Record crowd expected for 4th Ashes Test

Melbourne: Cricket Australia believes the Melbourne Cricket Ground will host a world record crowd of 91,000 on Sunday's opening day of the fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England.


The record crowd for a cricket Test of 90,800 was set at the ground in 1961 during a Test between Australia and the West Indies. The opening day of the 2006 Ashes Test on the ground four years ago drew 89,155 fans despite cold conditions.



Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said on Tuesday that with the current series tied at 1-1 "the cricket gods are smiling on us all" and circumstances were ideal for a record crowd.


He expected 300,000 people to attend the match over five days.


Meanwhile, England coach Andy Flower and vice-captain Alastair Cook say they are unconcerned Australia may influence the MCG staff into preparing a pitch that suits the home team.


English media reported that two pitches had been prepared for the Test and it was likely the faster and bouncier of the two would be chosen for the game, as it would benefit the pace bowlers who led Australia to a series-levelling win in the third Test at Perth.


Cricket Australia rejected the reports, saying pitch preparation was left to local groundsmen.


England can seal a successful Ashes defense by winning at the MCG, but a loss would leave the tourists having to win the final Test in Sydney to hold onto the urn.


Despite the high stakes, Cook was fatalistic about any pitch switch.


"That's the beauty of home conditions isn't it? You can prepare a pitch to hopefully suit the home side," Cook said.


"That's what we try and do in England in certain cases and there's no reason why I would expect Australia not to do it.


"If you went to India, they played three spinners and produced a green seamer you'd be wondering what's going on, so that is what home advantage is and you'd expect everyone to do it."


Cook acknowledged he would prefer the MCG pitch to be less pacy than the one in Perth.


"As a batter you'd much rather it flatter," he said. "We obviously got outplayed a little bit in Perth, but our record on bouncy wickets is good back at home and at Old Trafford.


"Conditions change from week to week and it's how you adapt to those that determines how successful you are."


England played state team Victoria at the MCG immediately before the Perth Test and found the pitch relatively slow and flat.


"When we were there for the three-day game they were preparing two pitches," Flower said. "One looked barer than the other, and they were debating then which they wanted to use.


"They weren't that happy with the look of the slightly barer one, so more than likely they'll go with the one with more grass cover."


Australia coach Tim Nielsen said Ricky Ponting was still the best man to bat at No 3 for Australia, despite lean recent form.


Ponting has a fractured left little finger but is expected to play in the Melbourne Test.


"His best place for us to bat is No 3, for two reasons, one because that's where he plays his best and secondly he's the best No 3 we've got," Nielsen said.


"It was only a month ago that he got three 70s in a row in India and got run out twice, so he's finding ways of getting out."

Racist e-mail scandal disappointing: Gilchrist

Perth: Former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist on Saturday termed the racist e-mail scandal involving his country's police officers "very disappointing", but claimed that Indian students Down Under are "positive" about their stay.


"If it (racist e-mail) is a recent news, as we will try to find it out, and if it is proven to be correct then it is very disappointing," Gilchrist said.



The cricketer said the Australian government has taken up the recent racial incidents against Indians "seriously".


"It needs to be taken seriously. Our government and the education sector have certainly addressed it. Indian students there have been very positive about being in Australia and on (university) campuses. They feel safe," Gilchrist told a television channel.


Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday summoned Australian High Commissioner Peter Varghese and sought an explanation on the issue in which top Victorian police officers have been caught in a racist e-mail scandal joking about the electrocution of an Indian train passenger.


Gilchrist said Australia is trying to ensure that no racial incidents occur. "We have to work together to try and ensure that these incidents do not re-occur. I think we are trying to do that."

VVS, Gilly not in Deccan interest

Hyderabad:So now it's business time once again! IPL players' auction is round the corner and just like other teams, Deccan Chargers, too, are rolling their sleeves up to battle in the players' market. And since it is already confirmed that the big-hitting Adam Gilchirst is making his way out of the Hyderabad-based side, the options available for the 2009 champions make for an interesting reading.


Gilchrist, one of the best in the 'cricketing business', took the team's reins from VVS Laxman after the side had a disastrous inaugural season where it finished at the bottom of the points table. The swashbuckling Aussie not only brought immediate results in the next edition, but also enthused the spirit that was missing in the first season.

Though, touted as underdogs in the 2009 event, which was shifted to South Africa, Gilchrist, with good support from his former Aussie teammate Andrew Symonds and other Indian players took everyone by surprise by clinching the cash-rich event.


But since the left-hander has already made up his mind to look for other opportunities, it is interesting to notice the places he may go to.


It's already in the air that the new entrant, Pune Warriors, could take the services of the 38-year-old as he has got the perfect credence to lead the side. And with good players, decent support staff and owner's backing, he could definitely help the Sahara group-owned side to set off to a flier.


There is also a strong possibility that Kolkata Knight Riders, could rope in the experienced player, as Shah Rukh Khan and other co-owners are looking for a breath of fresh air, especially after the disappointment of the first three seasons, where it performed much below everyone's expectations.


If Sourav Ganguly — the present captain of KKR — leaves the Kolkata side, which very much seems to be on the cards, then Gilchrist could be the right person that coach Dav Whatmore and his team would like to work with.


And as the date — December 8 — to retain the four marquee players by each team is approaching, only Andrew Symonds and Kemar Roach are certain to have a long run for the Deccan side.


There is no chance that Herschelle Gibbs, who has been in the news lately more for his controversial book than his cricketing credentials, will be retained. It is also certain that Chaminda Vass, who is over 36 years of age, will make the cut. West Indian Dwayne Smith had already got an extended spell with the franchise, so it is unlikely that he would be a part of the set up this time.


Two other Australians, young Mitchell Marsh and pacer Ryan Harris who were impressive with the limited outings they got, are not the best bargains with the amount of money at stake.


Since maximum of only three Indian players can be retained by a franchise, for most of the players, it's a battle of survival as few may just not be picked by the same side or may be by any.


The most interesting case will be of VVS Laxman. The stylish Hyderabadi batsman has been on a roll — playing vital innings and scoring tons of runs — in the longest version of the game. But still many find him slow for the fast-pace cricket. His ground fielding, except standing in slips, has always been under the scanner.


And though it would be difficult to fill Gilchrist's shoes but another Australian, who is as competent as the left hander, Shane Warne could be the perfect replacement for the wicket-keeper batsman. The former Aussie great had a dream inaugural season with the Rajasthan Royals, helping them winning the trophy in 2008.


However, his availability will depend on whether the Jaipur-based team gets the chance to participate in the next edition. But if things go according to the BCCI's plan then Warne could well be in Deccan's dug out next season.


Warne's teammates in Rajasthan, Shane Watson and Yusuf Pathan, could also be the lucky one if being selected for the Chargers. Same holds true for Kings XI Punjab's Sri Lankan veterans, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. The two Sri Lankans are looking certain to leave the Mohali side, especially after the dreadful outing they had in the last three years.


So the stage is set and the players are ready to be under the hammer and now everything depends on how quickly Deccan charges itself up to make a move in the players' auction.