The IPL journey for the “re-injured” Andrew Flintoff ends with a serious knee injury that sidelines him for around 3 months. The IPL journey for Kevin Pietersen ends on Wednesday as he heads home for the West Indies Series. Both are the two of the most expensive players in the IPL but are frankly two of the most disappointing players.
The situation is worse for Pietersen, whose captaincy has led the Bangalore Challengers to 1 win and 4 losses from their 5 games. To top it off, he has scored 80 runs (including two ducks) from 5 games at an average of 16.00 and a strike rate of 109.58. C’mon KP!
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The first IPL Super Over!!
Indian Premier League - 10th match - Scorecard
Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals 2009 season
Played at Newlands, Cape Town (neutral venue), on 23 April 2009 - day/night (20-over match)
The game of the tournament ended in a tie. Enter the Super Over!!! For Kolata, Gayle, McCullum and Ganguly are their bastmen and Mendis is their bowler. For Rajasthan, Pathan, Mascarenhas and Jadeja are their bastmen and K. Khan is their bowler. I won't say anymore so I don't spoil it...
NOTE: *spoilers below*
Cricinfo commentary
Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals 2009 season
Played at Newlands, Cape Town (neutral venue), on 23 April 2009 - day/night (20-over match)
The game of the tournament ended in a tie. Enter the Super Over!!! For Kolata, Gayle, McCullum and Ganguly are their bastmen and Mendis is their bowler. For Rajasthan, Pathan, Mascarenhas and Jadeja are their bastmen and K. Khan is their bowler. I won't say anymore so I don't spoil it...
NOTE: *spoilers below*
Cricinfo commentary
I'll fill you in with the rules of the Super Over. Each team gets one over to bat and the team which scores the most wins. If it's a tie then the team which scores the most sixes in the match wins.Click here to read the rest of the post »
Right Kamran Khan will bowl and Ganguly, McCullum and Gayle are the three batsmen for Kolkata. A finish like this was just what the tournament needed. Takes your mind off the rain.
Righto! Gayle and McCullum walk out. Looks like Gayle will face.
Ball 1 Kamran to Gayle - ONE - Kamran fields well off his own bowling and he deflects it to long-off
Ball 2 Kamran to McCullum - ONE - Ouch! McCullum tries to pull a full toss on waist height and he meets the ball flush on the glove
Ball 3 Kamran to Gayle - WIDE - Too wide outside off, can't chase that
Ball 3 Kamran to Gayle - FOUR - Poor length, full on the pads and he easily chips this one over mid-on
Ball 4 Kamran to Gayle - FOUR - Another poor delivery, on the pads and he hoicks him across the line and sends the ball scorching to deep square leg
Ball 5 Kamran to Gayle - FOUR - He comes over the wicket but it doesn't help, he stays at the crease, drags his backfoot back and thumps a full delivery across the line to deep midwicket
Ball 6 Kamran to Gayle - OUT - Gayle stays at the crease, bends his knee and tries to cart a full ball over the off side but Quiney at sweeper cover takes a sharp catch falling forward
So Rajasthan need 16 to win. Here;s the line-up. Mendis will bowl, Jadeja, Pathan and Mascarenhas are the three batsmen
Mendis warms up. What an entertaining evening for the crowd and it sure is a late night for all you folks back in India. Shah Rukh's on his feet, McCullum sets his field. Pathan will face Mendis. Can we have a move on please? This is taking the whole night. Lots of fielders in the deep. Jadeja's up next to bat. Four men in the ring.
Ball 1 Mendis to Pathan - SIX - Take that! He makes room and carts a flighted delivery high over long-off, 10 needed off 5
Ball 2 Mendis to Pathan - TWO - And dropped! He heaves him over the bowler's head and HOdge runs across and drops a difficult one
Ball 3 Mendis to Pathan - SIX - He stays at the crease and gives it a mighty heave ho over deep midwicket, that went rows back
The field comes in
Ball 4 Mendis to Pathan - FOUR - It's all over! Yusuf cuts out the aerial hits and settles for the sweep, he gets on his knee to a delivery pitched on middle and leg and sweeps wide of square leg
Yusuf charges off and celebrates with his team-mates who rush to congratulate him. It wasn't exactly a gamble bringing on a spinner for the Super Over but all credit must go to Pathan for his brute force. He decided to stay put at the crease and smash them. He and his brother Irfan took India to victory in Colombo recently. It was a no-brainer for Warne to send him first up. Mendis' carrom ball and other variations deserted him in this crucial moment.
Spin the IPL X-Factor
The first round of the IPL season 2009 has finished and there has been one common aspect of each of four games: the impact of spin.
In the 1st game, Harbarjan Singh from the Mumbai Indians kept the Chennai run chase in check with three super, miserly overs conceding just 15 runs and rendering the big wicket of Flintoff.
Cricinfo commentary
It didn’t particularly shift the momentum of the game as Mumbai were always on top with the two early wickets, but it did add more pressure to such an extent that the run chase looked more imporbable as the overs continued.
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In the 1st game, Harbarjan Singh from the Mumbai Indians kept the Chennai run chase in check with three super, miserly overs conceding just 15 runs and rendering the big wicket of Flintoff.
Cricinfo commentary
9.5 Harbhajan Singh to Flintoff, OUT, Flintoff goes for broke over the on side but gets a tame leading edge which balloons to the off side, Harbhajan takes the easiest of catches and pumps the air
A Flintoff c & b Harbhajan Singh 24 (23b 2×4 1×6) SR: 104.34
It didn’t particularly shift the momentum of the game as Mumbai were always on top with the two early wickets, but it did add more pressure to such an extent that the run chase looked more imporbable as the overs continued.
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A “dog” of a day
The opening night of the IPL season can best be described as a “dogged” day figuratively and literally.
The opening game of the tournament - Chennai Super Kings v Mumbai Indians was a rather “dull” game in regards to the match situation and in comparison to the opening game last year (between Kolkata Knight Riders and Bangalore Royal Challengers).
Despite the one-sided match, the audience witnessed Brendon McCullum hit a 74-ball 158*, featuring 13 sixes and 10 fours.
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The opening game of the tournament - Chennai Super Kings v Mumbai Indians was a rather “dull” game in regards to the match situation and in comparison to the opening game last year (between Kolkata Knight Riders and Bangalore Royal Challengers).
Despite the one-sided match, the audience witnessed Brendon McCullum hit a 74-ball 158*, featuring 13 sixes and 10 fours.
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Let the Battle Begin!
The most anticipated and exciting tournament of the year 2009, the Indian Premier League Season 2! However, it's a bit weird considering the "Indian Premier League" is being played in "South Africa." Oh well, I guess it's safety first, perfectly summed up by Ross Taylor of New Zealand:
The tournament is sure to be packed with great excitement and entertainment - whether it's a four, six, wicket, sledging or even aggression. For those of you who have forgotten in last year's tournament, there was aggression between Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth - to the extent that a Harby slapped Sressanth in tears. Harby was rewarded for this efforts with a 6 - game ban. Who said Cricket was just a game?
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If you're dead you can't earn any money. Life's obviously more important than earning cash
The tournament is sure to be packed with great excitement and entertainment - whether it's a four, six, wicket, sledging or even aggression. For those of you who have forgotten in last year's tournament, there was aggression between Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth - to the extent that a Harby slapped Sressanth in tears. Harby was rewarded for this efforts with a 6 - game ban. Who said Cricket was just a game?
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Taylor and Rain Star as New Zealand Secure a Respectable Defeat
Ross Taylor's fantastic century, featuring 16 fours and a handy strike rate of 65 and the heavy Rain were the highlights of the last day of what has been an entertaining tour of cricket in the three forms (i.e. Twenty20s, ODIs and Test Matches).
Just as New Zealand were 8 down, with only Chris Martin to come and had 50 + overs left to bat out, the rain appeared. No wonder New Zealand are so hard to beat at home. Not only do they have to persevere with New Zealand but also the rain gods. At times the rain can be frustrating for New Zealand as in either puts them at a disadvantage or removes New Zealand's commanding position. This time it worked a treat, preventing New Zealand from going down 2 - 0 in the test series against India. Instead, they lose the test series by a respectable 1 - 0.
Congratulations to India on a strong overseas performance against a side that they are traditionally weak against. Special mentions have to go to Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Zaheer Khan and Harbarhjan Singh!! The team was well led by MS Dhoni, who incidentally "out-captained" the more experienced Daniel Vettori. The top order was very consistent throughout the test series, and the lower order did their part when necessary. Their bowlers used the conditions perfectly (even better than New Zealand did on New Zealand soil!) and took cheap and good wickets with consistent line and length. Zaheer Khan and Harbarhjan Singh completely tore the New Zealand batting line-up to shreds (bar the 2nd test), and they were well supported by Munaf Patel and Ishant Sharma. On the field they were a bit scrappy but brilliant at times, taking great slip catches. The way they dismantled New Zealand throughout test series just goes to show their red hot form and current domination with recent test series wins over Australia, Sri Lanka and England.
India are the real deal at the moment and it will take a "miracle" for any nation to stop them. Click here to read the rest of the post »
Aha! more drama. Rain stops play.
Just as New Zealand were 8 down, with only Chris Martin to come and had 50 + overs left to bat out, the rain appeared. No wonder New Zealand are so hard to beat at home. Not only do they have to persevere with New Zealand but also the rain gods. At times the rain can be frustrating for New Zealand as in either puts them at a disadvantage or removes New Zealand's commanding position. This time it worked a treat, preventing New Zealand from going down 2 - 0 in the test series against India. Instead, they lose the test series by a respectable 1 - 0.
Congratulations to India on a strong overseas performance against a side that they are traditionally weak against. Special mentions have to go to Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Zaheer Khan and Harbarhjan Singh!! The team was well led by MS Dhoni, who incidentally "out-captained" the more experienced Daniel Vettori. The top order was very consistent throughout the test series, and the lower order did their part when necessary. Their bowlers used the conditions perfectly (even better than New Zealand did on New Zealand soil!) and took cheap and good wickets with consistent line and length. Zaheer Khan and Harbarhjan Singh completely tore the New Zealand batting line-up to shreds (bar the 2nd test), and they were well supported by Munaf Patel and Ishant Sharma. On the field they were a bit scrappy but brilliant at times, taking great slip catches. The way they dismantled New Zealand throughout test series just goes to show their red hot form and current domination with recent test series wins over Australia, Sri Lanka and England.
India are the real deal at the moment and it will take a "miracle" for any nation to stop them. Click here to read the rest of the post »
The Finale
One that should be an enthralling and exciting test match to wrap what has been an entertaining tour to watch. New Zealand took the Twenty20 Series quite convincingly. India took the ODI Series with a game to spare. India lead 1 - 0 in the test series.
The India team ready to do what's required: Win the test match if they have the chance or draw if they can't win it.
For India, they cannot lose this test series so that would be a good feeling. For New Zealand, win and they obtain the credibility of drawing a test series with India. Lose and all the hard work they put into the 2nd test (most notably Ryder's double century, McCullum's first century against a quality test opposition and making India follow on) will count for nothing. So both teams should have the urge and attitude to win this test match.
For this 3rd and final test match, I find it almost impossible for India to lose this game. In the 2nd test match, India showed that if they can't win a test match, then they can most certainly save it. New Zealand were in such a dominant position, putting 600 + runs on the board in 5 sessions, giving themselves three days and a session to take 20 wickets. However, they only took 14 wickets - 3 in Day 2, 8 in Day 3, 1 in day 4 and 2 in day 5. It not only shows how good this Indian batting line-up is but powerless and un-threatening the New Zealand bowling attack is. Had the bowling attack contained the likes of a 'Dale Steyn,' a 'Brett lee' or even one their own - a 'Shane Bond;' they would of had no trouble bowling India out in 3 or so days. New Zealand lack a spearhead, an outright fast bowler who can make breakthroughs when needed most - backed up by support bowlers who can chip in with a wicket or two. New Zealand's whole pace attack consists of support bowlers. In an attack featuring Chris Martin, Iain O' Brien, James Franklin or even Tim Southee - India have nothing much to worry about. The four have neither the pace nor intimidation to even put a doubt in the Indian minds. If a 'Shane Bond' was in that attack, he would have probably nipped 2-3 top-order wickets - and then allowing the support bowlers and spin bowlers to come into the game. Vettori and Patel are great spin bowlers but ain't very effective when they're the only ones taking the wicket - which further stresses the need of a spearhead in the New Zealand attack.
The decision to bring Tim Southee back is a bit of an odd decision to be honest. He struggled in the ODIs and the Indians attacked him whenever he was brought in to bowl - bowling 10 wicketless overs for 100+ runs. Hopefully, Tim Southee produces the swing that he had when he nipped three Australian top order wickets in one session. If not, then let the Sehwag show begin!
After the match, Vettori stated that:
I can't see how not being unable to bowl out an opposition in 2 days is a good performance, especially given how dominant New Zealand were in (even more than the dominant positions that Australia were in against New Zealand in the test matches!). In my opinion, the momentum is firmly on India.
However, you cannot take the credit away from the Indian batting line-up. Sure they got bowled out late in Day 3 but they regrouped superbly batting 180 overs in the second innings at the cost of just 4 wickets. Gambhir played probably his most boring test innings of late but it was a match-saving one. His briliance in the second innings was backed up by Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman (who played superbly in this century knock) and then Y. Singh (who helped himself to a fifty with some good shots to get his confidence back). Only miracle spells from the New Zealand bowlers will stop these men.
Given the declining status of test cricket and the rising of Twenty20, let's hope this match gets a result - hopefully at the end of day 5, just to finish off what has been an entertaining tour. My money's still on India though! Click here to read the rest of the post »
The India team ready to do what's required: Win the test match if they have the chance or draw if they can't win it.
For India, they cannot lose this test series so that would be a good feeling. For New Zealand, win and they obtain the credibility of drawing a test series with India. Lose and all the hard work they put into the 2nd test (most notably Ryder's double century, McCullum's first century against a quality test opposition and making India follow on) will count for nothing. So both teams should have the urge and attitude to win this test match.
For this 3rd and final test match, I find it almost impossible for India to lose this game. In the 2nd test match, India showed that if they can't win a test match, then they can most certainly save it. New Zealand were in such a dominant position, putting 600 + runs on the board in 5 sessions, giving themselves three days and a session to take 20 wickets. However, they only took 14 wickets - 3 in Day 2, 8 in Day 3, 1 in day 4 and 2 in day 5. It not only shows how good this Indian batting line-up is but powerless and un-threatening the New Zealand bowling attack is. Had the bowling attack contained the likes of a 'Dale Steyn,' a 'Brett lee' or even one their own - a 'Shane Bond;' they would of had no trouble bowling India out in 3 or so days. New Zealand lack a spearhead, an outright fast bowler who can make breakthroughs when needed most - backed up by support bowlers who can chip in with a wicket or two. New Zealand's whole pace attack consists of support bowlers. In an attack featuring Chris Martin, Iain O' Brien, James Franklin or even Tim Southee - India have nothing much to worry about. The four have neither the pace nor intimidation to even put a doubt in the Indian minds. If a 'Shane Bond' was in that attack, he would have probably nipped 2-3 top-order wickets - and then allowing the support bowlers and spin bowlers to come into the game. Vettori and Patel are great spin bowlers but ain't very effective when they're the only ones taking the wicket - which further stresses the need of a spearhead in the New Zealand attack.
The decision to bring Tim Southee back is a bit of an odd decision to be honest. He struggled in the ODIs and the Indians attacked him whenever he was brought in to bowl - bowling 10 wicketless overs for 100+ runs. Hopefully, Tim Southee produces the swing that he had when he nipped three Australian top order wickets in one session. If not, then let the Sehwag show begin!
After the match, Vettori stated that:
You can play another Test match on this if you want to! whatever conditions we get [in the third Test] , this performance here will give us lots of heart.
I can't see how not being unable to bowl out an opposition in 2 days is a good performance, especially given how dominant New Zealand were in (even more than the dominant positions that Australia were in against New Zealand in the test matches!). In my opinion, the momentum is firmly on India.
However, you cannot take the credit away from the Indian batting line-up. Sure they got bowled out late in Day 3 but they regrouped superbly batting 180 overs in the second innings at the cost of just 4 wickets. Gambhir played probably his most boring test innings of late but it was a match-saving one. His briliance in the second innings was backed up by Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman (who played superbly in this century knock) and then Y. Singh (who helped himself to a fifty with some good shots to get his confidence back). Only miracle spells from the New Zealand bowlers will stop these men.
Given the declining status of test cricket and the rising of Twenty20, let's hope this match gets a result - hopefully at the end of day 5, just to finish off what has been an entertaining tour. My money's still on India though! Click here to read the rest of the post »
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