Well recently, I came across Sachin Tendulkar's 50th ton in test match cricket and just though from where to where is the records heading towards. I can just recall the 34 centuries by the Indian batting great Sunil Gavaskar whose record was for a change broken by a non Sachin Tendulkar when Brian Lara scored his 35th test hundred against one of the eight test playing nations whose name is not important at the moment. This was some 5 -6 years down the lane. And now, Sunil Gavaskar's record stands in the 6th place behind Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting and Kallis.
Likewise, Sunil Gavaskar was the first and the only one until the above mentioned ones took his place and then overtook him to score 30 centuries in tests or more. Sunil Gavaskar was the only non colored player to have scored more than 30 hundreds in tests. The other batsman to cross 30 hundreds was Steve Waugh who had worn the yellow color. As a matter of fact, the color dress in one day cricket was introduced in the 1992 world cup played in Australia/New Zealand while Sunil Gavaskar retired from all forms of cricket in 1987. Since then, all the aforementioned players have worn their team color.
Now, with totally six players joining the 30+ hundred club, shifting our focuses on batsmen who have scored 20 or more hundreds, the list is even more long with batsmen from all teams barring Zimbabwe and Bangladesh being excluded from the list. The 30+ club includes 3 batsmen from India, 1 from South Africa, 1 from West Indies and 3 from Australia, with teams like Sri Lanka, New Zealand, England and Pakistan missing out from the list. However, the 20s club does not exclude batsmen from these countries with the list going endless with as many as 33 players from 8 nations making it to the club.
Coming to the one dayers, 17 centuries by Desmond Haynes was the highest ever scored which stood for almost a decade and now, that figure stands in the 10th position jointly held by Kallis and is ever decreasing. Similar to the fate of 30+ hundreds scores in tests, 20+ centuries in one dayers stand at number six with Jayasuriya, Sachin Tendulkar, Ponting, Ganguly, Saeed Anwar and Gibbs having achieved that. Keeping in mind these figures, there might be more number of batsmen in the days to come to score atleast 40 hundreds in tests and 30 in one dayers. Of course, very few might do a combo of 50 hundreds in both forms of the game.
Showing posts with label Jaques Kallis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jaques Kallis. Show all posts
Monday, January 17, 2011
Monday, March 15, 2010
The way the RCB's IPL campaign starts
Well despite the fact that yesterday the Royal Challengers lost their first match of the tournament to the Kolkata Knight Riders, this need not draw any sort of criticism be it from the fans, the owner or even the coach f the RCB- Ray Jennings. This has been the usual way the Royal Challengers kick start their IPL campaign by losing the very first encounter rather miserably be it against any opposition. This time as well, the result was no different when the RCB lost to the KKR who were positioned last on the points table in the previous edition held at South Africa.
It was to the same Kolkata Knight Riders that the Royal Challengers Bangalore lost miserably in the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League a couple of years back. That was the match where Brendon McCullum scored the highest individual score of 158* aiding his team to a total of 223 on the board. And, the Royal Challengers had absolutely no answer to McCullum's blasting shots. They gave up the match the moment a total in excess of 200 was put up on the board. The RCBs lost all their 10 wickets for a score of 82 runs on the board, which were 76 runs short of what McCullum could manage.
The only reason for the Royal Challengers to feel happy was that they did not lose all their 10 wickets despite being unable to challenge the Kolkata Knight Riders' bowlers. The RCBs put up a run rate in excess of 6 an over which at one stage of the match seemed a tough task. The RCBs made the KKR batsmen to come close to the ultimate over to score the winning runs. This can bring up the statement that "had the RCBs put up an additional 20 runs on the board, they could have well won the match" no matter to what extent the statement holds good.
Whatever happens, Jacques Kallis can never let his team down and this time as well he has done the same when he carried his bat throughout the innings despite wickets falling from the other end. At the same time, one cannot dispute the fact that the Kolkata Knight Riders were playing in the Eden Gardens wherein they are guaranteed the home advantage. This time, fortunately for the Royal Challengers, Brendon McCullum was not present in the KKR squad to remind the RCBs of the nightmare he had inflicted on them a couple of years back. Anil Kumble once again came back to his test playing days when he bowled 4 overs by not taking a wicket but still not even going in for runs as well.
It was to the same Kolkata Knight Riders that the Royal Challengers Bangalore lost miserably in the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League a couple of years back. That was the match where Brendon McCullum scored the highest individual score of 158* aiding his team to a total of 223 on the board. And, the Royal Challengers had absolutely no answer to McCullum's blasting shots. They gave up the match the moment a total in excess of 200 was put up on the board. The RCBs lost all their 10 wickets for a score of 82 runs on the board, which were 76 runs short of what McCullum could manage.
The only reason for the Royal Challengers to feel happy was that they did not lose all their 10 wickets despite being unable to challenge the Kolkata Knight Riders' bowlers. The RCBs put up a run rate in excess of 6 an over which at one stage of the match seemed a tough task. The RCBs made the KKR batsmen to come close to the ultimate over to score the winning runs. This can bring up the statement that "had the RCBs put up an additional 20 runs on the board, they could have well won the match" no matter to what extent the statement holds good.
Whatever happens, Jacques Kallis can never let his team down and this time as well he has done the same when he carried his bat throughout the innings despite wickets falling from the other end. At the same time, one cannot dispute the fact that the Kolkata Knight Riders were playing in the Eden Gardens wherein they are guaranteed the home advantage. This time, fortunately for the Royal Challengers, Brendon McCullum was not present in the KKR squad to remind the RCBs of the nightmare he had inflicted on them a couple of years back. Anil Kumble once again came back to his test playing days when he bowled 4 overs by not taking a wicket but still not even going in for runs as well.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, January 19, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Royal Challengers......?
Hmm..when the name Royal Challengers come to someone's mind one thing is for sure..either they are considered to be talentless,unlucky,not hard working..etc...But, if one could watch the match between the Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Delhi Daredevils,one difference that could be seen is that the Delhi Daredevils were found to make a tough going when the going got to be tougher and tougher.This was what the Royal Challengers Bangalore were found lacking.Throughout the tournament,all that the Royal Challengers could manage was a shuffle in their batting order and nothing else.Also some selfishness in the bowling department wherein there was a leading bowler in Zaheer Khan who emerged as one of the leading wicket takers though not helping his team win or even save some face for his team.
And this time in the match against Delhi Daredevils,Oh!what a fantastic position they were in when they had a 24 run last over courtesy:Misbah-Ul-Haq.Though not a decent total posted by the Royal Challengers Bangalore,there's no rule that it shouldn't have been defended.Likewise,the best example being the Kolkata Knight Riders who rattled the stumps of the same Delhi Daredevils when the total they were defending was a handy 134.What's something special in Shoaib is that his hand bends legally and that shouldn't have been a major threat-because the same bowler was shown the gallows by Sanath Jayasuriya against Mumbai Indians.
Now,I guess the debate of the hour is the lack of a batsman of the caliber of Jayasuriya?Why are the likes of Jacques Kallis and Misbah (who nearly pulled off a win in the finals of the T20 finals) there for?
And coming to the latter part of the same,a complete control after Sehwag left should have made much use of.For,the Delhi Daredevils were struggling at 123/4 (3 wickets for 33 runs).But...?
All eyes on how to make Anil Kumble a scape goat now have to look out for someone else as the team had him ending up with figures of 2/18 off his allotted 4 overs.A test like stats.Wow!And at last,it is too much late for Goswamy.And Virender Sehwag is really worth the praise for he led the Delhi Daredevils courtesy:19 ball 47.Yet once again missing out on scoring the fastest IPL fifty.So Sad!!!
And this time in the match against Delhi Daredevils,Oh!what a fantastic position they were in when they had a 24 run last over courtesy:Misbah-Ul-Haq.Though not a decent total posted by the Royal Challengers Bangalore,there's no rule that it shouldn't have been defended.Likewise,the best example being the Kolkata Knight Riders who rattled the stumps of the same Delhi Daredevils when the total they were defending was a handy 134.What's something special in Shoaib is that his hand bends legally and that shouldn't have been a major threat-because the same bowler was shown the gallows by Sanath Jayasuriya against Mumbai Indians.
Now,I guess the debate of the hour is the lack of a batsman of the caliber of Jayasuriya?Why are the likes of Jacques Kallis and Misbah (who nearly pulled off a win in the finals of the T20 finals) there for?
And coming to the latter part of the same,a complete control after Sehwag left should have made much use of.For,the Delhi Daredevils were struggling at 123/4 (3 wickets for 33 runs).But...?
All eyes on how to make Anil Kumble a scape goat now have to look out for someone else as the team had him ending up with figures of 2/18 off his allotted 4 overs.A test like stats.Wow!And at last,it is too much late for Goswamy.And Virender Sehwag is really worth the praise for he led the Delhi Daredevils courtesy:19 ball 47.Yet once again missing out on scoring the fastest IPL fifty.So Sad!!!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Vow Even The Royal Challengers Can Win!!!
After most of humiliating defeats in most part of the tournament,finally,the Royal Challengers could afford to snatch a victory.Though not fully deserving,atleast there was some relief for the crowd and the cheer leaders who had come over there to cheer the Royal Challengers.For a change,even the unlikey to fire batsmen of the caliber of V V S Laxman,Wassim Jaffer and Rahul Dravid were found to do some sort of contribution with the bat.However,even the Deccan Chargers are no way less when it comes to losing games.But,the difference being the big hitting names like Andrew Symonds,Adam Gilchrist,Rohith Sharma...unlike the Royal Challengers who are duped by the selection of Rahul Dravid.Jaques Kallis and Mark Boucher being the only positives when it comes to the batting involving power hitting.And on the other side with the likes of only Zaheer Khan to provide some sort of relief when given the ball in hand.
The only interesting ones that I can suggest is that between two weak teams and the other is that involving two strong teams.Unluckily,the match between Royal Challengers Banaglore and the Deccan Chargers falls into the first category.
The only interesting ones that I can suggest is that between two weak teams and the other is that involving two strong teams.Unluckily,the match between Royal Challengers Banaglore and the Deccan Chargers falls into the first category.
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