Australian tour to Sri Lanka, 2011

[Crookbond]

Michael Hussey, role model http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/531884.html

One of the more intriguing aspects of the drastic changes in cricket in the last five years is the ongoing effect that the Twenty20 explosion has had on batting. There's also no doubt that, and the huge increase in the number of 50-over matches since the beginning of the nineties, has had a flow-on effect of speeding up scoring in Test cricket. This in turn - along with other factors, like making up lost time - has led to a welcome spike in the number of results achieved in Test cricket. While this makes Test cricket more marketable, an obsession with quicker scoring could obliterate the desire for technical efficiency. Taken to its logical conclusion this imbalance would have a detrimental effect on not only the aesthetics of the longer game but also on the thrill of the contest. The bowlers have always been the more efficient innovators and boundary-obsessed batsmen play right into their hands. Suicidal strokeplay and the increased instances of lbw, facilitated by the DRS, would put the balance firmly in favour of the ball on all but the flattest of pitches. No one wants to endure the tedium of five-day cricket on flat pitches. Therefore the balance between bat and ball will only remain a reality through even-handed law-making, rational scheduling and common-sense coaching. While we haven't yet seen a batsman bred on a diet of T20 cricket reach the Test arena, it's interesting to compare the careers of India's Suresh Raina with Australia's Michael Hussey. Raina is a left-hander of the modern generation, while Hussey is one from the old school. Raina has played a role in India's success in the shorter versions of the game, but was also part of the problem in their recent abject failure in the Test series in England. He can thrash an attack when the field is spread and the bowling restricted, but crowd him and apply the threat of short-pitched bowling and it brings a reaction similar to that of Superman exposed to Kryptonite. Hussey can survive and then prosper in alien conditions, as he showed on a difficult pitch in Galle. His disciplined innings helped Australia take a series lead. Contrast that knock with his whirlwind strokeplay that helped Australia snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in the World T20 semi-final against Pakistan in 2010. Hussey is a complete batsman, one who can easily adapt to the game situation; Raina is a talented batsman with a fatal flaw that wasn't addressed in his formative years. Hussey did benefit from starting out in an era where the system provided an opportunity for the vigilant batsman to fully develop; Raina is maturing in a cricket world where the ethos seems to be "more haste, less care". Now is the time for good cricket minds to invest some thought in the way young batsmen are prepared in the future. The aim should be to produce players with Hussey's assets: the ability to preserve one's wicket when needed and dash a bowler's hopes when the situation demands. That coaching aim, allied with the vision to let batsmen retain their natural tendencies, would be a good starting point. It's crucial for a batsman with international ambitions to be able to play all the shots. What then separates the successful players from those who fade quickly is the knowledge of when to utilise the different weapons in one's armoury. A wise army general doesn't order machine-gun fire when the situation calls for heavy artillery. A batsman's duty is to score runs quickly in order to allow the bowlers sufficient time to take the 20 wickets required for victory. There's no doubt the more time you allow batsmen, the longer they'll take to score their runs. Who knows, with judicious law-making and a sensible advancement of scoring rates, the game could take a step forward by recalling the past. Test cricket started out as a three- and four-day game, and a reduction in the time taken to play the modern game would make it more palatable in a fast-moving world.

[Bradman99]

Khawaja dropped, Siddle in

Australia have dropped batsman Usman Khawaja to retain Shaun Marsh while Peter Siddle replaces injured paceman Ryan Harris for the third Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo starting on Friday. Australia's Third Test Squad Shane Watson, Phillip Hughes, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke (captain), Michael Hussey, Shaun Marsh, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Trent Copeland, Nathan Lyon. Khawaja was the man to make way as Ricky Ponting returns after missing the second Test for the birth of his second child, with Marsh holding his spot after scoring 141 on debut as Ponting's replacement in Kandy. Captain Michael Clarke is yet to decide whether Ponting will move down the batting order to keep Marsh at No.3 or if the West Australian will be the one to slot in at No.6. Harris, who has a minor hamstring strain, backed his teammates to go on and secure the series at the Sinhalese Sports Club. His replacement, Siddle, gets a chance after being overlooked for medium-pacer Trent Copeland in the first two matches. Australia lead the series 1-0 and will be looking to wrap up the series when the third Test gets underway on Friday at 2pm (EST).

Who else thinks Hughes should buy a lotto ticket? He'd better make the most of this chance.

[vamos_rafa]

I thought copeland did pretty well. Still he was replaced with Siddle.

[Trichromatic]

I thought copeland did pretty well. Still he was replaced with Siddle.

Copeland is still there. Siddle is replacing injured Harris.

[vamos_rafa]

^ Oh yes. I did not read it properly. My mistake.

[kevinpp24]

Who else thinks Hughes should buy a lotto ticket? He'd better make the most of this chance.

Yeah Khawaja looked technically better than Hughes. If he fails in this test then Marsh can open and Khawaja can come at no.6

[rkt.india]

Yeah Khawaja looked technically better than Hughes. If he fails in this test then Marsh can open and Khawaja can come at no.6

Marsh is not an opener..if i remember. He bats in middle order for WA in Pura cup

[cowboysfan]

I think the Aussies have a great chance to win this series.

:--D:--D:--D

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Clarke-led Oz Test team smarter, better organized: Roebuck More... Different century marks a new era as skipper's confident innings seals the series against Sri Lanka Peter Roebuck September 21, 2011 Michael Clarke has every reason to be delighted with his team's victory in Sri Lanka. It is no small thing to take a squad to a country with a higher ranking side and return with the spoils. It is no small thing to take charge of a team containing several new bowlers and, with an unproven top order, emerge with an enhanced reputation. Nor can the rumbling off the field be ignored, with selection board comings and goings and new coaches to bed down. It was a tour that could have gone wrong. Instead, Australia gathered strength. It is early days, but the team seems to be going in the right direction. Clarke has always been a fresh and constructive thinker about the game. As much could be told from the way he lined up the local lefty before resuming his innings, examining the pitch, making his plans. He needed to prove he had matured sufficiently to command a group of men and could bat well enough to deserve a regular place in the side. Suffice to say on both counts, he passed muster. Doubtless Clarke was delighted with his innings, and rightly so. It was not so much the fact he hit a hundred that was significant, as its manner. From the outset, Clarke batted confidently, executing sweet drives, cutting vividly, knocking the ball past the bowler and countering the spinner with bold footwork and lofted strokes. Notions that he could not strike sixes were overturned as he cleared the ropes on three occasions. Perhaps he has spent time in the gym. Even the manner in which Clarke reached three figures told a story. Stepping down the track to Rangana Herath, an admirable and unlucky left-armer, he backed himself to clear deep mid-on and did so comfortably. It was an audacious way to reach a target he craved. It was an innings that gave him the authority he needs to direct the side. Certainly, the pitch was as bland as rice pudding but the deed still had to be done. More significant have been the improvements observed in the Australian outfit since the new leader took over. Not that his predecessor was solely to blame for the slide. However, his replacement has presided over a noticeable rise and deserves credit for that. Several thoughtful decisions have been taken. Reshaping the batting order was sensible because it eased the pressure on valued players without unfairly exposing anyone. Clarke knew dropping himself down the order might look weak but did it anyway. It was in the side's best interests. Cynics might point out it also served his own purposes but he is hardly to blame for that. Removing Simon Katich and retaining Phil Hughes was also bound to be controversial but the think tank went ahead. A losing side cannot, for long, keep all its older hands. Australia's batting looks better balanced but the forthcoming series in South Africa will provide a sterner test. Hughes's technique, Ricky Ponting's concentration and Clarke's own defences will come under scrutiny. Tactically, too, the Aussies have been smarter and better organised. His bowlers have pitched the ball up further, bowled straighter and supportive fields have been set. Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle set the tone with hostile bursts with the new ball. Trent Copeland was the counterpoint; the lanky novice did not have much luck and it will be interesting to see how he goes on firmer decks. Mitchell Johnson bowled better than his figures indicate and a good deal better than last season; his problem is that in discarding his worst, he may have lost his best. If Clarke erred tactically, it was with the handling of Nathan Lyon. Allowing the off-spinner to operate round the wicket for long spells seemed perverse because it limited his wicket-taking opportunities. Whatever the reason, the newcomer should have been encouraged to mix and match once scalps proved elusive. Changes of angle can work wonders. Australia's series victory means they swap places with Sri Lanka in the rankings. It is a start. Not that the hosts were at their sharpest. Three senior players were hauled off to see the President mid-match for a ''friendly chat'' about the cricket. At least they were not picked up in the white vans driven by secret police, the fate suffered hereabouts by dissidents, pesky journalists and human rights campaigners appalled by the slaughter of innocents on both sides of the divide. Now, though, the Australians are obliged to endure a poorly constructed campaign featuring the Champions League, a lopsided trip to Africa and a high summer devoted to matches against India and the Big Bash League. The lunatics are no longer running the asylum. Nor, though, have they been completely sidelined.

[vamos_rafa]

Clarke in form really augurs bad for us. He is an excellent player of spin and scores at a very brisk pace. And Peter Roebuck is right, he brings in a lot of freshness by the way he captains.

[achilles]

Peter seems to be jumping the gun. Its not like Australia won a series against a full-strength India or South Africa.

[Number]

Aussies looked a good side after a time. While Ponting was captain , it looked that after captaining a team of 11 match winners for a good time, he just couldn't cope with these players. Clarke has shown more imagination and confidence in these players than Ponting. Though Sri Lankans were cr@p , but credit to Clarke.

[Pagalpanti]

If he does well in SA, then it'll be a real worry for us in December.

[WC2011INDIA]

Aussies looked a good side after a time. While Ponting was captain ' date=' it looked that after captaining a team of 11 match winners for a good time, he just couldn't cope with these players. Clarke has shown more imagination and confidence in these players than Ponting. Though Sri Lankans were cr@p , but credit to Clarke.[/quote'] Pretty much what Dhoni is having trouble with. He did well from 2008-April 2011 because he had players at their peak and performing very well. Now, most are injured or not in form. Dhoni is having a hard time captaining a team with young players especially *****y bowlers.

[Feed]

Clarke wants input on new coach Australia's captain, Michael Clarke, hopes he will have some input into who replaces Tim Nielsen as the team's coach More... Clarke wants input on new coach ESPNcricinfo staff September 22, 2011 Australia's captain, Michael Clarke, hopes he will have some input into who replaces Tim Nielsen as the team's coach. Clarke arrived back home in Sydney on Wednesday night after leading Australia to a 1-0 Test series victory in Sri Lanka, where Nielsen finished the tour by announcing his decision to step down from the coaching role. That means Australia will have an interim coach for next month's tour of South Africa - probably one of the assistants, Steve Rixon or Justin Langer - while the search goes on for a full-time replacement. Clarke is believed to have a very high regard for his former New South Wales coach, Rixon, and while he did not name any preferred names, he said he hoped his opinions would be considered as Cricket Australia looked for their new man. "I hope I will [have some input]," Clarke said. "I have a really good relationship with James Sutherland, the CEO, and I'm pretty sure it is important the captain and coach have a strong bond. I would imagine I would have some sort of impact and I'll be communicating with James over however long, to try and work out who they think the best person for the role is. "There's a lot of successful coaches around the world, and I think the priority, as the review has made very clear, is they are going to try and get the best person for the job. I think Tim Nielsen has done an amazing job for Australia. He's been fantastic for me, not only as a captain, but as a player and he's certainly going to be missed." Leading candidates to replace Nielsen will include Rixon, who has a successful track record having coached New Zealand as well as New South Wales, and Mickey Arthur, the former South Africa mentor. Arthur is preparing for his second season as coach of Western Australia. Nielsen's resignation came after the release of the Argus review, which recommended a more wide-ranging brief for the head coach. Whoever gets the new job will not only guide the national team, he will also direct the coaching style that will filter down to state and academy level, and with Clarke will be one of Australia's five-man selection panel.

[Sidhoni]

Most probably, Rixon will be the new coach