Australia won the Tri Series at the West Australian Cricket Association WACA ground in Perth on Sunday. It was a very good performance by Australia as it bounced back from early setbacks in their first innings when they lost 4 quick wickets for 50 odd runs.
Some patient batting by Man of the Match Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marshall rescued Australia from the precarious position providing a launchpad for James Faulkner later on, who belted English bowlers to score a quick fire fifty to entertain the Sunday crowd.
278 posted by Australia caused some unease in the English camp and the batsmen were not in the frame of mind they should have been while facing the likes of Mitchell Johnson, who returned to the Aussie squad after a well deserving rest for a month.
The moment Ian Bell got out to a peach of a delivery of the bowling off Josh Hazlewood, England were clueless in their style of batting and complete approach towards the chase.
James Taylor after hanging on for a while, played a poor stroke to give a low catch to Maxwell at point. Then Moeen Ali received a rising delivery which he could not fend and edged in the slips. Eoin Morgan was caught in two minds, whether to play or leave and was bowled by Johnson, who was on a hat-trick.
None of the English batsmen put on a fight or a decent partnership and the match was completely lopsided in the favour of hosts, who are looking in great touch ahead of the World Cup 2015.
James Faulkner walked off the field with a side strain and further reports are awaited. That was a cause of worry for team management ahead of World Cup, in an otherwise marvelous day of Cricket for the Australian team.
Glen Maxwell was Man of the Match for his 95 and four wickets. Mitchell Marsh was Man of the Series.
Valleyz.Blog
Showing posts with label ICC Cricket. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ICC Cricket. Show all posts
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Friday, January 30, 2015
England enters final after another win against India at Perth in Carlton Mid Tri series 2015
India set a modest total of 201 for win against England in the last league match of the Carlton-Mid Tri-series which England won after some initial hiccups.
Earlier Eoin Morgan won the toss and elected to field first. India started cautiously, Rahane and Dhawan batted well and put on a 83 run stand for the first wicket and batted for 20 Overs.
It was a perfect platform for other batsmen to put on a decent score on the board later on in the innings, but the team lost next 8 wickets in quick succession and the scoreboard was 165/9 soon.
India lost 8 wickets for just 82 runs. The last wicket pair of Mohammed Shami and Mohit Sharma put on a 35 run stand to take the team total to 200 giving it some respectability.
England chasing the modest target lost Ian Bell cheaply to a ball that kept low due to uneven bounce in the pitch. Bell was given out lbw to delivery by Mohit Sharma.
After a breif stand of 26 runs Moeen Ali was out for 17 caught in the deep by Rayudu, then a flurry of wickets gave India a slight hope of coming back into the match. At that point in time the England score board read 66/5.
But Jos Butler joined a patient James Taylor, the duo put on a 121 run stand for the sixth wicket that brought England on the verge of the victory. James Taylor and Jos Butler then were out and England won by two wickets in the end.
Stuart Binny scalped three English batsmen on a docile pitch which supported seam bowling, justifying his selection in the playing eleven.
Valleyz.Blog
Earlier Eoin Morgan won the toss and elected to field first. India started cautiously, Rahane and Dhawan batted well and put on a 83 run stand for the first wicket and batted for 20 Overs.
It was a perfect platform for other batsmen to put on a decent score on the board later on in the innings, but the team lost next 8 wickets in quick succession and the scoreboard was 165/9 soon.
India lost 8 wickets for just 82 runs. The last wicket pair of Mohammed Shami and Mohit Sharma put on a 35 run stand to take the team total to 200 giving it some respectability.
England chasing the modest target lost Ian Bell cheaply to a ball that kept low due to uneven bounce in the pitch. Bell was given out lbw to delivery by Mohit Sharma.
After a breif stand of 26 runs Moeen Ali was out for 17 caught in the deep by Rayudu, then a flurry of wickets gave India a slight hope of coming back into the match. At that point in time the England score board read 66/5.
But Jos Butler joined a patient James Taylor, the duo put on a 121 run stand for the sixth wicket that brought England on the verge of the victory. James Taylor and Jos Butler then were out and England won by two wickets in the end.
Stuart Binny scalped three English batsmen on a docile pitch which supported seam bowling, justifying his selection in the playing eleven.
Valleyz.Blog
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
A must win game for England and India at Perth in Carlton Mid Tri series 2015
India and England meet at Perth in a semi-final like clash despite England having won a group stage match against India with a bonus point.
Washed out game at SCG provided India with the much needed life line and the team need to make the most of the opportunity.
Both England and India have been below par their potential in the tournament so far. Both the teams would be looking to make amends at Perth.
For India bowling is a big concern. Even if the batsmen put on a handsome total, Indian bowling department lacks wicket taking bowlers while containing the batsmen.
Despite the pitch at Perth traditionally supporting the bowlers, I personally think the team should go in with four bowlers, as this is not a game to experiment with the combination, but to go for an all out win. So going in with the best of ability should be the option.
Though England batting is not as strong as India's on the paper, Indian bowling still lack the control and the ability to provide crucial break through at regular intervals.
In Melbourne India lost wickets early and that held back the team to post on a big total, the team should prepare for alternative techniques while batting on fast and bouncy pitches.
Steve Smith and Dave Warner present the most solid technique one should have, while batting in Aussie conditions.
Smith shuffles around the stumps and doesn't allow the bowler to attack his off stump, and with his elegant stroke play on the on-side, he is a nightmare for the bowlers.
Warner on the other hand, no matter how good length you bowl at him, just finds a way to drive through the covers given slightest of width from the bowler.
Indian batsmen should adapt to the conditions fast and be at their best at attacking the poor balls and leaving alone the good ones. That's one area that Indian batsmen could improvise in on this tour.
The way Rohit Sharma batted at Melbourne had given India much relief as he was short of runs on this tour, but his injury is a concern for India in run up to the World Cup 2015, hopefully he recovers fully in time for warm up games.
Virat Kohli has remained quiet in the tri-series so far. Ajinkya Rahane didn't look like staying on for longer duration at crease.
And Shikhar Dhawan's form is a concern for the team, the opener is having a lean patch at the top. In my view he is still the best opener India can play despite his nagging form.
In the bowling department, I would prefer India should go in with Umesh, Shami, Bhuvneshwar and Ashwin.
England on the other hand has risen up to the occasion and posted the first 300 plus total of the tournament at the picturesque Bellerive Oval, Hobart, courtesy a well crafted hundred by an in form Ian Bell.
English camp also has experienced bowlers in James Anderson and Stuart Board. And most importantly Steven Finn is among the wickets for England.
The match should be an ideal preparation for the up coming World Cup 2015 for both the teams.
The pitch at Perth at WACA is known for fast conditions with bounce and carry.
Here's a web link providing some details of the WACA pitch in Perth
Perth Pitch Report by Sporting Life.com
Another web link to the WACA stadium.
WACA.com.au
Valleyz.Blog
Washed out game at SCG provided India with the much needed life line and the team need to make the most of the opportunity.
Both England and India have been below par their potential in the tournament so far. Both the teams would be looking to make amends at Perth.
For India bowling is a big concern. Even if the batsmen put on a handsome total, Indian bowling department lacks wicket taking bowlers while containing the batsmen.
Despite the pitch at Perth traditionally supporting the bowlers, I personally think the team should go in with four bowlers, as this is not a game to experiment with the combination, but to go for an all out win. So going in with the best of ability should be the option.
Though England batting is not as strong as India's on the paper, Indian bowling still lack the control and the ability to provide crucial break through at regular intervals.
In Melbourne India lost wickets early and that held back the team to post on a big total, the team should prepare for alternative techniques while batting on fast and bouncy pitches.
Steve Smith and Dave Warner present the most solid technique one should have, while batting in Aussie conditions.
Smith shuffles around the stumps and doesn't allow the bowler to attack his off stump, and with his elegant stroke play on the on-side, he is a nightmare for the bowlers.
Warner on the other hand, no matter how good length you bowl at him, just finds a way to drive through the covers given slightest of width from the bowler.
Indian batsmen should adapt to the conditions fast and be at their best at attacking the poor balls and leaving alone the good ones. That's one area that Indian batsmen could improvise in on this tour.
The way Rohit Sharma batted at Melbourne had given India much relief as he was short of runs on this tour, but his injury is a concern for India in run up to the World Cup 2015, hopefully he recovers fully in time for warm up games.
Virat Kohli has remained quiet in the tri-series so far. Ajinkya Rahane didn't look like staying on for longer duration at crease.
And Shikhar Dhawan's form is a concern for the team, the opener is having a lean patch at the top. In my view he is still the best opener India can play despite his nagging form.
In the bowling department, I would prefer India should go in with Umesh, Shami, Bhuvneshwar and Ashwin.
England on the other hand has risen up to the occasion and posted the first 300 plus total of the tournament at the picturesque Bellerive Oval, Hobart, courtesy a well crafted hundred by an in form Ian Bell.
English camp also has experienced bowlers in James Anderson and Stuart Board. And most importantly Steven Finn is among the wickets for England.
The match should be an ideal preparation for the up coming World Cup 2015 for both the teams.
The pitch at Perth at WACA is known for fast conditions with bounce and carry.
Here's a web link providing some details of the WACA pitch in Perth
Perth Pitch Report by Sporting Life.com
Another web link to the WACA stadium.
WACA.com.au
Valleyz.Blog
Friday, January 23, 2015
Australia leads the points table in the Carlton Mid Tri Series with another win against England
Australia won against England in their second round robin tie at picturesque venue, Bellerive Oval in Hobart today by three wickets. Set 304 to score Australia reached the target in the penultimate ball of the match.
Skipper Smith once again played the captain's innings and scored a century to win man of the match award at Blundstone arena.
With this win Australia remains at the top of the table with fifteen points, England in the second position with 5 points. Two matches remain to decide the team to play Australia in the final.
On 26th January India play Australia at Sydney and on 30th India will play against England. India need to win both the games to qualify for the final and England has to win at least one match with a better net run rate to pip India at the post.
Australia was without Warner and Shane Watson but still managed to beat England shows the depth of the Australian bench and it remains the favorite team to win the Tri-Series.
England could have put pressure on Australia after Ian Bell scored a big century, but couldn't capitalize on the platform provided by Ian Bell.
Earlier England scored at a brisk space to reach 100 run mark in 16th Over and 150 run mark in 25th Over.
Ian Bell reached 5000 runs in his 153 appearance for the England team.
India has struggled with both the ball and the bat in this tournament, electing to bat it lost out at the Gabba and in MCG Australia chased down the Indian total of 269 runs quite comfortably.
But the Toss could be vital at SCG, as the pitch is getting slower as the day progresses and is not easy to score runs under pressure.
Valleyz.Blog
Skipper Smith once again played the captain's innings and scored a century to win man of the match award at Blundstone arena.
With this win Australia remains at the top of the table with fifteen points, England in the second position with 5 points. Two matches remain to decide the team to play Australia in the final.
On 26th January India play Australia at Sydney and on 30th India will play against England. India need to win both the games to qualify for the final and England has to win at least one match with a better net run rate to pip India at the post.
Australia was without Warner and Shane Watson but still managed to beat England shows the depth of the Australian bench and it remains the favorite team to win the Tri-Series.
England could have put pressure on Australia after Ian Bell scored a big century, but couldn't capitalize on the platform provided by Ian Bell.
Earlier England scored at a brisk space to reach 100 run mark in 16th Over and 150 run mark in 25th Over.
Ian Bell reached 5000 runs in his 153 appearance for the England team.
India has struggled with both the ball and the bat in this tournament, electing to bat it lost out at the Gabba and in MCG Australia chased down the Indian total of 269 runs quite comfortably.
But the Toss could be vital at SCG, as the pitch is getting slower as the day progresses and is not easy to score runs under pressure.
Valleyz.Blog
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Australia could've nipped Indian challenge at MCG in the 3rd Test keeping an eye on WC2015
There could be many possible reasons Why Australia went for a draw in the third Test. Skipper Smith said the side didn't want to give India a sniff at the Target, and mentioned India's strong batting line up as the reason behind.
Though Smith was clear on the subject, it was not sounding like Australian. Australia are known to be ruthless in field and run down oppositions with sheer competitive brilliance.
It could have been easily accepted, had Australia been touring and found in the conditions that it found itself on Day 4 of the 2nd innings. Australia lost quick wickets in the middle order in Smith, Haddin, Rogers and Johnson for 70 odd runs, putting Australia on the back foot. But not by much as Shaun Marsh recovered to post a match saving fifty on that evening, and Australia commanded the lead and could have stepped up the pedal.
But instead it slowed and slowed down it's innings until the match was over the next morning on the final day of the Test. Australia not only eat up the morning session, it did not declare till the lunch. That India played so and so is altogether a different story.
Why Australia did so, made a contest look so 'boring'?
One reason could be that Australia did not want to give India any what so ever remote chance in the series keeping an eye on the up coming World Cup as India are the reigning champions. The Test loss though a little remote possibility, Australia wanted to play it very safe. As it could have opened up chinks in Australian team.
Post Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke era the side is yet to reach pinnacle of the ladder where it enjoyed that position of Top Test playing nation in the world for many years. South Africa has challenged that top position by constantly posing questions and successfully held the top position for a longer duration.
Though Australia might not be that worried for the Top nation rankings as much as the up coming World Cup 2015 which is hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
Given all the permutations and combinations, India did not fare that badly. As I remember when India played at MCG in 2012, it had lost the match. And this time not only it posted a hand some reply in the first innings, there was rejuvenated response from the batsmen to Australia's 508 in the first innings.
Though bowling is concern for India, it still carried the punch and took down the Australian top order and middle order occassionally. The batters responded well through out the series and lost out only a session or two.
Though on the face of it, it looks like Australia won the series, but it was not in the same fashion as it beat England in the Ashes in 2014.
Given the state of play Australian think tank might have considered for a lame draw than an all-out winning approach to sub-due the Indian challenge and nip it in the bud keeping an eye on World Cup 2015.
Valleyz.Blog
Though Smith was clear on the subject, it was not sounding like Australian. Australia are known to be ruthless in field and run down oppositions with sheer competitive brilliance.
It could have been easily accepted, had Australia been touring and found in the conditions that it found itself on Day 4 of the 2nd innings. Australia lost quick wickets in the middle order in Smith, Haddin, Rogers and Johnson for 70 odd runs, putting Australia on the back foot. But not by much as Shaun Marsh recovered to post a match saving fifty on that evening, and Australia commanded the lead and could have stepped up the pedal.
But instead it slowed and slowed down it's innings until the match was over the next morning on the final day of the Test. Australia not only eat up the morning session, it did not declare till the lunch. That India played so and so is altogether a different story.
Why Australia did so, made a contest look so 'boring'?
One reason could be that Australia did not want to give India any what so ever remote chance in the series keeping an eye on the up coming World Cup as India are the reigning champions. The Test loss though a little remote possibility, Australia wanted to play it very safe. As it could have opened up chinks in Australian team.
Post Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke era the side is yet to reach pinnacle of the ladder where it enjoyed that position of Top Test playing nation in the world for many years. South Africa has challenged that top position by constantly posing questions and successfully held the top position for a longer duration.
Though Australia might not be that worried for the Top nation rankings as much as the up coming World Cup 2015 which is hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
Given all the permutations and combinations, India did not fare that badly. As I remember when India played at MCG in 2012, it had lost the match. And this time not only it posted a hand some reply in the first innings, there was rejuvenated response from the batsmen to Australia's 508 in the first innings.
Though bowling is concern for India, it still carried the punch and took down the Australian top order and middle order occassionally. The batters responded well through out the series and lost out only a session or two.
Though on the face of it, it looks like Australia won the series, but it was not in the same fashion as it beat England in the Ashes in 2014.
Given the state of play Australian think tank might have considered for a lame draw than an all-out winning approach to sub-due the Indian challenge and nip it in the bud keeping an eye on World Cup 2015.
Valleyz.Blog
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
MS Dhoni retires from Test Cricket to continue as Skipper in ODI and T20 formats of the game
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's retirement from Test Cricket has come as a shocking news to many people across the cricketing world. Even though MSD fared a little low this year in terms of averages, he is still the No.1 Wicket-Keeper batsmen that any team in the world would like to have.
Perhaps the sporting acumen and his vision of Indian cricket has forced him to take such a drastic decision. MSD lead from the front and Indian team was a force to reckon with when playing at home. He understood the strengths of every player very well and his cricketing acumen kept him in the good books of administrators for a long time.
MSD led India to World No 1 Test rankings during his stint as the captain and won many fans across the world. He led at a time when India was at it's peak in the International Test arena, consisting of players of calibre like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Zaheer Khan. India won Test matches across the world with regular tenacity.
After the retirement of the stalwarts it was the crucial phase of rebuilding the team with new comers and he handled that pressure too quite well. Only the results went dry and that went heavy on his captaincy record watched by a cricket crazy fans. The pressure was there to win abroad quickly and off late the teams fledgling fortunes overseas particularly the series in England and Australia should have influenced his decision.
After Ganguly and Azharuddin, MS Dhoni is most succesful captain in Indian cricket, who handled the job of being the skipper of the Indian team with great maturity and acumen and recorded a handsome winning percentage, that won him many fans across the cricketing world. His decision to retire has left many in this nation of cricket lovers sad and humbled.
Valleyz.Blog
Perhaps the sporting acumen and his vision of Indian cricket has forced him to take such a drastic decision. MSD lead from the front and Indian team was a force to reckon with when playing at home. He understood the strengths of every player very well and his cricketing acumen kept him in the good books of administrators for a long time.
MSD led India to World No 1 Test rankings during his stint as the captain and won many fans across the world. He led at a time when India was at it's peak in the International Test arena, consisting of players of calibre like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Zaheer Khan. India won Test matches across the world with regular tenacity.
After the retirement of the stalwarts it was the crucial phase of rebuilding the team with new comers and he handled that pressure too quite well. Only the results went dry and that went heavy on his captaincy record watched by a cricket crazy fans. The pressure was there to win abroad quickly and off late the teams fledgling fortunes overseas particularly the series in England and Australia should have influenced his decision.
After Ganguly and Azharuddin, MS Dhoni is most succesful captain in Indian cricket, who handled the job of being the skipper of the Indian team with great maturity and acumen and recorded a handsome winning percentage, that won him many fans across the cricketing world. His decision to retire has left many in this nation of cricket lovers sad and humbled.
Valleyz.Blog
Monday, December 29, 2014
Defensive Australia seeks safe total to declare on fifth day to draw the third test at MCG
Australia managed to take a handsome lead of 326 runs at the end of 4th days play, yet the side was not able to pose a fighting total and continued to play at a very slow pace and shows that Australia are on the defensive and do not want to provide any chance for the visitors to come back in the series.
It is a clear ploy that either they want to win or draw with no possibility of losing the match. It is not sporting for a side to play for five days and yet does not want to see any competitor in it's sights. It feels like Aussie doesn't want to see an entertainer but a series securing draw, so that it pleases their rankings and stats. And it wants India to chase a in-surmountable total in as many less overs as possible.
Strategy is in contrast to what Virat Kohli did at Adelaide and went on the chase a total and lost the match in pursuit of victory. If a side is chasing down a total at a net rate of 4 and more an over credit goes to the side that is doing it and not otherwise.
The reason for this scenario developed as Indian bowlers managed to run through the Australia middle order and scalped four middle order batsmen from 131/2 to 202/6 with loss of Smith, Rogers, Burns and Haddin in the space of 70 odd runs. That slowed down Australia and they went on the defensive strategy.
Unlike the first Test at Adelaide that Mitchell Marsh played, and had clear instructions to go after the bowling, and he did that scoring very fast with Steve Smith at the other end, and Australia declared the innings that evening on the fourth day itself.
With three wickets in hand Australia are playing defensive here at MCG to put up a more defensive total than a fighting one, it is eating up time in the match and would force the opposition to play for a draw instead of a result, that would make it a very boring contest in the end.
What would Australia do on a fifth day of a test match with three wickets still in hand, Why didn't it fast paced the innings and declare on fourth day, so that it could be a sporting contest?
Valleyz.Blog
It is a clear ploy that either they want to win or draw with no possibility of losing the match. It is not sporting for a side to play for five days and yet does not want to see any competitor in it's sights. It feels like Aussie doesn't want to see an entertainer but a series securing draw, so that it pleases their rankings and stats. And it wants India to chase a in-surmountable total in as many less overs as possible.
Strategy is in contrast to what Virat Kohli did at Adelaide and went on the chase a total and lost the match in pursuit of victory. If a side is chasing down a total at a net rate of 4 and more an over credit goes to the side that is doing it and not otherwise.
The reason for this scenario developed as Indian bowlers managed to run through the Australia middle order and scalped four middle order batsmen from 131/2 to 202/6 with loss of Smith, Rogers, Burns and Haddin in the space of 70 odd runs. That slowed down Australia and they went on the defensive strategy.
Unlike the first Test at Adelaide that Mitchell Marsh played, and had clear instructions to go after the bowling, and he did that scoring very fast with Steve Smith at the other end, and Australia declared the innings that evening on the fourth day itself.
With three wickets in hand Australia are playing defensive here at MCG to put up a more defensive total than a fighting one, it is eating up time in the match and would force the opposition to play for a draw instead of a result, that would make it a very boring contest in the end.
What would Australia do on a fifth day of a test match with three wickets still in hand, Why didn't it fast paced the innings and declare on fourth day, so that it could be a sporting contest?
Valleyz.Blog
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Australia lead India by 155 runs at lunch on Day 4 at MCG
In the morning Johnson just took an over to remove India's remaining two wickets from day three for only three runs.
Runs flowing from both ends, Australia were 47 runs in 9 overs, Warner stepped up the pedal scoring freely of the pacers. Ashwin was brought from one end and runs soon dried up it was 14 overs for 50 odd runs with Ashwin conceding 4 runs in as many overs.
Yadav particularly expensive in three overs conceding 30 odd runs. It is never about bowling faster and faster, but about line and length and swing the ball in the air.
The result was wicket of Warner, trying to sweep one from Ashwin, was caught in front plumb and it was an easy decision for the umpire.
Though Chris Rogers was quiet the fourth morning but some wayward bowling from the pacers helped him to ease up and do the scoring for Australia.
Ashwin got out Watson 4 times in 7 innings,
In the 19th Over Australia were leading by 142 runs, and it looks like it would be a monumental total from here that India will have to chase in second innings.
336 runs is the biggest run chase at MCG.
Watson's weakness was on display trying to defend incoming ball in front of stumps. The best trying to play across and once trying to play through covers, out both of the time. Great batsmen need to have a solid defence. Shami testing Watson with some probing in swinging balls.
How much score that Australia would like to defend on the fifth day is the question now. 375 or 400 may be.
But can India chase such a score on a fifth day pitch to stay in the series ? Australia would be happy to draw the game and take the series, so it will definitely give India a big total to win.
Australia are 90/1 at lunch in 22 Overs on day 4 leading by 155 runs.
Valleyz.Blog
Runs flowing from both ends, Australia were 47 runs in 9 overs, Warner stepped up the pedal scoring freely of the pacers. Ashwin was brought from one end and runs soon dried up it was 14 overs for 50 odd runs with Ashwin conceding 4 runs in as many overs.
Yadav particularly expensive in three overs conceding 30 odd runs. It is never about bowling faster and faster, but about line and length and swing the ball in the air.
The result was wicket of Warner, trying to sweep one from Ashwin, was caught in front plumb and it was an easy decision for the umpire.
Though Chris Rogers was quiet the fourth morning but some wayward bowling from the pacers helped him to ease up and do the scoring for Australia.
Ashwin got out Watson 4 times in 7 innings,
In the 19th Over Australia were leading by 142 runs, and it looks like it would be a monumental total from here that India will have to chase in second innings.
336 runs is the biggest run chase at MCG.
Watson's weakness was on display trying to defend incoming ball in front of stumps. The best trying to play across and once trying to play through covers, out both of the time. Great batsmen need to have a solid defence. Shami testing Watson with some probing in swinging balls.
How much score that Australia would like to defend on the fifth day is the question now. 375 or 400 may be.
But can India chase such a score on a fifth day pitch to stay in the series ? Australia would be happy to draw the game and take the series, so it will definitely give India a big total to win.
Australia are 90/1 at lunch in 22 Overs on day 4 leading by 155 runs.
Valleyz.Blog
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Scintillating hundreds by Kohli and Rahane rescue India on day 3 after initial hiccups early on in the 3 Test at MCG
Scintillating performance by India on day 3 after initial hiccups early on in the morning.
India lost quick wickets in Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay after some persistent bowling by Australia. Vijay was out for 68.
Rahane and Kohli then combined to produce a huge partnership to resuce India from that precarious position to a respectable total.
Early in the innings both Rahane and Kohli were lucky to have got life. Rahane was at his best driving through covers and pulling Johnson all through day.
Batsmen produced some of the best cricket in front of a Sunday crowd at Melbourne Cricket ground.
It was sheer brilliance of the two batsmen that they survived some well directed bowling from Johnson and company. Pacer was hit to all corners of the park by the batsmen showing they were in total command.
Ajinkya Rahane got out lbw trying to sweep Nathan Lyon at the score of 147. The partnership was 262 runs worth for India.
L Rahul the debutant tried to lift Lyon over square leg but was dropped by Siddle at mid-wicket running backwards to take the catch.
On the following delivery the batsman went to sweep Lyon again, giving a simple catch for 3.
Dhoni was out on 11 runs playing a good length ball from Harris edging to the keeper.
Kohli continued on and on and while trying to drive the ball through point edged it to the keeper for well made169 of 271 deliveries the Indian team total read 462/8 at the close of play.
The batsmen showed the intent today and held the innings together and won the day for India.
Ryan Harris proved to be pick of the bowlers picking 4/69. Indian bowling unit could take a cue from the Aussie performance that they made the Indian batsmen earn their runs, survive and score.
It was definitely not easy for the Indian batters. And also besides the fortunate partnership there was little contribution by other batsmen. It is still a worry aspect for India.
Rahane was dropped by Lyon, who reacted a little slow to the shot played back towards the bowler that went through his hands.
Then Kohli edged in the slips but was dropped by Harris. Earlier Haddin pulled of a spectacular catch to bring down Cheteshwar Pujara and then took the catch of Kohli.
So it will India batting again with two wickets remaining on Day 4. It will be interesting to see the team tactics on day 4.
Valleyz.Blog
India lost quick wickets in Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay after some persistent bowling by Australia. Vijay was out for 68.
Rahane and Kohli then combined to produce a huge partnership to resuce India from that precarious position to a respectable total.
Early in the innings both Rahane and Kohli were lucky to have got life. Rahane was at his best driving through covers and pulling Johnson all through day.
Batsmen produced some of the best cricket in front of a Sunday crowd at Melbourne Cricket ground.
It was sheer brilliance of the two batsmen that they survived some well directed bowling from Johnson and company. Pacer was hit to all corners of the park by the batsmen showing they were in total command.
Ajinkya Rahane got out lbw trying to sweep Nathan Lyon at the score of 147. The partnership was 262 runs worth for India.
L Rahul the debutant tried to lift Lyon over square leg but was dropped by Siddle at mid-wicket running backwards to take the catch.
On the following delivery the batsman went to sweep Lyon again, giving a simple catch for 3.
Dhoni was out on 11 runs playing a good length ball from Harris edging to the keeper.
Kohli continued on and on and while trying to drive the ball through point edged it to the keeper for well made169 of 271 deliveries the Indian team total read 462/8 at the close of play.
The batsmen showed the intent today and held the innings together and won the day for India.
Ryan Harris proved to be pick of the bowlers picking 4/69. Indian bowling unit could take a cue from the Aussie performance that they made the Indian batsmen earn their runs, survive and score.
It was definitely not easy for the Indian batters. And also besides the fortunate partnership there was little contribution by other batsmen. It is still a worry aspect for India.
Rahane was dropped by Lyon, who reacted a little slow to the shot played back towards the bowler that went through his hands.
Then Kohli edged in the slips but was dropped by Harris. Earlier Haddin pulled of a spectacular catch to bring down Cheteshwar Pujara and then took the catch of Kohli.
So it will India batting again with two wickets remaining on Day 4. It will be interesting to see the team tactics on day 4.
Valleyz.Blog
India at a crucial stage in the first innings on Day 3 in the third test at MCG
India are at a crucial stage with 108 runs on the board at the loss of Shikhar Dhawan's wicket in their response to Australia's 530 runs on the second day of play.
Earlier Australia scored at a brisk pace resuming their first innings on day 2 with Brad Haddin nullifying the India tactic of bowling short to the batsman. Haddin hooked, pulled and lofted the clueless Indian pace attack in the morning to notch first fifty in the series.
Indian batsman tried hard and bowled short to Haddin in order to scalp the batsman's wicket, noting his uneasy stance in playing the short ball. But to the surprise of Indian bowlers, Haddin opened up his stance by freeing his front leg which gave him ample opportunity to score runs at will, until he himself committed an unforced error and edged a ball while trying to leave it to the keeper, in a similar fashion Indian Skipper MS Dhoni got out in the previous test.
India did not attack Aussie Skipper Steve Smith as much as they bowled short to Haddin, and that proved costly for the team, as Smith held up the Australian lower middle order together and stitched crucial partnerships with Ryan Harris too.
Ryan Harris played a good role and proved again that Australian lower order is the better off scoring runs than the Indian lower order as the bowlers struggled once again to get wickets.
Captain Smith and Harris built a 106 run partnership as Australia scorecard read 482 for 6 at that stage. As soon as Harris fell for 75 playing across to Ashwin, Australia stepped up to score quick runs as Smith went after the bowlers before the side got bowled out for mammoth 530 runs on the board with Skipper the last man out for a fabulous 192.
India started their first innings with confidence as both the openers survived probing line by the Aussie bowlers. Until Dhawan got out to a menacing Harris delivery which the batsman tried to play to the third man, instead edging it to the slips. Harris is a dark horse in the Australia bowling line up, he can swing the ball both ways and his seam is deceiving to say the least and often gives Australia crucial break through.
India are up against a good bowling attack and complacency will prove costly for the India as there isn't much depth in the Indian batting order as the Aussie side has. India are prone to batting collapses and often play contrary to their potential and provide opposition the chance to come back in to the game.
Where as Australia seldom made this mistake in the series. So far they've accepted every chance the tourists provided them.
If India are to stay in the series, batters need to present something special on day 3 to the Aussie bowling attack including the off-spin of playing Nathan Lyon. Other wise it will be remembered as a tour when the team didn't played to it's full potential, despite some good players in the team.
Valleyz.Blog
Earlier Australia scored at a brisk pace resuming their first innings on day 2 with Brad Haddin nullifying the India tactic of bowling short to the batsman. Haddin hooked, pulled and lofted the clueless Indian pace attack in the morning to notch first fifty in the series.
Indian batsman tried hard and bowled short to Haddin in order to scalp the batsman's wicket, noting his uneasy stance in playing the short ball. But to the surprise of Indian bowlers, Haddin opened up his stance by freeing his front leg which gave him ample opportunity to score runs at will, until he himself committed an unforced error and edged a ball while trying to leave it to the keeper, in a similar fashion Indian Skipper MS Dhoni got out in the previous test.
India did not attack Aussie Skipper Steve Smith as much as they bowled short to Haddin, and that proved costly for the team, as Smith held up the Australian lower middle order together and stitched crucial partnerships with Ryan Harris too.
Ryan Harris played a good role and proved again that Australian lower order is the better off scoring runs than the Indian lower order as the bowlers struggled once again to get wickets.
Captain Smith and Harris built a 106 run partnership as Australia scorecard read 482 for 6 at that stage. As soon as Harris fell for 75 playing across to Ashwin, Australia stepped up to score quick runs as Smith went after the bowlers before the side got bowled out for mammoth 530 runs on the board with Skipper the last man out for a fabulous 192.
India started their first innings with confidence as both the openers survived probing line by the Aussie bowlers. Until Dhawan got out to a menacing Harris delivery which the batsman tried to play to the third man, instead edging it to the slips. Harris is a dark horse in the Australia bowling line up, he can swing the ball both ways and his seam is deceiving to say the least and often gives Australia crucial break through.
India are up against a good bowling attack and complacency will prove costly for the India as there isn't much depth in the Indian batting order as the Aussie side has. India are prone to batting collapses and often play contrary to their potential and provide opposition the chance to come back in to the game.
Where as Australia seldom made this mistake in the series. So far they've accepted every chance the tourists provided them.
If India are to stay in the series, batters need to present something special on day 3 to the Aussie bowling attack including the off-spin of playing Nathan Lyon. Other wise it will be remembered as a tour when the team didn't played to it's full potential, despite some good players in the team.
Valleyz.Blog
Friday, December 26, 2014
Steve Smith's wicket is key to restrict Australia in the first Innings at MCG in the third Test.
It was a decent first day's play at MCG in the boxing day test against Australia by the India team with Australia scoring 259/5 at the close of play.
Umesh Yadav took the all important opening wicket of David Warner to slow down the Australia scoring rate later in the innings, as India bowlers failed to take wickets till the start of second session in the morning.
Watson and Chris Rogers built up a good partnership against a disciplined Indian bowling which went wicket less and a dropped chance to score a second wicket partnership of 115 runs. Chris Rogers was taken by Dhoni of Mohammad Shami delivery outside of off, inviting the batsmen to drive on the rise.
Soon after Watson was out lbw to R Ashwin, trying to play slog sweep covering the stumps and completely missing out, though umpire couldn't see the middle and off of the batsmen's wickets but failed to note that Watson took a long stride and met the ball out side the line of off stump. It was a close decision.
Initially Skipper Steve Smith started of slowly and then later paced his innings to lead Australia to a handsome total of 259/5 with his inidividual score of 72 not out at close of play.
S Marsh got out caught behind by the keeper of Shami scoring 32. Debutant Joe Burns could not last long as he was out trying to pull the ball and edging to the keeper off Umesh Yadav.
Umesh Yadav was bowling with good pace and bounce occasionally hitting Brad Haddin on the body with short pitched deliveries which the batmsnen left alone.
Ishant Sharma was bowling nicely but didn't look penetrating the Aussie batting order. Mohammad Shami took two wickets and looks good when bowling a probing line. There was also a dropped catch of his bowling when Watson edged in the slips and was dropped by a diving Shikhar Dhawan to his left.
Bowing out side of off is key to bowling Steve Smith out. Analysing the style of play, Smith easily pulls, drives and cuts the ball, so there isn't much the bowlers can try than to test him outside of off.
That's the only way Australia has time and again bowled at the famed Indian batting order of yesteryears.
When a batsmen is strong both on the backfoot and the front foot, it is important for the bowlers to catch him at the crease by bowing good length ones.
The wicket looks dry and slightly tilted in batsman's favour, India bowling has it's task cut out to restrict Australia.
Steve Smith's wicket is key in these circumstances, if he gets going and wags along with the tail, then Australia will not only score runs but at a quicker pace.
Valleyz.Blog
Umesh Yadav took the all important opening wicket of David Warner to slow down the Australia scoring rate later in the innings, as India bowlers failed to take wickets till the start of second session in the morning.
Watson and Chris Rogers built up a good partnership against a disciplined Indian bowling which went wicket less and a dropped chance to score a second wicket partnership of 115 runs. Chris Rogers was taken by Dhoni of Mohammad Shami delivery outside of off, inviting the batsmen to drive on the rise.
Soon after Watson was out lbw to R Ashwin, trying to play slog sweep covering the stumps and completely missing out, though umpire couldn't see the middle and off of the batsmen's wickets but failed to note that Watson took a long stride and met the ball out side the line of off stump. It was a close decision.
Initially Skipper Steve Smith started of slowly and then later paced his innings to lead Australia to a handsome total of 259/5 with his inidividual score of 72 not out at close of play.
S Marsh got out caught behind by the keeper of Shami scoring 32. Debutant Joe Burns could not last long as he was out trying to pull the ball and edging to the keeper off Umesh Yadav.
Umesh Yadav was bowling with good pace and bounce occasionally hitting Brad Haddin on the body with short pitched deliveries which the batmsnen left alone.
Ishant Sharma was bowling nicely but didn't look penetrating the Aussie batting order. Mohammad Shami took two wickets and looks good when bowling a probing line. There was also a dropped catch of his bowling when Watson edged in the slips and was dropped by a diving Shikhar Dhawan to his left.
Bowing out side of off is key to bowling Steve Smith out. Analysing the style of play, Smith easily pulls, drives and cuts the ball, so there isn't much the bowlers can try than to test him outside of off.
That's the only way Australia has time and again bowled at the famed Indian batting order of yesteryears.
When a batsmen is strong both on the backfoot and the front foot, it is important for the bowlers to catch him at the crease by bowing good length ones.
The wicket looks dry and slightly tilted in batsman's favour, India bowling has it's task cut out to restrict Australia.
Steve Smith's wicket is key in these circumstances, if he gets going and wags along with the tail, then Australia will not only score runs but at a quicker pace.
Valleyz.Blog
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
IndvsSA Jo'burg Test 2013:India posts a steady 5/255 after a positive decision by the Indian Captain
Captain positive MS Dhoni won the toss and took a positive
decision to bat first, India posted a steady 5/255 taking cue from an inspiring
century from Virat Kohli on a fiery Wanderer’s pitch.
Valleyz.Blog
It was surprising to many analysts around the world, that
why would a captain put in line his batsmen against a fiery spell of fast
bowling on a fresh Wanderer’s pitch from one of the world’s best bowling
lineups.
Fortune favors the brave to say the least, and after both
the opener’s were sent back to the pavilion, slightly disproving the decision
of the captain, a watchful Virat Kohli and an equally adept Cheteshwar Pujara
saw to it that the pace battery takes rest after their onslaught.
Just when things began to fall in place for India after 2
early wickets, a casual yes and no left Cheteshwar Pujara well short of crease.
But Virat Kohli knew the importance of his wicket and knew that he need to bat
long for India, scored a brilliant century which had all the hallmarks of an
established batsman.
Shot selection from some of the Indian top order batsman is
poor and that’s where Rohit Sharma can concentrate little bit harder to see
that, on seaming wicket like at Jo’burg the ball travels at pace giving little
time for the batsmen to drive through the covers on the rise.
Rahane dug out harder and is holding on 43 not out with
Dhoni in company, and Ashwin to follow there is still some batting left in tail
of the Indian line up.
I think 400 would give India time to stay in the Test match
and a total of 450 plus will give it a chance to throw some questions back at
the hosts.
One of the important lessons from the first day for the top
order India batsmen is to read the situation around well and play accordingly,
the shot selection was not desirable to see from some of the batsmen who got
out cheaply.
And that’s where the experience in all rounder Jacques
Kallis comes in to play, he talks Virat Kohli to play onto a bad ball on the
rise to give a simple catch to a mid-on to wake him up from the deep slumber, lost his wicket when he could
have gone on for more easily, after scoring the century. Yes, he talks back at
himself, every time he gets out to a silly shot.
South Africa bowlers were right on the money, but some home
work by the Indian batsmen stood them in good stead with all the batsmen keen
to leave the ball outside of off-stump except the one played by Rohit Sharma
and Shikhar Dhawan had no clue to duck on to a well directed bouncer from Dale
Steyn.
Vernon Philander was probing and Mornie Morkel was at his
best, including a catch drop by Hashim Amla which was a little bit difficult of
his bowling.
India should try and carefully hold on to the marginal good
first innings total and build upon it to stay in the crucial Test match at
Wanderer’s.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Sachin's farewell series unearthed talent in debutants Rohit and Shami
Recently concluded Sachin's farewell series has unearthed talent of the debutants like Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami.
Rohit Sharma had to wait for his Test debut and made a mark when given the chance by back to back centuries. Mohammed Shami justified his debut by taking 9 wickets. Both of the players remember their memorable debut which enthralled the Kolkata crowd at Eden Gardens.
West Indies didn't perform up to their potential and had their chances in the first test when India lost six wickets for 150 plus runs until debutant Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin turned around the match for India. From there after India siezed the initiative and went on to win the match.
Second test at Wankhede the Sachin Tendulkar's final test at his home ground is a memorable one, for the way the Master batsman batted while at the crease.
The delicate cuts, straight drives, and subtle manoeuvrings of the pitch enthralled the crowd one last time for the vociferous audience at the Wankhede watching vintage Tendulkar in full flow.
And a delivery by Narsingh Deonarine outside of out stump had nothing in it except inviting the batsman to cut it for four, but sheer presence of Darren Sammy, lost his control while the fast flash of the bat which was traveling, had their been another fielder, there could have been a catch dropped.
But destiny had it and the Master batsman had to leave the crease after such a master class at the crease.
Crowd was watching the master batsman walking back to the pavilion for one last time and turning back to acknowledge the crowds gesture.
The match drew celebrities from across the spectrum including the Congress scion Prime Ministerial candidate Rahul Gandhi to Mumbai, bollywood stars including Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan were there to felicitate the champion batsmen.
Then the Master batsman gave a befitting farewell speech at the presentation ceremony which held the nation's breath for a moment.
A prodigy of Indian Cricket, SR Tendulkar went on and on and illustrated his 24 years of passionate journey with immaculate words coming straight from the heart.
They inspired a generation and a country was in a sombre mood both celebrating the class of the batsman and his retirement at the same time.
Though the Master batsman retired from the game but he will always be there in hearts and minds of millions of his die hard fans.
Such a short series with so many beautiful memories. Test Cricket could have never been any better except for the retirement of a legend.
Valleyz.Blog
Rohit Sharma had to wait for his Test debut and made a mark when given the chance by back to back centuries. Mohammed Shami justified his debut by taking 9 wickets. Both of the players remember their memorable debut which enthralled the Kolkata crowd at Eden Gardens.
West Indies didn't perform up to their potential and had their chances in the first test when India lost six wickets for 150 plus runs until debutant Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin turned around the match for India. From there after India siezed the initiative and went on to win the match.
Second test at Wankhede the Sachin Tendulkar's final test at his home ground is a memorable one, for the way the Master batsman batted while at the crease.
The delicate cuts, straight drives, and subtle manoeuvrings of the pitch enthralled the crowd one last time for the vociferous audience at the Wankhede watching vintage Tendulkar in full flow.
And a delivery by Narsingh Deonarine outside of out stump had nothing in it except inviting the batsman to cut it for four, but sheer presence of Darren Sammy, lost his control while the fast flash of the bat which was traveling, had their been another fielder, there could have been a catch dropped.
But destiny had it and the Master batsman had to leave the crease after such a master class at the crease.
Crowd was watching the master batsman walking back to the pavilion for one last time and turning back to acknowledge the crowds gesture.
The match drew celebrities from across the spectrum including the Congress scion Prime Ministerial candidate Rahul Gandhi to Mumbai, bollywood stars including Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan were there to felicitate the champion batsmen.
Then the Master batsman gave a befitting farewell speech at the presentation ceremony which held the nation's breath for a moment.
A prodigy of Indian Cricket, SR Tendulkar went on and on and illustrated his 24 years of passionate journey with immaculate words coming straight from the heart.
They inspired a generation and a country was in a sombre mood both celebrating the class of the batsman and his retirement at the same time.
Though the Master batsman retired from the game but he will always be there in hearts and minds of millions of his die hard fans.
Such a short series with so many beautiful memories. Test Cricket could have never been any better except for the retirement of a legend.
Valleyz.Blog
Friday, November 8, 2013
India Vs West Indies First Test 2013: India wins the match in a splendid fashion at Eden Gardens Kolkata
India beat West Indies in the first Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata with a superb performance with bat and the ball.
The two debutant players Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami Ahmed made this match a memorable one with splendid performances.
After Mohammed Shami's first innings haul of 4/71, it was Rohit Sharma's turn to score a hundred on debut.
Rohit Sharma with Ravichandran Ashwin combined well to put together a solid partnership that gave India 219 runs lead in the first innings with the team total of 456 all out.
Then Ravichandran Ashwin continued his good performance with the ball too picking up three West Indian wickets.
Mohammed Shami then ran through the West Indian middle and lower order with his reverse swinging deliveries, clean blowing most of the batsmen.
Eden Gardens crowd had some good entertainment cricket to watch with the spectacular performance from the Indian team, that made the farewell Sachin Tendulkar match a memorable one.
Now India move on to Mumbai for the second test Match of the series on Nov 14.
Hope the West Indian team take positives from the match where they were in a good position in the Test match and there after didn't look up to the mark, particularly with the bat.
Valleyz.Blog
The two debutant players Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami Ahmed made this match a memorable one with splendid performances.
After Mohammed Shami's first innings haul of 4/71, it was Rohit Sharma's turn to score a hundred on debut.
Rohit Sharma with Ravichandran Ashwin combined well to put together a solid partnership that gave India 219 runs lead in the first innings with the team total of 456 all out.
Then Ravichandran Ashwin continued his good performance with the ball too picking up three West Indian wickets.
Mohammed Shami then ran through the West Indian middle and lower order with his reverse swinging deliveries, clean blowing most of the batsmen.
Eden Gardens crowd had some good entertainment cricket to watch with the spectacular performance from the Indian team, that made the farewell Sachin Tendulkar match a memorable one.
Now India move on to Mumbai for the second test Match of the series on Nov 14.
Hope the West Indian team take positives from the match where they were in a good position in the Test match and there after didn't look up to the mark, particularly with the bat.
Valleyz.Blog
Monday, July 4, 2011
India tour of the Carribean 2011
It is good the tour of Caribbean has so far been a pleasant one for the Indian Cricket team, who are without the regular team this series. After the win in the Jamaica Test, the Indian team was looking to wrap up the series at the Kensington Oval. But play lost due to the rains had effectively tightened up things for both the teams. West Indies slenderly holding on to knocks by Marlon Samuels and Darren Bravo put some resistance to onslaught by Ishant Sharma and co.
The third test starts on July 6th, where both the teams will look to keep things in check rather going all out for a win. Batting has been a cause of worry for West Indies team particularly where both Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul failing to bat out for West Indies on crucial occasions. Sarwan has now been dropped for the third and final test in the series.
Indian team has positives to take from the Tour with performances of Praveen Kuman, Ishant Sharma and Suresh Raina particularly very good. With England Tour to follow the team will now see the return of Sachin, Sehwag( Expected after third test), Zaheer, Yuvraj, Gambhir back into the team. Virat Kohli and Murali Vijay will have to accept some tough decision in their budding careers. And take positives from the Tour into the future.
The umpiring saga involving Daryl Harper and the Indian Team has shown how the game is dependent on technology, and hopefully DRS will ease out some badly needed shortcomings in umpiring. Particularly looking at the decisions with Indian team this series, there's too lot to be desired.
ICC making some calls on batsmen without runners and other issues ought to have looked into some more issues. The umpiring decision involving Raina where the batsman haven't made any contact with the bat or glove was specially very bad. I have noticed that umpires should do away with sun glasses as it definitely blurs vision, some close calls like these could easily change the game.
Umpires should not be allowed to make sunglasses since they are there to make these decisions and wearing sunglasses definitely obscures one's vision in one or the other way and things are not crystal clear. Did we see any batsman wearing sunglasses, we might put a question here, Why not?
Hope fully the England Tour will be free of the Umpiring blunders where a long tour awaits the full strength Indian team. Hopefully the world champions will try and consolidate the World No 1 Rankings.
The third test starts on July 6th, where both the teams will look to keep things in check rather going all out for a win. Batting has been a cause of worry for West Indies team particularly where both Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul failing to bat out for West Indies on crucial occasions. Sarwan has now been dropped for the third and final test in the series.
Indian team has positives to take from the Tour with performances of Praveen Kuman, Ishant Sharma and Suresh Raina particularly very good. With England Tour to follow the team will now see the return of Sachin, Sehwag( Expected after third test), Zaheer, Yuvraj, Gambhir back into the team. Virat Kohli and Murali Vijay will have to accept some tough decision in their budding careers. And take positives from the Tour into the future.
The umpiring saga involving Daryl Harper and the Indian Team has shown how the game is dependent on technology, and hopefully DRS will ease out some badly needed shortcomings in umpiring. Particularly looking at the decisions with Indian team this series, there's too lot to be desired.
ICC making some calls on batsmen without runners and other issues ought to have looked into some more issues. The umpiring decision involving Raina where the batsman haven't made any contact with the bat or glove was specially very bad. I have noticed that umpires should do away with sun glasses as it definitely blurs vision, some close calls like these could easily change the game.
Umpires should not be allowed to make sunglasses since they are there to make these decisions and wearing sunglasses definitely obscures one's vision in one or the other way and things are not crystal clear. Did we see any batsman wearing sunglasses, we might put a question here, Why not?
Hope fully the England Tour will be free of the Umpiring blunders where a long tour awaits the full strength Indian team. Hopefully the world champions will try and consolidate the World No 1 Rankings.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Is Cricket still the Gentleman's game ?
The removal of Pakistani trio of Amir, Asif and Butt doesn't solve the ICC's problems in dealing with match fixing and other related activities. The players can in no way be stopped from meeting strangers no matter even if they are confined in dressing rooms and other places with full restriction to outsiders. There are a million ways to break these rules.
The Gentleman's game is no longer the same as it was in the Golden era of Botham's and Khan's when only true passion for Cricket used to rule the hearts and minds of Cricketers. May be it is the present generational anomaly of making most out of the opportunity.
The explanation I went through in the media by the Pakistani Board, after the interrogation of the charged players seem to indicate that the players are wrongly framed. The players seemed to have presented a creditable explanation, regarding the bundle's of cash found in their dressing rooms.
No matter what the explanation and the outcome, there seems something murky with which Cricket is being played these days, whether it be IPL or Pakistani Tours or Cricket in the Subcontinent.
One thing is for sure the game of Cricket is more increasingly viewed only as a big money spinner and nothing else. No one really any more cares for the drives of Bradman's or the hook shots of Sober's of the past. Of late people are only interested in the rapid fire four's and sixes of Afridi's or Hayden's or Dhoni's.
It's the administrators equally to blame including the ICC, which is jumping the gun in increasing the popularity of the game by putting too much of the emphasis on newly entertainment oriented quick fire Cricket version of T20's and the likes.
ICC should seriously revert back to put more emphasis on traditional forms of Cricket like the Tests and One Dayers and even emphasis should be laid on tour starters like three day or four day formats. Essentially these formats no doubt are boring for the spectators but they are the real formats of Cricket. And can help bring back the prestige to Cricket.
The reason why I have stated these points is nowadays if you see the present crop of Cricketers they are more tilted towards quick money and fame, rather the hard work and grooming real talent.
One used to see innumerable brilliant stints by the likes if Imran Khan's, Laxman's, Tendulkars or Marsh's in the domestic Cricket without them even making a start at the international level.
By the time they played international Cricket they were far more matured than the present crop of the Cricketers, who all of a sudden appear in the T20 formats and then suddenly show up in the national team based on these performances.
The money spinning element is being ingrained far too much than could be digested, and this culture is sub consciously damaging the game.
There are more chances than ever, the betting syndicates will try and exploit these hectic cricketing schedules where it's hard to focus on any single issue.
So reverting back to policies and formats of the Cricket's most established formats and times with only a small exposure to newer formats, Cricketing glory could be brought back.
ICC's step of banning the Pakistani players is a cosmetic solution to an ever growing malaise of betting, overshadowing the Gentleman's game of Cricket.
The Gentleman's game is no longer the same as it was in the Golden era of Botham's and Khan's when only true passion for Cricket used to rule the hearts and minds of Cricketers. May be it is the present generational anomaly of making most out of the opportunity.
The explanation I went through in the media by the Pakistani Board, after the interrogation of the charged players seem to indicate that the players are wrongly framed. The players seemed to have presented a creditable explanation, regarding the bundle's of cash found in their dressing rooms.
No matter what the explanation and the outcome, there seems something murky with which Cricket is being played these days, whether it be IPL or Pakistani Tours or Cricket in the Subcontinent.
One thing is for sure the game of Cricket is more increasingly viewed only as a big money spinner and nothing else. No one really any more cares for the drives of Bradman's or the hook shots of Sober's of the past. Of late people are only interested in the rapid fire four's and sixes of Afridi's or Hayden's or Dhoni's.
It's the administrators equally to blame including the ICC, which is jumping the gun in increasing the popularity of the game by putting too much of the emphasis on newly entertainment oriented quick fire Cricket version of T20's and the likes.
ICC should seriously revert back to put more emphasis on traditional forms of Cricket like the Tests and One Dayers and even emphasis should be laid on tour starters like three day or four day formats. Essentially these formats no doubt are boring for the spectators but they are the real formats of Cricket. And can help bring back the prestige to Cricket.
The reason why I have stated these points is nowadays if you see the present crop of Cricketers they are more tilted towards quick money and fame, rather the hard work and grooming real talent.
One used to see innumerable brilliant stints by the likes if Imran Khan's, Laxman's, Tendulkars or Marsh's in the domestic Cricket without them even making a start at the international level.
By the time they played international Cricket they were far more matured than the present crop of the Cricketers, who all of a sudden appear in the T20 formats and then suddenly show up in the national team based on these performances.
The money spinning element is being ingrained far too much than could be digested, and this culture is sub consciously damaging the game.
There are more chances than ever, the betting syndicates will try and exploit these hectic cricketing schedules where it's hard to focus on any single issue.
So reverting back to policies and formats of the Cricket's most established formats and times with only a small exposure to newer formats, Cricketing glory could be brought back.
ICC's step of banning the Pakistani players is a cosmetic solution to an ever growing malaise of betting, overshadowing the Gentleman's game of Cricket.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
India loses the match and the series at Guwahati in 2009 Honda Cup vs Australia
India went into a shudder at Guwahati today after the loss at Hyderabad on Thursday in the 2009 Honda cup series in India. In the process lost the series to Australia by 4-2 with the final match of the series to be played at Mumbai on Wednesday, and now has no consequence in the series. India will be looking to win this match, to salvage the lost ground.
India never recovered psychologically it seems from the loss at Hyderabad, which dealt a crucial blow to the hosts morale and confidence. The series in fact was decided on that fateful evening in Hyderabad when Australia pulled off a humdinger from the jaws of defeat by a margin of three runs to score a point against the under-performing hosts that International Cricket doesn't lets go off Scot free if you make mistakes on a continuous basis through the series.
Sachin sparkled with a solid 175 only to see his side squandering the opportunity by losing 4 wickets in 18 balls requiring almost the same runs to win the match and give a message to Australia, that they meant business. But the hosts were in a different zone altogether, I felt the Jadeja run out was the crucial one in the closing stages of the game, it seemed that the youngster was picking up instructions from the Sachin at the crease, but instead he ran himself out for no apparent reason. That was the sheer pressure the youngster could not handle at this stage. It makes me recollect about Md Kaif the UP skipper who is a great finisher and had did in fact in the Champions Trophy in England when India surmounted another high scoring game. I wonder Why he is not being considered for selection ?
There should be incentives for players when they finish off things for the team, and likewise should be laid off to set the things right for the team.
With the big win in hand at Hyderabad, the visitors had nothing to loose and came hard on a seaming pitch on a Guwahati morning and quickly opened up the Indian top order with quick wickets, the message here out to the Indian team is, no matter you play a second class team or a number one, you need to commit yourself to bring victories.
India needs to play as a unit to win matches and should be professional enough in carrying out the game plan.
India never recovered psychologically it seems from the loss at Hyderabad, which dealt a crucial blow to the hosts morale and confidence. The series in fact was decided on that fateful evening in Hyderabad when Australia pulled off a humdinger from the jaws of defeat by a margin of three runs to score a point against the under-performing hosts that International Cricket doesn't lets go off Scot free if you make mistakes on a continuous basis through the series.
Sachin sparkled with a solid 175 only to see his side squandering the opportunity by losing 4 wickets in 18 balls requiring almost the same runs to win the match and give a message to Australia, that they meant business. But the hosts were in a different zone altogether, I felt the Jadeja run out was the crucial one in the closing stages of the game, it seemed that the youngster was picking up instructions from the Sachin at the crease, but instead he ran himself out for no apparent reason. That was the sheer pressure the youngster could not handle at this stage. It makes me recollect about Md Kaif the UP skipper who is a great finisher and had did in fact in the Champions Trophy in England when India surmounted another high scoring game. I wonder Why he is not being considered for selection ?
There should be incentives for players when they finish off things for the team, and likewise should be laid off to set the things right for the team.
With the big win in hand at Hyderabad, the visitors had nothing to loose and came hard on a seaming pitch on a Guwahati morning and quickly opened up the Indian top order with quick wickets, the message here out to the Indian team is, no matter you play a second class team or a number one, you need to commit yourself to bring victories.
India needs to play as a unit to win matches and should be professional enough in carrying out the game plan.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Australia in a good position on Day 1 of the Bangalore Test 2008
Australia ends day one of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore in a strong position. Ricky Ponting scored his first Test Century on the Indian soil leading the way in the Australian batting scorecard. Australia ended the day with 254/4 with Michael Clarke bowled out in the last over of the day's play by Zaheer Khan caught in front of the wicket.
In the morning Australia won the Toss and elected to bat first on a good batting wicket and Mathew Hayden was out third ball of the innings edging out to Zaheer Khan. Ricky Ponting and Simon Katich build on the innings from there on for a 166 run partnership for the second wicket, with Katich scoring a good fifty before getting out.
Day two again will be easier to bat on, with Mike Hussey well set on 46 and White, Watson and Haddin still to bat, there is lot of work cut out for the Indian bowlers. The track is very good indeed for batting and it will start turning when the cracks open up as the wicket gets weary. I personally feel the wicket looks too good to be a turner as we might expect so as to produce a result, in all probability if the Indian first innings matches the Australian total in the first innings then we might be heading for a draw.
Had India won the toss it would have put Australia bat last in the Test and would have been interesting to see Australia bat against the turners, that's what the Indian think tank might have wished for. It would still not have made much difference considering the nature of the pitch which has very less to offer for the bowlers and the Australia having a good eye in the Indian conditions would have been equally capable to play out the Indian spin.
Day two of the first Test should see Australia consolidate on the overnight score, Indian bowlers if had their way and run into the Australian tail-enders quickly then match would come alive, let's hope for a good competitive Cricket on day 2 at Chinnaswamy stadium, Bangalore.
In the morning Australia won the Toss and elected to bat first on a good batting wicket and Mathew Hayden was out third ball of the innings edging out to Zaheer Khan. Ricky Ponting and Simon Katich build on the innings from there on for a 166 run partnership for the second wicket, with Katich scoring a good fifty before getting out.
Day two again will be easier to bat on, with Mike Hussey well set on 46 and White, Watson and Haddin still to bat, there is lot of work cut out for the Indian bowlers. The track is very good indeed for batting and it will start turning when the cracks open up as the wicket gets weary. I personally feel the wicket looks too good to be a turner as we might expect so as to produce a result, in all probability if the Indian first innings matches the Australian total in the first innings then we might be heading for a draw.
Had India won the toss it would have put Australia bat last in the Test and would have been interesting to see Australia bat against the turners, that's what the Indian think tank might have wished for. It would still not have made much difference considering the nature of the pitch which has very less to offer for the bowlers and the Australia having a good eye in the Indian conditions would have been equally capable to play out the Indian spin.
Day two of the first Test should see Australia consolidate on the overnight score, Indian bowlers if had their way and run into the Australian tail-enders quickly then match would come alive, let's hope for a good competitive Cricket on day 2 at Chinnaswamy stadium, Bangalore.
Friday, September 12, 2008
ICC Champions Trophy 2009 dates in October
The final dates for the ICC Champions Trophy did not fructify after it was found that the dates which ICC proposed clashed with Australia's ODI tour of India in October 2009 to which the Indian Board did not accept and requested for another dates.
PCB remained hopeful of the event being conducted in October 2009 as the ICC has the contract with the sponsors of no postponement of the tournament beyond 13 months under the rules. The ICC Board has announced meetings will be called between all the members of the board to decide the final dates, which hopefully will be declared in October 2008 according to the ICC Chief Haroon Lorgat.
PCB remained hopeful of the event being conducted in October 2009 as the ICC has the contract with the sponsors of no postponement of the tournament beyond 13 months under the rules. The ICC Board has announced meetings will be called between all the members of the board to decide the final dates, which hopefully will be declared in October 2008 according to the ICC Chief Haroon Lorgat.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Nominations for the ICC Awards 2008 unveiled
1. Cricketer of the Year:
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Dale Steyn,
Mahela Jayawardene
Graeme Smith
2. Test Player of the Year:
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Dale Steyn
Mahela Jayawardene
Jacques Kallis
3. ODI Player of the Year:
Nathan Bracken,
Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Sachin Tendulkar
Mohammad Yousuf.
4. Emerging Player of the Year:
Stuart Broad
Ajantha Mendis
Ishant Sharma
Morne Morkel
Source: ICC
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Dale Steyn,
Mahela Jayawardene
Graeme Smith
2. Test Player of the Year:
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Dale Steyn
Mahela Jayawardene
Jacques Kallis
3. ODI Player of the Year:
Nathan Bracken,
Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Sachin Tendulkar
Mohammad Yousuf.
4. Emerging Player of the Year:
Stuart Broad
Ajantha Mendis
Ishant Sharma
Morne Morkel
Source: ICC
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