tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79960480073118617662024-03-20T09:11:02.281+00:00Extra CoverAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566426513735532741noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996048007311861766.post-90767061757338538692016-02-15T19:38:00.003+00:002016-02-15T19:38:59.810+00:00Where's the justice in sport?Less than two weeks ago, the West Indies U/19 team made the headlines for what some believe were the wrong reasons. Beating a spirited Zimbabwean team who required two runs for a remarkable victory in the World Cup, through a mankap. Many people have not even heard of the term, which is perhaps why many believe it is unsporting and just not cricket. Perhaps not even in the spirit of the game! Sure enough if a batsman at the bowler's end is trying to gain unfair advantage through a head start - that in itself is not in the spirit of the game, but for a decision to be sent to the television review and for there to be literally millimetres in it.... in my mind, I personally think they overstepped the line.... pardon the punt!<br />
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On the weekend however, the same West Indies team made the headlines again, but any cricket fan might be forgiven for sharing their delight and jubilation which was joyfully portrayed through dancing on the pitch moments after Gidron Pope hit the winnings runs; ironically the same player who caused the biggest talking point, being the one responsible for the mankap, of the world cup until then. Some might question, "Where's the justice in sport?" but nobody could deny the West Indies, a nation fighting to keep cricket alive, this moment of success, in particular at U/19 level! Perhaps the game does have a future on the islands after all!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJt_VtJJzW03tE4GNipSBm_VMBsVyhKKkY9k_HqKLJLjsG6lNTNs6IzFmLE8KKLAVehFnUVTC5NVnNmY3cm2PceuRPiKCePTug2i-EE8cP9L-tqgEAq6Mg0U4vUFAMc1r1QIHMnYFzKaY/s1600/234017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJt_VtJJzW03tE4GNipSBm_VMBsVyhKKkY9k_HqKLJLjsG6lNTNs6IzFmLE8KKLAVehFnUVTC5NVnNmY3cm2PceuRPiKCePTug2i-EE8cP9L-tqgEAq6Mg0U4vUFAMc1r1QIHMnYFzKaY/s400/234017.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Source: Getty Images</i></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566426513735532741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996048007311861766.post-27250560610319514222016-02-10T22:57:00.000+00:002016-02-10T22:57:39.573+00:00No KP in England's T20 World Cup squadIf Kevin Pietersen had any hope of representing England ever again, I suppose it was just dealt the final blow. The England squad for the T20 World Cup was announced today and, perhaps not surprising after captain Eoin Morgan's comments a couple of days ago saying that he won't be considered, but his omission will once again question the ECB's tactics and approach ahead of a world cup.<br />
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There is no doubt that KP is not only still one of the world's best batsmen, especially in the shorter format of the game, but also highly respected by many opponents who in mind mind would much rather play against an England side without him than not.<br />
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Perhaps it's also surprising that Luke Wright and Stuart Broad haven't been included neither. It prompts the question, "why was Broad even considered for the ODI series in South Africa?" If England are looking at the future, why did they not send someone else out there. Interesting as ever.<br />
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England squad for World T20</h2>
<ul style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: bentonsans; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; padding: 10px 20px 10px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) (Capt)</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">Moeen Ali (Worcestershire)</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">Sam Billings (Kent)</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">Jos Buttler (Lancashire)</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">Liam Dawson (Hampshire)</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">Steven Finn (Middlesex)</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire)</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">Chris Jordan (Sussex)</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">Joe Root (Yorkshire)</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">Jason Roy (Surrey)</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">Ben Stokes (Durham)</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">Reece Topley (Hampshire)</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">James Vince (Hampshire)</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">David Willey (Yorkshire)</li>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566426513735532741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996048007311861766.post-39625348413904193352016-01-18T13:47:00.002+00:002016-01-18T13:47:47.361+00:00A dream project, please let's make it happen.....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdCQTUCAGf5Ydh74IWa83DnGAMjHb_XVhOOF4NIbdQJoyPd-CU4MQfvQYjSYDb8Ln73DSHjqe9Y63cwHXHB2V5xlOZEvUU8Ia8AFSMH70MgqVeFIuUNqHoWusYmzm2oO990T7EPmdDco/s320/blogger-image-2003937816.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="http://gogetfunding.com/providing-an-opportunity-of-a-lifetime/">Please donate by clicking here - your help will go a long way</a></td></tr>
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Ever since making the decision to permanently move abroad seven years ago, I've had a dream of helping others accomplish what I was blessed with shortly after turning nineteen; An opportunity to visit and play cricket in England, the place it's believed to have been practised more than 450 years ago. Leaving the shores of Africa in 2008 wasn't easy, nor was it back in 1996. Although some similarities exist - a new adventure and both on the back of cricket - there were two big differences; Not knowing if we'll ever return and leaving everything behind. It's a sacrifice nobody understands unless you've experienced it yourself.<br />
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Many days I ask myself whether or not is was the right thing to do, how life would have been had we not made that decision? Not many days go by without me carrying a heavy load of guilt on my back for making a selfish decision - a decision that I thought would offer us a better opportunity, better career, better education for our children and a safer environment. At the time I didn't think about what I took away from others - grandchildren away from their family, children away from their parents, family and friends and the opportunity that the cricket academy I started seven years prior provided to children from all backgrounds. It's sometimes a bitter pill to swallow.</div>
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Things may not have turned out the way I'd hoped and although I may never quite understand why, I will always believe things happen for a reason, albeit not always easy to accept, it can often steer you on a different route with unexpected and perhaps better outcomes. Who'd have thought I'd be in full-time education at the age of thirty nine? Who'd have thought I'd be standing pitch side in front of 32,000 singing fans during kick off at an English Football match and that I'd have fallen in love with Wheelchair Basketball, being a Team Liaison for Italy? Who knows the reason we get knocked off our path sometimes, the important thing is to get up and make the best of what we're able to while we can.</div>
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It's for that reason I've decided to focus on the dream I mentioned right at the beginning. Being involved in the Academy back in South Africa not only gave me lifelong memories but it provided something to the community which we could all share, enjoy and benefit from. Sport development has improved vastly over the past decade and many young people from all corners of South Africa are given an opportunity to compete on the world stage nowadays. Cricket has also transformed into a very wealthy sport and can be very financially rewarding for those who make it onto provincial level, especially in the IPL. Kids from all backgrounds, no matter how poor, therefore have an opportunity to set themselves up for life through doing something they love.</div>
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The project I'm looking to start however, is aimed at those who probably won't make it that far. It's aimed at young people who just aren't quite good enough to represent their country or even province but who have a passion and love for the game like no other, like what I had when all I wanted to do was come to England and play cricket every day. Although I had the passion, the biggest problem standing in the way of relishing my dream was being able to fund it. I was very lucky though - the help I received from the community and years of savings made it possible. Not everyone is that blessed..... I want to help make that possible for some and offer them something they will never forget.</div>
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I'm hoping to raise enough money to be able to offer two cricketers a six week visit to England next year, during which they'll receive coaching, play matches, a visit to Lord's and enjoy some British culture. This might well be the only ever time they get such a chance - who knows, it might even jump-start their career in the sport. Although I'm planning a number of fundraising events, this will not be possible without generous support from businesses and individuals. I must therefore ask if you'd please be so kind to support this campaign by clicking on the link <a href="http://gogetfunding.com/providing-an-opportunity-of-a-lifetime/">to help make someone accomplish a dream</a> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">and by making even a tiny donation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">No matter how small, your contribution will go a long way towards making this dream a reality. The biggest challenge is getting every single person reading this to donate something. Too often we think, "Nah, I can't be bothered", "my tiny contribution won't help" or even worse, "I'll do it another time" - then we don't. Please, act now. What is one less £3 spent on something this month or even week? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">By donating something and sharing this with your friends via email, Facebook, Twitter or whichever way you can, could eventually help offer these guys the best six weeks of their lives.</span></div>
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Let's make this possible, together, please. Your help will be gratefully appreciated, thank you.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566426513735532741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996048007311861766.post-46272460228031026952015-03-08T15:19:00.001+00:002015-03-08T15:19:31.057+00:00A Batsman's GameAs we're approaching the conclusion of the group stages in the ICC World Cup, one thing has stood out for me. 260-280 doesn't seem to be a par score in most matches anymore. I can remember when 200 was a decent score, then it became 240-250 before the bar got lifted even more. Now 330 isn't even safe anymore!<br />
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Who'd want to be a bowler? You're not allowed to do this, you're not allowed to do that! It doesn't seem a fair contest to me! Yes, we all like to see runs being piled up but just look at the <a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/engine/match/656437.html" target="_blank">game between the two host nations</a>. A low scoring affair which produced great excitement finished by a six!<br />
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Is the game becoming a bit one dimensional? Better pitches, smaller grounds, bigger bats, better hitting. With all of these pointing in favour of a batsman, is there any need to restrict bowlers and fielders?<br />
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I think it's time the ICC consider relaxing these restrictions. I'd like a bowler to come on and bowl a bouncer if he wants to. Sure enough, if it's too high call a wide, but why restrict him to only two short ones an over. If AB de Villiers or Chris Gayle smash it out of the park effortlessly, why restrict the bowler to have to have 5 fielders closer than 30 yards to the bat?<br />
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A batsman can reverse sweep, scoop, innovate and do whatever he wants, but a bowler has to say which side of the wicket he wants to bowl from. What's the next restriction going to be? The bowler has to say whether he's about to bowl an outswinger or a googly or a yorker? Maybe it's time for the the one-day game to become more of a fair test and leave the batting circus to 20/20 cricket. In times where test cricket is in decline and fears for the future of it exists, let's not do the same to the 50 over format, please.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566426513735532741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996048007311861766.post-82976786431782787542015-01-25T17:17:00.002+00:002015-01-25T17:17:48.860+00:00West Indies Triumphant in Port Elizabeth An explosive 64 not out off 40 balls by Andre Russell secured the West Indies' first win of the series against South Africa earlier today. The visitors looked dead and buried at 73/5 after 22 overs in pursuit of the Protea's 262 and when the 9th wicket fell with another 24 runs required, very few pundits would have given them a chance.<br />
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Russell, however, doesn't lack any confidence and showed the public just why he's known as superman in some circles, finishing the game in style by dispatching Kyle Abbott over long on for 6, ending a losing streak of 16 consecutive matches to South Africa. He was given good support by Marlon Samuels (68) and Darren Sammy (51) before the lower order helped steering the ship over the line with nine balls to spare.<br />
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Earlier in the day the festive St George's Park crowd, spurred on by the famous band, were entertained by David Miller hitting his maiden century for South Africa, having been in a spot of bother themselves on 76/4. Miller who finished on 130 not out will be delighted in the way he managed to build and construct an innings of this stature as he's trying to cement his place in the South African starting line-up ahead of the World Cup. His destructive ability to score runs very quickly at the end of an innings is known by many a bowler across the globe and on several occasions the strong South African top order hasn't left him much time to build an innings, but today it was needed and no doubt managed to install much needed faith days before South Africa cross the Indian Ocean and head to Australasia.<br />
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It was the innings of Andre Russell the people of PE will remember for a long time though as the tour heads to Centurion for the final ODI, South Africa having already won, leading 3-1.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566426513735532741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996048007311861766.post-20136432859288622752014-01-05T21:54:00.001+00:002014-01-05T21:54:34.331+00:00England get whitewashed - who would have thought?One would have gotten good odds on Australia winning the series 5-0 a couple of months ago. I have no idea what they were, never bothered looking! Australia to win, yes, but not a whitewash! Just goes to show how unpredictable sport can be.<div><br></div><div>Before this series started, Australia lost 7 out of its previous 8 test. Now they're starting to look like the best team in the world, but perhaps a little premature thought if anyone think they are.</div><div><br></div><div>Clarke certainly believes his team has the best bowling attack in the world. Not sure the boys on the other side of the Indian Ocean agrees with that and we're certainly in for a treat in a month's time when the two teams go face to face in a three match series.</div><div><br></div><div>England were humiliated earlier on being dismissed in their second innings within a mere 33 overs! They looked like a heavy weight boxer getting knocked out in the 12th round having lost every round and just couldn't absorb any further punches. A team who just had no fighting spirit left! I feel sorry for those players who have to stay on for the one day series.</div><div><br></div><div>So how good is this Australian team now? Well, their big test begins on the 12th of February at Centurion!</div><div><br></div><div>I can't wait!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566426513735532741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996048007311861766.post-29267781602510771812014-01-04T21:24:00.001+00:002014-01-04T21:24:18.539+00:00Two Unsung HeroesAll the focus at the moment is on the dismal performance of England and now it's just a matter of a few sessions before they'll find themselves whitewashed, unless a miracle comes their way over the next 3 days. Take nothing away from Australia of course as they've made a remarkable turnaround from where they were 3 months ago.<br />
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But as I'm sure everyone is tired of having witnessed the same pattern for 5 consecutive test matches now, let's talk about two unsung heroes other than Haddin and Johnson for a change. The two umpires out in the middle at the moment, Alleem Dar and Marais Erasmus has had an outstanding game thus far. They've already had to make numerous tough decisions and I'm struggling to think of either of them getting any wrong.<br />
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It's good to see that in an era where more and more decisions are being taken out of the hands of the men in charge out in the middle, that we can still see outstanding performances. Let's hope this carries on.<br />
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So, to say England are up against it, is an understatement and with them already needing more runs than what's ever been successfully chased down in a test at the SCG, I'm afraid I guess they'll do well to take play into day 4.<br />
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<b><u>Summary:</u></b><br />
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<b>Aus </b>326 all out & 140/4<br />
<b>Eng</b> 155 all out<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566426513735532741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996048007311861766.post-82904162840073986822014-01-03T22:27:00.001+00:002014-01-03T22:36:01.746+00:00A Familiar PatternThree debutants for England and an unchanged side for Australia. But perhaps the biggest surprise was the exclusion of Joe Root. Perhaps Carberry was told he had one more chance - now he might only one have one last innings left to save his place as he failed to trouble the scorers just before the end of play.<div><br></div><div>England might have thought there luck has changed when they won the toss on a green looking top and had no hesitation in sending Australia in to bat. At 97/5 things were looking good for the visitors but we've been here before. In came Brad Haddin and as he's done all series, proved a thorn in the English flesh. Haddin was eventually dismissed for a sparkling 75 but Steve Smith carried on and completed his 2nd century of the tour.</div><div><br></div><div>Yet again Ben Stokes impressed, following his hundred up from the previous test with 6 wickets in this innings. If England can take one positive back with them it will be his performance. Now we're eager to see how the other debutants perform in this match. Rankin impressed in his first over getting sharp bounce which prompted the question once more, "Why was he on the sideline when they played at the WACA?" But he looked at man out of form, out of depth or lack of match practice before leaving the field with what looked like a hamstring injury.</div><div><br></div><div>Borthwick didn't cause the batsmen too many headaches neither as the Aussies clearly decided to be positive against him, but he did at least pick up the wicket of Johnson, albeit from one too many aggressive strokes. He did however at times generate sharp turn and bounce - and of course this being on day 1. Australia were all out for 326 at a healthy run rate of 4 an over.</div><div><br></div><div>The big test now is whether England can pile on the runs, get a lead and maybe provide an opportunity for Borthwick to become a hero in the second innings. Maybe this will be the day that KP comes off and score a big hundred! Or are we about to witness yet another far too familiar story, where England get skittled out having had the hosts in serious trouble before halfway through day 1 themselves? England finished the day on 8/1.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566426513735532741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996048007311861766.post-78353648964297136242014-01-02T18:12:00.001+00:002014-01-02T18:32:54.486+00:00Can England avoid a whitewash?If you'd said to me two months ago that England will be going into the final test at Sydney, starting in a few hours' time, on the verge of a series whitewash, I would have said "get real"!<div><br></div><div>But it will take either a very brave or stupid man to bet against it being the outcome in 5 days' time or perhaps even a lot sooner. England seems to be in disarray at the moment. It often ends up being the visiting team though. Trott went home soon after arriving on the Australian shores, Swann quit halfway through, Prior, the vice-captain, got dropped, Cook, the captain, is in desperate need of runs, although he's not the only one and the list of problems just goes on and on.</div><div><br></div><div>We might well see a few changes in the lineup today. There are talks of Monty struggling with an injury which may well make room for Scott Borthwick. That won't harm the batting lineup and might be a welcoming addition for a team struggling to score 400.</div><div><br></div><div>Will we see Boyd Rankin make his debut and wouldn't it be rather ironic if he ends up doing well on a wicket probably least suited to him on this tour? There might even be room for Gary Ballance which could mean 3 debutants for England! Who would have thought! Australia on the other hand might actually go in to the test with the same 11 that started every single test this series, for the first time in their history.</div><div><br></div><div>Whatever the outcome of this 5th and final test, England need to regroup. One often forgets the credit due to a team responsible for another's failures, in this case Australia. It wasn't all that long ago when they, themselves, were in a mess and every non Australian thoroughly enjoyed every defeat they suffered. But they stuck with their players and today they're reeping the rewards. </div><div><br></div><div>It will be interesting to see whether England do the same or whether a lot of changes get made. One thing is sure, Swann and Trott's absence, should he not return, will leave a big hole in a team who wasn't all that long ago No.1 in the world.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566426513735532741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996048007311861766.post-38807750688576987052014-01-02T14:09:00.001+00:002014-01-02T15:36:24.977+00:00No Cape Town New Year's TestCape Town without a New Year's test is a bit like Christmas in England without a turkey. As most us enjoyed the best part of a week feasting on the latter or reached a stage two days after Christmas of having had enough turkey sandwiches for a year, the same can't be said about the cricket loving public, not only in South Africa but around the world.<div><br></div><div>How is it possible that the best supported test match of the year in SA get scrapped off the calendar like leftover breadcrumbs? How can the ICC allow it? South Africa was meant to host India in the 3rd Test, but the series was shortened to two tests only due to India's request. </div><div><br></div><div>As mentioned in my previous blog, attendances aren't great during the longer version of the game in SA, but not only does the New Year Test attract huge crowds at Newlands, it's also a long standing tradition.</div><div><br></div><div>Why should the ICC allow this? Is it helping the survival of Test Cricket? Would any other country have gotten away with it or does the Indian Cricket Board control the ICC. It does make you wonder since they also have a say in refusing to accept DRS to be used when they're playing. Again, the ICC allows them to have the final say!</div><div><br></div><div>How can the ICC have one set of rules for 9 test playing nations, and another set when the 10th member is involved? No surprise then that some question whether ICC actually still stands for International Cricket Council or something else.</div><div><br></div><div>Take nothing away from Indian Cricket. They're blessed with highly talented players, both present and past, have enjoyed great success on the field, became no.1 in the world in the short and longer format of the game, crowned world champions and brought us the IPL! But other countries including Australia, South Africa, England and the West Indies have all enjoyed spells of dominance through the years.</div><div><br></div><div>It remains a great shame that a tour so closely contested between the two best sides in the world should not be over 3 tests or even more. Who knows, if it was, maybe SA would have had a world record test run chase behind their names today.</div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566426513735532741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996048007311861766.post-41237780512131874852013-12-31T12:57:00.000+00:002013-12-31T17:28:58.868+00:00The Future of Test CricketTest cricket seems to be forever under the microscope these days and the question always on the lips of most cricket lovers is "Will this format of the game survive?". One-day cricket began to have an impact on the number of spectators being drawn through the gates of the 5 day format many years ago, but it was the introduction of the 20/20 format which perhaps holds the biggest threat.<br />
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It doesn't seem all that long ago that Kerry Packer, the Australian media tycoon started the World Series of Cricket back in 1977. Amazing to think this was 36 years ago now - I was only just born but I grew up falling in love with the sport, appreciating that the real test was contested over 5 days. I still even remember players having a rest day in the middle of the contest. Those were the days.<br />
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Who could ever forget the 1992 World Cup down under?! Kepler Wessels, my idol at the time, leading the South Africans out in their first tournament after isolation and beating the hosts and favourites by 9 wickets in their opening game. Rather appropriate perhaps that Wessels should be named man of the match after returning to the shores of the country he represented while South Africa was in isolation before returning to his country of birth shortly before these sanctions were lifted. South Africa seemed to cruise through the competition until rain halted their chase in the semi-final against England and only a bizarre ruling meant that they were left with the impossible task of needing 22 runs with one ball required. South Africa's luck unfortunately never changed in any of the following World Cups.<br />
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Then came what many described as a cricket circus. 20/20 cricket. It ended up providing an injection of fresh energy to a game in danger of dying out in some parts of the test playing world, not least South Africa and the West Indies, two power houses of the game during the previous century. People were sceptical of the fact that it would ever take off and saw it as a waste of time and something that would just interfere with the tour schedule. "There certainly wouldn't be any room for spin bowlers in such a short format of the game!" WRONG!!! 20/20 cricket provided everything the sport needed. It sold the game to families, people packed the stadiums, spinners play a vital role and perhaps best of all, it developed players' techniques and style in a way which might cause W.G. Grace to turn in his grave today. These skills have been taken in to the longer version of the game and the outcome is much more exciting test cricket due to a higher scoring rate, flamboyant stroke play and more results within the 5 days. The irony I guess is that more club cricketers have played the 20/20 format of the game on a Wednesday evening than any other format longer than the One-day game, long before 20/20 was introduced on the international or county scene.<br />
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There is no doubt that stadiums get sold out whether it's the IPL, Big Bash or the Ram Slam. It brings a festive atmosphere to the ground, a family outing and it doesn't take up a whole day. But I have no doubt that Test Cricket is still well and truly alive. Nothing beats a classy hundred scored by the great Jacques Kallis or a fired up Dale Steyn charging in with a breeze behind him and a fearsome look in his eyes as he sends a delivery flying past the chin of a batsman. That tense finish during the last hour on the 5th day when all three results are still possible. We were unfortunate not to witness and be part of history a week ago when South Africa came within 8 runs of chasing down a world record target of 458. They opted for the second best result, playing out for a draw. A decision justified by them winning the next test and in doing so winning the series. This week we saw a record breaking crowd of over 90,000 at the MCG to watch a day's play at the Boxing Day Test!<br />
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I think Test cricket is still alive. The crowd still gather in some parts of the world and the quality of cricket draws others to their television sets. It's up to the ICC to ensure proper schedules are drawn and stuck to. There will always remain room for the shortest format, there'll always be an audience too which ought to provide enough revenue to stage the Tests, providing there's a sensible balance.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566426513735532741noreply@blogger.com0