Cyclone To Hit Brisbane
Brisbane: Australia's World Cup campaign as well as Michael Clarke's long-awaited return could be blown off course by a tropical cyclone which threatens to dump 30cm of rain on Brisbane in the lead-up to Saturday's clash with Bangladesh. Australia's meteorology office has forecast an 80 percent chance of rain, with thunderstorms on Saturday when the game takes place at the Gabba. "Beautiful sunshine at the moment, but I think that's it for the day — we got a couple of days of wet weather,” Australia coach Darren lehmann said on Wednesday. “We'll work out what the best XI is once it clears up. It might be different with overcast conditions and we might decide to play a different way, and it depends on the wicket.” Former Australia batsman lehmann also confirmed Michael Clarke will be making a return to the side if the match does go on. “Yeah, he's playing mate,” he said in typical Aussie fashion.
‘Ready to bat at any spot’
Melbourne: He has taken guard in different positions and came at seven in India's latest World Cup victory against Pakistan but key batsman Ajinkya Rahane does not mind being shuffled in the batting order. 26-year-old Rahane, who has played 47 ODIs and 14 Tests, said that the batting technique remains the same irrespective of his slot and only flexibility of mind is required to make the adjustment. "You need to be flexible and I am ready to bat at any number. You need to have an open mind. The technique remains the same irrespective of the number you are batting at. The mind needs to be flexible and positive to be able to bat anywhere," Rahane said.
lARA SlAMS WI SElECTION
Christchurch: West Indies batting legend Brian lara has described as “a self-inflicted blow”, the decision by the Clive lloyd-led selection panel to exclude Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo from the side for the ongoing World Cup. lara’s opinions are contained in an article he wrote for the Trinidad Guardian newspaper. “I believe we have shot ourselves in the foot and had the people who selected our team seen the World Cup for the prestigious tournament it is, both Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo would have been in Australia, New Zealand,” wrote lara. “It is hard to understand the reasons why they are absent,” lara wrote.