Peter Forest: Like a Right-Handed Hayden

He is the only guy in the ongoing tri-series between India, Australia and Sri Lanka who has scored a century and he looks good to do it again. The new middle-order batsman from Australia, Peter Forest, has all the makings of a good player for Australia. For starters, unlike Andrew Symonds who might seem a bit puny against the massive shoulders of Peter Forest, this guy can actually build an innings. Symonds discovered the art of constructing his innings much later in his career whereas Peter Forest seems to be doing that since the day he made his debut. In his mannerisms, his power and the way he plays the airy shorts, 

Peter Forest reminds me a bit about Matthew Hayden though Big Matt was on opener. With Ponting having retired from the Aussie ODI team, it wouldn't be a bad idea to make Peter Forest the number three batsman for at least one season. He seems to have the technique, temperament and the shots that are required to play on different surfaces. Further, his hundred isn't something to be taken lightly considering that none of the batsmen with big reputations have actually scored a century so far. Further, Peter Forest seemed at absolute ease as he scored his first ODI century, as if he had done this a million times before. 

Is Resting So Many Players Needed?

Australia has been doing it for some time now and India seems to have suddenly woken up to the fact that its top players need to be rested ocassionally to ensure their well-being for the forthcoming World Cup 2012 and probably, to extend their careers. However, I do not understand the wisdom of resting so many players together. For instance, the Indian team is remarkably short on bowling potential and the Aussies are fielding some sort of an A team! And this is despite the fact that the Aussies are yet to win anything on their Indian trip.

Yes, preparing for the Ashes does seem paramount but doesn't winning matches leading up to a major series the best form of preparation? Australia used to do this in the past too but at that time, they had the kind of bench that could carry-on in the short-term absence of some seniors. I still cannot find anyone in their squad who is even as good as a Ponting or a Mike Hussey so suggesting that they are finding replacements is a bit of fanciful thinking. In this scenario, what is the kind of seriouness attached to the last ODI between Indian and Australia that is to be played in Goa??

Cricketing Year 2010 — the Likely Formidables!

The New Year is upon us and from a cricketing perspective, it would be fair to say that this could prove to be one of the most closely-contested cricketing seasons. For starters, India and Australia would fight it hard to decide who gets to be the best test team with South Africa and England watching the progress of these two teams closely. South Africa need to regroup to a certain extent and revamp their brand of cricket if they are to become serious contenders for the ODI’s numero uno status and for the top-end of test ranking too. The team seems to be suffered from a lack of creativity on the field and their players, for some inexplicable reason, seem down and aren’t their usual, chirpy self and the bowlers aren’t prepared to get in on with the batsmen. While India’s ascendancy will be closely monitored and followed by millions of fans, it is Pakistan that could turn out to be the real wild card. Agreed that the team has not had the best of time yet, in Australia, but they are getting a semblance of building formidable bowling unit and their batting is slowly picking-up. I would say that England has miles to go, if each mile can be equalled to a decade, before being considered serious ODI material but yes, they do have the resources to be the test championship team. Of course, all these calculations and predictions have no meaning if the recently resurgent Aussies are back to their old ways. Under Ponting, they saw a harrowing period in the first part of 2009 but are now on the way to recovery and the small period of putting in the right pieces to solve their batting order conundrum and filtering bowlers for each format of the game is near completion. If their recent progress is any indication, they may re-assert themselves as the unquestioned world champions in every format of the game.