.jpg)
New South Wales prodigy Steven Smith lived up to the hype after making an international debut to remember as Australia snatched Twenty20 victory from the jaws of defeat against Pakistan at the MCG.
The leg-spinning all-rounder - who was one of two debutants along with Tasmania batsman Travis Birt - showed nerves of steel to swing a game that looked lost Australia's way with two wickets in successive overs as the home side somehow defended a total of just 127.
After Australia failed to bat out their full 20 overs, Pakistan appeared on course for a comfortable win when they were cruising at 98 for four but ended up falling two runs short after finishing on 125 for nine.
And it was thanks to the unlikely combination of Smith's leg spin and the sheer pace of Shaun Tait that Pakistan capitulated yet again to ensure they ended a dismal tour without a solitary victory after having been clean swept in both the Test series (3-0) and the one-day series (5-0).
Tait, who sent down a 160.7kph thunderbolt in the opening over, reduced Pakistan to 10 for two before coming back to remove danger man Kamran Akmal, who scored a magnificent 64 off just 33 balls.
The South Australian's body may no longer be able to hold up in the longer forms of the game but he showed yet again that he is one of the best bowlers in the world in this format with three for 13 off his four overs.
But it was 20-year-old Smith who caused the Pakistan innings to disintegrate when he claimed Fawad Alam, caught at first slip for one, and Rana Naved-Ul-Hasan, stumped for one, in successive overs to finish with a more than creditable two for 34.
Victoria quick Dirk Nannes then finished off the tourists when he conceded just two runs and claimed the wicket of Umar Gul in the 19th over.
Leading into this game there were questions as to whether new captain Michael Clarke was the right man to lead the team given there are many who believe his technically correct batting is not suited to the 'slogathon' that is Twenty20 cricket.
But Clarke, who promoted himself to number three in his first official game in charge as full-time captain, answered his critics with 32 off 26 balls.
It was only the fourth time in 16 innings in Twenty20 internationals that Clarke has passed 30 and his wicket signalled a collapse of four for seven which wrecked Australia's innings.
The real damage came in the 12th over when acting Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik claimed two wickets in one over, first bowling Birt around his legs for one with his off-spin before keeper Brad Haddin was brilliantly stumped down the leg side by keeper Akmal off a wide in what appeared to be a set play by the visitors.
In the end Australia could not even bat out the 20 overs as ever consistent Victoria batsman David Hussey was left stranded on 40 not out but it still turned out to be enough against a Pakistan side that will be left wondering just how they failed to break their duck in their last match of a summer to forget.
Source:rte.ie/
Friday, February 5, 2010
Smith stars for Australia
New South Wales prodigy Steven Smith lived up to the hype after making an international debut to remember as Australia snatched Twenty20 victory from the jaws of defeat against Pakistan at the MCG.
The leg-spinning all-rounder - who was one of two debutants along with Tasmania batsman Travis Birt - showed nerves of steel to swing a game that looked lost Australia's way with two wickets in successive overs as the home side somehow defended a total of just 127.
After Australia failed to bat out their full 20 overs, Pakistan appeared on course for a comfortable win when they were cruising at 98 for four but ended up falling two runs short after finishing on 125 for nine.
And it was thanks to the unlikely combination of Smith's leg spin and the sheer pace of Shaun Tait that Pakistan capitulated yet again to ensure they ended a dismal tour without a solitary victory after having been clean swept in both the Test series (3-0) and the one-day series (5-0).
Tait, who sent down a 160.7kph thunderbolt in the opening over, reduced Pakistan to 10 for two before coming back to remove danger man Kamran Akmal, who scored a magnificent 64 off just 33 balls.
The South Australian's body may no longer be able to hold up in the longer forms of the game but he showed yet again that he is one of the best bowlers in the world in this format with three for 13 off his four overs.
But it was 20-year-old Smith who caused the Pakistan innings to disintegrate when he claimed Fawad Alam, caught at first slip for one, and Rana Naved-Ul-Hasan, stumped for one, in successive overs to finish with a more than creditable two for 34.
Victoria quick Dirk Nannes then finished off the tourists when he conceded just two runs and claimed the wicket of Umar Gul in the 19th over.
Leading into this game there were questions as to whether new captain Michael Clarke was the right man to lead the team given there are many who believe his technically correct batting is not suited to the 'slogathon' that is Twenty20 cricket.
But Clarke, who promoted himself to number three in his first official game in charge as full-time captain, answered his critics with 32 off 26 balls.
It was only the fourth time in 16 innings in Twenty20 internationals that Clarke has passed 30 and his wicket signalled a collapse of four for seven which wrecked Australia's innings.
The real damage came in the 12th over when acting Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik claimed two wickets in one over, first bowling Birt around his legs for one with his off-spin before keeper Brad Haddin was brilliantly stumped down the leg side by keeper Akmal off a wide in what appeared to be a set play by the visitors.
In the end Australia could not even bat out the 20 overs as ever consistent Victoria batsman David Hussey was left stranded on 40 not out but it still turned out to be enough against a Pakistan side that will be left wondering just how they failed to break their duck in their last match of a summer to forget.
Source:rte.ie/
Australia out of step on emissions trading scheme
AUSTRALIA is looking increasingly isolated in the global community as Kevin Rudd presses on with his government's emissions trading scheme.
U.S. President Barack Obama admitted just two days ago he might have to abandon his proposal for emissions trading in favour of direct action in order to steer his carbon-cutting plans through the US Senate.
None of the world's top five polluters -- the UNITED STATES, China, RUSSIA, indian and Japan -- has an ETS.
New Zealand is the only nation in the world with an operating emissions trading scheme, excluding those affiliated with or planning to link to the European Union's ETS.
Most of New Zealand's provisions have not yet come into effect, and the Labour-legislated scheme was significantly amended by the National Party-led government last September after fears about its impact on low-income households and primary industry.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
The New Zealand scheme does not have a cap on emissions, and will effectively operate as a carbon tax until 2013.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper told the World Economic Forum in Davos this week that technological change would offer the major solution to combating global climate change, not setting targets to cut carbon emissions.
"It has to be done, but it will not be done by simply trying to pretend economic imperatives don't exist, because all that happens when that happens is people set targets and then don't meet them," Mr Harper said.
The International Energy Agency's climate database lists hundreds of "incentives" and "public investment" schemes designed to tackle climate change in virtually all OECD member states.
The Australian Department of Climate Change's website tells the story on emissions trading. Of the 37 countries on its list of nations that have established or are proposing an ETS, 30 are linked to the EU scheme.
Opposition climate action spokesman Greg Hunt said the Prime Minister was "intentionally, deliberately and consistently" misrepresenting the European emissions trading scheme.
"In Europe, they've had a mock trading scheme which largely only provides incentives for people to reduce their emissions, with almost no penalty for firms which continue on their economic activity," Mr Hunt said.
"Only 4 per cent of business as usual is touched by the European scheme, as opposed to almost all Australian economic activity, other than direct emissions from agriculture.
"The rest of the world is much closer to what we're doing in terms of providing incentives for direct action and reducing emissions."
EU nations have a variety of emissions reduction schemes of their own.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced a carbon tax last September covering oil, gas and coal, but as most of France's electricity is produced through low-emission nuclear technology, it was excluded.
The scheme was designed to be phased in gradually from January 1, but was struck down by France's Constitutional Council just days before the new year.
However, Mr Sarkozy says the law will be redrafted.
Source:theaustralian.com.au/
India seeks 'right kind of environment' for its students in Oz
“Government of India is closely monitoring the developments (in Australia).” “Between the Governments of Australia and India, we should be able to see that the right kind of environment will be available for students to pursue the purpose they have gone for with single-minded contention”, he told reporters here.
Referring to the high-level meetings between the two countries, he said this is indicative of the fact that they are coming closer. “We also recognise that there is a large students community present in Australia in various cities pursuing higher studies and skills and the Government of India is concerned about their safety”, he said.
Source:indianexpress.com/
China vying with Australia over iron-ore prices
BEIJING (MarketWatch) -- A senior official with China's industry ministry said Friday he has reminded Australian officials that China remains the world's biggest buyer of iron ore, signaling Beijing's support for the country's steelmakers in tough negotiations with global miners on annual benchmark prices.
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Vice Minister Miao Wei told an annual meeting of the China Iron and Steel Association that he had recently brought up the issue of iron ore price negotiations with an unidentified Australian embassy official.
"The (Australian embassy) official told me that this is a commercial matter, and the (Australian) government is not involved," Miao said.
However, Miao said he then reminded the official that China was the world's biggest customer for iron ore, "but buys at the most expensive prices."
The miners are seeking increases said to range from 30%-40% over last year's prices.
The remarks illustrate China's continuing efforts to apply pressure on Australian miners Rio Tinto Ltd. (RIO.AU) and BHP Billiton Ltd. /quotes/comstock/13*!bhp/quotes/nls/bhp (BHP 67.76, -0.65, -0.95%) . During last year talks, four Rio Tinto employees were arrested in China on charges of commercial spying and bribery.
Source:marketwatch.com/
Reserve optimistic on Australia's growth prospects
THE central bank is optimistic about Australia's growth prospects in 2010 but remains concerned about inflation and is prepared to lift interest rates.
Economists believe the Reserve Bank of Australia will have to raise the official cash rate from a current 3.75 per cent to about 4.50 per cent, although the timing of future hikes is unclear after the RBA's board meeting this week decided to leave rates steady for now.
The RBA yesterday lifted its inflation and gross domestic product growth forecasts, saying domestic demand, the jobs market and business investment were likely to strengthen.
"Looking forward, if economic conditions gradually strengthen as expected, it is likely that monetary policy will need to be adjusted further over time to ensure that inflation remains consistent with (its 2 to 3 per cent) target over the medium term," it said in its quarterly statement.
The RBA will wait to see the economic impact of three official rate hikes in the final quarter of 2009, and accompanying greater rate increases by the big banks, before deciding whether to edge rates up again.
CommSec economist Savanth Sebastian said: "The bottom line is that conditions are far from rosy, justifying caution from the Reserve Bank."
JPMorgan chief economist Stephen Walters said the RBA would study economic data released over the next few week before making a move.
"The uncertainty is heightened now by the fact that, by out-hiking the central bank, the Aussie commercial banks added considerably to the impact of the RBA's three moves," Mr Walters said.
He said the RBA could stay on hold until April.
In its statement, the RBA said it expected the economy to grow at about 3.25 per cent in 2010 and 3.50 per cent in 2011, far faster than in 2009. It expects consumer price inflation (CPI) to hit 2.75 per cent by year's end.
The bank highlighted the growing importance of India as an Australian market, which is often overshadowed by China.
Already a significant buyer of Australian coal, India would also become a big importer of Australian liquefied natural gas.
The RBA said that on United Nations estimates India's population was likely to outstrip that of China in about 20 years.
At the same time, the proportion of working age people on the sub-continent would rise, promising solid economic growth in a market which was Australia's fourth largest export market by the second half of last year.
Source:news.com.au/
Herman keeps cushion after two rounds in Australia
FRINGAL, Victoria, Australia-- It is not unusual for a record-breaking round to be followed the next day by a less than rousing one. That was not the case Friday with American Jim Herman in the second round of the Nationwide Tour's Moonah Classic in Australia.
After shooting a flawless first-round 62 to set a new Moonah Links course record and grab a four-shot lead, the former Donald Trump employee added a 2-under 70 in very windy conditions to maintain the lead by three shots.
Aussie Steven Jones is Herman's closest pursuer. The 25-year-old posted the day's low score of 67 to finish at 9-under 135.
Two players are tied at 7 under, Andrew Buckle of Australia and Fabian Gomez of Argentina, with identical two-day tallies of 69-68-137.
A pair of Aussies, Steven Bowditch and Andre Stolz, join Canadian Jon Mills and Doug LaBelle of the U.S. in a tie for fifth at 6-under 138.
The 32-year-old Herman missed the first three greens but saved par on each with putts from 4-feet. His other par save came on the 15th hole. Birdie putts were produced from 15 feet and 4 feet on the sixth and 14th holes, respectively. Additional birdie opportunities of 15 feet or less on the first four holes of the back nine were not converted.
The winds that are so familiar to the Mornington Peninsula south of Melbourne picked up considerably on Friday producing scores that were almost two shots higher on average than Thursday.
"Today was a totally different game," the leader said. "The wind really picked up on the back nine. It was tough out there. I definitely made more putts yesterday. I may have used them all up."
Herman, who spent two years as an assistant professional at Trump National in northern New Jersey, has been bogey-free over the first 36 holes. He had 10 birdies Thursday and added two more Friday.
Despite the 16-hour time difference, Herman received much encouragement from family and friends in Florida and elsewhere in the States after his first round.
"I got lots of emails of congratulations ... but not from Mr. Trump," Herman said. "I'm sure my former boss is keeping him informed."
A non-winner in two full seasons on the PGA TOUR's official proving ground, the Cincinnati, Ohio, native had a strong start in 2009 with a tie for fourth in Panama and a third in New Zealand, his Tour best, in the first four events of the year, only to fade in the second half. Herman missed the cut in his last six events to fall out of the top-60, which is the cutoff for fully exempt and conditional Tour status.
He was a last-minute addition to the Moonah field when a fellow Nationwide Tour member withdrew a few days prior to departure from America to New Zealand two weeks ago. Herman missed the cut there last week.
"I didn't have a lot of good vibes at the end of last year," he said.
The birth of his first child, a girl, in October and having an off-season to refresh himself has buoyed the likeable Herman this week at Moonah.
Like the player he is chasing, Jones is seeking his first tour win at this level.
A resident of Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, Jones has won a number of lower-tier events in Australia while aspiring to make a name for himself among the PGA Tour of Australasia's elite.
His resume also includes a victory on the Gateway Tour in Arizona in the U.S.
The 156-player Moonah Classic is co-sanctioned by the Nationwide Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia, with the field split evenly between the two tours.
Second-round notes:
• Moonah Links played decidedly more difficult on Friday at 73.799 vs. Thursday's 71.855.
• The first round produced 21 eagles and 537 birdies ... the second round just three eagles and 395 birdies.
• 75 players shot 1 over or better to make the 36-hole cut.
It's not often that par-5s play over par in professional golf played at this level. Two holes at Moonah have slightly over-par averages after two rounds -- the secnd and fourth, with the 18th just a shade under par at 4.95 and the 15th playing to an average of 4.89.
• Defending Moonah Classic champion Alistair Presnell is tied for 17th after rounds of 71-70.
• Last week's Michael Hill New Zealand Open champion Robert Gates posted a 72 today to go along with yesterday's 71. He is tied for 37th at 1 under.
• Ryan Hietala did not post a 4 on his scorecard until his 15th hole today. He had nothing but 3s and 5s to that point. He finished 4-4-3-5, ending his round with eight 3s, eight 5s and two 4s in a round of 72. His 147 total missed the cut by two.
Source:pgatour.com/
Studios Lose a Downloading Case in Australia
Holly Wood studios lost a copyright court case against an Australia Internet service provider on Thursday, Reuters reported, when a court ruled that the provider, iiNet, could not be held responsible for unauthorized downloads of movies using its service. The suit was filed by a group of studios including Universal Pictures, Warner Brothers, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, 20th Century Fox and Disney. A federal court in Sydney ruled that it was impossible to hold iiNet responsible for users who might infringe copyright. iiNet contended that it was not required by law to act on allegations of copyright infringement; that customers were innocent until proven guilty; and that the case was comparable to suing a power company for the activities clients use electricity to engage in.
Source:nytimes.com/
Aussie model joins campaign to save red-faced banker
SYDNEY, Australia — A top Australian model has backed a growing campaign to save the job of a banker caught viewing risque shots of her on live TV, in footage that has caused an Internet sensation.
Victoria's Secret model Miranda Kerr said she would happily sign a petition urging Macquarie Bank not to fire David Kiely, who is under internal investigation after the incident this week.
Kiely was shown clicking on semi-naked pictures of Kerr, apparently unaware that a colleague behind him was being interviewed for Australia's Seven Network about interest rates.
Video of the gaffe generated hundreds of thousands of hits on YouTube and inspired several Facebook pages supporting the banker, as well as a popular "Save Dave" campaign by London-based business website hereisthecity.com.
"I am told there is a petition to save his job and of course I would sign it," Kerr told reporters in Sydney on Thursday.
Macquarie, which marched Kiely out of its trading room on Tuesday afternoon, is understood to be considering his position within the bank, The Australian newspaper said.
Support for Kiely has been growing on the Internet, with the membership of the "Macquarie -- Don't Fire David Kiely" Facebook group swelling to 755 people by Friday afternoon.
The site says Kiely provided the human face of banking when he "did what any other person in his shoes would have done -- took some time out from his busy day to look at some harmless photos someone emailed him".
"What a legend. I love this guy," wrote one member.
Another wrote: "Even my Mum reckons you shouldn't lose your job and she's really harsh about lotsa stuff!!"
On the Net:
Source:AFP
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)