Tag Futebol

Jason Gillespie has escaped with only minor injuries after an alleged assault outside a nightclub in the Victorian country town of Traralgon. Gillespie was part of the South Australia team that lost to Victoria in a one-day match in the town on Sunday and police said the incident occurred at about midnight that night.”Jason was on his own walking … it appears a couple of people targeted him,” the South Australia coach Mark Sorell told the . “But it seems like an isolated incident.”The paper reported that Gillespie might have suffered a fractured cheekbone, however the South Australia Cricket Association said he was not expected to miss any matches. Gillespie was treated in Melbourne and must now decide whether to pursue charges after reporting the matter to the police.”I can confirm we had an assault reported to us but we can’t confirm who may or may not be involved,” senior constable Eamon Leahy, of Traralgon Police, said. “The investigation is in its very early stages. At this stage the victim has asked that no information be released.”

Chris Rogers capped off his outstanding season with the Pura Cup Player of the Series award, edging out rival openers Michael Di Venuto and Phil Jaques. It was the second major prize for Rogers within six weeks, after he was named State Player of the Year at the Allan Border Medal in February.Rogers’ 1202 runs from ten games also earned him a place in the Pura Cup All-Star Team, which was voted by the Australian Cricketers’ Association. He was the competition’s top run-scorer in 2006-07, averaging 70.70 and he passed fifty at all six venues throughout the season.The team of the year was led by the New South Wales pair Simon Katich and Brad Haddin. Ben Hilfenhaus, the leading wicket-taker with 53, was in the side but managed only fifth in the Player-of-the-Year tally as batsmen were preferred over bowlers.The Ford Ranger Cup All-Star Team featured Matthew Elliott, the Player of the Series, at the top of the order with Jimmy Maher, who was named captain. Haddin, Hilfenhaus and Brad Hodge were the only three players to make both sides.On the same day that their coach resigned, South Australia received some consolation for their disappointing summer. The Redbacks won the Benaud Spirit of Cricket Award as the team adjudged to have conducted itself best on the field, “displaying the true spirit, traditions and values of cricket”.Melissa Bulow’s 336 runs at 42 were enough to win her the WNCL Player of the Year title. Daryl Harper was named Umpire of the Year.Pura Cup Player of the Series Chris Rogers (WA)
Ford Ranger Player of the Year Matthew Elliott (SA)
Benaud Spirit of Cricket Award South Australia
Umpire of the Year Daryl Harper
WNCL Player of the Year Melissa Bulow (Qld)
ACA Pura Cup team 1 Phil Jaques (NSW), 2 Chris Rogers (WA), 3 Brad Hodge (Vic), 4 David Hussey (Vic), 5 Simon Katich (capt, NSW), 6 Brad Haddin (vc, wk, NSW), 7 Andrew McDonald (Vic), 8 Andy Bichel (Qld), 9 Shaun Tait (SA), 10 Stuart MacGill (NSW), 11 Ben Hilfenhaus (Tas), 12 Ben Edmondson (WA).ACA Ford Ranger Cup team 1 Matthew Elliott (SA), 2 Jimmy Maher (capt, Qld), 3 Brad Hodge (Vic), 4 Clinton Perren (Qld), 5 Adam Voges (WA), 6 Brad Haddin (vc, wk, NSW), 7 James Hopes (Qld), 8 Chris Simpson (Qld), 9 Ashley Noffke (Qld), 10 Shane Harwood (Vic), 11 Ben Hilfenhaus (Tas), 12 Michael Klinger (Vic).

Ricky Ponting has admitted that Australia will have to start taking Twenty20 more seriously with the ICC showing every intention of introducing a World Championship in the shortened form. In the early days of Twenty20 on the international stage Australia have tended to treat the matches as a light-hearted affair and with mixed results.They have convincingly beaten New Zealand and South Africa, but came unstuck against England in dramatic style, at the Rose Bowl, to launch their Ashes tour in 2005. Ponting has held the belief that Twenty20 matches should only be used at domestic level and, at a push, to start a tour and attract interest. However, with the ICC due to bring an international tournament a step closer, at their meeting in Dubai next month, Ponting realises a change of approach may be needed.”My position hasn’t changed, but it might have to change a little bit as we go on,” he told ahead of Australia’s Twenty20 clash with South Africa at Johannesburg. “If we’re going to be playing more and more of it, we’re going to have to look at starting to take the game a bit more seriously.”The way that it has been used … to promote the [Test and one-day] series, I think it’s been used well that way. But now with this world championship on, we’re going to have to look at it.”Ponting has previously said that if Twenty20 is overused the attraction will disappear, but the current evidence is that people will continue to flock into the grounds. “If we play it more internationally will it fade? I’m not sure. But everything so far would seem to indicate that it’s going to be pretty strong. Even the game we played in Australia they had a full house in Brisbane – 40,000-odd people.”I still think that might be because of the novelty factor; people want to go and have a look at it first time around. But the flipside … is that everyone we spoke to that was there that night had a great day. Maybe there is a long-term future for it.”

England A 252 for 5 (Bell 72, Shah 63, Clarke 44*) beat Sri Lanka A 248 for 8 (Arnold 71) by five wickets
Scorecard

A thrilling late assault from Rikki Clarke and Alex Gidman, who smashed an unbeaten 63-run partnership from just 39 deliveries, guided England A to a five-wicket victory over their Sri Lankan counterparts with just seven balls to spare, in their opening match of the one-day triangular series in Colombo.After losing the toss and being asked to bat second, England had been wobbling at 28 for 3 in pursuit of Sri Lanka’s 248 for 8. Vikram Solanki and Graeme Swann fell in the space of eight deliveries, and Matt Prior soon followed for an aggressive 22 from 21 balls, but the innings was stabilised by the captain Ian Bell and Owais Shah, who both scored half-centuries in a 127-run partnership for the fourth wicket.At 155 for 4 with just 14 overs remaining, England were more or less in the hunt, but the dismissal of Bell, who was trapped lbw for 72 by Malinga Bandara, Sri Lanka’s matchwinner in last week’s second Test, brought about a dose of the jitters. Shah was forced to retire hurt on 63, and when Alistair Cook soon followed for 8, England were 190 for 5 and facing defeat.Their response, however, was emphatic, as Clarke and Gidman lashed the bowlers to all parts of the ground, racking up nine fours and a six between them as Sri Lanka’s bowlers wilted. Thilan Thushara’s crucial penultimate over was dispatched for 15 runs, and three fours in the first five balls of Nandika Ranjith’s follow-up wrapped up the win.Clarke and Gidman had earlier picked up a wicket apiece to restrict Sri Lanka’s run-scoring. Their top-scorer was the former Test batsman, Russel Arnold, who cracked 71 from 80 balls to give the innings some late momentum. Malintha Gajanayake added a half-century of his own in a 61-run partnership for the fourth wicket, but two late run-outs brought England back into contention.

Close of 2nd dayOtago 78 for 1 (Cumming 34*, Wasim 33) trail Auckland 198 by 120 runs
ScorecardOtago gave themselves a chance of making a sizeable impact on the shape of the State Championship points table in their match against Auckland. Their upgraded venue at the University Oval proved an oasis of sunshine during stormy summer weather in New Zealand as both other matches in the competition, between Wellington and Northern Districts and Canterbury and Central Districts, were abandoned for the day without a ball being bowled.The Dunedin game did not get a full day’s play, but by bowling out Auckland for 198, and scoring 78 for 1 in response, Otago laid the foundation for the sort of innings that could see Auckland face a sizeable first-innings deficit. But that is in the perfect world, which is not somewhere Otago have operated from in recent seasons.Craig Cumming, not wanted by the New Zealand selectors for the one-day campaign against South Africa, was unbeaten on 34 at stumps, after putting on 73 for the first wicket with Mohammad Wasim (33). Much will depend on at least one member of the Otago top order putting together the sort of big score that will allow Otago to dictate terms on the last two days of the match.They created their position as the result of Warren McSkimming getting an early breakthrough on the second day, dismissing Sam Whiteman, the overnight batsman, and Tama Canning on 129. Aaron Barnes, the top scorer of the innings, was bowled by Jeff Wilson, who also picked up the wicket of Andre Adams.Wilson, back after a frustrating injury break, ended with 3 for 34 from 19 overs, while McSkimming, who is enjoying one of the longer periods of his career without injury took his second five-wicket bag of the summer at a cost of 60 runs from his 24 overs.Once again the depth of the Auckland batting was apparent when 49 runs were scored by their three lower-order batsmen.Correction to first day report: Northern Districts ended the first day of their match, after a late resumption in play, on 155 for 4 at the Basin Reserve against Wellington. Grant Robinson was lbw to Jeetan Patel for 61 runs while Matthew Hart was 27 not out and Jaden Hatwell, five not out.

Today during the Pura cup game v NSW, veteran Western Warrior’s pace-man Jo Angel reached another career milestone when he brought up his 400th first class wicket for Western Australia.Angel reached the 400 wicket milestone when he took the second wicket of NSW’s 2nd innings, having Brad Haddin caught by Kade Harvey at cover.It is the second time in the past six days that Jo Angel has achieved a significant personal feat for his cricket career. Angel became the all time leading wicket-taker in Australian domestic limited overs cricket during Wednesday night’s ING cup game v the NSW Blues.Speaking on his 400th wicket Angel said, “When I first started playing for WA I never really looked too far down the track towards these sorts of things. I really just want to thank all the guys I’ve played with over the years. I’m also really grateful that I’ve been able to play for the Western Warriors at a time when we ve had a lot of team success”.Chief Executive Officer of the WACA Kath White said, “Jo Angel has been a tremendous player for WA over the past decade. He thoroughly deserves all his success because he is such a fantastic team player. Jo’s willingness to work hard and get the best results for the team makes him a tremendous role model to all young people, not just young cricketers. The WACA is very proud to call him our own”.In recognition of Angel’s rare achievement, Kath White and Western Power Managing Director David Eiszele will present Angel with a special cake in the WA rooms at the end of today’s Pura cup game v the NSW Blues.The next major milestone looming in Jo Angel’s career is Terry Alderman’s record of 384, for the most wickets taken for WA in Sheffield Shield/Pura Cup competition.The next opportunity for Jo to break Alderman’s record is during the Western Warrior’s next 1st class game v the Victorian Bushrangers at the MCG, from Thursday 28 February to Sunday 3rd March 2002.In total, Jo Angel has taken 440 first class wickets since his first class debut v NSW at the WACA ground during the 1991-92 season. The total includestaking 400 first-class wickets for Western Australia. The difference in the total has come from taking 10 wickets for Australia, 3 wickets for Australia A and 27 wickets for the Young Australians.Jo is the second Western Australian to claim 400 wickets for WA, with Terry Alderman the leading wicket-taker with 433. Angel is the 6th bowler to claim 400 wickets for the one State. First-class career totals of other leading Western Australian bowlers include: Graham McKenzie 1219, Terry Alderman 956 and Dennis Lillee 882.

Wellington’s frustration increased twofold when the third day of its Shell Trophy match with Canterbury at the Basin Reserve went the way of the second – abandoned today without a ball being bowled.Showers of varying intensity crossed the Basin throughout the day, driven by a building southerly wind, till umpires Evan Watkin and Ian Shine ruled at 2.30pm that no play would be possible.Wellington considered itself in a strong position when it reached 314-4 by stumps on the first day, responding to Canterbury’s invitation to bat. But with only one full day remaining and with no provision to make up lost time, the chance of any meaningful result from this match seems to have been lost.Wellington’s best hope tomorrow, when conditions are expected to be cloudly but dry, seems to be to achieve a first innings result unless Canterbury is prepared to enter an accomodation involving the forfeiture of innings.Wellington coach Vaughn Johnson has been demonstrably eager over the past two days to take advantage of any break in the weather to advance his team’s position. But the covers have remained on the pitch since Monday night and the persistence of the rain has made further play impossible.Play resumes at 10.30am tomorrow with Roger Twose 27 not out and Chris Nevin two not out.

Leicestershire have signed Middlesex batsman Neil Dexter on a three-year contract.Dexter has had a solid Championship season for Middlesex as they push for runners-up spot in Division One of the Championship, although his impact in one-day cricket has been less apparent. He joins Leicestershire in search of the security of a long-term deal that Middlesex could not offer..Angus Fraser, Middlesex’s managing director of cricket, said: “I am delighted that Neil has secured a long term contract with a club that will guarantee him regular first eleven cricket. Neil is at an age and stage in his career where he needs to play regular first eleven cricket and have a prominent role in that side. Unfortunately Middlesex could not guarantee this moving forward, so I fully understand and respect Neil’s decision to look for a fresh challenge elsewhere.”Neil has been a much liked and respected member of the Middlesex CCC playing staff since his arrival from Kent in late 2008, and has produced many valuable performances for the club on the field. He also led us to Second Division success in 2011, something he should be extremely proud of.”Dexter, 31, started his county career at Kent and has scored 5,977 first-class runs at an average of 35.79 with a career best score of 163 not out. He has 1,913 List A career runs at 31.88 and has 1,497 runs in T20 cricket at a strike rate of 109.91.Wasim Khan, Leicestershire’s chief executive, said: “With a number of sides interested in securing Neil, we are delighted that he has decided to join us. He will give us both quality and experience with his proven track record in county cricket. Neil is also a good bowler and fielder who can fit into our side in all three formats.”

If you go down to the SCG on Saturday you’re sure of a big surprise (unless you’re already a women’s cricket follower). Because on show will be the Australian captain Karen Rolton, the vice-captain Lisa Sthalekar… in fact, most of the Australia players, who will be facing off in the state final, the highlight of the domestic season. And they’re promising exciting cricket.”The women’s game is changing now, you have to be stronger. Scores of 230, 240 aren’t going to really cut it, you have to keep striving to keep pushing for scores over 250,” says Sthalekar, the New South Wales Breakers captain who is aiming high against South Australia Scorpions, who are in their first final for a decade and hunting their first title since 1995.Rolton was playing then and is keen to win once more. “It’s been quite a while,” she smiles. “It would mean a lot to win, there’s been a lot of hard work over the years. It will be quite exciting, it will mean a great deal, and most of the girls haven’t been in a final so it’s all very exciting.”The Breakers, meanwhile, have been in every final for the last 11 years, winning nine of them. This year, they were defeated just once in the tournament, and are a well-oiled unit, beating the Scorpions twice in the opening round back in November at Bankstown Oval, by seven wickets and 25 runs. They secured a home final by coming top of the pile again.Despite sweeping all before them – their future looks bright too as they regularly scoop all the junior titles on offer, too – they remain motivated, focussed and committed. “There’s a culture of always winning and always striving to dominate but also raise the bar in women’s cricket,” says Sthalekar. “Our goal this year has been to play exciting cricket which we have done.”They’ve set the pace as the women’s game has developed well over the last few years, offering more entertainment in the form of hitting over the top and a few hostile bouncers – watch out for Ellyse Perry’s firebolts – alongside the usual skills of finesse.And a prediction for the weekend? Sthalekar believes that while the Scorpions have five match-winning players – Australia’s Rolton, Shelley Nitschke, Kris Britt and Emma Sampson, and England import Jenny Gunn (who actually plays for Sydney) – the Breakers will have the edge through strength in depth. “I was hoping we would meet them because I think they’re the two best teams. It’s going to be a tough challenge for us to get on top of them. I think we might have the depth and hopefully that will get us across the line. If we can stay with them ball-by-ball hopefully our talent will come across.””They may just have the edge,” Rolton concedes. “They’re a good all-round team and we’re developing into that, and our batters are on form. They’ve definitely got more experience but that doesn’t always mean a lot in the final. We’ve had our chances over the years and this is the best year we’ve had. We deserve to be there and we will give them a good run for their money.”Indeed, don’t write the Scorpions off. In Rolton they have the competition’s only centurion of the season, while Sampson is one of the fastest bowlers in the world. South Australia have maintained the side which beat Victoria in the last group round to seal their final spot, while adding Tegan McPharlin.The game, then, promises to be a tight one after some impressive showings from South Australia in their recent state matches, and they will be backed by a vocal band of loyal supporters. “It’s great,” says Rolton. “Our support is pretty good out of all the states. To get people over means a lot to us. It will be great to have some red tops on in the crowd, everyone appreciates the support.”Breakers head coach Richard Bates, in his first year in charge, said the team had prepared well. “The key has been making sure that the players are ready to go, mentally and physically, on Saturday morning and ready for the challenge,” he says. “It is going to be a terrific game. There are so many great players on both sides who are capable of match winning performances. No doubt it will be case of who puts their hand up when it matters and maybe who has a bit of luck too!”As for Scorpions’ preparations, “We’ve done nothing differently,” says Rolton. “The preparations have gone quite well. It’s been hard because last week was full-on, so we’ve had a bit of cricket. Everyone’s prepared well.”Get there if you can.New South Wales Lisa Sthalekar (capt), Alex Blackwell, Sarah Andrews, Charlotte Anneveld, Sarah Aley, Kate Blackwell, Leonie Coleman, Rene Farrell, Alyssa Healy, Lisa Kuschert, Ellyse Perry, Sharon Millanta, Leah Poulton.South Australia Julie Woerner, Karen Rolton (capt), Shelley Nitschke, Kris Britt, Leanne Davis, Jenny Gunn, Alicia Dean (wk), Cara Fiebig, Neisha Iles, Fiona McDonald, Stephanie Morrison, Emma Sampson, Tegan McPharlin.

Australia’s bowling coach Troy Cooley hopes the attack has received the “wake-up call we needed” before the team defends the World Cup. The fast men have fallen from dominators during the first half of the CB Series to a group that could not get a wicket in the opening match of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy and failed to defend 336 in the second.Cooley will be part of the squad for the World Cup and he told the Sydney Morning Herald he would be addressing the series of problems before they left for the Caribbean. “We’ve got some work to do,” Cooley said. “Maybe it’s the wake-up call we needed.”This group of bowlers did a great job of hitting the right lines and building pressure in the first half of the one-day series. You don’t just lose that skill. We have to get back to what we do right, and find that right balance.”Australia have suffered from the ankle injury to Brett Lee on the eve of the series and Cooley said Shane Watson’s return and the battle for World Cup places were factors in their performances. “There was so much talk about the six fast bowlers battling for five spots to go to the World Cup,” Cooley told the paper. “These kind of issues can play on a player’s mind.”The sudden injury to Brett hasn’t helped things, and there’s also been the re-entry of Shane Watson and trying to get him some match practice before the World Cup. There are a lot of factors. It’s a combination of things we need to look at.”He agreed with John Buchanan that the bowlers were not “hitting their areas” like they did in the early stages of the CB Series. “There’s a danger sometimes that you can go in search of things that aren’t there, and I think we have to be mindful of that,” Cooley said. “You don’t go from being a good side one day to a bad side the next. It’s a matter of getting their minds right before the games.”