Quotable Quotes - from CricInfo
11:29 "They're [England] rustier than a bag of spanners left out in the winter rain"
11:31 "England have yet to board the plane, let alone become airborne"
2:10 "jagged back into Ponting at 88mph and it cuts him in half. Will Luke screams "ball of the day" but he's missed half of them as he keeps sneaking out for a fag "
2:23 "Hoggard's progress round the boundary was more Julie Christie than Linford Chrsitie and he bent for the ball like a 70-year-old as it trickled past him for four"
2:35 "Jones has to stretch and pluck from on high like a cherry picker reaching for a high branch"
2:45 on Harmison "A better over and the England players rush to congratulate him. Imagine what they will do if he takes a wicket ... "
Australia Dominate the First Session
Australia drew first blood by dominating the first session of the Brisbane Test Match. Justin Langer was the aggressor, scoring 68 off 87 delivering. He lived a charmed life with a number of edges and swishes - but none went to hand. Hayden was much more subdued, waiting for the loose deliveries and not taking any chances. He was dismissed by Flintoff in the only bright spark for England. Flintoff was the best bowler for England varying his pace and sticking to a consistent line which troubled all batsmen. Harmison and Hoggard struggled to find their rhythm and England will need them to fire in the afternoon if they hope to claw back the initiative.
Having scored at over 4 runs an over Australia have thrown down the challenge and made obvious their strategy of relentless attack.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Finally
Its been 437 sleeps since Australia lost the Ashes but its finally here. Today a rejuvinated and hungry Australia take on a committed England side for the first test in the most highly awaited test series since the end of the war. The last series in England was the first time since 1880 that no member of the Australian team partaking in the Ashes had played in a losing Ashes series. England, on the other hand, had no member who had played in a victorious Ashes Series. England had nothing to lose and Australia got complacent. England came out with all guns blazing and their performance in the second test match, after the defeat at Lords epitomised thier mentality and set the scene for the remainder of the series.
One would think that England, being the defenders, would start the series as favourites. Australia, however, have been the more dominant side since the Ashes loss and start as clear favourites. The side taking on the England today is not much different to the one that lost, with the most notable inclusion being Mike Hussey. England have been plagued by injuries and indifferent form, however their 4-0 victory over Pakistan recently would fill them with confidence.
Inspite of the predictions by most commentators, the series should be close, but defeating Australia at home is not easily done.
One would think that England, being the defenders, would start the series as favourites. Australia, however, have been the more dominant side since the Ashes loss and start as clear favourites. The side taking on the England today is not much different to the one that lost, with the most notable inclusion being Mike Hussey. England have been plagued by injuries and indifferent form, however their 4-0 victory over Pakistan recently would fill them with confidence.
Inspite of the predictions by most commentators, the series should be close, but defeating Australia at home is not easily done.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Australia in Finals
Australia trounced the West Indies by 127 runs in the finals of the DLF cup - Scorecard. Since the 1999 World Cup, Australia has made it to 13 Finals and has won every one of them. The only time they have lost in any finals was against Sri Lanka in 2005-06 where they lost the first final - but went onto win the second and the third.
Disregarding that loss, Australia has won batting first 12 times while batting second 6 times.
Disregarding that loss, Australia has won batting first 12 times while batting second 6 times.
- While batting second Australia has never won by less than 6 wickets - and on an average by 8 wickets.
- While batting first Australia has won 50% of their games by over a 125 runs, and on an average by 88 runs.
- Australia has successfully defended a total as low as 192.
- While batting first Australia has scored over 300 runs 5 times.
Australia, it seems, saves their best performance for the finals.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Australia v India
Since the 1999 ICC World Cup in England, Australia and India have played each other in 27 one day internationals, and of those India has won only 5. Only one of those victories came in a do-or-die match - way back in the ICC Champions Trophy in 2001. Looking back at the 5 victories
1. ICC Champions Trophy, Kenya, 2001. Sparked by an inspired batting performance by Yuvraj Singh, India scored a challenging 265 and then restricted Australia to 245. This was a must-win match with the loser eliminated from the tournament.
2. Pepsi Cup, India, 2001 - Match 1 and 3. Following on from their incredible victory in the test series, India won the first and 3 match of the series, however went onto to lost the 4 and the 5th to hand the series over the Australia. This was India's first loss in a bilateral one day series on home soil.
3. TVS Cup, India, 2003 - India won their first match of the series against Australia in Chennai. Led by Sachin and VVS who both scored centuries, India totalled 283 batting first and then restricted Australia to 246. India, however, lost the next 3 matches in the series, including the finals, to Australia.
4. VB Series, Australia, 2004 - India scored a massive 303, built around a superlative 103 by VVS Laxman. This was the second match between the sides in the series, and with Zimbabwe the third team, a place in the finals was never in contention. Australia won the following 4 matches, including 2 finals.
Things to note
1. Batting second, India have not beaten the Australians since April 1998, over 8 years ago.
2. In the past 10 years, batting first, India have only won when they have scored over 265.
3. Australia has successfully defended any total over 200 since 1998.
4. Australia has successfully chased down 296.
5. Batting first, Australia has not scored below 235 since the 1992 World Cup
1. ICC Champions Trophy, Kenya, 2001. Sparked by an inspired batting performance by Yuvraj Singh, India scored a challenging 265 and then restricted Australia to 245. This was a must-win match with the loser eliminated from the tournament.
2. Pepsi Cup, India, 2001 - Match 1 and 3. Following on from their incredible victory in the test series, India won the first and 3 match of the series, however went onto to lost the 4 and the 5th to hand the series over the Australia. This was India's first loss in a bilateral one day series on home soil.
3. TVS Cup, India, 2003 - India won their first match of the series against Australia in Chennai. Led by Sachin and VVS who both scored centuries, India totalled 283 batting first and then restricted Australia to 246. India, however, lost the next 3 matches in the series, including the finals, to Australia.
4. VB Series, Australia, 2004 - India scored a massive 303, built around a superlative 103 by VVS Laxman. This was the second match between the sides in the series, and with Zimbabwe the third team, a place in the finals was never in contention. Australia won the following 4 matches, including 2 finals.
Things to note
1. Batting second, India have not beaten the Australians since April 1998, over 8 years ago.
2. In the past 10 years, batting first, India have only won when they have scored over 265.
3. Australia has successfully defended any total over 200 since 1998.
4. Australia has successfully chased down 296.
5. Batting first, Australia has not scored below 235 since the 1992 World Cup
Friday, September 15, 2006
D/L defeats India
India 5/309 (50 overs) were beaten by West Indies 2/141 (20 overs) by 29 runs (Duckworth-Lewis) - Scorecard
Sachin Tendulkar returned to the cricket arena and shook off the cobwebs with a masterful innings of 141. On a pitch where there was uneven bounce and early movement, he carved up the West Indian bowling attack. The rest of the Indians built an innings around the little master and India ended with a very respectable 309, amid numerous rain interupptions.
The West Indian chase got off to a flying start with Gayle especially punishing of Pathan. The early dismissal of Chanderpaul did not slow the scoring, with the West Indies racing to 1/92 off 11 overs. The match was called off after 20 overs with the West Indies deemed to be 29 runs ahead of India based on the Duckworth-Lewis Method.
It seems quite optimistic to award a winner when only 20 overs in a 50 over match is completed. As was proven in the first game of the series, a lot can happen in the final stages of a game. West Indies should however consider themselves lucky to walk away with a win, which now gives them hope of reaching the finals.
Sachin Tendulkar returned to the cricket arena and shook off the cobwebs with a masterful innings of 141. On a pitch where there was uneven bounce and early movement, he carved up the West Indian bowling attack. The rest of the Indians built an innings around the little master and India ended with a very respectable 309, amid numerous rain interupptions.
The West Indian chase got off to a flying start with Gayle especially punishing of Pathan. The early dismissal of Chanderpaul did not slow the scoring, with the West Indies racing to 1/92 off 11 overs. The match was called off after 20 overs with the West Indies deemed to be 29 runs ahead of India based on the Duckworth-Lewis Method.
It seems quite optimistic to award a winner when only 20 overs in a 50 over match is completed. As was proven in the first game of the series, a lot can happen in the final stages of a game. West Indies should however consider themselves lucky to walk away with a win, which now gives them hope of reaching the finals.
Warnie injured
Shane Warne has suffered a nasty cut above his right eye while batting for Hampshire against Worchestershire. Warne, attempting a pull shot, missed completely and the ball got through the visor to split open his eye brow. He was taken to hospital but returned to continue his innings after the 8th wicket fell.
Ponting Fined
Ponting has been fined his entire match fee from the 1st one dayer against the West Indies. Match referee Chris Broad judged that Ponting had breached the ICC guidelines due to his extended questioning of the umpires calling of a wide. This is Ponting's second such ruling in the past 6 months, and another outburst will see him suspended for a match.
Windies Snatch Defeat
Australia 9/279 (50 overs) defeated West Indies 201 all out (34.3 overs) by 78 runs - Scorecard
In a match reminiscent of the 1996 World Cup Semi Finals, Australia snatched victory after it seemed that the West Indies were coasting to an easy run chase. Both teams seemed rusty after extended layoffs however Australia kept the pressure up even when the Windies were riding high.
The West Indian bowling, though tight at times, lacked consistency and this was evident in the 18 wides that were bowled. Jacques and Katich never looked comfortable, and while the latter went on to score 36, he scratched around for most of the innings. Ponting and Clarke provided the highlight of the innings but the rest of the Australian batsman seemed rusty. On what seemed an easy batting wicket Australia would have been disappointed to not score in excess of 300.
The fact that Glenn McGrath has been off for an extended period was proven when he bowled 4 wides in his first over. Leading an attack that lacked the sheer pace of Lee, McGrath soon found his rhythm and the nagging line outside off stump. The West Indians looked to be coasting to victory even as late as the 25th over, but then suffered a collective brain explosion to lose the last 9 wickets for a mere 29 runs. The Australian bowling was anything but spectacular, but targetted deliveries with a committed fielding effort proved to be the difference. Sarwan and Lara fell to predictable dismissals and would be disappointed with their efforts.
Australia proved yet again, that you can never write them off and they prepare more thoroughly for every opposition and for every game than any other team.
In a match reminiscent of the 1996 World Cup Semi Finals, Australia snatched victory after it seemed that the West Indies were coasting to an easy run chase. Both teams seemed rusty after extended layoffs however Australia kept the pressure up even when the Windies were riding high.
The West Indian bowling, though tight at times, lacked consistency and this was evident in the 18 wides that were bowled. Jacques and Katich never looked comfortable, and while the latter went on to score 36, he scratched around for most of the innings. Ponting and Clarke provided the highlight of the innings but the rest of the Australian batsman seemed rusty. On what seemed an easy batting wicket Australia would have been disappointed to not score in excess of 300.
The fact that Glenn McGrath has been off for an extended period was proven when he bowled 4 wides in his first over. Leading an attack that lacked the sheer pace of Lee, McGrath soon found his rhythm and the nagging line outside off stump. The West Indians looked to be coasting to victory even as late as the 25th over, but then suffered a collective brain explosion to lose the last 9 wickets for a mere 29 runs. The Australian bowling was anything but spectacular, but targetted deliveries with a committed fielding effort proved to be the difference. Sarwan and Lara fell to predictable dismissals and would be disappointed with their efforts.
Australia proved yet again, that you can never write them off and they prepare more thoroughly for every opposition and for every game than any other team.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
It begins today
The long summer of cricket begins today with Australia taking on the West Indies in Malaysia. Australia starts the tri-nations tournament, including India, with a near full strength team, with the exception of Adam Gilchrist, who is being rested prior to the Ashes.
None of the 3 teams have played much competitive cricket over the past few months, with Australia's last series being against Bangladesh in April. Australia start as the clear favourites, however all eyes will be on Glenn McGrath, who returns after having an extended break going back to January this year. Sachin Tendulkar returns for India having recovered fully from his operation and a lot will rest on his shoulders to give India the start it has come to expect from the little master. The West Indies will still be riding high from their thrashing of India (4-1) a few months ago and will be keen to prove that it wasn't a flash in the pan.
Immediately after the tri-series, is the Champions Trophy in India, followed by the long awaited Ashes.
Bring it on.
None of the 3 teams have played much competitive cricket over the past few months, with Australia's last series being against Bangladesh in April. Australia start as the clear favourites, however all eyes will be on Glenn McGrath, who returns after having an extended break going back to January this year. Sachin Tendulkar returns for India having recovered fully from his operation and a lot will rest on his shoulders to give India the start it has come to expect from the little master. The West Indies will still be riding high from their thrashing of India (4-1) a few months ago and will be keen to prove that it wasn't a flash in the pan.
Immediately after the tri-series, is the Champions Trophy in India, followed by the long awaited Ashes.
Bring it on.
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