Australia crush England to take series

Australia 2 for 131 (Bailey 60*, White 58*) beat England 9 for 130 (Buttler 22, Hazlewood 4-30) by 8 wickets
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	An unbeaten 58 from Cameron White helped Australia cruise to victory © Getty Images  Enlarge
Related Links Players/Officials: George Bailey | Josh Hazlewood | Brad Hodge | Cameron White Matches: Australia v England at Melbourne Series/Tournaments: England tour of Australia Teams: Australia | England

As Twenty20 wins go, this was comprehensive. So comprehensive that Brad Hodge did not even get to bat in his first international for nearly six years. The Melbourne fans were disappointed at that, but pleased their other Victorian favourite, Cameron White, played a key part in Australia's pulverisation of England. White and George Bailey feasted on England's lacklustre bowling, cruising to the target of 131 in the 15th over with eight wickets in hand.

It meant a third series defeat for England on this tour. It also meant that that for the first time in a long while, Australia were ahead of England on the ICC rankings in all three formats; the teams swapped places after this result, with Australia moving up from eighth to sixth, and England falling from sixth to eighth. They will swap back again if England finish with a win in Sydney on Sunday, but the way they played in Melbourne that seems a distant dream.

Everything Australia did went right in this match, from sharp catches, run-outs and saves in the field to clean striking with the bat. By the time Bailey swept the winning boundary off James Tredwell to finish unbeaten on 60 from a remarkable 28 balls, with White at the other end on 57 from 45, the England players probably just wanted to go home. It was another especially miserable game for Jade Dernbach, whose three overs leaked 42 runs to take his series economy rate to 13.

Tim Bresnan was the only England bowler who looked like restricting Australia, his 1 for 11 from three overs including the lbw of Aaron Finch for 10. The only other wicket for the innings came when Glenn Maxwell, on 2, slogged a catch to deep square leg off Tredwell. But then White, who was fearsomely striking fours right from the start of the innings, was joined by Bailey for a 78-run stand that completed the job and kept Hodge in the rooms.

At least Hodge had featured strongly during the England innings, opening the bowling and being responsible for two dismissals through his excellent work in the field. To a man the Australians were inspired in the field and that sharpness, combined with four wickets to Man of the Match Josh Hazlewood, a highly encouraging return from injury for Mitchell Starc, and the maturity of legspinner James Muirhead restricted England to 9 for 130.

For a while it seemed England would not even reach that high a score; a 134-run partnership between Stuart Broad (18 not out) and Bresnan rescued them from 7 for 96 in the 16th over. Hazlewood finished with 4 for 30 after he finished with two wickets from the last two balls of the innings, Bresnan bowled for 18 walking across his stumps and Tredwell bowled for a golden duck next delivery.

Six batsmen reached double figures but the highest score was Jos Buttler's 22 as none of the batsmen managed to capitalise on their starts, and not a six was hit during the innings. In many case it was Australia's sharp fielding that caused England their problems and perhaps most surprisingly it was the 39-year-old Hodge who sparked things.

The most remarkable dismissal was that of Eoin Morgan, who was run out by a direct hit from Hodge despite the bat having been grounded in the crease before the stumps were broken. Joe Root's push to cover off the bowling of Maxwell was collected by Hodge and although his throw lacked some of the power he once had, it lost nothing in accuracy.

Morgan, who was on 6 at the time, dived full stretch in an attempt to make his ground at the wicketkeeper's end and his bat seemed to slide over the line before bouncing up and most of the bat was behind the crease but not grounded when the bails came off. The third umpire rightly ruled Morgan out; a reprieve after a batsman makes his ground then lifts off the ground only applies to the feet, not the bat.

Two overs later another run out hurt England just as much when Root, who was established at the crease on 18, was caught short trying for a second run when Maxwell's speed allowed him to rocket the ball to the bowler White, who whipped off the bails. At 5 for 63, England were in trouble, but more was to follow when Ravi Bopara slogged the impressive young legspinner James Muirhead to Maxwell at deep midwicket for 6.

None of England's batsmen managed to really find their rhythm and even Jos Buttler, who struck two fours and top scored with 22, was unable to bat on when he was lbw to an offcutter from Nathan Coulter-Nile in the 16th over. The batsman who looked most dangerous was the opener Michael Lumb, who picked up four boundaries during the first two overs of the match - the first over remarkably delivered by Hodge.

But on 18, Lumb skied a very high chance when he tried to clear long-on off Josh Hazlewood and was caught by Coulter-Nile at mid-on. England's shaky start continued in the next over when Hodge's first piece of sharp fielding had its effect; Luke Wright was out for a second-ball duck when his searing drive off Mitchell Starc was snapped up by Hodge at short cover.

The wickets just kept falling for England when Alex Hales also made a start - 16 off 13 balls - and then top-edged a high, swirling catch to third man and was well taken by Starc off the bowling of Hazlewood. By that stage, Australia's fielding looked good. It only got better.

Australia tour of South Africa, 2013/14

Wed Feb 5 - Sat Feb 8 08:30 GMT | 10:30 local 13:30 PKT South African Invitation XI v Australians Senwes Park, Potchefstroom  17 - 27° C  Wed Feb 12 - Sun Feb 16 08:30 GMT | 10:30 local 13:30 PKT 1st Test - South Africa v Australia SuperSport Park, Centurion N/A Thu Feb 20 - Mon Feb 24 08:30 GMT | 10:30 local 13:30 PKT 2nd Test - South Africa v Australia St George's Park, Port Elizabeth N/A Sat Mar 1 - Wed Mar 5 08:30 GMT | 10:30 local 13:30 PKT 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia Newlands, Cape Town N/A Sun Mar 9 (20 ovs) 12:30 GMT | 14:30 local 17:30 PKT 1st T20I - South Africa v Australia St George's Park, Port Elizabeth N/A Wed Mar 12 (20 ovs)           16:00 GMT | 18:00 local 21:00 PKT 2nd T20I - South Africa v Australia Kingsmead, Durban N/A Fri Mar 14 (20 ovs)           16:00 GMT | 18:00 local 21:00 PKT 3rd T20I - South Africa v Australia SuperSport Park, Centurion N/A

Sharp Australia keep England to 130

20 overs England 9 for 130 (Buttler 22, Hazlewood 4-30) v Australia
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	Eoin Morgan's run out was a key moment © Getty Images  Enlarge
Related Links Matches: Australia v England at Melbourne Series/Tournaments: England tour of Australia Teams: Australia | England

An inspired Australian fielding performance and four wickets to Josh Hazlewood restricted England to 9 for 130 in the second Twenty20 at the MCG. England need to win to keep the three-match series alive but the short history of T20 cricket is not on their side - six times before this Australia had kept their opponents to 130 or less in the first innings and every time they have chased down the target.

For a while it seemed England would not even reach that high a score; a 134-run partnership between Stuart Broad (18 not out) and Tim Bresnan rescued them from 7 for 96 in the 16th over. Hazlewood finished with 4 for 30 after he finished with two wickets from the last two balls of the innings, Bresnan bowled for 18 walking across his stumps and James Tredwell bowled for a golden duck next delivery.

Six batsmen reached double figures but the highest score was Jos Buttler's 22 as none of the batsmen managed to capitalise on their starts, and not a six was hit during the innings. In many case it was Australia's sharp fielding that caused England their problems and perhaps most surprisingly it was the 39-year-old Brad Hodge, playing his first international for nearly six years, who sparked things.

The most remarkable dismissal was that of Eoin Morgan, who was run out by a direct hit from Hodge despite the bat having been grounded in the crease before the stumps were broken. Joe Root's push to cover off the bowling of Glenn Maxwell was collected by Hodge and although his throw lacked some of the power he once had, it lost nothing in accuracy.

Morgan, who was on 6 at the time, dived full stretch in an attempt to make his ground at the wicketkeeper's end and his bat seemed to slide over the line before bouncing up and most of the bat was behind the crease but not grounded when the bails came off. The third umpire rightly ruled Morgan out; a reprieve after a batsman makes his ground then lifts off the ground only applies to the feet, not the bat.

Two overs later another run out hurt England just as much when Root, who was established at the crease on 18, was caught short trying for a second run when Maxwell's speed allowed him to rocket the ball to the bowler Cameron White, who whipped off the bails. At 5 for 63, England were in trouble, but more was to follow when Ravi Bopara slogged the impressive young legspinner James Muirhead to Maxwell at deep midwicket for 6.

None of England's batsmen managed to really find their rhythm and even Jos Buttler, who struck two fours and top scored with 22, was unable to bat on when he was lbw to an offcutter from Nathan Coulter-Nile in the 16th over. The batsman who looked most dangerous was the opener Michael Lumb, who picked up four boundaries during the first two overs of the match - the first over remarkably delivered by Hodge.

But on 18, Lumb skied a very high chance when he tried to clear long-on off Josh Hazlewood and was caught by Coulter-Nile at mid-on. England's shaky start continued in the next over when Hodge's first piece of sharp fielding had its effect; Luke Wright was out for a second-ball duck when his searing drive off Mitchell Starc was snapped up by Hodge at short cover.

The wickets just kept falling for England when Alex Hales also made a start - 16 off 13 balls - and then top-edged a high, swirling catch to third man and was well taken by Starc off the bowling of Hazlewood. By that stage, Australia's fielding looked good. It only got better.

IPC withdraws petition against Zaka Ashraf

ISLAMABAD: Ministry of inter provincial co-ordination (IPC) has withdrawn its petition against chairman PCB Zaka Ashraf.

Justice Saqib Nisar in his observation mentioned that the government is permitted by law to take any action necessary.

Justice Saqib also said that if any executive has the authority to remove the PCB chairman, it can do so, the court will not interfere in the matter

Taylor, Williamson seal 4-0 win

New Zealand 303 for 5 (Taylor 102, Williamson 88) beat India 216 (Kohli 82, Dhoni 47, Henry 4-38) by 87 runs
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	Ross Taylor's golden form continued © AFP  Enlarge
Related Links Players/Officials: Matt Henry | Ross Taylor | Kane Williamson Matches: New Zealand v India at Wellington Series/Tournaments: India tour of New Zealand Teams: India | New Zealand

Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor refused to take their collective foot off India bowlers' throats, as they took their partnership tally for the series to 463 - which is the highest for a total of four partnerships, and fourth-highest overall - setting India yet another 300-total, which India were always going to find difficult to chase with only two top specialist batsmen in any sort of form. In the process, Williamson set the New Zealand record for most runs in a bilateral series, his 361 being 18 more than Taylor's, who became only the second New Zealander to have scored 10 ODI centuries. If it was the old firm with the bat, with the ball Matt Henry came out of nowhere to register the third-best debut figures for a New Zealander and consign India to a 4-0 defeat, who are yet to win a match since they began touring in December.

It was almost like a contest for the Man-of-the-Series award between Taylor and Williamson, who came together at 41 for 2 in the 13th over. They had added 311 in the three chances they had got to bat together in the series, but this time New Zealand were most desperate for runs from them. And they delivered, forging a 152-run partnership to not only shore them up, but give them the momentum as well.

On the other hand, this pitch had something for the bowlers. The outfield was the slowest of the series, and the lush square made piercing gaps difficult. India conceded no boundary in the first over, and the four boundaries that were scored in the first 14 overs involved a certain degree of risk that required the batsmen to go over the infield.

Taylor began the delightful turnaround with two scorching drives, all along the ground, with one to the left of cover, and the second to the right, in the 15th over. The second of those brought up 250 runs for Taylor in the series. At that point, he was the only one in the New Zealand top seven to have not hit a six in the series.

The whole flow of the match turned in that over. Scoring suddenly began to look easy. R Ashwin had to be brought on, and there was nothing for him in the pitch. Williamson frustrated him by using his feet and reaching the pitch of the ball almost every time. On the odd occasion that he was beaten in the flight - like in the 16th over - he recovered well. Runs now came easily with Varun Aaron missing the accuracy of the opening bowlers. When Aaron conceded the second boundary of the 21st over, the first time that Taylor had gone aerial, the two had brought up another fifty-run stand.

Soon Williamson displayed what should be the image of this New Zealand summer: down the wicket, making room, and chipping one over extra cover. This happened for the first time in the 24th over, which took Williamson to within 16 of becoming only the second man to have scored fifties in all the matches of a five-ODI series. The fifty came duly, by which time he had overtaken Taylor, who followed suit and also brought up the hundred of the stand, their third of the series.

The 31st over had begun by then, and Williamson now began to break away from Taylor. He swept Ravindra Jadeja either side of fine leg for successive fours before painting another picture with an inside-out chip. When the Powerplay began, Taylor finally played his first slog of the series, sending Bhuvneshwar Kumar over midwicket for four. In the same over, Williamson ramped over the keeper's head. Taylor had pulled out an axe, Williamson was going at it with a blade, and India were bleeding profusely.

By the time Williamson, with seven wickets in hand over the remaining 12.3 overs, New Zealand were expected to add plenty to their 193 runs. Taylor finally hit his first six of the series, with his beloved slog-sweep that he had put away throughout the series. Shami's yorkers towards the end restricted the damage, with only 110 in the last 12.3 overs, but you suspected it was more than enough on this pitch and outfield.

Kyle Mills, Mitchell McClenaghan and Henry went on to prove that suspicion right. There were no loose balls on offer, and with the asking rate rising, desperate shots soon began to appear. The third of those, from Ajinkya Rahane, made it 30 for 3 in the 14th over, and although Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni are superb chasers it was really getting too much. Kohli and Dhoni tried to take it deep before going bang, but once Kohli fell for 82 off 78, it was all over with not even half the runs scored in 36.1 overs.

For the first time since 2007, New Zealand had blanked a team ranked higher than them, and India were now one short of their longest winless streak in ODIs.

New Zealand beats India by 87 runs in 5th ODI

WELLINGTON: New Zealand´s Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson continued prolific summers with big scores and Matt Henry claimed four wickets on debut as the hosts beat India by 87 runs on Friday to complete a 4-0 win in the five-match series.

Taylor scored his second century in consecutive innings and Williamson his fifth half century of the series as New Zealand made 303-5 batting first.

Henry then took 4-38 in an impressive debut as India was all out for 216 in 49.4 overs in reply.

Virat Kohli fought a lone battle once again getting 82 off 78 balls with 7 fours and 3 sixes. Dhoni got 47 with 3 fours.

New Zealand won the first two matches by 24 runs and 15 runs and the last two more emphatically, by seven wickets and 87 runs, while the third game was tied.

ICC set to go back to the future

LONDON: For much of its history the International Cricket Council (ICC) was unable to do anything without the approval of England and Australia, the two original Test nations.

So the announcement from the ICC´s headquarters in Dubai on Wednesday that it had agreed in principle to be effectively run by India, England and Australia had a familiar ring to it.

Plans to bolster the position of the ´Big Three´ within the ICC include the formation of a new five-man executive committee, with three seats reserved for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia (CA).

The BCCI now generates 80 percent of world cricket´s wealth and the only way most other boards remain financially afloat is from the colossal television rights they receive from a tour by India.

Given that, greater BCCI influence in the running of the ICC was all but inevitable.

Almost as understandable was the BCCI´s decision to form links with CA and the ECB, the only other major boards to consistently turn a profit.

Prior to this week´s two-day ICC board meeting in Dubai, a leaked ´position paper´ from the ´Big Three´ suggested they be spared relegation in any new two-division Test set-up because of their commercial importance. But come a statement released after the first day of talks on Tuesday, there was no mention of promotion and relegation, with the ICC declaring there would be "participation based on meritocracy; no immunity to any country, and no change to membership status".

That promotion and relegation was conceded by the ´Big Three´ suggests it was always something to be given away in return for acceptance of more fundamental points. That appears to be what has happened with strugglers Bangladesh, whose Test status has been repeatedly called into question on the back of a string of defeats.

With major constitutional changes to the running of the ICC requiring a three-fourths majority -- ie eight of the 10 leading nations -- it now seems the ´Big Three´ are one vote away from getting support for their revamp plan.

West Indies, who forecast they would receive a hundred percent increase in revenue as a result of the changes, and New Zealand, both appear to be onside. That leaves the ´Big Three´ needing to win over just one of South Africa, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the three most vocal opponents of the leaked plan, when the ICC reconvenes for another meeting next month.

On Tuesday, the ICC trumpeted "unanimous support" for the principles behind the revamp, only for a Sri Lankan source to tell AFP: "As far as Sri Lanka is concerned, there was no unanimity on this."

The end of the Future Tours programme announced on Tuesday and a return to ´bilateral tours´ has raised concerns that weaker nations could suffer from a lack of competitive cricket. But New Zealand Cricket´s Martin Snedden told the country´s Radio LiveSport: "There was a lot of speculation that we would get some crumbs from the big guys and just end up playing mainly the small guys.

"That´s not going to happen. We´ve locked in good commitments from Australia, England and India through that 10-year period (to 2023)."

Sri Lanka defeat Bangladesh in first Test

DHAKA: Mahela Jayawardene became Test cricket´s sixth-highest run-getter with a glorious unbeaten double-century as Sri Lanka compounded Bangladesh´s misery in the first Test in Dhaka on Wednesday.

The veteran right-hander made 203 not out, his seventh double-century in 33 three-figure knocks, as the tourists piled up 730-6 declared on the third day at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium.

Having gained a mammoth lead of 498 runs, Sri Lanka reduced Bangladesh to 35-1 in nine overs before stumps to step closer to an overwhelming victory in the first match of the two-Test series.

Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, brought on after three overs, struck with his third delivery when he forced Tamim Iqbal to mistime a catch to point.Shamsur Rahman was unbeaten on nine and Marshall Ayub was on 11 at close, with Bangladesh still trailing by 463 runs.

Jayawardene leapfrogged Allan Border (11,174 runs) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (11,219) to move behind record-holder Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, Rahul Dravid and Brian Lara in the all-time list.

The 36-year-old former captain, who now has 11,236 runs in 142 matches, equalled team-mate and close friend Kumar Sangakkara´s Sri Lankan record of 33 Test centuries.

Jayawardene smashed 16 boundaries and four sixes in a typically elegant innings, reaching 203 with a six over mid-wicket off Nasir Hossain.

Kithuruwan Vithanage joined the run-spree with an unbeaten 103 as Bangladesh conceded their highest ever total, surpassing the 648-9 by the West Indies in Khulna in November 2012.Vithanage, a 22-year-old left-hander playing his third Test, hit 12 fours and two sixes in his maiden century.

Bangladesh struggled to contain the runs on the even-paced wicket after Sri Lanka resumed the day on 375-5.

Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews partnered Jayawardene in a sixth-wicket stand of 179, himself making 86 before being dismissed before tea.

Mathews missed his third century when he mistimed a drive against spinner Sohag Gazi and was caught at short mid-on by Marshall Ayub.

That turned out to be Bangladesh´s lone success in the day as Vithanage helped Jayawardene add 176 for the seventh wicket, before Mathews closed the innings.

Jayawardene and Vithanage joined opener Kaushal Silva as the three century-makers in the innings, while Sangakkara, Dimuth Karunaratne and Mathews chipped in with half-centuries.

Left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan was Bangladesh´s most successful bowler with three wickets. But his 43 overs cost 159 runs.

The two-Test series will be followed by two Twenty20 matches and three one-day internationals.

ICC unveils new women´s championship

LONDON: A new international championship, which will determine qualification for the next Women´s World Cup, was announced by the International Cricket Council on Wednesday.

 

The bilateral competition will involve the top eight ranked women´s teams in the world -- including England, Australia, West Indies, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, South Africa, India and Pakistan.

 

They will all play the others in a series of matches between mid-2014 to the end of 2016, with the top six qualifying automatically for the 2017 Women´s World Cup in England.

 

Unlike changes to the men´s international programme announced on Tuesday, there will be promotion and relegation at the end of the first cycle.

 

"This is a very positive step for the profile and competitiveness of women´s cricket," said ICC chief executive David Richardson, in a statement issued from the governing body´s Dubai headquarters on the second and final day of its board meeting on Wednesday.

 

"The ICC Women´s World Cup last year set a new benchmark in terms of quality and public interest and with this added context the pathway to the 2017 event in England looks really exciting," former South Africa wicket-keeper Richardson added.

 

The bottom countries at the end of the International Women´s Championship will be joined by a number of teams from the ICC´s regional qualification structures to play in a Women´s World Cup qualifier which will determine the final participants.

Aussies continue their mastery over England

HOBART: Australia continued their mastery over England as they are also leading the Twenty20 series 1-0 winning the first T20 of the three-match series by 13 runs here at the Bellerive Oval on Wednesday.

 

Cameron White, for his powerful hitting at the top of the order earned him the Man of the Match.

 

Australia chipped at the wickets as Coulter-Nile bagged a four-fer. He was well backed up by some brilliant fielding as the Aussies held on to their catches, unlike England. They go 1-0 up with two games to go.

 

England have once again got off to a losing start, something of a habit for them on this tour.

 

Some massive hitting in a very high scoring game but Australia once again, have emerged victorious. England showed great spirit to attempt such a massive chase with Bopara almost taking them through but in the end, it was just way too much.

 

The batting never got going as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Bopara showed tremendous heart to keep England in the hunt but the task at hand was a bit too much for him.

 

The second T20I will be played at the MCG, Melbourne on Friday.

McLaren, Parnell in S Africa Test squad for Australia series

JOHANNESBURG: Seam bowling all-rounders Ryan McLaren and Wayne Parnell were both named on Wednesday in a 15-man South African Test squad to play three matches against Australia next month.

 

The pair are expected to contest the all-rounder berth left vacant by the retirement of Jacques Kallis, South Africa´s all-time leading Test run-scorer.

 

The right-armed McLaren and left-armer Parnell both made their Test debuts in an innings win against England in Johannesburg in 2009/10 but quickly dropped out of favour.

 

McLaren, who turns 31 three days before the first Test against Australia starts in Centurion on February 12, has not played in another Test but has become a regular member of South Africa´s one-day team.

 

Parnell was 20 when he earned his first Test cap. He played twice more on a tour of India in the same season but subsequently struggled with form and injuries. He has shown good form recently, however, and his extra pace may give him an advantage over McLaren, although the latter is regarded as a better batsman.

 

Selection convener Andrew Hudson said he believed the squad "covers all possible options."

 

McLaren and Parnell are the only additions to the squad selected for a recent winning home series against India, replacing Kallis and leg-spinner Imran Tahir.

 

The dropping of Tahir leaves left-armer Robin Peterson as the only specialist spin bowler. Batsman Dean Elgar, fast bowler Rory Kleinveldt and wicketkeeper Thami Tsolekile are likely once again to have back-up roles.

 

Batsman-wicketkeeper AB de Villiers underwent surgery on his left hand earlier this month but according to Cricket South Africa is recovering well. Captain Graeme Smith and fast bowler Morne Morkel were both said to have recovered from ankle injuries.

 

The bulk of the Australian squad were due to arrive in Johannesburg later on Wednesday. They would go straight to Potchefstroom, about 145km away, to prepare for a four-day warm-up match against a South African Invitation XI starting next Wednesday.

 

South African squad: Graeme Smith (captain), Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers (wkt), JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Rory Kleinveldt, Ryan McLaren, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Alviro Petersen, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Thami Tsolekile (wkt).

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