Australian test squad against India, 2010

[Shakthi]

Welcome to Hindustan and get ready for another test series draw or loss Ponting

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Looking to improve our ranking: Ponting Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting on Tuesday said his boys are looking forward to a competitive tournament against India and want to improve their world Test ranking. More... Looking to improve our ranking: Ponting IANS, Sep 21, 2010, CHANDIGARH: Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting on Tuesday said his boys are looking forward to a competitive tournament against India and want to improve their world Test ranking. "Of course, ranking matters in international cricket. Right now we are at fourth spot, so we will try to win maximum matches to ensure an improvement in ranking. It would be really challenging for us to take on number one team India," said Ponting, while talking to reporters here. He added: "We are very confident that there would be a very competitive tournament against India. We all are very excited and would take on India as a strong group." Ponting feels that for the younger players in the team, the India series will be a great learning experience. "India is a great place to learn. It would be real hard-work for fast bowlers to bowl on Indian wickets. I am actually excited about the prospects of our fast bowlers here; they are young guys, who are learning things very quickly," said Ponting. "From the last Test series in India, we had learnt many things. India are a good side, for whom we should be very well prepared. They are coming together as a very strong group," he pointed out. Ponting said that even without local boy Yuvraj Singh, who was dropped due to lack of form, the Indian middle-order will be formidable. "Yuvraj is a very strong player and he has been left out for the forthcoming Test match. But still India are a very formidable side. They have a very strong batting line up," said Ponting. On the personal front, Ponting said: "I am working very hard for the Test and one-day cricket series against India. I am trying to remain in best physical shape so that I can perform well. Besides, very good cricket, like Ashes and World Cup, is coming up and we all are working hard for them." On the Mohali pitch, where Australia will play their first Test, Ponting said: "I always enjoy playing in India and the Mohali pitch is one of my favourite grounds. It is very good, one of the fastest and bouncy pitches." Ponting was also happy with the security provided to the team. "I am very satisfied with the security arrangements. I have full trust in people here. Besides, Cricket Australia also briefed us about the security issues regularly," he said.

[Mamu]

:punter:

[HowardRoark]

Looks like Punter doesn't read enlightening theories at pakorapassion...else he would have known that ICC rankings are crap and not worth acheiving...

[Andy]

Looks like Punter doesn't read enlightening theories at pakorapassion...else he would have known that ICC rankings are crap and not worth acheiving...

:rotfl:

[Mamu]

If Punter ever went to that Green Ghetto Forum -- he will get a heart attack after seeing the profound discussions going on there by the madrassah educated members and mods alike. His eye balls will pop out after seeing the relentless support the dope-head match-fixing cricketers get no matter what crime they have committed. He sure will feel like he has walked into a play about Taliban being enacted

[mastana]

Looks like Punter doesn't read enlightening theories at pakorapassion...else he would have known that ICC rankings are crap and not worth acheiving...

This name was given by me. Only i can use it. :hitler:

[HowardRoark]

This name was given by me. Only i can use it. :hitler:

:icflove:

[vamos_rafa]

Looks like Punter doesn't read enlightening theories at pakorapassion...else he would have known that ICC rankings are crap and not worth acheiving...

O rmaybe he can have a chat with Sangakara as well. Even he has an enlightened view of the ranking systems and how it should be more supportive for your own team.

[achilles]

Punter isn't grumpy this time round? How wonderful!!

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'Indian conditions a huge challenge' : Mitchell Johnson Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson feels that playing India on their soil is always a 'huge challenge' irrespective of whether the hosts are at the top or bottom of the ICC rankings More... 'Indian conditions a huge challenge' Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson feels that playing India on their soil is always a "huge challenge" irrespective of whether the hosts are at the top or bottom of the ICC rankings. "I don't think about rankings too much. Coming and playing here (in India) itself is a challenge. "Players like (Sachin) Tendulkar, (Rahul) Dravid and (Virender) Sehwag lend depth to the batting department while their bowling attack, which has Harbhajan Singh, is also great," said Johnson, in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Asked if India, being the hosts and No 1 Test team in the world, will hold a psychological advantage over the visitors in the two-Test series, which starts in Mohali October 1, Johnson replied, "It's huge challenge and the rankings don't matter." In the presence of quite a few young pacers -- like Peter George, James Pattinson and Mitchell Strac in the Australian team, Johnson said, he would love to take up the leadership role and help the young quickies by giving useful tips during training sessions. "This is something I enjoy and I have spoken to the coaches also," he said, adding the young bowling attack will learn a lot during the current tour. Seen as a build-up to the Ashes and next year's World Cup in the Indian sub-continent, the tour holds significance for the Aussies, but Johnson exuded optimism and said that his team wants to win the series. "The Indian conditions, with low bounce, the heat and the humidity, are challenging for a fast bowler but I can vouch that the team wants to win the two Tests," Johnson said. Asked about the increasing number of injuries players suffer these days due to too much cricket, Johnson said, "Players are playing in all forms (Tests, ODIs and T20s). "Teams have got to make sure that they rest their players in certain periods of time." Expressing satisfaction with security arrangements here, Johnson said, "I feel safe and we are happy with the arrangements." The visitors, led by skipper Ricky Ponting, did some running and stretching exercises at the Sector 16 stadium where they are scheduled to play a three-day warm-up match against a Gautam Gambhir-led Board President's XI from September 25. The players had to restrict themselves to the gymnasium as heavy overnight rain had left the outfield wet.

[Roshanrocks]

Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson feels that playing India on their soil is always a 'huge challenge' irrespective of whether the hosts are at the top or bottom of the ICC rankings

interesting observation :hmmm:

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"Need to combat Zaheer and Bhajji" : Clarke Oz vice-captain Michael Clarke conceded that the Kangaroos need a plan to tackle Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh. More... Thursday 23rd September 2010 "Need to combat Zaheer and Bhajji" Oz vice-captain Michael Clarke conceded that the Kangaroos need a plan to tackle Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh. "Zaheer Khan is a wonderful bowler with the new ball and he can reverse it with the old ball. Harbhajan Singh too has had a lot of success in Test cricket, against Australia in particular. Both are probably two of India's best bowlers who have had the experience of playing a lot against Australia," Clarke stated during a group interaction with the media at the team hotel. "We have to come up with a plan to combat these two," Clarke said. The visitors will play against the Board President's XI in their tour opener at the Sector-16 stadium, in Chandigarh, from Saturday. All-rounder Shane Watson, who was also present during the group interaction also praised the Zaheer-Harbhajan duo. He said, "It is always the hardest thing facing the new ball that swings. It had a huge impact on (an earlier) series (with India)." "Harbhajan is a brilliant exponent of spin bowling," Watson said. Clarke, who has scored 4514 runs from 62 Tests at an average of 50.71, admitted that it was always a challenge to play against India on their home soil and more so when the visitors had a few inexperienced players in the squad. "We know it's going to be a tough challenge. India is a strong team, but if we can play our best cricket, we can beat them in the series," Clarke said. However, it is the heavy rains that has robbed the Aussies from some serious match practice and has been bothering their coach Tim Nielsen. "Sun came out after massive rain last night..120mm o'night! Got in to the nets even if only indoors but boys blew off some steam..good to go!" Nielsen wrote on his twitter page. The Australian coach also praised the Indian media after the group interaction with the Indian media. "Open media session this afternoon..plenty of cameras and the boys enjoyed talking to Indian media..went really well. Meanwhile, the Aussies gave Indian security a thumbs up. At a time when international athletes are worried about their security in India during the Commonwealth Games, the visiting Australian cricket team gave thumbs up to the security arrangements for their tour against the hosts. Many star athletes have pulled out and several countries including Australia have issued travel warnings to their citizens, saying there is high risk of a terror strike during the Games. According to media reports, Australia is also sending a team of top cops to New Delhi to provide a high-level security cordon to its athletes for the Games. However, the Australian cricketers have described as "fantastic" the arrangements. "The security so far has been fantastic. We always get looked after very well in this country. All the players and other guys are excited about being here," Australia's vice captain Michael Clarke said during an interaction with the journalists. "Ever since we arrived in India, the security has been outstanding. Right now, we feel very comfortable and are looking forward to the two Tests and the ODIs later on," he added. Australian cricket team arrived on September 20 and are scheduled a two-Test and three-ODI series. The series opener will begin on October 1. All-rounder Shane Watson too found no problems with the security ever since the team has landed in Delhi. "Security has been very good. We are being looked after extremely well. I also play for (IPL team) Rajasthan Royals and have been coming here regularly. I find the security and other arrangements exceptional," Watson said. Off-spinner Nathan Hauritz also echoed the same sentiment. "There are lot of people around for our security. They are trying to look after us really well," he said. Youngsters Steve Smith and Phillip Hughes said they have no clue why there is so much hue and cry about the security issue. Clarke said he has always loved touring India. "I love touring here. I also love the Indian food. I must say that I have been lucky to play in India and also enjoyed a bit of a success here. We get looked after well and people here are so passionate about this game. "And the people here also know the way Australia plays and we also love to entertain them by playing best cricket," Clarke said.

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Katich, Clarke go on attack Australia will field six batsmen, a wicketkeeper, three fast bowlers and four spinners in the first Test against India. And get away with it. More... Simon Katich, Michael Clarke prime themselves for spin-bowling duties From Will Swanton in Chandigarh, India. September 25, 2010 . Australia will field six batsmen, a wicketkeeper, three fast bowlers and four spinners in the first Test against India. And get away with it. Fourteen doesn't go into 11, but Simon Katich and Michael Clarke have spent the off-season priming themselves for spin-bowling duties on the subcontinent, tipping team balance a long way in Australia's favour for the next week's series opener for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. It is no small development because Katich and Clarke also have an enormous amount to offer Australia's attack for the Ashes series. Katich, 35, has used the eight-week break since Australia's Test series against Pakistan to overcome shoulder problems and return to bowling his chinamen regularly in the SCG nets. "I think more people get enjoyment out of watching me bowl than bat," Katich said, laughing. "I guess there's normally something happening when I'm bowling. I'm either getting hit for six or burgling a wicket, so I can see why people might think it's entertaining. "Seriously, through, the key to the success of this team is having 11 contributors. In the past we could probably get away with the Warnes and McGraths and Pontings winning Test matches almost single-handed. "But now we need an even spread of contributors. The spinners have a big workload here. "I was bowling for about three or four weeks before we came over, preparing myself to help out." Clarke's back troubles have made him similarly reluctant to bowl in recent seasons, but Australian coach Tim Nielsen revealed the vice-captain was ready to go if needed. Having Katich and Clarke -- who have best Test returns of 6-65 and 6-9 respectively -- alongside specialist spinner Nathan Hauritz and off-spinning batsman Marcus North gives Australia a tremendously varied slow attack for the two-Test series against India, the Ashes and the World Cup.

[kabira]

LOL at 4 spinners. Just like they had last time around, White, Krejza, Clarke and Katich.

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North makes timely ton Australia's Marcus North made a timely return to form with a fine century in a three-day practice match against the Indian Board President's XI in Chandigarh on day two More...

[f.b.m]

Very timely indeed. This will make sure that he finds a spot in the team which is always good news phor us.

[ZodiaC]

Very timely indeed. This will make sure that he finds a spot in the team which is always good news phor us.

:two_thumbs_up:

[achilles]

Following a meagre return from two Tests against Pakistan in England in July, North had to begin his tour on the right footing. The Indian press let him know it, too, with a volley of questions about North's vulnerability at the team's open media day earlier in the week.

How typical of Fox! They never miss an opportunity to take a dig at others to show how holier than thou they are.

[sudheer kumar]

Aussies may not find their best squad against India in India until they have a spinner like Shane Warne. Batting strength depends on Ponting,Hussey,Clarke........... If these three players don't play well, India will win the series easily. Fast bowlers ......................no comment.