Roach fined for deliberately barging Lee

West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach has been fined 50% of his match fee for making deliberate physical contact with Brett Lee twice in the 

same over, during the fifth one-dayer against Australia in St Lucia. The incident took place during the 39th over of Australia's innings. 

Lee took a single off Roach and was approaching the other end when Roach first made contact with him. The two stared at each other 

before Roach nudged Lee again while walking back to his mark. Roach pleaded guilty to the Level 2 offence of the ICC Code of Conduct,

which relates to "inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between players in the course of play". There was no need for a formal

 hearing. "There is no doubt that Kemar deliberately made physical contact with Brett, not once but twice," Andy Pycroft, the ICC match 

referee, said. "This is completely unacceptable as there is no place for physical contact in cricket. "It is not the sort of example that players 

should be setting at any time, least of all in a series as high-profile as this one. Kemar accepted his mistake and admitted that his behaviour

 was over aggressive and inappropriate. I am sure he has learnt his lesson and will be more careful in future."

source: espncricinfo.com

 Watson slams poor Aussies

An unacceptable performance from Australia both with the ball and in the field cost the visitors victory in the fourth one-day international against the West Indies on Saturday in St Lucia, according to stand-in captain Shane Watson.

Man-of-the-match Kieron Pollard capitalised the most on a performance described by Watson as simply 'not good enough'. Watson won the toss and sent the hosts in to bat first and in the 26th over the decision appeared to be an inspired one with the locals struggling on 4-106 in good batting conditions. But Pollard entered the fray and treated Australia's bowlers with disdain as he smashed five fours and eight sixes on his way to a whirlwind 69-ball century after also being dropped four times. Pollard's innings completely changed the complexion of the match with the West Indies finishing up on 7-294 and winning by 42 runs to take a 2-1 series lead with one match to play.

"There's no doubt it's not good enough for us, we just didn't execute enough, didn't go to the plan to be able to make sure that we're able to try and restrict him (Pollard) as much as we could," Watson said after the match. "It's a small ground so there's no doubt that with his power, that is always keeping him in the game but dropping him three times probably certainly didn't help as well as execution in the last 10 overs especially."

"We've seriously got to sit down and make sure that we get it right for the next game because we can't afford to be in the position that we were and then let Kieron get away the way he did because in the end it meant that we were chasing a much bigger total than we really should have been." Despite the hosts' sizeable total, which was helped by a whopping 145 runs from their last 12 overs, Watson stood by his decision to bowl first. "There was certainly enough in the wicket and that was the reason why I did bowl first," Watson said. "And there still was a little bit of moisture even when I went out to bat in the second innings so in the end I'm very comfortable with the decision I made."

"Everything was going okay through that middle period until Kieron sort of exploded so if I had my time again I certainly would have done the same thing." But while Watson lamented the performance of his bowlers, particularly at the death, he also put his hand up and admitted it was time that both he and fellow opener Dave Warner registered big scores to help set up Australia's innings.

 In the first four ODIs, Watson has only hit 84 runs at 21 with a high score of 28 and Warner hasn't done much better with 91 at 22.75 and a best effort of 40. "(On) the batting side of things, me (and) Dave Warner, we've got to go on and get a big score to really set the platform for the batting innings," Watson said.

 "Unfortunately, myself hasn't been good enough to get off to a good start but then not going on with it. That's something I personally need to sort out because it isn't good enough especially when chasing a bigger total." Australia's bid to save the five-match series takes place on Monday morning when the final ODI is played in St Lucia.

Source: www.cricket.com.au

Indians Will Be Subjected To Short-Ball Treatment: Brett Lee

Brett Lee says Indian batsmen will be subjected to some short-ball treatment in the Test series starting Monday

One of the most awaited tours of this season has finally arrived and it has all the ingredients to match the hype and hoopla.

A lot is at stake as India and Australia clash on December 26 in the first Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Brett Lee, 

who has seen it all in past battles, gets candid in an interview with MiD DAY ( Mumbai Newspaper) about the high profile

series Down Under.

 Excerpts:

India's weakness to the short ball was exposed during their winless tour of England recently. Will Australia apply the same

strategy to see India off?

We have some exciting quicks around the country at the moment. Some of them have serious pace, so I am sure the Indian

batsmen will have their fair share of short-pitched deliveries. The wickets in Australia are a lot harder and carry more 

bounce, so it will be interesting to watch the Indian batting line- up combat this tactic.

Do you see India winning their maiden Test series in Australia this time?

I think India is a very good team. I do believe Australia's rebuilding is taking shape and we will hold our own especially

through our home ground advantage. Whatever happens, it will be an exciting series. I hope Sachin (Tendulkar) gets his 

100th international hundred, but Australia wins comfortably.

There was plenty of drama during India's last tour to Australia in 2007-08..

... I think this series will be a celebration of two wonderful players, in (Ricky) Ponting and Tendulkar, probably farewelling the

 Australian public. The series will be competitive and it may come down to a battle in the bowling to see who can take

2wickets in a Test to win. Harbhajan Singh hasn't been picked for this tour. Will it be a relief for the Australian team?

He is a terrific bowler and has created a lot of trouble in the past for Aussie batsmen. The Aussies will be glad they are not seeing Harbhajan Down Under.

Australia aren't the dominating force it was a few years ago. Where is the team lacking?

We will see over the next few years a decrease in the level of consistency from our Test teams. Though we have fantastic 

youth and some great experience, we are missing these 'once-in-a-generation' type players that contributed so much to 

Australian cricket over the past decade.

How do you see yourself contributing to the Australian team?

My recent minor (arm) injury will not restrict my form too much,and I feel I can contribute strongly to the one-day attack 

and T20 matches with the Sydney Sixers and Australia this summer.

India is one of the countries against whom you have dished out your best performances. How's your preparation been?

I have always enjoyed playing against India in all forms of the game and I have had good success against them. I am 

confident I can continue to take wickets and play a strong role for my country against India. We are very well prepared these

 days and India are obviously a very strong one-day unit. We have been in good form in South Africa in the ODIs, so I think

 there is no reason why we cannot continue this come the one- day series in February.

Who do you think will be Australia's standout pacer against India?

I think Ryan Harris and Pat Cummins will trouble the Indian batsmen. Ryan has been our form bowler for the past six 

months. His pace and accuracy could trouble the top order. Pat is a fantastic find, and his pace and bounce will trouble the batting order.

How do you see young pace sensation Umesh Yadav doing in Australian conditions?

I have only seen him on TV. He's an exciting bowler and if he displays the right skills, he could be very effective against our batsmen.


Do you reckon India and Australia should play more frequently?

Absolutely. It has become a huge rivalry and always produces some fantastic matches. Cricket admirers love watch

ing the two teams compete. So, let's continue that.

How has been your association with the Kohinoor group?

I get great joy from working with Kohinoor and the Cricket Education programme. The enthusiasm from the young students

 makes it all worthwhile. It brings together all the percentages that make a huge difference in a career. 

The programme is based on the Australian coaching system. Decades of research and experience have gone into building this.

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HURRICANES TOO STRONG