Perth pitch to offer plenty of bounce similar to 2011Ashes Test: Curator

Perth, Jan 8 (ANI): Western Australian Cricket Association(WACA) Ground curator Cameron Sutherland has said Australian and Indian bowlers can expect to extract plenty of bounce in the third Test in Perth.
Sutherland said the wicket would be similar to the one in the 2011 Ashes Test, when paceman Mitchell Johnson's nine -wicket haul led Australia to a 267-run win.
"We think it will play pretty similar to last year against England, where it had a bit of colour and had a bit of grass on it. It's kind of a different grass we've used over the last couple of years. It's really fine," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Sutherland, as saying.
"So even if you leave grass on it and it has a bit of colour in it, it doesn't seam excessively. It just gives a bit to the new ball and then it settles into a pretty good batting wicket," he added.
Sutherland refused to comment on whether Australia should opt for a four-pronged pace attack or stick with a spinner for the Perth Test.
Australia will likely include spinner Nathan Lyon for the third Test with coach Mickey Arthur keen to maintain a good balance in his attack, the paper reported.
Australian paceman Ryan Harris is almost certain to win a berth instead of James Pattinson, who has been ruled out due to a foot injury. (ANI)

Conditions in UAE will favour Pakistan: Misbah

Islamabad, Jan 8 (IANS) Pakistani cricket captain Misbah-ul-Haq is optimistic about the team's performance in the upcoming three-match Test series against England in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Talking to media Saturday after the conclusion of the team's week-long training session in eastern city Lahore, Misbah said Pakistan would have an advantage in the series against England, ranked No.1. The two teams will also play four ODIs and three Twenty20s after the Test series.
'We know the conditions in the UAE as we have played a lot of cricket there so we have become used to the venues so that will definitely be an advantage for us,' Misbah said.
While replying to the criticism over his defensive style of batting and captaincy Misbah defended his strategy and said: 'It is better to win by playing defensively, instead of losing by playing aggressively. It's all about the situation; what you are required to do or not do.'
Talking about the conditions in the UAE, Misbah said that it would be challenging for both teams because taking wickets and scoring runs are difficult in slow pitches.
Pakistan's 14-member besides officials and team staff will leave for the UAE Monday and Pakistan will play its first Test match against England Jan 17 in Dubai.
Pakistani team officials and captain also hoped that they would go for the game while forgetting the 2010 tragedy of spot fixing allegation on Pakistani players during their visit to England.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has already given specific and strict instructions to the players to focus only the game and avoid any kind of controversy during the series against English team.
In 2011, Pakistan had an impressive record as they did not lose any of the Test series they played and qualified for the semi-finals of the World Cup in India.
Pakistan is scheduled to play three Test matches, four One-Day International and two Twenty20 matches against England.

We are not taking India lightly, says Arthur

Calcutta (The Telegraph): India failed to withstand the Australian pace attack in the relatively slower pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground and Australia coach Mickey Arthur wondered how the visitors would be able to counter them on the bouncy WACA pitch in Perth during the third Test, starting Friday. But that doesn’t mean they’re taking India lightly.

Australia coach Mickey Arthur has given Shaun Marsh his whole-hearted support.

“They didn’t look comfortable in the first innings. In the second, they did, but then this wicket, along with the one in Adelaide, is similar to the sub-continent. But WACA is different. It has pace and bounce and sideways movement. It’s interesting how they go there,” said Arthur at a press conference.

Arthur didn’t agree that the visitors lacked team effort. “I would never say that. They are the World Cup holders. Not very long ago, they held the No. 1 slot in Tests. I would never say they are a team of individuals. They have really good individual players but lately they have played as a team and have had some success as a side. I wouldn’t say it (team of individuals) at all,” he was quoted as saying in the Australian media.

Arthur described his Indian counterpart, Duncan Fletcher, as a fantastic coach who knows the game inside out. “He’s a fantastic coach. He’s one of the best I’ve spoken to. He knows the game inside out. I am sure he would definitely be planning to come back in Perth."

“He is a great man, he wouldn’t be taking (these defeats) calmly. He’s a very proud man and he would make sure his team is ready, come Perth.”

The Australian coach was satisfied with his team’s preparation. “I wasn’t happy, I wanted to tick every box and so we went a little bit early in Melbourne, so we could look at Indian bowlers, study them, simulate them in nets."

“So we had a solid game plan in place. Our batters certainly benefited from the couple of days we had (in Melbourne),” added the Australian coach.

Though question marks seem to hang over Shaun Marsh’s present form, Arthur gave the young left-hander his whole-hearted support. “As I keep saying, form is temporary and class is permanent. He’s a fantastic player and he would get a lot of runs for Australia.”

Arthur described skipper Michael Clarke as a truly dynamic player who has worked hard on his game.

“He worked extremely hard, especially in the lead-up to the Melbourne Test match, to technically get everything working again,” Arthur said. “I think we saw the signs of all the work he put in escalated in this (SCG) Test. When Michael Clarke’s hitting the ball late and hitting the ball under his eyes, he’s playing exceptionally well."

“I think there were so many graphics of him during this innings (that show he) hits the ball under his eyes and hits the ball late, which was fantastic. The minute he pokes out in front of his front pad, that’s when he gets himself into a little bit of trouble."

“He’s not doing that now, he looks the complete package, and he’s also the complete captaincy package as well. Truly, he’s inspirational within the dressing-room."

With Shane Watson waiting to get back into the playing XI after nursing an injury, Arthur said he looks forward to it even though he feels his side has the best six batsmen in the squad at the moment.

“We are comfortable with the top six we have available, if all are selected for Perth. He (Watson)’s a quality all-rounder. He has ability with both bat and ball. He needs more time and would be ready, hopefully by Adelaide and if not then may be in one-day series. We will see how he progresses. ”

Arthur also said that swing bowler Ryan Harris would be picked for the third Test after being on the bench in the first two Tests.
Meanwhile, James Pattinson, who has been ruled out of the remaining two Tests with a left foot injury, is moving around with his leg placed in a cast. The pace sensation is hopeful, as quoted by Fox Sports, of making a comeback in the upcoming tri-series next month.

We have intimidated Indian batsmen, says Pattinson

Sydney, Jan 3 (IANS) Australia's young fast bowling sensation James Pattinson, who picked up four for 43, feels that the Indian batsmen have been intimidated with the aggression of the Australian quicks.
The Indian batting collapsed yet again and were bundled out for 191 runs in their first innings in the second Test against Australia. Pattinson took four wickets while the experienced duo of Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus shared three each on the opening day of the 100th Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
'I think they (India) are probably intimidated about the way we are bowling, the areas we are bowling, we are not giving them any loose balls,' Pattinson told reporters.
'For them they have probably got it in their mind 'where are we going to score', because they are not getting any loose balls at the moment. Intimidation comes with us bowling really well,' he said referring to their nagging off-stump line to the struggling Indian batters.
Sachin Tendulkar and V.V.S. Laxman, who have an impressive record at the SCG, could not show much resistance against the Australian pace trio. Both fell to Pattinson with Tendulkar (41) playing on and Laxman edging a full delivery to Shaun Marsh at second slip.
Pattinson revealed how they have been able to contain Laxman so far in the series.
'He (Laxman) has had great success against Australia in the past and that is something we have looked at, but if you bowl good balls it doesn't matter how good they are. On your day you can get them out, and I think early on they are coming pretty hard at us, looks like they want to score.
'That is even better from a bowlers' point of view to have them trying to score early on, try to drive you through the covers to a ball that probably wasn't quite there today. So it is great for us to see them wanting to do that, and if we can keep doing the right thing we will keep going with success,' he said.
The 21-year-old said playing against the famed Indian batting line-up is bringing out the best in them.
'The bubble around our bowling attack is amazing for the fact we are playing against such high-class opposition. We are just up for the challenge even more. If you come out on the day and don't bowl so well they can put you right on the back foot, therefore the day travels away from you a little bit.'
On polishing off the Indian tail with short-pitch stuff, Pattinson said: 'If you bowl a good enough short ball I think most tail-enders are pretty suspect. To be honest, I don't like the short ball at my head. But it is just a credit to our bowlers, we are bowling really well. If you pitch the ball up or short, you have still got to bowl in the right areas, you have got to bowl nice and straight. It is something the bowlers have done really well over the last month or two that we have been playing.

Australia in control after bowlers dominate day one

It may be a new year but India seem bent on going retro in a tribute to the 1990s, a period which saw their

Australia's James Pattinson took 4 wickets to contribute to India's downfall

‘tigers at home, lambs abroad’ reputation travel with them. There was the inevitable sense of déjà vu as they were bowled out for a mere 191 soon after tea on Day one of the second Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Zaheer Khan did bring them back into the game with three wickets at the top of Australia’s order, but India again frittered away the opportunity provided by the early breakthroughs, enabling Australia to end the day at 116-3.
Top-order trouble

India yet again got off to a terrible start in the first session of a Test and lo behold this time too it stemmed from the top. Forget a noteworthy one, today there was no opening partnership at all. Gautam Gambhir flirted with a delivery outside the off stump and edged an easy catch to Michael Clarke in the very first over to give Australia an advantage straight away. This was after Indian captain MS Dhoni won the toss and opted to bat on a pitch that looked like it was excellent for batting but had a tinge of green in it.
 Gambhir hasn’t scored a Test century in nearly two years now and very clearly has a problem of playing away from his body that needs sorting out. After a spectacular 2007 and 2008, his form has slowly deteriorated with the past six months being completely forgettable. He missed the tour to the Caribbean courtesy a shoulder injury and thereafter has averaged just 22 from 14 innings. If you look at the 5 Tests he has played for India away from home during this period - his average drops to paltry 13.

With Gambhir gone, the middle order caved into the pressure exerted by some fantastic bowling from the pace trio – Pattinson, Siddle and Hilfenhaus.  Dravid couldn’t replicate his good form from 2011 and and offered an inside edge straight to short leg.  Sehwag lived a customary dangerous life before lack of footwork saw him help an edge on its way to the keeper.  Laxman’s woeful run in his once favourite haunt continued with another cheap dismissal – Pattinson tricking him into driving a full delivery that took a thick edge to third slip. Kohli meanwhile wasted another opportunity to make the number 6 slot his own.

Minor recovery

In contrast to the rest of the top order, Sachin Tendulkar looked comfortable at the crease. The master blaster has been in supreme form, even though he hasn’t been able to cross that elusive three-figure mark.  This time too he gave away a solid start, when he was bowled by an inside edge onto his stumps, giving Pattinson his fourth wicket of the day.

Skipper Dhoni came in and put on valuable runs with Ashwin before the rest of the tail folded leaving him stranded on 57 not out. Credit for India getting close to the 200-run mark also has to be given to some defensive tactics by Aussie skipper Michael Clarke.  He let up the pressure by bringing in spinner Nathon Lyon from one end and spreading the field.

Australia’s reply

The momentum was with the Aussies as David Warner and Ed Cowan came onto the field to take strike. Warner threatened to explode with two sweetly timed boundaries in over number one but Zaheer made an immediate comeback, proving just how important it is to have him fit and in the side. Zaheer bowled a fuller length off the last ball of the first over to lure Warner into edging it into the slips. The first delivery of his next over got an edge from Shaun Marsh and opener Cowan went a few overs later trapped lbw. 

The joy for India’s fans was shortlived. Dhoni didn’t have nerve to persist with an attacking field and Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting wasted no time in getting stuck into the rest of the bowling. Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma and Ashwin all going for over 5 runs an over. Australia ended the day trailing by just 75 runs courtesy a 79-run partnership between the current skipper and his predecessor – both looking in the mood to pile on the misery on Day two.

A short synopsis of the beginnings of Cricket in England

Cricket has been played as a recognized sport since the early 18th century. The first recorded match was played in Sussex, England in 1697. In 1719, the first "county" match was played, with the Londoners (Middlesex) vs. the Kentish. It gained publicity in the southern counties of England, but was eventually transplanted to be mainly in the London grounds of wealthy patrons. During this time, crowds were often rowdy, with high monetary stakes on important matches.
The Hambledon Club, a small club in Hampshire, brought attention to the sport, as they challenged the larger clubs with a run for their money. Their historian, John Nyren, wrote prose literature on the subject of cricket. This team played its final recorded match in 1793 at Lord's in London, the most important cricket site in cricket history.
Lord's was begun in Dorset Square as a private cricket field by Thomas Lord, a Yorkshire man who bowled for the club. In 1813, the club was moved from its second location at St. John's Wood to its present field. However, the original Dorset Square turf was relaid with each change. The Marylebone Cricket Club, (MCC) with Lord's as its 'home base', is considered the international cricket authority.
In 1969, cricket administration underwent a dramatic change. The Cricket Council was formed at this point, including the M.C.C., the Test and County Cricket Board (TCCB), and the National Cricket Association. The MCC still holds responsibility for the laws, but it is no longer the sole governing body. The TCCB controls both the county matches and the international tests. Delegates from the Women's Cricket Association, umpires, Royal Air Force, Army, and Navy cricket are on the Council.

There is now no distinction between amateur and professional clubs. The county cricket matches are large attractions among all people in England. Also, the Oxford vs. Cambridge match is played as a major event every summer at Lord's. Cricket is truly England's national summer sport.

Pitch, Indian batting the key at SCG at SCG

Four years on from the controversial second Test between Australia and India, during which tensions reached an all-time high as a result of poor umpiring, debatable catches, excessive appealing and the ugly 'Monkeygate' row, the two teams return to the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) for the second Test of the ongoing series. With Australia up 1-0 in the series following a resounding win in Melbourne, the advantage lies with the hosts and whether India manage to rally and level the series remains the focal point. That this will be the 100th Test at the hallowed SCG only adds to the significance of this match.

Australia will come into this Test with a massive psychological advantage. Before the start of the Boxing Day Test they appeared a side in disarray, with injuries to first-choice players and plenty of pressure over the form of veterans Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey threatening to hamper their performance. Instead, Ponting and Hussey contributed crucial innings and the bowlers, led by a rookie in James Pattinson and a rehabilitated Ben Hilfenhaus, turned in an outstanding spell to pummel India by 120 runs.

AFP

India were let down by their experienced batsmen. Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar made half-centuries in the first innings but a dramatic collapse of 8 for 68, beginning with Tendulkar's dismissal for 73 on the second evening, saw their hopes of taking a lead squandered emphatically. Then, chasing 292, the batting imploded with Tendulkar's 32 the highest score in a meek capitulation.

India need their batsmen to stand up, and on the basis of the nature of the SCG track it appears they can take some comfort. The pitch is supposed to be more batsmen-friendly than the MCG's, with spin also coming to the fore. But perhaps more than current reading, India’s past exploits at the venue could give them inspiration. Tendulkar has enjoyed batting at the SCG – in four Tests he has scored 148*, 45, 4, 241*, 60*, 154* and 12 – while VVS Laxman has scored centuries in each of his three visits to Sydney. As the visitors aim to level the series, contributions from Tendulkar – still in search of his 100th international hundred - and Laxman would be pivotal.

It is unlikely India will press the panic button and drop Virat Kohli, who managed 11 and 0 at the MCG, from their line-up. But, as his middle-order competitor Rohit Sharma said over the weekend, the team was confident of bouncing back at the SCG. "You look at the past record, what we've done in Sydney, it's tremendous, whether it's one-day cricket or Test cricket," he said. "Individual players have performed really well. Hopefully Sydney turns out lucky again for us in this Test match."

India will need more than luck to beat a charged-up Australia. Their fast bowlers, especially Zaheer Khan and Umesh Yadav, did well at the MCG and a repeat performance would not go amiss. Getting more out of Ishant Sharma and R Ashwin, who was disappointing in Australia's second innings in Melbourne, is tantamount to India’s success.

Australia’s selectors included Ryan Harris in their 12-man squad for the SCG, at the expense of Daniel Christian and Mitchell Starc, but he will not feature in this Test as the management opted for an unchanged XI. With the SCG pitch expected to assist spin more than during the first Test, Australia coach Mickey Arthur has singled out offspinner Nathan Lyon as a key player on a pitch which traditionally takes turn later in the match.

"There's absolutely no doubt that they [India] will try and go him," Arthur said. "Nathan is a pretty skilful offspinner so I reckon that will develop into the very interesting contest. We're going to get a lot of overs out of Nathan if it's a typical SCG wicket and I've got full confidence in his ability to tie India down and, in the second innings, strike for us. I think it could be (a pivotal contest) providing we get enough runs on the board. If we have runs on the board Nathan becomes a very interesting prospect for us."

The SCG pitch has offered plenty of early seam movement in the past two years. However, apart from the last Ashes, when James Anderson, Chris Tremlett and Tim Bresnan shared 16 wickets between them, spinners have had a significant impact. A year before that, Pakistan's seamers took all 10 Australian first-innings wickets but legspinner Danesh Kaneria and Australia's offspinner Nathan Hauritz took five wickets apiece in the second innings.

Probable teams:

Australia: 1 David Warner, 2 Ed Cowan, 3 Shaun Marsh, 4 Ricky Ponting, 5 Michael Clarke (capt), 6 Michael Hussey, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Peter Siddle, 9 James Pattinson, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Ben Hilfenhaus.

India: 1 Virender Sehwag, 2 Gautam Gambhir, 3 Rahul Dravid, 4 Sachin Tendulkar, 5 VVS Laxman, 6 Rohit Sharma, 7 MS Dhoni (capt, wk), 8 R Ashwin, 9 Zaheer Khan, 10 Ishant Sharma, 11 Umesh Yadav.