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

1st ODI Preview, India Vs New Zealand

Towering on back to back wins in twenty20 series, New Zealand will have the advantage when they meet India in Mclean Park, Napier to play the first of 5 ODIS on Tuesday (01:00 GMT.)

But Black Caps coach, Andy Moles is trying to be humble as he fancies India as the predominant force in five match epic. “We must respect them but we mustn’t be scared of them,” Moles said to New Zealand Herlad, “The two results have given the guys the confidence that they can compete.”
“From an individual point of view, some of the younger players have found there’s nothing to be scared of and are looking forward to the next challenge.”
Moles felt Kiwis gave too much of a respect to Indian bowling as they chased 150 runs to win the two match series in Wellington and players should know the line which separates respect from getting bogged down.
Brendon McCullum’s recent twenty20 knocks of 61, 56, 49, and 69 has pleased the coach Moles but believes that other players also need to chip in if host are going to make an impact in the series…Read More

India Lost first Twenty20 Against Kiwis

New Zealand won the first Twenty20 by seven wickets against India in Jade Stadium Christchurch on Wednesday.

After wining the toss, Black Caps put India to bat first and tourists got a flyer as opening batsman Virender Sehwag hit Tim Southee for three consecutive sixes in the first over, but after that tourists lost their way as wickets crumbled, reducing India to 162-8.

Kiwis Celebrate

Kiwis responded in a more methodological approach in which Brendon McCullum’s unbeaten half century guided them to victory while the rest of the team were paced the innings.

After leaking 19 runs in the first over, Black Caps struck – Iain O’Brien removing Sehwag (26) and Gautam Gambhir (6). Ian Butler had the best over over Rohit Sharma (7) and Daniel Vettori  cheaply  removed Yuvraj Singh for 1.

Freefall continued with captain MS Dhoni failing to make a mark and was bowled by Butler for 2, after facing 6 deliveries.

Unbeaten 61 runs from Suresh Raina, along with cameos of Yousuf Pathan who struck three lusty bowls to Nathan McCullum before getting caught by Jacob Oram for 20 and Harbhajan Singh’s 21 which drove India to a respectable total.

New Zealand batting got reinforcement by the return of Ross Taylor, who came back from a hamstring injury he sustained during the fifth and final game of Chappell-Hadlee Trophy.

Kiwis also saw Jacob Oram and Jesse Ryder return from injury to play in the first Twenty20 against India.

New Zealand left out Grant Elliott and Neil Broom from their 11 while as India kept Ravindra Jadeja, Praveen Kumar, Pragyan Ojha, Munaf patel and Dinesh Kartik on sidelines.

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