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Friday, August 24, 2012

C r i c H o t L i n e

C r i c H o t L i n e

Preview: Australia vs Afghanistan only ODI Sharjah 2012

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 01:00 PM PDT


Australia will break new cricket ground on Saturday when they take on minnows Afghanistan for the first time in a one-day international.

Michael Clarke’s side are set to face the Afghanis in the sweltering heat in Sharjah as part of their tour of the United Arab Emirates, where they will mostly be up against Pakistan in three ODIs and three Twenty20s.

But they will tune up for the more-fancied Pakistanis when they take on Afghanistan, and Clarke has been vocal that he wants Australia to start picking up results to boost their ranking in all three forms of the game.

Australia are ninth in the T20 standings ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 in September in Sri Lanka, fourth in the one-day rankings and third in the Test format.

Afghanistan are unranked in the T20 format, as they have not played the minimum amount of matches required – eight – in the past two years.

However, they do have a positive win-loss record (6-5) from their 11 matches in T20, with those wins coming over Canada (twice), Ireland (twice), Scotland and the Netherlands.

The wins over the Irish give them plenty to hang their hat on, as Ireland took the big scalp of England at the ICC World Cup last year.

And while they are not considered reasonable chances of knocking over the Australians, they have played seven of their T20s in the UAE, including six in Dubai, and will be more acclimatised to the conditions than Clarke’s side.

The Australians, however, have been through a training camp in Darwin to prepare for the trip to the Middle East, but they will travel minus coach Mickey Arthur, who will be busy planning for the side’s World Twenty20 assault next month.

Instead, Steve Rixon will stand in as interim coach and upon arrival in the UAE, the former Australian wicketkeeper said the tour was suitable preparation for the upcoming T20 tournament.

“It’s a bonus for us to be playing here as it’s important for us to be getting miles in the legs and this is the best place to be doing it,” Rixon said.

Whatever happens here will be a very big stepping stone to us being successful in Sri Lanka. If we get through this, Sri Lanka will seem like a holiday resort.”

The match will be Australia’s first ODI in Sharjah since April 1998, and it will be their first in the UAE since May 2009.

Mohammad Akram appointed as Pakistan bowling coach

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 12:01 PM PDT


Former Test cricketer Mohammad Akram has been appointed as Pakistan’s bowling coach for a period of one year.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) director, Intikhab Alam told reporters at the Gaddafi stadium here that the 38-year-old Akram will be supervising a level four coaching course and join the squad in the UAE for the series against Australia.

“The chairman of the PCB has approved his appointment for one year as national bowling coach and he will join the team immediately for the series against Australia in the UAE,” said Alam, also the head of the coaching committee.

Pakistan had been without a bowling coach since former fast-bowler Aqib Javed resigned from the post. Former pacer Shoaib Akhtar had last week offered to take on the vacant bowling coach’s position with the national team but the PCB rejected his candidature stating that he was not eligible due to lack of qualifications as a ‘professional coach’.

The 37-year-old Akram, who played nine Tests and 22 one-day internationals between 1995 and 2001, is now settled in England and had shown a lot of interest in the bowling coach’s position. “Akram is the ideal choice for us after taking into consideration a lot of factors like his utility to Pakistan cricket, monetary matters, expertise and experience,” Alam said.

The former Test captain said Akram would also be working at the National Cricket Academy besides being attached with the national squad which would be his primary job. Alam informed that some eight candidates had applied for the position and the committee, after going through their credentials, recommended names of shortlisted candidates to the Board chairman.

He confirmed that Englishman Ian Pont, who had worked as bowling coach with the Bangladesh team, was also among the initial candidates. Akram, who played 125 first class matches, moved to England after getting rare chances to play for Pakistan as he emerged in the era of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Aaqib Javed and Shoaib Akhtar.

“I think it’s a good choice by the Board as Akram was a very good bowler and has taken professionally to coaching,” Pakistan’s former captain Rashid Latif said. Akram will join the team in UAE where Pakistan plays three ODIs and an equal number of T20s against Australia from next Tuesday.

Wayamba United Vs Kandurata Warriors Scorecard SLPL 2012

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 10:44 AM PDT


Sri Lanka Premier League 2012

Wayamba United vs Kandurata Warriors – 16th match

Played at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, 24 Aug 2012

Toss - Kandurata Warriors won the toss and elected to bat.

Innings Break

Kandurata Warriors Innings

Kandurata Warriors Innings R B 4s 6s SR
Thilan Samaraweera (c) run out (S Jayasuriya/M Hafeez) 2 10 0 0 20.00
Tharanga Paranavitana st K Akmal b M Hafeez 4 6 1 0 66.66
Sanath Jayasuriya (c) c M Hafeez b I Udana 4 5 1 0 80.00
Jeevantha Kulatunga b B Hogg 23 25 1 0 92.00
Chris Lynn c K Weeraratne b I Udana 80 51 3 5 156.86
Thisara Perera c I Udana b M Hafeez 2 6 0 0 33.33
Kaushal Lokuarachchi c K J Perera b A Razzaq 11 9 1 0 122.22
Sohail Tanvir c D Chandimal b A Razzaq 11 8 1 0 137.50
John Hastings Not Out 1 1 0 0 100.00
Kithuruwan Vithanage (wk)            
Saeed Ajmal            
Extras (b 1, lb 4,w 6, nb 1) 12
Total (8 wickets; 20 overs) 150 (7.50 runs per over)

Fall of Wickets (Kandurata Warriors):

1-7 (Paranavitana, 2.4 ov), 2-7 (Samaraweera, 2.6 ov), 3-14 (Jayasuriya, 3.5 ov), 4-73 (Kulatunga, 11.6 ov), 5-85 (Perera, 14.2 ov), 6-138 (Lynn, 18.2 ov), 7-144 (Lokuarachchi, 19.1 ov), 8-150 (Sohail Tanvir, 19.6 ov)

Bowling O M R W Econ
Mohammad Hafeez 4 0 14 2 3.50 (w 1)
Isuru Udana 4 0 35 2 8.80 (w 1)
Abdul Razzaq 3 0 21 2 7.00 (nb 1 w 1)
Chathuranga Kumara 1 0 9 0 9.00 (w 1)
Kaushalya Weeraratne 1 0 11 0 11.00  
Brad Hogg 4 0 34 1 8.50 (w 2)
Milinda Siriwardana 3 0 21 0 7.00  


Wayamba United Innings



Teams:
Kandurata Warriors (Playing XI): Thilan Samaraweera, Tharanga Paranavitana, Sanath Jayasuriya (c), Chris Lynn, Jeevantha Kulatunga, Kithuruwan Vithanage (wk), Thisara Perera, John Hastings, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Sohail Tanvir, Saeed Ajmal

Wayamba United (Playing XI): Dinesh Chandimal, Kamran Akmal (wk), Kushal Janith Perera, Abdul Razzaq, Shehan Jayasuriya, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Mohammad Hafeez (c), Milinda Siriwardana, Isuru Udana, Chathuranga Kumara, Brad Hogg

Pakistan favourites to win T20 World Cup: Wasim Akram

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 10:41 AM PDT


Former captain Wasim Akram has picked Pakistan as one of the favourites to win the Twenty20 World Cup beginning next month in Sri Lanka.

Akram said the Pakistan side possessed the talent to win the tournament to be played from September 18 to October 7.

“Pakistan are favourites. Players like Imran Nazir and Abdur Razzaq have the ability to turn a match on its head and there is no reason why Pakistan can’t do well. They also have a very good chance against Australia in the upcoming series in the UAE,” Akram told the Pakistani media in Australia on the sidelines of the U-19 World Cup.

However, the former left-arm fast-bowler also advised the team’s batsmen to adopt a more aggressive and positive approach after having witnessed them in their recent series in Sri Lanka.

“At times, I thought I was watching a Test match. They need to maintain a strike-rate of over 130 and a boundary should be followed by singles to keep the scoreboard moving.

Their approach needs to become more adventurous if they want more success in the format,” he said.

Pakistan reached the final of the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in 2007 to lose to India but won the next edition held in England in 2009.

The former all-rounder also made it clear that he has no intentions or the time to work in a full-time capacity as a coach with the national team.

“I am enjoying life and have to give time to my children.

Between my commitments with the KKR and television commentary, I really don’t have much time left for full-time commitments,” he said.

“But during a meeting with PCB official Intikhab Alam, I informed him that I am available in November and want to hold a camp for young fast bowlers in Karachi. I am keen to work with under-19 and Pakistan ‘A’ team players,” he added. (PTI)

Wayamba United vs Kandurata Warriors Live Scores SLPL 2012

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 08:30 AM PDT


Toss: Kandurata Warriors have won the toss and elected to bat

Teams:
Kandurata Warriors (Playing XI): Thilan Samaraweera, Tharanga Paranavitana, Sanath Jayasuriya(c), Chris Lynn, Jeevantha Kulatunga, Kithuruwan Vithanage(w), Thisara Perera, John Hastings, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Sohail Tanvir, Saeed Ajmal

Wayamba United (Playing XI): Dinesh Chandimal, Kamran Akmal(w), Kushal Janith Perera, Abdul Razzaq, Shehan Jayasuriya, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Mohammad Hafeez(c), Milinda Siriwardana, Isuru Udana, Chathuranga Kumara, Brad Hogg

Mahela Jayawardene is resting today. Wayamba are already through to the semis.

Jeff Dujon reckons that the team winning the toss will bat first.

Match 16 – Wayamba United vs Kandurata Warriors Highlights

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 07:30 AM PDT


Wayamba United vs Kandurata Warriors Highlights SLPL 2012. KW vs WU Highlights on 24 August SLPL Highlights. Match 16 Kandurata Warriors (KW) vs Wayamba United (WU) T20 Highlights, WU vs KW SLPL 2012 Highlights, 24th August 2012.

Sri Lanka Premier League 2012 highlights of the 16th match of Wayamba United vs Kandurata Warriors. The highlights for whole series will be available here.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4 Onwards check back by 22:00 GMT

R Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha helps India dominate on Day 2 of 1st Test

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 07:11 AM PDT


Indian spinners R Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha took full advantage of a spinning track to rip through New Zealand’s top order and put India in the driver’s seat after the second day of their opening Test on Friday.

Scorecard | Watch Day 2 Highlights

In conditions best suited for spinners, Ashwin and Ojha got into the act straightaway to reduce New Zealand to a precarious 106 for five in reply to India’s first innings total of 438, largely built around Cheteshwar Pujara’s 159.

The Kiwis still need 133 runs to avoid the follow on with five wickets in hand and seemed headed for a big defeat with three days left in the match.

After Ojha gave the first breakthrough dismissing an aggressive-looking Brendon McCullum, Ashwin rocked the Kiwis with two wickets from his first two overs. McCullum scored 22 off 27 balls with three boundaries.

Ashwin continued his terrific spell with a third wicket in his fifth over to have the Black Caps reeling at 55 for four as his superb first spell figures read 12-3-28-3. Ojha finished the day with two for 30 to show for his efforts.

Just when New Zealand were looking to build a partnership Ojha broke a 44-run fifth wicket partnership between Kane Williamson and James Franklin by dismissing the former. Williamson scored 32 before returning to the pavilion.

At stumps after the second day’s proceedings, New Zealand trail India by 332 runs with James Franklin batting on 31 from 75 balls with a four and a six while wicketkeeper-batsman Krug van Wyk was yet to open his account after having faced six balls.

Earlier, India’s first innings ended on 438 with Pujara contributing 159 and adding 127 runs for the sixth wicket with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni who chipped in with a useful 73.

Starting at 307 for five, the duo carried on from where they had left on the opening day to help India get past 400, first time in five matches.

Apart from absence of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman from the batting line-up, the other major concern was about the close-in catching.

Virat Kohli showed that he is ready to turn into a specialist close-in fielder as he took couple of sharp catches at backward short leg off the bowling off Ashwin.

The one he took to dismiss opposition skipper Ross Taylor was referred to the third umpire who ruled in favour of the fielding side after five minutes of deliberation.

It was also a new look slip cordon for India which had Virender Sehwag at the first slip, Raina at second and Kohli at third, while Gautam Gambhir manned the point region.

In reply to India’s first innings, New Zealand started off on an attacking note with McCullum taking charge of Zaheer Khan who yielded seven from the first over.

McCullum hit Zaheer for two boundaries with the left-arm pacer struggling with line and length, getting little help from the slow pitch.

With the pacers getting little assistance, Dhoni introduced Ojha in the eighth over with success when the left-arm spinner gave India the first breakthrough in his very third ball.

The attacking McCullum paid the price of being cheeky when he hit straight to Kohli at covers to get out for 27.

There was another blow for the Black Caps with spin being introduced from both ends at the start of 11th over as Guptill became the victim of off-spinner Ashwin’s first delivery.

A third wicket when Ashwin returned in his second over meant that New Zealand were torn apart in conditions best-suited for the Indians.

New Zealand skipper Taylor (2) in trying to tuck away an Ashwin delivery to the pads found Kohli at the same position to pouch onto a low chance.

The decision came after about five minutes after several TV replays by the third umpire.

Continuing his dream spell, Ashwin picked a third wicket trapping Daniel Flynn (16) in front of the stumps.

Earlier, start to the second day’s proceedings was delayed by 26 minutes as the groundsmen were asked to keep the covers ready in anticipation of rain. Although the heavens didn’t open up but it remained cloudy throughout the entire second day.

After resumption, the Indian duo of Pujara and Dhoni, who had a 47-run overnight partnership with individual scores of 119 and 29 respectively, carried out their good work even as the skipper was troubled by the Kiwi seamers initially.

But Pujara kept his composure and flair intact, looking for quick singles, rotating the strike as by lunch they had put on 111-run together keeping their stand intact.

Dhoni completed his half-century, 25th in 68 Tests, flicking Doug Bracewell towards deep midwicket while Pujara reached to 150 pulling the same bowler through fine-leg boundary in a fine first session for India.

There were a couple of chances too but the expansive New Zealand fielders missed a Dhoni nick off Martin with the ball going past the wicketkeeper (van Wyk) and first slip (Taylor).

Pujara, on 133, got an easy escape from a run-out after he was slow to respond to Dhoni’s call but only to see McCullum fumble at short cover while picking up the ball.

But the script favoured New Zealand post lunch as the visitors had their most fruitful session when they came back taking five wickets including that of Pujara and Dhoni.

Black Caps conceded just 67 runs as India were bundled out for 438 at the stroke of tea.

Soon after lunch, Pujara ran out of patience as he stepped out to mistime off-spinner Patel as Franklin back-pedalled from mid-on to take an easy catch as his fine innings came to an end.

Patel, who broke the key Indian partnership of Pujara and Dhoni, by taking both their wickets, was the leading Kiwi bowler with four for 100.

Dhoni and Zaheer (0) departed in quick succession with India 414 for eight but Ashwin and Ojha frustrated the Kiwis with their dogged approach.

Ashwin chipped in with a 54-ball 37 (5×4) as the off-spinner put on a fine 24-run stand before the skipper got out. India were bundled out after Umesh Yadav ran himself out just ahead of the tea-break.

England vs South Africa 1st ODI Highlights #EngvSA Cardiff 2012

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 06:30 AM PDT


England vs South Africa highlights 1st ODI played at Cardiff, England on 24 August 2012. South Africa vs England 1st ODI Cricket Highlights 2012. England are the no. 1 ODI team and they face the danger of loosing it after loosing the test spot. If England loose the 1st ODI than South Africa will replace them as no. 1 ODI team. South Africa have been in fantastic form and the way they have played so far its going to be tough challenge for England in the ODIs. Watch the 1st ODI Highlights of the Eng vs SA posted here.

South Africa vs England 1st ODI Highlights will be posted here.

Match abandoned due to rain

Check out the preview of 1st ODI here and for live scores go here

India vs New Zealand Day 2 Highlights 1st Test Hyderabad 2012

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 05:00 AM PDT


India vs New Zealand 1st Test Cricket Highlights. India vs New Zealand Day 2 Highlights 1st Test 2012. Ind vs NZ Cricket Highlights 1st Test Hyderabad 2012.

Cheteshwar Pujara held the opening day for India against New Zealand. India started off well but lost some quick wickets. Pujara and Kohli holded the mid innings to get the runs going. Pujara smashes his maiden ton and India moved to 307 for 5 at the close of day. So far Indians have batted well but this is their last batting pair. New Zealand will be aiming to restrict India under 400.

Watch the Highlights of the Day 2 of 1st Test here and tell us what you think about the day 2 action.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

England vs South Africa 1st ODI Live Scores 2012

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 02:57 AM PDT


Toss: South Africa have won the toss and elected to field

Teams:
South Africa (Playing XI): Hashim Amla, Graeme Smith, Dean Elgar, AB de Villiers(w/c), Jean-Paul Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Ryan McLaren, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Morne Morkel, Lonwabo Tsotsobe

England (Playing XI): Alastair Cook(c), Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott, Ravi Bopara, Eoin Morgan, Craig Kieswetter(w), Tim Bresnan, Chris Woakes, Graeme Swann, Steven Finn, James Anderson

No Dale Steyn for SA today. England, meanwhile, have replaced Stuart Broad with Chris Woakes.

Pakistan bolwing coach to be announced this week: Zaka

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 02:30 AM PDT


Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Zaka Ashraf has said that a new bowling coach for the national team would be announced within this week.

“We will take a final decision in a day or two about the new bowling coach,” Ashraf told reporters in Lahore on Thursday.

Pakistan has been hunting for a new bowling coach since former Test pacer Aaqib Javed resigned and joined the UAE team as head coach earlier this year in February.

The board formed a committee headed by former Test captain Intikhab Alam to invite applications from interested candidates and shortlist names and recommend them to the board.

A reliable source in the board said that so far two candidates had been shortlisted — former Test pacer Mohammad Akram and Englishman Ian Pont, who has remained bowling coach with the Bangladesh team.

Pont a former county cricketer has also written a book on fast bowling and is the only modern-day professional cricketer to have played a professional baseball game when he appeared for Philadelphia Phillies in an exhibition match in 1987.

Ashraf, however, refused to give any details about the shortlist of candidates.

“We have to take into consideration the monetary issues as well as how suitable the candidate is to work with Pakistan cricket while taking a final decision,” Ashraf said.

He said whoever is appointed as bowling coach of the national team would also have to spare a lot of time for the national cricket academy.

“He will be given a multitasking role and not just be restricted to the national team,” Ashraf said.

Pakistan’s enigmatic fast bowler, Shoaib Akhtar had also offered his services to become the national bowling coach but officials in the board turned down his offer pointing out that he (Shoaib) didn’t fulfill the criteria set for appointing a new bowling coach.

“Shoaib neither has experience of coaching at international level nor has he passed the level three coaching course,” one official had said.

Ashraf said the board was slowly moving towards professionalising the management set up and support staff with the Pakistan team as well at the national academy.

“We will take a decision on merit and see who can be best suited and helpful for our cricket,” he said.

The Maldives coach, Bazeegh Zaka and former Pakistan players Jalal-ud-Din, Mohsin Kamal and Sabih Azhar had also applied for the bowling coach position.

Former Pakistan Test spinners, Mushtaq Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq have also expressed their desire to take up the job but have complained that the board didn’t respond properly to their offers.

Ahmed is currently working as a spin bowling consultant with the England and Wales cricket board, while Mushtaq is settled in England. (PTI)

Kevin Pietersen join ESPN Star Sports panel for ICC World T20 in Sri Lanka

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 01:45 AM PDT


Ousted from the England squad, controversial batsman Kevin Pietersen will trade his willow for a microphone in the upcoming Twenty20 World Championships as he has been signed by the event’s official broadcasters ESPN-STAR Sports for a “presentation and analysis” stint.

“In addition, Pietersen will also play an important role in the publicity and promotion of ESS’s broadcast of ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka,” the channel said in a statement.

Pietersen was ignored for the England team despite being a T20 player of repute after he fell out of favour with the ECB for sending controversial text messages to South African players in which he criticised England captain Andrew Strauss and coach Andy Flower.

Pietersen was player of the tournament at the last edition of ICC World Twenty20 tournament held in West Indies in 2010.

“This places him as one of the most suitable persons to give insightful perspective on this iconic T20 tournament, a format in which he has excelled as a player, thus further enhancing coverage of the ICC World Twenty20 for passionate cricket fans,” ESS said.

Pietersen, who played for Delhi Daredevils earlier this year, said, “I am very excited about working with ESPN STAR Sports covering the ICC World Twenty20 watching England defend their title.”

ESS will soon be making further announcements on its presentation features and full line-up of commentators for the forthcoming ICC World Twenty20. (PTI)

Wayamba United vs Kandurata Warriors Live Streams SLPL 2012

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 01:30 AM PDT


Watch Wayamba United vs Kandurata Warriors live streams SLPL 2012 to be played at Sri Lanka on 24 August, 2012. Sri Lanka Premier League 2012 Cricket live streams watch online.

Kandurata Warriors vs Wayamba United live streams link of SLPL 2012 to be played at Sri Lanka on 24 August 2012 will be posted here. Wayamba United vs Kandurata Warriors to play there first match in the Sri Lanka Premier League 2012. Watch the coverage of all match with us live online.


Match Timings: Aug 24, 2012 (20:00 local | 14:30 GMT | 20:00 IST)

Wayamba United vs Kandurata Warriors SLPL 2012 Live :

1. Watch Wayamba United vs Kandurata Warriors Here

2. Watch Wayamba United vs Kandurata Warriors Here

3. Watch Wayamba United vs Kandurata Warriors Here

De Villiers reveals plan to attack England weak batting line-up

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 12:56 AM PDT


South Africa one-day captain AB de Villiers has revealed his side’s plan to take advantage of England’s lightweight batting line-up in the forthcoming one-day series.

De Villiers feels England’s recent one-day success has masked a lack of depth in their batting that could be exposed by a bowling attack of South Africa’s quality.

England have risen to the top of the one-day world rankings on the back of 10 wins in 2012, including a 4-0 series rout of Australia.

But they will be without star batsman Kevin Pietersen after the text message controversy that led to his omission from the squad.

And while De Villiers believes England are a “wonderful” team, he is confident the South Africans have enough quality bowlers to knock their hosts from pole position for the second time in quick succession.

South Africa ended England’s reign as the top-ranked Test team thanks to dominant displays from fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel and they will be unleashed again in the five-match one-day series that starts in Cardiff on Friday.

“I think they are a little bit light in the batting department, that might be something that we will be attacking. We’ll see,” De Villiers said on Thursday.

“They’ve got Bresnan that I think they rely on quite a bit coming in at seven.

“The reason why they’re playing conservatively up front is because they’re a batter light. They don’t go with the wicketkeeper at seven like most teams do.

“But I don’t think they’ve got a set blueprint. They can play around with options and they’ve got a wonderful ODI side.”

While De Villiers is in confident mood, he knows England have not lost a home series since 2009.

The wicketkeeper-batsman is also wary that Alastair Cook and Ian Bell set up the crushing series win over Australia with some impressive displays and he admits the Proteas will have to be at their best to win the series.

“You’ve got to play the situation and the conditions that you’re dealt. In England it moves around a little bit with the two new balls,” he said.

“You can’t just go out there and hit every ball for six. You will be three or four down very quickly.

“You have to try to get through the new ball with as a little damage as possible.”

After knocking England off their coveted Test perch De Villiers denied that taking over at the top of the 50-over format was the main objective of the five-match series.

South Africa will go top with a series win but De Villiers is more concerned with developing a new-look side.

“It’s definitely not our main goal. We’re not here focused on world rankings, certainly not as much as the Test series,” he said.

“It would be nice to get that as a bonus but we feel we’ve got other stuff to focus on. We’re trying to build a brand of cricket that we want to play.

“We want to play attacking, good cricket. I’d like to think of us as a team that has done fairly well under pressure, so when we are put under pressure this series we will be looking to attack that’s for sure.”

England have had just four days to get over their Test series defeat before they return to action in Cardiff.

But captain Cook welcoming a number of new names into the squad, De Villiers doesn’t think England will suffer a Test hangover.

“That won’t be huge, maybe a tiny little bit of a factor. It’s the same situation we find ourselves in with a new-look team under Cook,” he said.

“They’ll feel refreshed and re-energised. Their ODI team is a totally different unit and I can’t see them carrying a lot of scars from the Test series.

“There is just a tiny little mental factor but if we don’t start well tomorrow we lose that momentum right away.” (AFP)
Posted by MohammaD IsmaiL at 1:12 PM

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