poor simon. Australia has so much talent. pity team only has 11 players.
depth of cricket in Australia is superior
depth of cricket in Australia is superior
Cricket Thread
Seeing the 2007 Cricket World Cup Thread was locked, I thought a general thread for international cricket discussion would be good.
I'll start off with this article. It is hard when we have so many good players in Australia, as some really good ones miss out!
Katich hits back at snub with 220 runs
May 3, 2007 - 5:14AM
Simon Katich responded to his dumping from Cricket Australia's contracted player list by smashing an unbeaten 220 for English county side Derbyshire.
At stumps on day one of their LV County Championship Division Two match at Somerset, Derbyshire was 4-448 after losing the wickets of Phil Weston and Chris Taylor in the first over.
Left-hander Katich, the Derbyshire captain, hit 32 fours and two sixes in his first county double century.
The Derbyshire captain shared an unbroken partnership of 241 with fellow Australian Ian Harvey, who hit 20 fours on his way to 123 not out.
Katich's performance came a day after he was culled from Cricket Australia's list of 25 players contracted for the 2007/08 season.
The 31-year-old has played 23 Tests and 45 one-day internationals.
His last Test was in November 2005.
I'll start off with this article. It is hard when we have so many good players in Australia, as some really good ones miss out!
Katich hits back at snub with 220 runs
May 3, 2007 - 5:14AM
Simon Katich responded to his dumping from Cricket Australia's contracted player list by smashing an unbeaten 220 for English county side Derbyshire.
At stumps on day one of their LV County Championship Division Two match at Somerset, Derbyshire was 4-448 after losing the wickets of Phil Weston and Chris Taylor in the first over.
Left-hander Katich, the Derbyshire captain, hit 32 fours and two sixes in his first county double century.
The Derbyshire captain shared an unbroken partnership of 241 with fellow Australian Ian Harvey, who hit 20 fours on his way to 123 not out.
Katich's performance came a day after he was culled from Cricket Australia's list of 25 players contracted for the 2007/08 season.
The 31-year-old has played 23 Tests and 45 one-day internationals.
His last Test was in November 2005.
1 - 20 of 3436 Posts
'Legal' query on Gilly's innings
CRICKET fans on the sub-continent have questioned Adam Gilchrist's match-winning innings in the World Cup final because he had a squash ball inside his batting glove.
Gilchrist belted 149 off just 103 balls to rip the rain-shortened final away from Sri Lanka but cricket bloggers in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India have now asked whether the Australian wicketkeeper's innings was "legal".
After the match, Gilchrist said he had "something" in his left glove during his innings and when he reached his century he repeatedly pointed to his left batting glove with his right hand.
"I had a little message, to wave to someone at home in Australia about something in my glove," Gilchrist told the post-match media conference.
He then confirmed the message was for his batting coach and former West Australia player Bob Meuleman who, Gilchrist said, had advised him to carry a squash ball in his left, bottom hand to help him with his grip.
"His (Meuleman's) last words to me before I left the indoor training centre where I train with him in Perth were, 'If you are going to use it (squash ball), make sure when you score a hundred in the final you show me and prove to me you got it in there'. I had stayed true to that."
Some cricket fans are now asking whether, if Dennis Lilee's aluminium bat, Ricky Ponting's graphite-coated bat and Hanie Cronje's earpiece were declared illegal, Gilchrist's squash ball should be deemed an illegal artificial aid to batting.
To read what the bloggers have to say go here
"Two questions arise," wrote one blogger. "If using a squash ball isn't ok as per the laws of the game, is his innings legal and does it count? And if it doesn't count, can Australia claim to have won a hopelessly one-sided and farcical victory?"
Another blogger said Gilchrist had indicated the squash ball in his left glove helped him with his grip during his "stupendous knock".
"But that's also where questions over the legality of Gilchrists innings, or the seeming lack of it, come in," he wrote. "Can a batsman carry an objectin this case, a squash ballnot connected with cricket to help him on the field? Did he secure the prior permission of the umpires? Was the fielding side captain aware of the use of the squash ball? Did (Sri Lankan captain) Mahela Jayawardene approve its use?
"And, above all, and in a manner of speaking, did Gilchrists hidden ball give him an unfair advantage in knocking the daylights out of the Lankan bowlers?"
He lists the law of cricket No.3 as saying:
"Before the toss and during the match, the umpires shall satisfy themselves that
(a) the conduct of the game is strictly in accordance with the Laws. (b) the implements of the game conform to the requirements of Laws 5 (the ball) and 6 (the bat), together with either Laws 8.2 (size of stumps) and 8.3 (the bails) or, if appropriate, Law 8.4 (junior cricket). (c) (i) no player uses equipment other than that permitted. (ii) the wicket-keepers gloves comply with the requirements of Law 40.2 (gloves)."
Jerome Gasperson joined the blog from Australia: "You have very valid points and there are a few more unanswered questions that are worth pursuing further:
1) Gilchrist never used the squash ball in the past and also in any of the other 10 games prior to the finals. Did the squash ball help?
2) Gilchrist was out of form and didnt score many runs in the whole World Cup tour apart from the finals. Did the squash ball provide Gilchrist the required assistance to bring him back to form?
3) The World Cup final was between Sri Lanka and Gilchrist (not Australia). All other in-form Australian batsmen were struggling to score except the out-of-form Gilchrist who had this squash ball to enhance his grip or did it?
4) Most of his shots, mainly his eight sixes, were massive and cleared the grounds. Did the squash ball help?
5) The number of sixes hit by Gilchrist amounts to eight in the finals, compared to two in the previous 10 games. Is it because of the squash ball?
6) Gilchrist's average without the last innings would have been a mere 30.40 compared to the 45.30 after the finals. Did the squash ball help to boost his average?
7) Gilchrist's strikerate without the last innings would have been 91.57 compared to the 103.89 after the finals. Again, did the squash ball provide that extra power?
"I am not taking anything away from Adam Gilchrist's excellent innings," Gasperson wrote. "That was an amazing innings which will be remembered by many for years to come. However, the question still remains: is it legal to use such equipment and will it provide assistance?"
CRICKET fans on the sub-continent have questioned Adam Gilchrist's match-winning innings in the World Cup final because he had a squash ball inside his batting glove.
Gilchrist belted 149 off just 103 balls to rip the rain-shortened final away from Sri Lanka but cricket bloggers in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India have now asked whether the Australian wicketkeeper's innings was "legal".
After the match, Gilchrist said he had "something" in his left glove during his innings and when he reached his century he repeatedly pointed to his left batting glove with his right hand.
"I had a little message, to wave to someone at home in Australia about something in my glove," Gilchrist told the post-match media conference.
He then confirmed the message was for his batting coach and former West Australia player Bob Meuleman who, Gilchrist said, had advised him to carry a squash ball in his left, bottom hand to help him with his grip.
"His (Meuleman's) last words to me before I left the indoor training centre where I train with him in Perth were, 'If you are going to use it (squash ball), make sure when you score a hundred in the final you show me and prove to me you got it in there'. I had stayed true to that."
Some cricket fans are now asking whether, if Dennis Lilee's aluminium bat, Ricky Ponting's graphite-coated bat and Hanie Cronje's earpiece were declared illegal, Gilchrist's squash ball should be deemed an illegal artificial aid to batting.
To read what the bloggers have to say go here
"Two questions arise," wrote one blogger. "If using a squash ball isn't ok as per the laws of the game, is his innings legal and does it count? And if it doesn't count, can Australia claim to have won a hopelessly one-sided and farcical victory?"
Another blogger said Gilchrist had indicated the squash ball in his left glove helped him with his grip during his "stupendous knock".
"But that's also where questions over the legality of Gilchrists innings, or the seeming lack of it, come in," he wrote. "Can a batsman carry an objectin this case, a squash ballnot connected with cricket to help him on the field? Did he secure the prior permission of the umpires? Was the fielding side captain aware of the use of the squash ball? Did (Sri Lankan captain) Mahela Jayawardene approve its use?
"And, above all, and in a manner of speaking, did Gilchrists hidden ball give him an unfair advantage in knocking the daylights out of the Lankan bowlers?"
He lists the law of cricket No.3 as saying:
"Before the toss and during the match, the umpires shall satisfy themselves that
(a) the conduct of the game is strictly in accordance with the Laws. (b) the implements of the game conform to the requirements of Laws 5 (the ball) and 6 (the bat), together with either Laws 8.2 (size of stumps) and 8.3 (the bails) or, if appropriate, Law 8.4 (junior cricket). (c) (i) no player uses equipment other than that permitted. (ii) the wicket-keepers gloves comply with the requirements of Law 40.2 (gloves)."
Jerome Gasperson joined the blog from Australia: "You have very valid points and there are a few more unanswered questions that are worth pursuing further:
1) Gilchrist never used the squash ball in the past and also in any of the other 10 games prior to the finals. Did the squash ball help?
2) Gilchrist was out of form and didnt score many runs in the whole World Cup tour apart from the finals. Did the squash ball provide Gilchrist the required assistance to bring him back to form?
3) The World Cup final was between Sri Lanka and Gilchrist (not Australia). All other in-form Australian batsmen were struggling to score except the out-of-form Gilchrist who had this squash ball to enhance his grip or did it?
4) Most of his shots, mainly his eight sixes, were massive and cleared the grounds. Did the squash ball help?
5) The number of sixes hit by Gilchrist amounts to eight in the finals, compared to two in the previous 10 games. Is it because of the squash ball?
6) Gilchrist's average without the last innings would have been a mere 30.40 compared to the 45.30 after the finals. Did the squash ball help to boost his average?
7) Gilchrist's strikerate without the last innings would have been 91.57 compared to the 103.89 after the finals. Again, did the squash ball provide that extra power?
"I am not taking anything away from Adam Gilchrist's excellent innings," Gasperson wrote. "That was an amazing innings which will be remembered by many for years to come. However, the question still remains: is it legal to use such equipment and will it provide assistance?"
Well it is good to see Dizzy receive another ACB contract - I think he deserves it. Does anyone know when the domestic cricket fixture is going to be released?
May want to email cricket australia for the draft schedule. I think, it usually comes out in the middle of winter...
Good News:
MCC rules Gilchrist's squash ball legal
May 9, 2007 - 3:11AM
Adam Gilchrist was entitled to use a squash ball inside his glove when batting during the World Cup final, cricket's lawmaker says.
The Marylebone Cricket Club said Gilchrist had not acted against the laws or spirit of the game.
"Gilchrist's use of a squash ball was designed to alter his grip on the bat whilst at the crease, something which he was perfectly entitled to do," the MCC said in a statement Tuesday.
Gilchrist scored 149 runs as Australia defeated Sri Lanka by 53 runs in the rain-affected World Cup final on April 28 in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Kangadaran Mathivanan objected to Gilchrist's tactic, describing it as unethical and claiming it gave him an unfair advantage.
The MCC said the relevant rule only stated what external protective equipment was allowed.
For batsmen, helmets, pads, gloves and forearm guards are all listed as permitted.
"None has any definition or prescription," the MCC said.
"Since there is no restriction in law even on the external form of batting gloves, let alone the interior thereof, no law has been breached."
MCC rules Gilchrist's squash ball legal
May 9, 2007 - 3:11AM
Adam Gilchrist was entitled to use a squash ball inside his glove when batting during the World Cup final, cricket's lawmaker says.
The Marylebone Cricket Club said Gilchrist had not acted against the laws or spirit of the game.
"Gilchrist's use of a squash ball was designed to alter his grip on the bat whilst at the crease, something which he was perfectly entitled to do," the MCC said in a statement Tuesday.
Gilchrist scored 149 runs as Australia defeated Sri Lanka by 53 runs in the rain-affected World Cup final on April 28 in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Kangadaran Mathivanan objected to Gilchrist's tactic, describing it as unethical and claiming it gave him an unfair advantage.
The MCC said the relevant rule only stated what external protective equipment was allowed.
For batsmen, helmets, pads, gloves and forearm guards are all listed as permitted.
"None has any definition or prescription," the MCC said.
"Since there is no restriction in law even on the external form of batting gloves, let alone the interior thereof, no law has been breached."
Protest re use of squash ball ...quashed:lol:
Whats this non sense about the squash ball, he could have used a ***** it wouldnt have made a difference to me, he was on FIRE that day
Katich's 220 is nothing special really. The wicket at Somerset is a complete fucking joke. This seasons average score on that pitch must be about 600. Highest total is 850/7d.
Some people in Sri Lanka seems to forget that in the 2003 semi final in South Africa, despite not being given out, Gilly walked.'Legal' query on Gilly's innings
CRICKET fans on the sub-continent have questioned Adam Gilchrist's match-winning innings in the World Cup final because he had a squash ball inside his batting glove.
Gilchrist belted 149 off just 103 balls to rip the rain-shortened final away from Sri Lanka but cricket bloggers in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India have now asked whether the Australian wicketkeeper's innings was "legal".
After the match, Gilchrist said he had "something" in his left glove during his innings and when he reached his century he repeatedly pointed to his left batting glove with his right hand.
"I had a little message, to wave to someone at home in Australia about something in my glove," Gilchrist told the post-match media conference.
He then confirmed the message was for his batting coach and former West Australia player Bob Meuleman who, Gilchrist said, had advised him to carry a squash ball in his left, bottom hand to help him with his grip.
"His (Meuleman's) last words to me before I left the indoor training centre where I train with him in Perth were, 'If you are going to use it (squash ball), make sure when you score a hundred in the final you show me and prove to me you got it in there'. I had stayed true to that."
Some cricket fans are now asking whether, if Dennis Lilee's aluminium bat, Ricky Ponting's graphite-coated bat and Hanie Cronje's earpiece were declared illegal, Gilchrist's squash ball should be deemed an illegal artificial aid to batting.
To read what the bloggers have to say go here
"Two questions arise," wrote one blogger. "If using a squash ball isn't ok as per the laws of the game, is his innings legal and does it count? And if it doesn't count, can Australia claim to have won a hopelessly one-sided and farcical victory?"
Another blogger said Gilchrist had indicated the squash ball in his left glove helped him with his grip during his "stupendous knock".
"But that's also where questions over the legality of Gilchrists innings, or the seeming lack of it, come in," he wrote. "Can a batsman carry an objectin this case, a squash ballnot connected with cricket to help him on the field? Did he secure the prior permission of the umpires? Was the fielding side captain aware of the use of the squash ball? Did (Sri Lankan captain) Mahela Jayawardene approve its use?
"And, above all, and in a manner of speaking, did Gilchrists hidden ball give him an unfair advantage in knocking the daylights out of the Lankan bowlers?"
He lists the law of cricket No.3 as saying:
"Before the toss and during the match, the umpires shall satisfy themselves that
(a) the conduct of the game is strictly in accordance with the Laws. (b) the implements of the game conform to the requirements of Laws 5 (the ball) and 6 (the bat), together with either Laws 8.2 (size of stumps) and 8.3 (the bails) or, if appropriate, Law 8.4 (junior cricket). (c) (i) no player uses equipment other than that permitted. (ii) the wicket-keepers gloves comply with the requirements of Law 40.2 (gloves)."
Jerome Gasperson joined the blog from Australia: "You have very valid points and there are a few more unanswered questions that are worth pursuing further:
1) Gilchrist never used the squash ball in the past and also in any of the other 10 games prior to the finals. Did the squash ball help?
2) Gilchrist was out of form and didnt score many runs in the whole World Cup tour apart from the finals. Did the squash ball provide Gilchrist the required assistance to bring him back to form?
3) The World Cup final was between Sri Lanka and Gilchrist (not Australia). All other in-form Australian batsmen were struggling to score except the out-of-form Gilchrist who had this squash ball to enhance his grip or did it?
4) Most of his shots, mainly his eight sixes, were massive and cleared the grounds. Did the squash ball help?
5) The number of sixes hit by Gilchrist amounts to eight in the finals, compared to two in the previous 10 games. Is it because of the squash ball?
6) Gilchrist's average without the last innings would have been a mere 30.40 compared to the 45.30 after the finals. Did the squash ball help to boost his average?
7) Gilchrist's strikerate without the last innings would have been 91.57 compared to the 103.89 after the finals. Again, did the squash ball provide that extra power?
"I am not taking anything away from Adam Gilchrist's excellent innings," Gasperson wrote. "That was an amazing innings which will be remembered by many for years to come. However, the question still remains: is it legal to use such equipment and will it provide assistance?"
Did you guys see the result of this game a few weeks ago? County cricket is surely a quality and exciting form of the game. Would have been funny also if one of the MIddlesex team had actually been called Riggs...
Somerset v Middlesex
Played at County Ground, Taunton, on 18,19,20,21 April 2007 (4-day match)
Result Match drawn
Middlesex 1st innings
BL Hutton lbw b Jones 17
NRD Compton c Spurway b Blackwell 67
OA Shah lbw b Trego 193
ET Smith run out 68
BA Godleman not out 113
DC Nash not out 100
Extras (b 18, lb 15, w 3, nb 6) 42
Total (4 wickets dec; 157 overs) 600
Did not bat TJ Murtagh, RL Johnson, M Kartik, CEW Silverwood, A Richardson
Fall of wickets1-39 (Hutton), 2-170 (Compton), 3-327 (Smith), 4-407 (Shah)
Bowling O M R W Econ
AR Caddick 34 7 127 0 3.73 (2nb)
CM Willoughby 30 6 89 0 2.96 (1w)
PS Jones 27 5 109 1 4.03 (1w)
PD Trego 18 6 48 1 2.66
ID Blackwell 24 4 88 1 3.66
CL White 21 0 79 0 3.76 (1nb, 1w)
JC Hildreth 3 0 27 0 9.00
Somerset 1st innings
ME Strescothick c Godleman b Kartik 70
NJ Edwards c Richardson b Silverwood 9
JL Langer c Riggs b Murtagh 315
JC Hildreth c Compton b Silverwood 116
CL White st Nash b Kartik 114
ID Blackwell c sub b Kartik 6
PD Trego b Kartik 130
SHP Spurway not out 44
PS Jones not out 1 2 4 0 0 25.00
Extras (b 14, lb 17, w 2, nb 12) 45
Total (7 wickets dec; 178.3 overs) 850
Did not bat AR Caddick, CM Willoughby
Fall of wickets1-25 (Edwards), 2-120 (Trescothick), 3-362 (Hildreth), 4-589 (White), 5-611 (Blackwell), 6-719 (Langer), 7-845 (Trego)
Bowling O M R W Econ
CEW Silverwood 30 4 125 2 4.16 (1nb)
RL Johnson 27.3 1 142 0 5.16 (2nb, 1w)
A Richardson 26 0 127 0 4.88
TJ Murtagh 25 1 147 1 5.88
M Kartik 50 8 168 4 3.36 (1nb, 1w)
OA Shah 16 0 90 0 5.62 (2nb)
NRD Compton 4 0 20 0 5.00
Somerset v Middlesex
Played at County Ground, Taunton, on 18,19,20,21 April 2007 (4-day match)
Result Match drawn
Middlesex 1st innings
BL Hutton lbw b Jones 17
NRD Compton c Spurway b Blackwell 67
OA Shah lbw b Trego 193
ET Smith run out 68
BA Godleman not out 113
DC Nash not out 100
Extras (b 18, lb 15, w 3, nb 6) 42
Total (4 wickets dec; 157 overs) 600
Did not bat TJ Murtagh, RL Johnson, M Kartik, CEW Silverwood, A Richardson
Fall of wickets1-39 (Hutton), 2-170 (Compton), 3-327 (Smith), 4-407 (Shah)
Bowling O M R W Econ
AR Caddick 34 7 127 0 3.73 (2nb)
CM Willoughby 30 6 89 0 2.96 (1w)
PS Jones 27 5 109 1 4.03 (1w)
PD Trego 18 6 48 1 2.66
ID Blackwell 24 4 88 1 3.66
CL White 21 0 79 0 3.76 (1nb, 1w)
JC Hildreth 3 0 27 0 9.00
Somerset 1st innings
ME Strescothick c Godleman b Kartik 70
NJ Edwards c Richardson b Silverwood 9
JL Langer c Riggs b Murtagh 315
JC Hildreth c Compton b Silverwood 116
CL White st Nash b Kartik 114
ID Blackwell c sub b Kartik 6
PD Trego b Kartik 130
SHP Spurway not out 44
PS Jones not out 1 2 4 0 0 25.00
Extras (b 14, lb 17, w 2, nb 12) 45
Total (7 wickets dec; 178.3 overs) 850
Did not bat AR Caddick, CM Willoughby
Fall of wickets1-25 (Edwards), 2-120 (Trescothick), 3-362 (Hildreth), 4-589 (White), 5-611 (Blackwell), 6-719 (Langer), 7-845 (Trego)
Bowling O M R W Econ
CEW Silverwood 30 4 125 2 4.16 (1nb)
RL Johnson 27.3 1 142 0 5.16 (2nb, 1w)
A Richardson 26 0 127 0 4.88
TJ Murtagh 25 1 147 1 5.88
M Kartik 50 8 168 4 3.36 (1nb, 1w)
OA Shah 16 0 90 0 5.62 (2nb)
NRD Compton 4 0 20 0 5.00
Of course, Rosbif, we are speaking of the same shithouse English county teams and the abilities of middling to mediocre batsmen to score infinite numbers of runs. Although Justin Langer does not fit into either of the former categories. He is a martial arts man though - hmm... Lethal Weapon V could be pretty good, Riggs, Murtagh, Langer, Rene Russo, and Joe Pesci. and the MILF from the Gilmour Girls.Katich's 220 is nothing special really. The wicket at Somerset is a complete fucking joke. This seasons average score on that pitch must be about 600. Highest total is 850/7d.
Looks like a bit of fun! Go Asia! hopefully is telecast in Aus, it would be a good game!
Asia XI vs Africa XI, Twenty20 international
Not much more than pride at stake
The Preview by Sriram Veera at Bangalore
June 4, 2007
Morne Morkel was upbeat about taking on Asia's stars despite being part of a relatively weak team © Getty Images
Chaos reigned supreme at Bangalore's Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday. The day before the Afro-Asia Twenty20 game there were few signs of an impending intercontinental battle; the promised press conference got cancelled; half of the Asian team haven't arrived yet and one look at the African team sheet indicated they could be lambs thrown to the wolves.
On paper it's a major mismatch: A bunch of eager-eyed, almost anonymous Africans face up to a team of Asian giants starring Shahid Afridi, among others. However, the nature of the Twenty20 game offers hope. So believes Gulam Bodi, the vice-captain of the African squad. "It's Twenty20 cricket after all and funny things happen there," Bodi told Cricinfo. "To be honest, we are playing as men against men. We are not playing any names. We will go out there and put our ability to the best utility."
His bullishness is shared by Morne Morkel, the tall fast bowler from South Africa who ripped apart the Indian line-up in a tour game in Potchefstroom last year. "Yes, there are big players like Afridi but the basics of the game still remain the same. If we can get it in the right areas, anything can happen."
Morkel can also take heart from the pitch, which from the grassy surface looks as if it will offer bounce and pace. The KSCA have roped in the services of curators Blair Christiansen and Bede O'Connell, from the New Zealand Turf Institute, to oversee the preparation of the two pitches.
Christiansen, who was approached a month ago by the authorities, has been at work here for the past 11 days. "We have changed the soil type from the traditional mixture of red soil and local soil", he said while explaining the work done. "We have changed it to high clay content and put more grass on the track to allow the pace to come off the grass rather than the soil."
Given that it's a virgin track, will it be a disadvantage? "Yes, a little", he conceded. "But then there has always to be a first. I don't see any major hiccups. The pitch should play to expectations."
Pitch apart, the Africans could benefit from any sign of complacency or overconfidence among their opponents. Whether it's the the chaotic organizing process or general laxity many of the squad hadn't landed in Bangalore till Monday evening. They will have a nets session on the match-day morning and head straight into the game. Roger Binny, the coach of the Asian team, appeared relaxed. "It's just a one-off Twenty-20 game", he said, "the real thing is the one-day internationals after that."
His offhand statement mirrored the enthusiasm - or lack of it - among Bangalore's cricket-loving public. The turnout for tomorrow's match isn't expected to break any records - not even after the KSCA's offer of a free ticket along with every one bought for Wednesday's one-day international.
Bodi sees more stakes in it than that. "It's not about going out there and having a blast. We have played a lot of Twenty20 back home. The basics still remain the same. There is no use going bang-bang-bang. The first six-seven overs you play around, keeping wickets in hand and then you hit the accelerator. A score of even 180 is possible."
Bodi, who was born in Gujarat before emigrating to South Africa 17 years ago, spoke of the pride among his team-mates. "There is a good vibe in the team, it's a great honour and privilege for us to be here. We just landed this morning and the boys are tired but they are still very enthusiastic about playing the big stars.
"They have a point to prove, they are eager to play in front of the big crowds and take this great experience back home. There are a few youngsters in the team but they aren't daunted. All of us are just looking to go out there and play our best cricket."
It's that basic instinct that offers the best shot at a competitive game tomorrow. The weather could be a problem - this is the time of evening showers - and the curators are concerned. "We have covered the pitch and rain has done no damage so far. We can only hope we won't have any further rain", said Christiansen. At every level, this match operates on a wing and a prayer.
Sriram Veera is an editorial assistant with Cricinfo
© Cricinfo
Asia XI vs Africa XI, Twenty20 international
Not much more than pride at stake
The Preview by Sriram Veera at Bangalore
June 4, 2007
Morne Morkel was upbeat about taking on Asia's stars despite being part of a relatively weak team © Getty Images
Chaos reigned supreme at Bangalore's Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday. The day before the Afro-Asia Twenty20 game there were few signs of an impending intercontinental battle; the promised press conference got cancelled; half of the Asian team haven't arrived yet and one look at the African team sheet indicated they could be lambs thrown to the wolves.
On paper it's a major mismatch: A bunch of eager-eyed, almost anonymous Africans face up to a team of Asian giants starring Shahid Afridi, among others. However, the nature of the Twenty20 game offers hope. So believes Gulam Bodi, the vice-captain of the African squad. "It's Twenty20 cricket after all and funny things happen there," Bodi told Cricinfo. "To be honest, we are playing as men against men. We are not playing any names. We will go out there and put our ability to the best utility."
His bullishness is shared by Morne Morkel, the tall fast bowler from South Africa who ripped apart the Indian line-up in a tour game in Potchefstroom last year. "Yes, there are big players like Afridi but the basics of the game still remain the same. If we can get it in the right areas, anything can happen."
Morkel can also take heart from the pitch, which from the grassy surface looks as if it will offer bounce and pace. The KSCA have roped in the services of curators Blair Christiansen and Bede O'Connell, from the New Zealand Turf Institute, to oversee the preparation of the two pitches.
Christiansen, who was approached a month ago by the authorities, has been at work here for the past 11 days. "We have changed the soil type from the traditional mixture of red soil and local soil", he said while explaining the work done. "We have changed it to high clay content and put more grass on the track to allow the pace to come off the grass rather than the soil."
Given that it's a virgin track, will it be a disadvantage? "Yes, a little", he conceded. "But then there has always to be a first. I don't see any major hiccups. The pitch should play to expectations."
Pitch apart, the Africans could benefit from any sign of complacency or overconfidence among their opponents. Whether it's the the chaotic organizing process or general laxity many of the squad hadn't landed in Bangalore till Monday evening. They will have a nets session on the match-day morning and head straight into the game. Roger Binny, the coach of the Asian team, appeared relaxed. "It's just a one-off Twenty-20 game", he said, "the real thing is the one-day internationals after that."
His offhand statement mirrored the enthusiasm - or lack of it - among Bangalore's cricket-loving public. The turnout for tomorrow's match isn't expected to break any records - not even after the KSCA's offer of a free ticket along with every one bought for Wednesday's one-day international.
Bodi sees more stakes in it than that. "It's not about going out there and having a blast. We have played a lot of Twenty20 back home. The basics still remain the same. There is no use going bang-bang-bang. The first six-seven overs you play around, keeping wickets in hand and then you hit the accelerator. A score of even 180 is possible."
Bodi, who was born in Gujarat before emigrating to South Africa 17 years ago, spoke of the pride among his team-mates. "There is a good vibe in the team, it's a great honour and privilege for us to be here. We just landed this morning and the boys are tired but they are still very enthusiastic about playing the big stars.
"They have a point to prove, they are eager to play in front of the big crowds and take this great experience back home. There are a few youngsters in the team but they aren't daunted. All of us are just looking to go out there and play our best cricket."
It's that basic instinct that offers the best shot at a competitive game tomorrow. The weather could be a problem - this is the time of evening showers - and the curators are concerned. "We have covered the pitch and rain has done no damage so far. We can only hope we won't have any further rain", said Christiansen. At every level, this match operates on a wing and a prayer.
Sriram Veera is an editorial assistant with Cricinfo
© Cricinfo
batting practice for the windies hey.......
Marylebone Cricket Club v West Indians 2007 season
Played at Durham University Ground on 1,2,3 June 2007 (3-day match)
Result Match drawn
Marylebone Cricket Club 1st innings R M B 4s 6s SR
WTS Porterfield lbw b Taylor 21 83 61 4 0 34.42
PG Dixey c Morton b Edwards 0 34 20 0 0 0.00
ZK Sharif b Taylor 8 40 32 1 0 25.00
LJ Evans c Ramdin b Taylor 51 145 97 5 0 52.57
JC Morris c Ramdin b Taylor 30 95 84 4 0 35.71
ST Jayasuriya c Morton b Taylor 18 29 22 3 0 81.81
SM Butler b Sammy 12 68 54 2 0 22.22
SH Choudhry not out 54 186 143 7 0 37.76
MA Richards c sub b Edwards 26 107 78 2 0 33.33
RMR Brathwaite c sub b Sammy 8 13 11 1 0 72.72
REM Williams c Sammy b Edwards 1 3 4 0 0 25.00
Extras (b 9, lb 4, w 1, nb 17) 31
Total (all out; 99.3 overs) 260
Fall of wickets1-12 (Dixey), 2-37 (Sharif), 3-42 (Porterfield), 4-125 (Morris), 5-149 (Jayasuriya), 6-152 (Evans), 7-188 (Butler), 8-245 (Richards), 9-259 (Brathwaite), 10-260 (Williams)
Bowling O M R W Econ
DBL Powell 20 6 48 0 2.40 (1w)
FH Edwards 20.3 4 66 3 3.21 (8nb)
R Rampaul 3 2 3 0 1.00
JE Taylor 18 8 43 5 2.38 (1nb)
DJG Sammy 28 6 66 2 2.35
CH Gayle 3.4 1 7 0 1.90
D Ganga 1.2 0 2 0 1.50
DS Smith 5 0 12 0 2.40
West Indians 1st innings R M B 4s 6s SR
D Ganga c Dixey b Williams 47 158 100 5 0 47.00
DS Smith b Brathwaite 16 18 19 3 0 84.21
RS Morton lbw b Butler 201 268 246 27 5 81.70
SC Joseph c & b Morris 41 121 98 4 0 41.83
D Ramdin c Dixey b Brathwaite 131 209 163 16 3 80.36
DJG Sammy c Porterfield b Butler 18 13 16 4 0 112.50
JE Taylor st Dixey b Butler 35 119 94 3 0 37.23
DBL Powell b Richards 18 33 30 3 0 60.00
FH Edwards not out 7 32 14 0 1 50.00
Extras (b 10, lb 3, w 2, nb 5) 20
Total (8 wickets dec; 129.1 overs) 534
Did not bat CH Gayle, R Rampaul
Fall of wickets1-21 (Smith), 2-182 (Ganga), 3-320 (Joseph), 4-320 (Morton), 5-340 (Sammy), 6-450 (Taylor), 7-495 (Powell), 8-534 (Ramdin)
Bowling O M R W Econ
RMR Brathwaite 21.4 3 97 2 4.47 (2nb)
REM Williams 21 2 85 1 4.04 (1w)
SM Butler 29.3 7 121 3 4.10 (1w)
MA Richards 10 0 44 1 4.40 (2nb)
JC Morris 16 3 77 1 4.81
SH Choudhry 12 0 43 0 3.58
ZK Sharif 13 0 49 0 3.76 (1nb)
ST Jayasuriya 6 3 5 0 0.83
Marylebone Cricket Club 2nd innings R M B 4s 6s SR
WTS Porterfield c Ramdin b Powell 0 0 2 0 0 0.00
PG Dixey c Joseph b Sammy 17 78 48 1 0 35.41
ZK Sharif lbw b Taylor 7 43 29 1 0 24.13
LJ Evans run out 12 21 16 3 0 75.00
JC Morris c Ganga b Sammy 5 26 24 0 0 20.83
SM Butler not out 3 28 15 0 0 20.00
SH Choudhry not out 7 9 15 0 0 46.66
Extras (b 5, lb 3, nb 5) 13
Total (5 wickets; 24 overs) 64
Did not bat ST Jayasuriya, MA Richards, REM Williams, RMR Brathwaite
Fall of wickets1-0 (Porterfield), 2-22 (Sharif), 3-47 (Evans), 4-48 (Dixey), 5-54 (Morris)
Bowling O M R W Econ
DBL Powell 6 3 6 1 1.00
FH Edwards 7 0 20 0 2.85 (4nb)
JE Taylor 4 2 12 1 3.00
DJG Sammy 6 1 14 2 2.33 (1nb)
D Ganga 1 0 4 0 4.00
Marylebone Cricket Club v West Indians 2007 season
Played at Durham University Ground on 1,2,3 June 2007 (3-day match)
Result Match drawn
Marylebone Cricket Club 1st innings R M B 4s 6s SR
WTS Porterfield lbw b Taylor 21 83 61 4 0 34.42
PG Dixey c Morton b Edwards 0 34 20 0 0 0.00
ZK Sharif b Taylor 8 40 32 1 0 25.00
LJ Evans c Ramdin b Taylor 51 145 97 5 0 52.57
JC Morris c Ramdin b Taylor 30 95 84 4 0 35.71
ST Jayasuriya c Morton b Taylor 18 29 22 3 0 81.81
SM Butler b Sammy 12 68 54 2 0 22.22
SH Choudhry not out 54 186 143 7 0 37.76
MA Richards c sub b Edwards 26 107 78 2 0 33.33
RMR Brathwaite c sub b Sammy 8 13 11 1 0 72.72
REM Williams c Sammy b Edwards 1 3 4 0 0 25.00
Extras (b 9, lb 4, w 1, nb 17) 31
Total (all out; 99.3 overs) 260
Fall of wickets1-12 (Dixey), 2-37 (Sharif), 3-42 (Porterfield), 4-125 (Morris), 5-149 (Jayasuriya), 6-152 (Evans), 7-188 (Butler), 8-245 (Richards), 9-259 (Brathwaite), 10-260 (Williams)
Bowling O M R W Econ
DBL Powell 20 6 48 0 2.40 (1w)
FH Edwards 20.3 4 66 3 3.21 (8nb)
R Rampaul 3 2 3 0 1.00
JE Taylor 18 8 43 5 2.38 (1nb)
DJG Sammy 28 6 66 2 2.35
CH Gayle 3.4 1 7 0 1.90
D Ganga 1.2 0 2 0 1.50
DS Smith 5 0 12 0 2.40
West Indians 1st innings R M B 4s 6s SR
D Ganga c Dixey b Williams 47 158 100 5 0 47.00
DS Smith b Brathwaite 16 18 19 3 0 84.21
RS Morton lbw b Butler 201 268 246 27 5 81.70
SC Joseph c & b Morris 41 121 98 4 0 41.83
D Ramdin c Dixey b Brathwaite 131 209 163 16 3 80.36
DJG Sammy c Porterfield b Butler 18 13 16 4 0 112.50
JE Taylor st Dixey b Butler 35 119 94 3 0 37.23
DBL Powell b Richards 18 33 30 3 0 60.00
FH Edwards not out 7 32 14 0 1 50.00
Extras (b 10, lb 3, w 2, nb 5) 20
Total (8 wickets dec; 129.1 overs) 534
Did not bat CH Gayle, R Rampaul
Fall of wickets1-21 (Smith), 2-182 (Ganga), 3-320 (Joseph), 4-320 (Morton), 5-340 (Sammy), 6-450 (Taylor), 7-495 (Powell), 8-534 (Ramdin)
Bowling O M R W Econ
RMR Brathwaite 21.4 3 97 2 4.47 (2nb)
REM Williams 21 2 85 1 4.04 (1w)
SM Butler 29.3 7 121 3 4.10 (1w)
MA Richards 10 0 44 1 4.40 (2nb)
JC Morris 16 3 77 1 4.81
SH Choudhry 12 0 43 0 3.58
ZK Sharif 13 0 49 0 3.76 (1nb)
ST Jayasuriya 6 3 5 0 0.83
Marylebone Cricket Club 2nd innings R M B 4s 6s SR
WTS Porterfield c Ramdin b Powell 0 0 2 0 0 0.00
PG Dixey c Joseph b Sammy 17 78 48 1 0 35.41
ZK Sharif lbw b Taylor 7 43 29 1 0 24.13
LJ Evans run out 12 21 16 3 0 75.00
JC Morris c Ganga b Sammy 5 26 24 0 0 20.83
SM Butler not out 3 28 15 0 0 20.00
SH Choudhry not out 7 9 15 0 0 46.66
Extras (b 5, lb 3, nb 5) 13
Total (5 wickets; 24 overs) 64
Did not bat ST Jayasuriya, MA Richards, REM Williams, RMR Brathwaite
Fall of wickets1-0 (Porterfield), 2-22 (Sharif), 3-47 (Evans), 4-48 (Dixey), 5-54 (Morris)
Bowling O M R W Econ
DBL Powell 6 3 6 1 1.00
FH Edwards 7 0 20 0 2.85 (4nb)
JE Taylor 4 2 12 1 3.00
DJG Sammy 6 1 14 2 2.33 (1nb)
D Ganga 1 0 4 0 4.00
3rd test Eng v WI at Old Trafford
Vaughan won the toss and batted at Manchester.
Poms 1-112 (28 overs) at lunch with Cook 51* Vaughan 40*.
Windies look a little minnow-like without the great Lara. Just have average batsmen and 'useful' bowlers. No world-class players in the line-up...
Vaughan won the toss and batted at Manchester.
Poms 1-112 (28 overs) at lunch with Cook 51* Vaughan 40*.
Windies look a little minnow-like without the great Lara. Just have average batsmen and 'useful' bowlers. No world-class players in the line-up...
England 269/6 Bell 71* Plunkett 3* JE Taylor 2 for 43 CD Collymore 2 for 44
Poms beat Windies in 3rd test and lead 4 test series 2-0
These Test ICC rankings are hilarious reading. Some are correct like the bowling, but where is Gilchrist on the batting list:bash: And pietersen so high up...Dont want to offend, but has Asif or Akhtar even played a test recently after their drug 'ban'??? Murali and Ponting are the best bowler/batsmen by far, but after that, it is anyone in that list, in no specific order...
Top 15 Test batsmen with points
1 Ricky Ponting 936
2 Mohammad Yousuf 915
3 Kevin Pietersen 892
4 Kumar Sangakkara 857
5 Michael Hussey 842
6 Matthew Hayden 828
7 Jacques Kallis 820
8 Rahul Dravid 801
9 Younis Khan 789
10 Ashwell Prince 755
11 Inzamam-ul-Haq 735
12 Mahela Jayawardene 710
13 Shivnarine Chanderpaul 694
14 Alastair Cook 689
15 Stephen Fleming 674
Top 15 Test bowlers with points
1 Muttiah Muralitharan 913
2 Makhaya Ntini 856
3 Anil Kumble 730
3 Shaun Pollock 730
5 Shane Bond 722
6 Stuart Clark 720
7 Mohammad Asif 710
8 Matthew Hoggard 701
9 Corey Collymore 699
10 Shoaib Akhtar 698
11 Andrew Flintoff 687
12 Monty Panesar 671
13 Chaminda Vaas 663
14 Danish Kaneria 662
15 Brett Lee 644
These Test ICC rankings are hilarious reading. Some are correct like the bowling, but where is Gilchrist on the batting list:bash: And pietersen so high up...Dont want to offend, but has Asif or Akhtar even played a test recently after their drug 'ban'??? Murali and Ponting are the best bowler/batsmen by far, but after that, it is anyone in that list, in no specific order...
Top 15 Test batsmen with points
1 Ricky Ponting 936
2 Mohammad Yousuf 915
3 Kevin Pietersen 892
4 Kumar Sangakkara 857
5 Michael Hussey 842
6 Matthew Hayden 828
7 Jacques Kallis 820
8 Rahul Dravid 801
9 Younis Khan 789
10 Ashwell Prince 755
11 Inzamam-ul-Haq 735
12 Mahela Jayawardene 710
13 Shivnarine Chanderpaul 694
14 Alastair Cook 689
15 Stephen Fleming 674
Top 15 Test bowlers with points
1 Muttiah Muralitharan 913
2 Makhaya Ntini 856
3 Anil Kumble 730
3 Shaun Pollock 730
5 Shane Bond 722
6 Stuart Clark 720
7 Mohammad Asif 710
8 Matthew Hoggard 701
9 Corey Collymore 699
10 Shoaib Akhtar 698
11 Andrew Flintoff 687
12 Monty Panesar 671
13 Chaminda Vaas 663
14 Danish Kaneria 662
15 Brett Lee 644
So we have had all of our success with only 3 batters in the top 15 and 2 bowlers in the top 15. WOW, we should lose every test we play according to those tables :lol:
'Minnows' is the word. I am (just) old enough to remember the last windies hey day - big curtly running in on a bouncy waca pitch etc - its tragic to see the state they are in now.Vaughan won the toss and batted at Manchester.
Poms 1-112 (28 overs) at lunch with Cook 51* Vaughan 40*.
Windies look a little minnow-like without the great Lara. Just have average batsmen and 'useful' bowlers. No world-class players in the line-up...
England arent playing very good cricket just now either - with the exception of monty.
Yeah i rebut my comment SLIGHTLY. Of Chanderpaul the best WI batsmen and Collymore their best bowler, are good, but still neither really instill fear of the opposition.
And the poms are playing well considering bad form of Strauss, Harmison, Plunkett, and no Flintoff, Hoggard and suppose you could say Simon Jones and Trescothick...where are those last 2 players. even the bias commentators forget to mention those 2 players??
And the poms are playing well considering bad form of Strauss, Harmison, Plunkett, and no Flintoff, Hoggard and suppose you could say Simon Jones and Trescothick...where are those last 2 players. even the bias commentators forget to mention those 2 players??
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