Cricket - Sport - smh.com.au

Sport / Cricket

Friday August 22, 2008

Lee told to take stock after bust-up - and get back on the field ASAP

BRETT LEE has been advised to return to cricket as soon as possible following the break-up of his two-year marriage, and should be available for the October tour of India.

Thursday August 21, 2008

Brett Lee splits from wife

Fast bowler Brett Lee will miss Australia's one-day series against Bangladesh because of the break-up of his marriage.

ICC calls in B teams for Trophy

STAGING a half-baked Champion's Trophy next month seems the only option left for the ICC, with Bangladesh and Zimbabwe possibly making up the numbers vacated by Australia and other teams unwilling to play in Pakistan.

Wednesday August 20, 2008

Show us the money, Shoaib: PCB orders paceman to pay

RAWALPINDI: Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been told he must pay an outstanding fine of seven million Pakistan rupees ($105,780) to the Pakistan Cricket Board if he wants to play in next month's Champions Trophy.

Pakistani upheaval as bowler faces a two-year drug ban

KARACHI: Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Asif's 'B' sample has tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone, leaving him facing a two-year ban, his lawyer said yesterday.

Fate of Champions Trophy up in the air as Pakistan suffers more unrest

INSPECTIONS of Pakistani cricket grounds by ICC officials continued yesterday despite ongoing speculation the Champions Trophy could be shifted to Sri Lanka, while confusion reigned after the resignations of Pakistan's president and cricket board chairman.

Tuesday August 19, 2008

Security advice is the key, says Gilly

FORMER Test vice-captain Adam Gilchrist believes Australia's leading players will abide by the advice of security experts on whether they should go to Pakistan for next month's Champions Trophy.

Saturday August 16, 2008

Captain Clarke stays in top job

MICHAEL Clarke will captain Australia in this month's one-day series against Bangladesh while Ricky Ponting recovers from wrist surgery.

Friday August 15, 2008

Australians concerned about preparation for gruelling Indian Test series

AUSTRALIA are desperate to ensure doubts about playing in Pakistan do not leave the side under-prepared for the important Test tour of India that follows, with fast bowler Stuart Clark prepared to take an early passage to India to keep the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australian hands.

Thursday August 14, 2008

New fears on Trophy security

FEARS of terrorist bombings have led to the closure of Australian consulate offices in Karachi and Lahore - the two cities chosen to stage next month's Champions Trophy - as high-ranking international officials prepare to meet their Australian counterparts to convince them of Pakistan's safety.

Wednesday August 13, 2008

From smouldering ruins, captain Pietersen confident of retrieving Ashes

WITH all the resolute confidence of a baggy green owner, England's new captain Kevin Pietersen issued some fighting words minutes after his first Test in charge had yielded victory.

ICC drafts Lawson to spruik Pakistan's safety

PAKISTAN coach Geoff Lawson was reportedly en route to Australia last night in a last-ditch bid to convince Australian players to participate in the Champions Trophy tournament next month.

Tuesday August 12, 2008

England see off South Africa

Andrew Flintoff smashed a six to give England a six-wicket victory in the fourth Test against South Africa at The Oval today after successfully chasing 197 on the final day.

Champions Trophy ditches Rawalpindi

ISLAMABAD: Next month's Champions Trophy tournament in Pakistan is likely to be staged in only two cities after Rawalpindi was all but ruled as a venue by a top ICC official.

Monday August 11, 2008

De Villiers gives South Africa fighting chance

AB de Villiers threw down a challenge to South Africa's bowlers today after a fighting innings of 97 gave his team an outside chance of victory in the fourth and final Test at the Oval.

Sunday August 10, 2008

Captain Kevin's debut puts England in control

LONDON: Kevin Pietersen hit a century in his first match as captain to put England in a powerful position on the second day of the fourth and final Test against South Africa at the Oval on Friday.

Risky business

If England's new captain, Kevin Pietersen, leads the way he bats, there are some interesting times ahead, writes Simon Briggs.

Saturday August 9, 2008

Captain Pietersen's century puts England in charge

Captain Kevin Pietersen hit a thrilling century to put England in a powerful position on the second day of the fourth and final Test against South Africa at the Oval today.

Harmison doubles up

LONDON: England paceman Steve Harmison triggered a South African collapse at The Oval on the first day of the fourth Test to put the hosts in full control.

Friday August 8, 2008

Harmison triggers South African collapse

England paceman Steve Harmison triggered a South African collapse at The Oval and the hosts were in full control after the first day of the fourth Test.

Thursday August 7, 2008

Harmison back for England

England have made two changes to their team for Kevin Pietersen's debut Test as captain against South Africa, starting at The Oval on Thursday.

Smith hoping South Africa give Pietersen a rough ride

South Africa captain Graeme Smith made it plain here today that despite leading the series 2-0 the visitors weren't about to give new England captain Kevin Pietersen a free ride in the fourth and final Test starting at the Oval on Thursday.

Johnson keeping mum on Champions Trophy

Test paceman Mitchell Johnson won't say if he'll play in the ICC Champions Trophy tournament in Pakistan even if Cricket Australia gives the green light to tour the troubled nation.

Wednesday August 6, 2008

Pietersen must reconsider outlook: Warne

Australian cricket legend Shane Warne warned former Hampshire team-mate Kevin Pietersen he would need to "reconsider his whole outlook" as he takes over as England captain.