that it should live up to but Gilly and Pup played with good discipline and determination to give us that extra edge. Gilly’s century was great to witness and as much as I would have enjoyed the moment with an enormous six, that single gave us time to absorb a great innings from such an entertaining cricketer.
The WACA crowd got what they wanted and gave Gilly a fanatical reception!
I was a bit concerned after Brett Lee was smashed for 16 runs off the first over.
I got the feeling that the Sri-Lankan openers had made a statement that they were ‘taking the bull by the horns’, however Kumar Sangakarra was the only Sri-Lankan who posed any threat in the end. A heroic knock in an attempt see his side to victory was vaporised by some economical and cut throat bowling by Mitchell Johnson (3-29 in 10), Nathan Bracken (3-21) and Brad Hogg (2-41).
James Hopes did a great job by pitching the perfect line and length and ensuring the Sri-Lankans had to change their game plan.
The fielding in my honest opinion was not that good.
Despite that outstanding catch by Andrew Symonds diving with one hand outstretched to grab onto a lightning quick shot, there were many overthrows, slight hesitations and at times some tense moments. However we should be back in the game with this victory as we take on India on Sunday.
Our bowling has really proven to be a lethal weapon and if our key batsman can just get stuck into some big innings’ we will be back in perfect sight to see that CWB series trophy lifted by Ricky Ponting.
I believe our guys have a few areas to patch up and with a few tweaks and we should see our team on the way to win this series.
Sunday is the next challenge, as we take on India in Adelaide at the Adelaide oval.
Should be a ferocious encounter as a small margin in the point’s table sets the Indians and us apart.
This series is still tight as I predicted and Gilly has struck his first blow to the opposition, what’s his next move?
* See fixtures in Januaries archives for the rest of the Commonwealth Bank Series
There was plenty atmosphere at the WACA which was an ideal setting to say farewell to Adam Gilchrist who made his last appearance on his home ground.
Gilly seemed to plan it all over night and came on to the WACA wicket and played a well-constructed innings of 118 to assist Australia greatly in a total of 237.
Michael Clarke (43) backed Gilly brilliantly and kept his own solid form up-to-date ticking along very well.
Mike Hussey and Ricky Ponting both contributed but there were not enough partnerships to create the chance of climbing the way up to a 280 odd total. Again the Australian batting has not met the expected standard that it should live up to but Gilly and Pup played with good discipline and determination to give us that extra edge. Gilly’s century was great to witness and as much as I would have enjoyed the moment with an enormous six, that single gave us time to absorb a great innings from such an entertaining cricketer.
The WACA crowd got what they wanted and gave Gilly a fanatical reception!
I was a bit concerned after Brett Lee was smashed for 16 runs off the first over.
I got the feeling that the Sri-Lankan openers had made a statement that they were ‘taking the bull by the horns’, however Kumar Sangakarra was the only Sri-Lankan who posed any threat in the end. A heroic knock in an attempt see his side to victory was vaporised by some economical and cut throat bowling by Mitchell Johnson (3-29 in 10), Nathan Bracken (3-21) and Brad Hogg (2-41).
James Hopes did a great job by pitching the perfect line and length and ensuring the Sri-Lankans had to change their game plan.
The fielding in my honest opinion was not that good.
Despite that outstanding catch by Andrew Symonds diving with one hand outstretched to grab onto a lightning quick shot, there were many overthrows, slight hesitations and at times some tense moments. However we should be back in the game with this victory as we take on India on Sunday.
Our bowling has really proven to be a lethal weapon and if our key batsman can just get stuck into some big innings’ we will be back in perfect sight to see that CWB series trophy lifted by Ricky Ponting.
I believe our guys have a few areas to patch up and with a few tweaks and we should see our team on the way to win this series.
Sunday is the next challenge, as we take on India in Adelaide at the Adelaide oval.
Should be a ferocious encounter as a small margin in the point’s table sets the Indians and us apart.
This series is still tight as I predicted and Gilly has struck his first blow to the opposition, what’s his next move?
* See fixtures in Januaries archives for the rest of the Commonwealth Bank Series
12 February 2008
IS AUSTRALIA BEING PUT BACK IN THEIR CREASE?
This is the latest question the media and opposition teams have proposed.
What’s my answer to their question?
Quite simply, no we are not ‘letting the crown slip’.
With a little more depth here is my hypothesis on this latest topic.
Aussie lost the other night to India; I know…the ‘invincible’ Australia lost a cricket match! This is it, Australia are doomed now because of this loss!
Come on people, in sport teams will win and lose, that’s as I always say the way it goes the last time I checked!
It is quite safe to say maybe the standard at which we play our cricket isn’t quite where we would like it but to go as far as to say that our ‘crown is slipping’ and we have ‘chinks in our armour’?
It’s far from truth and this is an opinion I back not only with the powerful element to sport called ‘belief’ but also ‘fact’!
The other night our batting was poor which let us down and India bowled brilliantly. On the other hand our bowling was attacking and our fielding was sharp, and as you saw we had India on the back foot and that very low target of 160 was only reached in the 46th over. So do I think after that game it gives an evident look that we are being put back in our crease? No it doesn’t, if anything we were just outplayed on that day.
Any team could beat us if we aren’t in the game on that day and our players don’t perform their respective roles. This has been evident in matches against Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, England and even South Africa.
Let us take a trip down memory lane to a game I would like to believe never took place but shows even Aussie can be crushed.
3rd March 2006, Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa we took on Australia in the 2nd ODI of a 5 match series. What was the result?
South Africa crushed our batting line up in dismissing us for a forgettable 93 runs and won the match by 196 runs.
This wasn’t too long ago? We were thrashed and the questions started popping up then about our performances. In our comeback we threw them to the cleaners in the test matches after our loss in the 5 match ODI series.
Remember the Commonwealth Bank Series against England and New Zealand 2006/7? What happened? England won this time around despite some brilliant batting by our guys, England was the better side and our bowling was average, very average.
Then the World Cup in the West Indies we went with a clear mind and we were absolutely monstrous in taking our third consecutive World Cup victory.
Looking at our players, the stats and the circumstances, if Ricky ‘Punter’ Ponting can get his head in the game and lock into his ability that can scare any opponent and each guy performs as a key player fulfilling their role, you may well see a new Australian side emerge that has that hunger you saw in that World Cup walk over victory.
New personalities are present, changes are lurking but if anything Australia is far from scared, if anything they are excited with the competitive horizon we can see.
It’s early days in this series and there’s plenty cricket ahead.
When the leading competitor slips never make the mistake in assuming they are descending, as that will only motivate the hunger to come back stronger. I’ve said it before and seen it before!
Next game is at the WACA against the Sri-Lankans who will be ready after their victory against India.
Aussie will be ready to win and pumped up for a sensational performance.
* Fixtures for Commonwealth Bank Series in Januaries archives
What’s my answer to their question?
Quite simply, no we are not ‘letting the crown slip’.
With a little more depth here is my hypothesis on this latest topic.
Aussie lost the other night to India; I know…the ‘invincible’ Australia lost a cricket match! This is it, Australia are doomed now because of this loss!
Come on people, in sport teams will win and lose, that’s as I always say the way it goes the last time I checked!
It is quite safe to say maybe the standard at which we play our cricket isn’t quite where we would like it but to go as far as to say that our ‘crown is slipping’ and we have ‘chinks in our armour’?
It’s far from truth and this is an opinion I back not only with the powerful element to sport called ‘belief’ but also ‘fact’!
The other night our batting was poor which let us down and India bowled brilliantly. On the other hand our bowling was attacking and our fielding was sharp, and as you saw we had India on the back foot and that very low target of 160 was only reached in the 46th over. So do I think after that game it gives an evident look that we are being put back in our crease? No it doesn’t, if anything we were just outplayed on that day.
Any team could beat us if we aren’t in the game on that day and our players don’t perform their respective roles. This has been evident in matches against Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, England and even South Africa.
Let us take a trip down memory lane to a game I would like to believe never took place but shows even Aussie can be crushed.
3rd March 2006, Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa we took on Australia in the 2nd ODI of a 5 match series. What was the result?
South Africa crushed our batting line up in dismissing us for a forgettable 93 runs and won the match by 196 runs.
This wasn’t too long ago? We were thrashed and the questions started popping up then about our performances. In our comeback we threw them to the cleaners in the test matches after our loss in the 5 match ODI series.
Remember the Commonwealth Bank Series against England and New Zealand 2006/7? What happened? England won this time around despite some brilliant batting by our guys, England was the better side and our bowling was average, very average.
Then the World Cup in the West Indies we went with a clear mind and we were absolutely monstrous in taking our third consecutive World Cup victory.
Looking at our players, the stats and the circumstances, if Ricky ‘Punter’ Ponting can get his head in the game and lock into his ability that can scare any opponent and each guy performs as a key player fulfilling their role, you may well see a new Australian side emerge that has that hunger you saw in that World Cup walk over victory.
New personalities are present, changes are lurking but if anything Australia is far from scared, if anything they are excited with the competitive horizon we can see.
It’s early days in this series and there’s plenty cricket ahead.
When the leading competitor slips never make the mistake in assuming they are descending, as that will only motivate the hunger to come back stronger. I’ve said it before and seen it before!
Next game is at the WACA against the Sri-Lankans who will be ready after their victory against India.
Aussie will be ready to win and pumped up for a sensational performance.
* Fixtures for Commonwealth Bank Series in Januaries archives
10 February 2008
HUSSEY SHINES OVER DULL AUSSIE BATTING
India takes the lead in the Commonwealth Bank Series with a 5 wicket victory against us.
A lot of hard work from the Indian bowlers put us on the back foot in the early stages of our innings to restrict us to a dismal 159.
Despite a poor first up LBW decision to see Gilly on his way for a duck, the rest of the Aussie line up just didn’t bring in their quality depth. Even the pro’s have good and bad days so it’s not too serious a matter but what was a bit uncharacteristic of the Aussies was the way we handled our innings. Some poor discipline in the middle order, despite having seen our top order fail, left Michael Hussey on a lonesome mission to try see Aussie to 50 overs.
Huss made 65*, his first 50 in ODI cricket since the Commonwealth Bank Series last year, and showed good discipline which the rest of the Aussie batsman unfortunately didn’t have.
Matthew Hayden blasted his way to 25 but an outside edge saw him on his way.
A total of 159 was never going to be easy to defend in a 50 over match but when India were on 5/102 it looked as though we may have caused an upset. Rohit Sharma was lucky not to be run out first ball but he capitalised and with MS Dhoni the two steered India home.
The Australian pace attack were sensational and India had to work hard for their runs. A chance of having Sachin Tendulkar caught off Stuart Clarke’s bowling when he edged one back to Adam Gilchrist went by unnoticed by umpire Rudie Koertzen.
However Pathan was dismissed the following over and as hard as Aussie tried, the run out attempts slipped by and India got home in the end. India may have taken the win but their batting was by no means ‘invincible’, their victory coming with only 4 overs to spare.
You don’t have to be a cricketing guru to understand Aussie just didn’t build the partnerships and they didn’t stick to the cardinal rule into seeing all 50 overs through.
But there’s plenty games to play and many more opportunities to wipe India out the CWB series final.
As we have always done and always will do, we will bounce back hungrier when the chips are down and devastate the opposition.
The Aussie’s are not playing their top cricket and that is a warning to Indian and Sri-Lankan fans.
Remember that world cup performance? It’s still lurking beneath the surface and its time Ricky and the blokes recall that World Cup invincibility, and that time is soon, very soon!
A lot of hard work from the Indian bowlers put us on the back foot in the early stages of our innings to restrict us to a dismal 159.
Despite a poor first up LBW decision to see Gilly on his way for a duck, the rest of the Aussie line up just didn’t bring in their quality depth. Even the pro’s have good and bad days so it’s not too serious a matter but what was a bit uncharacteristic of the Aussies was the way we handled our innings. Some poor discipline in the middle order, despite having seen our top order fail, left Michael Hussey on a lonesome mission to try see Aussie to 50 overs.
Huss made 65*, his first 50 in ODI cricket since the Commonwealth Bank Series last year, and showed good discipline which the rest of the Aussie batsman unfortunately didn’t have.
Matthew Hayden blasted his way to 25 but an outside edge saw him on his way.
A total of 159 was never going to be easy to defend in a 50 over match but when India were on 5/102 it looked as though we may have caused an upset. Rohit Sharma was lucky not to be run out first ball but he capitalised and with MS Dhoni the two steered India home.
The Australian pace attack were sensational and India had to work hard for their runs. A chance of having Sachin Tendulkar caught off Stuart Clarke’s bowling when he edged one back to Adam Gilchrist went by unnoticed by umpire Rudie Koertzen.
However Pathan was dismissed the following over and as hard as Aussie tried, the run out attempts slipped by and India got home in the end. India may have taken the win but their batting was by no means ‘invincible’, their victory coming with only 4 overs to spare.
You don’t have to be a cricketing guru to understand Aussie just didn’t build the partnerships and they didn’t stick to the cardinal rule into seeing all 50 overs through.
But there’s plenty games to play and many more opportunities to wipe India out the CWB series final.
As we have always done and always will do, we will bounce back hungrier when the chips are down and devastate the opposition.
The Aussie’s are not playing their top cricket and that is a warning to Indian and Sri-Lankan fans.
Remember that world cup performance? It’s still lurking beneath the surface and its time Ricky and the blokes recall that World Cup invincibility, and that time is soon, very soon!
08 February 2008
CONVINCING VICTORY TO AUSSIE AT SCG
At last the first completed game of the Commonwealth Bank Series! No rain bombarded The SCG and although not a full house turned up, the atmosphere was great. Percussion instruments, national colours and a victory to Aussie!
Whilst it wasn’t the most entertaining of matches, it was great to see the batsman having to work hard for their runs in Aussies innings due to a slow SCG wicket.
The running between the wickets was quite something and was a huge attribute in seeing Australia make 253 off their 50 overs.
Michael Clarke, having recently spoken of his ability in a recent post, played a disciplined and well-fought innings of 77* (not out).
Matthew Hayden made his return as if he hadn’t missed a game steering himself to 42 and Adam Gilchrist changed his usual game into an innings similar to that of Clarke and grafted out 61.
James Hopes played a good cameo innings to assist Clarke in driving the total to 253.
Having set a good target in the Sydney conditions Sri-Lanka just weren’t in it. Despite an aggressive 42 form Kumar Sangakkara, the rest of the Lankan order came out poorly. Murali was at least well pleased with his six off Nathan Bracken in the 32nd and final over of the Lankan innings.
Nathan Bracken (Man of the Match) bowled with variation and brilliance picking up his career best figures of 5/47 in 8.3 overs. Those previous figures he achieved against South Africa in the 438 game at the Wanderers in 2006 is now a distant memory no doubt.
He was well backed by Hogg 1/17, who was generating a bit off bounce and good turn to cause problems for Sri-Lanka.
Brett Lee picked up 1/34 and Mitchell Johnson bowled economically superb picking up 1/9 in 5 overs, 3 of those being maidens.
The guys were alert in the field and the work out there was tidier and back up to Aussie standards. Some great catches were taken, notably Hayden’s one in his slip paradise, and two run outs.
The first by Andrew Symond’s flipping it with a back hand to find Lasinth Malinga losing his bat at the crease and then Ricky Ponting flying at the stumps to send Chaminda Vaas on his way. Reminded me of the famous Jonty Rhodes run out in the 1992 World Cup when he ran out Inzi Ul-Haq. Youtube it if you’ve never seen it.
Regarding Ricky I hope his back is still in working order after that!
So with that dominating victory we take a bonus point with us into the next game and when we beat India on Sunday at the MCG we can grab another.
I still have high hopes for this series and am convinced we are going to see some memorable performances.
Read up on my new feature ‘Classic Moments from the memory pitch’ a few posts back for some classic Australian cricket memories. Conveniently Michael Clarke was the spotlight in it and today justified my opinions with his outstanding knock with the bat!
* See fixtures for Commonwealth Bank Series in Januaries archives
Whilst it wasn’t the most entertaining of matches, it was great to see the batsman having to work hard for their runs in Aussies innings due to a slow SCG wicket.
The running between the wickets was quite something and was a huge attribute in seeing Australia make 253 off their 50 overs.
Michael Clarke, having recently spoken of his ability in a recent post, played a disciplined and well-fought innings of 77* (not out).
Matthew Hayden made his return as if he hadn’t missed a game steering himself to 42 and Adam Gilchrist changed his usual game into an innings similar to that of Clarke and grafted out 61.
James Hopes played a good cameo innings to assist Clarke in driving the total to 253.
Having set a good target in the Sydney conditions Sri-Lanka just weren’t in it. Despite an aggressive 42 form Kumar Sangakkara, the rest of the Lankan order came out poorly. Murali was at least well pleased with his six off Nathan Bracken in the 32nd and final over of the Lankan innings.
Nathan Bracken (Man of the Match) bowled with variation and brilliance picking up his career best figures of 5/47 in 8.3 overs. Those previous figures he achieved against South Africa in the 438 game at the Wanderers in 2006 is now a distant memory no doubt.
He was well backed by Hogg 1/17, who was generating a bit off bounce and good turn to cause problems for Sri-Lanka.
Brett Lee picked up 1/34 and Mitchell Johnson bowled economically superb picking up 1/9 in 5 overs, 3 of those being maidens.
The guys were alert in the field and the work out there was tidier and back up to Aussie standards. Some great catches were taken, notably Hayden’s one in his slip paradise, and two run outs.
The first by Andrew Symond’s flipping it with a back hand to find Lasinth Malinga losing his bat at the crease and then Ricky Ponting flying at the stumps to send Chaminda Vaas on his way. Reminded me of the famous Jonty Rhodes run out in the 1992 World Cup when he ran out Inzi Ul-Haq. Youtube it if you’ve never seen it.
Regarding Ricky I hope his back is still in working order after that!
So with that dominating victory we take a bonus point with us into the next game and when we beat India on Sunday at the MCG we can grab another.
I still have high hopes for this series and am convinced we are going to see some memorable performances.
Read up on my new feature ‘Classic Moments from the memory pitch’ a few posts back for some classic Australian cricket memories. Conveniently Michael Clarke was the spotlight in it and today justified my opinions with his outstanding knock with the bat!
* See fixtures for Commonwealth Bank Series in Januaries archives
07 February 2008
ANOTHER ROUND OF RAIN…THIS TIME FOR THE SCG?
So we have had our first two games of this series called off due to rain at the GABBA.
Now awaiting tomorrow’s day night between Aussie and Sri-Lanka at the SCG, there is another threat of rain.
Heavy rain returned to Sydney on Thursday night, which as mentioned will threaten Friday’s game, and I will be one of the many fans devastated if this occurs and we have another match with no result.
But until then I will hold my breath eagerly and dream that when I put on the television I will see Aussie at 0/200. It could happen!
Anyway some problems have been in the Australian camp.
Ricky Ponting, besides his back problems, has brought up the concern regarding poor fielding. With this I must agree.
Australian fielding standards are high and I like to believe we set a benchmark with our standards but as I saw it, catches weren’t being taken in the Test matches and the first ODI against India.
The Twenty20 against India, we fielded brilliantly and tactfully, and look at the result when our bowlers bowl to the field and the plan comes off! It’s devastating to the opposition.
These drop catches are not even challenging which at professional level should be taken, by Australian standards definitely!
I have said before that drop catches happen even for the best of players. Pressure, the momentum at which the ball travels and the situation the game is in all play a role in simple mistakes but I pride Aussie on our fielding ability and I hope the guys can combat this issue soon. As the old saying goes, ‘Catches win matches’.
Otherwise I am still confident we can dominate this series.
I still stand by my opinions I stated before this series and I can honestly say that the rain was never apart of my initial vision.
So without the rain in the equation if our top order can dig deep like we saw in the World Cup last year and set a top class foundation for our middle order and our bowlers key into the batsman and bowl to their field we are more than capable of some fine victories.
Sri-Lanka can be choked in crucial moments and having had a Test Match series against them and a glimpse of what the team are offering with the ball I am sure the guys have done their homework.
That’s the Baggy Blogger pre-match forecast for tomorrow’s match against The Lankans at the SCG.
Lets hope the weather forecast favours cricket conditions.
Now awaiting tomorrow’s day night between Aussie and Sri-Lanka at the SCG, there is another threat of rain.
Heavy rain returned to Sydney on Thursday night, which as mentioned will threaten Friday’s game, and I will be one of the many fans devastated if this occurs and we have another match with no result.
But until then I will hold my breath eagerly and dream that when I put on the television I will see Aussie at 0/200. It could happen!
Anyway some problems have been in the Australian camp.
Ricky Ponting, besides his back problems, has brought up the concern regarding poor fielding. With this I must agree.
Australian fielding standards are high and I like to believe we set a benchmark with our standards but as I saw it, catches weren’t being taken in the Test matches and the first ODI against India.
The Twenty20 against India, we fielded brilliantly and tactfully, and look at the result when our bowlers bowl to the field and the plan comes off! It’s devastating to the opposition.
These drop catches are not even challenging which at professional level should be taken, by Australian standards definitely!
I have said before that drop catches happen even for the best of players. Pressure, the momentum at which the ball travels and the situation the game is in all play a role in simple mistakes but I pride Aussie on our fielding ability and I hope the guys can combat this issue soon. As the old saying goes, ‘Catches win matches’.
Otherwise I am still confident we can dominate this series.
I still stand by my opinions I stated before this series and I can honestly say that the rain was never apart of my initial vision.
So without the rain in the equation if our top order can dig deep like we saw in the World Cup last year and set a top class foundation for our middle order and our bowlers key into the batsman and bowl to their field we are more than capable of some fine victories.
Sri-Lanka can be choked in crucial moments and having had a Test Match series against them and a glimpse of what the team are offering with the ball I am sure the guys have done their homework.
That’s the Baggy Blogger pre-match forecast for tomorrow’s match against The Lankans at the SCG.
Lets hope the weather forecast favours cricket conditions.
06 February 2008
CLASSIC MOMENTS FROM THE MEMORY PITCH
The GABBA ordered another round of rain to cause the second abandoned match, this time between India and Sri-Lanka on Tuesday in the Commonwealth Bank Series.
With Aussie only meeting the Lankans on Friday at the SCG I’ve had some time to give the blog a breather, but I cant stay away too long so I have now added a new feature, ‘Classic moments from the memory pitch’.
Simply I will bring up some classic moments, both recent and past with Australian cricket, be it good or bad moments.
But I will start on a high moment and a recent one at that.
The last two games of The Commonwealth Bank Series have been rained out and the Lankan-Indian game displayed some fine batting from Indian skipper MS Dhoni (88*) and Gambhir (102*). However those efforts brought out no match result and that got me thinking back to last years FUTURE Cup in India, the 1st ODI that was also rained out like the recent games.
The 1st ODI saw Aussie being put on the back foot by India at one stage sitting at 90/4 in the 16th over.
That was when Michael Clarke came out and crafted a skilfully entertaining innings of 130*.
This was Pup’s highest ODI score and it came when most needed which is a trait Pup has brought into the Aussie camp. Maybe he’s the tame version of Lance Kluesener?
Hitting 10 fours and 3 sixes, with a strike rate in that innings of 98.48, Pup, who was well backed by fellow New South Wales team mate and Aussies most likely candidate for wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (69), saw Australia post an aggressive 307 in 50 overs. James Hopes (37) soon came in and assisted in driving Aus forward after Haddin was stumped.
Pup smashed a six to bring up his ton in style in the 42nd over.
Still young, Clarke has become a cricketer who is a joy to watch. Following in the Ricky Ponting, Jonty Rhodes footsteps in the field, a capable spin bowler to rise to the occasion (Sydney Boxing Day Test 2007) and a textbook stroke player who can also pound the ball with the willow, he’s got talent no doubt.
I am interested to see if the Sydney city slicker will lead the Baggy Green in the future. Already adapting to T20 captaincy, this guy has a lot to offer and that innings of 130 was a glimpse into his ability.
That’s the debut for Classic moments from the memory pitch.
* See fixtures for CWB series in fixtures.
With Aussie only meeting the Lankans on Friday at the SCG I’ve had some time to give the blog a breather, but I cant stay away too long so I have now added a new feature, ‘Classic moments from the memory pitch’.
Simply I will bring up some classic moments, both recent and past with Australian cricket, be it good or bad moments.
But I will start on a high moment and a recent one at that.
The last two games of The Commonwealth Bank Series have been rained out and the Lankan-Indian game displayed some fine batting from Indian skipper MS Dhoni (88*) and Gambhir (102*). However those efforts brought out no match result and that got me thinking back to last years FUTURE Cup in India, the 1st ODI that was also rained out like the recent games.
The 1st ODI saw Aussie being put on the back foot by India at one stage sitting at 90/4 in the 16th over.
That was when Michael Clarke came out and crafted a skilfully entertaining innings of 130*.
This was Pup’s highest ODI score and it came when most needed which is a trait Pup has brought into the Aussie camp. Maybe he’s the tame version of Lance Kluesener?
Hitting 10 fours and 3 sixes, with a strike rate in that innings of 98.48, Pup, who was well backed by fellow New South Wales team mate and Aussies most likely candidate for wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (69), saw Australia post an aggressive 307 in 50 overs. James Hopes (37) soon came in and assisted in driving Aus forward after Haddin was stumped.
Pup smashed a six to bring up his ton in style in the 42nd over.
Still young, Clarke has become a cricketer who is a joy to watch. Following in the Ricky Ponting, Jonty Rhodes footsteps in the field, a capable spin bowler to rise to the occasion (Sydney Boxing Day Test 2007) and a textbook stroke player who can also pound the ball with the willow, he’s got talent no doubt.
I am interested to see if the Sydney city slicker will lead the Baggy Green in the future. Already adapting to T20 captaincy, this guy has a lot to offer and that innings of 130 was a glimpse into his ability.
That’s the debut for Classic moments from the memory pitch.
* See fixtures for CWB series in fixtures.
03 February 2008
RAIN DROWNS OUT FIRST ODI AT THE GABBA
What a pity, but due to consistent showers at the GABBA the 1st ODI between Aussie and India has been abandoned.
Aussie started the day with India getting in a bat and Aussie was in good control with Binga picking up 5 wickets.
Some poor fielding let some chances by but Aussie kept a good target in mind making India work hard for their runs.
Further rain resulted in Mr and Mrs Duck worth Lewis being referred to (Duck worth Lewis is a statistical approach in determining what the target and match situation are due to rain interference) which kept on dropping the required target and overs.
We ended up going back on with a Twenty20 style approach in our batting needing to reach 141 in 26 overs, with Gilchrist, Hopes and Ponting dismissed.
The game was eventually called off as the rain had caused too long a delay.
Some good bowling was displayed by both Aussie and India on the under prepared GABBA wicket but sadly we will never know the result.
I have never been a fan of the DWL method be it favouring my team or not. When you want a 50 over match, that’s what you want to get, but sadly that wasn’t the case for us.
S. Sreesanth and Roy (Andrew Symonds) brought back their rivalry but it all seemed to be ineffective thanks to the weather man.
I am not a fan of Sreesanth and never will be but his unusual antics and ego driven performances are very entertaining but he’s a persistent chap and I look forward to seeing Roy and Haydos take him to the cleaners. Whilst many don’t rate his bowling the chaps got a mean slower ball & actually isn’t that shabby, he is an international cricketer after all isn’t he?
At least Roy got to put one big four away against Mr. Sreesanth and coercive efforts.
I really believe this Triangular will be going down to the wire, and I still favour Aussie to win it, so watch this space!
Anyways now we wait till the next game. Not an ideal start but good to see the entertainment value is peaking and the crowds are flocking in.
Just watching some footage of the waterlogged GABBA, yep good call from the match referee and ground staff but unfortunate call for all of us and the crowd at Brisbane.
Mark Nicholas, Ian Healy and Michael Slater are quite a funny bunch of guys when they get analysing the matches for the Cricket networks.
Well the Indians and Sri-Lankans meet at the GABBA on Tuesday and Aussie meet Sri-Lanka at the SCG for a Day Night contest.
It’s still an exciting series ahead so stay tuned and watch every ball, or this blog!
* See fixtures for series in Januaries archives.
Aussie started the day with India getting in a bat and Aussie was in good control with Binga picking up 5 wickets.
Some poor fielding let some chances by but Aussie kept a good target in mind making India work hard for their runs.
Further rain resulted in Mr and Mrs Duck worth Lewis being referred to (Duck worth Lewis is a statistical approach in determining what the target and match situation are due to rain interference) which kept on dropping the required target and overs.
We ended up going back on with a Twenty20 style approach in our batting needing to reach 141 in 26 overs, with Gilchrist, Hopes and Ponting dismissed.
The game was eventually called off as the rain had caused too long a delay.
Some good bowling was displayed by both Aussie and India on the under prepared GABBA wicket but sadly we will never know the result.
I have never been a fan of the DWL method be it favouring my team or not. When you want a 50 over match, that’s what you want to get, but sadly that wasn’t the case for us.
S. Sreesanth and Roy (Andrew Symonds) brought back their rivalry but it all seemed to be ineffective thanks to the weather man.
I am not a fan of Sreesanth and never will be but his unusual antics and ego driven performances are very entertaining but he’s a persistent chap and I look forward to seeing Roy and Haydos take him to the cleaners. Whilst many don’t rate his bowling the chaps got a mean slower ball & actually isn’t that shabby, he is an international cricketer after all isn’t he?
At least Roy got to put one big four away against Mr. Sreesanth and coercive efforts.
I really believe this Triangular will be going down to the wire, and I still favour Aussie to win it, so watch this space!
Anyways now we wait till the next game. Not an ideal start but good to see the entertainment value is peaking and the crowds are flocking in.
Just watching some footage of the waterlogged GABBA, yep good call from the match referee and ground staff but unfortunate call for all of us and the crowd at Brisbane.
Mark Nicholas, Ian Healy and Michael Slater are quite a funny bunch of guys when they get analysing the matches for the Cricket networks.
Well the Indians and Sri-Lankans meet at the GABBA on Tuesday and Aussie meet Sri-Lanka at the SCG for a Day Night contest.
It’s still an exciting series ahead so stay tuned and watch every ball, or this blog!
* See fixtures for series in Januaries archives.
02 February 2008
NOFFKE & VOGES DRAFTED IN CBS SERIES SQUAD
Tomorrow we commence into action with the Commonwealth Bank Series.
A crushing victory over India in Fridays Twenty20 was the start up to an attractive series ahead which should provide many classic moments.
Interesting news for all of you is that Ashley Noffke (Queensland) & Adam Voges (Western Australia) have been drafted into the Australian squad for the ODI series starting up tomorrow, please note I stated ‘drafted’.
Ricky Ponting is nursing the back spasms he obtained during the Adelaide test, but still looks good to go, and Matthew Hayden is still being challenged with a hamstring injury.
So whether these two guys get their chance, we will see.
Haydos and Punter are two key players into our ODI strategy so to not have them will be devastating but as always we regroup and pull in the guys who can do the job, more often than not they step up to the challenge.
Besides that possible occurrence I have high hopes for a victory in this series. I’d like to Aussie win all their games in true style and Adam Gilchrist to give us a final display of his explosive batting!
Sri-Lanka lost to Tasmania in a One Day challenge quite convincingly which will drag their momentum down ever so slightly and I am certain India will be gunning their younger squad within the ranks of quality like Sachin and Sewag.
But all will be revealed soon, starting tomorrow at the GABBA as Aussie take down India, even further than the land down under.
Aussie needs to be on top of their game with the South African’s sneaking up behind them on rankings table.
The Proteas are on the way to a convincing defeat against a very young West Indian side in South Africa. This will push them up to 127 points in the ICC rankings, Aussie are currently standing up top with 130, still World’s number 1 which is apart of Cricket Australia’s mission.
This series will be the closing stages of a few careers but with open eyes we may see a few new legends start to emerge and hopefully grace us with quality cricket for the next decade.
Yes, it’s Day Night cricket, with non-stop action and plenty excitement ahead! Don’t miss a ball and don’t miss the entertainment!
* See fixtures in Januaries archives
A crushing victory over India in Fridays Twenty20 was the start up to an attractive series ahead which should provide many classic moments.
Interesting news for all of you is that Ashley Noffke (Queensland) & Adam Voges (Western Australia) have been drafted into the Australian squad for the ODI series starting up tomorrow, please note I stated ‘drafted’.
Ricky Ponting is nursing the back spasms he obtained during the Adelaide test, but still looks good to go, and Matthew Hayden is still being challenged with a hamstring injury.
So whether these two guys get their chance, we will see.
Haydos and Punter are two key players into our ODI strategy so to not have them will be devastating but as always we regroup and pull in the guys who can do the job, more often than not they step up to the challenge.
Besides that possible occurrence I have high hopes for a victory in this series. I’d like to Aussie win all their games in true style and Adam Gilchrist to give us a final display of his explosive batting!
Sri-Lanka lost to Tasmania in a One Day challenge quite convincingly which will drag their momentum down ever so slightly and I am certain India will be gunning their younger squad within the ranks of quality like Sachin and Sewag.
But all will be revealed soon, starting tomorrow at the GABBA as Aussie take down India, even further than the land down under.
Aussie needs to be on top of their game with the South African’s sneaking up behind them on rankings table.
The Proteas are on the way to a convincing defeat against a very young West Indian side in South Africa. This will push them up to 127 points in the ICC rankings, Aussie are currently standing up top with 130, still World’s number 1 which is apart of Cricket Australia’s mission.
This series will be the closing stages of a few careers but with open eyes we may see a few new legends start to emerge and hopefully grace us with quality cricket for the next decade.
Yes, it’s Day Night cricket, with non-stop action and plenty excitement ahead! Don’t miss a ball and don’t miss the entertainment!
* See fixtures in Januaries archives
01 February 2008
AUSSIE CRUSHES INDIA AT MCG T20 MATCH!
Well it didn’t quite rain fours and sixes, but Australia punished India in the MCG Twenty20 match in perfect Melbourne weather conditions!
Instead of seeing destructive batting, which is the Twenty20 anticipation, we saw the Australian bowling attack set off the fireworks.
A crowd of 84, 041 created an atmosphere that was unbelievable!
And it all started when Michael Clarke, who took on the captaincy after Ricky Ponting had to pull out to risk injury, covered a shot at point by Sewag, picked it up and nailed a direct hit at the non-strikers end at quite a distance.
Not only was Pup captain for the night but he also picked up man-of-match for his sensational fielding, great captaincy and his knock of 37*.
Brett Lee was firing them in over 150km/h and Nathan Bracken was on his usual form picking up three scalps for 11 runs, his best T20 figures.
All the guys chipped in with their bowling and world class fielding!
MS Dhoni tried to settle things along with Pathan (26) but with all the wickets tumbling around them it made the task a big ask and 74 all out was always going to be tough total to defend against the Australian T20 specialist side.
On the batting front luckily we saw two big ones fly over the ropes, one from Clarke straight down the ground and Gilchrist smashing a hook shot a few rows back! Australia won in the eleventh over with Gilchrist (25) the only wicket to collapse.
Surely a few of the newer players would have like to have had a bit of a bat, the likes of David Hussey and Adam Voges.
But a comprehensive victory non-the less and that gives us a good psychological advantage heading into this ODI series.
Still a lot of hard cricket to be played, this summer is not over yet!
A classic moment saw Gilly in his last T20 game and after a good knock he revealed the infamous squash ball, and tossed it aside. A piece of memorabilia no Sri-Lankan will want on their mantle piece!
Good humour! Still plenty too see from him the Commonwealth Bank Series!
Mr. Sreesanth didn’t have too much to chirp about tonight and a first ball duck didn’t help. Will see if his off field vocal warfare will have an influence on the field.
The Indians will learn from their mistakes as Indian Skipper MS Dhoni did state but as I often say, it’s cricket, you win some and you lose some, and Aussie were the winners in this encounter.
Sunday is the first game for the ODI series as Aussie takes on the Indians at the GABBA in a Day Night competition!
Instead of seeing destructive batting, which is the Twenty20 anticipation, we saw the Australian bowling attack set off the fireworks.
A crowd of 84, 041 created an atmosphere that was unbelievable!
And it all started when Michael Clarke, who took on the captaincy after Ricky Ponting had to pull out to risk injury, covered a shot at point by Sewag, picked it up and nailed a direct hit at the non-strikers end at quite a distance.
Not only was Pup captain for the night but he also picked up man-of-match for his sensational fielding, great captaincy and his knock of 37*.
Brett Lee was firing them in over 150km/h and Nathan Bracken was on his usual form picking up three scalps for 11 runs, his best T20 figures.
All the guys chipped in with their bowling and world class fielding!
MS Dhoni tried to settle things along with Pathan (26) but with all the wickets tumbling around them it made the task a big ask and 74 all out was always going to be tough total to defend against the Australian T20 specialist side.
On the batting front luckily we saw two big ones fly over the ropes, one from Clarke straight down the ground and Gilchrist smashing a hook shot a few rows back! Australia won in the eleventh over with Gilchrist (25) the only wicket to collapse.
Surely a few of the newer players would have like to have had a bit of a bat, the likes of David Hussey and Adam Voges.
But a comprehensive victory non-the less and that gives us a good psychological advantage heading into this ODI series.
Still a lot of hard cricket to be played, this summer is not over yet!
A classic moment saw Gilly in his last T20 game and after a good knock he revealed the infamous squash ball, and tossed it aside. A piece of memorabilia no Sri-Lankan will want on their mantle piece!
Good humour! Still plenty too see from him the Commonwealth Bank Series!
Mr. Sreesanth didn’t have too much to chirp about tonight and a first ball duck didn’t help. Will see if his off field vocal warfare will have an influence on the field.
The Indians will learn from their mistakes as Indian Skipper MS Dhoni did state but as I often say, it’s cricket, you win some and you lose some, and Aussie were the winners in this encounter.
Sunday is the first game for the ODI series as Aussie takes on the Indians at the GABBA in a Day Night competition!
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