Aust vs India, 1st CUB ODI
Post your comments here as the action unfolds...
| Posted by JC on Sun 3 Feb |  53 comments |
India, what are you doing??
My dear selectors,
you guys must understand that getting in youngsters isn't the only way to improve the ODI performance.
It would've made a lot of sense to pick Dravid and Ganguly for this crucial series. I understand that the oldies have to go at some point, but not like this, one after an other, and that too before a challenging series in Australia.
Just look at people like Tiwary, so raw, bred on the pancake pitches at eden gardens, struggling to even get his feet in the right place, let alone play the ball. And what may I ask was the use of getting Dinesh Karthik to Australia? You've spent so much time on him, for what joy? To get a professional drinks boy? He's by far the most technically correct (along with Raina) and experienced among the youngsters.
But you wouldn't expect this much sense from the selectors would you? The same people who dropped their best player in 2007-Sourav Ganguly, and their fittest player-Rahul Dravid, on the basis of age?!
To be very honest, I don't see India winning more than one game in this tournament. I hope they can prove me wrong, but when you've got selectors lacking in common sense, you don't expect the team to do any better..
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-03 16:30:50
My dear selectors,
you guys must understand that getting in youngsters isn't the only way to improve the ODI performance.
It would've made a lot of sense to pick Dravid and Ganguly for this crucial series. I understand that the oldies have to go at some point, but not like this, one after an other, and that too before a challenging series in Australia.
Just look at people like Tiwary, so raw, bred on the pancake pitches at eden gardens, struggling to even get his feet in the right place, let alone play the ball. And what may I ask was the use of getting Dinesh Karthik to Australia? You've spent so much time on him, for what joy? To get a professional drinks boy? He's by far the most technically correct (along with Raina) and experienced among the youngsters.
But you wouldn't expect this much sense from the selectors would you? The same people who dropped their best player in 2007-Sourav Ganguly, and their fittest player-Rahul Dravid, on the basis of age?!
To be very honest, I don't see India winning more than one game in this tournament. I hope they can prove me wrong, but when you've got selectors lacking in common sense, you don't expect the team to do any better..
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-03 16:30:50
Hi, a post from the gabba;
Lite drizzle last 10 to 15. why they went off only the umpires know?? Much greater danger of getting wet @ the bar or urinal than out in the open, it's pathedic really. If they went off for this in England they'd never play. Light NE'er blow, wife @ home 100k's north east of Gabba, hasn't rained there since early this morning so fingers crossed. Time to drink my beer and eat a pie.
PS. Feels like it could storm tonight
Posted by PhotoHog on 2008-02-03 17:21:22
Lite drizzle last 10 to 15. why they went off only the umpires know?? Much greater danger of getting wet @ the bar or urinal than out in the open, it's pathedic really. If they went off for this in England they'd never play. Light NE'er blow, wife @ home 100k's north east of Gabba, hasn't rained there since early this morning so fingers crossed. Time to drink my beer and eat a pie.
PS. Feels like it could storm tonight
Posted by PhotoHog on 2008-02-03 17:21:22
pps. India lucky Aussies can't catch, cheers
Posted by PhotoHog on 2008-02-03 17:23:59
Posted by PhotoHog on 2008-02-03 17:23:59
PhotoHog, for a blogger, I'm still gaga over modern technology - how are you blogging from the gabba?
Posted by JC on 2008-02-03 17:34:02
Posted by JC on 2008-02-03 17:34:02
India 194 all out.
Gambhir 39 Dhoni 37 R Sharma 29 H Singh 27
Lee 5-27 Johnson 1-33
Wonderful stuff from Aus on the field.
Some woeful shots from the Indians but well done to Dhoni and Harbhajan in the end for getting close to 200. Among the youngsters only Rohit Sharma looked promising, only to play a dreadful shot to Lee. But it looks like Australias game at the moment considering the fast bowlers aren't even able to grip the ball properly.
BAD NEWS in that its raining again. Lets hope it eases once play resumes..
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-03 19:13:13
Gambhir 39 Dhoni 37 R Sharma 29 H Singh 27
Lee 5-27 Johnson 1-33
Wonderful stuff from Aus on the field.
Some woeful shots from the Indians but well done to Dhoni and Harbhajan in the end for getting close to 200. Among the youngsters only Rohit Sharma looked promising, only to play a dreadful shot to Lee. But it looks like Australias game at the moment considering the fast bowlers aren't even able to grip the ball properly.
BAD NEWS in that its raining again. Lets hope it eases once play resumes..
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-03 19:13:13
Australia need 196 to win not 195, thanks to messrs Duckworth and Lewis.
The day the common man understands Duckworth-Lewis...Antarctica would be the best team in the world!
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-03 19:26:37
The day the common man understands Duckworth-Lewis...Antarctica would be the best team in the world!
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-03 19:26:37
@ the Gabba, raining but stopped, it's tea anyhow. Still no rain @ home to the north, must be coming from the east, @ least it's not from the SE 'cause that's game off. Harbie got a nice Qld'er welcome and goodbye, 'think he enjoyed it though. Aussies are in box seat BUT hard to know what the ball and pitch will do after the rain.With weather the Gabbaba can turn from batters paradise to all out for 70. Beer time, Go get em Gilly!
PS. JC, I wish I could tell you that I was posting from my next G phone but my mates 12yo won't show me how. Nah, went and saw me photohog mates.
PPS. Rain's stopped, shit players on the field
Posted by PhotoHog on 2008-02-03 19:47:57
PS. JC, I wish I could tell you that I was posting from my next G phone but my mates 12yo won't show me how. Nah, went and saw me photohog mates.
PPS. Rain's stopped, shit players on the field
Posted by PhotoHog on 2008-02-03 19:47:57
192 reqd from 43 overs now..
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-03 19:48:52
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-03 19:48:52
Members of the Sri Lankan camp in Australia for the CB series were the target of verbal abuse and had eggs thrown at them on Thursday night in Hobart. Muttiah Muralitharan and a team selector were part of a group walking from a restaurant to the team hotel and the selector was hit on the back by an egg. As a result, the Sri Lankan board has asked Cricket Australia (CA) to tighten security around the team.
"Muralitharan, along with one of the selectors and the team masseur, were walking on the street in Hobart when suddenly from nowhere a car passed them and the guy starts abusing," a source close to the team confirmed to Cricinfo. "He then came back a few more times and repeated this and suddenly he started throwing eggs in their direction. One landed on the back of the selector. The team management has lodged a protest with the cops but fortunately nothing untoward happened on the ground."
SHAME ON YOU AUSTRALIANS! Isnt this racism?
Posted by Terry on 2008-02-03 20:34:41
"Muralitharan, along with one of the selectors and the team masseur, were walking on the street in Hobart when suddenly from nowhere a car passed them and the guy starts abusing," a source close to the team confirmed to Cricinfo. "He then came back a few more times and repeated this and suddenly he started throwing eggs in their direction. One landed on the back of the selector. The team management has lodged a protest with the cops but fortunately nothing untoward happened on the ground."
SHAME ON YOU AUSTRALIANS! Isnt this racism?
Posted by Terry on 2008-02-03 20:34:41
8:08, It's not raining but covers are still on?? that's cricket.
Terry, It's can't be racism 'cause the kids throwing the eggs were Indians.
covers still on still no rain
Posted by PhotoHog on 2008-02-03 21:11:16
Terry, It's can't be racism 'cause the kids throwing the eggs were Indians.
covers still on still no rain
Posted by PhotoHog on 2008-02-03 21:11:16
Damn that kid Ishant is good.
The more I see him the more I like him.
Posted by Hanuman on 2008-02-03 21:37:14
The more I see him the more I like him.
Posted by Hanuman on 2008-02-03 21:37:14
4.4 I Sharma to Hopes, OUT, bowled 'em! Thats a peach, the ball pitching back of a drivable length and seaming back in sharply through the huge gap between bat and pad to disturb the stumps ... Hopes played forward and was simply beaten by an immaculate seam position
maybe India still have some hope here apart from the rain..
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-03 21:40:44
maybe India still have some hope here apart from the rain..
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-03 21:40:44
And that was his first over in ODI cricket!
Looks promising Ishant Sharma..
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-03 21:42:25
Looks promising Ishant Sharma..
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-03 21:42:25
According to the radar, rain is coming in from both the NE and the NW.
Posted by Hanuman on 2008-02-03 21:56:43
Posted by Hanuman on 2008-02-03 21:56:43
Tasmania is not a part of Australia..
Ricky Ponting immigrated to NSW only because his wife was already a citizen ;)
Posted by Ace on 2008-02-03 23:09:15
Ricky Ponting immigrated to NSW only because his wife was already a citizen ;)
Posted by Ace on 2008-02-03 23:09:15
truth is rain saved india from blushes
Posted by purush on 2008-02-04 04:01:55
Posted by purush on 2008-02-04 04:01:55
India may get flogged in this series. But they need to bite the bullet and keep persisting with these youngsters. Dhoni should not captain the side when he himself is not assured of a spot in the eleven. He was keen on keeping out Kartik (who is one of his competitors for the wk's spot; the other being Parthiv Patel) in favour of Tiwary who had just gotten of the plane.
It is official now - Aussies can't catch anything in the slips. Even Boycott's mom would have caught some of the sitters that went down this summer. And oh.. Ponting appears to have real trouble playing quality fast bowling. He was lucky that Sreesanth did'nt play in the test series. Now he has nowhere to hide with Ishant and Sreesanth gunning for him.
Posted by Varghese on 2008-02-04 06:08:38
It is official now - Aussies can't catch anything in the slips. Even Boycott's mom would have caught some of the sitters that went down this summer. And oh.. Ponting appears to have real trouble playing quality fast bowling. He was lucky that Sreesanth did'nt play in the test series. Now he has nowhere to hide with Ishant and Sreesanth gunning for him.
Posted by Varghese on 2008-02-04 06:08:38
Varghese - This is a somewhat balanced post for you...
Agree with the Tiwary thing it is bizarre that Karthik or Raina was not given the chance...
Was reading an article on Cricinfo and it seems most of these guys aren't even making runs in your domestic circuit on pancake flat wickets...
Makes me think what chance do they have out here?
Bowling looks decent - I rekon Pathan and Dhoni should bat up the order and let the new guys bat at the death...
Gambhir was very lucky today - dropped twice and dont get why after making 29, Sharma is hailed as the next big thing...
Tuesday will tell you how strong India's batting line up is against probably the 2nd best ODI team in the world...
I expect India to finish a distant 3rd in this series now - nothing really impressed by about their batting - but it could have still been a good game - We might have had some last ball heroics from Symmo...
Posted by Ace on 2008-02-04 10:15:37
Agree with the Tiwary thing it is bizarre that Karthik or Raina was not given the chance...
Was reading an article on Cricinfo and it seems most of these guys aren't even making runs in your domestic circuit on pancake flat wickets...
Makes me think what chance do they have out here?
Bowling looks decent - I rekon Pathan and Dhoni should bat up the order and let the new guys bat at the death...
Gambhir was very lucky today - dropped twice and dont get why after making 29, Sharma is hailed as the next big thing...
Tuesday will tell you how strong India's batting line up is against probably the 2nd best ODI team in the world...
I expect India to finish a distant 3rd in this series now - nothing really impressed by about their batting - but it could have still been a good game - We might have had some last ball heroics from Symmo...
Posted by Ace on 2008-02-04 10:15:37
Ace it doesnt matter whether you play your cricket on pancake flat wickets or on wonderbras. If there is talent then it will come thru, but only if selectors give them extended runs. Look at the Tendulkars, Laxmans, Dravids, Sehwags - they learned their cricket on the same flat Indians wickets.
Regarding balance I have always tried to maintain balance while writing. But when you see the vitriol and trash coming out of Aussie media and Channel 9 , then I feel that it is my duty to defend my team against baseless allegations and ridicule.
Posted by Varghese on 2008-02-04 12:32:09
Regarding balance I have always tried to maintain balance while writing. But when you see the vitriol and trash coming out of Aussie media and Channel 9 , then I feel that it is my duty to defend my team against baseless allegations and ridicule.
Posted by Varghese on 2008-02-04 12:32:09
Varghese - I am happy to wait till the end of the series to pass judgement, and hope they rise to the occassion.
Channel 9 commentary is a joke, I wouldnt brand the whole Australian media a joke though...
There fundamentally seems to be an attitude problem with your younger breed of cricketers -they walk onto the field as though they are stars - Yuvraj for example...
I hear they all got cars and millions of rupees for winning the T20 World Cup - not sure what message that sends...
In any case one more experienced batsmen would provide a better balance - maybe that is Yuvraj.
You look at the Australian team the difference is players have to do the hard yards before they are even given a chance...
I for one am disappointed - really thought India would maintain their challenge for world supremacy but your cupboards look pretty bare mate...
In 5 yrs what will your Test team look like?
Posted by Ace on 2008-02-04 13:38:27
Channel 9 commentary is a joke, I wouldnt brand the whole Australian media a joke though...
There fundamentally seems to be an attitude problem with your younger breed of cricketers -they walk onto the field as though they are stars - Yuvraj for example...
I hear they all got cars and millions of rupees for winning the T20 World Cup - not sure what message that sends...
In any case one more experienced batsmen would provide a better balance - maybe that is Yuvraj.
You look at the Australian team the difference is players have to do the hard yards before they are even given a chance...
I for one am disappointed - really thought India would maintain their challenge for world supremacy but your cupboards look pretty bare mate...
In 5 yrs what will your Test team look like?
Posted by Ace on 2008-02-04 13:38:27
Ace - I hold a different opinion. If BCCI is overflowing with cash then why not share it with the youngsters. After all when we were kids, parents took a dim view of cricket coz it was either boom ( if you made it to the national team) or bust. Now parents are encouraging their kids to take cricket as a serious option because there is money at all levels.
India will never be found wanting for talent. Yuvraj is incredibly talented. One bad tour should not be a matter of concern. By the same token Warne (1991) and Lee (2003) were mauled by Indians but came off the better for it.
Five years down the line India will be right at the top. Sreesanth will lead the bowling attack and Badrinath (watch out for the name) will be the new Tendulkar. I am sure that in the meantime some incredible talents will surface.
Posted by Varghese on 2008-02-04 13:58:02
India will never be found wanting for talent. Yuvraj is incredibly talented. One bad tour should not be a matter of concern. By the same token Warne (1991) and Lee (2003) were mauled by Indians but came off the better for it.
Five years down the line India will be right at the top. Sreesanth will lead the bowling attack and Badrinath (watch out for the name) will be the new Tendulkar. I am sure that in the meantime some incredible talents will surface.
Posted by Varghese on 2008-02-04 13:58:02
Varghese - The difference for me is that Yuvraj has been around since 2000 or so and this is about the time he should be kicking on and becoming a class act who scores runs consistently.
I put him in the same class of player as a Ramnaresh Sarwan, someone who should score consistently but doesnt...
I don't think he has the temperament for Test cricket and was found wanting by a relatively weak Australian attack...
None of your new breed of batsmen have done anything special yet and calling Badrinath the next Tendulkar is a big call...
Is he only 14, if he is older than 16 he simply cant be the next Sachin...
I dont think we will ever see another Sachin, and therein lies a huge gap for you guys to fill...
Good to see India at least thinking more team than individual even though the team smacks of a bunch of lemmings becoming cannon fodder for Lee's rockets...
Posted by Ace on 2008-02-04 15:00:10
I put him in the same class of player as a Ramnaresh Sarwan, someone who should score consistently but doesnt...
I don't think he has the temperament for Test cricket and was found wanting by a relatively weak Australian attack...
None of your new breed of batsmen have done anything special yet and calling Badrinath the next Tendulkar is a big call...
Is he only 14, if he is older than 16 he simply cant be the next Sachin...
I dont think we will ever see another Sachin, and therein lies a huge gap for you guys to fill...
Good to see India at least thinking more team than individual even though the team smacks of a bunch of lemmings becoming cannon fodder for Lee's rockets...
Posted by Ace on 2008-02-04 15:00:10
ACE
Good to see India at least thinking more team than individual even though the team smacks of a bunch of lemmings becoming cannon fodder for Lee's rockets...
I am expecting the rockets to crash due to bad weather once the storms from swinging bats of Rohit, Gautam and Robin strike coupled with torrential downpour of 4s and 6s. The downpour also would affect the visibility range of the rockets...
Posted by No Argument on 2008-02-04 16:43:30
Good to see India at least thinking more team than individual even though the team smacks of a bunch of lemmings becoming cannon fodder for Lee's rockets...
I am expecting the rockets to crash due to bad weather once the storms from swinging bats of Rohit, Gautam and Robin strike coupled with torrential downpour of 4s and 6s. The downpour also would affect the visibility range of the rockets...
Posted by No Argument on 2008-02-04 16:43:30
ACE
"I for one am disappointed - really thought India would maintain their challenge for world supremacy but your cupboards look pretty bare mate...
In 5 yrs what will your Test team look like?"
Yes, the cupboards and the garage look pretty empty now. What you see is the cupboards and garage of a billionare who has just sold his old belongings. Now he is exchanging his BMW M3 coupe with Porsche Carrea GT and his Akai flat TV with Sony Slimfit TV.
When this bunch gets ready, that would be too hot to handle. We are planning for next world cup and by the time it commences, these guys would have played 75 internationals each unlike Aussie team smarting under the losses of all conquering oldies.
The team after 5 years:
Rohit "dravid" Sharma
Manoj "Laxman" Tiwary
Gautam "Ganguly" Gambhir
Suresh "Kallis" Raina
Yuvraj "Lara" Singh
Mahendra "Gilchrist" Dhoni
Ishant "Kapildev" Sharma
harbhajan "Bedi" Singh
Sree "Hadlee" Santh and many many more....
ICL and IPL would throw up many more surprizes and we are hoping that we would have 3 test teams playing against Australia, South Africa and England at the same time... and I'll keep on switching channels to celebrate Rohit's century against australia, Ishant's five wicket haul against SA and English players dancing to the tune of Bhajji's spin
Posted by No Argument on 2008-02-04 17:20:47
"I for one am disappointed - really thought India would maintain their challenge for world supremacy but your cupboards look pretty bare mate...
In 5 yrs what will your Test team look like?"
Yes, the cupboards and the garage look pretty empty now. What you see is the cupboards and garage of a billionare who has just sold his old belongings. Now he is exchanging his BMW M3 coupe with Porsche Carrea GT and his Akai flat TV with Sony Slimfit TV.
When this bunch gets ready, that would be too hot to handle. We are planning for next world cup and by the time it commences, these guys would have played 75 internationals each unlike Aussie team smarting under the losses of all conquering oldies.
The team after 5 years:
Rohit "dravid" Sharma
Manoj "Laxman" Tiwary
Gautam "Ganguly" Gambhir
Suresh "Kallis" Raina
Yuvraj "Lara" Singh
Mahendra "Gilchrist" Dhoni
Ishant "Kapildev" Sharma
harbhajan "Bedi" Singh
Sree "Hadlee" Santh and many many more....
ICL and IPL would throw up many more surprizes and we are hoping that we would have 3 test teams playing against Australia, South Africa and England at the same time... and I'll keep on switching channels to celebrate Rohit's century against australia, Ishant's five wicket haul against SA and English players dancing to the tune of Bhajji's spin
Posted by No Argument on 2008-02-04 17:20:47
No Argument - I love it...
I am not sure which one I find funnier Yuvraj "Lara" Singh or Suresh "Kallis" Raina
Your optimism is great to see...
Irrespective of how many T20 tournaments you win I struggle to see you beating us in a Test series in Australia in the next 10 years...
Posted by Ace on 2008-02-04 17:40:47
I am not sure which one I find funnier Yuvraj "Lara" Singh or Suresh "Kallis" Raina
Your optimism is great to see...
Irrespective of how many T20 tournaments you win I struggle to see you beating us in a Test series in Australia in the next 10 years...
Posted by Ace on 2008-02-04 17:40:47
Good point Varghese in that Dhoni, heart of hearts, might be threatened by Dinesh Karthik gunning for the same position.
I saw no point in keeping Karthik for the whole test series in Australia, getting him used to the conditions, and then dropping him for the ODI series?
He has a very good technique and what like best about him is that he is of the Rahul Dravid mould - he doesn't let his oodles of talent alone guide him, he is ready to guts it out and grind in tough situations which I see lacking in Tiwary in what I've seen of him in domestic cricket.
Let's hope Dhoni can find his once frightening form again...
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-04 18:00:12
I saw no point in keeping Karthik for the whole test series in Australia, getting him used to the conditions, and then dropping him for the ODI series?
He has a very good technique and what like best about him is that he is of the Rahul Dravid mould - he doesn't let his oodles of talent alone guide him, he is ready to guts it out and grind in tough situations which I see lacking in Tiwary in what I've seen of him in domestic cricket.
Let's hope Dhoni can find his once frightening form again...
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-04 18:00:12
Ajesh - The problem with Dhoni is his technique is simply not good enough for Test cricket or for any cricket away from pancake wickets in the sub-continent...
He has grit and determination but only on flat tracks will he devastate attacks...
He saved India in Englad but it was a scrappy innings at best and all his runs to date in Australia have been all guts...
He seems like a good leader and his keeping is much better now - but he really needs to work on his technique if he is going to excel away from home..
Posted by Ace on 2008-02-04 18:52:56
He has grit and determination but only on flat tracks will he devastate attacks...
He saved India in Englad but it was a scrappy innings at best and all his runs to date in Australia have been all guts...
He seems like a good leader and his keeping is much better now - but he really needs to work on his technique if he is going to excel away from home..
Posted by Ace on 2008-02-04 18:52:56
Ace,
I agree with you that the cup looks bare and empty after the seniors have retired in Test cricket.
My view is that these youngsters Rohit Sharma, Gambhir, Yuvraj, Tiwary aren't good yet for test cricket. They can slog all they want in ODIs and T20s, but they have to buck up, identify and work on their shortcomings. But they are more keen on giving lip service
Among the Australians, except Michael Clarke who is ridiculously hyped by the Aussie media compared to exceptional performers like Hussey and Symonds, the batting line up seems to be the best ever I have seen. It is to Indian bowlers credit that they are able to put atleast some pressure on this superb line up.
And about the millions cricketers earn and their over the top celebrations stem from lack of consistent success at international level on almost any sport. Not that I am bothered by it particularly.
Also if you have reasonably followed Indian cricket, it should've been obvious that it is headed by a board that cares a damn about a cricket and more about making money out of it. So I would say, Indian cricket is doing a great job despite the odds stacked against it.
As for the talent, I am sure in a country of 1 billion people with so many playing cricket it is not that hard to produce quality talent on a consistent basis if the game is managed well, like Cricket Australia does.
Anyway I hope IPL paves the way to destruction of these pointless ODIs and Symonds, Ponting and Hussey play for our Chennai team. Thereby, blurring the line of nationalistic support that cricket has had to deal with.
p.s. It was funny that nobody seemed to mention that Symonds harassed by Indian crowd was only after he publicly criticized Indian teams celebrations. It was definitely not only because he was more black than other Australians. For all I know, that wasn't his first tour to India.
Also can somebody tell me why this Clarke guy is so hyped in Australia?
Posted by Subhash on 2008-02-04 19:51:28
I agree with you that the cup looks bare and empty after the seniors have retired in Test cricket.
My view is that these youngsters Rohit Sharma, Gambhir, Yuvraj, Tiwary aren't good yet for test cricket. They can slog all they want in ODIs and T20s, but they have to buck up, identify and work on their shortcomings. But they are more keen on giving lip service
Among the Australians, except Michael Clarke who is ridiculously hyped by the Aussie media compared to exceptional performers like Hussey and Symonds, the batting line up seems to be the best ever I have seen. It is to Indian bowlers credit that they are able to put atleast some pressure on this superb line up.
And about the millions cricketers earn and their over the top celebrations stem from lack of consistent success at international level on almost any sport. Not that I am bothered by it particularly.
Also if you have reasonably followed Indian cricket, it should've been obvious that it is headed by a board that cares a damn about a cricket and more about making money out of it. So I would say, Indian cricket is doing a great job despite the odds stacked against it.
As for the talent, I am sure in a country of 1 billion people with so many playing cricket it is not that hard to produce quality talent on a consistent basis if the game is managed well, like Cricket Australia does.
Anyway I hope IPL paves the way to destruction of these pointless ODIs and Symonds, Ponting and Hussey play for our Chennai team. Thereby, blurring the line of nationalistic support that cricket has had to deal with.
p.s. It was funny that nobody seemed to mention that Symonds harassed by Indian crowd was only after he publicly criticized Indian teams celebrations. It was definitely not only because he was more black than other Australians. For all I know, that wasn't his first tour to India.
Also can somebody tell me why this Clarke guy is so hyped in Australia?
Posted by Subhash on 2008-02-04 19:51:28
I couldn't agree with you more Ace. Ever since I saw Dhoni, my only question has been whether he'll be able to survive outside the subcontinent. After seeing his performances in South Africa, I'd got my answer.
To his credit he's been an inspirational leader and has improved his keeping leaps and bounds, but I still believe Karthik is a better keeper.
But despite Dhoni's bad technique, one thing he has is temperament, and I hope its this quality which will help him get through this tough period.
And one thing is for sure, Dinesh Karthik HAS to play..
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-04 19:55:50
To his credit he's been an inspirational leader and has improved his keeping leaps and bounds, but I still believe Karthik is a better keeper.
But despite Dhoni's bad technique, one thing he has is temperament, and I hope its this quality which will help him get through this tough period.
And one thing is for sure, Dinesh Karthik HAS to play..
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-04 19:55:50
Subhash, I believe the only time Michael Clarke was hyped was at the time of his debut. But all of us present at the Chinnaswamy stadium that day were in awe of this youngster, it was one innings noone would ever forget.
He followed it up with another century at home, and his career seemed made, that too of fairytale proportions.
But then he couldn't carry on, lost his form badly and had to go back to the rigours of state cricket.
At that point I honestly felt Clarke was to go the way of his idol, another Aussie youngster built up to be the next great, Damien Martyn.
But to his credit, he didn't lose focus the way Martyn did, and scored a ton in his first comeback game for New South Wales. A couple of good innings later he was back in the team for good and I think he has deserved all the credit hes got.
Lets not forget, he is also Australia's best fielder and has the potential to be their permanent 5th bowler, in ODI's atleast.
And about his hype, any blonde, handsome, talented youngster is bound to be hyped. I should really stop being obsessed about him, but I'll pick Martyn as an example again :)
So, in all fairness, I think Clarke has lived up to his billing, but he still has a lot to live up to, including being the next captain of the Australian cricket team, maybe even outshining the Ponting and Waugh eras before him..
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-04 20:09:27
He followed it up with another century at home, and his career seemed made, that too of fairytale proportions.
But then he couldn't carry on, lost his form badly and had to go back to the rigours of state cricket.
At that point I honestly felt Clarke was to go the way of his idol, another Aussie youngster built up to be the next great, Damien Martyn.
But to his credit, he didn't lose focus the way Martyn did, and scored a ton in his first comeback game for New South Wales. A couple of good innings later he was back in the team for good and I think he has deserved all the credit hes got.
Lets not forget, he is also Australia's best fielder and has the potential to be their permanent 5th bowler, in ODI's atleast.
And about his hype, any blonde, handsome, talented youngster is bound to be hyped. I should really stop being obsessed about him, but I'll pick Martyn as an example again :)
So, in all fairness, I think Clarke has lived up to his billing, but he still has a lot to live up to, including being the next captain of the Australian cricket team, maybe even outshining the Ponting and Waugh eras before him..
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-04 20:09:27
I haven't followed careers of any of the Australian cricketers honestly. My opinion was based on a number of times I have seen him bat. He seems like someone who bats with flourish and lives dangerously, like Rohit Sharma I think.
Damien Martyn (again I don't know his entire career) was a superb batsman to watch play. I would say the best Australia has produced in recent years closely followed by Ponting. If Clarke does have a career as good as Ponting, I would think that it happened because changed something drastic about his batting in 2008. I don't Clarke is as talented as they make him out to be.
Fielding and bowling are merely addons. Remember, ponting was always a superb fielder, but he got his top billing only after he became a great batsman. And then captaincy came. What has Clarke done to warrant captaincy? In fact, Symonds is much better than Clarke. Hussey is like God.
Posted by Subhash on 2008-02-04 20:20:20
Damien Martyn (again I don't know his entire career) was a superb batsman to watch play. I would say the best Australia has produced in recent years closely followed by Ponting. If Clarke does have a career as good as Ponting, I would think that it happened because changed something drastic about his batting in 2008. I don't Clarke is as talented as they make him out to be.
Fielding and bowling are merely addons. Remember, ponting was always a superb fielder, but he got his top billing only after he became a great batsman. And then captaincy came. What has Clarke done to warrant captaincy? In fact, Symonds is much better than Clarke. Hussey is like God.
Posted by Subhash on 2008-02-04 20:20:20
Also if I owned an IPL team, I would bid for Symonds and Hussey over Clarke any day.
Even Symonds can get a haircut and get his hair blonde dyed if he wants to. It costs what, $1000?
Posted by Subhash on 2008-02-04 20:24:38
Even Symonds can get a haircut and get his hair blonde dyed if he wants to. It costs what, $1000?
Posted by Subhash on 2008-02-04 20:24:38
Have ICC, CA and BCCI taken a joint call that the ranking of international cricketers and team will be decided based on who wins the argument in cricket-blog.com? I have a feeling that what is important for Clarke and Dhoni is to get a good score on this blog rather than on the field.
Posted by No Argument on 2008-02-04 20:29:19
Posted by No Argument on 2008-02-04 20:29:19
To be fair to Clarke, I think he has a pretty decent technique.
Not only has he scored runs on pacy pitches, but was also able to tame Harbhajan and Kumble in India, which says enough of his technique.
His nimble footwork has been his greatest ally, as Justin Langer said in one of his tour diaries "Clarke has feet like Frank Sinatra.."
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-04 20:29:42
Not only has he scored runs on pacy pitches, but was also able to tame Harbhajan and Kumble in India, which says enough of his technique.
His nimble footwork has been his greatest ally, as Justin Langer said in one of his tour diaries "Clarke has feet like Frank Sinatra.."
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-04 20:29:42
No Argument,
That hasn't stopped you from commenting here, has it?
Posted by Subhash on 2008-02-04 20:40:39
That hasn't stopped you from commenting here, has it?
Posted by Subhash on 2008-02-04 20:40:39
"Clarke has feet like Frank Sinatra"....
Then Gilly's bat is like Jimmy Hendrix
and Billy Bowden's hands and feet...hmmm... Madonna??? or is it Michael Jackson?
Posted by No Argument on 2008-02-04 20:53:15
Then Gilly's bat is like Jimmy Hendrix
and Billy Bowden's hands and feet...hmmm... Madonna??? or is it Michael Jackson?
Posted by No Argument on 2008-02-04 20:53:15
Frank Sinatra? I don't recall he was ever a dancer. Fred Estaire maybe.
Posted by JC on 2008-02-04 21:16:03
Posted by JC on 2008-02-04 21:16:03
I am not a big fan of Pup...
I agree that he is over-hyped...
He seems to have the same attitude as a Yuvraj but gets to play under less pressure...
Similar to Yuvraj he has a model/actress girlfriend and all the superstar qualities about him...
I agree i would take Symmo or Mr.Cricket over Clarkey...
I used to play grade cricket when he was up and coming and he has always been one of those little kids that had too much cheek - who needed to get a clip behind the ear, but no one gave it to him...
He is going down the same path as Ponting and it will indeed be a sad day when he captains the Aussie Test team...
Australia needs an image overhaul and a statesman like leader - e.g. Taylor or Waugh who commanded respect from all quarters...
Clarke is an immensely talented cricketer who knows he is immensely talented - no one is bigger than the Australian cricket team...
I hope Mr.Cricket is the next captain for us...
He he is good enough to be in the team but I still have question marks over his ability against the swinging ball...
The next Ashes series will be interesting for him if Englad put a decent team on the park...
The only way to beat Australia in Tests is to destroy their batting line up - no one should fear this Australian bowling attack, they will choke and strangle and make the opposition batting wilt under the pressure chasing a big score with tight fielding...
Who has the attack though to consistently trouble Australia's batting?
Posted by Ace on 2008-02-04 21:16:28
I agree that he is over-hyped...
He seems to have the same attitude as a Yuvraj but gets to play under less pressure...
Similar to Yuvraj he has a model/actress girlfriend and all the superstar qualities about him...
I agree i would take Symmo or Mr.Cricket over Clarkey...
I used to play grade cricket when he was up and coming and he has always been one of those little kids that had too much cheek - who needed to get a clip behind the ear, but no one gave it to him...
He is going down the same path as Ponting and it will indeed be a sad day when he captains the Aussie Test team...
Australia needs an image overhaul and a statesman like leader - e.g. Taylor or Waugh who commanded respect from all quarters...
Clarke is an immensely talented cricketer who knows he is immensely talented - no one is bigger than the Australian cricket team...
I hope Mr.Cricket is the next captain for us...
He he is good enough to be in the team but I still have question marks over his ability against the swinging ball...
The next Ashes series will be interesting for him if Englad put a decent team on the park...
The only way to beat Australia in Tests is to destroy their batting line up - no one should fear this Australian bowling attack, they will choke and strangle and make the opposition batting wilt under the pressure chasing a big score with tight fielding...
Who has the attack though to consistently trouble Australia's batting?
Posted by Ace on 2008-02-04 21:16:28
"Start spreading the news I'm walking today"
That wouldn't be Clarkey's song surely...
;)
Posted by Ace on 2008-02-04 21:17:16
That wouldn't be Clarkey's song surely...
;)
Posted by Ace on 2008-02-04 21:17:16
JC, Thats exactly what Langer said in his Indian tour diary in 2004.
I agree with Ace in that Pup is like Ponting who is a bit cheeky and not exactly well behaved.
But don't you guys want another captain who wins 16 in a row? At a cost, yes, so wouldn't it be ideal if Clarke watched a few bollywood movies, finds his inner soul, and does only good from then on?
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-04 21:24:47
I agree with Ace in that Pup is like Ponting who is a bit cheeky and not exactly well behaved.
But don't you guys want another captain who wins 16 in a row? At a cost, yes, so wouldn't it be ideal if Clarke watched a few bollywood movies, finds his inner soul, and does only good from then on?
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-04 21:24:47
Cmon Guys,
Give poor Tiwari a break. He is a decent player. Has scored tons of runs in Domestic cricket as well as 'A' Team tours. He was on his ODI debut, with the world's best fast bowler bowling at him. The ball was also doing a bit. On top of that he had missed out an earlier tour due to an injury(he was selected for the Bangladesh tour but got injured in a practice session.) and took a huge time to make a comeback. The guy must have been very nervos. remeber, Hyden and Attapattu looked equally pathetic in the earlier part of their careers. This guy just needs one good score and you will see his class.
Posted by ssukhdial on 2008-02-04 21:44:05
Give poor Tiwari a break. He is a decent player. Has scored tons of runs in Domestic cricket as well as 'A' Team tours. He was on his ODI debut, with the world's best fast bowler bowling at him. The ball was also doing a bit. On top of that he had missed out an earlier tour due to an injury(he was selected for the Bangladesh tour but got injured in a practice session.) and took a huge time to make a comeback. The guy must have been very nervos. remeber, Hyden and Attapattu looked equally pathetic in the earlier part of their careers. This guy just needs one good score and you will see his class.
Posted by ssukhdial on 2008-02-04 21:44:05
You're right ssukhdial, but I don't agree with Tiwari's selection ahead of Karthik.
Karthik for being a member in the sidelines for so long deserves better.
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-04 21:56:46
Karthik for being a member in the sidelines for so long deserves better.
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-04 21:56:46
No Argument, I mostly agree with what you are saying about Clarke and Dhoni. I can't speak for Dhoni but many around me are calling clarke a "fair-weather-champ", only, "can't produce the match winning innings for his team when the chips are down". That said (and I've said it tooo) we also said the same about Marto and he sure proved us wrong albeit eventually. Also IMHO Clarke is Australia's 2nd best player of spin, after Haydos. (I know it's not the best comparison as Hayden opens and is usually in by the time he sees spin).
Tell your billionaire mate to leave the Sony on the shelf and wait for the next Gen release from Pioneer, 'cause when it comes the crunch Sony's are Samsungs, JUst OK.
Ajesh Nag, Clarke can't be counted on to bowl all the time due to his on going back problems, bowling tends trouble it more than batting/field.
PS. Sharma is VERY GOOD and kept injury free could be anything.
Posted by PhotoHog on 2008-02-04 21:57:03
Tell your billionaire mate to leave the Sony on the shelf and wait for the next Gen release from Pioneer, 'cause when it comes the crunch Sony's are Samsungs, JUst OK.
Ajesh Nag, Clarke can't be counted on to bowl all the time due to his on going back problems, bowling tends trouble it more than batting/field.
PS. Sharma is VERY GOOD and kept injury free could be anything.
Posted by PhotoHog on 2008-02-04 21:57:03
I have never been so optimistic about the future of Indian Cricket Team. India is churning out excellent young players at breathtaking speed, almost like a production machine. We see almost a new team taking over from test team to represent the country in one dayers. We will soon have a repository of 100+ players playing in various formats in international games. This will create intense competition amongst players to retain their position and goad them to excel more and more. If in future, we have a test match against australia clashing with a T20 against SA, we will have the team ready. The test match will be viewed by traditional cricket loving crowd and T20 by people who love speed and agility, may be, it will wean away spectators from other games as well.
Posted by No Argument on 2008-02-04 23:07:04
Posted by No Argument on 2008-02-04 23:07:04
Hey Ajesh,
I too feel that Kartik should not have been left out, but somehow he has never been able to produce THE innings in ODIs to press for selection. I have never seen him play a good innings under pressure in ODIs. While in Tests he scores at an average of 32 in ODIs he scores at only 22 runs an innings with the highest score of 63, just 2 fifties in 20 innings at a strike rate of 69.76 . Plus Tewari of what I heard is a brilliant fielder. I think early in a long triangular series, it seems good to try someone like Tewari. Who knows, he may play a substantial innings and not look back. I feel Kartik will be a better asset as a keeper batsman than a pure batsman. But Dhoni will stick to his politics of not nurturing any competition for himself. Kartik's situation seems to be like that of Laxman. Under Dhoni's captaincy, he will soon be dropped. He will have to fight back for his place in domestic circuit.
Posted by ssukhdial on 2008-02-05 00:20:37
I too feel that Kartik should not have been left out, but somehow he has never been able to produce THE innings in ODIs to press for selection. I have never seen him play a good innings under pressure in ODIs. While in Tests he scores at an average of 32 in ODIs he scores at only 22 runs an innings with the highest score of 63, just 2 fifties in 20 innings at a strike rate of 69.76 . Plus Tewari of what I heard is a brilliant fielder. I think early in a long triangular series, it seems good to try someone like Tewari. Who knows, he may play a substantial innings and not look back. I feel Kartik will be a better asset as a keeper batsman than a pure batsman. But Dhoni will stick to his politics of not nurturing any competition for himself. Kartik's situation seems to be like that of Laxman. Under Dhoni's captaincy, he will soon be dropped. He will have to fight back for his place in domestic circuit.
Posted by ssukhdial on 2008-02-05 00:20:37
@ssukhdial, Yes I agree with you on most things.
But why has Karthik not played THE innings? Who on earth can play THE innings when you are never ever given a fair chance? If one keeps languishing at 7 he only gets 10 overs at the max. And in my opinion, Karthik and Raina are the best among the youngsters, at batting and fielding, thanks to their good technique and rock solid resolve.
At the moment in Australia, what we want is firmness, not flair.
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-05 00:33:55
But why has Karthik not played THE innings? Who on earth can play THE innings when you are never ever given a fair chance? If one keeps languishing at 7 he only gets 10 overs at the max. And in my opinion, Karthik and Raina are the best among the youngsters, at batting and fielding, thanks to their good technique and rock solid resolve.
At the moment in Australia, what we want is firmness, not flair.
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-02-05 00:33:55
Egg Hurled At Murali in Australia
(Lanka-e-News-2008Jan.02, 11.00PM) Muttiah Muralitharan and members of the Sri Lanka management had an egg thrown at them in Hobart earlier this week.
Sri Lankan team manager Shriyan Samararatne said the incident took place on Thursday evening while the group was walking from a restaurant to the team hotel.
The egg hit one of the selectors on the back.
The Sri Lankan board have asked Cricket Australia to tighten security around the team after the incident.
"A group of four was walking from a restaurant to the team hotel and an egg was thrown at them from a car but I am not sure if they recognised Murali," Samararatne told Media
"I don't know the exact motive. I doubt whether they recognised Murali but unfortunately he was there.
"We told Cricket Australia about it and they were very upset."
Sri Lanka are currently in Australia for the CB Series. They kick off their campaign against India in Brisbane on Tuesday.
This is very bad precedence, never heard happening to a player in any cricketing country ehn on tour.
Posted by L on 2008-02-05 12:36:41
(Lanka-e-News-2008Jan.02, 11.00PM) Muttiah Muralitharan and members of the Sri Lanka management had an egg thrown at them in Hobart earlier this week.
Sri Lankan team manager Shriyan Samararatne said the incident took place on Thursday evening while the group was walking from a restaurant to the team hotel.
The egg hit one of the selectors on the back.
The Sri Lankan board have asked Cricket Australia to tighten security around the team after the incident.
"A group of four was walking from a restaurant to the team hotel and an egg was thrown at them from a car but I am not sure if they recognised Murali," Samararatne told Media
"I don't know the exact motive. I doubt whether they recognised Murali but unfortunately he was there.
"We told Cricket Australia about it and they were very upset."
Sri Lanka are currently in Australia for the CB Series. They kick off their campaign against India in Brisbane on Tuesday.
This is very bad precedence, never heard happening to a player in any cricketing country ehn on tour.
Posted by L on 2008-02-05 12:36:41
L,
Don't be so hard on an entire country for what some assols do. In fact it would be impossible for Australian cricket team to roam around freely in Indian streets for that matter.
Posted by Subhash on 2008-02-05 13:55:05
Don't be so hard on an entire country for what some assols do. In fact it would be impossible for Australian cricket team to roam around freely in Indian streets for that matter.
Posted by Subhash on 2008-02-05 13:55:05
I agree with Subhash. Remember, a stone was hurled at the Aussie bus in India. That does not mean that all India is not a good country.
JC, why is there not a topic on today's match. Rohit Sharma just got a stinker.
Posted by ssukhdial on 2008-02-05 16:08:28
JC, why is there not a topic on today's match. Rohit Sharma just got a stinker.
Posted by ssukhdial on 2008-02-05 16:08:28
And the radar says Duckworth Lewis.
Posted by Hanuman on 2008-02-05 16:11:13
Posted by Hanuman on 2008-02-05 16:11:13
Agreed.
Its some stupis persons work, not all aussies to be blamed. Just that it could be a wrong precedence of action isnt taken or enough security provided.
However, important this is not these stuff, the game of cricket is the most imortant.
India innings (50 overs maximum) R B 4s 6s SR
V Sehwag c Sangakkara b Amerasinghe 33 39 2 1 84.61
SR Tendulkar b Malinga 35 52 2 0 67.30
G Gambhir not out 17 38 2 0 44.73
Yuvraj Singh c Jayawardene b Muralitharan 2 11 0 0 18.18
RG Sharma c Sangakkara b Muralitharan 0 2 0 0 0.00
MS Dhoni not out 14 26 0 0 53.84
Extras (lb 1, w 1) 2
Total (4 wickets; 28.1 overs) 103 (3.65 runs per over)
To bat RV Uthappa, IK Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, S Sreesanth, I Sharma
Fall of wickets1-68 (Tendulkar, 14.3 ov), 2-80 (Sehwag, 17.1 ov), 3-83 (Yuvraj Singh, 20.3 ov), 4-83 (RG Sharma, 20.5 ov)
Bowling O M R W Econ
WPUJC Vaas 8 0 50 0 6.25 (1w)
SL Malinga 6 1 15 1 2.50
MKDI Amerasinghe 7 2 17 1 2.42
M Muralitharan 4 0 10 2 2.50
CK Kapugedera 3 0 10 0 3.33
Seems like SL palyig one bowler less, Kapugedera wasnt meant to be a bowler I guess.
Posted by L on 2008-02-05 16:24:27
Its some stupis persons work, not all aussies to be blamed. Just that it could be a wrong precedence of action isnt taken or enough security provided.
However, important this is not these stuff, the game of cricket is the most imortant.
India innings (50 overs maximum) R B 4s 6s SR
V Sehwag c Sangakkara b Amerasinghe 33 39 2 1 84.61
SR Tendulkar b Malinga 35 52 2 0 67.30
G Gambhir not out 17 38 2 0 44.73
Yuvraj Singh c Jayawardene b Muralitharan 2 11 0 0 18.18
RG Sharma c Sangakkara b Muralitharan 0 2 0 0 0.00
MS Dhoni not out 14 26 0 0 53.84
Extras (lb 1, w 1) 2
Total (4 wickets; 28.1 overs) 103 (3.65 runs per over)
To bat RV Uthappa, IK Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, S Sreesanth, I Sharma
Fall of wickets1-68 (Tendulkar, 14.3 ov), 2-80 (Sehwag, 17.1 ov), 3-83 (Yuvraj Singh, 20.3 ov), 4-83 (RG Sharma, 20.5 ov)
Bowling O M R W Econ
WPUJC Vaas 8 0 50 0 6.25 (1w)
SL Malinga 6 1 15 1 2.50
MKDI Amerasinghe 7 2 17 1 2.42
M Muralitharan 4 0 10 2 2.50
CK Kapugedera 3 0 10 0 3.33
Seems like SL palyig one bowler less, Kapugedera wasnt meant to be a bowler I guess.
Posted by L on 2008-02-05 16:24:27
What happened to Sharma?
Posted by Ace on 2008-02-05 16:45:57
Posted by Ace on 2008-02-05 16:45:57
Sharma is still adjusting to the local condition...
Posted by No Argument on 2008-02-05 17:12:32
Posted by No Argument on 2008-02-05 17:12:32
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