Khawaja called up as cover for Ponting

Usman-Khawaja

Ricky Ponting is expected to recover from his broken finger in time to lead Australia at the MCG on Boxing Day, but the selectors have included New South Wales batsman Usman Khawaja in the squad as a precautionary measure. Khawaja, who just turned 24, is uncapped and will join the team in Melbourne on Wednesday.

“While the NSP (national selection panel) are confident Ricky Ponting will be available for the Boxing Day Test, through an abundance of caution we have named Usman Khawaja as the standby player,” Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of the panel, said. “Usman richly deserves this opportunity following his excellent form at domestic level last season and continuing on this season.”

Full story: ESPNcricinfo

 

Beer selection an ‘advantage’ for Ashes Test

Former Australia spinner Peter Taylor has urged Michael Beer to use his mystery status to his advantage in the third Ashes Test.

Taylor was greeted with headlines of ‘Peter Who’ after he was plucked from the New South Wales side after just four first-class games and thrown into the national team for the final Test of the 1986/87 Ashes series.

He responded with a man-of-the-match performance, claming eight wickets and scoring 42 to help Australia to a face-saving win after Mike Gatting had led the tourists to an Ashes series victory, the last time England triumphed on Australian soil.

Full story: The Independent

Sale over as Nathan Hauritz plans return

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Axed Test spinner Nathan Hauritz has told those close to him he still has a burning ambition to fight his way back into the Australian team.

Hauritz held a garage sale at his beachside Sydney apartment over the weekend, at which the items lying around included a few of his old Test jumpers.

He gave away a couple of his  jumpers but wanted it known that this should not be taken as a sign he was any less determined to break back into the Test team.

Many regard Hauritz as the best spinner in Australia, and believe he was unlucky not to be included in the squad for the third Ashes Test after taking 5-39 for NSW in the Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia at the WACA Ground on December 1.

He followed that up with three wickets and 148 for NSW against South Australia at the SCG last week but it was not enough to sway the selectors.

Full story: Herald Sun

Nathan Hauritz explains Ashes Test gear giveaway: ‘I don’t play for them any more’

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Dumped Test spinner Nathan Hauritz – his disenchantment with Australian cricket complete – has given away his cricket gear.

In a bizarre scene, the New South Wales spin bowler was sitting in front of a cardboard box at his Sydney flat as he gave away his kit on Saturday.

Just weeks ago he was lining up with his Test teammates at the Ashes squad announcement at Sydney Opera House.

As those players prepared for the third Test in Perth, Hauritz had a garage sale, selling unwanted items along with the Test jumpers he gave away.

Heavy wool, long and short-sleeved, and training gear, some with the tags still attached, were mixed with New South Wales and generic gear.

Hauritz didn’t need a sign. He simply said: “I don’t play for them any more.”

Full story: Herald Sun

Ponting: We’ve been ordinary but belief is building

To borrow a saying, a week is a long time in sport. That’s certainly the case for a number of players at the moment, including me.

Michael Beer, the left-arm spinner in his first season for Western Australia, must be wondering what’s happening with his world after being chosen for the third Test in Perth after just five first-class games.

And talented NSW youngsters Phil Hughes and Steven Smith are back in the side.

It’s always an exciting time when youngsters are chosen to play for Australia. Their enthusiasm becomes infectious in the dressing room and out on the ground.

Seven days ago, I was in the field trying to gain an advantage as England went about setting up its Adelaide Test win.

Full story: The Australian