Symonds' double blow proves crucial

The IPL final could have gone either way but Andrew Symonds' back-to-back strikes tilted the balance in favour of Deccan Chargers, according to captain Adam Gilchrist and his Bangalore counterpart Anil Kumble.

Chasing a modest 144, Bangalore looked on course for victory until Symonds struck twice in the 15th over, removing both Ross Taylor and Virat Kohli with the second and third deliveries respectively. Gilchrist believed the match was evenly poised until then and congratulated Bangalore on making it a great contest. "I think for us, Pragyan Ojha did really well claiming three crucial wickets but those two wickets in two balls, that really hurts especially when a team is chasing," Gilchrist said.

Kumble agreed that over was the turning point. "On this track, chasing 144 was not a big task and we needed seven runs an over. But losing Taylor and Kohli in two balls hurt," Kumble said. "Earlier, we lost Rahul [Dravid] and that put the brakes on. We didn't have partnerships and still were one hit away from a win."

They were also plenty of positives for both captains to dwell on. Gilchrist, who was adjudged the Player of the Tournament, was delighted with the performance of the youngsters in the team and he singled out Harmeet Singh, who took two wickets and a stunning catch, for special praise.

"We have a number of youngsters in the side and all of them are eager to learn and grow," Gilchrist said. "It was amazing to see Harmeet tonight, the way he bowled and then took that amazing catch."

Kumble credited his team-mates for the incredible turnaround in the tournament, having finished second from bottom last season. "Two weeks ago, after the match against Mumbai, we said it was tough to win five in a row and reach the final. I credit my teammates for doing just that and coming so far," Kumble said. "Of course it was so near and yet so far but it was a good game of cricket today."

He also pointed out that it was a deliberate ploy to open the bowling, since he wanted to get rid of the hard-hitting Gilchrist at the earliest. "If you let someone like Gilchrist get away, he would run away with the match. It was for me to put up my hand and bowl. Fortunately it worked well," Kumble said.

Life came a full circle for Gilchrist and his team following a spectacular reversal of fortunes from the previous season, when they finished at the bottom of the table. Gilchrist felt the lack of pressure had a positive effect on his side.

"I really encouraged our team to try to play everything down and fly under the radar if you like, because we were happy with that, without having any expectations on us," Gilchrist said. "This is only the cricket I play now, so given what we went through last year, this is just a really tremendous effort from the whole franchise to turn it around. It's just been a great experience.

"The first thing I said at the start of our first meeting was, 'Guys, we're all in it together'. That was my first line of our first team meeting and yeah, we're all going to enjoy this together."

He was also full of praise for the way Bangalore scripted a very similar revival against the odds. "I'm thrilled for him (Kumble) and their franchise, the way they turned it around," Gilchrist said. "They experienced a lot of the pain and disappointment that we went through last year."

Lee, Symonds cleared for IPL, heartbreak for Watson

Dubai, May 08: Controversial all-rounder Andrew Symonds, fit-again pacer Bret Lee and David Hussey have been cleared by Cricket Australia to play in the closing stages of Indian Premier League while Shane Watson, Nathan Bracken and James Hopes have been told to stand down from the lucrative Twenty20 event after they failed medical tests.

Symonds (Deccan Chargers), Lee (Kings XI Punjab), who returned to Australian line-up after four months in the one-off Twenty20 International against Pakistan here, and Hussey (Kolkata Knight Riders) were cleared to fly to South Africa immediately after the match.

Symonds and Lee, who has been recovering from an ankle injury suffered in January, are likely to face off at Kimberley tomorrow while Hussey will be available for Knight Riders` match against Delhi Daredevils in Johannesburg.

But in a big blow to defending champions Rajasthan Royals, all-rounder Shane Watson injured himself while batting in the Twenty20 International which ruled him out of the IPL.

Watson, IPL 2008 player of the tournament, was initially cleared after passing the medical test but unfortunate to suffer a mild groin strain during the Twenty20 international.

"Shane has suffered a mild groin strain while batting. He will return home for scans and rehabilitation. His condition will be reviewed in coming weeks to determine his availability for the ICC World Twenty20 in the United Kingdom," team doctor Trefor James said in a CA statement.

Injury-prone Watson had just returned to the Australian line-up in the series against Pakistan after being out since last November with back-stress fractures.

Meanwhile, Nathan Bracken (Bangalore Royal Challengers) and James Hopes (Kings XI Punjab) failed to pass medical tests conducted here by CA medical staff and they have been told to take rest in view of next month`s Twenty20 World Cup in England.

"Hopes and Bracken have existing knee problems and it has been decided that a period of rest and rehabilitation over the next two to three weeks will be the best preparation for both players ahead of the World Twenty20," team doctor James said.

"With the amount of cricket the one-day international players have played since early January this year and given the Australian team`s schedule for the next 12 months, it is important we continue to manage player workloads and injury concerns," added James.

Symonds likely for Deccan's next match

Australian allrounder Andrew Symonds could start playing for the Deccan Chargers in the IPL as early as Saturday, as he looks to fly out of Dubai on Friday, a day after the Twenty20 international against Pakistan. Symonds will have to reach Kimberley in South Africa for Deccan's next clash against Kings XI Punjab.

Among the contingent currently in the UAE, Brett Lee (Kings XI Punjab), David Hussey (Kolkata Knight Riders), Shane Watson (Rajasthan Royals), Nathan Bracken (Royal Challengers Bangalore) and James Hopes (Kings XI Punjab) are also expected to joint their IPL franchises from Saturday.

"Andrew has obviously missed a lot of cricket in the last little while, and he's keen to get out there and play as much as he can," Matt Fearon, Symonds' manager, said. "He has loved being back and performing with the Australian team, and he is looking forward to getting over to South Africa to join the boys at Deccan."

Symonds was recalled to the Australian team after a couple of suspensions for off-field behaviour. He scored 58 and took 2 for 12 to guide his team to a six-wicket win in the second ODI against Pakistan in Dubai, a breakthrough performance after fearing the series might be his last as an international.

Australia had held on to their players till the end of the Pakistan series, but are now keen for them to play in the IPL ahead of the World Twenty20 in England next month.

"We aren't standing anyone down from going to the IPL after the Pakistan series," Andrew Hilditch, the Australian chairman of selectors, said.

Symonds, Lee in Twenty20 squad

Andrew Symonds and Brett Lee have been included in Australia's 15-man squad for the World Twenty20 beginning on June 5 in England.

Squad: Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Nathan Bracken, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, Andrew Symonds, David Warner, Shane Watson.

Spotlight on Shoaib and Symonds

For a team which has had little international cricket in the recent past the next couple of weeks is a huge opportunity: Pakistan have only played two Tests and six ODIs in the last nine months, but will play five ODIs and a Twenty20 game over the next 16 days against the second-best team in one-day cricket. While that's a significant occasion for Pakistan, it'll also test their preparedness - if they come out rusty, their lack of match practice could be ruthlessly exposed. It'll help, though, that their team is being led Younis Khan, a captain who exudes positive energy and is probably the best man to keep team spirits high in such depressing times.

For Australia, the problem is the opposite: they've played 12 Tests and 18 ODIs in the last nine months, and they have so much more cricket coming up in the next few months that some of their big names have been forced to take a break. Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey and Mitchell Johnson are being rested, while Brett Lee isn't yet fit enough. In Ponting's absence, Michael Clarke will lead a team which has been struggling to assert itself in ODIs lately, losing a couple of series to South Africa and drawing one to New Zealand. The series is also an opportunity for a couple of players to return to the national fold - Andrew Symonds is back in ODIs after a ten-month absence, while Stuart Clark has an opportunity to stake his claim again after recovering from an elbow injury.

There'll be plenty of focus on the venue too: the Dubai Sports City Stadium will become the 172nd venue to host an ODI, and by all accounts the 25,000-seater has impressed both teams. With so much uncertainty over the security situation in Pakistan, a good show here will encourage more games - possibly even Tests - at this ground, which will be good news for Pakistan and for world cricket.

Form guide (last five ODIs, most recent first)
Pakistan LLWWW
Australia WLLLW

Watch out for
Andrew Symonds: Back in the Australian ODI team for the first time since July 2008, Symonds will be keen to prove he has worked on his attitude and his form, and is ready to perform at the top level again. Strong displays here will strengthen his case for a place in Australia's squad for the World Twenty20, and perhaps even the Ashes.

Shoaib Akhtar: There are plenty of question marks about Shoaib's form and fitness, but his ability to turn it on when fully focused isn't in doubt. The dry conditions in Dubai should help his reverse-swing too.

Team news
Pakistan are most likely to play three specialist fast bowlers - Shoaib, Umar Gul and Sohail Tanvir - with Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik offering spin support. Nasir Jamshed should be back at the top of the order after missing the last couple of series.

Pakistan (probable) 1 Salman Butt, 2 Nasir Jamshed, 3 Younis Khan, 4 Misbah-ul-Haq, 5 Shoaib Malik, 6 Shahid Afridi, 7 Kamran Akmal (wk), 8 Sohail Tanvir, 9 Umar Gul, 10 Shoaib Akhtar, 11 Saeed Ajmal.

Despite putting together century stands in their last two games in South Africa, Australia are likely to disturb the opening combination of Brad Haddin and Clarke, and instead put Shaun Marsh and Shane Watson at the top of the order. Haddin is likely to drop to No.3, with Clarke in next. With Johnson and Siddle resting and Lee injured, the bowling attack will have some changes too, and Clark might get an early chance to prove his fitness.

Australia (probable) 1 Shaun Marsh, 2 Shane Watson, 3 Brad Haddin (wk), 4 Michael Clarke (capt), 5 Andrew Symonds, 6 David Hussey, 7 Callum Ferguson, 8 Nathan Hauritz, 9 Stuart Clark, 10 Nathan Bracken, 11 Ben Laughlin.

Pitch and conditions
Pakistan aren't playing at home, but conditions at the Dubai Sports City Stadium will probably resemble those in Lahore or Karachi. The heat will be quite acute, and the dry conditions should offer plenty of encouragement for the spinners.

Stats and Trivia

* Australia have been in wretched ODI form this year, winning only five matches out of 15, and losing nine.

* Nathan Bracken has been one of the below-par performers during this period, with only ten wickets in 14 matches at an average of 39.93 and an economy rate of 5.34.

* In 11 ODIs against Australia, Younis has only scored 158 runs at an average of 15.80, with one half-century.

* These two teams last played an ODI more than three years ago, during the VB Series in February 2005. Australia won the best-of-three finals 2-0.

Quotes
"Personally, I'm delighted to be back in Aussie colours - I've had a few decent tussles with Pakistan over the years, my debut in Pakistan for starters, and the 2003 World Cup, and I've no doubt this will be a tough series against them. The challenge is there for all of us to roll up our sleeves and get into it."
Andrew Symonds is glad to be back in the ODI squad

"We've been given a fantastic opportunity to perform and put your hand up while guys are out resting or injured. It gives somebody else an opportunity to push for the 2011 World Cup."
Michael Clarke puts a positive spin to the fact that so many top players are missing from the Australian squad

"There is no alternative to playing at home but unfortunately we have to play in Emirates but the conditions here are similar to Pakistan and we feel it is like a home away from home. I hope Pakistani people who live here will come to encourage us."
Younis Khan tries to make the best of a difficult situation

"I am pleased at Shoaib's discipline both on and off the field. He has shown promise and he is bowling with commitment, and I have lots of hope that he would deliver for us, which, I tell you, is very important."
Intikhab Alam, the Pakistan coach, has high expectations from Shoaib Akhtar

Deccan Chargers (Hyderabad)

Hyderabad(Deccan Chargers):Franchise:P.K.Iyer)(


Adam Ghilchrist(captain)
VVs Laxman
Andrew Symonds
Rohit Sharma
R.P.Singh
Chamara Silva
Chaminda Vaas
Nyuan Joysa
Scott Styris
H.Gibbs
Venugopala Rao
Pragayan Ojha
Halhadar Das
Dwarka Ravi Teja
Arjun Yadav,
Kalyan Krishna,
Paidikalva Vijay Kumar,
Sanjay Bangar
Sarveesh Kumar
Fidel Edwards
Dyne Smith
Ryan Harris
T Suman
Abhinav Kumar
M.S.Bisla
H.S.Bansal,
JaskarandeepSingh,
S.M.Shoaib

Coach :Dareen Lehman