St.Johns, Antigua
Second Test played to a draw at Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.
After Australia set West Indies 372 to win on the last day of the second test at Antigua the W.I. team
went on to finish at 266-5 finishing the Second Test in a draw.
Australia first innings : 479-7 declared. Katich 113, Clarke 110, Ponting 65 and Brett Lee 63 not out.
Jerome Taylor took 3-95
Second innings : 244-6 declared Jaques 76, Symonds 43 not out, Hussey 40 and Ponting 38
Fidel Edwards 2-28 and Taylor 2-33
West Indies first innings : 352 Chanderpaul 107 not out, Serwan 65, Marshall 53 Bravo and Taylor 20
Brett Lee 5-59, Clarke 2-20 and Johnson 2-72.
Second innings 266-5 : Sarwan 128, Chanderpaul 77 not out, brett Lee 3-51
The Third test will played at Kensington Oval starting 12 June 2008

Are these the words Shane Warne was saying this morning after the surprise announcement of Stuart MacGill’s retirement from Test cricket.
After arriving back in Melbourne today, he said he was very happy in retirement and had no intention of returning to Test cricket, but did add ” unless it was special circumstances ”
Warne also stated his team’s win in the IPL 2020 competition was way up there with his many cricket highlights and that this form of cricket was here to stay, but every cricket player should put playing for his country to be the ultimate goal.
Cricket Australia’s Terry Jenner said only “the 708 wicket-test great would qualify for a comeback that broke all protocol “. He saw referring to the fact that Warne is not a contracted player.
Australia now seems likely to continue with spin part timers Michael Clarke and Andrew Symonds, the only other players on the horizon seem to be South Australian Dan Cullen and Beau Cusson, neither of these players are contracted to the ACB.

A cricket final that had everything. The very last ball required to decide the winner, a crowd
on the edge of their seats and two teams determined to win. This form of cricket is exciting
and very popular and has everything for the sports fans. Big sixes, run outs, great bowling and great fielding. The entertainment provided at the venues stirred the crowds and had them fully involved in every game, no matter which side was on the field.
The final started with fireworks and finished that way, a fabulous night.
The royals have proved that they knew what they were doing when it came to buying talented cricketers. Shane Warne and Shane Watson proved to be exceptional buys, not to mention the young talent that has emerged because of IPL 2020. Cast as walkovers and chastised by officials for not spending enough on players, look who’s smiling now. GO ROYALS !!
What happens next season ? With talk of more and more money to spend, will teams be able to retain their players?
Once again congratulations to the Rajasthan Royals and Shane Warne, great win.

Image via Wikipedia

Second Test, Antigua (close day four)
West Indies vs Australia
Australian fast bowler Brett Lee tore the West Indies batting line up apart, taking 5 wickets for five runs off 18 balls. Lee was helped by some very questionable umpiring decisions, but the damage was done. The West Indies were dismissed for 352, still 127 runs behind.
Ponting’s Australians now have a chance to push for victory on the fifth day, something that had seemed impossible just hors before.

Now that the inaugural IPL series is over and the victorious Rajasthan Royals, led by their Captain and Coach, Shane Warne, are still celebrating. The least expensive team in the series ( $3 million) showed all others how to play the game. A great victory.
What next ? There is a lot of talk around about who will be starting 2020 teams and who will be playing where, but it seems that nothing is settled. The West Indies, backed by billionaire,Allen Stanford, is well on it’s way to get 2020 up and running. It has been reported that he has proposed a competition between West Indies and a side from Great Britain.
Is the future 2020WI or 2020GB ? Whatever happens this form of cricket is here to stay. With great cricketers like Shane Warne leading the way, it looks like a long and profitable future.

Michael Clarke’s ton in the second Test in the West Indies was for his fiancee, Lara Bingle,
after the loss of her father. A tearful Clarke looked to the heavens and dedicated his century to
Graham Bingle, who died three weeks ago.
With the Second Test in the balance , Australia declared at 7-479, as Clarke again contributed with his
left arm spin bowling taking 2-7 off seven overs. West Indies reached 3-125 at stumps.
It was a great effort from the “Captain in Waiting”.

Mathew Hayden vows to be fit enough to return to all forms of cricket.
Stating on his arrival ” I am here to play for as long as I can”
Returning to Brisbane after being ruled out of the West Indies tour and will be seeing a specialist in Melbourne to assess the damage to his achilles tendon. Hayden, 36, believes the injury could be the result of how long he has been in the game at the highest level and his strenuous training routine. Until he receives the results he will continue to believe he will be returning and will plan accordingly.
Hayden will be attempting to make his fourth Ashes tour next year.

It’s the Warne and Watson show.
Both these players have been stars of the IPL tournament.
Playing in tonight’s final they will be a great inspiration to the Rajasthan Royals.
Best luck to the both teams.

Rajasthan Royals win Indian Premier League final by three wickets.
Their victory in the inaugural IPL series, after being considered as underdogs prior to the
start of this revolutionary new form of cricket, must go down to the leadership of Shane Warne.
Many thought that this form of cricket would be a “Bollywood Spectacle” and not succeed, but
it has been a huge success, giving young unknown players a chance to play against some of the best
in the cricketing world. It also proved that these players could do the job. Not all the million of dollars
spent at auction on big name players could secure the final victory.

Shane Warne won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Chennai Super Kings could only reach a modest total 163 for five. The Royals were inspired by a
brilliant all round display by Yusuf Pathan who took three wickets and top scored with 56 runs off
39 balls. Sohail Tanvir hit the winning run, with Shane Warne at the other end. The Royals finished
with 164 for seven to take home the trophy and $1.2 million. The Kings as runner-ups take home
$600,000.

It was a great final, going down to the last over, before a great crowd. A lot of money has been
spent on players, but I think the huge tv audiences, the way the crowds have responded to players
from other countries has made IPL a fantastic success.

Ricky Ponting has joined the 10,000 run club after reaching the goal just after the tea break
in the second Test in Antigua against the West Indies. It was Pontings 118 th. Test. Only Brian Lara reached this goal in less matches, he required 111.Ponting’s achievement has been somewhat overshadowed by the fighting century by Simon Katich. The left-hander combined with Ponting for a 146 run second wicket combination.Once again Phil Jaques went cheaply. This is leaving the Test selectors with a problem to find an opening combination. Will Mathew Hayden be fit enough to return to Test Cricket or do they have to look elsewhere ?
After the first Test victory, Australia is once again on their way to another win.

Image via Wikipedia

“We can play even better” Shane Warne stated this after booking a place in the final of the IPL.
After an absolutely brilliant display by all rounder Shane Watson the Rajasthan Royals went on to easily
defeat the Delhi Daredevils by 105 runs. You also must give huge credit to the captaincy of Shane Warne, who has taken,
what most people thought at the start of the tournament would be easy beats, into the finals. He has shown great
leadership, as well as his own contributions, with the bat and ball.
Now it all comes down to the final on 6th June at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai. The ground has
a capacity of 55,000 people all seated. It is the home ground of the Mumbai Indians.
I feel that after the way the Royals have played over the past couple of months that they will be very hard to beat.
Most experts believe the Rajasthan Royals will be too good on the day.