Home team Australian has taken a 1-0 lead of the 3-match test series after winning the opening test match by 170 runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Now, they are moving towards the Sydney Cricket Ground to play the 2nd test match to ensure the series victory with one match remaining to play. However, second test match is a big challenge for touring team Pakistan to make their strong come back in the competition. This match will be played from 3rd to 7th January, 2010.
Batting and fielding are the main problems for Pakistan cricket team. These two problems put them under huge pressure. Pakistan skipper Mohammad Yousuf calls Younis Khan to join the Pakistan squad. Younis Khan has experience to play for South Australian club. Even his inclusion will help Pakistan cricket team to make strong batting line up.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting has not recovered yet. He is still suffering from elbow injury. But he is still confidence to lead his team in the second team. Ricky Ponting played in the 1st test match.
Pakistan leg spinner Danish Kaneria has been recovered from finger injury. Now, he is waiting to get a call from Pakistan squad. He has good experienced to play in Sydney. It is expected that he will demolish Australian batting line up with his spin magic.
Most of the people are eagerly waiting to see this game live. Even fans of both teams have already started searching on net to get the list of live TV channels name. I am giving some TV channels name in below where you can enjoy live match-
Fox Sports
Geo Super
Supersport
Nine Network
SKY Sport
Star Cricket
However, you can get live commentary from radio. I have given two radios name in below where from you will get live radio commentary –
Humara FM 94.6- Pakistan
ABC Radio Grandstand – Australia
It is not possible for Pakistani bowlers to seal the victory. I hope that Pakistani batsmen should give their best effort to make the series level.
Australian cricket team has sent the touring team Pakistan under huge pressure after declaring their first innings 454 for 5 in day 2 of the first test match. After coming to chase Australia’s innings, Pakistan has already lost their top four batsmen with just 109 runs at the end of second day. Umar Akmal is batting on 10 along with Mohammad Aamer who was remained unbeaten without scoring any run. Pakistan cricket team is still trailing by 345 runs.
Pakistan’s bowling line up was the main cause of concern for home team. But later it was found useless in the bouncy pitch. Australia finished the opening day with 305 for 3. On second day, they added 149 runs more after playing 38 overs. Michael Hussey and Nathan Hauritz scored 82 and 75 respectively. After the departure of Nathan Hauritz, Australia declared the first innings. Michael Clarke remained not out 28.
Saeed Ajmal took Michael Hussey’s wicket and Abdur Rauf dismissed Nathan Hauritz. The funny thing is that both wickets were trapped by LBW.
For Australian cricket team, Mitchell Johnson brought the first break through. Nathan Hauritz showed his all rounder form after taking Faisal Iqbal’s wicket. Peter Siddle made his good come back from injury. He claimed Mohammad Yousuf’s wicket. He gave the last break through at the end of the day. Salman Butt was in good form. He started well but could not continue. He was 5 runs away from half century. Shane Watson took his wicket.
The 3-match Test series between Pakistan and Australia has already caught the attention to the cricket world. Test series will start with the first test match which will be played on December 26 to 30, 2009. Host team Australia will face their opponent team at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Pakistan cricket team has huge fan. They should not want to miss the chance to see it live. This match will kick off at 23:30 GMT (10:30 local time).
It is going to be an important test series for touring side Pakistan cricket team. Their test series against Pakistan will be the fourth series for Pakistan cricket team this year. Pakistan is now hot favorite team in this series. But I want to remind you that this team has no good record in Aussie soil. However, fans of Pakistan cricket team is expecting to see a tough competition between them. Some cricket fans think that Australian cricket team can be beaten by Pakistan. The opposite thing can happen also.
In their last test match, Australia defeated West Indies by 2-0. Pakistan also played a test series against New Zealand but they finished the series with draw. This draw will inspire them to play well and beat home team.
No doubt, we can see a closely competitive match between them. Australia should want to continue their dominance and improve their ICC Test ranking. You may know that Pakistan cricket team is not in good position in the test ranking.
Australia is worried about the bowling strength of Pakistan team for the Boxing Day Test match. Pace attack of Pakistan cricket team can play an important role and help them to get the victory. Australian captain Ricky Ponting is now concerned about it. He should take the necessary steps to face Pakistan’s fears bowling attack. The young pace bowler Mohammad Aamir is in good form. The 17-year-old bowler has become the permanent member of Pakistan national team. Good news is that their leading bowler Mohammad Asif is now back after one year ban.
Batting is perhaps a major problem for Pakistan cricket team. To get victory, they would have to depend on their batsmen. Mohammad Yousuf is the captain of Pakistan cricket team. He is now concerned about this problem. He is trying to convince Younis Khan to make his come back from rest.
Injury is perhaps the biggest problem for Australian cricket team. Ricky Ponting may not play the first test match against Pakistan. However, Vice-captain Michael Clarke thinks that their captain Ponting will be fit to lead the national team in the Boxing Day Test which will be held at the MCG. But elbow injury has remained him doubt for the first test match. He was seen doing net practice. It can give some hope to his fans about his fitness. If he can not be fit fully then he will be replaced with Philip Hughes. Pacer Peter Siddle has joined in the 13-man squad.
When any team plays a test series against Australian cricket team then we can hear a common complain from the opponent team. The complain is that Australia is best for sledging. This matter breaches the rule of cricket game and also harms the mentality of cricket fans. Let us see if they can control themselves from sledging.
Who do you think can win the match? It is very complicated question. Both teams have equal possibility to seal the victory. As a host team Australia should take the advantage of home crowd support. Even their big victory against West Indies team will motivate them to continue their winning streak. Though Pakistan has not played much test cricket this year but their previous performance will encourage them to make a record in Australian soil.
Fans have already started searching to get the list of live TV channels name. This match will be shown live on Geo Super in Pakistan and Nine Network in Australia. If you can not enjoy it live on TV then get live updates from various websites. I have given some websites name in below-
action8cricket.com
cricinfo.com
thatscricket.oneindia.in
stickiewicket.com
cricandcric.com
cricbuzz.com
cricketnirvana.com
Both Pakistan and Australia is going to face each other after long time. Australia is a big opponent team for Pakistan this year. Let us see how they perform against the former top ranked team.
Bowling strength of Pakistan cricket team will create a big problem for host team Australia. This thing has put Australia under huge pressure. Australian captain Ricky Ponting should find some way to get relieved from this situation. Now, he is worried about the forthcoming test series against Pakistan. Ricky Ponting is doubtful for the first test match because of elbow injury. It is sure that we can see a competitive match between them.
Young pace bowler Mohammad Aamer has caught the attention of opponent team. He is continuously performing well. Mohammad Asif is another destructive bowler. He has come back from ban. Umar Gul is a tough bowler with good line and length. He can cause a lot of damage against Australian batting line up.
Though, Australian venues are helpful for pace bowling but Pakistan selectors may use some quality spin bowlers like Danish Kaneria and Saeed Ajmal.
Bowling strength of Pakistan cricket team is the main cause of concern for Australian captain Ricky Ponting. Let us see how Australian batsmen protect them.
Millions of fans are passionately waiting to see a Test series between Australia and Pakistan. Touring side Pakistan will take on the home team Australia on 26December 2009 in the first test match. These two giant teams will face each other at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. With the hope of Test series win in Australia, Pakistan selectors have announced a 17-member squad.
Test series against Australia is a big challenge for Pakistan cricket team. Pakistan cricket team has no good record in Australia. They may try to make new record against Australia. However, Pakistan cricket team is now in good form. They played a 3-match test series against New Zealand which finished with 1-1 draw. This result indicates that Pakistan cricket team has become able to acclimatize with test cricket.
After the terrorist attack on Sri Lanka team in Pakistan, no one came Pakistan team to play any series. Even India cancelled their series against Pakistan after the terror attack in Mumbai. This test series against Australia will be the fourth tour series for Pakistan in the past two years.
You already know that former Pakistan captain Younis Khan is now in rest. He has opted out his name from the Pakistan squad. His fans are expected that Younis Khan will travel to Australia to join with his team.
Bowling might be the big strength for Pakistan cricket team. The 17-year-old Mohammad Aamer is continuously performing well. He has become an inseparable member of Pakistan team. Aamer is a talented fast bowler. This left arm fast-medium bowler is said to be the future Wasim Akram. Mohammad Asif is back from one year ban from international cricket. He will play an important role in this test series. Danish Kaneria can demolish the opponent team with his spin.
I can not see anyone except Umar Akmal who can play well with the bat. He is just 19-year old. He has talent. Let us see if he can increase his record. Mohammad Yousuf is the captain of Pakistan cricket team.
Pakistan squad: Mohammad Yousuf (c), Salman Butt, Khurrum Manzoor, Imran Farhat, Shoaib Malik, Fawad Alam, Faisal Iqbal, Misbah-ul-Haq, Kamran Akmal (wk), Danish Kaneria, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamer, Abdur Rauf, Umar Akmal, Mohammad Sami.
Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf is now under huge pressure. Let us see if he can handle this pressure successfully.
Pakistan cricket team is going to play against Australia in Australia full series including 3 Tests and five ODI matches. After the end of ODI series, both teams will play only one T20 international match. Only four days are left before the start of the first test match between Australia and Pakistan. These two strong teams will face each other on 26th December 2009 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. You may know that Australian selectors have already announced 13-man squad for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan. There you can not find any big change. Selectors did not want to do any experiment in this squad. Even they kept the same squad which played against West Indies team and defeated the touring side in the third test at the WACA.
Australian regular captain Ricky Ponting is not sure for the first Test match. He is now suffering from elbow injury. Despite getting much treatment, no one can ensure that his presence in the Australian squad. Most probably, Phillip Hughes will replace Ricky Ponting for the first test match. He was dropped after the second test match against England in the Ashes series.
After suffering from hamstring injury for long time, fast bowler Peter Siddle has made his return to the Australian squad. No doubt, his return will boost home team to keep dominance in the longest version of cricket game. However, another pace bowler Ben Hilfenhaus can not play the test series because of knee injury.
Australia squad: Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin (wkt), Nathan Hauritz, Phillip Hughes, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Clint McKay, Marcus North, Peter Siddle, Shane Watson.
The question is that who will lead Australia team if Ricky Ponting can not recover from injury. I think Vice-captain Michael Clarke will replace Ponting as captain for the first test match against Pakistan.
Looking for a semi final berth in Champions Trophy 2009, Australia is going to play their last group match against Pakistan tomorrow (30 September) at Centurion. After the match between India and Australia was washed out yesterday, Australia now needs to win over Pakistan in order to clinch their semi final place without having to face any complex calculation of net run rate. For Pakistan, it is not a very big match because they have already reached the semi final after winning over West Indies and India. However, Pakistan knows it very well that if they lose to Australia then Australia will go into the last four as Group A champion. Naturally, Pakistan would like to hold on to its leading place in the group.
Match: Australia vs Pakistan, Group A, ICC Champions Trophy 2009
Date: 30 September 2009
Venue: The SuperSportPark, Centurion, South Africa
Kick off: 07:30 GMT (Local Time 09:30)
Australia is now in the race with India to reach the semi final. Ponting and his side defeated West Indies by 50 runs in the first group match and then shared points with India in the washed-out game. So, they have 3 points from 2 games, while India, who lost to Pakistan in the first game, has only 1 point from 2 matches. The good thing for India is that they would face West Indies in their next match, and thus, having a good chance of maintaining a good net run rate by defeating the second string West Indies with a big margin.
India now have to beat West Indies on Wednesday if they hope to progress.
With Pakistan already into the last four with two wins from two games, India have one point and Australia three.
That means Mahendra Dhoni's men must beat the Windies convincingly and hope Pakistan see off Australia in Wednesday's other match.
At this moment, Australia has an advantage over India in terms of net run rate. Australia’s net run rate is +1.000, almost +2.08 above India. That means Australia can go through to the semi final, even if they lose against Pakistan. They just need to ensure that they do not suffer a big margin victory. The smaller the Pakistan’s winning margin over Australia would be, the bigger the India’s winning margin over West Indies would be required.
Australia got off to a winning start in the tournament when they defeated West Indies by 50 runs in the opening game. Against India, Australian batsmen were looking formidable until rain halted the game. Australian batsmen failed to appear with their best against West Indies, but their top order batsmen got their form back against India. Captain Ricky Ponting was impressive in both the games, scoring half centuries on both occasions. Naturally, Australia has nothing to worry about at this moment. They just need to according to their credit.
The Australians have had a reasonably good tournament, wining the opening match against the West Indies before dominating the abandoned game against India.
Ponting has led from the front in both the matches, scoring a couple of crucial fifties and putting together match-saving partnerships in tough conditions.
However, Australian batsmen might face a big test against Pakistan’s two in-from spinners: Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal who are currently causing problems for the opposition batsmen consistently. I think, Pakistan would feature Mohammad Asif who has been back into the squad after serving a year of doping ban. The pacer has not played any international game over more than a year now. Naturally, Pakistan would like to play the pacer because they have already ensured their semi final berth and a defeat to Australia would not mar their aspiration of winning the Champions trophy 2009.
Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam nominated the presence of spinners Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal as a worry for Australia's batsmen on the slower wicket at SuperSportPark.
"So far the way they are bowling, they are exceptional, so we have an edge over them (Australia)," Intikhab said.
"They are a world-class side, they're very professional cricketers, but it will be a great challenge for them to tackle the Pakistani spinners."
Pakistani batsmen got their form back against India, even though they struggled against West Indies while chasing a very low total in their opening game. They have a very good batting line up in the presence of Nazir, Kamran Akmal, Yousuf, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Afridi and Rana Naved. No doubt, Pakistan poses a threat for Australia in the next game.
Australia will also be careful on the net run rate criteria as well. Even if they see that things are going against them, they would then try to ensure that they would not lose by a big margin. So, at this moment, I think Australia seems to be favorite over India to join Pakistan in the semi final. I do not think that Australia would bring any change in their squad against Pakistan.
Online Live Score and Updates
You can get the live score and updates of the match from the following websites:
Cricinfo
Thatscricket
action8cricket
Stickiewicket
Pakistan seems to be favorite at this moment, but Australia has a very strong squad and more than anything, Aussies are determined to make it to the semi final. They know that elimination from the group stage would add to their pressure that they have been feeling since losing the Ashes 2009 series. Given Pakistan’s high-flying form, it seems that Younis Khan and his side would like to continue their winning run before playing their semi final match. So, we can expect a highly competitive affair on Wednesday.
You know that Pakistan will take on Australia in a test and twenty20 series next year in England as a neutral venue. Australia was supposed to tour Pakistan, but the tour has been cancelled because of lack of security in the country, and that is why, the two-match test and two-match Twenty20 series will be held in England in July 2010.
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has recently announced the venues where the matches will take place. The two test matches will be held at Lord’s and Headingley. Two twenty20 matches between Pakistan and Australia will be held at Edgbaston. Pakistan will also face host England in a two-match twenty20 series and both of matches of the series will be held at Cardiff.
While choosing the venues, ECB said, it was trying to ensure that the Pakistani people living in Britain can enjoy the matches. No doubt, it is a home series for Pakistan and it would be better if many Pakistan fans go to the grounds to support their favorite team.
