KFC Big Bash Finals:New South Wales beat Victoria

What a match for a T20 finals. The finals of the KFC Big Bash between defending champs Victoria 'Bushrangers' and New South Wales 'Blues' went till the last ball and in the end it was the Blues who took home the trophy in a nerve racking thriller and ended Victoria's stronghold over the trophy. Victoria, batting first made 166 for 4 thanks to some clean hitting by Rob Quiney who hit a 91 from 56 balls including 8 sixes. Bird took 3 wickets for the Blues. And in reply the Blues appeared to be cruising at 85 for 1 but they lost 3 wickets for 7 runs and made things complex for themselves but then came Ben Rohrer. His brutal innings of 44 came off 20 balls as he took them nearer to the target. And with a single needed off the last ball, Rohrer scampered for a bye and the bowlers throw hit the stumps. But the Blues were celebrating while the third umpire was called for. And replays showed Rohrer's bat in the air while the bails were removed but his dive meant that his hands were inside the crease!!!!!! After a few anxious moments Blues erupted again. Both these teams will take part in the Champions League t20 coming October.

Ponting's problems

Ricky Ponting has got his hands full. His current Australian is on an alarming decline and his captaincy has come for lot of stick from all corners and many in Australia have called for his head. It all started with Australia unable to win the test against India in Bengaluru, a match that should have been won by them. What followed was even worse, they were totally outplayed by the Indians in Mohali and his captaincy attracted lot of criticism. And in the final test were Aussies had to win to square series he kept on with the part timers so that he could escape match referee's ban. This act of his was severly condemned by all as Aussies were in a strong position when Ponting decided to go with the part timers and that allowed India to claw back into the match and they batted them out of the series. And back home South Africa had come with real intent of winning the series, something which has not been achieved by any team over the last 16 years. And Aussies were not able to defend 414 in the first test and that left Ponting complaining about the famous WACA pitch saying "Its not the old WACA pitch". I really don't know how a home captain can complain about WACA pitch and that too being the world champions-Shame on you Punter!!!!!!!! And in the second test he scored a fine hundred and a 99 but that was not enough to save the team from losing. Ponting conceeded defeat saying it was a deserved on. His real problem is the bowling which does not look like taking 20 wickets. He has tried all sorts of attacks but !!!!!!!!!!! . But Punter says Aussies will regain those glory days!!! A long way to go for Ricky..........

Australian Cricket dead - End of an era

This is the tribute from Sydney's Daily Telegraph to Australia's first home-series defeat in 16 years. Australia have been totally dominating the world cricket right from the day they world cup in 1999. But this defeat in their home turf is a clear indication that their era is over. India had been the only country in the past decade to challenge the Aussies in Australia, winning a few matches. But they did not win a series outright. But the manner in which Aussies were defeated by South Africans is a warning for the future of Australian Cricket. In the first test even 414 was not enough for them to defend and the things were worse in the second test, from 171/6 South Africa ended making 450+ The bowlers were not able to take 20 wickets and the problem for Ponting is "he doesn't know if the problem is with his batsman or bowlers". Though some may say Aussies are coming down, it will be fair to say that other teams are improving and have caught them. Good signs for the future of World Cricket...........