Kapil Devs warped logic

Kapil returned to his favourite hobby of tilting at the BCCI. While, there is merit to some of his statements what he says about the Indian legends is laughable. 
Kapil argues, “The BCCI administration had become "very smart" and only wanted "yes men" in their team“. That is why despite producing many legends in the world cricket; India is still searching in alien lands for someone suitable for the job of a coach of our national cricket team."  
It is evident that Kapil suffers from warped logic. As most Indian legends are ‘yes’ men and if as he says BCCI prefers ‘yes’ men, where is the need for to appoint a foreign coach.  
It will become further evident; when we remember that other than Bangladesh, Kenya and assorted associate countries, none of the major cricketing associations/board has offered leave alone considered these legends as a coach.  
This fact is sad reflection on the coaching credentials of these ‘yes’ men. While they may be great cricketers, none of them can don the role of a coach.  
The stark truth is that the BCCI has taken the step of appointing foreign coaches to get rid of these ‘yes’ men.

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(Pic uploaded by Mark Witton)

Technorati Tags     Dev,Dev,BCCI,Coach,Kapil

Has Shoaib Akthar delayed paying fine to avoid dope Test?

It is a well-known fact that Shoaib Akthar’s absence during the training camp for the ICC Champions Trophy is due to his delay in paying the fine.

Similarly, persistent rumors of drug abuse and hard living have always trailed him.

In this context, the news that the ICC’s anti-doping squad has begun dope testing of Pakistan’s 30-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy is intriguing.

Has Shoaib Akthar deliberately delayed paying the fine in order to escape this drug test? 

Updated on 21/7/08

Just learnt that Shoaib Akthar was one of the 26 who submitted to the dope test. (Thanks Q)

 

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 (Pic.coutesy zombizi)

Technorati Tags     Test,PCB,ICC,Shoaib,Akthar,Dope

Indian cricket’s enigmatic Dinesh Kaarthick

Once considered India’s future Captain, first choice wicket- keeper and opening batsmen, Kaarthick’s relegation to the fringes of the Indian team is enigmatic.
It is enigmatic in the sense that after the high of the overseas tour of England, where he had the best batting average, Kaarthick simply lost his game in India: a place where most Indian batsmen regain their form.
Not only did he lose his opening slot to his friend Wasim Jaffer, he also lost his place in the team as a wicket keeper due to poor batting form.
It would be simplistic to attribute Kaarthick’s fall to the emergence of Dhoni. The cause lies elsewhere. One can count his marriage as the primary cause, because for some, marriage, that too after a long courtship, provides a satisfying sense of achievement that they lose their edge and hunger for success.
One hopes that he rids himself of complacency and forges forward in his career.
(Pic. uploaded by antiapathy)

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Technorati Tags     India,Cricket,Dinesh,Kaarthick

In pursuit of Mother Cricket

SOUTH African coach Mickey Arthur said England captain Michael Vaughan had got what he deserved from "Mother Cricket". But then who is she, I wondered? Is she Shane Warne's mother or Yuvraj's mother?
No answers were forthcoming, so I set out in pursuit of mother cricket and this is a description of my journey in pursuit of the mother of cricket.

To begin with, I thought Mickey Arthur was making a religious reference.So my first stop was the neighborhood library.A quick check turned up no mother cricket. None, I say, none of the religious texts mentioned her.

It is then I remembered,Ravi Shastri talking of a 'fat lady who sings'. Well, according to him a cricket match was a sort of musical chairs, and the winner was decided as and when she stopped singing.So Mother cricket was neither a mythical or a religious persona, she was flesh and blood and undoubtedly, she could sing. Nevertheless, I could find no trace of this Lady. Ravi Shastri later admitted that he had never seen her and worse, had only a passing acquaintance with her songs. He suggested I quiz cricketers, who according to him, talked a lot of a Lady Luck.

Aha! I thought, the fat lady must have morphed into this sylph like Lady Luck. As you must have guessed this line of research was also fruitless. Though the cricketers attributed their success and failures to her, they swore to have never seen her.

Fortunately, that when I thought of the Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians. Surely, if cricket had a mother they would have surely noted how many times, when and where she had been sighted. Well to cut the long story short they indeed knew her intimately. According to them "the M.C.C., is the mother of cricket" and the last any one had seen her was during the year 1882.

(Pic. credit:salihan)

Technorati Tags of,Arthur,Mickey,Cricket,Mother,Vaughan

Controversial catches enliven the first day of the Headingley Test

After a tepid test match at Lord's, the Test match at Headingley is off to a fiery start.
For the second time in succession South Africa won the toss and put England in to bat.
Contrary to what happened during the first day at Lord's,England lost wickets at regular intervals. The openers, put on a 26 runs before Bowden terminated the partnership with an appalling decision.
Vaughan's dismal form continued. He made a 7 ball duck and for once was caught off Steyn.Surely, Vaughan needs to come up with something extraordinary to silence the rising tide of criticism.
From then on, every 7 th or 8 th over, England lost wickets. Pietersen and Bell flattered to deceive and Flintoff made a hash of his comeback innings by playing, what the commentators call a 'reckless' shot. The 53rd over brought the innings to a close.England score a measly 203 runs.
In reply, South Africa were of to brisk start. The openers put on a 50 run partnership.McKenzie was first to go and Smith followed quickly after making 44.Kallis is struggling and made just 4 runs.Amla and Prince then managed to see out the day with out further alarums and South Africa were 101 at the end of the days play.

The talking points of the day:

Two contested catches.

• Strauss was ruled not out after replays indicated that AB de Villiers had indeed dropped the catch. Was Villiers playing 'hard' or did he genuinely think he held the catch?
• The second controversial catch was the one taken by Vaughan. The replays were inconclusive, yet Amla was reprived. However, the decision to refer it to the third umpire has become controversial as the South African support staff had a hand in pressurising the umpire.

• (Pic credit:Porsupah)
  

Technorati Tags Test,Africa,England-South

The Shoaib - PCB stand-off continues.

Though named in the probables list, Shoaib Akthar finds himself ignored in the shortlist of 24.

The reason - PCB wants him to pay-up his fine of 7 million rupees, whereas Shoaib is looking for succor from Lahore High Court.

The PCB has shown no rancor and selected him, so why is he reluctant to pay up?

If he is interested in playing for Pakistan, he should at least make an attempt to meet the PCB half way.

Asif still gets his monthly retainer

This is one of the few instances I wish I was a cricketer, particularly an International cricketer.

For I do not know, where else, you can be caught and suspended for drug abuse and still get paid by your employer.

Although the PCB has suspended Asif from all cricketing activities but
he will continue to get his monthly retainer from his central 'A'
category contract which is around Rs 250,000 per month.

Sheesh!

Mendis 'sixth' delivery

For a new comer, Mendis, sure knows how to work on a batsman's mind.

In a statement reminiscent of Shane Warne, he claims he is now working on a 'sixth' delivery.

"I am new to this game (Tests). I have five different deliveries and am working on the sixth,"

Which brings me to the question of the day.

Does Mendis have five different types of delivery or does he have five different grips?

ECBs EPL is an all whites affair.

ECB's version of IPL, unimaginatively called EPL, is an all-white affair. There are no teams from India, West Indies, Sri Lanka or Pakistan.
"A new English Premier League (is) to be played in June from 2010, involving all 18 first-class counties plus two teams from overseas, possibly South Africa and Australia."

Surely, this is carrying the white man's burden too far.

(Pic credit: eriblbalta)

Technorati Tags     ECB,EPL,Racists

India-Sri Lanka Test Series - Vaas is a major threat

Harbhajan has gone on record that Murali is a far greater threat than Mendis.
While I agree that Murali could pose a lot more questions than Mendis, it is Vaas I fear.
Some thing tells me that Vaas is going to do maximum damage in the up coming India- Sri Lanka Series.

Who do you think is a bigger threat?

( Pic credit: rakka)


Technorati Tags     India,Test,Sri,Lanka,Murali,Vaas,Mendis

High expectations on Flintoff's comeback

Flintoff's return to International cricket is being considered as a panacea to the ills that bedevills English cricket.

If one were to take what Flintoff himself has to say about his comeback at face value, it appears unjustified.

"I don't think I'm at my best but I'm going in the right direction and showing signs of that," said Flintoff, who believes he can get even better than he was.

Bloody reassuring words! Nevertheless, is it enough to merit a recall?

[Expectations]

English Counties cowed down by Modi's threats

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Modi's warning to the English counties regarding ICL players has had the desired effect.
Glamorgan, one of the counties with a chance to play in the Twenty20 Champions League, has pragmatically taken the path of least resistance.
Even though they have Australian pace bowler Jason Gillespie at hand they have chosen not to play him.“Jason does not play, it is as simple as that,” said Glamorgan cricket manager Matthew Maynard.
“Because of his ICL connections, the regulations are there where if we did play and qualify for the final and ultimately the Champions League we would be thrown out of the competition. So it is pretty much a no-brainer.”
True to form, when it comes to money, the English have left their principles by the way side.



Article History:

Legal threat prompts ECB to shelve plan to ban rebels

IPL is off-limits for U-19 players

The BCCI is coming around to the view that exposing the U-19 players to the Twenty20 game is detrimental to their growth.

According to Sunil Dev, an NCA committee member:

“There’s one question that needs to be answered. The NCA spends lakhs of rupees grooming youngsters form the under-16 stage, holding clinics with specialists emphasising on core skills. After that, it doesn’t make sense to put them straight into Twenty20, where they need to do exactly the opposite. Everybody has agreed to it in principle, but it was decided that there was a need to do further homework on the matter.”

However, Sanjeev Sharma, chairperson of the junior selectors, makes a valid point, “it’s important to ensure that the motivational and skill levels of the players are not waning from ‘real cricket’”.

In essence, he is expressing the fear that budding cricketers will expend their energy in learning skills that will stunt their growth as cricketers.

Do you think IPL has the power to corrupt a cricketer’s skill?

A century at Lord's is meaningless

There was a time, when scoring a century at Lord's was deemed an achievement and mention in the honour rolls was the apogee in a batsman's career.
A batsman like Vengsarkar was feted for scoring three centuries in different Tests at Lord's.Similarly, a century by Mendis at Lord's signaled the coming of age of Sri Lankan cricket.

Unfortunately, due to a placid pitch, a century at Lord's is meaningless.
Consider the just concluded Test between England and South Africa. In the only innings they played England had two century makers, out of which one batsmen missed a double century by a run. The South African's in reply had a century maker in their ranks and in the second innings there were three century makers.
The spate of centuries makes one wonder whether a century at Lord's has lost its value.

(Pic. credit birdyboo)

WADA accuses IPL of breaking rules.

As per the WADA rules a player should not be identified unless his/her 'B' sample is analysed and in Asif's case, the 'B' sample is unexamined.

By prematurely announcing his name, IPL has provided Asif an opportunity to get away using legal loop holes.

WADA themselves say, "This deviation from the
WADA regulation can now help Asif win his case in appeal if his medical
and legal representative fought his case well."

This unnecessary haste makes one wonder, whether it was done to help Asif and PCB.

The suspicion is further heightened by the fact that the timeline is questionable.

The WADA provides results in a fortnight, so why did it take so long for IPL to confirm that a player has tested positive.

Another murky day in International cricket.

(Pic uploaded by kk+)

Asif can still play International Cricket

Couriermail reveals how:

The Board of Control in India, which oversaw the IPL, has not signed
up to the World Anti-Doping Agency regulations so it was unclear what
penalties could be imposed.

The issue could prove to be a major embarrassment because the IPL
may only be able to suspend the player from its own tournament and he
may be free to continue playing international Test or one-day cricket.
However, the International Cricket Council, which confirmed the initial
positive test, has promised to monitor the matter closely.

Over and above this loophole Asif can exhaust quiet a few others.

Knowing the Indian penchant for short cuts, he can challenge the 'B' sample by claiming it was not kept in sterile conditions or go so far as to claim the sample itself was not his.

Alternatively, he can claim some one used black magic and contaminated his sample.

Lets see which one he employs.

(Pic. Uploaded by BuckyHermit)

IPL Dope Test - It is Asif

IPL has confirmed the identity of the player who tested positive for banned substances is Asif.

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England itinerary- Chepauk misses out again

Really ludicrous.South India has been totally ignored.

The furthest they reach Dakshin India is Mumbai.

Then we all know that it is in the West.

One fails to understand why Chennai misses out again.

To understand my gripe, here is the itinerary according to Cricinfo.

November 6, 2008 England arrive in Mumbai
November 9 One-day warm-up match, Mumbai

November 11 One-day warm-up match, Mumbai

November 14 1st ODI v India, Rajkot

November 17 2nd ODI v India, Indore

November 20 3rd ODI v India, Kanpur

November 23 4th ODI v India, Jamshedpur

November 26 5th ODI v India, Cuttack

November 29 6th ODI v India, Guwahati

December 2 7th ODI v India, Delhi

December 5-7 Three-day warm-up match, Baroda

December 11-15 1st Test v India, Ahmedabad

December 19-23 2nd Test v India, CCI Mumbai

IPL Dope Test - Is Asif the culprit??

One out of the 5 players tested by WADA during the IPL tournament has tested positive.

The Indian Express speculates "that Delhi Daredevils’s Pakistan import Mohammad Asif is the man
in the dope net once again."

Is it easy umpiring a Twenty20 game?

By the frenetic nature of Twenty20 format, one would have thought that umpiring is difficult as too many things happen at a rapid pace.

However, according to Billy Bowden, it is difficult to umpire a Test match as there are long periods of relative inaction. This could lead to umpires losing focus.

Do you think umpires have it easy in a Twenty20 game?

British Politician caught lying he is a cricket fan

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One of the most embarrassing moments as an Indian cricket fan is watching the politicians thronging the dais during the post – match presentation ceremony.
Either they are there in their capacity as cricket association members or they are powerful enough to bully their way.
Watching them jostle for space and limelight is as embarrassing as watching our film actors sing duets in the heart of Berlin among bemused phirangi’s.
However, the news that David Cameron, the Tory leader, has falsely claimed ( that too during a BBC Radio interview with Jonathan Agnew) he loved cricket so much he had spent years on the waiting list to join its most exclusive club - the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) has lessened the embarrassment somewhat.
It further diminished when it was revealed that he refused the membership offered four years ago.
Apparently, politicians using cricket for political gains is a world - wide phenomenon and not confined to India.
So, the next time an Indian fan sees politicians crowding the dais, he can console himself that it is the way of the world, for where there is cricket, a politician will never be far behind.

Eden Gardens - Tiff over lease fees between CAB and the defence ministry

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There appears to be some heart burn between the Defence Ministry and the CAB over Eden Gardens.

The defence ministry, who are the owners of Eden Gardens,are of the opinion that the annual fees which was about Rs. 27,000/- last year does not reflect the earnings of the CAB.

They are rightly miffed that though the CAB made a killing during the IPL, suspected to be a minimum of Rs. 50 lakhs per match, the CAB is willing to pay only Rs.75000/- that too as a good will gesture.

The present confusion has also brought all modernisations at the Eden Garden's to standstill.

Do you think the defence ministry is greedy?

Champions Trophy-Pakistan misses deadline

The PCB has failed to meet ICC's deadline for submitting a 30 man probables list for Champions Trophy.

Reports indicate the delay is due to Shoaib Akthar 's reluctance to pay the seven million rupees fine as ordered by the Lahore High Court. Earlier, on Akthar's appeal, the court had reduced his ban from five years to 18 months and also ordered Shoaib to pay a fine of five million rupees to the PCB.

This has proved to be the bone of contention between PCB and Shoaib Akthar. The PCB insists that Shoaib has to pay up the fine as per the court order. As Shoaib is dragging his heels over the fine, the PCB has delayed announcing the 30 man probables squad to the ICC.

PCB's COO, Shafqat Naghmi says "The meeting of selectors with the PCB officials will be held on July 14 and we will announce the squad either on the same day or by July 15."

He has indicated that the ICC has permitted this delay.

Interestingly, there is no mention of how the PCB will justify the inclusion of Asif. Asif faces an inquiry on his alleged possession of banned drugs. The committee is yet to start its investigations. Surely, if the committee finds Asif, guilty, the PCB will be hard put to justify his inclusion.

Technorati Tags PCB,Champion,Shoaib,Akthar,Trophy

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

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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?

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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

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