Batsman's paradise is the fast bowler's lament

Chloe Saltau Brett Lee describes Adelaide Oval's second-Test strip as ''the most amazing batting pitch I've ever seen''.

Cricket

Running out of time: former Australian captain Ricky Ponting concedes it could be the end

Chloe Saltau A realistic Ricky Ponting expects to discuss his future with the selectors soon, and has conceded his career could be over before the end of the summer.

Ponting on ice as Lyon takes heat

Chloe Saltau After a comic case of mistaken identity, stage is set for Ricky Ponting to put Australia in command.

Over too soon: Ricky Ponting's last stand was short of runs but full of emotion

Chloe Saltau Ricky Ponting raised both arms to all parts of the WACA Ground and said farewell to cricket.

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Ricky's last stand leaves no doubt

Chloe Saltau The heartfelt ovation for Ricky Ponting conveyed how much he will be missed, but his short farewell innings confirmed the extent of his decline.

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Cricket

Ground is fine for batsmen but how about the bowlers, says Lee

Chloe Saltau AS AUSTRALIA'S fast bowlers strained for a breakthrough without success, Brett Lee lamented the lack of zest in Test pitches around the nation and described Adelaide Oval's second-Test strip as ''the...

Ponting safe for now but concedes his run may be over

Chloe Saltau RICKY PONTING will escape the axe for the Perth Test but the former captain has admitted a hard conversation with the national selectors about his future is imminent.

Cricket

Aussies in need of a quick fix

Chloe Saltau, Adelaide Australia brings in fresh legs for Perth Test, a nod to the fact that Peter Siddle's could barely carry him back to his bowling mark by the end in Adelaide.

Cricket

Marathon man Siddle simply running on fumes at the end

Chloe Saltau AUSTRALIA have brought in fresh legs for the Perth Test, a nod to the fact Peter Siddle's could barely carry him back to his bowling mark by the end in Adelaide.

Quiney on picking the right ball

Chloe Saltau Victorian vows to bat with more composure if he is given a second chance in Adelaide.

Cricket

South African quicks take aim at Clarke

Chloe Saltau and Steve Larkin, Adelaide Dale Steyn has been laid low by food poisoning as South Africa's fast bowlers rouse themselves for a more sustained barrage of short-pitched bowling at Australian captain Michael Clarke.

Five-question haul: Australia’s moment of truth

Chris Barrett, Chloe Saltau and Phil Lutton With the opening Test of the summer starting tomorrow, Fairfax cricket writers Chris Barrett, Chloe Saltau and Phil Lutton discuss what looms as an intriguing match against South Africa.

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Laid bare: Australia's dossier on tackling South Africa

Chloe Saltau Australia draws up dossier of detailed plans to unsettle each of South Africa's batsmen.

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Mastering Morkel always a tall order

Chloe Saltau MORNE MORKEL poses a very different challenge from his more celebrated pace partner Dale Steyn, but the Australian batsmen's record against one of the giants of the game suggests they have his...

Smith and Clarke smiles apart

Chloe Saltau South African captain ridicules aspects of Australia's game plan for the series.

Gabba loses fear factor

Chloe Saltau The myth of the green Gabba monster grows fangs before each Brisbane Test, and the build-up to this series-opener against South Africa has been no different.

No excuses for no-balls, says Donald

Chloe Saltau, Chris Barrett SOUTH AFRICA'S all-conquering pace arsenal fired blanks on the fourth day of the Brisbane Test, undermined by a flat pitch, ill-discipline and Australia's dominant batting.

Smith fires up as battle for top spot gets heated

Chloe Saltau SOUTH AFRICA captain Graeme Smith has ridiculed aspects of Australia's game plan for the series that will decide the No.1 Test ranking, and taken aim at the hosts' unproven top order.

Cricket

Down but not cowed

Chloe Saltau, Brisbane Ed Cowan saved by a no-ball in the day's penultimate over as South Africa's quicks all but wipe out Australia's top order.

Cricket

Cowan digs in for fight after Morkel misses mark

Chloe Saltau ON A lamentable day for Australia, at least one disaster was averted.