Cricket

Johnson warns South Africa of Aussie pace attack

Perth, Dec. 11 : Australian left-armer Mitchell Johnson has warned South Africa that the home side's pace attack will also be fast and dangerous on the bouncy WACA wicket in next week's first Test.

Johnson, who has been in brilliant form with 50 wickets in 2008 including 14 at 11 in the recent 2-0 whitewash of New Zealand, says the tourists shouldn't get too carried away with their own pace attack of Dale Steyn (60 wickets this year), Morne Morkel (37) and Makhaya Ntini (46).

"There has always been talk about the WACA wicket being back to its old self," The Age quoted Johnson, as saying.

England clears Mohali as second test venue

England clears Mohali as second test venueMohali, Dec 11: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has given security clearance for Mohali as the venue for the second test in India.

ECB''s Managing Director Hugh Morris has confirmed Mohali as the venue for the second Test match and said that the England team is looking forward to play at Mohali.

"I would like to say a very big thank to the Punjab Cricket Association and previously to the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. The England team is delighted to be back in India," said Morris.

Pup’ Clarke says security will be of prime consideration for touring India

Sydney, Dec. 11: There is still apprehension among some Australian players about touring India or Pakistan in the wake of the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

Some senior players have told The Australian they are uncertain about future tours.

Australian vice captain Michael Clarke said on Wednesday that security is a key issue he had to weigh up when considering a possible signing with the Indian Premier League in 2009.

"I have a lot of things to consider. Obviously I have to think about the amount of cricket we are playing, I am trying to plan a wedding as well and I have to think about what has happened there recently," Clarke was quoted, as saying.

Morkel will be the new `White Lightening’ of Test cricket, says Donald

Morkel will be the new `White Lightening’ of Test cricket, says DonaldMelbourne, Dec. 11: Former South African bowling great Allan Donald believes that Morne Morkel will be the new ''White Lightning''of Test cricket, and could become the world''s most devastating fast bowler.

Hailing the "scary'''' potential of the rumbling 201 centimeter tall Proteas'' pacer, Donald said: "It is scary that he is as good as he is after a handful of Tests. If he''s not put under unnecessary pressure and is managed well, he''ll surpass anything I achieved in my career."

We have to think beyond security concerns, says Dhoni

Tamil NaduChennai, Dec 10 : Indian cricket captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni today said that the team has to think beyond security concerns.

Talking to media here ahead of the first test of the two-match series against England, he said that security people are doing their job and players need not be bothered about it.

Ponting will struggle to find a spare weekend for a barbecue in busy 2009

ICC LogoMelbourne, Dec 10 : A backlog of postponed tours and tournaments has made Australia’s cricket team embark on their busiest year on record in 2009, and skipper Ricky Ponting will struggle to spare a weekend for a barbecue. For about a year.

Ponting’s Test, one-day and Twenty20 sides will play up to 140 days of cricket across six countries and be on the road for a whopping 318 days in a gruelling itinerary.

The year includes a four-month tour of the United Kingdom from June to September, in which the ICC Twenty20 World Championship precedes an anticipated Ashes series.

Pages