Why does Ganguly still want to play ODI’s?

Recently, on the sidelines of the Castrol Awards night, Ganguly has denied rumors of retiring from ODI’s. Typically, the media has endlessly replayed it.
It is perplexing why Ganguly, an intelligent person, keeps hinting at recall to the ODI side, when the whole world knows that he is unwanted. 
The reasons are not far to seek. Ganguly knows that by keeping this topic simmering in public he can use the public outcry at an opportunate moment.
For example, India has lost the last two ODI finals in succession. All it requires is for one more loss, namely against Sri Lanka in the coming ODI’s for the public outcry against the ‘youth only’ policy of the selectors. 
That is enough for the political animals in the BCCI to bring pressure on the selectors to recall him.
However, this does not explain why Ganguly still wants to continue playing in the ODI’s.

Technorati Tags     retirement,Saurav,Ganguly,ODI

Sri Lanka Cricket -Dispute Over Players Contract Resolved.

Image by abhip via Flickr

Finally, the contract dispute which grew to the extent of disrupting India's tour of Sri Lanka, has been settled. According to the SLCA (Sri Lanka Cricketers Association) Secretary, the players are set to sign the contracts next week.

Interestingly, the dispute occurred not over the salaries. Considering the pathetic financial state of the Sri Lanka Cricket (board) the seniors had agreed to renew their contracts without a rise in their salaries.However, the senior's insisted that the junior players should receive at least a 15 % pay rise.

As they were in debt, the Sri Lanka Cricket had initially disagreed on salary rise for the juniors. Now that the Indian cricket tour had wiped away their debts, they have agreed to increasing the junior cricketers salary.Despite this, Sri Lanka's top drawer cricketers are still some of the lowest paid international cricketers.

The other contractual road blocks like ban on contributing to the media (subject to SLC guidelines), ban on allowing players wife's or girlfriends' on tour and a penalty of half their match fee for losing a match were also withdrawn.

The players have also agreed to pay 75% of the domestic competition, which is interesting as their availability is dependent on the International fixtures which is again under the control of SLC.

Technorati Tags Sri,Lanka,Contracts,Cricketers

MCC Challenges ICC Over Oval Test Result

Last week,the ICC officially changed the result of the fourth Test match at the Oval in 2006, won by England after Pakistan forfeited the game, into a draw.

Interestingly one website reported that the International Cricket Council's Cricket Committee headed by Sunil Gavaskar disapproved the proposal and the issue was referred to the ICC's Chief Executives' Committee (CEC). Unable to come to a unanimous decision, the CEC then passed the buck to Executive Board Members, who after deliberation decided to change the result from a forfeiture to a draw.

The PCB chairman, Dr Nasim Ashraf, hailed the decision by the ICC to change the status of the Oval Test from forfeited to draw as a ‘big achievement’. However, this decision was neither hailed or derided by other national cricketing bodies.

Expectedly the decision to change the result to a draw drew the ire of quiet a few cricketers and columnists. Michael Holding was so disgusted, he quit from ICC's Cricket Committee in protest.

Some called the decision a 'dangerous precedent'. Others called it a 'farce' and warned that from now on cricket playing nations would contest each and every unfavorable result. There are others who linked it to horse trading over the Zimbabwe issue.

The ICC was unperturbed by these angry fulminations. They stood by the decision to change the result of the Oval Test to a draw. Fortunately, the MCC has now challenged ICC's decision.

The MCC, the custodians of the Laws of Cricket, says that the ICC's decision "contravenes the spirit of the game as well as the Laws. The club’s world committee is also opposed to any alteration to Law 21, which states that the result should not be changed." They have asked the ICC to review their decision.

Surprisingly, David Morgan the new President of the ICC has also opposed the decision.Though the last word is yet to be spoken, the venerable Wisden's editor, Scyld Berry has remarked, “Wisden will record the ICC’s change of verdict but not endorse it.”

Technorati Tags Test,ICC,Oval,MCC,Wisden

Racism - Cricket Australia advocates mediation over persecution

Cricket Australia has come around to the view in cases of racial vilification, it is better to mediate rather than persecute.

The Harbahajan - Symonds racial row and its fall -out has made Cricket Australia realise directly trying to persecute the offender is not the means to end racism in Cricket. They have come around to the view the offender must be given a chance to rectify his behaviour or atleast prove his innocence.

Those who had followed that unsavory incident may remember that Ricky Pointing had gone straight with his charge to the Match Referee despite Anil Kumble asking him to give him an opportunity to sort it out within themselves.

It is good that saner heads in Australia have realized the value of mediation. If they had thus instructed their hot-headed Captain earlier, one of the most deplorable incidents in the history of cricket would never have happened.

Technorati Tags CA,Racism,Cricket

Pakistan yet to submit list of probables

Uncertainty is Pakistan Cricket's middle name.

All teams competing in the Champions Trophy have to submit their provisional teams by July 11.

However, with uncertainty looming over the inclusion of Shoaib Akthar and Mohammad Asif,PCB is left wringing its hands waiting for the 'go ahead from above'.

Will they get the 'go ahead' on time?





Technorati Tags PCB,ICC,Champions,Trophy

ICC Rankings - India drops to third place.

Such is the closeness of the teams that even one mediocre win causes substantial changes in the ICC Test Championship Table.

India which was placed second have slipped one place to become the third ranked team.

The current update reflects recent form and also the teams performance for the last three years.

Sri Lankan Cricket back stabs BCCI

Sri Lanka has agreed to tour England in May. This tour is in direct conflict with the next edition of IPL.

This means, IPL franchisees who have signed Sri Lankan cricketers like Murali, Jayasuriya,Jayawadene,Sangakara and the latest phenomenon Mendis, have to do with out their services. In effect their non- participation will not only hit the franchisees financially (they will have to go for new recruits) it will also deny them an even chance to win the coveted trophy.

Not only that, Sri Lanka's decision has given a handle to the detractors of BCCI. Already, the English press has concluded Sri Lanka's decision as a indication of shifting equations in the ICC. They view this as a victory for ECB in its battle over BCCI.

One wonders, why Ranatunga, who was pleading with the BCCI to financially bail out Sri Lankan Cricket just last month, has agreed to this tour?

Surely, having got what they wanted (the media right for India's tour of Sri Lanka which saved them from penury), Sri Lanka has back stabbed India and Indian cricket by aligning itself with ECB.

[Back Stabber]

Before lambasting Dhoni for opting out of the India- Sri Lanka Test series, take a look at these stats.

	Mts Played	Mts Missed	Missed%
MS Dhoni	118	6	4.84
Yuvraj Singh	92	32	25.81
R Dravid	86	38	30.65
SR Tendulkar	81	43	34.68
Harbhajan Singh	78	46	37.10
V Sehwag	76	48	38.71
IK Pathan	74	50	40.32
S Sreesanth	61	63	50.81
RP Singh	57	67	54.03
G Gambhir	55	69	55.65
Zaheer Khan	53	71	57.26
SC Ganguly	50	74	59.68

Since January 2006, Dhoni has missed six out of 124 games, which includes 28 Tests,86 ODI's and 10 Twenty20 international. He certainly deserves a break, however, the press would have been more sympathetic if he had opted out of playing the ODI's instead of opting out of the Tests.

Pepsi drops Sachin-Sign of things to come?

Image by RNLJ&C via FlickrThough this bit of news has nothing to do with cricket, it is important in the sense that it may indicate the way in which the wind is blowing.

Pepsi has failed to renew Sachin's contract which expired in May. Remember Sachin has been with Pepsi from way back 1990's.

As Tendulkar is still the most salable cricketer with legions of fans who see him as 'GOD' it is surprising that Pepsi has let him go.

Pepsi has made some oblique reference about how Sachin has become 'unaffordable', however, industry sources believe that Pepsi has dropped him in favour of young guns like Ishant and Rohit Sharma.

This decision is interesting as Pepsi is considered as a weather-cock in identifying current trends. So does this mean that Pepsi feels Tendulkar's retirement is imminent?

Sri Lanka Tour - Dhoni wants out?

Rumours are gathering strength as media's report that Dhoni is all set to pull out of the Sri Lankan Tour.

However, both Dhoni and the BCCI are playing it cute.

BCCI's Niranjan Shah said no such request from Dhoni has been received.

Meanwhile Dhoni has added fuel to fire by refusing to confirm or deny rumours. He has in fact said that everything will be clear in a couple of days.

One wonders whether any negotiations are going on and if so what are they negotiating for?

IPL provides opportunities for match-fixing

Image via Wikipedia

Sir Paul Condon, the head of the International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) says as there is no rankings system for Twenty20 at the international level, and the players don't treat it with as much seriousness, IPL is a soft target for corrupt bookmakers.
The question is , will the players jeopardise their 'payed holiday' by fixing matches?

Dhoni exposes Mendis trickery .

Image by Tywak via FlickrDhoni exposes Mendis trickery tricks.

Undeniably,Dhoni is a very perspective young man.

Here he analyses what makes Mendis tick:

"We play Kumble (Anil) more often it is the fast delivery that tends to come in that is lethal. But if you are playing Mendis most of the time when he flights the ball it is a googly or off spinner," he explained.

"But when he bowls a flatter one, it is generally a leg spinner and when you play inside the line like you play Kumble you will be in trouble," Dhoni said.

Asia Cup Finals - Mendis spins Sri Lanka to victory

Image by ┌└▪ [Ĥ][ż][ã][з] ▪┘┐ via Flickr

India came unstuck in the Asia Cup Final and lost to Sri Lanka by 100 runs. As expected, Ajantha Mendis literally spun a web around the naive Indian batsmen.The extent of Mendis dominance can gauged from his bowling figures of 8-1-13-6, the first six-wicket haul in the Asia Cup history.


In retrospect, Sri Lanka's strategy of resting Mendis in the earlier inconsequential game against India paid off as the India batsmen were clueless and simply floundered.Added to the unfamiliarity of facing him, the pressure of chasing in the finals found India wanting.


India fate was sealed, when they decided to field after winning the toss. It was their first error on the field. However, Dhoni had already committed one earlier by bringing in Uthappa at the expense of a bowler. The second error was sending in Yuvraj at No.3. He was all hands and feet and was cleaned up by Ajantha Mendis. His dismissal set of a fear psychosis and from then on it was just a matter of time before India capitulated.


For all his reputation for freshness and simplicity of approach, Dhoni succumbed to conservatism by packing his side with batsmen and putting his faith in them.Sadly what this defeat will do is to give voice to those clamouring forGanguly's and Dravid's inclusion in the team, which in itself is not a bad thing. Having lost 18 out of 22 finals, Dhoni and Kirsten have a long way to go to dispel the reputation of Indian's as chokers.


From an cricketing perspective, this defeat will add the necessary spice to the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.

Cricket - How do text -messages become public?

Image via Wikipedia

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

Image via Wikipedia

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.