With scores of 300+ becoming more and more common, different tactics from bowling sides are bound to evolve.
In T20 this has already become a trend with Gayle, Bhajji, Amit Mishra and Yusuf Pathan regularly bowling the 1st over. This isnt a new tactic. In the 1992 World Cup, Dipak Patel was used as an opening bowler for NZ, initially against Australia, in an attempt to counteract the tactic of hitting over the in-field during the first 15 overs. That strategy paid off, and Patel was often used in the same role in other matches.
The goal being to stop the ball coming on nicely for the stroke players and hard hitters, and making it a little tough for them to play by slowling down the pace of the ball.
This will become a trend in the next few months leading to WC 2011. Esp since the slow Indian sub continent tracks have more joy for spinners than the faster bowlers.
Lets keep track of this in the next few months and lets see who opens the bowling for India... this will set the basis for the rest esp the lankans, bangladeshis and possibly the kiwis.
Mar 30, 2010
Mar 16, 2010
Innovations of the game - 2
The mongooge bat
The Mongoose is tailor-made for the short format. Subtlety is not its strong suit. With a five centimetre thick base that boasts a sweet spot twice the size of that on a traditional bat, even the pace bowler's saving grace - a yorker - can be dispatched to the ropes.
Without changing ones technique, the bat allows one to hit the ball harder and further. Its power is phenomenal. It's a weapon of mass destructionThe MCC has already rejected dozens of submissions, including one bat with holes drilled into the blade for aerodynamic purposes, described by observers as a "Swiss cheese bat".
But they passed this one, used for the first time by former Australian batsman Stuart Law during a county Twenty20 match last year. And now Hayden at IPL 2010.
The Mongoose is poised to rewrite record books in the same way that titanium-headed drivers and graphite rackets revolutionised golf and tennis. Because it can be lighter in weight while still offering great power, the Mongoose is ideal for players of all abilities and style.
Mar 15, 2010
Innovations of the game - 1
1. Switch Hitting
Kevin Pietersen has never been shy about pushing conventional boundaries, but his century against the Kiwis in 2008 contained two shots of brilliance and audacity that has surely changed the perspective of the game. Facing the medium pace of Scott Styris, Pietersen twice reversed both his grip and stance as the bowler approached, effectively facing up as a left-handed batsman. The first time, he went down on one knee and clubbed the ball over cover point (to the right-hander) for six. Four overs later, he did it again, this time over a right-hander's wide long-off. Same result...
2. Dilscoop
The Dilscoop is a cricket batting stroke developed by Sri Lankan Tillakaratne Dilshan during the ICC World Twenty20 held during June 2009 in England. The basis of the stroke is to go on one knee to a good length or slightly short of length delivery off a fast or medium paced bowler and 'scoop' the ball over the head of the wicket keeper. The ball travels straight towards the boundary behind the wicket keeper.
3. Macculum's ramp shot / "McScoop"
First it was the Dil-Scoop now it’s the McScoop – the high risk shot that is played to the unprotected area behind the keepers head - superbly executed by BLACKCAPS batting star Brendon McCullum. The stroke is similar to the one played by Dilshan.
However, after McCullum’s stunning 116* Vs Oz, BLACKCAPS fans have been demanding a name change. McCullum played the shot six times, hitting the rope on four occasions and clearing it twice on his way to rare Twenty20 century.
Mar 14, 2010
YKP - what next!!
For Shane Warne to describe Yusuf Pathan's 37-ball ton (on day 2 of the IPL 2010 tournament) as the best innings he's ever seen means more than just another sound bite. "I've played cricket for 21 years and I have seen Sachin Tendulkar as the best batsman against whom I have played as he has murdered attacks and hit them all over the park. But today was the best innings I have ever seen."
For YKP the year has started wonderfully... the 2 tons including a superb 200 in the duleep trophy finals, then the 40 ball hundred vs maharastra in the vijay hazare trophy which helped Baroda stun Maharashtra. Again in the Deodhar Trophy final vs North Zone, Yusuf Pathan attempted to achieve the impossible on a turning track. His outrageous brand of power-hitting took the conditions totally out of the equation with his brutal 80.
His game is now on the up but more than his on form it will define the style which many of the teams in the WC 2011 will adopt. It will be the form of big hitters like Dilshan, Haddin, Warner (if he makes it to the Aussie team) that will win the cup. Over the next 10-12 months lets keep our eyes open to see new tactics emerging to improve the big hitting.
More importantly lets see how the bowlers adapt to the new game!
Mar 12, 2010
IPL 2010 starts today...
Friday 12th March, Mumbai:
Deccan vs Kolkata
It's the first of 60 matches. The defending champions taking on last season's bottom of league. A flashy opening ceremony. Tight security. No home advantage for either team.
This match and the rest of the tourney will see new tactics, new techniques and hopefully a lot of innovation coming into play...
I wouldnt see it just as the development of this version of the game... its also going to impact the ODI version... esp stuff people will want to master between now and the 2011 WC opener...
Its going to be fun, am sure lots of controversy will be thrown up.. but most of all the glitz, the power hitting and the bowlers finding new ways of controlling the runs.. will give new dimension to the game...
Game on guys!
Deccan vs Kolkata
It's the first of 60 matches. The defending champions taking on last season's bottom of league. A flashy opening ceremony. Tight security. No home advantage for either team.
This match and the rest of the tourney will see new tactics, new techniques and hopefully a lot of innovation coming into play...
I wouldnt see it just as the development of this version of the game... its also going to impact the ODI version... esp stuff people will want to master between now and the 2011 WC opener...
Its going to be fun, am sure lots of controversy will be thrown up.. but most of all the glitz, the power hitting and the bowlers finding new ways of controlling the runs.. will give new dimension to the game...
Game on guys!
Mar 4, 2010
Less than 300 and sure to lose
In the 90s a score of 250 was considered to be a great one to defend. Now 300 is not safe. Take last night's ODI game between NZ and Aus in Napier (3 March 2010).
Aus batting 1st got 275 to set NZ to score at around 5.6 rpo to win - no easy task with a strong bowling attack with in form Ryan Harris, Bollinger, Mitchel Johnson, Watson and Hauritz! This is an attack which hadnt lost a single game over the Aus summer including blitzing the windies and paks.
Scott Styris and Ross Taylor (MOM) took the kiwis to victory with 4 balls to spare! Styris and Shane Bond (pretty much the last pair with Oram injured) scored 35 runs in 3 overs @ 11.66 runs per over. The pressure was on Styris towards the death and came through with a fantastic innings under pressure. The 2 fours smashed by Bond in the 49th over was spectacular. Styris sealed the win with a huge maximum over long-off from the second ball of the 50th from Bollinger and finished unbeaten on 49 from 34 deliveries. He roared as the ball sailed over the boundary. A great way to win after the 'head to head' combat with Johnson earlier.
This was another game which went to prove, irrespective of the size of the ground, any score below 300 is achievable even by teams lying much below their oppositions in ODI ratings!
2011 WC will reveal a completely new face of the 50-50 version. Watch out for batters like Gayle, Sehwag, Afridi, Dilshan etc
Aus batting 1st got 275 to set NZ to score at around 5.6 rpo to win - no easy task with a strong bowling attack with in form Ryan Harris, Bollinger, Mitchel Johnson, Watson and Hauritz! This is an attack which hadnt lost a single game over the Aus summer including blitzing the windies and paks.
Scott Styris and Ross Taylor (MOM) took the kiwis to victory with 4 balls to spare! Styris and Shane Bond (pretty much the last pair with Oram injured) scored 35 runs in 3 overs @ 11.66 runs per over. The pressure was on Styris towards the death and came through with a fantastic innings under pressure. The 2 fours smashed by Bond in the 49th over was spectacular. Styris sealed the win with a huge maximum over long-off from the second ball of the 50th from Bollinger and finished unbeaten on 49 from 34 deliveries. He roared as the ball sailed over the boundary. A great way to win after the 'head to head' combat with Johnson earlier.
This was another game which went to prove, irrespective of the size of the ground, any score below 300 is achievable even by teams lying much below their oppositions in ODI ratings!
2011 WC will reveal a completely new face of the 50-50 version. Watch out for batters like Gayle, Sehwag, Afridi, Dilshan etc
Mar 2, 2010
Mar 1, 2010
Feb 28, 2010
Australia - champs of the last 3 WCs!
Australia's had an amazing run at the last 4 WCs... being winners in the last 3 and runners up in the 4th. They have also won a 4th in 1987. The 4 victories have been all in different countries (1987 in India, 1999 in England, 2003 in S Africa and 2007 in West Indies).
While in the last year or so the team seems to be the weakest it has been for a long time, the strength of the new gen is amazing. In fact the team hasnt lost a single match this summer! And has also seen the emergence of so many strong newcomers.
Cameron White and Shane Watson are very very strong performers. Both have the uncanny ability to turn around a match in completely different styles - be it smashing the ball around the park or just playing a calm and solid inning when the need is such.
Warner is another great slammer but doesnt have great depth in his armoury. Either he performs at 4th gear or just stutters... while he currently seems to be a permanent in the 20-20 version lets wait and see if he makes it to the ODI squad in the next year... Would be surprised if he makes it as against his NSW team mate, Hughes! What a talent!!
Between Clarke and Ponting are the 2 finest one day players. Both with great experience and class.
David Hussey and Haddin are match winners too and key to the success of the Aussie depth. Ryan Harris, Mitchel Johnson and Nannes are bowlers who have the ability to generate great pace and swing to claim important wickets early in the innings! On Indian wickets these early strikes are crucial. Will be very interesting to see who will lead the spinners slot in this team.
If the Aussie team gets their on the 5th WC it will be really amazing. Something which would be on par if not better than Federer's Grand Slam record!!
PS: Hope u guys enjoyed the 2nd 20-20 game between Aus and NZ today! Super over.. what a concept :-)
While in the last year or so the team seems to be the weakest it has been for a long time, the strength of the new gen is amazing. In fact the team hasnt lost a single match this summer! And has also seen the emergence of so many strong newcomers.
Cameron White and Shane Watson are very very strong performers. Both have the uncanny ability to turn around a match in completely different styles - be it smashing the ball around the park or just playing a calm and solid inning when the need is such.
Warner is another great slammer but doesnt have great depth in his armoury. Either he performs at 4th gear or just stutters... while he currently seems to be a permanent in the 20-20 version lets wait and see if he makes it to the ODI squad in the next year... Would be surprised if he makes it as against his NSW team mate, Hughes! What a talent!!
Between Clarke and Ponting are the 2 finest one day players. Both with great experience and class.
David Hussey and Haddin are match winners too and key to the success of the Aussie depth. Ryan Harris, Mitchel Johnson and Nannes are bowlers who have the ability to generate great pace and swing to claim important wickets early in the innings! On Indian wickets these early strikes are crucial. Will be very interesting to see who will lead the spinners slot in this team.
If the Aussie team gets their on the 5th WC it will be really amazing. Something which would be on par if not better than Federer's Grand Slam record!!
PS: Hope u guys enjoyed the 2nd 20-20 game between Aus and NZ today! Super over.. what a concept :-)
Feb 27, 2010
Who will be the stars for 2011
One year out its obviously very difficult to say who will shine and who will fail.
Going through the teams, its fun to highlight the key guys and lets see how they shape up between now and the finals!! Today am going to cover my fav team and its key players
India: The team that gets the most attention these days! A number of demi gods in the team... Including Sehwag - who will be key esp if India reaches the finals. Ghambir is another key component in the team having improved by leaps and bounds in the past few years. Its crucial that the two Delhi boys stay fit and stay in good form over the next 12 months. Virat Kohli is a rising star and if he plays as well as he did vs SL in Eden Gardens he will be our match winner. The crux of the team will continue to be Sachin and if his current form continues for the next year, India is in with a great chance. Then there is Yuvi, Dhoni, Raina and Rohit Sharma. One of the 4 will need to bolster the middle order. Dinesh Karthik and Yousuf Pathan will be the jokers of the pack. Both great stroke makers and lets see who makes it to the 11 most consistently till the WC. The bowlers are the weak link.. will Zaheer bowl with pace and cleverness? Will Ravindra Jadega still be in team? Will Bhajji's doosra work? Who will partner Zaheer as openning bowler? I wouldnt be surprised if a completely new tactics takes shape in the next few months. Will we see India openning the bowling with a spinner again? It might be a smart tactic to play 1 left arm pacer (either zaheer or nehra), 3 proper spinners (bhajji, mishra and jadeja) and 3 to 4 part timers like pathan, sehwag, yuvi and sachin playing a new role in ODI. On slow batting pitches in the sub continent its key how well the part timers control the run rate.
2011 will see some of the smart 20-20 bowling tactics making a mark in the 50 over game. Esp in terms of the importance of dot balls, the slower bouncers, bowler rotation strategies and the mastery over the yorker through the innings.
The team that adapts best will be the one to reckon with.
Going through the teams, its fun to highlight the key guys and lets see how they shape up between now and the finals!! Today am going to cover my fav team and its key players
India: The team that gets the most attention these days! A number of demi gods in the team... Including Sehwag - who will be key esp if India reaches the finals. Ghambir is another key component in the team having improved by leaps and bounds in the past few years. Its crucial that the two Delhi boys stay fit and stay in good form over the next 12 months. Virat Kohli is a rising star and if he plays as well as he did vs SL in Eden Gardens he will be our match winner. The crux of the team will continue to be Sachin and if his current form continues for the next year, India is in with a great chance. Then there is Yuvi, Dhoni, Raina and Rohit Sharma. One of the 4 will need to bolster the middle order. Dinesh Karthik and Yousuf Pathan will be the jokers of the pack. Both great stroke makers and lets see who makes it to the 11 most consistently till the WC. The bowlers are the weak link.. will Zaheer bowl with pace and cleverness? Will Ravindra Jadega still be in team? Will Bhajji's doosra work? Who will partner Zaheer as openning bowler? I wouldnt be surprised if a completely new tactics takes shape in the next few months. Will we see India openning the bowling with a spinner again? It might be a smart tactic to play 1 left arm pacer (either zaheer or nehra), 3 proper spinners (bhajji, mishra and jadeja) and 3 to 4 part timers like pathan, sehwag, yuvi and sachin playing a new role in ODI. On slow batting pitches in the sub continent its key how well the part timers control the run rate.
2011 will see some of the smart 20-20 bowling tactics making a mark in the 50 over game. Esp in terms of the importance of dot balls, the slower bouncers, bowler rotation strategies and the mastery over the yorker through the innings.
The team that adapts best will be the one to reckon with.
Feb 26, 2010
DAY 2
So I have indeed made it to the 2nd day of the 350 day count down to WC 2011.
Its going to be an interesting journey, something which is going to test my patience, perseverance.. its like an tuff endurance test... the harder you run, the harder it gets!
Its going to be an interesting journey, something which is going to test my patience, perseverance.. its like an tuff endurance test... the harder you run, the harder it gets!
Will keep it light and easy for me to keep going and picking up interesting nuggets along the way...
The 20-20 game between NZ and Aus is turning out to be yet another damp squib! Shane Watson and Steve Smith are guys to watch out for at the 2011 Tamasha...
Feb 25, 2010
Game on, guys...
With not more than a year to go for the tourney to start, SRT has kicked off the count down to the 2011 Cricket World Cup Tamasha! With the sustained growth of the 20-20 hype, the never ending IPL drama, the security concerns of playing the sub continent, the continuous 'retirement' of big stars, the WC needed a bloody special 200* to launch the campaign..
Ladies and gentlemen, 2011 is going to be the best ever WC... We will surely see many totals of over 400, atleast a few double centuries (now that the floodgates have opened), some fantastic spells from quite a few brave bowlers, and some young Turks making marks in the game. Its gonna be one super tamasha.... Bollywood Tamasha at its best.. For all those who have enjoyed the ODI growth and excitment of the 80s and 90s will surely want this tournament to seal the arguement that 50-50 is not passe! Admit it guys... each one of you have enjoyed some of the great innings played by SRT, Ponting, Afridi, Dhoni, Jayasuriya, Gibbs, KP, which just cannot be completely replicated by the 20-20 circus.... In anycase 20-20 gets over just too fast and its like a crazy shoot out which some love, sometimes! The 2011 WC Tamasha is going to close the debate once and for all.... and show us all that there is place for all 3 formats...
Its all very exciting and am looking forward to creating a special journey in the build up to the 2011 WC. Lets see how long I am able to keep the momentum in writing this blog.. my 1st ever attempt in writing... so no great hopes here...
While this journey starts today, am going to be praying everyday from today that on April 2, 2011 Sachin is there to lift the cup in Mumbai to bring alive every Indian's dream ever since 1983....
Game on, guys.........
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