With the 2009 Ashes Test about to start, the selectors of both the England and Australian cricket teams, will come under intense scrutiny. When it comes to selecting a squad of players the game of cricket is unique. amongst all sports. In football for example it is the manager who picks the team whereas in cricket it is the job of a panel of selectors containing several members. These selectors contain people who all have extensive in the game having all played at various levels.
The selectors in cricket are often at the centre of controversy most especially when the team do particularly badly. This is completely understandable as it is the selectors job to pick the team and if those players picked do not perform to the expected standard then the very credentials of those that picked those players in the first place are brought into question. Returning to football if the team does not perform the manager can and frequently is sacked - an option not available when there are several selector involved in the original selections.
Most selectors, especially those involved in the international cricket arena are well paid - how would you like to travel the world watching top class cricket all expenses paid ! The beauty of the game is cricket fans are particularly knowledgeable and that means that if they do not agree with any of the selection decisions and they are proved right the selectors will come in for heavy criticism.
One of the selectors is usually the cricket coach as well, after all he manages the team his opinion will carry a lot of weight .If he wants a particular player in the team or conversely one dropped he will get his way. Whilst the cricket captain is not on the selection panel his opinion will carry a lot of weight after all, a captain who is not in tune with his selectors will adversely effect everyone involved .The panel of selectors will try to give the captain they want.
At the end of the day it is the role of the panel of selectors in cricket is to pick the best eleven cricketers available for selection. Due to injuries or more often lack of form that is not always possible due to player injuries or even more likely loss of form. Often player selections give rise to a huge amount of controversy and the selectors are called to account for their decisions.
The one and only objective of the selection panel is providing the captain and coach with the best possible squad of players to perform their job. Whether it is the England cricket selectors or the Aussie cricket selectors that have got it right, will soon be revealed.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Moragh_Pitt
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
The 2009 Ashes Test
With the 2009 Ashes Test Series about to start there is a growing expectation among England cricket fans that it will be just as dramatic as the 2005 Ashes won by the home side 2-1 which was their first victory over the Australian cricket team since 1987.
The victory by the Australians some eighteen months later is a painful memory best forgotten by England cricket fans! With the Lions Rugby tour being over the Ashes will take over the sporting centre stage.
The composition of both sides is far different to the sides that took to the field to do battle for the Ashes in 2005. Although Andrew Strauss returns this time as captain hoping to regain the sacred urn, many of his team are young and up and coming with no experience against the Australians. There are however a few old heads in the shape of Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood and Andrew Flintoff with the relevant experience to steady the England cricket team. The Australian cricket team have lost a number of players considered to be the core of their team. They are however led by Ricky Ponting who is looking after a new young crop of talented Australian cricketers such as Phillip Hughes, Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle.
The Ashes would not be the Ashes without some kind of controversy and 2009 is no exception. The choice of Glamorgan's Sophia Gardens in Cardiff is a departure from tradition that has raised a few eyebrows. Drainage problems dogged the ground for many years but apparently this has now been rectified. From the five venues played at in 2005, Lord's, Edgbaston and the Oval stay, two ,Old Trafford and Trent Bridge have been dropped. Both these grounds are not only steeped in history but more significantly they were both games in 2005 that were in England's favour. Yorkshire's Headingley, an old favourite returns to complete the five.
Ashes 2009 Test Series
1st Test: Wednesday 8 July Sunday 12 July (Cardiff)
2nd Test: Thursday 16 July Monday 20 July (Lords)
3rd Test: Thursday 30 July Monday 3 August (Edgbaston)
4th Test: Friday 7 August Tuesday 11 August (Headingley)
5th Test: Thursday 20 August Monday 24 August (The Oval)
May the battle for the 2009 Ashes Test commence.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Moragh_Pitt
The victory by the Australians some eighteen months later is a painful memory best forgotten by England cricket fans! With the Lions Rugby tour being over the Ashes will take over the sporting centre stage.
The composition of both sides is far different to the sides that took to the field to do battle for the Ashes in 2005. Although Andrew Strauss returns this time as captain hoping to regain the sacred urn, many of his team are young and up and coming with no experience against the Australians. There are however a few old heads in the shape of Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood and Andrew Flintoff with the relevant experience to steady the England cricket team. The Australian cricket team have lost a number of players considered to be the core of their team. They are however led by Ricky Ponting who is looking after a new young crop of talented Australian cricketers such as Phillip Hughes, Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle.
The Ashes would not be the Ashes without some kind of controversy and 2009 is no exception. The choice of Glamorgan's Sophia Gardens in Cardiff is a departure from tradition that has raised a few eyebrows. Drainage problems dogged the ground for many years but apparently this has now been rectified. From the five venues played at in 2005, Lord's, Edgbaston and the Oval stay, two ,Old Trafford and Trent Bridge have been dropped. Both these grounds are not only steeped in history but more significantly they were both games in 2005 that were in England's favour. Yorkshire's Headingley, an old favourite returns to complete the five.
Ashes 2009 Test Series
1st Test: Wednesday 8 July Sunday 12 July (Cardiff)
2nd Test: Thursday 16 July Monday 20 July (Lords)
3rd Test: Thursday 30 July Monday 3 August (Edgbaston)
4th Test: Friday 7 August Tuesday 11 August (Headingley)
5th Test: Thursday 20 August Monday 24 August (The Oval)
May the battle for the 2009 Ashes Test commence.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Moragh_Pitt
Is Test Cricket As We Know it Gone?
Everything seems to be getting shorter and shorter, the advent of 20/20 cricket is designed to appeal to fans who cricket wouldn't normally attract by the longer versions of the game. (It seems absurd to be calling one day internationals a longer form of the game!). However are we running the risk of changing the game as we know it? Already we can see that many cricketers simply don't have the skill set or mind set to play test cricket, Bangladesh being a great example. They have talent, but they don't like batting or bowling for very long before they either throw their wicket away or try something absurd!
Night cricket remains a possibility to attract viewers that may not have time during the day. Adam Gilchrist warns we are not ready for it yet, and I agree. There are "ball issues" but for me the problem is the limited venues where night cricket will be an option. It requires areas where the dew and conditions don't change the conditions so much that the nature of the game is changed and favours one side. Other than Australia, I'm not sure any other country can provide this.
So the question remains, should we tamper with test cricket?
I think test cricket is dying. The purists who love the game will always remain, but cricket can't exist with such small numbers of die hard fans. Not in this economic climate. I don't like changing the fundamentals of the game but how about these ideas of mine?
1. Ensure 100 overs per day
I believe more results would help attracts viewers to the game. A draw can be fascinating, but it should be the exception not the norm. I am thus in favour of giving the players as much time as possible to produce a result. My first change would be to ensure the game consists of 100 overs per day.
How often do game almost produce a result in the last session of a test? Another 50 overs over the course of a game would be massive. Play could start half an hour earlier and lunch could be reduced to 20 minutes like the tea break. I'm sick of teams not bowling their 90 overs in a day too, so harsher penalties need to be enforced. Do players really need to run in from such a long distance sometimes!
2. Limit the first innings
What about a scenario where teams have a limited number of overs in their first innings? I know this takes away a fundamental aspect of test cricket, but how often do we see batter friendly pitches in the sub-continent where after 2-3 days the game is effectively a draw? What if we limited each teams first innings to 100 overs each. I have taken note of this and in most parts of the world, teams don't last 100 overs in the first innings , so those that argue it would limit teams, and they'd have to change their game, that may not have to happen.
Also would it be exciting in the middle of a test to see a side running out of overs and having to up the ante to score runs! The second innings could remain unlimited. Thus we'd have a minimum of 3 days to complete the last 2 innings. If the first fielding side bowled the first side out before 100 overs, could they be credited those overs to their first innings?
3. Change the rules
Tidy up some of the rules. The 2 that really get me are wides and defensive fields.
To encourage more positive bowling, I think wides should be policed much better. The off side wide could stay much the same as the ODI and 20/20 currently operates, and the leg side wide could be relaxed slightly compared to those formats, to ensure leg side play can remain part of the game.
The second rule I'd change is the fielding restrictions. I am not a fan of seeing captains place most of the fielders on the boundary of 3/4 of the way back to stop boundaries being scored when a team is attacking. I think there should be a limit. Maybe they need a circle like the shorter forms of the game and maybe there could be a limit such as 4 or 5 fielders outside the circle. It then makes run chases more exciting and doesn't penalise a side who is attacking through their batting.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sanjay_Deva
Night cricket remains a possibility to attract viewers that may not have time during the day. Adam Gilchrist warns we are not ready for it yet, and I agree. There are "ball issues" but for me the problem is the limited venues where night cricket will be an option. It requires areas where the dew and conditions don't change the conditions so much that the nature of the game is changed and favours one side. Other than Australia, I'm not sure any other country can provide this.
So the question remains, should we tamper with test cricket?
I think test cricket is dying. The purists who love the game will always remain, but cricket can't exist with such small numbers of die hard fans. Not in this economic climate. I don't like changing the fundamentals of the game but how about these ideas of mine?
1. Ensure 100 overs per day
I believe more results would help attracts viewers to the game. A draw can be fascinating, but it should be the exception not the norm. I am thus in favour of giving the players as much time as possible to produce a result. My first change would be to ensure the game consists of 100 overs per day.
How often do game almost produce a result in the last session of a test? Another 50 overs over the course of a game would be massive. Play could start half an hour earlier and lunch could be reduced to 20 minutes like the tea break. I'm sick of teams not bowling their 90 overs in a day too, so harsher penalties need to be enforced. Do players really need to run in from such a long distance sometimes!
2. Limit the first innings
What about a scenario where teams have a limited number of overs in their first innings? I know this takes away a fundamental aspect of test cricket, but how often do we see batter friendly pitches in the sub-continent where after 2-3 days the game is effectively a draw? What if we limited each teams first innings to 100 overs each. I have taken note of this and in most parts of the world, teams don't last 100 overs in the first innings , so those that argue it would limit teams, and they'd have to change their game, that may not have to happen.
Also would it be exciting in the middle of a test to see a side running out of overs and having to up the ante to score runs! The second innings could remain unlimited. Thus we'd have a minimum of 3 days to complete the last 2 innings. If the first fielding side bowled the first side out before 100 overs, could they be credited those overs to their first innings?
3. Change the rules
Tidy up some of the rules. The 2 that really get me are wides and defensive fields.
To encourage more positive bowling, I think wides should be policed much better. The off side wide could stay much the same as the ODI and 20/20 currently operates, and the leg side wide could be relaxed slightly compared to those formats, to ensure leg side play can remain part of the game.
The second rule I'd change is the fielding restrictions. I am not a fan of seeing captains place most of the fielders on the boundary of 3/4 of the way back to stop boundaries being scored when a team is attacking. I think there should be a limit. Maybe they need a circle like the shorter forms of the game and maybe there could be a limit such as 4 or 5 fielders outside the circle. It then makes run chases more exciting and doesn't penalise a side who is attacking through their batting.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sanjay_Deva
Pakistan Cricket Team on Top of the World
There was only once in 1999 cricket world cup when Pakistan team was ranked favorites for the ICC multinational tournament. Every other tournament Pakistan had a bumpy ride but some how managed to reach at final and once won it in 1992.
What pleases me as a cricketing fan and especially die hard Pakistan cricket fan is the plan that was executed on 21st June at lords. I wrote an article on 19th June titled "Revolution in Pakistan cricket" in which I talked about the consistency that needs to be brought in the team and they have to act and behave like team.
The body language of Pakistan was outstanding right from the word go and the very first bowl from Muhammad Ammer indicated that Pakistani team definitely came up with the plan. Teasing Dilshan with quick short balls forced him to play a false short. Abdur Razzaq inclusion was superb as he took 3 vital wickets of srilankan top order. The catching and ground fielding was awesome and it showed the thirst of boys to win it this time.
This is what required on a more regular basis. They got themselves together and made strategies, overcome their weaknesses. The given table shows how improved the Pakistan team was after the defeat against srilankan team in a super eight match.
World T20 Pakistan Disciplinary Turnaround
Key performance indicators First 3 matches vs Next 4 matches vs
(England, Holland, Sri Lanka) (New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa, Sri Lanka)
Wides and No ball 25 11
Average opening Partnership 17.00 32.50
Run Rate in first 6 overs 7.05 7.42
Afridi's Runs 18 in 3 innings, 1 duck 158 in 4 innings,2 50's,2 NO
Wickets taken in first 6 overs 3 9
Run rate conceded in first 6 overs 9.17 6.17
Catches taken 9 14
One can see what a massive turnaround that was. It was definitely game plan and strategy that worked. The enormous innings of Shahid Afridi in semi final and final was the difference along with his leg spin. For the very first time the team looked united and there was a passion for the win. The cricketing nation is absolutely blissful with the win as they have dark memories in the 2007 final. Here is the point where revolution can be brought. This is just a beginning. The system has to be perfect in order to transform the raw talent into masterpieces. I hope and pray the Pakistan does well and goes higher and higher.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ali_Imran
What pleases me as a cricketing fan and especially die hard Pakistan cricket fan is the plan that was executed on 21st June at lords. I wrote an article on 19th June titled "Revolution in Pakistan cricket" in which I talked about the consistency that needs to be brought in the team and they have to act and behave like team.
The body language of Pakistan was outstanding right from the word go and the very first bowl from Muhammad Ammer indicated that Pakistani team definitely came up with the plan. Teasing Dilshan with quick short balls forced him to play a false short. Abdur Razzaq inclusion was superb as he took 3 vital wickets of srilankan top order. The catching and ground fielding was awesome and it showed the thirst of boys to win it this time.
This is what required on a more regular basis. They got themselves together and made strategies, overcome their weaknesses. The given table shows how improved the Pakistan team was after the defeat against srilankan team in a super eight match.
World T20 Pakistan Disciplinary Turnaround
Key performance indicators First 3 matches vs Next 4 matches vs
(England, Holland, Sri Lanka) (New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa, Sri Lanka)
Wides and No ball 25 11
Average opening Partnership 17.00 32.50
Run Rate in first 6 overs 7.05 7.42
Afridi's Runs 18 in 3 innings, 1 duck 158 in 4 innings,2 50's,2 NO
Wickets taken in first 6 overs 3 9
Run rate conceded in first 6 overs 9.17 6.17
Catches taken 9 14
One can see what a massive turnaround that was. It was definitely game plan and strategy that worked. The enormous innings of Shahid Afridi in semi final and final was the difference along with his leg spin. For the very first time the team looked united and there was a passion for the win. The cricketing nation is absolutely blissful with the win as they have dark memories in the 2007 final. Here is the point where revolution can be brought. This is just a beginning. The system has to be perfect in order to transform the raw talent into masterpieces. I hope and pray the Pakistan does well and goes higher and higher.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ali_Imran
Thursday, September 10, 2009
T20 World Cup 2009 Analysis
Today I am going to write on my favorite sport cricket. As you all may know that from the 5th of June 2009 the T20 Cricket World Cup is going to be start.
I am a big fan of cricket and to tell you how big fan I was I will share some of my life experiences. When I was in school I only escaped from school whenever Pakistan had cricket match, the world cup 1992 came at the time of my exams but I prepare myself for watching match not for exams but by the grace of Allah I have cleared my exams.
I have a very emotional and deep connection with cricket and I feel I am an expert of cricket so I did some analysis and come to some results that I am sharing with you.
As we know T20 world cup is happening in UK and according to my analysis three teams have the best chance to win this cup.
1. India
2. South Africa
3. Pakistan
Why these teams are good?
India because they have good batting and some how good medium fast and spin bowling and a good captain as well as they are defending champion.
South Africa is in my opinion the best team right now and they have good batting bowling plus fielding side and captain I think he is one of the best captain in the world these days.
Pakistan have good bowling attack and some how a manageable batting lineup with players like Shahid Afridi who is best for T20 cricket. and now Pakistan have a good captain that can help Pakistan to reach victory stand. But new land and west Indies are under dogs they can do upsets and I am expecting upsets from them.
Now Sri Lanka is a good team but now they are not good T20 team in my opinion and Australia is also not a team that will win this T20 world cup in my opinion. So this is my analysis and now I am waiting for your comments on this.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Muhammad_Waqar_Arif
I am a big fan of cricket and to tell you how big fan I was I will share some of my life experiences. When I was in school I only escaped from school whenever Pakistan had cricket match, the world cup 1992 came at the time of my exams but I prepare myself for watching match not for exams but by the grace of Allah I have cleared my exams.
I have a very emotional and deep connection with cricket and I feel I am an expert of cricket so I did some analysis and come to some results that I am sharing with you.
As we know T20 world cup is happening in UK and according to my analysis three teams have the best chance to win this cup.
1. India
2. South Africa
3. Pakistan
Why these teams are good?
India because they have good batting and some how good medium fast and spin bowling and a good captain as well as they are defending champion.
South Africa is in my opinion the best team right now and they have good batting bowling plus fielding side and captain I think he is one of the best captain in the world these days.
Pakistan have good bowling attack and some how a manageable batting lineup with players like Shahid Afridi who is best for T20 cricket. and now Pakistan have a good captain that can help Pakistan to reach victory stand. But new land and west Indies are under dogs they can do upsets and I am expecting upsets from them.
Now Sri Lanka is a good team but now they are not good T20 team in my opinion and Australia is also not a team that will win this T20 world cup in my opinion. So this is my analysis and now I am waiting for your comments on this.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Muhammad_Waqar_Arif
Visitors to South Africa For IPL Cricket & Lions Rugby Must Check New Province & Town Names
Cricket fans coming to South Africa for the IPL tournament from 18 April - 24 May and rugby fans for the British Lions matches 30 May - 4 July, should understand that they have a good chance of being confused and lost if they attempt to navigate their way around SA. This is due to the abundance of new names for certain provinces, town & cities.
Firstly, the former four provinces that make up South Africa are now divided into nine. Some of the changes include:
Transvaal / Gauteng, Northern Transvaal / Limpopo, Eastern Transvaal / Mpumalanga.
South Africa's northern neighbours, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Botswana are all across the mighty Limpopo river, which gives its name to the northern province in South Africa. In this area lies the Mapangubwe World heritage Site which yielded gold figures some thousands of years old. The rain queen, Modjadji, also is to be found in these interesting region. She is thought to have the power to be able to bring rain to her people.
To add to visitors' confusion, many of the towns and cities now have new names, as the following alphabetical list shows:
Warmbaths / Bela-Bela, Durban / Ethekwini, Louis Trichardt / Makhado, Nabomspruit / Lephalale, Nystroom / Modimole. Potgietersrus / Mokopane, Ermelo / Msukaligwa, Messina / Mussina, Pietersburg / Polokwane, Pretoria / Tshwane.
"To avoid making costly and time consuming mistakes when travelling, one should make use of a reputable transport company or tour operator. Thinking that you can merely hire a car and start driving around is not the way to go as the maps you read are quite likely to show old names and directions. A much better plan is the study the geography of SA on the internet before you travel and use operators who know the country and the customs."
The IPL matches are schedule to be played in eight venues: Bloemfontein (Free State Province), Cape Town (Western Cape), Durban (Kwa Zulu Natal), East London (Eastern Cape), Johannesburg (Gauteng), Kimberley (Northern Cape) Port Elizabeth (Eastern Cape) and Pretoria (Gauteng) and teams are: Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Kings XI Punjab, Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knightriders, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Deccan Chargers.
As tickets are limited, it is also advisable to book your match tickets and tour packages as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Opinion by Robert Wilson
CEO, Magic Marketing.co.za & Travel in South Africa.net
Specialist Tour and Transport Operators, Johannesburg, South Africa
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_John_Wilson
Firstly, the former four provinces that make up South Africa are now divided into nine. Some of the changes include:
Transvaal / Gauteng, Northern Transvaal / Limpopo, Eastern Transvaal / Mpumalanga.
South Africa's northern neighbours, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Botswana are all across the mighty Limpopo river, which gives its name to the northern province in South Africa. In this area lies the Mapangubwe World heritage Site which yielded gold figures some thousands of years old. The rain queen, Modjadji, also is to be found in these interesting region. She is thought to have the power to be able to bring rain to her people.
To add to visitors' confusion, many of the towns and cities now have new names, as the following alphabetical list shows:
Warmbaths / Bela-Bela, Durban / Ethekwini, Louis Trichardt / Makhado, Nabomspruit / Lephalale, Nystroom / Modimole. Potgietersrus / Mokopane, Ermelo / Msukaligwa, Messina / Mussina, Pietersburg / Polokwane, Pretoria / Tshwane.
"To avoid making costly and time consuming mistakes when travelling, one should make use of a reputable transport company or tour operator. Thinking that you can merely hire a car and start driving around is not the way to go as the maps you read are quite likely to show old names and directions. A much better plan is the study the geography of SA on the internet before you travel and use operators who know the country and the customs."
The IPL matches are schedule to be played in eight venues: Bloemfontein (Free State Province), Cape Town (Western Cape), Durban (Kwa Zulu Natal), East London (Eastern Cape), Johannesburg (Gauteng), Kimberley (Northern Cape) Port Elizabeth (Eastern Cape) and Pretoria (Gauteng) and teams are: Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Kings XI Punjab, Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knightriders, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Deccan Chargers.
As tickets are limited, it is also advisable to book your match tickets and tour packages as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Opinion by Robert Wilson
CEO, Magic Marketing.co.za & Travel in South Africa.net
Specialist Tour and Transport Operators, Johannesburg, South Africa
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_John_Wilson
IPL 2 - Rules to Game
The Indian Premier League(IPL) in Season 2 is ruling the roost in South Africa, but some of the rules applicable to the T20 cricket games being played are not quite game.
Just what is achieved by having the 'strategic time out' breaks in every innings of every game? What is so strategic about this? Maybe this is needed for generating more commercial revenue and more hype. Because this is not needed for any cricketing reasons. The strategic time out is taken after every ten overs in an innings of twenty overs. The players cannot be tired in just ten overs. Normal drinks breaks are taken after every one hour in Tests and after every 15-17 overs in one-day internationals (ODI). But those breaks are only for 2-3 minutes. There have been complaints from players and others against this rule and the IPL authorities had agreed to look into this after the season. But then, why it was introduced in the first place?
Duckworth and Lewis rule is applied in rain interrupted ODIs that uses very complicated calculations to set revised targets in reduced overs to arrive at a result. Earlier, for applying D/L method a minimum 25 overs had to be compulsorily bowled. Due to emergence of T20 cricket the minimum was reduced to 20. In IPL 2 the Delhi Daredevils won a match in less than 5 overs using D/L method. There seems to be no rule regarding minimum overs to be bowled for such games. So, it is a possibility that a team can win a match achieving a target set for just one ball when the weather gods permitted time enough for only a solitary ball to be bowled. Though D/L method talks of minimum 5 overs in T20 the IPL rule book says nothing. Even a five over minimum is a mockery of cricket.
And, what about the sartorial cover code for the cheerleaders? There seems to be no rules either for determining this. Sometimes these gyrating damsels are clad quite decently while at times the dress gets reduced to the barest minimum!
A boisterous goodbye to cricketing rules?
Chinmay Chakravarty is a professional specialized in the creative field with over two decades of experience in journalistic writing, media co-ordination, film script writing, film dubbing, film & video making, management of international film festivals and editing of books & journals. Proficient in providing professional services in these related fields. Presently working in Mumbai Doordarshan as a News Editor.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chinmay_Chakravarty
Just what is achieved by having the 'strategic time out' breaks in every innings of every game? What is so strategic about this? Maybe this is needed for generating more commercial revenue and more hype. Because this is not needed for any cricketing reasons. The strategic time out is taken after every ten overs in an innings of twenty overs. The players cannot be tired in just ten overs. Normal drinks breaks are taken after every one hour in Tests and after every 15-17 overs in one-day internationals (ODI). But those breaks are only for 2-3 minutes. There have been complaints from players and others against this rule and the IPL authorities had agreed to look into this after the season. But then, why it was introduced in the first place?
Duckworth and Lewis rule is applied in rain interrupted ODIs that uses very complicated calculations to set revised targets in reduced overs to arrive at a result. Earlier, for applying D/L method a minimum 25 overs had to be compulsorily bowled. Due to emergence of T20 cricket the minimum was reduced to 20. In IPL 2 the Delhi Daredevils won a match in less than 5 overs using D/L method. There seems to be no rule regarding minimum overs to be bowled for such games. So, it is a possibility that a team can win a match achieving a target set for just one ball when the weather gods permitted time enough for only a solitary ball to be bowled. Though D/L method talks of minimum 5 overs in T20 the IPL rule book says nothing. Even a five over minimum is a mockery of cricket.
And, what about the sartorial cover code for the cheerleaders? There seems to be no rules either for determining this. Sometimes these gyrating damsels are clad quite decently while at times the dress gets reduced to the barest minimum!
A boisterous goodbye to cricketing rules?
Chinmay Chakravarty is a professional specialized in the creative field with over two decades of experience in journalistic writing, media co-ordination, film script writing, film dubbing, film & video making, management of international film festivals and editing of books & journals. Proficient in providing professional services in these related fields. Presently working in Mumbai Doordarshan as a News Editor.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chinmay_Chakravarty
Sunday, August 23, 2009
How to Play the Square Cut
The cut shot is an attacking cricket shot which is designed as a boundary hitting shot. The square cut cricket shot is played when the bowler bowls a short ball, wide of off-stump. This is a power hitting shot as a full swing is made with the bat striking the cricket ball on a horizontal angle. This shot can be broken into separate segments. These include...
· Footwork (positioning)
· Impact
· Follow-through
Footwork (positioning):
The positioning of the body is the key to a successful cut shot. The first movement of the cut shot is the back foot moves across the off-stump. The bat is taken back above the back shoulder. Most of the body weight should be on the back foot. The head should be kept still, creating balance in the shot.
Impact:
The strike of the cricket ball should be made with a downward blow, with the arms at full extension. This will generate power, making the cut shot a run scoring shot. As impact is being made with the cricket ball, the wrists should roll slightly. This, with the downward strike of the cricket ball will keep it along the ground, taking away the chance of being caught. Keeping a still head will maintain balance through-out the shot.
Follow-through:
The bat should follow through over the front shoulder. The head should remain still, with the weight still on the back foot. This will enable the batsmen to remain balanced, producing a well timed, powerful cut shot.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mitch_Eastman
· Footwork (positioning)
· Impact
· Follow-through
Footwork (positioning):
The positioning of the body is the key to a successful cut shot. The first movement of the cut shot is the back foot moves across the off-stump. The bat is taken back above the back shoulder. Most of the body weight should be on the back foot. The head should be kept still, creating balance in the shot.
Impact:
The strike of the cricket ball should be made with a downward blow, with the arms at full extension. This will generate power, making the cut shot a run scoring shot. As impact is being made with the cricket ball, the wrists should roll slightly. This, with the downward strike of the cricket ball will keep it along the ground, taking away the chance of being caught. Keeping a still head will maintain balance through-out the shot.
Follow-through:
The bat should follow through over the front shoulder. The head should remain still, with the weight still on the back foot. This will enable the batsmen to remain balanced, producing a well timed, powerful cut shot.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mitch_Eastman
The Historic First Cricket Test Played Between India and England, During December 11 and 15, 2008
The first cricket test played between India and England, during December 11 and 15 in the Chepauk Cricket Ground, Chennai, was unique and historic in many respects. It restored the pride and interest in the sagging test cricket as evidenced by the large turnout of 30,000 people on the fifth day of the test.
The test was unique and historic because India won the test by unbelievably chasing a fourth innings target of 387 runs by losing only four wickets in the process and won the first test by six wickets. Only the day before yesterday, the Australian sports columnist Peter Roebuck wrote in his article, published in Hindu, that M. S. Dhoni's Indian team has the right balance to claim the number one spot in the world. Within hours after the publication of the article Indian cricket team has made history by winning the first test against England.
The test was dominated by England for the first three days and India snatched the victory from the jaws of defeat in the last two days. England made a reasonably good total of 316 runs in the first innings helped by the 13 th test century by the England opener Andrew Straus. In reply India managed to score only 241 runs, the main contributors being the skipper M. S. Dhoni with 52 runs and Harbajan Singh, the ace offspinner with 40 runs. It is needless to say that both openers Sehwag and Gambhir, the great wall Dravid, the little master from Mumbai, very very special Laxman all failed to score in the first innings. Then England played its second innings and declared it at 311/9, with fine contributions from Andrew Straus and Paul Collingwood , each scoring 108 runs. Thanks to a fine bowling performance of Zakir Khan and Ishant Sharma, who scalped 6 wickets among them and restricted England to 311 for 9.
England having already gained a first innings lead of 75 runs over India, set an improbable target of 387 runs for India to chase in the second innings. It was a wearing pitch with bowlers getting occasional bounce and England spinners Swan and Monte Panesar were on song and appeared to dominate and threaten in the last day. Media had already written off the first test in favour of England as if they had strongly been in the driver's seat and poised to win the test.
It was the fourth day of the test. England skipper Kevin Peterson declared the England second innings at 311 for 9, setting a target of 387. The Indian openers came to play. It all started when the swashbuckling Indian opener Virendar Sehwag set the tone and momentum of chase by scoring a quickfire 83 runs of 68 balls with 11 fours and 4 sixes. His innings instilled the requisite enthusiasm and confidence among the Indian players and made them believe that they could make the run chase and the target was achievable. Viru's opening partner Gambhir continued the momentum and scored a decent 66. Then came the historical run chase and entertaining partnership between the little master Sachin Tendulkar and the Yuvaraj Singh, while the former scoring his skillful 41 century (103 not out) and the latter scoring a brisk 85 by giving an able and adequate support to Sachin.
By chasing 387 runs in the fourth innings, India won the first test by six wickets and is one up in the two test series. The run chase was made possible when the Indian players believed in themselves. It was Virendar Sehwag who won the man of the match award for his quickfire 83 but the credit of making a successful run chase should go to all Indian players like Sehwag, Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvaraj Singh. It was a fantastic team effort!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rama_Lingam
The test was unique and historic because India won the test by unbelievably chasing a fourth innings target of 387 runs by losing only four wickets in the process and won the first test by six wickets. Only the day before yesterday, the Australian sports columnist Peter Roebuck wrote in his article, published in Hindu, that M. S. Dhoni's Indian team has the right balance to claim the number one spot in the world. Within hours after the publication of the article Indian cricket team has made history by winning the first test against England.
The test was dominated by England for the first three days and India snatched the victory from the jaws of defeat in the last two days. England made a reasonably good total of 316 runs in the first innings helped by the 13 th test century by the England opener Andrew Straus. In reply India managed to score only 241 runs, the main contributors being the skipper M. S. Dhoni with 52 runs and Harbajan Singh, the ace offspinner with 40 runs. It is needless to say that both openers Sehwag and Gambhir, the great wall Dravid, the little master from Mumbai, very very special Laxman all failed to score in the first innings. Then England played its second innings and declared it at 311/9, with fine contributions from Andrew Straus and Paul Collingwood , each scoring 108 runs. Thanks to a fine bowling performance of Zakir Khan and Ishant Sharma, who scalped 6 wickets among them and restricted England to 311 for 9.
England having already gained a first innings lead of 75 runs over India, set an improbable target of 387 runs for India to chase in the second innings. It was a wearing pitch with bowlers getting occasional bounce and England spinners Swan and Monte Panesar were on song and appeared to dominate and threaten in the last day. Media had already written off the first test in favour of England as if they had strongly been in the driver's seat and poised to win the test.
It was the fourth day of the test. England skipper Kevin Peterson declared the England second innings at 311 for 9, setting a target of 387. The Indian openers came to play. It all started when the swashbuckling Indian opener Virendar Sehwag set the tone and momentum of chase by scoring a quickfire 83 runs of 68 balls with 11 fours and 4 sixes. His innings instilled the requisite enthusiasm and confidence among the Indian players and made them believe that they could make the run chase and the target was achievable. Viru's opening partner Gambhir continued the momentum and scored a decent 66. Then came the historical run chase and entertaining partnership between the little master Sachin Tendulkar and the Yuvaraj Singh, while the former scoring his skillful 41 century (103 not out) and the latter scoring a brisk 85 by giving an able and adequate support to Sachin.
By chasing 387 runs in the fourth innings, India won the first test by six wickets and is one up in the two test series. The run chase was made possible when the Indian players believed in themselves. It was Virendar Sehwag who won the man of the match award for his quickfire 83 but the credit of making a successful run chase should go to all Indian players like Sehwag, Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvaraj Singh. It was a fantastic team effort!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rama_Lingam
Cricket and Terrorism - Locked in an Eternal War
The heinous serpents of terrorism bit into the fabric of peace as the world witnessed the Mumbai terror attacks claim numerous souls. Every bullet that pierced through the fragile veil of life brought an end of a part inside all of us. One thing that hit me after the initial haze of distress made way to anger and then debate was the fact that the entire sub-continent has born the brunt of a few dehumanised people and one of the aspects that have been fractured time and again is the realm of cricket.
I take cricket because it is more than just a game in this part of a world, it is an extension of our life and any dastardly act of terrorism in our region is bound to affect the sport. We have grown up living under the shadow of cricket and a lot of things that we think and orate emanates from our love for the game which is a part of our day to day routine. What the perpetrators of the attacks managed to do was to cast a bleak shadow of terror on our life and the repercussions were for all to see with major tournaments being either postponed or cancelled.
The English team flew back to their homeland only to realise that it is not just a regional problem and almost every nation is infested with the disease of terrorism in some way or the other and the best way to tackle it would be by refusing to give into fear. Shakespeare rightly said that the show must go on and in these times of widespread hatred, it is the spirit of sports that can be a good deterrent to those who wish to cast lives with trepidation.
The moment the Champions League was postponed, ICL World Series called off and the England squad flew back to their homeland, we could see that the attackers had managed to strike us where it hurts the most.
The sub-continent prides itself when it comes to achieving feats in cricket and the very fact that the sport is suffering a backlash comes as a victory for the criminals.
India has constantly progressed as a powerhouse in cricket over the years and not just the T20 World Cup, overseas victories and the home series clean sweep affirm this fact, even the money generated from the game is huge. A lot of employment comes out from staging events here and it would all fade away if we fail to provide a secure ground for the players.
It is believed by many that the money is a major magnet for foreign teams to come and play here but there comes a time when no amount of money can lure someone to risk their life.
I heard a few people talking the other day and they were of the opinion that Indian cricket team should not tour Pakistan (as if our country is very safe?!!?) and even went to the lengths to assert that since some of the terrorists night be from that region, it would be right not to play against them.
The one thing missing from their mode of thinking was the fact that it is not just us and them, the entire sub-continent is plagued by this phenomenon and other countries would not tour any one of us if the situation persists. We must never forget that violence begets violence and we shall reap hatred if we sow it.
Cricket would definitely be affected by the recent unfolding of events and we will take sometime to return to normalcy but the swift decision by the ECB shows that we can keep faith in our security men and also sends a positive feedback to the world.
I can visualise matches that are set in the backdrop of guards and guns to protect us and the situation will gradually crawl back to where it was, at least for the cricketing world. The point when we seem to be headed back to normalcy is the point when we must be on our best guard.
There have been an array of terrorist acts in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh that have left the countries scarred and battered but just like the previous occasions, we have learnt to carry forward our progress and start afresh. If we give into the desires of a handful of mercenaries garbed in the mask of fundamentalism or other hollow claims, what good is freedom to us as we are displaying an inefficiency to maintain it?
We need to show the world that the sub-continent is void of any fear when it comes to facing a few cowards calling themselves avengers of injustice and trying to envelope their hollow sadism with the claim.
Cancelling a tour in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka or Bangladesh will not serve any purpose, what needs to be done is to host the events just as we would normally do and ensure that they are carried out successfully with jam packed stadiums and let it be a symbol of our solidarity to the ones filled with hatred.
It is true that the safety of our sportspersons and the ones visiting us is paramount and any untoward incident is just not worth a game, however we can turn the situation on its head by taking it as a challenge to come out with solutions from our understanding of the situation amalgamated with the love of the sport that we possess. Shifting venues seems to be a possible solution right now and I have heard people debating endlessly that a neutral venue is a good option.
What we forget is that right now the terrorists are targeting security in venues as varied as the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai to the Galle Stadium in Sri Lanka. For how long will we run away from these demons?
We must join together beyond boundaries and keep vigil, forget petty acrimonies and help the governments to tackle the problem. We can shift the venues till a point in time when they aren't safe anywhere, we can cancel tournaments till the game fades away or we can simply take concrete steps to make sure that all are safe and set an example to all that if the world is falling in an abyss of terrorism, the cricket field is the utopia. Double up as not only a mere spectator but as a guard of humanity too. Keep watch active at a sub-conscious level yet enjoy the match as well.
It is not all that un-practical especially when multi-tasking is a thing that all understand and follow!!
Working in tandem with the authorities and devising new ways to combat the handful of enemies would be the right method to emerge victors in this war of humanity. We would be able to come out with the right anecdote to the poison of terrorism only when we stop blaming the 'other' for everything and take the onus upon us.
We have always used cricket as our therapy to life's brunt and who says that we can't use it as a method to counter terror.
It is simply selfish on our part to blame the government or the intelligence agencies (they have to get their act together at least now anyways!!) as it becomes the duty of you and me to do whatever we can to root out this evil that has emerged as a painful blob in our society. We have to ask ourselves this question...Are we willing to hide in our homes and let the homeland be burnt to ashes or do we have the courage to go out and drive the terrorists out of our soil by our unity and practical thinking. When the ways of a terrorist can be unexpected and unthought-of, why can't the solutions be unique and effective from our end as well?
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kuldeep_Salal
I take cricket because it is more than just a game in this part of a world, it is an extension of our life and any dastardly act of terrorism in our region is bound to affect the sport. We have grown up living under the shadow of cricket and a lot of things that we think and orate emanates from our love for the game which is a part of our day to day routine. What the perpetrators of the attacks managed to do was to cast a bleak shadow of terror on our life and the repercussions were for all to see with major tournaments being either postponed or cancelled.
The English team flew back to their homeland only to realise that it is not just a regional problem and almost every nation is infested with the disease of terrorism in some way or the other and the best way to tackle it would be by refusing to give into fear. Shakespeare rightly said that the show must go on and in these times of widespread hatred, it is the spirit of sports that can be a good deterrent to those who wish to cast lives with trepidation.
The moment the Champions League was postponed, ICL World Series called off and the England squad flew back to their homeland, we could see that the attackers had managed to strike us where it hurts the most.
The sub-continent prides itself when it comes to achieving feats in cricket and the very fact that the sport is suffering a backlash comes as a victory for the criminals.
India has constantly progressed as a powerhouse in cricket over the years and not just the T20 World Cup, overseas victories and the home series clean sweep affirm this fact, even the money generated from the game is huge. A lot of employment comes out from staging events here and it would all fade away if we fail to provide a secure ground for the players.
It is believed by many that the money is a major magnet for foreign teams to come and play here but there comes a time when no amount of money can lure someone to risk their life.
I heard a few people talking the other day and they were of the opinion that Indian cricket team should not tour Pakistan (as if our country is very safe?!!?) and even went to the lengths to assert that since some of the terrorists night be from that region, it would be right not to play against them.
The one thing missing from their mode of thinking was the fact that it is not just us and them, the entire sub-continent is plagued by this phenomenon and other countries would not tour any one of us if the situation persists. We must never forget that violence begets violence and we shall reap hatred if we sow it.
Cricket would definitely be affected by the recent unfolding of events and we will take sometime to return to normalcy but the swift decision by the ECB shows that we can keep faith in our security men and also sends a positive feedback to the world.
I can visualise matches that are set in the backdrop of guards and guns to protect us and the situation will gradually crawl back to where it was, at least for the cricketing world. The point when we seem to be headed back to normalcy is the point when we must be on our best guard.
There have been an array of terrorist acts in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh that have left the countries scarred and battered but just like the previous occasions, we have learnt to carry forward our progress and start afresh. If we give into the desires of a handful of mercenaries garbed in the mask of fundamentalism or other hollow claims, what good is freedom to us as we are displaying an inefficiency to maintain it?
We need to show the world that the sub-continent is void of any fear when it comes to facing a few cowards calling themselves avengers of injustice and trying to envelope their hollow sadism with the claim.
Cancelling a tour in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka or Bangladesh will not serve any purpose, what needs to be done is to host the events just as we would normally do and ensure that they are carried out successfully with jam packed stadiums and let it be a symbol of our solidarity to the ones filled with hatred.
It is true that the safety of our sportspersons and the ones visiting us is paramount and any untoward incident is just not worth a game, however we can turn the situation on its head by taking it as a challenge to come out with solutions from our understanding of the situation amalgamated with the love of the sport that we possess. Shifting venues seems to be a possible solution right now and I have heard people debating endlessly that a neutral venue is a good option.
What we forget is that right now the terrorists are targeting security in venues as varied as the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai to the Galle Stadium in Sri Lanka. For how long will we run away from these demons?
We must join together beyond boundaries and keep vigil, forget petty acrimonies and help the governments to tackle the problem. We can shift the venues till a point in time when they aren't safe anywhere, we can cancel tournaments till the game fades away or we can simply take concrete steps to make sure that all are safe and set an example to all that if the world is falling in an abyss of terrorism, the cricket field is the utopia. Double up as not only a mere spectator but as a guard of humanity too. Keep watch active at a sub-conscious level yet enjoy the match as well.
It is not all that un-practical especially when multi-tasking is a thing that all understand and follow!!
Working in tandem with the authorities and devising new ways to combat the handful of enemies would be the right method to emerge victors in this war of humanity. We would be able to come out with the right anecdote to the poison of terrorism only when we stop blaming the 'other' for everything and take the onus upon us.
We have always used cricket as our therapy to life's brunt and who says that we can't use it as a method to counter terror.
It is simply selfish on our part to blame the government or the intelligence agencies (they have to get their act together at least now anyways!!) as it becomes the duty of you and me to do whatever we can to root out this evil that has emerged as a painful blob in our society. We have to ask ourselves this question...Are we willing to hide in our homes and let the homeland be burnt to ashes or do we have the courage to go out and drive the terrorists out of our soil by our unity and practical thinking. When the ways of a terrorist can be unexpected and unthought-of, why can't the solutions be unique and effective from our end as well?
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kuldeep_Salal
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Sourav Ganguly
One of the greatest Indian cricket captains of all time, the Bengal Tiger Sourav Ganguly bid adieu to international cricket recently. A sojourn which lasted through more than a decade made him evolve as one of the legendary Indian cricketers who proved his mettle throughout the world. If we take a peek into the record books, Sourav happens to be the only Indian captain after Kapil Dev who has managed to take the Indian side to the final of the 50 overs ODI World Cup. This great milestone was achieved back in the year 2003 when India reached the World Cup Final played in South Africa but lost to the mighty Australians.
Sourav also represented India in 113 Test Matches and 311 ODI's and the numbers surely speaks for themselves. The youngster from Bengal started out in the year 1996 when he slammed a Test hundred in Lords against the English pace battery, his debut test match. Coming from an affluent family in Kolkata, cricket remained the first love of Sourav from an early age. This century was followed by another marvellous one in Trent Bridge which sealed his place in the Indian squad.
But this was just the beginning of a grand and illustrious career. At that stage nobody even the greatest critics of the game could not comprehend, that he will take the mantle of captaincy in the future days. Slowly after proving himself in the Test arena, the stylish left hander made inroads into the ODI format and kept on dominating the bowlers with ease. His fantastic batting display continued as he played some hard-hitting cricket and rampaged severely. He became a force to reckon with in international cricket. The medium pace bowling which he did with a little bit of swing to confuse the batsmen also came in as a handy addition.
After the match fixing scandal which rocked the scene of global cricket in 2000, Sourav received the honours of being selected in the coveted post of captainship. He started to enjoy the privilege of enormous media attention and became a very popular figure in the country. He led from the front and won many games for the nation with the sheer brilliance of his captaincy skills.
He instilled the spirit of Team India among the young Indian cricketers and acted as their mentor and guide. But inspite of his good performances, a certain section of the cricketing fraternity could not accept his sudden ascent and he was victimized. The selectors dropped him on several occasions and consequently, the captaincy was taken away. But Sourav proved them wrong and came with a bang. He reestablished his position in the side as a senior batsman and performed with authority. There has been some controversies which dogged his phenomenal career. The spat with Aussie great Greg Chappell in the Zimbabwe tour and his outburst at Lord after taking his shirt off by winning the Natwest trophy remained in the headlines.
The last Test match of Sourav was in the year 2008 against the great Aussies in Mohali where he hanged up his boots. He received a grand farewell from his team- mates and fans who blessed him for his memorable service to Indian cricket.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shuvojit_Dasgupta
Sourav also represented India in 113 Test Matches and 311 ODI's and the numbers surely speaks for themselves. The youngster from Bengal started out in the year 1996 when he slammed a Test hundred in Lords against the English pace battery, his debut test match. Coming from an affluent family in Kolkata, cricket remained the first love of Sourav from an early age. This century was followed by another marvellous one in Trent Bridge which sealed his place in the Indian squad.
But this was just the beginning of a grand and illustrious career. At that stage nobody even the greatest critics of the game could not comprehend, that he will take the mantle of captaincy in the future days. Slowly after proving himself in the Test arena, the stylish left hander made inroads into the ODI format and kept on dominating the bowlers with ease. His fantastic batting display continued as he played some hard-hitting cricket and rampaged severely. He became a force to reckon with in international cricket. The medium pace bowling which he did with a little bit of swing to confuse the batsmen also came in as a handy addition.
After the match fixing scandal which rocked the scene of global cricket in 2000, Sourav received the honours of being selected in the coveted post of captainship. He started to enjoy the privilege of enormous media attention and became a very popular figure in the country. He led from the front and won many games for the nation with the sheer brilliance of his captaincy skills.
He instilled the spirit of Team India among the young Indian cricketers and acted as their mentor and guide. But inspite of his good performances, a certain section of the cricketing fraternity could not accept his sudden ascent and he was victimized. The selectors dropped him on several occasions and consequently, the captaincy was taken away. But Sourav proved them wrong and came with a bang. He reestablished his position in the side as a senior batsman and performed with authority. There has been some controversies which dogged his phenomenal career. The spat with Aussie great Greg Chappell in the Zimbabwe tour and his outburst at Lord after taking his shirt off by winning the Natwest trophy remained in the headlines.
The last Test match of Sourav was in the year 2008 against the great Aussies in Mohali where he hanged up his boots. He received a grand farewell from his team- mates and fans who blessed him for his memorable service to Indian cricket.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shuvojit_Dasgupta
England Cricket Team in Need of Improvement
Not that anyone would wish that a national tragedy would come to the rescue, but effectively that's what the horrifying events have done for England's one-day team in India. With the One Day Series with India well and truly lost, England has abandoned the remaining two matches and might also pull out of the two scheduled test matches next month.
England who was 0-5 down in the seven match series were heading into a crisis and had both quick bowlers, Andrew Flintoff and Stuart Broad injured. The abandonment should at least give Kevin Pietersen and his team time to regroup and dwell on what has been a nightmare month for them.
In the latest match India stormed to a six-wicket victory with over six over's to spare and were only two more matches of inflicting a series whitewash on the tourists, to leave England facing a series whitewash. Injuries to Andrew Flintoff and Stuart Broad.
Pietersen also incurred an injury to his side after hitting an unbeaten 111 to help England reach 270 a total that many thought may be enough. In the event it was only par for the pitch as India simply took the England bowling apart and demonstrated how One Day cricket should be played.
Led by Virender Sehwag who hit a brilliant 91 off just 73 balls in a 136 run partnership with cricket legend, Sachin Tendulkar, their 20 over stay at the crease was as frightening as it was ruthless and provided India with the perfect platform to win the match. England failed miserably in the bowling attack which was all too often short and wide and lacking impact off the pitch. England must learn that you cannot bowl like that to players of the Indian openers.
England must also face criticism for the selection of their batting line up. Out went Ian Bell and his place taken as an opener by Alistair Cook, who with the best will in the world simply does not have the game for ODI's, Cook is test match opener who can play the forward defensive better than anyone, but in a game that insists on avoidance of dot balls, Cook does not fit the bill. England would have been far better off playing Luke Young in that position and his inclusion would have meant that Pietersen would have greater bowling variation.
It could even be argued that Pietersen should have opened, he is the best batsmen by far and opening would have given him more balls to hit. The worst selection however was that of Paul Collingwood at number 4. On his previous form in India, he did not justify selection in his normal position at number 6, let alone being promoted up in the order to 4. In the event he hit 40 runs off 64 balls, that is nearly 11 overs! There is no doubt that in form batsman, Owais Shah should have had the number 4 berth, but instead he was relegated to number 6 after hitting a cracking 65 in the match previously. Shah came in and scored another 66 off just 57 balls.
England must now regroup and take themselves back to the practice nets to prepare for next summer's all important Ashes series in the UK against Australia. After winning in such glory in 2005, the team have slowly been slipping backwards and defeat in Australia in 2007 saw them relinquish the Urn. If they are to regain winning ways ahead of the 2009 series lessons must be learnt from the India trip.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_R_Smith
England who was 0-5 down in the seven match series were heading into a crisis and had both quick bowlers, Andrew Flintoff and Stuart Broad injured. The abandonment should at least give Kevin Pietersen and his team time to regroup and dwell on what has been a nightmare month for them.
In the latest match India stormed to a six-wicket victory with over six over's to spare and were only two more matches of inflicting a series whitewash on the tourists, to leave England facing a series whitewash. Injuries to Andrew Flintoff and Stuart Broad.
Pietersen also incurred an injury to his side after hitting an unbeaten 111 to help England reach 270 a total that many thought may be enough. In the event it was only par for the pitch as India simply took the England bowling apart and demonstrated how One Day cricket should be played.
Led by Virender Sehwag who hit a brilliant 91 off just 73 balls in a 136 run partnership with cricket legend, Sachin Tendulkar, their 20 over stay at the crease was as frightening as it was ruthless and provided India with the perfect platform to win the match. England failed miserably in the bowling attack which was all too often short and wide and lacking impact off the pitch. England must learn that you cannot bowl like that to players of the Indian openers.
England must also face criticism for the selection of their batting line up. Out went Ian Bell and his place taken as an opener by Alistair Cook, who with the best will in the world simply does not have the game for ODI's, Cook is test match opener who can play the forward defensive better than anyone, but in a game that insists on avoidance of dot balls, Cook does not fit the bill. England would have been far better off playing Luke Young in that position and his inclusion would have meant that Pietersen would have greater bowling variation.
It could even be argued that Pietersen should have opened, he is the best batsmen by far and opening would have given him more balls to hit. The worst selection however was that of Paul Collingwood at number 4. On his previous form in India, he did not justify selection in his normal position at number 6, let alone being promoted up in the order to 4. In the event he hit 40 runs off 64 balls, that is nearly 11 overs! There is no doubt that in form batsman, Owais Shah should have had the number 4 berth, but instead he was relegated to number 6 after hitting a cracking 65 in the match previously. Shah came in and scored another 66 off just 57 balls.
England must now regroup and take themselves back to the practice nets to prepare for next summer's all important Ashes series in the UK against Australia. After winning in such glory in 2005, the team have slowly been slipping backwards and defeat in Australia in 2007 saw them relinquish the Urn. If they are to regain winning ways ahead of the 2009 series lessons must be learnt from the India trip.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_R_Smith
Sourav Ganguly - Homage to a Fighter Extraordinary
The mid eighties were the time when Bengal cricket was eagerly tracking around to find out its representative for the national arena, mostly controlled then by the Bombay lobby. Though Kolkata was famous for its football passion, cricket was not much behind - the city possessed Eden Gardens, a magnificent cricket ground which was also the oldest and biggest in the country, numerous clubs were trying to raise aspirant Bradmans, Trumpers or Larwoods in the vast stretch of the lush green maidan area. Local 'para' clubs regularly organized tennis ball cricket tournaments. By and large, the local cricket buffs fulfilled their appetite by involving themselves with devotional affection in this typical 'goly' (lane) form of cricket. One day matches (ODIs) were still not so popular and therefore a five day Test match in Eden Gardens was something like a festival. The lucky ones who had managed to grab a day's ticket packed their lunch early in the morning and floated in the festive wind towards Eden Gardens. The unlucky ones had to keep themselves satisfied with the vernacular newspaper stories which used to devote their entire first page to cover the match and by the passionate radio commentaries.
When Doordarshan started direct telecasting Test cricket, there were fewer households that had a television set. Those houses which owned one, was invariably swamped by community visitors from 9 o'clock morning to afternoon till the days telecast was over. Fans crowded in front of the majestic Grand Hotel, where the cricketers generally stayed during Test matches to have a glimpse of the celebrity players. While Kolkata had every setting for cricket phobia - all the enthusiasm were falling short because the local heroes were unable to make any visible mark in the national side. After Pankaj Roy, Bengal couldn't produce a cricketer who could wear the India cap for a lengthy spell.
Snehashish Ganguly was a talented cricketer in the mid eighties Kolkata. The elder son of an affluent father - a printer by profession but also a onetime state player and widely known as a cricket enthusiast. Snehashish was a fine left-hander batsman and an occasional right-hand off break bowler. Cricket watchers of Kolkata held high expectation about this local lad. In the 1989-90 seasons, Snehashish played six Ranji Trophy matches, scored 439 runs with two centuries and finished with an average of 73.16. Apart from his father, Snehashish also had an ardent follower in his family - his younger brother Sourav. When Sourav also started playing alongside him in the Bengal team, people used to identify Sourav as the younger brother of Snehashish.
From formation days Sourav was blamed for his arrogance. His teammates of St. Xavier's School cricket team complained against him to their coach. He grew up in an opulent dwelling where his father had arranged an in-house multi-gym, a batting range and rare cricket videos to watch - a facility most of the budding cricketers seldom get. He was picked for the Bengal team in 1989-90 after his initial stint in the Under 15 tournament where he smashed a century against Orissa. In the next Ranji Trophy season Sourav scored 394 runs with an astonishing near eighty average. In a 1991 Duleep Trophy match against West Zone in Guahati, Sourav hit a tidy knock of unbeaten 124 runs and earned a place in the Indian team under Mohammad Azharuddin for the 1991-92 Australia tour. Quite naturally, his inclusion was ridiculed as a quota selection. Sourav was then 19 years old.
In Australia, Sourav was accused for behaving like a spoilt brat, like a 'maharaja' who refused to carry the drinks or baggage of his seniors. Those were the times when a junior member in the side felt obliged to do petty services for the senior members to gratify them. Sourav was definitely not a conventional junior member though there are absolutely no proofs at all that he was ever disrespectful about his seniors. An 'attitude problem' tag was stuck on him from the very beginning of his career. He played one ODI, scored only 3, and failed to impress the selectors for the next four years. Keeping in mind the past treatments delivered to other Bengal players of class - from Shyamsundar Mitra to Sambaran Bannerjee by an extremely politicized and parochial selection process, many considered that Sourav's international career was finished. But Sourav didn't think so. The bitter experience of this tour tempered him bit by bit into steel. He had also acquired some basic lessons that he will start implementing eight years later.
His inclusion to the Indian side touring England in 1992 was similarly credited to Jagmohan Dalmiya - the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) strongman from Bengal and the newly emerged Bengal lobby. After the departure of Navjot Singh Sidhu following an ugly spat with captain Azharuddin, Sourav was lucky enough to play his first Test at the Mecca of world cricket - The Lords. The Sourav myth that will rule the mind of millions for the next sixteen years was launched here with a classy 131 and the subsequent century in the next Trent Bridge Test. From 1992 onwards people referred to Snehashish as the elder brother of Sourav. Though Snehashish played 59 first class matches with a near forty average and made 6 centuries, he gradually faded away from the cricket scene.
There is nothing unknown to cricket followers about the controversial career graph of Sourav. The public opinions and emotions about him were always sharp and divided all through his career. But there is a general consensus about one aspect - that this young man had single-handedly changed the way our national cricket team played its cricket. Only with the exception of the Tiger Pataudi era, the Indian cricket team was universally recognized for its meek and surrendering approach. Indian cricket was mostly observed to follow the achievements of individuals - not for the achievements of a team. Sourav transformed Indian team into a rock solid unit, with a combative and thorny approach which caused lots of uneasiness for many opponent super captains. What cricket journalist Harsha Bhogle observed as the basic persona of Sourav also became the identity of the team he led - not rude and disrespectful but defiant and increasingly confident. This changeover was achieved with a one point strategy that he had picked up from personal experiences of his first tour - nurture young talents, trust their ability and protect them from the parochial trends that have always influenced Indian team building. By doing so, Sourav turned the younger players into daring fighters who in return trusted him deeply. For the next five years after he was named the full-time captain, India played 49 Tests, lost 13 and won 21 which include the 11 wins abroad. Tiger Pataudi, considered by many as India's finest captain, led in 40 Tests, lost 19 and won 9 including 3 wins abroad. Sunil Gavaskar led in 47 Tests, won 9 and Mohammad Azharuddin captained in 47 Tests and won 14 of them. As a captain, Sourav achieved a winning percentage of 42.86 in Tests and 51.70 in ODIs. In both form of the game Sourav surpassed the achievements of all previous Indian captains.
In his 16 years of international career, Sourav scored 7217 Test runs including 16 centuries with an average of 42.17 and took 32 wickets. He scored 11363 runs in the ODIs including 22 centuries with an average of 41.02 and took 100 wickets. Among those who have scored over 10000 runs in the one day matches, only Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting has a better average than him.
Even after these spectacular successes, Sourav always had to be 'reselected' as captain before every series. He was finally sacked in 2005 - first from captaincy and then as a member of the squad. Greg Chappell, the newly appointed coach of the Indian team gradually surfaced to be a manipulative and megalomaniac individual, pooled himself along with the animus administrators like Kiran More and Raj Singh Dungarpur (Dungarpur famously said at that time that, "Chappell is a genius; Sourav is much below him in stature") and was successful in getting rid of Sourav. Chappell only wanted docile players to maneuver his crummy scheme and his Indian henchmen had to accomplish their personal aversion agenda. Thankfully, it did not take long to prove that Chappell is a total failure. After the disastrous 2007 World Cup performance of India, the scratchy Australian was duly removed from his job. Whereas Sourav, within less than a year after his removal astoundingly bounced back into the team in 2007. He returned with a 98 run ODI score against West Indies, became the top scorer with 534 runs and Man of the Series in the three-Test series against Pakistan. Surprisingly omitted from the ODI side, he scored nearly 2000 Test runs including a double century. He had to prove a point. And he did it in style.
If Sourav had ended his career as soon as he was sacked, he would have been still called a 'hero', but apparently a tragic one. History would have looked at him through the 'great-good-error-downfall' model of the Aristotelian 'tragic hero'. But Sourav cannot tend to carry the 'tragic' tag along with him for the rest of his life. He has imprinted his own destiny through hard struggle, absolute determination, great courage and outstanding achievements. He has always seized the public imagination as the eternal symbol of the good combating the bad. Why should he like to see his feat as tragic? After the dignified manner in which he drew the final curtain, history will always recall Sourav not as a tragic but a true hero. He leaves behind the legacy of an extraordinary fighter and a wonderful leader who can proudly recall about his team that, "...I know, even when I get it wrong, that my team believes I was wrong in trying to be right."
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susanta_Bhattacharyya
When Doordarshan started direct telecasting Test cricket, there were fewer households that had a television set. Those houses which owned one, was invariably swamped by community visitors from 9 o'clock morning to afternoon till the days telecast was over. Fans crowded in front of the majestic Grand Hotel, where the cricketers generally stayed during Test matches to have a glimpse of the celebrity players. While Kolkata had every setting for cricket phobia - all the enthusiasm were falling short because the local heroes were unable to make any visible mark in the national side. After Pankaj Roy, Bengal couldn't produce a cricketer who could wear the India cap for a lengthy spell.
Snehashish Ganguly was a talented cricketer in the mid eighties Kolkata. The elder son of an affluent father - a printer by profession but also a onetime state player and widely known as a cricket enthusiast. Snehashish was a fine left-hander batsman and an occasional right-hand off break bowler. Cricket watchers of Kolkata held high expectation about this local lad. In the 1989-90 seasons, Snehashish played six Ranji Trophy matches, scored 439 runs with two centuries and finished with an average of 73.16. Apart from his father, Snehashish also had an ardent follower in his family - his younger brother Sourav. When Sourav also started playing alongside him in the Bengal team, people used to identify Sourav as the younger brother of Snehashish.
From formation days Sourav was blamed for his arrogance. His teammates of St. Xavier's School cricket team complained against him to their coach. He grew up in an opulent dwelling where his father had arranged an in-house multi-gym, a batting range and rare cricket videos to watch - a facility most of the budding cricketers seldom get. He was picked for the Bengal team in 1989-90 after his initial stint in the Under 15 tournament where he smashed a century against Orissa. In the next Ranji Trophy season Sourav scored 394 runs with an astonishing near eighty average. In a 1991 Duleep Trophy match against West Zone in Guahati, Sourav hit a tidy knock of unbeaten 124 runs and earned a place in the Indian team under Mohammad Azharuddin for the 1991-92 Australia tour. Quite naturally, his inclusion was ridiculed as a quota selection. Sourav was then 19 years old.
In Australia, Sourav was accused for behaving like a spoilt brat, like a 'maharaja' who refused to carry the drinks or baggage of his seniors. Those were the times when a junior member in the side felt obliged to do petty services for the senior members to gratify them. Sourav was definitely not a conventional junior member though there are absolutely no proofs at all that he was ever disrespectful about his seniors. An 'attitude problem' tag was stuck on him from the very beginning of his career. He played one ODI, scored only 3, and failed to impress the selectors for the next four years. Keeping in mind the past treatments delivered to other Bengal players of class - from Shyamsundar Mitra to Sambaran Bannerjee by an extremely politicized and parochial selection process, many considered that Sourav's international career was finished. But Sourav didn't think so. The bitter experience of this tour tempered him bit by bit into steel. He had also acquired some basic lessons that he will start implementing eight years later.
His inclusion to the Indian side touring England in 1992 was similarly credited to Jagmohan Dalmiya - the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) strongman from Bengal and the newly emerged Bengal lobby. After the departure of Navjot Singh Sidhu following an ugly spat with captain Azharuddin, Sourav was lucky enough to play his first Test at the Mecca of world cricket - The Lords. The Sourav myth that will rule the mind of millions for the next sixteen years was launched here with a classy 131 and the subsequent century in the next Trent Bridge Test. From 1992 onwards people referred to Snehashish as the elder brother of Sourav. Though Snehashish played 59 first class matches with a near forty average and made 6 centuries, he gradually faded away from the cricket scene.
There is nothing unknown to cricket followers about the controversial career graph of Sourav. The public opinions and emotions about him were always sharp and divided all through his career. But there is a general consensus about one aspect - that this young man had single-handedly changed the way our national cricket team played its cricket. Only with the exception of the Tiger Pataudi era, the Indian cricket team was universally recognized for its meek and surrendering approach. Indian cricket was mostly observed to follow the achievements of individuals - not for the achievements of a team. Sourav transformed Indian team into a rock solid unit, with a combative and thorny approach which caused lots of uneasiness for many opponent super captains. What cricket journalist Harsha Bhogle observed as the basic persona of Sourav also became the identity of the team he led - not rude and disrespectful but defiant and increasingly confident. This changeover was achieved with a one point strategy that he had picked up from personal experiences of his first tour - nurture young talents, trust their ability and protect them from the parochial trends that have always influenced Indian team building. By doing so, Sourav turned the younger players into daring fighters who in return trusted him deeply. For the next five years after he was named the full-time captain, India played 49 Tests, lost 13 and won 21 which include the 11 wins abroad. Tiger Pataudi, considered by many as India's finest captain, led in 40 Tests, lost 19 and won 9 including 3 wins abroad. Sunil Gavaskar led in 47 Tests, won 9 and Mohammad Azharuddin captained in 47 Tests and won 14 of them. As a captain, Sourav achieved a winning percentage of 42.86 in Tests and 51.70 in ODIs. In both form of the game Sourav surpassed the achievements of all previous Indian captains.
In his 16 years of international career, Sourav scored 7217 Test runs including 16 centuries with an average of 42.17 and took 32 wickets. He scored 11363 runs in the ODIs including 22 centuries with an average of 41.02 and took 100 wickets. Among those who have scored over 10000 runs in the one day matches, only Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting has a better average than him.
Even after these spectacular successes, Sourav always had to be 'reselected' as captain before every series. He was finally sacked in 2005 - first from captaincy and then as a member of the squad. Greg Chappell, the newly appointed coach of the Indian team gradually surfaced to be a manipulative and megalomaniac individual, pooled himself along with the animus administrators like Kiran More and Raj Singh Dungarpur (Dungarpur famously said at that time that, "Chappell is a genius; Sourav is much below him in stature") and was successful in getting rid of Sourav. Chappell only wanted docile players to maneuver his crummy scheme and his Indian henchmen had to accomplish their personal aversion agenda. Thankfully, it did not take long to prove that Chappell is a total failure. After the disastrous 2007 World Cup performance of India, the scratchy Australian was duly removed from his job. Whereas Sourav, within less than a year after his removal astoundingly bounced back into the team in 2007. He returned with a 98 run ODI score against West Indies, became the top scorer with 534 runs and Man of the Series in the three-Test series against Pakistan. Surprisingly omitted from the ODI side, he scored nearly 2000 Test runs including a double century. He had to prove a point. And he did it in style.
If Sourav had ended his career as soon as he was sacked, he would have been still called a 'hero', but apparently a tragic one. History would have looked at him through the 'great-good-error-downfall' model of the Aristotelian 'tragic hero'. But Sourav cannot tend to carry the 'tragic' tag along with him for the rest of his life. He has imprinted his own destiny through hard struggle, absolute determination, great courage and outstanding achievements. He has always seized the public imagination as the eternal symbol of the good combating the bad. Why should he like to see his feat as tragic? After the dignified manner in which he drew the final curtain, history will always recall Sourav not as a tragic but a true hero. He leaves behind the legacy of an extraordinary fighter and a wonderful leader who can proudly recall about his team that, "...I know, even when I get it wrong, that my team believes I was wrong in trying to be right."
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susanta_Bhattacharyya
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Team India Looks All Set to Rule the Cricket World
Sachin Tendulkar, Sehwag, Gambhir, rahul Dravid Yuvraj singh- the names might just be names of some great players to us but is surely frightening nightmares to so many of the top bowlers in world cricket today. Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Zaher khan are bowlers who can shake the very foundation of a batsman with their deceiving bowling skills. Mahendra Singh Dhoni - a name that has a greater impact on world cricket and teenage girls than any other cricketer. And these names constitute the TEAM - INDIA.
A team that always had it in them to rule the cricketing world but lacked in consistency. But with their big guns firing regularly and with MS Dhoni's smart leading abilities TEAM-INDIA looks all set to rule the cricket world for the next few years.
Already the richest cricket board & now with IPL, ICL going on in India, it will only make it easier for India to make cricketers for the future.
The TEAM-INDIA have had it's ups and downs but now has cricketers with big bank accounts and the glamour and popularity which anyone would die for, who are ought to give consistent performance as a return of the love & support that they get from their fans.
Australia with biggies like Shane Warne & Glenn Mc Grath gone & India with their master players firing & so many talents coming up is surely going to give Aussies a run for their money to stay at the top of ICC rankings.
It has been a decade of glory for the Australian cricket team. But with their great players gone in retirement it seems like they are loosing the grip & it looks like India has got what it takes to hold the grip & hold it tight enough to remain attached to it for next decade or so. But for that TEAM-INDIA must continue the consistent form & it needs a lot of hard work & strong focus.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kayes_Chowdury
A team that always had it in them to rule the cricketing world but lacked in consistency. But with their big guns firing regularly and with MS Dhoni's smart leading abilities TEAM-INDIA looks all set to rule the cricket world for the next few years.
Already the richest cricket board & now with IPL, ICL going on in India, it will only make it easier for India to make cricketers for the future.
The TEAM-INDIA have had it's ups and downs but now has cricketers with big bank accounts and the glamour and popularity which anyone would die for, who are ought to give consistent performance as a return of the love & support that they get from their fans.
Australia with biggies like Shane Warne & Glenn Mc Grath gone & India with their master players firing & so many talents coming up is surely going to give Aussies a run for their money to stay at the top of ICC rankings.
It has been a decade of glory for the Australian cricket team. But with their great players gone in retirement it seems like they are loosing the grip & it looks like India has got what it takes to hold the grip & hold it tight enough to remain attached to it for next decade or so. But for that TEAM-INDIA must continue the consistent form & it needs a lot of hard work & strong focus.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kayes_Chowdury
The England One Day Cricket Team
One day cricket has captured the imagination of cricket fans all over the world in recent years. Supporting the England team can be frustrating when it comes to the shorter form of the game. It has been a long time since England had a side to be reckoned with in limited over cricket. This is in stark contrast to the test match arena where England has enjoyed some periods of success.
There are several ways to improve the England one day cricket team and the most obvious one put forward is team selection. For many years, the selectors have been guilty of picking too many members of the test side and expecting them to recreate their form in the one day games.
Many players who enjoy success in the longer five day form of the game have techniques and playing styles that are not conducive to limited over cricket. The people who pick the team are aware of this fact but continue to make the same mistake regardless.
In domestic cricket, the popularity of the one day game is on the increase as more people discover this exciting brand of cricket. The county scene is full of players who specialize in one day cricket and many of them are considered to be of sufficient quality to justify inclusion in the England one day side.
The best way to achieve success at both test and one day cricket is to pick a team for each form of the game. There are players selected for the England one day side purely because of test match experience. This is blind loyalty and favouritism and while ever it continues England will struggle to have a realistic chance of winning the one day cricket world cup.
There are plenty of batsmen on the domestic one day scene capable of big hitting but they are seldom given a chance to display their talents. Selecting a wicket keeper because of his prowess with the bat rather than his skill with the gloves is another negative approach that delivers an appropriate result.
The England one day cricket team can be improved by identifying the best group of one day cricketers in the country and sticking with them for a period of time. Instead of major changes in personnel from one series to another, there would be continuity of selection.
For more articles related to cricket please visit England Cricket Blog for the latest news and comment on the England team and the domestic cricket scene.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Phil_Renshaw
There are several ways to improve the England one day cricket team and the most obvious one put forward is team selection. For many years, the selectors have been guilty of picking too many members of the test side and expecting them to recreate their form in the one day games.
Many players who enjoy success in the longer five day form of the game have techniques and playing styles that are not conducive to limited over cricket. The people who pick the team are aware of this fact but continue to make the same mistake regardless.
In domestic cricket, the popularity of the one day game is on the increase as more people discover this exciting brand of cricket. The county scene is full of players who specialize in one day cricket and many of them are considered to be of sufficient quality to justify inclusion in the England one day side.
The best way to achieve success at both test and one day cricket is to pick a team for each form of the game. There are players selected for the England one day side purely because of test match experience. This is blind loyalty and favouritism and while ever it continues England will struggle to have a realistic chance of winning the one day cricket world cup.
There are plenty of batsmen on the domestic one day scene capable of big hitting but they are seldom given a chance to display their talents. Selecting a wicket keeper because of his prowess with the bat rather than his skill with the gloves is another negative approach that delivers an appropriate result.
The England one day cricket team can be improved by identifying the best group of one day cricketers in the country and sticking with them for a period of time. Instead of major changes in personnel from one series to another, there would be continuity of selection.
For more articles related to cricket please visit England Cricket Blog for the latest news and comment on the England team and the domestic cricket scene.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Phil_Renshaw
The Qualities Required For One Day Cricket
Cricket is a popular sport all over the world and one day cricket is arguably the most exciting form of the game. The one day game involves matches that are much shorter in duration compared to test cricket. This is why players who feature in the test side do not always get in the one day team and vice versa.
There are numerous qualities required for one day cricket. A successful one day player needs to be able to improvise and think on his feet. It does not matter as much if a player has technical deficiencies as these are not exposed in the shorter form of the game.
Batting in one day cricket usually involves lots of big hitting with the ball disappearing to the boundary on a regular basis for four or six runs. Improvisation is an important part of batting in one day cricket. This form of the game has seen the development of several unorthodox shots which are not witnessed in test cricket.
Bowling needs to be very tight and accurate this is because unlike test cricket the umpires are very strict where wide deliveries are concerned and a hint of width is usually penalised. Teams usually rely on their two most reliable bowlers to bowl the last few overs in an attempt to keep the scoring rate down.
Fielding has become hugely important and any successful one day team will work hard in the field. The emphasis is on quick and accurate return throwing which puts pressure on the batsmen. If the ball is swiftly returned to the wicket keeper, the batsmen will be reluctant to push for an extra run.
High class fielding also results in the fall of wickets due to batsmen being run out. Run outs are very common in one day cricket simply because the onus is on the batsmen to score lots of runs as fast as possible. This means they will take risks therefore run outs are inevitable. If the fielding side is on top of their game, they will be able to take full advantage.
These are the main qualities required for one day cricket. As the sport becomes more popular teams monitor all aspects of their performance. They do this in an attempt to see where they can improve their skills even further.
For more articles related to cricket please visit English Cricket Blog for the latest news and comment on the England team and the domestic scene.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Phil_Renshaw
There are numerous qualities required for one day cricket. A successful one day player needs to be able to improvise and think on his feet. It does not matter as much if a player has technical deficiencies as these are not exposed in the shorter form of the game.
Batting in one day cricket usually involves lots of big hitting with the ball disappearing to the boundary on a regular basis for four or six runs. Improvisation is an important part of batting in one day cricket. This form of the game has seen the development of several unorthodox shots which are not witnessed in test cricket.
Bowling needs to be very tight and accurate this is because unlike test cricket the umpires are very strict where wide deliveries are concerned and a hint of width is usually penalised. Teams usually rely on their two most reliable bowlers to bowl the last few overs in an attempt to keep the scoring rate down.
Fielding has become hugely important and any successful one day team will work hard in the field. The emphasis is on quick and accurate return throwing which puts pressure on the batsmen. If the ball is swiftly returned to the wicket keeper, the batsmen will be reluctant to push for an extra run.
High class fielding also results in the fall of wickets due to batsmen being run out. Run outs are very common in one day cricket simply because the onus is on the batsmen to score lots of runs as fast as possible. This means they will take risks therefore run outs are inevitable. If the fielding side is on top of their game, they will be able to take full advantage.
These are the main qualities required for one day cricket. As the sport becomes more popular teams monitor all aspects of their performance. They do this in an attempt to see where they can improve their skills even further.
For more articles related to cricket please visit English Cricket Blog for the latest news and comment on the England team and the domestic scene.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Phil_Renshaw
Cricket - A Passion Over the Fashion
The sport of cricket is bigger than ever before with the masses constantly looking out for the latest cricket news and all the live scores of cricket matches...even from work! The need to have the latest cricket updates and the fastest breaking news in the world of cricket has become a norm for those who can't be glued to the television all day long.
Office Punters
There are a number of cricket enthusiasts who need to satiate their appetite for the game with all that goes within or beyond the boundary ropes. People have come across numerous ways to quench their thirst for cricket live scores on match days, post match conferences and the controversies emanating from the cricketing realms.
One can log on to a cricket website to get the latest information on cricket matches, get a glimpse of their favourite cricket stars and virtually do anything to do with the sport/religion called cricket.
Student Stumpers
A large army of students who are equally crazy about cricket also need to think out of the box when it comes to keeping the tab on the live cricket matches and events like the cricket World Cup. How can one think of trigonometry when the run-rates of your team are screaming in a nail biter!
Indigenous ways like using the hands-free contraptions, SMS alerts and using GPRS to browse websites for the latest in cricketing action; be it cricket blogs, cricket forums, cricket archives are a fast spreading trend.
Whatever the means, one thing is for sure...The entire world today feels the need, the need for cricketing speed!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kuldeep_Salal
Office Punters
There are a number of cricket enthusiasts who need to satiate their appetite for the game with all that goes within or beyond the boundary ropes. People have come across numerous ways to quench their thirst for cricket live scores on match days, post match conferences and the controversies emanating from the cricketing realms.
One can log on to a cricket website to get the latest information on cricket matches, get a glimpse of their favourite cricket stars and virtually do anything to do with the sport/religion called cricket.
Student Stumpers
A large army of students who are equally crazy about cricket also need to think out of the box when it comes to keeping the tab on the live cricket matches and events like the cricket World Cup. How can one think of trigonometry when the run-rates of your team are screaming in a nail biter!
Indigenous ways like using the hands-free contraptions, SMS alerts and using GPRS to browse websites for the latest in cricketing action; be it cricket blogs, cricket forums, cricket archives are a fast spreading trend.
Whatever the means, one thing is for sure...The entire world today feels the need, the need for cricketing speed!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kuldeep_Salal
Sunday, May 24, 2009
England Selectors Back in the Firing Line
England named the same team for a record six consecutive matches and ended their continuity in selection in style. Andrew Flintoff's return in place of Paul Collingwood was justified - although the promotion of the out of form Tim Ambrose to number six in the batting order was another decision that deserves scrutiny - but the identity of the injured Ryan Sidebottom's stand-in came as a major shock.
Darren Pattinson has only played 11 first class matches since making his debut last January. Born in England but raised in Australia - not the principal reason to oppose his selection - he turns 30 next month and is an unlikely debutant. A solid first half-season in county cricket, in which he has taken 29 first class wickets at an average 20.86, shows his talent but does not demand an international call-up.
He has been termed a typical 'horses for courses' Headingley selection. A swing bowler who delivers the ball full but without express pace, he is the type of player who has been tradtionally called up for the apparently swing-friendly conditions of Leeds and discarded afterwards on the assumption they cannot perform in other environments.
Whether Pattinson falls into this category remains to be seen. He was selected for England's provisional 30 man Champions Trophy squad and is therfore in the selectors' longer term thoughts. Ryan Sidebottom was re-called for Headingley last year and is now ranked as the fifth best Test bowler in the world. Pattinson is unlikely to perform a repeat.
Players have had more loyalty shown in them in recent times and he is unlikely to be jettisoned immediately. The fact that he has jumped the queue of pace bowlers suggests there is plenty of faith in his ability. However, even though Pattinson's selection might not be intended as a one-off, it could prove to be.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Philip_Oliver
Darren Pattinson has only played 11 first class matches since making his debut last January. Born in England but raised in Australia - not the principal reason to oppose his selection - he turns 30 next month and is an unlikely debutant. A solid first half-season in county cricket, in which he has taken 29 first class wickets at an average 20.86, shows his talent but does not demand an international call-up.
He has been termed a typical 'horses for courses' Headingley selection. A swing bowler who delivers the ball full but without express pace, he is the type of player who has been tradtionally called up for the apparently swing-friendly conditions of Leeds and discarded afterwards on the assumption they cannot perform in other environments.
Whether Pattinson falls into this category remains to be seen. He was selected for England's provisional 30 man Champions Trophy squad and is therfore in the selectors' longer term thoughts. Ryan Sidebottom was re-called for Headingley last year and is now ranked as the fifth best Test bowler in the world. Pattinson is unlikely to perform a repeat.
Players have had more loyalty shown in them in recent times and he is unlikely to be jettisoned immediately. The fact that he has jumped the queue of pace bowlers suggests there is plenty of faith in his ability. However, even though Pattinson's selection might not be intended as a one-off, it could prove to be.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Philip_Oliver
India Can Be Best of the Rest in Sri Lanka
Australia seem to consider India as their closest rivals, especially on home soil. Geographical rivalry with New Zealand has rarely been matched by competitiveness on the field and South Africa have been unable to channel their animosity towards their southern hemisphere rivals into good performances. England's Ashes win of 2005 was a distant memory during their 5-0 whitewash in 2006/07.
India pushed Australia close in the recent ill-tempered series between the two, when the hosts' 2-1 victory did not reflect the parity of the teams. They should have repeated the creditable 1-1 draw of 2003/04 but for a second innings collapse in the second Test at Sydney. No other team has produced such consistently strong performances in Australia, the toughest tour.
Australia's supremacy is based on their ability to win against all countries in all conditions and India must strive for similar consistency. They have gone some way to curing their traditional travel sickness, winning recent series in West Indies and England, but have failed to win contests at home that would have elevated them to a level above their rivals.
Three match home series with England in 2006 and South Africa earlier this year were perfect opportunities to claim second place in the world rankings with authority, but 1-1 draws left us wondering whether India could win when the pressure was on at home.
They now have the chance to prove themselves on the toughest tour after Australia, as Sri Lanka are a fearsome proposition on home soil. They produce wickets that Muttiah Muralitharan can thrive on and can rely on the in-form Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene for big runs. They have lost only one of their last 16 home Tests, winning series against South Africa (twice) and England along the way.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Philip_Oliver
India pushed Australia close in the recent ill-tempered series between the two, when the hosts' 2-1 victory did not reflect the parity of the teams. They should have repeated the creditable 1-1 draw of 2003/04 but for a second innings collapse in the second Test at Sydney. No other team has produced such consistently strong performances in Australia, the toughest tour.
Australia's supremacy is based on their ability to win against all countries in all conditions and India must strive for similar consistency. They have gone some way to curing their traditional travel sickness, winning recent series in West Indies and England, but have failed to win contests at home that would have elevated them to a level above their rivals.
Three match home series with England in 2006 and South Africa earlier this year were perfect opportunities to claim second place in the world rankings with authority, but 1-1 draws left us wondering whether India could win when the pressure was on at home.
They now have the chance to prove themselves on the toughest tour after Australia, as Sri Lanka are a fearsome proposition on home soil. They produce wickets that Muttiah Muralitharan can thrive on and can rely on the in-form Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene for big runs. They have lost only one of their last 16 home Tests, winning series against South Africa (twice) and England along the way.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Philip_Oliver
English Cricket Needs Andrew Flintoff
It is ironic that England have the most settled team in the history of the game and yet it is all but certain to be changed for the Headingley Test. Never before has a Test team remained unchaged for six matches. England have won four and drawn two in that sequence but there will be no more continuity in selection. Someone will make way for Andrew Flintoff.
It is testament to Flintoff's stature that he can break into such a settled eleven. He has not played a Test match since January 2007, when he captained England to defeat against Australia in Sydney. He has missed 17 matches, of which England have won seven, drawn seven and lost three. They have coped without him but still welcome their talisman back as soon as he is at full fitness.
The world cup pedalo incident and poor batting form - two half centuries in ten innings downunder in 2006/07 - are forgotten, as Flintoff must feature in England's best eleven. His aggressive bowling has been sorely missed as England continue to be inconsistent with the ball. Ryan Sidebottom has been a revelation in Flintoff's absence, but the big allrounder is the true leader of the attack.
Batting form has eluded the Lancastrian this season as he battled his way back to fitness from ankle surgery and a side strain. It would be unrealistic to expect him to produce the career-defining performances of 2005, when he was instrumental in England's Ashes victory, but he possesses the ability to excite more than any other player.
This is quite a claim with Kevin Pietersen in the same team, but Flintoff's batting can be even more explosive and this is why England need him: not just to win matches, but to provide excitement. The spectators at Lord's who witnessed a sixth consecutive draw at the ground would have relished even a 20 minute cameo from 'Freddie'.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Philip_Oliver
It is testament to Flintoff's stature that he can break into such a settled eleven. He has not played a Test match since January 2007, when he captained England to defeat against Australia in Sydney. He has missed 17 matches, of which England have won seven, drawn seven and lost three. They have coped without him but still welcome their talisman back as soon as he is at full fitness.
The world cup pedalo incident and poor batting form - two half centuries in ten innings downunder in 2006/07 - are forgotten, as Flintoff must feature in England's best eleven. His aggressive bowling has been sorely missed as England continue to be inconsistent with the ball. Ryan Sidebottom has been a revelation in Flintoff's absence, but the big allrounder is the true leader of the attack.
Batting form has eluded the Lancastrian this season as he battled his way back to fitness from ankle surgery and a side strain. It would be unrealistic to expect him to produce the career-defining performances of 2005, when he was instrumental in England's Ashes victory, but he possesses the ability to excite more than any other player.
This is quite a claim with Kevin Pietersen in the same team, but Flintoff's batting can be even more explosive and this is why England need him: not just to win matches, but to provide excitement. The spectators at Lord's who witnessed a sixth consecutive draw at the ground would have relished even a 20 minute cameo from 'Freddie'.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Philip_Oliver
Friday, January 30, 2009
The Mystery Of Cricket
If you're not a fan of cricket and have never attended a match then you may wonder why the sport holds so much appeal to many. Read on for a taste of what it is that makes cricket so popular.
In England, large crowds attend Test Matches. These are versions of cricket that are played between two international teams, lasting a maximum of five days. At the end of those five days, it's perfectly possible that neither side will be declared the winner.
How can anyone enjoy watching a sport where two teams play for five days, simply in order to draw the match? This is one of the many mysteries associated with the sport.
Another is that such draws can be just as exciting as matches that take a few hours to play and result in a victory for one team or another. To many cricket fans, Test Matches are seen as the purest form of the game.
If you're struggling to understand what the appeal is then you need to consider that cricket is far more than a sport. It's an experience.
Spectators like to watch a match, but they also love to be sat in the sunshine, talking to a friend and enjoying a pint of beer. It's one of the few sports where the players stop for lunch and for afternoon tea.
The pace of play may be slow but that's part of the attraction. For spectators, cricket is about relaxing. It's about watching a game that has many twists and turns - a Test Match will often slowly unwind.
Newer forms of the game attempt to bring in new fans, but it's in the five day version of the game that the real joy is to be found.
While the sport may be considerably different from football or rugby, it still offers great excitement. That excitement is provided in a different way.
Cricket has hints of an older, golden age. Few other sports place so much importance on sportsmanship and good grace. These are the real joys of cricket.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Barrett
In England, large crowds attend Test Matches. These are versions of cricket that are played between two international teams, lasting a maximum of five days. At the end of those five days, it's perfectly possible that neither side will be declared the winner.
How can anyone enjoy watching a sport where two teams play for five days, simply in order to draw the match? This is one of the many mysteries associated with the sport.
Another is that such draws can be just as exciting as matches that take a few hours to play and result in a victory for one team or another. To many cricket fans, Test Matches are seen as the purest form of the game.
If you're struggling to understand what the appeal is then you need to consider that cricket is far more than a sport. It's an experience.
Spectators like to watch a match, but they also love to be sat in the sunshine, talking to a friend and enjoying a pint of beer. It's one of the few sports where the players stop for lunch and for afternoon tea.
The pace of play may be slow but that's part of the attraction. For spectators, cricket is about relaxing. It's about watching a game that has many twists and turns - a Test Match will often slowly unwind.
Newer forms of the game attempt to bring in new fans, but it's in the five day version of the game that the real joy is to be found.
While the sport may be considerably different from football or rugby, it still offers great excitement. That excitement is provided in a different way.
Cricket has hints of an older, golden age. Few other sports place so much importance on sportsmanship and good grace. These are the real joys of cricket.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Barrett
The Future Of English Cricket
Having brought the game of Twenty20 cricket to a wider audience, cricket administrators in England must now be concerned that this form of the game may be about to change the entire landscape of the sport. What does the future hold?
When cricketers are paying paid more than a million dollars to play for a few weeks of the year then we know that times are changing. The launch of the Indian Premier League, backed with plenty of finance, is changing things at a rapid pace.
Many note that India has quickly become the centre of the cricketing world, although it's been noticeable that the English authorities have been keen that England players should not compete in the new competition in India.
Despite this, there can be no doubt that Twenty20 has captured the public imagination. What changes can we expect here in England?
There's been a lot of talk about a similar competition to the IPL being created in England, with teams being founded in 8 British cities.
Such a competition would appear to be a real threat to the cricketing establishment. For years, organised cricket in this country has had the county sides at its heart.
Hints that they may not be so central to its future will offer concerns to some and opportunities to others. Are we about to see the County Championship, for instance, coming to an end?
With many forms of the game struggling to attract spectators, it would be no great surprise if the popular Twenty20 version continues to push things in a different direction.
Some would suggest that the sport cannot survive unless it embraces change. They wonder whether it can continue when so few spectators are to be found at some domestic matches.
Cricket fans are left to wonder about the direction in which the sport is heading.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Barrett
When cricketers are paying paid more than a million dollars to play for a few weeks of the year then we know that times are changing. The launch of the Indian Premier League, backed with plenty of finance, is changing things at a rapid pace.
Many note that India has quickly become the centre of the cricketing world, although it's been noticeable that the English authorities have been keen that England players should not compete in the new competition in India.
Despite this, there can be no doubt that Twenty20 has captured the public imagination. What changes can we expect here in England?
There's been a lot of talk about a similar competition to the IPL being created in England, with teams being founded in 8 British cities.
Such a competition would appear to be a real threat to the cricketing establishment. For years, organised cricket in this country has had the county sides at its heart.
Hints that they may not be so central to its future will offer concerns to some and opportunities to others. Are we about to see the County Championship, for instance, coming to an end?
With many forms of the game struggling to attract spectators, it would be no great surprise if the popular Twenty20 version continues to push things in a different direction.
Some would suggest that the sport cannot survive unless it embraces change. They wonder whether it can continue when so few spectators are to be found at some domestic matches.
Cricket fans are left to wonder about the direction in which the sport is heading.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Barrett
English Cricket in 2008
As the England cricket team look forward to the challenges that will face them during the summer of 2008, we take a look at the key players and what is expected of them.
England returned from their winter tour to New Zealand with a 2-1 series win but with some question marks against some key players and the team as a whole. The reality is that the Kiwis have been struggling in recent years and that a series win was the minimum requirement.
England's defeat in the first Test Match had led to the dropping of two stalwarts of the side, Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison.
As we look ahead to the coming summer, the question of whether those two players have a future in the England side is a key one. Will they be part of a side that returns to its best?
Of the two, Hoggard has more sympathy with many fans. The Yorkshire bowler may lack the pace of Harmison, but he more than makes up for it with his effort and his ability to swing the ball.
Having been one of England's most reliable performers over the past few seasons, Hoggard can count himself unlucky. Harmison, on the other hand, appears to have been living on borrowed time.
His inability to bowl a consistent line and length has been disappointing, while some suggest that he lacks the heart to tour with the national side.
There's no doubt that the psychological effect of his disastrous first ball in the 2006 Ashes series has also taken its toll.
Will these two bounce back, or will the likes of Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson permanently replace them in the team.
It all remains to be seen but 2008 should be a defining year for English cricket.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Barrett
England returned from their winter tour to New Zealand with a 2-1 series win but with some question marks against some key players and the team as a whole. The reality is that the Kiwis have been struggling in recent years and that a series win was the minimum requirement.
England's defeat in the first Test Match had led to the dropping of two stalwarts of the side, Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison.
As we look ahead to the coming summer, the question of whether those two players have a future in the England side is a key one. Will they be part of a side that returns to its best?
Of the two, Hoggard has more sympathy with many fans. The Yorkshire bowler may lack the pace of Harmison, but he more than makes up for it with his effort and his ability to swing the ball.
Having been one of England's most reliable performers over the past few seasons, Hoggard can count himself unlucky. Harmison, on the other hand, appears to have been living on borrowed time.
His inability to bowl a consistent line and length has been disappointing, while some suggest that he lacks the heart to tour with the national side.
There's no doubt that the psychological effect of his disastrous first ball in the 2006 Ashes series has also taken its toll.
Will these two bounce back, or will the likes of Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson permanently replace them in the team.
It all remains to be seen but 2008 should be a defining year for English cricket.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Barrett
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Indian Premier League - The Billion Dollar Baby
Initially the Indian Premier League was started by BCCI to oppose the Indian Cricket League started by the Zee Network. But now it has reached to a height where the Indian Cricket League is no where in front of the Indian Premier League.
Initially the craze for the Indian Premier League started during the auction conducted for the franchises. Top Industrialists like Mukesh Ambani, Vijay Malaya and Celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan, Preethi Zinta participated and successfully won the bids.
The highest amount in this auction was for Mumbai team which was bid for $111.9 million by the reliance group chairman, Mukesh Ambani. The second highest amount was for the Bangalore team which was bid for $111.6 million by the liquor King Vijay Malaya.
The TV rights for the Indian Premier League were grabbed by the Sony and world sport group for an astonishing amount of $1 billion for the next ten years.
The actual craze started after the auction for the Players where the owners of the Franchises auctioned for the players. The highest amount in this auction was for Indian team Captain Mahendar Singh Dhoni who was successfully bid by the Chennai Super kings for an amount of $1.5 million. The second highest amount was for Andrew Symonds, Australian All-rounder who was successfully bid for $1.35 million by the Deccan Chargers.
Recently the Umpiring rights for the Indian Premier League were auctioned and they were successfully bid by the Kingfisher group chairmen, Vijay Malaya for an amount of $106 million.
Recently the Indian Premier League teams names are announced and all the franchise owners are excited about this.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aravind_Gade_Reddy
Initially the craze for the Indian Premier League started during the auction conducted for the franchises. Top Industrialists like Mukesh Ambani, Vijay Malaya and Celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan, Preethi Zinta participated and successfully won the bids.
The highest amount in this auction was for Mumbai team which was bid for $111.9 million by the reliance group chairman, Mukesh Ambani. The second highest amount was for the Bangalore team which was bid for $111.6 million by the liquor King Vijay Malaya.
The TV rights for the Indian Premier League were grabbed by the Sony and world sport group for an astonishing amount of $1 billion for the next ten years.
The actual craze started after the auction for the Players where the owners of the Franchises auctioned for the players. The highest amount in this auction was for Indian team Captain Mahendar Singh Dhoni who was successfully bid by the Chennai Super kings for an amount of $1.5 million. The second highest amount was for Andrew Symonds, Australian All-rounder who was successfully bid for $1.35 million by the Deccan Chargers.
Recently the Umpiring rights for the Indian Premier League were auctioned and they were successfully bid by the Kingfisher group chairmen, Vijay Malaya for an amount of $106 million.
Recently the Indian Premier League teams names are announced and all the franchise owners are excited about this.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aravind_Gade_Reddy
Dilemma of Pakistan Cricket
Pakistan got test match status at Lord's Cricket Ground on July 28, 1952 and played its first test match in Delhi in October 1952. Its first victory was against England in 1954 at The Oval in which Fzal Mahmood took 12 wickets. Pakistan played first home series in January 1955 against India, at Dacca.
Since the very inception of the test and one day cricket, the Pakistani team has been faltering, dwindling and then finding strong footing . This has happened not once but for ever. This behavior of the team has earned it the epithet of the most unpredictable team of the cricket world.
Pakistan cricket team is a strange one. It is said that the biggest consistency of Pakistan team is its inconsistency. It became the winner of the world cup with a brave come back but later it was defeated by the cricket babies e. g. Ireland and Bangladesh. Nobody can claim that he has understood the Pakistani team. Even the bookies of the world are strangled in this dilemma.
Why this always happens? What are the reasons behind this fluctuating performance? Is the PCB responsible for this dilemma? Are the coaches the cause of this fall? Or the cricketers themselves are to blame? Let us try to understand the psyche of this team.
The team of upsets
Pakistani team is a strong but capricious team. It is always impulsive and unpredictable. The 1986 victory at Sharja, was a last-ball victory for Pakistan against India, with Javed Miandad's memorial sixer. The 1992 World Cup victory was due to miraculous comeback of this royal team. The biggest upset in World Cup 2007 history was also from Pakistan when it received a shocking defeat from Ireland who was playing their first tournament. All the team was bowled out just for 132 runs resulting into the humiliating first round exit from the competition.
These are few illustrations otherwise the history of Pakistan cricket is replete with this kind of abnormal performance. They are the greatest one day and may shrink from a team of your neighborhood the next. Why there is no consolidation in performance? Why this team does not perform steadily? You may find the reasons and causes of this dilemma in this article.
Adhocism
Adhocism is the main reason behind the scene. There are no permanent policies as well officials who could run the affairs of the cricket. The captain of the team is not sure about the participation in the next competition. The coach is not certain about his job and above all super fit players may be asked to sit outside. This adhocism has gnawed at the very roots of the cricket in Pakistan.
Political involvement in the board of cricket
Pakistan cricket board, the governing body of cricket is one of the major causes of these phenomena. Often the chair and executives of the board are appointed the persons who have no cricketing background. The non professionalism at the upper level gives rise to the non professional attitude of the players also. A man in the helm of the affairs of the cricket should be a perfect cricketer who would know all the pros and cons of the game.
Player politics
Our players are themselves a cause of this dilemma. They make lobbies of their own to survive in the team and get captaincy. The talented players who fail in getting the favors of the band of cricketers are either ousted or dumped to the background. Sometimes the players show their power by disagreeing and violating the laws of the board. This brings a very negative impact on the whole body of the game.
Gambling and match fixing
There are a lot of players of great fame and qualities that have been found involved in gambling and match fixing. Many players of high profile have been playing the game with the bookmakers. Many of them have been dropped from the national squad and few have been banned forever.
No planning and proper management
It is said that fail to plan is the plan to fail. So Planning is the key to success but unfortunately our board does not do so. It works like a postman. It's planning ends on declaring the squad and schedule of the cricket. There is no long term planning for the game or the players. Strong coordination between coach, captain and players should be developed. Emphasis is not given to physical and psychological fitness of the players. PCB has not evolved a proper check and balance system; hence some players succeed to manage their place in the national team despite their inconsistent performance.
No talent hunting
Our local cricket associations are not patronized by the PCB and are devoid of proper counseling and guidance along with resources. This prohibits the talent hunting which is a part and parcel of maintaining the standard of the game.
Attitude of the individual players
Players who get some fame are perverted by the popularity. They often involve themselves in merry making. During toure abroad, some players are reportedly seen in the dance clubs, cat walk shows and casinos. They do not follow the code of ethics. They spend nights at such places as are the anathema on the name of the game. How such players can give good performance the next day? The players do not show the desire or the motivation to improve the deficiencies.
Foreign coaches
The PCB tries its best to invigorate the team by hiring the foreign coaches but it often goes contrary to its credit. And some times it proves fatal to the Pakistani cricket. As you know that the coach makes a winning strategy but lack of communication between the players and a foreign coach create many problems. Many former local players can deliver much better results than foreign coaches.
Ball tempering
Though never proved, ball tempering is a permanent blame on the Pakistan cricket team. A lot of controversies have been aroused due to this misuse of the cricket ball. Many teams are now in the habit of blaming the young blooming talents of Pakistani team to darken their future.
Conclusion
Talented players are a great asset of a team but only talent is not enough to become a shining star. Discipline is the driving force of talent and this is wanting in Pakistani cricket. Pakistan has always produced great players. But an individual success is only a partial success. The real victory is the victory of the team. A team which could not play exciting and inspirational cricket would perform like giants one day and like pigmies on the other day. It is rightly said that only talent is not enough. A permanent cricketing behavior is needed to touch the heights of glory of fame and fortune.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Iftikhar_Rasul
Since the very inception of the test and one day cricket, the Pakistani team has been faltering, dwindling and then finding strong footing . This has happened not once but for ever. This behavior of the team has earned it the epithet of the most unpredictable team of the cricket world.
Pakistan cricket team is a strange one. It is said that the biggest consistency of Pakistan team is its inconsistency. It became the winner of the world cup with a brave come back but later it was defeated by the cricket babies e. g. Ireland and Bangladesh. Nobody can claim that he has understood the Pakistani team. Even the bookies of the world are strangled in this dilemma.
Why this always happens? What are the reasons behind this fluctuating performance? Is the PCB responsible for this dilemma? Are the coaches the cause of this fall? Or the cricketers themselves are to blame? Let us try to understand the psyche of this team.
The team of upsets
Pakistani team is a strong but capricious team. It is always impulsive and unpredictable. The 1986 victory at Sharja, was a last-ball victory for Pakistan against India, with Javed Miandad's memorial sixer. The 1992 World Cup victory was due to miraculous comeback of this royal team. The biggest upset in World Cup 2007 history was also from Pakistan when it received a shocking defeat from Ireland who was playing their first tournament. All the team was bowled out just for 132 runs resulting into the humiliating first round exit from the competition.
These are few illustrations otherwise the history of Pakistan cricket is replete with this kind of abnormal performance. They are the greatest one day and may shrink from a team of your neighborhood the next. Why there is no consolidation in performance? Why this team does not perform steadily? You may find the reasons and causes of this dilemma in this article.
Adhocism
Adhocism is the main reason behind the scene. There are no permanent policies as well officials who could run the affairs of the cricket. The captain of the team is not sure about the participation in the next competition. The coach is not certain about his job and above all super fit players may be asked to sit outside. This adhocism has gnawed at the very roots of the cricket in Pakistan.
Political involvement in the board of cricket
Pakistan cricket board, the governing body of cricket is one of the major causes of these phenomena. Often the chair and executives of the board are appointed the persons who have no cricketing background. The non professionalism at the upper level gives rise to the non professional attitude of the players also. A man in the helm of the affairs of the cricket should be a perfect cricketer who would know all the pros and cons of the game.
Player politics
Our players are themselves a cause of this dilemma. They make lobbies of their own to survive in the team and get captaincy. The talented players who fail in getting the favors of the band of cricketers are either ousted or dumped to the background. Sometimes the players show their power by disagreeing and violating the laws of the board. This brings a very negative impact on the whole body of the game.
Gambling and match fixing
There are a lot of players of great fame and qualities that have been found involved in gambling and match fixing. Many players of high profile have been playing the game with the bookmakers. Many of them have been dropped from the national squad and few have been banned forever.
No planning and proper management
It is said that fail to plan is the plan to fail. So Planning is the key to success but unfortunately our board does not do so. It works like a postman. It's planning ends on declaring the squad and schedule of the cricket. There is no long term planning for the game or the players. Strong coordination between coach, captain and players should be developed. Emphasis is not given to physical and psychological fitness of the players. PCB has not evolved a proper check and balance system; hence some players succeed to manage their place in the national team despite their inconsistent performance.
No talent hunting
Our local cricket associations are not patronized by the PCB and are devoid of proper counseling and guidance along with resources. This prohibits the talent hunting which is a part and parcel of maintaining the standard of the game.
Attitude of the individual players
Players who get some fame are perverted by the popularity. They often involve themselves in merry making. During toure abroad, some players are reportedly seen in the dance clubs, cat walk shows and casinos. They do not follow the code of ethics. They spend nights at such places as are the anathema on the name of the game. How such players can give good performance the next day? The players do not show the desire or the motivation to improve the deficiencies.
Foreign coaches
The PCB tries its best to invigorate the team by hiring the foreign coaches but it often goes contrary to its credit. And some times it proves fatal to the Pakistani cricket. As you know that the coach makes a winning strategy but lack of communication between the players and a foreign coach create many problems. Many former local players can deliver much better results than foreign coaches.
Ball tempering
Though never proved, ball tempering is a permanent blame on the Pakistan cricket team. A lot of controversies have been aroused due to this misuse of the cricket ball. Many teams are now in the habit of blaming the young blooming talents of Pakistani team to darken their future.
Conclusion
Talented players are a great asset of a team but only talent is not enough to become a shining star. Discipline is the driving force of talent and this is wanting in Pakistani cricket. Pakistan has always produced great players. But an individual success is only a partial success. The real victory is the victory of the team. A team which could not play exciting and inspirational cricket would perform like giants one day and like pigmies on the other day. It is rightly said that only talent is not enough. A permanent cricketing behavior is needed to touch the heights of glory of fame and fortune.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Iftikhar_Rasul
What Is Cricket? How Is It Played?
Cricket is a very popular game in many countries. It is the 2nd most popular sport after FOOTBALL in the world. So, now it interests you and you want to play cricket, too. But you don't know how to play. What is this game? And what it is all about. Don't worry. I am here to help you.
Now let me explain you some important terms in Cricket.
Bat - It is a long woody stick that is used to hit the ball (see below).
Ball - It is a spherical ball made of leather.
Batsman - The person with the bat is called the batsman.
Bowler - The person who has the bowl with him and pitches it for the batsman is known as the Bowler.
Umpire - Referee in cricket. He has all the powers. His decision is the last decision.
Pitch - A straight 22 yard ground especially made for all the main action.
Stumps - A long woods stick which the bowler mostly aims at. If this falls, the batsman is out.
Out - The fall of a batsman. The batsman has to go back to the pavilion.
Wicket Keeper - You must already be knowing it. Just as a goal keeper, his main work is to stop the balls that miss the stumps from crossing the boundary. He stays just behind the wicket.
Run - Every time the two batsman cross ends, one run is scored.
Four Runs - If the ball crosses the boundary ropes after bouncing inside it is a four.
Six Runs - If the ball crosses the boundary ropes without falling inside, it is a six.
Now that you know some of the terms, lets get to the game.
The team that wins the toss elects either to bat or field. The fielding teams captain sets his fielders in the specific positions he wants them to be in. The 2 batsman step on the field and take their positions.
The bowler pitches the ball to the batsman and the batsman has to hit it.
This goes on till the specified overs or till all the batsman are out.
Then the players of the other team come in to bat and they try to score more than the team that has batted before.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roshan_Jha
Now let me explain you some important terms in Cricket.
Bat - It is a long woody stick that is used to hit the ball (see below).
Ball - It is a spherical ball made of leather.
Batsman - The person with the bat is called the batsman.
Bowler - The person who has the bowl with him and pitches it for the batsman is known as the Bowler.
Umpire - Referee in cricket. He has all the powers. His decision is the last decision.
Pitch - A straight 22 yard ground especially made for all the main action.
Stumps - A long woods stick which the bowler mostly aims at. If this falls, the batsman is out.
Out - The fall of a batsman. The batsman has to go back to the pavilion.
Wicket Keeper - You must already be knowing it. Just as a goal keeper, his main work is to stop the balls that miss the stumps from crossing the boundary. He stays just behind the wicket.
Run - Every time the two batsman cross ends, one run is scored.
Four Runs - If the ball crosses the boundary ropes after bouncing inside it is a four.
Six Runs - If the ball crosses the boundary ropes without falling inside, it is a six.
Now that you know some of the terms, lets get to the game.
The team that wins the toss elects either to bat or field. The fielding teams captain sets his fielders in the specific positions he wants them to be in. The 2 batsman step on the field and take their positions.
The bowler pitches the ball to the batsman and the batsman has to hit it.
This goes on till the specified overs or till all the batsman are out.
Then the players of the other team come in to bat and they try to score more than the team that has batted before.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roshan_Jha
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