Personal - visit to MCG

I was in Melbourne last week and this time (unlike few earlier instances), decided to visit the MCG. I had been to Lords and this was another ground I wanted to go. I was tempted by this view from my breakfast table - I had to figure out a way to find time to goto the ground. 

And, very soon, I was lucky. My schedule was not as packed as earlier and the fact that the ground was just opposite the hotel where I stayed, made my decision easier.

I did bump into Neil Harvey's statue on the way in and thought that it was a good gesture by Cricket Australia to have his statue on the way to the ground. Maybe they could include few more!

The Tour started and we had a good guide to take us around - Bruce. 

Our first sighting of the ground evoked sighs from all of us on the tour.

The not-so-new sight-screens were another sight to behold.

The day was not as bright as you can see but the grass was as green it can be.

Inside the ground, the dressing rooms gave us good insight. The Board of Honors inside the visitors dressing room was interesting - names of Tendulkar, Sehwag, Kapil, Gavaskar, Chandrasekhar, Kumble among many more.

The dressing room was quite clean (of course, there was no match) with the lockers and the sofas prim and proper.

Another interesting photograph for all of us - Tendulkar's picture with Sir Don Bradman. Apparently, the batsman has sold the negative during a charity event - picked up by MCG and framed in elegance.

Another pastel that contained pictures of various performers at the MCG (including art performers). Not an updated one but still looks good to view.

Another interesting picture - teams that joined the World Series Cricket. How many can you recognize from this set?

Finally, the Don. Bronze statue at the museum.

To be modest, I was happy with my overall visit - collected few photos and memories of a lifetime. I have replicated some as part of this post- do have a look and let me know what you think.

Before I say good-bye, a look at the ground once again.

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)