Harmy: Confidence an issue
Cricket story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:19:19GMT

Steve Harmison believes Australia are lacking in confidence ahead of the start of the Ashes.The Durham paceman took 3-67 from 22 overs as the England Lions went head-to-head with the tourists in their final warm-up game at Worcesters New Road. Harmison is currently out of favour in the England set-up but fired a reminder to the selectors ahead of next weeks first Test after taking the scalps of Phillip Hughes, Simon Katich and Brett Lee. He also revealed his surprise at the spirit...

Ashes Interview: Mike Gatting
Cricket story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:19:18GMT

With the first Ashes test just around the corner, Sport.co.uk went to talk to Mike Gatting (the man with the biggest hands and forearms in cricket!) If you want his opinion on team selection, Michael Vaughanrsquo;s retirement, and who would win in a drinking contest between him and Flintoff, then read onhellip;.. nbsp; The major question regarding team selection for Cardiff is whether to play two spinners or not. If we do, who do you think should play alongside Graeme Swann? If the weather...

Warks sustain Patel setback
Cricket story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:19:17GMT

Warwickshire have been hit by the news that New Zealand off-spinner Jeetan Patel looks to have played his last game for the county.The 29-year-old has sustained ligament damage in his right knee and is likely to be sidelined for at least six weeks. That has left Bears director of cricket Ashley Giles seeking a replacement, with a fast bowler the preferred option. He told the Birmingham Mail: "We are looking for a quick bowler. "We have a lot of cricket to play away from...

Ashes Fever: Tufnells England Theme Tune
Cricket story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:19:16GMT

Ex England legend Phil Tufnell gives England some much needed support in the build up to the Ashes with one of his own ballads...

Ponting calm over spin threat
Cricket story by sport.co.uk, Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:43:00GMT

Australia captain Ricky Ponting remains calm about the prospects of spin being a key factor in the first Ashes Test in Cardiff.Many pundits have predicted that England will field two spinners in south Wales, but Ponting has yet to decide what approach his side will take. He said: "Ive got all the statistics for the season of all the spinners whove played county cricket down at Cardiff. "Ive had a look at their figures and what theyve done. Danish Kaneria seems like he...

Hauritz backed by Punter
Cricket story by sport.co.uk, Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:42:58GMT

Australia captain Ricky Ponting remains confident that Nathan Hauritz will be a success this summer.The 27-year-old has played in just four Test matches to date and struggled in the opening tour game in England against Sussex. However, Ponting expects better from his man in the final Ashes warm-up game against the England Lions. He said: "The plan from the start was to give him good opportunities to play in the first two games and get some good quality bowling under his belt against...

Ponting praises retiring Vaughan
Cricket story by sport.co.uk, Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:42:57GMT

Australia captain Ricky Ponting has paid tribute to former England skipper Michael Vaughan, who has announced his retirement from the game. Ponting locked horns with Vaughan in the 2005 Ashes series and had to concede second best to England, who won back the Ashes for the only time in more than two decades. "I must admit Im a bit surprised by his retirement," Ponting said. "Its only a couple of months ago that I was thinking he might be named in the first...

Pietersen: Vaughan has chosen the perfect time to bow out
Cricket story by sport.co.uk, Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:53:41GMT

Kevin Pietersen believes Michael Vaughan has chosen the perfect time to quit cricket if he does, as expected, confirm his retirement on Tuesday. Englands victorious Ashes skipper from 2005 has seemingly admitted defeat in his battle to overcome a long-term knee injury.But Pietersen believes the man he succeeded - albeit briefly - as captain is making the right decision and has hailed the Yorkshiremans legacy on the England side. "Its brilliant," said Pietersen when asked what he thought about the timing...

Vaughan announces retirement
Cricket story by sport.co.uk, Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:53:40GMT

Michael Vaughan has confirmed his retirement from cricket at the age of 34. The announcement was widely expected as the former England captain has been plagued by a knee injury for a number of years, although he had soldiered on in a bid to be selected for this summers Ashes squad.Yet after he was ditched in favour of Ravi Bopara, Vaughan announced he would be retiring from all forms of first-class cricket, although he leaves the game with the honour of...

Strauss vows to tackle timekeeping issue
Cricket story by sport.co.uk, Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:53:39GMT

Andrew Strauss has vowed to tackle timekeeping issues within the England cricket camp. The announcement comes after it emerged that Andrew Flintoff missed the team bus for a visit to World War I sites in Belgium on Saturday morning, the morning after a team dinner. And the England skipper stressed that Flintoff is not the only offender, but refuses to name the others to avoid any rifts in the dressing room. Strauss insisted that the incident has been put to rest...