Ponting Thanks Australia For $9.6 Million

Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has today thanked the general public and cricket’s commercial partners for their magnificent support of the Commonwealth Bank Series Bushfire Appeal.The Commonwealth Bank Series Bushfire Appeal has so far raised more than $9.6 million to help those affected by the bushfires in Victoria, with well over $6 million of that total coming from the pockets of the Australian public.Included in that figure are the proceeds of the auction of the players’ shirts on cricket.com.au, as well as the generous support received from the Adelaide public, with more than $48,000 donated at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday alone. full story

Matthew Hayden, Brad Hogg And Imparja Cup Day Four

Matthew Hayden’s Imparja Cup adventure in the outback continued as Tasmania knocked off reigning champions Queensland.The biggest story of Day 4 on the field was undoubtedly the clash of last year’s Finalists Queensland and Tasmania, with the underdog Tasmanians turning the tables and defeating the previously unbeaten Queenslanders. Tasmania did it convincingly bowling out Queensland for 109 and then chasing the runs down with overs to spare, grabbing second spot on the table ahead of Saturday’s Final.

Australia Rain Supreme Over New Zealand

Australia has retained the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy after a stop-start game five was finally abandoned due to heavy rain with the game delicately poised at the Gabba.Chasing a revised total of 156 from 20 overs in the series decider after Brad Haddin and Callum Ferguson struck unbeaten half-centuries to propel the hosts to 4-168 off 22 overs, the Black Caps progressed to 6-123 through 14 overs before rain intervened.

Queensland Defend Imparja Cup Against Tasmania

The Imparja Cup Final teams have been settled with defending champions Queensland to meet Tasmania in the Final at Traeger Park today, a replay of the 2008 Final. The match will be broadcast nationally through NITV (Channel 180 on the Foxtel/Austar platform) from 5:30pm (Eastern Summer Time) on Saturday.For the Queenslanders 19 year-old Cameron Trask has been the player to watch, taking out Player of the Tournament Honours, while for Tasmania Imparja Cup favourite Bernie Lamont will be a key to his side's chances.

Indigenous CricKids Program Launched

As the Imparja Cup in Alice Springs reached its climax, Matthew Hayden yesterday spoke to the next generation of Indigenous cricketers at the Yipirinya School as he launched the Indigenous CricKids Playing in Harmony School program.The program follows on from Cricket Australia’s successful Playing in Harmony resource, with Federal Government funding making it possible to have the entire resource redeveloped specifically for, and then introduced to, Indigenous communities

Brad Haddin To Captain Twenty20 Australian Team

In-form keeper-batsman Brad Haddin has welcomed the challenge of leading his country in Sunday's KFC Twenty20 International against New Zealand at the SCG.The New South Welshman takes the reins in the absence of resting skipper Ricky Ponting and deputy Michael Clarke who has a niggling back complaint.Haddin led the way with the bat throughout the Chappell-Hadlee Series scoring 283 runs at an average of 70, including his maiden ODI century in game three when he was promoted to the top of the order.

Australia Beats New Zealand In Twenty20

An extraordinary boundary catch from Adam Voges has helped Australia escape with a thrilling one-run win over New Zealand in the Twenty-20 international at the SCG.The heavy-hitting Brendon McCullum (61 from 47 balls) appeared to be sweeping the Black Caps to victory when he launched into a Ben Hilfenhaus (1-32) delivery in the penultimate over.Voges, fielding at long on, took the ball on the boundary but lost his balance and was about to fall over the rope to concede a six.