Bowlers Day At Bristol?

If one could go through the third ODI between England and New Zealand at Bristol on 21st,it is a rare feat in today's cricket,which is completely filled with big six hitting-where only batting records are being bettered and more harsh rules being imposed on bowlers.Only the huge sixes being cheered by the fans/crowd watching out there.And only home team taking a wicket being given a clap.People only want a batsman in Sachin Tendulkar and not a spin wizard in Shane Warne or a line striking bowler in Glenn McGrath.

The recent encounter between England and New Zealand provided some relief to atleast me if not others watching the match.The only irritation came from the cable operator- who gave an scratchy signal,rendering an unclear vision.But,thats another issue.So chuk it!The match was a fantastic one,for it kept the audiences guessing everytime a ball was bowled and a wicket was found tumbling.

And as far as the discussion regarding the match goes,all credits for the New Zealand team-who were found to play their entire quota of 50 overs allotted.Despite losing wickets at regular intervals,when they were found reeling at 110-7.Kudos to Kyle Mills who at over a run-a-ball was found making 47 runs with no one to back him at the other end.With 2 biggies and 5 fours in his 40 ball knock.And later went on to take 2 wickets giving 42 runs.An economy of 4.2 runs an over- when the overall run rate was somewhere around 3+.Bad!!

The match saw an all invincible batsmen running for covers.Trying all that extra bit to play their full 50 overs.Guessing each and every time a bowler took to his heels.And what is the fun in a team scoring a 300+ total every now and then and that total being chased down by its opponent.In the last four to five years the record has been bettered three times-after Australia successfully chased down 329 runs against South Africa,to be bettered by New Zealand four years later and after that one comes the daddy of 'em all.The greatest ODI in the history-the maiden 400+ total by Australia chased down by South Africa.Hmm..thats was really a treat to watch.

And in between the aforementioned matches,there were two instances where New Zealand overtook Australia's 330+ total,twice did Pakistan chase down a mammoth total by India.But,in the recent past,how many of you people witnessed matches involving defending small totals?The match in the closest proximity that I can point out is the second finals of the CB series 2008 where India successfully defended a comparatively small total in 259.

Finally concluding,I would like to wind off this post by suggesting the a perfect series or a match would be that in which there is an equal tough fight between both the batsmen and the bowlers.And not to forget the fielders.It should be a display of the players' talent rather than the odds favouring only a bunch of them irrespective of weather they are talented or not.