Canada end Barbados tour in better spirits

The Canadian national team ended their trip to Barbados strongly with two victories and a narrow loss in their last three matches.

After three heavy defeats to Barbados, the tourists rallied to beat the same opposition fourth time around. Canada had earlier beaten Combined Campuses & Colleges to gain their first victory of the tour. They finished the 10-day visit with a highly competitive final game with Barbados, losing out in a close battle by five runs.

Canada came to the island for a period of training and matches ahead of their participation in the Caribbean T20 tournament in January.

After a slow start they will feel heartened by their performances ahead of the greater tests that lie ahead.

Harvir Baidwan (2-20) was the pick of the bowlers as Canada restricted Combined Campuses & Colleges to 92 from their 20 overs. Canada reached their target with five wickets and eight balls in hand. Raza Rehman top-scored with 20.

That confidence boost set Canada up nicely for their next match against a Barbados team packed with internationals.

Rizwan Cheema made 51 not out from just 26 balls in the tourists' 158-6.
Baidwan then continued his fine wicket-taking form with 3-32 as Barbados could only make 145-7 in reply.

Barbados exacted revenge in the final match but not without discomfort.
Baidwin took another two wickets to go with similar success for Junaid Siddiqui and Rehman as Barbados laboured to 139-8.

Canada remained in with a shout for as long as Jimmy Hansra was at the crease. The right-hander was run out with four balls to spare as he attempted to keep the strike with deliveries running out.

Another run out followed off the next ball as Canada ended on 134-7.

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The Cricket Australia Chairman's XI piled up 398-6 at the close of day one of the tour match with India in Canberra.

Wes Robinson (143) and Tom Cooper (182 not out) added 226 for the third wicket on a day when the Indian bowlers struggled to make an impact.

Pace man Ishant Sharma only bowled 5.3 overs before he left the field but it is understood his early withdrawal was merely precautionary to monitor the left ankle problem that hampered his tour of England.

Umesh Yadav was the pick of the Indian bowlers with 3-39 off 15 overs while left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha picked up two wickets, at the more expensive cost of 149 runs.

Robinson swung Ojha to the leg-side boundary for six on five occasions before he fell attempting a sixth maximum off the slow bowler.

Robinson only made his state debut at the age of 27 but has made solid strides since, culminating in his century today. The left-hander moved to his ton first before his younger third-wicket partner dominated in the final session.

Cooper has been representing the Netherlands at international level but will hope performances like this further alert the Australian selectors.

The Chairman's XI declared at the close, meaning India's much-vaunted batting line-up take centre stage on day two.

India have one further warm-up match ahead of the first Test at Melbourne, starting on Boxing Day.

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Bollinger hopeful of Test recall

Forgotten paceman Doug Bollinger hopes the uncertainty over Australia's fast bowling line-up for the Test series against India will open the way for a recall.
The larrikin left-armer has not played a Test for more than 12 months, watching on as rookies Pat Cummins, James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc all got the jump on him.
But with injury and inconsistent form putting clouds over several candidates, Bollinger is hoping to remind national selectors he is still around as he makes his way back from a hamstring tear.
He will use Sydney Thunder's opening Big Bash match against Shane Warne's Melbourne Stars on Saturday night as the springboard before taking the red ball for the second of the Chairman's XI matches against India in Canberra next week.
"I'm getting back to where I want to be. I feel fit and ready to go," Bollinger told Sportal.
"Test cricket hasn't left my mind and I'm ready to go if they want me."
"I still think I've got heaps to give."
"I will do anything I can do to get back in the team. I'd love to be there for the Boxing Day Test."
"It'd be good to get some India wickets under my belt."
Bollinger hasn't played a Test for Australia since early December 2010, banished amid reported concerns over his fitness and durability.
The 30-year-old admits he may have been slight 'under-done' but has worked hard with noted Sydney fitness guru Kevin Chevell to improve his endurance.
"I feel really good and before I got injured (last month) I felt like I was bowling well," Bollinger said.
"I can't change people's perceptions (over his fitness) but there are no worries in my mind."
"They (the national selectors) know what I can do and I know I've been bowling well."
"I don't feel like they have forgotten me. I'll be ready to go whenever they need me."

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Harbhajan backs Ponting

Australia batsman Ricky Ponting has received support from Harbhajan Singh, who believes India must not take him lightly.

Former captain Ponting, 36, has struggled with the bat, having hit a barren patch after making 209 in January 2010, and several former cricketers believe the right-hander is past his prime.

Since that game, Ponting has played 16 Tests and scored 797 runs at an average of 27.48, with a top score of 78.

But India spinner Harbhajan, who has been involved in many battles with Ponting over the years, believes the Australian will be back among the runs.

"I do not think Ponting is finished and I think people are making a big mistake by writing him off," said Harbhajan, who has dismissed Ponting more than any other bowler.

"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. I am sure Ponting will do the same."

Harbhajan, struggling with form himself and out of the India team for the tour to Australia, also said great players should never be questioned.

"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," he said.

"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."

Harbhajan believes India have a chance to claim their first series win in Australia: "This Australian side is a lot weaker than sides of the past. There is no Adam Gilchrist or Shane Warne or Glenn McGrath."

"India have definitely got a very good chance to beat them on their home soil. I don't want to predict a scoreline, but I am sure India will do very well."

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UAE series: 'Fawad can come in handy against England'

LAHORE: Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief selector Iqbal Qasim has tipped Fawad Alam to come in handy in the upcoming series against England, given the all-rounder’s impressive show in the ongoing Quaid-i-Azam Trophy.
Alam, the second highest run-scorer in the tournament, made his last international appearance in a Twenty20 against New Zealand last year

and has been overlooked since.
Qasim, however, pointed out the importance of having a left-handed batsman in the middle-order and said the 26-year-old could be useful against England.
“I think Alam is playing well and is a good cricketer,”
Qasim told The Express Tribune. “He can come in

handy as a middle-order batsman and his fielding is up to the mark as well. The team management should consider his performance.”
Qasim added that Alam needed to be considered as a batsman and should be included for the longer format as well after a century on Test debut in 2009.
“The management should take him as a middle-order batsman rather than an all rounder. He’s a good enough batsman and fulfils all the requirements, so it will be a good decision to take him with the team.”
Fawad hopeful of comeback
Meanwhile, the left-hander, who has represented Pakistan in 27 One-Day Internationals, 24 Twenty20s and three Tests and is currently playing for NBP in the Qu
aid Trophy, remained hopeful of donning the national colours again and hoped that the selectors would give him another chance.
“My job is to perform and that’s what I’m doing,” said A
lam, who has scored 840 runs in the season so far. “I’m hopeful that my recent performance will remind the selectors of my potential. I won the best batsman’s award in the Pentangular Cup and I’m focused on the four-day version of the game.
“Now its up to the selection committee to decide on my inclusion in the team.”

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Cricket: All or nothing, says Mohsin

KARACHI:Mohsin Khan has expressed his willingness to continue as the national team’s head coach and hinted at rejecting an offer, if made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), that reduces his role to a batting coach.

Mohsin, who was chief selector before being appointed head coach as the PCB searched for a full-time replacement to Waqar Younis, had his tenure extended for the Bangladesh tour after an impressive show saw Pakistan clinch the Test, One-Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 series against higher-ranked Sri Lanka.

However, recent developments suggest that the coach-hunting committee is close to finalising a deal with Australian Dav Whatmore who gained recognition after his stint with Sri Lanka led the underdogs to World Cup triumph in 1996.

While the appointment of separate coaches is also likely for all three departments of the game, officials have suggested that Mohsin may be offered a role to assist the batsmen. Mohsin, however, looks likely to refuse such an offer.

“I’m always ready to serve Pakistan but with grace and dignity,” the coach told The Express Tribune. “I’ll not avail an opportunity at the cost of my self-respect. I’ll refuse any offer which ignores years of service for my country as a cricketer, selector and coach.”

Mohsin added, however, that he was yet to be approached officially in this regard.

“The last time I met PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf, he assured me that I will continue my role,” said Mohsin, who has drawn appreciation from various quarters, including former captains Shahid Afridi and Aamir Sohail.

‘Team mentally tough now’

Mohsin, while terming his experience as head coach successful, felt his stint helped the players improve their mental toughness and fighting spirit.

“At this stage you can’t teach players the basics. My goal was to make them mentally tough and instil the fighting spirit in the team and I’ve succeeded to an extent. This is visible in the way we’ve won matches from hopeless positions. The side has also avoided controversies.”

‘Still room for improvement’

However, the former Test cricketer felt there was room for improvement in the team, which he can supervise.

“I’ve developed a great understanding with the players. But weak links are there and a lot of hard work still needs to be done.”

The coach praised the team for dominating Bangladesh, although the side was relatively weaker. “We were under pressure being the favourites but I’m very happy with the way team has proved their dominance, which wasn’t an easy task on their home soil.”

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Mushtaq Ahmad predicts a spin battle between England and Pakistan – Cricket News Update

Mushtaq Ahmad predicts a spin battle between England and Pakistan – Cricket News Update

England’s spin bowling consultant Mushtaq Ahmad believes that the three match Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be a spin battle between Graeme Swann and Saeed Ajmal.

Both spinners are currently rated two of the best in international cricket and will be aiming to do well against each other on slow pitches in UAE.

According to Mushtaq, “I see this series as a big challenge for the English and Pakistani spinners and there is going to be tough competition between Swann [Graeme] and [Saeed] Ajmal, who are the best off-spinners in the business today. It will depend on what sort of pitches are prepared for the series but I sense they will give assistance to the slow bowlers.”

The English spin bowling coach has also played 52 Tests for Pakistan, but says his profession will not be affected by emotions.

This series will be of extreme importance for the Poms, as they have mostly won matches on home soil. They will be quite confident of doing well, especially in the longest version of the game, being the number one ranked side in this format.

However, Pakistan have also been playing some consistent cricket over the past one year. The team is yet to be beaten in any series under skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, who is geared up for the upcoming encounter.

Last time when both sides played a Test series was back in 2010 and England completely dominated that competition. Their success came on home soil though and things will be quite difficult for them in the heat of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

In order to overcome Pakistan in UAE, the British side will need to rely on their spinners more than the seamers.

Mushtaq has been working hard to polish the spin bowlers in the side and claimed, “England has been preparing hard for this series and I have tried to convince them that they must learn to depend on spin if they want to win in the Asian region.”

Both teams will also feature in One Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 series after the Tests.

The first game of the series will be held in Dubai on Tuesday, January 17, 2012.

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Aussies set up batting camp ahead of India Test

SYDNEY: New Australia coach Mickey Arthur has set up a training camp for his under-fire batsmen ahead of the opening Boxing Day Test against India in Melbourne.

Concerned by Australia's fallibility against the swinging ball exposed in the team's seven-run loss to New Zealand in this week's Hobart Test, Arthur has put in place a three-day camp in Melbourne next week.

Cricket Australia said Thursday Test captain Michael Clarke will be joined by Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Brad Haddin, Dan Christian, Shane Watson and possibly Shaun Marsh, who has a back injury, in the MCG nets from next Tuesday.

They will be facing bowling machines that will simulate the deliveries of tall Indian seamer Ishant Sharma and others.

Meanwhile in Canberra, David Warner, Phillip Hughes and Usman Khawaja, who all played in the Hobart Test, will be playing for a Chairman's XI against India in a three-day game.

Arthur said the camp was designed to sharpen the focus of the Australian top order ahead of four Tests against the second-ranked Indians.

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Warne to spin in T20 despite burned hand

MELBOURNE: Cricket legend Shane Warne said Tuesday he was almost certain to make his comeback in Australia's revamped Twenty20 competition as planned, despite burning his hand badly while cooking.

Sporting a heavily bandaged hand, the former Test champion gave himself a "95 percent chance" of playing in the opening match for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League against the Sydney Thunder in Melbourne on Saturday night.

"It should be fine by Saturday," he told reporters.

Warne's kitchen accident left his bowling hand and fingers with blisters, including "a couple of awkward ones on the spinning fingers".

He brushed off suggestions he could wear bandages or a glove to stop the wounds ripping open during the match.

"Bowling legspin is all about feel so if I put a glove on I'm not sure I can tweak them down there that well," he said.

"I'm hoping I won't need that and I'll be ready to go."

The 42-year-old said while he hoped to take the field, he would not play unless his hand was healed enough for him to bowl properly.

"If I won't be able to bowl then I won't be playing -- that would let the team down," he said.

Warne apparently called an end to his stellar cricket career at the Indian Premier League (IPL) in May but recently confirmed he would play with the Melbourne Stars, saying he had never been fitter.

The cricketer said part of his desire to return for the Big Bash was so his three children could watch him, and agreed it was an "added bonus" that his British fiancee Liz Hurley would be there too.

Warne, who has not played Test cricket since helping Australia to a 5-0 Ashes whitewash over England in January 2007, had led the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL until this year.

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Experience will hold us in good stead: Dhoni

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni believes the experience in the team's ranks will hold it in good stead against Australia in the four-match Test series starting with the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

Dhoni also said the Australian team cannot be taken lightly just because there are some young players.

The wicketkeeper batsman said India only need to play to their potential.

'Most of the batsmen have played there before. We are hoping we will do well there. Even last time (in 2007-08) we had a very good chance and we did really perform well. 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,' said Dhoni on the eve of the warm up match against Chairman's XI.

'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 in The Age.

Dhoni has vowed to give his touring side the best possible chance to exploit Australia's weaknesses and is well aware this campaign is perceived as his nation's greatest chance to win a series on Australian soil.

India's batting, led by Sachin Tendulkar, is strong and experienced but much will depend on whether fast bowlers Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma can stay fit, with the attack expected to be rounded out by paceman Umesh Yadav and spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

'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 [then]. 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.

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