Indore, Nov.19 (ANI): Former Sri Lankan Test player and match referee for the ongoing one-day series between India and England, Roshan Mahanama has let off England pacer Stuart Broad with a warning, after the latter escaped a fine for losing his cool in England's second one-day defeat here. Mahanama summoned Broad after the umpires reported him for "borderline dissent" during Monday's 54-run loss in Indore.

Broad, 22, escaped a fine because Mahanama decided a firm word would suffice. The England star reacted angrily when umpire Russell Tiffin turned down an lbw appeal against Rohit Sharma.

The Sun quoted Mahanama as saying: "As he is a young lad, I felt it best to speak to him and nip it in the bud. We encourage players to work with the umpires and ask them to explain decisions rather than have them react that way." Broad admitted: "It was just a talking to, nothing more than that

Ironically, Broad's dad, Chris, an ex-England opening batsman, is one of the ICC's hardest-line referees.

And, asked what percentage of his match fee dad would have docked, Stuart replied: "Probably the whole lot!" (ANI)

Melbourne, Nov 19 (ANI): All rounder Andrew Symonds will make his first Test appearance against New Zealand in Brisbane from Thursday since he was sent home after the infamous "gone fishing incident".

Symonds, who was sent home by the Australian team management before the one-day series against Bangaldesh in August, will definitely start the first test against New Zealand.

Shane Watson or Jason Krejza, who made an impressive Test debut for Australia against India in Nagpur recently, will be 12th man, Fox Sports reported.

Victoria paceman Peter Siddle has been released from the 13-man squad, and the selection decision regarding the final starting berth, between Watson and Krejza, will be made on Thursday morning.

The pitch is well grassed, and home-town opener Matthew Hayden expects it to be spicy but sunshine on Wednesday had hardened the surface.

The more it rains before Thursday morning's scheduled start it is more likely that Watson will play.

But Australia are also keen to retain Krejza to ensure they maintain their over rate, which was dreadfully slow in the 2-0 series loss in India.

"We'll wait and see what happens this afternoon and tonight. I believe there's a fair bit more rain around that's forecast. We'll finalise (the team) tomorrow morning," Australia captain Ricky Ponting said.

Ponting, who had two long discussions with chief selector Andrew Hilditch at the Gabba on Wednesday morning, admitted it would be an extremely tough call on either all-rounder Watson or off-spinner Krejza to be made 12th man. (ANI)

Sydney, Nov 19 (ANI): Australian skipper Ricky Ponting remains in a tense stand-off with former captains Ian Chappell and Allan Border, following their comments in the aftermath of the controversial fourth Test against India in Nagpur.

Ponting came under fire over his decision to bowl part-timers when Australia might have pushed for victory in Nagpur, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

The Australian captain was facing a possible suspension for his team's slow over-rate and was accused of placing his own interests first in deciding to bowl the part-timers.

At a pre-Test luncheon in Brisbane yesterday, Ponting said he remained upset at the criticism he received, particularly that from Chappell and Border.

"I haven't spoken to either of those two gentlemen or probably won't for a while," he said.

"That's fine, I understand people are going to have opinions on players and my captaincy. A lot of times you totally respect that," he said.

"I don't mind people questioning tactics of mine, but the thing that worried me the most was everyone thinking that people were saying I put myself ahead of the team and interests. I thought that was a bit unfair," Ponting added. (ANI)

Sydney, Nov 19 (ANI): South Africa by recruiting former coach Duncan Fletcher, the architect of England's 2005 Ashes victory, as a consultant for the Proteas' forthcoming tour of Australia is expected to escalate tensions further between two teams.

The series, billed as the battle for Test supremacy, has been tinged with spice from the outset, with opposing coaches Mickey Arthur and Tim Nielsen asserting their teams' credentials for the No.1 ranking and highlighting flaws in each other's armoury.

Fletcher repeatedly riled the Australians three years ago, not least with his use of substitute fielders, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Tempers flared when then-England coach allegedly winked at Ricky Ponting from the Trent Bridge pavilion after the Australian captain was run out by Gary Pratt, a little known reserve fielder who subsequently shot to national prominence.

Fletcher on Tuesday was diplomatic when asked of his new appointment.

The former Zimbabwean captain will travel with the South Africans during their current Test series against Bangladesh, then accompany the team to Perth for 12 days before the first Test at the WACA Ground.

"Australia have had a tough time in India but they have proved before that they can bounce back. They are missing a couple of players but they have proved their class time and again," Fletcher said.

Arthur said Fletcher's record against Australia was a big factor in his recruitment. Arthur has previously declared that his team ready to seize the No.1 Test ranking from Australia, and is capable of inflicting Australia's first home series defeat since the 1992-93 season.

Fletcher could extend his contract for South Africa's Test series against England next year, but for now will concentrate on formulating a gameplan capable of rattling Australia at home. (ANI)