Dutch Cricket - In a world of its own

While the established cricketing nations are doing their level best to kill Test cricket, the Dutch Cricket administrators are fighting to implement a two –day component into their domestic game.

 

Their justification for proposing the two-day format:

 

The proponents of bringing a two-day component into the top level of the Dutch domestic game have a lot of work to do to persuade the bulk of the cricketing community not only that the move would enhance the sport, but that it is essential for the long-term health of the shorter forms of the game as well.

In all top cricket countries, the skills which the leading players exhibit in the one-day game, and now in Twenty20, have been developed, honed and refined in two-, three- or four-day cricket, of which the shorter forms are basically a concentration. The Associates face a huge handicap because they are trying to reverse that process.

If the argument for multi-day cricket simply has to be won if Dutch cricket is to progress, it's less obvious how it can most effectively be introduced.

The fundamental choice is between adapting the existing league structure to make room for two-day matches alongside the current 50-over format – the option proposed by Top Cricket Nederland – and creating an entirely new, regional competition between the Hoofdklasse and international cricket.

 

However, it is distressing to see that a two-day tournament have to be justified as a means to develop theTwenty20 skills of the Dutch cricketers.

 

 

 

Previous Post:

 

What are the Australians doing in India by September 23?

 

What are the Australian's doing in India by September 23?

This is outrageous. If one were to believe cricinfo, the Australian cricket team is set to arrive in India by September 23.

I demand to know why they are in India by September 23, when the actual tour starts only on October 9.

I strongly protest their early arrival and request the GOI to permit them into the country only if they agree to supply uranium.

Previous Posts:

Why is the Hoogly quiet?

Why pick a bowler with suspect action?

Ganguly is a certainty for the Oz Series

Why is the Hoogly quiet?

An introspective Saurav Ganguly is the reason why the Hoogly is serene

 

Admitting that the game is up as far as the ODI's are concerned, Ganguly believes he has a couple of more years of cricket left in him. In fact, like a faltering lover he desires to bid adieu to both the Tests and IPL (KKR) at the same time.

 

However, there is one catch; the former Indian Captain is reluctant to leave the game without enhancing his reputation. It means that Ganguly is determined to play in some more Tests.

 

While there is nothing wrong in a player of his stature wishing to determine his last hurrah, one wonders whether the selectors will let him do just that.

 

 

Previous Posts:

 

Why pick a bowler with suspect action? 

 

Ganguly is an certainty for the Oz Series

 

 

 

Why pick a bowler with a suspect action?

Makarand Waingankar asks in his column in 'THE HINDU'.

 

It is common knowledge that the Gujarat off-spinner Mohnish Parmar's action is suspect. BCCI's Director of Umpires S.Venkatraghavan and his colleagues have deemed his action is faulty after analyzing his action on video tapes for a mammoth 10 hours.

 

Yet he has represented India on the tour to Israel and played in the team against Australia A at Bangalore.

 

Makarand argues it better for all concerned that the bowler undergoes corrective rehabilitation.

 

I find Makarand's argument valid as it will certainly mar Mohnish Parmar's psyche if he is banned.

 

Do you agree with me?

 

 

 

Ganguly is a certainty for the Oz series

I believe that Ganguly is one of the few certainities for the upcoming Australian series, simply because traditionally the Rest of India team comprises of those who are making a comeback or those whom the press call the hopefuls.

If we were to apply this criteria, then it is clear that it is Tendulkar, Laxman,Dravid, Dhoni and the bowlers who are on watch.

So instead of saying Ganguly buck up, I say buck up to the rest of the gang.

Technorati Tags     of,India,Team,ROI,Rest

A deliberate attempt to scuttle the ICC Champions Trophy

This appears a deliberate attempt by the Twenty20 Champions League organisers to scuttle the ICC Champions Trophy.

"The second edition of the Twenty20 Champions League will be held in September-October 2009, dealing another blow to the crisis-ridden Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

The dates of the multi-million dollar event clash with the International Cricket Council's decision to hold the Champions Trophy one-day tournament in October 2009.

The Champions Trophy, the International Cricket Council's (ICC) second biggest tournament after the World Cup, was due to be held this month but was cancelled due to security concerns in Pakistan".

One wonders whether India,Australia and South Africa are making a calculated move to ensure that Pakistan never stages the ICC Champions Trophy.

Technorati Tags     Champions,League,Twwenty20

It is time everyone grew up

 Symonds indiscipline and its aftermath.

The rabid Australian press have attributed Symonds indiscipline to "monkey gate' and its aftermath. According to them, Symonds believes that by failing to support him to the hilt,the CA betrayed him. This, the Australian press say, made him disenchanted with the authorities.

One does not know where the truth lies. However, it is surprising to see a supposedly tough as nails sporting nation  accept one of their star players is 'precious' and just not there.

While accusations and counter accusations are flying thick and fast, Symonds, the man at the center, has requested for privacy and ducked the issue.It would have been better if he had made a honest statement and put to rest any false conjectures.

Instead it has set of a series of  sensational innuendoes. Both the press and the Australian players have been imputing uncalled for motives. Granted that Symonds indiscipline deserved censure, but its incomprehensible why his team mates and his acting captain had to rush to the press. To a disinterested watcher, it appears that the 'think tank' of the Australian team made a misjudgement and to thwart a backlash have run to the press.The press expectedly sensationalised it by casting doubts on Symonds mental strength.

This is where CA's handling of the whole issue comes in for praise. In response to his reported disenchantment with them, the CA issued a statement asking Symonds to grow up, which is exactly what everyone concerned should do.

The players, media and even to an extent CA should show restraint and not behave as if there ulterior motives behind every action.

Do you agree that everyone is behaving childishly?

BCCI's rotten ways percolate to IPL franchisees

Deccan Chargers to probe Laxman-Afridi spat

The Deccan Chargers are to probe the genesis of the media war between two of their contracted players, Laxman and Afridi.

Actually, it is foolish of the administrators to react to such petty inconsequential issues. The whole world knows that an insecure Afridi has made it a point to shoot off his mouth at every given opportunity. One would go so far as to blame Laxman for reacting and thus giving unwarranted legitimacy to Afridi's statement.

Being a corporate entity the franchisee's should have shown better sense and  restrained themselves from following BCCI's blundering bureaucratic style of management.

Instead of going public about instituting a probe, a better and considered method would have been to call both Afridi and Laxman privately and request them to confine their differences to a team meeeting.

Are we expecting too much from our cricketers?

Vintcent van der Bijl, the newly appointed ICC official in charge of umpires, defends the standard of cricketers' behaviour. He says we are disappointed with their behaviour because we expect too much from them.

'There is huge pressure on them to be role models. I do believe that the general public want from their sports stars, the perfect human beings. Supporters expect players must have tunnel vision and be driven to absolute perfection in their specific art, yet be balanced and broad in their worldly views."

Put this way, I agree with him. I believe we are harbouring unrealistic expectations.

Is it right to expect them to behave when a majority of us fail to do so?

A passing thought on Trescothick

Actually, this post is about the England’s team management and the sensitive way they handled Trescothick.

In the macho world of sports, a player who exhibits mental fragility more often than not is treated  dismissively and sarcastically.

In Trescothick’s case, the English team management could have taken a similar path, treated his ailment flippantly, simply asked him to stop being a sissy and continue playing.

Instead, they gave him the space to recover by keeping his ailment private. Sadly, he failed to overcome his neurosis.

The sensitivity with which the English team management handled Trescothick’s illness surely deserves an OBE.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Marcus Trescothick pulls out of tour
• Fears for Marcus Trescothick's England career
• Marcus Trescothick retires from England

How do you see cricket evolving in the future?

Image by Márcio Cabral de Moura via Flickr

When I started to play cricket, the only format played internationally was the five-day test format. Then as you all know, the ODI gained popularity and for the next 25 years was the most popular format.

The ODI's popularity and even its relevance is now being questioned by the current favourite, the Twenty20 format. Regardless of the sneering traditionalist's the Twenty20 format appears to have caught the public imagination and is all set to be the format of the future.

The one common thing among these formats was the fact that the contests was always between countries/nations. Therefore, the changes have been slightly easier to digest.

However, Greg Chappel believes that it will change. He believes Twenty20 Club franchisees will gain popularity and Test will take the back seat.

Do you think this is how cricket will/should evolve?

Graham Ford reverts to type

Remember Graham Ford, the guy who supposedly agreed to coach India only to back out on his wife's say so?

True to his nature, he has done the same thing again. After accepting to coach the New Zealand team he " has dismissed suggestions he is about to take on the New Zealand coaching position".

Me thinks he is one hen-pecked guy.

BCCI and CSL on a collision course.

Recently there were speculations that the Indian cricket establishment and the Sri Lankan cricket establishment failed to see eye-to-eye. The speculation in itself was surprising, as just recently BCCI helped CSL avoid a financial crisis.

Nevertheless, there were early indicators that all was not well between the two. For instance, CSL supported ECB’s attempt to expel Zimbabwe from the ICC, Ranatunga followed this up by taking pot shots at the Indian batsmen and a CSL official further queered the pitch claiming they have not received any compensation from IPL for releasing their players.

Naturally, there was an immediate and far more telling response from the BCCI. Their President skipped a scheduled meeting of all the World Cup organizers citing work among other reasons. The blogosphere immediately speculated that Ranatunga has had his comeuppance and will now have to kowtow to the BCCI.

However, The Hindustan Times reports “Sri Lanka's cricket tour of England will go ahead as planned next year despite the dates clashing with a lucrative Indian Twenty20 tournament”, which means that the CSL and Ranatunga in particular have decided to take on  the BCCI.

This is sure to draw an angry response from the BCCI and if Ranatunga persists, it may end in jeopardizing the conduct of the World Cup.

Of course, this may end up as a storm in a teacup for two reasons. One, the ICC is bullish on BCCI and if the push comes to the shove, CSL will lose out. Two, Ranatunga himself is on unsure grounds. Reports suggest that he is in conflict with Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister and may anytime fall from grace.

Niranjan Shah kills captaincy controversy

My friend Niranjan Shah puts an end to the raging Dhoni vs.Kumble captaincy controversy.

The Board of Control for Cricket (read Niranjan Shah) in India on Thursday took strong exception to coach Gary Kirsten's comments that Mahendra Singh Dhoni is ready for Test captaincy and asked the South African to strictly concentrate on his job. BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah has categorically told Kirsten to avoid airing his views in the media and focus on coaching.

When it comes to tact he is God - others mere mortals.

Chappell the turn coat

Aha! The truth is out. It is clear why Chappell took up the job as coach of Cricket Australia's Centre of Excellence.

The Australian reports that "GREG Chappell will help plan Australia's defence of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in next month's four-Test tour of India after being appointed coach of Cricket Australia's Centre of Excellence in Brisbane yesterday".

So during his stint as India's coach and his subsequent assignments in Jaipur, he was taking notes and smuggling it back to his country. It is sad that such a fine upstanding cricketer has been reduced to selling his soul for mere money. If he had some drinking or gambling debts all he had to do was to tell Lalit Modi - he would have certainly made arrangements. Instead, he has let himself down so badly.

What ever be his reasons Indians take heart, it just goes to show that the Aussies are frightened of the Indian team and will use low-down tricks such as double-agents to overcome us.

Greg Chappell likes them young

If I am not mistaken he is currently the Director of a Jaipur based cricket academy and now a news report says that he "has been appointed as the new head coach of Australian cricket's Centre of Excellence."

In addition we know that Greg's youngsters fixation completely ruined our World Cup campaign and as a result he had to make a hurried departure as the coach of the Indian team.

Makes one wonder whether Greg likes them young.

Sri Lanka is greedy

The Sri Lankan Cricket Board has demanded US $1 mln from Pak to send its team for an unscheduled ODI series in South Africa.

Now where will (PCB) Pakistan get that kind of money?

What ails Shahid Afridi?

Should the PCB blame the local hakkem or IPL’s cheerleaders?

Recently Shahid Afridi has been affected by the dreaded ‘garrulous’ disease, a disease that has made him unnecessarily forthcoming on IPL and Pakistani cricket.

Normally, this disease affects cricketers who are out of form and no-one is placing a bet on them making a comeback

The disease manifests as follows:

1. The cricketer starts taking pot shots at his cricketing administration.
2. Some resort to calling the selectors Muppets and others have even sunk to level of calling the selectors buffoons.
3. He has visions of lucrative offers from IPL. He threatens to retire and take up the imaginary IPL offer.
4. The cricketer starts dispensing uncalled for advice to other players and other teams.
5. He bolsters his family man image by talking about his wife’s sacrifice.

In short, the out of form cricketer makes a nuisance of himself by rushing to the press with a load of inanities.

Thankfully, it is apparent that in Afridi’s case a less virulent version has affected him. To state the obvious, Afridi is already a contracted player of IPL and a regular member of the Pakistani national cricket team. So it is not the need to get back into the team that is making him “garrulous’.

According to the doctor’s , Afridi’s inability to play well in the IPL is the root cause. They say Afridi was a confident man when he strode to the crease, but the very sight of those beautiful cheerleaders, sashaying their ass before him turned him to soft putty. He could no longer biff a ball like the one he used to do before.

So badly was he affected that vision of those glorious ass haunted him in his sleep. Naturally, this meant he was unable to sleep. In these circumstances, a quickie would have been the solution. Unfortunately, Afridi’s wife was not with him, so he contacted a hakeem in Hyderabad. The hakeem, a reputed ass chaser himself, prescribed a pinch of opium.

As we all know opium is addictive, accentuates ones self-worth, and fuels brotherly love and doctor’s say that this brotherly love is driving Afridi to make these statements.

The PCB has stepped in and has referred Afridi to a reputed head shrinker for treatment.

However, can you help the PCB fix whether the culprit it is the hakeem or the cheerleaders?

(Image by diceliving.)

Technorati Tags Shahid,Afridi

Clouds over conduct of Stanford Super Series

The one-off $ 20 million winner takes all prize money Twenty20 fixture between a select England team and the Stanford Super Series has run into bad weather.

Michael Holding who initially termed the Stanford series as amazing and comprehensive, is now calling it a farce. Holding says that Stanford has lost interest in developing cricket in the West Indies and is more interested in promoting his business.

Regardless of Holding's 'bulti' or its aftermath, there is one more reason for the organisers to be jittery. Digicel , who have the exclusive sponsorship rights with the West Indies Cricket Board, has brought an injunction in the High Court of London claiming that the deal between the WICB and Stanford encroaches their exclusive rights. This injunction is to be heard on September 18.

As legal circles believe that Digicel is on strong grounds the case has all the elements to torpedo the Stanford Super Series.

Right from the beginning skeptics have openly wondered at Stanford's motive. The man has compounded the skepticism by making an off the cuff remark that he finds Test cricket boring. This comment has served to raise quiet a few hackles.

Now, it remains to be seen how serious Stanford is about developing WI cricket or whether he will end up being considered the villain of the piece.

Sadly, the ECB is also entwined in this murky business. Lets us hope the Stanford Super Series goes through as both the ECB and the WICB need it to develop their cricket.







Technorati Tags     Super,Stanford,Twenty20,Series

Mr. Symonds, what really happened ?

"I have been asked to think about what is important to me and I will take this time to do that"- Andrew Symonds.

Sitting here in India, with no access to facts it appears as if the Australian cricketing community is over reacting to a minor infraction by Symonds.
What one gathers from news reports is that Symonds failed to attend an hurriedly convened team meeting as he was out fishing.
Our immediate reaction that it is illogical to blame him for lacking foreknowledge is tempered by the fact that the Australian's as a nation are known for their 'fair go' policy. For those new to the Australian way, it means that they are scrupulously fair in the way they treat their team members and their opponents.
Adding to our confusion is the fact that almost everyone connected with Australian cricket are either questioning Symonds commitment or his 'mental state'.
For example, Steve Waugh has gone so far as to lamblast Andrew Symonds for putting fishing ahead of a team meeting and questioned the all-rounder's commitment to the baggy green cap. Acting national captain Michael Clarke follows suit and says Symonds would only be recalled when teammates again trusted him. 
These reactions appear excessive to the supposed crime and leads us to conclude that there is more to this 'fishy' incident than meets the eye.
Furthermore, a PTI report that Symonds is contemplating retirement confirms our suspicion.
So what led to Symonds banishment?

(Image by Abdullah AL Naser)

Technorati Tags     Australia,cricket,Andrew,Symonds

Does China need ICC help to develop cricket?

It appears that ICC is presumptuous enough to conclude that China needs their help. In fact, it has charged IS Bindra, its principal advisor,to focus on"developing the game in China".

Going by China's track record they are immensely capable of developing the game by themselves and if and when cricket is included in the Olympics they will emerge as the team to beat.

IS Bindra will surely be limited to the role of an awed bystander.

Why is Laxman happy to let things drift?

On VVS Laxman's reluctance

I am in complete agreement with Shahid Afridi when he says Adam Gilchrist would make a better skipper for the Deccan Chargers team in the next IPL season.
Because like his batting in Sri Lanka, VVS Laxman’s captaincy during the IPL left us wondering why he fails to impose himself on the game.

Do you have any idea on why he refuses to take charge?

What did Dhoni mean?

On missing Sachin

Dhoni is quoted as saying that he missed the presence of Sachin,Sehwag and Ishant.

While one can readily grasp his reference to Sehwag and Ishant, one fails to understand his reference to Sachin.

Was he saying that he missed having Sachin in the dressing room or did he miss his batting?

Overseas players in Ranji Trophy

The Gavaskar led BCCI Technical Committee okays state associations to add an overseas player in their squads.

From Indian cricket point of view, this will give state-level players the necessary exposure to professional cricketers and hopefully they will imbibe the tricks of the trade from them.

However, the influx of foreign players may dishearten the fringe players and the already insipid Ranji Trophy may turn out to be just another avenue for the 'professional' cricketers to make money.

Do you think this is a welcome decision?

On the contenders

On the replacements for Sachin, Saurav, Rahul and Laxman

This blogger is as guilty as others are in calling for a change without suggesting alternatives.
Though names like Gambhir, Raina, Rohit, Badri and Yuvraj rolls off everyone’s tongue, it is debatable whether they have shown anything beyond talent and promise.
Also compounding the problem is the fact that none of them bar Yuvraj and Gambhir has ever played a Test. This proves an obstacle when it comes to judging and suggesting alternatives.
However, their one-day performances give a fair indication of their temperament and undoubted talent.
Yet, it is dicey to go by their one-day records (Yuvraj is a good example of why it is foolhardy to do so.) and replace the seniors in one fell swoop.
So how do we learn whether they (the contenders) can bridge the fjord between Tests and ODI’s?
This is where the seniors can do their bit for Indian cricket. They by mutual consent should agree to sit out one Test series. A series of Test matches be it a two or a three Test series, will provide sufficient evidence of say, whether a Rohit is the right replacement for Rahul.
Unfortunately, their reluctance to do so is the cause for so much heart- burn among Indian cricket fans and forcing them to quote the Australian brutal method of showing no mercy.

Symonds disciplined

Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds is an accident waiting to happen

Australian team's leadership group has recommended that Symonds be sent home and acting on their recommendations the CA has recalled him home.

This means Symonds misses out on playing the ODI series against Bangladesh.

This drastic action was taken reportedly due to indiscipline. As this is the second time, this is a cause for concern for both CA and Symonds.

One oldie gets the message

On Saurav Ganguly's one-day career

In a recent interview Saurav Ganguly provides a pragmatic answer to the frequently asked question:

Small Talk:Would you like to get back in the India one-day team and play for a few more years?
Saurav Ganguly: I don't think that's likely because they're looking at younger players.

Lets hope Ganguly takes another pragmatic decision.

Technorati Tags     retirement,Saurav,Ganguly

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.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Champions Trophy postponed by ICC
• Date change for Champions League
• ICC moves to break Trophy deadlock

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.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Cricket: ECB stands firm over Champions League plans
• England and India deadlocked over Twenty20 Champions League
• India, Australia and South Africa agree Champions League tournament

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.

Related articles by Zemanta

• ICC moves to break Trophy deadlock
• ICC aims to avert Trophy boycott