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Indian Cricket League is underway
By Will last year, at the start of December, Comments
What a day it’s been. India pile up 615d; Sri Lanka crumble to 188; and Chris Harris is bowling for the Heroes.
Erm, hang on. Chris who? Not baldylocks himself, surely? Not Chris “It’s Got Snow On It” Harris of infuriatingly slow dibbly-dobbler fame? Yes, the legend has returned and is bowling for Hyderabad Heroes against the amusingly and ambiguously named Mumbai Champs. Champs. Only Australians use that word, and even they do it in jest. I hope so, anyway.
Elsewhere in the whacky world of the ICL, the Chennai Superstars are taking on eleven Kolkata Tigers - not literally, though it’s no coincidence that they are captained by the hirsute Craig McMillan. I’m looking forward to the Kolkata Tigers going paw-to-paw against the Chandigarh Lions who yesterday shot down eleven Delhi Jets.
Anyway, go to the Cricinfo series page for all the commentary, bulletins and photos.
CommentsKiwis rue their lost opportunities
By Scott last year, at the end of January, Comments
I had to await today’s highlights of yesterday’s Australia vs New Zealand fixture due to the fact that I did a ’spur of the moment’ trek into the Australian interior. Drought-breaking rains have flooded the mid-north of South Australia, and that looked more exciting to me then another hum-drum one-dayer between Australia and New Zealand. In any event, I could listen to it on the radio.
An unusual green strip in the SCG pitch gave fast bowlers the edge, and Australia’s pace attack made short work of the New Zealand top order, before Craig McMillan launched a brave revival, after he demonstrated that he’s no more likely to walk then Michael Hussey. Umpires Simon Taufell and Asad Rauf will hope this game is forgotten as quickly as possible because they both had bad games. New Zealand ended up with 218.
And they reduced Australia to 3 for 17 before Michael Clarke stabilised things. He was edgy early and gave a easy chance, only to be dropped. Michael Hussey should have been run out early as well, but survived to see Australia home.
But this was a game New Zealand should have won. They gave Australia vital chances, and this is something they cannot afford to do. There are some talented players in the New Zealand team, and they are skillfully led, but the gap between the New Zealand team and domestic first class cricket is very large. You might think this is unavoidable, but according to one young lady who knows more about domestic New Zealand cricket then I do, the main problem in New Zealand is attitude.
Obviously I am not against having a good time but this sort of larrikin behaviour is standard for a touring cricket team during the domestic NZ competition. They don’t take the whole thing seriously. The players think because they have scored a hundred in some piss arse domestic competition that they are now good enough to play international cricket.
This lack of professionalism filters through to the Black Caps as there literally is no pressure on players in the current squad to perform as there is no one to replace them. Players such as Astle, McMillan and Marshall have been cruising in Black Cap mode for years now. A guy like Matthew Sinclair should be a world class batsman, he’s not. And where the hell is Lou Vincent?
The situation is the reverse in Australia. Guys sit in State competitions for years and score thousands of runs and are still not good enough to break into the Australian side who game after game produces consistent form. Australian players have their share of off field incidents, Shane Warne and Andrew Symonds being the main offenders. The difference between Australian cricketers and New Zealand cricketers is that they seem to perform better on the field than they do off it.
(Read Kate’s entire essay for an eye-opening look at New Zealand cricket)
There really is no reason why New Zealand can not punch weight with Australia. Cricket’s not just about talent, it is about attitude. India has a population of over a billion, and by all measures they should be the country with a kick-arse cricket team, not Australia. But India isn’t serious about playing WINNING cricket.
New Zealand is semi-serious. They only need to look at how their rugby side dominates, and bring the same attitude to their cricket.
So, semi-serious England play semi-serious New Zealand in Adelaide tomorrow. I’m semi-seriously considering wandering along to have a look. I haven’t made up my mind yet though. If Bond plays, I will probably go.
Seriously!
CommentsWalk on, walk on
By Will 4 years ago, at the end of November, Comments
Gilchrist The Walker. I can think of other phrases opposition bowlers might call him, and his “crusade” of being one of the only walkers in world cricket continues. Heated debate in the First Test, but it’s blown out of all proportion.
The stump microphones caught the moment when McMillan turned to Gilchrist - who accepted the decision with a wry grin - and told him that “not everyone is walking Gilly … not everyone has to walk, mate.” The exchange continued and Bucknor ambled down the pitch to ensure that it didn’t get out of hand. McMillan was lbw to the next ball.
So, McMillan doesn’t want to walk. Gilchrist does. Where’s the problem? Ah, I’ve forgotten that Gilchrist happens to be behind the stumps. Surely he wouldn’t be saying nasty things to the batsmen?
Stephen Fleming then waded in to the debate by accusing Gilchrist, who has a reputation as being a genuine walker, of trying to pressurise opponents. “When you’ve got one or two players on a crusade, it places pressure on people in terms of whether they choose to walk or not,” he told reporters. “We all like to see the game played in the best spirit but if some individuals choose not to, which is their right, then so be it. We have to respect that. Whether you’re placing pressure on players for walking or not walking, it’s the same scenario. You do have to be very careful.”
Children, children. I think the following excerpt from Nancy’s Sinatra’s “These boots were made for walkin’” is rather apt:
CommentsYou keep playing where you shouldn’t be playing
And you keep thinking that you’ll never get burnt (HAH)
Well, I’ve just found me a brand new box of matches (YEAH)
And what he knows you ain’t had time to learn
These boots are made for walking, and that’s just what they’ll do
One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you
