It is still alive in cricket fans' minds the way the West Indies team surrendered to Bangladesh on their home soil some two years ago, when West Indies made headlines despite the Ashes going on in full bloom on the other side of the cricketing world. West Indies lost three one dayers and two tests to get into the record books for the wrong reasons. If anyone of you would cite the absence of key players to be the reason for their debacle, then I think they have to go through the recently concluded world cup where West Indies had wins only against Bangladesh, Ireland and Holland.
In a way, those wins for the West Indies proved to be of much joy for, despite not deserving to be there, they made it to the quarter-finals of the world cup and they missed losing out to Ireland and Bangladesh to be fortunate unlike England. The immediate decision from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) was to drop players like Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderapaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan. I doubt whether the West Indies cricket board was inspired by the BCCI whop dropped senior players like Dravid, Ganguly and Anil Kumble from the squad citing reasons that youngsters be given a chance.
This happened to work well for the BCCI for, the Indian team since their drop happened to win two major titles namely the ICC world T20 2007 and the recently concluded ICC world cup. But, if the WICB also follows suit and does what the BCCI did, one can expect the West Indies to be lined along with class 2 teams like Ireland, Kenya, Canada and co. It would be hard to make anyone believe that the highest individual score in test cricket is a West Indian cricketer. It would be hard to convince anyone that West Indies have won two world cups and were the strongest team in those days.
What has happened for Gayle is something that he might have thought to be and liked as well at the same time when he can enjoy the shortest version of the game and earn ten times the amount what he'd earn had he been the part of the squad that would be hosting Pakistan. If Gayle's words are to be believed, he seems not to have got a call from the WICB among the group of players selected for the training camp in Barbados. I wonder what made the WICB give a NOC to Gayle only to condemn him for not preferring his nation above self.
Was it because Gayle was injury hit and his chances of performing against Pakistan was freak that the WICB gave him a NoC? Now that Gayle has received a call from RCB, the WICB have got more furious and come out to condemn Gayle? Stop this nonsense and look out for some No Police State Girls blog.
Showing posts with label ICC World Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ICC World Cup. Show all posts
Friday, April 22, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
New Zealand still in WC trauma
Well regular visits to a cricket website reveals the depth to which the Kiwi players have had to undergo for ending their world cup dreams in the semi finals itself for the 5th time. Four of their defeats have been to sub-continent nations, two each to Pakistan and Sri Lanka. One can take a wild guess that even the Aussies might have forgot what would have happened a week ago before Shane Watson blasted the Bangladeshi bowlers out of Bangladesh (if given a chance). This was the first time the Aussies have lost the world cup since the new shape of the world cup was introduced in 1999.
I wish it is high time for the Kiwis to realize that only one team can win the world cup and should be contended with not only being one of the 4 teams that made it to the semi-finals but also to be the only nation from the sub-continent to have done so this time. Of course, there was no 4th team from the sub-continent which could make it to the semi-finals of a world cup and there had to ne a non sub-continent nation to fill that vacancy. Still, that could have been some Australia, South Africa or England who could have made it there.
But, the Kiwis should be fortunate to have been there. Once again, New Zealand were the only nation who never faced a sub-continent nation in the quarter-finals of the world cup. And, had they played either of the three teams from the sub-continent, New Zealand's fate would have been decided then itself, thus paving way for any of the teams mentioned above. However, even after two weeks if this is found to worry the Kiwi coach-John Wright more than anybody else, it has to be justified because John Wright had coached India in the 2003 world cup which Indialost surrendered.
I don't know whether any coach has been able to do it earlier but, if that is false, then John Wright will be the only coach to have seen two of the teams that he has coached to have made it to the finals of a world cup. However, if John Wright's statement needs a reconsideration, then it is worth mentioning that if New Zealand lost only against Sri Lanka (twice) and Australia then their wins have been only against Pakistan and South Africa. That balances the equation 3-2 favoring the Kiwis. This deleted show desktop icon is my site of the day for you guys.
I wish it is high time for the Kiwis to realize that only one team can win the world cup and should be contended with not only being one of the 4 teams that made it to the semi-finals but also to be the only nation from the sub-continent to have done so this time. Of course, there was no 4th team from the sub-continent which could make it to the semi-finals of a world cup and there had to ne a non sub-continent nation to fill that vacancy. Still, that could have been some Australia, South Africa or England who could have made it there.
But, the Kiwis should be fortunate to have been there. Once again, New Zealand were the only nation who never faced a sub-continent nation in the quarter-finals of the world cup. And, had they played either of the three teams from the sub-continent, New Zealand's fate would have been decided then itself, thus paving way for any of the teams mentioned above. However, even after two weeks if this is found to worry the Kiwi coach-John Wright more than anybody else, it has to be justified because John Wright had coached India in the 2003 world cup which India
I don't know whether any coach has been able to do it earlier but, if that is false, then John Wright will be the only coach to have seen two of the teams that he has coached to have made it to the finals of a world cup. However, if John Wright's statement needs a reconsideration, then it is worth mentioning that if New Zealand lost only against Sri Lanka (twice) and Australia then their wins have been only against Pakistan and South Africa. That balances the equation 3-2 favoring the Kiwis. This deleted show desktop icon is my site of the day for you guys.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Pakistan's dream bigger than the world cup
Well it was just 6 days after the 10th edition of the ICC world cup got over that the multi million dollar IPL kicked in and no doubt, this time as well the excitement happens to be the same despite the likes of Sanath Jayasuriya and Anil Kumble missing out. Likewise, such a grand event can happen only in a cricket crazy land like India and may be a little bit in Pakistan that too if it is equivalent to an Indo-Pak match. Or else, the flavor seems to be missing in most part of the globe with people hardly finding any time outside their busy schedule to watch a game that lasts for 6 hours.
One can imagine if all people in the world go jobless and cricket crazy at the same time, what would happen to these cricketers. It was evident in the recently concluded ICC cricket world cup the way teams like Australia, South Africa and New Zealand lost their way inbetween. There was Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting etc from Australia with the South African squad involving Jacques Kallis, A B deVilliars to name a few. But their world cup dreams never lasted more than the quarter finals. The aforementioned teams were better ones compared to New Zealand, who went a step ahead to make it to the semi-finals.
The sole reason for such a debacle can be nothing but the lack of motivation that the teams from the sub-continent were found to be enjoying. Sri Lanka didn't rely on Muttiah Muralitharan and they dropped Chaminda Vass and Jayasuriya from the world cup squad despite their statistics speaking strongly for them. But, the main news other than these is that Pakistan wants to launch a cricket league of its own may be naming it as the PPL. The name itself rivals the IPL with India being replaced by Pakistan. Is this in return for what the team franchisee have done regarding Pakistani players?
Is this owing to the reason that India are the arch rivals of Pakistan and don't want to be anyway behind them at least in cricket? As said earlier, Pakistan is also a strong cricket crazy nation like India and hosting a similar league there would not be a bad idea. Will the current players from the Sri Lankan team feature themselves in the tournament who have experienced the worst on their last tour to the country? Will players from Australia, New Zealand, England, West Indies and South Africa undo the precaution what they did when they were to tour Pakistan earlier? But, one thing can be a good idea- hold the tournament somewhere else outside Pakistan.
Btw shall we move on with farmers' markets?
Btw shall we move on with farmers' markets?
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Kapil's achievement unparalleled
Well it is all cheers for the Indian captain M S Dhoni who once again bought back the world cup which kept on changing hands with Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka before India could have its turn. Now, India, along with Australia is the only team to have won world cups with both black & white as well as color dress. That should not make news for, a black and white dress will never be reintroduced in international one day cricket, let alone in world cups. Winning a world cup is no doubt a dream for a life of a cricketer and Dhoni has done just that.
But, this should not overshadow the achievement of Kapil Dev's men in white some 28 years down the lane. In fact, that was an achievement that is even more prominent but hardly spoken about compared to Dhoni's. The Indian team came out victorious in the 1983 world cup with all odds not only favoring West Indies but at the same time closing all hopes for team India. That was the West Indian side with the likes of Vivian Richards, a match for whom is not even found in Sachin Tendulkar. Beating that team is worth more compared to what Dhoni's team have done now.
Back then, India were not even favorites to make it to the semi finals of the 1983 world cup, let alone winning a major title. India, in that world cup beat teams like England and Australia in addition to West Indies which were also competitive opponents. On the other hand, the West Indies were not only fresh from their previous two world cup victories but were undefeated like the Aussies in the last two editions of the same. Sangakkara's Sri Lanka comes nowhere when compared to Clive Lloyd's West Indies. Though no home team has won a world cup earlier, playing in foreign pitches has to be tough compared to home conditions.
No one world have dropped Sunil Gavaskar or Mohinder Amarnath four time like Sachin Tendulkar was dropped in the semi-finals of this world cup. Had India beaten Australia in the 2003 WC finals, that could have been considered to be in par with Kapil's achievement. Of course, a world cup win is a dream come true for any captain as said earlier.Lot would have predicted India to win the world cup this time unlike in 1983. Finally, cricket then was not a millionaire maker or celeb donor. Only guts and glory counted in those days unlike now. Hope this isn't mistaken with any IT Tech Talk.
But, this should not overshadow the achievement of Kapil Dev's men in white some 28 years down the lane. In fact, that was an achievement that is even more prominent but hardly spoken about compared to Dhoni's. The Indian team came out victorious in the 1983 world cup with all odds not only favoring West Indies but at the same time closing all hopes for team India. That was the West Indian side with the likes of Vivian Richards, a match for whom is not even found in Sachin Tendulkar. Beating that team is worth more compared to what Dhoni's team have done now.
Back then, India were not even favorites to make it to the semi finals of the 1983 world cup, let alone winning a major title. India, in that world cup beat teams like England and Australia in addition to West Indies which were also competitive opponents. On the other hand, the West Indies were not only fresh from their previous two world cup victories but were undefeated like the Aussies in the last two editions of the same. Sangakkara's Sri Lanka comes nowhere when compared to Clive Lloyd's West Indies. Though no home team has won a world cup earlier, playing in foreign pitches has to be tough compared to home conditions.
No one world have dropped Sunil Gavaskar or Mohinder Amarnath four time like Sachin Tendulkar was dropped in the semi-finals of this world cup. Had India beaten Australia in the 2003 WC finals, that could have been considered to be in par with Kapil's achievement. Of course, a world cup win is a dream come true for any captain as said earlier.Lot would have predicted India to win the world cup this time unlike in 1983. Finally, cricket then was not a millionaire maker or celeb donor. Only guts and glory counted in those days unlike now. Hope this isn't mistaken with any IT Tech Talk.
Monday, April 4, 2011
If I was SRT, I'd have retired
Well the latest abuzz in the cricket world is that Sachin Tendulkar will continue to play international cricket despite winning the world cup. This would definitely bring cheers on all Tendulkar fans who can still see the master blaster doing what he has been since the past 22 years in international cricket. What is more is that Tendulkar will play in both tests as well as one day internationals and God knows how long. It is an undisputed fact that Tendulkar is not the one who runs behind easy money. Moreover, it is not we who decides when Sachin Tendulkar should retire.
But, one thing as fans of the great legend, it would be nice to see Sachin Tendulkar ending his career on a high like Glenn McGrath did so after winning the Ashes 5-0 and the 2007 world cup 11-0. So was the case with Shane Warne when his last 5 test matches saw him become the 1st bowler to grab 700 wickets in test cricket. But, the Indian speedstar-Javagal Srinath didn't have that sort of retirement when his last one day international saw him get belted by Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn in the finals of the 2003 world cup.
Srinath was belted for 87 runs in that match at Centurion. Javagal Srinath didn't take a wicket in his finals test match against West Indies as well. Similarly, Sachin Tendulkar's West Indian counterpart-Brian Lara had a disappointing end to his international career when his team lost five major games in the super eight stage of the 2007 world cup at home. Lara was a part of the West Indian team that didn't feature in the super sixes of the 1999 and 2003 world cups. I pray God that no legend gets such a bad farewell like Lara which made him hang his boots permanently not even considering the IPL.
Sir Vivian Richards-who was a part of the West Indies team which was a world beating side played his last in 1991 and didn't wait to see his team crash out of the 1992 world cup which didn't even make it to the semi-finals despite the presence of Lara, Ambrose, Walsh, Bishop and Richie Richardson. In case Tendulkar retires after say India lose in the ICC champions trophy, that would be a sad farewell for a deserving cricketer. And in case Tendulkar retires after scoring his 100th ton, the world will see him only as a person who did everything to get into the record books.
But, one thing as fans of the great legend, it would be nice to see Sachin Tendulkar ending his career on a high like Glenn McGrath did so after winning the Ashes 5-0 and the 2007 world cup 11-0. So was the case with Shane Warne when his last 5 test matches saw him become the 1st bowler to grab 700 wickets in test cricket. But, the Indian speedstar-Javagal Srinath didn't have that sort of retirement when his last one day international saw him get belted by Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn in the finals of the 2003 world cup.
Srinath was belted for 87 runs in that match at Centurion. Javagal Srinath didn't take a wicket in his finals test match against West Indies as well. Similarly, Sachin Tendulkar's West Indian counterpart-Brian Lara had a disappointing end to his international career when his team lost five major games in the super eight stage of the 2007 world cup at home. Lara was a part of the West Indian team that didn't feature in the super sixes of the 1999 and 2003 world cups. I pray God that no legend gets such a bad farewell like Lara which made him hang his boots permanently not even considering the IPL.
Sir Vivian Richards-who was a part of the West Indies team which was a world beating side played his last in 1991 and didn't wait to see his team crash out of the 1992 world cup which didn't even make it to the semi-finals despite the presence of Lara, Ambrose, Walsh, Bishop and Richie Richardson. In case Tendulkar retires after say India lose in the ICC champions trophy, that would be a sad farewell for a deserving cricketer. And in case Tendulkar retires after scoring his 100th ton, the world will see him only as a person who did everything to get into the record books.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
A final worth watching
Well as an Indian, I should be glad to see my team country lift the ICC cricket world cup for the 2nd time. At last, India have won another world cup and that too after the color dress was introduced in one day cricket. Pakistan and Sri Lanka had previously won their world cups in 1992 and 1996 wearing color dress and India was deprived of such prestige which happened to be true yesterday after their 6 wicket win over Sri Lanka at Mumbai. As a result, India became the 1st nation to win a world cup on home soil.
But, my post here is regarding the finals of world cups which have been one sided since the past three editions when Aussies were totally unbeatable. The case was partly similar in 1996 as well when the third Sri Lankan wicket of Ashanka Gurusinha fell when they were closing in on the target of 241 set by Australia. Australia was totally outplayed. This time, both the teams should consistency and finally since there can be just one winner, Sri Lanka had to be satisfied with the runners-up tag. A total of 274 was a decent one to both chase or defend unlike in previous 3 WC finals.
I can still recall the way Shane Warne demolished the Pakistani batting line up consisting of Saeed Anwar and co in the finals of the 1999 world cup where Pakistan were dismissed for 132-the lowest total in the finals of a world cup. Even Scotland and Bangladesh were able to score 181 and 178 respectively in their matches against Australia. The entire match lasted for just 59 overs meaning just about half an hour after one innings would have got over. Had this been known before hand, may be the finals might have been held soon after the 2nd semi-finals would have got over.
Then comes the 2003 finals where after Australia had piled up a mammoth 359 losing just 2 wickets not before inflicting a 100+ run partnership, the only question that was awaited was "by how many runs would Australia win?" and "how long would the Indian innings last?". So was the case in 2007 . Sri Lanka should be lucky that the match didn't last 50 overs which would have otherwise seen a target in excess of 359 that was imposed against India in 2003. Still, the fastest hundred in the world cup final happened to be broken and so was the highest individual score in the world cup final.Don't forget to check out the Army Blog.
But, my post here is regarding the finals of world cups which have been one sided since the past three editions when Aussies were totally unbeatable. The case was partly similar in 1996 as well when the third Sri Lankan wicket of Ashanka Gurusinha fell when they were closing in on the target of 241 set by Australia. Australia was totally outplayed. This time, both the teams should consistency and finally since there can be just one winner, Sri Lanka had to be satisfied with the runners-up tag. A total of 274 was a decent one to both chase or defend unlike in previous 3 WC finals.
I can still recall the way Shane Warne demolished the Pakistani batting line up consisting of Saeed Anwar and co in the finals of the 1999 world cup where Pakistan were dismissed for 132-the lowest total in the finals of a world cup. Even Scotland and Bangladesh were able to score 181 and 178 respectively in their matches against Australia. The entire match lasted for just 59 overs meaning just about half an hour after one innings would have got over. Had this been known before hand, may be the finals might have been held soon after the 2nd semi-finals would have got over.
Then comes the 2003 finals where after Australia had piled up a mammoth 359 losing just 2 wickets not before inflicting a 100+ run partnership, the only question that was awaited was "by how many runs would Australia win?" and "how long would the Indian innings last?". So was the case in 2007 . Sri Lanka should be lucky that the match didn't last 50 overs which would have otherwise seen a target in excess of 359 that was imposed against India in 2003. Still, the fastest hundred in the world cup final happened to be broken and so was the highest individual score in the world cup final.Don't forget to check out the Army Blog.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
India-Sri Lanka in world cups..A review
With India set to play Sri Lanka in the final of the world cup, a look at the history between the two teams especially in world cup tournaments would be worth I suppose. If things are seen in the world cup tournaments that include the ICC champions trophy and the T20 world cups, Sri Lanka have been at the delivering end with India losing the plot on almost all occasions. The latest one being in the world T20 held at West Indies where Sri Lanka beat India to move to the semi-finals in West Indies. Of course, India had lost all games in that tournament.
A win against Sri Lanka for India would have been just a consolation after their loss to Australia and West Indies. Before that, India failed to get past the round robin stage of the last world cup after they lost to Sri Lanka and of course Bangladesh before that. Prior to the 2007 world cup, India had won a bilateral series against Sri Lanka at home 2-1 but could not repeat the same a month later. India have beaten Sri Lanka in world cups 2003 and 1999. This time it was India's turn to enjoy with them being responsible for Sri Lanka to go without a win against a major opposition in 1999.
In the 2003 world cup, it was after their win against Sri Lanka that India reached the semi-finals. But, India managed to win all three games in the super sixes which would not have made any difference. However, India's win over Sri Lanka in 1999 and 2003 didn't prove anything worth for India and Sri Lanka managed to reach the semis in 2003 despite being thrashed by India as mentioned. But, India's loss to Sri Lanka in 1996 and 2007 kept India totally out of the tournament. India's world cup campaign in 2007 lasted barely 2 weeks after they first lost to Bangladesh before losing to Sri Lanka.
India's win over Sri Lanka have just aided India's advancement to the next round or has been just another win. But, whenever India has lost to Sri Lanka, the match has made headlines. Previously India-Sri Lanka match in 1979 made headlines for India losing to a Sri Lankan team which was until then not been granted test status. India and Sri Lanka were set to play the finals of the ICC champions trophy 2002 which was abandoned with just one innings possible when rain interrupted the game twice. Since then, India has never played Sri Lanka in an ICC champions trophy. But, things need not be the same this time for both teams.
Well its time to check out some forex trading stuff before the finals.
A win against Sri Lanka for India would have been just a consolation after their loss to Australia and West Indies. Before that, India failed to get past the round robin stage of the last world cup after they lost to Sri Lanka and of course Bangladesh before that. Prior to the 2007 world cup, India had won a bilateral series against Sri Lanka at home 2-1 but could not repeat the same a month later. India have beaten Sri Lanka in world cups 2003 and 1999. This time it was India's turn to enjoy with them being responsible for Sri Lanka to go without a win against a major opposition in 1999.
In the 2003 world cup, it was after their win against Sri Lanka that India reached the semi-finals. But, India managed to win all three games in the super sixes which would not have made any difference. However, India's win over Sri Lanka in 1999 and 2003 didn't prove anything worth for India and Sri Lanka managed to reach the semis in 2003 despite being thrashed by India as mentioned. But, India's loss to Sri Lanka in 1996 and 2007 kept India totally out of the tournament. India's world cup campaign in 2007 lasted barely 2 weeks after they first lost to Bangladesh before losing to Sri Lanka.
India's win over Sri Lanka have just aided India's advancement to the next round or has been just another win. But, whenever India has lost to Sri Lanka, the match has made headlines. Previously India-Sri Lanka match in 1979 made headlines for India losing to a Sri Lankan team which was until then not been granted test status. India and Sri Lanka were set to play the finals of the ICC champions trophy 2002 which was abandoned with just one innings possible when rain interrupted the game twice. Since then, India has never played Sri Lanka in an ICC champions trophy. But, things need not be the same this time for both teams.
Well its time to check out some forex trading stuff before the finals.
Friday, April 1, 2011
For the first time..
History has been made in the ready-to-end 10th edition of the ICC cricket world cup held in the sub-continent with one last game between India and Sri Lanka to go before the world would see a winner or the world champions to be more precise. This world cup should have many reasons to cheer not only for the Indian fans who would still be celebrating their team's win over Pakistan a couple of days back but also for the entire cricket followers who can see the first final held between two sub-continent teams. Sri Lanka on the other hand will be rejoicing being the only sub-continent to have made three consecutive world cup semi-finals.
Sri Lanka made it to the semi-finals of a world cup on four times with three being in the last three editions since 2003 when they lost to Australia. This has happened for the 1st time that semi-final match between the same two teams have been held successively. Sri Lanka faced New Zealand in the semi-finals of the 2007 world cup as well and won at the same time. Previously, Pakistan and New Zealand have played each other in two semi-finals in 1992 and 1999 but the successive factor goes missing here. So is the case with Australia playing South Africa in the semi-finals of 1999 and 2007 world cups.
For the 1st time in history of a world cup, there are two consecutive knock out games between two sub-continent nations when India played Pakistan a couple of days back and are scheduled to play Sri Lanka tomorrow. By tomorrow, there will be a first team from the sub-continent to have lifted the world cup twice with both India and Sri Lanka having their share in 1983 and 1996 respectively.Sri Lanka previously have faced England in two world cup quarter-finals and Australia in two world cup finals. For the 1st time, all three teams from the sub-continent have made it to the semi-finals of a world cup.
For the first time two hosts of a world cup are found playing in the finals of the tournament. Had Pakistan been one of the hosts, the number would have become three hosts to have made it to the semi-finals of a world cup. If India wins tomorrow, they will be the 1st hosts to have won the world cup which would not be the case if Sri Lanka wins. Likewise, India are the second team after England to have made it to the finals of a world cup with England having their share in 1979 where they lost to West Indies. bullet proof is not what I need at the moment.
Sri Lanka made it to the semi-finals of a world cup on four times with three being in the last three editions since 2003 when they lost to Australia. This has happened for the 1st time that semi-final match between the same two teams have been held successively. Sri Lanka faced New Zealand in the semi-finals of the 2007 world cup as well and won at the same time. Previously, Pakistan and New Zealand have played each other in two semi-finals in 1992 and 1999 but the successive factor goes missing here. So is the case with Australia playing South Africa in the semi-finals of 1999 and 2007 world cups.
For the 1st time in history of a world cup, there are two consecutive knock out games between two sub-continent nations when India played Pakistan a couple of days back and are scheduled to play Sri Lanka tomorrow. By tomorrow, there will be a first team from the sub-continent to have lifted the world cup twice with both India and Sri Lanka having their share in 1983 and 1996 respectively.Sri Lanka previously have faced England in two world cup quarter-finals and Australia in two world cup finals. For the 1st time, all three teams from the sub-continent have made it to the semi-finals of a world cup.
For the first time two hosts of a world cup are found playing in the finals of the tournament. Had Pakistan been one of the hosts, the number would have become three hosts to have made it to the semi-finals of a world cup. If India wins tomorrow, they will be the 1st hosts to have won the world cup which would not be the case if Sri Lanka wins. Likewise, India are the second team after England to have made it to the finals of a world cup with England having their share in 1979 where they lost to West Indies. bullet proof is not what I need at the moment.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Bankrupt Ponting files insolvency
It was after Australia's whitewash in the 2nd T20 world cup where Australia failed to go past the 1st round of the tournament after losses to Sri Lanka and West Indies that the then Aussie captain-Ricky Ponting stepped down from captaincy. Now, the world had to wait for India to tame the Australian team that has been stripped of all its match winners for Ponting to give up his captaincy from all forms of the game. This might not go down well with most of them who are hardcore fans of the Aussie captain for his achievements in international cricket.
Ponting though is the 2nd captain to have lifted the ICC world cup twice after Clive Lloyd can hardly be considered in par with Steve Waugh who was not as successful as Ponting. It was Steve Waugh who from nowhere bought his team to victory in the finals of the 1999 world cup when odds suggested that Australia wouldn't even make it to the semis with them needing wins against all three teams in the super sixes. Had Ponting been there, that would have never happened. Likewise, even Mark Taylor was a clever captain who saw his team to the finals in the previous edition but convinced himself with the runners-up tag.
Ponting under his captaincy has more than 41 test wins along with two ICC world cups and an equal number of ICC champions trophies. Till date, Australia is the only team to have won two ICC champions trophies and Ponting is lucky to have captained the side then. It would not be a tough task for anyone to lead a side with the strongest bowling line up in the world aided with depth to an equal amount in batting. Hard hitting batsmen like Gilchrist, Hayden, Martyn, Symonds, Hussey as a bunch is still unparalleled. Similarly, a bowler like McGrath can be born once in a lifetime.
Since the bowling duo of McGrath and Warne, Ponting's team has never been able to retain or regain the Ashes. Australia came close to losing a test match against Sri Lanka which was the 2nd test for Australia after the retirement of McGrath-Warne. But, with likes of Gilchrist and co, their winning streak was extended by three more matches when they finally lost to India in the 3rd test of the Border-Gavaskar trophy 2007-08 at Perth. Since then Ponting's highlights as captain are: a test series loss to RSA at home which was their 1st such loss in 16 years. Then comes the two Ashes' losses and two loss to India on their tour.
If you are looking for parenting tips, then this is the site.
Ponting though is the 2nd captain to have lifted the ICC world cup twice after Clive Lloyd can hardly be considered in par with Steve Waugh who was not as successful as Ponting. It was Steve Waugh who from nowhere bought his team to victory in the finals of the 1999 world cup when odds suggested that Australia wouldn't even make it to the semis with them needing wins against all three teams in the super sixes. Had Ponting been there, that would have never happened. Likewise, even Mark Taylor was a clever captain who saw his team to the finals in the previous edition but convinced himself with the runners-up tag.
Ponting under his captaincy has more than 41 test wins along with two ICC world cups and an equal number of ICC champions trophies. Till date, Australia is the only team to have won two ICC champions trophies and Ponting is lucky to have captained the side then. It would not be a tough task for anyone to lead a side with the strongest bowling line up in the world aided with depth to an equal amount in batting. Hard hitting batsmen like Gilchrist, Hayden, Martyn, Symonds, Hussey as a bunch is still unparalleled. Similarly, a bowler like McGrath can be born once in a lifetime.
Since the bowling duo of McGrath and Warne, Ponting's team has never been able to retain or regain the Ashes. Australia came close to losing a test match against Sri Lanka which was the 2nd test for Australia after the retirement of McGrath-Warne. But, with likes of Gilchrist and co, their winning streak was extended by three more matches when they finally lost to India in the 3rd test of the Border-Gavaskar trophy 2007-08 at Perth. Since then Ponting's highlights as captain are: a test series loss to RSA at home which was their 1st such loss in 16 years. Then comes the two Ashes' losses and two loss to India on their tour.
If you are looking for parenting tips, then this is the site.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Time to turn this one down
Well I have highlighted this in the past as well regarding the introduction of the quarter finals into the world cup which brings luck to some teams and an obvious bad luck to others. Earlier world cups since 1999 had something known as the super sixes and super eights which gave every team another chance to set right their earlier mistake while every team played every other team once before entering the knock out stage of the tournament. This time, all eight test playing nations barring Bangladesh have qualified to the quarter finals. But, there will be just 4 games before the semis would start.
taking on England. Prediction would always go in for Pakistan over West Indies and Pakistan will be taking on the West Indies tomorrow at Mirpur with India scheduled to play Australia day after. That would be followed by the Kiwis taking on the Proteas and Sri LankaSri Lanka over England. Anything might happen in the remaining two games. But that is not we are here for now. There should have been a super eight stage instead of a quarter final which would reduce chances of the cup going into the wrong hands. Consequently, the tournament would end up as a failure though one emerges victorious.
Pakistan will not be facing India, South Africa and England and the situation is the same for the remaining 7 teams as well. Despite four teams emerging victorious and moving on to the semi-finals, questions would definitely be raised regarding that particular team's performance against those teams which they have not played. West Indies and England are the least preferred teams and it would be a cakewalk for both Pakistan and Sri Lanka who would be facing them in the quarter finals in the next four days to come. The same Pakistan would have flunk had they faced South Africa-may be.
It would be tough for Sri Lanka to have an upper-hand against India and their chances would be made slim had there been a super eights stage. Had there been a super six stage, both England and West Indies would not have crossed the initial stage of the world cup. Australia's chances might be high against West Indies, South Africa and England. In case they lose to India day after, fingers would definitely point towards the format. Australia have faced a similar fate in the world T20 at England in 2009 when they were teamed up with Sri Lanka and West Indies with the other groups consisting of two strong teams and one weak opposition.
So it is time to save the lost at any cost.
taking on England. Prediction would always go in for Pakistan over West Indies and Pakistan will be taking on the West Indies tomorrow at Mirpur with India scheduled to play Australia day after. That would be followed by the Kiwis taking on the Proteas and Sri LankaSri Lanka over England. Anything might happen in the remaining two games. But that is not we are here for now. There should have been a super eight stage instead of a quarter final which would reduce chances of the cup going into the wrong hands. Consequently, the tournament would end up as a failure though one emerges victorious.
Pakistan will not be facing India, South Africa and England and the situation is the same for the remaining 7 teams as well. Despite four teams emerging victorious and moving on to the semi-finals, questions would definitely be raised regarding that particular team's performance against those teams which they have not played. West Indies and England are the least preferred teams and it would be a cakewalk for both Pakistan and Sri Lanka who would be facing them in the quarter finals in the next four days to come. The same Pakistan would have flunk had they faced South Africa-may be.
It would be tough for Sri Lanka to have an upper-hand against India and their chances would be made slim had there been a super eights stage. Had there been a super six stage, both England and West Indies would not have crossed the initial stage of the world cup. Australia's chances might be high against West Indies, South Africa and England. In case they lose to India day after, fingers would definitely point towards the format. Australia have faced a similar fate in the world T20 at England in 2009 when they were teamed up with Sri Lanka and West Indies with the other groups consisting of two strong teams and one weak opposition.
So it is time to save the lost at any cost.
Monday, March 21, 2011
A tough task for India
Well on one hand if as an Indian I rejoice my team's victory over the West Indies, on the other hand, troubles begin or have set to begin for team India for, their victory over the West Indies in yesterday's game means that India finish at number three after South Africa and England, with the West Indies finishing at number four. As a result, India will now have to face Australia who are positioned at number 3 after Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the group A points table. This is a difficult task for India who have thrashed by the Aussies 5 times since 1992 world cup.
Of course, the Aussies were unbeatable in 2003 when India lost to them twice. And, as for all bright faces to cheer for, India has been beating Pakistan since 1992 world cup. No matter whether Pakistanis are crowned the world champions (in 1992 world cup) or have been declared the runners-up (in the 1999 world cup), their record against India in world cups is nothing but a zero. Moreover, India can play Pakistan better compared to Australia despite Australia being just another team unlike when they were two world cups earlier. Had India lost yesterday's game they would have been paired with Pakistan.
Pakistan has been placed in the number one position in group A after their wins over Australia and Sri Lanka. If this could be a concern for any team about to face Pakistan, it would be worth mentioning their 11 run win over Sri Lanka that involved an uncountable number of misfield and drop catches. Easy catches have been dropped at crucial stages against Sri Lanka. And coming to the match against Australia, Pakistan lost 6 wickets en route to their successful run chase of 177. There was no need to lose so many wickets in chasing such a small total.
India's chances in the quarter finals would be 50-50 with Australia being a decent squad compared to Pakistan keeping the past results apart. If anyone would cite Australia's lack of match winners like in the past two world cups, one has to keep a check on the Indian batsmen who lost 9 wickets for 29 runs against South Africa and tied with England. Both big games were assisted by Sachin Tendulkar who scored 100s in both the games. A win against West Indies is as good as a win against Bangladesh, Holland and Ireland. Accepting facts, past need not repeat itself in India-Pakistan matches also.
I can correlate India's situation to The Simple Life of a Baghag.
Of course, the Aussies were unbeatable in 2003 when India lost to them twice. And, as for all bright faces to cheer for, India has been beating Pakistan since 1992 world cup. No matter whether Pakistanis are crowned the world champions (in 1992 world cup) or have been declared the runners-up (in the 1999 world cup), their record against India in world cups is nothing but a zero. Moreover, India can play Pakistan better compared to Australia despite Australia being just another team unlike when they were two world cups earlier. Had India lost yesterday's game they would have been paired with Pakistan.
Pakistan has been placed in the number one position in group A after their wins over Australia and Sri Lanka. If this could be a concern for any team about to face Pakistan, it would be worth mentioning their 11 run win over Sri Lanka that involved an uncountable number of misfield and drop catches. Easy catches have been dropped at crucial stages against Sri Lanka. And coming to the match against Australia, Pakistan lost 6 wickets en route to their successful run chase of 177. There was no need to lose so many wickets in chasing such a small total.
India's chances in the quarter finals would be 50-50 with Australia being a decent squad compared to Pakistan keeping the past results apart. If anyone would cite Australia's lack of match winners like in the past two world cups, one has to keep a check on the Indian batsmen who lost 9 wickets for 29 runs against South Africa and tied with England. Both big games were assisted by Sachin Tendulkar who scored 100s in both the games. A win against West Indies is as good as a win against Bangladesh, Holland and Ireland. Accepting facts, past need not repeat itself in India-Pakistan matches also.
I can correlate India's situation to The Simple Life of a Baghag.
Friday, March 18, 2011
God saved this world cup
Well yesterday England as expected defeated the West Indies by 18 runs which not only kept England's hopes alive in the world cup but also avoided another mismatch awaiting with Bangladesh having a chance to go through to the quarter finals of the tournament in case England had lost the match to the West Indies. That in turn would have seen four teams from the sub-continent make it to the 2nd round of a world cup which has so far not happened in any of the world tournaments. And, with Bangladesh making it to the quarters would have spoiled all spirits of the mega event.
This is the 1st time since the 1996 world cup that all eight test playing teams have advanced to the second stage of the world cup. One can take a look at the 1999 edition where Zimbabwe made it to the super sixes at the cost of England (to the super sixes), India (to the semi-finals). As a result, Pakistan had a walkover to the semi-finals after they had lost to India and the Proteas in the super sixes. The result was no different four years later when Kenya and Zimbabwe emerged to the super sixes with four teams namely Pakistan, West Indies, England and South Africa losing the plot midway.
In 2007, in the first week of the tournament, India and Pakistan-arch rivals made an early exit which saw a dumb Ireland and Bangladesh making it to the super eights. India and Pakistan were much better teams compared to England and the West Indies which made the mega event a failure. Viewers had to watch helplessly the Ireland-Bangladesh when overpriced tickets were bought anticipating an India-Pakistan match. However, things have returned to normalcy this time with a lot of compromises mentioned in my earlier posts. I instead went in for Personal, Golf, Travel, Golf, Foods rather than seeing a tasteless match out there.
There was threat everywhere in the initial stages of the tournament wherein Ireland and Bangladesh both beat England making England's chances slim in making it to the quarter-finals of the world cup. But, just have a look at what Andrew Struass is all upto when he miraculously beat the Proteas in a low scoring thriller and tied with India when all odds were against them. The presence of West Indies made life easier for the Englishmen for, had it been some New Zealand or Sri Lanka instead of West Indies, may be we would have seen Bangladesh playing the 1st quarter-finals.
This is the 1st time since the 1996 world cup that all eight test playing teams have advanced to the second stage of the world cup. One can take a look at the 1999 edition where Zimbabwe made it to the super sixes at the cost of England (to the super sixes), India (to the semi-finals). As a result, Pakistan had a walkover to the semi-finals after they had lost to India and the Proteas in the super sixes. The result was no different four years later when Kenya and Zimbabwe emerged to the super sixes with four teams namely Pakistan, West Indies, England and South Africa losing the plot midway.
In 2007, in the first week of the tournament, India and Pakistan-arch rivals made an early exit which saw a dumb Ireland and Bangladesh making it to the super eights. India and Pakistan were much better teams compared to England and the West Indies which made the mega event a failure. Viewers had to watch helplessly the Ireland-Bangladesh when overpriced tickets were bought anticipating an India-Pakistan match. However, things have returned to normalcy this time with a lot of compromises mentioned in my earlier posts. I instead went in for Personal, Golf, Travel, Golf, Foods rather than seeing a tasteless match out there.
There was threat everywhere in the initial stages of the tournament wherein Ireland and Bangladesh both beat England making England's chances slim in making it to the quarter-finals of the world cup. But, just have a look at what Andrew Struass is all upto when he miraculously beat the Proteas in a low scoring thriller and tied with India when all odds were against them. The presence of West Indies made life easier for the Englishmen for, had it been some New Zealand or Sri Lanka instead of West Indies, may be we would have seen Bangladesh playing the 1st quarter-finals.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Long gaps in world cups
I just happened to come across a JMF Bloogger before I could point out long gaps in cricket world cups wherein a team has not won a single match against a particular opposition or has been a long time since a team has had an upset in a world cup. A couple of Saturdays before, Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 11 runs, which was Pakistan's 8th victory over the island nation in the history of a world cup keeping the world T20 apart. Sri Lanka was awarded the test status in 1983, partially considering their win over India in a prudential cup.
Matches between Pakistan and Sri Lanka have been played in 1975, 1983, 1987,1992 and 2011 offlate with Pakistan meeting Sri Lanka twice in 1987 and 1983. Viewers had to wait for 5 world cup to see a Pakistan-Sri Lanka match which was last played in 1992. Similar results include India's victory over Pakistan in all four meetings since 1992 till 2003. And then, India's last win over Australia was in 1987 when the Mohammed Azharuddin led team beat Australia by 56 runs at Delhi. Since then, India have lost 5 matches to Australia with two in the 2003 edition and one each in the others.
The best part being that in their 1st encounter, Australia reduced India to their lowest world cup total of 125 and in the other Australia notched their highest world cup total against India or India conceded the most number of runs in a world cup when Australia ended their innings at 359/2 at Centurion. In 2007, neither did India face Pakistan nor did they play Australia. As mentioned in one of my earlier posts recently, New Zealand needed 28 years to find a win against Pakistan in a world cup match. The Kiwis had last won a match against Pakistan in 1975.
Of course, matches between a test playing nation and a non test playing nation cannot prove any different results unless the strong team underestimates the weaker opposition. New Zealand last won a game against Sri Lanka in 1992 when the Martin Crowe led New Zealand chased down the Sri Lankans' total of 207 with 6 wickets to spare. New Zealand since then have lost to Sri Lanka in 2003 and twice in 2007 with Jayawardane's captain's knock being the famous one in the semi finals of the 2007 world cup. Prior to 1992, Sri Lanka's games are as good as those involving today's Bangladesh or Zimbabwe.
Matches between Pakistan and Sri Lanka have been played in 1975, 1983, 1987,1992 and 2011 offlate with Pakistan meeting Sri Lanka twice in 1987 and 1983. Viewers had to wait for 5 world cup to see a Pakistan-Sri Lanka match which was last played in 1992. Similar results include India's victory over Pakistan in all four meetings since 1992 till 2003. And then, India's last win over Australia was in 1987 when the Mohammed Azharuddin led team beat Australia by 56 runs at Delhi. Since then, India have lost 5 matches to Australia with two in the 2003 edition and one each in the others.
The best part being that in their 1st encounter, Australia reduced India to their lowest world cup total of 125 and in the other Australia notched their highest world cup total against India or India conceded the most number of runs in a world cup when Australia ended their innings at 359/2 at Centurion. In 2007, neither did India face Pakistan nor did they play Australia. As mentioned in one of my earlier posts recently, New Zealand needed 28 years to find a win against Pakistan in a world cup match. The Kiwis had last won a match against Pakistan in 1975.
Of course, matches between a test playing nation and a non test playing nation cannot prove any different results unless the strong team underestimates the weaker opposition. New Zealand last won a game against Sri Lanka in 1992 when the Martin Crowe led New Zealand chased down the Sri Lankans' total of 207 with 6 wickets to spare. New Zealand since then have lost to Sri Lanka in 2003 and twice in 2007 with Jayawardane's captain's knock being the famous one in the semi finals of the 2007 world cup. Prior to 1992, Sri Lanka's games are as good as those involving today's Bangladesh or Zimbabwe.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Border's slicing through the cake in 1987
Well if Sri Lanka in 1999 was something special for all the wrong reasons, you can think how Australia was a different team when they were led by Allan Border who bought his team the first world cup in 1987. If anyone can go through the entire world cup consisting 9 major countries, not only was the finals against England a close encounter but the entire tournament for Australia was a close call if the matches against major teams were considered. Australia eventually won the world cup beating England in the finals by 7 runs. Border might just have said Just listen, 'coz I'm being me....
That was the maiden appearance of Steve Waugh who 12 years later adapted another fair but unfair means in the 1999 world cup to end up victorious. Coming back to the 1987 world cup, the major teams participating were India, West Indies, Australia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, England and New Zealand. Zimbabwe can be considered to be on par with today's Netherlands or Canada. SriLanka on the other hand can partially be kept out of discussion. This brings down the number of teams to 6 with South Africa yet to make an appearance in international cricket especially the world cup.
All teams played every other team twice before the semifinals and in one of the games against India, Australia won the match by 1 run and lost the other by 56 runs with century in the former game by Geoff Marsh. Then was the match against Zimbabwe, which was taken for granted and Australia won a by a decent margin of 96 runs as expected. Their next major encounter was against New Zealand who at that time just a growing kid. Australia managed a 3 run victory against the Kiwis in the truncated match which lasted for 30 overs. However, the game was a high scoring one with Aussies piling up 199 runs at over 6.0 an over.
In another game against the Kiwis, the Aussies managed a 17 run victory which was once again by a small margin. This was followed by a 70 run win against Zimbabwe at Cuttack. Then came the semifinals against Pakistan which the Aussies won by another small margin of 18 runs to meet England in the finals. And what happened in the finals is a known secret with Australia sealing a 7 run win. Thanks to a valiant reverse sweep by Mike Gating which turned the table towards Australia similar to Gibbs' dropping the catch of Steve Waugh in the super six game of the 1999 edition.
That was the maiden appearance of Steve Waugh who 12 years later adapted another fair but unfair means in the 1999 world cup to end up victorious. Coming back to the 1987 world cup, the major teams participating were India, West Indies, Australia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, England and New Zealand. Zimbabwe can be considered to be on par with today's Netherlands or Canada. SriLanka on the other hand can partially be kept out of discussion. This brings down the number of teams to 6 with South Africa yet to make an appearance in international cricket especially the world cup.
All teams played every other team twice before the semifinals and in one of the games against India, Australia won the match by 1 run and lost the other by 56 runs with century in the former game by Geoff Marsh. Then was the match against Zimbabwe, which was taken for granted and Australia won a by a decent margin of 96 runs as expected. Their next major encounter was against New Zealand who at that time just a growing kid. Australia managed a 3 run victory against the Kiwis in the truncated match which lasted for 30 overs. However, the game was a high scoring one with Aussies piling up 199 runs at over 6.0 an over.
In another game against the Kiwis, the Aussies managed a 17 run victory which was once again by a small margin. This was followed by a 70 run win against Zimbabwe at Cuttack. Then came the semifinals against Pakistan which the Aussies won by another small margin of 18 runs to meet England in the finals. And what happened in the finals is a known secret with Australia sealing a 7 run win. Thanks to a valiant reverse sweep by Mike Gating which turned the table towards Australia similar to Gibbs' dropping the catch of Steve Waugh in the super six game of the 1999 edition.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
New Zealand break the jinx
Despite the world cup going on so smoothly, god knows what on earth made me to go for Bare & Barren. But, that didn't take much time before I could switch back to blogging about cricket which is now going through its all time high with the 10th edition of the world cup keeping all eyes glued to the television sets. Yesterday, there was a rare match between Pakistan and New Zealand which needless to be said New Zealand won convincingly by 110 runs. This would not have been the case had the match been played somewhere in Pakistan rather than at Pallekele.
I just can't last remember when New Zealand had defeated Pakistan in a cricket world cup. I have been watching the event since 1992 and since then, the teams have met on five occasions, all of which have been pocketed by Pakistan. The jackpot struck twice in 1992 and 1999 world cup when Pakistan had two wins against New Zealand, the former being responsible in seeing Pakistan lift their maiden world cup and the latter their second entry into the finals of a world cup. In 1999, it can be said that Pakistan had their maiden runners-up tag which is not too bad.
If anyone comes to the decision that Pakistan are lucky in case they encounter New Zealand in the knock stages of the world cup, I'd like to add an exception citing Pakistan's loss to the Kiwis in the champions trophy 2009 when the Kiwis ran the Pakistanis out of the contest as well as the trophy when they beat them at Johannesburg by 5 wickets. If not for that, all is well for the Pakistanis for they beat them in two world cup semifinals and in the world T20 2007 at South Africa. But, this time things have been different compared to the last 5 world cups.
It was way back in the 1983 world cup that New Zealand had last beaten Pakistan at Birmingham by 52 runs. Pakistan didn't face the Kiwis in 1975, 1979 and 1987 world cups. And, the last they played each other was in 1999 and since then it has been three world cups since they have met each other. Things may be or may not have been different had they played in those world cups as well. But, the victory would have been a delight for the Kiwis which saw them beat Pakistan after 28 years or 7 world cups including this edition.
I just can't last remember when New Zealand had defeated Pakistan in a cricket world cup. I have been watching the event since 1992 and since then, the teams have met on five occasions, all of which have been pocketed by Pakistan. The jackpot struck twice in 1992 and 1999 world cup when Pakistan had two wins against New Zealand, the former being responsible in seeing Pakistan lift their maiden world cup and the latter their second entry into the finals of a world cup. In 1999, it can be said that Pakistan had their maiden runners-up tag which is not too bad.
If anyone comes to the decision that Pakistan are lucky in case they encounter New Zealand in the knock stages of the world cup, I'd like to add an exception citing Pakistan's loss to the Kiwis in the champions trophy 2009 when the Kiwis ran the Pakistanis out of the contest as well as the trophy when they beat them at Johannesburg by 5 wickets. If not for that, all is well for the Pakistanis for they beat them in two world cup semifinals and in the world T20 2007 at South Africa. But, this time things have been different compared to the last 5 world cups.
It was way back in the 1983 world cup that New Zealand had last beaten Pakistan at Birmingham by 52 runs. Pakistan didn't face the Kiwis in 1975, 1979 and 1987 world cups. And, the last they played each other was in 1999 and since then it has been three world cups since they have met each other. Things may be or may not have been different had they played in those world cups as well. But, the victory would have been a delight for the Kiwis which saw them beat Pakistan after 28 years or 7 world cups including this edition.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Holding the spirits high
Well I had stated in one of my recent posts regarding the world cup being unofficially declared with the initial games being played between weaker teams and strong ones that does not evoke much interest among viewers. But, at the same time, one has to appreciate the ICC for coming out with such a plan that would keep the spirits of the game high with hardly any room for a fowl play like it has happened in the past. One can imagine Pakistan losing the last game to Bangladesh in the 1999 world cup after they had won matches against New Zealand, Australia and West Indies.
That loss to Pakistan hardly made any difference to the world cup with no team carrying any points forward to the super six stages. But, one match that really mattered was the one between South Africa and Zimbabwe which South Africa intentionally lost in an attempt to eliminate England which was much deserving than Zimbabwe. It is agreed that there is no scientific reason for my statement but, one can imagine the reason with India losing to Zimbabwe in the mast minute by 4 runs. That was also the reason why India failed to reach the semis of the 1999 world cup.
So was the case in the 2003 world cup with Sri Lanka losing to Kenya for reasons assumed that Kenya had gained 4 points from a walkover game against the Kiwis after the latter turned down to tour the country and Kenya had wins against Bangladesh and Canada. This deprived West Indies and South Africa from reaching the super sixes and New Zealand from reaching the semis. A match gifted from Zimbabwe to Kenya saw Kenya reach the semis as well which was unfair. This led to the ICC come out with a different in 2007 with teams divided into 4 groups, with 4 teams in each group.
As a result, any such tricks by teams would mean the end of the team doing it. But, that was a failure with India and Pakistan crashing out from the tournament after they lost to Bangladesh and Ireland respectively owing to overconfidence. But, the current format gives teams a 2nd chance so that the top four would reach the quarter finals. Once again, any team that tries to act smart will have to pay the price by being the victim itself before making life miserable for any other team. An optimum chance here lies in the fact that even if a team wins against weak oppositions, a place is guaranteed in the quarter finals.
So, with the first 10 days reserved for weaker teams, the best idea for fans who'd have come here to see the world cup would be to visit Tourist Places in India.
That loss to Pakistan hardly made any difference to the world cup with no team carrying any points forward to the super six stages. But, one match that really mattered was the one between South Africa and Zimbabwe which South Africa intentionally lost in an attempt to eliminate England which was much deserving than Zimbabwe. It is agreed that there is no scientific reason for my statement but, one can imagine the reason with India losing to Zimbabwe in the mast minute by 4 runs. That was also the reason why India failed to reach the semis of the 1999 world cup.
So was the case in the 2003 world cup with Sri Lanka losing to Kenya for reasons assumed that Kenya had gained 4 points from a walkover game against the Kiwis after the latter turned down to tour the country and Kenya had wins against Bangladesh and Canada. This deprived West Indies and South Africa from reaching the super sixes and New Zealand from reaching the semis. A match gifted from Zimbabwe to Kenya saw Kenya reach the semis as well which was unfair. This led to the ICC come out with a different in 2007 with teams divided into 4 groups, with 4 teams in each group.
As a result, any such tricks by teams would mean the end of the team doing it. But, that was a failure with India and Pakistan crashing out from the tournament after they lost to Bangladesh and Ireland respectively owing to overconfidence. But, the current format gives teams a 2nd chance so that the top four would reach the quarter finals. Once again, any team that tries to act smart will have to pay the price by being the victim itself before making life miserable for any other team. An optimum chance here lies in the fact that even if a team wins against weak oppositions, a place is guaranteed in the quarter finals.
So, with the first 10 days reserved for weaker teams, the best idea for fans who'd have come here to see the world cup would be to visit Tourist Places in India.
Monday, February 21, 2011
When practice brings in over confidence
It was as though that I was reading a A Journal of My Life when I got a wake-up call with already three of the matches at the ICC cricket world cup being over with lots of batsmen having their innings of their lives and bowlers having their ball of their lives all against stupid teams who are only on a tour of the sub-continent minus Pakistan rather than to play some decent game of cricket. India beat Bangladesh in the very 1st encounter of the tournament and New Zealand and Sri Lanka doing the same for Kenya and Canada respectively.
Though the viewers and fans will have to wait for atleast ten days or even 15 days for the real action to start, it is no doubt that players have already started on their high note for the good as well as the wrong reasons. The very first match saw India beating Bangladesh by 87 runs which was a decent margin had it been against some strong opponent say like Pakistan. There were two centurions there with Virender Sehwag mastering over his maiden ODI 150 and Virat Kohli his hundred, both in the same match. Much to anyone's amazement, there were 3 players from Delhi, with 2 batting and Gambhir running for Sehwag.
Though all the Indian cricket fans enjoyed Sehwag striking with confidence, something which he couldn't since 2003, his 175 is not a replica of what Kapil Dev did way back in 1983 in that match against Zimbabwe. However, Sri Lanka's 210 run win against Canada once again reminded the way they shattered them two world cups ago when Canada were reduced to 36 runs for the loss of all their ten wickets which was the lowest team total at that time and which stands 2nd today with Zimbabwe falling short by 1 run once again against Sri Lanka. So would be New Zealand's 10 wicket win over Kenya.
But, as it has been evident from the past, one can recall Zimbabwe beating Australia and Sri Lanka beating India when the former teams mentioned were not granted test status and color dress were yet to make their presence felt. Similarly, India and Pakistan were ousted from the 2007 world cup after being over confident in their games against Bangladesh and Ireland. India and Pakistan were expected to beat Sri Lanka and West Indies respectively, both of which didn't happen. The only reason for these is the over confidence they attained after their more than convincing wins against minnows. However, the format doesn't give way to undeserving teams to cross the border to the quarter finals.
Though the viewers and fans will have to wait for atleast ten days or even 15 days for the real action to start, it is no doubt that players have already started on their high note for the good as well as the wrong reasons. The very first match saw India beating Bangladesh by 87 runs which was a decent margin had it been against some strong opponent say like Pakistan. There were two centurions there with Virender Sehwag mastering over his maiden ODI 150 and Virat Kohli his hundred, both in the same match. Much to anyone's amazement, there were 3 players from Delhi, with 2 batting and Gambhir running for Sehwag.
Though all the Indian cricket fans enjoyed Sehwag striking with confidence, something which he couldn't since 2003, his 175 is not a replica of what Kapil Dev did way back in 1983 in that match against Zimbabwe. However, Sri Lanka's 210 run win against Canada once again reminded the way they shattered them two world cups ago when Canada were reduced to 36 runs for the loss of all their ten wickets which was the lowest team total at that time and which stands 2nd today with Zimbabwe falling short by 1 run once again against Sri Lanka. So would be New Zealand's 10 wicket win over Kenya.
But, as it has been evident from the past, one can recall Zimbabwe beating Australia and Sri Lanka beating India when the former teams mentioned were not granted test status and color dress were yet to make their presence felt. Similarly, India and Pakistan were ousted from the 2007 world cup after being over confident in their games against Bangladesh and Ireland. India and Pakistan were expected to beat Sri Lanka and West Indies respectively, both of which didn't happen. The only reason for these is the over confidence they attained after their more than convincing wins against minnows. However, the format doesn't give way to undeserving teams to cross the border to the quarter finals.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
World cup yet to start unofficially
I was just having a A Tic In The Mind's Eye when I was forced to turn my attention towards nothing other than cricket which is now going through its all time high with the game's most favored event in progress. However, though the 10th edition of the ICC cricket world cup is officially declared open with a match already gone by, unofficially the world cup is yet to begin with the tournament's first serious game set to be played on 26th of this month which is still a week to go from here onwards. For Indian fans, the day is extended by yet another day when they play England on 27th.
That Saturday would be the day when two strong sub continent rivals namely Sri Lanka and Pakistan will fight it out in Colombo. Before that, there is a match between Australia and New Zealand though which supports a tough competition, betters will always have their say on no other team but Australia. It was in 1999 that New Zealand last beat Australia in a world cup match and since then let alone New Zealand, no other team has even managed to save their ten wickets or restrict Australia to a score of less than 300 (if the 2007 world cup is considered).
And, leaving that match, other matches include India taking on Bangladesh which is past with India winning the match by 87 runs at Dhaka. And then there is the match between Kenya and New Zealand, something which should have been their 2nd meeting had the 2003 debacle not taken place. And then other matches include Sri Lanka versus Canada and Pakistan vs Kenya. On the same lines, Australia will be taking on Zimbabwe and England the Netherlands. Another uninteresting encounter will be South Africa versus West Indies which would be a cakewalk for South Africa with the West Indies being best to Bangladesh or the other way round.
The winners of all the aforementioned matches would obviously be India, Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand (if not for their match against Australia) and Sri Lanka. The West Indies will have to wait until the end of this month when it would be 9 days since the world cup would have begun officially to have a taste of their first win in this world cup. As mentioned earlier, West Indies have a greater chance to lose their first game scheduled against the Proteas. The 1st match for the West Indies where they are bound to win is against Netherlands scheduled on 28th February. Perhaps! they will be the last to taste their first victory in this world cup.
That Saturday would be the day when two strong sub continent rivals namely Sri Lanka and Pakistan will fight it out in Colombo. Before that, there is a match between Australia and New Zealand though which supports a tough competition, betters will always have their say on no other team but Australia. It was in 1999 that New Zealand last beat Australia in a world cup match and since then let alone New Zealand, no other team has even managed to save their ten wickets or restrict Australia to a score of less than 300 (if the 2007 world cup is considered).
And, leaving that match, other matches include India taking on Bangladesh which is past with India winning the match by 87 runs at Dhaka. And then there is the match between Kenya and New Zealand, something which should have been their 2nd meeting had the 2003 debacle not taken place. And then other matches include Sri Lanka versus Canada and Pakistan vs Kenya. On the same lines, Australia will be taking on Zimbabwe and England the Netherlands. Another uninteresting encounter will be South Africa versus West Indies which would be a cakewalk for South Africa with the West Indies being best to Bangladesh or the other way round.
The winners of all the aforementioned matches would obviously be India, Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand (if not for their match against Australia) and Sri Lanka. The West Indies will have to wait until the end of this month when it would be 9 days since the world cup would have begun officially to have a taste of their first win in this world cup. As mentioned earlier, West Indies have a greater chance to lose their first game scheduled against the Proteas. The 1st match for the West Indies where they are bound to win is against Netherlands scheduled on 28th February. Perhaps! they will be the last to taste their first victory in this world cup.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Clarke's one sided statement
I was a bit fascinated when I came to know that Google announced the Knol but, the very next moment I had to turn my attention back to writing this post for, that was the time my mood was well set for the game. However, my post has got to do with the Australian captain Michael Clarke who cites his team's successful run chase of 334 against England as a preparation for the upcoming world cup. This no doubt has to be true, given Australia's chances in the big stage considering their days even after the 2007 world cup after which they lost close to 10 players from all departments of the game.
Australia not only made it to the finals of the world T20 tournament in West Indies last year but also did it in style by not losing a single match until the one that counted. The semi finals between Australia and Pakistan will go down as one of the most memorable one for Australia where they successfully chased down a mammoth total of 192 despite at one stage of the match reeling at 105/5 at the end of the 16th over. They won the ICC Champions trophy in 2009 after beating teams like Pakistan, England and New Zealand which once again saw them go undefeated in a world tournament.
However, coming to Michael Clarke's words, regarding his team's big chase, it must be noted that Australia had lost 5 matches consecutively before they headed to that year's world cup in the Caribbean. They were whitewashed by the Kiwis with the 1st match seeing Australia lose all ten wickets for a score less than 200 and in the remaining two encounters, New Zealand successfully chased down 337 and 347 in the 2nd and 3rd ODIs respectively. Almost a year before that, South Africa had successfully chased down 435 against Australia. But, both South Africa and New Zealand came nowhere in matches against Australia on the big stage.
Now, Australia have recorded their most successful chase beating their previous best of 327 against South Africa in 2002. But this stands nowhere in today's cricket, with the current chase of 334 standing in the 4th position and with 9 cases of 320+ totals being chased down successfully. This no matter will boost Australia's confidence before they go to the world cup but, even India has similar stories to its credit when they snatched a victory from nowhere in the 2nd and 3rd one dayers in their recently concluded bilateral series. Australia's feat was achieved on their home soil while India's was away from it.
Australia not only made it to the finals of the world T20 tournament in West Indies last year but also did it in style by not losing a single match until the one that counted. The semi finals between Australia and Pakistan will go down as one of the most memorable one for Australia where they successfully chased down a mammoth total of 192 despite at one stage of the match reeling at 105/5 at the end of the 16th over. They won the ICC Champions trophy in 2009 after beating teams like Pakistan, England and New Zealand which once again saw them go undefeated in a world tournament.
However, coming to Michael Clarke's words, regarding his team's big chase, it must be noted that Australia had lost 5 matches consecutively before they headed to that year's world cup in the Caribbean. They were whitewashed by the Kiwis with the 1st match seeing Australia lose all ten wickets for a score less than 200 and in the remaining two encounters, New Zealand successfully chased down 337 and 347 in the 2nd and 3rd ODIs respectively. Almost a year before that, South Africa had successfully chased down 435 against Australia. But, both South Africa and New Zealand came nowhere in matches against Australia on the big stage.
Now, Australia have recorded their most successful chase beating their previous best of 327 against South Africa in 2002. But this stands nowhere in today's cricket, with the current chase of 334 standing in the 4th position and with 9 cases of 320+ totals being chased down successfully. This no matter will boost Australia's confidence before they go to the world cup but, even India has similar stories to its credit when they snatched a victory from nowhere in the 2nd and 3rd one dayers in their recently concluded bilateral series. Australia's feat was achieved on their home soil while India's was away from it.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sarwan should have been the obvious choice
Well with the current West Indies team facing an acute crisis for talent in terms of both players in form and without it, maintaining the current players who are at least with good class if not in form is quintessential for the West Indies team. The current West Indies team has fellow players like Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderapaul and Dwayne Bravo who can save some face for their team with decent if not extraordinary batting performances. If not for Brian Lara - who retired after the world cup in 2007, none of the players in the current West Indian team have been given the axe.
Now, with the inclusion of Ramnaresh Sarwan, another partial boost to their batting line up can be thought of provided Sarwan is well inform and is included in the playing XI. If not for Nikita Miller and Carlton Baugh, some of the remaining West Indian players seem to be the same with others seeming not so promising like Andre Rusell, Ravi Rampaul and Kemar Roach. None of these players' names have been ever heard in international cricket news be it for the good reasons or for the bad. West Indies has big hitting batsmen like Gayle, Sarwan, Chanderapaul and Kieron Pollard off late.
With the schedule of the world cup being so liberal, it would come as no surprise that West Indies will surely make it to the quarter finals even if they manage wins against Bangladesh, Ireland and Netherlands considering their losses against India, South Africa and England. Coming to Sarwan's case, Sarwan should be the obvious choice rather than tossing a coin before deciding his inclusion or omission from the squad. If Ramnaresh Sarwan's name has to be dropped, then the West Indies team will have to fly to the subcontinent with only 14 players who can officially represent their team.
The 15th member will only be filling the vacancy left over by Sarwan.One can sense the lack of real life thoughts with the West Indies cricket board naming Darren Sammy as the captain of the world cup touring squad but, I guess should be a positive move which on one hand gives Chris Gayle an opportunity to concentrate on his batting. WICB is believed to have learned their lessons when Brian Lara was made the captain which in turn affected his batting to a little extent though not as much as Sachin Tendulkar. However, in case by chance West Indies manage to make a mark in the quarter finals like they did in 1996, that would be relished for their fans for a long period.
Now, with the inclusion of Ramnaresh Sarwan, another partial boost to their batting line up can be thought of provided Sarwan is well inform and is included in the playing XI. If not for Nikita Miller and Carlton Baugh, some of the remaining West Indian players seem to be the same with others seeming not so promising like Andre Rusell, Ravi Rampaul and Kemar Roach. None of these players' names have been ever heard in international cricket news be it for the good reasons or for the bad. West Indies has big hitting batsmen like Gayle, Sarwan, Chanderapaul and Kieron Pollard off late.
With the schedule of the world cup being so liberal, it would come as no surprise that West Indies will surely make it to the quarter finals even if they manage wins against Bangladesh, Ireland and Netherlands considering their losses against India, South Africa and England. Coming to Sarwan's case, Sarwan should be the obvious choice rather than tossing a coin before deciding his inclusion or omission from the squad. If Ramnaresh Sarwan's name has to be dropped, then the West Indies team will have to fly to the subcontinent with only 14 players who can officially represent their team.
The 15th member will only be filling the vacancy left over by Sarwan.One can sense the lack of real life thoughts with the West Indies cricket board naming Darren Sammy as the captain of the world cup touring squad but, I guess should be a positive move which on one hand gives Chris Gayle an opportunity to concentrate on his batting. WICB is believed to have learned their lessons when Brian Lara was made the captain which in turn affected his batting to a little extent though not as much as Sachin Tendulkar. However, in case by chance West Indies manage to make a mark in the quarter finals like they did in 1996, that would be relished for their fans for a long period.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)