"To be or not to be" allowed is the question when it comes to Associate member participation in international cricket tournaments. The Australian Cricket Board and the ICC are not very popular with the associate members for their strong stance in curtailing the playing field to 10 teams in the 2015 World Cup.
Although the move may seem harsh on the associate members, it makes a lot of business sense. The ACB, unlike the BCCI, does not have an inexhaustible trove of sponsors. Moreover, there are far fewer sporting arenas for international cricket down under as opposed to India. Simply put, the ACB cannot afford to see more than 50% of the matches being mismatches and being watched by a handful of patrons in arenas like the MCG that seat more than 100000.
Of course, there are a couple of ways around this. Firstly, the ICC could make the World Cup a 16 team tournament with 4 groups of 4 each with the top 2 qualifying to the next round. In the next round the 8 qualifiers could be put in two groups of 4 with the top two in each group playing the semi finals. That would bring the total matches to 39 and still allowing more teams to participate.
From an economic perspective, the cricket boards could agree to host some group matches on club grounds. This is not something new. Before cricket started rolling in the big bucks, international matches were held at club grounds. If you don't believe me, check the ground where Kapil Dev made his epic 175* in the 1983 World Cup. Given modern broadcasting requirements, moving camera equipment to small grounds could be a hurdle. This, is however a logistics issue and not a technical hurdle. If the club grounds are chosen in and around a metropolis (Melbourne for example has a whole lot of such grounds like the one India played their warm up match on their last tour down under), the production teams could still move to and from such smaller grounds (India played their warm up at an oval with moderate stands and less than a couple of kilometers from the MCG!!)
Even small club grounds could have temporary tents set up for patrons and bring the cost of hosting the match down to a fraction of hosting it in a place like the MCG. The players' match fees could be footed by their respective boards with the ICC taking care of paying the Associate members' teams. In this way, the host nation could survive a whole lot of mismatches during the tournament from a monetary perspective.
The other risk is that of having a test playing nation being upset by a minnow at the group stage. Now, that might be a big threat when you have groups of 3 (ala 2007 World Cup) but with groups of 4, the risk is significantly reduced. With group matches starting simultaneously (ala Fifa world cup), every match could be afforded a reserve day in case of natural calamities.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Its ON!!
My last post sounded a warning to India about their World Cup opener. I felt, like many cricket pundits that the opener was more than a banana skin for the pre-tournament favorites, India.
However, I hadn't counted on Virender Sehwag treating this game as a revenge game. If I had known that, I would have never been so naive to sound out my warning to India. Now, that apocryphal banana skin has been dumped where it belongs - in the dust bin. Bangladesh have been appropriately down-sized as far as their tournament aspirations are concerned. Its a long tournament and Bangladesh still look good to make the quarter finals at the expense of West Indies or even England.
India still proved that their major handicap in this tournament would be the lack of an out and out strike bowler up front with some pace! It is for this very reason that I do not see India as my favorite to go all the way. Yes, India will make the semis along with Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka. Pakistan are the dark horses in this tournament but they are too mercurial to make my principal semi final line-up.
I am going to hang my neck out and make a bold prediction - Australia will not make it to the finals. They will falter in the semis. I know this prediction may come back to haunt me but I just feel, the Australia batting no longer evokes fear and inevitability in their opponents. Moreover, Australia no longer have a Warne to win them games from hopeless situations (ala WC96 semi final and WC99 semi final). I will not overlook their loss to India in the warm up match - that loss was most un-Australian as losses go - even if it was only a warm up! The team that could lose such a match, even in practice, does not seem likely to go all the way.
The team with the best balance is undoubtedly, South Africa. However, the Proteas have often flattered to deceive but this time, with a good spin attack (Johan Botha and Imran Tahir), I reckon, the Proteas to be the favorite to win the cup.
My money for the bowler of the series is on Brett Lee while the batsman of the series is more open to debate. Amla could be the one or even Kallis. I do hope, SRT will play some more memorable innings as he has so often done in bygone world cups.
Undoubtedly, I want India and especially SRT to win the cup. I would give anything to see a World Cup medal adorning the neck of my favorite cricketer, SRT. However, the mind does not agree with heart - cold logic suggests that India are extremely batting heavy - they have the weakest new ball attack amongst all the test playing nations.
From a team balance perspective, I expect the Proteas to go all the way. However, cricket, like any other sport is not pure skill and silverware isn't amenable to sporting logic. The silverware ultimately rests on the shoulders of those that want it most. It is that unsatiable hunger for the ultimate prize that finally claims the prize. Based on the evidence of the opening game, the Indian team seems like one on a single minded mission - to correct the wrongs of the last two world cups.
Undoubtedly, every other team is equally driven to win the trophy, but the initial evidence suggests that India just want it a wee bit more!! Ultimately, I hope my heart triumphs over the mind and the sheer support of more than 1 billion hearts brings triumph to India in WC2011.
However, I hadn't counted on Virender Sehwag treating this game as a revenge game. If I had known that, I would have never been so naive to sound out my warning to India. Now, that apocryphal banana skin has been dumped where it belongs - in the dust bin. Bangladesh have been appropriately down-sized as far as their tournament aspirations are concerned. Its a long tournament and Bangladesh still look good to make the quarter finals at the expense of West Indies or even England.
India still proved that their major handicap in this tournament would be the lack of an out and out strike bowler up front with some pace! It is for this very reason that I do not see India as my favorite to go all the way. Yes, India will make the semis along with Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka. Pakistan are the dark horses in this tournament but they are too mercurial to make my principal semi final line-up.
I am going to hang my neck out and make a bold prediction - Australia will not make it to the finals. They will falter in the semis. I know this prediction may come back to haunt me but I just feel, the Australia batting no longer evokes fear and inevitability in their opponents. Moreover, Australia no longer have a Warne to win them games from hopeless situations (ala WC96 semi final and WC99 semi final). I will not overlook their loss to India in the warm up match - that loss was most un-Australian as losses go - even if it was only a warm up! The team that could lose such a match, even in practice, does not seem likely to go all the way.
The team with the best balance is undoubtedly, South Africa. However, the Proteas have often flattered to deceive but this time, with a good spin attack (Johan Botha and Imran Tahir), I reckon, the Proteas to be the favorite to win the cup.
My money for the bowler of the series is on Brett Lee while the batsman of the series is more open to debate. Amla could be the one or even Kallis. I do hope, SRT will play some more memorable innings as he has so often done in bygone world cups.
Undoubtedly, I want India and especially SRT to win the cup. I would give anything to see a World Cup medal adorning the neck of my favorite cricketer, SRT. However, the mind does not agree with heart - cold logic suggests that India are extremely batting heavy - they have the weakest new ball attack amongst all the test playing nations.
From a team balance perspective, I expect the Proteas to go all the way. However, cricket, like any other sport is not pure skill and silverware isn't amenable to sporting logic. The silverware ultimately rests on the shoulders of those that want it most. It is that unsatiable hunger for the ultimate prize that finally claims the prize. Based on the evidence of the opening game, the Indian team seems like one on a single minded mission - to correct the wrongs of the last two world cups.
Undoubtedly, every other team is equally driven to win the trophy, but the initial evidence suggests that India just want it a wee bit more!! Ultimately, I hope my heart triumphs over the mind and the sheer support of more than 1 billion hearts brings triumph to India in WC2011.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
World Cup Warning
Its still very early to start writing about the ICC Cricket World Cup that opens with a Bangladesh v India clash at Dhaka in March 2011. I just happened to check the fixtures in that tournament and was a bit surprised that India will be taking on Bangladesh in Bangladesh in the tournament curtain-raiser!
I hate to sound uncharitable but the opener does not augur well for the pre-tournament favorites - India. Bangladesh at home are a formidable outfit and India may well face their most unsettling challenge of WC2010 right at the outset. India need to be at their best to get off to a winning start especially since they are in, what is popularly believed to be, the tougher group in the World Cup.
Then again, seeing how I was way off in predicting that Tendulkar would get a test triple ton in the Ind-NZ test series, I could be wrong here and India may well thump Bangladesh in the tournament opener. Still, I have sounded my post of warning for the hosts and hope that my fears are allayed early into the tournament!
I hate to sound uncharitable but the opener does not augur well for the pre-tournament favorites - India. Bangladesh at home are a formidable outfit and India may well face their most unsettling challenge of WC2010 right at the outset. India need to be at their best to get off to a winning start especially since they are in, what is popularly believed to be, the tougher group in the World Cup.
Then again, seeing how I was way off in predicting that Tendulkar would get a test triple ton in the Ind-NZ test series, I could be wrong here and India may well thump Bangladesh in the tournament opener. Still, I have sounded my post of warning for the hosts and hope that my fears are allayed early into the tournament!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Can SRT get a test triple and some more?!?!
Let me add a disclaimer outright that I am not one to put the jinx on SRT so do not go about blaming me if his form peters off as 2010 wears on! That being said, I wish to seriously consider if SRT can actually bring to fruition a billion dreams - well, actually its a single dream shared by at least a billion cricket fans - the dream of seeing SRT at the top of the highest test inning score list. For the uninitiated, that list in question, in currently topped by a Carribbean swashbuckler who answers to the name of Brian Charles Lara.
Truth be told, the highest ODI inning score list and the test inning score list are very close to being poetically correct - the ODI inning list is aptly led by SRT (200*) who is unequivocally the legend of the ODI format and the test list is headed by Lara (400*) who, most would agree, has been the premium match-winner in test cricket in the modern era - and what's more, the numbers themselves, (200* & 400*) add that extra element of symmetry that makes these lists aesthetically significant!
Personally, having witnessed SRT's struggle with fitness (and form to some extent) during 2006-2007, I had resigned myself to the fact that SRT would end his career big on aggregate runs but without any X-factor innings in his kitty. I was gladly proven wrong by his 200*. In the euphoria following that innings, there were many fans who thought a test triple or quadruple was a given after that 200*. I wasn't convinced and I had my reasons; I shall divulge these reasons here:
SRT got the 200* in an ODI, batting for 3 hours and scoring at 136 runs per 100 balls. In tests, SRT's strike rate is between 50 to 60 runs per 100 balls. Now, if SRT has to get to 400 runs in a single test innings, he would need to face, on average, 700 balls (approx). This translates to 120 overs which means, Team India would have to bat for at least 200 overs (bare minimum) and SRT would have to bat for at least 2 days in a test match. Phew.....hmmmpfh!
Now, let me tell you why I have started to dream that SRT's triple, quadruple or more could actually happen!! For one thing, NewZealand will be playing India for 3 test matches with the first one being in Ahmedabad. SRT got his first test double ton in Ahmedabad at the Motera Stadium against New Zealand in 1999. The other day, when he got his 214 against Australia at Bangalore, he was clearly far more fit that the other Indian centurion - M. Vijay. SRT came out to field after his marathon and was looking fresh enough at the end of the match and game for some more runs!! SRT himself, complemented the support staff for their care of the cricketers and has repeatedly showered praise on the masseurs and physios for their work on keeping his body in ship-shape. SRT must really feel the difference given that he is not a man who lavishes unwarranted praise.
So, fitness may not be an issue. Then again, if Dhoni works on his toss winning skills (:D), SRT could find himself batting towards the end of the first session on Day 1 of a test match agains the kiwis at Ahmedabad or in at least one of the three tests. The only question that remains (and this is a big one!!) is whether SRT will be driven enough against a hardly threatening Kiwi attack. I am not claiming that he will be any less motivated to score for India but the question is whether he will be driven enough to stay on for a big big mammoth innings of say..... hmm.... 401* or 501*.... hey sorry, dreaming again.... back again now!!!
So you see, it could happen. I had ceased to dream about this 5 years ago but SRT has rekindled them by being, well, SRT!! What can I say - 'Sach is life' .......... Good luck SRT, Good luck Team India - God is already with Team India, so the best wishes I can give Team India is to say "May the force be with SRT" (Stiff upper lipped Padres should probably forgive my thinly-veiled blasphemy!!! hehe!)
PS: if it were to actually come to pass, I would like to go out on a limb and say that
Sachin will get a test quadruple in around 500 balls batting for 5 sessions!!!
Truth be told, the highest ODI inning score list and the test inning score list are very close to being poetically correct - the ODI inning list is aptly led by SRT (200*) who is unequivocally the legend of the ODI format and the test list is headed by Lara (400*) who, most would agree, has been the premium match-winner in test cricket in the modern era - and what's more, the numbers themselves, (200* & 400*) add that extra element of symmetry that makes these lists aesthetically significant!
Personally, having witnessed SRT's struggle with fitness (and form to some extent) during 2006-2007, I had resigned myself to the fact that SRT would end his career big on aggregate runs but without any X-factor innings in his kitty. I was gladly proven wrong by his 200*. In the euphoria following that innings, there were many fans who thought a test triple or quadruple was a given after that 200*. I wasn't convinced and I had my reasons; I shall divulge these reasons here:
SRT got the 200* in an ODI, batting for 3 hours and scoring at 136 runs per 100 balls. In tests, SRT's strike rate is between 50 to 60 runs per 100 balls. Now, if SRT has to get to 400 runs in a single test innings, he would need to face, on average, 700 balls (approx). This translates to 120 overs which means, Team India would have to bat for at least 200 overs (bare minimum) and SRT would have to bat for at least 2 days in a test match. Phew.....hmmmpfh!
Now, let me tell you why I have started to dream that SRT's triple, quadruple or more could actually happen!! For one thing, NewZealand will be playing India for 3 test matches with the first one being in Ahmedabad. SRT got his first test double ton in Ahmedabad at the Motera Stadium against New Zealand in 1999. The other day, when he got his 214 against Australia at Bangalore, he was clearly far more fit that the other Indian centurion - M. Vijay. SRT came out to field after his marathon and was looking fresh enough at the end of the match and game for some more runs!! SRT himself, complemented the support staff for their care of the cricketers and has repeatedly showered praise on the masseurs and physios for their work on keeping his body in ship-shape. SRT must really feel the difference given that he is not a man who lavishes unwarranted praise.
So, fitness may not be an issue. Then again, if Dhoni works on his toss winning skills (:D), SRT could find himself batting towards the end of the first session on Day 1 of a test match agains the kiwis at Ahmedabad or in at least one of the three tests. The only question that remains (and this is a big one!!) is whether SRT will be driven enough against a hardly threatening Kiwi attack. I am not claiming that he will be any less motivated to score for India but the question is whether he will be driven enough to stay on for a big big mammoth innings of say..... hmm.... 401* or 501*.... hey sorry, dreaming again.... back again now!!!
So you see, it could happen. I had ceased to dream about this 5 years ago but SRT has rekindled them by being, well, SRT!! What can I say - 'Sach is life' .......... Good luck SRT, Good luck Team India - God is already with Team India, so the best wishes I can give Team India is to say "May the force be with SRT" (Stiff upper lipped Padres should probably forgive my thinly-veiled blasphemy!!! hehe!)
PS: if it were to actually come to pass, I would like to go out on a limb and say that
Sachin will get a test quadruple in around 500 balls batting for 5 sessions!!!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
A Very Very Special lax man!!
Seems an eternity since my last post but I just feel I have to write this one today.
Just as I grew up watching Sachin Tendulkar set the cricket world on fire through the 90's, I am sure there would be a lot of teenagers who saw a very lax looking man lead India to a famous test victory today. Twenty years down the line, if one of these teenagers is on a quiz show and they are asked the question - "What do the initials VVS in VVS Laxman's name stand for?" - I reckon, it wouldn't be too surprising if the answer given is "Very Very Special". I am sure, Laxman will go down in cricket-lore as Very Very Special!
In fact, he is so special against the Aussies that not many pundits are surprised by his performance today. It has become commonplace to expect such performances from the wand-weilder - Laxman. What it does, is put Ishant Sharma's performance on a higher pedestal. Ishant was the surprise package, not Laxman.
Laxman was his usual self - just very very special and reLaxed!!
Just as I grew up watching Sachin Tendulkar set the cricket world on fire through the 90's, I am sure there would be a lot of teenagers who saw a very lax looking man lead India to a famous test victory today. Twenty years down the line, if one of these teenagers is on a quiz show and they are asked the question - "What do the initials VVS in VVS Laxman's name stand for?" - I reckon, it wouldn't be too surprising if the answer given is "Very Very Special". I am sure, Laxman will go down in cricket-lore as Very Very Special!
In fact, he is so special against the Aussies that not many pundits are surprised by his performance today. It has become commonplace to expect such performances from the wand-weilder - Laxman. What it does, is put Ishant Sharma's performance on a higher pedestal. Ishant was the surprise package, not Laxman.
Laxman was his usual self - just very very special and reLaxed!!
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