Harbhan in Trouble Again!

Even after the completing tour of Australia--famous for controversies, Australian players, board and media try to put pressure on Indian team especially Harbhajan. It was reported in the Australian media that Bhajji called Hayden a liar and mentioned that Gilchrist is not as good as everyone thinks in the on-field behavior.

Australian Board, Cricket Australia has written a letter to BCCI asking them to talk to Harbhajan and restrain him from creating new controversies / issues by talking about the completed tour of Australia. They wanted BCCI to handle this as they did it with Hayden.

BCCI has confirmed that they have received the letter and have asked Bhajji to not talk about the past issues! Bhajji has agreed for the same!

Cricket News and Records

Dear Friends,

Please visit the below URL for complete and up-to-date news and records and other details related to cricket! Sorry, this site is not updated!
http://cricketnewsandrecords.blogspot.com/
See you there!

Regards,

CBS - India v. Australia

Weather God Helped Whom?

The first match of the Commonwealth Bank Series between India and Australia was washed out due to rain! The match, though looked like going in favor of Australia during the middle overs of Indian batting, after the rain, the match swung in favor of India.

You never know the next moment in a rain impacted match. The team batting first may score 350 in 50 overs, but the team batting second may need to score 250 in 30 overs, but they have all the 10 wickets in hand. So, the chase could be little easy.

India won the toss and decided to bat first--a brave decision by captain Dhoni, considering the experience of the team. Shewag and Sachin opened the innings as expected and the start was good, but could have been better. Shewag's try to square cut the Bracken's delivery took in the inside edge of the bat and knocked the bails. Sachin was out strangely, the first ever time--hit wicket. Though Gambir and Rohit Sharma played well and added some score, it didn't last for long. The lower batting order also collapsed.

Rain stopped play and the overs was reduced to 45 a side leaving India with 9 overs when play started. Dhoni added few valuable runs, but Lee was demolishing with his superb bowling performance. India finished with 194 in 45 overs loosing all wickets.

Rain delayed the Australian innings and the target was revised to 141 in 26 overs.
Ishant Sharma's superb in-swinger removed Hopes's off stump and Sressanth's outswinger leavin the right hander, taking Pointings edge was the hall mark of Indian bowling. Rain stopped play when Austraia were 51 for 3 in 7.2 overs. Match was called off! Each team finished with 2 points each.

Final Score:

India 194 in 45 overs (Gambhir 39; Sharma 29; Dhoni 37; Harbhajan 27; Lee 5 for 27) match abandoned due to rain; Australia target 141 in 26 overs (D/L method) 51 for 3 in 7.2 overs (Hopes 17; Sreessanth 2 for 17)

Ricky and Australia Take Sweet Revenge in 20-20!

India lost the 20-20 match against Australia by 9 wickets and close to 9 overs spare. After winning the toss, I thought they will choose to bowl, but to my surprise, they batted first. With the inexperienced batting line up in Australian grounds, I would have bowled first. Anyway, they didn't bat well and nothing the bowlers can do.

No one except Irfan Pathan scored double digit figure. He batted sensibly and no one was there to play the full quota of 20 overs. It looked like a practice area for catching. The turning point of the match was the run out of Shewag, which of course was created by the great fielding by MJ Clarke. He should be given full credit for the wonderful fielding and direct hit at non-stricker's end when Shewag took a risk for a single.

I would advise Sreesanth to have his performance talk rather than his mouth and temperament talking. His performance should definitely improve as his experience is very less compared to the great players in the history of cricket. He is not McGrath, Lee, Akram or a Kapil to have his emotions talk rather than his performance.

The score card is given below:

Played at Melbourne Cricket Ground on 1 February 2008 - day/night (20-over match) - Toss: India; Captains: India-MS Dhoni; Australia-Ricky Pointing; Australia won by 9 wickets with 52 balls spare; Man of the Match: MJ Clarke; Umpires: BNJ Oxenford and SJA Taufel

India 73 all out in 17.3 overs (IK Pathan 26; NW Bracken 3 for 11; AC Voges 2 for 5) lost to Australia 75 for 1 in 11.2 overs (AC Gilchrist 25; MJ Clarke 37 NO; BJ Hodge 10 NO)

Hope the young and less experienced Indian team would learn from the mistakes and look for a good start in the Commonwealth Bank Series tournament that starts on February 3, 2008.

What's Happening in West Indies Cricket Team?

It is not a good series for West Indies, which once was the dangerous team to play against. They were the world champions twie in the shorter version of the game, but that glory was not maintained well by the successors!

After the 1983 world cup, I would say, West Indies team's collapse started and there was less occassions where they won comfortably--either it be a match or a series. So many captains after Lloyd lead the team--Richardson, Walsh, Lara, Jimmy Adams, Carl Hooper, Ridley Jacobs, Chandra Paul, Ramesh Sarwan, Daren Ganga, Chris Gayle, and Dawne Bravo.

It is indeed a bad opening in 2008 for West Indies against the mighty South African. This 5-0 white wash should be removed from the memory and just the learnings should be carried forward. The West Indies Cricekt Board and the cricket supporters in and around the world, should treated it as an investment to the future!

The Short Scores of this Series:

1st ODI:

Played at SuperSport Park, Centurion, on 20 January 2008 (36-over match) - Toss won by South Africa; Captains: South Africa--GC Smith; West Indies--DJ Bravo; South Africa won by 6 wickets with 12 balls to spare; Man of the Match: JP Duminy; Umpires: DJ Harper and RE Koertzen

West Indies 175 all out in 35.5 overs (RS Morton 41; DJG Sammy 51; DW Steyn 2 for 24; A Nel 2 for 36) lost South Africa 176 for 4 in 34 overs (JH Kallis 24; JP Duminy 79 NO; MV Boucher 26 NO)

2nd ODI:

Played at Newlands, Cape Town, on 25 January 2008 - day/night (50-over match) - Toss won by South Africa; Captains: South Africa--GC Smith; West Indies--DJ Bravo; South Africa won by 86 runs; Man of the Match: SMPollock; Umpires: DJ Harper and BG Jerling

South Africa 255 for 9 in 50 overs (GS Smith 86; AB de Villiers 45; JP Duminy 68; JE Jaylor 4 for 34) beat West Indies 169 all out in 48.2 overs (S Chattergoon 34; S Chandrapaul 54; M Morkel 4 for 36; SM Pollock 2 for 13; CK Langeveldt 2 for 28)

3rd ODI:

Played at St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, on 27 January 2008 (50-over match) - Toss won by West Indies; Captains: South Africa--GC Smith; West Indies--DJ Bravo; South Africa won by 7 wickets with 8 balls to spare; Man of the Match: JH Kallis; Umpires: DJ Harper and IL Howell

West Indies 252 for 7 in 50 overs (S Chattergoon 52; PA Browne 35; MN Samuels 98; J Botha 2 for 29) lost South Africa 256 for 3 in 48.4 overs (GC Smith 56; JH Kallis 121 NO; JP Duminy 36 NO)

4th ODI:

Played at Kingsmead, Durban, on 1 February 2008 - day/night (50-over match) - Toss won by West Indies; Captains: South Africa--GC Smith; West Indies--DJ Bravo; South Africa won by 5 wickets with 13 balls to spare; Man of the Match: AB de Villiers; Umpires: DJ Harper and IL Howell

West Indies 263 for 9 in 50 overs (BA Parchment 48; S Chattergoon 48; S Chandrapaul 28; PA Browne 34; JE Taylor 43 NO; A Nel 2 for 44; M Morkel 2 for 60) lost South Africa 266 for 5 in 47.5 overs (GC Smith 50; HH Gibbs 39; AB de Villiers 77; JP Duminy 44; DJ Bravo 2 for 31)

5th ODI:

Played at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, on 3 February 2008 (50-over match) - Toss won by South Africa; Captains: South Africa--GC Smith; West Indies--DJ Bravo; South Africa won by 8 wickets with 13 balls spare by D/L method; Man of the Match: HH Gibbs; Umpires: DJ Harper and BG Jerling

West Indies 295 for 7 in 50 overs (DS Smith 91; S Chandrapaul 51, PA Browne 49 NO; DJ Bravo 40; RN Lewis 28 NO; CK Langeveldt 3 for 61) lost to South Africa 211 for 2 in 28.5 overs (HH Gibbs 102; JH Kallis 74 NO; DBL Powell 2 for 39)

South Africa Won the Series - 5-0
Man of the Series: JP Duminy (South Africa) and SM Pollock (South Africa)

Would Ricky Succeed in Revenge?

Indians hold 100% record against the Aussies in 20-20 games. Would Ricky succeed in taking the revenge this time at least? He was not successful in the accusation against Harbhajan, so he has another chance for showing it in the field. Would he succeed?

AUS Players Will Be Fined or Banned!

Though I am an Indian, I respect good cricket and cricketers. The comments about “India loosing respect” in Australia are not a good for both Australia and India. I see it as an immature comment. The entire cricket world knows "Who is the master in Sledging?" The only solace to Australia is that they were never caught--either due to no official complaint or biased decisions by referee. Few questions to ask:

1. How did you believe Ricky's word when he lied on the cricket field, just for winning?
2. How did you believe Clark's word for the same reason--till date, he didn't accept his mistake?
3. How do you rate Ricky's behavior during press conference?
4. Did scrapping the agreement between captains a good sign for Australia? Didn't it show that nobody in the world can trust and believe Australian Cricketers, though we have people like Gilly;
5. Do Australians teach good things to their kids and next generation? If yes, how come they teach bad words and sledging when they play cricket?
6. What about Ricky and his team's behavior in India, pushing the sports minister?
7. Mr. Waugh and Mr. Chappell mentioned that, "that's how they play cricket" But do you curse and sledge your guests?What about Hayden's four letter S word?
8. Why did Symonds interfere without knowing what Harbhajan was talking to Brett Lee?

In fact, to be honest, a person believing in God and acting according to his consciousness, would do the following:

1. Ban Ricky for at least 5 Test Matches for lying and not controlling his team;
2. Ban Clark for at least 3 Test Matches for lying on the field;
3. Ban Hayden for at least 1 Test Match and 25% match fee for giving false complaint and for using four letter S word and also for unnecessarily interfering in the argument;
4. Ban Symonds for at least 1 Test Match and 25% match fee for giving false complaint and for unnecessarily interfering, provoking the whole incident.

I do not think that ICC is bending to BCCI fearing financial loss! Any true human being will not punish anybody without proper and satisfying evidence. Can Dravid and Ganguly speak near the microphone as if Pointing and Clark called them Kangaroos? Going by this, calling Dravid, "The Wall" and Ganguly, "The Bengal Tiger" or "Dada" are also racist remark, which every commentator does.

With no evidence against Harbhajan, it is right to let him go, regardless of money playing its part.

IF THIS CONTINUES, BEWARE AUSSIES, ALL THE TEAMS ARE READY TO COMPLAIN ABOUT YOU, IN CASE IF YOU USE BAD WORD OR SLEDGE ANYBODY!

If other team starts complaining about Aus Players, I am sure in the near future, you would see ALL OF THE AUS PLAYERS ARE EITHER FINED OR BANNED!

Sydney's Sadistic Story

WORLD CHAMPIONS, BUT NOT HONEST AND OPEN

What happened in the first test match of 2008 (the 2nd test) between Australia and India is a history that explained to the entire cricketing and other sports related world that EVEN WORLD CHAMPIONS WOULD DO ANYTHING TO WIN, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY WANTED TO CREATE A RECORD!

Few questions and points in my mind:

1. Why are the branded as sledging, because they are masters in it. Why are they focusing on sledging when they are supposed to play the sport?

2. Ricky claiming that he caught the ball (when Dhoni was batting) though TV replay showed that he grounded the ball? He questioned the reporter's presence and became emotional about his integrity! You are not an honest man, Ricky! If you are, at least after seeing TV replays, you should have come out openly and accepted the mistake! The courage is not in making mistakes, but in accepting it. You are not going to teach good things to your kids and grand kids! You forgot that you are a leader and looked up as an example by so many people in the world, including India.

3. Clarke, provided that he is the deputy of Ricky! He is the next captain of Australia and already learnt how to lie! He also didn't accept grounding the ball and not a good example to anyone in the world!

4. Steve Waugh claimed that it is not a sledging and it is a cultural difference. The way Cricket is played in Australia is by sledging and hurting others by words! Why is there a ball and bat in Cricket, Mr. Waugh? Why do you want to use your tongue to hurt others? Haven't your teachers' never taught you about speaking right things, having a clear and good mind! Please come to India to learn the basic values of human beings!

5. Greg Chappell: You are not fit to be a coach in any part of the world and in any game! The coach is in "Guru's" position--a teacher, who should teach to the disciples about being truth to self and others, honesty, open, learning from mistakes, accepting the mistakes with courage, etc. But, you started supporting the Aus team without looking into the facts! You are not a good example to any team and should resign from coaching! What would you tell your son / daughter / grand kids / neighbors, if they ask you, being a coach, why are you supporting sledging and talking bad words in the field? I am sure you would laugh, lie again, tell them, that's the world! Lessons of good things are only for others and who believe in inner soul and god. You were already a cheat and what to expect out of you! You bowled an underarm (calling it a tactic and presence of mind) I am sure you have never understood the terms "SPORTSMANSHIP" and "HONESTY"

India v. Pakistan - 1st Test - Day 1 Review

Venue: Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi, India
Test: 1st Test

Day 1 Review

Umpires: Simon Taufel and Billy Doctrove
Captains: Shoaib Malik (Pakistan) and Anil Kumble (India)
Toss: Pakistan
Pakistan Squad: 1. Salman Butt, 2. Yasir Hameed, 3. Younis Khan, 4. Mohammad Yousuf, 5. Shoaib Malik, 6. Misbah-ul-Haq, 7. Kamran Akmal, 8. Sohail Tanvir, 9. Mohammad Sami, 10. Shoaib Akhtar, 11. Danish Kaneria.
Indian Squad: 1. Wasim Jaffer, 2. Dinesh Karthik, 3. Rahul Dravid, 4. Sachin Tendulkar, 5. Sourav Ganguly, 6. VVS Laxman, 7. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), 8. Harbhajan Singh, 9. Anil Kumble, 10. Zaheer Khan, 11. Munaf Patel.
Score at the end of Day 1: Pakistan 210 for 8

Pakistan batting first after winning the toss, did not start the innings well. They lost the first five wickets for less than 100 runs. The first ball of the series was bowled by Zaheer Khan and Salman Butt faced it. It was way down the legside and no runs were scored. Pakistan got their first run through wide in the fourth delivery of the match, and the next ball was a four by Salman. Zaheer's last of ball of his 3rd over got the first wicket for India. Salman was bowled by a beautiful in-cutter which surprised Salman Butt and sent him to pavilon.

Though Younis and Yasir tried to steady the innings, the good bouncer by Zaheer in his 7th over last ball made Younis take the chance. He played a hook and Munaf at deep fine leg made no mistake in accepting the regular catch. Pakistan were 35/2.

Mohammad Yousuf joned Yasir and they played both sensibly. When the score for 59 for 2, Kumble, the first change bowler, through the tantalizing flighted delivery, knocked Yasir's stump. They both added 24 runs for the 3rd wicket.

Misbah-Ul-Haq joined Mohammad Yousuf and they stayed till lunch at 79 for 3. Soon after lunch, in the 2nd over, first ball, Ganguly trapped Mohammad Yousuf plumb in front. He was out for 27.

Skipper Shoaib too did not stay longer and did not score a run. He was pushing the outswinger of Munaf and was caught behind. This was a crucial wicket as the pressure started building in Pakistan camp. The score was 83 for 5.

Kamran Akmal and Misbah added 39 runs for the 6th wicket and they spent close to 15 overs in the crease. Kumble bowled Akmal through a quick delivery which kept low and hit the stump.

Sohail Tanvir didn't stay for long and was a victim of Harbhajan. The change of pace did the trick for Bhajji.

Shoaib Akhtar followed him soon to the dressing room. He was bowled by Kumble was 2.

Mohammad Sami and Misbah played the rest of the day for 31 overs and played very sensibly. They added 68 runs and ended the day.

India will be looking for early break through on day 2 and try to put a huge total on the board. India has high chance of winning if they bat sensibly and score more than 500 runs before end of day 3.

Short Score:

Pakistan 210 for 8 in 85.4 overs (Yasir Hameed 29; Mohammad Yousuf 27; Misbah-ul-Haq 71 batting; Kamran Akmal 30; Mohammad Sami 20 batting; Anil Kumble 3 for 38)