The Surfer
'A bit of pressure doesn’t hurt anybody'
There's been no honeymoon period for Nasim Ashraf, the new chairman of the Pakistan board
Siddhartha Vaidyanathan
25-Feb-2013
There's been no honeymoon period for Nasim Ashraf, the new chairman of the Pakistan board. Hardly did he settle into his seat than a number of hard decisions had to be taken. In an interview to the Kolkata Telegraph, he speaks to Lokendra Pratap Sahi on his appointment, the controversy over the Pakistan captaincy, the drugs scandal and much more.
I know I’m in a high profile seat, but I want the powers and perks of the PCB chairman to be reduced. I’ve already delegated responsibility to colleagues and I want corporate governance. I’ve assigned a leading head-hunting firm to help get us the best possible chief executive.
Pommie-bashers revert to type and write off tourists
If the Australian newspapers are to be believed, Andrew Flintoff’s men may as well pack their bags and head for home, says Simon Wilde : The mockery of the headlines was as predictable as it was scathing
Siddhartha Vaidyanathan
25-Feb-2013
If the Australian newspapers are to be believed, Andrew Flintoff’s men may as well pack their bags and head for home, says Simon Wilde:
Full postThe mockery of the headlines was as predictable as it was scathing. Steve Harmison, who was due to make his first appearance of the tour against New South Wales today, said the derision would only motivate the team come the first Test match in Brisbane on November 23.
Barmy Army on alert to upset Ponting
England’s tour rolled into Sydney for the first day of the game against New South Wales and the tourists had plenty of support
Peter English
25-Feb-2013
England’s tour rolled into Sydney for the first day of the game against New South Wales and the tourists had plenty of support. Brian Brownstein writes in the Sydney Morning Herald about the Barmy Army, who are hoping to fly over Gary Pratt to annoy Ricky Ponting.
In the same paper Peter Roebuck targets England’s decision to ask for a 14-man-a-side warm-up.
A nation that recently dismissed an accredited international tournament as an irrelevance dared to treat a state team with a proud tradition as a mere plaything. England wanted a glorified net. In the traditions of hospitality, and through gritted teeth, Cricket Australia bowed to their wishes. The result was a bogus match played before a bemused crowd. From the start, it was a rotten idea.
One of the peripheral players in the Ashes has slapped himself with a media ban. Things are getting serious for Billy Bowden.
Full postAdam's new eve
It's Adam Gilchrist's fault
Siddhartha Vaidyanathan
25-Feb-2013
It's Adam Gilchrist's fault. Talk to any wicketkeeper nowadays and it's a given you'll spend as much time discussing how they are faring with the bat as you will going over their prowess with the gloves, writes Lyall Johnson in The Age.
Victoria's Adam Crosthwaite, rated extremely highly for his work behind the stumps, is possibly the most notable example of a wicketkeeper who has fallen victim to what is becoming known as the "Gilchrist legacy". With his first-class batting average at No 7 last season an uninspiring 20.63, the then second-year keeper was controversially dropped from the Bushrangers side in the lead-up to the final of the Pura Cup because he simply was not making enough runs.
Bye, take care
Seven first-timers make India’s tour party to South Africa relatively inexperienced
Siddhartha Vaidyanathan
25-Feb-2013
Seven first-timers make India’s tour party to South Africa relatively inexperienced. As the team flies out for a full tour to the African continent tomorrow after five years, The Sunday Express gets in touch with the old boys’ union for some last-minute advice.
Full postA debatable punishment
Notwithstanding the somewhat surprising level of support that is being lent to the Pakistan Cricket Board, over its decision to ban Mohammad Asif for a year, it is a monumentally foolish act, one that reflects an alarming level of ineptitude, writes
Siddhartha Vaidyanathan
25-Feb-2013
Notwithstanding the somewhat surprising level of support that is being lent to the Pakistan Cricket Board, over its decision to ban Mohammad Asif for a year, it is a monumentally foolish act, one that reflects an alarming level of ineptitude, writes Kamal A Munir in the Dawn Magazine.
Mohammad Asif is not the exception. He is the rule in Pakistan. This is a country where every medicine is available without prescription. This is a country where it is routine to have medicines administered by your friends rather than a doctor. This is also a country ruled by a military dictator who has flouted every line of the country's constitution.
The quiet life for KP?
Has Kevin Pietersen finally settled for the quiet life despite his love of the big stage and at his tender age
ESPNcricinfo staff
25-Feb-2013
Has Kevin Pietersen finally settled for the quiet life despite his love of the big stage and at his tender age? Various features in the press recently have expressed conflicting views on this. The latest journalist to speak to KP is Alex Brown of the Sydney Morning Herald and he doesn't seem to be convinced. Read his column here and make your own mind up.
Full postLefties' success is a right-handed compliment
Everyone has been batting the wrong way around, writes Peter Roebuck in the Sydney Morning Herald , and coaches have been barking up the wrong tree.
Siddhartha Vaidyanathan
25-Feb-2013
Everyone has been batting the wrong way around, writes Peter Roebuck in the Sydney Morning Herald, and coaches have been barking up the wrong tree.
Chris Gayle spent the month belting the ball around Indian parks. Bats left-handed. Bowls, catches and opens beer bottles with his other mitt. Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Ever seen him send down a leg-break? Stephen Fleming? Writes his cheques with the easterly flipper. Jacob Oram? Thumps down his seamers with the right arm.
Consider the past. David Gower? Bowled his few overs in Test cricket with his cork-opening hand - and, for his pains, was called for throwing. Mark Taylor? Turns on his air-conditioner with the right paw. Sourav Ganguly? Kicks penalties with his right foot
Full postThe McCullum advantage
Post Champions Trophy, Mark Richardson counters suggestions that Brendon McCullum be moved up the order to counter New Zealand's top-order woes, citing the team's strengths
Kanishkaa Balachandran
25-Feb-2013
Post Champions Trophy, Mark Richardson counters suggestions that Brendon McCullum be moved up the order to counter New Zealand's top-order woes, citing the team's strengths.
Read the full piece in Herald on Sunday.
The one area the Black Caps could say they are strong, and arguably the best in the world, would be their lower middle order. It is because of this depth the Black Caps rate themselves as a very good chasing side and it should be because of this depth that the top order has the confidence to play freely. If McCullum is taken out of the lower middle, he will leave a gap
Hayden prepared and ready to go
Matthew Hayden writes in the Daily Telegraph about his bonding experiences at boot camp, and also he describes how his preparations these Ashes have differed from previous campaigns
ESPNcricinfo staff
25-Feb-2013
Matthew Hayden writes in the Daily Telegraph about his bonding experiences at boot camp, and also he describes how his preparations these Ashes have differed from previous campaigns. To find out how and indeed why, read the article here.
Full post