Roebuck clears Punter, holds selectors responsible for Ashes lossAugust 25th, 2009 SYDNEY - Former Australian cricketer and now a newspaper columnist Peter Roebuck has said that England deserved to win the Ashes, as they had the better-balanced side, and blamed the Australian selectors for sending an unbalanced squad lacking back-up in vital areas to a series of such high stature. "Clear errors of judgment were made in the make-up of the side.
Despite Ashes loss, Ponting unlikely to be removed as skipper, says RoebuckAugust 24th, 2009 SYDNEY - Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting is unlikely to be evicted, nor is he likely to step aside after becoming only the second skipper from Down Under to lose back-to-back Ashes series in England, feels cricket columnist Peter Roebuck. "This is not the end of Ponting's captaincy.
Brutally exposed Australia staring down the barrel in Oval Test: RoebuckAugust 23rd, 2009 SYDNEY - Noted cricket columnist Peter Roebuck believes Australia's weaknesses have been brutally exposed in the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval and the urn seems destined to change hands for the third time in three series. While accepting that two dreadful umpiring decisions had gone against Australia in the game, he said: "Plain and simple the visitors were blown apart by the late movement unleashed by a lanky speedster (Stuart Broad) prepared to attack the sticks.
Australia faces a long, dusty fight for survival at The Oval: RoebuckAugust 22nd, 2009 SYDNEY - Australia faces a long struggle to survive at The Oval, believes noted cricket columnist Peter Roebuck. According to Roebuck, an interesting few days awaits as skilful batsmen contend with fast bowlers bent on exploiting uneven bounce and modest spinners try to make the ball bite and turn.
With Ponting at the helm, Oz cricket team in good hands: RoebuckAugust 11th, 2009 SYDNEY - Noted cricket columnist Peter Roebuck believes that with Ricky Ponting at the helm, the Australian cricket team "is in good hands. However, he says that Ponting still lacks intuition, but possess the ability to change tack.
Ponting will always be behind Bradman: RoebuckAugust 1st, 2009 SYDNEY - Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has become his country's highest scorer in Test cricket, but according to cricket columnist Peter Roebuck, he will always be regarded as the second-best No.3 Australia has produced. "Of course, it is absurd to put him (Ponting) or anyone else alongside Don Bradman, but that has been his fate, As a result, he tends to be denied some of the acclaim he deserves.
Rain, pitch could deny a result in third Ashes testJuly 30th, 2009 SYDNEY - Neither the pitch nor the weather are likely to smile upon Australia and England during the third Ashes Test being played at Edgbaston, Warwickshire from Thursday. Steve Rouse, the curator at Edgbaston, believes that a draw is the likeliest outcome because of the endless rain.
Calling up Watson will be a risky move: RoebuckJuly 27th, 2009 LONDON - Australia should be cautious about including all-rounder Shane Watson in their squad for the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston in place of out of form opener Phillip Hughes, believes cricket columnist Peter Roebuck. While admitting that the selectors do not have many options, Roebuck says in an article for the Sydney Morning Herald that Watson, is really an all-rounder who bats in the middle order.
Siddle will be more lethal at Lord's, says PontingJuly 14th, 2009 MELBOURNE - Australian captain Ricky Ponting insists pace bowler Peter Siddle will be even more threatening at Lord's in the second cricket Test against England starting Thursday. A fired-up Siddle bowled his heart out in drawn first Test in Cardiff and struck scared tailender Graeme Swann on the body three times in four balls in a pace onslaught.
Ponting Slams Brett Lee for being "DilLogical"July 9th, 2009 CARDIFF - Ricky Ponting has said that he has had to give Brett Lee an occasional kick up the backside to get the best out of his fast bowler. The Age said that he delivered one such "rocket" during the tour game at Worcester, during which Lee injured a side muscle.
Ex-Oz PM Howard in Cardiff to support Australia in first Ashes TestJuly 8th, 2009 CARDIFF - Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard has arrived in Cardiff to support Australia as the Ashes commences today. According to the Courier Mail, Howard has arrived with his wife Janette and has met the team and the selectors.
Ponting Into Politics rather than Cricket Before Ashes OpenerJuly 8th, 2009 CARDIFF - Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has urged Welsh fans to support his team as the Ashes series starts in Cardiff today. Ponting believes that old hostilities between the Welsh and the English could cause Cardiff locals to support Australia.
Strauss unhappy over choice of Cardiff first Ashes Test venueJuly 5th, 2009 LONDON - England skipper Andrew Strauss is unhappy over selection of Cardiff as venue for the first Ashes Test, as he wants to capitalize on the home advantage during the series. Strauss last played a first-class game at Cardiff in 2002, and the ground was known as Sophia Gardens.
Aussies itching to rip apart England in Cardiff testJuly 5th, 2009 LONDON - Australian captain Ricky Ponting claims that his team is itching to rip apart England in the First test to be held at Cardiff on Wednesday. Though, the Aussie skipper was disappointed with his squad's performance against the English Lions in a four-day game at Worcester, but he was delighted to see key players like Brett Lee finding form ahead of the tournament.
Ashes 2009, a series too close to call, says RoebuckJuly 4th, 2009 SYDNEY - This year's Ashes series between Australia and England promises to be a ripper because the two sides possess both experience and freshness to deliver what is asked of them, feels noted cricket columnist Peter Roebuck. According to Roebuck, the general verdict is that the series is too close to call.
SYDNEY - Noted cricket columnist Peter Roebuck feels that Australia played exceptionally well in Cardiff and were denied victory only by “a soporific surface and resistance from sturdy opponents with a short backlift and a stubborn streak.”
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