HOBART, Australia (Reuters) - Mike Hussey and Michael Clarke shared an unbroken century partnership to strengthen Australia's grip on the second test against Sri Lanka on Saturday.
The pair put on 107 runs for the fourth wicket to guide Australia to 392 for three when rain stopped play just before lunch on the second day at Bellerive Oval.
Hussey added 21 to his overnight score to reach the break on 122 while Clarke cruised to 50 not out after resuming on eight.
The Australians added 63 without loss from 18 overs before play was halted to put themselves in position to wrap up the series after winning last week's first test in Brisbane.
Neither player offered a chance as Sri Lanka's bowlers struggled on a pitch perfectly suited for batting.
The tourists suffered a setback before play resumed when pace bowler Farveez Maharoof was sidelined because of a foot injury that could force him to miss the rest of the match.
"Maharoof has stress fractures of his left foot," a Sri Lankan team spokesman told reporters. "He may not bowl or field for the rest of the game. He had a scan and the doctor said that would be best although he may bat if required."
With Maharoof unavailable, Muttiah Muralitharan, who needs just six more wickets to break Shane Warne's world record of 708, was introduced into the attack earlier than usual, but was unable to make the breakthrough.
Hussey smashed him over mid-wicket for six to bring up the 100 partnership with Clarke off 107 balls before Clarke flicked him down the legside for a single in the same over to reach his half-century.
Hussey and Clarke also had a 245-run partnership in the first test with both scoring hundreds. Opener Phil Jaques also made a hundred in the first test and 150 on the first day in Hobart.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Punjab show enterprise, yet 163 in red
Punjab ended the day at 216 for 3, still 163 runs behind Hyderabad, after the visitors had posted a first innings total of 379 in 105.3 overs.
Punjab skipper Pankaj Dharmani and middle-order bat Uday Kaul failed today to produce that 212-run partnership they had conjured up in last December's rescue effort against Rajasthan in Jaipur.
Earlier, in the Punjab innings, opener Karan Goel scored his third first class fifty, well supported by opener Ravneet Rickey (37).
A quickish Pragyan Ojha delivery broke the opening stand of 88 runs as Rickey fell.
With Hyderabad new-ball bowler Shoaib sending down five consecutive maidens, there was some problem for the Punjab openers. Even A Khader restricted the openers from the other end.
Hyderabad's stand-in skipper Arjun Yadav, who took charge after VVS Laxman opted to sit out due to a minor back strain, introduced Ojha in the 12th over who regularly troubled the opening pair.
Goel settled down to show some aggressive batting, sending Ojha for two sixes and reaching his half century in the 36th over.
After the tea interval, Ojha picked up his 100th first class wicket, getting Ravi Inder Rajji caught at mid-on.
Dharmani joined Goel, but the fireworks failed to happen. Goel, looking good for his maiden first class century, gave a simple catch to Anoop Pai at point off Khader to make it 150 for 3.
Dharmani continued to deal in boundaries only, racing to 33 in 45 balls, and completed his 27th first class fifty. He also crossed the 8000-run mark in first class cricket during the course of his innings.
Earlier, resuming at the overnight score of 310 for seven, Hyderabad lost their remaining three wickets for the addition of 69 runs in 16.3 overs. Manpreet Goni picked up the wickets of Shinde and Shoaib.
Brief scores: Hyderabad 379 (D Manohar 119, R Teja 55; Kakkar 4/56). Punjab 216/3 (K Goel 75, P Dharmani batting 52; Ojha 2/86)
Punjab skipper Pankaj Dharmani and middle-order bat Uday Kaul failed today to produce that 212-run partnership they had conjured up in last December's rescue effort against Rajasthan in Jaipur.
Earlier, in the Punjab innings, opener Karan Goel scored his third first class fifty, well supported by opener Ravneet Rickey (37).
A quickish Pragyan Ojha delivery broke the opening stand of 88 runs as Rickey fell.
With Hyderabad new-ball bowler Shoaib sending down five consecutive maidens, there was some problem for the Punjab openers. Even A Khader restricted the openers from the other end.
Hyderabad's stand-in skipper Arjun Yadav, who took charge after VVS Laxman opted to sit out due to a minor back strain, introduced Ojha in the 12th over who regularly troubled the opening pair.
Goel settled down to show some aggressive batting, sending Ojha for two sixes and reaching his half century in the 36th over.
After the tea interval, Ojha picked up his 100th first class wicket, getting Ravi Inder Rajji caught at mid-on.
Dharmani joined Goel, but the fireworks failed to happen. Goel, looking good for his maiden first class century, gave a simple catch to Anoop Pai at point off Khader to make it 150 for 3.
Dharmani continued to deal in boundaries only, racing to 33 in 45 balls, and completed his 27th first class fifty. He also crossed the 8000-run mark in first class cricket during the course of his innings.
Earlier, resuming at the overnight score of 310 for seven, Hyderabad lost their remaining three wickets for the addition of 69 runs in 16.3 overs. Manpreet Goni picked up the wickets of Shinde and Shoaib.
Brief scores: Hyderabad 379 (D Manohar 119, R Teja 55; Kakkar 4/56). Punjab 216/3 (K Goel 75, P Dharmani batting 52; Ojha 2/86)
Kotak in long graft
Patience is a virtue. Saurashtra's Sitanshu Kotak (or Pitamah Bhishma, as he is he is fondly called by some younger ones) will vouch for it. Today he frustrated the Delhi team with some sluggish batting on the second day of their Ranji Trophy super league tie at the Roshanara Club Grounds.
The veteran batted for nearly five and-a-half hours, playing 203 deliveries, out of which 70 he didn't even touch, in reaching his personal score of a modest 77. His team ended a very slow day on 175 for 7 before the game was called of early due to bad light.
Yesterday, Delhi had wound up their innings on 244, and this morning as expected went all guns blazing at the visitors. Ishant Sharma struck in his third delivery of the morning, uprooting opener Kanaiya Vaghela's off stump. The batsman had not anticipated the ball would nip back as much as it did.
Made to bat early today Kotak decided that he wasn't going to make the hosts earn his wicket. The southpaw remained adamant that he was going to stick around even if it meant not scoring. He was beaten more that two dozen times within the first session of the match yet the ball repeatedly evaded his bat's edge.
The difference in his batting from the other Delhi batsmen was that Kotak never really went for the ball and stuck to his crease defending everything that came his way.
At the other end opener Sagar Jogiyani was scoring freely and reached to 25 before he to fell victim to Ishant. He edged one straight to second slip where Aakash Chopra made no mistake.
Ishant, though not effective as one would have wanted him to be, still kept the ball up throughout the day and was swinging but he could not trouble the batsman. He was also the most expensive of the lot.
All eyes were suddenly focused on Cheteshwar Pujara and he was expected to score, but Rajat Bhatia's slow medium deliveries proved too tricky, and he was caught leg-before for 11. Immediately after lunch Bhatia claimed the wicket of skipper Jaydev Shah for a duck.
Jaydev, who was dropped the previous delivery by Virat Kohli at slips, made the same mistake next ball by edging it straight to the keeper becoming Bhatia's second victim.
Bhatia was the best bowler today and was best suited for a pitch that had slowed and died down as the day rolled on. The all rounder had only conceded 9 runs in his 13 overs. He kept a good line and length throughout his spell and even though Kotak and new batsman Pratik Mehta remained resolute. He stuck to his line and was finally rewarded by Kotak's wicket.
The left-hander had finally succumbed to his own game and slashed at a wide ball towards Shikhar Dhawan at gully.
Kotak's inning, though long and unending, had its better moments - a drive through mid-on off Pradeep Sangwan, a simple guide towards third man off Ishant were a few to mention.
After he departed Mehta, who also had applied similar tactics as Kotak gave way his wicket to Bandhari. He batted three hours and faced 116 balls for his 27 before playing on towards the keeper.
Sangwan then got Ravindra Jadeja's wicket in similar fashion before the umpires called stumps and left the visitors trailing by 69 runs with Rakesh Druv and Kamlesh Makvana batting on 12 and nought, respectively.
Brief scores: Delhi (1st innings) 244 vs Saurashtra 175/7 (Sitanshu Lotak 77, Rajat Bhatia 3/9, Ishant Sharma 2/61).
The veteran batted for nearly five and-a-half hours, playing 203 deliveries, out of which 70 he didn't even touch, in reaching his personal score of a modest 77. His team ended a very slow day on 175 for 7 before the game was called of early due to bad light.
Yesterday, Delhi had wound up their innings on 244, and this morning as expected went all guns blazing at the visitors. Ishant Sharma struck in his third delivery of the morning, uprooting opener Kanaiya Vaghela's off stump. The batsman had not anticipated the ball would nip back as much as it did.
Made to bat early today Kotak decided that he wasn't going to make the hosts earn his wicket. The southpaw remained adamant that he was going to stick around even if it meant not scoring. He was beaten more that two dozen times within the first session of the match yet the ball repeatedly evaded his bat's edge.
The difference in his batting from the other Delhi batsmen was that Kotak never really went for the ball and stuck to his crease defending everything that came his way.
At the other end opener Sagar Jogiyani was scoring freely and reached to 25 before he to fell victim to Ishant. He edged one straight to second slip where Aakash Chopra made no mistake.
Ishant, though not effective as one would have wanted him to be, still kept the ball up throughout the day and was swinging but he could not trouble the batsman. He was also the most expensive of the lot.
All eyes were suddenly focused on Cheteshwar Pujara and he was expected to score, but Rajat Bhatia's slow medium deliveries proved too tricky, and he was caught leg-before for 11. Immediately after lunch Bhatia claimed the wicket of skipper Jaydev Shah for a duck.
Jaydev, who was dropped the previous delivery by Virat Kohli at slips, made the same mistake next ball by edging it straight to the keeper becoming Bhatia's second victim.
Bhatia was the best bowler today and was best suited for a pitch that had slowed and died down as the day rolled on. The all rounder had only conceded 9 runs in his 13 overs. He kept a good line and length throughout his spell and even though Kotak and new batsman Pratik Mehta remained resolute. He stuck to his line and was finally rewarded by Kotak's wicket.
The left-hander had finally succumbed to his own game and slashed at a wide ball towards Shikhar Dhawan at gully.
Kotak's inning, though long and unending, had its better moments - a drive through mid-on off Pradeep Sangwan, a simple guide towards third man off Ishant were a few to mention.
After he departed Mehta, who also had applied similar tactics as Kotak gave way his wicket to Bandhari. He batted three hours and faced 116 balls for his 27 before playing on towards the keeper.
Sangwan then got Ravindra Jadeja's wicket in similar fashion before the umpires called stumps and left the visitors trailing by 69 runs with Rakesh Druv and Kamlesh Makvana batting on 12 and nought, respectively.
Brief scores: Delhi (1st innings) 244 vs Saurashtra 175/7 (Sitanshu Lotak 77, Rajat Bhatia 3/9, Ishant Sharma 2/61).
Pakistan seek confidence boost before India test series
JAIPUR, India (Reuters) - A downcast Pakistan are pinning their hopes on defeating a reshuffled India in Sunday's inconsequential final one-dayer to gather momentum before the test series starting next week.
"If their regular combination doesn't play we will definitely get some psychological advantage," Pakistan batsman Misbah-ul Haq told reporters on Saturday.
"We hope we can win this match before the test series and take some confidence into it."
India have already clinched the series, having taken an unassailable 3-1 lead after winning the fourth game at Gwalior on Thursday by six wickets.
India team manager Lalchand Rajput said frontline pacemen Zaheer Khan and Rudra Pratap Singh and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh would sit out the day-nighter (0900 GMT start).
The hosts could also leave out one of their leading batsmen to give youngster Rohit Sharma his first match in the series.
Pakistan have continued to struggle since arriving in India after losing the test and one-day series against South Africa. They lost the Twenty20 World Cup final to India in September.
"When you lose two-three series it does affect the players and the pressure builds on the team," Misbah said. "We're trying to win and that is the only way we can change things."
Misbah, 33, himself has failed to convert starts and finish games despite being handed a regular place in the XI since the retirement of batsman Inzamam-ul Haq.
His best so far in the series has been 49. He is in the squad for the three-test series starting in New Delhi on Thursday.
"If their regular combination doesn't play we will definitely get some psychological advantage," Pakistan batsman Misbah-ul Haq told reporters on Saturday.
"We hope we can win this match before the test series and take some confidence into it."
India have already clinched the series, having taken an unassailable 3-1 lead after winning the fourth game at Gwalior on Thursday by six wickets.
India team manager Lalchand Rajput said frontline pacemen Zaheer Khan and Rudra Pratap Singh and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh would sit out the day-nighter (0900 GMT start).
The hosts could also leave out one of their leading batsmen to give youngster Rohit Sharma his first match in the series.
Pakistan have continued to struggle since arriving in India after losing the test and one-day series against South Africa. They lost the Twenty20 World Cup final to India in September.
"When you lose two-three series it does affect the players and the pressure builds on the team," Misbah said. "We're trying to win and that is the only way we can change things."
Misbah, 33, himself has failed to convert starts and finish games despite being handed a regular place in the XI since the retirement of batsman Inzamam-ul Haq.
His best so far in the series has been 49. He is in the squad for the three-test series starting in New Delhi on Thursday.
Inzamam favours Malik as captain
Beleaguered Pakistani captain Shoaib Malik is under attack for his uninspiring leadership but his predecessor Inzamam-ul Haq has supported the young skipper, saying it was a right decision to extend his term for another year.
"I think the board took the correct decision by naming Malik as captain till end of 2008 and they need to support him," Inzamam said after Pakistan lost the five-match ODI series against India with one game to spare.
The Pakistan Cricket Board earlier this week extended Malik's term as Test and ODI captain until 2008 but Inzamam was not sure they will continue with the young captain if Pakistan also lost the Test series in India.
"I know that our people can't stand defeat specially against India and if we lose the Test series than these board officials might try to save their positions by making Malik the sacrificial lamb," Inzamam was quoted as saying by a Pakistani daily.
"Malik is clearly under pressure after losing the ODI series to India. But the Indians have played very well and they have not allowed Pakistan into the game except for Mohali," he added.
Inzamam, who stepped down from the captaincy following Pakistan's ODI World Cup debacle in the West Indies and subsequently announced retirement from international cricket earlier this year, is commentating for a private television channel in India during the ongoing series between two teams.
"I think the board took the correct decision by naming Malik as captain till end of 2008 and they need to support him," Inzamam said after Pakistan lost the five-match ODI series against India with one game to spare.
The Pakistan Cricket Board earlier this week extended Malik's term as Test and ODI captain until 2008 but Inzamam was not sure they will continue with the young captain if Pakistan also lost the Test series in India.
"I know that our people can't stand defeat specially against India and if we lose the Test series than these board officials might try to save their positions by making Malik the sacrificial lamb," Inzamam was quoted as saying by a Pakistani daily.
"Malik is clearly under pressure after losing the ODI series to India. But the Indians have played very well and they have not allowed Pakistan into the game except for Mohali," he added.
Inzamam, who stepped down from the captaincy following Pakistan's ODI World Cup debacle in the West Indies and subsequently announced retirement from international cricket earlier this year, is commentating for a private television channel in India during the ongoing series between two teams.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Tendulkar says no to Indian test captaincy
Sachin Tendulkar said on Tuesday he did not want to take on the job of India's test captain again at present.
"Tendulkar has conveyed to Sharad Pawar (board president) that he was not in a position to accept the captaincy of the Indian team for the tests," the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) secretary Niranjan Shah said in a statement.
Indian selectors are due to name Rahul Dravid's successor as test captain on Thursday.
Batting great Tendulkar, 34, and one-day captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni were in the frame for the job after Dravid relinquished the post two months ago, saying he wanted to focus on his batting.
"He (Tendulkar) was of the view that presently the Indian team was doing extremely well and the board must think of appointing a younger person as the captain looking at the future of the team," the statement added.
Tendulkar has led India twice before without much success.
"I don't feel right about it at the moment," Tendulkar was quoted as saying by the CNN-IBN news channel.
Selectors, who postponed a decision on the captaincy last month, must now decide whether to hand the test reins to Dhoni, 26, who led a young team to success at the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa.
Keeper-batsman Dhoni's leadership abilities were lauded during the home series against Australia which the visitors won 4-2 but he has played in just 20 tests since his debut in December 2005.
"Tendulkar has conveyed to Sharad Pawar (board president) that he was not in a position to accept the captaincy of the Indian team for the tests," the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) secretary Niranjan Shah said in a statement.
Indian selectors are due to name Rahul Dravid's successor as test captain on Thursday.
Batting great Tendulkar, 34, and one-day captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni were in the frame for the job after Dravid relinquished the post two months ago, saying he wanted to focus on his batting.
"He (Tendulkar) was of the view that presently the Indian team was doing extremely well and the board must think of appointing a younger person as the captain looking at the future of the team," the statement added.
Tendulkar has led India twice before without much success.
"I don't feel right about it at the moment," Tendulkar was quoted as saying by the CNN-IBN news channel.
Selectors, who postponed a decision on the captaincy last month, must now decide whether to hand the test reins to Dhoni, 26, who led a young team to success at the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa.
Keeper-batsman Dhoni's leadership abilities were lauded during the home series against Australia which the visitors won 4-2 but he has played in just 20 tests since his debut in December 2005.
Dravid presses for recall with double ton
After a day India put across a fine show against Pakistan to go one up in the series, former skipper Rahul Dravid made a strong statement in trademark style in the Ranji trophy match against Mumbai on Tuesday.
Dravid made a fine double century giving the selectors food for thought when they get down to pick the squad when India play Pakistan in the second ODI on November 8th.
Carrying on from his overnight score of 77, Dravid got to his 49th first class hundred in the first session. And hours later raised his bat to another feather in his cap.
The 34-year old hit 21 fours and five sixes en route his double ton.
Dravid’s 450-minute knock finally ended when rookie Iqbal Abdulla scalped him for 214.
After failing to make an impression in the first innings on the first day of the match where he could manage a scratchy 40, the classical batsman made a strong comeback.
'The wall' living up to his reputation hit rich form when his side needed him the most after Mumbai had imposed a sizeable first innings lead. Dravid coming to bat at number three showed great resistance against a strong Mumbai bowling line up boasting of Ajit Agarkar and Ramesh Powar.
Karnataka have declared at 397/6, a lead of 255 runs. Mumbai now have to ward off Anil Kumble and Sunil Joshi for two tricky sessions.
Dravid made a fine double century giving the selectors food for thought when they get down to pick the squad when India play Pakistan in the second ODI on November 8th.
Carrying on from his overnight score of 77, Dravid got to his 49th first class hundred in the first session. And hours later raised his bat to another feather in his cap.
The 34-year old hit 21 fours and five sixes en route his double ton.
Dravid’s 450-minute knock finally ended when rookie Iqbal Abdulla scalped him for 214.
After failing to make an impression in the first innings on the first day of the match where he could manage a scratchy 40, the classical batsman made a strong comeback.
'The wall' living up to his reputation hit rich form when his side needed him the most after Mumbai had imposed a sizeable first innings lead. Dravid coming to bat at number three showed great resistance against a strong Mumbai bowling line up boasting of Ajit Agarkar and Ramesh Powar.
Karnataka have declared at 397/6, a lead of 255 runs. Mumbai now have to ward off Anil Kumble and Sunil Joshi for two tricky sessions.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
The future
The USA has long been seen as a promising market for cricket, but it has been difficult to make any impression on a public largely ignorant of the sport. The establishment of the Pro Cricket professional league in America in 2004 did little to broach this last frontier, though the game continues to grow through immigrant groups. China may also be a source of future cricket development, with the Chinese government announcing plans in 2004 to develop the sport, which is almost unknown in China, with the ambitious goals of qualifying for the World Cup by 2019 and becoming a Test Nation.
Despite the disproportionate publicity (in the cricket press at least) given to developments in the USA, the next major cricket nation is likely to be from South Asia. The game is already very popular in Nepal and Afghanistan, and results in competitions such as the under 18 world cup and the ACC trophy suggest these teams are not short of natural talent.
Secondly, the ICC is conducting ongoing reviews of the interpretation of Law 24.3 of the Laws of Cricket: Definition of fair delivery – the arm, in the wake of biomechanical findings that Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan violates the guidelines for arm extension when bowling his doosra. The reporting of Muralitharan for a suspect arm action by match referee Chris Broad and the subsequent study has precipitated a crisis by finding that the current interpretive guidelines may be inadequate and ultimately unenforceable. What this means for the Laws of Cricket remains to be seen.
Finally, it remains to be seen how Twenty20 will develop. Already there are calls for it to be extended into a season-long competition as cricket's answer to American baseball, which is also essentially an evening entertainment.
Despite the disproportionate publicity (in the cricket press at least) given to developments in the USA, the next major cricket nation is likely to be from South Asia. The game is already very popular in Nepal and Afghanistan, and results in competitions such as the under 18 world cup and the ACC trophy suggest these teams are not short of natural talent.
Secondly, the ICC is conducting ongoing reviews of the interpretation of Law 24.3 of the Laws of Cricket: Definition of fair delivery – the arm, in the wake of biomechanical findings that Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan violates the guidelines for arm extension when bowling his doosra. The reporting of Muralitharan for a suspect arm action by match referee Chris Broad and the subsequent study has precipitated a crisis by finding that the current interpretive guidelines may be inadequate and ultimately unenforceable. What this means for the Laws of Cricket remains to be seen.
Finally, it remains to be seen how Twenty20 will develop. Already there are calls for it to be extended into a season-long competition as cricket's answer to American baseball, which is also essentially an evening entertainment.
The story so far
In June 2001, the ICC introduced a "Test Championship Table" and, in October 2002 a "One-day International Championship Table". Australia has consistently topped both these tables in spite of a dominance from South Africa in the year 2007. But Australia Again reconquered the place after their World Cup victory.
Cricket remains a major world sport and is the most popular spectator sport in the Indian subcontinent. The ICC has expanded its Development Program with the goal of producing more national teams capable of competing at Test level. Development efforts are focused on African and Asian nations; and on the United States. In 2004, the ICC Intercontinental Cup brought first class cricket to 12 nations, mostly for the first time.
Cricket's newest innovation is Twenty20, essentially an evening entertainment. It has so far enjoyed enormous popularity and has attracted large attendances at matches as well as good TV audience ratings. The inaugural ICC Twenty20 World Cup tournament was held in 2007, India emerged as the first champions.
Cricket remains a major world sport and is the most popular spectator sport in the Indian subcontinent. The ICC has expanded its Development Program with the goal of producing more national teams capable of competing at Test level. Development efforts are focused on African and Asian nations; and on the United States. In 2004, the ICC Intercontinental Cup brought first class cricket to 12 nations, mostly for the first time.
Cricket's newest innovation is Twenty20, essentially an evening entertainment. It has so far enjoyed enormous popularity and has attracted large attendances at matches as well as good TV audience ratings. The inaugural ICC Twenty20 World Cup tournament was held in 2007, India emerged as the first champions.
Limited overs cricket
In the 1960s, English county teams began playing a version of cricket with games of only one innings each and a maximum number of overs per innings. Starting in 1963 as a knockout competition only, limited overs grew in popularity and in 1969 a national league was created which consequently caused a reduction in the number of matches in the County Championship.
Although many "traditional" cricket fans objected to the shorter form of the game, limited overs cricket did have the advantage of delivering a result to spectators within a single day; it did improve cricket's appeal to younger or busier people; and it did prove commercially successful.
The first limited overs international match took place at Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1971 as a time-filler after a Test match had been abandoned because of heavy rain on the opening days. It was tried simply as an experiment and to give the players some exercise, but turned out to be immensely popular. Limited overs internationals (LOIs or ODIs, after One-day Internationals) have since grown to become a massively popular form of the game, especially for busy people who want to be able to see a whole match. The International Cricket Council reacted to this development by organising the first Cricket World Cup in England in 1975, with all the Test playing nations taking part.
Although many "traditional" cricket fans objected to the shorter form of the game, limited overs cricket did have the advantage of delivering a result to spectators within a single day; it did improve cricket's appeal to younger or busier people; and it did prove commercially successful.
The first limited overs international match took place at Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1971 as a time-filler after a Test match had been abandoned because of heavy rain on the opening days. It was tried simply as an experiment and to give the players some exercise, but turned out to be immensely popular. Limited overs internationals (LOIs or ODIs, after One-day Internationals) have since grown to become a massively popular form of the game, especially for busy people who want to be able to see a whole match. The International Cricket Council reacted to this development by organising the first Cricket World Cup in England in 1975, with all the Test playing nations taking part.
World Series Cricket
The money problems of top cricketers were also the root cause of another cricketing crisis that arose in 1977 when the Australian media magnate Kerry Packer fell out with the Australian Cricket Board over TV rights. Taking advantage of the low remuneration paid to players, Packer retaliated by signing several of the best players in the world to a privately run cricket league outside the structure of international cricket. World Series Cricket hired some of the banned South African players and allowed them to show off their skills in an international arena against other world-class players. The schism lasted only until 1979 and the "rebel" players were allowed back into established international cricket, though many found that their national teams had moved on without them. Long-term results of World Series Cricket have included the introduction of significantly higher player salaries and innovations such as coloured kit and night games.
Suspension of South Africa (1970-1991)
The greatest crisis to hit international cricket was brought about by apartheid, the South African policy of racial segregation. The situation began to crystallise after 1961 when South Africa left the Commonwealth of Nations and so, under the rules of the day, its cricket board had to leave the International Cricket Conference (ICC). Cricket's opposition to apartheid intensified in 1968 with the cancellation of England's tour to South Africa by the South African authorities, due to the inclusion of "coloured" cricketer Basil D'Oliveira in the England team. In 1970, the ICC members voted to suspend South Africa indefinitely from international cricket competition. Ironically, the South African team at that time was probably the strongest in the world.
Starved of top-level competition for its best players, the South African Cricket Board began funding so-called "rebel tours", offering large sums of money for international players to form teams and tour South Africa. The ICC's response was to blacklist any rebel players who agreed to tour South Africa, banning them from officially sanctioned international cricket. As players were poorly remunerated during the 1970s, several accepted the offer to tour South Africa, particularly players getting towards the end of their careers for whom a blacklisting would have little effect.
The rebel tours continued into the 1980s but then progress was made in South African politics and it became clear that apartheid was ending. South Africa, now a "Rainbow Nation" under Nelson Mandela, was welcomed back into international sport in 1991.
Starved of top-level competition for its best players, the South African Cricket Board began funding so-called "rebel tours", offering large sums of money for international players to form teams and tour South Africa. The ICC's response was to blacklist any rebel players who agreed to tour South Africa, banning them from officially sanctioned international cricket. As players were poorly remunerated during the 1970s, several accepted the offer to tour South Africa, particularly players getting towards the end of their careers for whom a blacklisting would have little effect.
The rebel tours continued into the 1980s but then progress was made in South African politics and it became clear that apartheid was ending. South Africa, now a "Rainbow Nation" under Nelson Mandela, was welcomed back into international sport in 1991.
Growth of Test cricket
When the Imperial Cricket Conference (as it was originally called) was founded in 1909, only England, Australia and South Africa were members. But that would soon change, and India, West Indies and New Zealand became Test nations before the Second World War and Pakistan soon afterwards. The international game grew with several "affiliate nations" getting involved and, in the closing years of the 20th century, three of those became Test nations also: Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.
Test cricket remained the most popular form of the sport throughout the 20th century but it had its problems, never more so than in the infamous "Bodyline Series" of 1932/33 when Douglas Jardine's England used so-called "leg theory" to try and neutralise the run-scoring brilliance of Australia's Don Bradman.
Test cricket remained the most popular form of the sport throughout the 20th century but it had its problems, never more so than in the infamous "Bodyline Series" of 1932/33 when Douglas Jardine's England used so-called "leg theory" to try and neutralise the run-scoring brilliance of Australia's Don Bradman.
Balls per over
In 1889 the immemorial four ball over was replaced by a five ball over and then this was changed to the current six balls an over in 1900. Subsequently, some countries experimented with eight balls an over. In 1922, the number of balls per over was changed from six to eight in Australia only. In 1924 the eight ball over was extended to New Zealand and in 1937 to South Africa. In England, the eight ball over was adopted experimentally for the 1939 season; the intention was to continue the experiment in 1940, but first-class cricket was suspended for the Second World War and when it resumed, English cricket reverted to the six ball over. The 1947 Laws of Cricket allowed six or eight balls depending on the conditions of play. Since the 1979/80 Australian and New Zealand seasons, the six ball over has been used worldwide and the most recent version of the Laws in 2000 only permits six ball overs.
The County Championship
A major watershed occurred in 1890 when the County Cricket Championship was formally constituted for the first time to replace the ad hoc championship criteria that had been used hitherto. The period from 1890 to the outbreak of the First World War has become especially nostalgic, ostensibly because the teams played cricket according to "the spirit of the game". In reality, this nostalgia was due to the sense of loss brought about by the war. But the era has been called "The Golden Age of Cricket" and it featured numerous great names such as Wilfred Rhodes, C B Fry, K S Ranjitsinhji and Victor Trumper.
International cricket begins
The first ever international cricket game was between the USA and Canada in 1844. The match was played at Elysian Fields, Hoboken, New Jersey
In 1859, a team of leading English professionals set off to North America on the first-ever overseas tour.
In 1864, another bowling revolution resulted in the legalisation of overarm. The "Great Cricketer", W G Grace, made his debut the same year.
In 1877, an England touring team in Australia played two matches against full Australian XIs that are now regarded as the inaugural Test matches. The following year, the Australians toured England for the first time and were a spectacular success. No Tests were played on that tour but more soon followed and, at The Oval in 1882, arguably the most famous match of all time gave rise to The Ashes. South Africa became the third Test nation in 1889.
In 1859, a team of leading English professionals set off to North America on the first-ever overseas tour.
In 1864, another bowling revolution resulted in the legalisation of overarm. The "Great Cricketer", W G Grace, made his debut the same year.
In 1877, an England touring team in Australia played two matches against full Australian XIs that are now regarded as the inaugural Test matches. The following year, the Australians toured England for the first time and were a spectacular success. No Tests were played on that tour but more soon followed and, at The Oval in 1882, arguably the most famous match of all time gave rise to The Ashes. South Africa became the third Test nation in 1889.
Cricket and crisis
Cricket faced its first real crisis at the beginning of the 19th century when major matches virtually ceased during the culminating period of the Napoleonic Wars. This was largely due to shortage of players and lack of investment. But the game survived and a slow recovery began in 1815. Then cricket faced a crisis of its own making as the campaign to allow roundarm bowling gathered pace.
The game also underwent a fundamental change of organisation with the formation for the first time of county clubs. All the modern county clubs, starting with Sussex, were founded during the 19th century.
No sooner had the county clubs established themselves than they faced what amounted to "player action" as William Clarke created the travelling All-England Eleven in 1846. Other similar teams were created and this vogue lasted for about thirty years. But the counties and MCC prevailed.
The growth of cricket in the mid and late 19th century was assisted by the development of the railway network. For the first time, teams from a long distance apart could play one other without a prohibitively time-consuming journey. Spectators could travel longer distances to matches, increasing the size of crowds.
The game also underwent a fundamental change of organisation with the formation for the first time of county clubs. All the modern county clubs, starting with Sussex, were founded during the 19th century.
No sooner had the county clubs established themselves than they faced what amounted to "player action" as William Clarke created the travelling All-England Eleven in 1846. Other similar teams were created and this vogue lasted for about thirty years. But the counties and MCC prevailed.
The growth of cricket in the mid and late 19th century was assisted by the development of the railway network. For the first time, teams from a long distance apart could play one other without a prohibitively time-consuming journey. Spectators could travel longer distances to matches, increasing the size of crowds.
Continued growth in England
The game continued to spread throughout England and, in 1751, Yorkshire is first mentioned as a venue. The original form of bowling (i.e., rolling the ball along the ground as in bowls) was superseded sometime after 1760 when bowlers began to pitch the ball and study variations in line, length and pace. Scorecards began to be kept on a regular basis from 1772 and since then we have an increasingly clear picture of the sport's development.
The first famous clubs were London and Dartford in the early 18th century. London played its matches on the famous Artillery Ground, which is still there. Others followed, particularly Slindon in Sussex which was backed by the Duke of Richmond and featured the star player Richard Newland. There were other prominent clubs at Maidenhead, Hornchurch, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Bromley, Addington, Hadlow and Chertsey.
But far and away the most famous of the early clubs was Hambledon in Hampshire. It started as a parish organisation and first achieved prominence in 1756. The club itself was founded in the 1760s and was well patronised to the extent that it was the focal point of the game for about thirty years until the formation of MCC and the opening of Lord's in 1787. Hambledon produced several outstanding players including the master batsman John Small and the first great fast bowler Thomas Brett. Their most notable opponent was the Chertsey and Surrey bowler Edward "Lumpy" Stevens, who is believed to have been the main proponent of the flighted delivery.
It was in answer to the flighted, or pitched, delivery that the straight bat was introduced. The old "hockey stick" style of bat was only really effective against the ball being trundled or skimmed along the ground.
The first famous clubs were London and Dartford in the early 18th century. London played its matches on the famous Artillery Ground, which is still there. Others followed, particularly Slindon in Sussex which was backed by the Duke of Richmond and featured the star player Richard Newland. There were other prominent clubs at Maidenhead, Hornchurch, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Bromley, Addington, Hadlow and Chertsey.
But far and away the most famous of the early clubs was Hambledon in Hampshire. It started as a parish organisation and first achieved prominence in 1756. The club itself was founded in the 1760s and was well patronised to the extent that it was the focal point of the game for about thirty years until the formation of MCC and the opening of Lord's in 1787. Hambledon produced several outstanding players including the master batsman John Small and the first great fast bowler Thomas Brett. Their most notable opponent was the Chertsey and Surrey bowler Edward "Lumpy" Stevens, who is believed to have been the main proponent of the flighted delivery.
It was in answer to the flighted, or pitched, delivery that the straight bat was introduced. The old "hockey stick" style of bat was only really effective against the ball being trundled or skimmed along the ground.
Development of the Laws
The basic rules of cricket such as bat and ball, the wicket, pitch dimensions, overs, how out, etc. have existed since time immemorial. In 1728, we first hear of "Articles of Agreement" to determine the code of practice in a particular game and this became a common feature, especially around payment of stake money and distributing the winnings given the importance of gambling. In 1744, the Laws of Cricket were codified for the first time and then amended in 1774, when innovations such as lbw, middle stump and maximum bat width were added. These laws stated that 'the principals shall choose from amongst the gentlemen present two umpires who shall absolutely decide all disputes.' The codes were drawn up by the so-called "Star and Garter Club" whose members ultimately founded MCC at Lord's in 1787. MCC immediately became the custodian of the Laws and has made periodic revisions and recodifications subsequently.
Cricket moves out of England
Cricket was introduced to North America via the English colonies in the 17th century, probably before it had even reached the north of England. In the 18th century it arrived in other parts of the globe. It was introduced to the West Indies by colonists and to India by British East India Company mariners in the first half of the century. It arrived in Australia almost as soon as colonization began in 1788. New Zealand and South Africa followed in the early years of the 19th century
Patronage and players
Gambling introduced the first patrons because some of the gamblers decided to strengthen their bets by forming their own teams and it is believed the first "county teams" were formed in the aftermath of the Restoration. The first game we know of in which the teams use county names is in 1709 but there can be little doubt that these sort of fixtures were being arranged long before that.
The most notable of the early patrons were a group of aristocrats and businessmen who were active from about 1725, which is the time that press coverage became more regular, perhaps as a result of the patrons' influence. These men included Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond, Sir William Gage, 7th Baronet, Alan Brodrick and Edward Stead. For the first time, the press tells us something about individual players like Thomas Waymark.
The most notable of the early patrons were a group of aristocrats and businessmen who were active from about 1725, which is the time that press coverage became more regular, perhaps as a result of the patrons' influence. These men included Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond, Sir William Gage, 7th Baronet, Alan Brodrick and Edward Stead. For the first time, the press tells us something about individual players like Thomas Waymark.
Gambling and Press Coverage
Cricket certainly thrived after the Restoration in 1660 and is believed to have first attracted gamblers making large bets at this time. In 1664, the "Cavalier" Parliament passed a Gambling Act which limited stakes to £100, although that was a fortune. Cricket had certainly become a significant gambling sport by the end of the 17th century. We know of a "great match" played in Sussex in 1697 which was 11-a-side and played for high stakes of 50 guineas a side. Our knowledge of this game came about because, for the first time, cricket could be reported in the newspapers with freedom of the press having been granted the previous year. But it was a long time before the newspapers adapted sufficiently to provide frequent, let alone comprehensive coverage of the game.
The Commonwealth
After the Civil War ended in 1648, the new Puritan government clamped down on "unlawful assemblies", in particular the more raucous sports such as football. Their laws also demanded a stricter observance of the Sabbath than there had been previously. As the Sabbath was the only free time available to the lower classes, cricket's popularity may have waned during the Commonwealth. Having said that, it did flourish in public fee-paying schools such as Winchester and St Paul's. There is no actual evidence that Cromwell's government banned cricket specifically and there are references to it during the interregnum that suggest it was acceptable to the authorities providing it did not cause any "breach of the Sabbath".
Early Seventeenth Century
A number of references occur up to the English Civil War and these indicate that it had become an adult game contested by parish teams, but there is no evidence of county strength teams at this time. Equally, there is little evidence of the rampant gambling that characterised the game throughout the 18th century. It is generally believed, therefore, that "village cricket" had developed by the middle of the 17th century but that county cricket had not and that investment in the game had not begun.
First definite reference
Despite many prior suggested references, the first definite reference to the game is found in a 1597 court case concerning dispute over a school's ownership of a plot of land. A 59-year old coroner, John Derrick, testified that he and his school friends had played kreckett on the site fifty years earlier. The school was the Royal Grammar School, Guildford, and Mr Derrick's account proves beyond reasonable doubt that the game was being played in Surrey c.1550.
The first reference to it being played as an adult sport was in 1611, when two men in Sussex were prosecuted for playing cricket on Sunday instead of going to church. In the same year, a dictionary defines cricket as a boys' game and this suggests that adult participation was a recent development.
The first reference to it being played as an adult sport was in 1611, when two men in Sussex were prosecuted for playing cricket on Sunday instead of going to church. In the same year, a dictionary defines cricket as a boys' game and this suggests that adult participation was a recent development.
Derivation of the name of "cricket"
A number of words are thought to be possible sources for the term cricket, which could refer to the bat or the wicket. In old French, the word criquet meant a kind of club which probably gave its name to croquet. Some believe that cricket and croquet have a common origin. In Flemish, krick(e) means a stick, and, in Old English, cricc or cryce means a crutch or staff (though the hard "k" sound suggests the North or Northeast midlands, rather than the Southeast, where cricket seems to have begun). The Isle of Man has a game called Cammag. It involves a stick and a ball with anything between four and hundreds of players. The 'crick' in this instance may be derived from, though indirectly, Flemish.
Alternatively, the French criquet apparently comes from the Flemish word krickstoel, which is a long low stool on which one kneels in church which may appear similar to the long low wicket with two stumps used in early cricket, or the early stool in stoolball. The word stool is old dialect for a tree stump in a forest, but in stoolball it may well refer to the milking-stools which are believed to have been used as wickets in early times.
Stoolball is an ancient sport similar to cricket, still played in southern counties of England, especially Sussex, and is considered a precursor to cricket, rounders and baseball.
Alternatively, the French criquet apparently comes from the Flemish word krickstoel, which is a long low stool on which one kneels in church which may appear similar to the long low wicket with two stumps used in early cricket, or the early stool in stoolball. The word stool is old dialect for a tree stump in a forest, but in stoolball it may well refer to the milking-stools which are believed to have been used as wickets in early times.
Stoolball is an ancient sport similar to cricket, still played in southern counties of England, especially Sussex, and is considered a precursor to cricket, rounders and baseball.
Origin
No one knows when or where cricket began but there is a body of evidence, much of it circumstantial, that strongly suggests the game was devised during Saxon or Norman times by children living in the Weald, an area of dense woodlands and clearings in south-east England that lies across Kent and Sussex. It is generally believed that cricket survived as a children's game for many centuries before it was increasingly taken up by adults around the beginning of the 17th century. There is also a theory that it originated from ancient bat-and-ball games played in the Indian subcontinent, which were then transported to Europe via Persia and the near east by merchants, and eventually developed into the game of cricket in England. There is also speculation that Cricket began where shepards in the 1300's bowled balls of wool at gates called bails.
History of cricket
The game of cricket has a known history spanning from the 16th century to the present day, with international matches played since 1844, although the official history of international Test cricket began in 1877. During this time, the game developed from its origins in England into a game which is now played professionally in most of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Clark predicts 4-0 whitewash over India
Sydney, October 26:: Australian seamer Stuart Clark has predicted that Australia would blank the visiting Indian cricket team 4-0 in the upcoming Test series.
The lanky fast-medium bowler, thus, carried on the tradition of the great Glenn McGrath who had a habit of making such pre-series predictions.
Clark said Australia would win all the six home Tests to be played this summer, including the two against Sri Lanka.
"It's going to be a great summer with Sri Lanka and India coming out," Clarke said at the series launch here. "And hopefully, the fans can come out and support us and we can bring home 4-0 and 2-0 series wins."
When quizzed further on the prospect of a series whitewash against both India and Sri Lanka, Clark said: "I have just predicted 4-0 and 2-0."
McGrath, who retired after Australia's World Cup triumph in the West Indies earlier this year, used to make stunning pre-series predictions in his 124 Test career.
To the delight of cricket fans, he would also declare who was his "bunny" each series and, more often than not, take their wicket at least once.
Clarke, however, would not single out a bunny, declaring he would target them all.
"Glenn always targeted the batsman but I think I would hold off on that one at this stage of my career," Clark said.
"Any time you play against these guys (India and Sri Lanka) it is going to be a tremendous challenge. I am just going to target them all. Hopefully I can get them all out."
Clark is considered a like-for-like successor for McGrath and prides himself on line and length and using his height to trouble batsman.
But the New South Wales bowler said he wanted to carve his own niche in international cricket.
"You always want to be your own man but we do similar things in the game," Clark said. "I'll just be out there doing my best."
The lanky fast-medium bowler, thus, carried on the tradition of the great Glenn McGrath who had a habit of making such pre-series predictions.
Clark said Australia would win all the six home Tests to be played this summer, including the two against Sri Lanka.
"It's going to be a great summer with Sri Lanka and India coming out," Clarke said at the series launch here. "And hopefully, the fans can come out and support us and we can bring home 4-0 and 2-0 series wins."
When quizzed further on the prospect of a series whitewash against both India and Sri Lanka, Clark said: "I have just predicted 4-0 and 2-0."
McGrath, who retired after Australia's World Cup triumph in the West Indies earlier this year, used to make stunning pre-series predictions in his 124 Test career.
To the delight of cricket fans, he would also declare who was his "bunny" each series and, more often than not, take their wicket at least once.
Clarke, however, would not single out a bunny, declaring he would target them all.
"Glenn always targeted the batsman but I think I would hold off on that one at this stage of my career," Clark said.
"Any time you play against these guys (India and Sri Lanka) it is going to be a tremendous challenge. I am just going to target them all. Hopefully I can get them all out."
Clark is considered a like-for-like successor for McGrath and prides himself on line and length and using his height to trouble batsman.
But the New South Wales bowler said he wanted to carve his own niche in international cricket.
"You always want to be your own man but we do similar things in the game," Clark said. "I'll just be out there doing my best."
India versus Pakistan and the power of a six: an analysis of cricket results
To paraphrase CLR James, “What do they know of
South Asia who do not cricket know?” George Orwell
described sport as war minus the shooting. South Asian
cricket has been dubbed war minus the nuclear missiles.
The result of a sports match can trigger cardiac deaths,1
and contests between India and Pakistan have prompted
shootings, riots, killings, and sudden death. Cricket has
been used as an extension of foreign policy—to instigate
peace or prolong hostilities. However, regional cooperation
will probably increase prosperity, with some
commentators arguing that cricket is an important component
of public health strategies.2
Facing up to the future requires a dispassionate
appraisal of the past. How have India and Pakistan fared
against each other in cricket? To answer this question—
uppermost in the minds of over a billion people in
South Asia and many millions outside—we compared 50
years of test matches and one day matches between
India and Pakistan. One incident galvanised the
emotions of these two nations. In 1986 Pakistan batsman
Javed Miandad scored a dramatic match-winning six off
the last ball in a one day match that his side had looked
like losing until that delivery—a shot heard throughout
South Asia and much of the world. The burning
question since has been what effect Miandad’s six—a reference
point in South Asia to rival John F Kennedy’s
shooting and the winning baseball strike in Don
DeLillo’s Underworld—had on the subsequent performance
of the teams? Could analysis of results before and
after this reference point answer the question, end conjecture,
and allow peace to blossom?
Methods and results
We analysed all 133 matches between 1952 and 2003.
There were 47 test matches and 86 one day matches.
India won five (11%) test matches and 30 (35%) one
day internationals, and Pakistan won nine (19%) and
52 (60%) respectively. The rest were drawn, or
abandoned because of bad weather, crowd trouble,
or assassination. We grouped matches into time
periods 1952-86 (35 test and 17 one day matches) and
1986-2003 (12 test and 69 one day matches) according
to our specified time point—Miandad’s six. We
examined the relation between match results and time
periods by cross tabulation and assessed the strength
of association (Kendall’s rank correlation).
Overall, Pakistan was more likely to win after the hit
(correlation coefficient = 0.17, P = 0.03). Venue
(home, away, or neutral) was not associated with
outcome ( = 0.01, P = 0.82), and neither was winning
the toss ( = 0.06, P = 0.44) or batting first ( = 0.04,
P = 0.55). In the cumulative win chart, the steep upward
slope for one day matches after 1986 highlights the
change in fortunes in Pakistan’s favour (figure).
Comment
Overall, Pakistan has achieved greater success in both
forms of the game. These data suggest that in one day
matches Miandad’s six inspired an improvement in
Pakistan’s performance or a decline in India’s, or both,
but this effect was small in test cricket. Venue, winning
the toss, and batting first were not associated with
outcome. We believe there are no other important
explanations for the observed findings. Both teams have
won oneWorld Cup final and lost one. No other factors
were at play around our reference point that might have
favoured one team over the other, certainly not in terms
of retirements or rule or format changes. Weather
conditions, ground conditions, selection policies, and
match fixes are too innumerable to measure or adjust
for.We believe these data support our hypothesis that a
single shot had an enduring influence. Now India must
have a landmark victory of its own—it may have already.
South Asia who do not cricket know?” George Orwell
described sport as war minus the shooting. South Asian
cricket has been dubbed war minus the nuclear missiles.
The result of a sports match can trigger cardiac deaths,1
and contests between India and Pakistan have prompted
shootings, riots, killings, and sudden death. Cricket has
been used as an extension of foreign policy—to instigate
peace or prolong hostilities. However, regional cooperation
will probably increase prosperity, with some
commentators arguing that cricket is an important component
of public health strategies.2
Facing up to the future requires a dispassionate
appraisal of the past. How have India and Pakistan fared
against each other in cricket? To answer this question—
uppermost in the minds of over a billion people in
South Asia and many millions outside—we compared 50
years of test matches and one day matches between
India and Pakistan. One incident galvanised the
emotions of these two nations. In 1986 Pakistan batsman
Javed Miandad scored a dramatic match-winning six off
the last ball in a one day match that his side had looked
like losing until that delivery—a shot heard throughout
South Asia and much of the world. The burning
question since has been what effect Miandad’s six—a reference
point in South Asia to rival John F Kennedy’s
shooting and the winning baseball strike in Don
DeLillo’s Underworld—had on the subsequent performance
of the teams? Could analysis of results before and
after this reference point answer the question, end conjecture,
and allow peace to blossom?
Methods and results
We analysed all 133 matches between 1952 and 2003.
There were 47 test matches and 86 one day matches.
India won five (11%) test matches and 30 (35%) one
day internationals, and Pakistan won nine (19%) and
52 (60%) respectively. The rest were drawn, or
abandoned because of bad weather, crowd trouble,
or assassination. We grouped matches into time
periods 1952-86 (35 test and 17 one day matches) and
1986-2003 (12 test and 69 one day matches) according
to our specified time point—Miandad’s six. We
examined the relation between match results and time
periods by cross tabulation and assessed the strength
of association (Kendall’s rank correlation).
Overall, Pakistan was more likely to win after the hit
(correlation coefficient = 0.17, P = 0.03). Venue
(home, away, or neutral) was not associated with
outcome ( = 0.01, P = 0.82), and neither was winning
the toss ( = 0.06, P = 0.44) or batting first ( = 0.04,
P = 0.55). In the cumulative win chart, the steep upward
slope for one day matches after 1986 highlights the
change in fortunes in Pakistan’s favour (figure).
Comment
Overall, Pakistan has achieved greater success in both
forms of the game. These data suggest that in one day
matches Miandad’s six inspired an improvement in
Pakistan’s performance or a decline in India’s, or both,
but this effect was small in test cricket. Venue, winning
the toss, and batting first were not associated with
outcome. We believe there are no other important
explanations for the observed findings. Both teams have
won oneWorld Cup final and lost one. No other factors
were at play around our reference point that might have
favoured one team over the other, certainly not in terms
of retirements or rule or format changes. Weather
conditions, ground conditions, selection policies, and
match fixes are too innumerable to measure or adjust
for.We believe these data support our hypothesis that a
single shot had an enduring influence. Now India must
have a landmark victory of its own—it may have already.
Cricket: India's passion
Why would a bunch of Indian students drag themselves all the way across Philly
to a friend’s house in the middle of a cold winter night? The answer- to watch a game of
Cricket together! A game of cricket between traditional rivals India and Pakistan can
bring the whole Indian sub-continent to a halt. The morale of a nation rises and drops
with the fortunes of its team on the field. Schools are let off early, classes cancelled and
offices closed as people go home to watch the game. Post game analysis is heated and
emotional. When India wins a match, the celebrations frequently include the lighting of
loud firecrackers on the streets. For a country which spans a vast and varied terrain and a
breathtakingly diverse culture, it may be difficult to imagine many events or activities
which bind the nation together as one. The game of cricket is one such activity where
over a billion people can truly participate in unison by supporting and egging on the
national team.
Children in India play the game almost anywhere they can, including the narrow
alleys of big cities. A piece of wood, a couple of bricks and a tree stump are the most
common things used as stumps. Although the actual game is played with a very hard ball,
tennis or rubber balls are often used in the street variety of the game. Smashed windows
are a frequent part of daily life in any neighborhood where the game is played on the
streets. Most of the game’s biggest stars have started out their careers playing this form of
cricket. One of India’s best batsmen, Sunil Gavaskar, is said to have honed his skills in
the narrow streets of Bombay. With buildings situated close-by on both sides, he was
often forced to hit the ball straight down the street and developed one of the best straight
drives the game has ever seen.
Cricket is played widely all over the world. Australia, New Zealand, England,
South Africa, West Indies and Zimbabwe are among the other principal cricket playing
nations. Along with the Asian teams of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and most recently
Bangladesh, these nations play “Test” matches at the international levels. A test match is
played over a five-day period with each team allowed to bat for two “innings”. Over the
last two decades, the popularity of one-day cricket (once derided as pajama cricket by the
purists) has exploded. This shorter version of the game is perfect for television audiences.
Every four years, the cricket playing nations come together to play in the World Cup, the
pinnacle of one-day cricket. India won the tournament in 1983, beating the then mighty
West Indies team. The Aussies crowned themselves the World Champions in a fighting
display of temperament and grit in the last World Cup held in England in 1999.
Technology has played a big part in Cricket in recent years. Recent innovations
include stump cameras, small cameras placed in the stumps providing a different view of
the game. Instant television replays are now commonly used to refer close decisions to an
umpire off the field. This takes the pressure off the two umpires on the field. Some of the
teams use computer software to try and find the opposing team’s weakness. Yet, cricket
remains a game where most of the decisions are made on the field. The captain of the
team makes the important strategic decisions on the field and plays a big part in the
game. There are no time-outs, only brief drink breaks and a lunch break. In the five-day
game, players are frequently fielding out on the field for two or three whole days of play.
In India, cricket stars enjoy a fan following that far exceeds that of even the
biggest film stars. India’s favorite poster boy and best cricket player, Sachin Tendulkar, is
revered by his fans and feared by his rivals. Gifted with an incredible talent for batting
and a very cool head, Sachin made his debut for India at the tender age of 16 against
Pakistan. His success in both test and one-day versions of the game since has been
astonishing. Often he has single-handedly taken the opposition apart with a wide range of
shots. Currently, Sachin has 25 centuries (more than 100 runs in a match) in one-day
internationals (ODI’s), a world record. Cricket is one of the few sports where Indian
players have attained world-class status, and stars like Sachin are idolized by many a
young Indian striving to emulate his success.
The passion for the game on the Indian subcontinent is such that stadiums are
often filled to capacity even for the five-day test games. One of the best stadiums in the
world is the Eden Gardens stadium in Calcutta, India. With a capacity of more than
100,000, the atmosphere in the stadium can only be described as electrifying. The noise
levels in the stadium are so high that players can seldom hear their teammates on the
field. Foreign teams that come to India often describe the matches at this stadium as their
most memorable matches. Recently, a number of stadiums have cropped up in countries
like the Emirates and Singapore to cater to the large South Asian population there and are
frequently the venues for international cricket tournaments.
Cricket on the American continent dates back earlier than is widely known. The
history of cricket in the US provides some fascinating facts. In the year 1844, Canada and
the United States of America met in their first international at the St. George's Club in
New York on the site where the New York University Medical Centre is now located.
This match is widely believed to be the first international sporting fixture in the world,
happening over 50 years before the first modern Olympics! In fact, several of the
founding fathers of the US were avid cricketers, among them John Adams. Perhaps the
most interesting piece of history about cricket in the US is the story of how baseball was
evolved from it! The website http://www.cricinfo.org is an excellent resource for
information on cricket. Follow the links to the history of cricket in the US under “Other
countries” playing the game for more information.
The history of cricket at Penn dates back to almost 1864 when Penn played
against Haverford College. Now, a group of South Asian graduate students frequently
play matches during the spring and summer months. The games often involve visiting
teams and players from Temple and Drexel. The Penn Cricket club, revived this year
after a five-year gap, also plays matches regularly against other teams. Cricket lost
ground to baseball at the beginning of this century and still has a long way to go in the
United States. Given its popularity and appeal in other parts of the world though, it may
only be a matter of time before it catches up here as well!
to a friend’s house in the middle of a cold winter night? The answer- to watch a game of
Cricket together! A game of cricket between traditional rivals India and Pakistan can
bring the whole Indian sub-continent to a halt. The morale of a nation rises and drops
with the fortunes of its team on the field. Schools are let off early, classes cancelled and
offices closed as people go home to watch the game. Post game analysis is heated and
emotional. When India wins a match, the celebrations frequently include the lighting of
loud firecrackers on the streets. For a country which spans a vast and varied terrain and a
breathtakingly diverse culture, it may be difficult to imagine many events or activities
which bind the nation together as one. The game of cricket is one such activity where
over a billion people can truly participate in unison by supporting and egging on the
national team.
Children in India play the game almost anywhere they can, including the narrow
alleys of big cities. A piece of wood, a couple of bricks and a tree stump are the most
common things used as stumps. Although the actual game is played with a very hard ball,
tennis or rubber balls are often used in the street variety of the game. Smashed windows
are a frequent part of daily life in any neighborhood where the game is played on the
streets. Most of the game’s biggest stars have started out their careers playing this form of
cricket. One of India’s best batsmen, Sunil Gavaskar, is said to have honed his skills in
the narrow streets of Bombay. With buildings situated close-by on both sides, he was
often forced to hit the ball straight down the street and developed one of the best straight
drives the game has ever seen.
Cricket is played widely all over the world. Australia, New Zealand, England,
South Africa, West Indies and Zimbabwe are among the other principal cricket playing
nations. Along with the Asian teams of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and most recently
Bangladesh, these nations play “Test” matches at the international levels. A test match is
played over a five-day period with each team allowed to bat for two “innings”. Over the
last two decades, the popularity of one-day cricket (once derided as pajama cricket by the
purists) has exploded. This shorter version of the game is perfect for television audiences.
Every four years, the cricket playing nations come together to play in the World Cup, the
pinnacle of one-day cricket. India won the tournament in 1983, beating the then mighty
West Indies team. The Aussies crowned themselves the World Champions in a fighting
display of temperament and grit in the last World Cup held in England in 1999.
Technology has played a big part in Cricket in recent years. Recent innovations
include stump cameras, small cameras placed in the stumps providing a different view of
the game. Instant television replays are now commonly used to refer close decisions to an
umpire off the field. This takes the pressure off the two umpires on the field. Some of the
teams use computer software to try and find the opposing team’s weakness. Yet, cricket
remains a game where most of the decisions are made on the field. The captain of the
team makes the important strategic decisions on the field and plays a big part in the
game. There are no time-outs, only brief drink breaks and a lunch break. In the five-day
game, players are frequently fielding out on the field for two or three whole days of play.
In India, cricket stars enjoy a fan following that far exceeds that of even the
biggest film stars. India’s favorite poster boy and best cricket player, Sachin Tendulkar, is
revered by his fans and feared by his rivals. Gifted with an incredible talent for batting
and a very cool head, Sachin made his debut for India at the tender age of 16 against
Pakistan. His success in both test and one-day versions of the game since has been
astonishing. Often he has single-handedly taken the opposition apart with a wide range of
shots. Currently, Sachin has 25 centuries (more than 100 runs in a match) in one-day
internationals (ODI’s), a world record. Cricket is one of the few sports where Indian
players have attained world-class status, and stars like Sachin are idolized by many a
young Indian striving to emulate his success.
The passion for the game on the Indian subcontinent is such that stadiums are
often filled to capacity even for the five-day test games. One of the best stadiums in the
world is the Eden Gardens stadium in Calcutta, India. With a capacity of more than
100,000, the atmosphere in the stadium can only be described as electrifying. The noise
levels in the stadium are so high that players can seldom hear their teammates on the
field. Foreign teams that come to India often describe the matches at this stadium as their
most memorable matches. Recently, a number of stadiums have cropped up in countries
like the Emirates and Singapore to cater to the large South Asian population there and are
frequently the venues for international cricket tournaments.
Cricket on the American continent dates back earlier than is widely known. The
history of cricket in the US provides some fascinating facts. In the year 1844, Canada and
the United States of America met in their first international at the St. George's Club in
New York on the site where the New York University Medical Centre is now located.
This match is widely believed to be the first international sporting fixture in the world,
happening over 50 years before the first modern Olympics! In fact, several of the
founding fathers of the US were avid cricketers, among them John Adams. Perhaps the
most interesting piece of history about cricket in the US is the story of how baseball was
evolved from it! The website http://www.cricinfo.org is an excellent resource for
information on cricket. Follow the links to the history of cricket in the US under “Other
countries” playing the game for more information.
The history of cricket at Penn dates back to almost 1864 when Penn played
against Haverford College. Now, a group of South Asian graduate students frequently
play matches during the spring and summer months. The games often involve visiting
teams and players from Temple and Drexel. The Penn Cricket club, revived this year
after a five-year gap, also plays matches regularly against other teams. Cricket lost
ground to baseball at the beginning of this century and still has a long way to go in the
United States. Given its popularity and appeal in other parts of the world though, it may
only be a matter of time before it catches up here as well!
Asif pulls out of ODI series
Lahore, Nov. 1: Pakistan were on Thursday dealt a severe blow ahead of their tour to India with top paceman Mohammad Asif, who is nursing an elbow injury, being ruled out of the five one-dayers and even faces the danger of missing the Test series.
Hours before Pakistan embarked on the high-voltage month long tour, Asif pulled out of the ODI series because of a chronic elbow injury but the Pakistan Cricket Board said he might even miss the full tour. "He himself told us he is not 100 per cent fit because of his elbow problem and he wants more time to make a full recovery," Shafqat Naghmi, chief operating officer of the Board said here.
"We can’t say when he will be fit. He might be fit for the last two one-dayers or he might miss the full tour. His injury is such there is no medication for it and he has just been advised rest and some specific exercises," Naghmi said.
He also said that given the uncertainty over Asif’s elbow problem, no replacement was being announced for him.
"The team physiotherapist has designed a rehabilitation programme for him but his injury is such we can’t give a specific time frame when he will make a complete recovery."
Naghmi said the squad named for the one-day series already included four specialist pacers and couple of allrounders so there was no emergency to name a replacement.
Pakistan will play five one-dayers and three Test matches during the tour with the first game scheduled to be held in Guwahati on November 5.
The bad news does not end here. A source said Pakistan were also facing some issues with the fitness of pacer Umar Gul who has been in good form in recent matches.
Asif said last week in an interview that he needed a week more to recover from his elbow problem and bowl at his best.
The speedster also missed four of the five one-day matches at home against South Africa last month because of the elbow problem which has affected him since last year.
He played in the fourth one-dayer in Multan but went for 64 runs in eight overs.
Hours before Pakistan embarked on the high-voltage month long tour, Asif pulled out of the ODI series because of a chronic elbow injury but the Pakistan Cricket Board said he might even miss the full tour. "He himself told us he is not 100 per cent fit because of his elbow problem and he wants more time to make a full recovery," Shafqat Naghmi, chief operating officer of the Board said here.
"We can’t say when he will be fit. He might be fit for the last two one-dayers or he might miss the full tour. His injury is such there is no medication for it and he has just been advised rest and some specific exercises," Naghmi said.
He also said that given the uncertainty over Asif’s elbow problem, no replacement was being announced for him.
"The team physiotherapist has designed a rehabilitation programme for him but his injury is such we can’t give a specific time frame when he will make a complete recovery."
Naghmi said the squad named for the one-day series already included four specialist pacers and couple of allrounders so there was no emergency to name a replacement.
Pakistan will play five one-dayers and three Test matches during the tour with the first game scheduled to be held in Guwahati on November 5.
The bad news does not end here. A source said Pakistan were also facing some issues with the fitness of pacer Umar Gul who has been in good form in recent matches.
Asif said last week in an interview that he needed a week more to recover from his elbow problem and bowl at his best.
The speedster also missed four of the five one-day matches at home against South Africa last month because of the elbow problem which has affected him since last year.
He played in the fourth one-dayer in Multan but went for 64 runs in eight overs.
Yuvi is our target: Malik
New Delhi, Nov. 1: Yuvraj Singh’s batting exploits in the recent past have not only helped fashion victories for the Indian team, but also forced the Pakistan team management to sit up and take notice.
Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik said the flamboyant left-hander was a major threat to them and would be targetted the most in the five-match one-day series beginning Monday.
"Every player is important. Sachin (Tendulkar), Sourav (Ganguly) and (Virender) Sehwag area great players, but the way Yuvraj is playing, he is a major threat to us.
"He will be the key man we will target," said Malik at the team’s first press conference since arrival in the capital on Thursday.
Malik admitted that the hosts were enjoying a consistent run of form, but stopped short of labelling them as favourites.
"India have been doing very well in the past, but for me both teams are on even keel. Yes, they have the home advantage, but we are also aware of the conditions.
"It is better to end as favourites than start as one... as was evident in the one-dayers against the Proteas."
As questions veered towards Shoaib Akhtar’s on and off-field behaviour, coach Geoff Lawson was quick to point out that after a long and forced hiatus, Shoaib was a changed man and eager to shed his ‘bad boy’ image.
"Shoaib is eager to put the past behind. His comeback was excellent. He looks quiet, sensible and he’s even got a nice haircut done. On a more serious note, a good performance from him will do a lot of good for the Pakistan team."
The young Pakistan captain did his best to assure the media present that he had played enough international cricket to be able to handle the pressures that comes with an Indian tour.
"The atmosphere is electric and players from both teams area charged up. But I’ve done this before, so I know what it is all about. I am not going to take any extra pressure on this tour," he said.
However, Lawson was quick to add that they had a score to settle and would play hard, but fair.
"We had a tie with India in the Twenty20 World Cup group stage and then went on to lose the final. We have a score to settle. We’ll play hard, but within the norms.
"Ultimately it’s all about who handles the pressure better."
The Pakistan team will be seen in action on Friday in a one-day tour game against Delhi.
Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik said the flamboyant left-hander was a major threat to them and would be targetted the most in the five-match one-day series beginning Monday.
"Every player is important. Sachin (Tendulkar), Sourav (Ganguly) and (Virender) Sehwag area great players, but the way Yuvraj is playing, he is a major threat to us.
"He will be the key man we will target," said Malik at the team’s first press conference since arrival in the capital on Thursday.
Malik admitted that the hosts were enjoying a consistent run of form, but stopped short of labelling them as favourites.
"India have been doing very well in the past, but for me both teams are on even keel. Yes, they have the home advantage, but we are also aware of the conditions.
"It is better to end as favourites than start as one... as was evident in the one-dayers against the Proteas."
As questions veered towards Shoaib Akhtar’s on and off-field behaviour, coach Geoff Lawson was quick to point out that after a long and forced hiatus, Shoaib was a changed man and eager to shed his ‘bad boy’ image.
"Shoaib is eager to put the past behind. His comeback was excellent. He looks quiet, sensible and he’s even got a nice haircut done. On a more serious note, a good performance from him will do a lot of good for the Pakistan team."
The young Pakistan captain did his best to assure the media present that he had played enough international cricket to be able to handle the pressures that comes with an Indian tour.
"The atmosphere is electric and players from both teams area charged up. But I’ve done this before, so I know what it is all about. I am not going to take any extra pressure on this tour," he said.
However, Lawson was quick to add that they had a score to settle and would play hard, but fair.
"We had a tie with India in the Twenty20 World Cup group stage and then went on to lose the final. We have a score to settle. We’ll play hard, but within the norms.
"Ultimately it’s all about who handles the pressure better."
The Pakistan team will be seen in action on Friday in a one-day tour game against Delhi.
BCCI must communicate plans to senior players
When a champion stumbles, you offer a comforting arm on the shoulder, not a thump on the back. It is an indicator of how you value your people.
In the jungle when the lion grows old and slow, he is left alone to be surrounded by the very animals who would hide in his presence. We are, we must be, different because grace is a human trait.
Rahul Dravid is not yet the old lion for he still has his bat, his weapon, that can keep foes away. But he has been treated like one. You could argue that he need be treated no differently from anyone else and that if he doesn't score enough runs he should be left out like anyone else. The problem with that theory is that seeks to treat proven match-winners like young hopefuls.
A Dravid or a Tendulkar or a Kumble has won you matches in the past and, when in form, will win you matches again. The organisation must seek to create an environment that gives these match-winners the best possible opportunity of regaining form.
But to leave him alone, not speak to him, not explain what the plan for him is to be petty. The plan could well be that playing two Ranji Trophy matches is a good opportunity to return to form but that plan must be communicated so that the player knows where he stands. Sadly, I suspect, there is no plan to communicate and it might well be that as a knee jerk reaction to the howls of protest against his exclusion, Dravid will be brought back. That will make everybody insecure.
This absence of a plan makes us go round and round, it creates the illusion of movement but doesn't take us too far. I am sure that, like Dravid, Sourav Ganguly has no idea of what the plan for him is either. If the perception is that Ganguly and Dravid are not pulling their weight in the side then a polite conversation and a firm decision is the way ahead.
But in order to determine whether they are, in fact, not worth a place in the side anymore we must see enough, we must know enough. With Dravid we do not know if this is a bad patch or the beginning of the end in one-day cricket.
All good teams back their players when they are down. It is easy to back a man when he is scoring runs, the strength of a unit is seen when it rallies around someone who isn't. Indian cricket needed to back Dravid, to give him confidence.
I know of a couple of teams and managers where in a quiet meeting, the struggling lead player would be guaranteed the next five games as a show of strength. But implicit in that guarantee would be a reassessment at the end of the five games. All good teams give their best players the best possible chance of success till such time as they are convinced that he can no longer succeed. They don't fool around with them with a couple of games here and one more there for it helps nobody.
You sense, like with Dravid, that there is no plan for a coach or a Test captain either. Dhoni has now been captain for a Twenty20 World Cup and for seven games against Australia. That is not a large number but I am struggling to understand how his performance in another couple of one-day games will allow anyone to make a better assessment of him as a Test captain. I suspect the decision on the Test captain has already been taken, certainly I hope it has, but keeping it secret helps no one.
Holding back information is a very poor way of showing power. I do hope though that we do not have a situation where players are interchanging roles all the time. Players need to know who the leader is.
So too with the coach where the story is starting to wear a bit thin now. We are stumbling along, taking one short term decision after another and finding justification for doing so. Either we say we don't need a coach and that we will accept the results as they come. Or we say we want a coach, the best in the circumstances, and we will try our utmost to find that person.
At the moment we are dragging our heels and suggesting that we are not really bothered either way. Do you, like me, hope that is not true but secretly believe it is?
In the jungle when the lion grows old and slow, he is left alone to be surrounded by the very animals who would hide in his presence. We are, we must be, different because grace is a human trait.
Rahul Dravid is not yet the old lion for he still has his bat, his weapon, that can keep foes away. But he has been treated like one. You could argue that he need be treated no differently from anyone else and that if he doesn't score enough runs he should be left out like anyone else. The problem with that theory is that seeks to treat proven match-winners like young hopefuls.
A Dravid or a Tendulkar or a Kumble has won you matches in the past and, when in form, will win you matches again. The organisation must seek to create an environment that gives these match-winners the best possible opportunity of regaining form.
But to leave him alone, not speak to him, not explain what the plan for him is to be petty. The plan could well be that playing two Ranji Trophy matches is a good opportunity to return to form but that plan must be communicated so that the player knows where he stands. Sadly, I suspect, there is no plan to communicate and it might well be that as a knee jerk reaction to the howls of protest against his exclusion, Dravid will be brought back. That will make everybody insecure.
This absence of a plan makes us go round and round, it creates the illusion of movement but doesn't take us too far. I am sure that, like Dravid, Sourav Ganguly has no idea of what the plan for him is either. If the perception is that Ganguly and Dravid are not pulling their weight in the side then a polite conversation and a firm decision is the way ahead.
But in order to determine whether they are, in fact, not worth a place in the side anymore we must see enough, we must know enough. With Dravid we do not know if this is a bad patch or the beginning of the end in one-day cricket.
All good teams back their players when they are down. It is easy to back a man when he is scoring runs, the strength of a unit is seen when it rallies around someone who isn't. Indian cricket needed to back Dravid, to give him confidence.
I know of a couple of teams and managers where in a quiet meeting, the struggling lead player would be guaranteed the next five games as a show of strength. But implicit in that guarantee would be a reassessment at the end of the five games. All good teams give their best players the best possible chance of success till such time as they are convinced that he can no longer succeed. They don't fool around with them with a couple of games here and one more there for it helps nobody.
You sense, like with Dravid, that there is no plan for a coach or a Test captain either. Dhoni has now been captain for a Twenty20 World Cup and for seven games against Australia. That is not a large number but I am struggling to understand how his performance in another couple of one-day games will allow anyone to make a better assessment of him as a Test captain. I suspect the decision on the Test captain has already been taken, certainly I hope it has, but keeping it secret helps no one.
Holding back information is a very poor way of showing power. I do hope though that we do not have a situation where players are interchanging roles all the time. Players need to know who the leader is.
So too with the coach where the story is starting to wear a bit thin now. We are stumbling along, taking one short term decision after another and finding justification for doing so. Either we say we don't need a coach and that we will accept the results as they come. Or we say we want a coach, the best in the circumstances, and we will try our utmost to find that person.
At the moment we are dragging our heels and suggesting that we are not really bothered either way. Do you, like me, hope that is not true but secretly believe it is?
Sourav gears up for Pak, tennis style
It was a sight the curious media would have loved to lap up. But Sourav Ganguly ensured that his latest drill-a truly jaw-dropping one by any standards-was strictly conducted without prying eyes around, at the Eden Gardens this morning.
Ever since last Monday when Shoiab Akhtar made a rousing comeback to international cricket with a scorching 4 for 43 against South Africa at Lahore, Ganguly has been desperately looking for ways to practice against fiery pace and bounce.
After a day of facing speed guns at the CAB's disposal, Ganguly today eventually came out with a surprise drill-merging cricket with lawn tennis. For over half an hour at Eden Gardens this morning, Ganguly was learning to fend off tennis balls, which were not being hurled at him, but actually were unleashed in the form of services-pure tennis style.
The drill, meant to develop the batsman's reflexes - like fending off and ducking darting, jumping deliveries - is the brainchild of the senior Bengal team's coach Bharathi Arun, who doubled up as the bowler, rather the service-man, for Ganguly, who was at the batting end.
Although this technique is new to Indian cricket, it is prevalent in Australia and South Africa.
Unlike practising with wet and heavy tennis balls, coach Arun used light, professional tennis balls, unleashing services at Ganguly, who was 22 yards away, facing the balls darting at him like typical aces in tennis.
Of course, Ganguly did also try out the more conventional version of tennis-ball cricket training, facing wet ones from close range. Coach Arun was his partner again, helping the left-hander out by hurling beamers at him from 12-13 yards.
Earlier in the day, the former India captain went through the paces with the Bengal team at their usual practice session, but it was his tennis-cricket drill later that pointed out how eager the veteran player was to perform against Pakistan.
Ever since last Monday when Shoiab Akhtar made a rousing comeback to international cricket with a scorching 4 for 43 against South Africa at Lahore, Ganguly has been desperately looking for ways to practice against fiery pace and bounce.
After a day of facing speed guns at the CAB's disposal, Ganguly today eventually came out with a surprise drill-merging cricket with lawn tennis. For over half an hour at Eden Gardens this morning, Ganguly was learning to fend off tennis balls, which were not being hurled at him, but actually were unleashed in the form of services-pure tennis style.
The drill, meant to develop the batsman's reflexes - like fending off and ducking darting, jumping deliveries - is the brainchild of the senior Bengal team's coach Bharathi Arun, who doubled up as the bowler, rather the service-man, for Ganguly, who was at the batting end.
Although this technique is new to Indian cricket, it is prevalent in Australia and South Africa.
Unlike practising with wet and heavy tennis balls, coach Arun used light, professional tennis balls, unleashing services at Ganguly, who was 22 yards away, facing the balls darting at him like typical aces in tennis.
Of course, Ganguly did also try out the more conventional version of tennis-ball cricket training, facing wet ones from close range. Coach Arun was his partner again, helping the left-hander out by hurling beamers at him from 12-13 yards.
Earlier in the day, the former India captain went through the paces with the Bengal team at their usual practice session, but it was his tennis-cricket drill later that pointed out how eager the veteran player was to perform against Pakistan.
To eat or not to eat, the menu card's out
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has spelt out a strict diet chart for the Indian cricketers, keeping in mind their fitness concerns for the series against Pakistan.
And Mahendra Singh Dhoni & Co. will have to do without desserts, red meat and deep fried stuff.
No ice-cream, no peanuts, minimum fat content and no deep fried food-that is how the BCCI's menu for the Indian team for the Pakistan series reads. The Indian Express got hold of the diet chart a day before it is supposed to be circulated among Team India members at the preparatory camp in Kolkata.
The BCCI has also laid out a special diet for the players just for training days- mostly fresh fruits and fruit juice.
Some pointers from the diet chart
•NO visible fat/oil in food preparations (Instruction to caterers)
•Minimum fat/oil, ABSOLUTELY NO ghee/vanaspati.
•No butter or mayonnaise
All non-veg items MUST be HALAAL.
•NO mushrooms
•NO red meat
•NO ICE-CREAM.
•NO Indian desserts.
•NO PEANUTS.
Match-day musts
•Tea, coffee and green tea must be available all day
•Fresh fruit
•Assorted dry fruits and nuts (almonds, cashew, Macadamia. NO PEANUTS)Sandwiches and salads
And Mahendra Singh Dhoni & Co. will have to do without desserts, red meat and deep fried stuff.
No ice-cream, no peanuts, minimum fat content and no deep fried food-that is how the BCCI's menu for the Indian team for the Pakistan series reads. The Indian Express got hold of the diet chart a day before it is supposed to be circulated among Team India members at the preparatory camp in Kolkata.
The BCCI has also laid out a special diet for the players just for training days- mostly fresh fruits and fruit juice.
Some pointers from the diet chart
•NO visible fat/oil in food preparations (Instruction to caterers)
•Minimum fat/oil, ABSOLUTELY NO ghee/vanaspati.
•No butter or mayonnaise
All non-veg items MUST be HALAAL.
•NO mushrooms
•NO red meat
•NO ICE-CREAM.
•NO Indian desserts.
•NO PEANUTS.
Match-day musts
•Tea, coffee and green tea must be available all day
•Fresh fruit
•Assorted dry fruits and nuts (almonds, cashew, Macadamia. NO PEANUTS)Sandwiches and salads
Pak to test batting lineup in warm-up
Sitting in the sophisticated new dressing room used only for international matches, the balcony view offers the excitement of walking down the ramp to the crease. It will be the first time the Delhi team will be looking at the centre-wicket from a different angle. The mindset too needs a similar tuning, just for a day, ahead of their domestic season, when they take on fancied Pakistan in a practice match at the Kotla Stadium tomorrow.
The visiting team has shown intentions of having a serious affair Friday morning -- the main side will slog it out on the plush green, the remaining to hit the adjacent nets - and the conditions here are stacked up to their needs.
The pitch is already showing a white glow beneath that tinge of green kept to bind the wicket, indicating an even bounce, and well-tapped to showcase the array of front-foot play likely to be on display.
The Pakistan team is likely to test their frontline batsmen, including the bustling Shahid Afridi for early Diwali greetings to the few thousand expected to witness.
Not that the Delhi team is intimidated, having vowed secretly to do a favour to Team India and hiking their own stock by giving a dose back and create a dent before the Pakistanis board the flight to Guwahati for the first ODI.
Gautam Gambhir, leading the Delhi side for the first time, will hold the attention as much as Aakash Chopra for varied reasons. While a good knock for the left-hand bat will further boost his confidence ahead of the ODI series, Chopra's ability in negotiating the new ball will be keenly observed for the Test series. Mitthun Manhas has been among the runs as much as the promising Virat Kohli and the Delhi batting card with Shikhar Dhawan at No 3, Rajat Bhatia and Punit Bisht looks rock-solid to test the veracity of this touring side.
It will also provide interesting space for the two sides that is pre-dominantly pace-oriented, and will test the ability of either side to land the seam of the white ball to gain some lateral movement.
Pakistan are expected to reserve one of their main pace spearheads -- Shoaib Akhtar or Umar Gul -while Delhi will go with three-pronged pace attack of Amit Bhandari, Pradeep Sangwan and Kuunal Lall, along with a specialist spinner in Chetanya Nanda.
The visiting team has shown intentions of having a serious affair Friday morning -- the main side will slog it out on the plush green, the remaining to hit the adjacent nets - and the conditions here are stacked up to their needs.
The pitch is already showing a white glow beneath that tinge of green kept to bind the wicket, indicating an even bounce, and well-tapped to showcase the array of front-foot play likely to be on display.
The Pakistan team is likely to test their frontline batsmen, including the bustling Shahid Afridi for early Diwali greetings to the few thousand expected to witness.
Not that the Delhi team is intimidated, having vowed secretly to do a favour to Team India and hiking their own stock by giving a dose back and create a dent before the Pakistanis board the flight to Guwahati for the first ODI.
Gautam Gambhir, leading the Delhi side for the first time, will hold the attention as much as Aakash Chopra for varied reasons. While a good knock for the left-hand bat will further boost his confidence ahead of the ODI series, Chopra's ability in negotiating the new ball will be keenly observed for the Test series. Mitthun Manhas has been among the runs as much as the promising Virat Kohli and the Delhi batting card with Shikhar Dhawan at No 3, Rajat Bhatia and Punit Bisht looks rock-solid to test the veracity of this touring side.
It will also provide interesting space for the two sides that is pre-dominantly pace-oriented, and will test the ability of either side to land the seam of the white ball to gain some lateral movement.
Pakistan are expected to reserve one of their main pace spearheads -- Shoaib Akhtar or Umar Gul -while Delhi will go with three-pronged pace attack of Amit Bhandari, Pradeep Sangwan and Kuunal Lall, along with a specialist spinner in Chetanya Nanda.
Kumble predicts challenging series
At 37 years of age, 17 of them spent playing international cricket, Anil Kumble can surely sit back and take things a little easy.
Instead, the lanky leg-spinner is planning his next move, leading the Karnataka Ranji Trophy team, currently in Mumbai, to play their opening match of the domestic season. "They're a young side, quite talented, and we're hoping to get off to a good start," he said of his team.
Kumble is serious about using this opportunity-the first two Ranji matches-to warm-up for the series against Pakistan. The first Test is in Delhi, where he became only the second bowler ever to take ten wickets in an innings; the second in Kolkata, where Kumble's bowling average is among his best and the third is in Bangalore, his home ground.
"It's going to be a challenging series. Cricket, more than anything else, will be the talking factor," he said. And former Team India captain Rahul Dravid, now 'rested' from the national team, is also in the Karnataka squad.
He, however, refused to make any comments today, preferring to let his bat do the talking for him in the next few days. "It is nice to have him (Dravid) in the team though I still think he would've been better in the Indian team," Kumble said.
Instead, the lanky leg-spinner is planning his next move, leading the Karnataka Ranji Trophy team, currently in Mumbai, to play their opening match of the domestic season. "They're a young side, quite talented, and we're hoping to get off to a good start," he said of his team.
Kumble is serious about using this opportunity-the first two Ranji matches-to warm-up for the series against Pakistan. The first Test is in Delhi, where he became only the second bowler ever to take ten wickets in an innings; the second in Kolkata, where Kumble's bowling average is among his best and the third is in Bangalore, his home ground.
"It's going to be a challenging series. Cricket, more than anything else, will be the talking factor," he said. And former Team India captain Rahul Dravid, now 'rested' from the national team, is also in the Karnataka squad.
He, however, refused to make any comments today, preferring to let his bat do the talking for him in the next few days. "It is nice to have him (Dravid) in the team though I still think he would've been better in the Indian team," Kumble said.
What India will be up against
SHOAIB MALIK (Captain)
Right hand middle order batsman and off break bowler
Debut against West Indies at Sharjah on October 14, 1999
Played 145 ODIs (23 against India) Led Pakistan in 8 ODIs, winning four and losing four
YOUNIS KHAN (Vice-captain)
Right hand middle order batsman and leg break bowler
Debut against Sri Lanka at Karachi on February 13, 2000
Played 156 ODIs (22 against India) Captained Pakistan in 6 ODIs, winning two and losing four.
ABDUR REHMAN
Left hand tail end batsman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler.
Debut against West Indies at Rawalpindi on December 5. Played 9 ODIs.
FAWAD ALAM
Left hand lower order batsman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler.
Debut one ODI, against Sri Lanka at Abu Dhabi on May 22, 2007
RAO IFTIKHAR ANJUM
Debut against Zimbabwe at Multan on September 30,2004.
Right hand tail end batsman and right arm medium pace bowler. Played 35 ODIs (5 against India)
IMRAN NAZIR
Right hand opening batsman and leg break bowler.
Debut against Sri Lanka at Visakhapatnam on March 27,1999. Played 73 ODIs (5 against India)
KAMRAN AKMAL
Right hand middle/lower order batsman and wicket-keeper. Debut against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo on November 23,2002. Played 73 ODIs (14 against India)
MISBAH-UL HAQ
Right hand middle order batsman and leg break bowler. Debut against New Zealand at Lahore on April 27, 2002. Played 17 ODIs.
MOHAMMED YOUSUF
Right hand middle order batsman and off-break bowler.
Debut against Zimbabwe at Harare on March 28,1998. Played 247 ODIs (34 against India) Led Pakistan in 4 ODIs, won two and lost two.
SALMAN BUTT
Left hand opening batsman and right arm off-break bowler. Debut against the West Indies at Southampton on September 22, 2004. Played 36 ODIs (11 against India)
SHAHID AFRIDI
Right hand opening/middle order batsman and leg break bowler. Debut against Kenya at Nairobi on October 2, 1996. Played 245 ODIs (53 against India)
SHOAIB AKHTAR
Right hand tail-end batsman and right arm fast bowler. Debut against Zimbabwe at Harare on March 28,1998. Played 134 ODIs (23 against India).
SOHAIL TANVIR
Left hand tail end batsman and left arm medium pace bowler. Debut against South Africa at Lahore on October 18, 2007. Played four ODIs.
UMAR GUL
Right hand batsman, right arm medium pace bowler. Debut against Zimbabwe at Sharjah on April 3,2003. Played 34 ODIs (3 against India)
YASIR HAMEED
Right hand opening/middle order batsman, off break bowler and wicket-keeper.
Debut against New Zealand at Dambullah on May 20,2003 Played 55 ODIs (8 against India)
Right hand middle order batsman and off break bowler
Debut against West Indies at Sharjah on October 14, 1999
Played 145 ODIs (23 against India) Led Pakistan in 8 ODIs, winning four and losing four
YOUNIS KHAN (Vice-captain)
Right hand middle order batsman and leg break bowler
Debut against Sri Lanka at Karachi on February 13, 2000
Played 156 ODIs (22 against India) Captained Pakistan in 6 ODIs, winning two and losing four.
ABDUR REHMAN
Left hand tail end batsman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler.
Debut against West Indies at Rawalpindi on December 5. Played 9 ODIs.
FAWAD ALAM
Left hand lower order batsman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler.
Debut one ODI, against Sri Lanka at Abu Dhabi on May 22, 2007
RAO IFTIKHAR ANJUM
Debut against Zimbabwe at Multan on September 30,2004.
Right hand tail end batsman and right arm medium pace bowler. Played 35 ODIs (5 against India)
IMRAN NAZIR
Right hand opening batsman and leg break bowler.
Debut against Sri Lanka at Visakhapatnam on March 27,1999. Played 73 ODIs (5 against India)
KAMRAN AKMAL
Right hand middle/lower order batsman and wicket-keeper. Debut against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo on November 23,2002. Played 73 ODIs (14 against India)
MISBAH-UL HAQ
Right hand middle order batsman and leg break bowler. Debut against New Zealand at Lahore on April 27, 2002. Played 17 ODIs.
MOHAMMED YOUSUF
Right hand middle order batsman and off-break bowler.
Debut against Zimbabwe at Harare on March 28,1998. Played 247 ODIs (34 against India) Led Pakistan in 4 ODIs, won two and lost two.
SALMAN BUTT
Left hand opening batsman and right arm off-break bowler. Debut against the West Indies at Southampton on September 22, 2004. Played 36 ODIs (11 against India)
SHAHID AFRIDI
Right hand opening/middle order batsman and leg break bowler. Debut against Kenya at Nairobi on October 2, 1996. Played 245 ODIs (53 against India)
SHOAIB AKHTAR
Right hand tail-end batsman and right arm fast bowler. Debut against Zimbabwe at Harare on March 28,1998. Played 134 ODIs (23 against India).
SOHAIL TANVIR
Left hand tail end batsman and left arm medium pace bowler. Debut against South Africa at Lahore on October 18, 2007. Played four ODIs.
UMAR GUL
Right hand batsman, right arm medium pace bowler. Debut against Zimbabwe at Sharjah on April 3,2003. Played 34 ODIs (3 against India)
YASIR HAMEED
Right hand opening/middle order batsman, off break bowler and wicket-keeper.
Debut against New Zealand at Dambullah on May 20,2003 Played 55 ODIs (8 against India)
Md Asif pulls out, but skipper Malik has other plans ready
Together they make a good pair. Shoaib Malik's straight face and characteristically low-key talk comes out in neat contrast to Geoff Lawson's expressive face behind those stylish glasses. The captain talks about ek team, about haar and jeet; the coach talks about revenge, and sees how the canvas would look five weeks hence.
The Pakistan team arrived Thursday evening sans one man who could have made a major difference to their theories. But Mohammad Asif's (picture below) last-minute pullout, not having recovered from his elbow injury, and Shoaib Akhtar's latest resurgence has kept the visiting team tantalisingly on par.
"At the moment, we have four very good pacers in our ranks. Shoaib Akhtar is back and Umar Gul was outstanding in the Twenty20 World Cup. Rao Iftikar was the highest wicket-taker in the recent series, and we also have Sohail Tanveer. Of course you need a pacer of Asif's calibre and we are expecting him to join the side soon after completing his rehab," says Lawson, adding: "We had lost the final of the Twenty20 World Cup against India, so we have some scores to settle."
Malik played the conventional shots, spoke about handling the pressure and the seniors in his side well, about devising strategies for specific individuals and picking the dangermen, while Lawson spoke about sensible haircuts as a case in point in describing individuals. "Akhtar looks really sensible in his new haircut, I must say, and I hope he remains that way with the ball in his hand too. We know if we can handle this guy nicely, he can be a powerful force in this series," he says, cutting into speculations about handling the highly colourful life of the pacer on and off-field.
This Indian team has MS Dhoni to match up with his new hairdo to make an impact but Malik, while appreciating the potential of big bats, picked Yuvraj Singh and RP Singh for special focus.
"If current form is anything to go by, the biggest danger comes from Yuvraj, and RP has improved drastically and is looking like an extraordinary bowler. His line and length has improved. But we do have plans to disturb his rhythm," says Malik.
Plans, that Lawson insists don't figure verbal mumblings like the India-Australia series. "In the recent series against South Africa, we played hard cricket and still there was not a single bad word. If this series is played in the same spirit, this series too can give some enjoyable cricket to offer," he says.
Malik knows a lot about India's pitches, about 300-plus scores, and the glitz of cricket in recent times; for Lawson it's been a visit after a really long time and is measuring up to the decibels. Different in line and reasoning; but together they will stand up for baptism by fire.
The Pakistan team arrived Thursday evening sans one man who could have made a major difference to their theories. But Mohammad Asif's (picture below) last-minute pullout, not having recovered from his elbow injury, and Shoaib Akhtar's latest resurgence has kept the visiting team tantalisingly on par.
"At the moment, we have four very good pacers in our ranks. Shoaib Akhtar is back and Umar Gul was outstanding in the Twenty20 World Cup. Rao Iftikar was the highest wicket-taker in the recent series, and we also have Sohail Tanveer. Of course you need a pacer of Asif's calibre and we are expecting him to join the side soon after completing his rehab," says Lawson, adding: "We had lost the final of the Twenty20 World Cup against India, so we have some scores to settle."
Malik played the conventional shots, spoke about handling the pressure and the seniors in his side well, about devising strategies for specific individuals and picking the dangermen, while Lawson spoke about sensible haircuts as a case in point in describing individuals. "Akhtar looks really sensible in his new haircut, I must say, and I hope he remains that way with the ball in his hand too. We know if we can handle this guy nicely, he can be a powerful force in this series," he says, cutting into speculations about handling the highly colourful life of the pacer on and off-field.
This Indian team has MS Dhoni to match up with his new hairdo to make an impact but Malik, while appreciating the potential of big bats, picked Yuvraj Singh and RP Singh for special focus.
"If current form is anything to go by, the biggest danger comes from Yuvraj, and RP has improved drastically and is looking like an extraordinary bowler. His line and length has improved. But we do have plans to disturb his rhythm," says Malik.
Plans, that Lawson insists don't figure verbal mumblings like the India-Australia series. "In the recent series against South Africa, we played hard cricket and still there was not a single bad word. If this series is played in the same spirit, this series too can give some enjoyable cricket to offer," he says.
Malik knows a lot about India's pitches, about 300-plus scores, and the glitz of cricket in recent times; for Lawson it's been a visit after a really long time and is measuring up to the decibels. Different in line and reasoning; but together they will stand up for baptism by fire.
Tumultuous welcome for Pakistan team in Capital
You need not go to a stadium to hear Indian cricket fans voice their support for the home side. A stand at the arrival gate of the Indira Gandhi International Airport this afternoon would have served the same purpose as the Pakistanis trooped out.
"India, India", chanted the fans, greeting the 15-member tourists' squad at the airport, here on their month and-a-half long tour.
It was a trifle strange. Standing at the arrival gates for a brief moment it seemed as if one was waiting to greet the team in Lahore or Karachi. Security was heavy, the sound deafening, and people were present in hundreds.
They had their posters held up high and the Pakistani flags waving-these were children form the Pakistani Embassy here, accompanied by officials-some holding their notepads hoping that someone in wearing a green blazer would oblige them with an autograph.
The team arrived at 4.30pm, and after a small welcome reception at the airport-the whole thing must have taken just half an hour-they moved towards their team bus and were escorted to the team hotel by two pilot cars, 40 minutes after they had landed.
Though the arrival was uneventful, with no major incidents, the moment the team came out of the gates, the decibel level of the crowds trebled, sending the press photographers and the public present there into a frenzy.
There were wires and ropes around the team bus that was guarded by over two-dozen guards, but not even Delhi's finest could stop the people from crossing these 'barriers' to get near to the bus for a glimpse of their stars.
Chaos was averted, though, with the players having boarded the bus quickly.
Members of the DDCA were there to greet the players, but they were in such a hurry to get into the bus that captain Shoaib Malik took the bouquet in his stride.
It was as strong a welcome as was expected for a high profile tour.
Pakistan play their first one-day international in Guwahati on November 5
"India, India", chanted the fans, greeting the 15-member tourists' squad at the airport, here on their month and-a-half long tour.
It was a trifle strange. Standing at the arrival gates for a brief moment it seemed as if one was waiting to greet the team in Lahore or Karachi. Security was heavy, the sound deafening, and people were present in hundreds.
They had their posters held up high and the Pakistani flags waving-these were children form the Pakistani Embassy here, accompanied by officials-some holding their notepads hoping that someone in wearing a green blazer would oblige them with an autograph.
The team arrived at 4.30pm, and after a small welcome reception at the airport-the whole thing must have taken just half an hour-they moved towards their team bus and were escorted to the team hotel by two pilot cars, 40 minutes after they had landed.
Though the arrival was uneventful, with no major incidents, the moment the team came out of the gates, the decibel level of the crowds trebled, sending the press photographers and the public present there into a frenzy.
There were wires and ropes around the team bus that was guarded by over two-dozen guards, but not even Delhi's finest could stop the people from crossing these 'barriers' to get near to the bus for a glimpse of their stars.
Chaos was averted, though, with the players having boarded the bus quickly.
Members of the DDCA were there to greet the players, but they were in such a hurry to get into the bus that captain Shoaib Malik took the bouquet in his stride.
It was as strong a welcome as was expected for a high profile tour.
Pakistan play their first one-day international in Guwahati on November 5
Pakistan want no acrimony in India series
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Pakistan cricket coach Geoff Lawson said on Thursday he hoped the series against rivals India starting next week would be played without the acrimony that marred the home team's recent one-dayers against Australia.
Pakistan's team landed in Delhi on Thursday for the fourth bilateral series between the rival countries in the last four years amid tight security.
Skipper Shoaib Malik and Lawson said they were ready for the usual tension and wanted to avenge the Twenty20 World Cup loss.
"I think it is bigger than the Ashes," Lawson told a news conference, referring to the renowned Test series between England and Australia. "It is a national rivalry and a little more than a cricket game.
"We tied a Twenty20 (league) game and lost in the final," he said. "We've got a few scores to settle."
The clash follows India's 4-2 defeat by Australia in their one-day series last month which was marred by verbal clashes between rival players on and off the pitch and racial taunts from the stands aimed at Andrew Symonds.
INCIDENT-FREE CONTEST
Lawson hoped it would be as incident-free as the home series against South Africa which ended on Monday with the visitors clinching the test and one-day series.
"We just played a series against South Africa -- very hard, tough, non-compromising cricket," he said. "But there was not one bad word said between the teams.
"The series was played in a very fine spirit, as cricket should be. I hope this series is played in exactly the same style.
"We've got a captain who likes his players to behave properly on the field," he said. "I'm pretty sure MS Dhoni likes his players to do the same."
Malik said the teams were evenly matched despite Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif being sidelined with an elbow injury.
Pakistan play a warm-up one-day game on Friday against the Delhi Ranji team. The five-match one-day series starts on Monday and will be followed by three tests.
The teams have toured each other's country annually since 2004 when India went on a full tour of Pakistan after a 14-year break due to political tensions between the two neighbours.
Pakistan's team landed in Delhi on Thursday for the fourth bilateral series between the rival countries in the last four years amid tight security.
Skipper Shoaib Malik and Lawson said they were ready for the usual tension and wanted to avenge the Twenty20 World Cup loss.
"I think it is bigger than the Ashes," Lawson told a news conference, referring to the renowned Test series between England and Australia. "It is a national rivalry and a little more than a cricket game.
"We tied a Twenty20 (league) game and lost in the final," he said. "We've got a few scores to settle."
The clash follows India's 4-2 defeat by Australia in their one-day series last month which was marred by verbal clashes between rival players on and off the pitch and racial taunts from the stands aimed at Andrew Symonds.
INCIDENT-FREE CONTEST
Lawson hoped it would be as incident-free as the home series against South Africa which ended on Monday with the visitors clinching the test and one-day series.
"We just played a series against South Africa -- very hard, tough, non-compromising cricket," he said. "But there was not one bad word said between the teams.
"The series was played in a very fine spirit, as cricket should be. I hope this series is played in exactly the same style.
"We've got a captain who likes his players to behave properly on the field," he said. "I'm pretty sure MS Dhoni likes his players to do the same."
Malik said the teams were evenly matched despite Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif being sidelined with an elbow injury.
Pakistan play a warm-up one-day game on Friday against the Delhi Ranji team. The five-match one-day series starts on Monday and will be followed by three tests.
The teams have toured each other's country annually since 2004 when India went on a full tour of Pakistan after a 14-year break due to political tensions between the two neighbours.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Mumbai pick Abdulla for Kulkarni
Mumbai have picked Iqbal Abdulla, the 17-year-old left-arm spinner, and dropped the experienced Nilesh Kulkarni from their squad for the first two matches of the Ranji Trophy.
Chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar explained the rationale behind choosing Abdulla. "Iqbal has done well in the age-group tournaments recently," he said. "Besides, he is an allrounder and is young. He also has a good temperament."
Vengsarkar, however, said that Kulkarni still has a chance to return to the side. "Nilesh has been a fantastic servant of Mumbai cricket for almost a decade. And we haven't written him off."
Kulkarni, whose ten-wicket haul against Gujarat in the Ranji league stage last year rescued a floundering campaign, had been left out of the final in controversial circumstances. He was also not part of the Mumbai squad for the Mohammad Nissar Trophy or the Irani Trophy either.
The squad has four changes from the side that played the Irani Trophy earlier this month: Ramesh Powar has returned to the side and wicketkeeper Vinayak Samant has recovered after undergoing a knee surgery. Legspinner Bhavesh Patel and left-arm batsman Anoop Revandkar are the newcomers.
Amol Muzumdar and Pravin Amre have retained their respective positions as captain and coach of the side.
Squad Amol Muzumdar (capt), Ajit Agarkar (vice-capt), Wasim Jaffer, Sahil Kukreja, Ajinkya Rahane, Prashant Naik, Hiken Shah, Abhishek Nayar, Ramesh Powar, Vinayak Samant (wk), Aavishkar Salvi, Rajesh Verma, Iqbal Abdulla, Anoop Revandkar, Bhavesh Patel Coach: Pravin Amre
Chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar explained the rationale behind choosing Abdulla. "Iqbal has done well in the age-group tournaments recently," he said. "Besides, he is an allrounder and is young. He also has a good temperament."
Vengsarkar, however, said that Kulkarni still has a chance to return to the side. "Nilesh has been a fantastic servant of Mumbai cricket for almost a decade. And we haven't written him off."
Kulkarni, whose ten-wicket haul against Gujarat in the Ranji league stage last year rescued a floundering campaign, had been left out of the final in controversial circumstances. He was also not part of the Mumbai squad for the Mohammad Nissar Trophy or the Irani Trophy either.
The squad has four changes from the side that played the Irani Trophy earlier this month: Ramesh Powar has returned to the side and wicketkeeper Vinayak Samant has recovered after undergoing a knee surgery. Legspinner Bhavesh Patel and left-arm batsman Anoop Revandkar are the newcomers.
Amol Muzumdar and Pravin Amre have retained their respective positions as captain and coach of the side.
Squad Amol Muzumdar (capt), Ajit Agarkar (vice-capt), Wasim Jaffer, Sahil Kukreja, Ajinkya Rahane, Prashant Naik, Hiken Shah, Abhishek Nayar, Ramesh Powar, Vinayak Samant (wk), Aavishkar Salvi, Rajesh Verma, Iqbal Abdulla, Anoop Revandkar, Bhavesh Patel Coach: Pravin Amre
Parsana battles to keep dew at bay
The winter chill has set in in Ahmedabad. There's a nip in the air and it gets slightly foggy as the sun dips behind the Sabarmati. What it means for the Challenger Trophy tournament, which starts on Thursday, is that dew will play a crucial role in the games, all of which are day-night contests. Dhiraj Parsana, the chief curator at the ground, warns that the period between 7pm and 8pm is the danger hour when the dew is likely to set in, and perhaps have a bearing on the result.
The Motera stadium has been Parsana's nursery from 1982, when the ground came into existence. At 60, Parsana, a former Gujarat left-arm medium-pacer who played a couple of Tests in the late 1970s, retains the same kind of enthusiasm today as he did when the late Polly Umrigar recommended him to the Gujarat Cricket Association for the groundsman's job 25 years ago. Parsana, who is a consultant on the BCCI curators committee, is of the firm belief that dew "will be a factor", but he is doing his utmost to ensure that the moisture doesn't rise up too much.
The process starts five to six days before the match. "First, we start by cutting the grass low on the outfield. If the height of the grass is high the dew sets on it, so we cut the grass to a height of between two to four millimetres." His caution: cut it too fine and the fielders will have bruised bones and dirty laundry.
The second important factor is not to leave the ground damp immediately before the match. "We don't water the ground for a day and a half before the game. So, I will water the ground today [Wednesday] around mid-day, and the next time I will water the outfield will be on Thursday evening after the game."
His other important task is to ensure that the pitch is good for one-day cricket, and remains fair to both teams over the entire duration of the match. He explains his perfect formula: "Maintain around two inches of hardness immediately below the top surface, and below that at least four inches of moisture is needed to help keep the shine on the surface and bind it."
The Motera stadium has been Parsana's nursery from 1982, when the ground came into existence. At 60, Parsana, a former Gujarat left-arm medium-pacer who played a couple of Tests in the late 1970s, retains the same kind of enthusiasm today as he did when the late Polly Umrigar recommended him to the Gujarat Cricket Association for the groundsman's job 25 years ago. Parsana, who is a consultant on the BCCI curators committee, is of the firm belief that dew "will be a factor", but he is doing his utmost to ensure that the moisture doesn't rise up too much.
The process starts five to six days before the match. "First, we start by cutting the grass low on the outfield. If the height of the grass is high the dew sets on it, so we cut the grass to a height of between two to four millimetres." His caution: cut it too fine and the fielders will have bruised bones and dirty laundry.
The second important factor is not to leave the ground damp immediately before the match. "We don't water the ground for a day and a half before the game. So, I will water the ground today [Wednesday] around mid-day, and the next time I will water the outfield will be on Thursday evening after the game."
His other important task is to ensure that the pitch is good for one-day cricket, and remains fair to both teams over the entire duration of the match. He explains his perfect formula: "Maintain around two inches of hardness immediately below the top surface, and below that at least four inches of moisture is needed to help keep the shine on the surface and bind it."
Dharmani to lead young Punjab side
Veteran wicketkeeper Pankaj Dharmani will lead an inexperienced Punjab team in the Ranji Trophy this season. The team will be coached by Gursharan Singh, who played one Test for India and also led Punjab to the Ranji title in 1992-93.
The team, left depleted after seven of their players had defected to the Indian Cricket League (ICL), features five uncapped players and three who have played less than 10 first-class games. They have also recalled Ankur Kakkar and Chandan Madan, who last played in 2005.
The fast-bowling department looks strong with Gagandeep Singh and VRV Singh to be joined by the 18-year-old Amanpreet Singh, who took four Mumbai wickets on debut last season. Uncapped legspinner Sarabjit Ladda and the 6'4" seamer Manpreet Gony are already highly talked about.
In the batting department, Dharmani and Ravneet Ricky, who have been their mainstay over the years, will have all the more responsibility in the absence of Dinesh Mongia and Reetinder Sodhi. Young batsmen Sumit Sharma, the 19-year-old who has played for India Under-19, and Ravi Inder Rajji, who is leading Punjab in the CK Nayudu Trophy, might be the ones to watch out for. Karan Goel, the highest run-getter in the domestic Twenty20, will look to carry that form into first-class cricket.
Gursharan has spent 14 days with the team at a preparatory camp, after which they spurned the list of 30 probables to 17. Although Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh have been named in the 17, it is unlikely they will play many matches for Punjab.
Squad for the first match: Pankaj Dharmani (capt/wk), Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Karan Goel, Ravneet Ricky, Ravi Inder Rajji, Uday Kaul, Ankur Kakkar, Chandan Madan, Gagandeep Singh, Amanpreet Singh, VRV Singh, Sarabjit Ladda, Manpreet Gony, Sunny Sohal, Sumit Sharma, Varun Khanna
The team, left depleted after seven of their players had defected to the Indian Cricket League (ICL), features five uncapped players and three who have played less than 10 first-class games. They have also recalled Ankur Kakkar and Chandan Madan, who last played in 2005.
The fast-bowling department looks strong with Gagandeep Singh and VRV Singh to be joined by the 18-year-old Amanpreet Singh, who took four Mumbai wickets on debut last season. Uncapped legspinner Sarabjit Ladda and the 6'4" seamer Manpreet Gony are already highly talked about.
In the batting department, Dharmani and Ravneet Ricky, who have been their mainstay over the years, will have all the more responsibility in the absence of Dinesh Mongia and Reetinder Sodhi. Young batsmen Sumit Sharma, the 19-year-old who has played for India Under-19, and Ravi Inder Rajji, who is leading Punjab in the CK Nayudu Trophy, might be the ones to watch out for. Karan Goel, the highest run-getter in the domestic Twenty20, will look to carry that form into first-class cricket.
Gursharan has spent 14 days with the team at a preparatory camp, after which they spurned the list of 30 probables to 17. Although Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh have been named in the 17, it is unlikely they will play many matches for Punjab.
Squad for the first match: Pankaj Dharmani (capt/wk), Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Karan Goel, Ravneet Ricky, Ravi Inder Rajji, Uday Kaul, Ankur Kakkar, Chandan Madan, Gagandeep Singh, Amanpreet Singh, VRV Singh, Sarabjit Ladda, Manpreet Gony, Sunny Sohal, Sumit Sharma, Varun Khanna
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
India Vs Australia, 5th ODI
Result Australia won by 9 wickets (with 145 balls remaining)
India innings (50 overs maximum)
Total (all out; 39.4 overs; 192 mins) 148 (3.73 runs per over)
Australia innings (target: 149 runs from 50 overs)
Total (1 wicket; 25.5 overs; 111 mins) 149 (5.76 runs per over)
Toss India, who chose to bat first
Series Australia led the 7-match series 3-1
Player of the match MG Johnson (Australia)
Umpires Aleem Dar (Pakistan) and AM Saheba
TV umpire SL Shastri
Match referee BC Broad (England)
Reserve umpire SD Ranade
India innings (50 overs maximum)
Total (all out; 39.4 overs; 192 mins) 148 (3.73 runs per over)
Australia innings (target: 149 runs from 50 overs)
Total (1 wicket; 25.5 overs; 111 mins) 149 (5.76 runs per over)
Toss India, who chose to bat first
Series Australia led the 7-match series 3-1
Player of the match MG Johnson (Australia)
Umpires Aleem Dar (Pakistan) and AM Saheba
TV umpire SL Shastri
Match referee BC Broad (England)
Reserve umpire SD Ranade
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