Asif's Day of Redemption

You can count upon a Pakistani paceman to deliver when the situation is most demanding and his presence in the dressing room is under scrutiny and these are the two conditions that prevailed when Asif bowled a magical spell to leave NZ at the crossroads of a certian loss. I have often called Asif a McGrath-like bowler although his antics are nothing like that of the Aussie great. Glenn McGrath was never in the news for what he did off the field and Asif seems to have spent more time appearing in court hearing and spending time with his team of lawyers to clear his name from an unending series of controversies.
That apart, he is a magnificient bowler. Even now he is not bowling as fast as he is capable of, seldom touching the 140 km/her-mark but the conditions that prevail in NZ, the moisture and the wind, are making it easier for him to take wickets. Further, the less said about the Kiwi batsmen the better - their footwork is awful apart from McCullum and Vettori and their ability to stay at the crease for even 2 hrs is highly suspect. Even the likes of Ross Taylor don't seem to understand that if they don't deliver, there is no second line of talent or more men in the dressing room to fall back upon - it is time the NZ batsment stood up to the challenge..for the moment though, Great going, Asif.

Redemption Day for Three Bowlers

Three really good fast bowlers who had been out of test matches for quite some time due to reasons that were entirely their own doing have made very decent combeback. Sreesanth who has been ridiculed for his over-the-top antics made-up with a five-wicket haul yesterday. Similarly, Shane Bond who had changed his allegiance to the ICL made an impression with a handful of wickets and in the same test match, his leading counterpart - Mohammed Asif, has shown why he was initially rated as one of the best new ball bowlers with his immaculated line and length when he first appeared on the scene. What is most interesting is the fact that none of these bowlers were out due to loss of form or injury but due to reason that were their own doing.