My Dream Test Teams of England, Australia and India (Period Considered is 2000 - 2016)

Here it is. My dream test XI of Australis, England and India. Let the controversy begin.

My Dream Test Australian XI:

1. Matthew Hayden
2. David Warner
3. Ricky Ponting (c)
4. Steve Smith
5. Michael Clarke
6. Adam Gilchrist (wk)
7. Shane Warne
8. Mitchell Johnson
9. Ryan Harris
10. Jason Gillespie
11. Glenn McGrath
12th Man : Damien Martyn

My Dream Test England XI:

1. Marcus Trescothick
2. Alaistair Cook
3. Joe Root
4. Kevin Pietersen
5. Ian Bell
6. Paul Collingwood (c)
7. Alec Stewart (wk)
8. Andrew Flintoff
9. Greame Swann
10. Stuart Broad
11. James Anderson
12th Man : Jonathan Trott

My Dream Test India XI:

1. Virender Sehwag
2. Gautam Gambhir
3. Rahul Dravid
4. Sachin Tendulkar
5. VVS Laxman
6. Sourav Ganguly (c)
7. MS Dhoni (wk)
8. Anil Kumble
9. Harbhajan Singh
10. Zaheer Khan
11. Ishant Sharma
12th Man : Virat Kohli

I know a lot of you will not agree with some of the players I have included here. For example, Leaving Michael Hussey, Brett Lee, Justin Langer, Michael Bevan, Stuart Macgill, Andrew Symonds etc. from Australian team or Leaving Andrew Strauss, Ashley Giles, Ben Stokes etc. from England team or Leaving Cheteswar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin etc. from Indian team. But, at the point of writing this, I genuinely believe that this is the best team to represent their respective countries. Comments are most welcome if you find some swap of players or their positions in batting order etc.
Thank you. 

World T20 : A quick post mortem

Ahhh. The world cup is over. It came and went too quickly drenching us with moments of joy and sorrow. It enforced the unpredictability of cricket. Again. In one game, 2 runs could not be scored in 3 balls, whereas in other 19 could not be defended in 4 balls. The world cup pushed the whole game further to the zenith of skills, temperament and playing under pressure.

To me, there were six tiers of teams in this world cup. Lowermost tier consisted of Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Although, Afghanistan managed to beat the ultimate winners, West Indies. Still, it will be fair to say that they are still learning about the crafts of T20 against the bigger teams. Bangladesh didn't do much wrong, except they were in group of some serious T20 teams. The only match they could have caused upset was against tournament favorites India which they have not thought before the game began anyway. They surely have come a long way in last couple of years. In Asian conditions, they are as dangerous as anyone. They proved this in Asia cup by defeating Pakistan and Sri Lanka to qualify for the finals.

The next tier of teams consist of Pakistan and Sri Lanka. In their respective groups, they managed to beat the weakest teams and lost against others. Pakistan seemed lost in T20 format since they got whitewashed by England in UAE. They have not looked the same afterwards. Defeat against Bangladesh in Asia cup should have rung the bell of warning. But it was already too late till then for them. To be fair, they had to beat two of teams like Australia, New Zealand and India. Against India, they panicked. Playing very slow and to make up for that Afridi coming ahead of in-form Hafeez. The gamble didn't pay off and they managed way below par score. Against Australia, the bowlers capitulated. It was sheer dumb luck that they were in group in which one team was red hot New Zealand. They have a lot to ponder about. Sri Lanka on the other hand have lost its way after winning the 2014 world cup. They have the least number of wins in T20 internationals in top 8 teams after that. They have not responded well after the retirements of some great players. With Malinga gone, they seem to be a team in state of free fall to me. I won't be surprised if teams like Bangladesh and Afghanistan beat them on consistent basis from now on.

Coming to our next tier of teams, I will place Australia and South Africa on the next level. Their teams have been good. Not great. For most of their T20 history. Both have players who can change the course of a game in the blink of an eye. But, in T20 world cups they have paltry record and have almost nothing to show for. South Africa were disappointing. Leaving Morne Morkel out was a big tactical blunder as per me. He bowled superbly against India in test series here and the valuable experience could have helped South Africa miles in this world event. Poor form of Steyn didn't help. Instead, they burdened young Rabada with too much which he couldn't. It was their bowling which cost them the exit from this world cup. Failure to defend 230 is a crime in T20 cricket. They just managed to defeat Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, none of which are great T20 sides. West Indies blew them away. ABD for all his name was extremely disappointing, which hurt them even more. Coming back to Australia, They are a team of four openers and four all-rounders. Their balance was always going to be an issue. It certainly proved when they were using Warner first at number 4, then at number 3. In greed to use Khawaja at the top of order, they had to sacrifice the brutal power hitting of David Warner. Finch, the world number one T20 international batsman was warming the benches because they hoped that Mitchell Marsh can do some damage control. Australia were all over the place from the beginning. In spite of all these drawbacks, they did quite okay though. They managed an ugly win against Bangladesh. Defeating Pakistan was never going to be issue for them. Against India, it became battle between Kohli and whole Australian team. I also believed that they didn't pick their best XV for the event. Still, sooner or later they will manage to put this behind and emerge out as a good T20 side.

Next level consists of India and New Zealand. Though, New Zealand were better than India in all departments. Only things which helped India to go to top four was brain freeze of Bangladesh batsmen, Sheer brilliance of Dhoni and Kohli. Apart from that, their batsmen struggled almost always. Managing a score of 79 at home is nowhere close to acceptable. India were very rusty throughout their whole campaign. They could never bring out their A game against any of the teams. They were relying on couple of flukes in knockout stages to win the title as they had been poor in group stages. West Indies showed them the exit and rightly so. New Zealand were brilliant I must say. They had one day off which you certainly can't afford at this stage. England outplayed them in the semis. Other than that, they were the team to beat throughout the competition. Defeating India, Australia, Pakistan and Bangladesh in a row is no mean feat for a team outside the subcontinent. They exited the world cup proudly. Usually, they are known to be a side hitting boundaries like West Indies. But, in this world cup. they showed us their other shades. Defending totals and magical spin bowling. In last two world cups, they have only lost two matches which show how far they have come.

Coming to top two levels, the top level is certainly West Indies team. The second best : England. There was not much separating these two other than Braithwhite in one game and Gayle in other. In their first meet, Gayle storm blew the poms away, whereas in the finals, Braithwhite had the best day of his life. In spite of this, England played some superb cricket and were considerably ahead of other teams other than West Indies. Their brand of aggressive cricket caused havoc in opponents. Their batting and bowling both looked equally well. Their death bowling was exceptional on most occasions and they Favorited themselves to chase almost anything thrown to them. This "New England" has a lot of glory moments ahead and they look like a team which is united and have amazing skills and courage. Coming second best will definitely haunt them for a while, but they can be extremely proud to be where they are right now compared to first round exit in last year world cup. They were truly sensational.

West Indies. It looks like they are made for T20 cricket. Their players have loads of experience playing league T20 cricket and it certainly showed in the tournament. They were rusty chasing small totals at times. But when it came to chasing monster totals, they expressed themselves better. They got the better of all teams other than Afghanistan, which they lost making no sense at all. They galloped all targets with their boundary hitting abilities. They certainly make up for dot balls with huge sixes. Their formula is two dot balls and a six is a strike rate of 200. They believe in it. They believe in raw power, not running. Against them, even 19 off 6 was not safe. A team who was on their own with respect to cricket board showed immense character and became the world champions. They truly deserved it and hopefully this title win will give them confidence in longer formats of the game.

The tournament lasted around 3 weeks and it certainly pushed cricket a step further. It was certainly enjoyable and considering that the next one won't be happening for four years, now is the time to look back on this wonderful competition and savor it.

Thanks. 

Please Don't Go Baz

Baz goes. Surprising as it may sound, but he chose to call it a day. There is only one word to describe it : Selflessness. I mean come on. He is a gifted player. No human being on this planet will question his place or his captaincy in coming world cup. Yet, he decided to leave. What else can you call it?

The whole world was lit up by the brand of cricket McCullum led blackcaps played. He demonstrated that aggressive cricket can perfectly co-exist in harmony with the spirit of the game. What Brendon did with New Zealand cricket over the past few years was truly exceptional. He is leaving behind a legacy which has made New Zealand one of the best on cricket field.

As a batsman, he was amazing. When he hit the ball, the ball used to exist at the bat and boundary at the same time. When the bowler was on his mark to bowl to McCullum, you don't want to miss that moment. He was an irresistible force of nature. He forces you to watch cricket. When he is at the crease, anything is possible. Anything. Bowlers have no idea where they are going to be hit next ball. It may be over the point, may be over his head or it may well be going over mid-wicket region. A career spanning 14 years, he gave us some beautiful memories. How can we forget how he completed those tight finishes to clean sweep Australia in 2007 Chappell-Hadlee series. He is the only man on this planet to score two T20 international centuries. He was the first kiwi player to score a triple hundred. He scored more than 300 runs in the recently concluded world cup at a strike rate of 188!!! His 26 ball 59 was the reason South Africa were derailed while defending in the semi finals. He could scoop 155 KPH balls of shaun tait over fine leg, while at the same time he played almost 2 days to save the game from the jaws of defeat.

As a captain, he was right at top. His brand of cricket was infectious. Only England will know how much playing Blackcaps just before Ashes helped them. He took blackcaps to their most amazing ride in their cricket history. World cup finals. Under him, New Zealand were a force to reckon with. Everyone was looking forward to him. Whatever he touched turned to gold.

As a sportsman, he was incomparable. To me, the moment when he went to shake hands with Michael Clarke after he got out when his team has lost the world cup summed it all. Transforming the game while staying humble was McCullum's greatest quality... catching the eye, so was their equal humility in victory and defeat. He always had the right and kind words for the opposition. Even after he hit 25 ball 77 against England in world cup 2015 match, he bode good luck to his dear friend Eoin Morgan.

Why retire? Why at the point when things are going on so well? As Baz said "I think there's something pretty romantic about finishing playing cricket in front of New Zealand crowds and in New Zealand's grounds". McCullum's last international game will be the second test against Australia in Christchurch - the city in which he and his family now live. McCullum has played through back problems for a long time now, but the prospect of spending more time with family was a huge factor in his retirement.

People come and go. But not like him. He is a timeless recipe. Once in a generation. He has made whole New Zealand "Dream Big". I am going to miss him a lot. #Legend

Broad Resurgence

Disclaimer: This conversation is fictitious.

Yesterday, I was talking to a friend, who shares some of my enthusiasm of cricket. I told him that
Broad destroyed the opposition in the series decider. He was unsurprised. All he could say was, "Again???". I couldn't stop my laughter. What does he mean by "Again"? He was right. It is getting repeated too often.

It is obvious that Broad licks his lips by seeing the opposition no more than when it is a series decider, or say If England can win the series by winning that game. He does not win you games in sessions, he wins it within an hour. Want to put that statement to test? Remember, Oval 2009. The series was level by 1-1. England needed to win to regain the Ashes. Broad took 37-5 to help clinch the series. Another one in Chester-le-Street 2013. England were 2 - 0 up in Ashes. They needed one more win to win the ashes. Broad took 71 - 5 and 50 - 6 and destroyed Australia within 2 hours. Trent Bridge 2015. James Anderson was ruled out because of injury. England were 2 - 1 up. One bad game and suddenly momentum would have been with Australia going into the final test. Broad was more lethal beyond my wildest imagination. He was extraordinary, undecipherable. He took one of the best bowling figures in the history. Australia won the toss and chose to bat. At lunch on day 1, England were batting. Ashes done and dusted within 18 overs. The latest instance came at Wanderers. England were 1 - 0 up going in the third test. After first innings, the match was in balance or say skewed in Proteas' favor as England had to bat last on a pitch which had formidable assistance for the fast bowlers.

England had made 323 in reply of South Africa 313. At lunch on day 3, South Africa were 16 - 0 lead by 6 runs. I switched off the television to go and have some snacks. I returned after an hour. I switched on. South Africa were 47 - 7. Defeat was inevitable and inescapable now. Series decided again in one hour. I instantly knew it will be Broad. In the spell after lunch he had taken 5 wickets in 31 balls giving one run (that too came due to the courtesy of dropped catch in slips). He finished on 17-6. South Africa were stunned in the bullring. They are known to create miracle in Wanderers. Not this time. This was a spell from hell.

Next day, Broad was number 1 test bowler in test cricket. I was unsurprised. He was second highest wicket taker in 2015 standing just behind Ashwin. After 2011, he is among top 5 in grabbing the highest number of test wickets. When he is on the song, You cannot escape. He averages 17 against the best batsman in the world (ABD). He has dismissed him on 9 occasions. (Next highest to dismiss him is Peter Siddle(Aus) 6 times). The only batsman he has dismissed was Michael Clarke (11 times), who was also among one of all time greats. He has dismissed the highest scorer in the opposition a record of 44 times. He is on third among highest wicket takers for England, behind Botham and Anderson. Given he is only 29 and the rate at which he is taking his scalps, He may even get past the great Glenn McGrath. McGrath took more than 300 test wickets after he passed 30. Broad trails him only by 233 now. He has won more man of the match awards than anyone (9 times) in whole England camp. (To put that in Perspective, Next highest are Pietersen and Anderson 6 times each). Like Mark Butcher said after the test was over, Is there a better match winner that Stuart Broad?

It is not the case that Broad became a match winner from ordinary bowler overnight. He has been under the scrunity more often than other England players. Everyone doubted his place in playing XI. After all, he was nothing but a support to Jimmy. He always remained in his shadow for far too many years. He averaged over 30 with the ball and around 25 with the bat. What was so special in it? He used to struggle outside England. It was not until 2011 in Nottingham when he achieved another level. England were all out for 221. India were eyeing a big lead at 267- 4. He came and destroyed the Indian batting line up with a hat-trick. His figures read 46 - 6. India were hammered 4 - 0 after that.

There is no doubt that there is still 5-6 years of cricket left under him. There was a fear among England cricket fans regarding the pace bowling after Anderson retires. Broad has ended it. The future of England fast bowling looks bright under him. We have to wait and see. Don't forget to enjoy. 

Johnson Retires from International cricket

Mitchell Guy Johnson retires from international cricket. My hero, one of my favorite bowlers of all time calls it a day. The bowler, who brought back the fear of lethal bouncers. The one, who was unstoppable when in rhythm. Everyone saw what he did to Barmy Army in 2013-14. He ripped apart English batting single-handedly. Once described by Australian great Dennis Lilee as once is a generation cricketer, Mitchell presence with the ball in hand was enough to terrorize the batsmen. At his best, he used to break the

Judging by the numbers alone, he stands among one of the best fast bowlers to have ever played the game. 313 test wickets in 73 matches, 239 ODI wickets in 153 matches and 38 T20 International wickets in 30 matches. Among the Australian fast bowlers, his strike rate of 51.1 is the best in tests among those who have taken minimum of 150 test wickets. But, Johnson was beyond these numbers. What he brought with him on the field cannot be described by these stats. He was like a hurricane. A mayhem. A volcano ready to erupt. The english batsmen who had played the ashes of 2103-14 must be celebrating on the mere thought of not having to face him in future. I still remember the smile on England batsmen's faces, when they lost the Ashes 5-0 in Sydney. At least, it was over. The butchery. The humiliation etc. Those who played him at his best often didn't remain the same mentally. After all, how much a batsman can do? They already worry a lot about his wicket. Now, worry about health too?

He was a crowd-puller. People used to come to watch him bowl those fierce, hostile spells. When he used to run, spectators used to clap in tandem. No batsman used to be sure what missile was coming at him. Around the wicket, his action caused him to be even more lethal. Because of him, often tailenders used to choose a short quick innings instead of hanging around. He won the ICC cricketer of the year two times in 2009 and 2014 as well winning the test cricketer of the year in 2014. Who will forget that spell of 61-8 at WACA when he destroyed South Africa with pace, bounce and terror. He was one of the bowlers, batsmen used to run away from.

Johnson career was full of ups and downs. The intensity which he brought to the game often came at a price. He often struggled with injuries, rhythm. He was almost at his breaking point in 2009 before coming back with a bang rediscovering his love for cricket and annihilating South Africa. The death of Philip Hughes took a toil of him mentally. He was never the same after that. He tried to emulate his past successes, but it was merely a shadow of him at his best. Also, after the retirement of Ryan Harris, he was missing a doublet to bowl with. He used to work best with him. Also, the missing juice in the recently prepared tracks at Gabba and WACA against India and New Zealand took everything out of him. He sensed that there won't be a better moment to retire than with the decline of the WACA ground as he had so many fond memories of that place.

Apart from this, an amazing human being and always played to win. His intensity was contagious. He will retire as all time great cricketers. Personally, He was my favorite and I am going to miss him. He has left a lot of nice memories for all of us. #ThankYouMitch

Watching My First Test Match

It was November 14, 2015 when I finally got a chance to witness test cricket within 100 meters of distance. There was no barrier of satellite, camera etc. this time. It was me watching cricket, pure cricket. Test cricket. Test match number : 2188. India Vs South Africa. M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the same place from where legends like Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge started their test careers. After watching test cricket on television for 15 years, here came a moment of redemption for me. I was going to watch a test match.

Let me tell you the tale of whole day. Firstly, I was getting goosebumps with the thought of watching my heroes in the whites for the first time. I got up early and went for walk, did some stretching as if I were going to play the match. I was thinking about the test match whole time. When I saw the ticket once again in my hand, It felt priceless. I was not going to exchange it for anything.

I took a cab to go to stadium. The driver didn't know hindi. Only Kannada or little English. But, It was easy to tell him the destination. Whole journey, He kept playing Kannada songs and I actually enjoyed it without comprehending a single word. It was magical. The game was to start at 09:30 IST. I reached 10 minutes late, courtesy to confusion in Gate number. When I reached there, players were already out in the middle. The stadium was half filled. The stadium was filled with very dim morning sunlight. Ishant Sharma was bowling. He was back in the playing XI after one match ban. South Africa were 9 without loss. I took my seat.

After 7 overs, South Africa were 14/0. Ashwin was handed over the ball. He didn't take much long to strike. Twin wickets in that over. India were on top. The crowd was on its feet. I was loving it. Ashwin-Ashwin was all I could hear that time. After second wicket fell, they were chanting ABD-ABD. But, to their disappointment, Amla came. He was looking comfortable before his off stump went for a walk on Varun Aaron's delivery. Now, here he was. The crowd's favorite. The best batsman in the world playing his 100th test match. He came to the middle. Kohli shook hands with him. South Africa were in trouble by now. 45/3. ABD did what he does best. Accessed the situation. Started slowly. No risks taken. Safely negotiated till lunch. Still the session belonged to India. 78/3. I didn't leave my seat for whole 40 minutes.

Session 2 started. Jadeja started the proceedings. Elgar was betrayed by the ball and its spin. Tried to sweep. Bowled. He kept looking at the ball. He didn't want to go. He stayed there as if he felt sorry of breaking the promise he made to ABD while walking to the ground. Keep it safe, wait for loose balls, blah blah. I felt sorry for him for few seconds before everyone moved on. Duminy came now. Although, he is a nice player, his test stats are way below impressive. Batting avg. of 35 in test cricket. Soon, Ashwin got him. Caught Rahane in the slips. I have watched million similar dismissals on television. Nothing new here to write. South Africa was struggling now. Five down. Dan Vilas(WK) came. His test stats were horrible. 2 matches, 8 runs. Highest score 7. When he hit his first boundary, I was actually wondering about Maybe he has sent the ball first time outside ropes in his test career. Jadeja took over now. He first got Vilas and then at the stroke of tea, got ABD with a beauty. Saha did the rest. He played beautifully and made as smooth 85 as you will ever see. He was gutted while walking back. No 100 in first innings in 100th test for him. But, I felt his innings was a true epitome of his character. He is miles ahead of other batsmen when it comes to anything. Even in a mighty team like South Africa, there is none close to him. South Africa were 177/7 at tea.

Cricket is a funny yet romantic game. When the batman is in flow, everything looks so easy and it is hard to imagine how someone ever gets out. But, when the chips are down, you cannot imagine a more difficult job in the world than to bat. It is as if the whole pitch is a giant ocean and batman has to sail across it in a very small boat. One tsunami and it is all  over. I pictured ABD as a giant titanic which took a big iceberg of Jadeja to sink while others were small boats getting knocked over by small currents.

I went for little snacks and came back to watch the third session. All front line batsmen had departed. It was just a matter of time before India would wrap up the tail. Although, Morkel and Abbott frustated India for a while and took South Africa over 200. Last two wicket fell in two balls. India managed to restrict Proteas to a paltry 214. There was no demon in the track. Just wrong shot selection by batters. Now, they were expecting something extraordinary from the bowlers to get back into this. Innings break now. The same routine stuff. Rolling the pitch, cleaning with broom, Line markers deepened etc.

It was Dhawan and Vijay. Dhawan had made a pair at Mohali. So, I wished him good luck. I wanted him to carry on. They played solid. Dhawan was outstandingly good today. He was timing with ease and leaving balls well. I have hardly seen him so disciplined in test cricket. India were off to a flying start. Dropping a dolly at square leg by Tahir didn't help South Africa's causes. I almost felt sorry for him. Faces of all South African players were so gloomy. They had created an opportunity at last and they blew it. All their bowlers: Rabada, Morkel, Abbott, Tahir felt helpless. Indians were too good today. When the play was about to be over with one over remaining, Amla brought back Rabada for one final venom of spell. Nothing happened. Safely negotiated. See you tomorrow. India were 80 without loss. I don't remember India being 80 without loss in test cricket against a major team for a long time. All three sessions belonged to India today. My mission almost accomplished.

For me, It all fell into place today. Went to watch test cricket for first time. Toss: won by India. One-nil. Got to watch best batsman of current generation : ABD compiling a well made 85 and yet not letting him run away with game. Two-nil. India starting solidly and Dhawan playing well after Mohali horrow. Three-nil. Finally, It was time to leave. I came outside. Everything looked so boring. I was still mentally inside the stadium. I gathered myself and came back. During whole journey, I kept thinking about tomorrow's day play. I also had to catch up the second test going on between Australia and New Zealand at WACA. Overall, It was an incredible day for me. Something I will remember for a very long time.

We shall Miss You Sehwag

Sehwag departs. This is certainly one of the worst news I have ever heard. He was one of a kind. Never changed himself as long as he played. Carefree. Just see the ball,  hit it. No issues at all. If it works, then okay. If not, so what? He was one of those players who made cricket memorable and more enjoyable.

The first time I witnessed him was in ICC Champions Trophy 2002 against England, when he came out to open with Sourav Ganguly. The target was 269 under lights. Mind you. It was 2002, not 2015. The target of 269 was supposed to be tough against well disciplined English attack. Not for Sehwag. He dismantled whole english bowling single-handedly. Sourav joined too. India won within 40 overs chasing 270. Ridiculous. Welcome to Sehwagology. Another fan of Sehwag was born. Since then, I have always enjoyed watching him bat. 

He was always considered a limited over player with the kind of dashing style he had. Although, I didn't see his debut test match live, I noticed that when he came out to bat in his debut game, India were 68 for 4 and struggling. He once again took South African attack single-handedly and scored a ton on debut. He ripped apart Pollock, Kallis, Ntini and scored a ton with a strike rate better than 60 in South African conditions.

He was always like that. When he hit the ball, fielders didn't have time to think, forget about stopping. Whether he cut the ball or drove the ball, the speed of the ball remained the same. Extraordinary hand-eye co-ordination and immense will-power. Be it Akram, Akhtar, McGrath, Warne, Bond, Wanderers, Perth, last day of the ball, first ball of the innings, he had one rule: Just hit the ball, damn other things. A few of those rare human beings, who scored two triple tons. A country from where none has ever scored a triple ton, he reached there in style: with a six. That was the fearlessness of Sehwag. He made another against South Africa at better than run a ball. I still savor the day when he scored 195 against the best pace attack in the world in the deadliest of conditions. When he was in the zone, he was unstoppable. Bowlers used to tremble as any ball could go outside the fence.

When he came out to bat, There was a disarray in opposition camp. Any plan you may have made, it all depended upon Sehwag getting out cheaply. He could change the whole game in just one hour of batting. As long as he was on the crease, bowlers couldn't catch a break. He used to score 200+ in the team score of 330. :P He was the reason India believed that they could chase 387: only the fourth highest chase in test cricket in 200 years. Dont' forget who scored second double century in ODI cricket after Sachin Tendulkar.

He was one of childhood heroes of mine and will always be. I consider myself extremely lucky to watch him come and go. He had immense mental strength to do what he wanted to do. He was there to express himself. Others have stopped, slowed, changed, restricted, just to survive, to thrive, to score all that they could score. Not him. Maybe he just couldn't slow down, couldn't hold back. What a legend!!!

Play your shots, forget your mistakes, forget your success, keep playing your shots. Believe.
We shall miss you always.

-- A fan.

Another two bite the dust

Shane Watson and Brad Haddin: Two of the big pillars of Australian cricket are gone. Although Shane has promised to keep playing the white ball cricket, It still embarks an end to two outstanding cricketers of our times who served world cricket.

Every time, you see a picture of Shane Watson, it will smile back at you. He was like that. Always played the game fair and square. He will be extremely disappointed to give up his attempts to become a top class test player. Played 59 games over a span of 10 years, missed 60 games in those years mainly because of injuries. He averaged way below what he averages in limited overs. Batted in all positions from 1-8 with a mediocre average of 35. With the ball, he has a gift to extract reverse swing in any condition. Yet, he finished with 75 test wickets. Sad.

Every time, he tried to settle into the team, he couldn't continue. He gave everything he had, yet not much came out of it. Perhaps it was destined to happen. His LBW dismissals became a laughing stock of the world. He was always susceptible to flicks down the leg side. The shot which made him look so elegant brought him the most number of downfalls too.

Brad was not much different. He was vocal and chirpy. On most occasions. He had a profilic run during 2013-14 ashes, when he was equally good with Mitchell Johnson to hand Australia over a clean sweep. The man of series could well have been him. He went past 50 everytime during first innings of all five games. Matching Gilly is always difficult, but Everyone believed that Brad was one of the most important members of the side till the time he played.

The slump in form of Brad haddin was evident for last 12 months. He was struggling with bat. Yet, he was picked with the thinking that maybe he will repeat the heroics of 2 years ago. It didnt' happen. He was given a chance at Cardiff, where he failed with the bat and gloves. He was about to be given second chance at Lord's but he withdrew his name as his daughter was in hospital. A family man, always. He paid price for it. Nevill made his debut and impressed. Haddin was never to play in the series again. The end, apparently. After the series, Pup and Bucky went. Haddin delayed the declaration then. Many would have thought he was still waiting for a chance. Then After two weeks, He announced his retirement at Sydney Cricket Ground: the place where he grew up playing.

Haddin was almost always portrayed as villain. He never minded it as long as it helped Australian cricket to give its best. A team man, forever. None of a single Australian team member has any bad word to say for him. He was like that. He was straightforward in his methods and interviews. I genuinely believe he will become a very fine coach.

Both, Shane Watson and Brad Haddin certainly made baggy green proud. World cricket will miss you both from test arena.

Weird Ashes of 2015

The ashes is over. The pendulum swung thousands of times before finally settling in England's camp. The Urn has returned to England. Margin is as small as it can be over full five results. Had there been a scale to measure flaws in both teams, It would have surpassed the scale. One team initiating to take the advantage, other team just giving themselves in without giving a fight. Innings win followed by innings defeat. Hard to believe where the momentum was lurking. Only five individual centuries scored by three of the guys across both teams.

It is even weirder that three of the top run makers and four of the top five wicket-takers were Australians and still Australia ended up on being on the wrong side. In ters of number of balls bowled, it was the lowest after 1903. Australia opening partnership was more than 50, while England was around mere 25. Both sides happened to collapse on dozen of times. It was hard to believe what was happening in the middle. Ben Stokes looked like a duck magnet and fantastic batsman on almost every alternate occasion.

Hard to pick the best and the worst eleven separately. For example, You will have a hard time whether blokes like Starc, Johnson, Moeen belong to the best or worst team of this Ashes. None of the five matches went into five days.  It raises the questions over the extent of impact T20 cricket had made over test cricket.

It was truly a series of England bowlers. Broad 8 wickets for 15 runs in one innings, Anderson, Finn and Stokes all taking 6-for. All of them striking when England needed them. England managed to win the important moments which reflects in the result. In many of those ways, it was like 2013 Ashes. But Australia had failed to win a single game that time.

This series also brought an end to one of the best captains Australia have ever produced, pup to retirement. Along with him, the reliable Rogers wore the baggy green also for the last time in Oval. Both of them departing with a big win at oval and big loss of Ashes. Many of the Australians may also have played their last games too. It will be interesting to see if Watson, Haddin, Voges, Siddle are in future plans of Australia or not.

Steve Smith made runs in Lords and Oval as if he loved London and only London. Other than there, he failed to reach even a half century. With each hundred he made, It brought failure of Joe Root in the same game. Alternately, when Root flourished, Smith failed. It was as if success of one brought the fall of the other. :P

It was certainly not a vintage series. A vintage series requires hard fought centuries, five wicket hauls in adverse conditions, building great partnerships both in batting and bowling. There was seldom of that in this ashes. There was no defiance and will to bounce back in either of the teams.

Is it too much of ashes cricket? Fifteen Ashes tests have been held in last 36 months. Are the players fed up? Hard to know. In many ways, it was a memorable and forgettable ashes. For me, I was pleased with the way England regained the Urn after 599 days when they were humiliated in Sydey. Now it is time to relax and wait till next time both of these sides meet. ciao.

The Greatness of Kumar Sangakkara

Another one leaves us. This time it is one of the most beloved and cherished cricketers of our lifetime: Kumar Sangakkara. There is not a box in batting technique which he doesn't tick. He is like a text book of batting.

Over 26,000 runs across all formats in 15 years. But numbers can't justify what he meant to Srilankan and more importantly, to world cricket. He played infinite match winning knocks. His spirit of cricket lecture in 2011 is still fresh in our memories. He has got highest amount of respect from each cricket loving fan across the world. He was the best mixture of orthodox and modern cricket. Usually players slow down in the latter phases of career. But Kumar has got an average of 60+ in last five years of test cricket. He retired from ODI cricket when he had just made four centuries in four games, a feat which had never happened in last million years. To make it in a world cup at the highest stage is just icing on cake.

The feet movement, his batting guard, the position of his body while playing the ball was spectacular. He had so much time while playing the ball as if he can read a poem after the ball has been released from the bowler hand. There was not any obvious flaw in his technique. No plans used to work against him. He succeeded in every condition known on the planet. Usually, subcontinent players struggle in England and Australia. But not Kumar. He could play lofted shots with so much ease that it was hard to set fields for him and none knew what he was going to do next ball.

Winning the world cup T20 and making an unbeaten fifty was a perfect reward to him after failing to do so in previous three world cup finals. He was a big occasion player. He served Sri Lankan cricket with everything he had. He kept wickets to allow the team to play one extra bowler. When he didn't keep wickets, his batting average is astronomical. He never cared about personal records. With the current form he was in, he could have easily played for one or two years and become the human being with maximum number of double hundreds (He is currently only one behind the great Don).

Along with Mahela, he formed one of the most consistent batting partnerships. I still dread to think what they both did to South Africa. Everyone will miss him for sure. More than a cricketer, he is a better human being. I am expecting him to be part of cricket in some other form. Watching him bat was a moment of sheer joy. #Legend  #ThankYouSanga