Cricket - How do text -messages become public?

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One of the most enduring mysteries in cricket is how text messages of cricketers end up in public.

First, Shane Warne's racy text-messages were sold to press by a willing bar-maid. Much later he unwittingly sent a text-message meant for his mistress to his wife (a rather common but pardonable mistake). However, his irate wife unhesitatingly made it public.

Some what less interesting but more damaging were Greg Chappell's text message to Raju Bharathan, a senior but largely forgotten sports journalist, drew much adverse publicity. This happened at the height of media's love-hate affair with Chappell and hence was made much off.

With regards to text-message there was a lull in cricket. It did not last long ( Warne's misdirected text message happened during this gap), Sachin's text-message to Pawar at the height of Bhajji-Symonds controversy was leaked. Purportedly, this text-message wanted the BCCI to throw the full weight of its financial might behind Bhajji, set of another round controversy in the cricket world.

Now comes another leaked text-message. This time in New Zealand,the most docile of all cricketing nations. Scott Styris apparently pissed off with a Mark Richardson's column, sent an expletive laden text message, which unerringly found its way to the press. As usual it has started a firestorm in New Zealand.

It is obvious that leaked text-messages are going to be an common affair. What puzzles a bemused cricket fan, is how these supposedly one-on-one text-messages end up in the public domain?

Asia Cup Final - Will Mendis prove decisive

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If you are to go by the writings and comments on Cricket blogs - the Asia Cup finals has been reduced to a contest between Ajantha Mendis and the Indian batsmen.

More than the assorted voices on the world wide web, the result of the match will depend on the mindset of the Indian batsmen. Crucially it depends on how they play him. (The prospect of this battle may well fill up the stadium.)

Historically, Indian batsmen have the reputation of playing spinners skillfully. However, if you analyse, Indian batsmen have played the waiting game with spinners. Particularly, in the ODI's they have ensured that ace spinners like Muralitharan are denied wickets during their spell. To achieve it, they have adopted the no -risk style of batting. Essentially, they just play out the overs unmindful of the run-rate.

This strategy has worked for them in the past. However, it may not work this time around. The current Sri Lankan bowling has the veteran Murali, as dangerous as ever and Mendis. Which means a total of 20 overs have to negotiated without alarms. There is another set of 5 overs which Indian batsmen have to negotiate with care,i.e., the initial spell from Vaas. He is a dangerous customer in the initial overs.

This essentially means that the Indian batsmen have just 25 overs to maximise the score, which in normal circumstances is a comforting share of the game.

The danger then comes from how they play Mendis. Will they play him like they play Murali , (cautious and deny him wickets) or will they go hammer and tongs at him, unmindful of losing wickets and hell bent on establishing their dominance?

Going by Dhoni's mindset, the Indian batsmen will play out Mendis and look to the fourth and the fifth bowler for runs.

Oval Test - Holding protests change in the result

Image by Getty Images via DaylifeWest Indies legend Michael Holding has resigned from the International Cricket Council over their decision to change the result of the controversial 2006 Oval Test between England and Pakistan.

Holding should be commended for making this token gesture.

Holding reasons that though Pakistan was innocent of ball -tampering, their refusal to retake the field should be punished.

Most of us will find no fault in his logic, as ICC by rescinding on its earlier decision to call the match a forfeiture, has opened a Pandora's box. From now on, ICC will be hard put to stop Test playing nations from contesting decisions on controversial Tests.

For starters, can the ICC stop BCCI from demanding that the Sydney Test to be treated as a draw?

ECB positioning itself as BCCI's rival

Image via WikipediaECB is positioning itself as another power centre in the cricketing stakes.
The stand-off between them and the BCCI regarding ICL tainted counties taking part in the Championship League, has left them fuming.
Emboldened by the assurance given by Australia and South Africa(ECB claims they have this assurance),they are threatening to conduct their own version of The Championship League in the Middle East this year.
However, there are three issues that stick out like sore thumbs.
One, Australia and South Africa along with the BCCI have clamped down heavily on ICL league participants.
So it is debatable what these two nations gain from going away from the IPL. If they were to join, it will purely be to spite BCCI, which does not make business sense.
Two, going by the current voting pattern in the ICC, the Asian block is strongly supportive of the BCCI and are doubtful to split and go with the ECB. This may leave the ECB short of teams.
Thirdly, this is the most important issue, is the participation of the English players themselves. If you go by why the players are stalling over signing of the central contracts ( they want the ECB to let them play the IPL tournament in full) and couple it with the reported confusion on sharing Stanford's money, it is unlikely that the players will ignore IPL. Knowing the penchant for the English players to go where there is money, we can be sure they will like to play in the IPL and also in similar ECB tournaments.This will defeat the very purpose of and leave ECB holding its limp member.
Having said that, the BCCI should compromise, because this development indicates that quiet a few ICC members are itching for a showdown and very soon another power centre may emerge.

How do you think the events will pan out?

Are streaker's stressed?

Ever wondered why streakers streak?

Naples- based psychologist Dr. Nilsa Riveria says "exhibitionists, exposing themselves for pleasure is one way they deal with their anxiety. People who are extremely distressed by their social or economic situation may tend to act out more frequently."

Considering the state of the economy all over the world, I wager,there will be an out- break of streakers during SA-England series.

(It is the economy, stupid.)

Players contract for Indian women cricketers?

Cricinfo's Jenny Roester speculates that BCCI might put the Indian women cricketers under players contract.

If her speculation comes true, women cricketers in India can expect a windfall.

For example Cricket Australia has announced a contribution of $ 500,00 for the team members.

According to the CA, the scheme includes the following components:

• Tiered contracts for members of the Australian women's squad;
• Additional tour fees/reimbursements;
• Ambassador grants
• Educational support.

CA announcement follows ECB's announcement three months earlier which said that English women cricketers will receive coaching contracts where they will work as coaches in schools and clubs in their respective areas.

Lets hope the BCCI outstrips both ECB and CA and compensate our women cricketers generously.

Asia Cup- India beat Sri Lankaand eliminate Pakistan

By winning their match against Sri Lanka yesterday, India booked its berth for the final and in the bargain nullified Pakistan's hopes of making it to the final.

By resting Vaas and Mendis, Sri Lanka in a way helped India qualify. Anyway, as India meets Sri Lanka in the final, there is an opportunity to see how the Indian batsmen handle Mendis. It would be battle worth watching.

Coming back to yesterday's match, Sehwag and Gambhir set up a feverish pace which faltered with the dismissal of Sehwag. Though Gambhir continued scoring at a rapid pace, both Raina and Dhoni, made the chase appear tough.

Wonder how the match would have progressed if Yuvraj had been sent at No.3?

IPL Bids for English Players

The news that Pietersen has been signed up by an IPL franchisee(Mumbai Indians) is old hat. Now Flintoff is finalising a contract with Shah Rukh Khana's Knight Riders.Paul Collingwood,Owais Shah,Stuart Broad and Ravi Bopra are expected to join the IPL bandwagon shortly.

Here are their bid values.

Pietersen and Flintoff $ 1.5 million each per year.

Paul Collingwood, Owais Shah,Stuart Broad and Ravi Bopra have been seduced with bids in the region of $300,00/ each per year.

Asia Cup - Pakistan thrash India

India is under the spell of Pakistan again. They have relapsed and gone back to their old habit of losing to Pakistan consistently.As usual,Younis Khan, India's nemesis, had a big hand in the game. He played a masterly innings and batted India out of the game.
The things that stood out during this ODI.

• India's inability to take on the bowling after the initial onslaught. Dhoni appears to be following the strategy of playing out 45 overs and launching an onslaught later. Sadly, it backfired. ( He tried the same in the Tri-series finals and came a cropper.)
• What was the significance of Younis Khan's push - ups? Wonder if it his way of showing that unlike Shoaib he is no wimp or was he indicating that he is 'fit' for Captaincy?
• Younis Khan finally hit an ODI century in Pakistan. It is unbelievable that he never scored one all these years.
• It is becoming obvious that beginner's luck has deserted Dhoni.
  

Technorati Tags     India,Asia,Pakistan,Cup,Cricket

ICC accepts Oval Test is a draw

The blot against Pakistan cricket's name has been removed.

In a moral victory for Pakistan cricket, the ICC has agreed in principle to convert the result of the 2006's controversial Oval Test between England and Pakistan into a draw from a forfeited win for Michael Vaughan's men.

The question uppermost in my mind - Will Pakistan vote for Zimbabwe's expulsion?

Technorati Tags     Test,Pakistan,ICC,Oval,Result,draw

Racism in cricket reporting

Just Check out this article in The Guardian and you will understand what I mean.

I quote two paragraphs to highlight how the article reeks of racism.

The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort, the latest five-star hotel on Dubai's crane-strewn skyline, offers numerous quiet corners for the private discussions that have taken place before the two-day annual meeting. The Paradise Orchids being displayed around the capacious lobby, however, as Mali spoke optimistically of unity, probably overstated the case.

Just note the the phrase I have highlighted above. Now here is the next quote (both are from the same article).

The mass of India's delegates, including the agriculture minister Sharad Pawar, only arrived last night after the Asia Cup final – and the horse trading soon began, appropriately enough on the ranch of an Emirates Sheikh. India's priorities are in different areas.

Contrast the phrases I have highlighted above with the one earlier.

When the Western world negotiate, it is through "private discussions"and when India does the same, it is "horse trading".

The word 'mass' is also needless, it is used to imply that the Indian delegation is uneducated, crass and cheap.

Don't you agree this is racism of the first order and should be roundly denounced as such.

Technorati Tags: Cricket, Press, racism

Lawson on the way out?

The media is increasingly speculating on Lawson's continuance as Pakistan's coach. If one were to believe the Pakistan press, then, PCB has already given Lawson the ultimatum that he would be sacked if Pakistan fails to enter the finals.

Conveniently everyone seem to have forgotten that under Lawson, Pakistan won the Tri-series last week.

Granted, public memory is short - but this is amazing.

Technorati Tags: PCB, Cricket, Lawson

ODI's - India record show more wins than losses

For the first time India's has won more one day matches than what it has lost.

Here are the facts:

India's record in One-Day Internationals after the Bangladesh match reads as follows:

Played	Won	Lost	No Result/Tied	Won%
688	328	327	30/3	47.67

Can we attribute it to our success against the minnows?
Technorati Tags: ODI, Record, India

WTF? In the Name of Cricket- the Best Sports Blog of all time?

Hey Ottayana,

This is Alpesh from linq.in and I loved your blog as i am also a big cricket fan and I would like to inform you that your blog has got the following awards.

1.Best Sports Blog of all time.
2.Best Sports Blog of week on 2008-06-29.

Check it out here Awards

Linq tracks posts from Indian blogs and lists them in order of recent interest. We offer syndication opportunities and many tools for bloggers to use in there web sites such as the widget below:

Linq awards

By adding this widget you would be able to know the Weekly Statistics of your blog and the various details such as Rank,Votes and the Awards you get from Linq.

Alpesh
www.linq.in

This is a copy of the email saying In the Name of Cricket is the best sports blog of all time.

I do not want to sound ungrateful, but can any of you throw light on how this 'honor' came about?

Oval Test result to be annulled?

In a way the Oval Test match is a blot on both ICC and the PCB. The pigheadedness of Hair and a Inzamam's futile attempt to defend Pakistan's reputation resulted in the first and as yet only forfeiture in the annals of Test Cricket.

No wonder the PCB is keen to see the decision reversed. With the help of ECB it is hoping to annul or change the result to a draw or an abandoned match.

Whatever be the unfairness of the the earlier decision, is it right to change and set a precedent?

IPL- Robin Singh out,Darren Lehmann in

 

Despite having some of the biggest name in ODI cricket in their team, Deccan Chargers failed to make an impression in the inaugural IPL tournamnet.

Deccan Chargers believe their fortune will change once they sign up Darren Lehman as their coach.

 

 

 

Technorati Tags     IPL,Deccan,Chargers,Coach

Is there a rift between Dhoni and Sehwag?

I remember the media reporting  a rift between Dhoni and Sehwag during the CB series.

Now here is another speculative report.

A television channel had reported that there was a rift between skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and senior batsman Virender Sehwag following the Delhi batsman's exclusion from the team in the last match against Bangladesh.

One thing in common in the two reports is the timing. Whenever Sehwag is 'rested', the speculation starts.

If I remember correctly, in an earlier tour, there were speculative reports that Sehwag, who was having a patchy form, wanted to play down the order and Dhoni disagreed. Then too speculation of a rift was rife.

As these reports consistently talk of a rift, I assume they are fanned by interested parties.

Relatedly it makes me wonder why Sehwag receives bad press?

Technorati Tags     Indian,cricket,Sehwag,Dhoni

PCB- Malik in conflict?

 

Shoaib Malik made explosive remarks during the post match press conference. Observers feel the after effects of the statement will take a long time to subside. On being asked uncomfortable questions regarding the team composition Malik said,

"I have to play with the team that the selectors provide," He was immediately set upon by the journalists, who shot back: "Do you mean the selectors don't take your view into consideration? Do you have a say at all?" To this, Malik replied: "I give my views, but the selectors take the final decision."

Hmm... is Malik finally showing some spine or do we consider it as a Freudian slip?

Technorati Tags     Selection,Pakistan,Cricket,PCB

Indian Cricket is a money spinner

                            

Indeed, Indian Cricket is a money spinner. It not only makes money for itself, it generates money for other countries too.

 

"Sri Lanka Cricket is pleased to inform that all financial liabilities with banks, including pending overdrafts over Rs.600 million, have been settled on the 20th of June 2008 with payments received from the sale of TV rights for the upcoming Indian Tour of Sri Lanka."

 

If an Indian cricket tour helps Sri Lanka Cricket board wipe out its financial liabilities, imagine how much cricket boards like the CA  or the ECB profit from an Indian Tour.

 

No wonder they bend over backwards.

Technorati Tags     power,Indian,Financial,BCCI,cricket,hous

South Africa yet to win a Test series in England

This is indeed surprising.

 

South Africa has never a won a Test series  in England since 1991, i.e., since their readmission to International Cricket.

 

By now, a good Test side like South Africa with their tactics of wearing out their opposition should have won a Test series in England.

 

So, how do we account this statistical anomaly?

 

Should we credit England as a far better side or should we discredit South Africa for letting go of opportunities?

A run out which caused a crowd invasion

Grant Elliott's controversial run out reminded me of one other run - out which caused a crowd invasion.

I am not sure whether it was at Karachi or at Lahore, India were playing Pakistan when at the fall of a wicket Javed Miandad walked in to join a well-set Wasim Raja.

Mind you, Wasim Raja was making a come back of sorts and was in great touch, when the unthinkable happened.

Miandad called Wasim for a run and then scampered back to his crease leaving Wasim stranded mid-pitch.

For once, the Indian fielding was quick on its feet and Wasim was run-out.

What happened later was scary. First there was a huge hiss from the stands then followed by a roar. The crowd just decimated the pickets and went for Miandad.

Miandad, the Indian team, umpires et all ran for their lives.

 

P.S. I watched this on TV. Unfortunately, do not remember which India -Pakistan series this happened. Can someone help?

Technorati Tags     crowd,out,run,Pakistan,invasion

Is Collingwood an unsuitable Captain?

Just when you thought England had a Captain who is refreshingly different, we have the English press going to town questioning his abilities.

Granted, what Collingwood did was wrong, but he had the grace to admit it.

How does a graceless act, committed in the heat of the moment, reflect on his Captaincy?

Come on, an England Captain is human after all.

World Cup '83 - My favorite moment

I am ashamed to admit that I expected India to lose and switched off the Telly and slept.

That makes my memory of the World Cup '83 some what suspect.

However, I did watch India bat. and hence can truthfully say that Srikkanth's cover drive of Andy Roberts - he went on his knees to a good length ball, as my most cherished moment.

 

There is one other moment I cherish, that is Dujon playing on to Mohinder. Even today, when ever I watch the highlights, I get the feeling, until then the West Indies were cock-sure of winning the finals.

 

BTW, any of you remember the ODI series that followed ?

If I am not mistaken they walloped us 5-0 (or was it 6-0).

To put it mildly, the WI's annihilated us.

Why do some cricketers revel in their home ground, while others struggle?

Normally, you expect an accomplished cricketer to revel in his home ground/country.
However, there are honorable exceptions.
Why do some cricketers revel in their home ground, while others take long to leave an imprint?

How unintentional are 'beamers'?

Lee and Sreesanth seem to specialize in them and between them; Sreesanth’s beamers are viewed with more suspicion.
However, a new entrant, Yasir Arafat takes the cake. He bowled two beamers, supposedly accidental, in the space of three balls during Kent’s T20 clash with Essex last week and earned three penalty points for his pains.
It makes one wonder, whether there is anything unintentional about beamers.

IPL may save Gibbs from bankruptcy

To all those who wonder at what these fat cat cricketers do with IPL money, check this out.

Herschelle Gibbs' wife has asked for a hefty maintenance cost during their divorce proceedings Reportedly, Gibbs IPL earnings may yet save him from bankruptcy.

No wonder, cricketers favor IPL. 

Innovations in cricket

Recently a section of the media (who else but the English media) declared Pietersen's 'switch hitting' as a pioneering moment in the game.

These claims coming from a besotted English press has been ably challenged by others.

Leaving Pietersen's debatable pioneering moment aside, I consider the employment of covers to protect the pitch from the elements as a pioneering moment.

Until then, the state of the pitch was a major factor in the game. As the match wore on, the exposed pitch used to exhibit contrasting behavior. There were marked differences in its behavior during the morning and the late afternoon session and a huge difference between the first days play and the finals days play.

The employment of the cover killed this unpredictability and tilted what was a tussle between the bat, ball and the elements into a uni-dimensional batsman's game.

It is certainly not a desired change, but a pioneering moment nevertheless.

 

Related Read: Lawrence Booth list six inventions that changed the game of cricket.

Technorati Tags     Innovations,Cricket,switch-hitting

Referrals, third umpire will pique spectator interest

The argument against referrals and third umpires is that it tends to slow down the game and hence kills spectators interest.

However Manjrekar, holds the view that whenever a third umpire is brought into the picture there is enhanced interest among viewers at the ground and in front of the TV. 

"The spectator interest rises whenever a decision is referred to the third umpire. Yes, there could be some slowing down of the proceedings, but I feel the bigger culprit is the dismal over-rates maintained by teams which slows down the game a lot," said the 42-year-old former India Test and ODI middle order batsman.

Personally, I find them enthralling. Particularly, when the decision is critical and has the potential to change the course of the match.Then, the 'decision pending' card on the big screen holds as much interest as the last ball of an ODI or a Twenty20. 

On the flip side,the constant replays required for an obvious decision tends to irritate.

I expect waiting for the referral decision to be as enthralling as the third umpire decisions.

How do you find the third umpire decisions? Do you think they are a impediment to the speed of the game or do they add drama? 

Technorati Tags     third,referrals,umpire

Cricket and Television hand in hand for 70 years.

An article 70 years of Televised Cricket in The Herald takes us back to BBC's early attempts at televising a Test match.

The article is interesting as it brings out how cricket and television broadcasting has evolved hand in hand.

BTW,the first Test match to be relayed in Chennai was the West Indies tour of India (1974-1975).

G.R.Vishwanath scored a unbeaten 97 not out out of a total of 190, an innings The Wisden 100 lists as the 38th best innings of all time.

Mind you he scored the bulk of his runs with tail-enders at the other end. The tail-enders included Prassana and Chandrasekhar both renowned for their lame- duck batting.

The way Vishy, as he is called, handled the bowling, invariably scoring in boundaries and then taking a run of the last ball is a lesson for any batsmen to imbibe.

Cruelly, he was denied a century as Chandrasekhar got out to the last ball of the over, (the only ball he faced in that over).

In a way it set of my addiction to watching cricket on Television.

 

 

                  

Technorati Tags     television,Chennai,cricket,broadcast

ECB, Stanford and ICL - A rival Twenty20 Champions league?

One of our regulars, RS has left an interesting comment.

Owing to BCCI's intransigence over ICL, she feels ECB,Stanford and ICL will join together to form a rival Champions league. Here it is in her own words:

"Also looks like ECB may not be able to participate due to ICL issue. Maybe
ECB/Stanford and ICL should join hands and have another champions league to
counter this."

There is a strong possibility of it happening as Stanford is aiming to divide the cricketing establishment and this is a heaven sent opportunity.

As the BCCI is openly against county's having ICL players, this presents a way for the ECB to keep its flock together.

The same thing can be said for ICL. The reality is no Indian player will willingly associate himself with ICL henceforth and the success of the IPL has driven them out of India.

What do you think about the viability of this league?

Champions League-Hayden, Hussey to play for Chennai Super Kings

Matthew Hayden and Michael Hussey, Australia's key batsmen, will miss the pre-Test series practice match and play for Chennai Super Kings, their Indian Premier League team, in the Champions League.
This surely boosts Chennai Super Kings chance of winning the inaugural Twenty20 Champions League.

Match Fixing in Cricket- Hard to believe Indian Police duped Hansie Cronje

An hour-long BBC documentary on Hansie Cronje titled 'The Captain and the Bookmaker' has some interesting revelations.

Those interviewed consider him to be an cynical manipulator of his team mates and also as a swindler.

However, the most interesting part of the documentary was an admission by Marlon Aronstam, who, according to the news report is a 'corrupt professional gambler, that the Indian Police outsmarted Hansie.

"Corrupt professional gambler Marlon Aronstam said he had advised Hansie to remain silent and not to admit that he was involved in match-fixing.

"That was the biggest mistake that he made."

Aronstam said he still believed today that Indian recordings of conversations between Hansie and professional gamblers did not exist.

"The Indian police played poker with Hansie and he folded first."

Personally I feel, Hansie was done in by his own ego. He wanted to prove how smart he was and that accounted for his admission.

Technorati Tags Match,fixing,Hansie,Cronje

Five simple and effective methods to counter switch- hitting

Giles Smith lists five simple but effective ways to react if some self-adoring, publicity-hungry smart-arse attempts at switch-hitting.

1 Aim for his head

Whether he takes a left-hand or right-hand stance, the batsman's head will be in roughly the same place, give or take a few inches, and definitely at the same height.

2 Increase the sledging

This almost goes without saying, but anyone who thinks your bowling is something he can mess with on his weaker side is clearly in need of a good talking-to.

3 Use rotten fruit

The old garden favourite whereby, unbeknown to the batsman, the bowler conceals a second missile in his hand and then, to the batsman's surprise and alarm, bowls not the ball but (for example) a wasp-destroyed windfall.

4 Break out the jellybeans

Dropping obscurely suggestive items of confectionery near the crease may be just the ticket when it comes to destabilising the wannabe switch-hitter, at least if you time it correctly and choose the right colour jellybean.

5 Bowler-on-bowler action

Two balls, two bowlers, one coming in from each end simultaneously. Double the action, double the fun, with collisions, run-outs, concussions - total Rollerball-style, hand-to-hand mayhem, and with the added value of getting the statutory overs bowled in half the time.

 

I suggest rotten eggs instead of rotten fruit, it leaves a smell that should remind a switch-hitter to desist in the future.

Technorati Tags     Pietersen,switch-hitting

Steyn speaks the truth, but admits he is an idiot

Which is as it should be. 

Having his commitment questioned for labeling IPL a paid holiday, Steyn realises quickly that he is foolhardy to prick the revolution (IPL) taking place in cricket. 

As George Orwell said, " Speaking the Truth in times of universal deceit is a revolutionary act" and as his back-tracking suggests Steyn is no revolutionary. 

However, Steyn spoke the truth. IPL is a paid holiday for a cricketer like Steyn, who is in prime form and a pension fund for spent forces like Pollack. 

Isn't that the truth?

 

Technorati Tags     IPL,Steyn

Referrals,Sanctity of the Umpires and other related bull

As expected the decision to let players refer decisions to the third umpire has brought the old chestnut 'sanctity of the umpires' out again.

Pray, what is this 'umpire must be respected' and the rest of the hogwash'?

An umpire is "an official who supervises play and enforces the rules of the game in some sports, e.g. cricket and baseball" and in the nascent days,an umpire was a supposedly impartial bystander drafted to do the job.

An umpire is a supervisor- thats it, he is not God. So treating them as persons beyond pale is unwarranted. Lets treat them as humans and consider innovations as aids to help them discharge their duties better. 

Similarly, it is time to stop thinking of 'referrals' as a device to belittle them. It will serve to enhance their standing. 

Consider this, when an umpire makes an error, which is obvious to others, he loses respect (Steve Bucknor is an example.) Furthermore, it is important to give the right decision and by 'referral' an umpire is doing just that, he is putting the game above the individual and showing himself to be beyond petty ego.

By signaling a 'referral', an umpire shows himself as human and capable of correcting his error. It will make the umpiring trade less pompous and humane and probably shatter the image of umpires having their own agendas.

Surely you will agree " The best umpired game is the game in which the fans cannot recall the umpires who worked it."

Technorati Tags     Cricket,Umpire,Referral

Mohammad Asif Discharged

Mohammad Asif, in detention in Dubai since June 1 for carrying contraband drugs, has been discharged and will be deported to Pakistan at the earliest, according to Public Prosecutor Mohammad Al Nuaimi.

Can someone tell me what this was all about?

Why was he detained and then released?

I ask this question because a statement said that the drug found on him was insignificant in quantity to warrant a punishment.

Which begs the question, didn't they know that the quantity was insignificant when they arrested him?

Either the quantity had conveniently diminished over the days or some one had used the opportunity teach him a lesson.

Most probably, Asif must have snubbed the underworld either in Pakistan or in Dubai and they took it upon themselves to teach him a lesson.

Now that he has been discharged it will be interesting to watch how PCB wriggles out of its high sounding statements of zero tolerance to drugs.

Dickie Bird clueless on switch-hitting

The venerable umpire appears clueless on how to consider Pietersen's switch-hitting antics.

 

'The shot will create a lot of problems. How do you deal with lbws and wides? Do you treat the batsman as right-hander or a left-hander?' the legendary umpire was quoted as saying in the Daily Telegraph.

Sree loses cool over AC, should BCCI take notice?

The BCCI has sent a notice asking Sreesanth to explain the altercation he had with a city hotel.

 

The BCCI is clearly exceeding its brief.

 

For, why should it be bothered with what Sreesanth does in his personal time?

 

Return 'gifts and memorabilia' - Kapil

The BCCI and its lackey PCA seem bent on erasing every trace of their association with Kapil Dev and in return, he is not making it easy either.

 

Kapil has shot of a letter asking the PCA to return all the 'gifts and memorabilia' given by him. Kapil states that he fears they will fall into disrepair.

 

Outwardly, both profess logical reasons behind their move, but it is hard for a cricket fan to digest this petty tit-for-tat responses.

 

It is high time the BCCI realizes that they cannot erase Kapil and his cricketing deeds by merely pulling down his poster or by junking his memorabilia,

 

Similarly, Kapil can also smooth the interactions by not running to the press or the courts with his complaints.

Is Pietersen’s switch-hitting an pioneering event?

This article compares his switch-hitting to many other sports pioneering moments.

Interestingly it considers Muralitharan's Doosra as another.

Which brings us to the similarities between the doosra and switch- hitting.

• Both have dubious origins.
• Doosra and switch-hitting have divided cricket followers.
• Their legality is debatable.
• The Doosra survives as the ICC 'bend' its rules.
• Similarly, switch-hitting needs ICC 'helping hand' to gain respectability.

Are there more similarities?

Technorati Tags doosra,switch-hitting

Pietersen and the legality of switch hitting

Holding has this to say about it.

 

"Bowlers have to say which hand they are bowling with, so I don't see why batsmen should be allowed to change from right-handers to left-handers at a whim."

 

I am in agreement, even if it is for a ball, a batsmen has to declare his intentions in advance.

 

Your opinion?

Technorati Tags     Pietersen,switch-hitting,legality

Cricket in Toronto - BCCI misses an opportunity

PCB has put one over the BCCI. After weeks of effort, the Pakistan Cricket Board has finally managed to rope in sponsors for a Twenty20 tri-series against West Indies and Bangladesh in Canada from August 13 to 16.   A PCB official said the Twenty20 tournament was being organised to exploit the growing popularity of the new form of the game particularly since it was the best way to woo fans in North America.   How did the BCCI miss this money making opportunity?

Technorati Tags     Toronto,PCB,BCCI

When you attack too much, runs begin to flow

Summing up the just concluded West-Indies - Australia Test series Ricky Ponting makes an unusual statement.

 

It's the style of play more than anything else. You have to accept that the game may go into the fifth day and you have to be patient. You have to grind an innings out, or in the middle of a bowling spell, not try to attack too much.

 

"When you attack too much, runs begin to flow, and the batting team gets momentum in the game, and it starts slipping away from you.

 

This statement contradicts a common cricketing wisdom that "attack is the best form of defense".

 

So what does Ponting mean?

 

Most probably, Ponting has used the word 'attack' to mean 'experimentation'. In essence he is saying that during a Test match there will be one or more passages of play where the bowling team should just stick to the basics.

 

Bowl a line and length, deny boundary scoring opportunities and field sharply. Then the pressure will mount on the batsmen and they will try to be innovative and take risks. This will provide the bowling team the opportunity to dismiss them.

 

 

Technorati Tags     Ponting,Cricket

Umpires decision review appeals to mimick Billy Bowden

India's test cricket tour of Sri-Lanka starting next month will see players appealing against an umpire's decision for the first time.

However, how will a player signal an appeal?

"For reviews concerning potential dismissals, the player should then indicate 'out' by raising his finger above his head or indicate 'not out' by crossing his hands in a horizontal position side-to-side in front and above his waist three times. "

The ICC appears to have taken a easy way out and modified Billy Bowden's antics.

Technorati Tags review,trial,Umpire

Allan Border's baggy green up for auction

ONE of Australia's most famous baggy green cricket caps is up for auction. As Auctioneer Charles Leski admits, "baggy greens are iconic and rarely offered for public sale."
Wonder whether Allan Border is selling it to pay his bills.

Stanford Twenty20- Why is the ECB willing to kiss his behind?

Ever wondered why Stanford is throwing good money after the bad?

"Stanford is clearly not an idiot: he's paying massively over the odds for something in the short-term, which means he must have big plans for getting his dough back, and then some, in the longer term. How this will come to pass is as yet unclear, but it looks pretty much that the ECB will be doing whatever it is that he wants them to do."

Forget Stanford for a minute, ever wondered why ECB is eager to kiss his behind?

Can we put it down to racism?

Technorati Tags: ECB, Stanford, Twenty20

Tri-series- Indo-Pak final- Dhoni left it too late

Dhoni left it too late.

He should have taken the attack, or tried to take the attack by the scruff of its neck much earlier.

By delaying, he reduced the possibility of success and increased the probability of failure.

Having said that Pakistan virtually batted India out of the match.

What do you think?

Championship League- any Pakistan team playing?

Pakistan's non- participation is one of the intriguing aspects surrounding the Twenty20 Championship league.

With a well established Twenty20 league of its own, one would expected their finalists to be a part of the Championship league. However, there was no mention of a Pakistan Twenty20 team playing in it.

Now to add more confusion," Nasim Ashraf, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday claimed that one team from Pakistan would also be seen in action at the $5 million Champions League".

Is this an attempt by the PCB to force the issue or did the organisers of the Championship league have a change of heart?

[Caption]

Indo -Pak Cricket- most dreaded superstition.

Indian Express lists some of the superstitions that surrounds an India - Pakistan Cricket Match.

Indo-Pak cricket in the ‘80s and ‘90s was full of superstition — like playing a Friday final meant Pakistan’s win was a given, while a Saturday schedule suited the Indians. The Indians were supposed to be gentle souls, firmly vegetarian — though there wasn’t a formal veg/non-veg head-count taken, and nor was there a science-paper published linking not eating meat to not being mean. But, they generally ended losers. Pakistan, on the other hand, were boisterous, ate everything, had factions in their team and more captains than one could count. But they always won.

To me Miandad was my superstition. If that man was fit and playing it meant a Pakistan victory. I always equated an Indian win with getting rid of Miandad cheaply.

Do you have any superstition? Which one did you dread most?




Technorati Tags India,Pakistan,Cricket