Australia Vs South Africa 2nd Test Cricket News

South Africa v Australia, November 17-21, Johannesburg Start time 1030 (0830 GMT)

South Africa Vs Australia 2nd test CriNews

Big Picture

It is a truism of sport that every match contains the previous match. Not in its conditions, venue or the atmosphere, but in the minds of the combatants. This fact is inescapable for Australia, no matter how much the team claims to have moved on from events in Cape Town. Michael Clarke's team is about to take the field in the wake of Australia's most traumatic Test defeat, in terms of a dominant position surrendered, since Kolkata 2001. The psyche of this team is rather more fragile than that of Steve Waugh's men, recalling that of the Kim Hughes-led XI that stumbled to another infamous defeat at Headingley in 1981. In each case, the impact of the loss carried over into the next Test, and ultimately proved decisive in the loss of the series.

For South Africa, the extraordinary events of Cape Town provided a heartening reminder of the resilience among some of the team's senior players, but also a sharp reminder of how far behind the hosts can fall if not entirely ready for the task at hand. The outstanding debut of Vernon Philander was another reason for excitement, as he provided a seaming, swerving counterpoint to the speed of Dale Steyn and the bounce of Morne Morkel. Less imposing was Jacques Rudolph in his first Test match since 2006, and he will want to make a notable score in order to stave off the claims of Alviro Petersen, the man he replaced as Graeme Smith's opening partner. Collectively, the team will relish the chance to defeat Australia at home, but they have of course slipped from positions of strength before.

The locals have far fewer questions swirling around their team than Australia, who have only two or three players without some kind of question hanging over them after Newlands. Phillip Hughes continues to furnish a reputation as a nicker, Shane Watson is regressing with the bat as quickly as he improves with the ball, and Ricky Ponting is shuffling across his stumps and seemingly into the twilight of his Test career. Brad Haddin's batting and 'keeping are being called increasingly into question, and Mitchell Johnson is probably on his last chance. Then there is Usman Khawaja, coming in to bat at No. 3 in place of the injured Shaun Marsh - by a distance Australia's most reassuring presence at the crease in recent matches. As a captain without a full-time coach to support him, Clarke has so much, too much, to ponder.

In the spotlight

In the context of the second afternoon at Newlands, AB de Villiers' first innings eight was a handsome score. But as a senior batsman and ace fielder making his return to the team after an enforced convalescence to rest a fractured digit, it was underwhelming. Capable of the sort of innings that can swiftly change the course of a match, de Villiers may get his chance to do this at the Wanderers, on a surface known to aid the new ball but also provide enormous value for shots via a fast outfield and none-too-distant boundaries. An afternoon of rampant de Villiers strokeplay would be one of the surest paths to a South African series victory.

As a bowler of vast talent but enigmatic method, Mitchell Johnson has always needed the support of his captain and the long-term faith of the national selectors. At present he is in severe danger of exhausting both, so much so that Clarke has admitted Johnson may not get another chance beyond the Wanderers to prove his worth to the team. If Johnson cannot swing the ball in Johannesburg, where he bent it so treacherously in the first match of the 2009 series on the way to match figures of 8-135, it is valid to ask whether or not he will do it anywhere under Test match pressure.

Pitch and conditions

As with Cape Town, the early season timing of the match has created a little doubt about how the pitch will play, with some early inspections suggesting a softer surface than usual. It is expected to provide enough bounce allied to the swing often found in Johannesburg, and could be better for batting. A weather forecast of rain on most days suggests a handful of interruptions across the match.

Team news

The South Africans had optional training. An unchanged team is probable for the hosts, though Paul Harris may consider himself a chance for a recall given that the legspinner Imran Tahir's brief appearance at the bowling crease on his Test debut was less than dangerous.

South Africa (probable): 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Jacques Rudolph, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Jacques Kallis, 5 AB de Villiers, 6 Ashwell Prince, 7 Mark Boucher (wk), 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Dale Steyn, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Imran Tahir.

Peter Siddle is the man most likely to make way if the Australians elect to choose a different quick, either the highly reliable Trent Copeland or the speedy teenager Pat Cummins. Usman Khawaja will bat in place of Shaun Marsh.

Australia (probable): 1 Shane Watson, 2 Phillip Hughes, 3 Usman Khawaja, 4 Ricky Ponting, 5 Michael Clarke (capt), 6 Michael Hussey, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Ryan Harris, 10 Pat Cummins, 11 Nathan Lyon

Stats & trivia

• A win or draw in Johannesburg would deliver South Africa's first home series victory over Australia since the nation's return to international cricket in 1992.
• A baggy green cap for Pat Cummins at 18 would make him the youngest Test debutant for Australia since Ian Craig walked out to bat against South Africa as a 17-year-old in 1953.
• South Africa have only beaten Australia once at the Wanderers since cricket contact resumed, in 1994. Australia have won each of the four Tests they have played at the ground since.

Quotes

"Because it was very short, it did take a lot out of the players emotionally. We had two unexpected days off, which was a nice surprise. We were on the right side of that game but the guys are looking forward to the next one."
South Africa batsman Hashim Amla on the mental drain of Cape Town

"It's an important Test for us as a team for a little bit of redemption and to show our desire to play for Australia and what it means."
Australia's captain Michael Clarke says his side have much to atone for at the Wanderers

"We want to earn the right to win the series and we want to play well. There is a nice humbleness in the group, especially after such a successful win."
Graeme Smith says South Africa are not getting carried away

England Tuor Of India 3rd Test Cric News

Yuvraj, Harbhajan out of Test series

 

AP Spinner Pragyan Ojha (left) will replace the injured Harbhajan Singh for the rest of the Test series.

Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha and middle-order batsman Virat Kohli were on Wednesday called up to join the injury-hit Indian team as replacements for Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh, both of whom have been ruled out of for the Test series against England.

While Harbhajan has suffered a grade I abdominal muscle strain, Yuvraj has fractured his left index finger during the second cricket Test against England which the visitors lost by a massive 319 runs.

“The All-India Senior Selection Committee has picked Virat Kohli and Pragyan Ojha as their replacements. Both players will join the Indian team at the earliest,” BCCI secretary N. Srinivasan said in a statement.

Yuvraj, who struck a half-century in the second Test, injured his finger when he got hit by a Tim Bresnan snorter during an improbable 478-run chase at Trent Bridge.

Harbhajan, who has struggled to find form in the series so far, also picked up the injury during the second Test.

The off-spinner bowled just 13.4 overs in the second Test and has been woefully out of form in the series. The tweaker grabbed 1 for 69 in the second Test after his 1 for 218 in the first at Lord’s.

Yuvraj’s injury may take around four weeks to recover, while Harbhajan is likely to get back to full fitness in three weeks’ time, which leaves a question mark over their participation in the first few matches of the five-match ODI series starting on September 3.

England Tuor Of India Latest Cric News

Harbhajan ruled out of third Test 

AP Harbhajan Singh

 

Down 0-2 in the series, India’s injury woes increased on Wednesday with off-spinner Harbhajan Singh being ruled out of the third Test against England due to an abdominal strain.

Harbhajan, who has really struggled to find form in the series so far, picked up the injury during the second Test at Trent Bridge.

“Harbhajan has a grade one lower abdominal tear and is expected to be out of action for 10-12 days,” ESPN Cricinfo reported.

The off-spinner bowled just 13.4 overs in the second Test and has been woefully out of form in the series. The feisty tweaker grabbed 1 for 69 in the second Test after his 1 for 218 in the first at Lord’s. In his absence, leg-spinner Amit Mishra might get a chance

cricnews : Dhoni has clinched endorsements worth over 200 crores

Dhoni has clinched endorsements worth over 200 crores

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is managed by Rhiti Sports, managed by former Ranji cricketer Arun Pandey

 

New Delhi: New Delhi-based Rhiti Sports Management company has revealed that Indian cricket captain M. S. Dhoni has clinched business worth over 200 crore rupees since they signed him in July 2010.
Dhoni had signed a two-year deal with the company to manage his long list of endorsements and brand associations.
"We are definitely in the right direction and have already clinched business worth over the two billion rupees mark within his second year of association with us," Rhiti Sports Management president Arun Pandey told Gulf News.
"Many new brands have come aboard and older brands have renewed their contracts with Mahi," he added.
When asked how the company copes with the pressure of handling a superstar like Dhoni, Pandey said: "The pressure is what keeps us motivated."
"Looking at the way the cricketers handle the pressure gives us the inspiration to be on our toes. Dhoni, as our most prized client, is as calm off the field as he is on the field and this trait of his eases a lot of pressure on us," he added.

cric-news Federer Knows a lot about cricket:sachin

Federer knows a lot about cricket: Tendulkar

The batting ace who is a big fan of Swiss tennis star had a long chat with the latter at SW 19.20

London: It takes a lot to bowl over Sachin Tendulkar as bowlers around the world would confess but tennis ace Roger Federer managed to do it just by his knowledge of cricket when the two legends caught up during the Wimbledon here.
Tendulkar, a self-confessed Federer fan, met the winner of 16 Grand Slams at the All England Club after the world number three beat David Nalbandian to advance to the fourth round of Wimbledon.
Tendulkar chatted for an hour with the Swiss and posed with him for the shutterbugs.
"Spent an hour with Roger Federer chatting on the balcony of Wimbledon Royal box. What a humble guy! And by the way he knows a lot about cricket!!" Tendulkar later tweeted.
The two reportedly also had dinner together after Federer's match.
Federer too talked about his meeting with Tendulkar on his facebook page.
"Today was a special day, played a good match and had the chance to catch up with the great indian cricket star Sachin Tendulkar," read the status message on his facebook page.

cric-news Lara Comments On Sachin

Sachin’s the best: Lara

The Sachin Tendulkar fan club keeps getting bigger with West Indies batting legend Brian Lara describing him as the best batsman in the world right now and former England captain Alec Stewart calling him “the modern day Don Bradman”.

 

Participating in a panel discussion at Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's "East Meets West" Gala Dinner at the Hilton Park Lane in London on Monday, Lara said, "Sachin started playing (Test cricket) at the age of 16. And at 38 now, we have not seen a better player. Sachin is the best batsman in the world."
"I am going to the Lord's to see Sachin make his 100th century," he said.
Stewart, who also participated in the discussion, described Tendulkar as the "modern day Bradman".
India's veteran batsman Rahul Dravid added to the praise, saying, "In India we have many gods and he is one of them."
Answering questions from cricket commentator Henry Blofeld, Lara said, "While Sachin is special, Dravid is the wall."
"Dravid is always going to be there -- he is a tremendous player," he said.
Stewart described Dravid as a "great player".
"Dravid is India's most technically gifted player," he said.
About Lara, Stewart said, "he was the best player in the 90s. But in modern day, Sachin is a better player than Lara -- a modern day Bradman."
Asked to forecast on the outcome of the India-England series, Stewart gave it 2-1 to England.
Source: AP

cric-news Sachin's Corner

Tendulkar's son bowls to Indian batsmen at Lord's

12-year old Arjun Tendulkar was spotted bowling to Suresh Raina, under the watchful eyes of his father

London: Arjun Tendulkar, the son of Sachin Tendulkar, practiced at the Lord's cricket ground along with Indian cricketers ahead of the first of four Tests between India and England.
The 12-year-old was confident as he bowled to middle-order batsman Suresh Raina during a net-practice session in the presence of his father.
Media reports suggest that the little maestro would accompany his father during most of the sessions of the Lord's Test.
Sachin Tendulkar needs just one more century for his 100th international hundred. He has 51 tons in Test cricket 48 in one-day internationals. He has never made a ton at Lord''s.
Lord's will provide a fitting backdrop for the 2000th Test in history and the 100th between the two teams. England is seeking to challenge India's position as the top-ranked Test side.
Notorious slow-starters in Tests, India are coming off the back of a lacklustre display against Somerset in Taunton. However, Dravid advised people not to read too much into that performance.
The clash between the two sides sees one of the world's best batting line-ups meeting an England bowling attack that has performed well recently.
The presence of India's new coach Duncan Fletcher also adds spice to the contest, with the Zimbabwean overseeing England's rise to number two in the rankings before his departure from the post in 2007.

England Tour Of India 1st Test Day4 Cric news

Indian batsmen have their task cut out

AP Matt Prior’s brisk, unbeaten century revived England’s second innings and put the host back in command going into the final day.

Ishant Sharma broke open the first Test in a spell of brilliant fast-bowling on the fourth afternoon here at Lord's.

He helped reduce England to 62 for five (effectively 250 for five with the first-innings lead). But Matt Prior (103 n.o.) and Stuart Broad (74 n.o.) punished some surprisingly sub-par cricket from India — the keeping, the fielding, and the bowling fell apart after lunch — to re-establish England's dominance.

Set 458 to win (but realistically the best part of four sessions to bat on a slow pitch), India finished on 80 for one, ending a curious, transfixing day's play. Every Test session is significant, but, because of the format's accumulative nature, some are better placed to attain the critical mass needed to propel the contest to its denouement. Sunday's morning session appeared one such.

India, torpid in the field in England's first innings, looked keener. With Zaheer Khan (strained hamstring) and Sachin Tendulkar (viral infection) not taking the field, substitutes Wriddhiman Saha and Yuvraj Singh allowed India more mobile fielders.

But the increased energy sparked no more than a wicket — a delivery of perfect length from Praveen Kumar left Alastair Cook down the slope, eluding everything but the bat's edge — and the game was in a holding pattern.

In good touch

Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott looked in prime touch. Both batted out of their crease against Praveen. Not only does it dissuade the umpire from giving lbw decisions, but it also reduces the probability of edged strokes carrying, for they have longer to travel.

The wicketkeeper is conflicted at such moments. Does he force the batsman back into his crease by standing up but risk missing the snick swing brings? M.S. Dhoni chose to stay back. While he can't be faulted on wicket-keeping grounds, the case can be made that as captain he needed to force the issue.

Strauss fell against the run of play, missing a sweep against Harbhajan Singh to be correctly adjudged leg-before.

There were no portents of what was to follow. Ishant, having bowled 39 wicket-less overs in the Test till then, found that the spirit was with him. In a five-over spell before lunch, he mastered Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, and Trott.

Superb delivery

Pietersen, as is his wont, lunged forward — only, the ball climbed to endanger his throat. Despite his best efforts to withdraw everything from the line, he gloved it through to Dhoni. The delivery to Trott was the perfect storm, a deadly confluence of length, movement, and deception.

A break-back at pace — up the slope, no less — penetrated a hurried drive to hit off-stump.

In between, Ishant snared Bell with the slope's help: the bowler's angle into the right-hander committed the batsman to play, but the ball straightened just enough to take the edge. It was thus a surprise that Ishant wasn't used immediately after lunch, allowing Eoin Morgan and Prior to rescue England from 72 for five.

It's likely that Dhoni, behind the eight-ball with the over-rate, wanted Suresh Raina for a few quick overs. But the initiative was lost. By the time Ishant returned to have Morgan caught off a sharp, surprising short ball — the batsman was nearly a second late on the pull-stroke — England had moved to 107 (ahead by 295).

Sloppy fielding

India's fielding reverted to the sloppiness of the first two days as well. The small crack of opportunity that Ishant had dynamited closed quickly, Prior playing another important innings and Broad gaining confidence from his bowling to swing a bold bat.

The partnership hurt India in more ways than one. Gautam Gambhir, fielding under the helmet at short-leg, was struck a fearsome blow on the elbow. He left at once for a scan.

With Gambhir not available to open (there were no updates from the Indian camp on his status, but he's the sort who'll bat if it's at all possible) and Tendulkar forced to wait till number seven (or half-an-hour after lunch on Monday, whichever is sooner), it was an unsettled Indian batting line-up that faced Sunday evening's challenge.

Abhinav Mukund again showed heartening signs before chopping a Broad delivery onto his stumps. Rahul Dravid, required to open after being keeping wickets, summoned remarkable resilience to take India to stumps. V.V.S. Laxman kept his old friend company. Just the men India would want together for a difficult final day.