2015 Ashes - end to an average series

I couldnt stop myself writing about the 2015 Ashes test series that finished today - this blog is usually reserved to Indian cricket. But, the fact that Australia lost despite winning two matches in London by a huge margin was a shock that I couldnt resist. This was an average series won by a team that knew how to bowl on overcast conditions but came a cropper on batting pitches. 

The Australians knew how to take 20 wickets on flat pitches but could not do much on surfaces that supported them. Well, not exactly. They did well then too but their batsmen could not face opposition bowlers who made the ball talk. Result was that by the time bowlers had a chance to bowl, the English were too far ahead in the game. Flat pitch bullies are the Aussies then but what of the hosts? They are good at home, especially when they have Anderson and Broad together. But, step outside and they lost to West Indies even. Imagine! They are now ranked third in the ICC Rankings. Something must be wrong.

Twice we were wondering whether the test will be completed in two days. Yes, two days. I remember a match between England and West Indies long ago on telly where all four innings were played on one day and the match finished in two days. But, not here. The matches, thankfully to the spectators who were in full attendance, crept to the third day. Not a single test match went to the final day. Can you believe it if this was done on subcontinental pitches? There would have been a huge uproar - spin doctors et al. 

The statistics are revealing. Batting and Bowling. The Australians seem to appear at the top in both lists but they are upstaged by those players who rose to the occasion when required. Imagine, the second best bowler on Australian side was dropped for the last test to make way for Peter Siddle! The fifth bowler made a difference - yes, fifth bowler. Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes picked wickets that were critical. Australia had Mitch Marsh who did well but was picked for three tests only! The English batting was held together by Joe Root and his captain. The others did not seem to matter. 

Michael Clarke and Chris Rogers retired while Brad Haddin and Shane Watson may not play another test match. Similarly, Ian Bell must rethink his position in the English team while Lyth will be lost to county cricket forever. Bairstow can go back to County, scoring runs by the tonnes. Few batsmen survived the test series that was won by the home series again. Overall, an average series if I am being generous.

Ashes Series - English media starts the No.1 chant once again

No sooner the Ashes was regained by the English team in MCG, there are statements made about the team's potential to become the No.1. How many times have we heard this before?

Darren Gough says that England can beat India every day. He mentioned

India are fantastic in their own country and have some great individuals but I'd fancy this England side to beat them every day of the week

Look who is talking !!! How many tests, let alone series have the English team outside their own backyard? The opposition this Ashes does not have anyone outside of Michael Hussey (and probably Shane Watson) who would have been first-choice in previous Ashes series. Their current ICC ranking says it all.

Michael Vaughan goes on to say that for their own future, they have to win in SCG.

With the backroom management around the team and strength in depth in English cricket, there is no reason why England cannot achieve their goal of being No 1

The English team has given its supporters many moments of glory in the recent past - hence, the hopes of the supporters have soared. Dream on, England. Let us see how you fare in your next test series overseas. 

Related articles

• Ashes series - 11 reasons why Oz lost at MCG (myhistoryisinteresting.blogspot.com)
• Ashes series - Is the new Australia same as old England? (myhistoryisinteresting.blogspot.com)

Ashes series - 11 reasons why Oz lost at MCG

Ugly CaptainThe Ashes is on its way to England after the hosts lost by an innings (again) and more at MCG. Hardly anything went right for the Oz team from the moment the coin was tossed. Here, we look at 11 reasons why they lost at MCG:

1. Ricky Ponting - The captain should take the responsibility of losing the test match as well as the Ashes. First with his batting which is dismal at this moment (an average of 16 runs in 4 test matches is hardly Ponting-like) and then his captaincy which seems to be lacking the imagination required to conjure results from hopeless situations. Adding to these is his brawl with umpires that saw him argue with the best umpire in the world - his desperation showing up in a visible manner.
2. Michael Clarke - The Deputy has a slightly better average than his captain (21+) and that is not saying much in his defense. The Pup needs to sort out his batting, especially against the short-pitched variety - he doesn't need to go far to do it. The new entrant into the Selection Committee - Greg Chappell - can do a great job.
3. Phil Hughes - the opener wanted to do the role of a Virender Sehwag for Australia when chosen. The joke in twitverse is that he is doing the role of Suresh Raina - enough said!!!
4. Shane Watson - Has been contributing steadily at the top of the order but guilty of throwing it away after scoring a fifty. His lack of bowling has handicapped the Oz further.
5. Steven Smith - Was he chosen for his batting or bowling? The most surprising selection after that of Cameron White, he has been missing on the wickets column while adding few runs on the board (by the way, he has a higher average than Clarke and Ponting!!!)
6. Michael Hussey - Mr.Cricket had his first set of failures in the series in this test match. The second highest run-scorer in the series, he has managed to salvage his reputation thanks to his scores in the first three test matches. Failures were bound to come but two in the same match was a bit too difficult to swallow.
7. Brad Haddin - The other lower-order contributor for Australia in this series who has been shoring up the scores. His keeping has been steady for the Oz - maybe the right guy to take over the captaincy hat also.
8. Mitchell Johnson - A six-wicket haul in Perth notwithstanding, his alter-ego appeared in MCG and continued the otherwise depressing performances in test match. One of the reasons why Australia struggles to take twenty wickets in a match.
9. Ben Hilfenhaus - Another failure who has taken four wickets in three matches this series. An English-type bowler who has failed as bad as Johnson.
10. Ryan Harris - Injured in the series and out of the 2011 ODI World Cup. Was doing a good job in supporting Siddle with his lion-hearted performances but faces an uncertain future now.
11. Peter Siddle - The bowler who has looked like taking wickets for Australia - running in fast and doing his bit for the struggling team. The only bowler who looks capable of playing for a longer period.

Related articles

• Ashes series - Even-stevens at MCG (myhistoryisinteresting.blogspot.com)
• England Retain The Ashes After Test Win (news.sky.com)

Ashes series - Even-stevens at MCG

After the resurgence of the Australian attack in Perth, the series is even-stevens at MCG with everything to play for both the teams. Ricky Ponting seems to have recovered and is all set to play tomorrow - news that must have made the team Management feel relieved. More so Greg Chappell who believes that Clarke is not ready to be the captain now.

The pitch will be key after there were reports that the playing deck was switched. If it supports the slower bowlers, England will enjoy the advantage while if it is a hard one, the onus will be on the batsmen to revive the innings from the opposition bowlers.

Will Hussey and Cook continue their golden run? Or will it be the resurgence of Ponting and Collingwood? Similarly, will Johnson continue his all-round performance he showed in the Perth test or will another avatar of the fast bowler appear at MCG? Will Anderson rally his team after reports of stiffness were played down by him?

All questions will be answered over the next five days when one team will blink. Which team will it be?

Related articles

• Shane Warne: momentum says Australia will defeat England at Melbourne in fourth Ashes Test (telegraph.co.uk)

Ashes series - Australia announce squad for 3rd test

The Oz selectors have named their squad for the third test match

Shane Watson, Phillip Hughes, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Brad Haddin (wk), Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, Michael Beer, Ben Hilfenhaus.

Three changes - one necessitated by injury to Simon Katich while the dismal bowling forced the inclusions of Smith and Beer. Marcus North has been finally rested by the selectors after calls were loud and clear.

Though the inclusion of Beer was a surprise to the entire world, the legendary Shane Warne had suggested his name when there was a big noise to recall him back to the Oz squad. Did the Oz selectors just follow his advice to name the youngster? Warne's rival, Macgill, is not impressed however. The player himself was surprised by the call-up. Whatever it is, the spinner looks to be another shot in the dark by the team management?

Mike Gatting suggests that Ricky Ponting should step down and concentrate on his batting even though agreeing that there are not many options to replace him outside Clarke. But, given Clarke's current form, is he a good choice? No. Who else then? It has to be Ricky Ponting, by default, then. Dean Jones gives his two cents on how the Oz should hit back - hard. Will his words inspire the team in the next test?

Related articles

• Beer a big call, says Hilditch (news.theage.com.au)
• Ashes series - Is the new Australia same as old England? (myhistoryisinteresting.blogspot.com)

Ashes series - new-look bowling pair for Oz

Chance to get his head straight

The Australian team management dropped Mitchell Johnson, who thought that this was a time to get his head straight. He struggled to make an impression in the first test and this decision will do him good. Ponting remarked that Hilfenhaus might be replaced by Bollinger, making it a new and fresh pair for the second test starting on Friday. The Australians will be expecting these changes to help them get twenty English wickets in Adelaide.

The English team must be feeling very confident after the first test batting performance - their captain making all the right sound-bites saying that they have not achieved much so far. Complacency is the one factor that might pull them down but the 2 Andrews - Strauss and Flower - will keep them motivated enough.

The pitch will be flat while rains might cause interruptions in the match. Ability to take wickets will be the key factor at play while Ricky Ponting will strive to put runs on the board. The Oz batting order will be under pressure to regain their form and score heavily. Will the English bowlers come to party once again or will it be the reincarnation of KP?

Related articles

• Johnson set for axe in favour of Bollinger (guardian.co.uk)
• Chappells split on Johnson (theage.com.au)

Ashes series - more trouble for Australia

The Australian team seemed to plunge into more problems on the Ashes series - recalling a person who was removed from the big original list of 17 only yesterday. Usman Khawaja was the beneficiary of a back injury to the vice-captain Michael Clarke - one that has been afflicting the batsman for quite sometime now.
The batsman was suffering from bad form in the previous tour to India - this injury coming at the start of the series must have given him and his captain a head-ache alright.

 
The captain himself is under pressure to get his act right in this series and bring back the urn to the Aussie sub-continent. He has lost two ashes series and another defeat now will put him under tremendous pressure. He put up a brave face at the conference today but agrees in the perception that his job is on the line.

Simon Katich and Marcus North however agree that Anderson will be handy in the Brisbane test. Even though Mitchell Johnson has mentioned that he will target the English captain in the test match, the general feeling that one gets on reading these articles is that the Aussies have really gone soft. Or are they really feeling the heat after the initial warm-up matches that the Poms played?

After today's development, I would feel that the English are slightly ahead (55-45) of the Australian team in this series. Let us see how the next 2 days pan out before the start of the first test.

Related articles

• English talk up Ashes chances (3news.co.nz)
• Ashes series - Australia prune their squad (myhistoryisinteresting.blogspot.com)

Ashes series - Australia prune their squad

The Australian selectors dropped four players from their original squad of 17 with one surprise. Nathan Hauritz, the spinner they have preferred for quite some time now, has been dropped in favor of Xavier Doherty. The left-arm spinner has come out of nowhere in recent times into the squad and will fight with Steven Smith for the spinner's slot.

Are the Aussie selectors hoping to target Kevin Pietersen with the left-arm spinner? KP fell to a left-armer in the warm-up match - continuing his failures against left-arm spinners all around the world. If this was the reason for the Oz selectors, then I feel it is probably a short-sighted selection. Hauritz has gained by his experience and would have probably done a better job - though one must admit that in the spin department, England has the better bowler.

No other surprises in the squad though one wonders what option the Oz will go if Simon Katich is injured for the test match. Shane Watson is a converted opener and an injury to Katich against the formidable English opening pack will mean disaster. Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus, Doug Bollinger will fight out for two slots to partner Mitchell Johnson with the new ball.

After their strong performances in the warm-up matches, the English team must be very confident of the series that starts this week. The Australian team must feel the pressure but they still have the game to turnaround. This series will truly be a memorable one to follow.

Related articles

• The Ashes 2010: Shane Warne blasts Australia selectors for omitting Nathan Hauritz from 13-man Test squad (telegraph.co.uk)
• Hussey retain but Hauritz cut (mirror.co.uk)

Ashes series - Is the new Australia same as old England?

Years ago, when the Aussies were beating anyone and everyone who played them in test matches, England were a sorry lot. They picked players in the hope that they would perform. A player would be selected for a match only to be dropped the next one, without any reason. Even captains were not spared - the English team resembled the tube stations that dot all across the country - players going in and out of the team regularly.

How times have changed - Australia are resembling their ashes counterpart now. Today's announcement was something that would have done the English team proud. SEVENTEEN!!! 17 players for the first test in Brisbane. What were the selectors thinking? 

Going into details of the squad, let us see was it really required?  The players selected include - Simon Katich, Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Marcus North, Usman Khawaja, Callum Ferguson, Brad Haddin (wk), Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Xavier Doherty, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus, Doug Bollinger

The players likely to play the test at this time are Katich, Watson, Ponting, Clarke, Hussey, Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz. The remaining 3 slots are open - one is the No.6 slot where North seems to be the front-runner and in all likelihood will play in the first test. The other two are the slots of the pace bowlers - Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus will be the first choices with Bollinger in the hunt in case of an injury.


Why then did the selectors choose 4-5 more players than the usual list? Of course, injury worries are there but that doesn't necessitate the selection of so many players. Are the selectors trying to confuse their opponents? Michael Hussey is too good a player who can be replaced given the current status of Aussie cricket - then, why go for players like Ferguson? Is it the presence of a person by name Greg Chappell, who is introducing these "novel" ideas? Or are the Aussies really confused? Whatever it is, they are probably the New England team now. Will their performance resemble the English also? Time will tell.

Related articles

• Ashes series - starting soon (myhistoryisinteresting.blogspot.com)
• The Ashes 2010: England bowlers skip Hobart warm-up to tune up in Brisbane (telegraph.co.uk)

Ashes series - starting soon

Image via WikipediaThe Ashes is definitely the most-anticipated series across the world - the amount of articles written about it are numerous. Being an Indian, I feel that the India-Australia or the India-Pakistan series are even more liked but that is probably restricted to the Indian sub-continent. 



Interviews are happening with almost every English player active in the cricketing circles. There are a number of people who believe that England has a chance to retain their urn while some more think that the Aussies will be able to repeat the performance of the last Ashes in Australia (which they won 5-0). The TV crews are all over the place in Australia while the English at home are following the action very closely.

The English team has started the warm-up matches in right earnest - the Indians must take a leaf out of their English counterparts - by starting the tour almost three weeks earlier and getting used to the ball, bounce, pitches in Australia. One can only laud the ECB for their planning. Will Andy Flower succeed where his predecessors failed?

The teams are evenly matched at this time - probably, the spin bowling department is one where Swann scores higher than Hauritz. The spectators must be hoping for the lead batsmen (Kevin Pietersen and Ricky Ponting) to return to form.

England has not done so well to call themselves the favorite for the series but try telling that to their supporters. The Aussies have slipped from the heights of their achievements but on their soil, they are still a mighty force to reckon with. They lost the test series against South Africa but this series should see them straining every sinew to bring back the urn. 

I feel that the series will be closely fought but still rate the Aussies as favorite to win the Ashes back. 

The great performance that I feel has happened even before the series has started has been (yes, on for the last 14 months) by a person who has been cycling for more than 25000 kms from Lords to Brisbane - really superb feat by this great person - HATS OFF!!!

Related articles

• Ashes 2010: Greg Chappell in favour of spinner for Gabba (panasianbiz.com)
• Swann will have Aussies reeling: Botham (news.theage.com.au)
• The Ashes 2010: Ricky Ponting will quit Australia captaincy if he loses, says Michael Vaughan (telegraph.co.uk)

ICC's new move on international cricket - what could have been?

The ICC has completely redrawn the landscape of international cricket few days back - a test championship among many things.

The Future Tours Programme (FTP) will now comprise a Test league running over four years with the top four teams at the end of each period qualifying for a play-off event. The first play-off is scheduled for 2013, the same year England are due to host the Ashes, and Lord's is the favoured venue for the final.

Four years seems to be a long period for the test league - let us consider a scenario of the current Indian test team - they are No.1 and might continue for the next 2 years but in the last 2 years of the league, due to the retirements of the legends, the performance of the team might deteriorate drastically. But, because of their initial performances, they will still qualify for the play-off event. A league cycle of 2 years would be of the right time to give a proper perspective to the League. To do this, I would suggest having a 2-tier system that contains 5 teams each. The top-5 will be part of the 1st tier and play between each other, home and away. Each test series should be a minimum of 3 tests (Ashes usually will have 5 and India-Australia typically has 4) with the UDRS system a mandatory use in the tests. Each team will play the other 4 teams in 2 series in the 2 year cycle - a total of 8 series with a probability of 24 to 30 test matches. This can be easily achieved in 2 years considering that a test series (of 3 matches) can be conducted in 4-5 weeks. This will also reduce the probability of multiple series between same countries repeatedly (like India and Sri Lanka recently).

A one-day cricket league - mirroring the existing team rankings - will also be part of the FTP, starting in April 2011 and running over four years to culminate in the crowning of the first ODI league champion in April 2014. The league will run separately from the World Cup, the ICC's flagship event, which has been reduced to 10 teams for the 2015 tournament. 

Why will it run separately from the World Cup? Why is this league required is not known? Already there is a growing criticism around the world about the validity of ODI matches - is this one way that ICC wanted to give more importance to ODIs? Can the ICC not take more power in their hands and ban all tri-series tournaments like the ones played by India and Sri Lanka (who else). Why these tournaments are conducted is also not known (of course the monetary reasons are visible clearly).

The World Twenty20 event will be expanded to 16 teams from the 2012 tournament, due to be staged in Sri Lanka. The success of smaller nations like Netherlands and Afghanistan in Twenty20 cricket prompted the expansion of the tournament, which will continue to have the women's event played alongside it

This is probably a good decision to promote cricket in many countries but care needs to be taken to ensure that there is not a surfeit of these T20 matches. Of course, one has to plan a window of the domestic tournaments like IPL and Champion League matches.


Overall, some good decisions but a lot confusing ones.What is your take on the announcement from ICC?

Related articles

• ICC approves Test championship (cricinfo.com)