Sunday, February 27, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Mumbai gets a state of the art and sparkling Wankhede
A semi-final and final of the local tournament would be played coming Saturday and Sunday. Sudhir Naik, former Test cricketer who is in-charge of the pitch and ground, appeared a very pleased man on Wednesday. Andy Atkinson, the ICC’s pitch consultant who has been constantly monitoring work at the stadium expressed satisfaction on the preparation of the pitch and outfield in December itself.
Built at a cost of near about Rs. 300 crore, attention has been paid to the Vijay Manjrekar dressing rooms that have now been relocated above the height of the sight screen at the South end. The present dressing rooms are around 1000 sq ft each, bigger than the previous one, but a few officials feel that more space should have been provided. However, the teams will have the benefit of seeing the match from a long veranda. The dining area will be shared by the teams.
The area above the dressing rooms -- that has a seating capacity of 200 and a well appointed lounge -- has been reserved for the guests of ICC President, BCCI President, MCA President and the MCA Managing Committee. Media in-charge Vinod Deshpande said that this arrangement is only for the World Cup matches. “The MCA has reserved 340 seats for the Test and local Ranji Trophy players. This will be on the top tier and behind the wicket. The Test and Ranji Trophy cricketers will get about 600 seats for bilateral series matches,’’ said Deshpande.
A fully air-conditioned media enclosure with a capacity of 200 in the press box has been created at the North end of the stadium. The media enclosure has a separate media centre for reporters and photographers and also a conference room. The MCA has decided to buy a golf cart to transport the captains and other players from the dressing room to the conference hall below the press box for pre-match and post-match interviews.
The cantilevered roof with ample ventilation, ergonomic bucket seats, video-matrix scoreboards and other facilities at the stadium should make it a pleasant viewing for the spectators. There will be a manual score board, six matrix score boards and replay screens. The MCA has increased the corporate boxes to 57, although all of them are not likely to be sold for the World Cup matches.
Very soon the MCA will finalise the venue agreement with IPL franchise Mumbai Indians. But for the World Cup matches, the Garware Club, the five gymkhanas, 330 odd clubs and the ICC together will get close to 30,000 odd tickets. Only around 4000 tickets will be sold over the counter.
Because of the 30 metre cantilevered roof, shadow on the west side may lengthen up to the edge of the crease at around 4.25 P M. The day-night matches are not likely to be affected at all. Since the final is scheduled to be played here, every aspect of the pitch and outfield is being supervised by Atkinson.
Pakistan recover well to reach 317 vs Kenya
Shrugging off a nervous start, Pakistan posted a good 317 for 7 against Kenya in their opening Group A match of the ICC World Cup tournament here, as the beleaguered team began its campaign to be taken seriously in the cricketing world.
After Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat, its openers, Mohammed Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad began cautiously scoring just 10 in the first five overs. The top order blaster Shehzad did not score a run off 11 balls; and eventually went for 1 off 18 balls. Shehzad was circumspect when he came in and in Odoyo’s fourth over was caught by Kamande trying to scoop the ball over mid off.
Hafeez was the first to go, caught brilliantly by Waters at short mid wicket off Otieno’s third over, and the umpires called for help in making a decision since the ball hit the diving Waters on his right and left hands and his cap before eventually settling in his right palm. The TV umpire took over two minutes to make the decision.
The devil seems to have been more in the mind of the Pakistani openers than in the field, which played true like most pitches in the sub-continent. The first boundary came in the fifth over and the next in the 10th over.
At the end of 10 overs, Pakistan managed 40 runs in all, and inched closer to the ICC World Cup 2011 average of 47 runs in the first 10 (47 for 1 is the average score) thanks to a wayward Odhiambo, who was introduced in the 10th over. He was no balled thrice, once for overstepping and, at another time for dangerous bowling and conceded 16 runs. That momentum proved crucial as Pakistan’s 50 came up in 12.2 overs, and the 100 in 22.5 overs.
Kamran Akmal and Younus Khan put on a valuable 50 runs in quick time (54 balls). Shen Ngoche's left arm spin was introduced to help tide the flow of runs. Ngoche conceded four runs in his first over, prompting captain and part-time right-arm spinner James Kamande to introduce himself. That did not stop either, they just went around rotating the strike, running the singles and twos.
A momentary lapse of concentration saw Kamran Akmal jump out to Ngoche, only to be stumped smartly by Ouma. In the very next over Ouma let go of a straight forward chance given by new batsman Misbah ul Haq. Mishbah, having hit off-spinner Steve Tikolo straight and clean for a six attempted to steer the next ball. This time the resultant edge found a part of Ouma’s glove for an agonising moment before succumbing to the laws of gravity.
Younus Khan was given out leg before to Steve Tikolo by Nigel Llong soon after reaching his 50. Khan opted for the review and the decision was confirmed.
Hoping to put pressure on the batting, captain Kamande turned to Thomas Odoyo. This time Odoyo failed, bowling a middle and leg line repeatedly, even though Keeper Ouma was standing up. The result was two huge wides that cleared the boundary – 10 runs gifted in a space of 3 balls. Odoyo was back bowling an outside the off-stump line, but the pressure tactic had not worked. Kamande brought himself on. But the scoreboard kept ticking and the 200 came off 38.4 overs, setting the stage for a late assault.
Kamran was not missed as his twin Umar (71) took off from where his brother had let off; his 50 came of 40 balls. He offered and instant prayer in the ground, bending down and touching the ground with his forehead. With Misbah, he added 118 runs and rewrote the Pakistani record for the fifth wicket in the ICC World Cup. The team’s 250 came up in 45.1 overs. Shahid Afridi did not trouble the scorers much. He went after an umpiring review. A.Hill had ruled him not out and Kenya preferred the review. Adding to the tally was the 46 extras (37 wides) that Kenya gifted Pakistan.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Sehwag, Kohli take India to 370
Virender Sehwag unleashed a merciless assault on the hapless Bangladeshi bowlers to smash 175 as India piled up an imposing 370 for four in their opening World Cup group-B match here on Saturday.
Put into bat, Sehwag virtually toyed with the insipid bowling to not only notch up his 14th ODI century with a breathtaking array of strokes but also steer India to a commanding position along with Virat Kohli, who completed his century in the penultimate ball of the innings.
The Delhi duo of Sehwag and Kohli stitched a rollicking 203 runs for the third wicket on a placid track at the Sher-e-Bangla National stadium.
It was a virtual carnage as Sehwag, who defied cramps and batted with a runner after completing his century, and Kohli gave a stunning exhibition of strokeplay to leave the hosts in a daze.
Sehwag hammered as many as 14 boundaries and five sixes during his 140-ball 175 while Kohli’s unbeaten 83-ball 100 contained eigtht boundaries and two sixes.
Sachin Tendulkar (28) and Gautam Gambhir (39) got the starts but could not capitalise on it, though Tendulkar was distinctly unlucky to be run out.
Bangladesh now have a daunting task of scoring at a stiff asking rate of 7.40 runs an over to pull off an upset victory like they had done in the 2007 edition in the West Indies.
Brisk beginning
Sehwag set the tempo by spanking the very first ball off paceman Shafiul Islam through cover to the boundary to begin the innings on a rousing note. He also clobbered the last ball to the boundary as the first over yielded 12 runs.
His opening partner Tendulkar also got into the act quickly by hitting Rubel Hossain’s second ball to the fence, a delectable flick to the square leg boundary.
The two Bangladeshi new ball bowlers strayed in line and length and were punished by both Sehwag and Tendulkar who gave India a flying start.
With runs coming quickly, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan introduced left arm spinner Abdur Razzak as early as the fifth over of the innings in a bid to get the breakthrough and check the run flow.
Razzak managed to stem the flow of runs as he bowled a tidy line and length initially before Sehwag and Tendulkar used their feet to attack him.
Tendulkar departs
Just when the two openers seemed to be cruising along comfortably, Tendulkar (28) was run out after a terrible mix up with Sehwag. He pushed the ball towards wide mid-on and called Sehwag for a single but the Delhi batsman did not respond.
Both the batsmen ended up on the bowler’s end as Bangladesh skipper Shakib stopped the the ball brilliantly and threw it towards the wicketkeeper, who dislodged the bails, sparking celebrations in the stands.
Gautam Gambhir was his usual confident self, and relied on singles and twos to build up his innings and soon with Sehwag he raised the 50-run partnership.
Sehwag continues to dazzle
Shakib tried all his slow bowlers but there was no stopping the Indian duo. The ploy to introduce Mahmudullah though worked as he cleaned up Gambhir (39) with a faster delivery.
Another Indian failed to convert a good start but it had no effect on Sehwag, who from the other end kept taking bowlers to task.
Virat Kohli, who has been in good form of late, joined Sehwag in the middle and the Delhi duo kept consolidating India’s position.
Sehwag took a single off Mahmuddullah to notch up his 14th ODI century and his second in the World Cup, getting a standing applause by his teammates and the support staff in the dressing room. His 100 came off 94 balls.
Sehwag, Kohli make hay
After Sehwag completed the century, both the batsmen opted for the batting powerplay and virtually plundered runs at will, picking up Shafiul Islam for special treatment by clobbering him for 18 runs in one over.
Abdur Razzak also came in for a battering as Sehwag smashed him for two boundaries and a six in one over to accelerate the pace of scoring.
While Sehwag unleashed his strokes, Kohli played orthodox shots at the other end and completed his 13th ODI half century by taking a single off Rubel Hossain.
Sehwag created many batting records during his scintillating knock. It was the highest score by an Indian batsman against Bangladesh, going past Sourav Ganguly’s 135 in 2000 and he also surpassed Tendulkar’s 141 which till date was the highest individual score in ODIs in Bangladesh.
Sehwag fell at the same score that the legendary Kapil Dev had made 28 years ago. Shakib bowled a fullish ball angling into Sehwag who got a bottom edge onto his stumps.
Kohli managed to reach his century in the penultimate ball of the innings while the last ball saw Yusuf Pathan being caught by the wicket-keeper off Shafiul Islam.
The Teams:
India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (c&wk), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, S. Sreesanth, Munaf Patel.
Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Mushfiqur Rahim, Raqibul Hasan, Naeem Islam, Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Shafiul Islam, Rubel Hossain.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Brett Lee: It’s all about peaking at the right time
Australian fast bowler Brett Lee took 11 wickets in six matches in his comeback series against England and impressed most observers; more importantly the national selectors and captain Ricky Ponting.
He also had decent results in the two warm-up games against India and South Africa. The 34-year-old will be the fulcrum of Australia’s bowling attack that’s dominated by fast bowlers and their ilk like Shaun Tait, Mitchell Johnson, Doug Bollinger, John Hastings and Shane Watson.
Before going into his team’s home stretch preparation against Zimbabwe at the Gujarat Cricket Academy facility here on Friday, Lee conceded that his team is packed with pacemen, but said that it’s also equipped with adequate men to run the spin department.
“I do agree with that (packed with fast bowlers) to a certain extent. But we have a good spinner in Jason Krejza. David Hussey can chip in and vice-captain Michael Clarke can also play a spinner’s role. Yes, we have Tait, Johnson and Bollinger making us a strong pace unit. So we have a good mix for the World Cup.’’
Lee also said that a pace bowler bowling at 150 kmph and on the right spots can be effective even on slow wickets. “That’s what New South Wales (NSW) had done when it came to India for the Champions League. We had a lot of pace bowlers and we won the competition even after playing a lot on a slow wicket in Delhi. I don’t really see any problem with the pace set we have got. At the end of the day, it’s still 150 kmph through the air,’’ said Lee.
Giving his nod to the format of the competition he said: “It’s all about peaking at the right time and doing what one can to get through to quarterfinals and semifinals and take it from there. Come Monday there will be a few anxious players in the squad. How I wish tomorrow was Monday. Hopefully two practice sessions will take us to the right areas.’’
Excerpts from a media session here on Friday:
Likely poor turn out for non-India games: Obviously, as every team, we too would like to play in front of a big crowd. But we can’t control that; hopefully a lot of fans are going to come down and watch the match (here on Monday).
On his return to competitive cricket at international-level: When I came back, I made it clear to myself that I am going to enjoy my cricket. It’s been a long road back, some 15 months away from the game. I might have surprised a few people by coming back into the game after a lengthy gap, but I am proud that I have survived (the injury). Now, I hope to lead from the front in the World Cup.
I am very happy with the way I bowled in the two practice games, especially against India where the ball was coming on nicely. In the second practice match, I bowled four overs and had to come off the pitch; that was a bit funny to bowl four overs and rest for the rest of the match. But I am really happy with the way I bowled, swung the ball quite early, cranked up a bit of pace, did well with the older ball when I came back (for a new spell). Yes, there are really good signs, and hopefully I will get a few wickets in the matches to come.
Competition among fast bowlers in the Australian team: It’s very important. It's great that Australia has got the depth. I would rather be in a situation where we can have some good options than having only 10 or 11 players to pick from. So, it’s great to have a very good squad. If we play the right kind of cricket and with a bit of luck as well, there is no reason why can’t go and win the tournament.
Toss factor: Well, it was very crucial in the practice tie against India, when the ball was spinning really square. In such conditions, toss could prove decisive. But we have to deal with it. We have to adapt and we have to learn to play spin bowling. We can also learn a lot of things from those matches and against India we were totally outclassed. Irrespective of the results in the first two warm-up games we have taken a lot of positives from them and hopefully that will stand in good stead for us on Monday (against Zimbabwe) as well as in the remainder of the tournament.
Pitch factor: Obviously the pitch would be a massive factor. But if you have a guy like Shaun Tait bowling at 160 km at batsmen’s toes, it will be still tough to negotiate even on a slow wicket.
I changed my game after being axed from team: Sehwag
Indian opener Virender Sehwag has conceded that his axing from the Indian team four years ago forced him to look inwards and make changes in his game which eventually paid him rich dividends.
“When I got dropped from the team in 2007, nobody expected the selectors to drop me but they did because of poor form. That’s when I changed my game both in terms of thinking and playing style. I started thinking on how to make my way back into the team,” Sehwag was quoted as saying in a media release.
The swashbuckling batsman, who very nearly scored a Test triple ton in a single day’s play after his comeback, was responding to a query about ‘Change the Game moment’ in his career as part of soft drinks major Pepsi’s World Cup campaign.
“I got a chance and that’s when I proved myself again; I saved a test match for India when I scored 150 not out in Adelaide against Australia.
“I had just scored 20 runs in 2 hours...can you imagine Sehwag scoring 20 runs in two hours? That was not how I played, but I changed my game just to save the Test match,” he pointed out.
Sehwag, who was dropped in early 2007 from the ODI squad and later from the Test team too before storming his way back into the team, mentions improvisation as the key to his altered game.
Sehwag, in fact, made 83 off only 68 balls with 4 sixes and 11 fours before Sachin Tendulkar scored a brilliant, unbeaten 103 and Yuvraj Singh got 85 not out that piloted India to a six—wicket victory on the final day of the first match of the two—Test series in December, 2008.
He mentions captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Tendulkar among the game changers he admires.
“M S Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir are few players who change the game beyond the ordinary. Their thinking on and off the field helps achieve success and also excel in any format of the game”.
“Change The Game for me is the self belief and self confidence that pushes one beyond the limitations. To change the game, one has to think beyond the limitations and improvise.
“I have that confidence and the self belief that I can do whatever is needed to be done and change the game on the field, especially in the crunch situations,” according to Sehwag.
The upper cut or “upar” cut, the slash that sends the ball over the slip cordon to the third man region, has been mentioned as by Sehwag as one of the game changing shots though he had not practised it in the nets.
“There are things that come naturally to you and the Upar Cut is one of them. I never practised this shot in the nets and have always gone with natural instincts while hitting the ball.
“With the Upper Cut, I could easily hit third man six off a fast ball that would surprise the bowlers. Since, it came to me naturally, that made it easier for me to perfect it. I always try to think beyond the limits and the Upar Cut, especially has been a true game changer for me”.
The India opener has also recalled the Chennai Test match against England when his pyrotechnics when chasing an imposing total of close to 400 helped India rocket off.
“I remember once we were chasing around 387 runs against England and I scored a quick—fire 85 off just 50 odd balls.
Those quick runs particularly changed the game in favour of our team. And eventually we had to chase less than 200 runs on the last day of the Test match with six—seven wickets still in hand.”
Crucial for India to start on a winning note
Bangladesh is in the midst of a cricket fever. Scores of people, not just quintessential fans but entire families, sang and danced in brightly lit streets after Thursday's opening ceremony of the ICC World Cup.
The tournament has been welcomed with undiluted passion and happiness. There are expectations from the Bangladesh team as well. Several here believe Shakib Al Hasan's men can ambush bigger teams in familiar conditions. There are whispers too that India could be in for some trouble again.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been pursued with a familiar question in the run-up to the World Cup – ‘Will India seek revenge for the defeat against Bangladesh in the 2007 World Cup.’ And the smart Dhoni has answered the queries rather well. He has shown respect to the Bangladesh team even while exuding confidence about India's chances. His replies have been bereft of arrogance that often accompanies teams billed as favourites.
The inaugural clash of the 2011 edition, between India and Bangladesh at the renovated Sher-e-Bangla Stadium on Saturday, will be high on emotions. While the Indian team is not talking about revenge, it is keen to erase the memories of a shock defeat to Bangladesh at Port of Spain in 2007.
This time around, India is not only up against a spirited Bangladesh side that walloped New Zealand 4-0 in a home ODI series this season, but also a vocal crowd that could lift the spirits of the host. It is crucial for India to begin its campaign on a winning note. Bangladesh might not be a fancied side but the pressures of the occasion could be huge.
The legendary Sachin Tendulkar, figuring in a remarkable sixth World Cup, will be India's inspiration. Pace spearhead Zaheer Khan, who appears to have recovered well from niggle in his groin, could figure in the eleven. The left-arm paceman has the experience to excel even on unresponsive pitches with his accuracy and craft.
Zaheer sent down around 10 deliveries without any apparent discomfort but did not bowl a longish spell that would have confirmed his fitness for the match. Dhoni, though, was confident that Zaheer would make it. The largely sand-coloured pitch is expected to play slow. Run-making would demand application and the spinners could come into the picture.
India might be tempted to include leg-spinner Piyush Chawla as the second spinner in the eleven Harbhajan and Chawla can forge a winning partnership of contrasts – but the move is not without risk. Such a ploy, if India persists with seven batsmen and four bowlers, would mean Dhoni's team would enter the match with only two specialist pacemen. In the event of one of the pacemen picking up an injury or going for runs, the skipper might encounter serious problems managing the overs, particularly at the death.
There is a selection issue too in batting too. Bangladesh's strength is spin and its three left-arm spinners in skipper Shakib Al Hasan, Abdur Razzak and Suhrawadi Shuvo can both contain and strike at home. The trio often controls play in the middle overs.
The in-form Virat Kohli was the side's first choice for the No. 4 slot. However, fielding a left-hander is an effective ploy while coping with left-arm spin and this factor brings Suresh Raina in the fray. India has the option of pushing Yuvraj Singh, another southpaw, to No. 4 and include Raina to take on the Bangladesh left-arm trio. Given that dew often impacts day\night games here, India would be better off chasing. This is another factor that raises doubts over the inclusion of a second spinner.
Bangladesh is a spirited side that has jelled well this season. Skipper Shakib is a competent all-rounder while Tamil Iqbal and Shahriar Nafees are strokeful top-order batsmen. The inconsistent but talented Mohammad Ashraful and the spunky wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim could influence matches too.
Shafiul Islam and Rubel Hossain, he can get the ball to reverse, have progressed as pacemen. Saturday's duel has possibilities.
The teams: India (from): M.S. Dhoni (captain), S. Tendulkar, V. Sehwag, G. Gambhir, V. Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, P. Chawla, M. Patel, S. Raina, A. Nehra, S. Sreesanth, R. Ashwin.
Bangladesh (from): Shakib Al Hasan (captain), T. Iqbal, S. Nafees, I. Kayes, J. Siddque, M. Ashraful, M. Rahim, A. Razzaq, S. Shuvo, S. Islam, R. Hossain, Mahmudullah, N. Hossain, N. Islam, R. Hasan.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
As it happened - Australia batting
That just about concludes my session for today. It has been a joy, like always, to bring updates. Until next time see you all.. And remember 214.....
Piyush Chawla's spell was undoubtedly the turning point after Watson's quickfire innings at the top of the order.
Having said that, this was a very unlike Australian batting performance. Ponting hung in there for a while, which was a massive plus, but the middle and the lower-middle order just caved in against the Indian tweakers.
A magnificient fightback from team India after a very disappointing batting performance. As an aside, just how crucial were those runs at the death by the Indian tailenders. Contenders?
38th Over - Wicket - B. Lee - b. Ashwin 1
And the fightback is complete. Ashwin, who has been very unlucky to not get a few wickets, gets on the wickets tally. Pitched outside off and coming in, Lee throws the kitchen sink at it but only manages to find the inside edge which displaces the furniture. Aus - allout 176
37th Over Wicket - J. Krezja LBW b. Harbhajan 0.
If ever there was a proverbial "hitting middle of middle" this is it. Landed in a good length area and turning back in and wraps Krezja well below the knee role. Out all day long.
37th Over - Wicket - M. Johnson st. Dhoni b. Harbhajan 15
Oh dear. Johnson tries to loft Harbhajan's first ball of the new over into Sydney but misses it completely. Dhoni completing the job behind the stumps - another stumpinmg by the captain I might add. Probably game, set and match?
36th Over - Johnson, the last remaining all-rounder connects with one and dumps it into the stands. Australia hanging on by a thread. Aus 175-8
35th Over - Wicket - R. Ponting st. Dhoni b. Harbhajan 57
Big wicket. Ponting went for the slog over square leg but missed it. Dhoni was on on hand to remove the bails in a flash with Ponting, just like Hussey, a bit shot. Aus 166-7
34th Over - The last two overs have been better for Australia. They have just knocked it around here to earn themselves six more runs. Aus 160-6
33rd Over - Harbhajan back into the attack. A more productive over for Australia as four singles come off it. Aus 154-6
32nd Over - The containing Ashwin is also not giving an inch here. Just yielded a single. Aus 151-6
31st Over - Chawla is living the dream - Alas for him its only a practice game. But nonetheless.. this is a superb spell. Johnson takes the single off the last ball to retain strike. Aus 149-6
31st Over - Wicket - C. Ferguson c. Kohli b. Chawla 8
Ferguson escaped the last over but India has the las laugh. Another outside edge and this time Kohli takes it comfortably. M. Johnson is up next.
30th Over - Ferguson almost consumed. A thickish edge almost finds the diving Kohli at first slip but Ferguson escapes. It also brings a welcome boundary. No such thrills for the other balls. Living on the edge, are Australia. Aus 146-5
29th Over - All happening at Bangalore. After the double blow, Callum Ferguson survives the hat-trick ball before taking a single. In the last ball, Chawla could have easily had Ponting or effected a run-out to remove Ferguson. Australia... on the mat. Aus 139 -5
29th Over - Wicket - D. Hussey - st. Dhoni b. Chawla 0
A tossed up ball and Hussey, looking to defend misses it. What's more Dhoni caught him shot of the crease. Just, mind you. But that's enough. Chawla on a hat-trick.
29th Over - Wicket - C. White - c. Ashwin b. Chawla 4
Massive wicket this for the Indian team and they are back in with more than shout. A flighted delivery whihc pitched outside off was rammed by White straight down Ashwin's throat.
28th Over - Ponting, who has been hanging in there and getting back into form, has just reached his fifty. A very workmanlike innings but Ponting won't mind. Aus 138-3.
27th Over - Chawla is plugging away at one end. Another very tight over sees him concede just a single. Aus 134-3. Been a long time since a boundary. (Ponting took a single off the first ball)
26th Over - Ponting, who is slowly but surely regaining his touch, is looking in some touch. Although the drives are yet to appear, he is taking those singles and doubles to keep the strike turning. White also obliges by taking two singles. Aus 133-3
25th Over - Chawla is getting some very nice purchase of the surface. Ponting survives another LBW appeal before lofting it into the outfield for a couple. Aus 127-3
24th Over Cameron White is the new batsman and all of a sudden the pitch is turning and biting and grasping. Yuvraj bowls a very testing over which is handled with care by both Ponting and White. Aus 123-3
23rd Over - Wicket M. Clarke b. Chawla 0
A fightback? A leg-spinner is played on by Clarke which promptly castles the out-of-form batsman. Aus 120-3
22nd Over - Wicket. T. Paine : c. Patel b. Yuvraj 37
It looked so comfortable for Paine. Off the fourth ball, Paine lofts one to the right of long-on where Patel takes a good running catch. Clarke is the new man in. Big, Big innings even though it's only a warmup game for Clarke. Aus 119-2
21st Over - Almost a wicket but Ponting's top-edged sweep is taken by Sreesanth on the bounce. Just. Ponting, off the last ball, gets four leg byes for the team. Very, very comfortable. Aus 116-1
20th Over - Australia are now milking the bowling. 0 1 2 1 1 0 is the sequence. And it has suddenly become comfortable to face the spinners. Aus 110-1
19th Over - Harbhajan Singh's first over. But it does not bring a wicket. Australia very comfortably handle him and take two singles. Aus 105-1
18th Over A very good over was just spoiled by a Ponting boundary off the last ball. What's more the umpires signal for drinks. Australia find themselves in a VERY commanding position. Aus 103-1
17th Over - Paine, who is playing himself in nicely, and Ponting have settled down after a few dodgy overs against the spinners. They added another four singles to the kitty. Aus 95-1
16th Over - Ponting says enough is enough and dances down the wicket but does noto get hold of the shot. Luckily for him his mistimes shot falls in no mans land. Australia collected six from the over. Aus 91-1
15th Over - The spinners are doing what the fast-bowlers could not. Ashwin, on the back of two good overs, bowls another excellent one. Also, both Paine and Ponting have survived a dew close LBW shouts - Paine surviving one this over. Just a one run of this over. Aus - 85-1
14th Over - Excellent over from Chawla. Troubled Ponting on almost all occasions. Just gave away the three runs. Aus 84-1
13th Over - India already looking to tie down the Aussies down after Watson's splendid beginning. Ashwin bowls another good over, just conceding three from it. Aus 81-1
12th Over - Five wides down the leg side isn't the start Piyush Chawla was looking but since then it has been a very good over. Probing and testing both Ponting and Paine, just conceded one more run. Aus 78-1
11th Over - A more sedate over this. Ashwin, more a containing bolwer than a wicket-taking one, gives away five runs. Aus 72-1
10th Over - Just have Sreesanth and you have action. A loud appeal for a caught behind off the last bowl of the over is denied by the umpire. Sreesanth has a few words with Ponting before proceeding to show symbols with his hands. Earlier in the over, Ponting missed an attempted pull which already had Sreesanth buzzing. Very good over from the Kerala express. Replays inconclusive so far. Aus 67-1.
9th Over - A streaky four behind the keeper, one behind square on the off side before clipping one in the mid-wicket region. Ponting welcomes new bowler R. Ashwin with a variety of boundaries. Aus 64-1
8th Over Wicket. Shane Watson - c. Chawla b. Sreesanth 33 off 25.
India's best bowler on the night so far picks the prized wicket of Watson. With just two singles coming in the first four balls, a touch inferior compared to the trend of the batting so far, Watson decides to take the aeria route but is successful in finding Chawla inside the 30-yard circle.
Ponting is the new man in. And he wastes no time in getting off the mark. Aus 52-1
7th Over - Watson is orchestrating proceedings. With long-on in place, Watson bisects short third man and backward point beautifully for a boundary before smashing one past point for another four. He is enjoying it so much he decides to retain strike. Munaf again at the receiving end. Aus 49-0
6th Over - Watson opts to take a single after playing two dot balls but Paine is in no mood for such philanthropic acts. He crunches a very poor delivery past backward point for one of the simpler fours he will score in his career before playing out the last ball. Aus - 40-0
5th Over - Munaf Patel is in but he is getting the same treatment. Watson, fresh from his exploits against England, scores three boundaries before picking a single off the last ball. His third boundary just eluded the fingers of a flying R. Ashwin in the mid-on region. Dominant beginning by the Aussies, this. Aus - 35-0
4th Over - The story of Sreesanth's bowling career in one over. After Watson takes a single, Sree bowls a beautiful ball which kicked after pitching with caused some trouble to Paine. Then the Australian keeper almost gave Yuvraj a catch following a leading edge. But Sree eventually undid all the hard work by drifting one into Paine's pads which was put away in fine fashion. Aus 22-0
3rd Over - While defending small totals, four balls should be avoided at all costs. But Nehra has just gone ahead and conceded his third boundary in two overs. Paine leaning into one and stroking it through the covers. Must mention that Nehra bowled five dots in that over. Aus - 17-0
2nd Over - A very good first over from Sreesanth which also included an iffy edge which went past second slip for Paine's first boundary. Rotating the strike is important and Paine, well versed with that aspect, takes a single off the last bowl to retain the strike. Australia 13-0
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1st Over - Oh, dear. The first ball is promptly despatched back past the bowler for a boundary. A ball later, Watson scores another boundary. This time more through mid-on rather than back past the bowler. Nehra comes back well enough to bowl three dot balls. Aus 8-0. Sreesanth will open the bowling at the other end.
Shane Watson and Tim Paine will open proceedings for Australia. Ashish Nehra gets first use of the shining white ball.
The players are coming back out on the field after the tea/dinner break.
Missed India's rather unflattering batting effect? Don't worry as everything has been properly documented by the ebullient Anand Venkateswaran.
214? I tell you, what. If India does go on to win the World Cup, 214 will go down in the annals of history as India's luckiest three-digit number since 1983. Welcome one and all for the second innings between India and Australia. Can India defend the moderate total? Or will Australia send out a strong signal and demoralise India before the showpiece event begins?
Friday, February 11, 2011
Always enjoyed playing against India: Ponting
Australia Captain Ricky Ponting remained bullish on his team's prospects at the World Cup but summarily dismissed the idea of any country being the front-runner to win the tournament.
“I don't know who the favourite is and I don't really care,” he said, addressing the media a day after the side's arrival in Bangalore.
“I don't know if there's ever such a thing. At the last World Cup, there was a fair bit of negativity about our team. We had lost the CB series in Australia, then went to New Zealand and lost the series three nil. But we know what happened at the World Cup.”
The 36-year old, however, called India and South Africa “the standout teams” while noting that Sri Lanka, Pakistan, New Zealand, and England too were capable sides.
LENGTH OF TOURNAMENT
Ponting refused to be drawn into criticisms of the length of the tournament. “We've known that [it is long] for a while now. That is international sport these days, unfortunately.
“We're carrying a few guys who are a little bit stiff and sore. So it should be a good thing for us to have some extra time between games.”
While admitting that injuries had affected the squad, Ponting felt it was still capable of coming good. “We have had a couple of big setbacks with Mike Hussey and Nathan Hauritz both being ruled out.
“Hussey's is a big loss to our setup; there's no doubt about it. His experience and his knowledge of the game in tournaments like this are almost second to none. But his brother [David Hussey] gets a really good opportunity. He has played well in the last series at home.”
“Krejza has done well in the past in India, albeit in Test cricket,” he said, reflecting on the abilities of the bowlers at his disposal. “He has performed well for Tasmania in domestic cricket this year. He can be a real match-winning bowler.
DEFENSIVE-MINDED
“Brett Lee has been able to turn himself into a more defensive-minded bowler with his changes of pace and a bit more nous. Shaun Tait is probably not his absolute best yet but he will work his way up there. I just want to let him go; let him run in, bowl fast, and take wickets.
“Mitchell Johnson, at his best, doesn't go for a lot of runs and takes wickets. Doug Bollinger has proven that he is as good as anyone else in the world, with the white or the red ball.
“Hastings impressed at different times in Australia. Michael Clarke may be called on for a few overs as well. You put David Hussey and Steve Smith on top of that and we have a lot of options.”
Ponting revealed that he had made progress on his own injury. “My finger is going on pretty well,” he said. “I have been able to do some batting in the last couple of weeks which has been nice. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to do some batting today and tomorrow and be able to play the two practice games against India and South Africa.”
When asked by reporters to comment on this being Sachin Tendulkar's last World Cup, the Tasmanian had this to say: “It will probably be my last as well. I have always enjoyed the challenge of playing against Sachin and the Indian team. I'm sure he wants to be part of the World Cup winning side, but hopefully he's not.”
Sehwag: We’re charged up for World Cup
An Indian quartet that is coping with different situations but fused together with the common goal of winning the ICC World Cup, squared up to the media in two parts here on Friday afternoon.
Virender Sehwag the ‘Test batsman' has often over-shadowed the rapid-fire version in ODIs. Yuvraj Singh has been searching for an incandescent innings. Virat Kohli has offered assurance in the middle-order but still has miles to go while Suresh Raina has found runs to be elusive.
Optimism was a common calling card among all four though the most telling comment was made by Yuvraj when he said: “The 1983 team was successful because they won the World Cup and if we are a good team then we will have to prove it by winning the cup.”
Yuvraj admitted that he had suffered the horrors and said: “I never said that I want to quit, I said that I used to get thoughts that ‘should I?'
“I was getting injured and it was tough to get back on the field. Those were tough days. Now I am feeling 100 per cent fit for the World Cup.”
DRAWING INSPIRATION
The southpaw also drew inspiration from meeting motivational speaker Mike Horn, who has joined the team. “It is amazing to learn about the power of the mind from him,” Yuvraj said.
Sehwag, in his true irreverent style, dismissed the Bangladesh-bogey. “We have lost one or two games against Bangladesh — one in the 2007 World Cup and may be one in Bangladesh. We have been waiting for that moment when we will play against them again in the World Cup and we are charged up,” Sehwag said.
The belligerent opener stressed that he was happy with his runs in ODIs. “Everybody is talking about the fact that my Test average is 54 and my one day average is 35 but if you look at other top batsmen, if their average in Tests is 50 then it's not necessary that their one-day average will also be 50.
“I can do better and as long as I contribute to the team, I am happy. The maximum I have batted is about 44 overs. So this time I will try to bat the full 50 overs whenever I get a good start,” Sehwag said and added that his shoulder injury has fully healed though he will take up bowling after a while.
LIGHT-HEARTED MOMENT
A light-hearted moment occurred when Indian skipper M.S. Dhoni stepped in for a while and sat with the journalists. When asked whether he was worried about Dhoni asking any questions, Sehwag quipped: “We are senior to Mahi and we are not worried.”
Meanwhile Raina who is competing for a middle-order slot, said: “It's a healthy competition between me, Virat and Yusuf. Whoever plays its important we win many matches.
“I have been scoring 25 and 35 but I am not converting them into big scores. I know I can do well in big games and I am comfortable with playing short-pitched balls.”
Unlike Raina, Kohli is in a more comfortable zone after having made runs at every possible opportunity. “I have learnt from my mistakes and I am happy with the way I controlled myself when I felt like playing a rash shot.
“I have played rash shots before — one against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy and another against Australia at Baroda. In South Africa, I learnt about how to be mentally tough while facing the best bowlers in the world,” Kohli said.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
‘Give me some credit for knowing how to spin a ball’
A game-changer in his own right, mercurial off-spinner Harbhajain Singh says India is a team full of match-winners and even less-talked-about players such as Ashish Nehra would be seen turning around games in the upcoming World Cup in the sub-continent.
“Good thing is, everyone in this team has won matches for us in recent times. So India is in business even with its last men,” remarked Harbhajan.
Harbhajan cites the example of Ashish Nehra who remains most underrated in the eyes of the critics. “Ashish shares the new ball, bowls in middle overs and is economical even in slog overs. He has picked up 59 wickets in the last two years in ODIs and it’s no joke. His wicket of AB de Villiers in Johannesburg turned the tide in our favour. Yet nobody talks about him,” he explained.
Harbhajan actually sees such ignorance and indifference on the part of critics as advantage to India for it keeps lesser-known forces of India in prime shape.
“Personally for me, the high is to turn out in Indian jersey. That some critics have made a career out of criticising me doesn’t upset me now,” said Harbhajan
“These purists don’t realise that flighting the ball isn’t such a clever idea now. You have men like AB de Villiers, Mahela Jayawardene and Younis Khan who would send a flighted delivery soaring into the orbit.
“You need to plan against batsmen, tailor yourself to situations and conditions. You need to know why the length on Indian pitches need to be fuller, why a little short of length on foreign pitches can aid your bounce.
“Give me some credit for knowing how to spin a ball. I am nearing 400 Test wickets,” he said.
World Cup is not the final frontier: Dhoni
Mahendra Singh Dhoni said that it is important for his team to stay detached from the hype surrounding the World Cup and just focus on playing good cricket.
“A lot of hype is always created around the World Cup and this time it is being played in India and we are expected to win. Expectations will always be there and it won't be right to consider this as the final frontier.
“It is one of the big tournaments and the team needs to do well. What we need to realise is that it is always the process and preparation that will help us achieve success and not thinking about how big the tournament is,” Dhoni told the media here on Thursday.
Missing Praveen
The Indian skipper admitted that injured seamer Praveen Kumar will be missed. “It is unfortunate that Praveen had to miss the World Cup. He has featured consistently in the ODI squad and he is a street-smart cricketer and we will miss him,” Dhoni said and added that there are no other injury concerns with the team.
With speculation mounting over this being Sachin Tendulkar's last World Cup and the imminent exit of coach Gary Kirsten after the tournament, Dhoni said: “There are always plenty of issues that surround our team but we are quite good at distracting ourselves from these issues and just concentrate on the process and preparation. But still the fact remains that this will be the last World Cup for Sachin and most likely the last tournament for Gary Kirsten as our coach.”
From being a player in the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies, to being the captain now, Dhoni has charted a soaring career graph. The skipper however shifted attention to his team. “It is an added responsibility and not pressure. When you are playing for India you won't play a single game where there is no pressure. We have got some very experienced players and some talented youngsters who can really change the course of the game,” Dhoni said.
India starts its World Cup campaign with the inaugural match against Bangladesh at Dhaka on February 19 and the team does have the unhappy memory of losing against the same opponent in 2007.
Looking forward
Dhoni though preferred to look forward. “It is a fresh start and we need to do well,” the skipper said. However when prodded on the after-effects of the early exit from the tournament's last edition, he said: “It took us a longer time to get over the defeat because we were not playing cricket for some time after the tournament. The only way to get out of a depression is to get out and play. It took us nearly a month because the next series we played was in Bangladesh after a month.”
The competition for batting slots between the trio of Virat Kohli, Yusuf Pathan and Suresh Raina has also enthused Dhoni. “It is good if people are fighting for one slot,” Dhoni said and mentioned that team strategies will revolve around ground conditions and the dew-factor. “In that scenario (dew) while having an extra spinner, it is always better to bowl first,” Dhoni added.
A cautious Dhoni termed all rival teams as threats. “All the teams are dangerous. All the teams will go with their best bowling line-up, irrespective of whether it features more fast bowlers or spinners but if you have a quality spinner then that spinner gains an edge over the fast bowler,” the skipper said.
Viv's vintage innings for Windies
Quite frankly, I do not have very fond memories of the second edition of the World Cup in England. As captain of the team, leading the country in the second successive Prudential Cup, I will be the first to admit that our performance in 1979 was not up to the mark.
At the outset, we were an inexperienced lot with the youngsters in the squad, not completely comprehending the nuances of one-day cricket in the 60-over format. Kapil Dev, Yashpal Sharma and Brijesh Patel were just blossoming to their full potential. And how the Indians developed into a World Cup-conquering entity in the next four years is best exemplified by the triumph in 1983.
That we lost all three group matches — to the West Indies, New Zealand and Sri Lanka — is now history. But you must understand that the West Indies team, whom we played in the opening match, was a remarkably talented squad under the dynamic leadership of Clive Lloyd.
POOR FIELDING
What really cost us a place in the semifinals was the poor showing against New Zealand. Our fielding let us down; I distinctly remember the catches that were dropped. That dashed our hopes. Also, we did not have enough runs on the board to make a match of it. The next match with Sri Lanka was a mere formality.
Looking back, I can still say without fear of contradiction that the team was just shaping up to challenge the rigours of this version of the game. True, we had a few seasoned stars such as Gavaskar and Viswanath.
I still remember the classic 75 Vishy made against the West Indies. Eventually, it was our lack of experience that proved a deterrent.
World Cup 1979 on the whole was a re-assertion of the Caribbean dominance at that juncture. There was none to doubt the credentials of Clive Lloyd's men to retain the Cup.
Etched in my memory is the innings that Vivian Richards (138 not out off 157 balls) played in the final. Incredible is the right word to describe that knock.
Viv played as though it was a Twenty20 competition, when that idea had not struck the imagination of the cricketing public. One shot that I wish to recall was the glorious six over square-leg off Mike Hendrick off the last ball of the innings.
KING SETS THE TENOR
In my assessment it was Collis King (86 off 66 balls) who set the tenor for the Caribbean Calypso when the team was struggling at 99 for four. Then it was Vivian Richards's symphony that echoed across Lord's. England, then regarded as the past master of one-day cricket, was blown away like a straw in the wind to lose the final by 92 runs on June 23.
The Aussies were relatively weak under Kim Hughes because of the Packer effect. But they managed to climb to the top in 1987 when the World Cup was played in a totally different format.
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