Twenty20 seriousness on par with one-day cricket, Tests: Clarke

Published>Thu, Apr 29 10 02:22 PM

St. Lucia, Apr 29(ANI): Australian skipper Michael Clarke has made an astonishing claim that Twenty20 cricket has the same status as one-day and Test cricket.

"It's the same - it's exactly the same. For me, it's as serious as a one-day match or a Test match. There are blokes in this squad who haven't played Test cricket. They haven't played one-day cricket. It's the ultimate for them," the Fox News quoted Clarke, as saying.

"It's become exactly the same as one-day and Test cricket. It's a form of the game that we want to be the best in the world at. We're not there yet, we're improving, but this is a way for us to start," he added.

The 29-year-old further said that from a player's point of view the shortest version of the game is no more a marketing vehicle to swell audiences and attract new fans.

"There's no such thing as a game of hit and giggle. That's something that has changed. It used to be about putting on a show, entertaining the crowd. But from a player point of view, that is no longer the case," Clarke said.

Clarke also revealed that he has approached the Cricket Australia (CA) management over altering its contract system to include Twenty20 specialists.

"I've told Cricket Australia that they should have contracts. I think there should be a Twenty20 contract introduced. I know once you play a certain number of Twenty20 games you can get upgraded to a Cricket Australia contract," he said. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Styris stars in Black Caps amazing win against Windies in T20 WC warm-up tie

Published>Thu, Apr 29 10 02:18 PM

Georgetown (Guyana), Apr 29(ANI): A four-wicket haul by New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris led the Black Caps to a remarkable seven-run win against the West Indies in a Twenty20 World Cup warm-up cricket game at Providence Stadium in Guyana.

Styris' haul of four for 18 sparked a West Indies collapse, which saw them lose nine wickets for 31, as they slumped to 117 in their 20 overs while chasing a paltry target of 125.

At once stage the Windies looked to be marching home with openers Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Chris Gayle scoring 68 for the first wicket in nine overs.

Chanderpaul scored 53 off 47, including four fours and two sixes, while Gayle smashed 35 from 27 balls, including a four and four sixes.

Gayle's dismissal triggered the batting collapse, as Styris dismissed Dwayne Bravo in his first over and then sent Ramnaresh Sarwan and Narsingh Deonarine packing in his next before returning later to dismiss D Sammy, Stuff.co.nz reports.

Other significant contributions from New Zealand bowlers came from fast bowler Shane Bond, who finished with two for 15 off 3.4 overs, and skipper Daniel Vettori, with two for 46.

Earlier, New Zealand chose to bat first, but suffered a spectacular collapse to be 37 for six in the 10th over.

However, they staggered to 124 with Ross Taylor top-scoring with 50 off 35 balls, including two fours and four sixes, and a late surge by Jacob Oram scoring 46 not out off 40 balls, including three fours and two sixes.

The pair cracked 60 off 7.3 overs before Taylor was bowled by paceman Ravi Rampaul.

Brief Scorecard:

New Zealand: 124-8 (Ross Taylor 50, Jacob Oram 36 not out; Sulieman Benn 2-12)

West Indies: 117 all out (Shivnarine Chanderpaul 53, Chris Gayle 35; Scott Styris 4-18) (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Bopara leads England to easy 7 wicket win over Bangladesh in T20 WC warm-up tie

Published>Thu, Apr 29 10 02:08 PM

Bridgetown (Barbados), Apr 29(ANI): England batsman Ravi Bopara steered the Three Lions to a seven-wicket win against Bangladesh in their Twenty20 World Cup warm-up game at the Kensington Oval, Barbados.

Bopara scored 62 from 48 balls after being sent in to bat at number three, and shared stands of 45 with Craig Kieswetter and then 71 in 56 balls with Paul Collingwood to help England chase 127 with almost three overs to spare.

Bopara needed the odd stroke of luck, but his 44-ball fifty, completed with his sixth four, means that he is well and truly back in contention after a winter away, the Times Online reports.

Kieswetter scored 22 off 16 balls, while Collingwood was unbeaten on 32 off 27 balls.

Earlier, Bangladesh chose to bat first, but struggled with the spin of Michael Yardy, who finished with three for 20 in his four overs to restrict the minnows to 126 for seven.

Yardy claimed his first international wicket for almost three years when Mohammad Ashraful was caught down the leg-side for 21.

His other victims were Aftab Ahmed (eight) and Shakib Al Hasan (seven).

Mahmudullah, who remained unbeaten on 38 from 31 balls, was the only batsman to keep the scoreboard ticking for Bangladesh.

Fast bowler Jimmy Anderson made a successful comeback after a break to recuperate from a sore knee, and claimed two wickets.

Brief Scorecard:

Bangladesh: 126-7 (Mahmudullah not out 38, Mohammad Ashraful 21; Yardy 3-20)

England: 127-3 (Ravi Bopara 62, Paul Collingwood 32) (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Styris stars in Black Caps amazing win against Windies in T20 WC warm-up tie

Published>Thu, Apr 29 10 01:52 PM

Georgetown (Guyana), Apr 29(ANI): A four-wicket haul by New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris led the Black Caps to a remarkable seven-run win against the West Indies in a Twenty20 World Cup warm-up cricket game at Providence Stadium in Guyana.

Styris' haul of four for 18 sparked a West Indies collapse, which saw them lose nine wickets for 31, as they slumped to 117 in their 20 overs while chasing a paltry target of 125.

At once stage the Windies looked to be marching home with openers Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Chris Gayle scoring 68 for the first wicket in nine overs.

Chanderpaul scored 53 off 47, including four fours and two sixes, while Gayle smashed 35 from 27 balls, including a four and four sixes.

Gayle's dismissal triggered the batting collapse, as Styris dismissed Dwayne Bravo in his first over and then sent Ramnaresh Sarwan and Narsingh Deonarine packing in his next before returning later to dismiss D Sammy, Stuff.co.nz reports.

Other significant contributions from New Zealand bowlers came from fast bowler Shane Bond, who finished with two for 15 off 3.4 overs, and skipper Daniel Vettori, with two for 46.

Earlier, New Zealand chose to bat first, but suffered a spectacular collapse to be 37 for six in the 10th over.

However, they staggered to 124 with Ross Taylor top-scoring with 50 off 35 balls, including two fours and four sixes, and a late surge by Jacob Oram scoring 46 not out off 40 balls, including three fours and two sixes.

The pair cracked 60 off 7.3 overs before Taylor was bowled by paceman Ravi Rampaul.

Brief Scorecard:

New Zealand: 124-8 (Ross Taylor 50, Jacob Oram 36 not out; Sulieman Benn 2-12)

West Indies: 117 all out (Shivnarine Chanderpaul 53, Chris Gayle 35; Scott Styris 4-18) (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Amateur Barron banks hopes on All Whites selection

Published>Thu, Apr 29 10 01:48 PM

While New Zealand's central bank was leaving the official cash rate unchanged at a record low on Thursday, Westpac senior operations administrator Andy Barron was stretching at a sun drenched North Harbour Stadium.

The 29-year-old, who works for the bank's wealth division and helps manage about NZ$1 billion ($718.4 million) of "high net-worth" customers' investment portfolios, was instead pinning his hopes on making the All Whites team for the World Cup finals.

"To be on that plane would be fantastic," the midfielder told reporters at the All Whites' pre-World Cup training camp for Australasian-based players in Auckland. "Obviously the next two weeks are crucial.

"It's about personal performance and making sure that I bring quality to the training and hopefully I will be on the plane."

Barron made his international debut in 2006 and has accumulated 14 caps.

"I have thought about that. I can't imagine there will be too many others there," Barron said when asked how he felt being one of the few amateurs in South Africa.

His employers had been "fantastic" giving him time off work for international duty. Last year he had 10 weeks off as the All Whites played in the Confederations Cup.

"Thankfully Westpac have come to the party (and given me) two weeks special leave (for the camp).

"If it all works out (and he is selected) then it could be potentially for another seven to eight weeks, but we will cross that bridge when we get to it."

Barron, who normally plays in front of hundreds of people for Wellington in the domestic league, said he was not unnerved by playing in front of 35,000 like he had when he came off the bench in the Asia/Oceania qualifier against Bahrain last November.

"I have been involved with the All Whites for four years now, so I am used to it and feel comfortable in that environment.

"The more you play, the more you come into the environment the more you lift your quality.

"You just forget they're (the crowd) there. I've played a few times now and all you do is get in there and do your job."

Barron, who has been mainly used as a replacement for central midfielders Simon Elliott or Tim Brown, said if selected he would not be going to South Africa to make up the numbers.

"I think that when I came on against Bahrain (it showed) that I can do that job," he said.

"I don't just want to be there to make up the 23. It's about getting there, then getting on the park and playing against the best teams in the world. I will be pushing for that as much as I can."

New Zealand have been drawn in Group F of the June 11-July 11 finals alongside holders Italy, Slovakia and Paraguay.

Source: Web Search

Shahbad Academy enter All-India Women Hockey final

Published Thu, Apr 29 10 01:38 PM

Bhopal, Apr 29 (PTI) Shahbad Academy defeated Chandigarh Academy 4-1 to enter the final of the All-India Women Hockey tournament being played here. Shahbad Academy played attacking and fast hockey right from the beginning of the semifinal match yesterday and opened their account in the 20th minute through a field goal by Harpreet Kaur. Just nine minutes later Sandeep Kaur converted a penalty corner to swell the difference. In the second-half Ramnik Kaur scored a field goal in the 41st minute, while Jaspreet Kaur converted a penalty corner in the 50th minute to take the lead to 4-0. The Chandigarh team, however, reduced the difference when Jayanti converted a penalty corner in the 63rd minute. In the other semifinal, Madhya Pradesh Academy will take on Haryana Academy tonight.

Source: Web Search

''Lee gutted but can come back after five weeks''

Published Thu, Apr 29 10 01:18 PM

Melbourne, Apr 29 (PTI) Australian fast bowler Brett Lee is "gutted" by his latest injury which ruled him out of the Twenty20 World Cup but it is unlikely to end his international career, Cricket Australia physiotherapist said. Lee suffered a right arm muscle strain during Australia''s loss to Zimbabwe on Tuesday in a T20 World Cup warm-up match but team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said the injury was unrelated to the career-threatening surgery on the same arm last year that precipitated his retirement from Test cricket. A dejected Lee, who has replaced by Ryan Harris in the Australian squad, flew out of St Lucia and will consult a specialist when he reaches Sydney. "He was very disappointed -- gutted. In the last 12 months he has hardly played and he has had four different injuries. He had ankle surgery early last year, he had that side strain in England, and then he got that elbow injury after that. One is sort of a consequence of another," Kountouris said. He said Lee could be back to bowling within five weeks, opening the door for him to play for Australia in their one-day series tour of England in June. "It''s serious enough to send him home, but I think as a long-term injury it shouldn''t be that serious. It''s basically a strain on his forearm muscle just on the inside of his elbow. His long-term future is not the problem, he is going to miss this tournament which is a big tournament," Kountouris was quoted as saying by ''Herald Sun''. "It could take weeks. If it''s still sore in a week''s time it might take five weeks for him to comeback. If he wants to come back from this he can. If he wants to rehab it, he''ll be fine. In 12 months from now, he''s not going to have an issue," he added. Kountouris said it was an unusual injury and the frustrating thing for Lee was that it came in his very last over in the warm-up match. "It was fine during the game and he said in his last over, third or fourth ball, he got really sore. It''s a bit of an unusual injury. We don''t see a lot of them. "The issue now is whether Lee can summon the mental strength for yet another comeback for a body that keeps asking: when is enough enough? It''s whether he wants to keep doing it and so far he has. He has been motivated." PTI PDS DB

Source: Web Search