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Showing posts with label Cricker Expert Opinions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cricker Expert Opinions. Show all posts
Thursday, 13 August 2009
Most successful people are dreamers
Javagal Srinath
Most successful people are dreamers, for that is where it all starts. Younis Khan too had a dream, right from the beginning of the World T20, that of giving something back to the troubled people back home, somewhat like Imran Khan in 1992 when he dedicated Pakistans World Cup triumph to a cancer hospital he intended to then build. When these dreams extend beyond cricket, maybe there is some sort of divine intervention that takes place.
Of course, this is not to say that it was kindness from up above that alone led to Pakistans success. Whenever we see a team do really well, as Pakistan certainly did in England, there has to be case of a good blend of seniors with at least a couple of youngsters. In this case it has to be Mohammad Aamir, the 17-year-old left-arm quick and Shazaid Hasan, the opening bat, who solved the Ajantha Mendis mystery clobbering him for two fours in the bowlers second over in the final.
Aamir, for his part, may have been bowling to a plan but it was the execution that was vital. His first over dismissal of Dilshan as also the subsequent fall of four more wickets in the first ten overs were blows the Lankans had no hope of recovering from. Aamirs rise is just another example of Pakistan having this unique ability to produce quicks out of thin air almost.
Any player who comes through a World Cup takes a lot of confidence going forward, with the foundation for greater things to come having been laid. In that sense Pakistan can look forward to more heroics from the likes of Aamir and Shazaid.
They cannot depend on their inspirational skipper Younis though for any more contributions in the T20 format. It takes a lot for someone from the sub-continent to call it a day as there are so many more factors involved than say for someone from outside the sub-continent but Younis has always been different. He has repeatedly expressed his reluctance to lead Pakistan, his inherent honesty enabling him to tell it like it is. Younis has actually been refreshingly honest in his dealings with the media, the selectors and the establishment, showing what a confident man he is, confident about his abilities and his standing.
That he also made it a point throughout to remember Bob Woolmer, his late mentor and coach, shows what a tremendous character Younis is and will be. His retirement from T20 even if he is yet to be 32, could not be better timed, for there is no better a time to go than when you are on top of the world. It is something not totally unexpected of a man like Younis and hes set a tremendous example, an apt precedent for others to follow.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
Most successful people are dreamers, for that is where it all starts. Younis Khan too had a dream, right from the beginning of the World T20, that of giving something back to the troubled people back home, somewhat like Imran Khan in 1992 when he dedicated Pakistans World Cup triumph to a cancer hospital he intended to then build. When these dreams extend beyond cricket, maybe there is some sort of divine intervention that takes place.
Of course, this is not to say that it was kindness from up above that alone led to Pakistans success. Whenever we see a team do really well, as Pakistan certainly did in England, there has to be case of a good blend of seniors with at least a couple of youngsters. In this case it has to be Mohammad Aamir, the 17-year-old left-arm quick and Shazaid Hasan, the opening bat, who solved the Ajantha Mendis mystery clobbering him for two fours in the bowlers second over in the final.
Aamir, for his part, may have been bowling to a plan but it was the execution that was vital. His first over dismissal of Dilshan as also the subsequent fall of four more wickets in the first ten overs were blows the Lankans had no hope of recovering from. Aamirs rise is just another example of Pakistan having this unique ability to produce quicks out of thin air almost.
Any player who comes through a World Cup takes a lot of confidence going forward, with the foundation for greater things to come having been laid. In that sense Pakistan can look forward to more heroics from the likes of Aamir and Shazaid.
They cannot depend on their inspirational skipper Younis though for any more contributions in the T20 format. It takes a lot for someone from the sub-continent to call it a day as there are so many more factors involved than say for someone from outside the sub-continent but Younis has always been different. He has repeatedly expressed his reluctance to lead Pakistan, his inherent honesty enabling him to tell it like it is. Younis has actually been refreshingly honest in his dealings with the media, the selectors and the establishment, showing what a confident man he is, confident about his abilities and his standing.
That he also made it a point throughout to remember Bob Woolmer, his late mentor and coach, shows what a tremendous character Younis is and will be. His retirement from T20 even if he is yet to be 32, could not be better timed, for there is no better a time to go than when you are on top of the world. It is something not totally unexpected of a man like Younis and hes set a tremendous example, an apt precedent for others to follow.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
A good team into a great one
Anil Kumble
A lot of people may have been surprised to see Pakistan finish on top of the world but that sort of puzzles me. After all they were finalists in the inaugural Word T20 as well, narrowly going down to India in the final. Yes, they were a bit rusty coming into the tournament but that also meant they were fresh and hungry for success. Also this Pakistan team is very experienced in terms of their batting, with only India and South Africa running them close on those terms.
It was always a case of getting the balance right for Younis Khan and with the coming of Abdur Razzaq, a lot of his problems were solved as he could keep back Umar Gull for the second half of the innings. The two spinners Saeed Ajmal, whose doosra was hardly picked, and Shahid Afridi, as also the promising pacer Mohammed Aamer, whose snaring Dilshan in the opening over was a blow Sri Lanka never really recovered from on Sunday, were consistent right through the tournament.
In fact it was the two sides whose bowling grew from strength to strength that played the final, showing that bowlers do have a part to play in T20 cricket. Batsmen will continue to win you more matches but the bowlers are no longer mere props. They have figured out what it takes to do well in this format, added more variety and held their nerve while going for wickets too rather than just trying to be defensive.
Of course, batsmen have come up with further innovations, like the one executed by Dilshan. Had the tournaments highest scorer got going in the final, we would have had a different story. His very early dismissal added to the pressure of a final and the Lankans were caught out. Sangakkara played a captains knock and with the forever improving Angelo Mathews did manage to take his side to a respectable total in the end.
It always was an uphill task though, more so when Pakistan got to nearly 50 without losing a wicket. Then Afridi, who before the game against New Zealand where he made a quick 20-odd, hadnt exactly put bat to ball, played like a seasoned pro to see his side home in the company of Shoaib Malik. Everything came together for Pakistan at the right time, why even their fielding picked up, and they ran away to a deserved triumph.
Overall too the tournament was a success. For me the finds of the tournament were Lendl Simmons, the top-order batsman from the West Indies and Wayne Parnell, the young South African quick. Also Dilshans consistency with the bat, a rare thing in this format when the batsmen are under pressure to hit each and every ball, was amazing. Add Ajmals guile and Gulls second great run in as many World T20s, and the tournament can be termed an unqualified success.
One other factor that stood out in the tournament was South Africas experiment with spin. That they found two spinners who could squeeze their opponents, makes them a more all-round team. Now they will be able to challenge any team in any condition and thats what makes a good team into a great one.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
A lot of people may have been surprised to see Pakistan finish on top of the world but that sort of puzzles me. After all they were finalists in the inaugural Word T20 as well, narrowly going down to India in the final. Yes, they were a bit rusty coming into the tournament but that also meant they were fresh and hungry for success. Also this Pakistan team is very experienced in terms of their batting, with only India and South Africa running them close on those terms.
It was always a case of getting the balance right for Younis Khan and with the coming of Abdur Razzaq, a lot of his problems were solved as he could keep back Umar Gull for the second half of the innings. The two spinners Saeed Ajmal, whose doosra was hardly picked, and Shahid Afridi, as also the promising pacer Mohammed Aamer, whose snaring Dilshan in the opening over was a blow Sri Lanka never really recovered from on Sunday, were consistent right through the tournament.
In fact it was the two sides whose bowling grew from strength to strength that played the final, showing that bowlers do have a part to play in T20 cricket. Batsmen will continue to win you more matches but the bowlers are no longer mere props. They have figured out what it takes to do well in this format, added more variety and held their nerve while going for wickets too rather than just trying to be defensive.
Of course, batsmen have come up with further innovations, like the one executed by Dilshan. Had the tournaments highest scorer got going in the final, we would have had a different story. His very early dismissal added to the pressure of a final and the Lankans were caught out. Sangakkara played a captains knock and with the forever improving Angelo Mathews did manage to take his side to a respectable total in the end.
It always was an uphill task though, more so when Pakistan got to nearly 50 without losing a wicket. Then Afridi, who before the game against New Zealand where he made a quick 20-odd, hadnt exactly put bat to ball, played like a seasoned pro to see his side home in the company of Shoaib Malik. Everything came together for Pakistan at the right time, why even their fielding picked up, and they ran away to a deserved triumph.
Overall too the tournament was a success. For me the finds of the tournament were Lendl Simmons, the top-order batsman from the West Indies and Wayne Parnell, the young South African quick. Also Dilshans consistency with the bat, a rare thing in this format when the batsmen are under pressure to hit each and every ball, was amazing. Add Ajmals guile and Gulls second great run in as many World T20s, and the tournament can be termed an unqualified success.
One other factor that stood out in the tournament was South Africas experiment with spin. That they found two spinners who could squeeze their opponents, makes them a more all-round team. Now they will be able to challenge any team in any condition and thats what makes a good team into a great one.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
It must have surprised the cricket world to see two Asian teams reach the finals
By Javagal Srinath
It must have surprised the cricket world to see two Asian teams reach the finals. What’s more intriguing is that India winning 2007 ICC T20 world cup 2007 and now another subcontinent team on the verge of winning. Ironically, the T20 format was invented in England; tried and tested in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa much before India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, who are now poised to be the champions. It is interesting to delve deeper into the phenomenon of Asian countries adapting to this format better than anybody else. I will reason out the urgency and brevity of this format which has made this game more creative and hence suitable for the Asian bloc.
This game dominated by batsmen, strategies has called for ignoring the copybook style of cricket. Innovations like Cross bat shots, switch hits, scoop over the wicketkeeper are in. Defence, straight ball defence, body behind the ball, straight elbow and other traditional cricketing shots are out.
Creativity, Innovations and flair come naturally to the Asian batsmen. This may have lots to do with coaching styles everywhere. Coaches who never subscribed for creative shots will have to think beyond the coaching manuals. Traditional coaches at the grass root levels will have to differentiate techniques for varying cricketing formats. With T20 format being a huge success, the existing coaching books will have to undergo some serious changes.
In the sub-continents children are exposed to all kinds of cricket, school cricket, club cricket and largely gully cricket or tennis balls cricket. The tennis ball cricket is devoid of any coaching allowing the batsmen to innovate all kinds of strokes thus keeping creativity at its best. Technique and discipline are enforced only when they start playing the longer versions of the game imitating test matches and one-day internationals. At the same time rest of the world are seemingly caught up with structured and methodical way of introducing kids into cricket coaching. I guess Tennis ball cricket devoid of all coaching in some ways could be seen as the most natural way of playing the game without any influences or pre-conceive ideas. May be this is one dimension that the subcontinent players are able to invoke in T20 format to be ahead of the others.
Looking into the first Semis, if Afridi appeared largely responsible for Pakistan storming into the finals, it was Umar Gul’s Yorkers which made the difference in the end. Operating Umar Gul on the 17th and 19th over was a great bit of captaincy. Younis resisting to bring the main strike bowler Gul, till the fag end of the innings paid rich dividends. Bowling Yorkers take as lot out of a bowler. Gul, repeating Yorkers after yorkers with deadly accuracy, was my man of the match.
It is hard to be both creative and consistent but Dilshan has mastered his innovations. Dilshan was solely responsible for Sri Lanka’s win over West Indies in the second semi-finals. When rest of the batsmen struggled to score even double figures, Dilshan scored with ease only to reflect the confidence of the individual.
Looking into the finals, Pakistan team could be a dangerous team but Sri-Lanka is a brilliant side. Although finals could be any body’s game, majority feel Srilanka has the edge.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
It must have surprised the cricket world to see two Asian teams reach the finals. What’s more intriguing is that India winning 2007 ICC T20 world cup 2007 and now another subcontinent team on the verge of winning. Ironically, the T20 format was invented in England; tried and tested in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa much before India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, who are now poised to be the champions. It is interesting to delve deeper into the phenomenon of Asian countries adapting to this format better than anybody else. I will reason out the urgency and brevity of this format which has made this game more creative and hence suitable for the Asian bloc.
This game dominated by batsmen, strategies has called for ignoring the copybook style of cricket. Innovations like Cross bat shots, switch hits, scoop over the wicketkeeper are in. Defence, straight ball defence, body behind the ball, straight elbow and other traditional cricketing shots are out.
Creativity, Innovations and flair come naturally to the Asian batsmen. This may have lots to do with coaching styles everywhere. Coaches who never subscribed for creative shots will have to think beyond the coaching manuals. Traditional coaches at the grass root levels will have to differentiate techniques for varying cricketing formats. With T20 format being a huge success, the existing coaching books will have to undergo some serious changes.
In the sub-continents children are exposed to all kinds of cricket, school cricket, club cricket and largely gully cricket or tennis balls cricket. The tennis ball cricket is devoid of any coaching allowing the batsmen to innovate all kinds of strokes thus keeping creativity at its best. Technique and discipline are enforced only when they start playing the longer versions of the game imitating test matches and one-day internationals. At the same time rest of the world are seemingly caught up with structured and methodical way of introducing kids into cricket coaching. I guess Tennis ball cricket devoid of all coaching in some ways could be seen as the most natural way of playing the game without any influences or pre-conceive ideas. May be this is one dimension that the subcontinent players are able to invoke in T20 format to be ahead of the others.
Looking into the first Semis, if Afridi appeared largely responsible for Pakistan storming into the finals, it was Umar Gul’s Yorkers which made the difference in the end. Operating Umar Gul on the 17th and 19th over was a great bit of captaincy. Younis resisting to bring the main strike bowler Gul, till the fag end of the innings paid rich dividends. Bowling Yorkers take as lot out of a bowler. Gul, repeating Yorkers after yorkers with deadly accuracy, was my man of the match.
It is hard to be both creative and consistent but Dilshan has mastered his innovations. Dilshan was solely responsible for Sri Lanka’s win over West Indies in the second semi-finals. When rest of the batsmen struggled to score even double figures, Dilshan scored with ease only to reflect the confidence of the individual.
Looking into the finals, Pakistan team could be a dangerous team but Sri-Lanka is a brilliant side. Although finals could be any body’s game, majority feel Srilanka has the edge.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
An interesting battle ahead
Anil Kumble
A fresh pitch awaits the two finalists (four actually) at Lords on Sunday as also a sizzling atmosphere. It is rare indeed for any sport to see a mens and womens final played at the same venue and on the same day, but that is what T20 cricket is all about, expecting the unexpected. While Pakistan and Sri Lanka would no doubt be delighted to take each other on in the final, the women from Australia and England would regard it a great honour to be able to play at Lords and that too in such a high-profile event.
How the West Indies would have loved to be part of it all. Poor Chris Gayle, he was forced to stand and watch the destruction of his team from the other end. When a team that has opted to chase loses as many as three wickets in the very first over, there is very little that can be done by way of recovery.
It wasnt a typical Oval pitch that the second semifinal was played on, its two-paced nature making the batsmen wary, but the Lankans exploited it best. Dilshan is in the form of his life and his buckling down to the task and batting all the way through, made the task of the bowlers that much easier.
That though has been the way the tournament has gone thus far for Sri Lanka and Pakistan. For both sides, it is the bowling that has really shone and defending totals of just over 150 has been made to look easy. That said, both teams like to set the target, which makes toss so crucial to their plans.
The two finalists have an unnerving sameness to their purpose. Both havent won any major title since 1992 and 1996, when Pakistan first and Lanka next, won the bigger World Cup (the Lankans were joint winners in the Champions Trophy once in between). Both were finalists in World Cups in 2007 (Lanka in the Caribbean and Pakistan in South Africa in the inaugural World T20), making it a case of so near, yet so far.
On Sunday though, one of them has to win and end the title drought. And once again it is the bowlers who will hold the key. Should the team batting first manage a score in the region of 150, a handy total in any game but more so in a final, the chase will be very, very tough. But the defense of a lower total cannot be ruled out, making for a thriller.
For Pakistan, the return of Abdur Razzaq has changed the dynamics of the side. They now have an experienced bowler at the top of the attack. Also Razzaqs prowess with the bat in the late middle order means Shahid Afridi can bat in the top-order without the side losing too much firepower later on. The form of Afridi, now with bat and ball, as also people like Gull and Ajmal, is a great bonus to have.
The Lankans didnt make it to the final without having enough of their own men in form. They are top heavy in the batting but someone or the other has held the innings together, like Dilshan did on Friday, and that has allowed the posting of decent totals.
The Lankan bowling, like that of the Pakistanis, has great variety and class, making for an interesting battle ahead.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
A fresh pitch awaits the two finalists (four actually) at Lords on Sunday as also a sizzling atmosphere. It is rare indeed for any sport to see a mens and womens final played at the same venue and on the same day, but that is what T20 cricket is all about, expecting the unexpected. While Pakistan and Sri Lanka would no doubt be delighted to take each other on in the final, the women from Australia and England would regard it a great honour to be able to play at Lords and that too in such a high-profile event.
How the West Indies would have loved to be part of it all. Poor Chris Gayle, he was forced to stand and watch the destruction of his team from the other end. When a team that has opted to chase loses as many as three wickets in the very first over, there is very little that can be done by way of recovery.
It wasnt a typical Oval pitch that the second semifinal was played on, its two-paced nature making the batsmen wary, but the Lankans exploited it best. Dilshan is in the form of his life and his buckling down to the task and batting all the way through, made the task of the bowlers that much easier.
That though has been the way the tournament has gone thus far for Sri Lanka and Pakistan. For both sides, it is the bowling that has really shone and defending totals of just over 150 has been made to look easy. That said, both teams like to set the target, which makes toss so crucial to their plans.
The two finalists have an unnerving sameness to their purpose. Both havent won any major title since 1992 and 1996, when Pakistan first and Lanka next, won the bigger World Cup (the Lankans were joint winners in the Champions Trophy once in between). Both were finalists in World Cups in 2007 (Lanka in the Caribbean and Pakistan in South Africa in the inaugural World T20), making it a case of so near, yet so far.
On Sunday though, one of them has to win and end the title drought. And once again it is the bowlers who will hold the key. Should the team batting first manage a score in the region of 150, a handy total in any game but more so in a final, the chase will be very, very tough. But the defense of a lower total cannot be ruled out, making for a thriller.
For Pakistan, the return of Abdur Razzaq has changed the dynamics of the side. They now have an experienced bowler at the top of the attack. Also Razzaqs prowess with the bat in the late middle order means Shahid Afridi can bat in the top-order without the side losing too much firepower later on. The form of Afridi, now with bat and ball, as also people like Gull and Ajmal, is a great bonus to have.
The Lankans didnt make it to the final without having enough of their own men in form. They are top heavy in the batting but someone or the other has held the innings together, like Dilshan did on Friday, and that has allowed the posting of decent totals.
The Lankan bowling, like that of the Pakistanis, has great variety and class, making for an interesting battle ahead.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
Murali, Mendis and Malinga must rate amongst the most creative
Mickey Arthur
I said before the semi final that were not afraid of defeat but were afraid of not performing. Well, we performed as well as Pakistan allowed us to and therefore credit must be given where it is due.
Many people thought Shahid Afridis best batting days were behind him, that he had perhaps become an exceptional one-day spinner capable of whacking a few boundaries from number eight. He certainly hadnt looked very threatening with the bat in the tournament up until Thursday.
But he asked Younis Khan to promote him and he responded with a tremendous series of hits which put us under early pressure. Sure, he chanced his arm and enjoyed some luck but how many times have we said that everyone needs some luck to be successful ijn this format?
Very few people realise how much talent and skill it takes for a bowler like Umar Gul to bowl as many perfect yorkers in the block-hole as he does, let alone how much talent and power it takes to try and hit them for four or six! Once again, he was outstanding against us and has played a key role in Pakistans journey to the final.
We fought back well with the ball and 150 was an attainable target. We had a plan, a good plan, and we remained calm at every stage. We bowled and fielded well, and then rebuilt the innings in tremendous style with Jacques and J-P Duminy.
Only the final part of the plan failed the acceleration in the final five or six overs. Sure, it wasnt J-Ps day and nothing seemed to find the middle of his bat not for want of trying. Jacques made 60 off 50 balls which is exactly what you want from an opening batsmen chasing 150 but, with the big hitting Albie Morkel and Mark Boucher padded up and raring to go from as early as the tenth over, it was particularly hard on J-P because he backs himself and rightly so in those situations. It was just a rare, bad day!
But we have had an incredible season and we still regard ourselves as being at the forefront of international cricket and one of the most consistent teams across all three versions of the game. We will take a well deserved holiday now but, in just a couple of months time we have another chance to win an ICC tournament the Champions Trophy - and it will be on home soil, too. We will be raring to go.
Pakistan deserve their place in Sunday's final but, at this stage, I would have to go with the Sri Lanka as the favourites - if they get past the West Indies - purely because of the 'triple-M' factor. Murali, Mendis and Malinga must rate amongst the most creative, different and dangerous trios of bowlers ever to line up in an international team. I will be watching with interest - from South Africa!
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
I said before the semi final that were not afraid of defeat but were afraid of not performing. Well, we performed as well as Pakistan allowed us to and therefore credit must be given where it is due.
Many people thought Shahid Afridis best batting days were behind him, that he had perhaps become an exceptional one-day spinner capable of whacking a few boundaries from number eight. He certainly hadnt looked very threatening with the bat in the tournament up until Thursday.
But he asked Younis Khan to promote him and he responded with a tremendous series of hits which put us under early pressure. Sure, he chanced his arm and enjoyed some luck but how many times have we said that everyone needs some luck to be successful ijn this format?
Very few people realise how much talent and skill it takes for a bowler like Umar Gul to bowl as many perfect yorkers in the block-hole as he does, let alone how much talent and power it takes to try and hit them for four or six! Once again, he was outstanding against us and has played a key role in Pakistans journey to the final.
We fought back well with the ball and 150 was an attainable target. We had a plan, a good plan, and we remained calm at every stage. We bowled and fielded well, and then rebuilt the innings in tremendous style with Jacques and J-P Duminy.
Only the final part of the plan failed the acceleration in the final five or six overs. Sure, it wasnt J-Ps day and nothing seemed to find the middle of his bat not for want of trying. Jacques made 60 off 50 balls which is exactly what you want from an opening batsmen chasing 150 but, with the big hitting Albie Morkel and Mark Boucher padded up and raring to go from as early as the tenth over, it was particularly hard on J-P because he backs himself and rightly so in those situations. It was just a rare, bad day!
But we have had an incredible season and we still regard ourselves as being at the forefront of international cricket and one of the most consistent teams across all three versions of the game. We will take a well deserved holiday now but, in just a couple of months time we have another chance to win an ICC tournament the Champions Trophy - and it will be on home soil, too. We will be raring to go.
Pakistan deserve their place in Sunday's final but, at this stage, I would have to go with the Sri Lanka as the favourites - if they get past the West Indies - purely because of the 'triple-M' factor. Murali, Mendis and Malinga must rate amongst the most creative, different and dangerous trios of bowlers ever to line up in an international team. I will be watching with interest - from South Africa!
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
The Oval is the place to be on Friday
Anil Kumble
The Oval is the place to be on Friday as I expect a real contest between the West Indies and Sri Lanka in the second semifinal of the World T20. The Windies will take the confidence of some really good results in the past at this venue, The Oval being their favourite ground in England. They did lose their last match here, to South Africa, but they ran them close and the difference was basically the fine bowling of young Parnell.
Chris Gayle, their skipper, hasnt fired since he sent Australia out of the tournament, but that means hes due for a big one. Maybe Friday will be his day, at least the Windies will be hoping so. The Windies though arent the one-man army they were thought to be when the tournament began. The experienced trio of Sarwan, Chanderpaul and Bravo has delivered as has Lendl Simmons, the Windies find of the tournament. Simmons had a none-too-impressive time in the series against England but in this tournament hes shown really good skill and I am certainly impressed with what he has to offer.
In fact in their Group match against the Sri Lankans, an inconsequential one as both teams had already qualified for the Super 8s, Simmons handled the Lankan spinners well, using the sweep, conventional and reverse, to good effect.
The Sri Lankans though, have grown from strength to strength and in the three Ms, Malinga, Murali and Mendis, they have a threesome who can defend most totals. Their batting may a little more varied in the sense there is only M involved, Mahela, but everything depends on how the top four of Dilshan, Jayasuriya, Sangakkara and Mahela go.
It is a top-heavy batting line-up and the Windies bowlers would have done their job if they were to get Sangakkara and Mahela batting in the first six overs. It all depends on which Windies attack turns up on the day. If they come out all aggression, as they did against India, their cause would be best served. They must try and bounce Sanath out early as the Lankan, who is a big match player, will take charge otherwise. Hes got to be unsettled with pace and bounce. Dilshan, on the other hand, can use the pace well, so the bowlers must mix it up.
It is this bounce that is normally available at The Oval that Sri Lanka must also take into consideration when they pick their eleven. I would like Maharoof to come in to the side in place of Udana, who had a fair game at Nottingham against the Kiwis, but then that was all but a typical Lankan pitch. Maharoof, with his height, can extract more bounce and should be preferred to Kulashekara too, who relies more on swing and the ability to skid the ball off the surface. Maharoof can also strengthen the lower middle order for the Lankans with his batting. Finally his greater experience should help in a high-pressure game like a semifinal always is.
Overall, despite Lankas all-win record thus far in the tournament, if I had to make a call, I would put it 55-45 in favour of the Windies, simply because the match is at The Oval.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
The Oval is the place to be on Friday as I expect a real contest between the West Indies and Sri Lanka in the second semifinal of the World T20. The Windies will take the confidence of some really good results in the past at this venue, The Oval being their favourite ground in England. They did lose their last match here, to South Africa, but they ran them close and the difference was basically the fine bowling of young Parnell.
Chris Gayle, their skipper, hasnt fired since he sent Australia out of the tournament, but that means hes due for a big one. Maybe Friday will be his day, at least the Windies will be hoping so. The Windies though arent the one-man army they were thought to be when the tournament began. The experienced trio of Sarwan, Chanderpaul and Bravo has delivered as has Lendl Simmons, the Windies find of the tournament. Simmons had a none-too-impressive time in the series against England but in this tournament hes shown really good skill and I am certainly impressed with what he has to offer.
In fact in their Group match against the Sri Lankans, an inconsequential one as both teams had already qualified for the Super 8s, Simmons handled the Lankan spinners well, using the sweep, conventional and reverse, to good effect.
The Sri Lankans though, have grown from strength to strength and in the three Ms, Malinga, Murali and Mendis, they have a threesome who can defend most totals. Their batting may a little more varied in the sense there is only M involved, Mahela, but everything depends on how the top four of Dilshan, Jayasuriya, Sangakkara and Mahela go.
It is a top-heavy batting line-up and the Windies bowlers would have done their job if they were to get Sangakkara and Mahela batting in the first six overs. It all depends on which Windies attack turns up on the day. If they come out all aggression, as they did against India, their cause would be best served. They must try and bounce Sanath out early as the Lankan, who is a big match player, will take charge otherwise. Hes got to be unsettled with pace and bounce. Dilshan, on the other hand, can use the pace well, so the bowlers must mix it up.
It is this bounce that is normally available at The Oval that Sri Lanka must also take into consideration when they pick their eleven. I would like Maharoof to come in to the side in place of Udana, who had a fair game at Nottingham against the Kiwis, but then that was all but a typical Lankan pitch. Maharoof, with his height, can extract more bounce and should be preferred to Kulashekara too, who relies more on swing and the ability to skid the ball off the surface. Maharoof can also strengthen the lower middle order for the Lankans with his batting. Finally his greater experience should help in a high-pressure game like a semifinal always is.
Overall, despite Lankas all-win record thus far in the tournament, if I had to make a call, I would put it 55-45 in favour of the Windies, simply because the match is at The Oval.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
An interesting piece of news
By Javagal Srinath
This morning I woke to see an interesting piece of news circulating on Dhoni. The news read “Javagal Srinath blames Dhoni’s media handling for the T 20 exit”. Generally one would want to know from where did this quote came from. Before even looking for who was responsible for such frivolous reporting, I knew I wouldn’t get the name of the reporter or even that one news agency from where this news has originated. All I could manage to get was “agency report”. Such news will never have proper coordinates for obvious credibility reasons. This is another classical example of “coward reporting” taking advantage of the situation. At the back drop of the India’s T20 exit, any news that too an ex- cricketer ridiculing skipper Dhoni gains momentum. This is an old practice and will remain to be an integral part of news journalism. So be it. I am not trying to serve a rejoinder through my columns, but only remind people that yellow journalism has value too.
At the press conference, Dhoni was humble and straight forward. He was honest and spoke not only about the Indian batsmen’s inability to cope short pitch but also his own form which wasn’t the best. He also went further to say sorry for the defeat. Somehow I felt Seeking apology for defeats is not a good practice. I understand if the team is doing badly for awhile, such lines may sound good but when the team is at the top, odd defeat is part of the game.
Back to the analysis, Gary Kirsten has lots on his plate all of a sudden. The short pitch problem has struck the Indian batting again. I felt the short pitch was only useful in the test matches and had lost its effectiveness in the short format of the game. To my disbelief, the same short pitch has come back to haunt the Indian batsmen that too in the shortest format of the game. The effectiveness of the short pitch balls is a combination of the wicket and the capability of a bowler.
The English coaches and the bowlers must have taken the cues from Fidel Edwards bowling in previous game. They very soon realised that short pitch aimed at the Indian batsmen not only created dot balls but also opened up the possibility of taking wickets. They bowled more than 3 short balls in an over playing well within the rules of the game. Indian batsmen predominantly good on the front foot, were found wanting when pushed on the back foot. I was quite amazed to see the diagram where more than 45% of the balls were pitched short in length. Suresh Raina problem with short pitch is just like any other batsmen who cannot play spin with ease. The challenge for Suresh Raina is to sort out the short pitch issues without losing his core front foot batting strengths.
Finally, it was quite evident that short pitched ball was the one which led to the defeat and not Dhoni’s love hate relationship with the press.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
Sunday was certainly one of the worst ground fielding days for Indian team
By Anil Kumble
Sunday was certainly one of the worst ground fielding days for the Indian team. Too many runs were given away and when you add extras to it, it doesnt help. In any format, extras cost you but in the T20 format, you pay extra. Twice there were five wides, that too by the spinners and that eventually hurt India.
The team, I felt, was a bit uptight, not the free-look Indian team we have got used to seeing. You could see it as they walked in, perhaps the burden of expectations was weighing them down.
This though is a team sport and you cannot put a finger on any one person for the failure. It is such a quick paced game that you have to trust your instincts when you need to take certain decisions. Most times they come off, which is why this team has been successful in the past, when it doesnt, you have to accept that and carry on.
It certainly was a game Indian should have won but these things happen. And you have to give credit to the English team, especially their bowlers. They peppered the Indians with short-pitched stuff and pegged them back. They say Indians dont play the short ball well, let me assure you that no one does. But in this case, with runs being the only aim, and so with ducking and weaving not being an option, the batsmen had to play their shots off the short stuff, leaving them vulnerable on a pitch where the ball didnt come on quick enough. Rohit Sharmad dismissal was a classic example of that, he had finished his shot before the ball had fully arrived.
Basically it was good execution of their plans by the English and not just poor shot selection by the Indians. Perhaps, going by hindsight at least, Yuvraj Singh should have come in at four. Hes been in tremendous touch after all.
Overall though, it came down to the fielding. Had they saved more runs to start with, the chase would have been simpler. Also the England batting is mostly about Kevin Pietersen. He clicked and the Indians lost.
All is not lost though. I can understand the feelings of the fans and sympathize with them. After all this was a World Cup waiting to be won and no loss in a World Cup goes down well but you need to have faith in this team. This is the same team that has been producing great results over the past two years, in all formats but especially in the shorter ones and they will be back to winning ways.
Sport is such that one team has to lose each day. Perhaps it was the pressure of being the defending champions that got to the Indians finally. I have been in World Cup losses myself and I can assure you that each one of the team members will be as disappointed as you but everyone will have to put the disappointment aside and move on.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
I still havent quite accepted that we are now definitely in the semi finals!
By Mickey Arthur
We have taken nothing for granted at any stage of the tournament and perhaps the habit has become difficult to shake because I still havent quite accepted that we are now definitely in the semi finals!
I thought we were, but I have been informed that there is a 100-1 chance that a series of highly unlikely events could still see us eliminated. If we lose very heavily in the final Super Eight match against India on Tuesday, and all the other fixtures work out, then it seems it is possible that we could still fail.
It doesnt matter. The team will be motivated to beat India for one very good reason. Two years ago, when India eliminated us from the first ICC World Twenty20 on our home turf, we werent only hurt by the result but by the celebrations we encountered from the opposition.
It can be easy to allow the triumphant moment to get the better of you, but we felt that India may have deliberately rubbed our noses in the result. Good grace in victory is as important as accepting defeat with pride intact, but we felt on that occasion that India could have done more to celebrate with some respect for the vanquished.
We spoke about it afterwards and, in the pain of defeat, we reminded ourselves that sport has a habit of turning full circle. Tuesday might, possibly, give us the opportunity to repay the compliment. If that happens, there wont be any outrageous euphoria from us. Certainly not in public, anyway, and not within sight of the Indian players.
Purely practically, of course, there is an even greater reason for wanting victory against India. If we can eliminate them at this stage of the tournament then we significantly increase our chances of winning the tournament because they remain one of the most potent forces in T20 cricket!
There has been so much talk about the element of chance in T20 cricket. Many players still say that anything can happen, but South Africa has now won six T20 Internationals in a row which suggests it is not a lottery as some people still believe.
All I have said is that a single, brilliant performance from an individual can swing a match but the skill is to stop that performance from happening, or at least limit the damage. I subscribe to the theory that anything can happen in T20 cricket and that anything is more likely in T20 cricket than other forms of the game. But I also believe that good preparation and planning can reduce the odds of an upset.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
Sunday, 14 June 2009
South Africa to advance into the semis
By Anil Kumble
When the Indians go in to their second Super 8s match at Lords on Sunday, they can do so knowing that they were in a similar hole in the last T2 World Cup, got out of it and eventually won the trophy. In South Africa they had lost to New Zealand and had to beat England and South Africa to advance into the semis and they have to do just that again in the UK.
There is always some amount of confidence that you take into a match from history but you also know that history doesnt repeat itself and it is up to the team to recall and repeat their heroics. They have to play freely though and not allow the defeat to the West Indies to linger and make them desperate, in which case the basics tend to get displaced.
There was nothing wrong with the basics of Dwayne Bravo on Friday, that is for sure. What a strong hand the young man played, both with bat and ball. Normally when he comes in, Bravo tends to favour the slog over mid-wicket but on Friday he looked to play straight. Most of his shots were genuine cricketing shots and right through the tournament hes played the spinners best.
I thought the plan against Chris Gayle worked very well. They mixed it up nicely to him and with Harbhajans first over frustrating him no end, something had to give. However, I think the Indians missed a trick by not bowling enough short-pitched balls, in stark contrast to the Windies bowlers, who came in hard and dug it in.
The problems for the Indians began with the dismissal of Rohit Sharma and compounded when they lost two more wickets for next to nothing and all within the first five overs. There was a period of consolidation but the first shot that Dhoni played in an attempt to free the shackles, he was gone. Another day, another 2-3 yards to the left or right and Dhoni would have been away.
The issue is that once you have taken time to get in, you have to bat through, at least until the 18th or 19th over. That didnt happen with Dhoni but thankfully Yuvraj was there. Yuvraj was brilliant in the middle overs. He is someone who backs himself and understands the importance of hitting boundaries at the start of the over. The West Indies were fortunate to have got him in the 17th over. Another two overs from him and India would have got to 160-165, which would have been the par score, given that the Windies bat deep and all their batsmen, including the impressive Lendl Simmons are natural strokemakers.
Indias opponents on Sunday, England may not bat that deep but the dangerman will be Kevin Pietersen, as also Ravi Bopara at the top. As the host nation, England will be under huge pressure and that it something for the Indians to exploit. I have a feeling that whoever loses this match could well be out of the tournament and so the teams have everything to play for.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
Excitement builds, what a tournament
By Mickey Arthur
The only downside to this tournament, as far as I can see, is that there is no time to enjoy your successes! Im just joking we had at least 20 minutes to savour our opening Super Eight victory against England at Trent Bridge on Thursday.
There was a lot to be pleased about. Graeme and I have spoken repeatedly about the need to start T20 matches with maximum intensity rather than build towards a peak as you do in other forms of the game, and thats exactly what we did against the host nation.
Dale Steyn took a wicket in the first over and Wayne Parnell claimed another in the second over and England were suddenly 4-2. But with Kevin Pietersen at the crease, we knew we didnt have control of the game.
It took a brilliant catch by Roelof van der Merwe to get rid of him and, from that moment on, Graeme knew that he could take control of the game and dominate. We were ruthless with the ball and equally unforgiving in the field. Graeme kept the in-fielders saving one rather than saving boundaries, as is often the case at the beginning and end of an innings, and England had no answer.
We talk often about maintaing South Africas traditional skill in the field and ability to suffocate batsmen by starving them of runs and forcing them to take risks and make mistakes, and Englands innings was a great example of that.
Enough of that. Its time to move forward and focus on Saturdays game against the West Indies. If we win, we qualify for the semi finals before our final game against India on Tuesday. If we lose, we could face the prospect of having to beat India to reach the last four. I have no doubt that we would rise to that challenge, but I would prefer to take the easier route.
The players have been fantastic at focussing on the next game, taking the tournament one step at a time, but as coach its my job to look ahead and plan. I see Sri Lanka as a very dangerous team because of their bowling strength and New Zealand, despite their injury problems, are a tremendous threat.
But if India and South Africa qualify for the semi finals, then we will not face each other and would only meet again in the final. But there is much to do before that even becomes a possibility. As well as both teams are playing, a stumble can happen at any time. India have already suffered a setback with the loss of Viru but there are plenty more match-winners to take his place.
Finally, a word about 19-year-old Wayne Parnell. Ever since he joined the squad he has grown incredibly quickly as a cricketer and a person and he has the potential to become a world force. Wonderful as he has been with the new ball and at the death of the innings, most people probably dont realise that he is, in fact, a genuine all rounder. Maybe he is the ace up our sleeve to make a difference at some stage.
The excitement builds. What a tournament.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
The only downside to this tournament, as far as I can see, is that there is no time to enjoy your successes! Im just joking we had at least 20 minutes to savour our opening Super Eight victory against England at Trent Bridge on Thursday.
There was a lot to be pleased about. Graeme and I have spoken repeatedly about the need to start T20 matches with maximum intensity rather than build towards a peak as you do in other forms of the game, and thats exactly what we did against the host nation.
Dale Steyn took a wicket in the first over and Wayne Parnell claimed another in the second over and England were suddenly 4-2. But with Kevin Pietersen at the crease, we knew we didnt have control of the game.
It took a brilliant catch by Roelof van der Merwe to get rid of him and, from that moment on, Graeme knew that he could take control of the game and dominate. We were ruthless with the ball and equally unforgiving in the field. Graeme kept the in-fielders saving one rather than saving boundaries, as is often the case at the beginning and end of an innings, and England had no answer.
We talk often about maintaing South Africas traditional skill in the field and ability to suffocate batsmen by starving them of runs and forcing them to take risks and make mistakes, and Englands innings was a great example of that.
Enough of that. Its time to move forward and focus on Saturdays game against the West Indies. If we win, we qualify for the semi finals before our final game against India on Tuesday. If we lose, we could face the prospect of having to beat India to reach the last four. I have no doubt that we would rise to that challenge, but I would prefer to take the easier route.
The players have been fantastic at focussing on the next game, taking the tournament one step at a time, but as coach its my job to look ahead and plan. I see Sri Lanka as a very dangerous team because of their bowling strength and New Zealand, despite their injury problems, are a tremendous threat.
But if India and South Africa qualify for the semi finals, then we will not face each other and would only meet again in the final. But there is much to do before that even becomes a possibility. As well as both teams are playing, a stumble can happen at any time. India have already suffered a setback with the loss of Viru but there are plenty more match-winners to take his place.
Finally, a word about 19-year-old Wayne Parnell. Ever since he joined the squad he has grown incredibly quickly as a cricketer and a person and he has the potential to become a world force. Wonderful as he has been with the new ball and at the death of the innings, most people probably dont realise that he is, in fact, a genuine all rounder. Maybe he is the ace up our sleeve to make a difference at some stage.
The excitement builds. What a tournament.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
We are into the Super 8s
By Anil Kumble
The first round of the World T20 is over and done with and we are into the Super 8s. With no points being carried over, the past is history and all teams will have to begin afresh. For the Indians, the first big test with apologies to Bangladesh is on Friday against the West Indies. As per the seedings they were to meet Australia but the team from the Carribean, just like cricket itself, is a most unpredictable one and on their day, they can do just about anything, like they did against the Aussies.
One thing the Indians will have to use their advantage is the fact that the Windies are a little too dependent on Chris Gayle. He can blow you away when he gets going but if he himself is gone, the team gets a little deflated. Perhaps it would be a good idea to have a spinner bowl at him early on and try and upset his rhythm a little. All batsmen, especially opening bats, like the ball to come on and when you deny them pace, they could lose it. Of course, they could go berserk too but its risk worth taking. Nothing ventured, nothing gained is an apt saying.
Spin, for sure, will continue to play a big part. On Tuesday we saw my IPL team colleague Roelf van der Merwe spin it a lot at Lords against New Zealand and it is a factor the Indians are well placed to exploit. I dont see any reason for them not to go in with two specialist spinners in the Super 8s as well. Should Zaheer and Ishant step up as can be expected, the bowling will not be too easy to handle.
The West Indies on the other hand will breathe a bit easier knowing that Virendra Sehwag is out. Like Gayle, Viru is the type who can single-handedly take the game away from the opposition. Then again this Indian team does not depend on any one player, thats the beauty of this team. They have enough firepower right through and Virus replacement at the top, Rohit Sharma, has been on a roll. The last match he played here, he got a quickfire 80 against Pakistan in a warm-up match, sending their bowlers on a real leatherhunt.
To continue with leatherhunts, what Gayle dished out to Australia, Sanath Jayasuriya did to the Windies on Wednesday. Sanaths usefulness is not just with the bat for he can bowl to and since he complements spinners like Murali and Mendis, Sri Lanka are always able to field a balanced side. Their spinners are bound to prove a handful in the second stage and their opponents who include New Zealand, Pakistan and an unlikely Ireland will have to be real careful.
India, on that count, are in a relatively tougher group and will have to at least beat two out of South Africa, England and the Windies to make the semis but I have always believed that there is no bad time to play a tough opponent. If you have to win a tourament, you will have to beat all the tough teams, some of them once and some twice. And India are certainly capable of doing just that.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
The first round of the World T20 is over and done with and we are into the Super 8s. With no points being carried over, the past is history and all teams will have to begin afresh. For the Indians, the first big test with apologies to Bangladesh is on Friday against the West Indies. As per the seedings they were to meet Australia but the team from the Carribean, just like cricket itself, is a most unpredictable one and on their day, they can do just about anything, like they did against the Aussies.
One thing the Indians will have to use their advantage is the fact that the Windies are a little too dependent on Chris Gayle. He can blow you away when he gets going but if he himself is gone, the team gets a little deflated. Perhaps it would be a good idea to have a spinner bowl at him early on and try and upset his rhythm a little. All batsmen, especially opening bats, like the ball to come on and when you deny them pace, they could lose it. Of course, they could go berserk too but its risk worth taking. Nothing ventured, nothing gained is an apt saying.
Spin, for sure, will continue to play a big part. On Tuesday we saw my IPL team colleague Roelf van der Merwe spin it a lot at Lords against New Zealand and it is a factor the Indians are well placed to exploit. I dont see any reason for them not to go in with two specialist spinners in the Super 8s as well. Should Zaheer and Ishant step up as can be expected, the bowling will not be too easy to handle.
The West Indies on the other hand will breathe a bit easier knowing that Virendra Sehwag is out. Like Gayle, Viru is the type who can single-handedly take the game away from the opposition. Then again this Indian team does not depend on any one player, thats the beauty of this team. They have enough firepower right through and Virus replacement at the top, Rohit Sharma, has been on a roll. The last match he played here, he got a quickfire 80 against Pakistan in a warm-up match, sending their bowlers on a real leatherhunt.
To continue with leatherhunts, what Gayle dished out to Australia, Sanath Jayasuriya did to the Windies on Wednesday. Sanaths usefulness is not just with the bat for he can bowl to and since he complements spinners like Murali and Mendis, Sri Lanka are always able to field a balanced side. Their spinners are bound to prove a handful in the second stage and their opponents who include New Zealand, Pakistan and an unlikely Ireland will have to be real careful.
India, on that count, are in a relatively tougher group and will have to at least beat two out of South Africa, England and the Windies to make the semis but I have always believed that there is no bad time to play a tough opponent. If you have to win a tourament, you will have to beat all the tough teams, some of them once and some twice. And India are certainly capable of doing just that.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
I worry about the second path with India
By Mickey Arthur
Just as I was beginning to come to terms with the inevitable stumble that every team has during a major tournament, we staged a remarkable fightback against New Zealand in the last group match to win a thriller by just one run.
You can talk about taking your foot off the accelerator, about resting certain players and conserving your physical and emotional energy for the next match which really matters. But with this team, talking is all you can do!
Playing with maximum intensity has become a habit which they are afraid to lose. If they had eased off and conceded defeat after batting poorly and scoring only 128 then it would have set a completely alien precedent to this group of cricketers. And by winning on a bad day, they have removed some of the fear of the X factor in T20 cricket.
You often hear people say anyone can have a bad day or it just takes one brilliant performance to win a game and your tournament is over. Well, we had a bad day and we won. Now, inevitably, we await the brilliant performance from people like Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen and Yuvraj/Dhoni/Sehwag/Zaheer etc etc in the Super Eight stage of the competition.
I am concerned about India at the moment. There seems to be an unhappy feeling around the squad at the moment. I try not to listen to rumours and gossip but there is too much talk amongst the players at the moment about what is going on around the squad. Im afraid there is too much smoke, and that means there must be a fire, or two.
We have had personnel problems and character conflicts in the South African team in the past every team has those issues. I have always found that honesty is the best way to handle them and move forward.
Honesty with the people involved, with their colleagues and yes, with the media too! Journalists and cricket writers are also people and they understand that no team is one, big happy family. In fact, in my experience, journalists understand conflict quite well!
On a tactical note, I have identified overs seven to nine as being a vital blind spot for many teams, but especially us. I think we have been subconsciously taking a breather after the frantic pace of the Power Play at the top of the innings and that is dangerous because it can set the tone for the rest of the innings. Against New Zealand we only scored three runs in those overs. We will be focussing sharply on that period from now on.
Incidentally, I said I was concerned about India not because I care about them, but because teams with a bit of friction in the dressing room can go one of two ways. Either they disintegrate, or they become unbeatable. I worry about the second path with India.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
Just as I was beginning to come to terms with the inevitable stumble that every team has during a major tournament, we staged a remarkable fightback against New Zealand in the last group match to win a thriller by just one run.
You can talk about taking your foot off the accelerator, about resting certain players and conserving your physical and emotional energy for the next match which really matters. But with this team, talking is all you can do!
Playing with maximum intensity has become a habit which they are afraid to lose. If they had eased off and conceded defeat after batting poorly and scoring only 128 then it would have set a completely alien precedent to this group of cricketers. And by winning on a bad day, they have removed some of the fear of the X factor in T20 cricket.
You often hear people say anyone can have a bad day or it just takes one brilliant performance to win a game and your tournament is over. Well, we had a bad day and we won. Now, inevitably, we await the brilliant performance from people like Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen and Yuvraj/Dhoni/Sehwag/Zaheer etc etc in the Super Eight stage of the competition.
I am concerned about India at the moment. There seems to be an unhappy feeling around the squad at the moment. I try not to listen to rumours and gossip but there is too much talk amongst the players at the moment about what is going on around the squad. Im afraid there is too much smoke, and that means there must be a fire, or two.
We have had personnel problems and character conflicts in the South African team in the past every team has those issues. I have always found that honesty is the best way to handle them and move forward.
Honesty with the people involved, with their colleagues and yes, with the media too! Journalists and cricket writers are also people and they understand that no team is one, big happy family. In fact, in my experience, journalists understand conflict quite well!
On a tactical note, I have identified overs seven to nine as being a vital blind spot for many teams, but especially us. I think we have been subconsciously taking a breather after the frantic pace of the Power Play at the top of the innings and that is dangerous because it can set the tone for the rest of the innings. Against New Zealand we only scored three runs in those overs. We will be focussing sharply on that period from now on.
Incidentally, I said I was concerned about India not because I care about them, but because teams with a bit of friction in the dressing room can go one of two ways. Either they disintegrate, or they become unbeatable. I worry about the second path with India.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
Comment on whats happening on that screen only is tough
By Anil Kumble
Having all the 22 yards at your disposal as also the entire field in your vision is a whole lot different from watching the action on a small screen in front of you.Having to comment on whats happening on that screen only is a tough ask. That is the first lesson I have learnt inside the commentary box.
Also getting used to a whole lot of stats thrown at you on the screen and picking only the ones relevant to what you are saying takes some doing, I can assure you. Multi-tasking while you are actually speaking is quite a challenge. But I know it is only a question of getting used to it and here the help that I am getting from my co-commentators is most useful.
On the plus side, and it is a big plus, the nice, warm commentary box is certainly the place to be, what with the English weather being quite chilly at the moment.
Whatever the chill, the Indian team is red hot, thats for sure. I know they were nervous before their first match against Bangladesh, who as we all know can be a surprise package.
Bangladesh can shock too as their defeat against Ireland on Monday showed. They are out of the World Cup and this wasnt expected. Before the match though, Ireland did look a very determined lot even as Bangladesh seemed to be a bit on the edge. It reflected in the result didnt it, with Ireland making it to the Super Eight stage.
Coming back to the Indians, their nervousness was understandable. Being defending champions brings its own problems. And no matter how many practice matches you play or how many practice matches you win, they count for nothing. Its only the real thing that matters. To their credit, they did get off to a good start but the difference was clearly Yuvraj. Before he came in and took off, India seemed headed for a par score of 150-160 but Yuvi took it away from Bangladesh. With the bowlers backing up the batting, the winning start and a place in the next stage was ensured.
I was a bit surprised though to see two spinners being fielded butnot even for a momentam Icomplaining. With Sehwag absent, the Indians went in for five bowlers and thus the second spinner got a look in. And, I for one, liked the look of Pragyan. The young man has quickly learnt that in the T20 format, a spinner has to slow the ball down. That combined with the tennis ball bounce of the Nottingham track did the trick.
There was no trick to Chris Gayles batting though and it was all treat. His innings against Australia showed how just one man can take the game away from a team in this format. No matter how good the bowlers were, how fast they, Gayle had his answer.
Gayles knockand England qualifying for the next round a day later, will have served to keep the English crowd in good cheer. It always a helps a tournament when the host team progresses.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
Having all the 22 yards at your disposal as also the entire field in your vision is a whole lot different from watching the action on a small screen in front of you.Having to comment on whats happening on that screen only is a tough ask. That is the first lesson I have learnt inside the commentary box.
Also getting used to a whole lot of stats thrown at you on the screen and picking only the ones relevant to what you are saying takes some doing, I can assure you. Multi-tasking while you are actually speaking is quite a challenge. But I know it is only a question of getting used to it and here the help that I am getting from my co-commentators is most useful.
On the plus side, and it is a big plus, the nice, warm commentary box is certainly the place to be, what with the English weather being quite chilly at the moment.
Whatever the chill, the Indian team is red hot, thats for sure. I know they were nervous before their first match against Bangladesh, who as we all know can be a surprise package.
Bangladesh can shock too as their defeat against Ireland on Monday showed. They are out of the World Cup and this wasnt expected. Before the match though, Ireland did look a very determined lot even as Bangladesh seemed to be a bit on the edge. It reflected in the result didnt it, with Ireland making it to the Super Eight stage.
Coming back to the Indians, their nervousness was understandable. Being defending champions brings its own problems. And no matter how many practice matches you play or how many practice matches you win, they count for nothing. Its only the real thing that matters. To their credit, they did get off to a good start but the difference was clearly Yuvraj. Before he came in and took off, India seemed headed for a par score of 150-160 but Yuvi took it away from Bangladesh. With the bowlers backing up the batting, the winning start and a place in the next stage was ensured.
I was a bit surprised though to see two spinners being fielded butnot even for a momentam Icomplaining. With Sehwag absent, the Indians went in for five bowlers and thus the second spinner got a look in. And, I for one, liked the look of Pragyan. The young man has quickly learnt that in the T20 format, a spinner has to slow the ball down. That combined with the tennis ball bounce of the Nottingham track did the trick.
There was no trick to Chris Gayles batting though and it was all treat. His innings against Australia showed how just one man can take the game away from a team in this format. No matter how good the bowlers were, how fast they, Gayle had his answer.
Gayles knockand England qualifying for the next round a day later, will have served to keep the English crowd in good cheer. It always a helps a tournament when the host team progresses.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
Pakistan in dreadful position
By Mickey Arthur
I said before the tournament that eight teams had at least one or two players with the ability to win a game single-handedly. But to win a tournament you need more than one no player can win five or six games in a row by himself. Four teams have three or four game-breakers but, perhaps, only India and South Africa have seven or eight.
If Gibbs, Smith and Kallis all fail, then we have De Villiers, Duminy, Morkel and Boucher. Steyn, Botha and Parnell are also potential match winners with the ball. And whos to say Roelof van der Merwe isnt, as well?
India have just as many game-breakers in their squad and, like South Africa, that allows the top order batsmen to play with total freedom and confidence because they know and believe in the ability of the men behind them. India have just as many batsmen capable of destroying an attack.
It is the same with the bowlers Zaheer and Dale Steyn can lead the attack with fearless aggression, aiming to take wickets with the confidence that they have quality seamers and spinners behind them
But to win a T20 tournament, you also need to have the ability to assess conditions and decide what is a par score. And luck. Nobody wins anything without a bit of luck going their way.
As far as Im concerned however, we have a happy, relaxed, smiling and extremely well prepared squad. Thats all I can ask for.
Englands humiliation by Holland in the opening game did us a great favour. I didnt have the slightest doubt about the teams attitude or approach before our first gamre against Scotland, but there was a distinct increase in intensity when they all realised that shock upsets really could happen. The ruthless demolition of Scotland on Sunday was partly a reaction to that!
We now appear to be just about everybodys favourites to win very marginally ahead of India and we take that as a major compliment. I dont understand why some teams try to fight off the favourites label. Its just a label, after all.
I watched Pakistans game against England with a mixture of shock and disbelief. The home side bounced back in stunning fashion from their Dutch embarrassment but Pakistan were dreadful. Sure, sometimes things dont go your way and you lose but there was no way Pakistan should have lost so badly.
Did they not realise what they were doing to themselves by scoring so slowly? If they win their final game against Holland then the group will be decided on net run rate with all three teams having won and lost a game.
Being thrashed by 48 runs has put Pakistan in the dreadful position of having to thrash Holland by an even greater margin. Surely they could have reduced the margin of defeat! There appeared to be a catastrophic lack of thinking and planning.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
I said before the tournament that eight teams had at least one or two players with the ability to win a game single-handedly. But to win a tournament you need more than one no player can win five or six games in a row by himself. Four teams have three or four game-breakers but, perhaps, only India and South Africa have seven or eight.
If Gibbs, Smith and Kallis all fail, then we have De Villiers, Duminy, Morkel and Boucher. Steyn, Botha and Parnell are also potential match winners with the ball. And whos to say Roelof van der Merwe isnt, as well?
India have just as many game-breakers in their squad and, like South Africa, that allows the top order batsmen to play with total freedom and confidence because they know and believe in the ability of the men behind them. India have just as many batsmen capable of destroying an attack.
It is the same with the bowlers Zaheer and Dale Steyn can lead the attack with fearless aggression, aiming to take wickets with the confidence that they have quality seamers and spinners behind them
But to win a T20 tournament, you also need to have the ability to assess conditions and decide what is a par score. And luck. Nobody wins anything without a bit of luck going their way.
As far as Im concerned however, we have a happy, relaxed, smiling and extremely well prepared squad. Thats all I can ask for.
Englands humiliation by Holland in the opening game did us a great favour. I didnt have the slightest doubt about the teams attitude or approach before our first gamre against Scotland, but there was a distinct increase in intensity when they all realised that shock upsets really could happen. The ruthless demolition of Scotland on Sunday was partly a reaction to that!
We now appear to be just about everybodys favourites to win very marginally ahead of India and we take that as a major compliment. I dont understand why some teams try to fight off the favourites label. Its just a label, after all.
I watched Pakistans game against England with a mixture of shock and disbelief. The home side bounced back in stunning fashion from their Dutch embarrassment but Pakistan were dreadful. Sure, sometimes things dont go your way and you lose but there was no way Pakistan should have lost so badly.
Did they not realise what they were doing to themselves by scoring so slowly? If they win their final game against Holland then the group will be decided on net run rate with all three teams having won and lost a game.
Being thrashed by 48 runs has put Pakistan in the dreadful position of having to thrash Holland by an even greater margin. Surely they could have reduced the margin of defeat! There appeared to be a catastrophic lack of thinking and planning.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
Players and Journalists have a sacred relationship
By Javagal Srinath
A typical media gimmick, publishing a row between Dhoni and Sewag was yet another cheap trick played at the cricket team. Dhoni and his men did a great extinguishing act by coming together in addressing a press conference to throw cold water to the burning rumour mills. These days there are more news outlets than the news itself. Any news or no news makes it to the stands without head or tail.
This Indian team which has embarked on an important mission, such negative build up is the last thing they want.
Players and Journalists have a sacred relationship. There are good journalists who stand up for the game, defend and argue player’s views, try to understand the mindset of the players and lastly be good friends with them. The player-reporter relationship is built over a long period of time. Even players try to get points out of a good article. A very well disguised criticism or praise will have a profound impact on the player. Infact some players go further to seek motivation from knowledgeable and experienced writers.
The journalists who live along with the players suitcases become a part of the players cricketing life. There are many outstanding, unbiased reporters who have earned immense trust and respect from players.
Dhoni and his men’s act to condemn such reports will have various views from different factions of the press. Some may see it as an unwarranted reaction, giving too much importance to a silly reporting and others might feel Dhoni should have individually pulled up the reporter than parading the entire team to address the press conference. I felt the team’s reaction was more to send a signal to the whole media fraternity to be collectively responsible while reporting.
Whoever has planted this news to fast track one’s own career, might have gained attention but has lost the invaluable trust of the player.
Coming back to the game, the tournament opener has brought out a seemingly unique characteristics of T-20. My observation is that the compactness of the game has bought all teams on par. Be it the minnows like the Bangladesh, Netherlands or Ireland all seem to possess the same threat as the reputed ones. Netherlands beating England will serve a strong lesson, a reminder for the favourites to be on their toes. I can promise the next two weeks will spring many such upsets like what we witnessed yesterday.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
A typical media gimmick, publishing a row between Dhoni and Sewag was yet another cheap trick played at the cricket team. Dhoni and his men did a great extinguishing act by coming together in addressing a press conference to throw cold water to the burning rumour mills. These days there are more news outlets than the news itself. Any news or no news makes it to the stands without head or tail.
This Indian team which has embarked on an important mission, such negative build up is the last thing they want.
Players and Journalists have a sacred relationship. There are good journalists who stand up for the game, defend and argue player’s views, try to understand the mindset of the players and lastly be good friends with them. The player-reporter relationship is built over a long period of time. Even players try to get points out of a good article. A very well disguised criticism or praise will have a profound impact on the player. Infact some players go further to seek motivation from knowledgeable and experienced writers.
The journalists who live along with the players suitcases become a part of the players cricketing life. There are many outstanding, unbiased reporters who have earned immense trust and respect from players.
Dhoni and his men’s act to condemn such reports will have various views from different factions of the press. Some may see it as an unwarranted reaction, giving too much importance to a silly reporting and others might feel Dhoni should have individually pulled up the reporter than parading the entire team to address the press conference. I felt the team’s reaction was more to send a signal to the whole media fraternity to be collectively responsible while reporting.
Whoever has planted this news to fast track one’s own career, might have gained attention but has lost the invaluable trust of the player.
Coming back to the game, the tournament opener has brought out a seemingly unique characteristics of T-20. My observation is that the compactness of the game has bought all teams on par. Be it the minnows like the Bangladesh, Netherlands or Ireland all seem to possess the same threat as the reputed ones. Netherlands beating England will serve a strong lesson, a reminder for the favourites to be on their toes. I can promise the next two weeks will spring many such upsets like what we witnessed yesterday.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
T20 cricket is not a lottery
By Mickey Arthur
In another five or six years everyone will know so much more about strategies and tactics for T20 cricket but for the moment we are all feeling our way and trying to discover the best way to prepare and approach for a tournament like this.
Interestingly, all the other teams used 12 or 13 players in their official warm-up matches whereas we believed it was important to begin the competition with a settled starting XI rather than creating an impression that places were still up for grabs.
My belief is that the game is far too short to try and make decisions on who will fill certain places. How can you put two bowlers up against each other and then decide on who is in better form on the basis of two overs each? Its not fair to them or the team.
Having comfortably and impressively beaten Pakistan and Sri Lanka with XI players in our first two warm-ups, we organised a third game against Ireland and included all of our reserves. I may be proved wrong in the long run, but my theory is that a player will benefit far more by playing a proper role in an XI rather than trying to fit into a mish-mash composition 13.
We were given quite a jolt by what happened in the opening game between England and Holland! Right from the start of the warm-up week we have been treating our first game against Scotland on Sunday as seriously as if it was against India or Australia, but as much as you talk about the outside possibility of an upset, Im not sure that many of our players took it seriously.
Fortunately, Holland have done us a favour by proving that upsets are far, far more possible even likely in this form of the game than in any other. I would think that they have done India a big favour, too, because the reigning T20 champions face two potential banana skins in their group with Bangladesh and Ireland. Nobody should doubt the possibility of India losing to either of them.
Im not suggesting for a moment that India will slip up, but it helps to be reminded of the possibility!
Despite the increased chances of an upset, T20 cricket is not a lottery. The best teams should still win far more games than they lose, certainly against the small teams. I always talk about the one percenters small factors which make big differences. Hitting the stumps from the infield, bowling dot balls at crucial times and manufacturing boundaries when they are really needed. They are skills which have become particularly relevant to T20 cricket and we have been working extremely hard at improving them.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
In another five or six years everyone will know so much more about strategies and tactics for T20 cricket but for the moment we are all feeling our way and trying to discover the best way to prepare and approach for a tournament like this.
Interestingly, all the other teams used 12 or 13 players in their official warm-up matches whereas we believed it was important to begin the competition with a settled starting XI rather than creating an impression that places were still up for grabs.
My belief is that the game is far too short to try and make decisions on who will fill certain places. How can you put two bowlers up against each other and then decide on who is in better form on the basis of two overs each? Its not fair to them or the team.
Having comfortably and impressively beaten Pakistan and Sri Lanka with XI players in our first two warm-ups, we organised a third game against Ireland and included all of our reserves. I may be proved wrong in the long run, but my theory is that a player will benefit far more by playing a proper role in an XI rather than trying to fit into a mish-mash composition 13.
We were given quite a jolt by what happened in the opening game between England and Holland! Right from the start of the warm-up week we have been treating our first game against Scotland on Sunday as seriously as if it was against India or Australia, but as much as you talk about the outside possibility of an upset, Im not sure that many of our players took it seriously.
Fortunately, Holland have done us a favour by proving that upsets are far, far more possible even likely in this form of the game than in any other. I would think that they have done India a big favour, too, because the reigning T20 champions face two potential banana skins in their group with Bangladesh and Ireland. Nobody should doubt the possibility of India losing to either of them.
Im not suggesting for a moment that India will slip up, but it helps to be reminded of the possibility!
Despite the increased chances of an upset, T20 cricket is not a lottery. The best teams should still win far more games than they lose, certainly against the small teams. I always talk about the one percenters small factors which make big differences. Hitting the stumps from the infield, bowling dot balls at crucial times and manufacturing boundaries when they are really needed. They are skills which have become particularly relevant to T20 cricket and we have been working extremely hard at improving them.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
How the players adjust to so much cricket
By Anil Kumble
June5,2009 : The Indians travel a lot, dont they. All the Indians who figure in the World T20 squad played in the second edition of the IPL that ended just two weeks ago and here they are, all set to play their opening fixture of the World T20 in England. That is the way the modern game goes and no one is complaining.
People do ask how the players adjust to so much cricket, how do they get themselves on to the field in different parts of the world every other day and yet strive to dish out their best. The answer is simple, players these days know when to taper off preparations and when to step it up, thus keeping themselves fresh.
Each player is handed his training schedule and it is up to him to implement it. Yes, there is usually the warm-up together, a game of football or so and an intense fielding session where the whole team works together, but its also about people training a lot on their own. In earlier times, you were considered arrogant if you went off and trained by yourself but times have changed and now you are actually encouraged to go off on your own, bat or bowl in the nets only if you want to and so on.
The focus though is never lost and right now it is only the opener against Bangladesh the team will be thinking of. Bangladesh may have lost both their warm-up matches but they did well enough against Australia and Sri Lanka to suggest they are not past their days of upsetting top teams. They took almost 200 off Australia and ran the Lankans very close. They do have a number of naturally aggressive batsmen and anyway, most of them play Tests itself as if they are T20s!
The Indian batting, is, of course, no less powerful. Rohit, especially, has been in tremendous form and it augurs well. Rohit may have succeeded in the warm-ups as an opener but, I, for one, believe that if Viru is fit, then Rohit will have to move down to three or four. It doesnt pay to tinker too much with your order in big tournaments.
The bowling too is in good hands even if some of the bowlers went for runs in the practice games. The move to have Ishant bowling the middle overs is a good one and has worked well. With a slightly older ball and the field spread, Ishant seems to be relaxed and that is important. The team think tank, who would dearly want Zaheer fit and back, will probably continue having Ishant bowling in the middle and should he strike a good partnership with a spinner at the other end, it will be of great help to the side.
Yes, even in T20, bowling partnerships are crucial even if it maybe for just two or four overs. If you manage to follow up one good over with another, the other side could well lose their way and the plot.
Dhonis boys though dont look as if they will lose the plot with most things suggesting that they have a very good chance of retaining the title. Its only a question of taking it one match at a time.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
T20 Worlds Preview
By Anil Kumble
4June,2009 : Its been barely a fortnight since the IPL ended and here we are set for another big bash. Fresh from a good time in South Africa, where a lot of us who were presumed to be past our prime, managed to prove otherwise, the mind has wandered a bit and I have been forced to keep myself from thinking about another crack with the Indian team. Well not really, as I am happily retired, but other options, greener pastures actually, have opened up and they will continue to keep me close to the game.
As a natural progression for us cricketers, I will be part of the ESPN team, giving my views about the tournament, the players and the cricket on view on your television sets behind the mike for a change rather than in front of it. The new stint has me all excited as I realise it is probably the next best to playing, perhaps even better!
As for the tournament itself, Dhonis boys all set to got out there and defend a World Cup title, with the best part being that they start favourites too, unlike the first edition of the ICC World T20 when they hadnt been given much of a chance.
The T20 though is a format where nothing can be taken for granted and you cant really predict what will happen. It is, I dare say, somewhat like the English weather, which can change dramatically every now and then. So far at least, in the days leading to the second edition of the World T20, the weather has held up nicely, with the sun out, shining nice and bright.
This has meant that the ball hasnt swung at all and as we have noticed in the practice games, totals of 160-170 seem just about par if not below par. Should the weather hold, we seem set for a lot of high-scoring matches. With three pitches, at the Lords, Oval and Nottingham, being traditionally flat and batting friendly, the batsmen can look forward to having a ball, while it will turn out to be a huge test of skill for the bowlers.
In any case, in the T20 format, at least 70% of the time, it is the batsmen who have to go out there and win you the matches. It should not be any different in this tournament. If at all the bowlers make an impression, it will be probably be the spinners. Most teams have one or two good spinners and the impact they have in the middle overs is huge. A couple of wickets or two tight overs can change the game and it is invariably the spinners who have been providing that. Even in the English T20 spin has played a big part and in the recently concluded Indian Premier League, spinners had an impact in the beginning of the innings too.
Still the focus will be on the batsmen. Already we have seen some big scores, with the Australians having already breached the 200-run mark. South Africa too have prepared well and both teams seem more determined than ever to have a crack at the trophy.
The draw of the tournament is such that most of the top teams should make the second round. Of course, the group involving Australia, Sri Lanka and the West Indies is the most interesting one as one of them has to get knocked out.
That said, personal experience tells me that shorter the format, the better it is for the lesser-fancied teams. Bangladesh and Ireland qualified for the Super 8s in the 2007 World Cup, the former at our expense, and such a scenario can repeat itself in this shortest of games. Skills get evened out more here and the more skilled side does not always come out on top.
Overall, we can expect a cracker of a tournament and the English fans will have enough to cheer in their summer.
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS
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