Ponting signs for Hurricanes in Big Bash

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has signed with new Tasmanian franchise Hobart Hurricanes for the Twenty20 Big Bash League, according to Cricket Tasmania.

Ponting, who began his first-class career with the island state but rarely plays because of his international playing commitments, said he was excited about representing the Hurricanes in the December 30-February 5 tournament.

"There has been a lot of talk and discussion between all of the boys over the last few weeks about who has signed where and I'm really excited about the prospect of playing with some great players in the Hurricanes colours," Ponting said.

"It's always nice to represent your home state when you can and this is a great opportunity to play some exciting cricket in front of the passionate Hobart fans," Ponting said.
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Sehwag lays into Bangladesh's attack

Virender Sehwag slammed the first ball of the 2011 World Cup to the boundary and then carried on to score an aggressive half-century that subdued a boisterous crowd in Mirpur. He took advantage of extremely wayward lines and lengths from Bangladesh's bowlers, who were struggling to maintain composure in the grandest one-day international of their lives.

At the half-way stage of the Indian innings, the batsmen had laid a sound platform for a total well in excess of 260, which was the maximum Shakib Al Hasan said he wanted to chase when he put India in because of the dew factor later in the evening. There was wisdom in chasing - last 12 day-night matches in Mirpur were won by the team batting second - but Bangladesh bowlers offered ample scoring opportunities on a pitch that was slow, kept low and had loopy bounce not conducive for easy shot-making.

Sehwag, however, kick started the tournament with a flurry of shots. His opening salvo, off the first ball from Shafiul Islam, was a powerful drive off the back foot through cover that brought the tumultuous din to a momentary pause. Shafiul offered Sehwag width again and watched the final ball speed to the cover boundary. In his second over, Shafiul erred by offering Sachin Tendulkar two deliveries on the pads: both were flicked to the boundary, one behind square and the other in front. In between those overs, Rubel Hossain had conceded two boundaries as well, and India raced to 36 after four overs.

Shakib turned to his premier spinner, Abdur Razzak, as early as the fifth over and his introduction brought a measure of control over the run-rate. India scored only 12 off the new four overs. Razzak looped the ball into Sehwag from over the wicket, following the batsman and cramping him for room as he tried to back away and hit inside out through the off side. Sehwag mis-timed several drives and cuts. He had scored 12 off his first six balls and 13 off his next 24.
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