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Sight Screen

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Meanwhile, on the field(-worma)

Eng are not doing very well. Their batting lineup has collapsed for a second time. And this against an attack which doesn't have a single candidate in contention(atleast in the immediate term) for a test spot. Not good signs for Eng, although these are early days. And its understandable of the tourists to take time to adjust to the vastly different conditions (Giles already has an upset tummy, Vaughan an ear infection). And this is anyway Eng A team, since Flintoff is missing ;-) (credit: Saurabh)

All their fringe bowlers did well, and the Patron's XI lineup does have Hameed and Kamal. Udal took 3 wkts, so did Anderson (and they probably fight for a single place).

Meanwhile, Woolmer says they won't influence the pitch preparation.
The truth is that we can talk to the groundsmen and tell them what sort of pitches we would like but we can't tell them what to prepare. It is their decision.
But, I wonder, why would the groundsmen not accede to such 'requests'? Woolmer also promises to give the openers a longer run, after trying out 9 combinations in past ten matches. Which means we would probably see Shoaib Malik making an extended effort to seal that opener's slot. Good for Pak team balance, if he manages that. They can then think of playing a specialist batsman instead of Afridi/Razzaq in certain cases.

And in passing, Hussey's all set to make his debut for Aus as Hayden's new opening partner. I wonder what would happen if he does well in this one-match opportunity he's got. Would be difficult to get Hayden-Langer combo back again, no?

update: Nice article in Observer by Osman Samiuddin on Pakistan's progress(as well as a status-quo) under Woolmer.

12 Comments:

  • An ADD on :
    Welcome to the subcontinent !

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/4361354.stm

    By Blogger Pankaj Tripathi, at 08:37  

  • pankaj, I took the Gatting quote, in my previous post, from this article only ;-) Although didn't provide the link. BBC is doing nice basic cricketing lessons about all aspects of the game since the Ashes. Nice for promoting the game to newcomers

    By Blogger worma, at 08:40  

  • This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    By Blogger Pankaj Tripathi, at 08:50  

  • I started reading from top :)

    By Blogger Pankaj Tripathi, at 08:51  

  • sahir, I did notice unusual number of bowled in Eng innings..and now that you mentioned, realised all but one in the name of Arafat. Must be the case of reverse swing, as you said. And also of rusty, un-accustomed batting by Eng lineup. I've been hearing his name for a while now. Not sure whats his speciality..I mean pace or swing etc?

    By Blogger worma, at 09:05  

  • sahir, ofcourse that is a well documented debate, India not producing fast bowlers. And of all the reaons given, as you rightly said, the meat-eating thing seems to me to be the smallest factor. Other being that we didnt have enough role models to emulate...never had encouragement through board, pitches, local associations, or even heroes (like Imran or Sarfaraz etc did for Pak)...also the less importance given to bowling right from galli cricket (thats also related to not having enough heroes)...or even the absence of factors like tapeball cricket which make local matches more balanced towards bowling aspirants. And you're right, we've had enough 6'4 kind of 'people'...just not enough bowling aspirants. Btw...I think its slowly changing, no? VRV is from Punjab...haven't seen his built...but anyways he's fast.

    About Hussey...well if we scores big, then what do you do? Even if Katich fails in this first test, would they throw him out just after one match? Then they might as well have done that after the Ashes, no? Quite unlike Aus selectors to do that. Thats why I thought it would be an interesting dilemma. I don't know the answer, but I have a feeling that Hayden may not have as much shelf-life left as many would think. Anyway...that was just a passing thought

    By Blogger worma, at 09:47  

  • This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    By Blogger Gopal Bhagavatula, at 10:03  

  • sahir & worma - I feel this test is a "interview" for Hussey to take Haydo's spot when (and not if) Matty is forced to give up his spot. I get this feeling because Matty is running his mouth suddenly about form etc. Its usually a sign that he is one his way out when player feel like he has to bolster his play with words about his play.

    By Blogger Gopal Bhagavatula, at 10:04  

  • sahir...have you played galli cricket? How much was the game 'encouraging' fast bowlers (or bowlers at all)? How many players did you see more interested in bowling rather than batting?

    By Blogger worma, at 11:11  

  • from what I read...youngsters is Pak were also interested in bowling..ofcourse batting remains a priority with majority...as you found out. And tape ball also helped.

    By Blogger worma, at 12:16  

  • Yasir Arafat is an all rounder! He's been playing for Scotland as an overseas pro for at least 2 seasons now if I'm not wrong, and I like to think of him as a very viable replacement for Abdul Razzaq in future years. His batting is not as strong as Razzaq's (he doesn't have the same amount of power) but he's useful lower down the order, and his bowling is very lively. Decent hair cut as well. I've got loads of time for him.

    ps: early days as yet, but this start from the English certainly is encouraging!

    By Blogger Unknown, at 23:14  

  • zainub...whats with the haircut, mate?...making 'fun' of some other famous haircut in the team..ehh? ;-)

    By Blogger worma, at 03:05  

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