South Africa is at the peak of their game and of the ICC Test rankings currently; the one team who have struggled over the years but have finally reached their deserved stature in world cricket. South Africa’s batting and bowling resources are a gift and their depth, an asset. Under Smith’s leadership, they have thrived as a team and have complimented each other really well to have reached the pinnacle of their success. The two teams are known to fight fire with fire and compete at an elite level. With their odyssey of Australia is about to kick-start, let’s have a look at the South African possessions that could be enough to beat the Aussies in their own backyard once again.

Batting: The last time the South Africans were here in 2008, J.P Duminy made his debut for South Africa and guided his team to victory in what was a record chase in Perth. He followed that up with a 166 at the MCG. It was a brilliant team effort that handed South Africa their first Test series win in Australia.

This time however, the South Africans have the Australian bowlers feeling the jitters – with the first Test being just a few days away – with their terrific batting line-up. Their top 3 comprise of Smith, Peterson and Amla- all of who have had an incredible year. Peterson has scored 3 centuries in 7 Tests this year, while Amla has been immovable and has piled on a truckload of runs. Smith on the other hand, has proved his prowess as a motivating captain who contributes when the team requires. Then you have the eternally powerful – King Kallis at No.4 who is an asset to any team he plays for in more than one facet of the game.  Then in the pecking order comes, AB de Villiers, who is one of the most explosive batsmen in any format and who also will be donning the gloves in the series. Boucher’s untimely retirement, due to the eye injury, has given the team a chance to accommodate another player as AB fulfils the duties of a keeper with ease; Rudolph and Duminy follow.

The Australians however, will take solace in the fact that a relatively inexperienced attack did beat them in their own backyard, when Cummins had his dream debut. But given the form the South African batsman are currently in, it would take a lot of character to stand up against them and relentlessly try bowling them out.

On the bowling front, the current Proteas’ pace attack is arguably the best in world cricket today and the best South Africa have ever had. Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander comprise of an attack that is good enough to beat any team in cricket today; their variations along with their ability to adapt to different conditions is what has guaranteed them success in the past few years. Under the direction of legendary bowler Allan Donald, they have everything they need.

The South African unit is a complete team in every facet of the game and if Australia is to stand a chance at beating them, they will have to put up an out-of-their-skin show. It will be very interesting to see how Clarke leads his troops against the mighty Proteas.

The first Test begins at The Gabba on the 9^th of November.

New Zealand on the other hand will look to kick-start their tour on the right note with a win, when Sri Lanka plays without their two main players. New Zealand will be playing pretty much a similar side to what they did in the World T20. Daniel Vettori will not be a part of the team as he retired earlier from the limited overs formats and only made a comeback for the World T20. Guptill has been rested and is replaced by Tom Latham. Kandy’s cricket ground – the Pallekele – is familiar to them as much as the home team, having played all their Super 8 games there. If weather permits, they might be able to beat the Lankan Lions at home.

Players to look out for:

New Zealand:

Tim Southee

Southee has been a consistent and reliable bowler for the Kiwis over the last few years who also bowls well at the death. However, the only problem he or the team would face is if he doesn’t get an early breakthrough, which would allow Sri Lanka to capitalize towards the later stage of the innings.

Ross Taylor

Ross Taylor averaged 49 plus during the World T20 – meaning, he is coming into the tournament with some form backing him. If the spinners are devoid of turn, then we could find balls soaring across the boundary line with much ease and finesse.

Sri Lanka:

Nuwan Kulasekara

He has been one of the better bowlers for Sri Lanka only just behind Malinga. He strikes early, keeps it simple, and goes about doing his job with dedication. Kulasekara’s true character is exposed in times of crisis where he steps up and does that extra bit to get his team out of a mucky situation. Being a handy batsman lower down the order, adds that extra advantage.

Kumar Sangakkara

Being one of the senior members in the team, much would depend on the start he and Dilshan provide. In the absence of Mahela and the captaincy onus on relatively new-to-the-post Matthews, the batting responsibility should ideally be borne by the other seniors in the team. His role as batsman, wicket-keeper and mentor to Matthews will be vital for the Sri Lankans.

Sri Lanka’s probable XI:

1 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 2 Dilshan Munaweera, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Angelo Mathews (capt), 5 Jeevan Mendis, 6  Dinesh Chandimal/ Lahiru Thirimanne, 7 Thisara Perera, 8 Nuwan Kulasekara, 9 Shaminda Eranga, 10 Sachithra Senanayake, 11 Akila Dananjaya

New Zealand’s probable XI:

1 Rob Nicol, 2 Tom Latham, 3 Brendon McCullum, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 James Franklin, 6 Andrew Ellis, 7 Jacob Oram, 8 Nathan McCullum, 9 Ronnie Hira, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Kyle Mills or Adam Milne.

]]> http://www.sportskeeda.com/2012/10/30/sri-lanka-vs-new-zealand-t20-preview/feed/ 0 0970 http://www.sportskeeda.com/2012/10/29/sydney-sixers-champions-again/ http://www.sportskeeda.com/2012/10/29/sydney-sixers-champions-again/#comments Mon, 29 Oct 2012 14:10:40 +0000 kritikanaidu http://www.sportskeeda.com/?p=896718

Typically, cricket tournament finals are celebrated as occasions that are significant and are festooned by music, colour and the buzz of a team being crowned champions. One expects a final to be the best game of the tournament, which is played between two equally good sides and that compete at the same level too. The World T20 final was exactly what final-worthy in that sense means, but the same cannot be said about the CLT20 final that was played last night at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.

Amongst all the teams that participated in the Champions League T20 this year, there have been only a couple of teams who were at the top of their game – the Sydney Sixers, the Highveld Lions and to a certain extent, the Nashua Titans. As unfair as it was to have 4 IPL teams competing in the tournament, only the Delhi Daredevils came close to the semifinals, while the other teams’ outing this time was cataclysmic.

The final was expected to be a spectacle with the home side taking on the champions of the Big Bash League in Australia. The Lions did have a good run throughout the tournament with useful contributions from everyone who featured in the lineups. They relied on their players to perform as a team and so they did throughout the tournament. On the other hand, the Sixers were a well-balanced team that consisted of no big names, but were a team that had the right balance and mixture of youth and experience. Far from being a closely-contested game, it was carnage for the Lions who were not just beaten, but humbled at home, while the Sixers finished the tournament unbeaten.

Josh Hazlewood

Josh Hazlewood has grown leaps and bounds in the past few years and can now hope for a baggy green soon. He was clinical in the finals having scalped 3 wickets for 22 runs in his 4 overs. But the real damage early-on was caused by Nathan McCullum who dismissed the dangerous Bodi in the first over, instantly putting pressure onto the Lions. The Sixers’ magnificent bowling performance restricted the Lions to a meagre 121 that Lumb and Haddin powered them to in less than 13 overs – assisted by a few drops from the Lions.

The Sixers in the tournament have been a complete team – with exceptional fielders, a great batting unit and dedicated bowlers. They have not fallen short in either department. Even when the batsmen put up a below-par performance, the bowlers stood up and won them the game. That is what makes a complete team – the ability to stand up for each other and make up for the others’ shortcomings, and Sixers have done it consistently throughout the season. With Watson leaving the tournament mid-way, it was anticipated that their chances of making the finals and winning would be affected, but they proved their self-sufficiency with this win.

What was disappointing was the damp performance by the Lions who didn’t look to compete at any stage of the game. It is not an unfamiliar fact that the Australians hate to lose; they usually save their best for the last on most occasions, and didn’t disappoint once again. Once they smell dankness, they capitalize to destroy their opponents and the Sixers did exactly that. They had come unbeaten into the finals, and finished the tournament with a 10-wicket victory over the home team. The Sixers have a record to be proud of – they have now won both the tournaments they have been a part of.

Coincidentally, Sri Lanka will also be playing their first Boxing Day Test at the MCG after 1995 when Murali was no-balled for throwing in 1995. Sri Lanka will play a 3-Test series, a 5 ODI series and two T20Is. Sri Lanka’s tour begins in Hobart on the 14^th of December – which could be really special given Ricky Ponting features in the Test. Ponting, if played in all the three Tests against the Proteas will be in step to break Steve Waugh’s record of 168 appearances in Tests for Australia and would do so at his home ground – at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart.  The Tasmanians will have much to cheer for. This Australian summer will also see the Adelaide Oval missing out on hosting a game on Australia Day; the T20 international against Sri Lanka will be played at Sydney’s Olympic Park on the 26^th of January.

Canberra, for the first time will host a one-day international to be played against the men from the Caribbean who will be touring for a 5 ODI series and a T20I, which will be the final phase of the Aussie summer.  The summer will end with a T20I at the Gabba against the T20 World Champions.

This Australian summer has a lot of exciting cricket in store. Here’s a look at their schedule for the home season.

Australia’s schedule for 2012-13
Nov 2-4: Australia A v South Africans, Sydney

Nov 9-13: Australia v South Africa, 1st Test, Gabba
Nov 22-26: Australia v South Africa, 2nd Test, Adelaide Oval
Nov 30-Dec 4: Australia v South Africa, 3rd Test, WACA

Dec 6-8: CA Chairman’s XI v Sri Lankans, Manuka Oval, Canberra

Dec 14-18: Australia v Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Bellerive Oval
Dec 26-30: Australia v Sri Lanka, 2nd Test, MCG
Jan 3-7: Australia v Sri Lanka, 3rd Test, SCG

Jan 11: Australia v Sri Lanka, 1st ODI, MCG
Jan 13: Australia v Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI, Adelaide Oval
Jan 18: Australia v Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI, Gabba
Jan 20: Australia v Sri Lanka, 4th ODI, SCG
Jan 23: Australia v Sri Lanka, 5th ODI, Bellerive Oval

Jan 26: Australia v Sri Lanka, 1st T20I, Sydney Olympic Park
Jan 28: Australia v Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I, MCG

TBC: Prime Minister’s XI v West Indians, Manuka Oval, Canberra

Feb 1: Australia v West Indies, 1st ODI, WACA
Feb 3: Australia v West Indies, 2nd ODI, WACA
Feb 6: Australia v West Indies, 3rd ODI, Manuka Oval, Canberra
Feb 8: Australia v West Indies, 4th ODI, SCG
Feb 10: Australia v West Indies, 5th ODI, MCG

Feb 13: Austalia v West Indies, Only T20I, Gabba

The Giant Killers, as they were labelled at the start of the tournament, Ireland exited the tournament in the most killjoys of ways possible: without having bowled a ball in their must-win game against the West Indies. On what was their biggest stage, they had two games that established a tournament for them. Such tournaments are perhaps their only chance to generate interest in a sport that is yet to pick up in terms of interest towards the game, but the one-and-a-half-game that they played does them no good.

Ireland did fare decently in the past two World Cups, causing some upsets by beating strong teams and thus gaining interest and respect of those back home and the ones eyeing them with keen interest. Two games are hardly a stage to prove credibility; that has been a disadvantage to the Irishmen. Ireland has now passed the stage of being termed minnows. They now are in quite a precarious situation: they are neither the amateur minnows, nor are they amongst the stronger sides.

Ireland, without a doubt, is one of the better Associate teams along with Afghanistan, but nobody barring Australia and England has approved to play them frequently. Without playing better teams, they are devoid of the opportunity to get better. They do not have enough exposure to top-level cricket to make progress. They are stuck in the same rut. Their only chance of playing better teams is in tournaments like these.

The main problem for Ireland has been their better players being siphoned off to England when they displayed potential, like Eoin Morgan. You can’t blame the players for wanting to play high-level cricket, which is being denied the opportunity in Ireland. Some players play for England, most lurk around the county circuit before throwing it away. The problem is a grave one and needs addressing. At this rate, the future of Irish cricket seems quite bleak.

In this tournament, they have had quite a dismal outing. The Irishmen seemed incapable of handling pace – often falling prey to pace when they tried to take the attack to the pacers. Sometimes, all a team needs is the inspiration emanating from their captain leading from the front. Porterfield had a murky tournament having faced only two balls, and both were the ones that dismissed him, first ball of the match. O’Brien couldn’t do much by himself. Johnston and Stirling were ordinary. Boyd Rankin was ill. Dockrell was their only bright spot. That sums up their outing in Sri Lanka.

Ireland only scored a meagre 129, but they would’ve tried to defend their score as much as possible, but they never got the opportunity to even try and were ousted from the tournament.

Ireland is not the sort of team to give up when adversity strikes, they only come out fighting. Despite being denied an opportunity to prove themselves this time around, they will make the most of the opportunities that come their way in the future. For a team with a bright future, I hope to see them someday taking on some of the big guns and giving them a run for their money. Till then, we’ll just have to wait and watch with bated breath and hope for the Irish Luck to favour them.

]]> http://www.sportskeeda.com/2012/09/25/the-state-of-irish-cricket/feed/ 1 11517 http://www.sportskeeda.com/2012/09/25/the-aussies-and-english-dominate-womens-t20-rankings/ http://www.sportskeeda.com/2012/09/25/the-aussies-and-english-dominate-womens-t20-rankings/#comments Mon, 24 Sep 2012 19:16:33 +0000 kritikanaidu http://www.sportskeeda.com/?p=765428

Akin to the launch of the Men’s T20I rankings prior to the tournament, the ICC has launched T20I rankings for women ahead of the Women’s World Twently20 which is due to begin.

The top rankings are almost evenly shared by the Australian and English players, with more than half the Top 20 in batting and bowling belonging to them. Australian all-rounder Lisa Sthalekar leads the bowling rankings. Lisa Stalekar picked up 56 wickets in 46 T20Is, while Anisa Mohammed of the West Indies, who has 62 wickets in 43 T20Is, came in second. What makes Sthalekar such a prolific all-rounder are the 604 runs in addition to those 56 wickets and thus, she also topped the all-rounder rankings.

Sthalekar said: “I am really surprised by this announcement but it’s a nice bonus and great to be recognised for my performances of late. I initially thought T20I was very fast and I didn’t quite understand the game but I have found that it is a great vehicle to promote women’s cricket.”

On the other hand, English wicket-keeper, Sarah Taylor sits pretty at the top in the batting rankings. Sarah Taylor also won the T20 Player of the year during the ICC Awards that were held preceding the start of the tournament. She holds the top spot, while teammate, Charlotte Edwards is at second. She will be looking at extending her T20 form into the World Twenty20 to. Taylor is also at the third spot in the ODI rankings for batsmen.

“It’s great to hear that I feature at number two in the batting rankings and I’m really pleased for Sarah that she’s made the number one spot. She is in a great form at the moment and thoroughly deserves that accolade.

“I’m pleased to know that players in the women’s game are being recognised in the T20 format with the introduction of the Reliance ICC T20I Player Rankings for women. The rankings highlight how the women’s game continues to develop across the world with more and more T20 cricket being played,” Edwards said.

West Indian, Stephanie Taylor who had won the award for the ODI Player of the year features in the Top 5 rankings for batsmen.

Indian Mithali Raj was the best-placed Indian batsman at No.3, while Jhulan Goswami was the second ranked bowler. Harpreet Kaur is placed sixth in the batting rankings. Amita Sharma was fifth on the all-rounders rankings.

The Top 20 list of batsmen includes 5 batters from Australia and England, three from West Indies and 2 from India and New Zealand each.  The list of bowlers includes seven players from England and five from Australia.

A good player in the shortest format of the game is one who pays more attention to consistency over wild slogging and one who has maximum impact on the outcome of games for his team. Two people come to my mind instantly; they have not put a foot wrong when it has come to that, yet, have never been given the opportunities they deserve: David Hussey and Brad Hodge of Australia. Brad Hodge has scored and has kept scoring runs forever, but never got the warranted break. His Victorian teammate seems to be facing a similar situation – the world’s best T20 player cannot find himself a place in the playing XI for Australia in the ongoing World T20.

He not only is the highest run-scorer in T20 cricket – domestic and international – but is also the most experienced player in T20Is. Nobody in world cricket has scored more than Hussey’s 4670 runs. Hussey offers great commitment in the field apart from his aggressive batting and part-time off-spin. His versatility can make him an asset to any team, but the Australians don’t seem to think so. They have opted for Cameron White ahead of David Hussey.  Good move or bad? – in my view, terrible. White may have been an explosive batsman earlier, perhaps still is, but his selection isn’t warranted given the way he has been batting in recent times. If White’s form and performances are acceptable, David Hussey should be making the cut far ahead of him purely on the basis of lending a spin option to the team.

Hussey has a record of 756 runs at an average of 23.62 and 19 wickets at an average of 19.47 in 38 T20Is; having said that, David Hussey’s recent performances have been below par. His batting average that was once 31 in early 2010 has fallen down to below 24 over 13 outings – that perhaps speaks volumes by itself. But on the other hand, similarly, Cameron White has nothing solid in terms of performances to warrant his selection ahead of David Hussey. Glenn Maxwell has delivered some match-winning performances in the UAE prior to the World Cup and thus has justified his spot in the team.

Former Australian skipper, Ian Chappell has gone onto another plane and said that current skipper – George Bailey needs to make way for David Hussey, as White, Maxwell and Hussey deserve a place in the side. Bailey, who replaced Cameron White as captain of the T20 side, made his debut as a player and captain of the national T20 side in February, and averages 25 in 8 games. Coach Mickey Arthur feels Bailey is a remarkable leader and is contented with his influence and involvement in the team.

I quite agree with Chappell’s assessment of the Australians handicapping themselves by leaving David Hussey out. With the Aussies known to struggle against spin, his ability to adapt in conditions and play spin better than many in the team will be missed if he doesn’t make the team even in the Super 8s, which could be the turning point for the Aussies’ campaign. Whether or not they will make the right decision at the right time, time will tell.

The countdown for the WorldT20 went on for months, and now we are one week into the tournament; but has it lived up to all the hype? In my opinion, no – but it was expected with minnows being a part of every group. As predictable, most of the games have been pretty one-sided until now and have lacked the zing that we were hoping for.

Apart from the games that involved the minnows, the rest were anticipated to generate interest and they did – but the games were either unevenly contested or disrupted by rain.

The game between West Indies and Australia built up really well after the West Indies put up 190 plus on the board. Australia were making a match of it but the rain came tumbling down and forced the game to get abandoned. Australia won by 17 runs having been ahead of the par score at that stage. South Africa and Sri Lanka – another game that would have been a spectacle – was marred by rain reducing it to a 7-over game, per side. Pakistan beat New Zealand by 13 runs – which was one game that was watched with a spec of interest. India still have to take on England; let’s hope that is an evenly-contested game.

The only game that was marginally different from the rest of the one-sided games was the one that India won against Afghanistan; India beat Afghanistan by 23 runs. The other games on the other hand, had massive margins of victory. Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe in the opening game of the tournament by 82 runs, South Africa beat Zimbabwe by 10 wickets. New Zealand beat Bangladesh convincingly by 59 runs, while England beat Afghanistan by a massive 116 runs.

There were no upsets whatsoever – not even close to having one. The Australians were better prepared this time around and all the jabber about Ireland being a threat to their chances was silenced when they put forth a very professional performance against the Irishmen. Ireland fought fire with fire, but the Australians had a plan in place this time and executed it well. Ireland has the resources to make a fantastic team; they will have to make the most of those and put up a better show against the Windies to stand a chance to oust them. The second place in Group B has to be decided yet, with West Indies still having to take on Ireland.

Zimbabwe on the other hand, got pounded – that’s all there is to that. Afghanistan fared decently well against India, but dropped too many catches to capitalize on their bowling effort. Against England however, they had to face the wrath of Luke Wright, who wanted to prove himself to cement a spot in the team – and he did it in style. But what stood out the most in those two games was the spirited demeanour of the Afghans, who made the most of the opportunity given to them. If given many more such opportunities in the future, they sure will progress as a team and as individuals. What is even better about them is that it doesn’t seem like their chapter will close anytime soon. If anything, it is here only to get better. Having endured violence, political tumult and many difficulties, their achievement in having made it so far is outstanding; their spirit is quite commendable.

Bangladesh was defeated by one man alone – Brendon McCullum. With that fantastic century, he ensured they had enough on the board to make the chase tough for the Bangla Tigers. As scripted, they were beaten by 59 runs. They still have to take on Pakistan; if they manage to beat them in that game, then things in Group D could turn out pretty interesting.

The Super 8s will be something to look forward to – with more balanced games. That hopefully should generate the anticipated interest in the tournament. Perhaps a better crowd turnout would add the much-required punch too.

Sunil Narine (West Indies)

After Narine’s performances in the Champions League for Trinidad and Tobago last year, he got picked by the Kolkata Knight Riders to play in the IPL. Narine had an exceptional IPL where he won the Man of the Tournament following which, he has only gotten better and had a brilliant impact on the team and the results went their way. The expectations on his shoulders are high and he is most likely to deliver, given that conditions in Sri Lanka are quite similar to those in India – where he thrived in during the IPL.

David Warner (Australia)

Australia will hope that their top-order fires and does so consistently. David Warner is a very vital element in the top order. If Warner gets going, he could prove to be the difference of a chunk of runs between the teams in quick time. Warner’s ability to hit the ball out of the park along with his aggressive and energetic deportment makes him an asset to any team. Apart from his batting, he is an absolute prodigy on the field: which makes his presence so imperative in the team. If David Warner can provide a solid start with opening-partner Shane Watson, together, they will be the difference between a win and a loss.

Dale Steyn (South Africa)

There is one word to describe Dale Steyn – sensational. In the warm-up game against New Zealand, he plucked 3 wickets in the last over of the game, thus taking his team to victory. His ability to get his team off to a good start with quick breakthroughs and his bowling at the death will greatly affect the Proteas’ success rate.

Virat Kohli (India)

Kohli has been in staggering form in the past year, in all formats of the game. He has been a vital cog in India’s successes over the past year and has only gotten better. A busy player, Kohli’s ability to score and score quick runs – through quick singles or boundaries – makes him important in that middle order. Along with his ability to score, his ability to do so on a consistent basis is what makes him such an asset to the team. Kohli, no doubt will be an important feature in the Indian team, but to what extent his impact will be felt, will be seen over the tournament.

Stuart Broad (England)

The English captain will have an important role to play in the World T20; that of leading his troops along with his usual bowling duties. Broad could have a high impact by leading from the front and thus, leading by example. He will have to be at the top of his game and strike early for England along with Anderson and Finn if England are to get anywhere in the tournament. His form will be vital in England’s campaign of defending the crown.

Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan)

Saeed Ajmal has been the most successful bowler over the past year, with the most number of wickets across all formats of the game. He also is the highest wicket-taker in T20s over the past year. Pakistan will gain much confidence from his recent outings, which have had a major impact on the outcome of a game. Ajmal’s variety and the inability of batsmen to read him will pose a major threat to the opposition, which Pakistan will like to capitalize on.

Brendon McCullum (New Zealand)

New Zealand will have to build partnerships and not lose cheap wickets, if they are to score big, and Brendon McCullum’s role in pursuit of that will be important. In the absence of a powerhouse like Jesse Ryder, the other veterans like Taylor and McCullum will have to shoulder extra responsibility to see the team through.

Chris Gayle (West Indies)

Chris Gayle is a player that any team would include in their playing XI at any given time of the day. He is one of those players with an impeccable impact on the proceedings; so-much-so that he can change the course and outcome of a game single-handedly. After making his comeback for the West Indies, he has been instrumental in their performances thus far; the one game that Gayle failed, the team collapsed like a pack of cards – which is evidence of his importance in the team.

Let’s take a look at some of the exclusions that have been made, much to the surprise of many.

Kevin Pietersen (England)

Kevin Pietersen, who was such a vital part of England’s T20 World Cup campaign in 2010, has been left out of the squad this time around in what was not a surprising move by the England Cricket Board, given the issues they were facing with Pietersen already. Pietersen announced his retirement from the limited-over formats a few weeks prior to that. But right before the squad for the T20 World Cup was to be picked, he announced via YouTube his availability in all the formats. However, the English board stuck to their decision regarding Pietersen and he was left out. There is minimal doubt that the game-changer will be sorely missed and his omission will leave a void which will be very hard to fill, but the board has set a good example. Pietersen has played 36 T20s for England and has scored 1176 runs at an extraordinary strike-rate of 141.51.

John Mooney (Ireland)

John Mooney on the contrary has been left out of the squad due to a finger fracture which is believed to be quite serious. His injury occurred while he was fielding during a club game for North County, while he was already nursing a dislocated thumb. He had torn the tendon from the bone due to which he had to be unwillingly omitted from the squad for the World Cup. He was the man who hit the winning runs in the historic game against England during the 2011 World Cup in Bangalore.

James Pattinson and Nathan Lyon (Australia)

In a surprise move, both spinner Nathan Lyon and James Pattinson were left out of the Australian 30-man probable squad for the World Cup. Lyon was overlooked due to the inclusion of 23-year-old Glenn Maxwell, who proved to be an all-round package on Australia’s tour of the UAE. Pattinson was an expected contender for the World Cup, but the selectors thought different. Ben Laughlin and Dirk Nannes made the cut ahead of Pattinson.

Upul Tharanga (Sri Lanka)

Opening batsman and wicket-keeper, Upul Tharanga failed to make the final squad for Sri Lanka to participate at the World Cup despite his fair performances at the Sri Lankan Premier League. In the 10 T20 games that he played for Sri Lanka, he has scored a total of 131 runs at an average of 13.10, with a not-so-great strike rate of 113.

Graeme Smith (South Africa)

Last but not the least is the highest-profile omission this edition of the World Cup – the South Africam Test captain – Graeme Smith. Smith missed out on the final 15-man squad named for the World Cup. Smith, in his 33 T20s for South Africa has scored 982 runs at a healthy average of 31.67 and a strike-rate of 127.53. Wicket-keeper Morne van Wyk, Colin Ingram and David Miller have also been overlooked while Marchant de Lange misses out due to injury.

In Part 1 of the 3-phased series, we shall have a look at some of the young blood to look out for in the T20 World Cup – who are not favorites yet – but who are extremely exciting to watch. For all we know, they could be the next game-changers for their respective teams.

George Dockrell (Ireland)

After the U-19 World Cup participation – leading the Irishmen, the T20 World Cup will be his second ICC event participation this year. What makes him such a vital part of the Irish unit is his knack of dismissing the best players of the opposition at crucial times relying on changes in pace and flight. His level-headedness and ability to handle pressure well are added benefits. At the age of 17, he made his debut for Ireland in 2010. His brilliance was reflected in the U-19 WC earlier in the year against Australia when he took 1-10 with 6 maidens against the Australians.

Akila Dananjaya (Sri Lanka)

The 18-year-old Sri Lankan was named in the 30-man provisional squad for the WC despite not having played a single game professionally. In the Sri Lankan Premier League, he featured in 4 games and those were enough to secure him a spot in the final squadron, which instigated allegations of political influence in the decision. Dananjaya’s skill lies in spin bowling. He is recognized domestically as someone who can bowl off-breaks, the doosras, the occasional carrom-ball along with leg-breaks and the googlys. He will have the backing of the variations of Ajantha Mendis, and together they can cause havoc in the opponents’ lair.

Jonny Bairstow (England)

Bairstow was an instant hit with the English media and fans when he raced to a 21-ball 41 on debut against India in 2011. He is a player known to thrive in a pressure situation. If given the freedom of expression in this format, we might see a different, more liberated side of him which might do him and the team wonders.

Nasir Hossain (Bangladesh)

Nasir Hossain made his debut for Bangladesh against Zimbabwe in 2011 with a half-century. He must have faltered a little in the Asia Cup final, but Hossain will be looking forward to making the most of the opportunity in the form of the ICC T20 World Cup, which will be his first chief project. His chief role is to wrap up the game; he usually comes below No.6, which requires him to handle pressure well and bat with intellect. He has a long way to go in maturing as a cricketer, but with every given opportunity, a new lesson awaits the young lad. Apart from being a lower-order batsman, he also offers his services as an off-spinner.

 Pat Cummins

The 19-year-old having been a part of Australia’s T20, ODI side and Test side, has warranted his selection in all formats with some great performances in the recent past. His ability to handle pressure at such a premature age is a characteristic that will only do him good eventually. Cummins, along with the brilliance of Starc, will be a lethal combination for Australia to bank on during the tournament.

“Ajmal deserved to be shortlisted for either the Test cricketer of the year or ODI player of the year award. The way the ICC has ignored him is unjust and the PCB must convey its reservations by boycotting the awards ceremony in Sri Lanka,” Pakistani former captain, Rashid Latif said.

Ajmal was the leading wicket-taker against the Australians in the just-concluded ODI series-which is another feather in his cap. South Africa’s rise to the top was triggered mainly by the genius of Ajmal, single-handedly, with England’s drubbing against Pakistan. In the last one year, Ajmal has accumulated the maximum number of wickets across all three formats – a staggering 120 wickets, the next-best being 84 – which only is a reflection of how perilous he has been. He has bagged the highest number of Test and ODI wickets in the past year respectively, which in itself screams out the level of his performances in the past year.

The extent of Ajmal’s contributions has not only been felt by the Pakistan team, but also their opponents who have been bamboozled by the versatility of Saeed Ajmal – something that sets him apart from other international bowlers today. He has been quite a deceiver that not too many have been able to crack – with his doosras and teesras – and his ability to bowl them at will. He keeps the batsmen guessing with his flight and turn that aggravates them and thus disrupts their concentration. He is the manifestation of an arachnid that traps its prey in the web it weaves.

He is an entertainer who the audiences worldwide love watching, and one who deserves to be at the top billing given his performances in the past year – which was the qualifying period for the awards. His elimination could also reflect upon how bowling is often overshadowed by batting. By being excluded from the top bracket of players, the ICC has done little for the credibility of the awards.

“This ICC process to shortlist players is clearly flawed because cricket is all about performance, not personal likes and dislikes. Better if the PCB boycotts the awards function. It will at least send out a strong message to the ICC. South Africa also did it in 2009 when their deserving players were ignored for the awards,” Mohsin Khan, who coached the Pakistani team earlier in the year against England, said.

The omission of Ajmal, which could lead to the Pakistani cricketers boycotting the ICC awards in Sri Lanka would just be another sad day in the spirit of the game, which would eventually leave a sour taste lingering. Appreciation and acknowledgment of performances should be ICC’s main objective of the awards, or the whole point is defeated – like it is now.

Australia finally finds respite in Glenn Maxwell, who has been such a brilliant change to the feeling of scarcity; he has talent, the maturity to perform under pressure as we saw against Pakistan and versatility, that gives him a cut ahead of the others. Playing for Victoria in the domestic circuit, he holds the record for the fastest ever half-century in Australian interstate one-day cricket, which came off just 19 balls. In tentative times that Australian cricket is facing right now, it is thrilling to watch a fearless young man play with such conviction.

He possesses the X-factor as a cricketer, being more than a useful batsman with his aggressiveness and acumen; he is as good in the field as David Warner, and a useful off-spinner – which provides the team with a lot of options as to how he could be used.

Maxwell’s intrepid innings against Pakistan, that guided Australia to a series victory, was heaped praise upon as he not just performed when it mattered most, but was particularly ruthless on Saeed Ajmal – the world-class spinner who is quite a mystery to twig. The perfect end to the series was his mighty heave for six to wrap up the game.

With Maxwell and Starc shining in the ODI series against Pakistan, Michael Clarke has made a prominent mention of the standout performances by the youngsters.

“The way [Maxwell] played in the whole series is a perfect example of getting an opportunity and making the most of it. That’s something I’ve spoken about for a while now – about guys getting a chance.

“Everybody wants to play for Australia but it’s actually making the most of that chance, grabbing hold of that opportunity with both hands and making it very clear to selectors that you want to be a part of this team. I think a few guys on this tour have certainly done that,” skipper Clarke said.

Maxwell was third amongst Australia’s highest run scorers in the series having scored 122 runs at an average of 61, behind Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey. It is perhaps too early to contemplate about his future in the longer format, but skipper Clarke believes he has the skill and the attitude to play Test cricket for Australia too.

“I think he can certainly play all three forms,” Clarke said after returning from the UAE. “I think he’s got the talent with bat and ball. I don’t know what he’s better at, at the moment; he can really do both, which is really pleasing and exciting.

“What I love about Maxi is he’s got no fear. He doesn’t fear any opposition, if he has to bat at number three or number seven, he doesn’t fear any of that. He’s confident in his own ability and he’s done exactly what I’ve asked of the boys.” Maxwell has batted at no.7 and 8 while playing for Victoria in his first-class career and has had a healthy average of 45 which includes one century and six fifties.

With the standout performances by the youngsters in the team, the future of Australian cricket seems a little brighter. It is quite a fact that the Australian limited overs team is not what it used to be, but heading into the T20 World Cup, Australia will have something to cheer about despite their T20 record being against them. Champions or not, we might see sparks of brilliance from one young, promising talent.

Here is an interview with the rising star while he was in India playing for the Delhi Daredevils.

How the fledgling Sir Donald spent hours hitting a golf ball with a stump when his parents moved to Bowral when he was two-and-a-half is part of the legendary tales in the Australian folklore. He would hit the ricocheted ball over and over again for hours on end. Bradman’s success was attributed to his impeccable reaction, swiftness and hand-eye coordination. Deprived of professional coaching early on, his methods were unorthodox, but he developed an eye for the game like no other. His transition from what the Aussies call backyard cricket to the Test team only took about two years. Brimming with talent, he was waiting to showcase himself to the world. He scored his first hundred at the age of 12 while playing for the Bowral Public School. His performances helped elevate him to the first-class level in a very short span. On his first-class debut, he scored a century (118), and things only got better for him after that.

It was perhaps his small-town conviction that moulded him into a man with the spirit of steel. His approach towards his game was tough and uncompromising; his indomitable appetite for runs was unrivaled. While the others only aimed at scoring a century, Bradman went beyond the ordinary and notched up numerous double and triple centuries. He was an idol of grit, focus and intent.

By his tenth first-class game, he had made the cut to Australia’s Test team, and scored his first century in his second Test. In the middle of scoring one his early centuries, the great man was apparently believed to be suffering from ill-health, but he did not show a sign of it. He went about scoring runs like a run-machine.

Pundits pondered the effectiveness of his technique in the English conditions, but he silenced all their doubts. He returned from his first tour of England after scoring 974 runs at an average of 139.14, having scored a double century at Lord’s (254), a triple at Leeds (309) and another double at the Oval (232). Such was the extent of his dominance that England came up with the controversial strategy to curb his scoring rate, known as ‘Bodyline’. Bradman was successful, as successful as anybody of that age could be. His attacking method of play was a hit with the viewers who flocked in record-breaking numbers to watch the great man in action.

It has widely been reported that he was disliked from certain quarters and by certain cricketers during and after his time. His sense of purpose and ambition didn’t go down too well with his teammates and others. The public support and admiration that he received for his performances created crevices in his relationships with his contemporaries. But none of that bothered the great man – his focus and will were the only two driving factors for him. Did the criticism hamper his success or his determination to continue on the path to greatness? Never. That is what makes him a champion of sorts.

Bradman’s voyage with cricket continued for three decades after his retirement, as he continued to be involved as administrator, selector and writer. To even contemplate accomplishing laurels of the Don’s calibre is not a task designed for the faint-hearted. Had he scored 4 more runs than he actually did, his average would have touched 100 – a statistic that would have been considered one of the greatest achievements in sporting history. But he fell short, ending his career with an average of 99.94. That in itself is a remarkable achievement. Till date, this record remains fresh and untouched; basking in the glow of reflected glory of the number of runs he scored and his contribution to the game of cricket. That, in a nutshell, is the Don for you.

Armstrong declared that he had had enough. “There comes a point in every man’s life when he has to say, ‘Enough is enough.’ For me, that time is now,” Armstrong said in a written statement. He said that his decision of walking away from the case was not an admission of guilt and still maintains that he did not use performance-enhancing drugs, but his decision rested on the fact that he wanted to spend time with his family and dedicate time instead, to his Livestrong foundation for cancer survivors.

“I know who won those seven Tours,” Armstrong said in a statement, “The toughest event in the world where the strongest man wins. Nobody can ever change that; especially (USADA CEO) Travis Tygart.”

This also might mean that Armstrong’s legacy in the sport might be stained forever, but that is a choice he has made. The USADA (U.S. Anti-Doping Agency) has claimed that it has overwhelming evidence against Armstrong based on lab reports and eye-witnesses. Armstrong backing out from fighting the case would mean that he would not just be stripped of his cycling titles, but also be banned from competing for life.

Armstrong felt that the settlement process was biased, saying, “I refuse to participate in a process that is so one-sided and unfair” and said USADA has “zero physical evidence” to support its “outlandish and heinous claims.”

Claims against Armstrong could end a legacy: an inspiring sporting tale that took the world by storm and has kept so many inspired for so many years. The Texas native captivated the world with his struggle and fight against testicular cancer for so many years, only to come back stronger to win 7 Tour de France titles in consecutive years. He was a source of inspiration to so many cancer casualties and his career inspired millions who survived the lethal malady.

He was previously subjected to a national investigation for committing fraud while on the USPS (United State Postal Service) team and not for doping. That case was closed earlier in the year and no charges were filed. USADA, then, unleashed its non-criminal case against Armstrong, citing the need to protect the integrity of sports at all times.

“It is a sad day for all of us who love sport and our athletic heroes. This is a heartbreaking example of how the win-at-all costs culture of sport, if left unchecked, will overtake fair, safe and honest competition, but for clean athletes, it is a reassuring reminder that there is hope for future generations to compete on a level playing field without the use of performance-enhancing drugs,” USADA’s CEO Travis T. Tygart said in a statement on hearing of Armstrong’s withdrawal.

As for Armstrong, he terms the entire case and investigation as ‘Travis Tygart’s unconstitutional witch hunt’. “Today I turn the page. I will no longer address this issue, regardless of the circumstances,” Armstrong said. “I will commit myself to the work I began before ever winning a single Tour de France title: serving people and families affected by cancer, especially those in undeserved communities.”

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 11: Yohan Blake, Usain Bolt, Nesta Carter and Michael Frater of Jamaica celebrate next to the clock after winning gold and setting a new world record of 36.84 seconds

With the Olympics done and dusted, one name has once again stood out throughout the event and has attracted a lot of eyes and ears – Usain Bolt. Regarded as the fastest man ever, Bolt will go down as one of the legends to have graced the athletics arena. His achievements in the sprinting arena have earned him the nickname – Lightning Bolt. He has won awards including the IAAF World Athlete of the Year, Track and Field athlete of the year and has twice been the recipient of the Laureus Sportsman of the Year. He is the highest paid track and field athlete and is also regarded as the world’s most marketable athlete.

But how many of you knew these facts about Bolt?

Bolt’s middle name is St.Leo. He was born as Usain St. Leo Bolt on 21st August 1986, in the rural town of Sherwood Content in Trelawny parish, Cornwall county, Jamaica.

Bolt won his first athletics medals in 2001 where he won 2 silvers at the 200m and 400m at the 2001 CARIFTA (Caribbean Free Trade Association) Games.

In 2003, despite beating all the Jamaicans at the 200m trials of the World Athletic Championship, he didn’t compete in the event as he was suffering from conjunctivitis that hampered his training schedule.

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 11: Usain Bolt of Jamaica

At the age of 18 when Bolt turned professional, he participated in the Athens Olympics. But a leg injury saw him in 4^thplace and he was eliminated in the first round.

Bolt was offered the opportunity to train in America, but he turned them down opting to train in Jamaica with basic amenities at Kingston’s University of Technology.

In 2006, Bolt’s new target was to break the 20-second barrier in 200m and so he did at the annual Athletissima event in Laussane. He finished third at 19.88 seconds behind Xavier Carter and Tyson Gay.

At the 2009 World Championships, Bolt broke his own record of 9.69secs set in Beijing Olympics by an astounding 0.11 seconds. He went on to break the 200m world record by exactly the same margin when he ran 19.19 seconds.

At the London Games this year, he along with his Jamaican teammates set a new World Record for the 4x100m relay recording 36.84 seconds.

He also set a new Olympic record for the 100m sprint with a time of 9.63, winning gold in the 100m and the 200m for the second consecutive time which in itself is a record.

Bolt was always interested in cricket from an early age and supported the Pakistani cricket team as a child. He admired the bowling of Waqar Younis and his other favourites included Chris Gayle, Matthew Hayden and Sachin Tendulkar.

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 11: Usain Bolt of Jamaica poses on the podium during the medal ceremony

He has always tried his hand at fast bowling and liked to imitate Waqar Younis. In a friendly game once, he happened to dismiss good friend Chris Gayle and hit a 6 off Gayle’s bowling.

Bolt might be a part of the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League for this season. Captain Shane Warne has been said to be going all out for Bolt’s inclusion.

Bolt is also keen on playing football for Manchester United. He is a great fan of Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

However, on a completely arbitrary note, quirks sometimes play a part in the composition of a person and there are a few quirks that the world’s fastest man has too.

Bolt is supposedly terrified of snakes and spiders – I’m not sure a snake or a spider would be able to keep up with the man if he decides to flee on spotting them.

Bolt was awarded with an honorary Doctorate of Law by the University of West Indies. Bolt now will be known as: Dr The Honorable Ambassador Usain St Leo Bolt OJ.

As any other native of the Caribbean islands, Bolt loves his music. He loves to play DJ at parties and has a DJ kit at home.

AB deVilliers will lead the side in the absence of Smith who, after being picked in the probable 30 did not make the final 15. AB deVilliers also provided great batting strength to the Royal Challengers Bangalore during the IPL, coming to aid, to win them quite a few games. Steyn, Duminy,the Morkel brothers, du Plessis have all been great contributors to their respective IPL teams – all of who have had a good last season – which will give them enormous confidence approaching the tournament.

The 21-year-old Marchant de Lange has missed out on the marquee tournament due to a lower back injury that he had sustained during the triangular Twenty20 series, which also resulted in him missing out on the on-going England tour.

Along with Kallis, Van der Merwe makes a comeback into the side after two whole years. In the 12 T20 games that he has played, he has bagged 14 wickets with an economy of 6.93. Three wicket-keepers have been named in the 15-man squad: captain AB de Villiers, the other two being Morne van Wyk and Dane Vilas.

The South African squad however, is pretty much the same as it has been in the past year and quite a few of them have performed at an elite level in the IPL – South Africa will take that as a great positive going into the World Twenty20 series. The fact that South Africa comprises of such a balanced side of performers, gives them an added advantage approaching the tournament. It will be interesting to see how the Proteas fare in the absence of  the crafty Smith, with deVilliers in charge.

South Africa T20 Team: AB de Villiers (capt), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Johan Botha, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Jacques Kallis, Richard Levi, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn and Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

Each franchise was given a preliminary list consisting of 24 players, of which they had to pick 18 players  -  6 overseas and 12 local players and the remaining would be a part of the supplementary list, from which players could be substituted in the occurrence of an injury to a player from the preliminary list. The maximum number of overseas players who could make the playing XI is 4, just like the IPL. Sri Lanka Cricket has named 56 overseas players – barring players from India and England – who were picked by the 7 franchises. 

Amongst the 107 local players who were drafted, there were six of them who were valued in the maximum price bracket of $35,000 in the local category. Sanath Jayasuriya led the group being paid $35,ooo. The other five who were a part of the top bracket were –  Dinesh Chandimal, Chamara Kapugedara, Nuwan Kulasekara, Thisara Perera and Rangana Herath. Jayasuriya will play for Kandurata alongside international stars like Albie Morkel and Misbah-ul-Haq. In totality, 107 local players were drafted.

Angelo Matthews replaced Shahid Afridi for Nagenahira as the icon player as Afridi wouldn’t be available towards the end of the tournament due to national commitments of playing against Australia. Gayle and Afridi however have been named as the icon players of the tournament. Gayle consequently will be the highest paid player, valued at $100,000, while Afridi will be second-best at $50,000.

Full list of signings by the respective franchises:

Uthura Oryxes

Overseas: Shakib Al Hasan, Brendan Taylor, Kevon Cooper, Imran Farhat, Fidel Edwards, David Miller, Dillon du Preez, Samuel Badree

Local: Chamara Kapugedara, Jehan Mubarak, Farveez Maharoof, Janak Gunaratne, Nilanka Premaratne, Mahela Udawatte, Chathura Peiris, Akalanka Ganegama, Roshen Silva, PHD Kaushalya, Sandun Weerakkody, Madra Lakmal, Sohan Boralessa, Yohan de Silva, Madushanka Ekanayake, Muttiah Muralitharan

Nagenahira Nagas

Overseas: Mitchell Marsh, Imran Nazir, Travis Birt, Ahmed Shahzad, Ben Laughlin, Elias Sunny, Musfiqur Rahim, Nasir Hossain

Local: Nuwan Kulasekara, Angelo Perera, Ajantha Mendis, TM Sampath, Sachith Pathirana, Suraj Randiv, Gayan Maneeshan, Chammera Dushmantha, Shaminda Eranga, Udara Jayasundera, Kanishka Alvitigala, Sajeewa Weerakoon, Andy Solomons, Ishan Jayaratne, Charith Sylvester, Angelo Mathews

Ruhuna Rhinos:

Overseas:  Shahid Afridi, Daniel Harris, Ryan Harris, Aaron Finch, Jerome Taylor, Nathan McCullum, Ryan McLaren, Richard Levi

Local: Lahiru Thirimanne, Chamara Silva, Prasanna Jayawardene, Dilruwan Perera, Ramith Rambukwella, Tharanga Lakshitha, Gihan Rupesinghe, Shaluka Karunanayake, Denuwan Rajakaruna, Malinga Bandara, Kasun Madushanka, Dananja de Silva, Shanuka Dissanayake, Gayan Wijekoon, Chaminda Vidanapathirana, Lasith Malinga

Wayamba Wolves

Overseas:  Azhar Mahmood, Umar Akmal, Tamim Iqbal, Colin Ingram, Kemar Roach, James Faulkner, Abdul Razzaq, Brad Hogg

Local: Dinesh Chandimal, Isuru Udana, Kushal Janith Perera, Akhila Dhananjaya, Kaushal Weeraratne, Shehan Jayasuriya, Suranga Lakmal, Milinda Siriwardana, Chathuraga Kumara, Nimesh Perera, Chaminda Vaas, Alankara Asanka, Dashun Shanaka, Malinga Pushpakumara, Dilesh Gunaratne, Mahela Jayawardene

Kandurata Kites

Overseas: Saeed Ajmal, Misbah-ul-Haq, Sohail Tanvir, Chris Lynn, Dane Vilas, Albie Morkel, Johan Botha, Adam Voges

Local: Thisara Perera, Thilan Samaraweera, Kosala Kulasekara, Kithruwan Vithanage, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Jeevantha Kulatunga, Malinda Warnapura, Chanaka Welegedara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Dilhara Lokuhettige, Tharanga Paranavitana, Romesh Buddika, Chintaka Perera, Kaushal Silva, Niroshan Dikwalla, Kumar Sangakkara

Basnahira Bears

Overseas: Brad Hodge, Marlon Samuels, Daniel Smith, Dirk Nannes, Robin Peterson, Tim Southee, Clint McKay, Cameron Borgas

Local: Jeevan Mendis, Rangana Herath, Indika de Saram, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dhammika Prasad, Lahiru Jayaratne, Rushan Jaleel, Sachitra Serasinghe, Nuwan Pradeep, Dimuth Karunaratne, Amal Athulamudali, Sanjaya Gangodawila, Nadeehra Nawala, Thilan Tushara, Ishara Amerasinghe, Tillakaratne Dilshan

Uva Unicorns

Overseas: Andrew McDonald, Umar Gul, Shoaib Malik, Callum Ferguson, James Franklin, Abdur Rehman, Hammad Azam, Chris Gayle

Local: Sachithra Senanayake, Thilina Kandamby, Upul Tharanga, Dilshan Munaweera, Dilhara Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Chintaka Jayasinghe, Sameera Zoysa, Seekkuge Prasanna, Ashan Priyanjana, Vishva Fernando, Lahiru Madhushanka, Akila Ishanka, Dinesh Darshapriya, Saliya Saman, Ashen Silva

]]> http://www.sportskeeda.com/2012/07/09/sri-lankan-premier-league-a-sneak-peek/feed/ 1 160124 http://www.sportskeeda.com/2012/07/05/australias-woes-in-england/ http://www.sportskeeda.com/2012/07/05/australias-woes-in-england/#comments Thu, 05 Jul 2012 12:56:54 +0000 kritikanaidu http://www.sportskeeda.com/?p=436984 There was a feeling of schadenfreude, as rain washed out the 3^rd ODI that was to be played between Australia and England at Edgbaston. England was denied the chance of attaining the No. 1 ranking in ODIs, which they would have done had they beaten Australia 5-0 in the on-going series (there seemed a good chance of that given how the first two games had turned out). Australia’s defense of their No.1 ranking was vulnerable and their cathedra under serious threat after the first two ODIs, at the hands of a very proficient England team who were at their best. The Australians, clearly struggling to find form in any facets of their game, must have breathed a sigh of relief when rain ruled out England’s chances of snatching the top spot from them.

Where have the Australians gone wrong?

Kiprop recorded a 32:22 finish.  She was extremely pleased with her effort. Being more of a marathon runner, she considers herself more of a front-runner and perhaps that’s what won her the race eventually. When asked about a strategy while approaching the race and how she felt after her win, she humbly said, “I was slowing down from time to time and then accelerating as I wanted to keep testing myself, so, I didn’t have a particular strategy. I wasn’t confident of winning to begin with, but after almost 8 kms, I thought maybe I could pull this one off. I panicked towards the end as the others were closing in, but ultimately, it was a wonderful experience for me having won my maiden race in India.”

For Esther Chemutai, it was a very satisfying experience finishing second best as she thinks she wasn’t well prepared for it. She finished just 12 seconds after Kiprop’s time. “I wasn’t well prepared, but I tried to win and I did; I’m very happy. Helah pushed ahead in the last couple of kms and I had to push myself to keep up with her and win second place.” Chemutai will be participating in the trials for the London Olympics and hopes to do well enough there to make a place in the Kenyan team. “I hope to qualify and hope to give my best every time I perform.”

For Doris Changewyo, it was her best performance at the race – finishing in third place, her previous best being sixth. Having approached the run impulsively she says, “It was very hot. I started from the back; I was observing my fellow runners and how they were going about their race and then upped my pace eventually.”

All the three girls train in the same area of Iten, but in different groups. All three are well supported by their coaches and husbands who they train with quite often.

In the men’s run, in what was Geoffrey Kipsang’s second visit to India, he was mighty pleased to have won the race having been well prepared for it. The conditions seemed to have suited him well and his confidence approaching the game perhaps was vital in emerging victorious. He was all praises for how the event was organized on the whole and professed his love for India too; something that was common in amongst all the three winners. “The entire event was very well-planned; the conditions were good, the people were friendly and very welcoming, everything was brilliant and perhaps, such an atmosphere motivated me to win. In Delhi, when I won, I pushed my pace only in the last 50m, but this time, I pushed it up in the last 2 kms, which gave me the lead. I had trained well coming into this run and knew it was mine,” he said confidently.

Victor Kipchirchir and Alex Korio agreed with Kipsang and heaped praise on how well the event was organized and how friendly people in Bangalore were to them. They said they hoped to come back next year, if invited. Korio had trained for the past two years to get here with coach, Opoke from Nyanza. He would be representing Kenya in the London Olympics and hopes to win gold. He also hopes to come back next year and win the 10k run here. “I will prepare better and now that I know how it is, I’m sure I’ll be well prepared and hope to win next year.”

When asked about their advice to upcoming runners, all of them echoed each other by saying – ‘Be focused, dedicated, patient and train hard.’

The 10k run in Bangalore turned out to be a great one for the Kenyans who beat the Ethiopian athletes hands down. It would be interesting to see if they dominate the race in the coming years the way they did this year.

Overall Elite women: Helah Kiprop (KEN) 00.32.22; Esther Chemutai (KEN) 00.32.34; Doris Changeywo (KEN) 00.32.44; Ababel Yeshaneh (ETH) 00.33.04; Selam Abere (ETH) 00.33.08; Grace Momanyi (KEN) 00.33.24; Helalia Johannes (NAM) 00.33.31; Philes Ongori (KEN) 00.33.36; Merima Mohammed (ETH) 00.33.50; Peninah Arusei (KEN) 00.33.58.