Cricket schedulers clearly have little sense of timing. After a World Cup that ambled at the start into a furious sprint in the end, we have Australia facing Bangladesh. I mean, gimme a break! The IPL too has cranked up to empty stadia. After the frenzy of the World Cup, all the six hitting now seems pointless.
Shane Watson annhilated Bangladesh, but who cares? Big deal, so did Sehwag, but in a World Cup game that mattered. I'm a huge fan of Shane Watson, but didn't he get his timing off by a few weeks? This is what he should have done against India at Motera. Having said that, Watson further rubbed humiliation into Bangladesh's wounds by claiming that he simply didn't want to run. I mean, did he really have to say that? It's bad enough for Bangladesh to know that they don't belong. An Aussie hammering of Bangladesh, right after a good World Cup is not what a cricket fan should be subjected to.
Watson's innings further brings in disrepute, ICC's decision to keep Zimbabwe and Bangladesh as automatics in the next World Cup. Ireland is obviously upset and Netherlands deserve to be upset too. These two teams demonstrated some organized resistance to the anointed ones. They were not good enough to get past the post. Ireland is especially exciting with their brand of cricket. Bangladesh's cricket is neither exciting nor encouraging. To ask the bottom two test teams to win playoff battles with the associates is a fair request.
Afridi is blowing hot, hotter and ice-cold within days. He led a sprited Pakistan challenge in the world up to the semi-finals. In the end, heart alone could not overcome lack of depth. It was a brave Pakistan challenge that was put down by India with missionary zeal. Afridi added to his stature when immediately upon return, he questioned the media on their obsessive dislike for India. Shortly, thereafter, he came up with a brain-dead response that would only make the extremists proud. My only explanation is that he got a friendly phone call from the neighborhood jihadi.
His last statement about Miandad is another one that is cool on the outside, though not diplomatic. "Miandad is not the only great batsman that we have produced". Classic. It may have killed any chances for a coaching role for Miandad, but it must have also sent a message to others that egos are not wanted, experts are. I'm still convinced that Afridi is the right person for the cricketing culture that is Pakistan.
If you put a suave, press-friendly mask on Pakistan cricket administration, you will get Sri Lanka. The resignations followed by more resignations is humorous to say the least. The most impressive thing about this idiocy is that Sangakarra has managed to make it sound smart. With his introspective interview and sane sounding analysis, he had me. Until I looked at the result and realized that SL as a whole is looking foolish despite every individual looking quite smart. This is like the Indian batting order of the eighties and nineties when at one time everyone had a test century or fifty to his name, but the team kept losing due to collapses. So no one could be dropped.
SL should take a leaf from South Africa and do it their way. Lots of resignations, but no drama. Which brings up a point? Why do World Cups have to result in blood-baths of resignations and rebuilds? Only one team is going to win at a time. Does it really mean that everyone else sucks?
Showing posts with label The World Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The World Cup. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
I Resign
I am resigning from my post at Sri Lankan Cricket. Actually I am not legally contracted in any way with SLC but I am resigning nonetheless.
Allow me to explain.
I had an implicit contract with SLC and my role can be best described as an Indian-supporter-who-could-not-escape-admiring-Sri-Lankan-cricket-and-cricketers. But I no longer wish to play that role. Indeed I do not see any succession issues. My role was certainly not indispensable and you will find a million others to succeed in this role of a Indian-supporter-who-could-not-escape-admiring-Sri-Lankan-cricket-and-cricketers.
As with any contract, this one too came with obligations on both sides.
An obligation on my part; which I believe I have fully and unconditionally honored; and an obligation from Sri Lankan cricket; which I know you have not. Your inability to better your 2007 World Cup runner-up performance with a championship in 2011 is a breach of contract.
I hereby join skipper Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardhane and the Sri Lankan selectors and offer my resignation.
In my career as an Indian-supporter-who-could-not-escape-admiring-Sri-Lankan-cricket-and-cricketers I had a great time as long as you kept your obligation to constantly improve. But two consecutive 2nd place finishes in ICC's showpiece event is abysmal and even though I gave it my all, I think it is time for SLC to groom a younger more enthusiastic professional who can be an Indian-supporter-who-could-not-escape-admiring-Sri-Lankan-cricket-and-cricketers.
My time as a Indian-supporter-who-could-not-escape-admiring-Sri-Lankan-cricket-and-cricketers has been full of happy memories.
Your humbling of India in the very first Test you played in my country, Sidhat Wettimuny's 190 in your first Test at Lords, the attacking instincts of Roy Dias and later Arvinda D'Silva; all these were my earliest assignments and I not only did well as an Indian-supporter-who-could-not-escape-admiring-Sri-Lankan-cricket-and-cricketers but I also loved my job.
More recently I was as upset at the umpiring as any other Sri Lankan when Kumar Sangakkara's brilliant fightback was wrongly cut short in a Test in Australia.
Heck, I even traveled to Greneda for the 2007 World Cup Super Six game (I have not yet been reimbursed by SLC) to watch 2 of your games. In one, which bore no consequences to the semi final line ups against Australia, you chose to rest your star players and what I cheered was a side which can be best described as the one that can lose and not hurt the Sri Lankan ego. I still cheered although I must admit I felt very much cheated.
When I look back at my career at SLC, I think this game was the first time cracks began to appear in our relationship. It was a dimwitted move to not try and win against Australia and over the last 4 years I have not been enjoying my job as much; bar the Sangakkara episode.
I vehemently believe that my resignation will be the best move for both parties in this implicit contract.
As for my next assignment.
I have an offer from the Bangladesh Cricket Board. Implicit of course. After a couple of months of spending time with my family I will accept the offer. I am now an Indian-supporter-who-could-not-escape-admiring-Bangladesh-cricket-and-cricketers
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
1983 + 2011 for 2015
India has now won one world cup in the subcontinent and one on English green tops during the early part of summer. How about a combined team to defend their title in 2015 on Australian and New Zealand pitches
Here's my playing X1 for Australian conditions
Sachin Tendulkar - I guess there ain't much to say here
Krishnamachari Srikkanth - I am still not completely sold on Virendra Sehwag as an ODI opener. Although I think his value with an innings like his 38 in the semifinals against Pakistan cannot be overstated. And that is exactly the kind of innings Srikkanth played in the finals in 1983. Also a 38. When both got out, no one would have imagined that these cameos would be the difference in the end. And Srikkanth has selection skills. Okay I am stretching it but Srikkanth it is for me to partner Sachin and take first strike.
Mohinder Amarnath (Vice Captain) - Have we had a better top order batsman than Jimmy Amarnath to play the fast men on bouncy, fast pitches? Perhaps Rahul Dravid but he is not a World Cup winner. In possession of a fearless hook shot, guts and patience, Amarnath will be a perfect anchor to guide the innings. He always thrived against genuine pace and loved playing away from home. During the early 80s his conquests in Pakistan against Imran Khan and in the West Indies against Clive Lloyd's fast men were inspiring. Post world cup he slumped, never to get his groove back.
His bowling is an additional asset, although he might not be as effective in Australian conditions. New Zealand perhaps yes. He was a master of taking the pace off the ball.
Yuvraj Singh - Primarily as a batsman and his fielding at point. With Srikkanth in the covers for company the fielding will get an intimidating feel. This attacking style of batting will suit the Australian conditions more and he has a decent ODI record in Australia as a batsman.
His spin bowling will give his captain more options but the side is generally not short of specialist bowlers
Sandip Patil - Mohammed Azharuddin's 3 consecutive centuries on debut instantly killed Patil's career but in the 5 years he played for India he made an impact. Capable of dominating even the most hostile fast bowling he thrived in Australian and English conditions alike, Never known to take a step back, he scored a scintillating 174 not out against Dennis Lillee and Len Pascoe in a Test match in Australia after a Len Pascoe bouncer felled him and he had to be taken to the hospital in the previous Test. He once scored 24 runs in one Bob Willis over in England and his assault on the same bowler in the 1983 semi finals booked a place for India in the semi finals
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Captain and Wicketkeeper) - A much better captain than Kapil Dev.
Kapil Dev - The X factor
Harbhajan Singh - The other options are either Kirti Azad or Ravi Shastri. Both are perhaps going to be as in effective as Harbhajan Singh in Australia. And Ravi Shastri was not even a regular in the playing XI so probably does not qualify for selection. Like Sachin, Dhoni and Kapil, Piyush Chawla drops himself. So Harbhajan it is for his ability to scrap, sledge and generally get under the skin of the opposing team.
Roger Binny - Can be depended upon to bowl an economical spell of bowling and when conditions are right can run through top orders. Who can forget the 1985 World Championship game against Australia when all Indians woke up to stumps flying and Azharuddin diving at point with Australia 5 down in next to no time. Roger Binny was the architect of that win. He also was the highest wicket taker in the 1983 world cup, so the man deserves a place in this side on that effort alone.
Also a decent enough batsman, who could bat higher than Harbhajan.
Zaheer Khan - Kapil Dev's bowling partner. There isn't much more to say
R Ashwin - The 2011 side could not afford to have R Ashiwn in the playing XI for lack of a genuine, dependable all rounder like Kapil Dev. This one does.
See Also
Here's my playing X1 for Australian conditions
Sachin Tendulkar - I guess there ain't much to say here
Krishnamachari Srikkanth - I am still not completely sold on Virendra Sehwag as an ODI opener. Although I think his value with an innings like his 38 in the semifinals against Pakistan cannot be overstated. And that is exactly the kind of innings Srikkanth played in the finals in 1983. Also a 38. When both got out, no one would have imagined that these cameos would be the difference in the end. And Srikkanth has selection skills. Okay I am stretching it but Srikkanth it is for me to partner Sachin and take first strike.
Mohinder Amarnath (Vice Captain) - Have we had a better top order batsman than Jimmy Amarnath to play the fast men on bouncy, fast pitches? Perhaps Rahul Dravid but he is not a World Cup winner. In possession of a fearless hook shot, guts and patience, Amarnath will be a perfect anchor to guide the innings. He always thrived against genuine pace and loved playing away from home. During the early 80s his conquests in Pakistan against Imran Khan and in the West Indies against Clive Lloyd's fast men were inspiring. Post world cup he slumped, never to get his groove back.
His bowling is an additional asset, although he might not be as effective in Australian conditions. New Zealand perhaps yes. He was a master of taking the pace off the ball.
Yuvraj Singh - Primarily as a batsman and his fielding at point. With Srikkanth in the covers for company the fielding will get an intimidating feel. This attacking style of batting will suit the Australian conditions more and he has a decent ODI record in Australia as a batsman.
His spin bowling will give his captain more options but the side is generally not short of specialist bowlers
Sandip Patil - Mohammed Azharuddin's 3 consecutive centuries on debut instantly killed Patil's career but in the 5 years he played for India he made an impact. Capable of dominating even the most hostile fast bowling he thrived in Australian and English conditions alike, Never known to take a step back, he scored a scintillating 174 not out against Dennis Lillee and Len Pascoe in a Test match in Australia after a Len Pascoe bouncer felled him and he had to be taken to the hospital in the previous Test. He once scored 24 runs in one Bob Willis over in England and his assault on the same bowler in the 1983 semi finals booked a place for India in the semi finals
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Captain and Wicketkeeper) - A much better captain than Kapil Dev.
Kapil Dev - The X factor
Harbhajan Singh - The other options are either Kirti Azad or Ravi Shastri. Both are perhaps going to be as in effective as Harbhajan Singh in Australia. And Ravi Shastri was not even a regular in the playing XI so probably does not qualify for selection. Like Sachin, Dhoni and Kapil, Piyush Chawla drops himself. So Harbhajan it is for his ability to scrap, sledge and generally get under the skin of the opposing team.
Roger Binny - Can be depended upon to bowl an economical spell of bowling and when conditions are right can run through top orders. Who can forget the 1985 World Championship game against Australia when all Indians woke up to stumps flying and Azharuddin diving at point with Australia 5 down in next to no time. Roger Binny was the architect of that win. He also was the highest wicket taker in the 1983 world cup, so the man deserves a place in this side on that effort alone.
Also a decent enough batsman, who could bat higher than Harbhajan.
Zaheer Khan - Kapil Dev's bowling partner. There isn't much more to say
R Ashwin - The 2011 side could not afford to have R Ashiwn in the playing XI for lack of a genuine, dependable all rounder like Kapil Dev. This one does.
See Also
Monday, April 4, 2011
1983 v 2011
Which one is a greater achievement. India winning the 1983 Prudential Cup completely out of the blue or India winning the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup under the weight of insane pressure from a billion people magnified a 100 times; to use Shahid Afridi's magnifying glass; by the relentless Indian media.
One was a fairy tale and the other a realistic goal achieved through dedication, careful planning and deliberate processes.
In one India beat all 4 previous World Cup winners in a sequence of high pressure games played in front of expectant (read demanding) crowds and in the other India beat the most fearsome, most intimidating, most talented team at the peak of their prowess
One had a ring of naivete and innocence to it the other had a ring of self awareness and self belief.
In one, the defining knock by the captain helped the team stay afloat and in the other the defining knock by the captain sealed one of the most fluent run chases in a world cup final. Both feats will take ages to emulate.
One had Mohinder Amarnath the other had Yuvraj Singh playing more or less the same roles.
One had a team who were out to enjoy, have fun and generally just glad to be in esteemed company the other had a team struck with anxiety attacks under the pressure of expectations
In one, Ravi Shastri was on mute, in the other we weren't so lucky.
One changed Indian cricket forever the other confirmed India as a changed team.
One was achieved by the best Test team in the world the other was achieved by defeating the best Test team in the World.
Those who watched both the World Cups, will be the best judges to call this one. To say which is the greater achievement in Indian cricket.
As for me, I need a few more samples to say for sure.
Other World Cup posts...
One was a fairy tale and the other a realistic goal achieved through dedication, careful planning and deliberate processes.
In one India beat all 4 previous World Cup winners in a sequence of high pressure games played in front of expectant (read demanding) crowds and in the other India beat the most fearsome, most intimidating, most talented team at the peak of their prowess
One had a ring of naivete and innocence to it the other had a ring of self awareness and self belief.
In one, the defining knock by the captain helped the team stay afloat and in the other the defining knock by the captain sealed one of the most fluent run chases in a world cup final. Both feats will take ages to emulate.
One had Mohinder Amarnath the other had Yuvraj Singh playing more or less the same roles.
One had a team who were out to enjoy, have fun and generally just glad to be in esteemed company the other had a team struck with anxiety attacks under the pressure of expectations
In one, Ravi Shastri was on mute, in the other we weren't so lucky.
One changed Indian cricket forever the other confirmed India as a changed team.
One was achieved by the best Test team in the world the other was achieved by defeating the best Test team in the World.
Those who watched both the World Cups, will be the best judges to call this one. To say which is the greater achievement in Indian cricket.
As for me, I need a few more samples to say for sure.
Other World Cup posts...
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Portraits: Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Just how big a name has Mahendra Singh Dhoni become.
For his opponents, he is certainly more threatening than Mogambo, Gabbar Singh and Shakaal put together.
No one has seen where Dhoni was from a few moments after he hit the six to bring home the World Cup till the time he was called on by Ravi Shastri for an interview. And then he went missing again. No one saw him lift the cup later, either
That makes him invisibler than Mr. India and more secretive than James Bond.
At the post match press conference he charmed reporters with giggles that were more genuine and had more warmth than any Miss India that went on to become Miss World.
That makes him an object of Abhishek Bacchan's affection. That's big.
His "Well Of Course...." will soon topple "Are O'Samba" as the most repeated line by Indians.
He has cricket's equivalent of "7 Khoon Maaf" by admitting that he made an error in judgement in a game with Pakistan. No Indian cricket captain (not even Azharuddin) has ever admitted to making a mistake for fear of being hanged to death.
That makes him bigger than Priyanka Chopra and Vishal Bharadwaj - both the music and film director.
His last ball six will resonate for a long time with Sri Lankans; who like Dr Dang will be vowing an echo of the echo of the six. And while Dilip Kumar's hit, was heard only as far as theaters in India; it makes Dhoni's hit which was telecast live world wide; better than Rana Vishwapratap Singh's.
 |
| MSD 3.0 |
...perhaps even bigger than Salman Khan.
AndDareISayBiggerThanSachiinTendukar... there I said it. I hope I survive this. If I do, its all thanks to Sachin.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni has, saved a Test match at Lords, won the T20 World Cup (and since then they have stopped calling it the World Cup - which makes him the only one to do it) The IPL, The Champions League, the last edition of the tri - series in Australia, has led India to number 1 in Test rankings and now he has won the 50 over World Cup.
More importantly no one has noticed he is still to win the 60 over cup.
With so much already accomplished, and assuming that he is not amongst the selfish, egoistic sports stars who are obsessed with "calling it a day while they are still at the top"; another way to look at how big MS has become is to comprehend what else he needs to accomplish for him to keep his career graph ascending.
Sit down with the Israelis, Palestinians and President Obama and show them how to bring peace to the middle east. Solve the Kashmir issue, convince the world that global warming is just how God designed it to be, eradicate the world from all cyclones, floods, hurricanes (except the Nikhanj dude from Haryana), earthquakes and tsunamis, make cars run on water....
If MS accomplishes the cricket equivalent of the above, in the next 1-2 years. His career graph may continue its upward trend...
...Slightly
If you still haven't got enough of the man, like us; please indulge yourselves
If you still haven't got enough of the man, like us; please indulge yourselves
Saturday, April 2, 2011
India is now Dhoni
At 30 off 29 balls, Yuvraj Singh swung and missed off Malinga. The familiar feeling of an impending implosion began taking possession of my being. Two more dot balls followed and I closed my eyes hoping that madness would not consume Yuvraj. Over the next two balls, Yuvraj took 3 calm runs. I breathed a sigh of relief. India were going to be champions. There would be no heartbreak. India knocked off the runs without a flourish until the very last shot. No mountain too high, no river too deep and no adversity too hard. India has become Dhoni. Calm, collected and cool.
Flashback to the World Cup in 1987. In the very first game against Australia, after being 206-2, India slumped to defeat by one run chasing 270. In that game, the original Ice Man, Steve Waugh, administered the narcotic. India didn't manufacture ice-men. When Gambhir went at 223, to a ditsy shot, my brain was beginning to turn into spaghetti. Time and again, India's big, bad, deep and stats-rich batting line-up had demonstrated no mental strength and belief. Right from the waning days of Gavaskar until now, India could collapse anytime.
But in this World Cup, India have chased with the perseverance of the FBI chasing the Unabomber. They have stayed in the hunt in the big games chasing runs. They have taken games to their logical conclusions, rather than try to finish them off in a flurry of shots. It has taken decades to shake off the "hit-out-or-get-out" habit.
This team has probably learned the lesson that Miandad taught India in 1986. It ain't over until it's over. Gambhir, Kohli and Yuvraj Singh have played their parts to perfection in most of the matches. Whenever the alternate script had to be enacted, they were in good form in every match. India's primary script was for Sehwag and Tendulkar to score big and take as big a bite as they could of the score they were chasing. When it didn't go that script, they settled into a "death-by-a-thousand-cuts" script that would take matches to the last few overs. Against Australia and in the finals, India have had to find plan B.
Bringing himself to the center stage in the final, Dhoni gave notice to the superstars playing in the game that this was his stage. Tendulkar, Murali, Jayawardene, Sangakarra and Sehwag are some of the biggest the sport has seen. Zaheer and Malinga have performed World Cup feats that will live in memory for a while. Jayawardene constructed a magnificent century. One of the very best ever crafted in the World cup finals. It wasn't brutal like Ponting or Gilchrist's recent efforts, but it was clinical, suave and scientific.
Conventional thinking suggested that Sehwag or Tendulkar were the only ones who could respond. But Dhoni was going to have none of that. He put himself in the middle of the biggest game of his life and charmed it, coaxed it, cajoled it and finally when it was almost his, brought out his biggest shot. There was only one occasion when he almost was run out that he lost it for a second. But he immediately, put his arm up, owned up for the situation despite it not really being his fault and continued. That's what leaders do. This was going to his. He owned it.
This is a new India. An India that believes that it can. It stays calm. It knows nothing but pressure. It has learned to accept it and get on with it. It explodes when it can and buckles down when it needs to. This India now manufactures Ice-Men by the dozen. Dhoni is India and India is now Dhoni.
See Also
Flashback to the World Cup in 1987. In the very first game against Australia, after being 206-2, India slumped to defeat by one run chasing 270. In that game, the original Ice Man, Steve Waugh, administered the narcotic. India didn't manufacture ice-men. When Gambhir went at 223, to a ditsy shot, my brain was beginning to turn into spaghetti. Time and again, India's big, bad, deep and stats-rich batting line-up had demonstrated no mental strength and belief. Right from the waning days of Gavaskar until now, India could collapse anytime.
But in this World Cup, India have chased with the perseverance of the FBI chasing the Unabomber. They have stayed in the hunt in the big games chasing runs. They have taken games to their logical conclusions, rather than try to finish them off in a flurry of shots. It has taken decades to shake off the "hit-out-or-get-out" habit.
This team has probably learned the lesson that Miandad taught India in 1986. It ain't over until it's over. Gambhir, Kohli and Yuvraj Singh have played their parts to perfection in most of the matches. Whenever the alternate script had to be enacted, they were in good form in every match. India's primary script was for Sehwag and Tendulkar to score big and take as big a bite as they could of the score they were chasing. When it didn't go that script, they settled into a "death-by-a-thousand-cuts" script that would take matches to the last few overs. Against Australia and in the finals, India have had to find plan B.
Bringing himself to the center stage in the final, Dhoni gave notice to the superstars playing in the game that this was his stage. Tendulkar, Murali, Jayawardene, Sangakarra and Sehwag are some of the biggest the sport has seen. Zaheer and Malinga have performed World Cup feats that will live in memory for a while. Jayawardene constructed a magnificent century. One of the very best ever crafted in the World cup finals. It wasn't brutal like Ponting or Gilchrist's recent efforts, but it was clinical, suave and scientific.
Conventional thinking suggested that Sehwag or Tendulkar were the only ones who could respond. But Dhoni was going to have none of that. He put himself in the middle of the biggest game of his life and charmed it, coaxed it, cajoled it and finally when it was almost his, brought out his biggest shot. There was only one occasion when he almost was run out that he lost it for a second. But he immediately, put his arm up, owned up for the situation despite it not really being his fault and continued. That's what leaders do. This was going to his. He owned it.
This is a new India. An India that believes that it can. It stays calm. It knows nothing but pressure. It has learned to accept it and get on with it. It explodes when it can and buckles down when it needs to. This India now manufactures Ice-Men by the dozen. Dhoni is India and India is now Dhoni.
See Also
That's the way...Mahi Way
Mahendra Singh Dhoni may have just eclipsed Arvinda D'Silva's 107* in the 1996 finals; the only century till date in a successful run chase in a World Cup finals. Arvinda's century too like Dhoni's 91 not out, came on the heels of 2 quick wickets but when those 2 wickets are Sehwag and Sachin; the pressure you have to absorb is that much more.
India are World Champions again and it was almost scary the way they scripted the most tense but strangely serene run chase I am ever likely to see. With each run that brought us closer, I asked my self what a win would do to the legend of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. I am not sure what the answer is, but perhaps we are seeing the beginnings of a cricketer that will eventually be bigger and meaner than Sachin Tendulkar. He will never have Sachin's skills. Thank God for that.
Sri Lanka seemed to have been defeated by Dhoni much before India finally beat them with a six of the last ball. After having started almost all matches with the Sehwag way, India ended a successful World Cup campaign; the Mahi way.
See Also...
India are World Champions again and it was almost scary the way they scripted the most tense but strangely serene run chase I am ever likely to see. With each run that brought us closer, I asked my self what a win would do to the legend of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. I am not sure what the answer is, but perhaps we are seeing the beginnings of a cricketer that will eventually be bigger and meaner than Sachin Tendulkar. He will never have Sachin's skills. Thank God for that.
Sri Lanka seemed to have been defeated by Dhoni much before India finally beat them with a six of the last ball. After having started almost all matches with the Sehwag way, India ended a successful World Cup campaign; the Mahi way.
See Also...
- Our unsolicited and half baked, opinions on Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Friday, April 1, 2011
Portraits: Muttiah Muralitharan
In a grand total of 61 Test wins for Sri Lanka, Murali has featured in 54 of them and accounted for 41% of the wickets. Later today he would be itching to go out on a high with another world cup.
Even if both his knees are struck with age related arthritis, the guy will turn up for the finals and bowl.
Even if both his knees are struck with age related arthritis, the guy will turn up for the finals and bowl.
 |
| He usually scripts his own farewells |
See Also
World Cup Finals - India v Sri Lanka: Does India have the legs for another scrap?
When asked if an all Asian World Cup finals, suggests a power shift in world cricket, Mahela Jayawardene said,
"We mustn't forget that this is a World Cup on the subcontinent, and obviously home conditions suit us. In fact, it would have been disappointing if Asian teams hadn't made it to the final. The World Cup will be played on a different continent the next time, and we can say the balance of power has truly shifted if two teams from the subcontinent make the final then."
A smart answer from a man who plays for a smart team led by an even smarter and sophisticated Kumar Sangakkara. India's opponents in the finals are a team perfectly capable of beating them comfortably
A preview...
Hangover
Malinga's toe busting missiles, Murali's enthusiasm, thirst for wickets and his knack of doing something special on farewells, Mendis' carom balls and then the formidable top order batting centered around the most prolific Kumar Sangakkara. What Sri Lanka have to offer can easily spoil India's party. As with the Ashes hangover; both physical and mental; sometimes no amount of intent and discipline can over come an emotional high of coming thorough a tough assignment. And India have come through 2 of the most intense one day matches in recent times.
How they got here
India's path to the finals has been most challenging, They were required to beat the defending champions and a dangerous Pakistan. What made these matches intense pressure games was that India were expected to win these games.
Sri Lanka on the other hand took the scenic route stopping along the way for English picnic lunches and some pictures with the kiwis. You could argue and essentially buy Mahendra Singh Dhoni's argument that India are more prepared for the pressure of the finals than the Lankans but if Sri Lanka get off the blocks early India just may not have any strength left to get in a position to put pressure on the Lankans.
Needless to say, Sri Lanka look to be better positioned to win the finals in my estimation.
How can India win
In the semi finals almost everything that was borderline, fell India's way. That's what it took to win against Pakistan. The win has to some extent masked India's 'yet to explode' middle order; a problem they share with the Lankans; and Sehwag's continuing struggles with the One Day format. Granted, in the scheme of things his spectacular dismantling of Umar Gul was as good as a knock out blow but against Sri Lanka he will have to do a lot more. While he can bat through 50 overs against a side like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka have enough wiles to frustrate him to the point where he gets himself out.
I can see only one way we can win and that is to get ahead early and stay there; whether batting or bowling first and Virendra Sehwag needs to play a marathon innings. Our middle order is too fragile to withstand Malinga and Murali in tandem.
The captains
Captaincy-wise Mahendra Singh Dhoni will meet his match in Kumar Sangakkara. In almost every respect they are quite similar. Sangakkara is all sophistication to Dhoni's cool. Sangakkara is a better batsman, is in form and has been to a World Cup final before. To Dhoni's credit however he hasn't let his form affect his decision making as a captain, and has been to and won a T20 World Cup; as captain. And when you are assessing Mahendra Singh Dhoni you have to consider luck as his core skill. The man's so lucky even Lady luck prays that she has a day like Dhoni's
Cold stats
Numbers wise, India have en edge over Sri Lanka if you focus on matches in India but Sri Lanka have traditionally owned India in World Cup matches. And recently the 2 sides have played each other so many times that the law of large numbers suggest that both sides have a 50% chance of winning.
Since the ground and the stadium has been redone, it is Sri Lanka who have played here before while India will be making their debut
Bottom line
I am skeptical if India can pull off another high pressure game. The mantra should be "win big". The team may just not have enough legs for another scrap
Please see...
"We mustn't forget that this is a World Cup on the subcontinent, and obviously home conditions suit us. In fact, it would have been disappointing if Asian teams hadn't made it to the final. The World Cup will be played on a different continent the next time, and we can say the balance of power has truly shifted if two teams from the subcontinent make the final then."
A smart answer from a man who plays for a smart team led by an even smarter and sophisticated Kumar Sangakkara. India's opponents in the finals are a team perfectly capable of beating them comfortably
A preview...
Hangover
Malinga's toe busting missiles, Murali's enthusiasm, thirst for wickets and his knack of doing something special on farewells, Mendis' carom balls and then the formidable top order batting centered around the most prolific Kumar Sangakkara. What Sri Lanka have to offer can easily spoil India's party. As with the Ashes hangover; both physical and mental; sometimes no amount of intent and discipline can over come an emotional high of coming thorough a tough assignment. And India have come through 2 of the most intense one day matches in recent times.
How they got here
India's path to the finals has been most challenging, They were required to beat the defending champions and a dangerous Pakistan. What made these matches intense pressure games was that India were expected to win these games.
Sri Lanka on the other hand took the scenic route stopping along the way for English picnic lunches and some pictures with the kiwis. You could argue and essentially buy Mahendra Singh Dhoni's argument that India are more prepared for the pressure of the finals than the Lankans but if Sri Lanka get off the blocks early India just may not have any strength left to get in a position to put pressure on the Lankans.
Needless to say, Sri Lanka look to be better positioned to win the finals in my estimation.
How can India win
In the semi finals almost everything that was borderline, fell India's way. That's what it took to win against Pakistan. The win has to some extent masked India's 'yet to explode' middle order; a problem they share with the Lankans; and Sehwag's continuing struggles with the One Day format. Granted, in the scheme of things his spectacular dismantling of Umar Gul was as good as a knock out blow but against Sri Lanka he will have to do a lot more. While he can bat through 50 overs against a side like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka have enough wiles to frustrate him to the point where he gets himself out.
I can see only one way we can win and that is to get ahead early and stay there; whether batting or bowling first and Virendra Sehwag needs to play a marathon innings. Our middle order is too fragile to withstand Malinga and Murali in tandem.
The captains
Captaincy-wise Mahendra Singh Dhoni will meet his match in Kumar Sangakkara. In almost every respect they are quite similar. Sangakkara is all sophistication to Dhoni's cool. Sangakkara is a better batsman, is in form and has been to a World Cup final before. To Dhoni's credit however he hasn't let his form affect his decision making as a captain, and has been to and won a T20 World Cup; as captain. And when you are assessing Mahendra Singh Dhoni you have to consider luck as his core skill. The man's so lucky even Lady luck prays that she has a day like Dhoni's
Cold stats
Numbers wise, India have en edge over Sri Lanka if you focus on matches in India but Sri Lanka have traditionally owned India in World Cup matches. And recently the 2 sides have played each other so many times that the law of large numbers suggest that both sides have a 50% chance of winning.
Ground realities
The first game between the 2 sides at the same ground involved a high scoring game. India posting 299/4 in 40 overs and Roshan Mahanama replying with the innings of his life. Eventually he was run out for 98 and Sri Lanka fell 10 runs short.
The highest score on this ground is by a Sri Lankan
Bottom line
I am skeptical if India can pull off another high pressure game. The mantra should be "win big". The team may just not have enough legs for another scrap
Please see...
- Portraits @ Opinions: See us paint cricketers in shades of grey and sometimes blue
- Opinions on... : Unsolicited, half-baked opinions on unsuspecting cricketers
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Opinions on... Shahid Khan Afridi
Shahid Afridi is a joy to watch. Like Virendra Sehwag his game is untouched by modern coaching techniques. Both offer such tremendous value to their teams that often strategies are formed around the pure skills they offer. Both have evolved their skills, keeping a strong connection to their roots and culture.
Born, a Pathan, in a tribal areas near Afghanistan, where the word of the Afridis was the law, Shahid Afridi considers gun toting 12 year olds as "part of the culture". Shooting a gun is a "normal thing" to him and he often goes to a shooting range near the Afghanistan border to fire M16s.
Not known to put any amounts of thought in his decisions and actions, he himself has no clue what he would do next. When asked about his approach to batting, he once said that he always aims to play out 3-5 overs before going for his shots. There is no evidence that he has actually ever done that. What he plans and what he executes are completely distinct things. However he is quick to admit that even if he plans to play out the initial overs, if he does see a hittable ball, first up, he naturally finds himself going after it. So much for having a plan.
True to his character, he announced his decision to quit test cricket and then realized he had done a foolish thing. He was back in a fortnight. Its a pity he has not played many Test matches, because talents like him can truly flourish in the free formats of Test cricket. Limited overs cricket is too restrictive for men like Shahid Afridi and Virendra Sehwag.
Like Sehwag he can turn a test match with a few moments of Afridi-style madness. In a Test match in India, that was going nowhere after the sides had scored more than a thousand runs in the first innings, he scored a 26 ball 50 in the second innings and then returned the next day to claim VVS Laxman, Saurav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar, to consign India to a shock defeat. India's batting might was unable to secure a series clinching draw in the face of Afridi's onslaught.
Pakistan never really put their faith in him as a Test player but they backed him to lead them in the 2011 World Cup over his exact opposite in terms of style and temperament, Misbah-Ul-Haq. The decision that seemed ill advised at that point, proved quite the opposite.
Shahid Afridi led Pakistan admirably and honorably. En route to the World Cup semi-finals they lost only one game and as was with the semi-finals the reason was the same. Dropped catches. For Shahid Afridi and Pakistan this will be one World Cup miss that will hurt for a long time.
Right through the World Cup, Shahid Afridi was refreshing as a leader, always smiling in front of his opponents while constantly cajoling his players. His trademark X man stance on taking wickets and catches is going to be an enduring image of this World Cup. Had Pakistan won it all; and they sure came close to do that; it would have remained in public memory like Johnty's run out of Inzamam-Ul-Haq.
Even through the high tension game against India, Afridi never seemed to forget that it was after all, just a game of cricket. He was cordial with everyone on the Indian team and did his part to ensure that emotionally charged sentiments from the outside, did not spill over on the field by engaging in more than one ways with his Indian opponents.
Whether it was a pat on the back to Sachin for surviving a catch a glance and a knowing smile at Zaheer while batting, offering his greetings after an Indian win, Shahid Afridi finally made me understand why he is most beloved in his country.
See also...
Born, a Pathan, in a tribal areas near Afghanistan, where the word of the Afridis was the law, Shahid Afridi considers gun toting 12 year olds as "part of the culture". Shooting a gun is a "normal thing" to him and he often goes to a shooting range near the Afghanistan border to fire M16s.
Not known to put any amounts of thought in his decisions and actions, he himself has no clue what he would do next. When asked about his approach to batting, he once said that he always aims to play out 3-5 overs before going for his shots. There is no evidence that he has actually ever done that. What he plans and what he executes are completely distinct things. However he is quick to admit that even if he plans to play out the initial overs, if he does see a hittable ball, first up, he naturally finds himself going after it. So much for having a plan.
 |
| Shahid Afridi |
Like Sehwag he can turn a test match with a few moments of Afridi-style madness. In a Test match in India, that was going nowhere after the sides had scored more than a thousand runs in the first innings, he scored a 26 ball 50 in the second innings and then returned the next day to claim VVS Laxman, Saurav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar, to consign India to a shock defeat. India's batting might was unable to secure a series clinching draw in the face of Afridi's onslaught.
Pakistan never really put their faith in him as a Test player but they backed him to lead them in the 2011 World Cup over his exact opposite in terms of style and temperament, Misbah-Ul-Haq. The decision that seemed ill advised at that point, proved quite the opposite.
Shahid Afridi led Pakistan admirably and honorably. En route to the World Cup semi-finals they lost only one game and as was with the semi-finals the reason was the same. Dropped catches. For Shahid Afridi and Pakistan this will be one World Cup miss that will hurt for a long time.
Right through the World Cup, Shahid Afridi was refreshing as a leader, always smiling in front of his opponents while constantly cajoling his players. His trademark X man stance on taking wickets and catches is going to be an enduring image of this World Cup. Had Pakistan won it all; and they sure came close to do that; it would have remained in public memory like Johnty's run out of Inzamam-Ul-Haq.
Even through the high tension game against India, Afridi never seemed to forget that it was after all, just a game of cricket. He was cordial with everyone on the Indian team and did his part to ensure that emotionally charged sentiments from the outside, did not spill over on the field by engaging in more than one ways with his Indian opponents.
Whether it was a pat on the back to Sachin for surviving a catch a glance and a knowing smile at Zaheer while batting, offering his greetings after an Indian win, Shahid Afridi finally made me understand why he is most beloved in his country.
See also...
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Catches win matches
At some point you have to stop feeling sorry for Pakistan. Like South Africa who always choke whenever they are on the verge of greatness, Pakistan never give themselves a chance just when you expect something reasonably rational from them.
After India, if there is a team that I can't resist watching, its Pakistan. When the West Indies were at their peak I was incapable of appreciating the cricket they played. With Pakistan, the connection was instant. Their cricket is all heart, unfinished, un-coached in a western sense and un-apologetically individualistic. They defy all conventional wisdom and embrace homegrown insight, without getting preachy about it. Their ways to victory have always been distinct from the rest and their approach to the crafts of batting and bowling is most traditional. Steady batting and wicket taking bowlers.
For a while now they had been good enough to cover for their only weakness; fielding. Pakistan have never been a great fielding side. They never had to. Sprawling on the ground to save a few dozen runs is beneath their style of cricket. Prevention has been their preferred choice. Why put your fielders in a position to dive, when you can just get the bloody batsman out. For Pakistan, this style has worked well for decades but yesterday at Mohali, their catching cost them a place in the world cup final against a team they beat comfortably in the league phases.
The game was more one-sided than the 29 run margin suggests and the blame for that should go to the dropped catches.
To me when India lost 9/29 against South Africa, it highlighted how good a team India are to take a game to the final over in spite of the monumental collapse. Pakistan dropped 4 Sachin Tendulkar catches. It highlights how good their bowling is. Good enough to have Sachin Tendulkar 85 / 4
While batting, Misbah played the kind of an innings Javed Miandad would whole heartedly endorse. Problem was he did not have any believers in his approach. All Pakistan needed to do to make a match of the semi finals was to hold on to their catches and bat around Misbah. Instead they gave Sachin 4 lives, viewed Misbah's innings as a liability and completely lost the plot and the World Cup
After India, if there is a team that I can't resist watching, its Pakistan. When the West Indies were at their peak I was incapable of appreciating the cricket they played. With Pakistan, the connection was instant. Their cricket is all heart, unfinished, un-coached in a western sense and un-apologetically individualistic. They defy all conventional wisdom and embrace homegrown insight, without getting preachy about it. Their ways to victory have always been distinct from the rest and their approach to the crafts of batting and bowling is most traditional. Steady batting and wicket taking bowlers.
For a while now they had been good enough to cover for their only weakness; fielding. Pakistan have never been a great fielding side. They never had to. Sprawling on the ground to save a few dozen runs is beneath their style of cricket. Prevention has been their preferred choice. Why put your fielders in a position to dive, when you can just get the bloody batsman out. For Pakistan, this style has worked well for decades but yesterday at Mohali, their catching cost them a place in the world cup final against a team they beat comfortably in the league phases.
The game was more one-sided than the 29 run margin suggests and the blame for that should go to the dropped catches.
To me when India lost 9/29 against South Africa, it highlighted how good a team India are to take a game to the final over in spite of the monumental collapse. Pakistan dropped 4 Sachin Tendulkar catches. It highlights how good their bowling is. Good enough to have Sachin Tendulkar 85 / 4
While batting, Misbah played the kind of an innings Javed Miandad would whole heartedly endorse. Problem was he did not have any believers in his approach. All Pakistan needed to do to make a match of the semi finals was to hold on to their catches and bat around Misbah. Instead they gave Sachin 4 lives, viewed Misbah's innings as a liability and completely lost the plot and the World Cup
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Crude Oil and Gasoline
Crude oil and gasoline are both combustible, highly inflammable and can devour anything when raging into a full blown fire. But both have completely different characteristics.
Pakistan and India's cricket teams are like that. Pakistan is like crude oil, earthy, raw and needing a refinery. India, on the other hand, are refined under John Wright and Gary Kirsten, methodical and in full bloom.
But both teams on their day have the same impact. They annihilate the opposition.
This Pakistan team is perhaps the worst of the ones that India has encountered in a World Cup. This is probably the first match-up where India will not be "upsetting" Pakistan if they won. From 1992 to 2003, with Wasim, Waqar, Anwar and Inzy in their ranks, Pakistan were one of the elite teams. However, in each of these encounters, India got past them, despite being the undeserving one. Except perhaps in 2003, where Tendulkar was simply unstoppable.
2011 brings about a first where India outranks Pakistan in the star stakes. With Sehwag, Tendulkar, Yuvraj, Dhoni, Zaheer and Harbhajan, India are formidable on paper. Throw Gambhir, Kohli, Ashwin and Pathan in there and one has a frenetic line up, likely to bash the opposition into submission.
Pakistan, however, boast a very, very formidable bowling attack. The key question for them is going to be whether Hafeez has the ability to contain India. Gul and Afridi lead the bowling and Misbah is leading the batting. But that's three against Tendulkar, Gambhir, Kohli, Yuvraj and Zaheer.
A wipeout? India have a clear edge. Pakistan is putting pressure on themselves by bringing their prime minister to watch.
It's going to be India with Sehwag and Kohli leading the way.
Pakistan and India's cricket teams are like that. Pakistan is like crude oil, earthy, raw and needing a refinery. India, on the other hand, are refined under John Wright and Gary Kirsten, methodical and in full bloom.
But both teams on their day have the same impact. They annihilate the opposition.
This Pakistan team is perhaps the worst of the ones that India has encountered in a World Cup. This is probably the first match-up where India will not be "upsetting" Pakistan if they won. From 1992 to 2003, with Wasim, Waqar, Anwar and Inzy in their ranks, Pakistan were one of the elite teams. However, in each of these encounters, India got past them, despite being the undeserving one. Except perhaps in 2003, where Tendulkar was simply unstoppable.
2011 brings about a first where India outranks Pakistan in the star stakes. With Sehwag, Tendulkar, Yuvraj, Dhoni, Zaheer and Harbhajan, India are formidable on paper. Throw Gambhir, Kohli, Ashwin and Pathan in there and one has a frenetic line up, likely to bash the opposition into submission.
Pakistan, however, boast a very, very formidable bowling attack. The key question for them is going to be whether Hafeez has the ability to contain India. Gul and Afridi lead the bowling and Misbah is leading the batting. But that's three against Tendulkar, Gambhir, Kohli, Yuvraj and Zaheer.
A wipeout? India have a clear edge. Pakistan is putting pressure on themselves by bringing their prime minister to watch.
It's going to be India with Sehwag and Kohli leading the way.
Monday, March 28, 2011
India to concede '92 and '99 wins to Pakistan
There is no such thing as the 'Law of Averages'. I first heard this term during the 1987 World Cup, when after a streak of Indian wins, Ajit Wadekar in a television interview, suggested that India are due for a loss as indicated by his mastery over the 'Law of Averages'.
Now, I am no mathematician but there is wikipedia.
The 'Law of Averages' is a layman term for what really is a 'Law of large numbers'. Roughly what it is, is that if you toss a coin (as an example) for a large number of times, the number of times it lands on "heads" will start going towards its probability. Which is 50%. It means that if the number of times Mahendra Singh Dhoni captains India approaches infinity, he will likely have won 50% of the tosses. Every thing 'large' in mathematics is conveniently abstracted as 'infinity'. Many Indian cricket followers don't think that's likely (Dhoni winning 50% of his tosses) and hence don't believe in the 'Law of large numbers'.
For them, including many influential people in the BCCI, the 'Law of Averages' is easier to comprehend and thus they believe its the truth.
Needless to say, Indians's are very worried about their 4 game winning streak; 6 if you consider T20; against Pakistan in World Cup games. The BCCI has convinced themselves that as per 'the law' they so believe in, India will lose their semi-finals against Pakistan.
So, in an unprecedented move, the BCCI has approached the ICC and MCC with a radical proposal. The proposal is as follows...
India are conceding the 1992 and 1999 world cup games, that they had won against Pakistan.
The rational is simple, the BCCI explained. Those 2 wins were inconsequential in the whole scheme of things. The 1996 win, allowed India to contest the semi-finals and the 2003 win knocked Pakistan out of the Super Sixes round. So we want to hold on to those wins
Also, the BCCI added, we as a nation, have already rejoiced the 92 and 99 wins. People can't be unhappy over an event they were once ecstatic over.
When you are the BCCI, you can believe what you want and do what you please. We are still waiting to hear from ICC, if the proposal will be accepted
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Portraits: Yuvraj Singh
That India needed Yuvraj Singh to fire to come anywhere near the World Cup was the pre-tournament wisdom. That in spite of Sachin and Zaheer on top of their games; it is Yuvraj who is the most valuable player on the team; is a bit baffling.
It tells a story. Yuvraj Singh is truly an ODI great. This is the good part of the story. The bad part; is that everyone else pretty much are passengers on the train en route to get Sachin a World Cup
See Also
It tells a story. Yuvraj Singh is truly an ODI great. This is the good part of the story. The bad part; is that everyone else pretty much are passengers on the train en route to get Sachin a World Cup
See Also
Saturday, March 26, 2011
England Match Report #5: Sri Lanka (Ashes devalued)
In these uncertain economic times. there is bad news for cricket. The ongoing ICC Cricket world Cup may guarantee a blockbuster closing but Test cricket's marquee event "The Ashes" has lost 75% of its valuation over the last few weeks. This according to the "American Institute for Valuations of all things Sports" (AIVS)
Valued at well over $500 Million of today's dollars just before World War II, its valuation according to AIVS Chief Valuator, Guesty Mate, peaked to about a $750 million dollars; also in today's dollars; in the 1950s. Its valuation has declined steadily since but what we are seeing now is an unprecedented acceleration in its devaluation.After England, Australia and South Africa were all eliminated in the quarter finals, The value of the Ashes has hit an all time low. South Africa do not play the Ashes... technically... but their fortunes, recently have been linked to the value of the Ashes.
The MCC have always kept their distance from any organization that tries to put a monetary value on cricket's traditional trophy, claiming that the Ashes series is not for sale. Taking a dig at the IPL, the MCC President had said a few weeks back, that "unlike the IPL the Ashes is not about money"
Explaining the valuation model, Mr. Maite explained that it is common knowledge that the Ashes are not for sale but the value is an estimate of the probable bid the Ashes might receive if a private investor; lets just say Larry Ellison; were interested in buying the event.
When asked to comment on the ridiculously low valuation, Mr Maite offered a range of possible reasons. The Ashes thrives on exclusivity and adequate spacing between 2 series'; he explained. Potential investors are not taking the decision to host back to back Ashes as a positive. Neither Australia nor England are the top teams in either Test or ODI cricket and the market places no premium on T20 titles because they tend to change hands on a monthly basis. Investors are also predicting a slump in demand for the Ashes in Australia.
On the significance of 3rd party revenue generated from countries outside of Australia and England; traditionally there has been only a moderate demand for the Ashes in the Indian market but that was when both England and Australia were considered benchmark teams. Investors don't believe Indians will tune in to watch either Australia; who won only a single game against strong opposition; or England; who were completely spent by the time the quarter-finals arrived.
Then in uncharacteristic fashion Mr. Maite burst out; I mean f..k, what value does the Ashes have, when the holder falls a 100 runs and 10 wickets short of making a WC quarter final a contest? I say the $7.99 valuation we came up with is too darn generous.
Fake match reports from Real and sometimes made-up celebrities
Quarter final predictions - Time for introspection
We suck at predicting out comes of cricket matches. A 50% accuracy rate is not shameful but its getting kind of difficult to back our 100% guarantee.
Okay, so we got the West Indies and England losses wrong. 2 of the most boring one sided games in the World Cup. One way of looking at it would be that we were way off the mark. We weren't even in the frame.
Another way to look at it; which we prefer; is that we got the South African upset right and we correctly predicted that India will dethrone Australia as champions. So if you notice, we are big match predictors. Give us a big game and we will rise to the occasion.
Our previous predictions
Juicy Semi-Final Line ups
The monetary health of cricket has been assured by this World Cup. What better semi-final line up than the three power-houses of the sub-continent to line up in the semi-finals. An India Pakistan semi-final or final is the dream of TV broadcasters world wide. Move over superbowl, an Indo-Pak semi-final or final is the ultimate. Should Sri Lanka get past New Zealand, a sub-continental team is assured of winning the World Cup. This is stating the obvious and I assure didn't take any genius on my part to figure out. The reason I even say it is because the death of the ODIs is now delayed. Golandaaz and I were both not huge fans of ODIs due to their becoming stale. But this world cup has definitely re-energized the format. However, sundry bilateral series still have no worth.
Coming to the games themselves, Sri Lanka's emphatic defeat of England was definitely an upset. While SL winning itself may not have been one, the manner of victory definitely is one. England fast depletion of first choice players showed in their inability to revive their innings or inflict any early damage on the Sri Lanka batsmen. Yardy would have been useful on this wicket and was missed. England's batting resembled New Zealand's yesterday. Trott hung in there gallantly and weathered difficult conditions for English batsmen. Sri Lanka has top class spinners who became extremely hard to get away on that wicket. While one could argue that the victory was "fixed" due to the conditions heavily favoring the home team, it's clear that England would not have been competitive anywhere else either except perhaps on a pure featherbed. Losing the firepower provided by Pietersen and Broad was going to be hard to overcome. The bowling was out of sorts without Broad's passion and the batting didn't really rise up to the level of "threatening". Neither Bopara nor Morgan were able to genuine break free.
Sri Lanka have secured home advantage for their game versus New Zealand, who under coach Wright seem to have figured something out. New Zealand has always been a good team despite not having super-stars. Right through the Hadlee, Martin Crowe era, there were very strong role players in Chatfield, Coney, Andrew Jones and Wright himself. This team has the most number of useful allrounders. None of them may rise to the skill level of Chris Cairns or Shane Watson, but on their day, they can excel in one of the two departments. Combine this with the team's fielding skills and New Zealand are very dangerous. What their wins against Pakistan and South Africa have shown is that they need one of their top line batsmen to dig in. In Ryder, Taylor, Guptill and McCullum, they have the capability. Hopefully, they have seen the light given how Ryder's innings pretty much dictated the course of the match.
Sri Lanka though will find it hard to apply their formula in Mumbai. Even though, they have played a game at Mumbai and won, it's difficult to see it succeed against Pakistan or India. But that preview will have to wait.
One must ask why English cricketers are more prone than others to reaction to stress. I don't blame the victims, but I definitely believe that it's harder to be an English celebrity than in any other place, given the culture. India is a hard place to grow up and one is toughened early and often. In England (and I'm no expert), it appears that the move to the limelight is very, very tough. My sympathies for Yardy, Trescothik and others who have had this happen.
Coming to the games themselves, Sri Lanka's emphatic defeat of England was definitely an upset. While SL winning itself may not have been one, the manner of victory definitely is one. England fast depletion of first choice players showed in their inability to revive their innings or inflict any early damage on the Sri Lanka batsmen. Yardy would have been useful on this wicket and was missed. England's batting resembled New Zealand's yesterday. Trott hung in there gallantly and weathered difficult conditions for English batsmen. Sri Lanka has top class spinners who became extremely hard to get away on that wicket. While one could argue that the victory was "fixed" due to the conditions heavily favoring the home team, it's clear that England would not have been competitive anywhere else either except perhaps on a pure featherbed. Losing the firepower provided by Pietersen and Broad was going to be hard to overcome. The bowling was out of sorts without Broad's passion and the batting didn't really rise up to the level of "threatening". Neither Bopara nor Morgan were able to genuine break free.
Sri Lanka have secured home advantage for their game versus New Zealand, who under coach Wright seem to have figured something out. New Zealand has always been a good team despite not having super-stars. Right through the Hadlee, Martin Crowe era, there were very strong role players in Chatfield, Coney, Andrew Jones and Wright himself. This team has the most number of useful allrounders. None of them may rise to the skill level of Chris Cairns or Shane Watson, but on their day, they can excel in one of the two departments. Combine this with the team's fielding skills and New Zealand are very dangerous. What their wins against Pakistan and South Africa have shown is that they need one of their top line batsmen to dig in. In Ryder, Taylor, Guptill and McCullum, they have the capability. Hopefully, they have seen the light given how Ryder's innings pretty much dictated the course of the match.
Sri Lanka though will find it hard to apply their formula in Mumbai. Even though, they have played a game at Mumbai and won, it's difficult to see it succeed against Pakistan or India. But that preview will have to wait.
One must ask why English cricketers are more prone than others to reaction to stress. I don't blame the victims, but I definitely believe that it's harder to be an English celebrity than in any other place, given the culture. India is a hard place to grow up and one is toughened early and often. In England (and I'm no expert), it appears that the move to the limelight is very, very tough. My sympathies for Yardy, Trescothik and others who have had this happen.
South Africa favorites for the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup
We bring you a preview of the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup to be held in Australia. Something tells us, we are safely the first ones off the block.
We at Opinions, on behalf of our South African readership (which stands at 2) like to let go and move on. We, in our minds moved so far ahead that we find ourselves in the Australian summer of 2015...
What must hurt South Africa's fans is that the loss to New Zealand was not even a choke. They lost before one could argue they had a firm grasp of the game. New Zealand beat them while never really allowing South Africa get in front.
It was a typical kiwi win but a very un-Protean loss. Anyways, as we said; time to move on towards the summer of 2015
With the talk of minnows now settled, this World Cup guarantees some of the most exciting matches since 1992, featured in a World Cup. The ICC has gone back to its most popular format from 1992 where each team plays against every other, before the semi final line up is decided.
We present the real contenders for the title, starting with India; of course
Coming into this World Cup, India start as legitimate contenders. Since their last world cup, India have surrendered their Test #1 status to England but India has emerged as the #1 ODI team on the back of 1760 wins against just 7 losses. Critics argue that most of the wins have come at home against lesser opposition but a team that has such appetite for wins has to be considered as favorites.
Harbhajan Singh has said that the team wants to win the World Cup for Sachin, who will also be hoping to use the matches in the World Cup to complete 150 International centuries. He has been well rested for this tournament and has featured in only 5 ODI games since India's loss to New Zealand in 2011 World Cup finals.
Australia, are facing tremendous criticism from their press. Cameron White, their skipper, who is under pressure to relinquish his captaincy to someone younger, has been firm through the crisis. After the debacle when Michael Clarke was made captain, Australian selectors are much wiser and do not wish to engage in a change of leadership with just before the World Cup. Having decided to go for youth 41 year Michael Hussey is tipped to take over if Australia do not win the World Cup. But as 4 time champions, Australia too have to be included in any talk that centers around World Cup contenders.
After the way South Africa were ousted from the 2011 team, in spite of having the best team on paper, no one is giving them any realistic chance of winning but all experts agree that they will reach the semi finals. And any team that reaches the semi finals have to be seen as contenders. Since losing to eventual champions New Zealand in 2011, South Africa have focussed exclusively on mental conditioning. They have modified their domestic competitions to such a degree that all matches are now knock out games. They have done away with regular league games.
Being the #1 Test team in the world, England are in the contenders list too. With no obvious skills for the shorter format of the games, there is no other reason why England deserve to be in this list, other than the fact that it seems logical to include the best Test nation in the contenders list. With no minnows this time, England have less reasons to worry and should make the semi finals quite comfortably.
Struck by age related arthritis in both his knee joints, Murali has got dispensation from the ICC to bowl using a wheel chair. Backed by the BCCI, this move generated a lot of criticism world wide but Murali who has promised that he will retire after this World Cup can well lead Sri Lanka to their 2nd World Cup win in 21 years.
The British Government has requested its courts to speed up the ongoing trials involving all 15 members of the Pakistan cricket team. Brought on after the ECB accused the Pakistan cricket team of various charges related to ball tampering, spot-fixing and age misrepresentation (in the U-19 WC), the trials have been progressing slowly since the summer of 2013. Pakistan have not played a single international game since their ill fated tour of England. They have not named a captain yet.
Shahid Afridi who is the only player not involved in the legal mess was banned from playing any form of cricket after appearing as a model, in an ad campaign for a "X" rated movie.
Porn is illegal in Pakistan; and much of the subcontinent.
Reports coming from West Indies who are facing a captaincy crisis, suggest that Devendra Bishoo will lead a side of 9 fit players. West Indies are hoping to find 6 other West Indians from the local Australian immigrant community. West Indies are contenders because they are such an unknown quantity.
New Zealand being defending champions, are a contender too.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Quarter final predictions 2 - Courtesy Update
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