Cricket Tournaments

India - England

India’s tour to West Indies has already kick-started with a win over them each in ODI’s and the T-20 formats. With youngsters giving a chance to prove their mettle in tests as well since the senior players have been given some rest, people are looking forward to the positives coming out of this series as this will prove how strong is India’s bench strength. However, this series hasn’t been the talking point which surprises me quite a lot as India- West Indies rivalry has been phenomenal as years have passed on, though it has lost its touch in the last decade or so.

With India touring England in the month of July this year, the focus has completely shifted on to them. With India playing overseas after a long time, it has to be a tough one to go past. Ganguly said,” India will win in West Indies, but England will be tough”. This looks quite true with the fact that England has been playing phenomenal cricket around and have been going great guns. Retaining Ashes cup at away and defeating Australia at their home ground is no sort of joke. Though their ranking in ODIs is quite higher when compared to their performances but when it comes to tests they’re just looking for a chance to throttle India from the top spot. And when you have the opportunity to defeat India in their own den with flurrying bouncers and swing that takes away the game from the Indian counterparts.

But what makes England a serious competitor to the #1 ranking which India has earned so deservedly. These players are certainly to be credited.

Alastair Cook

Averaging 48 in his test cricket, he gives England a perfect start what a team actually needs. But what has been exceptional, is the way he has come up and shown what he means to his team. He was the main reason to why England retained the Ashes trophy. A run machine for England, he scored 766 runs in 5 tests he played with an exceptional average of over 120. With 3 centuries, 1 double century and 3 more half-centuries he had a splendid series. And that happened in just about 7 innings in which he played. Even in the ongoing series against Sri Lanka, he has already notched 335 runs in just 3 innings. Being in blazing form, he is the torch-bearer for England at the moment and certainly the man to watch out for.

Jonathan Trott

An exceptional player, playing just 19 tests has already notched 6 international hundreds which includes 2 double hundreds already. A prolific batsman, he has been in tremendous form this year, winning the cricketer of the year award for England. In the Ashes series tour he was next only to Alastair Cook and Michael Hussey for the number of runs he has scored. An exceptional double hundred in the 1^st test he played against Sri Lanka in the ongoing test series, was an example of his unbreakable defense. Always on the lookout for runs, he is going to be tough one to breakthrough.

Greame Swann

Been considered to become the best off-spinner, he certainly has got the talent to be one. With a career 135 wickets and a splendid economy rate of 2.9, he has always kept on the batsmen and never let him score runs. He always keeps the batsmen in defense and keeps him thinking all the time. The batsman ultimately succumbs to the batsmen and gives away his wicket. Making a debut in 2000 for an ODI, he was called back in 2007 and ultimately cemented his place in the team. Playing his spin is difficult, and with India touring to England in July, it’s going to be a strong but healthy rivalry between the best off-spinners in the world at the moment, Swann and Harbhajan Singh.

James Anderson

The spearhead of the England pace attack, he has been phenomenal this season. With 24 wickets in the Ashes series, he dismantled the Australian batting line up with sheer pace and his swinging ability. An experienced bowler, he is one of the best pacers in the world today along with Dale Steyn, Zaheer Khan and Brett Lee. Though injured at the moment, it’s highly likely that he would recover before India’s tour and would get the perfect rest before such a high-profile series which would decide to who actually deserves the #1 ranking. Pace and swing is all that he’s got, and with the England pitches he wouldn’t need anything more except the experience and intelligence which he’s god-gifted.

Apart from these players, there are many more players who have been in exceptional form. Just the fact, that these players have taken away the limelight from the other players. Andrew Strauss along with Ian Bell and Matt Prior also has notched up some outstanding performances. Ian Bell especially has been consistently performing. Kevin Pieterson, though injured for the moment he has been well impressive for England in a couple of matches himself.  Even in the bowling department, Chris Tremlett has been phenomenal. Picking up 17 wickets in the Ashes tour and demolishing the Sri Lankan side along with Swann to win the test match which was always looking for a draw, he has given England a bowler to support Anderson.

A tough time ahead, India is not going to take this series lightly. M.S.Dhoni, the calmest ever captain the cricketing world would have ever seen, might know it better but it all falls down to square one. Defending the number 1 spot against a team like England is going to be tough. Laxman said,”I never got a 100 in England. Hopefully, it would be very special if I get a 100 at Lord’s and India wins the match,” Preparation has to be tough and I don’t think India will falter at this point atleast. A rivalry to watch out for, India-England has always been exceptional to watch. Right from early days, to taking out shirt incident by Andrew Flintoff and Ganguly mocking the same one, to Yuvraj Singh hitting Stuart Broad for 6 sixes in an over. There might be many more moments which I wouldn’t have been even aware about.

A tough schedule ahead, India-England is going to be an interesting tie to watch.

South Africa

Prior to the game against South Africa, India were unbeaten in the World Cup. However, that was in no way an indication of their prowess in the tournament. After all, they laboured their way to beat Bangladesh, Netherlands and Ireland, hardly enough to inspire confidence in the team. Also, against England, they just about managed to tie the humdinger despite putting up a mammoth total on board. And so, it was the loss against the Proteas that put things into perspective for MS Dhoni and his men. It was a performance that shocked the entire nation, particularly the manner in which the middle and lower order of the Indian team capitulated when there was no pressure at all. In fact, they were on top of the South Africans until them, and should have shut the door on them. Instead, they threw it all away and allowed South Africa to come back. From thereon, India were always playing catch up.

The problem areas

Power play batting

For the second time in the tournament, India made heavy weather of the power play overs and allowed to opposition to come back into the game when, ideally, they should have edged ahead. Against England they somehow managed to escape with a draw. But, clearly, the lessons weren’t learnt. As Dhoni admitted after the loss against South Africa, the batsmen need to stop playing to the galleries. And he was right. The power play doesn’t mean that you have to go hammer tongs after every ball. If only the batsmen had shown restraint, India would have been in an extremely strong position in the game. In fact, they could have even batted out the Proteas. Some of the strokes played were rash to say the least. And though Dhoni did not name the men ‘who play to the galleries’, the shots played by Yuvraj Singh and Yusuf Pathan certainly made the message clear. Having been bitten twice, it is about time India learns their lessons else they will have to face further embarrassment. The likes of Kohli and Pathan need to be more consistent for India in the middle order. Having said that, Dhoni also needs to share a part of the blame for the debacle. Too much chopping changing doesn’t always benefit the team. And sending Kohli and Pathan up and down the order consistently hasn’t done wonders for either of the batsman or the team. To be fair to the Indian skipper, this is a strategy that has done wonders for India in the past. But, now that it hasn’t worked in this tournament, it is something which should be shunned unless under extreme circumstances.

Set players must bat through

In both the games against England and South Africa, Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir registered centuries and half-centuries respectively. But, on both the occasions the two fell in the power play overs. This is something which hurt India in a big way in both the games. In the game against South Africa, in particular, their loss proved to have a devastating effect. Here again, India need to learn their lesson. At least one of the set batsmen needs to bat through the 50 overs and the rest can bat around them and then may be the runs could flow a lot more smoothly. With both Tendulkar and Gambhir falling in quick succession against South Africa, India suddenly found two new men at the crease. And, that is the least ideal thing they needed. Once that happened a team like South Africa wasn’t going to let the advantage slip. Unlike India, they strangled India thanks to a superb match winning spell by speedster Dale Steyn. The fast bowler had a torrid time against Sehwag and Tendulkar. However, once he came back, he was a totally different bowler and the Indians just crumbed under the pressure. This is something they need to beware of in the future games.

Bowling woes

Apart from Zaheer Khan, the Indian bowlers have struggled to make any kind of an impact. Of course, Harbhajan Singh did make an impact and got among the wickets. But, he still isn’t at his best. Even so, India can expect Khan and Singh to deliver in crunch situations. But, it is the others who are the worries. Ashish Nehra bowled the last over against South Africa. And it was such a bad one under pressure that immediately his place in the team is under the hammer. Of course, it would be highly unfair to blame Nehra for the loss. But, with the kind of experience he possesses and the fact that the Proteas’ lower order batsmen were at the crease, he should have done a lot better. His talent cannot be doubted for sure, but questions ought to be raised about his temperament when the heat is on. And the signs weren’t great against South Africa. Munaf Patel too hasn’t been consistent enough to inspire confidence, although, on current form, he seems a safer bet compared to the left-arm seamer. The problem with the pace attack is that they don’t have much options left. Look who is in the reserves, the one and only S. Sreesanth. And the way the Kerala paceman performed against Bangladesh as well as his up and down consistency, would mean having him in the team would be a risk, Dhoni probably cannot afford now. Another major issue is that the Indian attack doesn’t have an out and out fast bowler. See what Steyn did to the Indians the other day. If only India had someone in the similar would, their worries would have been reduced to quite an extent. However, there is no point in pondering about what isn’t there. The fact is that Dhoni has to make do with the resources at his disposal and utilize them to the best of their ability.

The (Ash)win question

This is the query on every Indian’s minds. Why isn’t Dhoni trying out off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. It is not as if the offie is going to work a miracle or something. But, Dhoni has tried out everyone and Ashwin too deserves a chance on the same count. Hopefully, that opportunity will come against West Indies.

The only positive for the Indians to come out of the shocking loss to South Africa is that it came at the perfect time. They still have one game to go against West Indies before the quarter finals, to which they are most likely to make it unless some crazy calculations upset everything. The Proteas humbling should serve as the wake up call for the Indians.

Sachin Tendulkar

On the 24th of February 2010, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar added another jewel to his already priceless crown. Sachin scripted history at the captain Roop Singh stadium as he broke all records smashing the first ever double century in One day international cricket. It’s been nearly 4 decades since the format was recognized, Sachin has been there for nearly half its age and even the master took 20 years before he finally accomplished this humungous task. Shows the grit, the determination, the passion, the love for the game this godlike man still possesses in spite of being in the thick of things for over 20 years now.

The man is simply incomparable when it comes to career to career stat. As Australia’s skipper Ricky Ponting neared Sachin’s test record, the tiger was out of the cage. Sachin was roaring again. 4 consecutive test centuries and he’s back with an 8-ton lead. The stats said it when Ricky Ponting was voted by some websites leading player of the decade. This did not seem to go down to well with the master as he has been seen amassing 3 of his highest scores in One day internationals in the last one year and 4 consecutive test centuries to go with.

The innings was reminiscent of Sachin’s 175 a few months back against the visiting Australian side. The trailer to the movie to be shown was seen there. It would take a lot of courage to call Sachin’s 175 a trailer but, if only a man knew what records were; the ease with which the man breaks it. Not a single South African bowler was spared as Sachin Tendulkar smashed them to all parts of the ground. His cheeky innovativeness along with superb cricketing shots, that can be seen only from the bat of the master.

The current number one ODI bowler in the world, Dale Steyn also couldn’t prevent a hammering as Sachin pummeled him for 89 in his ten Overs. But, it was all okay as the South African’s were to witness what in some eyes was the greatest one day innings of all time.

Critics did raise their point about there being 55m boundaries, an ordinary bowling attack (barring Dale Steyn) and a placid wicket. But, critics are critics—if it’s one man who knows how to answer them, the man is Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. Sachin endorsed his sponsor (Adidas) beautifully after his mammoth 200 knock proving that indeed ‘Nothing is impossible’.

In spite of all this critics still seem to be shooting their arrows at him comparing him with ponting. Sachin is the greater batsman without a doubt. If a comparison can be made it has to be a decade comparison with ponting being the superior one from 2000-2010. But, the day when Sachin gets a 100 international centuries, he will seal the debate as the best batsman to have played the game.

It was truly an innings of master class an innings which can never be replicated or matched (except by the master himself), the greatness of the man all in one innings. Indeed, Nothing in this world epitomizes god more than Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar.

Graeme Smith’s statement that, with a little bit of luck and better application, they could have won the Test series against England 3-1 is a fair assessment. However, it wouldn’t also be wrong to say that the visitors battled mighty hard to save the two Tests and as such the end result 1-1 can be seen as a rather just one.

The series will, in particular, be remembered for Graham Onions’ two-match saving efforts with the bat, wherein he played out the final over of the game in a composed manner to peeve the Proteas. It epitomized the English fightback, though they collapsed in the final Test.

South Africa had just one atrocious innings with the bat, and it pretty much cost them a series victory. However, one still has to credit them for the way they fought back in the final Test and demolished the Englishmen. Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn bowled splendidly and the batting was led admirably by skipper Smith. Even with an in-form batting line-up, England could do little and Andrew Strauss had to end up sharing the series trophy with Graeme Smith.

Throughout the four Tests, there were exceptional performances from either sides. Graeme Swann was without an iota of doubt the star of the series from the English point of view. Rarely have spinners done well in South Africa and rarely have England produced quality spinners in recent years.

But, Swann is different and his success story on this tour is ample proof of it. An off-spinner in the traditional mould, his capability of beating the batsman in the flight was a sight for cricket lovers, who are fans of the aesthetic components of the game.

Add to it, the valuable contributions he made with the willow throughout the series, which benefited England in a major way and you have a sureshot match-winner. If the visitors still struggled in the bowling department, it was because the others like James Anderson and Graeme Swann weren’t as consistently effective.

England did rediscover a few batting heroes though, none bigger that Paul Collingwood. He was the man who stood between South Africa and victory in thorn and flesh. Not the most artistic of players. Collingwood did his job of staying at the crease for long durations, blocking deliveries using all his batting resources.

It was his undying efforts that went a long way in ensuring that England saved two Tests. Ian Bell was another grafter who rose to the occasion, with a match-winning hundred and a match-saving half-century in consecutive Tests. Opener Alastair Cook also made vital contributions at different points in the series.

South Africa, on the other hand, owe a lot to Steyn and Morkel, who won them the final Test. That said, the contributions of Mark Boucher as both keeper and batsman as well as those of Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis cannot be overlooked. The captain Smith himself showed the team the way forward in crunch situations. At the end of the day, it was only just that the teams shared the spoils.

It would be totally unfair to compare Pakistan’s miraculous loss at Sydney to South Africa’s heartbreak (their second in three Tests) at Cape Town. But the feeling of dejection in the two camps wouldn’t be a lot different. Both sides will be left wondering with the feeling of ‘what if’. And while, South Africa’s bowlers will have to take part of the blame for their failure to clinch the Newlands Test, one has to hand it over to the Englishmen for the manner in which he battled it out on the final day. Pakistan-like collapses and not gutsy efforts are what we have come to expect from English sides over the years. However, following their third great escape since the beginning of the Ashes, that definitely has changed.

The one common factor in all the three close shaves that England managed to survive has been Paul ‘rock solid’ Collingwood. There have been plenty of times in Collingwood’s career when he has been on the brink of elimination. But, each time he has come back with greater vengeance. And his efforts in recent times stand testimony to his never-say-die spirit and complete commitment to raise the level of England cricket.

The nerve-wracking battle against Dale Steyn on the afternoon of the final day at Cape Town would have undoubtedly been amongst Collingwood’s toughest in his entire career. With each and every moving delivering posing uncomfortable questions in front of him, Collingwood could have nicked any and been back in the pavilion. But, he stayed put, leaving alone the deliveries he could. And there was a divine soul up above who realized that here was man who needed his blessings to survive. Not that Steyn didn’t deserve it, but it was just that Collingwood’s efforts were way too indomitable to be ignored.

It wasn’t just Collingwood whose effort stood out though. Another under fire England batsman stood up to the cause. Ian Bell hasn’t done justice to his potential till date. Hopefully, this series might prove to be the making of Bell. Having already registered a century earlier, Bell had a tougher task on hand after Collingwood’s departure, to see the team through to safety. And boy, did he put up a brave front. If Collingwood had weathered the storm, Bell ensured that the danger bells did not ring in England dressing room, holding his own against Morne Morkel – the first innings hero for the Proteas – and the less effective Jacques Kallis as well as left-arm spinner Paul Harris. Both bowlers tried their level best, but while Kallis’ lack of pace hurt him, Harris’ limitations also came to the fore. He is a trier no doubt, but one can’t see him running through oppositions too often.

In the end, a frustrated Graeme Smith had to turn to JP Duminy. And the magically talented cricketer provided yet another twist in the tale. Following his breakthrough, there was another familiar England lower-order collapse. However, Graham Onions once again stood in the way of victory and South Africa. It was his second fairy tale effort, but it was undoubtedly the Paul and Bell show that saved England’s skin.

After a disappointing outing at Durban, South Africa have a lot of thinking to do as they go into the deciding Test at Cape Town. England, on the other hand, will be buoyed by their sensational effort in the second Test and will look to carry on in the same vein.

However, they have a tendency of blowing away great opportunities and that should inspire the South Africans coupled with the fact that they have an excellent record at Newlands. So it is only fair that we expect a tight contest for the decider.

Most of the pre-match discussions surrounded the poor form of veteran Makhaya Ntini and his possible exclusion. Of course, it will be an extremely tough decision.

But, now that it is clear Friedel de Wet’s omission despite his noteworthy debut at Centurion was a mistake, the decision might be easier. Still, don’t expect de Wet to repeat his debut act. This will be a bigger Test for him as the Proteas will be under greater pressure.

Pace spearhead Dale Steyn too needs to get his act right. He hasn’t had a great time against England. As such a lot will depend on how Morne Morkel performs. He has been the most consistent and threatening of the pacers for South Africa. Meanwhile, Paul Harris has been doing a commendable job as a spinner with good support from JP Duminy.

While the bowling wasn’t at its best at Durban, South Africa also suffered big time due to their uncharacteristically toothless batting effort. Only Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis made valuable contributions before the tail helped the home side get close to 350 in the first innings.

However, in the second innings, the batting was a complete disaster and South Africa crumbed to an ungracious defeat. The batters will have to put the disappointment of last week behind them and start afresh.

England, on the other hand, would look to consolidate on their magnificent effort at Durban. They would be hoping for the in-form Paul Collingwood to be fit else Michael Carberry might have to be drafted it.

That apart, most of their problems seemed sorted out in the second Test. Alastair Cook and Ian Bell struck centuries, which would have delighted the England management no end.

If the seniors like Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen can come up with similar efforts at Cape Town, the visitors would be in with a great chance of achieving a series victory considering their potent bowling attack.

Spinner Graeme Swann has been South Africa’s biggest nemesis in the series so far. His match 9-wicket haul at Durban was a richly-deserved one. Add to it, he has been more than useful with the bat lower down the order.

A decade since his tumultuous exit from international cricket, Swann has truly come of age. The pace trio of Anderson, Onions and Broad has been doing a good job at the start, getting the early breakthroughs. If they can maintain the same intensity and discipline at Cape Town, there is no reason why England can’t pull off another victory.

In Nottingham, at Trent Bridge Stadium on 18th of June, ICC World T20 semifinal was played between the unpredictable Pakistan, and invincible South Africa. Star player Shahid Afridi with his indefatigable efforts with bat and bowl snatched the victory out the South Africa who had been on winning streak up till. In this exciting semifinal, the Trent Bridge was howling with screaming and overwhelming Pakistani supporters for the Pakistan. Shahid Afridi blasted with bat 51 runs off 33 balls giving the Pakistan head start and again with his magical spell of leg-spin caught the South Africa with awe by taking 2 wickets of 16 runs. Eventually being the significant factor for the Pakistan unpredictable and unprecedented entry into the ICC World T20 finals, making it the strongest contender.

South Africa after losing to Pakistan, yet again consolidated the notion that South Africa being perennial chokers. South Africa chasing 150 fall short of 7 runs and proved to be succumbing to the pressure.

Pakistan got blasting start by Kamran Akmal (23) with the initial hiccup of falling duck wicket of the opening batsman Shahizab Hasan (0) by Wayne Parnell. Then Akmal wicket fall on 28 by Dale Steyn, Afridi came to bat and knocked 51runs off 33 balls, taking the score to the 95 with the stabilized support from Shoaib Malik (34) end. But sooner the Afridi and Shoaib Malik were returned to pavilion by Duminy and Merwe respectively at 95 for 3 and 124 for 4. Pakistani middle order was sluggish and no boundaries were knocked in last 5 overs and Younis Khan (24) and Abdul Rassaq (12) finished innings with 149 runs.

South Africa was expected to easily achieve 150 runs target, but sooner it was realized that it’s going to be tough though. Jacques Kallis stronger innings of 64 off 54 balls, strengthened the South Africa innings. But on the other end the falling of wickets continued with Graeme Smith (10), Herschelle Gibbs (5) and AB de Villers (1) by Aamer and Afridi respectively at 46 for 2, 50 for 3 and 111 for 4. Lethargy and increasing Run Rate proved to be fatal to South Africa and in a fit to break the idleness Kallis took the uncalculated shoot by Shoaib Malik and was caught. Gul with outstanding leg cutters and Yorkers in the crucial 17th and 19th over was able to confine South Africa to 6 runs only. Hence forth despite JP Duminy (44) endeavor South Africa felled short of 7 runs and lost the semifinal.

As the 10 runs on last ball left, the Pakistani supporters were swayed by exhilaration and deafening scream. As it was predicted South Africa lost to Pakistan for just 7 runs, and Pakistani supporters were just jubilant. South Africa nerves took a toll of them and Pakistan unnerving and unflinching confidence led them to finals and making them stronger contender for ICC World T20.

Women’s ICC World T20:

Watkins Led New Zealand In The Finals By Crushing India

Indian cricket women’s team made it to the semifinals, as there opposite sex Indian cricket men’s team lost all their matches in the super 8. Hope rose higher for Indian cricket women’s team even though they previously lost to England crushingly. India stood with higher expectations in front of stronger New Zealand, but as they clashed in first semifinal on 18th of June, India couldn’t sustain a bit and lost to the New Zealand by 52 runs. New Zealand powerful team played like winner and came out eventually with pre-ordained victory.

Nottingham, at Trent Bridge, New Zealand faced India; Aimee Watkins contributed solely to the huge total of 145 runs for 5 by her stunning 89 runs of just 58 balls. Aimee Watkins brilliancy with bat and captaincy gave no vent for India to make a slightest of modifications to the precedence over match. New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first and with the greater contribution of Aimee Watkins, New Zealand aggregated 145 runs off 5 wickets.

Kiwis came to bat, but initially kiwis stumbled by losing Suzie Bates (10) to a ferocious catch by Harmanpreet Kaur on bowling of Amita Sharma. With initial dent, Aimee Watkins came to bat and trampled the hopes of Indians and played sustainable and stunning innings of unbeatable 89 runs of 58 balls on here other end the wickets kept on falling with Lucy Doolan (3), Amy Satterthwaite (10), Nicola Browne (5) and Sara McGlashan (4). Amita Sharma with her bowling figure was impressive, by taking 2 significant wickets and just giving 21 runs. Rumeli Dhar and Priyanka Roy were out of other 7 bowler who took 1-1 wickets. Indian bowling was impressive still it was not able to confine Aimee Watkins.

New Zealand aggregated 145 runs off 5 wickets after them India came to bat to chase 146 runs target. India was expected to put up some entertaining show like Aimee did, but Indian batting order felled like playing cards palace. Anjum Chopra (15), Mithali Raj (20) and Amita Sharma (24) were only to bat double figures and still they were not able to contribute and none sustained on the pitch. Wickets kept falling one by one and not a single player was able to stay on the pitch. New Zealand fielding and bowling under the captaincy of Aimee Watkins was too tight and beautiful that it gave not a single opportunity to the India. Sophie Devine, Kate Pulford, Suzie Bates took 1-1 wickets and Sian Ruck and Suzie Bates took 2-2 wickets, showing off the stronger and stable bowling line up of New Zealand.

India toddling at 93 runs for 9 wickets, New Zealand winded up with the last match with great margin of 52 runs victory over India. First semifinal of New Zealand Vs India was lop sided, and New Zealand winning the match made it into the ICC Women’s World T20 finals.