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Cricket News - by Craig Hill
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Luckiest cricket fan in Australia
November 25th 2009 02:14
Did anyone watch the All*Stars Twenty20 match on Sunday night? If so, you may have noticed the Johnnie Walker 12th Man.
Dave Cameron from the Gold Coast won the incredible opportunity to be 12th Man for some of the biggest legends in cricket, including Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden and Glenn McGrath, as part of the Johnnie Walker ACA All*Stars team.
Dave and 19 other finalists were flown to Brisbane on Friday to be put through their paces in a series of batting, bowling and fielding tests in the nets at the GABBA to prove to the judging panel that they had what it took to win the 12th man spot. But, in the end, it was Dave that proved to judges (Darren Lehmann, Damien Fleming, and Chief Executive of the ACA, Paul Marsh) that he was their man.
As part of his prize, Dave got to train with the Johnnie Walker ACA All*Stars Team on Saturday, stay with them in their hotel, be presented with the team kit and perform 12th man duties during the match last night. He also got to go to a swanky cocktail party with all the players and their partners.
Check out some footage from the selection day at YouTube - The Selection - Johnnie Walker ACA All*Stars 12th Man
Disclaimer: I work on behalf of Johnnie Walker
Dave Cameron from the Gold Coast won the incredible opportunity to be 12th Man for some of the biggest legends in cricket, including Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden and Glenn McGrath, as part of the Johnnie Walker ACA All*Stars team.
Dave and 19 other finalists were flown to Brisbane on Friday to be put through their paces in a series of batting, bowling and fielding tests in the nets at the GABBA to prove to the judging panel that they had what it took to win the 12th man spot. But, in the end, it was Dave that proved to judges (Darren Lehmann, Damien Fleming, and Chief Executive of the ACA, Paul Marsh) that he was their man.
As part of his prize, Dave got to train with the Johnnie Walker ACA All*Stars Team on Saturday, stay with them in their hotel, be presented with the team kit and perform 12th man duties during the match last night. He also got to go to a swanky cocktail party with all the players and their partners.
Check out some footage from the selection day at YouTube - The Selection - Johnnie Walker ACA All*Stars 12th Man
Disclaimer: I work on behalf of Johnnie Walker
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Comments (1) Want to be a 12th man alongside Aussie legends?
November 10th 2009 05:39
has anyone ever fancied taking their place in a team with some of the biggest legends in Australian cricket? Well this is your chance to join the Johnnie Walker ACA All*Stars squad, as they take on the KFC Australian XI in a T20 clash at the Gabba! (Disclaimer: I work on behalf of Johnnie Walker)
The All*Stars are a team made up of cricketing legends and the best of Australia’s emerging young talent. They will be captained by Shane Warne, and will feature former Test greats Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath and Matt Hayden.
Johnnie Walker is giving you a once in a lifetime chance to live the life of an international cricketer: you’ll train with the squad, stay in the team hotel, pull on the kit, carry the drinks at the game and also attend a players and partners season launch party.
Check out www.johnniewalker.com.au for details
The All*Stars are a team made up of cricketing legends and the best of Australia’s emerging young talent. They will be captained by Shane Warne, and will feature former Test greats Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath and Matt Hayden.
Johnnie Walker is giving you a once in a lifetime chance to live the life of an international cricketer: you’ll train with the squad, stay in the team hotel, pull on the kit, carry the drinks at the game and also attend a players and partners season launch party.
Check out www.johnniewalker.com.au for details
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10/10
October 26th 2009 01:17
Whilst for many people the demise of 50 over cricket is inevitable, surely the more pressing concern is that 20 over cricket will go the same way and be replaced by 10/10 games. Why? 50 over cricket is becoming obsolete because teams have mastered the ability to time their innings,leading to the tawdry "knock the ball around" overs between overs 20 and 35/40. Surely as 20 over cricket becomes more popular, teams will discover a consolidation period in their innings also. Admittedly it might be only for overs 7-14 but it will still happen. So this leads to 10/10 cricket to try and drive out the boring overs and then where do we stop. 5/5? 2/2? Or maybe Brett Lee and Chris Gayle should have a 6 ball contest so everythings over in 20 minutes. I fear that our generation's need for immediacy will lead to this.
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Pakistan hold nerve in low-scoring brawl
September 30th 2009 03:31
Your text goes here
Pakistan tripped and stumbled and chased with the assurance of sleepwalkers, but ultimately a superior fast-bowling attack and depth in batting sealed them a low-scoring showdown. A fine bowling performance where wickets were shared all around ensured a woefully inexperienced West Indies were bowled out for an unthreatening 133 after they opted to bat. Pakistan's batting has floundered repeatedly this year and today they nearly lost it, bewildered by Gavin Tonge's four-wicket haul, before Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi added 58 to finish the deal.
This match as a contest ended well before Pakistan could come out to bat. Floyd Reifer had spoken of the importance of this tournament for fans in the Caribbean, and vowed at the toss that his team would play "the best cricket possible". What followed was anything but, as a combination of accurate fast bowling and not-so-clever batting decided the direction of this match.
Afridi, captaining Pakistan for the first time in ODIs, had said after losing the toss that he would have fielded first on a surface he reckoned had a bit in it for his bowlers. He was spot on, and Pakistan's trio of fast bowlers exploited whatever juice there was. There were no magic deliveries or exaggerated reverse swing, just good old line and length but that proved sufficient for an inept line-up. The professionals stuck to the basics: Mohammad Aamer found a bit of seam movement, Naved-ul-Hasan swung it gently and varied his pace, and Umar Gul hit the deck hard to apply the chokehold.
At one point it looked as though the game would be finished before the lights came on. West Indies' woes started in the first over, when Dale Richards spooned a return catch to Aamer. Andre Fletcher found it wasn't easy slogging Naved and when he got one that wasn't full enough to stab at, he scooped to backward point. Aamer got Travis Dowlin for 0, trying to cut one that was too full.
With the batsmen uneasy defending and playing off the back foot, Aamer settled for back of a length and beat the bat numerous times. Naved found movement when he pitched it up and the slips were kept interested. He hit a tidy line with the new ball and cleverly changed his pace, conceding just 12 off his first five overs.
Gul took a few deliveries to find his length, and when he changed his angle to around the stumps he immediately had Devon Smith - the most experienced batsman - lobbing a sharp, rising delivery to second slip. West Indies went from deep trouble to catastrophe in a matter of minutes when Aamer changed ends after a break and ripped one through David Bernard, and Gul nipped out Reifer and Chadwick Walton off successive deliveries. Gul was the pick of the lot, finding a superb line and getting the ball to sit up sharply.
Had it not been for some enthusiastic hitting from Nikita Miller, West Indies may have folded for their second lowest score ever. Miller, beginning shakily but gaining in confidence with three boundaries off Saeed Ajmal's second over, showed a technique and temperament that his batting team-mates so desperately lacked. He was last out for 51 off 57 balls as West Indies collapsed in 34.3 overs.
A target of 134 was easily going to be in Pakistan's range, but they still managed to make it a tough chase. The openers, with ten overs to negotiate before the lunch break, took the frenzied approach and paid for it. Tonge set the tone for a very good evening by bowling Imran Nazir with a full ball in a wicket-maiden opening over, and then undid Kamran Akmal for seam and carry. Tonge understood the virtue of pitching the ball up, yet also got it to bite off the pitch on more than one occasion. He smacked Mohammad Yousuf in the ribs and should have had him on 1 but Darren Sammy erred at second slip.
Tonge bowled a very consistent line, showing an aptitude to test the batsmen by pitching it up; Shoaib Malik was drawn into a fatal drive. Tonge's length was immaculate and Yousuf's was the only wicket he got off a shorter length. Otherwise his variation was generally full or on a good length.
At 76 for 5, after Misbah-ul-Haq edged Bernard, the match could have swung either way. Umar's entrance brought some stability to the proceedings and with Afridi, calmed nerves and sealed victory. Umar displayed the virtues required to negate the pressure and turn the heat back on the fielders, backing himself to go over the top. Even a severe rap from a Tino Best beamer didn't deter young Umar from finishing the job. West Indies displayed remarkable fight, but were a few runs short as Pakistan crossed the finish line in the 31st over.
Your text goes here
Pakistan tripped and stumbled and chased with the assurance of sleepwalkers, but ultimately a superior fast-bowling attack and depth in batting sealed them a low-scoring showdown. A fine bowling performance where wickets were shared all around ensured a woefully inexperienced West Indies were bowled out for an unthreatening 133 after they opted to bat. Pakistan's batting has floundered repeatedly this year and today they nearly lost it, bewildered by Gavin Tonge's four-wicket haul, before Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi added 58 to finish the deal.
This match as a contest ended well before Pakistan could come out to bat. Floyd Reifer had spoken of the importance of this tournament for fans in the Caribbean, and vowed at the toss that his team would play "the best cricket possible". What followed was anything but, as a combination of accurate fast bowling and not-so-clever batting decided the direction of this match.
Afridi, captaining Pakistan for the first time in ODIs, had said after losing the toss that he would have fielded first on a surface he reckoned had a bit in it for his bowlers. He was spot on, and Pakistan's trio of fast bowlers exploited whatever juice there was. There were no magic deliveries or exaggerated reverse swing, just good old line and length but that proved sufficient for an inept line-up. The professionals stuck to the basics: Mohammad Aamer found a bit of seam movement, Naved-ul-Hasan swung it gently and varied his pace, and Umar Gul hit the deck hard to apply the chokehold.
At one point it looked as though the game would be finished before the lights came on. West Indies' woes started in the first over, when Dale Richards spooned a return catch to Aamer. Andre Fletcher found it wasn't easy slogging Naved and when he got one that wasn't full enough to stab at, he scooped to backward point. Aamer got Travis Dowlin for 0, trying to cut one that was too full.
With the batsmen uneasy defending and playing off the back foot, Aamer settled for back of a length and beat the bat numerous times. Naved found movement when he pitched it up and the slips were kept interested. He hit a tidy line with the new ball and cleverly changed his pace, conceding just 12 off his first five overs.
Gul took a few deliveries to find his length, and when he changed his angle to around the stumps he immediately had Devon Smith - the most experienced batsman - lobbing a sharp, rising delivery to second slip. West Indies went from deep trouble to catastrophe in a matter of minutes when Aamer changed ends after a break and ripped one through David Bernard, and Gul nipped out Reifer and Chadwick Walton off successive deliveries. Gul was the pick of the lot, finding a superb line and getting the ball to sit up sharply.
Had it not been for some enthusiastic hitting from Nikita Miller, West Indies may have folded for their second lowest score ever. Miller, beginning shakily but gaining in confidence with three boundaries off Saeed Ajmal's second over, showed a technique and temperament that his batting team-mates so desperately lacked. He was last out for 51 off 57 balls as West Indies collapsed in 34.3 overs.
A target of 134 was easily going to be in Pakistan's range, but they still managed to make it a tough chase. The openers, with ten overs to negotiate before the lunch break, took the frenzied approach and paid for it. Tonge set the tone for a very good evening by bowling Imran Nazir with a full ball in a wicket-maiden opening over, and then undid Kamran Akmal for seam and carry. Tonge understood the virtue of pitching the ball up, yet also got it to bite off the pitch on more than one occasion. He smacked Mohammad Yousuf in the ribs and should have had him on 1 but Darren Sammy erred at second slip.
Tonge bowled a very consistent line, showing an aptitude to test the batsmen by pitching it up; Shoaib Malik was drawn into a fatal drive. Tonge's length was immaculate and Yousuf's was the only wicket he got off a shorter length. Otherwise his variation was generally full or on a good length.
At 76 for 5, after Misbah-ul-Haq edged Bernard, the match could have swung either way. Umar's entrance brought some stability to the proceedings and with Afridi, calmed nerves and sealed victory. Umar displayed the virtues required to negate the pressure and turn the heat back on the fielders, backing himself to go over the top. Even a severe rap from a Tino Best beamer didn't deter young Umar from finishing the job. West Indies displayed remarkable fight, but were a few runs short as Pakistan crossed the finish line in the 31st over.
Your text goes here
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Ponting hit for six - dropped from Twenty20
August 25th 2009 12:00
Following Australia’s historic Ashes defeat on Sunday, Australian Captain Ricky Ponting has been dropped from the up coming Twenty20 matches in England and Scotland starting Aug 28th. Other casualties include out of form batsmen Mike Hussey and seam bowler Peter Siddle.
Despite publicly backing Ricky and his teams’ performance throughout the Ashes series it seems that the Australian Selection Panel’s actions are somewhat different from their words – Australia lost to England therefore changes need to be made.
National Selector Andrew Hilditch commented that the Twenty20 squad was picked keeping in mind the looming World Twenty20 series in the West Indies in May.
Hilditch goes on to say that the omission of Ricky Ponting will provide a great opportunity for Vice Captain Michael Clarke to captain in the two Twenty20 matches and one ODI against Scotland.
“The selection panel is using the two matches against England to look at different make-ups to the squad and include players who we consider Twenty20 specialists in preparation for the ICC World Twenty20 next year," he said.
Gary Bowen
Despite publicly backing Ricky and his teams’ performance throughout the Ashes series it seems that the Australian Selection Panel’s actions are somewhat different from their words – Australia lost to England therefore changes need to be made.
National Selector Andrew Hilditch commented that the Twenty20 squad was picked keeping in mind the looming World Twenty20 series in the West Indies in May.
Hilditch goes on to say that the omission of Ricky Ponting will provide a great opportunity for Vice Captain Michael Clarke to captain in the two Twenty20 matches and one ODI against Scotland.
“The selection panel is using the two matches against England to look at different make-ups to the squad and include players who we consider Twenty20 specialists in preparation for the ICC World Twenty20 next year," he said.
Gary Bowen
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Posted By: Gary Bowen - Category: One Day International, Twenty20, Australia, England, International Teams
Day 3, Lord's, 18/7/09
July 20th 2009 15:43
Day 3
Lord’s
18/7/09
By Andrew Starkie
Overnight details:
England 425
Strauss 161
Hilfenhaus 4/103
Australia 8/156
Hussey 51
Anderson 4/26
First session:
Play started under light clouds with Australia needing 70 runs to avoid the follow-on.
Broad opened with a handful of bouncers. Hauritz and Sidds ignored them or edged and sliced boundaries through the fortunately empty third man area. Broad looks like a public school toff, or Julian from the Famous Five (‘Come on Dick, let’s have a yummy picnic in the castle!’).
Onions, who would look at home playing the spoons in an Irish pub, replaced Anderson after forty minutes and was immediately driven through point for four by Hauritz. Two balls later he slashed outside off and was caught smartly by Collingwood at third slip. Hauritz was out for 24 and Australia was 9/169.
Australia still needed 30 to avoid the follow-on when Hilfenhaus walked to the crease. The responsibility lay with Sidds who continued to cut and hook Broad whose bottom lip started to quiver. Onions pitched up to Sidds who edged to Strauss at first slip. Sidds’ 35 is his highest Test score. Australia were all out for 215, a deficit of 210.
Perhaps to rest Freddy who didn’t bowl this morning, or maybe because he liked the look of the flattening pitch, Strauss didn’t enforce the follow-on. He and Cook strode back out under a warm sun. Strauss immediately pulled Hilfy for four and England looked set for a big day at the crease.
Punter’s patience with Johnson lasted three overs. He was cut and pulled everywhere and after Strauss swatted a full toss off his pads for another four, Sidds replaced him.
Things didn’t improve. Strauss and Cook plundered 50 from their first ten overs. England were 0/57 at Lunch and the overall lead, 267.
Tiredness crept in during the break. I had to keep busy, so I put on a load of dirty washing, cleaned the kitchen and gulped down some strong coffee.
Second session:
I settled in for the start of the middle session expecting to witness an English run feast. When Strauss flicked Sidds off his pads for four, dread filled me. Here we go, I thought.
Suddenly, funny things started happening. Hauritz came on - sore finger and all - and trapped Cook plum in front with his first ball. In his next over, he tossed one up to Strauss who edged to Clarke. Both batsmen made 32. Pietersen opened his scoring by waltzing down the pitch and lifting the off-spinner over mid-wicket.
Hilfenhaus replaced Hauritz to have a go at Pietersen who survived an LBW appeal and runout chance – all in the same ball. Hilfy twice whistled his outswinger past Pietersen’s bat. An uncontrolled off-drive caught his inside edge and almost the off-stump.
Ponting, at second slip, dropped a simple chance off Bopara. Punter looked at the ground like someone who had farted loudly in church. Sidds crouched mid-pitch with his head in his hands.
Normalcy returned when Haddin gave away four more byes.
The hour after drinks saw Australia produce their best spell of bowling for the Test. Hilfenhaus dominated Pietersen with his outswingers and even Johnson found a better line. Our fielding was sharp and pressure was maintained on the English.
England managed only fifteen runs in a ten over period.
England were edging towards Tea when Bopara pulled Johnson to mid-on and Hauritz claimed a tumbling catch. Rudi Koertzen referred to his colleague in the grandstand and Bopara was given the benefit of the doubt.
England went to Tea at 2/130 with Bopara on 19 and Pietersen 28. It had been Australia’s session, yet England’s overall lead was 340 and growing.
Third session:
Punter employed go-slow tactics after Tea. He found it necessary to speak to his bowlers – and anyone else for that matter – whenever possible in an attempt to hinder England’s momentum.
The plan worked. Bopara and turned Hauritz off his thigh pad and into Katich’s hands at short leg. He never looked comfortable and made 27 from 93 balls. Pietersen edged Sidds to Haddin on 44 from 101. England had strolled to 4/174.
Punter’s tactics worked on me as well. He obviously didn’t have sympathy for sleep deprived cricket watchers at home. The tough grind set in and I was doing it tough with about 30 overs left in the day’s play (and it was about 2am Reservoir time). I had to step outside into the cold night air to wake up.
Prior emerged with instructions and he and Collingwood lifted the scoring rate. Hauritz came in for punishment as drives and cheeky sweeps found the boundary. The 50 partnership came up in 49 balls. Prior took just 37 balls to score his half-century and looked destined for a brilliant century until, on 61, North ran him out with a direct hit from the outfield. England were 5/260.
Freddy came out to huge applause and Punter discussed his dinner plans with Johnson. I folded towels and prayed for rain. Collingwood carried on and brought up his 50 from 72 balls and the lead was 500. Party time
Things became embarrassing when Freddy got going. The field retreated and runs were easy. Our quicks were plastered everywhere. Dark clouds drew in and the umpires discussed the light. Rain stopped play as Collingwood fell for 54.
No further play was possible and the day closed with England 6/311 and with an overall lead of 521. As I fall into deliriously bed, I’m struck by the realization that only rain can save Australia’s beloved Lord’s record.
Close of play details:
England 425 and 6/311
Prior 61
Flintoff 30*
Broad 0*
Hauritz 3/80
Australia 215
Hussey 51
Anderson 4/55
Lord’s
18/7/09
By Andrew Starkie
Overnight details:
England 425
Strauss 161
Hilfenhaus 4/103
Australia 8/156
Hussey 51
Anderson 4/26
First session:
Play started under light clouds with Australia needing 70 runs to avoid the follow-on.
Broad opened with a handful of bouncers. Hauritz and Sidds ignored them or edged and sliced boundaries through the fortunately empty third man area. Broad looks like a public school toff, or Julian from the Famous Five (‘Come on Dick, let’s have a yummy picnic in the castle!’).
Onions, who would look at home playing the spoons in an Irish pub, replaced Anderson after forty minutes and was immediately driven through point for four by Hauritz. Two balls later he slashed outside off and was caught smartly by Collingwood at third slip. Hauritz was out for 24 and Australia was 9/169.
Australia still needed 30 to avoid the follow-on when Hilfenhaus walked to the crease. The responsibility lay with Sidds who continued to cut and hook Broad whose bottom lip started to quiver. Onions pitched up to Sidds who edged to Strauss at first slip. Sidds’ 35 is his highest Test score. Australia were all out for 215, a deficit of 210.
Perhaps to rest Freddy who didn’t bowl this morning, or maybe because he liked the look of the flattening pitch, Strauss didn’t enforce the follow-on. He and Cook strode back out under a warm sun. Strauss immediately pulled Hilfy for four and England looked set for a big day at the crease.
Punter’s patience with Johnson lasted three overs. He was cut and pulled everywhere and after Strauss swatted a full toss off his pads for another four, Sidds replaced him.
Things didn’t improve. Strauss and Cook plundered 50 from their first ten overs. England were 0/57 at Lunch and the overall lead, 267.
Tiredness crept in during the break. I had to keep busy, so I put on a load of dirty washing, cleaned the kitchen and gulped down some strong coffee.
Second session:
I settled in for the start of the middle session expecting to witness an English run feast. When Strauss flicked Sidds off his pads for four, dread filled me. Here we go, I thought.
Suddenly, funny things started happening. Hauritz came on - sore finger and all - and trapped Cook plum in front with his first ball. In his next over, he tossed one up to Strauss who edged to Clarke. Both batsmen made 32. Pietersen opened his scoring by waltzing down the pitch and lifting the off-spinner over mid-wicket.
Hilfenhaus replaced Hauritz to have a go at Pietersen who survived an LBW appeal and runout chance – all in the same ball. Hilfy twice whistled his outswinger past Pietersen’s bat. An uncontrolled off-drive caught his inside edge and almost the off-stump.
Ponting, at second slip, dropped a simple chance off Bopara. Punter looked at the ground like someone who had farted loudly in church. Sidds crouched mid-pitch with his head in his hands.
Normalcy returned when Haddin gave away four more byes.
The hour after drinks saw Australia produce their best spell of bowling for the Test. Hilfenhaus dominated Pietersen with his outswingers and even Johnson found a better line. Our fielding was sharp and pressure was maintained on the English.
England managed only fifteen runs in a ten over period.
England were edging towards Tea when Bopara pulled Johnson to mid-on and Hauritz claimed a tumbling catch. Rudi Koertzen referred to his colleague in the grandstand and Bopara was given the benefit of the doubt.
England went to Tea at 2/130 with Bopara on 19 and Pietersen 28. It had been Australia’s session, yet England’s overall lead was 340 and growing.
Third session:
Punter employed go-slow tactics after Tea. He found it necessary to speak to his bowlers – and anyone else for that matter – whenever possible in an attempt to hinder England’s momentum.
The plan worked. Bopara and turned Hauritz off his thigh pad and into Katich’s hands at short leg. He never looked comfortable and made 27 from 93 balls. Pietersen edged Sidds to Haddin on 44 from 101. England had strolled to 4/174.
Punter’s tactics worked on me as well. He obviously didn’t have sympathy for sleep deprived cricket watchers at home. The tough grind set in and I was doing it tough with about 30 overs left in the day’s play (and it was about 2am Reservoir time). I had to step outside into the cold night air to wake up.
Prior emerged with instructions and he and Collingwood lifted the scoring rate. Hauritz came in for punishment as drives and cheeky sweeps found the boundary. The 50 partnership came up in 49 balls. Prior took just 37 balls to score his half-century and looked destined for a brilliant century until, on 61, North ran him out with a direct hit from the outfield. England were 5/260.
Freddy came out to huge applause and Punter discussed his dinner plans with Johnson. I folded towels and prayed for rain. Collingwood carried on and brought up his 50 from 72 balls and the lead was 500. Party time
Things became embarrassing when Freddy got going. The field retreated and runs were easy. Our quicks were plastered everywhere. Dark clouds drew in and the umpires discussed the light. Rain stopped play as Collingwood fell for 54.
No further play was possible and the day closed with England 6/311 and with an overall lead of 521. As I fall into deliriously bed, I’m struck by the realization that only rain can save Australia’s beloved Lord’s record.
Close of play details:
England 425 and 6/311
Prior 61
Flintoff 30*
Broad 0*
Hauritz 3/80
Australia 215
Hussey 51
Anderson 4/55
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Read More Ashes - 1st Test, Day One 2009
July 8th 2009 14:49
Well. It's 48 overs through the highly anticipated 1st 2009 Ashes test! So far not much to write about some people think. But I believe their is a bucket load to write about. Mostly pre-match stuff e.g Hiflenhaus and Haurtiz selection over Stuart Clark. Are the selectors serious?!?! Okay credit where it is due, Hilfenhaus hasn't bowled too badly up until now, taking the pretty valuable wicket of Cook. (with immense assistance from Hussey at gully!) But he is not a test match bowler! In my opinion it's a joke he is playing, sorry Ben, but Stuart Clark should easily pull rank over an amature such as Hilfenhaus. Clark has far more experience and far more test attributes to offer as opposed to Hilfenhaus. But! Hauritz is horrible. They already have part-time spin bowlers, Clarke, North, Katich, I don't think they need Haurtiz. Something is appealing Ponting and the selectors that I obviously can't see. So with the whinging out of the way, back to the cricket! I feel England has a superior side, both experience and talent wise, but Australia has that knack to never sod off. Kevin Pietersen has the ability to take the game away from you in a heartbeat (speak of the devil just brought up his half century) and I feel he will do that. One of the Australian bowlers needs to step up and show the way and Brett Lee would of been perfect for that, had he not bruised a leg hair. Sorry side strain. Poor bugger! Anyway, cmon the Poms and cmon K.P!! BJ.
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T20 box office hit
July 6th 2009 13:01
T 20 format of cricket has emerged as a global phenomenon .Right from its start it has gained momentum and success by attracting volumes of spectators around the world.
Not only does it contracts the time span of viewing it but the frequency of the cricket moments has risen.The number of sixes,fours,slogging,hard hitting has become the norm for the purpose.People enjoy the tense speedy nature of this format.
Its invention has sparked the debate of inclusion of cricket as a game in olympics too.
One couldnot turn his ear and eyes away onces the match begins.This is the beauty of the T20 format.
However this format is leaving no stone unturned to make sure that timing of shots,good techniques and grace of gentlemen cricket to be lost from the game forever.
Now one cannot expect to see stevewaughs timed captains knock.One cant expect to see sir ianbotham bowling for days to make a match out of it.
Felt held elderly citizens statued on the spectators seats ,giving a decent thump of clap on once a while good looking shot will become a rare treat with this format.
The entertainment of T20 has taken away the precision and accuracy from the true nature of game of cricket.
Not only does it contracts the time span of viewing it but the frequency of the cricket moments has risen.The number of sixes,fours,slogging,hard hitting has become the norm for the purpose.People enjoy the tense speedy nature of this format.
Its invention has sparked the debate of inclusion of cricket as a game in olympics too.
One couldnot turn his ear and eyes away onces the match begins.This is the beauty of the T20 format.
However this format is leaving no stone unturned to make sure that timing of shots,good techniques and grace of gentlemen cricket to be lost from the game forever.
Now one cannot expect to see stevewaughs timed captains knock.One cant expect to see sir ianbotham bowling for days to make a match out of it.
Felt held elderly citizens statued on the spectators seats ,giving a decent thump of clap on once a while good looking shot will become a rare treat with this format.
The entertainment of T20 has taken away the precision and accuracy from the true nature of game of cricket.
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