solve your own problems: Martyn
london: Former Australia batsman Damien Martyn has told the current tourists to pick themselves up in a bid to regain the Ashes. Martyn, twice an Ashes-winner before retiring midway through the 2006/07 series, believes his successors must now raise their own game. Martyn said personal responsibility was key. “When I go out to bat, only I can make runs. Everyone can tell me everything and coach me. But mentally in a pressure situation you’ve just got to do it yourself; you’ve just got to gain the experience.”
Taylor to face Aussies in warm-up
london: Nottinghamshire batsman James Taylor has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Kevin Pietersen in the third Test against Australia if the England star fails to recover from injury. Pietersen suffered a calf strain during the second Test at lord's and was unable to take the field for Australia's second innings. The South Africa-born batsman is currently undergoing treatment ahead of the Old Trafford Test, which starts next Thursday. But England's selectors have ear-marked Taylor as the man to step up in case Pietersen doesn't recover and on Wednesday it was announced the 23-year-old will temporarily switch counties and play for Sussex against Australia in a tour match this week.
Australia call up Turner
london: Australia captain Michael Clarke will miss his side's tour match against Sussex this week, while rookie off-spinner Ashton Turner is set to make his first-class debut for the struggling tourists at Hove. Clarke is sidelined amid reports that a long-standing back injury flared up after Australia's crushing second Test defeat against England at lord's. Ed Cowan will skipper the team in Clarke's absence, with vice-captain Brad Haddin, openers Shane Watson and Chris Rogers plus pace bowlers Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris all rested. Those changes mean a surprise chance for Turner, who had been playing in the English amateur leagues for Chichester Priory Park as part of a development programme run by Cricket Australia and Hampshire. The 20-year-old has taken 18 wickets at an average of 40.78 for the Sussex Premier league club this season.