There are two ongoing test matches and both have them proved that no matter how flat the wickets are, no matter how inventive the batsmen have become and no matter how enterprising shot-making has become, one simple, fact cannot be altered — most contemporary sides cannot handle even average-quality spin bowling if it is dished out on a sustained basis.
Just look at the Pakistani side. They were supposed to struggle against the fast, Aussie bowlers but they have fallen prey to a fiver from Hauritz. No disrespect towards Nathan Hauritz, but by no means is he a match-winning Tweaker. By no means Hauritz can be described as a big spinner of the ball. He is simply a line and length, off-spinner who has the ability to stick to a line and wait for the batsmen to commit a folly and usually that doesn’t work since the pitches are so flat these days that all sorts of strange, counter strokes can be played to negate whatever little spin he is able to generate. The same applied to Kumble for a long time when he could take buckets of wicket at home because the pitches were up and down but was redundant in overseas conditions because simply pitching the ball between the stumps didn’t make an impact. The same applies to South Africa. Graeme Swann does have the talent to make the ball dip in the air but he cannot spin it an impressive extent even if his own life dependent upon it. He simply owes his wickets against South Africa to the Proteas batsmen being apprehensive on the slight indications of some, meagre turn on a wicket that is slowly wearing out.
The final result — two average spin bowlers have delivered what are potentially match-winning spells.
Both SA and England stuck with lower-order batsmen: Lack of Aggressive Bowling?
I realize that saying so would mean undermining the usual tenacity shown by the Proteas bowlers but the fact remains that England was able to save the first test match purely due to the inability of the South African bowlers to dismiss the late batting order of England. For starters, they allowed Graeme Swann to make a half-century and give England's total
a sense of respectability and on the final, decisive day of the test match, the South Africa bowlers just kept bowling outside the off-stump or so short that the ball never made an impact. I was wondering what happened to Ntini and his ilk who would get under the batsmen chin and in their toes as soon as the number seven onwards batting of the opposition took stance against them. Is it just lack of intensity or are the bowlers bowling too much of the regular line and length type bowling? The same holds true for England in the second test match against South Africa. They could have easily restricted South Africa to about 270 but then Steyn took over and carted the England bowling to all parts. Stuart Broad kept bowling what is generally regarded as the conventional, decent line, without trying to bounce out Dale Steyn. I believe England are missing someone like Harmison and Flintoff whose height and overall bowling style made them a headache for the lower-order batsmen. Onions and Anderson merely kept on pitching around the good-length area without trying out the slower balls or yorkers that are becoming so useful these days, considering the amount of ODI and T20 cricket being played…just strange!!
a sense of respectability and on the final, decisive day of the test match, the South Africa bowlers just kept bowling outside the off-stump or so short that the ball never made an impact. I was wondering what happened to Ntini and his ilk who would get under the batsmen chin and in their toes as soon as the number seven onwards batting of the opposition took stance against them. Is it just lack of intensity or are the bowlers bowling too much of the regular line and length type bowling? The same holds true for England in the second test match against South Africa. They could have easily restricted South Africa to about 270 but then Steyn took over and carted the England bowling to all parts. Stuart Broad kept bowling what is generally regarded as the conventional, decent line, without trying to bounce out Dale Steyn. I believe England are missing someone like Harmison and Flintoff whose height and overall bowling style made them a headache for the lower-order batsmen. Onions and Anderson merely kept on pitching around the good-length area without trying out the slower balls or yorkers that are becoming so useful these days, considering the amount of ODI and T20 cricket being played…just strange!!
Pakistan bowled too short to make an Impact
Pakistan had an excellent opportunity to dent Australia's batting confidence in the first test matched but as it turns out, their bowlers just weren't up to the mark when it come to bowling, actually, wicket-taking deliveries. Most of the bowling was just too short. It seemed that the Pakistani bowlers got too excited by the lure of bowling on a bouncy track and kept on pitching it
so short that the ball just didn't make the kind of impact most experts were believing it would make. Nearly every bowler seemed obsessed with trying to bounce out the Aussie batsmen, ignoring the fact that these batsmen are more equipped than most to play the short ball and bouncers don't work if you keep bowling them with mundane regularity. I believe the real ace with the Pakistanis lies in their ability to swing the new and the old ball and that is what they should be concentrating upon rather than trying to further their speed-guns or trying to hit the helmets of the batsmen. Rauf hasn't played much cricket but he does look like a good, line & length type bowling if he can just pitch the ball, a bit further up. Even Ajmal was guilt of not floating the ball - something that has given him bucketful of wickets. The fact that even Nathan Hauritz got stuck into the Pak bowling underlines the fact that the bowlers weren't threatening. Pakistan can still bail themselves out, they do have the firepower, it just needs to get on the right radar.
so short that the ball just didn't make the kind of impact most experts were believing it would make. Nearly every bowler seemed obsessed with trying to bounce out the Aussie batsmen, ignoring the fact that these batsmen are more equipped than most to play the short ball and bouncers don't work if you keep bowling them with mundane regularity. I believe the real ace with the Pakistanis lies in their ability to swing the new and the old ball and that is what they should be concentrating upon rather than trying to further their speed-guns or trying to hit the helmets of the batsmen. Rauf hasn't played much cricket but he does look like a good, line & length type bowling if he can just pitch the ball, a bit further up. Even Ajmal was guilt of not floating the ball - something that has given him bucketful of wickets. The fact that even Nathan Hauritz got stuck into the Pak bowling underlines the fact that the bowlers weren't threatening. Pakistan can still bail themselves out, they do have the firepower, it just needs to get on the right radar.
Is Tendulkar using a lighter bat?
This may seem too trivial to point out right now, but this question had been raised by some journalists at Kirsten, the Indian coach, and it seems that the answer to the question is a big, Yes. The thing is that Tendulkar had been plagued by many back and shoulder injuries in the last two-to-three years and many experts believed that his extremely thick bat, given his size and height limitation combined with the amount of cricket he was playing was a major reason for this. However, Tendulkar always refuted such theories and the runs kept coming-off his heavyweight bat carrying the MRF signature. It was during 2009 that Tendu had a change of sponsors and MRF exited and may be this was the reason that prompted Tendu to change his bat. He is now batting with an Adidas bat and it seems that this piece of lumber is much lighter than what he was using before. The results are evident in the way he is approaching the short-pitched ball, overcoming it with tender footwork and just dabbing upon it rather than playing those cracking, lifted off-drives. In fact, he seems to be getting more comfortable with merely pushing at the ball in vacant spots on the field and taking twos and threes, not that his boundary-scoring ability has suffered in any way, but his entire body language is more fluent than before, particularly the way he is playing delicate late-cuts around the third-man region. I feel that if he could replace those century-old pads of his, more weight would be lifted off his body, adding to his overall durability...now that such questions are bound to arise. I know, this sounds a bit too intrusive and talking about things that may seem insignificant but then cricket is 50% Tendulkar to me so obsessing over him is beyond my control.
India’s ODI Reality Check — Struggling Against Under-Strength Teams, worthy of being numero uno?
The Indian team’s ODI performance hasn’t been the greatest in recent months and despite that the team is in reckoning to win the numero uno ranking profile, courtesy of the present point-based ICC calculation system and India’s decent performances during the first half of 2009. It should be highlighted that this recent dip in performance is deeply disturbing considering that India have been facing under-strength teams. First Australia and now SL are here without many of their star players being left due to form-based issues or due to injuries. Further, these are home series and ideally, India should be winning the series quite comfortably. However, that is not the case.
They struggled a lot against the limited bowling resources of Australia and their own bowling attack has been repeatedly put to the sword by a Sri Lankan batting line-up wherein only the top four batsman can be considered regular members and potential match-winners and among that too, Mahela Jayewardene is desperately out-of-form. So what does this say about Dhoni’s men? They are vying hard for the top ranking status but where are the ODI performances to back the claim? If the bowling cannot hold its own in a home series with nearly a full-bench with most of the regular bowlers bowling, what does this indicate for the future? Secondly, the Indian batsmen are doing pretty good but usually when they are setting-up targets. They failed miserably when trying to chase reasonable targets and it seems that if the captain, Dhoni, doesn’t fire in the middle-order, it does seem to collapse against sustained short-pitched bowling.
They struggled a lot against the limited bowling resources of Australia and their own bowling attack has been repeatedly put to the sword by a Sri Lankan batting line-up wherein only the top four batsman can be considered regular members and potential match-winners and among that too, Mahela Jayewardene is desperately out-of-form. So what does this say about Dhoni’s men? They are vying hard for the top ranking status but where are the ODI performances to back the claim? If the bowling cannot hold its own in a home series with nearly a full-bench with most of the regular bowlers bowling, what does this indicate for the future? Secondly, the Indian batsmen are doing pretty good but usually when they are setting-up targets. They failed miserably when trying to chase reasonable targets and it seems that if the captain, Dhoni, doesn’t fire in the middle-order, it does seem to collapse against sustained short-pitched bowling.
Referral System does undermine the on-field umpire
I still cannot make-out the use of having on-field umpires when the players can just make signal to send up a decision for review. Yes, this initiative does mean that the ICC is trying hard to make the game more progressive and transparent but what it does not do is make the game simpler, in any way. Let us be clear about one thing, with so many computer-generated images that are flashed on our TVs, it was just a matter of time that the same technology was used in making actual decisions. But then, if we are using technological inputs for making decisions, then why not go the full-circle way and make the on-field umpires merely a component of the entire decision making, communication process. The present system makes mockery of the decision making ability of the umpire who is already under a lot of scrutiny with every appeal being showcased a thousand times on the huge screens installed at the grounds and the crowds seem to get very vocal and very upset if they realize that a mistake has been made. The ICC needs to be clear about what it wants to establish in a clear-cut manner - on-field or off-field umpiring and then stick with it rather than trying to blend two formats and make the entire process more confusing and controversial. What needs to be understood that the two, on-field umpires are placed at the core of the entire action on the field. If a system makes them mere referral mediums, then it compromises their air of authority and with so much being said about the antics of some international players, this would indirectly impact the ability of the umpires to regulate the behavior of players,
Pakistan may have the answers to the Aussie Challenge
The first test match between Australia and Pakistan is upon us and to me, it seems that Pakistan does have the resources to beat Australia in the Aussie backyard. For starters, their bowling line-up is the most penetrative, even more than that of South Africa and marginally better balanced that Australia’s bowling resources. Pakistan bowling has benefited from the return of some former players who had wandered away into the ICL and those who have made decent comebacks. With Mohammed Sami being added to the mix of Mohammed Asif, Umar Gul and Sohail Tanveer, along with the every-improving Mohammed Aamer, Pakistan’s arsenal is varied and penetrative if you consider that Saeed Ajmal is a very decent off-spinner. It should be noted that Australia would be missing the services of an injured Ponting and Michael Clarke too may not play all the matches. These are unarguably two of their best spin counterattacking batsmen and without them, the side would have to come to terms with the guile of Ajmal. The big concern lies with Pakistan's unreliable batting line-up that is known to crumble at the slightest hint of sustained, short-pitched bowling. None of their openers has overseas credibility and with Younis Khan unavailable due to some strange personal issues, the middle-order is very vulnerable to collapsing within 70-80 overs. With Peter Siddle and Bollinger in top bowling form, it would be difficult for the sub-continental batsmen to keep the balls out of their rib-cages and none of them are decent pullers of the short ball.
To some extent, the fact that Pakistan are coming off from a decent tour of New Zealand should help them get quickly familiarized with the kind of bowling that awaits them but then, the Kiwi bowling attack doesn’t match the Aussie bench in terms of pure aggression and horse-power. Still if one chooses to be optimistic, Pakistan's bowling alone can win them the series, provided internal issues are sidelined and cricket becomes the only focus for the team… otherwise, we are all too familiar with how crazy things can go with this team but yes, their uncertainty may well become their biggest weapon.
To some extent, the fact that Pakistan are coming off from a decent tour of New Zealand should help them get quickly familiarized with the kind of bowling that awaits them but then, the Kiwi bowling attack doesn’t match the Aussie bench in terms of pure aggression and horse-power. Still if one chooses to be optimistic, Pakistan's bowling alone can win them the series, provided internal issues are sidelined and cricket becomes the only focus for the team… otherwise, we are all too familiar with how crazy things can go with this team but yes, their uncertainty may well become their biggest weapon.
Two, very interesting test-match finishes: 5-day games are back!
It has taken a sustained show of good test matches on our TVs over the last month or so, to ensure that viewer interest in the longer format of the game has been rekindled, to a certain extent. The third test match between WI and Australia has had a very familiar ending with the Aussies being able to beat the islanders very comfortably along with displaying their typical over-the-top, 'backyard' gestures that we have all gotten used to by now.
However, it was heartening to see the last pair, numbers 10 & 11 bat so spiritedly from the West Indies camp. This is something you don’t get to see too often and lower-order batsmen from the Windies are regarded as easy rollovers. On the other hand, the South Africa versus England test match was probably the most engaging piece of cricket being broadcasted last week. The fact that the match made it to the last ball of the match is ample testament to the fact that when played on the right kind of surfaces there are many takers for test matches even in this T20-obsessed cricketing generation. Further, there are more potentially interesting test match games coming-up with the impending Pakistan tour of Australia 2010 and the second test match between South Africa – England. I personally believe that the contest in South Africa if fairly even between the two sides and every match will produce results. The two teams are so similar-looking that it is hard to choose a favourite at this time.
However, it was heartening to see the last pair, numbers 10 & 11 bat so spiritedly from the West Indies camp. This is something you don’t get to see too often and lower-order batsmen from the Windies are regarded as easy rollovers. On the other hand, the South Africa versus England test match was probably the most engaging piece of cricket being broadcasted last week. The fact that the match made it to the last ball of the match is ample testament to the fact that when played on the right kind of surfaces there are many takers for test matches even in this T20-obsessed cricketing generation. Further, there are more potentially interesting test match games coming-up with the impending Pakistan tour of Australia 2010 and the second test match between South Africa – England. I personally believe that the contest in South Africa if fairly even between the two sides and every match will produce results. The two teams are so similar-looking that it is hard to choose a favourite at this time.
Swann: Purposeful Without Hogging Limelight
He was regarded as an off-spinner who never really did spin the ball but to silence all this critics, Graeme Swann of England has risen to be a very effective ‘spin’ bowler. Some analysts might comment that the word ‘slow’ should be used instead of ‘spin’ but considering the negligible amount of any worthwhile spin that is extracted by spinners in contemporary cricket, such differentiation is uncalled for. Swann is a different type of bowler, using more drift in the air than spin off the pitch. This makes him very different from the likes of Mendis or Harbhajan Singh who are essentially finger spinners. Muralitharan’s name should not be used here because he is in a category of his own.
However, if all the other spinners are compared at the moment, Swann seems to be the most quiet and unassuming of the achievers with little being said about him in the media and little or no on-field antics — a quiet, consistent performer. Swann has already totalled more than 52 wickets in just 13 test matches. You would need to remember that he has done so without playing on sub-continental wickets. He has always come in when the side wanted to contain runs rather than get wickets and surprisingly, Swann has managed to do both with little fuss. I would personally rank Swann a bit ahead of Bhajji, simply because he has been taking wickets consistently and his bowling is improving with nearly every outing. His immediate competitor seems to be Saeed Ajmal of Pakistan who is a more traditional off-spinner, keeping it slower in the air, and giving the ball a chance to rip-off the surface of the pitch. Further, Swann has the amazing ability to bowl decently with newish balls too. His arm-ball and the drifter that turns into a low-yorker like delivery haven’t been decoded by many batsmen and his recent fiver against the South Africa is testament to his growing stature.
However, if all the other spinners are compared at the moment, Swann seems to be the most quiet and unassuming of the achievers with little being said about him in the media and little or no on-field antics — a quiet, consistent performer. Swann has already totalled more than 52 wickets in just 13 test matches. You would need to remember that he has done so without playing on sub-continental wickets. He has always come in when the side wanted to contain runs rather than get wickets and surprisingly, Swann has managed to do both with little fuss. I would personally rank Swann a bit ahead of Bhajji, simply because he has been taking wickets consistently and his bowling is improving with nearly every outing. His immediate competitor seems to be Saeed Ajmal of Pakistan who is a more traditional off-spinner, keeping it slower in the air, and giving the ball a chance to rip-off the surface of the pitch. Further, Swann has the amazing ability to bowl decently with newish balls too. His arm-ball and the drifter that turns into a low-yorker like delivery haven’t been decoded by many batsmen and his recent fiver against the South Africa is testament to his growing stature.
England-South Africa Test: Quality 'Test-match Bowling' on Display
The first test match between South Africa and England is underway and it would be fair to comment that it is turning out to be almost, an ‘ideal’ test match. I say that because it has nearly all the contents of a result-oriented, engaging test match. For starters, both of the teams have struggled to reach 400 in their respective first innings. Just like Geoffrey Boycott, I support the idea that best test matches are those wherein scoring in the region of 350-400 needs some serious application. Secondly, the bowling standards from both the sides have been impressive. Bowlers from both camps have combined penetrations and patience by bowling long, disciplined spells. Every batsman has had to invest a lot of time in reaching 30 runs or so, before feeling comfortable at the crease.
Now that the second innings of South Africa is underway, it would be even more interesting to see how many runs they can put-up on the board, considering that they have lost nearly half their side for just about 50 runs! Yes, that does create the impression that there is evil in the pitch but that is not the case. It is simple, sustained, pressure bowling by the English bowlers, who have created a remarkably young and effective bowling unit, presently being led by Swann. The South Africa seem susceptible against most types of spin bowling and they haven’t been able to digest what Swann has been dishing out to them. The contest is about to get even more engrossing once the final innings of England gets underway and Paul Harris and Ntini are pressed into action on a pitch that is steadily offering some exploitable uncertain bounce to bowlers who are patient enough to hold their off-stump line. It does seem strange that batsmen from both sides cannot comprehend straightish spin bowlers but that is making the battle more result-oriented. For a change, you find premium being put on boundaries and batsmen are ready to take a hit or two on their helmets.
Now that the second innings of South Africa is underway, it would be even more interesting to see how many runs they can put-up on the board, considering that they have lost nearly half their side for just about 50 runs! Yes, that does create the impression that there is evil in the pitch but that is not the case. It is simple, sustained, pressure bowling by the English bowlers, who have created a remarkably young and effective bowling unit, presently being led by Swann. The South Africa seem susceptible against most types of spin bowling and they haven’t been able to digest what Swann has been dishing out to them. The contest is about to get even more engrossing once the final innings of England gets underway and Paul Harris and Ntini are pressed into action on a pitch that is steadily offering some exploitable uncertain bounce to bowlers who are patient enough to hold their off-stump line. It does seem strange that batsmen from both sides cannot comprehend straightish spin bowlers but that is making the battle more result-oriented. For a change, you find premium being put on boundaries and batsmen are ready to take a hit or two on their helmets.
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