RSA IN TOP ODI TEAM NOW

Half centuries from Michael Hussey and Brad Haddin weren't enough to save Australia in the fifth Commonwealth Bank Series match against South Africa, the Proteas storming to a 39-run victory at the WACA on Friday night.

In the final one-day international clash with South Africa this summer, Australia struggled to build momentum from the start of its run chase after the tourists overcame a slow start of their own to post an imposing 6-288.

Hashim Amla starred with the bat for the Proteas while left-armed paceman Lonwabo Tsotsobe enjoyed a dream one-day international debut, taking 4-50 as Australia was bowled out for 249 in the second last over.

The elegant Amla compiled a chanceless 97 before falling short of his century, caught behind by a diving Haddin off James Hopes in the 42nd over, with A.B de Villiers and J.P. Duminy ably supporting him, both batsmen scoring 60.

In reply, Australia slumped to 4-53 as Tsotsobe claimed the vital wickets of Shaun Marsh and Ricky Ponting. But a 69-run partnership between Michael Hussey and his brother David (30), batting for Australia for the first time together in their native Perth, wrested the momentum back towards the home side.

But the hosts lost wickets at regular intervals, the Australians struggling to maintain a consistent run-rate as David Hussey (30) dolled up a catch to Johan Botha at short cover just as the brothers appeared set to lead a revival.

Mike Hussey and Haddin then combined for 72 runs, but 'Mr. Cricket' became Tsotsobe's third victim, bowled for 78 in the 40th over attempting one slog too many after belting the youngster for 12 runs from three balls during Australia's batting powerplay.

As the required run rate mounted Haddin (63) defiantly scored his half-century from 39 balls, but it was too late to prevent Australia falling to a 4-1 series defeat to South Africa.

The Proteas did the job without meaningful contributions from Herschelle Gibbs (seven) or Neil McKenzie (10), who both fell cheaply earlier in the day.

But Amla and de Villiers soon set about laying the foundation for a big total, patiently building the score as they compiled a 118-run third-wicket partnership.

De Villiers slashed recklessly at Hopes (3-44) and was out for 60 but his replacement Duminy produced a sterling shift, firing off an unbeaten 60 from 42 deliveries as the Proteas took full advantage of their batting powerplay, scoring 53 runs from the five overs.

Indeed, the tourists had a field day during the last 10 overs. Restricted early on by some tight bowling and excellent fielding, particularly by Michael Clarke and David Warner in the inner circle, the Proteas broke the shackles in the final 10 overs, plundering 92 runs.

Mitchell Johnson (1-68) was the main offender, the frontline bowler smashed for 20 off his final over during the batting powerplay as Duminy treated him with contempt. Nathan Bracken (0-70) also endured a torrid return to the Australian side, his last six overs conceding 53 runs, although Ben Hilfenhaus (2-43) and Clarke (0-30) kept things tight.

In reply, Australian opener Marsh could only manage five runs in his home debut for Australia before losing his wicket in the second over to a sharp catch by Amla at mid-wicket.

Australian skipper Ponting (12) attempted to pull a shorter Tsotsobe delivery, lofting the ball up for an easy catch by wicketkeeper de Villiers in the eighth over while Clarke followed him back to the shed seven balls later after chopping Morne Morkel onto his stumps for a duck.

A composed Warner (22) looked set to take on South Africa's attack but fell victim to a fluke run out by another Proteas' debutant Wayne Parnell, who got the tip of his finger to a straight drive by Mike Hussey that crashed into the stumps with Warner well out of his ground.

The two Hussey's and Haddin gave Australia some fleeting hope but the tourists did enough to hold the hosts at bay, completing a memorable summer for the touring team.

India's tour of New Zealand has been extended

1st Twenty20 international- February 25, Christchurch

2nd Twenty20 international- February 27, Wellington

1st ODI- March 3, Napier

2nd ODI- March 6, Wellington

3rd ODI- March 8, Christchurch

4th ODI- March 11, Hamilton

5th ODI- March 14, Auckland

1st Test- March 18-22, Hamilton

2nd Test- March 26-30, Napier

3rd Test- April 3-7, Wellington

INDIA VS NZ 2009+

India's tour of New Zealand has been extended toinclude a third Test and a second Twenty20 international. The extra fixtures have been included at the expense of the tour match which means India will have no practice games during their visit that includes two Twenty20 matches, five ODIs and three Tests.

India will arrive in New Zealand on February 20, eight days earlier than originally scheduled, and will begin the tour with a Twenty20 match in Christchurch on February 25. Napier will host the additional Test, the second of the three-match series, from March 26 to 30. The reworked schedule resulted in the dates for the second Twenty20 game and the first three ODIs being brought forward. The three-day warm-up match against a New Zealand XI in Lincoln between the ODIs and Tests has also been scrapped.

BCCI secretary N Srinivasan said he was delighted that both the boards were able to agree on an extended tour. "My thanks go to New Zealand Cricket for responding positively to our request for an extended Test series," he said. "There have been a number of issues for both boards to resolve to accommodate the new schedule and I am pleased we have been able to work together to achieve a high quality programme. To have such a strong mix of Tests, one-day internationals and Twenty20s will be good for both teams, and for cricket followers in India and New Zealand."

NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan said the opportunity for an extended tour by India was great for the game in New Zealand. "India are probably the most exciting side in the world at present - packed with superstar players, and the chance to see six more days of high quality international competition will be welcomed by all New Zealand cricket fans, and give our team a great chance to prove themselves against the world's best," he said.

"We have worked hard to keep as much of the schedule as possible intact - the result is a tour where more fans will be able to see more games in more places."

India last toured New Zealand in 2002-03 and were beaten 0-2 in the Tests and 2-5 in the ODIs.

thanks:Cricinfo

RSA still strong without skipper:Morkel

Injured captain Graeme Smith might be irreplaceable but his return to South Africa has not had an adverse effect on the Proteas' spirits as they prepare for the limited overs phase of their tour.

That's the view of paceman Morne Morkel, who believes the competition for places in a rebuilding South African one-day side will ensure the mood within the camp remains upbeat ahead of Sunday's KFC Twenty20 clash with Australia at the MCG.

The visitors will be led by all-rounder Johan Botha, who was not part of the Proteas' history-making Test wins in Australia, in Smith's absence for upcoming KFC Twenty20 and the Commonwealth Bank Series against Ricky Ponting's side.

"His presence in the changing room and out on the field you can't really replace that," Morkel said of Smith.

"He's an unbelievable guy to work with as you've seen with all our young guys."

"He knows how to push the right buttons. He's definitely going to be missed."

Like Australia, the Proteas' one-day side is undergoing a transitional period ahead of the 2011 World Cup.

Herschelle Gibbs continues his international career in the one-dayers but gone are senior pacemen Shaun Pollock and Charl Langeveldt, who have both been mainstays in the Proteas one-day set-up.

"They've been really big players for us, one with the new ball and also in the death overs. I think it's just a matter of finding the right mix as bowlers to replace them," Morkel said.

"We've definitely found guys who can do the job but it's a matter of playing it out on the field in those situations."

"It's a good opportunity to test ourselves against the best one-day side in the world to see where we are in terms of that."

Among the next generation of players are names such as Morkel, his brother Albie Morkel, paceman Lonwabo Tsotsobe, teenager Wayne Parnell and Vaughn van Jaarsveld.

Albie Morkel is on the comeback trail from a shoulder injury which has forced him to remould his throwing action, but at his best is a hard-hitting batsman and a handy medium-pacer.

He is looking forward to resuming bowling on Sunday in front of a crowd in excess of 70,000.

"I'm feeling much stronger and much better," he said.

"I haven't bowled in a game yet. I've done a lot of bowling back home and unfortunately the last two domestic games have been washed out."

Tsotsobe and Parnell are likely to get opportunities if Proteas selectors decide on a rotation policy with their bowlers in bid to have Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini and Morne Morkel fresh for the return Test series against Australia in South Africa starting next month.

"It's quite draining, especially after the last Test with back-to-back Test matches," said Morne Morkel.

"I think it's going to be more vital to get in all the recovery and getting ourselves ready to run in for the Twenty20."

"Our skills are more or less there, it's just adapting to our slower balls and working on the death bowling a bit.

Crisis in English cricket:strauss gets captain from kevin

Pietersen stands down as captain

Moores sacked, Strauss leads in WI

In the 18 months since Peter Moores took over as coach the results have not been good, but I think Strauss will be a very, very good captain. It may be that everything happens for a reason and things will turn out for the best for English cricket.

Strauss is getting the job at the right time, when he is playing at his best. He gathers his thoughts before he speaks. He man-manages people well. He is respected in our dressing-room and in dressing-rooms around the world. Such a decent man can bring back maturity and stability to the England team.

Strauss has been in charge before - when England played really well against Pakistan in 2006, and he was in charge when England lost a one-day series 5-0 against Sri Lanka earlier that summer. So he has some valuable experience, especially the time when England were losing, because it is when things are going badly that as a captain you learn most about your team and about yourself.

KP is very much his own person, which shows in his batting. He has never used a batting coach, he relies on his natural flair, he does it his own way like the maverick he is, that is the genius he is.

The captain coach relationship is crucial and when they speak to the team and the public they have to sing from the same team sheet. Myself and Nasser both had great working relationships with Duncan Fletcher despite the fact that we didn’t always agree but the team and the public never saw that.

Kevin has captained in three Tests and scored two hundreds so you can’t say the captaincy has affected his batting. But I always say you cannot judge a captain until he has been on tour. At home you can switch off with your family and friends or play with the kids, but when you are on tour you are always managing 16 players and you are the captain 24-7.

KP started brilliantly at home when beating South Africa in the Oval Test and the one-dayers. Then he had to start worrying about other people, more than he had ever done in his career. In the one-day series in India he must have been tearing his hair out as England went 5-0 down. He would have had a vision about where the one-day team should go and he would have got frustrated about the lack of progress.

After the Mumbai terrorist attacks he would have had a lot more to worry about. He would have had many meetings with Hugh Morris and the security officer Reg Dickason about things other than cricket.

What Kevin has to do now is go to the West Indies and score a hundred in the first Test, then all the controversy will be forgotten. England need Kevin to be challenging to be the No 1 batsman in the world. I held the title for about a month but he is the one England player who I have played with who has the ability to sustain the No 1 position in the world he is that good, that now has to be his goal. If he does that e will help England win many more games.

Strauss and KP get on well although they are very different people. There will be pressure on KP after all the controversy and I hope he is not going to be affected by it. He has the flair and ability to make world-class bowlers look ordinary, and I think he will average 50-odd and become the world No 1.

Finally I’d like to add that I’m not interested in coaching England or anyone else at the moment. I want to play and score hundreds for Yorkshire and England again.

INDIA CRICKET IN 2008:review

source:cricinfo

December 31, 2008

India after clinching the return series against Australia

A year that began with defeat in one of the most controversial Tests of the modern age ended with a cathartic run-chase that transcended cricket. Two thousand eight wasn't without its embarrassments - being bowled out inside 20 overs in a Test match surely wasn't part of the script - but Test victories over Australia and England, and convincing one-day triumphs in Australia and Sri Lanka, meant that this was a 12-month period to savour. Two legends of the Indian game, Anil Kumble and Sourav Ganguly, bid adieu, but newcomers like Gautam Gambhir and Ishant Sharma established themselves, to ensure that the future looked as bright as it had ever been.

The early part of the year was dominated by events at the Sydney Cricket Ground - umpiring controversies, allegations of conduct that flouted the spirit of cricket, and a dramatic last-gasp finish - but in the months that followed, Indian cricket seemed to gain strength from its experience of that adversity. The tri-nation tournament in Australia was comfortably won after Sachin Tendulkar scripted two epic innings and Praveen Kumar proved an unexpected joker in the bowling pack.

After Sydney, India ceded no ground to Australia. In six subsequent Test matches, they won three and drew the rest. Kumble led them to a famous success in Perth, but by the time a series was clinched on home soil, the baton had been passed. Mahendra Singh Dhoni led with verve and his unique brand of cool to inspire victories at Mohali and Nagpur, and for once, Australia had no answers.

India's big blip of the year came in Dhoni's absence, in Sri Lanka. Though Virender Sehwag's strokemaking brilliance helped them to victory in Galle, Sri Lanka were streets ahead in the two Tests played in Colombo, with Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan humiliating the most feted batting line-up in the game.

Dhoni's decision to take a break had been prompted by a nightmarish schedule that saw two back-to-back one-day tournaments immediately after the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League. His Chennai Super Kings had been denied at the death in the IPL, and Dhoni was helpless to prevent the same fate in the Kitply Cup and the Asia Cup, with Pakistan and Sri Lanka proving too strong at the final hurdle. The Asia Cup nemesis would become a familiar foe a month later. Mendis' 6 for 13 was candidate for spell of the year, but with their victory on Lankan soil two months later, Dhoni's men proved that they could learn from their mistakes.

The IPL saw its share of thrills and dramatic falls from grace, starting with Brendon McCullum's 13-six assault in the tournament opener in Bangalore. The three most expensive franchises - Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad - all failed to make the last four, and the Cinderella story was written by Shane Warne and his Rajasthan Royals, by some distance the least expensive team. Warne played a huge role in the success, and the mammoth crowds and record TV ratings suggested that Lalit Modi's experiment with the club system is certainly here to stay.

High point
No one-day or Twenty20 game could come close to matching a Test for pure excitement. England outplayed India for most of the game in Chennai, and most teams wouldn't even think of chasing 387 to win a Test, but then most teams don't have Sehwag opening the innings. The 50 came up in the sixth over, and though he was dismissed for 83, before stumps on the fourth evening, it left India needing to score just 256 on the final day. Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman couldn't stick around, but Tendulkar ensured that there would be no repeat of the 1999 heartbreak against Pakistan. This time he stayed right till the end, with Yuvraj's dashing 85 providing sterling support, clinching victory as only a champion could - with a deft stroke that also raised his 41st century. Three weeks on from the terror attacks in Mumbai, a nation smiled and saluted its favourite son.

Start as you mean to go on: Dhoni has won four of his first five Tests as captain © AFP

Low point
The two defeats in Sri Lanka were hopelessly one-sided. Tendulkar finished the series with 95 runs, Ganguly with 96. Even more painful, though, was the drubbing in Ahmedabad at South African hands. On a green-tinged pitch, India lasted the length of a Twenty20 innings against the pace and accuracy of Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini and Morne Morkel.

New kid on the block
Ishant Sharma's spells to Ricky Ponting in Perth and Mohali were little vignettes of Test cricket at its finest - a top-class batsman being given the runaround by a young tyro with something to prove. With his height, Ishant gets steepling bounce and he's as adept with the old ball as he is with the new one. The hair may have gone for a snip, but unlike Samson, he certainly hasn't lost his strength.

What 2009 holds
In 2008, India made a concerted push towards the top of the table in both forms of the game. Dhoni, the new leader, doesn't believe in rankings. "As long as we keep performing in the middle, they will take care of themselves," he says. That's an admirable attitude to have.

A real test of progress will come in New Zealand, where India haven't won for four decades. There's also the small matter of defending the World Twenty20 crown in England in the summer. With its blend of experience and mature youth, nothing is beyond this team, though.