Story Australia's 2010-11 Summer [3rd Test, Day 1, Tea]

[timchrist984]

Australia?s 2010-11 Summer​

Australian cricket is not what it once was. The Australian team is no where near as dominant as they were at the dawn of the 21st century when legends such as Warne, McGrath, Gilchrist and Waugh led Australia to brilliant on field successes.

The current crop of players would be deemed exciting by any cricketing county?s standards. However the Australian public is so used to Australia?s era of dominance that they are not excited by the names White, Clarke, Marsh, Paine and Siddle.

The Aussies are coming off a disappointing tour of India, where they lost the test series 2-0 and the One Day series 1-0. They will be looking to impress their home crowd this summer against the Sri Lankans and the English.

This is the story of Australia?s battle through the summer of 2010-11. Here are the fixtures:
1st ODI: Australia v Sri Lanka at Melbourne - Nov 3, 2010
Toss, Change of Innings Feature
Australia Innings- Overs: 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20, 21-25, 26-30, 31-35, 36-40, 41-45, 46-48
Sri Lanka Innings- Overs: 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20, 21-25

2nd ODI: Australia v Sri Lanka at Sydney - Nov 5, 2010
Toss, Change of Innings Feature
Australia Innings- Overs: 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20, 21-25, 26-30, 31-35, 36-40, 41-45, 46-50
Sri Lanka Innings- Overs: 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20, 21-25, 26-30, 30-31

3rd ODI: Australia v Sri Lanka at Brisbane - Nov 7, 2010
Report

1st Test: Australia v England at Brisbane - Nov 25-29, 2010
Hauritz's Injury, Squads, Toss
Day 1: 1-14, 15-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90
Day 2: Test Wrap Up

2nd Test: Australia v England at Sydney - Dec 3-7, 2010
Toss
Day 1: Lunch, Tea, End of England's Innings, Stumps,
Day 2: Lunch, Tea, Stumps,
Day 3: End of Australia's Innings, Lunch, Tea, End of England's Innings,

3rd Test: Australia v England at Brisbane - Dec 16-19, 2010
Toss
Day 1: Lunch, Tea

4th Test: Australia v England at Sydney - Dec 26-29, 2010
5th Test: Australia v England at Melbourne - Jan 3-7, 2011
1st T20I: Australia v England at Brisbane - Jan 12, 2011
2nd T20I: Australia v England at Melbourne - Jan 14, 2011
1st ODI: Australia v England at Melbourne - Jan 16, 2011
2nd ODI: Australia v England at Brisbane - Jan 21, 2011
3rd ODI: Australia v England at Sydney - Jan 23, 2011
4th ODI: Australia v England at Melbourne - Jan 26, 2011
5th ODI: Australia v England at Brisbane - Jan 30, 2011
6th ODI: Australia v England at Sydney - Feb 2, 2011
7th ODI: Australia v England at Melbourne - Feb 6, 2011

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Australia Show Faith in Youth as Contracted Players are Announced
Australia has opted to show faith in the younger generation of cricketers as they announced the 25 contracted players today. One day specialist Nathan Bracken, McGrath like Stuart Clark and in form Victorian Brad Hodge were all not awarded contracts.
The ever inconsistent Shaun Tait is being considered lucky to have been awarded a contract in place of Bracken. Tait has not won any popularity contests since he walked out on cricket in 2008. He has always been an aggressive bowler who is brilliant on his day and downright awful on the wrong day. There have also been questions about his stamina and him being unable to sustain bowling for spells of more than 3 overs.
Australia have awarded 13 players under the age of 30 contracts including the young all-rounder Steven Smith, just 20 years of age and aggressive opening batsman Phillip Hughes at 21.
Here is the complete list of Contracted players:
Doug Bollinger, NSW, 28
Michael Clarke, NSW, 29
Callum Ferguson, SA, 25
Brad Haddin, NSW, 32
Ryan Harris, QLD, 30
Nathan Hauritz, NSW, 28
Ben Hilfenhaus, TAS, 27
James Hopes, QLD, 31
Phillip Hughes, NSW, 21
Michael Hussey, WA, 34
Mitchell Johnson, WA, 28
Simon Katich, NSW, 34
Brett Lee, NSW, 33
Shaun Marsh, WA, 26
Andrew McDonald, VIC, 28
Clint McKay , VIC, 27
Marcus North, WA, 30
Tim Paine, TAS, 25
Ricky Ponting, TAS, 35
Peter Siddle, VIC, 25
Steven Smith, NSW, 20
Shaun Tait, SA, 27
Adam Voges, WA, 30
Shane Watson, NSW, 28
Cameron White, VIC, 26

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Season Opener: Australia V Sri Lanka (3rd November 2010)​

Hello, and welcome the 2010-11 Australian summer?s opening match here at the MCG between Australia and Sri Lanka. Australia, who are currently ranked number one in the world in One Day Internationals will be looking to get the summer in which they will battle England for the Ashes off to a good start.

It has been said many a time in the last few years that Australia is in a ?rebuilding phase?. Many Australians are disappointed with the performances of the Aussies in recent times. However, truth be told Australia will probably never be as good as when they had Warne, McGrath, Langer, Hayden, Martyn and Gilchrist at the top of their game.

Also, in recent times Australia has been said to have become impatient. They have not persisted with a specialist spinner, the hit list including: Casson, Krejza, Hauritz, Doherty, McGain and Cullen to name a few. They have also been searching for an all-rounder since Andrew Symonds was axed from the squad. Times are not looking good for Australian cricket.

Now to this match between Sri Lanka, lead by Kumar Sangakarra and Australia, lead by Michael Clarke in the absence of Ricky Ponting. Australia have named a young, largely experimental team for tonight?s clash. Sri Lanka on the other hand have named a very strong experienced team.

Australia
S. Watson
B. Haddin
M. Clarke
M. Hussey
C. White
S. Marsh
S. Smith
M. Johnson
J. Hastings
X. Doherty
P. Siddle

Sri Lanka
U. Tharanga
T. Dilshan
K. Sangakkara
M. Jayawardene
T. Samaraweera
A. Matthews
T. Perera
S. Randiv
N. Kulasekara
L. Malinga
M. Muralitharan
​

Australia?s squad has great batting depth however they have a fairly inexperienced bowling attack with young Xavier Doherty making his ODI debut.

Toss: YouTube - Australia v Sri Lanka 1st ODI at Melbourne

So, Sri Lanka have won the toss here at the MCG and have elected to field on what looks like a very green, moist, bowlers pitch. Haddin and Watson have made their way out to the middle and are all geared up to face Lasith 'Slinga' Malinga. Stay tuned for more from this season opener here at the MCG.

 

[timchrist984]

If anyone knows how to embed a YouTube video I would appreciate being told.

 

[Aditya]

You need to use this code [Youtube][/Youtube]. Between the code you need to type the video code. The video code is usually like this "9vIsQ25Krq8&feature".

Good luck for the story anyways.

 

[timchrist984]

Australia Off To A Shaky Start​

Australia have got off to a shaky start here at the MCG due to some wonderful bowling by Lasith Malinga and especially Nuwan Kulasekara. Both Australian openers, Haddin and Watson, are back in the viewing rooms and Sri Lanka is really on top.

Lasith Malinga got the ball rolling with an aggressive, yet expensive over in which he found the edge twice, however both times it ran away through the vacant third slip.

It was the 2nd ball of Kulasekara's first over when disaster struck for the Aussies. Kulasekara bowled a short of a length ball and enticed Watson in to cutting a ball that wasn't quite there. The result was a top edge that flew through to Sangakkara who took a good, diving catch.
2 balls later, Watson's partner, Haddin, was dissmissed. He was trapped plumb LBW, trying to slog the ball through the leg side. Hawk-eye showed that the ball was cannoning in to the bottom of leg stump.

2 new batsmen, in Clarke and Hussey were at the crease. Australia needed a long, steady partnership from this pair.

It was not easy going for Clarke and Hussey as the bowlers were dominating. Both Malinga and Kulasekara were finding the edge often and the Aussies were lucky that none of the edges went to hand. Both basman played fairly cautiously, just picking up the ones and twos until the beginning of the 5th over when Hussey hit back to back fours through the cover region.

As it stands, the score is 2/27 at the start of the 6th over. Hussey is on 10 and Clarke is on 8. Australia have kept up a decent run rate, but they must stop the flow of wickets if they are to bat through the full 50 overs. The key for Australia is this partnership between Hussey and Clarke which is currently worth 19 runs. The Aussies need Mr. Cricket and Pup to make some big scores.

1st 5 overs highlights: YouTube - Australia v Sri Lanka 1st 5 overs

Australia: 2/27 5.0 overs
Watson C: Sangakkara B: Kulasekara 3
Haddin LBW B:Kulasekara 4
Clarke Not Out 8
Hussey Not Out 10

Extras: 2nb
Run Rate: 5.40 RPO

Sri Lanka:
Malinga (3-0-20-0) 1nb 6.70 RPO
Kulasekara (2-0-7-2) 1nb 3.50 RPO

FOW: 1-8, 2-8

 

[Aditya]

Australia are on the back foot with loosing two quick wickets. I'm expecting Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey to play well and take their team out of the trouble.

Nice work mate. Really good work on that video. Keep it up.

 

[Gaurav_7]

Post the video in [y o u t u b e] [/ y o u t u b e]. Without the spaces.

 

[timchrist984]

Sri Lanka Continue Their Dominance​

After a small fightback from Australia, Sri Lanka have regained control of the match with 2 quick fire wickets.

Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey were building a solid partnership and going along at a healthy run rate too until the danger man, Nuwan Kulasekara struck.

It looked as if Hussey and Clarke were going to bat the game out of Sri Lanka's hands. Then on the final ball of the eighth over, Hussey edged a full ball off Kulasekara and was caught well at gully by Upul Tharanga. Clarke and Hussey had put on 39 for the 3rd wicket.

Clarke was then joined at the crease by Victorian big hitter, Cameron White. Sri Lanka then introduced Thisara Perera in to the bowling attack. Perera's first over was calmly kept out by Michael Clarke and turned out to be a maiden.

Although Australia had plenty of batting still to come, Clarke had to hold up an end and make sure Australia didn't go all out.

Angelo Matthews came to the bowling crease to replace Kulasekara and looked dangerous from ball one. On the fourth ball of his first over, he bowled a beautiful out-swinger that pitched on middle, swung away and caught the edge of Cameron White's bat and ballooned towards gully. However, much to the dismay of the captain, Kumar Sangakkara, Upul Tharanga grassed a relatively simple chance. Luckily for Sri Lanka, 2 balls later Matthews caught the edge of Michael Clarke and this time Tharanga made no mistake. The Australian deputy captain was out for 14 and Australia were in all sorts of trouble.

Overs 6-10 Highlights:YouTube - Australia v Sri Lanka overs 6 10

Australia: 4/48 10.0 overs
Watson C: Sangakkara B: Kulasekara 3
Haddin LBW B:Kulasekara 4
Clarke C: Tharanga B: Matthews 14
Hussey C: Tharanga B: Kulasekara 24
White Not Out 1
Marsh Not Out 0

Extras: 2nb
Run Rate: 4.80

Sri Lanka
Malinga (4-0-29-0) 1nb 7.25 RPO
Kulasekara (4-0-18-3) 1nb 4.50 RPO
Perera (1-1-0-0) 0.00 RPO
Matthews (1-0-1-1) 1.00 RPO

FOW: 1-8, 2-8, 3-47, 4-48

 

[Zohaib]

Australia are in a huge mess , with still alot of batting to come.

Nice work mate , pleasure to read.

 

[timchrist984]

Marsh and White Lead Australia's Fightback​

Dominant domestic batsmen Cameron White and Shaun Marsh are faced with the the challenge of rebuilding the Australian innings. Both are starting to time the ball well and are a chance of a big score. With the Ashes just around the corner, it is very important for these 2 to perform if they are any chance of being picked for the test matches.

White and Marsh applied themselves well and were not looking to play the big shots. They were just stroking the ball through the gaps in Sri Lanka's attacking field.

The batsmen looked at ease when facing Perera and 4 runs, all from singles came off his second over.

White and Marsh were confidently rotating the strike with out much risk. That was, until the 3rd ball of the 13th over. White stroked the ball straight to the cover fielder and took off for a run. Marsh hastily sent him back. The ball was thrown in and Sangakkara flicked off the bails. The 3rd umpire was then called for and the replay showed White was home, however a direct hit would have found him a metre short.

Angelo Matthews was still troubling the Aussie batsmen with his out-swingers. However Marsh and White sensibly defended him and put away the bad balls.

Perera started his fourth over with a no-ball and promptly bowled Shaun Marsh off the free hit that followed. Perera was all fired up and struck Marsh just above his rib cage with a vicious bouncer the very next ball. On the 4th ball of the same over, White hit back with a glorious on drive that reached the boundary.

So, the Australians are still a chance to score 250+ after White and Marsh have stabilized the innings somewhat, but they will need to continue to play patiently and not get tempted in to slogging.

Overs 10-15 Highlights: YouTube - Australia v Sri Lanka overs 10 to 15

Australia: 4/71 15.0 overs
Watson C: Sangakkara B: Kulasekara 3
Haddin LBW B:Kulasekara 4
Clarke C: Tharanga B: Matthews 14
Hussey C: Tharanga B: Kulasekara 24
White Not Out 12
Marsh Not Out 11

Extras: 3nb
Run Rate: 4.73 RPO

Sri Lanka
Malinga (4-0-29-0) 1nb 7.25 RPO
Kulasekara (4-0-18-3) 1nb 4.50 RPO
Perera (4-1-14-0) 1nb 3.50 RPO
Matthews (3-0-10-1) 3.33 RPO

FOW: 1-8, 2-8, 3-47, 4-48

 

[timchrist984]

White and Marsh Continue Their Partnership​

White and Marsh are putting forward a strong claim for Ashes selection this summer as they have put on 48 for the 5th wicket. Both batsmen have been scoring fairly freely. White is on 24 off 30 balls with 2 boundaries and Marsh is on 22 off 37 with one boundary to his name. If they can continue this partnership Australia will be in the box seat.

The batsmen had become more accustom to Angelo Matthews as they picked off 5 runs from his fourth over. The ball was beginning to lose its shine and his out-swinger was becoming far less effective.

At the other end, Perera was replace by off-spinner Muttiah 'Murali' Muralitharan. Murali bowled too many deliveries down leg side to Shaun Marsh and he picked him away through fine leg. When bowling to White, he bowled too wide of off stump and White fluently drove him through the covers. Murali eventually corrected his line, but by then the Aussie batsmen had their eye in and had no trouble in defending him.

The most dangerous bowler so far, Nuwan Kulasekara came back to bowl the 18th over. Marsh and White used their feet well and manage to pick gaps in the field with creative front foot shots behind point. Kulasekara conceeded 2 runs off the over.

Murali's second over was just like his first. He completely lost his line and bowled either too wide outside off stump or down leg side. His over went for 5 runs.

Kulasekara's next over went for 6 runs including a lofted off drive from Marsh that went for 4.

Overs 15-20 Highlights: YouTube - Australia v Sri Lanka overs 15 to 20

Australia: 4/96 20.0 overs
Watson C: Sangakkara B: Kulasekara 3
Haddin LBW B:Kulasekara 4
Clarke C: Tharanga B: Matthews 14
Hussey C: Tharanga B: Kulasekara 24
White Not Out 24
Marsh Not Out 22

Extras: 5nb
Run Rate: 4.80 RPO

Sri Lanka
Malinga (4-0-29-0) 1nb 7.25 RPO
Kulasekara (6-0-26-3) 2nb 4.33 RPO
Perera (4-1-14-0) 1nb 3.50 RPO
Matthews (4-0-15-1) 3.75 RPO
Muralitharan (2-0-12-0) 1nb 6.00 RPO

FOW: 1-8, 2-8, 3-47, 4-48

 

[Zohaib]

Malinga and Murali , getting hit for alot lately.

 

[timchrist984]

Sri Lanka Break Through And The Wickets Start To Tumble​

Sri Lanka have broken the crucial partnership of Marsh and White and as has been the trend, wickets have fell in clusters. Australia will need work really hard if they are to bat through their 50 overs now.

Although Murali had been expensive, Sangakkara persisted with him and it payed off. On the 3rd ball of his 3rd over, he caught the edge of Cameron White with a full ball and it flew through to slip where Upul Tharanga was the catcher. White was out for 24 and Sri Lanka had the upper hand with the Aussies 5/97.

The new batsman was the young all-rounder Steve Smith. Smith was untroubled by the spin of Murali and calmly defenfed the rest of the over.

At the end of the over Marsh and Smith met mid pitch. Marsh gave Smith some advice on facing Perera (who was coming back into the attack) and told him that there was no compulsion to score quickly and that they just had to occupy the crease.

On the first ball of Perera's over Marsh was lucky not to be given out LBW. He tried to play a big cover drive and was beaten by the in-swing. The umpire turned down the big appeal, yet hawk-eye suggested the ball was hitting the top of leg stump.

Smith obviously hadn't listened to Marsh as he was out caught at 2nd slip by Dilshan off the last ball of Perera's Over. Smith had attempted a big shot and he payed the price. Smith was out for 1 and Australia were 6/102.

Marsh was then joined at the wicket by Mitchell Johnson. We all know Johnson can flay the bowling all over the park but he is required to play a sensible supporting innings, not a quick fire slog.

It was the 2nd ball of Muralitharan's over when Australia's last recognized batsman, Shaun Marsh was dismissed. Marsh was caught behind for 27 and Sri Lanka was dominating with the score 7/102.

Two new batsmen were at the crease. Both Hastings and Johnson are capable batsman but they will need to play superbly to guide Australia to a respectable score.

Australia looked to have luck on their side as Murali had 2 LBW shouts turned down in as many balls.

Johnson and Hastings looked comfortable at the crease as they scored 7 runs off Perera's next over.

Angelo Matthews was then brought back in to the Sri Lankan attack to replace Murali. The Aussies scored 11 runs off his over.

So, Australia is in massive trouble here at the MCG. They will be lucky to even break the 200 barrier now. Johnson and Hastings will both have to play in an uncharacteristically defensive manor if Australia are going to have a chance in this match.

Overs 20-25 Highlights:

Australia: 7/120 25.0 overs
Watson C: Sangakkara B: Kulasekara 3
Haddin LBW B:Kulasekara 4
Clarke C: Tharanga B: Matthews 14
Hussey C: Tharanga B: Kulasekara 24
White C: Tharanga B: Muralitharan 24
Marsh C: Sangakkara B: Muralithanran 27
Smith C: Dilshan B: Perera 1
Johnson Not Out 14
Hastings Not Out 2

Extras: 7nb
Run Rate: 4.80 RPO

Sri Lanka
Malinga (4-0-29-0) 1nb 7.25 RPO
Kulasekara (6-0-26-3) 2nb 4.33 RPO
Perera (6-1-24-1) 3nb 4.00 RPO
Matthews (5-0-26-1) 5.20 RPO
Muralitharan (4-1-15-2) 1nb 3.75 RPO

FOW: 1-8, 2-8, 3-47, 4-48, 5-97, 6-102, 7-102

 

[Zohaib]

I guess no one can hit Murali for long

 

[Same_Old_Trott]

good start there pal, looking foward to this story

 

[timchrist984]

Hastings and Johnson Apply Themselves​

John Hastings and Mitchell Johnson have adapted well and are playing responsibly in accordance to the situation of the game. Sri Lanka would still be favourites at this point in the match but the Aussies are not completely written off. If Hastings and Johnson are batting at the end, Australia may still have a chance.

For the 26th over Kumar Sangakkara decided to bowl Sri Lanka's best bowler so far in Nuwan Kulasekara. Kulasekara's over was tight, as he bowled a good line and length. The Australian batsmen stayed calm and didn't get tempted in to going after him. He conceded just 2 runs from the over.

Angelo Matthews continued to bowl from the other end and also kept a good line and length up. The Aussie batsmen just worked the ball in to the gaps as they picked up 3 singles from the over.

In Kulasekara's next over, the Aussies looked to rotate the strike a bit more, however Kulasekara's good bowling restricted them to only 3 off the over.

Angelo Matthews bowled the next over and began to drift off line and give the batsmen width outside the off stump. The Aussies could not take full advantage of this and only managed 3 off an over that deserved to go for more.

Perera was then brought back in the the attack and provided a challenge for both Hastings and Johnson. He bowled consistently on the stumps and beat Johnson completely with a beautiful slower ball that missed the stumps by millimetres.

So, after 30 overs Australia are 7/132. Their run rate has dropped off a bit but that will not worry them. Johnson is on 18 off 31 and Hasting is on 10 off 17. Clarke will probably be disappointed with the Australian batting performance so far but he will be optimistic about bowling on this bowler friendly MCG pitch.

Overs 26-30 Highlights:

Australia: 7/132 30.0 overs
Watson C: Sangakkara B: Kulasekara 3
Haddin LBW B:Kulasekara 4
Clarke C: Tharanga B: Matthews 14
Hussey C: Tharanga B: Kulasekara 24
White C: Tharanga B: Muralitharan 24
Marsh C: Sangakkara B: Muralithanran 27
Smith C: Dilshan B: Perera 1
Johnson Not Out 18
Hastings Not Out 10

Extras: 7nb
Run Rate: 4.40 RPO

Sri Lanka
Malinga (4-0-29-0) 1nb 7.25 RPO
Kulasekara (8-0-31-3) 2nb 3.88 RPO
Perera (7-1-25-1) 3nb 3.57 RPO
Matthews (7-0-32-1) 4.57 RPO
Muralitharan (4-1-15-2) 1nb 3.75 RPO

FOW: 1-8, 2-8, 3-47, 4-48, 5-97, 6-102, 7-102