Michael Clarke has no plans to alter his aggressive approach after his stunning series in India. Clarke’s youthful style alongside his mostly 30-something team-mates is breathtaking and he will make his home debut against New Zealand at the Gabba on Thursday. “What’s worked for me has got me this far and I think it’s important to continue doing what comes naturally,” Clarke told the Daily Telegraph.Instead of resting since returning from India, Clarke has already trained with New South Wales and was considering a club appearance until named in the Test side. “It’s going to be pretty special playing on home soil in front of my family and friends in Brisbane,” he said. “This is my dream.”Clarke will reunite with Darren Lehmann, who was recalled after injuring his hamstring in the third Test at Nagpur. The role of Lehmann, preferred to Simon Katich, as a mentor and nurturer apparently sealed his place and kept his Test career alive. At 29, Katich is five years younger than Lehmann and has time to return. “I really don’t know what got me over the line but I have the experience factor,” Lehmann told the Courier-Mail. “I think my role is to help the young guys throughout their upbringing in the Australian team.”John Buchanan, the coach, said too much was made of the team’s average age of 31. Only Clarke, 23, Ricky Ponting, 29, and Jason Gillespie, 29, are under 30. “Whether you’re 23 or 38 it’s still about whether you’ve got the skills and whether you can apply the skills,” he said. “There’s no doubt Darren has got the skills and that he’s applied the skills very well over the last 12 or 18 months.”Steve Waugh, who retired at 38, said he was never concerned by age. “I don’t think 30 is old for a cricketer any more,” he said. “I know with myself in the last three years I felt the fittest in my whole career because you’ve got more people around to help you.”

It’s always the same in England-South Africa series. Just when you think you’ve got the script nailed, it gets dispatched off to Hollywood for a glamorous makeover, and all your pre-series plotlines are scattered to the wind.In 1994, South won a famous victory at Lord’s by the not-inconsiderablemargin of 356 runs, and were well set to wrap up the series at The Oval,only for Fanie de Villiers to aim that injudicious bouncer at DevonMalcolm’s head. Two years later at Cape Town, however, Malcolm was thescapegoat, as the last pair of Dave Richardson and Paul Adams belted SouthAfrica to an unassailable lead in a low-scoring decider.And then of course, there was the 1998 series. This time, South Africa were one-up and cruising in the third Test, and, as Tim de Lisle wrote in the following year’s Wisden, it was England who were “clinging to a precipice, in a hurricane, by one finger, while the baddie [took] leisurely aim, from a sheltered vantage-point, with an automatic weapon.” Not only did South Africa muff the shot, they allowed Robert Croft, Darren Gough and the No. 11 Angus Fraser to haul themselves back from the brink and, ultimately, back into a series that they went on to win 2-1.Leaving aside the twist of an altogether more sinister nature at Centurionin 1999-2000, it has been a fair bet that the side in command will relinquish the incentive before the series is up. The difference on this occasion, however, is that no-one is quite sure who took what out of that seesaw draw at Durban.In the immediate aftermath of the match, they was little doubt who wasmore pleased with the result. “South Africa got out of jail,” declaredMichael Vaughan, and Graeme Smith could hardly disagree: “We got a bitlucky at the end there.”Two days and one New Year hangover later, however, there may be somereassessment taking place in both camps. England did remarkably well tohaul themselves back from 139 all out on the first day, but as JacquesKallis demonstrated and Marcus Tresothick and Andrew Strass belatedlyrealised, there was no need for England to have slipped into quite such apredicament in the first place.Though he could hardly be faulted for his batting, the loss of AshleyGiles to a back spasm was a significant factor in England’s conceding afirst-innings lead of 193. Once the shine had gone off the new ball,England had no-one reliable to hold up an end, and so the effectiveness ofthe seamers was more or less halved. Giles did not bowl at his best in thesecond innings at Durban, but in mitigation, it was his first competitiveday of bowling in more than a week, and, spasms permitting, he is sure tohave a big role on a Newlands pitch that is expected to turn.Of greater concern to England, however, is the form of Mark Butcher, andto a lesser extent, Vaughan himself, who has managed just 53 runs in his first four innings of the series. Butcher was recalled after injuryahead of Robert Key, the man who had cashed in with 221 and an unbeaten 93not out against West Indies, but aside from an unflattering 79 at PortElizabeth he has struggled, and the vultures must surely be circling.Butcher himself feels a big score “is just around the corner”, and for themoment he retains the faith of his captain. “Butch played well in PortElizabeth for his 79,” said Vaughan, “although since then he hasn’tgot many runs. But I think we’ve seen over the last few years that he’s been agood player for us and pretty consistent.” Even so, his last Test hundredcame at Trent Bridge in August 2003, 16 matches ago.The issue of back-to-back Tests is sure to raise its ugly head again, especially with England expected to field the same XI for the third match running. But no matter how much of a strain it is for England’s seamers, no-one will be feeling the pinch – quite literally – like Shaun Pollock. In the closing stages at Durban, he suffered two agonising blows in consecutive balls from Steve Harmison, one on each index finger, but he was today passed fit with nothing more drastic than bruising.But even allowing for Pollock’s recovery, South Africa will still not be able to field the same team twice in two matches. Boeta Dippenaar, who struck an obdurate 110 at Port Elizabeth, has recovered from a knee injury, and takes the place of Martin van Jaarsveld, who batted with determination for his second-innings 49. Hashim Amla, who managed 1 and 0 in front of his home fans, earns a reprieve, while there could be a long-awaited debut for Charl Langeveldt, whose seven wickets for South Africa A destroyed England at Potchefstroom.If they are honest with themselves, South Africa might well have accepted this situation at the start of the series, especially now that they believe their great escape has stolen the initiative back from England. “We are the most relaxed we’ve been this series,” claimed Smith after a gentle early-morning workout. “We’ve had a nice practice here – it’s a bit cooler than in Durban – but every time you arrive at the ground you have to be on the button. We hope we can get it together for five days starting tomorrow.”South Africa (probable) 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Herschelle Gibbs,3 Jacques Rudolph, 4 Jacques Kallis, 5 Boeta Dippenaar, 6 Hashim Amla, 7AB de Villiers (wk), 8 Shaun Pollock, 9 Nicky Boje, 10 Makhaya Ntini, 11 Dale Steyn.England (probable) 1 Marcus Trescothick, 2 Andrew Strauss, 3 MarkButcher, 4 Michael Vaughan (capt), 5 Graham Thorpe, 6 Andrew Flintoff, 7Geraint Jones (wk), 8 Ashley Giles, 9 Simon Jones, 10 Matthew Hoggard, 11Steve Harmison.

Shoaib Akhtar faces a make-or-break fitness test at Pakistan’s practice camp this week to determine how much of a role he will play in the upcoming series against England.Akhtar, 30, has faced constant criticism for his poor fitness record and many still question his attitude. Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan, a supporter of Akhtar, said: “With his age he is at the crossroads. I think the England series is make-or-break for Akhtar. He is 30 so he has four years left in him but it is Akhtar who gives Pakistan the hope to win against England.”Akhtar has a reputation for breaking down mid-series and has previously been fined for going out on late nights. Pakistan’s coach Bob Woolmer, who has publicly asked for more commitment from Akhtar, said: “He is in our scheme of things because he is a genuine fast bowler but the question mark is whether he can last five days of a Test and 15 of a series.”Rameez Raja, a former Pakistan captain and ex-chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board, said Akhtar has a lot to prove. “It’s up to Akhtar to prove everyone wrong, he should understand the importance of playing for Pakistan,” he said. “There are always lots of expectations of Akhtar and he has got to prove a point to everyone against England and then against India.”

Garnett Kruger of the Lions and Zander de Bruyn from the Titans have been suspended for one Supersport match after being found guilty of breaching the United Cricket Board’s (UCBSA) code of conduct.Kruger was found guilty of conduct that brought the game into disrepute during the SuperSport match between the Lions and Cape Cobras at Johannesburg between November 10 and 13. de Bruyn was charged with two offences; dissent at an umpiring decision and of unruly behaviour, but was found guilty of just the second offence. de Bruyn’s were committed during the match between the Dolphins and the Titans at Durban.Meanhwile, Mpho Sekhoto and Gerhard de Bruin, both from Gauteng, were also found guilty of breaching the code of conduct in seperate incidents during the same SAA Provincial Challenge game and have each been suspended for one three-day challenge match. Sekhoto was found guilty of conduct which could bring them, the UBCSA or the game of cricket into disrepute and de Bruin of dissent towards an umpiring decision.

Zimbabwe cricketers Vusi Sibanda, Waddington Mwayenga and national team manager Babu Meman today escaped with fines after being found guilty in Harare for contravening the country’s foreign-exchange regulations.The conviction of the three, for committing similar offences to those ZC chairman Peter Chingoka and managing director Ozias Bvute were cleared of earlier in the week, has raised concerns about the political sensitivity of the crisis in Zimbabwe cricket. The office of Zimbabwe’s Attorney General this week declined to lay charges against Chingoka and Bvute, but the state went on to prosecute the players and Meman for getting paid externally by ZC.In passing the sentence, the magistrate-court judge admitted that ZC had the moral blame since it was its obligation to expatriate money from abroad and pay the employees in Zimbabwe, therefore the three’s case was a technical offence. Sibanda was fined Zim$800 000 ($11), Mwayenga $400 000 ($5), and Meman $1 million ($13).Beatrice Mtetwa, the trio’s lawyer, said she would appeal to the High Court to have her clients’ conviction and sentences set aside until the state has made a final decision on Chingoka and Bvute.Although the pair were released after Sobuza Gula-Ndebele, the Attorney General, ruled there were no charges for them to answer, it is reported that the governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is deeply unhappy with the outcome and has raised those concerns at a high level of government. The RBZ investigation into Zimbabwe Cricket is due to report soon, and there is speculation that it could trigger more action.It is also widely reported that Tatenda Taibu, the former Zimbabwe captain who quit over the refusal of Chingoka and Bvute to resign from ZC, met with Robert Mugabe before he left to play club cricket in Bangladesh. Mugabe is a patron of ZC.

Surrey have signed Anil Kumble as one of their overseas players for a key period of next summer. Kumble will arrive following India’s tour of West Indies, and will be available for eight Championship matches from July 14.He has previously had county stints with Northamptonshire and Leicestershire and continues Surrey’s tradition of signing high class spinner bowlers. Saqlain Mushtaq and Harbhajan Singh both played for the club last season.The Surrey coach, Alan Butcher, said: “Anil is recognised as one of the best bowlers in world cricket. In addition, his character and professionalism are also hugely admired. Any coach would welcome these qualities in his dressing room. His presence will be a huge mid-season boost to us next year as we attempt to gain promotion to division one.”Kumble added: “It’s great to have this opportunity to play for Surrey and it is something I am looking forward to immensely. This is a new chapter in Surrey’s history and I want to help them get back on track to being a Championship winning side.”

Even before Australia’s lengthy howzats in the second innings at the MCGthis series had been the most appealing at home for years. Groomed ondominating visiting outfits, Ricky Ponting’s team had to wait eight daysover two Tests before wrestling control from a willing, competitive, butinexperienced South Africa, who start Monday’s third and final match needinga win to equal their best result in the country.The cricket has been absorbing and when combined with the side issues ofover-appealing, race issues and the war of words it has led to a simmeringDecember, which ended with a 42C day as the teams flew on Saturday fromMelbourne to Sydney. The SCG is the site of South Africa’s most famousvictory in Australia, a five-run thriller in 1993-94, and they need anothernever-say-die performance to recover from the 1-0 deficit.Graeme Smith will have to do it without Makhaya Ntini, the strike bowler whohas returned home with a knee injury. Andre Nel will assume theattack-leading responsibilities – his main pace support will come from ShaunPollock and Jacques Kallis – and he has talked tough during the first twoTests, turned the apparent hatred from Australian crowds into a spur andcreated many problems for his opponents. Unfortunately for South Africatheir fielders have let them down with poor catching; Ricky Ponting andMichael Hussey were both dropped before reaching 30 in the first innings atMelbourne and went on to score crucial centuries.Mickey Arthur, the coach, has worked his players hard at training on thistour and is worried he might have pushed them too much. Smith saidthe team had absorbed the pressure well, but wondered how the situationwould have been different if the extra chances had been held.”It’s almost like quicksand, the harder you work the further you slip,” hesaid. “It’s just about relaxing and letting natural ability take over. We’velet ourselves down and we know that.” South Africa will undergo somereshuffling to cater for Ntini’s absence and may play the offspinner JohanBotha – either in tandem with Nicky Boje or instead of him – if the pitchlooks like a big-turner.

Only something extreme would push Australia to interrupt the Shane Warne andStuart MacGill partnership as they attempt to win the series before thereturn leg in South Africa in March. MacGill calls the SCG his “house” andin seven Tests there has taken 49 wickets at 23.71, including fivefive-wicket hauls.Australia’s only change will be Justin Langer returning for Phil Jaquesafter he recovered from a hamstring strain suffered in the first Test atPerth. Langer has experienced a disrupted season, but there is no doubt overhis position when fit and as a veteran of the side he will be an importantfigure in making sure they take advantage of the strong position.Both teams believe they can win and their attitudes set up a thrillingend to an already brilliant series. “We go to Sydney a stronger outfit,”Arthur said. “Our bounce-back ability is brilliant.”Australia (probable) 1 Matthew Hayden, 2 Justin Langer, 3 RickyPonting (capt), 4 Brad Hodge, 5 Michael Hussey, 6 Andrew Symonds, 7 AdamGilchrist (wk), 8 Shane Warne, 9 Brett Lee, 10 Stuart MacGill, 11 GlennMcGrath.South Africa (probable) 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 AB de Villiers, 3Herschelle Gibbs, 4 Jaques Kallis, 5 Ashwell Prince, 6 Jacques Rudolph, 7Mark Boucher, 8 Shaun Pollock, 9 Johan Botha, 10 Nicky Boje, 11 Andre Nel.

Matthew Hayden will play his first Pura Cup match in more than two years when he lines up for Queensland against New South Wales at the Gabba on Thursday. Hayden is joined by Shane Watson, whose rehabilition from a partially dislocated shoulder continues, as the Bulls aim to stay in touch with the joint leaders NSW and South Australia.Hayden, who missed Queensland’s outright win over Western Australia two weeks ago because of a chest complaint, last batted in a Pura Cup match in December 2003, but his dropping from the national one-day side has given him a chance to find some first-class form before the tour of South Africa.Ryan Broad and Ashley Noffke have been replaced and Daniel Doran, the legspinner who took five wickets on debut against the Warriors, retains his spot. Terry Oliver, the Bulls coach, said Michael Kasprowicz and Andy Bichel were certain to play after overcoming niggling complaints.New South Wales have made no changes to the initial line-up that drew with Victoria in Lismore earlier this month. Brad Haddin, who left mid-match to play in Australia’s one-day outfit, will lead the Blues as they attempt to move ahead of South Australia, who are also on 20 points. Queensland sit in fourth place on 16, two behind Victoria.New South Wales squad Phil Jaques, Matthew Phelps, Craig Simmons, Corey Richards, Dominic Thornely, Brad Haddin (capt, wk), Aaron O’Brien, Grant Lambert, Matthew Nicholson, Aaron Bird, Doug Bollinger, Stuart MacGill.Queensland squad Jimmy Maher (capt), Matthew Hayden, Martin Love, Shane Watson, Clinton Perren, Brendan Nash, Lachlan Stevens, Chris Hartley (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Andy Bichel, Michael Kasprowicz, Daniel Doran.

England have confirmed that Owais Shah has been called into the squad in India as additional cover ahead of the first Test at Nagpur on Wednesday. Marcus Trescothick flew home for personal reasons on Saturday and Michael Vaughan is still struggling with his knee injury.Alastair Cook had already left the A tour in West Indies to join the senior squad – along with James Anderson as fast bowling cover – and now Shah brings cover for the middle order after Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood suffered back strains in the last week.Shah was the favourite to get the nod, despite still recovering from a knee injury of his own, and has been pushing for a recall after a prolific domestic season in 2005. He has 15 ODIs under his belt and was preferred to Vikram Solanki and Ed Joyce who are also in West Indies.Earlier David Graveney, the chairman of selectors, confirmed to Sky Sports that further reinforcements were needed, but that the replacement would be unlikely to play at Nagpur. “We need an extra body out there, but he wouldn’t arrive there the night before the Test match so it would have to be extremely extreme circumstances for a man to travel half way round the world and then play for England.”He also admitted the current situation is making a tough tour even tougher. “Also allied to the cricketing injuries, there’s gastric influenza spreading through the team. It’s been a difficult time but everyone has to rally round. India was going to be a test, even with a fully fit squad. But everyone will rally round.”Graveney confirmed that if Vaughan fails to make the Test, Andrew Flintoff will lead England for the first time. “Let’s hope Michael’s fit because in these circumstances he’s a key man. If that isn’t the case, Flintoff will captain. The issue regarding [Paul] Collingwood and [Kevin] Pietersen seems to be better every day, as it does with Simon Jones.”

The Ranji Trophy one-day tournament finals between Uttar Pradesh and Railways, slated to be held at the K.D Singh Babu Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday, will now be held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 2.Ratnakar Shetty, Executive Secretary-in-charge of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said that the unavailability of ground in Lucknow was the reason behind shifting the venue of the match.He said, “The Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association has written to the Indian Cricket Board that the state government is not releasing the ground for the match. So the match will now be held at the Wankhede Stadium on April 2.”However, cricket lovers in Kanpur vented their ire at the state government by burning the effigies of Mulayam Singh Yadav, the Chief Minister and RK Chaudhary, the Sports Minister at Civil Lines area near the Green Park stadium today. Fans and cricketers criticised the government’s decision, saying it was against the interests of the game in state.