Return of debutants Watson, Asif back at the SCG five years after making their Test debuts
Return of debutants
Watson, Asif back at the SCG five years after making their Test debuts
It has been five years since Aussie all-rounder Shane Watson and Pakistan's troubled swing bowler Mohammad
Asif made their Test debuts at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Their outings were anything but memorableu00a0-- Watson (as seen in the picture on left), fell over delivering his first ball, while Asif went wicketless throughout the match.
On Sunday, Watson and Asif return to the SCG and fate has conspired to deliver both players back to the SCG in the kind of senior roles originally predicted for them.
Granted, few in 2005 would have tipped Watson to one day open the innings at a time when he was pressed between Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne at No 7, but his all-round match-winning ability, along with the selection flexibility he offers, were precisely the outcomes Australia's selectors had hoped would materialise. Asif meanwhile, has mended his ways and seems a more dangerous customer now.
Pak vs Aus, second Test,
Live on Star Cricket, Sunday: 04:58
Can Abhishek Nayar shun injury blues?Mumbai and Mumbai Indians all-rounder Abhishek Nayar has had to miss two important Ranji Trophy matches due to a hand injury. But the dashing left-hander, who has proved to be more than useful with the ball, is hopeful of shunning the injury blues and taking the field in Mumbai's crucial Elite Division Ranji Trophy Semi-final against Delhi. Speaking to MiD DAY recently, Nayar had expressed his frustration of having to miss matches due to factors beyond his control.
Mumbai vs Delhi, Ranji Trophy semis,
Live on Neo Sports, Sunday: 09:30
Battered SA hope to turn things aroundSouth Africa are set to make at least one change in their team as they go into a crucial third Test against England, starting on Sunday.
"We're all under pressure," admitted South African coach Mickey Arthur, who said 'tough decisions' would have to be made about the composition of the side following their crushing innings and 98 runs defeat in the second Test in Durban.
"We're 1-0 down in the series and we've got to take 20 wickets and win this Test match," said Arthur.
South Africa vs England, third Test, Live on
Ten Sports, Sunday: 14:00
Big names to battle out
How much the FA Cup still matters is a much discussed topic of conversation among English football fans.
It is a subject brought into even sharper focus at this time of year when the world's oldest senior knock-out tournament reaches the third round stageu00a0-- the point when teams from England's top two divisions enter the event.
Arsenal coach, Arsene Wenger, as though vindicating fans' fears, admits he is ready to sacrifice his team's FA Cup hopes to keep their Premier League title challenge on track. Wenger's side face West Ham United in the third round of the Cup on Sunday in a derby clash that would usually be treated with utmost respect by Arsenal's manager.
Wenger has won the Cup four times during his 13 years in north London and the club's last major silverware came in the competition back in 2005.
FA CUP third round
Manchester United vs Leeds United, Live on Sunday: 18.30
Arsenal vs West Ham, Live on Sony Pix, Sunday: 11.30
Reading vs Liverpool, Live on Sony Pix, Sat (midnight): 12.15 The Serena-Maria showdown
Tennis superstars Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams will lock horns at the Centennial Invitation to be held at Centennial Park, Hua Hin (Thailand) to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Hua Hin and usher in the New Year in exciting fashion.
Hua Hin Centennial Invitation: Serena Williams vs Maria Sharapova, Live on Star Sports,
Saturday: 13:00
