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Sight Screen

Sunday, October 30, 2005

The bias(-worma)

While much of mud-slinging that BCCI faces these days has been self-inflicted, there are also enough cases of kick-them-while-they're-down. A recent allegation from Scyld Berry in Telegraph saying that the tour venues have nothing to do with policy of rotation.
The Indian board justified the venues by saying that they had a policy of rotation and that various associations take it in turns to stage home Test matches. The reality is that the board are overwhelmed by political squabbles and lawsuits. Such is their incompetence that the venues for Sri Lanka's three Tests in India in December have yet to be announced

Here's a list of last 20 test matches played in India. Do decide for yourself if you see a more-or-less fair rotation of venues or not.

Eng 1st Test in Ind 2001/02 at Chandigarh
Eng 2nd Test in Ind 2001/02 at Ahmedabad
Eng 3rd Test in Ind 2001/02 at Bangalore
Zim 1st Test in Ind 2001/02 at Nagpur
Zim 2nd Test in Ind 2001/02 at Delhi
WI 1st Test in Ind 2002/03 at Mumbai
WI 2nd Test in Ind 2002/03 at Chennai
WI 3rd Test in Ind 2002/03 at Kolkata
NZ 1st Test in Ind 2003/04 at Ahmedabad
NZ 2nd Test in Ind 2003/04 at Chandigarh
Aus 1st Test in Ind 2004/05 at Bangalore
Aus 2nd Test in Ind 2004/05 at Chennai
Aus 3rd Test in Ind 2004/05 at Nagpur
Aus 4th Test in Ind 2004/05 at Mumbai
SA 1st Test in Ind 2004/05 at Kanpur
SA 2nd Test in Ind 2004/05 at Kolkata
Pak 1st Test in Ind 2004/05 at Chandigarh
Pak 2nd Test in Ind 2004/05 at Kolkata (refused to play in Ahmedabad)
Pak 3rd Test in Ind 2004/05 at Bangalore (Delhi stadium wasn't ready)

SL three tests at Delhi, Kanpur, Chennai

Eng three tests at Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Mumbai

What I do feel is that the Kanpur test given to SL could have been swapped with the Ahmedabad test of Eng. And who knows what would be done once Eng raises the safety bogey for Ahmedabad.

My own observation on the so called 'bias' is:

1)Kanpur seems to be missing in early stages, and I think there was some question mark about Kanpur's test status for a while....can't seem to remember exact details.

2)Rotation policy seems to be applied for choosing the venue for a series as a whole. And within the series, the distribution of the matches, to me, doesn't seem to follow the rotation policy as strictly.

But Berry goes on further, in his self-created logic
If there is any cricketing intent behind the selection of Ahmedabad, Nagpur and Mumbai, it must be that the board want three grounds that can provide slow, big-turning pitches. That would play into the hands of India's spinners and make life correspondingly hard for England's quartet of pace bowlers
So, he thinks Chennai and Kolkatta are not big turners? Where we defeated the mighty Aus team in 'that' series, and more recently Pak in Kolkatta, while having a good run against Aus again in Chennai? And does he even know the history of the last test played in Nagpur?

And then there's Arjuna's allegation of giving 'second class' status to SL ODI venues!

61 Comments:

  • Well worma, the BCCI gives the rest of the world reason to make fun of them by being unprofessional. So you can't blame the Scyd Berry to take advantage of this situation and make up his own theories.

    After all, when we all Enjoy when Prem has a go at the BCCI, I see no reason for the English readers/supporters have a bit of chuckle at our expense...

    As they say, "Apni izzat apne haath".

    Sadly, for the first time, the BCCI have actually 'lived' up to their so called 'Rotational' policy.

    Of the 9 regular Test centres, Chandigarh, Kolkata & Bangalore have hosted the last three Matches. That left Ahmedabad, Chennai, Delhi, Kanpur, Mumbai & Nagpur, so the BCCI have gone and allocated the Tests to these venues.

    However, if you look at the past 3-4 years, the whole Rotational policy seems to be a eye-wash.

    There is no consistency, or as Prem would say, the only thing consistent is the inconsistency :-)

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 06:36  

  • saurabh.....but I posted the stats for past 3-4 years....check out and tell me if you get the feeling of an eye-wash? I think test matches are allocated on rotation...and lot of favours done in ODI allocation. Thats my impression.

    And I agree BCCI invites the scorn and ridicule etc by its own actions (or lack of). And I also know that Prem has a go at BCCI...mostly for valid reasons. In some cases I don't agree with his tirades as well..and do point them out (for example selection matters...where I argued with him that they have been fairly consistent in past 3-4 years).

    By Blogger worma, at 07:23  

  • shri: ofcourse I didn't even touch that subject....which you rightly pointed out. Ofcourse every team makes pitches for home advantages. No exceptions at all. And there is a difference between having an underprepared pitch (which we do only some times) and having a good pitch affording lots of turn and bounce.

    It seems Pak recently took the bait of Eng media pressure and Shaharyar Khan recently 'announced' that they wont 'cheat' and thus not make pitches helping spin. Now I dont know what is the background reason, but I felt that the statement itself was ridiculous and probably pandering to the Eng media etc. Its not the first time, during this Eng tour to Pak, that their administration has shown this kind of soft attitude. But anyways...their problem. As far as India is concerned, I want to see all our test match pitches supporting lots of spin. Period.

    By Blogger worma, at 07:44  

  • shri, you know that ECB actually 'demanded' for 'entertainment' facilities in their tour venues in Pakistan...example golf courses in the venue etc! And they did it as an official demand, not just media pressure like Berry's article here. I wonder if they would have the guts to come up with such demands to India.

    And meanwhile the SA-Nz match again becoming interesting :-)...Bond smacked around....now Smith gone.

    By Blogger worma, at 07:49  

  • shri...atleast the way Gibbs is playing looks 'fixed' ;-)...

    anyways..those 'fixing' allegations are often the creation of our media...and I dont think they would be itnerested in raising that bogey for SA-Nz matches.

    And about the venue..agreed...the first thing I noticed about the test matches was so little travelling to be done by them. I wish, same as you, that atleast one of the venue was far far away :-)....whinging POMS...as always.

    What say Saurabh?

    By Blogger worma, at 08:07  

  • This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    By Blogger worma, at 08:10  

  • nilcritz...in the same vein...am not very sure if POMs is used in a generic sense..or has a slight derogatory connotation to it?

    By Blogger worma, at 08:11  

  • Well wWrma, my irritation with the BCCI is their lack of planning.

    If Test matches are decided on Rotational basis, then what is there to decide?

    Also, we can sit here and make fun of the BCCI, Ganguly and Gavaskar.

    And when the others do the same, it hurts...

    Also, Scyd Berry has just written about the BCCI and it's ways of functioning. I wonder what would happen if he (and other british journalist) start making fun of the Indians like we do to the Brits.

    Some of the articles I read on the Hindu making fun of the Ashes were shameful, to say the least.

    We need to grow up...

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 08:15  

  • yacrik, if you chose to live in a cacoon, then no point in visiting this blog, or the internet for the matter...

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 08:20  

  • saurabh....are you sure you read them in the The Hindu?...I've been following it regularly...and anyways its arguably the most respected (and referred to) of all Indian media groups outside our shores.

    Anyways...as I said earlier, credit should be given where its due. The BCCI has lots of flaws, and is rightly flayed here (and elsewhere) for those reasons. We all read it, contribute to it. But I just wanted to catch a specific point (or points) where this particular criticism was wrong. I've written earlier also, that to me the test allocation seems rotational. Its not as if I'm questioning Berry's right to do so.

    To me it doesnt matter who's making the point, as long as the reason is correct.

    By Blogger worma, at 08:20  

  • Worma, I will try to dig out one of the article from the Hindu.

    Also, Berry's article is a load of crap! But somehow, one person's opinion turns towards the whole POM-Bashing thing (A bit like the anti-SG theme on this blog).

    Anway, why bother! Sachin is back. That's all that matters.

    Everything else is trivial. and the Scyd Berry's of this world don't exit....

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 08:25  

  • saurabh..while I agree that Berry's article is one person's opinion (although an article by a representative of a respected newspaper is not really just one person writing about anything, is it?)some the points he raised here are quite often raised by the visiting teams...that we prepare square turners..and chose venue to fit those advantage.

    I will wait for some more time...but am sure this bogey would again be raised for this Eng tour....about doctored pitches etc. And I dont see BCCI or even unofficial cricket related media/critics etc in India bowing to the Eng pressure and answering the way Pak admin did ("we will not prepare pitches to cheat")

    By Blogger worma, at 08:37  

  • yacrik, berry may be an idiot, but his opinion has been published in one of the leading English newspapers, hence it becomes important.

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 08:44  

  • saurabh...one additional point...we do know how Aus, Eng(to a lesser extent) etc..when they tour..they have the additional force of 'media' behind them....raising up storms...causing flutter in opposition camps. And this starts much before the actual tour starts (remember the Pak tour issues...how early they were raised)...so I believe the same would happen for the Indian tour.

    By Blogger worma, at 08:45  

  • yacrik, I agree with Shri. Besides, I have been living in the UK, and how Indian's are perceivced here is very important for me.

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 09:38  

  • amit..thx for reminding me on that. In the same vein..any idea why Lucknow was dropped off the test map...I do seem to remember it hosting a few test matches? (atleast one was Ind-WI in the Kambli come-back series)

    By Blogger worma, at 09:57  

  • Well Worma, next time you are in Lucknow, just walk around that Stadium. Its not worthy of a Ranji game, let alone a Test match...

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 10:00  

  • saurabh I know that part LOL :-)...but its partially due to cause and effect theory....its dilapidated because it doesnt host anything...

    anyways..not complaining...its a commutation nightmare when they host matches in such small congested locations (even in Kanpur)...and I am more likely to watch at Lords than Lucknow anyways ;-)

    tiger..Delhi hasn't hosted a test for a while...maybe there's a new pitch as well? And I dont want to judge by the ODI pitches...usually they are deliberately made flat..and anyways its difficult to exploit the spin in ODIs too much.

    By Blogger worma, at 10:09  

  • Its a pity that Gibbs doesnt tour India...his game is so well suited for our ODI tracks...and is one of the few entertaining cricketers in this SA lineup

    By Blogger worma, at 10:11  

  • Tiger, Delhi was dull in the 70's
    but of the last 8 games in Delhi, 7 have produced results (5 in favour of India), so its not exactly dull.

    Remember Kumble's perfect 10 against Pakistan?

    Ahmedabad is dull...

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 10:16  

  • Yes, Gibbs is great. I always feel he never lived up to his potential. a bit of a carefree attitude...

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 10:19  

  • so lets hope ECB raises a fuss over Ahmedabad...and it gets alloted to Kolkatta..or Chennai ;-)

    By Blogger worma, at 10:20  

  • but looking at these SA-Nz games makes me wonder...how well-oiled their machinery is for ODIs...so many direct hits(some of the variety that cause national holidays in India ;-)...runouts...singles right throughout the innings...never relying on boundaries...all chases done with perfection...hardly ever showing signs of nervousness. How very different is our style of playing...we can afford one or two such matches in a series(or a season)..the kind of matches they have almost throughout!

    Ofcourse this is not as interesting to watch....and ODI cricket is more about entertainment than just results...but still I can see why they are so high in their rankings...and its actually suprising if we are able to match them, suddenly, over a period of time...as we did in the WC

    By Blogger worma, at 10:25  

  • kemp is good...

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 10:30  

  • good move by NZ. Bond-Vettori-Bond for the last 3 overs.

    But bond's gone for a few, so lets see...

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 10:33  

  • yeah...Bond is looking pretty ordinary today...

    By Blogger worma, at 10:35  

  • 17 of 12.

    If SA win, it will be 15 out of 16 wins (I washed out due to rain). Now that is some form...

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 10:37  

  • 12 off 9 balls is still not easy...with Bond to go

    By Blogger worma, at 10:38  

  • well Tiger, this ones not over yet...

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 10:39  

  • yes and if Ind beat SL in the series...that would make the battle with SA even more interesting.

    By Blogger worma, at 10:40  

  • 9 runs in last over.

    I go for the Kiwis at this stage...

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 10:40  

  • WOW!..Kemp is doing a Klusener....over the entire series

    By Blogger worma, at 10:41  

  • actually, just changed my mind :-)

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 10:42  

  • Kemp is destructive. I saw him dismantle England earlier this year. Absolutely awesome...

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 10:43  

  • SA is already number 2 on the list as per latest rankings

    SL is down to number 3 and may go below NZ ... Our chances of going up look good after good performances against SL and hopefully SA

    By Blogger Amit, at 10:45  

  • why do I get the feeling that not many in this SA team are actually fond of Smith??....each time there is a celebration..or a huddle etc...I get this feeling

    By Blogger worma, at 10:45  

  • worma -- i think u are imagining --- people thought the same --- outside india - --- about team not happy with SG during our hay days.... but that was not true ...

    I think Smith is a good captain for the team ..... not good for others ... but who cares

    By Blogger Amit, at 10:46  

  • I am sure NZ miss Gavin Larson ,,,, that man could bowl a maiden in the last over if required

    By Blogger Amit, at 10:47  

  • amit....just from watching the body language of the players...when they rejoice...huddle etc...not really charged up interaction with Smith..even when they are hugging each other. OK I may be imagining things....but this is what I saw atleast twice today.

    By Blogger worma, at 10:48  

  • Or even Chris cairns --- a bit more reliable --- not as much as Gavin Larson though

    By Blogger Amit, at 10:48  

  • You "may" be right ... coz I am not watching ... but i hope that is not the case ... he is good ... not the best ... but good ... i would love to see him mature into a good leader ... he has the age to mature more ...

    By Blogger Amit, at 10:49  

  • yeah but Cairns is in really poor form...

    By Blogger worma, at 10:50  

  • I know --- right now ... he is but he was good some time ago ... really reliable .

    By Blogger Amit, at 10:51  

  • Some competetive cricket between these two teams thought eh score is 3-0 but the matches were worth their time .
    Dotn expect tonights match to be competetive though..:)

    By Blogger Pankaj Tripathi, at 10:51  

  • yeah he's been a good captain for SA...don't know about popularity...but anyway at the time when he got the charge, being popular may not have been high on agenda.

    By Blogger worma, at 10:51  

  • I think today's game in Jaipur will be fun actually .... SL is bound to come back heavily and I am PRETTY sure that India is not AT ALL complacent ... RD anf GC will not let them be complacent at all...

    By Blogger Amit, at 10:52  

  • I am not a AA fan as scuh ... but ti think people are a bit unfair to him ... his place in the team and his role in the team is well defined and hence GC too is sticking with him ... when SRT was capatain people said -- SRT is biased ... then SG was biased ... now RD is biased .. Wright was biased ... Wadekar was biased .. GC is biased ... why do all these cricketing brains think that AA deserves a place in the team ,,, got to be a reason

    By Blogger Amit, at 10:55  

  • cricktip...I agree with one partcular aspect of your complaint...that many people don't look closely at what happens outside the Indian cricket scene...and thus the perspective is not well rounded. For example...people often have this common complain that India creates winners out of oridnary players. While their are enough examples of this phenomenon happening against other(better) teams we well.

    Anyways...about Bond...well he's a very good bowler (irrespective of what happens in this match..or the previous one, or the next one) going by what we 'see' off him...on the screen. I dont really want to judge someone just by stats.

    And I dont want to go into AA issue now, although I did express my opinions quite clearly on this, before this line of discussion went the 'SG route' :-)

    By Blogger worma, at 11:01  

  • Dear Ramshorns, it is futile to argue with people who have their heads stuck up their arses where they cannot hear the sweet strains of logic and intelligence.

    But do tell me how you got your horns inside, and do the horns hurt?

    By Blogger i, at 11:53  

  • I am not an Agarkar fan and he has to go in my opinion. This will be his last series if he does not perform. The fact of the matter is that RD, SRT, GC and even SG have at some point in time mentioned that Agarkar is a "find" and "match winner". We are all still waiting...

    Maybe GC and RD are working on changing his loser Manrekar-Vengsarkar type attitude and approach. And yes, please do not put him in the same league as Bond or anyone. Agarkar is alone in his "underperforming category" . Most of his wickets have been meaningless wickets in the death (one wicket, a four, a six, one wicket, a four, a four)

    By Blogger RandomThoughts, at 12:24  

  • what is wrong in persisting with agarkar ? he is no worse than most others. at least he is not lazy and complacent like zaheer or a terrible fielder who keeps daydreaming like nehra. if agarkar is given confidence and a long run he can do well in ODIs. in fact hw bowled quite well in the game in Mohali

    By Blogger Gaurav, at 13:25  

  • surprised to see that mr. berry thinks the wankhede isnt a major test venue!

    By Blogger Soultan of Swing, at 13:44  

  • Back to the Agarkar issue. I think we all agree (at least most of us)that he does not deserve a place in the team. I do believe that this series is a make or break for him (whether or not SRT supports him). I think Dravid has a role to play in this as well since he is an Agarkar believer.

    What happenned to Balaji - I am not fully aware of any issues with regard to his attitude or laziness etc. All I remember that he had a few bad games against Pakistan especially when Afridi was blazing. I like Balaji - he is positive, wants to win and has the skill. He seems to have pissed off somebody in the "circle of trust".

    By Blogger RandomThoughts, at 16:46  

  • i am just in ..anything special ? !!!..hopefully we will have a separate open thread for the game

    By Blogger Pankaj Tripathi, at 18:09  

  • This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    By Blogger Pankaj Tripathi, at 18:11  

  • This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    By Blogger Pankaj Tripathi, at 18:11  

  • thats right maher. you can call it per match as well

    By Blogger Pankaj Tripathi, at 18:14  

  • maher pass on your email. wil send you details . not alot of people are happy to discuss this kind of stuff here .

    By Blogger Pankaj Tripathi, at 18:14  

  • please find a mail in your inbox..

    By Blogger Pankaj Tripathi, at 18:22  

  • any news on team ??
    BBC suggests some changes in tonights game ..

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/4390590.stm

    By Blogger Pankaj Tripathi, at 21:56  

  • SL bat first, winning toss

    By Blogger krishjapan, at 22:08  

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