CAPE TOWN: Sri Lanka faced an uphill battle to avoid defeat after captain Tillekeratne Dilshan was out early in their follow on innings on the third day of the third and final Test against South Africa at Newlands on Thursday.
Scorecard
Sri Lanka were 42 for one at tea, still 299 runs short of making South Africa bat again.
Sri Lanka were earlier bowled out for 239 in their first innings, with fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander taking three wickets apiece.
Philander struck again in the fourth over of the follow on when Dilshan drove loosely at a ball which moved away, edging a catch to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher.
Lahiru Thirimanne should have followed his fellow opener to the pavilion when he was on 10. He edged Morne Morkel and Boucher put down a straightforward chance. Thirimanne was on 18 not out at tea.
Sri Lanka collapsed in their first innings, losing eight wickets for
90 runs after resuming on 149 for two.
Steyn took three for 56 and Philander three for 46. Both bowled superbly on Thursday, with Steyn's figures for the day an impressive three for 16 off eight overs, while Philander was even better, his three wickets costing 12 runs off nine overs.
Steyn struck with the third ball of the day when Kumar Sangakkara sliced a drive to point without adding to his overnight score of 35.
Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera stayed together for more than an hour before Philander accounted for Samaraweera, who was caught at second slip for 11.
Steyn came back for a second spell and had Jayawardene caught at second slip for 30 with his third ball and Mathews caught behind for a single in his next over.
Dinesh Chandimal, who made two half-centuries on debut in the second Test in Durban, hit 35 off 45 balls but the tail crumbled before he was last man out.
Showing posts with label Cricket News Updates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cricket News Updates. Show all posts
Thursday, 5 January 2012
Clarke 329 Is Highest Test Mark In Sydney
SYDNEY: After erasing some of Donald Bradman's marks with an unbeaten triple century, Michael Clarke didn't risk upsetting anyone by going on to surpass the great man's highest score.
So he declared Australia's innings at 659-4 when he was 329 not out - five short of the revered Bradman's mark of 334 - at the drinks break in the middle session on Thursday, exactly halfway through the second Test against India.
Australians had a commanding 468-run first innings lead, but on a flat wicket where the bowlers were struggling, Clarke could have easily justified batting on, and breaking a slew of batting records including Brian Lara's mark of 400 for the highest score.
He had already beaten Bradman's record for highest score on home soil by an Australian captain (270), then he'd added the highest score ever at the historic Sydney Cricket Ground, followed by the first triple century at the ground and then just about doubled his own previous highest score of 168.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm stoked that I've managed to make 300-odd runs today but the most important thing for me now is that we win this ," Clarke said, deflecting the attention from the timing of his declaration.
"It's about putting the team first. What I love most about this game, is seeing this team win," he said. "I've been like that as a player and I'll be no different as a captain.
"If it was best for the team to continue batting then I would have continued to bat."
His innings was not even within 50 of an Australian record - Matt Hayden scored a then-world record 380 against Zimbabwe in 2003 - but it was a sign of respect for a more recognized and enduring mark: the 334 scored by Bradman, and equalled but deliberately not surpassed by Mark Taylor.
Clarke's epic innings will go a long way to tipping public support his way, having often struggled to win over a demanding nation of fans who consider the national cricket captaincy second only to the prime minister in terms of importance.
Clarke's talent had never been in doubt since he burst onto the scene in 2004, more than 18 months after establishing himself in the limited-overs squad, by scoring 151 on debut against India at Bangalore.
That innings reflected the precocious talent of the brash youngster from Sydney's western suburbs, who had earned the nickname 'Pup' due to his youthful prowess in provincial cricket and was long considered as a flamboyant run-maker rather than a captain in waiting.
The public's reticence toward Clarke has largely been based on style rather than substance, with fans hesitant to embrace a man who takes a very different approach to the trademark no-frills manner of iconic recent captains like Allan Border and Steve Waugh.
He models underwear, has a collection of tattoos, and is highly conscious of his image - not exactly traits Australian cricket fans would ascribe to favourite sons like Dennis Lillee or David Boon.
His locker room spat with former opener Simon Katich for wanting to leave to spend time with his girlfriend rather than keep celebrating a victory in Sydney has become the stuff of legend and polarized opinion.
Clarke's struggle for fans' acceptance was illustrated last Australian summer when he was booed by a crowd when he walked out to bat in a one-dayer in the wake of Ashes series defeat, when the national team at its nadir after a decade at the top of the game.
But Clarke's four centuries in nine Tests since officially replacing Ricky Ponting as captain have hushed some critics who didn't think he was leadership material.
"It's about respect, it's about continuing to earn the public's respect. That's all I've ever wanted," Clarke said after his 18th and, by far his biggest, hundred. "If people are going to dislike me that's life, that's the way it is. But the most important thing for me, especially being the Australian captain now, you want your home fans to respect you."
His latest innings had a precarious start, with Australia at 37-3 after removing India for 191 on the opening day of the 100th at the SCG. But after sharing back-to-back partnerships of 288 with Ponting (134) and 334 with Mike Hussey (150 not out), he increased his batting average as Australian captain above 59.
Clarke's campaign to bat his way into public affection is progressing well, if judged by the prolonged and raucous standing ovation he received Thursday when he clipped off his pads through mid-wicket for a boundary to bring up his 300.
It came in the wake of a tumultuous initial stint as captain, which included a horrendous loss in Cape Town when Australia was bowled out for 47 followed by a courageous win over the South Africans in Johannesburg.
A big victory over New Zealand followed that to open the Australian season last month, but that win was followed by a shocking loss in Hobart _ Australia's first loss to the Kiwis on home soil in 26 years.
Mark Taylor had no problem with public support as captain in between the tenures of Allan Border and Steve Waugh.
He only enhanced his reputation when he declared Australia's innings after a night of contemplation when he'd reached 334 not out against Pakistan at Peshawar in 1998. Taylor even had a telephone discussion with then Australian Prime Minister John Howard before formally announcing his decision to declare, and hence be forever linked with Bradman.
Taylor was in a TV commentary box at the SCG when Clarke declared on day three, clearly surprised at the decision. He'd earlier joked that Australia had enough and made the mock gesture of calling the players off the field.
"I had a feeling he might get to 334 and think about it," Taylor, wearing a pink suit in support of a charity, said in the broadcast. "The drinks break came at probably just the wrong time for Michael Clarke. It wouldn't have surprised me if I saw him walk off with 334, not for me but more for somebody like Sir Donald Bradman."
But Taylor backed the decision, saying Clarke had put the team's pursuit of victory above any personal milestones.
"What a great day, not just for Michael Clarke, but for cricket," Taylor said. "Millions of views around the world have enjoyed this for cricket's sake."
Friends and fans rushed to praise Clarke, perhaps none more than Taylor.
"He's a guy who loves the game of cricket and I don't think people have quite understood that with Michael," he said. "He had an opportunity to make the world record today, there's no doubt about that. He could've done that and still had two days to bowl India out and win this .
"He could've achieved both goals but what he wanted to say is 'yes, I want to do well myself ... but I want to captain a side that's going to win first.'
"A lot of people focused on the negatives ... but now he is the main man. I think we're starting to see the real Michael Clarke."
So he declared Australia's innings at 659-4 when he was 329 not out - five short of the revered Bradman's mark of 334 - at the drinks break in the middle session on Thursday, exactly halfway through the second Test against India.
Australians had a commanding 468-run first innings lead, but on a flat wicket where the bowlers were struggling, Clarke could have easily justified batting on, and breaking a slew of batting records including Brian Lara's mark of 400 for the highest score.
He had already beaten Bradman's record for highest score on home soil by an Australian captain (270), then he'd added the highest score ever at the historic Sydney Cricket Ground, followed by the first triple century at the ground and then just about doubled his own previous highest score of 168.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm stoked that I've managed to make 300-odd runs today but the most important thing for me now is that we win this ," Clarke said, deflecting the attention from the timing of his declaration.
"It's about putting the team first. What I love most about this game, is seeing this team win," he said. "I've been like that as a player and I'll be no different as a captain.
"If it was best for the team to continue batting then I would have continued to bat."
His innings was not even within 50 of an Australian record - Matt Hayden scored a then-world record 380 against Zimbabwe in 2003 - but it was a sign of respect for a more recognized and enduring mark: the 334 scored by Bradman, and equalled but deliberately not surpassed by Mark Taylor.
Clarke's epic innings will go a long way to tipping public support his way, having often struggled to win over a demanding nation of fans who consider the national cricket captaincy second only to the prime minister in terms of importance.
Clarke's talent had never been in doubt since he burst onto the scene in 2004, more than 18 months after establishing himself in the limited-overs squad, by scoring 151 on debut against India at Bangalore.
That innings reflected the precocious talent of the brash youngster from Sydney's western suburbs, who had earned the nickname 'Pup' due to his youthful prowess in provincial cricket and was long considered as a flamboyant run-maker rather than a captain in waiting.
The public's reticence toward Clarke has largely been based on style rather than substance, with fans hesitant to embrace a man who takes a very different approach to the trademark no-frills manner of iconic recent captains like Allan Border and Steve Waugh.
He models underwear, has a collection of tattoos, and is highly conscious of his image - not exactly traits Australian cricket fans would ascribe to favourite sons like Dennis Lillee or David Boon.
His locker room spat with former opener Simon Katich for wanting to leave to spend time with his girlfriend rather than keep celebrating a victory in Sydney has become the stuff of legend and polarized opinion.
Clarke's struggle for fans' acceptance was illustrated last Australian summer when he was booed by a crowd when he walked out to bat in a one-dayer in the wake of Ashes series defeat, when the national team at its nadir after a decade at the top of the game.
But Clarke's four centuries in nine Tests since officially replacing Ricky Ponting as captain have hushed some critics who didn't think he was leadership material.
"It's about respect, it's about continuing to earn the public's respect. That's all I've ever wanted," Clarke said after his 18th and, by far his biggest, hundred. "If people are going to dislike me that's life, that's the way it is. But the most important thing for me, especially being the Australian captain now, you want your home fans to respect you."
His latest innings had a precarious start, with Australia at 37-3 after removing India for 191 on the opening day of the 100th at the SCG. But after sharing back-to-back partnerships of 288 with Ponting (134) and 334 with Mike Hussey (150 not out), he increased his batting average as Australian captain above 59.
Clarke's campaign to bat his way into public affection is progressing well, if judged by the prolonged and raucous standing ovation he received Thursday when he clipped off his pads through mid-wicket for a boundary to bring up his 300.
It came in the wake of a tumultuous initial stint as captain, which included a horrendous loss in Cape Town when Australia was bowled out for 47 followed by a courageous win over the South Africans in Johannesburg.
A big victory over New Zealand followed that to open the Australian season last month, but that win was followed by a shocking loss in Hobart _ Australia's first loss to the Kiwis on home soil in 26 years.
Mark Taylor had no problem with public support as captain in between the tenures of Allan Border and Steve Waugh.
He only enhanced his reputation when he declared Australia's innings after a night of contemplation when he'd reached 334 not out against Pakistan at Peshawar in 1998. Taylor even had a telephone discussion with then Australian Prime Minister John Howard before formally announcing his decision to declare, and hence be forever linked with Bradman.
Taylor was in a TV commentary box at the SCG when Clarke declared on day three, clearly surprised at the decision. He'd earlier joked that Australia had enough and made the mock gesture of calling the players off the field.
"I had a feeling he might get to 334 and think about it," Taylor, wearing a pink suit in support of a charity, said in the broadcast. "The drinks break came at probably just the wrong time for Michael Clarke. It wouldn't have surprised me if I saw him walk off with 334, not for me but more for somebody like Sir Donald Bradman."
But Taylor backed the decision, saying Clarke had put the team's pursuit of victory above any personal milestones.
"What a great day, not just for Michael Clarke, but for cricket," Taylor said. "Millions of views around the world have enjoyed this for cricket's sake."
Friends and fans rushed to praise Clarke, perhaps none more than Taylor.
"He's a guy who loves the game of cricket and I don't think people have quite understood that with Michael," he said. "He had an opportunity to make the world record today, there's no doubt about that. He could've done that and still had two days to bowl India out and win this .
"He could've achieved both goals but what he wanted to say is 'yes, I want to do well myself ... but I want to captain a side that's going to win first.'
"A lot of people focused on the negatives ... but now he is the main man. I think we're starting to see the real Michael Clarke."
We Need To Go Out And Show Some Fight: Dravid
SYDNEY: With India heading towards their sixth consecutive overseas Test defeat, veteran batsman Rahul Dravid on Thursday said his team has quality batsmen but they need some inspiration to fight back and save the second Test.
Scorecard
"The key for us is to keep them on the field for a long period of time. If we can keep their bowlers and fielders on the field for more than 100 overs. Then we can put them under pressure and some of their bowlers will wilt", said Dravid after the third day's play during which Australia declared for 659 for 4 in the first innings before reducing India to 114 for two in their second essay.
"Sadly in the three innings we have played so far, we haven't been able to do that. They kept up on the field for a long time today. We need to try and do that.
"We have probably been in the field much longer. They put us under the pump. The real key for us is to keep them in the field for that long. They are coming in hard, running in hard. The last spell they bowled really well. After drinks the last 15 overs they came in really hard. That's one of the challenges," he added.
Hoping that India would be able to bat after tea on Friday, Dravid said, "That's where the real challenge is. If we can hang in there, play out time, and have them on the field for a long time."
Dravid refused to predict whether India would save the Test by batting out the next two days.
"I don't know we can think about saving the game right now. We need to go out there and show some fight. And bat as long as we can. Who knows what can happen? We have got quality batsmen who can bat long periods. I am sure the guys will go out and fight and do the best they can," he insisted.
India were revived in 2001 home series when Dravid and VVS Laxman batted the length of a full day's play at Eden Gardens and turned the series around and Dravid hoped for a similar inspiration for his team.
"I would hope so. We need a lift. We need to perform better than we have. We have not played well in the last three days. We need some inspiration," he said.
Dravid believed the challenge for his side's batsmen is both mental and physical.
"Part of the challenge is mental. Part of it is physical and technical. Physically you have to bat for long period of times. Technically, they have a good attack that is bowling well. So you have to counter them technically as well. It's a combination of effort. If we are going to save the game, we need everything to work for us."
The former skipper said he expects to turn his own fortune around in the present series in which he has been consistently getting out bowled to Australian bowlers.
"I feel I have been batting well. Hopefully, in the next couple of Tests, I will be able to convert one of these starts. Sometimes you can't read too much into things," said Dravid.
Dravid was out bowled in both innings of the first Test and had a reprieve too when Peter Siddle had bowled him off a no-ball. He again has been found out leaving a gap between his bat and pad in the second innings in the SCG Test.
"To be fair, there have been couple of pretty good balls. It's not like I have got out, you know, inner-edging. A couple of good balls, a couple of things, I could have done differently," Dravid insisted.
Stating that he was disappointed with his side's effort in the series so far, the veteran batsman said, "I'm a little bit disappointed here in the sense. Okay in the England, we were not always with our best attack. Due to injuries and various other reasons, our bowling attack in England wasn't the best possible attack.
"Here we had the best bowling attack we can possibly hope for. So it is obviously disappointing." Dravid said.
Dravid lamented that bowlers were not only failing to get wickets but were also not able to stop the flow of runs.
"We are obviously disappointed. Once partnership develop, and runs go, we need to pull it back and try to control the runs. Having said that, it's not easy. It's something we need to consider. We can't afford to give a lot of runs. Even if we don't take wickets, we have to stop the run flow," he said.
Indian field placement were also "defensive" and came in for criticism from experts but Dravid felt that with just 191 runs in the first innings, it was difficult to do anything.
"It's hard when you are under the pump, you have 190 runs to play with, and the game is running away from you. The wicket was pretty flat. You try and bring the field up and they were stepping out and hitting it over the top, or piercing the field. You try to push the field back to control the runs for a bit and may be get a wicket and bring it back in. We didn't get a wicket all day. Sometimes it happens.
"After Ponting got out, we brought the field up, but (Mike) Hussey came out and played a few really good shots. Again you are forced to push the field back because the game is running away from you very quickly."
Dravid also did not find anything wrong with his team's decision to bat first on winning the toss.
"I don't think it was a wrong decision to bat first. We didn't bat well, that's why we find ourselves in this situation. I think we knew it was going to be challenging. The first 35-40 overs on the first morning were always going to be a challenge. We didn't bat particularly well. 190 in not good enough on that wicket", he said.
"The wicket hasn't changed too much. If anything it is a bit slower. There wasn't much turn for Ashwin, not for Nathan Lyon in the couple of overs he bowled. Shot-making might be a little bit more difficult because of the slowness," Dravid explained.
Applauding the Australian bowlers for their efforts, Dravid said, "Obviously they are pitching it up. The ball started to reverse a little bit. When you are pitching it up, and it is reversing, obviously they are looking to bowl...it's pretty obvious. The ball is hard and swinging normally, you look to bring the slips into play.
"Once the ball becomes old, obviously they are looking to attack the stumps. I can understand that's what they are trying to do. They have bowled pretty good balls."
Dravid expressed happiness that opener Gautam Gambhir (68 not out) could manage to score some runs.
"I'm happy for him. He has worked very hard. Been under a lot of pressure obviously. He wants to score runs, keen to do well. He played positively. Later towards the end of the day, when things were tough, he gritted it out and hung in there. Hopefully, he can convert into a big one. We know he likes batting for long hours," he said.
Scorecard
"The key for us is to keep them on the field for a long period of time. If we can keep their bowlers and fielders on the field for more than 100 overs. Then we can put them under pressure and some of their bowlers will wilt", said Dravid after the third day's play during which Australia declared for 659 for 4 in the first innings before reducing India to 114 for two in their second essay.
"Sadly in the three innings we have played so far, we haven't been able to do that. They kept up on the field for a long time today. We need to try and do that.
"We have probably been in the field much longer. They put us under the pump. The real key for us is to keep them in the field for that long. They are coming in hard, running in hard. The last spell they bowled really well. After drinks the last 15 overs they came in really hard. That's one of the challenges," he added.
Hoping that India would be able to bat after tea on Friday, Dravid said, "That's where the real challenge is. If we can hang in there, play out time, and have them on the field for a long time."
Dravid refused to predict whether India would save the Test by batting out the next two days.
"I don't know we can think about saving the game right now. We need to go out there and show some fight. And bat as long as we can. Who knows what can happen? We have got quality batsmen who can bat long periods. I am sure the guys will go out and fight and do the best they can," he insisted.
India were revived in 2001 home series when Dravid and VVS Laxman batted the length of a full day's play at Eden Gardens and turned the series around and Dravid hoped for a similar inspiration for his team.
"I would hope so. We need a lift. We need to perform better than we have. We have not played well in the last three days. We need some inspiration," he said.
Dravid believed the challenge for his side's batsmen is both mental and physical.
"Part of the challenge is mental. Part of it is physical and technical. Physically you have to bat for long period of times. Technically, they have a good attack that is bowling well. So you have to counter them technically as well. It's a combination of effort. If we are going to save the game, we need everything to work for us."
The former skipper said he expects to turn his own fortune around in the present series in which he has been consistently getting out bowled to Australian bowlers.
"I feel I have been batting well. Hopefully, in the next couple of Tests, I will be able to convert one of these starts. Sometimes you can't read too much into things," said Dravid.
Dravid was out bowled in both innings of the first Test and had a reprieve too when Peter Siddle had bowled him off a no-ball. He again has been found out leaving a gap between his bat and pad in the second innings in the SCG Test.
"To be fair, there have been couple of pretty good balls. It's not like I have got out, you know, inner-edging. A couple of good balls, a couple of things, I could have done differently," Dravid insisted.
Stating that he was disappointed with his side's effort in the series so far, the veteran batsman said, "I'm a little bit disappointed here in the sense. Okay in the England, we were not always with our best attack. Due to injuries and various other reasons, our bowling attack in England wasn't the best possible attack.
"Here we had the best bowling attack we can possibly hope for. So it is obviously disappointing." Dravid said.
Dravid lamented that bowlers were not only failing to get wickets but were also not able to stop the flow of runs.
"We are obviously disappointed. Once partnership develop, and runs go, we need to pull it back and try to control the runs. Having said that, it's not easy. It's something we need to consider. We can't afford to give a lot of runs. Even if we don't take wickets, we have to stop the run flow," he said.
Indian field placement were also "defensive" and came in for criticism from experts but Dravid felt that with just 191 runs in the first innings, it was difficult to do anything.
"It's hard when you are under the pump, you have 190 runs to play with, and the game is running away from you. The wicket was pretty flat. You try and bring the field up and they were stepping out and hitting it over the top, or piercing the field. You try to push the field back to control the runs for a bit and may be get a wicket and bring it back in. We didn't get a wicket all day. Sometimes it happens.
"After Ponting got out, we brought the field up, but (Mike) Hussey came out and played a few really good shots. Again you are forced to push the field back because the game is running away from you very quickly."
Dravid also did not find anything wrong with his team's decision to bat first on winning the toss.
"I don't think it was a wrong decision to bat first. We didn't bat well, that's why we find ourselves in this situation. I think we knew it was going to be challenging. The first 35-40 overs on the first morning were always going to be a challenge. We didn't bat particularly well. 190 in not good enough on that wicket", he said.
"The wicket hasn't changed too much. If anything it is a bit slower. There wasn't much turn for Ashwin, not for Nathan Lyon in the couple of overs he bowled. Shot-making might be a little bit more difficult because of the slowness," Dravid explained.
Applauding the Australian bowlers for their efforts, Dravid said, "Obviously they are pitching it up. The ball started to reverse a little bit. When you are pitching it up, and it is reversing, obviously they are looking to bowl...it's pretty obvious. The ball is hard and swinging normally, you look to bring the slips into play.
"Once the ball becomes old, obviously they are looking to attack the stumps. I can understand that's what they are trying to do. They have bowled pretty good balls."
Dravid expressed happiness that opener Gautam Gambhir (68 not out) could manage to score some runs.
"I'm happy for him. He has worked very hard. Been under a lot of pressure obviously. He wants to score runs, keen to do well. He played positively. Later towards the end of the day, when things were tough, he gritted it out and hung in there. Hopefully, he can convert into a big one. We know he likes batting for long hours," he said.
Bradman And Taylor's Record Didn't Cross My Mind, Says Clarke
SYDNEY: Australia captain Michael Clarke on Thursday said he didn't think of Don Bradman and Mark Taylor's record when he made a surprise declaration and all that he thought was to give his bowlers enough time to dismiss India for a second time and win the second Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground ( SCG).
Scorecard
Clarke was unbeaten on 329 and Australia were 659 for four when he decided to make India bat in the second innings. He was five runs short of equalling Bradman and Taylor's record of 334, the highest Test score by an Australian.
"I didn't think about it (records) at all, I didn't have Don Bradman or Mark Taylor's score in my head whatsoever," Clarke told reporters when asked about the record.
"It was about trying to get the team to a number, a total I thought would be a good score to make a declaration, then have a crack this afternoon to get a couple of wickets. If it was best for the team to continue batting I would have continued to bat," he said.
The 30-year-old said his achievement would mean little unless they win the match.
"I don't think it will sink in properly until we win the Test match. That is why we play, that was my goal walking out there today. Don't get me wrong, I am stoked that I have managed to make 300-odd runs in this Test match, but the most important thing for me now is we win the Test.
"That was a big part of the reason for my declaration. I spoke to Hussey just before we declared and I really wanted him to make 150, he deserved it, and once he got that I thought now we have a 450-run lead, it is a good time to pull up stumps and try to get a couple of wickets tonight," he said.
Clarke said he didn't expect to score 300 as he had never batted for that long prior to his remarkable innings.
"I didn't expect to score 300 in one innings, so the fact I have done that I am stoked, and as for all the other records, I am happy where I sit, to be honest.
"Batting the amount of time for me was the toughest thing. I have never batted that long in any form of the game in any team in my career.
"Physically I felt pretty good, when I came to the ground I felt pretty fresh, and my body felt in a pretty good position. It is just the mental application and concentration that you need to have."
Scorecard
Clarke was unbeaten on 329 and Australia were 659 for four when he decided to make India bat in the second innings. He was five runs short of equalling Bradman and Taylor's record of 334, the highest Test score by an Australian.
"I didn't think about it (records) at all, I didn't have Don Bradman or Mark Taylor's score in my head whatsoever," Clarke told reporters when asked about the record.
"It was about trying to get the team to a number, a total I thought would be a good score to make a declaration, then have a crack this afternoon to get a couple of wickets. If it was best for the team to continue batting I would have continued to bat," he said.
The 30-year-old said his achievement would mean little unless they win the match.
"I don't think it will sink in properly until we win the Test match. That is why we play, that was my goal walking out there today. Don't get me wrong, I am stoked that I have managed to make 300-odd runs in this Test match, but the most important thing for me now is we win the Test.
"That was a big part of the reason for my declaration. I spoke to Hussey just before we declared and I really wanted him to make 150, he deserved it, and once he got that I thought now we have a 450-run lead, it is a good time to pull up stumps and try to get a couple of wickets tonight," he said.
Clarke said he didn't expect to score 300 as he had never batted for that long prior to his remarkable innings.
"I didn't expect to score 300 in one innings, so the fact I have done that I am stoked, and as for all the other records, I am happy where I sit, to be honest.
"Batting the amount of time for me was the toughest thing. I have never batted that long in any form of the game in any team in my career.
"Physically I felt pretty good, when I came to the ground I felt pretty fresh, and my body felt in a pretty good position. It is just the mental application and concentration that you need to have."
Ind Vs Aus: India Fight To Save Sydney Test After Clarke Triple Ton
SYDNEY: A hapless India faced the prospect of another humiliating defeat as Australia rode on skipper Michael Clarke's maiden triple hundred and Michael Hussey's 150 to score a mammoth first innings total of 659/4 declared and take complete command of the second Test on Thursday.
Scorecard | Match in Pics
At stumps on the third day, India were trailing by 354 runs after losing a couple of wickets at the Sydney Cricket Ground. India face the daunting task of batting out two full days, which raises the possibility of an innings defeat in the match.
Opener Virender Sehwag (4) and an uncertain Rahul Dravid (29) were cooling their heels in the pavilion, leaving Gautam Gambhir (68) and Sachin Tendulkar (8) to fight. The visitors were 114/2 in their second dig in the 41 overs and nearly half the day of batting they got.
Gambhir has so far batted for three hours and struck nine fours off 124 balls. Tendulkar's grim 8 was made in over an hour's batting and he faced 42 balls.
Earlier, Australia continued their firm grip on the match by stretching their overnight score of 482/4 to 659 an hour after lunch without losing a single wicket.
Michael Hussey, overnight 55, remained unbeaten on 150 but the glory of the day belonged to Clarke who was left unconquered on 329, the highest score ever made at the SCG, which is hosting its 100th Test.
Hussey reached his century before lunch but Clarke had to wait till resumption to get to his triple century. The Australian captain, overnight 251, was slow to get off the blocks and had added only 42 runs by lunch as only 13 runs came off his bat in the first hour.
Still, Australia were past 500 runs in the first hour, a feat they had done nearly 22 months and 17 Tests ago -- against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton in March 2010.
All along, landmarks kept falling like nine pins against Clarke's name. When he had added seven runs to his overnight total, he overtook Ricky Ponting as the highest scorer ever against India. Ponting had made 257 in the 1999-2000 Test at Melbourne.
Clarke swept off-spinner Ashwin to square leg fence through a packed onside field to move to 280 which took him past 277 that West Indian legend Brian Lara made at this venue in a 1992-93 series.
Clarke stroked Ishant Sharma through the covers to become the highest scorer at the SCG, going past the 287 which R E Foster of England made in a 1903-04 series just a few minutes before the lunch interval.
Clarke cut another four in the same over, dangerously close to VVS Laxman at slips, to move to within seven runs of his triple century.
Hussey had reached his own hundred, his 16th in his 68th Test, and was unbeaten on 111 at lunch.
The pair raised the 200 for the stand when Hussey back cut Umesh Yadav crisply past the point boundary. It took 206 minutes and 307 balls for the 200-run stand.
By lunch, the two had put on 258 runs for the fifth wicket and the score read 583/4.
On resumption, Clarke reached the all-important landmark when he clipped Ishant Sharma to midwicket fence.
The two were still going strong when the declaration arrived as soon as Hussey reached his 150. Clarke was unbeaten on 329 at the other end and Australia had stretched their lead to 468 runs.
Clarke's score is the fourth highest score by an Australian in Test cricket, behind Matthew Hayden (380), Sir Donald Bradman (334) and Mark Taylor (334).
This was the 25th instance of a triple century in Test cricket. Only Bradman, Brian Lara, Virender Sehwag and Chris Gayle are the four batsmen who have hit triple century twice in Tests.
That makes Clarke only the 21st batsman in game's annals to crack the code of a triple century.
For records, this is after 95 Tests that an Australian has thrashed a triple century. Matthew Hayden was the last one to do so -- a total of 380 against Zimbabwe at WACA, Perth in 2003.
In all, Clarke batted for 617 minutes and hit 39 fours and a six from 468 balls. Hussey batted for 312 minutes and 253 balls and smashed 16 fours and a six.
India began on a familiar dismal note when Sehwag cut an ordinary delivery from Ben Hilfenhaus to point where David Warner took a wonderful acrobatic catch.
But Gambhir was looking in fine nick as he hit a few glorious strokes in his 39 before tea. In the very first over itself, bowled by James Pattinson, he thrashed two cuts through point for boundaries.
He then twice drove Peter Siddle in succession to cover boundary. It was followed by a straight drive off Siddle which he executed with utmost aplomb.
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon, in his second over, the final one before tea, was hit for two fours by Gambhir -- both slammed through the cover region as India took tea at 53/1.
Gambhir duly reached his half-century in the final session, having taken only 54 balls and hitting eight fours.
Dravid, at the other end, hit a few fine strokes on either side of the wicket but he did appear a man with more than one worry in his head.
The veteran batsman once dangerously inside edged a delivery past his stumps for four and then fell prey in now all too characteristic fashion in this series.
Dravid came forward to an off-cutter from Hilfenhaus and left a little gap between his bat and pad. It was enough for the ball to sneak through and hit the top of the middle stump.
Dravid batted for 102 minutes and 73 balls for his 29 runs and hit six fours. He put on 72 runs for the second wicket with Gambhir.
Gambhir and Tendulkar dropped anchor and were just intent to see through the day. Overs after overs passed without a run being added to the total.
Gambhir took a run after being run-less for 34 balls and Tendulkar went past his three runs through a streaky four only after defending 51 deliveries.
In the dying minutes of the game, Gambhir received a chance when he edged an easy catch towards the wicketkeeper but Brad Haddin just couldn't lay his hands to the edge. James Pattinson was the aggrieved bowler for Australia.
Scorecard | Match in Pics
At stumps on the third day, India were trailing by 354 runs after losing a couple of wickets at the Sydney Cricket Ground. India face the daunting task of batting out two full days, which raises the possibility of an innings defeat in the match.
Opener Virender Sehwag (4) and an uncertain Rahul Dravid (29) were cooling their heels in the pavilion, leaving Gautam Gambhir (68) and Sachin Tendulkar (8) to fight. The visitors were 114/2 in their second dig in the 41 overs and nearly half the day of batting they got.
Gambhir has so far batted for three hours and struck nine fours off 124 balls. Tendulkar's grim 8 was made in over an hour's batting and he faced 42 balls.
Earlier, Australia continued their firm grip on the match by stretching their overnight score of 482/4 to 659 an hour after lunch without losing a single wicket.
Michael Hussey, overnight 55, remained unbeaten on 150 but the glory of the day belonged to Clarke who was left unconquered on 329, the highest score ever made at the SCG, which is hosting its 100th Test.
Hussey reached his century before lunch but Clarke had to wait till resumption to get to his triple century. The Australian captain, overnight 251, was slow to get off the blocks and had added only 42 runs by lunch as only 13 runs came off his bat in the first hour.
Still, Australia were past 500 runs in the first hour, a feat they had done nearly 22 months and 17 Tests ago -- against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton in March 2010.
All along, landmarks kept falling like nine pins against Clarke's name. When he had added seven runs to his overnight total, he overtook Ricky Ponting as the highest scorer ever against India. Ponting had made 257 in the 1999-2000 Test at Melbourne.
Clarke swept off-spinner Ashwin to square leg fence through a packed onside field to move to 280 which took him past 277 that West Indian legend Brian Lara made at this venue in a 1992-93 series.
Clarke stroked Ishant Sharma through the covers to become the highest scorer at the SCG, going past the 287 which R E Foster of England made in a 1903-04 series just a few minutes before the lunch interval.
Clarke cut another four in the same over, dangerously close to VVS Laxman at slips, to move to within seven runs of his triple century.
Hussey had reached his own hundred, his 16th in his 68th Test, and was unbeaten on 111 at lunch.
The pair raised the 200 for the stand when Hussey back cut Umesh Yadav crisply past the point boundary. It took 206 minutes and 307 balls for the 200-run stand.
By lunch, the two had put on 258 runs for the fifth wicket and the score read 583/4.
On resumption, Clarke reached the all-important landmark when he clipped Ishant Sharma to midwicket fence.
The two were still going strong when the declaration arrived as soon as Hussey reached his 150. Clarke was unbeaten on 329 at the other end and Australia had stretched their lead to 468 runs.
Clarke's score is the fourth highest score by an Australian in Test cricket, behind Matthew Hayden (380), Sir Donald Bradman (334) and Mark Taylor (334).
This was the 25th instance of a triple century in Test cricket. Only Bradman, Brian Lara, Virender Sehwag and Chris Gayle are the four batsmen who have hit triple century twice in Tests.
That makes Clarke only the 21st batsman in game's annals to crack the code of a triple century.
For records, this is after 95 Tests that an Australian has thrashed a triple century. Matthew Hayden was the last one to do so -- a total of 380 against Zimbabwe at WACA, Perth in 2003.
In all, Clarke batted for 617 minutes and hit 39 fours and a six from 468 balls. Hussey batted for 312 minutes and 253 balls and smashed 16 fours and a six.
India began on a familiar dismal note when Sehwag cut an ordinary delivery from Ben Hilfenhaus to point where David Warner took a wonderful acrobatic catch.
But Gambhir was looking in fine nick as he hit a few glorious strokes in his 39 before tea. In the very first over itself, bowled by James Pattinson, he thrashed two cuts through point for boundaries.
He then twice drove Peter Siddle in succession to cover boundary. It was followed by a straight drive off Siddle which he executed with utmost aplomb.
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon, in his second over, the final one before tea, was hit for two fours by Gambhir -- both slammed through the cover region as India took tea at 53/1.
Gambhir duly reached his half-century in the final session, having taken only 54 balls and hitting eight fours.
Dravid, at the other end, hit a few fine strokes on either side of the wicket but he did appear a man with more than one worry in his head.
The veteran batsman once dangerously inside edged a delivery past his stumps for four and then fell prey in now all too characteristic fashion in this series.
Dravid came forward to an off-cutter from Hilfenhaus and left a little gap between his bat and pad. It was enough for the ball to sneak through and hit the top of the middle stump.
Dravid batted for 102 minutes and 73 balls for his 29 runs and hit six fours. He put on 72 runs for the second wicket with Gambhir.
Gambhir and Tendulkar dropped anchor and were just intent to see through the day. Overs after overs passed without a run being added to the total.
Gambhir took a run after being run-less for 34 balls and Tendulkar went past his three runs through a streaky four only after defending 51 deliveries.
In the dying minutes of the game, Gambhir received a chance when he edged an easy catch towards the wicketkeeper but Brad Haddin just couldn't lay his hands to the edge. James Pattinson was the aggrieved bowler for Australia.
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Ind Vs Aus Test 2 Day 1 : Clarke, Ponting Dash India’s Hopes After Zaheer Strikes
Triple strikes by Zaheer Khan raised a glimmer of hope for India only to be dashed by an unfinished fourth-wicket 79-run stand between Australian skipper Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting on the first day of the second cricket Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney Tuesday.
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Australia ended the day at 116 for three after dismissing India for 191 in the first innings of the 100th Test at the SCG. Clarke was batting on 47 and Ponting on 44 after Zaheer got rid of openers David Warner (8), Ed Cowan (16) and Shaun Marsh cheaply to reduce the hosts to 37 for three. Australia trail by 75 runs but have seven wickets in hand.
Zaheer (26) struck in the first over removing Warner, caught by Sachin Tendulkar – from V.V.S. Laxman’s assist. In his second over, Zaheer claimed the wicket of Marsh for a duck, this time Laxman not fumbling. Clarke denied Zaheer a hat-trick but the left-arm pacer soon proved why he was dangerous against left-handed batsmen by trapping Cowan lbw.
Earlier, the Indian batting collapsed yet again after a sterling display by the Australian pace battery. Fast bowling sensation James Pattinson (4/43) picked up the valuable wickets of opener Gautam Gambhir – off the third ball of the morning – and Virender Sehwag (30), V.V.S Laxman (2) and Tendulkar (41), who was again denied his much awaited 100th international century.
Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus picked up three wickets each. Siddle also claimed his 100th Test wicket.
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who remained unbeaten on valuable 57, won the toss and elected to bat but the team suffered a massive blow when Pattinson dismissed opener Gambhir without a run being posted. Gambhir was caught at first slip by Clarke.
India were on the backfoot early at 2-30 after Dravid was caught at short leg by Cowan off Siddle.
Tendulkar received a huge cheer as he walked to the wicket. The cricketing world was eagerly waiting for the batting maestro to score his 100th international century on the historic occasion of the 100th Test match at the SCG. Tendulkar raised hopes with a flurry of boundaries off Siddle but soon started losing partners at the other end.
Sehwag, who was dropped by Ricky Ponting off Hilfenhaus (3/51) in the first over after drinks on 23, was dismissed for 30 while poking at an away delivery from Pattinson to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin. Laxman followed four runs later caught by Marsh.
India had lost four wickets in the first session, while Virat Kohli (23), after adding 37 runs with Tendulkar, was dismissed about half an hour after lunch, caught behind off Siddle (3/55).
Tendulkar and Dhoni’s repair act yielded just 28 runs and Pattinson removed the batting great, who drove loosely at a wide ball only to catch an inside edge and lost his bails. Dhoni then added crucial 54 runs for the sixth wicket with Ashwin that gave the innings some respectability.
Ben Hilfenhaus removed Ravichandran Ashwin (20) and Zaheer Khan in consecutive deliveries to leave India at 178 for eight and gave himself a chance of claiming his maiden Test hat-trick after the resumption of play. Ishant Sharma denied Hilfenfaus the hat-trick and Dhoni, sensing that he would soon run out of partner went all out slamming Siddle for three fours, the second a lovely punch off the back-foot brought up his fifty.
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Australia ended the day at 116 for three after dismissing India for 191 in the first innings of the 100th Test at the SCG. Clarke was batting on 47 and Ponting on 44 after Zaheer got rid of openers David Warner (8), Ed Cowan (16) and Shaun Marsh cheaply to reduce the hosts to 37 for three. Australia trail by 75 runs but have seven wickets in hand.
Zaheer (26) struck in the first over removing Warner, caught by Sachin Tendulkar – from V.V.S. Laxman’s assist. In his second over, Zaheer claimed the wicket of Marsh for a duck, this time Laxman not fumbling. Clarke denied Zaheer a hat-trick but the left-arm pacer soon proved why he was dangerous against left-handed batsmen by trapping Cowan lbw.
Earlier, the Indian batting collapsed yet again after a sterling display by the Australian pace battery. Fast bowling sensation James Pattinson (4/43) picked up the valuable wickets of opener Gautam Gambhir – off the third ball of the morning – and Virender Sehwag (30), V.V.S Laxman (2) and Tendulkar (41), who was again denied his much awaited 100th international century.
Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus picked up three wickets each. Siddle also claimed his 100th Test wicket.
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who remained unbeaten on valuable 57, won the toss and elected to bat but the team suffered a massive blow when Pattinson dismissed opener Gambhir without a run being posted. Gambhir was caught at first slip by Clarke.
India were on the backfoot early at 2-30 after Dravid was caught at short leg by Cowan off Siddle.
Tendulkar received a huge cheer as he walked to the wicket. The cricketing world was eagerly waiting for the batting maestro to score his 100th international century on the historic occasion of the 100th Test match at the SCG. Tendulkar raised hopes with a flurry of boundaries off Siddle but soon started losing partners at the other end.
Sehwag, who was dropped by Ricky Ponting off Hilfenhaus (3/51) in the first over after drinks on 23, was dismissed for 30 while poking at an away delivery from Pattinson to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin. Laxman followed four runs later caught by Marsh.
India had lost four wickets in the first session, while Virat Kohli (23), after adding 37 runs with Tendulkar, was dismissed about half an hour after lunch, caught behind off Siddle (3/55).
Tendulkar and Dhoni’s repair act yielded just 28 runs and Pattinson removed the batting great, who drove loosely at a wide ball only to catch an inside edge and lost his bails. Dhoni then added crucial 54 runs for the sixth wicket with Ashwin that gave the innings some respectability.
Ben Hilfenhaus removed Ravichandran Ashwin (20) and Zaheer Khan in consecutive deliveries to leave India at 178 for eight and gave himself a chance of claiming his maiden Test hat-trick after the resumption of play. Ishant Sharma denied Hilfenfaus the hat-trick and Dhoni, sensing that he would soon run out of partner went all out slamming Siddle for three fours, the second a lovely punch off the back-foot brought up his fifty.
Ind Vs Aus Test 2 Day 2 : Clarke, Ponting Virtually Bat India Out Of Test
Skipper Michael Clarke notched up his maiden double hundred and Ricky Ponting ended his century draught to give Australia a massive 291-run first innings lead, ending the second day’s play at 482 for four in the second Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) here Wednesday.
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Clarke was batting on 251 along with Mike Hussey (55) and Australia seemed to have batted India out of the second Test having dismissed them for 191 runs in the first innings.
The 30-year-old Clarke and Ponting, who scored a near-faultless 134, punished the lacklustre bowling and crushed India with their 288-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Clarke and Hussey’s unfinished 157-run stand for the fifth wicket piled on the agony.
Clarke mesmerised the SCG crowd with a repertoire of shots and is now close to getting past England’s Reginald Foster’s 109-year SCG record of 287. Clarke has already surpassed his previous best score of 168 against New Zealand in Wellington in 2010.
Clarke also become just the 13th player to score a double ton at the SCG and surpassed the legendary Don Bradman and Doug Walters to become the highest-scoring Australian at the historic venue.
Clarke hit 24 fours and a six in a memorable knock on the occasion of the 100th Test at the ground.
Australia, resuming at overnight 116 for three, scored 366 runs for the loss of one wicket in the day. In every session, more than 100 runs were scored as they was nothing in the wicket that could have helped the Indian bowlers. Pacers Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin each conceded more than 100 runs.
Clarke crossed the three-figure mark in the final over of the opening session while the 37-year-old Ponting achieved the 40th century of his 160-match Test career and his sixth at the ground shortly after resumption.
Ponting was finally dismissed for 134, caught by Sachin Tendulkar at point off Ishant with the second new ball, after a 288-run partnership with Clarke that helped Australia recover from 37 for three.
The only time Ponting came close to being dismissed during his 225-ball knock, studded with 14 fours, was when he scampered for a single to get his 100th run off Ishant. Zaheer fielded cleanly but his well-directed throw missed the stumps — had it hit, Ponting would have been more than a half-metre short of his ground.
But the cricketing gods were on Ponting’ side and the former Australian skipper picked himself up after the dive and with his shirt covered in dirt he raised his arms skywards to celebrate one of his most cherished centuries. It was a career-defining innings and will help Ponting retain his position in the Australian team until at least the end of the summer.
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Clarke was batting on 251 along with Mike Hussey (55) and Australia seemed to have batted India out of the second Test having dismissed them for 191 runs in the first innings.
The 30-year-old Clarke and Ponting, who scored a near-faultless 134, punished the lacklustre bowling and crushed India with their 288-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Clarke and Hussey’s unfinished 157-run stand for the fifth wicket piled on the agony.
Clarke mesmerised the SCG crowd with a repertoire of shots and is now close to getting past England’s Reginald Foster’s 109-year SCG record of 287. Clarke has already surpassed his previous best score of 168 against New Zealand in Wellington in 2010.
Clarke also become just the 13th player to score a double ton at the SCG and surpassed the legendary Don Bradman and Doug Walters to become the highest-scoring Australian at the historic venue.
Clarke hit 24 fours and a six in a memorable knock on the occasion of the 100th Test at the ground.
Australia, resuming at overnight 116 for three, scored 366 runs for the loss of one wicket in the day. In every session, more than 100 runs were scored as they was nothing in the wicket that could have helped the Indian bowlers. Pacers Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin each conceded more than 100 runs.
Clarke crossed the three-figure mark in the final over of the opening session while the 37-year-old Ponting achieved the 40th century of his 160-match Test career and his sixth at the ground shortly after resumption.
Ponting was finally dismissed for 134, caught by Sachin Tendulkar at point off Ishant with the second new ball, after a 288-run partnership with Clarke that helped Australia recover from 37 for three.
The only time Ponting came close to being dismissed during his 225-ball knock, studded with 14 fours, was when he scampered for a single to get his 100th run off Ishant. Zaheer fielded cleanly but his well-directed throw missed the stumps — had it hit, Ponting would have been more than a half-metre short of his ground.
But the cricketing gods were on Ponting’ side and the former Australian skipper picked himself up after the dive and with his shirt covered in dirt he raised his arms skywards to celebrate one of his most cherished centuries. It was a career-defining innings and will help Ponting retain his position in the Australian team until at least the end of the summer.
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Five Losses Have Hit Belief But We Will Bounce Back: Dhoni
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni admitted that five straight losses overseas have hit the “belief of the team” but believes that his boys are capable of bouncing back in the Sydney Test against Australia beginning Tuesday.
Dhoni felt it would be “premature” to write India off after the 122-run loss in Boxing Day Test at Melbourne.
“That is what you think (on writing India off in the series),” Dhoni told reporters at the pre-match press conference at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
“If you see the kind of players we have got, that will be a very premature statement to make. What we have seen is, we have always bounced back and the Australian team will have to keep the pressure on the batting line-up and the bowlers. It is just that we have not performed in the first Test, and we will look to improve in the second.”
Dhoni said the five straight losses affected the morale of team but the players have learnt from each mistake made in the past.
“It does affect it (the belief) a bit, but it is not something to get bogged down about because we all know the reasons as to what exactly happened.”
“You learn a lot from the mistakes you make. So we are looking at the positives. In the last five Test matches abroad that we have lost, we have still had plenty of positives in those particular games,” said Dhoni.
Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag failed to provide a good start at Melbourne with the southpaw struggling in both innings. Dhoni reiterated that India must start well to put pressure on Australia.
“Opening is a very crucial thing for us. Whenever we have done well, we have relied a lot on the opening pair. We don’t really want to put pressure on them, because if you see, Sehwag is the kind of batsman who loves to go out there and play his strokes and looks to put pressure on the opposition. Gautam equally complements Sehwag because he is someone who takes his time to get in. But if it is in his area, he loves to play his strokes. So overall, both batsmen really complement each other,” he said.
The skipper expected the pitch to assist pacers on the first three days and turn thereafter. India, unlike Australia, once again did not announce the playing eleven a day before the game. Dhoni said he preferred naming the team on the day of the game as it keeps everyone on their toes.
“I always like to announce the team on match day because I want all to be ready for Test match in case of a last-minute injury. Everyone is fit to play here and it is a big positive for us.”
The hype around Sachin Tendulkar scoring his 100th hundred in the 100th Test at the SCG is getting more intense. Dhoni maintained the frenzy did not affect the team, including the master blaster himself, and rather called it as a “big distraction” for the media.
“Well, he is always close to a milestone. If you see his career in the last three years, whatever he has done, somehow he has been very close to a milestone, whether he is playing the most number of ODIs or Test matches or the 100th hundred or all the things. Playing for 21-22 years and being at the top always, it is bound to happen.”
“I don’t think he personally thinks about it (the hundred) a lot. Of course, the quicker he achieves it, it will ease off whatever the so-called pressure is on him. He doesn’t really talk about it and it never feels as if he is under any sort of pressure,” he said.
Dhoni felt it would be “premature” to write India off after the 122-run loss in Boxing Day Test at Melbourne.
“That is what you think (on writing India off in the series),” Dhoni told reporters at the pre-match press conference at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
“If you see the kind of players we have got, that will be a very premature statement to make. What we have seen is, we have always bounced back and the Australian team will have to keep the pressure on the batting line-up and the bowlers. It is just that we have not performed in the first Test, and we will look to improve in the second.”
Dhoni said the five straight losses affected the morale of team but the players have learnt from each mistake made in the past.
“It does affect it (the belief) a bit, but it is not something to get bogged down about because we all know the reasons as to what exactly happened.”
“You learn a lot from the mistakes you make. So we are looking at the positives. In the last five Test matches abroad that we have lost, we have still had plenty of positives in those particular games,” said Dhoni.
Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag failed to provide a good start at Melbourne with the southpaw struggling in both innings. Dhoni reiterated that India must start well to put pressure on Australia.
“Opening is a very crucial thing for us. Whenever we have done well, we have relied a lot on the opening pair. We don’t really want to put pressure on them, because if you see, Sehwag is the kind of batsman who loves to go out there and play his strokes and looks to put pressure on the opposition. Gautam equally complements Sehwag because he is someone who takes his time to get in. But if it is in his area, he loves to play his strokes. So overall, both batsmen really complement each other,” he said.
The skipper expected the pitch to assist pacers on the first three days and turn thereafter. India, unlike Australia, once again did not announce the playing eleven a day before the game. Dhoni said he preferred naming the team on the day of the game as it keeps everyone on their toes.
“I always like to announce the team on match day because I want all to be ready for Test match in case of a last-minute injury. Everyone is fit to play here and it is a big positive for us.”
The hype around Sachin Tendulkar scoring his 100th hundred in the 100th Test at the SCG is getting more intense. Dhoni maintained the frenzy did not affect the team, including the master blaster himself, and rather called it as a “big distraction” for the media.
“Well, he is always close to a milestone. If you see his career in the last three years, whatever he has done, somehow he has been very close to a milestone, whether he is playing the most number of ODIs or Test matches or the 100th hundred or all the things. Playing for 21-22 years and being at the top always, it is bound to happen.”
“I don’t think he personally thinks about it (the hundred) a lot. Of course, the quicker he achieves it, it will ease off whatever the so-called pressure is on him. He doesn’t really talk about it and it never feels as if he is under any sort of pressure,” he said.
Sachin Will Not Score 100th Ton In Australia: Mcgrath
Australian fast bowling legend McGrath predicted that India’s Sachin Tendulkar will remain stranded on 99 international centuries at least for the rest of the summer.
McGrath said the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), which will be hosting its 100th international Test, provides Tendulkar the perfect opportunity to achieve the milestone.
“Well the scene is set, there’s no doubt about that, Sachin’s a class player and to be sitting on 99 (international) hundreds is incredible,” McGrath was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.
“But I’m tipping our boys will hold him back for another few Tests. It would be nice to see Sachin get his 100th hundred first Test in the next series.”
Tendulkar scored his 99th international century in a World Cup group stage match March 12 against South Africa. Since then he has failed to notch his 100th hundred in the away series in England and at home to West Indies.
McGrath said the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), which will be hosting its 100th international Test, provides Tendulkar the perfect opportunity to achieve the milestone.
“Well the scene is set, there’s no doubt about that, Sachin’s a class player and to be sitting on 99 (international) hundreds is incredible,” McGrath was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.
“But I’m tipping our boys will hold him back for another few Tests. It would be nice to see Sachin get his 100th hundred first Test in the next series.”
Tendulkar scored his 99th international century in a World Cup group stage match March 12 against South Africa. Since then he has failed to notch his 100th hundred in the away series in England and at home to West Indies.
Ind Vs Aus Test 2 Day 1 : Clarke, Ponting Dash India’s Hopes After Zaheer Strikes
Triple strikes by Zaheer Khan raised a glimmer of hope for India only to be dashed by an unfinished fourth-wicket 79-run stand between Australian skipper Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting on the first day of the second cricket Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney Tuesday.
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Australia ended the day at 116 for three after dismissing India for 191 in the first innings of the 100th Test at the SCG. Clarke was batting on 47 and Ponting on 44 after Zaheer got rid of openers David Warner (8), Ed Cowan (16) and Shaun Marsh cheaply to reduce the hosts to 37 for three. Australia trail by 75 runs but have seven wickets in hand.
Zaheer (26) struck in the first over removing Warner, caught by Sachin Tendulkar – from V.V.S. Laxman’s assist. In his second over, Zaheer claimed the wicket of Marsh for a duck, this time Laxman not fumbling. Clarke denied Zaheer a hat-trick but the left-arm pacer soon proved why he was dangerous against left-handed batsmen by trapping Cowan lbw.
Earlier, the Indian batting collapsed yet again after a sterling display by the Australian pace battery. Fast bowling sensation James Pattinson (4/43) picked up the valuable wickets of opener Gautam Gambhir – off the third ball of the morning – and Virender Sehwag (30), V.V.S Laxman (2) and Tendulkar (41), who was again denied his much awaited 100th international century.
Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus picked up three wickets each. Siddle also claimed his 100th Test wicket.
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who remained unbeaten on valuable 57, won the toss and elected to bat but the team suffered a massive blow when Pattinson dismissed opener Gambhir without a run being posted. Gambhir was caught at first slip by Clarke.
India were on the backfoot early at 2-30 after Dravid was caught at short leg by Cowan off Siddle.
Tendulkar received a huge cheer as he walked to the wicket. The cricketing world was eagerly waiting for the batting maestro to score his 100th international century on the historic occasion of the 100th Test match at the SCG. Tendulkar raised hopes with a flurry of boundaries off Siddle but soon started losing partners at the other end.
Sehwag, who was dropped by Ricky Ponting off Hilfenhaus (3/51) in the first over after drinks on 23, was dismissed for 30 while poking at an away delivery from Pattinson to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin. Laxman followed four runs later caught by Marsh.
India had lost four wickets in the first session, while Virat Kohli (23), after adding 37 runs with Tendulkar, was dismissed about half an hour after lunch, caught behind off Siddle (3/55).
Tendulkar and Dhoni’s repair act yielded just 28 runs and Pattinson removed the batting great, who drove loosely at a wide ball only to catch an inside edge and lost his bails. Dhoni then added crucial 54 runs for the sixth wicket with Ashwin that gave the innings some respectability.
Ben Hilfenhaus removed Ravichandran Ashwin (20) and Zaheer Khan in consecutive deliveries to leave India at 178 for eight and gave himself a chance of claiming his maiden Test hat-trick after the resumption of play. Ishant Sharma denied Hilfenfaus the hat-trick and Dhoni, sensing that he would soon run out of partner went all out slamming Siddle for three fours, the second a lovely punch off the back-foot brought up his fifty.
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Australia ended the day at 116 for three after dismissing India for 191 in the first innings of the 100th Test at the SCG. Clarke was batting on 47 and Ponting on 44 after Zaheer got rid of openers David Warner (8), Ed Cowan (16) and Shaun Marsh cheaply to reduce the hosts to 37 for three. Australia trail by 75 runs but have seven wickets in hand.
Zaheer (26) struck in the first over removing Warner, caught by Sachin Tendulkar – from V.V.S. Laxman’s assist. In his second over, Zaheer claimed the wicket of Marsh for a duck, this time Laxman not fumbling. Clarke denied Zaheer a hat-trick but the left-arm pacer soon proved why he was dangerous against left-handed batsmen by trapping Cowan lbw.
Earlier, the Indian batting collapsed yet again after a sterling display by the Australian pace battery. Fast bowling sensation James Pattinson (4/43) picked up the valuable wickets of opener Gautam Gambhir – off the third ball of the morning – and Virender Sehwag (30), V.V.S Laxman (2) and Tendulkar (41), who was again denied his much awaited 100th international century.
Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus picked up three wickets each. Siddle also claimed his 100th Test wicket.
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who remained unbeaten on valuable 57, won the toss and elected to bat but the team suffered a massive blow when Pattinson dismissed opener Gambhir without a run being posted. Gambhir was caught at first slip by Clarke.
India were on the backfoot early at 2-30 after Dravid was caught at short leg by Cowan off Siddle.
Tendulkar received a huge cheer as he walked to the wicket. The cricketing world was eagerly waiting for the batting maestro to score his 100th international century on the historic occasion of the 100th Test match at the SCG. Tendulkar raised hopes with a flurry of boundaries off Siddle but soon started losing partners at the other end.
Sehwag, who was dropped by Ricky Ponting off Hilfenhaus (3/51) in the first over after drinks on 23, was dismissed for 30 while poking at an away delivery from Pattinson to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin. Laxman followed four runs later caught by Marsh.
India had lost four wickets in the first session, while Virat Kohli (23), after adding 37 runs with Tendulkar, was dismissed about half an hour after lunch, caught behind off Siddle (3/55).
Tendulkar and Dhoni’s repair act yielded just 28 runs and Pattinson removed the batting great, who drove loosely at a wide ball only to catch an inside edge and lost his bails. Dhoni then added crucial 54 runs for the sixth wicket with Ashwin that gave the innings some respectability.
Ben Hilfenhaus removed Ravichandran Ashwin (20) and Zaheer Khan in consecutive deliveries to leave India at 178 for eight and gave himself a chance of claiming his maiden Test hat-trick after the resumption of play. Ishant Sharma denied Hilfenfaus the hat-trick and Dhoni, sensing that he would soon run out of partner went all out slamming Siddle for three fours, the second a lovely punch off the back-foot brought up his fifty.
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Shane Watson Is The Highest Earning Australian Cricketer
All-rounder Shane Watson, who is racing against time to get fit for the Test series against India, is the highest earning Australian cricketer ahead of captain Michael Clarke and Ricky Pointing.
The Business Review Weekly magazine reported that Australian cricket might be at its all-time low in nearly 30 years but cricketers are getting richer more than ever before. The number of cricketers in the Business Review Weekly annual list have doubled from five to 10 this year.
Watson is the highest ranked cricketer in 11th spot, with a $4 million annual contract with Cricket Australia (CA) and an additional $1.8 million deal with the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Rajasthan Royals.
Skipper Clarke and his predecessor Ricky Ponting are equal 16th on the rich list, each earning $3.5 million a year though they don’t have a contract with an IPL team.
The list of top-50 highest earning sportspersons is headed by basketball star Andrew Bogut, who earns $13 million a year. Bogut becomes the first basketballer to top the list.
Last year’s top earner, Formula One driver Mark Webber fell to the third spot despite a strong season in which he finished third overall behind Red Bull team-mate Sebastian Vettel with two Grand Prix victories.
The top-five is dominated by motorpsorts. Ahead of Webber ($9 million) in the second place is MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner ($9.5 million) while motocross star Chad Reed ($8.5 million) is fourth.
Cyclist Cadel Evans with a historic Tour de France victory broke into the top five with $5 million in earnings.
Socceroos star Tim Cahill with an earning $4.5 million was the highest-ranked footballer at the No.9 spoot.
The Business Review Weekly magazine reported that Australian cricket might be at its all-time low in nearly 30 years but cricketers are getting richer more than ever before. The number of cricketers in the Business Review Weekly annual list have doubled from five to 10 this year.
Watson is the highest ranked cricketer in 11th spot, with a $4 million annual contract with Cricket Australia (CA) and an additional $1.8 million deal with the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Rajasthan Royals.
Skipper Clarke and his predecessor Ricky Ponting are equal 16th on the rich list, each earning $3.5 million a year though they don’t have a contract with an IPL team.
The list of top-50 highest earning sportspersons is headed by basketball star Andrew Bogut, who earns $13 million a year. Bogut becomes the first basketballer to top the list.
Last year’s top earner, Formula One driver Mark Webber fell to the third spot despite a strong season in which he finished third overall behind Red Bull team-mate Sebastian Vettel with two Grand Prix victories.
The top-five is dominated by motorpsorts. Ahead of Webber ($9 million) in the second place is MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner ($9.5 million) while motocross star Chad Reed ($8.5 million) is fourth.
Cyclist Cadel Evans with a historic Tour de France victory broke into the top five with $5 million in earnings.
Socceroos star Tim Cahill with an earning $4.5 million was the highest-ranked footballer at the No.9 spoot.
We Are Tentative Starters: Dhoni
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni conceded they are “tentative starters” on a tour and praised the Australian bowlers after their 122-run loss in first Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) here Thursday.
“Bowlers brought us back in to the game but we couldn’t bat well. We were short by 50-odd runs in the first innings. The main difference was their lower order scored some runs in both the innings. If we had got them earlier, we would have had 50-60 runs less to chase,” Dhoni said after the match.
India, chasing a 292-run target, were bowled out for 169 in the second innings on the fourth day of the Boxing Day Test for their eighth defeat on the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
India let Australia make 240 in their second innings from the overnight total of 179 for eight with veteran Michael Hussey scoring a gritty 89 on a difficult wicket.
India had let the hosts off the hook even in their first innings where they managed 333 after being reduced to 214 for six. The bowlers got India back into the match by delivering in both the innings but the fame batting line-up failed to live up to the expectations.
Dhoni said he was not worried by the failure of an experienced line-up and expressed confidence on bouncing back in the second Test in Sydney starting January 3.
“We are known to be tentative starters, I think in the next game we will be better.”
The skipper also praised the Australian bowlers for their match-winning effort.
“You have to give credit to the Australia bowlers for the way they bowled. They kept a nagging line and bowled in the right areas,” he added.
“Bowlers brought us back in to the game but we couldn’t bat well. We were short by 50-odd runs in the first innings. The main difference was their lower order scored some runs in both the innings. If we had got them earlier, we would have had 50-60 runs less to chase,” Dhoni said after the match.
India, chasing a 292-run target, were bowled out for 169 in the second innings on the fourth day of the Boxing Day Test for their eighth defeat on the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
India let Australia make 240 in their second innings from the overnight total of 179 for eight with veteran Michael Hussey scoring a gritty 89 on a difficult wicket.
India had let the hosts off the hook even in their first innings where they managed 333 after being reduced to 214 for six. The bowlers got India back into the match by delivering in both the innings but the fame batting line-up failed to live up to the expectations.
Dhoni said he was not worried by the failure of an experienced line-up and expressed confidence on bouncing back in the second Test in Sydney starting January 3.
“We are known to be tentative starters, I think in the next game we will be better.”
The skipper also praised the Australian bowlers for their match-winning effort.
“You have to give credit to the Australia bowlers for the way they bowled. They kept a nagging line and bowled in the right areas,” he added.
Ind Vs Aus Test 1 Day 4 : Australia Beat India By 122 Runs
Australia beat India by 122 runs in the first cricket Test with a day to spare and took a 1-0 lead in the four-match series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) here Thursday.
India were bowled out for 169 in the second innings while chasing 292 to win. Australia were bowled out for 240 in the second innings earlier in the day. Australia had made 333 in the first innings and bowled out India for 282.
Earlier in the day, a crucial last-wicket stand of 43 runs between James Pattinson (37 not out) and Hilfenhaus (14) took Australia to a comfortable 240 runs for an overall lead of 291 runs. Australia made 333 in the first innings and bowled out India for 282.
India were bowled out for 169 in the second innings while chasing 292 to win. Australia were bowled out for 240 in the second innings earlier in the day. Australia had made 333 in the first innings and bowled out India for 282.
Earlier in the day, a crucial last-wicket stand of 43 runs between James Pattinson (37 not out) and Hilfenhaus (14) took Australia to a comfortable 240 runs for an overall lead of 291 runs. Australia made 333 in the first innings and bowled out India for 282.
Saturday, 24 December 2011
Australia Series A Different Ball Game: Gambhir
While expressing happiness over India’s 4-1 series win against the West Indies here on Sunday, stand-in captain Gautam Gambhir cautioned that the forthcoming tour of Australia would be a “different ball game” that will put to test both the technique and mental toughness of the players.
“It always helps to get runs under your belt, but in Australia, those are different conditions. We all know this is not what we are going to get in Australia. The Australians are tough nuts to crack and will come hard at us,” he said at a post-match media interaction here after India beat the West Indies in the fifth and concluding game.
“In Australia, your mental toughness will be tested the maximum. You will be getting a quality attack and they will be coming hard at you. I think one good thing is the guys that have gone early (to Australia) will be able to acclimatise (to the conditions). And we’re playing two practice games this time,” he said.
Gambhir also sought to play down his captaincy record of six wins out of six by saying that he was only as good as the teams he had.
“I’ll stick to the saying that the captain is as good as his team. One captain can’t win you the game; it is still 11 people on the park. I am lucky to have such teammates, during the series against New Zealand, I was lucky to have Yuvraj Singh. Today the team-mates stood up and delivered,” he asserted.
“It always helps to get runs under your belt, but in Australia, those are different conditions. We all know this is not what we are going to get in Australia. The Australians are tough nuts to crack and will come hard at us,” he said at a post-match media interaction here after India beat the West Indies in the fifth and concluding game.
“In Australia, your mental toughness will be tested the maximum. You will be getting a quality attack and they will be coming hard at you. I think one good thing is the guys that have gone early (to Australia) will be able to acclimatise (to the conditions). And we’re playing two practice games this time,” he said.
Gambhir also sought to play down his captaincy record of six wins out of six by saying that he was only as good as the teams he had.
“I’ll stick to the saying that the captain is as good as his team. One captain can’t win you the game; it is still 11 people on the park. I am lucky to have such teammates, during the series against New Zealand, I was lucky to have Yuvraj Singh. Today the team-mates stood up and delivered,” he asserted.
Bowling Will Be India’s Weak Link: Shane Warne
Australia’s spin legend Shane Warne feels that bowling will be India’s weak link in the four-Test series starting in Melbourne on Boxing Day.
Warne said injuries to frontline pacers Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma will doom India.
“England just beat them four-nil. They have got some wonderful batting and all that sort of stuff but I think their bowling is a bit weak,” Warne was quoted as saying by Herald Sun.
“And if Zaheer Khan or Ishant Sharma goes down with injury then it should be a good time for the Australian batters,” he said.
Warne said the packed international schedule was to blame for many injuries.
“The bottom line is that they have to play too much cricket – there is too much expected of an international cricketer. And we are playing two Test series to cram everything in. It is ridiculous. To me that is not right. Let the players recover, so they can be the best players they can be,” he said.
Warne said injuries to frontline pacers Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma will doom India.
“England just beat them four-nil. They have got some wonderful batting and all that sort of stuff but I think their bowling is a bit weak,” Warne was quoted as saying by Herald Sun.
“And if Zaheer Khan or Ishant Sharma goes down with injury then it should be a good time for the Australian batters,” he said.
Warne said the packed international schedule was to blame for many injuries.
“The bottom line is that they have to play too much cricket – there is too much expected of an international cricketer. And we are playing two Test series to cram everything in. It is ridiculous. To me that is not right. Let the players recover, so they can be the best players they can be,” he said.
‘Tendulkar Greater Than bradman’
India’s batting great Sachin Tendulkar and not Australian legend Don Bradman is the greatest Test batsman who ever lived, a Gold Coast academic says.
Griffith University researcher Nicholas Rohde said he can prove with statistics that Tendulkar is the greatest. Rohde, however, admitted that if he could go back in time, he would prefer to watch Bradman every time.
Rohde said that by applying economic principles to batting performance, he has been able to rank players back through time.
“People are welcome to disagree and there would be other statistical ways of looking at it which would give you different results,” The Daily Telegraph quoted Rohde as saying.
Rohde said his obsession with cricket led him to the idea of coming up with a ranking system, even if it did mean trying to marry sport with economics.
“I don’t see it as entirely trivial, but it isn’t an indisputable result either; it’s somewhere in the middle. My feeling is that devotion to Don Bradman probably robbed India of a national icon a little bit. And if you wanted my personal opinion on who was the better of the two, Bradman or Tendulkar, I would say that it was perhaps too close to call,” he said.
As a part of his calculation, Rohde took the total number of runs a batsman has scored in his entire career, and subtracted the number of runs that an average player of the same era would have scored if they’d played the same number of innings. He constantly updates the figures and calculates new ranking tables.
“Bradman has been number one until recently, but Tendulkar for the time being is just a little tiny bit ahead. No ranking system is definitive and people are always free to disagree, although I do feel it’s a fairly sensible and intuitive way to rank the players,” he said.
Griffith University researcher Nicholas Rohde said he can prove with statistics that Tendulkar is the greatest. Rohde, however, admitted that if he could go back in time, he would prefer to watch Bradman every time.
Rohde said that by applying economic principles to batting performance, he has been able to rank players back through time.
“People are welcome to disagree and there would be other statistical ways of looking at it which would give you different results,” The Daily Telegraph quoted Rohde as saying.
Rohde said his obsession with cricket led him to the idea of coming up with a ranking system, even if it did mean trying to marry sport with economics.
“I don’t see it as entirely trivial, but it isn’t an indisputable result either; it’s somewhere in the middle. My feeling is that devotion to Don Bradman probably robbed India of a national icon a little bit. And if you wanted my personal opinion on who was the better of the two, Bradman or Tendulkar, I would say that it was perhaps too close to call,” he said.
As a part of his calculation, Rohde took the total number of runs a batsman has scored in his entire career, and subtracted the number of runs that an average player of the same era would have scored if they’d played the same number of innings. He constantly updates the figures and calculates new ranking tables.
“Bradman has been number one until recently, but Tendulkar for the time being is just a little tiny bit ahead. No ranking system is definitive and people are always free to disagree, although I do feel it’s a fairly sensible and intuitive way to rank the players,” he said.
Simmons Promoted As Head Coach Of Delhi Daredevils
India’s bowling coach Eric Simmons will take over as the head coach of Delhi Daredevils ahead of the fifth season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in April-May 2012.
The South African, who takes over from Australian Greg Shipperd, was earlier a bowling and assistant coach with the team. Former India fast bowler T.A. Sekar also returns to Daredevils as its mentor after a two-year stint with Mumbai Indians as team manager. Daredevils finished last in IPL-4.
GMR Sports’ business chairman Kiran K. Grandhi welcomed Simon’s elevation and Sekar’s return.
“I am sure that Simons’ taking over as Head Coach and Sekar’s return as Mentor will help the team overcome the disappointments of last season and become most competitive again,” Grandhi said.
Daredevils captain Virender Sehwag said it would be exciting working with Simons.
“Eric has done a good job as bowling coach and now he can do that as head coach. I have a very good relationship with Eric. He has given me some good suggestions and he is a man with has a lot of experience in cricket and in life. I think our partnership will work well for the team,” Sehwag said.
“Eric can make a difference as has been with the team for a couple of years as bowling coach. If someone else had come, he would have to start from the scratch. It is good Eric has taken over and I am hoping he will do a good job. He has spent nearly four years working in India and has worked with a lot of Indian and foreign boys. He has been working with Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron and they are our biggest assets in Delhi Daredevils,” Sehwag added.
Simons, who is currently in Melbourne with the Indian team, said it is an honour to be promoted as the head coach.
“It is an honour and a wonderful challenge going into the new season. The IPL is a dynamic and exciting place for any cricketer to be involved in at the moment. To have the trust and confidence shown in me as coach is something I am grateful for. It is committed united of owners, management and players,” he said.
The South African, who takes over from Australian Greg Shipperd, was earlier a bowling and assistant coach with the team. Former India fast bowler T.A. Sekar also returns to Daredevils as its mentor after a two-year stint with Mumbai Indians as team manager. Daredevils finished last in IPL-4.
GMR Sports’ business chairman Kiran K. Grandhi welcomed Simon’s elevation and Sekar’s return.
“I am sure that Simons’ taking over as Head Coach and Sekar’s return as Mentor will help the team overcome the disappointments of last season and become most competitive again,” Grandhi said.
Daredevils captain Virender Sehwag said it would be exciting working with Simons.
“Eric has done a good job as bowling coach and now he can do that as head coach. I have a very good relationship with Eric. He has given me some good suggestions and he is a man with has a lot of experience in cricket and in life. I think our partnership will work well for the team,” Sehwag said.
“Eric can make a difference as has been with the team for a couple of years as bowling coach. If someone else had come, he would have to start from the scratch. It is good Eric has taken over and I am hoping he will do a good job. He has spent nearly four years working in India and has worked with a lot of Indian and foreign boys. He has been working with Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron and they are our biggest assets in Delhi Daredevils,” Sehwag added.
Simons, who is currently in Melbourne with the Indian team, said it is an honour to be promoted as the head coach.
“It is an honour and a wonderful challenge going into the new season. The IPL is a dynamic and exciting place for any cricketer to be involved in at the moment. To have the trust and confidence shown in me as coach is something I am grateful for. It is committed united of owners, management and players,” he said.
Monday, 12 December 2011
Dhoni, Kohli Among Top-10 Odi Batsmen In Icc Rankings
Pakistani spinners Saeed Ajmal and Mohammed Hafeez dominate the ODI rankings while Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli are the only two Indian batsmen in the top-10 in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings released here Wednesday.
India captain Dhoni dropped one place to the fourth place and is now sharing the place with Kohli, who moved up one place. Rohit Sharma, who has hit three consecutive half-centuries against the West Indies, moved up 21 places to 35th but Gautam Gambhir lost seven places in the latest rankings to 19th position and is now level with South Africa’s JP Duminy.
The 31-year-old Hafeez climbed up six places in the bowlers rankings after a strong performance in the recent three-match series in Bangladesh. He now sits just 19 ratings points behind team-mate Ajmal, who heads the list.
Among the bowlers, Hafeez took six wickets in the series at an average of just 8.16 and an economy-rate of less than two runs per over making him the pick of an impressive bunch. Ajmal did enough to stay on the top of the world rankings with series figures of 4-52.
There were also gains for Umar Gul, who rose three places to 26th position, and Shoaib Malik, who gained 35 places to 82nd in the world.
Hafeez’s bowling, coupled with some good support with the bat down the order, has earned him one place on the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for ODI all-rounders and he now occupies the second position, having overtaken Australia’s Shane Watson. He is just 13 ratings points behind leader Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh.
Despite losing the series 0-3, Shakib was his usual competitive self and his series figures of 4-90 earned him three places on the bowling rankings as he moves to seventh overall.
For India, R Ashwin has broken into the top 20 of the bowling charts for the first time in his career. With two matches remaining in the ongoing series with the West Indies, the 25-year-old from Chennai has gained three places and moves up to 18th position in the rankings.
There is also good progress for Ravi Rampaul in the bowling rankings (up one place to 13th), while in the batting list those moving up include Lendl Simmons (up five spots to 25th), Darren Bravo (up 15 to 54th) and Andre Russell (up 34 to 76th).
ICC One-Day Rankings –
Batsmen:
1. Hashim Amla (South Africa) 845 rating points
2. AB de Villiers (South Africa) 792
3. Jonathan Trott (England) 778
4. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli (both India) 766
6. Shane Watson (Australia) 759
7. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) 752
8. Mike Hussey (Australia) 741
9. Michael Clarke (Australia) 717
10.Umar Akmal (Pakistan) 704
Bowlers:
1. Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan) 737
2. Mohammed Hafeez (Pakistan) 718
3. Daniel Vettori (New Zealand) 691
4. Graeme Swann (England) 689
5. Mitchell Johnson (Australia) 688
6. Morne Morkel (South Africa)2011
7. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) 662
8. Doug Bollinger (Australia) 660
9. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) and Dale Steyn (South Africa) 644
All-rounders
1. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) 420
2. Mohammed Hafeez (Pakistan) 407
3. Shane Watson (Australia) 405
4. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) 370
5. Jacques Kallis (South Africa) 352
India captain Dhoni dropped one place to the fourth place and is now sharing the place with Kohli, who moved up one place. Rohit Sharma, who has hit three consecutive half-centuries against the West Indies, moved up 21 places to 35th but Gautam Gambhir lost seven places in the latest rankings to 19th position and is now level with South Africa’s JP Duminy.
The 31-year-old Hafeez climbed up six places in the bowlers rankings after a strong performance in the recent three-match series in Bangladesh. He now sits just 19 ratings points behind team-mate Ajmal, who heads the list.
Among the bowlers, Hafeez took six wickets in the series at an average of just 8.16 and an economy-rate of less than two runs per over making him the pick of an impressive bunch. Ajmal did enough to stay on the top of the world rankings with series figures of 4-52.
There were also gains for Umar Gul, who rose three places to 26th position, and Shoaib Malik, who gained 35 places to 82nd in the world.
Hafeez’s bowling, coupled with some good support with the bat down the order, has earned him one place on the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for ODI all-rounders and he now occupies the second position, having overtaken Australia’s Shane Watson. He is just 13 ratings points behind leader Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh.
Despite losing the series 0-3, Shakib was his usual competitive self and his series figures of 4-90 earned him three places on the bowling rankings as he moves to seventh overall.
For India, R Ashwin has broken into the top 20 of the bowling charts for the first time in his career. With two matches remaining in the ongoing series with the West Indies, the 25-year-old from Chennai has gained three places and moves up to 18th position in the rankings.
There is also good progress for Ravi Rampaul in the bowling rankings (up one place to 13th), while in the batting list those moving up include Lendl Simmons (up five spots to 25th), Darren Bravo (up 15 to 54th) and Andre Russell (up 34 to 76th).
ICC One-Day Rankings –
Batsmen:
1. Hashim Amla (South Africa) 845 rating points
2. AB de Villiers (South Africa) 792
3. Jonathan Trott (England) 778
4. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli (both India) 766
6. Shane Watson (Australia) 759
7. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) 752
8. Mike Hussey (Australia) 741
9. Michael Clarke (Australia) 717
10.Umar Akmal (Pakistan) 704
Bowlers:
1. Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan) 737
2. Mohammed Hafeez (Pakistan) 718
3. Daniel Vettori (New Zealand) 691
4. Graeme Swann (England) 689
5. Mitchell Johnson (Australia) 688
6. Morne Morkel (South Africa)2011
7. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) 662
8. Doug Bollinger (Australia) 660
9. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) and Dale Steyn (South Africa) 644
All-rounders
1. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) 420
2. Mohammed Hafeez (Pakistan) 407
3. Shane Watson (Australia) 405
4. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) 370
5. Jacques Kallis (South Africa) 352
India Will Miss Harbhajan In Australia: Gilchrist
Former Australian captain Adam Gilchrist feels that Harbhajan Singh will be missed by India during their tour Down Under as the feisty off-spinner can get under the skin of the champion team.
Harbhajan’s slump in form has paved the way for two young spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha to be picked for the four-Test series against Australia.
“Bhajji is a great competitor, his fighting qualities are admirable, he is very much like an Australian that way. He will be missed. But a player has to be picked on performances,” Gilchrist told reporters when asked about the exclusion of the turbanator.
“Ashwin and Ojha have set very high standards,” he added.
India’s tour to Australia starts Dec 26 and with both teams fielding new faces in their bowling attack.
Gilchrist feels that the bowlers will play the key role in deciding the series.
“It is a series that’s quite difficult to predict. Both teams are equal, the batting of both the teams are the strong points, while injury has plagued both the bowling line-ups.”
“Whichever bowling line-up settles down first that team will have the upper hand,” Gilchrist said on the sidelines of a promotional campaign on behalf of University of Wollongong in New South Wales.
India will be taking an inexperienced bowling attack, with the likes of Varun Aaron, Umesh Yadav and Abhimanyu Mithun, all touring Australia for the first time.
Australia, on the other hand, are having an injury crisis with Ryan Harris, Mitchell Johnson, Pat Cummins and Shane Watson currently side-lined.
Gilchrist felt that India-Australia contests are of high intensity and among the best sporting rivalries in the world.
“The rivalry between India-Australia is terrific. I was a part of the 2001 series and it was one of the best series ever.”
“Any series India play is an interesting one, the Indian people are very passionate about he sport. I love coming to India it’s a fascinating country.”
“I continue to come stay here 2-3 months every year with the IPL and other things,” he said.
Harbhajan’s slump in form has paved the way for two young spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha to be picked for the four-Test series against Australia.
“Bhajji is a great competitor, his fighting qualities are admirable, he is very much like an Australian that way. He will be missed. But a player has to be picked on performances,” Gilchrist told reporters when asked about the exclusion of the turbanator.
“Ashwin and Ojha have set very high standards,” he added.
India’s tour to Australia starts Dec 26 and with both teams fielding new faces in their bowling attack.
Gilchrist feels that the bowlers will play the key role in deciding the series.
“It is a series that’s quite difficult to predict. Both teams are equal, the batting of both the teams are the strong points, while injury has plagued both the bowling line-ups.”
“Whichever bowling line-up settles down first that team will have the upper hand,” Gilchrist said on the sidelines of a promotional campaign on behalf of University of Wollongong in New South Wales.
India will be taking an inexperienced bowling attack, with the likes of Varun Aaron, Umesh Yadav and Abhimanyu Mithun, all touring Australia for the first time.
Australia, on the other hand, are having an injury crisis with Ryan Harris, Mitchell Johnson, Pat Cummins and Shane Watson currently side-lined.
Gilchrist felt that India-Australia contests are of high intensity and among the best sporting rivalries in the world.
“The rivalry between India-Australia is terrific. I was a part of the 2001 series and it was one of the best series ever.”
“Any series India play is an interesting one, the Indian people are very passionate about he sport. I love coming to India it’s a fascinating country.”
“I continue to come stay here 2-3 months every year with the IPL and other things,” he said.
Australia Series A Different Ball Game: Gambhir
While expressing happiness over India’s 4-1 series win against the West Indies here on Sunday, stand-in captain Gautam Gambhir cautioned that the forthcoming tour of Australia would be a “different ball game” that will put to test both the technique and mental toughness of the players.
“It always helps to get runs under your belt, but in Australia, those are different conditions. We all know this is not what we are going to get in Australia. The Australians are tough nuts to crack and will come hard at us,” he said at a post-match media interaction here after India beat the West Indies in the fifth and concluding game.
“In Australia, your mental toughness will be tested the maximum. You will be getting a quality attack and they will be coming hard at you. I think one good thing is the guys that have gone early (to Australia) will be able to acclimatise (to the conditions). And we’re playing two practice games this time,” he said.
Gambhir also sought to play down his captaincy record of six wins out of six by saying that he was only as good as the teams he had.
“I’ll stick to the saying that the captain is as good as his team. One captain can’t win you the game; it is still 11 people on the park. I am lucky to have such teammates, during the series against New Zealand, I was lucky to have Yuvraj Singh. Today the team-mates stood up and delivered,” he asserted.
“It always helps to get runs under your belt, but in Australia, those are different conditions. We all know this is not what we are going to get in Australia. The Australians are tough nuts to crack and will come hard at us,” he said at a post-match media interaction here after India beat the West Indies in the fifth and concluding game.
“In Australia, your mental toughness will be tested the maximum. You will be getting a quality attack and they will be coming hard at you. I think one good thing is the guys that have gone early (to Australia) will be able to acclimatise (to the conditions). And we’re playing two practice games this time,” he said.
Gambhir also sought to play down his captaincy record of six wins out of six by saying that he was only as good as the teams he had.
“I’ll stick to the saying that the captain is as good as his team. One captain can’t win you the game; it is still 11 people on the park. I am lucky to have such teammates, during the series against New Zealand, I was lucky to have Yuvraj Singh. Today the team-mates stood up and delivered,” he asserted.
