| Bangladesh vs West Indies 1st ODI Live Streams 2012 #BanvsWI Posted: 29 Nov 2012 12:38 PM PST 
Bangladesh vs West Indies 1st ODI Live neo prime cricket live streams online. West Indies vs Bangladesh 1st ODI live streams online 2012. Bangladesh vs West Indies 1st ODI Neo Prime Live streams online. West Indies will now move to 5 ODI games against Bangladesh after winning the test series by 2-0. A lot has been changed for West Indies during the pasr few months. First they won the T20 World Cup then the test series and will now look to continue the winning momentum in ODI as well. Bangladesh have a lot to work on now after loosing the test series. Shakib Al Hasan is ruled out for first tow ODIs and this can be a big blow for Bangladesh. They need to rebuild the momentum and start winning the games before its too late for them. Watch all the exciting test series covered on Neo Prime live stream online at thecrictv.com or thecricket-tv.info Match Timings: 09:00 local | 03:00 GMT | 08:30 IST
Live Streams Links: 1. http://thecricket-tv.info 2. http://thecrictv.com  |
| Australia vs South Africa 3rd Test Live Streams where to watch online #AusvSA Posted: 29 Nov 2012 11:38 AM PST 
Australia vs South Africa 3rd Test Live Streams Online at TheCricket-TV. South Africa vs Australia Live Streams 3rd Test online. South Africa tour of Australia Cricket Live Streams Online. Aus vs SA live streams @ thecricket-tv.info. Australia and South Africa will face-off in the final encounter of the series when they take the ground at Perth. Ricky Ponting will play his final match of the career and it will be an important moment of his life. Australians will look to give farewell to Punter by winning the match. South Africa will be looking to win this one well. If Australia is able to win the match then they will be the no. 1 test team but looking at South Africa form the encounter is going to be really tough. It will be tough competition at perth where the bowlers are likely to dominate the game. Watch out all the exciting Australia vs South Africa encounter live streamed online at thecricket-tv.info or thecrictv.com
Match Timings: 10:30 local | 02:30 GMT | 08:00 IST Live Streams Links: 1. http://thecricket-tv.info 2. http://thecrictv.com  |
| Preview: Australia vs South Africa, 3rd Test, Perth, 2012 #AusvsSA Posted: 29 Nov 2012 10:10 AM PST 
 The last time South Africa played in Perth against Australia, they engineered one of the most epic chases in cricketing history. In a spine-chilling few days at the WACA, the Proteas chased down the second-biggest total in the history of the game.
Back then, it was a top-of-the-table-clash between the two teams, and the theme resonates again this time around. Whoever wins the match will take the number one Test ranking – for a short while anyway. After being the architects of a sensational draw in the second Test, the Proteas might have earned a small moral victory. The visitors looked dead and buried on day four, but they scrapped as hard as they could to pull off a great escape, all while the Australian bowlers ran time after time, giving it their all. Both sides have copped a beating – not in a result, but physically and mentally. In this regard, the two teams are on pretty equal terms heading into the decider at the WACA.
“Both teams will be pretty battered and bruised (but) we’re level pegging going into Perth. For us, that is great. We wanted to go to Perth in that position and give ourselves a chance of winning a series in Australia again, and we have that opportunity," said South African captain Graeme Smith. Both sides have been lumped with injuries and face a selection conundrum for the final Test. Shane Watson, who has missed out on the first to matches, has declared himself ready to go, but Australia will be without James Pattinson and will have to wait until the morning of the Test to determine whether Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus are fit. The hosts have plenty of cover in the bowling department with Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson, Josh Hazelwood and John Hastings, but who will make up the final XI is anybody's guess. South Africa will have to make a call on whether to include Jacques Kallis as a batsman only, after he sustained an injury to his hamstring during the second Test. While there is plenty of cover in the form of Dean Elgar, Ryan McLaren and Thami Tsolekile, there is zero substitute for Kallis' experience. The Proteas also have to decide what to do with Imran Tahir. The spinner has been poor in the Test set-up, and he recorded the worst-ever figures for a bowler without a wicket in the second Test. South Africa could very well give Robin Peterson a go. The spinner last played a Test for South Africa in 2008, against Bangladesh where he picked up six wickets, and will strengthen the batting line-up considerably – a good move if South Africa wants to play an extra bowler to make up for Kallis' absence. The WACA is reasonably good for producing results. The last team to draw there was South Africa in 2005, and some say it's one the best grounds for quicks in the world. The last time Australia played there was against India earlier this year, winning the Test by an innings and 37 runs. Hilfenhaus was the chief destroyer, picking up eight wickets while Starc chipped in with four. If the first two Tests are anything to go by, cricket fans can expect fireworks come the final Test, especially with the stage set for everything to play for. PLAYERS TO WATCH After missing out on the action in the first two Tests, Shane Watson will want to make it feel like he never left. He's played at the WACA twice, against the West Indies in 2009 and against England in 2010, and averages 59.50 there with the bat. He didn't bowl against England and picked up two sticks against the West Indies, but the all-rounder has said that he's eager to share the responsibility. He's only played three Tests this year and there's no doubt the all-rounder will be determined to make a big impact. “Over the last week I’ve been gradually building up my running and my bowling. I bowled six overs in the nets yesterday before we left in Adelaide, so I’m certainly going to be up to bowling as many overs as Michael [Clarke] wants and probably the normal sort of workload really that I bowl in a Test match. Things have progressed really well over the past week so I’m ready to go," Watson said. Dale Steyn has been a bit off colour for the last few Tests he's played in, and while it's natural to have a bit of a dip in form here and there, Steyn is not the kind of player to take a few bad days at the office lightly. He was bullish at a press conference on Wednesday and if the tint in his wild grey eyes are anything to go by, Steyn will be back to his best come the WACA Test. The last time he played at Perth he took four wickets and Steyn, being the kind of player to always want to improve and get better, will want to build on that record.  |
| Preview: Bangladesh vs West Indies, 1st ODI, Khulna, 2012 #BanvsWI Posted: 29 Nov 2012 08:45 AM PST 
 Bangladesh will be lacking their star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan when they face a buoyant West Indies in the five-match one-day series which begins in Khulna Friday. The 25-year-old Shakib, who suffered a shin injury during the second Test which the West Indies won Sunday to take the two-Test series 2-0, is also ruled out of the second one-dayer in Khulna on December 2.
It will be the first time Bangladesh have been without Shakib in a one-dayer since the 2008 Asia Cup in Pakistan. But captain Mushfiqur Rahim put on a brave face. “It (playing without Shakib) will be a big challenge,” he said. “But we always plan to play consistent cricket. We are playing ODI cricket after a long time. They have a strong one-day side but we will use the Asia Cup memories to inspire us,” said Rahim.
Bangladesh beat India and Sri Lanka on their way to the final of the Asia Cup, which they narrowly lost to Pakistan at home in March this year. It was their last one-day match. West Indies also have their injury problems, with spearhead Tino Best ruled out of the limited-overs series with a hamstring injury. Best took a maiden five-wicket haul in the first Test in Dhaka and six in the second Test in Khulna to inspire the tourists to a series win. He has been replaced by uncapped fast bowler Jason Holder in the limited-over squad. West Indian captain Darren Sammy said the balance of his squad was good. “The nucleus of the team is quite settled. The guys have been performing consistently in the last 6-12 months, which is a good sign,” said Sammy, whose team is on a high after winning the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka last month. West Indies will be boosted by the return of fast bowler Kemar Roach, who missed the Test series due to a knee injury. They also boast a star-studded batting line up led by the dashing Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Smith. Despite his team’s strengths, Sammy said Bangladesh poses good opposition. “The Bangladesh team is an exciting one-day team, so is the West Indies. And the fans are passionate about cricket. I am looking forward to the series,” he said. The remaining three matches will be played in Dhaka on December 5, 7 and 8. The only Twenty20 international will be in Dhaka on December 10. Probable XIs:
Bangladesh: 1.Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), 2.Mahmudullah, 3.Abdur Razzak, 4.Abul Hasan, 5.Tamim Iqbal, 6.Rubel Hossain, 7.Naeem Islam, 8.Nasir Hossain, 9.Mashrafe Mortaza, 10.Mominul Haque, 11.Sohag Gazi. West Indies: 1.Darren Sammy (captain), 2.Chris Gayle, 3.Kierron Pollard, 4.Marlon Samuels, 5.Dwayne Smith, 6.Sunil Narine, 7.Ravi Rampaul, 8.Jason Holder, 9.Andre Russell, 10.Darren Bravo, 11.Devon Thomas.  |
| New ODI rules harsh for spinners, feels Darren Dammy #BanvsWI Posted: 29 Nov 2012 08:15 AM PST 
 West Indies captain Darren Sammy reckons the new fielding restrictions in one-dayers make life difficult for the spinners but does not think the move targets only the Asian teams who build their attack primarily around slow bowlers.
West Indies play first of their five one-dayers against Bangladesh on Friday under the new rules which allow a maximum of four fielders outside the 30-yard circle during the non-powerplay overs. Previously, one more fielder was allowed outside the circle which helped the spinners bowl with more fielders in the deep. “It is becoming more of a batsman’s game,” Sammy said at news conference on Thursday.
“Teams were scoring 300-plus with five guys outside the circle. Now it is only four. “I feel sorry for the spinners, they have to find an extra way to bowl and be economical.” Sammy, however, brushed aside suggestions that the new rules target the Asian teams who rely more on their slow bowlers. “The rules are the same for every team,” said the all-rounder. “It is not the first time rules have changed, it won’t be the last time. We have to enjoy the game we love, playing cricket,” he said. His Bangladesh counterpart Mushfiqur Rahim said pace bowlers would also suffer. “It’s made the job very difficult for spinners. At the same time when you have five fielders up, it’s difficult for the pace bowlers also.”  |
| Ricky Ponting retiring doesn’t mean Sachin also has to quit: Gautam Gambhir Posted: 29 Nov 2012 07:45 AM PST 
 Ricky Ponting’s decision to call it quits might have added fuel to the fire in the raging debate over Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement, but India opener Gautam Gambhir feels his senior teammate still has a lot to offer.
“Nobody can force anyone to retire. Each individual knows when is the best time to retire. Ponting retiring doesn’t mean that Sachin also has to quit now. It’s an individual decision. They are from two different countries, two different individuals. So there is no question of a comparison,” Gambhir said. At a time when the 39-year-old Mumbaikar’s place in the team has been questioned by critics, Gambhir went to the extent of saying that Tendulkar still has the “capability to make lots of runs for India”.
“His presence in the dressing room itself is a big thing for the country. I am sure he will come out of it. Everybody goes through ups and downs. It’s the sheer joy of playing the game, he loves playing. “He is the greatest cricketer India has produced. Not just on the field, as a mentor he contributes off the field too. He still has the capability to make lots of runs for India,” Gambhir said at an event here. Coming back to Ponting, who today announced that he will retire from Test cricket after playing in the third Test against South Africa in Perth, Gambhir called him Australia’s “best ever captain”. “He is a legend of the game. He has played cricket on his own terms, he is retiring on his own terms. His record in all three formats speaks for itself. He has been Australia’s most successful captain ever.”
Gambhir came out in support of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and saw nothing wrong in the skipper asking for a turning wicket. “A captain should get the kind of wicket he wants. There is nothing wrong in it. We all should support him instead of making it an issue. If he thinks he can win on a particular sort of wicket we should support him. “After all he is your captain and he will only think about victory. All the former captains would ask for turners. I think during Mohammad Azharuddin’s time we used to play on turning tracks, nobody had raised a question then.” The Delhi player also felt that he and his teammates should not be blamed all the time for defeat. “What amazes me is that we never appreciate the opposition. We should also praise the opposition rather than criticise our own players. “The opposition does play good cricket. They are not here to just make up the numbers. The series is tied 1-1, we haven’t lost it yet and we can still come back. Any country can bounce back today,” said Gambhir. Asked how crucial was his second-inning half century in the Mumbai Test from his career’s point of view, Gambhir said, “Any knock is important for me. Every run I score for my country is very satisfying. On the English spinners’ performance in Mumbai Test, he said, “They bowled very well, both (Graeme) Swann and (Monty) Panesar, but that doesn’t mean we can’t tackle spin well. “England can win anywhere, they have got the quality in batting and bowling. But remember we were world number 1 and have won Test matches in Australia, South Africa. “We are looking forward to the Kolkata Test. We need to be positive. Would look to dominate them.” Gambhir was here as the face of the Hindustan Times’ ‘You Read, They Learn’ campaign where he played cricket with the kids and talked more about his contribution to the project. “Kids have to go to school for overall development, discipline. My biggest motivation is to contribute something for my country, like educating the kids so that they can take their own decisions,” said Gambhir.  |
| Give Sachin Tendulkar his emotional space and the respect he deserves: Anil Kumble to critics Posted: 29 Nov 2012 07:18 AM PST 
 Amidst the growing clamour for Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement, former India skipper Anil Kumble on Thursday hit out at critics questioning the veteran batsman’s place in the team, saying he should be left alone and given the “emotional space” and respect he deserves.
Tendulkar’s prolonged lean patch led many people to question his place in the Indian team but Kumble says it’s not the time to point fingers at him but support him. “There have been instances when he has been the sole reason for India’s wins, but he has never been the sole reason for India’s losses. It's best to leave it to him to deal with what is in front of him now, because no one else has been in his position. No one else has played 192 Tests, made 34,000 runs, or scored 100 centuries. Let’s not jump the gun, let’s give the man the respect he deserves,” Kumble wrote in his column for the ‘Week’ magazine.
“For 23 years, he has helped people dream, he has made them feel better emotionally. More’s the reason why we need to give him his emotional space now,” he wrote. “…This is the time for him to be left alone. He is such a great player that he doesn’t need anyone else’s advice on how to score runs. He just needs people to back off and allow him to work out what he needs to return to run-scoring ways, which I am confident he will,” he added. Kumble said that it’s not only Tendulkar, who is going through a bad phase but the whole Test team and implying that team is doing bad because of Tendulkar’s poor form would be highly unfair. “For the first time, people are questioning his place in the team. The expectations are that he should retire because his performances over the last year or so haven't matched the standards he has set over the previous 22 years. Yes, we have not seen the best of Sachin in this phase, but it is not just him alone. If you look at the overall picture, the team has struggled in Test cricket, so are we suggesting that India are still a one-man army, still totally dependent on Sachin? I think not,” he said.
Kumble, one of the best spinners to have played the game, said the Indian team’s consistent poor show in Test cricket actually made Tendulkar’s failure more prominent. “The performances and the mindset of the Indian team are not helping Sachin any, either. India have won just three Tests in the last year, all at home, which probably has magnified his failures,” he wrote. The leg-spinner asked his critics to stay away from him. “This is the time when you need to give him space for him to think about what he needs to rectify rather than put all kinds of negative thoughts in his mind. People are asking if it is time for him to go. That’s a question people ask in India when you cross 30; the only difference is that in Sachin's case, it has come at 39.” Kumble also hailed Tendulkar’s longevity and presented a few statistics to show how great his journey has been after making debut at the tender age of 16. “Sachin was the 187th Indian to play Test cricket. The last debutant for India was R. Vinay Kumar, No. 274. If I am right, nearly 60% of the 87 players who made their Test debut for India after Sachin have already retired from the game. “That, to me, is the perfect illustration of the desire, hunger and commitment that have driven Sachin to turn out match after match, and perform more often than he has failed.” Kumble was confident that eventually Tendulkar would comeback strong. “At 39, it’s more of a mental battle for a batsman while it is always a physical grind for a bowler…. mind needs to be fresh and it doesn’t help when the mind is bogged down by negative thoughts implanted by extraneous forces. “The only issue with age is that no matter how fit you are, the recovery gets tougher and takes longer. But knowing Sachin for this long, I can say that he is exceptionally mentally tough and still does every physical routine to prepare himself for every Test. In all my years of playing and watching the game, I haven’t seen anyone else adapt to conditions better or faster than Sachin.”  |
| New Zealand thrash Sri Lanka by 167-runs in 2nd Test to level series #SLvsNZ Posted: 29 Nov 2012 05:00 AM PST 
 New Zealand bowled out Sri Lanka for 195 to complete a 167-run win in the second and final Test against Sri Lanka on Thursday (November 29).
At tea, Sri Lanka were still hanging at 168 for 7, but with the new ball available, New Zealand’s bowlers made short work of the Sri Lankan tail. Angelo Mathews, who scored 84, was the last man to fall for Sri Lanka. New Zealand took two quick wickets in the afternoon. Sri Lanka, chasing a 363-run target, lost Prasanna Jayawardena and Suraj Randiv in the afternoon session at the P Sara Oval in Colombo. Mathews continued to offer stiff resistance to New Zealand, batting more than two sessions and hitting one six and six fours. Nuwan Kulasekara was unbeaten on 18 at tea.
Todd Astle, the debutant legspinner, provided the crucial breakthrough in the afternoon when he had Jayawardena (29) caught behind with a delivery that turned and bounced for his first Test wicket. Jayawardena was involved in a defiant 56-run stand for the sixth wicket with Mathews. Trent Boult, who got four wickets in the first innings, then had Randiv caught by Martin Guptill at second slip. New Zealand tightened their grip on the match on Wednesday when they took four quick wickets, including those of Mahela Jayawardena, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara. But they struggled in Thursday’s morning session to finish off Sri Lanka, who added 60 to their overnight total of 47 for 4. Mathews and Prasanna Jayawardena were watchful during their 44-run stand after their team lost the big wicket of Thilan Samaraweera in the opening hour — run out after a mix-up with Mathews. Samaraweera, who top-scored in the first innings with 76, had added just six to his overnight one. Mathews and Prasanna Jayawardena then denied New Zealand for more than 23 overs. Mathews has so far faced 106 balls with his partner facing 69. Sri Lanka lead the series 1-0 following their ten-wicket victory in the opening Test at Galle.  |
| Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 2nd Test Post Match Presentation 2012 Posted: 29 Nov 2012 04:54 AM PST 
Mahela Jayawardene: Credit to the Kiwis, they stuck to their task. We tried to fight our way back, but it was tough. It would have been great to have a third Test. We played good cricket right through the series and are looking forward to the Australia series. Getting runs in the first innings is always important, they put up the score on the board and their new ball bowlers asked us many questions. We need to work on facing the new ball, we have lost too many wickets out there and ended up putting pressure on ourselves. Herath: I am a bit tired, actually. It is good to take wickets for the team, I am happy with the way I am bowling. We need to study the surfaces in Australia. I am very confident about my abilities. Rangana Herath is the Man of the Series for his 20 wickets. Ross Taylor: It is always good to come overseas and win a match. The way we prepared for this Test after losing the first match at Galle was great. Boult and Southee have led the way for us. We were determined to put runs on the board. Kane Williamson helped me put up a good stand. We did well in the field and held to all the catches that were presented to us. We will go home and rest for a few days, we are looking forward to the series against South Africa. Ross Taylor is the Man of the Match  |
| Ricky Ponting glad to finish on his own terms Posted: 29 Nov 2012 02:14 AM PST 
 Ricky Ponting, one of the finest batsmen in contemporary cricket and Australia’s middle order bulwark for years, on Thursday announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing down the curtains on an illustrious career spanning 17 years.
Ponting, who will retire after the third Test against South Africa beginning here tomorrow, told a hastily-called press conference that he was calling it quits as he has not being performing for some time to the level he had desired. The former Australian captain, who will turn 38 next month, has scored 13,366 Test runs from 167 matches at an average of 52.21, second only to India’s Sachin Tendulkar (15562 from 192 matches). He made his Test debut in 1995 against Sri Lanka at the same venue where he will walk into Test sunset. In the 375 ODIs he has played, Ponting accumulated 13,704 runs, scoring 30 centuries, with a highest score of 164 and an average of 42.03. He has, however, not played in the ODIs since being dropped from the team in February this year.
Ponting said he was retiring as his level of performance was not good enough to continue in the Australian team. “It’s a decision I thought long and hard about, put in long consideration about the decision. Over the last couple of weeks my level of performance hasn’t been good enough. At the end of the day it was about my results and my output in this series so far,” Ponting said. “It hasn’t been to the level required for batsmen and players in the Australian team. I’ve given cricket my all. I haven’t been performing consistently over the last 12-18 months. I believe now is the right time to be making this decision,” said an emotional Ponting with the entire Australian squad by his side at the press conference. Nicknamed ‘Punter’ by Shane Warne for his penchant for a bet (punt) on the greyhounds, Ponting has scored 41 centuries, third in the all-time list behind Tendulkar (51) and South African Jacques Kallis (44). Against India, he has scored 2555 Test runs from 29 matches and 51 innings at an average of 54.36 with the 257 in the first innings in the third Test in Melbourne in December 2003 being the highest. He has three double tons, five centuries and 12 half centuries against India. The right-handed batsman, however, has a poor record on Indian soil with just 662 runs from 14 matches and 25 innings spread over six tours with an ordinary average of 26.48. He has hit just a century in India — the 123 in the first innings of the Bangalore Test in October 2008. He has five half centuries in India. There were reports that Ponting met the selectors ahead of the third Test after failing to perform in the two games of the high-profile three-match series, but he said he was quitting on his own terms. “I’m glad I have got the opportunity to finish on my terms. This is a decision not made by the selectors, it was made by me,” he said. Ponting’s wife Rianna and two daughters Emmy and Mattise along with manager James Henderson were with him for the announcement. He said he would continue to play for Tasmania this season. Ponting will equal former captain Steve Waugh’s record of of 168 Tests when he retires, the most in the history of Australian cricket. The Tasmanian is the highest Australian run-scorer of all time and has been described as the greatest Australian batsman after Sir Donald Bradman. Following a poor start to the Test series with low scores in Brisbane and Adelaide, Ponting said he was troubled by the “tentative” manner of his dismissals. Asked about his future plans after retirement, Ponting gestured towards his wife and children and said, “I’ve got a few months of cricket yet, which I am really looking forward to. I really enjoyed the start of this season playing cricket with Tasmania and back with some of my mates. “I haven’t spent a lot of time for near on the last 20 years. So I’ll enjoy that for what it is, but this is my new team here,” Ponting said, pointing to his family. As for the question of his contribution to cricket, Ponting had a simple answer. “I know I’ve given cricket my all. It’s been life for 20 years. Not much more I can give,” he said. Addressing the press conference after Ponting left the scene, a teary Australian captain Michael Clarke was so overwhelmed by emotion that he could not answer a question to reflect on his predecessor’s retirement. “I didn’t have a feeling it was coming. Ricky spoke to me after the Adelaide Test match and made his decision I guess over the last few days. The boys are obviously hurting at the moment. He’s been an amazing player for a long time … and that’ll do me for today. Sorry, I can’t answer that.” Ponting has managed just 20 runs from three innings in two Tests so far against South Africa. He has not scored a century since the 221 against India in Adelaide in January this year. Ponting has won more Tests as captain (48 out of 77 matches) than any other Australian and has an astonishing success rate of almost 72 percent as the country’s one-day leader, winning 164 of his 228 games. He had already called a halt on his captaincy of the Test and one-day team in March last year, but continued as a player. . Despite skippering Australia in more than 300 Test and one-day matches, taking over from Steve Waugh, his magnificent innings were blighted by three Ashes series losses as captain. As captain he oversaw a painful transition in Australian cricket in the wake of several high-profile retirements, including Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer. But even with such greats in the ranks, Ponting, as captain, lost the 2005 Ashes in England. Despite engineering a 5-0 revenge in the ensuing home series in 2006/07, he again lost in 2009 and 2010/11. That last failure was badly received in Australia — it was their first Ashes loss at home for 24 years and followed a series of defeats by Ponting-led teams. Australia lost a home series against South Africa for the first time in 2008/09 and a two-match series in India in 2010. Ponting had a rocky beginning in the public eye and was banned for three matches in 1999 by the (then) Australian Cricket Board following an early-morning brawl in a Sydney bar. A contrite Ponting, with a blackened eye, gave a press conference the next day to apologise, but he matured into a valued mentor in the Australian team over time. His fierce competitiveness also brought him trouble. He was reprimanded by the International Cricket Council for damaging a dressing room television in an angry reaction to being run out against Zimbabwe at the World Cup in India. Ponting is known as a campaigner against cancer and established The Ponting Foundation with his wife Rianna to raise money for young Australians afflicted by the disease.  |
| Ricky Ponting is leader by example, says Cricket Australia Posted: 29 Nov 2012 01:30 AM PST 
 Cricket Australia Thursday paid lavish tribute to retiring former captain Ricky Ponting, describing him as a "leader by example" and one of the "best prepared players in the modern game".
Ponting, Australia’s 366th Test player and 42nd Test captain, announced that the Perth Test against South Africa starting Friday will be his last. It will be his 168th Test for Australia, equalling Steve Waugh's record as most Tests played by an Australian. CA Chairman Wally Edwards said Ponting's decision was typical of the way he had approached his cricket since becoming a first-class player in his teens and a Test player at 20.
"Ricky is always uncompromisingly straightforward and leads from the front he has made a decision that he believes is best for him, his family and his team," Edwards said. "On behalf of Australian cricket, I congratulate him for his outstanding achievements as a batsman, captain and, after he stood down as captain, leader by example". CA Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said he and Ponting had exchanged messages earlier today after he made his decision overnight. "Ricky has had an extraordinary career and has made an extraordinary contribution, including through the example he has set for other elite players and through the excitement he has given fans, young and old," Sutherland said. "There is much to admire, including his pride in his roots at his local cricket club that he spoke so eloquently of at last month’s Bradman Oration, through to the fact that he takes to the field tomorrow for his 168th Test as one of the best prepared players in the modern game. "I think his record until he retired as captain was outstanding but my respect for him since then has actually increased, seeing first-hand how he stepped back to become a total team player, absolutely committed to his captain, unstinting in his work to help other players and single-minded in his view that everything, including his own ambition, must always be second place after whatever was best for the team," he added. Sutherland said it was too early to discuss yet, but he sincerely hoped Ponting would stay connected to the game in an official capacity after his Test career and after captaining the Prime Minister's Xl in Canberra in the New Year.  |
| Kevin Pietersen rested for T20 but named in ODI squad #IndvsEng Posted: 29 Nov 2012 01:00 AM PST 
 Star batsman Kevin Pietersen returned to the ODI side but was rested from the Twenty20 Internationals as England announced their squads for the limited-over series against India starting next month.
Pietersen, who returned to the Test side for the ongoing series after being sidelined due to the text message scandal during the home rubber against South Africa earlier this year, did not figure in the 13-strong England squad for the two T20 Internationals in Pune (Dec 20) and Mumbai (Dec 22). He was, however, named in the 15-member ODI squad for the five-match series which begins at Rajkot on January 11. Pietersen played his last ODI in February against Pakistan in Dubai and was not picked for the home ODI series against South Africa following the text message scandal.
Off-spinner Graeme Swann, who contributed substantially in England’s 10-wicket defeat of India in the second Test, has been omitted from both the squads as the England and Wales Cricket Board went for rotational policy. Stuart Broad will lead the Twenty20 side which has Surrey pace bowler Stuart Meaker as the only uncapped player. Two members of the 13-man squad were not involved in England’s recent ICC World T20 campaign — James Tredwell and Stuart Meaker. Steven Finn, who missed the first two matches of the ongoing Test series against India due to an injury, figured only in the ODI squad to be led by Alastair Cook. Fast bowler James Anderson will be in the squad for the warm-up fixtures and first three ODI matches only. He will be replaced by Stuart Broad for the two remaining ODIs, an ECB release said. National selector Geoff Miller said the ECB will have to resort to the rotation of players to manage their workload, apparently in view of the back-to-back Ashes Series coming up. “We are constantly looking to manage the workload of players as effectively as possible and this winter is no different so there are number of players who are being rested for parts of the winter programme. This will enable them to take part in fitness and conditioning programmes in preparation for a busy 2013,” he said. “We have selected squads containing experienced international players alongside younger players who have impressed playing for England Lions and the England Performance Programme recently and who deserve an opportunity to establish themselves in the England side,” said Miller. “We know that playing limited-overs cricket in India can be challenging but the T20 and ODI series provide an excellent opportunity for these players to show that they have learnt valuable lessons from the last ODI series against India and improved as players in sub-continent conditions,” he added. England T20 Squad: Stuart Broad (C), Jonny Bairstow, Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Jos Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Alex Hales, Michael Lumb, Stuart Meaker, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, James Tredwell, Luke Wright. England ODI Squad: Alastair Cook (capt), Jonny Bairstow, Ian Bell, Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Craig Kieswetter, Stuart Meaker, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, Kevin Pietersen, James Tredwell, Jonathan Trott, James Anderson/Stuart Broad.  |
| Pakistan to rely on pacers to win series in India, says Mohammad Hafeez Posted: 29 Nov 2012 12:30 AM PST 
 Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez on Wednesday said they would rely on their pace attack to win the upcoming One-Day International series in India.
Hafeez’s remarks come at a time when England crushed India by 10 wickets in the Mumbai Test with their spinners Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann sharing 19 wickets on a sharp turning track. “Historically our pacers have always troubled the Indian batsmen in India and this time also we will be banking on them to do the same thing again,” Hafeez told reporters. Hafeez said they have quality spinners as well but they have not been very successful against Asian countries.
“There is no doubt that Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridi are world class bowlers but against Asian teams they have not had the same degree of success as opposed to other sides. “The reason for this is that batsmen belonging to Asian teams tend to play spinners well. That is one reason why teams touring India always try to outgun the Indian team through their pace attack. “ Hafeez said Pakistani pacers selected for the tour will also have to be at their best. “If our pace bowlers bowl well and get wickets there is no reason why we cant win the series in India,” he said.  |
| Shakib Al Hasan to miss first two ODIs against West Indies #BanvsWI Posted: 29 Nov 2012 12:00 AM PST 
 Bangladesh are out to salvage pride against the West Indies in a five-match one-day series starting on Friday but will be missing star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan for the first two games.
The West Indies cantered to a 2-0 win in this month’s Test series and the loss of 25-year-old Shakib, who suffered a shin injury during the second Test, will be a major blow to the struggling home side. Captain Mushfiqur Rahim put on a brave face over the loss of Shakib, who will be absent from a Bangladesh ODI line-up for the first time since the 2008 Asia Cup in Pakistan. “It (playing without Shakib) will be a big challenge,” the skipper said.
“But we always plan to play consistent cricket. We are playing ODI cricket after a long time. They have a strong one-day side but we will use the Asia Cup memories to inspire us,” said Rahim. Bangladesh beat one-day heavyweights India and Sri Lanka on their way to the final of the Asia Cup on home soil in March this year before narrowly losing in the final to Pakistan. It was their most recent one-day match. West Indies, buoyant after winning the Test series, have injury problems of their own as they prepare for the first match in Khulna, with spearhead Tino Best ruled out of the series with a hamstring injury. Best, who took a maiden five-wicket haul in the first Test in Dhaka and six wickets in Bangladesh’s second innings of the second Test, has been replaced by uncapped fast bowler Jason Holder in the ODI squad. West Indies captain Darren Sammy said he was happy with the balance of his squad. “The nucleus of the team is quite settled. The guys have been performing consistently in the past six to 12
months, which is a good sign,” said Sammy, whose side won the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka last month. West Indies will be boosted by the return of fast bowler Kemar Roach, who missed the Tests due to a knee injury. They also boast a star-studded batting line-up led by the powerful Chris Gayle, who is backed up by Marlon Samuels, Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Smith. Despite his team’s strengths, Sammy said Bangladesh were tough opponents. “The Bangladesh team is an exciting one-day team, so is the West Indies,” he said. “And the fans are passionate about cricket. I am looking forward to the series.” Bangladesh have included uncapped Mominul Hoque as a replacement for the injured Shakib in the first two matches after the 21-year-old left-hander impressed in trial matches this week. The second ODI, on December 2, is also in Khulna, with the remaining three matches in Dhaka on December 5, 7 and 8. The two sides are also playing a single Twenty20 international in Dhaka on December 10.  |
| Ricky Ponting to retire after 3rd Test against South Africa at Perth #AusvsSA Posted: 28 Nov 2012 11:29 PM PST 
 Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting called time on his 17-year Test career, announcing that this week’s clash against South Africa in Perth will be his last.
“This Test will be my last,” he said at a hastily-called press conference on Thursday, adding that he will continue to play for Tasmania in the domestic competition this summer. Ponting, who turns 38 next month, has failed in three innings against the Proteas during draws in Brisbane and Adelaide and pressure has been building on the veteran ahead of Friday’s series decider in Perth. Perth will be a fitting conclusion to a remarkable career. It is where he debuted against Sri Lanka in 1995 and by playing Friday he will equal Steve Waugh’s mark of 168 Test matches — the most in the history of Australian cricket.
After being made Australian captain in 2004, the right-hander went onto become one of the country’s greatest cricketers. The Tasmanian, who has 13,366 Test runs to his name — including 41 centuries with only Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar scoring more — said he knew it was time to call it a day. “Over the last couple of weeks my level of performance hasn’t been good enough,” said Ponting, who had already been dumped from the one-day and Twenty20 international squads. “My passion and love for the game hasn’t changed but at the end of the day (the decision) was based on my results. “In this series so far they have not been up to the level required of batsmen and players in the Australian team. “I’m glad I have got the opportunity to finish on my terms.” An emotional Michael Clarke, the current captain, said Ponting would be sorely missed and his announcement took him by surprise. “I didn’t have a feeling it was coming,” he said of his friend and mentor. “Ricky spoke to me after Adelaide and obviously made his decision over the last few days. “The boys (team) are obviously hurting right now. He’s been an amazing player for a long time.” Clarke added that the announcement would only fire up the side to win the third Test, where the number one ranking in Test cricket will be on the line. “It will only give us more inspiration,” said Clarke as he fought back tears. In a statement, Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland described Ponting as one of the best players ever to pad up for his country. “Ricky has had an extraordinary career and has made an extraordinary contribution, including through the example he has set for other elite players and through the excitement he has given fans, young and old,” he said. “I think his record until he retired as captain was outstanding but my respect for him since then has actually increased, seeing first-hand how he stepped back to become a total team player.  |
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