I suggest colour coding the text to make it obvious.

Orange for Test, Green for ODIs, Blue for 20/20, Violet for the Women's versions, Yellow for Beach Cricket, Cyan for Kanga Cricket.

There done.

-PB

Taylor keen to make his mark in Pakistan Tests

AFP
| Dubai |

3 October 2015

James Taylor has vowed to grab his chance to stage a comeback in the England Test side in a forthcoming three-match series against Pakistan, three years after playing two Tests against South Africa before being discarded.

Taylor, 25, is part of England’s Test squad for the series that will begin in Abu Dhabi with the first match on October 13. However, he will have to vie for a place in the starting line-up by scoring runs in the two preceding warm-up games.

England start the tour with a two-day warm-up game in Sharjah from Monday (October 5), before the second warm-up game at the same venue on October 8 and 9 – both against Pakistan ‘A’.

The England batsman admitted it was a frustrating wait for his chance after playing against South Africa in 2012.

“It has been a frustrating few years trying to get into the side and it’s taken a while,” said Taylor after team’s training session in Dubai on Saturday. ”But it has come around again and that’s something I relish, being back in the squad.”

Recalled to the side after notching 1,078 runs for Nottinghamshire in the last county season, Taylor is keen to stake his claim for the Tests.

“I had a good season last year for Notts and England, and that’s given me an opportunity to get back into the Test side. I know it will be tough conditions but it’s an opportunity to try and stake claims to get in the side. We have got two opportunities in the side games so it’s an opportunity for me to pull things around and score some runs.”

Three years on the sidelines and honing his skills in county cricket have given Taylor much more confidence that he had during his first series in 2012.

“Obviously three more years of experience is on my side and that has helped me and the confidence knowing that I have scored runs against the best sides in the world now.”

The right-hander added that he was ready to face the spin assault from Pakistan, something England succumbed to in 2012 when they were routed 3-0, also in United Arab Emirates.

Saeed Ajmal (24 wickets), the offspinner, and Abdur Rehman (19 wickets), the left-arm spinner, shared the spoils in 2012. They are both absent now, but their voids will be ably filled by Yasir Shah, the legspinner, and Zulfiqar Babar, the left-armer, this time around

http://www.wisdenindia.com/cricket-news/taylor-keen-mark-pakistan-tests/181873

Chris Cairns to stand trial in perjury case, Brendon McCullum to give evidence

Sun, Oct 04 2015

New Zealand will start their preparations for the Trans-Tasman Test series this summer in the absence of Brendon McCullum, who is in London as a key witness in the perjury trial of Chris Cairns. McCullum will miss the two-day practice session which involved training under lights with the pink ball as preparation for the first ever day-night Test match in Adelaide.

The three-Test series between Australia and New Zealand starts on November 5 and the final Test, which will be a day-nighter, will be played from November 27.


The charges against Cairns are related to the 2012 High Court libel trial in London against the then Indian Premier League (IPL) boss, Lalit Modi. Cairns had won 90,000 UK pounds (NZ $ 179,000) in damages and costs. The former New Zealand all-rounder had taken Modi to court after the latter had alleged on Twitter that Cairns had been expelled from the now defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL) on charges of match-fixing.


In 2007 and 2008, Cairns captained the Chandigarh Lions in three competitions in ICL, which flourished briefly before the ascendancy of IPL. The allegation made by Modi related to the second and third of these competitions, between March and April 2008 and October and November that year.


Cairns, during the previous hearing, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of perjury and to perverting the course of justice by inducing fellow former New Zealand player Lou Vincent to provide a false witness statement during a Skype internet call. Andrew Fitch-Holland, Cairns's lead adviser in the action against Modi, also pleaded not guilty to one count of perverting the course of justice.


The four-week trial will take place at Southwark Crown Court on October 5. Along with McCullum, former cricketers Stephen Fleming, Shane Bond, Andre Adams and New Zealand Cricket chief David White will provide evidence in the case. Disgraced New Zealand cricketer Vincent, who was handed a life ban after accepting that he was involved in fixing matches, will also be present as a witness.

Cairns' former team-mate, Vincent had claimed that a world-famous international, dubbed 'Player X', lured him into match-fixing. Cairns had acknowledged that he is under investigation by British authorities for alleged fixing, but vehemently denied any wrong-doing. It was also reported that Cairns had taken up a job with the Auckland Council to drive trucks and clean bus shelters for a $ 17 an hour salary in order to take care of mounting legal expenses and support his family.

http://legacy.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/74970/chris-cairns-to-stand-trial-in-perjury-case-brendon-mccullum-to-give-evidence

Former Aussie cricketer Lindsay Kline dies aged 81

A left-arm wrist spinner, Kline played 13 Test matches between 1957-61, capturing 34 wickets at an average of 22.82. He took a hat-trick in just his second Test, against South Africa in Cape Town in January, 1958.

Former Australian Test cricketer Lindsay Kline has died at the age of 81.

Kline is best known as the man who faced the last ball of the first tied Test, between Australia and the West Indies in 1960.

A left-arm wrist spinner, Kline played 13 Test matches between 1957-61, capturing 34 wickets at an average of 22.82. He took a hat-trick in just his second Test, against South Africa in Cape Town in January, 1958.

"Throughout his cricket career, he was involved in some extraordinary moments that have become part of the rich history of our great game," Cricket Australia chief Executive James Sutherland said in a statement.

"It has been a very sad year for Australian cricket with the passing of a number of treasured members of our community including Richie Benaud, Arthur Morris and now Lindsay Kline."

Australia needed just one run to win the opening Test against the West Indies in 1960 when Kline flicked a ball to square leg.

His batting partner Ian Meckiff set off from the non-striker's end in a desperate dash for the single but was run out when West Indian fieldsman Joe Solomon hit the stumps with a direct throw, ensuring Test cricket's first tied Test.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/sport/cricket/former-aussie-cricketer-lindsay-kline-dies-aged-81

One month to go \:d/

-PB

should be playing bangladesh right now

A bomb goes off in london, it goes off next door to the australian team hotel, its still ok to tour england

somebody dies in bangladesh from natural causes, its not ok because the desh is a 3rd world country

Plus, australia has bigger fish to fry, namely england (and nobody else) in cricket

Pakistan v England on at the moment, Malik is playing well but they are playing on a road.

Sri Lanka v WI on as well - should be a decent contest despite the decline of both sides.

England need 99 runs to win in about 50 minutes.

have to hand it to england and their stick-to-itv-ness, this test match has no right to still be on with Pakistan and their spinners. but they have somehow managed to survive to the final session on the last day.

Had it been Australia in the same situation the match would have well and truly finished by now, they would have gone out to chase the 491 set :lol: with Warner launching a few off those cheating subcontinental spinners

edit and the subcontinental cheats have got up in two home games, theyre pretty much invincible on their home grounds, it gives me great pleasure to see Australia smash Sri Lanka inside 3 days, especially with that fatso Herath playing of course. Copping broken arms fending off short balls from Mitch, see how they like it

Edited by condemned666: 27/10/2015 12:02:33 AM

Day Night Test Matches with a Pink ball

Something has to be done to increase crowds at test matches (on weekdays) played in empty stadiums, and players will tell you they will enjoy not needing to put on sunscreen after 4pm :lol:

BUT

if its a day night test match there are a few factors they didnt account for:

1. If its played in QLD or NSW, while the days will be hot and fine, the evenings are susceptible to thunderstorms at night, there will be more washouts days/ half days of play lost because of this

2. The good old days of unemployment and watching cricket on those days, watching the cricket was part of many funemployment experiences, NEET huh? :lol:

3. If there are day night tests from other timezones other than Australia, it gets hard to watch any of the evening sessions (subcontinent daytime sessions are a godsend :lol: ). But Cricket will remain a daytime sport in England

It was a brilliant finish.

England nearly snatched a draw.

Well batted Rashid and Wood.

Just out of interest how do you guys that like cricket maintain a year all-round interest in the game.
I used to like it back in the 90s when there was a bit of an off season in the winter and i couldn't wait for the Summer of Cricket to come around since it was a bit of a novelty.
I can't get into it anymore and havent for a long time since I think its been diluted into too many genres ( 20/20, Tests,etc)
and it seems to be played all year round making it a borefest.
Don't get me wrong cricket was a memorable part of my childhood, but theres always at least one Foxsports channel showing cricket no matter what day it is.

Interesting post, SocaWho.

This has happened to many of my friends in the over 50 age group.

So many have completely lost interest in cricket, but are more passionate than ever about AFL. They nearly all have no interest in football.

After watching a lot more Test and First class cricket live, I'm really losing interest in 20/20 and One Day.

I just love the attacking fields of the long form of cricket and how any batting mistake has a high probability of being punished. Most runs are well deserved in the longer form.

The only thing I like with 20/20 is the powerhitting and improved fielding it has brought to the game in any form.

I jusy hate good shots going out to a player on the boundary returning a ball for a single, when in First Class or Test cricket a fielder will more likely be chasing the ball to the boundary.

I like how Test cricket (or good Test attacks) really test batsmen out. If a batsman is suspect against the short ball, he's not going to cut it at Test level. So he might succeed in ODI cricket, as they can only bowl one bouncer per over. But it's a different story at Test level. And that's where the batsmen with the best technique, the greatest powers of concentration and resilience succeed. It's also interesting to see batsmen get found out, go back to first-class cricket and sometimes return having improved their weaknesses.

And, of course, bowlers and fielding sides have to be ever so careful of keeping the ball in good nick and bowling the right lines and lengths. It's fascinating watching batsmen like Kevin Pietersen force bowlers to mess up their lines and lengths. I remember Shane Warne saying that the Indian batsmen used their feet so well to him that, in India, he just couldn't bowl properly to them.

Nothing better than a contest between an outstanding bowler (whether he has express pace or just incredible accuracy and seam movement) up against a batsman at the top of his game. It's exciting now.

Imagine watching Sunny Gavaskar batting bravely against Michael Holding and Malcolm Marshall without wearing a helmet. Or Viv Richards and Gordon Greenidge playing all those lovely shots against the fearsome bowling of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thompson.

having grown up in Australia and being exposed to American culture all my life, the concept of fighting it out for a draw is something that is not in the mindset of playing cricket (or any sport) in Australia

Stopping the opponent from winning, is a form of winning

lol Kiwis rage quitting today with a double declaration.

-PB

Would be keen to watch a MJ & Bird combo in a test match.

First Test: Captain Steve Smith not even born the last time Australia lost a Test at the Gabba


October 31, 20158:10pm

Robert Craddock and Ben Horne,The Courier-Mail


STEVE Smith has no recollection of the last time Australia lost a Test at the Gabba.

You can’t blame him ... he wasn’t born.

The entire 26 years and 151 days of Australia’s new captains life has passed without a loss at the Gabba.

He arrived in the world on June 2, 1989. His mother had just fallen pregnant with him when Australia were spiralling to a nine-wicket loss at the Gabba in November the previous year.

Since then Australia has been unbeaten in 26 Gabba Tests, winning 18, most by landslide margins.

It is a statistic that gives Smith both comfort and encouragement as he becomes Australia’s new fulltime Test skipper.

“It is probably nice to play my first Test in charge at somewhere like the Gabba — it’s a bit of a fortress for us in a way,’’ he said.

“We haven’t lost there in 27 years so I guess going into that game you have to be a little bit confident. Obviously New Zealand are going to be tough but knowing we have the Gabba first up that will instil a bit of confidence in the group.’’

So why is the Gabba so Australia-friendly. There is no one conspicuous reason but a combination of powerful themes including ...

THE WARNE PHENOMENON

Shane Warne’s dam-busting Gabba record was one of his greatest achievements and a key plank in Fortress Gabba.

On a ground where most leg-spinners see as much action as a spare tyre, Warne defied gravity to become the ground’s leading Test wicket taker with 68 wickets at 20.

Some judges believes that these numbers spell out his greatness more than any other statistic is his incredible Test record.

FIRST TEST BLUES

There’s no doubt touring teams are still getting their bearings when they land in Brisbane for the first Test. You can see it in their faces.

In the old days they would often play a game against Queensland or visit a country port like Bundaberg but these days these hit town like summer thunder storm and are all the more vulnerable for failing to take their time.

Small things can aggravate them. One touring batsman who failed here put it town to his body clock being out of kilter but the sun raising in Brisbane at 5am.

MASTER BLASTERS

Since Australia first built a mote around the fortress in 1989 it has found a batting groove at the Gabba which rival teams have snatched at without managing to attain.

Australia has conceded a staggering 154 wickets less than their opposition in this time, averaging 48.3 runs per wicket lost compared to 25.8 from their rivals. That is a huge differential.

Australia had a long line of Gabba destroyers — Michael Clarke averaged 103 there, Ricky Ponting 63, Mark Taylor 57, Matthew Hayden 53 and Michael Slater 84.

THE WICKET

The high-class Gabba wicket is like few others in world cricket.

It seams. It bounces.

It can be slow early and quicken up. But most of all it is such a great contrast to the wickets which foreign tourists get at home.

It is as much Indian as a cheeseburger, as much West Indian as Holden. No wonder the tourists struggle.

THE PATIENCE GAME

Rival fast bowlers tend to get overexcited when they see a grassy Gabba wicket.

England, in particular, have fired off like a scatter gun and wasted many a decent deck by trying too hard to exploit it.

But Australia normally kept their nerve.

That’s why since 1989 they have 14 five wicket hauls in Tests there to opponents six. Glenn McGrath’s 65 Gabba wickets at 21 were superb.

A FAST GAME ...

Australia moves quickly in all facets of the game at the Gabba.

Since 1989 it’s batsmen have swept along at 3.47 runs per over while the opposition have rated a more subdued 2.88.

THE BOGEY MAN

Boo.

There have been times when that was all Australian teams needed to say to opposition teams when they came to Brisbane.

Every touring teams is aware of the Brisbane curse. It stalks them. It haunts them.

They almost expect to play badly. There have been tours when Indian batsmen looking at green Gabba decks on match eve have resembled farmers walking through their decimated crops after a hailstorm.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/first-test-captain-steve-smith-not-even-born-the-last-time-australia-lost-a-test-at-the-gabba/story-fndpt0dy-1227589499521

Steve Smith to move down to No. 4 to protect Australia’s fragile top order, Usman Khawaja in at No. 3

October 31, 20151:06pm

Ben Horne,The Daily Telegraph

Steve Smith’s first act as Test captain will be to relinquish the No. 3 batting position he had coveted so dearly, in an unselfish and calculated bid to protect Australia’s fragile top order.

The 26-year-old batting phenomenon had the world at his feet as a first drop, on track to replicate the feats of former skipper Ricky Ponting in the decorated and pressurised role.

No. 3 had proven the poisoned chalice of Australian cricket since Ponting’s retirement, yet from just seven Tests, Smith had already smashed three hundreds at an average of 71.90, second only to Sir Donald Bradman’s career average in that position of 103.63.

But after months of deliberation following Australia’s batting calamity in the Ashes, Smith has revealed he will move down to No. 4 this summer meaning Usman Khawaja will climb into the hot seat at 3.

The batting order is the captain’s domain and the reason why the most dominant run maker in the world feels he must drop himself down embodies the stark reality of Australia’s batting vulnerability.

In this side there’s David Warner and Steve Smith and then complete and utter uncertainty.

If disaster strikes again, Smith — still riding the extraordinary wave of form that started more than 12 months ago — feels he’s a better chance of putting out the flames at No.4.

“I think breaking the more experienced players up a little bit in the order (is the right thing to do),” said Smith.

“(By dropping down to No. 4) … if there’s a run of wickets hopefully I can stop it.

“I think a lot of the players (Joe Burns and Khawaja) that are coming through at the moment are top order players.

“It’s just the way I see it at the moment. Breaking it up between Davey and myself and hopefully the guys at the top and No. 3 do well and then I can just come in and get some runs on the board as well.

“I feel like I’m batting well at the moment so it’s nice to be taking over when I’m in some form.

“One of my philosophies is to make sure I am leading from the front so hopefully I can do that this summer and a summer with the bat like the last one would be nice — so we’ll see how it goes.”

Dropping down could be seen a defensive move by Smith, but a logical one given what transpired during the Ashes series.

Once Warner and Smith were back in the pavilion on that forgettable tour it was all she wrote for the Australians — and this rebuilding side can ill afford another catastrophe like the 60 all out at Trent Bridge.

Smith can also move down in the knowledge that his record at No. 4 is just as good if not better than what he’s achieved at 3.

Put simply, Smith is shaping as the batsman of a generation, regardless of whether Australia is one or two down when he strides to the middle.

Having said that, the sudden change in philosophy is interesting.

Last summer, when Smith produced a season for the ages and smashed four consecutive centuries against India at an average of 128.16 — he made no secret of his desire to quickly ascend to No. 3, where he could best dictate proceedings.

Shane Watson’s struggles at first drop and Smith’s subsequent exploits at the World Cup formed an overwhelming argument.

But just a few months later, following Michael Clarke’s retirement announcement and Smith’s official swearing in as the new skipper, he immediately dropped the bombshell that No. 3 may no longer be for him.

It came about following a series of conversations with Darren Lehmann and perhaps with the knowledge that Khawaja was being earmarked for a return to Test cricket.

Smith admits the only way he sees himself returning to No. 3 now is if options to replace him fails.

That means if Khawaja clicks, Smith will settle at 4 for the rest of his career.

“I think it would probably be more if it doesn’t work out for certain players (that I would change back). Hopefully whoever is at 3 can come in and do a good job and stay there for a long time,” Smith says.

“If it didn’t work out and I saw it fit to go to 3, that’s no dramas as well.

“I really don’t see a big difference between 3 and 4 playing wise.

“You could be 2-0 and be in the first over. And in one of the Tests in England (Trent Bridge) we were two for nought in the first over and I was one of the wickets, so it can happen.

“I’ve still got to have the game to be able to bat at 3 so it’s not a big difference to me.

“We (Lehmann and I) spoke a little bit about it. He sort of said, ‘it doesn’t really bother me where you bat 3 or 4.’

“He said it was up to me. He said, ‘if you go any lower than 4 — don’t do that!’

“I was never going to go any lower than 4 anyway so he wasn’t too fussed.”

Since Ponting’s retirement, Australia have trialled 11 batsman at No. 3 and there are no guarantees Khawaja’s second coming in the position is going to be long-lasting.

Peter Siddle's still got time on the national stage

National Selector Rod Marsh made it clear that two Tests is all Australia’s under-pressure batsmen have to show they’re international standard players before tough calls are considered again.

However, Smith is determined to provide the likes of Khawaja and Burns the most supportive and relaxed environment possible to ensure they walk out at the Gabba full of confidence and not dread of the axe hanging over their shoulder.

“I think if you instil that confidence in them that they don’t have to look over their shoulder, I think they just play with freedom and don’t have to worry about their spot or anything like that,” he says.

“Just go out and play their way and when you’re doing that and you’re relaxed and calm and just enjoying it, I think that’s when you play your best cricket. Hopefully we can instil that confidence in them.”

http://www.news.com.au/sport/steve-smith-to-move-down-to-no-4-to-protect-australias-fragile-top-order-usman-khawaja-in-at-no-3/story-fnaqgujp-1227589235982

Just lock both and start again imo.

-PB

I Would only go back to club cricket if It was only T20 Games. I can't be bothered fielding all day tbh. I Would prefer being on the golf course.

I Expect the International Summer of Cricket to be boring. Australia will win both test series. The Sheffield Shield looks more interesting this summer. Plus the big bash is some good entertainment. I love the summer for sport these days. A-League,EPL,Cricket,NBA,NFL

There would probably be a lot of players who don't want to give up the whole weekend for the long form of cricket.

On the Test series, a number of commentators think the Kiwis and Windies will beat us. The Kiwis performed better in England. Our batting is very unsettled with only Smith and Warner (playing in pain) established.

Outside Mitch we also have a relatively inexperienced, but very talented pace bowling attack in Pattinson, Starc and Cummins, but they are injury prone. Our only experienced bowlers who have few injury issues are Mitch and Lyon. The latter who is still learning his craft.

If the 34 year old Mitch Johnson bowls like he did last night at Bellerive against Tasmania, with frightening pace and ferocity, he could bowl as lethally as he did a few years ago against South Africa and England.

Edited by Decentric: 1/11/2015 11:57:18 PM

I'm concerned with Khawaja,Nevil,Mitch Marsh,Johnson.

Khawaja tore his ACL earlier this year if I remember correctly. He hasn't done much since his return.
Nevil has been very average to say the least with the Bat
Mitch Marsh isn't much of the a player atm imo. He could be but he would be better off playing Shield Cricket.
Johnson is iffy. He seems to be a different bowler with Ryan Harris. Who is a huge loss to the team as seen in England.

The 2 Guys I have huge hopes for are James Pattinson and Chris Lynn
Pattinson needs to stay healthy. If he can stay healthy a bowling attack of Pattinson,Hazlewood,Starc is going to be awesome.

Chris Lynn is a great talent. Has a FC average over 45 and he is only in his mid 20's. However he keeps getting hurt. If he can stay healthy he is exactly what the Middle Order needs.

I'm enjoying watching English right arm wrist spinner, or leg spinner, Rashid. England are currently playing Pakistan in a Test series in the UAE.

On a turning wicket he has a good googly, that spins quite a lot. He also has good revolutions on his leg spinner.

Unfortunately, Rashid's control is not that good, bowling too many bad balls and releasing the pressure.

Rashid just got a guy out with his googly, but the umpire ruled it not out. England called for a replay which showed he hit the leg stump, but it was stillgiven not out.](*,)

We need to encourage these sorts of bowlers, because they are good to watch.

Pissed I will miss most of tomorrow. :(

And we're under way!

-PB

On ya Burnsy.

Been a good day so far, shame Burns couldn't convert but a good knock nonetheless. Warner in good nick and Khawaja looking confident too. More of the same after tea please! :d

KHAWAJA! =d> what a classy hundred that was. Flawless