The charade continues (-worma)

Justin Langer thinks that Warne has a 'great' appeal...one which reflects his passion for the game. Well...then ICC needs to make a passion-o-meter for excessive-appeal offenders then....I guess?

"He thinks it out and he gives it a big appeal. To me that's just part of the game, part of the great theatre of the great Shane Warne.

"Yes he's putting pressure on the umpires but to me ... they think it's out and they appeal accordingly."

I think Langer missed an ICC rule-book gift this christmas. Wonder if he has time, what with all the injuries, to look it up on the net?..its the rule about excessive appealing, just for reference Justin. And what's this about 'they think it's out'? Oh I get it...they're the Aussies...we should take their word for it, right? What if the umpire gives it not-out (as Roebuck points out in his column..link later)...I hope then he would be ok with penalizing of the 'same' players for over-appealing

And about the similarity with subcontinent situation he says

"In the past we've been critical of over-appealing on the subcontinent but if you look at it, that's almost the nature of the game in those circumstances," said Langer, who is set to return from a hamstring injury for Monday's third and final Test in Sydney.

"There are people around the bat, there's a lot of action, particularly when you've got class bowlers.

"India have (Anil) Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, here we have Warnie and (Stuart) MacGill.

Well...the same Indian team has been punished for over-appealing in the past (and not a gentle 'ohh it would be good if he refrained' by the referee). Also, the same SA team played in India recently (tests and later ODIs as well) without similar charges coming up? Its not as if they were steam-rolling us anyway so didn't find it necessary to complain.

Peter Roebuck, in his latest column, has this to say of the issue

Previously stoic in his rejection of unduly long appeals, Rauf finally wilted and sent Ashwell Prince on his way, though the gritty left-hander had clearly missed the ball. All summer the Australians has been over-appealing but the match referees had refused to protect their umpires. It's about time they earned their keep.

Well put. It's about time the official-dome decided that the Aussies are not above the law.

Khan reloaded (-worma)

Zaheer, as we know, has been working hard on regaining his peak form which, at the time of his debut, made him one of the most exciting bowlers to watch on the international circuit.

Baroda and West Zone coach Balwinder Sandhu speaks about the new (or regained) Zaheer that we now see slicing through all batting lineups this domestic season.

"Zaheer has shortened his run-up. He feels very comfortable and is accurate. He is able to swing both ways and is effective while bowling round the wicket. Now he bursts towards the bowling crease and his action is behind the ball. Right through the season, he has surprised batsmen with short balls and movement. Well, one cannot expect him to bowl consistently at 145 plus. I have videographed his bowling and have found out that he achieves good pace while in his rhythm."

Here's to hoping we get to see atleast a good glimpse of the Zaheer of old...the one who announced his arrival by clean-bowling the great Waugh at Nairobi.

Move over, India and Dada, here comes Sri Lanka

We are yet to recover from the unfinished business of Chappel-Ganguly when Sri Lanka drops, in all probability, the last bombshell of 2005. Rumours in Sri Lankan cricket circles suggest, among other things, that Vaas was perfectly alright when he cited injury before the third test. Now, haven't we heard that before?

The India-tour reports (ODI and test) have three significant parts all of which are potential scandals:

• Vaas, who was elevated to vice captain met with fierce opposition from two or three seniors in the side. When he had to take charge for the injured Attapattu (sprained ankle in the first test), the obvious jealousy and envy bubbled over. As is the case with our own l'Affair Ganguly, the coach has a big role to play too. Moody is rumoured to have got Vaas the plum position, as repayment for getting him the coach's job. Little details such as Vaas and Moody sharing a common dressing room at Worcestershire have suddenly emerged out of nowhere. Now, none of us know if Vaas was frustrated at these politics or whether it was to throw his weight around that he decided to do this,. In either case, it doesnt augur well for Sri Lankan cricket that their leading bowler plays lead role in a controversy of this nature.
  

• If that wasn't enough, Jayasurya is accused of hiding his injury so that he could be a part of the higher paying ODI series than rest and come back for the test series. Once again, when a selector suggests that a senior player suffers from poor form, there's more to it than meets the eye. If Jayasurya is indeed guilty of this, then he deserved to be out of the test team, perhaps for a longer period.
  

• And finally, the ICC will receive video footage of decisions that Taufel and Ghauri made in the second and third tests, decisions which seemed to go in favour of the Indians. Tendulkar allegedly got the benefit of doubt on three occasions before he reached 40, on his way to the record-breaking 35th ton. Laxman, it seems, is another person who enjoyed the umpires' alleged incompetency. I hope that the footage also contains the two Tendulkar lbws which might, as well have gone the other way. A case of sour grapes?

I was advised that a beer in the morning is good to get rid of my hangover from last week's Christmas. I dont know if it is that or the extra spiked egg nog which leads me to this but didnt Sri Lanka have a gem of an umpire called Asoka De Silva? And K T Francis? Were Taufel and Ghauri as bad? Apart from the many debatable decisions that these two have handed out, I have this lasting memory of KT Francis's contribution in a Rahul Dravid dismissal. Dravid was judged to be run out when Tendulkar's straight drive crashed into the stumps at the bowler's end. Of course, the umpire didnt find it relevant that the bowler hadn't even appealed for the run out (meaning he may not have touched the ball on its way). Was it this match where we nearly chased 302? In which case, was it the same match where Jadeja was given caught off a beamer at a crucial junture.

Maybe, these Sri Lankan matters will prove a welcome distraction for us and we'll let Ganguly and Chappel do what they do best, help India on its way to cricketing excellence But knowing myself as well as the rest of my country's cricket fans, I doubt it.

Wishes for the New Year
In any case, 2005 was a decent year for cricket. I can proudly say that I adjusted my work hours well enough to watch almost every single one of the Ashes days. Indian cricket didn't reach the heights that we all expected it to. And it very nearly reached the depths that we thought it had left forever. Lets hope that 2006 produces our very own Ashes and the India Pakistan series produces cricket that thrills. There's a lot more to look forward to in the coming year. Apart from our clash with the neighbours, there's England coming home, India touring South Africa and England playing in Australia, three series which could redefine the pecking order in test cricket. Here's to a wonderful 2006, a year where cricket on the field occupies all the headlines..

PS: A personal thanks to Prem as well as all of the guys who visit and form a part of this blog and the DG. Its been a pleasure to associate with people of such cricketing knowledge. Thanks for bearing with whatever was my input, I have enjoyed every second I spent here and I hope there are many more memorable discussions and heated debates that have become an inseparable part of SightScreen.

India's quick bowlers

There has been, on the DG, on repeated occassions, debate on why there have been no genuinely fast bowlers coming out of India over the past couple of decades.
I had mailed Prem asking him for his opinion on this, and here is what he said --

Sometime in 1972, our school came up with a quintessential quick bowler. He was then in the 9th standard, and already six feet tall, very lithe, real quick (I know, he was my classmate, and the one I had to practice against).
That year, we played as I recall some 8 matches to win the inter-school cricket competition – for the 7th year running. What I remember most about that period is that at no time did our winning margin fall below the 150-run mark – and mostly, they were built on his efforts with the ball.
We used to open the batting together, too. In 1973, in one match early in the season, while running between wickets he pulled his groin muscle. It was, he said, a mild twinge, he didn’t though want to bowl and put more strain on it. So he decided – he was leading the side that year – to keep wickets.
He wasn’t the most classical of keepers, but he had this long reach – and in that game, snaffled a couple catches simply through reflexes and that reach. Our coach at the time was S Venkatraghavan – who, after the game, took him aside and talked to him of how there was no future in being a fast bowler; that if he turned his attention to keeping, he could conceivably represent India.
From that day on, he kept – and went on actually to play for India at the international level as a wicket keeper. That is the story of Bharat Reddy; it is also the story of how during the 70s and the 80s, your best friends tried to warn you AWAY from fast bowling, as being an essentially thankless job.
How would the country produce fast bowlers, given this? I think in fact that it has only been in the mid- or late-90s that seam bowlers have been accorded some glamour, some respect (a stray Kapil notwithstanding); and that in turn is reflected in the increasing number of youngsters taking to bowling quick.
It’s been just about 8, 10 years in total, and already we have more seam bowlers who can conceivably do international duty than we had in the previous two decades – so my take would be, the trend will keep up and as more players take to bowling fast at an earlier age, you will begin producing genuine quicks.
Genetics is a convenient answer, but somehow, a highly suspect one in my book. It’s a bit like, we are genetically incapable of top flight gymnastics – and yet a Mohini Bharadwaj can lead the US to a team title? She was born and raised here but her genes are all Indian; her parents were émigrés.
I honestly believe that training and opportunity is what we have lacked.

If wishes were horses, Part 2

Following Prem's post on cricketing wishes for 2006, a thread was launched on the DG for readers to contribute.

Here are some of the contributions:

Toney

Let me be very selfish in this regard
I want India to win the test and ODI series against Pak and Eng. I dont mind if the Pak series is a close affair, I want our guys to flatten whatever is left of Vasughan's men. Am I asking for too much?

fineleg

It is about Use appropriate Technology for Umpiring in Cricket
Too many times, it is highly irritating to say the least, when viewers can clearly call something as Out or Not-out based on action replays and angles, but the umpires do not have access to these. I wish Technology can play a more comprehensive role in Umpiring decisions - this is one of my New Year wishes.

aviral

India to win their next three test series against Pakistan, England and West Indies. I will gladly trade any amount of success in one day cricket for victory in the longer format of the game.
Tendulkar to throw caution to the wind and bat with the verve and adventure of yesteryear...
The BBCI to walk the talk and put in place the infrastructure that enables Indian cricket to be successful because rather than despite the system.

openforum

Tondulkar makin a debut at 16 and play like tendulkar did for india....

esvee

India team having two fast bowlers who can consistently bowl in the 150kmph range, by the end of the year 2006.

Thats it for now. As and when more people post, will add those in a new post. That would be on Monday or Tuesday.

The Aussie appeal (-worma)

The issue of Aussie's putting pressure on umpires by their over(zealous)-appealing is not new. For example, it was raised during the recently concluded WI series, and I also commented on it here.

Although this time around, SA coach Arthur agrees that it didn't result in wrong decisions, but that, in my opinion, is missing the picture. While all agree that its putting undue pressure on the umpire, its basically leaving it to the human reaction of the official in question. This is what match-referee Chris Broad had to say about it

"There's got to be that competitive edge but there is a line that they cannot cross," Broad told reporters today at the MCG.

"But according to the umpires they haven't crossed it so I'm happy with that.

"I look at it probably from a television point of view and yes ideally it would be nice if it was toned down a little bit."

And it was even brought into focus during the match, when Rauf warned Warne

Broad defended inexperienced Pakistan umpire Asad Rauf, who warned Warne for over-appealing during the match.

And suddenly, the question popping in my mind is that why is it that all these officials are so umm...unofficial in their approach with the Aussies. What's this chatting and warning and "oh it would be nice if they toned it down...but then..." approach?

I don't seem to remember such friendly 'suggestions' coming the way of Indian players in SA...when they were punished en masse for overappealing.

Ohh well...lets sit back and admire the mighty Aussies....they're so darned good...what to do.

Asked if Australia was the "best" team in the game for over-appealing, Broad said: "They are the No.1 side in the world. They seem to be best at most things these days."

You're the best (-worma)

Danish Kaneria says that spinners around the world need to be encouraged and even pampered to keep them motivated

"A spinner needs to be constantly told that he is the best. He has to be pampered and reminded that he is the match-winner. A good bowling effort automatically follows,"

And Warne would surely agree with that.

Meanwhile, our own spin spine Bhajji remains quietly confident of doing well despite no-one really pampering him with the best tag. I guess its about realizing one's role in the team.

On a separate note, this small article reveals that SG, just like SRT, is also preparing specially for the Pak pace attack by practicing with a new stance and a lighter bat.

Aussie verdict (-worma)

So after Aus completed the formalities of the win today, both Ponting and Smith agreed that Hussey's ton in first innings was what made the difference. So, essentially, the chance dropped by Nel when Hussey was at 27 sealed the match.

Although I think restricting Aus to 355 should still have been considered decent work by SA bowlers (agreed that it could have been better) and it was essentially the SA batsmen who let them down, and not for the first time in this series. Poor scores by Smith and Kallis, their two linchpins of attack and defense (along with Gibbs) are hurting their chances badly.

Ponting was also 'quick' to praise Symonds' contribution in the match

"It's great to see Andrew do well," said Ponting. "He's a winner in both forms of the game.

"We should not underestimate what Andrew did with the ball in their first innings.

"He got those three wickets when South Africa were looking pretty good and he turned the game.

"Then his knock allowed us to get out there a bit earlier and have a good crack at them."

How to play (-worma)

Sorry, couldn't resist that one....but the story is that Fleming is going to miss the first ODI against SL, and his replacement in the starting XI can be Jamie How, despite Astle being recalled as cover (after being dropped from the original squad). Could foresee many such 'entertaining' headlines in coming times ('how to bat', 'how to open', 'Vaas bowled well, and how' as samples?)

And NewZealand, as many of us would recall, chased down 331 against Australia in their last ODI. Although this is a significantly different squad with Fleming, Astle, McMillan and Adams missing from the team due to various reasons. Still their recent good show against Aus coupled with SL's poor record overseas can mean a very tough challenge ahead for SL.

The perils of silence

Five and a half years back, in April 2000, under pressure after the match fixing scandal broke to clean up its act, the BCCI had produced a document which was termed a code of conduct for players.

A day after it was released, Prem had done an analysis of it on Rediff, and had ripped it to shreds very systematically (as it deserved to be). He had also, in that article, made a crucial point: that it was important for the players to speak out against this, because if they didnt, as Harsha Bhogle said, they would only be asking for more trouble as time went on.

Injustice tends feeds on itself.

Five and a half years down the line, and in the midst of all this drama over Saurav Ganguly, maybe the same principle is at work, albeit differently.

Never mind the "opinions", the tag of "greatest ever captain" or even the cliched "prepare for the future, for the 2007 WC". People will believe what they want to believe, based on their perceptions and their notions.

The least that can be done in this case, is to make sure that all the facts that are known. If, after that, some choose to believe a wrong decision has been made, that injustice has been done, and it can only be set right by holding dharnas, burning effigies, and staging mock funerals, then so be it. A free country has to afford its citizens that right.

In this whole mess, have we even heard from, or tried to hear or ask, the people who really matter, whose knowledge and opinions will lead to justice being dealt to everyone? John Wright, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid? Why havent they spoken? Or for that matter, even Saurav Ganguly?

Every other Tom, Dick and Harry has spoken, given his opinion on how SG needs to regain form, what he should do to get his place back in the side, on what ails Team India and so forth. Yet, the people who matter, at the very center of this controversy, have chosen to remain silent.

And have thus taken this far, far beyond what it should have been. With their silence, the rumor mills have worked overtime, and everybody with a personal agenda has jumped in to exploit this mess. Forget politicans and actors in India, Graeme Smith used it to whatever extent he could during the recent ODI series, and now all of Pakistan is trying their best to use it to play mind games too.

This is not to blame Ganguly or Dravid or Wright or Tendulkar. It is a pretty damning indictment of the "system" that Indian cricket is, that insecurity is rife everywhere, and no one dares to speak out.

Yet, essentially, if we stop and think, we might want to consider the fact that it is precisely that tendency, to remain silent, that often leads to crises happening, and controversies existing when they had no right to exist in the first place.

With all due respect to Harsha Bhogle and Sanjay Manjrekar, this is not about "Old India vs New India" or "excellence vs compromise". It is about creating a system where the truth can be aired freely and the people who succeed are those who voice their opinions and the system permits them to do so.

DG post on Saurav Ganguly

Reader tffy pointed to this article, by Abhinav Goyal on his blog, about SG. Thought provoking, and worth a read.

On why Sourav Ganguly's exclusion is not a trivial matter
Abhinav Goyal


There are those who contend that the entire debate over Sourav Ganguly is a waste of time. I disagree. The debate over Ganguly's fate is a critical question of the current times even though it appears to be a trivial matter on the face of it.

Cricket, the oft-repeated cliché goes, is a religion in India. In the face of poor infrastructure, bad roads, unhygienic water supplies, electricity blackouts, public transport vehicles that hardly ever run on time and ever so often crash, corruption in anything remotely connected to the government machinery- legislative, executive and judiciary, a nonchalant fourth estate that pays more attention to Karishma Kapoor's wedding and her legal battle with her spouse than it does to actual matters to public interest and the growing economic divide in society, Indians find their hope and their despair in the performances of the Indian cricket team. So it is that cricketers, especially those who give the Indian public something to rejoice about, are Gods in India.

And Ganguly is way up there in the pantheon. India's most successful test captain ever. The Prince of Calcutta who was once described by Rahul Dravid as being second to none but God while playing on the off-side, Sourav won over Indian hearts the world over by hitting a century on his Test debut at Lords. Since then, he has given us many, many moments to cherish and relive but the defining moment of Sourav's career came six years after his debut at, coincidentally, the same venue- the home of cricket- Lords.

The image of Sourav taking off his shirt and waving it above his head when India beat England in the finals of the Natwest Trophy became the symbol of not just Indian cricket but of a brave, new and resurgent India in the 21st century. Sourav epitomized a new generation of India, one that was unapologetic for its colonial history and was not afraid to fight to the face the world outside. Bold. Bare-chested. Under Sourav, the Indian cricket team, once a team of chokers and under-achievers, transformed into a team of fighters that on several occasions snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. He was the Indian captain who would take the fight to the opponent on their turf. In a mirror action to the rapid strides India was making on the global stage in the IT and ITES industry segments, Sourav and his boys inspired us all to dream big. A dream they delivered upon time and again, reaching the acme during the tour of Pakistan in 2004. My father may not be a great fan of cricket but one could see the pride (and joy) in his face when India beat Pakistan in Pakistan. Joy felt and shared by every Indian.

After the series in Pakistan, it was time to consolidate upon the platform created and to take Indian cricket to the next level. A level where performances were the only criteria for selection and prima donnas were disallowed for the one thing Team India lacked was consistency. If not, the momentum built up by the team would be lost and a whole lot of hard work would go down the drain. The problem was this- Ganguly the batsman had long vanished in a heap of paltry performances. In order to set a high benchmark, he would have to walk down that path himself and that was not visible anymore. A year later, it was clear that Ganguly was just not the right person for the job. He knew it. He also knew he could get away with it as long as Indian cricket was run by his godfather, Jagmohan Dalmiya and he used it to his advantage. By doing so, Ganguly transformed into a symbol of past glory. A has-been. A mascot for people who are unable to keep pace with the world and who blindfold themselves so that they dont have to face changing times, assuming that their past deeds would be sufficient to carry them through.

Ganguly was a God in India. A God that failed.

There is no denying Ganguly's legacy and his contribution to Indian cricket. There are many moments of joy that Sourav Ganguly has provided us for which we should be, and are, grateful. Do those moments, and the man who made those moments possible, merit a place in the Indian cricket team?

What makes the question of Ganguly's inclusion in the team such an important question is that it asks the bigger question that India has now, inadvertently, been called to answer. It is a choice between past glory and continuous improvement. Between emotion and merit. And India has to answer. If it chooses emotion and past glory and asks for the reinstatement of Ganguly to the team based on the past, India can go back to its unquestioning, uncomplaining life accepting all its problems and cricket as its escape from those problems.

If, instead, it chooses to take a step forward to a system where merit and performance are not optional, it will have to answer even bigger questions. Why doesn't the same apply to every sphere of our life? Why do we accept corrupt politicians and a highly dysfunctional government machinery? When India dismisses the Bengali sentiment running high in Ganguly's favour as blind emotion, it will need to answer why it votes on the basis of language, caste, creed and religion. When it demands to know the credentials of the five selectors who choose the Indian cricket team, why doesn't India ask for the qualifications and the bonafides of its elected representatives who make decisions on its behalf- decisions that affect its daily life.

And this is why the media (for whatever reasons- TRPs, pressure from Ganguly's sponsors whose crores of Rupees are now effectively down the drain, etc) must continue to ask the question each and every day till India knows, for sure, the choice it wants to make. A choice we all have to make for India. Of a secure, known past or an exciting, potentially promising future. India, Deal Ya No Deal?

Cricket at 70?

Just read this article that Prem had linked to, on the orthopaedic association conference, and Sachin's injury.

What I found bemusing was the very last line:

Dr Hoy feels that as long as the rehabilitation of a player is good, age is never really a factor.

"Age is never a factor. A sportsman usually stops playing because he is just bored. I mean, Tendulkar could play till he is 70 if he wants to," said Dr Hoy.

Surely not true in sports which require skills such as strong eyesight, hand-eye coordination, and quick reflexes, such as cricket? Those sort of skills do weaken with age (although to what extent is not entirely known).

I suppose Stephen Redgrave is a good example, he did win medals at the age of 40, and that too with health problems, but even then, that was in an endurance based sport, rather than a skill centric one.

Younis Khan - Cautiously Optimistic

Younis Khan in this article has tipped Danish Kaneria to be the trump card in the forthcoming Test series against India. "He is the best leg-spinner in the world today after Shane Warne. I think Kaneria gives us the edge," he said.

I just hope that articles like these do not put Danish under too much pressure.

Younis also backed the inclusion of Ganguly in the team. He was of the opinion that Ganguly's experience might come in handy specially in pressure situtaions. "I think Ganguly is a terrific player. India won a lot of matches under his captaincy, which can never be overlooked. His return will surely add experience to the team," he said.

But it is current skipper Rahul Dravid, whose wicket will be most highly prized by Pakistan's bowlers, according to Younis.

I have been closely watching Pakistan since the last few months (Pakistan in India, Pakistan in West Indies and England in Pakistan series thanks to Dish Network). I do believe that there is a definite change in the Pakistan camp. They look like a very united unit (reminded of the times how they used to play under Imran Khan), they now play with a plan in mind! (thanks to Bobby) and are backing each other.

I personally know someone in the present Pakistani team, I was talking to him on the phone the other day and he was telling me how Shoaib has all of sudden become a team man. According to the player, Shoaib actually joins the team for morning prayers !! Now those of you who know Shoaib and his social activities this is breaking news...

Anyways, I feel it is going to be one heck of a series as both the teams have done fairly well in the recent past.

Sachin on Imran (-worma)

Unlike the headline in this report, Sachin doesn't actually trash Imran's 'boast'...just emphasizes that most players in today's world are used to playing in different conditions.

And it's not as if the winters in Pakistan are much different from northern India where we do play often during our season (Kanpur, Delhi, Mohali can get as cold as Lahore I guess?)

Actually the main reason for linking to the article is that its the only known instance in history of mankind that Finland (or Finnish) and 'cricket' have been mentioned in the same report :-)

Mushy role (-worma)

Mushtaq Ahmed can be appointed assistant coach of Pakistan team, as this report suggests. He took up the role, despite being a contender for an actual spot in the playing XI, during the English series. And it seems that the team management was impressed. Not the same with some other board members. According to them Woolmer should be able to take care of any job with the word 'coaching' in its definition.

He also maintained that not everyone in the board or the ad-hoc committee was in favour of appointing an assistant coach with the team as they felt that this post was not really necessary in the presence of a well paid and full-time professional coach in Woolmer. "The coach is someone who should be able to manage everything," the source said.

It's always a similar story around here, atleast with some people, isn't it? Resisting changes...even the ones which all around us are quickly adopting (notice the quick assessment of bowling coach needs in Aus and equally quick pinching of Cooley from England)

Next please (-worma)

This Aussie-SA match is way too much on the post-Ashes predictable lines. Aus batting messes up...bowlers (Warne, Lee mainly) come to the rescue...then Aussie batting recovers a bit second time around (well if you get a first innings lead, and have Warne, McGill waiting you don't need too many runs to defend) and then the bowling turns on the screws. Again.

Symonds finally gets some diamond-studded runs to his name, although this would just be enough to buy him a bit more time, not really remove the shadows of doubts. Taking a few wickets is not actually hurting his cause either.

SA batting has been really disappointing (not that they could have chased 300+ against Warne and co.) with their captain leading the way.

Another case of a good team meeting the best in business, and failing. Just not good enough.

Pakistan's point of view on "Sight Screen"

Hi Readers:

I have been a regular listener of "Panix Station" on Rediff and I have always enjoyed Prem's expert opinion on cricketing matters. To my surprise and for some strange reason "Panix Station" stopped featuring on Rediff. Being a fan of Prem and Panix Station, I followed him to his Blog "Sight Screen".

However, during the last Pakistan - India series on Panix Station and now on Sight Screen, I felt that the discussions lack the "Pakistani Perspective". I thought that Prem should have had someone from Pakistan on his blog to discuss/comment from Pakistan's point of view as well. Also, someone with a little more insight on Pakistan cricket, its domestic cricket structure and upcoming players will not only add value to the blog but will also make discussions much more interesting. I pitched the idea to Prem and he was kind enough to make me a part of his Blog. I am really thankful to him for giving me the opportunity. So from now onwards once in a while you will see some interesting articles/opinion from me.

I have infinite passion for cricket (which by the way is not rare to find in our parts of the world). In my first post, I would like to tell you a little more about myself:

My High School Years: I went to Aitchison College Lahore. If you haven’t heard about Aitchison, it is one of the best institutions in Asia established by the British in 1886. It is the same high school that produced some of the best cricketers in the world (Majid Khan, Imran Khan and Rameez Raja to name a few). I was lucky enough to be selected in Aitchison College’s cricket team.

My College/University Years: My father persuaded/convinced/forced (whatever you want to assume/conclude) me to realize that out of a population of 140 million it would be extremely difficult, in fact impossible for me to make it to the Pakistan Cricket Team. So instead of going for trials of Pakistan under 18 (for which I was selected from my high school) I ended up at the University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore. Still not willing to let go of cricket, I played for my University as well. I ended up with a degree in Electrical Engineering and Business Administration.

My Professional Career: I was never a fan of Engineering so I started my professional career as a banker and started working for Abn Amro Bank. Abn Amro ironically happens to be the sponsor of domestic cricket in Pakistan. I could still not let go of cricket and while at Abn I was a regular member of Abn Amro Cricket Team. I worked there for two years in Corporate Banking and then decided to move to the USA to get my MBA.

While in Pakistan, I played active club cricket all along.

Vermont, USA: I got a scholarship from UVM (University of Vermont) and thus decided to do my MBA from here. After completing my MBA I got a job at KPMG LLP and since then have been working here. I still play cricket for a local club here (Chittenden County Cricket Club) and open the bowling attack for this club.

Once in a while you will see my analyses, articles and comments from a slightly different angle - from "A Pakistani Perspective"

Thanks again Prem....

Train to Pakistan

There have been enquiries,both on blog and the DG, about visas and travel arrangements for the Pakistan tour.

Well, more information can be found here on Amit Varma's blog. He will be covering the tour, and his email address is mentioned there as well.

Pot, kettle, black (-worma)

Waqar tries mindgames before the Indian series, or atleast his version of it, by taking a ill-conceived jab at Saurav Ganguly

"I think the Indian selectors have taken a step back by picking Sourav because he is certainly not a player in form. I saw him batting in the New Delhi Test (against Sri Lanka) and he was clearly struggling to put bat to the ball", Younis said.

Although I'm not sure which match was he watching.

Also sites the examples of Aus selectors trying out new faces (emphasis mine)

"The Australian selectors threw in three to four youngsters against South Africa instead of relying on big names. The teams are not built just on talent but how that talent is used and nurtured."

Again, not sure what match is he watching..because Hussey and Hodge aren't really youngsters. Symonds is been re-tried here..and Jaques is the only youngster being blooded against SA.

Also takes a dig at the Indian batsmen

"The Indians have their grey areas. They depend heavily on their strong batting but even then collapse like a pack of cards. They are devastating and poor at times," Younis said.

Which again is mis-directed because the recently concluded SriLankan series was won over not by mountains of runs thus displelling the fears of over-reliance on batting (or atleast not always). True that at times the Indian batting collapses...but then, in today's scenario, which lineup in the world doesn't? I would still think its amongst the best...current form of a few constituents notwithstanding.

And btw, on trying youngsters...can someone please confirm if Mr Younis has actually really retired or not? No seriously...I still don't remember him actually 'conceding' retirement :-)

Razzaq unfit again (-worma)

Razzaq has been hospitalized with a chest infection...and following my comments from yesterday, in light of this news, the tour match against India becomes more important for Pakistan management now.

Going by their choice against England, it's quite likely that they would again look for a genuine batting replacement for Razzaq. Kamal, Raza are probably going to be watched..but it can be a newcomer (Bazid?) as well. Or maybe they would like to boost their bowling attack with an additional pacer (and thus have Gul take that spot)...although I'm not sure Woolmer would be that convinced with their batting strength.

Be interesting to watch out for development..

The irony (-worma)

A day after Merv Hughes declared that the Aussie selectors were evaluating Symonds as a genuine batsman, he took 3 SA wkts to bring their innings to a premature end. Perhaps he meant 'genuine bowler' instead?

The match itself is once again playing on predictable lines, with SA batsman squandering the chances gift wrapped for them by their bowlers. Well...actually...in this case the wrapping was missing..what with the last wicket stand of Hussey and McGrath. Those hundred runs have perhaps defined the course of this match.

With SA looking at a chase of over 250 instead of 150+..and with Warne and McGill ready to go..its going to be another uphill task for them from here on. And then..they have Symonds the bowler to negotiate as well ;-)

The warm-up squad (-worma)

Prem already commented, and just to add a point on the Pakistan tour match squad - it seems that Pakistan has this theory (or atleast a recent attempt) of throwing the literal kitchen-sink of reserves behind their warm-up tussles against the touring parties.

This one is no exception..while Gul has performed at the top level (and against Indian team too) this squad has the strong fringe and former international presence in Farhat, Raza, Bazid Khan, Kamal, Iftikhar and Arafat...some of them started the downfall of the mighty Eng team right from their first tour match.

Interestingly, though, not many of these would be in immediate consideration of a place in the actual Pakistan XI except maybe Gul as already disclosed by Inzy. With the return of Razzaq (injury), and Afridi (suspension) the middle order position would be all be packed. Although it would pose the traditional problem for Pakistani management - having to play just 3 regular bowlers along with Afridi and Razzaq as allround backup.

Chappel signs contract

Sorry if this is old news, I certainly didnt see this till now. Greg Chappell, John Gloster (team physio), Gregory King (trainer) and Ian Frazer (bio-mechanic expert) signed the contracts which are valid till the end of the 2007 World Cup.
As part of the news article, there's also the little bit about the Indian cricket team being the most valued brand across all sports in terms of sponsorship revenue. A comparison with other teams such as Juventus, Chelsea FC and Real Madrid is given. The figures are mind boggling and lets hope the money is put to good use.

Packer's game (-worma)

In memory of Packer, BBC reproduce a Jonathan Agnew column done at the occasion of 25th anniversary of the WSC in 2002. Interesting reading...especially for the less initiated like me.

I've spoken to a lot of people who played World Series Cricket and they said it was some of the hardest cricket they ever played.

Catching the fad (-worma)

Over recent months we have seen the slip in catching standards of Aussies (in Ashes and beyond) and England (bravely led by KP) have been much criticized. And now...its the turn of the impossible to happen. Even SA have slipped. As we saw in this match, a couple of fluffs by Nel and Kallis (first a sitter, second definitely catchable) cost them 200 runs...and this when Aus ended up with 355 allout!

And that's not all, as this report suggests, SA have dropped 7 chances in 1.5 tests so far, costing them 435 runs. And see that in context of the meager scores that Aus finally managed in the two matches...and one realizes what SA could have achieved if only they were even close to normal.

I remember recently reading a Bob Simpson article about falling catching standards around the world, and specifically in Australia. Seems like the virus is highly infectious.

Deja vu - glitch in the matrix? (-worma)

First his selection was as an allrounder...and controversial...now its clarified that its as a genuine middle order batsman. And still controversial. We are, ofcourse, talking about Andrew Symonds.

Either way...he's close to the proverbial axe falling on his head. And rightly so...considering the extremely high cost of the space he is occupying in that team. But its really surprising that Aus selectors, as they clarify now, chose him as a genuine batsman over so many other contenders...including Clarke, Katich and that mother-of-all-scapegoats Martyn. But not only that, I wonder if even otherwise he was the best middle order bat available to them from their domestic circuit. Remember he was chosen over Hodge and Hussey as well...for that middle order slot.

Surprising, to say the least. Coming from Aussie selectors, known for taking much more rational decisions.

Warming up (-worma)

Younis Khan obviously rates Pakistan's chances very highly in the home series against India...and counts on Kaneria as one of the key figure in their team. But saying this...

"He is the best leg-spinner in the world today after Shane Warne. I think Kaneria gives us the edge,"

..I believe, is stretching it too far..ain't it so? I mean if he had to ignore Kumble, McGill etc...then he might as well have counted Warne out too.

Also has this to say about the upcoming Pakistani team

"Our team has been doing very well and I think it will remind people of the unbeatable team which we once had under Imran Khan.

Which again, I believe, is a touch too soon to speak of..for this team. It's on the right path, that I agree, but still has some distance to travel.

And speaking of Khan sahab..he rates Pakistan as favourites against India for the coming series. But thats him. Didn't he lash out at Inzy for calling Pakistan as underdogs going into the English series.

From across the border

Imran Khan has put the favourites tag on Pakistan for its series against India. I always love it when former players do this and are then proven wrong. He has a point when he says the wintry conditions will benefit Pakistani bowlers. But I wonder what will happen if our bowlers get the better conditions against a Pakistan line up that, barring a couple of batsmen are suspect against the moving ball. I feel Pathan will be licking his lips and Agarkar is dangerous when he gets a little help from the enviroment. To top it, Zaheer Khan has been in top form during the last couple of months and will be raring to prove a thing or two.
He also has something to say about the way Board matters are conducted in Pakistan.

Imran, however, lashed out at the functioning of the Pakistan Cricket Board, saying it was time to put in place a democratically-elected board as in Australia and India.
"There is one-man show in PCB. One man is taking all the decisions. By the way, what are the qualifications of present board officials who are working on ad hoc basis." He said since the PCB did not have a constitution, it made it easier to avoid accountability. "The constitution ensures accountability for irregularities and transparency in affairs," he said

Oh how little he knows, especially about the Constitution part!!

Moin Khan states the obvious when he says Ganguly willl be under pressure in Pakistan. Perhaps, it is part of the mental disintegration tactics that everyone in today's cricket employs. But is he making these statements as a former test player empathizing with one of his kind or as a dumped player trying to make a comeback? If it is the latter, he has taken the right steps by praising Inzy's captaincy too. BTW, wicket keepers think alike. He reminded me of one More when he said

if Sourav is in the team, he has to be in the playing lineup than being on the substitute bench

PCB may ask the ICC for a replacement for Darrell Hair for the last two tests against India. So, what happens if the ICC refuse this? After all, if every country starts to ask for umpires of their choice, the ICC will be in a fix. The PCB should have done this with some tact. Now that this request is out in the open (from an unnamed Board source, who else), they run the risk of playing host to an unhappy Hair. Of course, if Steve Bucknor replaces Hair, it'll be taking home advantage to another level.
The cricket board also wants to appoint neutral umpires for all ODIs too. They are waiting for approval from our board.

Kerry Packer

Kerry Packer, the man who revolutionized cricket in the 70's, is no more

Year end review

Dileep Premachandran does a review of Indian cricket in 2005.

Some notable excerpts:

Fading star - Sourav Ganguly His last-minute bail-out at Nagpur last year won him few friends in the team, and wretched displays in both the Tests and one-dayers - he was suspended for the last two, after being docked for slow over-rates - against Pakistan further undermined his status. Greg Chappell was thought to be his favoured choice as coach but within two months of taking charge, he was building for the future - sans Ganguly. Last orders at Last Chance Saloon in Pakistan?

High point - Tendulkar's 35th Later, even he admitted that the four months spent on the sidelines after surgery for tennis elbow involved prolonged bouts of self-doubt and despair. Returning to the one-day side with an ebullient 93 against Sri Lanka at Nagpur, Tendulkar saved his best for year-end, and a wintry Delhi afternoon. When he clipped Chaminda Vaas to square leg to go past Sunil Gavaskar's tally of 34 Test centuries, a nation rose to acclaim a man who was bestowed iconic status even before he needed a twin-blade razor.

SRT vs SG

In this article by Ashok Mitra, which Prem had linked to earlier, Mitra says:

Tendulkar has scored 38 centuries and 71 half-centuries in the 358 ODI matches he has played till now. Ganguly has played a fewer number of matches — 270 — but he too has hit as many as 22 centuries and 60 half-centuries; no other Indian player is yet in sight to reach such a record. The proportion of occasions Tendulkar and Ganguly have scored, either a century or a half-century in their appearances in ODI matches is exactly the same, 30.4 per cent.
What ought common sense as well as the verdict of natural justice to be in such a circumstance? Just as the law of probability supports the hypothesis that persevering with Sachin Tendulkar is bound to yield ample dividends even in the future, should not a similar conclusion seem equally valid in the case of the southpaw from Calcutta?
The selectors thought otherwise. The concept of natural justice has clearly failed to appeal to them.

For the time period starting June 1, 2003 to present, here are both SG and SRT's career stats(in ODI's, since that is what Mr.Mitra is focusing on):
Saurav Ganguly 46 1226 90 28.51
Sachin Tendulkar 44 1690 141 41.21
A whole thirteen point difference in the averages over two years makes it clear: SG's decline as a batsman is not restricted to this season alone.
Therefore my question is: why should the selectors be blamed for thinking that persisting with Saurav Ganguly will no longer yield 'ample dividends'?
PostScript (from Prem): Actually, after reading Ashok Mitra's piece Friday, the puzzle stayed with me over the weekend. Could it be that the figures needed another look? Could it be, as the writer pointed out, that the gulf between the two players is not quite as vast as popular perception suggests it is?
The only way to settle the question, really, is to parse performance. Not in convenient little chunks that help prove whatever point a person is trying to make, but on the whole. As Arjun says, beginning June 1, 2003, which is when the season kick-started again after the World Cup, to today.
Here, then, is the match up (and after examining the straight stats, it might also be pertinent to examine the breakup with reference performances against the greater and lesser sides): Sachin Tendulkar here; and here, Sourav Ganguly.
Those are the stats -- without the filter of convenience. All yours, read into it what you will.

Outboxed (-worma)

I committed a mistake that toney pointed to earlier the day....with Aus cruising at 200 odd for 3 down...I decided to choose the sleep option. And it turns out that the Aus lineup crashed 'again'! This time too the saving grace was Ponting who, along with Warne, seems to be carrying the mantle of the 'old' Aussie team. Lets see later tomorrow if McGrath is willing to lend a hand in support (its a heavy mantle, isn't it)

It does look like the first real test of the post-ashes shake-up is turning out to be an eye-opener for a lot of people down under (and up over as well). Symonds once again refused to be the 'all-rounder' that the selectors want to force down the throats of Aus fans.

Nel tore through the middle order late in the day...and until I watched, he was bowling aggressively with purpose...but he did display signs of cat-got-the-tongue syndrome as far as his verbal antics were concerned. Maybe those are reserved for the Indians? Or did he indulge, someone watched?

The SG furore

The hue and cry over the axing and reinstating of Ganguly essentially boils down to two questions.

1) Does SG, on current form, deserve to be among India's seven leading batsmen? If so, why is there any debate over his selection?

2) Are there other, 'non cricketing' reasons (ah how I love that phrase) behind the reluctance to pick him?

The comparisons with SRT's poor run of form aside, I think that while SG's problems in the team may have begun with an extended run of poor form (2003 end onwards), it is his attitude towards handling them, and other aspects of the game, including captaincy, that have led to this whole current mess.

As such, any debate centering around his form is peripheral and secondary. It is this question which needs to be answered, and who can answer it best? JW, GC, SRT, RD, VS?

Out of the five, four have maintained a silence, and the only one to have spoken out, has made his opinion very clear.

Another boxing day test match...

I first came across the term Boxing Day when, in 1996, a few South Africans took it in the literal sense and boxed some of my hapless countrymen into submission. These fellow-countrymen also had pretensions of being the best XI cricketers from India. I find that the actual origin of the term is this. Wish Donald and company knew this and perhaps, we could have avoided seeing red each time we come across numbers such as 100 and 66.
The Aussies are gunning for their seventh straight victory in a Boxing Day test match. At the time of writing, Ponting is on 96 and 9 of the ten boundaries he has struck so far have been majestic, the tenth a streaky one through the open spaces that a gully fielder might have occupied. The fact that sledger Nel dropped him on 17 makes this innings even sweeter to watch. Pollock has taken all the three wickets to fall, two of those through superb first slip catches by Graeme Smith. Pre Ashes days, I might have decided to sleep through the last session, in the knowledge that the Aussies will set yet another 400+ total. But, not anymore...

PS: I was thinking of cricketing traditions and very few rival the Boxing Day Test in Australia. Do we have any such traditions in India?
And Ponting's got his 100, with the runs against who else, butter-fingers Nel. Did anyone notice the kind of dominance he had on bowlers this year?

Update: Nel devastated the Australians on Day 1 with 4 wickets in an inspired spell in the final session (Aus 239/8).

Pak tour squad: afterthoughts (-worma)

Thinking about it...why exactly did we need a reserve keeper for a not-so-long tour to a next-door country? Not exactly in line with our thinking in the past, is it? And I don't buy the what-if-Dhoni-falls-sick-on-matchday argument. Doesnt that apply to a reserve spinner as well? (and unlike RD's keeping skills...I don't think we can expect Sehwag or Sachin to take up the spinning strike bowler's role in place of Bhajji or Kumble)

And I wonder...does this selection have something to do with team strategy about the opener...and ofcourse, the inclusion of SG in the middle order without sacrificing Yuvraj?

I hope not....we need a regular opener(unless PP can become that!) unless the team management thinks this 'stop-gap' move would help them solve the SG vs Yuv debate in the longer term.

But amidst the gloom...some good news...Shoaib Malik would be fit for the Indian tour :-)...going by his performances as an opener, I would be hard-pressed to stop myself from welcoming that news.

All's well that...(worma)

Sharad Pawar, BCCI president, has this to say while welcoming the news of Ganguly's recall

"What was appearing in the papers that he was not cooperating and his relationship with his colleagues was not good, I myself went to his senior colleagues, there is not a single complaint against him. And whatever reports appeared in the media is unfair on any player and especially for the person who has got victories for India," he said.

SO..if I get this right....what he's saying is that there is no 'problem' around Saurav off the field. His selection...dumping and recall is all about cricket...is it? And all else is just media creation?

How then would one explain the reason given by the present chairman of selectors...Mr Kiran More....while dumping Saurav ahead of Ahmedabad?

"We did not want Sourav at No. 6 because Yuvraj will play there. He has been consistent and we want to give him more opportunities. It's not done to have Sourav in the squad and not have him in the playing eleven. We are also keeping the future in mind."

What is not 'done' about selecting the best team(and if that means SG in 15 so be it) and then playing the best, in-form 11 out of it?(and if that means Yuv ahead of SG, so be it!). What so bad about benching a player purely on form?(I'm sure there would have been lots of debate about the actual form comparison of Yuv and SG, but none about this 'logic' as such)...and how is it better than dropping him altogether? Who is it 'better' for?..the player or for others? If for the player...then did anyone ask him about his preference of being out of 15 over being out of playing 11?

Saurav's socks(-worma)

Have been stuffed by Santa with a ticket to Pak...as announced by the selectors some moments ago. And the person to miss out is, as was very clear in case of such a scenario, Mohammad Kaif. Which is not bad if the selectors(and team management) keep in mind the point he had reached before being turned away...and that he starts off from where he left(wherever that point is..as of today). So, it depends on how the situation is handled...and I hope the team management has had a long comforting chat with him. Not so sure about the selectors.

Talking of which, Mr More continues to bungle...this time at the other extreme. While trying to avoid the earlier 'allrounder' mistake he again fumbles at the question of his past 'commitment to future' story being used to justify Saurav's exclusion.

When questioned over the selectors backtracking over their comments after Ganguly had been left out of the Ahmedabad Test that they were preparing a team with an eye on the future, More said the selectors were not answerable to the media for every decision they take.

"We have some plans for the team, you don't need to know everything about it," More said.

Reminds me of the common wisdom that you fall into a web of lies once you start off with one.

Anyway...back to the team....Zaheer is in, and not surprisingly so. Neither is Jaffer-Gambhir duo for the single opener's slot(which, in fact, can go to a surprise contender like Pathan in case the team management decides to accommodate SG in the 11 at all costs...although personally I would like to see him sit on the bench as first reserve...and I feel this team management is strong enough to do it).

The other surprise is inclusion of Parthiv ahead of Karthik as the reserve keeper. Sure we all have seen Parthiv's growth as an impressive batsman in Challenger, Duleep etc in recent times...and that coupled with his hopefully improved (since I haven't seen enough to judge) keeping was bound to earn him a recall at some point of time. But Karthik, I thought, had not done enough to be edged out yet...heck even his replacement with Dhoni was much debated(although acknowledged that Dhoni's claim was too strong to be ignored as of now).

(Anonymous) selector speak

Selector-speakon the likely squad for the Pak tour.

Aside from the fact that it is amazing how all these venerable folks are happily leaking information to the media, the contents itself are surprising.

Why, is Ajit Agarkar,an "absolute certainty"?

Why is Mohammad Kaif, whose test record so far, is strictly mediocre, being considered ahead of Saurav Ganguly?

If India wishes to do well in Pakistan, it needs to have the right squad, and the portents dont look too promising.

Pak squad

The topic of the day, week, month, has been whether Saurav Ganguly will be in the squad for Pakistan or not.

Some say yes, others (Cricinfo) say no.

Even if he is picked, how does SG fit into the whole side? The openers are Sehwag and Gambhir/Jaffer, followed by RD,SRT and VVS. The preferred choice right now for the No. 6 slot is Yuvraj, followed by Pathan at 7 and Dhoni at 8, followed by the three bowlers.

Given Pathan's recent successes with the bat, is it likely that the team management might risk playing him at 6 and MSD at 7, thereby giving it the option of playing an extra seamer? It gives them the option of playing a genuine quick like VRV Singh, or a tight seamer like RP Singh (assuming both are picked).

Both open up interesting possibilities, especially RP Singh,given that Pakistan's batting is most likely to struggle against disciplined swing and seam bowling, like Balaji circa 2004, rather than outright pace or spin.

In this scenario, there is simply no room for SG.

Revert to the earlier scenario, that India does play 2 seamers and 2 spinners, which has Pathan and Dhoni at 7 and 8, that leaves the No.6 slot as the only slot where SG could fit in. But given Yuvraj's recent run of form and scores, it seems very unlikely that SG would be preferred over him.

So, where does SG fit in?

small world(-worma)

Nz drops McMillan and Astle for the SL series...asking them to put some runs in domestic matches (and Hamish is let off the hook)

"Nathan Astle and Craig McMillan have not been selected due to recent form," said Black Caps coach John Bracewell.

"We felt they should return to domestic cricket to work on their batting before being re-considered for selection."

..while SL is happy that Jayasurya did just that, and promptly called back to the squad. (what happened to the inquiry into his sacking?)

"Sanath has been putting up some big scores consistently in the domestic competition and we are happy with his form," chairman of selectors Lalith Kaluperuma told AFP.

"The fitness test is to make sure that everything is fine with him.

Jayasuriya is Sri Lanka's most successful one-day player with 10,207 runs and 267 wickets from 345 matches.

Sounds familiar stories..these...don't they? ;-)

And btw...new year gift for the world of cricket...Bond's back. Again.

The goodwill mission

Between SA and Aus continues....after Warne tossed some 'lacks imagination' compliments towards Smith, Kallis takes his turn in hailing Ponting's declaration act

"I think a lot of sides would have declared a little bit earlier," said Kallis, who is racing the clock to be fit for the Boxing Day Test.

"A lot of people thought we would get knocked over.

"I don't think that Australia have had too much criticism over the last while."

And even McGill now takes a dig of sorts..at the Aus management for not going with enough wicket taking options last time around. Ofcourse this while making a case for his selection.

"Realistically now that opposition teams see digging in and drawing a Test in a three-game series as a good result, the Australian selectors need to start looking at the best wicket-taking options.

"I am one of the three or four best bowlers in the country at the moment if you go by the stats, and that's not just at the SCG."

Harsha on Chappell

Harsha gives two thumbs up for Chappell in his weekly column. When comparing the personalities in Chappell and Ganguly, he likens them to two different groups of people in India.

Chappell arouses strong feelings in the two Indias that co-exist at the moment. In India’s thriving, achievement-driven private sector they love him. The words he writes, the language he uses strike a chord in ambitious young men and their bosses who want to get the best out of them. At the same time, a lot of the older managers, facing change and uncertainty in their own lives, sympathised with Ganguly and thought he deserved another opportunity. That is the other face of India where, as my cousin told me, zor ka jhatka dheere se dena chahiye. They believed that we need to respect the past and nurture those that have been successful.

At the end of Wright's tenure, most Indina cricket followers had the feeling that the Kiwi had become just a passenger; perhaps, less influential in proceedings. Maybe, this was because of Wright opting to go along with the system rather than changing it.

John Wright took the other route. He started off with fresh thoughts, with a different work ethic (“breakfast in the hotel and practice at the ground, not the other way around!”) but as he started to understand India better, those close to him said he became more Indian than anyone else!

There are questions posed and in reading through, I thought he was vague in saying which side he is on (After all, who can avoid taking sides in this imbroglio?). But he was clear at the end and I couldnt agree more.

He can be cranky and inspirational, innovative and calm, all rolled into one. When we bought into him we bought into the whole package. And I think we bought well. When change comes knocking, there will always be one or two who will feel the heat. Either they adapt or they get looked over. In this case Ganguly is having to adapt and he can if he looks at this positively. If he scores runs, he will look Chappell in the eye and I think he will discover that this divide is not as big as it seems. Chappell has fired the first shot, now Ganguly needs to load his rifle. Only if he does that can the warriors embrace.

The young sardar(-worma)

Would this time try to spin the Indian batsmen into a tangle! England, looking to solve some of the pounding questions posed by their Pak tour before returning to the subcontinental puzzle, may look at Monty Panesar to partner with Giles on the more helpful(than Pak) Indian pitches.

Darryls, bunnies and feet

That Shane Warne is perhaps not the most intelligent cricketer off the field is well known. But sometimes he does surpass himself in feet-in-mouth plantation...and this time around he says Justin Kemp, who played well with Rudolph to win the draw for SA at WACA, is the new Cullinan..his bunny of old. But hold on...he says maybe Prince can be the new Cullinan!

"He [Cullinan] could have a disguise on because I also think that from what I saw in Perth [Ashwell] Prince could also be a candidate to become a Darryl. It's either Prince or Kemp.

And in continuation of the heart-warming spirit of verbal war simmering between these two teams he also decides to take a dig at Smith

It was pretty hard work for bowlers but there is not a lot of imagination with their captaincy.

"It's been a general trait of all South African captains over the years, especially Smith. That's the way they play. They are very disciplined. They set normal fields and once the ball gets older they have ring field up and just bowl line and length.

While I personally agree with his opinion about the SA style of play (more of discipline than creative imagination) I would still think that at this moment its more of advantage SA...with they having gained more psychological points from a match that not many would have expected them to save.

With Aus batting not exactly firing on all cylinders(and for that matter, the bowling also not looking top notch with McGrath's ordinary showing)...and with Kallis (who, if anyone's forgotten, was the best batsman throughout the last year in terms of results) returning to the side..its still Aus left with all the pre-match thinking to do.

Batsman and Bowlers

Isnt it noticeable that India's (relative) lack of reserves among seamers/quickies is almost startingly paralleled by the lack of quality batsmen coming out of Pakistan?

If you think about it, Pakistan has lost some good young talents in the batting department over the years -- two names that come to mind immediately are Imran Nazir and Mohammad Wasim (the latter was considered to be as technically correct as Rahul Dravid -- they both were debuting around the same time, 1996-97).

We all hail Dravid now, but its worth remembering that he also pretty much struggled through his first two-three seasons, even in test matches. In ODI's, it is well documented, but in tests also, there was a long phase, when he just didnt convert his starts into three figures, was out thought by opposition bowlers, and would often hit the ball straight to fielders.

Running parallel, India has had quite a few decent seam prospects over the past decade, to name a few - Mohanty, Bhandari,Kuruvilla, Singh, more recently Yohannan and Salvi. I m not even mentioning Nehra and Zaheer here. The relative merits here of each could be debated, but the fact is: we "lose" a lot of our pace prospects, much in the same way Pakistan "loses" its batting hopes.

And paradoxically, the batsmen we have produced (Sehwag, Dravid, Yuvraj , Kaif, Laxman) are among the best, while their bowlers are routinely good(think Shoaib, Sami, Gul).

This indicates what? That Pakistan initially had better seamers than batsmen (Sarfaraz, Imran) while India had better batsmen (SunnyG, Vishwanath, Vengsarkar) so its almost as if the support system, the legacy, the structure that came into place is more favoured towards batsmen in India and for bowlers in Pak?

Reason to worry

In the verdict for Day 4 of the Motera test, S Rajesh brings up the contribution of the specialist batsmen from either side.

Sample these numbers: 97, 100, 105, 201. The first two are the contributions of India's top five wickets in the two innings; the next two are Sri Lanka's. There's no doubt about who won that battle - in Sri Lanka's two innings, here were six scores of more than 40 by their top six; for the Indians, there were only two.

Obviously, the focus has been on the Sri Lankan batsmen and their inability to convert starts to bigger scores. But what about our own? There are two important series coming up. None of our batsmen, barring Yuvraj Singh has shown a semblance of consistency in the series. The only stand out contribution was from Pathan, who is expected to retain his batting position of No 8.. Probably, this is only an aberration. But I wonder if there is a bit of uneasiness about the form of our batsmen. After all, to face a rejuvenated Pakistan attack, with Akhtar in full form and seemingly on the mend, our batsmen need to do much more than what they did in this series. The right processes might be in place but the results better show quickly.

ODI specialist fast-tracked into tests(-worma)

That almost sounds like a quiz question, doesn't it. How about the quote But I think his fielding alone can nearly win us a game? The player in question is Andrew Symonds, although we could as well be talking about Kaif. Read here what McGrath has to say about the Aussies desperately trying to make Symonds fit into their test equation. He may as well do that soon (as McGrath predicts..and I still maintain my reservations) but what he won't be is a test allrounder..however much CA might try sticking a fancy label on his head.

Meanwhile Motera: Ind are swiftly sealing the fate of a sorry Srilankan lineup..with Bhajji and Kumble doing the damage, as usual. And amidst the Laxman, Yuvraj, Bhajji accolades...what I didn't see getting much mention in the reports is Kaif's catching. Has already taken 5 in 14 SL wkts fallen so far. Not that I am suggesting, unlike McGrath, that he deserves a place just for his catching ;-)

Ohh and in case you have missed the *big* news of the day, Raj Singh Dungarpur is likely to be the manager of Indian team for the Pak tour, as per Telegraph sources. Read on...

Sehwag in tests(-worma)

Here is a series by series run of Veeru in tests so far:

105 SA
31
13
DNB


20 Eng in Ind
DNB
66


74 Zim in Ind
DNB


84 Eng in Eng
27
106
0
8
12


147 WI in Ind
61
33
35
10


2 NZ in NZ
12
1
25


29 Nz in Ind
17
130
1


45 Aus in Aus
0
47
47
195
11
72
47


309 Pak in Pak
39
90
0


39 Aus in Ind
0
155
12*
22
58
8
5


164 SA in Ind
88
10


13 BD in BD
10


173 Pak in Ind
36
81
15
201
38


44 Zim in Zim
44
14*

76 Supertest in Aus
7

36 SL in Ind
20
0


If you leave out the less-than-a-test supertest in Aus, he's had 6 test innings, and two series (although not full ones) without a test fifty.

He's never gone a test series (even a two test one) without a fifty...except that disaster tour of Nz...in fact, except for that tour, he's had atleast one hundred in every series since he started opening(except against BD).

While his poor run is not yet disastrous, IMO it still seems to have some matter for concern.

Making a match(-worma)

So after Kumble's domination at Delhi, Bhajji also came to the party...thus making atleast our bowling attack almost ready for the tougher challenge in the season.

Not so about the batting though. The top order failed again...and although RD's absence is a factor, bigger still is the fact that the opening partnership is not going anywhere, something which was the foundation of all our peak performances in the last 3 test seasons. Sehwag is now officially 'out-of-form' in test matches (I'll post a list of his series-by-series run in tests later) and so is Gambhir. He probably blew his last chance(for a while atleast) and now Jaffer is sure to pair up with Veeru in first test against Pak. If not, then his selection into this squad was an even bigger selection goof-up than it has been credited so far!

And Kaif is not doing his chances any good either, although its a bit harsh to expect someone, out in the cold from tests for a while, to come in and perform right away. But all in all, the batting is still shaky, and time to get it in tune for facing the confident Pak attack is running out fast.

While in the other hemisphere SA made a match of the Aus march towards victory at WACA. With 5 wkts in hand, and 10 overs to go(as I write this) it does look like the series would be wide open going into the next match. SA might not be as easy a roll-over opponent as most would have thought. Meanwhile, something striking about the match has been ineffective showing from McGrath. Saurabh Wahi, a regular here as most of you would know, is of the opinion that there's an axe hanging on his head...with his less than impressive run since the Lords spectacle (22 wkts at 65), and with CA looking to blood replacements well ahead of WC07 and Ashes 07.

Home for the holidays(-worma)

The English team, it seems, already has Christmas, fireplace, home and family on their minds! Another hopeless performance in the 4th ODI against Pak...and another series lost prematurely(well, the match hasn't finished as I write this, but I hear faint sounds of the fat lady singing ;-)

Their bowlers did put up a good show this time around after being asked to bowl, but the batting was as hopeless as it has been throughout the tour(with a few bright spots here and there). And while on bowling, wonder what Tresco was thinking...having Anderson, supposedly their opening bowler, as the supersub? Had a chat with the God-Of-Toss earlier in the day or what?...ahh well...thats the kind of tour they've had.

Hope they shake it off with their holiday hangover before landing on Indian soil.

The game continues(-worma)

So I go for a break, and another Act is added to the great Indian cricket drama :-)

Some news from over the weekend...Saurav has this to say to his(and Indian cricket) fans

“The third and final Test (against Sri Lanka) begins tomorrow and I wouldn’t like anything untoward to happen because of me. That's why the appeal,"” Sourav told The Telegraph.

"“My concern isn'’t only about fans here, but somebody may choose to do something in Ahmedabad or (neighbouring) Motera. Moreover, at this point, the team needs to be supported not an individual," he added.

and also

His appeal included: "“Whatever has happened, I respect the selectors' decision. I'’m sure, with my performances, I'll again get the opportunity to play"

"“Any bandh is going to jeopardise public life, which is not right."”

and that was after this had happened earlier.

Meanwhile, BCCI president is happy with Saurav's appeal

"“I'’m very happy with the appeal. It speaks volumes of his greatness. That's the right spirit,"” said Pawar in nearby Motera on Sunday.

The Union minister feels the former India captain still has lots of cricket left in him. "“He is a great player. There is a lot of cricket left in him. There are bound to be ups and downs in one’s career, but I'’m sure he will bounce back."”

I'm not sure how much to make of this statement...maybe another compromise brewing in the background? Especially when the above statement is read along with this one, later in the article(emphasis mine)

"“Former eminent cricketers are doing the job. I don'’t want to influence their decision. But if there's a mistake we can discuss it".”

Anyway, in the meantime there was a better display on the Motera field...with VVS continuing to show great promise at the start of our test season. If we are to have a good show against the tougher challenge from Pak and Eng then he, along with Sehwag, would have to be in top form to 'set up' the game for India..with RD and SRT playing the consolidators.

And Pathan finally finished at an impressive 82...and I wonder how much further enhanced would have been his batting status today had be managed to covert his three recent international chances (Nagpur ODI, Delhi and Ahmd tests) into centuries...knowing that more often than not, the barometer for batting performances is calibrated in terms of tons...or atleast biased towards it.

Aus Vs SA, an engrossing test

Caught in this sorry saga of our cricketing matters, we are overlooking what could be the most engrossing cricket series in some time. With the Aussies dismissed for 258, Smith has shown that it is not all talk. Honestly, I slept after seeing Ponting clobber the bowlers for his 71. But everything that makes Ponting the batsman that he is, was on display. Fierce pulls and hooks, great cut shots and confidence on what is the fastest and bounciest cricket pitch; wagon wheels are available here.
South Africa still has a job on its hands. To sustain this kind of intensity over 5 days and then over two more tests doesnt come naturally to them. It does, though to the Aussies. This is also a series that could give a better idea on Mike Hussey, the batsman.
Here is Peter English's version of how the day went. He dubs the batsmen pull-happy and unfamiliar of the conditions. Hmm and to think there was some serious home advantage here.
Buchanan blames the batsmen here for their indiscipline. Interesting turn of events, looks like the Aussies are having regular doses of reality nowadays.

"It would be nice if we could live up to everybody's expectations every time we
bat and every time we bowl but the reality is that it is international sport,
it's very competitive and we're just not super-human."

Funny how, just a few months ago, they were looking forward to a 5-0 drubbing of the Poms.

Tests at Perth have always been wonderful. Tendulkar scoring that majestic century while the rest of our batsmen scampered for cover remains etched in memory. Looking forward to the rest of the game...

PS: I wonder how it feels to score a 380 and then follow it up with 4, 10 and 0 on the same ground. Does anyone know?

Smashing Sachin strikes again!

So Sachin Tendulkar finally scores the much awaited 35th test century and is now test cricket's most prolific century scorer.

Rahul Dravid on what makes Sachin great.

Quotes from the man himself.

Dileep Premachandran and Sambit Bal on the innings and his career.

PS: Sorry for not creating a thread on the DG for the first day. An open thread for today (Day 2) has been created under Match Threads.

Personal news(-worma)

I would be off the blog for a week or so (maybe longer)...vacationing *again* ;-)

But hopefully Prem should be around after 9th, when he gets free from the award ceremony.

The new t.v. era?(-worma)

BCCI's marketing committee meeting today decided to cancel the current t.v. rights tenders and issue fresh ones.

"The committee decided to cancel the current tender and issue a new one with fresh terms. The BCCI is looking at generating more revenues and has identified the areas," BCCI Vice President Lalit Modi said.

I hope, now that the *new* BCCI is looking to address fresh issues hitherto deemed unnecessary in context of Indian cricket, that the new tenders would carry *some* emphasis on the quality of telecast as well.
For too long have the Indian viewers ruefully compared the excellent cricket coverage beamed from outside our shores with the pathetic excuse in the name of cricket telecast that we get at home with 4/5 ball overs...5 ads crammed in between overs and 1005 between innings...hopelessly incompetent commentators, studio hosts and anchors and most importantly bad quality of on-field cricket itself...with not enough cameras, fewer angles for each shot, not even best possible stump microphones sounds etc.

And while at it, what about the coverage for domestic competitions, women's cricket, other important events like A tours, U-19 matches etc? This is a very good opportunity to include all these supposedly 'non-profitable' events within the scope of the tender. But..one can only hope..

And finally(-worma)

..we have a deal..say ECB and BCCI. I hope this is the last post I make about the England's tour itinerary saga...and the language of ECB release certainly helps in that regard

"We are grateful to the BCCI for providing us with this revised itinerary. Whilst their officials have had to work within the parameters of their rotation policy for the allocation of international matches, they have managed to significantly ease England's traveling schedule confirming that both teams will travel by direct flights from venue to venue with charter arrangements put in place where necessary.

Although, if you notice this part..

"With the third and fourth ODIs scheduled for Goa and Cochin, we also hope and expect that large numbers of England supporters will travel on to these popular coastal resorts."

..and compare it with the itinerary, you'll find that the Cochin ODI is 6th of April...hmm..enjoy indeed they will ;-)

Wasim's scorcher(-worma)

According to Wasim the ICC is being run by the foreigners...basically not enough representation of the countries that bring the fans to the ground and the money in their banks

"I am against ICC. The reason is it's run by all the "goras" (whites). Passion is here (in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka), money is here and talent is here. All the cricketers, who get retired after playing two matches work for ICC. From Pakistan, Sri Lanka, nobody gets there (to ICC)," Akram said.

Well, he is right and wrong. If you check the various committees listed on their website, most of them have a fair share of representation from the subcontinent. But except for the Cricket Committee, headed by Sunny, none of them have a chairperson from the subcontinent. And how much of involvement in their day to day activities comes from the other 'regular' members of the committee is not known.
And in case one has forgotten, the ICC president is from Pakistan..although it would be good to see him act a bit more...err..presidential. Instead of Malcom Speed, the CEO, appearing to be the figurehead of ICC. Or maybe...we don't have a presidential form of governance here...since JD left the stage.

Also, have a look at the management team of the ICC.

Fever pitch(-worma)

The next match is in Kotla, and there we go with the pitch talk...as is common before the matches in India. This one's going to be either green, or brown...will support pace or spin...or sporting wicket...you know...the usual routine.

But the Indian team management, if this report is to be believed (your call), wants a 'sporting' track with something for pacers early on.

Mukherjee said the Indian team management wanted a pace-friendly surface. "‘It would be a fair pitch. The pacers bowlers getting the advantage early, while later in the game, after wear and tear, the spinners can fancy their chances," he said.

Sachin speaks(-worma)

Sachin talks to IE in this interview touching on some new aspects of his game, besides giving his support to the theory of a bigger say for coach and captain in selection matters. This bit is interesting

There were times when Sunil Gavaskar asked his Mumbai teammates like Raju Kulkarni to bowl from 18 yards to play the West Indian quicks. You too once made L. Sivaramakrishnan bowl to you in the nets in 2001 to counter Shane Warne. Are there any ways that you prepare before a major tour?

At that stage I did it with the help of Sivaramakrishnan and a few others spinners because I hadn’t faced anything round the wicket from mid-off till then. I just wanted to practise and check it out what other shots I could play.

Here he mentions that practising against Siva before facing Warne was more to do with the possibility of discovering new shots...finding out more about his own game...developing it further. I'm not sure if such preparation is the norm amongst modern cricketers...but then again, where is the time? I hope they can practise playing the awkward bounce of Freddie and Harmy before the English series when they have the time, according to the new schedule.

Then this bit, in the Sachin interview, about the captains he has played under.

You have played under captains like K. Srikkanth, Azharuddin, Sourav Ganguly and now Rahul Dravid. Who was the best?

• All of them have had different styles. I think Ravi Shastri was a very good captain. Sandeep Patil was also an excellent captain in domestic cricket.

Again, good to see him break the norm and name someone who, by many, has been rated as one of the better captains in the list of could-have-beens.

There is a crowd(-worma)

The Indian Women's team wrapped up the series against England with a 10 wkt victory in Silchar...with Jhulan Goswami taking 5 wkts en-route to bundling the Englishwomen for 50 allout. The most promising thing, for me, about this match was the attendance of 20,000 spectators for the match - that's the kind of figure that sometimes even men's international matches don't muster in certain countries. One of the prime reason could be that the match was played in Silchar, a town probably starved of live cricket action in absence of men's events being scheduled there.

In this light, probably the new BCCI *thought* around organizing Ranji and other domestic matches in smaller venues makes much more sense.

ODI batting lessons(-worma)

They came from Andrew Symonds, probably the most valuable player in this current Aussie ODI lineup...as Aus reached 322 at the end of 50th over, in their 2nd ODI against Nz today, from a position of 115/4 at the end of 25th. And probably that's where the value, and strength of Symonds lies. He tends to come in when the opponents are a bit relaxed after nailing Aus top order, bides his time for a while, and then explodes. Consider the breakup of his 150+ score today

Symonds played patiently at first, waiting 70 balls to bring up his fifty, and then exploded in a way few fireworks displays can manage - his hundred arrived from a further 39 balls and his 150 came only 16 deliveries later.

Since his *rebirth* with that not-too-dissimilar 143 against Pak in the 2003 World Cup, he has scored 3 centuries and 13 (of his total 15) half-centuries at an average of 45+ - higher than that managed by Ponting or Gilchrist- in the 75 matches (out of his total 129) since then. I sometimes wonder that, in this team of superstars, do the opponents perhaps not pay enough attention to their planning against Symonds? His test failures(so far) indicate that he's probably a lesser mortal than what his ODI stats create.

But he was not the only one delivering batting lessons today. Nz gave Aus a huge scare as they almost chased down 322, perhaps the first time in 34 such attempts that someone has 'almost' managed to chase a 300+ against Australia. Ofcourse the score still remains 34-0 (thanks Saurabh for the stat) as Nz lost out in a nail-biting last over needing 6 runs with 2 wickets in hand. And if you thought that was achievable, consider this..they needed 24 off last two, with Lee in for 49th. And he was taken for 18 runs(with Nz number 8 and 10 facing him).

The Nz chase was marked by 3 men doing the big damage - Vincent at the top, Cairns in the middle, and McCullum in the end - and the rest providing anchor around them. Perfect way to chase down...ofcourse it helps that Nz has such capability low down the order beyond most teams' reach. McCullum does for Nz what we look for Dhoni to do for us, down the order.

Anyway, with McGrath missing, the Aus attack is perhaps not as consistently potent now, and that is something which other teams can also look upto.

Update: Rahul Tyagi, one of our readers, points out that Zimbabwe, once upon a time(when they were still an international cricket team), threatened to chase down 302 against Aus..finally finishing at an agonising 301. Hmm...how does Aus always manage to do that :-)

The hitman cometh(-worma)

Ok..the title is needlessly provocative :-)...but this interview of Chappell in today's Hindu is, amongst the spate of interviews and soundbites he's been delivering off late, the most straight-forward one devoid of any buzzwords(not necessarily hollow, but still getting a bit cliched) like 'flexibility' and 'experimentation' and 'process'.

Here he speaks without frills...as this part about Saurav

He wants to play cricket for India. I want to be a good coach. And I want to be the coach of a good Indian team. But for that to happen, you need to have the group that blends well.

This does make the whole equation simple, doesn't it. Choosing the best possible player to get good results for India, and, consequently, for him (as a coach of the team). Anyone fitting in that profile would/should be welcome from his side. Simple.

Also speaks candidly about himself, responding to the 'hitlist' accusations

I don't have that much clout. I have earned a certain amount of respect over the years, from my playing days. There are a lot of things I don't have control over.

And more importantly, about how he views his job as a coach

It's about having the courage of my conviction to say what needs to be said knowing that it could well harm a relationship. If I have to do my job properly, I have to make the tough call from time to time. The biggest part of coaching is observation — observing what is happening, observing how people respond to different situations. Every situation is different and responses vary

Quite a good interview, this one, in the sense that it gives an insight into the personality of the man..as a coach.