Gabba holds no fear for England

Skipper Alastair Cook accepts England will probably need to raise their game a notch or two to win a fourth straight Ashes series but almost scoffed at suggestions the tourists were running scared.

Despite the first Ashes series of the year having concluded so recently, the war of words before the second five-match encounter has been as intense as ever and Australia’s David Warner said this week that he detected fear in the tourists.

England have good reason to feel confident having dominated the home Ashes series 3-0 and Cook said his experienced side were taking all the pre-match hype in their stride.

“We certainly don’t fear anyone, that’s quite clear by the way we go about our business,” he told reporters at the Gabba, where the first test gets underway on Thursday.

“We’re a very competitive side and there’s no reason to fear any side out there. We don’t really concentrate on what people say about us, it’s about how we play in that first hour tomorrow.

“There’s been a lot of words said, but when it comes to 10 o’clock tomorrow morning, that’s all irrelevant.”

England’s one injury concern before the first test is the strained calf of wicketkeeper Matt Prior but Cook sounded reasonably confident that stand-in Jonny Bairstow would not be required.

“He’s (Prior) got the last part of his fitness to go now, yesterday he trained really well and came through all that we asked of him,” he said.

“With leg injuries, it’s usually about how you pull up the next day after a rigorous session. We’ll know pretty soon.”

Vice captain Prior, with his leg heavily strapped but clearly mobile, remained on the Gabba pitch training long after most of his team mates had packed up on Wednesday.

Prior and Cook were key members of the England line-up that contributed a torrent of runs three years ago when England won the Ashes in Australia for the first time in 24 years.

GOOD PLACE

Cook alone contributed a remarkable 766 runs at an average of 128 but was less spectacular in the first Ashes series of this year as England’s top order rarely caught fire on the slow pitches back home.

“That’s an area where we know we have to get better, we were 30 for three several times in that series and I was part of that,” he said.

“I’m happy with the way I’ve played in these warm-up games. Who knows what’s going to happen, but I feel in a good place right now.”

The feeling that England won on home soil with something to spare is one of the reasons for their confidence coming into this series and Cook suggested Australian conditions might suit their vaunted batsmen better.

“We know how important first innings runs are in Australia, if you want to set the game up, you have to score big,” he said.

“The wickets here are slightly easier to score runs on than in England, it’s the job of the batsmen to set the game up.”

Cook’s brilliant 235 not out at the Gabba in 2010 only contributed to a draw for the visitors as Australia maintained their record of not having lost to England at the ground since 1986.

Australia consider the Gabba their test match fortress and England can expect a less than welcoming reception from the Queensland public on Thursday.

That will be especially the case for paceman Stuart Broad, whose refusal to walk at Trent Bridge in the opening test of the first series infuriated many in Australia.

Cook, though, was confident the barracking would only spur on his team mate.

“He’s a very combative character, he’s an in-your-face kind of cricketer, I like that about him,” Cook said.

“Every time you give him a challenge… he’s stood up and delivered. He’s done that a number of times for England, a magic spell of bowling.

“He’s got the ability to change games. He looks in fine fettle with the ball and he’s raring to go.” 

 

Clarke gives nothing away on Ashes eve

Australia captain Michael Clarke said he was not going to promise his country “the world” on the eve of the first Ashes test.

In fact, the 32-year-old offered almost nothing by way of insight into Australia’s preparations in his final news conference before the battle with England resumes at the Gabba on Thursday.

Clarke would put to shame many politicians with his ability to talk without giving much away and his caution is perhaps understandable given he leads a team which has lost seven and drawn two of its last nine tests.

England were responsible for three of those defeats and shared the two draws in the opening rubber of the unique Ashes double-header earlier this year to retain the coveted urn for the second successive series.

So, despite a palpable sense of renewed optimism in the Australia camp, Clarke was not going to be drawn into leaving any hostages to fortune.

“I’m not going to sit here and promise the world and tell you everything’s going to be different,” Clarke told reporters.

“It’s going to be a tough battle like it was in England, we have to play our best cricket to have success no matter what conditions we’re playing in.”

Clarke swatted aside any questions about the England team with the same briskness he will hope to punish any loose bowling from the English over the next seven weeks.

Australia named a 12-man squad for the test last week and, with better news about Shane Watson’s ability to bowl, the only question is whether they go with a fourth paceman in James Faulkner or a spinner in Nathan Lyon.

Clarke made it very clear that as he is no longer a selector it would not be his call, but strongly suggested Australia should go with Lyon at the Gabba, where England have not won a test since 1986.

“The wicket looks fantastic, I think it’s a really good pitch, I think it’s going to offer pace and bounce for the bowlers, and that includes spin,” he said.

“I think spin’s had success at the Gabba because of the bounce rather than the spin.

“It’s one of the best wickets in the world to play test cricket on because it does offer good pace and bounce so your bowlers are always interested … but once you get in, it’s as good a place to bat as anywhere in the world.

“I wouldn’t imagine the conversation is about the conditions, I think it’s probably about choosing the best 11 to help us win this test match.”

As for Watson, Clarke said the all-rounder was making good progress with his recovery from a hamstring injury and would probably contribute something with the ball during the test.

“I don’t think he’ll be 100 percent and can bowl 25 overs in the first innings of a test match,” he said.

“But as we’ve seen Watto’s improved every day and I’m really confident he’ll be able to bat at his best and do a job with the ball for us.”

As for his other comments, Clarke offered that the uncapped George Bailey “was a great guy to have around”, while his take on the influence of coach Darren Lehmann was the revelatory insight that “Boof’s Boof”.

A ripple of expectation went around the room when Clarke said the batting order had been decided but he dashed the hopes of the media when he said it would not be “right” to announce it before the team was named at the toss on Thursday morning. 

 

Bailey Books Ashes Berth

Australia have included uncapped George Bailey in their 12-man squad for the first Ashes encounter against England next week in a gamble the 31-year-old can replicate his “extraordinary” limited overs form in the test arena.

The righthanded batsman, who is likely to play at number six, boasts a first class average of 38 and earned his call-up on the back of his captaincy of Australia in the recent one-day series against India.

Bailey’s batting success in India, a trip captain Michael Clarke skipped to rest his back injury, earned him the nod ahead of his Tasmania team mate Alex Doolan on Tuesday.

“George Bailey has been in fantastic form with the bat,” head selector John Inverarity said at the team announcement in Brisbane.
“His confidence is riding high, his performance in international one day cricket has been quite extraordinary and he’s very deserving of his opportunity.”

Erratic fast bowler Mitchell Johnson was, as expected, recalled to join Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris in the pace attack for the test at the Gabba in Brisbane, which starts on November 21.

James Faulkner, who made his debut in the final test of the first Ashes series earlier this year, was included but is most likely to play only if fellow all-rounder Shane Watson fails to recover sufficiently from a hamstring injury to bowl.

“In that 12 you’ve got considerable facility, we could play five batsmen and five bowlers or we could play four quicks and no spinners and three quicks and one spinner,” Inverarity said.

“Shane is progressing very well in regaining his fitness and we’re confident he’ll be fit to play. We’re not sure, with nine days to go, to what extent he’ll be able to bowl.”

With Mitchell Starc, Jackson Bird and James Pattinson all unavailable through injury, Johnson gets a chance to resurrect his reputation in what will be his first Ashes action since the 3-1 series defeat in Australia three years ago.

“He’s in good rhythm and bowling with good pace and we’re confident he’ll acquit himself very well and be a bowler to the fore in our attack,” Inverarity said.

Australia face the prospect of a fourth successive Ashes series defeat over the next two months with matches in Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney following the Brisbane opener.

With the emphasis on stability and experience — seven of the squad are over 30 — there was no shock selection like that of spinner Ashton Agar before the opening test of the first series of the year, which England won 3-0.

Agar’s international career has since stalled and Nathan Lyon, who seems destined to approach every test with a question mark over his name, retained his place in squad.

“The spinner’s position is greatly watched because of how great Shane Warne was,” said captain Clarke.

“But I think Lyon-o’s done fantastic in international cricket. He’s played a lot for us, he’s a wonderful guy and I think he’ll have a fantastic summer.”

Squad: Chris Rogers, David Warner, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (captain), Steve Smith, George Bailey, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, Nathan Lyon, James Faulkner.

McGain debuts as Australia bat in final Test

Ricky Ponting won his sixth toss in a row against South Africa and decided to have a bat on what he contently termed “a good wicket” in Cape Town.

Jacques Kallis has spent the better part of the last couple days trying to put everyone at ease as to how he was made captain in the absence of an injured Graeme Smith, but there was still a fair amount of apparent reluctance. Having to field first against a form line-up is no envious way to start a Test South Africa need to win to avert a whitewash.

Phillip Hughes avoids a bouncer.

Spin has played more of a role at Newlands than any other venue in the country and with Marcus North failing to come up from his illness the journeyman leg spinner Bryce McGain was finally handed a debut. The last few months have not been short of drama for McGain – his first tour with Australia was cut short in October when he was sent home from India with tendon damage in his shoulder and his second trip began with a missed flight. At 36 years and 359 days, McGain has become Australia’s oldest debutant since Bob Holland in 1984.

As expected, South Africa went in with a new-look opening pair of the debutant Imraan Khan and returning Ashwell Prince. The allrounder Albie Morkel makes his Test debut, replacing brother Morne.

It has been a dramatic switch for both teams since the previous series. Australia have turned around their fortunes dramatically, with rookies playing key roles, and in doing so they have managed to pass on the restless, testy cape they wore at home to South Africa. Under a steely blue Cape Town morning sky, the heat is definitely on the hosts.

Australia 1 Phillip Hughes, 2 Simon Katich, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Hussey, 5 Michael Clarke, 6 Brad Haddin (wk), 7 Andrew McDonald, 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Peter Siddle, 10 Bryce McGain, 11 Ben Hilfenhaus.

South Africa 1 Imraan Khan, 2 Ashwell Prince, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Jacques Kallis (capt), 5 AB de Villiers, 6 JP Duminy, 7 Mark Boucher (wk), 8 Albie Morkel, 9 Paul Harris, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Makhaya Ntini.

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Preview: First Test Australia vs South Africa

This might be the golden phase of South African cricket “But” the ghost of Wanderers has always haunted the home side. If the Proteas want the top echelon, they have to drop this monkey off their back and change the poor record they have at Johannesburg.

As South Africa’s test record on this ground is patchy; Australia has won the last two test matches one with an innings in 2002 and their previous visit in 2006 produced a thriller with the tourists managing to chase 292 on the last day of Test match. Even India and England have comfortably won against the home side on this hostile track.

Toss will play the decisive role at Jo’bourg where since 2000 all eight Test matches have produced a result, and six of these are won by the side who had the better of coin.

The first match of the Test series will be crucial as a positive result will definitely give the winning side the psychological edge.

South Africa will go with the same winning eleven with no weak links, making them the favorites. They have the likes of Hashim Amla and Paul Harris, exciting match winners Greame Smith and Dale Steyn, trusted lieutenants Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis, and Makayah Ntini, the nerves of steel comes in the likes of wonder kid JP Duminy.

Where as Australia will go with new faces; Philip Hughes will open with Katich, Ponting, Hussey, and Michael Clarke (unfit) will   complete the top order. Brad Haddin, who has been the new Australian hope in recent past will be holding the lower order with Andrew McDonald or Marcus North who will compete for the all rounder’s spot.

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Siddle on Song

Peter Siddle did the trick for Australia as he took four crucial wickets and wrapped up South African innings for 327 ,trailing by118 runs on the third day of the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Siddle sweat to home

South African tail enders irritated the inexperienced Australian bowling attack, advancing their score to 316 on the third day of the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Proteas playing without injured Graeme Smith, lost three wickets during the first session this morning, but dug in during the second session once difficult middle order batsman JP Duminy was dismissed LBW to Mitchell Johnson just after lunch.

Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher (78) and fast-bowler Morne Morkel (40) stabilised the innings without further loss, despite the best efforts of the young Australian bowlers.

In the morning session, surprise debutant Andrew McDonald had broken through to claim his first Test scalp as the Australians took three South African top-order wickets.

The newly-named ABC player of the year Johnson did most of the damage for Australia.

He had the dangerous Jacques Kallis caught at first slip by Matthew Hayden for 52 in the second over of play, then displayed brilliant fielding to run out AB de Villiers for 11.

One ball after Hashim Amla reached his 50, the South African nudged the ball to mid-wicket and non-striker AB de Villiers called him through for a quick single.

Johnson, fielding at mid-on, pounced on the ball and fired it back like a bullet to the striker’s end, finding the stumps with a direct hit and de Villiers short of his ground- To read the full story visit

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South Africa in Dire Straits

After drama in Perth, Boxing Day Test continued adding new twists in Thunder Down Under on Saturday which could be certainly called Australian, as hosts ripped the South African batting reducing them 198/7 at the stumps on day two.

As Brett Lee showed little to silence his critics it was unlikely Peter Siddle who had the best over tourists, driving Australia to position of edge with his 3 for 24 which include the priced wicket of South African captain Graeme Smith.

South Africa will need some gutsy performances from its tail to give themselves any realistic chance of comeback in the Test match.

Neil McKenzie’s poor run in Australia continued as he was dismissed by Siddle for a duck and was followed by Hashim Amla, who looked in supreme touch for his 26 before being brilliantly caught in covers by Andrew Symonds.

South Africa fought back, but their hopes were greatly dented when Nathan Hauritz’s off-spin got Kallis just before tea.

Proteas begun the day with a slight edge, but Australian tail once again stretched them with a mature 88 by Michael Clarke and shifted momentum towards Australia.

Resuming the day on 6-280, Australia, led my Clarke, took attack on Proteas, who apart from Dale Steyn, failed to dig through the Aussie lower order. Steyn took three wickets in morning, finishing 5-87- his 10th haul of five wickets or more in an innings. But last four wickets added invaluable 117 runs to the Australian total.

After taking three-and -half hours for his 36 on Friday, Clarke took just another 13 delivers to complete his fifty.

It was some poor decision making which gave Australia the all important lead as Proteas went on attacking the tail and allowing Clarke a relatively free ride in between.

Lee made some impression on speed gun as he broke 150km/h mark after ages, but failed on being effective and leaked 27 runs in opening four overs.

After another wicket less first spell by Lee, Ponting turned to most potent weapon Mitchell Johnson and was immediately rewarded with the wicket of Amla.

It was a different AB de Villiers than the one world saw in Perth. He spent 24 balls on zero and returned to dressing room immediately after Smith on 7 when he was beaten by pace of Siddle. South Africa were 5/132 and suddenly in a state of avoiding follow-on.

Veteran wicket keeper Mark Boucher gave Hauritz his second wicket, as he tried an attempted sweep shot and Mike Hussey accepted the gesture with both hands.

With South Africa in survival mode and JP Duminy (34) the only specialist batter on the crease, it will take another magical performance from Proteas to have any chance of wrapping the series in Melbourne.