Newzealand tour of Australia : News and updates

[Karthik]

New Zealand in Australia 2011-12

Five Australia players ruled out of first NZ Test
Shane Watson, Ryan Harris, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Johnson and Pat Cummins will all miss Australia's first Test against New Zealand, scheduled to start from December 1 in Brisbane. All five players are carrying injuries and will be unavailable for selection, Cricket Australia have announced.

More to follow ...

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-new-zealand-2011/content/story/541954.html

 

[Karthik]

Starc, Pattinson, Siddle, Cutting to set pace for Gabba
http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-new-zealand-2011/content/current/story/542138.html

 

[M@zh@R]

Warner set for Test debut against New Zealand

Big-hitting opener David Warner is set to make his Test debut after being named Saturday along with three new fast bowlers in an injury-ravaged Australian squad to take on New Zealand.

Warner, who is best known for his explosive batting, replaces all-rounder Shane Watson, who along with Mitchell Johnson, Patrick Cummins, Ryan Harris and Shaun Marsh has been ruled out with injury.
Newspaper:Mid Day, 27th Nov

 

[M@zh@R]

Ryder goes bang bang in Australia

New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder made a mockery of his critics who ridiculed him for being too fat to play cricket by smashing a world record 16 sixes against Australia A in Brisbane yesterday. Ryder, 27, blasted 175 off 137 deliveries primarily against Australia A's spinners and part-time bowlers at Allan Border Field.

His 16 sixes equalled the world record jointly held by former Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds and New Zealand's Graham Napier for the most sixes in a first-class innings. Steve Smith (0-95 off 16 overs) and Michael Beer (1-117 off 23 overs) were belted everywhere and cars at the parking lot outside the pint-sized ground were in danger.

Australia A quicks Ben Cutting, Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson are all in the frame for a Test debut at the Gabba this week and were only bowled sparingly. The Kiwis scored 476 for 6 in their second innings with Ross Taylor too spanking 138 with 11 fours and seven sixes as the match ended in a draw. The visitors made 423 in the first innings and Australia A replied with 395.

Asked about the record, Ryder said: "I didn't have a clue -- the boys said later it was close to a world record or something. "It's a bit disappointing to miss out actually."
Newspaper:Mid Day, 28th Nov

 

[M@zh@R]

Ricky Ponting backs new selection policy

Brisbane: Former captain Ricky Ponting gave a ringing endorsement of Australian cricket's new selection and squad policies on Monday, saying it should have happened a decade ago.

Ponting, lining up for his 157th Test against New Zealand at Brisbane's Gabba Ground on Thursday, was enthusiastic in his support for his successor Michael Clarke and new coach Mickey Arthur being selectors in a major revamp.

New selection chief John Inverarity has signalled a change in youth and rotation Test team policies, while Cricket Australia has appointed former rugby administrator Pat Howard as its high-performance manager.

Ponting, 36, under pressure to hold his place in Australia's batting top order, said cricket was taking a more professional track under the new regime.

"I think it's terrific. I think it's the way the game should have gone a long, long time ago," Ponting told reporters.

"I think the way things have turned out at the moment is what (former coach) John Buchanan was asking for 10 years ago. It's a much more professional approach.

"We've got quality people in and around the team and I think, even already now, we're starting to see just a slightly different feel and a few different results as a result of that. I think Australian cricket is definitely on the right track."
Source:Cricnext

 

[M@zh@R]

Ponting backs captain, coach as selectors

BRISBANE: Former captain Ricky Ponting gave a ringing endorsement of Australian cricket's new selection and squad policies on Monday, saying it should have happened a decade ago.

Ponting, lining up for his 157th Test against New Zealand at Brisbane's Gabba Ground on Thursday, was enthusiastic in his support for his successor Michael Clarke and new coach Mickey Arthur being selectors in a major revamp.

New selection chief John Inverarity has signalled a change in youth and rotation Test team policies, while Cricket Australia has appointed former rugby administrator Pat Howard as its high-performance manager.

Ponting, 36, under pressure to hold his place in Australia's batting top order, said cricket was taking a more professional track under the new regime.

"I think it's terrific. I think it's the way the game should have gone a long, long time ago," Ponting told reporters.

"I think the way things have turned out at the moment is what (former coach) John Buchanan was asking for 10 years ago.

"It's a much more professional approach.

"We've got quality people in and around the team and I think, even already now, we're starting to see just a slightly different feel and a few different results as a result of that.

"I think Australian cricket is definitely on the right track."
Newspaper:Times Of India,29th Nov

 

[M@zh@R]

Bookies back Aussies to beat Black Caps in Brisbane Test

Bookies are backing Australia to defeat New Zealand in the Bribane Test beginning from December 1 at the Gabba.

The New Zealand TAB has Australia listed at 1.72 dollars, as compared to New Zealand at 6 dollars. A draw would pay 2.80 dollars.

The Australian TAB Sportsbet has Australia at 1.85 dollars, New Zealand at 5.50 dollars and a draw at 2.85 dollars, stuff.co.nz reports.

Fellow Australian agency Centrebet has Australia at 1.83 dollars, New Zealand at 6 dollars, and a draw at 2.85 dollars.

A draw seems unlikely taking into account the weather and the lively Gabba wicket.

Australia has not lost a Test match at the Gabba for 23 years, but their bowling attack is expected to be weak in the wake of injuries to pacers.

Opener Brendon McCullum is the New Zealand batsman favoured to top score in the Black Caps' first innings, paying five dollars.
Newspaper:Indian Express,29th Nov

 

[M@zh@R]

Lawson slams Australia selectors

Former Australia pacer Geoff Lawson has lashed out at Cricket Australia's (CA) selectors for leaving out young pace sensation Pat Cummins from the first Test against New Zealand.

Lawson has criticised the selection panel led by John Inverarity's for its "inappropriate" injury management strategies, reported the Sydney Morning Herald. Cummins was one of five players ruled out last Friday for the first Test against New Zealand, starting Thursday in Brisbane, as CA look to protect the rising star's long-term future.

Uncapped Ben Cutting, David Warner, Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson were named in Australia squad for the Brisbane Test.

Lawson said: "Cummins, 18, needed more bowling in order to build his strength and become more resilient. Why is he not playing this Test match? A sore heel? And that's going to stop him from bowling? "He needs to keep bowling."
Newspaper:Mid Day, 29th Nov

 

[M@zh@R]

Explosive Ryder livens draw

The tour match may have ended in a draw, but there was no shortage of entertainment as Jesse Ryder equalled a first-class record for the most sixes in an innings - 16 - on his way to 175 at the Allan Border Field. The captain Ross Taylor too helped himself to a century as the New Zealanders made 6 for 467 to round-off a healthy batting report card ahead of the first Test.

Ryder equalled the record set by Graham Napier and Andrew Symonds in his 137-ball knock, which also included 11 fours. Ed Cowan copped the worst of Ryder's assault, conceding 28 runs in an over which included four sixes and a four. Taylor too adopted an aggressive approach in his 138, hitting seven sixes and 11 fours.

The tourists lost Martin Guptill for 47 before Taylor and Ryder added an explosive 160 for the fourth wicket. Ryder added 122 with Dean Brownlie for the fifth wicket, the latter scoring an unbeaten 53. Australia A finally saw the back of Ryder when he was caught by Nic Maddinson at square leg off Cowan.

The first Test begins on December 1 at the Gabba.
Source:cricinfo

 

[M@zh@R]

Johnson likely to miss Australian summer through injury

Paceman Mitchell Johnson is likely to be sidelined for up to five months with a foot injury, Cricket Australia said on Wednesday, almost certainly ruling him out of upcoming test series against New Zealand and India. The 30-year-old, who has taken 190 wickets in 47 tests, injured his
left foot in the recent Test victory against South Africa and subsequent scans revealed a piece of metal embedded under his big toe.

"Mitchell will travel to Melbourne this week to be reviewed by specialist doctors and will most likely need surgery, which is expected to keep him out of cricket for four to five months," team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said in a news release.

"The programme for his recovery will be assessed following any surgery."

Johnson, ICC Player of the Year in 2009, has endured a disappointing 12 months with the ball since being unceremoniously dropped for the second Ashes Test against England last year.

He returned with a nine-wicket haul in the third Ashes Test in Perth but has rarely threatened to reach such heights since, taking just three wickets at the cost of 255 runs in the two recent Tests in South Africa.

The leftarmer was one of five players unavailable through injury for the first of two Tests against New Zealand, which starts on Thursday at the Gabba in Brisbane.

Australia, who play India in a four-Test series starting in late December, have included four uncapped players in their squad for the Gabba match, including three pace bowlers.
Newspaper:Hindustan Times,30th Nov