Fifth world title beckons at home for Australia

In the off chance that Michael Clarke doesn't regain his fitness, it could put Australia under pressure without their experienced captain.

                                                                        

 The mid-90s marked the arrival of the Australian brand of cricket, and after not making it to the last four of the edition they hosted back in 1992, they began a streak of four consecutive finals out of which they won three successive titles, only to lose it to eventual winners India in 2011. The ICC World Cup returns to their home territory, and Australia would look to give their fans a winning spectacle, There are no aching limbs in the Team and under a new captain in either Michael Clarke or George Bailey, the players are raring to go in a bid to win an unprecedented fifth world title.

Group: PoolA

Captain: Michael Clarke/ George Bailey

Strengths

 Australia bat well and bat deep, and their past form is anything to go by, teams will find it difficult to dislodge the four-time champions in home conditions. Clarke, Shane Watson, Steve Smith and Brad Haddin remain among the batsmen from the 2011 World Cup, but their experience will be backed up by David Warner and Aaron Finch at the top. The presence of allrounders Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner gives them plenty of lower-order firepower to take them through in crunch situations.

Weaknesses

 Despite having very capable bowlers in their ranks, Australia's weak link remains their bowling as a unit. Home conditions will definitely be to their advantage, but the batting  powerplay can get the better of most bowling attacks. While Mitchell Johnson remains their most experienced frontline bowler, opposition teams could put pressure on the inexperienced others, and their lone spinner in Xavier Doherty could be a weak link. Australia have succeeded under both Clarke and stand-in captain Bailey, but in the off chance that Clarke doesn't regain his fitness, it could also put Australia under pressure without their experienced captain.

X-factor

 David Warner: Playing his first World Cup, the stocky left-hander is coming off a superb year in Test cricket and would like to leave an indelible mark on the 2015 edition, much like his predecessor Matthew Hayden did in 2007. Warner's typically aggressive starts can takr opposition teams by surprise and a strong Australian middle order can capitalise on that. His ability to score big also gives the team stability.

Dark horse

 A format known to be cruel for bowlers can be made game-changing by them as well. Josh Hazelwood had an excellent Test debut against in the preceding Onr-Day series against South Africa and emerged as one of the finds of the series in Australia. Hazelwood's five-wicket haul came in a losing cause, but he impressed with his pace and was almost a leaf out of Glenn McGrath's book of accuracy. He put behind a modest ODI debut in 2010, and looks a bowler for the future for Australia.

ODI from guide (last six months)

Australia-South Africa-Zimbabwe tri-series: Lost in final (Away)
V Pakistan: Won 3-0 (Away)
V South Africa: Won 4-1 (Home)

What they did in 2011 World Cup

 Under pressure to make it four championship in a row, Australia began their tournament brightly enough but were bogged down by the conditions in the subcontinent as well as poor form of some of their more influential players. They made it to the quater-finals with relative ease despite looking to Pakistan and a non-result aganist Sri Lanka in third place in Group A, but their tournament ended in their next game against India at Ahmedabad. Ricky Pointing, under the pump for his form, scored a backs-to-the-wall hundred, but the bowlers couldn't contain India's run-chase, thus ending their dream sequence of making five consecutive World Cup finals.

Squad

Michael Clarke (capt), George Bailey (v/c), Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin (wk), Josh Hazelwood, Mitchell Strac, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, David Warner, Shane Watson.

Fixtures 

February 14 v England, Melbourne
February 21 v Bangladesh, Brisbane
February 28 v New Zealand, Auckland
March 4 v Afghanistan, Perth
March 8 v Sri Lanka, Sydney
March 14 v Scotland, Hobrat

ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Preview

Cricket's most prestigious event returns to Trans-Tasman territory for the first time since 1992.

 Cricket's biggest prize is here. Yes! It's time for the ICC Cricket World Cup-one of the most widely followed global sporting events. The 11th edition of the quadrennial tournament will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. This is the second time that the World Cup is staged in Trans-Tasman territory since 1992. New Zealand and Sri Lanka will kick-off the 44-day tournament in Christchurch on February 14. After 48 matches, two of the best teams of the muli-nation event will lock horns in Melbourne on March 29 for the covered title.

How was the ODI format born?

 Rain washed off the first three days of the Ashes Test match between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The officials then decided to abandon the match and instead agreed to play a 40 eight-ball-over per side match on last day of the Test match thus the One-Day International format was born on January 5,1971.
 Although the birth of Twenty20 cricket has diminished the image of One-Day-International (ODI) cricket of late, the World Cup is still one of the most-awaited tournaments for an avid cricket fan.

How did the idea of a Cricket World Cup evolve?

 Limited-overs cricket began to gain popularity in the early 1960s when a number of English countries showed interest to adopt the shortened version of the game, that ended in a day. Spectators welcomed the One-Day format and soon many organisations started to stage a number of tournaments. The Internationals Cricket Conference, cricket governing body then, took note of One-Day cricket's growing reputation and came up with Ideas of staging in a Cricket World Cup and announced that England would host the first-ever Cricket World Cup in 1975.
 Since its inception, the World Cup has produced many memorable moments and this time too it promises to be a humdinger.

World Cup Winners

1975- West Indies
1979- West Indies
1983- India
1987- Australia
1992- Pakistan
1996- Sri lanka
1999- Australia
2003- Australia
2007- Australia
2011- India

Why is the tournament being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand?

 In 2006, Australia and New Zealand placed their placed their bids to ICC's executive committee, after expressing their willingness to host the 2011 World Cup. However, Asia (India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh) was awarded the tournament after winning by a margin of 7 votes to 4. The ICC then announced that the next edition (2015) would be awarded to Australia and New Zealand.

How different is the Tournament to the 2011 edition?

 You could see the World Cup being shared for the first time ever! Yes, you read that right Interestingly, the ICC has revealed that the trophy would be shared, if the final ends in a tie. During the 2011 edition, if a game ended in a tie during the knockout phase, there was a provision to use the One-Over Eliminator (Super Over) to decide the winner. However, this time around, the ICC has made it clear that it would not employ the Super Over rule for tied matches during the quatar-finals and the semi-final stages. Instead, the side finishing higher in the group stage will progress to the next round.

 TV viewers finishun will be able to hear the conversation between the on-field umpire and the third umpire whenever the Decision Review System (DRS) is employed. It is the latest addition to the DRS by the ICC to give more transparency into decision making and will help viewers know the different aspects taken into consideration while making a decision.

 Only 15 overs of field restrictions will apply, which is five overs lesser than the 2011 World Cup. However, this time, only four fielders wil be allowed outside the circle during non-powerplays overs, which is one lesser than the previous edition.

 Four years ago, there was a mandatory ball change after 34 overs of an innings. However. the ICC has Scraped the idea now and has announced that two new balls, one from each end, will be used during an innings.

 The ICC has increased the prize money by 20% from the previous edition. The winners prize money has been set as USD 3,975,000. If the team remains unbeaten in the group stage, the prize money would be added by USD 45,000, meaning that the total amount would be USD 4,245,000.

 While the number of participants (14) remains the same as previous World Cup, Afghanisthan, United Arab Emirates and Scotland will replace Canada, Kenya and Netherlands from the 2011 World Cup.

Format

 14 teams, spilt into pools of seven each, will play 42 games in the group stage, with each team playing each other once in their respective pools. The top four teams from eacg pool will make it to the quater-finals, from which four teams will be filtered to from the semi-finals line up. Two winners then qualify for the final.

Participants 

 The 10 full members of the ICC qualify automatically, while the top two teams of the 2011-13 World Cricket League (Ireland, Afghanistan) and the finalists of the 2014 World Cup Qualifier (Scotland, United Arab Emirates) from the 14-member contention.

Pool A                Pool B

England             South Africa

Australia            India

Sri Lanka           Pakistan

Bangladesh       West Indies

New Zealand     Zimbabwe

Afghanistan       Ireland

Scotland             United Arab Emirates

How the top 10 teams were pooled?

 It was according to the ICC ODI Championship rankings, as of 31 December 2012, that the top 10 full member nations were pooled into two groups. The team was ranked 1 (England) and 4 (Australia) went into Pool A, while teams 2 (South Africa) and 3 (India) went into Pool B. Teams 5 (Sri Lanka) and 8 (Bangladesh) were grouped in Pool A and teams 6 (pakistan) and 7 (West Indies) in Pool B. Teams 9 (New Zealand) and 10 (Zimbabwe) joined Pool A and Pool B respectively.

Did you know?

 After the 2011 World Cup, the ICC announced that the 2015 World Cup would be contested only among the 10 full member nations. This meant that the associate nations would be not to be eligible to participate and it drew heavy  criticism, especially from Ireland, who fared decently in 2007 and 2011. The ICC then reverted back to the 14-team format followed for the 2011 World Cup.

Venues

 Totally 14 grounds, 7 from Australia (Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobrat, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney) and New Zealand (Auckland, Christchruch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Napier, Nelson and Wellington) will host the World Cup. The final will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Out of the 49 matches, 26 will be hosted by Australia.

Who are the favourites?

India- Despite the absence of their key players from the 2011 World Cup squad, the defending champions have managed to piece together a formidable unit. Virat Kholi has grown in stature since the last edition of the World Cup and is breaking many records. Captain MS Dhoni has been as cool as ever and his role in the middle-order has been key to India's success. Bhuvmeshwar Kumr has proved the world that fat-bowling is not all about muscles. Mohammad Shami's accuracy has earned him the highest wicket-taker tag in 0DIs in 2014 and he plays a big role for the side with the ball. So overall, if the batting line-up clicks as a unit and the bowlers hold their nerve at the death, India are a tough side to beat on their day.

South Africa- Surely, if you have the names, Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers and JP Duminy, then you have one of the strongest batting line-up, if not the strongest, in the entire tournament. Moving focus to the bowling department, Dale Steyn superheads the attacks, while Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander from an integral part Boy! This has to be team on the paper. Give them the Cup! Oh hang on! Time and time again, the Proteas bring a strong to World Cups, but...

Australia- Home conditions give Australia a big chance to lift their fifth title. Although George Bailey has showed that he's a good enough leader, a fully-fit Michael Clarke would be vital to Australia's success. While David Warner's presence at the top-order comes as a plus, Shane Watson's role as an all-rounder is pivotal to the side. Glenn Maxwell has earned himself a reputation of being a game-changer, irrespective of the match situation. Mitchell Johnson's thunderbolts would be a batsman's nightmare on those bouncy pitches. All this forces one to rate the co-hosts highly.

Australia thrash England in final

Australia beat England by 112 runs

                                                                           

 Hello everyone and a warm welcome for the final match between Australia and England from the WACA, Perth. It's the big one, the final and although India aren't featuring in this match, a clash between the old enemies just before the start of the World Cup should make for a mouth watering clash. Australia will definitely start as favourites after going unbeaten into the final. England look like the only team who could beat them and came very close in the last match but today is another game and in a big final, anything can happen.
 The coin had spun Morgan's way and he said England will bowl. The game against India has greatly influenced his decisions and he thinks that the pitch got better as the game went on. Expects a similar thing today as well. They've gone in unchanged. George Bailey looks unsure of what he would have done but he hopes that the pitch will liven up in the afternoon. He has his trump card back. Yes, Mitchell Johnson is back and raring to go and that will be a sight to be hold as he runs in on a fast, bouncy track. The Aussies will need runs on the board. David Warner is doing well he says and will rejoin Finch at the top of the order.
 Good news for England is the fact that they have been beaten Australia in five out of seven games at Perth and that should give them more confidence going into the match. The pitch like always, has some cracks on it and the bounce at the WACA is a given. That being said, it has been a bit two-paced in the last game so it would be interesting to see what it turns out to be today.

 Australia lost early wickets after Eoin Morgan won the toss and elected o bowl first. James Anderson removed danger pair Aaron Finch and David Warner before Stuart Board stuck with the wicket of captain George Bailey. Finch departed without scoring in the match's opening over, edging an outswinger from Anderson through to Joe Root at first slip. After being joined by Steve Smith, who quickly found is feet, Warner reached 12 from 17 balls before Anderson found extra bounce and Warner tamely sliced the ball to James Taylor at point. Bailey looked out of sorts during his two from 17 balls in the face of some quality English fast bowling on a helpful pitch, finally being undone by a shorter ball from Board which he fended straight to Taylor at bat pad. But while the visiting seamers made scoring difficult for the hosts, Smith's sublime from let him craft singles from all angles, crashing fours behind point and straight down the ground to make batting look easy. So Morgan turned to the spin of Moeen Ali to halt Smith's charge. Four balls into the first over, Ali had Smith advancing and missing, and not even a fumble from wicketkeeper Jos Buttler could save the set batsman. With Smith walking off the ground with 40 of the 60 runs scored, there was reason for Australian fans to panic, but the young duo of Maxwell and Marsh calmed fears with orthodox, mature stroke play. Maxwell in particular resisted the urge to employ his wide array of dashing shots until he was closing in on his half-century, bringing up the milestone off 64 balls with a fine lap past short fine leg. Th allrounder's first half century since October bettered his 93-run effort against Zimbabwe last August. Marsh greeted the batting power play with a gigantic six over backward square leg, before Maxwell unleashed his full bag of tricks, taking down Chris Woakes for four boundaries in the 40th over including a reverse pull over fine leg, to race the partnership to 95 from 97 balls. But the lure of a maiden hundred in a single blow was too much for the Victorian, falling five shot after top edging Board to Buttler to leave the batsman disappointed and the crowd applauding and wanting more. With Maxwell gone the power game was suitably left to Marsh. Two muscular boundaries either side of the wicket promised a score close to 300, but when Brad Haddin's call for a second found the allrounder short of his ground at the non-striker's end via a relay throw, the projected dropped significantly. But Faulkner would pick up the slack, pummelling Woakes for three sixes and 24 runs off the penultimate over before hitting the last ball of the innings for six to raise his fifty and leave the field with the momentum and a compectitive total to bowl to. The pair combined for 141 to resurrect he home side's innings from 4-60 after James Anderson (2-38) struck twice with the new ball. Stuart Board finished with 3-55 to be the pick of the tourists with the ball, before a fashionably late cameo from James Faulkner, who crashed 50 from only 24 balls. Glenn Maxwell's highest one-day International score of 95 has boosted Australia to 8-278.
 If England were worried about facing Johnson on the fast WACA wicket, they'd have to wait as Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood took the new balls, and the latter struck early to remove Ian Bell for eight to a wonderful catch by a diving Haddin. But they needn't wait too long, with Johnson entering the attack in the seventh over, and in the ninth normal service resumed when the left-arm quick removed James Taylor to a good catch by Maxwell at point, even if there was some doubt about the legality of the delivery due to Johnson's front foot getting dangerous close to going over the front line. Two overs later the vocal WACA crowd were on their feet when Johnson bowled a brute of ball to surprise Ali and take his edge to Finch at floating first slip, and the audience remained standing when Morgan left his first ball only to watch it clatter into his off-stump. Twenty-five runs later, Joe Root was trapped in front by Faulkner, before the allrounder left the field with side soreness. While the Australian medical staff attended to the injured Tasmanian, Maxwell's match went from good to great, removing Buttler (17) and Woakes in succesive deliveries to reduce England to 7-98 in the 25th over. Maxwell would claim two more wickets before Hazelwood castled Steve Finn to wrap up the match and series and firm Australia as a World Cup favourite.
  Australia thump their arch-rivals to win the tri-seies!  They will be very pleased with their performance today and will now go into World Cup high on Confidence. Glenn Maxwell was one of the player they wanted back in form and that exactly happened today. He not only made a match winning 95 but also proved his all-round worth by bagging a 4-wicket haul. This is also Australia's third biggest win against England in ODIs.

                                                                           

Player of the Match, Glenn Maxwell: It was nice to do that role, I screwed up a few times in the past. James Faulkner showed his class and finished it well for us. It's nice to enter the World Cup in form with both bat and ball.

                                                                           

Player of the Series, Mitchell Starc: Trying to improve with every game. It's exciting with the World Cup coming up. It's important to bowl as fast as you can and get a bit of swing to help you out. We got a great squad, we have a good bowling unit.

 Eoin Morgan: I think we could have kept them to a bit less. Batting let us down today. We need to keep grafting and growing. A lot of credits goes to the boys for putting individual efforts. We are playing Pakistan and West Indies in the warm-up in sydney and it should be a good practice before the World Cup.
 George Bailey: It's really promising to see Maxi and Mitchell Marsh rein their natural games and getting us back in the match. Always lovely to have him (Johnson) in the tank. We want to have as many as guys in form as possible.
 That;s all from this tri-series. World Cup is just round the corner and we are looking forward to your company then. Until next time, it's good bye and cheers!!!

England wobble before sealing final perth

Jos Buttler and James Taylor continue India's struggles in Australia with a nail-biting win at the WACA

  Hello everyone and welcome for the knockout game of the tri-series between England and India. The equation is simple for both teams, win match and play Australia in the finals.
 An out-of-form India were lucky to get away with two points after the washout against Australia on Monday, because that has given them a big opportunity to beat England at Perth and reach the final of the Carlton Mid One-day International Tri-series. England have five points from there three matches, while India has two, and the winners of today encounter will play against Australia in the final on Sunday, again at Perth. However, as straightforward as it may sound, the job of beating the English team won't be easy for MS Dhoni's men who are yet to register a win in the tournament. They continue to be uncertain over Rohit Sharma's fitness. The batsman hasn't played since scoring 138 in the team's opening match against Australia, on account of a hamstring injury. He had a hard training session on Wednesday, but with an eye on upcoming World Cup, it's highly unlikely India will risk playing him. With scores of 2,1 and 8, opener Shikhar Dhawan's from has hit rock buttom and that has made matters worse. The left-hander can hope to get yet another opportunity to get some form ahead of quadrennial tournament. Some run off his bat will make Dhoni's life easier as regards the composition of the eleven.
 England, on the other hand, have no such  grave worries. They beat India with a bonus point and lost twice to Australia, but they are improving with every match.When they played India at Brisbane, medium pacer Stevenn Finn had bounced out Dhoni's men. with a career-best 5 for 33. Since the WACA oitch has the reputation being the most quick and bouncy in Australia, England fast bowlers will back themselves agian. In the batting department too, Eoin Morgan's team holds the edge. Ian Bell after scoring 0 in the tournament opener against Australia, made 88* and a carrer best 141 in the following games. Joe Root, James Taylor and Morgan himself have been among the runs. 'I think it is important to win this game the lake of success we've had before this tour. we've  have build a confidence in their preparation, in the game in Brisbane and in performances leading into start of this series. So momentum and confidence goes I think it's quite a big game," Morgan said ahead of the match
 The odds are heavily stacked in England's favour when one looks at the way India haved played so far, but there is no doubt that Dhoni's team has a big chance today to put things right to some extent.

 England had won the toss and elected to field. England are unchanged. India make one change, Ishant sharma was injured and Mohit Sharma comes in for him.

Pitch report: The conditions are overcast. The pitch looks very hard. There is good grass covering on it. There will be a lot of bounce on this deck.

 England will take on Australia in the Tri-Series final after overcoming a case of the wobbles to beat India by three wickets in today's one-day clash at the WACA Ground. Chasing 201 for victory on a WACA deck possing some demons, England were in all sorts of trouble at 5-66 in the 20th over. India can turn their full attention to the World Cup following a disastrous Test and one-day tour Down Under that failed to yield one win. With England in desperate need of a savage mission, James Taylor (82) and Jos Buttler (67) came to rescue with a 125-run stand to lift England to victory with 19 balls to spare. The result catapults England into Sunday's final against Australia in what will be a precursor to their World Cup showdown on February 14.
friday's result could have been vastly different had Ajinkya Rahane hit the stumps from short range to run Buttler out for three. Instead of being 6-72, England made the most of the reprieve as Buttler and Taylor combined for a match winning partnership. Earlier, India's batsmen struggled to score freely on an unpredictable pitch that offered varying bounce. Rahane made a patient 73 and fellow opener Shikhar Dhawan made a scratchy 38, but their 83-run stand one of few highlights for the Indians.
 At 1-103, India had a chance to build a competitive total despite their slow run rate. But collaspses of 4-33 and 4-13 ended any hopes of India building anything sizeable, with their innings eventually brought to an end after 48.1 overs. Paceman James Anderson conceded just 10 runs from his first six overs before finishing with 1-24, while spinner Moeen Ali snared the key wickets of Virat Kohli (8) and Suresh Raina (1). Anderson wasn't just miserly, he was also destructive. One delivery kicked off the pitch to such an extent that it struck MS Dhoni flush on the front of the helment. Dhoni was unhurt and even had a bit of a giggle about it. But he wasn't laughing a few balls later when an Anderson delivery kept remarkably low to trap him lbw. Tail-ender Mohammed Shami  provided some highlights at the death, with the 24-year-old cracking 25 off 18 balls to push the total to 200.
 "In a perfect world, it wouldn't have got that tight, but it was definitely a tough pitch, and their bowlers extracted the most out of it," Taylor said. "We showed some character. "I'm delighted to score some runs in a pressure situation. "That's what I pride myself on- finishing games and winning games. We got over the over line, which is the most important things."
 Indian captain MS Dhoni is confident on his team's winless tour of Australia won't dent their World Cup prospects. " From a confidence point of view, we are quite good because we always try to give more emphasis on what needs to be done- the proper planing and where we need to execute," Dhoni said. "We've been in this situation (before), so we know what exactly we feel and how to overcome this feeling."
 Man of the Match is bagged by James Taylor for his brilliant innings of 82 that held one end when the wickets were tumbling around. That is from our side. Do join us for the finals on Sunday between two heavyweights, Australia and England at Perth on Feb 1, 2015. Until then it's goodbye and cheers!!

Scorchers secure Big Bash League

A final-ball thriller had it all as Perth Scorchers claim back-to-back Big Bash League titles

 Hello everyone and  a warm welcome to the all important  final of the 2014-15 Big Bash, Australia's glitzy domestic T20 competition, as a defending champions Perth Scorchers take on Sydney Sixers at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. The most talked-about Twenty 20 competition in the world. Three Englishman. The final game of the Australia legend Brett Lee's career.

The Englishmen abroad

England fans will be familiar with Hampshire batsman Michael Carberry, who played his last winter's Ashes series in Australia and he is one of the leading lights of the Scorchers side. He lines up allongside fellow English Riki Wessels (who was born in Australia), while Nottinghamshire team mate Michael Lumb a member of the England team won the competition in 2012. Both Carberry and Lumb have shone with the bat in this season's competition and, just helped persuade those Aussies who witnessed the 2013-14 Ashes whitewash that the poms aren't quite as hopeless as they thought.

Road to the Final:

Scorchers: The defending champions lost a thrilling opening game against the Strikers, but bounced back with back-to-back wins in the next two games. Although they lost to the Thunders in their next encounter, they won three consecutive matches, which assured them a place in the semifinals. The Stars stunned them in their last league game, but the Scorchers used all their experience and successfully defended a relatively low total and knocked the Stars out to seal a place in final.

Sixers: The Sixers had a great start to the season,winning their first three games convincingly. However, they lost a bit of momentum with their lost to the Scorchers and tied their next games against the Stars, before eventually losing in the Super Over. Although they lost to the Strikers, victories over the Heat and the Thunder kept them in good space and they went on to the Strikers in the semifinal.

Teams:

Perth Scorchers (playing XI): Shaun Marsh, Michael Klinger, Adam Voges(c), Michael Carberry, Sam Whiteman, Ashton Turner, Nathan Coulter-Nlie, Yasir Arafat, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Brad Hogg.

Sydney Sixers (playing XI): Michael Lumb, Riki Wessels, Nic Maddinson, Moises Henriques (c), Jordan Silk, Ryan Carters, Sean Abbott, Steve O'Keefe, Nathan Lyon, Brett Lee, Doug Bollinger.

 If you look at the history, maybe you would say the Scorchers are the favourites, for they have played the final thrice before since the inception of BBL in 2011-12. On the other hand, the Sixers have played just one, but managed to get better of the Scorchers, their opponents, and win the title. So it will be interesting to see how both teams handle pressure. 

 After 34 hard fought games, they are left with two teams who are desperate to get their hands on the trophy. Defending champions Scorchers lock horns with the Sixers at the Manuka Oval. Both teams have been crowned champions in the competition. If the Scorchers lifted the title last season, the Sixers won the inaugural edition in 2011-12. It is quite clear that both teams know what is to play in the final. 

Lee's final farewell: 

So it's time to say goodbye to Brett Lee, one of the Australia greats and among the finest fast bowlers to have played the game. He retired from international in 2012, but he announced earlier this month that this game is the last of his career. Win or lose, we can expect some tears.

 Perth Scorchers have made it back-to-back triumphs in the KFC T20 Big Bash League in the most thrilling circumstances in Canberra, chasing down 148 against a valiant Sydney Sixers with four wickets in the hand off the final ball of the match. 

 A match that ebbed and flowed from the outset seemed destined to come down to the final over, fittingly bowled by retiring superstar Brett Lee, who claimed two wickets to be on a hat-trick with the final delivery of his career.

 But it wasn't to be, as Yasir Arafat dug out the yorker and took off for what seemed a suicidal single, only for the Sixers to miss a run-out opportunity and the Scorchers scrambled home to claim the title for the second time.

 Justin Langer's men dominated the early stages of the match, taking four wickets inside the first 10 overs, but a superb innings from Moises Henriques (77 off 57) and capable support from Ryan Carters (35 not out off 25) swing the match back on an even keel at the mid-innings break.

  Henriques has won the toss and elected to bat on a wicket that looked like it would contain a little something for both pace and spin, and the former quickly proved true.

 Nathan Coulter-Nile continued his fine comeback from with the breakthrough wicket of Michael Lumb (3), and seven ball later, it was opening partner Jason Behrendroff's turn to knock over an import, as Riki Wessels (2) dismissial left the Sixers reeling at 2-7 after three overs. Nic Maddinson and Henriques looked the pair most likely to resurrect the innings, and for a while they set about doing exactly that, until Yasir Arafat broke the 37-run stand with a lethal yorker that castled Maddinson for 19. And when Brad Hogg bowled Jordan Silk through the gate the very next over, the Sixers were in all sorts of trouble at 4-49 in the 10th. Sixers fans were hoping for someone to stand up alongside Henriques, amd they found their man in Carters. The keeper batsman joined his skipper fightback, combining for a 98-run stand that revived the contest, as the two collected 63 from the last five overs before Henriques was run out from the final ball of the innings. Scorchers pair Shaun Marsh (73 off 59) amd Michael Klinger (33 off 37) utilised their considerable experience to negotiate their way through the first half of the innings, upping the run rate as the partnership wore on as they expertly took  control of proceedings. Klinger set the tone early with a couple of well-timed fours through the off side, before Marsh broke the shackles by lifting Nathan Lyon over wide long on for a maximum. The gifted left-hander looked the part from there as Henriques rung the changes and finally the reintroduction of Lee did the trick. The veteran quick tricked Klinger with a slower ball, who picked out Sean Abbott at backward square leg to leave the Scorchers at 1-70 in the 12th over. Marsh and Scorchers captain Adam Voges grafted away but it was the Sixers who suddenly started piling on he pressure, with Lee conceding just three from his first two overs and Abbott also containing well. Voges (20 off 13) attempted to force the pace off Doug Bollinger but skied a chance to Carters, who made no mistake. But Marsh was the main man, and the turning point came after he had passed his half-century when Lee returned and was no-balled for having just three men inside the circle. Bollinger was the culprit, and Marsh faced a wide before capitalising on the free hit with a six, and with two taken on the initial no-ball, the Scorchers had effectively taken 10 from one Lee delivery, reducing the equation from 32 needed off 18 to a much more manageable 22 off 17. Henriques bravely gambled in the penultimate over by bringing on Lyon, who promptly repaid his captain's faith, enticing Marsh into the the big shot first up, with the opening batsman picking out Abbott at deep mid-wicket. Two balls later, Ashton Turner was out for a golden duck. also holing out to Abbott who was seemingly everywhere in the field. A six from Lyon's final delivery from Coulter-Nile meant eight was needed from the final over- Lee's final in a wonderful career and after Carberry went 4,2,1 from the first two deliveries to levels the scores, the contest looked done and dusted. But the highest drama was yet to come. Charging in for the final few times, Lee knocked over Coulter-Nile, sending Manuka with his trademark chainsaw celebration. Next ball, incredibly, he repeated the dose, clean bowling Sam Whiteman to suddenly raise the psddibility of a Super Over from almost nowhere. The 38-year-old was on a hat-trick, and Arafat was on strike with two deliveries remaining. Yasir Arafat made contact, squirting it out to wide midwicket where the throw came in but Henriques, standing over the stumps, failed to hang onto the hot return a miss that cost him the opportunity to run out the standard batsman.

 With that, the title was retained by the Scorcher, who solidified their dominance on the Big Bash League and will represent Australia, along with the Sixers, at this Year's Champions League Tournament.

 Jacques Kallis receives the Man of the Tournament.

 Shaun Marsh receives the Man of the Match.

 That's all from our side, We enjoyed bring you the tournament, hope you enjoy it as well. looking forward for your company on another day, Until then, it's goodbye and cheers!!!

Superb Scorchers fly into Big Final

Melbourne Stars' semi-final curse continues as Perth make it four-straight BBL final

 Hello and a warm welcome for the second semi-final between Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars. The hosts, Perth Scorchers have made it a habit of making it through to the Knock-out phase of the tournament. Despite missing some of their stars performers. On the other hand, the Stars have rebounded spectaculary after three successive defeat. They had won five on the bounce and will be confident of reaching their first ever Big Bash finals.

 The two teams met in their last league match with the Stars completing a stunning win, courtesy a superb century from young batsman, Peter Handscomb. Cameron White and his men will be boosted by that result, although past performances doesn't count for much during the semi-final stage of the tournament.
Perth Scorchers had won the toss and elected to bat first.

Teams

Perth Scorchers (playing XI): Shaun Marsh, Michael Klinger, Adam Voges (c), Michael Carberry, Sam Whiteman, Ashton Turner, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Yasir Arafat, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Brad Hogg.
Melbourne Stars (playing XI): Cameron White (c), Rob Quieny, Kevin Pietersen, Luke Wright, Peter Handscomb, Triffitt, John Hastings, Clint Mckay, Scott Boland, Jackson Bird, Michael Beer.

 Melbourne Star's finals cruse has continued for a forth straight season in a low-scoring thriller against Perth Scorchers, who valiantly defended their total of 7-144 in front of a full house at The Furnace to book their annual spot in the Big Final with an 18-run victory.
 The Stars looked to be a cruising midway through their innings at 1-67 with English pair Luke Wright and Kevin Pietersen dictating terms, but for the third time in four seasons, they came unstruck in semi-final against the relentless Scorchers, spectacularly losing 9-59 to completely fall out of the contest.

 The Scorchers now face Sydney Sixers in Canberra on Wednesday evening, and will be looking to become the first BBL side to go back-to-back in the tournament's brief history.

 Andrew Tye continued his breakthrough Tournament , claiming 4-18 to make amends for earlier facing out a maiden over to complete Perth's innings in the most remarkable low-key fashion.

 But to single out Tye would be doing the rest of the Scorchers attack a disservice, as they again produced a superb all-round effort and continued their happy knack of expertly defending small total in BBL/04.

 Earlier, John Hastings (3-27) got the jump on Scorchers quick Jason Behrendroff as the tournament's leading wicket-taker during a high-class spell, renoving Klinger (5) and Adam Voges (3) in quick succesion well on top at 2-19.

 Klinger top-edged an attempted pull shot to Clint MckaY at fine leg, while Voges couldn't avoid a diving Cameron White at short cover as the pressure fell right back on Shaun Marsh and Michael Careberry.

 The pair put on 68 before Marsh, who never quite found his groove in making 35 (34) looked to up the tempo but succeeded only in picking out Jackson Bird at long off from the bowling of Michael Beer. 

 Ashton Turner (one) came and went, edging Boland through to Tom Triffit, and when Carberry fell soon after for a well made 50, the Scorchers had lost 3-12 and were in serious strife at 5-99.

 Sam Whiteman's 11-ball cameo of 14 kept the score ticking along but was all too brief, leaving the returning Nathan Coulter-Nile to do the bulk of the big hitting at the death. 

 Coulter-Nile managed what proved to be a crucial 22 from nine deliveries, before he too nicked behind as Hastings returned to collect another wicket. 

 Tye's failure to add a single run in the final over looked to be a costly finale to the innings for the home side, but the paceman's double breakthrough of Wright (31) and the Peter Handscomb (0) in the 11th over swung the contest.

 Coulter-Nile then followed suit in the 15th over, removing first Rob Quiney (7) and the danger man Pietersen (31) in the space of three balls to leave the Stars reeling at 5-88.

 It only got worse from there for the visitors, who succumbed to the suffocating attack of the Scorchers, just as the Sixers, Strikers and Hurricanes have done before them this season. Do join us for the big final between Perth Scorchers Vs Sydney Sixers at Manuka Oval, Canberra on Jan 28, 2015. Until then it's goodbye and take care !

Sydney's Australia Day a dump squib

Match abandoned after rain forces washout with just 16 overs of play possible at the SCG

  Hello everyone and welcome for the fourth match of the tri-series at the SCG. The match was between Australia and India. Australia and India, pre-tournament favourites for the upcoming Cricket World Cup, have taken largely contrasting routes in the build event. By virtue of the three wins, Australia sit pretty at the top of the table, having already booked their final place for the final. The effect of a long tour has affected India adversely and they now find themselves facing, potentially two must win games to make the tri-series final. Alternatively, if they lost the next one, they'll have to then beat England by a bonus point and ensure that the trumpt Eoin Morgan's men, even in the Net Run Rate battle. 26th of January marks a special day for both these Commonwealth countries. Australia Day and India, the Republic Day- An added motivation for both teams to put up a good show.

Australia:

Australia have enjoyed the perfect tune-up thus far. Their first two victories were set up by Mitchell Starc and their bursts with the new ball. Then, in the earlier against England, Starc and James Faulkner came up with a fine exhibition of death bowling to restrict England to 303, when they looked set to get much more. The batting has remained solid, if not flamboyant. The depth in batting has allowed the top-order to bat with freedom.

 For the game India game, there are welcome returns to he squad. George Bailey will take over as captain missing the last game due to suspension. Mitchell Marsh has sufficiently recovered from an injury sustained during the Brisbane Test against India. David Warner and Shane Watson missed the Hobart ODI with Hamstring injuries and it remain to be seen, if the think-tank would rush them for inconsequential game. Mitchell Johnson, though fit, will make a return only for final. However, Josh Hazelwood are expected to play today.

India:

The defending World Champions had a sorry day at the office against England. They were blown away by Steven Finn and James Anderson and there appear to be cracks creeping up into the famed batting line-up. There are question marks surrounding Shikhar Dhawan's place in the side and Virat Kholi's batting position. India's two aggressive batsman at the top of the order have failed to started. Rohit Sharma, India centurion against Australian in Melbourne, has been sidelined by a hamstring injury and will miss the encounter in Sydney.

India, however, will be boosted by Ishant Sharma's and Ravindra Jadega's steady return to fitness. Stuart Binny, who shone in an otherwise forgettable day against England, may keep his place even if India opt to for a two-spinner attack. Jadeja's bowling readiness may help the team management make the choice among the three available spinners. A five day win after their twin defeats may augur well for a team that looks to regain his mental freshness.

Pitch and Conditions:

The wicket at Sydney is expected to be dry and is said to assist spin. However, there is a 60% chance for rain, late on today afternoon. That may influence the team composition.

 Just to remind all of you- If India lose today or the match get washed out, their ODI against England on Friday, becomes a knock-out game. India will have to secure a bonus point win in case of a loss today.
 For India, it has been a sorry tale. opting to bat first in their games , the visitors stuttered in the initial overs. They were able to post a decent 267 against Australia in the first match, but it was no match for a flamboyant Australian batting attack. Against England, it was yet another story. Collective failure from the batsman meant that India could post a mearge 153 on board. The continues to be a big question mark over Shikhar Dhawan's from and Virat Kholi's batting position still seems uncertain. Even Rohit Sharma continues to remain out of the side due to hamstring injury.
 The hosts are in terrific touch. Their bowling attack is solid, with Mitchell Starc enjoying a dream run, He was ruthless in their first two games, and combined well with other bowlers in their last match to put up an admirable display of death bowling. Although their batting lacks the same consistency as their bowling, their depth has allowed to play more freely. George Bailey, who missed the last game due to suspension, will take over the captaincy from Steven Smith. Shaun Marsh will make way for David Warner. Mitchel Johnson is fit but it remain to be seen whether Australia would rush him for a seemingly inconsequential game. The fact that Australia are already offers them a good chance to experiment.
 January 26- A very special day for both the teams. while India celebrate their 66th Republic Day, the hosts will be celebrating Australia Day, their official national day. A win in today game will be of momentous significance for both the teams. Australia are already through the final and will be looking forward to keep the momentum going. On the other hand, winless India find themselves in a do-or-die situation.
 Finally we had got a start here! As it was delayed due to consistent drizzle and a wet outfield. After sometime the condition had gone brighter. Australia had won the toss and elected to field first.

Teams:

India (playing XI): Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Virat Kholi, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (c), Stuart Binny, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma.

Australia (playing XI): Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steven Smith, George Bailey (c), Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Starc, Xavier Doherty, Josh Hazelwood.

 Hazelwood, Mitchell Marsh, Bailey, Warner and Doherty come in for Australia. They replace White, Shaun Marsh, Cummins, Henriques. India bring on Ishant and Jadeja in plce of Umesh and Bhuvmeshwar.

 These match got underway in rainy condition at 3pm, before play was interrupted 15 minutes later with the score 0-6 after 2.4 overs. After sometime play was resume at 4.06pm but the player was again exited the field after India reached 2-69, with Shikhar Dhawan out for eight, caught at the first slip by Aaron Finch off Mitchell Starc, and Ambati Rayudu  making 23 for 24 before skying a chance out to deep point that was held by David Warner from the bowling of Mitch Marsh.
That it! The umpires have had enough of discussion and they have decided to call it off. Both the teams got two points each. The next game to be played between England and India at Perth on the 30th of the January will be the decider. The net run rate and bonus point are out of equation. Simple logic, the one who wins it goes through to the finals. That is all from our side. Do join us on 30th January for the sixth match of the series. Hope we get a full 50-over game. Until then, it's goodbye and cheers!!

Stunning Sixers romp into BBL/04 Final

 Hello everyone and welcome for the first semi final of the Big Blash League. Adelaide Strikers takes on Sydney Sixers in the semi final at Adelaide Oval. Both the team had played well in the whole league. It will be a important match for both team to qualify for the Finals. Sydney Sixers has won the toss, and elected to bat first.

 The squad for the first semi final BBL/04. 

Adelaide Strikers (13-man squad): Johan Botha (c), Travis Head, Brad Hodge, Ben Laughlin, Tim Ludeman, Gray Putland, Kane Richardson, Alex Ross, Craig Simmons, Kelvin Smith, Shaun Tait, Ryan TenDoeschaste, Adam Zampa.
Sydney Sixers (13-man squad): Moises Henriques (c), Sean Abbott, Doug Bollinger, Ryan Carters, Ed Cowan, Luke Doran, Brett Lee, Michael Lumb, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Stephen O'Keefe, Jordan Silk, Riki Wessels.

 Last time they met: 

 Adelaide Strikes 6-182 (Simmons 46, O'Keefe 1-21) beat Sydney Sixers 159 (Silk 67, Botha 2-27) by 23 runs on January 14, 2015.

 The form of the team for the semi finals BBL/04.

Adelaide Strikers: The Strikers have lost just the one game all season- a match in which they crumbled against the wily spin of the Sorchers veteran Brad Hogg, at Adelaide Oval. But that defeat has proven to be an anomaly for a team that has shocked everyone in BBL/04, with a dominance underpinned by an excellent all-round bowling attack and at least one batsman in their largely unsung order playing an influential innings. They will be boosted by a likely sell-out crowd and the return of Shaun Tait and possibly Brad Hodge to their XI and will be aiming to make it two wins over the Sixers in the space of 10 days.
Sydney Sixers: After a near-flawless start, the Sixers lost three of their last five matches but come into this clash with plenty of momentum after a thrilling win in the Sydney Smash on Thursday night. In-form batsman Jordan Silk has suddenly become an integral member of the Sixers middle order but he needs supports an explosive top three that has failed to fire consistently- Michael Lumb, Nic Maddinson and Riki Wessels. They'll have their work cut out to do so against the likes Kane Richardson, Shaun Tait, Ben Laughlin, Johan Botha ana Adam Zampa.

The Danger Men

Tim Ludeman: The surprise packet of BBL/04, Ludeman has displayed the kind of power hitting most punters didn't even know he possessed. Second to that, Ludeman Loves the Adelaide Oval. The long time Redbacks wicketkeeper has hit nine of his 10 maximums (the equal second most in the conpetition) at the ground en route to an average of 57.33.

Brett Lee: 'Binga' bid an emotional farewell to his beloved SCG on Thrusday night, but the still-lighting quick will no soubt be all business when the Sixers enter the coliseum that is the Adelaide Oval. Slightly down from his BBL (though still collecting a handy nine wickets at 26.44), Lee is a big-time player who thrives on big crowds and big atmosphere. Don't be surprised if the wily old veteran comes up with the goods when it matters most this final series.

 Sydney Sixers are into their second KFC T20 Big Blash League final after a clinical performance dismatled minor premiers Adelaide Strikers in front of a stunned Adelaide crowd of 52,633.

 Nic Maddinson was the star of the show for the Sixers, who now also qualify for the next year's lucrative Champions League tournament, blasting 85 from just 48 deliveries to propel the visitors to 4-181 a total the Strikers never looked like getting close to. 

 In the end, they were bowled out for a paltry 94 in their maiden BBL finals appearance, as Johan Botha's side suffered just a second defeat of what had until then been a memorable season.

 The writing was on the wall for the Strikers almost from the moment their first wicket fell, as Craig Simmons was caught behind from the bowling of Sean Abbott.

  Thereafter, it was a procession, as the biggest crowd even for a cricket match at the Adelaide Oval watched their side stumble in the face of scoreboard pressure and a more experienced finals opponent. 

 Only veteran Brad Hodge (20) and tailender Ben Laughlin (22) contributed more than 15 as the Strikers bowed out of the tournament with barely a whimper. Earlier, Michael Lumb (32 off 19) and new opening partner Riki Wessels (24 off 24) got off to a blistering start, creaming 41 from the initial stages as they laid the platform for a massive total.

 Lumb looked every chance of taking the innings by the scruff of the neck until he was run out, and after copping a nasty blow that lodged between the grille and peak of his helment, Wessels was undone by a Shaun Tait yorker to leave the Sixers at 2-72 in the 10th over. It was an outstanding spell from Tait, who took 1-13 off three overs to put the brakes on the visitors rapidly opening.

 Maddinson then picked up the slack, Pacing his innings intelligently as he moved clear of his peers as the man with the most sixes in BBL/04, bringing up his 50 with a fourth maximum of the innings and 15th of the tournament.

 The left hander then raced to 85 from 48 deliveries to push the Sixers innings along impressively, finding the fence regularly before being bowled by Kane Richardson. The Strikers got the double breakthrough courtesy of Ben Laughlin, who trapped in-form danger man Jordan Silk plumb lbw for three.

 Sixers Skipper Moisses Henriques (27 not out off 19) and keeper batsman Ryan Carters (8 not out off 5) then continued the momentum, pushing the fourth-placed side to a total that the Strikers never threatened.

 Doug Bollinger weighed in with three wickets, Abbott took 2-14 and Nathan Lyon, who was particularly impressive in taking 2-26, where all among the multiple wicket-takers as the Strikers offered multiple skied chances to the Sixers fieldsmen who gleefully accepted the offerings as the contest became increasingly one-sided.
 The Sixers now face the winner of the Perth Scochers and Melbourne Stars at Manuka Oval in Canbera on Wednesday January 28th, 2015. Do join us for the game between Perth Scochers and Melbourne Stars from Perth on January 24th, 2015. Until then, it's goodbye and take care!!

Smith Stars in Successful Chase

 Hello everyone and welcome for the big match. Australia take on England in the fourth ODI of the tri-series at Hobart. Australia have been on a roll and have decimated India and England in last two matches they have played. England too pulled things back after their horrendous start aganist Australia by defeating India comprehensively with a bonus point. This will be a crucial match in context of the series. A win for Australia will serve India's chances of qualifying for the finals. A win for England will completely change the scenario.

 England have had issues with their top order. Ali has got off to start but has failed to capitalise ODI against India but one can say that was not of real significance as their was barely any pressurs on them then. The top order will surely look to fire today and get into the thick of things. On the other hand, England's bowling came all guns blazing and liquidate the India batting line-up. The return of Anderson was a big plus for England and the pace stalwart did not disappoint on his return.

Australia had won the toss and elected to bowl first. The pitch has a bit of moisture and will assist the bowlers. Morgan reckons it is not a bad toss to lose. England go with the same side whereas their counterparts make three changes. Marsh, White and Henriques comes in for Warner, Bailey and Watson.

 We are ready to get underway. Moeen Ali and Ian Bell are the England openers and Mitchell Starc will start with the new ball. Ali and Bell gave England a strong lead. OUT! This was on the cards! Ali slings down the track and tries to smack it on the side but gets a top edge that goes high in the sky towards covers. The substitute Doherty settles under it and takes a simple catch. Nonetheless, a good innings at the top of the order. He has set the momentum for the visitors. James Taylor came to the crease at no.3. He was out soon. OUT! Taylor perishes! Full around off, Taylor tries to scoop it over the infield but ends up slicing it to mid-off where Faulkner pouches an easy catch. An unconvincing stay at the crease for the young Yaylor comes to an end. Joee Root comes to crease. Root and Bell started to build the innings. These partnership had took the score to 253 runs. Wicket! End of an extraordinary knock by Ian Bell! Clever change in pace by Sandhu to deceive the batsman. He serves it on a short of a length on middle, Bell walks down the track to smash it over mid-off but fails to get wnough wood behind it. The ball balloons in the air and Starc does well to run in to his left to take the catch at the edge of the circle with a dive. He does well to hang on tobit as the lands and his elbows hit the ground. Bell scored 141 runs from 125 balls. Skipper Eoin Morgan is the new batsman out to the middle. Wicket! Golden duck for Morgan! One wicket brings another one for Australi, we have seen quite a few times in this series. Good length ball angling away from the batsman, Morgan reaches out for it away from his body, pushes inside the line and gets a faint edge to the keeper. He hit a century in the last game against Australia and gets a duck today. Cricket is a great leveller. Jos Buttler is the new batsman out to the middle. Wicket! Australia picking wickets at right time! Cummins dishes out a slightly short of a length ball but fails to get the desired elevation. Finch at the edge of the circle takes the simplest catches. The idea was right from Root but not the execution. Anyways, a good knock by Root. Ravi Bopara is the new batsman out to the middle. The score was good,these was the last partnership that have score a run. Wicket! Terrific presence of mind by Starc, Bopara exposes his leg stump and the bowler serves it full and strait. Bopara fails to work it on the leg side and the leg stumped was distrubed. End of a nightmarish innings of Bopara! Chris Woakes is the new batsman out to the middle. Last two balls left to finish the first innings. Wicket! Run-out this time! Starc angles across a full length ball outside off, Woakes flashes and misses and they attempt for a bye. Haddin is aware to the situation and scores a direct hit at the striker's end. Buttler is found short in the replays. Stuart Board is the new batsman out to the middle for the last ball of the innings.Team Hat-Trick For Australia! Starc runs in and delivers a full length ball outside off, Board back away a bit and then leaves alone, strangely. Then they attempt for a bye and Haddin comes up with yet another direct hit. Woakes is found short and it's a terrible end to England's innings, 303/8 in 50 overs.
 Sensational death bowlng by Australia! They picked up 6 wickets in the last 10 overs and conceded only 59 rubs during that period. England will be deeply disappointed with the way they ended and will feel they are at least 50 runs short. The English openers gave a century stand after a gap of 48 matches. Ian Bell and Moeen Ali looked in fine touch and the former, in particular, batted throughout his innings with a strike rate over 100, something we normally don't associate with him. he went on to stroke a fluent century and his 121- run stand with Joe Root set a perfect platforms for the tourists. The wicket of Ian Bell started the down side and the lower order just failed to get going. Mitchell Starc and James Faulkner bowled superbly at the death while Gurinder Sandhu was the pick of the bowlers, claiming two wickets at a decent economy rate.
 Back for the chase! The players are back on the field. Shaun Marsh and Aaron Finch were the Aussies openers. 304 runs were needed in 50 overs. Chris Woakes to start the proceedings. Finch and Marsh partnership was going good. They played some classy shots. Marsh and Finch gave a decent start to their side. Wicket! Moeen Ali, the partnership breaker. He tosses it up in the air and tempts the batsman to have a go. Finch comes down the track for a big heave across the line but is very early into the shot. The ball misses his blade and goes on to the distrub the wooden framework. Steven Smith is the new batsman out to the middle at number 3. Wicket! Finn gets on the breakthrough and once again Marsh fails to convert his start. Finn serves a full length ball around off, Marsh gets on the front foot to drive it square of the wicket on the off side but fails to keep it down. It flies off the bottom part of the bat and a simple catch for Bell at point. Good pleasure bowling by England. Marsh scored 45 runs. Cameron White is the new batsman out to the middle. He is making is comeback, played his last ODI in 2011. Wicket! once again a wicket produced another one. Not a good comeback game for Bear, he departs for a naught, leaving Australia in trouble. Australia where 92 for 3 after 16.3 overs. Terrific delivery by Finn, very full in length and tailing back into the batsman at 140 kph. White initially looks to flicks it but the length is not quite there and the finger was upped immediately. Finn was on fire again! Glenn Maxwell is the new batsman out to the middle. Maxwell and Smith were taking the runs ahead. These two started to build the innings. Wicket! Maxwell holes out! Once again Moeen Ali strikes when the partnership started to look threatening. Floated full ball on middle, Maxwell goes on the knee and slogs it in the air over midd-wicket. He seems to have made good connection but Root near the fence does well to take the catch over his head and maintains his balance as wel. Good judgement! Maxwell scored 37 runs. James Faulkner is the new batsman out to the middle. He was promoted up the order, normally we have seen him finishung the game for Australia. Faulkner was batting well. Faulkner and Smith trys to go to target as soon as possible. Faulkner was looking dangerous. Wicket! Massive breakthrough for England, the danger man Faulkner departs by scoring 35 runs. Woakes serves it on a length outside off. Some extra bounce, Faulkner tries to play it straight, pushes at it and the extra bounce takes a outside part of the bat. The ball loops in the air towards point where Bell takes a good low catch. Faulkner walks back staring at the pitch, the point from where the ball got the extra lift. Brad Haddin is the new batsman out to the middle.

 Century number 3 for Steven Smith in ODIs! He raises his bat to the crowd and enjoys the ovation. What a lovely knock by the skipper! Another record to his name, he becomes the only players to scores a century both ib Tests and ODIs ob captaincy debut. Take a bow, Superman! Haddin and Smith took the run chase Near. But unfortunetly these partnership was broken. Wicket! Haddin departs after playing his part, a wicket too late for England. Slower short ball from Woakes, wide outside off, Haddin tries to play the upper cut over short third man but fails to get hold of his attempted shot. The ball takes a top edge and balloons in the air. Bell takes a simple catch at point.  Australia needed 7 runs From 15 balls. Moises Henriques the new batsman out to the middle. Wicket! Henriques is run out! Too full length on off, Henriques squeezes it out to midd-off and crosses for an impossible single. Taylor has one stumped to aim at and he finds the target. Henriques is not in the picture. Australia were needed 2 runs in three balls. Mitchell Starc is the new batsman out to the middle. Good thing is that Smith wilk be on stike. All the fielders  were inside the ring. Buttler is coming up to the stumps. Fuller length ball on the middle and off, Starc goes back and hits it firmly through the line. The ball goes on one bounce over the cover fielder for the winning runs. Australia win by 3 wickets! Excellent win for the hosts and they qualify for the finals.

 Superb knock by Superman Steven Smith! He truley played a captain's knock on his debut as Australia's ODI skipper and steered his side to victory. Chasing a shift target, the Aussie opener provided a good platform and Steven Smith batting at number 3 capitalized on it. He was involved in crucial stands with Maxwell and Faulkner but the match winning partnership came between him and Haddin, where the pair added 81 off 61 balls. Brad Haddin's 29-balls 42 took the pressure away from Smith and almost closed the doors on England.However, the Britishers made it tough by taking it into the final over. Australia with three wins in a row, march into the finals and if they manage to best India on Monday. It will be a knockout match between England and India on 30th January.
 Eoin Morgan: It was not a bad day in general. Ian Bell played well in particular. Today their last 10 overs specially. Their variations were pretty good. I think 300 was about par, if we would have batted well it could have been a 350 scores and credits to Australia for pulling things back. It's preparation for the World Cup, ideally we want to win the tri-series, obviously we need to qualify for the finals first.
 Steven Smith (Man of the Match): It is nice to get few more runs tonight. We chase pretty well till the end. Mitchell Starc and James Faulkner bowled outstandingly well at the death and hopefully they will keep up with their form. 300 was probably a good score for us to chase down. I will never forget this summer and will keep trying to score. Haddin played nice and positive and took the pressure off me. Starc was pretty cool when he came out to bat and took us home. The Australia Day game is very big for us and I can't wait to come out at play in front of my home crowd.

 That's all we have from these match. We look forward to your company for the all important game for India on 26th January against Australia at the SCG. Until then, it's good bye and cheers!!

Dispirited India crash to nine-wicket defeat

 Hello everyone and welcome for the third match of the tri-series at Brisbane. The tri-series shift to Brisbane where India takes on England. The match takes on a little extra significance because both the team tested an early defeat to Australia. Australia match could prove to be crucial in the final scheme to goes to final, should Australia continue to exert their home dominance. However, each team is will play the another time so their is still time.

 England will be boosted by the return of James Anderson. The swing bowler had the measure of Virat Kholi during India's tour of England. That could emerge as a key contest once again. England will hope that the return of Anderson brings them some needed luck. They have only 3 wins from their last 10 ODIs, as stat they would dearly love to change.
India on other hand, will like to put behind, their defeat against Australia in Melbourne. MS Dhoni batting at no.6 is clearly weighed by the presence of the longish tail. They will also plan to put together a better show with the ball at the top of the innings. The team that wins today, goes second on the point table. 

 India's bid to register their first win on the tour of Australia remained unsuccessful following a humiliating nine-wicket defeat at the hands of England.

 After MS Dhoni elected to bat on a slow and tricky Gabba pitch, Steven Finn took a career-best 5 for 33 and along with James Anderson (4 for 18) knocked India over for 153 in 39.3 overs. From there, given India's suspect bowling resources the results was almost a forgone conclusion and, with a unbeaten 131-run stand for the second wicket between Ian Bell (88*) and James Taylor (56*), England bounced back from defeat to Australia on friday to pocket five points.

  Not for the first time in overseas conditions under Dhoni, India's batsmen fsiled to apply themselves. As the captain admitted after the loss, a lack of partnerships hurt the team. Ajiyanka Rahane and Ambati Rayudu had put 56 for the second wicket and then Stuart Binny and Dhoni had added 70 runs for the six to try and revive a flagging innings, but a crippling spell from Finn had broke both partnerships to restrict India to a sub-standard total. Barring those two stands, the rest of India's partnerships were 1,7,1,2,0,6,10 and 0. Rarely ODI matches won with production like these.

 The unwelcome news for the last-match centurion Rohit Sharma was missing out on account of a hamstring injury hung over all through India's batting. Anderson had Shikhar Dhavan caught behind 1 with a delivery that angled across from left-hander batsman, and the left-hand openers latest failure brought in Rayudu at no.3 instead of Virat Kholi.

 India's struggles could be gauged from the fact that their first four came off the last ball of the seventh over when Rayudu whacked Anderson over midwicket . Finn, who used slow bouncer s to good effect, extracted Rahane for 33 with one such delivery, the batsman finding Taylor at midd-on just outside the 30-yard circle.

 After that Kholi (4) and Rayudu (23) fell in similar manner, trying to glide Finn down towards third man but instead found the wicketkeeper Jos Buttler. Sandwiched between Kholi and Rayudu sclaps was the wicket of Suresh Raina (1) who nexplicably left the crease to play a defensive shot and was out stumped off the bowling of Ali.

 Five down with just 67 on the board, Binny joined Dhoni and  both raised hopes of a fighting total but Finn threw a spanner in India's plans with another slow bouncer. Dhoni, cramped for room, tickled the ball down    the leg side to give Buttler his fourth catch. The skipper made 34, the second highest contribution to a sorry total. 

Axar patel had his second successive duck he lost his stumps to Anderson. Binny, who replaced R Ashwin for these game, looked impressive during his 55-ball 44 but Anderson removed him and Mohammed Shami in quick time to wrap up the India innings. The Indian lost their last five wickets for just 16 runs. 

After such an abject performance with the bat, India needed to take early wickets to make a match of it. That came from Binny, who opened the bowling and had Ali (8) spooning a clever slower delivery to midd-off, but that was India's only success in the field. Bell overcame a duck against Australia to score a confident 88 off 91balls - his first fifty in ten games - and with Taylor ( again given the chance to solidify the No 3 spot) - he put Englnad on track for a facile win. Taylor's busy innings contained four fours and came from 63 balls. The target was achieved in 27.3 overs to earn England a bonus point.

 Steven Finn was adjusted the Man of the Match for his brilliant spell of 5/33 that set the game up for England. Bowlers were getting rewards and India in total have picked up just 7 wickets in two games. And that is the difference between the two teams and India. Do join us for the game between Australia and India from Hobart on 23rd January, 2015. Until then, it's goodbye and take care!

AB De Villiers hits record-breaking ODI century 

 

 AB de Villiers took 31 balls to smash the fastest century in one-day internationals on Sunday as South Africa posted 439 for two wickets, their highest team total in this format, before restricting the tourists to 291 for seven in their 50 overs to take a 2-0 lead in the second ODI against West Indies at the Wanderers.

 AB de Villiers reputation for destroying attacks was never under question. The South African super-bat has wreaked havoc around the world with his ability to make any bowling attack look ordinary. Even his own bowlers ,at times (against Dale Steyn in IPL 2014). But for anyone with a modicum of doubt regarding the right-hander's tremendous ability for sending the opposition on a leather-hunt, his knock would've effortlessly quashed the doubts flat.

 Described by retired Australian stumper Adam Gilchrist as the "most valuable cricketer of the planet" earlier this week, de villers blasted 16 sixes and nine fours in his blistering 44-ball knock of 149, bettering New Zealender Corey Anderson's 36-ball century against West Indies last year.

 The 30-year-old right hander went down on his knees and slog-swept Jason Holder over deep mid-wicket for his 10th to bring his century before raising his bat and taking off his helment with a broad smile on his face.

 Coming out to bat after a 247-run opening stand between Hasim Amla (153 not out) and Rilee Rossouw (128), de Villiers set a new record for the fastest half-century as well.

 He reached the milestone in 16 balls, improving the previous best mark of Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya

against Pakistan in 1996 by a delivery.

 Known for his improvistation, the Proteas ODI captain manufracted big shots and cleared the boundary at will, equalling the world record 16 sixes in an ODI innings.

 He was eventually out in the final over of the innings, one run away from shattering the record for fastest 150, currently held by Australian Shane Watson who reached the mark in 83 balls against Bangladesh.

 Rossouw struck his maiden OdI century with a relatively sedate 128 from 115 deliveries, while Amla registered his highest ODI score from 142 balls.

 South Africa beat their previous highest 50-over score of 438 at the same ground against Australia in 2006.

 A list of the fastest century makers in one-day international cricket.

 1) AB de Villiers (South Africa)-31 balls against West Indies in Johannesburg on Jan.18, 2015

 2) Corey Anderson (New Zealand)-36 balls against West Indies in Queenstwon on Jan.1, 2014.

 3) Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)-37 balls against Sri Lanka in Nairobi on Oct. 4,196.

 4) Mark Boucher (South Africa)-44 balls against Zimbave in Potchefstroom on Sep.20,2006.

 5) Brain Lara (West Indies)-45 balls against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Oct.9, 1999.

 6) Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)-45 balls against India in Kanpur on April.15, 2005.

 7) Jesse Ryder (New Zealand) -46 balls against West Indies in Queenstwon on Jan.1, 2014.

 8) Sanath Jayasuria (Sri Lanka)- 48 balls against Pakistan in Singapore on Apr.2, 1996.

 9) Kevin O'Brien (Ireland)-50 balls against England in Bangalore on Mar.2, 2011.

 10) Virat Kholi (India)_52 balls against Australia in Laipur on Oct.16, 2013.

Starc, Finch Keep Aussies unbeaten

 Hello everyone and welcome for the big clash of the second match of the tri-series at Melbourne. The match was between Australia and India. Australia has won the first game and will wish to put in a good performance and continue their winning momentum. India, on the other hand will try and use this series to fine tune their combinations before the World Cup. Their batting seems to be fine but their bowling remains their weak link. Melbourne pitch report: Not much grass on the wicket but it looks like a good batting wicket. there will be good bounce and carry. The ball should swing under lights, the wicket being a drop-in one.
 At the toss time India has won the toss and elected to bat. Ravindra Jadeja wasnot fit so Axar Patel is in. Gurinder Sandhu to make his international debut in place of Xavier Doherty. So that means no specialist spinner for Australia. This is also the 50th ODI for Shikhar Dhawan.
 The players are out in the middle. Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma come out to open the batting for India. Australia start with  Mitchell Starc. Out Starc strikes at the very first over. Dhawan gone just scored 2 runs from 4 balls.The ball takes the edge and flies to second slip where Finch took a good head high catch. Ajiyanka Rahane came at number three. Rahane just scored 12 runs from 22 balls and what out by G.Sandhu were he took his first Maiden International wicket. Virat Kholi came at number four. After some time India once again lost their Huge wicket. These time Kholi departs by Faulkner by scoring 9 runs from 16 balls. These time Faulkner strikes at his first over. Khloi was out by playing a pull shot but got top edges. The ball goes towards mid on where Bailey comes under it and takes a simple catch. India were 3-59 at 12.5 overs. Suresh Raina came to bat at number five. Australia bowling attack was going good but Rohit  and Raina partnership took India to a strong lead. At the batting powerplay Raina was depart by Starc. Raina has batted pretty well. He scored his 33rd ODI fifty. The batting poweplay end of a 126-run stand between Raina and Rohit. Dhoni came out to bat. After some time Rohit has score his 6 ODI ton in the batting powerplay. Dhoni and Rohit continue to build the innings. Dhoni was playing some classy shot. They both  start to lead the run more faster. At other end Australia were trying their best. Rohit and Dhoni partnership did not continue much longer. In the 44.4 over India lost their Huge wicket, Dhoni looks to force it through the covers but fails to connect and get an inside edge back onto his stumps. That was a slower one and Dhoni was early into his shot. That is a very timely wicket for Australia, third one for Starc. Axar Patel walks in. After two balls Starc strikes again. Out! Four for Starc! Fuller and swinging, Axar played all over it and is hit on his pads. The players appeal and the umpire upholds the appeal. Replays shows that it was sliding down leg. Ravichandran Ashwin comes out to bat. Australia were making a comeback in the game. Australia has stop the runs in the last eight overs. In the last over Starc strikes again these time R.Sharma. Out! 4th Five- for for Starc in ODI's!  Full toss outside off, Rohit looks to swing it over mid-wicket but Maxwell at mid-wicket takes a simple catch. End of a brilliant knock from Rohit Sharma. And a well deserved five-wicket haul for Starc! Bhuvmeshwar kumar came out to bat. Out! Timber! Full and swinging on middle, Kumar plays all over it and is beaten. The ball crashes into the stumps and that is a first ball duck for Kumar. Career best ODI figures for Starc. Mohammed Shami walks in. India restricted to 267/8!
 The score is still a good one despite the collapse at the end. Rohit was the best batsman for India, he played on merit of the ball and scored a ton but got little support from the other end once Raina fell. The ball is gripping a bit and India will hope their new ball bowlers can strike to keep them in the game since we all know once Indian bowlers lose control they go for plenty.
 For the chase. David Warner and Aaron Finch are the two openers for the Australia. Bhuvmeshwar Kumar to bowl first up. Warner and Finch was going for every bowl. India were trying to control the runrate as low as possible. India did not able to stop the two opener.The opening pair contributed 51 runs in 9.1 overs. The Bull Warner batted till his best. Warner was out by Umesh Yadav , he goes for the big one and gets a top edge coming forward. The ball goes up high in the air towards covers where Raina takes a good catch. Shane Watson came out to bat. Finch was going bit slow, other end Watson was dangerous. Watto played some classy shot. He was looking dangerous. Finch and Watson contributed 64 runs  from 13.3 overs. The dangerous Watson was blowed by Axar Patel. Watto looks to sweep it through the vacant on side region. The ball crashes into the stumps. He scored 41 runs from39 balls with 5 fours and 1 six. Steven Smith walks in to bat. He has been in superb form and will be look to continue to score against the Indian bowlers. Smith and Finch were looking well, they were playing comfortably. Smith and Finch played every shot which they want to play. Smith had complete 1000 ODI runs. These both pair contribute 101 runs from 17 overs. Smith scored 47 runs and he was out Mohammed Shami. Smith looks to swat it through mid-wicket but finds the fielder. Ashwin took a good catch. Glenn Maxwell walks in to bat. Very next over Umesh Yadav took the wicket of Finch. Finch looks to go after it but only manages to edge it through to the keeper. Finch misses out on his ton by 4 runs. George Bailey came out to bat. India had control the runrate and started to pick up wickets. George Bailey was stumped by Dhoni. Flatter down the leg side, Bailey looks to clip it but misses. Dhoni fumbles at first but then recovers well to take the bails off in a flash and appeals. The square leg umpire gives it out. Replays show there was a slight edge as well. Brad Haddin came out to bat. One of the moost experience players of Australia. Maxwell was not in form. He hit some bigge. He was out by Bhuvmeshwar Kumar. Fuller, slower one following Maxwell who is backing away. Maxwell ends up chipping it back to the bowler who does well to take the catch over his head, leaping up. The Big Show departs. James Faulkner walks in to join Haddin. He hit 30 in an over against Ishant once to win the game. India came back in the game by picking back to back wickets of Austalia. Haddin and Faulkner took well played. Australia win by 4 wickets.
Faulkner finish in style.
 The Indian bowlers will have to work on their new ball bowling. They were not consistent enough. Rohit scored a century for them today but the bowlers failed to back that up. Starc was the best bowler today taking up 6/43. With the win the home side are also almost playing the final of the tri-series. Not that it is very huge but it gives them good platform to build the momentum with. Mitchell Starc is the Man of he Match.
 So two brilliant performances from Starc in two games, he would want to keep that going. Australia will hope to bat better in the coming games. India did well with the bat and will take heart from their comeback in the game with the ball. Do join us for the game between England and India at the Gabba on January 20th, 2015. Until then, it's goodbye and take care!

 Australia trump England with bonus point

     

 

  Australia v England, Carlton Mid Tri-Series, Sydney. The first ODI was played between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Before the Carlton Mid Tri-Series these both team Australia and India had played four Test Match.

  The fourth Test between India and Australia was played at the Sydney. If the pitch had remains the same, then there would be a run feast. This series will be a test for Morgan, who has captained England in eight ODIs and averages 71.16 as leader.

 In these Tri-Series England begin life with Alastair Cook. Australia are without Michael Clarke. New captains, new ambitions but with similar goals. With the World Cup a little less than month away, the tri-series will help iron out the edges for sure.

 In the first ODI Eoin Morgan in his first full time match as England captain won the toss and revealed they did not want to take a chance with Anderson, who's still not hundred percent fit. Australia on the other hand, have left out Johnson and Hazlewood, who had a heavy workload in the Test series vs India.

 England skipper had won the toss and elected to bat first. Ian BELL and Moeen Ali were the opener from the England side and from the Australian Starc took the first over. He dismiss Bell the very first ball by a inswinger. James Taylor had came to bat and after 2 balls Starc dismiss Taylor by LBW. Joe Root has came to bat at no 3. He only managed to scored 5 runs and he was out by Cummins a thick outside edge. After three down the skipper has arrived to bat. after some time the opener Moeen ali was out by Faulkner. Ravi Bopara has came to bat he tried to bat well but the Australian bowler were continue to picking up wicket. Bopara was out by Doherty. they were 5-69 at 15.3 overs. the kipper had came he managed to scored 28 runs he was out by Faulkner. England were in trouble. Chris Woakes was out by Maxwell. England had lost there 7 wicket. the run rate was slow. Then there had a paternship between Jordan and Morgan they both managed to build the score. Joardan was out by Faulkner. Few mintues later Starc took the wicket of the skipper who had played very well. He had make 121 runs from 136 balls and the very next ball Starc took another wicket these time Steven Finn. England were all out at 233runs from 47.5 overs. England batting was good but there runrate were below 5.Only one batsman Eoin Morgan has batted well and scored a century. From austalian bowling side every bowler pick up wicket at right time and managed to keep the target below 240 runs. Starc and Faulkner were pretty good. The target was set for the Australian was 234 runs. if they achieve the target within 40 overs then they can win with a bonus points. Captain Eoin Morgan scores his seventh hundred.

 Warner and Finch were the opener and there mind were set to win these match within 40 overs to earn a bonus points. Finch was bowled by Woakes. Watson came to bat he also did not do well he was out at 16 runs by Jordan. Steve Smith arrives to bat. Both partnership of Smith and Warner lead the score to 158. Smith was bowled by Ali. The Australian skipper Bailey has walk in to bat. He was out soon by scoring 10 runs. The Big Hitter Maxwell has arrived he was out very soon. Again the Big Hitter did not manage to do anything new. The scores was 200 for 5 wickets at36.5 overs. For the bonus point they need 34 runs from 3.1 overs. The dangerous Bull Warner and Haddin were batting. Warner was superb at batting he scored 127 runs from 115 balls with 18 fours. For winnig the bonus point 8 runs were needed from 7 deliveries. Faulkner was the new man to crease he hit the first ball for the boundary. Finally 3runs were needed from the last over. Anything can happen in cricket and Haddin was run out and then Faulkner managed to win the match with one ball to spare. They won the match with a bonus point.David Warner scores his third hundred. Since his 163 (Brisbane) and 100 (Adelaide) against Sri Lanka in March 2012, this is Warner's first ton in 30 innings.

 A well crafted century by David Warner has steered Australia to a comfortable win over their arch rivals. Chasing a modest total, Warner held one end tightly and in spite of losing wickets at the other end, he kept on scoring runs at a brisk rate. His partnership with Steven Smith was enough to push England out of the game. Mitchell Starc has been announced the man of the match by his best bowling figures took 4 wickets in 8.5 overs. he will be on Hat-trick when the aussies play next.
 A well crafted century by David Warner has steered Australia to a comfortable win over their arch rivals. Chasing a modest total, Warner held one end tightly and in spite of losing wickets at the other end, he kept on scoring runs at a brisk rate. His partnership with Steven Smith was enough to push England out of the game. 
The margin of victory indicates that it was a close game but it wasn't as Australia went after the bonus point and threw away their wickets towards the end. Chris Woakes was the stand out performer with the ball but he received very little support from the other end. Right then , that's all from this match. Do join us on Sunday for the big clash between Australia and India at the MCG. Until then, it's good bye and cheers!!!