Clarke defends Oz team’s achievement inspite of loss to England

May 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Sydney, May 20 (ANI): Twenty20 captain Michael Clarke, who was disappointed to lose in the final against England, has said the Australian team has made great strides in the Caribbean despite failing to lift the trophy.

“It was a wonderful achievement from the Australian Twenty20 team (to make the final),” he said.

“I thought we played fantastic cricket through the whole tournament, very exciting cricket,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Clarke, as saying.

“I think the semi-final against Pakistan was one of the greatest games of all our careers and one we’ll remember forever,” he said.

Clarke was doubtful about the impact that the result might have on next summer’s Ashes series.

“Obviously disappointed to lose the final but I think we’ve shown in this form of the game that we continue to improve,” he said.

“It hurts losing to England in any form of the game but there’s a lot of guys in both teams that won’t take part in the Ashes series,” Clarke added. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

IMG files defamation case against ECB chief

May 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Sports Marketing firm IMG has filed a defamation case against England Cricket Board chief Giles Clarke for claiming that it was part of suspended IPL chief Lalit Modi’s alleged plan to start a ‘rebel’ Twenty20 league.

According to a report in ‘The Daily Telegraph’, the “firm served Clarke with a writ for defamation yesterday”.

“IMG has carried through its threat to take Clarke to court unless he apologises for remarks in an email to the Indian board which allegedly accused the company of promoting rebel cricket,” the newspaper reported.

In an e-mail to the BCCI, Clarke had alleged that Modi and IMG were in talks with three counties to start a rebel league on the lines of IPL.

The allegations were rubbished by both Modi and IMG and they insisted that there were no underhand plans to start anything.

“The writ was served in the High Court Queen’s Bench Division and Clarke, who is in the Caribbean at the World Twenty20, will now have a period of time to acknowledge receipt and formulate his response to the action,” the newspaper said.

IMG has stated that Clarke’s remarks have dented the company’s reputation.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Pak’s good show in T20 WC ‘perfect launch pad’ for tough assignments ahead: Bari

May 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Karachi, May 16 (ANI): Though defending champions Pakistan have crashed out of the ICC World T20 Championship, Wasim Bari, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Chief Operating Officer (COO) believes that the team’s performance in the Caribbean has given itself a perfect ‘launch pad’ ahead of a busy calendar this year.

Bari said he was ‘impressed’ by Pakistan’s performance in West Indies, adding that it would help them prepare better for some tough encounters ahead which includes the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka and the Test Series against England and Australia.

“We may have lost in the semifinal, but I believe that the way we’ve played in the event has provided us with a great launch pad and will help us do well during the rest of the year,” The News quoted Bari, as saying.

“We have a very tough season coming up and the team will benefit from the confidence it will derive from its performance in the West Indies,” he added.

Pakistan looked all set for a third consecutive appearance in the World T20 final after posting a challenging total of 191 runs against Australia in the semi-final, but Michael Hussey’s breathtaking knock of 60 off 24 balls denied Afridi’s men a chance of a clash with England in the final of the coveted tournament.

Bari, however, denied commenting on whether the PCB would retain Afridi as captain for the upcoming Asia Cup, as the flamboyant all-rounder has been criticised for some of his decisions during the T20 World Championship.

“The thing is that the team is still in the West Indies and we will only sit down and talk about such issues once its back home,” he said.

He also refrained from commenting about reports regarding leg-spinner Danish Kaneria being arrested in London over match-fixing charges, saying the PCB is yet to receive any official report regarding the case from English authorities.

“We’ve heard about it from media reports today but haven’t received anything in writing from the authorities in England. The Board is monitoring the case but will only decide its course of action after getting something in black and white from the concerned people,” Bari said. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Superstitious Collingwood feels good omens are favouring him

May 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 16 (ANI): Superstitious England captain Paul Collingwood believes that he has been blessed in the Caribbean over the past fortnight and is hoping that his good luck holds on during the World Cup Twenty20 final against Australia.

“There have been a couple of good omens for me out here, the other day in the semi-final I walked out on to the pitch for the anthems with the young girl mascot I had to hold hands with,” Collingwood said.

“I said: ‘Hi my darling, what’s your name then?’ and she turned and said: ‘My name’s Lucky.’ So as soon as she said it I had a big smile on my face and thought what a great sign that is.

“I love those sort of things that happen along the way and it put a really good feel factor into my mind as soon as I heard that,” The Telegraph quoted Collingwood, as saying.

“I’m a little bit superstitious about things so I was supposed to get my hair cut out here, and I know it looks atrocious, but once we got on a roll I thought I can’t get it cut until we’ve got home and hopefully that will be with the trophy.

“I don’t want to lose my strength!” Collingwood added. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

`No team can get near us,’ says Tait

May 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

St. Lucia (West Indies), May 14 (ANI): Lightning fast bowler Shaun Tait has said that no team “can get near us” if Australia continue to play to their ability at the World Twenty20 in the West Indies.

“”If we play well, I don”t think anyone can get near us. We”re a disciplined outfit. We all know our games very well. We have gelled as a team perfectly and we”re playing really good cricket. The only way we can come unstuck is against ourselves,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Tait, as saying.

“We”re our biggest challenge. If we play badly, I think that”s the only way we can bomb out of the comp,” he added.

“Without getting too far ahead of ourselves and too cocky or arrogant, if we play our best cricket we”ll win the tournament,” Tait said on Wednesday.

Undefeated Australia play defending champions Pakistan in their semi-final in St Lucia on Friday.

England has entered the final after beating Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the first semi-final on Thursday.

Tait was one of the heroes for Australia in the 2007 World Cup with 23 wickets in the Caribbean, and can see plenty of similarities between the current T20 campaign and the way Australia crashed through all comers in the one-day international showpiece three years ago.

“Definitely. It sort of reminds me a little bit of the World Cup in 2007 when we went through flawless,” Tait said.

Despite not advancing beyond the semi-finals in the two previous World T20 tournaments in 2007 and 2009, Australia have swept through the group and Super Eights rounds.

“We”ve been pretty relaxed, the atmosphere. We haven”t had great long meetings about opposition teams,” said Tait.

“We are just concentrating on our own game. We know that we”ve got the team and the players. If we play well, we should win the competition,” he said. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Keeper Haddin says Clarke is the best in the business

May 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

St. Lucia (West Indies), May 14 (ANI): Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin has described skipper Michael Clarke as one of the best in the business in the modern era, and rubbished criticism about his form in the ongoing World Twenty20 championship in the Caribbean.

Clarke has made just 48 runs in the World T20 at an average of 12, but has had more success with his captaincy, guiding Australia to five wins from five outings.

His strike-rate in the tournament of 70.58 ranks him well below the other five batsmen in Australia”s top six, but Haddin says the skipper is desperately needed when Australia”s openers fail to fire.

””Michael”s still our best player. He”s still a world-class batsman. Class is always class. The role he plays here can”t be underestimated,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Haddin, as saying.

””Michael is there to do the role that”s pretty tough, running hard between the wickets. He comes out when we”re in trouble. You need explosive batsmen but you need players like Michael to play in any different situations,”” he added.

””His captaincy has been first class. All the teams have explosive bats and world-class bowlers, but what he”s brought to us is make sure we”re doing our little things best, a presence in the field, taking all the catches,”” Haddin said. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Collingwood confident of team abilities, doesn’t require a Churchillian speech

May 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 13 (ANI): Ahead of today’s T20 World Cup semi-final against Sri Lanka, England skipper Paul Collingwood is so confident about his team that he says it will not require a Churchillian speech to rally them ahead of the crucial game.

Collingwood has so much faith in ‘the most powerful England team’ he has ever seen that a grand speech would be of no use for him.

Commenting on his team business in the Caribbean and playing in a fearless style, Collingwood joked: “Just call me brave.”

“I don’t need a speech to be honest. The guys are ready and they are excited to have a crack at reaching a world final. If there was a feeling around the camp that the guys are nervous or anything like that, then maybe something would have to be said,” The Mirror quoted him, as saying.

“But the guys are so focused in the jobs they’ve got to do and the roles they’ve got to play. We’ll have a team meeting before the game, but let me tell you I’m not going to come out with any rip-roaring speech,” Collingwood said.

“The guys are just so confident in the jobs they’re doing. We look at areas we can improve, and you can be a little bit pernickety, but we’re certain that if we put similar performances in we’re going to win,” The Mirror quoted him, as saying.

“There are no nerves in the camp and it is certainly the most powerful England side that I’ve played in. When you look down the team sheet at the ability to hit sixes, it gives you confidence,” Collingwood said.

England will make one change with Pietersen coming back in for Ravi Bopara. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Waugh, Hayden endorse Clarke’s captaincy of Oz T20 squad

May 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Melbourne, May 13 (ANI): Michael Clarke as Australia’s Twenty20 captain has been endorsed by former greats despite passing through a poor run of form during the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.

Steve Waugh and Matthew Hayden have backed Clarke as Australia’s captain for the shorter version of the game.

Undefeated Australia are favourite to win the tournament and will meet Pakistan in the semi-finals after beating West Indies in the last Super Eights game, but Clarke failed again.

He was run out for just 16 from 24 balls as Australia passed West Indies’ 105 with six wickets in hand and almost four overs to spare, FOX Sports reports.

By contrast, his leadership has been outstanding since he was appointed Australia”s Twenty20 captain at the start of the summer.

He has not lost in 13 matches, winning 11, tying one and one incomplete match.

Waugh said there should be no question about Clarke’s place in the team. “Form is temporary, class is permanent. He’s a good enough player to adapt to that form of the game.”

“I don’t see that as a big issue right now. A lot of people are saying he needs to up the ante but if he’s encouraging players around him and getting the best out of them that’s great for the team. He scores quick enough in my mind to be successful at T20,” Waugh said.

Hayden, a Cricket Australia board member since his international retirement, praised Clarke’s captaincy.

“As a leader he’s a valuable resource. I believe he’s going to lead Australia to its first Twenty20 championship and I’ll be the first in line to say, well done,” Hayden said. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Waqar says fully fit pace attack critical for Test series against England and Australia

May 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, May 13 (ANI): Pakistan cricket coach Waqar Younis believes that a fully fit pace attack would the key during the Test series against England and Australia this summer.

Waqar told PakPassion.net that once the team returns from the Caribbean after the ICC World T20 Championship, the selectors would review options for the tough English tour, adding that he would like them to pick a few extra fast bowlers in particular to cope with any injury related trouble during the Test series.

He also expressed the hope that both fast bowler Umar Gul and all rounder Yasir Aarafat would get fit on time for the ‘home’ series in England.

“We need a lot of boys to be playing, we may bring a couple extra. We’ve got a long tour this summer. We have given Umar Gul and Yasir Arafat a rest. We need all those fast bowlers for the English conditions,” Waqar said.

When asked about the chances of young fast bowler Mohammed Irfan’s inclusion in the national squad, he said Irfan has got all the ingredients of becoming a world-class pacer.

“He is totally unorthodox, he”s tall, he’s got potential”. “I thought he might be good for the World T20 competition but unfortunately he couldn”t get into the side. I believe in the very near future he could get into the side,” Waqar said.

(ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Pietersen crucial for England’s chances of winning World Cup: Collingwood

May 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 13 (ANI): Skipper Paul Collingwood has said that Kevin Pietersen, who arrived back in the Caribbean after becoming a father, is crucial for England’s chances of winning their first cricket World Cup after 35 years of trying.

Pietersen landed last night and will regain his place at No.3 in the World Twenty20semi-final with Sri Lanka today. Pietersen”s wife Jessica Taylor gave birth to their first baby, a boy, on Sunday.

Collingwood insisted Pietersen will rejoin a squad oozing with confidence, excitement and talent, The Sun reports.

“I’m sure KP will be happy and raring to go. Fatigue shouldn’t be an issue and he will be in a great state of mind. He won’t have a formal practice, but I’m sure he will have a few hits,” the England skipper said.

‘There is nothing technical he needs to change and I’m sure his mind will be 100 per cent right. KP is very important. He played two man-of-the- match innings before he went home and looks back to his best,” Collingwood said.

England won all three of their Super Eights matches against Pakistan, South Africa and New Zealand.

“Captaining England in a world semi-final, that’s brilliant. I had a real sense when we turned up with this squad that we could do well. We’ve made some selections that have really come good,” Collingwood said.

“I think there was a real belief in the squad at the start of the tournament and now there is a lot of excitement. Sometimes, when you get to these situations, you sense some nerves but that hasn’t been the case. The boys can’t wait to play.

“This is the most powerful England side I”ve played in – definitely. Everybody can hit sixes all the way down to No 10. The bowlers are also thinking for themselves,” added. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

World 20-20: Numb, dumb Proteas could not pace their chase, and have to depart

May 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Cape Town, May 11 (ANI): When you look back on the World Twenty20 event as a whole, South Africa was not at the races, because they barely even poked their heads out of the stables.

There was only one strong performance that clinically saw off New Zealand, but after that, came successive losses in 48 hours to England and Pakistan.

The South Africans are now packing their bags for home.

The Proteas were uninspiring and failed to learn the lessons of their failed chases against India and then England, when they could not establish momentum at the top of the order and the asking rate climbed and climbed with nobody appearing to give a hoot as the nudging and caressing for singles continued complacently.

It has been a problem throughout the tournament for South Africa. The pacing of the South African innings has been a standout problem through the Caribbean venture and it sealed their fate, reports sports24.com. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Black Cap batters have to throw caution to the winds: Styris.

May 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

St.Lucia (West Indies), May 10 (ANI): New Zealand all-rounder Scot Styris has said that the Black Caps will need to throw caution to the winds and “seize the game against England by the scruff of the neck” in order to attain Twenty20 World Cup glory.

“We seemed to play with a little bit of fear yesterday, and by that I mean, guys were a little scared of taking risks, of playing the big shots and I think you”ve got to in this version of the game, especially in big games,” The Sun quoted Styris, as saying.

“You”ve got to be prepared to get out and I felt like, as a group, we didn”t do that,” he added.

New Zealand will be grateful that England star batsman Kevin Pietersen won’t be around, as he has left for England to attend the birth of his first child.

Styris said Pietersen, who has scored of 6, 70 not out and 53 in the Caribbean tournament so far, had been one of the competition”s form players.

“He”s world class and without him we know that it makes our job easier, although we know that we still have to put the ball in the right areas,” Styris said. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Pietersen flying home for birth of first child

May 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

England batsman Kevin Pietersen is flying home from the Twenty20 World Cup to be with his wife for the birth of their first child and is planning to jet back to the Caribbean in time for the semi-finals.

Pietersen smashed a superb 53 against South Africa on Saturday to lead his side to a win that virtually secures a place in the last four.

The confident strokeplayer then said he would be making an 8,000-plus mile, 17-hour round-trip this week to be with pop singer and model wife Jessica.

“I’m flying in the next 24 hours and if there are no complications I’ll come back a day before the semi,” Pietersen said at the presentation ceremony.

“It’s my first child so it’s a hell of an exciting time for me. I’ll be dashing across the Atlantic and hopefully dashing back.”

The only game Pietersen is scheduled to miss is Monday’s match with New Zealand, a game that could be meaningless for England if Pakistan beat South Africa earlier the same day.

The semi-finals will be played on Thursday and Friday in St Lucia.

England all but ensured progress to the semis with victory over South Africa. They have a maximum four points in Group E.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tendulkar gives his fans a tweet

May 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

India’s star batsman Sachin Tendulkar, revered by millions of fans in his home country and across the world, has joined the ranks of the “Twitterati” on microblogging site Twitter.

The 37-year-old opened his account sachin_rt on Tuesday with the post: “Finally the original SRT is on twitter n the first thing I’d like to do is wish my colleagues the best in the windies.”

Tendulkar, nicknamed the “Master Blaster”, is recovering from injury and not part of India’s squad taking part in the World Twenty20 tournament in the Caribbean, which began last week.

But the record-breaking cricketer, considered one of the sport’s greatest ever players, said he was struggling with the new technology, although he managed to post a photograph of himself.

“My kids r happy that I m finally on twitter.They hv been tryin 2 get me 2 join twitter or facebook for ages.I m still gettin the hang of it,” he added.

In a sign of his popularity, Tendulkar had more than 41,000 followers by mid-afternoon Wednesday, including leading Bollywood stars, just 16 hours after his first “tweet”.

Last week the sporting icon had a new variety of mango named after him.

A number of people said they had specifically joined Twitter to follow Tendulkar’s posts.

One, using the name shine82h, commented: “GOD IS ON TWITTER,cant ask for more ! BIG FAN ! Wish you all the best ! You sir are truly THE GREATEST!”

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Twenty20 as serious as Test cricket, asserts Clarke

April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Sydney, April 29 (IANS) Australia’s Twenty20 captain Michael Clarke Thursday called Twenty20 as important as Test cricket and has asked Cricket Australia (CA) to include Twenty20 specialists like batsmen David Warner and David Hussey in their contract system.

‘It’s the same – it’s exactly the same,’ Clarke was quoted as saying in Daily Telegraph as Australia prepares for the World Twenty20, beginning Friday, in the Caribbean.

‘For me, it’s as serious as a one-day match or a Test match.’

‘There are blokes in this squad who haven’t played Test cricket. They haven’t played one-day cricket. It’s the ultimate for them.’

‘It’s become exactly the same as one-day and Test cricket. It’s a form of the game that we want to be the best in the world at. We’re not there yet, we’re improving, but this is a way for us to start.’

Clarke’s remarks are not likely to go well with the purists but he believes it has a growing relevance among the players.

‘There’s no such thing as a game of hit and giggle,’ he said. ‘That’s something that has changed. It used to be about putting on a show, entertaining the crowd.’

‘But from a player point of view, that is no longer the case.’

Clarke revealed he had approached CA executives about changing its contract.

‘I’ve told Cricket Australia that they should have contracts,’ he said. ‘I think there should be a Twenty20 contract introduced.’

‘I know once you play a certain number of Twenty20 games, you can get upgraded to a Cricket Australia contract.’

‘But players like David Warner and David Hussey … they’re here playing in a Twenty20 World Cup. They should be paid (under contract) for that.’

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

ICC lifts ban on Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua

April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Georgetown (Guyana), Apr.30 (ANI): The International Cricket Council (ICC) has lifted the ban on the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium at Antigua following a 12 -month suspension.

The ban was lifted after the ICC match referee Geoff Crowe declared the stadium fit to play international cricket after an inspection.

“We are content that the ground is now of sufficient standard to host international cricket. The remedial work has been carried out and Mr. Crowe has carried out a full inspection, during which he found the ground to be of a good standard,” ICC spokesman David Richardson said.

The ICC had banned the stadium in February last year after a Test match between West Indies and England was called-off due to unhealthy playing conditions.

The stadium is considered to be the premier cricket stadium in the Caribbean. However, it has been facing troubles one after another since it was inaugurated ahead of the 2007 World Cup.

It initially had a capacity of 20,000 people, but was reduced to 10,000 after the World Cup.

The ground has hosted only two Tests till now, as the pitches were re-laid after the first test between the West Indies and Australia in 2008. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Harris will be happy to step aside for fully-fit Lee

April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

St. Lucia, Apr 30(ANI): Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris has said that he will happily stand aside for a fully-fit Brett Lee.

Harris, who has been called up as a replacement for injured Lee, said prior to the team selection for the Twenty20 World Cup, he was clear that Lee deserved his spot in the Australian team.

“I knew if Brett was going to be fit, I knew he would go in front of me (in the World Cup squad). Brett Lee is a champion bowler, and has been for some time so I am happy to step aside and for him to take my spot – he deserves his spot,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Harris, as saying.

Harris admitted he did not expect to be flying out to the Caribbean instead of fellow fast bowler Doug Bollinger.

“I didn’t, actually. Well, I wasn’t sure. I spent a bit of time with Dougy over at the Indian Premier League (IPL) and watched him play – he is bowling really well. In those sorts of situations you hope that you do get the nod and luckily I have,” Harris said.

The 30-year-old is further expressed confidence in Lee forcing his way back into the national one-day side for the July tour against Pakistan in England.

“I think they will, absolutely. Any talk of him retiring from all forms is very premature. I don’t think you could rule him out,” Harris said.

“He has had a bad trot. Hopefully he will get over that and come out on the England tour and our summer. He will bounce back. He’s a champion athlete,” he added. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Harris will be happy to step aside for fully-fit Lee

April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

St. Lucia, Apr 30(ANI): Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris has said that he will happily stand aside for a fully-fit Brett Lee.

Harris, who has been called up as a replacement for injured Lee, said prior to the team selection for the Twenty20 World Cup, he was clear that Lee deserved his spot in the Australian team.

“I knew if Brett was going to be fit, I knew he would go in front of me (in the World Cup squad). Brett Lee is a champion bowler, and has been for some time so I am happy to step aside and for him to take my spot – he deserves his spot,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Harris, as saying.

Harris admitted he did not expect to be flying out to the Caribbean instead of fellow fast bowler Doug Bollinger.

“I didn’t, actually. Well, I wasn’t sure. I spent a bit of time with Dougy over at the Indian Premier League (IPL) and watched him play – he is bowling really well. In those sorts of situations you hope that you do get the nod and luckily I have,” Harris said.

The 30-year-old is further expressed confidence in Lee forcing his way back into the national one-day side for the July tour against Pakistan in England.

“I think they will, absolutely. Any talk of him retiring from all forms is very premature. I don’t think you could rule him out,” Harris said.

“He has had a bad trot. Hopefully he will get over that and come out on the England tour and our summer. He will bounce back. He’s a champion athlete,” he added. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
« Older Posts