C r i c H o t L i n e |
- We need to improve to become no. 1 side in World: Misbah
- ‘We’ll play different cricket during ODIs’: Raina
- Australia squad for ODI tri-series announced, Haddin, Marsh dropped
| We need to improve to become no. 1 side in World: Misbah Posted: 30 Jan 2012 08:15 AM PST
“I am really delighted the way we have won this Test series against a top side of the world. But the fact is the conditions in the UAE suited our batting and spinners. We need to further improve in some areas if we want to go and win in Australia, South Africa or England,” a straight-talking Misbah said on Geo News channel. The senior batsman who has now led Pakistan to Test series wins over New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and England said things would have been different if the series was being played in England.
“We must not forget that we still need to work a lot harder to go and win in every country so that we can rightly be called a top side,” he said. He said that conditions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi suited Pakistan and the good thing was that the players had taken advantage of these conditions to beat the world’s best Test side. “The morale of the team is very high and we can now realistically look towards a 3-0 win in the series but for that we have to continue playing the way we are and the players need to remain focused and determined to do well,” he said. “The key is playing positively,” he added. Misbah didn’t rule out a much improved show from England in the third and final Test but said Pakistan just needed to focus on its own game. “I am happy that the players have kept on discussing among themselves what needed to be done after the spot fixing scandal to improve the image of Pakistan cricket and everyone agreed the best way for us was to respond with good performances.” Misbah said the key to success was that the players trusted and had faith in each other’s ability. “Everyone knows what he can do and needs to be done. The way our younger batsmen like Asad Shafiq and Azhar Ali have batted is a example of this.” The Pakistan skipper admitted that while he was always confident that his team had the potential and positivity to beat England but even he never expected them to lose the way they did in the two Tests. “That was a surprise for me as well,” he added. The Pakistan skipper also advised his countrymen to keep on supporting the team all the time. “I am happy we have given our people something to celebrate and rejoice. But my request to them is to also support the team when we are going through a lean patch. Cricket is a sport and sometimes players despite wanting to perform don’t succeed. That is when they require the support of their countrymen the most.” Misbah also spoke about how he and his players had decided that their main focus should be to always give 100 per cent effort on the field. “Win and lose are part of the sport but we now believe that even if we lose a match it should be only after we have given our best and tried hard to do well. We don’t want to give up easily against any side.” He also insisted that as a captain he would be nothing without the support and performances of his players. “A captain is only as good as his players if they perform he will do well. For me my players are the most important people in the world.”  |
| ‘We’ll play different cricket during ODIs’: Raina Posted: 30 Jan 2012 07:43 AM PST
India lost the Test series 0-4 but Raina said the squad for Twenty20s and ODI tri-series, also featuring Sri Lanka, will deliver better performances. “We won the ODI series here last time. We have also won the World Cup. We won other series too. It’s the same set of players largely. You would see different cricket from India,” said Raina.
India’s disappointing show in the Test series would have little effect on a largely young team in coloured clothing and Raina took pains to stress the point. “Test matches were different. I was not part of it but what I watched, Australians played better cricket. They executed their plans well, bowled well, bowled in good areas. Unfortunately, we didn’t bat well in pair. Hopefully, we will do well in next series.” Raina’s confidence stems from the fact that most of the youngsters, including himself, have prepared well for the forthcoming series. “The youngsters have done well in the last couple of months. So we hope for the best. There are a lot of youngsters who have come from India. They have played good first-class cricket and done very well at home. I played three four domestic matches and got a double century,” he said. Raina believes the present tour would be useful for the youngsters as the next world cup, in 2015, is scheduled in Australia and New Zealand. “We will play 2015 world cup in Australia and New Zealand and the same youngsters would benefit a great deal,” Raina said. Raina said Australia should watch out for the young Indians and not bloat on their Test success too much. “We would play good cricket against Australia and Sri Lanka. It would be good if we can keep our intensity up. The boys are motivated. Unfortunately, we didn’t do well in Test but are passionate to do well in the forthcoming one-day series. “Twenty20 would be lot different from Tests. We beat Australia in quarter-finals in the World Cup and also are world champions,” he said. Raina has scored 3250 runs from 134 ODI matches at 34.95 with three centuries. He has 583 runs from 22 Twenty20 matches at 32.39. The left-hander spelled out his preparations ahead of the present series. “I went to the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore, worked in Mumbai, worked on my wrist position on the bouncy wicket at MIG and NCA and had good coaches (to work under). I worked with Sandeep Patil. We have Duncan (Fletcher) here. Sachin (Tendulkar) played with us in CB series last time. His inputs would be very useful.” India lately has not done well in Twenty20 internationals, be it bilateral or a big event such as the Twenty20 World Cup even though the inaugural world title went to Mahendra Singh Dhoni”s men in 2007. In the ICC rankings, they are presently number seven, just ahead of the West Indies. “We have to do well. Fielding is going to be a major factor here. We have to take catches and effect run-outs. We have to bat till the end. “We have good all-rounders who can hit the ball hard and take wickets. We have good variation bowlers like Praveen, Irfan and Vinay. Hopefully, you would see an improved performance.” The spunky youngster is hopeful a good show in Australia would pave way for his return in Test cricket. “I played here against Australia A and South Africa A sides. I have done well. In Test cricket, I did well in the West Indies. “I did well in 15 matches though I didn’t do well in England. But I know I can play many more Test matches. I do believe in hard work and when given chance again, would prove my worth.” Raina has played in 15 Tests and scored 710 runs at 29.58 with a century on debut against Sri Lanka. © PTI  |
| Australia squad for ODI tri-series announced, Haddin, Marsh dropped Posted: 30 Jan 2012 07:35 AM PST
Australia won the Test series against India 4-0 and both Marsh and Haddin struggled in it, leading to speculation that they could be dropped. Matthew Wade will replace Haddin behind the stumps but the latter could be called back in the later stages of the series. “Brad Haddin has come off a heavy program of Test cricket ? the workload for a wicketkeeper/batsman is rigorous and resting him for the start of the series will refresh him for coming international commitments while also giving us a chance to look at Matt Wade at this level,” said National Selector John Inverarity after announcing the squad.
Inverarity said the squad is a talented mix of proven performers and young players not yet experienced at the international level. The newcomers and relative newcomers in the squad also include batsman Peter Forrest, all-rounders Mitchell Marsh, ironically the younger brother of Shaun, and Dan Christian and pacer Clint McKay “We want a flying start to the Commonwealth Bank Series against India and Sri Lanka and as always, have selected a group we are confident can win while also keeping an eye on development for the future,” Inverarity said. “Peter Forrest, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Wade, Dan Christian and Clint McKay are in form and will have a chance to either prove or further prove themselves on the international stage. “We have not at this stage named a vice-captain for the first three games with Brad resting and Shane Watson still unavailable while he completes his recovery from injury, and will assess that position when the squad assembles,” he added. Forrest got the nod for his solid contribution of 154 runs at a strike rate of 125.20 for Brisbane Heat in the ongoing Big Bash league. “Peter Forrest, in great form for Queensland and also for his KFC T20 Big Bash League side this summer, comes into the group but will remain available for the PM’s Xl game in Canberra this Friday, where he is vice-captain to Brad Haddin,” he said. “Shaun Marsh is obviously disappointed with his own form in recent weeks and is out of the side but remains in our thinking for the future while he works at state level ? as they say, class is permanent but form can be temporary,” said Inverarity. The back-in-form veteran duo of Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey remain in the squad. The bowling attack would be spearheaded by another veteran Brett Lee. “Brett Lee had a terrific Big Bash League and with Ryan Harris provides the squad with the experience at this level that will benefit the broader fast bowling group, while Xavier Doherty’s ability in this format speaks for itself. The Australian squad will assemble here on Friday ahead of the launch game against India on Sunday. Meanwhile, the selectors have named Queensland leg spinner Cameron Boyce and Victoria’s Meyrick Buchanan to replace injured Nathan Lyon and Kurtis Patterson in the PM’s Xl squad for Friday. (PTI) Australian ODI squad for ODI tri-series: Michael Clarke (c), David Warner, Ricky Ponting, Peter Forrest, Dan Christian, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Matthew Wade (wk), Brett Lee, Ryan Harris, Mitch Starc, Xavier Doherty, Clint McKay, Mitch Marsh  |
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