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.

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.

Proteas Miss Out Yet Again

It was frustrating to see the to be number one team in world fails to chase a mean total of 250, when it can boast of having been the record holder of the highest run chase. Now, one can draw the conclusion that South Africa can come out with surprises only when the stars favour them. They can upset a great nation only when the latter has reduced itself in its standards yet again. If not, how come the team fails to tackle the Australian bowling which did not consist experienced lads like Brett Lee, Shaun Tait and Shane Watson? This can very tell us the tale of a South African team which can make hay only when the sun shines. Not otherwise.

Even though they won the first encounter against Australia at Hobart, the South Africa were really gasping for breath in an attempt to chase 271. On the other hand, a total of 271 from a team that were under pressure to perform and for a team that never had or hardly had any frontline batsmen to face the myth of Dale Steyn and Morkel, with the presence of an all rounder in Jaques Kallis was something unexpected from the South Africa. And a close look at the way the Proteas chased down the target would give us a clear picture of where the Proteas stand as far as the number one team is considered. The South African team had to wait for the number 8 batsman in Albie Morkel to end victorious.

This was not all. A newcomer in Shaun Marsh comes out with a brilliant knock of 79 off 103 balls, where he is sent in to face the new ball. Despite a good start, South Africa ends up on the losing side. Is this the professional cricket what South Africa is supposed to play? The South African innings saw a 135 run second wicket partnership between Gibbs and Kallis. Out of this 135 run partnership, Kallis has his own score of 72 and Herscelle Gibbs facing just 37 balls. South Africa just couldn't convert the"close to the target" situation to a victory. This is the problem that the to be number one team is found to face.

South Africa had wickets in hand and so did they have the habit to choke, which they have been doing since they entered ino the international arena. This time also the South Africa were too generous in giving lives to the top rungetters in the match namely Ricky Ponting and Shaun Marsh. The funda of taking the third powerplay by the South Africans in the 45th over was just not acceptable. Just because things went alright for South Africa in the first one dayer at Hobart (where the South Africans took the third power play in the 45th over) how could one think that it would be the same at Melbourne too? Such stupid decisions can ensure a team to be on the top, probably, Bangladesh would have made it to the number one spot whetever.

Australia & South Africa Exchange Gifts At Melbourne

Well if one can give a detailed look at the first one day match between Australia and South Africa, it would be just an exchange of gifts between each other at Melbourne. The match can just be called as the opposite of a tug of war, where at both ends, immense efforts are made to end up as the winner. Whereas here, both the teams do equal mistakes, and finally at the end of the game, as per the rule, there has to be one winner, which in this case turns out to be South Africa. Neither was Australia weak and South Africa strong and not even otherwise for that matter.

Both Australia and South Africa were equally benefited by the mistakes that were performed by their opponents. Starting with Australia, they had entered into the competition with an inexperienced squad, with only the skipper Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke being exceptions. For, they were the only two players who had played well over 100 one day matches in the Australian squad. With such a squad, this Australian team could manage a decent score of 271 at the end of the game. OK..Mike Hussey could be well exempted from this lot, given his temperament with the bat. The rest of them were just there to fill the vacancies.

Imagine how? Not because the Australian team inspite of young players in the squad were hard working or something. This was solely possible because on an average, each Australian was given a life by the South African bowlers that the Australian batsmen made much use of. First of this comes the way Ricky Ponting and David Hussey's run outs were missed by debutant Vaughn van Jaarsveld. Another mis match is the one where the same Vaughn van Jaarsveld dropped two chances off one delivery, wherein he dropped a catch of Ricky Ponting and then misses out on a run out the same delivery.

Other chances for the Australians include Marsh's run out. Then in the South African side, it was nice to see the fall of wickets in their innings, when the score board that at one time read 213/3 at the end of 41st over was found to read 219/6 at the end of 23rd over. A match that South Africa should have won even more convincingly had been won with much hiccups. The South Africans are themselves to blame for this debacle whatsoever. Finally, neither could South Africa make hay out of an inexperienced Australian squad nor could Australia prove to be problems of any sort to the Proteas after a series of missed run outs and drop catches.

India, South Africa & England!

Well the post title might not give you a clear idea as to what does one mean by the title. But, people, please have some patience, for more thrill is yet to come. Hmm..keeping all those guess works apart, the three teams that have been named in the post title are the ones that have defeated the Australian team when it was topping ICC test ratings. This has been from the day India beat Australia in the Border Gavaskar trophy 2008 and it went deeper in my minds when even South Africa beat them (Aussies) in their own backyard. And one more team that beat Australia off late is England way back in 2005, in the Ashes that yer by a margin 2-1. It is only these three teams who have enjoyed the distinction of having beaten Australia between 2003 till date.

My doubt is which one holds a better place in the minds of the cricket fans? For, none of these victories are mean achievements. First, let us take the Ashes victory of England against.....no need to mention. Positives being that England beat the Australian team that was in full swing in 2005. At that time England had even whitewashed other teams like New Zealand(3-0), West Indies (4-0 & 3-0), Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. So, that is enough to show that even England was in full swing as was Australia. And another aspect being that, the then Australian team had Shane Warne in his glorious form. However, Glenn McGrath was fortunately absent for both the matches that England won. And England won both the matches by a whisker. The second match by 2 runs, and the fourth one by 3 wickets (with the target being just 130). And as a matter of fact, Australia won the first match by 239 runs. However, the third and the fifth tests were dominated by England, when they had a first innings lead in both the games.

Next on the list comes team India, who have defeated Australia more than anyone else (between 2003-till date). India have beaten Australia five times as compared to two each by England and South Africa. In 2003, India displayed a team effort, with all the batsmen in Sehwag,Laxman, Sachin,Ganguly and Dravid were equally excellent, and with the spin combo of Anil & Harbhajan to support them. India, in that series, had also almost pulled off a win at Sydney too. However, things were cool for India, for Glenn McGrath never featured in that series. Shane Warne however was of little worry for the Indian batsmen. Then, when India won the fourth test at Nagpur, India had already lost the series in 2004 (when Oz visited India in Oct 2004), and the margin of victory was very small (13 runs). Though India had an upper hand in the second test at Chennai, which was drawn owing to rains on the fifth day, when India needed 239 runs to win with 10 wickets in hand. One thing that is to be thought about is "Would have Australia lost the fourth test, had it lost the second one at Chennai?"The factor is still not clear.

The third one, ie the Perth test victory was somewhat better, for it was in Australia and India were under pressure after the Sydney test episode. Still, that was the beginning of the end of Aussie dominance. Then, in the recent B-G trophy, in addition to Australia's decline and the absence of Glenn McGrath & Shane Warne, India were playing Oz at home, which is an added advantage. With these factors, India should have won the series 4-0. Anyway, good that India never lost a test match. Then comes the third team South Africa, who have beaten the Aussies at their own backyard. But still, this was also against a declining Australian team, with the aforementioned match winners absent, and the remaining batsmen out of form. It is confusing to say. Is it Australia who lost or, was it South Africa who won? For, when Australia were in their winning days, all that South Africa could afford to was to grab a draw in the first test in Nov 2005. Then, SA lost 5 out of 6 tests to Oz. And, now, when things have cooled down, SA are making every opportunity count, to make history.

At the end, keeping the advantages and drawbacks that the teams had,according to me, it is not able to differentiate which team's victory against Australia was the best. Can U???

Tail Enders Are Front Runners

Well, since the teams over the world resumed cricketing ties after a couple of months went off without any cricketing action, owing to the cancellation of the ICC champions trophy that was to be held in Pakistan, the game of cricket has somewhat changed with respect to tests. This is what as a cricket enthusiast I felt. It has been the tail end batsmen, who have been walking away with the honors of the game, after the known batsmen were found to make a mess of their batting. This was the thing that was observed since the Border-Gavaskar trophy 2008 that was held in India-needless to be said.

In the first test at Bangalore, it was tail enders in Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan who held the scoreboard ticking, by scoring 54 and 57* respectively, after Australia put up 460 runs on the board. In the third test which was drawn, it was Craig White who scored 43 despite coming in at no 8. Coming to the first test between India and England, it was Matt Prior, a no 8 batsmen who scored an unbeaten 53 that halped England take a first innings lead, and for India, Harbhajan Singh's 40 aided in India's mammoth run chase. Then, in the first test between West Indies and New Zealand, it was Jerome Taylor for Windies who scored 106 to help them close in on New Zealand's 365 by ending at 340.

The way the Bangladeshi batsman Mushfiqur Rahim posed problems for Sri Lanka in the second innings is still afresh in the minds of the cricketing buffs. Until Rahim was there on the crease, Bangladesh had every chance of making history in the game of test cricket. And Rahim being a no 8 batsman is a delight. In the second test at Chittagong, it was another tail ender in Mushrafe Mortaza who displayed his delight with the bat by scoring 63. And, at last we have the recent South Africa-Australia series, where it was the work of tail enders who have seen their team through when everyone had called it as "all over".

Jason Kreza's 30* & 32 in the first test, that was followed by Dayle Steyn's 76 in the second test- which involved a 185 run partnership that saw South Africa register their first ever test victory on the Australian soil. And in the third, all credit should go to the Australian tail ender Mitchell Johnson who scored a handy 64 with another tail ender Nathan Hauritz who scored 40. This laid the foundation to Australia's victory in the third test. In the very same match, Albie Morkel scored 40 for South Africa, and the match ended with South African tail enders Dale Steyn and Ntini scoring 28, which is a rather good score as far as their batting caliber is concerned. So, it would not be wrong if the tail enders be considered as front runners, who in addition to bowling (which is why they are ther in the team) could also bat.

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?

The Aussie Debacle-Who Is To Blame?

As most of us think it to be, it is neither the retirement of most of the cricketing greats all of a sudden from the Australian squad. For, this was more the less expected. Its just obvious that the so called greats of the likes of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne would be retiring sooner or later. Or, did the Australian selectors be of the idea that these players would be serving Australian cricket forever or what? Australia did manage to win tests comfortably even without the services of these two great stalwarts, for as all of us are aware of, Shane Warne was banned from international cricket for a year and Glenn McGrath also lost a year inbetween, when injury forced him out.

For the case, Ricky Ponting was not available for the Border-Gavaskar trophy in 2004 that was held in India and Adam Gilchrist had to take the initiative. They did well to furnish Steve Waugh's dream of winning a test series in India by winning the series 2-1. And the fact was also that Shane Warne was no threat for the Indian batsmen. With the presence of Shane Warne who was in sublime form and Glenn McGrath as well, Australia lost the Ashes in 2005, after handing England a 239 run defeat in the first test, which had many think of England's whitewash, which didn't happen. It is just not fair for anyone to put the blame on the former players' retirement or even the lack of form of the present lot.

For, all of the greats who retired did serve Australian cricket to the maximum extent and their retirement was somewhere nearby. Who is to blame, if the Australian Cricket Board didn't take the matter seriously, if at all they were interested in Australia dominating the cricketing world? All the players who retired were in their late 30s. Didn't the Aussies have any considerable bench strength? Blame it on the IPL and the ICL, which made some players to dance to their tunes by sprinkling money. The category includes Jason Gillespie in particular. And where have the guys like Andy Bichel, Shaun March and others gone?

For, it is tough to find as to when did someone like Michael Beaven, Jason Gillespie, Andy Bichel- (who have played immense part in most of the Aussie wins) and likes play their last game for Australia before they one fine day called it a day? Did the selectors expect the aforementioned players to wait indefinitely for their turn to come so that they can represent the national side? Lets go to the situation when Steve Waugh was handed over the captaincy and all of a sudden players like Mark Waugh, Tom Moody, Damien Fleming vanish and, fellow players like Hayden, Gilchrist, Martyn, Lee etc being in their mid 20s and had lack of experience.

How come Steve Waugh was able to build that Australian team to a world dominating side and now Ricky Ponting blames the retirement of fellow players for his team's debacle? With all these facts in mind, one can come to the conclusion that all Ponting was found doing these days was to enjoy the good and hard work done by his predecessor-Steve Waugh and is now found to panic when things have gone beyond his control.

Where Do The Other Teams Stand?

Since the day South Africa beat Australia at Perth, chasing a total that went into the record books for the second highest run chase in tests, and more so after recently South Africa beat them once again in the second test to win the three match test series, all cricket bloggers have been writing posts citing the end of Aussie dominance. Yes ! This is true to a very great extent. And their recent 2-0 series loss to India in the Border-Gavaskar trophy need not be mentioned separately either. However, casting our eyes upon other teams as well would certainly give us a better idea as to who fare and how. Yes or No?

The recent test scorers off late have been of course India and South Africa undisputedly. And what about the other seven teams out there? Of course regarding teams like Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, it is a gone case. Then on the table there are the West Indians and New Zealanders at position eight and seven respectively. While the West Indies team have a beautiful track record of losing since a decade or so, New Zealand have joined them surprisingly of late. Keep aside their loss to Australia recently when they toured the same. For, some things can never be expected. And team India's run in tests outside home is still in a balance.

This conclusion not being drawn only owing to their test series loss to Sri Lanka in August earlier last year, but also due to the fact that they have hardly toured any nation down under. With the tour of Pakistan out of the list, the next test to watch would be against the Kiwis, when they will be touring the same in March. Still, that tour even if India wins, would not be satisfactory, given the New Zealand's poor run. And one more unnoticed aspect being that India haven't been able to grab any opposition completely. Only series wins and not whitewashes have been where India have restricted themselves to.

India beat the Aussies 2-0 out of 4 matches, a 1-0 win against England in 2 match test series, 1-1 against the Proteas and a 1-0 series win over Pakistan in December 2007. While, for South Africa it has been a 2-0 win over NZ in NZ last December, a 2-1 against Pakistan in Pakistan in October 2007, 2-1 win against in the 4 match test series against England and 2-0 against Aussies in the 2 games that have been played so far. Keeping these stats in mind, one can come to conclusions. Next team is England, who have series loss to South Africa, Sri Lanka (last December) and India of late, and wins against only New Zealand in the Nat West series. If not for the series win against India, Sri Lanka have nothing at stake, after their recent performance against Bangladesh. And last but not the least we have Pakistan, who have enjoyed more than anyone else with their wives & kids for the past one year.

Keeping these facts about other teams in mind, Australia have nothing to fear about despite their poor run in cricket. It was a misfortune that Australia faced the two teams that were of really some concern for them. Anyway, the Ashes are bound to remain in Australia this year too. This if Australia don't make 2005 once again.Bye..

And finally, Ponting's Nerves Start Ringing

Gone are the days when Ricky Ponting was in all praise for lifting the world cup on two occasions, to be in par with the West Indian legend Clive Lloyd. Gone are the days when Ricky Ponting had 16 consecutive test wins and had 22 consecutive unbeaten test streak. Gone are the days when no matter who was the opposition and who was batting or having a ball, but, the result being the same. Australia win by _ runs or _wickets. Full marks to Greame Smith for taming the not-mighty Aussies. Needless to be said, Austrlia's No 1 test position is numbered. No matter who the successor will be. Doesn't mind as to who will be the king of the test throne.

All the good work done by the then legends Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Gilchrist, Langer and many others are now coming to an end. Neither are Ricky Ponting & Hayden at their best, nor is Brett Lee at his bowling best. And thinking about replacements for the aforementioned legends would be just a waste of time. Now, that they have lost a test series to the Proteas at home, the fate of the present Australian team, which was until then the future of the present Australian team, is clear. This victory should not be taken for granted that South Africa dominate test cricket. Though the fact is that Australia no more dominate.

Even a single test win out of the series involving 3 matches, or for the sake, even a draw against the world dominating Australian team would have raised eye brows. But, it would be no surprise even if South Africa go on to win the test series 3-0. This owing to the fact that Australia is just another team and nothing else. Australia haven't been able to win a single test series outside, after winning the Ashes in 2007 (post Warne/McGrath). And could only manage to whitewash Sri Lanka just before the B-G trophy in Australia in 2007, which Sri Lanka came so close to winning-courtesy: Kumara Sangakkara's 192.

Now, Australia has proved where they now stand in test cricket. However, the Proteas now have a long way to go, in case they need to prove their worth in test cricket. For, a test series victory against Australia could also see South Africa lose to a comparatively weaker side like Sri Lanka on their tour. It is no great achievement for any team to beat the current Australian team, when the same team could not even settle for a draw during the days when Australia dominated world test cricket. And not a mean achievement either. This barring teams like Bangladesh whose ability to even draw a test match comes in for much praise.

A Test Match Chemistry

On 19th of December, two tests were scheduled. one of them being the second test between India and England, and the other one being the second test between West Indies and New Zealand. Both of them being the second, as well as the last test of the respective series. Both of them ending in a draw. And what is more coincidence that can be expected? Both the test series India-England and West Indies-New Zealand had both the tests starting on the same day. of course they ended too on same dates need not be said. The first test of both the series started on 11th December and the second test on 19th of the same month.

Something more special would be that once the test series that I mentioned above gets over, there will be exchange of the teams for the next series that is under schedule as per the ICC test tours table. India would be facing New Zealand in March-May coming year after the series against England is over. And on the other hand, England would be facing the West Indies, once the series against India gets over. This would happen somewhere in the month of January. Thanks to the cancellation of India's tour to Pakistan, which made this chemistry happen. Isn't this somewhat fascinating?

Another chemistry would be that Autralia will be touring South Africa once the current South African tour of Australia is done. This as you might be thinking may not be something special. But, guys please wait. More treat is yet to come. Let us go back some three years down the lane where South Africa visits Australia prior to the then VB series in December 2005, following which Australia tour the same South Africa during February the coming year in 2006. The history is found to repeat once again this year too. Noticed!!! Then, Australia had won 5 out of the scheduled 6 tests. If this time, South Africa be able to grab 5 out of 6 test matches, that would be really awesome.

And if one is ready to down the lane to the late 2003, there was the Border-Gavaskar trophy in December 2003, and the next one in October 2004 in India. Even in late 2007 there was Border-Gavaskar trophy held in Australia, and the following one in October 2008 (the coming year). India had retained it at the end of the 2003-04 series and passed it on to Australia in 2004. Similarly, Australia retained it in 2007-08 and passed it on to India in 2008. These series' are not scheduled like the Ashes (that are held for every two years). This is pure coincidence.

400...Australia..South Africa & Perth

Well..the number 400 however doesn't seem to go well with the Australian cricket team what so ever. This is even more true when it comes to playing South Africa I guess. This was proved once again on Sunday, when South Africa once again defeated Australia by 6 wickets in the first test between the two teams in Perth. Before this match, the way the South African team chased down a mammoth total of 434 some two plus years against Australia is still in the memories of all cricket loving people. And, how could one ever tend to forget such a great match. Sorry! the greatest one day match in the history of the game.

So was yesterday's match between the two countries, which would go down as one of the greatest chases in tests of all times. And a fascinating thing to be noticed is that this came outside home, compared to the West Indies' world record run chase of 418 against the same Australia, which came in the West Indies. However, the caliber of the then Australian team that included the likes of Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist and co..should not be left out. And for a team like West Indies, who can be assumed to flatter against even Bangladesh to get into such a great act is really appreciable.

This is the highest run chase in tests by a team outside its home country. I don't ever think that this needs to be told to anyone. So, now there is another team other than India to have beaten Australia at their own backyard. However, India have done it twice- once at Adelaide in 2003, and in Perth last year. Even this is needless to be said. However, a series defeat for Australia at home is a long way behind. The last that I can recall any such act is in 1992-93 against the West Indies where Australia lost 2-1 in the five match series. And India had leveled the series with Australia in the Border-Gavaskar trophy 2003-04.

If at all South Africa end up beating the Australians, it would be the end of the sixteen year drought. And, even the number sixteen doesn't seem to go well for the Australians in tests, for, their consecutive wins in tests has been halted at number sixteen on two occasions, and at both the times the culprit being India. So, even if the series is won by South Africa, it would not be a wrong guess. The venue for the first test was Perth- the venue where Australia suffered a test loss at the hands of India a year ago or so. So, it would not be wrong to cite all odds being against Australia this time against South Africa. However, matches are played on the cricket ground rather than on blogger's pens.

Who Will Be The Top 1 Test Team?

Well..as an Indian cricket fan, it was nice to know that India would be once again in the second spot, as per the latest ICC test Championship ratings, in case they win the series against. Even a 1-0 win for India would find themselves in the second spot. Coooool!India are showing signs of even making the ongoing test series 2-0, given their form and consistency in the series, especially after the victory in the first test at Chennai. All this after South Africa grabbed the place by defeating Bangladesh 2-0 in the recently concluded test series. Both the teams equally deserve it. And at the end, the best team gets it.

However, if teams India and South Africa are taken into consideration, it is really difficult to say as to which team deserves the honour. India, as I said in one of my earlier posts, have defeated stronger teams like England and Australia, to be considered in the race. And on the other hand, South Africa, are the only team in the world to have beaten a test playing nation on their home soil. This they achieved, when they beat England 2-0 in the four match test series the was a part of the Nat West series. And even beaten India on their home ptich, though the series was levelled.

South Africa even beat New Zealand in the two match test series last December 2-0. On the other hand, India have won the aforementioned test series' at home. Be it in the Border-Gavaskar trophy or in the ongoing test series against England. They lost the series against Sri Lanka, on their tour to the same 2-1, while South Africa have not lost any of the series what- so-ever. In India, they levelled with the home team. No series that India won were outside their home ground. The last test series which India won outside home was against England in mid 2007, when the first test (which India should have lost) was washed out by rain and India won the second, with the third being drawn.

Now, this shows that both the teams India and South Africa are equally in level compared their strengths, it is now the question as to who would be the number 1 team. Of course not Australia. It is the good work done by the retired lot, that Australia is now enjoying the top spot. Else their test record is no better than India or South Africa. I'm sick of citing their 2-0 loss to India. However the whitewash of New Zealand cannot be taken into consideration, bacause of the current form of New Zealand and also that was a match played at home. The ongoing test series against South Africa will surely test Australia's myth in test cricket. However, a series win for oz shouldn't be enough to convince. The only win outside their home nation was against West Indies, which should have been 3-0 ended in 2-0.

The series that would really test the Aussies' myth would be their tour to South Africa earlier next year in Feb-Apr 2009. The other team that would be a tough nut for Australia to crack would be Sri Lanka. But, a series between the two is nowhere in the near future. So, the South African tour would give a better picture as to whether Australia still deserve their top 1 spot in tests.

Some Positives From Australia On Dai 1

Finally, there was another good encounter on the cards, when South Africa took to the tour of Australia, which was, to a small extent in a threat of being called off, for silly reasons. The tour was in a doubt of whether or not to, when South African team members wanted to stay at home during Boxing Day on 26th on December. However, things didn't go too far in this regard. And finally, thanks that the first test between South Africa and Australia took off smoothly. And as expected by most of us, Australia did take an upper hand in this test in the first innings. But, things are not yet over. Needless to say, with three more days to go, it would not be wise to call someone off so soon.

However, Australia did make an impact by recharging themselves after the loss of three quick wickets. Thanks to some decent batting by Andrew Symonds, Brad Haddin, Michael Clarke, and Simon Katich- who held the innings together with them. But, still one should not forget the role played by the pitch and the depth in the all round capeabilities of the South African team. For, South Africa are the olny team in the world to have won a test series outside home in 2008. They beat India in the second test during their Indian tour, and then defeated England 2-1 in the latter part of the Nat West series.

No other team in this year has done in. Not even Australia. So, considering either of them as underdogs would be just stupid. Both of them are here to showcast their talent. Neither cann history, nor can the current form of the players can allow predictions to have its say. Had it been some three years ago, when South Africa had toured Australia the same season, things were different. No team in the world could match with the powerss of the Aussies.But, not anymore. Australia are just a normal team like some others for example South Africa, India and Sri Lanka. The time when they used to dictate the opposition is gone.

For a bowler in Brett Lee is no different from Makhaya Ntini or Zaheer Khan or Chaminda Vass.Australian spinners Jason Kreza & Camooron White are no match for Harbhajan Singh & Shane Warne. Nor are Haddin & Clarke superoir to Greame Smith, Virender Sehwag or Kumara Sangakkara in the present line up. With all these facts in front of us, it should be surprising for any one of us if Australia end up losing the series to South Africa. However, an Australian win would not raise any eyebrows..I'm sure and confident. In fact, if Australia white wash South Africa, it would be really amazing, bcoz, someone had predicted a whitewash for Australia, an Australian bowling legend..Who?..Yes..it is Glenn McGrath. And imagine the opposite of it happening???

Too Much or No Cricket

Well these days, as I have stated in some of my earlier posts, there was a time when there was absolutely no cricket played.It all started with the cancellation of the ICC Champions trophy 2008, which was to be held in Pakistan, citing security reasons.Then, we had almost a month and a half with out cricket.Not even some county league not any premier tournament like the ICL or the IPL.Thus, wasting so much time without any entertainment to the viewers nor any revenue to the sponsors and the cricket boards.And there was abandonment of the last two one day matches involving India and England.Well the action is justified.This was also the case with the second edition of the Indian Cricket League.

And finally there was a break when the Border-Gavaskar trophy kicked in.This was held in conjunction with the Bangladesh-New Zealand tests and one day matches.Once this got over, there were as many as five tournaments taking off simultaneously.This included England's tour of India,West Indies versus Pakistan at Abu Dhabi,Bangladesh in South Africa and New Zealand's tour of Australia, Sri lanka versus Zimbabwe, all these in addition to the second edition of the Indian Cricket League.Which one to watch and which one to leave?Out of these six tournaments, I hope none of them were worth the praise what-so-ever.All the matches were equally predictable and one sided.

Now, the drought has once again found to hit international cricket,starting with the cancellation of the last two one day matches and the Indian Cricket League games.I wonder what would be the fate of the test series involving India and England, with England going into the series without even a warm up game.The test matches involving Australia and New Zealand are over.So are the matches between South Africa & Bangladesh and WestIndies vs Pakistan.The one day series involving New Zealand and Australia would be held somewhere in February 2009.It looks like the scoreboard on my blog would be empty for another week or so.

So it would be on 11th of December when we get to watch an international game, when the first test between West Indies and New Zealand kicks in.On the same day, the first test between India and England takes off in style.God knows as to why two tours start and end on the same day.Even the dates during which the second test involving the teams mentioned above takes off at the same time on 19th December.What does the ICC get out of such bad timings of scheduling? Perhaps! Two days prior to the second test between India & England, the first test between South Africa and Australia takes off.So, then we would be having three test series' going on simultaneously.

I wish that the ICC plan the schedule of international tours in such a way that there is cricket round the clock.No clash betwen two series' happens and no situation arises where one keeps waiting for a series to kick in.Because, even the viewers are also the part of the game similar to the umpires and players.

An imbalance In The ICC Tours?

With some great plans by the international Cricket Council to globalise cricket,with sponsoring tournaments featuring teams like Bangladesh,Ireland, Kenya,Bermuda and much more,there is some thing that the cricketing world is not aware of as of yet.The thing is that not test matches of all combinations are being played.


Its been that test matches between some teams are played at regular intervals,while a preferred combination is found to be missed by fans.Some of those events that are found to happen are viz The Ashes-which takes place every two years,An Indo-Pak conflict that is found to take place every year since 2004,The Common Wealth bank Series-A tri nation tournament featuring Australia and two other teams,The Natwest Series in England....a few to name.

But,the other combinations for example:that of Australia & Pakistan,New Zealand and England,India & New Zealand etc are hardly played.The reason?

With Stats under consideration,India last played a test series against New Zealand way back in late 2003.Then an England-New Zealand conflict which is now under progress is happening after 4 years(after New Zealand last toured England in 2004).The last time Australia played Pakistan was in 2004,with the 2008 tour of Australia being in doubt.And its been almost three years since a test series between Australia and New Zealand have taken place.The (two)test series between South Africa & Australia which took place between 2005-06,was after a gap of nearly four years.

But,last year witnessed as many as 10 contests between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.Though not that serious,I feel that the ICC has to take a re look at its tours' table,keeping in mind the frequency of games played in combination.