Something to be pleased about !

Enough has been said about the dismal Indian batting performance (once again !) and India's meek surrender to England in the concluded test series; a series which certainly belonged to the visitors and one which has elevated them to the No.2 Test team in the world, without doubt.

Although Indian seniors (I wil refrain from mentioning the names) let India down on the crucial final day of the test series, India can take pride of the fact that they have a potent FAST BOWLING attack which would help them perform better overseas. The emergence of Munaf Patel and Sreesanth has bolstered the Indian team which was always deprived of genuine quick bowlers. The ability of these two players to bowl wicket taking deliveries and constantly operate in the corridor of uncertainity is really heartening to see. In a series plagued with drop catches, the two bowlers kept pegging back at the batsmen and reaped huge rewards for showing great patience and perserverance.

Another heartening fact is that Dravid was willing to play five bowlers, contrary to the expectations of the cricket pundits. This reflected the Australian way of thinking and although India went on to lose the game, it was a bold step forward in Indian cricket. Probably the question to field first after winning the toss on a sub-continental wicket is debatable, but there must have been a definite strategy behind this; whatever it was it didn't work out in India's favour.

Cometh the Onedayers, India definitely has the upper hand, at least we wont see so many drop catches. With the bowling attack of both sides looking very potent and incisive, the seven one dayers should provide a fascinating contest between the bat and ball. The sub-continent heat will test both sides and the players must remain extremely fit to last the gruelling battle!

More to come.....

"Cricket is getting bizzare"

"Cricket is going bizzare..." thats what Herschelle Gibbs had to say when he received the Man of the match award in the recently concluded "greatest one day international". Flat tracks, small grounds and unskilled bowlers - these are the attributes which the cricketing pundits associate the modern day cricket with. Leave alone one dayers, even the test matches are beginning to go the batsman's way !

Its really disappointing to see no contest between the bat and the ball. When you look at the pitches provided for the India-Pakistan test matches (spare the Karachi wicket), just goes to show the mindset. It seems the bowlers are there to provide the batsmen with a full meal; help yourself, or as Boycott says "Buffet" bowling.

Gone are the times when the order of the day was "Win the toss..bat first..pile up runs..put pressure on the opposition". Today's cricket is about powerhitting. I will not be surprised if a team playes eleven batsmen. All you need is someone to roll their arm over, a genuine batsman or a bowler doesnt matter, they are all going to get tonged anyway.

But will that be cricket ???? Time wil tell.....