Michael Clarke wins the AB Medal Award

The annual Allan Border Medal Award evening took place where Michael Clarke won the award for the third time in his career.
It is a fitting ackolade given the brilliant manner in which he has led the Australian team since taking on the ODI and then Test captaincy.
Clarkey won the award in 2005, then shared it in 2009 with Ricky Ponting and has now taken it following an incredible year as both a leader and a player for Australia.

Clarkey has also won the Test player of the year award, while his vice-captain Shane Watson won the ODI and T20 award.
It is the third time Watto has won the ODI player of the year award (a hat-trick for him with 2010/2011/2012) after his monstrous overall contribution with the bat.
Watto has so much value for Australian cricket and this has been highlighted with the fact he is in the top 50 of every ICC player ranking category.
I thought Mitchell Johnson had a chance of the award but fairly Watto performed across the board especially that epic innings against Bangladesh.

Watto also won the Twenty20 award which was won by David Hussey last year, being the first year the award was handed out. This was voted by overall performance input, so once again it's the benefits of being an all-rounder.

David Warner won the Young Bradman award which I honestly thought Patty Cummins or James Pattinson (mostly Jaymo) would win.
Well done to the Pitbull in any case after making inroads to his Test career (an scintilating 180 against India, averaging 52.37), further consistency coming through his ODI game, power hitting in the T20 format and of course his performances across the board for New South Wales.
It is a fair award and the last time he will be eligible for the award. Hope he has another sensational year!

Cricket Champ update: It's going places!

*Quick Match talk:
This article is to give you all an update as how it's going with our mates over at Cricket Champs, an Australian outreach to encourage special needs children to get out there and play this great game we all love.
But first a quick chat about the last match.

Very disappointing from the bowlers last night after the way they've really had a dream run this summer.
The batsmen put the runs on the board but come the second last over, Dan Christian was unable to avoid a four and six being smacked to ensure Sri Lanka would get home. It's not the nicest assignment death bowling.
Bowling "at the death" needs to be addressed (an this isn't based on one performance) but I'm surprised Clarkey didn't opt for more rapid bowler rotation. It's been a key success factor this summer.
All in all still positives to take away.
Xavier Doherty bowled brilliantly! Makes we wonder why Dussey wasn't used more as well.

Peter Forrest scored in his maiden ODI century in vain but I take nothing away form him. He's finding his way through International level and settled into the number three promotion with flying colours. He's already scored two half-centuries and one century from just four appearances. Keep at it Peter!
First centurion since Michael Hussey's century against Bangladesh in 2011.
Meanwhile Michael Clarke impressed upon his return and David Hussey continues to be brutal as a lower order power hitter. Filling the void for recently retired Andrew "Roy" Symonds. Very happy for Dussey.

To find out the scenario for who will make the finals, this Cricinfo article sums it up.
Bottom line, our boys must win one of their final games to make the Commonwealth Bank series and try end the summer on a high!

If you look in the banner section within the sidebar you will see the Cricket Champs logo.
We support their cause right here at the Baggy Green Blog and they're achieving remarkable things.
So much has happened for them since we first made contact so here's an update from Justin.

Keep it up Justin, absolutely outstanding stuff mate!
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Cricket Champs - Everyone can be a Champ!

Wow what a year it’s been for Cricket Champs. What started out as just a concept and a trial in the summer of 2010/2011 has now turned into a nice little program with its own website, high profile ambassadors, multiple clubs facilitating the program, National exposure and awareness, early support from Cricket Australia and most of all a bunch of kids having a great time being involved in our wonderful game of cricket.

Australian ICC Test/ODI/T20 rank update

To spare you the trouble to go scouting about the ICC site for the player rankings, here's a list of the current rankings.
Players in the top 100 have been listed, irrespective of whether they're in the current side or not.
Given the ongoing Commonwealth Bank Series, ODI ranks are due to change.

Shane Watson's value is clearly reflected in the ranks. What a player, glad to have him back!

Tests:

Team rank - 4th place, 111 points.
Tie with India. England top rank 118 points. South Africa 2nd 117 points.

Test batsmen:
03 - Michael Clarke (top 10)
14 - Ricky Ponting
16 - Michael Hussey
29 - Shane Watson
37 - David Warner
40 - Brad Haddin
53 - Phillip Hughes
65 - Ed Cowan
72 - Steven Smith
80 - Mitchell Johnson
88 - Peter Siddle

Ricky Ponting to make his announcement this week

*Updated: Ricky Ponting gave his announcement to carry on playing Test cricket and it seems inevitable that he will move away from the limited overs format now.
As I had hoped, he will play further cricket for Tasmania as well as club cricket while carrying on wearing the Baggy Green cap is now his focus.
Wishing him nothing but epic success for what remains. He had nothing more to prove and it opens an opportunity for another player ready to stamp his mark as a breakthrough ODI batsman.

The big news this week is that Ricky Ponting has been dropped from the ODI side following 5 games where the maestro of Australian batting was unable to deliver substantial contributions following one of his most epic Test series in Australia. It’s baffling and quite upsetting that things have gone from such a high to a low, to the point where we are awaiting a decision from Punter with regards to his future.

For the two most up-to-date sources: Cricinfo source 1, Cricinfo source 2.

Understandably this decision was a bold one and kudos to John Inverarity and his selectors as I wouldn’t have wanted to have made this call, but it’s the nature of competitive sport.
Given the competitive character and inner fight that makes Punter one of sports grittiest blokes around, he would have been numbed by this but no doubt he’d see the reasoning.
He’s a team player and that is why I have always held him in high regard and why he’s inspired me.

The question now is whether Punter will call it a day for just limited overs cricket and be able to cash in on some State cricket for Tassie as his Test career continues for 12 months or more, or maybe this will make him re-evaluate his prospects to rather focus on his family and personal matters and retire altogether from the game that has been his life.

Ben Hilfenhaus takes 5 in his ODI comeback

*If you missed the book review of the Baggy Green Book, click here to read the review and found out about purchase information.

After the humiliating defeat against Sri Lanka on Friday, it was a serious turnaround in events against India as the Green and Golds took the match by 110 runs to ensure they are the team to beat.
Plenty of positives from the game and it was a match that certainly tested the tempers of a few Indian players ensuring us that the competition is intense this series.

Full scorecard via ESPN Cricinfo.

Result: Australia won by 110 runs.
Series standing: Played 5, won 3, lost 2.
Man-of-the-match: Ben Hilfenhaus (go Hilfy!)

Batting: 5/288 (50 overs)
Michael Hussey 59, Peter Forrest 52, David Warner 45, Matt Wade 43, David Hussey 26,* Dan Christian 30*

As you can see by the list, we had no shortages in terms of contributions.
This was a massive change after last game and it was great to see David Warner and Matt Wade form a partnership at the top of the order with 70 runs.
The Pitbull (Warner) has been struggling for some confidence in terms of how to go about his game and I don't think the Captaincy talk would have helped his case. I have no doubt he will come right as he has some much skill and he's the real deal.
He really got things well under control and, like Matt Wade, his dismissal was a soft one and very disappointing to see. It was a start from the two of them and while they'll be gutted to have thrown away their wickets to miss half-centuries for extended dominance but they put runs on the board.
For Matt Wade it's down to another learning experience.

The Captaincy debate, what’s the fuss?

It started with Brad Haddin being rested for the ODI series.
This was followed by Mickey Arthur stating Brad was still in long term plans, followed by Brad stating he felt he had been dropped.
This was then met with Matthew Wade being given his opportunity while Brad was rested.
He impressed with immediate impact in the T20s and ODIs, especially with his agility and speed behind the stumps.

What may have occurred in Brad’s case is that what was initially intended to be a rest to give Matt Wade a chance may have become clouded over his long-term role due to his own inconsistencies behind the stumps in recent times and with Matt taking his opportunities.
It’s a harsh reality in this fickle game.

The other issue was a personal one where I had a rare disagreement with Steve Waugh’s views over Ricky Ponting being given the Captaincy and not David Warner.

Firstly, this is a temporary solution while Michael Clarke rests up a bit so his minor injury will be nursed as he focuses on the Windies tour after the current ODI series.
It is temporary and rather it seems logical to give the leadership to a bloke who has done it many, many times and has world class experience to call upon.
Punter hasn’t had the best of starts to his limited overs series but he has the mental strength and experience to be able to focus on the two jobs at hand, batting and captaincy.

The battle for consistency

For old and younger players there is a battle within that is never ending.
This is the battle for consistency within their respective games, where the competition never ends from the drive for continual improvement in their own game to the benchmarks set from the few elite players in their class. It is often good to try empathise with the players of this game to realise how fickle cricket is.

This summer has seen a return of players who were regular shows, having been dropped at some stage in recent times.
We've seen debutants in all forms of the game who have delivered the goods of promise and we've witnessed some incredible moments of senior players rising above all odds to put aside their inconsistency which put doubts over their longevity.
The thing that fascinates me is that in sport, especially with a rotation policy to ensure players don't get exhaustion, a player is never established and his selection isn't a given. He is never set with opportunity being a frequent occurrence in the current Australian cricket landscape and whilst his reputation may indicate this is so, a player knows this game is harsh and can turn on him in a few hours, even moments.

Let's have a look at just a few players in the current setup to see these realities.

Book Review: The Baggy Green - The pride, passion and history of Australia's sporting icon

Authors: Mike Coward and Michael Fahey
Publisher: The Cricket Publishing Company
First Published: March 2008, Reprinted December 2009
ISBN: 0 97756331 1 1
Pages: 136

To buy a copy of the book go to www.thebaggygreen.com.au
or email Michael Fahey directly at: michael@sportsmem.com.au

Michael Fahey, the Co-author of the "The Baggy Green - The pride, passion and history of Australia's sporting icon", contacted me last year to read and review the book.
How could I refuse?

This supporters blog is inspired by that very icon and has become the identity for my writing and connection to Australian cricket. The legacy and symbolism is something I have a strong interest within so this book was right up my alley.

Upon receiving the book it was immediately appealing with the cover art.
The colours reflect the cap, the artwork is simple and eye-catching, while the presentation is neat and elegant.
Turning the cover over to the back page the reader will see a photo of a younger Michael Clarke and a short testimonial of his responsibility he feels for what the cap stands for in the modern day context of Australian cricket.
It is quite fitting given he is now the Captain of this great team with such a rich history.


“I have the ultimate respect for the cap, and if I have any input into the next generation I will see that the tradition continues.” - Michael Clarke (Australian Test and ODI Captain)

Matt Wade debuts in attacking style

After his T20 series started with a fast paced half-century, Matt Wade has made his mark with his debut appearance in One Day Internationals.
Matt faced the first ball of the Australian innings at his home ground and didn't look back as he managed 67 runs (x4 fours, x2 sixes), a major part of the innings resumed after a rain delay which will be a personal victory for him after the way the rain delays ruined his focus in the first T20i.
The delay for this match saw a reduction to 32 overs but it didn't affect Matt's game plan as he continued to score at close to a run a ball with clean hitting, ensuring he didn't lose momentum as a few wickets fell around him.

The victory gives the bonus point and it's an excellent way to start to Tri-Series in dominating style.
The target was still a daunting one for India following the Hussey bro's classic limited overs performances and then from the moment India lost their first wicket, Michael Clarke utitlised his stocks to give India little room to breathe as they collapses in the run chase. Tactically outplayed and given the over reduction, the nature of the game changed a fair bit which India just didn't seem to gel with.

Sad news before the game was that Brett Lee will be out for sometime again with a broken foot, so it will be hard to see him get the selection nod for the Windies tour if the bowlers all put in top performances this series.
After overcoming all his injuries and personal battles, it is upsetting to see Binga get hit repeatedly with injury. Perhaps it's a sign?

2nd T20i: India finally register a win (1-1)

I have enjoyed the winning feeling again. In fact I've become a little used to it that this was a bit of a shock to the system losing the 2nd T20.
In any case, not really much to write about the game is there?

Scorecard via ESPN Cricinfo.

Our batsmen looked very good but four run outs and one stumping ended determining our fate.
Definitely a throw away of positive starts and had that been different, so would the result I reckon.
The decision to rest Travis Birt was daft, however I support the decision to move Matt Wade down the order to give Aaron Finch a go, who is definitely going to become a limited overs cricketer for Australia. His opportunity was deserved but Travis should have had a second match.

Matt Wade has definitely show cased his abilities well thus far. A good ODI series and his International career will be ready to blast off! Well done.

Shaun Marsh has lost total confidence which I still find so confusing after his brilliant start to his Test career. Come to think of it he made a similar start to his ODI career. Back to State cricket for Shaun. Such a pity.

The bowlers didn't have a hell of a big target to defend so you can't be too critical. India knew just plowing along would do the trick. George Bailey could only do so much with his strategy.

Can't win them all but it was good for India to register a win at last.
As for the Green and Gold boys, the Tri-series has returned and the first game is tomorrow.
Bring on the last objective for the summer...win the Commonwealth Bank Series 2012!

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Australia's new-look T20 side wins the first match

Another victory for the summer and a very good match for Australian supporters for the first official Twenty20 match at Stadium Australia.
The drop in wicket proved to play quite nicely for the evening and despite some showers here and there, we got a full game of cricket.

The three features of the game for me were;
- George Bailey taking on the Captaincy, having never played a match for Australia (besides have lead Australia A) and doing a convincing job at it.
- Matt Wade's awesome innings, or explosive should I say. That's how to make a statement.
- Brad Hogg making his return and getting a wicket in his first over!

Full scorecard via ESPN Cricinfo

Batting: 4/171 from 20 overs
Matt Wade 72, David Hussey 42, David Warner 25.