On 12th, March 2006, Herschelle Gibbs played one of one day cricket's greatest innings. A majestic 175 from 111 balls gave South Africa a solid platform from which to attack Australia's total of 434.
Just one month later, on 22nd April, Gibbs was dropped from South Africa's Test team.
Admittedly, it was always going to happen to this constant underperformer, as an average of 25.70 from his last 10 Tests shows. Moreover, it has been the way he has been dismissed in recent times that suggested that a break was imminent. In his last 17 Test innings, he has been bowled 10 times, which is simply not good enough for a top order batsman.
For the first time since 2003/04, the 32 year old's Test average - which had been pushing 50 at one stage - slipped below 45. One wonders if Gibbs will get another chance to push up his average back to 50, which is where it should be for someone of his talent.
For that to happen, someone else in South Africa's batting line up has to falter. Given that only Graeme Smith, the captain, has gone through a rougher patch, it seems unlikely. At this current moment, the bearded Hashim Amla - Gibb's replacement - is sitting pretty on 50 not out against New Zealand.
Herschelle Gibbs' path back to South Africa's Test team looks difficult at the moment, but for his sake and South Africa's sake, I hope he can force his way back in through weight of runs, as he is one of the most breathtaking batsmen to watch in world cricket, in full flow.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Friday, April 21, 2006
DZ201
Well, it was inevitable.
Even Dav Whatmore, the Bangladesh coach, knew it. Prior to the second Test at Chittagong, Whatmore stated that the Australians would come back hard, after receiving their wake-up call in Fatullah.
He was right.
An innings defeat was always on the cards - but not even the bravest punter would've put money on Jason Gillespie making a Test century, let alone a Test double century.
Gillespie celebrated his 31st birthday with 99 Test runs, to move serenely from his overnight 102* to 201*. On the way, he passed the highest score of some of Australian cricket's most famous batsmen: Steve Waugh, David Boon, Ian Chappell. 4 more runs would have passed Gilchrist's 204*.
Gillespie might yet be the second Australian batsman this season to be dropped after making an unbeaten double century, like Brad Hodge earlier this year. But even if he is dropped, he's earned bragging rights among the bowlers in the Australian dressing room for life. ("Warney, Pigeon, Bing - what's your highest Test score again?")
His bat maker, is already making a special bat for his stupendous achievement, DZ201. More bragging rights over McGrath and his "61" bat!
Not surprisingly, the man they call Dizzy was adjudged Man of the Match for his 201* and his 3/11 in Bangladesh's first innings, and adjudged Man of the Series for his 232 runs for once out, and 8 wickets at 11.25.
Even Dav Whatmore, the Bangladesh coach, knew it. Prior to the second Test at Chittagong, Whatmore stated that the Australians would come back hard, after receiving their wake-up call in Fatullah.
He was right.
An innings defeat was always on the cards - but not even the bravest punter would've put money on Jason Gillespie making a Test century, let alone a Test double century.
Gillespie celebrated his 31st birthday with 99 Test runs, to move serenely from his overnight 102* to 201*. On the way, he passed the highest score of some of Australian cricket's most famous batsmen: Steve Waugh, David Boon, Ian Chappell. 4 more runs would have passed Gilchrist's 204*.
Gillespie might yet be the second Australian batsman this season to be dropped after making an unbeaten double century, like Brad Hodge earlier this year. But even if he is dropped, he's earned bragging rights among the bowlers in the Australian dressing room for life. ("Warney, Pigeon, Bing - what's your highest Test score again?")
His bat maker, is already making a special bat for his stupendous achievement, DZ201. More bragging rights over McGrath and his "61" bat!
Not surprisingly, the man they call Dizzy was adjudged Man of the Match for his 201* and his 3/11 in Bangladesh's first innings, and adjudged Man of the Series for his 232 runs for once out, and 8 wickets at 11.25.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Bangladesh on the way up
Bangladesh has made it clear that they are on the up, and with their young talent, they will be a force to be reckoned with in time.
Exciting batsmen such as Shahriar Nafees, who looks to be Bangladesh's best batsman, and the unpredictable Mohammad Ashraful, who is outrageously talented but needs better application, have arrived on the scene to go with the consistent Habibul Bashar and Rajin Saleh.
On the bowling front, the ever reliable Mashrafe Mortaza and Mohammad Rafique have been joined by young strike bowler, Shahadat Hossain and talented left arm seamer, Syed Rasel.
Throw in the all round potential of Aftab Ahmed, and the slick wicketkeeping of Khaled Mashud, and we have an international team that is certainly not short of talent.
What they are short of though, is experience. In particular, the experience of winning.
While they performed beyond their wildest dreams in the recently concluded first Test against Australia, they did not win it - even though they were the dominant team for more than half the match.
After the first day, as Bangladesh racked up a Nafees-inspired 355 for 5, Habibul Bashar mentioned that they'd like to bat for 2 more sessions, to effectively make sure that Bangladesh did not lose. Compare that with Adam Gilchrist's innings of 144 from 93 for 6, responding to 427. Earlier, he had said that Australia was still looking for ways to win the match, even as they were struggling to avoid the follow on. The rest is history - Bangladesh crumbled for 148 in their second innings, and Australia tripped over the line by 3 wickets.
The biggest reason for Bangladesh's narrow defeat in this match, and a similar one against Pakistan 3 years ago, is their inexperience in grabbing the decisive moments, and their lack of ruthlessness when their opponent is down, and almost out.
Australia, through their run of domination over the last decade, has turned several matches around through the sheer knowledge of how to turn around hopeless situations and a huge desire to win at all costs, even if the risks might end with defeat.
To turn Bangladesh's undeniable talent into results, they must mix sensible and disciplined cricket with risk - but only when the foundations for a counter attack are firm. It is unlikely that negative play will turn around their losing habit, and they can really do with the self belief that will come with victory, and for the sake of world cricket, I hope they go well.
Cricket needs as many strong teams as possible. The faster they go up, the better. No one will cheer louder than I.
Exciting batsmen such as Shahriar Nafees, who looks to be Bangladesh's best batsman, and the unpredictable Mohammad Ashraful, who is outrageously talented but needs better application, have arrived on the scene to go with the consistent Habibul Bashar and Rajin Saleh.
On the bowling front, the ever reliable Mashrafe Mortaza and Mohammad Rafique have been joined by young strike bowler, Shahadat Hossain and talented left arm seamer, Syed Rasel.
Throw in the all round potential of Aftab Ahmed, and the slick wicketkeeping of Khaled Mashud, and we have an international team that is certainly not short of talent.
What they are short of though, is experience. In particular, the experience of winning.
While they performed beyond their wildest dreams in the recently concluded first Test against Australia, they did not win it - even though they were the dominant team for more than half the match.
After the first day, as Bangladesh racked up a Nafees-inspired 355 for 5, Habibul Bashar mentioned that they'd like to bat for 2 more sessions, to effectively make sure that Bangladesh did not lose. Compare that with Adam Gilchrist's innings of 144 from 93 for 6, responding to 427. Earlier, he had said that Australia was still looking for ways to win the match, even as they were struggling to avoid the follow on. The rest is history - Bangladesh crumbled for 148 in their second innings, and Australia tripped over the line by 3 wickets.
The biggest reason for Bangladesh's narrow defeat in this match, and a similar one against Pakistan 3 years ago, is their inexperience in grabbing the decisive moments, and their lack of ruthlessness when their opponent is down, and almost out.
Australia, through their run of domination over the last decade, has turned several matches around through the sheer knowledge of how to turn around hopeless situations and a huge desire to win at all costs, even if the risks might end with defeat.
To turn Bangladesh's undeniable talent into results, they must mix sensible and disciplined cricket with risk - but only when the foundations for a counter attack are firm. It is unlikely that negative play will turn around their losing habit, and they can really do with the self belief that will come with victory, and for the sake of world cricket, I hope they go well.
Cricket needs as many strong teams as possible. The faster they go up, the better. No one will cheer louder than I.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
A batsman's game
I've seen the future of limited overs cricket, and I'm skeptical about the direction in which the game is moving.
I am, of course, referring to this game, where Australia piled up 434 for 4 in 50 overs, only to lose by one wicket with one ball to spare.
Upon watching highlights of the first innings, I found myself yawning at the procession of boundaries seemingly hit at will. This is quite shocking, as two of my favourite batsmen, Ponting and Hussey, were the ones instigating the chaos. Sixes and fours were flying to all areas of The Wanderers stadium, some, not even off the middle of their charged bats.
At the end of the innings, I found myself asking, "Who would want to be a bowler?"
Especially with the advent of Twenty20 cricket, where pitches are made for batsmen, and the boundaries are roped in even further, there's little point in being a bowler when the game is so unbalanced against them - we might as well replace bowlers with machines. They've become an accessory of the game, as crowds are easily pleased by big hits (and lots of them). As such, curators are more inclined to create good wickets for batting.
The game has been termed by some as the Greatest ODI match ever. I disagree. Perhaps, it was the most surprising result of all time, but I've always viewed cricket as a battle between bat and ball. That day in Johannesburg, it was no contest.
I am, of course, referring to this game, where Australia piled up 434 for 4 in 50 overs, only to lose by one wicket with one ball to spare.
Upon watching highlights of the first innings, I found myself yawning at the procession of boundaries seemingly hit at will. This is quite shocking, as two of my favourite batsmen, Ponting and Hussey, were the ones instigating the chaos. Sixes and fours were flying to all areas of The Wanderers stadium, some, not even off the middle of their charged bats.
At the end of the innings, I found myself asking, "Who would want to be a bowler?"
Especially with the advent of Twenty20 cricket, where pitches are made for batsmen, and the boundaries are roped in even further, there's little point in being a bowler when the game is so unbalanced against them - we might as well replace bowlers with machines. They've become an accessory of the game, as crowds are easily pleased by big hits (and lots of them). As such, curators are more inclined to create good wickets for batting.
The game has been termed by some as the Greatest ODI match ever. I disagree. Perhaps, it was the most surprising result of all time, but I've always viewed cricket as a battle between bat and ball. That day in Johannesburg, it was no contest.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Cricket: A game of small margins
Cricket has been called many things; a mental game of attrition, a test of one's skills and character, the greatest game in the world. It's all of these, and it's also a game of small margins.
Think of the centimetres that can be the difference between an edge to the keeper, or a play and miss. Think of the millimetres that separate a wicket, or a no ball. The inch that lies between a catch and a dropped chance. Or a hit for six and a skied slog. An inside edge which goes for four and one which canons into leg stump.
And while small margins are important in any sport at the highest level, I feel these moments are far more important in cricket than in any other. A batsman only gets one dismissal, and it could take a bowler several deliveries to make another one. In this period, the match can easily swing, which is why these small breaks are so important.
Think of the centimetres that can be the difference between an edge to the keeper, or a play and miss. Think of the millimetres that separate a wicket, or a no ball. The inch that lies between a catch and a dropped chance. Or a hit for six and a skied slog. An inside edge which goes for four and one which canons into leg stump.
And while small margins are important in any sport at the highest level, I feel these moments are far more important in cricket than in any other. A batsman only gets one dismissal, and it could take a bowler several deliveries to make another one. In this period, the match can easily swing, which is why these small breaks are so important.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Yuvraj, Raina, Kaif
They are undoubtedly the future of Indian batting.
Yuvraj Singh has come of age in the limited overs game, repeatedly making substantial runs under pressure - and in quick time. He has also impressed in the Test arena, as both his Test hundreds came when the cream of Indian batting collapsed around him. Best of all, he is a counter attacking player, and I've always felt that the best form of defence is attack.
Suresh Raina is only 19, and already, he is displaying the attributes that are required to be a great of Indian cricket. Two days ago, under great pressure, he produced a sparkling innings of 81* from only 89 balls. In it, he showed his audacity with a scoop shot behind the keeper for four from an off stump half volley. He also showed artistry with some elegant shots through the off side, and a straight six reminiscent of Sourav Ganguly. Today, after a middle order collapse, he played another fantastic innings to rebuild the innings with Yuvraj.
The inclusion of Mohammad Kaif might surprise a few. In Kaif, I see a potential Test batsman with a fantastic temperament - a real fighter, which is what I like to see most in batsmen. Even though his overall record is modest, his Test fifties have all come against tremendous bowling attacks (Australia, England) and all have come from the rubble of an Indian collapse.
Moreover, these three are also great fieldsmen with great anticipation. The sooner they are in the Test team, the better.
Yuvraj Singh has come of age in the limited overs game, repeatedly making substantial runs under pressure - and in quick time. He has also impressed in the Test arena, as both his Test hundreds came when the cream of Indian batting collapsed around him. Best of all, he is a counter attacking player, and I've always felt that the best form of defence is attack.
Suresh Raina is only 19, and already, he is displaying the attributes that are required to be a great of Indian cricket. Two days ago, under great pressure, he produced a sparkling innings of 81* from only 89 balls. In it, he showed his audacity with a scoop shot behind the keeper for four from an off stump half volley. He also showed artistry with some elegant shots through the off side, and a straight six reminiscent of Sourav Ganguly. Today, after a middle order collapse, he played another fantastic innings to rebuild the innings with Yuvraj.
The inclusion of Mohammad Kaif might surprise a few. In Kaif, I see a potential Test batsman with a fantastic temperament - a real fighter, which is what I like to see most in batsmen. Even though his overall record is modest, his Test fifties have all come against tremendous bowling attacks (Australia, England) and all have come from the rubble of an Indian collapse.
Moreover, these three are also great fieldsmen with great anticipation. The sooner they are in the Test team, the better.
I've moved house
I've moved from MSN Spaces, which was always buggy and crashing on me, to Blogspot which seems more efficient. And more customisable. Better too.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
