Afzal's Blog: Australia

Showing posts with label Australia. Show all posts

Unknown Friday, January 25, 2013

Australian Open: Murray Beat Federer in 5-Set Thriller; to Meet Djokovic in Final

EFT Report, Melbourne: Andy Murray continues to carry his tremendous last season form into this year by reaching the final of this season first Slam, Australian Open 2013. The British number one defeated his old nemesis and 17-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer in a 5-set thriller 6-4, 6-7, 6-3, 6-7, 6-2 in four hours on Jan. 25, 2013 to set up a title clash with world number one Novak Djokovic on Sunday (Jan. 27, 2013).

This is the 25-year-old Briton first win against Roger Federer in a Grand Slam match. Murray’s big serve was the key to this win as the Brit served 21 aces on the Swiss with no double faults. This final will be Murray’s third consecutive Slam finals.

Andy Murray

Novak Djokovic has the upper hand in the head-to-head record against Andy Murray, winning 10 of their 17 meetings but Murray defeated Djokovic to win last year US Open, his first Slam.

Unknown Thursday, January 24, 2013

Djokovic in Australian Open Final After Beating Ferrer 6-2 6-2 6-1

EFT Report, Melbourne: Defending champion and world no 1 Novak Djokovic is on course for his fourth Australian Open title after thrashing Spaniard David Ferrer 6-2 6-2 6-1 in the semi-final match played on Jan. 24, 2013.

The match lasted just 1 hour and 29 minutes with journey man Ferrer having no answers to Djokovic's power and placement on the court. This will be Djokovic’s third consecutive Australian Open Final.

The 25-year-old Serbian awaits the winner of the second semi-final match between Andy Murray and Roger Federer.

Novak Djokovic

Unknown Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Li Na Beat Sharapova 6-2, 6-2 to Reach Australian Open Women Final

EFT Report, Melbourne: 2011 runner-up China’s Li Na thrashed Russian world number two Maria Sharapova 6-2, 6-2 in 1 hour 33 minutes on January 24, 2013 to reach her second Australian Open’s women final.

The 30-year-old Chinese will meet the winner of the second semi-final match between world number one and defending champion Victoria Azarenka of Belarus and American 19-year-old Sloane Stephens, who defeated Serena Williams in the Quarters.

Li Na is the first tennis player from China to win a singles Grand Slam, wining the 2011 French Open title.

Li Na Beat Sharapova 6-2, 6-2

Unknown Saturday, January 19, 2013

Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth Strip on Costa Rica Vacation

EFT Report, Costa Rica: American actress Miley Cyrus and Australian actor Liam Hemsworth went for a pre-wedding vacation to Costa Rica on Jan. 11, just in time to celebrate Hemsworth's 23rd birthday on Jan. 13, 2013.

During their Costa Rica vacation (Jan. 17), Cyrus and Hemsworth strolled down one of the gorgeous beaches and cuddled up to watch the sunset (See the exclusive photos below).

And that's not all. Some of Cyrus' fan sites shared photos of the 20-year-old in her bikini as she took a dip in a secluded river with Hemsworth and friends.

Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth on Costa Rica Vacation

Unknown Saturday, January 19, 2013

Watch Australia vs Sri Lanka, 4th ODI Live Streaming

Watch live video streaming of fourth ODI between Australia and Sri Lanka at Sydney Cricket Ground on Jan. 20, 2013.

Australia Squad:

DA Warner, Phillip Hughes, MJ Clarke, David Hussey, GJ Bailey, MS Wade†, MC Henriques, MG Johnson, MA Starc, CJ McKay, XJ Doherty

Sri Lanka Squad:

DPMD Jayawardene*, TM Dilshan, HDRL Thirimanne, LD Chandimal†, MDKJ Perera, AD Mathews, BMAJ Mendis, NLTC Perera, KMDN Kulasekara, SL Malinga, HMRKB Herath

Unknown Saturday, January 12, 2013

Watch Australia vs Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI Live Streaming on Jan. 13

Watch live streaming of second ODI between Australia and Sri Lanka at Adelaide Oval on Jan. 13, 2013.

Australia Squad:

George Bailey (capt), Aaron Finch, Phillip Hughes, David Hussey, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Brad Haddin, Ben Cutting, Kane Richardson, Clint McKay, Xavier Doherty.

Sri Lanka Squad:

Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kushal Janith Perera, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis

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Unknown Monday, December 31, 2012

Sydney Test Against SL to be Michael Hussey’s Last Test

Australian left-handed batsman, Michael Hussey announces his retirement from international test cricket just weeks after ex-captain Ricky Ponting retired.

The 37-year-old Hussey, at the peak of his powers, made the surprise announcement as Australia prepared for the third Test at Sydney Cricket Ground in a series against Sri Lanka they have already secured by winning the first two matches.

The traditional New Year's Test at Sydney, starting on Jan. 3, 2013 will be Hussey's 79th and last. Hussey is Australia's 12th highest runscorer, despite not making his Test debut until the age of 30.

Derbyshire's Pakistan-born batsman Usman Khawaja is likely to move into the Test squad as a contender to bat at No 5 or No 6 after being on standby for captain Michael Clarke in recent tests.

Unknown Thursday, December 27, 2012

2nd Test: Aus Beat SL by an Innings and 201 Runs (Watch Highlights)

Australia defeated Sri Lanka by an innings and 201 runs to win the second Vodafone Test before tea on Day 3 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Dec. 28, 2012, and seal their three-match series 2–0.

Resuming the third day play on 440/8, Australia were all out on 460. Needing 305 runs to make Australia bat again, Sri Lanka surrendered after adding only 103 in their second innings.

Mitchell Johnson was adjudged the player of the match for his all-round show. He scored an unbeaten 92 and picked up 6 wickets in the whole match.

Unknown Thursday, December 27, 2012

Liz Hurley Posts Topless Picture on Twitter

English model/actress Liz Hurley shared a topless picture of herself on Twitter wearing an animated Santa Claus hat.

Hurley, 47, is seen nibbling her jewelry in the image, which was originally sent to her by a fan and she re-tweeted on her account.

She later even posted images of her with beau Shane Warne, sending out greetings to all her fans.

Unknown Thursday, December 27, 2012

Watch Sri Lanka vs Australia 2nd Test, Day 2 Highlights

Watch the complete highlights of second day of 2nd test between Sri Lanka and Australia highlights on Dec 27, 2012.

Scorecard:

Australia 440/8 (129 overs)
Sri Lanka 156.

Australia lead by 284 runs with 2 wickets remaining in the first innings.

Unknown Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Ricky Ponting to Retire After Perth Test

Australia's greatest run-getter Ricky Ponting will retire after the Perth Test against South Africa.

Ponting said that the Test against South Africa starting in Sydney on Nov. 30, 2012 would be his 168th and the last.

The former captain has obviously given up his stated desire to play in one last Ashes series in England next year looking at his run drought in this series.

He has not made much of an impact in the two Tests in Brisbane and Adelaide.

The Tasmanian has an astonishing record, scoring 13,366 Test runs at an average of 52.21. He is the second highest run scorer behind Sachin Tendulkar.

Unknown Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Australian Government Felicitates Amitabh Bachchan

Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan has been honored by the Australian government for his contribution towards Indian cinema and fructifying the relations between the two countries.

Last year, Amitabh was conferred an honorary doctorate from the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia.

He was also awarded France's highest civilian honor, the Knight of the Legion of Honour, for his exceptional career in the world of cinema and beyond.

Unknown Monday, November 19, 2012

David Beckham to Play Last Game for LA Galaxy on Dec. 1

Football superstar David Beckham will play his last match for LA Galaxy against Houston Dynamo in the league final of MLS Cup on December 1, 2012 amid rumor linking him to a move to Down-Under's A-League (Australia).

The 37-year-old iconic English midfielder was signed by LA Galaxy from Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2007 for a whooping $32.5 million in a 5-year deal. Beckham had agreed to a 2-year contract extension with the Galaxy this January.

Beckham have played 98 matches scoring 18 goals during his 6-year stint with LA Galaxy so far.

Unknown Wednesday, November 07, 2012

Avatar Actor Sam Worthington Arrested

English-born Australian actor Sam Worthington, who found fame for his role as Jake Sully in James Cameron’s Avatar, was arrested after getting into a fight with a bouncer at an Atlanta nightclub in the weekend.

But charges against the 36-year-old star have been dropped after the bouncer failed to appear in court and the actor released.

Sam Worthington is currently filming his new movie ‘Ten’ in Atlanta alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger, he plays a DEA agent in the movie.

Unknown Thursday, October 25, 2012

Russell Crowe to Pay £15.5 Million to Ex-Wife Danielle Spencer

Academy award wining Australian actor Russell Crowe, who is estimated to be worth over £50 million, will be paying former wife of nine years actress/singer Danielle Spencer £15.5 million in their divorce settlement.

The couple Russell Crowe (48) and Danielle Spencer (43) married in 2003 and have two boys from their marriage.

Russell Crowe is currently in New York filming the £80 million biblical epic, Noah, which will be releasing in 2014.

Unknown Monday, October 15, 2012

Sachin Tendulkar to Get Australian Honor

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced that Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar would be conferred with a membership of the Order of Australia for his contribution to the sport.

Gillard said that the "special honor," known as AM, would be conferred by Australian Cabinet Minister Simon Crean when he visits India soon.

The order of Australia is divided into general and military divisions, with the following grades in descending order of seniority:

Knight or Dame of the Order of Australia (AK or AD—Civil division only—Closed to new appointments in 1986); Companion of the Order of Australia (AC); Officer of the Order of Australia (AO); Member of the Order of Australia (AM); and Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

Unknown Monday, October 15, 2012

Russell Crowe Splits From Wife Danielle Spencer

The latest gossip that has set Hollywood tongues wagging is that Academy Award winner actor Russell Crowe has separated from his wife of nine years, Danielle Spencer.

The 48-year-old New Zealand-born actor married Danielle Spencer in 2003 and the couple have two-children.

Crowe is currently filming the biblical epic Noah in the US.

Unknown Thursday, October 11, 2012

Australia Okays Mike Tyson’s Visit

Australia has granted entertainment visa to Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson a week after neighbor New Zealand said ‘No’ to him on the ground that he is a convicted rapist.

The 46-year-old is scheduled to visit five major Australian cities in November for his ‘Day of the Champions’ tour, where he will be giving inspirational talks about overcoming adversity.

Unknown Monday, October 01, 2012

T20 World Cup: Pakistan vs Australia, India vs South Africa on Oct. 2

After being defeated by India in their second Super Eights match, Pakistan is in a critical do or die situation as they will face Australia in their last Super Eight match in World Twenty 20 in Colombo while India will take on South Africa on Oct. 2, 2012.

The Pakistan vs Australia match will begin at 3.30 pm and India vs South Africa at 7.30 pm according to Indian Standard Time.

The fight for the second semi-final slot from Group 2 is indeed intriguing as both India and Pakistan have a fair chance of making their place in the semis, with the Aussies enjoying a healthy run-rate of +1.712.

In case Pakistan (-0.426), who are a shade better than India (-0.452) in terms of net run-rate happen to win against Australia, Dhoni and his men will then have to win comprehensively against the South Africans in order to make it to the last four.

South Africa have lost both their matches in contrasting manners, a close defeat against Pakistan and a comprehensive one against Australia.

Even if South Africa win on Tuesday, it is an unlikely proposition for AB de Villiers's side to seal a semi-final berth as their inferior run-rate (-0.605) at this stage of the tournament makes their case weak.

Unknown Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Australia’s Biggest Cultural Festival ‘Oz Fest’ in India From Oct. 16

Australia will stage its biggest ever cultural festival in India in October, 2012. "Oz Fest" is scheduled to be held from Oct. 16, 2012 to Feb. 5, 2013. The festival would showcase Australian culture through shows and exhibitions in theatre, music, dance, cinema and art in 18 Indian cities with 100 events.

Oz Fest 2012 aims to project contemporary Australia to Indian audiences.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard is scheduled to be present at the festival's opening concert featuring Australian aboriginal singer Gurrumul Yunupingu and Indian classical musician Anoushka Shankar, to be held on Oct. 16 at Delhi’s Purana Qila monument.

The festival will bring into its fold a series of unique 50-over and 20-over cricket matches between Australia's National Indigenous Cricket Team and the members of local cricket clubs in Mumbai and Pune.

Another highlight of the featival is the Melbourne Comedy Festival roadshow. It will feature five comedians and a spot competition to find a new Indian talent from across four cities of Pune, Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.

The festival will also bring to India a snapshot of the Australian contemporary music with live shows by leading bands.

Australian masterchefs Gary Mehigan, George Calombiris, Bill Marchetti and Christine Manfield will cook traditional fare at parallel food festivals and interact with foodies in workshops.

Oz Fest's cultural program will be complemented by business and networking events across four cities, with a focus on innovation, science and technology, mining and resources and food and beverage.

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