At Homebush Bay, Ashes may be played

HOMEBUSH BAY could host the next Sydney Ashes Test in 2011, with Cricket NSW exploring the avenue of moving internationals away from the SCG unless it can strike a better deal with the ground's management.
The revelation will shock purists and it would take some poor negotiating by the SCG Trust to lose the pinnacle cricket event on Sydney's sporting calendar. The ANZ Stadium Trust earlier said it was not interested in hosting Test matches, but the money generated by an Ashes Test can no longer be ignored by its accountants.
Still, the SCG Trust retains the upper hand and when negotiations for hosting rights beyond next year begin shortly it will be keen to iron out disputes before Homebush's ANZ Stadium can swoop in to snatch the Ashes away.
The rights for international matches were negotiated in 2004 and expire at the end of next year. The first match of 2011 will be the Sydney Ashes Test.
Australian opener and NSW captain Simon Katich says the main concern playing Tests at ANZ Stadium is the wicket, but his experiences there for the Blues have been positive.
''It would be a huge surprise if Test cricket, or even four day shield cricket, was moved from the SCG because it's the home, the traditional venue and a great place to play,'' he said.
''In saying that, we've played a lot of one day cricket out at ANZ Stadium … the game is always developing and changing, who knows where it could head now with where we play, but it would be a shock if we moved from the SCG.
''I think the only issue might be that the wicket at ANZ is a drop-in wicket and people are always worried about losing the characteristics of all the five different [Ashes Test] venues in Australia. That would be an issue, but in terms of attendances out there, we obviously get great crowds for the Blues and being a big stadium who knows what a Test match could draw out there?
''I'm not sure which way negotiations will go but it's an interesting time for where the game could be headed, for Test cricket in particular.''
Cricket NSW chief executive David Gilbert said while the SCG was his favourite venue, he was keen to deliver a deal that best rewards the game and his organisation.
It's understood there would have to be leeway on part of the SCG Trust in any new deal, which would benefit Cricket NSW financially.
An ANZ Stadium spokesman said: ''Our focus is on Twenty20 and ODI because these forms of the game have a natural fit with the stadium as major events. In relation to Test cricket, that's up to Cricket NSW. We're happy to explore the opportunities as they arise.''
SCG Trust chief executive Jamie Barclay said: ''There have been no discussions with Cricket NSW at the present time, this whole thing was determined in 2004. We look forward to sitting down and discussing it all very soon.''

Vaughan urges Strauss to take a break before challenging for the Ashes

MICHAEL VAUGHAN believes captain Andrew Strauss should be rested for the tour of Bangladesh to give England the best possible opportunity of retaining the Ashes in Australia.
Strauss flew out with his squad at the weekend for a tough tour of South Africa which follows hot on the heels of a gruelling summer schedule, which included a World Twenty 20 tournament and the Champions Trophy on top of England's Ashes victory. After two 20 over and five 50 over internationals against the Proteas, as well as four Tests, England move next onto Bangladesh before another busy summer leads up to a trip to Australia.Strauss and coach Andy Flower were not slow to rest overworked players this summer giving the likes of James Anderson and Paul Collingwood a break during the one-day series against Ricky Ponting's men. And Vaughan, who skippered England to Ashes success in 2005, believes Strauss must take time away himself to ensure he is mentally ready for the challenges ahead."I think he should be rested," Vaughan said. "You've got to look at the bigger picture. The guys are playing far too much."It's not the actual playing side, it's the mental side of being away and constantly being in a cricket environment."So just taking Straussy out for a three-week break will regenerate his energy levels going into next summer and we have to have all our players fit and firing for next winter which is the big one – the Ashes."However, resting Strauss would of course bring up another major issue in who could then take over the captaincy.The abrupt departure of Kevin Pietersen from the post put into sharp focus the lack of options England have at their disposal, with Strauss seen by many as the only man in the set-up capable of taking on the role.Opener Alastair Cook is now the official vice-captain and logic would dictate that he would stand in for the Bangladesh tour should Strauss be absent. But Vaughan believes that, with the 24-year-old having struggled for form this year, the decision is not as straightforward as it may seem."That's not been decided yet," he said. "I think we're all jumping to conclusions."Cooky's under a huge amount of pressure this series to deliver. He's had a good time in the team since he came in. "He's developed a real strong respect from the rest of the players which is ultimately what you need as a captain. "But he has to deliver with runs on the board and he has to get a lot of runs in South Africa just to give himself that confidence that, if he does get the job, he's speaking from a position of strength."

Only a start Ashes win

Andrew Strauss has demanded his England side views its Ashes triumph as only a stepping stone to become the world's best team.
England arrived in South Africa on Sunday for its two-and-a-half month tour with the long term goal of replacing Graeme Smith's side at the top of the rankings.
It reclaimed the last time the Ashes in 2005 it followed it up with a 2-0 Test series defeat in Pakistan the following season.
Strauss is determined to ensure a similar scenario is avoided against South Africa and insists England's players realise challenging times lie ahead.
"We've talked a lot about how winning the Ashes is not the end of the road, it's almost the starting point for us to improve," he said.
"We'd be lying if we didn't want to be the number one side in the world.
"But if you look at how the ranking system works it will take a number of years of solid progression from where we are at the moment and consistency is crucial.
"Ultimately it's about not taking our foot off the gas.
"The perception of the post-2005 period is that we took our eye off the ball quite badly. I'm not comfortable with that myself.
"I remember that Pakistan tour and how hard we worked at it. We had a number of very crucial injuries which didn't help.
"If you look at our performances over the last 12 months we're far from the genuine article and where we want to be.
"No one in the squad truly believes we've made it, we've got a long way to go. I want to see our players hungry and committed."
England must face South Africa over four Tests without talisman Freddie Flintoff, who retired from the five-day game after the Ashes.
It is hoped all-rounder Stuart Broad will emerge as Flintoff's successor following his heroics this year, but Strauss is keen to minimise any hype surrounding the 23-year-old.
"Stuart has his head screwed on. There has been a lot of media attention on him but he realises that there's much room for him to improve," he said.
"He's excited about that and he's very keen to contribute to this team.
"We're excited about him but the last thing I want to do is put a huge amount of expectation on his shoulders.
"You must give people room to improve and hopefully he'll continue that development this winter.
"It's not a realistic expectation for Broad to fill Flintoff's shoes in both disciplines in the short term.
"It would be wrong to heap that expectation on his shoulders.
"Over the years we've had to do without Flintoff quite often and what we've found is that we've done quite well by everyone taking responsibility and playing a bit better.
"Stuart Broad is not a like-for-like replacement for Flintoff anyway but he has his own set of skills, some of which are world class and some of which need work.
"We don't want him to be the saviour we turn to, we need all 11 to do that."

Harmy plots Ashes return

STEVE HARMISON last night told Andrew Strauss: I am not finished yet.
Pace ace Harmy was rocked after being left out of England's winter tour to South Africa.
Even more so as he had played a part in regaining just three months ago The Ashes.
Skipper Strauss and coach Andy Flower hurt the snub from England.
Many predicted Harmison would never be seen on the international stage again, as Durham pals and pace rivals Graham Onions and Liam Plunkett got the nod.
But after penning a new four year deal worth around £600,000 at the Riverside, he is raring to go and would love the opportunity to let rip at the Aussies again in the Ashes series Down Under at the end of next year.
Harmy, 31, said: "England are going through an exciting time. They are going with a group of young fast bowlers to South Africa, which will be helpful for them. I really hope they do well.
"I love playing for England though and if the call came I would love to play again. People ask me if I am going to retire, but why should I retire?
"South Africa will be tough. There will be hard days coming up for England and they have to stick with the policy if that is how they are going forward.
"But I have 226 wickets from 60-odd Tests, so I feel my point has been proven. My record stands up with most.
"I will go out like I did this year and last to try and take some wickets for Durham. And if that sees my name put in the hat to play for England again, and I can be of service, I will be glad to do that.
"I would have been fine to play this winter. The problem is the games that take place between now and Australia.
"If I knew it wasn't possible for me to go to Australia, I would come out and retire for the sake of everybody. That Ashes series is a long way away. But if I feel I can give something, I will make my feelings clear then."
England have a highly congested schedule before locking horns with the Aussies again.
Harmy added: "First is South Africa, then Bangladesh, then they come back and play the summer and then it is straight into The Ashes.
"England are going to need a few more fast bowlers. That is why people in England have to be careful not to put too much pressure on the young kids."

Jonathan Trott relishing debut against Australia in fifth Ashes Test

Jonathan Trott announced his arrival in the England Test side by declaring it will be the Aussies under forces this week not him.
Trott is confident he can make the transition from county pro to Ashes hero when he mall out on his start to bat for England in place of the axed Ravi Bopara.
And in the winner takes all Fifth npower Test he can be accurate of a typically in yourface Aussie welcome at the Brit Oval on Thursday.
"There is a lot of pressure on the Australian side to retain the Ashes," said Trott. "We're going out there to play for the win, and having a positive mindset hopefully we'll come out on top.
"Any match that you make your first introduction in is going to be huge really and I've got a good one.
"I'm beatify as damnation. It is something I've worked really difficult for and I've been playing pretty well this period so I hope it can continue and I can play well this week
"When I go out to bat I feel a lot calmer than when I'm waiting to bat so it will be interesting to see how I feel. I'm going to stay as relaxed as possible, because when I was a bit younger I used to get up tight in wanting things to happen rather than letting nature take its course."
It is the same advance that the chooser have taken. Rather than go for anything imaginative or emotionally charged, they have stuck with consistency.
They've picked the next batting cab off the rank and even though they are looking for a No.3 they've ended up with a middle order batsman forcing them to move the seemingly unreliable Ian Bell back to first wicket down.
This game though will tell us whether the conclusion to go with agreement above everything else is a good one. The thing that a selection policy like this accommodate is something to hide behind when it goes wrong, but there can be no hiding place next week.
"It is a big Test and we've got to win it," said national selector Geoff Miller. "There are always options to go in all kinds of directions, but we are a consistent selection team and we have a consistent selection policy.
"Having been part of the squad at Headingley, Jonathan was the next batsman in line in our view and this rewards him for the good form he has shown.
"Ravi has been struggling for form in the Test matches and that is why we've relieved him, but he is a quality player and I've no doubt that he will be back."
Trott has been picking the brains of his county team helper Bell over what is in store for him and England fans will be hoping that he is a natural when it comes to Test cricket.

Thomson: England have no chance of winning the Ashes

London, Aug 13 (PTI) Legendary Australian fast bowler Jeff Thomson has ruled out any chance of England winning the Ashes bowl despite the return of Andrew Flintoff who has been declared apposite for his swan song Test."England have no chance of winning the Ashes -? because the Aussies no longer fear Freddie Flintoff," Thomson said."Bringing Flintoff back for the final Test at The Oval next week won't fool our blokes. They know England are pinning all their hopes on a saviour charging in to bowl on one leg," he wrote in his column in the 'Daily Mirror'.He added, "the fact is his knee is crocked. England have to take 20 wickets next week to save their skins and, Flintoff or no Flintoff, they haven't got the bowlers to do it"

Ashes entry over Clark's late

SYDNEY — Australia's players were taken to task by the Australian press Saturday after Stuart Clark's devastating return to the bowling lineup helped rout England in the fourth Ashes Test.
Ricky Ponting's team, trailing 1-0 in the five-match series, roared back into contention, bowling out England for 102 and establishing a 94-run lead with their 196 for four by stumps on the opening day of the Headingley Test.
Peter Siddle was photograph five wickets for 21 runs in 9.5 overs and Clark three for 18 in 10 overs as the Australians had their best as compare to England and it was best day of the series since dominating the opening Cardiff Test.
But it was the belated appearance of 33-year-old Clark, playing in his first Test since elbow surgery last December and it was seriously injured , who captured the headlines with a controlled line of attack that Australia's bowling has missed in this series.
"The selectors' inexplicable resistance to Clark prior to Headingley could not have been more emphatically highlighted as a most serious error as England were unable to survive more than 33 overs," The Sydney Morning Herald's Jamie Pandaram said.
"Clark's comeback could not have been more emphatic; 10 overs for 18 runs and three scalps. He was at his miserly best and the game was going on best, conceding his first run after 17 deliveries, and beating the bat repeatedly."
The best figures although Siddle produced, the Herald's Peter Roebuck said Clark was the pick of the Australian bowlers.
"Belatedly recalled and keeping an unerring length, the old trouper probed constantly, making the batsmen play, always asking questions," he said.
"Clark looked his old self, denying the batsmen soft runs, squeezing them tight, drawing them into prods and taking outside edges."
The Daily Telegraph said Clark "stuck it up" the players with his mesmerising spell.
"Clark had been the invisible man of Australia's Ashes campaign, inexplicably overlooked for the first three Tests as Mitchell Johnson and Peter fear for the England and suddenly struggled and went for more than four runs an over," The Telegraph's Ben Dorries said.
"He was back with a vengeance and created the suffocating pressure that Australia has been sadly lacking in England because they will come back."
ABC radio commentator Jim Maxwell said Clark's overdue return refreshed the tourists' bowling attack
. "In a stunning shift of momentum, triggered by Andrew Flintoff's withdrawal and Matt Prior's back spasm that delayed the toss, England had its worst day of the series," Maxwell said.
"If it can muster a 150-run lead, Australia should be levelling the series on Monday because they are fear," he said.
The Herald said it was difficult to see England recovering from their first innings debacle.
"It's difficult to see England climbing out of this, having taken so many confidence-shattering blows from Australia, who are finally living up to their number one ranking," it said.
The Australian press was tempered in its reaction to the booing of Australian skipper Ricky Ponting, this time by the Headingley crowd.
"Ponting was booed again as he walked out to bat as Headingley fans ignored the pleas of England cricket bosses to show the Australian skipper some respect," The Daily Telegraph said.
"However, he received warm applause when he walked off the ground as his innings (of 78) lit up the day."