Ponting closely monitoring Flintoff's rehabilitationMay 26th, 2009 LONDON - Australia captain Ricky Ponting is closely monitoring the progress of England all rounder Andrew Flintoff, who played a key role in his team's victory in Ashes 2005 and is currently recovering from keyhole surgery to his right knee. Flintoff has failed to find his 2005 form, but has been named in the England squad for the World Twenty20.
Australia likely to miss Symonds skills during AshesMay 26th, 2009 SYDNEY - The Australian cricket team is likely to miss all rounder Andrew Symond's skills during the forthcoming Ashes series. While Ponting and Co have said that Australian cricket has to move on with or without Symonds, the Sydney Morning Herald is of the view that batting, bowling and fielding skills of this all rounder will be severely missed.
Oz's tremendous past record forced ECB to shift first Ashes match from Lord'sMay 24th, 2009 SYDNEY - Oz skipper Ricky Ponting believes that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) decided not to host the first Ashes Test match at Lord's due to Australia's enviable record there. Amazingly, Australia has not lost a single Test match at Lord's since 1934.
Fresh after break, Ponting ready for Ashes tour with new-look teamMay 23rd, 2009 MELBOURNE - Australian skipper Ricky Ponting is excited about his new look team for the Ashes series, and is also prepared to face the challenge of the Twenty20 World Cup. Ponting, who is fresh after a break, got back into training a couple of weeks ago and feels good too.
Oz squad has talent to retain Ashes without Symonds: PontingMay 20th, 2009 MELBOURNE - Australian captain Ricky Ponting has brushed aside concerns over the omission of troubled all rounder Andrew Symonds from this year's Ashes squad. A long-time backer of Symonds, Ponting said he believed that Australia had the talent in the squad to retain the Ashes on English soil without Symonds.
Strauss would be Australia's No.1 target during Ashes: PontingMay 20th, 2009 SYDNEY - Australian captain Ricky Ponting has publicly dared England skipper Andrew Strauss to stand up to an onslaught of pressure coming his way. Boldly declaring that Strauss would be Australia's No.1 target for the Ashes series, Ponting has begun a merciless psychological campaign that has been used successfully against previous opposition leaders.
Ponting says Symonds could make Ashes squadMay 19th, 2009 SYDNEY - Australian captain Ricky Ponting says he wouldn't be surprised if Andrew Symonds is named in the Ashes squad tomorrow. Ponting said he expected a 16-man touring party to be named for the Ashes with the first Test starting on July 8 in Cardiff.
Ponting believes England will field Harmison, Vaughan in AshesMay 14th, 2009 SYDNEY - Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting believes both Michael Vaughan and Steve Harmison will find a spot in the England squad during the upcoming Ashes series. Vaughan, who captained England to Ashes glory in 2005, and pace bowler Harmison, who was one of the stars of that series, are currently out of an England squad which won the first of a two-Test series against the West Indies in convincing fashion last week.
Steve Waugh says Aussies just ahead for AshesApril 30th, 2009 SYDNEY - Former captain Steve Waugh believes Australia are entitled to be slight favorites in this year's Ashes series, but feels bowling selections will be crucial to the outcome. Waugh was part of four triumphant Ashes tours between 1989 and 2001, leading Australia to victory in his last series in England.
Ashes 'not be all and end all': VaughanApril 23rd, 2009 LONDON - Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan has made a startling claim that beating Australia in this year's five-Test series isn't the be all and end all for the England team. Vaughan, who is trying to force his way back into the national side, was at the helm when England shocked the cricketing world in 2005 by regaining the Ashes on home soil following a 16-year drought.
Ponting wants Ashes specialist spinnerMarch 23rd, 2009 CAPE TOWN - Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has appealed to the national selectors to provide him with a specialist spinner for the Ashes series. The appeal has gone out following the disastrous debut of Bryce McGain in Cape Town, reports The Age.
Ponting fires salvo at ECBMarch 21st, 2009 SYDNEY - Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has accused the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) of stopping Australian Ashes hopefuls from joining the county teams. Comeback paceman Stuart Clark and tyro opener Phil Hughes have signed county contracts to get some match practice before the Ashes series.
Cape Town Test: McGain could use bare patches to his advantageMarch 19th, 2009 CAPE TOWN - Australian debutant leg spinner Bryce McGain could use the bare patches on the Newlands strip here to his advantage, and deliver some telling blows for his team in their third and final Test match against the South Africans. Captain Ricky Ponting said yesterday that if McGain is picked, it would be because it is believed he is the best man for the conditions.
Time for special South Africa-Australia trophy: PontingMarch 3rd, 2009 JOHANNESBURG - Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting feels that the time has arrived for a special trophy whenever they clash with South Africa, just like when they play against England for the Ashes or meet India for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Ponting told the Afrikaans weekly Rapport here that winning a test series between Australia and South Africa was just as prestigious as celebrating an Ashes win against England.
Vaughan should play in the Ashes: WarneMarch 1st, 2009 LONDON - Former Australian spinner Shane Warne said Michael Vaughan must play for England this summer if they wish to repeat their 2005 Ashes success. Vaughan, who was England captain for five years, stepped down from the position in August last year after the team's dismal performance at home against South Africa.
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