off-field

Some not so on-the-field-thoughts I liked reading.
The Spin (who had messed up his subscription list for a while, or did not like my email id too much) rethinks the possibility that cricket is the new football.

You know that cricket is finally making a mark on the nation's consciousness
when England players are the subjects of red-top kiss-and-tells. It is a fine
moment for our game.

Elsewhere, this trend of thought is called twaddle, and I can’t help but agree. But the point he makes is about cricket becoming popular amongst women, like so:

My own theory is that women are finding in cricket an antidote to just about all
the things that most of them detest about football: not merely the inescapable
ubiquity of the Premiership, both on television and in the conversation of their
male partners and friends, but its total lack of class.

Then Sue mott, who’s writing tone I liked when I first read this in july (seems so long ago), is grateful cricket is not football, nor will be.

Cricket will never be football, to its eternal relief. It will enjoy itself
during this lavish spell of fortune and capitalise on the benefits at grassroots
level that this wonderful Ashes series must produce. But Freddie Flintoff will
never be David Beckham, which is entirely good for Freddie Flintoff, and Kevin
Pietersen will only be Sir Elton John in the experimental hair-do
department.

But her process of recovery from Trentbridge makes even nicer reading with gems like this:

A perfectly sensible primary school teacher in her forties telephoned at this
point to report that if England lost she was going to hang herself from her
apple tree. And put the phone down. One might have alerted the Samaritans in
such circumstances but that would have meant missing the next ball. She'd have
to take her chances.

And this

Cricketers may have played finer innings, bowlers may have bowled better balls,
batsmen may have conjured truer shots but for sheer, knife-in-the-gut spectacle,
we have never seen anything like it.

Mark Nicholas, too, talks about the ability of this series to draw out the most unlikely of fans and followers- like his godson’s sisters.

...never, in the 16, 11 and eight years they have been on the planet - has any one
of them struck up a conversation about cricket. Were I to do so do, they would
probably go and play with the traffic.

Gideon Haigh (does he write everywhere?), besides his excellent tour diary on cricinfo, contemplates the chance that winning is wearisome for this Aussie side.

Ricky Ponting's Australians, by contrast, have sometimes looked very sated
indeed, like those handsome lions in wildlife documentaries apparently always
snoozing on the savannah after gorging on zebra. "Hunt?" they seem to say. "For
another camera crew? Forget it. I only work for Attenborough."

I don’t know. Its hardly thinkable that an Aussie is bored of 8 ashes wins. That's Ashes wins, mind you. Make no mistake, these lions are going to fight back. The only thing is, will they wait till they are down in this test as well, before getting fired up? This time, that could be too late- they have to hit the ground running at The Oval, at the risk of chipping their claws. Better a proud manicure later on than an embarassed licking what could be your own (very deep) wounds.

not so (sub)tle

The Urn is not in a Pratt’s hands. Nor residing in a Fletcher smile, and definitely not in a Vaughan fist-pump. It is uncomfortably twitching between Aussie fingers, unsure of its fate, but preparing for some travel, Similarly, no smiles, taunts or rule-stretches are going to put it on a boat to the mother country- that ticket will be issued by two teams- one reluctantly , the other gleefully.

So why Ricky Ponting chooses now to let loose his deepest feelings about fielding substitutes might be open to debate, but is not much of a mystery to me. It serves little purpose at this juncture, but does reflect one thing- this captain, even this team, is rattled. Other words come to mind. Frustration. Haplessness. Cribbing. Venting.

Of course, I don’t say this because of the subs-issue; that itself is a sub-issue. It is a symptom, not a cause. Lets not worry- at this point- whether he is justified or not. Sure, bowlers going off at will for so-called nature calls is really a bit much, and Fletcher and Vaughan could do better to explain their subbing system (how, I don’t know, because the objective seems clear and only the most creative of excuses could convince most of us otherwise). So let that debate be. I just believe that this is hardly the time to get so touchy about it, irrespective of how long it has been troubling you. Surely there are more pressing matters at hand, ol’ chap- like a test match it is imperative for you to win. Is a sub is going to snatch that urn from under ya nose?
No, I thought not. So think about those who could mate, ‘cause it’s all ready to happen.

(like someone in office said- Warne and Mcgrath couod have their own team meeting and say- ok its you ‘n’ me mate, we gotta keep these burnt bails with us, awright?)

Ind v Zim

Ok. so we finish with 226. Just explain to me why Agarkar came up before Pathan and JPY for the last 2 balls. I mean, I know he is the most promisign allrounder and all that, but....sheesh
226/5. End of innings.

So Dhoni has let loose a fair bit, reaching to 55 off 41 with one lost ball. If only he could have Ok.
gone nuts a little earlier, my stake in the office kitty would have a better chance. ah, well. Just thram them, that's all I ask. Next post much later. leave office. cook. guests for dinner.
217/4.49 overs.

"Its obvious Dhoni has been given a mandate" says Harsha, "to go out there and hit". And follows it up with the obvious- "which begs the question, what was the mandate given to the first four batsmen?" "they're expecrienced, Harsha" replies Sunny. Right, but its just a question of when they plan to show that. Yuvraj, for example has scored 20 off 49.
163/4. 43rd over.

Its been a lethargic afternnon in Harare. The Indian National team- playing what has varyingly unofficially been described as second string, third string, B-team, and youth team of Zimbabwe- has struggled to gather any momentum whatsoever. Dravid's stumps were cleaned up by a fastish delivery from Prosper Utseya (don;t you just love that name- Prosper? Though why Ravi Shastri keeps calling him Prosper 'professor' Utseya, I haven;t the foggiest). Then Kaif, who took a presposterous number of balls-122- to make a half decent score-65- threw it away with a soft dismissal to an albeit excellent catch. Yuvraj has looked suitably lacklustre and undependable, while Dhoni has only just opened up with two rollicking shots to the long on area. Its into the final 10 overs, and the score is disheartening.
152/4. 41overs (41!).

So I can't be doing the regular update thing for this match. But what can I say when the SCG fellow is out to a medium paced short ball from someone called Andrew Ireland? A long vociferous supporter of dada, I find myself helpless against the belief that his time is nigh. But more on that later.

India lost the toss. Super sub out of the window. heck, should that even matter against this Zimbabwe side? You;d think not, right? Except the team is at 68/2 after a staggering 19 overs. Power pLays wasted. Sehwag's ill, so that's a good think- Rao gets a chance at the top. Only he gets another duck. Great ball, though (following up the corker he received from Bond the other day).
Actually, the way Kaif has been playong (and given Dravid's tendency to accumulation), the power plays ending might be a good thing- more singles, more runs. I've got a couple of notes riding on the Indian total- I said 252-, so guys, er...wake up.

72/2. 20 overs.

phew

aargh. No time to blog. What a match yesterday!
I thought Geraint Jones may just have ensured his public lynching but he now has Hoggard and Giles to thank. Warne and Lee- champion efforts from them. I hope Simon Jones recovers- it will be the first time all 5 Tests of an Ashes series have seen an unchanged English side since 1884-85! And, ideally, Pidgeon should be back as well- so everyone can give it all they've got. Its an Ashes beginning for so many people in the English side, but an end for many in the Aussie team...

And the session count is looking like a complete massacre. Who would've thought.

Meanwhile Ganguly wants the batsmen to perform. Watch out, a formidable Zimbabwean attack awaits...And uh, who plans this stuff anyway?

Ind v NZ

oh, for a little more committment from the top order. aaargh.
157/8. 35overs.

no comments. only a quiet drink and solace unfound.
67/8. 17 overs.

So I am consigned to trying to follow the second half on the Net. Pay through your nose for cricket, but one channel cannot show two matches, and The Ashes it. Can't say I fault that, can't say I am satisifed either :)
At 17/3 over my worst fears are coming true- Bond is killing us. Two of the three bowled, I see. 215 suddenly looks different, dunnit?
19/3. 5th over

Mid inning break
NZ 215 all out.
Two crucial, brave and attacking innings saw NZ reach 215. Not a great score, but (heck you know what's coming ...) competitive. Mcullum and McMillan both played positive innings in the midst of absolute batting chaos for the Kiwis. This pitch does not look like it justifies anything of this sort, but there you are. NZ batted right up to no.11-with Adams. That depth and the positive outlook of these two made sure this was not a 150-160 total.
Our very own Monu (nehra) had the best figures, and he has been consisiten for some time now. Agarkar and Bhajji were very expensive, with the former going for nearly 7 an over. And now I hear Sunny saying Agarkar does not get the field he deserves, so he is going for runs. Sigh...

The super sub strategy for both teams has worked out just fine. Nehra shall relax now and Rao will come in, and Bond will be waiting to have a crack at India, especially the captain. Irrespective, India really should not end up on the losing side here. It will be a lot of good work wasted, and self doubt revisited. Hopefully, neither of those shall fructify.
lunch

The 8 overs since I posted l;ast have seen 46 runs. The partnership between McMillan and Oram has crossed 50 sometime ago- it is now a healthy 73(88). My good friend Ajit and new acquanitance JPYadava have failed to capitalise on the wonderful start that Pahan and Nehra provided. To be fair JP Yadav was only going for under 4 an over. Harbhajan is back on now, and has been going at about 7 an over.
A run out! What a stroke of luck! The dangerous Oram is dismissed in a terrible mixup, bringing the potentially even more dangerous Cairns to the crease. And now McMillan's gone for a run-a-ball 54 that rejuvenated this innings. Agarkar induces a false stroke and its a simple catch for Pathan at mid-off. It is 7 down, and India are back in control. They must make sure that the screws are tightened.
Over in the northern hemisphere, Pietersen just stroked a spanking boundary.
Lord, what a bounty of cricket you have given us...!
134/7. 30 overs

A little time away from the tv screen, and NZ has tumbled to 5 down. I just heard Harsha say that Ajit's catch was a very good one, then the discussion on Agarkar's promise and his frustration started. I am not one to do this, but I will say this here- the only way his (very regressive) selection will stand redeemed for me is if he takes the series by storm. Nothing less.
JP Yadav and his flowing locks are into the scene now, and McMillan has sped to a run-a-ball 16 with that last smashed four off Agarkar.
18 overs 59/5

You think the last minute hurried rushing about toreach Bulawayo has done some good? because Nehra and Pathan have ensured that the Kiwis are 13/2 in the 6th over, and besides that being a good start, the bowling is looking good. New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat, but the super sub strategy seems to have been fine for both teams. NZ will bring in Bond after their batting, and India can get Rao in to strengthen the chase. And there! Nehra has just struck again. Plumb in front, and they are reduced to 13/3. Now just hope we don't let this go. I shall try and write in as often as I can (though I don't know which match I will be getting to watch- this or the Ashes). I must admit I am suitable excited about the India NZ match, more than I thought I would be.
Meanwhile, where is the Indian cricket blogging community? Can we get some live commenting happening somewhere sometime?

7overs- 15/3

Trent Bridge- Day 1

Day 1 of the fourth test might have ended with England only just taking honours (and not as many of them as they looked set to), but that’s really not the point. For me, this day was all about something else. Not something we have seen for the first time this series, but something we have not seen in so consistent a manner- a lacklustre Australian side. The body language seemed low on energy, no-balls came in giant Christmas socks for the English, catches were dropped, and it was a bit of luck that saw them end the day having really lost only the one session, in my opinion.

Will England win the Ashes? Who knows, given that they have to bugger-all win both matches from here. But a drawn series here will be one that Australia will walk away from with much the heavier hearts than England. In that old inexplicable and sometimes silly phrase- a draw would almost be a ‘moral victory’ for England, and a would feel like escape for Australia- for they look much the less inspired team. Irrespective of how this series ends and where that little urn goes (or stays), Cricket Australia must be worrying.

If they aren’t, they should be.

wed, 24th

It’s just another test, Ricky? It better not be, matey, cause if you guys play as carelessly (and, dare I say, overconfidently?) as you have been, it might not be that easy as just another test for the (erstwhile?) juggernaut. But Tait's playing, and that's exciting. And if McGrath fails the fitness test, this could be a dodgy test for them...

Meanwhile the much awaited(?) Rest of the World squads have been announced. I too had polled in my selection to cricinfo. I can’t believe Shoaib has made it to both sides, and though he will probably be entertaining, this juggling of entertainment and form/skill is something that can only be proven right or wrong in hindsight. Vaas must surely make the side but he doesn’t. I would still prefer Sangakarra in both forms of the game, and surely Inzy could have been slotted in there somewhere? (And what's with squads of thirteen?)

India in Zim

So the Indian team is off to Zimbabwe, and will reach a grand total of 1.5 days before their first match, against the Kiwis. Don’t expect anything spectacular, for there has been little time for things to change since Sri Lanka, and even less effort.

For Ganguly, this really is a no-win tour. Apparently he has been having as long as three hour net sessions in Kolkata to prepare for the tour. The thing is, what can he prove? Sure, if we win the tri-series there will be much assuaging of feelings, but that’s a big if. New Zealanad have been in Zimbabwe for a while, are always a challenging ODI side (to say the least), and India are continuing a seriously long and seriously lacklustre phase of form. Beating Zimbabwe is really not going to count for much (confidence-wise, form-wise or perception-wise).

In the Tests, its even worse. Nothing but the most comprehensive of wins in both Test matches can be viewed as acceptable. Who would possibly accept this Zimbabwe side taking a test to the 4th, or worse, 5th day? Win the series, and it’s no big deal- it is only 'this Zimbabwe side'. Win it by anything but huge margins, and you still 'don’t have the edge'. On a personal not, Ganguly could pile up whatever he wants in terms of runs in these two tests- it cannot make an iota of difference to the questions being asked about him holding a position in the Test squad. And God forbid he doesn’t rack em’ up- do we really see him continuing then? We are all going to still end up watching a fair bit of it, but I know which channel I will tune into when Flintoff steams in to Gilchrist and Taibu readies to face Pathan.

Strength

Thats what the white band on Shane Warne's wrist says. I saw him acknowledge the crowd yesterday after his 600th, point out the band and kiss it for all to see. I wondered what it was, and now I know.
Irrespective of what else he may be, what a bowler he is. genius.

Old Trafford

The third test is due to start in moments. Unfortunately, the only thing that keeps coming to mind is that how can we be anything but a tad let down. After Tests 1 & 2, how can anything match up to those thrills?
Then I think- maybe nothing can. But maybe nothing needs to. For that is the beauty of test cricket- maybe they will play sober, unfrenzied, dare I say, normal cricket- and we will still be fascinated, won’t we. I can only hope the tussle goes on, the fight is till the brilliant mixture of a street scrap and a polished contest.

McGrath is running around the pitch, bowling, even, and they seem hopeful. I have my doubts, but that’s not based on anything as such. Lee being back is great of course, without the both of them it might have been too much of a blow. With the both of them, it might be too much of a blow as well, but for the other side.

The calls everywhere have been for more ‘sane’ cricket, and that would seem logical. Neither team played conventional test cricket at Edgbaston, and that will be the most important thing for them to address. Of course, there will now be the fear of playing conventionally, carefully, and having the other side ambush you with an approach similar to the last match. And in doing so, take the game away in the matter of a couple of session, even a single one. Yet, I don’t believe either team should be (will be?) foolhardy enough to throw caution to the winds again. The Flintoffs, KPs and Gilchrists should play as is their wont- nothing changes there. It is the Haydens, Clarkes, Strausses (or “Straussy”, as Warne would say). The Vaughans, Martyns and Bells that need to get their act together.
Either way, it is another cracker in prospect in a series that hasd already surpassed my expectations.

And that’s the toss- England bat, and they will face Lee and Mcgrath.

Session count

1st Test
day1-E/E/A day2-d/A/A day3-A/E/A day4-A

2nd Test
day1-E/E/A day2-E/E/E day3-A/d/E day4-E

3rd Test
day1-E/E/E day2-E/A/E day3-A day4-E/E/E day5- E/d/A


4th Test
day1-E/A day2-E/E/E day3-E/A/E day4-E/E/E

5th Test - does it matter???:)

This post has been updating and is linked from the ‘session count’ in the sidebar.

thoughts on the live advert for Test cricket

My two-pie bit on yesterday, and indeed, the preceding 3 days. I might not say anything epochal, but then- what do I know, I just write.

Edgbaston was a rollicking ride that test cricket has always the ability to be, sometimes is, and often is supposed to not be. For even the hardiest of believers in the charm of Test cricket, though- old school or new- this was a roller coaster that threatened to leave you giddy with exhilaration. Much like a good long row of full beer mugs would, actually, but I digress.

The second test was pivotal, really, immeasurably so for one team- and that is the team that played the match with the desperation that they surely felt coursing through their veins in the lead up. A 2-0 deficit was always going to be virtually another end to another Ashes in the most hopelessly predictable of ways. It must have been a possibility England would have been all to aware of, with substantial help from their unforgiving media. We’ll never know how much of a boost the exit of McGrath just before the toss would have been for team morale, but it was definitely reflected on the pitch. Ponting’s call at the toss might have been right, but his call on whether to bat or bowl was not. It is a decision that, I suspect, he is not getting too much (neough) flak for as yet. A certain toss in Brisbane and a certain England captain come to mind, though conditions, and teams, were substantially different then. It is only at the end of the series that this call might look more, or less, telling.

Again, I wonder if it was the absence of McGrath that allowed the English batsman to play with such abandon in the first innings. More likely a combination of a plan and a matter of striking while the iron was hot, the end result was stunning. England racked up an astonishing 407 on the first day and set was would be an equally astonishing tone for the rest of the match.
All batsmen then batted with similar lack of caution that sometimes bordered on, and often was, reckless. It was the sort of batting that ensured we were on the edge of our seats, couches, beds or bar stools- but it was also poor play.

I am not sure what is better- uniformly rash cricket or good judgement from one team and not so good from another; seeing that the former is more likely to produce thrills of the sort we have just been through, while the latter is what we have gotten used to (and bored of) in Australia’s long reign at the top. It really works both ways, for both are fabulous to behold. Somehow, though, coming at the time it did- when Australia’s supremacy was starting to border on the dull, and when the oldest rivalry was being played out- I’m rather enamoured by this impetuousness that offers equality.

Australia almost entered the match on the same high they left Lord’s with, tempered at the last minute by the withdrawal of their most dependable performer. The feeling of loss that they then stepped onto the pitch with, was never really assuaged. England, on the other hand, had an unexpected boost to what was surely an already fired up mind and body. They never let either go.

Today, Australia will be smarting but can’t be expected to wallow in their loss. They will be charged up in a way they seldom have been in recent years, for they will be fighting for pride that has very rarely been attacked thus. England, on the other hand, might still be feeling the rush. Letting that disturb their focus is a worry that we should not have about this England team- as long as they are concerned about it. It’s the one thing that could ruin them- getting carried away. I don’t expect them to, though- and Old Trafford promises to be a cracker. The only thing is- how can anything top what we have seen till now?

And, can anything at all top the most diversely and bizarrely entertaining opening days we have seen at Lord’s and Edgbaston? I don’t think so, but then- what do I know.

Sunday

What was a scintillating Saturday should make for an overwhelming weekend as England are poised for a famou win. Spearheaded by the talented, spirited, passionate and thoroughly enjoyable Andrew Flintoff, England are on the brink of an Ashes victory that actually matters, squaring up a series that is justifying all the hype that preceded it. This the second match truly was a crucial one- a win for Australia would pretty much ensure which way the Ashes were blowing- the same theu have been for 17 years. In the face of that, England have come up with a spirited performance in a seesawing match- in the process entertaining us no end. While this is hardly conventional Test cricket, no one can argue that this is afr too entertaining to condemn. One day hangover or carelessness, who cares?

Meanwhile theother cricket for the Sunday has turned out to be a semi final with the West Indies oulling off a surprise win over Sri Lanka yesterday. And, this was a Lankan side that included Murali, Zoysa and Jayasuriya. Today, though, they will be without the consistent though irritating Chanderpaul, leaving them a terribly inexperienced side (um, they have been one all tour, actually). Kumble and Yuvraj come in from the previous match, but I have still seen pretty much nothing of the series, and it promises to stay that way.

The Ashes, on the other hand, are coming out of my ears- and I would not have it any other way. Who cares who to support, when there is such fantastic cricket to see, and cricket with such an edge.

Edgbaston

The second test is not too far away now, and there is a lot of excitement not because of anything else but because a certain MLL* has just been ruled out of the match, and we await the news on how bad his ankle is. Apparently he fell over on a cricket ball, while chasing a football. Or so Darren Lehmann says. Saw a few pictures, he seemed to be in a lot of pain, and I find it a little incongruous people are laughing about it. Can't expect Englishmen to not be upbeat from it, but heck some discretion might be in order. :)

Either way, this should definitely even things up a bit. Its still overcast over in Edgbaston, but with the MLL* out, they're thinking it might work for Australia to bat first and let Warne loose on Days 4 and 5. Open house on how much this will affect the match- my take is that could be pretty crucial. Gillespie and Kasper might not be able to fill in the shoes too well. They'll miss the guidance of McGrath. Crucial, yes- whether it will be decisive, only time will tell.

Toss- Australia win and will have a bowl. There's some of that discretion I was talking about from Marc Nicholas. Vaughan maintains they were going to have a bat anyway; now I can't say how good (bad) the pitch might be, but England have a great chance here to rack up some runs and negate the Warne factor towards the end of the match, if it goes the distance. The second test, and the excitement is on again. Over at Will's the barrage of comments should be starting anytime now...!

*MLL- Master of Line&Length

Dambulla

been off the radar for a while, and am afraid it might contnue to be a little like that. India have just won the toss and opted to bat in the 4th ODI, and I have seen nothing of the series till now. Not a look at Raina and Rao, nor at this West Indies team, which seem to have plummeted after a surprisingly refreshing start in the test series. Jayasuriya is lucky, after his brave but risky effort in the first ODI. I just heard Murali and Jayasuriya are not playing, so thats good for India, I suppose.

Meanwhile, Ganguly is back in today's match and is probably the most curious facet to the match. He also seems alternatively peeved and furious with the selection for the Afro Asian ODIs, where he has been ignored. I don't think he needs to be taken just because he has scored nearly 10,000 runs, and instinctively I would think he may not make an Asian XI. Yet, to see people like Shoaib- who is exciting but could not have possibly been picked on 'form'- is an indicator that the selection has gone more for exciting or popular players rather than only those who have performed.

Yuvraj is not playing. hmmm. Well here they go. Ashwin has had some good liveblogging going for these matches...