Clarke defends Hughes over claimed catch

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Michael Clarke has defended Phillip Hughes against Ian Botham’s accusation of cheating and also cleared Ian Bell for not walking to a ball he was later shown to edge. Hughes was unsure whether he caught Alastair Cook at short leg, momentarily celebrating the dismissal before asking whether it had carried.

Cook, who was on 99, stood his ground and stayed when the replays showed the ball bouncing in front of Hughes. Botham was quick to criticise Hughes while commentating on Sky Sports. “Terrible,” he said. “Cheating. How much do you want it to bounce into your hands? He knows he hasn’t caught it.”

Full story: ESPNcricinfo

 

Pitch switch could negate Graeme Swann

Despite denials that a decision has been taken to help the home side, it is likely to diminish the impact of Graeme Swann, England's most potent threat.

The pitch for the fourth Test in Melbourne has been switched, less than a fortnight before the match that could determine who wins the Ashes.

Australia took less than an hour in Perth yesterday to complete victory by 267 runs as they reinforced England’s frailties on a surface with pace and bounce. With the series level at 1-1, England need only a win in either Melbourne or Sydney, but Australia have drawn fresh confidence before the traditional Boxing Day fixture.

Changing pitches so close to a match is rare, but Channel 9 and Sky Sports have been told to move the position of their cameras, which must be directly behind the bowler to allow technology to operate accurately.

Full story: The Australian

Pietersen wary of backlash

Kevin Pietersen puts the champagne on ice. Image by HNM_1977 via flickr

Man-of-the-match Kevin Pietersen has warned England not to get carried away by their emphatic victory at the Adelaide Oval.

“Australia are a formidable team here in Australia and we’re only 1-0 up in the series and there are still three Tests to play – anything can happen in those three Tests,” he told Sky Sports.

“Australia are going to get better and we’re going to have to play better cricket going into Perth and Melbourne and Sydney, because normally an England team doesn’t finish off a series too well, so we’ve got to make sure we’ve got out heads on.”

Full story: Sky Sports

 

Nasser Hussain puts a chair down on David Gower’s foot (VIDEO)

“Excuse me there, that was someone putting a chair on my foot. I’ll give you a clue – that was Nasser Hussain.”

Brisbane belief

Image by RNLJC&M via Flickr

I just knew my Ashes debut on Australian soil would not start quietly.

When England captain Andrew Strauss was dismissed just three balls into the Test I thought that was it, however that was just the start…
With the Brisbane sun shining down at a becalmed Gabba, Aussie quick Peter Siddle then grabbed the ball and sent the home fans into ecstasy with a blistering burst of pace bowling in the final session.

Alastair Cook, Matt Prior and then Stuart Broad were all cleaned up in the blink of an eye as Siddle, who was celebrating his birthday today, became only the fourth Australian to claim an Ashes hat-trick!
The fiery Victorian finished the day with figures of 6-54 as England crashed to 260 all out before Australia reached stumps in control on 25-0.

Full story: Sky Sports