"Ponting's legacy as captain at stake"
Region: Australia"In Ricky's captaincy journey, having been a losing captain in 2005, it's a chance for redemption," former Australian skipper Allan Border said. "Ponting has overseen a couple of different periods as captain: the end of a great era and the start of a new era. He would like to leave Australian cricket in good hands by making a smooth transition between the two eras. "He wants to leave the next captain with a very good... more
Views: 665"Michael Hussey now Mr Average"
Region: Australia"He has got an excellent record; he has been a top player for quite a while. In the last year his average hasn't been great, way below what his Test average is. We know he's a good player, but everyone needs runs. No one has a God-given right to be in the team," Mark Waugh said. "(Selectors) have probably been a bit lenient on him because he has such a good record. It has come to the stage where he will need to score ... more
Views: 566"Indian experience was disappointing"
Region: Australia"We were trying to build something over five years but Shah Rukh Khan, the owner and King of Bollywood, had a change of direction and I was told I was no longer needed. That was a a shock and a disappointment," John Buchanan said. "(Sourav) Ganguly was the icon player and the captain of the outfit and I told him I didn't believe he was up to the pace of the game. We got to the last over in nine games and lost them, ge... more
Views: 651Nannes shocked by Australia call-up
Region: Australia"I was sitting at home and the phone rang and it was Michael Brown and he normally calls either if you're selected or you've done something wrong and I was scratching my brain to work out what I'd done wrong because I had no idea there were even Twenty20s in England, I hadn't even looked. Complete surprise!" Fast bowler Dirk Nannes said. "It hasn't sunk in for me but my wife was jumping up and down." "Bizarre the way... more
Views: 546Hughes philosophical over Ashes upset
Region: Australia"Personally they have been great to me, I will continue to speak to them, as they have said a few things on keeping focus," Phillip Hughes said. "They have told me there are tough times around the corner, that this might just be one, and there could be many more to come. "It is all ups and downs in this great game that we play." He insisted: "Pressure is a word but what I want to do is play cricket for Australia. "... more
Views: 635"Booing is part and parcel of cricket"
Region: AustraliaMarcus North said: "It is part and parcel of the game now." North said: "A lot of us get booed out there. That is the home ground advantage I guess." "The atmosphere when playing Test cricket here is great even though, without a doubt, the crowd is into us." "When England come and play in Australia, it is exactly the same for them so it is part and parcel of the game now." "The atmosphere is great and it is... more
Views: 466Warne expects Siddle to pave way
Region: Australia"Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle make a very inexperienced attack first off. I think Brett Lee and Stuart Clark may both be in contention for places," said The spin legend Shane Warne. "It will be interesting to see whether Australia risk Lee or save him for the final game at the Oval. That way he could have a practice game against the England Lions at Canterbury before a big five-day Test. "Siddle made a really good... more
Views: 469Ponting shrugs off boo-boys
Region: Australia"There is never anything untoward," Ricky Ponting said. "It is always good, light-hearted stuff, and when England have a sniff of winning the volume goes up tenfold. They add a lot to the whole experience of the Ashes. "The Edgbaston crowd were not the first to boo me this summer - but they were the loudest. Which makes sense, because Edgbaston is famous for being the bullring of English cricket. "Whenever I walk ou... more
Views: 442"Don't blame IPL for KP injury"
Region: Australia"I can sympathise with Kevin right now because he would not have wanted to miss the Ashes," said The former Australia opener, Matthew Hayden. "We should not look at the IPL as a problem, we should see it as the best opportunity to expand the game globally. "The crux of the problem is the game must address the amount of cricket being played. So we shouldn't be beating up individual athletes that may or may not hav... more
Views: 653"Johnson can be Edgbaston hero"
Region: AustraliaThe Australian captain Ricky Ponting said: "I think a lot of the senior players and (bowling coach) Troy Cooley and the coaching staff have had a fair share of input with Mitchell over the last few weeks. "With anyone in that situation, you have got to be careful it is not an information overload thing as well. "Mitchell is still relatively new to the game and sometimes the more information you give can cloud their m... more
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