Aussies completed a comfortable victory at Adelaide today and proved they are still capable of doing anything. Unassailable lead and Pakistan are out of the series. So what is the secret of Australia's prolonged success?
One instance will say clearly. Ryan Harris,injured at the beginning of the season, comes as a last minute replacement for Peter Siddle and ends up with figures of 10-0-43-5 in just his second ODI game. Surely Deccan Chargers will be elated with the performance.
Six state teams in the domestic set up, adequate rest between first class games and a handful number of games for every team. Three tournaments viz., Sheffield Shield[first class], Ford Ranger Cup[LOI] and KFC T20 Big Bash. Good set up and one that produces many many good cricketers. Superb pitches almost all result producing ones. Games played in the respective international stadiums and a strong policy of limiting foreign participation.
With this type of Domestic system its no surprise that Aussies are still leading the ODI table and definitely they are a true contenders for the next year's coveted ICC World Cup in the sub-continent.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Bradmanesque Gambhir
Virender Sehwag has said Gambhir is now called "the rock" in the Indian Team. So now there is a wall and a rock. Gautam Gambhir has really played outstanding cricket and today he very nearly equalled the record of Sir Donald Bradman!!
Five 100s in 5 tests is a magnificent achievement and not one that is repeated everyday.. So credit must go the Delhi batsman. He is now such an important player in Team India's ranks. Considering what he was 5 years ago,it must be said that Gambhir has really matured and mixed it with performance.
Earlier he was tentative on the off side but he is more of a put-the-loose-balls-away type. Still one could see him tabbing the ball to third man area now and then which is one of his productive areas.
Truly his partnership with Virender Sehwag is excellent and definitely they are best openers now. Running between the wickets has significantly improved and India certainly benefits from it.
Gambhir can still break another legend Sir Vivian Richards' record for consecutive fifties and let us hope he does so!
Five 100s in 5 tests is a magnificent achievement and not one that is repeated everyday.. So credit must go the Delhi batsman. He is now such an important player in Team India's ranks. Considering what he was 5 years ago,it must be said that Gambhir has really matured and mixed it with performance.
Earlier he was tentative on the off side but he is more of a put-the-loose-balls-away type. Still one could see him tabbing the ball to third man area now and then which is one of his productive areas.
Truly his partnership with Virender Sehwag is excellent and definitely they are best openers now. Running between the wickets has significantly improved and India certainly benefits from it.
Gambhir can still break another legend Sir Vivian Richards' record for consecutive fifties and let us hope he does so!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Bond for KKR
Shane Bond is a magnificent quick bowler. His nice action is probably the best in the world.His inswinging yorkers have been great toe-crushers. A good pick by the Knight riders as they were searching for a fast bowler who can give them early wickets.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Fully fit Fabregas fabulous [FFFF]
Francesc Fabregas came back from the injury and returned against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. Immediately Arsenal were a completely different unit. There were as usual more passes, even more now as the skipper is back, a good co-ordination as exhibited by Captain Courageous and naturally the result was favourable.
Fabregas is a sort of a player who would ignite a sense of passion in the ranks of the Gunners whenever he is on the field. A clever one-two with Eduardo meant Arsenal were up and nearly he made it two when Arshavin's pass missed Diaby and settled in Cesc's foot. Unfortunately he wasn't expecting it and the ball went wide.
Right through the 90 minutes, there was a feeling that Bolton would equalise at any moment, thanks to lack of physical strength of the players. That is precisely why Arsene Wenger has recalled Sol Campbell. He is not a manager who re purchases players but this was the need of the hour. Yes Campbell is 35 but he is a strong lad and was a key member of the "Invincibles".
Arsenal would need to make sure they don't concede cheap goals and set pieces and if they do prevent those there is a certain possibility that the title drought will end this season.
Fabregas is a sort of a player who would ignite a sense of passion in the ranks of the Gunners whenever he is on the field. A clever one-two with Eduardo meant Arsenal were up and nearly he made it two when Arshavin's pass missed Diaby and settled in Cesc's foot. Unfortunately he wasn't expecting it and the ball went wide.
Right through the 90 minutes, there was a feeling that Bolton would equalise at any moment, thanks to lack of physical strength of the players. That is precisely why Arsene Wenger has recalled Sol Campbell. He is not a manager who re purchases players but this was the need of the hour. Yes Campbell is 35 but he is a strong lad and was a key member of the "Invincibles".
Arsenal would need to make sure they don't concede cheap goals and set pieces and if they do prevent those there is a certain possibility that the title drought will end this season.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Manchester City's Title Ambitions
Manchester city's demolition of Blackburn proved how good a side they are. While they may not be a title contender, they can seriously think of uprooting the FIXED BIG FOUR.And a title is very much on as they have to get past Manchester United in the Carling Cup.
Roberto Mancini the recent high profile manager of the club is very much known for his stint with Internazionale where he led them to the "Scudetto". He has already said that Manchester City has a great chance of winning the premier league. Truly nothing is won or lost until the gap becomes mathematically unbeatable. But can they?
Chelsea is a good side and can invariably beat everyone in January despite the fact that they will be missing players who play in the African Nations Cup. They are much likely to hold on to the lead all the way. Manchester United on their day can play as poorly as they did against Leeds United in the FA Cup or can thrash anyone.
Then there is Arsenal. Although Wenger should be credited for building a teeam that plays proper football, the results are not favourable. No Silverware in 4 years is not a great track record but they definitely have the team to go on to finish as No.1.
Then there is Manchester City. So can they? Hang on. Am I missing Liverpool here? Oh come on. Time is over for them and there is already gossips about Gerrard and Torres leaving in the summer.
This is the best league and this season will probably be the best ever. Having said that, this is being said every season. Enjoy Football.
Roberto Mancini the recent high profile manager of the club is very much known for his stint with Internazionale where he led them to the "Scudetto". He has already said that Manchester City has a great chance of winning the premier league. Truly nothing is won or lost until the gap becomes mathematically unbeatable. But can they?
Chelsea is a good side and can invariably beat everyone in January despite the fact that they will be missing players who play in the African Nations Cup. They are much likely to hold on to the lead all the way. Manchester United on their day can play as poorly as they did against Leeds United in the FA Cup or can thrash anyone.
Then there is Arsenal. Although Wenger should be credited for building a teeam that plays proper football, the results are not favourable. No Silverware in 4 years is not a great track record but they definitely have the team to go on to finish as No.1.
Then there is Manchester City. So can they? Hang on. Am I missing Liverpool here? Oh come on. Time is over for them and there is already gossips about Gerrard and Torres leaving in the summer.
This is the best league and this season will probably be the best ever. Having said that, this is being said every season. Enjoy Football.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Promising Kohli
Virat Kohli is a rare talent in Indian Cricket. Why? He is a typical youngster who is aggressive in his approach but also has the quality of calmness in him. The latter was very much evident when he and another fine player and his Delhi teammate Gautam Gambhir made Sri Lanka's total of 315 a joke at Kolkata.
He is just 20 has loads of cricket left in him. He is a good leader who lead India to a Under-19 World Cup victory in Malaysia two seasons ago. Royal Challengers Bangalore his Indian Premier League franchise did pluck him in the auction because of his ability as a good all round T20 player.
Kohli has more great qualities. It was Wednesday, December 20,2006. Kohli, then 18, was playing representing his state Delhi in a crucial Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka. Delhi was staring at a follow-on situation. At 3 A.M on the dreadful day, Virat lost his father, Prem. But he stayed to play for his state scoring a brilliant 90 thereby saving Delhi's face.
Sachin Tendulkar did a similar thing in the '99 world cup rushing back to England after attending his father's funeral. There is no more passion one can show to a nation. Greatness is imbibed and Kohli is designed to be one.
Now Indian Cricket is rising and every body performs well. Fight for places is heating up and it is a better sight rather than no players to fill a void. Kohli certainly has proved he belongs there with another classy knock today and hopefully it will cement his place.
Let the future be bright for the Delhi dasher!!
He is just 20 has loads of cricket left in him. He is a good leader who lead India to a Under-19 World Cup victory in Malaysia two seasons ago. Royal Challengers Bangalore his Indian Premier League franchise did pluck him in the auction because of his ability as a good all round T20 player.
Kohli has more great qualities. It was Wednesday, December 20,2006. Kohli, then 18, was playing representing his state Delhi in a crucial Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka. Delhi was staring at a follow-on situation. At 3 A.M on the dreadful day, Virat lost his father, Prem. But he stayed to play for his state scoring a brilliant 90 thereby saving Delhi's face.
Sachin Tendulkar did a similar thing in the '99 world cup rushing back to England after attending his father's funeral. There is no more passion one can show to a nation. Greatness is imbibed and Kohli is designed to be one.
Now Indian Cricket is rising and every body performs well. Fight for places is heating up and it is a better sight rather than no players to fill a void. Kohli certainly has proved he belongs there with another classy knock today and hopefully it will cement his place.
Let the future be bright for the Delhi dasher!!
Can Arsenal win the EPL Title?
Yesterday's draw against Everton has actually raised more doubts whether Arsenal can finally end their silverware-less streak.
Arsene Wenger always talks of buying a new striker to fill the void created by injury to Robin van Persie but maintains that he is yet to find one. Absence of a top class forward really showed yesterday how difficult it is to move on. Everton are really struggling to stay on but to draw them [it would have been worse but for Rosicky] shows there needs an emergency action.
Eduardo da Silva, the brazil born Croatian, is a good striker but he hasn't fully recovered from his serious injury that struck him 2 years ago. At the moment Fabregas is in line to recover and really Arshavin is the only hope.
Can Arsenal emerge is the million dollar question but one can sense that it will be going down to the wire..
So lets hope for the best..
Arsene Wenger always talks of buying a new striker to fill the void created by injury to Robin van Persie but maintains that he is yet to find one. Absence of a top class forward really showed yesterday how difficult it is to move on. Everton are really struggling to stay on but to draw them [it would have been worse but for Rosicky] shows there needs an emergency action.
Eduardo da Silva, the brazil born Croatian, is a good striker but he hasn't fully recovered from his serious injury that struck him 2 years ago. At the moment Fabregas is in line to recover and really Arshavin is the only hope.
Can Arsenal emerge is the million dollar question but one can sense that it will be going down to the wire..
So lets hope for the best..
Togo Attack
The World is moving so fast and hence the people also strive to live up to it. The activities of a human has changed to an extent which is admirable. Naturally there are certain not-so-good actions that evolve right now. One such thing is the recent attack on Togo team's bus attack.
Togo is a decent football team comprising of players playing is major leagues in the world and have a good forward in former Arsenal and present Manchester City star Emmanuel Adebayor. So they were on the way to playing in the African Nations Cup in Angola. They would have fancied their chances of going all the way in the competition. But they would not have imagined in their wildest dreams about the event above mentioned.
Their bus driver is killed and three others including their assistant coach and a goal-keeper are believed to be dead. Togo contemplated quitting the competition and going back but eventually decided to stay and fight for those who lost their valuable lives. Credit goes to them as they are stubborn to prove on the field to the gunmen who opened fire and others how courageous they are!
I wish Togo all the very best and hopefully they all will recover from the irrecoverable loss to their nation.
Togo is a decent football team comprising of players playing is major leagues in the world and have a good forward in former Arsenal and present Manchester City star Emmanuel Adebayor. So they were on the way to playing in the African Nations Cup in Angola. They would have fancied their chances of going all the way in the competition. But they would not have imagined in their wildest dreams about the event above mentioned.
Their bus driver is killed and three others including their assistant coach and a goal-keeper are believed to be dead. Togo contemplated quitting the competition and going back but eventually decided to stay and fight for those who lost their valuable lives. Credit goes to them as they are stubborn to prove on the field to the gunmen who opened fire and others how courageous they are!
I wish Togo all the very best and hopefully they all will recover from the irrecoverable loss to their nation.
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