Ponting twists the knife

Aug 07 2009

Australia have continued to dominate proceedings throughout the afternoon session of the first day of the fourth Ashes Test at Headingley.

England resumed after lunch on 72-6 and only an unbeaten 37 from wicketkeeper Matt Prior ensured that they reached three figures.

Peter Siddle took all four remaining England wickets, firstly forcing Graeme the scoreless Swann to edge a catch to Michael Clarke, before Steve Harmison also went for a duck, giving Brad Haddin an easy catch behind the stumps.

James Anderson at least continued his record-breaking run of Test innings without a duck, but he made just three before fending off a short ball from Siddle to the waiting Haddin.

The innings was all over at 102 all out when Graham Onions was out first ball, caught by Simon Katich off the hostile Siddle, who ended with figures of 5-21 from 9.5 overs.

Australia's reply got off to a quick start thanks to some wayward bowling by Anderson, although Katich departed without scoring, fending off a Harmison lifter to Ravi Bopara at leg-gully.

However, Ricky Ponting them came to the crease and started to dominate, reaching 39 not out by tea.

The Baggy Greens skipper had hit a six and six fours from 49 balls faced, being offered solid support by Shane Watson, who was unbeaten on 24 at the interval.

Australia were 69-1 and just 33 runs adrift of England's woeful first innings total.

England suffer nightmare start

Aug 07 2009

Australia's pace attack has torn through England's batting on the first morning of the fourth Ashes Test, with the hosts reduced to 72-6 in their first innings.

The day started badly for Andrew Strauss when all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was ruled out of the Headingley clash due to injury and things got even worse after he won the toss and elected to bat first.

Skipper Strauss (3) was first to go, edging Peter Siddle to Marcus North, who took an outstanding one-handed catch at a fine gully position.

Ravi Bopara managed just a single before spooning a catch to Mike Hussey off the bowling of Ben Hilfenhaus and it was 39-3 when Ian Bell (8) edged a short ball from Mitchell Johnson to Brad Haddin.

Paul Collingwood failed to trouble the scorers before edging Stuart Clark to the waiting Ricky Ponting at second slip, leaving England in desperate trouble at 42-4.

Alastair Cook was the one batsman to show some form, but he was the fifth man out after reaching 30, with Michael Clarke taking a comfortable catch off Clark.

The pre-lunch action ended with one further blow for England, as Stuart Broad (3) became Clark's third victim, turning a catch to Simon Katich at short mid-wicket.

Matt Prior was unbeaten on 17 not out at lunch, with England's hopes of a series-clinching victory already in tatters.

Just before play started England also had an injury scare over Prior, who suffered a back spasm during his side's final warm-up.

For Australia, wicketkeeper Haddin was fit to return after a finger injury, with Graham Manou making way, while Clark cam in for off-spinner Nathan Hauritz.

India suffer Zaheer setback

Aug 07 2009 -

India's left-arm paceman Zaheer Khan has been ruled out for the rest of 2009 after being forced to undergo an operation to correct a shoulder injury.

The 30-year-old travelled to South Africa for corrective surgery on his left shoulder, which he damaged during the recent Indian Premier League.

A statement from the BCCI read: "Zaheer Khan had an arthroscopic labral repair in his left shoulder on 13th July 2009 done by the Johannesburg-based Dr Mark Ferguson.

"Zaheer is undergoing rehabilitation in South Africa and is recovering very well. He is expected to return to international cricket by the end of this year."

Flintoff ruled out of fourth Test

Aug 07 2009 -

Andrew Flintoff has been ruled out of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia at Headingley due to a knee injury.

Flintoff's participation had been in doubt after he struggled to complete the drawn third Test at Edgbaston last week.

The all-rounder, who will retire from Test cricket at the end of the series, took part in a practice session on Thursday but was unable to bowl at full pace.

The England management team therefore decided Flintoff was not able to take a full part in a match which could decide the outcome of the series.

England are 1-0 up in the five-match series and would reclaim the Ashes with a victory at Headingley.

Flintoff's absence leads to a selection dilemma as England will now have to alter the balance of the side.

Either seam bowler Steve Harmison and Ryan Sidebottom could be recalled to the starting line-up or the selectors could turn to debutant batsman Jonathan Trott.

Butcher calls time on career

Aug 07 2009 -

Former England batsman Mark Butcher has retired from first-class cricket due to persistent knee problems.

The 36-year-old Surrey captain has called time on his career after failing to recover from a third knee operation last month.

"It was a very tough decision to walk away from the club I've called home and the game that has given me so many great memories," said Butcher, who also played in 71 Tests for England.

"I feel that it is the right time to move onto the next chapter in my life.

"I look back very fondly on my 20 years as a player at Surrey, in my opinion the best place to play cricket in the land, and I am also very proud to have represented my country."

Butcher scored 17,870 runs during a 17-year professional career at an average of 40.70.

His occasional medium-pace swing bowling also brought him 125 wickets.