Well the latest abuzz in the world of cricket is that India's most experienced pace bowler - Zaheer Khan will have to prove his fitness in case he has to relish his dreams of touring Australia for the Border - Gavaskar trophy starting late next month. This is not the case only with Zaheer Khan and not the case only regarding India - Australia tests. The most important players be it in any department, are found to withdraw during the serious phase of a test series. I remember Sachin Tendulkar missing out for the Border - Gavaskar trophy in 2004-05 played at home.
This proved a trump card for the Aussies who tasted victory on Indian soil after 34 years. So was the case in the Ashes 2005-06 where Shane Warne was found missing from the game which England won by three wickets. And, Glenn McGrath missed out in the only two tests which England won in that series consisting of five games. South Africa always have a problem with Jacques Kallis regarding his fitness whenever an important tour would kick in. But, luckily during such phases, we see Amla doing the job for the Proteas. The Pakistani pacer Wasim Akram was found warming the benches during crucial stages owing to injury.
The problem regarding fitness has more often got to do with fast bowlers than batsmen or spin bowlers. The reason regarding the same may be due to the fact that fast bowlers have to sweat it out more at the nets compared to players from other departments. Fast bowlers move their arms more often than players from any other department in cricket. The players who make it to the top ten can be cited as Sreesanth, Glenn McGrath, Allan Donald, Zaheer Khan, Javagal Srinath, Waqar Younis, Chaminda Vass, Brett Lee, Shoaib Akthar and last but not the least Shane Bond.
Very few from other departments like Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting make it to that list and that too seldom. Of course, in the last decade or so, Ponting has been on the top to miss a test match or a test series owing to injury. And, coming to spin bowlers, Anil Kumble tops the charts followed by Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan and Harbhajan Singh (noted spin bowlers of the world). Added to injuries, the impact of injuries are also found to target fast bowlers more than any other players. An injury to a fast bowler can be career threatening which would not be the case regarding players from other departments.
Showing posts with label Sreesanth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sreesanth. Show all posts
Monday, November 21, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Could not have been better for Kochi
They took four long years to make it to the Indian Premier League and it should be as mindblowing as it can get when they beat the former runners-up and along with it the number one team in last year's edition of the same. Howver, I am aware that my words make little sense for it is only the Kochi Tuskers Kerala who as a team are making their first appearance in the IPL and not its players especially in the game of cricket. Players like Sreesanth, Jayawardane and McCullum along with Muralitharan know what it takes to be the best.
If Sachin Tendulkar is someone who can do miracles with the bat, Muralitharan is another similar chap who can do the same with the ball. Someone like Sreesanth can play well for his home team-Kochi rather than some Kings XI Punjab needless to be said. But, much to anyone's surprise the same man from the same town was found to lack his place in the playing eleven. However, that should not be the matter to think about when it was the time to rejoice after Kochi handed Mumbai a 8 wicket defeat yesterday at Mumbai. Defeating a lion's team on its own den is better relished than missing out on a local lion.
The Kochi Tuskers Kerala team has been the pick of this edition of the Indian Premier League not only for their on field performance but also for the team that they have chosen to head with. They have batsmen of the likes of Brendon McCullum who is a hard hitting player famous for his 158 off just 74 balls in the inaugural edition and the inaugural match of the IPL when he blasted the RCB bowlers all over the stadium to score the only 150+ individual score of the IPL which stands even today. Other mad names include Muralitharan, John Hastings and Brad Hodge.
The highlight of the day was the hundred by Sachin Tendulkar which was I guess the first in his T20 career if the IPL is considered as a tournament. Otherwise, Sachin Tendulkar has hardly any T20 games behind him. For a change, he was not awarded the man of the match despite scoring a hundred which brigs up another rarity in cricket. That hundred according to me should have been the innings bestowed compared to McCullum's 81. When Sachin Tendulkar could have been given the man of the series last year despite being on the losing side, one has to wonder what deceived him yesterday.
If Sachin Tendulkar is someone who can do miracles with the bat, Muralitharan is another similar chap who can do the same with the ball. Someone like Sreesanth can play well for his home team-Kochi rather than some Kings XI Punjab needless to be said. But, much to anyone's surprise the same man from the same town was found to lack his place in the playing eleven. However, that should not be the matter to think about when it was the time to rejoice after Kochi handed Mumbai a 8 wicket defeat yesterday at Mumbai. Defeating a lion's team on its own den is better relished than missing out on a local lion.
The Kochi Tuskers Kerala team has been the pick of this edition of the Indian Premier League not only for their on field performance but also for the team that they have chosen to head with. They have batsmen of the likes of Brendon McCullum who is a hard hitting player famous for his 158 off just 74 balls in the inaugural edition and the inaugural match of the IPL when he blasted the RCB bowlers all over the stadium to score the only 150+ individual score of the IPL which stands even today. Other mad names include Muralitharan, John Hastings and Brad Hodge.
The highlight of the day was the hundred by Sachin Tendulkar which was I guess the first in his T20 career if the IPL is considered as a tournament. Otherwise, Sachin Tendulkar has hardly any T20 games behind him. For a change, he was not awarded the man of the match despite scoring a hundred which brigs up another rarity in cricket. That hundred according to me should have been the innings bestowed compared to McCullum's 81. When Sachin Tendulkar could have been given the man of the series last year despite being on the losing side, one has to wonder what deceived him yesterday.
Friday, December 18, 2009
The Only Way Benn Can Make News
The headlines today has its say that the West Indian batsman bowler player if not anything else has been handed over a 2 match ODI ban for reasons none other than being involved with an ugly spat with the Australian players Mitchell Johnson and Brad Haddin during the third test match between Australia and West Indies at Perth on Thursday. On the other side, Australia's Mitchell Johnson and Brad Haddin have been let off just with a petty fine I suppose. Reasons for this sort of biased treatment regarding the Aussies is not something new for the world of cricket.
However, coming to Sulieman Benn's case, one can just say that this is an act of publicity by the West Indian player. Or else, why should anyone target a West Indian player who despite being 28 years of age has played just 11 test matches and an equal number of one day internationals that is followed by 10 T20 games? The incident just reminds me of Vinod kambli who after being almost absent for almost a decade one fine day comes in front of the world just to say that it was his old team mate Sachin Tendulkar who was responsible for the debacle of his cricketing career.
The man under discussion is just a year and a half old when his international cricket career is taken into consideration. The man is yet to hit a six in international T20 cricket and has already made news for getting banned for 2 ODIs against Australia for sledging. All that his career can highlight is the 5 wicket haul he has been able to achieve against Australia in the second test in the ongoing series between the same two countries. This coming almost a year and a half after making his international test debut against Sri Lanka in March 2008 at Providence.
Not only Sulieman Benn but the entire West Indies team needs to maintain a lot of discipline taking into consideration their caliber and the position in test cricket they are placed not only in today's rating but also considering their test rating since the last decade or so. Of course, no one is expected to display such a sort of behaviour on the field in front of a million spectators on TV as well as in the stadium. However, someone like Steve Waugh, Glenn McGrath or Adam Gilchrist can be given a pass for such an act but not someone who is just a learner of cricket still in the initial stages of his career. May be this is the reason that the ICC has been taking more strict measures regarding sledging day by day.
However, coming to Sulieman Benn's case, one can just say that this is an act of publicity by the West Indian player. Or else, why should anyone target a West Indian player who despite being 28 years of age has played just 11 test matches and an equal number of one day internationals that is followed by 10 T20 games? The incident just reminds me of Vinod kambli who after being almost absent for almost a decade one fine day comes in front of the world just to say that it was his old team mate Sachin Tendulkar who was responsible for the debacle of his cricketing career.
The man under discussion is just a year and a half old when his international cricket career is taken into consideration. The man is yet to hit a six in international T20 cricket and has already made news for getting banned for 2 ODIs against Australia for sledging. All that his career can highlight is the 5 wicket haul he has been able to achieve against Australia in the second test in the ongoing series between the same two countries. This coming almost a year and a half after making his international test debut against Sri Lanka in March 2008 at Providence.
Not only Sulieman Benn but the entire West Indies team needs to maintain a lot of discipline taking into consideration their caliber and the position in test cricket they are placed not only in today's rating but also considering their test rating since the last decade or so. Of course, no one is expected to display such a sort of behaviour on the field in front of a million spectators on TV as well as in the stadium. However, someone like Steve Waugh, Glenn McGrath or Adam Gilchrist can be given a pass for such an act but not someone who is just a learner of cricket still in the initial stages of his career. May be this is the reason that the ICC has been taking more strict measures regarding sledging day by day.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
A Second nightmare For the Mumbai Indians?
Well everyone knows the spat that happened in the clash between the Mumbai indians and Kings XI Punjab.That was the spat between Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth (where Sreesanth was slapped by Harbhajan Singh which in turn led to Harbhajan Singh being suspended for the rest of the IPL matches).And this time also the result was the same as long as the clashing teams in Mumbai Indians and kings XI Punjab were considered.
Well the only thing that was different when compared to the earlier clash was that, this time the Mumbai Indians were seen putting up some sort of effort as against last time where,Mumbai Indians could manage to score only 116 for the loss of 9 wickets in response to Kings XI Punjab's 182.However this time,the match came close until the last ball was bowled.Unfortunately,the first bowl out of the tournament never happened till date.
But,as far as the Kings XI Punjab team were considered,it was only two men who took charge of their batting.Shaun Marsh and Pomersbach who when their scores were totaled in addition to the extras (12) summed to 172 out of the team total of 189. Meaning only 17 runs being scored by the remaining batsmen.But,what more could have been done with the Mumbai Indians reluctantly not being able to let-alone chasing down,but also failing to break the long standing partnership between the two.
Some patience in the last over by the Mumbai Indians would have helped solve matters to a greater extent I believe.As many as 4 run-outs,out of which two happened in the last over.One of Ashish Nehra (who risked by converting an impossible two into a three) and that of Chitnis (who hurried in taking a double when only one was on the cards).All these happening when a waist high full toss was bowled in the first ball of the last over.Still,the opportunity could not been utilized by the Mumbai Indians despite a handy half century from Sachin Tendulkar and the blistering works of Sanath Jayasuriya.
The only positives being that the audience who had gathered out there were able to watch some thrilling encounter.Still,we miss you "HARBHAJAN SINGH".
Well the only thing that was different when compared to the earlier clash was that, this time the Mumbai Indians were seen putting up some sort of effort as against last time where,Mumbai Indians could manage to score only 116 for the loss of 9 wickets in response to Kings XI Punjab's 182.However this time,the match came close until the last ball was bowled.Unfortunately,the first bowl out of the tournament never happened till date.
But,as far as the Kings XI Punjab team were considered,it was only two men who took charge of their batting.Shaun Marsh and Pomersbach who when their scores were totaled in addition to the extras (12) summed to 172 out of the team total of 189. Meaning only 17 runs being scored by the remaining batsmen.But,what more could have been done with the Mumbai Indians reluctantly not being able to let-alone chasing down,but also failing to break the long standing partnership between the two.
Some patience in the last over by the Mumbai Indians would have helped solve matters to a greater extent I believe.As many as 4 run-outs,out of which two happened in the last over.One of Ashish Nehra (who risked by converting an impossible two into a three) and that of Chitnis (who hurried in taking a double when only one was on the cards).All these happening when a waist high full toss was bowled in the first ball of the last over.Still,the opportunity could not been utilized by the Mumbai Indians despite a handy half century from Sachin Tendulkar and the blistering works of Sanath Jayasuriya.
The only positives being that the audience who had gathered out there were able to watch some thrilling encounter.Still,we miss you "HARBHAJAN SINGH".
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Indian Fast Bowlers-Just An Illusion?
With the past three to four decades taken into consideration,it can be said that India has produced one of the best fast bowling bunch in the recent times.With bowlers like Sreesanth,R P Singh,Ishanth Sharma,Zaheer Khan & Munaf Patel,it looks as though India have found the best quartlet of fast bowlers required to win a match.
No doubt that these people have in them a killer instinct to win matches in all three forms of the game,at home as well as outside.But,the question is as to what are these players' guarantee?Most of these fast bowlers are found to miss major tours either due to an injury or otherwise owing to lack of form.
If the recent past is to be taken into consideration,Zaheer Khan missing out on his tour to Australia is still fresh in the minds of the selectors.And adding to the fire is that the man is not available for the series against South Africa also.The man was found to dismiss South African batsman Greame Smith on four occasions during his tour to South Africa in 2006.
Then we have the great Sreesanth who was forced to miss the Australian test series and then the turn was of R P Singh's who was not even fit to be trained at the NCA-Bangalore.Now comes the daddy of them all who made news for the fastest ball bowled by an Indian-Ishanth Sharma.Only to be sacked by the selectors for the ongoing tour against Sough Africa.And the only man left over is Munaf patel who is at most of the times found to struggle with his line and length.Perhaps!the lucky of 'em all I can say because he can atleast make an entry into the playing XI only to be proved out of form by the opposition batsmen.
Well..one has to learn from the age old bowlers like Srinath,Venkatesh Prasad,Manoj Prabhakar,Kapil Dev..as to how fit they were.The team hardly missed their services due to any injuries.
No doubt that these people have in them a killer instinct to win matches in all three forms of the game,at home as well as outside.But,the question is as to what are these players' guarantee?Most of these fast bowlers are found to miss major tours either due to an injury or otherwise owing to lack of form.
If the recent past is to be taken into consideration,Zaheer Khan missing out on his tour to Australia is still fresh in the minds of the selectors.And adding to the fire is that the man is not available for the series against South Africa also.The man was found to dismiss South African batsman Greame Smith on four occasions during his tour to South Africa in 2006.
Then we have the great Sreesanth who was forced to miss the Australian test series and then the turn was of R P Singh's who was not even fit to be trained at the NCA-Bangalore.Now comes the daddy of them all who made news for the fastest ball bowled by an Indian-Ishanth Sharma.Only to be sacked by the selectors for the ongoing tour against Sough Africa.And the only man left over is Munaf patel who is at most of the times found to struggle with his line and length.Perhaps!the lucky of 'em all I can say because he can atleast make an entry into the playing XI only to be proved out of form by the opposition batsmen.
Well..one has to learn from the age old bowlers like Srinath,Venkatesh Prasad,Manoj Prabhakar,Kapil Dev..as to how fit they were.The team hardly missed their services due to any injuries.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Sreeaanth:Only Agression and Lack of bowling Form
Even after so many episodes of bad blood between oppositions for India in the recent tour of Australia down under,it seems like there is no end to the sledging episode after the first two days of the ongoing test match between India and South Africa.On the first day,it was between Sreesanth and South African captain Greame Smith,followed by the same Sreesanth with A B DeVilliars on day 2.
Well all these is OK.But,is the same thing being done when his bowling is taken into consideration?This is probably the million dollar question of the moment.Even the selectors seem to be duped by this Kerala lad with all his onfield aggresion,making news for all other reasons other than his devastating bowling that is the most required by him,which is also the reason for his inclusion in the team.
As far as statistics go,taking into consideration the matches (Test,ODI & T20)played after the T20 triumph,is as follows:0/47 in 4 overs in the T20 game against Australia,9 wickets from 4 out of 7 games against Australia at home(fitness to be noticed) at an average of 27.11;missing the test series against Australia shows his lack of fitness;and in the series against his 3 wickets in the only unconsequential 4th ODI game,where he was once again forced to miss the first 4 ODIs as well as the test series;and in the lone T20 game against Australia down under,he was the pick of the Aussie batsmen who belted him for 25 runs off 3overs;and offlate in the recently concluded C B series,some decent record of 9 wickets from 7 games,not to forget him missing 5 games altogether,which includes Sanath Jayasuriya belting him in the 2nd one dayer as though it was a T20 game.
But,this dude is found to make news only for his onfield conflict with someone like Symonds,for his dancing in South Africa after hitting a six off Andre Nel.The lone highlightes about his bowling would be the 9 wicket match haul in the first test against South Africa,which India won only to lose the next two.Some unnoticed thing that came to my mind when watching Sreesanth was the beamer he bowled at Peiterson.
Well..rather than taking the other routes to win the selectors confidence in him,it would be better for him to show his aggresion with the ball,before the BCCI becomes aware about his real attitude.Beware Sreesanth->"A short cut cut shorts your career"
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
No Cell Phone,No TV-Only Fitness Bussiness
Hmmm..Sreeshanth-who was forced to miss out on the four test matches against Australia owing to injury has now undergone ayurvedic treatment at Coiambatore.At the moment his parents wants everything but his son to miss out on the ODI series also involving Sri Lanka-started on Feb 3rd.Thats the reason probably he's out of reach whenever he gets a call on his cell phone.The routine which this Kerala Express is following these days is as follows:
*4:30AM-Wake Up,Suryanamaskaram
*6:00AM-Yogic Exersises including Meditation
*8:00 AM-Breakfast(Idly,Dosa or Pongal)
* 10:00AM-Adhere to fitness manual prescribed by Team India physio John Gloster
*1.00 pm: Lunch
*1.30 pm to 5.00 pm Rest
*5.30 pm Massages with various medicated oils
*7.00 pm: Exercise
*8.00 pm: Supper
*9.30 pm: Lights off
The above schedule shows how busy this Kerala Dude is.This is the reason as to why Sreeshanth didn't use his cell phone nor watch TV for 23 days-as ordered by his parents.Well Sreesanth,we all want you here in Australia.Especially Symonds!!!
Source:I didn't use a phone for 23 days: Sree Santh
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