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
Friday, January 30, 2009
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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