McGain would have wished debut against India for better Test returns

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

The Australian leg-spinner Bryce McGain must have been regretting having made his Test debut against South Africa in which he was taken for 149 runs in a matter of 18 overs. Besides leaking far too many runs by the Test standards, he was unable to get any wicket in the only innings that South Africa needed to bat.

His would go down as one of the most nightmarish debut performance or the lack of it of all times. The 36-year-old vastly experienced campaigner was not allowed to settle down by the South African batsmen, who kept attacking him throughout.

McGain, who was certified by a leg-spinning wizard called Shane Warne, lost his radar in the Cape Town Test and the home batsmen went hard at him. After all it was Test cricket and the batsmen were eager to cash in on every single opportunity. Yet it’s rare for any bowler to suffer that kind of humiliation.

Having conceded 149 runs in just 18 overs, McGain simply had no luck. Mind you going at 8.27 runs per over will be considered expensive even in a Twenty20 game, let alone the 50-overs one-dayers. He couldn’t put his acts together and he was belted mercilessly and fearlessly during the course of a Test match.

McGain must have regretted the injury that forced him to return early from the tour of India at the start of the season. He would have been much better off debuting against India no matter how big reputation the home batsmen had.

He would know that he stood a chance of returning much better figures in India. Having become a professional at the age of 35, he was chosen as the chosen as the premier spinner for Australia's tour to India. He was being talked about as a long-term prospect despite his advanced age.

He was certain to make his debut Test debut in India when a rather unusual injury to the tendons in his right armpit forced him to return home for a surgery. He didn’t lose heart and returned to play for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield after recovering completely. He bowled well to be selected for the tour of South Africa.

After being overlooked for the first couple of Tests, both of which were won by Australia, he was finally included in the playing eleven in the third and final Test in Cape Town.

McGain might have felt that it’s easier to capture wickets against India or at least get away with it even when bowling not too well. He has the most example of Jason Krejza in front of him.
Krejza had been taken for 199 runs in 31 overs in the warm-up game but the team management gambled with him in the deciding fourth and final Test in Nagpur. He was adjudged Man of the Match after having claimed exactly a dozen wickets on his debut.

Krejza, as McGain must be wondering, had not bowled so well but the Indian batsmen accorded him the same kind of respect as if encountering Shane Warne or Mutiah Muralitharan. That’s the special quality of the Indian batsmen who have their own unique methods of going about their business.

Krejza picked up as many as eight wickets in the first innings and took four more in the second outing. It was dream debut, just the opposite of McGain a few months later.

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IPL moved to South Africa

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

It has now been officially announced that South Africa will host the Indian Premier League (IPL) to be held during April and May. The decision was taken on March 24 ending the speculation whether South Africa or England would earn the right to host the second edition of the Twenty20 tournament.

South Africa has been confirmed as the venue after the talks between the IPL commissioner, Lalit Modi, and the Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive, Gerald Majola, held in Johannesburg.

England was being considered as the alternate venue but by the look of things Modi had such a fruitful meeting with Majola that closed the deal promptly. Modi was not even required to visit London where he was scheduled to discuss the IPL with the officials of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Modi and Majola informed the media corps at the Wanderers Club in the Johannesburg that the second edition of the IPL would now be staged from April 18 into May, probably at six venues Cape Town, Centurion, Durban, East London, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.

The ECB officials, in true sporting spirit, have welcomed the decision recognizing the fact that the IPL organizers had gone for the practical option.

The high-profile tournament having attracted the majority of the biggest names in the game has been moved from India because the dates clashed with the general elections and the government was unwilling to allow it in view of security concerns.

"To move the event outside India has been one of the hardest decisions that
the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has had to take, but I'm equally
confident that staging it in South Africa will be a major success," Modi was quoted as saying.
.
"We extend a huge gratitude to our friends at Cricket South Africa for agreeing to host the Indian Premier League in such a short time. I am sure all South African cricket fans are looking forward to the spectacle of seeing the world's best players compete against each other in this tournament,” he observed.

"The South African public loves Twenty2O cricket and CSA successfully
hosted the inaugural World Twenty20. Both these factors weighed heavily in favour of South Africa, and we look forward to a successful and exciting tournament being held at venues throughout the country," he added.

The CSA, determined to meet the challenge, has willingly offered to extend their total support to the BCCI in holding the IPL with all its flavours.

"The organisers can be assured they have the full support of

CSA structures and the South African public to stage a successful tournament. This will strengthen the ties even further between South African and Indian cricket, as well as binding our nations even closer together. We are looking forward to hosting some of the world's best cricketers, and we can assure them they will be provided with the very best facilities to show their skills." Majola stated.

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Pakistan’s participation still doubtful in IPL

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

The second edition of the high-profile Indian Premier League (IPL) has finally been moved out of India, primarily due to security concerns. Since the dates had been reserved for the IPL, taking into account international activity those days, the event will now be staged outside of India.

Therefore it’s just the change of venue for the second IPL. Either it will be now hosted by South Africa that looks more likely presently with England being the alternate.

The shifting of the IPL opened the door for the cricketers from Pakistan, who had earlier been advised by the government not to visit India in the prevailing circumstances. Apparently there should be no problem from the government side if these players seek permission to compete in the IPL in South Africa or England.

But there are another reasons that could prevent or limit the participation of Pakistan’s top performers in the upcoming IPL. A series of One-day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals is to be played between Pakistan and Australia in the Middle around the same period.

The Pakistan-Australia series to be staged in Abu Dhabi and Dubai was confirmed only last month and with the limited amount of international cricket on offer for Pakistan of late there is absolutely no chance whatsoever of the authorities allowing them to skip the national duty.

Another factor that could go against the Pakistan cricketers is the fact that the action in IPL is just about a couple of weeks away and the participating teams might have finalized their squads already.

There is a remote possibility that the Pakistan-Australia series might be postponed in which case the Pakistan cricketers would be available for the IPL. That their franchisees would include them in their line-up at the eleventh hour is another matter.

The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Ijaz Butt, has remarked that the request of the players interested in playing the ICL will be considered once they receive it. He has obviously clarified that the national duty would be paramount.

The Pakistan cricketers had encountered mixed fortunes in the inaugural edition of the IPL last year. Sohail Tanvir was the outstanding bowler, having helped his team Rajhastan Royals in clinching the trophy. His left-arm swing bowling created sensation and he became one of the most valuable players on the circuit.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal also made his presence felt in the limited opportunities that came his way. He used the long handle to very good effect and the experience he gained in the IPL came handy later while playing for Pakistan.

The mercurial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar showed the glimpses of his top form for Kolkata Knight Riders. Umar Gul, Salman Butt and Mohammad Hafeez also played for this team.

The one Pakistan cricketer who could not do justice to his talents in the IPL was the flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Khan Afridi, who just didn’t get going while playing for Deccan Chargers. He did pluck a couple of spectacular catches in the outfield besides capturing odd wickets but he could not set the grounds on fire with his stroke-play.

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India’s first Test victory in New Zealand after 33 years

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

The Indian cricketers played to their potential in the first Test of the ongoing series in New Zealand and finally they were able to accomplish something their predecessors had somehow failed to do.

Yes it has taken India 33 more than years to defeat New Zealand in a Test match on their soil. It’s a generation gap. I was 12 years old, studying in Class VIII at Cadet College Petaro, when India had overpowered New Zealand by eight wickets in the first Test at the Eden Park, Auckland, in January 1976.

Now my eldest daughter, Javeria, having celebrated her 12th birthday just a couple of months ago, is preparing to move to Class VIII, when India has again beaten New Zealand in the first Test at the Seddon Park, Hamilton, in March 2009.

It’s not that India didn’t visit New Zealand often in the 33-year period. There were regular tours after the 1975-76 series but for some reason or the other India could not put their acts together to win a Test match there for over three decades.

Acting skipper Sunil Gavaskar and debutant left-hander Surinder Amarnath were India’s batting heroes in the Auckland Test of the 1975-76 in which their famed spin trio of Eripalli Prasanna, Bhagwat Chadrasekhar and Srinavas Ventakraghawan had bowled superbly to engineer the famous win.

They could not have even imagined that it would remain their only Test win in New Zealand for 33 as many as years. How could have they known that India would be returning empty handed from New Zealand even while having far too stronger outfits.

India toured New Zealand again in 1980-81 and looked set to start the Test series on a winning note when they routed the hosts for 100 in their second innings. With two days play to go all they needed was to get 253 on a pretty nice surface of the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

Having given a very impressive account of themselves in earlier series in Australia, the Indians, captained by Sunil Gavaskar, appeared the firm favourites to win the Wellington Test while chasing the modest target. But they made a heavy weather of it and crashed to a disappointing 190 all out to lose the game by 62 runs instead. With the home umpires refusing to raise their fingers, India could not square the series.

India was humbled again in the first Test on their next tour of New Zealand in 1989-90 under newly installed skipper Mohammad Azharduddin. All their efforts of leveling the series were foiled once again.

India failed to drive home the advantage in the only Test during their tour in 1993-94 while their first Test of the 1998-99 tour was abandoned without a ball being bowled. They were narrowly beaten in the second Test and the third and final game was drawn.

India’s tour to New Zealand in 2002-03 was so horrible from their point of view that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) didn’t risk send their team again in 2006-07 on the eve of another World Cup. The Indians had their moments in both the Test matches but they couldn’t force the result in their favour on either them and for the first India they lost more one Test in a series in New Zealand.

Here is the opportunity to set the record straight. After having won the first Test so comprehensively, India should be aiming to close the series in the very next game. Although the history is not on their Indian side, the present lot has the depth and the character to rewrite it.

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Tendulkar produces yet another classic knock

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

Sachin Tendulkar’s century number 42 in Test cricket on March 20 was yet another masterly knock from the Grand Master. Even though it was scored against an opposition not having big guns the conditions were quite difficult for batting and it was his sheer class that saw him dominate the bowling for the better part of his stay at the crease.

Tendulkar was unconquered on 70 when the stumps were drawn on the second evening, a few overs before the scheduled close of play due to the fading light, in the first Test against New Zealand at the Seddon Park in Hamilton.

Although the number of spectators at the ground was not all that high from the sub-continent standards when the play started on the third morning it’s believed that the majority of the one billion people back home in India are believed to have set an early morning alarm in anticipation of another Tendulkar hundred.

The occasion was worth compromising the sound sleep. The manner in which Tendulkar resumed his innings gave an indication that he was aware of the fact that his every movement was being followed at home.

What a cracking start he had to the day. The backfoot punches were a treat to watch as were the classic cover drives. He penetrated the field without taking risk and the score kept ticking over at a brisk pace.

He had moved from 70 to 99 in no time but there was a pause when he was just a single away from the landmark. In fact he was rather unlucky not to have completed his hundred with the cover drive that fetched him three runs instead of a boundary as Daniel Vettori made a spectacular save.

There were anxious moments with a few maiden overs on a trot. Tendulkar’s problems were compounded by the lack of support from the other end as skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was struggling to rotate the strike.

Since he has been dismissed so many times in the 90s during the past few years, it always is a relief whenever he reaches the magical three-figure mark. He was mighty pleased when he got the single to his 42nd hundred in Test matches.

He needed only 168 balls to reach his century as he had remained positive from the moment he set his feet in the ground a day earlier. He was in complete control of the situation and he was not in any mood to give it away.

His stroke-play continued even after he had brought up his hundred as he kept punishing the loose balls at will. He was equal to the task while defending the good balls, hardly giving the bowlers any chance.

He completed his 150 in the afternoon session but he didn’t last long after that. Iain O’ Brien, looking the most threatening of the New Zealand bowlers, ended the majestic innings by having the master batsman caught in the slips by Ross Taylor for 160.

Tendulkar occupied the crease for exactly 400 minutes on a pitch that always kept the bowlers interested. The overcast conditions encouraged the seam bowlers but he dominated them in a fashion only he could have done.

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Postponement of Bangladesh tour to hurt Pakistan cricket

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

Yes the Pakistan cricket has come to a stage where even the postponement of the tour to Bangladesh is hurting. In normal circumstances it wouldn’t have mattered much but as things stand today it means more agony.

Pakistan have played so little international cricket of late that the upcoming tour of Bangladesh was being regarded as quite an event. It had assumed even greater significance after the home series against Sri Lanka had to be called off in tragic circumstances.

But as it turned out the cricket authorities in Bangladesh have expressed their inability to host the series against Pakistan in immediate future due to the security concerns in their country.

Pakistan were originally scheduled to play two Twenty20 internationals and five ODIs between March 10 and March 22. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had initially desired postponing the event for a few weeks but they finally made the announcement on March 17 ruling out the series indefinitely.

Although officially the tour has been postponed not cancelled and hints have been dropped by the BCB officials for the series to take place but Pakistan have reasons to feel disappointed because they desperately needed the Bangladesh series at this point of time.

Pakistan would not have netted any astronomical profits from the tour of Bangladesh. Neither would have their rankings improved much even if they had whitewashed the hosts. It was more about taking the field.

Pakistan are short of international cricket. They are desirous of play matches to keep the cricketers engaged in competitive games. The people in general in Pakistan are crazy about cricket that has more entertainment value than any other thing.

Obviously people in Pakistan have been saddened by the events that took place in the Sri Lankan series. The attack on the visiting cricketers was the last thing the Pakistanis wanted to see. Unfortunately the Sri Lankan cricketers came under fire and everybody forgot about the game for the time being.

The tour to Bangladesh would have been helpful in reviving the Pakistan cricket. Skipper Younis Khan has not minced words in stating that the indefinite postponement of the tour to Bangladesh will harm his team's growth in general and affect preparations for the ODI series against Australia next month in particular. 

"The decision has deprived us of some valuable cricket once again. It is a great setback especially when we needed practice for the Australia series. We had some newcomers in the team for Bangladesh whom we wanted to try out before that but now that the tour is off we have lost that opportunity and it is demoralising for a captain. Our team is unfortunately very short on cricket and if mishaps like this happen, our performance will decline in important series," Younis Khan was quoted as saying.

"We have suffered a lot from tour cancellations, mainly the India and Australia series, so we badly need cricket. I hope we get some good cricket later in the year," he hoped. 

Pakistan’s next assignment is to take on Australia in five ODIs and one Twenty20 International in Dubai and Abu Dhabi between April 22 and May 7. Then they have to undertake a tour of England to participate in the Twenty20 World Cup during the month of June. 

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Time difference could limit viewership of New Zealand-India Test series

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

The time difference between New Zealand and India is such that the matches starting at the standard local time of 11 am in New Zealand means a 3.30 am start in India. 

The timings of the Twenty20 Internationals suited the Indian viewers and even the One-day Internationals were day-night affairs that allowed the cricket followers in India to watch them after having completed sound sleep overnight.

The situation is different for the Test series and the broadcasters, more than anyone else, are concerned about it. If the broadcasters had a say in these matters, they could have prompted day-night sessions of the Test matches too. 

Test cricket has its traditions and they are being followed even today. May be in future even the Test matches might start late in the afternoon and include a dinner break instead of the conventional lunch interval.

With nearly every major international venue having the facility of floodlights the possibilities of day-night Test matches in future could not be ruled out.

But for the time being there is an issue and the New Zealand board has reportedly declined an Indian broadcaster's request to start the Test in Hamilton at noon instead of the traditional 11 am.

According to the reports the Sony Entertainment Television, with the blessings of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), had approached the New Zealand Cricket with the request to alter the playing hours in order to maximise its viewership in India. 

The New Zealand Cricket had accommodated the request of the same broadcasters earlier this summer during the two-Test series against the West Indies that had started at the unusual time of midday.

But that was the peak of the summer and the days were longer in that part of the world. Now the natural light could fade in the closing session if the Test matches against India also start at midday.

The light has held well until 7 pm over the past couple of days in Hamilton but the weather forecast during the first couple of days indicated a cloud cover that could be one factor the New Zealand cricket authorities were not willing to take a chance.

The Seddon Park in Hamilton and the McLean Park in Napier, where the first and second Tests are to be held, are equipped with floodlights but there is no such facility available at the venue of the third and final Test to be held at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

The timings for the second and third Tests have not been announced yet but it’s going to be quite a tricky decision. If they are unwilling to incorporate changes in the playing hours of the first Test, it’s very unlikely that they would be in a position to do it later with the days becoming shorter.

It’s understandably a very difficult situation. Besides providing financial benefit to the broadcasters, the cricket lovers in the sub-continent will have the chance of watching more action live if the Test matches started an hour later than originally scheduled.

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India hold advantage over New Zealand going into Test series

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

After having come up with below-par performance in the preceding series of Twenty20 Internationals and One-day Internationals, will India continue obliging the New Zealanders in the Tests as well starting from March 18?

The Indians were the overwhelming favorites to dominate all the three versions of the game but their inability or to some extent unwillingness to complete the rout has kept their supporters guessing.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni appeared a bit apologetic to the fans having come from all parts of Auckland to the Eden Park to watch their icons in motion. But what they got in return was a shameful performance from the bunch of cricketers who have loads of talent and who are better than the best.

Looking at the two outfits for the Test series, there is hardly any comparison. While the Indians are on a high having performed exceptionally well, despite the odd below-par showing, of late the hosts have generally struggled.

Let me start with the batting department. Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir are considered to be the best opening pair in all forms of the game. Both of them like to attack but they are adequately skilled to make big hundreds.

The Indian middle-order is second to none in terms of experience and class. In Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Yuvraj Singh they have the depth and character. Add skipper Dhoni to this list and you have a group of seven batsmen all of whom can win the match on their own.

The New Zealanders have just too many newcomers in their folds who must be having the talents but lack in experience. Test cricket is one area where the bits and pieces cricketers are often exposed. It remains to be seen if the hosts do have some potentially fine Test batsmen.

Turning towards the area of bowling, for the first time in many years, India are in a possession of a new-ball attack that has been acclaimed as the best in the business. In Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan they have most potent fast bowlers who have been successful even on the flattest of tracks.

India may not have a world-class first change bowler in the present squad, as the selectors didn’t deem it to proper to pick Sreesanth or R P Singh for this particular tour, but they are well served in the spin department in the presence of Harbhajan Singh and Amit Mishra.

New Zealand can only match the tourists in the spin department because their skipper Daniel Vettori, a champion left-arm spinner, has had success against all teams particularly India.

It will be interesting to find out what kind of pitches would be there for the three-Test series. The New Zealanders may opt for green tops to unsettle India’s formidable batting line-up but they could land themselves land in greater trouble because the visitors are much more resourceful in the pace bowling department than before.

India would be the favorites on all kind of surfaces going into the Test series against this New Zealand side. That the Indians would like to dictate terms for considerable time or will they go about the business as softly as they did in both the T20Is and the fifth and final ODI remains to be seen.

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