The T20 world cup in Sri Lanka is now just over a week in, but there has already been massive scores, massive shots, and above all. Massive fielding blunders. But what's impressed me the most? And what's left me shaking my head in disappointment?
The Afghanistan - India game was one of the first I could manage to watch from start to finish.
The first thing that struck me when I was watching was the skill of the Afghan bowlers, they were good, damn good.
This wasn't the amateur bunch of bowlers that starred at the start of that cricket documentary of the story of Afghan cricket a few months ago. These guys, had really skill.
Zadran cleared up Sehwag, and Sehwag was gone soon after. Kohli saved India from humiliation at the hands of these so called minnows in one of the first games of the tournament.
But it could have all been so different, the Afghan bowling was one of the things that has impressed me so much in the tournament so far. But the fielding, oh the fielding. It was utterly, utterly, dreadful. I can't stress the extent of how awfully astronomically terrible the fielding display was. I would have backed a bunch of 9 year olds who had never seen a cricket ball before to take some of the catches they dropped.
And this is the reason they lost the game. Some of the batting was a bit shabby but if they done the basic fielding correctly, they could knocked down India from their perch. And who knows, if Afghanistan would have beaten India they might have put in a poor display v England and Afghanistan could have been in the Super 8's...
Now that, would have been a bloody brilliant story. But unfortunately, fielding 1 Afghanistan 0
But then a couple of days late I saw Zimbabwe be completely taken apart at ease by a very impressive South Africa side. And they really were poor. Afghanistan's fielding was bad but nearly everything about Zimbabwe was diabolical. And I really do hope Afghanistan get a crack at test cricket in the future. But first, please sack your fielding coach.
Next, I have to talk about England. Against the Afghans, we put in a solid performance, picked up a win. This was what people expected of us and we delivered.
But then the real test came against the Indians. And.... oh dear...
The bowling performance was average, I've seen Broad bowl a lot better than how he did, same goes for Bresnan. I think Dernbach uses his slower too much and can be inaccurate. Swann was the only one who impressed me.
Rohit Sharma hit a quickfire 50 and Kohli hit another decent score of 40. This, in addition with Gambir's very good start to the innings left India with a over-par score of 170 off their allocated 20 overs. (I'd like to add that England bowled 8 wides in this innings, which is absolutely appalling at this level. Dernbach was a big culprit of this and it purely angered me, if your reading this Jade, bowl bloody straight, and don't get any more tattoos)
But then came the batting. Alex Hales was gone for two. Not the start we needed.
Luke Wright (who's never really impressed me at international level) was gone for 6. The rest fell like domino's.
Only three batsmen reached double figures, and of them was Jade Dernbach. Morgan, who's been in pretty dreadful form, got 2. Bairstow 1. It was torture watching us playing spin. We gave Harbhajan Singh the easiest four wickets he'll ever take, Chawla got 2, as did Pathan.
This batting display was without doubt, the thing that left me shaking my head in dissapointment.
But then today, I saw something maybe even more spectacular, I saw a Indian side be completely taken apart by the Aussies.
India batted first, and the first man to fall was Gambhir, who was run out by Cummins. It was pretty poor running, it was practicly a race between Gambhir and Cummins, plus Cummins had to kick the ball at the stumps, and the bowler still won. And Gambhir was gone, perhaps a little more time on the running track Gautam?
Virat Kohli, who's been in fantastic form, went pretty softly. Yuvaraj Singh mistimed a hook shot and was gone. Then Rohit Sharma went, I can only assume he misjudged the angle of the ball coming in from the left armed Starc coming round the wicket. The rest scored at more or less a run a ball and they finished on 140.
The Austrailian openers battered them. Shane Watson became the white Chris Gayle and was smashing the ball around for fun. Seven sixes were hit in his very impressive 72 from 42 balls. David Warner hit a 63 to go with it and they won easily.
Watching the Aussies win this easily is definitely what has made my eyebrows be raised the most this T20 tournament so far. They impressed me.
Watch out rest of world.
The Aussies could be coming...
Friday, 28 September 2012
Thursday, 20 September 2012
T20 World Cup Predictions
So the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka has just begun. England are the reigning champs. But without KP who, played magnificently in the previous T20 world cup, many say we haven't a chance this time around. But I'm going to come more onto England's chances later on in this post. To start with, I'm going to go through some of the other candidates for the title...
Since Sri Lanka are the hosts, it seems only right to start with them.
And although they are the hosts, and the crowds will be 100% behind them, I just don't fancy them. I just don't think they have the quality to be able to defeat the other Asian teams if they come up against them.
But never the less, as hosts, they are still in with a outside shout of success. I don't know what the odds are for them to be victories, but I'd give them a 4/1 maybe.
Afghanistan, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh next. And this summary is going to be short and sweet.
They all seem to play their hearts out (bless their cotton socks) but the quality just isn't there. Afghanistan for instance against India bowled well. But their fielding didn't leave much to be desired. I'm sure my local team could have mustered up a better fielding display than that. If I gave odds for them. It would be, Bangladesh, 25/1. Zimbabwe, 35/1. Ireland, 35/1 and Afghanistan 50/1. Sorry guys, but you just haven't got what it takes at this level.
West Indies next, and I think these guys actually stand a decent chance of doing well in this competition. If Gayle and Pollard can do what everybody knows they are capable of doing, then they are always going to be in with a shout. Whoever they play. It's their bowling attack which lets them down, even if Windies do rack up a big total. You always fancy the oppo (if there any good obviously) to have a good crack at reaching that total. For that reason, 10/1 for West Indies.
India are clearly going to be a big player in the tournament, they have the quality. We all know that, Kohli has been bang on form. Ashwin with the ball has been class, and Dhoni with gloves and bat at the end of a innings is capable of smashing the ball all over the park.
They are one of the favourites to snatch the cup, and the odds I'm going to give them reflect that. 7/2.
Pakistan next, the guys who beat India in a warm up match just a few days ago.
They too, have a fantastic chance of success. They have one of the greatest bowlers in the world at their disposal in Saeed Ajmal. Afridi is a brilliant player and they seem to have a good mix of players. They, like India, are one of the favourites. 7/2. The same as India.
New Zealand are underdogs in the tournament. They have more quality than sides such as Ireland, but I can't see them beating a team like India or Pakistan with so much at stake. They should get through their group but I wouldn't expect them to get past the super 8 stage. A 12/1 for New Zealand.
South Africa next. Now these guys, mean business. I really do fancy South Africa to do well. Amla has been on fire all year, and will undoubtedly play a big part in their campaign. de Villiers is a massive hitter, and has good experience in the kind of conditions in Sri Lanka from his days playing in the IPL. Steyn is a brilliant bowler, at the start of a innings and at the death. As is Morkel, if all of these players fire on all cylinders. I think the title could swing towards South Africa. My odds. 3/1
Australia are decent, but no better than decent. I can't seem them doing anything in the tournament. They easily beat Ireland but you would expect them to, but when they come up against India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England, and even West Indies. I expect them to be right up against it. Super 8 will be where there tournament ends. 6/1 for the Aussies.
And finally, the three lions. England. I really think we do have a good chance of doing well. At least has been said and discussed in regard to the KP saga, and I totally think KP is in the wrong and he has to taste his medicine and not play for the foreseeable future. Even if it does mean our team will be weakened in the view of some fans for this tournament and the tour of India in the winter. But I think our team really will shine without him, players are coming in who haven't played very often for the three lions and they will be hungry to do well.
Also, the absence of Pietersen has made many people consider us not favourites (or one of the favourites) for the title. And that has made us underdogs. And when were underdogs, we tend to shine. And shine damn brightly. Take us becoming number one side in the world. We cruised past India as relative underdogs, but then after we became number one. We were diabolical against Pakistan in the UAE, and then against South Africa just recently we were second best. For this reason I really do think that we could do well in this title. The squad we have chosen (I am ecstatic Ravi has been left out) is good, they all have played a lot of T20 cricket against top quality players in England.
As for the moaners, please, just please. Be positive and actually get behind our side for once. Our odds, 4/1 in my opinion.
It's going to be tough, but I think we might just be able to raise a few eyebrows...
Cheers
Since Sri Lanka are the hosts, it seems only right to start with them.
And although they are the hosts, and the crowds will be 100% behind them, I just don't fancy them. I just don't think they have the quality to be able to defeat the other Asian teams if they come up against them.
But never the less, as hosts, they are still in with a outside shout of success. I don't know what the odds are for them to be victories, but I'd give them a 4/1 maybe.
Afghanistan, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh next. And this summary is going to be short and sweet.
They all seem to play their hearts out (bless their cotton socks) but the quality just isn't there. Afghanistan for instance against India bowled well. But their fielding didn't leave much to be desired. I'm sure my local team could have mustered up a better fielding display than that. If I gave odds for them. It would be, Bangladesh, 25/1. Zimbabwe, 35/1. Ireland, 35/1 and Afghanistan 50/1. Sorry guys, but you just haven't got what it takes at this level.
West Indies next, and I think these guys actually stand a decent chance of doing well in this competition. If Gayle and Pollard can do what everybody knows they are capable of doing, then they are always going to be in with a shout. Whoever they play. It's their bowling attack which lets them down, even if Windies do rack up a big total. You always fancy the oppo (if there any good obviously) to have a good crack at reaching that total. For that reason, 10/1 for West Indies.
India are clearly going to be a big player in the tournament, they have the quality. We all know that, Kohli has been bang on form. Ashwin with the ball has been class, and Dhoni with gloves and bat at the end of a innings is capable of smashing the ball all over the park.
They are one of the favourites to snatch the cup, and the odds I'm going to give them reflect that. 7/2.
Pakistan next, the guys who beat India in a warm up match just a few days ago.
They too, have a fantastic chance of success. They have one of the greatest bowlers in the world at their disposal in Saeed Ajmal. Afridi is a brilliant player and they seem to have a good mix of players. They, like India, are one of the favourites. 7/2. The same as India.
New Zealand are underdogs in the tournament. They have more quality than sides such as Ireland, but I can't see them beating a team like India or Pakistan with so much at stake. They should get through their group but I wouldn't expect them to get past the super 8 stage. A 12/1 for New Zealand.
South Africa next. Now these guys, mean business. I really do fancy South Africa to do well. Amla has been on fire all year, and will undoubtedly play a big part in their campaign. de Villiers is a massive hitter, and has good experience in the kind of conditions in Sri Lanka from his days playing in the IPL. Steyn is a brilliant bowler, at the start of a innings and at the death. As is Morkel, if all of these players fire on all cylinders. I think the title could swing towards South Africa. My odds. 3/1
Australia are decent, but no better than decent. I can't seem them doing anything in the tournament. They easily beat Ireland but you would expect them to, but when they come up against India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England, and even West Indies. I expect them to be right up against it. Super 8 will be where there tournament ends. 6/1 for the Aussies.
And finally, the three lions. England. I really think we do have a good chance of doing well. At least has been said and discussed in regard to the KP saga, and I totally think KP is in the wrong and he has to taste his medicine and not play for the foreseeable future. Even if it does mean our team will be weakened in the view of some fans for this tournament and the tour of India in the winter. But I think our team really will shine without him, players are coming in who haven't played very often for the three lions and they will be hungry to do well.
Also, the absence of Pietersen has made many people consider us not favourites (or one of the favourites) for the title. And that has made us underdogs. And when were underdogs, we tend to shine. And shine damn brightly. Take us becoming number one side in the world. We cruised past India as relative underdogs, but then after we became number one. We were diabolical against Pakistan in the UAE, and then against South Africa just recently we were second best. For this reason I really do think that we could do well in this title. The squad we have chosen (I am ecstatic Ravi has been left out) is good, they all have played a lot of T20 cricket against top quality players in England.
As for the moaners, please, just please. Be positive and actually get behind our side for once. Our odds, 4/1 in my opinion.
It's going to be tough, but I think we might just be able to raise a few eyebrows...
Cheers
Thursday, 30 August 2012
Strauss Has Hung Up His Boots
Yesterday, at roughly 12-00, Andrew Strauss publicly retired from all forms of professional cricket, and the opening segment of this post is a kind of tribute to a fantastic player who's career has had ups and downs.
Strauss first class career started back in the last millennium in the year of 1998 where he made his Middlesex debut and scored 83 in his maiden innings. But having stuttered slightly after this sparkling debut he didn't break on to the international scene until 2003.
His international debut was hardly the way he wanted to introduce him self though, England lost by 10 wickets and Strauss struggled.
He would have to wait till the start of the next English season for his next chance, courtesy of a Michael Vaughan knee injury. And my lord didn't he shine in his first test in England. At Lords, the home of cricket, he opened the batting for the three lions and a hit a century. But he wasn't finished there, in the second innings he hit a half century to take his average after just one test match at nearly 100. Not bad.
The rest is history, he helped England win the Ashes in 2005 and after being appointed as captain a couple of years back, he won the ashes in England and then again in Aussie territory for the first time since donkeys years back.
But then in 2011 another honour was added to his long list of achievements, when he captained the three lions to victory against India to take Blighty to number one in the test rankings.
It's been tough since then, nobody can deny that.
A tough winter in the UAE against Pakistan was followed by a mickey mouse series against West Indies and more recently a series loss against South Africa meant that SA won the number one ranking.
That was just a few days ago now, and Strauss has decided to call curtains on his career. Whether that was anything to do with the KP affair, we may never know. (KP has clearly been a massive knob, and has a lot of bridges to rebuild)
Personally, I think it did, but that's just my opinion and I can't prove it. But the main reason is obviously the fact that he has been awfully out of nick for the past year or so, and at the age of 35 you can't help but think that he might never get that golden touch back.
But regardless of the reason for his retirement at this current time, his career has been magnificent, and that was just one of hundreds of tributes that have been given to Straussy today.
The second part of this post is going to be about the future, and what is going to happen next for the English cricket team...
Alaister Cook has been appointed as Strauss' replacement, and while I do not doubt his batting ability, I am still a tad unsure about if his captain skills match those of his batting. He seems to know what he is doing. But I wonder if he will be able to cope with situations such as the KP affair.
Only time will tell.
The other matter is who will come in and open the batting for England?
There isn't a clear choice for the vacant role, I've heard Trott's name thrown about but I think he is 100% suited to the number 3 role in the side. The same goes for Bell and the number 4 spot.
Alex Hales is one possible player who could come in and open the batting, and he seems to be the best option along with Michael Carberry available to the selectors. Its a tough one, there is no obvious choice waiting in the wings to replace Strauss and we will have to wait and see who replace's Strauss...
Cheers
Strauss first class career started back in the last millennium in the year of 1998 where he made his Middlesex debut and scored 83 in his maiden innings. But having stuttered slightly after this sparkling debut he didn't break on to the international scene until 2003.
His international debut was hardly the way he wanted to introduce him self though, England lost by 10 wickets and Strauss struggled.
He would have to wait till the start of the next English season for his next chance, courtesy of a Michael Vaughan knee injury. And my lord didn't he shine in his first test in England. At Lords, the home of cricket, he opened the batting for the three lions and a hit a century. But he wasn't finished there, in the second innings he hit a half century to take his average after just one test match at nearly 100. Not bad.
The rest is history, he helped England win the Ashes in 2005 and after being appointed as captain a couple of years back, he won the ashes in England and then again in Aussie territory for the first time since donkeys years back.
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| Andrew Strauss Beaming After Winning The Ashes |
It's been tough since then, nobody can deny that.
A tough winter in the UAE against Pakistan was followed by a mickey mouse series against West Indies and more recently a series loss against South Africa meant that SA won the number one ranking.
That was just a few days ago now, and Strauss has decided to call curtains on his career. Whether that was anything to do with the KP affair, we may never know. (KP has clearly been a massive knob, and has a lot of bridges to rebuild)
Personally, I think it did, but that's just my opinion and I can't prove it. But the main reason is obviously the fact that he has been awfully out of nick for the past year or so, and at the age of 35 you can't help but think that he might never get that golden touch back.
But regardless of the reason for his retirement at this current time, his career has been magnificent, and that was just one of hundreds of tributes that have been given to Straussy today.
The second part of this post is going to be about the future, and what is going to happen next for the English cricket team...
Alaister Cook has been appointed as Strauss' replacement, and while I do not doubt his batting ability, I am still a tad unsure about if his captain skills match those of his batting. He seems to know what he is doing. But I wonder if he will be able to cope with situations such as the KP affair.
Only time will tell.
The other matter is who will come in and open the batting for England?
There isn't a clear choice for the vacant role, I've heard Trott's name thrown about but I think he is 100% suited to the number 3 role in the side. The same goes for Bell and the number 4 spot.
Alex Hales is one possible player who could come in and open the batting, and he seems to be the best option along with Michael Carberry available to the selectors. Its a tough one, there is no obvious choice waiting in the wings to replace Strauss and we will have to wait and see who replace's Strauss...
Cheers
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