Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Friday, April 20, 2007
Friday, March 16, 2007
Cricket World Cup: India vs Bangladesh Preview
Men in blue will have a crack at this world cup tomorrow with their game against Bangladesh. I would consider Bangladesh to be the best side among the minnows of this World Cup and they have already surprise New Zealand in the warm game and that is a good reminder for India. But this game for India should be pretty straight forward. I mean I am expecting a very professional outing from Indian side.
Siddhartha Vaidhyanathan offers the five reasons why beating Bangladesh may not be easy. I am glad Siddhartha is not with Indian team to form any strategic because most of the point are baseless and just stupid in terms of cricket. But who am I judge Siddhartha. He has right for his opinion but it is very one dimensional. Since I put that to rest. Now if India has to worry about Bangladesh then we can’t call them as one of the Team to be in the final four of World Cup as most analyst think of this team.
Team selection, I think Uthappa has done good but for this game I think Indian team will go with Sehwag, in order to get him going and it is important he spend some quality time in the middle. So I think Uthappa will miss the game as Team management may go with Virendra Sehway and Irfan Pathan. As both have a very important role in the success of this team and will determine how far this team will go this World Cup. There could be similar team selections conundrum for the spinners spot. Both Kumble and Harbhajan are good, but only one spot in Team. But I feel Bhajji will get the nod ahead of Kumble.
Rest of the 8 players in the team will be Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Rahul Dravid, M. S. Dhoni, Ajit Agarkar, Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel I think it should be good game for India and sure Men In Blue won’t let Indian fan down. They need to have a very good outing and should not be complacent.
BEST OF LUCK to Men in Blue.
Gavaskar vs Australia
Off late the controversy involving Sunil Gavaskar and the Australian cricket team has been snowballing out of control. The whole thing started off with Gavaskar opening up the topic of sledging and accusing the Australians of being the primary perpetrators. He accused the Australian team of being abusive on the field of play. He went on to say that the Australians are the most unpopular champions in the history of the game.
As can be expected the Australians, especially their current captain Ricky Ponting, were none too happy about it. He responded strongly by referring to Gavaskar’s walkout of a test match when he was captain of the Indian team over alleged abuse from the Australian team. He also put his foot in his mouth when he then went on to talk of unrelated topics like India’s performance lately.
However if anyone thought that would be the last they would hear of the matter they were proved wrong as Gavaskar decided to put his foot in the mouth as well. He responded to Ricky Ponting by saying that the language the Australians use on the field could get them into trouble in a bar. He even cited the example of David Hookes, a former Australian player who got killed in a bar incident. This stirred a lot of strong reactions from Australian players including Allan Border.
My personal take on the subject is that both Gavaskar and Ponting crossed the line by responding to comments made by each other. It was wrong on Ponting’s part to respond to such kind of comments. He would have been better served if he gave the answer on the field with their performance and conduct. As for Gavaskar, dragging in Hooke’s name into the whole thing was totally uncalled for. He should have shown a lot more respect to the memories of a deceased person.
My whole take on sledging is slightly different from that of Gavaskar. In the heat of the moment, in the middle of a crunch situation, it could and will get a bit volatile out there. But doesn’t that add more color and character to the whole proceedings?
International cricket is not about a bunch of small kids playing in the local park for them to be protected from such intensity. They are more than capable of taking it and dishing it out back to them in equal terms.
Sledging creates some funny banter from time to time. My favorites are the stories involving Merv Hughes. It is said that after being hit all over the ground in a match by Hansie Cronje, he went down the pitch to Cronje, stood near him and farted!!! He followed it up with the line “Try hitting that for a boundary”.
My whole take on sledging is slightly different from that of Gavaskar. In the heat of the moment, in the middle of a crunch situation, it could and will get a bit volatile out there. But doesn’t that add more color and character to the whole proceedings?
International cricket is not about a bunch of small kids playing in the local park for them to be protected from such intensity. They are more than capable of taking it and dishing it out back to them in equal terms.
Sledging creates some funny banter from time to time. My favorites are the stories involving Merv Hughes. It is said that after being hit all over the ground in a match by Hansie Cronje, he went down the pitch to Cronje, stood near him and farted!!! He followed it up with the line “Try hitting that for a boundary”.
Another memorable incident was when Viv Richard, upon being stared by Merv said “In my culture we don’t stare”. Merv got him out later and said “In my culture we just say F**k off”.
Merv has got it back from others too. After Robin Smith played and missed a delivery Merv snarled at him and said “You f**king can’t bat”. Robin Smith hit the next ball for a four and replied “We make quite a pair, don’t we? I f**king cant bat and you f**king can’t ball”.
But the one I like the most was from Fred Trueman. In a county game one of his team mates miss fielded the ball by letting it get through between his legs. Trueman’s reply, “No you bastard, your mother should have”.
Merv has got it back from others too. After Robin Smith played and missed a delivery Merv snarled at him and said “You f**king can’t bat”. Robin Smith hit the next ball for a four and replied “We make quite a pair, don’t we? I f**king cant bat and you f**king can’t ball”.
But the one I like the most was from Fred Trueman. In a county game one of his team mates miss fielded the ball by letting it get through between his legs. Trueman’s reply, “No you bastard, your mother should have”.
Sledging is not always fun to bear for the players. Take for instance the McGrath – Sarwan incident. McGrath started it by asking Sarwan, “Tell me, how does Brian Lara’s d**k taste like”. Sarwan promptly replied “Ask your wife”. The bid to instigate Sarwan and make him lose his cool backfired on the Aussie and McGrath went berserk accompanied by a few of his team mates. The reason – his wife was battling cancer. Earlier McGrath wasn’t so touchy about his wife. Once he had asked the plump Eddo Brandes “Why are you so f**king fat?” Brandes replied, “That’s because every time I had sex with your wife, she gave me biscuit.” Play resumed only after 5 minutes as every on the field was rolling over with laughter.
The principle of sledging is that if you can’t take it back then don’t give it. If you can’t take it at all then the message should be, “sorry mate, but this isn’t boys scout.” As a footnote, I haven’t see McGrath sledge after the Sarwan incident.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
All-round joy for home team
West Indies defeated Pakistan by 54 runs in the opening match of ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in Sabina Park on Tuesday night.
A fine all round performance by Brian Lara's men saw the tournament's home team restricting Pakistan to 187 after scoring 241 in the first innings. Pakistan's captain Inzamam-ul-Haq won the toss and chose to field. Powered mainly by contributions from Ramnaresh Sarwan and Marlon Samuels, the Windies posted 241, accelerating towards the end via a cameo by Dwayne Smith, who hit 32 off 15 balls.
For Pakistan, free-swinging Shoaib Malik top-scored with 62 and was last man out as the crowd erupted in celebration. Till he was there, victory was possible though unlikely.
However, at one stage Pakistan were in tatters after losing captain Inzamam-ul-Haq for 36 to leave the score 116/6 with 17 overs remaining and 7 runs an over to get in them. His replacement 'keeper Kamran Akmal was out next ball for nought. Non-striker Shoaib Malik was then looking good, and had just come in a couple of overs before, replacing Pakistan's other major hope: Mohammad Yousuf.
Yousuf fell for 37 just when it seemed he and Inzy would slowly take Pakistan within striking range of the West Indies total. Yousuf was out caught behind after battling for 72 balls and hitting only one four.
Pakistan's two best batsmen had struggled long and hard to halt a West Indian drive through their top order and settled to reach 64/3 after 20 overs.
Inzamam and Yousuf dug in after the team was reeling in the opening overs against a rampant West Indies attack. Inzy had scored 33 off 58 balls when Yousuf fell and the duo had seen off fast bowler DB Powell, who amazingly bowled all 10 of his overs on the trot, finishing with figures of 2/42. Yousuf was succeeded by Shoaib Malik.
Inzy came in after the fall of the third wicket, that of Mohd Hafeez, who was caught by Lara at mid-on as he tried unsuccessfully to go over the top. Mohd Yousuf was looking solid at that stage, after 12 overs, but the scoring rate had been pulled down. At one stage, only 13 runs were scored in 9 overs till Inzy stroked two superb boundaries. One a swivel pull and the other a super cover drive.
Earlier Younis Khan fell for 9 as Pakistan struggled against the West Indies opening attack. Younis went with his team at 17/2 in the fifth over.
Younis pulled a ball outside off stump off Jerome Taylor and was caught behind off an edge.
Pakistan began its innings in mercurial fashion, with Imran Nazir tonking Powell for six over point and then edging to birthday boy Ramdin. This brought in Younis who slashed to get a boundary. And all this was just in the first over. The excitement continued through the match, with both teams piling up runs in their slog overs. But the Windes were much more disciplined on the day and suddenly, from a thrashing at the hands of India only last week, they look like a team to watch out for in this edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup.
West Indies v Pakistan
WORLD CUP, GROUP D, JAMAICAWest Indies 241-9 beat Pakistan 187 by 54 runs
All-rounder Dwayne Smith hit 32 off 15 balls and took three big wickets with his medium-paced seamers as West Indies won the World Cup opener by 54 runs.
The hosts lost the toss and were asked to bat first, reaching 241-9 in Jamaica with an aggressive 63 from local star Marlon Samuels the main contribution.
Pakistan started badly with their chase, and struggled to build momentum before Smith struck his killer blows.
Shoaib Malik (62) and Rao Iftikhar (3-44) did well in a losing cause.
Man-of-the-match Smith finished with 3-36, ending the crucial stand between Mohammad Yousuf and Inzamam-ul-Haq by dismissing both batsmen, and adding the wicket of Kamran Akmal for a golden duck.
Man-of-the-match Smith finished with 3-36, ending the crucial stand between Mohammad Yousuf and Inzamam-ul-Haq by dismissing both batsmen, and adding the wicket of Kamran Akmal for a golden duck.
Though Malik scored his runs quickly, he only had the tail for company and Pakistan eventually finished well adrift, all out for 187 with 16 balls remaining.
The decision by Pakistan to bowl first - expected to be replicated by many captains during the tournament - allowed Umar Gul and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan to test out the dry wicket on offer.
The decision by Pakistan to bowl first - expected to be replicated by many captains during the tournament - allowed Umar Gul and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan to test out the dry wicket on offer.
There were no devils in it, but it was on the slow side and offered some seam movement.
Once Chris Gayle had edged Naved behind for two, Ramnaresh Sarwan should have gone next ball, but Younis Khan spilt a chance to his right at second slip.
Sarwan went on to add 49, putting on 62 with the slow-scoring Shivnarine Chanderpaul for the second wicket.
But the outstandingly accurate seamer Iftikhar ousted both Guyanese batsmen, and Samuels and Brian Lara had to rebuild the innings.
The new batsmen were conscious, too, of the need to improve a sluggish scoring rate which had the scoreboard reading 80-3 after 27 overs.
Samuels delighted the enthusiastic crowd with some lusty hits
Samuels delighted the enthusiastic crowd with some lusty hits
Samuels was the first to press the trigger, hitting Iftikhar for six and adding 14 off a Danish Kaneria over.
Kaneria's leg-spin remained the target, Lara playing a dreamy lofted off-drive for six and a textbook late cut for four in the same over.
The net result was a vital partnership of 91 in just over 17 overs and it was probably the critical period of the match.
Inzamam persisted with spinners and finally wickets came - Lara bottom-edging Mohammad Hafeez behind, before Samuels also perished.
The seamers returned for the last four overs after Akmal had added a neat stumping to his three catches.
And Smith took that as his cue to unleash some big shots, finally holing out off Gul.
The innings was ended with a rare six from Corey Collymore, but the total looked about 20 runs below par.
If that was the case, then Pakistan's early batting failings tilted the match back in West Indies' favour.
Iftikhar impressed with the ball, but finished on the losing side
Iftikhar impressed with the ball, but finished on the losing side
Imran Nazir hit the second ball of the innings for six but was caught behind off Daren Powell from the next delivery.
Powell's fellow Jamaican Jerome Taylor then had the crowds cheering again as Younis Khan played an ungainly attempted pull and wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin collected a second catch.
When Mohammad Hafeez failed to clear mid-on with an attempted drive, it was clear Inzamam and Mohammad Yousuf had a lot to do.
They barely moved the scoreboard along for the first few overs they were together.
But a constant diet of seam eventually allowed them to get their eye in and Inzamam, in particular, finally began to hit a few boundaries.
But a constant diet of seam eventually allowed them to get their eye in and Inzamam, in particular, finally began to hit a few boundaries.
Pakistan's serene progress was rudely interrupted in Smith's fifth over.
Unsettled by a quicker, shorter delivery, Yousuf was lulled into playing an injudicious cut shot next ball and could only edge behind.
The stand of 60 in 18 overs had been ended and the medium-pacers applied the squeeze ruthlessly.
Smith had Inzamam lbw playing across the line and Akmal brilliantly caught by Dwayne Bravo at point.
Suddenly, the exciting climax that had appeared to be on the cards turned into a gentle victory parade for the hosts.
Suddenly, the exciting climax that had appeared to be on the cards turned into a gentle victory parade for the hosts.
Malik swung away but Bravo efficiently removed three tail-enders, Gul going for a duck as the Trinidadian all-rounder took a stylish catch off his own bowling.
The last wicket was Malik's, caught at long-off by Chanderpaul to kick-start the inevitable parties in downtown Kingston.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Legends of the Game
Wasim Akram is the greatest left-arm swing bowler of all time -- and Sir Don Bradman said so.In any case, the record of the man doesn't allow much argument to the contrary. He had pace, swing and bounce. He could 'reverse' with such impunity that the term banana ball appeared to have been invented for him. He had astonishing quality for someone whose action was said to be imperfect (his right knee buckled at the crease). And he had the ridiculous ability to bowl at very high speeds with a long, short or almost no run-up.
Akram learnt the art of reverse swing from his mentor Imran Khan and soon became a guru of swing and reverse movement himself. One of the greatest things that Akram learnt from Imran was how to bowl in Test matches and ODIs.
Quite a few bowlers of the 1980s, and even today, bowl the same way in both forms of the game. Said Akram, "Imran took Waqar Younis and myself aside and said that you don't eat the same amount of food during breakfast and lunch. Similarly, bowling in ODIs is different to bowling in Test matches."
Akram was a phenomenal one-day bowler. He was always asking questions, teasing the batsmen outside the off-stump and with the tail-enders, he was simply devastating. When he got the reverse swing going with the old ball, not too many good batsmen could claim to dominate the champion Pakistani.
In the bowling department, Akram played a huge hand in 1992 when Pakistan won the ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia. In his ICC CWC career, Akram has taken 55 wickets, which is phenomenal. And that makes him a legend.
Did You Know?Wasim Akram went for the college team trials in borrowed shoes, although he comes from a wealthy family.
Akram in numbers: ODIs: 356, runs: 3717, highest: 86 , average: 16.52, 100s: 0, 50s: 6, wickets: 502, best: 5/15.
Akram in World Cups: ODIs: 38, runs: 426, highest: 43, average: 19.36 , 100s: 0, 50s: 0, wickets: 55, best: 5/28
Ganguly's new approach may cost him sixer record
Sourav Ganguly's new found approach to batting might fetch him tonnes of runs in the Caribbean but it may cost him his record of hitting more sixes than anyone in the history of ICC CWC.Ganguly has slammed 23 sixes in 18 matches, one more than West Indies batting great Viv Richards, but don't expect him to sizzle up similarly in this edition of ICC CWC.
Ganguly is four sixes clear of Ricky Ponting (19) and the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Sanath Jayasuriya and Brian Lara would probably never displace him from the top. Tendulkar has 15 sixes to Jayasuriya's 13 and Lara languishes far down in the list with 12 sixes of his own. India's own Kapil Dev slammed 14 sixes in the four ICC CWCs he played.
According to Ganguly's own admission, he likes to build his innings before shifting gears but on tardy Caribbean pitches it might just not be possible.
By the evidence of eight practice games on two days, admittedly on pitches which would not be used for the World Cup, batsmen have to grind rather than blaze their way to big scores.
Notwithstanding the minnows, no one but only Marlon Samuels has scored a century and even India barely tipped the 300-run scale against Netherlands on Tuesday.
Ganguly's best chance of hitting maximum shots is in the middle overs and it is in this stretch where teams are packing the off-side field and letting their up-and-down medium-pacers and slow bowlers bowl well outside the off-stump.
It is difficult to pick such deliveries on half volley and hoist them over the line and increasingly batsmen are employing slog-sweep to somehow clear the onside field. In Tuesday's match, Rahul Dravid twice slog-swept effortlessly against the Netherlands for sixes though he was caught attempting it once too often. Similar attempt at a six proved to be Mahendra Singh Dhoni's undoing as well.
Experts predict that knowing conditions would be unfavourable for six-hitting in the Caribbean, batsmen are unlikely to put themselves to risk and hence lofted shots, an essential charm of one-day cricket, wouldn't be all too visible.
It no longer holds true that grounds in the West Indies are smaller. New stadiums are state-of-the-art stuff. Sir Viv Richards reportedly put his foot down when the ground bearing his name in Antigua was initially planned for 60-metre boundaries. Bigger fields to clear is a further road-block to soaring hits.
This when the likes of Adam Gilchrist and Andrew Symonds, Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pieterson, Mark Boucher and Shaun Pollock, Yuvraj Singh and Dhoni, Chris Gayle and Brendon McCullum, Sanath Jayasuriya and Shahid Afridi will all be adorning the latest edition of World Cup.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Latest Scores
Tuesday, 06 March 2007
Australia: 290-7 ( 50.0 overs )
Zimbabwe: 184-7 ( 50.0 overs )
Australia beat Zimbabwe by 106 runs
Bangladesh: 230-8 ( 49.0 overs )
New Zealand: 224 ( 47.2 overs )
Bangladesh beat New Zealand by 2 wickets
Canada: 196 ( 46.4 overs )
Pakistan: 273-8 ( 48.0 overs )
Pakistan beat Canada by 77 runs
India: 300-9 ( 50.0 overs )
Holland: 118 ( 37.5 overs )
India beat Holland by 182 runs
Monday, 05 March 2007
Bermuda: 45 ( 22.2 overs )
England: 286-8 ( 50.0 overs )
England beat Bermuda by 241 runs
Ireland: 157 ( 44.2 overs )
South Africa: 192 ( 50.0 overs )
South Africa beat Ireland by 35 runs
Kenya: 247-7 ( 50.0 overs )
West Indies: 268-5 ( 50.0 overs )
West Indies beat Kenya by 19 runs
Scotland: 135 ( 41.2 overs )
Sri Lanka: 294-7 ( 50.0 overs )
Sri Lanka beat Scotland by 170 runs
England's first World Cup opponents on March 16, New Zealand, crashed to a two-wicket defeat to lowly Bangladesh in their first tournament warm-up.
The Kiwis, on the back of a 3-0 home thrashing of Australia, lost four top batsmen for scores of 4, 0, 11 and 3.
Mashrafe Mortaza took 4-44 before Jacob Oram made light of a recently broken finger to hit 88 in a total of 224.
Teenager Tamim Iqbal hit 46 off 48 before Mortaza saw his team home with successive sixes off James Franklin.
Bangladesh did not even require the last over as they celebrated their first win of any description against New Zealand.
At one stage, it appeared the economy and wickets of Daniel Vettori (3-30) and Oram's runs would prove just enough to help the Kiwis home.
Instead, Mortaza and co proved too much for a team who looked to be coming into the tournament in decent form.
Oram's heroics with the bat were sadly not matched by his colleagues, with Brendon McCullum (46 not out) the only other Kiwi to offer anything substantial with the bat.
Tamim Iqbal's rapid 46 got Bangladesh off to a strong start
Oram came in at 34-4 and was eighth out 37 overs later with the score on 218 - having hit five fours and a six from 107 balls.
He shared a stand of 105 in only 19 overs with McCullum, before the wicketkeeper-batsman was run out.
The pace of Mortaza did the damage at the top of the Kiwi order.
He shifted opener Lou Vincent with the third delivery of the match and also bagged frontline batsmen Ross Taylor and Peter Fulton.
Left-arm orthodox spinner Abdur Razzak was another to have a fine match for the Tigers, who for once lived up to their nickname.
He took 4-26 off 10 overs, and it was fitting that he was at the crease when his ninth-wicket partner struck the winning blows.
Bangladesh always looked in with a chance of a successful chase when 17-year-old opener Iqbal (46) - with just four one-day internationals behind him - hit Franklin out of the new-ball attack.
Fellow opener Javed Omar (45) adopted a more watchful approach, but the combination worked well.
The entry into the attack of Vettori turned a 73-0 scoreline into 79-2, but Bangladesh did not panic.
Mohammad Ashraful (29) kept a small but attentive crowd guessing well into the final straight, until falling lbw to Franklin.
The Kiwis looked to have regained the initiative at the crucial stage.
But Mortaza, with three sixes and a four in a whirlwind 30 off 14 balls, would not be denied.
The Kiwis, on the back of a 3-0 home thrashing of Australia, lost four top batsmen for scores of 4, 0, 11 and 3.
Mashrafe Mortaza took 4-44 before Jacob Oram made light of a recently broken finger to hit 88 in a total of 224.
Teenager Tamim Iqbal hit 46 off 48 before Mortaza saw his team home with successive sixes off James Franklin.
Bangladesh did not even require the last over as they celebrated their first win of any description against New Zealand.
At one stage, it appeared the economy and wickets of Daniel Vettori (3-30) and Oram's runs would prove just enough to help the Kiwis home.
Instead, Mortaza and co proved too much for a team who looked to be coming into the tournament in decent form.
Oram's heroics with the bat were sadly not matched by his colleagues, with Brendon McCullum (46 not out) the only other Kiwi to offer anything substantial with the bat.
Tamim Iqbal's rapid 46 got Bangladesh off to a strong start
Oram came in at 34-4 and was eighth out 37 overs later with the score on 218 - having hit five fours and a six from 107 balls.
He shared a stand of 105 in only 19 overs with McCullum, before the wicketkeeper-batsman was run out.
The pace of Mortaza did the damage at the top of the Kiwi order.
He shifted opener Lou Vincent with the third delivery of the match and also bagged frontline batsmen Ross Taylor and Peter Fulton.
Left-arm orthodox spinner Abdur Razzak was another to have a fine match for the Tigers, who for once lived up to their nickname.
He took 4-26 off 10 overs, and it was fitting that he was at the crease when his ninth-wicket partner struck the winning blows.
Bangladesh always looked in with a chance of a successful chase when 17-year-old opener Iqbal (46) - with just four one-day internationals behind him - hit Franklin out of the new-ball attack.
Fellow opener Javed Omar (45) adopted a more watchful approach, but the combination worked well.
The entry into the attack of Vettori turned a 73-0 scoreline into 79-2, but Bangladesh did not panic.
Mohammad Ashraful (29) kept a small but attentive crowd guessing well into the final straight, until falling lbw to Franklin.
The Kiwis looked to have regained the initiative at the crucial stage.
But Mortaza, with three sixes and a four in a whirlwind 30 off 14 balls, would not be denied.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Warm up Matches
Mon 05 Mar
West Indies vs Kenya
England vs Bermuda
South Africa vs Ireland
Sri Lanka vs Scotland
Tue 06 Mar
India vs The Netherlands
Australia vs Zimbabwe
Pakistan vs Canada
New Zealand vs Bangladesh
Thu 08 Mar
Kenya vs The Netherlands
Zimbabwe vs Bermuda
Ireland vs Canada
Scotland vs Bangladesh
Fri 09 Mar
India vs West Indies
Australia vs England
Pakistan vs South Africa
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka
West Indies vs Kenya
England vs Bermuda
South Africa vs Ireland
Sri Lanka vs Scotland
Tue 06 Mar
India vs The Netherlands
Australia vs Zimbabwe
Pakistan vs Canada
New Zealand vs Bangladesh
Thu 08 Mar
Kenya vs The Netherlands
Zimbabwe vs Bermuda
Ireland vs Canada
Scotland vs Bangladesh
Fri 09 Mar
India vs West Indies
Australia vs England
Pakistan vs South Africa
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka
Top 10 wicket-keepers of the ICC Cricket World Cups
Modern cricket is seeing a new breed of all-rounders. They are the wicket-keepers who can bat -- and with gusto. Australian Adam Gilchrist, who can be said to be the path-breaker, has followers in India's MS Dhoni, South African Mark Boucher, Sri Lankan Sangakkara, Pakistani Kamran Akmal and New Zealander Brandon McCullum.
Adam Gilchrist, who already has 35 dismissals in 20 matches heads the list of top ten ICC Cricket World Cup wicket-keepers. Interestingly, he has two stumpings, while Moin Khan (also on 20 matches, but with 30 dismissals) has seven.
Another all-rounder, England's Alex Stewart, rounds off the top three (23 victims in 20 matches). If dismissals per match are an indicator, Ridley Jacobs (22 in 11 matches) shines, as he does also for giving away fewest byes (only 1).
Adam Gilchrist, who already has 35 dismissals in 20 matches heads the list of top ten ICC Cricket World Cup wicket-keepers. Interestingly, he has two stumpings, while Moin Khan (also on 20 matches, but with 30 dismissals) has seven.
Another all-rounder, England's Alex Stewart, rounds off the top three (23 victims in 20 matches). If dismissals per match are an indicator, Ridley Jacobs (22 in 11 matches) shines, as he does also for giving away fewest byes (only 1).
Top ten fielders of the ICC Cricket World Cups
What separates modern cricket most from the sport as it was played a generation ago is the quality of the fielding. Though average scores in ODI cricket have risen in that time, they have been pegged back by fielding that is supremely athletic.
In the 70s a cricketing phrase commonly used referred to a senior player "escorting the ball to the boundary". That is no more the case and most cricket matches produce an act of fielding that would qualify as "Play of the Day."
An example is the stunning catch that Kapil Dev took, running in a semi-circle, first sideways and then backwards, to end Vivian Richards's innings at 33 during the 1983 ICC Cricket World Cup finals.
If a catch was ever said to have won a match, that was it, one of 12 Kapil took in ICC World Cup matches. The rampaging Richards would have seen the Windies through had he been around for only a few more overs.
Ricky Ponting, who captains defending champions and tournament favourites Australia, tops the group with 18 catches in his 28 matches.
In the 70s a cricketing phrase commonly used referred to a senior player "escorting the ball to the boundary". That is no more the case and most cricket matches produce an act of fielding that would qualify as "Play of the Day."
An example is the stunning catch that Kapil Dev took, running in a semi-circle, first sideways and then backwards, to end Vivian Richards's innings at 33 during the 1983 ICC Cricket World Cup finals.
If a catch was ever said to have won a match, that was it, one of 12 Kapil took in ICC World Cup matches. The rampaging Richards would have seen the Windies through had he been around for only a few more overs.
Ricky Ponting, who captains defending champions and tournament favourites Australia, tops the group with 18 catches in his 28 matches.
Top 10 bowlers of the ICC Cricket World Cups
Wasim Akram, the finest left arm fast bowler of all time according to Sir Don Bradman, has more wickets than anybody else in ICC Cricket World Cup history. Akram took 55 wickets in 38 matches at an economy rate of just over four an over to head the top 10.
Though speedsters dominate the list -- and hold the top six spots -- Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralidaran and Anil Kumble have destroyed the myth that spinners have only a peripheral place in limited-overs cricket.
Warne, who has admitted to not being particularly fond of limited-overs cricket, has proved to be very useful to Australia not only in an attacking, wicket-taking role, as might be expected of a classical leg-spinner, but by also maintaining an excellent economy rate.
At a time when a bowler's economy ratio is said to be decent if he gives away less than five runs an over, Warne has an economy rate of 3.83.
He is joined by Aussie pace spearhead McGrath, whose 45 wickets were picked up giving away 3.82 runs an over, astonishing in the modern era when scores of 250 plus are the norm and those over 300 regularly posted.
Muralidaran, the off spinner with the finest record in Test cricket, also shines in limited-overs cricket. In 21 matches, he has picked up 30 wickets giving away an average of only 3.69 runs an over - the lowest of any bowler save England's Ian Botham. In 22 matches, Beefy got 30 wickets at an economy rate of 3.43 an over.
Though speedsters dominate the list -- and hold the top six spots -- Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralidaran and Anil Kumble have destroyed the myth that spinners have only a peripheral place in limited-overs cricket.
Warne, who has admitted to not being particularly fond of limited-overs cricket, has proved to be very useful to Australia not only in an attacking, wicket-taking role, as might be expected of a classical leg-spinner, but by also maintaining an excellent economy rate.
At a time when a bowler's economy ratio is said to be decent if he gives away less than five runs an over, Warne has an economy rate of 3.83.
He is joined by Aussie pace spearhead McGrath, whose 45 wickets were picked up giving away 3.82 runs an over, astonishing in the modern era when scores of 250 plus are the norm and those over 300 regularly posted.
Muralidaran, the off spinner with the finest record in Test cricket, also shines in limited-overs cricket. In 21 matches, he has picked up 30 wickets giving away an average of only 3.69 runs an over - the lowest of any bowler save England's Ian Botham. In 22 matches, Beefy got 30 wickets at an economy rate of 3.43 an over.
Top 10 batsmen of the ICC Cricket World Cups
Vivian Richards, Aravinda de Silva and Ricky Ponting each have had the distinction of scoring a century in the final of an ICC Cricket World Cup and making that a title-winning effort. That is something the batsman who heads this list has yet to do.
Richards, who has left a great impact on the tournament, scored a masterly unbeaten 138 that enabled the West Indies to reach 288 in the 1979 final at Lord's. They beat England, who could muster only 194.
Richards (63.31) tops the averages for the ICC Cricket World Cup, though Sachin Tendulkar heads the list of top batsmen with his 1732 runs in 32 innings. Tendulkar has the second highest average (over 59) and shares the most number of centuries (four) with Mark Waugh.
Among current players, Ricky Ponting is closest to Tendulkar with 998 runs in ICC Cricket World Cup tournaments. In the last final, his 140 helped Australia post 359 to beat India.
Tendulkar has an excellent chance of going past 2000 runs in this year's tournament given his record.
Richards, who has left a great impact on the tournament, scored a masterly unbeaten 138 that enabled the West Indies to reach 288 in the 1979 final at Lord's. They beat England, who could muster only 194.
Richards (63.31) tops the averages for the ICC Cricket World Cup, though Sachin Tendulkar heads the list of top batsmen with his 1732 runs in 32 innings. Tendulkar has the second highest average (over 59) and shares the most number of centuries (four) with Mark Waugh.
Among current players, Ricky Ponting is closest to Tendulkar with 998 runs in ICC Cricket World Cup tournaments. In the last final, his 140 helped Australia post 359 to beat India.
Tendulkar has an excellent chance of going past 2000 runs in this year's tournament given his record.
Aussies still a force - Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar has warned Australia should not be underestimated at the World Cup, despite arriving at the event dogged by injuries and poor form.
Indian legend Tendulkar believes Ricky Ponting's team will use the criticism they have received as ammunition to fire back at their doubters.
"You cannot write off the Australians, they are too good a team," said 33-year-old Tendulkar.
"They are a team who know how to bounce back when they are under pressure."
Tendulkar scored 673 runs at the last World Cup in South Africa when India were beaten in the final by Ponting's men.
Australia are chasing a third successive World Cup title but they have lost their last five one-day internationals.
We are very confident that this is going to be a very good tournament for us
India skipper Rahul Dravid
They are also without pace spearhead Brett Lee, who was ruled out of the tournament through injury, while Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden are both struggling for fitness.
Tendulkar missed India's last tour of the Caribbean but believes that he can have a successful tournament as his country seek to win a second World Cup to add to their 1983 title.
"I am looking forward to having a good World Cup," said Tendulkar, who is the highest scorer in the history of one-day internationals with 14,783 runs in a 381-match career.
"I am hoping that both my batting and bowling will come good. I am not under any pressure at this time, I feel quite confident and I am ready to go."
Skipper Rahul Dravid, buoyed by seeing his team beat Sri Lanka in a recent home series, believes India have one of the most balanced sides in the tournament.
"We have a pretty good team and we are very confident," said Dravid.
"I know that all the other teams will be aiming to play their best cricket but we are very confident that this is going to be a very good tournament for us."
Coach Greg Chappell is also confident the squad's all-round strength will shine through.
"We will not be relying on any special players because the team is fairly well-balanced," said Chappell.
India will play two warm-up matches in Jamaica against the Netherlands and West Indies on 6 and 9 March respectively before heading to Trinidad.
They face Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Bermuda in the first round of the World Cup.
Indian legend Tendulkar believes Ricky Ponting's team will use the criticism they have received as ammunition to fire back at their doubters.
"You cannot write off the Australians, they are too good a team," said 33-year-old Tendulkar.
"They are a team who know how to bounce back when they are under pressure."
Tendulkar scored 673 runs at the last World Cup in South Africa when India were beaten in the final by Ponting's men.
Australia are chasing a third successive World Cup title but they have lost their last five one-day internationals.
We are very confident that this is going to be a very good tournament for us
India skipper Rahul Dravid
They are also without pace spearhead Brett Lee, who was ruled out of the tournament through injury, while Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden are both struggling for fitness.
Tendulkar missed India's last tour of the Caribbean but believes that he can have a successful tournament as his country seek to win a second World Cup to add to their 1983 title.
"I am looking forward to having a good World Cup," said Tendulkar, who is the highest scorer in the history of one-day internationals with 14,783 runs in a 381-match career.
"I am hoping that both my batting and bowling will come good. I am not under any pressure at this time, I feel quite confident and I am ready to go."
Skipper Rahul Dravid, buoyed by seeing his team beat Sri Lanka in a recent home series, believes India have one of the most balanced sides in the tournament.
"We have a pretty good team and we are very confident," said Dravid.
"I know that all the other teams will be aiming to play their best cricket but we are very confident that this is going to be a very good tournament for us."
Coach Greg Chappell is also confident the squad's all-round strength will shine through.
"We will not be relying on any special players because the team is fairly well-balanced," said Chappell.
India will play two warm-up matches in Jamaica against the Netherlands and West Indies on 6 and 9 March respectively before heading to Trinidad.
They face Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Bermuda in the first round of the World Cup.
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS-II
1975 - Aus v WI: Richards' fielding won the Windies the finals
Teams : Australia v West Indies Year - Location : 1975 - England Team Won : West Indies Defining Moment : The running-out of five Australian batsmen, of whom Vivian Richards ran out three: Allan Turner, Ian Chappell and Greg Chappell.
Having earlier survived a scare in their pool match against Pakistan, West Indies faced another grim battle in the final of the 1975 ICC Cricket World Cup at Lord's.
West Indies and Australia, the two leading sides in world cricket at that time had clashed several times before, but it was for the first time that they were playing against each other at a neutral venue. In a match where the fortunes changed hands repeatedly, West Indies eventually won by 17 runs to lift the first sponsored event in world cricket.
The match reinforced the importance of fielding in limited overs cricket. While the rivals pitted their batting and bowling greats against each other, it was the brilliant fielding of one man, Vivian Richards, which eventually tilted the balance in favour of the West Indians. Australia slithered from a likely winning position to an unexpected defeat because five of their batsmen were run-out. The hesitation and errors of the batsmen apart, this was mainly due to some exceptional work in the field.
Richards was magnificent on either side of the wicket. His throwing on the run was quick and accurate. He was responsible for the dismissal of opener Allan Turner, and middle order bats Ian Chappell and Greg Chappell. Vanburn Holder and Keith Boyce accounted for the other run-outs just when Australia, chasing a target of 292, were cruising along after early setbacks.
Richards actually came into the West Indies World Cup squad as a last-minute replacement for Lawrence Rowe, who had to return home from the earlier Indian tour due to an eye ailment. Richards, who was on that tour as well, was told to accompany the team to England.
Lloyd to the rescue
Australian captain Ian Chappell surprised many by opting to bowl first after winning the toss and the decision initially proved right. The Windies struggled in the first 20 overs till skipper Clive Lloyd came to the rescue. He scored a brilliant century off just 85 balls, with 12 fours and two sixes. He got good support from veteran Rohan Kanhai and the duo put on 149 runs for the fourth wicket.
West Indies reached 291 for 8 in their 60 overs, no mean achievement against one of the best attacks in the world, boasting the talents of Denis Lillee, Jeff Thomson and Gary Gilmour.
Brilliant fieldwork
The Windies also had a top pace attack which included the likes of Andy Roberts, Bernard Julien, Keith Boyce and Vanburn Holder. The attack, however, did not quite live up to its reputation. Thankfully for them, half the rival side was run-out.
Ian Chappell, who played an otherwise fine knock of 62, was responsible for the run outs of Alan Turner and brother Greg and was finally himself run out when he violated the principle of not running on a mis-field. His push to cover-point was fumbled by Greenidge. Richards was quick at hand to pounce on the deflection and hit the stumps, all in one action.
Later in the innings, Max Walker fell to a throw from Boyce, and Thomson, who had brought about a semblance of recovery through a last wicket stand of 44 with Lillee, was himself run out, trying to steal a run to keep the strike.
Although Clive Lloyd was named Man of the Match, for many the real hero of the victory was Vivian Richards.
Teams : Australia v West Indies Year - Location : 1975 - England Team Won : West Indies Defining Moment : The running-out of five Australian batsmen, of whom Vivian Richards ran out three: Allan Turner, Ian Chappell and Greg Chappell.
Having earlier survived a scare in their pool match against Pakistan, West Indies faced another grim battle in the final of the 1975 ICC Cricket World Cup at Lord's.
West Indies and Australia, the two leading sides in world cricket at that time had clashed several times before, but it was for the first time that they were playing against each other at a neutral venue. In a match where the fortunes changed hands repeatedly, West Indies eventually won by 17 runs to lift the first sponsored event in world cricket.
The match reinforced the importance of fielding in limited overs cricket. While the rivals pitted their batting and bowling greats against each other, it was the brilliant fielding of one man, Vivian Richards, which eventually tilted the balance in favour of the West Indians. Australia slithered from a likely winning position to an unexpected defeat because five of their batsmen were run-out. The hesitation and errors of the batsmen apart, this was mainly due to some exceptional work in the field.
Richards was magnificent on either side of the wicket. His throwing on the run was quick and accurate. He was responsible for the dismissal of opener Allan Turner, and middle order bats Ian Chappell and Greg Chappell. Vanburn Holder and Keith Boyce accounted for the other run-outs just when Australia, chasing a target of 292, were cruising along after early setbacks.
Richards actually came into the West Indies World Cup squad as a last-minute replacement for Lawrence Rowe, who had to return home from the earlier Indian tour due to an eye ailment. Richards, who was on that tour as well, was told to accompany the team to England.
Lloyd to the rescue
Australian captain Ian Chappell surprised many by opting to bowl first after winning the toss and the decision initially proved right. The Windies struggled in the first 20 overs till skipper Clive Lloyd came to the rescue. He scored a brilliant century off just 85 balls, with 12 fours and two sixes. He got good support from veteran Rohan Kanhai and the duo put on 149 runs for the fourth wicket.
West Indies reached 291 for 8 in their 60 overs, no mean achievement against one of the best attacks in the world, boasting the talents of Denis Lillee, Jeff Thomson and Gary Gilmour.
Brilliant fieldwork
The Windies also had a top pace attack which included the likes of Andy Roberts, Bernard Julien, Keith Boyce and Vanburn Holder. The attack, however, did not quite live up to its reputation. Thankfully for them, half the rival side was run-out.
Ian Chappell, who played an otherwise fine knock of 62, was responsible for the run outs of Alan Turner and brother Greg and was finally himself run out when he violated the principle of not running on a mis-field. His push to cover-point was fumbled by Greenidge. Richards was quick at hand to pounce on the deflection and hit the stumps, all in one action.
Later in the innings, Max Walker fell to a throw from Boyce, and Thomson, who had brought about a semblance of recovery through a last wicket stand of 44 with Lillee, was himself run out, trying to steal a run to keep the strike.
Although Clive Lloyd was named Man of the Match, for many the real hero of the victory was Vivian Richards.
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS
1975 - Pak v WI: A command performance from the rearguard
Teams : Pakistan v West Indies Year - Location : 1975 - England Team Won : West Indies Defining Moment : A boundary by Murray, then a two and the crucial winning run in the last over squeezed West Indies through to a fabulous win.
All the nuances of one-day cricket, its thrill-a-minute characteristic and element of unpredictability, came to the fore in the very first ICC Cricket World Cup held in England in 1975.
A series of close encounters started with the West Indies-Pakistan match at Edgbaston. The absorbing clash ended in a one-wicket victory for the Clive Lloyd-led side. The match was balanced on a razor's edge and, after tense moments for both sides, it was won through the efforts of two most unexpected heroes for the Caribbean side. Wicket-keeper Deryck Murray produced a super knock and stayed unbeaten on 61. He found a most dependable ally in fast bowler Andy Roberts, always the last man with no pretensions about his batting.
Chasing a target of 267, it seemed at one point that all was lost for the West Indians, tottering as they were at 203 for 9. The last-wicket pair, however, frustrated the Pakistani bowlers for 16 overs and finally won the match with a 64-run partnership. Victory was clinched with just two balls to spare.
An average total
Pakistan captain Wasim Bari won the toss and had no hesitation in deciding to bat first. But the star-studded Pakistan team did not bat as well as their fans would have liked. The graceful Majid Khan, Mushtaq Mohammad and Wasim Raja were the only ones to cross 50. Particularly disappointing were their prolific scorers, Zaheer Abbas and debutant Javed Miandad, who failed to consolidate on good starts.
The left-arm seam bowling of Bernard Julien was difficult to face and the Pakistanis could not score many off him. They, set, however, a challenging target: 267 in 60 overs.
Windies' top order collapse
West Indies got off to a disastrous start, losing their main batsmen to Sarfraz Nawaz, who lived up to his reputation of being a master of swing. And when young Miandad, bowling leg-breaks, dismissed Clive Lloyd, the West Indians were in trouble. A collapse ensued and saw them placed hopelessly at 166 for 8 wickets. With just two wickets standing and 20 overs to go, they needed another 101 runs for victory.
Tail-enders to the rescue
The Pakistani supporters broke into wild celebrations when Holder fell to Sarfraz. At 203 for 9, Roberts joined Murray, with the Windies still 64 runs away from the target.
Murray was as circumspect at the crease as he normally was behind the sticks. Roberts, at the other end, defended stubbornly. For those who saw the match, it was rare to see the otherwise flamboyant West Indians, indulging in self-denial at the crease. Runs came in singles and twos.
As they plodded along, frustration began to creep in the Pakistani ranks and much experimentation happened but to no avail. As evening set in, the West Indies were gradually moving from the shadow of defeat towards a sparkling victory.
In the last over, bowled by leg-spinner Wasim Raja, West Indies needed seven runs and Pakistan just that last wicket. A boundary by Murray, then a two and the crucial winning run, saw the West Indies squeeze through to a fabulous win.
Twelve years later, the Pakistanis were to similarly turn the tables on the West Indians in the ICC Cricket World Cup match at Lahore. Pakistan won the 1987 game in the last ball by one wicket.
Teams : Pakistan v West Indies Year - Location : 1975 - England Team Won : West Indies Defining Moment : A boundary by Murray, then a two and the crucial winning run in the last over squeezed West Indies through to a fabulous win.
All the nuances of one-day cricket, its thrill-a-minute characteristic and element of unpredictability, came to the fore in the very first ICC Cricket World Cup held in England in 1975.
A series of close encounters started with the West Indies-Pakistan match at Edgbaston. The absorbing clash ended in a one-wicket victory for the Clive Lloyd-led side. The match was balanced on a razor's edge and, after tense moments for both sides, it was won through the efforts of two most unexpected heroes for the Caribbean side. Wicket-keeper Deryck Murray produced a super knock and stayed unbeaten on 61. He found a most dependable ally in fast bowler Andy Roberts, always the last man with no pretensions about his batting.
Chasing a target of 267, it seemed at one point that all was lost for the West Indians, tottering as they were at 203 for 9. The last-wicket pair, however, frustrated the Pakistani bowlers for 16 overs and finally won the match with a 64-run partnership. Victory was clinched with just two balls to spare.
An average total
Pakistan captain Wasim Bari won the toss and had no hesitation in deciding to bat first. But the star-studded Pakistan team did not bat as well as their fans would have liked. The graceful Majid Khan, Mushtaq Mohammad and Wasim Raja were the only ones to cross 50. Particularly disappointing were their prolific scorers, Zaheer Abbas and debutant Javed Miandad, who failed to consolidate on good starts.
The left-arm seam bowling of Bernard Julien was difficult to face and the Pakistanis could not score many off him. They, set, however, a challenging target: 267 in 60 overs.
Windies' top order collapse
West Indies got off to a disastrous start, losing their main batsmen to Sarfraz Nawaz, who lived up to his reputation of being a master of swing. And when young Miandad, bowling leg-breaks, dismissed Clive Lloyd, the West Indians were in trouble. A collapse ensued and saw them placed hopelessly at 166 for 8 wickets. With just two wickets standing and 20 overs to go, they needed another 101 runs for victory.
Tail-enders to the rescue
The Pakistani supporters broke into wild celebrations when Holder fell to Sarfraz. At 203 for 9, Roberts joined Murray, with the Windies still 64 runs away from the target.
Murray was as circumspect at the crease as he normally was behind the sticks. Roberts, at the other end, defended stubbornly. For those who saw the match, it was rare to see the otherwise flamboyant West Indians, indulging in self-denial at the crease. Runs came in singles and twos.
As they plodded along, frustration began to creep in the Pakistani ranks and much experimentation happened but to no avail. As evening set in, the West Indies were gradually moving from the shadow of defeat towards a sparkling victory.
In the last over, bowled by leg-spinner Wasim Raja, West Indies needed seven runs and Pakistan just that last wicket. A boundary by Murray, then a two and the crucial winning run, saw the West Indies squeeze through to a fabulous win.
Twelve years later, the Pakistanis were to similarly turn the tables on the West Indians in the ICC Cricket World Cup match at Lahore. Pakistan won the 1987 game in the last ball by one wicket.
ICC suspends US cricket association
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended the United States of America Cricket Association (USACA). The decision comes on the eve of the ICC Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean, a tournament which four years ago was being seen as the possible launchpad for a breakthrough for the sport in the USA.
At one stage, Florida was even being touted as a host venue for the 2007 World Cup with a new, state-of-the-art stadium being proposed.
The ICC said that the suspension has been enacted on the basis of USACA's failure to meet the deadlines for the adoption of the new USACA constitution.
ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said: "It gives the ICC Board no pleasure to re-enact this suspension but given the lack of progress towards a functioning administration of USA Cricket it has been left with little alternative.
"It is especially disappointing that the USA players have had to be penalized in this way for matters that are largely beyond their control.
"The ICC recognizes that the USA has vast potential as a cricketing nation but without a functioning administration that potential is likely to remain largely untapped."
Under the terms of the suspension the annual ICC grant that would otherwise have been paid on April 15 will be withheld. The USA will also be withdrawn from the World Cricket League in Australia in May and relegated from division three.
The West Indies, as the ICC Full Member in the region, has been asked to monitor progress in the USA. The suspension will stand until such time as the West Indies Cricket Board recommends and the ICC agrees that it should be lifted.
It is the second time the ICC has suspended USACA with the body previously prevented from attending the 2005 annual conference on the basis that the ICC was unable to determine a legitimate governor of USA Cricket.
At one stage, Florida was even being touted as a host venue for the 2007 World Cup with a new, state-of-the-art stadium being proposed.
The ICC said that the suspension has been enacted on the basis of USACA's failure to meet the deadlines for the adoption of the new USACA constitution.
ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said: "It gives the ICC Board no pleasure to re-enact this suspension but given the lack of progress towards a functioning administration of USA Cricket it has been left with little alternative.
"It is especially disappointing that the USA players have had to be penalized in this way for matters that are largely beyond their control.
"The ICC recognizes that the USA has vast potential as a cricketing nation but without a functioning administration that potential is likely to remain largely untapped."
Under the terms of the suspension the annual ICC grant that would otherwise have been paid on April 15 will be withheld. The USA will also be withdrawn from the World Cricket League in Australia in May and relegated from division three.
The West Indies, as the ICC Full Member in the region, has been asked to monitor progress in the USA. The suspension will stand until such time as the West Indies Cricket Board recommends and the ICC agrees that it should be lifted.
It is the second time the ICC has suspended USACA with the body previously prevented from attending the 2005 annual conference on the basis that the ICC was unable to determine a legitimate governor of USA Cricket.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
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