Captaincy- A Batsman's Right?

The last night's decision by the ECB to appoint Andrew Strauss as the captain for the upcoming series against the West Indies raised some questions as to whether captaincy is the job of the batsmen and rarely do bowlers are offered the job?This not only being the case regarding England team. But, a little bit of glance would reveal that if not for the New Zealand team, every other cricketing nation has elected a batsman as its skipper. The reason regarding the same is yet to be disclosed. Does anyone out thre know the funda of a batsman-captain relationship? If so, please tell me.

For, it has not been able for me to know as to what makes the selectors go in for batsmen when it come to selecting a captain for its side. For a team India, the present captain in M S Dhoni bats in addition to keeping wickets. And before Dhoni, it was handled by batsmen like Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and Mohd Azharuddin. Very rarely has there been a captain who is a bowler rather than a batsman. The rare exception being that of Anil Kumble, who was made India's test captain at the fag end of his cricketing career. Neither was Javagal Srinath nor Venkatesh Prasad were given the job despite being at the top of the bowling in their playing days.

And, for the West Indies, after Courtney Walsh retired after the 1999 world cup, the captains have been Jimmy Adams, Carl Hooper, Brian Lara and Chris Gayle off late. For Australia, fellow legends- Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath were never offerred the job whatsoever. The predecessors for Ponting have been batsmen in Mark Taylor, Steve Waugh and Allan Border, with Adam Gilchrist & Ian Healy doing the job in their absense. For Pakistan, the last five captains have been Shoaib mailk (present), Inzamam Ul Haq, Moin Khan, Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram. In this case, the two of them being bowlers.

For Sri Lanka, match winners in Mutiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vass were never ever offerred the job. Its been Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Attapattu, Mahela Jayawardane who took over the team's responsibility after another batsman Arjuna Ranatunga called it a day. The last bowler to captain England was, I guess was Dominic Cork, with no idea as to how long he continued. Then, it was Alec Stewart, Nasser Hussain, Michael Vaughan and now Andrew Strauss. At present the only bowler who is found captaining his side is Daniel Vettori, who took over from fellow batsmen Stephen Fleming, Adam Parore and Lee Germon (1996).

Last but not the least we have South Africa, who have elected a batsmen in Greame Smith, after Pollock failed to move to the super sixes of the ICC world cup in 2003. Before that it was Hansie Cronje, who was precedeed by Kepler Wessels and Peter Kirsten. Never mind that the aforementioned players have done justice to their role, but, miking bowlers take on their side would surely persuade youngsters to take up the job of bowling, which is ever diminishing day to day, with ICC bringing new rules every now and then to make batsmen's life easy.

2008: A Year That Bought A Revival In Cricket

You may say whatever but, the year 2008 was a year that bought some great as well as some most of the never-again like issues. Starting with the most popular one in the decline of the world dominating Australian team, with the retirement of Adam Gilchrist in particular, which followed by their second Commonwealth Banks series loss. If on one side there was team Australia who were fading from their days of excellence, there came India who, started emerging as one of the toughest competent who was on the hit list of the opposition. These being true both for on field performance and off the field issues as well. Indians have learnt to give back the verbal abuse what they received and at times even initiate the same.

If there was any team that hit the list for the most verbal exchanges on the field, it was none other than India. The list includes Harbhajan Singh, Gautam Gambhir, Ishant Sharma, Zaheer khan and not to forget our hero Sreesanth, to name a few. This being something that even the great stalwarts of Indian cricket like Sachin and Dravid were never found to learn despite their experience. Looks like not everyone would like to back answer with their bat and ball. I leave it to you guys to judge whether its worth the praise or not. Proceeding further, some changes include the introduction of big bucks in Indian cricket, that made even a Tom-Dick & Hary to become a crorepathi, with no room for comparing a player's performance with the money what he takes home.

And then on the list is the cancellations that took a toll this year, first as all of us are aware of, Australia and New Zealand cancel their tour to Pakistan where security never allowed them to breathe free. And this followed by the cancellation of the ICC Champions Trophy, which made most of us to miss this mega event. This being supported by South Africa as well, in addition to England and Australia. Probably, this was the first instance where the Australian and English brains in cricket worked towards same thinking. And then, India once again showed that they are no way less compared to Pakistan in getting the cricket tours canceled. This is of course needless to be said.

A year where Australia has lost more than it won is the year 2008. A year where a decent team in Pakistan goes without playing even a single test or an ODI (at home). Some consolation being the 3 one dayers against Windies at Abu Dhabi. While, the West Indies and New Zealand are least bothered about playing cricket, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have something to convey. But, it looks like there are no one to listen. Forget It! And, as per the ICC rules, the non test playing nations are supposed to come to light and make it to the sports page only when there is a mega event. Thanks to Pakistan who never let that happen. When the BCCI was busy cracking its head as to where will MSD play? Chennai Superstars or the test against England? Well, the Mumbai terror attacks had a solution to it.

Next comes the year of retirements, which was a continuation since its initiation in 2007. First being Shaun Pollock, for reasons best know to him. And someone like Scott Styris and Shane Bond, whose pockets wanted more and that took over their love & passion for cricket. India have a reason to smile, for the people who retired served their team with full heart and Ganguly's fans need not burn the effigies of the selectors anymore. And someone like Marvan Attapattu, whose dismal performance equals his contribution, nothing in particular can be said. So, guys, lets hope that the worst of 2008 never repeats and the best progresses to even more best in the year 2009. Wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year 2009.

30+ Players Bowl Out kolkata Knight Riders For a Mere 60+

If people's memories are short,here is once again a reminder for the team that was selected for the Common Wealth Bank series in which senior players of the likes of Sourav Ganguly,Rahul Dravid and V V S Laxman were left out owing to the false illusion of the fact that the team needs young legs (god knows why) and finally even stood by their selection when the team won the Common Wealth bank series 2008 in the first two of the three finals.Adding to that there was even the World Cup winning T20 side.And no credits to Sachin Tendulkar.

But,people,just take a look at yesterday's match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians.There was Sachin Tendulkar who took 4 catches to become the highest catch taker in a match,and then there was Shaun Pollock who took match winning figures of 3/12 and last but not th least Sanath Jayasuriya who had to sadly miss out on scoring the fastest 50 of the tournament.For he scored 48 of just 17 balls.But,some relief as he became the highest six hitter in the tournament by hitting 18 sixes to surpass David Hussey's tally of 17.

All of whom are aged 30+.Well on the other hand we even have players like Rahul Dravid,V V S Laxman,Ricky Ponting,Sunil Joshi etc who are found to prove these above written articles wrong.But,what about people like Robin Uttappa,Graeme Smith,A B Devilliars and few others who despite having young legs are yet to fire.Some firing young legs that I can show is Rohith Sharma & Goutam Gambhir.And there are even players like Parthiv Patel and Dinesh Karthick who can score a six only if the ball is extremely fast and hits the top edge.Congrats "Parthiv" on that(match against Delhi Daredevils in the first round).

Upsets After Upsets?

Well if there was Channai Super Kings in the last match,this time it was Rajasthan Royals who proved to be deceiving as good as a Shane Warne delivery that does to most of the English batsmen.The Rajasthan Royals lost the game to the Mumbai Indians- who were at the receiving end for most part of the tournament.But,now after the match against Royals,even Mumbai Indians have shown us what they are capable of doing.

A mean total of just 103?Is this the caliber of the team that has gone too forward in the tournament?Well I just couldn't believe in my own eyes!And some praise for Asish Nehra-who I'm seeing come up with a splendid performance only after a span of five long years.The last time I saw Ashish Nehra put up such a performance was in the league stage of the ICC world cup 2003 at South Africa where he came out with figures of 6/23 in a day-night encounter against England.

Only two out of eleven were able to put up a score of over 10+.And on the other side there was Robin Uttappa for the Mumbai Indians who took charge of their batting and put up a score of 34 unbeaten in 21 balls.And none the less for Shaun Pollock,Kulkarni and Bravo.

At the end I would like to say the the loss at the hands of the Mumbai Indians was only a strict reply to the ego of the Rajasthan Royals.

Mumbai Indians: From Rags To Riches

The icon player of the tournament is a gone case I guess.With Sachin Tendulkar postponing his debut in the Indian Premier League every match,it is high time that the fans give their hopes of watching the magic of this Mumbai lad in this form of the game too.But,the Mumbai Indians don't seem to put it in front of them like it was apparent from the way they started their T20 League.It was some relief for the Mumbai Indians' fans for they were found to beat the in form Delhi Daredevils who have had a great start.

And even this time there was a little bit of disappointment for Jayasuriya fans out there because,though he got onto a great start as he always does,he could not get the momentum going.He was found to blast the bowlers all over the fence,but the innings life didn't last too long.The batsman scored 34 runs off 16 balls which included 6 hits to the fence followed up by one six.It is really disappointing to see the batsman who has held the record for the maximum sixes in one day internationals,is finding it hard to even pound one or a couple of them over the fence.

But,Shaun Pollock was delightful to watch as he had put up an all round performance by picking up 2 important wickets and also blasting a 15 ball 33 to see his side through.Well the funny aspect of the match being that Virender Sehwag was unable to get the strike.The man was found face just seven deliveries from the first six overs.For the last two matches,the Mumbai Indians have been able to find one or the other inform player.If it was Sanath Jayasuriya in the last game,it was Pollock in the match against Delhi Daredevils.

Sanath Jayasuriya:A Balanced Cricketer

Well,all of you Jayasuriya fans would be rather disappointed when one saw the batting debacle the Sri Lankan dasher was found going through since the start of the Indian Premier League.But,guys..please relax!!There was something from this great hearted man on the cricket field.The man was found taking the best bowling figures of the tournament until date.The figures of 3/14 off his alloted four overs is still the best by any bowler in the tournament till date.And not to forget the two awesome catches that were taken by this 39 year youth,followed by 10 ball 18 that included 1 six along with two hits to the fence if not something more.

But,the highlight of the day being the stump breaking delivery off Ishanth Sharma to dismiss this left handed opener,not long before he had the initial damage done.And coming to the match,it looks like the Kolkata Knight Riders are second best to the Royal Challengers Bangalore when it comes to making a mess of their cricket,and also do not deserve to be there.A fact that even I recently came to know,the Kolkata Knight Riders have so far had only 1 batsman who has scored a fifty runs of more innings.The only edge that I can see in them is that of Ishanth Sharma and Brendon McCullum.The rest viz Ricky Ponting,Sourav Ganguly etc proving nothing worth.

Some handy contributions from the Mumbai Indians include the Shaun Pollock's 2 wicket first over and Dwayne Bravo's 65* which is the best score by Mumbai Indians till date.Some cheers for Mumbai fans eh?

And even Brendon McCullum is got to leave to fulfill his national commitment.God knows as to what will happen to the fans who have had so much expectations from these Kolkata Knight Riders,unlike Royal Challengers,for whom the fans have already called it off.Great going!!!

End Of A Polly Tale...

5th January 2008-a disappointment was waiting to happen for the cricket fans world over.A shocking decision from one of the world's leading wicket taker,one of the best known spearhead of South Africa-Shaun Pollock would be calling it a day.Shaun Pollock's decision to retire from international cricket was indeed a shock,atleast to me.At 34,when there was a lot of fuel left in his tank,this was not the right time for the South African spearhead to retire.

With the likes of Glenn McGrath and Pakistani pace Wasim Akram playing untill the age of 37,this 34 year old had absolutely no reasons to call off.With 393 scalps in ODIs to his credit,Shaun Pollock now stands fourth only behind Wasim Akram(502),Muttiah Muralitharan(457),Waqar Younis(416).And,when it comes to tests,he stands eighth with his wicket tally at 420.

Seven more wickets in ODI's and Shaun would have joined the elite group of Wasim Akram(502&414) & Muttiah Muralitharan(457&718) to become only the third player in history to have taken 400 or more wickets in both forms of the game.

Shaun was a part of that South African team under Hansie Cronje which could defeat any team inbetween 1995-1999.During the period between Apr 1996-Nov 1996 Shaun Pollock was a part of that South African side that had won 11 consecutive ODIs.The man is the said to have drawn inspiration from dad legendary South African cricketer Peter McClean Pollock and uncle Greame Pollock-And to his bad luck,was not the playing XI of the South African team that made history by chasing a world record total of 434 at Johanesburg on 12th march 2006

The man was a favourite bowler of mine admired for his medium pace and accuracy.The man is also the highest wicket taker for South Africa in both forms of the game.The way he ended his fabulous 13 year old career is just awesome-a 5-0 sweep against West Indies,where he hit the winning runs for South Africa in the fifth and final ODI at Durban.Hardly noticed by anyone,this lanky pace bowler joins the elite group of having topped for his team as the highest wicket taker in both forms of the game.The other player in this club include-Wasim Akram(Pak),Anil Kumble(Ind),Courtney Walsh(WI),Mohd Rafique(Ban),Muttiah Muralitharan(SL) and Heath Streak(Zim).

Hmm..if roumurs are to be beleived,this man is likely to play in the upcomming Indian Premier League(IPL) T20 startig this April.The man will be missed by fans world over.You've disappointed me my dear...very bad of you!!Anyway Cheers Polly..have a gr8 day!!!

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