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The Twenty20 Big Bash begins on Friday night at the WACA with Western Australia playing Victoria in the new competition. The domestic tournament, which includes two groups of three teams, features a home and away match for each state as they attempt to qualify for the final on January 21.Queensland v Tasmania at the Gabba on FridayQueensland Jimmy Maher (capt), James Hopes, Craig Philipson, Nathan Reardon, Chris Simpson, Steve Paulsen, Chris Hartley (wk), Nathan Hauritz, Andy Bichel, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Rimmington, Michael Buchanan (12th man).Tasmania squad Michael Di Venuto (capt), Dane Anderson, George Bailey, Travis Birt, Rhett Lockyear, Xavier Doherty, Adam Griffith, Ben Hilfenhaus, Darren McNees, Tim Paine, Adam Polkinghorne, Shannon Tubb.Western Australia v Victoria at the WACA on FridayWestern Australia squad Marcus North (capt), Ryan Campbell (wk), Luke Ronchi, Damien Martyn, Adam Voges, Shaun Marsh, Brad Hogg, Peter Worthington, Brett Dorey, Ben Edmondson, David Bandy and Chris Rogers.Victoria squad Cameron White (capt), Robert Quiney, Adam Crosthwaite (wk), Liam Buchanan, Shane Harwood, Peter Siddle, David Hussey, Jonathan Moss, Michael Klinger, Andrew McDonald, Michael Lewis, Grant Lindsay.Victoria v South Australia at Junction Oval on SundaySouth Australia squad Graham Manou (capt, wk), Mark Cosgrove, Cameron Borgas, Mark Cleary, Daniel Cullen, Shane Deitz, Callum Ferguson, Trent Kelly, Darren Lehmann, Gary Putland, Ken Skewes, Shaun Tait.New South Wales v Queensland at North Sydney Oval on SundayNew South Wales squad Matthew Nicholson (capt), Phil Jaques, Jarrad Burke, Dominic Thornely, Aaron O’Brien, Daniel Smith, Daniel Christian, Moises Henriques, Aaron Bird, Doug Bollinger, Stephen Phillips, Ian Moran.Queensland Jimmy Maher (capt), Chris Simpson, Craig Philipson, Nathan Reardon, Steve Paulsen, Derek Tate, Chris Hartley (wk), Nathan Hauritz, Michael Buchanan, Ashley Noffke, Michael Kasprowicz, Nathan Rimmington (12th man).

Steve Harmison’s hopes of playing in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Kandy next week were dealt a major blow when he limped off the field during England’s final warm-up match at the Nondescripts Cricket Club in Colombo.Harmison, who had earlier taken his first wicket of the tour in a much-improved performance, pulled up after bowling three balls of his 11th over. He paused for a while at the top of his mark, and appeared to clutch at the lower right-hand side of his back. After a brief consultation with Michael Vaughan, he left the field immediately and James Anderson completed the over.The initial fear among the England camp was that Harmison had suffered an aggravation of the muscular tear in his lower back that ruled him out of the end of the English season, but England’s coach, Peter Moores, said that the new problem was unrelated, and even held out hopes of Harmison featuring again before the end of the match.”It’s not something he’s had before,” said Moores. “It’s a bit of a twinge, a back spasm, and the physio doesn’t think it’s anything major. Hopefully it’s one of those things that settles down in the next 24 to 36 hours, and he’ll be able to play a part in the second innings.””It’s not exactly what you want,” said Moores. “Harmy’s disappointed because I think he found good rhythm. He started to really hit his straps a little bit and enjoy himself, and was looking forward to having another crack. But we’ve all had muscle spasms in the past – they hit you like an electric shock and if that goes away you can get right again as quick as it went.”However, with just six days to go until the Kandy Test, Harmison’s participation must be in severe doubt, not least because of the blow it will deal to his already fragile confidence. The injury occurred at the beginning of his fourth spell of the day, and though he was not sent for a scan, it came at a moment when he looked set to recapture some of his best form.”He was really happy,” said Moores. “When Harmy’s bowling well he attacks the crease and today he was doing it with confidence, with his foot half-and-half on the line. He was getting better all the time, and this has put a bit of a cloud on what was otherwise a really good effort.”In the aftermath of England’s first warm-up match at Colombo Cricket Club, Harmison had spoken of his determination to fight for his England place, but also rued the run of bad luck that had left him on the fringes of the squad. Prior to his back problem in August, he had undergone a hernia operation that had ruled him out of the Test series against India.”In the past we still had bowlers knocking on the door, but I went through a long period of not being injured,” said Harmison. “Now I can’t get rid of an injury without another one cropping up.”I need to spend some time on the park, and if I do that and bowl properly, I feel I’m as good as anyone in England. When I’m not bowling that well, and coming back [from injury] all the time, then there are better bowlers than me.”

Australia 228 and 191 beat England 169 and 139 by 111 runs
Scorecard1st day

As the Melbourne turf is frequently more suitable to fast howling than other Australian wickets, England’s eleven for the second Test was framed on the policy of ramming home the fast attack with four pace bowlers, so Bowes replaced Verity. This was a bold policy, as it meant that Jardine entered the field with Hammond as the only spin bowler of class. If the move had succeeded it would have been acclaimed, but, although England’s attack did well on a dead wicket, the pitch proved more suitable for Australia’s spin bowlers. Although 46, Ironmonger, the left-hand bowler, forced his way into Australia’s eleven. It seemed a mistake that Nagel should be the bowler omitted, and the dropping of Ponsford was a serious blunder. Bradman was fit enough to resume his place in the team. Lamentable batting displays were given by both sides. Notable work was done by the bowlers, but they profited because most of the batsmen were stodgy and neglected to employ the great influence of the drive. Winning the toss again, Australia scored a laborious 194 for 7 before stumps were drawn. Although none of the early wickets fell to Larwood, his influence was telling. Because of trouble with his boots, he left the field four times, and was off for an hour in all. Opening the innings, Fingleton hung on doggedly for four hours for 83. With Woodfull and O’Brien (who each defended for an hour) Fingleton took some of the sting from the attack, but there were not enough stroke players in the eleven for Australia to benefit. Bradman went first ball, when he tried to hook a short one from Bowes, and touched it on to his wicket. McCabe was not at his best, and made a weak stroke for a slip catch. Clutching twice, Hammond held a brilliant catch when Richardson turned Voce to leg. The day’s play was watched by 63,993 spectators, and the gate receipts amounted to £5,577.2nd day
England’s reply of 161 for 9 was all the batsmen deserved for their display. Again Sutcliffe headed the list, but his 52 was the most scratchy innings he has ever played in Australia. The only one of the first seven to play real cricket was Hammond, even if his stay was short. Attempting a cover stroke, Hammond found a ball from Wall faster than he estimated. In five overs after tea, Wall dismissed Sutcliffe, Jardine and Ames. He bowled a good pace, with his usual determination, but the outstanding bowler was O’Reilly, who mingled leg-breaks,wrong-uns and over-spinners. Varying his pace and making the ball come off at different heights, O’Reilly earned his wickets. In a batsmanlike contribution, Allen provided a contrast to the rest. Apart from him and Hammond, all the batsmen played almost entirely on the back foot. Those who had doubted whether Allen was quite up to Test standard were satisfied by his all-round cricket in this game in which he was the best of England’s fast bowlers.3rd day
The England bowlers fought back splendidly, and at the close of play appeared to have put their side in a favourable position. Australia’s only consolation in a second innings of 191 was an impressive comeback by Bradman, who scored 103 not out, in three hours, while eight wickets fell at the other end. This was a different Bradman not the dasher with audacious strokes, but a batsman fighting grimly to save his side from collapse, and to regain his own confidence and certainty. Viewed from every angle of batsmanship, this innings must be ranked for merit as probably the greatest Bradman has played. The only other things that counted in Australia’s innings were Woodfull’s safe opening and a bright three-quarter-hour by Richardson. Frequently the best bowler does not have the best figures, but Hammond’s ability to spin the ball made him the most difficult of the English attack. Set 251 to win, England made a good start when Leyland helped Sutcliffe to put up 43 before the end of the day. Sutcliffe batted in excellent form, being 33 not out, and Leyland 10 not out. The attendance was 68,188.4th day
England’s sudden collapse came as a shock. Sending the ball into a good breeze, O’Reilly gained in flight and turn by slackening his pace. The legbreak which beat Sutcliffe early broke almost the width of the stumps. The spin of some of Ironmonger’s deliveries was aided whenever the ball pitched on a part of the surface worn by fast bowlers’ feet. Apart from this wear, the bowlers were able to turn the ball a good deal. Whatever Jardine’s motive, changing the batting order did not help. Hammond, who came in at No. 4, went down fighting. Five leading batsmen had tumbled in less than an hour for 34 runs, so the Gloucestershire allrounder then staked all on desperate measures for a desperate situation. Hammond lifted several strokes, and when a mishit and a well-placed fieldsman brought his downfall, the match was lost, although Allen and Wyatt made a plucky stand of 50 for the seventh wicket. Although not much in the picture, because of the success of the other bowlers, Grimmett’s bowling was his best for two years, as he tossed the ball and turned it better. The tenseness of the struggle throughout was a gruelling test of the captaincy of the two leaders, who at one time had runs to play with. Their leadership pleased the critics, Woodfull revealing an unsuspected amount of strategy..The match was an enormous financial success, the attendance being 200,586 and the receipts £16,076.

Shane Warne is in hot water with the ECB following his behaviour in Hampshire’s Championship draw with Kent last week. He has been fined six points under the ECB’s disciplinary code – and if he incurs nine points or more he will be automatically suspended.Warne, Hampshire’s captain, was clearly unhappy when the umpire Tim Robinson gave him out lbw to Ryan McLaren. He lingered at the crease and then turned round to stare at Robinson as he slowly trudged off. As he entered the pavilion he underlined his unhappiness with an audible obscenity.Robinson and his fellow umpire Barrie Leadbeater reported him for two separate Level 2 breaches of the code – serious dissent at an umpire’s decision and using language or a gesture that is obscene or of a serious insulting nature to another player, umpire, referee, team official or spectator.The penalties remain on Warne’s record for a period of two years. The accumulation of nine or more penalty points in any 2-year period will result in an automatic suspension. The ECB refused to comment further on the matter, not that much more needed saying.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details5:13