Australian Off-Season Thread (2010)

[NUFAN]

Yeah the pinch hitter rule sucks. I do however like both of these rules:

1 Other tinkering allows bowlers more leeway, with bowling teams able to use a minimum of four bowlers in any way they see fit, rather than restricting them to 10 overs each.

2 Pacemen will be allowed to deliver two bouncers an over rather than one, while greater leniency will be applied to the interpretation of legside wides.

 

[Kylez]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

The pinch-hitter in baseball suuuuuuucks.

This.

Hate it.

 

[brockley]

News
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Pre-season Tour squad announced for Darwin
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
The PKF Tasmanian Tigers' pre-season is in full swing at Bellerive Oval, with state selectors recently announcing the squad for their pre-season tour to Darwin in the coming weeks.

The team will play in Darwin from the 3 - 11 August against South Australia and Indian team Maharashtra. The PKF Tigers will play two Twenty20 matches and two 50-over matches before heading back to Hobart for additional pre-season activity.

PKF Tasmanian Tigers

Tim Paine (c)
Luke Butterworth
Steven Cazzulino
Matthew Day
Xavier Doherty
Brendan Drew
Brady Jones
Jason Krejza
Rhett Lockyear
Tim Macdonald
Ashton May
John Rogers
Jeremy Smith
Jonathan Wells

Coach
Tim Coyle

Physiotherapist
Michael Jamison

Strength and Conditioning Coach
Darren McNees

MATCH DETAILS

Thursday August 5th 2010

PKF Tasmanian Tigers v South Australia (T20)

Friday August 6th 2010

PKF Tasmanian Tigers v South Australia (T20)

Sunday August 8th 2010

PKF Tasmanian Tigers v Maharashtra (50-over match)

Tuesday August 10th 2010

PKF Tasmanian Tigers v South Australia (50-over match)

 

[brockley]

AIS Scholars get taste of India
20 July, 2010
David Fitzgerald (COE Batting Coach)

AIS Scholars (L-R) Ryan Carters, Nathan Brain, Jason Floros and Nic Maddinson take a break from the Chennai heat (PIC: Aaron Kellett) The 2010 AIS Scholars were relocated to Chennai in India for week nine (July 18 to July 28) of this year’s AIS Scholarship program to give our emeraging talent of what to expect in the subcontinent.

We feel it is important to expose the athletes to the unique climate and different playing surfaces that you can experience in that part of the world as they continue along the Australian Cricket Pathway. The training camp also serves a purpose in allowing the athletes to experience the local culture, people, and food and become more familiar with India to assist their acclimitisation on future tours to the sub continent.

The main objectives of the India week was to provide opportunities for the batsmen to develop specific skills against pace and spin bowling, pace bowlers to bowl with new ball and reverse swinging ball and adjusting their length and line accordingly, and the spin bowlers to learn how to bowl on lower, slower big turning wickets with variable bounce. The challenge was to execute their skills under the physical and mental stress of playing and training in the high temperature (37C) and high humidity (87%) of Chennai. Eight players (one pace, three batmen, three bat/spin bowlers and one spin bowler) and five staff were involved in the camp.

The plan was to continue the AIS Scholarship weekly schedule within the constraints of the MRF Pace Bowling Foundation in Chennai where our training base was located. This involved increasing the intensity of sessions throughout the week from skill based training sessions to ending the week with matches against an MRF team.

Friday- Arrive in Chennai (10pm)
Saturday - Light run
Sunday - Strength and conditioning, Fielding, Batting Drills
Monday - Skill Session (New Ball Theme)
Tuesday - Skill Session (Spin Bowling Theme), Strength and conditioning
Wednesday - Skill Session (Reverse Swing Theme)
Thursday - Strength and conditioning, fielding
Friday - 40 Over Match v MRF
Saturday - Twenty20 Match v MRF
Sunday - Depart to come home

The COE and MRF Pace Bowling Foundation have established a positive working relationship and the support and hospitality from M. Senthilnathan (Chief Coach, MRF Pace Foundation) was central to the success of the AIS training camp. His ability to supply endless pace bowlers and spin bowlers and to follow through our requests with nets and match facilities allowed the camp objectives to be met. The AIS Scholarship program has, over the past couple of years, hosted two MRF pace bowlers and Mr Sentilnathan. This year those MRF players that come out to the COE will be included in the AIS squad to play in the Emerging Players Tournament in August.

Initially, the athletes adapted slowly to the heat and humidity of the Chennai-based camp and with the foreign pitch conditions they found the skill sessions challenging. The matches against the MRF players allowed our squad to implement their identified focus areas into a competitive environment. To the credit of our squad in the challenging conditions, they chased down 210 runs to win by three wickets in the 40 over match. Unfortunately they couldn’t back this up in the Twenty20 match, setting the MRF team just 113 runs to win, which the hosts made comfortably.

 

[brockley]

Warner proof experiment will hurt CupBy Daniel Brettig, AAP July 20, 2010, 10:06 am Buzz up! Send

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Dave Warner is living proof the rush to trial a new format for limited overs cricket this domestic summer will hamper Australia's run to the World Cup.

Outside the national team's 50-over plans since his debut series against New Zealand in 2009, dynamic opener Warner genuinely believes he can break into the squad for the World Cup in the new year.

But how is he to do it when the majority of his domestic limited overs matches for NSW this season bear little resemblance to the game to be played on the subcontinent?

With great difficulty, clearly.

"I had a good IPL, a good Champions League as well, and I know the grounds pretty well, and I know how to play there and it's up to our selectors if they want to be taking a risk and putting me into the side," Warner told ESPN Cricinfo.

"I'm putting my hand up because I really want to be there and play under Punter (Ricky Ponting).

"If I can keep scoring runs for NSW in the first couple of games then my hopes are pretty high."

Unfortunately for Warner, those "first couple of games" will be played under the experimental split innings format Cricket Australia seems intent on testing.

More vexing still is the high probability that Warner will be used by NSW as their "super striker", batting twice when everyone else only gets one hit - aeons away from World Cup playing conditions.

According to those at Cricket Australia responsible for scheduling clumps of matches with new rules either side of one 50-over bracket in mid-season when Australian one day players are more likely to be available, Cup plans will not be hindered.

This may be so - if the Australian one day squad that just lost a series to England will be unchanged for the 2011 tournament.

Yet it is clear that the efforts of other players to press for spots in the team will be significantly affected.

Australian batsman Mike Hussey certainly thinks so.

"We have to make sure we try and get as many players prepared for the World Cup in the subcontinent as we can," he said after being briefed on the new format by CA top brass James Sutherland and Michael Brown.

"I am not sure the timing is great, to be trialling stuff when we have to be encouraging spinners and blokes batting against spin bowling in 50-over cricket because we are going to get a lot of that at the 50-over World Cup.

"Plus there are a lot of young guys out there that would see themselves as a chance of making the World Cup squad and probably need as much exposure to 50-over cricket as possible."

 

[brockley]

Melbourne: Cricket Australia's plan to introduce split-innings one-dayers in the domestic circuit might trigger a revolt by players, who feel the concept would harm their preparation for next year's World Cup in the sub-continent.


According to a report in The Daily Telegraph, "worried" players have conveyed their concern to CA chief executive James Sutherland.




Senior batsman Michael Hussey said the concept, which might allow teams to nominate a "super-striker" who can bat more than once, could do more harm then good.


"If I'm being honest I don't really agree with it (the super striker concept)," Hussey said.


"I think it could take away certain players from the game. Spinners might go out of the game altogether which I think might be really sad. And I just don't think it's right - it's one of the great challenges about batting.


"You get your chance, if you get out first ball, you want to appreciate your wicket so much ... if you know you've got a second chance, it doesn't sit right with me," he added.


Australia Test captain Ricky Ponting has already voiced his apprehensions on the matter, saying that CA would have a lot of convincing to do as far as the players were concerned.


Hussey said the focus right now is preparation for the World Cup -- to be jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh -- and such a concept could prove to be a distraction.


"We have to be careful we have to make sure we get as many players prepared for the 50-over World Cup in the subcontinent as we can," Hussey warned.


"I'm not sure the timing is great at this time to be trialling stuff like this when we have to try to encourage spinners, we have to try to encourage blokes batting against spin bowling in 50-over cricket, because we are going to get a lot of that in the 50-over World Cup.


"The players will be open to some changes but it's got to be well thought out and well planned and well organised for it to work and for the public to get on board with it as well," he added.

 

[brockley]

The Mumbai Indians batting against the AIS The Cricket Australia Centre of Excellence (COE) has for the last two weeks hosted a squad from the Mumbai Indians IPL franchise, seeing them play a series of matches against the AIS Scholars in Brisbane.

The experience has been a great learning curve for both parties, allowing the Mumbai Indians an opportunity to play in Australian conditions and also giving the scholars a chance to play against some young Indian talent.

The Australian conditions will also provide great preparation for the franchise before they fly to South Africa in September for the Airtel Champions League Twenty20 tournament.

“The visit by the Mumbai Indians has been a great exercise,” COE head coach Greg Chappell told Inside Australian Cricket.

“From their point of view it has been a chance to have a look at their Indian born players in a different environment and to help them develop some of their younger players.

“From our point of view it has given our lads exposure to the way Indian players play and an opportunity to look at and talk to players who have played a lot more Twenty20 cricket than they have,” the former Australian captain said.

Missing their big name players such as Sachin Tendulkar, the Indians were led to Australia by coach Robin Singh to play a series of Twenty20™ and 40-over-a-side games in Brisbane.

“We lost the first two Twenty20 games comfortably but won the two 40-over-a-side contests quite easily,” Chappell said.

“In our debrief sessions after each game our guys talked about the things that they thought the Mumbai Indians did better than us and they obviously learned something from the experience because we bowled and batted better in yesterday’s Twenty20 game to win our first match in the format,” he said.

In yesterday’s outing, the AIS recorded their first win in the four-game Twenty20 series, comfortably defeating the visitors to peg the series back to 2-1, with one game to play.

The series draws to an end with the final T20 game at Wynumm Manly Cricket ground on Friday.

 

[brockley]

Chappell: Selectors take notice
23 July, 2010
Greg Chappell
I’ve just returned to the Centre of Excellence after a very successful series as coach of Australia A.

With Australia to be in England midyear it was excellent timing.

It proved to be so for Stephen O’Keefe, Peter George, Ben Hilfenhaus and Usman Khawaja who all played well in the four-day series and were called up as replacement for injured players.

Tim Paine having been called in earlier as a replacement for Brad Haddin, along with Josh Hazlewood who also got a call-up before the A-Series began.

A slightly damp and holding wicket in the first four-day game at AB Field made life tough for the batsmen but proved to be the ideal wicket for Steven O’Keefe to show his wares.

A haul of seven wickets plus a fighting half-century made the selectors sit up and take notice when Nathan Hauritz went down with a foot injury.

Ben Hilfenhaus was also able to prove his fitness on return from knee problems.

Obviously the batting practice he got in the two A games stood him in good stead for a good all-round performance at Lord’s this week.

Peter George continued to impress with his whole hearted bowling in Brisbane and was extremely excited to be called in to replace Ryan Harris for the Test series against Pakistan in England.

Ed Cowan and George Bailey were the standout batsmen in the second four-day game at Tony Ireland Stadium in Townsville.

George Bailey showed the way with a run a ball century to take the game away from the Sri Lankans who did not play to their potential in the longer format.

Sri Lanka continued to struggle in the one-off Twenty20 match but they got their revenge in the three one-day games that rounded out the series.

All three of the one-day games was a good contest but Sri Lanka had the edge in each game although Australia fought gamely to a tie in the second game to keep the series alive into the last game in Brisbane, only to fall to a very disciplined Sri Lanka A to lose the series 2-0.

All in all it was a very good series with much good cricket played by both teams.

George Bailey stood out as a batsman across the different formats and his leadership on and off the field was a major reason for the success of the Australian team.

Andrew McDonald and Adam Voges were able lieutenants in the different formats.

Adam Voges wife Kristy must get an honourable mention for being able to hold off the arrival of their first born until the day after the series concluded to allow Adam to get across the Nullabor for the arrival.

Congratulations to Adam and Kristy on the arrival of their son, Xavier.

The Centre of Excellence program has reached the final stage of this year with the next few weeks dedicated to games with visiting teams.

For the next week or so we have a team from the Mumbai Indians IPL franchise here for a mix of Twenty20 and 40-over-a-side matches then the program will be ended with the hugely popular Emerging Players Tournament with teams from India, South Africa and New Zealand playing against the AIS squad.

It is the perfect way for our scholars to conclude what has been an intense training program over 18 weeks.

All visiting teams will comprise the best of their emerging players plus a few who have represented at the highest level.

The AIS team will be strengthened by the addition of players such as David Warner, Moises Henriques, James Faulkner and Alister McDermott all of whom have graduated from the AIS program in recent years.

Recently the bulk of the full time scholars spent 10 days at the MRF Academy in Chennai for a training camp and some games against MRF.

The camp was a huge success and all players rated it highly for the valuable experience gained in Indian conditions working and playing with and against young Indian cricketers.

Sean Abbott was very fortunate to spend 10 days at the MRF Academy under the tutelage of the great Dennis Lillee who was very impressed by the skill and attitude of the young NSW fast bowling all-rounder.

 

[brockley]

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Wade rates Victorian fitness levels
23 July, 2010
Cricket Australia

The DEC Bushrangers try some alternative training in Melbourne. Victorian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade says his team-mates are looking fitter and stronger than ever ahead of the 2010/11 domestic season.

Wade only took part in the first day of pre-season training before heading up to Queensland to play with the Australia A squad and has noticed a change within the squad upon his return.

“I’ve been away and I’ve come back and the boys are flying,” he told cricket.com.au.

“David Bailey has got them running really well. They are running as well as I’ve probably seen them run in the three years I’ve been here.

“All the bowlers look fit and strong, which is a good sign this time of the year, so we are looking forward to getting into some games now. “

As well as running, the DEC Bushrangers take part in three weight sessions and two skill sessions each week and now as they near the end of pre-season they are mixing it up with some player-inspired activities such as paintball and a Melbourne-based version of the “Amazing Race”.

“Peter Siddle arranged for the guys to go to paint ball, which was fun for a little while I think until they realised the paint balls actually hurt,” Wade laughs.

“Our last one was an Amazing Race around Melbourne where we had to run around and collect information. It was good fun.

“Our group won. I was with Peter Siddle and he ran the whole thing, but I was kind of lagging behind. He was the star in that again.”

Wade’s personal form has been good of late. He was instrumental in the Twenty20 win over Sri Lanka A in Townsville, belting a brilliant 80 in the 27-run victory.

“The next three or four weeks is important for me,” Wade admits.

“I’ll be doing pretty hard running and weights sessions for the next two or three weeks to build it up to where I want to be.

“You’ve got to have something different to all the other keepers in Australia so I’ll be working on a few different things with my keeping and batting, but it’s nothing out of the ordinary I’ve just got to try and bring my game up to another level this year and keep improving.”

The DEC Bushrangers dominated state cricket last season, winning both the Sheffield Shield and the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash titles and finishing runners-up in the Ford One-Day Cup, and Wade believes they can do it again this year.

“You don’t want to be standing still because all the other teams are looking to knock you off,” he says.

“At the moment we are training harder than we ever have before and are looking to go in for a big season.

“I suppose you can’t predict those results but if we stick to what we do best try and improve in areas we know we can we’ll be looking to tie up again.

“We’re never satisfied. We’ve got people that are driven to do well, whether it’s playing for Australia or winning more titles, our blokes are focused on improving our game.”

Victoria have benefited previously from having experienced international players like David Hussey and Cameron White available to play some state games as well as with the Australian national team.

This is a luxury that all states will have this season, with the schedule allowing for all national players to play some domestic matches.

However, Victoria haven’t been without changes ahead of the new season.

Opening batsman Nick Jewell has semi-retired and big-hitter Aiden Blizzard moved to South Australia at the end of last season.

“Aiden Blizzard is a good striker of the ball and it would have been nice to have had him, but he has chosen to go to South Australia and better his career which is fine,” Wade says.

“I think it is becoming more and more regular now in state cricket that people are going to move for opportunities, which is absolutely fine.

“Everyone is looking to play for Australia and do really well so there are no grudges held at state level for players going for the right reasons.”

The first test for the DEC Bushrangers will be the Airtel Champions League in South Africa in September, where they will come up against the likes of IPL team Chennai Super Kings in the group stages.

Wade says while everyone is really excited for the tournament and the match time is useful, the team must also be mindful of the extra playing time.

“I think it’s a good thing early doors to have some more cricket under your belt, but in terms of the whole season we have got to be really smart managing our players through the season, because you are playing effectively an extra month and a bit of cricket which can hurt you with in the middle of the season with injuries and bowlers.

“It’s an advantage early on and then we’ve got to look after our blokes to get them through the whole year.”


today

 

[brockley]

Indigenous team arrive in PNG
23 July, 2010
Cricket Australia
The Australian Indigenous Cricket team have arrived in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, to play in the inaugural Pacific Motor Vehicle Don’t Drink and Drive Challenge against the PNG national team.

The series includes two Twenty20 games and two ODI matches, played on the newly laid turf wickets at Amini Park, the home of cricket in PNG.

Damien Bown, General Manager Game Development, Cricket Australia said this initiative represents a wonderful opportunity for young talented indigenous players in Australia to gain valuable international skills and test their skills in another country.

“We are looking forward to our matches against the PNG national team who continue to perform well in international competitions,” Bown said.

According to Bill Leane, CEO of Cricket PNG, The Don’t Drink Drive Series will see the first ever International cricket competition take place on the newly laid turf wickets at Amini Park.

“This series will be a wonderful way to showcase the infrastructure development of the facilities at Amini Park, which have been absolutely transformed in the last 12 months. It is a real milestone in the development of cricket in PNG,” Leane said.

“Our total focus in the past year has been on developing our players and the facilities here. Hosting our first international cricket event this coming weekend is a real celebration of all that hard work.”

Leane remarked that the timing with the Remembrance Day long weekend in Port Moresby is very fitting.

“I can’t think of better timing than staging our first game a day when we remember the Australian involvement in PNG during the Second World War.

"We are delighted to be hosting the Australian Indigenous team in this inaugural series and hope that we can continue to build on the close relationship we have with Cricket Australia in developing our great game in the Pacific Region,” Leane said.

Game Schedule

23rd July: 01:30pm 1st Twenty20 @ Amini Park
24th July: 10:00am 1st 50 over match @ Amini Park
25th July: 12:55pm Official Opening of Amini Park Turf Wicket
02:00pm 2nd Twenty20 @ Amini Park
27th July: 10:00am 2nd 50 over match

Australian Indigenous Team
Name (Playing Number)
Trent Clements (27)
Joshua Lalor (2)
Darcy Short (3)
Chris Swain (4)
Cameron Trask (25)
Dane Ugle (8)
Preston White (7)
Kris Halloran (15)
Michael Bailey (18)
Julien Feehan (22)
Domenic Croft (9)
Bernie Lamont (10)
Dillion Tucker (1)
Marcus McGregor-Cassady (5)
Coaches: Craig McDermott, Troy Collard

Cricket PNG National Team
Player No., Name, Club
1 Vani Vagi Poreporena
2 Hitolo Areni Coasters
3 Rarua Dikana United
4 Chris Kent Norths - Brisbane
5 Joel Tom Steamships
6 Pipi Raho Poreporena
7 John Boge Reva United
8 Jack Vare Poreporena
9 Raymond Haoda (Jnr) Poreporena
10 Chris Amini Coasters
11 Jason Kila Raukele
12 Assad Vala Raukele
13 Kila Pala Raukele
14 Tony Ura Raukele
15 Loa Nou Poreporena
16 Mahura Dai United
National Coaches: Andy Bichel, Barry Weir

 

[brockley]

Karl Hampton
MINISTER FOR SPORT AND RECREATION
20 July 2010
World Famous Curator Drops In TIO Pitch
Minister for Sport Karl Hampton today welcomed the arrival of TIO stadium’s new cricket pitch,
and the world’s most famous curator for the Twenty20 tournament being held in August.
The pitch is being installed and tended to by world famous groundsman Les Burdett, who
today supervised TIO’s new strip being dropped in and rolled out.
“Next month, in a first for the NT, world class Twenty20 Cricket will be coming to town; we are
proud to have a world-class curator on board to ensure the best possible pitch for the
tournament,” said Mr Hampton
"As former curator of Adelaide Oval Les has built a reputation over 30 years for preparing
fantastic international pitches - its great to have him here in the territory preparing our own
decks."
Mr Burdett prepared the iconic Adelaide Oval for international, national and other cricket
matches as well as all football codes, concerts and special events.
Mr Hampton said the upcoming tournament held between 27 and 31 August would be an
exciting showcase of popular Twenty20 format for cricket fans.
“Territorians love their cricket and the tournament is another example of NT Government’s
commitment to both Cricket players and fans.
“From the 27th of August some of the world’s top Twenty20 players will light up TIO as South
Australian, Victorian and Queensland smash their way through 6 games of cricket.”
The Victorian Bushrangers will play fellow KFC ‘Big Bash’ finalists the South Australian
Redbacks, as well as the powerhouse Queensland Bulls.
“NT crowds can look forward to seeing fast bowling and big hitting from superstars like
Cameron White, Shaun Tait, Brad Hodge and Andrew Symonds right here at TIO.”
Mr Hampton said it was just the beginning for NT cricket.
“With the growth of Twenty20 cricket in Asia, there are huge opportunities for Darwin as a winter
training base, and to potentially attract Champions League and IPL matches in the future.”
Contact: Patrick Hastwell 0427 017 803

 

[brockley]

NEW ZEALAND CRICKET MEDIA RELEASE
20 July 2010
BLACKCAPS head to Darwin to prepare for Sri Lankan heat
The BLACKCAPS will arrive in Darwin this week to complete preparations for their One-Day International tri-series against India and Sri Lanka.
They will play three 50-over matches against Indian domestic team, Maharashtra as they acclimatise to conditions and get some match fitness.
Coach Mark Greatbatch said Darwin’s hot and humid conditions will be good preparation for conditions the team will face in Sri Lanka.
“It will be a challenging few days against some handy opposition,” Greatbatch said. “The guys are itching to get out there against Maharashtra and get some game time under their belts.
“Net training is useful but match practice is different and will be vitally important for our guys.
“Everyone has been working hard and smart on their fitness, skills and plans for playing One Day International Cricket
‘We are looking at working very hard on tour so we build our confidence to compete well in the tri series”
Greatbatch feels it will be a huge achievement if the team can win the series in sub continent conditions against the power houses of India and Sri Lanka.
“The team is a relatively young side without Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum but it gives other players an opportunity to express their natural talent on the International stage.”
“We're building towards the first One-Day International and are confident we will be ready when it really matters,” Greatbatch concluded.
The BLACKCAPS depart for Sri Lanka on Sunday 1 August and their first One-Day International in Dambulla is against India on 10 August.
The New Zealand Squad travelling to Darwin for the Feast of Cricket is:
Ross Taylor Captain
Kyle Mills Vice Captain
Martin Guptill
Kane Williamson
BJ Watling
Scott Styris
Grant Elliott
Jacob Oram
Tim Southee
Andy McKay
Daryl Tuffey
Gareth Hopkins
Jeetan Patel
Jesse Ryder
Matches in Darwin:
BLACKCAPS v Maharashtra – 50-over match
Monday 26 July
BLACKCAPS v Maharashtra – 50-over match
Wednesday 28 July
BLACKCAPS v Maharashtra – 50-over match
Friday 30 July
BLACKCAPS in Sri Lanka schedule:
New Zealand Cricket -
ENDS

 

[brockley]

Barramundi’s take 3 from 3
26 July, 2010
Cricket Australia
On a day that saw dignitaries gather along with over 3000 cricket lovers for the official opening of the turf wicket at Amini Park, the PNG Barramundi’s just held on to defeat the Cricket Australia National Indigenous Side.

In an unorthodox decision that almost paid dividends, after winning the toss for the third straight game the Australians sent the Barramundis in to bat.

Tight bowling from the Australian’s put immediate pressure on the Barramundi’s and resulted in the early losses of opening batsman Vani Vagi and Chris Amini.

The pressure resulted in the Barramundi’s losing steady wickets throughout their inning’s ending on 8/128.

The Australian’s set off for the chase with great vigor, co-captain Preston White opened the batting and reached his half century with style and flair before going on to reach 71.

On a perfect summer day, the Barramundi’s bowlers struggled to penetrate initially and for some time the Australian’s looked safe in their chase.

The Andy Bichel coached Barramundi’s managed to come back in the final five overs of the game, with great bowling from Rarua Dikana and Mahuru Dai freezing the run rate and securing wickets in the vital final overs.

The Australian’s great early batting and the Barramundi’s fantastic fight back saw the game come down to the last bowl of the innings.

Captain of the Barramundi’s, Rarua Dikana and Australian Josh Lalor fresh from a 92 in the previous match, faced each other off to decide the game.

Needing four run’s to win the match, the crowd sat silently to witness Rarua bowl a gem that slid past Lalor’s edge and secured a win for the Barramundi’s.

National Coach of the Barramundi’s Andy Bichel said: “Captain Courageous Rarua Dikana really showed his mental toughness securing two wickets and setting the scene for a run out in the 18th over all for just three runs.

"I would have liked to see more runs from my team overall but really can’t be disappointed with such a fantastic fight back.

“This has been a real test of our character, playing for the third day in a row and I have been delighted with passion and pride that my guys showed.

"We are looking forward to the final game in the Series with the final 50-over game on Tuesday”.

Head Coach of the Australian Indigenous Side Troy Collard stated “Our group is really starting to come together and put on a whole of team performance today.

"I was particularly pleased with the improvement in our fielding and bowling and think that this will continue as we progress through the series.

"A brilliant 70 run effort from co-Captain Preston White led the solid run chase from our team."

Best with the ball for the Indigenous Side was Josh Lalor 3/21 and Chris Swain 2/13

Best with the bat for the Indigenous Side was Preston White 71.

With the Ball for the PNG Barramundi’s Rarua Dikana with 2/
Best with the Bat for the PNG Barramundi’s was Mahuru Dai with 34.

Earlier the PNG national cricket team took first outing honours in the opening Twenty20 match.

Chasing a run total of 110 set by the Cricket Australian national Indigenous team, the PNG Barramundi’s took 19 overs to match the score with seven wickets to spare.

Playing on the newly laid and first ever PNG turf wicket, the Barramundi’s used their home ground knowledge to advantage taking wickets at a good pace, and really testing the young indigenous national side.

“I am delighted with the attitude and approach the team took onto the field yesterday. It was a very confident start,” National Coach Andy Bichel said.

“Chris Amini carried on the family tradition, bowling well and batting right through the innings.

“Our bowlers performed well really setting up the game from the start.

"Our challenge will be sustaining that focus and concentration for the remaining three games of the series."

Troy Collard, coach of the Australian Indigenous team also praised his side.

“Yesterday was a great opportunity for our players in their first hit out on the tour. I am really pleased with the way they are coming together as a team.

"They are a young side and this experience will be invaluable for their development.

"The partnership between Ugle and Bailey helped set a defendable total after losing early wickets. We will be looking to build on this as the Series progresses.”

Mr Bill Leane CEO of Cricket PNG said the vocal local crowd of over 1,000 leant great support to the national team and created a wonderful atmosphere at Amini Park.

”I am delighted so many PNG people came out to support their national team yesterday in their first official outing on our new turf wicket’s at Amini Park,” he said.

Best with the bat for the Cricket Australia Indigenous national team were Dane Ugle 23 (16), Michael Bailey 22(13), Cameron Trusk run out on 14 (14). Best with the ball were Cameron Trusk 1 for 14, 3 overs Domenic Croft 1 for 9 off 2, Preston White, 1 for 24 off 4.

For the PNG Barramundi’s best with the Bat Chris Amini, 42 n.o. (39), Assad Vala, 20 (22), Kila Pala 18 n.o. (20)

Best with the ball, Rarua Dikana 2 for 15 off 4 overs, Mahura Dai 2 for 26 off 4 overs, Chris Amini 1 for 13 off 3 overs.

 

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Emerging players set for action
27 July, 2010
Cricket Australia
Click here to go to the Emerging Players Tournament homepage



The annual Emerging Players Tournament gets underway in Brisbane next month and will showcase some of the best up and coming talent from some of the world’s leading cricket nations.

Five years on since the inaugural competition in 2005 and the hosts are yet to claim the title after Karnataka (a state team from India) won the opening event, while South Africa took the honors in 2006 and 2007, New Zealand in 2008 and India last year.

In 2010, the same four nations will be competing with emerging player teams from India, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

The Australian team competes under the AIS banner as part of the AIS Scholarship Program conducted at the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane.

This year, the AIS squad will be jointly led by COE batting coach David Fitzgerald and spin bowling coach John Davison, under the watchful eye of Greg Chappell.

“The Emerging Players Tournament is a terrific way for our scholars to end their program and be part of some extremely competitive cricket in the lead-up to the Australian interstate season,” co-coach David Fitzgerald said.

“This year we’re very lucky to have quite a large complement of players available for selection during the tournament, including some with international experience and those players will play a big role in continuing the development of the younger squad members.

“To have players of the calibre of Callum Ferguson and Moises Henriques available to work with our younger squad members will be invaluable.

“Under the guidance of Greg Chappell, the AIS Scholarship Program has taken a much more game-focused plan and the scholars have been lucky enough to have some good preparation recently, playing against the touring Mumbai Indians squad.

“That gave them a good challenge and we’re looking forward to seeing what they learnt from that and some further improvement in the Emerging Players Tournament starting in a couple of weeks,” Fitzgerald said.

In addition, the AIS squad will again include two MRF Pace Foundation players for the tournament continuing strong reciprocal relationship between the two academies.

Some of the players who have tasted international cricket and competed in the Emerging Players Tournament since 2005 are; Adam Voges, Ben Hilfenhaus, Luke Ronchi, Shaun Marsh, Callum Ferguson (Australia), Jacob Oram, Shane Bond, Hamish Marshall, Mark Gillespie, Ross Taylor, Peter Fulton, Michael Papps (New Zealand), Neil McKenzie, Robin Peterson (South Africa) and Robin Uthappa (India

 

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Talented Faulkner wins national berth
BY TERRY MORRIS
28 Jul, 2010 12:00 AM
TASMANIAN all-rounder James Faulkner has won selection in the Australian team to play in an emerging players tournament in Brisbane next month.
The Australian team will compete under the AIS banner and consists of products of cricket's centre of excellence


Australia will play against teams from India, South Africa and New Zealand with the best young talent from each country selected.


For 20-year-old Faulkner, a left- arm medium fast bowler and right hand bat, the tournament is another step in his development towards a higher level of cricket.


The two-week tournament begins on August 6 and Australia is chasing its first title since the competition began in 2005.


Games will be played in Twenty20 and one-day format at grounds at Redlands, Allan Border Field, Sandgate and Brisbane University.


This year the Australian team will be jointly coached by David Fitzgerald and John Davison who are in charge of batting and spin bowling at the centre of excellence.


"The emerging players tournament is a terrific way for our scholars to end their program and be part of some extremely competitive cricket in the lead-up to the Australian interstate season," David Fitzgerald said.


"This year we were very lucky to have quite a large complement of players available for selection during the tournament, including some with international experience and those players will play a big role in continuing the development of the younger squad members."


Some of the players who have played in the tournament since 2005 are Adam Voges, Ben Hilfenhaus, Luke Ronchi, Shaun Marsh, Callum Ferguson (Australia), Jacob Oram, Shane Bond, Hamish Marshall, Mark Gillespie, Ross Taylor, Peter Fulton, Michael Papps (New Zealand), Neil McKenzie, Robin Peterson (South Africa) and Robin Uthappa (India).


The tournament will also provide opportunities for five emerging umpires and the panel includes Sam Nogajski, of Hobart.


THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM IS: Peter George, Josh Hazlewood, Nicholas Buchanan, Moises Henriques, Luke Feldman, Sean Abbott, Ben Dunk, James Faulkner, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Luke Pomersbach, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Ryan Carters, Glenn Maxwell, Alister McDermott, Nathan Brain, Jason Floros, Nic Maddinson, Callum Ferguson, Gursewak Singh, Malhotra Sahib.

 

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AAP © Enlarge photo

Andrew Symonds will be kept in cotton wool when Queensland fine-tune their pre-season preparation with a Twenty20 series in Darwin next month.

After recently completing a stint with English county Surrey, Symonds will be rested from the Bulls' Top End trip along with some other big names including Australian international Ryan Harris who is recovering from knee surgery.

A Bulls spokesman said Symonds was not considered for the Twenty20 series against Australia's Champions League qualifiers Victoria and South Australia and would link with Queensland "closer to the 2010-11 Big Bash series".

Others rested from the Darwin trip are Bulls veterans Chris Hartley, Chris Swan and Lee Carseldine while paceman Ben Cutting is recovering from ankle surgery.

Five players in the 15-strong Queensland squad will taste Twenty20 cricket for the first time - leg-spinner Cameron Boyce, batsman Ryan Broad, allrounder Jason Floros and pacemen Luke Feldman and Scott Walter.

The Twenty20 series will be held from August 25 to September 1.

Bulls squad: Chris Simpson (capt), Cameron Boyce, Ryan Broad, Ben Dunk, Luke Feldman, Jason Floros, Wade Townsend, Ben Laughlin, Chris Lynn, Alister McDermott, Nathan Rimmington, Nathan Reardon, Craig Philipson, James Hopes, Scott Walter.

 

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WHITE FIRES IN PNG


Wednesday 28 July 2010


Toombul and Queensland Imparja Cup star Preston White has played a strong role for the Australian Indigenous team in Papua New Guinea, despite losing the Twenty20 series to the locals.


Co-captain White made a blistering 71 opening the batting in Game 2 as the national Indigenous team looked set to easily run down the PNG Barramundis target of 8-127.


However, a dramatic collapse saw the Australians needing four runs to win off the last ball, and Josh Lalor missed a gem of a delivery from PNG skipper Rarua Dikana.


The game took place in front of 3000 spectators and dignitaries at the official opening of the turf pitch at Amini Park.


Queensland spinner Chris Swain was among the best of the Australian Indigenous bowlers, taking 2-13.


The Australians also battled with the bat in the opening game, being humbled for 110.


The Barramundis mowed down the target with seven wickets and six balls to spare.


White took 1-24 off his four overs.

 

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PNG EYE IMPARJA CUP


Thursday 29 July 2010


Queenslander Preston White was again a strong performer for the Australian Indigenous XI, but they were no match for Papua New Guinea in the final 50-over contest of their series in Port Moresby on Tuesday.


The Barramundis made a clean sweep of the four match Twetny20/50-over series, belting 290 and dismissing the Indigenous team for 145.


White, who starred with the bat in Game 3, snared 4-50 with his medium pacers to be the visitors’ best bowler.


Former Queensland pace bowling legend Andy Bichel led the PNG victory charge as head coach.


“To win our first home series 4-0 on our own turf wickets was an outstanding result,” Bichel said. “I think this is the start of something big for cricket in PNG.”


The co-chairman of the National Indigenous Cricket Advisory Council Vince Copley was so impressed by the Barramundis that he wants them included in the annual Imparja Cup competition in Alice Springs.


“I fully support the participation of PNG in the Imparja Cup every year. Our boys need to play at this level more often,” he said.


“It was good of Cricket PNG to invite us to be a part of launching their new turf wickets…I think both sides have benefited from the strong competition.”

 

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Redbacks name team for Darwin Feast of Cricket
29 Jul 2010 - Community/Country Cricket, General News, Junior Reds, Redbacks, SACA, SACA Members

29 July 2010 Coach, Mark Sorell talks about the Redbacks pre-season preparation29 July 2010 Captain, Michael Klinger talks about Darwin preparations ahead of the Champions LeagueThe Redbacks fly to Darwin next week to play in a nine day tournament against Tasmania, Northern Territory, New Zealand and Indian team Maharashtra.

The team will then return to Adelaide before flying back to Darwin for a Champions League Twenty20 warm-up series later this month.

The team will fly to South Africa in early September, with the first match being scheduled against Highveld Lions on Sunday, September 12.

Captain Michael Klinger said today his squad was looking forward to arriving in Darwin to play some competitive games.

“We’ve been training for two months, so to get up to some sunny weather will be great. It will be a great opportunity to practice what we have been doing here, before we go overseas. It’s been a busy couple of months so now we are looking forward to what we can do in Darwin,” he said.

Coach Mark Sorell also said the team was “champing at the bit” to play.

“Everything we are doing is about intensity and preparing for the big situations, so we are looking to Darwin to really increase that,” he said.

The squad to travel to Darwin next week is:
1. Daniel Harris
2. Michael Klinger (c)
3. Graham Manou
4. Callum Ferguson
5. Cameron Borgas
6. Aaron O’Brien
7. Cullen Bailey
8. Chris Duval
9. Gary Putland
10. Kane Richardson
11. Tim Ludeman
12. Jake Haberfield
13. Ben Edmondson
14. Rob Cassell
 
Out: Daniel Christian (overseas), Tom Cooper (overseas), Shaun Tait ( overseas) Peter George (overseas)

 

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PKF Tigers head to Papua New Guinea
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
PKF Tasmanian Tigers’ players Luke Butterworth, Xavier Doherty, Brendan Drew, Rhett Lockyear and Coach Tim Coyle will head to Papua New Guinea tomorrow, with the players special guests in a Twenty20 Tournament.

The group will also be there to promote the game of cricket and hold a series of coaching clinics, with the hope of developing a strong relationship between PNG Cricket and Cricket Tasmania.

Keep an eye out on crickettas.com.au for some photos from the trip.