WHO SHOULD BE NUMBER ONE

WHO SHOULD BE NUMBER ONE

The retirement of Glenn Mcgrath, Shane Warne, Damien Martyn, Justin Langer, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden and the dumping of Andrew Symonds and Jason Gillespie put an end to Australian domination of world cricket. This paved a path where teams and boards can dream all they want to, in believing that they can become the next (or third, behind WI & Aus) number one side. Mind you, they can only become the No.1 test side since Australia continues to dominate the 50 over format which is losing its popularity as we speak. It’s hilarious to see different teams trying to claim that mantle. A good battle for the mace was seen between Australia and South Africa in 2008. Although the scoreline suggests 2-1, it wasn’t all that bad for Australia. Having set a target of well over 400 at Perth, a draw was expected as the worst possible outcomes as SA were already 60 for 2. The great Kallis assisted by AB lead SA to a terrific victory despite Johnson taking 8 for 70 in the first innings. At 280 for 8 in Melbourne the next week, Australia were looking good. But this time it was JP Duminy and Dale Steyn who took SA to 400 and Steyn taking 7 wickets. Australia’s initiative was lost and lost the match by more than a 100 runs. Here it was Graeme Smith and Dale Steyn. During the return series in South Africa, it was Ricky Ponting and Mitchell Johnson just like Steve Waugh and Glenn McGrath. It was unanimous that in Lee’s absence, Mitch would spearhead the attack but horribly failed to deliver in England displaying preposterous accuracy at Lord’s. There were only three months between his heroic and pathetic performances in South Africa and England.

There is nothing wrong in aiming for the No.1 spot but dreaming alone can get you nowhere. What takes a side to be No.1? For starters you need to be able to pick the right pool of players that posses’ talent, skill, determination, variety and most importantly discipline. Next the basics of cricket need to be drilled into every player at the international level since cricket has it’s way of coming back at you and only a solid foundation can help you fight back. Look at teams like India and Pakistan that boast of great batsmen and bowlers and at the same time have a look at their win/loss ratio. Sometimes numbers can say more. To begin, their local system is flawed but that’s another issue to worry about. It’s their fielding and not just them both, but most of the sides around the globe. I see the ball go through pairs of hands, under players many times racing towards the boundary. The most recent classic was Akmal’s drop catch off Katich at the SCG, 2010. The bloke started staring at his palms as if they were worn out Velcro. As Harsha Bogle mentioned recently, the main reason behind pathetic field in the sub continent is that children play only cricket from childhood. We can blame that on the schooling system or whatever but remember in India especially children are almost tortured for doing bad academically. We must be happy that many Indians became all time cricketing greats.


However, if a batsmen like Gayle, Hayden or Sehwag smashes the ball then you would be asinine to put your hand in the way unless you’re a Ponting, Symonds or Rhodes. In these situations it’s wise to have a word with your bowlers. The most important aspect in cricket is to have a disciplined if not formidable attack. As a captain or a team, you’re only as good as your bowlers except in Dhoni’s case where somehow he inherited Irish luck passed down through generations and in any South African captain’s case where a curse only can bring them the bad luck they’ve had over the years. Have a look at Steve Waugh and Glenn McGrath, Ricky Ponting and Brett Lee in the 2003 world cup and 2005 onwards, Graeme Smith and Dale Steyn – Captain and Spearhead. It’s this kind of combinations that beget successful times for any side. However I don’t see that in any Indian side of late. Apart from a good pace attack, I always insist that no matter what the conditions are you must always play a spinner. And if you don’t have one especially while touring India, then it’s better you have a tourism package booked because you’re not going to last for five days against the Indian side. Australia, I thought learned from that but look what happened at the Oval, 2009! Inspite of all the respect and admiration I have for Ponting, sometimes I ask myself or my peers just what in the world is he thinking? He’s been and is an exceptional leader especially in the ODI’s. His test success can be desolated from him unwarranted as some say it’s because McGrath and Warne which I disagree. When speaking of Graeme Smith, another captain I look up to, his declarations against England were very late and instead of 3-1 it was 1-1. But this doesn’t stop them from deserving accolades.

The last aspect is a obviously a strong batting line-up which Australia, India, South Africa and England have but at times show how bad they are due to inconsistency which of late Australia is plunging into. The demise of Australian domination can be seen as a savior of test cricket as T20 and Modi make their name. However, although Australia has fallen back, I don’t think other teams have progressed that far ahead that they can claim the mantle. Mere rankings is not all. It’s just that the gap has narrowed and the field looks a lot more intense. No one can be held responsible for Australia’s downfall but for McGrath to Hayden. In couple of years or three maximum, India will loose the batting line-up that they have cherished so dearly for more than a decade. I don’t think Dhoni, Yuvraj, Sharma, Kohli will be able to travel round the world and scoring centuries across different conditions. India’s best chance is now and considering the amount of test cricket they’re playing currently, it’s South Africa’s chance to repair Duminy and Prince, show some respect towards Ntini and battle hard to reclaim the mace which they never lost on account of their fault. Meanwhile we see Ponting stitch an attack boasting of a resurrected Johnson (Mitchell Johnson 2), Doug Bollinger, Ben Hillfanhaus and Nathan Hauritz. And now that Lee’s hung his boots thanks to the injury demon and Staurt Clark’s all dried out, the process is a lot easier. Hughes will take or need some more time but for now Watson has done everything to claim a permamant spot for a good number of years and has my support. There’s plenty of talk about Hazlewood and the Marsh brothers and is only a matter of before Shaun scores like Watson. And don’t forget Callum Ferguson, one of my favorites. There’s a high chance that Australia can resurface and sail once again with might, but at the same time I’d like to see South Africa do their best. As for India, especially Sachin and Dravid, their luck is just like South Africa’s.

To be No.1 means to win tests across the cricketing world over multifarious conditions and predicaments. It means to posses a disciplined attack that is capable of taking 20 wickets most of the times. It means to adapt before the opposition does first. It requires an inspiring captain willing to take responsibility for the player’s actions and performances and a strong bond between captain and bowler. India are a good side but will certainly need to improve their win percentage if they’ll want to supersede either Australia or South Africa. South Africa in Smith’s presence are very formidable and will need to make a few quick amends regarding their middle order. The recently concluded series between India and Australia didn’t seem to be the battle of the champions to me. The two won and lost by an innings in a two match series which I feel should have been atleast three. It was a series hastily arranged by the pompous BCCI in order to give India some more time at the top due their no test itinerary this year. The series between Australia and South Africa downunder only can be thought off in that context. Mind you, not the return series in South Africa. Australia seem to be on the right track but need to stay focused as they are more of a bunch of young lads on the big stage and digress any moment. Rankings feel good but the real joy of being the No.1 side comes only after years of grueling.
Cherio!!!

visit http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/439537.html for a great article on Sanath Jayasuriya written by Peter Roebuck

Immediate Attention please regarding Global Warming

I've said that I will be writing about climate change. Here is my chance. Firstly please visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8394886.stm and peruse it. It gives us pictorial representation about global warming and its drastic effects that will be felt by the end of this century. This means that the next century could have a dry barren earth with all the problems we see in fiction movies about the future. I wish someone could convey my message to the Copenhagen Summit. I want the developed countries to take the initiative especially USA and EU as they have the money and technology to start carbon free economies. Simultaneously China and India need to cut down carbon emissions by atleast 5% of 2000 levels or whatever and start carbon free economies by appx 2015-2020. The smaller countries need to focus on reducing emission levels first. Current economic conditions might stop developed countries from investing a lot now, but that needs to be put aside as they can revive their financial status with green technology. This is a global issue and money should not be the inhibiting factor. This requires determination and astute thinking. The time is now people. Lead mankind to salvation despite the sins that have been committed.

This is Deepak Saluru a.k.a dcs a.k.a Darth Karyu. Please spread the word of green. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

This is my first post on my blog. I look forward to posting many small articles in the near future related to international cricket, Formula 1, Anime and global issues concerned with terrorism, nuclear deals, trade and climate change. I hope people enjoy reading my blog.