I've been invited by Bharat to make some contributions to this blog, which is very flattering. In the mid 1990s I made a series of posts to the newsgroup rec.sport.cricket containing my idea of the best XIs where the members' surnames began with the same letter of the alphabet. I don't have copies of all those posts now, but here's one that I do still have: the Ws. I haven't updated it in any way. Nowadays Steve Waugh would have to be put in the first XI, of course. (Note that when it was written Courtney Walsh still had fewer than 300 Test wickets.) Off-hand I can't think of any more recent players who would demand inclusion, though I'm probably overlooking someone obvious, as increasingly seems to happen as I get older. Unfortunately W is not a letter that shows Indian players to great advantage.
We finish on a high note with a very strong eleven. (X, Y and Z havealready been taken care of, in a QUXYZ eleven.) In fact there were somany strong candidates, I've drawn up both a first and a second eleven (and still had to omit some fine players).
First Eleven:
Bill Woodfull (A)
Frank Woolley (E)
Doug Walters (A)
Everton Weekes (WI)
Clyde Walcott (WI)
Frank Worrell (WI) (capt)
Wasim Akram (P)
Wasim Bari (P) (wk)
Shane Warne (A)
Waqar Younis (P)
Bob Willis (E)
Most of this eleven more or less selected itself. Frank Woolley's Test batting statistics were comparatively modest, but at his best he was one of the all-time greats, and his slow left-arm bowling and slipfielding will also come in useful. It was close for the number 11 spot between Bob Willis and Courtney Walsh, but you can't really argue with 300 Test wickets.
Second eleven:
Cyril Washbrook (E)
John Wright (NZ)
Kepler Wessels (A/SA)
Mark Waugh (A)
Bob Wyatt (E) (capt)
Steve Waugh (A)
John Waite (SA) (wk)
Max Walker (A)
Johnny Wardle (E)
J.C. "Farmer" White (E)
Courtney Walsh (WI)
This eleven could give a lot of the alphabetic first elevens a run for their money.
Other players who deserve a mention are:
Batsmen:
Cyril Walters, Pelham Warner, Barry Wood, Willie Watson, Peter Willey,T.S.Worthington, Bob Woolmer, Alan Wells, A.J.Watkins, Wilf Wooller (E); Graeme Wood (A); Ajit Wadekar (I); Wasim Raja,Wazir Mohammed (P); Syed Wettimuny (SL).
All-rounders: Rockley Wilson (E); Sammy Woods (E/A).
Spinners: Doug Wright, Don Wilson (E).
Fast bowlers: John Warr (E); Tom Wall (unlucky not to make the secondeleven) and Mark Whitney (A).
Wicketkeepers: Ken Wadsworth (NZ), Arthur Wood (E).
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
India's Test Match schedule in 2011
Another feast for Test cricket fans. Minimum 10: 2 (@WI), 4 (@Eng), 4 (@Aus), Likely 13: a potential 3 more hosting WI (not sure why we would play Tests back to back) and Improbable 16: 3 more vs. Eng.
@WI
Jun 20-24 (Mon-Fri): 1st Test v India, Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica
Jun 28-Jul 2 (Tue-Sat): 2nd Test v India, Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados
Jul 6-10 (Wed-Sun): 3rd Test v India, Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica
@England
July 21-25 (Thu-Mon): 1st npower Test v India, Lord’s
July 29-Aug 2 (Fri-Tue): 2nd npower Test v India, Trent Bridge
Aug 10-14 (Wed-Sun): 3rd npower Test v India, Edgbaston
Aug 18-22 (Thu-Mon): 4th npower Test v India, Kia Oval
The following seems too good to be true:
October England tour of India, 3 tests, 5 ODIs
November West Indies tour of India, 3 tests, 3-5 ODIs
December India tour of Australia, 4 tests, 5 ODIs, 1 T20
There just doesn't seem to be enough time to play that much cricket. Plus the ECB website shows India as 5 ODIs, 1 T20 -- maybe that will change to 2Tests and 2 T20s:-)
Bharat
@WI
Jun 20-24 (Mon-Fri): 1st Test v India, Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica
Jun 28-Jul 2 (Tue-Sat): 2nd Test v India, Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados
Jul 6-10 (Wed-Sun): 3rd Test v India, Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica
@England
July 21-25 (Thu-Mon): 1st npower Test v India, Lord’s
July 29-Aug 2 (Fri-Tue): 2nd npower Test v India, Trent Bridge
Aug 10-14 (Wed-Sun): 3rd npower Test v India, Edgbaston
Aug 18-22 (Thu-Mon): 4th npower Test v India, Kia Oval
The following seems too good to be true:
October England tour of India, 3 tests, 5 ODIs
November West Indies tour of India, 3 tests, 3-5 ODIs
December India tour of Australia, 4 tests, 5 ODIs, 1 T20
There just doesn't seem to be enough time to play that much cricket. Plus the ECB website shows India as 5 ODIs, 1 T20 -- maybe that will change to 2Tests and 2 T20s:-)
Bharat
IND @ South Africa Cricket: Ratings (INDIA)
D Sehwag 144r @24, 1 50
India's much hyped match-winning batsman, wasn't. Barring a 50 in a sure loss at Centurion, he didn't come remotely close to expectations. Got starts twice in Durban, but failed to capitalize. The relatively high grade is simply to leave space and differentiate from the true "F"s. Sehwag also gets an assist for the draw at Capetown, because it was (misplaced) fear of his blade that surely caused Smith to bat on until the end of D4.
A- Gambhir 242r @61, 3 50s
3 gritty fifties that all could have been centuries, showed us that India's most hard-nosed batsman was on the way back. Never showing anything close to the fluency he achieved in 2009, what Gambhir lacked in form and talent, he made up for with courage. A hand injury in Centurion didn't stop a fighting innings, and though it did put him out at Durban. At Capetown, a Tsosobe blow denied him a richly deserved century, but it didn't stop him from coming out on D5 and shepherding India to safety in the second innings. In the Gavaskar mould, in temperament and tenacity, if not in talent or technique. I remain an unabashed fan.
F Dravid 120r @20
Like the British Empire in the years leading up to World War II, the sun has set on Dravid -- he too, however, refuses to accept it, not surprisingly for a man with such spine and self-belief. Hopes that he will return to anything remotely close to his old form are fast fading. Dravid, circa 2009-11, no longer knows where his off stump is, chases balls well outside his strike zone, stabs awkardly at balls he would have met with a measured forward defense 5 years ago. The only question that remains is, will he go, or will be be pushed? His 200th catch, an absolutely brilliant take, was the only highlight in what will go down as his worst tour.
A Tendulkar 326r @82, 2 tons, 1w @66
Very good series. The ton in Centurion restored Indian pride and set the platform for the Laxman masterclass in Durban. The battle with Steyn on D3 of CapeTown was the most amazing Test cricket I have been privileged to watch. Had India at the threshold of victory with his Casabianca act, when he fell late on D3, which is what pushes this from the sublime (A+) to the merely great. Yet again, conjured up magic with the wicket of Boucher, opening the door again for India. We shall not see his like again, and will tell our children that there was once a time when giants walked the earth.
B+ Laxman 196r @39, 1 50
How to rate a man who was a match-winner in the one Test we won, but poor in all 4 other innings? Durban is an A++, almost on par with Kallis at Capetown (Kallis exceeding VVSL only because of the rib injury), but poor elsewhere. Had wretched luck twice, falling to a Mark Waugh special at Durban and a freak runout at Cape Town. In the end, I decided to grade for what he did, not what could have been; reasoning that a sub-40 average cannot warrant an "A." India's window for #1 will close the day he and Tendulkar retire.
D Pujara 31r @10
Funnily, I rate Pujara's performance a shade better than Dravid or Vijay's. He actually spent a lot of time at the crease in Durban (~100 balls), and looked somewhat the part. He had the misfortune of playing Steyn at his tyrannical best in Cape Town. Will get some chances to make a middle order spot his own in 2011, but will have to fight off Vijay and a fast rising Kohli.
B- Dhoni 179r @36, 1 50, 13 catches
Generally competent keeping, a fighting 90 at Centurion to restore India's pride, and a very useful 35 in Durban. Must get a lot of credit at convincing the team that they could win after T1. Wasn't the sharpest tactical tool on the block in CapeTown on D4, but his pace bowlers let him down badly.
B Harbhajan 15w @30, 93r @19,
Horrible at Centurion, decent at Durban, and amazing at Capetown. If there was any justice, he'd have some support at the other end, and India would be 2-1 up. Reminds me of Kumble's last-man-standing 12-fer in Sydney when the rest did nothing at the other end. Bowled with great heart, spinning it in from miles outside off, after hitting the rough (which isn't easy, and hard on the fingers). You can doubt his results, his brains, but not his heart. A fighting 40 should have helped India win T3.
B+ Zaheer 10w @25, 50r @17
Zaheer was fabulous in Durban, but like VVSL came up short in Capetown. The short gap between the two Tests didn't help, as he looked stiff and old throughout T3, and couldn't pull out the stops when we needed another wicket desperately on D4.
F Ishanth 7w @48, 25r @6
Very poor. His figures actually flatter him because at least a couple of wickets were gifts; generally leaked runs like a sieve. Needs to pull himself together, and be more consistent, rather than brief spells that hint at great talent. But then we have been saying that for a while.
C- Sreesanth 9w @42, 7r @3
A 5-fer at Capetown showed how good he could be when focused, but then like the little girl, "when (s)he was bad, (s)he was horrid." An apt description for averaging exactly one wicket in the remaining 4 innings. Just isn't good enough, when at least 2 of those 4 innings were played under perfect conditions for his seam bowling, and only Centurion was on a flat track. His lack of dependability meant we just could not consider going into Capetown with just 2 pacers and Ojha, as there was every chance he could implode. Has the most amazing seam position of anyone I've ever seen, but can't seem to realize that when conditions are in his favor, all he needs to do is get the batsman to play at least 4 or 5 of his deliveries on the front foot every over. Didn't help with his "Waah the crowd is calling me names" whine either. Having criticized him roundly, will now add that in fairness he was somewhat unlucky, and probably deserved another few wickets -- for instance, was the best of a bad lot of pacers on D4 in Capetown, but didn't have a single wicket to show for it.
F Vijay 28r @14
Played under poor conditions -- showed some tenacity, but in the end just didn't score enough. It is tough on him to keep going in and out on the team, but at this point he hasn't shown enough to displace any of the regulars, barring Dravid.
G Unadkat 0w for 101, 2r @2
From the same town as Gandhi, he took the Mahatma's principle of Ahimsa (do no harm) to heart. Why he was on the tour was doubtless a mystery to his captain and teammates, but known only to the BCCI.
G Raina 6r @3, 0w for 77
Also made one recall Gandhi -- Debang Gandhi, that is -- with his cat on a hot tin roof act. Talent alone won't cut it young man. You need to have guts, courage and heart -- something he could learn from
Gambhir.
D- Selectors
The selectors got the basics right, picking the correct starting XI. They also got the mix for the backups perfectly correct, adding two reserve batsmen, two reserve pacers, a reserve spinner and a reserve keeper. Where they failed miserably is in picking the two reserve pacers, because the only way either of Unadkat or Yadav should have been at Centurion, was with a ticket. All I can say is that if Unadkat was thought to be better than Yadav, I can only shudder at the carnage were the latter picked.
Overall comment: When I look at the statistics, I am amazed that India not only matched South Africa 1-1, they were basically one D4 post-lunch wicket away from destroying RSA 2-1 in this series.
Bharat
India's much hyped match-winning batsman, wasn't. Barring a 50 in a sure loss at Centurion, he didn't come remotely close to expectations. Got starts twice in Durban, but failed to capitalize. The relatively high grade is simply to leave space and differentiate from the true "F"s. Sehwag also gets an assist for the draw at Capetown, because it was (misplaced) fear of his blade that surely caused Smith to bat on until the end of D4.
A- Gambhir 242r @61, 3 50s
3 gritty fifties that all could have been centuries, showed us that India's most hard-nosed batsman was on the way back. Never showing anything close to the fluency he achieved in 2009, what Gambhir lacked in form and talent, he made up for with courage. A hand injury in Centurion didn't stop a fighting innings, and though it did put him out at Durban. At Capetown, a Tsosobe blow denied him a richly deserved century, but it didn't stop him from coming out on D5 and shepherding India to safety in the second innings. In the Gavaskar mould, in temperament and tenacity, if not in talent or technique. I remain an unabashed fan.
F Dravid 120r @20
Like the British Empire in the years leading up to World War II, the sun has set on Dravid -- he too, however, refuses to accept it, not surprisingly for a man with such spine and self-belief. Hopes that he will return to anything remotely close to his old form are fast fading. Dravid, circa 2009-11, no longer knows where his off stump is, chases balls well outside his strike zone, stabs awkardly at balls he would have met with a measured forward defense 5 years ago. The only question that remains is, will he go, or will be be pushed? His 200th catch, an absolutely brilliant take, was the only highlight in what will go down as his worst tour.
A Tendulkar 326r @82, 2 tons, 1w @66
Very good series. The ton in Centurion restored Indian pride and set the platform for the Laxman masterclass in Durban. The battle with Steyn on D3 of CapeTown was the most amazing Test cricket I have been privileged to watch. Had India at the threshold of victory with his Casabianca act, when he fell late on D3, which is what pushes this from the sublime (A+) to the merely great. Yet again, conjured up magic with the wicket of Boucher, opening the door again for India. We shall not see his like again, and will tell our children that there was once a time when giants walked the earth.
B+ Laxman 196r @39, 1 50
How to rate a man who was a match-winner in the one Test we won, but poor in all 4 other innings? Durban is an A++, almost on par with Kallis at Capetown (Kallis exceeding VVSL only because of the rib injury), but poor elsewhere. Had wretched luck twice, falling to a Mark Waugh special at Durban and a freak runout at Cape Town. In the end, I decided to grade for what he did, not what could have been; reasoning that a sub-40 average cannot warrant an "A." India's window for #1 will close the day he and Tendulkar retire.
D Pujara 31r @10
Funnily, I rate Pujara's performance a shade better than Dravid or Vijay's. He actually spent a lot of time at the crease in Durban (~100 balls), and looked somewhat the part. He had the misfortune of playing Steyn at his tyrannical best in Cape Town. Will get some chances to make a middle order spot his own in 2011, but will have to fight off Vijay and a fast rising Kohli.
B- Dhoni 179r @36, 1 50, 13 catches
Generally competent keeping, a fighting 90 at Centurion to restore India's pride, and a very useful 35 in Durban. Must get a lot of credit at convincing the team that they could win after T1. Wasn't the sharpest tactical tool on the block in CapeTown on D4, but his pace bowlers let him down badly.
B Harbhajan 15w @30, 93r @19,
Horrible at Centurion, decent at Durban, and amazing at Capetown. If there was any justice, he'd have some support at the other end, and India would be 2-1 up. Reminds me of Kumble's last-man-standing 12-fer in Sydney when the rest did nothing at the other end. Bowled with great heart, spinning it in from miles outside off, after hitting the rough (which isn't easy, and hard on the fingers). You can doubt his results, his brains, but not his heart. A fighting 40 should have helped India win T3.
B+ Zaheer 10w @25, 50r @17
Zaheer was fabulous in Durban, but like VVSL came up short in Capetown. The short gap between the two Tests didn't help, as he looked stiff and old throughout T3, and couldn't pull out the stops when we needed another wicket desperately on D4.
F Ishanth 7w @48, 25r @6
Very poor. His figures actually flatter him because at least a couple of wickets were gifts; generally leaked runs like a sieve. Needs to pull himself together, and be more consistent, rather than brief spells that hint at great talent. But then we have been saying that for a while.
C- Sreesanth 9w @42, 7r @3
A 5-fer at Capetown showed how good he could be when focused, but then like the little girl, "when (s)he was bad, (s)he was horrid." An apt description for averaging exactly one wicket in the remaining 4 innings. Just isn't good enough, when at least 2 of those 4 innings were played under perfect conditions for his seam bowling, and only Centurion was on a flat track. His lack of dependability meant we just could not consider going into Capetown with just 2 pacers and Ojha, as there was every chance he could implode. Has the most amazing seam position of anyone I've ever seen, but can't seem to realize that when conditions are in his favor, all he needs to do is get the batsman to play at least 4 or 5 of his deliveries on the front foot every over. Didn't help with his "Waah the crowd is calling me names" whine either. Having criticized him roundly, will now add that in fairness he was somewhat unlucky, and probably deserved another few wickets -- for instance, was the best of a bad lot of pacers on D4 in Capetown, but didn't have a single wicket to show for it.
F Vijay 28r @14
Played under poor conditions -- showed some tenacity, but in the end just didn't score enough. It is tough on him to keep going in and out on the team, but at this point he hasn't shown enough to displace any of the regulars, barring Dravid.
G Unadkat 0w for 101, 2r @2
From the same town as Gandhi, he took the Mahatma's principle of Ahimsa (do no harm) to heart. Why he was on the tour was doubtless a mystery to his captain and teammates, but known only to the BCCI.
G Raina 6r @3, 0w for 77
Also made one recall Gandhi -- Debang Gandhi, that is -- with his cat on a hot tin roof act. Talent alone won't cut it young man. You need to have guts, courage and heart -- something he could learn from
Gambhir.
D- Selectors
The selectors got the basics right, picking the correct starting XI. They also got the mix for the backups perfectly correct, adding two reserve batsmen, two reserve pacers, a reserve spinner and a reserve keeper. Where they failed miserably is in picking the two reserve pacers, because the only way either of Unadkat or Yadav should have been at Centurion, was with a ticket. All I can say is that if Unadkat was thought to be better than Yadav, I can only shudder at the carnage were the latter picked.
Overall comment: When I look at the statistics, I am amazed that India not only matched South Africa 1-1, they were basically one D4 post-lunch wicket away from destroying RSA 2-1 in this series.
Bharat
CrickLinx.com Update
Following up with 2 bits of informationon cricklinx.com (cricket video streaming site in the US -- see info below)
* Cricklinx.com will close all "DAY PASSES" starting Jan 10, 2011 until after the World Cup & IPL4 -- presumably because they feel that they will get more signups just for the World Cup
* Cricklinx will provide an ultra-HD (3MB/s HD Streaming) on Sunday, 9th January 2011 for 1st Twenty20 between India & South Africa. All theday passes & HD passes will get this. This is a trial to see if their
servers can handle the load.
Again, use the code CRICKETREFLECTIONS to get 5% off.
For details:
I have been watching cricket in HD oncricklinx.com -- the quality is simply amazing. To see how to sign up, check out http://cricketreflections.blogspot.com/2011/01/discount-code-for-cricklinx.html
and get a 5% discount code and learn about the various offerings.
For a comparison between willow.tv and cricklinx.com (both of which I have subscribed to), please check out http://cricketreflections.blogspot.com/2011/01/cricklinx-manna-for-us-cricket-lovers.html
ObDisclaimer: I have no commercial interest in cricklinx.com of any sort.
ObFinePrint: This post should not be viewed as providing any guarantee, implied or otherwise, about how long Cricklinx.com would continue to exist. I am satisfied enough with their service to date to purchase the 360-day pass after using them on a per-series basis for a month (NZ@Ind). This is strictly Caveat Emptor. Given that I happily paid over $100 in the past for individual series on much poorer quality, I'm more than satisfied.
* Cricklinx.com will close all "DAY PASSES" starting Jan 10, 2011 until after the World Cup & IPL4 -- presumably because they feel that they will get more signups just for the World Cup
* Cricklinx will provide an ultra-HD (3MB/s HD Streaming) on Sunday, 9th January 2011 for 1st Twenty20 between India & South Africa. All theday passes & HD passes will get this. This is a trial to see if their
servers can handle the load.
Again, use the code CRICKETREFLECTIONS to get 5% off.
For details:
I have been watching cricket in HD oncricklinx.com -- the quality is simply amazing. To see how to sign up, check out http://cricketreflections.blogspot.com/2011/01/discount-code-for-cricklinx.html
and get a 5% discount code and learn about the various offerings.
For a comparison between willow.tv and cricklinx.com (both of which I have subscribed to), please check out http://cricketreflections.blogspot.com/2011/01/cricklinx-manna-for-us-cricket-lovers.html
ObDisclaimer: I have no commercial interest in cricklinx.com of any sort.
ObFinePrint: This post should not be viewed as providing any guarantee, implied or otherwise, about how long Cricklinx.com would continue to exist. I am satisfied enough with their service to date to purchase the 360-day pass after using them on a per-series basis for a month (NZ@Ind). This is strictly Caveat Emptor. Given that I happily paid over $100 in the past for individual series on much poorer quality, I'm more than satisfied.
Coming soon on this site
Sorry for the hiatus, I was unwell (though that didn't stop my watching the RSA Test). Here is a preview of what I will be posting in the coming days:
Bharat
- Update on cricklinx.com (policies will change on Jan 10 -- check back here for details)
- Report on the CapeTown Test
- Player Grades Ind vs South Africa
- Poll on preferred posting
- The best pace bowling I have ever seen (Dale Steyn on Capetown D3) and how it compares with other incredible spells
- ODI / T20 reports (if I watch -- but nothing like the Tests)
- World Cup Previews
Bharat
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Who is Man of the Series right now?
As India's inning ends, there have been 3 people who have dominated this series.
We still have a two innings of play to go and all 3 contenders will have a shot to make a difference, but right now whom would you pick? IMO, the two leading contenders are:
Steyn with 20 wickets at 16
OR Kallis with 389 runs at 130, 2 tons
Tendulkar with 312 runs at 78, 2 tons is a contender, but I think he'd have to do especially well in the second innings run chase, ideally leading India to a win, to be awarded the MoS. Basically he would have to win MoM in this game to have a shot at MoS. A century in a losing cause could also do it if Steyn flops.
I'd pick Steyn right now, but its close between him and Kallis at this time.
Amla with 248 runs @ 62 is a long shot, provided he makes a big ton.
Bharat
We still have a two innings of play to go and all 3 contenders will have a shot to make a difference, but right now whom would you pick? IMO, the two leading contenders are:
Steyn with 20 wickets at 16
OR Kallis with 389 runs at 130, 2 tons
Tendulkar with 312 runs at 78, 2 tons is a contender, but I think he'd have to do especially well in the second innings run chase, ideally leading India to a win, to be awarded the MoS. Basically he would have to win MoM in this game to have a shot at MoS. A century in a losing cause could also do it if Steyn flops.
I'd pick Steyn right now, but its close between him and Kallis at this time.
Amla with 248 runs @ 62 is a long shot, provided he makes a big ton.
Bharat
Steyn double-strike powers South Africa ahead after lunch
The second new ball is hooping around and batting is hard. Pujara got a good delivery that swung in late from outside leg to catch him plumb in front. But his technique -- playing woodenly from the crease -- was more like that of a #9 than a #6. Next over, Dhoni couldn't resist pushing at one that tailed away, after letting a couple of identical deliveries pass through to push a simple edge to gully.
If Gambhir's dismissal unlocked the door, and Laxman's freak run out pushed it half open, Steyn has burst through with some superb hostile bowling. At 247/6 India is looking at a possible 50 run deficit unless Tendulkar can ride out his Steyn-storm with Harbhajan.
In the meantime Tendulkar gets his 51st with a mis-hooked six over the keeper's head. He really needs to farm the strike against Steyn.. He is standing well outside the crease.
Steyn is in the ZONE. If there was any doubt as to who the #1 bowler in the world is, there is none now.
Bharat
If Gambhir's dismissal unlocked the door, and Laxman's freak run out pushed it half open, Steyn has burst through with some superb hostile bowling. At 247/6 India is looking at a possible 50 run deficit unless Tendulkar can ride out his Steyn-storm with Harbhajan.
In the meantime Tendulkar gets his 51st with a mis-hooked six over the keeper's head. He really needs to farm the strike against Steyn.. He is standing well outside the crease.
Steyn is in the ZONE. If there was any doubt as to who the #1 bowler in the world is, there is none now.
Bharat
Turnabout is fair play -- freak runout of VVSL gives South Africa huge opening
3 balls to go for the new ball, and SRT on 94* is keen to get to his ton. He steps out to Harris and drives powerfully -- technically it is a catch, but Harris puts his hand up in self defense as the ball threatens to cut him in half -- and it richochets off his hand right onto the stumps to catch a hapless Laxman out of his ground.
Tendulkar sticks his tongue out and makes a wry grimace.
The Test is wide open. Kallis' dismissal was key to India's revival in T2 -- will the same happen here?
Pujara walks in to face the second new ball, with 2 overs left for lunch. Steyn continues where he left off, beating Pujara with a pearler that swings away at pace, in an action replay of his first ball of the day.
But, Morkel still bowling too short and too wide. India has 4 balls to see out, and Smith crowds Pujara with SEVEN close in fielders!! But he survives.
Bharat
Tendulkar sticks his tongue out and makes a wry grimace.
The Test is wide open. Kallis' dismissal was key to India's revival in T2 -- will the same happen here?
Pujara walks in to face the second new ball, with 2 overs left for lunch. Steyn continues where he left off, beating Pujara with a pearler that swings away at pace, in an action replay of his first ball of the day.
But, Morkel still bowling too short and too wide. India has 4 balls to see out, and Smith crowds Pujara with SEVEN close in fielders!! But he survives.
Bharat
Discount code for CrickLinx
As I wrote earlier, I have both Willow (www.willow.tv) & Cricklinx (www.cricklinx.com) and recommend the TV quality of Cricklinx (I am watching Ind-RSA & the Ashes on a High Definition Stream on a 65" widescreen HD TV, and it looks absolutely spectacular).
For a comparison between the two checkout http://cricketreflections.blogspot.com/2011/01/cricklinx-manna-for-us-cricket-lovers.html, but see below for instructions to sign up and get a discount.
ObDisclaimer: I have no commercial interest in cricklinx.com of any sort.
Step 1: Sign up: go to www.cricklinx.com and sign up (you will have to provide an email).
Step 2: Check out the demo to see if your internet service can handle the standard definition or high definition streams (if it can do both, take the HD -- it is well worth the slight increase).
Step 3: Sign up for a package if you like it -- use the coupon code CRICKETREFLECTIONS to get a 5% discount only for the DAY passes. (Not for the per series -- see below)
You can sign up on a per series basis, or for a fixed time which is a lot cheaper. I originally signed up for Ind-NZ, and liked it so much that I just got the 360-day package for $80 (alas no 5% discount then). This package amazingly covers HD telecasts not only the 3 ongoing series, but also Ind@Eng, Ind@WI, and Ind@Aus, it will also include the World Cup and IPL4 (God help my sleep hours!). Also includes a couple of other series I think..
ObTruthInAdvertising: I asked cricklinx.com for a discount coupon code; they not only provided the 5% discount code for CRICKETREFLECTIONS, they kindly agreed to extend my current subscription by a month for 10 signups.
ObFinePrint: I provide no guarantee, implied or otherwise, about how long Cricklinx.com would continue to exist. I am satisfied enough with their service to date to purchase the 360-day pass after using them on a per-series basis for a month (NZ@Ind). This is strictly Caveat Emptor. Given that I happily paid over $100 in the past for individual series on much poorer quality, I'm more than satisfied.
For a comparison between the two checkout http://cricketreflections.blogspot.com/2011/01/cricklinx-manna-for-us-cricket-lovers.html, but see below for instructions to sign up and get a discount.
ObDisclaimer: I have no commercial interest in cricklinx.com of any sort.
Step 1: Sign up: go to www.cricklinx.com and sign up (you will have to provide an email).
Step 2: Check out the demo to see if your internet service can handle the standard definition or high definition streams (if it can do both, take the HD -- it is well worth the slight increase).
Step 3: Sign up for a package if you like it -- use the coupon code CRICKETREFLECTIONS to get a 5% discount only for the DAY passes. (Not for the per series -- see below)
You can sign up on a per series basis, or for a fixed time which is a lot cheaper. I originally signed up for Ind-NZ, and liked it so much that I just got the 360-day package for $80 (alas no 5% discount then). This package amazingly covers HD telecasts not only the 3 ongoing series, but also Ind@Eng, Ind@WI, and Ind@Aus, it will also include the World Cup and IPL4 (God help my sleep hours!). Also includes a couple of other series I think..
ObTruthInAdvertising: I asked cricklinx.com for a discount coupon code; they not only provided the 5% discount code for CRICKETREFLECTIONS, they kindly agreed to extend my current subscription by a month for 10 signups.
ObFinePrint: I provide no guarantee, implied or otherwise, about how long Cricklinx.com would continue to exist. I am satisfied enough with their service to date to purchase the 360-day pass after using them on a per-series basis for a month (NZ@Ind). This is strictly Caveat Emptor. Given that I happily paid over $100 in the past for individual series on much poorer quality, I'm more than satisfied.
Key period coming in the Capetown Test -- 2nd new ball almost due
The second new ball will be due in 5 overs. India 215/3, Tendulkar (84*) and Laxman (5*) at the crease.
India has had its share of luck to be 73/1 in this session, aided by some less-than-optimal field placings by Smith. Steyn and Harris bowled well, but the bowler of the morning has been Tsotsobe -- he got so many edges that flew into gaps.
SRT sweeps powerfully to get to 88*. He will want to get to his ton if possible before the new ball -- now 89*. If India can ride out the next 25 overs without losing another wicket, they will be favorites to win the match. If RSA can get these two with the new ball, they will be favorites to win.
Petersen coming on?? SRT will be hoping for some juicy full tosses or long hops to dispatch.
Bharat
India has had its share of luck to be 73/1 in this session, aided by some less-than-optimal field placings by Smith. Steyn and Harris bowled well, but the bowler of the morning has been Tsotsobe -- he got so many edges that flew into gaps.
SRT sweeps powerfully to get to 88*. He will want to get to his ton if possible before the new ball -- now 89*. If India can ride out the next 25 overs without losing another wicket, they will be favorites to win the match. If RSA can get these two with the new ball, they will be favorites to win.
Petersen coming on?? SRT will be hoping for some juicy full tosses or long hops to dispatch.
Bharat
What if the UDRS were in use at Capetown?
After Durban there was much brow-beating from UDRS apologists about "how bad India was to not use the UDRS". Lets assume for a moment that the UDRS was in use at the Newlands Lets see what impact it may / would have had (assuming the sides called for a review at the 3 close calls)
1. Sreesanth lbw appeal against Kallis (not given). Over 59.5
That would have been overturned as the ball was smacking fully into leg stump as per HawkEye, and Kallis would have been sent packing
Kallis lbw Sreesanth 54
Prince (batting) 0*
South Africa 169/5 (52.5 overs)
UDRS Scorecard Impact: Huge. 107 fewer runs for Kallis. Quite possibly 120-150 runs fewer for RSA, who may have been bowled out on D1 itself (there were still 21 overs left to be bowled on D1)
2. Harris lbw appeal against Tendulkar (not given) Over 25.4
That would NOT have been overturned as the ball was just clipping leg stump -- more than half the ball was outside the stumps -- and as I understand the UDRS conditions that is not enough to overturn a "Not out"
Tendulkar (batting) 24*
Gambhir (batting) 44*
India 88/2 (25.4 overs)
No UDRS impact to the scorecard
3. Steyn caught behind appeal against Tendulkar (not given)
That too would not have been overturned as the replay would have indicated enough doubt about whether the ball bounced before Boucher caught it.
Tendulkar (batting) 49*
Gambhir (batting) 65*
India 142/2 (50.2 overs)
No UDRS impact to the scorecard
UDRS-fans please note -- it is irrelevant whether Tendulkar was "out" or Kallis was "not out" -- this is precisely how the UDRS would have been adjudicated. So the summary of the non-use of UDRS in Newlands, to date is that the only team to benefit is South Africa who has scored 120-150 runs more
than it likely would have...
Bharat
1. Sreesanth lbw appeal against Kallis (not given). Over 59.5
That would have been overturned as the ball was smacking fully into leg stump as per HawkEye, and Kallis would have been sent packing
Kallis lbw Sreesanth 54
Prince (batting) 0*
South Africa 169/5 (52.5 overs)
UDRS Scorecard Impact: Huge. 107 fewer runs for Kallis. Quite possibly 120-150 runs fewer for RSA, who may have been bowled out on D1 itself (there were still 21 overs left to be bowled on D1)
2. Harris lbw appeal against Tendulkar (not given) Over 25.4
That would NOT have been overturned as the ball was just clipping leg stump -- more than half the ball was outside the stumps -- and as I understand the UDRS conditions that is not enough to overturn a "Not out"
Tendulkar (batting) 24*
Gambhir (batting) 44*
India 88/2 (25.4 overs)
No UDRS impact to the scorecard
3. Steyn caught behind appeal against Tendulkar (not given)
That too would not have been overturned as the replay would have indicated enough doubt about whether the ball bounced before Boucher caught it.
Tendulkar (batting) 49*
Gambhir (batting) 65*
India 142/2 (50.2 overs)
No UDRS impact to the scorecard
UDRS-fans please note -- it is irrelevant whether Tendulkar was "out" or Kallis was "not out" -- this is precisely how the UDRS would have been adjudicated. So the summary of the non-use of UDRS in Newlands, to date is that the only team to benefit is South Africa who has scored 120-150 runs more
than it likely would have...
Bharat
T3D3: Spectacular first over by Steyn
Steyn Beats Tendulkar 5 times; one is a thin edge for a brace to bring up his 50. The others are masterpieces of late away swing, and on one of those SRT probably feathered an edge to Boucher. However, Steyn is slow going up, and Gould gives it not out. That could have been the Test right there...
Really amazing swing bowling at extremely high pace. Tendulkar will count himself lucky to still be there, whether he feathered one or not.
Hold on -- replays show it may have bounced before it got to Boucher -- so the UDRS apologists can hold their venom.
Morkel not getting much swing, but appreciable bounce. Batting will not be easy for the first 40 minutes or so.
Bharat
Really amazing swing bowling at extremely high pace. Tendulkar will count himself lucky to still be there, whether he feathered one or not.
Hold on -- replays show it may have bounced before it got to Boucher -- so the UDRS apologists can hold their venom.
Morkel not getting much swing, but appreciable bounce. Batting will not be easy for the first 40 minutes or so.
Bharat
Monday, January 3, 2011
CrickLinx -- manna for US cricket lovers
If you haven't done so already, run and check out www.cricklinx.com. This is the latest competitor to Willow's internet streaming (www.willow.tv). However, there is no comparison.
First a disclaimer. I have no link of any sort with cricklinx, other than being a customer.
Discount Offer: For a 5% discount for any "Day" packages, sign up with the coupon code CRICKETREFLECTIONS. (See another post in this blog for details)
Cricklinx offers High Definition (1.2M) and Standard Definition streams, and are streaming all 3 contests -- the Ashes, India @South Africa, and Pakistan @NZ live. The quality is very good, and superior to Willow.
A quick side-by-side comparison with Willow is:
Quality: CrickLinx HD quality is much better (the SD is equivalent to Willow's quality or slightly better). Cricklinx is promising a 3M feed -- I can't wait -- though the HD is very high quality (viewed on 65" HDTV, off a wireless feed to my laptop)
Highlights: Both provide highlight packages available on demand
Replays on Demand: Willow provides full replay facilities for all Test matches on demand and keeps those available for a long time. Cricklinx only provides on-demand replays for T20s as far as I can tell; they seem to have introduced the Ashes on demand, but by not providing on-demand replays for all matches they are missing a trick -- disk space is cheap, and they could easily do this for a few days.
Feed: Cricklinx has 4 servers but they all show the same feed -- Sky TV HD. Willow has 3 feeds, and this allows you to switch if one goes down -- but so far, Sky hasn't gone down. A couple of times, Sky has switched from cricket to soccer, and missed switching over for some time -- usually they are pretty quick, but one time it took at least 5 minutes, and I switched over to Willow.
Commercial interruptions: Sky doesn't have anywhere near as many as the Indian channels that willow streams. So Cricklinx wins that one.
So, what is my recommendation? I had willow (and still do, as it was a year package and was very welcome). But after trying Cricklinx out, I had no hesitation in purchasing Cricklinx anyway, and prefer it (but for the replays). My recommended package is the 360 package for $80, as that apparently gets you *ALL* cricket, including the World Cup & IPL4 -- plus, of course, India's tours of England, WI and Australia...
Of course, before you buy -- check out the demo feed and see if your internet connection has the bandwidth for either the HD or SD feeds. If you can get the HD, get it for sure, as it is breathtakingly good in quality.
ObDisclaimer: I have no commercial interest in cricklinx.com of any sort. However, they are doing an excellent job, and it is in my interest to keep them flourishing and profitable so they continue to improve their service to cricket-starved fans in the US.
ObFinePrint: This post should not be viewed as providing any guarantee, implied or otherwise, about how long Cricklinx.com would continue to exist. I am satisfied enough with their service to date to purchase the 360-day pass after using them on a per-series basis for a month (NZ@Ind). This is strictly Caveat Emptor. Given that I happily paid over $100 in the past for individual series on much poorer quality, I'm more than satisfied.
Go to www.cricketreflections.blogspot.com for articles about cricket, especially India Test cricket, and overviews of the World Cup! And for a 5% discount on cricklinx.com sign up with the coupon code of CRICKETREFLECTIONS
Bharat
First a disclaimer. I have no link of any sort with cricklinx, other than being a customer.
Discount Offer: For a 5% discount for any "Day" packages, sign up with the coupon code CRICKETREFLECTIONS. (See another post in this blog for details)
Cricklinx offers High Definition (1.2M) and Standard Definition streams, and are streaming all 3 contests -- the Ashes, India @South Africa, and Pakistan @NZ live. The quality is very good, and superior to Willow.
A quick side-by-side comparison with Willow is:
Quality: CrickLinx HD quality is much better (the SD is equivalent to Willow's quality or slightly better). Cricklinx is promising a 3M feed -- I can't wait -- though the HD is very high quality (viewed on 65" HDTV, off a wireless feed to my laptop)
Highlights: Both provide highlight packages available on demand
Replays on Demand: Willow provides full replay facilities for all Test matches on demand and keeps those available for a long time. Cricklinx only provides on-demand replays for T20s as far as I can tell; they seem to have introduced the Ashes on demand, but by not providing on-demand replays for all matches they are missing a trick -- disk space is cheap, and they could easily do this for a few days.
Feed: Cricklinx has 4 servers but they all show the same feed -- Sky TV HD. Willow has 3 feeds, and this allows you to switch if one goes down -- but so far, Sky hasn't gone down. A couple of times, Sky has switched from cricket to soccer, and missed switching over for some time -- usually they are pretty quick, but one time it took at least 5 minutes, and I switched over to Willow.
Commercial interruptions: Sky doesn't have anywhere near as many as the Indian channels that willow streams. So Cricklinx wins that one.
So, what is my recommendation? I had willow (and still do, as it was a year package and was very welcome). But after trying Cricklinx out, I had no hesitation in purchasing Cricklinx anyway, and prefer it (but for the replays). My recommended package is the 360 package for $80, as that apparently gets you *ALL* cricket, including the World Cup & IPL4 -- plus, of course, India's tours of England, WI and Australia...
Of course, before you buy -- check out the demo feed and see if your internet connection has the bandwidth for either the HD or SD feeds. If you can get the HD, get it for sure, as it is breathtakingly good in quality.
ObDisclaimer: I have no commercial interest in cricklinx.com of any sort. However, they are doing an excellent job, and it is in my interest to keep them flourishing and profitable so they continue to improve their service to cricket-starved fans in the US.
ObFinePrint: This post should not be viewed as providing any guarantee, implied or otherwise, about how long Cricklinx.com would continue to exist. I am satisfied enough with their service to date to purchase the 360-day pass after using them on a per-series basis for a month (NZ@Ind). This is strictly Caveat Emptor. Given that I happily paid over $100 in the past for individual series on much poorer quality, I'm more than satisfied.
Go to www.cricketreflections.blogspot.com for articles about cricket, especially India Test cricket, and overviews of the World Cup! And for a 5% discount on cricklinx.com sign up with the coupon code of CRICKETREFLECTIONS
Bharat
Khawaja seems a keeper // On Smith, Beer, & Collingwood
Last evening, the Ashes were on the TV (muted) while playing the Dixit board game with some friends -- that is a really fun game BTW -- and I got to see some of Khawaja's batting. Overall I was pretty impressed. He started off like a ball of fire, but then slowed down as the English bowlers returned to basics. He was unfortunately to get out on what turned out to be the last ball of the day, but he had become becalmed somewhat.
Impressions -- seems quite aggressive, but generally sound except he is a touch loose outside offstump. Very compact looking batsman -- mostly good technique, except for pushing at the ball as it goes away from him, but he does so with soft hands. That augers well for him, and he will get better. One thought -- is this the opportunity to sending Ponting in at #4 or even #5?
Will someone, also explain, what the heck Smith is doing in the team? The kind can't really bat or bowl at the Test level; at least not yet. He doesn't seem to be the towering talent that one would persist with. I would prefer North. He may well be the one dropped when Ponting returns.
Beer should bowl sometime tomorrow. One of the best cricket names in recent times, so just for that I'd like him to stay for a while.
On another note, Collingwood is mighty lucky to get this game. Morgan should have played this final Test, at least with the Ashes decided. He will be on a very short leash, but the last time his career was on the rack he responded with a fabulous ton against the Proteas, and seemingly reeled off 4 tons on the trot. My money is on him to come through.
Bharat
Impressions -- seems quite aggressive, but generally sound except he is a touch loose outside offstump. Very compact looking batsman -- mostly good technique, except for pushing at the ball as it goes away from him, but he does so with soft hands. That augers well for him, and he will get better. One thought -- is this the opportunity to sending Ponting in at #4 or even #5?
Will someone, also explain, what the heck Smith is doing in the team? The kind can't really bat or bowl at the Test level; at least not yet. He doesn't seem to be the towering talent that one would persist with. I would prefer North. He may well be the one dropped when Ponting returns.
Beer should bowl sometime tomorrow. One of the best cricket names in recent times, so just for that I'd like him to stay for a while.
On another note, Collingwood is mighty lucky to get this game. Morgan should have played this final Test, at least with the Ashes decided. He will be on a very short leash, but the last time his career was on the rack he responded with a fabulous ton against the Proteas, and seemingly reeled off 4 tons on the trot. My money is on him to come through.
Bharat
T3D2: India back in the game (somewhat) after slow wicketless final session
362 isn't necessarily a match-winning score, but it is a lot more than either Dhoni or Smith expected when South Africa was inserted. That they got there was due to the brilliance of Kallis, and then when India were stuttering at 28/2 in what would soon become perfect batting conditions, there was quite some alarm in Indian hearts. (For more details pre-tea, please see other reports in my blog).
The post-tea session saw Gambhir & Tendulkar add 93 valuable runs, and most importantly not lose a wicket as we ended the day at 142/2. At 27 overs India were a fairly brisk 98/2. The last 23 overs they crawled, adding just 44 runs -- not a single boundary was struck, as Harris -- who had gone for 18 runs in his first 4 overs -- was allowed to bowl 7 more overs for just 11 runs. This was key as Smith could rotate his fast bowlers from the other end.
I would have liked a bit faster scoring once we got to 98/2 quickly (though the end result was very close to my 143/3 prediction, at the start of tea), but can't argue with the safety first approach. Still, the match is wide open. If South Africa can get any sort of lead (say 50 or more), India will find it hard to chase down 270+ on Day 5. On the other hand, if India can get a lead of about 100, they will be in the driver's seat.
The slow scoring means that India -- assuming they can avoid a collapse and get through lunch only losing one wicket -- well after tea. This means that an Indian win is unlikely and an Indian defeat or a draw looms as the most likely option (barring the unlikely possibility of India batting through D3 and past lunch on D4).
Rough odds:
India: 20%
Draw:40%
South Africa: 40%
Bharat
The post-tea session saw Gambhir & Tendulkar add 93 valuable runs, and most importantly not lose a wicket as we ended the day at 142/2. At 27 overs India were a fairly brisk 98/2. The last 23 overs they crawled, adding just 44 runs -- not a single boundary was struck, as Harris -- who had gone for 18 runs in his first 4 overs -- was allowed to bowl 7 more overs for just 11 runs. This was key as Smith could rotate his fast bowlers from the other end.
I would have liked a bit faster scoring once we got to 98/2 quickly (though the end result was very close to my 143/3 prediction, at the start of tea), but can't argue with the safety first approach. Still, the match is wide open. If South Africa can get any sort of lead (say 50 or more), India will find it hard to chase down 270+ on Day 5. On the other hand, if India can get a lead of about 100, they will be in the driver's seat.
The slow scoring means that India -- assuming they can avoid a collapse and get through lunch only losing one wicket -- well after tea. This means that an Indian win is unlikely and an Indian defeat or a draw looms as the most likely option (barring the unlikely possibility of India batting through D3 and past lunch on D4).
Rough odds:
India: 20%
Draw:40%
South Africa: 40%
Bharat
Run rate pressure building
After taking Harris' first 4 overs for 18 runs, his next 7 overs went for 11 runs. At the other end the pace bowlers pinged away, and the pressure has increased... Gambhir got another life as deVilliers put down a fairly easy chance (for him at least).
Now pace from both ends as Smith strives for the breakthrough. Can a becalmed Gambhir last through the end of the day? He is now fishing at balls outside off that he was leaving earlier.
Bharat
Now pace from both ends as Smith strives for the breakthrough. Can a becalmed Gambhir last through the end of the day? He is now fishing at balls outside off that he was leaving earlier.
Bharat
Post tea: Harris the key
Long extended session and South Africa has 42 overs to bowl. Kallis has a side strain, so his usual contribution will be lacking. So it is down to 3 pacers and Tsotsobe. Difficult as it is to believe, if India can ride out the next few overs, they can take the game away from South Africa.
Harris is trying to bowl slowly -- at 82 kmph -- and his first over looks very good. Only one single and then a long hop that Gambhir gratefully dispatches -- if India can take a bunch of singles and work him around without risk that will make a huge difference, and put South Africa under huge pressure.
South Africa need to either get wickets or keep the run rate down. Morkel beats Tendulkar with a beauty, and then bowls a half volley on leg stump. Sachin has scored 4000 of his Test runs with a flick, and he doesn't miss out. Tendulkar standing outside the crease and straight drives Morkel for 4. He needs to reign in the aggression a bit, but both those were riskless shots.
Bharat
Harris is trying to bowl slowly -- at 82 kmph -- and his first over looks very good. Only one single and then a long hop that Gambhir gratefully dispatches -- if India can take a bunch of singles and work him around without risk that will make a huge difference, and put South Africa under huge pressure.
South Africa need to either get wickets or keep the run rate down. Morkel beats Tendulkar with a beauty, and then bowls a half volley on leg stump. Sachin has scored 4000 of his Test runs with a flick, and he doesn't miss out. Tendulkar standing outside the crease and straight drives Morkel for 4. He needs to reign in the aggression a bit, but both those were riskless shots.
Bharat
Request for Predictions: End of D2 score for India?
India 49/2 at tea chasing South Africa's 361. 42 overs left in the day -- most of which should be bowled.
What is your prediction for end of day score?
Bharat
What is your prediction for end of day score?
Bharat
India frittering away perfect batting conditions
I have been an admirer of Sehwag for long, and heartily endorsed his hell-for-leather approach in the first two Tests. Conditions for batting were very difficult, and only a Sehwag special could have put South Africa on the defensive. But here, as India showed, the new ball is only dangerous for about a dozen overs, and then conditions become so easy that even that giant-of-a-batsman Tsotsobe can survive. So, why oh why, attempt that ambitious away from the body drive in the 3rd over of the match against Steyn? I know "that is the way he plays" but surely he needs to understand that if he waited for about 10 overs in these conditions, he would have a large score there for the taking.
There is very little swing on offer -- only some bounce -- and that should ease out very soon.
Rahul Dravid has been struggling, and if he didn't have bad luck, he would have no luck; except wait, he survived a runout when Duminy missed with all 3 stumps on view (Gambhir made a yes, yes, no, no call). Dravid looked completely out of sorts, stabbing weakly at balls outside off as is his wont of late. Still the conditions were easing and this was his golden opportunity. Only to be cruelly run out by a sharp piece of fielding from AB who swooped down onto a dropped catch from Petersen. This may be the end of a great great career -- at the very least, we should consider Pujara at #3, and Dravid at #6.
India are in danger of frittering away perfect batting conditions. We have the middle order and a very very shaky Gambhir in during the 11th over itself. Another wicket and we are in big trouble -- if Tendulkar and Gambhir can hold it together for a while, batting will become much easier.
All 3 results are still possible, but at this time South Africa must like its chances. If they can get a 100 run lead on India, then India will struggle in the 4th innings. If, India can, on the other hand, get a 100 run lead it will be the South Africans who will be in trouble.
South Africa will look to get to the tail by the end of today -- India will want to lose no more than one more wicket.
Bharat
There is very little swing on offer -- only some bounce -- and that should ease out very soon.
Rahul Dravid has been struggling, and if he didn't have bad luck, he would have no luck; except wait, he survived a runout when Duminy missed with all 3 stumps on view (Gambhir made a yes, yes, no, no call). Dravid looked completely out of sorts, stabbing weakly at balls outside off as is his wont of late. Still the conditions were easing and this was his golden opportunity. Only to be cruelly run out by a sharp piece of fielding from AB who swooped down onto a dropped catch from Petersen. This may be the end of a great great career -- at the very least, we should consider Pujara at #3, and Dravid at #6.
India are in danger of frittering away perfect batting conditions. We have the middle order and a very very shaky Gambhir in during the 11th over itself. Another wicket and we are in big trouble -- if Tendulkar and Gambhir can hold it together for a while, batting will become much easier.
All 3 results are still possible, but at this time South Africa must like its chances. If they can get a 100 run lead on India, then India will struggle in the 4th innings. If, India can, on the other hand, get a 100 run lead it will be the South Africans who will be in trouble.
South Africa will look to get to the tail by the end of today -- India will want to lose no more than one more wicket.
Bharat
Incomparable Kallis takes South Africa to good score despite Sreesanth's heroics
India came in knowing their one chance to get back into the match was with the new ball -- and they used it to perfection. Dhoni gave Ishant one over with the new ball, and the tossed it to Sreesanth to partner Zaheer, and the next 4 overs could not have been better scripted. And in his first over itself, Sreesanth delivered -- two wickets in his first over, getting first Prince and then the luckless Boucher. Prince got one that seamed away and jagged back to take off stump -- a seam bowler's dream bowl. Sree then got Bouncher with a beautiful away swinger that could have got a set batsman, let alone one who just walked in. Zaheer continued his personal duel with Dale Steyn, bouncing him repeatedly, and Steyn fended one off his throat to Pujara, and when Morkel misjudged another Sreesanth special, South Africa had slumped from 252/4 to 283/8 in just over 4 overs. Kallis was on 99, having plundered 30 runs in that 4 over spell, but with the new ball only 8 overs old, Harris & the hapless Tsotsobe to come (he of the highest Test score of 3), Sehwag & Gambhir must been mentally putting on their pads.
As well as India had bowled, better did Kallis bat. He had a 11 over partnership with Harris where they split the strike, but at 310/9 India again was back into the match. Kallis was on 118* and he literally flew to 161, adding 52 runs with Tsotsobe in just 14 overs. More importantly, he hogged almost 70% of the strike in that 10th wicket partnership (India take note) providing a masterclass on how to bat with the tail.
Every time I see Kallis play, I find myself surprised by the sheer beauty and elegance he can bring to the crease. Face it, he is a great big lumbering ox of a man. When he runs in to bowl with his shamboling run up, elegance is the last thing that comes to mind. Yes, he takes those amazing catches, but still you put that down to great reflexes. And when he bats, and stands there like a Goliath wielding a club, as he waves his bat menacingly at the bowler, you expect brute force -- and that you get as he lashes the ball through point off the back foot. But then -- just when you are settling down to expect something like a Shahid Afridi special -- out comes that cover drive. A stroke off such beauty and balance that it takes your breath away, and every time I see it, I must confess to a brief frisson of surprise, followed by a sense of contentment and sheer amazement (tempered somewhat that it is 4 more runs against India) at the sheer skill of this man.
His batting is of the highest class -- of his contemporaries, I would rate only Tendulkar, Lara and Ponting a notch ahead of him -- but when you add in his ability with the ball (he would play for many Test sides -- certainly India -- as a pure bowler) there is no question -- Kallis is the most valuable cricketer in world cricket today, and the only allrounder ahead of him is Gary Sobers.
Bharat
As well as India had bowled, better did Kallis bat. He had a 11 over partnership with Harris where they split the strike, but at 310/9 India again was back into the match. Kallis was on 118* and he literally flew to 161, adding 52 runs with Tsotsobe in just 14 overs. More importantly, he hogged almost 70% of the strike in that 10th wicket partnership (India take note) providing a masterclass on how to bat with the tail.
Every time I see Kallis play, I find myself surprised by the sheer beauty and elegance he can bring to the crease. Face it, he is a great big lumbering ox of a man. When he runs in to bowl with his shamboling run up, elegance is the last thing that comes to mind. Yes, he takes those amazing catches, but still you put that down to great reflexes. And when he bats, and stands there like a Goliath wielding a club, as he waves his bat menacingly at the bowler, you expect brute force -- and that you get as he lashes the ball through point off the back foot. But then -- just when you are settling down to expect something like a Shahid Afridi special -- out comes that cover drive. A stroke off such beauty and balance that it takes your breath away, and every time I see it, I must confess to a brief frisson of surprise, followed by a sense of contentment and sheer amazement (tempered somewhat that it is 4 more runs against India) at the sheer skill of this man.
His batting is of the highest class -- of his contemporaries, I would rate only Tendulkar, Lara and Ponting a notch ahead of him -- but when you add in his ability with the ball (he would play for many Test sides -- certainly India -- as a pure bowler) there is no question -- Kallis is the most valuable cricketer in world cricket today, and the only allrounder ahead of him is Gary Sobers.
Bharat
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Newlands D1: South Africa ahead as India fritter away the advantage of winning the toss
Dhoni won the toss, and in conditions that were perfectly suited for swinging the ball, inserted South Africa -- doubtless Smith would have done the same, despite his statement of not being sure what to do. The ball moved around quite a bit, the pitch was bouncy -- and the forecast for Days 2-5 was bright sunlight. The stage was perfectly set for India to win the series. The script seemed a complete reversal of the one in Centurion; Dhoni would have envisioned bowling out South Africa, either by end of play today or having them 7 or 8 down.
Someone forgot to tell the South African batsmen. Also the Indian pacemen were not clued in on the script -- the attack was lackluster, and pressure was applied only in patches. For starters the ball didn't swing consistently, only once in a while. But there was bounce to be had, and the occasional delivery jagged off the pitch appreciably. Batting was hard -- and the South African batsmen, particularly Kallis went a long way to ensuring that India not only lost the advantage of winning the toss, they are now the underdog instead of the favorite.
Today the rub of the green definitely went against the Indians. When they did get the ball in the right slot, it either beat the bat or flew through a vacant position. But fundamentally, the Indians didn't go at the batsmen except in patches and rarely applied the pressure from both ends.
At first, all seemed going to plan. Order was restored when Zaheer Khan got his bunny Smith early -- again if you look at the ball he got out on, it would look like a straight ball that was angling in. But it was set up by the many away swingers afterwards. Then the rain came, and off they went.
After the first resumption, Ishant Sharma got Petersen off a ball that seamed a touch away outside off that he tried to drive. Ishant's first spell was poor and he got a wicket -- his later spells were much more incisive and he went wicketless. Another rain break and this time they came back for good.
When they came out, Amla was the man in a hurry. Zaheer looked extremely stiff and uninterested when he came back ambling up to the wicket. Trying for swing he overpitched and served up 3 juicy half volleys that Amla dispatched gratefully. Sreesanth also pushed it up as well -- it was almost as though the Indians felt that they had to just put it up and wickets would come. There was none of the "come at the batsmen all the time" attitude that won us the game at Durban.
Anyway, the man who pulled India back was Sreesanth -- figures can lie, he went for 13 in that over, but it was actually a good over. Amla hooked him for six of a very good bouncer that Amla was lucky to keep down. Next ball edged through gully in the air off the leading edge. Then a genuine nick that flew short of the vacant 3rd slip and another bouncer that was well hooked for a single. Zak bowled his one good over where he beat Amla twice, but generally he was extremely poor. And then India got a bit of luck -- Amla pulled a long hop and just hit it poorly and swatted it down Pujara's throat. That was a huge relief for India -- Amla was taking the game away from India, but still hooking with two men on the fence was not a high percentage shot. Amla seems to be a man in a hurry -- what happened to the patient man we saw in India. I think -- as an opposition fan -- I prefer this Amla. This version gives you a lot of chances.
At 124/3 the session was well poised. Harbhajan would be key as this would be a long session -- if he could keep one end bottled up, and put pressure on the bats as he had done in Durban, that would help. Instead Bhajji just fired it down at 86-87 kmph and was worked for easy singles. A couple of times he floated it up at 82-83 kmph and troubled the batsman, but mostly he bowled flat & quick.
Sreesanth bowled well, and got deVilliers eventually when AB's patient grew thin and he drove at a ball that he had been defending to edge to Dhoni. 150/4 and it was anybody's game. Sreesanth then hit Kallis and there was a huge appeal -- the umpire turned it down, as would I. In real time, I had some thought that it might be too high, but Hawkeye showed it smacking into the top of leg stump.
Anyway, what I found really bad was the shameless "homer"ism of Pommie Mbangwa (yes, I know he is not South African, but he lives there). When Sreesanth appealed loudly he said, going down the leg with authority. As I said, it looked very adjacent. On the reply, Pommie said again "no chance, way down the leg side" again, clucking disapprovingly at Sreesanth's huge appeal and saying Dhoni was moving down the leg side. Clueless, when a fast bowler is bowling, when the ball cuts even, even if it would be at or above off stump, the take would be
well down the leg side. Then when the replay showed it slamming into top of leg stump, neither of the comms said a word. In Durban the comms replayed the Zaheer lbw and the AB lbw (which seems very similar to this one) about 20 times it seemed, complaining about the bad umpiring and how South Africa was badly hurt by the lack of UDRS. This time, it wasn't replayed once while I was watching, and there were no comments on how India could have used the UDRS here; such biased commentary takes the fun out of watching.
That was that. Kallis was greatly troubled by Ishant who bowled very well in two spells -- hit him several times and beat the bat many times, but no edge. Kallis batted very well, and was well supported by the underrated Prince. But fundamentally, the Indian bowling failed to ask enough questions of the South African batsmen and a game that could have been won may have been lost. Brilliant sunshine bathed beautiful Newlands for the last hour and a half, and Indian hopes vanished as quickly as the dark clouds that had hung over the pitch all day.
I had opined that if India could dismiss the big 3 (Amla, Kallis and deVilliers) twice each for 300 totals runs (6 dismissals) they would win. Right now the tally is 166 runs for 2 dismissals (Kallis 81*). India are still in with a chance. The new ball is just 6 overs away, and there will be some life early. If we can get Kallis early and get a couple more wickets with the new ball, then we can dismiss South Africa for under 350, which will get us back in the game -- for that Zaheer will need to bowl as he can, not like the shambling stiff slug we saw today. Right now RSA is looking at 400+ and batting India out of the game. Should be an absorbing morning's play!
Bharat
Someone forgot to tell the South African batsmen. Also the Indian pacemen were not clued in on the script -- the attack was lackluster, and pressure was applied only in patches. For starters the ball didn't swing consistently, only once in a while. But there was bounce to be had, and the occasional delivery jagged off the pitch appreciably. Batting was hard -- and the South African batsmen, particularly Kallis went a long way to ensuring that India not only lost the advantage of winning the toss, they are now the underdog instead of the favorite.
Today the rub of the green definitely went against the Indians. When they did get the ball in the right slot, it either beat the bat or flew through a vacant position. But fundamentally, the Indians didn't go at the batsmen except in patches and rarely applied the pressure from both ends.
At first, all seemed going to plan. Order was restored when Zaheer Khan got his bunny Smith early -- again if you look at the ball he got out on, it would look like a straight ball that was angling in. But it was set up by the many away swingers afterwards. Then the rain came, and off they went.
After the first resumption, Ishant Sharma got Petersen off a ball that seamed a touch away outside off that he tried to drive. Ishant's first spell was poor and he got a wicket -- his later spells were much more incisive and he went wicketless. Another rain break and this time they came back for good.
When they came out, Amla was the man in a hurry. Zaheer looked extremely stiff and uninterested when he came back ambling up to the wicket. Trying for swing he overpitched and served up 3 juicy half volleys that Amla dispatched gratefully. Sreesanth also pushed it up as well -- it was almost as though the Indians felt that they had to just put it up and wickets would come. There was none of the "come at the batsmen all the time" attitude that won us the game at Durban.
Anyway, the man who pulled India back was Sreesanth -- figures can lie, he went for 13 in that over, but it was actually a good over. Amla hooked him for six of a very good bouncer that Amla was lucky to keep down. Next ball edged through gully in the air off the leading edge. Then a genuine nick that flew short of the vacant 3rd slip and another bouncer that was well hooked for a single. Zak bowled his one good over where he beat Amla twice, but generally he was extremely poor. And then India got a bit of luck -- Amla pulled a long hop and just hit it poorly and swatted it down Pujara's throat. That was a huge relief for India -- Amla was taking the game away from India, but still hooking with two men on the fence was not a high percentage shot. Amla seems to be a man in a hurry -- what happened to the patient man we saw in India. I think -- as an opposition fan -- I prefer this Amla. This version gives you a lot of chances.
At 124/3 the session was well poised. Harbhajan would be key as this would be a long session -- if he could keep one end bottled up, and put pressure on the bats as he had done in Durban, that would help. Instead Bhajji just fired it down at 86-87 kmph and was worked for easy singles. A couple of times he floated it up at 82-83 kmph and troubled the batsman, but mostly he bowled flat & quick.
Sreesanth bowled well, and got deVilliers eventually when AB's patient grew thin and he drove at a ball that he had been defending to edge to Dhoni. 150/4 and it was anybody's game. Sreesanth then hit Kallis and there was a huge appeal -- the umpire turned it down, as would I. In real time, I had some thought that it might be too high, but Hawkeye showed it smacking into the top of leg stump.
Anyway, what I found really bad was the shameless "homer"ism of Pommie Mbangwa (yes, I know he is not South African, but he lives there). When Sreesanth appealed loudly he said, going down the leg with authority. As I said, it looked very adjacent. On the reply, Pommie said again "no chance, way down the leg side" again, clucking disapprovingly at Sreesanth's huge appeal and saying Dhoni was moving down the leg side. Clueless, when a fast bowler is bowling, when the ball cuts even, even if it would be at or above off stump, the take would be
well down the leg side. Then when the replay showed it slamming into top of leg stump, neither of the comms said a word. In Durban the comms replayed the Zaheer lbw and the AB lbw (which seems very similar to this one) about 20 times it seemed, complaining about the bad umpiring and how South Africa was badly hurt by the lack of UDRS. This time, it wasn't replayed once while I was watching, and there were no comments on how India could have used the UDRS here; such biased commentary takes the fun out of watching.
That was that. Kallis was greatly troubled by Ishant who bowled very well in two spells -- hit him several times and beat the bat many times, but no edge. Kallis batted very well, and was well supported by the underrated Prince. But fundamentally, the Indian bowling failed to ask enough questions of the South African batsmen and a game that could have been won may have been lost. Brilliant sunshine bathed beautiful Newlands for the last hour and a half, and Indian hopes vanished as quickly as the dark clouds that had hung over the pitch all day.
I had opined that if India could dismiss the big 3 (Amla, Kallis and deVilliers) twice each for 300 totals runs (6 dismissals) they would win. Right now the tally is 166 runs for 2 dismissals (Kallis 81*). India are still in with a chance. The new ball is just 6 overs away, and there will be some life early. If we can get Kallis early and get a couple more wickets with the new ball, then we can dismiss South Africa for under 350, which will get us back in the game -- for that Zaheer will need to bowl as he can, not like the shambling stiff slug we saw today. Right now RSA is looking at 400+ and batting India out of the game. Should be an absorbing morning's play!
Bharat
South Africa pull ahead at tea as India waste conditions
The conditions were helpful were pace bowling and Dhoni inserted the opposition. Throughout the day the ball didn't really swing consistently. A few balls did, but not as many as would be expected. Anyway, things started well -- order was restored when Zaheer Khan got his bunny Smith early -- again if you look at the ball he got out on, it would look like a straight ball that was angling in. But it was set up by a few away swingers that beat Smith. But generally, in the first spell the Indians struggled to find the right lengths. Right
when things were settling down, off they went.
After the first resumption, Ishant Sharma got Petersen off a ball that seamed a touch away outside off that he tried to drive. That was one of the few good balls that Ishant bowled that threatened to take a wicket. Generally, Ishant figures are deceiving because he bowled a little too short and outside off. He got a fair amount of steepling bounce, but most of the time the batsmen let the ball pass through. And at the second break for rain, it was 61/2 -- India hadn't bowled anywhere near as well as they could have but it wasn't as good as it could have been.
When they came out, Amla was the man in a hurry. Zaheer looked extremely stiff and uninterested when he came back ambling up to the wicket. Trying for swing he overpitched and served up 3 juicy half volleys that Amla dispatched gratefully. Sreesanth also pushed it up as well -- it was almost as though the Indians felt that they had to just put it up and wickets would come. There was none of the "come at the batsmen all the time" attitude that won us the game at Durban.
Anyway, the man who pulled us back was Sreesanth -- figures can lie, he went for 13 in that over, but it was actually a good over. Amla hooked him for six of a very good bouncer that Amla was lucky to keep down. Next ball edged through gully in the air off the leading edge. Then a genuine nick that flew short of the vacant 3rd slip and another bouncer that was well hooked for a single. Zak bowled his one good over where he beat Amla twice, but generally he was extremely poor. And then India got a bit of luck -- Amla pulled a long hop and just hit poorly and hit it down Pujara's throat. That was a huge relief for India -- Amla was taking the game away from India, but still hooking with two men on the fence was not a high percentage shot. Amla seems to be a man in a hurry -- what happened to the patient man we saw in India. I think -- as an opposition fan -- I prefer this Amla. This man gives you a lot of chances.
The next session will be key. At 124/3 South Africa is definitely ahead. 90/5 would have been the par score had India bowled well. Dhoni will be hugely disappointed in the effort of his quicks -- particularly Zaheer Khan. We also have a long session coming up, and Harbhajan will be key as he will need to bottle up one end.
However, the conditions are still tough for batting and an early wicket could open it up. The pacers need to really go at the opposition the way they did at Durban Unless we run through the opposition here, the strategy surely would be for Harbhajan to keep one end tight -- in Durban he bowled 13 overs for 25 runs which built up the stranglehold on South Africa on the 4th morning. deVilliers -- who has motored to 14 without any real effort -- will be important as he can make Harbhajan go for over 4 an over -- so if Bhajji can keep it under 3 an over, that will be crucial. Need to keep the singles down.
Bharat
when things were settling down, off they went.
After the first resumption, Ishant Sharma got Petersen off a ball that seamed a touch away outside off that he tried to drive. That was one of the few good balls that Ishant bowled that threatened to take a wicket. Generally, Ishant figures are deceiving because he bowled a little too short and outside off. He got a fair amount of steepling bounce, but most of the time the batsmen let the ball pass through. And at the second break for rain, it was 61/2 -- India hadn't bowled anywhere near as well as they could have but it wasn't as good as it could have been.
When they came out, Amla was the man in a hurry. Zaheer looked extremely stiff and uninterested when he came back ambling up to the wicket. Trying for swing he overpitched and served up 3 juicy half volleys that Amla dispatched gratefully. Sreesanth also pushed it up as well -- it was almost as though the Indians felt that they had to just put it up and wickets would come. There was none of the "come at the batsmen all the time" attitude that won us the game at Durban.
Anyway, the man who pulled us back was Sreesanth -- figures can lie, he went for 13 in that over, but it was actually a good over. Amla hooked him for six of a very good bouncer that Amla was lucky to keep down. Next ball edged through gully in the air off the leading edge. Then a genuine nick that flew short of the vacant 3rd slip and another bouncer that was well hooked for a single. Zak bowled his one good over where he beat Amla twice, but generally he was extremely poor. And then India got a bit of luck -- Amla pulled a long hop and just hit poorly and hit it down Pujara's throat. That was a huge relief for India -- Amla was taking the game away from India, but still hooking with two men on the fence was not a high percentage shot. Amla seems to be a man in a hurry -- what happened to the patient man we saw in India. I think -- as an opposition fan -- I prefer this Amla. This man gives you a lot of chances.
The next session will be key. At 124/3 South Africa is definitely ahead. 90/5 would have been the par score had India bowled well. Dhoni will be hugely disappointed in the effort of his quicks -- particularly Zaheer Khan. We also have a long session coming up, and Harbhajan will be key as he will need to bottle up one end.
However, the conditions are still tough for batting and an early wicket could open it up. The pacers need to really go at the opposition the way they did at Durban Unless we run through the opposition here, the strategy surely would be for Harbhajan to keep one end tight -- in Durban he bowled 13 overs for 25 runs which built up the stranglehold on South Africa on the 4th morning. deVilliers -- who has motored to 14 without any real effort -- will be important as he can make Harbhajan go for over 4 an over -- so if Bhajji can keep it under 3 an over, that will be crucial. Need to keep the singles down.
Bharat
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