People are busy celebrating Tendulkar's fiftieth century and taking "positives" out of the one sided defeat at Centurion. The are good excuses available and suitable use is being made of these. A one-sided first day pitch, not having Zaheer, poor bench availability, great second innings batting..etc.
All of these will come to nothing if India go on to lose the second test as well. There has not been enough discussion of the weaknesses in India's batting. Laxman and Raina failed in both innings. Sehwag and Gambhir did well enough in the second innings, but that needs to be carried on into the next test. SP made a point in his blog where he noted that Sehwag threw away his wicket in both innings. That is definitely not going to lead to a victory and in fact may result in a defeat. It's one thing to be out playing shots and it's another to be out playing a contrived shot.
Gambhir, in my opinion, was more disciplined of the two and deserved to make a big one. He got out to a good ball, but he too needs to be more watchful of the odd swinging deliveries. Dravid has been grinding it out without the assurance of the past where would overcome the bowling at some point in the innings and truly be the wall. He looks much more vulnerable now despite getting into the 30s and 40s. He is no longer the old reliable batsman who could be trusted to blunt the best of bowling attacks and smother them for Sachin and Laxman to milk.
Raina has some luxury of failing occasionally, but the manner in which he got out in the second innings was just awful. He just didn't seem to have the gumption to try to stick around and get a big one. He appeared to be trying his luck and that may work in T20s and ODIs, but doesn't in test cricket. If he plays the next test match he has the most work to do.
Add this to the bowling woes and India's best chance to win looks like it's being frittered away. South Africa are playing at full potential and if India is going to win, the only way they can is to play to their full potential. Right now it appears that there are too many loose ends.
The debate about first versus second is a good one. South Africa have won a series in India and India has won only one test. It is India that needs to prove it's number one. But on second thoughts, maybe the whole team thinks it's just a number.
Showing posts with label Series Preview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Series Preview. Show all posts
Friday, December 24, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
A Second Wind
Both are struggling for form. Even while out of sorts, both are digging deep to somehow deliver enough to win key moments.
Both seem to be playing from memory.
Both of them will roughly command the same position amongst all time greats, in their respective trades, when they retire. Numbers wise. But Harbhajan's personality does not afford him to be counted in the same breath as Rahul Dravid.
Rahul Dravid is a suave young man. Harbhajan's charm is the lack of it. He is an acquired taste.
Rahul Dravid seems studious, calculated and self aware. Harhbajan Singh seems to be the kind who thrives on street fights.Needs help to make him aware.
Rahul Dravid running down the pitch, fists clenched, wearing the India blue cap after winning Adelaide is an image permanently etched in mind. For him it takes updates to history to scream in jubilation. I imagine Harbhajan lets out similar emotions each time he sees his lunch box has Aloo parathas packed by his mum.
If Rahul Dravid weren't good at cricket, he probably would have been vying for Ban Ki-Moon's job over at the UN. If Harbhajan weren't good at cricket, somehow a truck driven by Harbhajan Singh on US Highways isn't very hard to imagine
Rahul Dravid is been a cornerstone of India's wins abroad. Harbhajan has played his part, in making sure India is a fortress for touring teams.
Rahul Dravid, like Jacque Kallis will never be celebrated as he should be. Harbhajan Singh deserves to get the kind of criticism he gets; for very often its due to the choices he makes and the battles he wishes to fight.
Rahul Dravid's appeal is global. Harbhajan's is entirely local.
Coming back to the matters at hand. A series to win in South Africa...
Both find themselves in desperate need of a second wind. For the sake of their team.
Expectations of India winning the series is built on matters of heart and the romance of seeing the famed middle order finally seduce the hostile pitches of South Africa.
But if India are to spring a surprise, and update history Harbhajan Singh needs to take wickets and Rahul Dravid needs to attack at number 3 and score centuries.
If you didn't see the point of this post and survived....try other pointless posts
Both seem to be playing from memory.
Both of them will roughly command the same position amongst all time greats, in their respective trades, when they retire. Numbers wise. But Harbhajan's personality does not afford him to be counted in the same breath as Rahul Dravid.
Rahul Dravid is a suave young man. Harbhajan's charm is the lack of it. He is an acquired taste.
Rahul Dravid seems studious, calculated and self aware. Harhbajan Singh seems to be the kind who thrives on street fights.Needs help to make him aware.
Rahul Dravid running down the pitch, fists clenched, wearing the India blue cap after winning Adelaide is an image permanently etched in mind. For him it takes updates to history to scream in jubilation. I imagine Harbhajan lets out similar emotions each time he sees his lunch box has Aloo parathas packed by his mum.
If Rahul Dravid weren't good at cricket, he probably would have been vying for Ban Ki-Moon's job over at the UN. If Harbhajan weren't good at cricket, somehow a truck driven by Harbhajan Singh on US Highways isn't very hard to imagine
Rahul Dravid is been a cornerstone of India's wins abroad. Harbhajan has played his part, in making sure India is a fortress for touring teams.
Rahul Dravid, like Jacque Kallis will never be celebrated as he should be. Harbhajan Singh deserves to get the kind of criticism he gets; for very often its due to the choices he makes and the battles he wishes to fight.
Rahul Dravid's appeal is global. Harbhajan's is entirely local.
Coming back to the matters at hand. A series to win in South Africa...
Both find themselves in desperate need of a second wind. For the sake of their team.
Expectations of India winning the series is built on matters of heart and the romance of seeing the famed middle order finally seduce the hostile pitches of South Africa.
But if India are to spring a surprise, and update history Harbhajan Singh needs to take wickets and Rahul Dravid needs to attack at number 3 and score centuries.
If you didn't see the point of this post and survived....try other pointless posts
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Taking on the Proteas
This is India's best chance to win a series in South Africa. India's main hope is that South Africa are not exceptionally formidable at home. They have lost to England and Australia at home. They were also unable to close the deal against Pakistan in the UAE, despite Steyn and Morkel in their ranks. Granted that it would have been a different deal if it was a home series against Pakistan.
Shaun Pollock delivered the last time India visited. Neither Steyn nor Morkel are a Pollock. He tormented the Indians every time he picked up the bat or ball and was rightly declared man of the series. His economy rate was fantastic. Fortunately for India, he will not be around this time.
The good news for India is that Tendulkar is going through a renaissance. The last time he visited South Africa he was in a funk. Although, he hit a few fifties, he was not at his best. Prior to that series he had an average of 20.85 in the six tests he played in 2006.
The biggest difference is in the coaching change. Chapell was messing with the team then. That sordid saga has been written often enough. Ganguly had made a comeback and despite useful contributions, he probably wasn't a positive force in team due to the tensions with the coach. Therefore, mentally, this Indian team must be in much better shape.
This is the second tour for most of the players. In addition, there is the experience of playing in the IPL in South Africa too. Overall, India should be much better equipped this time to overcome the home advantage that South Africa enjoys.
From South Africa's stand-point, despite their inability to close the deal against Pakistan, Amla's stupendous form is a huge asset. If he continues in the same vein, South Africa may very well win the series. A solid number 3 batsman can work wonders for the rest of the batsmen. We all know the wins India enjoyed when Dravid was at his very best. Even though Dravid has faded somewhat, it's clear that his contribution is vital in most cases if India have to avoid relying on a Laxman rescue act all the time.
South Africa though have a soft underbelly. Ashwell Prince may have had a wonderful series last time India were there, but he is unlikely to repeat it this time. South Africa will improve their chances significantly if they bring Duminy into the side. Duminy will bring to the South African team what Symonds brought to Australia. But Duminy is not playing the first test and there I think SA selectors have erred greatly. Kallis is a stock player and I have never rated him as a game changer. Perhaps erroneously so, but some perceptions are hard to change.
Given all this, it comes down to the bowling. I believe India have the attack to get 20 wickets per game. I don't believe Unadkat or Yadav will get a game. In fact, the selectors might send Munaf out there if there are any injuries. I also think Abhimanyu Mithun hasn't hurt his chances with a very good domestic season.
South Africa's weak link is likely to be Johan Botha. He is neither a bowler nor a batsman. A perfect T20 player and a good ODI player, but not test material. Once again, I base this on no more evidence than the rubbish he produced in the UAE. But he too has been left out of the first test which is good news for SA and bad news for India.
Tsotsobe or McLaren are both likely to trouble Indian batsmen who are not ever comfortable against genuine speed on bouncy wickets. Keeping the third fast bowler in the attack will keep Indian batsmen from relaxing. This might also be good to prevent Raina and Dhoni from delivering late order revivals. Along with Kallis, it will likely be huge advantage to South Africa. Perhaps even the scale-tipper.
India's lottery is Suresh Raina. But I'm quite confident he can deliver more runs than Ganguly did the last time round. I also think his bowling will come in handy in South Africa. Harbhajan will have to play to provide variety and hold fort every once in a while, but Dhoni may turn to Raina or Sehwag occasionally too.
So I'll end this post the way I started. This is India's best chance for a series win in South Africa.
Related Posts...
Shaun Pollock delivered the last time India visited. Neither Steyn nor Morkel are a Pollock. He tormented the Indians every time he picked up the bat or ball and was rightly declared man of the series. His economy rate was fantastic. Fortunately for India, he will not be around this time.
The good news for India is that Tendulkar is going through a renaissance. The last time he visited South Africa he was in a funk. Although, he hit a few fifties, he was not at his best. Prior to that series he had an average of 20.85 in the six tests he played in 2006.
The biggest difference is in the coaching change. Chapell was messing with the team then. That sordid saga has been written often enough. Ganguly had made a comeback and despite useful contributions, he probably wasn't a positive force in team due to the tensions with the coach. Therefore, mentally, this Indian team must be in much better shape.
This is the second tour for most of the players. In addition, there is the experience of playing in the IPL in South Africa too. Overall, India should be much better equipped this time to overcome the home advantage that South Africa enjoys.
From South Africa's stand-point, despite their inability to close the deal against Pakistan, Amla's stupendous form is a huge asset. If he continues in the same vein, South Africa may very well win the series. A solid number 3 batsman can work wonders for the rest of the batsmen. We all know the wins India enjoyed when Dravid was at his very best. Even though Dravid has faded somewhat, it's clear that his contribution is vital in most cases if India have to avoid relying on a Laxman rescue act all the time.
South Africa though have a soft underbelly. Ashwell Prince may have had a wonderful series last time India were there, but he is unlikely to repeat it this time. South Africa will improve their chances significantly if they bring Duminy into the side. Duminy will bring to the South African team what Symonds brought to Australia. But Duminy is not playing the first test and there I think SA selectors have erred greatly. Kallis is a stock player and I have never rated him as a game changer. Perhaps erroneously so, but some perceptions are hard to change.
Given all this, it comes down to the bowling. I believe India have the attack to get 20 wickets per game. I don't believe Unadkat or Yadav will get a game. In fact, the selectors might send Munaf out there if there are any injuries. I also think Abhimanyu Mithun hasn't hurt his chances with a very good domestic season.
South Africa's weak link is likely to be Johan Botha. He is neither a bowler nor a batsman. A perfect T20 player and a good ODI player, but not test material. Once again, I base this on no more evidence than the rubbish he produced in the UAE. But he too has been left out of the first test which is good news for SA and bad news for India.
Tsotsobe or McLaren are both likely to trouble Indian batsmen who are not ever comfortable against genuine speed on bouncy wickets. Keeping the third fast bowler in the attack will keep Indian batsmen from relaxing. This might also be good to prevent Raina and Dhoni from delivering late order revivals. Along with Kallis, it will likely be huge advantage to South Africa. Perhaps even the scale-tipper.
India's lottery is Suresh Raina. But I'm quite confident he can deliver more runs than Ganguly did the last time round. I also think his bowling will come in handy in South Africa. Harbhajan will have to play to provide variety and hold fort every once in a while, but Dhoni may turn to Raina or Sehwag occasionally too.
So I'll end this post the way I started. This is India's best chance for a series win in South Africa.
Related Posts...
India in South Africa: The Essential Certification
This isn't as much a "Final Frontier" for India as it is a quest for validation. A quest to authenticate their number one standing on the ICC ranking system. To get it certified.
If India do win in South Africa; which I think is highly unlikely; then only Sri Lanka can legitimately question India's authenticity.
But the classy islanders are....hmmm; too classy for such a debate. And without Murali I doubt whether they are even as relevant any more, in a discussion for the top Test Teams in the World.
Collectively India's famed batting order has consistently failed to last the distance; over an entire series; when faced with genuinely quick bowling. Series wins in the West Indies, and Test Wins in Australia have come when the fast men have been either away or the pitches numbed.
Suresh Raina is a weak link. No 6 is a position that comes in play more often than not in South Africa and I am certain Dhoni does not have it in him to make the difficult decision to pick Cheteshwar Pujara ahead of Raina.
Gautam Gambhir is unproven. He is likely to go down along with Sehwag as India's most prolific and winningest; which I suspect they already are; opening pair ever. If Gambhir can add performances in South Africa, Australia and West Indies, he could earn the tag of being a part of India's best ever opening pair.
On the bouncy and fast pitches in South Africa the collection of Sehwag, Rahul, Sachin and VVS have been well below their career averages and more importantly lost the will, mid way, to fight through an entire series.
Individual spells of brilliance in South Africa, most notably Azhar's and Sachin's Tango in 1996 and Sehwag's blockbuster opening in 2001, have been far too brief to have a bearing on the end result of the series. The former was as almost as suicidal as it was breathtaking to watch.
On the bowling side, India's spinners have been ineffective and while Srinath, Prasad, Sreenath and Zaheer have previously excelled they have been second best to the home bowlers. South Africa have always outbowled us to win series and if we are to win this time we will have to do the same
To depend on Zaheer, Sreenath and Ishant for 3 whole tests is lke depending on a briliiant ad film maker to deliver a 4+ hour epic like Benhur. Sure there will be brillant spells every now and then, but I suspect by the time the new year comes along, we will be looking to the world cup for validation.
Related Posts (Generated after considerable thought)...
If India do win in South Africa; which I think is highly unlikely; then only Sri Lanka can legitimately question India's authenticity.
But the classy islanders are....hmmm; too classy for such a debate. And without Murali I doubt whether they are even as relevant any more, in a discussion for the top Test Teams in the World.
Collectively India's famed batting order has consistently failed to last the distance; over an entire series; when faced with genuinely quick bowling. Series wins in the West Indies, and Test Wins in Australia have come when the fast men have been either away or the pitches numbed.
Suresh Raina is a weak link. No 6 is a position that comes in play more often than not in South Africa and I am certain Dhoni does not have it in him to make the difficult decision to pick Cheteshwar Pujara ahead of Raina.
Gautam Gambhir is unproven. He is likely to go down along with Sehwag as India's most prolific and winningest; which I suspect they already are; opening pair ever. If Gambhir can add performances in South Africa, Australia and West Indies, he could earn the tag of being a part of India's best ever opening pair.
On the bouncy and fast pitches in South Africa the collection of Sehwag, Rahul, Sachin and VVS have been well below their career averages and more importantly lost the will, mid way, to fight through an entire series.
Individual spells of brilliance in South Africa, most notably Azhar's and Sachin's Tango in 1996 and Sehwag's blockbuster opening in 2001, have been far too brief to have a bearing on the end result of the series. The former was as almost as suicidal as it was breathtaking to watch.
On the bowling side, India's spinners have been ineffective and while Srinath, Prasad, Sreenath and Zaheer have previously excelled they have been second best to the home bowlers. South Africa have always outbowled us to win series and if we are to win this time we will have to do the same
To depend on Zaheer, Sreenath and Ishant for 3 whole tests is lke depending on a briliiant ad film maker to deliver a 4+ hour epic like Benhur. Sure there will be brillant spells every now and then, but I suspect by the time the new year comes along, we will be looking to the world cup for validation.
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Monday, December 6, 2010
Ashes 2.5: This Changes Everything
England 1 : Australia 0
The signs were there for all to see. Yet collectively there was hesitation. To proclaim England as favorites.
England were serious about retaining the Ashes. In an era where teams are lucky to have a captain on tour a day in advance of a Test Match; England; old fashioned England; asked for 3 tour games. They won two of those convincingly. Yet collectively we refused to grant England its due. We always found a "but".
The decay had set in a couple of years back. Australia were on the decline. They regularly lost Test Matches. they lost to South Africa at home; lost a Test Match to Pakistan, after having almost lost to them at home; were blanked by India. They found baffling ways to lose Test Matches. They named a battalion, when the call was to name a Test Team. They sounded hollow as the usual suspects began to talk up a 0-5 blanking of England. Yet, we managed to keep a straight face. A decade and more of Aussie domination had taught us to be cautious. We knew Australia would find it almost impossible to wrest the Ashes but we did not say it loud.
Even now; all I am saying is England are favorites to win the Ashes. It would be a huge upset if Australia comeback to win this one. Botham's Ashes will have to take a back seat.
This changes everything. There are 3 teams at the top who can compete as equals. England have the best spinner in the World. England have the most dominating middle order batsman in the world. England are favorites to beat Australia home and away. England can bat for a draw or put up monumental scores. Above all England have a cricket administration that is committed to Test Cricket. England have many of the things that should be the envy of South Africa and India. England have what it takes to be first amongst equals. Or may be I am being carried away...
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The signs were there for all to see. Yet collectively there was hesitation. To proclaim England as favorites.
England were serious about retaining the Ashes. In an era where teams are lucky to have a captain on tour a day in advance of a Test Match; England; old fashioned England; asked for 3 tour games. They won two of those convincingly. Yet collectively we refused to grant England its due. We always found a "but".
The decay had set in a couple of years back. Australia were on the decline. They regularly lost Test Matches. they lost to South Africa at home; lost a Test Match to Pakistan, after having almost lost to them at home; were blanked by India. They found baffling ways to lose Test Matches. They named a battalion, when the call was to name a Test Team. They sounded hollow as the usual suspects began to talk up a 0-5 blanking of England. Yet, we managed to keep a straight face. A decade and more of Aussie domination had taught us to be cautious. We knew Australia would find it almost impossible to wrest the Ashes but we did not say it loud.
Even now; all I am saying is England are favorites to win the Ashes. It would be a huge upset if Australia comeback to win this one. Botham's Ashes will have to take a back seat.
This changes everything. There are 3 teams at the top who can compete as equals. England have the best spinner in the World. England have the most dominating middle order batsman in the world. England are favorites to beat Australia home and away. England can bat for a draw or put up monumental scores. Above all England have a cricket administration that is committed to Test Cricket. England have many of the things that should be the envy of South Africa and India. England have what it takes to be first amongst equals. Or may be I am being carried away...
Related...
Friday, December 3, 2010
Raina Rested
Raina is finally getting the rest that his captain had lobbied for. The Indian test line-up minus Gambhir is now getting enough time off to recharge their batteries for the title clash in South Africa. Primarily this means any excuses for collapses, caving in without a fight or poor form are eliminated. The best team is available, healthy and as ready as they can be.
This makes for a juicy contest and hopefully we will not be disappointed. Given that India is a batting heavy team, it's unlikely to be a slug-fest with SA. The contest will be between Indian batsmen and Steyn. Indian bowlers are likely to take care of business with Kallis and Amla the only two South Africans likely to offer significant resistance on sporting wickets. De Villiers and Smith to me have always been fair weather bullies although the record may prove otherwise.
Raina needs to fire in South Africa and needs to put the doubters at rest. Both Gambhir and he have been dogged by questions about their technique against bouncers and short balls. Gambhir will be facing a new-ball wielding Steyn. What better opportunity than that to prove to everyone that he's overcome his weakness.
Raina may face the second new ball or a reverse swinging ball depending on the situation. Therefore, he too will have the opportunity to do something special.
Ultimately, it will come down to Sehwag, Dravid and Tendulkar as usual. Zaheer will likely have his best series down there. Hopefully, Ishant will fire too.
This makes for a juicy contest and hopefully we will not be disappointed. Given that India is a batting heavy team, it's unlikely to be a slug-fest with SA. The contest will be between Indian batsmen and Steyn. Indian bowlers are likely to take care of business with Kallis and Amla the only two South Africans likely to offer significant resistance on sporting wickets. De Villiers and Smith to me have always been fair weather bullies although the record may prove otherwise.
Raina needs to fire in South Africa and needs to put the doubters at rest. Both Gambhir and he have been dogged by questions about their technique against bouncers and short balls. Gambhir will be facing a new-ball wielding Steyn. What better opportunity than that to prove to everyone that he's overcome his weakness.
Raina may face the second new ball or a reverse swinging ball depending on the situation. Therefore, he too will have the opportunity to do something special.
Ultimately, it will come down to Sehwag, Dravid and Tendulkar as usual. Zaheer will likely have his best series down there. Hopefully, Ishant will fire too.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Opinions on... UDRS
Is the UDRS about technology or the process by which decisions are delivered?
We are all for technology. But not for technology for technology's sake. Unlike MS Dhoni, we do not believe technology should be 100% fool proof before it is deployed. Unlike Sachin Tendulkar we do not claim to understand the reliability of Hot Spot over Snickometer. We don't really understand the cost issues around adopting UDRS, so we can't say whether the BCCI is justified in its relentless opposition to using UDRS.
What we do know is that the process of delivering decisions using technology is flawed. Make the UDRS a tool of the on-field umpire not a tool for the players to challenge his authority.
So the recent announcement that UDRS will not be deployed for the title clash in South Africa, should make us happy. Not really, because its completely missing the point and unlikely to influence that case of our concern.
We are all for technology. But not for technology for technology's sake. Unlike MS Dhoni, we do not believe technology should be 100% fool proof before it is deployed. Unlike Sachin Tendulkar we do not claim to understand the reliability of Hot Spot over Snickometer. We don't really understand the cost issues around adopting UDRS, so we can't say whether the BCCI is justified in its relentless opposition to using UDRS.
What we do know is that the process of delivering decisions using technology is flawed. Make the UDRS a tool of the on-field umpire not a tool for the players to challenge his authority.
So the recent announcement that UDRS will not be deployed for the title clash in South Africa, should make us happy. Not really, because its completely missing the point and unlikely to influence that case of our concern.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Ashes: History is the only thing going for Australia
Cricket is an unpredictable game; as long as we are talking about it being played outside the Ashes. When it comes to the Ashes, no one ever went broke (in the last couple of decades) backing Australia especially in Australia. England make all the right noises, focus all their resources to winning it as part of the build-up; which starts even before the itinerary is finalized but when the thing actually starts, Australia usually do all the talking, even if they are losing. Which is rare...the losing part that is.
For this year's edition however, it may be tricky to place a bet on the winner. The way the Australians have gone about selecting their squad for the first test would put a fifth grader to shame. Actually, it's not so much as shameful as it suggests "compromise" amongst the various decision makers and frankly Australians aren't conditioned to operate that way; at least on the field of play. Greg Chappell, sure has a way to stir things up. Most of the time he makes matters worse. My money though is firmly on Australia. Actually not firmly but...lets just say blindly.
So here is some considered, often repeated and mundane analysis on offer. No off-spinner has succeeded in Australia. The English bowlers are sort of like Tiger Woods without his mistresses on the bouncy pitches of Australia devoid of seam. Cook, Bell and Pietersen are not exactly Chris Broad, David Gower and Alan Lamb of 1986. You need an Ian Botham or a lesser sperm count version of him; Andrew Flintoff; to win an Ashes. All this is supposed to mean that England can't win or have not fully earned the right to be labelled favorites.
At the same time the turmoil in Australian ranks is hard to ignore. Well its not that they are exactly in turmoil, but I am not underestimating the ability of Greg Chappell. Surely the lack of talent in Australian ranks cannot defend history when it was raw talent in the first place that helped construct such a formidable record at Home in the Ashes. Granted, England haven't won a "live" match in Australia since Ian Botham retired, but these days even an Ishant Sharma with the bat is good enough to make the Australians not want to win. Stuart Broad ought to be more than handy for England. Even a "flush with cash" Pakistani outfit were unable to lose against Australia during the English summer. All this is supposed to mean that Australia can't be favorites either.
If you read the English media, you would feel that England steam rolled the West Indies, South Africa on tours and that their wins against Bangladesh was against India disguised as the Banglas and that the match fixing scandal during the summer subjected them to torture as evil as water boarding. England have worked themselves up to such a frenzy, even before the act, that they might ejaculate prematurely.
That aside, there are a million reasons why England ought to win the Ashes and I can't find many; other than history of course; that suggests Australia can win. Between a team that has developed a knack of losing from any conceivable position and a team that takes immense pride in their ability to force a draw in the face of any target, one of them has to enter uncharted territory.
Whatever the result some things are easy to predict. The series will be used to extol the virtues of Test Cricket. Every England draw will be used to describe how a draw is "as good as a win". Irrespective of the result the series will be hailed as the much needed tonic to heal cricket from the ills of corruption and none of the other 5 teams playing will object to what it infers. (Pakistan have lost the right to be above suspicion) The UDRS will be sold and resold to everyone who is not listening, even if only 5% of the decisions are made by the men supposed to be in charge. Other than the winner much will play out according to script.
For this year's edition however, it may be tricky to place a bet on the winner. The way the Australians have gone about selecting their squad for the first test would put a fifth grader to shame. Actually, it's not so much as shameful as it suggests "compromise" amongst the various decision makers and frankly Australians aren't conditioned to operate that way; at least on the field of play. Greg Chappell, sure has a way to stir things up. Most of the time he makes matters worse. My money though is firmly on Australia. Actually not firmly but...lets just say blindly.
So here is some considered, often repeated and mundane analysis on offer. No off-spinner has succeeded in Australia. The English bowlers are sort of like Tiger Woods without his mistresses on the bouncy pitches of Australia devoid of seam. Cook, Bell and Pietersen are not exactly Chris Broad, David Gower and Alan Lamb of 1986. You need an Ian Botham or a lesser sperm count version of him; Andrew Flintoff; to win an Ashes. All this is supposed to mean that England can't win or have not fully earned the right to be labelled favorites.
At the same time the turmoil in Australian ranks is hard to ignore. Well its not that they are exactly in turmoil, but I am not underestimating the ability of Greg Chappell. Surely the lack of talent in Australian ranks cannot defend history when it was raw talent in the first place that helped construct such a formidable record at Home in the Ashes. Granted, England haven't won a "live" match in Australia since Ian Botham retired, but these days even an Ishant Sharma with the bat is good enough to make the Australians not want to win. Stuart Broad ought to be more than handy for England. Even a "flush with cash" Pakistani outfit were unable to lose against Australia during the English summer. All this is supposed to mean that Australia can't be favorites either.
If you read the English media, you would feel that England steam rolled the West Indies, South Africa on tours and that their wins against Bangladesh was against India disguised as the Banglas and that the match fixing scandal during the summer subjected them to torture as evil as water boarding. England have worked themselves up to such a frenzy, even before the act, that they might ejaculate prematurely.
That aside, there are a million reasons why England ought to win the Ashes and I can't find many; other than history of course; that suggests Australia can win. Between a team that has developed a knack of losing from any conceivable position and a team that takes immense pride in their ability to force a draw in the face of any target, one of them has to enter uncharted territory.
Whatever the result some things are easy to predict. The series will be used to extol the virtues of Test Cricket. Every England draw will be used to describe how a draw is "as good as a win". Irrespective of the result the series will be hailed as the much needed tonic to heal cricket from the ills of corruption and none of the other 5 teams playing will object to what it infers. (Pakistan have lost the right to be above suspicion) The UDRS will be sold and resold to everyone who is not listening, even if only 5% of the decisions are made by the men supposed to be in charge. Other than the winner much will play out according to script.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
6 Reasons England will lose the Ashes
- Australia are sick of losing
- England will start resting key players starting with the 2nd Test to keep them fresh for the next Ashes series at home. After 3 Tour games and the first Test at the Gabba, Andrew Strauss is likely to contend that the team is exhausted and he'd like to keep the boys fresh for the upcoming Ashes in 2012
- Where's the motivation for England? England get to keep the urn regardless of the result.
- Leading up to the first Test, England have played teams that are worse than themselves. Australia have played teams better than themselves. England look better than they are, Australia look worse than they actually are.
- Australia will blunt Swann's knack of taking wickets early in his spell by counting his overs from backwards on the scoreboard.
- Australia can be themselves on the field; without worrying about the BCCI threatening to call off the tour
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Yes We Can't
It is quite heartening to finally see an Australian team that can back themselves to lose from any position. Having grown sick of being used to see them winning so often for so long from all sorts of tangles they would occasionally get themselves into; it feels quite nice to see them so lost. Its like they look at the score card, digest how close they are to winning it and then say to themselves..."Yes we can't"
I read a report in the Sydney Morning Herald that Marcus North is a shock contender as a captain instead of Michael Clarke. Now, he could get the job and turn out to be another Alan Border; but at this time, I am pretty certain that on skill alone Marcus North would not even find a place in many of the Ranji sides in India.
I have gotten most Ashes predictions right because I blindly say "Australia" when I ask the question to myself. Well, I have been wrong the last two times they lost in England but its still a pretty formidable strike rate on getting the Ashes winner right. This time I am not sure. My head tells me Australia should win but my heart tells me yes they can't.
Monday, November 1, 2010
An Unexciting Prospect
New Zealand is surprisingly, one of only 2 countries against which India do not have a winning record in tests since 2000. Obviously everyone expects that to be corrected before India move their focus on the other team; South Africa. However the later is a much tougher ask and will take a longer time to develop a winning record against
Since the last match fixing scandal; 2000; India have a collective 14 wins against 9 losses against the teams that will contest the latest version of the Ashes but having ignored New Zealand in favor of more revenue generating cricket, the effects of the 2002 designer green tops are being felt even today. Head to Head NZ have the upper hand over India.
Talk of India winning 3-0 are not entirely misplaced but should spite the likes of Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, McCullum and Vetorri into denying India only their 3rd clean sweep.
I remember watching in horror in 1988 John Bracewell and Sir Richard Hadlee bring India down to size at the Wankhede stadium, taking 18 wickets amongst themselves. That was one series India should have won 3-0. Of course that Indian side was seriously in transition and this New Zealand side does not have a Richard Hadlee. But I am cautioning myself, that if John Bracewell can win a Test for New Zealand on Days 4 and 5, Vetorri needs to be handled expertly. He is a threat no doubt.
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