NOT ENOUGH CRICKET

The Accumulator Returns

2012-02-17T11:22:00.000Z

Alastair Cook has expanded his comfort zone. Despite an up and down relationship, he has now taken the one day game by the collar and made it his own. Not in the style of a Sehwag or a Warner, but with his characteristic powers of application and concentration. Cook, the tireless accumulator of runs in test match cricket, undoubtedly the best of the present era, has now turned it on in the 50 over format.

English selectors memorably excluded Cook from the World Cup 2011 squad, despite his unbelievable exploits Down Under in the preceding Ashes test series. After a mixed showing in the tournament, the selectors reinstated Cook back into the ODI team, and as the skipper this time. This certainly was a strange decision at the time, particularly in the context of his World Cup exclusion and the justifications offered, his relatively low strike rate and inability to play the big shots. The obvious intention of Alastair Cook's reinstatement as skipper of the ODI team was to provide him a grooming platform as the potential successor to Andrew Strauss. And Cook has not disappointed.

At age 27, Cook has played only 43 ODIs so far, having led England in 20 of these. To put this in some context, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who are considered upcoming Indian talent, have each played more than 70 ODIs already. Cook avergages just over 41 runs per innings in ODIs, with a strike rate of 80 runs per 100 balls faced, having produced 14 innings of 50 plus runs in his 43 outings. Notably, his average when batting as the skipper is above 55 runs, with a strike rate of 92. He has scored 3 out of his 4 one-day centuries as England captain. In the two recent, rather convincing, ODI victories over Pakistan, Cook led from the front, completely turning around England's dismal tour of the UAE. He is now the only England captain to have scored back to back centuries in the ODI format. Strong evidence that he enjoys the added responsibility of leading the side.

Worth a mention here that the legend Sir Ian "Beefy" Botham had excluded Alastair Cook, the skipper, from his prefered eleven for the one dayers, while tweeting on the last day of the test series when Pakistan completed the England whitewash.

What stands out is Cook's ability to apply himself to the task. He has shown yet again that not being the quintessential elegant left handed batsman does not get in the way of being most effective. He works on his technique to minimize the risks in the context of the conditions and the attack. He plays within his limitations, works on his scoring shots, rotates the strike and does not miss many scoring opportunities. His ability to play long innings is already legendary. Make no mistake, this determined cricketer will sunset many a record before he calls it a day.

He chose to drive away from the Church in a farm tractor with his new bride, but that's Alastair Cook for you. Not flamboyant, but effective!

England Gain Early Edge in Dubai

2012-02-03T08:38:00.001Z

The champions have fought back like ferocious cornered lions this morning at Dubai. At the time of writing they have Pakistan reeling at 44 for 7.

The fourth innings victory target of 145 at Abu Dhabi presented England a fair opportunity to square the series. However disaster struck as they folded up for 72, surrendering the series 2-0. Strauss and his team made no excuses, although it was just the last session that lost them the game, one in which they had dominated all the preceding sessions.

Today England have turned up strong and committed, out to prove their status and their ability to win in sub-continental conditions. The seamers, Anderson and Broad, have bowled with aggression and discipline, giving Pakistan no room for error.

The Dubai pitch is flat, as it was in the first match of the series. This surface has runs to offer. Pakistan will no doubt hope and expect their bowlers to get them back into this game. Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman have troubled England so far in the series. With the DRS and accurate spin bowling, England will need to do better, no doubt. But I suspect England have turned the corner!

Speculation is fraught with danger, but the first session here has been match defining in my view. England are in the driver's seat and this match can only have one result from here.

Of interest might be whether England can return Pakistan the favour, and bundle them out for a double digit total after lunch. I expect the England first innings to have a few big individual scores and partnerships. The retained batting order has the opportunity to prove itself, particularly Strauss, Pieterson and Morgan. So it's all worth looking forward to. If Pakistan can work their way back from here, it will be quite a feat to savour, but don't expect England to let go their grip on this game easily.

England's First True Test Since Crowning

2012-01-16T13:21:00.001Z

Pakistan cricket has been known for it’s bowling strengths, atleast since I was a boy. They are the true pioneers of reverse swing, the doosra and the 100mph delivery! Pakistan have regularly produced good seamers and spinners, who in the worst of times and even in alien conditions, have never really allowed oppositions to get away without a contest. Things are no different in the upcoming contest against England.

The series starting tomorrow in Dubai will be England’s first big test, since being crowned champions of test cricket in August 2011. The Pakistan bowling unit will undoubtedly be England’s biggest worry. With bowlers like Saeed Ajmal, who is playing the ultimate mind-game of the “teesra” (the third one; or yet another one, if you translate the “doosra” as the other one), England’s batting will be tested. The orthodox slow left-armer, Abdur Rehman, and the competent all-rounder, Mohammed Hafeez, will add to the pressure, forming the best spin trio in test cricket at this point. The seam attack, led by the experienced war-horse Umar Gul, with the young left-arm medium pacer, Junaid Khan, at the other end, will be quite a handful too. And there are more options that Pakistan have on the bench.

England are a very competent batting line up, and have been working hard in training to adapt to the conditions of slow low turning tracks that can be expected in the UAE. Ian Bell, Kevin Pieterson, Jonathan Trott and Andrew Strauss are particularly good players of spin bowling. Nimble footwork and using the depth of the crease become particularly important against good spinners. This is not to discount Alistair Cook, Eoin Morgan or Ravi Bopara, who certainly add to the batting resources that England will or could call upon.

England are struggling with injury niggles in the seam department, with the latest scare regarding Stuart Broad. However, with the spin of Graeme Swann and the option of Monty Panesar, one can expect James Anderson and Steven Finn to be quite a handful. As per latest updates, Stuart Broad might take the field tomorrow, giving the side the required balance.

Truly speaking, the Pakistan batting has not been tested by a world class bowling attack in a while. The middle gets its strength from the experienced Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq, and young Asad Shafiq. The pair at the top has been rather reliable over 2011, Mohammed Hafeez and Taufeeq Umar, with the sparkling talent of Azhar Ali, playing one drop. Pakistan batting will need to work hard to put enough runs on the board, to allow their bowlers to have a real go at the English batsmen.

In recent times, Pakistan have entrusted captaincy to 37 year old, Misbah-ul-Haq, who despite a brilliant run as skipper, has come under criticism for defensive play by the media and the fans. In times of rebuilding, it is critical to close the door on losses first. Full credit to Misbah, who has taken the reins late in his career, clearly mandated to getting Pakistan cricket back to even keel, and to nurture a potential successor.

The shadow of the spot-fixing saga which clouded the last series between these two teams, has to be lifted with combative cricket in the desert. The series promises much and will undoubtedly deliver. It will be a true contest. In the conditions, I give the edge to Pakistan over England.

Happy viewing and commenting!

Silver Lining for India from the Perth Test

2012-01-15T23:12:00.000Z

There is a silver lining to India's drubbing at Perth. Believe me, there is!

Though trounced comprehensively, in half the time allocated for the Perth test match, India managed to cement two special building blocks for the future of their test resurrection.

The onsite selection panel need to be congratulated for persisting with Virat Kohli, despite the string of four failures. Kohli top scored in both the rather modest Indian innings. But more importantly, he played through tough periods, showed good temperament, concentrated hard and applied himself. He handled his examination by the relentless Australian pace battery rather well, never missing a scoring opportunity and rotating the strike routinely. Kohli repaid the selectors trust, demonstrating the qualities of a test batsman. He put up a fight, and looked more comfortable than any other Indian batsman through the match.

Rahul Dravid played hard, but looked jumpy and was uncertain of his footwork. The brilliant technique, which set benchmarks for batsmen the world over, was conspicuously absent. For the fifth time in six innings he was castled. When batting alongside Kohli, it was Dravid who looked under pressure and uneasy by comparison.

The other positive outcome for India from the Perth test was the arrival of Umesh Yadav. We know he can work up a pace and he has been amongst the wickets a few times already. Perth announced his arrival as a combative, intelligent, quick learning seamer.

Despite the amazing Warner knock, and his match defining opening stand with Cowan, India managed to get ten Australian wickets for 220 runs on day two. A feat not accomplished by India for a while. Thanks to some brilliant and consistent line and length, Yadav was rewarded with a well deserved five wicket haul. He showed that he had learnt, adjusted his length, applied himself with patience and consistency. He looked positively menacing.

I believe the test baptism of Kohli and Yadav is now complete.

India have another important opportunity at Adelaide, to continue the rebuilding process of the test team. With Dhoni handed a one match ban by the ICC, Saha will get his test debut. It is most definitely time to rest Laxman and allow Rohit Sharma his long awaited break. Adelaide being the best batting track in Australia, it will be advisable to play with the two spinners, Ashwin and Ojha. Vinay and Ishant must make way. This also reduces the length of the tail, thanks to Ashwin's ability with the bat.

The journey of rebuilding is never easy, but will most certainly be exciting. Undoubtedly there will be calls of a complete rethink and restructure. India might do well to study the cricket structures of England and Australia, to glean ideas that may work.

My final point is really a plea to the BCCI, to allow the senior Indian players the required grace and dignity, in the winter of their long and honourable careers as servants of Indian cricket. Press stories like the one about VVS Laxman in the Times of India yesterday are definitely not the way to sunset a glowing career.

Retirement Contemplation Night

2012-01-13T16:26:00.000Z

On Friday the 13^th January 2012, Indian cricket burst into flames. History shall record it as such. Much like the Phoenix, the mythical bird, made famous by J.K.Rowling in her classic Harry Potter series, Indian cricket now has the opportunity to be reborn from its ashes. To regain the ability to cure all wounds and carry weights well beyond its own, read Indian cricket fans!

Today, the first day at Perth, was the most one sided of days in recent test cricket. India, ranked the champion test side until six months ago dropped to new lows in each department. The batting and the bowling crumbled spectacularly under relentless pressure. You know the scorecard, however, some telling stats that justify the burning down analogy. In batting, this is India’s third innings sub 200 from the last four outings. In bowling, they have now conceded 771 runs for one wicket, that of Ponting at Sydney.

The harsh reality of international sport at the highest level - one can’t win from memory. It’s a complex mix of ability, agility, ambition, application and form; relative to the opposition, in the given conditions, with a dollop of fortune. It takes more than just ability, particularly when other factors weigh against it. India is now delivered to the doorstep of change, and change they must.

Australia might thank India for helping complete their two year long rebuilding program. After mixed series recently, consistent and dominant performances now will certainly propel Australia up the rankings, and ambitions. Assuredly the next Ashes series is fantastically set up. India have been good for English and Australian cricket in the past six months!

To be fair, India owe gratitude to Australia, for finally pushing them to the precipice, making a convincing argument to get past inertia and begin the rebuild. Strong argument I’d say, when you consider that this Perth test is at real risk of becoming India’s biggest embarrassment. It could well be over in just two days of play! Consider this - Warner continues until lunch tomorrow and Clarke declares 250 ahead, say an hour after lunch. Will India manage to keep the Aussie bowlers out until day three? If you are with me so far, you can’t argue that this match will not see tea time on day three.

Some senior Indian players are contemplating their test future tonight, no doubt. The channels need clearing up for younger ability, to join the ranks and have the time to establish. In my estimation, VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid, Zaheer Khan, M S Dhoni and Virender Sehwag need to rethink their future in test cricket, beyond Australia. As to Tendulkar, he continues to demonstrate the ability to play test cricket, despite the pressure of reduced agility. His 100^th century pressure notwithstanding, he could choose to continue for the present.

Given the Indian squad on the tour, I would be surprised if Rohit, Rahane and Ojha don’t get a game at Adelaide now. In addition, the selectors need to have the rebuilding agenda to include spinners and all-rounders for tests. I’d like Rahul Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja and Irfan Pathan to be given breaks sooner rather than later.

This subject of rebuilding is a pandora’s box! Let the good times begin.

Obsession with Batting Heroes

2012-01-08T14:03:00.000Z

In the continuing debacle of Indian test cricket, analysis and theories abound. There is much passion and disappointment amongst Indian fans. Several explanations proposed with many ringing true. But a lot does seem, let’s say, a bit “Bollywood”. Good or evil, black or white, comedy or tragedy, hero or villain. The ICC World Cup hang-over continues!

The Sydney victory was a bigger triumph for Australia than the scoreline. An emphatic win in itself, it brought first evidence of consistency for this new Australian side, under skipper Michael Clarke. After mercurial performances in South Africa and against New Zealand at home, two back-to-back convincing victories against the fancied Indian will help build momentum and the winning habit. The return of vintage Ricky Ponting and the batting form of Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey augur well. The most heartening though is the performance of the Australian bowling unit, and mind you not their first string selection this lot. Ben Hilfenhaus has added a few yards, swinging and seaming well, partnering Peter Siddle and James Pattinson, both of whom have bowled with discipline and aggression. The bowling reserve list is rich, allowing Australia to manage injuries as required. Pattinson will be replaced by Ryan Harris at Perth. The only real areas of worry for Australia are the spin and wicket keeping department. Brad Haddin is having a nightmare of a series so far.

India’s troubles overseas continue, with batsmen struggling to play for long periods and occupy the crease for a session of play. Some skill and temperament was on display in the second innings at Sydney, where India managed 400 for the first time in 18 overseas outings. This ratio is evidence of an incompetent batting unit, not a strong one. The misplaced confidence in the batting undoubtedly influenced the team management to elect to bat first in Sydney. Hoping to put up a decent first innings score, put scoreboard pressure on the Aussies and avoid batting last in the match, as they had to in Melbourne. That was the crucial error of the match!

There are superstars in the Indian line up, yet the batting is underperforming consistently. Recent performances suggest India to be a fragile batting side. Excluding the last innings of 400 at Sydney, India averages 245 per innings overseas, since Dec 2010. The sum of individual career averages of the first five Indian batsmen exceeds 250. With six batsmen yet to bat! Rough method, but definitely highlights the anomaly!

Much less gets written or said about Zaheer Khan or Harbhajan Singh, and their contribution to India’s rise to number one Test side. Not until one gets injured and the other underperforms. Zaheer is now playing from experience, and is lacking the strength and fitness required for his profession. The Indian bowlers toiled for nearly two days, picking one wicket for 622 runs in Sydney, unable to contain the runs or trouble the batsman. That was a real low point for the Indian bowling unit. Dhoni may not have got all his tactics right, but then he was setting fields for experienced bowlers most often, who supposedly had plans of attack or containment. The lack of discipline, temperament and execution was in stark contrast to the Australian bowling attack. The bowling unit needs a big overhaul too.

So what are India’s options going into the Perth test? Given the touring squad, including the other spinner, Pragyan Ojha, is well advised, however the decision to drop Ishant, Yadav or Zaheer will be a tough one. Wonder if track-hitting tall leg-spinner, Rahul Sharma, could be flown in? On a skiddier and bouncy track like Perth, he could be a great option. The calls to replace Virat Kohli with Rohit Sharma will be louder. In my view, dropping Virendra Sehwag down the order, bringing in Ajinkya Rahane for Virat Kohli, to open the batting with Gautam Gambhir might serve the team better. If the team management take courage and rest VVS Laxman, Rohit Sharma could be another good addition to the side.

Time for change is well and truly here. India should start taking the hard decisions. It can’t get worse than 4-0, in a four test series, can it?

Double Double Hundred Day!

2012-01-04T18:02:00.001Z

What a run feast today!

Test double centuries by Clarke and Kallis, in addition to centuries from Ponting and AB, all in the same day. Certainly a day that Indian and Sri Lankan bowlers would dearly love to forget.

Clarke revels in test captaincy and has batted brilliantly since taking over the mantle from Ponting. His recent knock at Cape Town Newlands against South Africa was special. The one today at Sydney is his highest so far, and is yet unfinished, could easily become his first triple century. Clarke has notched up four tons in ten matches as test captain. Led from the front, Australia are well and truly in the ascendency.

In another part of the world, Kallis, the superstar, went about notching his second double hundred, this one against Sri Lanka. His first was in Dec 2010 against India. Today's feat was achieved at his home ground of Cape Town Newlands, albeit on a different track than the one which saw Australia recently crumble for 47.

Yes, that's how fickle this game is!

The second day at the Sydney test was a complete contrast from the first day when 13 wickets fell. On day two the only wicket of Ponting saw India concede 366 runs in the day. The inability of the Indian attack, which by no means is a second string attack, was not able to trouble or contain the Aussies. Clarke closed the day at 251 n.o. off 225 deliveries. Insult to injury!

As things stand, the Sydney test is all wrapped up, and only a miracle would prevent Australia going 2-0 up in the series. Also a magical wave of infeasible calm will save Virat Kohli from further abuse by the Australian crowds.

Batting Might in Question, Again!

2012-01-03T16:16:00.002Z

Sydney Cricket Ground, where the Indian batsmen were hunted down, once again. In the 100th test match at this epic venue, two of its better entertainers of previous years, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman, disappointed. Alongside eight other colleagues, of the increasingly hapless Indian batting line up.

A brave decision to bat first on a grassy track, no doubt motivated by the desire to have Australia play the last innings of the match, backfired for skipper Dhoni. The regular procession of Indian batsmen, despite an attractive though brief innings by the Little Master, showed serious ineptitude against the disciplined and aggressive Australian seam attack. Pattinson, Hilfenhaus and Siddle delivered again for their side, as Dhoni ran out partners, closing out the Indian first innings for a paltry 191.

India's recent track record of overseas completed innings, since the South Africa tour of 2010, averages to an innings score of 245. Only three scores of 300 plus figure in this list, with four below 200. At best this is evidence of poor batting, and most certainly does not evidence the mighty Indian batting line up.

Something is fundamentally wrong. The desire and application to play long periods seems conspicuously absent. Keeping the good balls out, minimising risks and waiting for the bad ball, all cliched statements, but rudimentary skill requirements to perform in test cricket. Is the limited overs mentality at the root of the malaise? Indian team management has ignored the wake up call for long, it is time now to take cognizance.

This test match is open at present, but only just. Expect the outcome to be determined by the end of the crucial first session of play tomorrow. If Australia hold wickets, and go on to gain a first innings lead of a hundred runs or more, the match result can go one way only. Ponting and Clarke have batted with commitment so far, and will come out with intent tomorrow. India's hope lies with Zaheer Khan pulling out another magical spell in the morning, and wrapping the Australian innings cheaply. Hope Dhoni is attacking and not defending in this crucial session of the match!

Crease Occupation at Sydney

2011-12-31T22:00:00.002Z

The Boxing Day Test is an important event in the Australian sporting calendar. In the 2010-11 Ashes series, the touring English team gave the home side much to think about by the end of the Boxing Day test of 2010.

Fast forward a year to Boxing Day 2011, a young and new look Australian side have already come a long way. You would agree that good test teams always rally around a strong bowling battery. Australia have certainly dug deep and done well in their rebuilding process in bowling department in the last one year.

The vacuum has been largely filled, barring the absence of a world class spinner. But then a Shane Warne does not "happen" routinely. Hearteningly, they have created a strong pipeline of young seam bowling talent. Certainly a lot of credit must also go to the preparation, planning and disciplined execution of the bowling plans on the pitch. Yes, the batting does look fragile at present. But you can expect that during this series a more settled Australian batting combination, and order, will emerge.

India on the other hand is struggling. More than the team management and large community of supporters may care to admit. With the fitness issues of Zaheer Khan resolved for the present, Ishant having added a few yards and Yadav showing strong ability, the seam unit looks fine. After a long time, in alien conditions, India managed to pick 20 wickets in a test match. Notably though against a relatively weak Australian batting line up.

The real worry is the Indian batting. The stalwarts are present, but akin to the recent summer in England, India failed to get past 300 in both innings of the Melbourne test. Well executed bowling plans of the opposition worked again, very much as they did all summer in England. Relentless, disciplined and aggressive seam bowling from both ends saw the Indian batting line up crumble twice in two days at the MCG.

Sehwag plays the way he does, always keeping the bowlers interested. Gambhir remains susceptible in the 4th off-stump corridor, Laxman unable to curb his compulsive pulling of the short rising delivery. Dravid and Tendulkar have been regularly drawn into front foot drives, with well pitched up off-stump lines, and enough movement to cause trouble. Make no mistake, that takes some doing! But it's being done, time and again.

One hopes that there will be a few big scores in this series from one or more of the Indian batting legends, but let's just say, it's not looking easy. Australia, like England, have clearly done their homework for each batsman, and then executed the plans perfectly on the pitch. The Indian batting will have to dig deep, to seize the initiative in Sydney. The strategy quite simply has to be crease occupation. Not for Dravid alone, but for the top seven Indian batsman, if the trend has to change.

Look forward to a good contest in Sydney. And by the way, are you missing the DRS as much as me?

It’s Shutters for Yuvraj Singh in Test Cricket

2011-11-17T00:15:00.002Z

Batting is cruel business, most definitely in the longer format of the game. Test match cricket is a true examination of batting skills, technique and temperament. With field restrictions and run rate pressures absent, the nuances of the pitch, its wear, the weather, match situation and session objectives, all present a whole new challenge. No wonder then that test cricket champions have always been good bowling attacks coupled with solid batting line ups.

Yuvraj Singh earned his first test call up in October 2003 at age 22, at his home ground of Mohali. His test record since, despite a few memorable performances has been chequered, one might say rather average. In 37 test appearances, stepping out to bat 57 times, including yesterday’s knock at Kolkata against the West Indies, he averages 34.80, with an away average closer to 29. Notably he has scored 80% of his test runs in matches played in the sub continent.

The shorter format is a different story though. Who can forget Yuvraj’s brutal willow in the first ICC Twenty20 World Cup of 2007, where he sent Stuart Broad into orbit six times in six deliveries? Awesome, clean, long hitting, at will and controlled. His contribution to the World Cup winning Indian team of 2011 has been the peak of his career so far. He scalped 15 wickets with his slow left arm, in addition to playing crucial knocks with the bat, amassing 362 runs, picking up four Man-of-the-Match awards, and the Player of the Tournament.

It’s like two different guys we are talking about, isn’t it? With the game now having settled to three formats, it is getting specialized. While in each country there are few exceptions i.e. players who can play and adjust to the needs of each format, equally there are others who have chosen to exclude themselves or are excluded from formats that don’t work for them.

In test match cricket, Yuvraj has not been the game changer or the reliable middle order batsman that he has been in the limited overs format. He enjoys the confidence of skipper Dhoni and the selectors, to be presented opportunities to resurrect his test credentials, first in the English summer following the World Cup, and then again in the current home series against the West Indies. However, it has not worked as desired and hoped. His apparent inability to deal with seaming conditions or even pace in placid conditions, are both suspect, more now than ever before.

So while the world is wondering when the 37-38 year old stalwarts of Indian batting will be replaced by young talent, it does seem prudent to replace the nearly 30 year old Yuvraj with a 23-25 year old.

This may all be moot. From the very apparent body language of Yuvraj on the field at the Eden Gardens today, after his dismal, almost embarrassing outing with the bat, in the Indian first innings, the message from the team management seems to be clear. The hero of the world cup will not be playing the next test at Mumbai or the Boxing Day test in Melbourne come December. It is now very unlikely that he will make the test squad for the Australian away series. Sensible for the team AND for Yuvraj Singh, I’d say.

We will most certainly see Virat Kohli in the side for the last test match against the West Indies at Mumbai. This will be his big opportunity to get ahead of two other strong contenders for the vacancy. I believe that Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma should present a good problem to the selectors when deciding the test squad for the Australian tour, in the next few weeks. Rohit averages over 63 in First Class cricket, has had several appearances for India in limited overs matches. Raina has played 15 tests, but has been in a similar mould as Yuvraj, more reliable and fluent in limited overs, but not best suited for testing conditions against genuine seam and pace.

My clear choice is Rohit Sharma, yes, ahead of Virat Kohli. Kohli has amazing big match temperament and a good cricketing brain. However he was visibly rattled by the genuine pace of Fidel Edwards in the West Indies earlier this year. That weakness will certainly be captured on tape, and will expose him at the test level again. Rohit, on the other hand, has the gift of extra time. The few additional nanoseconds of reaction time should give him the ability to stand head and shoulders above other contenders in really tough conditions. His opportunity in test cricket is yet to come, so difficult to say if he will pass the test of temperament, although his first class record of the longer format is most encouraging.

The Kolkata test is looking set for a fourth day finish, so let’s catch up after that!

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Freedom Lies Beyond The Final Everest

2011-11-11T08:30:00.000Z

Sachin Tendulkar has been the “boy” wonder of Cricket since he first donned the Indian cap in 1989 as a 16 year old. Yes, all that has been said and written about him by team mates, opponents, fans and journalists is well deserved and testimony to his supreme talent.

His mental and physical strength get lesser attention especially in the face of all the records that have crumbled in his path over the last decade or so. Keeping a steady head on his shoulders through a long career, never involved in controversy or scandals, this man has been a brilliant ambassador of the sport. His energy and enthusiasm still clearly visible on the field, obviously someone who was born to do this one thing – play cricket and score loads of runs!

With the territory comes the amazing adulation of his fans, who seek to take personal joy in each of his achievements. He has had his critics and they have been silenced time and again with the very responsive willow he wields. Sometimes these critics have had to change perceptions, thanks to sophisticated statistical analysis of cricket records. It is now almost a rudimentary marketing tactic for a book written about cricket to include in its sales promotion some criticism of Sachin Tendulkar. It does certainly get attention for the book, although not sure if it sells more prints as a consequence.

Long may he continue! He is still looking in command on the pitch. After a few months rest, he is looking fitter, with reflexes in tune to deal with the 90mph speedsters. However, I submit to you that the Little Master is probably now staring at his final Everest of batting records.

For any ardent follower of the game, this may not be new, yet to summarize some key batting records that Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar of India holds, include:

Most International matches featured (Test 182, 300 innings; ODI 453, 442 innings). Underestimated, but an amazing record in itself, of longevity and form. Never once dropped for lack of form in the last 22 years.
Most career runs in Test Matches 15,048 and ODI 18,111, giving a total over 33,000 international runs. This is miles ahead of the next best.
Most international centuries with 51 in tests and 48 in ODI, now standing at a total of 99 international centuries. The next best is Ricky Ponting at 69 centuries.
Sachin also holds the record for the highest runs in an ODI innings at 200 n.o.
Ironically, he also has the highest number of scores in the 90s in internationals. A total of 27, from 18 in ODI and 9 in Tests. Just take a moment to wonder, what if?

But then even for this giant of batting there are a few important records which are now a bridge too far. These belong to other big names and legends of the game. They will remain so, when Sachin does hang up his gloves. Records that come to mind are Brain Lara’s highest knock of 400 n.o., Don Bradman’s career test average of 99.94, as also his 12 career double centuries. There are several other records in this hugely statistical sport of ours, but these are the real big mountains.

In the recently concluded test match at Delhi, Sachin clearly became conscious of the opportunity and pressed on the pedal. Instead of playing on merit, as he was doing so comfortably, he began to take risks and manufacture shots, clearly in an effort to reach his 100^th century before the winning target was breached. In this effort, he even missed a leg bye, to ensure strike for the rest of the Bishoo over, and perished in trying to force the pace.

Unfortunate but true, the Master is feeling the pressure, eager to reach this last Everest. Is he seeking independence from the pressure of this final frontier? The expectations of his fans have always been his shadow, so it is something from within that woke up the devil on the shoulder at Delhi.

In the near future Sachin Tendulkar, his family, his team mates and all his fans will celebrate this amazing feat of 100 international centuries. What I am really looking forward to are the matches and series that will follow! The feeling of independence, and the final innings of the Sachin career will begin then, and don’t be surprised if it is more exciting than the last 22 years.

Fresh Indian Attack for First Test Match on Home Soil in 2011

2011-11-05T17:26:00.000Z

The last time the West Indies toured India for a test series was nine years ago. Yes, it was that long back, hence my stated position - Not Enough Cricket! Played at the Eden Gardens in Oct 2002, the last game of the three test series was drawn, a series India had won 2-0 before arriving in Kolkata.

The dependable Chanderpaul is the only link to the West Indian side of that era, although for India, still carrying on the hard work are Dravid, Sehwag, Tendulkar and Laxman. The match winners for India with the ball in this last series were the spin duo of Harbhajan and Kumble. And here is where we have big change. The Indian bowling line up will sport a new look. A look, a real hard look, certainly forced by the debacle of the English summer.

The first test match of the present 2011 series kicks-off tomorrow at the Kotla in Delhi. This is also the very first test match on India soil this calendar. You can bet the stadiums will be rather empty. The starts maybe late and finishes early, with the track low and slow, with maybe some promise of bounce in the early stages.

Most significantly, you will see a new look bowling attack turning out for India. No Zaheer, no Sreesanth, no Praveen and no Harbhajan. Suddenly the Indian selectors have new purpose and conviction!

Three from this lot of specialist bowlers, Ashwin, Ojha, Yadav, Aaron or Rahul Sharma, will be teaming with the new leader of the Indian bowling attack, Ishant, who turned 23 a couple months ago, and is a veteran of 38 test matches. Dhoni will most likely pick Ashwin, Ojha and Yadav, having promised at least two test debutants at the game. Besides going in with two specialist spinners will be the sane choice in the conditions and considering the opposition.

That’s not the half of it. More gratifying is the fact that the selectors are clearly making use of this series to work out the best bowling combination for the Australian tour ahead. Yadav will be working hard to make use of his opportunity, with a younger and quicker Aaron breathing down his neck. Harbhajan, Mishra and Jadeja will also be on the selectors’ radar, so the spin department remains contested. This is the bowling unit for the test side, not to mention the other options from the limited overs format, like Vinay, Aarvind and Mithun. With the Ranji season having kicked off, central contracts signed with 34 players by the BCCI, it is gratifying to note the Indian selectors are taking nothing for granted anymore and nor are the players.

Thank you England!

The Indian selectors have assured 100% fitness, the fielding coach has been working the lads real hard, so it should be a good test for India, albeit in home conditions. Can the Indian bowlers take 20 West Indies wickets to win test matches when there is no run rate pressure?

Yes, I hear you. Is the current West Indies opposition a real challenge? Will this really prepare India for the upcoming away series against Australia? But then as Dhoni pointed out earlier today, England is in the past, Australia is in the future, India needs to address their present challenge against the West Indies.

It would be naive to underestimate the West Indies. This team is building in experience and in confidence rapidly. They have put player absences and debates behind them. Undoubtedly they have some high class talent, in Darren Bravo, Devendra Bishoo, Fidel Edwards, Kemar Roach and Ravi Rampaul. In the recent series against Bangladesh on similar tracks, Kirk Edwards showed his value with the bat. Marlon Samuels is losing time, and has to return to the good times. Of course, let’s not forget the West Indies “Wall”, Shivnarine Chanderpaul. His open chested two eyed stance and Guyana style of marking guard is iconic, as are so many of his dogged innings over the years. The West Indies have a good bowling unit, who undoubtedly will be working out plans on how to dislodge the Indian batting stalwarts on their favourite flat tracks. Not easy, but certainly this West Indies bowling unit is no push over.

Enjoy the match. Darren Bravo could still win you over, if he hasn't already!

England Must Play Their Best Side

2011-10-24T23:18:00.001+01:00

Come now! Grow up and smell the leather. Neither India nor England are dominant as the sledging Aussies once were, so a lot more to emulate yet. Everyone likes a bit of banter, certainly lots of intensity, but not consistent chatter, screaming abuse and being chastised by the umpires time and again. The ICC might charge the two boards a school head-teacher's fee!

Back to the game then, shall we?

The Indians with a fresh look side have played good cricket, dominating in all three departments so far. They have had a few good finds in Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron, athletic speedsters. Long may their fitness last.

Another good omen for India is that they have found a new dependable middle order, at least in home conditions. Although the opening spot does beckon one Mr. Sehwag. This Indian side re-charged with the return of the experienced campaigners, will give the selectors some good headaches.

One does need to spare a thought for the workload of skipper Dhoni. Should he hand over reigns in the limited over format to a younger deputy?

The English have struggled to compete in this series, barring a few good individual performances and one close finish at Mohali. It does appear that the think tank is going into each game without much of a plan. It is a bunch of very skilled cricketers this lot. However, with all the experience, video footage, etc. not much evidence of application, adapting to the conditions or even picking the best side for the conditions!

The lowlight for me was the dropping of Swann, the best spinner in the game, on a spinning slow track at Mumbai! So was it just a gamble or "lost cause, let's experiment", or worse still, a mind-block to playing three spinners irrespective of conditions, despite one being a proven all rounder?

Admittedly it has also been a shock to see Ian Bell, the most gifted English stroke-player, sit out the series so far. With big runs against India recently, his presence in the middle was certainly deserved and possible, especially with two middle order batsmen failing in the first three games. Again, can't really find an explanation.

With a 5-0 result in the series now looking imminent, Eden Gardens could be another one way street. The track there slows down dramatically as the game progresses. The temperature and humidity will not be much help either to the England lads. Hopefully they will field their best eleven to try and avoid the indignity of a white wash.

Are there Indian fans wishing there were four test matches against England to follow the T20 encounter at the Eden Gardens?

How the tables have reversed in a few short weeks? Maybe the rhetoric about England world domination will have to take a short break, despite their recent climb to rank one of the ICC Test and T20 chart. Dominant teams dominate in all conditions, so the task ahead is cut out clearly, for Andy Flower and his band of English captains.

Toughest English Exam at Mumbai

2011-10-23T01:05:00.001+01:00

Here we go again. Mumbai temperature above 30 degrees, high humidity and a promised slow track by the curator. The fourth game today will be toughest exam for England on this current tour of one dayers.

The last game at Mohali was the best chance for England to come back into the contest. The pitch had a tinge of green and the weather dry and pleasant, at least in the evening. England did well to set the target of 300. But then the rub of green seems to going against them too. England surrendered the series in the field, despite a good batting performance.

This young Indian side, with seven new faces, compared to the world cup winning side of earlier this year, is playing the conditions rather well. Building partnerships, using the pace well, rotating the strike and working hard on the field. It is all coming together. Being used to the tracks and with strong home support, suddenly they are making the English summer look a bit distant.

The chatter on the pitch is spicing proceedings, more so when the Indian skipper comments on infighting in the English camp. Mind games, sledging, no DRS, it does feel more traditional, honestly. The series makes the recent white-wash in England very stark by contrast.

Worth looking forward to Ian Bell back in the playing eleven, and hopefully leggie Scott Brothwick making his debut for England. From the Indian side, it would be good to see two likely debutants, leggie Rahul Sharma and speedster Varun Aaron.

This series maybe decided, but there is still much pride at stake for both England and India. It will be hard fought, but a real tough one for England, this one.

Slow Low Turners

2011-10-02T20:53:00.001+01:00

Later this week England arrive in India to play 5 ODIs and a solitary T20 in
the second half of Oct 2011, starting at Hyderabad on the 14th of Oct. Short and sweet, this return tour will miss Test matches. Not a series really, but a real test for both sides.

We all recall the drubbing India received at the hands of the English this summer, not so long ago. The domination was complete, in all internationals and in all formats.

England proved that they have well and truly arrived. Displacing the number one test side, and thrashing the world champs of the ODI format, convincingly, game after game.

But then cricket is one sport that has much to do with conditions. And the conditions, the pitches and the weather, did work to England's advantage during the home series. While the weather was not the primary cause for India's debacle, it was certainly a big factor. Wish the late September weather was around during the series, but let's just blame that on global warming, shall we?

For England to prove it's mettle and justify their top billing, the subcontinent conditions will be a true test. The pitches will be slow and low, with more turn than any pitch played on, during the summer.

Full credit to the England team management, who preferred the curators prepare a slow turner at the Oval for the 23 Sept T20 tie against the West Indies. It was certainly an effort to prepare for the subcontinent conditions. The result was unfavorable, which is not bad news. It highlighted the challenge of the subcontinent visit ahead. And it's one thing we know about Andy Flower, he will ensure complete preparation.

It is heartening that despite their detractors, selectors on both sides have worked on exploring new options, futuristic and specialist. New names on both sides will be exciting talents to watch. Look out for Jonathan Bairstow, Scott Borthwick, Jade Dernbach, Stuart Meaker, Chris Woakes, Jos Buttler, Alex Hales, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Varon Aaron, Umesh Yadav, S Aravind, Rahul Sharma and Manoj Tiwary. That is one long list!

Go on young men, make use of the opportunity and give us a great contest!!

Having said all that, I do believe that the limited overs formats, a curtailed ODI and particularly the T20 format does not truly reflect the real game. What with the D/L method limiting a T20 game to 9 overs. Seriously? That's more like "Tukkaa" 20 cricket. To explain, "Tukkaa" means "Fluke"!

It will definitely be a different kind of contest, with conditions changing a 180 degrees. Heat and humidity, bald slow low turners - that's a tad different from Trent Bridge, me thinks.

Expect a better contest than the recently concluded series in England, but don't you go and write off England, not this hungry bunch of fighters.

Happy viewing.

India's Bowling and Injury Woes

2011-09-17T00:18:00.001+01:00

It is finally over! The complete domination of India in the English summer of 2011.

Many younger Indian cricket fans are new to this kind of experience. A mammoth wake up call, not only for the players, selectors and the board but also for millions of cricket crazy fans. It can get real tough and painful.

The completely one sided test series in which England displaced India from the top spot was followed by another 3-0 whitewash in the ODI series. It was punctuated by a T20 game, also won by England. India, who are the current world champions did not win a single international outing through the entire series. Who would have thought?

England showed great skill with bat and ball in the conditions. But most hearteningly when they called upon their bench, in tests or in the ODIs, the new comers grabbed the opportunities and delivered. That is the best omen for England in all forms, and the future of the side.

India has their plate full. Key decisions lie ahead on blending experience with youth, and most critically player fitness and injury management. The series saw eleven Indian players exit the series, mid-way through games in some cases, due to injury. That in itself maybe a record!

All eyes are now on the five match ODI return series starting in four weeks at Hyderabad. Will England be as dominant or will the traffic change course? Will India have key players return? Will fortunes reverse in hot humid conditions on harder grounds and turning tracks? I only wish there were a few test matches in this return series, but there aren't.

This England team definitely deserves their glory and all the accolades. They hold strong promise for the near future.

Well played!

Will England dominate again?

2011-08-29T13:56:00.001+01:00

With less than an hour to go now, India take on Leicestershire in a T20 game at Grace Road. Leicestershire are champions of the Friends Life T20 tournament, the English equivalent of the IPL, if you will, which concluded only last week. One hopes that Leicestershire have had time enough to clear their heads after what deservedly must have been a big celebration.

India have brought in reinforcements to replace half a dozen big names - Zaheer, Sehwag, Harbhajan, Yuvraj, Ishant and the latest addition to the list, Gambhir. The last two practice games against Kent and Sussex have been won by the touring side, with notable performances notched up by Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Parthiv Patel and R P Singh. Well, does this indicate that India are better prepared for the limited overs games ahead? The side certainly looks fitter, and is probably hungrier too. The other advantage being that the morale of the new arrivals may be better preserved than team-mates who were at the receiving end of the test series humiliation.

The game today against the English T20 champs will certainly be a good test. Conditions are now wetter and colder than in the past few weeks. The official end to the English summer cricket season is a week away, but six internationals are yet to be played between India and England.

Notably, the games against Kent and Sussex did not feature any of the quicks who will figure in the England T20 and ODI sides. In addition to the test quartet of speed and spin, the tall and quick Dernbach and Finn are itching to get a crack. Dernbach bowls a well diguised slower ball dropping nearly 15mph, and Finn when bowling right areas, is a handful in any format. So does the Indian batting line up get a breather?

Expect the speed and steep bounce to continue the torrid examination of the new look Indian line up. You will see Patel, Kohli and Raina being bounced and tucked up. The only young batsman who may have the time to adjust could be Rohit Sharma. But his predominant onside play may well be tested by the swinging ball in the heavy conditions. The only relief the Indian batting can expect will be the use of the white Kookaburra ball, instead of the Duke cherry used in the test series. Hopefully the swing will be less menacing and reverse swing not as pronounced given the softer ground conditions.

It will be a better contest than the test matches, but rest assured England continue to hold the upper hand, India's world champion status notwithstanding.

There is little to say about or to expect from the Indian bowling attack. One can hope for a few performances, given occassional scoreboard pressure, but it remains very mediocre in the context and the form of the England batting line up.

Cook could consolidate his position as the England ODI skipper, after a good first outing in the role against the Sri Lankans, and move one step closer to test captaincy.

The other highlight of the series could be role that Rahul Dravid plays in this his last ODI series. The Wall looked miles ahead of his team-mates in dealing with the English attack in the test match leg of this tour. He will just have to continue to play anchor again through the ODIs now.

Here's hoping for a contest! A real one this time, please!

India must force the English attack

2011-08-17T22:59:00.002+01:00

Will the Oval test head the same way? Is a whitewash inevitable?

Fans on both sides are waiting for a real contest, at least one in this otherwise one-sided series so far. The Indian batting line up has much to prove. They have to find a way to take on the challenge of the relentless English pace attack. The Oval will present conditions suitable to achieve this goal, certainly more conducive than the previous three venues.

Much has been said in recent days about the causes and fixes, short term and long term challenges, facing the Indian test team. Some have even expressed the risk to the popularity of test match cricket itself. There are five solutions listed somewhere, and ten elsewhere.

In my humble opinion, way too much analysis and criticism of everything is going around. Here are the facts - England on relative strengths and form are deserving test champions. It is the margins of victory which have astounded all.

If the margins must be explained, it distills to only two issues. One of these issues was kind of expected. The weakness of the Indian bowling was scripted, not much surprise there really. This was further accentuated in the very first session of the series, when Zaheer walked away with a hamstring injury.

The second issue has been the real surprise and root cause of the big margins of defeat. The most mature batting line up in test cricket has not yet found a way to deal with the England pace battery in this series. There have been glimpses of solidity and aggression, but not enough consistency to post competitive scores.

The tall English seamers have bowled with good pace, very disciplined lines and consistent nagging lengths. They have used the occasional bouncer to a plan and achieved the result, more often than not. They have worked in combinations, giving no respite from either end.

The only one way forward for India is to try to get the English bowlers off their groove, upset their rhythm. India just have to force experimentation, change of lines and lengths, wavering of plans. And the Indian batting order have the ability and the experience to do so. They have to create the bad balls. Attritional cricket can not work in these conditions, not against this attack, not when they control each session and defintely not when they are under no threat. Sehwag, Gambhir, Tendulkar, Laxman and Dhoni have to attack, ideally play around Dravid, and stretch Strauss' bowlers into errors.

And finally something I have maintained through this series. India can not go in with four bowlers, not with their quality, and as the series has proven, with the consequent workload. Munaf, RP and Ojha should get the Oval game alongside Ishant and Mishra. At this level, PK holds limited threat. But hey, he could be in for Mishra, as an all-rounder !

To the final test of this series, here we go! Happy viewing!

England Deserving Champions of Test Cricket

2011-08-13T15:07:00.000+01:00

There it is! England have reached the pinnacle of test cricket. A goal they have built toward slowly and surely over the past six years.

Historically test match cricket domination has been built on bowling strengths. While India have had their months in the sunshine, this England side certainly looks set to hold the crown for a few years. With a bowling attack second to none, England will be hard to displace at the top.

The Dhoni era of infallibility has ended with a rude thud. The time to consider a range of questions is upon India. The manager and captain get much credit and stick in cricket. Is this then the perfect time for the leadership to commence the rebuilding process?

In India's case there will be a spate of theories clogging cricketsphere. Too much cricket, too much money, too much adulation, too little drive, too old. The IPL schedule and BCCI's issues with the DRS will also find their way into explaining India's miserable humiliation.

Be that as it may, this is the opportunity to recognize the England team, the leadership and some very fine individual performers. The balance of this team and the quality of it's all-rounders is easily the best.

Congratulations England! You deserve the crown.

Looking forward to the Oval.

Best Accumulator of this Era

2011-08-13T01:13:00.002+01:00

England started their journey of world domination in test match cricket in the summer of 2005 at Edgbaston. In a historic Ashes test against the Aussies, England began to believe. Four year on, with poetic symmetry, England will now reach their goal at this same venue.

A couple of things have changed since. The Edgbaston venue has had a recent £32m facelift and now competes with the best cricketing venues in the world. The team that England will displace is not Australia, but India, who the current ICC leaders in test cricket since Dec 2009.

So if you are a casual visitor to the planet, don't get down on yourself. Cricket is a complex game and yes, the team England are pulverizing are the current owners of the test crown, however one sided the contest may appear. India in this series have proven that sport is unforgiving to the complacent and under-prepared. Past performances count for nothing. Each session in test match cricket is a new battle, no matter what the record books say.

My heart goes out to Alastair Nathan Cook, undoubtedly the next England skipper, for having missed his triple century yesterday. His patience and concentration were amazing, yet again. Easily the best accumulator of this era. Not flamboyant or expansive in his stroke making, but a lesson in focus and desire. Since his appearance on the test scene five years ago, against the same opposition, Cook has played anchor in many England victories.

Incidentally, my heart also goes out to Virender Sehwag, a man of two test triple centuries, who walked into this game with a massive burden of expectations, and played two deliveries in all. Spare a thought.

India will surrender arms tomorrow. The England bowling battery will be all over them like a rash. The Indian batting may get past 300 in the second innings, and notch up a first this series, could be the only sidelight.

The last over of day three suggested that even Kevin Pietersen was able to extract spin and bounce from the pitch. He actually looked good enough to be picked as an off-spinner in the Indian team. That was the extreme paucity India suffered in the bowling department through this match, not unlike the previous two.

Big day tomorrow, for England fans and for all test cricket buffs, to usher in the new champs.

Keep watching!

"Empire Strikes Back" at Edgbaston!!!

2011-08-11T22:05:00.001+01:00

Four years and one day ago, on 10 Aug 2007, India piled on 664 first innings runs against England at the Oval. Yes, it's true. I saw the entire five days from the stands.

It is now payback time.

Anil Kumble registered his maiden test century in his 118th appearance in that outing. There were six other half centuries in the Indian innings. India were one up in the series and wanted to close the door on any possibility of an English comeback. Skipper Dravid did not declare and preferred to bat till the end.

India won the three test series 1-0, after barely achieving a draw at the Oval. Seven of the present Indian team played that match.

Strauss was there, and I suspect he remembers. Will he declare at the end of day three? Will he declare with a lead of 300? Or will he bat on?

More than half the current England side is new by comparison, younger and at the peak of their powers. The exact opposite is true of the Indian side.

In sport there is no shame in losing to a better opponent. But the relentless thrashing of the Indian test team that is on going at present is certainly disgraceful. The number one test team, represented by the richest and most adulated stars of the game, fresh from the euphoria of the "championship that matters" have been outplayed on each of 12 days of the series so far. Sorry, 11 days, Trent Bridge test was done and dusted in four days, wasn't it?

Just for the sake of some viewing pleasure, I hope India can put up a bit of a fight.

Goodnight from me, and goodnight from them!

Bresnan, you beauty!

2011-08-11T10:01:00.001+01:00

The English seam attack is relentless. They delivered a faultless performance on day one of the Edgbaston test. Strauss throws the ball to any of his three seamers, and they bowl disciplined lines and a nagging lengths, never letting up the pressure on either end. And as we know bowlers are like Alsatians, they hunt in pairs.

For me the stand out performer was Bresnan. Unassuming big lad, who seems to amble in, tick the speedometer at 85mph, and always bowls to a plan. He induced the hook from Laxman with a surprise bouncer, yet again, to be caught at fine leg. But the real beauty was the outswinger, bowled from wide of the crease, moving away just enough to beat the technically perfect defensive blade of the man in form, Rahul Dravid. It doesn't get better than that. Inducing a mistake throw a false stoke or a poor leave is one thing, but to produce that beauty was something else. It was unplayable, if there ever was an unplayable delivery.

The Indian batting crumbled into submission, Sehwag, Gambhir, Tendulkar, Raina, until Dhoni with support from Praveen, took the attack to the bowlers. The belligerent Dhoni got his side past 200, and for once in this current series demonstrated that the only way to deal with a world class bowling battery is to take the attack to the opposition.

By the end of the day, England were back in control of the game completely, exposing yet again that India can not take the field with four bowlers, not with their quality. Today, on day two, India will be made to toil and be lucky if they can pick five England wickets.

It was good to see Strauss back amongst them, and Cook working hard to find form. As the pitch gets slower, Bopara, KP, Bell and Morgan will be a handful. India may not regain control of this game hereon, but it will be shame if they don't put up a fight.

Hope we get a full day of play. Happy viewing!

India play the joker!

2011-08-09T23:01:00.000+01:00

Don't get put off, I mean it in the best possible manner. With a weak hand, India had to pull out the joker. The joker being Sehwag, the all powerful card that is hoped to prevent their steep fall from grace and delay the loss of the test crown. Much has been written and cyberspace is full of expectations from him like never before. If he pulls off a stunning knock in the first innings, he truly deserves the invisible cape his fans swear he wears.

The series I'm afraid does look like going in one direction only. Every injury news on the Indian side has elicited snide comments about the IPL, which is a bit unfair, in my view. That these injuries have upset the team balance and weakened the already weak Indian bowling attack is the story of the series so far. Unless Sehwag can turn his arm over and get a few, which I am guessing he is not yet ready for, I fear the challenge of 20 England wickets will remain unconquered.

In both, the Lords and the Trent Bridge tests, England averted risky situations with the bat, to come back and dominate the games. The second innings burst at Lords by Ishant was negated by a superb display of counter attack with the bat by Prior. This was the match defining knock which then allowed England to win the game easily on day five. At Trent Bridge, when the England first innings looked like wrapping up for very few, Broad and Swann counter attacked brutally, to take control of the game thereafter. These two critical sessions were won by England, exposing the inability of the Indian bowling to go for the kill. It was also notable that during both these sessions runs came at a fair clip, and the bowling could not stem the flow, never mind pick the wickets.

The lucky break that Bopara is likely to get tomorrow, in place of the injured Trott, opens his contest with Morgan once again. On a relatively slow Edgbaston deck, that's not good news for India. Also worth noting that Edgbaston is a happy hunting ground for KP, who must be suffering withdrawal symptoms since his double century at Lords. Cook and Strauss have been out of the runs, and Bell batted like a dream at Trent Bridge. In gist, the task for India bowling is cut out. And when they have sorted this lot, they have Prior, Broad, Bresnan and Swann to worry about.

The real issue with team selection that the Indian think tank face is not Raina or Kohli. In my view, both are suspect against quick seam and bounce. The issue is can they afford not to play five bowlers? It is a risk, but for a team with no genuine all rounders, balance is always going to be tough. With a relatively slower brown track, as is expected, India maybe well advised to go with both spinners, Mishra and Ojha, alongside three seamers. I'd pick the left arm seamer, RP, to combine with Ishant and Sreesanth. Yes, I know Praveen has picked a few wickets and bowled long spells, but I can not see him as a real threat against the England batting line up, especially when wickets are needed to push home an advantage. Harsh, but true.

The riots in London and other cities have been a big worry since the weekend, but let's hope everything will calm down tonight, and cricket will captivate all our attention tomorrow morning.

Keep watching and keep reading!

England ready for the crowning

2011-08-02T12:06:00.001+01:00

The Trent Bridge test will be long remembered as the match in which India, the reigning number one, were made to look like a minnow side by a dominant England.

During this test much has been said about fitness, player absence, the winning template and the spirit of the game. Trent Bridge has left England with two championship points, to borrow some tennis terminology, to the number one spot. India will scrap hard in the next two test matches of the series, but make no mistake, it will not stop England from winning the series and the crown.

In April 2011, during the build up to this England India series, I had written on my blog the following passage in my post "Cricket -An Asian Sport"

"India has held the number one Test ranking since Dec 2009. This rise was hard fought over a long period of building. Like every team sport which has top drawer contenders, at some point the top spot will be occupied by another competent side. The era of Test Cricket domination for a decade or more is now probably over. In the long history of the game there have been long periods of domination by England, Australia and the West Indies. The top spot in recent times has always been under threat, much like ATP rankings of tennis pros. This is good for the game, as uncontested leadership makes the sport less exciting. Recall the period of domination in F1 of the Ferrari Schumacher combination, which forced significant changes to the sport, to open up the field. In Test Cricket today there are at least five teams at any point within striking distance of the number one spot, keeping the whole “Cricket Industry” interested. Akin to the changes in F1, the threshold into this variable era of Test Cricket leadership was marked by the famous English victory over the dominant Aussies in the Ashes summer of 2005.

No team can afford complacency, beyond a healthy level of confidence, aiming to maintain the winning habit and the momentum. India will be very conscious of complacency, either for the upcoming West Indies tour or the English tour this summer. England, they well know have always been very tough competitors, especially in their own typical conditions."

The present England side has built the strongest test match combination in the game today. Following the template of the Windies of the 80's, they have a quartet of four tall seamers at 80-90mph, with atleast two amongst them who are competent allrounders. Allrounders are rare breed these days, aren't they? They also have the best spinner in the world, making the bowling attack a real handful. No respite offered at all to opposition batsmen. It is worth also mentioning an impressive reserve list of pacemen who could make it to any other test side as first choice. That is a formidable bowling battery, a great problem of plenty, and one that no other test side can compare with or come close. Add to that five very competent top order batsmen and the best keeper-batsman in the business, and the combination is complete. This is easily the best English test team in decades. And at a time when other test sides are on the verge of or in the middle of a rebuild. This English side looks set to dominate test cricket for a couple of years, if not more.

India have held the crown for less than two years, thanks mainly to their batting strengths. A line up that put up or chased down scores which the thin bowling resources could deal with. With the present series, one can see the results when the batting has struggled to get past 300 in the four innings played so far, against a very demanding English attack. The bowling has been further impeded by absence and injury to key bowlers. Remember Australia soon after McGrath and Warne retired?

England will be deserving test match champions, when they finally get there in the days ahead. They definitely look set to hold their domination for a while. The Strauss-Flower plan, and execution, of world domination is now very close to fruition.

Well played England.

Can't wait for the third test, and hopefully watch a more complete Indian side take on England in Birmingham. Another great match in prospect.

Keep watching!

Spirit v Laws of the Game

2011-07-31T17:59:00.001+01:00

Trent Bridge continues to provide wholesome cricket entertainment.

Last ball before tea on day three, a basic rookie mistake by Ian Bell, who sauntered out of his crease when the ball was live. Fielders did the right thing, run him out and appealed. Umpires did the right thing and declared Bell run out. Scoresheets recorded it as such and cricketsphere went into frenzy!

The twenty minutes of tea, and hours after that, the debates were raging - what should prevail, the laws or the spirit of the game? None of the experts expected India to withdraw the appeal. Yes, that's what India did.

Apparently Dhoni conferred with his team during the tea break, heeding the request of his opposite number Strauss. To the shock of all the fans and the media, Dhoni effectively recalled Bell. Run out for 137, the recalled Bell obliged finally at his individual score of 159.

What if there were no break and the incident happened at the end of another over? There would not have been time to reconsider. The next batsman might have come in and the game would have moved on.

Many views flooded cricketsphere in minutes. Some felt India should never have appealed, others felt India should not have withdrawn the appeal. Spirit versus laws of the game. Dhoni villain or hero. To me the incident showed that India bashing or putting Dhoni on a pedestal are both extreme views.

Cricket has always had its richest controversies in the grey area between the spirit of the game and the laws of game.

Remember Bodyline?

In the course of the match this incident may have little impact. At time of writing this, England looking very strong, having just gone ahead of India by 300 runs, with 4 wickets in hand, and Prior in full flow.