Story The World League

[Daisy]

The ICC have today launched "The World League"- A Test and ODI Tournament to be played around the world between the top 8 teams : Australia, England, South Africa, West Indies, New Zealand, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. There will be 7 rounds of Test Matches and 7 rounds of ODI's. New Zealand will not be hosting a round, instead they will host the ICC Cup, a Knockout ODI Tournament involving the 8 teams in the League.

Malcolm Speed unveiling the league

Each team will play a Test and a ODI in each country and will play each other country once in each format. The teams will first play in Australia before moving, in order to West Indies, India, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and England before going to New Zealand for the ICC Cup.

Here are the fixtures for the Australian leg of the league

One Day Internationals
Australia vs England at Melbourne
South Africa vs West Indies at Perth
New Zealand vs India at Canberra
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka at Hobart

Tests
New Zealand vs Pakistan at Brisbane
South Africa vs India at Adelaide
England vs Sri Lanka at Melbourne
Australia vs West Indies at Sydney

Coming Up Next: My Introduction

 

[Daisy]

Hi.

I will be playing as England in this league, allthough I will show results of other matches and I will play and report on the big grudge matches, or important encounters, like end of season title deciders..
I will be using CGPP 4 and numerous kit updates.

I will be changing the TV overlay and pitchads depending on where I am, for example for the first part in Australia VB Pitchads and the Channel 9 Overlay are being used.

Men To Watch For
Number 1

Shoaib Akhtar - Pakistan

Shoaib Akhtar is the world's fastest bowler and he is the back bone of the Pakistani bowling attack, the Rawalpindi Express is one of the hottest talents in the world.

Shoaib Akhtar burst onto the big stage in the 1999 World Cup with a long, hurtling run-up and blistering speed. His star status was sealed by a great flop of hair, a talent for show-boating and a vivid nickname - the Rawalpindi Express. But it was too much, too young. A huge ego and his blind ambition to break the 100mph barrier seemed to matter more to him than cementing his place in the Pakistan side. The authorities twice sidelined him over throwing allegations and although his action was cleared, courtesy of hyperextensible joints and the University of Western Australia, injuries created fresh doubts over his international future. However, he channelled his enormous resources far better in 2002, turning in two of the most blistering bowling efforts of the year, both against Australia. First, he blitzed them with a spell of 5 for 25 in a one-dayer at Brisbane, and then returned 5 for 21 in a spectacular performance in Colombo that all but won the Test for Pakistan. The 2003 World Cup was far more disappointing, though. He promised much, but came a cropper, especially in the needle encounter against Sachin Tendulkar. Dropped after the World Cup, Shoaib roared back to form on the tour to New Zealand, but soon after came a forgettable - and controversial - series against India. Not only did he struggle for wickets, he also left the field at a crucial stage of the third Test citing wrist injury and back pain, though neither injury seemed to bother him when he came out to bat later. Pakistan lost the Test, and Shoaib felt the heat, as his commitment to the game and his relationship with the captain and the team management came into question as well.

 

[Daisy]

AUSTRALIA- Round One of the World League

Australia are hosting the first round of the World League. Now we will have a look at their stadiums being used for the matches.


Melbourne Cricket Ground
This ground is being used for both England matches, against Australia in the ODI's, the big opening match, and against Sri Lanka in Tests.


WACA
The WACA, in Perth is traditionaly a very flat pitch, offering very little to the bowlers, it will be hosting the ODI Match between South Africa and the West Indies.


Manuka Oval
The Manuka Oval, in Canberra, the captial city of Australia, is normally an AFL Stadium. It will be playing host to New Zealand and India in the ODI.


Bellerive Oval
This coastal ground, on the Island of Tasmania, will be hosting an all-Asian ODI Clash: Inzamam and Pakistan take on Attapatu and Sri Lanka.


'Gabba
The Brisbane ground, is one of the biggest in Australia, it will be hosting New Zealand and Pakistan, for the first Test in the World League.


Adelaide Oval
Another big Australian stadium, built in the 19th Century, about the time of the first ever Ashes series. It will have the Test between South Africa and India


Sydney Cricket Ground
This ground, one of the oldest cricket stadiums in the world, gets the big gig : The Australia Test match, against the West Indies.

Television

The Television company who has got the deal for the Australian round is Channel 9.

Radio

BBC Radio 5 Live/BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra have been given the rights to the whole League. This will be broadcast worldwide via the internet.

Sponsor

The major sponsor of the Australian round of the World League will be Victoria Bitter, the sponsors of the Australian tri series, this means they will get the pitch advert.

 

[jazz]

excllent stadium presentation mate

good luck in your series

will be routing for new zealand

 

[Daisy]

The Last Time They Met
Australia vs England - ODI

The last ODI Fixture between Australia and England was one that all English fans will remember for a long time.

It was the ICC Champions Trophy 2004, held in England. Both England and Australia had got through thier group by beating Sri Lanka and New Zealand respectively. It was the 21st September 2004 and England and Australia arrived outside Edgebaston, Birmingham on a cold morning, Edgebaston had, just 2 days earlier, seen hundreds upon thousands of Indian and Pakistan fans flock there for their group game.

Ricky Ponting and Michael Vaughan met for the toss and to the delight of all the English fans Vaughan won it, and he decided to send the Australians in to bat.

Steve Harmison struck after just 7 overs, Matt Hayden edged him to Marcus Trescothick at 1st slip for just 17. Darren Gough then took a big wicket, one of the most dangerous batsman in the world, Adam Gilchrist was dismissed for just 37, and Australia were 69-2 with captain Ponting and Damien Martyn at the crease.

Ponting was caught by Gough off Giles just after the 25 over mark leaving the score at 114/3, however this was the start of Michael Vaughan's masterful section of the match, which started by bowling Lehmann for 38, then with a great direct hit, he ran out Andrew Symonds for a duck, then he finished off his demoliton of the Australian 4,5 and 6 by getting Damien Martyn caught by Trescothick, it was however, only after Martyn had made 65. Vaughan had reduced Australia from 189/3 to 210/6 and as captain he had got the whole team fired up.

Brett Lee was bowled by Gough and then Gillespie suffered the same fate next ball. In came Darren Gough to bowl, on a hatrick, it was a yorker but Michael Kasprowicz dug it out and saved the hatrick. Young Michael Clarke had been going well, and was out in the last over for 42. McGrath and Kasprowicz were on there own at the end, unbeaten on 0. The final Australian score was 259-9. All of the bowlers bowled well, in particular Gough(7-1-48-3) and Vaughan (10-0-42-2).

Trescothick and Solanki came out looking confident, but Solanki fell in the 5th over, lbw to Jason Gillespie. However Trescothick and Michael Vaughan put on 100 for the 2nd wicket both of them playing great shots on their way to 80's. There were quite a few bowling variations in the attempt to break up the partnership; Darren Lehmann had a bowl but in the end it was the offspin of Andrew Symonds that spoiled the party, he bowled Marcus Trescothick for 81, it had been a great partnership between Michael Vaughan, the England captain and Marcus Trescothick, the vice-captain, they had put on 140 for the 2nd wicket, and needing 99 in 29 overs, England looked on top.

It was 11 overs before Vaughan fell, for a fantastic 86, caught by Hayden off the bowling of Brett Lee and England looked certain to win. Flintoff fell for 16, caught in the slips for Lee. In all of this, there was Andrew Strauss who stayed firm and made his 50 and then slipped through the winning runs. England had made 262-4 and had 27 balls to spare.

Michael Vaughan, the England and winning captain picked up the Man of the Match award for his 86 along with 2 wickets and a run out.

Let's hope that the match that we will see at the MCG will be as exciting as this match at Edgebaston.

This was a change from the norm in England vs Australia ODI's, and quite a show. However this was nothing compared to the drama that we were going to see in 4 days time at The Champions Trophy Final.

England vs Australia, Edgebaston 21 September 2004. ODI 2180

 

[zimrahil]

Great going so far - good presentation

 

[a47]

looks like this one's going to be a cracker man!!
good luck with the story!!

 

[Daisy]

Interview One

Interview with New Zealand Captain Stephen Fleming

Hello, and welcome to our first Interview, to do with the World League, today we are speaking to New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming.

Stephen, you've been captaining New Zealand for a good amount of time now, and you've got to know your players quite well. What do you think is the most exciting thing that could happen to New Zealand Cricket in the next year?

Shane Bond's comeback for one, it'll be a good day for Kiwi Cricket when he returns, and with any luck it will be during the World League. Also any good results in the World League or ICC Cup will be good, we hope to get a top 3 placing in Tests or ODI's, this will be hard as we will have to battle with the top sides in the world, but that's what the World League is about.

You've had a quick look at the schedule, is there anything that worries you on there?

Well, not having any home fixtures in the main part of the League isn't ideal but I think that we'll make up for that by having home advantage in the ICC Cup, which will be high on our list of priorities. Also we have a double header against Australia in South Africa, which will be hard, not only because of the opposition but because of the heat there will be in South Africa.

Who do you think will be your key players in the League?

Jacob Oram is one of the best all-rounders in the world at the moment and he will be leading our bowling and batting attacks in the League, Nathan Astle will be key as will spinner Daniel Vettori. We also have the Marshall brothers who are coming on to the scene. If Shane Bond returns, as I've mentioned he will be important, he's one of the best fast bowlers in the world, so it'd be great if he returned.

Your first match is a ODI against India, what do you think will be the result of that match?

I don't predict matches.

And what are your thoughts on where you'll finish?

Top 5 in both forms, I think we're good enough to achieve this. We could also be pushing towards Australia and the top 3 in Tests. ODI's we are an unpredictable team, the matches against India and Australia will be crucial in our ODI Campaign. We also hope to do well in the ICC Cup which will be held in our home nation.

Thank you for your time.

It's a pleasure, I'll see you in Canberra.

 

[Daisy]

Hello and welcome to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, for the opening match in the World League: Australia vs England, a ODI.

Before we go down to the pitch lets look at the 2 teams.





Now we have the teams let's go down to the pitch and have a look at it.

It's a good cricketing wicket, if you can take early wickets you'll have the upper hand but the batsman can still score well.

Now let's go down to the wicket for the toss with the Match Referee.

Michael Vaughan will now call, and Ricky Ponting will toss the coin, a $1AUS.
Heads is the call from Vaughan, and Heads it is. He has elected to field first.

So the main news from the pitch is that Michael Vaughan has won the toss and Australia will bat first

 

[Daisy]

Big Opening Over - 13 runs and a wicket

Allthough it wasn't looking good after 2 edges for 4, a wide and a marvelous hook, an edge to Marcus Trescothick at slip dismissed Adam Gilchrist with the 6th ball of the Match.





England will however be hoping to keep the run rate down and limit the World Champions.

Australia 13/1 (1 over)
Gilchrist 12
Hayden 0*
Ponting 0*

 

[jazz]

vital wicket for england

great coverage mate keep it up

 

[Will p]

Yes, a vital early wicket, Gilly is a man we like to see the back of! lovely presentation, i saw the idea and thought 'nah been done' but when i read it, its aweome!

 

[Daisy]

20 Overs Completed - Match Hangs in the balance

Australia 104/4(5.2 runs per over)

The Australians have kept the run rate going well but have lost wickets quickly, at times they have looked all at sea to Ashley Giles (5-1-14-1).

3 wickets have falllen since our last update: Ricky Ponting(really sorry guys, I lost the screenshot of his dismissal), Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds. The wickets of Damien Martyn and Michael Clarke are yet to fall, and Ian Harvey and Brett Lee are still to come in, Australia need a big partnership now, and for a good contribution from the tail.







The match is Englands for the taking, Australia have lots of work to do.

Australia 104/4(20 overs)
Hayden 22
Martyn 28*
Clarke 6*
Giles 5-1-14-1

 

[Daisy]

Australia bowled out for 138 in 31 overs.

Australia have been bowled out for just 138! An amazing spell of bowling from Paul Collingwood finished them off, bowling really tightly and taking wickets.
Damien Martyn was the main part of the batting, making 38.














Australia 138 all out(31.4 overs)
Martyn 38
Hayden 22
McGrath 3*
Giles 10-1-30-2
Collingwood 4.4-2-3-2

England require 139 runs at 2.78 runs per over.

England should win the ODI from here.

 

[jazz]

excellent bowling by england

this one of the biggest batting collpases
i thought ill never see australia being dismissed under 200 but i now have