Why only China?

ICC has appointed IS Bindra - the chief advisor for ICC - to focus on developing cricket in China.

Ottayan in his blog is asking what role will Bindra play in China's development?

I agree with him after seeing the performance of Chinese in the Olympics.

However, the main question that comes to mind is why only China?

Cricket is not an individual game that China will produce loads of players.

China will produce only one team.

Which may be good, may be not.

There are many other countries who have been playing cricket for a long time now. Countries like Hongkong, UAE, Canada, etc.

I don't see ICC doing much to help these nations build on their cricket.

I doubt ICC will start cricket in China and then leave it for some other country.

ICC will be much better developing cricket further in these nations also so that they come to some level at least in the T20 version.

Gilli, Steve Waugh, Ganguli, Sanga, etc are fighting for Cricket's spot in the Olympics. If they really want Cricket to be a part of Olympics, then it has to become a much more popular sport. This can only happen when cricket is promoted in most of the countries of the world.

Hence I would request Mr. Bindra and the whole ICC to focus on developing cricket in the whole world and not only in China.

Who wants Bangladesh in Tests?

Ricky Ponting has a bad wrist.

Mat Hayden has a problem in his heels.

Bret Lee is busy with his wife trouble.

Andrew Symonds is busy fishing.

That means four of Australia's 11 ODI players are not playing.

They still managed to thrash Bangladesh by a whopping 180 runs.

Does that show anything about Australia's bench strength?

Or it shows the lack of will of the Bangladeshis to play one level up.

Bangladeshis are probably quite content being considered as the minnows who can spring up an upset or two here and there.

Is it time for ICC to reconsider their test status?

Which cricket team would want to play a full fledged test series with Bangladesh and that too with full seriousness?

Why should Bangladesh themselves continue to play tests?

Something Fishy...

Andrew Symonds has been sent back home from Bangladesh after he failed to attend a team meeting.

And why he missed this meeting?

Well, he was busy 'fishing'...

Now he will have to prove his 100% commitment to Australian team before he can tour India.

Symo, the Indians want you here. You cannot miss the India tour. So get your head right before it gets too late.

That's the way ... MAHI Way !!!

Thank You, Mahi !!! Thank You for everything you have done.

You have shown the best batsmen in the world how to play Ajantha Mendis.

You have bailed your team out consistently in hours of crisis.

You have done well behind the wickets as well.

You have marshaled your bowlers well.

You have motivated your young resources really well after they were thrashed in the first ODI.

You have finally understood how to take advantage of winning the toss.

You have included Badrinath whose place in the team was long overdue.

You have been against inclusion of seniors in your team and you have proved yourself right time and again.

And finally you have lead India to an ODI series win in Sri Lanka for the first time.

Well Done Mahendra Singh Dhoni !!!

Hope you keep it up !!!

Aamir Sohail has gone nuts. Naghmi has to be the nut-cracker!!!

The postponing of the CT has created a month long void for all the cricket boards.

The money crunching machines that the boards are, they are not happy resting the players. Each board is looking for some way or the other to engage their players.

The same goes for PCB.

PCB is negotiating with South Africa for a tri-series in South Africa including India as well. If South Africa don't agree then they will try Australia. Calling Sri Lanka home is their 3rd option.

This is the right way forward(IMO). After all people can't stick to postponing of a tournament. Teams have to move ahead.

However, every path has its speed breakers.

Aamir Sohail has blasted PCB for even considering to tour countries which declined their tours to Pakistan.

Sohail says...

"I want to know in what capacity is Naghmi trying to work out this deal to play in South Africa who initiated the move to have the Champions Trophy postponed."

He also added...

"When the PCB chairman (Nasim Ashraf) has resigned how can any other official negotiate with any country to play a series."

Mr. Sohail, if the Chief Operating Officer (in the absence of a chairman) doesn't have the right to decide on tours, then who has?

Sohail said...

"I don't understand this attitude. Why are we keen to go and play in countries not willing to tour Pakistan."

Frankly speaking I don't understand the attitude of Aamir Sohail of still cribbing about teams who didn't tour Pakistan.

Does he want Pakistan to boycott all these countries?

Is he thinking of giving these teams a tit for tat?

Does he want Pakistan to play only in Asia and not go out of the sub-continent?

Mr. Sohail, is this some kind of an old Bollywood movie where Big B seeks revenge for the hardships he suffered in his childhood?

Is this some kind of a childhood fight where you don't allow your friend to bat 'coz he got you out.

Well Naghmi had to say this in reply...

"We now have to decide whether to work for the promotion and betterment of cricket and move on or keep on thinking about why and how the Champions Trophy was postponed. We are moving ahead in a positive spirit."

Finally a PCB head who talks some sense. Had to wait for a long time for this.

Just hope he is able to put the same sense in his team as well.

Grow Up, CA !!!

"The Australian Cricket team is 'passionately keen' to tour Pakistan next year."

What is Cricket Australia thinking?

One day they refuse to tour a country giving security reasons.

Then they say they are very keen to travel to that country after a few months.

Do they believe that the security will be better after a few months?

Or do they think that all the turmoil in Pakistan will be over by then?

Or is it just another way to keep PCB quiet?

C'mmon CA!! Atleast stick to what you believe!!!

Motivation!

If only the top three scorers in a match are given such an oppurtunity, it might just give players like Yuvi some more motivation to score.

Champions Trophy postponed.

ICC has postponed the Champions Trophy to October 2009.

During the meeting today five of the participating nations withdrew from the tournament. After South Africa Australia, New Zealand, England & West Indies also decided not to tour Pakistan. After this there was hardly any other option than postponing the tournament.

All these teams withdrew from the tournament citing security reasons.

Does that mean that they are sure that next year the situation in Pakistan will be much better?

The ICC has said that Pakistan will be given preference while deciding the venue for the next years Champions Trophy. But I guess that is now a far-fetched dream.

Moreover what difference does it make if the tournament is played in any other country? Even countries like India & England have been targeted by the terrorists just like Pakistan. But that doesn't stop the countries from playing in these countries.

All this decision has done is that it has put tremendous pressure on the already heavy ICC calender. They will now have to find a window next season for the Champions Trophy. And that is not an easy job considering the hectic schedule of all the teams.

Moreover the next edition of the CT will be held in 2010. Two CT in two years!!! And then there will be the 2011 WC. Add to it the regular series between different countries. Phew!!! The next two years will definitely be hectic for all the players. We might see some more players take 'rests' like Dhoni.

By the way, there will be a rare 33 days vacation for all international cricketers this year. Guess that is all they will get for a packed 2009/10 schedule.

New Qualification Criteria for Selectors.

BCCI (I am talking about Board of Control for Cricket in India) has made several changes in the existing system for selecting the selectors. The selectors will now have to have the following credentials:

1. Should have played for India or atleast 25 First Class matches.


2. Should have retired atleast 10 years ago.


3. Should not be an office bearer of the BCCI or any of its affiliated units.

They will also be paid an annual honorarium of Rs 25 Lakhs.

Well if these things are taken into account, only Bhupinder Singh will qualify to serve another term.

Guess we might have a new look selection panel for the Oz series. Guess they might make the team look new as well.

How to solve the Mendis Mystery?

Times have changed.

The sober whites have gone.

The dazzling blue is here.

However there are some things that don't change with time.

The Mendis mystery still remains.

The whole of India including its cricket team is wondering how to solve this enigma called Ajantha Mendis?

Let's try to help them out...

1. Let Raina open. I have been reading all around about Yuvi opening. However, I feel Raina is a better choice. He might not be as hard a hitter as Yuvi is. But he definitely has a better technique. Moreover, we don't want Yuvi to lose his confidence even against the seamers.
2. Send Yuvi one down. Thats the best place for Yuvi with the current line up. If the openers fail, he doesn't come and face the spinners straight away. Also if we have a good start, then Yuvi can come and blast away. This might put M & M's out of their rythm (I know this is a far-fetched hope).
3. Badri & MSD to come in as No. 3 & 4 in any order followed by Rohit. These 3 may shuffle their order depending on the situation.
4. Finally, if nothing works (like it appears to be), ask Mr. Kapil Dev to get Mendis to join ICL.

Guys, you people have any other ideas?

What's wrong PCB?

First they banned Shoaib for 5 years.

Then the ban got reduced to 18 months with a fine.

The court then suspended the ban after Shoaib complained.

Shoaib was then selected for the Pakistan's probables list for Champions Trophy.

Three days back, Shoaib made a comeback to the Pakistan side for Champion's Trophy.

But I guess PCB just couldn't get enough of him.

Shoaib will have to pay a fine of Rs 7 million if he wants to play in the Champions Trophy. If the court later removes his ban and fine then it will be refunded back to him.

Seriously, What's wrong with you PCB?

Champion's Trophy venue not yet final.

ICC is still considering switching the Champions Trophy venue from Pakistan to some alternate country.

ICC has been repeatedly telling that the venue won't be changed. However the negative reactions from the Australian & New Zealand boards to the ICC task force paints a different picture.

It has been a long time since this fight has been going on. Its now high time that ICC reached a decision. More so because the champions trophy is only a month away. Shifting the venue at this moment is almost impossible.

Also ICC will have to pay a heavy fine to ESPN Star according to their contract.

Moreover imagine the preparation of the players, who don't know where they will play next month.

Whatever be the case, hope to see ICC making a decision in the next couple of days.

Yuvraj scores ton as India wins.

A very Happy Independence Day to all the Indians!!!

The Indian Cricket team celebrated the 61st independence anniversary by blasting the Sri Lankan XI by 92 runs.

India scored 342 in their allotted 50 overs and restricted the Sri Lankan XI to 250. Yuvi scored 172 (his first century since 2005) in 121 balls. The only other batsman who made a decent contribution was Raina with his 45.

However this victory is not as good as it looks. India scored a good total. But it was mainly due to the performance of Yuvraj. The others did not need to perform. The Sri Lankan XI attack was weak. Moreover it did not include a world class spinner. The Sri Lanka team will have 2 of those. And to top it all Yuvraj cannot play spin.

Add to it the fact that Indian bowlers couldn't bowl out the weak batting line up. Irfan Pathan continued his woes of late and gave away 6 runs an over for his 2 wickets. Ojha and RP were also expensive.

Though this win would give India the much needed confidence after the disastrous test series, they should not forget that the Sri Lankan international team would be much more stronger than this team. The M & M factor will still be there. They will have to counter these two spinners who had the fab-4 completely foxed.

The Indian team had a good outing today. It was good especially for Yuvraj. He needed a long time in the middle after his poor showing in the recent series.

Hope India can take out the positives and put up a good show down in Sri Lanka.

Tendulkar Out ... BOON or BANE?

So Sachin Tendulkar is out of the Indian ODI side for the Sri Lankan Series. Though not in the expected way.

Guess this is what most of the blogging community wanted. Especially after the dissappointinng performance by him in the tests.

We will have to wait and watch whether his ouster becomes a boon or a bane for the Indian team.

There's no doubt that Sachin's absence will hurt the team. Even when he is not performing well, his mere presence can lift the Indian team. Most of the young players see him as their idol. Playing with their idol definitely motivates any youngster. And Sachin plays the role of that motivator for the Rohits, Uthappa's etc.

Also his experience definitely helps the inexperienced Indian line-up. His advice on & off the field has got lots of values. He can come up with new ideas in times of pressure.

However, his absence will give chance to our young brigade to cement their place in the side. Sachin has been getting injured quite often nowadays. His performance has gone done in the recent matches. After the Australian series he has not looked like the Sachin we know.

There is already a call amongst all the bloggers to replace the senior players with the young ones.

The absence of the fab-4 in the ODI series gives the Rohits and Co to prove to the world that they are capable of replacing the senior players. And if they are able to do that, it will help the Indian team in the long run. India will then find able replacements for our 'Fab-4'.

Hence Sachin's absence can become a blessing in disguise if the young players take up the challenge and shoulder the responsibility. Now its upto them to show to the world and BCCI that its time for Indian cricket to move ahead.

Only time now can tell whether Sachin's absence will be a boon or a bane. Lets wait and watch!

What happened to the Indian Spinners?

The fab-4 has failed yet again. There has been lots of things being written about them. This article is not about ranting about SRT, RD or SG. Nor is this article asking our selectors to drop them. I wont ask them to retire. All these has already been done by many in the blogosphere.

But what about Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh? These two have looked completely out of sorts in this series. Except the second test, Bhajji hasn't looked like the turbanator. Kumble seems to have lost his bounce, speed and accuracy. These two are the best spinners India have. And they are not able to perform any way near Murali and Mendis.

The pitches in Sri Lanka have always supported spinners. A fact which is clearly proven by the performances of Murali and Mendis. Infact the pitches in this series have been a spinners paradise. Still its ishant and Zaheer on whom India is depending to pick up the wickets.

After the Fab-4 is it the time for the spin couplet of India to go. Kumble who is much more elder to our fab-4 has probably reached his time. Is it the case with Bhajji too? And if we can try Rohits and Badris and Gautis in tests, then why not the Chawla's and the Mishra's. I think the same logic applies. If the best are not good enough, try the youngsters. Atleast there is room for improvement.