Three games, three heroes

It was a disappointing end to the one-day series for India. They had a great chance to score a whitewash against the South Africans for the first time, but they preferred to rest their key players and tested out the bench strength, which resulted in a rather one-sided victory for the Proteas. Yet, the matter of the fact was that India won the series rather handsomely and there were some memorable performances even in such a short series. Presenting a rewind of top three performances of the series.

Game 1, Jaipur

Jadeja’s all-round act (22 and 2/29)

In a high-scoring game, where most of the batters were at ease, it was Ravindra Jadeja’s tight left-arm spin that made the difference. The Indian pacers, Ashish Nehra and S. Sreesanth went for plenty, and though they did pick up three wickets among themselves, they also ensured that South Africa stayed in the hunt. On the contrary, Jadeja not only kept the runs down, but also picked up two wickets, crucial ones at that, to derail the Proteas’ chase of 299. He cut short one-day specialist Herschelle Gibbs’ promising knock and later cleaned up AB de Villiers, who was also looking dangerous.

His cameo with the bat towards the fag end of the innings also came in handy, considering that India ended up winning by a solitary run, thanks to a late surge by the African tail. Jadeja is certainly turning out to be a good utility player for India.

Game 2, Gwalior

Sachin makes history (200 not out)

This was Sachin Tendulkar’s show all the way. Virender Sehwag fell early after India won the toss and batted. But, that did not deter the Indian master. He went on the rampage from the word go and the carnage did not stop till the very end. Come pace or spin, Sachin had an answer to every trick of the South African bowlers. He cut, pull, drove and lofted the bowlers with disdain on a ground that seemed too small for the Indian giant.

Dale Steyn, who destroyed India in the opening Test, was despatched for 89 from his quota of overs. Worse, Wayne Parnell went for 95. The others weren’t spared either. Charl Langeveldt went for a somewhat respectable 70 while Kallis and Duminy combined to leak over the 80. The Sachin magic was very much at display in Gwalior.

There were other handsome contributions in the game as well. Dinesh Karthik registered his highest ODI score of 79 while Dhoni slammed a hurricane like 68 not out. A B de Villiers too impressed with his sublime ton, but the match with undoubtedly be remembered for the indelible Sachin Tendulkar touch.

Game 3, Ahmedabad

de Villiers winning ton (102 not out)

The series was gone. However, the South Africans still had a lot to play for. After all they had never been blanked by India in a one-day series. And that record will stand, albeit with a little help from India themselves. They decided not to field a full-strength and de Villiers decided to take full toll of the inexperienced Indian attack. His 59 ball 102 included 11 hits to the fence and 3 over it. It was as if he was avenging the humiliation meted out to them at Gwalior, with great support from skipper Kallis.
The Indian bowling figures read similar to those of the Proteas in the previous game. Here was Sreesanth’s chance to lead the attack, but he failed miserably, conceding 83 in nine overs. As such, much couldn’t be expected from rookies Sudeep Tyagi and Abhimanyu Mithun. All were slammed. The de Villiers magic was in full bloom and the Indians had no answer to it.

It’s a clash of the two big titans—the two giants—the top two ranked teams in the world. South Africa and India clash at Nagpur in what is being termed the ‘world championship of cricket’. As we move into the series let’s have a look at which players to look out for and who’re the odds favouring.

South Africa

AB De Villiers: AB de Villiers did set the world on fire the last time he was here. He played beautifully all round the wicket and was one of the few batsmen on their debut tour to India to perform so well. He announced himself into world cricket with a very timely and aggressive century.

He’s been in pretty good knick in lead up to the series. He’s been getting pretty decent start but how would he love to convert one of ‘em into a century. He is a mainstay in the South African middle order along with Jacques Kallis and the proteas will be heavily reliant on the duo to provide some stability in the middle order. De Villiers is a brilliant fielder and must be kept an eye on—the man pulls out catches from absolute thin air.

Jacques Kallis: He has now turned 34 and with his medium pace is one of the best all rounder’s the game has ever seen. Kallis will be keen after a certain lay off and would love to grind (that’s the sort of character he is, isn’t he?) his way out of India with some runs and wickets under his belt. Now that he has returned to full fitness his bowling will come in handy for South Africa. With his slightly round arm action he should be a handful especially with the old ball where he would be able to reverse swing the ball in these conditions.

Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn: Steyn had a wonderful tour the last time he was here. Both Morkel and Steyn are more than capable of bowling a 150 kmph per hour and a swinging ball at that pace especially with a relatively inexperienced middle order (barring Sachin) against them. The Indian batsmen certainly do have their work cut out.

Morkel earlier mentioned that he would be looking to bowl a quite a few short ones considering the Indian batsmen problems with the bumpers. Steyn said “I’ve said many times before, a 150 or 145 km Yorker is absolutely no different whether you bowl it here in Nagpur, Chennai, Johannesburg, Perth. It’s the skill behind the delivery that is what counts at the end of the day”. The Indians would have to be wary of the duo see of the new ball and take it from there.

India

Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir: The duo are just over 200 runs short of becoming India’s most successful opening combination (in tests) statistically. Often in the recent past its been the opening pair of Sehwag and Gambhir that has given the middle order batsmen the platform to step upon. Their contribution is invaluable and they seem to complement each other pretty well with Sehwag being the aggressor. It wouldn’t be too surprising if they duo do have a good series (been the trend in the recent past) India should be in good stead to take the series from there.

Sachin Tendulkar: The more said about him the less it is. Sachin with his record has already made us expect from him. He being the senior man in the middle order with Dravid and laxman doubtful. He needs to shoulder the innings. The old man should do well and if he does so India goes with him.

Zaheer khan: He’s the only pace bowler who seems guaranteed of a place. His new ball bowling and more importantly his reverse swing will surely be one to deal with. If India has to win they need to come up with a very good bowling performance and if that has to happen Zaheer khan has to be at his best.

It’s India VS South Africa. Its world number 1 VS world number 2. It the clash of the champions—the world championship of cricket— promises to be an enthralling series.

For a man who has it all….Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar, a definition could be found by his name on google perhaps. The only reason why it’s been missing all these years is perhaps because the greatness of this man cannot be defined. He is called the legend, he is called the master blaster, he is called the little master, he is called the GOD! And these tags have been associated with him right throughout his career.

Tendulkar was a prodigy right from his school days. He helped his school, Sharadashram Vidyamandir win many titles both as captain and player. Many greats, especially Dennis Lillee had predicted that Tendulkar would play for India, at the time when he was as young as 14. In two years, he made his debut for India against Pakistan.

The greatness of the boy was seen when he batted continuously in a Test despite being hit on the jaw by a snorter from Waqar Younis. Pakistan’s intimidating bowling attack at the time didn’t affect him one bit as he took up the challenge and transformed from a boy to a man. His average of 35 in his first series was modest but many saw Tendulkar as one man to watch out for in the future. Even in the one-dayers, he impressed by hitting Abdul Qadir for 28 runs in an over in one of the matches.
His diminutive height didn’t get the better of him as his stature as India’s top batsman in test cricket in three years of his career was confirmed. All his innings were worthy and the best one could ever see, from the match-saving 117 not out at Manchester to 114 at Perth on one of the world’s fastest wickets against a strong Australian attack.

However, his one-day form wasn’t impressive as he scored his first century against Australia in Colombo in 1994 in what was his 79th ODI. In the same year, Tendulkar changed India’s fortunes in the one-day game as he hit a quick-fire 84 against New Zealand in Auckland as a make-shift opener. Ever since then, Sachin Tendulkar has been the first-choice opening batsman for many Indian captains and has escalated in this format of the game.

Due to his stature in world cricket rising by the day, Tendulkar signed a contract with the world’s largest sports management group World Sports Management (WSM) in 1995, making him the world’s richest cricketer in the process. In 1996, the World Cup was a landmark in his career. He not only ended as the tournament’s highest run-getter, but also helped India reach the semi-finals by playing some responsible innings. He was rewarded in the same year, as he became Indian captain for the first time in his career after Mohd. Azharuddin was removed from the team. Perhaps, the only blot in his career till date is that he wasn’t able to lead India to many victories as a skipper. Yet, his clean image was apt to make him a global icon who represents India and by far the most respected cricketer in the world.

When it comes to duels against top players in world cricket, Tendulkar has always won. Whether it was against Brian Lara in 1995 or Shane Warne in 1998. At a time when both the players were in their prime. Tendulkar’s mind-set and preparation is also remarkable against teams which have some of the world’s best players. For example, days before the Australia series in 1998, Tendulkar practiced in Chennai with Dennis Lillee and former Indian leg-spinner L Sivaramakrishnan.

He asked Sivaramakrishnan to bowl him balls on a spot outside the leg-stump through which Shane Warne got a lot of turn. He practiced hard and reduced Australia’s morale by hammering a double-century for Mumbai in a warm-up match. This had an impact on the entire Test series as India went on to win 2-1, with Tendulkar winning the duel against Warne comfortably and was the top run scorer amongst both the teams. Hailing his heroics, Mark Taylor, the Australian captain said “We didn’t lose to a team called India. We lost to a man called Sachin Tendulkar.” Clearly, the man’s aura was at its peak.

Burying the ghosts of 1997 as Indian captain even as he was adjudged the Wisden Cricketer of the Year, 1998 was the year when Tendulkar proved he had the Midas touch. Following the win against Australia in tests at home, India was to face the same opponents in a tri-series in Sharjah which also involved New Zealand. The series was remembered for Tendulkar’s brilliant knocks against Australia. His 143 in the knock-out round may have not won India the match, but it definitely helped India qualify for the final on the basis of net run rate. And could it get any better.

The final was on his 25th birthday. And his birthday gift was an Indian victory thanks to his wonderful knock of 134. At the end of the match, Warne himself came up to Tendulkar, taking his autograph, showing immense respect he had for him. The icing on the cake was that Sir Don Bradman, unarguably the best batsman ever seen in world cricket, also confided to his wife that Tendulkar batted similarly as he did. The ultimate tribute to a legend coming from a legend! Followed by which Tendulkar’s confidence rose as he helped India win the tri-series involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe yet again in the desert state of Sharjah. The first ICC Champions Trophy was lit up by Tendulkar’s match-winning all-round performance against Australia, yet again! As India reached the semifinals of the tournament. Indian cricket was on a role just as Tendulkar!

However, 1999 was a testing year for him as the home series against Pakistan was a grueling one. In the first test at Chennai, Tendulkar batted brilliantly as India needed 252 to win in the second innings on a tough wicket. He scored another hundred but at one point of the innings, he felt cramps. He batted in pain but it was in vain as he was declared out of the bowling of Saqlain Mushtaq, by far Pakistan’s Shane Warne and India went on to lose by a narrow 15 runs. Was excessive cricket finally catching up with the master? Well, not yet.

Tendulkar didn’t play in some matches prior to the World Cup as he was rested. But he was declared fit for the big event in England. It was then that catastrophe struck. His father Ramesh Tendulkar died of a heart attack and he had to leave the team mid-tournament to attend his funeral. However, the true champion he is, Tendulkar returned and missed just two matches. This event showed Tendulkar’s calmness and fight-back qualities as he struck a memorable 140 not out against Kenya and gave India a chance to enter the Super Sixes. Without Tendulkar, India lost to a minor team like Zimbabwe. So, there is no India when there is no Tendulkar. Such was his impact on the team.

The second half of 1999 was when Tendulkar returned as Indian captain following an injury to Azharuddin. He helped India win against New Zealand at home. The series was unforgettable for him not just as captain but also as player as he smashed his first double-hundred in test cricket. Surprising, for a player of his class. In addition, Tendulkar hit his highest one-day score of 186 not out in Hyderabad. However, the pressure of captaincy returned to haunt Tendulkar as India failed in Australia whitewashed 3-0 and he didn’t have a good run with the bat, despite a fighting century at Melbourne.

No amends were made in the tri-series to follow as India nearly lost all of their matches, setting up an Australia-Pakistan final. This was perhaps his worst tour in his career as right after the series; he resigned from captaincy in the one-day game. It was a good decision in the eyes of many as Tendulkar once again never thought of himself and secondly it was the right opportunity for a new and possibly young captain to lead India. Tendulkar was forced to lead in the Tests and India were whitewashed 2-0 by Hansie Cronje’s South Africa, therefore being the first captain since Kapil Dev to lose a home series.

However, the one-dayers against South Africa were essential in revitalizing Tendulkar as there were glimpses of him returning to his best, without captaincy playing in his mind.

But just as things were going right for him and India, the match-fixing controversy arose. Tendulkar was also questioned as a part of the investigation done by the CBI, but no fingers pointed at him. His squeaky clean image never made one feel that Tendulkar would betray his country. He also played a major role in saving Indian cricket at the time, when he assured that most players in the team were innocent.

The man truly represents India! Even off the field, he stands up for his team-mates when it is needed the most. As the controversy died down, Indian cricket took a U-turn. Tendulkar clearly was in the right frame of mind as he plundered runs against Zimbabwe and in the second ICC Champions Trophy in Kenya where India reached the finals under Sourav Ganguly. Ganguly’s captaincy was giving Tendulkar the freedom to bat.

Then came the greatest series of them all! India beat Australia at home in 2001 with Sachin playing at his best in the decider at Chennai, his favorite ground! The mammoth innings of 155 assured India a 2 wicket victory. However, sometimes his bowling too can come in handy. The Kolkata Test might have been known for Laxman’s and Dravid’s exploits but it was Tendulkar’s three scalps of Steve Waugh, Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne which made India win. Tendulkar’s contributions also helped India win Tests in Zimbabwe for the first time away from home since 1986. He is truly India’s match-winner! It was good that India started winning away from home.

However, Tendulkar’s image within India was bought out in the South Africa and England series in the end of the year. In South Africa, Tendulkar was banned by the match referee Mike Dennis for ball-tampering. This led to huge riots in India and this issue was even raised in the Indian Parliament! Tendulkar had full support of the BCCI, which resulting in the ICC revoking the ban. Whereas, in the home series against England, Tendulkar proved why he is the ‘God’ of world cricket.

Nasser Hussain, the England captain set negative fields to curb Sachin’s run-making. Yet, Tendulkar remained calm and patient and scored heavily to make sure India win 1-0 and not lose a home series for the second time in two years. Hussain himself admitted ‘We couldn’t get Tendulkar out by conventional fields.’ It is a fitting tribute to his batting, even as good as Bradman’s.

His discipline undoubtedly is unmatched with any other player. This discipline made him play well in the West Indies and England as India lost in the West Indies after winning a Test. In England, he was in sparkling form. In the series, he scored his 29th Test hundred, thereby equaling the man who praised him the most, Sir Don Bradman. He clearly was the bulwark of Indian batting alongside Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, forming the ‘Fab four’. And expectedly, he went past Bradman in the home series against the Windies by scoring 176 not out at Kolkata as he saved India from the jaws of defeat. 2002 was a relatively good year for him in the one-day game as he struck hundreds in England which helped India win the Natwest tri-series as well as India shared the ICC Champions Trophy with Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka, even if he was demoted to No.4.

2003 started off badly but by far was one of the best years of his career. He got injured in New Zealand and flopped in the matches he played. In the World Cup in South Africa, India lost in the warm-up match to a local team. They won against Holland but not so convincingly and were thrashed by Australia in the first round. This obviously led to riots as in India, cricket is a religion. But Tendulkar spoke up for the nation and in one of his most moving speeches apologized to the nation on behalf of the team and promised that they will give their best till the last ball is bowled.

When Tendulkar speaks, everyone listens. And he and the team lived up to their promise. Tendulkar bettered his 1996 World Cup performance of 523 runs by scoring 647 runs in 2003 and playing thrilling knocks against Namibia, Zimbabwe, England, Sri Lanka and more importantly the famous 98 against Pakistan in Centurion. The three sixes that he hit of Shoaib Akhtar’s first over nearly sealed India’s victory. The manner in which he scored showed that his hunger for runs never diminished even if he turned 30 after playing for almost 15 years. He was clearly India’s senior statesman.

Indian cricket reached new heights in 2003 as they leveled the series in Australia with Tendulkar scoring 241 at Sydney after a lean run to assure India a drawn series. In 2004, India beat Pakistan for the firsttime ever in Pakistan in both Tests and ODIS. In the ODIS, Tendulkar scored with the bat but his fielding played a crucial role in winning the ODIS. The catch he took of Inzamam-ul-Haq’s bullet-like hit at long-on was a delight.

In Tests as well, his 194 at Multan increased India’s morale of winning the Test series. However, fitness taught up with Tendulkar, like in 2001 as he suffered from tennis elbow which prohibited him from taking part in the ICC Champions Trophy as well as warm-up matches in England and Holland. India performed badly losing to Pakistan and England. Then the worst happened. A loss to Australia, the world champions in the Test series at home. Tendulkar missed the first two tests due to the injury but he made his mark at Mumbai, his hometown by scoring a modest 55 on a turning and treacherous track as he helped India win atleast one Test, as the series ended 2-1 in Australia’s favour. India certainly can’t do without Tendulkar.

Tendulkar being fit enough scored his highest Test score of 248 against Bangladesh in Dhaka, in the process, equaling Sunil Gavaskar’s record of 34 Test hundreds.

That record too was broken but only next year in the home series against Sri Lanka when he scored a memorable but tough 105 in Delhi. That was Tendulkar’s sole highlight performance of 2005. It wasn’t a great year for him as he missed the summer of 2005 as well due to the elbow injury occurring again. Though he made a decent comeback against Sri Lanka in the ODIS in October at home. He had a modest run against South Africa and Pakistan. And worse, he was booed by his home crowd in Mumbai in a test match against England in March 2006 after he scored only 1 run of 21 balls. Was the great man’s career coming to an end? Has the great man’s aura diminished? Has 17 years of cricket finally taken a toll on his body?, were some of the many questions discussed in the world of cricket.

The fears were coming true as Tendulkar’s run in 2006 too wasn’t decent except one ODI century against West Indies in Malaysia on his yet another comeback. And the ICC Champions Trophy at home or the series against South Africa away didn’t help his cause greatly. India’s chances for the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean were optimistic as many hoped that Tendulkar would be India’s savior like he was in 1996 and 2003. However, the highest run-getter in World Cup history scored only 60 runs in three games of the tournament as India crashed out infamously in the first round, losing to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Ian Chappell, Tendulkar’s biggest critic called for his retirement like many others.

But Tendulkar would never give up when it comes to playing for India. He loves his game and enjoys pressure. He took the challenge and made the rest of 2007 memorable by being one of the top run-getters of the calendar year. And India won the test series in Bangladesh and England as well as winning a Test in Australia. This Australian tour was marred by controversies but Tendulkar’s word assured that Harbhajan Singh, who was accused of making racist comments towards Andrew Symonds was innocent.

In the final of the one-dayers, Tendulkar hit two blazing knocks of 112 and 91 reminding many of the 1998 Sharjah finals. Sachin after a wonderful series in Australia unfortunately couldn’t replicate his performance in the asia cup. When Australia came back to India in 2008 he glided the ball to third man of debutant peter siddle and broke Brian Lara’s record in test cricket at Mohali. Tendulkar helped India regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and his superb run against the world champions of his era continued. England too came to India and his quick-fire innings helped India take a clean sweep in the ODIS as well as win the Test Series 1-0.

Tendulkar’s love for Chennai continues when he hit a match-winning century in the second innings chasing 387. He dedicated this knock especially to the Indian commoner who is always threatened by terrorism, especially after the Mumbai attacks on 26/11.
India hasn’t been successful in New Zealand, but with Tendulkar’s hundred at Christchurch helped India win the ODIS 3-1. However, India created history by winning 1-0 in 3 Tests as Tendulkar scored a match-winning hundred. He had then gone past 40 Test hundreds and seemed to go ahead of his closest rival, Ricky Ponting by far. 2009 was an inactive year for Tendulkar as he rested for a number of games. But the recent 175 against Australia in Hyderabad clearly showed the vintage Tendulkar! He crossed 17000 runs in the ODIS. The records continue to belong to Tendulkar. Who can fill the man’s big boots?

Tendulkar is India. What is India’s future without him and who can ever fill in his big boots?
Tendulkar has achieved everything in his life and has broken almost every record made for the batsman. If something is left that he would want to achieve then that would be the world cup (2011) for India. The man has brought India glory—just the one thing missing in his cabinet—and that’s the world cup. Similar to ponting (fitting for him to win an ashes in England in 2013 and then retire); it would only be fitting if Sachin Tendulkar lifts the world cup in Indian colours front of his home crowd at the wankhede stadium in Mumbai.

And the rest as they say is unsaid. The great man lives on…

Spotted by Rod marsh at the age of 17 in the academy and was said to be the best teen player in Australia and rightly so. Ponting made his international debut against South Africa (1995) in a One day international at the basin reserve in wellington. The young 20 year old Tasmanian didn’t raise a lot of eyebrows in his debut innings and fell for a paltry 1 as he was given the number six position to bat. Ponting failed to make amends.

Ponting, much like Sachin Tendulkar never really made a name for himself for about 2-3 years. It wasn’t till 1997-1998 did the current champion announce himself at the international stage. He had a phenomenal year with the bat especially in the ODI Format where he made 1165 runs at an average of 53.

Unknown to many Ponting was a bit of a rebellion something like his former team mate Andrew Symonds. Drinks, pubs and brawls were ‘just the usual’ in Ponting’s case. However, just like Symonds Ponting was given a final chance too, which he accepted and 13 years on since the last incident skipper Ponting has never crossed the Line.

The time still hadn’t come where ponting was good. He was still a talented youngster and not to mention a brilliant fielder who was a regular at point-backward point for Australia. It was 2000. The decade which would not just change this boy to a man but, from talent- to good to great to a champion that he is now.

He averaged above 50 in at least one form of the game every year for the next four years. Ponting was now not just the mainstay but, formed a major chunk of the middle order. He was surprisingly promoted to skipper after Steve Waugh wasn’t picked for the world cup squad in 2003.

It was Adam Gilchrist who served as stand by captain whenever steve Waugh missed out. This was a surprise a big one at that too. Was the ACB looking at the long term future considering gilchrist was 31 and ponting was 27; but it was a risk considering the rebel that ponting had been in his early years.
However, it was a risk that paid off! Ponting brought home the world cup with a splendid performance not just as captain but as batsman too especially in the finals where he let the bat do the talking making 140* against India helping Australia post a huge score of 359.

Ponting had won Australia the world cup! Ricky Ponting had won Australia the world cup without Shane Warne! This was immensely important as it gave Australia the confidence that Shane Warne was not the be all and end all of Australian cricket. Ponting then awaited the Indians where he scored 2 double centuries in a 4 test series including his career best score of 257. 2003 was ponting’s best year with the bat as he scored more then 1500 runs and averaged more than 100 in test match cricket. His ODI performace wasn’t too bad either with over 1100 runs at 46. Ponting was now been seen as a threat to all opponents. His big match performances were making him fearful to bowl at.

Ponting continued his brilliant performance and after this particular series against India took over as Australian test captain too. Ponting was instrumental in handing the Australians the number of wins they did end up with in those two years. The Australians then flew to what was going to be their lowest point in the whole decade. They went to England to defend the ashes. There was something about the England unit- the zeal! Freddie flintoff or KP perhaps something new something refreshing!
Something the England unit never showed before!

The season was going to be a miserable one (foreshadowing) when Australia lost to Bangladesh for the first time and lost a T20 match in an embarrassing fashion to England. The 2005 ashes was now all set to get underway! The series started in typical fashion when Australia ran through England at lords. Ponting had a wonderful game too and Australia were clinical with their performance. It was not until the 3rd test at old Trafford where ponting showed his true class with a fighting last day 156 that ensured that Australia managed to keep the series at 1-1. Ponting was named man of the match for his gutsy effort and it is perhaps ponting’s most defiant innings under pressure.

Again, Come’t the hour! Come’t the man!!

Ponting did not let the ashes defeat get to him as he continued to perform and dominate bowlers at will. Ponting then went on to win Australia their first ever champions trophy in India. The ashes was next. This time in their backyard.
Australia absolutely rammed through England! A whitewash! 5-0!

Ponting’s most satisfying moments as captain I’d say! The guilt had gone. The Australians not just ponting were guilt free. They had had their revenge in the best possible manner. Ponting was prolific through the series scoring 576 runs and was deservingly adjudged Man of the series. The good run continued the run machine continued! He then went on to win Australia their 4th world cup and 3rd consecutive one. He was on a roll.

But, the roll was now about to rock and rock bad. With players namely Justin langer, Damien martyn, Shane Warne and glenn mcgath all gone everything couldn’t be perfect could it.

The Australian team were coming to the realms of things. They were coming to where other teams were. They were coming back to earth!

They thrashed New Zealand thanks to skipper ponting again who hammered 2 centuries in a 3 match ODI series. India were next! Ponting would have loved to repeat his performance the last time round the Indians were there. However, that was not to be as ponting had one of his worst summers not just as batsman but as captain. He was severely criticized and to an extent disowned by the Australian crowd after the Sydney fiasco. Ponting was in tatters with only Senior pro’s Gilchrist and Hayden remaining. Between all this Ishant Sharma was tormenting ponting.

The ODI series came and Adam gilchrist announced it would be his last summer in international cricket. Ponting had just Hayden now. Australia went on to lose against India not just the ODI series but also the test series in India. Australia were facing tough opponents!

First, India than South Africa than- The ashes. The aussies went home and lost their first home test series in a long long time. South Africa had not just created history but had inflicted pain by usurping Australia from the world no 1 throne. The game was changing. Matthew Hayden had gone too.

Ponting was left. This was his true test of character and as they say champions do fight back. Ponting went to South African soil and embarrassed the proteas with his young side and beat them 2-1 in a hard fought test series. The aussies seemed on a high again. They had found sensations in Mitchell Johnson, Marcus North and Philip Hughes. In spite of losing the ODI series the aussies still looked good for the T20 championship and the ashes to follow. Australia were blasted by gayle out of the tournament in the qualifiers itself.
Not the ideal preparation for the ashes, ehh?

Australia went into the first test match at Cardiff and dominated proceedings right from the word go with punter leading from the front with a defiant 150. Australia were extremely close from winning the first test but it was monty panesar and jimmy Anderson who denied them from the same.

England won the second test at lords thus giving Australia their first loss in an ashes test match at lords in 75 years. Ponting went on to lose the ashes thus becoming only the second captain in Australian history after Billy Murdoch to lose the ashes twice in England. Ponting’s team was shattered. The critics were out with their saws ready to drop it on ponting. There were questions about ponting handling just the test side and having Michael Clarke to handle the ODI and T20 format. Ponting returned home for a break and would resume midway through the NatWest ODI series. The critics raised many a question and ponting answered it one by one in humility. He said one thing though ‘If his body prevails he will be prepared to go back to England come 2013 and give it one more shot all be it not as captain”!

Words of a humbled man with a never say die spirit. Ponting returned to England in the 4th ODI and played some wonderful knocks including a century in the 5th ODI. Australia had soaked some of the pain up after giving England a 6-1 drubbing. They then moved to South Africa defending the champions trophy and did it with success. Ponting hit a century in the semi-finals again against England trying to win back some pride. The aussies were back to playing good cricket.

Ponting brought his men to India. He lost brett lee right in the first match of the tournament. Soon, ponting found himself without lee, Haddin, Clarke, bracken, Siddle, paine, ferguson and then hopes. Australia had lost most of their first choice players. In spite of all this Australia still managed to take the series 4-2. Ponting’s captaincy has to be lauded—it’s easy to be a great captain when you have greatness around you.

It’s easy to keep winning. Ponting and his team had suffered a string of losses in the last 12 months. His captaincy and motivation was instrumental in knitting the group together and conquering the once “final frontier”. Australia went back home after what seemed a long-long time. It was an okay tour having won the series in south Africa, the champions trophy, the natwest series and won in India. In the bargain, they had lost the T20 world cup and more importantly the ASHES. Ponting had a poor start to the season and was hit on his elbow by Kemar roach at a pacey perth wicket. This effected his batting and ponting was about to have one of his worst home summers. One match is all it takes to turn things round and so it was in ponting’s case.

One just felt he needed that scratchy 50 or 60. So, in the summers last test match in front of his home crowd at Hobart ponting went on to hit 209 and 89 in the 3rd test against Pakistan. The skipper was back. Having just completed a 5-0 whitewash of Pakistan in the ODI’s Australia seem to be as ominous as ever.

As long as ricky ponting is dawning the Australian colours “All is indeed well”!
Ponting has achieved everything he could’ve asked for. It would only be fitting end if this great man is able to win back or retain the ashes in 2013 against England in their backyard.
Ask for ‘scripted farewell’s’ or what!!
Hats off to the legend –Ricky ponting!

Well, the whole of the cricketing fraternity is asking are the Aussies still invincible? The answer is no. Australia are certainly no more invincible but are and will definitely be a very competitive team. With experienced pro’s retiring from the international circuit in a hurry Australia find themselves in barren land. But, most experts feel that the Aussies have handled this situation much better than any other team would have handled it.

It’s clearly seen that Australia are found wanting in India (test matches). With Andrew Symonds too out due to controversy Australia find themselves in a hole with large shoes to fill in.

Many Australian news papers asked for the recall of Andrew Symonds but Australia have always had strong disciplinary rules and do not mind sacrificing on a couple of series so as to dominate 10 years. It could be debated out that India too will have to face a similar situation in the near future with respect to test match cricket as India will be playing without the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Anil Kumble also known as the “Fab Five”.

Australia are missing their bowling attack more than ever. Australia virtually do not have anyone on the spin bowling front. The batting department still has most of their key players but the retirement of so many greats (Justin Langer, Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist, Glen McGrath, and Shane Warne) has hurt Australia psychologically more than anything. Also, called the bad boys of cricket build up the name for themselves by taking a dig at their opponents before every key game.

On a balance Australia known to be having one of the best cricket training systems should be able to make up as the Australian bench strength can never be questioned!!

This is was a piece I wrote a year and a half back. Looking at it now, Australia indeed do have the best cricket systems across the world. After the disappointing ashes loss in 2009 Australia seem to have finally got their players to gel along in both the ODI as well as the Test format.

Australia’s record after the ashes speaks for itself:

• Australia VS England –NatWest series.

Result: 6-1 to Australia
• Champions trophy
Result: 4-0 to Australia
Champions
• Australia VS India in India
Result: 4-2 to Australia

Season at home

• Australia VS West Indies (Tests)
Result: 2-0 to Australia
• Australia VS Pakistan (Tests)
Result: 3-0 to Australia
• Australia VS Pakistan
Result: Unassailable lead of 3-0 (2 to go)

Australia have proved their credentials in all facets of the game. They now have a very good spinner in Nathan Hauritz. A young and consistent pace attack in Bollinger, Siddle, Hilfenhaus with Mitchell Johnson the potential attack leader. Australia have found a replacement to controversial all rounder Andrew Symonds. Cameron white stamped his authority on international cricket when he took that no.3 position in England in place of Ponting.

India have lost out on two of their 5 champions in Ganguly and Kumble. The batting line up still looks a solid one but, the question arises whether India will be able to cope with the loss of the Fab 5 like how Australia did?