Andrew Symonds retires from all forms of cricket

Former Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds announced his retirement from professional cricket including this year's IPL.

 

Australian former all-rounder Andrew Symonds announces retirement from cricket

“Cricket has given me enormous opportunities in my life and I will always be grateful for this.  Recently I have had several new and exciting opportunities come my way, and I have decided it’s time to commit to and develop the next stage of my life," Symonds said in his statement.
“During my time in cricket I have enjoyed the support of many and made numerous friends. I hope to continue to enjoy these friendships through the next stage of my life.”

It has brought to an end a troubled career for this big hitting Australian maverick. He played a key role in the Australia's World Cup victories in 2003 and 2007. 
Andrew Symonds also appeared in the Indian version of Big Brother called Bigg Boss in the season 5 as a celebrity guest.

 

Andrew Symonds, who played for Mumbai Indians IPL team, retires from professional cricket

About his association with Mumbai Indians IPL team and not being able to play this year's IPL - Symonds said
“It is with regret that I will not be able to fulfill my final year of the IPL with the Mumbai Indians.  Mumbai Indians and the IPL have both been very supportive of me, but the impending arrival of my first child is a priority. I appreciate their understanding in my making this decision and I wish the team every success this year.”

Andrew Symonds played 26 Tests, scoring 1462 runs at 41 with two hundreds and 198 one-day matches, making 5088 runs at 40 runs average with six centuries.

Sehwag and Pattinson clash in Boxing Day Test

The Boxing day test match between India and Australia which started yesterday the 26th of Dec 2011 in Melbourne has already had its share of news and controversies in just two days.

After a couple of controversial decisions against Australia for Mike Hussey and Ed Cowan (though I feel this is out) and one more that India didn't get (that of Zaheer Khan's lbw appeal of Brad Haddin), today was another day for fresh controversy brewing.

 

Virender Sehwag and Pattinson clash in the Boxing Day Test match

Indian opener Virender Sehwag was involved in an altercation with Australian pacers James Pattinson and Peter Siddle during the visitors` first innings today. The incident happened in the fourth ball of seventh over bowled by the latest Aussie sensation James Pattinson. 

Virender Sehwag was on 16 when this happened. He played the ball down to fine leg and ran for a single during which Pattinson stood at the middle on his follow through with his elbow stretched , though unintentionally, which Sehwag evaded. 

Sehwag had a few harsh words for Pattinson after he completed the run and he was also seen pointing his bat towards Pattinson. Pattinson was not to be held back as he retorted agressively too. Peter Siddle who was fielding nearby too joined the banter to support Pattinson. 
Finally, umpire Marais Erasmus calmed the proceedings speaking to Sehwag and things were back to normal. 

After a few overs, Sehwag while taking a second run clashed with Peter Siddle who was on his follow through after the delivery. Sehwag apologized immediately but Siddle didn't even look or respond to that :)
 
Sad to see that Sachin Tendulkar missed out on his 100th century though.. just a matter of time... 
Things are heating up in the Boxing day test match.. lets see what happens in the remaining days.

James Pattinson - Australia's new glamour boy

Australian cricket team recruited a new glamour boy in their ranks... its their new Victorian fast bowler James Pattinson who shined in his first test series against New Zealand early this month.

 

Victorian fast bowler James Lee Pattinson - The Latest hunk in Australian cricket team

Photo credit: Photo by Hamish Blair/Getty Images AsiaPac 

The Australian cricket team were going down n low in their hunk rankings of late and badly required this expansion with newcomer James Pattinson, who is now earning a reputation as the man most likely to take the glamour-boy mantle once held by Michael Clarke.

Pattinson made his Test debut in the Dec 2011 home series against New Zealand, in the first Test in Brisbane on 1 December 2011. Pattinson took 5 wickets for 27 runs in the second innings of his debut Test and helped Australia to a nine-wicket win and took the Man of the Match award too. He took another five-wicket haul in the first innings of the second test (which New Zealand won dramatically), and was named Man of the Series, with fourteen wickets at an average of an amazing 14.00 across the two tests.

Pattinson is already attracting some female admirers on Facebook fan pages due to his single status and also some attention from sponsors keen to hitch their wagon to this talented and upcoming pace bowler.

Here are some more pictures of this new Australian hunk...

 

Australian fast bowler James Pattinson poses during an Australian cricket player portrait session

 Photo Credit: Chris Hyde/Getty Images AsiaPac

 

Australia's new sensation James Pattinson during a bowling practice

Photo credit: Michael Dodge Herald Sun

 

Australian paceman James Pattinson acknowledges the crowd after taking five New Zealand wickets on the fourth day of the first cricket Test match between Australia and New Zealand at the Gabba in Brisbane on December 4, 2011

Photo credit: WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images

 

Young and spiky James Pattinson as an 18 year old youngster

 Photo credit: Cricket Victoria

 

Victorian pace bowler and Australia's latest recruit James Pattinson pose for a portrait photoshoot

Photo credit: Hamish Blair/Getty Images AsiaPac

 

Australia's new test fast bowler James Lee Pattinson

Photo credit: Cricket Victoria

 

Australian James Pattinson poses next to his Baggy Green Cap

 Photo credit: Hamish Blair/Getty Images AsiaPac

James Pattinson made an excellent debut in the Australia-New Zealand series earlier this month winning the Man of the Series award too. Unfortunately, he was down with a calf strain and he is supposed to recover from his injury to be ready for the important Australia-India home series... 


Lets hope that this new Australian hunk JAmes Pattinson lives upto all the expectations that he has gained in a few months...

Shane Watson - Pictures of Australia's top cricketer

Shane Watson (full name: Shane Robert Watson) - the fit & burly Australian cricketer - is currently one of the hottest players in the world.... He is the top Australian cricketer in the world and going through a great phase of career.

Here are some of Shane Watson's pictures showcasing his amazing athletic body and good-looking boyish charm too.

 

Australian cricketer and allrounder Shane Watson

 

Shane Watson posing shirtless for Men Of Cricket Calendar photo shoot done for McGrath's foundation

Born on 17th June 1981 at Ipswich (Queensland, Australia), Shane Watson is known to be a very strong personality who fights against all odds to be back on top again.
 As cricinfo player profile rightly said - Despite boasting an athletic figure made for photo shoots, Watson's frame was so brittle it threatened to break him. He refused to give up. Not through recurrences of back stress fractures, hamstring strains, calf problems, hip complaints, a dislocated shoulder or a suspected heart attack that turned out to be food poisoning.

 

The burly Ozzy Shane Watson aka Watto

 

Shane Watson in a handsome pose for Men of Cricket calendar

Nick named "Watto", Shane Watson opens the batting for Australia in all forms of cricket - Tests, One days and T20s. He is a right handed batsman and right arm fast-medium bowler. 

 

Stylish Shane Watson playing volleyball with Hussey and Clarke

 

 Shirtless Shane Watson showing his hot chiseled body

 

Shane Watson at the beach with his Australian cricket friends... also spotted is Andrew Symonds

 

Shane Watson in a brooding look

 

Shane Watson in Men's Health Magazine cover photo

 

Shane Watson being welcomed in India by kids

Watson's is married to Lee Furlong since June 2010. Lee Furlong is a Fox Sports Australia presenter.

 

Shane Watson striking a pretty picture with wife Lee Furlong

Shane Watson was awarded the Allan Border Medal  by Cricket Australia for two consecutive years - 2010 and 2011 thus Ricky Ponting as the only other player to receive it consecutively in 2006 and 2007. 

 

Shane Watson with his Allan Border Medal and Cricket Australia Test and ODI Awards

 

Handsome hunk Shane Watson in a promotional ad

Pictures courtesy: Various internet sources

Are you a Teenager? Michael Clarke is looking for your advice then :D

Michael Clarke had his pre-game press conference ambushed by a teenager offering him batting tips before the second one day international against England on 20th January, 2011.

Geelong teen Daniel Brew somehow evaded security staff and sat among the journalists at the indoor cricket nets at Hobart's Bellerive Oval, enduring the first nine minutes of the press conference before taking his chance to make his feelings known.

 

Michael Clarke taking Daniel Brew's advice

"I've noticed something Michael, you're pushing at the ball too much. What are you going to do about that?'' Daniel inquired.

"I'm pushing at the ball too much? You should be a batting coach'' Clarke said to the teen, showing patience worthy of a Test innings.

"What do you think I should do about it?'' retorted Pup back at the teenager...

Told he was pushing at the ball too much and playing in front of his body, a jovial Clarke asked what he should be doing and was instructed to ''play in front of your nose and under your eyes and not be reaching for it too much''.

''That's how you're going to get out'' said Daniel Brew, 17, from Geelong.

Undaunted by Clarke's invitation to continue the conversation, Daniel told Clarke he should "not reach for it so much''.

Clarke, the smile disappearing from his face, responded: "Okay I'll try that today in the nets. Thank you.''

Having earlier granted Brew an autograph, Clarke was less impressed when, after refusing to lend his bat for a photo shoot, the teenager quipped: ''Why not? You never use it in the middle''.

It was an interesting incident.. and one that Clarke would never forget or rather like to forget immediately ;)

Here is the video of the press conference if you want to take a look at how Clarke tackled this teenager's bouncers... ultimately to get bowled :P

 

Daniel Brew's tips for Ozzy Michael Clarke aka Pup

• Play the ball under one's eyes and nose

• Take a bigger stride

• Watch the ball on to the bat

• Get the timing right

• Don't jump away

• Stay balanced at the crease

• And last but not the least use the bat :)

All the teenagers out there in Australia would be getting ready to barge into the press conferences henceforth... Get ready Michael Clarkey!!! :D

Funny Cricket Pictures: Bowden and Pitch Invasion by Bees!!!

We've seen quite a few pitch invasions done by over-enthusiastic fans and sometimes even dogs :P
But, have you ever heard of "Bees", yes you read it right.. a swarm of honey bees.... invading the pitch... making the players scurry for cover :)

Yes, it happened in the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi when India was playing against Australia.
Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden thanked their stars that day for not getting stung by the bees :P.. cos they were the ones batting when the bees attacked the ground... hehe..

Can't believe it.. check out the pictures then...

Billy Bowden and the Swarm of Bees.... The Story goes like this..... 

Umpire Billy Bowden unaware of the bees attack says.... "Come on guys... you can't sleep on the pitch.. I know the paratha's for lunch were good.. but we still have a cricket match to play... "

Suddenly, Bowden saw the swarm of bees and realized that he was at danger... and scurried for cover quickly saying... "Weee maaaa...... Now I understand that it was not the parathas but the bees which kept you down.. Sorry guys... I'll join you in the party"

Bowden still waiting for the bees to go.. feels that Ricky Ponting and Hayden have slept in the ground... so, he asks the bowler Anil Kumble.... "Jumbo, do you think that Ponting and Haydos would have slept waiting for the bees to go??"

Kumble quickly saw that Hayden was still surprisingly looking at the swarm of bees and replied to Bowden,
"Looking at Haydos, I don't think he would sleep even tonight after witnessing such an incident in the ground........ hehehee :P"

Bowden decides.. enough is enough... "Come on guys... lets all pray to the Queen Bee to call back her troops... so that we all can resume the game without being in danger... "

 

 

Atlast, sense prevailed.... and the bees having made the best of the time mid pitch decided that they got to go back to their routine.... Billy Bowden relieved resumed his umpiring duty and called for all the players to get back to their positions.... but beware Bowden!!!! Bees version 2 is on its way.... so, watch out :P

Brett Lee, Liz Kemp and son Preston : Cricketer WAGs

The Australian fast bowler Brett Lee is a famous cricketer all around the world especially in India. He does have a lot of fan following here in India which helped him get lots of advertisements n endorsements in India.
I'm sure many of you would know that Brett Lee plays the Guitar very well and with his brother Shane Lee, and his friends, they have a band called Six & Out

His personal life has been under public scanner of late. Brett Lee married Elizabeth Kemp (aka Liz Kemp) and they both have a baby boy called Preston. But after two years of marriage, they got separated last year.

Here are some of the pictures of Brett Lee, Liz Kemp and son Preston.

Brett Lee and Elizabeth Kemp

Brett Lee's son Preston spent his Father's day this year with father alone. This picture presented a sad state of his personal life

Brett Lee with his son Preston on Father's Day

Aussie Brett Lee and then wife Liz Kemp

Liz Kemp - a famous ex-WAG (ex-wife of Brett Lee)

Brett Lee and Elizabeth Kemp - on one of their early happier marriage days

Lets wish that whatever transpired personally between Brett Lee and Liz Kemp doesn't and shouldn't affect Preston and hope that Preston and Brett Lee have a good n new life ahead...

Adam Gilchrist, wife Melinda & kids : Cricketer WAGs

Adam Gilchrist - one of my all time favourite cricketers is and will always be respected for the way he conducted on and off the field.
Gilly, as he was popularly called,
Lets celebrate one of Australia's greatest cricketers and World's best wicketkeeper with a few wonderful moments of Gilchrist and his family.

Gilchrist and wife Melinda with kids on the day of his retirement

Adam Gilchrist's Family - Wife Melinda and kids - Annie, Harry and li'l Archie

Aussie Gilchrist with family

Gilchrist & wife Melinda in a pretty pose

A cute Christmas postcard picture of Gilchrist, Melinda and the three kids

Mark and Steve Waugh : Brothers in Cricket - 4

Today, in the brothers of cricket series, we are going to see the fraternal twins - Mark Waugh and Steve Waugh of Australia.

Mark Waugh, the younger of the twins by a few minutes, is regarded as one of the most stylish cricketers.. Most of his shots are classy and a treat to watch.. He was regarded as one of the best allrounders with his off-spin bowling... He is one of my favourite players too :)

Steve Waugh, the elder of the siblings, was Australian cricket team's captain from 1999 to 2004 and is the most capped test player... He has captained the Oz team to many victories and also World cup in 1999.

Steve Waugh captained the Australian team to World Cup victory in 1999.

Captain Cool Steve and Elegant Mark sharing a light moment...

The Aussies Mark Waugh and Steve Waugh have the record of playing the most number of tests and one day cricket in which siblings appeared together.

Brothers in Cricket - 2: Mike Hussey and David Hussey

Following the Brothers in Cricket series, today's special is the Australian brothers - Michael Hussey and David Hussey.


Michael Hussey aka Mike Hussey is the elder brother and more established of the two brothers. He started his career for the Australian international cricket much late, but quickly climbed up the ladders to become one of the most reliable member of the Australian cricket team. Of late his form has dipped quite a bit.

David Hussey is the younger brother and is still to establish strongly in the Australian international cricket. He has played a few ODI cricket and also T20 cricket. He is known for his amazing hitting and hence termed as a T20 player mostly.

Here are some of the pictures of the famous Hussey brothers...