Hughes gets another Test chance for Australia

SYDNEY: Phil Hughes was Thursday handed another chance to resurrect his Australian career after being recalled as a replacement for Ricky Ponting in next week's first Test against Sri Lanka.

Hughes, who has played for his country 17 times as an opener but not since against New Zealand in December 2011, was preferred ahead of Rob Quiney and Usman Khawaja to fill the void left by the retired Ponting.

Ponting, the second-highest Test run-scorer of all-time behind India's Sachin Tendulkar, played his final and record-equalling 168th Test for Australia against South Africa in Perth, which finished on Monday.

Hughes, 24, has satisfied selectors that he has overcome technical issues which made him vulnerable to the rising ball and which led to his axing in the past.

"It is actually really special this time," Hughes told reporters ahead of the first Test in Hobart starting on December 14

"The sacrifices that I have made in the last 12 months have been quite big. I knew I had to do them ... so to me, I can go in there with a fresh mind."

Skipper Michael Clarke has still to decide on his batting order against Sri Lanka, but the opening pair of David Warner and Ed Cowan are expected to remain leaving Hughes seen as coming in at number three.

Chief selector John Inverarity revealed that the panel opted against throwing Hughes in against the strong South African pace attack and gave Quiney his chance in the first two Tests before he was dropped for a lack of runs.

Hughes said he would bat anywhere, believing in his technical changes honed in a year of personal sacrifice which involved a stint in English county cricket with Worcestershire and a move from New South Wales to South Australia.

"I had to change a couple of things but I feel comfortable ... I have had chances before but I'm grateful for this one and I just hope I can really get in there and cement my spot," he said.

Selectors also recalled pace bowlers Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus for the December 14-18 Hobart Test for injured quicks John Hastings (back) and Josh Hazlewood (foot) from the side that lost to the Proteas by 309 runs in Perth.

W-Indies beat Bangladesh by 4 wickets

DHAKA: West Indies won the third One day international against Bangladesh at the Shere Bangla Stadium on Wednesday.

Chasing 227, the W-Indies (WI) reached the target in the 47th over for the loss of six wickets.

Highlight of the WI chase was a brilliant 126 of 149 balls by MN Samuels. He not only held the innings together but also kept the score board moving to keep a check on the required run rate despite loosing partners regularly at the other end. His brilliant knock was laced with 17 fours and a brace of sixes.

For Bangladesh Mashrafe Mortaza and Abdur Razzak took 2 wickets a piece but in the end the defending total was a few runs short of what they would have liked.

Earlier the WI won the toss and elected to field restricting the Bangladeshi team to 227. This was the third ODI of the 5-match series which Bangladesh leads 2-1.

MN Samuels was declared player of the match for his match winning effort.

Hockey Champions Trophy: Pakistan beats Germany in quarter-final

MELBOURNE: Pakistan has beaten Germany in the first quarter-final of the 34th Hockey Champions Trophy here at the State Netball Hockey Centre on Thursday, Geo News reported.

Pakistan humbled Germany by 2-1 where Shakeel Abbasi scored both the goals.

In the backdrop of three goals in as many outings and almost a dozen misses, Pakistan coaches worked all morning Tuesday to make players realise their mistakes.

In the 27 matches both countries have played so far in the Champions Trophy, Germany have won 12 times against 10 victories achieved by Pakistan. Five matches ended in draw.

Germany had a new look team with five players who helped them win the Olympic gold in London either dropped or rested.

Germany came from behind on Monday to upset India in the last pool A match.

German coach Markus Weise was all praise for the Pakistan team when he talked to the reporters here at the State Netball Centre

The Champions Trophy Hockey is witnessing the quarter-final stage for the very first time. The format has been changed to keep teams’ interest alive.

Besides a place in the semis, the victory over Germany has included Pakistan directly into next year’s Champions Trophy.

In another quarter-final on Thursday, Australia will be looking to beat England to keep themselves on the road for the record thirteenth Champions Trophy title.

However, to achieve that, Australia will need to find the back of the net more often. They scored just once during the last two games, a weakness that makes them less impressive this time. In the other quarter-finals, the Netherlands play New Zealand and India face Belgium.