Allright, the squads are all named by now, so ít's time to make this thread.

Brett Dorey receives his first call. Martyn and Hopes are back.
Jacques Kallis is retained in the South African squad despite his elbow problems. Hall, Dippenaar and Zondeki has come for South Africa.
Jayasuriya isn't in the Sri Lankan squad, because of his shoulder dislocation. Gunawardene and Malinga are dropped.

And the warm-up of this VB Series start tomorrow (9th January) with a Twenty20 International of Australia vs South Africa in Brisbane. It starts on 08:35 GMT. A lot of entertainment in that.



Match Schedule

Date Match Venues

January 2006

Fri 13 Australia v Sri Lanka Telstra Dome, Melbourne
Sun 15 Australia v South Africa Brisbane Cricket Ground
Tue 17 South Africa v Sri Lanka Brisbane Cricket Ground
Fri 20 Australia v South Africa Telstra Dome, Melbourne
Sun 22 Australia v Sri Lanka Sydney Cricket Ground
Tue 24 South Africa v Sri Lanka Adelaide Oval
Thu 26 Australia v Sri Lanka Adelaide Oval
Sun 29 Australia v Sri Lanka W.A.C.A. Ground, Perth
Tue 31 South Africa v Sri Lanka W.A.C.A. Ground, Perth

February 2006

Fri 3 Australia v South Africa Telstra Dome, Melbourne
Sun 5 Australia v South Africa Sydney Cricket Ground
Tue 7 South Africa v Sri Lanka Bellerive Oval, Hobart
Fri 10 VB Series 1st final Adelaide Oval
Sun 12 VB Series 2nd final Sydney Cricket Ground
Tue 14 VB Series 3rd final (if required) Brisbane Cricket Ground

Australia Squad

• *Ricky Ponting
• +Adam Gilchrist
• Simon Katich
• Damien Martyn
• Michael Clarke
• Michael Hussey
• Andrew Symonds
• James Hopes
• Brad Hogg
• Brett Dorey
• Brett Lee
• Nathan Bracken
• Glenn McGrath
• Stuart Clark

South Africa Squad

• *Graeme Smith
• Jacques Kallis
• Johan Botha
• +Mark Boucher
• Boeta Dippenaar
• Herschelle Gibbs
• Andrew Hall
• Justin Kemp
• Garnett Kruger
• Charl Langeveldt
• Andre Nel
• Shaun Pollock
• Ashwell Prince
• Jacques Rudolph
• Monde Zondeki

Sri Lanka Squad

• *Marvan Atapattu
• Jehan Mubarak
• Upul Tharanga
• +Kumar Sangakkara
• Mahela Jayawardene
• Tillakaratne Dilshan
• Michael Vandort
• Russel Arnold
• Chaminda Vaas
• Farveez Maharoof
• Muttiah Muralitharan
• Malinga Bandara
• Ruchira Perera
• Dilhara Fernando
• Chamara Kapugedera
• Nuwan Kulasekara

Kallis to miss Twenty20
January 8, 2006

STAR South Africa all rounder Jacques Kallis will miss tomorrow night's historic Twenty20 cricket international against Australia at the Gabba.

Kallis, who has battled an elbow injury all season, has been rested from the Proteas side along with seam duo Andre Nel and Charl Langeveldt and hard-hitting all rounder Justin Kemp.

Firebrand Nel failed to finish the series-deciding third Test loss at the SCG due to a foot problem while Kemp continues to be sidelined with a shoulder injury.

Langeveldt is set to be made 12th man following a heavy workload in the eight-wicket Test defeat.

In a youthful side, novice spinner Johan Botha has been included despite being reported for a suspect action at the SCG last week.

Coach Mickey Arthur today insisted all four players would be available for the Proteas one-day tri-series opener against Australia at the Gabba on Sunday.

Arthur said Kallis was certain to play through the entire 12-match preliminary series which also involves Sri Lanka, which kicks off the tournament against the host nation on Friday in Melbourne.

Kallis missed the opening Test in Perth due to tennis elbow and required treatment for the injury in the second Test. Despite the injury he still managed to finish the series in signature form with scores of 111 and 50 not out at the SCG.

Tomorrow's Twenty20 match is the first full 20-over-a-side international to be played in Australia.

Only one-day squad additions Boetta Dippenaar and Andrew Hall batted in the indoor nets at the Gabba today after Brisbane rain washed out South Africa's scheduled morning session.

South Africa: Graeme Smith (capt), Johan Botha, Mark Boucher, Boeta Dippenaar, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Garnett Kruger, Shaun Pollock, Ashwell Prince, Jacques Rudolph, Monde Zondeki, Charl Langeveldt (likely 12th man).

AAP

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0...-23212,00.html

Botha set to bowl through taunts
January 8, 2006

SOUTH Africa has backed suspected chucker Johan Botha to the hilt by endorsing him as a key limited-overs player able to cop the "no-ball" taunts expected by Australia's aggressive crowds.

The Proteas today named off spinner Botha, reported for a suspected action in last week's third Test loss, in their XI to play in tomorrow's inaugural Australia Twenty20 international.

Coach Mickey Arthur said the 23-year-old would continue to be picked in the one-day tri-series against Australia and Sri Lanka, at least until his action is analysed by biomechanical experts in Perth in three weeks time.

The Proteas have shown their faith in Botha proving his innocence by not backtracking on their surprise decision to chop veteran spinner Nicky Boje from their one-day squad.

"It's tough on (Botha) but we're backing him. We're not going to panic now," said Arthur of his squad's only specialist spinner.

"We've got to back the poor kid and we're going to do that, he's going to play tomorrow night and he'll play during the practice games, and we're allowed to play him.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with his action and that will be cleared up in Perth."

South Africa officials are bitterly disappointed by the ICC report, which highlighted his doosra – the off spinner's wrong 'un – and quicker balls as deliveries of concern.

The frustration comes as Botha has gone two seasons of domestic first-class action, since converting from medium pace, without attracting any attention.

The Proteas are braced for personal attacks on the greenhorn by local crowds which Arthur has labelled "very aggressive" after a litany of abusive incidents in the Test series.

Arthur has spoken to Botha about what he can expect, especially tomorrow in Brisbane where Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan was so upset by ball-by-ball taunts in 2003 that he threatened never to return.

"It's going to be tough on him and we're backing him but he's going to have to deal with 30,000 people shouting "no-ball" when he bowls his first one," said the coach.

"The only risk he runs is some umpire trying to make a name for himself by no-balling him from square-leg.

"There's nothing we can do. We've picked the guy we've got to run with him."

Arthur is confident Botha will cop whatever abuse comes his way.

"Mentally he's a strong chap. He's fine and he's upbeat. He'll come through it," he said.

AAP

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0...-23212,00.html

i hope australia looses this one...

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Seeing from the strong squad, including some Australian players want something to prove, I think Australia will win this series comfortably. But South Africa can give them a hard time.

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sri lanka is gonna be the "bangladesh" of this tournament

australia,s turn to thrash sri lanka

i m pretty sure SA will take this trophy, they have an excellent odi side which matches the aussies head to toe.

Australia set to welcome Twenty20

Twenty20 international, Brisbane:
Australia v South Africa

Match starts 0835 GMT

A new-look Australia team is set to welcome international Twenty20 cricket to the country for the first time as they take on South Africa in Brisbane.

Just three members of the side that completed a 2-0 Test series victory last week remain for the 20-over game.

But fans are set to turn out in force, with 2,000 tickets left at the 37,000 seat Gabba on the eve of the game.

Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist and Brett Lee are rested for seamers Stuart Clark, Mick Lewis and Mitchell Johnson.

Wicket-keeping duties will be carried out by Brad Haddin, who has appeared in 10 one-day internationals.

Batsman Mike Hussey, who has played Twenty20 county cricket replaces Gilchrist as vice-captain.

He said the main tactic was to keep the upper hand, explaining: "We want a psychological advantage over South Africa into the one-day series.

"With Twenty20 you can't really plan a good strategy. You've got to think on your feet as much as possible.

"Players have different innovative shots and I guess you've just got to react to that as quickly as you can."

South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis will miss the match to rest an elbow injury, despite having been passed fit for the one-day series that follows.

Justin Kemp, who missed two Tests with shoulder trouble and Andre Nel, who sustained a foot injury in Sydney are also left on the sidelines.

But spinner Johan Botha, whose bowling action has been reported, has been included in the squad for Brisbane.

Australia's first domestic Twenty20 tournament began on Friday, with Victoria clinching a thrilling two-run win over Western Australia in Perth.

Victoria then claimed a place in the 21 January final by beating South Australia before 8,000 fans in St Kilda on Sunday.

Queensland suffered a washout on Friday and defeat two nights later despite 48, including four sixes, from Michael Buchanan, son of national coach John.

Dominic Thornely hit 57 from 38 balls for New South Wales in Sydney.

Australia (from): Ricky Ponting (Capt), Brad Haddin (Wkt), Simon Katich, Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, James Hopes, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Mick Lewis, Mitchell Johnson

South Africa (from): Graeme Smith (Capt), Johan Botha, Mark Boucher (Wkt), Boeta Dippenaar, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Garnett Kruger, Shaun Pollock, Ashwell Prince, Jacques Rudolph, Monde Zondeki, Charl Langeveldt.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/4592032.stm

i would like to watch this one when it finished i hope someone has the highlights

who is show these matches?

Don't know who will show it but the Twenty20 match starts from 08.35 GMT. Which is about 1 hours and 24 minutes from now.

This are the teams, but I don't understand what Kallis is doing in the line-up. I thought he wouldn't play.

Australia won the toss and elected to bat first

Match start scheduled for 18.35 local time (08.35 GMT)

Australia team: DR Martyn, JR Hopes, *RT Ponting, A Symonds, MJ Clarke, MEK Hussey, +BJ Haddin, SM Katich, NW Bracken, SR Clark, ML Lewis.

South Africa team: *GC Smith, HH Dippenaar, HH Gibbs, JH Kallis, JA Rudolph, SM Pollock, +MV Boucher, AJ Hall, J Botha, GJP Kruger, M Zondeki.

Why are they using Supersubs in this form of the game?

Johnson will play the role of supersub for Australia. Langeveldt is the supersub for South Africa.

Martyn and Hopes are the openers for Australia.

Australai have won the toss and elected to bat!