Clarke can't explain skipper Ponting's tactics

MELBOURNE: The Australian cricket team is in disarray and the struggling side's woes become quite apparent when vice-captain Michael Clarke says
he cannot explain the logic behind some tactical decisions taken by skipper Ricky Ponting during the ongoing Test series against South Africa.

The Proteas are on the verge of humiliating the Aussies in their own backyard by being on course for a second win in the three-Test series and as the world champions grapple to explain their astonishing slump, it seems the communication within the team is breaking down.

At the end of third day's play on Sunday, Clarke was asked why all-rounder Andrew Symonds was not introduced into the bowling attack until the 125th over of South Africa's first innings, his reply was a stunning, "I have no idea."

"I guess you'd probably have to ask Ricky that," he was quoted as saying by 'The Sydney Morning Herald'.

On being questioned why Simon Katich's wrist spin was not used against the South African tail-enders, who went on to add 275 runs to the total, Clarke again shirked, "... probably another question for the skip. I don't make the bowling selections."

I am thankful for the opportunity, says Duminy

MELBOURNE: After playing a stellar role to put South Africa on the verge of a historic series win at the Melbourne Cricket
Ground (MCG),
Jean-Paul Duminy is still unsure of his place in the third Test in Sydney. But the youngster has no qualms and is thankful for the opportunity he got.

Coming in as a replacement for an injured Ashwell Prince, the left-hander hit the winning runs in South Africa's unbelievable first Test win in Perth and then batted brilliantly Sunday in the second Test at the MCG to score his maiden Test century that put Proteas in a commanding position.

"If Ashwell is fit to play, I am sure he will play, but I am thankful for the opportunity. I have got a taste of Test cricket now, so I am just looking forward to hopefully my next game," Duminy was quoted as saying by The Australian.

The 24-year-old's outstanding form has put the South African selectors in a dilemma. But Duminy appears unfazed.

"I probably came out here thinking I wouldn't play given I have travelled now for about a year without getting a game, but stranger things have happened in life," Duminy said.

"Ashwell gets hit the day before the first Test and cracks a (thumb) and there I am in the Test. Ashwell was supposed to have a net to see how he went and unfortunately his (thumb) was still very sore, so I got an opportunity again."

But with Duminy in an outstanding form, under-pressure opener Neil McKenzie could make way for Prince, with A.B. de Villiers moving up to open the batting.

"It took a while for me to settle in during the first Test, but I think I got going in the second innings well," Duminy said.

Duminy's patience and his ability to help his tailenders maintain concentration may force the selectors to retain him in the side.

"Our plan was always to bat as long as possible, to take time out of the game and I think that we did it very well today," Duminy said.

On the MCG, the South African said: "It is obviously the colosseum of all grounds. There is an unbelievable atmosphere here and to score a Test century on this ground is unbelievable to me. I think my toughest period was probably in the 90s. I took a while to get to 100 purely because I think nerves got the best of me. I mean, at the MCG, second Test match, a chance of scoring a century, so that was probably the most tense moment for me."

Richie Benaud paid Duminy an accolade of the highest order by comparing him to left-handed great Neil Harvey while fellow commentator Mark Nicholas said he reminded him of a young Brian Lara.

Former Australia captain Mark Taylor termed the innings 'brilliant' given the situation the South Africans found themselves in Sunday morning.

"He batted superbly. I can't remember a chance he gave until an inside edge over the stumps on 130," Taylor said.

South Africa eye series win against Australia

MELBOURNE: Dale Steyn grabbed five wickets for 67 runs on the fourth day of the second Test against Australia
on Monday to take South Africa to
the verge of an historic series win.

Chasing 183 to win, South Africa were 30 for no loss with skipper Graeme Smith on 25 and Neil McKenzie three at the close of play after Steyn's fiver bowled out Australia for 247 in the second innings, despite a valiant skipper's knock of 99 by Ricky Ponting.

Australia, trailing 0-1 in the series, made 394 in the first innings and South Africa replied with 459 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Australia have not lost a series in their backyard since West Indies toppled them in 1992-93, and it seems that South Africa are now well set to dethrone the world champions.

Resuming their second innings at the overnight four for no loss, Australia lost their out-of-form opener Matthew Hayden (23) who failed yet again, making him a highly doubtful starter for the third Test in Sydney.

Hayden started in an attacking mode, scoring 23 off 28 balls. But just when he looked to be feeling comfortable, he drove Steyn to be caught by Jean Paul Duminy at short cover.

And it was Ponting's lone hand, apart from Mitchell Johnson's unbeaten 43, that extended the lead to 182.

While Steyn led the demolition charge, it was Ponting who tried to hold things together. He spent 40 minutes in the 90s before chipping a catch to Smith at cover off Morne Morkel.

After allowing South Africa to make a sensational comeback on the third day, Australia were off to a shocking start as the first three batsmen were back in the pavilion before erasing the 65-run deficit.

Steyn removed Hayden and Simon Katich (15) in two overs and then returned to dismiss Michael Clarke (29) and Andrew Symonds in six balls to thwart Australia's recovery. Smith used Steyn in short spells and every time the fast bowler returned he troubled the batsmen with his raw pace and swing.

While Ponting played a flawless innings, his team-mates paid the price for playing rash shots on a firm pitch. Ponting was unfortunate to miss becoming the only batsman to score centuries in each innings of a Test four times. He holds the record with India's former opener Sunil Gavaskar.

He played slowly in the first session and cracked seven fours in the second to carry his fine form from his 101 on the opening day. In the post-tea session, the Australian captain was more subdued and turned to occupy the crease to slowly increase the lead.

South Africa carefully negotiated the six overs before stumps comfortably to reduce the target by 30 and the Proteas now need 153 runs to end Australia's dominance at home.

Keep Lee off cricket for a while to save career: Lawry

MELBOURNE: As Australia grapples with Brett Lee's form slump and fitness woes, former captain Bill Lawry suggests that the only way to save the
pace spearhead's career is to keep him off cricket for a while.

Lawry said the sight of Lee struggling for wickets dismayed him. He said the charismatic bowler has lost too much weight which has hit his pace.

"He is just too thin. He's lost too much weight and he looks like he needs a rest to recovery from the viral attack," Lawry was quoted as saying by 'The Herald Sun'.

"If he keeps going he will risk being of no use to himself or Australia and that could be the end of him," he warned.

"For his sake, it may be time for the selectors to just tell him to go away, not to play in the next Test, or for New South Wales or for anyone until he has regained weight and his strength, and is fit and keen and a weapon again."

Lee, who is also battling a sore foot that forced him to stay away from the field today in the ongoing second Test against South Africa, has given 200 runs for just one wicket in the series so far.

"Maybe he should be rested for the remainder of this series, even the tour of South Africa, if they really want him fit and firing for the Ashes series in England," Lawry suggested.

Lawry said Lee has looked a tormented man in the series against South Africa so far and a break would help him rejuvenate.

"He's in trouble. It's not that he is not trying. He is busting a gut and that's the problem," Lawry said.

"He isn't physically robust enough to be at his best and he is running himself into the ground while the opposition knows he is not the bowler he was.

Twenty20 good for youngsters, brings new viewership: Border

MELBOURNE: Australian great Allan Border feels although Twenty20 cricket is not bowler-friendly, the new version of the game is good for
youngsters and certainly has high commercial value to attract new viewership.

Border also sees the Twenty20 franchises challenging the primacy of the traditional game and was of the view that it would be challenging for the administrators to run three versions of the game.

"While it worries me T20 cricket discourages bowlers, I can see it is a good package from a commercial standpoint. It brings new viewership to the game and is a good entry level game for kids. But that said, Test cricket must be preserved. Certainly having three forms of the game is testing for the programmers," he was quoted as saying by 'The Australian'.

"This is a vital period; a huge challenge to see whether the three forms of the game can co-exist," he added.

Border, who played 156 Tests and led Australia a record 93 times, still serves the game as a director of both Queensland Cricket and Cricket Australia.

For a time after his retirement from the Test arena in 1994, he served as a national selector and as a manager and mentor to emerging international players.

However, Border does not aspire to become Cricket Australia chief.

"The way the game has developed the chairman's is effectively a full-time job and I don't see myself in that role," Border said.

His only on-field activity now is mostly on beach cricket sponsored by an Australian beer company and playing Warehouse Cricket matches at Marchant Park in Brisbane along with his 24-year-old son Dene.

Foreign ministry gives go ahead, Lanka to tour Pakistan

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka on Friday decided to go ahead with its cricket tour of Pakistan to fill in for a cancelled Indian trip, putting an end to the
uncertainty on the fate of the series.

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday discussed the issue with Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollgama, who recommended that the tour should proceed as scheduled from January 20 to February 25.

Also read:

Lanka need clearance from foreign ministry on Pak tour

Pak to provide best security for Lanka series: ICC

The series, which has been arranged only because India called off its tour in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks, will feature three Tests, as many ODIs and a Twenty20 match.

Before giving his nod for the tour, Bogollgama contacted the Minister of Sports and Public Recreation Gamini Lokuge and sought his views.

Lokuge had earlier stated that since the series in Pakistan would be taking place under the aegis of the International Cricket Council, it should be subject to security clearance of the ICC.

With Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in two minds on whether to tour or not, the acting High Commissioner of Pakistan in Colombo FazalUr-Rahman Kazi had also spoken to the Foreign Minister on Wednesday on the issue.

The Minister said since SLC had already accepted the invitation from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the tour should proceed as agreed, a Foreign Ministry statement said.

Minister Bogollgama was of the view that sport was an effective means of promoting connectivity between nations and thereby enhancing friendship and mutual goodwill between countries.

Shunned by most visiting teams because of the volatile security situation there, Pakistan were desperate to host some international cricket after India cancelled their tour in the wake of the Mumbai carnage.

The Sports Minister had earlier made it clear that the cricket team would require a clearance from the Foreign Ministry before going ahead with the tour.

"We also need the foreign ministry clearance for the cricket tour to Pakistan and will be discussing the matter soon," Lokuge said.

The Sports Minister discussed the issue with the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa who took up the issue with the Foreign Minister on Friday.

The interim committee headed by Arjuna Ranatunga, which was dissolved recently, had accepted the PCB invitation to play a full series in Pakistan.