Swann Wants T20 & ODI Success

England spinner Graeme Swann wants England to maintain their winning ways by beating Australia in the upcoming two T20 matches, followed by seven One Day Internationals.

Both sides will be looking to fine-tune their preparations for the forthcoming World Cup which starts in February.

England pulled off an historic win by retaining the Ashes, winning the series in Australia. The first time this has been achieved for twenty four years, the spinner wants to make put the icing on the cake with a winter to remember by winning the T20 and ODI matches.

"It's nice to win the Ashes, I won't lie to you," said Swann.

"It's been a great tour for us so far and the worst thing for us would be if we stuttered and stopped at the end of the tour.

"We want to go home to 50,000 people at Heathrow cheering us which, if we lose the one-dayers, might be down to about 40,000."

He added: "It's important that we show the good one-day form we've shown recently because we want to be number one in all forms.

"Let's face it we were (ranked) number seven or eight not so long ago and we were garbage.

"We've had some very good series results recently. We beat the Australians at home last year and we won the Twenty20 in Barbados to win that World Cup.

"Both teams have changed quite a bit since then so it will be interesting to see how it plays out."

Ashes Jokes 2011 - The Top Twenty

Say, did you know that the Australian's had lost the Ashes?  Well, just to thank them, we thought we would give you the top twenty Ashes jokes currently doing the rounds on a mobile phone near you!

What do you call an Australian with a champagne bottle in his hand?
A waiter.

Snow White returned to the cottage to find it had burned down. Distraught, she searches for the dwarfs in the forest and hears a lone voice chanting: "The aussies are going to win the ashes, the aussies are going to win the ashes" On hearing this, Snow White gave a little sigh of relief as she knew that at least Dopey was safe! 

What's the difference between Ricky Ponting and a Phoenix?
At the end of The Ashes, the Phoenix still has a future.

Why can no-one drink wine in Australia at the moment? 
They haven't got any openers ...

What do you call an Australian who is good with a bat?

A vet.

Mitchell Johnson  - two minutes after going out to bat..

What do you call an Australian with 100 runs against his name?

A bowler. 

I had to borrow a cup of sugar the other day. I asked Shane Watson - but he had run out.

What’s the difference between Ricky Ponting and a funeral director?
A funeral director doesn’t keep losing the ashes.

What is the main function of the Australia coach?
To transport the team from the hotel to the ground.

The ICC are investigating strange betting patterns on the Sydney test. Someone allegedly put $20 on Australia 

What's the Australian version of LBW?
Lost, Beaten, Walloped.

What’s the height of optimism?
An Aussie batsman putting on sunscreen.

Why don't Aussie fielders need pre-tour travel injections?
Because they never catch anything.

Why is Ricky Ponting cleverer than Houdini?
Because he can get out without even trying.

What did the spectator miss when he went to the toilet?
The entire Australian innings.
 

A phone call comes into the Australian dressing room
‘Is it possible to speak to Mr Ponting please?
‘I’m sorry’ says a voice at the other end, ‘he has, gone out to bat’
‘No problem, I’ll hold the line’

What do you call a cricket field full of Australians ?
A vacant lot.

Who spends the most time on the crease of anyone in the Australian team?
The woman who ironed the cricket whites.

What does an Australian batsman who is playing in The Ashes have in common with Michael Jackson?
They both wore gloves for no apparent reason.

Andy Flower: Strauss Was Instrumental

England Team Director Andy Flower has said that England Captain Andrew Strauss was instrumental in leading the team that retained the Ashes in Australia and rounded off nicely with a series win, beating Australia in the Fifth test by an innings and 83 runs.

The England camp celebrated after succeeding in a first series win in Australian for some 24 final Test at the SCG on Friday.

"I'd rather talk about the cricket, but the celebrations were good, and well deserved by the players," Flower said.

"We had a good time and I think the guys are reflecting on a job well done and a job that they are very proud of.

"All sorts of things go into what makes successful sides and Strauss' leadership is very influential factor in that success.

"He is very strong in the dressing room and in the middle with bat or marshalling the troops.

"He's grown in stature in this series, and considering the high position he started, that's saying a lot about him."

Speaking on Alastair Cook, Flower said; "He's overcome most challenges that have been put in front of him, which is testament to that strength of character and, considering that people were calling for his head not so long ago, it is an outstanding riposte.

"Although that's not why he did it, it was because of the pride he has in his own performance and because he is very proud to play for England.

"I am very happy for him personally, and we're all thankful that he made those contributions to the team for us."

Andy Flower Ponders Changes

England cricket coach Andy Flower has suggested that he may make some changes to his bowling line-up when they play their fourth Test in Melbourne. England slumped to a heavy 267-run defeat as they struggled to break down the Aussies in the Third Test.

Australia’s fast bowlers dominated in Perth and it is thought that Flower may turn to Tim Bresnan or Ajmal Shahzad. Both have yet to feature so far this tour with Chris Tremlett deputising for the injured Stuart Broad

"A five-Test series is hard on everyone, both physically and emotionally. For the fast bowlers even more so, I would say," Flower said. "We've got a few days now to reassess prior to Melbourne and the bottom line is we'll pick the XI that we think will have the best chance of winning in Melbourne.

"The workload on our bowlers is heavy. In the absence of a quality all-rounder we're sticking with our four-bowler attack and we've shown over the last 18 months that it's served us well."

Andy Flower is considering promoting Ian Bell up the order after Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood have failed to deliver in the middle order.

"We are always looking at ways to improve our side," Flower said. "Ian Bell looks in very good form, he's very confident and he's played beautifully throughout this tour.

"Jiggling with batting orders and personnel is always an option but you also have to be careful about altering a side that's been very successful over the last 18 months."

England Aim For Third Test Glory

England go into the third Test match tomorrow at Perth in hope of wrapping of the series this side of Christmas, an England win will see them retain the Ashes in Australia for the first time since 1985.

While confidence is high following their triumphant victory in the last match at Adelaide, the tourists know Australia will be looking for a better performance.

Australia will make some changes for the third Test and it is thought that both Ben Hilfenhaus and Mitchell Johnson will return to the side.

Both fast bowlers missed the last test and this wicket will suit their style.

Australia insist that they haven’t decided on the final XI yet.

"We haven't got a team yet," said Ponting on the eve of the match.

"We've had a good look at the wicket this afternoon. It's changed a little bit since we've been here today so we want to just want to have a look at it again tomorrow before we finalise what our XI will be."

"(It's) still particularly grassy and I've had a good chat to Cameron (curator Cameron Sutherland) today about the wicket.

"It's different grass than there's been on the wicket before, so we've got a lot of things that we've got to think about yet before we finalise it.

"Looking at the wicket you'd think there's going to be a result in this game, so obviously that has to be a positive one for us or it's game, set and match."

England will need to make just one change to side after Stuart Broad was ruled out for the rest of the tour following a stomach injury he received during in the last Test.

Chris Tremlett, Tim Bresnan and Ajmal Shahzad are all vying for Broad’s position, but it is thought that England will go with Chris Tremlett.

"All three bring different skills to the party, and we have to work out which one is going to be best for Perth and onwards," Strauss admitted. "The way we've got to look at it is which bowler will help us take 20 wickets.

"When you're only playing four bowlers, they've got to be able to do their primary job.

"We're going to have to try to read the wicket - which is always a bit of a mysterious art."

Brett Lee Backing Ponting & Co

Speed Is The Key

Legendary Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has thrown his full support behind Ricky Ponting and his team as they head into the third test match against England in Perth.

Australia who drew the first test in Brisbane and lost the second test in Adelaide will be looking to bounce back knowing a loss will give England the series win, retaining the Ashes in Australia for the first time since 1986 when Mike Gatting captained the team.

Brett Lee insists all the pressure is all on England and this could help Australia when play starts on Thursday.

"I think the good thing Australia has got now is that the only way for us is up," said the fast bowler.

"The way that England have been playing, I think the pressure is now on them.

"I know they are 1-0 up in the series after two games but we hope that the Australian team can go out there and find some form."

Australia has been recalled to the team by the selectors and he feels the seamer could be the key to breaking through England’s batsmen.

"I caught up with Mitch in Adelaide and he was in a great frame of mind," he added.

"It's almost like when you know you're on the verge of being dropped that when you're actually dropped there's a sigh of relief almost because you can go away and try and work on your game and work out how you can get back in [the team].

"I'm sure he gets his opportunity in Perth - and we hope it's going to be a nice bouncy wicket for the quicks - so fingers crossed he can go there and get a bag of wickets."

Nathan Hauritz Sells Kit

Nathan Hauritz Unhappy With Selectors

Nathan Hauritz has signalled his frustration at being frozen out by Australia by giving away his Test kit.

The off-spinner was sat outside his Sydney flat, giving out his training kit to anyone who was interested,

Hauritz, 29, who has played 17 Tests and taken 63 wickets, was shocked when novice left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty was brought in ahead of Hauritz for the first two Ashes Tests and uncapped Michael Beer for the third.

Nathan Hauritz responded by giving away jumpers and selling training kit. Hauritz said: ‘I don’t play for them (Australia) any more.’

Even Xavier Doherty, who was dumped after taking just 1-158 in the innings defeat at Adelaide, has admitted that there seems to be some confusion over what selectors want from spin bowlers.

''You have seen how many spinners they have used over the last couple of years, so I'm sure the selectors aren't quite sure who the next person is," the 27-year-old said upon learning of his axing on Friday.

Ricky Ponting: I Won't Quit

Ponting Up For The Test

Ricky Ponting has insisted he still has fight left in him and has not contemplated quitting as captain of his nation's team. Nevertheless, he may be just one test defeat away from becoming the first Australian captain in 120 years to lose three Ashes

Ponting turns 36 on December 19.  He is the first to admit that he has not been at the top of his game with the bat lately and his team are struggling, trailing England 1-0 in the five-match series with three tests remaining. An England victory in the next test could see England retain the Ashes in Australia.

"My absolute focus is on all the things within my control, preparing the team and myself to perform at our very best in Perth, Melbourne and then Sydney over the next three tests," Ponting wrote in the Australian newspaper Saturday.

"I have not stopped for one moment to consider retirement. The question of my future as captain is ultimately a decision for Cricket Australia and categorically the future of Australian cricket must come first.

"I have every confidence in my ability to score runs and be the experienced batsman and leader that my teammates can rely on."

"As captain, I am accountable for the performance of my team and I accept that our most recent results mean that I am being assessed more critically than at other times in my career as captain.

"The team is my priority, not my own ego or the status that comes with being the captain of the Australian cricket team."

Ponting on his preparation and batting, added, "We've been ordinary, we've played poorly. I haven't played the way I would like to have played, especially in Adelaide, but I don't think I'm that far away.

"I've got to keep trusting the way I prepare and play and keep working hard. If anything I might have worked a bit too hard on my batting over the last couple of weeks."

Swann Plays Down Warne Return

Graeme Swann says Shane Warne won't return

England spinner Graeme Swann has played down speculation that Legendary Australian bowler Shane Warne will come back out of retirement for the remainder or the Ashes tour.

"I very much doubt that Shane Warne would come out of retirement to play just in these three games," said Swann.

Much of the media has suggested that Australia's all-time leading wicket taker could return to Test cricket after England's dominant innings-and-71-run win in Adelaide and Australia going 1-0 down in the series after the second test.

"It's very good for us that the Aussies are doing this and the Aussie public are looking for Shane to get back in.

"He's not played any cricket for so long. We'll just carry on as we are and let the Aussies worry about that."

England Close In On Victory

Can England bowl Australia out

England will be hoping for six quick wickets tomorrow when the final session gets underway, England had earlier declared on 620-5 after adding 69 in nine overs, with Pietersen out for a Test-best of 227, Ian Bell reached 68 and Matt Prior 27.

England left themselves nearly two days to bowl out their hosts at the Adelaide Oval. In reply Australia notched up 238 runs, with Pietersen taking the key wicket of the session,

Australia started there second innings with Shane Watson hitting 57 and Simon Kaitch who was struggling with an Achilles injury registered 43 runs, the Aussie’s started to fight back with an opening stand of 84 before Watson was bowled by Finn and caught by Strauss.

Graeme Swann took two early-afternoon wickets seeing off Simon Kaitch and Captain Ricky Ponting who only managed 9 runs after being caught low down to his left by Paul Collingwood at slip...

Michael Clarke then went on to hit 80 runs and Mike Hussey 44 not out, they were a constant thorn in England's side, having frustrated the visitors. The tourists had done well to reduce 134-3, with Graeme Swann (2-72) striking twice and Steven Finn claiming his eighth wicket of the series.

With the last ball of the day Kevin Pietersen bowled Michael Clarke, who refused to walk but after an official review the decision was made that Clarke was given out.

Graeme Swann has said that if England is able repeat the level of performance they reached today then they can secure the win.

He added; "We need a bit to go our way in that first session and we need to bowl as well as we did today,"

"I think that if we can do that we can win this game.

"Is will be a case of sticking to our guns and seeing what happens."

Speaking on Kevin Pietersen’s last ball, who earlier had a record-breaking test score of 227, the spinner added; "We toiled hard in the last session and a half with very little luck so some time you need a bit of inspiration," said Swann.

"Who else but KP to come on and give you it?

"He went straight in and said 'I'm an all-rounder, I'm an all-rounder' and I still think he is in there shouting it now."

Can England do it or will Australia bat out the whole day with only seven wickets remaining?

KP scores 213 not out

England picked up where they left off in the Adelaine Test. Kevin Pietersen smashed an unbeaten double century after turning the screw on Australia.

The English team are now more confident of victory than ever - particularly after Pieterson's extraordinary unbeaten 213 runs from 296 balls.  This now puts England 306 runs ahead of their Australian opponents with just two days of the second Test left to go.

England resumed play on day three of the second test match. Alastair Cook went for 148 in the morning, but with Paul Collingwood hitting 42 and Ian Bell scoring 41 not out it helped Pietersen to be the only fifth English player to hit double centuries in Australia and the second in two days.

Kevin Pietersen, who scored 213 not out, hasn’t registered a century for England since March 2009 in Trinidad, but has now reaffirmed his status in the England batting ranks.

Australia appeared to have run out of ideas. England totalled 551 for 4 wickets when the umpires called a halt to play when rain started to fall in the middle session.  The covers went on and the players went off to tea. The conditions didn’t improve enough for the players to take the field again.

Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: "You go through tough times in your career, it's how you get through that.
"I knew doing the basics and keeping things simple I would come good. To get some time in the middle in this fixture has been great."

Pietersen also paid tribute to coach Graham Ford after going back to basics, gh said: "It came back then. He just went through bits and pieces I had forgotten."

Pietersen now wants to help the team press on for victory. He added: "It's about the team's position. The Ashes is still nil-nil and we now need to go about winning a Test match.

Alastair Cook Puts England In Command

Alastair Cook scores another ton

Alastair Cook hit a successive century as England set a lead of 72 against Australia in the second Ashes Test..  Cook hit an unbeaten 136 with the tourists reaching 317-2 in their first innings. The Essex left-hander, who also hit 235 not out in the first test at the Gabba took his aggregate score to 371.

Following Andrew Strauss' dismissal in the first over bowled by Doug Bollinger for no runs, the tourists made a bad start to the day. But Alastair Cook & Jonathan Trott (78) put England in command and once Trott was dismissed Kevin Pietersen then hit 85 not out, helping England rack up the runs in Adelaide.

Alastair Cook said, "It's important to cash in when things do go your way,"

"(I learned after the first Test) what had gone had gone.

"It's about not getting complacent; it's a mental switch that you have to start at nought again.

"That was one of the challenges I had this week - trying to back up what I did last week."

The Essex batsman speaking on the batting conditions, he added: "They bowled really well up front so to stick in through that and go on and bat all day was especially rewarding.

"It was almost ideal batting conditions.

"A lot of credit must go to the way our guys bowled to put us in that position.

"But there is still a lot of hard work to do."

England bowled out for 260

Ian Bell scored 76

England were bowled out for 260 on the first innings of the first Ashes test at Gabba, Ian Bell admitted England's performance was below par. Andrew Strauss opted to bat first after winning the toss and England loss their captain on the third ball. Things went from bad to worst as Peter Siddle claimed a hat-trick on his way to a six-wicket haul as England were skittled for 260. 

Ian Bell reached 76 and Alaistar Cook notching up 67 was the only highlight of the innings for England.


"It was certainly under par," he told Sky Sports News. "But we have to give credit to Siddle. He bowled a brilliant spell.

On winning the toss:

"It was the right decision to bat but it did a bit today."

Bell came into the Test on the back of some impressive performances in the warm-up matches - including his 192 against Australia A in Hobart - and he paid tribute to England batting coach Graham Gooch for helping him improve his batting.

"It was nice to get runs on day one of an Ashes series and hopefully we come back tomorrow and have a good day," he said.

"The experience I have gained over the last couple of years I have put into my game recently and hopefully I can carry on this form for a while now.

"Graham Gooch has really helped my cricket. He has put some things into my game and hopefully I can carry on like this with my form now."

Shane Warne backs Nathan Hauritz

Shane Warne on Nathan Hauritz

Legendary spin bowler Shane Warne has said that he expects Nathan Hauritz to be the number one spinner for Australia in the Ashes, although there is stiff competition from Xavier Doherty who has been selected in the squad alongside Steve Smith. The pair will come up against each other in the Sheffield Shield clash between New South Wales and Tasmania in a battle of the spinners.

Warne revealed that he spoke to Hauritz on the Boxing Day Test last year about keeping positive and he feels the Australian will be key providing he doesn't suffer a dip in form, but in case he doesn't perform well, he has Doherty and Smith breathing down his neck for a place in the squad to face England.

Warne added, "I think Nathan Hauritz is our number one spinner, he has a very good record in Australia and I'm sure he'll get first chance,"

"I had a chat with him just before the Boxing Day Test last year and talked about being positive.

"I said 'mate, you're bowling well, get some right fields, work with Ricky (Ponting) to get the right fields and bowl to get someone out. Ask yourself how am I getting them out and if you ask how am I getting them out that naturally gives you a positive mindset'. And if he does that he'll be fine.

"If he (Hauritz) doesn't do well, a bloke like Doherty is pushing and Steven Smith is pushing, so there are options and that's a good sign for Australian cricket.

"But I think Nathan Hauritz will get first chance, and he deserves it.

"He looks good (Doherty), I've worked with him a bit, not in a while, but whenever I worked with him he looks very good.

"He's definitely not a big spinner of the ball and that's something he's trying to work on, to spin it more, and this summer he looks like he's spinning it more, and that's great. I'm sure he'd do a very good job if picked."

While praising the Austrialian spinners, Warne has insisted that England have the best spinner and most improved cricketer  in Graeme Swann,

He added, "Graeme Swann is the number one spinner in the world and the most improved cricketer in the world, so everyone is expecting him to do really well,"

"Expectation is on him for the first time which is different, and he's coming in as leading wicket taker for England. He said.

"So it's a different feeling for him but I think he'll do really well and I'm impressed with what he did this summer in England while I was commentating over there. He was fantastic."

Trott Geared up for The Ashes

England batsman Jonathan Trott is confident the team will do well at the Ashes in Australia, as an English cricketer, winning the Ashes Down-Under is the biggest prize. The rivalry between the two countries in Cricket has brought about some of the best games of Cricket ever seen.

Trott's first taste of the Ashes came at the oval in 2009, hitting a second-innings century to help England win the series and now he wants to help regain the Ashes in Australia's back yard.

Could they regain the Ashes?

Trott said, "People that you speak to who have been on past tours say that, as an Englishman coming out here on an Ashes tour, it's the ultimate,"

"You come here with your eyes open expecting the toughest - you prepare for that so you are ready for whatever comes your way.

He added, "Coming here, wanting to do well, the team is expected to do well - and I want to contribute to that.

"I've prepared for all eventualities. I'm not going to change the way I prepare because that is what has made me successful in the past - so it would be foolish to change."