Trott heroics keep England alive

Jonathan Trott’s calculating century ensured England stayed in the series with a 21-run victory that upset Australia’s national holiday in Adelaide. The tourists began the game needing to win and the scenario won’t change when they head to Brisbane for Sunday’s fifth ODI, but they have been boosted by an end to four consecutive limited-overs losses.

Trott’s perfectly timed 102 off 126 balls stood tall on a day that was meant to be a celebration of all things Australia, but the home supporters left unhappy as the series score-line in the seven-game contest settled at 3-1. Trott, bowling his steady medium pace, even managed the valuable breakthroughs of Cameron White (44) and David Hussey (28) to end the pair’s rescue act.

Full story: ESPNcricinfo

 

England were a seamer short against Australia, says Andrew Strauss

The England captain, Andrew Strauss, said his team were a seam bowler short as they slipped to a second one-day international defeat to Australia in Hobart.

Shaun Marsh kept Australia’s innings together after they threatened to fall apart at various points, hitting 110 in a total of 230, to which the tail-ender Doug Bollinger contributed an excellent run-a-ball 30. Bollinger then took the wickets of Strauss and Kevin Pietersen as part of a four-wicket haul as Australia sealed a 46-run victory, which leaves the hosts 2-0 up in the seven-match series heading into Sunday’s third match, in Sydney.

England lined up with the spinners Michael Yardy and James Tredwell in their attack with a view to giving them match practice ahead of the World Cup in the subcontinent, but Strauss accepted in hindsight that had probably been an error.

Full story: The Guardian

 

Prior replaces Davies for England

Matt Prior has replaced wicketkeeper Steven Davies in an otherwise predictable 15-man squad named by England for the Cricket World Cup.

In-form Prior is set to partner skipper Andrew Strauss at the top of the batting order and will now join the current one-day squad in Australia.

All-rounder Stuart Broad returns from injury while Kent bowler James Tredwell has been selected as a third spinner.

Seamer Chris Woakes misses out despite shining on his recent Twenty20 debut.

Full story: BBC Sport

 

Australia announce squad for ICC Cricket World Cup

Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP) today announced the 15-man squad for next month’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

The Australia Team will be proudly sponsored by VB as it seeks its fourth consecutive ICC Cricket World Cup.

The squad is:

Ricky Ponting (c) TAS 36
Michael Clarke (vc) NSW 29
Doug Bollinger NSW 29
Brad Haddin NSW 33
John Hastings VIC 25
Nathan Hauritz NSW 29
David Hussey VIC 33
Mike Hussey WA 35
Mitchell Johnson WA 29
Brett Lee NSW 34
Tim Paine TAS 26
Steve Smith NSW 21
Shaun Tait SA 27
Shane Watson NSW 29
Cameron White VIC 27

Full story: Cricket Australia

 

Melbourne rises to homeboy Finch

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Melbourne loves a hometown hero. When Dean Jones and Bill Lawry were paraded around the ground during the fourth Test they were cheered to the rafters and all Shane Warne has to do is step foot on the turf to be hailed by the locals. Aaron Finch has a long way to go to match any of them, and may never play Test cricket, but for one night he gave the suffering Australia supporters something to cheer in front of his fellow Victorians.

Full story: ESPNcricinfo