2007/2008 Summer of Cricket Discussion

Shelve the tri-series, say star duo

November 30, 2007

ONE-DAY openers Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist fear Australia's annual triangular limited-overs series has become tired and is in need of a revamp to retain its popularity.

The two stars also see the merit of next summer shelving the tri-series and having Australia instead play separate one-day series against touring teams.

As revealed in the Herald yesterday, Cricket Australia's (CA) board of directors will today discuss the prospect of instigating the biggest shake-up in the home one-day international calendar since the summer of 1979-80, when the tri-series was first staged.

CA is considering changing the format next summer, when South Africa and New Zealand tour, by having Australia play three Tests and a head-to-head one-day series against each opponent.

Critics of the tri-series format argue it is too long, fails to capture the public imagination if teams dominate, and lacks spark when neutral games do not feature the home side.

The 2007-08 tri-series comprises 12 pool matches and a best-of-three finals series.

"I think the system has got a little bit tired as far as the tri-series is involved," Hayden said. "If you've got a decreased number of games but a highly competitive tournament it's an asset.

"I feel towards the back end of the tri-series if one side, like Australia has done for a long time, has dominated the competition, there does seem to be a lot of dead rubber games."

Hayden said there was more merit in Australia playing an opponent in a shorter series rather than having a drawn-out preliminary competition.

Gilchrist said it was hard for players and supporters to maintain their interest over a long period, and pointed to the lull among Australian crowds when their side was not playing.

"They've [CA] got to look at it and see if they can improve the product. It will be interesting to see how the public attends the coming summer's triangular series, that might give us a bit more of an indication."

CA directors are also expected to discuss the possibility of scheduling a sixth Ashes Test in 2010-11, so that all states host a match, which would also require Australia playing six Tests when they tour England. Gilchrist said there was no guarantee extending an Ashes series would enhance the campaign. "Six in 2005 would have enhanced it greatly, six last [summer] may have dragged on a bit," he said
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Tait fires right into Test calculations

December 2, 2007 - 7:55AM

Paceman Shaun Tait has blown the race for the Boxing Day Test wide open with a three wicket spell that rattled Queensland's top order and handed South Australia control of their Pura Cup clash at the Gabba.

Tait blasted 3-15 in four overs late on day two to stun the Bulls second innings to a woeful 4-24, still 34 runs behind the Redbacks.

In his comeback from an elbow injury, Tait thrust himself immediately into Test reckoning with his half hour of express pace overshadowing an earlier unflattering performance by left-arm Test quick Mitchell Johnson (2-127) for Queensland.

South Australian captain Nathan Adcock credited Tait for "breaking the game open".

Tait was on fire as he charged through the top order, picking up young opener Nick Kruger (zero )in his first over before delivering an almost unplayable yorker that trapped Jimmy Maher (one) lbw.

He ended the day with the wicket of night watchman Daniel Doran (four) who fended a ball to point.

"It really gives you some momentum when you have someone that can bowl that pace and swing the ball as well," said Adcock.

"It makes it really hard work for the batters, so that's a pretty lethal weapon to have in your side.

"He's always capable of doing that if he gets the ball in the right place, being that quick it's really hard work at the best of times."

Johnson was blasted by the Redbacks batsmen, leaving in-form allrounder Ashley Noffke to stand tall with 4-73.

The Redbacks were dismissed for 366 after half centuries to Matthew Elliott (78), Shane Deitz (58), Andy Delmont (64) and Mark Cosgrove (54).

But Noffke will now have to deliver some of his red-hot batting form to help the home side rebuild their innings tomorrow.

The all-rounder admitted it had been a disappointing end to the day, but that the game was anything but over.

"They've taken four wickets, they haven't bowled us out and at the end of the day it only takes one good partnership, it takes one bloke to get in and make a big score and it's all over," he said.

"We've just got to be on our game tomorrow, it's a good wicket, we should be able to back out ability and get out there and make runs."

Queensland had to face a nervous seven overs late in the day and never looked at ease against a fiery Tait whilst Ryan Harris produced a brilliant delivery to dismiss Shane Watson (15).

In a day where momentum shifted frequently, Elliott and Deitz laid the platform early for the visitors with a 141-run opening stand.

Runs and wickets then flowed at a reasonable pace throughout the day before Cosgrove entered the fray soon after tea with the score 6-248.

Batting at number eight due to illness, he extinguished any hope of the Bulls stealing first innings points with a blistering knock.

Delmont was happy to play anchor at the other end as the pair combined for a vital 88-run seventh-wicket stand.
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haha form players?? they are all in form, thats why they are the best in the world.

every1 who played against SL, were in form and played good. So there isnt a real need for change.
 
Murali equals Warne's record
From correspondents in Kandy, Sri Lanka
December 02, 2007

SRI Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralidaran claimed 4-30 to equal Shane Warne's world record for the most Test wickets on the second day of the first Test against England.

Muralidaran ripped through England's top order after lunch to reduce the tourists to 6-186 shortly before tea when rain washed out play for the day.

Warne feels Murali is "every chance'' of getting to 1000 wickets - a feat the Victorian believes will not be bettered.

"I congratulate Murali for equalling the record I had,'' Warne said.

"It was nice to have it for a short while but I knew I would only have it for a short time.

"Murali has said he wanted to take 1000 Test wickets and he is every chance of getting there.

"Although he will have to play for some time yet, if he does get there I don't think anyone else will catch him.''

Resuming on 1-49 in reply to Sri Lanka's 188, England lost the wickets of Michael Vaughan (37) and Ian Bell (83) during the morning before collapsing in the afternoon.

Murali followed up with the wickets of Pietersen (31) and Ravi Bopara (eight) in the afternoon to leave him equal on 708 career wickets with former Australia leg-spinner Warne.

With England still trailing by two runs, Paul Collingwood was 14 not out and Ryan Sidebottom was on 1 when the umpires suspended play.

Bell started the morning fluently, quickly reaching his 15th half century. He added 107 runs for the second wicket with Vaughan.

Muralidaran, introduced into the attack after initial bursts from the fast bowlers, finally broke through for Sri Lanka in the second hour.

Vaughan was given out caught at bat pad after vociferous appeals, although television replays indicated he had missed the ball.

Muralidaran also snared Bell minutes before the break as Chamara Silva clung on to a diving catch at short mid-wicket.

Bell had hit 12 boundaries during his 125-ball innings.

Muralidaran continued bowling straight after lunch as Pietersen and Collingwood chipped away at the Sri Lanka lead with a 38-run partnership.

But the off-spinner finally broke through as Pietersen tried to pad away a straight delivery and was adjudged leg before.

Debutant Bopara fell soon after, well caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardane.

Wicketkeeper Matthew Prior, the last recognised batsman before England's tailenders, chipped a full-length delivery from Dilhara Fernando to mid-wicket to be dismissed for a duck.

Reuters
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I think everyone in the world (except probably people from Asia) reckon Warne is the best bowler, and that it's a sham that a chucker like Muralidaran has overtaken him.
 
Muralidaran makes record his own
SRI Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralidaran claimed his 709th career wicket on the third morning against England - surpassing Shane Warne as Test cricket's leading wicket-taker.
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yea i wud hav luv to see warne hold it.... he is arguably the best leg spinner in the world.
 
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