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Australia at the ICC World Twenty20 2009 in England

Australia knocked out of World Twenty20‎

Sri Lanka's six-wicket victory at Trent Bridge over Australia meant the Aussies are out of the ICC World Twenty20 and will have more time to practice for the upcoming Ashes. Kumar Sangakkara played a captain's innings, steadying the innings whenever the Australians tried to crawl back into the game. His 55 not out in 42 balls had six shots to the boundary including 2 sixes at crucial moments. Sri Lanka booked a berth in the Super Eights with five balls to spare. Tillakaratne Dilshan hit 53 off 32 balls, making sure Sri Lanka were always comfortably paced, chasing Australia's 159/9.

2009 ICC World Twenty20 Match 8: SRI vs AUS, Group C, June 8: Sri Lanka 160-4 (Sangakkara 55*, Dilshan 53) beat Australia 159-9 (Johnson 28*, Mendis 3-20, Malinga 3-36) by six wickets

Gayle20 blows away Australia in Group C match

Just a month ago, West Indies skipper Chris Gayle caused a storm when he said said he preferred limited overs games to Test cricket as his side slipped to a series defeat in England. Today he caused another storm, this time with his bat, as he led from the front to thrash Australia by seven wickets in the World Twenty20 Group C opener at the Oval.
Chasing 170 for victory, Gayle hit six sixes and six boundaries, while scoring 88, as he and Andre Fletcher put on 133 in just 69 balls to all but seal victory.

2009 ICC World Twenty20 Match 3: WIN vs AUS, Group C, June 6: West Indies 172-3 (Gayle 88, Fletcher 53) beat Australia 169-7 (Warner 63, David Hussey 27, Bravo 2-31) by seven wickets

Boozed Andrew Symonds sent home from Twenty20 World Cup

Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds is being sent home from the Twenty20 World Cup in England for another off-field incident relating to alcohol. Cricket's bad boy broke team rules by having late night drinking sessions and failing to inform teammates of his whereabouts during Australia's Twenty20 World Cup preparations.
Symonds will arrive back in Brisbane with his international career effectively over and no guarantee he will return to the cricket field.
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said "In the last 24-48 hours he has broken a number of team rules. In the context of commitments Andrew has made to his teammates and to Cricket Australia in the last six months, it's the last straw. Unfortunately, it's a constant balancing act and it's just tipped too far today."

Victoria allrounder Cameron White is believed to be on standby to replace Symonds, subject to ICC approval.

Pakistan v Australia Cricket Series at UAE 2009

PAK v AUS, 4th ODI, Abu Dhabi: Clarke and Bollinger lead Australia to series win (3:1)

Michael Clarke struck a sparkling hundred as Australia beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the fourth day-night international at Abu Dhabi on Friday to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series.
The 28-year-old Australian captain hit an unbeaten 100 and was well supported by Watson (85 not out) as the pair added 197 for the third wicket to ease Australia past a modest 198-run target with 5.4 overs to spare. Pakistan were bowled out for 197 in 48.4 overs with Australian left-arm paceman Doug Bollinger taking 5-35 in only his second international one-day match.
Pakistan won the first match by four wickets before Australia came back strongly to win the second by six wickets and the third by 27 runs. The fifth and final match will be played here on Sunday.

PAK v AUS, 4th ODI, Abu Dhabi: Australia 200-2 (44.2 overs) beat Pakistan 197 (48.4 overs) by 8 wickets

PAK v AUS, 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi: Australia beats Pakistan by 27 runs (AUS 2:1)

Michael Clarke's all-round performance helped his team give Pakistan a dose of their own medicine as Australia won the third day-night international by 27 runs at Abu Dhabi on Monday.
The 28-year-old hit a fighting 66 to anchor an otherwise struggling Australian innings which helped them reach 198-7 in their allotted 50 overs before claiming 3-15 to bowl Pakistan out for 171 in 47.1 overs.
Clarke's brilliant bowling which saw Pakistan lose their ten wickets in the space of 76 runs -- steered his team to a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. The remaining two matches will be played here on May 1 and 3. The only Twenty20 match is scheduled for Dubai on May 7.

PAK v AUS, 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi: Australia 198-7 (50 overs) beat Pakistan 171 (47.1 overs) by 27 runs

PAK v AUS, 2nd ODI, Dubai: Symonds stars for Australia (AUS 1:1)

Andrew Symonds rewarded the faith of the Australian selectors as he led his side to a six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second one-day international in Dubai.
The all-rounder got the call for this series after undergoing counselling to deal with a series of off-field controversies, but after failing with the bat in the first-game defeat, displayed the talent which keeps Australia coming back for more. His two wickets for 12 runs helped finish off the Pakistan tail as they made 207, and his brisk half-century carried Australia almost all the way as they reached their target with 29 balls to spare.
After Brad Haddin went for just eight, Shane Watson's 30 and 48 from James Hopes had helped Australia build a solid platform, but Pakistan dismissed the pair within the space of three balls to leave the tourists in a more nervous position at 93 for three when Symonds strode to the crease. He took a while to play himself in, but after the offer of a free hit against Shoaib Malik was smashed for his first four in the 29th over, Symonds began to express himself a little more and hit Saeed Ajmal for six in the next over.
By the time he was bowled by Shahid Afridi for 58 off 62 balls, the damage had been done with Australia well ahead of the run rate and only 25 runs from their target. Michael Clarke's unbeaten 39 and 10 from Callum Ferguson saw them home.

PAK v AUS, 2nd ODI, Dubai: Australia 208-4 (45.1 overs) beat Pakistan 207 (46.2 overs) by 6 wickets

PAK v AUS, 1st ODI, Dubai: Pakistan beat Australia by 4 wickets (PAK 1:0)

Shahid Afridi claimed six victims to pave the way for Pakistan to claim victory by four wickets in their opening one-day international against Australia in Dubai.
The Pakistan all-rounder claimed career-best figures of six for 38 as Australia could only manage a paltry 168 in an innings that lasted just 38.5 overs. The world champions again lost their way in the middle overs, losing eight for 27 at one stage as they wilted against Afridi's spin.
It could have been worse for the Australians who relied on a last-wicket stand of 46 runs between James Hopes (48 not out) and Ben Hilfenhaus (four) to give their score some respectability.
Pakistan's reply, while slow going at times, always looked on track with Kamran Akmal hitting 48 at the top of the order before Misbah-ul-Haq anchored the innings with an unbeaten 30 from 68 balls.

PAK v AUS, 1st ODI, Dubai: Pakistan 171-6 (44.1 overs) beat Australia 168 (38.5 overs) by 4 wickets

PAK v AUS, 1st ODI, Dubai: Symonds, Watson to provide spark for Australia

Australia are banking on the return of Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson to provide the spark for a jaded side which takes on Pakistan in the first of five One-Day Internationals on Wednesday.
The two powerful all-rounders should lift the Australians who are resting captain Ricky Ponting, batsman Mike Hussey and fast bowler Mitchell Johnson for the series against Pakistan which has been moved to the UAE because of security concerns.
Stand-in skipper Michael Clarke was also looking forward to the return of fast bowler Brett Lee, who is scheduled to be fit for the third match of the series.

Australia v South Africa Cricket Series 2009

AUS v SA, 5th ODI, Johannesburg: Victorious Australia regain number two ranking (AUS 2:3)

Australia regained their world number two ranking with a comfortable 47-run win over South Africa in the fifth and final one-day international at the Wanderers Stadium on Friday.
Australia took advantage of being given first use of an excellent batting pitch by South African captain Graeme Smith, making 303 for seven despite a mid-innings stumble. Despite a second wicket stand of 104 between Herschelle Gibbs and Jacques Kallis, South Africa fell steadily behind the asking rate and wickets fell at regular intervals after Gibbs was out for 82.
The series win meant that South Africa retained their world number one ranking. Australia briefly slipped to third behind India after losing the fourth match in Port Elizabeth on Monday but returned to the number two spot with their consolation win. South Africa won the series 3-2 following a 4-1 series win in Australia earlier in the series.

AUS v SA, 5th ODI, Johannesburg: Australia 303-7 (50.0 overs) beat South africa 256 (45.5 overs) by 47 runs

AUS v SA, 4th ODI, Port Elizabeth: Gibbs, Steyn lead S. Africa to series win (SA 3:1)

Herschelle Gibbs hit a sparkling century and Dale Steyn took four wickets to lift South Africa to a series-clinching 61-run win over Australia in the fourth one-dayer on Monday.
The hosts clinched the series 3-1, Gibbs smashing 110 and AB de Villiers 84 in a commanding total of 317 for six.
Australia started well with an opening stand of 129 in 127 balls between Brad Haddin and Michael Clarke but they lost their way against the spinners and were bowled out for 256 in the 46th over. The final match of the series is in Johannesburg on Friday

AUS v SA, 4th ODI, Port Elizabeth: South africa 317-6 (50.0 overs) beat Australia 256 (45.5 overs) by 61 runs

AUS v SA, 3rd ODI, Cape Town: South Africa beat Australia by 25 runs (SA 2:1)

Half-centuries from Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers proved decisive as South Africa eased to a 25-run victory over Australia in the third one-day international in Cape Town.
Kallis and De Villiers shared a 114-run partnership for the third wicket to rescue the home side from early trouble to post 289 for six. The tourists struggled in their chase, with Callum Ferguson (63) and James Hopes (63 not out) only briefly threatening as outstanding fielding and Roelof van der Merwe's three for 37 restricted the visitors to 264 for seven.

AUS v SA, 3rd ODI, Cape Town: South africa 289-6 (50.0 overs) beat Australia 264-7 (50.0 overs) by 25 runs

AUS v SA, 2nd ODI, Centurion: South africa beat Australia to level series (SA 1:1)

South Africa beat Australia by seven wickets Sunday to square the five-match series at 1-1 after opening bowlers Wayne Parnell and Dale Steyn took four wickets each to help bowl out Australia for 131.
Parnell, a 19-year-old left-arm seamer, finished with 4-25 in just his second ODI after having figures of 3-3 in his first four overs, while Steyn claimed 4-27 as Australia was dismissed in less than 41 overs for its 16th lowest total. The Proteas reached 132 for three wickets in the 27th over at SuperSport Park after captain Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis had added 69 in 11.1 overs for the second wicket.

AUS v SA, 2nd ODI, Centurion: South africa 132-3 (26.2 overs) beat Australia 131 (40.2 overs) by 7 wickets

AUS v SA, 1st ODI, Durban: Australia beat South Africa by 141 runs (AUS 1:0)

Mike Hussey ended a run of poor form with a match-winning innings for Australia in the first one-day international against South Africa at Kingsmead Friday.
Hussey hit 83 not out as Australia piled up 286 for seven. South Africa were then bowled out for 145 as Australia completed a crushing 141-run win in the opening encounter of a five-match series.

AUS v SA, 1st ODI, Durban: Australia 286-7 (50.0 overs) beat South Africa 145 (33.1 overs) by 141 runs

AUS v SA, 2nd T20, Centurion: South Africa beat Australia to clinch series (SA 2:0)

Johan Botha led his team from the front to guide South Africa to a 17-run victory over Australia in the second Twenty20 international in Pretoria on Sunday.
The Proteas captain took two wickets for 16 runs and was given good support from debutants Yusuf Abdullah (one for 16) and Roelof van der Merwe (one for 30), while Johann Louw (two for 36) also chipped in as the visitors were limited to 139 for eight. Van der Merwe also made a useful contribution with the bat, slamming 48 from only 30 deliveries as the hosts posted 156 for five.

AUS v SA, 2nd T20, Centurion: South Africa 156-5 (20.0 overs) beat Australia 139-8 (20.0 overs) by 17 runs

AUS v SA, 1st T20, Johannesburg: South Africa beat Australia by four wickets (SA 1:0)

Powerful boundary-hitting from Albie Morkel and Mark Boucher in the last five overs of the innings Friday took South Africa to a four-wicket victory with four balls to spare over Australia in a Twenty20 cricket match.
South Africa finished on 168-6 in reply to Australia's 166-7 to go 1-0 up in the two-match series. The second game will be played at Centurion on Sunday.
Earlier, David Hussey smashed 88 not out off 44 balls to guide Australia to a defendable total. He smacked five fours and six sixes after coming to the wicket with the score on 16-2. The only other Australian batsman to make a meaningful contribution was opener David Warner, who hit four fours and a six to score 38.

AUS v SA, 1st T20, Johannesburg: South Africa 168-6 (19.2 overs) beat Australia 166-7 (20.0 overs) by 4 wickets

AUS v SA, 3rd Test, Cape Town: South Africa wins third Test but loses series (AUS 2:1)

South Africa left-arm spinner Paul Harris took six wickets as the Proteas beat Australia by an innings and 20 runs to win the third Test but lose the series 2-1.
Harris claimed 6-127 off 42.5 overs as Australia was dismissed for 422 after tea on the fourth day at Newlands despite Mitchell Johnson hitting 11 fours and five sixes to score 123 not out off 103 balls and add 163 with Andrew McDonald (68). Harris won the man-of-the-match award after becoming the first South African spinner in 44 years to claim five or more wickets in an innings in a home Test.
Johnson, who was selected as the player of the series after taking 16 wickets and scoring 255 runs, scored his maiden Test ton with a six off Dale Steyn. He had missed out on a century in the first Test when Australia's first innings ended with him on 96 not out.

AUS v SA, 3rd Test, Cape Town: South Africa 651 beat Australia 209 & 422 by an innings and 20 runs

AUS v SA, 2nd Test, Durban: Australia claim series win (AUS 2:0)

Australia have completed a series win against South Africa after winning the second Test in Durban by 175 runs.
The hosts, needing an improbable 546 to win and level the best-of-three contest, finished on 370 for nine, with captain Graeme Smith unable to bat after fracturing his little finger.
South Africa started the final day on 244 for two but the early loss of Jacques Kallis for 93 effectively ended their hopes. Peter Siddle and Simon Katich took three wickets each for the tourists, who have avenged their loss to the Proteas on home soil earlier this year.

AUS v SA, 2nd Test, Durban: Australia 352 & 331-5 beat South Africa 138-9 & 370-9 by 175 runs

AUS v SA, 1st Test, Johannesburg: Australia beat South Africa by 162 runs (AUS 1:0)

Australia took two wickets in eight balls after tea Monday to beat South Africa by 162 runs in the first cricket Test and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
South Africa was bowled out for 291, well short of their victory target of 454. Man-of-the-match Mitchell Johnson, who took eight wickets in the match and hit 96 not out in Australia's first innings, finished off the Proteas by bowling Dale Steyn. Earlier, Peter Siddle took his third wicket with the dismissal of Paul Harris. Johnson finished with figures of 4-112, while Siddle took 3-46.
Australia had claimed three wickets in the middle session for the addition of only 42 runs when the South Africa batsmen could not keep out the opposition's fired-up bowlers. The Aussie seamers relied on short-pitched bowling to put the batsmen under pressure. The ploy accounted for the prize wicket of JP Duminy, caught in the slips off Siddle for 29, and when Mark Boucher was bowled by a beauty from Hilfenhaus for 24 five overs later, the last of the recognized batsmen was out.

AUS v SA, 1st Test, Johannesburg: Australia 466 & 207 beat South Africa 220 & 291 by 162 runs

Australia Past Cricket Series

South Africa in Australia Cricket Series 2008-09

AUS v SA, 5th ODI, Perth: South Africa beat Australia by 39 runs (SA 4:1)

South Africa's near-perfect tour began with a Test win in Perth and fittingly it finished with a 4-1 one-day triumph at the same venue as Australia conceded the No 1 ranking to Johan Botha's men.
JP Duminy, Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers, all of whom contributed to the Test successes, finished the trip strongly and the debutant Lonwabo Tsotsobe picked up four wickets to give the tourists one more happy story to recount on the flight home. South Africa had waited all series for the chance to bat first and when they did, they set the largest target of the five games thanks to Amla, De Villiers and Duminy.

AUS v SA, 5th ODI, Perth: South Africa 288-6 (50.0 overs) beat Australia 249 (49.0 overs) by 39 runs