Premier Media Group Chooses Juniper Networks Switching and Routing Solutions to Support FOX SPORTS HD TV

July 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

SUNNYVALE, CA, Jul 14 (MARKET WIRE) —
Juniper Networks(R) (NYSE: JNPR) today announced that Premier Media Group
(PMG), Australia’s leading sports producer and broadcaster, has deployed
a “new network” running the Junos(R) operating system to increase program
quality and deliver more high-definition content to its FOX SPORTS
customers. Juniper Networks EX4200 Ethernet Switches installed in PMG’s
mobile production units and MX240 Universal Edge Routers located at its
production center support high-capacity, low-latency IP connections that
reduce transmission costs and enable back-end production processes to be
streamlined.

PMG’s FOX SPORTS broadcasts an average of 20 hours of live sports per day
to 2.2 million Australian homes through the FOXTEL, AUSTAR and Optus
subscription television services. High-definition production places heavy
demands on contribution and production networks, which prompted PMG’s
move from point-to-point satellite links to a high-performance virtual
private network, with Gigabit Ethernet fibre links, for transmitting live
video footage from 16 major stadia around the country.

“These switches are installed in broadcast production vehicles that
travel around the country, so we needed a solution that’s very reliable
– bomb proof,” said Tony Scanlan, chief technology officer, Premier
Media Group. “Like the EX4200 switches, Juniper’s MX240 routers are very
reliable and offer rock-solid performance. Additionally, with the Junos
operating system running across all the Juniper devices, our staff no
longer has to manage disparate network devices. Junos OS is very
intuitive and has a centralized management platform that has simplified
our processes and dramatically increased productivity.”

PMG’s high-performance network infrastructure deploys Juniper’s Virtual
Chassis fabric technology on the EX4200 Ethernet Switches, which
eliminates the need for an aggregation layer — a primary source of
complexity in the network. By enabling up to 10 interconnected switches
to operate as a single logical device, the EX4200 switches with Virtual
Chassis technology are ideal for outside broadcast applications as they
offer the high-availability and reliability of a carrier-class system
with the economics, flexibility and modest space requirements of
stackable platforms. The EX4200 switches are installed in PMG’s 12
outside broadcast units and hook up to its carrier’s optical network
interface at each stadium, enabling connection via the VPN to the Fox
Sports TV center. Juniper Networks MX240 Ethernet Services Routers are
deployed in a high-availability configuration at the Sydney center, which
has also implemented the Juniper Networks Network and Security Manager
(NSM).

“Live television broadcasting demands the highest network reliability and
capacity with low latency and jitter,” said Mike Banic, vice president of
enterprise marketing for Juniper Networks. “The new network with a
single-sourced Junos operating system increases reliability by
eliminating complexities, streamlining operations and improving
management controls for a better experience. The simplified new network
architecture removes high latency and jitter to deliver a premium viewing
experience for PMG’s customers and reduces the company’s capital and
operational costs.”

By establishing high-capacity, low-latency IP connections with guaranteed
QoS to each venue, PMG has been able eliminate the need for heavy video
compression, ensuring exceptional quality in the capture and transmission
of fast-moving sports action. It also enables PMG to exploit full two-way
communications between the various venues and the TV station, allowing
match statistics, player profile information and other production and
in-match information to be sent in real time to commentators during live
broadcasts.

About Juniper Networks

From devices to data centers, from consumers to the cloud, Juniper
Networks delivers innovative software, silicon and systems that transform
the experience and economics of networking. The company serves more than
30,000 customers and partners worldwide, and generated more than $3
billion in revenue over the last year. Additional information can be
found at www.juniper.net.

Juniper Networks and Junos are registered trademarks of Juniper Networks,
Inc. in the United States and other countries. The Juniper Networks and
Junos logos are trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. All other
trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, or registered service
marks are the property of their respective owners.

Media Relations:
Cindy Ta
Juniper Networks, Inc.
(408) 936-6131
cta@juniper.net

Investor Relations:
Lisa Hartman
Juniper Networks, Inc.
(408) 936-6123
lisac@juniper.net

Copyright 2010, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

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McLaren’s career best spell helps South Africa overcome West Indies

May 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Melbourne, May 20 (ANI): South African bowler Ryan McLaren, who bowled a career best spell and became the fourth bowler to take five wickets in a T20 match, helped his team register a 13-run victory in the first of the two Twenty20 Internationals against the West Indies.

McLaren took 5-19 from 3.5 overs to get the man-of-the-match award, as West Indies chasing 137 for victory from their 20 overs were dismissed for 123 with one ball to spare.

He finished with the second-best figures in Twenty20 internationals behind Pakistan’s Umar Gul, who took 5-6 from three overs against New Zealand, FOX Sports reports.

“It’s a good way to start off the tour having practised indoors and not outdoors for the last few weeks. But it’s only the first day, and there’s plenty more cricket to come, so hopefully, I can better this performance,” said McLaren.

“We all know the nature of T20 cricket – the bowler is always up against it. You can take five wickets one day, and the next day, take a thumping, but I enjoyed it. It was not an easy day for the batters, and you had to graft pretty hard.

“Playing shots was not easy, and there was a strong wind, so there were a lot of things you had to take into consideration,” the paper quoted him, as saying.

“It was obviously nice to start with a win. This was the most important thing for us. We have worked really hard over the last few days here in Antigua, had a few discussions, the energy has been good around the team, and a lot of new faces have come in,” McLaren added.

Earlier, Jacques Kallis struck one four and three sixes in 53 from 45 balls, as South Africa reached 7-136 from their 20 overs, after deciding to bat on an uneven pitch. (ANI)

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Australian T20 team has best depth: Mark Waugh

May 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Melbourne, May 13 (ANI): After struggling to come to grips with the short format since it became an international fixture in 2005, Australia are now one win from advancing to their first World Twenty20 final

Former Opener Mark Waugh believes the selectors have sent a squad to this year”s tournament with the “best depth of any team going around.”

“They have nine blokes that can hit the ball over the fence and three guys that can bowl the ball 150kmh,” Waugh told foxsports.com.au.

“Even if they lose a couple of early wickets, they”ve still got the depth to keep going hard, where as a lot of other teams really only have two or three batsmen they can rely on,” he said.

Australia has demolished opposition bowling attacks on their way to five straight victories and bowling trio of Dirk Nannes, Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait have struck fear in the hearts of opponents.

“It doesn”t matter what form of the game – if you”ve got fast bowlers, batsmen don”t like it. And we”ve got three guys that bowl 150kmh – I haven”t seen any team collar our fast bowlers. They are all coming in from different angles with unorthodox bowling styles.

“Dirk Nannes is a hard bowler to pick up – his action”s a bit ungainly – and Shaun Tait has a very different action as well,” Fox Sports quoted Waugh, as saying.

If they can defeat Pakistan again, Australia will have achieved their best result at the tournament and made amends for their exit at the group stages in England last year.(ANI)

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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)

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Smith `taking the piss, doing extremely well,’ says Johnson

May 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Barbados (West Indies), May 12 (ANI): Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson believes that emerging leg-spinning all-rounder Steven Smith is fitting in nicely with the national squad, and adds that he already he appears so relaxed that he almost looks like he”s taking a nap.

Twice in Sunday”s World Twenty20 Super Eights win over Sri Lanka in Barbados, Smith made taking a catch in the outfield seem so easy. He also claimed the brilliant figures of 2-12 from four overs, just two games after his mature knock of 27 from 18 balls helped Australia recover from 6-65 to 7-141 for a 27-run victory against Bangladesh.

“Smithy bowled well today (against Sri Lanka). He”s a good thinker, at such a young age. Takes catches very easily, it”s like he”s taking the piss. He”s doing extremely well. He”s doing the job we need him to do. He”s enjoying it out there as well,” Fox Sports quoted Johnson, as saying.

Michael Clarke endorsed the view.

“He”s a huge talent, no doubt. He batted well the other day and he has been bowling really well. He”s getting used to the conditions more every single game,” Clarke said. (ANI)

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Hussey saves Australia blushes in Bangladesh win

May 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Melbourne, May 6 (ANI): Australia entered the Super Eights phase of the Twenty20 World Cup by defeating by Bangladesh by 27-runs.

Dirk Nannes claimed a career-best 4-18 to take Australia to a 27-run win. Australia will play India in Barbados on Friday.

Nannes took three of the first four wickets to fall in the Bangladesh innings of 114, FOX Sports reports.

Defending a total of 7-141, Australia made a breakthrough in the opening over when Shaun Tait (1-15) removed Imrul Kayes for a duck.

Mohammad Ashraful fell for a duck in the next over and Nannes struck again twice in the fourth over of the innings putting Bangladesh in trouble at 4-15.

Captain Shakib Al Hasan hit 28 and was out to a diving catch from Mike Hussey at deep square leg.

Mike Hussey was named man of the match for his all-round effort, including three catches.

“Our top order obviously didn’t perform as well as we’d like. The conditions were a lot different to St Lucia. We probably didn’t adapt as well as we’d like,” skipper Michael Clarke said.

“But to scrape our way to 141, Huss played a wonderful innings as he always seems to do when we”re under pressure, and young Steve Smith batted really well. Our execution with the ball was spot on,” he added.

Earlier, Hussey and Smith had saved Australia after they were 6-65 in the 13th over.

Hussey hit an unbeaten 47 from 29 deliveries. Smith played an excellent knock of 27 from 18 balls. (ANI)

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Sehwag is the best Twenty20 batsman: Warner

April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

St. Lucia, Apr 30(ANI): Australian opening batsman David Warner believes that his Delhi Daredevils’ team-mate Virender Sehwag is the best Twenty20 batsman he has seen.

“In terms of batsman in T20 it is hard to go past Sehwag when he gets going, but there are so many good players going around,” Fox Sports quoted Warner, as saying.

Sehwag had topped the list of run-scorers for Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League season three.

The dashing opener made 346 runs at 25.42 from 14 games, but will not be taking part in the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies after suffering a shoulder injury.

Warner also said that Australia is a strong contender to win the tournament, and he reckons teams from the sub-continent, including India, will be the biggest dangers.

“The sub-continent teams are obviously tough because the wickets tend to be slow and low here. Obviously we need to just get through our group and then we play either India or Sri Lanka I think so the sub-continent teams look like they will be our biggest challenge,” Warner said.

The 23-year-old has been in remarkable form ahead of the tournament, and scored his second successive half-century to guide Australia to a thumping 101 run victory against Windward Islands in their final warm-up match.

He goes into Australia’s Group A clash with Pakistan on Sunday in top form after blasting 72 from 49 balls in Tuesday’s one-run loss to Zimbabwe. (ANI)

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Rebuilding career, Test spot my ultimate goal: David Hussey

April 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

St. Lucia, Apr 28(ANI): Australian batsman David Hussey insists that losing his Cricket Australia (CA) contract was a “kick in the teeth”, and said he does face the task of rebuilding his career.

Hussey will be making a comeback in the Twenty 20 World Cup, starting from April 30.

“I look at it as a way to get back into the one-day team and hopefully, longer down the track, a Test spot,” the Fox Sports quoted Hussey, as saying.

“That’s my ultimate goal. I think they (selectors) know what I can do,” he added.

The 32-year-old further admitted that he would be lying if he said he had not considered retiring from first-class cricket and focusing on the Twenty20 leagues in India and England.

“They are options, but I still believe I have a big future in one-day cricket for Australia. I desperately want to play Test cricket,” Hussey said.

“I thought I did reasonably well in domestic cricket and to not get selected in the first 25 was very disappointing, but I’m here now. I’ve got an opportunity to represent Australia in a (Twenty20) World Cup in the West Indies so things can”t be too bad,” he added. (ANI)

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Australia suffer shock loss to Zimbabwe in T20 World Cup warm-up game

April 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

St. Lucia, Apr 28(ANI): Australia has suffered a stunning one-run loss against Zimbabwe in their opening T20 World Cup warm-up game at the Beausejour Stadium in St Lucia.

Chasing Zimbabwe’s 173 for seven off 20 overs, the ‘unseeded’ Australian team was restricted to 172 for seven, despite an attacking 72 run inning from opener David Warner and 49 from skipper Michael Clarke.

Needing 13 runs from the final over for victory, Australia lost Clarke, bowled from the penultimate delivery, and then Mitchell Johnson was run out off a wide, as the side finished one short of the target, Fox Sports reports.

Earlier in the day, Zimbabwean batsman Elton Chigumbura’s 76 off 35 balls, including six sixes and five fours, had provided the backbone to Zimbabwe’s total.

He also shared a 114-run partnership with Craig Ervine (39) for the fifth wicket.

Australian fast bowler Johnson was the pick of the Oz bowlers claiming 4-23 from his four overs, while Dirk Nannes, Lee and Shane Watson took one wicket apiece.

Australia now has one more warm-up match against local side Windward XI, before Sunday’s opening Group A match against defending champions Pakistan.

Brief Scorecard:

Zimbabwe: 173-7 (Elton Chigumbura 76, Sean Ervine 39; Mitchell Johnson 4-23)
Australia: 172-7 (David Warner 72, Michael Clarke 49; Prosper Utseya 2-27). (ANI)

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No Australian player involved in IPL match fixing: Warne

April 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Sydney, Apr 28(ANI): Former Australian legend and Rajasthan Royals skipper Shane Warne has strongly denied reports of involvement of a famous Australian cricketer in alleged fixing of Indian Premier League matches played in South Africa last year.

Warne said he was not completely surprised by the controversy, but was shocked his name had been thrown around without any substantiation.

“I have total confidence that no Australian is involved. In the time I have played in the IPL, I have never been approached or heard anything at the Royals regarding match-fixing,” Fox Sports quoted Warne, as saying.

“Although, weird things can sometimes happen in Twenty20 cricket. That’s the nature of the game. I do know this: To fix a Twenty20, you would have to have the captain, otherwise you just couldn’t do it,” he added.

According to reports, a London-based newspaper has claimed that 27 players, including “a famous Australian”, were under investigation by tax officials after the latest match-fixing claims.

Indian tax officials, however, denied issuing the report, and said that no IPL players, including Australians, were being investigated.

The 41-year-old Warne further insisted that the governing body should take strong action if any players are found guilty.

“Any players involved in this controversy, if found guilty, should be banned for life,” Warne said.

“It’s good to hear that the authorities have come out and said that no Australian is under investigation,” he added. (ANI)

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Injured Lee likely to be ruled out of T20 World Cup

April 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

St. Lucia, Apr 28(ANI): Australian fast bowler Brett Lee is likely to be ruled out of the Twenty20 World Cup after sustaining a muscle strain in his right forearm during the warm up game against Zimbabwe.

Lee complained of a muscle strain in the same spot of the right elbow that required surgery in December last year and hastened his retirement from Test cricket in February.

He took 1 for 13 in four overs in the match at Beausejour Cricket Ground, and later underwent MRI scans to determine the seriousness of the strain.

Australian physio Alex Kontouris, however was adamant that the injury was unrelated to Lee’s elbow surgery, Fox Sports reports.

The Australian team management has already put in a request to the International Cricket Council to see if they can replace the injured fast bowler.

While no names have been mentioned, fellow fast bowlers Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris are being considered as the logical choice. (ANI)

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Victory’s ACL dream over

April 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Melbourne’s dream of progressing in the Asian Champions League is over, after a scoreless draw with Beijing left the Victory bottom of their qualifying group.

The 2009/10 A-League grand finalists needed to take three points against Beijing Guoan to keep alive their hopes of progressing to the second round, but neither side could conjure a goal.

Beijing and ex-Newcastle Jets striker Joel Griffiths caused headaches for Melbourne all night but the home side held firm at Docklands.

At the other end though the Victory were left equally frustrated, unable to find a go-ahead goal against a frugal defence.

Melbourne coach Ernie Merrick, who in March saw his side beaten on penalties by Sydney FC in the A-League grand final, was pragmatic about the Victory’s effective elimination.

“I’m disappointed with the fact that we’re out of the ACL, but I thought it was a great effort by the boys,” he told Fox Sports.

“The number of youngsters that stepped up to the plate was just terrific and with a wee bit of luck we could have scored a goal or two tonight but it wasn’t to be.”

The ever philosophical Merrick offered this assessment of a first-half penalty shout on Robbie Kruse: “Sometimes you get them, sometimes you don’t get them.”

“I thought the referee had a good game. Whether it was a penalty or not – I never really debate that.”

Merrick made it clear that the club’s next major challenge would be to convince skipper Kevin Muscat to play on.

The 36-year-old Muscat was evasive when asked about his future, saying it was “no secret” that he was planning to sit down and talk with the coach.

“We’re probably at that stage now because we mathematically can’t make it,” he said.

“Unfortunately we couldn’t get the result tonight, so we’ll sit down and see what happens.”

Muscat also fired a shot at the quality of the competition, saying the tournament’s administrators needed to toughen up on gamesmanship.

“To be honest, playing in Asia, is not all that enjoyable,” he said.

“People going down left, right and centre, stalling for time, it’s not that enjoyable playing in the Champions League.

“I think it’s evident for people to see. Being involved in it and watching it I can understand why people don’t come and watch. People going down… it just seems that authorities can’t take control.”

Undermanned Melbourne was outclassed throughout by the Chinese side, which had several chances to win the match and sew up a round of 16 berth but failed to take any.

Griffiths put a second-half header just wide, as well as creating another gilt-edged first half opportunity for midfielder Huang Bowen which was put wide.

Melbourne’s best period of the match came in the last 20 minutes.

Striker Nik Mrdja went closest to breaking the deadlock with his 74th-minute shot from a rebound eventually saved by Beijing keeper Yang Zhi.

Melbourne now sits bottom of Group E, with second-placed Beijing Guoan and Japanese club Kawasaki Frontale set to fight it out for second place in the group.

On Tuesday night, Adelaide United secured its place in the next round with a 0-0 draw with defending champions Pohang Steelers in South Korea.

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Summer sweep confirms Aussies ready for Ashes triumph: Ponting

April 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Hamilton, Apr 1(ANI): Australia skipper Ricky Ponting has said that the series win over New Zealand had erased all the doubts raised about his side ahead of the Ashes series later this year.

Australia wrapped up the series 2-0 by defeating New Zealand in the Hamilton Test by 176 runs.

The visitors had won the first Test in Wellington by ten wickets, and having defeated West Indies 2-0 and Pakistan 3-0 on home soil, the Australian team finished the summer season unbeaten in Tests.

“There were probably some question marks over our Test cricket before the summer started; being a little bit inconsistent through the Ashes series and probably playing well enough at different times to have won that series, but not being able to nail the crucial moments,” Fox Sports quoted Ponting, as saying.

“If anything this year we”ve probably gone the other way, when there”s been big moments we really have stood up and nailed them. We can”t be any better placed at the moment, we have two Tests to play in England (against Pakistan) then it”s straight into it,” he added.

Ponting further said that the current group of players are going strong at the moment, and they can “put up a very good show in the Ashes.”

“There will be no excuses from where we are sitting. We”ve done everything we would have liked for us to have achieved throughout the summer. There”s never been a game that has dragged on. Hopefully, we have a full complement of players to pick from going into November,” Ponting said.

“Generally when you get a bit tired teams can fade away, but I think if anything we”ve got better and stronger as a group as the year has gone on. I”m really happy with what we”ve achieved,” he added. (ANI)

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Focus key to Tiger Wood’s success at Augusta Masters: Caddie

March 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Washington, Mar 31 (ANI): Ace golfer Tiger Woods’ caddie Steve Williams thinks that focus is key for the World No.1 to succeed on his return during Augusta Masters after a scandalous four month break.

Williams will be carrying the disgraced Wood’s bag at his comeback appearance at the Masters next week, but said he was not expecting a crowd reaction.

“The people that go and watch Augusta, they call them patrons there, not spectators,” he said in an interview with New Zealand news channel TVNZ on Tuesday, hinting that it was this reason that Woods chose the tournament for his comeback.

“Augusta are very specific with who they let in there, so they are genuine golf fans. I don”t really expect any of those people having any problems. I think they will be very happy to see Tiger playing at Augusta where he”s been successful,” Williams said.

The Kiwi caddie said that at his 25th return to the golf course in Atlanta, he expected Woods’ ability to focus would determine his success, FOX Sports reports.

“Just focus, I think that is going to be the big thing. Tiger hasn’t played competitively in four months and hasn”t played any warm-up tournaments going into a major championship,” he said.

“They are difficult tournaments at the best of the times having not played a practice tournament or a pre-tournament, it is going to be difficult, so just to keep his focus on what we are doing, that is going to be the foremost thing in my mind.”

Woods has not competed since his victory at the Australian Masters on November 15, 2009, following his fall from grace amid revelations about his private life. (ANI)

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Sydney’s ANZ Stadium to host International Twenty20 matches from 2011-12 season

March 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Sydney, Mar.31 (ANI): Sydney”s ANZ Stadium is to host one international Twenty20 match a year for four years beginning in the 2011/12 season, New South Wales Premier Kristina Keneally has announced.

According to a Fox Sports report, a deal has been struck between the state government and Cricket NSW.

It will be the first time in 128 years that international matches in Sydney will be played away from the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Four international Twenty20 fixtures will be played at ANZ Stadium, which is expected to attract crowds of up to 80,000 each. In comparison, the SCG has seating capacity of 46,000.

The international clashes at ANZ Stadium could include Australia v India in 2011/12, Australia v South Africa in 2012/13, Australia v England in 2013/14, and Australia v India in 2014/15.

Cricket NSW chief executive David Gilbert, said holding international Twenty20 games at ANZ Stadium would help further showcase the popular form of the game.

“We look forward to staging exciting, world class cricket in front of local fans, along with the visitors from around the world we expect these matches to attract,”” he was quoted, as saying. (ANI)

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Watson declares himself fit for Hamilton Test, Ponting for more assessment

March 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Hamilton (New Zealand), Mar. 26 (ANI): Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has declared himself fit for second Test against New Zealand to be played here from Saturday, even as his captain, Ricky Ponting, has said that he requires more time to truly assess the former”s fitness.

If Watson comes in, Phillip Hughes, who scored 20 and 86 not out in the first Test in Wellington, will be axed.

“In the last four or five days it has come together really well. I”ll be right to go at full speed,”” Fox Sports quoted Watson, as saying.

“Initially it was a cork that set it off in the fourth game playing a pull shot. Shane Bond hit me right on the point of the hip,” he added.

“Once the cork disappeared then the little strain I had went pretty quickly as well,”” he said.

In his past nine Tests since his 2009 Ashes recall, the 28-year-old has scored 849 runs at 56.60 and claimed 13 wickets at 29.61 with his medium-pacers.

In this month”s one-day series against New Zealand, Watson hit 45, 47, 15, 32 and 53 and hardly played a false shot.

Watson also said he was fine to bowl his normal load of about 20 overs of medium-pace in the Test.

Earlier, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, Australian captain Ricky Ponting had said that he wanted further proof of Watson”s fitness before any decision could be made on his return for Saturday”s second Test against New Zealand.

“Watson got through training well yesterday. He did a lot of batting at the start and then bowled off his long run, which is really encouraging,” Ponting said at Hamilton”s Seddon Park on Friday.
.
“I want to see how he pulls up today and see what he gets done at training today first before we make any announcement on the team,” Ponting added.

He said pitch conditions were also important on the green-looking deck, which may take spin late in the match.

The skipper also left open the possibility of promoting young leg-spinner Steve Smith for his debut.

But he added the team already had part-time slow bowlers Michael Clarke, Marcus North and Simon Katich to support frontline spinner Nathan Hauritz.

“I notice New Zealand have got two spinners in their squad, so we”ll have a look at the wicket today,” Ponting said.

Meanwhile New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori says 19-year-old batsman Kane Williamson is unlikely to make his Test debut on Saturday, as the Kiwis prepare to gamble on a long tail against Australia”s quicks. (ANI)

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Hughes guides Australia to 10 wicket win over New Zealand in Wellington Test

March 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Melbourne, Mar 23 (ANI): Australia’s opening batsman Phil Hughes hit an unbeaten 86 from 75 balls to guide his team to a 10-wicket win over New Zealand in the first Test in Wellington.

Hughes struck 12 fours and one six while Simon Katich played the anchor role with his 18 not out from 65 deliveries, as Australia reached their target of 106 without loss and with two sessions to spare.

Hughes was recalled to the side in place of the injured Shane Watson who is hoping to recover from a thigh-muscle strain for Saturday’s second and final Test in Hamilton.

Debutant Ryan Harris claimed 4-77 to help Australia bowl New Zealand out for 407 on the final morning, FOX Sports reports.

New Zealand had resumed on 6-369 and lost their last four wickets for 38 in 50 minutes of play.

Wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum hit two consecutive boundaries off the bowling of Doug Bollinger (2-80) in the opening over to reach his fifth Test century.

But Harris soon had McCullum caught at first slip by Michael Clarke for 104 from 187 balls.

Harris claimed match figures of 6-119 for Australia and spinner Nathan Hauritz took 3-119 from 49 overs in New Zealand’s second innings.

Michael Clarke was named man-of-the-match. (ANI)

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Oz club cricketers under fire for racial abuse of Indian opponents

March 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Sydney, Mar. 16 (ANI): The Geelong Cricket Association has launched a probe after receiving an official written complaint against ten Thomson cricketers for alleged racial abuse of opposition Indian players playing for the Waurn Ponds Cricket Club on Sunday.

According to Fox Sports, the complaint alleges six Waurn Ponds players of Indian decent were subjected to a series of racially motivated verbal attacks during Saturday””s fourth-grade qualifying final at Grinter Reserve No. 2.

Witnesses claimed some of the players were reduced to tears and were considering giving up the sport after the alleged taunts.

The complaint did not name any players accused of the taunts, but said Thomson player Paul Welsh was clear of any alleged wrongdoing.

Welsh was the only Thomson fourth-grade player exempt from the racial-vilification complaint.

Thomson, however, has denied the allegations and said it would support the GCA investigation.

GCA vice president Garry McPherson, who will chair the investigation, confirmed Waurn Ponds had lodged a complaint, with the investigation set to be heard tomorrow night. (ANI)

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Australia stay grounded while on verge of 7-0 sweep over England

September 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Sep.19 (ANI): With an historic 7-0 whitewash of their one-day series against England firmly within their grasp, Australia’s cricketers head to Durham.

No team has ever swept a seven-match series, but Tim Paine, the stand-in wicketkeeper-batsman whose maiden international century led Australia to a 111-run victory and a 6-0 lead at Trent Bridge on Thursday, has played down the importance of the word whitewash.

“We’ll be talking about the seventh game and how we’re going to go about winning it,” Paine said.

The Australians have completely outclassed England all series and the home side have just one more chance to salvage a bit of pride.

England captain Andrew Strauss is barely able to contain his frustration following his team’s latest defeat.

“Sitting around in a team room having a chat about it is not going to solve anything. What is going to solve it is a couple of guys standing up and showing the necessary character to go out and turn things around,” Fox Sports quoted Strauss, as saying.

“Six-nil is bad enough, to be honest with you. We’ve got one more opportunity to show our calibre as a side. We need to take that opportunity,” he added. (ANI)

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