What About Tri Series'?

Well..since a year or so, or even before that, there has hardly been any cricket which involves thee nations or more. All the cricket that is now being seen is a bi-lateral series, that is preceded or followed by a test match series. Even if the recent past is being taken into consideration, we can come across series like India-England, South Africa- Bangladesh, Sri Lanka- Zimbabwe, Pakistan- West Indies and so on.This was however the case even before that as well. But, my patience didn't curb until then. Now, this is being taken too far.We hardly getting to watch any good cricket in a tri series or a quadrangular series.

The last time that I remember watching a tri nation tournament or a tournament involving three or more nations is the Asia Cup that was held somewhere in June-July in Karachi. And a week or so before that, we had a tri nation tournament just for the sake of it. A tri nation tournament involving Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, (Kitply Cup) with each team playing against each the other just and only once. And the earlier tri series before that Kitply Cup being the Common Wealth Bank series in Australia. And another triangular series that went off quietly in the mean time was a lesser known one in the series involving West Indies, Bermuda and Canada, held at Canada.

Meaning, in the past year or so, there were only four such multi nation tournaments featuring three or more countries. And only three out of four being major ones, the other one involving minnow nations. If the same is taken in the previous year, excluding that of the world cup, a tournament featuring Scotland, Irelands and the Netherlands is the only one that was being held. Even the earlier ones being held were like- Kenya-Scotland & Canada, ICC World Cricket League Division One which featured only minnows. Its frustrating that most of are not aware that we are really missing out on these tournaments. Even the Sharjah Cup that used to be played is now dropped, god knows why. I can't recall as to when the last Sharjah Cup was played. All I can remember is the one in which Jayasuriya scored 189 and India being all out for 54.

If one is aware, Natwest Series that is played every year in England is now played as a bi-lateral series in England since 2006. The last such triangular series that was played as a part of the Nat West series was in 2005 featuring Australia-England & Bangladesh. I really cannot figure out as to what made the English Cricket Authorities take such a step? Things were going on well.The only multi-nation tournament that can now be witnessed is the Common Wealth Bank series held in Australia in the beginning of every year. And news regarding this series in 2009 is not yet sure. Because, Australia will be playing New Zealand as a continuation of New Zealand's Oz tour from where they left after losing the test series 2-0.

From January 16th (the period during which C B series is usually played), there will be a 5 match ODI series involving Australia and South Africa, following which thre will be New Zealand-Autralia one day series. This one too being bi-lateral. So, no Common Wealth Bank Series this year? Aren't we really fed up with these boring bi-lateral series'? When ICC thinks about bringing in more colour to cricket, involving T20 cricket, and in addition to saving the test cricket, the ICC has to now look upon not to lose out on multi- nation tournaments featuring three or more nations. Else, even the one day matches would turn out to be like boring test matches, which do not attract crowds.

At Times Luck Favours South Africa

Well as I would love to call it, the South African cricket team is a mixture of good and bad lucks. This was after all of us saw them as to how they were found to make a mess of their own game in the world cups from 1992 to 2003.And then in the inaugural edition of the world T20 Championship at home,which South Africa lost after losing to India, which was their first ever defeat in that tournament.Well I don't intend in going to the details of the same.At times, despite their wonderful performance, South Africa are found to make a mess of their own game, like it happened in the world cup 2003, where South Africa got itself omitted itself from the tournament, citing a calculation mistake as a reason.

Well, despite all these at times, there are silver linings in South Africa's cloud.On two occasions, South Africa emerged as the top team in the ICC one day rankings, and this time South Africa have regained the second position in the latest ICC test rankings, overtaking India.In the year 2007, just prior to the world cup at the caribbean,South Africa topped the ICC one day rankings, courtesy-Australia's consecutive five match loss to England and New Zealand just before the world cup.And earlier, when South Africa beat teams like West Indies and Bangladesh to be on par with the Aussies-who were still at their peak in March earlier this year. All because of the Australia's loss of the Commonwealth Bank series to India.

And imagine how! South Africa beat Bangladesh in the two test series, both of them by an innings.And this was enough for the Proteas to get on the top of the ICC test rankings after Australia.Well if India beat a no 1 team in Australia to move up the rankings in the ICC test points table, South Africa beat the weakest team in the game to surpass the same India. Howzaat!This hapens as long as there are teams like Bangladesh and West Indies playing test cricket out there.

Some Nonsense in ICC Rankings!

For all those dudes who were fed up with the Australia's dominance in world cricket, there was some good news and a relief as well.The reason,as every one knows being that the Aussies have been stripped of their top spot in ODIs as per the latest ICC ODI rankings.

And guess the team to have achieved this feat!Yes,it is South Africa.And this happened at the cost of India.Well thats another issue altogether.But,how many of you guys agree with the latest ICC ODI rankings?And even a few of them who would raise their hands will have to think once again,especially after reading this post.Try it out!!

Taking the recent performance by both the teams,first the Aussies who have lost a home series to India.And on the other side,we have South Africa who have won ODI series' against West Indies (5-0)and Bangladesh(3-0).Both of them being whitewashed.I doubt weather there is any test playing team that would find facing the West Indians difficult,or Bangladesh for that matter?And much to their delight,the Proteas did the feat against West Indies at home.While Australia lost a series to a decent opposition in India.

But,it is something welcome luck for South Africa,in contrast to their unlucky world cup campaigns every year."GOOD LUCK SOUTH AFRICA "

A World Record-By Hook or Crook

After the late realisation by the Proteas in the first test match against Bangladesh at Dhaka,the South Africans were never in a forgiving mood what so ever.It looked as though their emotions were shown on the field by captain Greame Smith and Neil McKenzie-who put on a world record partnership of 415,surpassing the previous record held by Pankaj Roy and Vinoo Mankad who had held the record of having put up 413 runs for the first wicket against New Zealand way back in 1956.

Well the record however came against a lesser rated team like Bangladesh.Though not rated high by fans and spectators over the world,some things have to be made clear.This test is the 49th appearence by Bangladesh (not to forget South Africa's 328 test appearences) as compared to New Zealand's test no 41 in which the fellow Indians Vinoo mankad and Pankaj Roy achieved their feat.The test was also the test no 49 for India.With both teams being hardly experienced the feat achieved by India has a slight upper hand.

And,in those days cricket was not this commercialised as it is being done now.With lots of big bucks being involved in today's cricket,that itself provides the motivation required for younger players.One more thing that has gone unnoticed is the bats that are used by today's batsmen-which can send the ball to the fence with a little bit or no effort at all.And the same thing applies to the ball as well.

And comming to the pitches,out of which most of them being tailor made.With all these points put foreward,one more question needs to be answered is that:Like South Africa why didn't other teams do the same?

For the readers' sake,the world record put by Matthew Hayden came against a weaker side in Zimbabwe.The 438 run partnership between Attapattu and Sangakkara came against Zimbabwe.Thus,one can now think as to why Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy were disappointed when their 50+ year old feat was broken!!

Anyway South Africa..."CONGRATS"

South Africans pay The Price...

Well,the team which had faced humiliations in the ICC World Cup 2007 at the Carribean was found to have forgotten its lessons once again.Nevermind,the Bangladesh team is always there to remind that.isn't it?

Once again the Proteas faced the danger of losing a test match to Bangladesh during their first test at Dhaka.Though the match was won by South Africa,a win that should have come by an innings was only a mere 5 wickets.Unlike New Zealand which whitewashed them earlier this year-where the match got over in just three days and both the matches being won by an innings.

Though Bangladesh dosen't claim to be one,its oppositions always prove it to be a strong opposition.Even the Aussies got carried away by taking Bangladesh lightly and came close to getting defeated in the test at Fatullah (where Bangledesh had taken a lead of 157 runs )until Gilchrist came to the Aussies' rescue.A 1wicket win by Pakistan way back in 2003/04 just showed that no team in the world could be taken lightly.

The World Cup matches in 2003 involving Sri Lanka & Kenya,1996 WC Match between West Indies & Kenya,Ireland vs Pakistan and India vs Bangladesh in 2007 WC once again showed the price to be paid by the teams that take their opposition lightly.And much to their information,the same South African team had to accept defeat from the hands of the same Bangladesh in the super eight match of the ICC WC 2007 which would have almost ended their hopes of winning a cricket world cup.

This is not the performance and attitude that is expected from the team that is ranked fourth among test playing nations.If this is their attitude,come on guys.....you ought to face India shortly who are riding high after their recent success over Pakistan and Australia.

Come on South Africa.........When will you learn???