Calculatedly Miss Calculated

Cricket could be nasty game of sports and Duckworth Lewis, jitter teams and supporters for generations.

If you don’t agree, ask anybody in South Africa. The country has taken the worst brunt as they miscalculated all important run, during the 2003 World Cup.

With rain about to fall South Africa blocked what they knew will be the final ball against Sri Lanka in Durban under the wrong belief that they are ahead of in the game. The error led to their elimination from the World Cup they hosted.

Yesterday, West Indies became the new victim as they gifted England its first victory since August. The coach John Dyson signaled his players to take the light as he also miscalculated and thought they were ahead of England at that stage.

On the other hand English captain, Andrew Strauss knew exactly what happened, though there was some confusion when it was announced to crowd of over 19,000 that West Indies have won the 1st of the five odis played between the two teams.

Chris Gayle said he won’t kill his coach and praised him for the work he is doing with the team, but admitted that it was a sad way of loosing a close contest.  For more cricket news click here

Preview Durban Test – Australia Vs South Africa

Last updated: 05 Mar 2009
Posted By: Nasrun-Min-Ullah-Mir

Second Test: South Africa Vs Australia, Kingsmead, Durban, Friday, 6 March (08:30 GMT)

Cricket is a cruel game. South Africa crushed Australia Down Under to earn their first victory in one of the best fought series of era. They were desired winners when two met in Johannesburg in the first of three Tests. But the horrors of New Wanderers continued to haunt the hosts as they lost the game with a massive margin of 152 runs in pursuit of unlikely 454.

Now heat of Durban is waiting. South Africa is unlikely to change its combination, but their quest to equalize the series will greatly depend on their ability to kill wagging tail of Australia which whipped them in Wanderers.  
In last eighteen months South Africa has shown the characteristics of a balanced side which is not only perfect on tags, but their performance on ground has been outstanding.

Proteas batting has depth, character, style, elegance and temperament to coup against impossible. Their wins in Australia have shown a spirit which can change odds.

Graeme Smith at top always leads from front. Though, he failed in the first innings in Jo’burg, his second fifty on the fourth day of the match injected momentum and self-belief for not just saving the Test, but chasing history – A lost cause in the end.

But the weakest link of South African batting also comes from the top – ever inconsistent Neil McKenzie.

Their middle order is crowded with gifted players like Hashim Amla, who is a class act when in flow, Jacques Kallis, arguably greatest all-rounder game has ever seen, AB de Villiers, and Jean Paul Duminy – best in the lot…Read More

In Doubt – Future of Cricket in Asia

Is global terror shifting its campaign from suicide bombers to commando style operations? And is sports becoming the new endeavor of terror?

The events in Lahore have cast serious doubts after terrorists attacked international sportsmen.

A dozen gunmen remain still at large after opening fire on Sri Lanka cricket team, who were on their way to Gaddafi Stadium to start the third day’s play of second Test match against host Pakistan.

The convoy was attacked with rifles, grenades, and rocket launchers. Seven members of Sri Lanka squad including a British assistant coach were injured. Eight Pakistanis died in the attack, which include; six police officers assigned to protect the team, and one of the drivers of the bus.

For Pakistan it may be a big wakeup call, as nation’s flamboyant cricketer, Shahid Afridi calls it a “golden moment” for his nation to unite and fight, before it’s too late.

But the attack exposed Government’s chronic inability to contain the growing lawlessness and terrorism which has already engulfed Pakistan’s border territory with Afghanistan.

Yesterday’s events in Lahore have thrown serious doubts on Pakistan’s future as a venue for international events. Its is due to co-host 2011 cricket World Cup along with India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka…Read More