Willow and Leather - A Cricket Blog

49 more to go

2009-11-07T18:18:00.000-08:00

About 40 odd minutes to go for the start of the 6th ODI at Guwahati. There was a lot of buzz before the previous game about Sachin reaching 17000 ODI runs. How come I don't see anything in the news media now about him being 49 runs short of 30,000 runs at the international level?

"Paddy did it"

2009-09-25T13:13:00.000-07:00

Courtesy: Cricinfo

"The leaked article was compiled by Paddy Upton and provided information for the players on relationship between sexual activity and sports performance. I never wrote the article and read it for the first time two days ago. It has never been and never will be part of team strategy," Kirsten said. "I have been deeply disturbed by these false allegations and wish to focus my attention on helping Team India have a successful Champions Trophy."

The Indian media did what the Indian media does best. There is no surprise in that. Gary should have known this by now. There is no point being disturbed by such allegations. This would definitely not be the last time that someone would ask him to resign.

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Day 1 - Snippets

2009-09-25T11:18:00.000-07:00

While the buzz is on in India for tomorrow's clash against Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy, the inaugural season of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy - also known as the "100% desi" (no franchises, no foreign exports) Indian Domestic T20 Championship - quietly got underway today. Now how many of you knew that such a tournament existed? There were 3 games, all South Zone games, that were played on the opening day. While the mainstream media is busy covering the Champions Trophy, I'm gonna try and bring in some snippets from the SMA Trophy

Game 1: Andhra vs Hyderabad

Result: Hyderabad won by 10 runs.

Hyderabad's Innings: Hyderabad was asked to bat first and made 176/5. Ambati Rayudu, playing in his first "recognized" T20 game after leaving ICL, scored 53 off 34 balls. Seems like he hasn't been signed by any IPL team yet - he is too classy a player to not to be signed yet. Wicket-Keeper Abhinav Kumar made a better than 2runs-a-ball half century. When was the last time you came across a wicket-keeper who couldn't bat? Paidikalva Vijay Kumar, who made a fairly decent impression for Deccan Chargers in their dismal IPL-1 campaign, was taken to the cleaners and ended up with none for 45 off his 4 overs.

Andhra's Innings: Venu Rao made no score while his kid brother Gnani Rao made 71 off 41. For Hyderabad - Arjun, Absolem and Pragyan bowled well for a combined returns of 5 for 73 off their 12 overs.

Game 2: Kerala vs Tamil Nadu
Result: Tamil Nadu won by 49 runs

Tamil Nadu's Innings: Murali Vijay won the toss and elected to bat. It is interesting that Badri isn't the captain. R Satish who captained the Chennai Super Kings in the ICL would have been another choice to lead in this form of the game. Vijay made 54. He has been a bit off-color after his impressive international test debut. He needs to have a good domestic season to keep the national selectors interested in him. Arun Karthik scored a half-century as well (btw, did you guys know that Arun made his List-A debut playing for Badureliya Sports Club in the SriLankan Domestic League). Sreesanth, fresh off a reasonably successful stint with Warwickshire ended up giving away 37 off his 3 overs.

Kerala's Innings: The Kerala batsmen were never really in the chase. R Ashwin's off-spin yielded 3/16. Balaji was his usual economical self.

Game 3: Goa vs Karnataka
Result: Goa won by 10 runs (first real upset of the tournament)

Goa's innings: Goa won the toss. Swapnil Asnodkar was his merry self at the top of the order and raked up 71 off 48 balls. S Sriram, back from a stint with the ICL made 20 off 16. Anil Kumble who is using this tournament as a practice-run for the Champions league was fairly expensive - going at about 10 an over off his full quota. Stuart Binny ended up with impressive figures of 2/26. He is one player who really benefited from playing in the ICL. His stock his risen considerably after his impressive contributions for the Hyderabad Heroes.

Karnataka's innings: After having just played the KPL, you would think that Karnataka should have easily chased down the target. Young Manish Pandey was the top-scorer with 44. Uthappa, coming in at No.4 hit a couple of sixes, but got out in the 16th over with still 50 runs more to get. In the end, they fell short by 10 runs.

Some Bravo Trivia

2009-06-22T18:13:00.000-07:00

There is a very strong likelihood that both Dwayne and Darren would be playing alongside each other in the upcoming ODI series against India. Name which other Santa Cruz brothers-duo represented the West-Indies together in an international game.

Show/Hide Answer

Jeffrey Stollmeyer and Victor Stollmeyer played a test match against England in 1939

"Bravo - Double Impact" in store for India?

2009-06-20T18:53:00.000-07:00

Dwayne Bravo single-handedly won the game against India in the Super-Eights of the T20 WC (the game which was the beginning of the end for the defending champions). Now it seems that India would have to counter 2 Bravos in the upcoming one-day series. Dwayne's younger brother is in the team selected to play the first couple of games. Darren, a left-handed batsman played in the last under-19 WC in Malaysia that Virat Kohli and co. won. In the one game that the WI played against India in that tournament, Darren was the top-scorer for WI and he was run-out for 43 by Ravindra -I'm-sorry-I-couldn't-get-out- Jadeja. Hope Jadeja's first-hand knowledge about Darren would help formulate some plans to counter the lesser-known Bravo.

When the 4th M came to the party..

2009-06-19T12:58:00.000-07:00

On what is supposedly the happiest day of the year, the smiling assassins from the emerald isle brought a great deal of joy to their supporters. Everyone knew that it would be hard to get Malinga, Mendis and Murali away, but who would have thought that young Mathews would bowl a dream first over - 3 wkts in 5 balls in the first over and the Windies never recovered from that triple blow. What a tournament this former under-19 captain is having - some top-order wickets, some late-order runs and some outstanding fielding efforts. Shah Rukh must be wondering why he (and Mendis) didn't play like this in the IPL.

On a side note, there was some joy for the people of Kolkata too. Dada made his debut as a commentator for ESPN and I must say had a fairly impressive first day.

Duminy does a Jadeja

2009-06-18T13:06:00.000-07:00

There will be a lot of talk in the media about how Albie was wasting his time whiling away in the dugout while Duminy was scratching around in the middle. But as young Ravi Jadeja will tell you, it just isn't easy to get out, especially when you really want to hit out or get out. In T20 games like these, it might just be prudent for a player to retire himself out of the middle if he cannot get out. You might see a few future T20 captains trying to do that - forcing a player who is struggling to get a move on to get retired out (The last time I saw this happen in an international game was in a game between SL and BNG)

KKR's new coach

2009-06-17T18:32:00.000-07:00

Courtesy Cricinfo :

Kolkata Knight Riders, the IPL team that finished last this season, are understood to have decided to remove John Buchanan as their coach and have begun sounding out possible replacements.

Buchanan, Kolkata's director of cricket operations, and Joy Bhattacharya, the team director, refused to confirm the development but the former Australia coach said he would comment on the issue within the next 48 hours. Steve Waugh and Dav Whatmore are among the possible replacements, as well as some Indian candidates, who have been contacted by franchise officials.

Steve Waugh would be a tempting pick, given his success as a captain and his strong Kolkata connection (via udayan). Dave Whatmore on the other hand is a safer bet, given his work at the NCA and his experience as an international coach. I would go with Dave for the simple reason that he understands the sub-continental cricketer (a lot better than Steve).

... thooch.. lets try again..

2009-04-18T03:18:00.000-07:00

Just before the coin was about to be tossed, Dhoni called time-out. He rushed off, grabbed a pen and made a quick change to the playing-eleven on the team-sheet. Something on the pitch gave him second thoughts? I don't know. T20 is all about quick thinking and the WC winning captain knows a thing or two about making decisions on a spur. Poor Ravi Shastri. Because of the false start, he had to welcome the crowd all over again.

A very disappointed Kaif

2009-04-18T02:59:00.000-07:00

No, not Katrina. She would be cheering for Mallya's team. It is that less-glamorous name-sake of hers that I'm talking about.
Courtesy: DNA India

It is learnt that on Tuesday afternoon Kaif got the call from the team management. When Warne dropped the bombshell that he "wasn't in their scheme of things", Kaif was stunned. The seven players, who were told to pack their bags, were called individually for an interaction with Warne and Co.

According to sources, Kaif was upset on two counts. He couldn't hide his disappointment when he realised that he would play no part. Also, he couldn't understand why the Royals captain-cum-coach did not tell him earlier that his services would not be required.

"If Kaif was informed ahead of the transfer window that ran from December 22 to January 22 that he may not make the final squad then he could have considered playing for another team. Seven other squads were looking for players," the source added

Kaif does have a reason to be disappointed.If he wasn't really in the RR's scheme of things, he should have been told about it ahead of the transfer window. There are much less talented Indian players in the other teams and it is kinda sad that one of the most prolific Indian domestic players wouldn't be on view in this edition. I know that there are some people who would tag him as a long-duration-game player, but I do think he has more to offer in the other forms too.

Eye Pee Yell

2009-04-18T02:41:00.000-07:00

Less than an hour to go for the first game of the new season. It does seem like the weather would have a say on today's games. Keep your gloves crossed. It is going to be one cracking tournament. I just can't wait to see Dhoni and Sachin walk out to test their probability skills with the toss.

Broad Revenge

2008-11-13T19:57:00.000-08:00

Gambhir has been in terrific form of late. Modern players realize the importance of cashing in when they are in a rich vein of form. So it is understandable that Gambhir was hurt and disappointed for being banned for the Nagpur test. There is no room for any sort of elbow-action on the cricket field and Broad Sr. did the right thing in handing out the ban.

India is 43/0 in 7 overs at Rajkot and young Stuart Broad has already been taken out of the attack because Gambhir seems to have decided to let his bat take some broad revenge.

Fab-4 in the Top-6

2008-10-30T12:00:00.000-07:00

During the course of Laxman's unbeaten double-century knock, he leap-frogged a couple of places (over Azhar and Vishy) in the all-time list of top Indian run-makers in Test Cricket. He is now in the 6th place and that means that the "Fab-Four" now occupies 4 slots in the top 6 Indian run-makers. The Indian middle-order will have this distinction for just one more test - so cherish it while it lasts..

Lawson gets his wish.. almost

2008-06-10T09:35:00.000-07:00

"I would like to score a 150-run win over India on Tuesday."
Geoff Lawson, the Pakistan coach

Almost there. Missed by just 10 runs (albeit the other way) - would be nice to know what he would like to score in the next game.. How about a 10-wkt win?

Bracelet impact?

2008-06-06T12:34:00.000-07:00

Courtesy: ANI

A small fabric bracelet is England cricketers’ latest secret weapon that has boosted their performance levels.

The Trion-Z ‘magic’ bands are being tried by the team after cricketers James Anderson and Stuart Broad said they were huge fans of the bracelet.

Using incredibly high-powered magnets, the bracelets are medically proven to increase blood flow around the body, improving concentration levels and rates of cell-regeneration.

Stuart Broad and James Anderson registered their career best test scores with the bat. Anderson followed it up with a career-best bowling performance. Guess, it is time Bracewell bought a few bracelets for his wards.

Search for the next reality Cricket Star

2008-06-06T04:53:00.000-07:00

Courtesy: Samachar/PTI

Australian spin legend Shane Warne will oversee the selection trials of the third season of a nationwide talent hunt, the winner of which would get a contract with the Rajasthan Royals team in the 2010 Indian Premier League.

'Cricket Star Twenty20' was launched by Royals team owners Emerging Media on Thursday.

Warne, who is the captain-cum-coach of Rajasthan Royals, and Emerging Media Chairman Manoj Badale unveiled the Cricket Star Twenty20 Season 3 trophy.

The boys chosen through the hunt will be a part of the Cricket Star Academy and will also have the chance to interact, train and play with the Rajasthan Royals team.

If you haven't played first class cricket and if you haven't represented India at the under-19 level and if you aren't Lalu and Rabri's son and if you really want to get an IPL contract as a player, this is what you need to be participating in.

Keralathinte Sreesanth

2008-06-06T04:35:00.000-07:00

Courtesy:Express India/Agencies

A book on Indian pace bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, titled Keralathinte Sreesanth written by Malayalam daily Mathrubhumi's Sports Magazine editor K Viswanath, was released in Kochi.

Do you think Harbhajan Singh was approached to write the "ForeWord" for this book? Would be nice if it has (dont think it is there though) a chapter on the impact of the "slap" and how it transformed Sree from a clown to a serious ambassador of his state.

A great day for Delhi Cricket

2008-01-20T04:17:00.000-08:00

Yesterday (Jan 19 '08) turned out to be a great day for Delhi cricketers. The Ranji team emerged victorious in the domestic trophy finals after 16 years. Viru Sehwag and young Ishant Sharma played key roles in India's historic win at Perth. And also their other 19-year old star, Virat Kohli led the Indian under-19 team to a test-series win against South Africa in South Africa.

How can they?

2007-07-09T07:52:00.000-07:00

Courtesy: Rediff

"How can your selectors drop a bowler of Harbhajan Singh's quality? He has taken wickets in a heap against the best sides. That is the hallmark of a great bowler," a surprised Saqlain said.

What Saqlain (the new Brit) is trying to say here is this -"How can the Pakistani selectors drop a bowler of Saqlain Mushtaq's quality?".

India's tour of Bangladesh '07: Test Series - Grades

2007-06-07T09:21:00.000-07:00

Part 1
Part 2

India's tour of Bangladesh '07: ODI Series - Grades

2007-06-07T09:18:00.000-07:00

Part 1
Part 2

England's next best thing?

2007-06-07T09:10:00.000-07:00

James Alexander Russell Harris

Hope the Welsh teenager goes the Fredalo.. sorry (I never uttered that word).. the Freddie way.

The Ranji-Duleep Trophy

2007-05-30T12:20:00.000-07:00

Read it here.

Looking Ahead: The likely five

2007-05-30T12:18:00.000-07:00

Read it here.

Whatmore? Say Who?

2007-05-24T14:44:00.000-07:00

Kapil Dev, who once asked, "Who is John Wright?", now asks, "Who is whatmore?".

Paaji, you ask too many questions..

Whatmore is a SriLankan born Aussie cricketer, who coached a world-cup winning SriLankan team and is now very likely to coach your home team. What more do you want to know ji?