I don't think anybody could have predicted that South Africans would be 2-0 at the conclusion of the Melbourne test but heck here we are...
It's been amazing cricket so far and I can tell you now that Aussie pride is not going to let them just go through the motions in Sydney on the 3rd of January - reputations are on the line....
Going to start with the SA side because they have an intriguing selection dillemma - Prince is back but who goes? Duminy who turned the second test? Mckenzie who has had a torrid series but the first choice opener... I suppose either Amla or Devilliers can open and then Mckenzie will be canned but not sure if I'd agree with dropping him now for a couple of reasons.
The Aussies on the other hand have problems aplenty. Injuries to Brett Lee, Shane Watson and Andrew Symonds (who is out of form) and problems with Matthew Haydens and Michaels Husseys form...
Matthew Hayden,
Simon Katich,
Ricky Ponting (Capt),
Michael Hussey,
Michael Clarke (Vice),
Andrew McDonald,
Brad Haddin (Wk),
Mitchell Johnson,
Nathan Hauritz,
Ben Hilfenhaus,
Peter Siddle,
Doug Bollinger
Bollinger and McDonald are in the Aussie side and I suspect Peter Siddle will also get dropped....
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Wow!
If this is not one of the greatest Test series on record - then I don't know what is?!
Its interesting to listen to some of the Aussies who seem to have half their mind on the next Ashes series instead of the South African side who are finally getting their own back for those thrashings!
Guys - forget the Ashes - the real cricket is being played here and now.
This test has had it all... 101 + 99 from Ponting, 160 from JP Duminy in only his second test match, 76 + 10 wickets from Dale Steyn....
Unbelievable cricket in general!
Its interesting to listen to some of the Aussies who seem to have half their mind on the next Ashes series instead of the South African side who are finally getting their own back for those thrashings!
Guys - forget the Ashes - the real cricket is being played here and now.
This test has had it all... 101 + 99 from Ponting, 160 from JP Duminy in only his second test match, 76 + 10 wickets from Dale Steyn....
Unbelievable cricket in general!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Day 1 to SA
Day one of the second test match was slightly in favour of South Africa. Australia were 280 for six at stumps on the first day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.
South Africa stuck to their guns, bowled well and apart from a costly drop of Ponting (who went on to score 100), they held their catches.
My early assertion was that unlike the first test match, this one would be won in either sides first innings. If the Aussies get their tail knocked over cheaply and SA get a 100+ lead then it will be hard to fight back - especially when one considers how well Harris is bowling.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, we should probably remember that the Aussie tail added 150+ runs and nearly buried us in the last match...
South Africa stuck to their guns, bowled well and apart from a costly drop of Ponting (who went on to score 100), they held their catches.
My early assertion was that unlike the first test match, this one would be won in either sides first innings. If the Aussies get their tail knocked over cheaply and SA get a 100+ lead then it will be hard to fight back - especially when one considers how well Harris is bowling.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, we should probably remember that the Aussie tail added 150+ runs and nearly buried us in the last match...
MCG Prediction
Our counterparts over at The Baggy Green are calling for an Aussie win in the second test match in Melbourne tomorrow.
According to the info we’ve got, the Aussies have decided to retain Siddle but replaced Krezja with Hauritz. The South Africans have announced an unchanged side with Prince not considered for selection and Duminy making his second start.
Our opinion for this test is that the outcome is likely to be based on two factors:
Whoever bats first will without question have the upper-hand and we’re guessing that the first innings for both sides will decide the test match – no second innings heroics and neither side wants to be facing either Hauritz or Harris on the last day in Melbourne.
We believe the Siddle move will hurt the Aussies and in a game where both sides are so evenly matched you’re basically weighing up pace attacks comprising Ntini, Steyn and Morkel vs. Johnson, Lee and … well Peter Siddle…. Enough said – hopefully I don’t eat my words.
Another great test match is on the cards and with South Africa striking a pretty big mental blow in the last match, we’ve looking forward to some seriously good cricket action.
Our prediction – A hard fought draw but like we said – he who bats first has the advantage…
According to the info we’ve got, the Aussies have decided to retain Siddle but replaced Krezja with Hauritz. The South Africans have announced an unchanged side with Prince not considered for selection and Duminy making his second start.
Our opinion for this test is that the outcome is likely to be based on two factors:
Whoever bats first will without question have the upper-hand and we’re guessing that the first innings for both sides will decide the test match – no second innings heroics and neither side wants to be facing either Hauritz or Harris on the last day in Melbourne.
We believe the Siddle move will hurt the Aussies and in a game where both sides are so evenly matched you’re basically weighing up pace attacks comprising Ntini, Steyn and Morkel vs. Johnson, Lee and … well Peter Siddle…. Enough said – hopefully I don’t eat my words.
Another great test match is on the cards and with South Africa striking a pretty big mental blow in the last match, we’ve looking forward to some seriously good cricket action.
Our prediction – A hard fought draw but like we said – he who bats first has the advantage…
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
New Aussie faces
Ian Reid of The Baggy Green has given us some new faces in the Aussie squad for the next test match:
Here's a little bit of information on these two players who will be apart of the 13 man squad for the Boxing Day Test:
Ben Hilfenhaus:
A Tasmanian born and bred, who you may have read worked as a brick layer in his earlier years, while breaking through the Tasmanian ranks with impressive recognition. Something I wasn't aware of is that he is Ricky Ponting's second cousin. He has represented Australia once in ODI cricket, in the 2007 Commonwealth Bank Series, and twice in Twenty20 cricket, against England & India last year. A young man, who can swing a ball with genuine pace and control, he has one heck of an impressive first class & list-A record for himself. Every year for the last 8 years Australia have held the Allan Border Medal Awards, showing off and awarding Australia's stand out players during a calendar year of cricket. In 2007 he dominated in winning the Bradman Young Cricketer of the year award. He has gained good support from the locals, and often is a raise of opinion from cricket supporters, not just supporting Australia, as to why he is rarely in the starting 11. He has been apart of numerous tours such as The West Indies, The ICC T20 champions trophy and the Future Cup ODI Tour of India (where he only played a T20 match). On Australian conditions, especially down South by the MCG or the SCG, he could work some magic with the new ball.
Currently, after 6 matches in the Sheffield Cup, he is sitting a wicket behind Brett Geeves (who you may have seen against Bangladesh a few months back) with 24 wickets, and an average of 18.66, at an economy rate of 2.58!
So, we'll see how he takes on the Proteas if he gets a call up after a bit of a patience game, which he should do.
Nathan Hauritz:
Originally from Queensland, the right arm off-break bowler who after being sent over to India in 2004 to fill in the void for Shane Warne in the Border-Gavaskar Test series, picked up 5 wickets in the match on a dustball of the wicket. He returned to the state scene and was nothing but a flash in the pan it seems. After working hard to secure a place, he made a similiar move to that of Adam Gilchrist, in moving States to find better opportunity. He currently plays for New South Wales, and despite a few ODI performances for Australia (8 matches), it is rather a surprise to have seen him play against New Zealand in the 2 Test matches recently, where he played in one of them, and had reasonable impact, getting key wickets at the top of the order, and the bottom, which will be what Ricky Ponting will be expecting from him, which Jason Krejza sadly couldn't pull off. His statistics are far from impressive to the eye, but at 27 years of age, he is in the potential bracket for nuturing to the elite level, with the likes of Beau Casson/ Krejza and Dan Cullen.
With himself and Ben Hilfenhaus having the chance to play in Australia, on home conditions, it may be the right environment for these two players to make an impact to the viewers and the team's bowling, when it is most needed.
The man I'd watch out for is Ben Hilfenhaus, who has constantly been talked about each Test series, alongside Nathan Bracken and Doug Bollinger.
Cricinfo profile: Ben Hilfenhaus (Tasmanina Tiger)
Cricinfo profile: Nathan Hauritz (New South Wales Speedblitz Blues)
--
www.thebaggygreen.blogspot.com
Here's a little bit of information on these two players who will be apart of the 13 man squad for the Boxing Day Test:
Ben Hilfenhaus:
A Tasmanian born and bred, who you may have read worked as a brick layer in his earlier years, while breaking through the Tasmanian ranks with impressive recognition. Something I wasn't aware of is that he is Ricky Ponting's second cousin. He has represented Australia once in ODI cricket, in the 2007 Commonwealth Bank Series, and twice in Twenty20 cricket, against England & India last year. A young man, who can swing a ball with genuine pace and control, he has one heck of an impressive first class & list-A record for himself. Every year for the last 8 years Australia have held the Allan Border Medal Awards, showing off and awarding Australia's stand out players during a calendar year of cricket. In 2007 he dominated in winning the Bradman Young Cricketer of the year award. He has gained good support from the locals, and often is a raise of opinion from cricket supporters, not just supporting Australia, as to why he is rarely in the starting 11. He has been apart of numerous tours such as The West Indies, The ICC T20 champions trophy and the Future Cup ODI Tour of India (where he only played a T20 match). On Australian conditions, especially down South by the MCG or the SCG, he could work some magic with the new ball.
Currently, after 6 matches in the Sheffield Cup, he is sitting a wicket behind Brett Geeves (who you may have seen against Bangladesh a few months back) with 24 wickets, and an average of 18.66, at an economy rate of 2.58!
So, we'll see how he takes on the Proteas if he gets a call up after a bit of a patience game, which he should do.
Nathan Hauritz:
Originally from Queensland, the right arm off-break bowler who after being sent over to India in 2004 to fill in the void for Shane Warne in the Border-Gavaskar Test series, picked up 5 wickets in the match on a dustball of the wicket. He returned to the state scene and was nothing but a flash in the pan it seems. After working hard to secure a place, he made a similiar move to that of Adam Gilchrist, in moving States to find better opportunity. He currently plays for New South Wales, and despite a few ODI performances for Australia (8 matches), it is rather a surprise to have seen him play against New Zealand in the 2 Test matches recently, where he played in one of them, and had reasonable impact, getting key wickets at the top of the order, and the bottom, which will be what Ricky Ponting will be expecting from him, which Jason Krejza sadly couldn't pull off. His statistics are far from impressive to the eye, but at 27 years of age, he is in the potential bracket for nuturing to the elite level, with the likes of Beau Casson/ Krejza and Dan Cullen.
With himself and Ben Hilfenhaus having the chance to play in Australia, on home conditions, it may be the right environment for these two players to make an impact to the viewers and the team's bowling, when it is most needed.
The man I'd watch out for is Ben Hilfenhaus, who has constantly been talked about each Test series, alongside Nathan Bracken and Doug Bollinger.
Cricinfo profile: Ben Hilfenhaus (Tasmanina Tiger)
Cricinfo profile: Nathan Hauritz (New South Wales Speedblitz Blues)
--
www.thebaggygreen.blogspot.com
Monday, December 22, 2008
SA ODI squad announced
South Africa has announced a couple of new faces for the One Day International (ODI) team to take on Australia over the summer.
South African Standard Bank squad:
Graeme Smith
Johan Botha
Hashim Amla
Mark Boucher
AB de Villiers
JP Duminy
Herschelle Gibbs
Jacques Kallis
Albie Morkel
Morne Morkel
Makhaya Ntini
Wayne Parnell
Dale Steyn
Lonwabo Tsotsobe
Vaughn van Jaarsveld
Have to admit I'm a little surprised that Amla is in this lineup while Ashwell Prince and Neil Mckenzie. But otherwise a good solid lineup with Herschelle Gibbs being thrown a lifeline.
Inconsistency
I do however have a bone to pick with the selectors - Kleinveldt, Zondeki, Louw all got games for SA six weeks ago when we were playing Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Now suddenly you have Parnell, Tsotsobe and Van Jaarsveld in the lineup - where's the consistency?!
These guys needed the game time and exposure to the squad setup if they were going to be part of the Aussie series - so why did they not get involved early on?
The new boys
If I slated the selectors in the last paragraph then I need to praise them for a bit of progressiveness with their selections here.
For the Australians who haven't seen much of Van Jaarsveld (pictured left) - he's a super aggressive young left handed batter who has been a great success in the domestic one day game. If he could get his head screwed on right he might even be knocking on the test squad door. Good selection.
Parnell (pictured right) and Tsotsobe we don't know much about. They're two young left
arm seamers with some solid performances in the local game. If these two can get some good performances under their belt, they could contribute some nice variety to the SA attack which has often been accused of being a bit one dimensional.
Word of warning
Graeme Smith is already battling with his old elbow injury and Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini and Morne Morkel have a long season of hard test cricket in front of them - we don't want to be running them into the ground chasing a couple of ODI victories at the expense of our premium strike bowlers....
South African Standard Bank squad:
Graeme Smith
Johan Botha
Hashim Amla
Mark Boucher
AB de Villiers
JP Duminy
Herschelle Gibbs
Jacques Kallis
Albie Morkel
Morne Morkel
Makhaya Ntini
Wayne Parnell
Dale Steyn
Lonwabo Tsotsobe
Vaughn van Jaarsveld
Have to admit I'm a little surprised that Amla is in this lineup while Ashwell Prince and Neil Mckenzie. But otherwise a good solid lineup with Herschelle Gibbs being thrown a lifeline.
Inconsistency
I do however have a bone to pick with the selectors - Kleinveldt, Zondeki, Louw all got games for SA six weeks ago when we were playing Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Now suddenly you have Parnell, Tsotsobe and Van Jaarsveld in the lineup - where's the consistency?!
These guys needed the game time and exposure to the squad setup if they were going to be part of the Aussie series - so why did they not get involved early on?
The new boys
If I slated the selectors in the last paragraph then I need to praise them for a bit of progressiveness with their selections here.
For the Australians who haven't seen much of Van Jaarsveld (pictured left) - he's a super aggressive young left handed batter who has been a great success in the domestic one day game. If he could get his head screwed on right he might even be knocking on the test squad door. Good selection.Parnell (pictured right) and Tsotsobe we don't know much about. They're two young left
arm seamers with some solid performances in the local game. If these two can get some good performances under their belt, they could contribute some nice variety to the SA attack which has often been accused of being a bit one dimensional.Word of warning
Graeme Smith is already battling with his old elbow injury and Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini and Morne Morkel have a long season of hard test cricket in front of them - we don't want to be running them into the ground chasing a couple of ODI victories at the expense of our premium strike bowlers....
Aussie 2nd test squad
Following on their loss in the first test to South Africa, the Australians have been quick to make some changes to their squad.
Krezja given the chop but amazingly Siddle was retained - however I'm not convinced he will stay in the starting lineup.
Australia squad
Matthew Hayden,
Simon Katich,
Ricky Ponting (capt),
Michael Hussey,
Michael Clarke (vice),
Andrew Symonds,
Shane Watson,
Brad Haddin (wk),
Brett Lee,
Nathan Hauritz,
Mitchell Johnson,
Ben Hilfenhaus,
Peter Siddle
Surprisingly no mention of Nathan Bracken - thought the Aussie selectors might carry on with the left armer theme....
Krezja given the chop but amazingly Siddle was retained - however I'm not convinced he will stay in the starting lineup.
Australia squad
Matthew Hayden,
Simon Katich,
Ricky Ponting (capt),
Michael Hussey,
Michael Clarke (vice),
Andrew Symonds,
Shane Watson,
Brad Haddin (wk),
Brett Lee,
Nathan Hauritz,
Mitchell Johnson,
Ben Hilfenhaus,
Peter Siddle
Surprisingly no mention of Nathan Bracken - thought the Aussie selectors might carry on with the left armer theme....
Apologies again
Just another quick apology to Ian from the The Baggy Green.
We were supposed to kick off our test series coverage / joint venture and I stuffed it up by being stranded in PE with no electricity and internet access.
Hopefully we'll be back on track for the Boxing Day test to provide some more insight into how we expect the test to play out.
We were supposed to kick off our test series coverage / joint venture and I stuffed it up by being stranded in PE with no electricity and internet access.
Hopefully we'll be back on track for the Boxing Day test to provide some more insight into how we expect the test to play out.
Coaching question
I've got a question for cricket coaches here.
One of my mates is a coach for one of the top boys schools in South Africa and he believes that Fine Leg has become a bit of an obsolete fielding position.
His assertion is that players can be better utilised in either a catching or defensive position in front of square on either the off or leg side.
There is quite a lot of merit in what he says. Too often Fine Leg is treated as there to pick up the occasional ball the keeper misses or the batter nudges away.
If the bowlers are supposed to be bowling an offside line and they happen to drift then a boundary here and there might be acceptable - but its such a low risk area to have to worry about.
Why not rather use this fielder as a more attacking position? Especially in the test match arena?
Dunno - what are your thoughts?
One of my mates is a coach for one of the top boys schools in South Africa and he believes that Fine Leg has become a bit of an obsolete fielding position.
His assertion is that players can be better utilised in either a catching or defensive position in front of square on either the off or leg side.
There is quite a lot of merit in what he says. Too often Fine Leg is treated as there to pick up the occasional ball the keeper misses or the batter nudges away.
If the bowlers are supposed to be bowling an offside line and they happen to drift then a boundary here and there might be acceptable - but its such a low risk area to have to worry about.
Why not rather use this fielder as a more attacking position? Especially in the test match arena?
Dunno - what are your thoughts?
Test team reviewed
It is pretty tough to find fault when your side has just chased down the mighty Australians score and recorded the second highest run chase in Test cricket history.... but I thought I'd use this opportunity to touch on a couple of observations from the sidelines.
Batting lineup
Two failures from Mckenzie asks the obvious question about whether he is the right guy to be at the top of the order - the same questions are being asked of his counterpart Matthew Hayden who has hinted at retirement. Sure batters are there to get runs, but the value these guys bring in terms of steel, brains and intelligence is valuable and shouldn't be discounted too quickly.
Of concern for us is the brittleness and length of our 'tail'. Traditionally South Africa has always enjoyed an 8, 9, 10 who would guts it out for a 10, 20 or 30 but when your number 8 looks shaky then you have to worry. Morne Morkel doesn't look like offering any solidity here so we're going to have to be aware of where our batting starts and ends.
Lots of talk about the quality of AB Devilliers century - which was top notch - but lets not forget the role that JP Duminy played. Unlucky in the 1st innings, he came back well and proved that like Ashwell Prince he's a man for a crisis situation. I reckon this innings proved Duminy has the makings of a top test batsman - Herschelle Gibbs with a brain!?
Bowling
We bowled the Aussies out twice - not much more needs to be said, although I think Paul Harris needs to crack special mention for his contribution - he was awesome.
A balanced and capable bowling attack.
From the Aussie perspective, I don't think that the same can be said. Krezja looked ordinary and Peter Siddle looks like he has no idea how to bowl quality batters out.
The South Africans looked a little sucseptible to the left arm seam of Johnston but I reckon Ponting has to be a little careful about bowling him into the ground. 60 overs in a test match is a surefire way to wear out your premium strike bowler.
All in all - a great performance from SA typifying the new mental strength that the side has acquired and next up we've got the Boxing Day test...
Batting lineup
Two failures from Mckenzie asks the obvious question about whether he is the right guy to be at the top of the order - the same questions are being asked of his counterpart Matthew Hayden who has hinted at retirement. Sure batters are there to get runs, but the value these guys bring in terms of steel, brains and intelligence is valuable and shouldn't be discounted too quickly.
Of concern for us is the brittleness and length of our 'tail'. Traditionally South Africa has always enjoyed an 8, 9, 10 who would guts it out for a 10, 20 or 30 but when your number 8 looks shaky then you have to worry. Morne Morkel doesn't look like offering any solidity here so we're going to have to be aware of where our batting starts and ends.
Lots of talk about the quality of AB Devilliers century - which was top notch - but lets not forget the role that JP Duminy played. Unlucky in the 1st innings, he came back well and proved that like Ashwell Prince he's a man for a crisis situation. I reckon this innings proved Duminy has the makings of a top test batsman - Herschelle Gibbs with a brain!?
Bowling
We bowled the Aussies out twice - not much more needs to be said, although I think Paul Harris needs to crack special mention for his contribution - he was awesome.
A balanced and capable bowling attack.
From the Aussie perspective, I don't think that the same can be said. Krezja looked ordinary and Peter Siddle looks like he has no idea how to bowl quality batters out.
The South Africans looked a little sucseptible to the left arm seam of Johnston but I reckon Ponting has to be a little careful about bowling him into the ground. 60 overs in a test match is a surefire way to wear out your premium strike bowler.
All in all - a great performance from SA typifying the new mental strength that the side has acquired and next up we've got the Boxing Day test...
Apology
Time for me to 'fess up.
At the start of the year when Hashim Amla was trying to find his way into the SA test team, I'll admit to being highly critical of him as a player.
I slammed his technique and made some comments about him coasting against easy sides. As a player, he has come good and he's made the number 3 berth his own.
Well done Hashim - you have made me eat my words.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Batting tip
Geez - one hell of a test match shaping up here between South Africa and Australia. Neither side is prepared to give up ground and just when one side looks to be getting on top, the other side hits back.
Been helluva impressed with the spirit the South Africans have displayed in this game.
Two interesting batting tips that I quite enjoyed from the Aussie commentary yesterday which I thought I would highlight:
1. Bottom hand dominance: Yesterday Adam Gilchrist touched on the subject of bottom hand dominance in batsman and came up with a unique way to counter it. Apparently its quite well publicised by Gilchrist but I missed it, so I'm going to touch on it again here. What Gilly did was to put a squash ball inside the glove of his bottom hand (basically around the webbing of his thumb).
This created a 'weaker' grip which was negated by the squash ball and batters focused more on gripping the bat with their top hands.
2. "Shape" of a batsman. We read a lot of commentary about a bowler having 'shape' but I've noticed it is something that the Aussies chat about a bit.
It is a nice way to describe a batter keeping his 'shape' when striking a ball and maybe something for coaches to remember when they are trying to describe a batting technique.
Been helluva impressed with the spirit the South Africans have displayed in this game.
Two interesting batting tips that I quite enjoyed from the Aussie commentary yesterday which I thought I would highlight:
1. Bottom hand dominance: Yesterday Adam Gilchrist touched on the subject of bottom hand dominance in batsman and came up with a unique way to counter it. Apparently its quite well publicised by Gilchrist but I missed it, so I'm going to touch on it again here. What Gilly did was to put a squash ball inside the glove of his bottom hand (basically around the webbing of his thumb).
This created a 'weaker' grip which was negated by the squash ball and batters focused more on gripping the bat with their top hands.
2. "Shape" of a batsman. We read a lot of commentary about a bowler having 'shape' but I've noticed it is something that the Aussies chat about a bit.
It is a nice way to describe a batter keeping his 'shape' when striking a ball and maybe something for coaches to remember when they are trying to describe a batting technique.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Missing a trick
It's day two of the Aussie / SA and a Mitchell Johnston 5 wicket spell has pretty much wrecked any hopes of a South African victory. It's now a case of fighting out for the draw.
Pretty grim..
But anyway - onto a more positive aspect of the tour - Something that my mate touched on... the quality of the Aussie cricket media vs. their South African counterparts.
We give the Aussies commentators plenty of stick - you can't deny that they're a little biased toward the home team... but all good fun and games.
On the SA side you have Wessels, Mbangwa and Proctor. On the Aussie side its Healy, Taylor, Slater, Chappell and Lawry who have thousands of test matches between them.
Even better though when it comes to the Aussie broadcasting is the intriguing interviews they have with guys like Adam Gilchrist who actually provides some real CRICKET related info from a players perspective. For instance today, he showed that trick he did with the squash ball to improve his grip - brilliant piece of commentary and it was something that SA cricket fans don't get to see alot of.
The same with things like their Johnnie Walker trivia pieces - something to keep you glued to the cricket so you can actually learn something.
The quality of the commentary from the Aussies is FAR superior to the SA commentators and its something we need to address as a matter of urgency to keep viewers tuned in. We immediately switch over to the Aussie guys (As much as it shames me to say it) when we switch on in the morning.
I hope the SA broadcasters are taking a hint. Viewers want to interact and be educated and entertained as they watch the game unfold.
Another thing that we as SA cricket viewers enjoy is when they talk a bit about the schools that the players have come from and a bit of genuine insight into their past / route they've taken to make it into the SA side.
Tell us where are the nurseries for SA and Aussie cricketing talent and keep us entertained.
Even that top catches competition that the Aussies run - its great to watch - build on this concept - do something!
If you can't entertain us then you can forget about keeping us involved as viewers and you will lose out on potential revenue and marketing streams....
Pretty grim..
But anyway - onto a more positive aspect of the tour - Something that my mate touched on... the quality of the Aussie cricket media vs. their South African counterparts.
We give the Aussies commentators plenty of stick - you can't deny that they're a little biased toward the home team... but all good fun and games.
On the SA side you have Wessels, Mbangwa and Proctor. On the Aussie side its Healy, Taylor, Slater, Chappell and Lawry who have thousands of test matches between them.
Even better though when it comes to the Aussie broadcasting is the intriguing interviews they have with guys like Adam Gilchrist who actually provides some real CRICKET related info from a players perspective. For instance today, he showed that trick he did with the squash ball to improve his grip - brilliant piece of commentary and it was something that SA cricket fans don't get to see alot of.
The same with things like their Johnnie Walker trivia pieces - something to keep you glued to the cricket so you can actually learn something.
The quality of the commentary from the Aussies is FAR superior to the SA commentators and its something we need to address as a matter of urgency to keep viewers tuned in. We immediately switch over to the Aussie guys (As much as it shames me to say it) when we switch on in the morning.
I hope the SA broadcasters are taking a hint. Viewers want to interact and be educated and entertained as they watch the game unfold.
Another thing that we as SA cricket viewers enjoy is when they talk a bit about the schools that the players have come from and a bit of genuine insight into their past / route they've taken to make it into the SA side.
Tell us where are the nurseries for SA and Aussie cricketing talent and keep us entertained.
Even that top catches competition that the Aussies run - its great to watch - build on this concept - do something!
If you can't entertain us then you can forget about keeping us involved as viewers and you will lose out on potential revenue and marketing streams....
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Cricket Strategist vs. The Baggy Green
With the eagerly anticipated Australia vs. South African cricket series about to kick off, the Cricket Strategist blog has partnered up with the Aussie based "The Baggy Green" to provide some entertaining commentary on the series.
The Cricket Strategist will be firmly in South Africa's corner for the duration of the series and we will be working hard to bring Ian from The Baggy Green into the light and switch allegiances by the time April 09 rolls around.
Should be lots of fun and will be great to interact with both cricket fans across the globe!
The Cricket Strategist will be firmly in South Africa's corner for the duration of the series and we will be working hard to bring Ian from The Baggy Green into the light and switch allegiances by the time April 09 rolls around.
Should be lots of fun and will be great to interact with both cricket fans across the globe!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Australian cricket blogger
With the upcoming home and away series between Australia and South Africa, the Cricket Strategist blog is looking for an Aussie cricket blogger to exchange news / views and content.
If you are interested please mail me on marc@rival.co.za
If you are interested please mail me on marc@rival.co.za
Friday, December 5, 2008
Robin Peterson
This Australian tour is a big one for 29 year old Robin Peterson. 
Peterson has long been there or thereabouts for SA cricket, but he has never quite cracked the big time or consistent game time - especially with the emergence of Paul Harris in recent years as the first choice spinner.
His record highlight this:
6 test matches - 163 runs at an average of 27 and 14 wickets at an average of 35
35 ODIs - 147 runs at an average of just over 13 and 17 wickets at an average of 58 and 4.75 runs per over.
His role is a tricky one - whenever we need a spinner - Peterson is the guy we have to turn to because there aren't too many other options.
In the ODI form of the game his good fielding and all round capabilities make him a nice stop gap type of player... but the problem is he doesn't stand out.
If he can have a decent Australian tour, then it would be great!
Peterson has long been there or thereabouts for SA cricket, but he has never quite cracked the big time or consistent game time - especially with the emergence of Paul Harris in recent years as the first choice spinner.
His record highlight this:
6 test matches - 163 runs at an average of 27 and 14 wickets at an average of 35
35 ODIs - 147 runs at an average of just over 13 and 17 wickets at an average of 58 and 4.75 runs per over.
His role is a tricky one - whenever we need a spinner - Peterson is the guy we have to turn to because there aren't too many other options.
In the ODI form of the game his good fielding and all round capabilities make him a nice stop gap type of player... but the problem is he doesn't stand out.
If he can have a decent Australian tour, then it would be great!
Lonwabo Tsotsobe
I meant to blog about this when the SA touring team to Australia was announced a couple of weeks back, but it seemed to slip through the cracks...
Uncapped left arm seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe was included in the SA team to tour Australia. His selection came a little bit out of far left field, seeing as he didn't really feature in the Kenya and Bangladesh tours and his role in the team doesn't seem particuarly clear cut.
I argued this point with guys like Rory Kleinveldt and Johann Louw - they seem to be given some time to play in T20 side but then don't spend a hell of a lot of time actually being part of the 'bigger picture'.
South Africa has been crying out for a decent left arm seam bowler for many years. The predictability of our attack has been our undoing for a decade or so and this could be a good move.
Tsotsobe has done well enough in domestic cricket for him to be considered - but then one argues - why didn't the selectors give him some T20 / ODI game time instead of fielding other guys like Kleinveldt and Louw?
Dunno - just doesn't seem to be a consistency. In the same way - if (heaven forbid) two of the quick bowlers were to break down would Monde Zondeki and Tsotsobe be pushed into the side or would reinforcements be flown in from home to jump the queue?
While the touring experience is great for players, it doesn't do anything for their form to be used to bowl a bit in the nets and do shopping while the cricket is being played.
One of the other major concerns around Tsotsobe is that his pace for an international "quickie" is in question.
Do you bank on the variety at the expense of genuine pace or do you go with reliable shock and awe pace in place of predictability?
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Dale Steyn and Neil McKenzie are going to have vital roles to fill if the South African cricket side expects to be competitive against the Australian’s in the home and away tours commencing in December.
A solid base at the top of the innings is going to be important and with McKenzie expected to fill the role of test opener he is not going to be able to drift through the tour scoring 20s and 30s.
Guys like Hashim Amla, AB Devilliers and Ashwell Prince will also need to deliver the goods, but McKenzies role is amplified because he has to be the first guy to front up to the Aussie pace attack.
If the Australians get early wickets and get on the front foot, then it will place a lot of pressure on the rest of the South African batting lineup.
The other asset that McKenzie brings will be his experience, but that won’t be enough to guarantee his place in the side. There’s enough competition for batting spaces at the moment that if McKenzie doesn’t bring the scores, his spot is going to be under pressure.
Managing Dale Steyn
Dale Steyn is arguably the world’s premium fast bowler, but managing him is going to be a big trick for the SA selectors. They cannot afford to bowl him into the ground for the sake of results.Steyn’s priority is to bowl in the test matches. Dragging him into the Twenty / 20 games and over bowling him in the One Day Internationals is asking for disaster. An injury to our frontline strike bowler will cripple our entire campaign.
Thinking along the same lines, Graeme Smith also needs to be careful not to turn to Steyn every time he needs a wicket and use him as a stock bowler. Steyn is a strike bowler and must be bowled as such.
Without question Neil McKenzie and Dale Steyn have huge roles to play in the tour and the correct management of these players could be a make or break factor in determining a positive outcome for the SA team.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Francois Plaatjies - Interesting young SA bowler
I haven't watched much in the way of SA domestic cricket, but last night I watched a bit of the Cape Cobras against the Free State Eagles.
Watching the game last night, an interesting cricketer stood out for - Francois Plaatjies.
Plaatjies is a right arm quick bowler. When I first watched him bowl, my immediate reaction was nah he's got a very slingy action (check his back foot when he delivers the ball.)
Typically I prefer a quick bowler with a more upright action, but when I saw the pace at which Plaatjies was delivering the ball, I got interested.
Bowling with the white ball under lights, he was regularly delivering the ball at 142km/h - 148km/h.
He sprayed the ball around a bit - but at 22, he's still got some time to develop into a quick.
Think he has some potential to be a nice addition to the SA 'A' and SA ODI squad.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Double 20 competition
There is some talk in the local media, that South African cricket administrators could agree to a "double twenty" format of the game.
Basically the idea would be to have a T20 format of the game, but with both sides batting twice along the lines of a test fixture.
I'm all for anything that will boost the game of cricket, but I'm not sure that this is what the cricketing public is necessarily wanting?
We love T20 cricket because it is short and sweet and it provides a great social atmosphere - but if you are going to double the length of the fixture to make it roughly the same length as ordinary One Day Internationals, then the game hasn't really gone anywhere has it?
Dunno - what do you think?
Basically the idea would be to have a T20 format of the game, but with both sides batting twice along the lines of a test fixture.
I'm all for anything that will boost the game of cricket, but I'm not sure that this is what the cricketing public is necessarily wanting?
We love T20 cricket because it is short and sweet and it provides a great social atmosphere - but if you are going to double the length of the fixture to make it roughly the same length as ordinary One Day Internationals, then the game hasn't really gone anywhere has it?
Dunno - what do you think?
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Case for SA 'A' side
Watching the Bangladeshi capitulation against the South African pace attack yesterday, a strong case could be made for a four day fixture between the South African first team vs. the SA ‘A’ side before major tours – if they cannot find quality opposition then the opposition should be produced from our local ranks..
Guys like Dillon Du Preez, Monde Zondeki, JP Duminy, Albie Morkel, Johann Louw, Vaughan Van Jaarsveld etc. who are all a pretty big part of SA cricket could have made for some testing opposition and would have given the SA selectors something to think about ahead of the Australian tour….
Think maybe the SA management have missed a trick here…
Guys like Dillon Du Preez, Monde Zondeki, JP Duminy, Albie Morkel, Johann Louw, Vaughan Van Jaarsveld etc. who are all a pretty big part of SA cricket could have made for some testing opposition and would have given the SA selectors something to think about ahead of the Australian tour….
Think maybe the SA management have missed a trick here…
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Gary Kirsten - South Africa's next coach?
As a South African cricketing fan, I've been very intrigued to watch Gary Kirsten's progress as coach of the highly temperamental Indian cricket team.Kirsten was a fabulous servant of SA cricket. As a player he was one of the toughest opening batters we possessed and his fighting spirit gave our entire order some real steel.
When he was appointed coach of India, a lot of people questioned whether he could make the make from being a good player, to a good coach - no easy feat!
A series draw against South Africa and a sound beating of the Australians (thanks Gazza!) makes for a pretty good record in a shortish international coaching career.
Having read some of the comments made by the Indian players, they've been impressed by his calm and decisive nature... something I personally think is missing from SA cricket at the moment - no offence Mickey Arthur. One just gets the feeling that beneath the toughness of Smith, there's a bit of a brittleness that could be exposed.
I suspect Kirsten has a very good chance of taking the reins at South Africa in the next few years and its really good to see a South African making good with a tricky team like India!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
The challenge
The challenge that faces South African cricket over the next 6 months!
Tell me you don't get excited reading this schedule.... But you have to imagine they will be sick of eachother by the end of April.
19 November 2008 South Africa v Bangladesh Test Bloemfontein
26 November 2008 South Africa v Bangladesh Test Centurion
17 December 2008 Australia v South Africa Test WACA, Perth
26 December 2008 Australia v South Africa Test MCG, Melbourne
3 January 2009 Australia v South Africa Test SCG, Sydney
11 January 2009 Australia v South Africa 20/20 MCG, Melbourne
13 January 2009 Australia v South Africa 20/20 Woolloongabba,
16 January 2009 Australia v South Africa ODI MCG, Melbourne
18 Janary 2009 Australia v South Africa ODI Bellerive Oval, Hobart
23 January 2009 Australia v South Africa ODI SCG, Sydney
26 January 2009 Australia v South Africa ODI Adelaide Oval,
30 January 2009 Australia v South Africa ODI WACA, Perth
26 February 2009 South Africa v Australia Test Wanderers Stadium,
6 March 2009 South Africa v Australia Test Kingsmead, Durban
19 March 2009 South Africa v Australia Test Newlands, Cape Town
27 March 2009 South Africa v Australia Pro 20 Wanderers Stadium,
29 March 2009 South Africa v Australia Pro 20 Centurion
3 April 2009 South Africa v Australia ODI Kingsmead, Durban
5 April 2009 South Africa v Australia ODI Centurion
9 April 2009 South Africa v Australia ODI Newlands, Cape Town
13 April 2009 South Africa v Australia ODI Port Elizabeth
17 April 2009 South Africa v Australia ODI Wanderers Stadium
Tell me you don't get excited reading this schedule.... But you have to imagine they will be sick of eachother by the end of April.
19 November 2008 South Africa v Bangladesh Test Bloemfontein
26 November 2008 South Africa v Bangladesh Test Centurion
17 December 2008 Australia v South Africa Test WACA, Perth
26 December 2008 Australia v South Africa Test MCG, Melbourne
3 January 2009 Australia v South Africa Test SCG, Sydney
11 January 2009 Australia v South Africa 20/20 MCG, Melbourne
13 January 2009 Australia v South Africa 20/20 Woolloongabba,
16 January 2009 Australia v South Africa ODI MCG, Melbourne
18 Janary 2009 Australia v South Africa ODI Bellerive Oval, Hobart
23 January 2009 Australia v South Africa ODI SCG, Sydney
26 January 2009 Australia v South Africa ODI Adelaide Oval,
30 January 2009 Australia v South Africa ODI WACA, Perth
26 February 2009 South Africa v Australia Test Wanderers Stadium,
6 March 2009 South Africa v Australia Test Kingsmead, Durban
19 March 2009 South Africa v Australia Test Newlands, Cape Town
27 March 2009 South Africa v Australia Pro 20 Wanderers Stadium,
29 March 2009 South Africa v Australia Pro 20 Centurion
3 April 2009 South Africa v Australia ODI Kingsmead, Durban
5 April 2009 South Africa v Australia ODI Centurion
9 April 2009 South Africa v Australia ODI Newlands, Cape Town
13 April 2009 South Africa v Australia ODI Port Elizabeth
17 April 2009 South Africa v Australia ODI Wanderers Stadium
Monde Zondeki
Bluntly put, I have to say that I have been baffled with the handling of Monde Zondeki during the Kenya and Bangladesh games. I appreciate with the inclusion of the likes of Johan Louw and Rory Kleinveldt (for the T20 game), bowling spaces have been pretty limited, but I don't see how he didn't bowl in both the one day games.
A hell of a lot has been made of how Dale Steyn has obliterated the Bangladeshi lineup... but you can't say you're surprised.
The Bangladeshi's are used to 'quick' bowlers in the 120 - 130km/h mark, not the world's premium test fast bowler and fired up Dutchman (howdy Luke Watson - no offence Dale!) firing the ball in at 150km/h.
I'm not convinced Steyn needed this kind of work out ahead of the test series. At any stage we could roll out Ntini or him and they'd put in a credible performance against these guys.
Zondeki on the other hand needs game time. He needs to be charging in and putting six balls in the same place for 6 to 10 overs a game.
Johan Louw
Louw has been a bit of an up and down inclusion in this series. Had a bit of a flurry with the bat but never really put in a decent spell with the ball.
My gut feeling is that he needs to keep bowling in this side to try and pull him up to the next level. I also think that somebody like Dillon Du Preez might be due some game time even if the one day format of the game is not his ideal situation.
The whole discipline and level of coaching (as well as the exposure) could provide us with a nice bit of back-up to our first choice bowlers....
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Observation - fielding
Just watching the South Africans playing against Bangladesh at the moment and Ashraful has just dropped Graeme Smith on 51.
Earlier in the innings, Mortaza dropped Hashim Amla on 15.
Both batters are now comfortably trucking along at around 5 and a half an over.
The Bangladeshi's I think dropped one on Friday night as well and then their fielding was very undisciplined at the Twenty/20 game on Wednesday night.
I actually watched them warming up before the Twenty/20 game and even when they were practicing, there was a pretty high number of drops. If you're dropping catches in your practice sessions, then you can't be surprised when catches are going down in matches...
You can't dispute that they are enthusiastic about their cricket, but they need to really sharpen up this aspect of their game if they are going to make a go of a match...
If you consider that they game away 6 runs in over throws in the Twenty/20 game, which they lost by 12 runs, you start to realise just how important those basics are....
Earlier in the innings, Mortaza dropped Hashim Amla on 15.
Both batters are now comfortably trucking along at around 5 and a half an over.
The Bangladeshi's I think dropped one on Friday night as well and then their fielding was very undisciplined at the Twenty/20 game on Wednesday night.
I actually watched them warming up before the Twenty/20 game and even when they were practicing, there was a pretty high number of drops. If you're dropping catches in your practice sessions, then you can't be surprised when catches are going down in matches...
You can't dispute that they are enthusiastic about their cricket, but they need to really sharpen up this aspect of their game if they are going to make a go of a match...
If you consider that they game away 6 runs in over throws in the Twenty/20 game, which they lost by 12 runs, you start to realise just how important those basics are....
Saturday, November 8, 2008
SA vs. Bangladesh - 2nd ODI
Sports Trader makes it's predictions for the second South Africa vs. Bangladesh One Day International to be played at Willomore Park in Benoni this morning....
Despite the spirited performance of the Bangladeshi's in the Twenty/20 game as well as the first ODI, we're not giving any consideration to the fact that they will win a fixture. (Rain permitting we get a result)
For this reason, we need to look at the individual player performances from a betting perspective.
Top Batsman odds offered by Worlds Sports Betting:
South Africa
JH Kallis - 33/10
GC Smith - 33/10
HM Amla - 7/2
AB De Villers - 4/1
JL Ontong - 5/1
JP Duminy - 5/1
Bangladesh
M Ashraful - 3/1
T Iqbal - 7/2
MJ Siddique - 5/1
I Kayes - 6/1
S Hasan - 6/1
On the Bangladesh side, we don't think you can look beyond Ashraful, he's been in great form and has very little respect for the SA bowlers at present.
We're backing Duminy at 5/1 as the top batter from the SA side.
Carrying that forward, we're looking at JP Duminy (16/1) to win the man of the match award as well....
Despite the spirited performance of the Bangladeshi's in the Twenty/20 game as well as the first ODI, we're not giving any consideration to the fact that they will win a fixture. (Rain permitting we get a result)
For this reason, we need to look at the individual player performances from a betting perspective.
Top Batsman odds offered by Worlds Sports Betting:
South Africa
JH Kallis - 33/10
GC Smith - 33/10
HM Amla - 7/2
AB De Villers - 4/1
JL Ontong - 5/1
JP Duminy - 5/1
Bangladesh
M Ashraful - 3/1
T Iqbal - 7/2
MJ Siddique - 5/1
I Kayes - 6/1
S Hasan - 6/1
On the Bangladesh side, we don't think you can look beyond Ashraful, he's been in great form and has very little respect for the SA bowlers at present.
We're backing Duminy at 5/1 as the top batter from the SA side.
Carrying that forward, we're looking at JP Duminy (16/1) to win the man of the match award as well....
Friday, November 7, 2008
Good cricket...
Watching the South Africa vs. Bangladesh game at the moment and very impressed by the cricket being shown by the Bangladesh side.
SA are currently 149-3 after 31.4 overs and its great to watch the battle between the SA batters and the Bangladeshi spinners.
Good to see the Bangladesh team staying in the game!
SA are currently 149-3 after 31.4 overs and its great to watch the battle between the SA batters and the Bangladeshi spinners.
Good to see the Bangladesh team staying in the game!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
AB ala Jonty
One of my oldest cricketing memories is the image of a very young Jonty Rhodes making that famous diving run out of Inzamam Ul-Haq, when South Africa played in their first ever cricket world cup.
For those who don't remember, Inzy (who will never be remembered for his great running between the wickets) thought about a risky single just behind backward point. His partner at the time turned him back - a bit like turning the Titanic? - when he realised that Rhodes had fielded the ball.
Jonty realising that no keeper had come up to the stumps picked up the ball and took Inzy on in a flat out sprint before diving in and breaking the wickets....
... aaaaaaahhhh what history!
Last night in the South Africa vs. Bangladesh game, we had another fantastic piece of fielding. Johan Botha came charging in to take a catch which fell just in front of him. He recovered extremely quickly and fired the ball in to AB De Villiers who was keeping wicket and De Villiers made his own diving run out.
A great bit of cricket !
For those who don't remember, Inzy (who will never be remembered for his great running between the wickets) thought about a risky single just behind backward point. His partner at the time turned him back - a bit like turning the Titanic? - when he realised that Rhodes had fielded the ball.
Jonty realising that no keeper had come up to the stumps picked up the ball and took Inzy on in a flat out sprint before diving in and breaking the wickets....
... aaaaaaahhhh what history!
Last night in the South Africa vs. Bangladesh game, we had another fantastic piece of fielding. Johan Botha came charging in to take a catch which fell just in front of him. He recovered extremely quickly and fired the ball in to AB De Villiers who was keeping wicket and De Villiers made his own diving run out.A great bit of cricket !
SA vs. Kenya and Bangladesh
A lot of people (myself included) have been very critical about the Kenyan and Bangladesh cricket teams touring South Africa. My opinion changed slightly at the 20/20 game at the Wanderers last night...
I'm going to deal with Kenya first because they are earlier in the 'process' than Bangladesh who have had to walk a similar line.
Kenya Let's be honest - Kenya is nowhere at the moment in world cricket. They d
on't have the firepower or the structures in place to be competitive for probably
the next decade - that's not a nasty assessment - its a brutal fact.
Having said that, we had the opportunity to see a young talented player like Alex Obanda come on to the world scene and reinforce that developing cricket nations like Kenya can and are producing come really great cricketing talent.
I was surfing around the internet this morning looking for some info on Kenyan cricket and was highly surprised to find a dedicated blog to Kenyan cricket. Check them out - they're here at: http://kenyacricket.blogspot.com/
A search on the internet revealed thousands of pages following the development of the sport in the region which I think is hugely important for spreading the game away from the traditional powerhouses.
I think its brilliant that a nation with such a fledgling cricket community!
The trick is to make sure that guys like Obanda get as much as exposure to high levels of first class cricket as possible and build their experience and playing records so that they can put more back into the game domestically.
Bangladesh
Anybody who was at the Wanderers last night will attest to the fact that for every 3 South African fans in the crowd, there must have been 1 Bangladeshi fan. The noise and support for this tiny cricket nation is growing - and it's growing fast!
When Mohammed Ashraful came out to bat and he started dispatching the SA bowlers to all ends of the park in his brief little innings, the Bangladeshi's got excited - they were in the game!
The fans were cheering, the cricket wasn't the best from a 'thinking' perspective, but at the end of the day everybody got full for their money.
I look at a talent like Ashraful and I know that the idea of taking the game to other countries across the world is working.
The guy on merit could probably be competitive in any top 6 batting lineup at the moment.
He needs his head checked every now and then to stop him throwing his wicket away, but you can't deny the talent!
One can only hope that we see more of this kind of talent coming out of Kenya and Bangladesh over the next few seasons. The more talent being exposed to top level cricket, the better the health of the world game...
I'm going to deal with Kenya first because they are earlier in the 'process' than Bangladesh who have had to walk a similar line.
Kenya Let's be honest - Kenya is nowhere at the moment in world cricket. They d
on't have the firepower or the structures in place to be competitive for probablythe next decade - that's not a nasty assessment - its a brutal fact.
Having said that, we had the opportunity to see a young talented player like Alex Obanda come on to the world scene and reinforce that developing cricket nations like Kenya can and are producing come really great cricketing talent.
I was surfing around the internet this morning looking for some info on Kenyan cricket and was highly surprised to find a dedicated blog to Kenyan cricket. Check them out - they're here at: http://kenyacricket.blogspot.com/
A search on the internet revealed thousands of pages following the development of the sport in the region which I think is hugely important for spreading the game away from the traditional powerhouses.
I think its brilliant that a nation with such a fledgling cricket community!
The trick is to make sure that guys like Obanda get as much as exposure to high levels of first class cricket as possible and build their experience and playing records so that they can put more back into the game domestically.
Bangladesh
Anybody who was at the Wanderers last night will attest to the fact that for every 3 South African fans in the crowd, there must have been 1 Bangladeshi fan. The noise and support for this tiny cricket nation is growing - and it's growing fast!
When Mohammed Ashraful came out to bat and he started dispatching the SA bowlers to all ends of the park in his brief little innings, the Bangladeshi's got excited - they were in the game!The fans were cheering, the cricket wasn't the best from a 'thinking' perspective, but at the end of the day everybody got full for their money.
I look at a talent like Ashraful and I know that the idea of taking the game to other countries across the world is working.
The guy on merit could probably be competitive in any top 6 batting lineup at the moment.
He needs his head checked every now and then to stop him throwing his wicket away, but you can't deny the talent!
One can only hope that we see more of this kind of talent coming out of Kenya and Bangladesh over the next few seasons. The more talent being exposed to top level cricket, the better the health of the world game...
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
SA vs. Bangladesh
From the Sports Trader blog.
It's South Africa vs Bangladesh in the 20/20 fixture this evening in Johannesburg.
World Sports Betting have released their odds for the game.
Match odds aren't particularly juicy with South Africa being quoted at 1/7 and Bangladesh at 4/1.
But I thought you could have some fun with the best batter odds.
South Africa best batter odds
HH Gibbs - 33/10
AB De Villers - 7/2
LL Bosman - 4/1
JP Duminy - 4/1
JL Ontong - 5/1
JA Morkel - 7/1
Bangladesh best batters
M Ashraful - 7/2
T Iqbal - 4/1
MJ Siddique - 4/1
M Hossain - 11/2
N Islam - 11/2
S Hasan - 6/1
Albie Morkel at 7/1 looks pretty decent. He's made for 20/20 cricket.
For the rest, I think its a bit of a lottery....
It's South Africa vs Bangladesh in the 20/20 fixture this evening in Johannesburg.
World Sports Betting have released their odds for the game.
Match odds aren't particularly juicy with South Africa being quoted at 1/7 and Bangladesh at 4/1.
But I thought you could have some fun with the best batter odds.
South Africa best batter odds
HH Gibbs - 33/10
AB De Villers - 7/2
LL Bosman - 4/1
JP Duminy - 4/1
JL Ontong - 5/1
JA Morkel - 7/1
Bangladesh best batters
M Ashraful - 7/2
T Iqbal - 4/1
MJ Siddique - 4/1
M Hossain - 11/2
N Islam - 11/2
S Hasan - 6/1
Albie Morkel at 7/1 looks pretty decent. He's made for 20/20 cricket.
For the rest, I think its a bit of a lottery....
Saturday, November 1, 2008
SA fast bowlers
On Friday the South African cricket side took on Kenya in a One Day International fixture which they easily cantered home in. The side looked very short of match practice (particularly the bowlers) and this is something that needs to be addressed without blowing them out ahead of the Aussie tour at the end of the year.
Monde Zondeki was particularly off song and didn’t find any real rhythm.
Morne Morkel’s figures weren’t that bad and apart from one over where he went for 12 runs, he was efficient.
But let’s bear in mind that they were bowling, against a very average Kenyan batting line-up, one couldn’t help but think he’d have been in trouble bowling to the Indian or Australian batters.
For the record their bowling figures were as below:
M Zondeki 8 0 50 1
M Morkel 9 0 32 0
Morkel at the moment is definitely in the picture for a first team test bowling spot and a fit Zondeki backing up the first line strike bowlers will be invaluable over the coming summer, but splashing it around is not going to get you where you want to be.
Games against the likes of Kenya and Bangladesh should be aimed at having your strike bowlers proving they can control the ball under lights and bowl 6 balls in the same area of the pitch.
My suggestion would be to the South African fast bowlers that if that they should remember that the Kenyan side wasn’t intimidated with their blast ‘em out mentality so the bigger name sides probably won’t be – disciplined fast bowling is what is needed from these guys now…
Monde Zondeki was particularly off song and didn’t find any real rhythm.
Morne Morkel’s figures weren’t that bad and apart from one over where he went for 12 runs, he was efficient.
But let’s bear in mind that they were bowling, against a very average Kenyan batting line-up, one couldn’t help but think he’d have been in trouble bowling to the Indian or Australian batters.
For the record their bowling figures were as below:
M Zondeki 8 0 50 1
M Morkel 9 0 32 0
Morkel at the moment is definitely in the picture for a first team test bowling spot and a fit Zondeki backing up the first line strike bowlers will be invaluable over the coming summer, but splashing it around is not going to get you where you want to be.
Games against the likes of Kenya and Bangladesh should be aimed at having your strike bowlers proving they can control the ball under lights and bowl 6 balls in the same area of the pitch.
My suggestion would be to the South African fast bowlers that if that they should remember that the Kenyan side wasn’t intimidated with their blast ‘em out mentality so the bigger name sides probably won’t be – disciplined fast bowling is what is needed from these guys now…
Monday, October 20, 2008
M&F Cricketers of the year awards
This evening Mutual & Federal held its annual awards dinner celebrating its "Cricketer of the Year" awards.
This years winners were dominated by bowlers. Tell us what you think about these South African cricketers and the role they can be expected to play when SA takes on Australia later this year....
Johan Botha
Dillon Du Preez
Albie Morkel
Morne Morkel
Monde Zondeki
Well done to all these cricketers and well done to Mutual & Federal and Colin Bryden for putting on a great evening....
This years winners were dominated by bowlers. Tell us what you think about these South African cricketers and the role they can be expected to play when SA takes on Australia later this year....
Johan Botha
Dillon Du Preez
Albie Morkel
Morne Morkel
Monde Zondeki
Well done to all these cricketers and well done to Mutual & Federal and Colin Bryden for putting on a great evening....
Monday, October 13, 2008
Transformation farce
I received the following article from hockey writer Jonathan Cook which he has asked us to forward around to the South African sports community.
I would love your feedback around transformation in schoolboy sports….:
Hi all
When will this farce end?
JONATHAN COOK
THE KZN Inland encounters with Western Province in Bellville a fortnight ago reflected the poison infecting SA cricket.
In order to hide the lack of genuine, grassroots (and I mean ‘grassroots’ – at the bottom, among young, talent-identification disadvantaged and advantaged white and black kids) development taking place in the midlands and in SA, ruling body Cricket South Africa has enforced window-dressing quotas disguised as “transformation”.
If CSA quite rightly, in terms of their policy, view Pakistani Imran Tahir as a “developed” or “advantaged” (white) player as he did not come through the national “development” system, how can Inland be allowed to pick fellow non-South Africans, from Pakistan or Zimbabwe, as they have done, as quota players among the stipulated five minimum in their league if they are also not a product of the SA “development” system.
For that matter, how was, and still is, Herschelle Gibbs considered part of the “development” quota in the Cobras and SA team if he was a product of top private school Bishops? For that matter, how was, and is, Makhaya Ntini considered the same seeing he was a product of fine cricket nursery Dale College.
Yes, Ntini may have been disadvantaged economically and so on at the time he was discovered by Border cricket officer Greg Hayes, but post that moment he became an integral part of the system. And, for that matter, how can 31-year-old Ntini and 34-year-old Gibbs still be part of the Proteas’ non-white quota on the field and in tour squads after playing a total of 181 Test matches and 417 limited-over internationals between them?
On a more personal level one can see the damage this transformation farce is doing.
Among the14-man Inland squad to meet WP in the three-dayer and subsequent one-dayer was Clint Bowyer.
Bowyer (23) has delivered outstanding service to Inland over the years. During Inland’s two-year life span as a first-class outfit going into the current season, the left-handed opener averaged 34 including a 98 in the three-dayers and 36 in the 45-over stuff – better than any of his challengers.
His pedigree is second to none. The Kokstad-born “Bodjie” was a few boundaries short of Jonty Rhodes’s aggregate runs in a first XI season at Maritzburg College and broke a decades-old record for most number of centuries. He went on to play for SA in the U19 World Cup. Pre-Inland’s elevation to first-class cricket, Bowyer was a whisker away from receiving the Associate Province player of the year, his stellar season marginally eclipsed by equally on-song team-mate Yusuf Abdullah.
A week before Bellville he made a gutsy 46 and then 11 against a Dolphins XI including the attack that troubled the Titans this weekend.
Yet Bowyer was left out of the three-day and one-day matches in Bellville. The “quota” openers who did play managed 23 between them in four innings. Aside from personal issues, this forced selection also impacts on team results, as the best team cannot be picked.
Hashim Amla falls under the quota banner, yet he went to DHS – an institution that has produced more SA Test cricketers than any other. Dolphins rookie David Miller went to top cricket school Maritzburg College. His father is an auctioneer; Hashim’s is a doctor. They both appear equally “advantaged”, yet they are classed differently in terms of “transformation”. Why?
At school level, players who are borderline first XI – or even second team cricketers - get to represent their province because they are the best available to fill the quota, leaving genuine provincial contenders to reflect on their unfortunate white skin colour and wonder whether this ridiculous method of selection warrants continuing with the game. Again, you encourage and support the development of players who do, and do not, come from a cricket culture at age-group level, with sustainable, targeted talent-identification development through the age groups – and most importantly you foster the culture of excellence – to be the best you can be – so that, right from the start, young cricketers (and young and old sportspeople in all SA sporting codes for that matter) learn that excellence is rewarded with selection to the teams they aspire to play for.
Probably the farce of all farces is the claim by CSA director of amateur cricket Max Jordaan on the CSA website that Shaun Pollock is one of the “fruits growing from the seeds planted in our development garden.”
For goodness’ sake, Polly had one of the best fast bowlers in SA history as a father, arguably the best ever SA batsman as an uncle, a top cricket school and the mentorship of fast bowling great Malcolm Marshall in his formative years.
In the CSA website section on “Developing Winners”, Jordaan writes: “Cricket in South Africa is certainly an agent of change, but this must not be construed as change at the expense of one community for another, or one individual for another.”
“Change in our cricket community has two objectives: it must be morally right, and it must be aimed at making us the best in the world.
“We have achieved the former and to achieve the latter we have to ensure that we develop and utilise all the human resources available to us.”
On just about every count, I feel that Jordaan is wrong.
The lack of genuine grass-roots development of disadvantaged South Africans, particularly those who may show talent but lack the wherewithal to take it further, is a crime.
Let’s stop window-dressing and deal with the real issues, the issues that take thought, planning and real commitment.
Let’s get real, let’s get honest, let’s be courageous.
I would love your feedback around transformation in schoolboy sports….:
Hi all
When will this farce end?
JONATHAN COOK
THE KZN Inland encounters with Western Province in Bellville a fortnight ago reflected the poison infecting SA cricket.
In order to hide the lack of genuine, grassroots (and I mean ‘grassroots’ – at the bottom, among young, talent-identification disadvantaged and advantaged white and black kids) development taking place in the midlands and in SA, ruling body Cricket South Africa has enforced window-dressing quotas disguised as “transformation”.
If CSA quite rightly, in terms of their policy, view Pakistani Imran Tahir as a “developed” or “advantaged” (white) player as he did not come through the national “development” system, how can Inland be allowed to pick fellow non-South Africans, from Pakistan or Zimbabwe, as they have done, as quota players among the stipulated five minimum in their league if they are also not a product of the SA “development” system.
For that matter, how was, and still is, Herschelle Gibbs considered part of the “development” quota in the Cobras and SA team if he was a product of top private school Bishops? For that matter, how was, and is, Makhaya Ntini considered the same seeing he was a product of fine cricket nursery Dale College.
Yes, Ntini may have been disadvantaged economically and so on at the time he was discovered by Border cricket officer Greg Hayes, but post that moment he became an integral part of the system. And, for that matter, how can 31-year-old Ntini and 34-year-old Gibbs still be part of the Proteas’ non-white quota on the field and in tour squads after playing a total of 181 Test matches and 417 limited-over internationals between them?
On a more personal level one can see the damage this transformation farce is doing.
Among the14-man Inland squad to meet WP in the three-dayer and subsequent one-dayer was Clint Bowyer.
Bowyer (23) has delivered outstanding service to Inland over the years. During Inland’s two-year life span as a first-class outfit going into the current season, the left-handed opener averaged 34 including a 98 in the three-dayers and 36 in the 45-over stuff – better than any of his challengers.
His pedigree is second to none. The Kokstad-born “Bodjie” was a few boundaries short of Jonty Rhodes’s aggregate runs in a first XI season at Maritzburg College and broke a decades-old record for most number of centuries. He went on to play for SA in the U19 World Cup. Pre-Inland’s elevation to first-class cricket, Bowyer was a whisker away from receiving the Associate Province player of the year, his stellar season marginally eclipsed by equally on-song team-mate Yusuf Abdullah.
A week before Bellville he made a gutsy 46 and then 11 against a Dolphins XI including the attack that troubled the Titans this weekend.
Yet Bowyer was left out of the three-day and one-day matches in Bellville. The “quota” openers who did play managed 23 between them in four innings. Aside from personal issues, this forced selection also impacts on team results, as the best team cannot be picked.
Hashim Amla falls under the quota banner, yet he went to DHS – an institution that has produced more SA Test cricketers than any other. Dolphins rookie David Miller went to top cricket school Maritzburg College. His father is an auctioneer; Hashim’s is a doctor. They both appear equally “advantaged”, yet they are classed differently in terms of “transformation”. Why?
At school level, players who are borderline first XI – or even second team cricketers - get to represent their province because they are the best available to fill the quota, leaving genuine provincial contenders to reflect on their unfortunate white skin colour and wonder whether this ridiculous method of selection warrants continuing with the game. Again, you encourage and support the development of players who do, and do not, come from a cricket culture at age-group level, with sustainable, targeted talent-identification development through the age groups – and most importantly you foster the culture of excellence – to be the best you can be – so that, right from the start, young cricketers (and young and old sportspeople in all SA sporting codes for that matter) learn that excellence is rewarded with selection to the teams they aspire to play for.
Probably the farce of all farces is the claim by CSA director of amateur cricket Max Jordaan on the CSA website that Shaun Pollock is one of the “fruits growing from the seeds planted in our development garden.”
For goodness’ sake, Polly had one of the best fast bowlers in SA history as a father, arguably the best ever SA batsman as an uncle, a top cricket school and the mentorship of fast bowling great Malcolm Marshall in his formative years.
In the CSA website section on “Developing Winners”, Jordaan writes: “Cricket in South Africa is certainly an agent of change, but this must not be construed as change at the expense of one community for another, or one individual for another.”
“Change in our cricket community has two objectives: it must be morally right, and it must be aimed at making us the best in the world.
“We have achieved the former and to achieve the latter we have to ensure that we develop and utilise all the human resources available to us.”
On just about every count, I feel that Jordaan is wrong.
The lack of genuine grass-roots development of disadvantaged South Africans, particularly those who may show talent but lack the wherewithal to take it further, is a crime.
Let’s stop window-dressing and deal with the real issues, the issues that take thought, planning and real commitment.
Let’s get real, let’s get honest, let’s be courageous.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
‘Bit’ players in cricket
It is probably a result of the sheer volume of one day cricket that is played these days, but sides seem to becoming increasingly dependant on ‘bit’ players to fill their teams and I believe this can be counter productive.
I suspect that in a lot of ways, this is promulgated by the fact that they don’t have enough depth player-wise to fill the team with specialists.
Worryingly I think
A lot of people call these players ‘all rounders’, but they are not. They are ‘bit’ players.
To me, a player like Adam Gilchrist is an all rounder. When he can average 50 with the bat and still keep wicket then you can be considered an all rounder. Jacques Kallis would be another example – it wouldn’t be unusual for him to score 100 with the bat and then take a fifer.
Differentiate between ‘bit’ players and those who play as all rounders.
Unfortunately winning cricket matches, very often comes down to a few cold hard moments in a game.
As a South African cricket fan / selector / player, you need to ask yourself – do I want an expert like Dale Steyn bowling a key over in a one day game or am I happy to rely on a trundler who comes in 115km/h?
Don’t get me wrong - variety is great in a side, but great sides are made by great specialists not by good ‘bit’ players…
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Graeme Smith shouldn't step down
Following on a bruising and physically exhausting tour of England, the debate has risen about whether it is time for Graeme Smith to step down and whether or not AB Devilliers or Hashim Amla should step up and take his place as the captain.
I have to be honest and say I don't understand the logic here.
Graeme Smith is the South African captain - there shouldn't be a discussion here...
... if he gets hurt, fine pick a new face to caretake while he recovers but he is only starting to come into the point where he can be considered a mature captain and this is when he will take the team to the top and keep it there.
Smith doesn't NEED to step down to concentrate on his game. He averages around 50 in test cricket and 40+ in one day cricket so the argument shouldn't be raised.
I think Smith and the bowlers in particular need a good break before they go on to play Australia and him getting hurt now should give him that break that he needs to come out firing again.
I also don't see merit in splitting the side into two with a specialist one day captain and specialist test captain. One captain, one mentality and one style of cricket is what the side needs and the strongest captain should be the captain in all forms of the game...
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Brit school discipline thrives with cricket
I saw this article on the IOL website and thought I would post the link here:
An ambitious scheme to boost self-confidence and discipline among British children by reviving competitive cricket in state schools is thriving after three years and its founders are determined to sustain it.
Rest of the article here
Some good points are raised in the article and maybe we should be grateful for the level of coaching and enthusiasm that South African kids receive.
- Sport must be fun
- Coaches have to buy into it
- Train the teachers so they can pass it on the enthusiasm to the kids
- Can the kids carry on playing when there isn't a coach there?
Its a nice initiative and wish the school the best of luck.
An ambitious scheme to boost self-confidence and discipline among British children by reviving competitive cricket in state schools is thriving after three years and its founders are determined to sustain it.
Rest of the article here
Some good points are raised in the article and maybe we should be grateful for the level of coaching and enthusiasm that South African kids receive.
- Sport must be fun
- Coaches have to buy into it
- Train the teachers so they can pass it on the enthusiasm to the kids
- Can the kids carry on playing when there isn't a coach there?
Its a nice initiative and wish the school the best of luck.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Cricket an Olympic sport? Nah...
There has been quite a lot of discussion about cricket becoming an Olympic sport this week.
Blunt and honest opinion... nah it shouldn't be...
What does cricket actually gain from becoming an Olympic sport? The format they are going to play has to be T20 cricket and in my mind, apart from being a bit of entertainment for the fans - this isn't worthy of being an Olympic sport.
Maybe I am missing something but I just don't understand how the game would better itself by sending a team of smash and bash cricketing artists to see if they could win a medal.
I think its a noble gesture and I think its been spurred along by "Olympic Fever" but the players already play too much cricket and this is simply going to wear them down a little further.
Pointless as far as I can see...
Blunt and honest opinion... nah it shouldn't be...
What does cricket actually gain from becoming an Olympic sport? The format they are going to play has to be T20 cricket and in my mind, apart from being a bit of entertainment for the fans - this isn't worthy of being an Olympic sport.
Maybe I am missing something but I just don't understand how the game would better itself by sending a team of smash and bash cricketing artists to see if they could win a medal.
I think its a noble gesture and I think its been spurred along by "Olympic Fever" but the players already play too much cricket and this is simply going to wear them down a little further.
Pointless as far as I can see...
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Cricket is still the gentleman’s game – and it something that we must never allow to disappear from the game yesterday.
When Paul Collingwood left the field at Edgebaston yesterday he received a standing ovation from the crowd, and every South African player on the field went up to him to shake his hand.
A recognition of an innings that potentially saved his team, especially considering he was badly out of form and being lambasted by the press.
You rarely see that same kind of recognition in other sports (particularly from the opposition). I think rugby perhaps has its own way of acknowledging strong performances with gestures at the bottom of the ruck but I can never recall a single instance where a hockey or football player has made the effort to go up to an opponent after the game and shake their hand.
Well done to the Edgebaston crowd for acknowledging an heroic innings from Collingwood. Well done to the South African cricketers who, despite realising that Collingwood had made their lives tough, still had the courtesy to acknowledge his efforts.
And of course – well done to Collingwood – glad you got some form back!
Graeme Smith
Love him or hate him, you can’t deny that Graeme Smith is tough.
A target of 281 to win was doable but not a straight forward run chase. When we lost 4 of our top order quickly, doubts could have crept in.
But one just got the sense that Graeme Smith went out there to win. No bullshit.
I think Smith receives a lot of criticism for his perceived arrogance. At the end of the day, we look back at the likes of Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh remember that they were an equally “arrogant” bunch sod – but they brought their A game when Australia went out to play and that’s why they were able demolish most sides on a consistent basis.
SA attack this morning
I thought the South African cricket side bowled curiously this morning when they had Collingwood and Sidebottom together.
Collingwood didn't score a single run straight on and milked the bowlers the moment they bowled short and wide. Yet for some obscure reason, we insisted on bowling short and wide to him? The one delivery that Morkel pitched full and straight nailed him front on and should have been out.
I thought Morkel bowled particularly well to Sidebottom when he got stuck in, but it proved the point that you have to vary your lines for batters. Collingwood was happy with the short stuff where Sidebottom struggled.
Obviously sitting on the sidelines, it is easy to criticise, but the South Africans (in my opinion) but themselves under pressure by not being disciplined and bowling at Collingwoods weaknesses.
On a side note - good call by the 3rd umpired - Ian Gould (??), I also didn't think Devilliers made a clean catch this time around....
Collingwood didn't score a single run straight on and milked the bowlers the moment they bowled short and wide. Yet for some obscure reason, we insisted on bowling short and wide to him? The one delivery that Morkel pitched full and straight nailed him front on and should have been out.
I thought Morkel bowled particularly well to Sidebottom when he got stuck in, but it proved the point that you have to vary your lines for batters. Collingwood was happy with the short stuff where Sidebottom struggled.
Obviously sitting on the sidelines, it is easy to criticise, but the South Africans (in my opinion) but themselves under pressure by not being disciplined and bowling at Collingwoods weaknesses.
On a side note - good call by the 3rd umpired - Ian Gould (??), I also didn't think Devilliers made a clean catch this time around....
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Fire from Flintoff
A charged up Freddie Flintoff vs. the unflappable Jacques Kallis yesterday.... and the bowler came out on top.
I saw Kallis was quoted as saying "This is what test cricket is about!"... Well done to 2 of the games stalwarts for bringing a little fire and ice to the game again.
The confrontation between Mike Atherton and Allan Donald will be something I will remember for the rest of my life.
Anyone who says Test Cricket is dying should take note of these events - they're helluva exciting!
I saw Kallis was quoted as saying "This is what test cricket is about!"... Well done to 2 of the games stalwarts for bringing a little fire and ice to the game again.
The confrontation between Mike Atherton and Allan Donald will be something I will remember for the rest of my life.
Anyone who says Test Cricket is dying should take note of these events - they're helluva exciting!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Decisiveness in selections
The saga around the English cricket team selections for the 3rd test match against South Africa is a prime example of what not to do when trying to inspire confidence in your ability to coach and manage a team.
Being at the top of the coaching game in any sport is tough - but being indecisive and failing to back your selections is like committing coaching suicide.
England spent the entire second test chasing leather with a thoroughly inadequete bowling attack. The decision was then made to recall Steve Harmison to try and give some firepower to the Poms.
The selectors then made a complete turnaround, as some former players questioned the appropriateness of selecting Harmison due to his poor form against SA and his general iffy attitude.
The selectors should either have gone with their gut and said "Yes we have confidence in Steve" or not selected him at all. By changing their decision they are sowing the seeds of indecision. Armchair fans might have their opinions on the make-up of the side - but at the end of the day it comes down to the playing squad to know that their management have faith in them....
Being at the top of the coaching game in any sport is tough - but being indecisive and failing to back your selections is like committing coaching suicide.
England spent the entire second test chasing leather with a thoroughly inadequete bowling attack. The decision was then made to recall Steve Harmison to try and give some firepower to the Poms.
The selectors then made a complete turnaround, as some former players questioned the appropriateness of selecting Harmison due to his poor form against SA and his general iffy attitude.
The selectors should either have gone with their gut and said "Yes we have confidence in Steve" or not selected him at all. By changing their decision they are sowing the seeds of indecision. Armchair fans might have their opinions on the make-up of the side - but at the end of the day it comes down to the playing squad to know that their management have faith in them....
Sunday, July 27, 2008
The pinch-hitter does not work
T20 cricket is all the rage at the moment and there is a lot of talk again about the role of a pinch-hitter in the game.
My position - THE PINCH HITTER DOES NOT WORK - irrespective of what version of the game you play.
On the odd occasion a pinch hitter comes off its more a case of luck than a well planned strategy. The best 1 day innings (Think Herschelle Gibbs chasing down 400+ at the Wanderers against the Aussies) are because a real batter gets his eye and uses his natural talent to flay bowlers left right and centre.
But a pinch hitter that comes in and scores 12 off 12 balls - has NOT done anything good for the side. Instead if a Michael Clarke or Andrew Symonds had come in and used those 12 balls to get his eye in before blasting 100 off 80 balls.
Let your batters do the job they're supposed to do and leave the bowlers fresh to do what they are supposed to be doing.
My position - THE PINCH HITTER DOES NOT WORK - irrespective of what version of the game you play.
On the odd occasion a pinch hitter comes off its more a case of luck than a well planned strategy. The best 1 day innings (Think Herschelle Gibbs chasing down 400+ at the Wanderers against the Aussies) are because a real batter gets his eye and uses his natural talent to flay bowlers left right and centre.
But a pinch hitter that comes in and scores 12 off 12 balls - has NOT done anything good for the side. Instead if a Michael Clarke or Andrew Symonds had come in and used those 12 balls to get his eye in before blasting 100 off 80 balls.
Let your batters do the job they're supposed to do and leave the bowlers fresh to do what they are supposed to be doing.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Debate around stump receiver at run out
There has always been an interesting debate around a non-wicket keeper receiving the ball while making a run out.
Should the receiver receive the ball in front of the stumps and then break the bails, or should they be waiting behind the stumps for the ball to pass - basically acting as "the back up"?
Its a pretty open debate - 90% of receivers have the logic that you stand behind the stump and simply catch and break if the fielders throw has missed.
But a few years back the South African cricket side started the habit of receiving the ball in front of the stumps and then swinging their hands back to break the stumps. (The theory being that you guaranteed a run out).
The actual success of the South African technique was called into question where at least one run out was missed, simply on the grounds that the 1 second it took to catch the ball and then break make the run out cost them on at least 1 occassion.
My take - a receiver always stands behind the stumps and provides backup - he should not be interrupting the flight of the ball of an accurate throw for any reason...
Should the receiver receive the ball in front of the stumps and then break the bails, or should they be waiting behind the stumps for the ball to pass - basically acting as "the back up"?
Its a pretty open debate - 90% of receivers have the logic that you stand behind the stump and simply catch and break if the fielders throw has missed.
But a few years back the South African cricket side started the habit of receiving the ball in front of the stumps and then swinging their hands back to break the stumps. (The theory being that you guaranteed a run out).
The actual success of the South African technique was called into question where at least one run out was missed, simply on the grounds that the 1 second it took to catch the ball and then break make the run out cost them on at least 1 occassion.
My take - a receiver always stands behind the stumps and provides backup - he should not be interrupting the flight of the ball of an accurate throw for any reason...
Friday, July 25, 2008
Young spin bowlers
I'm probably going to take some stick for this post but I'm a big believer that young spin bowlers should use "Action Cricket" as a way to work on their accuracy and delivery.
I was a leg-spinner and my biggest problem was that I simply had no control of where the ball was going to come out. I'd walk in, hope, pray and spew... Sometimes it worked and sometimes it went spectacularly wrong.
After I stopped practicing seriously I started playing a lot more action cricket and I found the more I played, the tighter my accuracy and control became.
Relaxed atmosphere, a 1 step run up and a flat throw down of the ball that provided an ENJOYABLE contest between batter and bowler.
It's important to note here that many spin bowlers who are over-coached, lose their ability to flight the ball. Too much flat action cricket bowling will increase this problem. Special sessions should also be included to include flighted control so that the spin bowler does not lose the "shape" of their action.
I was a leg-spinner and my biggest problem was that I simply had no control of where the ball was going to come out. I'd walk in, hope, pray and spew... Sometimes it worked and sometimes it went spectacularly wrong.
After I stopped practicing seriously I started playing a lot more action cricket and I found the more I played, the tighter my accuracy and control became.
Relaxed atmosphere, a 1 step run up and a flat throw down of the ball that provided an ENJOYABLE contest between batter and bowler.
It's important to note here that many spin bowlers who are over-coached, lose their ability to flight the ball. Too much flat action cricket bowling will increase this problem. Special sessions should also be included to include flighted control so that the spin bowler does not lose the "shape" of their action.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Over-coaching young cricket players
Coaching is always tricky.
But it becomes increasingly harder when you are trying to balance naturally talented young players AND correcting technical faults in an attempt to make a better player.
For instance take Paul Adams, the South African spin bowler with his "frog in the blender" type action. Without question it is one of the most improbably bowling actions you will ever come across and it would be near impossible to get him to change it. Yet during his time with the South African test cricket side he was one of the top strike bowlers - he landed the ball in the right place and turned it a fair distance. As a captain or coach - what more can you ask for?
Shiv Chanderpaul with his extremely wide (almost baseball style) stance - if a coach tried to correct that then he MAY have lost some of his skills and timing as a batter. His 45+ average proves he knows what he is doing.
I have a mate who is quite actively involved in coaching junior cricket at a leading school here in South Africa. Every year he sees the same problems playing themselves out - a talented young kid scores a ton of runs in his first year in high school and he gets sent off to an "academy" or "specialist coach" who is going to 'refine' his technique. The kid comes back with a completely changed batting style and for the next 2 seasons he can't get the ball off the square.
Instead of focusing on his natural talent and hand-eye coordination, coaches look at what he is doing wrong and then try and change his whole style to change this.
Obviously in the early stages of cricket playing, it is easier for an average player to stand out simply being bigger, stronger and quicker on the ball.
But coaches should be wary before implementing full scale changes in a young players style, until they know what the kid is doing right and why they are successful.
But it becomes increasingly harder when you are trying to balance naturally talented young players AND correcting technical faults in an attempt to make a better player.
For instance take Paul Adams, the South African spin bowler with his "frog in the blender" type action. Without question it is one of the most improbably bowling actions you will ever come across and it would be near impossible to get him to change it. Yet during his time with the South African test cricket side he was one of the top strike bowlers - he landed the ball in the right place and turned it a fair distance. As a captain or coach - what more can you ask for?
Shiv Chanderpaul with his extremely wide (almost baseball style) stance - if a coach tried to correct that then he MAY have lost some of his skills and timing as a batter. His 45+ average proves he knows what he is doing.
I have a mate who is quite actively involved in coaching junior cricket at a leading school here in South Africa. Every year he sees the same problems playing themselves out - a talented young kid scores a ton of runs in his first year in high school and he gets sent off to an "academy" or "specialist coach" who is going to 'refine' his technique. The kid comes back with a completely changed batting style and for the next 2 seasons he can't get the ball off the square.
Instead of focusing on his natural talent and hand-eye coordination, coaches look at what he is doing wrong and then try and change his whole style to change this.
Obviously in the early stages of cricket playing, it is easier for an average player to stand out simply being bigger, stronger and quicker on the ball.
But coaches should be wary before implementing full scale changes in a young players style, until they know what the kid is doing right and why they are successful.
West Indies Travels in 2009 for Cricket England Supporters by Crictours
Crictours announces England Supporters Cricket Travel Packages for 2009 West Indies Tour
Following the ECB’s announcement of the 2009 England-West Indies tour, The Cricket Tour Company has launched their tour itineraries. The combination of beautiful beaches, exotic locales and exceptional cricket assure that the West Indies tour packages are in high demand by England supporters.
The dates for the West Indies tour have now been released, as follows:
04-08 Feb - 1st Test, Jamaica
13-17 Feb - 2nd Test, Antigua
26 Feb-02 Mar - 3rd Test, Barbados
06-10 Mar - 4th Test, Trinidad
Sun 15 Mar - Twenty20 International, Trinidad
Fri 20 Mar - 1st One-Day International, Guyana
Sun 22 Mar - 2nd One-Day International, Guyana
Fri 27 Mar - 3rd One-Day International, Barbados
Sun 29 Mar - 4th One-Day International, Barbados
Fri 03 April - 5th One-Day International, St Lucia – Day/Night
Crictours offers following tour itineraries:
Jamaica: Sat 31st Jan – Tue 10th Feb (12 days)
Enjoy 3 days of relaxation on a gorgeous North coast all-inclusive beach resort before heading down to the Hilton, Kingston for the 1st Test at the pulsating Sabina Park – scene of Steve Harmison’s stunning 7 for 12 in 2004!
Antigua: Wed 11th Feb – Sun 22nd Feb (12 days)
Kick back on one of Antigua’s 365 beaches at the stunning all-inclusive Verandah Resort & Spa. See the 2nd Test at the Sir Vivian Richards stadium – newly opened for the 2007 World Cup.
Barbados: Sat 21st Feb – Wed 4th Mar (12 days) or Sun 8th Mar (16 days)
With thousands of English fans expected, the atmosphere at Kensington Oval is sure to be fantastic for the pivotal 3rd Test. Join us for a 12 day tour or one of our 2 x 16 day tours – one at an all-inclusive resort, the other on B&B basis.
Trinidad & Tobago: Thu 5th Mar – Fri 13th Mar (9 days +)
There’s no beach in Port of Spain, but there is a fantastic atmosphere at the wonderful Queen’s Park Oval and a great music scene in the home of calypso & soca (soul-calypso) music! Stay at the Hilton Trinidad. Extend your stay with a beach holiday on Tobago and pop back for the Twenty/20 match!
ODI Tour: Sat 21st Mar – Sun 05th Apr (16 days) or Wed 18th Mar - Sun 05th Apr (19 days)
Our main tour will take in the last 3 ODI’s on Barbados & St Lucia. However, we will also be offering a pre-tour extension for those wanting to go to Guyana to see the first 2 ODI’s.
Combo Tours
For England supporters that need a bigger dose of sun, sea and/or cricket, itineraries can combine any or all the tours above!
Flights will be with Virgin Atlantic from London and BMI from Manchester to Barbados, both with the option to upgrade to Premium Economy & Business Class.
Brochures and information can be obtained:
Via email sue@crictours.com or
Phone call on 01494 713 007.or on www.crictours.com website
Following the ECB’s announcement of the 2009 England-West Indies tour, The Cricket Tour Company has launched their tour itineraries. The combination of beautiful beaches, exotic locales and exceptional cricket assure that the West Indies tour packages are in high demand by England supporters.
The dates for the West Indies tour have now been released, as follows:
04-08 Feb - 1st Test, Jamaica
13-17 Feb - 2nd Test, Antigua
26 Feb-02 Mar - 3rd Test, Barbados
06-10 Mar - 4th Test, Trinidad
Sun 15 Mar - Twenty20 International, Trinidad
Fri 20 Mar - 1st One-Day International, Guyana
Sun 22 Mar - 2nd One-Day International, Guyana
Fri 27 Mar - 3rd One-Day International, Barbados
Sun 29 Mar - 4th One-Day International, Barbados
Fri 03 April - 5th One-Day International, St Lucia – Day/Night
Crictours offers following tour itineraries:
Jamaica: Sat 31st Jan – Tue 10th Feb (12 days)
Enjoy 3 days of relaxation on a gorgeous North coast all-inclusive beach resort before heading down to the Hilton, Kingston for the 1st Test at the pulsating Sabina Park – scene of Steve Harmison’s stunning 7 for 12 in 2004!
Antigua: Wed 11th Feb – Sun 22nd Feb (12 days)
Kick back on one of Antigua’s 365 beaches at the stunning all-inclusive Verandah Resort & Spa. See the 2nd Test at the Sir Vivian Richards stadium – newly opened for the 2007 World Cup.
Barbados: Sat 21st Feb – Wed 4th Mar (12 days) or Sun 8th Mar (16 days)
With thousands of English fans expected, the atmosphere at Kensington Oval is sure to be fantastic for the pivotal 3rd Test. Join us for a 12 day tour or one of our 2 x 16 day tours – one at an all-inclusive resort, the other on B&B basis.
Trinidad & Tobago: Thu 5th Mar – Fri 13th Mar (9 days +)
There’s no beach in Port of Spain, but there is a fantastic atmosphere at the wonderful Queen’s Park Oval and a great music scene in the home of calypso & soca (soul-calypso) music! Stay at the Hilton Trinidad. Extend your stay with a beach holiday on Tobago and pop back for the Twenty/20 match!
ODI Tour: Sat 21st Mar – Sun 05th Apr (16 days) or Wed 18th Mar - Sun 05th Apr (19 days)
Our main tour will take in the last 3 ODI’s on Barbados & St Lucia. However, we will also be offering a pre-tour extension for those wanting to go to Guyana to see the first 2 ODI’s.
Combo Tours
For England supporters that need a bigger dose of sun, sea and/or cricket, itineraries can combine any or all the tours above!
Flights will be with Virgin Atlantic from London and BMI from Manchester to Barbados, both with the option to upgrade to Premium Economy & Business Class.
Brochures and information can be obtained:
Via email sue@crictours.com or
Phone call on 01494 713 007.or on www.crictours.com website
Sunday, July 20, 2008
How valuable is variety?
The South African national bowling attack is probably the one world class attack that I can use to highlight in this post.
Prior to Paul Harris (Left arm spinner) coming into the side, the attack comprised of a bunch of right arm seamers who stormed in at at the 140km/h mark who maybe moved it a little off the pitch on a good day.
Unfortunately there have been a couple of Test matches where these 4 seamers have had little to do except run in and their fielders ended up chasing leather the whole day. Not a lot of fun.
This lack of variety has been something that has plagued them for the better part of a decade, and if it hadn't been for the quality of fast bowler they were producing, South Africa would be a far less potent bowling force.
The debate has long been asked - would South Africa be better served by having a slightly weaker bowler, but one who turns the ball a bit or comes in from a different angle or swings the ball in the air?
On their day, any of Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn, Charl Langeveldt, Andre Nel, Jacques Kallis or Morne Morkel will pick you up a 5 wicket haul. But on a day where the opposition is sending you
to all corners of the park and you are craving something different, would you want a left arm seamer or a finger spinner to take advantage of some rough in the pitch.
Harris has added a big part of the variety that the South African attack has needed, but the demand for a left arm quick bowler is obvious. Just that slightly different angle to worry the batsman or provide some wear and tear outside the batters off stump.
Logically you wont give up quality for variety on most days, but if you don't have some variety to fall back on, then you can spend some very long days in the field...
Prior to Paul Harris (Left arm spinner) coming into the side, the attack comprised of a bunch of right arm seamers who stormed in at at the 140km/h mark who maybe moved it a little off the pitch on a good day.
Unfortunately there have been a couple of Test matches where these 4 seamers have had little to do except run in and their fielders ended up chasing leather the whole day. Not a lot of fun.
This lack of variety has been something that has plagued them for the better part of a decade, and if it hadn't been for the quality of fast bowler they were producing, South Africa would be a far less potent bowling force.
The debate has long been asked - would South Africa be better served by having a slightly weaker bowler, but one who turns the ball a bit or comes in from a different angle or swings the ball in the air?
On their day, any of Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn, Charl Langeveldt, Andre Nel, Jacques Kallis or Morne Morkel will pick you up a 5 wicket haul. But on a day where the opposition is sending you
to all corners of the park and you are craving something different, would you want a left arm seamer or a finger spinner to take advantage of some rough in the pitch.
Harris has added a big part of the variety that the South African attack has needed, but the demand for a left arm quick bowler is obvious. Just that slightly different angle to worry the batsman or provide some wear and tear outside the batters off stump.
Logically you wont give up quality for variety on most days, but if you don't have some variety to fall back on, then you can spend some very long days in the field...
Cricket Strategist
Cricket has been a funny game over the last few years.
We've seen the West Indies come and go as world leaders, we've seen the Aussies dominate for an extended period of time and South Africa emerge as the definite number 2's.
And now we are seeing the emergence of T20 cricket and the Asian super powers, once again reshifting the balance of power. India and Pakistan in particular have more talent that they know what to do with. In a few years time, India will be the undoubted "financial capital" of world cricket.
Minnow nations like Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Kenya and Holland are getting more and more game time and exposure to high level cricket and their progress will be interestign to watch.
The Cricket Strategist blog aims to provide an online resource for cricketing coaches and enthusiasts to exchange ideas on world cricket and ensure that the game of cricket can constantly improve itself.
We've seen the West Indies come and go as world leaders, we've seen the Aussies dominate for an extended period of time and South Africa emerge as the definite number 2's.
And now we are seeing the emergence of T20 cricket and the Asian super powers, once again reshifting the balance of power. India and Pakistan in particular have more talent that they know what to do with. In a few years time, India will be the undoubted "financial capital" of world cricket.
Minnow nations like Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Kenya and Holland are getting more and more game time and exposure to high level cricket and their progress will be interestign to watch.
The Cricket Strategist blog aims to provide an online resource for cricketing coaches and enthusiasts to exchange ideas on world cricket and ensure that the game of cricket can constantly improve itself.
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