The dramatic twists of the 2009 Ashes series would be enough to make London's most celebrated sleuth Mr Sherlock Holmes seek solace in the fine white powder of his erstwhile colleague Dr Watson.
The five-Test series ebbed and flowed, swinging one way then the other as England avenged their abject 5-0 drubbing in 2006/07 with their second successive 2-1 home series win.
Statistically, Australia may wonder how they lost. Eight centuries to England's two, six batsmen averaging over 40, compared with two for England. Three bowlers taking 20 wickets or more, Stuart Broad topping England's chart with 18.
Captain Ricky Ponting suggested after Sunday's dramatic finale at The Oval that England had won the "big moments". So what were the key ones over the last seven memorable weeks?
THE GREAT ESCAPE IN CARDIFF
First Test, Cardiff - England drew with Australia
At 1800 BST on the final day, after 344 pain-staking, crease-shuffling minutes, Paul Collingwood's 245-ball, 74-run vigil ended when he meekly guided Peter Siddle to Mike Hussey at gully.
At 1802 BST, Monty Panesar - a number 11 with an average half his batting position - joined James Anderson with Australia primed to celebrate their sixth successive Ashes Test victory.
But for 69 hair-pulling, jaw-aching deliveries, the last-wicket pair fended off everything the tourists launched at them.
Every defensive prod was celebrated as if the crowd were watching a full-length Shane Williams try at the Millennium Stadium, with Ricky Ponting's patience wearing increasingly thin.
The Australia captain became apoplectic with rage with England's apparent time-consuming tactics when they sent on dressing room lackey Bilal Shafayat, along with physiotherapist Steve McCaig and a pair of batting gloves.
However, it all became too much for the umpires and Anderson, who promptly sent the Nottinghamshire man back to the pavilion.
But despite the increasing tension, Panesar's bat, as broad as the River Taff, grew wider the more frustrated the tourists became, while Anderson's defence remained obstinate through 53 deliveries.
"We got away with it, we know that, and we must come back and play better," said England captain Andrew Strauss.
And didn't they just...
FIRED-UP FREDDIE'S FIVE-FOR AT LORD'S
Second Test, Lord's - England beat Australia by 115 runs
Whoever writes Andrew Flintoff's scripts should retire now, forever content with their role in etching the all-rounder's name into the annals of English cricket history at the game's spiritual's home.
After announcing he would retire from Test cricket because of a chronic knee injury after the Ashes, Freddie's awesome second-innings bowling spell ensured England's blushes were spared after setting Australia a record 522 for victory.
Although his 5-92 was only his third five-wicket haul in Test cricket, it was undoubtedly his most important, piqued when he dismissed Brad Haddin in the second over of the final morning at Lord's.
The wicketkeeper shared a 185-run sixth-wicket stand with Michael Clarke, the type of partnership which was on its way to germinating from a seed of doubt into a full-blown privet hedge of horror.
Freddie's ready to be mobbed by his team-mates
But with Haddin on 80, Flintoff induced a thick outside edge to the hands of Paul Collingwood at second slip, and the game was up for Australia.
Flintoff's reaction was priceless - he just stood there, as if looking for wife Rachael deep in the recesses of the Mound Stand, before being mobbed by his jubilant team-mates.
He went one better an hour later, clean bowling Nathan Hauritz before descending on one knee, arms spread, like a stadium rock star as England ended their 75-year wait for a win at Lord's.
SIZZLING ONIONS GRILLS AUSTRALIA
Third Test, Edgbaston - England drew with Australia
After watching rain pelt down for hours on the sodden Edgbaston outfield, England's bowlers were flogged to all parts as Australia's openers made hay when the sun finally shone in Birmingham.
Without Kevin Pietersen, ruled out following surgery on his right Achilles' tendon, England looked as flat as the Edgbaston wicket.
But it's amazing what a scattering of low-lying clouds and humidity can do to a semi-shiny Dukes ball.
With Australia resuming on 126-1, Graham Onions altered the complexion of the match with the first two deliveries of day two.
Onions early wickets put England in charge on day two at Edgbaston
Up went umpire Aleem Dar's right index finger when the Durham fast bowler trapped Shane Watson dead in front for 62, before bowling Mike Hussey - inexplicably shouldering arms to a delivery hurtling into his off stump for a golden duck.
Suddenly the ball was swinging like a Benny Goodman number, and James Anderson cleaned up the tourists with an inspired 5-80, while Onions collected 4-58.
The momentum was back in England's favour, but a 185-run second-innings stand between Michael Clarke and Marcus North for Australia snuffed out any hopes of a sneaky victory.
FRIDAY MOURNING IN LEEDS
Fourth Test, Headingley - Australia beat England by innings and 80 runs
When Andrew Strauss won the toss and elected to bat on an overcast Friday morning in Leeds, Ricky Ponting did not seem overly perturbed.
With a four-pronged pace attack - the metronomic Stuart Clark returning at the expense of off-spinner Nathan Hauritz - Australia had an Andrew Flintoff-less England by the jugular when Strauss was trapped plumb in front by Ben Hilfenhaus with the very first delivery.
The crooked finger of umpire Billy Bowden remained motionless, like Australian mouths, but the reprieve was brief as the England captain was back in the pavilion 14minutes later after a brilliant one-handed catch by Marcus North at third slip.
Peter Siddle was the main benefactor as England folded at Headingley
The rot began to set in as Peter Siddle and Clark ran amok, decimating England's middle and lower order with a brilliant exhibition of good old-fashioned Headingley swing bowling.
The hosts were 72-6 at lunch, the misery ending early in the afternoon session when Graham Onions was caught at short leg for Siddle's fifth wicket as the hosts were dismissed for 102, their lowest total for 100 years in Ashes Tests at Headingley.
The humiliation was complete when Mitchell Johnson cleaned up poor old Onions less than two days later for one of England's most emphatic defeats against the tourists on home soil.
BROAD TAKES CENTRE STAGE WITH ENGLAND HOT TO TROTT
Fifth Test, The Oval - England beat Australia by 197 runs
Amid the media clamour to reinstate 39-year-old Mark Ramprakash and persuade Marcus Trescothick to come out of retirement, England's selectors opted for consistency and chose Jonathan Trott to replace the struggling Ravi Bopara.
With Australia in the ascendency at 73 without loss replying to England's 332 in the series decider, the fate of the fragile, six-inch urn turned on a destructive spell of fast bowling from Stuart Broad on a parched Oval wicket.
The 23-year-old reduced Australia to 111-7, the apogee of his 5-37 an unplayable outswinging delivery to rearrange Brad Haddin's furniture to seal his second successive five-wicket Test haul, and the third of his career.
With Australia 172 runs short of England's first-innings total, Trott became an instant hero with a debut century to take the game beyond the tourists, setting Ricky Ponting's men an impossible winning target of 546.
Ponting's dismissal particularly delighted Broad at The Oval
England supporters started to sweat as Ponting and the hitherto vulnerable Mike Hussey compiled a 127-run partnership with steely determination.
But Flintoff - relatively muted on his finale - conjured one final trick from his sunhat, uprooting Ponting's off stump with a direct hit from mid-on as the Australia captain fatally hesitated scampering for an ill-judged single.
As the match - and series - drew to its now inevitable denouement, Graeme Swann ended Australia's misery when he had centurion Hussey caught by Alastair Cook off bat-pad, sparking pandemonium in SE11.
Monday, 24 August 2009
Sunday, 23 August 2009
Tastes like Ashes
In the pubs and streets of South London, fuelled by joy, exhileration and a couple of rather pleasing bottles of crispy white wine. The celebrations went on, long into the night. E-mailing long lost Aussie buddies, texting 'til the network collapses.
Ricky Ponting, Dame Edna Everage, Kylie Minogue, Kevin Rudd, Nicole Kidman, Rolf Harris, Nick Cave, John Eales, Jono Coleman, Ned Kelly your boys took one helluva beating!!
Monday, 17 August 2009
Sussex Twenty20 Champions
Good Old Sussex by the Sea
Dwayne Smith's blistering 59 from 26 balls gave Sussex a 63-run win over Somerset in the Twenty20 Cup final.
The all-rounder blasted three sixes and seven boundaries as Sussex scored 172-7, aided by a late 46-run stand between Chris Nash and Yasir Arafat.
Somerset made an explosive start thanks to Marcus Trescothick (33), but his wicket sparked a dramatic collapse.
Seamer James Kirtley (3-9) was the pick of the Sussex bowlers as the county claimed the trophy for the first time.
Saturday's victory at Edgbaston will go some way to compensate Sussex for their defeat to Hampshire in the Friends Provident final. Both finalists are also assured of a place in the lucrative Twenty20 Champions League in India.
Somerset captain Justin Langer elected to field first under the lights after winning the toss in order to utilise the control of South African new-ball pair Alfonso Thomas and Charl Willoughby. And it was the latter who made the early breakthrough when Murray Goodwin, whose 73 against Northants guided Sussex into the final, was caught behind by Craig Kieswetter for seven in the second over.
Expansive strokeplay from new batsman Rory Hamilton-Brown, alongside Luke Wright, ensured Sussex maintained their early momentum during the six-over powerplay.
But their promising 32-run partnership came to a tame end when indecision between the wickets saw Wright run out by a direct hit from Kieswetter.
The dismissal brought Smith to the crease, and he announced his arrival with two boundaries in three deliveries, much to the delight of the sizeable Sharks contingent at Edgbaston.
Max Waller, who went for 11 runs from his solitary over during the semi-final win over Kent, ended Hamilton-Brown's stay, trapped lbw for 25 in the 10th over, although replays suggested the ball would have comfortably missed leg stump.
However, Smith maintained his onslaught, launching leg-spinner Waller high into the stands for a 95m-long six before reeling off a brutal straight-driven maximum and a subtle late cut behind square for four off Ben Phillips.
Despite Smith's pyrotechnics, Sussex, who beat Northants in their semi-final, continued to lose wickets at the other end, slumping to 80-4 when Ed Joyce was deceived by a slower ball from Peter Trego. Smith brought up his 50 from just 23 deliveries with another brutal straight six off Waller in an eventful 14th over before drilling the next two deliveries for successive boundaries.
However, Waller avenged his earlier mauling when he had Smith stumped attempting to switch-hit a short leg-side delivery over point.
Captain Michael Yardy followed seven balls later, but late resistance from Nash (28 from 22 deliveries) and Arafat (20 not out off 16 balls) pushed Sussex to 172-7.
Somerset's response was impressive as Trescothick, who smashed 56 from 32 deliveries against Kent, brought up his 1,000th Twenty20 run with a boundary.
The left-hander then twice launch Wright into the stands for leg-side sixes as the Sabres raced to 34-0 from just three overs.
But just as Trescothick threatened to cut loose, he top-edged a catch to Hamilton-Brown at deep cover off Kirtley, ending his entertaining 15-ball innings.
Langer feel soon after, bowled misjudging an Arafat delivery while James Hildreth was dismissed for one in the eighth over.
Somerset's innings began to subside when leg-spinner Beer had the dangerous Kieswetter stumped for his second wicket of the night.
With the run-rate rapidly accelerating towards double figures, Trego attempted to alleviate the pressure with two successive sixes off Beer.
But any distant hopes of victory evaporated when the all-rounder was caught attempting another huge hit by Smith at long on.
Kirtley entertained the crowd with two wickets in two balls before victory was sealed with 16 balls to spare when Thomas drilled a simple catch to Yardy at short cover.
Dwayne Smith's blistering 59 from 26 balls gave Sussex a 63-run win over Somerset in the Twenty20 Cup final.
The all-rounder blasted three sixes and seven boundaries as Sussex scored 172-7, aided by a late 46-run stand between Chris Nash and Yasir Arafat.
Somerset made an explosive start thanks to Marcus Trescothick (33), but his wicket sparked a dramatic collapse.
Seamer James Kirtley (3-9) was the pick of the Sussex bowlers as the county claimed the trophy for the first time.
Saturday's victory at Edgbaston will go some way to compensate Sussex for their defeat to Hampshire in the Friends Provident final. Both finalists are also assured of a place in the lucrative Twenty20 Champions League in India.
Somerset captain Justin Langer elected to field first under the lights after winning the toss in order to utilise the control of South African new-ball pair Alfonso Thomas and Charl Willoughby. And it was the latter who made the early breakthrough when Murray Goodwin, whose 73 against Northants guided Sussex into the final, was caught behind by Craig Kieswetter for seven in the second over.
Expansive strokeplay from new batsman Rory Hamilton-Brown, alongside Luke Wright, ensured Sussex maintained their early momentum during the six-over powerplay.
But their promising 32-run partnership came to a tame end when indecision between the wickets saw Wright run out by a direct hit from Kieswetter.
The dismissal brought Smith to the crease, and he announced his arrival with two boundaries in three deliveries, much to the delight of the sizeable Sharks contingent at Edgbaston.
Max Waller, who went for 11 runs from his solitary over during the semi-final win over Kent, ended Hamilton-Brown's stay, trapped lbw for 25 in the 10th over, although replays suggested the ball would have comfortably missed leg stump.
However, Smith maintained his onslaught, launching leg-spinner Waller high into the stands for a 95m-long six before reeling off a brutal straight-driven maximum and a subtle late cut behind square for four off Ben Phillips.
Despite Smith's pyrotechnics, Sussex, who beat Northants in their semi-final, continued to lose wickets at the other end, slumping to 80-4 when Ed Joyce was deceived by a slower ball from Peter Trego. Smith brought up his 50 from just 23 deliveries with another brutal straight six off Waller in an eventful 14th over before drilling the next two deliveries for successive boundaries.
However, Waller avenged his earlier mauling when he had Smith stumped attempting to switch-hit a short leg-side delivery over point.
Captain Michael Yardy followed seven balls later, but late resistance from Nash (28 from 22 deliveries) and Arafat (20 not out off 16 balls) pushed Sussex to 172-7.
Somerset's response was impressive as Trescothick, who smashed 56 from 32 deliveries against Kent, brought up his 1,000th Twenty20 run with a boundary.
The left-hander then twice launch Wright into the stands for leg-side sixes as the Sabres raced to 34-0 from just three overs.
But just as Trescothick threatened to cut loose, he top-edged a catch to Hamilton-Brown at deep cover off Kirtley, ending his entertaining 15-ball innings.
Langer feel soon after, bowled misjudging an Arafat delivery while James Hildreth was dismissed for one in the eighth over.
Somerset's innings began to subside when leg-spinner Beer had the dangerous Kieswetter stumped for his second wicket of the night.
With the run-rate rapidly accelerating towards double figures, Trego attempted to alleviate the pressure with two successive sixes off Beer.
But any distant hopes of victory evaporated when the all-rounder was caught attempting another huge hit by Smith at long on.
Kirtley entertained the crowd with two wickets in two balls before victory was sealed with 16 balls to spare when Thomas drilled a simple catch to Yardy at short cover.
Thursday, 6 August 2009
4th Test - Heading for Headingly
The Crucial Test
Despite the euphoria generated by Engalnd's bowling performance on the second morning England will be content with the final outcome. Once again, Australia's bowling attack faltered and although their batsmen looked worryingly composed on the final day they too would be happy with a draw.
The biggest problem for England is what to do about Freddie's injury. His presence is perceived as being crucial to the team (although his absences over the past couple of years have been easier to manage). England will of course do everything to get him on the pitch but if he can't make it, will they have to make two changes to make up for him? Harmison and Trott to come in for Flintoff and Broad? Or maybe even for Swann (on a seamers pitch)? Tricky decisions.
Likewise the Aussies need to find a way to get Stuart Clark in the side and Siddle looks the most under threat. Whether the under pressure Aussies will risk Binga Lee for spinner Horritz is another selection conundrum.
The weather forecast looks favourable for England with overcast conditions and rain on days 4 & 5 threatening! However, England must think and play positive, a win and The Ashes will be ours!
Jardine Verdict: One up with two to play, could be a lot worse!
Despite the euphoria generated by Engalnd's bowling performance on the second morning England will be content with the final outcome. Once again, Australia's bowling attack faltered and although their batsmen looked worryingly composed on the final day they too would be happy with a draw.
The biggest problem for England is what to do about Freddie's injury. His presence is perceived as being crucial to the team (although his absences over the past couple of years have been easier to manage). England will of course do everything to get him on the pitch but if he can't make it, will they have to make two changes to make up for him? Harmison and Trott to come in for Flintoff and Broad? Or maybe even for Swann (on a seamers pitch)? Tricky decisions.
Likewise the Aussies need to find a way to get Stuart Clark in the side and Siddle looks the most under threat. Whether the under pressure Aussies will risk Binga Lee for spinner Horritz is another selection conundrum.
The weather forecast looks favourable for England with overcast conditions and rain on days 4 & 5 threatening! However, England must think and play positive, a win and The Ashes will be ours!
Jardine Verdict: One up with two to play, could be a lot worse!
Thursday, 30 July 2009
3rd Test - Going with an Edge to Edgbaston
On the eve of the 3rd Test Andrew Strauss has clearly identified the next 5 days as pivotal in England's attempt to regain the Ashes. Another win for England and it would be very difficult for Australia to get back into the 5 match series. Defeat and it is advantage Australia (who even now are already eyeing a drawn series far more longingly than a month ago).
The only selection headache for England is whether Harmison pips Onions for the final seemers spot. The pitch is expected to be slow and low so it could be that Harmison will miss out again. Australia are wrestling with the Mitchell Johnson problem. Despite Ponting's protestations about not even considering dropping him, surely the Aussies must consider the previously unmentionable. It would seem Clark will come in for Hauritz and they'll play four seamers. However, the biggest influence could be the weather with rain predicted to interrupt Thursday, Saturday & Sundays play. The draw seems the likelier option but with a strengthened Aussie bowling attack and a weakened England middle order the tourists might just fancy their chances.
Jardine's Verdict: A losing draw eked out amongst the breaks in the rain will suit England just fine!
The only selection headache for England is whether Harmison pips Onions for the final seemers spot. The pitch is expected to be slow and low so it could be that Harmison will miss out again. Australia are wrestling with the Mitchell Johnson problem. Despite Ponting's protestations about not even considering dropping him, surely the Aussies must consider the previously unmentionable. It would seem Clark will come in for Hauritz and they'll play four seamers. However, the biggest influence could be the weather with rain predicted to interrupt Thursday, Saturday & Sundays play. The draw seems the likelier option but with a strengthened Aussie bowling attack and a weakened England middle order the tourists might just fancy their chances.
Jardine's Verdict: A losing draw eked out amongst the breaks in the rain will suit England just fine!
Saturday, 25 July 2009
Corky does it again
There ain't no stopping Dominic Cork as he helped propel Hampshire to a deserved victory over Sussex in the FPT final at Lords.
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
75 years later...
We've finally bloody won at Lords!
Apologies for missing coverage of first two tests. Technology failed us miserably. However, promise to have fully updated (backdated) reports up and live by this time tomorrow. In the meantime, watch the highlights, listen to the interviews and revel in the joy of a very rare thing.
Jardine's Verdict: Strike a medal from the finest metal and pin it to Freddie's chest, without a doubt with him in our side we are truly truly blessed!
Apologies for missing coverage of first two tests. Technology failed us miserably. However, promise to have fully updated (backdated) reports up and live by this time tomorrow. In the meantime, watch the highlights, listen to the interviews and revel in the joy of a very rare thing.
Jardine's Verdict: Strike a medal from the finest metal and pin it to Freddie's chest, without a doubt with him in our side we are truly truly blessed!
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Poll Results - 5
Who will win the unofficial 1st test?
1= Australia hold on for a draw.
1= Sussex moral victors
3= Result unimportant as Australia not recognised as a First Class team.
Jardine Verdict: You chaps & chapesses know your stuff!
1= Australia hold on for a draw.
1= Sussex moral victors
3= Result unimportant as Australia not recognised as a First Class team.
Jardine Verdict: You chaps & chapesses know your stuff!
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Michael Vaughan to quit
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has confirmed to a friend he will retire from all forms of cricket. The 34-year-old has called a news conference on Tuesday, when he is expected to call time on his career.
Ex-county team-mate Paul Grayson, now coach at Essex, said Vaughan had become disillusioned with four-day cricket. "You have to be really motivated to play county cricket and he felt he did not have the motivation to keep going," Grayson told BBC Sport.
Vaughan led England to Ashes glory in 2005 and is their most successful Test captain, but missed out on selection for the training squad for the 2009 series. And his omission from Yorkshire's squad for their Twenty20 match against Derbyshire on Sunday prompted Vaughan to discuss his future with the county.
Although he plays for Yorkshire, Vaughan is still under the control of a 12-month England and Wales Cricket Board central contract until the end of the summer.
Yorkshire chief executive Stewart Regan said: "We agreed with the ECB we would give Michael every opportunity to get selected for the Ashes squad.
VAUGHAN'S TEST CAREER
Tests: 82
Runs: 5,719
Average: 41.44
Centuries: 18
Fifties: 18
Highest: 197
Balls bowled: 978
Wickets: 6
Bowling Ave: 93.50
"When that didn't happen I think it then opened up a different set of thought processes over what happens next. He will discuss his future with his employers tomorrow and a press conference will be held on Tuesday." He continued: "Michael is employed by the ECB so he is unable to comment until after he has spoken to them and formalised the situation."
Regan insisted that Vaughan agreed with the decision to leave him out of the Yorkshire side. He added: "The plan was for him to play but given the news we discussed the situation and felt all the hype and speculation going on wouldn't have been in the team's interests."
Grayson said the emergence of a talented crop of young players at Headingley prompted Vaughan to consider his county future. "He said it's the right time to go," said Grayson, who batted alongside Vaughan on his first-class debut against Lancashire in 1993.
"He said there are some good young players coming through at Yorkshire and he does not want to hold them back."
Six years after his Yorkshire debut, Vaughan won his first Test cap in South Africa where his first innings was a baptism of fire as he went to the wicket with England 2-2 and soon after 2-4. In 2002/3 he rose to the top of the Test batting rankings after hitting three centuries during the Ashes series in Australia and was appointed England one-day captain at the start of the summer.
By mid-summer he had taken on the Test captaincy too, following Nasser Hussain's decision to step down, and after securing a 2-2 draw with the combative South Africans, Vaughan's England won six successive series, culminating in the epic 2005 Ashes victory. He missed the return series down under in 2006/7 with a debilitating knee injury and England were whitewashed 5-0 under the captaincy of Andrew Flintoff.
Vaughan was back for the 2007 World Cup campaign but gave up the one-day captaincy after England's elimination. He hoped to stay in the team in both forms of the game but was never chosen for the one-day side again.
Vaughan remained in charge of the Test side and made a century against the West Indies in his first innings for 18 months in May 2007, and also scored hundreds in home series against India and New Zealand. But his form subsequently declined and in the 2008 home series against South Africa he only scored 40 runs in five innings, including two ducks.
In August, Vaughan resigned the captaincy in an emotional press conference after his 51st match in charge, a total exceeded only by Mike Atherton. His record of 26 Test victories is the highest by any England skipper.
He vowed to score runs in abundance for Yorkshire and again insisted he wanted to continue at international level as a batsman.But he was unable to regain sufficient form to earn a recall, scoring only 41 runs in four Championship matches, and was not selected for the tours of India or the West Indies last winter, although he was included in the performance programme squad that toured the sub-continent.
This season, he has scored only 147 runs for Yorkshire in seven Championship innings, with a top score of 43 and with no apparent hope of an England return, may now opt to bring the curtain down on his career.
Vaughan's former England colleague, now a national selector, Ashley Giles, said Vaughan would leave a huge void if he did opt to call a halt to his playing career.
"I've heard nothing personally and we haven't as selectors, but it would be massive news," he said. "Vaughany's been a great servant to cricket, a good friend of mine and great player for England and a great captain so it would be a loss to the game but I'm sure he'd have plenty of options if that's what he decides to do.
"He treated everyone as a individual and believed that guys should express themselves and not have the fear of failure and gave us all a bucket load of confidence.
"It was crucial that everyone who came into the side felt comfortable, almost loved, and that way you go out and play your best cricket."
Jardine Verdict: Simple really, he was great batsman and a superb skipper. England cricket will be poorer for his retirement. 'Nuff said.
Ex-county team-mate Paul Grayson, now coach at Essex, said Vaughan had become disillusioned with four-day cricket. "You have to be really motivated to play county cricket and he felt he did not have the motivation to keep going," Grayson told BBC Sport.
Vaughan led England to Ashes glory in 2005 and is their most successful Test captain, but missed out on selection for the training squad for the 2009 series. And his omission from Yorkshire's squad for their Twenty20 match against Derbyshire on Sunday prompted Vaughan to discuss his future with the county.
Although he plays for Yorkshire, Vaughan is still under the control of a 12-month England and Wales Cricket Board central contract until the end of the summer.
Yorkshire chief executive Stewart Regan said: "We agreed with the ECB we would give Michael every opportunity to get selected for the Ashes squad.
VAUGHAN'S TEST CAREER
Tests: 82
Runs: 5,719
Average: 41.44
Centuries: 18
Fifties: 18
Highest: 197
Balls bowled: 978
Wickets: 6
Bowling Ave: 93.50
"When that didn't happen I think it then opened up a different set of thought processes over what happens next. He will discuss his future with his employers tomorrow and a press conference will be held on Tuesday." He continued: "Michael is employed by the ECB so he is unable to comment until after he has spoken to them and formalised the situation."
Regan insisted that Vaughan agreed with the decision to leave him out of the Yorkshire side. He added: "The plan was for him to play but given the news we discussed the situation and felt all the hype and speculation going on wouldn't have been in the team's interests."
Grayson said the emergence of a talented crop of young players at Headingley prompted Vaughan to consider his county future. "He said it's the right time to go," said Grayson, who batted alongside Vaughan on his first-class debut against Lancashire in 1993.
"He said there are some good young players coming through at Yorkshire and he does not want to hold them back."
Six years after his Yorkshire debut, Vaughan won his first Test cap in South Africa where his first innings was a baptism of fire as he went to the wicket with England 2-2 and soon after 2-4. In 2002/3 he rose to the top of the Test batting rankings after hitting three centuries during the Ashes series in Australia and was appointed England one-day captain at the start of the summer.
By mid-summer he had taken on the Test captaincy too, following Nasser Hussain's decision to step down, and after securing a 2-2 draw with the combative South Africans, Vaughan's England won six successive series, culminating in the epic 2005 Ashes victory. He missed the return series down under in 2006/7 with a debilitating knee injury and England were whitewashed 5-0 under the captaincy of Andrew Flintoff.
Vaughan was back for the 2007 World Cup campaign but gave up the one-day captaincy after England's elimination. He hoped to stay in the team in both forms of the game but was never chosen for the one-day side again.
Vaughan remained in charge of the Test side and made a century against the West Indies in his first innings for 18 months in May 2007, and also scored hundreds in home series against India and New Zealand. But his form subsequently declined and in the 2008 home series against South Africa he only scored 40 runs in five innings, including two ducks.
In August, Vaughan resigned the captaincy in an emotional press conference after his 51st match in charge, a total exceeded only by Mike Atherton. His record of 26 Test victories is the highest by any England skipper.
He vowed to score runs in abundance for Yorkshire and again insisted he wanted to continue at international level as a batsman.But he was unable to regain sufficient form to earn a recall, scoring only 41 runs in four Championship matches, and was not selected for the tours of India or the West Indies last winter, although he was included in the performance programme squad that toured the sub-continent.
This season, he has scored only 147 runs for Yorkshire in seven Championship innings, with a top score of 43 and with no apparent hope of an England return, may now opt to bring the curtain down on his career.
Vaughan's former England colleague, now a national selector, Ashley Giles, said Vaughan would leave a huge void if he did opt to call a halt to his playing career.
"I've heard nothing personally and we haven't as selectors, but it would be massive news," he said. "Vaughany's been a great servant to cricket, a good friend of mine and great player for England and a great captain so it would be a loss to the game but I'm sure he'd have plenty of options if that's what he decides to do.
"He treated everyone as a individual and believed that guys should express themselves and not have the fear of failure and gave us all a bucket load of confidence.
"It was crucial that everyone who came into the side felt comfortable, almost loved, and that way you go out and play your best cricket."
Jardine Verdict: Simple really, he was great batsman and a superb skipper. England cricket will be poorer for his retirement. 'Nuff said.
Sussex scare Australia rigid
Ashes Tour - Day 4 Hove
Australia were denied a confidence-boosting win ahead of the Ashes series as Carl Hopkinson earned a draw for Sussex in the tour match at Hove.Hopkinson claimed the only century of the match as Sussex made a decent attempt of chasing the 418 off 92 overs they needed for victory. The 27-year-old eventually fell to Ben Hilfenhaus for 115.
The home side refused to throw in the towel after his dismissal but they ended up short, closing on 373-7. Sussex started well as they chased their target, Mike Yardy and Chris Nash putting on 87 runs in 24 overs. Yardy raced to his 50 off just 55 balls with 10 boundaries and Nash was just starting to accelerate when he sliced a drive to backward point off Peter Siddle for 27.
By lunch Australia skipper Ricky Ponting was using both of his spinners on the dry, turning pitch and it was Marcus North who claimed the wicket of Yardy - who reached 67 before pushing the ball to Michael Clarke at slip. Paceman Brett Lee struggled with over-stepping but he did remove Rory Hamilton-Brown leg before for one while Hopkinson hit his 50 with his third six off North.
Sussex began the final session needing 181 but Hopkinson and Luke Wright continued to attack in a stand of 81 in 13 overs. The mark is a new fifth-wicket Sussex record in this fixture, beating the 72 put on by Tony Greig and Peter Kirsten in 1975.
Hopkinson was spared on 69 when Ponting dropped a straightforward catch off Hauritz but the spinner finally took his first wicket in the next over when Wright deflected a glance onto leg stump.
Hopkinson, who has not played a Championship game for the county this season, reached his hundred by coming down the pitch to drive North through the leg side for his 12th four and was eventually caught behind trying to run a delivery from Hilfenhaus down to third man.
The first Ashes Test between England and Australia begins in Cardiff on 8 July and the boys from The Jardine Report will be there to bring you up to date reports - Assuming the internet connection works!
Jardine Verdict: A great performance by Sussex who so nearly clocked up their second consecutive victory against the Aussies. An inauspicious start for Hauritz.
Australia were denied a confidence-boosting win ahead of the Ashes series as Carl Hopkinson earned a draw for Sussex in the tour match at Hove.Hopkinson claimed the only century of the match as Sussex made a decent attempt of chasing the 418 off 92 overs they needed for victory. The 27-year-old eventually fell to Ben Hilfenhaus for 115.
The home side refused to throw in the towel after his dismissal but they ended up short, closing on 373-7. Sussex started well as they chased their target, Mike Yardy and Chris Nash putting on 87 runs in 24 overs. Yardy raced to his 50 off just 55 balls with 10 boundaries and Nash was just starting to accelerate when he sliced a drive to backward point off Peter Siddle for 27.
By lunch Australia skipper Ricky Ponting was using both of his spinners on the dry, turning pitch and it was Marcus North who claimed the wicket of Yardy - who reached 67 before pushing the ball to Michael Clarke at slip. Paceman Brett Lee struggled with over-stepping but he did remove Rory Hamilton-Brown leg before for one while Hopkinson hit his 50 with his third six off North.
Sussex began the final session needing 181 but Hopkinson and Luke Wright continued to attack in a stand of 81 in 13 overs. The mark is a new fifth-wicket Sussex record in this fixture, beating the 72 put on by Tony Greig and Peter Kirsten in 1975.
Hopkinson was spared on 69 when Ponting dropped a straightforward catch off Hauritz but the spinner finally took his first wicket in the next over when Wright deflected a glance onto leg stump.
Hopkinson, who has not played a Championship game for the county this season, reached his hundred by coming down the pitch to drive North through the leg side for his 12th four and was eventually caught behind trying to run a delivery from Hilfenhaus down to third man.
The first Ashes Test between England and Australia begins in Cardiff on 8 July and the boys from The Jardine Report will be there to bring you up to date reports - Assuming the internet connection works!
Jardine Verdict: A great performance by Sussex who so nearly clocked up their second consecutive victory against the Aussies. An inauspicious start for Hauritz.
Thursday, 25 June 2009
Sussex put Aussies on the back foot
Ashes Tour - Sussex v Australia Day One
Australian tail-enders Brett Lee and Nathan Hauritz struggled to keep Australia in the game against Sussex on day one of the first match of their Ashes tour at Hove. The tourists lost opener Phil Hughes (15) and captain Ricky Ponting (8) early on as they slipped to 114-5.
But Michael Clarke (45) and Brad Haddin (69) staged a minor recovery before Lee (47no) and Hauritz (65no) took the score to 349-7 at the close.
South African seamer Pepler Sandri was the star for Sussex as he took 3-73. The debutant quickly removed opener Hughes, who has had a hotly disputed stint at Middlesex earlier this summer. The self styled New Bradman had his middle stump uprooted after making 15 from 26 deliveries.
Sour-faced Aussie skipper Ponting punched two backfoot strokes to the boundary in front of nearly 6,000 staunch Sussex supporters. The Hove crowd, justifiably acknowledged as the most discerning cricket spectators in the world. Were delighted to see Ponting edge a Luke Wright ball to keeper Andrew Hodd before Simon Katich and Michael Hussey stabilised the innings with a third-wicket stand of 65.
However, Katich then fell to Sandri one short of his half-century and his dismissal prompted the loss of three wickets for one run in the space of 10 balls as he was joined in the pavilion by Hussey and Marcus North. Australia were on their knees at 114-5 but Michael 'Pretty boy' Clarke and keeper Haddin brought some resilience to the middle order.
Haddin was in attacking mood and hit three sixes and seven fours in his 69 before holing out to Sandri off Ollie Rayner's bowling. Rayner then followed up the wicket by snaring Clarke caught and bowled as the Aussies again stuttered at 232-7 against what was mainly a Sussex second XI
Former Test quick Brett Lee and spinner Hauritz gave a some late authority to the Aussie innings. Hauritz reached his 50 first and hit 12 fours as he reached a beligerent 65 by the close, while Lee struck a six and five fours to reach 47 in an unbroken stand of 117 as Australia ended the day some way short of their expectations.
The first Test against England starts in Cardiff on 8 July and Haddin knows the Australia team have plenty of room for improvement.
"I think Sussex bowled quite well and put the ball in some good areas early on then, in the afternoon, they had a couple of good spinners going in tandem," said Haddin.
The wicket-keeper also commented that he'd heard "this pitch compares a lot to Cardiff". It is good to see that misinformation is alive and well at this stage of the tour.
Jardine Verdict: For the best team in the world this has to be an encouraging start against farily average opponents although Sussex will be disappointed not to have polished off the visitors tail. Australia on the other hand will be somewhat dismayed at the failure of their middle order. Day One - Sussex on Points
Australian tail-enders Brett Lee and Nathan Hauritz struggled to keep Australia in the game against Sussex on day one of the first match of their Ashes tour at Hove. The tourists lost opener Phil Hughes (15) and captain Ricky Ponting (8) early on as they slipped to 114-5.
But Michael Clarke (45) and Brad Haddin (69) staged a minor recovery before Lee (47no) and Hauritz (65no) took the score to 349-7 at the close.
South African seamer Pepler Sandri was the star for Sussex as he took 3-73. The debutant quickly removed opener Hughes, who has had a hotly disputed stint at Middlesex earlier this summer. The self styled New Bradman had his middle stump uprooted after making 15 from 26 deliveries.
Sour-faced Aussie skipper Ponting punched two backfoot strokes to the boundary in front of nearly 6,000 staunch Sussex supporters. The Hove crowd, justifiably acknowledged as the most discerning cricket spectators in the world. Were delighted to see Ponting edge a Luke Wright ball to keeper Andrew Hodd before Simon Katich and Michael Hussey stabilised the innings with a third-wicket stand of 65.
However, Katich then fell to Sandri one short of his half-century and his dismissal prompted the loss of three wickets for one run in the space of 10 balls as he was joined in the pavilion by Hussey and Marcus North. Australia were on their knees at 114-5 but Michael 'Pretty boy' Clarke and keeper Haddin brought some resilience to the middle order.
Haddin was in attacking mood and hit three sixes and seven fours in his 69 before holing out to Sandri off Ollie Rayner's bowling. Rayner then followed up the wicket by snaring Clarke caught and bowled as the Aussies again stuttered at 232-7 against what was mainly a Sussex second XI
Former Test quick Brett Lee and spinner Hauritz gave a some late authority to the Aussie innings. Hauritz reached his 50 first and hit 12 fours as he reached a beligerent 65 by the close, while Lee struck a six and five fours to reach 47 in an unbroken stand of 117 as Australia ended the day some way short of their expectations.
The first Test against England starts in Cardiff on 8 July and Haddin knows the Australia team have plenty of room for improvement.
"I think Sussex bowled quite well and put the ball in some good areas early on then, in the afternoon, they had a couple of good spinners going in tandem," said Haddin.
The wicket-keeper also commented that he'd heard "this pitch compares a lot to Cardiff". It is good to see that misinformation is alive and well at this stage of the tour.
Jardine Verdict: For the best team in the world this has to be an encouraging start against farily average opponents although Sussex will be disappointed not to have polished off the visitors tail. Australia on the other hand will be somewhat dismayed at the failure of their middle order. Day One - Sussex on Points
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
T20 World Cup
Blink and it's gone
So, Pakistan prevailed in the second world T20 which evens up the local tally and must give some genuine encouragement for the PCB despite the lack of home international matches.
Pakistan won the ICC World Twenty20 in an exciting finish at a noisy Lord's when Sri Lanka's total of 138-6 was overhauled with eight balls remaining. Shahid Afridi, man of the match in the semi-final, was again the hero, hitting 54 not out from 40 balls to steer Pakistan to an eight-wicket win.
Having chosen to bat, Sri Lanka lost star batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan in the first over and were soon 2-2. Kumar Sangakkara's 64 gave them hope but Pakistan paced their chase well.
Sri Lanka had progressed through the tournament smoothly, winning all their matches and relying on the brilliant batting of Dilshan and some superb bowling led by Ajantha Mendis.
But on the grand stage, both their leading players fluffed their lines, and Pakistan ruthlessly seized the initiative.
Pakistan had lost two of their first three matches and needed a win against the Netherlands just to make the last eight. But they turned a corner when thrashing New Zealand - from which point they never looked back.
They began the final in ideal fashion, with a wicket-maiden from 17-year-old sensation Mohammad Aamer.
It wasn't just any wicket-maiden - a rare event indeed in this format. The fact that the tournament's leading run-scorer Dilshan had been dismissed made Aamer's over extra special.
Dlishan craves deliveries on a good length so he can sweep and drive, but keeping the ball short and straight, Aamer bowled four dot-balls then enticed a top-edged pull to short fine-leg.
Pakistan began superbly with the ball at Lord's, and kept it going
The wicket seemed to scare Sri Lanka's other batsmen, who had not enjoyed particularly good tournaments, and it was the fast-medium bowler Abdul Razzaq who reaped the rewards.
Jehan Mubarak, promoted up the order, skied a catch into the off-side, Sanath Jayasuriya crashed a six and two fours but then dragged one on, before Mahela Jayawardene edged an attempted late-cut to slip.
Sangakkara and Chamara Silva had a major repair operation on their hands, coming together with the score 32-4 in 5.3 overs. They put on 35 from 36 balls which at least stopped the rot, but the arrival of Umar Gul dented Sri Lanka's renaissance.
Silva mistimed a pull to midwicket and Isuru Udana swished and missed the last two balls of a fine over. It got even better for Pakistan when Afridi bowled Udana to leave the score 70-6 from 13 overs.
Finally, some positive running between the wickets from Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews saw nine runs come off a Saeed Ajmal over and then Gul, so brilliant in Pakistan's last three victories, suddenly lost his length and was hammered for 14 in an over.
Mathews played his part too, clubbing a couple of boundaries on the on-side before tucking into the final over, bowled by Aamer.
The decision to give the teenager the final over looked a questionable one, and with Mathews flaying a boundary through the slips and muscling a six through the on-side 17 more precious runs came Sri Lanka's way.
Pakistan's chase was given impetus by Kamran Akmal, who hit big leg-side sixes off both Mendis and Mathews to take his team to a very respectable 48-0 from seven overs.
Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka's sixth bowler, then immediately had Akmal stumped, but the other opener Shahzaib Hasan, who had been so quiet, drilled consecutive boundaries off Mendis, the mystery spinner who Pakistan were playing so well.
When he fell to Muttiah Muralitharan, the required rate hit eight an over, but Pakistan still had eight wickets in hand and just 64 more runs were required.
Afridi, who had had time to play himself in, now hit Muralitharan into the Tavern Stand and then launched him over wide mid-off for four.
That made Pakistan hot favourites, but just 16 runs came off the next three overs, so 26 were still wanted from 18 balls. But Afridi, with Shoaib Malik playing a quiet role in support, now smashed Udana for six over midwicket and pulled him past fine-leg for four more, leaving an easy seven runs needed from the last two overs.
Jardine's Verdict: A deserved win for Pakistan and hopefully the first step for them back to complete international acceptance.
So, Pakistan prevailed in the second world T20 which evens up the local tally and must give some genuine encouragement for the PCB despite the lack of home international matches.
Pakistan won the ICC World Twenty20 in an exciting finish at a noisy Lord's when Sri Lanka's total of 138-6 was overhauled with eight balls remaining. Shahid Afridi, man of the match in the semi-final, was again the hero, hitting 54 not out from 40 balls to steer Pakistan to an eight-wicket win.
Having chosen to bat, Sri Lanka lost star batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan in the first over and were soon 2-2. Kumar Sangakkara's 64 gave them hope but Pakistan paced their chase well.
Sri Lanka had progressed through the tournament smoothly, winning all their matches and relying on the brilliant batting of Dilshan and some superb bowling led by Ajantha Mendis.
But on the grand stage, both their leading players fluffed their lines, and Pakistan ruthlessly seized the initiative.
Pakistan had lost two of their first three matches and needed a win against the Netherlands just to make the last eight. But they turned a corner when thrashing New Zealand - from which point they never looked back.
They began the final in ideal fashion, with a wicket-maiden from 17-year-old sensation Mohammad Aamer.
It wasn't just any wicket-maiden - a rare event indeed in this format. The fact that the tournament's leading run-scorer Dilshan had been dismissed made Aamer's over extra special.
Dlishan craves deliveries on a good length so he can sweep and drive, but keeping the ball short and straight, Aamer bowled four dot-balls then enticed a top-edged pull to short fine-leg.
Pakistan began superbly with the ball at Lord's, and kept it going
The wicket seemed to scare Sri Lanka's other batsmen, who had not enjoyed particularly good tournaments, and it was the fast-medium bowler Abdul Razzaq who reaped the rewards.
Jehan Mubarak, promoted up the order, skied a catch into the off-side, Sanath Jayasuriya crashed a six and two fours but then dragged one on, before Mahela Jayawardene edged an attempted late-cut to slip.
Sangakkara and Chamara Silva had a major repair operation on their hands, coming together with the score 32-4 in 5.3 overs. They put on 35 from 36 balls which at least stopped the rot, but the arrival of Umar Gul dented Sri Lanka's renaissance.
Silva mistimed a pull to midwicket and Isuru Udana swished and missed the last two balls of a fine over. It got even better for Pakistan when Afridi bowled Udana to leave the score 70-6 from 13 overs.
Finally, some positive running between the wickets from Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews saw nine runs come off a Saeed Ajmal over and then Gul, so brilliant in Pakistan's last three victories, suddenly lost his length and was hammered for 14 in an over.
Mathews played his part too, clubbing a couple of boundaries on the on-side before tucking into the final over, bowled by Aamer.
The decision to give the teenager the final over looked a questionable one, and with Mathews flaying a boundary through the slips and muscling a six through the on-side 17 more precious runs came Sri Lanka's way.
Pakistan's chase was given impetus by Kamran Akmal, who hit big leg-side sixes off both Mendis and Mathews to take his team to a very respectable 48-0 from seven overs.
Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka's sixth bowler, then immediately had Akmal stumped, but the other opener Shahzaib Hasan, who had been so quiet, drilled consecutive boundaries off Mendis, the mystery spinner who Pakistan were playing so well.
When he fell to Muttiah Muralitharan, the required rate hit eight an over, but Pakistan still had eight wickets in hand and just 64 more runs were required.
Afridi, who had had time to play himself in, now hit Muralitharan into the Tavern Stand and then launched him over wide mid-off for four.
That made Pakistan hot favourites, but just 16 runs came off the next three overs, so 26 were still wanted from 18 balls. But Afridi, with Shoaib Malik playing a quiet role in support, now smashed Udana for six over midwicket and pulled him past fine-leg for four more, leaving an easy seven runs needed from the last two overs.
Jardine's Verdict: A deserved win for Pakistan and hopefully the first step for them back to complete international acceptance.
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
What do Bangaldesh, Scotland & Australia have in common?
They are all out of the World Cup
Group Stage First Round
ICC World Twenty20 2009: Group A
P W L T N/R R/R Pts
1 India 1 1 0 0 0 1.25 2.0
2 Ireland 1 1 0 0 0 0.68 2.0
3 Bangladesh 2 0 2 0 0 -1.0 0.0
ICC World Twenty20 2009: Group B
P W L T N/R R/R Pts
1 England 2 1 1 0 0 1.18 2.0
2 Netherlands 1 1 0 0 0 0.05 2.0
3 Pakistan 1 0 1 0 0 -2.4 0.0
ICC World Twenty20 2009: Group C
P W L T N/R R/R Pts
1 West Indies 1 1 0 0 0 2.41 2.0
2 Sri Lanka 1 1 0 0 0 0.47 2.0
3 Australia 2 0 2 0 0 -1.33 0.0
ICC World Twenty20 2009: Group D
P W L T N/R R/R Pts
1 South Africa 1 1 0 0 0 6.5 2.0
2 New Zealand 1 1 0 0 0 2.29 2.0
3 Scotland 2 0 2 0 0 -5.28 0.0
Group Stage First Round
ICC World Twenty20 2009: Group A
P W L T N/R R/R Pts
1 India 1 1 0 0 0 1.25 2.0
2 Ireland 1 1 0 0 0 0.68 2.0
3 Bangladesh 2 0 2 0 0 -1.0 0.0
ICC World Twenty20 2009: Group B
P W L T N/R R/R Pts
1 England 2 1 1 0 0 1.18 2.0
2 Netherlands 1 1 0 0 0 0.05 2.0
3 Pakistan 1 0 1 0 0 -2.4 0.0
ICC World Twenty20 2009: Group C
P W L T N/R R/R Pts
1 West Indies 1 1 0 0 0 2.41 2.0
2 Sri Lanka 1 1 0 0 0 0.47 2.0
3 Australia 2 0 2 0 0 -1.33 0.0
ICC World Twenty20 2009: Group D
P W L T N/R R/R Pts
1 South Africa 1 1 0 0 0 6.5 2.0
2 New Zealand 1 1 0 0 0 2.29 2.0
3 Scotland 2 0 2 0 0 -5.28 0.0
Ooops - No. 2
The Aussies are out of the 20/20 World Cup
BBC Reports...
Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan hit brilliant half-centuries as Sri Lanka dumped Australia out of the ICC World Twenty20 at Trent Bridge.
Sri Lanka put the Aussies in, and only some determined batting from their tailenders got them up to 159-9.
Spinner Ajantha Mendis tied most of the Aussies in knots, taking 3-20.
And a wide from the first ball of the final over, bowled by Mitchell Johnson, condemned Australia to their second heavy defeat in this tournament.
Having been blown away by Chris Gayle at The Oval, the move up the M1 to Nottingham brought no less misery for Ricky Ponting's men.
His team now have two empty weeks in Leicester before moving down to Sussex for their first tour match before the Ashes.
Afterwards Ponting told BBC Sport: "If you're a little bit off in this game, you pay for it. "Now we have to move on as quickly as possible and focus on the Ashes."
Australia had their moments in this match, but their specialist batting and their seam bowling was again a major let-down, and that is bound to concern Ponting.
During the early exchanges, Shane Watson hit debutant Isuru Udana for two fours and a six, then Ricky Ponting took advantage of a wayward opening over from Lasith Malinga, taking him for three fours.
That left Australia in good shape at 47-1 from just five overs. But they scored at just half that pace over the following 10 overs while losing five more wickets.
Sangakkara kept shuffling his bowlers around, but it was Mendis who did most of the damage.
Ponting was bowled as he backed away to leg, Watson was lbw on the sweep and David Hussey also fell lbw as Mendis's unusual spin-bowling wreaked havoc.
But Australia were then helped by two big overs. Johnson climbed into Muttiah Muralitharan's final set of six, hitting him for two sixes and a four.
Udana's final over included the wicket of David Hussey, but it also cost 18 - including a four and a six off the bat of Brett Lee.
And although two more wickets fell in the final over, bowled by Malinga, Australia's tailenders somehow scrambled 12 more runs off it with two lucky deflections for four.
So despite being in terrible trouble at 94-6 after 15 overs, a haul of 65 runs from the last five had hauled them back into the contest at the halfway stage.
Johnson ended up with 28 not out off just 13 balls, a contribution that gave him and his fellow bowlers a bit of momentum as Sri Lanka's chase started.
However, Sri Lanka's batsman took the initiative back again, despite losing Sanath Jayasuriya to a fine David Warner catch at deep square-leg.
Dilshan (53) was in a hurry, cutting, pulling and driving the seamers - almost at will - and Sangakkara.
He gave Watson plenty of grief, but was finally undone by Clarke's first delivery, which turned and trimmed his bails.
That left Mahela Jayawardene to continue the fight with Sangakkara (55 not out), but the pair were made to work for their singles as they dealt with Clarke and the other spinner Nathan Hauritz.
Just as had happened with Australia's innings, the runs dried up alarmingly, and from having needed barely seven an over the required rate went up to nine, with the out-of-sorts Jayawardene holing out off Hauritz into the bargain.
That was the cue for Sangakkara to hoist Hauritz for two effortless sixes, one swept the other driven straight, as though to demonstrate he had been toying with the Sri Lankan fans all along.
He remained coolness personified, sweeping Nathan Bracken past the short fine-leg for four more to reach his fifty.
Jehan Mubarak's six in the penultimate over off Lee - who again proved so expensive - eased the tension completely.
And it was a tame way for Australia to go out of the tournament when Johnson slid one down the leg-side.
A delighted Sangakkara said: "It was a great performance. When you play against Australia the key is to believe you can win.
"Our strength has always been spin bowling and we played two guys whom the Australians haven't seen much of. So their batsmen couldn't really target one single bowler."
Jardine's Verdict: Whilst there but for the grace of God and all that, it is still bloody funny!
BBC Reports...
Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan hit brilliant half-centuries as Sri Lanka dumped Australia out of the ICC World Twenty20 at Trent Bridge.
Sri Lanka put the Aussies in, and only some determined batting from their tailenders got them up to 159-9.
Spinner Ajantha Mendis tied most of the Aussies in knots, taking 3-20.
And a wide from the first ball of the final over, bowled by Mitchell Johnson, condemned Australia to their second heavy defeat in this tournament.
Having been blown away by Chris Gayle at The Oval, the move up the M1 to Nottingham brought no less misery for Ricky Ponting's men.
His team now have two empty weeks in Leicester before moving down to Sussex for their first tour match before the Ashes.
Afterwards Ponting told BBC Sport: "If you're a little bit off in this game, you pay for it. "Now we have to move on as quickly as possible and focus on the Ashes."
Australia had their moments in this match, but their specialist batting and their seam bowling was again a major let-down, and that is bound to concern Ponting.
During the early exchanges, Shane Watson hit debutant Isuru Udana for two fours and a six, then Ricky Ponting took advantage of a wayward opening over from Lasith Malinga, taking him for three fours.
That left Australia in good shape at 47-1 from just five overs. But they scored at just half that pace over the following 10 overs while losing five more wickets.
Sangakkara kept shuffling his bowlers around, but it was Mendis who did most of the damage.
Ponting was bowled as he backed away to leg, Watson was lbw on the sweep and David Hussey also fell lbw as Mendis's unusual spin-bowling wreaked havoc.
But Australia were then helped by two big overs. Johnson climbed into Muttiah Muralitharan's final set of six, hitting him for two sixes and a four.
Udana's final over included the wicket of David Hussey, but it also cost 18 - including a four and a six off the bat of Brett Lee.
And although two more wickets fell in the final over, bowled by Malinga, Australia's tailenders somehow scrambled 12 more runs off it with two lucky deflections for four.
So despite being in terrible trouble at 94-6 after 15 overs, a haul of 65 runs from the last five had hauled them back into the contest at the halfway stage.
Johnson ended up with 28 not out off just 13 balls, a contribution that gave him and his fellow bowlers a bit of momentum as Sri Lanka's chase started.
However, Sri Lanka's batsman took the initiative back again, despite losing Sanath Jayasuriya to a fine David Warner catch at deep square-leg.
Dilshan (53) was in a hurry, cutting, pulling and driving the seamers - almost at will - and Sangakkara.
He gave Watson plenty of grief, but was finally undone by Clarke's first delivery, which turned and trimmed his bails.
That left Mahela Jayawardene to continue the fight with Sangakkara (55 not out), but the pair were made to work for their singles as they dealt with Clarke and the other spinner Nathan Hauritz.
Just as had happened with Australia's innings, the runs dried up alarmingly, and from having needed barely seven an over the required rate went up to nine, with the out-of-sorts Jayawardene holing out off Hauritz into the bargain.
That was the cue for Sangakkara to hoist Hauritz for two effortless sixes, one swept the other driven straight, as though to demonstrate he had been toying with the Sri Lankan fans all along.
He remained coolness personified, sweeping Nathan Bracken past the short fine-leg for four more to reach his fifty.
Jehan Mubarak's six in the penultimate over off Lee - who again proved so expensive - eased the tension completely.
And it was a tame way for Australia to go out of the tournament when Johnson slid one down the leg-side.
A delighted Sangakkara said: "It was a great performance. When you play against Australia the key is to believe you can win.
"Our strength has always been spin bowling and we played two guys whom the Australians haven't seen much of. So their batsmen couldn't really target one single bowler."
Jardine's Verdict: Whilst there but for the grace of God and all that, it is still bloody funny!
Saturday, 6 June 2009
Friday, 5 June 2009
Thursday, 4 June 2009
Symonds Sent Home - Again!
He's going home, he's going home, he's going, Symo's going home!
Australia have sent Andrew Symonds home from the World Twenty20 tournament in England for disciplinary reasons after less than 10 days in Blighty!
Cricket Australia said the controversial all-rounder had been dismissed after breaking team rules relating to alcohol and other issues. The 33-year-old, who had returned to the Australia set-up after a spell out because of disciplinary issues, was absent from training on Thursday.
Symonds had already been left out of Australia's 16-man Ashes squad. The incident is the latest in a long line of off-field misdemeanours involving the Queensland player and will be a major blow to Ricky Ponting who publicly backed Symonds for an Ashes spot as well as to play a major role in the 20/20 World Cup.
In January, he was fined by Cricket Australia over a remark he made in a radio interview and he has a history of drinking related problems, stretching back to 2005. In August 2008, he was been sent home from Australia's one-day squad to play Bangladesh in Darwin after missing a compulsory team meeting to go fishing.
Jardine's Verdict: A disaster waiting to happen? Or the sad demise of a gifted cricketer? A mix of the two most probably. However, the news is a real blow for Aussie hopes but also shows a tough no-nonsense managerial approach. Barmen the length and breadth of Britain will be reeling!
Australia have sent Andrew Symonds home from the World Twenty20 tournament in England for disciplinary reasons after less than 10 days in Blighty!
Cricket Australia said the controversial all-rounder had been dismissed after breaking team rules relating to alcohol and other issues. The 33-year-old, who had returned to the Australia set-up after a spell out because of disciplinary issues, was absent from training on Thursday.
Symonds had already been left out of Australia's 16-man Ashes squad. The incident is the latest in a long line of off-field misdemeanours involving the Queensland player and will be a major blow to Ricky Ponting who publicly backed Symonds for an Ashes spot as well as to play a major role in the 20/20 World Cup.
In January, he was fined by Cricket Australia over a remark he made in a radio interview and he has a history of drinking related problems, stretching back to 2005. In August 2008, he was been sent home from Australia's one-day squad to play Bangladesh in Darwin after missing a compulsory team meeting to go fishing.
Jardine's Verdict: A disaster waiting to happen? Or the sad demise of a gifted cricketer? A mix of the two most probably. However, the news is a real blow for Aussie hopes but also shows a tough no-nonsense managerial approach. Barmen the length and breadth of Britain will be reeling!
Thursday, 21 May 2009
JM96*
That's Johnny Miller 96 Not Out to you son!
Born in Eastbourne, under the manic gaze of David 'Billy' Cotton. Initially just a cut and paste job, with the infamous "Best thing to come out of Eastbourne since the A22" strapline. It soon spread the length and breadth of cricketing Britain, standing firm against the reactionary cricket press. At one time it sold more copies per month than Wisden Cricket monthly and The Cricketer. The home for a more irreverent style of cricket journalism, which fairly soon migrated over to the broadsheets. Tim de Lisle, Gideon Haigh, Matthew Loukes, Alastair Maclellan and Andy Franks all contributed regular pieces for JM96*.
Banned from a number of county shops (Well Essex and Yorkshire at least), JM96*'s final hour was undoubtedly the Devon Malcolm cover which featured the White Ignorant Stupid Despicable Evil Nazis cover line as commentary on the Henderson/Wisden Cricket Monthly race case that had just been settled.
JM96* was years ahead of it's time, they were the champions of two divisional county cricket, increased number of overseas players and 20/20 cricket. Sometimes controversial, often funny and always passionate about cricket. Johnny Miller was the home for all who loved the game, sometimes played it but were amused and annoyed at the same time about the pomposity of the county commitees.
Sadly JM96* faded away under new ownership and a new banner 'Inside Edge'. However, there are still pockets of resistance and the spirit of Johnny lives on in the Barmy Army, Monty Panesar and of course The Jardine Report! So, do feel free to chip in anytime...
This is no laughing matter
Shoaib to miss ICC World Twenty20
According to various reports Shoaib Akhtar has been withdrawn from Pakistan's squad for the World Twenty20 because of a genital infection.
The fast bowler, 33, was due to join the 15-man squad for a six-day training camp last week but was advised to rest.
"We have pulled him out of the World Twenty20 on the basis of a medical report," said a spokesman for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Pakistan have asked the International Cricket Council if they can name a replacement player for the tournament.
A PCB press release stated that a medical board had assessed the paceman, that he had undergone electrofulguration - a surgical procedure to destroy tissue by electric current - and will be reassessed in the first week of June.
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