India tour of Australia 2011-2012
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RE: India tour of Australia 2011
We are hoping to do well in Australia, says Dhoni
CANBERRA: India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni reckons the experience of playing in Australian conditions in the past will benefit the team in the upcoming four-match Test series, starting on Boxing day.
"Most of the batsmen have played there before. We are hoping we will do well there. Even last time (in the 2007-08 series) we had a very good chance and we did really perform well," Dhoni said.
Dhoni was however not ready to believe that the current Australian team can be easily tamed just because of the retirements of some big names, and added that India needed to play to their potential to win the series.
"It is not that if the opposition is not doing well, it will be a best chance for us. We have to play to the level of the kind of talent that we have got and not worry about such things," he said on the eve of India's warm-up match against Chairman's XI.
The India skipper believed that a lot will depend on how they prepare over the next few days in the run-up to the first Test.
"It depends on how we prepare ourselves during the 12 days before the Test match and how we adapt to the conditions," Dhoni was quoted as saying by 'The Age'.
With Australia going through a transitional phase, this tour is perceived by many as India's best chance to win a series Down Under.
"Some people think that the last Australian team was much better than the current Australian side. Some of the present players were not part of the 2008 side. To judge them is quite a difficult task. Anil Kumble was part of our side (in 2008).
"The spinners coming into the team now are not as experienced as Anil. It applies to the Australian team also. They had big players like Adam Gilchrist and others," Dhoni said.
Newspaper:Times Of India,15th Dec
We are hoping to do well in Australia, says Dhoni
CANBERRA: India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni reckons the experience of playing in Australian conditions in the past will benefit the team in the upcoming four-match Test series, starting on Boxing day.
"Most of the batsmen have played there before. We are hoping we will do well there. Even last time (in the 2007-08 series) we had a very good chance and we did really perform well," Dhoni said.
Dhoni was however not ready to believe that the current Australian team can be easily tamed just because of the retirements of some big names, and added that India needed to play to their potential to win the series.
"It is not that if the opposition is not doing well, it will be a best chance for us. We have to play to the level of the kind of talent that we have got and not worry about such things," he said on the eve of India's warm-up match against Chairman's XI.
The India skipper believed that a lot will depend on how they prepare over the next few days in the run-up to the first Test.
"It depends on how we prepare ourselves during the 12 days before the Test match and how we adapt to the conditions," Dhoni was quoted as saying by 'The Age'.
With Australia going through a transitional phase, this tour is perceived by many as India's best chance to win a series Down Under.
"Some people think that the last Australian team was much better than the current Australian side. Some of the present players were not part of the 2008 side. To judge them is quite a difficult task. Anil Kumble was part of our side (in 2008).
"The spinners coming into the team now are not as experienced as Anil. It applies to the Australian team also. They had big players like Adam Gilchrist and others," Dhoni said.
Newspaper:Times Of India,15th Dec
RE: India tour of Australia 2011
Mithun aims for precision, not speed
CHENNAI: He wanted to bowl like Dale Steyn, but after being on the move with the national team for almost two years and playing in four Tests and five ODIs, Abhimanyu Mithun is wiser for the experience. Now, he knows that mere pace won't do. Line and length is important too.
"I'm not saying that I don't want to bowl at 145 kph on a regular basis, but it's more important to keep bowling a tight line. There are very few fast bowlers on the international circuit who can hit 145 kph consistently and yet maintain a tight length... It's not that easy.
Though I've not played too many international matches, I've been with the team for some time now and that helped me become a better bowler. I'm improving with every match and bowling a proper line is my priority," Mithun told TOI in an exclusive chat before leaving for Australia.
"I've been talking to coach Duncan Fletcher and bowling coach Eric Simmons. They have been of great help. I've also received immense support from the seniors in the team," the Bangalore pacer added.
Injury to some of the senior fast bowlers has provided Mithun a window of opportunity. With the likes of Praveen Kumar and S Sreesanth ruled out of the Australia series, Mithun is hoping to peak with a sharp performance Down Under.
"Yes, I am eagerly looking forward to the opportunity. I don't have much of an idea about the Australian pitches and it's going to be a completely new challenge for me. I had travelled to Australia on the Border-Gavaskar scholarship last year and played a few local matches there. But I don't think that experience will help me much now."
Newspaper:Times Of India,15th Dec
Mithun aims for precision, not speed
CHENNAI: He wanted to bowl like Dale Steyn, but after being on the move with the national team for almost two years and playing in four Tests and five ODIs, Abhimanyu Mithun is wiser for the experience. Now, he knows that mere pace won't do. Line and length is important too.
"I'm not saying that I don't want to bowl at 145 kph on a regular basis, but it's more important to keep bowling a tight line. There are very few fast bowlers on the international circuit who can hit 145 kph consistently and yet maintain a tight length... It's not that easy.
Though I've not played too many international matches, I've been with the team for some time now and that helped me become a better bowler. I'm improving with every match and bowling a proper line is my priority," Mithun told TOI in an exclusive chat before leaving for Australia.
"I've been talking to coach Duncan Fletcher and bowling coach Eric Simmons. They have been of great help. I've also received immense support from the seniors in the team," the Bangalore pacer added.
Injury to some of the senior fast bowlers has provided Mithun a window of opportunity. With the likes of Praveen Kumar and S Sreesanth ruled out of the Australia series, Mithun is hoping to peak with a sharp performance Down Under.
"Yes, I am eagerly looking forward to the opportunity. I don't have much of an idea about the Australian pitches and it's going to be a completely new challenge for me. I had travelled to Australia on the Border-Gavaskar scholarship last year and played a few local matches there. But I don't think that experience will help me much now."
Newspaper:Times Of India,15th Dec
RE: India tour of Australia 2011
People making big mistake by writing off Ponting: Harbhajan
CANBERRA: Embattled Ricky Ponting received support from an unexpected quarter in the form of Harbhajan Singh who said it is a big mistake to write off the former Aussie skipper.
The out-of-favour Indian off-spinner, who had plenty of fiery exchanges with Ponting over the years, especially after the "Monkeygate" scandal in the 2008 Sydney Test, surprisingly put his weight behind the Australian and asked him to defy his growing band of critics.
"I do not think Ponting is finished and I think people are making a big mistake by writing him off," he said.
"Two years ago, people were saying the same things about Rahul Dravid (who averages 60 from 11 Tests this year) as what they are saying about Ponting now. Look what Dravid has done, he is a great player who has found his greatness again. I am sure Ponting will do the same," Harbhajan, who has dismissed Ponting more number of times than anyone else, added.
The 31-year-old spinner also said that cricketers of Ponting's stature should be given due respect.
"Guys like Ponting, Dravid and (Sachin) Tendulkar know what they are doing and people should stop questioning them. They should respect them for what they have done for the game and they should respect them if they think they can bat on and contribute to cricket.
"The fans in Australia should not put pressure on Ponting, they should just accept he has been given a chance to keep playing and they should get right behind him and support him. Ponting is only one innings away from finding his top form," insisted the bowler.
Harbhajan, who has been left out of the touring Indian Test squad, predicted that India would dominate in the four-Test series against Australia, starting on December 26.
Newspaper:Times Of India, 15th Dec
People making big mistake by writing off Ponting: Harbhajan
CANBERRA: Embattled Ricky Ponting received support from an unexpected quarter in the form of Harbhajan Singh who said it is a big mistake to write off the former Aussie skipper.
The out-of-favour Indian off-spinner, who had plenty of fiery exchanges with Ponting over the years, especially after the "Monkeygate" scandal in the 2008 Sydney Test, surprisingly put his weight behind the Australian and asked him to defy his growing band of critics.
"I do not think Ponting is finished and I think people are making a big mistake by writing him off," he said.
"Two years ago, people were saying the same things about Rahul Dravid (who averages 60 from 11 Tests this year) as what they are saying about Ponting now. Look what Dravid has done, he is a great player who has found his greatness again. I am sure Ponting will do the same," Harbhajan, who has dismissed Ponting more number of times than anyone else, added.
The 31-year-old spinner also said that cricketers of Ponting's stature should be given due respect.
"Guys like Ponting, Dravid and (Sachin) Tendulkar know what they are doing and people should stop questioning them. They should respect them for what they have done for the game and they should respect them if they think they can bat on and contribute to cricket.
"The fans in Australia should not put pressure on Ponting, they should just accept he has been given a chance to keep playing and they should get right behind him and support him. Ponting is only one innings away from finding his top form," insisted the bowler.
Harbhajan, who has been left out of the touring Indian Test squad, predicted that India would dominate in the four-Test series against Australia, starting on December 26.
Newspaper:Times Of India, 15th Dec
RE: India tour of Australia 2011
Australian fans should lower their expectations: Barry Richards
As Australia gear up to take on India in a gruelling four-Test battle, South African batting great Barry Richards said fans Down Under should “lower their expectations” from the home team which is in transition.
“Australia’s come right back to the pack. Fans are just going to have to lower their expectations of what their team is capable of. That’s taking a bit of time, isn’t it?” Richards was quoted as saying by ‘The Age’
India and Australia will play a four-Test series starting December 26 and given the home team’s struggles, the visitors have got a good chance of upstaging them.
Asked to comment on the future of out-of-form senior batsmen Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey, Richards said, “If someone is there to take their place, they should go. And therein lays the problem.”
Speaking on the overall state of the game, Richards criticised the Twenty20 format, saying it is too commercial a format.
“The size of the fields, the pitches and the power of the bats are so different from what we know as cricket that they should actually invent another name for it,” Richards said.
“It’s so commercially driven in batsmen’s favour that Stevie Wonder could go out and hit 50.”
“It’s not just Australia, it’s everywhere in the world, where you have cricket people wanting to defend the interests of the national team against commercial and marketing people who may not be very familiar with cricket but have a job to bring it to the people and maximise its commercial potential,” Richards added.
Newspaper:The Hindu, 15th Dec
Australian fans should lower their expectations: Barry Richards
As Australia gear up to take on India in a gruelling four-Test battle, South African batting great Barry Richards said fans Down Under should “lower their expectations” from the home team which is in transition.
“Australia’s come right back to the pack. Fans are just going to have to lower their expectations of what their team is capable of. That’s taking a bit of time, isn’t it?” Richards was quoted as saying by ‘The Age’
India and Australia will play a four-Test series starting December 26 and given the home team’s struggles, the visitors have got a good chance of upstaging them.
Asked to comment on the future of out-of-form senior batsmen Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey, Richards said, “If someone is there to take their place, they should go. And therein lays the problem.”
Speaking on the overall state of the game, Richards criticised the Twenty20 format, saying it is too commercial a format.
“The size of the fields, the pitches and the power of the bats are so different from what we know as cricket that they should actually invent another name for it,” Richards said.
“It’s so commercially driven in batsmen’s favour that Stevie Wonder could go out and hit 50.”
“It’s not just Australia, it’s everywhere in the world, where you have cricket people wanting to defend the interests of the national team against commercial and marketing people who may not be very familiar with cricket but have a job to bring it to the people and maximise its commercial potential,” Richards added.
Newspaper:The Hindu, 15th Dec
RE: India tour of Australia 2011
Australia top order sent to batting 'boot camp'
Concerned with the poor performance of the top order, Cricket Australia (CA) has asked skipper Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey to attend a batting group camp here Dec 20-22. The effort is to fine-tune their preparations ahead of the Boxing Day Test. Besides the
trio, Shane Watson, Shaun Marsh (fitness permitting), Brad Haddin and Dan Christian will also attend the camp.
This camp has been scheduled prior to the Australian Test squad being announced and then coming together on December 22.
Paine out for entire summer
Australia's back-up wicketkeeper Tim Paine was today ruled out for the summer, with officials announcing he will undergo further surgery on a fractured finger immediately. The Tasmanian wicketkeeper and batsman's battered right index finger will rule him out of availability for the next three to four months, Cricket Australia said.
Hughes opts out of Big Bash
Australia's beleaguered Test opener Phil Hughes has opted out of the Big Bash Twenty20 league with Sydney Thunder to concentrate on his technique.
The 23-year-old is going through a terrible form and has been out 21 times caught behind the wicket in 31 dismissals in Test cricket. He was dismissed in similar fashion on four occasions in the recent series against New Zealand.
Newspaper:Hindustan Times, 15th Dec
Australia top order sent to batting 'boot camp'
Concerned with the poor performance of the top order, Cricket Australia (CA) has asked skipper Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey to attend a batting group camp here Dec 20-22. The effort is to fine-tune their preparations ahead of the Boxing Day Test. Besides the
trio, Shane Watson, Shaun Marsh (fitness permitting), Brad Haddin and Dan Christian will also attend the camp.
This camp has been scheduled prior to the Australian Test squad being announced and then coming together on December 22.
Paine out for entire summer
Australia's back-up wicketkeeper Tim Paine was today ruled out for the summer, with officials announcing he will undergo further surgery on a fractured finger immediately. The Tasmanian wicketkeeper and batsman's battered right index finger will rule him out of availability for the next three to four months, Cricket Australia said.
Hughes opts out of Big Bash
Australia's beleaguered Test opener Phil Hughes has opted out of the Big Bash Twenty20 league with Sydney Thunder to concentrate on his technique.
The 23-year-old is going through a terrible form and has been out 21 times caught behind the wicket in 31 dismissals in Test cricket. He was dismissed in similar fashion on four occasions in the recent series against New Zealand.
Newspaper:Hindustan Times, 15th Dec
RE: India tour of Australia 2011
Would like to give youngsters an opportunity: Dhoni
India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni gave enough hints of giving the youngsters a go in the opening warm-up match against Cricket Australia Chairman's XI here on Thursday.
"We would like to give our youngsters an opportunity of course. Some of us haven't played much cricket over here. It's slightly different, so we will try to make the most of it," Dhoni said on the eve of the match, which will kick off India's long tour that includes a four-match Test series, starting in Melbourne on Boxing Day.
Dhoni said that some of the players in the Indian team have not been exposed to the Australian conditions.
He also said the game was important in terms of building momentum.
"The first game is always important; if you have momentum on your side it always builds up. You don't really want to lag too much behind right from the very start, so a good start is crucial."
Newspaper:Indian Express,15th Dec
Would like to give youngsters an opportunity: Dhoni
India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni gave enough hints of giving the youngsters a go in the opening warm-up match against Cricket Australia Chairman's XI here on Thursday.
"We would like to give our youngsters an opportunity of course. Some of us haven't played much cricket over here. It's slightly different, so we will try to make the most of it," Dhoni said on the eve of the match, which will kick off India's long tour that includes a four-match Test series, starting in Melbourne on Boxing Day.
Dhoni said that some of the players in the Indian team have not been exposed to the Australian conditions.
He also said the game was important in terms of building momentum.
"The first game is always important; if you have momentum on your side it always builds up. You don't really want to lag too much behind right from the very start, so a good start is crucial."
Newspaper:Indian Express,15th Dec
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