India tour of Australia 2011-2012

[M@zh@R]

RE: India tour of Australia 2011

I want to be the factor which makes the difference: Zaheer

Let down by injuries on his previous two trips Down Under, Indian pace spearhead Zaheer Khan said this time he wants to be the factor that decides the Test series against Australia, starting on Monday in Melbourne.

Zaheer, who picked up 10 wickets in three Tests at an average of 40 during previous trips, said he is desperate to make up for the past.

"This tour is very important for me," Zaheer, who bowled five overs on the final day of a practice match here, said.

"I want to be the factor which makes the difference as there are so many expectations on me. The way I see it, it all worked out perfectly fine, because I had a four-month break so I could prepare well for this series," he added.

Zaheer said he would ensure that his injury-prone body holds up this time.

"In the past, it used to be at the end of the season that I would go to Australia and breakdown. I am really looking forward to joining the team and to playing my part, and also to helping the youngsters and guiding them in whatever way I can," he was quoted as saying by 'Fox Sports'.
Newspaper:Indian Express,21st Dec

 

[M@zh@R]

RE: India tour of Australia 2011

Ponting, Hussey retained for first Test against India

MELBOURNE: Out-of-form veterans Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey have been retained in the Australia team to play India in the first Test beginning on Monday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The 37-year-old Ponting has not scored a Test century in nearly two years, while Hussey has scored just 83 runs in his last seven Test innings.

David Warner, who scored a century on debut in the New Zealand Test, will open with Ed Cowan, who will make his Test debut replacing the dropped Phil Hughes.

Australia has decided to take just four genuine bowlers into the Test, with Shaun Marsh called up to the side ahead of all-rounder Dan Christian.

Marsh, who has been recovering from a back injury, has not played since the first Test in Cape Town against South Africa. He scored an unbeaten 99 in a Twenty20 match this week and will bat at No. 3.

Seamer Ben Hilfenhaus replaces 12th man Mitchell Starc.

Captain and selector Michael Clarke said he felt he has the right line-up to get 20 wickets at the MCG.
Newspaper:Times Of India, 24th Dec

 

[M@zh@R]

RE: India tour of Australia 2011

Tough challenge for bowlers: Clarke

Australia captain Michael Clarke conceded that his side's young bowling attack would face a tough challenge against the star-studded and experienced Indian batting in the Test series starting here on December 26.

“The sheer weight of runs scored by the Indian top order over the years indicates that our bowling group is in for a tough challenge, but we are confident we've identified a few areas where we can have impact,” Clarke said.

“The experience and class of India against the talent and energy of this exciting Australian team should make for a thrilling contest for the 75,000 people in the stands and the millions more watching around the world.

“There's also the issue of Sachin Tendulkar and his 100th international century, which has been a huge talking point in India and around the cricketing world,” said the Australian captain.

Clarke feels that the visiting bowling attack will lose sheen if strike bowler Zaheer Khan is not fully fit.
Newspaper:The Hindu, 24th Dec

 

[M@zh@R]

RE: India tour of Australia 2011

This is a battle for second place

As Australia and India made ready for the first Test of their four-match series a reminder was sent from 12,000 miles away that they were competing for a runner-up place.

England, convincing victor against both teams in the last 12 months, picked up the major team honour in the two-hour British TV sportsfest to announce BBC's Sports Personality of the Year. The programme left a trail of reminders that the Englishmen were the best cricketers in the world.

First, there was Kevin Pietersen with the statement that although England respected other Test teams — “frightened of them? Think again.”

KP was followed by what may have been the most significant award of the night to Andy Flower as coach of the year. As if to emphasise that he is a serious man Flower managed to accept the prize with only a flicker of a smile. He was simply making it clear that any side wishing for the top spot has to outwit Flower first.

As England's footballers and their Rugby Union side had made such a mess of their respective World Cup efforts there was no competition as England scooped the team award. “We worked hard, we knew our plan and we are confident of our skills,” said its star allrounder Stuart Broad.
Newspaper:The Hindu, 24th Dec

 

[M@zh@R]

RE: India tour of Australia 2011

We'll give Dhoni a tough time: Hussey

Beleaguered Australian batsman Michael Hussey has vowed to give a tough time to Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who happens to be his captain in IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings, during the Test series starting on December 26.

"He's a great guy to have around. He's very
calm, relaxed and takes pressure off the players. He has enjoyed great success but we would give him a very tough time in Australia," said Hussey about his Indian captain who is looking to be the first ever to claim a Test series in Australia in 64 years.

Dhoni already has created a record of sorts in Australia when he became the leader of the first Indian team to beat Australia and claim the triangular one-day series in 2008.

Husey also hoped that the iconic Sachin Tendulkar wouldn't be able to score his 100th international hundred in Australia -- though unlike others he doesn't believe the Indian is under pressure because of it.

"I hope he doesn't get it against Australia. He's been a number one player for so long, it's a credit to his character, but I hope he doesn't get his 100th hundred in Australia.

"I don't think he is under any pressure though. He knows his own game so well. He has been under pressure for so long. The way the public has been with Tendulkar in India, he would be able to handle it, no problem."
Newspaper:Hindustan Times, 24th Dec

 

[M@zh@R]

RE: India tour of Australia 2011

MCG curator says bowling variety would be key to success

The pitch for the opening India-Australia cricket Test here will have some grass on it but it won't be green as MCG curator Cameron Hodgkins wants to ensure that a variety of bowlers get wickets on the track.

Hodgkins said that he "would like to leave some grass" but he "did not want it green" when the first Test starts here on Monday.

"If than freshness disappears through rolling, well and good. If not, we will adjust the cut lower to take grass off the top," Hodgkins told 'The Daily Telegraph'.

"We have never used it for a Test match, but it is in the traditional position. Because we have portable wickets, we are not restricted. I haven't used the same pitch for a Test for the past four years. "We pick the healthiest and the one that performs best the previous year. I am comfortable three days out that we will have a good cricket pitch," he added.

Hodgkins said the pitch will be helpful with the new ball and then firm up and flatten out and the Australians should have variety in their bowling.

"After the new ball has worn and the pitch has flattened out, you tend to need a fair bit of variety to conjure up wickets," he said. "It hasn't traditionally turned much on the last day but can become a better batting strip which means it needs a variety of bowlers to get wickets," he added.
Newspaper:Mid Day, 24th Dec

 

[Karthik]

RE: India tour of Australia 2011

Two flawed teams on cricket's biggest stage
http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-india-2011/content/current/story/546782.html

 

[Karthik]

RE: India tour of Australia 2011

Batsmen ready for testing conditions - Clarke
http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-india-2011/content/current/story/546754.html

 

[Karthik]

RE: India tour of Australia 2011

Aus won the toss and bat.
Zaheer and isant playing.

 

[Ravi budhwar]

RE: India tour of Australia 2011

1st over maiden frm zak .current live score:AUS 1-0 IN 1.2 overs.