When a supposed strength is consistently under-performing, that part of the unit will inevitably come under severe scrutiny, and so is the case with England's top six. A general lack of cohesion as a unit and an inability to put telling first innings totals on the board is once again raising doubts concerning one or two positions in the line-up.
Four hundred runs is somewhat of a benchmark or nowadays considered a minimum first innings total, providing the wicket is of a reasonable nature. England have achieved this target a mere three times in their first innings since January 2007 or more appropriately - in the last 17 Test matches. A comparison to the best side in the world is at times considered unfair but it is an indication of what a side need to aspire towards, therefore in the same period Australia have passed the same target six times in only ten Tests, and ten times in the last 17 Tests.
Is the England top six that far behind Australia's ? In terms of consistently churning out the runs and batting as a unit, building the partnerships, yes they are some way behind. Aesthetically very few can compare to an in-form Michael Vaughan or an Ian Bell, but ultimately it's the results that count, not how they are got, although Australia do have such players that are equally adept in succeeding at both.
In Test cricket, only Kevin Pietersen and Michael Vaughan average in excess of 40 since the beginning of 2007, therefore a number of the top order have been under-achieving, or are there averages simply levelling out following very good starts to their careers ? We have seen flashes from all the current top six, Andrew Strauss's 177 in Napier when his position in Test cricket was under severe scrutiny, Alistair Cook kept Sri Lanka at bay in Galle for over six hours making 118 runs, and as we know, Michael Vaughan finds it very difficult not to look classy when accumulating his runs.
Kevin Pietersen may not appear as flamboyant and willing to take the odd risk in search of thrilling runs, but it is difficult to argue with his recent conversion rate. In the past 18 months, Pietersen has passed fifty on seven occasions and quite staggeringly has converted six of these into centuries.
Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood have endured a tougher time of late and it is felt their places are most under threat. Bell can at times match Vaughan's elegance, he is an exquisite touch player who times the ball excellently, but has struggled to really cash in when he appears set. This has been attributed to numerous things, mental frailty, the need - in his own mind - to increase his scoring rate and try to dominate, or simply lapses in concentration.
Collingwood currently looks a shadow of the man that went toe to toe with Australia in Adelaide. Like Bell, he just hasn't gone on to make a match defining innings of late despite passing the half-century mark three times in New Zealand. Although he has contributed in helping England out of numerous precarious situations in the past, he would do well to remember England’s decision in dropping Matthew Hoggard, who must have thought he too had enough credit in the bank.
Both Bell and Collingwood have already shown that the more relaxed nature of one-day cricket is perhaps the ideal environment to feel one or two in the middle of the bat, re-build lost confidence, get the feet moving again and give the image of players with real intent. The captaincy for Collingwood may be a welcome distraction, a chance to concentrate on other players games, not over analyse his own performances with the bat and give the ball a good old thump, which he is more than capable of.
Flashy, eye-pleasing fifties simply do not win Test matches and perhaps there is only Pietersen that has shelved his natural instincts, to a degree, in search of making the necessary totals England desire and will certainly need when the South Africans arrive on our shores in the not too distant future.
I sincerely hope that despite the recent shortcomings that the top six remain the same, injuries permitting, for the opening Test against South Africa. Presuming Andrew Flintoff has failed to convince selectors his level of fitness is of the appropriate standard (although him coming in at seven is a serious option). But if changes are to be made during the summer, where will England will be looking ?
Ravi Bopara will no doubt be able to showcase his talents once more in the one-day game for England, following his fantastic start to the season for Essex. Geoff Miller, England’s National Selector was present to see Bopara play an extraordinary innings against Leicestershire recently, where he made 201 not out in a 50 over contest, and may have nudged himself ahead of the unfortunate Owais Shah in the Test side reckoning.
Shah is as consistent a domestic performer as there is (barring Mark Ramprakash, who we will discuss later) and yet, so far, has only been granted two Test matches in which to impress, and one of those he did, in scoring 88 and helping England clinch a memorable series draw in India. Two failures against the West Indies and Shah was thrown back to County cricket to continue scoring masses of runs.
The outsider to regain his England place (he has not played for England since 2002) is of course Ramprakash. His utter dominance of county attacks is well documented, but this would be seen as a backward step and very much short-term option in recalling a 38 year old. Sure he doesn't look it and probably deserves another crack at the top level, but there does not appear any chance the selectors will looking up his phone number any time soon. Although Geoff Miller did contact him before the trip to New Zealand earlier this year to ask whether he would be a senior player on stand-by, a request Ramprakash struggled to get his head around.
Of course there are others to consider - Robert Key is highly thought of within the England set-up and may well be the alternative opener should Cook or Strauss be missing and Vaughan prefers his number three spot, Usman Afzaal has been given a new lease of life at Surrey, while Paul Horton has continued where he left off last season for Lancashire, although a longer spell in County cricket is the more likely route. Jon Trott of Warwickshire and David Sales of Northamptonshire have pushed their cases with steady starts, albeit in Division Two, and Ed Joyce is never too far away when replacements for England’s middle order are discussed.
It is not unfair for us now to expect this top six to really fire, build match defining partnerships, consistently breach the 400 mark and play with the kind of attacking intent that allows us enough time to bowl good sides out twice. Beware South Africa.
There will always be discussions and controversial decisions surrounding national team selection and virtually everybody has a different view of who should and should not be selected.
England showed a ruthless side to their selection policy with Hoggard and Steve Harmison being left out of the second Test in New Zealand, when there were calls for a change in the top six rather than the bowling attack.
If England continue to remain loyal to the top six, then with the experience and undoubted quality present, then I am sure we are in for a thoroughly exciting battle this summer when South Africa arrive with one of the finest pace attacks currently on the world circuit.
Recently Kevin Pietersen suggested the players in this current batting line-up is streets ahead of the leading run scorers in County cricket, if that is the case, then there is no need for change. Although Bopara, Shah and Ramprakash may strongly disagree.
Wednesday, 18 June 2008
Tuesday, 4 March 2008
The Kolpak Effect
Nobody could have imagined the impact made on cricket when Slovakian handball player Maros Kolpak won a decision in the European Courts of Justice back in May 2003. After being released from his German club, due to their quota on non-European Union players, Kolpak made a legal challenge to oppose the law and duly succeeded.
For those unaware of what effect this has on cricket, in England especially, it enables cricketers from countries that have an Association Agreement with the European Union (EU) to play domestic cricket in England without being classified as an overseas player. Therefore, players from South Africa, Zimbabwe and certain islands in the West Indies are free to travel to England to ply their trade, but are not eligible to represent England unless they wish to do so via the residential period route.
Each Kolpak case is dealt with individually by the England and Wales Cricket Board. Despite regulations stating that the player must not have played first class cricket or higher in the 12 months prior to the season and that he must give up playing as a domestic player in his home country, both of these can be overlooked. When Jacques Rudolph signed on for Yorkshire early in 2007 as a Kolpak, he had played for South Africa in August 2006, however, the ECB were powerless to enforce rules.
In every case, a player is asked to sign a Statutory Declaration, which details his commitment to playing only in the UK as a domestic cricketer. Players that return home to feature in their domestic season must then do so as overseas players.
They are the regulations, so what are the ramifications ? The major gripe against this relatively new legislation is that these Kolpak signings are stifling English talent. They are taking the places of the younger academy players when they could be being given the necessary first class exposure to enhance their game and gain vital experience at a higher level. The argument that negates that comment to a degree, is that many people believe that the cream generally rises to the top and if the youngster in question is good enough, he will make it with or without the presence of the Kolpak players.
The Kolpaks are invariably a cheaper option and are seen as a short term fix when the money could be better used improving the development of the younger players with the long term view in mind, rather than the immediate season. Counties understandably want to remain, or become, competitive and they see the best and cheapest way of doing this is by bringing in Kolpak players with a fair amount of first class, maybe international experience for a reasonable sum of money, rather than relying on youth and funding their development.
It is too much of a generalisation to say none of the Kolpaks signed since 2004 (the first season where the ruling was in place) have improved the quality on the first-class circuit. For example, there must be young batsmen at Sussex queuing up to hear any snippets of advice from a talent such as Murray Goodwin. Not only listening to him but watching how he goes about his cricket will surely aid young Englishmen no end, similarly at Yorkshire with Jacques Rudolph. Charl Willoughby has shown that bowlers can succeed on the batters paradise at Taunton, and if anyone there wants to learn the art of swing, he will be amongst the first they call on.
Has the Kolpak ruling strengthened English county cricket ? Of the 24 Kolpaks that have arrived and played first class cricket since 2004, around 50% have proved over their careers that they will benefit most leagues they join. I make this observation based on their overall first class records. Statistics can admittedly be misleading, however, only four of the 24 players average in excess of 40 with the bat, while seven have a bowling average under 30, with South African Lance Klusener fitting into both categories (for players that have played over 15 first-class games).
The stats suggest that the competition is not particularly stronger as a result of Kolpak signings, sure players like Goodwin, Rudolph, Klusener, van Jaarsveld etc, help raise the standard, but for every one of those there is a player that would probably struggle to make his own provincial side back home.
Naturally, the ECB cannot regulate the quality of player to come in, we can only rely on counties to do their utmost in signing players to strengthen English cricket as a whole, without flooding the market. One thing that is in their powers is to penalise each county to the sum of ?1,100 each time they field a Kolpak in the Championship, this fee comes out of their annual central handout.
With the ECB providing the major source of income for counties, they have an obligation to respect the amount of non-qualified English players within the make up of their squads. Of course those that are largely made up of English qualified players receive more income from the ECB.
Needless to say that there are more Kolpaks to come. In 2008 counties are restricted to only one official overseas player per side and may look to some big name Kolpaks to help improve gate receipts. Big hitter Justin Kemp is on his way to Kent having shelved his international ambitions for now, while Northants have opted to sign four South Africans with international experience in Nicky Boje, Lance Klusener, Johan van der Wath and Andrew Hall (with no official overseas player). Very few West Indians have come over on the ruling, but in 2008, Wavell Hinds and Pedro Collins will be bucking that particular trend.
So surely the change to only one overseas player is a little counter productive when counties then go out and bring in a number of Kolpaks (or entice players to obtain an EU passport) who are ineligible anyway for England selection. The quality of the official overseas player has been of the highest standard for a number of years, consequently the English players are much more likely to have their development enhanced by a world star, as averse to a South African struggling to get a break in his home country.
The newly formed Indian Premier League (IPL) may prevent numerous world class players from appearing in England in the opening months of the season with them signing up to play in the Twenty20 competition for obscene amounts of money. Will the enthusiasm to then travel to England for more cricket diminish after having earned a fortune for around six weeks work ? One would hope this is not the case.
Of course South Africa are also affected by the Kolpak ruling, with older players relinquishing their international prospects before their time to build a domestic career in England. Younger cricketers are also looking to gain England selection through the four-year residential period after their initial Kolpak contract. So the problem does not affect only England.
It is a situation that needs to be constantly assessed. The important thing for English cricket is that the academy players are given as much assistance to aid their development, whether that is through opportunities in the first team, a secure structure in place, or with coaching and facilities. The vision needs to be long term to enable English cricket to reap the rewards further down the line.
It was Leicestershire who made the first Kolpak signing when they added Claude Henderson to their squad. Their chief executive that oversaw the deal at the time was England's new selector James Whittaker. How ironic ? Let us hope, from an English cricket perspective, that that particular decision to start the Kolpak ball rolling will not reduce the field he has to pick from too dramatically.
What is important, is that English cricket monitors the quantity and quality of the overseas Kolpak player. This can only be done through the integrity of the county officials.
(Cricket Web, 26/02/2008)
http://www.cricketweb.net/blog/features/10.php
For those unaware of what effect this has on cricket, in England especially, it enables cricketers from countries that have an Association Agreement with the European Union (EU) to play domestic cricket in England without being classified as an overseas player. Therefore, players from South Africa, Zimbabwe and certain islands in the West Indies are free to travel to England to ply their trade, but are not eligible to represent England unless they wish to do so via the residential period route.
Each Kolpak case is dealt with individually by the England and Wales Cricket Board. Despite regulations stating that the player must not have played first class cricket or higher in the 12 months prior to the season and that he must give up playing as a domestic player in his home country, both of these can be overlooked. When Jacques Rudolph signed on for Yorkshire early in 2007 as a Kolpak, he had played for South Africa in August 2006, however, the ECB were powerless to enforce rules.
In every case, a player is asked to sign a Statutory Declaration, which details his commitment to playing only in the UK as a domestic cricketer. Players that return home to feature in their domestic season must then do so as overseas players.
They are the regulations, so what are the ramifications ? The major gripe against this relatively new legislation is that these Kolpak signings are stifling English talent. They are taking the places of the younger academy players when they could be being given the necessary first class exposure to enhance their game and gain vital experience at a higher level. The argument that negates that comment to a degree, is that many people believe that the cream generally rises to the top and if the youngster in question is good enough, he will make it with or without the presence of the Kolpak players.
The Kolpaks are invariably a cheaper option and are seen as a short term fix when the money could be better used improving the development of the younger players with the long term view in mind, rather than the immediate season. Counties understandably want to remain, or become, competitive and they see the best and cheapest way of doing this is by bringing in Kolpak players with a fair amount of first class, maybe international experience for a reasonable sum of money, rather than relying on youth and funding their development.
It is too much of a generalisation to say none of the Kolpaks signed since 2004 (the first season where the ruling was in place) have improved the quality on the first-class circuit. For example, there must be young batsmen at Sussex queuing up to hear any snippets of advice from a talent such as Murray Goodwin. Not only listening to him but watching how he goes about his cricket will surely aid young Englishmen no end, similarly at Yorkshire with Jacques Rudolph. Charl Willoughby has shown that bowlers can succeed on the batters paradise at Taunton, and if anyone there wants to learn the art of swing, he will be amongst the first they call on.
Has the Kolpak ruling strengthened English county cricket ? Of the 24 Kolpaks that have arrived and played first class cricket since 2004, around 50% have proved over their careers that they will benefit most leagues they join. I make this observation based on their overall first class records. Statistics can admittedly be misleading, however, only four of the 24 players average in excess of 40 with the bat, while seven have a bowling average under 30, with South African Lance Klusener fitting into both categories (for players that have played over 15 first-class games).
The stats suggest that the competition is not particularly stronger as a result of Kolpak signings, sure players like Goodwin, Rudolph, Klusener, van Jaarsveld etc, help raise the standard, but for every one of those there is a player that would probably struggle to make his own provincial side back home.
Naturally, the ECB cannot regulate the quality of player to come in, we can only rely on counties to do their utmost in signing players to strengthen English cricket as a whole, without flooding the market. One thing that is in their powers is to penalise each county to the sum of ?1,100 each time they field a Kolpak in the Championship, this fee comes out of their annual central handout.
With the ECB providing the major source of income for counties, they have an obligation to respect the amount of non-qualified English players within the make up of their squads. Of course those that are largely made up of English qualified players receive more income from the ECB.
Needless to say that there are more Kolpaks to come. In 2008 counties are restricted to only one official overseas player per side and may look to some big name Kolpaks to help improve gate receipts. Big hitter Justin Kemp is on his way to Kent having shelved his international ambitions for now, while Northants have opted to sign four South Africans with international experience in Nicky Boje, Lance Klusener, Johan van der Wath and Andrew Hall (with no official overseas player). Very few West Indians have come over on the ruling, but in 2008, Wavell Hinds and Pedro Collins will be bucking that particular trend.
So surely the change to only one overseas player is a little counter productive when counties then go out and bring in a number of Kolpaks (or entice players to obtain an EU passport) who are ineligible anyway for England selection. The quality of the official overseas player has been of the highest standard for a number of years, consequently the English players are much more likely to have their development enhanced by a world star, as averse to a South African struggling to get a break in his home country.
The newly formed Indian Premier League (IPL) may prevent numerous world class players from appearing in England in the opening months of the season with them signing up to play in the Twenty20 competition for obscene amounts of money. Will the enthusiasm to then travel to England for more cricket diminish after having earned a fortune for around six weeks work ? One would hope this is not the case.
Of course South Africa are also affected by the Kolpak ruling, with older players relinquishing their international prospects before their time to build a domestic career in England. Younger cricketers are also looking to gain England selection through the four-year residential period after their initial Kolpak contract. So the problem does not affect only England.
It is a situation that needs to be constantly assessed. The important thing for English cricket is that the academy players are given as much assistance to aid their development, whether that is through opportunities in the first team, a secure structure in place, or with coaching and facilities. The vision needs to be long term to enable English cricket to reap the rewards further down the line.
It was Leicestershire who made the first Kolpak signing when they added Claude Henderson to their squad. Their chief executive that oversaw the deal at the time was England's new selector James Whittaker. How ironic ? Let us hope, from an English cricket perspective, that that particular decision to start the Kolpak ball rolling will not reduce the field he has to pick from too dramatically.
What is important, is that English cricket monitors the quantity and quality of the overseas Kolpak player. This can only be done through the integrity of the county officials.
(Cricket Web, 26/02/2008)
http://www.cricketweb.net/blog/features/10.php
KP to return to dominance in NZ
"My view is that once he goes through his failure period then this will be the making of KP", so wrote Shane Warne in the foreword of Kevin Pietersen's autobiography, Crossing the Boundary.
There will inevitably come a time when Pietersen finds it difficult to replicate his outstanding Test career form to date. His eccentric strokeplay, which involves reverse sweeping for six, arrogantly manipulating the ball from six inches or more outside his off stump through straight mid-wicket and his general contempt for the bowler, will all come under severe scrutiny. In some parts these will be seen as the reasons for a slump, with people quickly forgetting how they cheered such strokes when they were perfectly executed. Only journalists and spectators can have it both ways.
As Warne suggests and history demands, the runs will dry up for a time at some stage. Following his disappointing tour of Sri Lanka, Pietersen will be determined that that time is not now.
He has struggled to recapture his fluency on the low, slow wickets of the sub-continent. It was the first time he went through a Test series without registering a half century and an average of only 25.20 was all he had to show for his efforts.
It is easily forgotten the success that KP enjoyed through 2007, even allowing for his rather fruitless tour of Sri Lanka. He was one of only three Test batsmen to pass 1,000 runs for the year - Jacques Kallis 1,210 runs and Sourav Ganguly 1,106 led the way - at an average of over 50.
Of course his runs will not always be scored in the scintillating fashion that he is so associated with and it may be the times when he has to dig in with conditions favouring the bowler that will continue to take his game to another level. We saw it in the recent Australia versus India series when Australia skipper Ricky Ponting was made to work very hard for his runs in Adelaide following a disappointing start to the series by his standards. He adapted to the situation and the needs of his side and stuck in to make 140 dogged runs, without his usual flow of pulls, drives and cuts.
We know Pietersen is also capable of such feats, he described his century against India at Lords last year as "right out of the top drawer", he even went as far as to say "I'd probably rate that as No. 1 to be totally honest". This was in testing conditions, the ball was moving around and India, led by the impressive duo of RP Singh and Zaheer Khan, bowled superbly. Everybody knows what KP is capable of when he is on top of the attack with the ball coming nicely onto the bat, and in New Zealand he will find conditions much more in keeping with his style than in the sub-continent. Brought up on the pacy, bouncy tracks of South Africa and having honed his technique on tracks that offer bowlers ample assistance in England, the New Zealand pitches are unlikely to deter his dominance.
I feel the cricketing public in general are the ones that are punished from Shane Bond's absence, his duel against Kevin Pietersen would have been an absorbing one. If Pietersen was to succeed, there will have been times where he would have to give ground to the bowler, recognise and accept when Bond is in the middle of a good spell and simply bide his time and keep his wicket intact, although it may not be common practice for Pietersen to do so. Bond will undoubtedly be missed, and while it will be a mistake to underestimate the Kiwi attack, it does happen to be one of the weakest on the international circuit.
Pietersen though, appears to be firmly focused on the job in hand. When recently quizzed about the Ashes in 2009, he rightly stated there are five big series before then, and five series that demand full concentration if England are to build any momentum heading into 2009.
While there is expected to be enough movement in the tracks to encourage the quicker bowlers, batsman will reap the rewards once they get set. It is widely acknowledged that Pietersen is at his best when he takes his time and builds his innings without risking too many expansive strokes too early.
He will have a score to settle in relation to one-day cricket. During the last tour to Sri Lanka, his average dropped below 50 for the first time in his career. He had mixed success in 2007 in the 50-over game, his quality was there for all to see in the World Cup, but since the prestigious tournament he has struggled to take control of matches like he did so frequently earlier in his career, despite playing a decisive innings in the final ODI against India last year.
He entered the World Cup with a strike rate just under 95 and even after his successful tournament, it has dropped to 88.29 runs per 100 balls, which is admittedly no disgrace, but perhaps an indication that he has struggled to dominate attacks recently or has he undergone a change in mindset, only too aware of how important his wicket is to the side. Either way, his average of 30.25 since the World Cup indicates he is lacking form in the one-day arena.
Kevin Pietersen will be keen to address his recent disappointments. Great players use their resources and hit back strongly. In New Zealand, Pietersen will face an attack not at its strongest and he will prey on any hesitancy, his positive style ensuring the pressure is forced onto the bowler and they cannot afford to be anything other than at their best if they want to trouble KP. The battle with Vettori promises to be the most intriguing viewing.
With everything taken into consideration, the failure period that Shane Warne talked about may be on hold for the time being at least.
(Cricket Web, 06/02/2008)
http://www.cricketweb.net/blog/features/5.php
There will inevitably come a time when Pietersen finds it difficult to replicate his outstanding Test career form to date. His eccentric strokeplay, which involves reverse sweeping for six, arrogantly manipulating the ball from six inches or more outside his off stump through straight mid-wicket and his general contempt for the bowler, will all come under severe scrutiny. In some parts these will be seen as the reasons for a slump, with people quickly forgetting how they cheered such strokes when they were perfectly executed. Only journalists and spectators can have it both ways.
As Warne suggests and history demands, the runs will dry up for a time at some stage. Following his disappointing tour of Sri Lanka, Pietersen will be determined that that time is not now.
He has struggled to recapture his fluency on the low, slow wickets of the sub-continent. It was the first time he went through a Test series without registering a half century and an average of only 25.20 was all he had to show for his efforts.
It is easily forgotten the success that KP enjoyed through 2007, even allowing for his rather fruitless tour of Sri Lanka. He was one of only three Test batsmen to pass 1,000 runs for the year - Jacques Kallis 1,210 runs and Sourav Ganguly 1,106 led the way - at an average of over 50.
Of course his runs will not always be scored in the scintillating fashion that he is so associated with and it may be the times when he has to dig in with conditions favouring the bowler that will continue to take his game to another level. We saw it in the recent Australia versus India series when Australia skipper Ricky Ponting was made to work very hard for his runs in Adelaide following a disappointing start to the series by his standards. He adapted to the situation and the needs of his side and stuck in to make 140 dogged runs, without his usual flow of pulls, drives and cuts.
We know Pietersen is also capable of such feats, he described his century against India at Lords last year as "right out of the top drawer", he even went as far as to say "I'd probably rate that as No. 1 to be totally honest". This was in testing conditions, the ball was moving around and India, led by the impressive duo of RP Singh and Zaheer Khan, bowled superbly. Everybody knows what KP is capable of when he is on top of the attack with the ball coming nicely onto the bat, and in New Zealand he will find conditions much more in keeping with his style than in the sub-continent. Brought up on the pacy, bouncy tracks of South Africa and having honed his technique on tracks that offer bowlers ample assistance in England, the New Zealand pitches are unlikely to deter his dominance.
I feel the cricketing public in general are the ones that are punished from Shane Bond's absence, his duel against Kevin Pietersen would have been an absorbing one. If Pietersen was to succeed, there will have been times where he would have to give ground to the bowler, recognise and accept when Bond is in the middle of a good spell and simply bide his time and keep his wicket intact, although it may not be common practice for Pietersen to do so. Bond will undoubtedly be missed, and while it will be a mistake to underestimate the Kiwi attack, it does happen to be one of the weakest on the international circuit.
Pietersen though, appears to be firmly focused on the job in hand. When recently quizzed about the Ashes in 2009, he rightly stated there are five big series before then, and five series that demand full concentration if England are to build any momentum heading into 2009.
While there is expected to be enough movement in the tracks to encourage the quicker bowlers, batsman will reap the rewards once they get set. It is widely acknowledged that Pietersen is at his best when he takes his time and builds his innings without risking too many expansive strokes too early.
He will have a score to settle in relation to one-day cricket. During the last tour to Sri Lanka, his average dropped below 50 for the first time in his career. He had mixed success in 2007 in the 50-over game, his quality was there for all to see in the World Cup, but since the prestigious tournament he has struggled to take control of matches like he did so frequently earlier in his career, despite playing a decisive innings in the final ODI against India last year.
He entered the World Cup with a strike rate just under 95 and even after his successful tournament, it has dropped to 88.29 runs per 100 balls, which is admittedly no disgrace, but perhaps an indication that he has struggled to dominate attacks recently or has he undergone a change in mindset, only too aware of how important his wicket is to the side. Either way, his average of 30.25 since the World Cup indicates he is lacking form in the one-day arena.
Kevin Pietersen will be keen to address his recent disappointments. Great players use their resources and hit back strongly. In New Zealand, Pietersen will face an attack not at its strongest and he will prey on any hesitancy, his positive style ensuring the pressure is forced onto the bowler and they cannot afford to be anything other than at their best if they want to trouble KP. The battle with Vettori promises to be the most intriguing viewing.
With everything taken into consideration, the failure period that Shane Warne talked about may be on hold for the time being at least.
(Cricket Web, 06/02/2008)
http://www.cricketweb.net/blog/features/5.php
Careers over for Sri Lankan duo
Whilst the Sri Lankan population celebrate the record feat achieved by Muttiah Muralitharan for becoming the record Test wicket taker in the history of the game, Sanath Jayasuriya announced his retirement meaning Sri Lanka will now have to cope without both batsman that featured in their most influential opening partnership in their history, at least in the Test arena.
Jayasuriya and Marvan Atapattu combined at the top of the Sri Lanka's batting order in Test cricket since August 1997 and did so on 118 occasions in total, scoring 4,469 runs in partnership, at an average of 40.26. The amount of runs that they accumulated makes them the third most successful partnership in Test cricket, surpassed only by Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes (6,482 runs), and Matthew Hayden's combination with Justin Langer (5,655), foundations of which were fundamental to their sides unprecedented success.
They were an accomplished double act in the one-dayers also, managing a higher average than in Test cricket, (43.36) which made the decision to take Atapattu to the World Cup earlier this year and not play him even more puzzling. His relationship with the management was far from ideal and his on-running public disagreements (ultimately referring to them as 'a set of muppets headed by a joker') may have hastened his decision, after he had proved he was still capable of competing against the best, in Australia.
Jayasuriya has of course retired before, in 2006, yet he reversed his decision and returned to the Test fold but has since failed to recapture the form of his glory days, although that did not show with his flashing blade in full effect in his final innings in Kandy.
To forge a successful opening partnership it is imperative that there is an understanding, and despite the huge contrast in their styles, Atapattu and Jayasuriya complimented each other perfectly. One patient, one swashbuckling, one right-hander, one left-hander, one orthodox, one unorthodox. A good line and length to one was being pulverised at the opposite end by the other.
Atapattu was a nervous starter but once he was in and settled there was no way through his tight defence, he possess amazing powers of concentration and a textbook technique with a cover drive that would challenge Michael Vaughan and Michael Hussey as the most pleasing on the eye. He was not deterred by the lack of scoring options, willing instead to grit his teeth, keep his wicket intact and await his opportunity to score. His orthodoxy epitomised the traditional style of an opening batsman.
Testament to his concentration, is the fact that there is only Donald Bradman, Brian Lara and Wally Hammond that have managed more double centuries than Atapattu (6).
Despite being relatively consistent in getting their side off to a solid start, they had to wait until the 43rd attempt before they surpassed the landmark of a century opening stand, and when it arrived, boy did they cash in, against the pace attack of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. It was the third Test and Sri Lanka had already lost the series, but Jayasuriya and Atapattu combined for an opening stand of 335, Atapattu finished on 207 not out while Jayasuriya made 188, the game was ultimately abandoned to to inclement weather.
As is so often the way, you wait so long to reach a landmark that the next one arrives in the very next game, the first Test against South Africa saw them put on a further 193 for the first wicket, and Atapattu and Jayasuriya were becoming one of the finest combinations on the circuit.
If they had endured a start to their partnership that would undoubtedly improve, then the only conceivable way for Atapattu was up, following his turbulent introduction to Test cricket. In his first six innings he only registered a single run, yet his fortunes were turned round when he was asked to open the innings. In their first trip to the wicket together they made 39, with Jayasuriya dominating the headlines for the following days with a fantastic innings of 340 against the unfortunate Indians.
If Atapattu saw the challenge of facing the new ball as a tactical game of patience and severe test of technique, then Jayasuriya saw it as an opportunity to cash in while the ball was hard, enabling him to hit it harder and further than with the softer version, and chance his arm by going over the top due to the attacking fields set by the opposition.
Jayasuriya was certainly the entertainer, he enjoyed nothing more than bludgeoning a delivery that offered width through the point region, unafraid to hit over the infield and indeed over the crowd. To date Jayasuriya has struck over 300 international sixes (there may be more to come as his retirement does not extend to ODI's), while Atapattu on the other hand managed a total of just 19 (four in Test matches and 15 in ODI's).
Atapattu signed off in November with a technically proficient display scoring 80 in the face of some aggressive fast bowling by Brett Lee and co. Despite being in the international wilderness for nearly two years (due to injuries and selection politics) he was still at home at this level and that is the way he wished to be remembered. His career average (39.02) perhaps does not offer a true representation of the talent he possessed, although his average increased to 43.23 as a specialist opener.
Jayasuriya's last innings demonstrated his brand of cricket that had become synonymous with his name, just ask Jimmy Anderson who was savaged for six fours in a single over. He fell 22 runs short of a goodbye century.
The immediate effect of their retirements is that they will have to play the remaining two Test matches against England with a partnership that has relatively little experience of Test cricket. Sri Lanka have not only lost two consistent performers but also two former captains that have attained so much knowledge of the game that consequently they become very difficult to replace.
It is expected that Upul Tharanga will come in to partner Michael Vandort for the remaining two Tests. The pair do have experience of facing the new ball together against England previously, but not particularly fond memories, in four attempts their highest partnership was six.
Marvan Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya were two batsmen of obvious dissimilarity, yet as a partnership their compatibility was clear for all to see, and there is no question that it may take Sri Lankan cricket some time to find their perfect alternatives.
(Cricket Web, 05/12/2007)
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=%203&NewsIDAuto=4811
Jayasuriya and Marvan Atapattu combined at the top of the Sri Lanka's batting order in Test cricket since August 1997 and did so on 118 occasions in total, scoring 4,469 runs in partnership, at an average of 40.26. The amount of runs that they accumulated makes them the third most successful partnership in Test cricket, surpassed only by Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes (6,482 runs), and Matthew Hayden's combination with Justin Langer (5,655), foundations of which were fundamental to their sides unprecedented success.
They were an accomplished double act in the one-dayers also, managing a higher average than in Test cricket, (43.36) which made the decision to take Atapattu to the World Cup earlier this year and not play him even more puzzling. His relationship with the management was far from ideal and his on-running public disagreements (ultimately referring to them as 'a set of muppets headed by a joker') may have hastened his decision, after he had proved he was still capable of competing against the best, in Australia.
Jayasuriya has of course retired before, in 2006, yet he reversed his decision and returned to the Test fold but has since failed to recapture the form of his glory days, although that did not show with his flashing blade in full effect in his final innings in Kandy.
To forge a successful opening partnership it is imperative that there is an understanding, and despite the huge contrast in their styles, Atapattu and Jayasuriya complimented each other perfectly. One patient, one swashbuckling, one right-hander, one left-hander, one orthodox, one unorthodox. A good line and length to one was being pulverised at the opposite end by the other.
Atapattu was a nervous starter but once he was in and settled there was no way through his tight defence, he possess amazing powers of concentration and a textbook technique with a cover drive that would challenge Michael Vaughan and Michael Hussey as the most pleasing on the eye. He was not deterred by the lack of scoring options, willing instead to grit his teeth, keep his wicket intact and await his opportunity to score. His orthodoxy epitomised the traditional style of an opening batsman.
Testament to his concentration, is the fact that there is only Donald Bradman, Brian Lara and Wally Hammond that have managed more double centuries than Atapattu (6).
Despite being relatively consistent in getting their side off to a solid start, they had to wait until the 43rd attempt before they surpassed the landmark of a century opening stand, and when it arrived, boy did they cash in, against the pace attack of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. It was the third Test and Sri Lanka had already lost the series, but Jayasuriya and Atapattu combined for an opening stand of 335, Atapattu finished on 207 not out while Jayasuriya made 188, the game was ultimately abandoned to to inclement weather.
As is so often the way, you wait so long to reach a landmark that the next one arrives in the very next game, the first Test against South Africa saw them put on a further 193 for the first wicket, and Atapattu and Jayasuriya were becoming one of the finest combinations on the circuit.
If they had endured a start to their partnership that would undoubtedly improve, then the only conceivable way for Atapattu was up, following his turbulent introduction to Test cricket. In his first six innings he only registered a single run, yet his fortunes were turned round when he was asked to open the innings. In their first trip to the wicket together they made 39, with Jayasuriya dominating the headlines for the following days with a fantastic innings of 340 against the unfortunate Indians.
If Atapattu saw the challenge of facing the new ball as a tactical game of patience and severe test of technique, then Jayasuriya saw it as an opportunity to cash in while the ball was hard, enabling him to hit it harder and further than with the softer version, and chance his arm by going over the top due to the attacking fields set by the opposition.
Jayasuriya was certainly the entertainer, he enjoyed nothing more than bludgeoning a delivery that offered width through the point region, unafraid to hit over the infield and indeed over the crowd. To date Jayasuriya has struck over 300 international sixes (there may be more to come as his retirement does not extend to ODI's), while Atapattu on the other hand managed a total of just 19 (four in Test matches and 15 in ODI's).
Atapattu signed off in November with a technically proficient display scoring 80 in the face of some aggressive fast bowling by Brett Lee and co. Despite being in the international wilderness for nearly two years (due to injuries and selection politics) he was still at home at this level and that is the way he wished to be remembered. His career average (39.02) perhaps does not offer a true representation of the talent he possessed, although his average increased to 43.23 as a specialist opener.
Jayasuriya's last innings demonstrated his brand of cricket that had become synonymous with his name, just ask Jimmy Anderson who was savaged for six fours in a single over. He fell 22 runs short of a goodbye century.
The immediate effect of their retirements is that they will have to play the remaining two Test matches against England with a partnership that has relatively little experience of Test cricket. Sri Lanka have not only lost two consistent performers but also two former captains that have attained so much knowledge of the game that consequently they become very difficult to replace.
It is expected that Upul Tharanga will come in to partner Michael Vandort for the remaining two Tests. The pair do have experience of facing the new ball together against England previously, but not particularly fond memories, in four attempts their highest partnership was six.
Marvan Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya were two batsmen of obvious dissimilarity, yet as a partnership their compatibility was clear for all to see, and there is no question that it may take Sri Lankan cricket some time to find their perfect alternatives.
(Cricket Web, 05/12/2007)
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=%203&NewsIDAuto=4811
Sunday, 2 December 2007
England dominate first day
England comfortably took the opening day honours in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Kandy. Electing to bat first Sri Lanka crumbled to 188 all out, which could have been much worse if it was not for the brilliance of Kumar Sangakkara. Matthew Hoggard was the chief inflictor of damage, removing four of Sri Lanka's top order batsmen in his opening ten over burst.
England's reply began by continuing the recent flurry of wickets when Chaminda Vaas removed opener Alistair Cook with the third ball of the innings. Captain Michael Vaughan (13*) and Ian Bell (36*) saw their side through to the close, ending on 49-1.
It was a predictably sweltering day for the first day of the series with the track looking in excellent condition to have a bat. It was dry with a few minor cracks that are expected to open up and crumble as the game goes on, making it increasingly difficult to bat on.
Steve Harmison did not make England's starting eleven, so James Anderson was given his chance to impress, while Sri Lanka called in Jehan Mubarak following Marvan Atapattu's recent retirement. Chaminda Vaas was recalled after Farveez Maharoof injured his ankle, and the experienced bowler gratefully received his 100th cap.
So it was with glee that Mahela Jayawardene called correctly, with England captain Vaughan admitting that he would have loved the chance to bat first.
What transpired could not have been any further from Jayawardene's hopes, as Ryan Sidebottom struck first blood, encouraging Sanath Jayasuriya to drive, and Kevin Pietersen took a fine catch diving to his right. His catch was to be eclipsed as finest of the day later on by none other than Paul Collingwood.
Meanwhile Hoggard was settling in nicely on his return to the England side with the kind of swing bowling and accuracy that has troubled many a batsman. It proved too much for Michael Vandort who rather tamely offered a chance to Vaughan at mid on, attempting to work it through the leg side. The skipper held the catch and Sri Lanka were 29-2.
It was an almighty effort for Hoggard to bowl a straight ten overs in this draining heat, but a further three wickets in this spell, all in fairly identical fashion, must have kept energy levels high.
Mahela Jayawardene, Chamara Silva, and Jehan Mubarak were all unable to negotiate the movement Hoggard was finding, and consequently nicked through to Matt Prior for three straight forward catches. The Yorkshire swinger was well rewarded for his metronomic accuracy and while he was not getting prodigious movement, the ball was swinging and seaming just enough to make the difference.
At 42-5 Sri Lanka were in dire straits, and the vital partnership of their best batsman Sangakkara and keeper Prasanna Jayawardene at least gave the hosts a smidgen of respectability.
Sangakkara continued his outstanding form from Australia, where in his only Test he made 57 and 192, and prior to that his last two Test innings were 222* and 200* against Bangladesh. He assessed the pitch and the individual threat each bowler was offering, and set out his game plan accordingly.
Such a joy to watch when in full flow, he punched the ball down the ground with consummate ease, and watchfully drove through the ball. The ball was not coming on to the bat particularly well, so at times he was forced to check his stroke, but his timing did not suffer as a result. If England did stray too straight, he would work the ball expertly off his legs into the vacant gaps on the leg side, it was becoming a true masterclass in how to bat in Sri Lankan conditions, and in Jayawardene he found a player able to stick with him.
The keeper has shown his strengths with the gloves and also offered promise with the bat, and today he played very well through the offside, not afraid to open the face of the bat to find the spaces.
Jayawardene only managed one more run form his next 18 deliveries, before he flicked one from Monty Panesar rather firmly into Cook's mid rift, who managed to cling on.
With wickets now falling regularly from the other end, Sangakkara was left with no option but to take the attack to England, and on 92 he sliced one within reach of Collingwood who plucked the ball one handed whilst diving to his left off the bowling of Anderson.
Panesar managed to get the odd one to really turn and bounce, which will not have disheartened Murali on the opening day. England's spinner accounted for Chaminda Vaas and Dilhara Fernando before Murali was run out in a mix up with Lasith Malinga. Panesar finished with 3-46, but Hoggard was the stand out bowler ending with 4-29.
Vaas immediately gave Sri Lanka the tonic they needed at the beginning of England's reply, luring Cook across his stumps before bowling one to go straight on that thudded into Cook's front pad for a regulation lbw decision.
Ian Bell looked in exquisite touch, a series of front and back foot boundaries when he only appeared to block the ball, took him to 36 not out and restore any confidence he may have lost on his trip here in the one-day series. Vaughan was dogged, not reaching the levels of fluency he had at the same venue back in 2003, but nevertheless reached the close of play unscathed.
A start England could only have dreamt of, but this Test is far from over.
England's reply began by continuing the recent flurry of wickets when Chaminda Vaas removed opener Alistair Cook with the third ball of the innings. Captain Michael Vaughan (13*) and Ian Bell (36*) saw their side through to the close, ending on 49-1.
It was a predictably sweltering day for the first day of the series with the track looking in excellent condition to have a bat. It was dry with a few minor cracks that are expected to open up and crumble as the game goes on, making it increasingly difficult to bat on.
Steve Harmison did not make England's starting eleven, so James Anderson was given his chance to impress, while Sri Lanka called in Jehan Mubarak following Marvan Atapattu's recent retirement. Chaminda Vaas was recalled after Farveez Maharoof injured his ankle, and the experienced bowler gratefully received his 100th cap.
So it was with glee that Mahela Jayawardene called correctly, with England captain Vaughan admitting that he would have loved the chance to bat first.
What transpired could not have been any further from Jayawardene's hopes, as Ryan Sidebottom struck first blood, encouraging Sanath Jayasuriya to drive, and Kevin Pietersen took a fine catch diving to his right. His catch was to be eclipsed as finest of the day later on by none other than Paul Collingwood.
Meanwhile Hoggard was settling in nicely on his return to the England side with the kind of swing bowling and accuracy that has troubled many a batsman. It proved too much for Michael Vandort who rather tamely offered a chance to Vaughan at mid on, attempting to work it through the leg side. The skipper held the catch and Sri Lanka were 29-2.
It was an almighty effort for Hoggard to bowl a straight ten overs in this draining heat, but a further three wickets in this spell, all in fairly identical fashion, must have kept energy levels high.
Mahela Jayawardene, Chamara Silva, and Jehan Mubarak were all unable to negotiate the movement Hoggard was finding, and consequently nicked through to Matt Prior for three straight forward catches. The Yorkshire swinger was well rewarded for his metronomic accuracy and while he was not getting prodigious movement, the ball was swinging and seaming just enough to make the difference.
At 42-5 Sri Lanka were in dire straits, and the vital partnership of their best batsman Sangakkara and keeper Prasanna Jayawardene at least gave the hosts a smidgen of respectability.
Sangakkara continued his outstanding form from Australia, where in his only Test he made 57 and 192, and prior to that his last two Test innings were 222* and 200* against Bangladesh. He assessed the pitch and the individual threat each bowler was offering, and set out his game plan accordingly.
Such a joy to watch when in full flow, he punched the ball down the ground with consummate ease, and watchfully drove through the ball. The ball was not coming on to the bat particularly well, so at times he was forced to check his stroke, but his timing did not suffer as a result. If England did stray too straight, he would work the ball expertly off his legs into the vacant gaps on the leg side, it was becoming a true masterclass in how to bat in Sri Lankan conditions, and in Jayawardene he found a player able to stick with him.
The keeper has shown his strengths with the gloves and also offered promise with the bat, and today he played very well through the offside, not afraid to open the face of the bat to find the spaces.
Jayawardene only managed one more run form his next 18 deliveries, before he flicked one from Monty Panesar rather firmly into Cook's mid rift, who managed to cling on.
With wickets now falling regularly from the other end, Sangakkara was left with no option but to take the attack to England, and on 92 he sliced one within reach of Collingwood who plucked the ball one handed whilst diving to his left off the bowling of Anderson.
Panesar managed to get the odd one to really turn and bounce, which will not have disheartened Murali on the opening day. England's spinner accounted for Chaminda Vaas and Dilhara Fernando before Murali was run out in a mix up with Lasith Malinga. Panesar finished with 3-46, but Hoggard was the stand out bowler ending with 4-29.
Vaas immediately gave Sri Lanka the tonic they needed at the beginning of England's reply, luring Cook across his stumps before bowling one to go straight on that thudded into Cook's front pad for a regulation lbw decision.
Ian Bell looked in exquisite touch, a series of front and back foot boundaries when he only appeared to block the ball, took him to 36 not out and restore any confidence he may have lost on his trip here in the one-day series. Vaughan was dogged, not reaching the levels of fluency he had at the same venue back in 2003, but nevertheless reached the close of play unscathed.
A start England could only have dreamt of, but this Test is far from over.
Pace pair serve up a treat
Following the retirements in the last decade of world class quick bowlers such as Curtley Ambrose, Courtney Walsh, Allan Donald, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Glenn McGrath, there has been a dearth of similar quality, a general lack of pacemen to strike fear into the heart of any batting line up.
So it was heartening for the cricket lovers that so enjoy the sight of genuine speedsters making batsmen work hard to survive, in every sense of the word, to see two men of that ilk recently named men of the series for the damage they inflicted on their respective opposition. The pair produced displays that will once again have opening batsmen sleeping just a little uneasily.
I am, of course, referring to Australia's Brett Lee and South African Dale Steyn.
When Glenn McGrath called a halt to his magnificent career at the same time Australia lost the wizardry of Shane Warne, Brett Lee became the leader of the Australian attack, and with that comes the added pressure to perform. If he did feel the pressure, it certainly did not show against a Sri Lanka side that never really got to grips with the pace, bounce and accuracy that Lee now has in his armoury.
His run up and action were fluent, consequently he looked in excellent rhythm, swinging the ball, both conventionally and by means of reverse, at speeds of up to 155kmh (96.3 mph). He looked like a man that has gratefully accepted the baton of strike bowlership from McGrath, and this was exemplified by his 16 wickets in the two Test series.
Dale Steyn had the distinct advantage of firing his particular missiles at a New Zealand side that looked seriously unequipped to cope with such attacks, and as a result, inevitable devastation took place.
Steyn was perhaps rushed into Test cricket and had to learn his trade in the harshest and most unforgiving of environments which is Test cricket, yet the signs are that he has come through those early examinations and is now looking to flourish at the top level. There will be more severe questions asked in times ahead, yet if he maintains his brisk pace, away movement and accuracy he will trouble, with all due respect, more feared line-ups than that of New Zealand.
He hurried the Kiwi batsmen on more than one occasion, and the unfortunate Craig Cumming will testify to Steyn's speed, as he was unable to get out of the way of a particular nasty short ball that resulted in the opening batsman needing metal plates inserted into his cheekbone.
Steyn was exceptionally raw when he first came on the scene but he is continuing to grow into his role within the South African side, and in the two Tests against New Zealand, the fast bowler recorded the quite remarkable series figures of 56-10-184-20.
Both Lee and Steyn are wholehearted performers and will not flinch if they are required to charge in for large portions of the day, while they both operate at their peak in shorter hostile bursts, roughing the batsmen up and not without a series of menacing glares and even the odd word or two.
Steyn has now taken 71 wickets in his first 15 Test matches, costing 24.38 each, not totally dissimilar to Brett Lee's record after the same amount of games (Lee took 65 wickets at 23.43).
Both these quickies have forced their way into the ICC Test bowlers rankings top five following their recent feats. Steyn is sitting in third position with Lee two places behind him in fifth.
The fast bowling resources in international cricket is currently incomparable in both depth and quality to decades gone by, but these two are proof that the cupboard is not entirely bare. If you also throw Shane Bond (when fit), Shoaib Akhtar (when well behaved), Makhaya Ntini and the consistent Stuart Clark into the mix, it indicates there are a number of excellent seam and swing bowlers in the world to ensure batsmen do not have it entirely their own way. Whilst not forgetting the steady experienced campaigners in Shaun Pollock (although South Africa appear to have), Chaminda Vaas and Matthew Hoggard, who rely on numerous attributes, pace however, not being at the top of the list.
Another reason to be optimistic for the future of quick bowling is the potential shown by some of the younger bowlers, for example Mohammad Asif, Lasith Malinga, Sohail Tanvir, Stuart Broad, RP Singh, Mitchell Johnson and Jerome Taylor, all of whom have whetted our appetites for the future and are all (except Johnson) under the age of 25.
Many former Test players are of the opinion that batsmen these days have it much easier than it was in their day, who knows, maybe this next crop of quick bowlers will have Ambrose and co rubbing their hands with glee at the sight of the batsmen once again being made to look rather foolish.
(Cricket Web, 22/11/07)
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=3&NewsIDAuto=4755
So it was heartening for the cricket lovers that so enjoy the sight of genuine speedsters making batsmen work hard to survive, in every sense of the word, to see two men of that ilk recently named men of the series for the damage they inflicted on their respective opposition. The pair produced displays that will once again have opening batsmen sleeping just a little uneasily.
I am, of course, referring to Australia's Brett Lee and South African Dale Steyn.
When Glenn McGrath called a halt to his magnificent career at the same time Australia lost the wizardry of Shane Warne, Brett Lee became the leader of the Australian attack, and with that comes the added pressure to perform. If he did feel the pressure, it certainly did not show against a Sri Lanka side that never really got to grips with the pace, bounce and accuracy that Lee now has in his armoury.
His run up and action were fluent, consequently he looked in excellent rhythm, swinging the ball, both conventionally and by means of reverse, at speeds of up to 155kmh (96.3 mph). He looked like a man that has gratefully accepted the baton of strike bowlership from McGrath, and this was exemplified by his 16 wickets in the two Test series.
Dale Steyn had the distinct advantage of firing his particular missiles at a New Zealand side that looked seriously unequipped to cope with such attacks, and as a result, inevitable devastation took place.
Steyn was perhaps rushed into Test cricket and had to learn his trade in the harshest and most unforgiving of environments which is Test cricket, yet the signs are that he has come through those early examinations and is now looking to flourish at the top level. There will be more severe questions asked in times ahead, yet if he maintains his brisk pace, away movement and accuracy he will trouble, with all due respect, more feared line-ups than that of New Zealand.
He hurried the Kiwi batsmen on more than one occasion, and the unfortunate Craig Cumming will testify to Steyn's speed, as he was unable to get out of the way of a particular nasty short ball that resulted in the opening batsman needing metal plates inserted into his cheekbone.
Steyn was exceptionally raw when he first came on the scene but he is continuing to grow into his role within the South African side, and in the two Tests against New Zealand, the fast bowler recorded the quite remarkable series figures of 56-10-184-20.
Both Lee and Steyn are wholehearted performers and will not flinch if they are required to charge in for large portions of the day, while they both operate at their peak in shorter hostile bursts, roughing the batsmen up and not without a series of menacing glares and even the odd word or two.
Steyn has now taken 71 wickets in his first 15 Test matches, costing 24.38 each, not totally dissimilar to Brett Lee's record after the same amount of games (Lee took 65 wickets at 23.43).
Both these quickies have forced their way into the ICC Test bowlers rankings top five following their recent feats. Steyn is sitting in third position with Lee two places behind him in fifth.
The fast bowling resources in international cricket is currently incomparable in both depth and quality to decades gone by, but these two are proof that the cupboard is not entirely bare. If you also throw Shane Bond (when fit), Shoaib Akhtar (when well behaved), Makhaya Ntini and the consistent Stuart Clark into the mix, it indicates there are a number of excellent seam and swing bowlers in the world to ensure batsmen do not have it entirely their own way. Whilst not forgetting the steady experienced campaigners in Shaun Pollock (although South Africa appear to have), Chaminda Vaas and Matthew Hoggard, who rely on numerous attributes, pace however, not being at the top of the list.
Another reason to be optimistic for the future of quick bowling is the potential shown by some of the younger bowlers, for example Mohammad Asif, Lasith Malinga, Sohail Tanvir, Stuart Broad, RP Singh, Mitchell Johnson and Jerome Taylor, all of whom have whetted our appetites for the future and are all (except Johnson) under the age of 25.
Many former Test players are of the opinion that batsmen these days have it much easier than it was in their day, who knows, maybe this next crop of quick bowlers will have Ambrose and co rubbing their hands with glee at the sight of the batsmen once again being made to look rather foolish.
(Cricket Web, 22/11/07)
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=3&NewsIDAuto=4755
Wednesday, 14 November 2007
The Importance of a Partnership
Two Test matches were won recently thanks in the main to two outstanding partnerships. In the South Africa against New Zealand fixture, in form Jacques Kallis combined with Hashim Amla to rescue their side from a potentially perilous position into a match winning one.
Over the other side of the world in Brisbane, Australia were taking on Sri Lanka and already sitting in a fairly comfortable position when Michael Clarke joined Mike Hussey at the crease, this combination ensured that Sri Lanka were to be under immense pressure to register some serious runs in their first innings, a feat that was beyond the sub-continental side.
Amla and Kallis does not sound like a partnership that will have droves of spectators flooding through the gates in anticipation of Twenty20 style entertainment, yet this duo stuck to the old fashioned virtues of building an innings based first and foremost on solid defence and patience.
It was a testing time for the pair when Herschelle Gibbs and Graeme Smith fell early, Shane Bond and Chris Martin were causing problems, and while South Africa at this point had an overall lead of 128, they were teetering on 20-2 with New Zealand tails up. This partnership still had to overcome the wily Daniel Vettori before any backslapping could take place.
It was to be a fascinating passage of play, in the traditional Test match sense.
Kallis's form of late has been of the highest standard, in Pakistan he made three centuries in four innings (he made 59 in his other innings). Amla is less certain of his place in the South African line up, and after failing in the first innings his heart must have skipped a beat when he edged Shane Bond to Brendon McCullum in the second innings when he was only on two. On such pieces of fortune cricketing careers are kickstarted, as Amla's appeared to be here, with a series of impressive punches down the ground, and his famed flicks through the legside that bore testament to his Asian roots.
Kallis remained unflustered, focused and determined to instigate a healthy lead for his side in his own style. His classical drives were evident as were his textbook pulls, but of course you cannot unload such orthodox devastation without the back up of a watertight defence.
A harsh evaluation, by many so called experts, of Kallis's batsmanship is his tendency to remain in first gear. Here he demonstrated his ability to pressurise the bowlers as he became the dominant batsman, exemplified by the 51 balls it took him to move from 100 to 150. He was prepared to take a risk in search of quick runs, and with the elusive double century in sight he sadly nicked one through to the keeper.
New Zealand were hindered by the injury to Bond, but do not let that detract from the match winning contributions of this South African pair. The partnership had taken their side to 350-3 (the next highest partnership in the entire game was 72), and consequently this Test was heading only one way.
Hussey and Clarke enjoyed a more relaxed type of atmosphere at the start of their vigil with the scoreboard showing 216-3, that was thanks to the foundations laid by Phil Jaques, Ricky Ponting and Matty Hayden. By the time Hussey was snaffled by the outspoken Marvan Atapattu, 245 more runs had been accumulated on an admittedly fantastic 'Gabba' track.
Of course even with an excellent batting track, things can never be taken for granted when the opposition possess a threat such as the mercurial Muttiah Muralitharan. Even without the eccentric Lasith Malinga, captain Mahela Jayawardene could boast an attack that would have many a nation exchanging envious glances.
The Sri Lankan attack worked exceptionally hard to make life difficult for the two Michael's, and there were lengthy periods of play where the Aussie duo had to rein in their attacking instincts and remain patient. One aspect of this partnership they did not neglect was the exemplary rotation of the strike, the judgement of singles to announce their aggressive intent even if the boundaries were not forthcoming.
Clarke was renowned as somewhat of a 'dasher', relinquishing his duty in the middle in search of a boundary to release the shackles. Yet here he was determined to await the right opportunity to pounce, he knew his time would come.
At the other end Hussey was as flexible to the situation as he is in any situation he finds himself in, knowing when to sit in and knowing when to squeeze the pressure on the fielding side, no wonder the Australian management were so keen for him to remain an integral part of the middle order rather than be shunted up to the opening spot. Although he would most probably have excelled there also.
Even the magician that is Murali had no answer to the these two. Their footwork to the spinner was decisive, whether that was in coming down the pitch, playing him on the front foot from the crease or using the whole depth of the crease to play him off the back foot. A real exhibition of how to play spin for youngsters throughout the world.
All four of the batsmen involved in the partnerships had to build their innings, were made to work hard for their runs from the start, and they all came through the tests and played a major part in helping their countries to start their series' with a crucial victory.
(Cricket Web, 13/11/2007)
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=3&NewsIDAuto=4726
Over the other side of the world in Brisbane, Australia were taking on Sri Lanka and already sitting in a fairly comfortable position when Michael Clarke joined Mike Hussey at the crease, this combination ensured that Sri Lanka were to be under immense pressure to register some serious runs in their first innings, a feat that was beyond the sub-continental side.
Amla and Kallis does not sound like a partnership that will have droves of spectators flooding through the gates in anticipation of Twenty20 style entertainment, yet this duo stuck to the old fashioned virtues of building an innings based first and foremost on solid defence and patience.
It was a testing time for the pair when Herschelle Gibbs and Graeme Smith fell early, Shane Bond and Chris Martin were causing problems, and while South Africa at this point had an overall lead of 128, they were teetering on 20-2 with New Zealand tails up. This partnership still had to overcome the wily Daniel Vettori before any backslapping could take place.
It was to be a fascinating passage of play, in the traditional Test match sense.
Kallis's form of late has been of the highest standard, in Pakistan he made three centuries in four innings (he made 59 in his other innings). Amla is less certain of his place in the South African line up, and after failing in the first innings his heart must have skipped a beat when he edged Shane Bond to Brendon McCullum in the second innings when he was only on two. On such pieces of fortune cricketing careers are kickstarted, as Amla's appeared to be here, with a series of impressive punches down the ground, and his famed flicks through the legside that bore testament to his Asian roots.
Kallis remained unflustered, focused and determined to instigate a healthy lead for his side in his own style. His classical drives were evident as were his textbook pulls, but of course you cannot unload such orthodox devastation without the back up of a watertight defence.
A harsh evaluation, by many so called experts, of Kallis's batsmanship is his tendency to remain in first gear. Here he demonstrated his ability to pressurise the bowlers as he became the dominant batsman, exemplified by the 51 balls it took him to move from 100 to 150. He was prepared to take a risk in search of quick runs, and with the elusive double century in sight he sadly nicked one through to the keeper.
New Zealand were hindered by the injury to Bond, but do not let that detract from the match winning contributions of this South African pair. The partnership had taken their side to 350-3 (the next highest partnership in the entire game was 72), and consequently this Test was heading only one way.
Hussey and Clarke enjoyed a more relaxed type of atmosphere at the start of their vigil with the scoreboard showing 216-3, that was thanks to the foundations laid by Phil Jaques, Ricky Ponting and Matty Hayden. By the time Hussey was snaffled by the outspoken Marvan Atapattu, 245 more runs had been accumulated on an admittedly fantastic 'Gabba' track.
Of course even with an excellent batting track, things can never be taken for granted when the opposition possess a threat such as the mercurial Muttiah Muralitharan. Even without the eccentric Lasith Malinga, captain Mahela Jayawardene could boast an attack that would have many a nation exchanging envious glances.
The Sri Lankan attack worked exceptionally hard to make life difficult for the two Michael's, and there were lengthy periods of play where the Aussie duo had to rein in their attacking instincts and remain patient. One aspect of this partnership they did not neglect was the exemplary rotation of the strike, the judgement of singles to announce their aggressive intent even if the boundaries were not forthcoming.
Clarke was renowned as somewhat of a 'dasher', relinquishing his duty in the middle in search of a boundary to release the shackles. Yet here he was determined to await the right opportunity to pounce, he knew his time would come.
At the other end Hussey was as flexible to the situation as he is in any situation he finds himself in, knowing when to sit in and knowing when to squeeze the pressure on the fielding side, no wonder the Australian management were so keen for him to remain an integral part of the middle order rather than be shunted up to the opening spot. Although he would most probably have excelled there also.
Even the magician that is Murali had no answer to the these two. Their footwork to the spinner was decisive, whether that was in coming down the pitch, playing him on the front foot from the crease or using the whole depth of the crease to play him off the back foot. A real exhibition of how to play spin for youngsters throughout the world.
All four of the batsmen involved in the partnerships had to build their innings, were made to work hard for their runs from the start, and they all came through the tests and played a major part in helping their countries to start their series' with a crucial victory.
(Cricket Web, 13/11/2007)
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=3&NewsIDAuto=4726
SA ensure no way back for NZ
New Zealand will rarely experience Test match days like today where so little goes right for them, at least they will hope such days do not come along too frequently.
Jacques Kallis (186) and Hasim Amla (176*) continued where they left off yesterday and thundered home South Africa's advantage with a partnership of 330, unsurprisingly it was the record third wicket partnership for South Africa against New Zealand. New Zealand's attack became depleted when firstly Shane Bond was withdrawn from the field of play due to an abdominal injury which puts his inclusion in the second and final Test into doubt, and later in the day Jacob Oram joined him in the treatment room after he suffered a hamstring injury.
South African captain Graeme Smith decided to give the visitors some light, yet brief, relief, when he declared with his side on 422-3, an overall lead of 530.
Things were not getting any better for John Bracewell and his men, opener Michael Papps was unable to assume his position at the top of the order due to a stomach illness he had picked up. As a result Stephen Fleming, who spent no time in the field due to the injury to his right arm when he was caught by a Dale Steyn delivery, was forced to engage in a fierce battle against the new ball.
South Africa's dominance was compounded when Fleming, Craig Cummins and Ross Taylor were all removed before the close of play, leaving New Zealand reeling on 57-3 still with two full days to play.
Batting conditions were near perfect for South Africa, the skies were clear blue and there was very little movement around for New Zealand either through the air or off the deck, and Bond and Chris Martin did well to restrict Kallis and Amla to very few scoring opportunities in the first hour.
There were few alarms for the home side throughout this mammoth partnership, and McCullum must still be rueing his dropped chance that Amla offered yesterday. He made his luck count however, and brought up his second Test century with a fine leg glance for four off Martin.
Kallis followed suit overs later and with typical elegance, picking up a delivery from Daniel Vettori and lofting him over mid wicket for a six, that was century number 28 for Kallis and his fourth in his last six innings. His stay at the crease should have brought to an end when on 108, he attempted to loft Vettori over the top, only to mistime and sky the ball, but sub fielder Michael Mason spilled what should have been a comfortable catch.
One criticism generally levelled at Kallis is his inability to dominate attacks, to continue in his own bubble with seemingly little awareness of what his team requires. It is, one has to say, rather harsh criticism, and today he he was aggressive and never let the Kiwi attack settle, flaying anything short in length without neglecting his sumptuous drives. He raced from 100 to 150 off only 51 balls, Amla was the first to reach his century yet was only on 108 when Kallis was taking the plaudits for his 150.
The elusive double century seemed inevitable, and there was perhaps no-one more surprised than Jacob Oram when he induced a feathered edge from Kallis through to Brendon McCullum. His 186 had come off 262 balls (a strike rate of 70.99) including 25 fours and three sixes.
Amla continued in partnership with Ashwell Prince, but they never seemed in any kind of hurry, and why would they with over two days cricket still to play. They had put on 72 off 28.2 overs when Smith called them in.
Hashim Amla had reached his highest Test score when he passed his previous best of 149 against New Zealand last year, and today he looked solid. His technique at times a little unorthodox but definitely an improvement from when he first arrived on the international stage. If the Kiwi bowlers did not know before, they will be only too aware now that you cannot afford to stray onto his pads or even onto middle stump as his ability to flick the ball either fine or through straight mid-wicket is of the highest quality.
New Zealand had 17 overs to see out, and Dale Steyn, visibly buoyed from his five wicket haul in the first innings, came charging in with good direction and excellent pace. He accounted for Cumming in the fifth over, edging to the safe hands of skipper Smith.
The new ball was aiding exaggerated variations in bounce with a number of cracks widening and making batting conditions much trickier, as the pitch continued to dry out.
When Smith brought Andre Nel, he could not have hoped for a better outcome, as the big South African removed Fleming and Ross Taylor in his first over, which was in truth a bit of a mixed bag.
Nel had gone wicketless in the first innings and was not to be denied here, first slanting one across Fleming who offered a slightly open faced defence and edged for Smith to take a fine catch down low to his left. A bit of extra bounce was too much for Taylor producing another edge, this time to Kallis, the man can do no wrong at the moment, who took a comfortable catch.
McCullum and Styris ensured no further damage was done, but New Zealand need something near a miracle to save this game. The pitch only seems to be getting worse and the visitors will do well to last till tea on day four.
South Africa 226 Herschelle Gibbs 63, Mark Boucher 43, Shane Bond 4-73
New Zealand 118 Stephen Fleming 40, Dale Steyn 5-34, Makhaya Ntini 3-47
South Africa 422-3 dec Jacques Kallis 186, Hashim Amla 176*
New Zealand 57-3 Andre Nel 2-19
New Zealand trail by 473 runs
(Cricket Web, 10/11/2007)
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=2&NewsIDAuto=4714
Jacques Kallis (186) and Hasim Amla (176*) continued where they left off yesterday and thundered home South Africa's advantage with a partnership of 330, unsurprisingly it was the record third wicket partnership for South Africa against New Zealand. New Zealand's attack became depleted when firstly Shane Bond was withdrawn from the field of play due to an abdominal injury which puts his inclusion in the second and final Test into doubt, and later in the day Jacob Oram joined him in the treatment room after he suffered a hamstring injury.
South African captain Graeme Smith decided to give the visitors some light, yet brief, relief, when he declared with his side on 422-3, an overall lead of 530.
Things were not getting any better for John Bracewell and his men, opener Michael Papps was unable to assume his position at the top of the order due to a stomach illness he had picked up. As a result Stephen Fleming, who spent no time in the field due to the injury to his right arm when he was caught by a Dale Steyn delivery, was forced to engage in a fierce battle against the new ball.
South Africa's dominance was compounded when Fleming, Craig Cummins and Ross Taylor were all removed before the close of play, leaving New Zealand reeling on 57-3 still with two full days to play.
Batting conditions were near perfect for South Africa, the skies were clear blue and there was very little movement around for New Zealand either through the air or off the deck, and Bond and Chris Martin did well to restrict Kallis and Amla to very few scoring opportunities in the first hour.
There were few alarms for the home side throughout this mammoth partnership, and McCullum must still be rueing his dropped chance that Amla offered yesterday. He made his luck count however, and brought up his second Test century with a fine leg glance for four off Martin.
Kallis followed suit overs later and with typical elegance, picking up a delivery from Daniel Vettori and lofting him over mid wicket for a six, that was century number 28 for Kallis and his fourth in his last six innings. His stay at the crease should have brought to an end when on 108, he attempted to loft Vettori over the top, only to mistime and sky the ball, but sub fielder Michael Mason spilled what should have been a comfortable catch.
One criticism generally levelled at Kallis is his inability to dominate attacks, to continue in his own bubble with seemingly little awareness of what his team requires. It is, one has to say, rather harsh criticism, and today he he was aggressive and never let the Kiwi attack settle, flaying anything short in length without neglecting his sumptuous drives. He raced from 100 to 150 off only 51 balls, Amla was the first to reach his century yet was only on 108 when Kallis was taking the plaudits for his 150.
The elusive double century seemed inevitable, and there was perhaps no-one more surprised than Jacob Oram when he induced a feathered edge from Kallis through to Brendon McCullum. His 186 had come off 262 balls (a strike rate of 70.99) including 25 fours and three sixes.
Amla continued in partnership with Ashwell Prince, but they never seemed in any kind of hurry, and why would they with over two days cricket still to play. They had put on 72 off 28.2 overs when Smith called them in.
Hashim Amla had reached his highest Test score when he passed his previous best of 149 against New Zealand last year, and today he looked solid. His technique at times a little unorthodox but definitely an improvement from when he first arrived on the international stage. If the Kiwi bowlers did not know before, they will be only too aware now that you cannot afford to stray onto his pads or even onto middle stump as his ability to flick the ball either fine or through straight mid-wicket is of the highest quality.
New Zealand had 17 overs to see out, and Dale Steyn, visibly buoyed from his five wicket haul in the first innings, came charging in with good direction and excellent pace. He accounted for Cumming in the fifth over, edging to the safe hands of skipper Smith.
The new ball was aiding exaggerated variations in bounce with a number of cracks widening and making batting conditions much trickier, as the pitch continued to dry out.
When Smith brought Andre Nel, he could not have hoped for a better outcome, as the big South African removed Fleming and Ross Taylor in his first over, which was in truth a bit of a mixed bag.
Nel had gone wicketless in the first innings and was not to be denied here, first slanting one across Fleming who offered a slightly open faced defence and edged for Smith to take a fine catch down low to his left. A bit of extra bounce was too much for Taylor producing another edge, this time to Kallis, the man can do no wrong at the moment, who took a comfortable catch.
McCullum and Styris ensured no further damage was done, but New Zealand need something near a miracle to save this game. The pitch only seems to be getting worse and the visitors will do well to last till tea on day four.
South Africa 226 Herschelle Gibbs 63, Mark Boucher 43, Shane Bond 4-73
New Zealand 118 Stephen Fleming 40, Dale Steyn 5-34, Makhaya Ntini 3-47
South Africa 422-3 dec Jacques Kallis 186, Hashim Amla 176*
New Zealand 57-3 Andre Nel 2-19
New Zealand trail by 473 runs
(Cricket Web, 10/11/2007)
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=2&NewsIDAuto=4714
Can Australia's dominance continue
Mark Taylor, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting are three Australian captains that have led their respective sides to unprecedented success, and together have made Australia into a nation that has dominated cricket since around 1995.
With the recent retirements of legendary leg spinner Shane Warne, one of the greatest seam bowlers of all time in Glenn Mcgrath, the gritty yet highly effective opener Justin Langer, and the elegant strokeplayer that is Damien Martyn, the burning question now is, can Australia's superiority, in both forms of the game, continue ?
Another point of interest one must consider when assessing what is in store for this undoubtedly talented group of players, is what bearing will the resignation of coach John Buchanan have ? Buchanan signed off in emphatic style, ensuring his squad was widely recognised as the world's best. In case anyone was unsure, Australia won the ICC Champions Trophy, followed by the whitewash of England in the Ashes, and topped it off with a World Cup victory, all in the space of six months.
The new man with the task of continuing the excellent work is the former Head Coach at the Centre of Excellence, Tim Nielsen. To the outside cricket world it resembles a low profile appointment, but as is the case with Australia, they like to promote from within, and Nielsen had previously worked with Buchanan, who he sees as a mentor, in the national set up for three years.
There is no doubt Australia currently stand alone in the ICC rankings, especially in the Test match format, where barring the odd irrevocable blip, have produced cricket consistently of the highest standard for a number of years. In the one-day game, Australia have dropped off top spot only briefly when South Africa overhauled them in March 2007. It was the first time since the rankings began back in October 2002, that Australia had been off top place. Good sides recover from indiscretions, and this side in the past has not only recovered, but exacted the most severe brand of revenge. Ask England.
The one-day side is not expected to suffer from too much disruption. Warne and Langer were not recent members of the limited overs side, and the loss of Mcgrath simply offers a chance to an exciting youngster, and prepare them for the rigours of international cricket, and lead them inevitably on the right road to Test cricket.
They have a tough and hectic schedule ahead of them, and Nielsen along with his selection committee of Andrew Hilditch, David Boon, Merv Hughes and Jamie Cox, will be keen to find the appropriate replacements for the retired quartet, and potential imminent departures in Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist will add further food for thought.
In 1984, Australia suffered a similar triple blow when Dennis Lillee, Greg Chappell, and Rod Marsh all retired at the conclusion of a Sydney Test against Pakistan, where Lillee had taken eight wickets, Chappell had scored 182 runs and Marsh had sneered six victims. This, combined with the loss a year later of Graham Yallop, Kim Hughes, Terry Alderman , Rodney Hogg and Kepler Wessels to a rebel South African tour, resulted in Australia slipping from one of the world's finest outfits to a side that won only one of its next 11 series (a series constituting three Tests or more).
The Australians have had an uncanny knack of producing players that immediately take to international cricket. Some of the most recent debutants in Mike Hussey, Brad Hodge, and Stuart Clark, have all had a good grounding in the highly competitive state cricket, and have stepped up to the next level with a near seamless transition. Australia's trend of introducing seasoned campaigners has been fruitful, and even their inclusion of a number of young players has added a vibrancy to the side and the neceesity of a fight for places. There is no better situation to introduce youth, than into a side with a positive atmosphere, a winning feeling, and naturally, a side bursting at the seams with such highly skilled performers while offering the inexperienced players a relaxed environment to gain the experience to grow into high quality players (eg. Michael Clarke).
With the calibre of options available in the opening batsman department, it is almost expected that Phil Jaques adjusts to Test cricket immediately and nullifies the absence of Langer. Jaques' form since Langer announced his retirement has been in tune with his previous six and half years in first-class cricket, where he has amassed an incredible 10,491 runs at 56.10. He has two Tests to his name so far, but if he attains the consistency he has found in first-class cricket, you can be sure he will be eyeing a much longer stay in Australia's team this time around.
If Jaques fails to come to terms with the demands of Test cricket, you can be sure there will be batsmen knocking rather loudly on the door. Western Australia's gritty left-hander Chris Rogers appeared as Jaques' closest rival for the coveted spot. Last season he was awarded the State Player of the Year and Pura Cup Player of the Series for his return of 1202 runs at an average of 70.70. Fringe players like Brad Hodge and Shane Watson hopefully threw their name into the vacant position, but to overlook two natural openers that between them have made in excess of 18,000 first-class runs would surely be beyond unthinkable.
Clark's timely arrival on the Test scene has eased fears following the departure of Glenn McGrath. Both are bowlers whose main strength is to keep complete control of where they want the cricket ball to land, to maintain patience, create pressure, and force batsmen into something they are not entirely comfortable with. It sounds such a simple mantra, but there are very few bowlers capable of doing it.
The pace bowling department, in general, appears to be in a healthy state. If it is taken for granted that Brett Lee and Clark will be constant fixtures in the Test side, then Mitchell Johnson, Ben Hilfenhaus, Nathan Bracken, Shaun Tait all bring alternative strengths to the side. If more pace is required, then Tait and Johnson will await the call, if it is swing, then Bracken will not be too far off a call, or someone to hit the deck hard and attain some away movement, then Tasmania's Hilfenhaus is perfectly placed.
A man like Shane Warne is wholly irreplaceable, and Australia will more than likely look to the man that has been deprived of so many internationals because of him, in Stuart Macgill, but at 36 he will only be a short term option. His Test record is impressive, in his 40 Tests to date he has claimed just under 200 victims at an outstanding average of 27.20 (his statistics against Bangladesh and in the farcical Test against the ICC World XI do flatter his figures a touch, yet he still averages 30.67 against all other nations). The fact remains, that if he was born in any other Test playing nation, that number of Test matches and dismissals would have been appreciably higher.
Pushing him for the spinners berth will be a duo that both represent South Australia, and the wily so-called one-day specialist Brad Hogg. All are currently in possession of Australian contracts. Dan Cullen is an off spinner, while his team-mate Cullen Bailey is of the Warne and Macgill school. The qualities of Brad Hogg are well documented, however, his ability to be equally as effective in the longer form of the game remains a matter of opinion.
Hogg has appeared in four Test matches, and has yet to make a vital contribution that would assure him as a front-running contender. He may be seen as a safe option with his knowledge of the game and his experience, and he has demonstrated his ability to bamboozle even the finest players of spin with his left-arm chinamen in the 50 over format. Doubts do remain over his wicket-taking potential in five-day cricket (exemplified by his mediocre figures in first-class cricket), and because of that Hogg may have to remain content with his selection in the one-day side.
Dan Cullen has already made his Test debut, when Australia travelled to Chittagong to play a series against Bangladesh, the game which has become famous for Jason Gillespie's double century. That was back in April 2006, and it was very much a spin strong side, as both Shane Warne and Stuart Macgill were present in the side. He has recently slipped out of immediate contention, due to a drop in form and his continual battle for a place in South Australia's Pura Cup side with Bailey. Cullen gets plenty of revolutions on the ball, and if the track suits, can acquire an excessive degree of spin, which along with his doosra, makes him a dangerous bowler if batsmen are looking to advance down the wicket.
The worry with Bailey is that he has only 18 first-class games to his name, and possible early promotion to the Australian side may result in a complete loss of confidence if he is not ready to make that step up. More suited to the longer version of the game, Bailey's potential is not in doubt, his readiness for Test cricket most certainly is.
It is moderately safe to suggest this will not be a repeat of the 1984 situation, with the quality of players to come into the side at a much more advanced stage in skill and high class exposure, instilling confidence to believe that they should manage to keep the winning momentum and mentality going.
It is impossible for Australia not to be weakened by this transition, and they will surely edge closer back to the chasing pack, but I doubt there is another nation out there with the consistency and ability to overhaul Australia just yet.
There are three teams from the sub-continent that all contain world class operators, but the days where they exemplify such excellence, are invariably followed by equally apportioned disappointments, especially when they are playing away from Asia.
England have suffered numerous injuries since the Ashes victory in 2005. Andrew Flintoff, Simon Jones, Marcus Trescothick, Steve Harmison, Ashley Giles, Michael Vaughan, and even Matthew Hoggard, have all been missing from series', which has admittedly offered vacancies for potentially top drawer youngsters, but has hindered immediate results with their absence. Confidence and a winning habit has visibly disappeared for now, and they find themselves some way off the level of Australia.
South Africa are a difficult proposition at home, and have only ever been beaten by England and Australia in all the series that have taken place there. Their main weakness recently has been in the spin department, and while numerous have been tried, none have gone on to be consistent match-winners. The latest man to be given his chance is Paul Harris, and he helped spin his side to a series win in Pakistan in October 2007. The signs are good for Harris, he is a tall left arm orthodox spinner, who seems equally competent of bowling from round or over the wicket without disrupting his rhythm. However, South Africa have had many false dawns in the past with spin bowlers, and will be only too aware not to pin a nations hopes on Harris.
With no side apparently equipped to wrestle the baton from Australia, the Antipodean show simply has to carry on, for now. They may be weakened, but like wounded animals, that makes Australia a very dangerous opponent.
(Cricket Web, 07/11/2007)
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=2&NewsIDAuto=4698
With the recent retirements of legendary leg spinner Shane Warne, one of the greatest seam bowlers of all time in Glenn Mcgrath, the gritty yet highly effective opener Justin Langer, and the elegant strokeplayer that is Damien Martyn, the burning question now is, can Australia's superiority, in both forms of the game, continue ?
Another point of interest one must consider when assessing what is in store for this undoubtedly talented group of players, is what bearing will the resignation of coach John Buchanan have ? Buchanan signed off in emphatic style, ensuring his squad was widely recognised as the world's best. In case anyone was unsure, Australia won the ICC Champions Trophy, followed by the whitewash of England in the Ashes, and topped it off with a World Cup victory, all in the space of six months.
The new man with the task of continuing the excellent work is the former Head Coach at the Centre of Excellence, Tim Nielsen. To the outside cricket world it resembles a low profile appointment, but as is the case with Australia, they like to promote from within, and Nielsen had previously worked with Buchanan, who he sees as a mentor, in the national set up for three years.
There is no doubt Australia currently stand alone in the ICC rankings, especially in the Test match format, where barring the odd irrevocable blip, have produced cricket consistently of the highest standard for a number of years. In the one-day game, Australia have dropped off top spot only briefly when South Africa overhauled them in March 2007. It was the first time since the rankings began back in October 2002, that Australia had been off top place. Good sides recover from indiscretions, and this side in the past has not only recovered, but exacted the most severe brand of revenge. Ask England.
The one-day side is not expected to suffer from too much disruption. Warne and Langer were not recent members of the limited overs side, and the loss of Mcgrath simply offers a chance to an exciting youngster, and prepare them for the rigours of international cricket, and lead them inevitably on the right road to Test cricket.
They have a tough and hectic schedule ahead of them, and Nielsen along with his selection committee of Andrew Hilditch, David Boon, Merv Hughes and Jamie Cox, will be keen to find the appropriate replacements for the retired quartet, and potential imminent departures in Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist will add further food for thought.
In 1984, Australia suffered a similar triple blow when Dennis Lillee, Greg Chappell, and Rod Marsh all retired at the conclusion of a Sydney Test against Pakistan, where Lillee had taken eight wickets, Chappell had scored 182 runs and Marsh had sneered six victims. This, combined with the loss a year later of Graham Yallop, Kim Hughes, Terry Alderman , Rodney Hogg and Kepler Wessels to a rebel South African tour, resulted in Australia slipping from one of the world's finest outfits to a side that won only one of its next 11 series (a series constituting three Tests or more).
The Australians have had an uncanny knack of producing players that immediately take to international cricket. Some of the most recent debutants in Mike Hussey, Brad Hodge, and Stuart Clark, have all had a good grounding in the highly competitive state cricket, and have stepped up to the next level with a near seamless transition. Australia's trend of introducing seasoned campaigners has been fruitful, and even their inclusion of a number of young players has added a vibrancy to the side and the neceesity of a fight for places. There is no better situation to introduce youth, than into a side with a positive atmosphere, a winning feeling, and naturally, a side bursting at the seams with such highly skilled performers while offering the inexperienced players a relaxed environment to gain the experience to grow into high quality players (eg. Michael Clarke).
With the calibre of options available in the opening batsman department, it is almost expected that Phil Jaques adjusts to Test cricket immediately and nullifies the absence of Langer. Jaques' form since Langer announced his retirement has been in tune with his previous six and half years in first-class cricket, where he has amassed an incredible 10,491 runs at 56.10. He has two Tests to his name so far, but if he attains the consistency he has found in first-class cricket, you can be sure he will be eyeing a much longer stay in Australia's team this time around.
If Jaques fails to come to terms with the demands of Test cricket, you can be sure there will be batsmen knocking rather loudly on the door. Western Australia's gritty left-hander Chris Rogers appeared as Jaques' closest rival for the coveted spot. Last season he was awarded the State Player of the Year and Pura Cup Player of the Series for his return of 1202 runs at an average of 70.70. Fringe players like Brad Hodge and Shane Watson hopefully threw their name into the vacant position, but to overlook two natural openers that between them have made in excess of 18,000 first-class runs would surely be beyond unthinkable.
Clark's timely arrival on the Test scene has eased fears following the departure of Glenn McGrath. Both are bowlers whose main strength is to keep complete control of where they want the cricket ball to land, to maintain patience, create pressure, and force batsmen into something they are not entirely comfortable with. It sounds such a simple mantra, but there are very few bowlers capable of doing it.
The pace bowling department, in general, appears to be in a healthy state. If it is taken for granted that Brett Lee and Clark will be constant fixtures in the Test side, then Mitchell Johnson, Ben Hilfenhaus, Nathan Bracken, Shaun Tait all bring alternative strengths to the side. If more pace is required, then Tait and Johnson will await the call, if it is swing, then Bracken will not be too far off a call, or someone to hit the deck hard and attain some away movement, then Tasmania's Hilfenhaus is perfectly placed.
A man like Shane Warne is wholly irreplaceable, and Australia will more than likely look to the man that has been deprived of so many internationals because of him, in Stuart Macgill, but at 36 he will only be a short term option. His Test record is impressive, in his 40 Tests to date he has claimed just under 200 victims at an outstanding average of 27.20 (his statistics against Bangladesh and in the farcical Test against the ICC World XI do flatter his figures a touch, yet he still averages 30.67 against all other nations). The fact remains, that if he was born in any other Test playing nation, that number of Test matches and dismissals would have been appreciably higher.
Pushing him for the spinners berth will be a duo that both represent South Australia, and the wily so-called one-day specialist Brad Hogg. All are currently in possession of Australian contracts. Dan Cullen is an off spinner, while his team-mate Cullen Bailey is of the Warne and Macgill school. The qualities of Brad Hogg are well documented, however, his ability to be equally as effective in the longer form of the game remains a matter of opinion.
Hogg has appeared in four Test matches, and has yet to make a vital contribution that would assure him as a front-running contender. He may be seen as a safe option with his knowledge of the game and his experience, and he has demonstrated his ability to bamboozle even the finest players of spin with his left-arm chinamen in the 50 over format. Doubts do remain over his wicket-taking potential in five-day cricket (exemplified by his mediocre figures in first-class cricket), and because of that Hogg may have to remain content with his selection in the one-day side.
Dan Cullen has already made his Test debut, when Australia travelled to Chittagong to play a series against Bangladesh, the game which has become famous for Jason Gillespie's double century. That was back in April 2006, and it was very much a spin strong side, as both Shane Warne and Stuart Macgill were present in the side. He has recently slipped out of immediate contention, due to a drop in form and his continual battle for a place in South Australia's Pura Cup side with Bailey. Cullen gets plenty of revolutions on the ball, and if the track suits, can acquire an excessive degree of spin, which along with his doosra, makes him a dangerous bowler if batsmen are looking to advance down the wicket.
The worry with Bailey is that he has only 18 first-class games to his name, and possible early promotion to the Australian side may result in a complete loss of confidence if he is not ready to make that step up. More suited to the longer version of the game, Bailey's potential is not in doubt, his readiness for Test cricket most certainly is.
It is moderately safe to suggest this will not be a repeat of the 1984 situation, with the quality of players to come into the side at a much more advanced stage in skill and high class exposure, instilling confidence to believe that they should manage to keep the winning momentum and mentality going.
It is impossible for Australia not to be weakened by this transition, and they will surely edge closer back to the chasing pack, but I doubt there is another nation out there with the consistency and ability to overhaul Australia just yet.
There are three teams from the sub-continent that all contain world class operators, but the days where they exemplify such excellence, are invariably followed by equally apportioned disappointments, especially when they are playing away from Asia.
England have suffered numerous injuries since the Ashes victory in 2005. Andrew Flintoff, Simon Jones, Marcus Trescothick, Steve Harmison, Ashley Giles, Michael Vaughan, and even Matthew Hoggard, have all been missing from series', which has admittedly offered vacancies for potentially top drawer youngsters, but has hindered immediate results with their absence. Confidence and a winning habit has visibly disappeared for now, and they find themselves some way off the level of Australia.
South Africa are a difficult proposition at home, and have only ever been beaten by England and Australia in all the series that have taken place there. Their main weakness recently has been in the spin department, and while numerous have been tried, none have gone on to be consistent match-winners. The latest man to be given his chance is Paul Harris, and he helped spin his side to a series win in Pakistan in October 2007. The signs are good for Harris, he is a tall left arm orthodox spinner, who seems equally competent of bowling from round or over the wicket without disrupting his rhythm. However, South Africa have had many false dawns in the past with spin bowlers, and will be only too aware not to pin a nations hopes on Harris.
With no side apparently equipped to wrestle the baton from Australia, the Antipodean show simply has to carry on, for now. They may be weakened, but like wounded animals, that makes Australia a very dangerous opponent.
(Cricket Web, 07/11/2007)
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=2&NewsIDAuto=4698
NZ lose by 85 runs in Tour game
It was not the ideal start for New Zealand in their tour of South Africa with defeat by 85 runs to the home sides 'A' team. It was far from perfect preparation for John Bracewell and his squad ahead of the opening Test against the full national side which gets underway on November 8.
If New Zealand were to gain an unlikely victory on the final day of this intriguing tour match, then much would depend on the overnight partnership of Ross Taylor (who begun the day on 79*) and Daniel Vettori.
When Taylor fell in the fifth over of the day, after adding only seven runs to his score, the writing was well and truly on the wall. Boeta Dippenaar took a sharp catch in gully off the bowling of Friedel de Wet to send the Kiwi dangerman back to the pavillion much earlier than New Zealand would have hoped.
Shane Bond displayed some stubborn resistance in an attempt to forge a partnership with his skipper Vettori to take the visitors much closer to their set target.
However, it was a lot to ask of Vettori, despite his recent good form with the bat (already he has made scores of 99 and 83 in this tour), and when Bond and Iain O'Brien both fell for six, New Zealand were on the brink of a confidence sapping defeat.
It was the occasional slow left-arm of Indian-born Gulam Bodi that ended Vettori's resistance when he bowled the spinner for 30.
New Zealand must improve in the batting department before they take on a South African team that is brimming with confidence gained through an impressive series victory in Pakistan.
South Africa 443 & 106
New Zealand 192 & 272 Ross Taylor 86, Brendon McCullum 77, Freidel de Wet 3-76, Lonwabo Tsotsobe 3-53
South Africa won by 85 runs
Cricket Web Man of the Match : N.McKenzie (182 & 34)
(Cricket Web, 04/11/2007)
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=1&NewsIDAuto=4691&ImageURL=newsimages/newzealand_illustration20061229214422.jpg
If New Zealand were to gain an unlikely victory on the final day of this intriguing tour match, then much would depend on the overnight partnership of Ross Taylor (who begun the day on 79*) and Daniel Vettori.
When Taylor fell in the fifth over of the day, after adding only seven runs to his score, the writing was well and truly on the wall. Boeta Dippenaar took a sharp catch in gully off the bowling of Friedel de Wet to send the Kiwi dangerman back to the pavillion much earlier than New Zealand would have hoped.
Shane Bond displayed some stubborn resistance in an attempt to forge a partnership with his skipper Vettori to take the visitors much closer to their set target.
However, it was a lot to ask of Vettori, despite his recent good form with the bat (already he has made scores of 99 and 83 in this tour), and when Bond and Iain O'Brien both fell for six, New Zealand were on the brink of a confidence sapping defeat.
It was the occasional slow left-arm of Indian-born Gulam Bodi that ended Vettori's resistance when he bowled the spinner for 30.
New Zealand must improve in the batting department before they take on a South African team that is brimming with confidence gained through an impressive series victory in Pakistan.
South Africa 443 & 106
New Zealand 192 & 272 Ross Taylor 86, Brendon McCullum 77, Freidel de Wet 3-76, Lonwabo Tsotsobe 3-53
South Africa won by 85 runs
Cricket Web Man of the Match : N.McKenzie (182 & 34)
(Cricket Web, 04/11/2007)
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=1&NewsIDAuto=4691&ImageURL=newsimages/newzealand_illustration20061229214422.jpg
Pollock inspires SA to victory
South Africa levelled the ODI series with a convincing seven wicket win over Pakistan to make it 2-2 with a single game at Lahore to come.
The hard work was achieved in the first half by South Africa, when Shoaib Malik won the toss and elected to set the total as averse to chasing it, the hosts were impressively restricted to 230-9 thanks to a discplined Proteas attack.
Captain Graeme Smith and Shaun Pollock came together at the fall of the first wicket and put on 159 to make light work of Paksitan's below par total.
Mohammad Asif appeared in this one-day series for the first time, having recovered from his elbow problem and took the place of Sohail Tanvir. For South Africa, Andre Nel replaced Charl Langeveldt, and vice-captain Justin Kemp lost his place to JP Duminy.
The track was predicted to favour batsmen over bowlers, but you would not have guessed when Pakistan quickly fell to 38-3. The experiment of Shahid Afridi as opener, that was successful to a degree in Faislabad, failed here in Multan, as Makhaya Ntini induced a typically aggressive mis-timed pull from Afridi to mid-on. Pollock accounted for Yasir Hameed, thanks to an outstanding diving effort from Herschelle Gibbs, while Mohammad Yousuf's impressive run of scores, 53, 117, 58*, came to an end when he turned blindly for an optimistic two that saw him short of his ground.
The South African opening attack of Ntini and Pollock were economical throughout, with the recalled Nel adding trademark fire and accuracy to the bowling options.
A partnership between Younis Khan and the consistent skipper Shoaib Malik, took Pakistan from their precarious situation to a much brighter 129-3, before Malik fell to a cleverly disguised slower ball from Jacques Kallis.
Younis batted sensibly and his exquisite placement was the key to his 82. On the odd occasion he went for the big hit, he succeeded by striking Pollock and Johan Botha for maximums over long-on, before he was dismissed in the 38th over.
A vital partnership of 60 off just over 10 overs between Kamran Akmal and Abdur Rehman enabled Pakistan to have a total on the board that they had the potential of defending.
If the home side were in any doubt how South Africa would go about their chase, then the opening 10 overs revealed everything. Smith and Gibbs had blasted their side to 65-0, and given them the kind of platform successful chases are built on.
Shahid Afridi has been Pakistan's pick of the bowlers in this series, and he did not disappoint his followers when he trapped Gibbs lbw with his first ball. The fact that umpire Billy Bowden may have misjudged the direction the ball was travelling in, was of no relevance to the buoyant Pakistan supporters, who thought their side may have shown early signs of fighting their way back into the contest.
Pinch hitting was deemed a thing of the past, but South Africa re-introduced the tactic with Pollock coming in at three. His positive strokeplay aligned with his ability to play spin well was the thought process behind his promotion.
His performance may have been beyond the management's wildest dreams as he took the attack to Pakistan, and with the solid and defiant Smith at the other end, the game was only going one way.
Iftikhar Anjum removed both the South Africans, but the damage had already well and truly been done, Pollock made 90 off 84 balls, with Smith a little more circumspect in his no-less important 81. Jacques Kallis was left with the simple task of flicking the ball square on the leg side to complete the victory.
Pakistan 230-9 (50 overs) Younis Khan 82, Shoaib Malik 45, Abdur Rehman 31 Johna Botha 2-41, Andre Nel 2-44
South Africa 233-3 (37.4 overs) Shaun Pollock 90, Graeme Smith 81, Herschelle Gibbs 39 Iftikhar Anjum 2-27
South Africa won by 7 wickets
(Cricket Web, 26/10/2007)
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=2&NewsIDAuto=4673
The hard work was achieved in the first half by South Africa, when Shoaib Malik won the toss and elected to set the total as averse to chasing it, the hosts were impressively restricted to 230-9 thanks to a discplined Proteas attack.
Captain Graeme Smith and Shaun Pollock came together at the fall of the first wicket and put on 159 to make light work of Paksitan's below par total.
Mohammad Asif appeared in this one-day series for the first time, having recovered from his elbow problem and took the place of Sohail Tanvir. For South Africa, Andre Nel replaced Charl Langeveldt, and vice-captain Justin Kemp lost his place to JP Duminy.
The track was predicted to favour batsmen over bowlers, but you would not have guessed when Pakistan quickly fell to 38-3. The experiment of Shahid Afridi as opener, that was successful to a degree in Faislabad, failed here in Multan, as Makhaya Ntini induced a typically aggressive mis-timed pull from Afridi to mid-on. Pollock accounted for Yasir Hameed, thanks to an outstanding diving effort from Herschelle Gibbs, while Mohammad Yousuf's impressive run of scores, 53, 117, 58*, came to an end when he turned blindly for an optimistic two that saw him short of his ground.
The South African opening attack of Ntini and Pollock were economical throughout, with the recalled Nel adding trademark fire and accuracy to the bowling options.
A partnership between Younis Khan and the consistent skipper Shoaib Malik, took Pakistan from their precarious situation to a much brighter 129-3, before Malik fell to a cleverly disguised slower ball from Jacques Kallis.
Younis batted sensibly and his exquisite placement was the key to his 82. On the odd occasion he went for the big hit, he succeeded by striking Pollock and Johan Botha for maximums over long-on, before he was dismissed in the 38th over.
A vital partnership of 60 off just over 10 overs between Kamran Akmal and Abdur Rehman enabled Pakistan to have a total on the board that they had the potential of defending.
If the home side were in any doubt how South Africa would go about their chase, then the opening 10 overs revealed everything. Smith and Gibbs had blasted their side to 65-0, and given them the kind of platform successful chases are built on.
Shahid Afridi has been Pakistan's pick of the bowlers in this series, and he did not disappoint his followers when he trapped Gibbs lbw with his first ball. The fact that umpire Billy Bowden may have misjudged the direction the ball was travelling in, was of no relevance to the buoyant Pakistan supporters, who thought their side may have shown early signs of fighting their way back into the contest.
Pinch hitting was deemed a thing of the past, but South Africa re-introduced the tactic with Pollock coming in at three. His positive strokeplay aligned with his ability to play spin well was the thought process behind his promotion.
His performance may have been beyond the management's wildest dreams as he took the attack to Pakistan, and with the solid and defiant Smith at the other end, the game was only going one way.
Iftikhar Anjum removed both the South Africans, but the damage had already well and truly been done, Pollock made 90 off 84 balls, with Smith a little more circumspect in his no-less important 81. Jacques Kallis was left with the simple task of flicking the ball square on the leg side to complete the victory.
Pakistan 230-9 (50 overs) Younis Khan 82, Shoaib Malik 45, Abdur Rehman 31 Johna Botha 2-41, Andre Nel 2-44
South Africa 233-3 (37.4 overs) Shaun Pollock 90, Graeme Smith 81, Herschelle Gibbs 39 Iftikhar Anjum 2-27
South Africa won by 7 wickets
(Cricket Web, 26/10/2007)
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=2&NewsIDAuto=4673
Will 'Roy' and Yuvraj crack the top level?
Upon the completion of the third ODI between India and Australia, I marvelled at the undoubted talents of Andrew Symonds and Yuvraj Singh, who each played innings with an effective blend of attractive drives and deft deflections, however I contemplated why neither of these two wonderful ODI players are not automatic selections in the longer form of the game.
Five day cricket is of course, a whole new ball game, but the way these players destroy international attacks, including bowlers of the highest quality, cannot help but leave you feeling short changed when they are unable to transfer their destructiveness onto Test level.
Naturally it is not expected of either of these entertainers, to play in the extravagant manner that they demonstrate in ODI's, and certain refinements in their mental approach as well as an element of patience is an absolute must for them to gain consistent Test selection.
So let us take a look at Andrew Symonds. This Queenslander could quite conceivably look at home in Australia's Rugby side, such is his physique. He must have been one of those rather pleased with the Aussies new tight fitting clothing, and he uses his power to his benefit. He muscles balls over the boundary, when his timing is lacking, his strength is always there, similar in comparisons to fellow Queenslander Matthew Hayden.
Symonds was only considered a ODI regular, following his timely 143* against Pakistan in the World Cup 2003. Up until that point, he had struggled to come to terms with cricket at the top level and influence matches in the way he is now capable of. These days the Australia side is considerably weakened if his dreadlocked appearance is absent from the starting line-up. This is not the case in Test cricket, where his brief appearances have sparked of a player unsure whether to stick or twist. His natural instinct is to attack, and within the Test environment, he attempts to curb his impulse, and the end result is a confused and frustrated batsman.
Shot selection and patience are two things that land constantly at Symonds door. His belief that he belongs in the one-day game, enable him to remain calm and carefree at the crease, so too does his knowledge in how to build an innings in the pressure of a one-day game, which he has learnt with experience. His mind that clouds his Test innings is clear when playing in pyjama cricket, as his masterful displays build to a crowd pulling crescendo.
His laidback and attacking endeavour need to accompany him when he dons the baggy green. Perhaps, such is his determination to succeed in the proving ground of Test cricket, he becomes nervous and approaches his game with a mindset and technique of alien concepts. Keeping it simple is Symonds mantra, and while he may need to rein in his big hitting in his whites to a degree, his positivity is what got him where he is today.
His Test average currently stands at a below average 27.26, after 13 matches. At 32, it may be now or never for Symonds, with Shane Watson, who he tends to be in direct confrontation with for the number six spot, picking up further injuries, and Symonds last two innings for Australia in Test cricket being 156 and 48, it may just prive to be the catalyst he needs to enjoy similar success in this format.
Yuvraj Singh is unfortunate to have three legends of Indian cricket currently ahead of him in the Test line up. Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sourav Ganguly possess a place ahead of Yuvraj, as does VVS Laxman, who may be the man under the greatest threat following Yuvraj's ODI performances that can not go unnoticed in selection, despite one-dayers being a wholly different entity.
If Symonds game is based on power, Yuvraj hones in on exquisite timing. His expansive flourish as he drives the ball through the cover region is a joy to behold, unless of course you're the bowler. Yuvraj strikes a long ball, but does it with style, and you cannot help but be astounded by the ease in which he sends the ball out of the stadium.
His technique appears to be one that should come through the examination of Test cricket, if you were being hyper-critical, you may point to the fact he tends to go hard at the ball at times, which may cause him one or two problems, but a player as talented as Yuvraj could easily counter such a slight discrepancy.
Had Sourav Ganguly not fallen out of favour during Greg Chappell's tenure as Indian coach, then Yuvraj may well have represented his country less than the 19 Test matches he has appeared in so far.
His two Test centuries have both been in Pakistan, and in losing causes. His maiden century came as early as his third Test, and when he came to the wicket, his side were in trouble at 94-4. He was the last man out, and had helped India to reach respectability with the score on 289, he had made 112 off 129 deliveries. A cool temperament in high pressure situations is priceless, and this gifted batsman from Chandigarh appears to tick the relevant box.
When given the opportunity to establish a permanent position in the Indian middle order, Yuvraj, however, has not yet fully accepted the offer. His poor form on the West Indies tour in 2006, where he scored 104 runs in seven innings at an average of 17.33, was enough for him to lose his place, a position he is yet to win back.
He has shaken off the tags that accused him of lacking commitment, and is now a determined young man, that has served up his ODI performances as a hors d'oeuvre, and now his entertained public are sitting back and awaiting the main course in terms of exhilarating Test performances.
Both Symonds and Yuvraj are outstanding fielders and handy part-time bowlers, further enhancing their options to the Test sides, but it is their batting that is their strength, and the key for such attacking natured players is to remain composed if they are unable to attain a strike rate they are more familiar with. These are two quite brilliant one-day performers, and seem more than capable of illuminating the Test scene with their flashy brand of batting.
(Cricket Web, 10/10/07)
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=3&NewsIDAuto=4616
Five day cricket is of course, a whole new ball game, but the way these players destroy international attacks, including bowlers of the highest quality, cannot help but leave you feeling short changed when they are unable to transfer their destructiveness onto Test level.
Naturally it is not expected of either of these entertainers, to play in the extravagant manner that they demonstrate in ODI's, and certain refinements in their mental approach as well as an element of patience is an absolute must for them to gain consistent Test selection.
So let us take a look at Andrew Symonds. This Queenslander could quite conceivably look at home in Australia's Rugby side, such is his physique. He must have been one of those rather pleased with the Aussies new tight fitting clothing, and he uses his power to his benefit. He muscles balls over the boundary, when his timing is lacking, his strength is always there, similar in comparisons to fellow Queenslander Matthew Hayden.
Symonds was only considered a ODI regular, following his timely 143* against Pakistan in the World Cup 2003. Up until that point, he had struggled to come to terms with cricket at the top level and influence matches in the way he is now capable of. These days the Australia side is considerably weakened if his dreadlocked appearance is absent from the starting line-up. This is not the case in Test cricket, where his brief appearances have sparked of a player unsure whether to stick or twist. His natural instinct is to attack, and within the Test environment, he attempts to curb his impulse, and the end result is a confused and frustrated batsman.
Shot selection and patience are two things that land constantly at Symonds door. His belief that he belongs in the one-day game, enable him to remain calm and carefree at the crease, so too does his knowledge in how to build an innings in the pressure of a one-day game, which he has learnt with experience. His mind that clouds his Test innings is clear when playing in pyjama cricket, as his masterful displays build to a crowd pulling crescendo.
His laidback and attacking endeavour need to accompany him when he dons the baggy green. Perhaps, such is his determination to succeed in the proving ground of Test cricket, he becomes nervous and approaches his game with a mindset and technique of alien concepts. Keeping it simple is Symonds mantra, and while he may need to rein in his big hitting in his whites to a degree, his positivity is what got him where he is today.
His Test average currently stands at a below average 27.26, after 13 matches. At 32, it may be now or never for Symonds, with Shane Watson, who he tends to be in direct confrontation with for the number six spot, picking up further injuries, and Symonds last two innings for Australia in Test cricket being 156 and 48, it may just prive to be the catalyst he needs to enjoy similar success in this format.
Yuvraj Singh is unfortunate to have three legends of Indian cricket currently ahead of him in the Test line up. Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sourav Ganguly possess a place ahead of Yuvraj, as does VVS Laxman, who may be the man under the greatest threat following Yuvraj's ODI performances that can not go unnoticed in selection, despite one-dayers being a wholly different entity.
If Symonds game is based on power, Yuvraj hones in on exquisite timing. His expansive flourish as he drives the ball through the cover region is a joy to behold, unless of course you're the bowler. Yuvraj strikes a long ball, but does it with style, and you cannot help but be astounded by the ease in which he sends the ball out of the stadium.
His technique appears to be one that should come through the examination of Test cricket, if you were being hyper-critical, you may point to the fact he tends to go hard at the ball at times, which may cause him one or two problems, but a player as talented as Yuvraj could easily counter such a slight discrepancy.
Had Sourav Ganguly not fallen out of favour during Greg Chappell's tenure as Indian coach, then Yuvraj may well have represented his country less than the 19 Test matches he has appeared in so far.
His two Test centuries have both been in Pakistan, and in losing causes. His maiden century came as early as his third Test, and when he came to the wicket, his side were in trouble at 94-4. He was the last man out, and had helped India to reach respectability with the score on 289, he had made 112 off 129 deliveries. A cool temperament in high pressure situations is priceless, and this gifted batsman from Chandigarh appears to tick the relevant box.
When given the opportunity to establish a permanent position in the Indian middle order, Yuvraj, however, has not yet fully accepted the offer. His poor form on the West Indies tour in 2006, where he scored 104 runs in seven innings at an average of 17.33, was enough for him to lose his place, a position he is yet to win back.
He has shaken off the tags that accused him of lacking commitment, and is now a determined young man, that has served up his ODI performances as a hors d'oeuvre, and now his entertained public are sitting back and awaiting the main course in terms of exhilarating Test performances.
Both Symonds and Yuvraj are outstanding fielders and handy part-time bowlers, further enhancing their options to the Test sides, but it is their batting that is their strength, and the key for such attacking natured players is to remain composed if they are unable to attain a strike rate they are more familiar with. These are two quite brilliant one-day performers, and seem more than capable of illuminating the Test scene with their flashy brand of batting.
(Cricket Web, 10/10/07)
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=3&NewsIDAuto=4616
Friday, 5 October 2007
South Africa remain in control
A spirited effort from Pakistan's captain Shoaib Malik and the lower order ensured the home side avoided the follow-on in pursuit of South Africa's 450.
At the start of the third day, Pakistan were ominously positioned at 127-5, but thanks to Shoaib Malik's 73 and helpful contributions from Salman Butt and Danisk Kaneria, they had reduced the first innings deficit to 159, finishing 291 all out. It could have been worse for the Proteas, but for Paul Harris spinning his way to his first five wicket haul in Test cricket.
It was a day that saw Pakistan recover their position in the game to a certain degree, they even picked up the vital wickets of Graeme Smith, Herschelle Gibbs and Hashim Amla in the final session.
More worryingly, however, is the presence of Jacques Kallis, who remains not out, albeit only on 18. The tourists closed on 76-3.
On a deteriorating pitch, Shoaib Malik was only too aware of Pakistan's need to post a decent first innings total, and he led by example today. He combined a tight and solid defence with controlled aggression.
Malik and Abdur Rehamn faced an opening attack consisting of Paul Harris and Andre Nel, probably South Africa's most impressive bowlers today. Harris continued to probe with his excellent line and a good deal of turn, while Nel continued to run hard in an attempt to extract any possibly life out of this track. His wholehearted approach can only be commended and he bowled with typical fire in his belly.
Nel was rewarded in his fourth over of the day as he induced a hesitant push outside off stump from Rehman, that carried through, but only just, to Mark Boucher.
Salman Butt came in number eight, fit enough to bat today following his stomach problems, and played a decent support role with his skipper, and the pair saw Pakistan through to lunch. Malik completing his half century with a driven boundary down to long on off Harris. In the spinners next over, Malik skipped down the track effectively, and struck an elegant six, again over long on, this shot brought up his 1000th Test run.
Butt was removed after the luncheon interval for 24. He missed a delivery from Harris trying to turn the ball to the on side with the spin, the ball striking his back leg in line with the stumps.
Aware that he needed to up the ante, Malik came charging down the pitch to Harris, who fired the ball through a touch quicker, it turned and beat Malik leaving Boucher to complete the job and end a fine skippers knock.
The same combination struck again to remove Umar Gul, in a similar fashion. This wicket gave Boucher the honour of top spot in the most dismissals in Test cricket, hurdling Ian Healy's paltry effort of 395.
Kaneria continued to slash at anything with a hint of width and to good effect, but the innings was brought to a close when Dale Steyn bowled Mohammad Asif. Kaneria stranded on 26 not out.
Smith and Gibbs then got the visitors off to a steady start, they saw off the openers, Gul and Asif, and Rehamn was introduced in the 11th over. He got the breakthrough for his side in his second over, when Smith could only edge an attempted cut shot into the gloves of Kamran Akmal for 25.
This will do the keeper's confidence some good after dropping Kallis relatively early in the first innings. His place appears to be under scrutiny, mainly for his keeping rather than his batting, so an efficient display with the gloves will not do any harm.
He was in the action again overs later with a very smart piece of keeping that saw Amla return to the changing rooms without scoring. Rehamn beat Amla with the turn, and Akmal whipped off the bails with Amla's foot in the air.
Kaneria, obviously feeling left out, got himself a wicket the following over, that of Gibbs. South Africa had slipped from 41-0 to 43-3, when Gibbs was snaffled at silly mid off by Faisal Iqbal.
Kallis and Ashwell Prince ensured no futher damage was done on the South African batting line-up, and played them safely through to the close.
With Andre Nel down as number eight, the hosts will feel a few quick wickets and they may have an end open. In reality South Africa will look to add a further hundred runs which would make certain of a comfortable enough cushion on a track where the indifferent bounce is becoming more and more apparent and problematic to bat on.
South Africa 450 Herschelle Gibbs 54, Hashim Amla 71, Jacques Kallis 155, AB de Villiers 77 Abdur Rehman 4-105
Pakistan 291 Shoaib Malik 73, Kamran Akmal 42 Paul Harris 5-73
South Africa 76-3 Graeme Smith 25 Abdur Rehman 2-25
(Cricket Web, 03/10/2007)
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=1&NewsIDAuto=4593
At the start of the third day, Pakistan were ominously positioned at 127-5, but thanks to Shoaib Malik's 73 and helpful contributions from Salman Butt and Danisk Kaneria, they had reduced the first innings deficit to 159, finishing 291 all out. It could have been worse for the Proteas, but for Paul Harris spinning his way to his first five wicket haul in Test cricket.
It was a day that saw Pakistan recover their position in the game to a certain degree, they even picked up the vital wickets of Graeme Smith, Herschelle Gibbs and Hashim Amla in the final session.
More worryingly, however, is the presence of Jacques Kallis, who remains not out, albeit only on 18. The tourists closed on 76-3.
On a deteriorating pitch, Shoaib Malik was only too aware of Pakistan's need to post a decent first innings total, and he led by example today. He combined a tight and solid defence with controlled aggression.
Malik and Abdur Rehamn faced an opening attack consisting of Paul Harris and Andre Nel, probably South Africa's most impressive bowlers today. Harris continued to probe with his excellent line and a good deal of turn, while Nel continued to run hard in an attempt to extract any possibly life out of this track. His wholehearted approach can only be commended and he bowled with typical fire in his belly.
Nel was rewarded in his fourth over of the day as he induced a hesitant push outside off stump from Rehman, that carried through, but only just, to Mark Boucher.
Salman Butt came in number eight, fit enough to bat today following his stomach problems, and played a decent support role with his skipper, and the pair saw Pakistan through to lunch. Malik completing his half century with a driven boundary down to long on off Harris. In the spinners next over, Malik skipped down the track effectively, and struck an elegant six, again over long on, this shot brought up his 1000th Test run.
Butt was removed after the luncheon interval for 24. He missed a delivery from Harris trying to turn the ball to the on side with the spin, the ball striking his back leg in line with the stumps.
Aware that he needed to up the ante, Malik came charging down the pitch to Harris, who fired the ball through a touch quicker, it turned and beat Malik leaving Boucher to complete the job and end a fine skippers knock.
The same combination struck again to remove Umar Gul, in a similar fashion. This wicket gave Boucher the honour of top spot in the most dismissals in Test cricket, hurdling Ian Healy's paltry effort of 395.
Kaneria continued to slash at anything with a hint of width and to good effect, but the innings was brought to a close when Dale Steyn bowled Mohammad Asif. Kaneria stranded on 26 not out.
Smith and Gibbs then got the visitors off to a steady start, they saw off the openers, Gul and Asif, and Rehamn was introduced in the 11th over. He got the breakthrough for his side in his second over, when Smith could only edge an attempted cut shot into the gloves of Kamran Akmal for 25.
This will do the keeper's confidence some good after dropping Kallis relatively early in the first innings. His place appears to be under scrutiny, mainly for his keeping rather than his batting, so an efficient display with the gloves will not do any harm.
He was in the action again overs later with a very smart piece of keeping that saw Amla return to the changing rooms without scoring. Rehamn beat Amla with the turn, and Akmal whipped off the bails with Amla's foot in the air.
Kaneria, obviously feeling left out, got himself a wicket the following over, that of Gibbs. South Africa had slipped from 41-0 to 43-3, when Gibbs was snaffled at silly mid off by Faisal Iqbal.
Kallis and Ashwell Prince ensured no futher damage was done on the South African batting line-up, and played them safely through to the close.
With Andre Nel down as number eight, the hosts will feel a few quick wickets and they may have an end open. In reality South Africa will look to add a further hundred runs which would make certain of a comfortable enough cushion on a track where the indifferent bounce is becoming more and more apparent and problematic to bat on.
South Africa 450 Herschelle Gibbs 54, Hashim Amla 71, Jacques Kallis 155, AB de Villiers 77 Abdur Rehman 4-105
Pakistan 291 Shoaib Malik 73, Kamran Akmal 42 Paul Harris 5-73
South Africa 76-3 Graeme Smith 25 Abdur Rehman 2-25
(Cricket Web, 03/10/2007)
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=1&NewsIDAuto=4593
Pakistan & South Africa prepare for battle
Shoaib Malik embarks on his new career as Pakistan's Test captain on October 1, when the Test series againt South Africa gets underway. His sidekick, Salman Butt, is also new to his role as vice-captain in Test cricket, as will be the coach Geoff Lawson.
While Pakistan have instigated change, so too, it appears, are South Africa after they strongly implied that Shaun Pollock was to be left out of the series opener. Whether that will happen may depend on the result of Morne Morkel's fitness test , and you can be sure he will give his ankle every chance to recovery in time to make his second Test appearance.
It promises to be a gripping contest between two proud nations, who on any given day can produce Test cricket of the highest quality, yet it is the consistency of their cricket that causes reason for consternation. On paper there does not seem to be much between the two sides, and with only two Tests taking place, mistakes will have to be at a premium, as there will be insufficient opportunities to make amends.
The first Test is to be played in the National Stadium, Karachi, while the show then moves on to Lahore and the Gadaffi Stadium. South Africa will then have a one-day warm up game, before five ODI's take place.
South Africa have visited Pakistan for two series in the past. Their first tour, back in 1997, was a successful one with victory in the final Test, of a three match series, in Faislabad. Pakistan were set a seemingly paltry 146 to win the series, but were bowled out for 92, after Paul Adams and Pat Symcox took the new ball. It was the reliable Shaun Pollock, however, that did the main damage taking 5-37, including four of the top five.
The last visit to Pakistan for South Africa was in 2003, when Pakistan reversed the scoreline, winning 1-0, after winning the opening Test in Lahore. This time the home side succeeded in chasing down 161, Danish Kaneria took five second innings wickets to halt South Africa's charge in setting a bigger total. Taufeeq Umar helped the hosts home with 63, following on from his 111 in the first innings.
There is no question that contests between the sides are historically very close affairs, and there is no reason why this series will not be equally as absorbing.
SQUADS FOR THE FIRST TEST
PAKISTAN : Shoaib Malik (c), Salman Butt, Abdur Rehman, Danish Kaneria, Faisal Iqbal, Iftikhar Anjum, Kamran Akmal (wk), Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Yousuf, Taufeeq Umar, Umar Gul, Yasir Hameed, Younis Khan.
SOUTH AFRICA : Graeme Smith (c), Hashim Amla, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, Jean-Paul Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Paul Harris, Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Shaun Pollock, Ashwell Prince, Dale Steyn.
PREVIEW
The home side may very well opt for two spinners in the opening Test in Karachi, the track looks dry and typical of a sub-continental wicket. So alongside Danish Kaneria is likely to be left arm spinner Abdur Rehman, making his Test debut. He has appeared in five ODI's, and while his off spin is impressive, there are questions as to what variety he has in his armoury.
After the recent confusion regarding Mohammad Yousuf, and his ICL contract, there is no doubt Pakistan will be relieved to have him in their ranks for this series. The middle order has become increasingly important for Pakistan, after the constant changes in search of a successful opening partnership. For the first Test, Mohammad Hafeez, who looked in decent nick in the Twenty20, will be joined by the returning Salman Butt, who played his last Test in England, back in August 2006.
Inzamam-ul-Haq will be missing from the middle order, but replaced by a man that re-invented himself at the Twenty20 tournament, Misbah-ul-Haq. The 33 year-old has not played a Test match for over four years, and the excellent temperament he displayed in South Africa may come in handy in this pressure cooker encounter.
Umar Gul and Mohammad Asif are the likely new ball operators, and quite possibly the only quick bowlers in the side. Gul is continuing to improve, his repertoire in the Twenty20 was impressive, as was his pace. With his extra yard of pace, Gul will no doubt keep the batsmen honest, while Asif will concentrate on bowling in his areas and stifling the batsmen of any free shots. Use of the new ball may be crucial, as there is not expected to be a huge amount of movement after the shine has disappeared. Swing can not be discounted, particularly as Pakistan are the main exponents of reverse swing.
South Africa have endured their own difficulties in identifying the perfect opening batting partnership, and have resorted back to the tried and tested combination of Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs. The two have enjoyed success against Pakistan in the past, in the 2002/03 series in South Africa, they combined for a 368 run stand for the first wicket. In all Test matches, the pair still average a very reasonable 62 for the opening wicket.
Batting is the visitors strength, and with the potential of Andre Nel lining up at number eight, the top seven will need to find form early. Mark Boucher has already registered a century in their only tour game before the series begins. Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and Jacques Kallis all passed 50, and only Ashwell Prince made single figures in the top seven.
Mickey Arthur and captain Smith seem to be in sync regarding the omission of Pollock. That would have been a certainty had Morkel not injured his ankle, and it may come down to a straight choice between Pollock and the quicker, yet less accurate, Dale Steyn. The South African management have publicly stated their desire to give the younger seam bowlers a chance, and in this case, at the expense of the man that was thought to be indispensable. With home series against New Zealand and West Indies on the horizon, surely then would be the time to blood one or two of the younger generation, rather than the harsh bowling environment of Pakistan.
The tourists lone spinning option, Paul Harris, may have a major say in the outcome of this series. He will look to extract extra bounce with his height and give the ball a fair old rip, but Pakistan are an adept side at playing slow bowling and may look to attack Harris early and not allow him time to settle.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Umar Gul (Pakistan) With the likes of Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Sami, and Danish Kaneria around, Umar Gul has always remained relatively in the background when it comes to Pakistan's high profile bowlers. His action is solid, his pace is good and his accuracy has improved, there is no mistaking Umar Gul is becoming a potent threat at international level. He hits the seam and can expect to generate decent bounce with his height, and is still only 24 years old. He has taken 61 wickets in 14 matches at an average of just over 30, and if he continues the way he is heading, that average will come plummeting down in the near future.
Jacques Kallis (South Africa) After relinquishing his responsibilities as vice-captain to Graeme Smith, Kallis will have full focus on his batting, and also his very useful swing bowling. But it his batting that he is famed for, and it will be pivotal to South Africa in getting runs on the board to enable them to exert some pressure on the home side. His consistency is virtually un-rivalled, yet his average against Pakistan (42.82) is well below his overall record (55.09), something he will look to rectify in this series. Patience is required against Kaneria and co. and this man has bags of it, along with the willingness to bat long periods of time, despite the searing heat.
So it is all set for a closely fought and thoroughly intriguing series. Both sides are aware of the need to have wicket taking bowlers to find the necessary 20 wickets on tracks that are difficult to dislodge batsmen when set. Will South Africa's lack of spin options be their shortfall once more, or can Harris rise to the test ?
Pakistan are a notoriously difficult proposition on home turf, and while I anticipate one of the Tests ending in a run glut of a draw, I also foresee the home side winning a Test match by virtue of Kaneria's spin wizardry. Pakistan to edge the series, but only just.
(Cricket Web, 30/09/2007)
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=2&NewsIDAuto=4577
While Pakistan have instigated change, so too, it appears, are South Africa after they strongly implied that Shaun Pollock was to be left out of the series opener. Whether that will happen may depend on the result of Morne Morkel's fitness test , and you can be sure he will give his ankle every chance to recovery in time to make his second Test appearance.
It promises to be a gripping contest between two proud nations, who on any given day can produce Test cricket of the highest quality, yet it is the consistency of their cricket that causes reason for consternation. On paper there does not seem to be much between the two sides, and with only two Tests taking place, mistakes will have to be at a premium, as there will be insufficient opportunities to make amends.
The first Test is to be played in the National Stadium, Karachi, while the show then moves on to Lahore and the Gadaffi Stadium. South Africa will then have a one-day warm up game, before five ODI's take place.
South Africa have visited Pakistan for two series in the past. Their first tour, back in 1997, was a successful one with victory in the final Test, of a three match series, in Faislabad. Pakistan were set a seemingly paltry 146 to win the series, but were bowled out for 92, after Paul Adams and Pat Symcox took the new ball. It was the reliable Shaun Pollock, however, that did the main damage taking 5-37, including four of the top five.
The last visit to Pakistan for South Africa was in 2003, when Pakistan reversed the scoreline, winning 1-0, after winning the opening Test in Lahore. This time the home side succeeded in chasing down 161, Danish Kaneria took five second innings wickets to halt South Africa's charge in setting a bigger total. Taufeeq Umar helped the hosts home with 63, following on from his 111 in the first innings.
There is no question that contests between the sides are historically very close affairs, and there is no reason why this series will not be equally as absorbing.
SQUADS FOR THE FIRST TEST
PAKISTAN : Shoaib Malik (c), Salman Butt, Abdur Rehman, Danish Kaneria, Faisal Iqbal, Iftikhar Anjum, Kamran Akmal (wk), Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Yousuf, Taufeeq Umar, Umar Gul, Yasir Hameed, Younis Khan.
SOUTH AFRICA : Graeme Smith (c), Hashim Amla, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, Jean-Paul Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Paul Harris, Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Shaun Pollock, Ashwell Prince, Dale Steyn.
PREVIEW
The home side may very well opt for two spinners in the opening Test in Karachi, the track looks dry and typical of a sub-continental wicket. So alongside Danish Kaneria is likely to be left arm spinner Abdur Rehman, making his Test debut. He has appeared in five ODI's, and while his off spin is impressive, there are questions as to what variety he has in his armoury.
After the recent confusion regarding Mohammad Yousuf, and his ICL contract, there is no doubt Pakistan will be relieved to have him in their ranks for this series. The middle order has become increasingly important for Pakistan, after the constant changes in search of a successful opening partnership. For the first Test, Mohammad Hafeez, who looked in decent nick in the Twenty20, will be joined by the returning Salman Butt, who played his last Test in England, back in August 2006.
Inzamam-ul-Haq will be missing from the middle order, but replaced by a man that re-invented himself at the Twenty20 tournament, Misbah-ul-Haq. The 33 year-old has not played a Test match for over four years, and the excellent temperament he displayed in South Africa may come in handy in this pressure cooker encounter.
Umar Gul and Mohammad Asif are the likely new ball operators, and quite possibly the only quick bowlers in the side. Gul is continuing to improve, his repertoire in the Twenty20 was impressive, as was his pace. With his extra yard of pace, Gul will no doubt keep the batsmen honest, while Asif will concentrate on bowling in his areas and stifling the batsmen of any free shots. Use of the new ball may be crucial, as there is not expected to be a huge amount of movement after the shine has disappeared. Swing can not be discounted, particularly as Pakistan are the main exponents of reverse swing.
South Africa have endured their own difficulties in identifying the perfect opening batting partnership, and have resorted back to the tried and tested combination of Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs. The two have enjoyed success against Pakistan in the past, in the 2002/03 series in South Africa, they combined for a 368 run stand for the first wicket. In all Test matches, the pair still average a very reasonable 62 for the opening wicket.
Batting is the visitors strength, and with the potential of Andre Nel lining up at number eight, the top seven will need to find form early. Mark Boucher has already registered a century in their only tour game before the series begins. Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and Jacques Kallis all passed 50, and only Ashwell Prince made single figures in the top seven.
Mickey Arthur and captain Smith seem to be in sync regarding the omission of Pollock. That would have been a certainty had Morkel not injured his ankle, and it may come down to a straight choice between Pollock and the quicker, yet less accurate, Dale Steyn. The South African management have publicly stated their desire to give the younger seam bowlers a chance, and in this case, at the expense of the man that was thought to be indispensable. With home series against New Zealand and West Indies on the horizon, surely then would be the time to blood one or two of the younger generation, rather than the harsh bowling environment of Pakistan.
The tourists lone spinning option, Paul Harris, may have a major say in the outcome of this series. He will look to extract extra bounce with his height and give the ball a fair old rip, but Pakistan are an adept side at playing slow bowling and may look to attack Harris early and not allow him time to settle.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Umar Gul (Pakistan) With the likes of Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Sami, and Danish Kaneria around, Umar Gul has always remained relatively in the background when it comes to Pakistan's high profile bowlers. His action is solid, his pace is good and his accuracy has improved, there is no mistaking Umar Gul is becoming a potent threat at international level. He hits the seam and can expect to generate decent bounce with his height, and is still only 24 years old. He has taken 61 wickets in 14 matches at an average of just over 30, and if he continues the way he is heading, that average will come plummeting down in the near future.
Jacques Kallis (South Africa) After relinquishing his responsibilities as vice-captain to Graeme Smith, Kallis will have full focus on his batting, and also his very useful swing bowling. But it his batting that he is famed for, and it will be pivotal to South Africa in getting runs on the board to enable them to exert some pressure on the home side. His consistency is virtually un-rivalled, yet his average against Pakistan (42.82) is well below his overall record (55.09), something he will look to rectify in this series. Patience is required against Kaneria and co. and this man has bags of it, along with the willingness to bat long periods of time, despite the searing heat.
So it is all set for a closely fought and thoroughly intriguing series. Both sides are aware of the need to have wicket taking bowlers to find the necessary 20 wickets on tracks that are difficult to dislodge batsmen when set. Will South Africa's lack of spin options be their shortfall once more, or can Harris rise to the test ?
Pakistan are a notoriously difficult proposition on home turf, and while I anticipate one of the Tests ending in a run glut of a draw, I also foresee the home side winning a Test match by virtue of Kaneria's spin wizardry. Pakistan to edge the series, but only just.
(Cricket Web, 30/09/2007)
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=2&NewsIDAuto=4577
Clarke ton in vain, as rain wins
Australia resurrected their innings after they had slumped to 90-4, thanks to a 144 run partnership between Michael Clarke (130) and Brad Haddin (69). Helpful contributions from Matthew Hayden and a late innings offensive from James Hopes took Australia to an imposing score of 307-7 off their allocation.
When Mitchell Johnson surprised Sachin Tendulkar with an inswinger at pace, as India began their reply, the odds were heavily stacked in Australia's favour to open the series with a victory. However, after only 2.4 overs of the Indian innings, the heavens opened and not another ball was to be bowled.
The weather was fine at the start of play, there was sunshine about and the temperatures were high, yet there was admittedly a fair amount of cloud around.
Ticket sales had gone well, as is generally the case with one-day cricket in India, so needless to say there was a packed house creating an exceptionally noisy atmosphere.
The pitch itself looked a good one for batsmen, and there were thoughts that there will be a fair amount of bounce and pace in it, however, as the game progressed there were signs of some indifferent bounce.
As for the teams, it had been well publicised that Australian captain Ricky Ponting was unfit, as was Mike Hussey, so chances were given to Brad Haddin, who was selected as a specialist batsman ahead of Adam Voges. Also, James Hopes was rewarded for some decent form in Pakistan with the 'A' side.
For India, the big guns had returned to the one-day side, Tendulkar, Ganguly and Dravid all returned after opting out of the Twenty20 competition. Ramesh Powar was restored to the side, so too was opening bowler Zaheer Khan.
The new ODI rules were in force for this game, the most pertinent ones being any front foot no-ball resulting in a free hit the next ball, and the ball is now to be changed mandatorily after 34 overs. With regards the powerplays, the fielding side may choose either the second or third powerplay to exercise their right to have a third fielder outside the ring for the five over period.
Adam Gilchrist got the Australian innings off to a bright start, with two thumping boundaries, before he went after a ball from Zaheer with a distinct lack of footwork, that contributed to his downfall. He relied on his usually exemplory hand-eye co-ordination, but was never in a position to keep the ball down, as was presumably his intention. However, he did not account for a superb flying catch from Yuvraj at backward point to give India an ideal tonic.
Sreesanth was a little erratic, while there was no doubt he was generating good pace, but at the expense of a little accuracy. Well, if he was not to know where the ball was going, Brad Hodge would not have had a clue.
The first ball of Sreesanth's second over started off wide of off stump, then swung excessively into a Steve Harmison style wide. His next ball was over compensated for and drifted down the leg side for another wide. The guessing game began for Hodge, and he ultimately guessed wrong. Sreesanth got his next ball exactly right, and the ball swung back into Hodge and trapped him lbw. Hodge appeared to be deceived by the surprise straight one.
Michael Clarke then joined Hayden at the crease, and the pair set about consolidating, while also picking up any available runs by positive running and strokeplay. Once Clarke had settled and got away with a couple of airy fairy drives, he looked the part. His timing of the ball off his legs was impressive, and he began building his innings maturely, clearly aware of his crucial role in the middle order with both Ponting and Hussey on the sidelines.
Due to the precarious situation Australia were in after two early blows, Hayden was perhaps not as aggressive as he would have liked, initially. When it seemed he was getting into his stride, Sreesanth removed him in a similar way to how he did in the Twenty20. Hayden went for one of his muscled shots through the leg-side, which could also be referred to as a slog, but the ball crashed into his stumps.
Andrew Symonds stay was also a fairly brief one, he was deceived by a slower ball from Sreesanth and was struck on his pads. The technology suggesting it would have gone on to hit the wickets. It was an excellent change of pace from the fiery little Indian, who let go of the ball out of the side of his hand, in a leg-spin style delivery. Sreesanth had three wickets, and amidst some of his more wild deliveries were some very pacy swinging balls, swinging both ways at that.
At 90-4, Australia desperately needed a partnership, and that was what they got with the New South Wales team-mates, Clarke and Haddin.
Haddin is well known for his powerful striking in domestic cricket in Australia, and he is yet to transfer those skills to the international game, but this innings was a good indication of his abilities. His orthodox technique was sound, and the pair ran extremely well between the wickets. When the chance came for a boundary, they did not disappoint.
Clarke's footwork was outstanding, decisive in either shimmying down the track to Powar and Yuvraj, or going back, making use of the depth of his crease.
Powar's slow flighted deliveries, that got England into such a muddle earlier in the year, was not having the same effect on this pair, as they used their feet intelligently, combining power shots down the ground with deft deflections where there were no fielders. Haddin smashed him straight for a six, while Clarke cashed in on a couple of loose balls and hit the spinner for three sixes later in his next spell.
Irfan Pathan has regained his bowling action, and his accuracy and pace were both good, but India were struggling to contain Australia, who had consistently been just over five runs per over throughout, despite losing the early wickets.
Yuvraj finally removed Haddin, when he danced down the pitch and did not quite get there, yet he attempted a slog across the line which he missed and Dhoni did the rest. It was an important knock for the visitors, and Haddin's confidence at this level will surely grow from this.
Clarke brought his century up with a full toss gift from Powar which he deposited over mid wicket for a maximum. His traditional kiss of the badge ensued, and Clarke richly deserved all his plaudits for this mature showing at a ground he hugely enjoys, he made a century here on his Test debut. This innings was typical of Clarke, so strong through the on-side, and one particular straight drive off Zaheer demonstrated the exemplory timing he had found.
James Hopes was not going to hang around, and he plundered 37 off only 25 balls, before holding out to long on off Zaheer. He had played his part, and in the process they had broke the record for the highest sixth wicket partnership at Bangalore, they accumulated 73 in just eight overs. It was Hopes' first international appearance since he played against Bangladesh in April 2006, and this was a pretty decent start for him.
When a world class side is pushed into a corner, there is always someone that is willing to be counted and ensure his side reach respectability, in this case it was Clarke. They surpassed respectability with their final total of 307-7, with 87 coming off the final ten overs.
India's reply got off to a terrible start when Johnson removed Tendulkar for nought.
You can never entirely write India off, despite needing to chase down a daunting total, because of the quality in their line-up. Ganguly did not open, as he had picked up a hamstring injury while fielding, but there was still Dravid, Yuvraj and Dhoni to come.
It would perhaps have led to an exciting game of cricket, but it was the weather that decided this one.
Australia 307-7 (off 50 overs) Michael Clarke 130, Brad Haddin 69, James Hopes 37, Matthew Hayden 34 S.Sreesanth 3-55, Zaheer Khan 2-64
India 9-1 (off 2.4 overs)
Match Abandoned
(Cricket Web, 29/09/2007)
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=12&NewsIDAuto=4573&ImageURL=newsimages/michaelclarke8.jpg
When Mitchell Johnson surprised Sachin Tendulkar with an inswinger at pace, as India began their reply, the odds were heavily stacked in Australia's favour to open the series with a victory. However, after only 2.4 overs of the Indian innings, the heavens opened and not another ball was to be bowled.
The weather was fine at the start of play, there was sunshine about and the temperatures were high, yet there was admittedly a fair amount of cloud around.
Ticket sales had gone well, as is generally the case with one-day cricket in India, so needless to say there was a packed house creating an exceptionally noisy atmosphere.
The pitch itself looked a good one for batsmen, and there were thoughts that there will be a fair amount of bounce and pace in it, however, as the game progressed there were signs of some indifferent bounce.
As for the teams, it had been well publicised that Australian captain Ricky Ponting was unfit, as was Mike Hussey, so chances were given to Brad Haddin, who was selected as a specialist batsman ahead of Adam Voges. Also, James Hopes was rewarded for some decent form in Pakistan with the 'A' side.
For India, the big guns had returned to the one-day side, Tendulkar, Ganguly and Dravid all returned after opting out of the Twenty20 competition. Ramesh Powar was restored to the side, so too was opening bowler Zaheer Khan.
The new ODI rules were in force for this game, the most pertinent ones being any front foot no-ball resulting in a free hit the next ball, and the ball is now to be changed mandatorily after 34 overs. With regards the powerplays, the fielding side may choose either the second or third powerplay to exercise their right to have a third fielder outside the ring for the five over period.
Adam Gilchrist got the Australian innings off to a bright start, with two thumping boundaries, before he went after a ball from Zaheer with a distinct lack of footwork, that contributed to his downfall. He relied on his usually exemplory hand-eye co-ordination, but was never in a position to keep the ball down, as was presumably his intention. However, he did not account for a superb flying catch from Yuvraj at backward point to give India an ideal tonic.
Sreesanth was a little erratic, while there was no doubt he was generating good pace, but at the expense of a little accuracy. Well, if he was not to know where the ball was going, Brad Hodge would not have had a clue.
The first ball of Sreesanth's second over started off wide of off stump, then swung excessively into a Steve Harmison style wide. His next ball was over compensated for and drifted down the leg side for another wide. The guessing game began for Hodge, and he ultimately guessed wrong. Sreesanth got his next ball exactly right, and the ball swung back into Hodge and trapped him lbw. Hodge appeared to be deceived by the surprise straight one.
Michael Clarke then joined Hayden at the crease, and the pair set about consolidating, while also picking up any available runs by positive running and strokeplay. Once Clarke had settled and got away with a couple of airy fairy drives, he looked the part. His timing of the ball off his legs was impressive, and he began building his innings maturely, clearly aware of his crucial role in the middle order with both Ponting and Hussey on the sidelines.
Due to the precarious situation Australia were in after two early blows, Hayden was perhaps not as aggressive as he would have liked, initially. When it seemed he was getting into his stride, Sreesanth removed him in a similar way to how he did in the Twenty20. Hayden went for one of his muscled shots through the leg-side, which could also be referred to as a slog, but the ball crashed into his stumps.
Andrew Symonds stay was also a fairly brief one, he was deceived by a slower ball from Sreesanth and was struck on his pads. The technology suggesting it would have gone on to hit the wickets. It was an excellent change of pace from the fiery little Indian, who let go of the ball out of the side of his hand, in a leg-spin style delivery. Sreesanth had three wickets, and amidst some of his more wild deliveries were some very pacy swinging balls, swinging both ways at that.
At 90-4, Australia desperately needed a partnership, and that was what they got with the New South Wales team-mates, Clarke and Haddin.
Haddin is well known for his powerful striking in domestic cricket in Australia, and he is yet to transfer those skills to the international game, but this innings was a good indication of his abilities. His orthodox technique was sound, and the pair ran extremely well between the wickets. When the chance came for a boundary, they did not disappoint.
Clarke's footwork was outstanding, decisive in either shimmying down the track to Powar and Yuvraj, or going back, making use of the depth of his crease.
Powar's slow flighted deliveries, that got England into such a muddle earlier in the year, was not having the same effect on this pair, as they used their feet intelligently, combining power shots down the ground with deft deflections where there were no fielders. Haddin smashed him straight for a six, while Clarke cashed in on a couple of loose balls and hit the spinner for three sixes later in his next spell.
Irfan Pathan has regained his bowling action, and his accuracy and pace were both good, but India were struggling to contain Australia, who had consistently been just over five runs per over throughout, despite losing the early wickets.
Yuvraj finally removed Haddin, when he danced down the pitch and did not quite get there, yet he attempted a slog across the line which he missed and Dhoni did the rest. It was an important knock for the visitors, and Haddin's confidence at this level will surely grow from this.
Clarke brought his century up with a full toss gift from Powar which he deposited over mid wicket for a maximum. His traditional kiss of the badge ensued, and Clarke richly deserved all his plaudits for this mature showing at a ground he hugely enjoys, he made a century here on his Test debut. This innings was typical of Clarke, so strong through the on-side, and one particular straight drive off Zaheer demonstrated the exemplory timing he had found.
James Hopes was not going to hang around, and he plundered 37 off only 25 balls, before holding out to long on off Zaheer. He had played his part, and in the process they had broke the record for the highest sixth wicket partnership at Bangalore, they accumulated 73 in just eight overs. It was Hopes' first international appearance since he played against Bangladesh in April 2006, and this was a pretty decent start for him.
When a world class side is pushed into a corner, there is always someone that is willing to be counted and ensure his side reach respectability, in this case it was Clarke. They surpassed respectability with their final total of 307-7, with 87 coming off the final ten overs.
India's reply got off to a terrible start when Johnson removed Tendulkar for nought.
You can never entirely write India off, despite needing to chase down a daunting total, because of the quality in their line-up. Ganguly did not open, as he had picked up a hamstring injury while fielding, but there was still Dravid, Yuvraj and Dhoni to come.
It would perhaps have led to an exciting game of cricket, but it was the weather that decided this one.
Australia 307-7 (off 50 overs) Michael Clarke 130, Brad Haddin 69, James Hopes 37, Matthew Hayden 34 S.Sreesanth 3-55, Zaheer Khan 2-64
India 9-1 (off 2.4 overs)
Match Abandoned
(Cricket Web, 29/09/2007)
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=12&NewsIDAuto=4573&ImageURL=newsimages/michaelclarke8.jpg
Pakistan ease into the Final
Pakistan chased down New Zealand's modest total of 143, with more than an over to spare.
It was the same duo that saw them home against Australia, but the platform had already been set by Imran Nazir and Mohammad Hafeez, whose opening partnership of 60 ensured Pakistan were always in command.
In terms of the teams selections, Pakistan were buoyed when Mohammad Asif was passed fit to play, the only player missing was Salman Butt, he was replaced by Fawad Alam.
For New Zealand, Jeetan Patel was favoured on a pitch that looked like it may take some turn, and Chris Martin was the man to miss out. Also, Peter Fulton returned to the side at the expense of Nathan McCullum.
There were dark clouds around at the beginning of play, this following Daniel Vettori's decision to have a bat, and play only lasted 6.2 overs before the players were forced to return to the changing rooms. New Zealand had made a decent start, reaching 44-0, but will not have been too impressed by the enforced break, it came at a time when Brendon McCullum and Lou Vincent were getting set, and looking to up the run rate.
Asif bowled in good areas, and made life difficult for the Kiwi openers, not allowing them too many occasions to tee off and free their arms. Only four boundaries came during the first six powerplay overs.
Unfortunately for New Zealand, the break interrupted any fluency that was gathering, Fawad Alam removed Lou Vincent in his first over with a smart return catch, and McCullum also went a couple of overs later attempting to sweep Shahid Afridi.
From this stage on, New Zealand continued to lose wickets at a regular rate, integrated with the odd lusty blow.
Scott Styris had pulled Alam for a six in front of square, but could not make much more of a telling contribution, he was caught in the deep by Sohail Tanvir, attempting an expansive drive over the top off the ever impressive Umar Gul.
Pakistan have regularly used Gul in the second half of the innings, and allowed him to bowl his four overs unchanged. His variety of short balls and yorkers, has been clever, and very few batsmen have been able to counter Gul's accuracy.
After removing Styris, Gul then removed Fulton two balls later, the Kiwi offered a comfortable chance to Shoaib Malik in covers.
Craig McMillan had come in with only 6.3 overs remaining, this is the man that has done so much damage for New Zealand, but now felt the pressure to rescue his side to a reasonable total immediately.
He stayed long enough to work Gul for a four, then smash Alam over long off for a six. However, Alam enjoyed the last word dismissing him two balls later with McMillan attempting another big shot over long off, but this time failed to get the distance.
Jacob Oram was caught behind going for huge slash over the off side, that gave Gul his third wicket, and he finished with the highly commendable figures of 3-15 off four overs.
New Zealand are invariable good runners between the wickets, but communication was the cause for the fall of the next two wickets. Both Daniel Vettori and Shane Bond sacrificed their wickets after mix-ups with Ross Taylor.
Taylor redeemed himself to a degree, when he took Asif for 17 in the final over of the innings. But a total of 143 always looked as though it was going to be some way short of testing this Pakistani line up.
What New Zealand needed to have any chance was early wickets, and Pakistan have had a tendency to gift sides such luxuries in previous games.
This time was different, as Imran Nazir's shot selection was much improved, and Hafeez once again looked in good nick. They completed their highest opening partnership of the tournament when they reached 60 without loss, off seven overs.
They were always ahead of the run rate, which eased any pressure on the incoming batsmen.
Nazir had called for a runner very early on in his innings, and if it was an injury from a previous game, Vettori was very sporting in allowing him one here.
Nazir rode his luck, batting in the style he does, he will need a degree of luck to make a big score. He flashed at a drive early that went between McCullum and Styris in first slip.
It was Hafeez with the big shots early, spanking Bond for a six over mid wicket, before hitting Mark Gillespie back over his head for another maximum in the following over.
Then Nazir joined in, skipping down the track to flick Vettori over cow corner for another half a dozen.
Styris came into the attack and made an immediate impression, offering the Kiwi's some feint hope, when Hafeez was adjudged, correctly so, lbw for 32.
Younis Khan joined Nazir, but was content to watch the young entertainer from the non-strikers end.
Further sixes ensued for Nazir, Vettori and Styris disappeared over long off, and Oram suffered two more in consecutive deliveries, the first being a touch more conventional over long on to bring up his fifty off 38 balls. His second was a top edge over McCullums head.
Ross Taylor's guilt will have grown as the Oram over progressed, he had a comfortable opportunity to dismiss Nazir with Oram's first ball, instead he dropped him at long off, as he has done surprisingly frequently during this tournament.
Jeetan Patel finally removed Nazir, when he wrapped him on the pads going for a sweep.
Younis Khan and Shahid Afridi both fell cheaply, and New Zealand had a slight sniff of rescuing this game. However, Misbah-ul-Haq and captain Shoaib Malik forged another intelligent partnership, and saw Pakistan home with a certain amount of ease. Malik hammered a six off Patel to finish the game in style.
New Zealand had under performed with the bat, been sloppy at times in the field, and were a touch too inconsistent with the ball, barring Daniel Vettori who has been one of the pick of the bowlers throughout the tournament.
Pakistan were deserved victors, and will watch on eagerly the second semi-final. They have already beaten Australia in the competition, and a potential meeting with India with whet the appetite for all concerned.
New Zealand 143-8 (20 overs) Ross Taylor 38*Umar Gul 3-15, Fawad Alam 2-29
Pakistan 147-4 (18.5 overs) Imran Nazir 59, Mohammad Hafeez 32 Scott Styris 1-14, Daniel Vettori 1-22
Pakistan win by 6 wickets
Cricket Web Man of the Match : Umar Gul
(Cricket Web, 22/09/2007)
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=2&NewsIDAuto=4547
It was the same duo that saw them home against Australia, but the platform had already been set by Imran Nazir and Mohammad Hafeez, whose opening partnership of 60 ensured Pakistan were always in command.
In terms of the teams selections, Pakistan were buoyed when Mohammad Asif was passed fit to play, the only player missing was Salman Butt, he was replaced by Fawad Alam.
For New Zealand, Jeetan Patel was favoured on a pitch that looked like it may take some turn, and Chris Martin was the man to miss out. Also, Peter Fulton returned to the side at the expense of Nathan McCullum.
There were dark clouds around at the beginning of play, this following Daniel Vettori's decision to have a bat, and play only lasted 6.2 overs before the players were forced to return to the changing rooms. New Zealand had made a decent start, reaching 44-0, but will not have been too impressed by the enforced break, it came at a time when Brendon McCullum and Lou Vincent were getting set, and looking to up the run rate.
Asif bowled in good areas, and made life difficult for the Kiwi openers, not allowing them too many occasions to tee off and free their arms. Only four boundaries came during the first six powerplay overs.
Unfortunately for New Zealand, the break interrupted any fluency that was gathering, Fawad Alam removed Lou Vincent in his first over with a smart return catch, and McCullum also went a couple of overs later attempting to sweep Shahid Afridi.
From this stage on, New Zealand continued to lose wickets at a regular rate, integrated with the odd lusty blow.
Scott Styris had pulled Alam for a six in front of square, but could not make much more of a telling contribution, he was caught in the deep by Sohail Tanvir, attempting an expansive drive over the top off the ever impressive Umar Gul.
Pakistan have regularly used Gul in the second half of the innings, and allowed him to bowl his four overs unchanged. His variety of short balls and yorkers, has been clever, and very few batsmen have been able to counter Gul's accuracy.
After removing Styris, Gul then removed Fulton two balls later, the Kiwi offered a comfortable chance to Shoaib Malik in covers.
Craig McMillan had come in with only 6.3 overs remaining, this is the man that has done so much damage for New Zealand, but now felt the pressure to rescue his side to a reasonable total immediately.
He stayed long enough to work Gul for a four, then smash Alam over long off for a six. However, Alam enjoyed the last word dismissing him two balls later with McMillan attempting another big shot over long off, but this time failed to get the distance.
Jacob Oram was caught behind going for huge slash over the off side, that gave Gul his third wicket, and he finished with the highly commendable figures of 3-15 off four overs.
New Zealand are invariable good runners between the wickets, but communication was the cause for the fall of the next two wickets. Both Daniel Vettori and Shane Bond sacrificed their wickets after mix-ups with Ross Taylor.
Taylor redeemed himself to a degree, when he took Asif for 17 in the final over of the innings. But a total of 143 always looked as though it was going to be some way short of testing this Pakistani line up.
What New Zealand needed to have any chance was early wickets, and Pakistan have had a tendency to gift sides such luxuries in previous games.
This time was different, as Imran Nazir's shot selection was much improved, and Hafeez once again looked in good nick. They completed their highest opening partnership of the tournament when they reached 60 without loss, off seven overs.
They were always ahead of the run rate, which eased any pressure on the incoming batsmen.
Nazir had called for a runner very early on in his innings, and if it was an injury from a previous game, Vettori was very sporting in allowing him one here.
Nazir rode his luck, batting in the style he does, he will need a degree of luck to make a big score. He flashed at a drive early that went between McCullum and Styris in first slip.
It was Hafeez with the big shots early, spanking Bond for a six over mid wicket, before hitting Mark Gillespie back over his head for another maximum in the following over.
Then Nazir joined in, skipping down the track to flick Vettori over cow corner for another half a dozen.
Styris came into the attack and made an immediate impression, offering the Kiwi's some feint hope, when Hafeez was adjudged, correctly so, lbw for 32.
Younis Khan joined Nazir, but was content to watch the young entertainer from the non-strikers end.
Further sixes ensued for Nazir, Vettori and Styris disappeared over long off, and Oram suffered two more in consecutive deliveries, the first being a touch more conventional over long on to bring up his fifty off 38 balls. His second was a top edge over McCullums head.
Ross Taylor's guilt will have grown as the Oram over progressed, he had a comfortable opportunity to dismiss Nazir with Oram's first ball, instead he dropped him at long off, as he has done surprisingly frequently during this tournament.
Jeetan Patel finally removed Nazir, when he wrapped him on the pads going for a sweep.
Younis Khan and Shahid Afridi both fell cheaply, and New Zealand had a slight sniff of rescuing this game. However, Misbah-ul-Haq and captain Shoaib Malik forged another intelligent partnership, and saw Pakistan home with a certain amount of ease. Malik hammered a six off Patel to finish the game in style.
New Zealand had under performed with the bat, been sloppy at times in the field, and were a touch too inconsistent with the ball, barring Daniel Vettori who has been one of the pick of the bowlers throughout the tournament.
Pakistan were deserved victors, and will watch on eagerly the second semi-final. They have already beaten Australia in the competition, and a potential meeting with India with whet the appetite for all concerned.
New Zealand 143-8 (20 overs) Ross Taylor 38*Umar Gul 3-15, Fawad Alam 2-29
Pakistan 147-4 (18.5 overs) Imran Nazir 59, Mohammad Hafeez 32 Scott Styris 1-14, Daniel Vettori 1-22
Pakistan win by 6 wickets
Cricket Web Man of the Match : Umar Gul
(Cricket Web, 22/09/2007)
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=2&NewsIDAuto=4547
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