Story Australian Int Season - RETIREMENT

[MWaugh]

Series In Review

​

Australia

​

Champions in the VB final after a 6 wicket win over India. Lead brilliantly by captain Ricky Ponting with the bat with 313 runs along with Michael Hussey with 123. Brad Hogg was the pick of the bowlers with 13 wickets while Brett Lee bowled with pace to claim 8 wickets. Were not the dominant force of recent years but showed glimpses of class on their way to lifting the trophy.

Star Player: Ricky Ponting
Runs: 313
Ave: 104.33
HS: 141*​

India

​

If the final had of gone the other way India would have been deserved winners. Dominated the Australians in the preliminary rounds but unfortuantly once again choked when it came to the crucial game. Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Dhoni and Virender Sehwag impressed with the bat while Sreesanth was the find of the tour, taking 9 wickets in his debut series.

Star Player: Sachin Tendulkar
Runs: 314
Ave: 78.5
HS: 184*​

Pakistan

​

Pakistan were never really in contention in this series. Lacked any real penetration with the ball and struggled to take wickets at important moments in the match. Inspirational captain Inzamam ul-Haq again carried the lineup with 169 runs to top the batting stats for his country while Danish Kaneria was the only bowler to take more than 3 wickets, claiming 5 in total.

Star Player: Inzamam ul-Haq
Runs: 169
Ave: 42.25
HS: 100​

 

[MWaugh]

Martyn Shocks Australia

Western Australian bastman Damien Martyn has shocked the Australian cricketing community after announcing his retirement from all forms of professional cricket. Martyn's decision comes after being dropped from both the Australian test and one day scene following a string of mediocre performances and an eye to youth ahead of the 2007 cricket world cup.

Martyn played his last test in the teams tour of South Africa in the 113 run victory, at Cape Town, scoring 31 and 17. Hes final one day match came at the MCG against India in this years VB series with a score of 14 before falling LBW to Zaheer Khan in what would be his last time in the middle.

The announcement comes just one week before the Australian test and one day squads were to be announced for the upcoming tour of the West Indies. Martyn was unable for comment yesterday but it is believed media pressure and spending over a decade in the spotlight has finally caught up to the stylish right handed batsman. Martyn will long be remembered for his unbeaten 88 from 84 balls to help his side to a World Cup victory in 2003.

​

(Damien Martyn in action during his innings in the World Cup final, 2003)​

 

[::SolidSnake::]

Ahh Marto will be missed big time in real life aswell as here, I think its just bad patch we all have them but maybe because of the age factor they thought he's had it

 

[MWaugh]

West Indies Tour Schedual Announced

The official tour schedual for the upcoming Australian tour of the West Indies has been announced today in Sydney. The tour, which will be sponsered by Digicel, consists of 3 test matches and 3 one day matches, along with 1 tour match.

The Australian squad will be announced after the coming 2 rounds of Pura Cup cricket, Cricket Australia allowing the players the opportunity to press their claims ahead of the challenging tour. With a number of fringe players in the mix for selection in the touring party, these next matches will be crucial to put them in the front of selectors minds.

​

 

[::SolidSnake::]

This should be a good one, even better with your presentational skills.

 

[MWaugh]

Stars Return For States

Australian international players have returned to state duties after completing a VB series campaign that saw the hosts defeat India in Melbourne. With the national touring party squads to be named in just over a week, there are a number of spots up for grab for the many promising youth players currently in the state ranks.

After a dissapointing test series, the largest battle appears to be the opening pairing of Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden. Langer scored just 52 runs at an average of 10.4 against India, backing up from 190 runs in 2 matches at an average of 47.5 against South Africa.

Matthew Hayden struggled in both series, scoring 43 runs at an average of 8.6 against India, to go with a disapointing 114 at an average of 28.5 in South Africa. New South Wales batsman Phil Jacques is the most likely to press for inclusion.

​

 

[MWaugh]

Australian Test Season In Review

With the Australian squad due to be named next week for the tour of the West Indies, we take this chance to review the performances of the national players and their prospects for the coming tour.

Justin Langer



Runs: 242
Ave: 26.88
100's: 1
50?s: 0
H.S: 139

Langer has been far from impressive since his 139 in the very first innings of the season. Take that innings out and Langer is on very thin ice with players like Phil Jacques closing in close behind. Will need to prove to selectors that he still has the goods to compete at the highest level.

Matthew Hayden



Runs: 157
Ave: 17.44
100?s: 0
50?s: 1
H.S: 99

Under even more pressure than his opening partner and will need huge performances in the domestic matches to keep in the mix. Has never quite looked comfortable and was not selected in the one day home series. Will need a minor miracle to keep his spot.

Ricky Ponting



Runs: 350
Ave: 38.88
100?s: 1
50?s: 2
H.S: 127

Wasn?t at his best while in South Africa but has looked in scintillating touch since returning home. Near flawless form in the one day arena and Ponting will be crucial to his sides hopes.

Michael Clarke



Runs: 341
Ave: 42.62
100?s: 1
50?s: 1
H.S: 140

Showed the talent that has his earmarked as the countries brightest young star with 140 against India in Adelaide. Third highest scorer for Australia this season and will be a huge danger in the West Indies.

Michael Hussey



Runs: 166
Ave: 33.2
100?s: 0
50?s: 2
H.S: 68

The new rising face of Australian cricket, making his debut in the first match against India and already compiling 2 half centuries. Looks to be developing as a cricketer since getting his chance and was one of his countries best in the VB series.

Andrew Symonds



Runs: 42
Ave: 14
100?s: 0
50?s: 0
H.S: 33

Didn?t make the most of his chances against India and will be under a great deal of pressure to retain his spot after playing only 2 tests this season. Was in good form with the bat in the shortened form which may help his cause.

Simon Katich



Runs: 52
Ave: 13
100?s: 0
50?s: 0
H.S: 24

The New South Wales skipper may have run his race in the test and one day side after a disappointing series in South Africa which yielded only 52 runs. Katich will need huge scores in the state matches to hope to join the squad.

Adam Gilchrist



Runs: 467
Ave: 58.37
100?s: 1
50?s: 2
H.S: 157

Australia?s leading scorer and easily the pick of the batsmen. Played crucial roles in Australia?s two test victories, highlighted with his 157 in a partnership with Michael Clarke. Will look to continue on from an excellent run of form leading up to the Ashes.

Brad Haddin



Runs: 0
Ave: N/A
100?s: 0
50?s: 0
H.S: 0

Haddin is yet to play in the long form of the game but is keeping pressure on Gilchrist to maintain his form. Was used in the VB series which indicates Australia?s intentions for the promising understudy.

Shane Watson



Runs: 44
Ave: 44
100?s: 0
50?s: 0
H.S: 44

Watson was extremely unlucky to be injured in his return to the test team after a long layoff. Will be a likely inclusion in the squad and will hope to get back into the team in either form of the game after recovering from his shoulder injury.

 

[m_vaughan]

Excellent analysis there. Shame that India lost despite having such a good tournament. Coming to the Aussie players, I think Matty Hayden might be dropped for the Windies tour after a poor season with the bat.

 

[gamerkid22]

Best analysis and awesome presentation . U rock mate

 

[::SolidSnake::]

lol @ Brad Haddin.

Anyway that was some presentation mate really exciting like they way their all going back to state etc.

 

[MWaugh]

Australian Test Season In Review (cont.)

The standard of Australian bowling has risen dramatically in recent years, with a number of younger players pressing claims for addition to the squad. Here we take the opportunity to review the Australian bowling stocks and their performance so far this season.

Glenn McGrath



Wickets: 18
Runs: 516
Ave: 28.66
B.B: 5/99

McGrath?s tightening line and length proved the key for attacking bowlers Shane Warne and Brett Lee to ply their trade from the other end. McGrath looked somewhat out of sorts in the one day series but will be eager to renew rivalries with Brian Lara.

Brett Lee



Wickets: 26
Runs: 534
Ave: 20.53
B.B: 6/64

Really came of age in South Africa when he went 4-0 up in as many innings against Graeme Smith to fire Australia to a great start. Continued the good form against India on his way to being Australia?s most prolific wicket taker this season to ensure he will travel to the windies.

Shane Warne



Wickets: 22
Runs: 396
Ave: 18
B.B: 6/51

Again the worlds best bowler was the focal point of the Australian attack. Currently second to Brett Lee with 22 wickets at only 18. Will also be keen to test himself against Brian Lara on Lara?s home soil.

Jason Gillespie



Wickets: 3
Runs: 125
Ave: 41.66
B.B: 2/32

Bowled without luck in South Africa before injuring himself in the South African one day series. The injury appears to be healing slower than expected and Gillespie has made himself unavailable for this weeks Pura Cup matches.

Stuart MacGill



Wickets: 9
Runs: 148
Ave: 16.44
B.B: 5/27

Once again quashed any rumours that he is unable to bowl with Shane Warne with a brilliant 5/27 in South Africa. MacGill?s recent performances along with his history against the West Indies ensures that Warne will be picked for the tour.

Nathan Bracken



Wickets: 2
Runs: 71
Ave: 35.5
B.B: 1/10

Struggled to make an impact in his only test taking only 2 wickets. Will be aided by the fact that he is a left arm seamer and appears to be in a tight contest with Queensland seamer Mitchell Johnson.

Shane Watson



Wickets: 3
Runs: 56
Ave: 18.66
B.B: 2/48

Returning from injury, only time and matches will tell how Watson has responded to treatment. Bowled well in his only match, in which he was injured, taking 3 wickets at 18.66. Watson could be the dark horse selection and will be in competition with Symonds for the allrounders spot.

Andrew Symonds



Wickets: 4
Runs: 68
Ave: 17
B.B: 3/25

The incumbent test number 6 allrounder. Bowled well in his two matches taking 4 wickets at 17. Will need to impress early prior to the tour and then in the warm up game if he is to retain his spot.

Stuart Clark



Wickets: 4
Runs: 115
Ave: 28.75
B.B: 2/57

Clark bowled without lucky in his test series debut. Taking 4 wickets but looking like a reliable option much like team mate Glenn McGrath. Whether this counts against him on the selection table remains to be seen. Appears to have tough competition from rising South Australian paceman Shaun Tait.

 

[MWaugh]

Langer 1 vs Jacques 0

In one of the biggest contests in the state Pura Cup matches this week Justin Langer appeared to get the upper hand over Phil Jacques in the battle for the Australian opening spot.

Langer and fellow opener Matthew Hayden have been under pressure from Jacques and South Australian Mark Cosgrove and Langer responded with scores of 73 in both the first and second innings of the match at the SCG as NSW claimed victory by 259. Jacques could only respond with 29 and 25 at the top of the order for the blues.

Dominic Thornley also impressed infront of selectors with scores of 129 and 100* to go with test number 4 Michael Clarkes 143 in the first innings. While Simon Katich put his hat into the ring with an unbeaten 86.

​

 

[MWaugh]

Hayden Blitzes Tassie

Matthew Hayden fired a loud message to selectors that he is not past his best with a thumping 233 not out as Queensland defeated Tasmania by an innings and 208 runs at the GABBA. Hayden, Jimmy Maher (112) and Martin Love (113 not out) all fired as Queensland declared with the score at 1/483 on a flat Brisbane track. The knock keeps Hayden in with the competition of Justin Langer, Phil Jacques, Mark Cosgrove and potentially Michael Hussey in the race for the openers spot.

Tasmania could manage scores of only 172 and 103 in reply with Michael Kasperwicz (4/54) and Joe Dawes (2/52 & 4/21) being the chief destroyers. Australian captain Ricky Ponting could manage only scores of 9 and 4 in his return to state cricket.

​

 

[gamerkid22]

Awesome mate. I like the way u have shown the overlay of the Pura Cup and according to me Hayden and Hussey should open the innings

 

[MWaugh]

Vic's Rout South Australia

Michael Innes, Paul Rofe and Matthew Elliott were the only batsmen to impress at the Adelaide Oval as Victoria defeated South Australia by 286 runs. Inness took a combined 11 wickets for the match while Rofe chimed in with 6. Matthew Elliott was the only batsman to dominate the bowlers with scores of 92 and 98 respectively. Brad Hodge also kept his name in selectors minds with a stylish 51 in the second innings.

Shaun Tait would have been dissapointed with his performance, only taking 3 wickets in the match to press his claims for selection.

​