Cricket: 2006 Commonwealth Bank ODI Series

[Titanium_BD1103]

2006 Commonwealth Bank ODI Series

Please post all information involving Australia, NZ and England ODI Teams here...

Commonwealth Bank Series Draw:

Fri 12 Jan Australia v England, Melbourne

Sun 14 Jan Australia v New Zealand, Hobart

Tues 16 Jan England v New Zealand, Hobart

Fri 19 Jan Australia v England, Brisbane

Sun 21 Jan Australia v New Zealand, Sydney

Tues 23 Jan England v New Zealand, Adelaide

Fri 26 Jan Australia v England, Adelaide

Sun 28 Jan Australia v New Zealand, Perth

Tues 30 Jan England v New Zealand, Perth

Fri 2 Feb Australia v England, Sydney

Sun 4 Feb Australia v New Zealand, Melbourne

Tues 6 Feb England v New Zealand, Brisbane

Fri 9 Feb First Final, Melbourne

Sun 11 Feb Second Final, Sydney

Tues 13 Feb Third Final, (if required) Adelaide

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From: www.cricket.com.au

5 January, 2007
Squads for Commonwealth Bank Series and 2007 ICC World Cup

Cricket Australia?s National Selection Panel (NSP) today announced a 13-player squad for the Commonwealth Bank Series beginning next week and a preliminary squad of 30 for the 2007 ICC World Cup in the West Indies beginning in March.

The Commonwealth Bank Series squad, which will play against England and New Zealand and plays its first game in Melbourne on Friday 12 January, is as follows:

Ricky Ponting (c) TAS 32
Adam Gilchrist (vc) WA 35
Nathan Bracken NSW 29
Stuart Clark NSW 31
Michael Clarke NSW 25
Matthew Hayden QLD 35
Brad Hogg WA 35
Michael Hussey WA 31
Mitchell Johnson QLD 25
Brett Lee NSW 30
Glenn McGrath NSW 36
Andrew Symonds QLD 31
Cameron White VIC 23


NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch said selection of the squad for the Commonwealth Bank Series was an important step in Australia?s preparation for the 2007 ICC World Cup.

?We have been very happy with the form of the one-day side since its World Cup victory in 2003 and we have again had an ideal preparation for this series with victories in the DLF Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy late last year.

Hilditch said two forced changes had been made to the team that claimed the ICC Champions Trophy due to the retirement of Damien Martyn and the hamstring injury of Shane Watson, however these changes had provided opportunities to other players.

?There is no doubt we will miss Damien, he was a great player in both forms of the game for Australia over a long period of time and was instrumental in our ICC Champions Trophy victory. However, this provides Ricky with an opportunity if he chooses to elevate Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey in the batting order and to bring back into the squad Matthew Hayden and Cameron White.

?While we have been very pleased with Shane Watson?s recent performance at the top of the order, his injury provides a well deserved opportunity for Matthew Hayden. Matthew has performed well in the DLF Cup, has been in terrific form in the Ford Ranger Cup and the 3 mobile Ashes series and this gives him another chance to press his claims prior to the World Cup.

?Cameron White has been in great form with the bat and has had some terrific performances with the ball. He richly deserves this opportunity. He adds depth to the batting and balance to the bowling and hopefully we can see him seize his chance.?

In regards to Shane Watson?s injury, Hilditch said his recovery continued.

?A program for Shane has been agreed with his physiotherapists and medical staff to bring him back gradually through a series of Pura Cup games where we will continue to monitor his fitness.

The preliminary squad of 30 for the ICC World Cup, which will be shortened to 15 players before the 13 February deadline, is as follows:

State Age
Ricky Ponting TAS 32
Adam Gilchrist WA 35
Andrew Symonds QLD 31
Brett Lee NSW 30
Glenn McGrath NSW 36
Michael Hussey WA 31
Michael Clarke NSW 25
Stuart Clark NSW 31
Brad Hogg WA 35
Shane Watson QLD 25
Simon Katich NSW 31
Brad Haddin NSW 29
Phil Jaques NSW 27
Mitchell Johnson QLD 25
Adam Voges WA 27
Marcus North WA 27
Daniel Cullen SA 22
Shaun Tait SA 23
Nathan Hauritz NSW 25
Shane Harwood VIC 32
Matthew Hayden QLD 35
James Hopes QLD 28
Nathan Bracken NSW 29
Andrew McDonald VIC 25
Brad Hodge VIC 32
Mark Cosgrove SA 22
Ben Hilfenhaus TAS 23
Travis Birt TAS 25
Shaun Marsh WA 23
Cameron White VIC 23



Of the 30 players selected in the preliminary squad for the ICC World Cup Hilditch said a balanced squad of players had been selected from which the final 15 will be chosen.

?In picking the 30 players who are available to play we have had regard to the outstanding performance of several young fast bowlers and batsmen and two further specialist spinners who have all been performing extremely well in domestic cricket this season.

?The final selection of the 15 players will take into account performances during the Commonwealth Bank Series and the performance of players during domestic cricket. Given the outstanding recent performances of our one-day squad, this gives us further opportunities to build upon our strength in this form of the game.

?This is a great reward for these players and holds the future of Australian cricket at both levels in great stead.?

That is a good side... very strong from the Australians and it's good to see Haydos back in the one day squad... well deserved after the sensational efforts of the Ashes Series.

I am a bit surprised to see Hogg still there... considering that White is a useful spinner and Symonds can bowl spin along with M Clarke, I would have chosen a younger paceman who can swing the ball like a Ben Hilfenhaus to test the stocks we have over this series and to prepare for the future.

I would also have liked to have seen Adam Voges get a run in that squad, he deserves it and would have been a handy asset to have in the World Cup squad, where he is most likely to be picked, with that added experience.

HOWEVER this is a good side, and it will do well. Will be interesting to see the English side when it comes out, considering Hoggard is injured, Harmison retired and only Panasar, Mahmood, Flintoff and Anderson as real options, with none besides Monty really standing out ATM.

[Robbie_Dee]

It's good to see Hayden has finally been included in limited overs cricket! he's so strong, and has always deserved a spot in the side!!!

[~Wild Child~]

It's good to see Hayden has finally been included in limited overs cricket! he's so strong, and has always deserved a spot in the side!!!

Yeah..Hayden deserves his spot ..and it is one hot looking team that has been selected..GO AUSSIES...Can't wait until the commencement of this series...I only hope that England supplies us with a lil bit more of a competition..than their dismal attempts in the Ashes series

[Steelers]

Source: www.cricinfo.com

Vaughan's return will boost England - Fleming

Stephen Fleming, New Zealand's captain, believes Michael Vaughan's return to the helm will make England a stronger team as they prepare for the ODI tri-series in Australia.

"It's just how they start and what sort of confidence they get," Fleming told reporters. "They get their skipper back who'll make a pretty big difference and they've got players, the Pietersens and the Flintoffs, who can certainly turn a one-day game on their own."

Vaughan, 32, returns from an 18-month lay off due a knee injury. Although he has recovered from knee surgery, he is yet to prove his effectiveness in the field and with running between wickets. And despite a 5-0 beating in the Ashes, Fleming felt England could still be dangerous.

New Zealand, the third team in the series, would benefit from the competition ahead of the World Cup, Fleming said - "beating Australia in its own backyard is very tough," - but added that they were not invincible. The absence of Shane Watson, injured, and a quality spinner were two key factors, though Australia were "pretty well-rounded and it's a side that's performed under pressure, so there's not too many chinks in their armour."

New Zealand have their own problems going into the series, particularly their poorly performing batting lineup, having suffered their worst-ever ODI defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka on Saturday.

The tri-series opens with an Australia-England clash on 12 January at Melbourne

[Steelers]

ENGLISH ODI SQUAD
Courtesy of www.cricinfo.com

1. JM Anderson
2. IR Bell
3. PD Collingwood
4. JWM Dalrymple
5. A Flintoff
6. EC Joyce
7. J Lewis
8. SI Mahmood
9. PA Nixon (wicketkeeper)
10. MS Panesar
11. KP Pietersen
12. LE Plunkett
13. CMW Read (wicketkeeper)
14. AJ Strauss
15. CT Tremlett
16. MP Vaughan

NEW ZEALAND ODI SQUAD
Courtesy of www.cricinfo.com

1. SP Fleming (captain)
2. AR Adams
3. NJ Astle
4. SE Bond
5. JEC Franklin
6. PG Fulton
7. MR Gillespie
8. BB McCullum (wicketkeeper)
9. CD McMillan
10. HJH Marshall
11. MJ Mason
12. JS Patel
13. RL Taylor
14. DL Vettori

[Steelers]

Source: www.cricinfo.com

AUSTRALIA VS ENGLAND GAME 1 PREVIEW

With only two months until the World Cup each team's preparations should be ready for the final polish. However, the three sides contesting the month-long CB Series, which starts with Australia facing England at the MCG on Friday, still have many experiments to complete as they countdown to the Caribbean.

Australia seem to have less to worry about than England or New Zealand and they already benefit from the momentum built from the Ashes whitewash and the rust-shaking limited-overs win in Tuesday's Twenty20. Despite the smooth progression through the first half of the season, Ricky Ponting's outfit is still tinkering with its bowling attack and the No. 4 spot while Matthew Hayden is due to return to the unstable opening slot opposite Adam Gilchrist.

Michael Clarke will nestle into the spot behind Ricky Ponting following the retirement of Damien Martyn and the move will be crucial in giving him more time in the middle following shifts lower down the order. "We think that's a really well-balanced side then with Clarke at four, Andrew Symonds five, Michael Hussey six, that sort of line-up," Ponting told AAP. "[Clarke] has been dying to get a chance up the order, his chance has come now." In this team of powerbrokers he must perform almost immediately or risk being shifted by the might of Symonds or Hussey.

Brett Lee has a chest problem and will miss his second match in a row, giving some of his younger rivals a chance to settle. Ben Hilfenhaus, the swing bowler, has joined the squad but Ponting said he would miss the opening affair along with Brad Hogg, allowing Mitchell Johnson and Cameron White opportunities alongside Glenn McGrath and Stuart Clark.

Ponting has outlined his starting plans but the tactics of his initial opponents are in such doubt even the team management must be unsure of their preferred line-up. Michael Vaughan is back as captain and trying to lift a squad that has struggled for the past two months.

"That's our biggest challenge - to make sure we get them in a good mental state for Friday," Vaughan said in the Sydney Morning Herald. "We realise it's going to be tough but when tough times come about you need tough people, and that's what we need from all the players."

Questions remain over Vaughan's recovery from a knee injury and there are doubts over whether to choose Paul Nixon or Chris Read as wicketkeeper. Andrew Flintoff is also a concern as he attempts to recapture the all-round form that deserted him when he led the Test side to a 5-0 loss. The batting order is noticeably stronger with Vaughan at the top, but the bowling is less assured even if Monty Panesar gets a chance to prove himself in what should be his debut series.

England have 16 players in their squad but the options don't drip with class and if they reach the three-match finals they should be considered a success. They managed only five wins in 20 ODIs last year and one of those was against Ireland. Australia succeeded in 20 of 29 games in 2006, including the Champions Trophy final, while New Zealand started the year by drawing a five-match series with Sri Lanka.

New Zealand enter the tournament on Sunday against Australia at Hobart and they will try out a squad without three of their regulars. Stephen Fleming's side, which was dismissed for 73 on Saturday, has landed in Tasmania missing Scott Styris, Jacob Oram and Kyle Mills, who may appear in the squad if they recover.

However, they do have Shane Bond, who has 24 wickets against Australia in seven games, and he will attempt to scare the local batsmen during the four preliminary encounters. Each team plays eight matches in the qualifying round before two progress to the finals in what could be the last season of the three-team format.


Squads

Australia Adam Gilchrist (wk), Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Cameron White, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Mitchell Johnson, Glenn McGrath.

England: Michael Vaughan (capt), Andrew Strauss, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff, Paul Collingwood, Jamie Dalrymple, Ed Joyce, Paul Nixon (wk), Chris Read (wk), Jon Lewis, Sajid Mahmood, Monty Panesar, James Anderson, Liam Plunkett, Chris Tremlett.

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (capt), Nathan Astle, Peter Fulton, Hamish Marshall, Craig McMillan, Brendon McCullum (wk), Andre Adams, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori, Shane Bond, James Franklin, Mark Gillespie, Jeetan Patel, Michael Mason.

[Steelers]

Source: www.foxsports.com.au

Vettori plays down tough tour

IT'S been described as the toughest tour in international cricket, but New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori doesn't know what all the fuss is about.

"It's not tough at all," Vettori said of touring Australia today as the Black Caps began preparations in Hobart for the one-day cricket tri-series against the world champions and England.

"Who can complain about coming to Australia, it's great. You have great facilities, everyone looks after you exceptionally well. We love coming here.

"We don't see it as a challenge. We see it as an enjoyable experience, and something that the last time we came here (for the tri-series) we did very well in."

While Australia has won 15 of the last 17 trans-Tasman one-day meetings, New Zealand carry happy memories from their last significant limited-overs tour of Australia.

In 2002, both New Zealand and South Africa shocked the hosts by playing in the tri-series final - only the third time in the competition's 27-year history Australia has failed to contest the tournament decider.

It was a result which cost Steve Waugh the one-day captaincy.

And while hard to imagine this time around in a tournament featuring a downtrodden England - ranked a lowly eighth in the world one-day rankings - New Zealand, despite recent patchy form, has arrived in Australia with high expectations.

"It's important that we win every game that we play," said coach John Bracewell, who's side drew 2-2 with Sri Lanka in its recent one-day series - including being bowled out for only 73 in the final completed match.

"(The players) know this is a great build up towards the World Cup (starting in March).

"We always watch in New Zealand, the tri-series over here. It's something that we (follow) as part of our summer. And to be invited to it is a really exciting time.

"I think that everybody has an Everest, and at the moment in world cricket Australia is the Everest... and everybody is trying to scale it."

New Zealand will start the series without three key players - all rounders Scott Styris (back injury) and Jacob Oram (hamstring), and quick bowler Kyle Mills (knee) - but Bracewell is hopeful the trio will be fit to join the squad by the time the tour hits Adelaide in 12 days.

The visitors, though, do have pace spearhead Shane Bond for his first tour of Australia since 2002 - although Vettori believes Bond's inclusion may see the spinner become a bigger target for Australia's big hitters.

"They're probably going to look to attack me a little bit more than they have in the past," said Vettori, who has always been held in high esteem by Australia.

"I think with Shane in the side, particularly with his record against Australia, they'll be wary of him."

The Black Caps play Australia in the series opener at Bellerive Oval on Sunday.

[Steelers]

Tues 13 Feb Third Final, (if required) Brisbane

Is this really the case? I remember reading somewhere that we had lost the Third Final due to 'crowd behaviour' at the game last year. I shall do some research

EDIT: According to the Cricket Australia website, the Third Final is in Adelaide

[Poida]

Cant wait for first game
We will kick ass

[Titanium_BD1103]

Is this really the case? I remember reading somewhere that we had lost the Third Final due to 'crowd behaviour' at the game last year. I shall do some research

EDIT: According to the Cricket Australia website, the Third Final is in Adelaide

Yes the Third Final is in Adelaide... I read that when the thread about the team was posted up.. however the schedule was added into the article later... I did not post it, and therefore was unaware it says Brisbane...

Besides I would worry, I think we'll be done by the first 2... :lol!:

Same Paddy, can't wait, will be awesome to see the team run out in that green uniform and it will be super cool to see them give another England hiding....

[Go_The_Doggies]

Black Caps get serious in Aust
By JONATHAN MILLMOW - The Dominion Post | Friday, 12 January 2007

You can tell when the stakes are high.
The information dries up and players start doing things they have not done for years.

Coach John Bracewell is refusing to offer the slightest hint about his plans for New Zealand's opening match against Australia in Hobart on Sunday but for head-turning action yesterday look no further than Hamish Marshall.

The struggling New Zealand middle-order batsman returned to the practice nets at Bellerive Oval, dispensing with his two-year fascination with throw-downs from 15 paces by assistant coach Bob Carter.

It is sink or swim time for Marshall in the Commonwealth Bank one-day series and on the hottest day of the summer in Tasmania where the mercury rose to 35deg there was the twin training his eyes to watch the ball from the bowler's hand like any right-minded batsman does before a crunch match.

Marshall handled a cruising Shane Bond and some of the state's promising quick bowlers with comfort. Now it remains to be seen whether his change of heart earns him a start at this picturesque venue on Sunday or two days later against England.

The last time Marshall was sighted in the nets was in Australia two years ago. Ever since he has claimed the practice surfaces in New Zealand hinder rather than help his confidence and throw-downs are the way forward for him.

Bracewell played down the change, saying Marshall was happy to bat in the nets if the surfaces were up to a high standard.

"You always get good net bowlers in Australia and good surfaces so it encourages guys to get in there," Bracewell said.

"The nets at home are sometimes a bit dodgy, but they have improved."

New Zealand trained lightly yesterday and apart from Bracewell, one voice was heard more than any other. Craig McMillan is back in town, a smile on his face and into everything.

He cursed himself for dropping a boundary catch but was still going at end of training when everybody else had ducked inside for shade.

Bracewell has noted the change as well.

"He's had a hard look at the other side of the fence and thought `gee I could be working, I better give it another crack'," Bracewell said of McMillan's failed attempts to secure work as a salesman.

"He seems a lot more contented, which is great for us because when his attitude is positive he can be pretty dynamic."

There was good news for New Zealand yesterday with Brett Lee rated a doubtful starter for tonight's series opener against England in Melbourne and for Sunday because of a chest infection.

It would seem a significant boost to a batting line-up rolled in its previous outing for 73 but Bracewell is passing off the Eden Park disaster as a "glitch".

"It was a glitch that happened. The guys are determined to put that right and I don't see it any deeper than that," the coach said.

Nathan Astle will return to the line-up, possibly in place of Marshall or Peter Fulton, not that Bracewell was giving anything away. He's in game mode three days out and will not have a bar of suggestions escaping from Hobart with one win would be a satisfactory start to the series.

"We will be content to leave here with two wins. That is why we are here."

[Titanium_BD1103]

Been a good game so far... we have seen some good cricket for Australia... but ENGLAND are going to lose on wides... .... they have only scored 2 runs off the bat and 13 from extras... England have found a new way to lose a match....

[Go_The_Doggies]

FFS their bowling is disgusting atm.

[Casey's Angel27]

FFS their bowling is disgusting atm.

england... Yeah they suck crap...

[Go_The_Doggies]

Tony Greig hasnt commentated today :\ .. has he? :| im too tired to remememememeber.