Cricket News In Brief – February 13, 2012 – Part 1
Australian skipper, Michael Clarke, has been ruled out for his team’s upcoming clash against Sri Lanka after sustaining a hamstring injury.
Clarke picked up the knock during their team’s first defeat in the ongoing CB series against India at the Adelaide Oval. An announcement over his replacement is expected tomorrow.
“I have a grade one hamstring strain so will be out of Fridays game vs SL but hopefully be back for Sun against India in Bris. Good news,” the skipper tweeted.
Indian opening batsman, Gautam Gambhir, has heaped praise on the performances of young fast bowler Umesh Yadav Down Under, terming his as ‘the find of the tour’.
After noteworthy outings in the Test series, Yadav returned to the national ODI team against Australia at Adelaide, and claimed two key scalps of Michael Clarke and Peter Forrest in a match, which his side went on to win by four wickets.
Gambhir, who was named the Player of the Match for his impressive knock of 92, said, "Umesh for me is the find of the tour. "Someone who can bowl 150 consistently. It's time we can give back to the opposition what we have been receiving for years and years.”
Pakistani skipper, Misbah-ul-Haq, wants his batters to show extra responsibility in their upcoming ODI bouts against England.
The Men In Green claimed a 3-0 win in the Test leg of the series, which was mainly inspired by their bowling department, comprising of spinners, Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman.
Keeping this in mind, Misbah commented that he expects the batters to show consistency and stability in the ODI series, starting from the first game today at Abu Dhabi.
New Zealand has named an unchanged squad for the upcoming two T20s against South Africa, with Brendon McCullum leading the side in the absence of injured Captain, Ross Taylor.
Taylor suffered a calf injury in the One-off Test match against Zimbabwe, and consequently missed the remainder of the home summer where his team has demolished the Rhodesians in all formats of the game so far, with only one T20 game to be played.
After that, the Kiwi will lock horns with the Proteas’ unit in the first T20 on 17th of February.