Michael Clarke has praised his players for their sudden turnaround following the Ashes after their comprehensive win over England at the Gabba secured an unassailable 4-1 lead. Instead of being overwhelmed by the scale of the Test losses, the limited-overs players have regrouped so quickly that the final two games will be dead rubbers.
"After a pretty tough start to the summer, losing the Ashes, I think it shows a lot of courage for us to come back and play well throughout the series," Clarke said. "I think it was a great performance from the whole group, everyone contributed."
Clarke's 54, his highest score of the series, set up Australia's 249, a total which seemed small until the attack knocked over the tourists' main men by the 26th over. Clarke said the bowling of John Hastings (2 for 35) and Steven Smith (1 for 29) effectively shut down England's chase.
The pair was responsible for ruining England's middle order when the visitors lost Kevin Pietersen, Eoin Morgan and Ian Bell for eight runs and fell to 6 for 105. "John Hastings and Steve Smith probably won us the game with that partnership," Clarke said. "They worked together, certain guys wanted to bowl to certain batters, so they communicated really well and did a great job."
Brett Lee was also impressive early, taking two wickets as England fell to 3 for 22. "Brett has been a wonderful bowler for a long time," Clarke said. "His execution throughout this series has been spot-on, but I think he feels he can get better. He probably feels he's bowling okay at the moment but has work to do before the World Cup - as we all do."
Australia are now in a relatively healthy position heading towards the tournament, which starts in three weeks. The only setback for them came with another hamstring injury to Shaun Marsh, who suffered badly with similar problems last summer.
Clarke said the injury was minor, but Marsh is due to undergo a scan on Monday to determine whether the side requires a replacement for Wednesday's sixth game in Sydney. Marsh is not in the World Cup squad but is the leading contender to replace Michael Hussey if he fails to recover from hamstring surgery.
Showing posts with label Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Series. Show all posts
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
England Fight to Keep Series Alive
The Big Picture
Australia Day would be the perfect occasion for the home side to wrap up the one-day series, but for the sake of the remaining contests an England victory is what's really needed. The visitors have played some poor cricket, especially in the last two matches, with the batting faring badly. A defeat here and the plane home won't be able to come soon enough.
That, though, won't be any concern of Australia's. They desperately needed to regain some belief following the Ashes and with coloured clothes back on they are beginning to hit their stride. England haven't forced them to play at their best, but even with injuries they are building up a head of steam. David Hussey was the star at the SCG as he showed his finishing skills, which will be valuable at the World Cup, but Brett Lee took the Man-of-the-Match award and he has led the attack superbly.
England's bowlers have actually performed a decent role, considering that it has been a second string attack, and the likes of Ajmal Shahzad, Chris Tremlett and Chris Woakes show the depth available. But somewhere in the transition from Tests to one-dayers key batsmen have lost the skill to convert starts into big innings.
It's a feeling of déjà vu as far as both sides are concerned. In the aftermath of the 2009 Ashes, also won by England, the one-day series was a horribly lop-sided affair as Australia cruised to a 6-1 drubbing. If the hosts continue their winning streak in Adelaide, it's very easy to see this series going the same way.
Form guide
(completed matches, most recent first)
Australia WWWWL
England LLLWL
Watch out for...
James Anderson was given a break after the Ashes but following 10 days at home with his new baby has returned to the tour in the nick of time. Although England's quicks have performed an admirable role, Anderson's experience of 133 matches will be a valuable addition. He's got fond memories of Adelaide after his impact during the Test match when he helped reduce Australia to 3 for 2 on the first morning and is a dangerous operator with the new white ball.
Cameron White has played a couple of valuable innings in this series; his 25 at Melbourne helped Shane Watson complete victory and his 45 at Hobart began the first recovery. He'll want to make his decent form count in the remainder of this series because, even though his place is secure, there will be strong competition for batting places if Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey both recover. With his immense power White shouldn't have a problem clearing the square boundaries at the Adelaide Oval and against the spinners even the straight hits aren't out of reach.
Team news
Michael Clarke said no risks will be taken with any player before the World Cup so Shaun Tait (thigh) and Mitchell Johnson (throat infection) remain doubtful. It means Australia could field the same attack that did an impressive job in Sydney.
Australia (probable) 1 Shane Watson, 2 Brad Haddin (wk), 3 Shaun Marsh, 4 Michael Clarke (capt), 5 Cameron White, 6 David Hussey, 7 Steve Smith, 8 John Hastings, 9 Brett Lee, 10 Xavier Doherty, 10 Doug Bollinger
Kevin Pietersen is fit again following his groin strain and James Anderson is available, while Andy Flower confirmed Matt Prior will continue to open the batting despite his two ducks since returning to the side. Paul Collingwood would be the likeliest batsman to make way, but could be considered at No. 7 with Michael Yardy struggling to have impact with bat or ball.
England (possible) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Matt Prior (wk), 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Ian Bell, 6 Eoin Morgan, 7 Paul Collingwood, 8 James Tredwell, 9 Ajmal Shahzad, 10 Chris Tremlett, 11 James Anderson
Stats and trivia
"We've played some exciting, positive cricket and I've enjoyed having the opportunity to lead the boys. I'd like to lead from the front with the bat and make some more runs, I'm well aware of that, but everyone is in good spirits and we believe there is a lot of room for improvement."
Michael Clarke
"It's not ideal, the start of this one-day series, but there are still four games to go. We intend to finish strongly, we are here to win these games, it's not just preparation for the World Cup."
Australia Day would be the perfect occasion for the home side to wrap up the one-day series, but for the sake of the remaining contests an England victory is what's really needed. The visitors have played some poor cricket, especially in the last two matches, with the batting faring badly. A defeat here and the plane home won't be able to come soon enough.
That, though, won't be any concern of Australia's. They desperately needed to regain some belief following the Ashes and with coloured clothes back on they are beginning to hit their stride. England haven't forced them to play at their best, but even with injuries they are building up a head of steam. David Hussey was the star at the SCG as he showed his finishing skills, which will be valuable at the World Cup, but Brett Lee took the Man-of-the-Match award and he has led the attack superbly.
England's bowlers have actually performed a decent role, considering that it has been a second string attack, and the likes of Ajmal Shahzad, Chris Tremlett and Chris Woakes show the depth available. But somewhere in the transition from Tests to one-dayers key batsmen have lost the skill to convert starts into big innings.
It's a feeling of déjà vu as far as both sides are concerned. In the aftermath of the 2009 Ashes, also won by England, the one-day series was a horribly lop-sided affair as Australia cruised to a 6-1 drubbing. If the hosts continue their winning streak in Adelaide, it's very easy to see this series going the same way.
Form guide
(completed matches, most recent first)
Australia WWWWL
England LLLWL
Watch out for...
James Anderson was given a break after the Ashes but following 10 days at home with his new baby has returned to the tour in the nick of time. Although England's quicks have performed an admirable role, Anderson's experience of 133 matches will be a valuable addition. He's got fond memories of Adelaide after his impact during the Test match when he helped reduce Australia to 3 for 2 on the first morning and is a dangerous operator with the new white ball.
Cameron White has played a couple of valuable innings in this series; his 25 at Melbourne helped Shane Watson complete victory and his 45 at Hobart began the first recovery. He'll want to make his decent form count in the remainder of this series because, even though his place is secure, there will be strong competition for batting places if Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey both recover. With his immense power White shouldn't have a problem clearing the square boundaries at the Adelaide Oval and against the spinners even the straight hits aren't out of reach.
Team news
Michael Clarke said no risks will be taken with any player before the World Cup so Shaun Tait (thigh) and Mitchell Johnson (throat infection) remain doubtful. It means Australia could field the same attack that did an impressive job in Sydney.
Australia (probable) 1 Shane Watson, 2 Brad Haddin (wk), 3 Shaun Marsh, 4 Michael Clarke (capt), 5 Cameron White, 6 David Hussey, 7 Steve Smith, 8 John Hastings, 9 Brett Lee, 10 Xavier Doherty, 10 Doug Bollinger
Kevin Pietersen is fit again following his groin strain and James Anderson is available, while Andy Flower confirmed Matt Prior will continue to open the batting despite his two ducks since returning to the side. Paul Collingwood would be the likeliest batsman to make way, but could be considered at No. 7 with Michael Yardy struggling to have impact with bat or ball.
England (possible) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Matt Prior (wk), 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Ian Bell, 6 Eoin Morgan, 7 Paul Collingwood, 8 James Tredwell, 9 Ajmal Shahzad, 10 Chris Tremlett, 11 James Anderson
Stats and trivia
- Adelaide is the venue of England's highest one-day total in Australia when they reached 3 for 302 in the infamous match against Sri Lanka during 1998-99 where Muttiah Muralitharan was also called for throwing. England still lost.
- James Anderson returns with a good one-day record in Australia. From 13 matches he has 21 wickets at 25.61, including a miserly 1 for 12 in 10 overs on this ground back in his debut series of 2002-03.
- The teams have met five times at Adelaide, with Australia ahead 4-1. England's only win was the first encounter back in 1983.
"We've played some exciting, positive cricket and I've enjoyed having the opportunity to lead the boys. I'd like to lead from the front with the bat and make some more runs, I'm well aware of that, but everyone is in good spirits and we believe there is a lot of room for improvement."
Michael Clarke
"It's not ideal, the start of this one-day series, but there are still four games to go. We intend to finish strongly, we are here to win these games, it's not just preparation for the World Cup."
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Injured Hauritz Ruled out of Series
Nathan Hauritz's World Cup hopes are hanging by a thread following his dislocated right shoulder at Hobart and he faces a nervous few weeks before finding out whether he'll make the global one-day tournament. However, there was better news for Shaun Tait who has been cleared of serious injury but Mitchell Johnson won't be available for the third ODI against England at the SCG.
Hauritz was helped off the field in severe pain and underwent further scans on Saturday. They revealed 'moderate damage' to his shoulder and surgery hasn't been ruled out as an option for the offspinner who was Australia's one frontline spinner in their World Cup squad.
"Nathan had scans this afternoon following his shoulder dislocation yesterday," Cricket Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said. "They have demonstrated moderate disruption of the supportive structures at the shoulder. We will now seek a specialist opinion to determine the next course of action.
"The treatment options include both conservative and surgical management. It is likely he will be unavailable for the remainder of the Commonwealth Bank Series and his availability for the World Cup will be determined in the coming weeks."
Xavier Doherty, the left-arm spinner, had already been called up to Australia's squad for the next two matches against England and would replace Hauritz at the World Cup. At least the hosts have had good news regarding Tait after he left the field five balls into his sixth over at Hobart with pain in his thigh. He hasn't yet been ruled out of Sunday's match at the SCG although it would be a major risk to play him.
"Shaun complained of some left upper thigh pain," Kountouris said. "As a precaution he was advised to stop bowling and leave the field. He had scans this afternoon which have cleared him of any new and significant damage. He will be assessed over the next 12 hours to determine his management and availability for tomorrow's match and the remainder of this series."
Johnson, meanwhile, has recovered from the throat infection which kept him out of the Hobart match but the medical staff don't feel he has had enough time to prepare for Sunday's clash. Peter Siddle, overlooked for the World Cup, has been added to the squad and will link up after playing Saturday's Big Bash match against New South Wales at the MCG.
Hauritz was helped off the field in severe pain and underwent further scans on Saturday. They revealed 'moderate damage' to his shoulder and surgery hasn't been ruled out as an option for the offspinner who was Australia's one frontline spinner in their World Cup squad.
"Nathan had scans this afternoon following his shoulder dislocation yesterday," Cricket Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said. "They have demonstrated moderate disruption of the supportive structures at the shoulder. We will now seek a specialist opinion to determine the next course of action.
"The treatment options include both conservative and surgical management. It is likely he will be unavailable for the remainder of the Commonwealth Bank Series and his availability for the World Cup will be determined in the coming weeks."
Xavier Doherty, the left-arm spinner, had already been called up to Australia's squad for the next two matches against England and would replace Hauritz at the World Cup. At least the hosts have had good news regarding Tait after he left the field five balls into his sixth over at Hobart with pain in his thigh. He hasn't yet been ruled out of Sunday's match at the SCG although it would be a major risk to play him.
"Shaun complained of some left upper thigh pain," Kountouris said. "As a precaution he was advised to stop bowling and leave the field. He had scans this afternoon which have cleared him of any new and significant damage. He will be assessed over the next 12 hours to determine his management and availability for tomorrow's match and the remainder of this series."
Johnson, meanwhile, has recovered from the throat infection which kept him out of the Hobart match but the medical staff don't feel he has had enough time to prepare for Sunday's clash. Peter Siddle, overlooked for the World Cup, has been added to the squad and will link up after playing Saturday's Big Bash match against New South Wales at the MCG.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Greenway Secures 2-0 Series Lead
Lydia Greenway played her third match-winning innings in a row as England took a 2-0 lead in the Twenty20 series with a five-wicket success at the MCG. Following her crucial efforts in the final ODI and opening T20, Greenway hit an unbeaten 30 to guide the chase of 100 in a match reduced to 16 overs per side.
Given the torrential rain that lashed Melbourne for the previous 36 hours it was remarkable that any length of match was possible but the sun broke through in early afternoon and the ground dried swiftly. The fielding of both teams was poor and Australia's last chance went in the 15th over when Rene Farrell dropped a return catch off Greenway with six needed from eight balls.
England had made a swift start to their chase but from 39 for 1 in the sixth over lost 3 for 17 in the next four as Lisa Sthalekar bowled a fine spell. Danielle Wyatt (18) heaved across the line, Charlotte Edwards (16) got a leading edge that was superbly caught and Suzie Rowe found deep midwicket.
Greenway, though, is rapidly becoming the women's version of Eoin Morgan in the manner she can finish an innings. There was solid support from Jenny Gunn as the pair added 43 for the fifth wicket. The boundary count was low on a large outfield, even though the square ropes had been brought in, but the pair ran well.
The final momentum shift came in the 14th over from Rachael Haynes as Greenway and Gunn collected 11 although Gunn sliced to point with the scores level.
It meant a shoddy England fielding display didn't prove costly. At one point they spilled a hat-trick of chances all offered by Leah Poulton, firstly off Gunn who then became the bowler to suffer. However, Australia struggled to find large-scoring overs regularly with England's spinners again doing a good job.
Poulton was eventually caught by a superb reflex return effort by Gunn leaving Sthalekar and Alex Blackwell to scamper 24 off the last three overs. But again Australia weren't good enough to defend a total leaving them needing to win all three matches in Canberra to take the series.
Given the torrential rain that lashed Melbourne for the previous 36 hours it was remarkable that any length of match was possible but the sun broke through in early afternoon and the ground dried swiftly. The fielding of both teams was poor and Australia's last chance went in the 15th over when Rene Farrell dropped a return catch off Greenway with six needed from eight balls.
England had made a swift start to their chase but from 39 for 1 in the sixth over lost 3 for 17 in the next four as Lisa Sthalekar bowled a fine spell. Danielle Wyatt (18) heaved across the line, Charlotte Edwards (16) got a leading edge that was superbly caught and Suzie Rowe found deep midwicket.
Greenway, though, is rapidly becoming the women's version of Eoin Morgan in the manner she can finish an innings. There was solid support from Jenny Gunn as the pair added 43 for the fifth wicket. The boundary count was low on a large outfield, even though the square ropes had been brought in, but the pair ran well.
The final momentum shift came in the 14th over from Rachael Haynes as Greenway and Gunn collected 11 although Gunn sliced to point with the scores level.
It meant a shoddy England fielding display didn't prove costly. At one point they spilled a hat-trick of chances all offered by Leah Poulton, firstly off Gunn who then became the bowler to suffer. However, Australia struggled to find large-scoring overs regularly with England's spinners again doing a good job.
Poulton was eventually caught by a superb reflex return effort by Gunn leaving Sthalekar and Alex Blackwell to scamper 24 off the last three overs. But again Australia weren't good enough to defend a total leaving them needing to win all three matches in Canberra to take the series.
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