The Cricket Blog Spot

Top Contributors
M

mas cambios

Active Member
The Cricket Blog Spot

Welcome to the first in (more than likely) regular series where we take a look at blogs from members and the wider cricketing world.

Our first blog comes from forum member manee, and his blog, Anglo-Indian POV.

So, India won the first ODI against Pakistan. To be honest, I am pretty thrilled but think that it was more a win against a substandard side then a massive advacement in the 50 over game.

I did not happen to wake up at 3:30am so didn't see any of Pakistan's innings. However, from what I saw of the bowling figures, (courtesy of cricinfo) I noticed that the spinners managed to pull it back after the left arm pace trio went for about a couple dozen too many runs in the first three powerplays. Once again, RP Singh was expensive (5.25 rpo) and did not take a wicket - further backing up my view that he should not play in 50 over matches for the time being. Furthermore, although he was later dismissed for just 4 off 7 balls, Tendulkar proved his priceless worth in the team with the two crucial wickets of Shahid Afridi and skipper, Shoaib Malik.

I woke up at 7:00am and managed to catch the first over of Pakistan's innings before hopping in the shower. Shoaib Akhtar is no doubt a completely different bowler since pre-Asifgate. Shoaib's upper body is (in no uncertain terms) huge! He is now a bulky figure, pounding the ground as he runs in to bowl. Still clocking 150kph, I am now more convinced than ever that Shoaib Akhtar's action is a chuck. Although he may slip through the system due to the hyperextention in his elbow, I am sure that he abuses his 'deformity' to maximise his pace, even at a time when his physical form prevents him from running in as fast as he can.

But enough on that; I am thrilled that India managed to chase Pakistan's total thanks to runs from Gambhir, Dhoni and Yuvraj. Although his 44 off 51 was crucial toward India's victory, I feel that Gambhir is still batting too high in ODIs and that he should trade places so to speak, with Yuvraj at 5. Gambhir was evidently struggling against Shoaib, edging two consective balls in the vacent first slip region (although there was a wide first slip in place). Gambhir is fantastic against spin bowling and this is the main reason that I believe that he would be ideal in the middle overs in 50 over cricket.

Dhoni and Yuvraj, with 63 and 58 respectively, continued to prove themselves as successful products of India's ODI grooming system. Both broke into their team with an extremely agressive style of batting and were coached and matured into attacking batsmen, capable of building parternships and scoring quickly, when necessary.

India won comfortably but several flaws remain and I feel that India must alter their team for the Second ODI in Mohali. I think that RP Singh should be replaced by the energetic, wicket taking Sreesanth. Both often go for 6 runs per over but Sreesanth provides the 145kph pace and the wicket taking option which is necessary to stem the flow of runs on flat subcontinental batting tracks. I also feel that Harbhajan Singh should not play and be replaced by Praveen Kumar. An extra seamer is needed on the seaming wickets in the Punjab C.A. Stadium and that Murali Kartik should stay in the team due to his experience playing in seaming wickets during his stint at Middlesex during the summer. Kumar can provide the extra batting option too which is useful for the more bowling friendly track.

Kartik's strength lies in flight and guile whilst Harbhajan prefers the pitch to do his bidding and so Harbhajan would be more suited to a flat track, like the one in the First ODI where he can contain and be useful, rather than a seaming wicket.

My team for the Second ODI:

1. Sachin Tendulkar
2. Sourav Ganguly
3. Yuvraj Singh
4. Mahendra Dhoni (capt. & wk.)
5. Gautam Gambhir
6. Robin Uthappa
7. Irfan Pathan
8. Praveen Kumar
9. Murali Kartik
10. Zaheer Khan
11. Shanthakumaran Sreesanth
Click to expand...

Other articles can be found here.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top