Dipz Cricket World

South Africa V England Test Series 2009 - 3rd Test - England Escapse As South Africa Choke

noreply@blogger.com (Dipz Cricket World) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:07:00 +0000

England have once again escaped defeat for the second time in this series which shows there resilience and mental strength which they have developed under Andrew Strauss captaincy and take a 1-0 lead with one test to play. Where for South Africa they will be thinking they should have had this series in the bag as they have been unable to take the final wicket twice and it has cost them a chance of winning the series.

The name of the game for England was to bat time which was not an impossible task as it was still a very good batting wicket like you would see on day 4. South Africa knew they had removed England’s top 3 batsmen on day 4 which should make there task a lot easier in taking the final 7 wickets.

The question for South Africa was there bowling attack up to the task on the final day as they had shown in 2008 winning in England and Australia they had the bowling attack for any day But in this series they have not shown the same where Ntini has gone off the radar, Morkel has been there best bowler, Harris not being the same and Steyn coming back to his best form.

The morning session was all South Africa as England only scored 46 runs in 28 overs with predictable wicket of James Anderson who lasted 45 minutes which would be invaluable in the final result but the bonus for Smith was Trott’s off stump was carted out of the ground by Dale Steyn. South Africa went in to lunch with there tails up and knew the new ball was going to vital which has caused England’s collapse in the first test.

Steyn was given the new ball and it was a beauty of spell as he kept on beating Paul Collingwood’s outside edge on a number of occasions but to no avail. As the new ball burst was over Bell and Collingwood continued to bat admirably and frustrate South Africa as they could not break the partnership during the afternoon session as 51 runs were only scored. The last over the afternoon session was going to key as Duminy came on to bowl and troubled the batsmen.

There were 34 overs left in the day and Duminy continued to trouble the English batsmen as Harris who seemed to have choked as the part timer was out bowling him. Runs were not the key for England but there were some milestones as Ian Bell reached a crucial 50 and a career defining and 100 run partnership with Collingwood. It seemed the test was going into a draw with 13 overs left but Duminy removed Collingwood from around the wicket and the game had changed and like Cardiff, Collingwood had to watch on. Smith bought more fielders around the bat as Duminy removed Prior with 7 wickets down, with the game going into the last hour there were 11 overs left and the day’s play had to end on 5:47pm.

You would have thought Broad and Bell were going to save the test for England with only 4 overs left and Harris removed Broad who reviewed it and the 8th wicket had gone down and the tension increased. Graeme Smith was having an excellent game with 3 overs left he gave the ball to Morkel and with his first ball he removed Ian Bell who had a faultless innings till he provided an easy catch to Smith and it was down to Graham Onions once again to bat out the test for England.

Onions had to face the last over bowled by Morkel and the first four balls were played brilliantly by Onions. The 5th ball was dug in short which went past Onions’s forearm and the desperation of Smith he called his last review hoping it would show a deflection of the bat which it did not and the last ball was no trouble. Onions celebrated in his typical manner with a punch in the air which is something all England fans are enjoying and getting use to.

England has shown they have progressed immensely in the last 8 months where South Africa have gone in the opposite direction and will be desperate to win the third test and avoid a second successive test series defeat at home.

South Africa V England Test Series 2009 - 3rd Test - South Africa Favourties To Level Series

noreply@blogger.com (Dipz Cricket World) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:51:00 +0000

England looked at one stage to be making history and the real possibility of chasing 466 and South Africa know all about breaking records but three soft dismissals have given South Africa control and favourites to level the series.

England had there backs against the wall with South Africa already having a lead of 330 when the days play started and were looking to increase it as quickly as possible. South Africa was not able to increase the scoring rate as they would have liked with having scored only 75 runs in the morning session. Graeme Smith scored another 21 runs as he was removed on 183 with Collingwood taking an excellent catch of the bowling of Onions. The next three South African batsmen looked to play there shots and scored at a good rate which allowed Smith to declare 40 minutes after lunch on 447/7 a lead of 466.

Both Strauss and Cook knew that they had to be positive in there batting on a wicket that was only getting better as the test went on. There ensured the first part was done well as they reached 38/0 with Cook on 21 and Strauss on 15 and what was the most important they avoided any damage with the new ball from Morkel and Steyn which was there biggest threat.

Cook looked to be back to his best form after a century and a 50 in his last two innings and he scored runs in his typical manner on the leg side and leaving anything outside the off stump. Cook reached his half century of 105 balls and England reached there 100 in the 36th over and they looked in a very strong position to reach 466 but Cook lost his wicket as he went to pull De West and gave Boucher his 100th test dismissal. What was good about the 105 opening partnership by Strauss and Cook was they looked to attack Harris but 18 balls later Harris removed Strauss on 45 and after being in a dominant position they had handed the initiative to South Africa.

England would have hoped that both Pietersen and Trott can play the big innings that they have not done this series so far but before that was possible Steyn got the big wicket as he got the big wicket as he trapped Pietersen lbw. It was a massive wicket for South Africa who knew Pietersen could have stood in there way of winning the third test but for Pietersen it is a blow whose quiet series continued and would have hoped to have had played a big innings when England needed it the most. Anderson came in as a nightwatchman once again and batted bravely as he and Trott were able to bat out the last 22 balls.

Graeme Smith was positive in his declaration which has allowed his bowlers to take 3 English wickets compared to the first test where they could only take 1 by the end of day 4. England has there back against the wall and it will require the same determination, effort and luck if they are to escape another defeat on the 5th day. For South Africa they will be looking to get early wickets which will settle there nerves and only increase them in the England dressing room where Strauss will be hoping that Anderson can bat as long as possible in the morning session and frustrate.

It should be a fascinating day of test match cricket…

Pakistan Choke as Australia Prevail

noreply@blogger.com (Dipz Cricket World) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 08:50:00 +0000

For Pakistan, this isn’t the one that got away as much as the one they threw away. It really is quite hard to work out how they lost. Yes, they should have had a greater first innings lead, tyes hey shouldn’t have been chasing as much to win but none of that matters – at the end of the day they only needed 176 to win a Test match and couldn’t.

Why were they in such a hurry? They had a day and a half with which to get the runs. They should have batted sensibly and scored their runs in a wise fashion. Instead they gifted Australia their wickets.

Their batting has badly let them down in the first innings they went from 2/205 to be 333 all out. So they lost their last 18 wickets for 267. This simply isn’t good enough.

Cricket betting is going to think twice before making Pakistan favourites again. They controlled most of the test match but then wilted badly when it counted.

Furthermore how can this be the same pitch that Hussey and Siddle combined to score 123?

Pakistan will be kicking themselves and rightly so. Australia though did its fair share of things right. Obviously Mike Hussey batted very well. Yes he was gifted three lives by Kamran Akmal which basically would have won the game for Pakistan but all credit to Hussey. He batted with a determination and grit that none of the Pakistanis did.

This win will give Australia a lot of confidence moving on. Knowing that they can bounce back from positions such as this. This is only the sixth time in the history of cricket that a side has won after being behind by more than 200 on the first innings. Interestingly enough all six instances involve Australia where most famously they lost to England at Headingley in 1981 and to India at Kolkata in 2001.

If the win could be any more satisfying to Ricky Ponting there is all the criticism he received after deciding to bat first. It all turned out ok in the end. Funny thing about Sydney – something dramatic always seems to happen there.

Challenge now is for Pakistan to regroup – won’t be easy as losses like this haunt you for a long time.

David Wiseman writes for this blog. He also writes about the Australian Open.

South Africa V England Test Series 2009 - 3rd Test - Smith Century Gives South Africa Total Control

noreply@blogger.com (Dipz Cricket World) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:24:00 +0000

Captain Graeme Smith produced one of his best innings to put his country in total control after being hurt of the humiliating defeat in the second test as he made Strauss and England suffer in baking heat which could not only be the defining day of the third test but of the series with one more test to play.

The morning session was the important sessions and the question was could South Africa do what England did them to them in the morning of day 2 or can England avoid it. In the very first over Morkel removed Swann with the fourth ball of the day and then Anderson the very next ball as he collected his fifth wicket but missed out on the hatrick. It seemed England would not last as long as South Africa did on day 2 but Matt Prior played his shots and reduced the deficit and he fell on 76 as Steyn picked up his 4th wicket giving South Africa an 18 run lead.

The third test was know a one innings test and South Africa started off slowly and with expected the loss of Prince to Swann. That was the only success England were going to taste in the next 54 overs which conceded 230 runs in the heat where Smith and Amla punished the English bowlers and this where Strauss may have been thinking where he wished that he had a fifth bowler. Smith and Amla were involved in a record second wicket stand at Cape Town where Amla had set the early pace. As England faster bowlers were struggling in the heat, Strauss could rely on Swann whose economy was the best at the end of the day and he had numerous opportunities to remove Smith and there was one which was referred but replays gave Smith the benefit of the doubt and his innings continued.

It was the afternoon session that South Africa went on the accelerator and looked to increase the rate and put England on the back foot as both Amla and Smith did not put a foot wrong. 109 runs were scored in 29 overs and Amla out scored Smith as he ended the session on 73 scoring 12 of his 14 boundaries before tea where Smith had scored 65 where he scored his 50 of 80 balls 5 more then Amla.

If England thought the afternoon session was bad the evening session they must have felt alone on the field as South Africa grinded England as 147 runs were scored with the loss of one wicket. Both batsmen were looking to score centuries as they looked to increase there lead and bat England out of the test. Smith increased the tempo of his innings knowing that England were helpless as he scored 97 runs of 117 balls compared to his innings prior to tea having scored 65 of 123 balls. Unfortunately for South Africa and Amla he missed out on his second century of the series as fell to Swann on 95. But Graeme Smith did not make the same mistake as he scored his fifth test century against England which came of 170 balls which resulted in Strauss becoming defensive and looked to save the boundaries and increase the lead. Smith did not alter his game as he carried on attacking and did not care who the bowlers were and Strauss gave the ball to Trott hopefully he can get a mistake from the batsmen but that was no good as he conceded 30 runs of his 5 overs which included 4 boundaries in his last 5 balls and Smith reached 150 of 218 balls and the fourth time he has reached that landmark against England. Smith’s partner Kallis did not try anything flashy and ensured that no more wickets fell in the day and that South Africa stayed in total control of the test.

South Africa could not have wished to be in a better position with a lead of 330 and there tow main batsmen Smith and Kallis still at the wicket. For England it is damage limitation as they will look to stop the boundaries being scored but the test for Smith will be when will he look to declare and give his team bowlers enough time to get 10 second innings wickets to level the series.

Cricket Ten Years On - Part 3 - Moments Of The Decade

noreply@blogger.com (Dipz Cricket World) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 02:00:00 +0000

Where do you start with the best moment of the decade there have been so many team performances and individual innings that stands out the most or even just a moment in a test or one day match.

The following nine moments are in no particular order where I will relieve the best moment of the decade

• India’s come back against Australia in the second test of the 2001 series in Kolkata and went on to win the series 2-1

• Shane Warne deservingly reaching his 700th test wicket at the MCG in the 2006/2007 Ashes series and removing Andrew Strauss would have been even more pleasing

• England winning back the Ashes in 2001 at the Oval after such a long wait

• Andrew Flintoff sportsmanship with Brett Lee in 2nd Ashes test in 2005 after England has just won by 2 runs

• The respect for Steve Waugh’s by his team-mates and his adoring fans on his last innings at the SCG against India in the 2003/2004 series

• South Africa scoring 438 in the second innings of the 5th and deciding match in the 2006 series chasing Australia’s mammoth 434

• The first ever final between India and Pakistan in the first Twenty20 World Cup final and it did not disappoint as India won there first major trophy since the 1983 World Cup

• Pakistan winning the 2007 Twenty20 World Cup after all there recent troubles and to have played Sri Lanka in the final who were the team that were attacked when they toured Pakistan in March 2009 it was meant to be

• Shane Warne leading his team Rajasthan Royals to the first IPL win, to have done it with such a shoe string budget and were written off by everyone. His captaincy, leadership, motivation, desire and his belief in his team is what was won Rajasthan the IPL

The list of moments in the decade could go on forever, it is impossible to limit it but the moment of the decade has to be December 2008 when England toured India and there was a bomb attack at the Taj Hotel after the 5th one day match which meant the test series may not go ahead. It finally did in Cheanni and India chased down 387 on the last after Sehwag’s blistering attack in the evening of day 4 but for Tendulkar to have taken his country to victory and also who is a Mumbai boy is the romantic side of cricket.

South Africa V England Test Series 2009 - 3rd Test - South Africa Just Ahead

noreply@blogger.com (Dipz Cricket World) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:54:00 +0000

A total of 11 wickets have fallen for 253 runs on a wonderful clear day and the back drop of the mountains made it the most attractive day of test match cricket around the world.

England could not have hoped for a better start to the day with Graham Onions who got his line and length perfect and removed Jacques Kallis without adding to his overnight score. In the very next over Anderson removed Steyn with his first ball and with the 4th ball of the over Morkel was removed for a duck. Anderson in his very next over removed De West and South Africa innings lasted 17 balls, 15 minutes and they lost there last 4 wickets for 12 runs.

Not even Strauss would have predicted such a start to the day and it was crucial for him and Cook to capitalize on a strong start but in the very first over Strauss is nemesis Morkel removed him with as he was caught by Boucher. It was the perfect start by South Africa as Strauss has been England’s best batsmen in the last 18 months. Dale Steyn had operated as first change after his poor comeback in Durban and he rewarded his captain Smith as he removed Trott and then Pietersen for a duck and England were reeling on 36/3. Collingwood came in and played his natural game and ensured England lost no more wickets as they went into lunch on 64/3 with a total of 7 wickets in the morning falling for 66 runs in around 25 overs.

The 8th wicket of the day fell as Collingwood fell on the 12th ball after lunch Morkel took his second wicket of the innings. Ian Bell walked in with England really struglling unlike in Durban they were on top and it required another type of innings from him that would test he character and mental strength. Both Cook and Bell looked more confident after there performance in the last test and it seemed they were bringing England back into the test, Cook was even more stubborn leaving anything outside the off stump as he scored most of his runs on the leg side. Cook’s downfall was his loss of concentration after tea as Morkel got another breakthrough this innings and Bell responded in perfect style as he hit Steyn for 3 boundaries in the very next over. Bell looked like he was going to play the crucial innings for England when his team-mate has not scored a century but once again Bell was maybe over too confident and he gave his wicket away on 48 and England were looking at giving South Africa a sizeable lead.

Prior came to the wicket knowing that he had to play a different type of innings to what comes to him naturally but he batted with great determination but with no timing at all which had seemed to have deserted him. His innings of 52 by the end of the day was invaluable for his team and his 50 which came up in 95 balls was what was required. He shared a partnership of 51 with Stuart Broad before Steyn removed him with 5 overs left of the day and he collected his 3rd wicket of the innings. Prior and Swann kept the new ball out for 10 deliveries and they ended the day on 241/7 and 50 runs behind South Africa’s first innings score.

On day 3 South Africa will hope to do the same what England did to them and take as many runs as they can into there second innings. Both Prior and Swann will know the new ball is key for both and if they can avoid losing any wickets they can push on and even try and get a lead of 350.

Australia v Pakistan Test Series 2009 - 2nd Test - Pakistan Lead By 204

noreply@blogger.com (Dipz Cricket World) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:10:00 +0000

Pakistan have taken a massive step to win their first test in 15 years in Australia where they have a lead of 204 at the end of day 2 but where it could have been far bigger if the set batsmen had not lost their wicket. The Pakistan batsmen had showed their patience where the morning and lunch session were more slow paced compared to the evening session where 141 runs were scored.

The platform was set by the openers Farhat and Butt who were resolute in there stand of 109, they batted very patiently and were determined not to give there wicket away as they only scored 70 runs in the first session for the loss of no wickets. The lunch session was more open as the batsmen started to play more shots once they negated a tough opening session unlike the Australians, and they were rewarded with quick runs as Farhat firstly reached his 50 of 129 balls but he did not last too long as Hubris got him to sweep which got the top edge and the Australians had their first wicket. Butt reached his half century of 129 balls also and looked good to score his second century in Australia. He had hit Johnson all over the ground after lunch but Johnson got a ball to keep its line and length and it got the outside edge of Butt and he was out for 73.

Both Iqbal and Yousuf were looking good as Pakistan were increasing their lead on a wicket that was getting drier by the minute and they knew every run was going to be vital. But Australia were not going to give in as Siddle removed Iqbal and the third wicket fell on 205. The wicket bought in youngster Umar Akmal who has been a pleasure to watch so far and he continued his brilliance as he scored 20 runs all in boundaries of the first 7 balls which made his captain look very ordinary who scored 27 of 28 balls.

Pakistan had increased their run rate after tea but their inexperience showed as they played one too many shots as Australia remained persistent. Both Yousuf and Umar fell short of their half centuries on 46 and 49 and by the time Umar fell Pakistan were 277/5 a lead of 150. Australia will be pleased with the next 11 overs which have allowed Pakistan not to get away from them as the restricted Pakistan to scoring only another 54 runs and taking 4 wickets. Much can be said about this Australian attack but what they do have is the heart to keep on bowling as Doug Bollinger showed as he removed two key men in Misbah and Kamran Akmal who could have taken the game away and increased the lead in no time.

331/9 a lead of 204 is a very healthy position for Pakistan where they could have been in a far better position had their batsmen been more ruthless. For Australia a deficit of 204 with one wicket to take is not impossible but history is not on their side unless they produce a repeat of Kolkata in 2001 which is unlikely.

South Africa V England Test Series 2009 - 3rd Test - Kallis Century Halts England

noreply@blogger.com (Dipz Cricket World) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 19:01:00 +0000

Jacques Kallis played another vital innings of 108 just when South Africa required it when his team had there backs against the wall at 51/3 and take them 279/6 at the end of the day where it seems a wicket where runs in the first innings will be invaluable.

England won the toss and elected to bowl first and stuck with the same team but where South Africa made the big decision of dropping favourite Ntini for De West who nearly took South Africa to victory in the first test.

The first session of morning was delayed due to a wet out field meaning only 19 overs were allowed and it was dominated by England. It was the perfect starts as James Anderson removed Prince with the fourth ball whose poor form in the series continued. Smith had some luck and was dropped by Swann of Onions bowling where normally it would have been Collingwood in slip normally but then Smith took advantage of that fortune. Amla joined Smith after the fall of Prince had his own fortune as Onions, Broad and Anderson had there chances but on his 56th ball Onions trapped his man lbw

Soon after lunch Anderson removed Smith for 30 and they were reeling on 51/3 and De Villers joined Kallis and they looked comfortable in a partnership of 76. There early problems looked quite a long way but then Swann could not be kept out of the game as he removed De Villers caught by captain Strauss and very next ball he removed Duminy with the perfect delivery which caught the edge of the bat and after looking comfortable at 127/3 they were in trouble on 127/5.

Boucher came in and played the type of innings that he is known for as he took the pressure of Kallis and counter attacked the England bowlers and he reached his 50 and was out soon after as Broad got his first wicket. In a surprising move Smith promoted Steyn who was confidence after his innings of 47 at Durban and supported Kallis in a partnership of 62. But the day belonged to Jacques Kallis as he scored another excellent century but what was more impressive it was very hot conditions and he gave one chance when he was on 64 which went over the slips but clear of Strauss. England was being reminded about the innings that Kallis played in the first test and that can budge Kallis mindset. The tempo Kallis batted at was quite perfect for the situation South Africa were in where he came when he had to rebuilt and he scored his 50 of 106 balls and then he accelerated his innings as he scored his century of 173 balls.

Kallis will look to build on his century and take South Africa close to 350+ knowing that can be a match winning innings as history suggests. England will want to break this partnership early before both Kallis and Steyn get there eye in and restrict them to 320.

Australia v Pakistan Test Series 2009 - 2nd Test - Asif Shines As Australia Collapse

noreply@blogger.com (Dipz Cricket World) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 13:37:00 +0000

After Ricky Ponting’s bold captaincy in the Boxing Day test match which he was applauded for but a few days later in the New Years test as the SCG his decision to bat on a green top was bizarre and probably over confidence and now his team are severely have got the backs against the wall if Pakistan are able to bat sensibly knowing time is on there side.

Play got finally underway after lunch with the coin toss at 2pm and both teams had to make a forced change with Phillip Hughes replacing Simon Katich and Sami replacing Mohammad Aamer.

Once play got started there were 14 overs before the drinks breaks and it was all Pakistan who made most of the bowling conditions and made Ponting rue his decision to bat. Sami was a last minute selection and boy did it pay off. It firstly seemed it was the same old Pakistan as they Umar Akmal dropped replacement Hughes but in the very next over Sami removed Hughes get him to push at ball and the very next ball removed Ponting who went after a shorter ball and deserved a hatrick but the umpire did not give the lbw to Watson. In the 5th over Australia were 2/2 and with the last ball of the 8th over Sami got his man Watson and Australia went into the drinks break with 3 wickets down and needing to re group before it got too embarrassingly.

The next 13 overs till tea were even more eventful as it was now the Mohammad Asif show as he made Australia suffer with firstly removing Michael Clarke who was cleaned bowled. It was down to the two left handers Hussey and North to repair the damage but all they could do is add another 15 runs before Hussey was caught by Misbah and Marcus North went the very next ball going for a ball outside off stump. One more wicket fell before tea and that was off Haddin who was not going to last too long and Australia gone into tea 67/7.

Australia were looking at being bowled out for below 100 but Johnson and Hauritz provided some fight in a partnership of 44 and in one over from Daniesh Kaneria they scored 17 which gave the score some respectability till the next wicket fell. Asif picked up his fifth wicket as Hauritz was bowled with Australia on 106 and Johnson fell on 117 which was Asif 6th wicket Umar Gul the third of the pace attack picked up the last wicket of Bollinger and Australia were bowled out for 127.

Pakistan were on high and with momentum for them they came into bat which could be a tricky period for them seeing what there pace attack did to Australia. Both openers Imran Farhat and Salman Butt had there scares but they survived 25 balls scoring 14 runs before they were offered bad light.

It was an eventful day of test match cricket and this was always possible as Pakistan bowling attack is irresistible against an Australia batting line up which is unpredictable. Pakistan has the chance of taking the game away from the Australia as they were helped by the fielders who supported the bowlers in taking there catches now the batsmen which has been vulnerable need to ensure they make most of this opportunity and bat once with time on there side.

Cricket Ten Years On - Part 2 - 2007 to 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Dipz Cricket World) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 04:00:00 +0000

With all eyes on the World Cup in West Indies, Australia was looking vulnerable and there 3-0 series defeat in New Zealand was a shock to the system. New Zealand chased down scores of 336 and 346 in the second and third match of the one day series and everyone was enjoying the demise of Australia which should hopefully open up the world cup. There were no shocks in who could win the world cup with Australia favourites to win it for the third time in a row and it was going to be a spectacle with the Caribbean hosting the world cup for the first time the team who dominated the world cup in its early years. The Caribbean World Cup flattered to decisive with lack of atmosphere and the ticket pricing which did not attract fans to come and watch the matches. But once again it was the format of the World Cup that severely criticised as India and Pakistan were knocked out in the first stage meaning Ireland and Bangladesh progressed to the Super 8’s meaning meaningless matches that was not off interest to anyone. It was quite predictable who will qualify for the semi finals and in the first semi final it was New Zealand v Sri Lanka who were too much for the Kiwis and won by 81 runs as Sri Lanka reached there 2nd final. The second semi was Australia v South Africa a repeat of the 1999 semi final but not with the same drama as Australia was totally dominant over South Africa. The 2007 final was a repeat of the 1996 final which Sri Lanka won but it was Adam Gilchrist which scored a breathtaking hundred as the final ended in a farce as the umpires threatening the final would have to go into the second day. Finally common sense prevailed and Australia won there third final in a row beating all the subcontinent teams in each of the finals.

India toured England and was looking to save some face after a humiliating world cup exit and England were rebuilding with new coach Peter Moores. The first test at Lords India escaped defeat with the weather coming to there rescue, England being over negative and Dhoni playing a sublime innings of 76. The second test moved on to Trent Bridge and it was the bowling performance of Zaheer Khan who took 9 wickets in the test they chased 73 to win the second test. The performance of the two left handers with RP Singh taking 5 wickets in the first test and now Zaheer Khan it was swing bowling that England had not witnessed since Wasim and Waqar. India had the perfect opportunity to win the third test at the Oval and they were helped by Kumble who scored his maiden test hundred as they piled on 664 and bowled England out before the follow on but Dravid did not enforce it and India batted quite bizarrely in the second innings as captain Dravid scored 12 of 96 balls even with India being in such a strong position and a healthy lead. England were set 500 to win and they reached 369 by the end of day 5, and if Dravid was more attacking they could have won the series 2-0 but he did what he thought was right and made sure the test could not be lost and they won the series
1-0.

The face of cricket was about to change with the first edition of the Twenty20 World Cup which was vast improvement of the 50 over World Cup which was over drawn and meaning less matches and ICC have seem to learnt there mistakes. It was pure excitement from the first match as Chris Gayle blasted 117 of 57 balls as West Indies scored 205 but South Africa responded by scoring 208. During the first round Zimbabwe shocked Australia and India reached the second round with a bowl out which was the first time it happened. The second round got even more exciting as Yuvraj Singh hit Stuart Broad for 6 sixes in one over and then it was South Africa’s turn as they could not handle the pressure against India and failed to reach the semi finals. Pakistan played New Zealand in the first semi finals and they once again for the third time but the big match semi final was India v Australia and what a semi it was as Yuvraj hit 70 of 30 balls as India reached 188 and restricted Australia to 173 as the first Twenty20 World Cup final would be contested between India v Pakistan which is the biggest clash in world cricket. The final had all the drama India could only reach 157 with Gambhir top scoring with 75 and in Pakistan chase they were 77/6 before Misbah played the innings Pakistan required. With 11 runs needed in the last over and Dhoni called on Joginder Sharma to bowl the last over who was hit for six of the second ball of the over and he went for another big one and was caught by Sreesanth and India won the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup and the first major trophy since Kapil Dev won the World Cup in 1983 at Lords.

In December of 2007 India had beaten Pakistan 1-0 in the home test series which was one series win they were missing in there recent success and they went to Australia confidently hoping to beat an Australian team who were weakened with recent retirements. It was an eventful series that had it all firstly Australia dominating India in the first test, but it was the second test that had the drama of the Indian soaps on Star Plus where there was the Harbhajan and Andrew Symonds episode and BCCI threatening that India would go home as Harbhajan was being un fairly treated, then as the match was seeming to be going into a draw but Michael Clarke bowling his second over of the innings and the last for the day and he took the final 3 Indian wickets and the last one with very last ball and Australia were 2-0 up in the series. After the test it was the talking point was not the cricket it was the drama of Harbhajan v Symonds and with all the threats and bans that may happen it was all sorted out and India’s toured of Australia continued, and it was BCCI won another battle with the ICC and another question was who is running ICC. India had the perfect response in the third test at Perth where many predicted they would struggle on the bouncier wicket, it was India’s bowling that won them the test where they bowled Australia out for 212 with RP Singh taking 4 wickets and the rest taking 2 each and a lead of 118 and were set 413 to win and it was once again another all around bowling performance but Ishant Sharma’s spell against Ponting was excellent fast bowling which eventually got him the wicket of the Australian captain and India won the third test by 72 runs. With the chance of levelling the series but with such a flat batting wicket that was not going to happen but the return and form of Virender Sehwag was the performance of the test as he scored 151 in the second innings. India could have seen the test series as progress for what was going to await them, but in the CB series India had gone with the new and out with the old, with only Tendulkar part of a new look India. They beat Sri Lanka to reach the best of three finals but they were not needed as India won the first two finals as Tendulkar scored a match winning 117 as they chased 239 with ease with 25 balls remaining, this time he scored 91 in the first innings as India posted 258 and restricted Australia to 249 and they won the CB series and there second major one day trophy in 6 months.

England travelled to New Zealand under pressure with recent results with new coach Peter Moores and they lost the first test and 189 runs the problems were increasing the Vaughan was ruthless as he dropped Hoggard and Harmison and replaced by Anderson who took 7 wicket in the test and Broad took 3 which they won by 126 runs. The third test was the final for New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming who ended up retiring losing the series but in terms of stats as a world class batsmen as he scored 66 runs in the final innings to take his average to above 40. New Zealand were set an improbable 553 to win the first test which was down to Strauss who scored 177 and saved his England career and Ian Bell who was under pressure scored 110. They won the final test by 121 runs and won the series 2-1

In 2008 the IPL was launched with 8 franchises around India who would pay top money for the best players in the world with using Indian youngsters within the franchise. The IPL for the cricket is equivalent to the World Series in America, with franchises, big money, sexy girls and a sport that can be sold and bring in huge amounts of revenue. It was impossible to tell who could win it but the early favourites were Kolkata and Mumbai were the big names and led by Ganguly and Tendulkar then there was Delhi who had Sehwag and Chennai who had Dhoni were backed to make strong challenges. All the talk and the hype was over as the first IPL match took place between Kolkata and Bangalore and it was a match not to be missed as McCullum scored a breathtaking 158 off 73 balls, scoring 10 boundaries and 13 sixes and they scored 222 and Bangalore were shooked as they were bowled out for 82. It was quite a stunning start to the IPL and the excitement continued but the favourites in Kolkata and Mumbai failed to live up the expectations with all the big money spent on them, but it was Shane Warne’s Rajasthan Royals who spent the least were the best teams in first round. After 56 matches in the first round the semi finals were decided and it was Warne v Sehwag, was Rajasthan steamed rolled Delhi as they won by 105 runs in the first semi final, and Chennai over came Kings XI Punjab as they chased down 112 with ease as they had 31 balls spare. The first IPL final was being contested by Chennai and Rajasthan, Chennai posted a competitive 163 in the first innings and the chase by Rajasthan was always in the balance as they were reduced to 42/3 and Yusuf Pathan played a crucial innings of 56, they required 14 of the last 8 balls and off the very last ball Rajasthan Royals won the final and it was the suppose no hopers who spent no money had come out on top and Warne had become even more of a legend as had masterminded the success.

The summer of 2008 firstly saw the Indian batsmen bamboozled by Mendis and Murali who took 19 wickets in the first test as Sri Lanka won by an innings and 239 runs which was huge win. The second test was a totally different story as Sehwag scored a splendid 201 out a team total 329 and was not out at the end of the innings. Once again Murali and Mendis took 8 wickets in the first innings but the way Sehwag batted against these two was quite splendid. India’s batting was still fragile as they could only set Sri Lanka 307 to win but the bowling by India quartet by highly impressive as they bowled Sri Lanka out for 136. India’s batting was frail once again as Mendis and Murali took 13 of the 20 wickets in the test and Sri Lanka chased down 122 with ease and they won the series 2-1. The big talking point was how the big four Indian batsmen, Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman and Ganguly all failed to register a score of 50+ in any of the tests and could it be the end of the line for these great four batsmen. In England, South Africa toured as they looked to claim the number one test ranking and they did as they won there first test series in England and it was in empathic style. England were dominant in the first test but in the second test at Leeds, South Africa were all too strong as the bowling attack showed there class and both De Villers and Ashwell Prince announce themselves on the international stage as they won by 10 wickets. The third test was the end for Michael Vaughan as he retired for international cricket where his opposite number was celebrating winning the series as captain Smith scored 154 when chasing 281 to win. It was change for England as they appointed Kevin Pietersen as captain and he had an instance response as they won the fourth and last test and he scored a hundred on his debut as captain. Everyone would have hoped Pietersen could revive there one day form and it looked to be turning for the better as they won the one day series against South Africa 4-0 and Pietersen was 5-0 against his home country.

With the launch of the IPL and the money involved everyone wanted a piece of Twenty20 which was a money spinning venture and Sir Allen Stanford put a match together with a Stanford Superstars against England for $20 million in a one off match. Rightly or wrongly the match went ahead and England would have hoped they had not agreed to such a match but maybe for it was for the better the way the result planned out. England were bowled out for 99 with Samit Patel top scoring with 22, Gayle and Fletcher walked to victory and won the match with 44 balls left and the Stanford Superstars were $20 million richer. But later in 2009 Sir Allen Stanford was arrested for fraud and the ECB cut all ties in an embarrassing scenario for them which is now a closed book.

Australia’s decline was about to get worse as they firstly toured India but in the first test there signs were promise as they outplayed India but the test ended in a draw. The second test was a different story as Ganguly scored a century in the first innings as India scored 469 and Mishra took 7 wickets in the test as the Australians were unable to play him. India had a lead of 201 and Sehwag and Gambhir who scored a century ensured Australia were unable to score 516 to win and giving enough time for the bowlers to get 10 wickets and they won by a wopping 320 runs. The third test was all about Anil Kumble who announced his retirement from International cricket after such a glorious career but the early part of the test it was dominated by Gambhir and Laxman who both scored double centuries but the draw was only possible result. With the series undecided with one test left it was Tendulkar who played the vital innings and scored another century as it was too close to decide how this test will plan out, Australia were set 382 to win which was gettable but with the wicket assisting the spinners Harbhajan and Mishra were too much for the Australians as they took 7 wickets and India won the final test 2-0 on what would be another celebration for Ganguly who announced his retirement from the international game.

England toured India in December 2008 which would end up being quite dramatic for many different reasons firstly it was the one day series where England looked inept against such a powerful Indian team who took a 5-0 lead and the last two games were cancelled due to Bomb attack on the Taj hotel in Mumbai. With 15 days till the first test was to start it was unknown where the test series would go ahead and with much consultation Pietersen got his team to tour India in the two test series which was probably the right decision. The first test took place in Chennai and what a test match it was with England looking to win the first test with Andrew Strauss scoring two centuries in both innings and they set India 387 to win. It had seemed unlikely but when Sehwag attacked in the evening of day 4 it seemed this target was possible and one day 5 it the chase was masterminded by Sachin Tendulkar who scored 103 and took India to a remarkable test win and Tendulkar being a Mumbai boy it was ideal he would be there when India won the test and the series 1-0. After the tour of England, the ECB had there own soap drama between Peter Morres and Kevin Pietersen who made it clear they did not want to work together as captain and coach and this was just 6 months before the Ashes which was not ideal preparation. ECB went for a total change as they removed both men from there roles and appointed Andy Flower as coach and Andrew Strauss as captain.

South Africa toured Australia knowing if they win the series they will become the number one test team over taking Australia down and under would be a great achievement. The 1st test was at Perth and South Africa started strongly reducing Australia 15 for 3 but allowed them to reach 375 which gave Australia the momentum and reduced South Africa to 281 and gave an Australia a lead. South Africa bowled well in Australia’s 2nd batting innings as they reduced Australia to 319 and it could have been much more. South Africa were set to chase 414 the 2nd highest 4th innings chase ever and they accepted the challenge with Graeme Smith scoring a century before being dismissed at the end of day 4 and South Africa only needed less then 200 to win on the final day. The 5th day was all about a wonderful innings by De Villiers and took his country to a famous win. The 2nd test was at the MCG were Australia has such an excellent record. South Africa was poor for the first two days as they allowed Australia to reach 394 but then were reduced to 184 for 7. South Africa reached 459 in there 1st innings which was down to the debutant Duminy scoring 166 and Dale Steyn scoring 76 and a partnership of 180. South Africa took there momentum into the there bowling innings and reduced Australia to 247 and could smell a series victory but could not celebrate too early. Once again it was Graeme Smith leading the way with an excellent 75 out of 183 leaving the McKenzie scoring a half century and Amla hitting the winning runs, the win at the MCG they won there first series win in Australia. The third and final test at the SCG went to Australia as the series ended 2-1 to South Africa who had become the number one test team in the world. There successful tour continued as they won the one day series 4-1 which was empathic win, now Australia had lost the last 3 one days series at home with two being in the CB series final.

South Africa hosted Australia and would have hoped to continue there success in front of there own fans. But for South Africa it did not go according to plan as a different Australia team turned up and maybe South Africa were over confident. The first test Australia won at a canter as it was the Mitchell Johnson show as he scored 96 in the first innings as Australia scored 466 and he took 8 wickets in the match as they won the test by an innings a 162 runs. The second test even more convincing as they won by an innings by 175 runs with Phillip Hughes scoring two centuries in the test 115 & 160 and Australia had won the series with one test to play and no one would have expected that after the performances against the same team at home. The last test went to the home team like it did in Australia but the good news was that Mitchell Johnson scored a well deserved century in such brutal style scoring 74 runs in boundaries out of his 123 runs and Australia potentially had a world class all-rounder. The one day series went to South Africa losing 3-2 and there were major concerns about there one day form. After 5 months of battle against South Africa in the tests there was no clear winner with it being 3-3 but in the one day arena South Africa having given Australia the knock out blow as Australia has only won 3 out of 10 one day matches.

With the attacks in Mumbai the second edition of the IPL was moved to South Africa and in such a short time and the logistics involved it was impressive that the whole IPL had no major hiccups. There was not much difference to the first edition, but the major acquisitions were Pietersen to Bangalore to Flintoff to Chennai and there also no Pakistan players in this IPL. The first two matches took place at Cape Town and involved both finalists of 2008 and they both the lost there opening match to Mumbai and Bangalore. The excitement and drama of the IPL continued even with it being located in South Africa as the fans turned up to watch these matches and the same atmosphere was created with the music and the sexy girls but no one expected the two teams who failed in 2008 in Bangalore and Deccan to be front runners and the Champions Rajasthan would struggle and not even qualify for the semi finals. Both Delhi and Chennai reached the semi finals but that was far as they would get as the final was played between Deccan and Bangalore at Johannesburg. The final lived up to expectations as Kumble removed Gilchrist with the third ball of the innings but it was home boy Gibbs played he crucial innings of 53 as Deccan scored 144. Bangalore never really in control of the final when chasing but managed to get close and lose by 6 runs and Deccan won the second edition of the IPL.

It was a big summer for England as they hosted the second edition of the Twenty20 World Cup and it was hard to see past India, South Africa as hot favourites to win it. But as the IPL has shown it is the team you least expect to win it and all the way to the semi final South Africa looked by far the best team winning all 6 matches prior to the semi final. The champions India were knocked out in the second round, Australia in the first round which made it all the more interesting. Pakistan started the tournament as bad as they could have with not looking like a team but always had the dangerous players and as the tournament went on they started to find there form and played South Africa in the semi final who once again choked in the semi final and it was a Pakistan v Sri Lana final which seemed it was meant to be after the attack on the Sri Lankan coach earlier in the year. It was Afridi who played the match winning innings in the semi final with bat and ball and he once again did the same in the final as Sri Lanka had no answers to a determined Pakistan team playing there second final but this time around they had won it and it was well deserved especially for all the trouble Pakistan cricket is in which will allow them to kick on.

The series for the year was the Ashes now all the talking had stopped we could all now watch some cricket and see if England can retain there Ashes or will Australia be able to hold on to the little urn. The first test was Cardiff and England scored 435 in the first innings but Australia responded brilliantly scoring 674 and the pressure was on England to save the test on the last day. England were 70/4 and 102/5 at lunch and Australia were looking at a test win but first Collingwood stood firm and once he was removed there was Monty and James Anderson and they had 69 balls to defend. The second test went to Lords and prior to the test Andrew Flintoff had announced his retirement after the Ashes series. Captain Strauss led the way with a magnificent 161 in the first innings as they dismissed Australia for 215 which was an all-round bowling performance and it was the same in the batting in the second innings was piled on the runs. The second bowling innings was all about Andrew Flintoff as he left Australia reeling on 34/2 but then on day 5 they way he bowled it did not give the batsmen a chance but and he collected first fiver at Lords and give England a 1-0 lead in the Ashes. The fourth test was at Leeds which was bowler’s wicket and they recalled Stuart Clarke who took 3 wickets as they bowled out England for 102. This was the opportunity Australia were looking for and they nailed England down as they scored 445 with North scoring his second Ashes century and they dismissed England for 263 with Johnson taking 5 and Hilfenhaus 4 wickets to win the fourth test and level the series 1-1 with one to play. The Oval wicket was a result wicket, England scored 332 in the first innings, Australia responded in the second innings in style by getting to 73/0 but then the game was turned by Stuart Broad as Australia collapsed from 73/0 to 160 all out losing 10 wickets for 87 runs. With a lead of 172 going into the second innings England required a strong batting performance and the stage was set for Trott who showed his ability as he scored a century on a his test and Ashes debut as England scored 373 in the second innings. Australia were never going to chase down 500+ to win the Ashes, in his last test Andrew Flintoff was having a poor test but then like any player of his ability he can change the game on it’s head and he did running out Ricky Ponting and it opened the floodgates and Swann took the last wicket as Australia were dismissed for 348 and England had won the Ashes.

The Champions Trophy took place in South Africa who were hosting there third ICC tournament in the noughties and the pressure of it has seemed too worked against them as they once again failed to progress past the group stages. The shock was England reaching the semi finals beating South Africa and Sri Lanka but Australia were too powerfully for them as they had shown in the most recent one day series which they won 6-1. New Zealand overcame Pakistan in the semi final, fourth time lucky, it was a New Zealand v Australia final but the Kiwis were without Vettori who was injured and never really recovered as they eased to chasing 200 and Shane Watson scored a century as Australia retained the Champions Trophy. It has been a remarkable ten years for Australia in the 50 over game who have won 4 ICC major tournaments and it is very unlikely we are likely to see the same amount of success again with another nation.

India went into the test series against Sri Lanka knowing if they win 2-0 they will end the year as the number one ranked test team. The second test Gambhir and Sehwag scored centuries in an opening stand of 233 and then Dravid followed it up with a century for India to score 642 in the first innings. Sri Lanka were unable to play Sreesanth who made his return to the test team by taking 5 wickets and collapsed to 229 and were asked to follow on they could not do much better as they scored 269 in the second innings and India were leading 1-0 in the series with one to play. The third and last test was in Mumbai, Sri Lanka scored 393 in the first innings, Sehwag propelled India into a lead at the end of day 2, with having scored 443 of 79 overs and Sehwag having scored 284 in one day was quite breathtaking. It was only a matter of time India would take all ten wickets, it had to go to day 5 but it did not take much time as Harbhajan took the last wicket and India were celebrating becoming the number one test ranked team.

Australia have ended the noughties playing second rate teams in West Indies and Pakistan in the summer which is not the quality that will test them before the Ashes in a years time but what it has shown that Australia’s demise has bought everyone much closer. During the West Indies series they were lucky to win the series 2-0 but men from the Caribbean had many chances of winning the second and third test but that also defies the problems West Indies have as they were unable to capitalize on such opportunities and where Australia had just about enough quality to win. In the Boxing Day test match against Pakistan it was much of a convincing win but still Pakistan had put Australia under pressure but with poor fielding and batting which had cost them. The problems for Pakistan were clear the lack of test match cricket over the last two years is costing them as they were unable to play according the situation but where they do have the quality particular in the bowling attack which highly skilled. Like West Indies, England also started the noughties near the bottom of the rankings but with Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower England have ended the noughties beating the second ranked test team in South Africa and it was as convincing win England have had overseas in the noughties.

Here's to the next decade!

Cricket Ten Years On - Part 1 - 2000 to 2006

noreply@blogger.com (Dipz Cricket World) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 04:00:00 +0000

In ten years cricket has changed dramatically more then any one would have expected entering the noughties. It started of with Australia proving there domination by embarrassing India 3-0 at home and captained by Sachin Tendulkar. But ten years it’s a totally different story where Australia are struggling have lost there invincibility and there number one test ranking with South Africa having beaten them at home and replacing them as number one and now India and Sachin Tendulkar who celebrates 20 years playing International cricket are top of the world. Also the start of the decade was the demise of England who had fallen to the bottom of the pile and it was Nasser Hussain and Duncan Fletcher who were appointed to take England back to the pinnacle of the game and claim back the Ashes. West Indies decline had just stated before the decade when the toured South Africa losing all 5 tests and 7 one day matches and then at the start of the decade they were also humiliated by Australia losing 5-0 in the test series. West Indies have not really progressed in then 10 years where have had a few moment of success and promise for the future but has not really developed as they would have liked.

The biggest achievement at the start of the decade was when Australia toured India in 2001 and they won the first test with ease it was there 15th test win in a row and they looked to win the next test at Kolkata but a remarkable comeback from Ganguly’s team who were following on and thanks to Laxman, Dravid and Harbhajan they won this historic test which would change cricket and captains decision of when to declare. With India having all the momentum they went on to win the third and final test and won the series 2-1 which showed that Australia are beatable and it was India showing what they were capable of on the big stage.

In the summer of 2002 India toured England and it was the Natwest series that had enthralled everyone and the final between England and India had given the one day game another dimension with 2003 World Cup in South Africa in 8 months time. England had scored 325 in the first innings and India who looked in a good position at 106/1 they collapsed to 146/5 then youngsters Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif took India to an unlikely win with 3 balls spare and it was Ganguly who had his shirt off celebrating like Flintoff did in Mumbai earlier in the year when England drew the one day series 3-3.

The World Cup in South Africa came around and it was Australia who were hot favourites to retain there trophy which they won in 1999 and South Africa being the hosts looked good to make a strong challenge. The format of the competition was already questioned with unnecessary matches which were one sided against the likes of Canada, Netherlands. After 42 matches in round 1 we saw the hosts South Africa eliminated after Shaun Pollock forget to add 1 on to there duckworth lewis score also England, Pakistan and West Indies failed to qualify meaning Zimbabwe and Kenya did at there expense meaning a Super Six which did not consist of the best teams. India played Kenya and the semi final and they did enough to reach there second final and they played Australia who overcame Sri Lanka in the semi final. Australia were too much for India in the final who could not overcome there nerves Australia scored 359/2 in the first innings and it was all too much for India’s powerful batting who could only reach 234/10 in the 40th over. There were not many highlights of the World Cup but there were a few that will be etched in people’s memory the way Tendulkar batted against the Pakistan pace attack, how South Africa made a mess again on the world stage, Shane Bond’s spell against Australia nearly took them to victory, Adam Gilchrist walking in the semi final which remains such a talking point and how dominant Australia were to retain there trophy and win it for the third time.

In the summer of 2003 there were too new captains with Smith taking over the captaincy at such a young age and taking his team to England and Michael Vaughan became captain in the second test of the series. It was an eventful series that ended 2-2 but it was Graeme Smith who made his mark on the international stage with two double centuries and the second one at Lords and he know is one of the leading test batsmen in the world as well as captain. India toured Australia in December and it was another exciting series between both teams which ended 1-1 as India looked to continue there good run against Australia and had an opportunity to win the last test but were unable to take 20 wickets. But this series will be remembered for Steve Waugh’s who played his last test in the baggy green as he saved the last test as he came into bat with his team struggling.

2004 saw India toured Pakistan in a historic series and touring the first time since 97/98 and it was the most complete tour for this progressing Indian team. The first part of the tour was the 5 match one day series which they won 3-2 and then it was the test series which they won 2-1 which has bought all the plaudits for Sourav Ganguly’s team. England aim for the Ashes in 2005 started in West Indies in which they won 3-0 and it was there bowling attack which flourished as they dismissed West Indies for 47 as Steve Harmison made his mark taking 7/12. The last test belonged to Brian Charles Lara who went on to break the world record that was broken by Matthew Hayden earlier but Lara went one better and went on to score 400 and become the first batsmen to do so. It was England’s turn to host the ICC Champions Trophy and with the momentum England was building for the Ashes it was ideal preparation as they wanted to improve there one day form. They showed there credentials as they reached the semi finals and beat Australia with ease and played West Indies at the Oval in the final as West Indies won in the dark with 7 balls remaining and till today it remains West Indies only success in the noughties. Australia toured India and looked to win there first series win which was always Steve Waugh’s aim but he was not there and his replacement in Ricky Ponting was injured meaning Adam Gilchrist took charge and it was a historic series for him as India were under cooked as they won the 1st and 3rd test won the series with one test to play which India won as the series ended 2-1.

2005 was all about the Ashes and after England had won in South Africa 2-1 over the Christmas and New Year, Australia knew this will be there toughest challenge if they wish to keep hold of the Ashes. The first test at Lords went the way of the Australians, but it was England who had the first laugh as they were dismissed for 190 with Harmison taking 5 wickets but McGrath had other ideas as he picked up 5 wickets as England were all out for 155. It was all Australia after the first 40 overs on day 1 as England were all out for 180. The second test will remembered for Andrew Flintoff consoling Brett Lee as Australia were etching to victory with Lee and Kasprowicz were getting ever so close to the 282 set by England but Harmison and Geraint Jones took the catch down the leg side as England won 2 runs and the joy by everyone at the ground was to be seen. But in the third test this time around Australia hung on with England looking to take the final wicket as Lee and McGrath stood firm for 5 overs. The fourth test it was the most complete England performance with a century by Flintoff in the first innings, Simon Jones taking 5 wickets as Australia had to follow on and England chased down 129 not without breaking a sweat as Warne and Lee put the jitters among the whole country. For the first time in a long while England went into the Oval test knowing only a draw would be enough and it was Kevin Pietersen’s turn to make a name for him as he scored 158 which was enough as England won back the Ashes. In 2005 we also saw the invention of the Super Test Series which was Australia against a World XI. Australia were too much for the World XI and this concept was not the huge success ICC would have hoped for and it was not happen again.

The second World Cup of the decade was nearly upon us and all the build for the 2007 World Cup had started. But the talking point of 2006 was when Pakistan toured England in the last test at the Oval England were 2-0 up but Darryl Hair accused the Pakistan team of ball tampering and they refused to play and the test was awarded to England who won the series 3-0 but and this case dragged on and went to court. The Champions Trophy was hosted by India and the wickets were the talking points as they were not typical Indian wickets as they failed to progress as Australia reached there first Champions Trophy final and West reached there second successive final beating South Africa who once again choked in the semi finals. Australia were all too much for West Indies who were looking to retain there trophy but it was Australia who there first and become the only team to hold all ICC trophies, the World Cup, Champions Trophy and the ICC Test Championship mace.

England went to Australia to defend there Ashes win in 2005 and this was without captain Michael Vaughan and the debate was who will be captain for the series and the big all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was selected. The tour started off in the worst possible way with Marcus Trescothick had become depressed and went back home and the first ball in the Ashes at Brisbane was bowled by Steve Harmison which ended wrongly directed to third slip. Australia ended up walking to victory by 277 runs but the most exciting test was the second test as Collingwood scored a double century and Pietersen 158. On day 5 the test was heading for a draw and England who were stuck to play for a draw or attack and the magician Shane Warne with Lee and McGrath caused jitters as they were bowled out for 129 and gave Australia a chase of 168 which they did and they were over the moon as England had there heads in there hands. England recalled Monty and he took 5 wickets in the first innings as Australia were bowled out for 244 but England could not capitalize as they could only score 215 and Australia applied the pressure on England and this test will be remembered for Adam Gilchrist as he scored the second fastest century after Viv Richards. England were left soul searching as Australia looked to win 5-0 and they did convincingly as the Ashes ended 5-0 to Australia and the end for Warne, McGrath and Langer who all retired in the best possible way. There was some retribution for England as they won the commonwealth series in which they beat Australia 2-0 in the best of three finals and it was Paul Collingwood who was at the forefront scoring a century in the first final and 70 in the second final.

What's the future for Ntini?

noreply@blogger.com (Dipz Cricket World) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:22:00 +0000

A few weeks ago, much was made of Makhaya Ntini's 100th Test match for South Africa, and rightly so. A century of Tests is a mighty milestone, especially for a player who came from nowhere to become his country's first black cricketing superstar. At first, he was criticised for being a token political gesture, not fit to appear in the same side as Allan Donald or Shaun Pollock. A decent enough chap but is he in the side only to fill a quota. They even tried to finish him with a trumped-up rape charge against him in 1999, but to his credit he rebuilt his career to emerge from the shadows of his aforementioned compatriots.

Well, he has proved those critics wrong in the past 11 years or so. 390 Test wickets at about 29 apiece and 266 ODI scalps at under 25 put him behind only Pollock in South African cricket history, and at one point he was in the top three in the ICC rankings. His best bowling figures came against West Indies in 2005, with 7-37 in the second innings and 13-132 in the whole match. The following year he also shone against the all-conquering Aussies so couldn't be accused of succeeding only against lesser sides. He has taken a liking to England in the past, too, taking 23 wickets against them in 2003 and then 25 at home in 2004-5. However, this is in sharp contrast to his fortunes against the Strauss-led team this winter. He has been the weak link in the bowling line-up both in the Proteas' near-victory at Centurion and their comprehensive defeat in Durban.

So what lies in store for Ntini? It seems clear that his best days lay behind him, yet these days 32 is not a great age for a pace bowler. OK, so he doesn't have the pace of old, but then he was never that fast. Approaching his mid-30s he should be compensating by improving swing, seam and/or cutters, but it's not working for him at the moment. Messrs Steyn and Morkel are moving above him in the pecking order, with De Wet close behind.

Dare the selectors drop him? Well, Makhaya Ntini is a rare character whose popularity transcends bare cricketing statistics. I don't think he's still playing just to fill a 'non-white' quota. All bowlers suffer temporary lapses of form but it's true that he has had a poor 2009. The latest defeat puts pressure on Ntini and it would not be a surprise if he was 'rested' for the Third Test, but if so, it should be signalled that it is not the end of a great career. He has been the beacon for the Black majority population in South Africa, although his rags-to-riches story has not helped bring through the new generation of young black cricketers that was hoped for.

Hopefully he can work on his control and use his experience to exploit batsmen's weaknesses, complementing the pace of Steyn and Morkel to restore South African bowling pride once more. He could yet break Pollock's Test wicket record, but it won't be in this series!

Boxing Day Tests 2009 - Both Australia & England Provided Knock Out Blows

noreply@blogger.com (Dipz Cricket World) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:55:00 +0000

It was a day when both Australia and England provided knock out blows in the Boxing Day test match leaving both Pakistan and South Africa with serious questions before the New Years Day test match which starts on Sunday 3rd January 2010.

All the drama started at the MCG with Pakistan requiring another 252 more to win and it seemed it may be possible with Australia’s recent history showing their inability to bowl teams out on the last day. All Australia required were 27 overs to finish of Pakistan and in the very first over the morning Mitchell Johnson removed Umar Akmal and Misbah leaving Pakistan reeling with two wickets in two balls. If Pakistan did have any hope it had gone in the first over and it was down to captain Yousuf to escape defeat. With 5 wickets down it allowed Nathan Hauritz to attack who had taken the wicket of Faisal Iqbal late on day 4 and with the wicket wearing it was a chance for him to make a name and prove the critics wrong.

Australia required Nathan Hauritz to come to the party and produce what Shane Warne did so many times on the last day and he did it in emphatic style. His second wicket of the match came in the 62 over when he removed Kamran Akmal who was stumped by Haddin and the very next ball he removed Mohammad Aamer. Adbur Rauf survived the hatrick ball which included nine fielders around the bat but he would not last too long as Doug Bollinger cleaned bowl him 8 balls later. Hauritz took the final two wickets and claimed a fiver as he removed Yousuf with his first ball and then Saeed Ajmal with the last ball of the over.

It was a very satisfying performance by Australia after there recent problems particular against West Indies and earlier against England in the Ashes. With the performance of Haurtiz he could not have ended the year better and hopefully he can grow as an international spinner. Pakistan has a lot to ponder who have shown promise but are far off becoming a serious test team who can consistently challenge.

There was only going to be one winner at Durban with South Africa starting the day on 76/6 and the only question that was yet to be answered will Broad and Swann collect a well deserved fiver. It was only a matter of time when Swann would remove Morkel and he lasted three balls, it was quite brilliant off spin bowling by Swann who could have removed Morkel with any of the previous deliverers. Broad tested Paul Harris with short pitched bowling and balls that would rise to his chest, with Boucher batting there was some hope for South Africa but Broad got him to nick a ball down the leg side that was caught brilliantly by Prior. There was another wait for around 7 overs till the next wicket and it was Anderson who removed Harris who scored 36 of 50 balls and 8 balls later Swann took the final wicket and claimed a well deserving five wicket haul.

It was emphatic win for England and it will have to be the most satisfying of the year even beating either Ashes tests win as they have beaten a far stronger team then the Australians. It has been good and steady progress by Andrew Strauss team who has grown as captain as well as the team from the embarrassment of being bowled for 51 in the Caribbean, where this England team will not be the most exciting to watch and beat many records but they seem to be a team who can win important moments in tests as they have shown in the last 6 months. South Africa who started the year as number one could not have ended the year in a worse position having who lost there first test of the year at the SCG and have now lost the last test of the year. It has been a poor year for South Africa that had promised so much after claming the number one test ranking they have lost 4 tests and only won one test this year. They have got a lot of think about and particular there bowling combination and whether Ntini has played his last test and make way for De West who was impressive and took South Africa within one wicket of victory in the first test.

With both Australia and England winning the 2009 Boxing Day test match but who will receive the knock out blow in the 4th Ashes Boxing Day test match in 2010.

Which Way Will It Turn?

noreply@blogger.com (Dipz Cricket World) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:28:00 +0000

Both of the Boxing Day Test matches are delicately poised. England will feel confident and in the box seat. Australia are in the box seat, but will be feeling less confident.

England turned the Second Test on its head by taking six second innings wickets in the afternoon. They are now in a great position to win and take a 1-0 lead. Mark Boucher, Morne Morkel and the other three batsmen will provide stern resistance, but England will know that most of the hard work has already been done.

In cricket betting, England has shrunk to 1.12 for the win, while South Africa has ballooned to 650 and the draw is at 9.4. And for the series, England is down to 1.56 while South Africa is at 5.4. Amazing how quickly things can change!

They batted confidently on the fourth morning with Ian Bell and Matt Prior scoring freely. It was interesting to note that both of the English batsmen – Alastair Cook and Ian Bell who were under the most pressure both scored centuries. This gave England a healthy lead and when they came out to bowl, suddenly the pitch was playing tricks.

Australia will be hoping the pitch at Melbourne does the same. The truth of the matter is that at this stage, all three results are still possible. Australia need seven wickets in order to win but Pakistan need 277 to win. Definitely gettable.

It will be an interesting test of both the Australian attack and of Ponting’s captaincy. If the Pakistani batsmen can provide some resistance, expect them both to get quite frustrated. In days gone by, this would have been the perfect occasion for Shane Warne, but as has been well documented, Nathan Hauritz is no Warne. It will be interesting to see what happens should he start to be expensive.

For Pakistan, the best form of defence is attack. If the runs start to flow, Ponting will push fielders back and don’t be surprised to see a field that resembles something along one-day lines. There might only be one slip if any at all as fielders get pushed to all corners of the MCG.

Shane Watson has been great with the bat and now he has a chance to contribute with the ball. The decision to play him as an opener has definitely paid off. He is scoring runs and also chipping in with key wickets.

Should be fascinating fifth days.

David Wiseman writes for this blog. He also writes about harness betting.

Australia v Pakistan Test Series 2009 - 1st Test - Pakistan Set World Record Chase

noreply@blogger.com (Dipz Cricket World) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:23:00 +0000

It was a day when Pakistan was set 422 which will be a world record chase and where Shane Watson broke the Australian jinx this summer of finally scoring a century after 20 attempts and Mohammad Aamer picking up a fiver and the second youngest players to do that and it is very deserving for both players.

The first part of the day was all about Shane Watson looking to reach his maiden test century but it was firstly the turn of Mohammad Aamer who created some Australian nerves. What troubled the Australians was raw pace, line and length and getting the ball to swing. He firstly removed Michael Clarke then Marcus North and Brad Haddin in the space of two balls which a maiden over and he also become the second youngest bowler to take a fiver. In between all the wickets falling Shane Watson stood firm and increased the lead for Australia, he reached the 90’s with not many problems but having reached the 90’s it took him just over an hour to reach the three figures. But there was some drama which was Watson’s nerves as he was in the 90’s for the third time this summer and he went into lunch on 98. After the break Yousuf decided the test Watson with an 8-1 field it seemed it was going to pay off as he chased a wide delivery of Aamer but it was spilled by Rauf who has had a poor game. Watson finally reached his maiden test century and since becoming an opener in the third test in the Ashes he has an average of 65.08.

Pakistan were set an improbable 422 to win which will be a world record chase but then the same was said about South Africa last summer and we know what happened. Pakistan were not helped as they lost Imran Farhat in the 7th over, Butt and Iqbal batted well for 15 overs in a partnership of 62 before Mitchell Johnson trapped Butt lbw and Pakistan were 80/2. Nathan Hauritz removed Iqbal but then that bought in Umar Akmal and Yousuf together scored 54 for the fourth wicket.

Pakistan requires another 252 to win and it is not impossible for them to chase down or even avoid defeat, but they will require both Yousuf and Umar Akmal to make big contributions. Also the worry for Australia is there inability to bowl teams out on the last day; it will be a very interesting day of cricket with all three results still possible.

South Africa V England Test Series 2009 - 2nd Test - Cook Century Gives England Lead

noreply@blogger.com (Dipz Cricket World) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:26:00 +0000

Alaistar Cook and Paul Collingwood have put England in a position that England can go and attack on day 4 for some quick runs. It was an excellent day for Cook who turned 25 on Christmas day and also during the Boxing Day test match he scored his 10th test match hundred in his 50th test.

Cook started the day on 37 and Trott on 17 who could only add one more run to his overnight score as Morkel got the better of him. The wicket of Trott did not sidetrack Cook as he was determined to make a big score; in one hour he faced 37 balls and could only score 1 run shows his determination but his character and mental strength as a batsman. While Cook was trying to find his form he had Pietersen at the other end was aggressive in his innings of 31 but when Harris got Pietersen lbw, Cook had to become the main batsmen as England were still 188 behind.

In the first hour of the morning Cook was leaving any ball that was that wide off stump or from Ntini that would angle into him leaving the bowlers frustrated. But before lunch Cook started to play more shots as he got the South African bowlers to bowl to his strength and took Paul Harris out of the attack. But on 64 there was an appeal for him caught at short leg but he used the review to his success as the replays were not clear cut. Cook got into the 90’s quickly with a couple of boundaries against Morkel and Harris and it was the first time he has reached his 90’s since the Lords test in the Ashes. He made sure that he did not make the same mistake as he did at Lords by pushing the ball around and reached a well deserved century in his 50th test and only a few players that have scored centuries in there1st and 50th test.

Cook’s main partner during his innings was Collingwood in a partnership of 142; Collingwood calmed any nerves as he came in a precarious position and ensured they would be no collapse. Collingwood ensured that with Cook they kept the run rate at a good rate keeping South Africa under pressure that looked to have no idea how to remove both batsmen. Cook could only any 18 more runs to his century as Morkel by far the best South African bowler took his 3rd wicket of the match who would have been disappointed as he would have liken to take England into the lead as they were still 47 runs behind.

Cook’s replacement was Ian Bell who was under pressure after two poor performances in the first test but he did not disappoint as he continued Cook’s good work. What Bell did so well was he created some urgency in England innings as the got closer to South Africa’s first innings score and he was batting at a time when the wicket was at it’s best. Bell reached his half century of 65 balls was just what England required when he walked into bat and scored those runs in a very stylish way. England will want Bell to reach a century in quick time but the question of Bell will still continue as he has not scored a century when another batsman has scored a century.

It was a frustrating day for South Africa and Smith as England looked quite comfortable against all the bowlers apart from Morkel who has been the best bowler in the two tests and it seems Ntini seems to be going through the motions. With a lead of 43 England will want to increase the lead and with Bell and Prior at the crease they have the perfect two batsmen to go for quick runs and look to get South Africa into bat around tea.

Australia v Pakistan Test Series 2009 - 1st Test - Watson Gives Australia Healthy Lead

noreply@blogger.com (Dipz Cricket World) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:15:00 +0000

Australia end day 3 of the boxing day test match in total control with a lead of 307 but it was the performance of Umar Akmal and Mohammad Aamer that have stood out for Pakistan who have got two quality cricketers at there disposal.

The first hour of the mornings play was dominated by Umar Akmal who had no respect for the Australian bowling as he was also able to negate the swing. He kept on walking down the wicket to Shane Watson and his brutal attack of Peter Siddle where he hit a massive six of him and three boundaries was just quite brilliant. What was also more impressive about Umar Akmal he was able to change the method of attack after being hit on the helmet and he bought up his half century of Mitchell Johnson. It was quite a brilliant half century who has shown that he has the quality to play in all conditions and bowlers and with his success in New Zealand and a century on his debut he had now scored a half century in his first innings in Australia. Once bringing up his fifty and the very next ball he went to hit to the boundary and was caught by Ponting and the exuberance of youth has its advantages and disadvantages.

Misbah and Aamer had a partnership of 45 and where Misbah hit one big six of Hauritz in his first over but Doug Bollinger removed Aamer was a classic dismissal from the fast bowler as he tried to defend a short delivery. With the wicket of Aamer, Pakistan lost five wickets for 99 runs in which they avoided the follow on and it was very unlikely Ponting would have enforced it. Bollinger removed Rauf and Kamran with the fuller delivery and they were caught by the Haddin, Siddle and Johnson removed Asif and Ajmal as Pakistan were all out for 258.

With a lead of 196 Australia could go out on the attack and look to increase the lead and where Pakistan required quick wickets to stop the lead getting too big too quickly and have some control over the test. The bowling pair of Asif and Aamer was highly impressive where they were aggressive and accurate with and the first wicket went to Asif who removed Katich. Then it was the turn of Aamer as he removed Ponting and Hussey and Australia were 40/3 and Pakistan were hoping something special could happen. But Watson and Clarke stood firm and calm as they increased the lead in a partnership of 71, Watson scored his second half century of the match and the seventh in twelve innings and he ends the day on 64 and will be looking to be the first Australian to reach a century this summer.

With a lead of 307 Australia will be wanting to go out on the attack from the morning and get the lead as close to 500 as quickly as possible giving Pakistan a record chase at the MCG. Pakistan will not think they are totally out of the test if they can stop the lead going over 400 then the Australian bowling attack may not be as potent as they have been in the test.

South Africa V England Test Series 2009 - 2nd Test - Strauss Leads The Way As Bad Light Stops Play

noreply@blogger.com (Dipz Cricket World) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:27:00 +0000

The second day in a row play was stopped by bad light as England were on top with Strauss leading the way with an aggressive 54 after Steyn frustrated England with 47 and a first innings score of 343.

England would have hoped for early success as the conditions were perfect for the 3 pace attack to get early wickets but they were up against a determined South Africa. They held the advantage in the morning session as Boucher and De Villers played aggressive innings as they frustrated England in the first hour of the morning. Boucher was very aggressive as he scored his 39 runs of 50 balls and scored 38 of South Africa’s first 50 runs. Swann removed Boucher but then that allowed De Villers to step up who played some excellent shots with beautiful timing and he reached his 50 of 96 balls and 2 balls later Broad removed him in his new spell.

Swann picked up one more wicket before lunch of Harris and South Africa went into lunch 284/8 and it was excellent morning of test match cricket. Swann collected his fourth wicket after lunch removing Morkel but then England were confronted by Dale Steyn who looking to impress. He frustrated England with an aggressive 47 which included 3 massive and four boundaries in Swann’s last two overs. England were caught off guard with Steyn’s counter attack and was looking to reach his second half century but James Anderson got the edge of Steyn and South Africa were removed for 343.

England came out to bat knowing the light was not the best and there will not be much time left in the day and Strauss looked to take a leaf out of Steyn’s innings. Strauss who has been in the form of his life since his return and taking the captaincy South Africa knew they had an opportunity with Cook who was an easy target. The session before tea England had 14 overs and it was all Strauss as he scored 50 of 49 balls which included 8 boundaries and where Cook had scored 8 of 32 balls as England went into tea 59/0. Strauss did not last too long after tea as Morkel bowled him who is one bowler who has troubled him so far this series. But the wicket of Strauss allowed Cook to take the lead who became more confident and played some typical pulls and slog sweeps and it showed his mental strength. Cook and Trott continued with Strauss wicket and ended the day on 103/1 before bad light stopped play.

It seems bad light is going to play a crucial role in this test and will England will want to ensure they score as many as they can in there first innings and use the conditions when they come out to bowl again.

Australia v Pakistan Test Series 2009 - 1st Test - Ponting's Bold Declaration Rewarded By His Bowlers

noreply@blogger.com (Dipz Cricket World) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 11:10:00 +0000

Ricky Ponting made a very bold decision in declaring on 454 but he was a rewarded by excellent bowling as they restricted Pakistan to 109/4, and the wicket of Mohammad Yousuf with only one ball of the day left has given Australia total control of the test.

Australia continued on day 2 by dominating Pakistan and extending there first innings score as Hussey and night watchman Nathan Hautriz put Australia in a position of dominance. Michael Hussey looked in excellent form and probably his best this Australian summer and he bought up his half century in 99 balls and he was hoping he could be the first the Australian to score a century this summer. Saeed Ajmal who has been the most impressive Pakistan bowling with his flight, spin and the changes in pace and he caught Hussey lbw and when referred it was held up by the umpire and Hussey ended up being another Australia missing out on a century. Nathan Huaritz who was batting as the night watchmen was showing his team-mates how easy batting can be and he bought up a well deserved half century of 124 balls. He looked in the best position to score the first Australian hundred which would have been bizarre as the main batsmen have struggled to reach the three figure landmark but he was not giving the opportunity as Ricky Ponting made a very bold declaration on 454 which is very unlike Ponting who is quite conservative.

Ricky Ponting made the declaration within the hour of the lunch break allowing his bowlers good one and half sessions to make inroads into the Pakistan batting line up. Australia knew Pakistan top 3 were volatile if they bowled a good line and length and maintained the pressure on them and that is what Doug Bollinger did and Mitchell Johnson was rewarded as he removed Imran Farhat. The injury fears to Nathan Hauritz where rested as he was bowling with no pain and got Faisal Iqbal to cut one which went straight to Michael Clarke in slip and Pakistan were 59/2.

Pakistan would be hoping Salman Butt can continue his innings as he was the set batsmen and able to handle the Australian bowlers. As he may have got more confident Shane Watson had other ideas as he was getting the ball to swing both ways and caught Butt lbw and Pakistan’s top 3 batsmen were all gone as Pakistan were 84/3. Pakistan’s hope relied on captain Yousuf and Umar Akmal who will be hoping to produce some more heroics like he did in New Zealand. With 3 wickets gone for the day Australia would have been the happier and where Pakistan would have to be satisfied as there top 3 where never going to give them the dominating starts. But with 2 balls left of the day Yousuf nicked a ball down the leg side from Siddle and was caught by Haddin and it was the perfect way for Australia to end the day as Pakistan closed on 109/4.

Pakistan will be hoping that Umar Akmal can produce some more heroics and take them to as close as possible to Australia’s 454. Ponting will be looking to get the final 6 wickets in quick time and pile the runs on again giving his bowlers enough time to finish of the job.

South Africa V England Test Series 2009 - 2nd Test - England On Top After Smith & Kallis Rebuild

noreply@blogger.com (Dipz Cricket World) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 16:12:00 +0000

The 7 overs after tea where South Africa lost 3 wickets for 24 runs has giving the balance of power after day 1 to England after Smith and Kallis had a partnership of 150 after being 10/2.

South Africa went into the second test with Steyn returning meaning De West being dropped and England keeping the same team with Ian Bell keeping his place. Smith won the toss and elected to bat on a wicket where it would be best to bat first and but the wicket was offering assistance to faster bowler with it moving about and offering assistance to the spinners.

England started the stronger with Anderson removing Prince with the 13th ball of the innings and Stuart Broad in his first over removed Amla. South Africa had there two best batsmen in Smith and Kallis batting together and the best pair to get them out of this precarious position. Both batsmen were truly tested with the ball continuously beating the bat and it was a true test of there character and it was test match batting at its best with the batsmen having to work for there runs knowing if they did not give there wicket away the runs would come.

Of the pair Kallis were the more fluent batsmen where Smith was grinding his way out with his determination as James Anderson and Graham Onions was very accurate not giving Smith any easy run scoring opportunities. This made it harder to understand why England had gone with only 4 bowlers including a spinner and where if they had an extra bowler they would be able to continue the pressure that was being applied on to the batsmen. Both Smith and Kallis were aware of this and knew they will be run scoring opportunities as Strauss opted to use Trott and Pietersen which would relieve the pressure from the batsmen.

South Africa went into lunch as 67/2 and the morning session was test match cricket as its best and it got easier for the batsmen as Strauss opted not to use Onions after the break was a bizarre decision as he was the best bowler in the morning session. Smith and Kallis batted quite beautifully in the afternoon session and negated everything but there were couple of close calls on Smith where the on field umpire gave it not out and Strauss decline to refer to it knowing that England wasted there referrals in the opening test and he was not convinced that Smith would be given out with his big reach. All the talk was about how the faster bowlers were bowling and how well Smith and Kallis were batting but Swann was bowling magnificently and get the ball to spin on day 1 and troubling the pair but would it spin even more as the test would progress or would the wicket flatten out as it did in the first test.

South Africa went into tea at 151/2 and they were the much happier of the two teams as England would have been disappointed with not being able to capitalize on taking two early wickets. With the weather changing from being humid to being more cooler and the clouds appearing it was going to be short session and it was England best chance to go out on all attack.

Kallis approach to the spinner is they should be hit out of the ground and looking at total ease but then he pushed at a offbreak from Swann which was edged to Collingwood who made no mistake and it was the wicket England were looking for South Africa would have not wanted. 17 balls later, De Villers exuberance was the undoing for Smith as he defended a ball and De Villers went for a run that was not there and Smith was caught in two minds, Cook kept his calm and ran with the ball to remove the bails and Smith was caught short, Smith and Kallis were removed for 75 and the momentum had changed. If that was not bad enough the light was getting worse and Onions removed Duminy who was caught lbw and South Africa declined to get it referred and once the 60th over was bowled that was last bit of action.

It was a thrilling day of test match cricket where the bowlers were rewarded and so where the batsmen in Smith and Kallis as they both scored 75. The morning session is going to be crucial as England will want to removed De Villers and Boucher cheaply and remove the tail cheaply and where South Africa will be relying on De Villers and Boucher to take them to a competitive score.

Australia v Pakistan Test Series 2009 - 1st Test - Watson & Katich Miss Out On Hundreds Again As Australia Dominate

noreply@blogger.com (Dipz Cricket World) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 11:40:00 +0000

Australia are on top and in control of the test after day 1 but the talking point will be how Watson and Katich missed out on hundreds and being stranded in the 90’s again in the Australian summer. But how Shane Watson was run out will be debated as both openers were stood at one end as Imran Farhat removed the bails and waiting who should be leaving the ground and it was Shane Watson.

Ricky Ponting was captaining Australia after the talk he may miss the test and he won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan who were without Umar Gul and Daniesh Kaneria which were massive blows to them. It was not the most pulsating start by Australia at the MCG which you are would expect with the likes of Hayden and Langer going on the attack. Katich and Watson seem to have found a good understanding of each other which is vitally important in an opening partnership. Simon Katich had looked scratchy all morning and the same was for Watson as he was very slow going but then once he had spent time in he had look to open up just before lunch as Australia were 73/0 after the first session.

After lunch Shane Watson scored his 6th half century in 11 innings and it came of 106 balls and Katich was looking to be more aggressive and once he reached his half century of 124 balls. He looked to increase the run rate as they looked to make most of Pakistan’s inept ground fielding. Australia ended the lunch session in full control of the test on 177/0 with Watson on 90 and Katich 77 and both batsmen looking to reach there first century of the summer and the first for the Australian team. But soon after tea a lack of communication got both Watson and Katich stuck at one end waiting for who should be leaving the ground and it was Watson who missed out on a century and the third time he has fallen short on what would be his maiden test century.

Ricky Ponting came in and looked good with no ill effect of his injury as he reached his half century of 55 balls and it was Asif who dismissed him on 57.But before Ponting wicket Asif removed Katich for 98 as Salman Butt caught him at point and it was the third time he was dismissed in the 90’s in this Australia summer. With the top three missing out in reaching three figures it is a total of 18 half centuries that have been reached by the Australian batsmen since the Ashes decider at the Oval. Michael Hussey was playing very aggressive which is something that has been missing from his game in recent times and he ended the day of 38 of 43 balls and Australia on 305/3.

Pakistan did not help themselves in the test as they dropped three catches and the most crucial was when Misbah dropped Watson in the morning session and Umar Akmal dropping Simon Katich. Not selecting Umar Gul is even more questionable as his replacement Adbur Rauf looked totally in effective and will need to do something special to turn this test into Pakistan control.

This was Pakistan best opportunity to win in Australia and those dropped catches could virtually cost them the series especially if Australia go on score 500+ and give Pakistan an hour or so of batting at the end of day 2.

Boxing Day Tests

noreply@blogger.com (Dipz Cricket World) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 07:00:00 +0000

When you think of Boxing Day Tests, you usually think of the MCG, with a packed house of Aussies cheering on their team to another success.

From 1999 to 2007, they did indeed have plenty to cheer about, as the post-Christmas game went their way for nine consecutive years, often by a handsome margin. However, last year they came a cropper against South Africa, when a combination of JP Duminy's runs and ten Dale Steyn wickets saw off the home team by nine wickets. It will be very interesting to see if Pakistan prevail this winter, as the Aussies remain in transition and had to work hard to see off the Windies earlier this month.

Melbourne isn't the only venue for Boxing Day Test matches, of course. Until 2003, Wellington usually played host to New Zealand games before ODIs took over. However, last year, Sri Lanka played Bangladesh starting on the 26th and not surprisingly won, with Muralitharan claiming another ten-wicket haul.

The South Africans always play at home from the 26th December, unless they happen to be touring Austalia. Their recent record is pretty patchy, it has to be said. Before last year's triumph at the MCG, their previous nine matches had been split equally between wins, losses and draws.

Jacques Kallis seemed to enjoy his Christmas work because from 2001 to 2003, he made big scores as regular as Santa's visits down the chimney, including 105 to beat Pakistan and 177 in the innings defeat of West Indies the following year. He was out on 99 in 2001 when the Aussies prevailed, and the same opposition came out on top easily in 2005. In that mauling of the Windies, Makhaya Ntini bagged eight wickets, as he also did in the win over India in 2006.

It was quite a surprise when the Caribbean crew came to Port Elizabeth in 2007 and handed the home side a 128-run beating, thanks to runs by Chanderpaul and Samuels and despite an 85 from that man Kallis. They got their revenge in the following two fixtures in that series, though. Back in 2000, the game with Sri Lanka was drawn, with Murali magic cancelled out by a Gary Kirsten 180.

Interestingly the two games against England were also both drawn. In 1999, the Proteas were in trouble thanks to an Andy Caddick 7-46 before Kirsten (again) compiled 275 in the second innings and saw the side to safety. Five years later, SA were again facing defeat after a mammoth England 2nd innings of 570-7 declared, but batted out the final day. Will it be third time lucky for one of the teams in 2009?

India V Sri Lanka One Day Series 2009 - Kholi & Gambhir Give India Series Win

noreply@blogger.com (Dipz Cricket World) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:05:00 +0000

It was a complete batting performance by India who chased down a record score at Calcutta of 315 with a record third wicket partnership of 224 between the two Delhi batsmen Kholi who scored his maiden one day century and Gambhir his 7th one day century.

Sangakkara won the toss and decided to bat first which was a brave call knowing the conditions would be hard for his bowlers with the dew allowing the batsmen to score more easily. India did well at the start of Sri Lanka’s batting innings that have normally had flying starts as both Zaheer and Nehra bowled to a plan not giving the batsmen anything to drive, cut or any width to hit on the leg side boundary. With a series that has been dominated by the bat it was Nehra who bowled India’s first maiden and with such tight bowling neither Dilshan nor Tharanga were able to score any boundaries in the first five overs. Sehwag implemented a plan for Dilshan and that was rewarded when Nehra got his wicket with a brilliant catch by Kholi but Tharanga made no mistake and took the attack to the bowlers as he and Sangakkara were involved in a partnership of 126 for the third wicket.

What was costly for India was being slack in the filed where they dropped both Tharanga and Sangakkara which cost them in total 171 runs of the 315 runs scored. It was a bit harsh on India who had improved on past performances in the field who looked far better in the fourth match but it shows that that any lapse in the field is going to be very costly. The innings by Tharanga was stunning was he scored his 7th one day century and his first in three years, the way he set about his innings in looking to build his innings where after 20 balls he had a strike rate of 20% and by the time he scored his 118 he had a strike rate of 92.18 shows the acceleration in his innings.

Tharanga dismantled Ishant Sharma for twenty runs in his first over who ended up being the most expensive for Shewag as Ishant conceded 67 runs in his 7 overs, he and Sangakkara who has been in excellent form this series played some excellent shots that the Indian fielders could not have done much about it. As both were dominating Sangakkara went for a cheeky shot where he was stumped by Dinesh Karthik and walked back to the pavilion as it was being referred knowing that he did not have to play such a shot. The wicket did not seem to have made much difference as the rest of the batsmen took advantage of the batting conditions firstly with Jaywardene scoring 33 of 30 balls, but it was the innings by Peera who scored 31 of 14 balls and Kandamby scored 23 of 15 balls that gave Sri Lanka the momentum as the innings ended.

India had a mammoth 316 to win and take the series but they were dealt a double blow as both Sehwag and Tendulkar were removed by debutant Lakmal. 23/2 and it was disaster for India chasing a world record score at Eden Gardens. It was down to the Delhi boys, Gambhir and Kholi and the position they were in they did not seem to be worried about it. India bought up there 50 of 36 balls compared to Sri Lanka’s 68 balls and even with the loss of two big wickets Gambhir and Kholi did not have too much to worry about the chase. The problem Lakmal had was that he did not have any support as Peera and Malinga were a bit wayward and allowed both batsmen to score more easily as they conceded 141 runs off 109 balls.

The partnership was excellent viewing as it was Gambhir looking to bat the full innings and where Kholi was looking to play his shots and attack which allowed them to score quick singles which made Sangakkara think as Gambhir and Kholi did not seemed to be worried even if the boundaries were not coming. As the innings progressed it was only a matter of time till the spinners would come on and bowl with the dew which they would struggle with and they made most of any poor delivery which was dispatched to the boundary. Both batsmen reached the centuries in the same over firstly it was Kholi who got it in 110 balls and the joy was seen in his face as it was an achievement not only for him but his team as has shown that he is capable of playing in the international arena. He would have been massively helped by Delhi team-mate Gambhir who bought up his 7th one day century in 101 balls and his second against Sri Lanka in 2009. India reached the 200 in the 33rd over with requiring another 116 off 102 balls which seemed quite straight forward with the way both batsmen were playing. Kholi could not carry on as he was removed for 107 and end a record third wicket partnership at Calcutta. It was Gambhir who ensured that he stayed till the end with requiring another 70 runs to win the series and Karthik looked to play the supporting role. With the way Gambhir was playing and being determined to finish of the job he ended up scoring 47 of the 70 runs required when Kholi departed the chase, Even with 10 overs to the chase it was still nip and neck and you would expect batting teams to win 9 times out of 10 but India ended up cruising to victory with 11 balls left and showed there skill and nerve not to get worried about chasing 315.

Both batsmen made the chase look very easy which was a record breaking chase in record third wicket partnership and where also Gambhir became the highest run scorer at Calcutta. Not only the win for India will be pleasing to end a good year but the performance of Kholi who is only 21 and with Gambhir allowing him to take his MOM award was a touching moment for Kholi and the team.

Australia v Pakistan Test Series 2009 Preview

noreply@blogger.com (Dipz Cricket World) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:45:00 +0000

Boxing Day test match at the MCG for the last 10 years was the most awaited test in the cricket calendar for all fans and players but with Australia’s demise it will be the second test between South Africa v England will be the most talked about test. But the MCG test still has a very good chance of being the main spectacle with both Australia and Pakistan being unpredictable which could just make this series even more fascinating then past series which has seen Australia dominating.

Australia may have won the test series against West Indies 2-0 but they were made to look to very ordinary but it will be Pakistan who will feel confident off a series win after promising signs in the drawn series against New Zealand. The challenge will come how the teams cope with there weaknesses which could cost them the series, it will be Pakistan weak batting against Australia’s bowling. Both the teams weakness were exposed in the last series and the team who can turn there weakness into strength will come out on top in the series.

If the Pakistan batsmen can be more patience and apply themselves more they have the quality and skill to bat against Australia’s bowling attack as players such as Umar Amal who looks a player for the future and showed what he is capable of, there were also signs from Butt, Yousuf and Kamran Akmal but it is the inconsistency which is too frequent which is the biggest concern. The loss of Younis Khan will be a vital blow that has been a proven test match number 3 and would provide some solidity between a fragile opening pair and a volatile middle order. Australia bowling attack lack the fire power with Mitchell Johnson not hitting the same heights as he did last summer, the likes of Siddle and Bollinger are not going to scare too many batsmen, Nathan Hauritz a decent spinner but not to the standard of the spinners Pakistan posses where the loss of Brett Lee cannot be under estimated.

The other challenge in the series will be the strength of both teams Pakistan’s bowling attack against Australia’s batting line which is not what it use to be and not the most daunting that should scare the Pakistan bowlers. Australia have got quite a bit to worry about in the batting line up is firstly is Shane Watson good enough to be an opener and he could be caught lbw
and his ability to be an opener will be up for discussion. The elbow injury to Ricky Ponting will be tested by the Asif, Gul and Aamer and then there is the form of Michael Hussey who should be dropped are the calls by some Australian legends. Pakistan posses the best bowling attack in the world on there day with three pace attack of Mohammad Aamer, Asif and Umur Gul can be devastating but if conditions are very batting friendly they can be made to look very ordinary then there is Daniesh Kaneira who seemed to have found his groove in the series against New Zealand.

It seems to be that Australia have all the worries in the batting and bowling department but one area they can confident of is the fielding and catching which is high quality where for Pakistan it is impossible to tell which team will turn up in the field. With the unpredictability of both teams the fielding and catching will be even more crucial and it could be a one session of brilliant fielding and catching during the MCG test that could dictate the whole series.

Australia may have won the test series against West Indies but momentum is against them and where for Pakistan they know something special can be achieved and win the first series in Australia since 1988/89 series which they won 1-0 and last series win against Australia 6 series ago in 1994/95 1-0.

Australia Win Battle But Lose Face

noreply@blogger.com (Dipz Cricket World) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:32:00 +0000

Australia retained the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy with a 2-0 victory over the West Indies. For the visitors, they improved as they went along, they just relied on too much from too few. If things had gone their way they may have had a 2-1 win.

Australia will be happy by the win, especially after the Ashes loss, but there is still much to suggest that they are nowhere near the same force they once were when the likes of Warne, McGrath and Hayden played. Then cricket betting on them was simple.

Nathan Hauritz is the best spinner Australia has and he isn’t that good. He finished with 11 wickets at 33. He bowled the most overs so you would have expected him to have a better return.

There was a lot of niggle between the two sides; it seems as though the Australians were the main offenders but got off the lightest. Something which hasn't escaped the attention of old foe, Anil Kumble. Brad Haddin pointed his bat at Sulieman Benn and Shane Watson got into the face of Chris Gayle after dismissing him but yet both got off more lightly than Benn. This didn’t seem reasonable or fair. They don’t need to resort to these types of tactics and shows they haven’t learned much since the much heated series against India two years ago.

The West Indies will be happy about the way they improved as the series went along. Dwayne Bravo and Benn both took 11 wickets and Kumar Roach was a nice find. Unfortunately the batting was let down by weak and careless dismissals. They will be back for one day internationals and Twenty20 which should be entertaining.

Pakistan will pose a much stiffer task and could really test Australia. Their pace men are going to test the elbow of Ricky Ponting. Additionally they have a huge advantage in the spin-bowling department. The big question will be their batting. If they bat well they will put huge pressure back on the Australians.

There is no doubt that Australian coming back to the field makes for more entertaining cricket. Instead of games being decided in three days you have matches where drama stays throughout. West Indies staged a huge fight back when they bowled out Australia for 150 in the second innings and had they batted a tinier bit better they would have won the match. Ultimately though the better team won. As for the better behaved team, now that's a different story.

David Wiseman writes for this blog. He also writes about harness betting.