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Friday, December 23, 2011

C r i c H o t L i n e

C r i c H o t L i n e

Hope the nightmare continues for Australia: Laxman

Posted: 23 Dec 2011 01:45 AM PST


A prolific scorer against Australia, Indian middle-order batsman VVS Laxman hoped that the hosts would continue to have recurring nightmares of his presence at the crease during the forthcoming Test series starting on December 26.

“I always dreamt of doing well in Australia. It has wonderful grounds. I wish to score those hundreds which help the team win…if it is a nightmare for Australia, I hope it continues,” Laxman said on Friday ahead of the first cricket Test, starting December 26.

Laxman has scored more runs against Australia than any other Indian except Sachin Tendulkar. On more than one occasion, he has played knocks which have turned a game on its head — the 281 he made at Kolkata in 2001 and the 148 he cracked at Adelaide in 2004 which won India matches from unseemly positions.

Two other knocks of his were not hundreds yet it won India matches against Australia, his 69 at Mumbai in 2004 and his 73 not out at Mohali last year. Laxman has 2279 runs from 25 matches at 55.59 average with six centuries to boot.

While former Australian captain Mark Taylor has termed Indian batsmen susceptible on pitches Down Under, Laxman terms them as the best tracks for batting — better than the one he plays in the sub-continent.

“I think Australian surfaces are best for batting. I relish them more than the sub-continent. Once you see off the new ball, you get true value for your shots. These wickets are ideal for strokeplayers.”

Laxman has scored 1081 runs from 11 Tests in Australia, averaging 54.05 with four centuries.

There is little wonder there is optimism that India could win the series against Australia for the first time in over six decades.

“Winning against Australia is a dream for all cricketers. It’s probably the toughest cricket players can play. Definitely is our dream.

“We are very proud of what we’ve done in Australia. Going into the series, it gives us a lot of confidence.”

Laxman said the key factor for India would be the openers who would be expected to fire in the forthcoming Tests and score big runs in the first innings.

“Key is to get big scores in the first innings. It puts opposition under pressure. That’s one area we were not able to do well. Now we need our batters to get big hundreds and big totals on the board as a batting unit.”

Laxman admitted the defeat in England hurt his unit a great deal but he is equally proud the team was able to turn the corner so quickly.

“It hurt a lot. It took us a long time to recover. But we are proud of beating them 5-0 (at home) and then against the West Indies we won both the Tests and one-dayers.

“We came back strongly because we analysed our shortcomings and addressed them.”

© PTI

Sydney Thunder vs Adelaide Strikers Scorecard T20 Big Bash (2011)

Posted: 23 Dec 2011 01:40 AM PST


Big Bash League 2011

Sydney Thunder vs Adelaide Strikers – Match 8

Played at Played at Stadium Australia, Sydney, 23 Dec 2011

Toss – Adelaide Strikers won the toss and elected to Bat.

Result – Sydney Thunder beat Adelaide Strikers by 6 wickets

Adelaide Strikers Innings R B 4s 6s SR
Michael Klinger (c) c S. Abbott b L Doran 6 7 1 0 85.71
Daniel Harris c Jason Floros b F Edwards 19 17 0 1 111.76
Aiden Blizzard c Jason Floros b S Coyte 20 13 3 0 153.85
Callum Ferguson c S Coyte b S. Abbott 2 5 0 0 40.00
Cameron Borgas c Jason Floros b S. Abbott 24 26 1 0 92.31
Johan Botha c S. Abbott b F Edwards 41 33 5 0 124.24
Johan Botha Adam Crosthwaite (wk) 18 12 3 0 150.00
Kane Richardson run out (U Khawaja/Ben Dunk) 11 5 1 1 220.00
Aaron O’Brien Not Out 6 3 1 0 200.00
Alfonso Thomas            
Bryce McGain            
Extras (b 1,lb 3,w 3, nb 1) 8
Total (8 wickets; 20.0 overs) 155 (7.75 runs per over)

Fall of wickets (Adelaide Strikers):

1-20 (Klinger, 2.5 ov), 2-46 (Blizzard, 5.5 ov), 3-47 (Harris, 6.2 ov), 4-52 (Ferguson, 8.2 ov), 5-101 (Borgas, 15.3 ov), 6-129 (Crosthwaite, 18.3 ov), 7-133 (Botha, 18.5 ov), 8-155 (Richardson, 19.6 ov)

 Bowling O M R W Econ
Luke Doran 4 0 25 1 6.20  
Fidel Edwards 4 0 35 2 8.80  
Chris Gayle 1 0 9 0 9.00  
Doug Bollinger 3 0 27 0 9.00  
Scott Coyte 4 0 35 1 8.75 (nb 1 w 1)
Sean Abbott 4 0 20 2 5.00  

 

Sydney Thunders Innings R B 4s 6s SR
Daniel Smith (c) b A O’Brien 6 9 1 0 66.66
Chris Gayle Not Out 100 54 3 11 185.18
Usman Khawaja st A Crosthwaite b A O’Brien 15 16 1 0 93.75
Ben Dunk (wk) c C Borgas b J Botha 8 11 0 1 72.73
Craig Philipson b A O’Brien 2 8 0 0 25.00
Jason Floros Not Out 17 13 3 0 130.76
Scott Coyte            
Sean Abbott            
Luke Doran            
Doug Bollinger            
Fidel Edwards            
Extras (b 4,lb 4,w 0, nb 0) 8
Total (4 wickets; 18.3 overs) 156 (8.43 runs per over)

Fall of wickets (Sydney Thunders):

1-17 (Smith, 3.1 ov), 2-72 (Khawaja, 8.6 ov), 3-96 (Dunk, 12.4 ov), 4-100 (Philipson, 14.2 ov)

 Bowling O M R W Econ
Alfonso Thomas 4 0 27 0 6.80  
Johan Botha 3.3 1 23 1 6.60  
Kane Richardson 4 0 31 0 7.80  
Aaron O’Brien 4 0 26 3 6.50  
Bryce McGain 2 0 21 0 10.50  
Cameron Borgas 1 0 20 0 20.00  

Teams:
Adelaide Strikers (Playing XI): Michael Klinger(c), Daniel Harris, Aiden Blizzard, Callum Ferguson, Cameron Borgas, Adam Crosthwaite(w), Johan Botha, Kane Richardson, Aaron O’Brien, Alfonso Thomas, Bryce McGain

Sydney Thunder (Playing XI): Chris Gayle, Daniel Smith(w/c), Usman Khawaja, Ben Dunk, Craig Philipson, Jason Floros, Sean Abbott, Scott Coyte, Fidel Edwards, Luke Doran, Doug Bollinger

More T20 Big Bash League 2011 Highlights, News, Scores

Bowling variety would be key at MCG: curator

Posted: 23 Dec 2011 01:00 AM PST


The pitch for the opening India-Australia Test will have some grass on it but it won’t be green as MCG curator Cameron Hodgkins wants to ensure that a variety of bowlers get wickets on the track.

Hodgkins said that he “would like to leave some grass” but he “did not want it green” when the first Test starts on Monday.

“If than freshness disappears through rolling, well and good. If not, we will adjust the cut lower to take grass off the top,” Hodgkins told ‘The Daily Telegraph’.

“We have never used it for a Test match, but it is in the traditional position. Because we have portable wickets, we are not restricted. I haven’t used the same pitch for a Test for the past four years.

“We pick the healthiest and the one that performs best the previous year. I am comfortable three days out that we will have a good cricket pitch,” he added.

Hodgkins said the pitch will be helpful with the new ball and then firm up and flatten out and the Australians should have variety in their bowling.

“After the new ball has worn and the pitch has flattened out, you tend to need a fair bit of variety to conjure up wickets,” he said.

“It hasn’t traditionally turned much on the last day but can become a better batting strip which means it needs a variety of bowlers to get wickets,” he added.

Hodgkins said the weather forecast for the next three days would determine how much grass is cut from the track.

“The forecast for the opening three days of the Test is for low 20s with humidity, so that could keep the fast bowlers interested,” he said.

“The weather won’t interfere with our preparation and we are on schedule to present a competitive Test match pitch,” he added.

© PTI

Bets on Tendulkar’s 100th ton at MCG

Posted: 23 Dec 2011 12:32 AM PST


Indian cricketing superstar Sachin Tendulkar is favoured to bring up his 100th international century in the first Test against Australia in Melbourne, according to one Australian bookmaker.

Online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au has installed the Boxing Day Test as the most likely venue for the historic milestone at odds of 9/4.

Poised on 99 international centuries across Test and one-day matches, Tendulkar retired on 92 in the tourists’ final day of a two-day tour match against the Chairman’s XI in Canberra last week.

“He is in good form with a 90-odd against the Chairman’s XI already under his belt since arriving in Australia and he’s a very good chance to achieve the phenomenal milestone during the Boxing Day Test,” the firm’s Ben Hawes said.

“And if not, he can take some respite in the fact that the next game is at the SCG where he has pummelled Australia on several occasions.”

The Sydney Cricket Ground is the second chance favourite with punters, with odds at 3/1, followed by the third Test at Perth at 5/1 and the fourth Test at Adelaide 7/1.

The prospect of Tendulkar — who has been a perennial thorn in the side of Australia’s bowlers, averaging 60.6 with 11 centuries in 31 Tests against them — completing the series without hitting his 100th century is at 12/5.

© AFP

India vs Australia Live Streams 2011-12 Online

Posted: 23 Dec 2011 12:30 AM PST


Watch India vs Australia Live Streams of Agneepath Series Online. Cricket Live Streams of India tour Australia including Test, T20 and ODI Tri-Nation series Online @TheCricket-TV.INFO

Live Cricket streaming: India vs Australia live streaming 2011-12 played in Australia on 26 December 2011 – 8 March 2012. Live Broadcast of India tour Australia 2011-12 live streams 2011 free online on Star Cricket and Sky Sports HD. Australia vs India Live streams Test, ODI and T20. India in Australia 2011-12 live streaming. Watch Ind vs Aus Live Streaming 2011-12. Watch Ind vs Aus Live Streaming 2011-12 @ TheCricket-TV.INFO


Match Timings: Dec 26, 2011 (23:30 GMT | 10:00 local | 05:00 IST)


Click Here to watch the Live Streams

Sydney Thunder vs Adelaide Strikers Live Scores T20 Big Bash (2011)

Posted: 23 Dec 2011 12:07 AM PST


Toss: Adelaide Strikers have won the toss and elected to bat

Teams:
Adelaide Strikers (Playing XI): Michael Klinger(c), Daniel Harris, Aiden Blizzard, Callum Ferguson, Cameron Borgas, Adam Crosthwaite(w), Johan Botha, Kane Richardson, Aaron O’Brien, Alfonso Thomas, Bryce McGain

Sydney Thunder (Playing XI): Chris Gayle, Daniel Smith(w/c), Usman Khawaja, Ben Dunk, Craig Philipson, Jason Floros, Sean Abbott, Scott Coyte, Fidel Edwards, Luke Doran, Doug Bollinger

More T20 Big Bash League 2011 Highlights, News, Scores

Adelaide Strikers opts to bat against Sydney Thunder T20 Big Bash (2011)

Posted: 23 Dec 2011 12:06 AM PST


Toss: Adelaide Strikers have won the toss and elected to bat

Teams:
Adelaide Strikers (Playing XI): Michael Klinger(c), Daniel Harris, Aiden Blizzard, Callum Ferguson, Cameron Borgas, Adam Crosthwaite(w), Johan Botha, Kane Richardson, Aaron O’Brien, Alfonso Thomas, Bryce McGain

Sydney Thunder (Playing XI): Chris Gayle, Daniel Smith(w/c), Usman Khawaja, Ben Dunk, Craig Philipson, Jason Floros, Sean Abbott, Scott Coyte, Fidel Edwards, Luke Doran, Doug Bollinger

More T20 Big Bash League 2011 Highlights, News, Scores

India vs Australia Highlights 2011-12 Test, T20, ODI

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 11:38 PM PST


Cricket Highlights: India vs Australia (Ind vs Aus) Highlights 2011-12 played in Australia. Vidoes of India vs Australia highlights 2011-12 free online on Star Cricket. Ind vs Aus 2011-12 videos online. India vs Australia 2011-12 highlights. Watch India vs Australia highlights 2011. India will be playing 4 Test, 2 T20′s and a Tri-Nation ODI series including Australia, India and Sri Lanka. Highlights of complete series will be available right here so just bookmark the link and share it wherever you can.

1st Test: Australia v India at Melbourne – Dec 26-30, 2011
Match scheduled to begin at 10:30 local time (23:30 GMT)

2nd Test: Australia v India at Sydney – Jan 3-7, 2012
Match scheduled to begin at 10:30 local time (23:30 GMT)

3rd Test: Australia v India at Perth – Jan 13-17, 2012
Match scheduled to begin at 10:30 local time (02:30 GMT)

4th Test: Australia v India at Adelaide – Jan 24-28, 2012
Match scheduled to begin at 10:30 local time (00:00 GMT)

1st T20I: Australia v India at Sydney – Feb 1, 2012
Match scheduled to begin at 19:35 local time (08:35 GMT)

2nd T20I: Australia v India at Melbourne – Feb 3, 2012
Match scheduled to begin at 19:35 local time (08:35 GMT)

ODI Series will be updated before the start of Tri-Nation Series

Hussey warns Dhoni of ‘tough time’ ahead of India-Australia series

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 11:29 PM PST


Beleaguered Australian batsman Michael Hussey has vowed to give a tough time to Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who happens to be his captain in IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings, during the Test series starting here on December 26.

“He’s a great guy to have around. He’s very calm, relaxed and takes pressure off the players. He has enjoyed great success but we would give him a very tough time in Australia,” said Hussey about his Indian captain who is looking to be the first ever to claim a Test series in Australia in 64 years.

Dhoni already has created a record of sorts in Australia when he became the leader of the first Indian team to beat Australia and claim the triangular one-day series in 2008.

Hussey also hoped that the iconic Sachin Tendulkar wouldn’t be able to score his 100th international hundred in Australia — though unlike others he doesn’t believe the Indian is under pressure because of it.

“I hope he doesn’t get it against Australia. He’s been a number one player for so long, it’s a credit to his character, but I hope he doesn’t get his 100th hundred in Australia.

“I don’t think he is under any pressure though. He knows his own game so well. He has been under pressure for so long. The way the public has been with Tendulkar in India, he would be able to handle it, no problem.”

Hussey also disagreed with former Australian captain Mark Taylor that Indian batsmen could find the going tough in Australian conditions.

“They have a very experienced line up. They’ve played here before, they adapt very quickly to these conditions. They are class players and we would have to bowl extremely well to get on top of them.”

Hussey also marked out Zaheer Khan as the main threat from India and claimed the left-arm paceman would need as much watching with the new ball as he would be with the older ball.

“We did focus on him in our batting plan. The bowling machine was used during training, the batting coach Justin Langer cranked up the pace, there are two-piece balls, it swung a little bit more.

“We have seen Zaheer bowl before and know what he likes to swing. Still he is a class bowler, he’s is a threat with the new ball and when it is old. We would try to be very well prepared but certainly he’s going to be a tough challenge.”

Former India coach Greg Chappell has been requisitioned to help Australia prepare for the Indian challenge and Hussey welcomed the move.

“He’s had good experience of India as a coach. He’s had the inside knowledge and it could be invaluable for us.”

Hussey’s selection for the first Test at Melbourne at best is borderline as the left-hander has had a miserable time with the bat in recent times, scoring only 78 runs from last seven innings.

“I feel like I am in a good place mentally, batting well in nets, but sometimes you need a bit of luck to have a good start in the series.

“It’s just the way the game goes. There were some tough conditions in South Africa, so you needed some luck to go. Here, on those two pitches also, you needed luck. I would look to work hard early in my innings. If one goes through the initial period, it does become easy from then on,” he said.

© PTI

T20 Big Bash LIVE Streaming Online 2011

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 09:26 PM PST


Watch KFC T20 Big Bash, 2011, Live Streams of Australian Domestic Cricket league (to be) played at Australia LIVE STREAMING on WWW.THECRICKET-TV.INFO

Live Cricket streaming: Big Bash League (BBL) Twenty20 live streaming 2011 played in Australia on 16 December 2011 – 28 January 2012. Live Broadcast of T20 Big Bash League live streams 2011 free online on Star Cricket. Big Bash League 2011-12 Live streams. Big Bash League 2011-12 live streaming. Watch Big Bash League Live Streaming 2011-12. Watch BBL T20 Live Streaming 2011-12 @ TheCricket-TV.INFO


Match Timings: Dec 16, 2011 (08:30 GMT | 10:30 local | 14:00 IST)


Click Here to watch the Live Streams
Posted by MohammaD IsmaiL at 12:13 PM

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