Official Cricket Articles Thread

[Romeo]

Fears for future ... Michael Vaughan (AFP)

I may never play again: Vaughan


Injured England captain Michael Vaughan, who has already been ruled out of this year's Ashes series in Australia, admits he might never play again.
"I have real hope I'll get better. I'll do all the hard work and I believe there'll be another day when Michael Vaughan takes the field in an England cricket shirt," he was quoted as saying in the British media today.
"But I have to be realistic. I've read I might never play cricket again - and that might well turn out to be the case.
"There are no guarantees. I know that better than anyone," added Vaughan, who attended England's second Test win over Pakistan at Old Trafford on Saturday on crutches.
"There is an area of the knee that's very worn - and there was a split in the cartilage. They tell me the operation has been successful but they'll only know for certain after rehab."
"What is certain is that whether I play cricket again or not I am going to need a total knee replacement in 15 years."
Yorkshire batsman Vaughan, who led England as they clinched the Ashes for the first time in 18 years in 2005, is recovering from having a fourth operation on his injured right knee on July 3.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said he would be targeting a return early in 2007 with a view to being available for the World Cup in the Caribbean in March.
However, 31-year-old Vaughan is still holding out hope that he may play some part in the Ashes series which starts with the first Test in Brisbane on November 23.
"I have to have a go. I have another three weeks on crutches and then, around September 22 - 12 weeks after the operation - I'll try to start a little light running," he was quoted as saying in the Mail on Sunday.
"If all goes well, my aim is to be playing some kind of cricket in late December or early January.
"Is there any chance I might be ready for Melbourne or Sydney? Probably not, but I'm going to hang on to that dream."
Vaughan has not played for England since returning home early from the tour of India in February.
-Reuters

 

[Romeo]

JL not worried about Jaques' form

JUSTIN Langer is bristling at suggestions his head is on the Test chopping block because of Phil Jaques' run-scoring spree and claims every member of the Australian top order should feel threatened by the New South Welshman in the lead-up to the Ashes.
Langer said Jaques, who belted 1074 runs in 44 days recently for Worcestershire and Australia A, is capable of emulating former specialist opener Mike Hussey's rise to the Test side. Sheer weight of runs demanded Hussey get a place in the middle order and since then, he has become irreplaceable.
Langer believes Jaques should get the same opportunity away from his specialised opening role if he proves to be one of the six best batsmen in the country.
"It's interesting, I was doing an interview with an Australian bloke from a magazine last week and he was telling me that Phil played the last Test and he's still in great form, so I had to prove myself all over again to get picked, and I was telling him, 'Geez, mate, I'm glad you're not a selector or I'd be dead in the water'," Langer said.
"The facts are that Phil Jaques is batting absolutely brilliantly. He's a bloody good player. He's putting pressure on to get into the team and that's a brilliant situation. That's the way it should be, but I think my career speaks for itself. I've played a hundred Tests and hope that gives me some credit points with the selectors.
"I've had this all through my career. There's always someone who should take my spot — Matthew Elliott, Michael Slater, Greg Blewett, Phil Jaques. I've gone through my whole career with plenty of people thinking I should be replaced by someone else.
"My name always comes up but there are six batting spots up for grabs. Look at Mike Hussey. He opened his whole life. He never batted anywhere else but now he's a superstar in the middle order. If you can bat, you can bat anywhere from one to six. I'm not saying anything at all against the other blokes in the team, but you'd think Phil Jaques is keeping every one of us on our toes. He's putting us all under pressure."
Langer's most recent Test, his 100th, ended abruptly when he was forced to retire hurt on nought after a sickening blow to the head from South African paceman Makhaya Ntini. He was in a bad way for weeks and retirement was mooted. His career has been dogged by blows to the skull, but his just-completed stint with English county side Somerset, capped by 342 against Surrey, eased his mind.
"The first ball I faced in England, I'll admit I was bloody nervous," he said. "I remember my first net session over there. I hadn't batted for three months and my first net was at a … high school on a really bad greentop wicket … But I had a really good session against a lot of short stuff and that got me going."
Damien Martyn and Michael Clarke are most vulnerable to losing their spots to Jaques.

 

[Cooldude]

Re: JL not worried about Jaques' form

Just the NSW media spinning their bull****, there's no way BNG would be dropped

 

[Romeo]

Mahela Jayawardene annoyed at not eclipsing Lara's score

Missed world-record


Mahela Jayawardene celebrated the lion's share of a world-record stand with Sri Lanka team-mate Kumar Sangakkara during the first Test with South Africa but admitted he was ruing his failure to break Brian Lara's world-record individual Test score on Saturday.
Sri Lanka roared to 756 for five before declaring after Jayawardene's dismissal - a 587-run first-innings lead over the tourists, who had made 43 without loss in their second innings by stumps on day three.
Jayawardene, who made 374, and Sangakkara, who managed 287, laid the foundations with their epic stand of 624 for the third wicket after coming together with the score only on 14.
It eclipsed not only the nine-year Test record for any wicket of 576 set by their Sri Lanka team-mate Sanath Jayasuriya and the now retired Roshan Mahanama but also the first-class record of 577 set by VS Hazare and Gul Muhammad for the fourth wicket in the match between Baroda and Holkar in 1946-47.
Jayawardene said: "When we went out to bat today the focus was on pressing home the advantage and not records.
"We thought we will bat until lunch and then decide. We never had any individual targets but we are happy with what we have achieved. However, the important thing is the team's position."
Jayawardene's 374 saw him beat Jayasuriya's Sri Lankan Test best of 340 but fail to beat Lara's record of 400 not out, set two years ago for the West Indies against England.
Lara's 375, also against England in Antigua in 1993-4, and Matthew Hayden's 380 for Australia against a weakened Zimbabwe team two years ago mean Jayawardene's knock is now fourth in the all-time Test list.
"As for me I am very proud of breaking Sanath Jayasuriya's batting record of 340," said Jayawardene.
"Sanath has been such a great player and to be able to pass him is something great. I am disappointed not to have got to the 400 mark.
"We discussed it at tea with coach Tom Moody, who told me to go for it as this is a big opportunity. Having said that, I am happy with the 374 I got.
"I am especially happy that I batted with Kumar Sangakkara as we are great mates, not just on the field but off it too. I must add that I was not feeling tired. Even at the time I got out I was very focused. It was a super batting pitch."
Sangakkara said: "I cannot in anyway be disappointed. How can you be after you have scored 287? But having said that, I must admit I was looking to get to 300.
"As for the record, we realised only after we got four byes. It was a fantastic feeling and good to have it for yourself.
"But let's not forget that records are there to be broken and our record will be broken some day. I must add that it was a great privilege to bat alongside Mahela Jayawardene.
"He is a great mate of mine and I have always followed his cricket from my school days when I represented Trinity College and he represented Nalanda College. He was always marked down for greatness and it is very good to see him do what he did today.
"Talking of the world-record partnership, I can recall following it as a schoolboy when the two greats of that time Sanath Jayasuriya and Roshan Mahanama established it. It is a good feeling to be able to pass that record today."
South African spinner Nicky Boje was punished more heavily than any other bowler, conceding 221 runs, but he believes that the Proteas can snatch a draw.
"I must admit that the wicket is still good and both Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara batted very well and played some awesome cricket," said Boje.
"I am sure the wicket will stay good and without Chaminda Vaas they will struggle. This will be a good opportunity for our batsmen."

 

[Romeo]

Re: Mahela Jayawardene annoyed at not eclipsing Lara's score

However in another article Mike Brearley accused him of being narcisistic they way he chased the record and declared as soon as he went out. He said cricket's meant to be a team game and it's lucky for him his selfishness will probably not cost his side the match.

 

[Thewlis Dish]

Re: Mahela Jayawardene annoyed at not eclipsing Lara's score

Why shouldn't he have gone for the record? Plenty of time to bowl South Africa out.

 

[Romeo]

Giles concedes that Monty may have gone ahead of him

Giles feels pressure from Panesar

Giles recognises that Panesar has terrific potential for England

England Ashes-winning hero Ashley Giles has conceded Old Trafford star Monty Panesar must now be recognised as the team's number one spinner.
Panesar showed great skill to remove five specialist Pakistan batsmen on Saturday as England won the first Test.
And the injured Giles, also a left-arm slow bowler, told Five Live: "Monty in this last game performed superbly and he's now the man in possession.
"I have to get my place back. That's the danger when you get injured."
Giles said his immediate concern was to get back and bowling "in any form of cricket".
He admitted: "I can't bowl and I can't run. The actual prcess of rehab is going really well but it's just another four weeks before I reach that point."
The 33-year-old, a veteran of 52 Tests, has played no competitive cricket this calendar year.

Monty has lovely drift on the ball, puts lots of revolutions on it and turns the ball



Ashley Giles


After leaving the Pakistan tour early last November, he underwent an initial hip operation.
But when that failed to clear up his injury, he needed another at the start of July.
Giles is hopeful of making a return before the Ashes tour, and his plans include the ICC Champions Trophy in India in October.
But for now, he is happy to sing the praises of Panesar, a man nine years his junior who has played just eight Tests.
"Monty is a brilliant technician," said Giles.
"He works extremely hard, he has lovely drift on the ball, puts lots of revolutions on it and turns the ball. "His consistency is something that has impressed me since he has come into the team."

 

[dan warna]

Re: Vaughan fears he may never play again

damn, I was hoping vaughan could make his usual contribution iwht the bat against us next ashes

england might get a batsman instead...

 

[SBI]

Re: Mahela Jayawardene annoyed at not eclipsing Lara's score

Exactly, if Sri Lanka can't bowl South Africa out in over two days, they don't deserve to win. Not Jayawardene's fault.

 

[Romeo]

Pratt to come to Australia as fielding sub for Monty?




Pratt for the Ashes!

Ponting's dismissal by Pratt was an Ashes turning point

Pressure is growing for England to take lucky talisman Gary Pratt to Australia for their Ashes defence.
Pratt was the substitute fielder who ran out Ricky Ponting at Trent Bridge in 2005, and the Aussie captain's annoyed reaction was seen as a turning point in a famous series.
And in the celebrations that followed the series, the 24-year-old was to the fore, riding on the open-top bus parade and dancing in Trafalgar Square.
Even though England have since been ravaged by injury, they welcomed back one of the Ashes heroes when Pratt fielded as sub again during the second Test against Pakistan.

I think our listeners can help us - what role is there for Gary Pratt apart from being the team mascot?



Jonathan Agnew

Having averaged less than 20 with the bat in six County Championship matches this summer, he was not required by Durham.
But BBC Test Match Special commentator Jonathan Agnew believes Pratt could have a role as England mascot and specialist fielder in Australia.
Agnew explained: "They take dieticians, they take security men, they take loosener-uppers, loosener-downers, physiotherapists, masseurs.
"Surely there's room for a lucky charm."
But with central contracts strictly regulated and Cricket Australia bound to kick up a fuss, how could England justify taking Pratt in the touring party?
"I think our listeners can help us," said Aggers. "What role is there for Gary Pratt apart from being the team mascot?"
Summariser Vic Marks expounded: "He's got a dual role already - he is a mascot and an incredibly good fielder so he would go on as a substitute fielder.
"But Duncan Fletcher likes three strings to the bow. "Food taster? 'Shall we have the oysters? Let's get Pratt out to try them'. "Wine taster? Looking the way he was on the bus I suspect he would be pretty good at that role."

 

[usalion]

Re: Pratt to come to Australia as fielding sub for Monty?

Sure- bring him on for a bit of fan aggro- just don't be surprised when you see us wheel the portaloo outside the boundary ropes, so you have no excuses for 45 minutes off the field

 

[Romeo]

Tri-series scheduled for Singapore and Malaysia involving Aussies

Tri-series scheduled for Singapore and Malaysia
Cricinfo staff
July 30, 2006
India will play a tri-series against Australia and the West Indies in Singapore and Malaysia in September, ending weeks of speculation over the venue for the event.
Originally, India had agreed to meet West Indies in USA and Canada, and then that was switched to Canada, and even that was subsequently scrapped when venues could not be cleared in time.
The three teams will play each other twice before the top two meet in a final. The first three matches will take place in Singapore with the remaining four in Kuala Lumpar.
While there are not likely to be any issues with the Australian and Indian boards, the West Indies Cricket Board has some outstanding matters to resolve with its players. They claim that they were not consulted before the WICB agreed to the matches, which is against the arrangement between the board and the West Indies Players' Association.

 

[usalion]

Re: Tri-series scheduled for Singapore and Malaysia involving Aussies

More Mickey Mouse games to make some dosh for the cricket authorities. How about a round robin Test match with the three countries- India v Australia, India v West Indies, Australia v West Indies.... Nope, wouldn't draw the crowds- and ad revenue would be down. Oh, well....

 

[RoosterLad]

Re: Tri-series scheduled for Singapore and Malaysia involving Aussies

More Mickey Mouse games to make some dosh for the cricket authorities. How about a round robin Test match with the three countries- India v Australia, India v West Indies, Australia v West Indies.... Nope, wouldn't draw the crowds- and ad revenue would be down. Oh, well....

that would be far far better, im sick of this crappy one day rubbish

a round robin test series would be great and something different

 

[Browney2006]

Re: Tri-series scheduled for Singapore and Malaysia involving Aussies

More Mickey Mouse games to make some dosh for the cricket authorities. How about a round robin Test match with the three countries- India v Australia, India v West Indies, Australia v West Indies.... Nope, wouldn't draw the crowds- and ad revenue would be down. Oh, well....

Plus the Indians wouldnt agree to it

 

[Romeo]

Poms tell Panesar he must become the full Monty.

Update: Monday, July 31, 2006. 12:00pm AEST England wants more from Monty


England coach Duncan Fletcher has told Monty Panesar he must develop the other areas of his game before he can be assured of being the team's premier spinner.
Ashley Giles's lengthy absence because of a hip injury has given Northamptonshire left-armer Panesar a chance to show what he can do in international cricket.
So far the turban-wearing 24-year-old has made an encouraging start to his Test career with 25 wickets in his first eight matches, including a superb match-winning return of 5 for 72 in the side's crushing innings and 120-run victory over Pakistan in the second Test.
Panesar's returns at Old Trafford included the scalps of five of Pakistan's top six including the 'big three' of captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf - all noted players of spin.
His attacking style has led many to suggest that Panesar should retain his place even if the more defensively-minded Giles, a valuable member of England's Ashes-winning team last year, regains full fitness.
But Fletcher said Panesar had to improve his batting and fielding, the latter a particular concern, to secure his place in the England team.
"I think Monty is a very good bowler, but we have to produce 11 players who can produce two of the departments efficiently, whoever is playing for England," said Fletcher.
"I still have slight reservations about his batting and his fielding, but he's an outstanding bowler and doing [the] job for us because there's no-one else at the moment who can fulfil that role.
"He needs to work hard at it because if you work hard at your fielding you can really improve that a great deal. It's not easy to turn you into a number six batter, but I just think you need to work at those two areas."
Giles is capable of taking some sharp catches in the gully, had developed into a handy lower order batsman with an average in excess of 20 runs.
Meanwhile Giles, speaking on BBC Radio's Sportsweek program, admitted he had a fight on his hands.
"Monty is the man in possession and I have to get my place back - that's the danger if you do get injured," he said
"My recovery is going OK, it is just frustrating.
"I cannot bowl and cannot run but the rehab is going well. It is going to be another four or five weeks until we reach that point."
Giles also paid a generous tribute to Panesar.
"Monty is a brilliant technician and works extremely hard. He is able to land the ball in good areas and put batsmen under pressure," he said.
England are due to announce their squad for the third Test at Headingley tonight knowing that a win will see them take an unbeatable 2-0 lead after the drawn series opener at Lord's.
Wicket-keeper Geraint Jones, who took the field at Old Trafford despite a fractured right ring finger, remains doubtful and his longstanding rival Chris Read, who played for England A against Pakistan earlier this season, could be called in as cover.
-AFP

 

[Freo Big Fella]

Re: Tri-series scheduled for Singapore and Malaysia involving Aussies

FFS! Why do we always have to be party to the Indians shameless whoring of ODI's?

 

[Browney2006]

Re: Pratt to come to Australia as fielding sub for Monty?

Anything to see Ricky lose his cool, is fine by me.

 

[Cooldude]

Re: Poms tell Panesar he must become the full Monty.

Duncan Fletcher's ****ing kidding himself.

Monty's picked as a bowler, and as long as he keeps taking wickets, then there's no reason to drop him coz he can't bat/field. It's ridiculous

Being efficient in two departments? So what's Giles'? Can bat a bit and can field (Can't bowl)?

If Monty still can't be assured of his place after his massive haul last Test, it can only be because of more stupidity from Fletcher

 

[Browney2006]

Re: Poms tell Panesar he must become the full Monty.

Agreed, it ridiculous that Monty's spot is still up for question surely that last test he has proved that he is a very promising young off spinner and should be picked well ahead of Giles/Darymple and co. Yes he is an absolutely appulaing fielder, but this can be improved, the thing with Giles is that his bowling aint gunna improve much, plus hes too old, should be thinking of the youth. Monty's batting isnt as bad as most people think. His technique looks fine and he has a good defence, and as weve seen is very capable to attack the spinners, but once again this can improve in time. He hasnt had time to show he will be a threat with the bat!!

 

[Romeo]

Re: Poms tell Panesar he must become the full Monty.

Agree, I wonder if Gilly has muddied the waters because he's been such a great all-rounder as a keeper. It's almost as if he has taken focus off how important players' specialist roles are. Back in the old days blokes like Tallon were revered as keepers and it didn't matter if another keeper could bat better than them. It's hard enough for England to find a spinner who actually spins the ball so they'd be foolish to let his problematic fielding get in the way. And it's not as if pigeon has ever been the world's greatest batsman.

 

[xyakks]

Re: Pratt to come to Australia as fielding sub for Monty?

I'll be fine with that if Australia are allowed to bring on Russel Gilbert as our replacment fielder.

 

[crudbucket]

Re: Mahela Jayawardene annoyed at not eclipsing Lara's score

At least they are still playing for a win, even when one of the team had a chance to break the world record ..... unlike the two times when a certain Windian was batting for himself .

 

[just maybe]

Re: Mahela Jayawardene annoyed at not eclipsing Lara's score

Yep, wrapped up an easy win.

No worries for Jawawardene. Stupid comment by Brearley, no doubt if Sangakkara or any other teammate was still there he would have let them for it as well.

It's about realising the possibility for a record and winning the game.

 

[Romeo]

Jayawardene - Murali greatest ever!

Colombo - Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene on Monday hailed Muttiah Muralitharan as the greatest-ever spinner after another match-winning performance in the first Test against South Africa.
The 34-year-old spin wizard picked up a match haul of 10-172 as South Africa were thrashed by an innings and 153 runs to concede the lead in the two-match series.
Muralitharan grabbed 6-131 as the tourists, 587 runs behind on the first innings, were bowled out for 434 in their second knock after lunch on the fifth day at the Sinhalese sports club.
"There is no doubt in my mind that Murali is the greatest spinner ever," said Jayawardene, who was named man of the match for the fourth highest Test score of 374 in Sri Lanka's innings.
"These were difficult conditions to bowl in. It was very hot and humid and the wicket was getting slower, slower and slower as the match progressed.
"Yet Murali bowled 64 overs in the second innings and just kept probing the batsmen. He is so hungry for wickets.
"I am certain he would have been named man of the match if I had not got that big score or the record stand."
Sri Lanka had piled up 756 for five declared in their first innings with Jayawardene sharing a world record partnership of 624 with Kumar Sangakkara (287) for the third wicket.
The batting feast came after South Africa were dismissed for 169, their lowest total against Sri Lanka, on the opening day.
It was the 17th time Muralitharan had claimed 10 or more wickets in a match. He also has 54 hauls of five wickets or more in an innings.
Muralitharan, 34, now has 645 wickets in 107 Tests, second in the all-time list behind Australian Shane Warne's record tally of 685 in 140 matches.
Jayawardene said his team gained enormously from the recent tour of England where they fought back to draw the Test series 1-1 and blanked the hosts 5-0 in the one-dayers.
"That tour gave us the confidence to play better," he said. "We had to make sure we did not go off the boil and needed to stick to our game plan.
"We were very positive in everything we did here. It was a great achievement by the whole team."
South African captain Ashwell Prince, standing in for the injured Graeme Smith, said the low score in the first innings let his team down.
"We had our backs against the wall from the first day," said Prince, the first black cricketer to lead his country.
"As I told the boys, there were too many soft dismissals that caused our downfall and it was always going to be a struggle from there.
"But the guys showed great courage in what were not easy conditions. We batted quite well the second time, which is a great positive to take from the match. We will be better prepared for the second Test."
South African coach Mickey Arthur said touring Sri Lanka was the second most difficult job in cricket after playing in Australia. "Those are the two toughest tours in the game," he said. "Sri Lanka is such a tough opponent at home."