2009 was an eventful year for many reasons.
ICC Champions trophy held after a long gap.
ICC T20 world cup second edition.
The "death" of ODI or the prediction of it.
Rise of India
Fall of Australia
Windies Fiasco
ASHES
The year started of with back to back SA-AUS series. SA won the edition in Australia and Australia won in SA.. 6 matches stood 3-3 at the end. Rather than saying Australia won in SA, it would not be incorrect if we say Mitchell Johnson won in SA.. He was the lone performer with ball and bat in the series and announced himself as the next all-rounder. Dale Steyn's performance with the bat will also be remembered for a long time..
There was a back to back ENG vs WI series too. Windies winning the home series and England in their home series. Windies showed no interest in the England tour that prompted the greats to withdraw them from the T20 world cup that was to follow their English summer.
Pakistan played back to back series against Lankans.. The home series in Pakistan saw the worst ever terrorist attack on the visiting Lankan team that injured many players. A torrid time to go through for those involved.. The return tour after the attacks, went Lanka's way..
New Zealand showcased an one-man show- Daniel Vettori.. He scored a test 100 in Sri Lankan soil and showed great determination. They came close to winning but never won a single match in the series.
A year of back to back series- Bangladesh and Zimbabwe competed fiercely in 5 ODI series.. The series saw Hamilton Mazakadza score heavily and create a record for highest aggregate in a 5 match series. Charles Coventry almost broke the record for the highest individual score in ODIs. 194* is rated higher than 194 out, so officially Coventry is the highest run scorer.
India won a series in Newzealand after ages.. 1-0 was the result and India completed the tour with some amazing play in the ODIs as well...
Windies lost to Bangladesh handing the latter their first ever test series win.. Windies lost a majority of their players to a ongoing contract crisis.. A 2nd string Windies side was captained by a hopeless player and they dint even look like posing a threat to Bangladesh who gleefully went away with a win..
ICC T20 was a bitter experience for India, who were bounced out.. Windies showed remarkable enthusiasm and courage and went all the way to semis.. They lost the semis- a total team effort... Lanka went to finals on the back of Dilshan's amazing knocks and good bowling.. Pakistan was immensely impressive, a dynamic leader in Younus Khan stepped up and Pak lifted the T20 world cup much deservedly..
ICC Champions trophy revived the concept of ODIs.. High TV ratings proved that if the quality of cricket is good then people do tune into ODI cricket.. Quite a lot of matches went to the wire.. The catch Younus Khan dropped made a big news and the dirty match fixing came into picture again.. Pakistan in the wrong side of things once again, unfortunately.. An exhibition of reverse swing from Rana Naved saw Aussie struggle to win and that made India exit from the Champions trophy too..
ASHES was the next big highlight this year, England won it.. Monty Panesar and James Anderson dug it out in Cardiff, the 1st match. ENG never looked back.. Johnson was not in good form and that hurt them a lot. Though, statistically Aussies were far better yet bizarre thing was they never capitulated on the big moments and Ponting had lost the Ashes twice on England soil..
40 odd tests and 250 ODIs and quite a few T20s made up this year..
Wait !! something is missing..
IPL and CL T20 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Modi never makes anything without creating sufficient noise. (sufficient??!!) General elections in India meant that IPL had to be rescheduled and revised but the govt did not seem to agree with Modi. And what does Modi do? Shift INDIAN premier league to SA.. "SA have embraced the concept of IPL and its a huge success", this was a signature statement that either prefixed or was a post fix to any answer that Modi gave to a question that did not even require him to say that. A dull IPL..
CL T20 opened avenues. Many fringe players get noticed but the response wasn't encouraging enough.. The people being unaware of the players and teams was a major reason. It meant that they couldn't associate themselves with a team apart from the IPL ones.. Trinidad and Tobago showed that cricket is still alive in Windies and it needs a professional management to improve standards..
Monday, December 28, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
boring draw
Draw.............. Dreaded word in test matches..
Dead Pitch, slow poison to test matches.. Why bother supporting the idea of a Test championship when you're doing your best to kill off the oldest form of the game?
DRAW is a special feature of the tests.. A team must lose all wickets to give an outright win to the opposition.. 99-9 chasing 400 for win is also a draw..
Some of the most remembered test matches have been great drawn games.. The most recent being the nail biting finish at Cardiff in Ashes.. Panesar and Anderson had batted out almost an hour to ensure a draw in the 1st test match against Aussies which was considered equal to a win with the crowd roaring when the umpires called off play at the end of the stipulated time..
2 no play possible on 2-3days due to rains in Chennai.. Dead wickets assisted by bad light in the remaining 3 cases..
These 12 draws have been among the worst games ever played, mindless batting exhibitions on surfaces where the bowlers were neutered the moment the new ball lost its shine.
The pitch looked good enough to last another week- was a common comment.. Ganguly in his article has written that another test match could be played on the Motera wicket ,Ahmedabad after Murali could do no damage on the 5th day too..
There's nothing wrong with a surface being batsman-friendly initially, as long as it deteriorates over the course of a game.. There's nothing wrong in a pitch being spinner friendly either, but the match referees take it the other way that the pitch is a minefield.. What if all wickets were taken by the faster bowlers, is the pitch to bouncy ?? Why not call off then!!
This is a series where the No. 1 ranking is at stake. You'd think that results mattered. India are content with being world leaders: at signing TV deals and producing sub-standard pitches..
Dead Pitch, slow poison to test matches.. Why bother supporting the idea of a Test championship when you're doing your best to kill off the oldest form of the game?
DRAW is a special feature of the tests.. A team must lose all wickets to give an outright win to the opposition.. 99-9 chasing 400 for win is also a draw..
Some of the most remembered test matches have been great drawn games.. The most recent being the nail biting finish at Cardiff in Ashes.. Panesar and Anderson had batted out almost an hour to ensure a draw in the 1st test match against Aussies which was considered equal to a win with the crowd roaring when the umpires called off play at the end of the stipulated time..
As far as I can remember, in Australia India has drawn a game in Gabba 2003, Sydney 2004, Sydney 2008.. I think those are the only 3 drawn games, or SAF may have drawn a game sometime.. Such is the result oriented pitches they have been producing over the past 5-6 years..
In England and New Zealand, the draws are mostly decided by wet conditions and rains..
Astonishingly, England since Jan 01,2004 has played in 42 tests and in the same time the busiest country India has featured in 27 home tests only.. 11 of the 42 tests have been a draw in England.. 7 of those have been due to time wasted by bad light or rain or wet out field.. 2 instances of close calls, when India had lost 9 wickets and MS Dhoni helped India save the Lord's test match, the famous Ashes match where Lee and McGrath saw off the final few overs..
Ironically, majority of the draws have been in the tour opener at Lord's, London - 6 ..
West Indies also have 12 draws in their home..
one due to Lara's mammoth 400*..
double centuries from chanderpaul and Hinds and rain stoppage ended a match in draw..
Gayle storm of 317, 3 more from WI; 4 centuries from SA and they still had time to play 30 overs in 2nd innings.. Ironically, for SA all 11 players bowled in the match..
last wicket was not dislodged on 2 occasions.. rain on 3 occasions.
Largely, West Indies has been a batting paradise.. Scores of 580s, 600s, 750s have been the culprits in draws.. 5 of the draws has been against England..
12 draws in INDIA too, adding the draw in Ahmedabad test against Lanka 2 days back..
7 of those have been on dead pitches.. Centuries galore.. No holding back..2 no play possible on 2-3days due to rains in Chennai.. Dead wickets assisted by bad light in the remaining 3 cases..
These 12 draws have been among the worst games ever played, mindless batting exhibitions on surfaces where the bowlers were neutered the moment the new ball lost its shine.
The pitch looked good enough to last another week- was a common comment.. Ganguly in his article has written that another test match could be played on the Motera wicket ,Ahmedabad after Murali could do no damage on the 5th day too..
There's nothing wrong with a surface being batsman-friendly initially, as long as it deteriorates over the course of a game.. There's nothing wrong in a pitch being spinner friendly either, but the match referees take it the other way that the pitch is a minefield.. What if all wickets were taken by the faster bowlers, is the pitch to bouncy ?? Why not call off then!!
This is a series where the No. 1 ranking is at stake. You'd think that results mattered. India are content with being world leaders: at signing TV deals and producing sub-standard pitches..
Saturday, November 21, 2009
shane Warne come back
ALL stars XI take on Australian XI tomorrow in an exhibition match..
Warne will join up with his old team-mates Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden when they appear in an Australian Cricketers' Association XI captained by Warne at the Gabba on Sunday.
LIVE on Star Cricket, 1400 hrs IST..
Warne will join up with his old team-mates Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden when they appear in an Australian Cricketers' Association XI captained by Warne at the Gabba on Sunday.
Australian Cricketers' Association XI Shane Warne (capt), Travis Birt, Lee Carseldine, Adam Gilchrist, Daniel Harris, Matthew Hayden, Jason Krejza, Rhett Lockyear, Graham Manou (wk), Glenn McGrath, Nathan Reardon, Nathan Rimmington.
Australian XI Michael Clarke (capt), Cameron White, George Bailey, Brad Haddin (wk), David Hussey, Andrew McDonald, Clint McKay, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, Shaun Tait, Adam Voges, David Warner.
LIVE on Star Cricket, 1400 hrs IST..
"HOME" series
Pakistan played their "HOME" ODI and T20 series in Abu Dabi and Dubai.. They play "HOME" test series in New Zealand..
Pakistan are without their regular test captain, Younis Khan. The side would be led by Mohammad Yousuf, mostly because he is a permanent feature in the side.. Will have to wait and watch if he has the skills or is just a name sake captain..
Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) will be used in the upcoming home Test series against Pakistan. The review system would also be implemented by Australia during the home Test series against West Indies and Pakistan.. Since ICC said that the cost for running this should be borne by the home team or the broadcasters, it is not used in the India-SriLanka series and the SouthAfrica England series..
The tour game has ended in a draw.. Not a great game, a 3 day game.. Fawad Alam continues to impress. Abdur Rauf bowled well and it was good to have a game for Asif.. Tim McIntosh notched up another 100 in the first class circuit..
Teams:
Mohammad Yousuf, Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal, Salman Butt, Khurram Manzoor, Fawad Alam, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Abdur Rauf, Faisal Iqbal, Danish Kaneria, Imran Farhat, Mohammed Aamir, Mohammed Asif, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Yasir Arafat, Shoaib Malik..
New Zealand:
Vettori, Shane Bond, Grant Elliot, Daniel Flynn, Peter Fulton, Martin Guptill, Tim McIntosh, Brendon Mc Cullum, Chris Martin, Ian o' Brien, Ross Taylor, Darryl Tuffey, Jeetan Patel..
Jeetan will most likely be the no.12 unless Vettori is not fit to play..
Vettori is cleared to play the 1st test.. Notable absence is Kyle Mills who is heading for a shoulder surgery and will e off for 4 months..
Grant Elliot may also sit out.. 4 quickies and Vettori would be enough, no need for another bowling option.. But if he is thought of as a replacement for Jesse Ryder, then he plays and Flynn/Fulton miss out..
New Zealand are tough side to beat at home, Pakistan will do well to win a match.. They certainly have match winners, but will they be able to play well for 5 days is a big question.. Aamir will be the player to watch out for.. Be weary of him..
| Nov 24 - Nov 28 23:00 GMT | 1st Test - New Zealand v Pakistan University Oval, Dunedin |
| Dec 3 - Dec 7 23:00 GMT | 2nd Test - New Zealand v Pakistan Basin Reserve, Wellington |
| Dec 11 - Dec 15 23:00 GMT | 3rd Test - New Zealand v Pakistan McLean Park, Napier |
Pakistan are without their regular test captain, Younis Khan. The side would be led by Mohammad Yousuf, mostly because he is a permanent feature in the side.. Will have to wait and watch if he has the skills or is just a name sake captain..
Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) will be used in the upcoming home Test series against Pakistan. The review system would also be implemented by Australia during the home Test series against West Indies and Pakistan.. Since ICC said that the cost for running this should be borne by the home team or the broadcasters, it is not used in the India-SriLanka series and the SouthAfrica England series..
The tour game has ended in a draw.. Not a great game, a 3 day game.. Fawad Alam continues to impress. Abdur Rauf bowled well and it was good to have a game for Asif.. Tim McIntosh notched up another 100 in the first class circuit..
Teams:
Pakistan:
In Younis' absence, Yousuf will lead.. He will be tested, Younis' return will also depend on the captain and the team's performance.. Aamer would be the bowler to watch out for, he swings the ball and has good pace..
The future of Misbah-ul-Haq as a Test batsman will be decided after the first Test in New Zealand as Pakistan's selectors decided to observe the team's performance.Yousuf had asked for Misbah to fill in Younis' boots, but since already a lot of players are there in NZ the management is not keen to send another one..
Mostly, Gul Aamir and Rauf will be the fast bowlers.. Asif may be considered.. Ajmal or Kaneria will be the spinner.. Kamran, keeper.. Manzoor/Farhat/Butt as openers.. Yousuf, Umar Akmal, Malik middle order.. Faisal Iqbal is making a come back of sorts.. Fawad Alam will be pushing for a slot too..
New Zealand:
Vettori, Shane Bond, Grant Elliot, Daniel Flynn, Peter Fulton, Martin Guptill, Tim McIntosh, Brendon Mc Cullum, Chris Martin, Ian o' Brien, Ross Taylor, Darryl Tuffey, Jeetan Patel..
Jeetan will most likely be the no.12 unless Vettori is not fit to play..
Vettori is cleared to play the 1st test.. Notable absence is Kyle Mills who is heading for a shoulder surgery and will e off for 4 months..
Grant Elliot may also sit out.. 4 quickies and Vettori would be enough, no need for another bowling option.. But if he is thought of as a replacement for Jesse Ryder, then he plays and Flynn/Fulton miss out..
New Zealand are tough side to beat at home, Pakistan will do well to win a match.. They certainly have match winners, but will they be able to play well for 5 days is a big question.. Aamir will be the player to watch out for.. Be weary of him..
windies back in action
West Indies are back in action. They have fielded a full strength side..
Windies are touring Australia, it forms the 1st half of the Aussie summer who host Pakistan as the 2nd team later this year..
The West Indians ended a difficult tour game on a high when they fought to secure a draw with a committed batting display against Queensland..
Windies were bowled out cheaply for 271. Many were playing their first match in Australia and it can be tough.. The bowling was below par, missing the likes of Jerome Taylor and Darren Powell.. Conceded 617,.. 2nd innings was better though..
With Chris Gayle a major doubt due to his mother's illness in Jamaica, Sarwan and Chanderpaul are likely to have more responsibility and it was the experienced pair who guided the side for much of the day during a 131-run stand..
Sarwan and Chanderpaul scored well in both the innings.. The one who came good was the teen aged Adrian
Barath.. He impressed all with his exploits in the Champions League recently concluded in India where his team Trinidad n Tobago had a dream run.. In the absence of the captain,Gayle, Travis Dowlin was Barath's partner against Queensland. It is an unfamiliar position for him. He went in No.3 in his two Tests against Bangladesh but his usual slot for Guyana is No.5.
In the 2nd innings, Narsingh Deonaraine was tried out at no.3.. Travis Dowlin played well for his 50..
The real test would be how well the bowlers cope up.. In the past, recent past, they had the likes of Walsh who was economical.. If these bowlers who have no experience at the international level keep leaking runs, then there would be no pressure on the world no.4..
Even though Australia are at no.4 in ICC test rankings, they are sure to dominate the proceedings throughout the series..
Windies will do well to at-least draw a match, that would be the biggest upset..
TEAM :
Australia: Watson, Katich, Ponting, Clarke, Hussey, North, Haddin, Johnson, Siddle, Bollinger, Hauritz, Hilfenhaus ..
Clarke is back and so is Haddin.. The toss would be in having a 4th seamer or a spinner.. Watson can be the 4th seamer so having Hauritz would be a good option.. Hilfenhaus may make way for Bollinger who had a great tour of India..
Gayle has gone back home to be with his ill mother.. Sarwan and Chanderpaul are the only batting hopes.. Barath and Dowlin have to perform well and so should Nash.. Bravo will be useful with his bowling and experience, he has to be cautious in batting and not throw his wicket away.. He will be vulnerable in playing off the front foot..
Bowling is thin, Taylor is sore.. He is the lone bowler with considerable international experience.. Rampaul, Roach will probably form the back up.. Not expecting great performances from them.. Benn is a fast slow bowler, if that makes any sense.. I have never seen his turn the ball.. Sammy is too military medium to find a place in the side with bowling as criteria..
Leather hunt if windies bowl and quick wickets if they bat..
If they show the same fighting spirits as they did in the 2nd innings of the tour match, it would do the test matches a world of good.. Otherwise, test match's future and two tier system for tests will again crop up..
Biggest upset would be if a test is drawn, with no stoppage from weather..
Windies are touring Australia, it forms the 1st half of the Aussie summer who host Pakistan as the 2nd team later this year..
Date and Time in IST | Game | Venue |
| NOV 18-21 26 Nov – 30 Nov | Tour match vs Queensland 1st Test – | |
| 4 Dec – 8 Dec | 2nd Test – | |
| 16 Dec –20 Dec Feb 4 04:30 IST | 3rd Test – Prime Minister's XI v West Indians | Manuka Oval, Canberra |
| Sun 7 Feb (D/N) | 1st ODI – | |
| Tue 9 Feb (D/N) | 2nd ODI – | SCG |
| Fri 12 Feb (D/N) | 3rd ODI – | |
| Sun 14 Feb (D/N) | 4th ODI – | |
| Fri 19 Feb (D/N) | 5th ODI – | |
| Sun 21 Feb | 1st T20I – | Bellerive Oval, Hobart |
| Tue 23 Feb (D/N) | 2nd T20I – | SCG |
The West Indians ended a difficult tour game on a high when they fought to secure a draw with a committed batting display against Queensland..
Windies were bowled out cheaply for 271. Many were playing their first match in Australia and it can be tough.. The bowling was below par, missing the likes of Jerome Taylor and Darren Powell.. Conceded 617,.. 2nd innings was better though..
With Chris Gayle a major doubt due to his mother's illness in Jamaica, Sarwan and Chanderpaul are likely to have more responsibility and it was the experienced pair who guided the side for much of the day during a 131-run stand..
Sarwan and Chanderpaul scored well in both the innings.. The one who came good was the teen aged Adrian
Barath.. He impressed all with his exploits in the Champions League recently concluded in India where his team Trinidad n Tobago had a dream run.. In the absence of the captain,Gayle, Travis Dowlin was Barath's partner against Queensland. It is an unfamiliar position for him. He went in No.3 in his two Tests against Bangladesh but his usual slot for Guyana is No.5.
In the 2nd innings, Narsingh Deonaraine was tried out at no.3.. Travis Dowlin played well for his 50..
The real test would be how well the bowlers cope up.. In the past, recent past, they had the likes of Walsh who was economical.. If these bowlers who have no experience at the international level keep leaking runs, then there would be no pressure on the world no.4..
Even though Australia are at no.4 in ICC test rankings, they are sure to dominate the proceedings throughout the series..
Windies will do well to at-least draw a match, that would be the biggest upset..
TEAM :
Australia: Watson, Katich, Ponting, Clarke, Hussey, North, Haddin, Johnson, Siddle, Bollinger, Hauritz, Hilfenhaus ..
Clarke is back and so is Haddin.. The toss would be in having a 4th seamer or a spinner.. Watson can be the 4th seamer so having Hauritz would be a good option.. Hilfenhaus may make way for Bollinger who had a great tour of India..
West Indies: Gayle, Dowlin, Barath, Sarwan, Chanderpaul, Deonaraine, Dwyane Bravo, Dinesh Ramdin, Brendon Nash, Sulieman Benn, Ravi Rampual, Kemar Roach, Jerome Taylor, Darren Sammy, Gavin Tonge..
Gayle has gone back home to be with his ill mother.. Sarwan and Chanderpaul are the only batting hopes.. Barath and Dowlin have to perform well and so should Nash.. Bravo will be useful with his bowling and experience, he has to be cautious in batting and not throw his wicket away.. He will be vulnerable in playing off the front foot..
Bowling is thin, Taylor is sore.. He is the lone bowler with considerable international experience.. Rampaul, Roach will probably form the back up.. Not expecting great performances from them.. Benn is a fast slow bowler, if that makes any sense.. I have never seen his turn the ball.. Sammy is too military medium to find a place in the side with bowling as criteria..
Leather hunt if windies bowl and quick wickets if they bat..
If they show the same fighting spirits as they did in the 2nd innings of the tour match, it would do the test matches a world of good.. Otherwise, test match's future and two tier system for tests will again crop up..
Biggest upset would be if a test is drawn, with no stoppage from weather..
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
low scoring games
VENUE : SHARJAH
YEAR: 1999
MATCH : SRI LANKA vs PAKISTAN
It was Coca Cola Champions Trophy played among Pakistan, West Indies and Sri Lanka..
West Indies were captained by Lara, Pakistan by Wasim Akram and Sri Lanka by Jayasuriya..
Each team played every other team twice and the top 2 teams went into the finals. Played in the month of October.
The match under consideration is the 3rd match between SriLanka and Pakistan..
Sri Lanka - Atapattu, Kaluwitharana+,Jayasuriya* , Aravinda de Silva, Mahela Jayawardene, Russel Arnold, Chamara Silva, Suresh Perera, Vaas, Muralitharan, Zoysa
Pakistan - Saeed Anwar, Amir Sohail ,Inzamam, Yousuf Youhana, Hasan Raja, Moin Khan+, Azhar Mahmood, Razzaq, Akram*, Shoaib Malik, Arshad Khan
Pak won the toss, chose to bat.. Amir Sohail was very slow, both the openers fell after a stand of 37.. From 38 for 2, the repair work was done by Youhana and Inzy; 48 and 42 runs respectively..
They were too slow in scoring these runs, when Inzy was out the scored read 131 for 3 in 35 overs..
From there on it was a batting collapse for Pakistanis..
Arnold ,Vaas and Murali took 2 wickets each.
Murali was miserly giving just 22 in 10 overs.. Arnold bowled well.. SRL never allowed Pakistan to dominate..
Sri Lanka came out to bat chasing just 197 from 50 overs.. The batting order was changed. Kalu opened with Atapattu.. Kalu in his typical form and style notched up a brilliant 50. The pitch seemed to behave differently when he was out there.. Arnold was sent up the order after Atapattu got out..
A match winning partnership from of 115 between them was ended by Razzaq.. De Silva walked in.. When Arnold got out, the score read 173 for 3 in 40 overs..
Kalu scored 75 and Arnold 61..
they needed just 24 from ten overs with eight wickets remaining before Arnold got out..
Sultan of swing returned, bowled the 42nd over to dismiss Jayasuriya for 1.. 174 for 4..
Akram bowled the 44th over and this time bowled de Silva for 9.. 177 for 5..
Reverse swing is something that Pakistan always are proud exponents of.. From the likes of Imran to Wasim to Waqar to Aqib Javed to Rana Naved etc...
This time the king of reverse swing was Razzaq.. Razzaq in 1999 was at the peak of his bowling career, bowled with a lot of pace and swung the ball.. He edged past Azhar Mahmood to retain his place over Azhar in the days to come..
7 overs, 1 wicket for 28 were his figures when he bowled 46th over..
45.5 Jyawardene was caught by Moin off Razzaq for 1.. 186 for 6
45.6 Perera bowled. 186 for 7
Chamara scored of the 47th over..
On the last ball of 48th over, Sri Lanka had scored 194 for 7.. Razzaq struck again getting rid of Vaas..
194 for 8..
Only batsman left was Chamara with only Murali and Zoysa left.. 3 runs to win, 2 overs..
SRL scored 2 runs of this over.. Murali was run out in the last ball of the 49th over.. 196 for 9...
Last over, 1 run needed.. 1 wicket in hand..
1st ball of the 50th over, Chamara was bowled by Razzaq..
Match ended in a tie..
In an astonishing nine-ball spell, Abdur Razzaq took four for nought to snatch a tie from what seemed a certain Sri Lankan victory.But when Razzaq returned to bowl three of the last five overs, the Sri Lankan collapse had already started. Even so, with 14 required from 30 balls and five wickets left, they still looked safe. he sliced through the lower order with unplayable reverse swing, hitting the stumps three times to complete a career-best five for 31.
YEAR: 1999
MATCH : SRI LANKA vs PAKISTAN
It was Coca Cola Champions Trophy played among Pakistan, West Indies and Sri Lanka..
West Indies were captained by Lara, Pakistan by Wasim Akram and Sri Lanka by Jayasuriya..
Each team played every other team twice and the top 2 teams went into the finals. Played in the month of October.
The match under consideration is the 3rd match between SriLanka and Pakistan..
Sri Lanka - Atapattu, Kaluwitharana+,Jayasuriya* , Aravinda de Silva, Mahela Jayawardene, Russel Arnold, Chamara Silva, Suresh Perera, Vaas, Muralitharan, Zoysa
Pakistan - Saeed Anwar, Amir Sohail ,Inzamam, Yousuf Youhana, Hasan Raja, Moin Khan+, Azhar Mahmood, Razzaq, Akram*, Shoaib Malik, Arshad Khan
Pak won the toss, chose to bat.. Amir Sohail was very slow, both the openers fell after a stand of 37.. From 38 for 2, the repair work was done by Youhana and Inzy; 48 and 42 runs respectively..
They were too slow in scoring these runs, when Inzy was out the scored read 131 for 3 in 35 overs..
From there on it was a batting collapse for Pakistanis..
Arnold ,Vaas and Murali took 2 wickets each.
Murali was miserly giving just 22 in 10 overs.. Arnold bowled well.. SRL never allowed Pakistan to dominate..
Sri Lanka came out to bat chasing just 197 from 50 overs.. The batting order was changed. Kalu opened with Atapattu.. Kalu in his typical form and style notched up a brilliant 50. The pitch seemed to behave differently when he was out there.. Arnold was sent up the order after Atapattu got out..
A match winning partnership from of 115 between them was ended by Razzaq.. De Silva walked in.. When Arnold got out, the score read 173 for 3 in 40 overs..
Kalu scored 75 and Arnold 61..
they needed just 24 from ten overs with eight wickets remaining before Arnold got out..
Sultan of swing returned, bowled the 42nd over to dismiss Jayasuriya for 1.. 174 for 4..
Akram bowled the 44th over and this time bowled de Silva for 9.. 177 for 5..
Reverse swing is something that Pakistan always are proud exponents of.. From the likes of Imran to Wasim to Waqar to Aqib Javed to Rana Naved etc...
This time the king of reverse swing was Razzaq.. Razzaq in 1999 was at the peak of his bowling career, bowled with a lot of pace and swung the ball.. He edged past Azhar Mahmood to retain his place over Azhar in the days to come..
7 overs, 1 wicket for 28 were his figures when he bowled 46th over..
45.5 Jyawardene was caught by Moin off Razzaq for 1.. 186 for 6
45.6 Perera bowled. 186 for 7
Chamara scored of the 47th over..
On the last ball of 48th over, Sri Lanka had scored 194 for 7.. Razzaq struck again getting rid of Vaas..
194 for 8..
Only batsman left was Chamara with only Murali and Zoysa left.. 3 runs to win, 2 overs..
SRL scored 2 runs of this over.. Murali was run out in the last ball of the 49th over.. 196 for 9...
Last over, 1 run needed.. 1 wicket in hand..
1st ball of the 50th over, Chamara was bowled by Razzaq..
Match ended in a tie..
In an astonishing nine-ball spell, Abdur Razzaq took four for nought to snatch a tie from what seemed a certain Sri Lankan victory.But when Razzaq returned to bowl three of the last five overs, the Sri Lankan collapse had already started. Even so, with 14 required from 30 balls and five wickets left, they still looked safe. he sliced through the lower order with unplayable reverse swing, hitting the stumps three times to complete a career-best five for 31.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
sachin at 20
Today, Sachin finishes 20 years in the International circuit..
ST holds all records at stake from batting perspective.. Be it the highest run getter in tests, ODIs, maximum number of 100s in ODI and tests, highest individual score for India in ODIs etc.....................................
20-20.. Lets try listing 20 best memories of ST in these 20 years..
Sachin Tendulkar has been playing top-class cricket for 20 years and he's still producing blistering innings, still looking hungry, still demolishing attacks, still a prized wicket, still a proud competitor. He has not merely been around for two decades. From his first outing to his most recent effort, a stunning 175 in Hyderabad, he has been a great batsman. Longevity counts amongst his strengths. Twenty years! It's a heck of a long time, and it's gone in the blink of an eye.From an attacking batsman in the 90s to a class player in the 2000s, the transformation has been brilliant. The one batsman who knows his body, he changed his style of batting to suit the needs very quickly.. The 100s of late, barring the 175, has been classy.. At no point we would feel that he is scoring, yet so nonchalantly he notches up that elusive 3 figure mark..
1. FIRST SIGHT
Sachin's 600+ stand with Vinod Kambli in the school level competition.. Playing for Sharadashram VidyaMandir, ST and Kambli each scored triple hundred.. It was apparently broken 15 years later..
2. FIRST TEST
This day, that year.. Exactly 20yrs ago at Karachi ST making his debut had to face the likes of Akram, Waqar, Imran Khan in his first test match, getting hit on the head. Yet, that kid was ready to come onto the front foot.. He scored a 50 in his 2nd test match itself..
3.FIRST 100 IN OZ
Everybody talks of this as his best 100.. Setting: Perth,'92 .. Craig McDermott, Merv Hughes, Mike Whitney and Paul Reiffel formed the attack on the bouncy Perth wicket.. Sachin scored 114..
4. LAST OVER- HERO CUP 1993
I remember this, South Africa needed 6 runs of the last over and ST was handed the ball.. The game was in Calcutta, Eden Gardens.. ST tied them down to just 3 runs and India advanced to the finals.. Finals was against Windies where Kumble took 6-12 to ensure an Indian win..
5. FIRST TIME OPENING THE INNINGS
Sachin in a recent interview spoke about this. Sidhu was injured and couldn't play.. ST was till then batting at 6. He asked the captain and coach to give him one chance to bat up the order and that he was confident of doing well. If he were to fail, he would never come back again.. He was confident of hitting over the in field in the initial field restriction overs.. Sachin scored 82 of 49 balls against New Zealand.. Opening slot was his ever since..
6. TITAN CUP BANGALORE and MUMBAI- 1996
Sachin played amazingly for his 88 but got out at the wrong time, India needed 52 runs with 2 wickets in hand.. Srinath and Kumble, local lads set up the win.. The match went almost to midnight, ST won the man of the match award.. In Mumbai, Ind vs SA finals.. Sachin held aloft a round shield..
7. WORLD CUP -1996
India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka hosted the 96 Wills cricket world cup.. India reached the semi finals purely on Sachin's brilliance.. With 523 runs at 87.16, is the highest scorer in the World Cup..
8. WARNE'S NIGHTMARE
Shane Warne had nightmares bowling to Sachin.. India vs Australia test series in 1998.. India won that series 2-1.. He employed slog sweeps and deposited Warne over mid wicket for six time and again..
9. SHARJAH 1997/98
The one knock that no one will forget.. Two centuries back to back, 143 to ensure India is through to the finals of the Coca Cola cup.. 134 in the finals to ensure India wins it.. It was the first time a cricket tournament in Sharjah did not feature Pakistan. Both the 100s came against Australia and he single handedly won the matches for India.
10. HAILED AS/BY THE DON
Don Bradman's 90th birthday, Sachin and Warne were invited.. Don said Sachin's batting reminded him of his own batting.. The visuals of Don and Sachin playing a straight drive were shown over and over again in all TV channels..
11. BACK STRAIN and a HEARTBREAK
Indo-Pak series after a long time, India needed 271 to win in the Chennai test.. Sachin was battling a severe back ache but batted superbly to score 136.. The famous lap sweep came during this test match.. Chennai was witnessing yet another classic from ST.. But a heartbreak was waiting for him, India slumped to defeat.. He was awarded man of the match but did not come to receive it as he was crying in the dressing room..
12. 1999 WORLD CUP
India were in England to play the 1999 world cup and as usual the hopes rested on Sachin's shoulders.. There was a sad news, his father passed away.. He flew back to India to do the last rites.. Surprisingly, Sachin came back to wear India colours and played for India.. That was amazing spirit.. He scored 140 against Kenya on his return..
13. 2001 SOUTH AFRICA SERIES
It was the series where ST started playing a new shot.. Upper cut over the slips to negotiate the bouncers.. The series where the match referee was Mike Dennes.. ( Remember!) Sachin and others were called for ball tampering and faced one test ban.. The 3rd test match was an unofficial one, and the star played..
14. STUMPED FOR THE FIRST TIME
England and Ashley Giles adopted negative strategy bowling down the leg side to tie Sachin down.. It was their only way to get him out they thought, as they had no faith in themselves to get the master out by fair means..
15. 2003 WORLD CUP, 98 vs PAKISTAN
2003 world cup began badly with a loss to Australia and scrapped to a win over Holland.. Indian fans were fuming, burnt effigies of the players, pelted stones at their homes in India, painted them black.. Sachin came out and addressed the media asking fans to maintain calm and giving a hope that India would do well.. Under Ganguly, India had a great time in the world cup.. Scores 673 runs at 61.18 in the World Cup, taking India to within a win of the world crown. His 98 against Pakistan in an exceptionally anticipated match is one of the best knocks by an Indian in a World Cup. Attacked the Pakistan bowlers from the 1st ball.. Hoisted Akhtar for a six over 3rd man.. Australia are champions, but he is named Man of the Series.
16. ROBBED OF 200
Dravid declared when Sachin was on 194. ST for the 1st time expressed his displeasure in the public.. India went on to win the series, 309 from Viru in Multan.. Ganguly axed. The series saw everything, also India's first series win in Pakistan soil..
17. CENTURIES TO REMEMBER
A patient 241 in Sydney 2004, minimal off side shots, leading to a draw in the test match and the series..No. 35 against Sri Lanka in Delhi took him past Gavaskar.. His first century in more than two years and 19 Tests, against opposition other than Bangladesh, SCG 2008.. Coveted 100s in the finals..
CB series final, India reached finals thanks to brilliant captaincy from MSD. Ponting wrongly talked of not needing a 3rd final and Sachin obliged.. 114 in Sydney in a 240 run chase, a 91 in the 2nd final ensured India win without having to play the 3rd finals as per Ponting's desire.
18: TWIN RECORDS
Drives Shane Warne down the ground to score a significant single signaling an entry in the 10000 club.. Celebrates it by scoring 139.. From there on every 1000 run mark, he is the first. Latest one being first one to score 17000 runs..
Steers Peter Siddle down to third man to become the highest run getter in tests going past Lara.. Hails this as his best record as it took him 19 years to get there.. Scored 12000 in tests..
19. 100 IN CHASING
Mumbai carnage 26/11.. England's tour was cut short and India couldn't complete a 7-0 whitewash.. It was great of England to come back to play the tests.. Chennai again.. Chennai crowd are blessed indeed.. Yet another class act from Sachin. This time it wasn't a smashing innings.. India's 387 run chase was set up by Viru's brilliance overnight and on the 5th day after quick wickets Sachin and Yuvraj's partnership saw India through.. A paddle sweep that took India to victory and Sachin to his 100..
20. 175 vs AUSTRALIA, HYDERABAD
May be he has a record in this too.. Maximum heartbreaks after an amazing knock.. Chasing 350 runs to win isn't easy by any standards.. Sachin had not scored big for sometime and a 100 was beckoning.. He chose this stage.. Scored half of the target himself.. Scintillating performance, words will do no good to describe this knock.. Salute the master..
ST holds all records at stake from batting perspective.. Be it the highest run getter in tests, ODIs, maximum number of 100s in ODI and tests, highest individual score for India in ODIs etc.....................................
Sachin Tendulkar has been playing top-class cricket for 20 years and he's still producing blistering innings, still looking hungry, still demolishing attacks, still a prized wicket, still a proud competitor. He has not merely been around for two decades. From his first outing to his most recent effort, a stunning 175 in Hyderabad, he has been a great batsman. Longevity counts amongst his strengths. Twenty years! It's a heck of a long time, and it's gone in the blink of an eye.From an attacking batsman in the 90s to a class player in the 2000s, the transformation has been brilliant. The one batsman who knows his body, he changed his style of batting to suit the needs very quickly.. The 100s of late, barring the 175, has been classy.. At no point we would feel that he is scoring, yet so nonchalantly he notches up that elusive 3 figure mark..
1. FIRST SIGHT
Sachin's 600+ stand with Vinod Kambli in the school level competition.. Playing for Sharadashram VidyaMandir, ST and Kambli each scored triple hundred.. It was apparently broken 15 years later..
2. FIRST TEST
This day, that year.. Exactly 20yrs ago at Karachi ST making his debut had to face the likes of Akram, Waqar, Imran Khan in his first test match, getting hit on the head. Yet, that kid was ready to come onto the front foot.. He scored a 50 in his 2nd test match itself..
3.FIRST 100 IN OZ
Everybody talks of this as his best 100.. Setting: Perth,'92 .. Craig McDermott, Merv Hughes, Mike Whitney and Paul Reiffel formed the attack on the bouncy Perth wicket.. Sachin scored 114..
4. LAST OVER- HERO CUP 1993
I remember this, South Africa needed 6 runs of the last over and ST was handed the ball.. The game was in Calcutta, Eden Gardens.. ST tied them down to just 3 runs and India advanced to the finals.. Finals was against Windies where Kumble took 6-12 to ensure an Indian win..
5. FIRST TIME OPENING THE INNINGS
Sachin in a recent interview spoke about this. Sidhu was injured and couldn't play.. ST was till then batting at 6. He asked the captain and coach to give him one chance to bat up the order and that he was confident of doing well. If he were to fail, he would never come back again.. He was confident of hitting over the in field in the initial field restriction overs.. Sachin scored 82 of 49 balls against New Zealand.. Opening slot was his ever since..
6. TITAN CUP BANGALORE and MUMBAI- 1996
Sachin played amazingly for his 88 but got out at the wrong time, India needed 52 runs with 2 wickets in hand.. Srinath and Kumble, local lads set up the win.. The match went almost to midnight, ST won the man of the match award.. In Mumbai, Ind vs SA finals.. Sachin held aloft a round shield..
7. WORLD CUP -1996
India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka hosted the 96 Wills cricket world cup.. India reached the semi finals purely on Sachin's brilliance.. With 523 runs at 87.16, is the highest scorer in the World Cup..
8. WARNE'S NIGHTMARE
Shane Warne had nightmares bowling to Sachin.. India vs Australia test series in 1998.. India won that series 2-1.. He employed slog sweeps and deposited Warne over mid wicket for six time and again..
9. SHARJAH 1997/98
The one knock that no one will forget.. Two centuries back to back, 143 to ensure India is through to the finals of the Coca Cola cup.. 134 in the finals to ensure India wins it.. It was the first time a cricket tournament in Sharjah did not feature Pakistan. Both the 100s came against Australia and he single handedly won the matches for India.
10. HAILED AS/BY THE DON
Don Bradman's 90th birthday, Sachin and Warne were invited.. Don said Sachin's batting reminded him of his own batting.. The visuals of Don and Sachin playing a straight drive were shown over and over again in all TV channels..
11. BACK STRAIN and a HEARTBREAK
Indo-Pak series after a long time, India needed 271 to win in the Chennai test.. Sachin was battling a severe back ache but batted superbly to score 136.. The famous lap sweep came during this test match.. Chennai was witnessing yet another classic from ST.. But a heartbreak was waiting for him, India slumped to defeat.. He was awarded man of the match but did not come to receive it as he was crying in the dressing room..
12. 1999 WORLD CUP
India were in England to play the 1999 world cup and as usual the hopes rested on Sachin's shoulders.. There was a sad news, his father passed away.. He flew back to India to do the last rites.. Surprisingly, Sachin came back to wear India colours and played for India.. That was amazing spirit.. He scored 140 against Kenya on his return..
13. 2001 SOUTH AFRICA SERIES
It was the series where ST started playing a new shot.. Upper cut over the slips to negotiate the bouncers.. The series where the match referee was Mike Dennes.. ( Remember!) Sachin and others were called for ball tampering and faced one test ban.. The 3rd test match was an unofficial one, and the star played..
14. STUMPED FOR THE FIRST TIME
England and Ashley Giles adopted negative strategy bowling down the leg side to tie Sachin down.. It was their only way to get him out they thought, as they had no faith in themselves to get the master out by fair means..
15. 2003 WORLD CUP, 98 vs PAKISTAN
2003 world cup began badly with a loss to Australia and scrapped to a win over Holland.. Indian fans were fuming, burnt effigies of the players, pelted stones at their homes in India, painted them black.. Sachin came out and addressed the media asking fans to maintain calm and giving a hope that India would do well.. Under Ganguly, India had a great time in the world cup.. Scores 673 runs at 61.18 in the World Cup, taking India to within a win of the world crown. His 98 against Pakistan in an exceptionally anticipated match is one of the best knocks by an Indian in a World Cup. Attacked the Pakistan bowlers from the 1st ball.. Hoisted Akhtar for a six over 3rd man.. Australia are champions, but he is named Man of the Series.
16. ROBBED OF 200
Dravid declared when Sachin was on 194. ST for the 1st time expressed his displeasure in the public.. India went on to win the series, 309 from Viru in Multan.. Ganguly axed. The series saw everything, also India's first series win in Pakistan soil..
17. CENTURIES TO REMEMBER
A patient 241 in Sydney 2004, minimal off side shots, leading to a draw in the test match and the series..No. 35 against Sri Lanka in Delhi took him past Gavaskar.. His first century in more than two years and 19 Tests, against opposition other than Bangladesh, SCG 2008.. Coveted 100s in the finals..
CB series final, India reached finals thanks to brilliant captaincy from MSD. Ponting wrongly talked of not needing a 3rd final and Sachin obliged.. 114 in Sydney in a 240 run chase, a 91 in the 2nd final ensured India win without having to play the 3rd finals as per Ponting's desire.
18: TWIN RECORDS
Drives Shane Warne down the ground to score a significant single signaling an entry in the 10000 club.. Celebrates it by scoring 139.. From there on every 1000 run mark, he is the first. Latest one being first one to score 17000 runs..
Steers Peter Siddle down to third man to become the highest run getter in tests going past Lara.. Hails this as his best record as it took him 19 years to get there.. Scored 12000 in tests..
19. 100 IN CHASING
Mumbai carnage 26/11.. England's tour was cut short and India couldn't complete a 7-0 whitewash.. It was great of England to come back to play the tests.. Chennai again.. Chennai crowd are blessed indeed.. Yet another class act from Sachin. This time it wasn't a smashing innings.. India's 387 run chase was set up by Viru's brilliance overnight and on the 5th day after quick wickets Sachin and Yuvraj's partnership saw India through.. A paddle sweep that took India to victory and Sachin to his 100..
20. 175 vs AUSTRALIA, HYDERABAD
May be he has a record in this too.. Maximum heartbreaks after an amazing knock.. Chasing 350 runs to win isn't easy by any standards.. Sachin had not scored big for sometime and a 100 was beckoning.. He chose this stage.. Scored half of the target himself.. Scintillating performance, words will do no good to describe this knock.. Salute the master..
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Sri Lanka's first
On Wednesday, February 17, 1982, Sri Lanka became cricket's eighth Test-playing country when Bob Willis bowled to Bandula Warnapura..
Warnapura won the toss and elected to bat first.. He was the first SriLankan wicket to fall too, when he got out for 2 runs giving a catch to Gower off Bob Willis..
England finished their tour of India and landed in Sri Lanka who were then granted a full member status.. 6 months after the status had been awarded to Lanka , this match was played to commemorate the entry of a new nation to the test match field..
The last team to join ICC full member status was Pakistan in 1952 ; so Lanka's entry was something special as it happened 30 years later and there were doubts of the next team getting test status any time soon was far fledged..
Warnapura was handed an un balanced side with just de Mel as a medium pace option and the rest spinners.. The test match also the debut of a young batting star in Ranatunga.. Ranatunga went on to be one of the toughest and strongest captain of the sub continent, lifted 1996 50 over world cup Sri Lanka's first ever major win..
After early loss of wickets, Ranatunga and Ranjan Madugalle notched up 50s.. The 1st day saw many firsts- first toss won, first to be hit on chest, first to get out, first catch to be dropped in an Anglo-lankan match, first boundary, first six, first 50 by a Lankan etc..
Slow left arm spin of Underwood ended Lankan first outing with the bat at 218. The English who followed batted uncharacteristically losing quick wickets to the spinners and the lone medium pacer de Mel. With the exception of Gower who made a sparkling 89, no other batsman played well and England lead Lanka by just 5 runs..
In the 2nd innings , Botham and Willis bowled very few overs and the captain handed the ball to the spinners.. Sri Lanka batted brilliantly and were on 167 for 3..
They however lost 7 wickets for 8 runs.. The pitch was a spinner's dream.. At last, the match became one of professionals v amateurs..
Target of 171 seemed gettable .. Tavare and Gower steadied the ship after an early loss of Cook for 0.. England cruised past the target with 7 wickets in the kitty..
The newcomers had held their own -- more -- for three days, but let it slip on the fourth.
This marked the entry of a new nation into test cricket.. They won the world over with some unique and special talent.. Each player who stepped into the fold was unique and was the talking point of the world then.. May it be Warnapura, Roy Dias, Wettimuny, Ranatunga, De Silva, Kaluwitharana, Jayasuriya, Muralitharan to the present day Malinga, Mendis each were unique..
Within no time they surprised us with a win in the 1996 world cup..
Warnapura won the toss and elected to bat first.. He was the first SriLankan wicket to fall too, when he got out for 2 runs giving a catch to Gower off Bob Willis..
England finished their tour of India and landed in Sri Lanka who were then granted a full member status.. 6 months after the status had been awarded to Lanka , this match was played to commemorate the entry of a new nation to the test match field..
The last team to join ICC full member status was Pakistan in 1952 ; so Lanka's entry was something special as it happened 30 years later and there were doubts of the next team getting test status any time soon was far fledged..
Warnapura was handed an un balanced side with just de Mel as a medium pace option and the rest spinners.. The test match also the debut of a young batting star in Ranatunga.. Ranatunga went on to be one of the toughest and strongest captain of the sub continent, lifted 1996 50 over world cup Sri Lanka's first ever major win..
After early loss of wickets, Ranatunga and Ranjan Madugalle notched up 50s.. The 1st day saw many firsts- first toss won, first to be hit on chest, first to get out, first catch to be dropped in an Anglo-lankan match, first boundary, first six, first 50 by a Lankan etc..
Slow left arm spin of Underwood ended Lankan first outing with the bat at 218. The English who followed batted uncharacteristically losing quick wickets to the spinners and the lone medium pacer de Mel. With the exception of Gower who made a sparkling 89, no other batsman played well and England lead Lanka by just 5 runs..
In the 2nd innings , Botham and Willis bowled very few overs and the captain handed the ball to the spinners.. Sri Lanka batted brilliantly and were on 167 for 3..
They however lost 7 wickets for 8 runs.. The pitch was a spinner's dream.. At last, the match became one of professionals v amateurs..
Target of 171 seemed gettable .. Tavare and Gower steadied the ship after an early loss of Cook for 0.. England cruised past the target with 7 wickets in the kitty..
The newcomers had held their own -- more -- for three days, but let it slip on the fourth.
This marked the entry of a new nation into test cricket.. They won the world over with some unique and special talent.. Each player who stepped into the fold was unique and was the talking point of the world then.. May it be Warnapura, Roy Dias, Wettimuny, Ranatunga, De Silva, Kaluwitharana, Jayasuriya, Muralitharan to the present day Malinga, Mendis each were unique..
Within no time they surprised us with a win in the 1996 world cup..
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
world cup 2011 fixtures
Group A - Group B -
Australia, India,
Pakistan, South Africa,
New Zealand, England,
Sri Lanka, West Indies,
Zimbabwe, Bangladesh,
Canada, Ireland,
Kenya. Netherlands.
FIXTURES -
INDIA
Feb 19 1st match - India v Bangladesh Mirpur
Feb 27 11th match - India v England Kolkata
Mar 6 21st match - India v Ireland Bangalore
Mar 9 25th match - India v Netherlands Delhi
Mar 12 29th match - India v South Africa Nagpur
Mar 20 42nd match -India v West Indies Chennai
SRI LANKA
Feb 20 3rd match - Sri Lanka v Canada (Hambantota)
Feb 26 10th match - Pakistan v Sri Lanka (Colombo)
Mar 1 14th match - Kenya v Sri Lanka (Colombo)
Mar 5 20th match - Australia v Sri Lanka (Colombo)
Mar 10 26th match - Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe (Pallekele)
Mar 18 37th match - New Zealand v Sri Lanka Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
NEW ZEALAND
Feb 20 2nd match - Kenya v New Zealand ,Chennai
Feb 25 8th match - Australia v New Zealand ,Nagpur
Mar 4 18th match - New Zealand v Zimbabwe ,Ahmedabad
Mar 8 24th match - New Zealand v Pakistan (Pallekele)
Mar 13 30th match - Canada v New Zealand ,Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Mar 18 37th match - New Zealand v Sri Lanka ,Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
AUSTRALIA
Feb 21 4th match - Australia v Zimbabwe Ahmedabad
Feb 25 8th match - Australia v New Zealand Nagpur
Mar 5 20th match - Australia v Sri Lanka Colombo
Mar 13 31st match - Australia v Kenya Bangalore
Mar 13 31st match - Australia v Kenya Bangalore
Mar 16 35th match - Australia v Canada Bangalore
Mar 19 39th match - Australia v Pakistan Colombo
ENGLAND
Feb 22 5th match - England v Netherlands Nagpur
Feb 27 11th match - India v England Kolkata
Mar 2 15th match - England v Ireland Bangalore
Mar 6 22nd match -England v South Africa Chennai
Mar 11 28th match - Bangladesh v England Chittagong
Mar 17 36th match - England v West Indies Chennai
PAKISTAN
Feb 23 6th match - Kenya v Pakistan (Hambantota)
Feb 26 10th match - Pakistan v Sri Lanka (Colombo)
Mar 3 17th match - Canada v Pakistan (Colombo)
Mar 8 24th match - New Zealand v Pakistan (Pallekele)
Mar 14 32nd match - Pakistan v Zimbabwe (Pallekele)
Mar 19 39th match - Australia v Pakistan (Colombo)
Feb 26 10th match - Pakistan v Sri Lanka (Colombo)
Mar 3 17th match - Canada v Pakistan (Colombo)
Mar 8 24th match - New Zealand v Pakistan (Pallekele)
Mar 14 32nd match - Pakistan v Zimbabwe (Pallekele)
Mar 19 39th match - Australia v Pakistan (Colombo)
WEST INDIES
Feb 24 7th match - South Africa v West Indies Delhi
Feb 28 12th match - Netherlands v West Indies Delhi
Mar 4 19th match - Bangladesh v West Indies Mirpur
Mar 11 27th match - Ireland v West Indies, Chandigarh
Mar 17 36th match - England v West Indies Chennai
Mar 20 42nd match - India v West Indies Chennai
SOUTH AFRICA
Feb 24 7th match - South Africa v West Indies , Delhi
Mar 3 16th match - Netherlands v South Africa Chandigarh
Mar 6 22nd match - England v South Africa Chennai
Mar 12 29th match - India v South Africa , Nagpur
Mar 15 34th match - Ireland v South Africa, Kolkata
Mar 19 40th match - Bangladesh v South Africa, Mirpur
BANGLADESH
Feb 19 1st match - Bangladesh v India Mirpur
Feb 25 9th match - Bangladesh v Ireland Mirpur
Mar 4 19th match - Bangladesh v West Indies Mirpur
Mar 11 28th match - Bangladesh v England Chittagong
Mar 14 33rd match - Bangladesh v Netherlands Chittagong
Mar 19 40th match - Bangladesh v South Africa, Mirpur
Feb 28 13th match - Canada v Zimbabwe, Nagpur
Mar 7 23rd match - Canada v Kenya, Delhi
Mar 18 38th match - Ireland v Netherlands, Kolkata
Mar 20 41st match - Kenya v Zimbabwe, Kolkata
| Mar 23 | Quarter Final - TBC v TBC, Mirpur | |
| Mar 24 | Quarter Final - TBC v TBC (Colombo) | |
| Mar 25 | Quarter Final - TBC v TBC, Mirpur | |
| Mar 26 | Quarter Final - TBC v TBC, Ahmedabad |
| Tue Mar 29 | Semi Final - TBC v TBC (Colombo) |
| Wed Mar 30 | Semi Final - TBC v TBC Chandigarh |
| Apr 2 | Final - TBC v TBC Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
Friday, November 6, 2009
When GOD plays
The bowlers bowl where they want to and Sachin hits them to boundary where and when he pleases to.. A cricketer who got the status of a family member in every cricket loving home in India with his cricket, humility & honesty. Words will never describe the legend Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar
Nov 5th, 2009 shall remain in our minds forever.. But what about Nov 5, 1989 ???
That was the first time Sachin got selected into the Indian team that toured Pakistan...
What a long wait it was though to witness this 100 from his bat !! For many it was a reminiscent of Sharjah 1997-98 Coca Cola cup against the Aussies..
He was 27 then, and India had 2 targets in the match - 1 for victory and 1 to ensure that India are through to the finals.. 285 for a win and 254 for reaching finals, it was revised to 276 and 237 after a dust storm.. Considering the then playing conditions, 280 was on par with the current 330s.. At 4-138 the hopes sunk, but this man thought otherwise.. He plundered the Aussie attack and scored a mammoth 143 at more than run a ball to secure India's place in the finals.. He walked after edging a delivery down the leg side..
In the finals, chasing 272 for a win, all hopes wrested on Sachin as he scored 134 off 131 balls to ensure a win.. The point is getting to 272 was considered a winning total, and to chase it down happened not so often those days..Warne had gone for 61-0 in his 10 overs..
Yesterday, we got to see Sachin at his attacking best after 1998 Sharjah cup.. Ironically, this was against the Aussies too.. A magnificent innings, a description of which by mere adjectives and superlatives do not do justice to the knock..
How great was the knock and how big was the heart break !!
He cannot cry now at the defeat, he is old enough.. But cry he did, when he scored a 100 against Pakistan in Chennai only in vain.. Chasing 271 for a win, Sachin who had got out for a duck in the 1st innings played with a sore back.. On reaching 254-6, Sachin went down to a floater from Saqlain and gave a catch to mid on.. India, you wouldn't believe, got out for 258..
" I think Joshi told me he[Sachin] went down the wicket and told him its gone too long now,let me finish this match.
So it was flotter from Saqlain,He came down the track and wanted to hit over the top of long on.
I came down the dressing room,I think its fair for me to say,he[Sachin] was weaping like a school boy,I kept on telling him why are you taking the whole blame yourself,by then we lost the match.You made impossible possible by playing this great inning.He[Sachin] said no sir,I have lost this match.
We were in the podium,I think very few time you gets man of the match on the loosing side,he got the man of the match on the loosing side.From the podium I signal to Anshuman Gaekwad the coach of the Indian team and asked him where is he[Sachin], because I knew he was Man of the match. Gaekwad said he not coming because he is crying.
I think thats what commitment is all about." -- Late, Mr. Raj Singh Dungarpur..
This would have been a bigger heartbreak for him, chasing 350 isn't easy.. India had posted 354 in Nagpur, and we all know how the Aussies crumbled under pressure and there was no significant partnerships handing India a 99 run victory which could have been worse had we taken the last wicket cheaply..
The 2nd story that unveiled itself was in Hyderabad, this time Aussies had scored 350.. Belter of a wicket, Sachin was edgy at the start.. His feet weren't moving.. He slowly got to 17000 runs.. 6(14) balls.. A four and a no-ball to follow.. A free hit that was sliced for 4 behind point.. From there on, it was as if saying I want to hit this through cover and I hit it.. Sublime innings..
Years since we saw him coming down the wicket to a spinner and hoisting him straight for a six.. He hit 3 like that..
A flick coming down the wicket to Voges that went for 4 through mid wicket.. An inside out shot through cover, a flick of McKay's slower ball, stand and deliver- cover drive that went whistling past the fielders, a short arm jab that split short third man and backward point of Hussey, a shot through where 2nd slip would have been came right of the middle of the bat...
Highlights of the innings
Do we remember that Ian Chappel had called for his retirement in 2008 as Sachin was according to him playing only for records ? He had in his article to cric-info had claimed that Sachin is NOT THE BEST ODI batsman, Ponting has easily overtaken him and that Ponting has played better in many pressure situations and the finals too which Sachin apparently did not do off late and that since he was well past his prime he must retire gracefully..
Now, shouldn't we ask him to look into a mirror and answer the question 'If he is writing such blogs to get more user comments and thus say he is popular and eke out a career in blogging as an expert analyst' . If so, he must retire immediately..
What do u say ??
Nov 5th, 2009 shall remain in our minds forever.. But what about Nov 5, 1989 ???
That was the first time Sachin got selected into the Indian team that toured Pakistan...
What a long wait it was though to witness this 100 from his bat !! For many it was a reminiscent of Sharjah 1997-98 Coca Cola cup against the Aussies..
He was 27 then, and India had 2 targets in the match - 1 for victory and 1 to ensure that India are through to the finals.. 285 for a win and 254 for reaching finals, it was revised to 276 and 237 after a dust storm.. Considering the then playing conditions, 280 was on par with the current 330s.. At 4-138 the hopes sunk, but this man thought otherwise.. He plundered the Aussie attack and scored a mammoth 143 at more than run a ball to secure India's place in the finals.. He walked after edging a delivery down the leg side..
In the finals, chasing 272 for a win, all hopes wrested on Sachin as he scored 134 off 131 balls to ensure a win.. The point is getting to 272 was considered a winning total, and to chase it down happened not so often those days..Warne had gone for 61-0 in his 10 overs..
Yesterday, we got to see Sachin at his attacking best after 1998 Sharjah cup.. Ironically, this was against the Aussies too.. A magnificent innings, a description of which by mere adjectives and superlatives do not do justice to the knock..
How great was the knock and how big was the heart break !!
He cannot cry now at the defeat, he is old enough.. But cry he did, when he scored a 100 against Pakistan in Chennai only in vain.. Chasing 271 for a win, Sachin who had got out for a duck in the 1st innings played with a sore back.. On reaching 254-6, Sachin went down to a floater from Saqlain and gave a catch to mid on.. India, you wouldn't believe, got out for 258..
" I think Joshi told me he[Sachin] went down the wicket and told him its gone too long now,let me finish this match.
So it was flotter from Saqlain,He came down the track and wanted to hit over the top of long on.
I came down the dressing room,I think its fair for me to say,he[Sachin] was weaping like a school boy,I kept on telling him why are you taking the whole blame yourself,by then we lost the match.You made impossible possible by playing this great inning.He[Sachin] said no sir,I have lost this match.
We were in the podium,I think very few time you gets man of the match on the loosing side,he got the man of the match on the loosing side.From the podium I signal to Anshuman Gaekwad the coach of the Indian team and asked him where is he[Sachin], because I knew he was Man of the match. Gaekwad said he not coming because he is crying.
I think thats what commitment is all about." -- Late, Mr. Raj Singh Dungarpur..
This would have been a bigger heartbreak for him, chasing 350 isn't easy.. India had posted 354 in Nagpur, and we all know how the Aussies crumbled under pressure and there was no significant partnerships handing India a 99 run victory which could have been worse had we taken the last wicket cheaply..
The 2nd story that unveiled itself was in Hyderabad, this time Aussies had scored 350.. Belter of a wicket, Sachin was edgy at the start.. His feet weren't moving.. He slowly got to 17000 runs.. 6(14) balls.. A four and a no-ball to follow.. A free hit that was sliced for 4 behind point.. From there on, it was as if saying I want to hit this through cover and I hit it.. Sublime innings..
Years since we saw him coming down the wicket to a spinner and hoisting him straight for a six.. He hit 3 like that..
A flick coming down the wicket to Voges that went for 4 through mid wicket.. An inside out shot through cover, a flick of McKay's slower ball, stand and deliver- cover drive that went whistling past the fielders, a short arm jab that split short third man and backward point of Hussey, a shot through where 2nd slip would have been came right of the middle of the bat...
Do we remember that Ian Chappel had called for his retirement in 2008 as Sachin was according to him playing only for records ? He had in his article to cric-info had claimed that Sachin is NOT THE BEST ODI batsman, Ponting has easily overtaken him and that Ponting has played better in many pressure situations and the finals too which Sachin apparently did not do off late and that since he was well past his prime he must retire gracefully..
Before anybody else makes a decision on what will happen to Tendulkar the player himself has to have a good long look into the mirror and decide what he's trying to achieve in the game. At the moment he looks like a player trying to eke out a career; build on a glittering array of statistics. If he really is playing for that reason and not to help win as many matches as he can for India then he is wasting his time and should retire immediately.Read the complete article here:
Now, shouldn't we ask him to look into a mirror and answer the question 'If he is writing such blogs to get more user comments and thus say he is popular and eke out a career in blogging as an expert analyst' . If so, he must retire immediately..
What do u say ??
Thursday, November 5, 2009
inaugural test match - Pakistan
The inaugural test match posts will feature match reports of inaugural test matches of the test playing nations..
First up - Pakistan
year - 1952
Till the year 1947, India and Pakistan were a single big nation under the British rule.. On August 15th, 1947 the British rule came to an end and the nation was split into two - India and Pakistan..
Post Independence, India became a republic in the year 1950.. India were already playing cricket.. Now, Pakistan was a new nation and had to start playing cricket.. A few players who had earlier played for India shifted to Pakistan..
In the year 1952, the team from across the border came to India to play their inaugural test series..
A.H.Kardar and Amir Elahi had earlier played for India, the other 9 made their debut at the Kotla, Delhi.. AH.Kardar was Pakistan captain and Lala Amarnath was India's..
1st test : KOTLA, Delhi India won the toss and batted first.
Vijay Hazare scored 74.. India were, however, reduced to 5-110 and then 8-229 , but Hemu Adhikari and the no.11 Ghulam Ahmed in a record last-wicket stand of 109 put the score past 300 -- 372 all out.. Pakistan were bowled out twice after following on in their 2nd innings .. 150 and 152 were the scores, thanks largely to an impressive left arm spin by Vinoo Mankad- 13/131 was his match figures.
2nd test : Lucknow
Pakistan bounces back to win their first ever test match.. Vijay Hazare, Hemu Adhikari and Mankad missed out on the match..Fazal Mohammed's medium pace fetched him 12 wickets in the match and Pakistan won by an innings and 43 runs.. Nazar Mohammad batted 515minutes for his 124..
3rd test : Brabourne, Bombay
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first.. Batting first has always been tricky especially when it is an early start and the overnight dew is still there.. Pakistan lost the plot there, only a late resistance from Waqar Hassan enabled a 3 figure score for the team.. On the back of fine centuries from Poly Umrigar and Hazare, India posted a lead of 200.. Pakistan were shot out for 242 and India won by 10 wickets
4th test : Chepauk, Madras
AH. Kardar and yet another lower order performance enabled Pakistan to notch up 344.. India were trailing at 175-6 when rain interrupted the play.. No further play was possible in the entire match..
5th test : Eden Gardens, Calcutta
Phadkar's 5 wicket haul and Shodan's 100 coming at no.8 paved way for a 140 lead for India .. Waqar Hassan's 97 from 315 mins enabled a draw..
Great series for Pakistan.. In their inaugural series itself they won a match.. Never would they have known at that time that this bilateral series would be the most fiercely contested and most anticipated tournaments in the future.. The crowd following and the passion with which the 2 sides play against each other have been the same for more than 5 decades now..
First up - Pakistan
year - 1952
Till the year 1947, India and Pakistan were a single big nation under the British rule.. On August 15th, 1947 the British rule came to an end and the nation was split into two - India and Pakistan..
Post Independence, India became a republic in the year 1950.. India were already playing cricket.. Now, Pakistan was a new nation and had to start playing cricket.. A few players who had earlier played for India shifted to Pakistan..
In the year 1952, the team from across the border came to India to play their inaugural test series..
| Date and Time | Match | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oct 16 - 18 | 1st Test - India v Pakistan Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oct 23 - 26 | 2nd Test - India v Pakistan University Ground, Lucknow | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nov 13 - 16 | 3rd Test - India v Pakistan Brabourne Stadium, Bombay | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nov 28 -Dec 1 | 4th Test - India v Pakistan Madras Cricket Club Ground, Chepauk, Madras | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dec 12 - 15 | 5th Test - India v Pakistan Eden Gardens, Calcutta | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1st test : KOTLA, Delhi India won the toss and batted first.
Vijay Hazare scored 74.. India were, however, reduced to 5-110 and then 8-229 , but Hemu Adhikari and the no.11 Ghulam Ahmed in a record last-wicket stand of 109 put the score past 300 -- 372 all out.. Pakistan were bowled out twice after following on in their 2nd innings .. 150 and 152 were the scores, thanks largely to an impressive left arm spin by Vinoo Mankad- 13/131 was his match figures.
2nd test : Lucknow
Pakistan bounces back to win their first ever test match.. Vijay Hazare, Hemu Adhikari and Mankad missed out on the match..Fazal Mohammed's medium pace fetched him 12 wickets in the match and Pakistan won by an innings and 43 runs.. Nazar Mohammad batted 515minutes for his 124..
3rd test : Brabourne, Bombay
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first.. Batting first has always been tricky especially when it is an early start and the overnight dew is still there.. Pakistan lost the plot there, only a late resistance from Waqar Hassan enabled a 3 figure score for the team.. On the back of fine centuries from Poly Umrigar and Hazare, India posted a lead of 200.. Pakistan were shot out for 242 and India won by 10 wickets
4th test : Chepauk, Madras
AH. Kardar and yet another lower order performance enabled Pakistan to notch up 344.. India were trailing at 175-6 when rain interrupted the play.. No further play was possible in the entire match..
5th test : Eden Gardens, Calcutta
Phadkar's 5 wicket haul and Shodan's 100 coming at no.8 paved way for a 140 lead for India .. Waqar Hassan's 97 from 315 mins enabled a draw..
Great series for Pakistan.. In their inaugural series itself they won a match.. Never would they have known at that time that this bilateral series would be the most fiercely contested and most anticipated tournaments in the future.. The crowd following and the passion with which the 2 sides play against each other have been the same for more than 5 decades now..
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
another injury
Yet another player has left the Australian squad on illness or injury.. WHAT is happening to Aussies ? A side that boasts of extreme fitness and talent is now losing them all of a sudden..
Michael Clarke was the first casualty who withdrew from the Champions Trophy, which Aussies eventually won, with a lower back pain.. The work load was blamed..
Brad Haddin injured his finger in the ASHES series and missed a test, giving Graham Manou the back up keeper his maiden game.. Haddin went on to miss ODI series against England and then the Champions trophy with a broken finger..
Callum Fergusson, not a big name but has been vital in Australia winning many matches and has been very consistent at no.6 averaging 46.07 in 25 ODIs that he has played.. Ferguson tripped in the field and injured his right knee in the Champions Trophy finals.. It was later decided through tests that he needs a re-construction of right knee after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament.. (he suffered similar injury in the u-19 wc that he played)..
Soon after the champions trophy, the inaugural Champions League T20 took place where 2 Australian teams in Victoria and NSW took part.. Victoria reached semi-final while NSW went on to beat Trinidad in the finals.. Led by Katich, the side had Hughes and Warner at the top with Lee, Clark and Hauritz forming the core of bowling.. Victoria was captained by Cameron White and Siddle was the other member who also featured in the national side..
NSW members landed in the team hotel barely 24hrs before 1st ODI..
Brett Lee, who was instrumental in NSW winning the CL T20, suffered an elbow strain and was forced out of 2nd ODI but eventually was sent back home as they felt he could not have recovered in time. Lee has had ankle and side problems before the latest setback.. Lee was out of the ASHES too for injury woes..
James hopes also suffered a hamstring injury in the 1st ODI and was ruled out of the next 2 ODIs and eventually out of the entire series..Hopes bowled just two overs in the first ODI in Vadodara before leaving the field after pulling his right hamstring.
The next to go was Tim Paine, wicket keeper who injured his finger while keeping wickets in the Nagpur ODI.. He injured his finger while attempting to take a bouncer of Siddle..
The latest addition to that is Peter Siddle.. Siddle will return home after suffering stiffness in his left side during Monday's win in Mohali..
So, the replacements Manou, Henriques and Clint McKay are already here and now the selectors are scouting for another replacement..
Already, the pace attack is without Lee.. Now, the next best player Siddle too is going to miss.. Johnson hasn't been in good form either..
Where's Stuart Clark ? Military medium , McGrath like with line and length... Very much needed in the middle overs with Johnson leaking hell a lot of runs he may just be the right replacement..
Dirk Nannes, who played for Netherlands is available to play for Australia.. He is one pace bowler who can be a definite replacement for Lee.. He bowls at 150+ kph..
Brad Hodge, technically may not be so sound but is certainly a good replacement.. I would seen him as the 1st replacement to Clarke.. Donno why he is not favored..
Dont the Aussies boast of a great training facility and highly strong players who play injury free for a long long time !! This just shows that whatever be the facility provided, over kill or continuous cricket will take a toll on players..
The only solution would be if each of the high profile teams have enough bench strength who can come to the International arena and perform from the word go.. A pool of 20-25 players are needed and the final squad of 14-15 must be picked from the pool on a rotation basis so that no player plays too much cricket and also to ensure that the others are match fit and ready to go.. That just takes care of stress related injuries..
Michael Clarke was the first casualty who withdrew from the Champions Trophy, which Aussies eventually won, with a lower back pain.. The work load was blamed..
Brad Haddin injured his finger in the ASHES series and missed a test, giving Graham Manou the back up keeper his maiden game.. Haddin went on to miss ODI series against England and then the Champions trophy with a broken finger..
Callum Fergusson, not a big name but has been vital in Australia winning many matches and has been very consistent at no.6 averaging 46.07 in 25 ODIs that he has played.. Ferguson tripped in the field and injured his right knee in the Champions Trophy finals.. It was later decided through tests that he needs a re-construction of right knee after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament.. (he suffered similar injury in the u-19 wc that he played)..
Soon after the champions trophy, the inaugural Champions League T20 took place where 2 Australian teams in Victoria and NSW took part.. Victoria reached semi-final while NSW went on to beat Trinidad in the finals.. Led by Katich, the side had Hughes and Warner at the top with Lee, Clark and Hauritz forming the core of bowling.. Victoria was captained by Cameron White and Siddle was the other member who also featured in the national side..
NSW members landed in the team hotel barely 24hrs before 1st ODI..
Brett Lee, who was instrumental in NSW winning the CL T20, suffered an elbow strain and was forced out of 2nd ODI but eventually was sent back home as they felt he could not have recovered in time. Lee has had ankle and side problems before the latest setback.. Lee was out of the ASHES too for injury woes..
James hopes also suffered a hamstring injury in the 1st ODI and was ruled out of the next 2 ODIs and eventually out of the entire series..Hopes bowled just two overs in the first ODI in Vadodara before leaving the field after pulling his right hamstring.
The next to go was Tim Paine, wicket keeper who injured his finger while keeping wickets in the Nagpur ODI.. He injured his finger while attempting to take a bouncer of Siddle..
The latest addition to that is Peter Siddle.. Siddle will return home after suffering stiffness in his left side during Monday's win in Mohali..
So, the replacements Manou, Henriques and Clint McKay are already here and now the selectors are scouting for another replacement..
Already, the pace attack is without Lee.. Now, the next best player Siddle too is going to miss.. Johnson hasn't been in good form either..
Where's Stuart Clark ? Military medium , McGrath like with line and length... Very much needed in the middle overs with Johnson leaking hell a lot of runs he may just be the right replacement..
Dirk Nannes, who played for Netherlands is available to play for Australia.. He is one pace bowler who can be a definite replacement for Lee.. He bowls at 150+ kph..
Brad Hodge, technically may not be so sound but is certainly a good replacement.. I would seen him as the 1st replacement to Clarke.. Donno why he is not favored..
Dont the Aussies boast of a great training facility and highly strong players who play injury free for a long long time !! This just shows that whatever be the facility provided, over kill or continuous cricket will take a toll on players..
The only solution would be if each of the high profile teams have enough bench strength who can come to the International arena and perform from the word go.. A pool of 20-25 players are needed and the final squad of 14-15 must be picked from the pool on a rotation basis so that no player plays too much cricket and also to ensure that the others are match fit and ready to go.. That just takes care of stress related injuries..
Sunday, November 1, 2009
hong kong sixes
HONG KONG cricket sixes is a six-a-side cricket , fun-filled version of the glorious old game – a feast of world class players, thrilling matches, huge hits and small boundaries.
It offers two days of fast and furious action in a festival atmosphere – 8 international teams, 45-minute clashes, global TV coverage and thousands of dollars in prize money up for grabs.
First played in 1992, the tournament is fully sanctioned by the International Cricket Council and backed by the boards of the test-playing nations.
Stars who have taken part include Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Steve and Mark Waugh, Viv Richards, Andrew Flintoff, Adam Gilchrist and Wasim Akram. (I have not seen Sachin play though)
venue: Kowloon Cricket Club, situated in the heart of Hong Kong with the teeming city’s skyscrapers providing a breathtaking backdrop.
England, Pakistan, West Indies, Sri Lanka, India and South Africa – all have triumphed at the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes.
And it is all for a worthy cause – profits from the tournament are ploughed directly back into cricket development in Hong Kong through the Hong Kong Cricket Association.
The rules :
Each team has 6 players, 1 wicket keeper and 5 bowlers..
Each bowler bowls one over - 5 over match
Plate finals and finals are 8 ball overs..
Single man standing is there. i.e. If the team loses 5 wickets, the last man plays alone and there's a dUmmy runner at the non-striker's end..
Batsmen retire after scoring 31 runs and can come back if all other wickets fall.
Extras cost 2 runs.
Spectators who catch the ball are awarded 500HK dollars.
India have never taken it seriously with the players being those who have retired from international cricket and sometimes from domestic cricket too..
David Johnson, Vivek Razdan playing in 2008 representing India is the heights of negligence.. Robin Singh has represented India for long in this format..
This year they named a decent squad but only to lose in the 1st round itself.. Almost an all karnataka side with Manish Pandey, Kumble, Arunkumar, Stuart Binny.. Reetinder Sodhi has been a permanent fixture in the side..
It offers two days of fast and furious action in a festival atmosphere – 8 international teams, 45-minute clashes, global TV coverage and thousands of dollars in prize money up for grabs.
First played in 1992, the tournament is fully sanctioned by the International Cricket Council and backed by the boards of the test-playing nations.
Stars who have taken part include Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Steve and Mark Waugh, Viv Richards, Andrew Flintoff, Adam Gilchrist and Wasim Akram. (I have not seen Sachin play though)
venue: Kowloon Cricket Club, situated in the heart of Hong Kong with the teeming city’s skyscrapers providing a breathtaking backdrop.
England, Pakistan, West Indies, Sri Lanka, India and South Africa – all have triumphed at the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes.
And it is all for a worthy cause – profits from the tournament are ploughed directly back into cricket development in Hong Kong through the Hong Kong Cricket Association.
The rules :
Each team has 6 players, 1 wicket keeper and 5 bowlers..
Each bowler bowls one over - 5 over match
Plate finals and finals are 8 ball overs..
Single man standing is there. i.e. If the team loses 5 wickets, the last man plays alone and there's a dUmmy runner at the non-striker's end..
Batsmen retire after scoring 31 runs and can come back if all other wickets fall.
Extras cost 2 runs.
Spectators who catch the ball are awarded 500HK dollars.
Year | Winner | Runners Up |
2008 | England | Australia |
2007 | Sri Lanka | All Stars |
2006 | South Africa | Pakistan |
2005 | India | West Indies |
2004 | England | Sri Lanka |
2003 | England | Pakistan |
2002 | Pakistan | England |
2001 | Pakistan | South Africa |
1997 | Pakistan | England |
1996 | West Indies | India |
1995 | South Africa | England |
1994 | England | Australia |
1993 | England | Sri Lanka |
1992 | Pakistan | India |
India have never taken it seriously with the players being those who have retired from international cricket and sometimes from domestic cricket too..
David Johnson, Vivek Razdan playing in 2008 representing India is the heights of negligence.. Robin Singh has represented India for long in this format..
This year they named a decent squad but only to lose in the 1st round itself.. Almost an all karnataka side with Manish Pandey, Kumble, Arunkumar, Stuart Binny.. Reetinder Sodhi has been a permanent fixture in the side..
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