The Surfer
Abid Ali thrilled with BCCI reward
Former India allrounder Syed Abid Ali , now based in California, has said that BCCI’s decision to reward him with Rs 60 lakhs for his contribution to Indian cricket made him “feel as great as winning a match”
Carlyle Laurie
25-Feb-2013
Former India allrounder Syed Abid Ali, now based in California, has said that BCCI’s decision to reward him with Rs 60 lakhs for his contribution to Indian cricket made him “feel as great as winning a match”. Speaking to Clayton Murzello from Mid-Day, he said that the reward came at a time when he needed it the most.
“The reason I am so grateful is because I really need the money. Somehow, God has sent it to the BCCI and the people there have been gracious enough to pass it on. At the moment, it feels as great as winning a match,” Abid Ali said.
“I want to do something for my country. No one gave me an extended opportunity… not even Andhra. I really want to do some coaching in India. Coming to America has taught me how one should be professional. I’d love to get involved with Indian cricket,” he said.
Full postWho's the best cricketer?
Sir Donald Bradman once said that Sachin Tendulkar’s batting technique was similar to his own
Carlyle Laurie
25-Feb-2013
Sir Donald Bradman once said that Sachin Tendulkar’s batting technique was similar to his own. Mike Brudenell, writing in Detroit Free Press, says that though both are legends of the game, no modern day batsman can be compared to Bradman, who scored at an average of 99.94.
Sachin Tendulkar or "the Little Master," as he is nicknamed -- is certainly one of the best cricketers ever, ahead or standing right there alongside Sir Garfield Sobers, Wally Hammond, Brian Lara, Sir Jack Hobbs, Shane Warne, Sir Vivian Richards and Imran Khan as legends.
But the number 99.94 will forever separate him from the greatest -- the player who stands head and shoulders above any cricket player of any era, perhaps any sportsman or sportswoman in history. Sir Donald Bradman played international cricket in 1928-48 and was the best batsman in the world in every single year.
The Australian's lifetime batting average of 99.94 in Test cricket -- the highest form of the game played between cricketing nations -- dwarfs the next best by South African player Graeme Pollock at 60.97 and Tendulkar, down the list, at 55.44.
Full postWhy rain can enhance a game of cricket
Bad weather can mar a game of cricket with even a steady drizzle putting play on hold for long periods
Carlyle Laurie
25-Feb-2013
Bad weather can mar a game of cricket with even a steady drizzle putting play on hold for long periods. Rob Bagchi, writing in the Guardian, says that before the mandatory covering of pitches began, downpours could produce some enthralling passages of play.
"The elements are cricket's presiding geniuses," wrote Sir Neville Cardus, the effervescent nonpareil of this parish, and it seems apt to reflect on the intrusions of the weather this shower-wracked May as the Spin hourly checks the forecasts for the prospects of play at Lord's on Thursday.
Some of the greatest matches have been given a helping hand towards immortality by the rain. Indeed the England v Australia Test at The Oval in 1882, the one that inspired the sardonic notice "in affectionate remembrance of English cricket" and began the Ashes tradition, was settled by Frederick Spofforth's match figures of 14 for 90 and his mastery on the sticky dog.
Full postWhere's the accountability?
The IPL governing council has suspended the five players named by a sting operation alleging corruption until an inquiry into the accusations is conducted
Akhila Ranganna
25-Feb-2013
The IPL governing council has suspended the five players named by a sting operation alleging corruption until an inquiry into the accusations is conducted. However, suspension isn’t enough, writes Sandeep Dwivedi in the Indian Express, the BCCI now needs to get to the bottom of the IPL scandal.
The high-profile owners enjoy a distinct advantage since the IPL, as promised at its inception, doesn’t really provide a level-playing field. Player retention has been a prickly issue and that too needs to be more transparent. The close study of player-owner contracts shouldn’t just stop with the likes of Pandey, Srivastava or Mishra. Why not make the icon players’ salaries public as well?
But therein lies the problem. When the president of the BCCI himself owns an IPL franchise, lines blur and probes could run into walls.
There is nothing new about the IPL mess, writes former India cricketer and now member of parliament Kirti Azad in DNA. All that has happened is that the league has spawned a deeper mess.
Full post'Swing bowling is all about control and belief'
In an interview with S Dinakar in the Hindu Australia fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus talks about swing bowling, what makes him effective against right handers, his take on the switch-hit and more.
Akhila Ranganna
25-Feb-2013
In an interview with S Dinakar in the Hindu Australia fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus talks about swing bowling, what makes him effective against right handers, his take on the switch-hit and more.
Swing bowling is a brave art isn't it. There is very little margin for error when the ball is pitched up. And in the limited overs format, even quality outswingers can be edged or slashed to the fence.
I agree. But I guess it's all about control and belief. My aim is to zero in on the right areas. And outswing can be effective in the shorter formats as well. You can deny the batsman room too, pitch it on middle and hit the off. It is very important to get your line right and not stray down the leg-side.
West Indies will struggle against England
Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard and a host of other West Indies players have missed out on the Test series against England due to commitments with the IPL
Carlyle Laurie
25-Feb-2013
Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard and a host of other West Indies players have missed out on the Test series against England due to commitments with the IPL. Rob Smyth, writing in the Guardian, says that West Indies will find it difficult to beat England at home considering they have been stripped of their best talent by the lure of Twenty20.
The largest group are in India, playing in the IPL. Although other sides have suffered – most obviously Sri Lanka with the retirement of Lasith Malinga – no side embody the struggle between Test cricket andTwenty20 better than West Indies. Chris Gayle, who has again illuminated the IPL with a series of outrageous assaults, played the last of his 91 Tests in 2010. The irrepressible all-rounder Kieron Pollard has never played a Test, and focuses on the short form to such an extent that Holding once said: "Pollard, in my opinion, is not a cricketer."
Not that Holding begrudges the hired guns their bounty. "You can't blame any cricketer for wanting to secure their future. The ICC needs to make sure these Twenty20 tournaments are well structured and don't interfere with other people's cricket. Test cricket may still go on but it will soon become irrelevant. That is the direction I see it going unless the ICC grabs hold of the game and does something about it."
Full postHow Anderson became England's main man
England’s cricketer of the year James Anderson, who made his Test debut nearly ten years ago at Lord’s, has established himself as the spearhead of the top-ranked team in the world
Carlyle Laurie
25-Feb-2013
England’s cricketer of the year James Anderson, who made his Test debut nearly ten years ago at Lord’s, has established himself as the spearhead of the top-ranked team in the world. He’s picked up more wickets in the last year than any other fast bowler except South Africa's Vernon Philander. Speaking to Tom Fordyce from bbc.co.uk, Anderson says that consistency and patience is the key to succeeding in international cricket.
“In the last 18 months I've probably doubled my Test wicket tally, which tells you something about the first eight years of my career," Anderson said. “I always believed I could perform at the top level. I knew on my day that I could be brilliant. But there were a lot of times when I would be at the other end of the scale, and that scared me a little bit. I didn't know what was coming from day to day."
"To be successful round the world you need as many weapons as possible. It gives me such confidence to know that I can go anywhere in the world and have the skills to take wickets."
Full postTesting conditions for West Indians
With the first Test between England and the West Indies just hours away, Jonathan Agnew, writing on bbc.co.uk , says that West Indies’ players today lack the swagger on the field that their predecessors had in the 1980’s.
Carlyle Laurie
25-Feb-2013
With the first Test between England and the West Indies just hours away, Jonathan Agnew, writing on bbc.co.uk, says that West Indies’ players today lack the swagger on the field that their predecessors had in the 1980’s.
There was a time when Caribbean chaos had a certain charm about it - but not anymore. The game has moved on, and I can't see how the West Indies side will ever regain its swagger on the field until the administrators sort out their shambolic organisation off it.
That said, there have been some recent signs of improvement, with West Indies almost beating Australia last month. It needs perspective in that they have won only two Tests of the 30 they have played since Jerome Taylor routed England in Jamaica in 2009, but for those of us who love the unique beat, rhythm and character of West Indies cricket, it was at least a cause for optimism.
Full postIn a different land, another Compton rises
Denis Compton’s grandson, Nick, has been making headlines for his good showing in county cricket with three first-class hundreds for Somerset this season
Carlyle Laurie
25-Feb-2013
Denis Compton’s grandson, Nick, has been making headlines for his good showing in county cricket with three first-class hundreds for Somerset this season. Stephen Brenkley, writing for the Independent, says that during Nick's formative years at Middlesex and Lord's, he realised that his grandfather was indeed something special.
Throughout Nick's career as a professional cricketer, with justifiable designs on playing for England, Nick has lived in the shadow of his grandfather. It is a measure of the younger man that he has come to terms with precisely what that means. "I remember old ladies, 70 or 80, coming to the gate. Whether I played cricket or not, I don't think they really cared, but the chance to talk to me and go back to being 30 or 40 made their face light up," Nick said.
Tom Alter, writing for firstpost.com, talks about the rise of the young Nick Compton and draws comparisons with his legendary grandfather Denis.
Full postNick Compton – the grandson of the great Denis – has by far the most runs in the county season – 736 at 122.66 – (the next highest has less than 500) — and is on the way to scoring 1000 runs in May, a feat which even his grandfather never accomplished.
Clean and confident Hafeez has it all to lose
Pakistan’s new Twenty20 captain Mohammad Hafeez may be seen as a clean and a confident player who has worked his way up the ranks with strong performances in domestic cricket
Carlyle Laurie
25-Feb-2013
Pakistan’s new Twenty20 captain Mohammad Hafeez may be seen as a clean and a confident player who has worked his way up the ranks with strong performances in domestic cricket. Osman Samiuddin, writing in the National, says that at a time when players are jostling for spots and even leadership roles, Hafeez’s man-management skills will be put to the test.
Captaincy should not overwhelm him, at least not immediately. He has led domestically, though more relevantly has been an involved and influential deputy to Misbah-ul-Haq, a man from whom the captain has often sought advice and support. As it is, his grasp of people will be more important. Pakistan's Test side is stable but in flux elsewhere. Players are jostling for spots and roles, even leadership.
Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik, former captains, are their own centres of influence. Misbah was not happy about the T20 snub – naturally – and though the pair are close, these decisions change the dynamics of a relationship.
In all this, Hafeez's own game will come under increased scrutiny. As worthy as his contributions have been – he still judges his returns as batsman first – he is still one purple patch from being a top batsman; he needs hundreds and more fifties, not just delicious 30s and 40s. That kind of player is never too far from being cast aside.
Full post