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!