IV Thursday 16th February, 2006 The holes in Australia’s World Cup blueprint matches, soft spots have been the new ball and did not trou- revealed. Certainly the sight ble the batsmen again until Ponting’s team lacks a pace of the hitherto obscure they started to lash out. Apart Russel Arnold and the from Lee, none of those pres- back-up for Lee and its top- admirable Kumar ent can produce that searing Sangakkara carting the bowl- spell or that deadly delivery order batting is unconvincing, ing around on an admittedly that can turn a match on its flat pitch in Brisbane did lit- head. None of the fast-medi- writes Peter Roebuck. tle to instil confidence in the um men was threatening once bowling. As has been the case the ball had been softened. throughout their visit, the Sri None has that extra yard of February 15, 2006: At opponents examine every Lankans played with the pace or surprise delivery that 11.00 am today the smoke will part of a team, searching for utmost pluck but stiffer chal- upsets an innings. Strong clear and the list of players weakness. Australia has sev- lenges await. England, teams contain a collection of chosen to wear the bright yel- eral vulnerable areas that Pakistan, New Zealand and match-winners with bat and low and green in the forth- demand attention or else the India will have watched the ball. Omitting Brad Hogg coming one-day encounters in World Cup will be lost before match with interest. proved to be a mistake. South Africa will be named. it has begun. On this evidence, Ponting Australia was sustained by Debate has raged about the No one watching the third brilliant work in the field. make-up of the party, with Also, the top order batting names being thrown around has been patchy.Australia has like plates at a Greek wed- Watson, Johnson named for plenty of power in the middle ding. Most of the squad could and a vibrant opening pair be chosen by Aunt Ethel down would put the cherry on the the road. Ricky Ponting’s Australian tour of South Africa cake. Adam Gilchrist and FRANCE: Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning against Belgiam’s Olivier Rochus during team has, at its core, a group SYDNEY, Feb 15, 2006 (AFP) - Allrounder Shane Watson and Simon Katich are a well-bal- their Marseille ATP tournament first round tennis match, 14 February 2006 at the Palais des of superb limited-overs crick- left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson were Wednesday named to anced pair who enjoy batting Sports in Marseille. Nadal won 4-6, 6-2, 7-5. (AFP) eters whose consistency and Australia’s 14-man one-day international team to tour South Africa. together but Katich fielded versatility was a notable fea- They replaced allrounder James Hopes and bowler Brett Dorey, poorly and may not be quite ture of this season’s one-day who were Tuesday part of the victorious Australian team to win the good enough to hold his posi- competition. triangular series against Sri Lanka and South Africa. tion. After all, Australia has No team containing not faced incisive pace bowl- Nadal signals return to action Ponting, Michael Clarke, The omission of pace bowler Glenn McGrath had been expected ing this season. Apart from Andrew Symonds, Michael after he ruled himself out of the first part of the South African tour Chaminda Vaas and Shaun Hussey and Brett Lee need while he remains in Australia with his wife as she undergoes treat- Pollock, veterans who could fear any opponent. Ponting is ment for cancer. with victory in Marseille keep and line and length an outstanding batsman capa- Watson is returning to the side after surgery for a shoulder injury wearing a blindfold, the ble of producing exactly the sustained during a match against the West Indies in November while MARSEILLE, France, Feb 14, 2006 Rochus went a set ahead. opposing attacks have been right innings. He is also the Johnson has been given another chance to impress after playing in (AFP) - Top seed Rafael Nadal of Spain Nadal found his rhythm in the sec- undemanding. best fieldsman in the world the Chappell-Hadlee Series in New Zealand in December. signalled his return to competition ond set and managed to impose his Whatever team is with a 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 victory over Belgian impressive physical presence on the and has been for a decade. Opening bat Phil Jaques has again missed out on selection Others may match him in the despite belting 94 runs on his debut, and only appearance, for the announced this morning, it is Olivier Rochus in the 600,000-dollar match, winning five consecutive games hard to believe that the sifting ATP tournament here on Tuesday. to win the set 6-2 and level the match. outfield and around the bat; Australian one-day team. none is as gifted in both areas. “We have picked what we consider a well-balanced squad. There process has been completed. Nadal, who had been out of action He went ahead 2-0 in the final set but Obviously it is important to for four months with an injury to his Rochus hit back with two breaks of Clarke is an athletic fields- is a good blend of youth and experience in the team for what prom- man, has a fine range of ises to be a challenging series,” chairman of the national selection develop a regular team so that left foot, said he wanted to make the serve and even had a match point in the spirit can grow and players most of the match to get back into the 10th game which Nadal saved with his strokes and his slowies can be panel Trevor Hohns said. can look forward and not over rhythm of competitive play and he suc- first ace of the match. Nadal however handy when the fur is flying. Australia will first play a Twenty20 match in Johannesburg on their shoulders, but it is even ceeded in his objective. won the set 7-5 on his first match point. Symonds is a feared striker February 24 followed by five one-day internationals beginning more crucial that the right “It was a hard match. Rochus played Rochus said afterwards: “What is of the ball, a versatile bowler February 26. and magnificent fieldsman cricketers are chosen. very well and was aggressive right from incredible about Nadal is his winning Australia - Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Nathan whose throwing and catching Fortunately the selectors the start,” said world number two mentality which allows him to win even Bracken, Michael Clarke, Stuart Clark, Brad Hogg, Michael Hussey, were seen at their best at the still have plenty of time to Nadal who admitted he felt tired after- when he is not at his best.” Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Mick Lewis, Damien Gabba yesterday. Lee has led find the right combination. wards. Nadal will meet Frenchman Gilles Martyn, Shane Watson, Andrew Symonds. the attack tirelessly and he Besides trips to Africa and Far from being a lacklustre oppo- Simon, who beat Finland’s Jarkko has been unlucky not to take Bangladesh, and a one-day nent for Nadal’s return, the 25-year-old Nieminen on Monday, in the second more wickets. Hussey is the tournament in India, the Rochus pushed the 19-year-old prodigy round. does not have enough wicket- batsman of the summer. His final in Brisbane would be team will play about 237 one- right to the limit in the almost two-and- Britain’s former US Open runner-up takers under his command. contributions have been out- convinced that Australia has day matches next summer as a-half hour match. Greg Rusedski won his first round Sri Lanka’s batting lacks the standing. found a combination of play- Cricket Australia tries to In the first set, Nadal made a number match against home hope Nicolas authority seen in days of yore These five cricketers have ers capable of winning a long exhaust its team before send- of unforced errors, and, with Rochus Thomann 6-3, 6-2. And third seed and a few early wickets can stood out all summer. It is campaign in the West Indies. ing it to defend the game’s winning points with enterprising play Nikolay Davydenko of Russia knocked herald a collapse. Here around the fringes that the Although Ponting and compa- most prestigious trophy. at the net, it was not a surprise when out the other Rochus, Cristophe, 6-1, 6-2. Australia struck twice with complications arise. Strong ny have won most of their (The Age) West Indies seek Calypso Wales shocked confidence in New Zealand by Ruddock by Chris Foley After losing 15 of their past 17 one- resignation AUCKLAND, Feb 15, 2006 (AFP) day internationals, and 12 of the past - The West Indies launch their crick- 15 Tests, the West Indies languish in LONDON, Feb 15, 2006 (AFP) et tour of New Zealand here eighth place in the world Test and - Mike Ruddock resigned as Wales one-day rankings, ahead of only Thursday looking to regain some of head coach on Tuesday less than Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. the potency that once made them the a year after taking them to their Yet, despite the lowly figures, most feared Test side in the world. first Grand Slam in 27 years. While they look to rediscover coach Bennett King believes it would At a hastily arranged Press their strengths, the opening game of be unwise to write the Calypso kings conference at the Millennium the tour, a Twenty20 hit out, will also off too early.