Nagpur – Day 5

The Australians surrender the Border-Gavaskar Trophy

3.30 P.M.

Out gunned, out thought, out maneuvered and out sledged, Ponting’s Australians surrendered the Border- Gavaskar Trophy. Though they began the day with an outside chance of winning the test and retaining the Border- Gavaskar Trophy, the Australians squandered the opportunity by rapidly losing 3 wickets in the first session.

Strangely, for a team that prides itself on its preparation, the Australians committed the same errors they committed in Mohali. Barring Hayden whose talent matched his bravado, the rest succumbed to vain ambition.

Sadly, so consuming was their vanity, they failed to play out the day and salvage a draw.

Ponting’s words in the aftermath of Mohali that ‘they (Indians) played like us’ proves prophetic, it was India that played like Australia through out this series: the Australians played like a pale imitation of India.


6.00 A.M.

For some inexplicable reason, just when you expected him to go for the jugular, Ponting let India of the hook by turning to his part time bowlers. That decision saved India who promptly capitalized on his generosity to set a target of 382.

This has set the stage for a cut and thrust 5 th day. Surely, with a pragmatic Dhoni at the helm, the Indian team will go about sealing Australia’s fate systematically. Dhoni himself has said that the key to the 5 th days play lies in how Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma bowls. So in all probability, it could be a repeat of the third days tactics- choke the run flow and force the Australians to make mistakes. If India holds onto the all the chances then we may well see an Indian victory: otherwise, it will be a draw.

Cricket News Online Live.com

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• India head for series victory in Nagpur

Nagpur Test, Day 4

5.00 P.M.

Despite their achievements the one thing and arguably the most glaring failing of the fab four have been their inability to impose themselves when needed. Today's failure is one more instance where they failed when everyone expected them to carry the game beyond the reach of the Australians.

Fortunately, the partnership between Dhoni and Harbhajan not only saved the match but also put the Indian back on the drivers seat. (BTW, Harbhajan averages 50 or thereabouts in this series).

India 295 all out. Shane Watson and Jason Krejza have taken 4 wickets each. Overall, the Australian bowlers have put in a much-improved performance.

Australia requires another 382 runs to win the Test.

12.55P.M.

The two V’s, Virendra Sehwag and Murali Vijay give India a good start. They followed their 98-run stand in the first innings with a 116 run stand in the second. Though Vijay failed to get his half century, he has given evidence of his potential and justified his unexpected inclusion in the team. Now it is up to the Indian think tank to make clear what the future holds for him.

Though the run-rate in the morning session was according to Sehwag’s standard sedate, India still managed to score 98, which is as much as what Australia could score in the first two sessions yesterday.

An overall lead of 200 is just reassuring, India need to pile another 200 more as early as possible to completely rule out the possibility of an Australian victory.

6.50 A.M.

A test match that was meandering to a draw is suddenly alive with possibilities. For the second time in this series, the first one being at Mohali, India finds itself in a position of strength on the 4th day. They have the enviable task of setting a target for the Australians to chase. 

As usual, India depends on Sehwag for the size and the briskness of the start. If he leaves early, it would mean a delay in the declaration, which in turn may leave our bowlers with insufficient number of over’s to pries out the Australian batsmen. 

However, the 86 runs lead is a handy one and even if Sehwag leaves early, others like Dhoni, Laxman, Ganguly and Tendulkar can accelerate without fear. Dhoni as captain has the happy task of determining when to declare and if all goes according to plan, you may see him waving from the pavilion just after tea. 

Krejza and even White could be fly in the ointment. Both the Indian and the Australian batsmen have found lofting the spinners a perilous exercise. The pitch is behaving like a typical 4 th day test wicket, nevertheless one hope it crumbles when the Australians bat. 

Cricket News Online Live.com on the 4 th day of the Nagpur Test

Who is Airtel?

Image via Wikipedia

What do you think about the renaming of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as the Airtel Border-Gavaskar Trophy?

If you ask me, I find it offensive and in bad taste. In fact I am against this renaming business per se and in turn pledge my support to the kindred soul who is irritated enough to ask, “Who, I ask, is Airtel and what were his batting and bowling figures?

He feels “The prostitution of the title of a trophy that has been specifically named in honour of eminent people, though, is something different. How dare anyone, be they cricket administrators, sponsors, television producers or whoever else is responsible, cheapen the names and the trophy by placing them in the shadow of a sponsor”.

I think he has a valid point and consider the constant encroachment by the sponsors into each nook a massive put off. So much so, I dearly wish for the days when the stands at Chepauk were known simply as the ‘A’ stand or the ‘B’ stands.

What do you think of the present trend of tagging the sponsors name on to the every thing.

Cricket News Online Live.com

NAGPUR TEST – DAY 3

6.00 P.M.

A flurry of wickets before tea and another one just before close of play brought about an unexpected but swift end to the Australian first innings. Ishants telling blows followed by Mishra’s clean-up act has left the Australians trailing by 86 runs.

The Australian’s have their task cut out. They will have to keep the Indian in check failing which they will have the unenviable task of chasing a total on the 5 th day.

The Indians too have to be careful. They are in the same position they were on the penultimate day of the 3rd Test. They will have to guard against losing wickets and at the same time proceed to score briskly. If they do both, then India will be in a position to impose itself on Australia on the final day.

1. OO P.M.

Yippee! Ishant gets rid of the pest Clarke and Australia are 259/4.

Australia scratches their way to 255/3. Having lost one wicket in the morning session, they still trail India by 187 runs. From India’s point of view, they have to take 7 wickets. However, it appears India is willing to let the Australians scratch around presumably to let the test meander to a draw.

One cannot help wondering whether the Indian’s are focusing on winning the series rather than winning this Test match. Whatever be the strategy it makes for dreary viewing.

Katich, 92 overnight, needed another hour and a dropped catch to reach his century. As is the case always, bad form and ill luck seem to run alongside each other. Rahul Dravid dropped a catch that on any other day he would have pouched without breaking into a sweat.

6.00 A.M.

The outcome of the match depends on how swiftly Australia overhauls the Indian score. Judging by their current run-rate, they will do so by tea. From then on, it will be a scramble for India.

They will have to thwart Australia from running away with a substantial lead. A lead of even 100 runs will prove difficult to overhaul. Not only that, India will have to pile up a good score for the Australians to chase on the final day.

The raw Nagpur wicket is the only consolation. Most newly laid pitches are likely to crumble and the Australian’s will not relish batting on a crumbling wicket.

Let us all hope that this Nagpur wicket crumbles.

Cricket News Online Live.Com on the Nagpur Test.

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The English Lions are here

Amid the hullaballoo of the final Test, the English Lions have arrived quietly with their tail between their legs. Last weeks humiliating Stanford Twenty20 $20 million (12.68 million pound) challenge defeat is the reason for their muted entry.

According to the British press, England lost a chance to cement the second spot in ODI rankings as rain forced the abandonment of the fifth and final match of the South African series.

For the record England and India are ranked third and fifth respectively.

Cricket News Online Live on the upcoming India –England ODI series

 

It ain’t the money says Mohammad Yousuf

Mohammad Yousuf, the Pakistan batsman, says the attitude of PCB officials and Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, made him move to ICL and the money on offer did not sway his decision.

I wonder why it sounds hollow.

Cricket News Online .com on Mohammad Yousuf’s move to the ICL

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Nagpur Test: Day 2

5.30 P.M.

Australia 189/2, needs another 53 runs to avoid follow-on.

Katich 92 and Hussey 45 have ensured that Australia suffered no further alarms.

Harbhajan got Pointing’s wicket for the 10 th time. Surely, Ponting should be regarded as much more than Bhajji’s bunny. Sadly, it was struggle after that wicket. Dhoni was reduced to calling on Tendulkar to bowl a few over's.

The pitch is turning albeit slowly and both our pacers and our spinners have come a cropper. Unless our pacers regain the reverse swing or the pitch crumbles, this match is in danger of becoming boring.

2.20 P.M.

Whatever be the result, this Test will go down in my memory as the Krejza’s test.What a wonderful performance by a debutant. The reward was for his persistence and getting 8 wickets is no joke. Hats off young man!

Dhoni and Ganguly played a utilitarian innings. The rest of the team scraped around Harbhajan to get the score up to 441. It is not a bad score, however, the onus is on our bowlers particularly Harbhajan and Mishra to weave a spell around the Aussies.

Let us wait watch how the Indian team capitalizes on the fortuitous Hayden’s run out.

6.30 A.M.

India is 311 for 5 at the close of first day’s play of the final test at Nagpur. However, this leaves India neither here nor there. The Indian middle order, Sachin and Laxman in particular made and unmade this innings. They played well to ensure India suffered no damage after Krejza’s double strike and after doing all the hard work threw it away in a hot-headed fashion.

Credit for reducing India to this position should go to Krejza's. His 3 for may not sound much, but he lured such accomplished players of spin like Dravid, Sehwag and Laxman to their doom. Remember Warne ended up with worse figures on his debut.

Both Ganguly and Dhoni have their work cut out. The second new ball is still new and an early wicket may revive a dormant Lee.

Ganguly should ensure he does not bog down the run rate in his quest for last test glory, read century. The danger as usual lies in the first hour and after that India has to push on hard if they are to fashion a victory.

Cricket News On Line Live.com on The Border- Gavaskar Cup 2008

Nagpur Test – Day 1

5.30 P.M.

India corner the honours on the first day. They look set for another 450 plus score. One worry though, the scoring rate may falter if Ganguly plays for a century in his final test.

Dhoni has to take the slack and score some big hits.

4.15 P.M.

Australia provide light relief by dropping Tendulkar twice. Tendulkar finally get to his 40 th century and India moves towards 300 runs in a day.

Laxman departs becoming Krejza’s third victim. Australia missed a trick by not blooding him earlier.

1.20 P.M.

After having the upper hand for most of the morning session – Krejza’s twin strike caused a wobble.

Tendulkar on 48 and Laxman on 19 have played sedately to even the keel.

The debutant Vijay did every thing right. He was aggressive, watchful and adventurous until a Watson bouncer forced him to square up and lob a catch.

It has become painful to watch Dravid. Fortunately, Krejza put him out of his misery early.

 

9.41 a.m.

Dhoni gets the toss right and India is batting first. Sehwag is off to a feverish start.As expected Vijay makes his debut.

India’s first innings is going to set the pace for this Nagpur test. Here is hoping to a champagne test match.

6.40 a.m.

Well, after a long time India is in a position to win the Border-Gavaskar Cup. Contrastingly, the Australians are in real danger of losing their suffocating hold on it.

Dhoni as the Captain has already brought along some refreshing attitudinal changes in the Indian team. Normally at home, India would have pushed Dravid up and brought in a middle-order bat. This time however, it is certainty that Murali Vijay will replace Gambhir. That in itself is a sign of the much-bandied ‘positive approach’.

I know the supporters of Akash Chopra and Rohit Sharma will flame me for saying this,

nevertheless, I see Murali Vijay as a good number 3 batsman and the right sort to fill Dravid’s large boots.

This test is also a statistician’s delight. Apart from Vijay making his debut, it is Ganguly’s last and Laxman’s 100 th.

The media and most us bloggers have spoken about giving the ‘seniors’ a fitting farewell. One of them, Kumble, as is his wont, has quit without much fanfare. Ganguly by announcing his retirement during the lead up to this series has given us all a chance to give a fitting farewell. Let us see how we all make use of it.

Telecast schedule

India vs. Australia, fourth Test, Neo Cricket, 9.30 a.m

Cricket news online live.com

Gautam Gambhir’s Ban - Why is BCCI appealing again?

The ICC appointed Appeals Commissioner, Justice Albie Sachs, upheld the one-test ban handed over to Gautam Gambhir by Chris Broad. This has however not gone down well with the BCCI. They have shot off a letter to the ICC protesting the decision.

According to the BCCI, "The order has been passed without affording the player an opportunity of personal hearing, legal representation and without acceding to his request for certain documents or recordings to be given to him and also denying him any extension of time."

This is bound to raise the hackles of other cricketing nations. Even the most rabid Indian fan will admit that Gambhir deliberately elbowed Watson on the way to completing a second run. In fact, Gambhir had pleaded guilty to the level 2 charge of not conducting himself "in the spirit of the game”, ICC rules clearly permit the appeals commissioner to decide the matter without conducting hearings and hence this manufactured anger is misplaced.

The BCCI is being short-sighted, by supporting Gambhir. Their intention appears to be to get ICC to reopen the case. This will provide the ‘gap’ for Gambhir to play in the Nagpur Test. Granted Gambhir is in prolific form and his absence at Nagpur may affect our teams chances but the BCCI by looking at this in isolation may unwittingly signal Indian players that they can get away with uncouth behaviour as long as they perform. One repugnant example of this misguided support is Harbhajan Singh. Surely, the BCCI do not want Gambhir to get the same reputation.

The BCCI should withdraw its appeal and let Gambhir and India to pay the price. If BCCI continues to encourage then they may as well face the same situation as the PCB, where political and legal wrangles between players and the board is the norm.

Cricket News Online Live.Com

Champions Trophy – Western Australia makes a killing.

Image by SJ Jagadeesh via Flickr This is what I call easy money.
 
By letting Hussey play for Chennai SuperKings, the Warriors of Western Australia stand to gain a cool US$200,000.

"If Hussey plays for Chennai Super Kings, the Champions League governing council will pay to his Australian club for releasing him.”

BTW,Michael Hussey has opted to play for Chennai SuperKings.




Cricket News Online Live.com

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• Chennai Super Kings Champions League Team
• Matthew Hayden and Michael Hussey IPL row
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• Cricket: Date change for Champions League Twenty20

Bond had already done a Yousuf

If you thought Mohammad Yousuf is the first player to choose ICL over IPL, then you thought wrong.

Actually, Shane Bond is the first player to have done so and that too without any of Yusuf’s legal complications. Bond had offers simultaneously from both ICL and IPL; he however plumped for ICL as they offered him a complete contract, whereas IPL had forwarded a one-page memo.

Therefore, there are players who made informed decisions on the new Twenty20 league. There is indeed a major difference in how both players arrived at a decision. Shane Bond joined ICL based on the assurance given by Cricket New Zeland over his international future, whereas Mohammad Yousuf joined ICL knowing well that it is curtains for his international career.



Cricket News Online Live.com

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• Donald McRae speaks to cricketer Shane Bond

Will Night Test cricket work?

Image by Flying Cloud via Flickr

After a lull, the plan for playing Test cricket at night has gained momentum. As we all know, developing a ball suitable for night cricket was the key. Now that the CSIRO has assured Cricket Australia it is possible to use pink balls for night cricket CA is going ahead with the putting the plan into place.

This brings up two questions. One, is there a necessity to play Test cricket at night?

Two, will it generate as much public enthusiasm as Twenty20?

Would love to hear your views.



Cricket News Online Live.com

Kotla- Day 5 –Indian vs. Australia

Will Australia win?

No one would have expected such a turn around and no other cricket team barring India, would be fighting to save a match after scoring a mammoth 600 odd runs in the first innings.

So inept were they that India has to play throughout the final day in order to save the match. Australia patiently chipped away at the Indian score and fell just 36 runs short. By playing patiently, Australia not only got as close as they can to India total but also ate up enough time. This has ensured that they will not loose the match.

Alternatively, by grabbing the wickets of Sehwag and Ishant Sharma, they have forced India into a position where India has to play well on the final day to stave away defeat.

For those familiar with fifth day Indian batting collapse the prospect of defeat is real.

Stanford Twenty20 for 20 million

As I write, the Stanford Superstars are cruising to victory over England. They are 79/0 in 9.2 over’s needing 21 more runs in 10 over’s to overhaul England’s 99 runs.

Guess the prize money was too much for England.

Kotla -4 th day- India-Australia Test series -2008

6.10 A.M.

This Test match is likely to have dreary death if India fails to take wickets in a heap.
Already the pitch has been blamed for India's lack of success. The Kotla curator has pointed his finger at Daljit Singh the BCCI's representative, saying he is to be blamed for the placid nature of the pitch.

Which brings us to the question, why the Indian's failed to bowl out the Australian's on turning track. One cannot blame the absence of Kumble,he had already bowled 17 overs and gone wicket less before he cut his hand trying to latch on to catch. This is a failing often noticed - on a turning track the Indian bowlers struggle - what they need is spiteful track.

If you noticed most Australian batsmen got of to a good start but none as yet has scored a century. Can we label this as a psychological victory?

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Kotla - 3 rd day- India vs.Australia

3.40 P.M.
Elsewhere, Lord Allen Stanford has caught every ones attention. BTW, here is an excellent example of tripe that goes in the name of journalism in England. That the BBC has found it publishable is the saddest part.

3.15 P.M.

Nothing exciting to report. Sehwag got Hayden who was too over cautious Ponting duly scored his fifty. The ball is turning sometimes even squarely, but somehow the bowlers have not made all that extravagant turn count.

Either the bowlers are too excited and satisfied with getting the turn or they are unable to control the turn.
A minor miracle is needed to save this match from petering out to a draw.

On Gautam Gambhir's one test ban

I believe Gambhir got away lightly. He deliberately nudged Watson and whatever the provocation he should not have done that. The Indians  are definitely turning into 'serial-ofenders'.

However, the crime does not stop me wondering what was said by Watson. Surely, those words are better spoken in a bar.

1.00 .p.m

It is a hard grind for India. The wicket of the adventurous Katich being the lone consolation.
Just as I started updating Kumble dropped Hayden. Wonder whether a much fitter player (read 'junior') done a much better job.:)

As I do not want to depress my readers further here is what happend in the morning session.

Australia has weathered the initial hour storm and for the loss of one wicket are currently at 197 for 1.

The bad news - Hayden still out there at 77.

6.15 A.M.

Indians turn into us

Frank Devine has written a tongue in cheek impression on the Mohali Test. Mind you it is written from an Australian perspective. Here is a sample:

"The Mohali pitch behaved as if under the control of a panel of Hindu mystics. When the Australians batted and bowled, it was full of evil spirits, exorcised as soon as the Indians went to work".

Put aside your prejudice and enjoy the complete article here.

5.45 A.M.

What if India fails to get early wickets? I fear the Indian bowlers will lose heart if denied early wickets. In other news, Watson escapes with a 10% match fee fine, while Gambhir's fate is to be decided today. Laxman appears as befuddled as I am with Australia's defensive approach.What is wrong with this team? They seemed to have given up the ghost.

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• Gambhir ton lifts India into strong position

Giles Clarke is no fool.

If you were to read the English press on the unseemly Stanford Series Twenty20 taking place in Antigua, West Indies, one cannot but help get the feeling that the Texan billionaire Stanford outsmarted the ECB Chairman Giles Clarke.

So badly is England affronted by the uncouth billionaire’s behavior, the press and the cricket administrators have demanded Giles Clarke’s resignation.

The beauty of it is Giles Clarke is no amateur when it comes to business. He is a very successful businessperson and like Stanford has a financial company among his business interests.

Let us take a quick look at his business:

Giles Clarke is chairperson and majority shareholder of a number of private companies, including ATL Telecom, a designer of data transmission chips. He founded Majestic Wine in 1981 and co-founded Pet City in 1990. Giles is a National Council member of the Learning and Skills Council, is a director of the England and Wales Cricket Board, and is non-executive chairperson of Chaco Resources plc. Giles joined the board in November 2004 and is a member of the audit committee and remuneration committee.

• ATL Telecom - Cardiff based data transmission design Equipment Company, which manufactures in China.
• Fosters Event Catering - a West Country based independent caterer.
• CCI International - the UK's largest clay pigeon equipment manufacturer.
• West Country Business Systems - develops software systems for managing independent schools.
• Boston Tea Party - a West Country based chain of coffee shops.
• Pure Wafer plc - presently the only European based silicon chip test wafer reclaim company.

It is apparent that Giles Clarke is no mean businessperson and so the theory that Stanford put one over him is absurd.

So how did Clarke fall for such a deal? It would be good if the English media exposes the truth.

Cricket News Online Live.com on Stanford & Giles Clarke

Image by paradogma

 

Kotla- Day 2- 3 rd Test- India vs.. Australia

5.00 P.M.

With the Aussies, intent on denial and the Indian’s intent on running up a large score the post lunch session was a boring one. Gambhir fell shortly after completing his double century. Ganguly and Dhoni fell in the quest for quick runs as Laxman continued unperturbed

After a point the sight of the Indian’s grinding the Australian bowling to dust became monotonous. It was monotonous mainly because the Australian bowlers could extract nothing out of the pitch and Laxman went about piling runs without any undue flourish.

One got the impression that Kumble held back the declaration to let Laxman complete his double century. Nothing wrong there but it unnecessarily prolonged the affair and was a big turn-off as one was eager to see the Aussie batsmen go about the task of overhauling the Indian total.

As expected India declared at 613/7 as soon as Laxman got his 200. The interesting question now is how will the Australian batsmen fashion the chase?

If one expected Hayden and Katich do a Mohali, i.e., try to take the attack by the scruff of the neck, then one is disappointed. Katich appears more aggressive of the two. He in fact slashed a couple of boundaries. Kumble is evidently trying to get the batsmen on the back-foot and pitching it just short of length in the hope the pitch will do the rest.

Australia has safely negotiated their way to stumps on the third day and they are 50 without a loss.

11.42 A.M.

Laxman - Gambhir duo completely dominated the morning session. Laxman eased his way to his sixth century (104 n.o.) against Australia and Gambhir (191 n.o.) is on the threshold of scoring a double century – a feat if completed will be a first. Records show that no left-hand opener has ever scored a double century against Australia.

The Australian’s appear stuck on following the path of least resistance. They continue employing the strategy of pressurizing the Indian batsmen by denying the boundaries. Doubtless, this strategy fetched a series victory last time. However, this time around the Indians have bested them by showing equanimity and milking the bowling for runs.

Stuart Clark is one bowler who has bowled well. He bowled well and was miserly too (26 over's/51 runs). Unfortunately the other bowlers (Lee 26 over’s/92 runs and Johnson 25 over’s/95 runs) dissipated the pressure.

It appears Australia face another mammoth challenge.

India 393/3 at lunch on the second day of the third Test between India & Australia.

 

6.25 A.M.

If we continue yesterday’s good work, then the Australian’s will have to do all the running. Firstly, any score in excess of 450 will be tough to overhaul. Secondly, Kumble and Mishra will be enthused by watching Simon Katich turn a couple of deliveries.

In short, it will be engrossing and the proceedings will determine the result of the match.

Gautam Gambhir sums it up well.

"The way Katich bowled, a couple of balls really spun. Whatever cricket I have played at the Kotla, the bounce starts getting inconsistent from the third day on, once it starts breaking," Gambhir said.

"We have got two quality spinners in our side, and the condition that we are in - at 300 for 3 - and the way Amit Mishra bowled in the last game, Australia are going to be under pressure. The kind of batting they have shown on the turning track in Mohali, it's not going to be easy at all for them here."

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Sachin is becoming too big for his boots.

I believe the talk of a fitting farewell has gone to his head.

Sachin reportedly said,

“The seniors including myself will decide the time and place of retirement”.

Do you think Sachin or any cricketer for the matter has the prerogative to choose when to retire?

Side note: The entire senior issue reminds me of those MP's who refuse to vacate their official residence on some pretext.

Cricket News Online Live .com

Kotla- 3rd Test Day-1

5.30 P.M.

India score 296/3 at the close of play on day1 of the Kotla Test. Frankly I am surprised that they scored nearly 300 after losing Sehwag early.

Tendulkar's aggressiveness coupled with Gambhir's opportunistic batting saw to that India did not lag. Laxman as is his wont has compiled a well made 54.

The loss of Sehwag and Dravid early in the day almost gave the Australians the upper hand. Tendulkar batting wrested it away from them. Gambhir and Laxman have completely tilted the game in India's favour.

For Australia, Clark bowled well. Katich who bowled a pretty long spell for an occasional bowler got a couple of balls to turn.

All signs portend an engrossing day tomorrow.

For the record : India 293/3 (89 overs). Laxman 54 not out and Gambhir 149 not out.

3.02 P.M.

Post lunch was India's session all the way except when Sachin flirted with a Johnson delivery angling away from him only to nick it to Haddin. Laxman & Gambhir have continued the good work done by Sachin and posted a healthy 200/3 in 60 overs.

With another 20 overs remaining in the day scoring 300 is unlikely. That means India will have to score at a faster pace on the second day to give their bowlers sufficient time to bowl the Australians out twice.

As things stand, barring a dramatic batting collapse this match is heading for a draw.

Gambhir scores his third century and his second in successive innings against the Australians. This century is radically different from his other two. There it was more his form and luck that carried him to century. Here it was plain determination. Good job young man.

11.55 A.M.

No further alarms. Good to see Gambhir dig in with resolve. It is going to be hard work from here. The Australian tactics of denying runs has worked until now.
I think batting wise we are going to go through another tough session until tea.


10.52 A.M.

The Indian team has lost its effervescence. Primarily because Tendulkar has had much more strike than Gambhir. Currently they are stagnating at 48/2.


10.20 A.M.

Dravid out. Hayden takes a low dipping catch to his right at slips. 27/2 Tendulkar in.

One thing to be said about Dravid - he maintained a high run per ball ratio.

10.00 A.M.

Could be my imagination, but Lee and Clark appear menacing.

Dravid in.Though Gambhir appears in good nick, cannot get rid of the butterflies in the stomach.

Just as I feared, Lee got Sehwag before he could wreak havoc.

India won the toss and elected to bat.


5.45 A.M

Can India extend their lead? History suggests that India can seal the series at Kotla, but to do that Indian pacers have to continue the good work and get rid of the top three cheaply.

To me they have been the difference. Our seamers pinned the Australian openers on the back foot and the Australian batsmen who followed them have been forced to follow suit.

Therefore the fate of the Test match will be known in the very first hour. If the Indian openers get away to a good start or if the bowlers get a few Australian wickets you can be sure that the Test match will go the Indian way.

BTW the Indian team is going to wait until the last minute to announce its eleven. This is to give the maximum amount of time for Bhajji to prove his fitness.

I suggest that the Indian team should straight away include Amit Mishra instead of doing it utmost to include Harbhajan in the team. He, Amit Mishra,will prove decisive.

Cricket News Online Live on the Ist day of the Kotla Test

Money talks- Cricket Walks

tsk tsk - about as shallow as my ex missus.

money talks - cricket walks

- Rick Cret, nottingham,

A comment that excellently surmises the Stanford Twenty Super Series and the spectacle of watching the billionaire cosy up to the English cricketers wives and girlfriends.

It just goes to show to what extent the English cricketers will go to preserve Test cricket.

Image and comment from Daily Mail.

 

Cricket News Online live.com on Stanford Twenty20 Super series

Finally some drama at the ICL

Until now, the ICL tournament suffered from a lack of drama. To the consternation of the organisers there was nary a whiff of scandal,no drug allegations, no fines, no suspensions i.e., until now.

The suspension of Chris Cairns and Dinesh Mongia has changed all that. It has given the organisers sufficient impetus to talk up ICL. Talk up they will as it is a god-given opportunity to attract notoriety.

Coming back to the suspension, rumour has it Chris Cairns hid an ankle injury and Dinesh Mongia was a accessory to the fact, hence both were suspended.

However, in a style befitting an Indian organization there has been no official word elaborating the cause. Let the innuendos begin.

Cricket News Online Live.Com on ICL

Tendulkar comes of age

Regular readers know that the man Tendulkar leaves me un-enamored. For all the brilliance, he displays on the field; off it, he is lack luster. That is why I have largely ignored him.

However, in the last two weeks there has seen a sea change in his character. Last week he mocked the juniors and just I was giving up on him, he struck yesterday. He has given a tongue-lashing to Gilchrist and caricatured his statements as loose statements.

Can we mark this as his coming of age?

Cricket News Online Live.com on the Tendulkar -Gilchrist controversy.

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• Cricket: Sachin Tendulkar breaks Brian Lara's record to become highest Test run scorer

Crying Wolf over Test Cricket

I do not know about others but I am certainly getting tired of being harangued over the importance of Test cricket.

Here is the latest bleating about saving cricket and this time it is from the MCC Committee.

Twenty20 cricket must be scrutinized to prevent it from damaging the impact of the traditional Test format, a Marylebone Cricket Club committee recommended Sunday.

As far as I can see, countries are still playing Test cricket and cricketers and other stakeholders are constantly talking about the importance of playing it.

Then why cry wolf?

Cricket News Online Live.com on the importance of Test Cricket

Image by erinmariepage

Dravid is clutching at straws

One of the telltale signs that a cricketer is losing it is when he starts quoting statistics.

Consider this:

“My runs-per-ball average is pretty good this series. I think you have to be a little patient and I am ready to be patient.”

Imagine Rahul ‘The Wall’  Dravid quoting runs-per-ball average that too to justify his Test cricket form.

There can be only one inference; Dravid knows he is sinking.

Cricket News Online Live Com on Rahul Dravid.

Australia – India Test series – The reality check at Mohali

The royal whipping they received at Mohali, seem to have opened the eyes of the Australians to the need to take a leaf out of their adversaries book. The reality check has made them realize that ‘new age cricket’ would not do, instead they have to adapt their game to Indian conditions. Ponting admitted, “A lot of our players have learnt a lot of things from the last (Mohali) game".

After watching Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma reverse swing the ball, Nielson and his wards have recognized the need to maintain the shine on one side of the ball. In fact, there were reports of the Australian hiring the former Indian swing bowler Manoj Prabhakar to help them get a hang of reverse swing. Today, the media is replete with the news that Mitchell Johnson, the most successful Australian pacer (eight wickets at 31.25) has the additional responsibility of cuffing the ball. It is obvious the Australian bowlers are learning the art of reverse swing from the Indian bowlers.

The Australian batsmen who looked a bit rusty on the tour opener initially clung on to the belief that with a bit more time in the middle, they would be fine, only to realize that just spending time in the middle is inadequate. Except Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey, no other batsmen have hit a century. In one innings, Stuart Clark hung on with Hussey to save their blushes. Haddin played a good hand in a couple of innings. Clarke’s was the lone sane innings in the mayhem at Mohali. For Australia, these innings proved insufficient to put the Indian bowlers under pressure. 

Like their bowlers the Australian batsmen too have begun to realize that in India it is better to play the waiting game instead of blindly thrusting the foot to the ball and swishing. Hayden who is having a miserable tour has decided to follow the Indian batsmen style of waiting for the ball and playing from the back foot.

According to him, batting in India is about “clearing your feet and using your eyes and hands to play the ball, as opposed to moving your feet to the line of the ball and your head to the line of the ball."

Lets us hope the 8 day break will provide them the time to clear their misconceptions and open their mind to the challenge of playing India in India.

Cricket News Online Live.com post on the Border-Gavaskar Cup.

Technorati Tags: Indian Tour,Australia

 

Image by drinksmachine and Helena- Reet

The Stanford Super Series Fixtures

The Stanford Super Series consists of four teams.

They are:

The Stanford Superstars (17 players chosen by a West Indies selection panel).

Middlesex (winners of the English Twenty20 Cup).

England (The lone International team.)

Trinidad and Tobago.

All the fixtures take place at the 5,000-capacity Stanford Cricket Ground in Antigua

SUPER SERIES FIXTURES

Saturday October 25 - Stanford Superstars v Trinidad & Tobago

Sunday - England v Middlesex

Monday - Trinidad & Tobago v Middlesex

Tuesday - England v Trinidad & Tobago

Thursday - Stanford Superstars v Middlesex

Saturday November 1 - Stanford Superstars v England

Cricket News Online Live.com post on Stanford Twenty20 Super series fixtures starting 25, October 2008.

Technorati Tags: Stanford,Super Series,Fixtures

Dean Jones Antidote

And this is what he suggests:

In my opinion they should be bowling to contain more instead of trying to take wickets all the time. We've got to learn to build up pressure here and we're not doing that.

I find his suggestion an echo of Australia’s strategy during the last tour to India.

In fact it was relabelled as ‘new age’ cricket at the start of this tour.

Sadly, Australia failed because they lacked the discipline to bowl just outside the off-stump line.

Maybe the return of Stuart Clark would see them successful.

Cricket News Online Live.Com

My friend ‘proper’ Niranjan Shah

I am glad to hear that my dear friend Niranjan Shah is alive and well. Though it has been a long time since he had an opportunity to shoot of his mouth, he has used raging controversy over Gilchrist’s accusations to establish that all is well.

Niranjan Shah, the BCCI secretary at that time, felt Gilchrist "wants to sensationalise the incidents" to sell his book. "Everything was properly handled by the authorities with the appointment of proper men to conduct the hearing after a proper procedure was put in place. After the matter is over, to claim these things in the book is nothing but foolishness."

Spot on Niru, glad to hear you are alive and kicking.

Cricket News Online Live. Com post on Niranjan Shah

Technorati Tags: Cricket News Online Live

Australian talk of leaving the hostilities in the field is a sham.

Adam Gilchrist in his yet to be released book True Colours, has observed on how Australians play the game.

Echoing an oft repeated sentiment (to the extent of it becoming a cliché), Gilchrist claimed that the Australians play their game hard and forgot their hostilities once they stepped off the field.

However, I question the very assumption that anyone including the Australian’s can forget their animosity once they step off the ground. Human nature is such that an even small slur rankles.

Consider this:

The very fact that Gilchrist has lambasted Tendulkar for changing his testimony during the ‘Monkeygate’ hearing shows that the incident still rankles. Remember Gilchrist was no way personally involved.

If we go back to the Sreesanth- Harbhajan ‘Slapgate’ Ricky Ponting, who by the way kept quiet when he was in India, commented that the Australians stand vindicated and further added that Harbhajan had it coming.

These two examples are enough to illustrate that the talk of leaving the Australians as others do not leave their animosity in the field and therefore the very talk is a sham and sign of moral delusion.

UPDATE 4.57 P.M.

Here is an interesting tit-bit that reiterates what I said earlier that the Australian talk of leaving animosity in the field is a sham.

 

Cricket News Online.Com post on Adam Gilchrist’s new book ‘True Colours’.

Technorati Tags: Cricket News Online Live,True Colours,Adam Gilchrist,Book

Australia to copy Indian 'swing'

According to a report in The Hindu seeing the success of the Indian bowlers particular Ishant and Zaheer the Australians have decided to drop their ‘new age’ style of reverse swing and are looking to adopt the Indian ‘time wrap’ method.

The Indian Express reports that Tim Nielsen, the Australian coach, is making the Australian pacers watch the Indian seamer Zaheer Khan in slow-motion and learn the craft.

So much for their determination to play new age cricket. Now they are playing catch-up. Pathetic.

Cricket News Online Live.com

Tendulkar mocks ‘juniors’.

When asked what he meant by converting stones into milestones, Tendulkar replied, “I was thinking about all the senior cricketers present in the team. Honestly, I believe that the seniors deserve more respect”.

Tendulkar went on to clarify it by saying, “In fact, there were too much talk on the seniors prior to the series...I think they had achieved a certain level because of the sweat and tears they had put in.

They did not take anything for granted, so nobody should put them down. They had been committed to their jobs. I believe people should show more respect to them”.

I believe it is too simplistic to reduce the argument to respect and disrespect. Firstly, none of the arguments against the seniors has been about their achievements, it has been about current form and fitness.

Secondly, by saying it Tendulkar is disrespectful to players like Amol Mazumdar, Badrinath, Amit Mishra and other cricketers who toil in the domestic tournaments without hope of a reward. The same argument of not taking anything for granted, sweat and tears and commitment can be argued in favor of the supposedly ‘juniors’.

A man of Tendulkars achievements should desist disparaging his peers and should show more respect to the ‘juniors’ and their achievements.

Cricket News Online Live.com

Mohali Test and the Australian Team

Expectedly, India’s thumping victory at Mohali, has everyone contemplating the future of Australian cricket.

Mike Selvey of the Guardian compares the Australian team to the global economy and concludes both are in recession.

Malcolm Conn in The Australian finds a similarity between the current situation and the one that prevailed between Australia and West Indies during Australia’s quest for ascendancy.

The celebrated cricket columnist Peter Roebuck blamed Australia’s arrogance and said that Ponting’s claim that India was a team in a time wrap backfired.

K.R. Nayar, Senior Reporter for the Gulf News believes that the huge margin of victory, 320 runs to be precise, has shaken the balance of power in the cricketing world.

Angus Fraser writes that though the Australian’s were crushed they cannot be written off.

The best analysis came from Ponting – he said that India played like Australia, which is indeed high praise.

The final word however was said by The guy of the Internet, “Cricket just became exciting again! Australia has dominated too long, its about time the other sides started aggressively taking the game to the once unstoppable Aussies. The Arnie line comes to mind here: If it bleeds, you can kill it.”

Is India listening?

Cricket News Online Live.com

Ponting admits missing Warne & McGrath.

Image by Evan Romine via Flickr

Ponting says he misses the services of the legendary Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.
The fact that he misses the services of the two legends is unsurprising, it his open admission that causes a surprise.
It makes one wonder whether Ponting understood the impression it would make on his beleaguered bowlers.

Surely, these statements are gratuitous and serve to demoralize the team.

Does sledging win you Test matches?

Mahendra Singh Dhoni says that good consistent cricket wins Test matches and if ever there is evidence that sledging wins Test matches, he is going to hire a “couple of guys who are good at it”.



This was said in response to a query by an Australian journalist whether it was a ploy (sledging or chitchat as Dhoni coyly puts it) to beat the Aussies.

Cricket News Online Live.com

Zaheer Charged - what about Ponting or Chris Broad?

Zaheer Khan,has been charged by the ICC match referee Chris Broad for his send-off of Matthew Hayden during Australia's second innings at Mohali.

This is down right silly. To me it just looked like a keyed up player (Hayden had waded into Zaheer's bowling) winding down. I would go as far as to categorize it as similar to Ponting's going on about Sehwag's escape. (He was give not out despite a snick which could be heard in Chennai.)

How about someone charging Chris Broad for speaking out of turn about Rudi Koertzen? It would do good to remember that the decision involved an Indian player. Surely, it can viewed as a case of someone over reaching his brief.

Technorati Tags     the,and,Chris,Ponting,Zaheer,arsehole,Broad.

Mohali Test - Day 5

11.06 A.M.

So that is it. Mishra came and wrapped it up. Australia all out for 195 in 64.4 overs.

Other than the huge margin of victory  - 320 runs- the most remarkable thing in this victory was the ease with which India won. You can almost say things went according to plan.

Congratulations to all Indians.

Cricket News Online Live.com

10.27 A.M.

Australia have crept to 172/8. It has been nearly an hour since the last wicket fell. It is time either Mishra or Bhajji came to the party.

Cricket News Online Live.Com

9.46 A.M

This is just too exciting. Zaheer has White caught by Dhoni. Australia 144/7 - sorry they are now 144/8 Lee cleaned up Zaheer. Is he on a hat-trick?

Johnson see that danger out. No hat trick for Zaheer.

Cricket News Online Live.Com


9.37 A.M.

Zaheer clean bowls Haddin. Australia 142/6. This is the start we all wanted.Yipee!

9.30 A.M.

Get your tickets to the Mohali Test.

For those scrambling for tickets for the final day of the Mohali Test match try Kyazoonga.

If you are rushed for time or do not have internet access you can COLLECT YOUR TICKETS AT THE KYAZOONGA KIOSK AT HOTEL SHIVALIK, SECTOR-17 CHANDIGARH.

Cricket News Online Live.Com

9.15 A.M.

Wonder why the match is yet to start. Does it not start half-an-hour earlier on the fifth and final day?

Clarke will be facing the first ball on the fifth day from Zaheer Khan.

Cricket News Online Live.Com

7.15 A.M.

Gautam Gambhir and Virendra Sehwag pair have become the second most successful opening pair for India.The most successful opening pair are Sunil Gavaskar and Chetan Chauhan.

I have always assumed the Sunil Gavaskar- K.Srikkanth pair to be the second most successful, so it is a surprise to learn that the Gavaskar -Anshuman Gaekwad was until yesterday the second most successful pairing.

P.S An unsubstantiated belief: I think among the opening pairs the Sehwag-Gambhir pair must have the fastest scoring rate.

7.00 A.M

The question uppermost in my mind is will India win?

Clarke and Haddin have already eaten up more than one session and I fear, if the Indian's do not get either of these batsmen out in the first hour, their shoulders will droop. If that happens then the Indians will revert back to type. Instead of making things happen, they will wait for something to happen which in turn means these two can eat up sessions and with a bit of luck by the way of umpiring errors or even dropped catches can save Australia from defeat.

However, there is one blessing - India cannot lose this match and similarly Australia cannot win. 

Having said India cannot lose, I now wonder whether I am being presumptuous.

Colored clothes, white clothes and all the jazz.

Kevin Pietersen, adds his two-pence to the Test vs. Twenty20 debate.

Twenty20 is here to stay and is the future of coloured clothes cricket but white clothes separate the men from the boys -- where you are testing yourself over five days," Pietersen told a news conference at Lord's.

White clothes! I thought there was some thing beyond clothes that distinguished the men and the boys.




Cricket News Online Live.com

What is behind Yuvraj recall rumors?

At the end of a successful day for Indian cricket, one hears the startling news that Yuvraj is likely to take the place of pace man RP Singh for the third and fourth Test against Australia.

One fails to understand the need of a batsman replacing a bowler, when Badrinath is already in the team. One concludes that this is another attempt to satisfy a quota requirement.

There are also rumors speculating that Ganguly is injured and hence Yuvraj is a cover for him. Having seen no evidence of injury when Ganguly was batting one assumes that this injury is a smokescreen.

Now what is behind the smokescreen?

UPDATE: India has named an unchanged team for the next two Tests.

Cricket News Online Live.com

Mohali Test – Day 4

3.55 P.M

Australia on its knees.

The match was so engrossing that I was loath to move away from the TV. So after nearlly a 4 hour gap here is my update.

Gambhir completed his century - the second in his nascent career - undoubtedly happy to rub my nose in the dirt for calling him another Chetan Chauhan.(BTW- that is factually wrong i.e., me calling him Chetan Chauhan - for Chauhan had never scored a century).

Coming back to Gambhir he duly got out immediately after getting his century, when to my surprise Ganguly walked in and did a fair job of upping the tempo along with Dhoni.

Finally India declared at 314 /3 leaving Australia an improbable 500 and above to score for victory.

The very first ball Hayden faced he lofted it and I genuinely believed that Australia is making a run for it. But a combination of Ishant and Harbhajan has reduced Australia to a pathetic 93 for 5.

I am hopeful of a win.

11.00 A.M.

No century for Sehwag on his 30 th birthday, he got out to Siddle at 90.

Dhoni has replaced him.

This is the most hilarious description of Sivaramakrishnan and Ravi Shastri together in the commentary box.

Unfortunately, there was an entire session surrounding the big moment (Tendulkar breaking Lara’s record) and the commentary was like two pieces of dry bread coming together to impersonate a sandwich.

Have you heard anything better?

Technorati Tags: Sehwag,Ravi Shastri,Sivaramakrishnan,commentary.

10.35 A.M.

India rubs it in.

At 171 for no loss after 13 over's, one can say the first hour of the fourth day has gone India’s way.

The Australian’s should be worried as in spite of restrictive field placements; Gambhir and Sehwag match each other stroke for stroke. They are also working the gaps for sharp singles.

Will the next hour bring up Sehwag’s century as a birthday gift?

He just got two – given not out and lbw of a no ball.

Technorati Tags: Sehwag,Gambhir

7.30 A.M.

On L.S. Sivaramakrishnan

Couple of surprising things I learnt about L.S.Sivaramakrishnan.

• 
  
  He went wicket less on debut.
• 
  
  He played just 9 Tests and took 25 wickets.

Therefore, his reputation largely rests on his talent and not on his accomplishments. BTW, believe me he had oodles of talent.

One example is the ball he bowled to Miandad in the Benson & Hedges Finals.

Do you think he wasted his talent or was it one of those things that happen in a person’s life?

Technorati Tags: L.S.Sivaramkrishnan

6.30 A.M

The onus is on our bowlers, can they do it without Kumble?

To those who visited this blog yesterday, I apologies for the lack of updates.

I understand that Amit Mishra (5 for 71) has joined V.V. Kumar and Narendra Hirwani to become only the third leg-spinner to claim five or more wickets in the debut innings in Tests. Let us hope that for the sake of Indian cricket he takes many more five for.

After watching Kumble’s sliders for donkey’s years, it was good to see an Indian leg-spinner turn the ball. One thing I noticed was that Harbhajan was more attacking yesterday. (I am relying on the highlights and the odd moments I spent watching the match yesterday).

With over 300 runs lead and the match on its fourth day, Indian has a fair grip on the match. However, the onus rests on our bowlers; they have to get the Australians out.

Since we have never done this in the recent past without Kumble, I admit to being worried.

Technorati Tags: Mohali,Day 4,India,Australia,Second Test,2008