Where Will The 2011 Be Held?

Now that Pakistan has been excluded as the venue for the 2011 world cup owing to the security over that place, it would be nice to know where the games that were previously to be held in Pakistan would be held now. India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh being the other hosts, hosting the Pakistan matches there would not be a good idea, for they are packed with enough number of games and having more games there would be saturation point in these countries. And not only this, but, even the other three venues are likely to cause some or the other security concerns for the players.

One has to recall the blasts in the Indian cities that the country has witnessed and no assurance regarding avoiding the same in future as well. So, India can be just be considered to be better than Pakistan. Despite these blasts that are more or less targetted towards people from the West, Australia and England in particular, it is a wonder that hardly anyone has made an attempt to reconsider their decision of touring India. Blasts keep happening in one or the other city in India atleast once in a month. So, do you consider India as a safe option?

One fears that Pakistan might influence the ICC regarding the security in India taking into account the blasts in Indian cities that have rocked them. But, why should Pakistan do that? The ICC can itself come to a conclusion when it analuses the security suituation in India. Indian newspapers would be the best judge for that. And then, Bangladesh is just another Pakistan, where even the situation cannot be considered to be different. For the moment, there might not be any problems. But, can the Pakistan influence upon the country be given a pass? May be by 2011, situation in Pakistan be well under control and not regarding Bangladesh or India.

And neither is Sri Lanka safe. Of course, the target of the bombers there in Sri Lanka may not be the West world. But, bombs are not gifted with brains to strike only the target alone. Security is making rounds in Sri Lanka equally as it is being done in Pakistan. At present, Sri Lanka is no different than Pakistan when it comes to security concerns. Both the Pakistan as well as the Sri Lankan captains have been stroke recently. So, if these issues cross the line, the ICC world cup 2011 might go the ICC Champions Trophy 2008 way. As a reminder, Australia/New Zealand have last hosted a world cup or an international cricket even way back in 1992 for the Benson & Hedges world cup.

Is Pakistan So Good?

Well it was nice to finally see the Pakistani players wear their boots and hang on with their cricket gears when they faced Australia recently. And much to the excitement, not only did Pakistan enter the ground, but also they took the opposition to task and guess who the opposition was!!!Yes the mighty Aussies of the past. Of course not in the present arena. There were three Australian players whose performance was exceptional when compared to the rest. That was when Brad Haddin, James Hopes and Shane Watson scored 40+ scores. But, not enough support from the other players just added to the Aussie misery, who have just come back from a disastrous tour of South Africa losing the one day series 3-2.

A series of losses in this series against Pakistan could land the Aussies back to where they belong to. That is the number 3 position in the ICC one day rankings. And this doesn't seem to be too far taking their dismal performance against Pakistan into consideration. And how come Australia couldn't just contain the Pakistani players who are since the past one year or so playing international cricket once in a bluemoon? Of course, if the Australian team is given a close look, it doesn't actually seem so. But, the scoreboard the other day gave a different opinion. Reason?

The victory in the fifth and the final one day match against South Africa would have surely given them a great relief when they found themselves at no 2 in the ICC one day rankings. That was the feat that they could manage after losing the series to the Proteas and pulling off a consolation win. But, if things go this way for the Aussies, a Bangladesh- Australia match would be just fine, filled with guesses and thrills. For, Bangladesh are found improving themselves with respect to the game and on the other hand, Aussies are found diminishing in their standards.

2007. But they were never expected to be this bad that not only did they lose the game against Pakistan, but also lost all their 10 wickets for a score less than 175. And the bowler who took the Australian batsmen to task was a part time bowler in May be it is true that Australia are not the team they were two years ago during the world cupShahid Afridi, who is only known for slogging the ball blindly-sometimes over the ropes and many a times to the hands of the fieldsman. And if such a bowler can bag 6 Aussie wickets, one can imagine the plight of the Aussie bowlers.

Last Laugh For The Moment

At last, Australia managed to have the last laugh in the one day series against South Africa not only owing to the fact that Australia convincingly beat the hosts, but also they could make it to their second home ie the number 2 spot in the latest ICC one day rankings, overtaking India who were until then were enjoying the benefits of Australia's loss and their win against and in New Zealand. For a change, South Africa played an Austalia at Johonnesburg by getting into a great start but later on succumbing to the pressure created by the Aussie bowlers. This was something that the Australian players were found doing in the last three matches. But, this time it was the opposite i.e Australia.

As usual, this time also the team batting first not only held the upper hand but also emerged victorious. This is the fate of international cricket which is never bound to change whatsoever atleast for the time being. The slog over advantage that the team batting first would be having in the last ten overs always plays a spoilsport for the team batting second. The team batting second would not be enjoying this privilege. And this match was no different whatsoever. And neither did it really seem so if the atmosphere at Johannesburg is taken into consideration on that particular day.

It was fantastic to see A B DeVilliars- the man of the series stand stiff against the Aussie bowlers despite the fall of Mark Boucher and Albie Morkel at the other end. After A B DeVilliars' score of 38, no other South Afican player ever crossed the double digit mark until Morne Morkel broke the jinx by scoring a consolation 15 runs with the help of two hits to the fence. But that couldn't stop Australia from winning the game and with it the second spot in the ICC one day rankings. And South Africa had nothing absolutely to lose if not for that match in particular. For, they were the number 1 team at present and also had clinched the series after they beat Australia in the fourth one day match by 61 runs.

But, was that loss due to some or a more of negligience on the part of the South African players for, as said earlier, they were topping the world rankings in one dayers and also they had won the series convincingly. But, that doesesn't seem so if their earlier series against Australia is taken into consideration. Despite winning the series in the fourth one day match, South Africa went on to win the fifth one as well and that too with hosts being Australia. Whatever, the joy of South Africa winning the title would be limited only to a day, for players like Kallis and many others would be back to their duty to play in the IPL the very next day itself.

Note: Cricketahead would be starting a new blog that would be solely dedicated to the second edition of the Indian premier League under the heading IPLT20League. I wish all of you readers visit the bolg and comment on every post whatsoever and take that blog further as this particular blog. Thank you.

Hattrick For South Africa

Finally the series has been yet again been captured by South Africa this time as well. This might have been expected by most but of course not by me. I had expected the ongoing one day series to be a reverse of the earlier series between the same two countries where Australia hosted South Africa. But, not anymore after the fourth one day match which unexpectedly the Proteas made it theirs. And much to my excitement, the Proteas deserved it. As it has been the mantra of the South Africans off late, slow and steady approach did the trick for the Proteas here at Port Elizabeth as well.

This time the performance of the South African players was even more better as compared to the third one day international. This time the South African hardly lost wickets. It was at the end of the 40th over that the fourth wicket fell for South Africa. This shows the dignity that the South African players maintained throughout the series after losing the test series 2-1. It was spectacular for South Africa to have won the T20 matches as well against despite their poor track record in this particular format. By doing this, the South Africans have yet again proved to be the toughest team in world cricket today.

The last time when the two teams met each other, and wherein South Africa beat Australia 4-1 in Australia, the Aussies, who were the number1 team until then had to slip to the second position. Now, with the loss to the same opponent yet again, Australia have dropped further in the latest one day rankings to the third position. Thanks to the series domination by Mahendra Singh Dhoni led team India that thrashed New Zealand 3-1 on their tour to the same. The only satisfaction for the Australian team at the moment is that they still continue to dominate in the test rankings, after South Africa lost 1-2 & missed the opportunity to make it theirs.

Another fact regarding South Africa's series win in the one day series is that the Proteas have won a one day international series against Australia for the third time in succession. If our memories are well enough, South Africa had beaten Australia 3-2 when Australia toured South Africa in march 2006, which witnessed the greatest one day international match in the history of the game. After that comes the 4-1 series win for South Africa during their tour of Australia. And now, South Africa have taken an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the series, thus making it a hattrick one day wins against Australia. Such a feat in the recent past has not taken place according to the best of my knowledge.

A Slow & Steady South Africa

Well the third one day match between Australia and South Africa at Cape Town was just another example as to how a one day match is supposed to be played and not only that, but also how to win the same. Very rarely does one come across such cricket matches and more so in today's cricketing world. Either the matches are close encounters, with the team putting up a mammoth total and the other team giving up the chase in the beginning itself or, a team is on the rise since the first ball of the match, scrapping any guess work by the spectators who are watching the game.

It was a super cool play from the blades of Jacques Kallis and A B De Villiars who set up the tone for South Africa, by playing a rock solid innings for their team by ensuring that the team never lost wickets at regular intervals, like they were found doing in the first encounter, where the Proteas lost as many as 7 wickets between a score of 93 to 145. South Africa were found to crumble from 93/2 to a partly score of 145 all out in the first game, while chasing a stiff target of 287. But, this was not the way they played the third one day match.

It was the 114 run partnership between Jacques Kallis and AB De Villiars which set up the victory for the Proteas, and even though wickets fell for a partnership of just 30 or 40 that hardly made any difference for the South African team, for they were well set with a decent total in hand at the end of the day's play. Even Australia did the same, that is by putting up a decent partnership of 97 runs for the 6th wicket between Feguson and James Hopes. But, that came at an in appropriate time when it was a do or die position for Australia. Australia at one stage were found at 114/5.

When it came to the bowling of the Australian team, it was only Mitchell Johnson and none other.Had it not been for Johnson, one can imagine the plight of the Australian team. Probably, the South African total would have even crossed 300 I guess, had it not been for Mitchell Johnson. Anyway, ifs and buts would give a different result always. Now, I think South Africa indeed deserve to be the number one team in the world. Previously, it was that the Australian team has gone down in standards and not South Africa dominating. But, time and again, South Africans have proved this yet again after their victory in the 3rd one day.

Indians Haven't Learnt From The Past

Well as the fear was still on, the most unexpected happened as far as the Indian team is concerned. Rain interrupts the match which has finally been forced to be declared as a draw, thus bringing all the good work from the Indian players and Gautam Gambhir especially to an abrupt end. Although nothing could be done regarding the pouring showers, something could have really been done by Mahendra Singh Dhoni in particular to see India sneek a 2-0 triumph. But, unfortunately that never meant so at Wellington. More of the blame from me would be on M.S.Dhoni for such a debacle.

For, this is not the first time that India have been a part of such an anti climax. Atleast not so if the past one year or so is taken into consideration for India. The last time, in the recent past, I still remember in the second test match against England in December last year, India lost an opportunity to win the series 2-0 and instead won it by 1-0. In the second test at Mohali, India imposed a target of 453 on the fifth, which was always threatened by showers to play a spoilsport and which actually happened. And the result as expected was accepted.

Despite rain interruptions since day 1 of that test match at Mohali, there was no point in imposing a mammoth target of 453, with just few hours of play left. A target of 453 would mean to England to be an impossible target which the England team eventually decided not to go chasing it. Likewise, if a feasible target was imposed, England would have made an attempt to chase down that target and a few tricks from the Indian bowlers would have got them the match. The thinking from Mahendra Singh Dhoni was no different this time either at Welington.

The game was in favor of team India since day 1. Not only did India score a decent 379, but also bowled the New Zealand side for a low score of 197, in the process taking a lead of 182 runs. This was the scenario at the end of the second day's play. So, with three more days of play still left and with hints of rain very much on the cards, a little bit of thinking from Dhoni was expected. A lesser target of somewhere around say 450 would have been ideal, taking into account the batting strength of the New Zealand side. Also, if not for Zaheer Khan, none of the Indian bowlers viz Ishanth Sharma, Munaf Patel were found bowling with a determination. Someone like Sachin was able to capture 2 wickets and the so called frontline bowlers could not do so.

So, it was not just rain that spoilt India's chance of taking a 2-0 win but also on the Indian team to a greater extent.

India Versus Weather?

Well all tongues have started wagging in the favour of team India as favourites to win the test series against New Zealand in New Zealand may be for the first time in the history of Indian cricket if the experts are to be believed. And this looked pretty obvious and is still looking the same despite some or rather frequent disruptions from weather that is trying to play a spoilsport at Wellington. And even if rain or weather gods prefer New Zealand over India, the result sheet would still read "India have won the test series against New Zealand 1-0". The only disappointment would be due to the fact that despite fighting so hard a 2-0 result could not be achieved.

Had it been some two or three years down the lane, in the sense when it was either Rahul Dravid or Sourav Ganguly who were captaining the Indian side, even a 1-0 margin would have bought up smiles of joy on the faces of the Indian players. Because, that was all that the then Indian team under Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly or even Anil Kumble for that matter could do. But, that does not seem to be the case with Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Ever since he has captained the Indian side, the worst result he could expect was a draw. A loss to M S Dhoni is still far off I believe.

Ever since Mahendra Singh Dhoni has taken over from the shoes of Anil Kumble, or even earlier to that, the team has been not only victorious but also in a dominating position in every department of the game and in all three forms of the game too. The worst series result for M S Dhoni being the 1-0 series win against England where the second test ended in a draw. Otherwise it has been 1 out of 1 against the Proteas, two out of two against the Aussies, not two out of two against the Kiwis as well. Compared to Dhoni's, if Dravid is placed at the other end, his tally reads 1 out of 3 against England in 2007, 1 out of 4 against the West Indies in 2006 and a win in South Africa only to lose the 2nd and 3rd test.

Likewise, Anil Kumble has had successes like 1 out of 3 against Pakistan late 2007 followed by 2 draws against the Aussies in the B-G trophy in the tests which he captained. Well lets not go to the days where Mohammed Azharuddin and Sourav Ganguly had captained the team. The weather is found threatening to see a 1-0 result for Dhoni as well. This being evident from the days 3 and 4 where play could not be completed as per plan. In case the weather behaves to be neutral, like the umpires on the field, then 2/2 for Dhoni thins time is already carved on stones. But, will that really happen? Lets wait and watch.

Would This Be Indeed Return Series For The Proteas?

Well the ongoing one day series between Australia and South Africa is termed to be a return series between the two countries. Meaning, this series is the return of the Australian side to South Africa after the Proteas had their tour of Australia late last year. But, there is something more that this series can offer, which would justify the term "return series" that the series is referred to as right now by cricketing experts. The series has so far done exactly the opposite of what happened in the previous encounters between these two countries late last year. That is really fantastic.

If our memories are well intact, lets recall as to what happened in the last encounter between Australia and South Africa when the Proteas had their tour to Australia. First comes the test series where South Africa defeated Australia in the first two of the three test match series to take an unbeatable lead in that series, with Australia clinching the third one to take home a consolation victory if not a series win. The same thing happened to South Africa this time when Australia are on their tour to South Africa. Australia won the first two tests and the remaining inconsequential test being capped by the Proteas.

Then comes the T20 series which similar to the T20 series between Australia and South Africa on their tour to Australia had two T20 games. Both the T20 matches were won by South Africa, which was exactly opposite to what happened earlier. In the previous tour, Australia had won both the scheduled T20 matches against South Africa and now it is the turn of South Africa. Now the one day series is going on, with two of the five matches of the series already over. And as expected by me, both the one day matches that have got over have ended in the same manner. The series is now levelled 1-1 between the two countries.

This after South Africa handed a crushing defeat to Australia, by bowling them out for 131, from a stage where Australia were once at 19/5. The way the game was played might say whatever. But, the result is exactly opposite to the earlier one day series between the two countries. Even in the last series, Australia had won the second one day international after South Africa had pocketed the first one day match at Melbourne. May be the second encounter in that series was a close encounter wherein South Africa came too close to winning the match, which this time around it was a clean sweep for South Africa, wherein Australia were nowhere in the game.

So, if Australia can win the remaining three one day matches, this would be the best climax and can surely be called as the return series between Australia and South Africa.

A Crappy New Zealand Side

Well this has become the fate of most of the major cricket playing countries may be since the introduction of the T20 format of the game and more so after the introduction of the devils of the game namely the IPL and ICL. None of the teams are found to put up a good performance for, their national side, the money that it offers is equivalent to a tip that either ICL or IPL offers. If not for Australia, South Africa and India, no other team in the world is today found playing good test cricket. If not, there was no reason absolutely for New Zealand to take the visitors for a ride at Willington.

Not only this, but New Zealand weren't even able to make the second test theirs despite having a 200+ run lead, wherein New Zealand could have even imposed a follow-on. The test went on to yield a null result when all the eyes were on the New Zealand team. The lag that India sufferred in the first innings of that test hardly matterred the Indians who were then under Virender Sehwag. As an Indian cricket fan, I should welcome that. But, as an avid cricket enthusiast, no. It was India who emerged the winers in that game, for they escaped from the jaws of defeat without any pressure upon them whatsoever.

That is a forgotten issue now. However, in the on going third and final test at Willington, the result seems obvious on the second day's play itself, where the New Zealand team crumbled like a baked cookie. It is just funny to even think about a team of the caliber of New Zealand to have had such a disastrous tour and that too being the hosts. The only cheers that the New Zealand team can boast about is owing to the fact that they didn't lose the first test by an innings but only by 10 wickets. The margin of victory being reduced and in turn the woes of the New Zealand team.

And the third test that is ongoing is giving hints of a 2-0 victory for Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men. Whether India deserve the victory or not, Vettori does deserve to be on the losing side. It looks likt the motivating factor that the New Zealand team had in the 2007 world cup has gone away with Stephen Fleming. If the scoreboard cites the 9 wickets that India lost on day 1, the fact of 345 run on the board was also equally true. But, still, if Vettori deserves a pat on his back for getting India all out for 379, what has Vettori got to say regarding his batsman's debacle, who could pile up just 197 runs on the board? Now, the lead being 233, the match is bound to end on day four itself, taking into account New Zealand's first innings score.

Was this the way test matches were used to being played until the introduction of IPL and ICL?

A Lot Of Unexpecteds In A Month

Well a month long break from blogging couldn't just keep my life going as it always does. And finally, I'm glad that I'm back to blogging on cricket and getting in touch with you friends who have helped me grow to this level. Anyway let me do something more worth than just going in for some unwanted publicity. In the last one month or so, the day since I had taken an indefinite break from blogging, a lot of unexpected turn arounds in the world of cricket have taken place, which I still repent for not being able to bring or share with you.

First of all would be the sad disastrous end to the test series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, which witnessed the expected and just added fuel to fire, with most other countries getting more rigid with the plans of not to tour Pakistan may be anymore. The spontaneous reaction being from New Zealand, who immidiately decided to call off their tour to the country which was to be held in late this year. Thanks to some bloody miscreants who don't want Pakistan to showcast their skills on the cricket field. It was really sad that the miscreants didn't even spare the only country that sympathised Pakistan and decided to tour the trouble torn nation.

Next comes the height of politics in India that made its way even to cricket. Alas! the much awaited second edition of the Indian Premire League had to be held in South Africa. This I think is in no way different from the cricket in Pakistan, which was compromised to be played outside its nation like Sharjah and Abu Dabhi. This was a little bit expected and a more of a surprise, for that was the last expected from atleast the fans, who would have thought of making it to the stadium to get a glimpse of the games and a few others who would have wanted their faces to be shown on television sets by luck.

These were the most missed by me in the last one month. Also, there was the way the West Indies escaped with a series win, with team England being unable to grab two wickets on the final day, when the West Indies' scorecard read 114/8. It was England who held the upper hand in that particular match, but not in that particular series whatsoever. England were found paying the heavy price for the debacle that they underwent in the first game where they were all out for 51. This left the West Indies, who are (in the recent past) are known for saving the series rather than go in for a win to just see to that they draw the remainder of the test series and ensure that they take home the trophy. No matter what the spirit of the game says.