How could this happen!

Well, anyone who reads the title of this post would be thinking it to be regarding South Africa's loss at the hands of India. However, though defending a total of 190 on board shocks everyone, a greater shock is something regarding Sachin Tendulkar having to opt out of the bilateral series owing to a hamstring injury. The reason for shock would not certainly be the absence of Sachin Tendulkar for the remaining four matches against the Proteas but the question here is will Sachin Tendulkar be fit for the upcoming world cup where Sachin Tendulkar is about to make his 6th appearance?

Another feature to be noted is that prior to every world cup, Sachin Tendulkar is found to be rested from the team atleast since the 1999 world cup played in England. Sachin Tendulkar was rested from two triangular series', one involving India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in India and the other involving India, Pakistan and England played at Sharjah. Owing to the absence of Sachin Tendulkar, India failed miserably especially in the matches against Pakistan despite there being the presence of Dravid, Azharuddin, Ganguly and Jadeja. And, the bowling department including Srinath, Kumble and Prasad couldn't save face for their team.

It was the absence of Sachin Tendulkar in the match against Zimbabwe that proved to be very costly for India which saw them struggle and end their world cup dreams in the super six stage itself of the world cup after their loss to Australia. Sachin Tendulkar had to leave to Mumbai owing to his father's death. With that apart, even prior to the world cup in 2003 at South Africa, Sachin Tendulkar was rested from the Indian squad in the series against West Indies and New Zealand, both the series which India lost. Sachin Tendulkar's next appearance was in the world cup regarding which nothing needs to be stated in particular.

However, as an exception, prior to the 2007 world cup, Sachin Tendulkar was available for the bilateral series against both Sri Lanka and West Indies and moreover, Sachin Tendulkar was awarded the man of the tournament in the series against West Indies no matter for what. This time, though Sachin Tendulkar was thought to be available for the bilateral series against South Africa and now he has to return owing to a hamstring injury as mentioned earlier. Statistics suggest that whenever Sachin Tendulkar was unavailable for tournaments prior to the world cup, India have fared well like in 1999 and 2003 and failed when he was available like in 2007.

Vettori's dream for his team

If New Zealand can make it to the finals of a world cup for the first time in its 29 year old history, why should that not make the New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori happy atleast in his dreams. The reason why the world dream is mentioned here is because, like the Kiwis, even the Aussies would be touring India for a full fledged series before New Zealand make it there. Of course, that might not have anything to do with New Zealand trying to make hay is this sunshine. But, it is needed to be mentioned that preparations for the same need much more planning than this.

I can show you that Australia neither prior to the 2003 world cup at South Africa nor the 2007 world cup at West Indies had ever toured the same but at the end not only did Australia win the world cup but also did they do the same without losing even a single game en route. New Zealand had beaten Australia 3-0 in the three match one day series in the Chappel - Hadlee series just a month before the world cup in 2007. But, in the big stage, New Zealand failed miserably by losing the super eights game to Australia by a margin of 233 runs.

New Zealand were partly responsible in throwing off Australia from their number 1 spot in world cricket when they did the above mentioned feat. Not only did New Zealand beat Australia but they also had two successful run chases of 337 and 347 respectively in the 2^nd and the 3^rd one day internationals. Perhaps, that was the only instance where two score above 330 were chased successfully by any team. Even today, these two scores stand in the 2^nd and the 3^rd place when it comes to the most successful run chases in one day internationals. At the same time, the 233 run loss was the 2^nd worst defeat in the 2007 world cup after Bermuda's 257 run loss to India.

Daniel Vettori's words no doubt is of much concern for, a practice at a venue which in six month's time would host the biggest events of cricket will surely add to one's fortune and a fortune for New Zealand would be that they might make it to the finals of the world cup for the first time and break the jinx. Luckily, they are bound to play Bangladesh in Bangladesh and India in India. And, one more thing that would be rejoiced would be that New Zealand would be playing a full fledged series against India and in India after 7 years, when New Zealand last toured India in late 2003 for a two test series.

Not a bad move

Well finally, some decent decisions are found to be taken by the ICC regarding the mega event namely the world cup that is due to start the coming year. Whatever, the news or the decision, whatever you may call as comes into picture only on or after the 2015 world cup once again thought to be held in Australia and New Zealand. Coming to the matter, the ICC is on a decision to reduce the number of teams for the mega event from the existing 16 to 10, which obviously means showing the gates to the non test playing nations.

However, the list might not include Zimbabwe and Kenya or Ireland for, their performance in international cricket is comparatively satisfactory. Zimbabwe has a history of playing test cricket while Ireland and Kenya have shown to be no less than a test playing nation like Bangladesh or West Indies. Other teams that can be thought of to be shown the gates would be Bermuda, Scotland, Holland, Namibia to name a few though not that important. But, should this decision be criticized by anyone let alone the associate countries? With their role being limited in the event, how do the nations ask for a change not to take place?

If anyone would ask me, I would suggest that the presence of such teams can only ruin the excitement of the world cup nonetheless making way for unwanted politics in the mega event. Since the 1999 world cup, major teams have made it to the next level of the tournament though not deserving to be there. In the 1999 world cup, Zimbabwe made it to the super sixes at the cost of England. India lose their match to Zimbabwe by underestimating them and then South Africa lose to Zimbabwe not before confirming their place in the super sixes. As a result, India had to end their world cup campaign in the super sixes itself.

So was the case in the 2003 world cup when Sri Lanka made much of New Zealand forfeiting their group stage match to Kenya by intentionally losing (may be) to Kenya so that New Zealand faces a tough task ahead. In the 2007 world cup, though there was no room for any such politics, underestimation was at its peak with India and Pakistan paying the price for the same in their league stage match against Bangladesh and Ireland respectively. In the super eights of the same, South Africa paid the price by losing to Bangladesh by 67 runs. Are such teams required who can spoil the reputation of the tournament?

Another thing to be noticed is that due to the presence of the minnows, players can make a killing by reserving all their fortunes against these teams. One can remember that the highest team total till date in a world cup - 413 was scored by India against Bermuda in the 2007 edition. In that edition, India didn't even get past the league stage of the tournament. Glenn McGrath's 7/15 happened to be against Namibia in 2003 which cast a bad image on him despite being known for his accuracy. In that version, Sourav Ganguly scored three hundreds all of which came against non test playing nations.

This was equaled to the one scored by Mark Waugh in 1996 where he did the same against India, Kenya and New Zealand. Does the comparison justifies itself?

Why not something different in IPL III?

Well the third edition of the Indian Premier League is about to start and in the next month by this time, it would have already been four days past since the tournament would have begun. However, as usual this time also all eyes are set on the IPL and the excitement is never bound to decline atleast in a couple of years from now onwards. But, what would be the fun without any new aspect in the tournament that cricket fans would be looking to from the start of every year. New year atleast in India since 2008 is not celebrated on 1st of January like in most of the nations but is celebrated on the day the first match of the IPL kicks in.

All this considering that IPL happens every year. On the first day of every new year, the count down for the IPL of that particular year begins. Since 2008-the year the first edition of the IPL was launched, the nature of the tournament is the same even in its 3rd edition as well. It is the same eight teams from India that competite for the championship title and also some mind blowing cash awards. Like in the 1st edition, all the teams play each other twice and that is followed by 2 semi finals and a final that is obvious with every series.

If the mega tournament conducted by the ICC viz the ICC world cup, the T20 championship and the ICC Champions trophy is considered, there as been a regular revision in the format of the tournament after every edition. Until 1983, it was the Prudential world cup played only at England and then in 1987 the Asian continent was given a chance to host. Then, color dresses were introduced since the 1992 world and then came the introduction of non test playing nations and the concept of quarter finals in the Wills world cup 1996. The 1999 & 2003 world cups had super sixes so that no team crashes out due to lack of fortune in the only team it faces.

In 2003 WC, there was a slight change from the 1999 edition, wherein points from victories against non qualifying teams would be carried over to the next stage i.e the super sixes. In the 2007 world cup, there were four groups with 4 teams each and 2 from each would qualify to the super eights so that no team crashes out due to lack of fortune. So has been the cases with the ICC Champions trophy which started as a knock out tournament and a 2nd chance is being given in today's versions. But, this has not been the case with the IPL. Some changes that I would suggest are that there be three finals so that a team gets optimum chance to win the title. There be not more than 2 games played per day so that one get to see all the games. And finallyintroduction of a couple of more teams would be just ideal.

A Positive Move By The Australian Selectors

Finally, the frontier falls. A news broke out that Australian opener Matthew Hayden has been dropped from the one day squad that will be facing South Africa on 11th of January for a T20 game to begin with. A decision that the Australian selectors' panel should have taken some six months ago has been taken now. Good that the selectors have put their foot forward regarding the regaining the lost glory of Australian cricket by dropping a player who has been out of form since a year or so. This is what each and every selection panel would be found doing, in case a team's performance is not satisfactory. And Australia is no different. Instead, for a decade or so, the world has been doing what the ACB does.

Even the Pakistan team, way back in 2003, had dropped 8 of its players after they failed to make it to the second stage of the same. And Pakistan bounced back, beating teams like Sri Lanka and New Zealand the same year. And team India, which now stands tall in all three forms of the game couldn't even make it to the super eights of the world cup in 2007. A strict action of their respective cricket boards saw one team lift the inaugural T20 world cup, while the other team ended as the runners up. So, such harsh actions by the cricket boards at times are welcome.

Else, each team would be a replica of the present West Indies or an England team. It is a fact that the selectors did a Ganguly on Matthew Hayden, but, as all of us aware of, team interests overcome personal ones. Forget it! And even now if the Australian selectors do not take chances, they will be responsible for Australia in becoming another West Indies. No doubt that the decision on Hayden was harsh, but, Hayden did deserve it. Not only Hayden, but, even Ricky Ponting should be stripped of his captaincy for a certain period of time. Making Clarke the skipper would be a good option. And so should be Brett Lee from the bowling department.

Probably. like Shaun Tait, even Matthew Hayden should have taken off from the squad, without giving the selectors a tough time. This would have even inspired a lot of youngsters to accept their weaknesses and move ahead, hoping with a better come back. Unfortunately, Hayden's thinking was otherwise. And reminding you guys, Australia is no short of any decent bench strength. There are likes of James Hopes, Shaun Marsh, Hussey brothers-David & Mike and Warner-who is considered to be a replacement for Hayden. Now, all eyes would be on hayden, when he makes a good comeback, for, the game of cricket cannot afford to miss someone like Matthew Hayden whatsoever.

Something Is Lost For South Africa

Well it was really frustrating when the news that South Africa has lost the third test to Australia broke out in the afternoon. This shattered the dreams of not only most of the South African players, but also all the Aussie haters and Protea fans over the world. It is inevitable but to accept that Australia still head the ICC test rankings and are even now the most powerful cricketing nation in the world. A chance to overthrow the Aussies from the throne was eventually lost by South Africa. Such opportunities do not arise every now and then. How, stupid were the South Africans to let that go off their hands!

A little bit of game planning would have seen South Africa achieve the most expected one. But, what could be said of a team that makes a mess and gets itself into self destructive mode? Forget about a win at Sydney, even a draw would have had some smiles on the faces of the fans. But, no. South Africa looked as though they never ever wanted to come out of that festive mood, that was achieved when they had won the second test. Why should one ever think of winning the third, when it hardly makes any difference regarding the series? This was the way Smith might have thought before entering the third test.

A similar thing was witnessed in the round robin stage of the world cup 2007, when South Africa faced the same Australia at St Kitts where Australia, batting first made a stiff 377. South Africa, afresh from their memories of having chased down 434 successfully were expected to do the same here as well. And it looked as though another Johannesburg was in store that day. But no. It all started with the run out of AB De Villiars. South Africa, who had until then had put up 160 runs on board at the end of the 21st over were eventually all out for 294. Thus rendering all dreams shattered. And the third test was no different.

And look as who the match winner for Australia was! A three match old player, who made his debut in Mohali against India in the Border-Gavaskar trophy in October last year. And how could South Africa manage to give the charge to the tail enders like Mitchell Johnson and Hauritz, who scored a handy 64 and 41 respectively? At the end of the day, South Afric amissed out on a golden opportunity to whitewash a team that had last time whitewashed them some three years ago. With this at stake for us at the moment, the only thing left for us would be to watch out for another exciting encounter between these two gaints of cricket, when Australia will be touring South Africa two months from now.

Rivalling The Ashes?

Well, this was the match that was thought to be worth the wait for all the cricket crazy fans over the world. For, these two have been the teams that are rated high in the minds of the cricket fans. Courtesy- the world record chase of 434 by South Africa against Australia which happened to be one rare case where Australia lost the ODI series 2-3. This I think need not be cited specially whatsoever. And, how can one ever afford to forget such a great match. From then onwards, the encounters between Australia and South Africa have been on the top of the list for all the cricket fans. Oh yes, it includes me too. Well, all that is past. However, even in the present period, things are no different either.

It is deeply rooted in the minds of the cricket fans that, if at all there is a team that could beat Australia it is South Africa. And, as all of us are aware of, South Africa did exactly that in the first two tests against Australia. Not even India or England for that matter come in for such praise. With the two tests being dominated by South Africa, the third test would have really sparked off some or much curiosity among the fans out there. A win in this test would throw Australia from their number one position in test cricket, which they (Australia) have been enjoying since the past eight years or more. With the first two days of play in hand, it is really a tough job to judge the winner right away.

Neither has Australia shown some reluctance in putting a better performance, nor the Proteas are in any mood to sacrifice the third test to Australia for having won the series already. Pressure is found to be on both the sides. If not for the series, for the top spot in world cricket. A big blow in the form of an injury to Greame Smith has found to loosen the hopes of a South African win. However, the way the tail put up a 184 run partnership in the first innings of the second test shouldn't be forgotten. By putting up a decent total of 445 on board, Australia have indicated their come back into the game once again. The proteas have still 8 wickets in hand and a lot to prove. Of course, all of us would be expecting the same ie a South African win.

In the past five years (since 2003), the Australian team has lost its place temperorily on two occasions. And both of them saw South Africa head the list for the strongest one day squad. Way back in early 2007, where South Africa had beaten world cup chokers India and Pakistan in the five match series played by a margin 5-0 and 4-1 respectively. On the other hand, for a change, Australia had lost the two out of the three finals to England in the Commonwealth Bank series 2007, followed by a 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand. And in the second instance, where Australia once again lost to India in 2008, with the proteas registering wins against Bangladesh and West Indies late 2007. However, a similar fate in test cricket is yet to target the Aussies. Now, it time for that. So, can South Africa do it this time?

New Zealand Is The Newest Victim

Well..so far it was only Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, Australia and South Africa who had fallen prey to false belief by under estimating minnows like Bangladesh and end up making news for the wrong reasons.And even West Indies despite their loss to Kenya in the 1996 world cup,lost to Bangladesh in the inaugural T20 world cup.Anyway,then it was a better Bangladesh team compared to the West Indies team which was filled only by batsmen and no bowlers.But,now,the only one out of the two teams who are yet to face some music from the minnows New Zealand when they lost to Bangladesh on 9th October 2008 at Dhaka in the first ODI.

If the players make up their mind,they can rewrite history by making records in all parts of the game.For example,we have Gibbs who belted six consecutive sixes against Holland,Glenn McGrath despite being an awesome pacer,has his best bowling performance of 7/15 against Namibia in the 2003 world cup and much more.Even the recent 12 sixes in an ODI innings by a West Indian was against Canada and New Zealand's record of 401 runs came against Ireland.

Well India can boast of being the only team to have lost twice to Bangladesh,and England has a reason to smile for being the only team not to have lost to a minnow, whatsoever.The team that comes after Bangladesh who can boast of upsets is Kenya who have defeated teams like India,West Indies,Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.Even,this time its India who have lost to Kenya on two occasions.Oh! What a record?The other instances include Pakistan's loss to Ireland,which I think is the only instance of a strong team being stunned by a kid like team.

The test match is perhaps free from such debacles,or else each and every test would have seen a new record, forcing some legends like Bradman, Sobers and Lara to commit suicide.A hint was observed when Roy and Mankad's record was surpased by Mckenzie and Smith against Bangladesh.An amazing feat being that no batsmen has ever scored a triple hundred against either Bangladesh or Zimbabwe (barring Hayden's 380).

Well..if the ICC with an intension to globalise cricket gives the minnows a consession,I wonder how foolish the game of cricket would ever be.Ha ha ha..

Oh! What An Upset?

My eyes couldn't just believe it!It was as though the curse for the Lahore Badshahs reached its peak on Sunday night,which put an abrupt end to the much awaited cheers by the crowd out there who had all come there to cheer the well deserved Lahore Badshahs who were thought to emerge as ultimate winners of the trophy.But,sadly that was not to be.

Despite a 5 wicket haul by Naved ul Hasan and the match ending up in a thrilling tie,there were 6 balls without a batsman at the other end to decide the fate of the Badshahs.No doubt!The match was between the top two teams of the tournament, with each of them having lost only to each other and outperforming the rest.But,my vote was always for the Badshahs,who were a balanced team unlike the Heroes-who had one or a couple of match winners and were found to succumb under pressure. This was evident when Abdul Razzaq was found to bowl 3 no balls costing 4 runs in the last over of the first finals-when Lahore Badshahs needed 12 runs of 6 balls with 4 wickets in hand.

It is the second instance where the man of the match went to the losing side in case of a T20 tie,after the famous bowl out between India & Pakistan in the inaugural T20 world cup.

And one more thing that I could find was that the second edition of the ICL was much better than the may be last five editions of ICC world cup,which saw minnows like Bangladesh,Zimbabwe,Ireland,Kenya and even the West Indies making it big when compared to teams like India,Pakistan South Africa...some due to politics(as in case of the Zim v SA in 1999 & SL v Ken in 2003),some due to under estimating their opponents(like Pak v Ire & Ind v Ban in 2007,WI v Ken in 1996)...to name a few.

If fans could turn up to support these ICL games,there could be no doubt in having an exciting game of cricket ahead in future.Wat Say?

Adam Gilchrist:

Though its been almost two weeks since the commonwealth bank series got over,the series is still on when it comes to blogs.One man who can never be forgotten is the man who was calling it a day-when it comes to international cricket. Adam Gilchrist.

Though the series was not a memorable one for Australia when it came to answering questions about the ethics of the game,the past record and contribution of this man should never be forgotten.He was the one who walked off the field when he was suspicious about his decision weather out or not out!this was in the first semi finals of the 2003 World Cup against Sri lanka.The pitch on which Australia was batting then had bitter memories against England & New Zealand which had seen their batting tumble.in such a situation,Gilchrist never thought of the consequences before choosing to walk.

The man is known for his explosive batting in addition to his wicket keeping magic.He held the record for the most dismissals by a wicket keeper in tests(416) surpassing South Africa's Mark Boucher(who has reclaimed the record after Gilchrist retired).Irrespective of the wicket,opposition,pressure..Gilchrist always tends to fire with the bat.The man almost snatched a win against India in the TVS Cup 2003 involving New Zealand,when he scored 83 off 79 balls at Gwalior.
Some must watch videos of his include:

1)The second fastest hundred against England.
2)149 off 104 balls in the finals of the 2007 WC against Sri Lanka.
3)First ever to hit a 100th six in tests.
4)172 against Zimbabwe in the VB Series 2003/04
5)118 vs Sri Lanka at W.A.C.A......
6)122 off 91 balls against Sri Lanka