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‘India have chinks in their armour’
To whitewash India, Oz must stop Sehwag, Tendulkar: Ian Chappell
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Bounce India out from SCG: Clarke to Oz pacers
Lionel Messi named Rosario’s ambassador
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‘India have chinks in their armour’
Sydney, December 31 "They all have chinks in their armour. They all come with great records and fantastic scores. Yet every batsman in world cricket loves to keep scoring. If we can step the dot balls up and build pressure, it's a way in for us. Pressure is the name of the game in Test cricket," said Arthur after his young pace attack laid low the Indians in both innings of the first Test. "We could keep them under the pump (in Melbourne) long enough. I would like to think we have struck some psychological blows," stated Arthur as he looked to build an early lead into a 2-0 advantage during the second Test at the SCG, starting on Tuesday. Indian batsmen appeared shell-shocked against the pace trio of James Pattinson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus at the MCG, losing their last eight wickets for 68 runs in the first innings and being all out for 169 in the second. The pace trio took as many as 19 of the 20 Indian wickets Arthur, who had earlier coached South Africa, mocked the Indian batting line-up and claimed he now has "information" on them to execute the plans better in Sydney. "I do think our bowlers were very good. I do think we executed over plans very well. I do think we now have a lot of information we can use going forward. We will alter our game plan slightly for the top four of the six. "There is enough information to enable us to do it." Arthur has no fears that Tendulkar averages 221.33 from his four Tests in Sydney and that he once struck 241 at the hallowed turf. Another Indian veteran, VVS Laxman also averages 96.20 at the SCG and has three hundreds from as many matches. "If you look at Sydney, Sachin and Laxman have played very well there. Traditionally, the bounce has been a little lower here. It's been one of the wickets in Australia where they were as close to the sub-continental conditions as you could be outside. "But the SCG has changed a little as we would see. I hope there is some grass on it. I have no doubt that he (Tendulkar) would get his 100th century at some stage. He's a quality player. But I would like it to be after the tour of Australia. "Sydney has seamed around a little bit of late. Perth is going to be bouncy and quick. We believe we have a method. We just need to execute it," said Arthur. "Still, whatever plans you make you still need bowlers to execute them. I can't speak highly enough of them." Arthur said the present Australian attack has the potential to be world's best. "I do think this pace attack has the potential to become the best in the world. The potential Australia has, and not just in bowling stocks alone, is very exciting. We've got guys firing all the
time.” — PTI |
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To whitewash India, Oz must stop Sehwag, Tendulkar: Ian Chappell
Sydney, December 31 "If Australia can shut down both Sehwag and Tendulkar, then India could well be propelled on a downhill slide similar to their recent precipitous one in England, which ended in a 4-0 series thrashing,"
he said. Chappell said stopping Sehwag will be crucial in restricting India's scoring. The former Australian captain said that by dismissing Sehwag early, Australia can reduce the Indian line-up's effectiveness by around 50 per cent. "The length the Australians are currently bowling is the most testing the belligerent opener can face. He (Sehwag) loves it short outside off stump, but the Australians, operating on a fuller length, are more likely to exploit his lack of foot movement," said Chappell in his column in The Sunday Telegraph. Chappell said Australian young bowling attack should find an answer to stop Tendulkar at his favourite ground, Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). "The player the Australians haven't yet found an answer for is Sachin Tendulkar. He looked in top form, and with the SCG being his favourite venue in Australia, they'll need to find a solution quickly," he said. Chappell is concerned with the form of India opener Gautam Gambhir. "Gambhir is in trouble, as he's discomforted by the extra bounce. If he continues to poke suspiciously at deliveries outside off-stump like a nervous mouse nibbling at the cheese, the Australians will have no trouble springing the trap," he said. Chappell feels that the second Test at the SCG provides the Australian team an opportunity to build on their rousing victory over India and continue what is a pace bowling-led recovery. "The penetrating form of Australia's aggressive young pace bowler James Pattinson, combined with Peter Siddle's rejuvenation and Ben Hilfenhaus's successful return to the international arena, is incentive for the beleaguered batsmen to make a New Year's resolution. "Knowing now that a score of around 350 could be enough to set up a win at the SCG, rather than needing to amass a huge total, might just be the tonic for the batsmen to do better. With skill as a given, being relaxed is probably second only to confidence in a Test batsman's armoury," he said.
— IANS |
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Bounce India out from SCG: Clarke to Oz pacers
"I love the aggression of our fast bowlers. I love the way they served it up to the Indian tailenders during our strong victory in Melbourne. If conditions suit, I have absolutely no problems with them bouncing the Indians again during the second Test in Sydney this week," he said. Clarke wants his bowlers to be ruthless and continue with the same strength and aggression that they showed during their 122-run win in the first Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). "We generated positive body language, making it clear to India we were up for every challenge that was presented. But we have to be smart about the way we attack them in Sydney and play according to the conditions and circumstances on offer," he said. Clarke, however, warned his team that India can come back strongly in the second Test at the SCG. "A team with as many quality players as India will hit back hard after this initial disappointment and some of their batsmen have outstanding records at the SCG. The great challenge for us is to play consistently strong cricket so we can get off the win/loss roller-coaster of the past few months," Clarke said in his column in The Sunday Telegraph. Lauding Australia's bowling attack, Clarke said: "The most impressive part of our bowling in the first Test was the way our guys bowled as a unit, constantly maintaining pressure. We haven't done that well for a long time, and what a difference it makes." "It is a real credit to our quicks given that James Pattinson was playing just his third Test, Peter Siddle has fought his way back to become an important member of the attack again and Ben Hilfenhaus was at his best in his first Test for a while."
— IANS |
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Gerrard inspires Liverpool to 3-1 win
Liverpool, December 31 Kenny Dalglish's side trailed to Daniel Agger's own goal midway through the first half, but Bellamy equalised soon after and the former Newcastle striker netted again from a free-kick in the second half. England midfielder Gerrard, who has missed most of the season due to injury, capped a fine cameo performance from the substitutes bench with his side's third goal. Liverpool are now in fifth place, level on points with fourth placed Chelsea, while Newcastle remain seventh after another failed trip to Anfield. Jose Enrique, another Liverpool player facing his former club, delivered a delightful low cross into Newcastle's six-yard area in the 16th minute. Rovers stun Man U
MANCHESTER: Manchester United wasted the chance to start the new year at the top of the Premier League when they were stunned 3-2 by strugglers Blackburn Rovers on Saturday to spoil manager Alex Ferguson's 70th birthday. Blackburn, who started the day bottom of the table, had taken an unlikely 2-0 lead early in the second half thanks to a Yakubu double before the injury-ravaged champions drew level through two Dimitar Berbatov goals. United had needed a point to ensure they would finish the year in top spot with leaders Manchester City not playing until Sunday but Grant Hanley's 80th-minute winner for Blackburn stopped them in their tracks. Defeat leaves United with 45 points from 19 games, behind City on goal difference. Roberto Mancini's side can go three points clear with a victory at Sunderland.
— Agencies |
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Lionel Messi named Rosario’s ambassador
"It's very nice that tourists come to visit the place where I was born," Xinhua quoted Messi, as saying.
He added that "it's a great pride" to receive the honour. "I want to thank for this acknowledgement in Rosario, my home, the place where I was born, where my people live, my family and which certainly will be my place of residence when I retire from soccer," he said. Rosario is currently bidding for hosting the 2019 Pan-American Games.
— ANI |
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Chennai Open
Chennai, December 31 Ranked 84, Somdev on Saturday drew French player Eric Prodon, placed 13 spots below the Indian in ranking ladder, for his tournament opener as the draw ceremony was held here. Somdev, who made the final here in 2009 as a wildcard, said he's not taking his first round opponent lightly. "Eric is a very good player. I'll take it match by match and if I play well, I'll give myself a chance to win (lot of matches)," he said. "Playing here is a great feeling, and I hope to start a good year with Chennai Open. I have attached a great deal of sentimental value to this venue, as this is where I grew up and played most of my (early) tennis. "It's a long way before I start thinking of playing against Stan. Hopefully, if I can play good tennis I can beat him. Hopefully, the heat and humidity will help me acclimatise better with the one in Melbourne (Australian open)," he said. Somdev and Prodon have never played each other before. — PTI
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