Friday, September 24, 2010
England have high expectations of their tall pace attack for the Ashes but the naming of their touring party has not surprised Australia. Chris Tremlett was recalled with England hoping to make the most of Australia's bouncy pitches while Monty Panesar, who has not played a Test since the 2009 Ashes, was also included.
"Height was probably the thing I noticed this morning when I saw the squad," Australia's coach Tim Nielsen told AAP. "It was interesting to note they picked six foot, seven inch Tremlett and went back to the left-arm orthodox in Panesar.
"They're two things we expected, and in truth they're probably more depth players rather than first selected players. They've gone for guys, one who can spin the ball away from the right-handers and another who they're hoping will make the ball bounce in Australia."
Tremlett has not played any international cricket for more than two years but he has enjoyed a productive county season with Surrey, having taken 48 first-class wickets at 20.18. He will be joined in pace group by other tall men including Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, Tim Bresnan and James Anderson.
While Australia are in India preparing for their two-Test series, support staff back at the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane are plotting for the Ashes. Australia's Test players will have a chance to reacclimatise to home conditions in Sheffield Shield outings before the first Ashes Test at the Gabba.
"We're always well and truly keeping one step ahead of where we are at the moment, people on the ground here in the Indian series, the people who we have working back at home will be looking ahead to the Australian summer," Nielsen said. "Our biggest challenge is to ensure we maintain our focus here in India.
"It will give us tremendous warm-up, practice and Test match cricket leading into the Australian summer. It is a pretty big series for us over here - we got beaten 2-0 last time and we've got some players coming over looking to atone for that, and every series we play as a Test match team at the moment with a younger group is really important for our development."
Friday, May 21, 2010
South Africa wrapped up a two-nil series win with a one-run victory in the 2nd T20 against West Indies © Getty Images
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Monday, May 10, 2010
Umar Akmal's quickfire 51 helped Pakistan to 148 before the spinners choked South Africa to win by 11 runs at St Lucia © Getty Images
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England v New Zealand, Super Eights, St Lucia
Friday, May 7, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Albie Morkel and AB de Villiers starred with the bat to help South Africa beat New Zealand by 13 runs in Bridgetown © AFP
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Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Mahela Jayawardene made a dazzling 100 and led Sri Lanka to victory in a rain-shortened match against Zimbabwe © AFP
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West Indies v England, Group D, Providence
Windies seal Super Eight berth
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