CricketIsLife.com Latest Blog Posts

IPL 2013: Fluent Shikhar Dhawan guides Sunrisers Hyderabad to easy win

Thu, 02 May 2013 09:12:43 GMT

It was never going to be a difficult run-chase, and Sunrisers Hyderabad, for the first time in the tournament, didn't mess up and beat Mumbai Indians by seven wickets in Hyderabad today. Mumbai just didn't bat well enough to create some contest and served another reminder about the away success rate of teams doing well at home. After being unbeatable at home, Mumbai were a completely different side in away conditions.

The delivering batsmen failed to make a move on and the containing bowlers found it hard to get their lines right. Hyderabad opener Shikhar Dhawan was at his very best as the batsman, after missing some fixtures due to injury early on, scored his second half-century in the IPL 2013 to help his side cross the line.

Dhawan's knock was laced by nine delightful boundaries and one hit over the fence. He was all at ease in the middle, and wasted no scoring opportunity. After the early departure of Akshath Reddy and skipper Kumar Sangakkara, Dhawan continued to do the bulk of the scoring, and was ably assisted by young Hanuma Vihari towards the end. Vihari couldn't bat through, but played a decent hand in the middle.

It will be harsh to say that the Mumbai bowlers failed to deliver because there were not enough runs to play with. With the required run-rate just over six runs per over, there was never any urgency in the Hyderabad unit.

Both the captains wanted to bat, but Sangakkara, after losing the toss, was forced to bowl. Not much damage was done because of the toss as Hyderabad bowlers were right on the money, and didn't allow the Mumbai batsmen to make a move. After removing Sachin Tendulkar and Dinesh Karthik in quick succession, the home side kept coming hard during the middle overs of the innings.

Source: indianexpress

Pakistan drops Shahid Afridi, Umar Akmal for Champions Trophy

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:33:26 GMT

Experienced all rounder Shahid Afridi has been left out of the Pakistan squad for the ICC Champions Trophy that will be held in England while selectors have warned Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik that they are running out of chances. The 32-year-old, who has played 354 one-day internationals, was the only senior player overlooked for the tournament with chief selector Iqbal Qasim saying Afridi's bowling had cost him his place in the squad. "Afridi's bowling has not been up to the mark in recent matches," he said in a news conference on Monday.

"He has not taken wickets and his primary role in the team is that of a bowler."Afridi failed to take a wicket in the recent one-day series against India and South Africa. Selectors recalled middle order batsman Umar Amin and included five pace bowlers for the tournament. The young attack includes uncapped youngster Asad Ali as well as Ehsan Adil, Junaid Khan, Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Irfan.

Qasim said senior players Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik needed to impress. "Both need to contribute significantly to the team's performance because in recent matches they have not lived up to our expectations," he said. Pakistan will play a one-day series in Scotland and Ireland in May before going to England for the Champions Trophy in which they are in a group with South Africa, India and West Indies. It will be their first visit to England since the 2010 spot fixing scandal.

Squad: Nasir Jamshed, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, Misbah-ul-Haq (Capt), Shoaib Malik, Umar Amin, Kamran Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Irfan, Asad Ali, Ehsan Adil and Wahab Riaz.

Source: indianexpress

Tour of Bangladesh team a historic moment: Chairman PCB

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:54:01 GMT

Terming the coming tour of Bangladesh cricket team to Pakistan "a historic moment in Pakistan cricket", Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board, Chaudhry Zaka Asrhaf expressed the optimism to have similar international events in near future as well.

"We are fully committed for the cause of revival and return of international cricket in Pakistan and the visit of Bangladesh team is breaking the ice in this regard as a foreign team is visiting Pakistan after three years", he said at a news conference here on Wednesday at National Cricket Academy.

He dismissed all the rumours and impressions being given that Bangladesh team may refuse to visit at the last moment. "They have committed to visit us in the recent ICC meeting and President of Bangladesh Cricket Board has given firm assurances regarding the visit of his team and there is no truth that they will not be coming", he said while answering a volley of questions when his attention was drawn to the Bangladesh media reports which stated that Bangladesh team will not be visiting Pakistan.

"Setting aside all such negative aspects I would say we are at the threshold of a historic moment as a foreign team is visiting Pakistan after a gap of three years after a attack on the bus of Sri Lankan team in March 2009", said the PCB chief.

"Since then our cricket suffered a lot and our cricket stadiums wore a deserted look and spectators were deprived of high quality cricket action which damaged the cause of cricket in Pakistan", he said. Zaka Asrhaf said now the situation has changed what used to be in 2009 and things are returning to normalcy and it is quite safe to stage international cricket in Pakistan. "PCB is confident to host the Bangladesh team in successful manner to send a positive message to outer world that security situation is conducive for international cricket in Pakistan".

He said top security will be provided by the Punjab Government to the visiting team and strict security measures will be taken to hold the matches in a peaceful manner. "The whole world will be looking at this that how we organise these matches, no matter Bangladesh team is playing just two games in Pakistan, our main concern is to portray a better image of the country", he said.

PCB Chairman said the tour of Bangladesh team is very significance to determine Pakistan's prospects for holding international cricket in future. He expressed his gratitude to the Government specially, President, Asif Ali Zardari for advocating the cause of cricket to his Indian counterpart during his recent visit. "We want to play India on bilateral basis, not on unilateral basis because we used to play each other on a similar pattern in the past", he said.

Source: brecorder

Watson says fatherhood helped him brush off 'ghosts of past shackles'

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 10:39:28 GMT

Former Australian vice-captain Shane Watson said that being a father helped him move on from the fractured relationships in the team, the infamous 'homework-gate' incident and a public denouncement that he was not always a team man. According to Watson, as soon as he held his newborn son, Will, in his arms, his mind cleared of all the past troubles and helped him focus more on his future, adding that having children is one of the most beautiful things into the world, News.com.au reports.

Watson further said that he has now got more important things to worry about, adding that he is now free to focus on his new family as he has lost the burden of being a vice captain and the previous other worries which were dogging his career. Watson also said he counted his blessings for being with his wife Lee when his son was born, adding that it was strange that he got to see his wife deliver his son just because he got an one-Test suspension for not doing his 'homework' in India.

According to the report, being a night owl, Watson was up to prepare Will for feeding, adding that he cherished every moment of it, be it bathing him, dressing him, or just walking along the Cronulla foreshore as a family. Admitting to feeling a sense of freedom, Watson said that the shackles of the past troubles have come off him, adding that he will spend his free time to give back to the people who have been supportive to him throughout his life and career.

Watson, as a team leader, was criticised by Arthur, Cricket Australia high-performance manager Pat Howard and captain Michael Clarke as he returned home to a blaze of publicity to be there for the birth of Will. He has been forced to defend his relationship with Clarke, insisting their leadership was not dysfunctional, the report added. (ANI)

Source: cricket.yahoo

Spot-fixing scandal will not haunt team

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:28:00 GMT

Pakistani pacer Wahab Riaz believes the national team will not be haunted by the spot-fixing scandal when they go toEnglandfor the ICC Champions Trophy in June. Wahab was part of thePakistansquad that was hit by the spot-fixing scandal in 2010 after the fourth Test at Lords, which led to the suspension of captain Salman Butt and pace bowlers, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, followed by bans.

Wahab was also suspected of being involved in the spot-fixing racket when his footage was released by now defunct tabloid 'News of the World' with the Pakistani bookmaker, Mazhar Majeed. But the pacer was later cleared of all wrongdoings. "I don't think what happened in the past will affect us now. It is history now and I think the team is now just focused on doing well in the Champions Trophy," he told reporters at the national stadium.

"Those were difficult times forPakistancricket but the players have shown after that they are committed to presenting a positive image ofPakistancricket to the world," he added. Wahab is among a list of pace bowlers who are presently being trained byPakistan's legendary pacer, Wasim Akram, in a 10-day specialised camp at the National stadium.

Wahab said spending time with Wasim and getting one-to-one attention from him was proving very beneficial for all the bowlers. "I am working hard on my outswinger but Wasim has great experience and he is focusing on teaching us how to make use of our run-up, the crease and the bouncer/slower ball in all three formats of the game," the pacer, who took five wickets on his test debut at the Oval in 2010, said.

"There are these small details he is talking about which otherwise we didn't pay attention to, like how to best use the new ball and that is great for all of us," he said.Pakistan's head coach Dav Whatmore also joined the camp on Wednesday and paid special attention to the bowling of Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Wahab Riaz and Ehsan Adil with the new ball.

Source: nation

IPL6: McCullum congratulates Gayle for breaking his record

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:59:32 GMT

Kolkata Knight Riders batsman Brendon McCullum Tuesday congratulated destructive Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman Chris Gayle for breaking the record of highest individual score in the Indian Premier League. "I have been honoured to hold that record (highest IPL individual score) and far more delighted that some body as destructive as Chris (Gayle) has now taken over," said McCullum at the team hotel here.

Gayle pulverised Pune Warriors attack Tuesday to score 175 not out in just 66 balls with 17 sixes and 13 boundaries. Reaching triple figure in just 30 balls, the Jamaican also scored the fastest century in cricket history. The previous highest individual score in the IPL was by McCullum who had scored an unbeaten 158 in the opening game of the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008.

"I was following Chris' innings on the bus while coming back from practice. It's an unbelievable inning. He is the most powerful batsman in T20 and deserves that record," said the explosive Kiwi. "I knew all along that it would be broken and that it had to be Chris," said McCullum.

Source: indiatvnews

IPL6: Bravo! Chennai beat Rajasthan by 5 wickets

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:44:02 GMT

Chennai Super Kings pulled off a five-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals in a cliff-hanger Match 30 of IPL6 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk on Monday night. Chasing a target of 186, Bravo steered Chennai home with one ball to spare after man of match Michael Hussey laid the foundation for victory.

Needing 11 of the last over bowled by Watson, Bravo smashed the third ball for a six over extra cover before scrambling for two consecutive doubles. After losing Vijay in the third over, Chennai were lifted by an enterprising 90-run stand for the second wicket between Hussey (88) and Raina (51).

They were cruising at 154 for two at the end of the 16th over with Hussey, whose 51-ball 88 contained 13 fours and a six, in full flow. But a double strike by Rajasthan saw them bounce back into contention and set up a thrilling finale. Hussey was run out by a brilliant direct hit while Jadeja was bowled for duck by Faulkner within the space of three balls as Chennai slumped to 154-4.

Chennai needed 17 off the last two overs but got another scare when Dhoni who was suffering from stomach cramps fell to a brilliant catch from Binny. But Bravo held his nerve and made certain Chennai were not to be denied. Earlier, Rajasthan made what appeared to be a challenging total of 185 for four with Watson hammering the first century of the tournament. Opting to bat first, they got a flying start with openers Rahane (16) and Watson making 71 in 7.2 overs. Watson smashed six sixes and six boundaries during his 61-ball 101 pulverising the Chennai attack.

Binny remained unbeaten on a 22-ball 36 which contained three boundaries and a six as Rajasthan finished with a flourish. Ashwin claimed two for 20 and Bravo two for 36.

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS INNINGS

Bravo gets another couple in the penultimate ball of the match as Chennai win by five wickets. Bravo returns for a couple in the fourth ball which is a full pitched delivery. Watson bowls a dot ball to Bravo who smashes a boundary off the third ball. Morris gets a single off the first ball. A boundary could make the difference in the final over as Chennai need 11 from six balls with Watson bowling the final over. Dhoni who was struggling from a stomach cramp goes for the big one but is brilliant held on the boundary by Binny. Chennai 175-5 in 19 overs.

MS Dhoni c Binny b Faulkner 21 (16b 1x4 0x6)
Chennai hold the edge with Dhoni and Bravo in the middle with Faulkner bowling the penultimate over. Dhoni drives Cooper down the ground for a boundary and run aggressively as they take 12 off the 18th over. Chennai 169-4. Rajasthan have bounced back into the match with a double strike reducing Chennai to 157-4 in 17 overs. Rajasthan have struck a double blow with Jadeja being bowled by Faulkner. Chennai 154-4 in 16.3 overs.

R Jadeja b Faulkner 0 (2b 0x4 0x6)
Hussey's brilliant knock comes to an end via a direct hit by Dravid. Chennai 154-3 in 16.2 overs.

M Hussey run out 88 (51b 13x4 1x6)
Cooper goes for 14 in his third over with Hussey smashing three boundaries. Chennai 154-2 in 16 overs. Hussey is steering Chennai to victory smashing another boundary through midwicket off Trivedi. Chennai 140-2 in 15 overs. Binny goes for 14 in his second over as Hussey slams consecutive boundaries. Chennai 128-2 in 14 overs. Faulkner strikes in his second trapping Raina leg before to break 90-run stand in 61 balls for the second wicket with Hussey. Chennai 114-2 in 13 overs.

S Raina lbw b Faulkner 51 (35b 4x4 2x6)
Raina completes his half century off 34 balls. Chennai 109-1 in 12 overs. Suresh Raina and Mike Hussey have singled out their shots hitting Kevon Cooper all around the stadium. 11 runs comes off that over. Raina gets over the ball to send Trivedi over backward point for a boundary. Chennai Super kings 92-1 after 10 overs. Shane Watson gets a taste of his own medicine with Raina hitting the ball hard over long off for a huge six in his very first ball. Chennai Super Kings 81-1 after 9 overs. Siddhart Trivedi brought into attack. Raina drives hard past short fine for a bounadry. 9 runs of the over.

Chennai Super Kings 70-1 after 8 overs. Chandila attempts to restrict the run rate by a good line and lenght bowling. A tidy spell by Chandila conceding just 3 runs. Chennai Super kings 61-1 after 7 overs. Kevon Cooper's first ball was slammed for a huge six by Raina over extra cover. Hussey hits a boundary to put Rajasthan under pressure.

Chennai Super kings 58-1 after 6 overs
James Faulkner was sent to the ropes by Raina over mid on. Chennai Super Kings 45-1 after 5 overs. Rahul Shukla was severly punished by Hussey sending him thrice to the ropes. Chennai Super kings 38-1 after 4 overs. Chandila strikes denting Rajasthan with a tame dismissal of Vijay.

M Vijay c & b Chandila 3 (5b 0x4 0x6)
Michael Hussey sends Ajit Chandila for a huge six. Chennai Super kings 15-0 after 2 overs. Ajit Chandila bowls a tidy spell conceding four of the over. Chennai 4-0 after 1 over. Michael Hussey and Murali Vijay open for Chennai. Ajit Chandila brought into attack. Bravo brought into attack in the last over. Dwayne Bravo goes after the ball flicking it to deep square leg but a misfield by Vijay gets him his boundary.

RAJASTHAN ROYALS INNINGS
Rajasthan Royals 185-6 after 20 overs. Binny pulls Morris for a boundary over the point. Rajasthan 175-4 after 19 overs. Stuart Binny slams Bravo for a mighty six with a full swing of the bat sending the ball deep into the stands. Rajasthan 168-4 after 18 overs. Watson gets his first 100 this IPL in the second ball of Bravo but is immediately sent back after getting caught at cover by Huss master.

S Watson c Hussey b Bravo 101 (61b 6x4 6x6)
Watson punishes Jadeja with two consecutive sixes. Rajasthan 156-3 after 17 overs. Rajasthan 138-3 after 16 overs. Bravo bowls a good line and lenght with just 7 runs of the over. Bravo dimisses Dravid with a slower delivery caught well by Dhoni. Bravo concedes 8 run and a important wicket. Rajasthan 120-3 after 14 overs.

R Dravid c Dhoni b Bravo 6 (9b 0x4 0x6)
Bravo gets the much deserved break for Chennai breaking the "Wall" Dravid with a slow delivery with Dravid stretching out and lobbing a easy catch to Dhoni. Rajasthan 112-2 after 13 overs Watson after being held back by Ashwin in the previous over looked in dangerous form slamming Morris for a huge six.

Fantastic spell by Ashwin. Conceding a single boundary. Rajasthan 103-2 after 12 overs. Jason Holder attempts to get a another break with Rahul Dravid and Shane Watson on the crease. Watson resfuses to cow down slamming Holder to the boundary. Rajasthan 98-2 after 11 overs.

D Yagnik c & b Ashwin 7 (8b 1x4 0x6)
Out! Ashwin bowls Yagnik who goes for the slog sweep getting a top edge for a easy catch to Ashwin.
Jason holder to Dishant Yagnik. Four! Rajasthan 82-1 after 9 overs. Ashwin slams the brakes for Chennai dismissing Rahane. Rajasthan 74-1 after 8 overs. Ashwin strikes with the second delivery after the strategic break as Rahane is bowled off an inside edge. Rajashtan 71-1 in 7.2 overs.

AM Rahane b Ashwin 16 (15b 1x4 0x6)
Jadeja goes for 16 in his first over as Watson reaches his half century off just 29 balls in style with a six over square leg having hit a boundary earlier. Rajasthan 71-0 in 7 overs. There is no stopping Watson who smashes another boundary off Ashwin as Rajasthan reach 55-0 after the Powerplay overs. Spin has been introduced in the sixth over with Ashwin coming into the attack.

A big over for Rajasthan as Morris goes for 16 with Watson slamming a boundary and a second six. Rajasthan 48-0 in 5 overs. Rahane hits his first boundary in the fourth over from Holder. Rajasthan 32-0 in 4 overs. Mohit Sharma goes for 14 runs in the third over with Watson hammering a six and boundary. Rajasthan 24-0 in 3 overs. Watson hits the first six of the match smashing Mohit Sharma over his head in the second over.

Dravid has won the toss and opted to bat against Chennai. Jason Holder gets his first game for Chennai. Rajasthan bring in Rahul Shukla and Kevon Cooper.

PLAYING XI
CSK: M Vijay, M Hussey, S Raina, S Badrinath, R Jadeja, MS Dhoni, DJ Bravo, J Holder, C Morris, R Ashwin, M Sharma

RR: S Watson, A Rahane, R Dravid, B Hodge, S Binny, K Cooper, D Yagnik, J Faulkner, A Chandila, S Trivedi, R Shukla

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) take on Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 30 of IPL6 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday. Both teams have won four of their six matches so far this season and are tied on eight points each.

It's a battle between MS Dhoni and Rahul Dravid. CSK’s win over KKR took them one place above RR in the standings. Rajasthan crashed to a big defeat against Bangalore in their last outing.

Source: emirates247

IPL 2013: Not among runs, Adam Gilchrist says he is under scrutiny

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:20:22 GMT

Going through a lean patch, Kings XI Punjab skipper Adam Gilchrist has indicated there could be a change of guard when the team plays its next match in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).

Punjab pulled off a thrilling win over Pune Warriors here last night riding on David Miller and Mandeep Singh's brisk half centuries, but Gilchrist's poor run of form continued, with the Aussie spilling a catch off Aaron Finch -- he went on to score a fifty -- besides getting out cheaply.

"I am definitely under scrutiny, I have not scored runs... the drop catch was a really bad let off and it could have cost us the game. Not good enough for me. When we sit down at the selection table, we will have to look at that and see what's right. Fortunately, the young guys have really lifted the team today to a great result," he said.

Gilchrist's countryman Shaun Marsh joined the squad two days ago, and his availability has opened up options for the opening slot. "Yeah, we have got some thinking to do, with David playing so well and Shaun's back. We will have to assess how ready he (Shaun) is and when he is able to get back into the team. There are plenty of options. There is definitely some areas of weakness, I haven't scored the runs."About the Mohali wicket, he said that it was a very good strip. "It was such difficult ground to defend and hence the reason to bowl first and chase the total. Knowing the power of David's game and the touch of Mandeep, I thought it was a good blend out there."

Gilchrist also appreciated Mandeep's common sense, saying the batsman kept his nerve at crucial moments and used his cricketing brain to the best. Miller, who accompanied Gilchrist, said Mandeep did an "unbelievable job to bat all the way through".

He said the team was initially under pressure having lost two quick wickets, "but Mandy batted well and with about 10 plus runs needed, Mandy kept telling me that we just need a boundary an over. I really believe we were in the game whole time, to be honest". Finch, meanwhile, said there was little they could have done with the two opposition batsmen playing "special" innings.

"Unfortunately, we were at the receiving end of a very special innings," Finch admitted. He said that Pune had been in position to win three games that had eventually gone the other way. He, however, said that the team will take out "some real positives out of this game". He also praised the way Yuvraj Singh and Luke Wright batted.

About the track, Finch said, "the wicket was beautiful. Anytime there is 360-370 runs scored in 40 overs is pretty special. The wicket looked a bit indifferent and we were not sure how it is going to play, but we took the gamble and decided to bat first. The wicket turned out to be outstanding, it was a perfect T20 wicket."

Asked if giving Wright the last over was a correct decision, he said, "it's a funny one, when you win the game, you look like a hero and when you lose, you look like a bit of an idiot. The way Ashok (Dinda) bowled the 19th over was outstanding.

"In that circumstances, it was unbelievable. The guy (Miller) was in phenomenal form, he was on song from the start. He had a great partnership with Mandeep. I don't think we did too much wrong to be honest."

Source: sports.ndtv

IPL 2013: Chennai Super Kings to lock horns with Pune Warriors today

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:17:13 GMT

Having pulled off a dramatic win in their last match, an in-form Chennai Super Kings will look to consolidate their position as they gear up to lock horns with Pune Warriors in Chennai on Monday. Starting their campaign in the sixth edition of the tournament with a loss, Chennai seemed to have got their mojo back after posting back-to-back wins.

On the other hand, Pune have suffered three losses in four outings, their only win coming against Rajasthan Royals. With Pune still struggling to come to terms, the match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium will be an opportunity for Chennai to move up in the table. With Mike Hussey and Murali Vijay at the top, Chennai have a formidable opening pair at their disposal. The middle-order is full of talent and experience, with the presence of Suresh Raina, Subramaniam Badrinath and MS Dhoni. Then there is Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin, who is no bunny with the bat either. As far as Chennai's bowling is concerned, Dirk Nannes and Chris Morris did a good job against Bangalore.

To ensure that the match is played on an even keel, the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Ross Taylor, Aaron Finch and Mitchell Marsh will have to fire in unison for Pune. Marsh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ashoke Dinda will have to be on the money from the word go against Chennai.

Source: indiatoday.intoday

IPL6: Jadeja steers Chennai to victory over RCB by 4 wickets

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 05:58:52 GMT

Ravindra Jadeja with 38 runs barely managed to steer Chennai Super Kings to a four-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore here today at the M A Chidambaram stadium. RCB bowler R P Singh made a fatal error on the last ball by overstepping and with the no-ball going in favour of the hosts, Chennai Super Kings snatched victory out of the jaws of defeat. RCB captain Virat Kohli who was on the verge of celebrating his team's win off the last ball, watched in dismay as the umpire gave a no-ball.

Earlier, batting first, RCB made 165 for 6 in 20 overs with Virat Kohli making 58 and A B de Villiers scoring 64 runs. In reply, Chennai Super Kings made 166 for 6 in the alloted 2 overs with Suresh Raina making 30, S Badrinath 34, and captain Dhoni scoring 33 runs and Ravindra Jadeja holding the fort till the end, but was caught off the last ball.

Source: indiatvnews