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. 

India ODI Matches ‘dry runs’ to World Cup 2011: Really Mr. Shastri??

This is referring to a recent published article that listed the views of India’s former captain, Mr. Ravi Shastri, wherein he has mentioned that the 18 or so ODIs that India has before the forthcoming WC 2011 matches are essentially practice matches. In fact, he used the term ‘dry runs’ to describe these matches.What I cannot figure out is how have 18 international matches been reduced to the pedestal of just being trial matches or what they now popular call ‘testing the bench strength’. Isn't every international match being played with the India cap and isn't it supposed to put the best available national talent on the field?

I can understand that some international-scale matches between European nations are often played as ‘friendlies’. However, the use of this term to label the matches ensures that the spectators understand the reality that the level of intensity and commitment they expect in an international encounter might be missing to some extent. At least, this labeling ensures that the spectators and national followers of the game aren’t misled in any way. Similarly, a tobacco product has to carry an official warning about the injurious nature of the product. Whether this makes a difference to the judgment of a consumer or not is beyond the purview of this official warning.

Has the BCCI or any national representative of the game even bothered to inform that the forthcoming ‘non-friendlies’ featuring India are prone to be used as some sort of a testing ground for newer talents?