All posts by csb10.top

Sri Lanka’s Caribbean tour started under a cloud of criticism. The failureto qualify for the final of the Sharjah Cup and the Bank Alfalah Cup hadprompted a media bashing. Some of the more sleazy columnists felt soempowered that they even had the audacity to print wild (and whollyinaccurate) stories of player sex orgies in Dambulla.

Fickle advertisers sensed this despondent mood and slashed their cricketbudgets. Broadcasters did their sums and realised that to buy the televisionrights for the West Indies would be a huge financial gamble, surmising that no one wanted to advertise and few people would watch. They were better off showing their prime-time soap operas.But the Sri Lanka team responded. Thousands of kilometers away from home,they pulled together as a team. An indifferent batting performance wasfollowed by an inspired bowling effort in the first game. West Indies,cock-a-hoop after a trio of wins against Australia, lost the first game emphatically.

Then came Sri Lanka’s finest one-day run chase for years. This time thebowlers were collared, leaking 312 runs their 50 overs as Brian Lara cutloose. On the basis of recent form only the mentally unstable would havebetted their rupees on a Sri Lanka victory. But Sri Lanka marched home withfour wickets and three balls to spare thanks to a splendid 89 from UpulChandana and a hardworking fifty from Mahela Jayawardene.The third one-day international was lost but that matters little – who caresabout dead rubbers? After a post-World Cup slump, confidence had returned.The team was smiling once more. Of course, there were still areas ofconcern, particularly the batting and fielding, but there was light at theend of the tunnel.

It helped, of course, that Sri Lanka had settled upon the right combination.At Sharjah the selection – just five batsmen – was suicidal. During the BankAlfalah Cup it improved, with Tillakaratne Dilshan slipping into the middleorder and Romesh Kaluwitharana moving back up to the top. The introductionof Chandana in the West Indies, a move that stiffened the batting and perkedup the fielding, was the icing on the cake.Marvan Atapattu breathed a sign of relief afterwards, admitting that he hadbeen under real pressure since the unfathomable decision to spilt thecaptaincy. Finally, he felt more at ease and he celebrated in the openingTest, compiling his 11th hundred – another knock of high-elbowed eleganceand unflappable concentration.

Sri Lanka finished the first day in the box seat on 250 for 4. But althoughthey finished the Test on a high, as Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya knockedup an unbroken 126 run stand in the second innings, the middle three dayswere disappointing: the middle order crumbled on day two, the supportbowling lacked penetration, the fielding was sloppy, and Kaluwitharana’sglovework was erratic. Fortunately, the rains tipped down on day four,condemning the match to a draw.

So all is not entirely rosy, although the top order batting is gelling againwith the top four all in good form. Nevertheless, assuming the rains cloudssteer clear of Sabina Park, Sri Lanka can make history and win their firstCaribbean Test series. This Test marks the end of a grueling 14-month run ofnon-stop cricket and Sri Lanka’s players will hold nothing back as theycontemplate a four-month break from international action. They will want tosunbathe in glory not defeat.

Changes are being considered. Some radical. Kaluwitharana, who missed Laraon 94 and Omari Banks on 0, could be axed to allow Tillakaratne Dilshan intothe middle order. Kumar Sangakkara would then re-take the gloves. With sixspecialist batters in the side the management would then be more inclined tobolster the bowling, ditching Thilan Samaraweera for a third seamer -probably Dharshana Gamage. That would provide the bowling more teeth.But to win, of course, they must dismiss Lara early – the bete noire of SriLanka’s bowlers having scored 897 runs in the last four Tests between thetwo sides. If they can do that then they can win the series and take anotherimportant step up the confidence ladder.

Saturday 8 MarchThe squad will depart Johannesburg at 0915 on South African Airways flight SA 405, arriving into Port Elizabeth at 1030.There is no practice scheduled following the squad’s arrival. Media access will be co-ordinated upon request.Sunday 9 MarchThe squad will practice at St.George’s Park, Port Elizabeth from 1400. A media opportunity will follow that session.Monday 10 MarchSome members of the team will practice at St.George’s Park, Port Elizabeth from 1000. This is an optional session. A pre-match media conference will follow practice.Tuesday 11 MarchAustralia takes on New Zealand at St.George’s Park, Port Elizabeth in its second Super Six match of the tournament.Play commences at 1000.For further information please contact (in South Africa): – Jonathan Rose, ACB Media Manager, on +27 (0) 833 107 662.

3 Year fixed term contractAttractive package inc. carThe England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is the national governing body for cricket from playground to Test arena.As County Development Officer you will support the Herfordshire Cricket Board in the achievement of its development plan, particularly where it relates to the promotion and development of cricket in schools and clubs for both children and young adults.For this role you must have experience of cricket development at grass roots level and have a sound knowledge, appreciation and understanding of cricket. A self-starter with energy and enthusiasm, you will need to have good administration skills and be an excellent communicator.For an information pack and application form please contact Natasha Mason, ECB, Lord’s Cricket Ground, London NW8 8QZ.Tel: 020 74321 171. E-mail: [email protected] date for completed applications is 29 January 2002

Helping his team surpass Services’ first-innings total, Sangram Singhmade an unbeaten 215, enabling Himachal Pradesh to declare at 463/5 onDay Three of their Ranji Trophy league match at Una.Batting with a stodgy Rajiv Nayyar, who made 90 off 289 balls, SangramSingh hit 26 fours and four sixes in his 308-ball, 405-minute knock.He was the dominant partner in stands with Varinder Sharma, AmitSharma and Chetan Kumar, none of whom even crossed 20.Services, now effectively unable to push for a win, were 25 for noloss at stumps on Monday, with openers PMS Reddy and K Chawda at thecrease.

The Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) stadium witnessed anothermasterly knock from Sachin Tendulkar, who scored his 28th Testcentury on Saturday. On a batting paradise, Tendulkar was incomplete command throughout the day.Speaking of the wicket, Tendulkar said, “It was a slow track andcracks had developed because of which the ball was not coming onto the bat. The ball kept low at times, though I never felttroubled during the entire innings.”He explained why he had decided to restrain himself. “We were ina good position and I never felt the need to go for big shots,”he said.Tendulkar’s unbeaten 137 (275 balls, 18×4) has seen him go pasttwo Australian legends – Steve Waugh and Allan Border – in thelist of top century-makers in Tests. Only the peerless Sir DonaldBradman, with 29 hundreds, and Sunil Gavaskar, with 34 hundreds,now stay ahead of him. A happy Tendulkar termed the VCA stadiumas one of his happy hunting grounds, before quickly adding, “Itwas just another hundred. That is always a good feeling.”Speaking of the Zimbabweans, the master batsman praised left-armspinner Ray Price, who he felt maintained a good length allthrough the day. “I feel Price was the pick of the bowlers,” hesaid.As for his team, he felt they had made good progress on the day,adding that a first-innings lead of around 250 would prove morethan useful. Knowing Tendulkar, he would be hoping to stay aroundon Sunday and ensure that this is achieved. A double-ton alongthe way for the master would prove the icing on the cake for themillions of Indian spectators who are bound to follow the actionon Sunday.

Former Test batsman Ijaz Ahmed Jr hit 103 to help Allied Bank score269 for five in their first innings on the opening day of theirPatron’s Trophy fixture against Wapda at Sheikhupura StadiumWednesday.Ijaz, who struck 12 boundaries during 219-ball knock, was fifth manout after sharing two useful partnerships, says a message here. Wapda,having suffered successive innings defeats against Pakistan Customsand KRL, were unable to cash in after the bankers lost two for 69.Mohammad Nawaz (35, six fours) and the left-handed Usman Tariq (24)started well with a first wicket stand of 54 once skipper Aqib Javedhad won the toss and decided to bat. Ijaz then joined hands with NavedLatif (29, six fours) in a third wicket partnership worth 64.Taimur Khan, who is still at the crease with 43 to his credit,provided excellent support to Ijaz during a 118-run stand for thefifth wicket before the latter was bowled by left-arm pacer SarfrazAhmed. Taimur’s unbeaten 121-ball innings includes four hits to thefence. Off-spinner Aqeel Ahmed was Wapda’s chief wicket-taker withfour for 106 in 31 overs.

New South Wales tied everyone but Ian Harvey down here today as Victoria finished about 50 runs short of its goal on day one of its Pura Cup cricket match at Punt Rd.The Bushrangers were 6-221 at stumps, with Darren Berry caught behind off the last ball of the day to give Test leg-spinner Stuart MacGill 3-65 from 24.1 overs.Coming in at No.4, Harvey continued his impressive start to the domestic season, scoring 55 off 66 balls with 11 fours.Bushrangers captain Matthew Elliott wanted about 260-270 after winning the toss and praised the NSW attack, which gave the batsmen few loose balls.”They stuck at their task pretty well and made it difficult for us – if they had bowled a lot of rubbish, we would have liked to have capitalised on it,” he said.”I thought we fought back pretty well – just that wicket at the end.”This year we have a ‘happy’ knack of losing the wicket or (otherwise) taking the gloss off….5-220 – I thought that would have been a pretty good effort on that wicket.”The ground was slow, they bowled pretty well at times in the game.”Opening bowlers Nathan Bracken (26 overs, 1-44) and Stuart Clark (24, 1-46) made run scoring extremely tough, while MacGill also impressed.Apart from taking wickets, MacGill’s noted temper briefly simmered in the 60th over when the Blues botched a run-out attempt.MacGill toe-poked the stumps at the bowler’s end when the Blues missed the chance to dismiss Michael Klinger.Victoria was 1-13 off 16 overs after the first hour, setting up a slow day’s cricket.Elliott could manage only two, while fellow opener Jason Arnberger (47), Matthew Mott (35), Brad Hodge (44) and Klinger (27) failed to make the most of theirstarts.The forecast is also not good, with rain likely to settle in over the weekend.Punt Rd does not drain quickly and, with no lighting, there is no chance of extending play if there is a rain delay.

The 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup is behind us and Australia has captured its third title with an awesome, clinical and professional performance to blow India out of the final, almost as early as the first over bowled.By far the most professional team, and that includes management and administration, at the tournament, the Australians have shown everyone how the game should be played and run. Organised at all times they never showed any of the pressure that was obviously on them. They came to South Africa to play, enjoy and win playing a game almost unfamiliar to most of the other teams who from day one fought hard for second place.For the organisers it was a huge success that will benefit cricket worldwide and more so in South Africa where the game will, due to the exposure and hype around the country, grow in all areas.As ICC President Malcolm Gray said during the presentation ceremony at the final: “Forty-three days ago we placed the spirit of cricket in the hands of southern Africa. I thank you, the people of this outstanding country and enchanting continent for upholding and enhancing that spirit. You have helped write a glorious chapter, not only in the history of our sport but also in the history of southern Africa.”There were moments and memories during the tournament that will long stay with us. Five centuries in the first four games assured those that had been waiting in anticipation that they were in for something special.The opening ceremony was dwarfed by the brilliance of the Brian Lara hundred in the opening match against South Africa, a blow from which the hosts never recovered.In total 21 centuries were scored with Sourav Ganguly scoring three while 89 fifties were registered with Sachin Tendulkar scoring six.Batting records fell by the dozen. John Davison scored the fastest World Cup 100 in a 67-ball onslaught against West Indies, who replied with first Wavell Hinds scoring the fastest World Cup fifty in 24 balls, only to be eclipsed by Brian Lara getting there in 23 balls. It was a feast of runs that entertained the Centurion and SuperSport Park faithful.Sachin Tendulkar broke his own tournament record in scoring 673 runs at an average of 61.18 which included one century and six fifties.Australia also scored the highest total for a World Cup final when they destroyed the India attack, posting 359 for two wickets at the Wanderers.Surprisingly only one partnership record fell, that of the seventh wicket going to Ramnaresh Sarwan and Ridley Jacobs putting on 98 for West Indies against New Zealand.The South African pitches were not just made to order for the batsmen. The feast of runs was complemented by some brilliant bowling performances and groundstaff countrywide should be applauded for the pitches that were prepared.Who will forget the first three-ball innings hat-trick for Chaminda Vaas against Bangladesh or the Brett Lee hat-trick against Kenya?Glenn McGrath taking 7/15 for Australia against Namibia was nearly surpassed by compatriot Andy Bichel taking 7/20 as England capitulated, taking the two Australians to the top of the all-time World Cup bowling figures list.They were joined in the top ten by Shane Bond and Ashish Nehra, who shared figures of 6/23, and Vaas with 6/25. Vaas took 23 wickets during the tournament and was followed by Lee (22) and McGrath (21) as they eclipsed the previous World Cup record of 20 wickets.In the field Adam Gilchrist took six catches in the match against Namibia while Mohammad Kaif claimed four against Sri Lanka to go to the top of the record-fielding table.The spectators helped to make the tournament the success that it was. Who will forget the scenes as a full house of fanatical supporters from India and Pakistan filled SuperSport Park, keeping up relentless support for their respective teams?The full house at the Wanderers for the final built up an atmosphere that pictures can never describe. Flag-waving supporters from both India and Australia left local organisers hoping that it would soon be repeated.The minnows came to learn and left with a wealth of information and experience. They also left some scars on some of the more fancied teams as players like Canada’s Davison left massive dents in some bowling egos.The Netherlands will be remembered for the way they enjoyed the experience of playing on a stage that they knew they were not going to conquer. Maybe they were the only team to learn how to enjoy playing the game from the Australians.The disappointments of the tournament must be the South Africans. Starting as second favourites, and fancied to give the Australians a run for their money, they fell by the wayside with some tense, uninspiring, mediocre cricket. Given a last minute lifeline in the last first round match against Sri Lanka they even failed to accept the heavenly assistance that could have seen them through to the semi-finals.Apart from all the records and performances the most outstanding feature of the tournament to me was the way the Australians played this wonderful game of cricket. Winning makes it easy to enjoy the game, and at no stage did they panic. They smiled and encouraged each other in times of joy and despair as each player appeared to know exactly what was expected of him. Not even the loss of Shane Warne and Jason Gillespie could put them off their stride as they walked over all the opposition.Well done Australia, and thank you for a truly professional, enjoyable and memorable performance.

As serious cricket has yet to get underway in Manicaland, all eyes in recent weeks have been on the dismal performances of the national side in their ODI series against South Africa and England. New coach in waiting Geeff Marsh must be wondering what he let himself in for.Andy Flower excluded – this team plays worse and worse each time. England coach and former Zimbabwe captain Duncan Fletcher must be amazed as he sits in the new multi-million dollar facilities at Harare Sports Club and watches this once proud unit perform like schoolboys. Certainly his leadership qualities and ability to inspire match-winning performances from Zimbabwe players in the eighties would be welcome right now.Excuses for Zimbabwe cricket no longer wash. The problems facing Zimbabwean cricket – political and otherwise – apply equally to all sectors of this oppressed country.The captain appears to have lost confidence. Lengthy field-placement consultations and indecisive drift during the frequent leather chases characterize his leadership. By contrast Alistair Campbell, when forced into duty after Streak’s injury in the third game, injected new urgency and assurance into a close fought contest. Delightful man that Heath Streak is, it may be time to acknowledge that few fast bowlers make good captains and take steps to resurrect both his own and the team’s fortunes.The rest of team Zimbabwe’s problems may be more difficult to fix. Clearly selection changes need to be made. It is impossible to continue arguing the case for the experienced non-performers when a new totally inexperienced side could hardly do worse. Whatever the problems, these oldies cannot be guaranteed a living indefinitely whilst Zimbabwe is deleted off the world computer rankings. If we are to believe Dirk Viljoen’s writings in the Telegraph, the players were desperate for this English tour not to be cancelled. If motivation then is not the problem, perhaps skills are. How many future visits can we expect when visiting teams torch us so effortlessly in our own front yard?It was once argued that as the national team had created the wealth associated with television and advertising income, they deserved the lion’s share of the payout. But that was then. These highly paid professionals are currently in danger of writing themselves out of the script after a series of second-league performances.In a recent interview on South African television Barry Richards rated the Bangladesh Test team lower than his son’s grade side in Perth, Western Australia. He wasn’t much more complimentary about Zimbabwe. The point he was making was that if the ICC continued to award Test status to undeserving countries and then force the top nations to play meaningless series with them, the television market would disappear. Already rumours abound on the sub-continent of television moguls plotting to lure elite players away from the humdrum of conventional cricket into Super-Test circuses.The irony as far as Zimbabwe is concerned is that the wealth the game has generated has built new facilities at Harare Sports Club to rival the best, yet last weekend’s ODIs were played in front of worryingly diminished crowds.

Mumbai were held to a draw by Maharashtra on Thursday at Nehru Stadium, Pune, inthe Vijay Merchant Trophy West Zone League for the Under 16s.Electing to bat after winning the toss Mumbai made 300 all out in their firstinnings. Opening batsman SO Kukreja scored a stroke filled 113 that included 13boundaries to hold the Mumbai innings together. Mumbai innings was propped up byHN Shah who made 45 coming low in the order. PP More and A Sondkar picked upthree wickets each. Arif Sansara with 6/48 helped Mumbai shoot out Maharashtrafor 170 in 86.2 overs. Yogesh Takwale was the best of the batsmen with 62 (8fours). At close of play Mumbai were 133/4 in their second innings. SwapnojThankur made 46 with the help of 9 boundaries. Mumbai took home five points toMaharashtra’s three, thanks to their first innings lead.