Hazlewood poised to become Australia’s youngest ODI player

June 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Sydney, June 11(ANI): New South Wales fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is poised to become the youngest debutant in Australia’s one-day international history after he was named in the national team to play Ireland and England.

Hazlewood was called in place of fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, who has been ruled out of the first leg of the England tour this month due to an elbow injury suffered during the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies.

The towering NSW player will be 19 years and 160 days old when Australia plays its first game of the tour, against Ireland in Dublin next Thursday.

He boasts an impressive junior resume, which includes a starring role in Australia’s under-19 World Youth Cup final win over Pakistan in January.

Talking about his selection, Hazlewood said: “It’s all pretty exciting it’s all happening pretty quickly.”

A right-arm fast bowler, Hazlewood’s idol was Oz fast bowling legend, Glenn McGrath.

“I’m probably about the same height (as McGrath), but hopefully not the pigeon legs like him,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Hazlewood, as saying.

“I’m just hoping to learn a lot from the (Australian) fast bowlers over there and maybe get a little time with the ball,” he added.

Meanwhile, Australian selectors Chairman Andrew Hilditch said that losing Johnson was disappointing, but it created an opportunity for Hazlewood to earn some valuable experience.

“It’s a very exciting time for Australian cricket as we continue to take opportunities to expose our talented cricketers to international cricket. Josh has been identified as one of a crop of young fast bowlers who NSP (National Selection Panel) consider can impact for Australia at international level,” Hilditch said. (ANI)

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PREVIEW – Tamim gives Bangladesh glimpse of hope

May 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Tamim Iqbal gave Bangladesh a glimmer of hope for the first test against England starting at Lord’s on Thursday by promising to take his place at the top of the order despite a painful wrist injury.

The dashing left-hand opener has been told he can play with his left wrist taped, although he may eventually need surgery.

“I don’t want to take any chances but I’m batting okay in the nets and the pain is getting better day by day,” he told reporters.

Tamim, who scored three fluent half-centuries during the two-test home series against England this year, is one of Bangladesh’s two world-class players.

The other is captain and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who expects to play despite contracting chicken pox.

Cooler weather and showers predicted for the weekend after a brief burst of searingly hot weather in south-east England will also create the usual problems for visiting teams at the start of the English summer with assistance for the home bowlers.

England have rested their Twenty20 captain Paul Collingwood and all-rounder Stuart Broad at the start of a hectic season, giving an opportunity to Eoin Morgan to show he can take his one-day form into the test arena.

Morgan does not have a great first-class record but the England management are impressed with his temperament under pressure and the Bangladesh attack provides as gentle an introduction to test cricket as anyone could wish.

England begin the home season buoyed by their win in the Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean and with an Ashes defence against losing finalists Australia to look forward to at the end of the year.

TURBULENT PAKISTAN

After the two-test Bangladesh series they play four tests against Pakistan, who are condemned to play their international cricket abroad because of the uncertain security situation at home.

Pakistan also play two tests against Australia and for the first time since the rain-drenched 1912 Triangular series between England, Australia and South Africa, Lord’s will stage three tests.

Even by their own turbulent standards, Pakistan have endured a spectacularly troubled year.

The International Cricket Council’s anti-corruption unit is investigating their woeful performances in Australia and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has banned former captains Younus Khan and Shoaib Malik after an internal inquiry.

The pair were still included in a preliminary tour party on Tuesday pending their appeals against the bans along with fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar who has had more than his share of brushes with the Pakistan authorities.

They will be captained by the flamboyant wrist-spinning all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who ended a four-year self-imposed exile from test cricket at the weekend and who is, himself, appealing against a fine for ball-tampering.

The clear indication is that the PCB is determined to field the best side it can muster regardless of its own sanctions, a team who at their mercurial best can fully test both England and Australia and give useful hints to the course of the subsequent Ashes series.

(Editing by Ed Osmond; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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WADA shot for reluctant India on doping

May 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The International Cricket Council understands the importance of World Anti-Doping Agency’s “whereabout clause” and it is their duty to address BCCI’s concerns, WADA Director General David Howman said here on Monday.

In the city to attend the seventh Asia/Oceanic Region Intergovernmental meeting on anti-doping in sports, Howman said he had a discussion with the ICC officials during the recent Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies on the contentious clause and WADA would meet them again to sort out the issue.

“Last weekend during the T20 World Cup, I discussed the issue with ICC officials in Barbados and made them understand the importance of the clause. The discussion was very good and I listened into their concerns,” Howman said.

“ICC has made a good progress on the issue. We have made a good progress on the issue. We know some people are scared (about clause). But one needs to understand that it’s the international federation (ICC) who ultimately has to look into and address the concerns of the national federations (BCCI and others),” he said.

The controversial clause requires the cricketers in the common testing pool to furnish details of their whereabouts three months in advance to the anti-doping authorities.

Indian players had rejected the clause, saying it’s a violation of their fundamental right to privacy and poses a security threat as well and the BCCI had supported their stand.

The ICC had last October decided to “suspend” the clause until the concerns of the Indian players were sorted out.

Howman said ‘whereabout’ is relatively a new term for the cricketing world and WADA, in its given capacity, will try and bring more light on this issue.

“World over international and national federations are in total compliance with whereabout clause. 13,000 athletes are part of this clause. We have time to time reviewed this clause and will continue to do so. There is no need to fear.

“Cricket is new to this term and we will bring more light on this issue,” Howman added.

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Amla, de Villiers hit tons as SA beat Windies

May 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers scored hundreds as South Africa defeated West Indies by 66 runs in their rain-affected one-day international.

Amla anchored the top half of the South African batting with 102 from 109 balls, and de Villiers kept the momentum going with the same score from 101 balls, as the Proteas, put in to bat, reached 280 for seven from their rain-reduced 48 overs on a slow Vivian Richards Cricket Ground pitch on Saturday.

South Africa then dismissed West Indies, who had been set a Duckworth/Lewis target of 288, for 215 in 44.1 overs to clinch a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, which continues on Monday at this venue.

Morne Morkel was the most successful South African bowler with three wickets for 40 runs from eight overs, while Dale Steyn, Ryan McLaren, and Johan Botha collected two wickets apiece.

“We want to play well, and we want to win this series,” said South Africa captain Graeme Smith.

“We want to have a very successful tour of the Caribbean.

I have said this a number of times. We have a lot of bouncing back to do, following the Twenty20 World Cup, and we want to do it well.”

“This is just the first match, and the matches are very close together, so recovery is going to be important to us being successful.”

West Indies captain Chris Gayle, whose 45 from 39 balls was the home team’s top score, felt let down by the batting again.

“It’s one of those things that we can’t seem to catch a break with our batting, so we will have to go back to the drawing board,” said Gayle.

“We are not going to give-up. We know that we are not playing good cricket now.”

Steyn set West Indies back early, when he had Andre Fletcher caught at slip for four in the third over.

South Africa were put on the defensive, however, when Gayle gave West Indies a typically flourishing start.

Ryan McLaren had Dwayne Bravo caught behind for 15, and Morkel had Gayle caught in the deep to leave West Indies 69 for three in the 13th over.

The South Africans then saw Ramnaresh Sarwan make 38, and left-handed compatriot Narsingh Deonarine get 26 to stage a recovery with a stand of 61 for the fourth wicket.

Botha made the breakthrough in the 27th over, when Deonarine top-edged a sweep, and was caught at backward square leg, and Morkel bowled Sarwan, as West Indies slipped to 140 for five.

Kieron Pollard joined Denesh Ramdin, and they put on 52 for the sixth wicket.

Steyn returned for another spell, and bowled Ramdin for 17, when the batsman chopped on, and West Indies lost their last five wickets for 23 runs from 35 deliveries.

Amla, later named man-of-the-match, reached his second ODI hundred from 106 balls, when he steered a short, rising delivery from Pollard to third man for a single in the 33rd over.

De Villiers later reached his seventh ODI hundred from 99 balls, when he dragged a delivery from Ravi Rampaul through mid-on for a single in the 44th over.

They added 129 for the third wicket, after play started half-hour later than scheduled, and a near half-hour stoppage for rain further marred the match.

Amla put on 53 for the first wicket with Smith either side of the rain break before the Proteas’ captain edged a flat-footed drive, and was caught behind for 18 in the seventh over off Bravo, who also had Jacques Kallis caught at third man for one to leave South Africa 57 for two.

After de Villiers added 54 for the fourth wicket with left-hander JP Duminy, South Africa lost four wickets for 40 runs from the last 41 deliveries of their innings.

Bravo was the most successful West Indies bowler with three wickets for 40 runs.

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England’s Collingwood and Broad to miss Bangladesh tests

May 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Twenty20 World Cup winning captain Paul Collingwood and bowler Stuart Broad will miss England’s test series with Bangladesh starting at Lord’s on Thursday, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said.

England named a 12 man squad on Sunday that included Eoin Morgan, who is called up to the test squad for the first time after impressive performances in the recent Twenty20 World Cup triumph in Barbados.

The ECB said scans had shown that Collingwood needed treatment for a left shoulder injury while Broad would be rested.

“Paul will undergo a period of rehabilitation for a shoulder injury and has been ruled out of the Test series against Bangladesh,” said England selector Geoff Miller.

“There’s a need for Stuart to undertake an intensive strengthening programme ahead of an arduous summer and a busy winter and the next three weeks have been identified as the ideal period for this programme,” said Miller.

Andrew Strauss will lead England with James Anderson also returning after missing the series in Bangladesh and Middlesex paceman Steven Finn included with seamer Ajmal Shahzad. Five players from the Twenty20 squad were selected.

“We believe we’ve selected an exciting squad and with Paul Collingwood and Stuart Broad taking no part in this series the opportunity arises for a number of younger players to make a mark at Test level,” said Miller.

“Eoin Morgan has impressed everyone since his inclusion in England’s one-day squad and he now has the opportunity to play a role in the Test team,” he added.

“He has always held ambitions of playing across all forms of the game and we believe he has earned his place in this Test squad.

Miller said he had been encouraged by Finn’s Test debut in Bangladesh over the winter as well as his strong start to the domestic season.

“He is aware of what is involved at the international level and along with Ajmal Shazhad, who has also made a bright start to the County season after touring Bangladesh over the winter, offers us a great deal of depth in the bowling ranks,” he said.

Squad:

Andrew Strauss (captain), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Tim Bresnan, Alastair Cook, Steven Finn, Eoin Morgan, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Ajmal Shahzad, Graeme Swann, Jonathon Trott.

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Patrick Johnston; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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T20 winning captain Collingwood back in team as regular trooper

May 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 18 (ANI): England’s Twenty20 World Cup winning captain Paul Collingwood will join the team as a regular player at Lord’s on Monday for the first Test against Bangladesh.

Collingwood will not even be the vice-captain of the England cricket team. Andrew Strauss will be back as skipper, with Alastair Cook his No. 2.

Strauss has not led England for four months. In that time England played in Abu Dhabi, Bangladesh and the Caribbean, while he has been struggling to make early-season runs for Middlesex, The Sun reports.

“I don’t think Straussy will have trouble going back into the dressing room, despite not being part of this victory. He is our leader at the moment.

“Colly has become a lot more confident. He has led from the front with his attitude,” the paper quoted Flower, as saying.

Bangladesh on the other hand are confident that their captain Shakib Al Hasan will recover from chicken pox to face England in the first Test at Lord’s. (ANI)

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Shock, disbelief in Pak after ouster

May 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

They were gearing up to celebrate a win when Michael Hussey turned the match on its head, leaving scores of fans in Pakistan shocked at their team’s ouster from the Twenty20 World Cup following the last-over loss to Australia.

A pall of gloom descended on the city of Karachi and in other parts of the country after Pakistan were stunned by Australia in the high scoring semifinal of the mega event last night.

Australia snatched victory from the jaws of defeat by overhauling a 191-run target with a ball to spare, leaving Pakistani supporters in disbelief.

“It is shocking we were just getting ready for a feast and to distribute sweets and to just celebrate a great victory and that was just two overs back and now we are simply stunned and shocked,” former Test player Jalaluddin said.

Jalaluddin was among thousands of people in the city who had made special arrangements to watch the match with family and friends at their homes where people had set up barbecues and big television screens.

People thronged big hotels, private clubs and cafes, to watch the match and as a likely victory loomed large for Pakistan, the celebrations had already begun at most places with people dancing and cheering every Australian wicket that fell.

But it took just two overs to change the mood of the as they left disheartened after Pakistan lost despite coming so close to beating Michael Clarke’s men.

“It was just poor captaincy and nothing else, our players don’t have self belief, they don’t realise how much we pray for their success,” an angry student said in the Lines area.

In the Lines area, a lower and congested middle class locality of Karachi, people had set up giant screens on the roads for children and elders watched the match.

There were special arrangements to watch the match on generators due to the energy crisis in the country.

“I think we should accept defeat with grace, our team played like true champions but in sports one team has to lose and unfortunately it was not our day today but our players made us proud,” said Zeesh another student watching the match at Area 51.

If Pakistan had won, it would have been their third successive final in the Twenty20 World Cup.

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Afridi’s captaincy draws flak

May 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Shahid Afridi’s captaincy came in for criticism from current and former players after Pakistan squandered a chance to enter their third successive Twenty20 World Cup final by losing a last-over thriller to Australia.

After millions of fans were left disappointed and stunned at their team’s defeat, former Test players felt poor tactics on the field in the final few overs cost Pakistan the match last night.

Australia scored an incredible 34 runs in the last two overs to stun Pakistan who seemed to be cruising to victory after setting a target of 191 for Michael Clarke’s men.

Left-arm pacer Muhammad Aamir went for 16 in the penultimate over while off-spinner Saeed Ajmal was hit for three sixes and a four in the final over by Michael Hussey.

“I have played a lot with Saeed and he is a sort of bowler who struggles against the left handers and in pressure situations, it was not a good idea to give him the final over when they were two left handers at the crease,” all-rounder Sohail Tanvir said.

Tanvir and Saeed both play for KRL and Rawalpindi in domestic cricket and Tanvir, who was ruled out of the World Cup due to a knee operation, said Pakistan paid the price for relaxing a bit in the final few overs.

“I wouldn’t say they were overconfident but they should have remained alert throughout the Australian innings and I would have preferred giving the final over to someone else to make Hussey think his strategy,” Tanvir said.

Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik said he would have definitely given the final over to Abdul Razzaq as Saeed was not a confident bowler against left handers.

“Yes, Saeed does struggle against left handers and I would have tried the experienced Razzaq in such a tight situation. But it would be unfair to blame anyone for the defeat because all credit to the Australians for proving why they are a champion team once again,” he said.

Malik showered praise on Hussey and said his innings of 60 from 24 balls was perhaps the greatest limited overs innings he had seen in his career.

“It was a brilliant knock and he took the match away and we also made tactical mistakes in the final overs,” Malik said.

Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar also felt that something was lacking in the team in the final few overs.

“I thought maybe the captain should have got the players together in a huddle or at least consulted with his senior players after the penultimate over when Aamir went for runs on who should bowl the final over or when first ball in the final over, Hussey hit Saeed for a six,” Shoaib said.

“In such situations it is always good for the captain to talk to his players and take decisions. In hindsight, I would have looked at other options to bowl the final over,” he added.

But he said that the Pakistan team deserved credit for putting up a great performance in the semifinal which many people expected to be a cakewalk win for Australia.

“We lost the match but we fought well and there is no shame in losing such a close match,” he said.

Former captain Moin Khan said Pakistan dominated the entire match except the final three overs and it cost them dearly.

“Cameron White and Hussey were outstanding under pressure while our bowlers cracked. That was the difference between the two sides in the final overs,” Moin said.

He said the failure of any Asian team to make the final showed that other countries were adapting to Twenty20 cricket.

Former captain Rashid Latif said it was sheer bad luck that Pakistan lost as Hussey played like a champion batsman.

“I thought Kamran and Umar Akmal were brilliant today,” he said.

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The best I have ever played: Hussey

May 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Michael Hussey still cannot believe that he has guided Australia to the Twenty20 World Cup finals with his hurricane knock against Pakistan but he is quite sure that the 24-ball 60 is the best innings of his career so far.

Chasing an intimidating 191 for six, Australia were on the rack at 105 for five in the 13th over and needed 70 runs from five overs at one stage.

Going into the final over of the innings, the Aussies needed 18 runs to win. But Hussey turned the match on its head with unalloyed pyrotechnics, putting the issue across Pakistan with one ball to spare.

“That is probably the best I have ever played. I earlier considered the Ashes Test in Adelaide where I hit the last ball for a six as my best ever cricket innings. But this was the semis and a very crucial match for us. It is the best innings I have ever played,” he said.

Hussey said he wasn’t confident that Australia could achieve the target and still can’t believe that his team has actually made the finals, where it will take on England tomorrow.

“Even I had plenty of doubts on whether we could score the runs. I can’t believe it myself.”

Looking back at the incredible knock, Hussey said he took time to get his eye in before he started hitting the ball all over the park.

“Initially, I take a few balls to get in. That is what I was trying to do, to get the strike. By the end of the innings I was trying to hit every ball. It happened to go my way. I am very, very happy,” said the beaming middle-order batsman.

Asked about his thoughts going into the last over, Hussey said he just wanted to hit every ball out of the stadium.

“I just wanted to try and hit every ball for a shot. If he had bowled yorkers and they were perfect, there wasn’t much you can do about it. But he (Saeed Ajmal) missed his length just by little bit.

“I told myself, God please hit the last ball with the middle of the bat. I didn’t know what it felt like till I did it. I was delighted to see the elation on my teammates faces when they ran in. I am so excited to be in the final,” said Hussey.

Hussey said he enjoys playing Twenty20 cricket.

“I have always enjoyed playing Twenty 20 cricket. My first love is Test cricket, first and foremost. But Twenty20 is a great format for the kids to enjoy and take to it. “Hopefully, they take the game up. It is an awesome concept. The players are getting better by the day at it. Batting and bowling skills continue to improve. I reckon it will keep getting better,” he said.

Meanwhile, skipper Michael Clarke commended his trusted match-winner.

“I willed myself not to watch the final over. But when I saw one six come after another, I got into the game. It would have been hard to believe at one stage. It was an amazing day today. It is a freakish performance, unbelievable to achieve by a cricketer in any form of the game. Thanks to Hussey, we are in the final,” said the Australian captain.

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Australia seek treble as England bid to end wait

May 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Australia seek a world title treble while England will be chasing a first global one-day trophy when the old enemies meet in Sunday’s Twenty20 World Cup final in Barbados.

Australia already own the titles in the 50-over World Cup and the Champions Trophy but England have failed to land a prize in the 35 years since the International Cricket Council began global one-day events.

An exciting tournament will end at the Kensington Oval with the two best teams meeting in a fixture given added spice by the ancient rivalry between Australia and England.

While Australia have dominated the Twenty20 throughout, they will face an England team that has looked more together, focused and talented than any they have assembled in recent years.

However, as skipper Paul Collingwood has frequently noted, that progress will count for little if they return home from the Caribbean empty-handed again.

“We haven’t won anything yet — that’s the thing. We’ve got to a final but it means nothing until we win a World Cup,” he told reporters. “Until we do that we’re going to keep our feet on the ground.”

Collingwood hinted he would field the same team that comfortably beat Sri Lanka in their semi-final on Thursday.

That will mean a first taste of Australian pace bowling for young openers Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb.

POSITIVE APPROACH

The pair have kick-started England’s innings well throughout the tournament and despite the threat posed by the pace of Shaun Tait and Dirk Nannes, Collingwood said he would not ask his openers to change their positive approach.

“We’ve got a plan of action against every team and right the way through the tournament we have been very aggressive and I don’t want to change our mindset going into the final,” said the captain.

“The guys are going to go out with confidence and belief and keep doing the things they have been doing well throughout this tournament.”

Australia have looked the most powerful outfit in the event although they needed a rescue act from Mike Hussey, who struck a brilliant 60 in 24 balls, to get past Pakistan in Friday’s semi-final.

Michael Clarke’s men will be favourites largely due to their strength in depth and experience in big matches.

Clarke, though, said the form book counted for little in the compressed action of Twenty20.

“People would have thought we were the favourites on Friday and we nearly got beaten,” he said. “The fact is that we’ve got two wonderful cricket teams who’ve played fantastic Twenty20 cricket throughout this tournament.

“We have come a long way in this form of the game. But we didn’t come here to make the final, we came here to win the final.

“There’s no doubt we’d be much happier leaving Barbados with that one last trophy we don’t have just yet,” added Clarke.

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

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Experience gives Aussies advantage says Clarke

May 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Australia captain Michael Clarke believes his team’s superior big match experience will give them a “huge advantage” in Sunday’s Twenty20 World Cup final against England.

Seven of the likely Australian starting line-up have featured in a World Cup or Champions Trophy final while England skipper Paul Collingwood is the only from his team to have played such a game — back in 2004.

“The guys who have taken part in big cricket matches — it doesn’t necessarily have to be a final — have a huge advantage,” said Clarke.

“There were probably guys in our squad that were picked not only because they are great Twenty20 players but have experience as well, World Cup experience, big test match experience.

“Having a few senior players around will help the youngsters control their emotions.”

The four Australians without final experience are 20-year-old leg spinner Steve Smith, left-arm pace bowler Dirk Nannes and Twenty20 specialists Dave Warner and David Hussey.

The other big difference between the two line-ups is that England’s features three South African-born players and an Irishman in their top five batsmen.

Collingwood is the only player born in England in that top order, a dominance by foreign born players that would be hard to imagine for an Australian team.

“Never say never,” said Clarke with a grin when asked if such a scenario would be possible.

“I haven’t seen it yet in my career, though. But if you asked the guys playing in that England team if they’re proud to be a part of that side I’m certain they’d say yes.

“Kevin Pietersen’s got the Lions tattooed on his arms, so he’s obviously very proud of playing for England.

“Every single player in that England team will come out and try their best, as will we,” said the Australia skipper.

Australia reached the final thanks to an astonishing comeback against Pakistan in St. Lucia on Friday and Clarke said rather than put that game aside, he wanted his team to remember what it showed about them.

AMAZING GAMES

“I don’t think I want the guys to forget that. I think that memory will stick in my mind for the rest of my career. It’s one of the most amazing games of cricket I’ve been involved in,” he said.

“I think we need to understand and accept that game’s gone. But just keep in the back of your mind that what we showed the other day could happen out here as well.”

Mike Hussey hit 60 off 24 balls as Australia hit 23 off the last over to win their semi-final against Pakistan in dramatic style, having looked out of the game.

“In our minds, we need to be very confident that we’re never out of the game, we always have a chance,” he said.

“There will certainly be tough times in the game tomorrow. We’re going to be under pressure, not be getting as many wickets as we’d like or as many runs off a certain over or certain bowler.

“But the acceptance is that, with our team, we can chase whatever total, or bowl a team out for what we need,” he said.

Clarke said though that he was under no illusions that his team would need to be at their very best against England.

“England are a very good team, they have shown that in this tournament they have beaten a lot of good teams and will be tough to beat tomorrow,” he said.

(Editing by Pritha Sarkar; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Collingwood unfazed by Australian win

May 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

England captain Paul Collingwood said he was unsurprised by Australia’s remarkable last-over win over Pakistan and believes his team are ready to beat their old rivals in Sunday’s Twenty20 World Cup final.

Mike Hussey hit 60 off 24 balls, including three sixes in the last over, as Australia won their semi-final against Pakistan in dramatic style, having looked out of the game.

“We always knew what Australia were capable of,” said Collingwood, “Nothing surprised us yesterday. All we can concentrate on is our game.

“Australia have always been a very strong side, and they still are. It bodes well for what should be a very, very good final.

“Whether it had been Pakistan or Australia, we were going to have to play very, very good cricket,” he said.

England have marched to the final on the back of a series of impressive performances, comfortably dealing with Sri Lanka in their semi-final after winning all three Super Eight games and Collingwood said the team, which is likely to be unchanged, are relishing the biggest challenge yet.

“There’s plenty of confidence in our side, the way we’ve played throughout this tournament has given us a lot of belief.

“We believe we’ve got the skills to beat any side on the day. We have surprised a few ourselves in this tournament — and the guys are very, very positive.

England have never won a global limited overs in the 35 years since the ICC began organising them but Collingwood said there were no signs of excessive pressure taking a toll.

“When you’re going into a World Cup final there’s a lot of emotion around. But the guys seem very relaxed, and know their roles very well.

“We haven’t won anything yet — that’s the thing. We’ve got to a final, but it means nothing until we win a World Cup. Until we do that, we’re going to keep our feet on the ground.

England and Australia’s rivalry, which dates back to the first official test match in 1877, adds some extra spark to a game which, after Friday’s drama, is being highly anticipated.

“This is literally the ultimate. You’ve got through to a World Cup final; you’re playing against the old enemy, Australia. It doesn’t get much better than this,” he said.

England’s last attempt to win a world event was the 2004 Champions Trophy, which ended in defeat to West Indies and Collingwood is the only survivor from that team.

In contrast Australia currently hold the two other international limited overs titles — the 50 overs World Cup and the Champions Trophy, but Collingwood said England’s lack of big final experience would not necessarily work against them.

“I think if you have played in big matches it does help but there is also the cause that if you are fresh into a side and you don’t know what it’s all about it can sometimes help.

“There are a lot of guys in our side that haven’t experienced finals but I really do sense the guys are ready. The guys seem very relaxed going into such a big occasion and that’s a great sign,” he said.

(Editing by Alison Wildey

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We didn’t come here to make the final; we came here to win the final: Clarke

May 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Melbourne, May 16 (ANI): The Australian team led by Michael Clarke having several Twenty20 specialists is determined to set the record straight by winning the Twenty20 World Cup final.

Australia will go into tonight’s final against archrivals England in Barbados to win the one major title that has eluded them so far.

“I’m stoked we’re in the final. We have come a long way in this form of the game. But we didn’t come here to make the final; we came here to win the final,” The Herald Sun quoted Clarke, as saying.

“I think we have achieved a lot as a team, but it would be extra special tomorrow to top it off with a victory. It would be fantastic. There’s no doubt we’d be much happier leaving Barbados with that one last trophy we don’t have just yet,” he said.

Clarke stressed that victory tonight would be no consolation for Australia’s 2-1 Ashes series loss in England last year.

“It won’t make up for it, but it would be a fantastic start to what is going to be a great summer back at home. I’m certain every Australian and every English person loves seeing that battle. It’s always tough cricket, in any form of the game,” he said.

“I’m certain tomorrow will be no different. So for now, it’s about focusing on a huge game – a final – against a very good team,” Clarke said. (ANI)

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New Zealand crush West Indies by 56 runs to enter ICC Women’s T20 WC final

May 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Gros Islet, May 15 (ANI): Riding on Sara McGlashan’s superb 55 ball 84 run innings, New Zealand crushed West Indies by 56 runs to enter the final of the ICC Women’s World T20 Championship here.

The White Ferns’ would now clash with archrivals Australia, the side they”ve beaten six times in a row, in the final on Sunday (May 16) at the Kensington Oval, Barbados.

Batting first, New Zealand scored 180 for the loss of five wickets. The mainstay of the New Zealand innings was McGlashan’s exciting knock, which included six boundaries and two mammoth sixes.

McGlashan had two good partnerships with skipper Aimee Watkins (20) and Sophie Devine (27), which helped her steady the ship after a wobbly start.

New Zealand were 49 for two but a stand of 93 at nearly 11 an over between McGlashan and Devine took the game away from the home side.

In reply, West Indies never looked like they would overcome the highest total of the tournament and could only manage 124 runs.

Barring opener S.Taylor (40) none of the batswomen were able to stay on the wicket and followed each other to the pavilion at regular intervals.

Watkins also shone with the ball taking three wickets for 26 in her quota of four overs.

Speaking during the post match ceremony, an elated Watkins said she was delighted to have another chance at World Twenty20 glory so soon after last year”s disappointment.

“We”ve got to take each game as it comes. What we”ve done in the past doesn”t matter too much but we will take a lot of confidence into the game. We are lucky we”ve got two bites of the cherry, to have another crack at the Twenty20 World Cup. It”s not often you”ll have another one within 12 months of the last one,” Watkins said. (ANI)

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Twenty20 brings the rhythm back to Caribbean cricket

May 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The horns have been blaring, the drink has been flowing and the debates raging — Caribbean cricket, written off after the World Cup three years ago, has returned at the Twenty20 World Cup and it has a big smile on its face.

Petty rules and regulations and ticket prices that excluded many local fans led to thousands of empty seats at the 50 overs World Cup in 2007 but organisers have learnt their lessons.

In Guyana, St. Lucia and Barbados, attendances have been good and the atmosphere even better.

The tournament, entering its third and final week, has received the thumbs up from fans from near and far.

“You are allowed to bring your conch shells, keep your noise and have fun like back in the day,” said Barbadian Kerwin Beckles, carrying a cooler packed with food and drink into the stadium before Sunday’s West Indies v India game.

“Things have improved, you can see how big the gathering is. The game brings people together, it is wonderful that it is here in Barbados — I’m actually proud to be a West Indian,” he added.

Ticket prices have been as low as $5, the most expensive for Sunday’s final only $40.

Organisers even went as far as making ‘Gravy’, the region’s most famous fan who used to parade grounds in garish clothing — on one occasion even a wedding dress — into the official face of their ‘Bring It’ marketing campaign.

“I think the prices were the main thing three years ago, it was disappointing, we still had a good time but this is a million times better. The locals and the atmosphere is what makes it, that’s what you are looking for when you come over here,” said Geoff Scott from Newport, Wales.

Underneath the Greenidge and Haynes stand, named after former Barbados and West Indies opening batsmen Gordon and Desmond, cooks spice up the chicken and the beef stew, while fans from all over the cricketing world share a beer.

“The noise is fantastic. It’s totally different from Australia, you can walk into this ground carrying anything you like, when you go in the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) you can’t take anything in. They’d strip you naked if they could at the MCG,” said Australian supporter Peter Mulgrove.

Three years ago, local officials were stressed and harassed by complaining fans, while former players bemoaned a missed opportunity to give West Indies cricket a much needed boost.

But former opening bowler Joel Garner, president of the Barbados Cricket Association and West Indies team manager, can now afford to enjoy the event.

“I think people are more relaxed and they are enjoying the cricket more because you don’t have as many restrictions,” he told Reuters.

“Anyone who knows anything about cricket in this region will know that we are very relaxed, noisy but peaceful and a lot of the things that were restrictive caused some bad feeling.

“Gradually the fans, the patrons are coming back because of the atmosphere that is unique to the West Indies.”

Garner has no doubt that Twenty20 is here to stay and that it can continue to lure Caribbean fans back to cricket grounds.

“The patrons want exciting cricket and results and you have to adjust to the times otherwise you are going to die,” he said.

But like supporters the world over, there is nothing that pleases West Indies fans more than success.

Sunday’s victory over India, including a 98 from big-hitting captain Chris Gayle, was played in front of packed and vibrant stands with the players celebrating wickets and pumping fists in rarely seen enthusiasm.

“It’s been a while since we’ve had support like that,” said Gayle, “The support has really been tremendous.

“We move onto St Lucia now and people really love their cricket there as well”.

(Editing by Ian Ransom; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Gayle and Windies push India towards exit

May 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

West Indies captain Chris Gayle struck a powerful 98 to lead his team to a 14 run victory over India in the Twenty20 World Cup in front of a wildly celebrating home crowd on Sunday.

The win means West Indies can reach the semi-finals with victory over Australia on Tuesday but leaves India facing almost certain elimination after their second loss in the Super Eight stage.

Gayle produced a combination of prudency and power and his 66-ball knock only ended when he was run out in the final over of the innings, two short of what would have been his second century in a Twenty20 international.

The total of 169 for six was a challenging one and India were never up with the run-rate despite a good knock of 32 from Suresh Raina and an aggressive 29 from 18 balls from skipper M.S Dhoni.

Despite a passionate crowd roaring them on, West Indies suffered some late nerves when Kemar Roach bowled four wides and a no ball in the penultimate over.

But Dwayne Bravo kept his cool in the last over to set the horns hooting and the fists pumping in the stands.

(Editing by Pritha Sarkar; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Gayle 98 drives Windies to 169 v India

May 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

West Indies captain Chris Gayle struck a powerful 98 off 66 balls against India to lead his team to 169 for six in the Twenty20 World Cup on Sunday.

Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul batted with caution in the early stages on a dampish wicket that was turning but they went on to make an opening partnership of 80 before the latter went in the 12th over for 23.

Darren Sammy (19) and Kieron Pollard (17) made useful contributions in support of Gayle, who struck seven sixes and was run out in the final over, two short of what would have been his second century in a Twenty20 international.

West Indies and India both lost their opening games in Group F and need to win to keep alive realistic hopes of reaching the last four.

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

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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)

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Pietersen and spinners sink South Africa

May 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

England all but ensured progress to the semi-finals of the Twenty20 World Cup when they beat South Africa by 39 runs in sparkling style at Kensington Oval on Saturday.

A belligerent half-century by Kevin Pietersen set England on the way to a good total of 168 for seven.

Then spinners Graeme Swann (3-24) and Michael Yardy (2-31) showed their worth as South Africa were bowled out for 129.

The victory means England have a maximum four points ahead of their final Group E game against New Zealand on Monday.

New Zealand and South Africa have two points while Pakistan are without a win from two matches.

Pietersen will miss the game with New Zealand as he flies home to be with his wife for the birth of their first child but he is expected to return for the semi-final game.

England will be hoping there are no volcano eruptions in Iceland to stop Pietersen’s return next week after he showed once again the qualities he brings to the side.

Strutting at the crease, his body language sent a clear message to the South African bowlers that he was not going to be forced on to the back foot.

“When you see the lads going out to bat with that kind of intent, it’s really exciting. Our line-up has got a lot of potential,” said captain Paul Collingwood.

After England lost Michael Lumb early, Pietersen joined Craig Kieswetter and the pair looked up for the battle against the country of their birth.

There was some good fortune for the nationality-swapping pair however – Kieswetter was caught off a no ball by Morne Morkel and two balls later Pietersen edged a clear chance between keeper Mark Boucher and first slip Jacques Kallis.

But having offered South Africa a chance to see the back of them, the England batsmen punished them without mercy.

Pietersen (53 in 33 balls) and Kieswetter smashed 94 for the second wicket before the former was dismissed in the 12th over.

When Kieswetter also went two overs later for 41, England lost their momentum somewhat and would have been disappointed they did not go on to make an even bigger score.

But the total was too much for a South African top order that simply never got into top gear.

Pietersen took a simple catch at mid-on to get rid of Kallis off the bowling of Stuart Broad and then Yardy picked up the prize wicket of Herschelle Gibbs — Ryan Sidebottom making a fine catch at short leg.

When Proteas skipper Graeme Smith holed out to Lumb on the midwicket boundary off Swann, South Africa were 44 for three in the eighth over and in trouble they never recovered from.

“They were far better than us today,” said Smith.

“We fought back well, but our first 10 overs were poor. Consistency has been our problem of late in the shorter form of the game,” he said.

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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