Injured Dhawan out

On Shikhar Dhawan:

Shikhar Dhawan's IPL exploits had a lot of cricketing pundits earmarking him as a prospect. However, there was this doubt on his baility to play the longer version of the game.

Fortunately for him, his selection to play in the two three-day matches against the Australian A team provided him with the stage to prove his detractors wrong.

Sadly, an injured right thumb has ruled him out of both the games.

When will he get a similar opportunity?

India’s tour of New Zealand

The Indian cricket team starts it tour of New Zealand with a T20 International.
It then plays 5 ODI's and two Tests.
Do you think it is ideal to start a overseas tour by playing ODI's and then play Tests?

Technorati Tags India,New,Tour,Zealand

Sir Donald Bradman is neither a Dalai Lama nor a Sir Garfield Sobers.

On Bradman’s centenary year, it is interesting to study the difference between how Sir Donald Bradman and Sir Gary Sobers handled their fame and the legacy.

Even a cursory look reveals a glaring contrast. The Don comes across as a person who acts and behaves as if he is royalty and makes his displeasure to mingle obvious whereas Sobers comes across as earthy and not beyond soiling his hands.

Nothing illustrates this more than the incidents involving Lara and Tendulkar.

When Lara broke the batting record, Sir Gary Sobers was at the ground and had no reservations going up to the pitch along with multitude of spectators to congratulate him. Now here is one man who is simple and informal to the core.

In sharp contrast, there is the incident of Don granting an audience to Tendulkar as if he (the Don) was royalty. His whole attitude was pompous and his compliments condescending.

One cannot shake off the impression that the Don was overtly concerned about leaving an unsullied legacy. The trust that runs Don’s estate was particular that all of Don’s actions and words carried the same significance of say a Dalai Lama’s words and deeds to his followers.

Sadly, to some including this blogger, it made Don appear a sanctimonious ass.

Given a choice, one would rather leave everything to shake Sir Garfield Sobers hand. He is the perfect example of a cricketing legend comfortable with his fame and levelheaded enough to acknowledge to himself that he is a mere mortal.

As I was saying, Don is no Dalai Lama nor is he Sobers. What is your take?

IPL: Kolkatta KnightRiders are readying themselves for the next season

It is a pleasant surprise to observe Shah Rukh Khan’s Kolkatta KnightRiders prepare themselves professionally for the 2009 IPL season.

Their Captain, Saurav Ganguly, is already ruminating on what went wrong with their last year’s campaign. KKR’s coach John Buchanan is scouting for new talent in Mumbai. He is to follow it up with expeditions to Delhi and Kolkatta.

Surely, KKR is determined to leave nothing to chance and give the other franchisees a good run for their money.

Are the other franchisees awake to the threat?

Have the IPL franchisees come to their senses?

Saurav Ganguly frank admission that the Kolkatta KnightRiders performed badly in the (IPL) first season because of the turnover of foreign players makes one conclude that, both the franchisees and the Captains have come to their senses.

They appear to have realised that big names may be good for their marketing but bad when it is coupled with their unavailability throughout the season.

However, (Saurav) Ganguly mars the impression by saying the following:

"We need players who can play for us for a longer time and gel with the team, not coming and going like that. It is a team sport and last year Shane Warne"s side Rajasthan won through a team ethic, not big names."

Now, are we guilty of elaborating a simple case of follow the leader into an enlightenment?

Technorati Tags     IPL

World's largest cricket stadium to come up in Chennai.

Eden Gardens, MCG beware, the TNCA is planning to build a stadium with more seating capacity.

This stadium is being built in time for the 2011 World Cup.

However, Chennaites have a reason to be concerned.
The proposed stadium is to come up about 25 kilometers off Chennai. This means there will be a two-fold increase in the traveling time plus more inconvenience when you take the the stringent security measures into consideration.

To me personally, the new venue will be a inconvenience and I would rather prefer staging the matches at the historic MAC in Chepauk.
Will the Chennai readers (if any  ) indicate their preference?

Kapil Dev- Indian crickets advice dispenser

Kapil Dev seems to have entered a disgruntled phase. Like all old men who had their ambitions thwarted, he too has started to envy the young. However, 'Paaji' has resisted the temptation to demean the young cricketers outright and instead decided to put them down by giving away unwanted advice.
He first advised Yuvraj Singh and had his unmentionables singed by a sharp retort from Yuvraj's mother. Having now recouped his strength he has now taken the Salman Khan of Indian Cricket - ShanthaKumaran Sreesanth under his fold.
Kapil Dev who was in Trivandrum yesterday, advised Sreesanth to concentrate more on the game rather than off the field activities.
His unwarranted advice has raised this bloggers hope that this time Kapil Dev will get a kick up his backside for his pains.
Anyone willing to wager a bet?

The ace bull-shitter at it again

While the world is concerned about dropped catches, Mahela, the Sri Lankan Captain and the world's best bullshitter says he was unhappy with his batsman's 'casual approach'.
Casual approach my foot.
Sorry to disappoint you Mahela, we in India are not as knave as your fans in Sri Lanka.
The truth is your batsmen were given a good work over by our bowlers and found wanting.
In case you are befuddled with the above statement, let us make it clear to you by saying our bowlers kicked ass.
Period.

Announcing ‘Spot the Ball Contest’ at In the Name of Cricket

Dear Readers,

 

Our cricketers are in peril. The cunning Sri Lankans are turning up in large numbers and intentionally jumping around when batsmen hit the ball in the air.

 

This, as our beleaguered Captain Dhoni points out, has made it impossible for our fielders to spot the ball. In fact, the Sri Lankans plan has been so successful that our beloved cricket team dropped five catches during the last ODI.

 

In order to help our team surmount this problem, we at In the Name of Cricket have decided to conduct a ‘Spot the Ball Contest’.

 

The contest is open to all readers and as it is of national importance, it is also open to the editor of this wonderful blog.

 

Contestants can participate by simply posting their suggestions on how best to spot the ball in our comment section.

 

We are also pleased to announce that ‘Sex Bomb’ Bipasha Basu has graciously agreed to a dinner with the winner.

 

Along with a date with Bipasha Basu, In the Name of Cricket is also happy to announce that the winner will also win a free two-night stay at a hospital. This prize comes courtesy of John Abraham.

 

Contestants should write in their suggestion before 12.30 p.m. on August 28, 2008.

(Image from myFlickrPixs)

Technorati Tags     the,contest,ball,Spot,Bipasha

Champions Trophy postponed to accomadate IPL Champions League

A jaundiced view from Lord's

Though the decision to postpone the Champions Trophy appears as an effort to appease the PCB, it is the ECB's view that it is all a part of BCCI's sinister design.

Consider the evidence.

It is common knowledge that ICC succumbed to the adamant BCCI's insistence that Pakistan host the Champions Trophy . It is ECB's suspicion founded on such scurvy tricks played by the BCCI in the past, that it (BCCI) deliberately did so knowing very well other countries will baulk at playing in Pakistan and their hesitancy will lead to scuttling of the Champions Trophy.

To those knave enough to wonder how BCCI benefits from the postponement of the tournament ,ECB answers that this postponement provides an ample window to stage IPL's Champions League.

In short, ECB sees it all a part of BCCI's sinister design to take over world cricket and asks others to follow its lead and show the upstart its place.

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PCB threatens to boycott Champions Trophy

This is funny and at the same time sad.

PCB Chief Operating Officer Shafqat Naghmi warned that if the ICC decides to relocate the Champions Trophy, Pakistan may very well boycott it.
 
It is funny and sad because both ways, i.e., if Pakistan loses the opportunity to host the Champions Trophy or they (Pakistan) boycott it, it is Pakistani cricket which will suffer.

One hopes that the PCB realises the futility of its threat.

Technorati Tags     PCB,Champions,Trophy.

Monthly Pension for Retired International Women Cricketers

While the BCCI's decision to pay a honorarium to its selectors attracted the maximum attention, two laudable decisions taken by the BCCI slipped unnoticed.

• The Indian Cricket board has decided to introduce a monthly pension scheme for retired international women cricketers.
• The board decided to extend the monthly gratis scheme to the widows of Test umpires.(Previously, it was awarded only to widows of deceased Test cricketers.)

While this blogger lauds the BCCI, it requests the BCCI to consider extending it the more needy like the widows of Ranji Trophy/ First class players.

Technorati Tags     BCCI

Whom should we leave out?

III ODI Team selection.

With the return of Gambhir and the prediction of a flat Premadasa wicket,the issue that is engaging the Indian team think tank in Sri Lanka is whom to leave out of the team.

If you look at the team balance it should either be Rohit on account of bad form or Badrinath as he cannot be 'fitted' into the team if Rohit stays.

However, the Indian team think tank may do neither and take the conservative option and look to drop either Irfan or Munaf.

If one has to choose between them, then dropping Irfan is the better option. His bowling is not up to the scratch and his quota can easily be completed by Yuvraj or Raina or by a combination of both.Obviously, the only plus which may stave off the axe falling on his neck is his batting. That too becomes superfluous when we have both Rohit and Badrinath in the team.

Another point which favours Munaf is his splendid bowling form. One gets the impression from yesterday's news reports that Munaf is getting appreciable pace and bounce and troubled those who played him in the nets.
It is also well known that Munaf is the type of bowler Dhoni prefers, as he sticks to the basics and does not experiment too much.

So between Irfan and Munaf it has to be Irfan.Nonetheless,dropping Irfan may hamper India as his bit and pieces act - a wicket or a couple of fours may aid India.

With this in mind,one feels the correct decision would be drop Badrinath. Granted he did a great job and showed form and temperament, but since he came as a replacement for the injured Gambhir and now that he (Gambhir) is fit he should be dropped. Also it is a trifle early to drop Rohit on account of bad form.

Keen followers of Indian cricket will doubtless remember how at the start of the last Australian tour, Yuvraj was included in the Tests on the basis of a fine century. It would also be good to remember what happened then, Dravid was pushed up to accommodate him, the team balance went for six, Yuvraj never looked the part and Dravid has been floundering ever since.

Since one dislikes to see history repeating itself and affect both the Indian team and Badrinath in the bargain, the ideal selection decision would be to drop Badrinath.

(Image from vernhart)








Technorati Tags     Sri,Lanka,ODI,Badrinath

Why pay 25 lakhs when I am willing to do it for free?

I am unhappy with the BCCI for throwing good money after the bad.
In case you are wondering what I am blabbering about, I am referring to BCCI's decision to award each selector with a honorarium of 25 lakhs.
This magnanimity is unwarranted as I can point out to a whole host of bloggers who are already doing the selectors job i.e., selecting the Indian team and are willing to continue doing it for free.
Guess all the spare change lying in its coffers has turned BCCI's head.

(Image from InSitu Photography)

Technorati Tags     BCCI,selectors

Bradman missing 4 runs found

It is a fact that Bradman played his last test innings needing 4 runs to end his career with a test average of 100. As the folklore goes, the prolific Bradman was out for a duck in his last innings, leaving him with an average of 99.94 %.

This mishap caused anguish among his fans and until now, none did anything to rectify it. Even so, Charles Davis a statistician and an obvious Bradman fan, was spurred to examine old test match score books in quest of the missing '4' runs.

What he found was a "tantalizing clue" that revealed four runs scored by Bradman was wrongly credited to another batsmen. (You can read more about the error here.)

However many skeptics, including this blogger, wonder how this "tantalizing clue" was uncovered during Bradman's centenary year.

In fact there are many who openly wonder whether Charles Davis has timed his revelation to promote a book.

(Image from Grand Valley State University Public safety campaign)

No Hair lost

ICC announced the resignation of the Australian umpire Darrel Hair from the ICC elite umpires panel.
As a huge amount of money was spent teaching him manners (rehabilitation), his abrupt resignation is in a sense a loss, a financial loss.
Other than the pain felt by the ICC, the cricketing community, especially the Pakistani cricket fraternity has unanimously welcomed his decision.
By the amount of back-slapping,hand-shakes and popping of Champagne bottle corks, one concludes that no one has lost a hair over Hair's decision.

Are you a bored cricket crazy Indian? Read BCCI.

Harmison decides to put cricket first

Yep! Harmison decides to shelve his ODI retirement.
Avid cricket watchers may remember that Harmison decided "to retire from England's ODI team for a number reasons, one being the amount of time I was spending away from my family."
Officially it is said that Pietersen and England's coach Peter Moore's pressured him into making his come back.
However, there are others who say that his wife and his family are fed up of seeing him at home.

(Image from AztecTalk)

Cricket Canada - Calling all Indian Cricketers

Yet another employment avenue opens for the has-beens of Indian Cricket.
This opening should suit those found unsuitable by the TV Broadcasting companies.
Mind you there are a couple of limiting factors. One, the opportunity is in Canada and the second, you should be in the good books of the BCCI.
To explain, Cricket Canada is facing a shortage of Coaches and or Test players and Canada Cricket has approached the BCCI to help the country excel in Cricket.
The Cricket Canada's Chief Executive Officer Atul Ahuja says,"Canada needs expertise of Indian coaches and Test players to help the country in achieving excellence in this game."
This is certainly a good opportunity for ex-Ranji players to make a decent living.

Image from Cricket Europe Worldwide.

On Badrinath - Or why I wanted Badrinath in the team.

Excellent pointers I picked up from today's 'THE HINDU':

"Indeed, over the last three years, no Indian batsman has made as strong and undeniable a case for selection in both forms of the game: so prolific has been the right-hander in domestic cricket and ‘A’ tour games, that only Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar, among batsmen still active and with at least 50 innings, have a higher First Class average than Badrinath’s 56.49; his List A record is impressive as well — an average of over 40 in 71 games."

It is reassuring to learn that my bias is supported by statistics.

Technorati Tags     the,In,Of,Name,Cricket,Badrinath

Why Cricket SA supports India

Image via Wikipedia

Recently ECB tried to upstage India by promoting another League similar to the Champions League. At that time I had wondered on this blog whether Cricket Australia and Cricket SA Cricket would support India.

I need not have worried as in the end both the cricketing nations backed BCCI's Champions League.

Truth to be told, I was a bit perplexed at their support. The reason being, it was a heaven sent opportunity for them to stand up to the supposed dominance of the BCCI.

Anyway the truth is out, according to this report, "Three matches against India in Northern Ireland last year helped to substantially reduce the losses incurred by Cricket South Africa (CSA) in its last fiscal.CSA financial chief Hentie Wyk said here the loss of 16.3 million rands was much lower than the 72 million rands loss that had been budgeted."

If just 3 matches that too in played in Northern Island could reduce Cricket SA loss by 50 million rand, is it a wonder that they supported the BCCI.

It is evident that Cricket SA knows which side of the bread is buttered.

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Introduce Twenty20 in the Commonwealth Games

Dale Cullinan argues rather than introducing the Twenty20 format in the Olympics it is better to introduce it in the Commonwealth Games.

For a start I believe the Twenty20 will go down extremely well in the Commonwealth Games. It makes sense because most of the participating countries will have a strong cricketing background.

I find his suggestion sound. Do you?

Michael Clarke's Taj Mahal?

Michael Clarke's dream girl and the house he built for her.

ICC accuses Cricket Australia of hiding behind Player’s Association.

Image via Wikipedia
The conduct of Champions Trophy in Pakistan is proving divisive.

On one hand, the ICC stands accused of cowing to the powerful Asian bloc by insisting on Pakistan as the location. On the other hand, Cricket Australia stands accused of folding under the pressure brought on them by the powerful Player’s Association.

However, yesterday’s statement from the Player’s Association that they will not play in Pakistan has added a new twist to the story. ICC feels that Cricket Australia is using the Players Association to escape making a decision.

In fact, an ICC source, who refused to be named, questioned whether the governing boards were hiding behind their "players" so as not to further antagonise India and the powerful Asian bloc which effectively rules the game.

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Sehwag’s intent made the difference.

Mukul Kesavan dissects Mendis hold over the Indian batsmen and comes up with why Sehwag succeeded against him.

His technique has always been fundamentally different from that of the others. His footwork is minimal, he plays alongside the ball without committing himself to a line till the last moment and he played Mendis off the pitch. It worked for him because his hand-eye coordination is exceptional and his instinct is to attack: Mendis never got an opportunity to set him up as he did with the more defensive Dravid or Laxman.

Well said Mukul, Sehwag’s audacity was the key difference. Where other accomplished batsmen were intent on dour defense, Sehwag was intent on total annihilation.

If you cannot read Mendis, blame your cricket gear

How much more ridiculous can it get. Ranil Abeynaike says that "Modern cricketing gear make Mendis difficult to crack".

I would not be surprised if other cricketing experts spring out of the woodwork to claim that a batsmen should have been breast fed as an infant to play Mendis.

Continuing the trend of so-called cricket experts, I call upon you the real experts, i.e., readers of this blog to contribute your expert opinion on why Indians find Mendis unplayable.

For starters, contemplate; has Deepika Padukone anything to do with it?

Badrinath gets his chance

Badrinath makes his debut as Gambhir pulls out of today’s game due to a stiff neck.

Now it is up to Badri to grab this unforeseen opportunity with both hands and make a reputation for himself.

Move ICC Champions Trophy out of Pakistan

When the majority is averse to playing in Pakistan, the ICC should accept the legitimacy of their concern and move the Champions Trophy to an acceptable location.

 

Instead of worrying whose turn it is to profit, the ICC should relieve the uncertainty surrounding the tournament.

 

Dhoni to miss Champions League finals

This announcement should assuage those who worried about IPL's insensitivity to other formats of cricket.

 

The Champions League, jointly organised by the BCCI, Cricket Australia (CA) and Cricket South Africa (CSA), will be held from December 3-11, and will be sandwiched between the India-England ODI and Test series.

 

The first Test begins on December 11 and VB Chandrasekar, director of cricket operations for Super Kings, suggested Dhoni might make himself unavailable for the final to turn out for India. "More weightage should be given to Indian team,"

 

 

Wholesale changes in the PCB

Following Nasim Ashraf's  resignation, wholesale changes are expected in the PCB.

It is said that a new PCB Chairman has his own set of cronies as office-bearers and selectors.

This time however, the new dispensation is expected to appoint a new Captain and a coach for Pakistan.

Will we see Younis Khan as the captain of Pakistan?

Sehwag out of the ODI series

It appears that Sehwag's injury is severe enough to leave India without its most accomplished batsmen for the rest of the series.

 

Without Sehwag in its ranks, the series is as good as over for India.

 

Kohli who played in his stead looks patently undercooked and unfortunately, the composition of the squad is such that there is no apt replacement.

 

If India were to entertain any hope of winning matches in this series, they would do well to look at Irfan Pathan as an opener.

 

Likewise, Badrinath should be included to bolster the middle order.

India crash to Murali and Mendis again

Ajantha Mendis and Muthiah Muralitharan ran through the Indian batting order at claiming six wickets in the first ODI at Dambulla.Along with the help of their pace men they shot out India for 146. Mendis and Murali shared 6 wickets.

 

For India Yuvraj Singh was the top scorer with 23. The debutant Kohli performance was as unimpressive as his performance in the IPL. The rest of the batsmen followed the familiar pattern of getting a reasonable start only to succumb weakly.

 

India:

 

Fall of wickets:

 

1-0 (Gambhir), 2-23 (Kohli), 3-36 (Raina), 4-73 (Yuvraj), 5-75 (Sharma), 6-87 (Dhoni), 7-87 (Pathan), 8-107 (Zaheer), 9-117 (Harbhajan), 10-146 (Patel).

 

Can you call a person playing tennis ball cricket a sportsman?

The Tennis Ball Cricket Federation of India and the Gujarat State Tennis Ball Cricket Association filed an appeal against an earlier order ruling out this form of cricket as a recognized one.

 

Both the sports bodies have challenged observations made in May by Justice Bhagwati Prasad that "cricket with tennis ball is not cricket, and playing the gentleman's game with a tennis ball would not make you a sportsperson".

 

Though the genesis of the case is mundane, I am sure there are many people who take their tennis ball cricket seriously and consider themselves as sportspersons.

 

Don't you think a tennis ball cricketer is as much as sportsman as those who play cricket with a cricket ball?

Russian Cheer Leaders for Sri Lankan ODI series.

India-Sri Lanka match on Monday is set to become the first ODI to boast of cheer girls.
The Russian girls will dance to Bollywood tunes.

Photo courtesy: lyn_berenbaum

Yippee!

ODI series - Indian batting vs. Sri Lankan spin duo.

Is this series a battle between Muthiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis and the Indian batting line up? Alternatively, is there something more to the mix?

 

The failure of the seniors to handle the Lankan spin duo has caused the limelight to fall on the wannabe's in the ODI team.Rightly or wrongly, this series is looked upon as one which will determine how prepared the 'young turks' are to take up the slack of their seniors.

 

If the Raina's and Rohit's prove themselves capable of handling the Sri Lankan spin duo and in the bargain emerge victorious, calls for the retirement of the seniors from Test cricket will become vociferous.

 

This blogger has a gut feeling that this ODI series will see Raina stake a claim for a place in the Tests.

Marcus Trescothick's reveals what bugged him.

Marcus Trescothick's shock exit from two England tours became one of sport's biggest mysteries.

 

You can read what drove him in first of two exclusive extracts from his forthcoming autobiography 'Coming Back To Me' here.

 

Did Bradman foresee the umpire 'referral 'system?

Cricket Australia has discovered confidential letters written by Sir Donald Bradman during his days as the game's administrator.

 

Out of the lot, "one letter suggests that a batsman should be given out leg before wicket if he does not play at the ball – even if it is pitched outside leg stump."

 

I wonder whether Bradman had an inking of the referral or review system.

 

 

Scotland takes on England

Scotland vs. England on Monday at Raeburn Place, Edinburgh.

 

For the first time a full strength, English squad takes on their neighbors Scotland in an one-day International. 

England in all probability will mulct the newbie's. The interest however lies in observing how Scotland performs outside a World Cup.

 

Scotland squad: Ryan Watson (Forfarshire, captain), Gavin Hamilton (East Brierly), Kyle Coetzer (Durham), Navdeep Poonia (Warwickshire), Colin Smith (Aberdeenshire), Neil McCallum (Grange), Richie Berrington (Greenock), Craig Wright (Greenock), Calum MacLeod (Warwickshire), John Blain (Rotherham), Dewald Nel (Greenock), Gordon Drummond (Watsonians), Ross Lyons (Clydesdale).

 

England squad: Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire, captain), James Anderson (Lancashire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Ravi Bopara (Essex), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Alastair Cook (Essex), Andrew Flintoff (Lancashire), Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire), Matt Prior (Sussex), Owais Shah (Middlesex), Ryan Sidebottom (Nottinghamshire), Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire), Chris Tremlett (Hampshire), Luke Wright (Sussex).

Champions Trophy - ICC will have to change the venue

It is increasingly obvious that ICC's attempt at pressurizing reluctant players to play in Pakistan is doomed.

Even after one on one meeting with ICC representatives, both New Zealand and Australian players association have expressed their reservations. South Africa and England are likely to follow suit.

Added to this will be the pressure from the broadcasters to whom the Champions Trophy sans these countries becomes commercial unviable.

ICC is truly cornered and left with no other option than changing the venue.  

 

Do not poke your nose – PCB tells Inzamam

There is never a quiet day in Pakistan Cricket.

The latest controversy to erupt is over Inzamam’s comments on Shoaib Malik and the PCB’s Chairman Nasim Ashraf.

In a recent TV interview Inzamam, called Shoaib Malik a weak Captain and blamed Nasim Ashraf’s policies for the morass Pakistan cricket find itself.

The PCB’s reaction was swift and on expected lines. They labeled Inzamam’s comment as baseless and caricatured him as a bad role model.

This is sure to set off another bout of mud slinging between the PCB and Inzamam. Let us hope that this spat does not distract PCB from concentrating on the successful conduct of the Champions Trophy.

Linford Christie says no to inclusion of cricket

 Linford Chrisitie has an unique reason for keeping cricket out of Olympics.

"Why cricket? No team sports should be allowed in the Olympics," In a team of 11 players, nine might be working hard but the other two might not. This is not in line with the spirit of Olympics," said Christie.

Guess, when a team is involved it is harder to get away with doping.

Yuvraj scores 172 against Sri Lankan XI

Sri Lankan XI v Indians, tour match, Colombo

Yuvraj's 121-ball 172 and with contributions from Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma Indians piled up a  mammoth 342 for 5 against Sri Lankan XI.

Keen observers would have noted that Ajantha Mendis is not a part of this Sri Lankan XI.

Stanford 20/20 announces Stanford Superstars 17 man squad

Sir Vivian Richards, chairman of the Stanford Superstars Selection Panel today announced the much anticipated 17 man Stanford Superstars squad to face England in the Stanford 20/20 For US$20million on November 1 at the Stanford Cricket Ground in Antigua.

The Stanford Superstars squad is:

1. Lionel Baker (Montserrat)

2. Sulieman Benn (Barbados)

3. Dwayne Bravo (Trinidad and Tobago)

4. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (Guyana)

5. Lennox Cush (Guyana)

6. Rayad Emrit (Trinidad and Tobago)

7. Andre Fletcher (Grenada)

8. Chris Gayle (Jamaica)

9. Chad Hampson (Antigua and Barbuda)

10. Lindon James (St Vincent and the Grenadines)

11. Sylvester Joseph (Antigua and Barbuda)

12. Xavier Marshall (Jamaica)

13. Dave Mohammed (Trinidad and Tobago)

14. Kieron Pollard (Trinidad and Tobago)

15. Daren Powell (Jamaica)

16. Ramnaresh Sarwan (Guyana)

17. Jerome Taylor (Jamaica)

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ECB - premature ejaculation.

That the Champions League has been rescheduled to December 3  and December 10 is old news.
What is news though is the ECB's assertion that none of the English players will take part in it.
Which if you think logically is a fact. As on date no leading English cricketer has signed on to IPL.So the ECB is correct in making this statement and feel warm about it.
However, their self-congratulations may be premature. Look at it this way. Until now, there was a doubt whether the Championship League will take place this year. Now that the event is confirmed, it is sure bet that KP, Flintoff and other English players will be targeted by Chennai SuperKings and Rajasthan Royals.
Once signed on the players will definitely put pressure on the ECB to let them play.
When you take this into account you will agree that ECB's statement regarding participation of English players is a bit premature.

(Cartoon courtesy karigaile)

Technorati Tags     Cricket,Champions,League

Mahela talks pure shit

Mahela Jayawardne's statements are pure shit drivel.
The ability to speak pure drivel in the guise of wisdom never ceases to amaze me. You can be sure that a 'winning' Captain will talk profoundly about roles, areas, weaknesses, plans and implementation. In addition he will put in a word about it being a 'team' victory.
Among the current lot Mahela Jayawardne, the Sri Lankan Captain, takes the cake. His ability to say utter nonsense is unsurpassed.
The just concluded India - Test series provided him with a lot of opportunities. However, he will struggle to surpass this:
"For us it is a team game. We are not worried what Mendis will do out there. He is just an individual in our team unit and he is going to execute a game plan, that's what we want him to do. Whether he picks up the wickets or whether he is going to make impact we're not worried about it."
If you consider this statement in the light of the fact that Sri Lanka piggy- backed on the skill of Mendis to win the Test series, surely, you will agree that it is pure drivel.

Technorati Tags India,Cricket

Yet another Twenty20 expert finds himself in the national squad.

Most countries behave as if Twenty20 format is worthless. They speak of it derogatorily as a game that requires no cricketing skills. However, the truth is otherwise. If you are to examine their selection policies, it is clear that they value a player based on his Twenty20 skills.

Shane Watson is an excellent example. He wormed his way back into the Australian squad, purely because of his astounding performances in the IPL League.

The same can said for Albie Morkel, whose reputation as a cricketer largely rests on his Twenty20 performances. The South African's have chosen to play against England in the ODI's.

So why nations and cricketers posture as if the Twenty20 games do not matter.

How do you catch the attention of the selectors?

Another English cricketer threatens to join IPL.

The English cricketers have discovered a simple method to catch the eyes of their selectors. Knowing well the ECB’s antipathy to BCCI and IPL, they believe all they have to do is to threaten to join the IPL.

Ravi Bopara and Harmison are two cricketers who talked up a non-existent IPL offer and rewarded with a berth in the English National cricket team for their duplicity. Now, Hoggard has followed suit.

The Sun quotes the discarded English fast bowler as saying, "I can see myself jumping at an offer from the IPL, if it came across.”

Well, all the best Hoggard, lets hope your tactics work.

Shoaib Akthar has the last laugh

You cannot help but admire Shoaib Akthar.

The PCB after holding out for so long finally succumbed to Shoaib’s brinkmanship and gave the go ahead for his inclusion in the Champions Trophy squad.

Just look at the sequence of events.

• Shoaib Akthar is banned for indiscipline.
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• He challenges the PCB ban in a court of law.
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• The PCB backs down slightly and lets him play in the IPL.
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• Shoaib’s ban is overturned and he gets away lightly with an 18 months ban and a fine of 7 million Pakistani rupees.
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• The challenge to this ban is still pending in the high court, but Shoaib is allowed to play until the court passes its judgment.
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• Meanwhile, PCB takes the high moral plane and refuses to select Shoaib Akthar for the Champions Trophy unless he pays the fine.
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• Shaoib goes incommunicado and PCB backs down further and asks him to take a dope and fitness test.
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• Shoaib passes both and the PCB has no other recourse but select him for the Champions Trophy.
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• PCB saves its face by claiming that the Chairman has made the Shoaib selection possible by accepting Shoaib’s request to pay the fine later.

In short, Shoaib Akthar got what he wanted. He is reinstated in the team and the small matter of 7 million Pakistani rupees will doubtless be waived if he puts in a good performance.

Shoaib however, had a stroke of luck. If Asif had not messed his career by drug allegations it is doubtful whether the PCB would have made his comeback painless.

We heard the overture in June, the fanfare in July - and now we really do hope we have heard part of the final chord. After all the brinkmanship, this is good news. - Stephen Rand

Sachin Tendulkar losing his fans esteem

Slump? I ain’t in no slump. I just ain’t hittin.- Yogi Berra

Events they say have a momentum of their own and Tendulkar is among the very few who have enjoyed an upward momentum through out his career.
It is inevitable that both good and bad has an end. In the case of Tendulkar the recently concluded Sri Lankan tour could well be the beginning of the end.
Consider this, after more than 16 years in the Indian team due to recurring injuries his continuation is very much in doubt. Until now he has been fortunate enough to miss only ODI's, but as his body ages it will be sooner rather than later when he will have to skip Tests due to injuries.
His recent dismissals are another indicator of his declining poweress.Most of them have been brought about by playing down the wrong line. Surely, it shows his batting radar is out of kilter. Sadly, his recurring breakdowns is not going to help him here as what he needs is to play more cricket at least at the domestic level in order to regain his lost touch.
This brings us to the most damning indicator. His aggregate of 95 runs in the recently concluded Sri Lankan series was his lowest in a 3 Test series.In addition to this fact, his poor performance in Sri Lanka means Sachin Tendulkar ICC rankings has dropped to his lowest ever since 1992. He now stands 23rd in ICC rankings.
If these indicators were not enough to highlight his declining career, the most damning is the fact that for first time in his career, his detractors far outnumber his fans.
One can argue that bad form, injuries, ICC rankings are temporary, but the loss of his demi-God status among Indian cricket fans cannot be attributed so. There is growing sense of realization among his fans that he had his day and it is time he retired before he is forced to do so.

Technorati Tags     Sachin,Tendulkar

Lawson the ambassador

The ICC is pulling out all stops to ensure participation of teams in the Champions Trophy.
If reports are to be believed, the ICC has approached Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson to convince the Australians and the New Zealanders about playing in Pakistan.
If you recall, most players other than the ones in the Indian sub-continent, in light of the recent spate of bombings,have expressed reservations about playing in Pakistan
ICC strongly believes Lawson is the right person to talk to the players since he is an Australian and also since he stays in Pakistan.
Lets hope that Lawson can do the trick.

Update:

The Hindu reports that Lawson left for Australia as a result of some misunderstanding over team selections with the PCB.

Technorati Tags     PCB,ICC,Champions,Trophy,Geoff,Lawson

Series loss to Sri Lanka- Kumble spreads the blame

Constantly being queried on the non-performance of the fab-four, Kumble avoided naming names. In fact when specifically asked this is how he answered:

“It is not Sachin and Sourav alone, it is important for everyone to contribute. The middle and lower order let us down. To start against two spinners is not easy and it was important for batsmen who got starts to carry on.”

Conveniently forgotten is the fact that Dravid and Laxman also did nothing of note. Also notice how he keeps harping about the difficulty of playing against two spinners. That excuse is as good as any coming out of England. Isn't it laughable that players who are reputedly the best players against spin crying hoarse over playing spinners.

In the midst of spreading blame, it is intriguing that he includes the lower order. Since Harbhajan is beyond pale, by lower order Kumble must be talking about Ishant and Zaheer. How are they to be blamed?

Did he expect them to score centuries?

Sadly, his defense of his senior pros shows he is unaware of the sand shifting under his feet. If India is to hold its head high, quiet a few 'stars' should be held  accountable and they should indeed acknowledge their failures.