Ton & Out

The 1st test at Nagpur saw the world no.1 test team go down tamely without a fight to the no.2 team. So, what was it that they did differently here..

India started the match on the backfoot with injuries to some big names like Rahul-the-wall-Dravid, Very-very-special-Laxman, Yuvraj-cant-sing-Singh and also Rohit-no-hit-Sharma. MSD then pciked a weak team thinking I dunno what. So, Badri, VJ after having carried drinks for over a year finally playing together for the national team. WOW!! and... Wriddhiman-the-buddhiman-Saha got to make his debut due to the inauspicious circumstances. Clearly MSD missed a chance to play 5 genuine bowlers. And he needed that as he picked 2 genuine spinners (yes, Bhajji is one). So, just 2 seam bowlers playing a 5 day game is ridiculous these days. What MSD needed was a 3rd seamer or even someone like Abhishek Nayar who can do a bit of both. With Sehwag in the team he could use his bowling as well.

Now with VJ who bowls slow spinners and Badri who is the same (none with quality) and Saha who cant throw past 15 yards none of the replacements were more than 1 dimensional. Add to that Sachin-I'm-getting-Old-Tendulkar seems reluctant to bowl and Gauti cant pick a wicket even in his wildest dream. This was particularly well timed as Saffers won the toss and elected to bat and after the initial hiccup they were on the highway to victory. Credit to Amla and Kallis who negotiated the tough period with care and then never turned back. Together they help SAF put up a mammoth total. AB Devil and Boucher were handy partners.

When it came to India's chance to bat the Saf seam bowlers were spicy hot. Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn were making batsmen hop & dance. Sehwag was the lone batsmen who played confidently in the 1st innings. But, another irresponsible shot after having done all the hard work meant Sehwag walked back where he could have made the opponent sorry. Badri stuck around for a while and then Steyn cut through the line-up. During the second innings batsmen again never seemed settled and wickets continued to fall only Sachin showing what needs to be done. He brought up his 46th ton in the process and then threw it away. The shot he played was just unacceptable let alone the negative line Harris was bowling throughout the match. I'm sure Sachin would not attempt such a stroke when on "0" or on "99" then why should he try once he's reached his ton. Indian bowlers played aggressively with the bat but could not avoid the end result. Proteas going up 1-nil in the 2-match test series.

Battle resumes at Eden gardens, Kolkata for the 2nd test.

B.B.O.T.D - Left arm class

Two south paws, one thousand three hundred and twenty four international wickets among them. Incidentally, both hailing from two small countries as well. Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Ushantha Joseph Chaminda Vaas a.k.a Vaas or Vasi & Daniel Luca Vettori a.k.a Dan the man share their birthday on this very day. Apart from being left arm bowlers and coming from island nations like Sri Lanka and New Zealand, both of them have been highly instrumental in the cricket played by the respective countries.

Vaas, the older of the two, known very well for his control of line and length at which he bowls. Undoubtedly, the best seam bowler Sri Lanka have produced. With 755 international dismissals (and more if he gets to play on ODI’s) to his credit Vaas has genuinely lead the attack from the front. Often in the shadows of team mate Muttiah Muralitharan, Vaas’s credit can be delayed but not denied. Having broken so many records with the ball, Vaas has been a useful batsman lower down the order. He has scored over 3000 runs in tests and 2000+ runs in ODI’s. He also has a test century under his belt. Vaas has taken two hat tricks in ODI’s and also has the best bowling figures in ODI’s that of 8 for 19 which came against minnows Zimbabwe. He has also the rare distinction of claiming wickets of the first three balls of the game. With 400 ODI victims Vaas stands only behind the likes of Akram, Waqar and Murali. Vaas will always be known for his impeccable line and length and undying fighting spirit.

Dan the man Vettori, started at a very early age. Probably the youngest Kiwi to play test cricket. Started of as a left-arm slow orthodox bowler today is ranked as the best spinners in the world. Vettori has gone from strength to strength as a cricketer. His ability with the ball has never been questioned with over 569 international wickets to his name and counting.. But, from the time of Stephen Fleming’s departure Vettori has proved to be an able leader as well. Vettori’s skills with the bat have only improved with time. He has 5 test centuries and almost 4000 runs with a batting avg of 30 to his name. A distinction he can be proud of which includes him in the illustrious company of Sir Richard Hadlee, Chris Cairns and Chris Harris. Recently, we saw him bat at no.6 which most likely he will retain for some time.

Regardless of the numbers, Vaas & Vettori will be remembered as greats to have represented their countries in the international arena. For this and more they are the Bday bums of the day! “HAPPY BDAY!”

B.B.O.T.D- Birds of the same feather

Nov 20th is a special day in Kiwi cricket. Not only their grandfather like figure Chris Harris, was born today but, it is also the birthday of Dion Nash. Regardless, this small nation has produced some giant cricketers like Sir Hadlee, Cairns (both of them), Crowe, Fleming, Astle, … In this list is also the mention of one particular Chris Harris. Harris was pre-dominantly an ODI specialist, as seen by his peers. He was the first New Zealand player to feature in 250 ODI’s, the first to get 200 wickets in ODI’s. He was trash to some, and tricky to others. He was regarded as a good fielder, taking 90 catches and many run-outs, mainly standing from square leg if I’m right! He shares the record of most caught and bowled dismissals with Muralitharan. His performances with the bat are unforgettable. His knocks against Australia and India, where he single handedly won them games. Undoubtedly, he earned respect from the cricket community in New Zealand for his services.



Dion Nash was one such cricketer, whom many imagine might have achieved glory if not for his injury bread career. He bowled at a lively pace, and the very mention of his name reminds me of his performance at Mohali years ago on a seaming track. The Indians were left huffing and puffing and managed a mere 75 odd in a test match, such was the performance by the Kiwis courtesy Dion Nash. It is so, that I love the way Kiwis play their cricket, with a mix of brain and brawn, they have never failed to impress. Today, the same can’t be said about the New Zealand cricket team, filled with talent but lack in execution. The still do garner respect from every opposition, and are a feared side in any form of the game. Chris Harris and Dion Nash are just two Kiwi cricketers, and they share their bday on nov 20th so they are in the honorary birthday bums of the day.