Decider washed away; Australia retain Chappell Hadlee Trophy

Brisbane, Feb 13: Australia today retained the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy after the crucial fifth and final ODI was called off due to heavy rain during New Zealand’s gutsy chase, leaving the series tied at 2-2.

The series-deciding match, which started five hours late from the scheduled start due to rains, was first reduced to a 22-over affair and, put into bat, Australia made 168 for four thanks mainly to unbeaten half centuries from wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (88) and Callum Ferguson (55).
New Zealand’s run chase was further delayed by rain and their target was revised to 156 from 20 overs but the match was eventually called off after the 14th over when the visitors were 123 for six, needing 33 off six overs with four wickets in hand.

Opener Martin Guptill was batting on 64 in company of debutant Brendon Diamanti who was on 26.

New Zealand had won the first two matches in Perth and Melbourne. Australia, who retained the trophy by virtue of winning the last series between the two countries, made a come back by winning in Sydney and Adelaide. New Zealand’s run chase mainly revolved around a blistering 34-ball 64 not out by opener Guptill while his team-mates fell around him. Australia achieved immediate success with Ben Hilfenhaus castling Brendon McCullum (2) with the second ball of the day.

Ponting wants more say in selection matters

Melbourne: Australian skipper Ricky Ponting said he wanted more say in the selection of the team, specially in important decisions like players’ rotation. “I think it’s important that we have got guys fresh mentally and physically for when we really need them,” Ponting said. “I have some say, like I do in some selections. We all have a little bit of a say but, at the end of the day, a lot of those bigger decisions are made without me so that’s just the way it is at the moment,” Ponting was quoted as saying in the Australian media pn Friday. Ponting would like more say in the resting and rotational policy of the team as the side prepares for what he said would be the busiest period of his career. Several Australian players are battling injuries and vice-captain Michael Clarke became the latest to be ruled out of Friday’s Chappell-Hadlee Trophy decider in Brisbane due to a back problem. (IANS)

Rookie Kulkarni gets call; Balaji, Kaarthick return

Chennai, Feb 13: Rookie Mumbai pacer Dhawal Kulkarni today earned a surprise call up to India’s Test squad while fit-again speedster Lakshmipathy Balaji and his Tamil Nadu teammate Dinesh Kaarthick staged a comeback for the gruelling tour of New Zealand starting next week.
The 20-year-old Kulkarni, who first came into the limelight in the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League, has been rewarded for his consistent show in the domestic circuit.
Apart from Kulkarni’s inclusion, there were no major surprises in the teams -- Test, ODI and Twenty20 -- that were picked here after a meeting of the National selection Panel headed by former India captain Krish Srikkanth.