Thursday, October 13, 2011
After Dravid, Malinga backs Sachin’s format
Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga on Thursday backed his Mumbai Indians teammate Sachin Tendulkar’s idea of revamping the ODIs by splitting 50 overs into four innings and said it will give bowlers a chance to reverse swing the ball quite often and negate batsmen’s advantage.
“I am bowler and I did not like personally the change of ball in the 34th over as per the existing 50-50 match rule. If they play four innings, they will be changing the ball more times. Also, we have chance for reverse swing only after 15 or 20 overs. But, if they cut down that possibility, all the favour is going to a batsman,” Malinga said.
Tendulkar had written a letter to the ICC to change the format of the ODIs from two innings of 50 overs to four of 25 overs each like a Test match but the world body’s chief executive Haroon Lorgat had rejected the idea.
Malinga, who is in India to represent his IPL team Mumbai Indians in the Champions League Twenty20, said his team is not under any pressure as they take on Chennai Super Kings in their tournament opener on Saturday.
“We always try to perform to our strength during a match and the result come at the end of the day. All the players in the Mumbai Indians team will be performing to their strength and that is it.
“We do not have any pressure. I think we know our abilities and trust our abilities. We have lot of young players but some have not played much of T20 matches. But, we have good senior players in our team. They have always supported young players,” Malinga said.
“Big names does not matter to me as I bowl to my abilities. I have to trust in my ability and I will do that,” the Sri Lankan added.
Malinga also stressed on the importance of taking wickets in a Twenty20 match.
“I think if we are playing three or five bowlers, it is the job of the bowlers to take wickets. Otherwise no point in playing for that side,” he viewed.
“While playing for Mumbai Indians I have always tried to take wickets. It does not matter whether it is in early overs or fag end of the match.
“I get only four overs and I try to take wicket with every delivery. Sometimes, I take wickets early and sometimes in the later part of the match. Most important thing is how you can use your abilities,” Malinga added.
He said he always tries to sharpen his toe crushing yorker during the practice sessions.
“In my practice sessions I try the technique of yorking the batsmen. If you want to do something in a match, it is important to try and master that at the nets,” Malinga said.
“I am bowler and I did not like personally the change of ball in the 34th over as per the existing 50-50 match rule. If they play four innings, they will be changing the ball more times. Also, we have chance for reverse swing only after 15 or 20 overs. But, if they cut down that possibility, all the favour is going to a batsman,” Malinga said.
Tendulkar had written a letter to the ICC to change the format of the ODIs from two innings of 50 overs to four of 25 overs each like a Test match but the world body’s chief executive Haroon Lorgat had rejected the idea.
Malinga, who is in India to represent his IPL team Mumbai Indians in the Champions League Twenty20, said his team is not under any pressure as they take on Chennai Super Kings in their tournament opener on Saturday.
“We always try to perform to our strength during a match and the result come at the end of the day. All the players in the Mumbai Indians team will be performing to their strength and that is it.
“We do not have any pressure. I think we know our abilities and trust our abilities. We have lot of young players but some have not played much of T20 matches. But, we have good senior players in our team. They have always supported young players,” Malinga said.
“Big names does not matter to me as I bowl to my abilities. I have to trust in my ability and I will do that,” the Sri Lankan added.
Malinga also stressed on the importance of taking wickets in a Twenty20 match.
“I think if we are playing three or five bowlers, it is the job of the bowlers to take wickets. Otherwise no point in playing for that side,” he viewed.
“While playing for Mumbai Indians I have always tried to take wickets. It does not matter whether it is in early overs or fag end of the match.
“I get only four overs and I try to take wicket with every delivery. Sometimes, I take wickets early and sometimes in the later part of the match. Most important thing is how you can use your abilities,” Malinga added.
He said he always tries to sharpen his toe crushing yorker during the practice sessions.
“In my practice sessions I try the technique of yorking the batsmen. If you want to do something in a match, it is important to try and master that at the nets,” Malinga said.
Tendulkar suggests changes in ODI format
The ODIs are perceived to be on the decline and it’s none other than Sachin Tendulkar who has now come out publicly in support of revamping the current 50-over format having written a letter to ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat. Tendulkar, the world’s highest run-getter in both Tests and ODIs and someone who is on the threshold of his 100th international century, wants ICC to make “a radical switch” from 50-50 to four 25-over innings.
Apart from reducing the number of overs per innings, Tendulkar has also proposed several more changes for the ODIs. The Indian batting icon had spoken about this new concept in television interviews in the past but had never written a letter to ICC in this regard. “I have been capturing my thoughts on what I think would be the way forward to ensure that all three formats in the game co-exist and ensure value creation,” he wrote in the letter.
He argued that four alternate innings of 25 overs for each side in an international would be the fairest way of balancing the advantages gained by the team that won the toss when pitch and weather conditions mean that a match can virtually be decided by the spin of a coin. Tendulkar’s letter also proposed changes in voluntary Powerplays. In each 25-over block, Tendulkar wants only two Powerplays at the behest of the batting side but suggested that up to four bowlers should be allowed up to 12 overs each, rather than the present limit of 10.
One of the prominent matches featuring India seemed to have been lost after spin of coin was 1996 Wills World Cup semifinal when Lankans batted first on a square turner. The match was awarded to Sri Lanka by the referee after a crowd riot which stopped proceedings after India lost eight wickets. Again, Sri Lanka were unlucky when they were forced to chase a large Australia total in fading light towards the end of the 2007 World Cup final in Barbados.
Tendulkar also cited two games in the most recent World Cup when evening dew helped England to achieve a tie in their classic qualifying game against India in Bangalore but then counted in favour of Ireland during their famous run chase against England at the same venue. A split into two equal innings a side was often proposed for the final of the domestic county competition in the UK – originally the Gillette Cup – in the days when it was invariably an advantage to field first, the report said.
The hover cover, instant outfield drainage and sophisticated drying equipment have ensured that matches at Lord’s almost always start on a dry pitch these days, but that is not the case everywhere. In Australia last winter, the inter-state one-day tournament, the Ryobi Cup, was played over 45-overs-a-side, split into two alternate innings of 20 overs followed by two of 25. The format was generally rated a success by Cricket Australia (CA). There were more close finishes, more runs, more wickets and larger TV audiences. Significantly, the new regulations appeared to overcome the relatively dull and predictable middle-over phases of 50-over games.
Apart from reducing the number of overs per innings, Tendulkar has also proposed several more changes for the ODIs. The Indian batting icon had spoken about this new concept in television interviews in the past but had never written a letter to ICC in this regard. “I have been capturing my thoughts on what I think would be the way forward to ensure that all three formats in the game co-exist and ensure value creation,” he wrote in the letter.
He argued that four alternate innings of 25 overs for each side in an international would be the fairest way of balancing the advantages gained by the team that won the toss when pitch and weather conditions mean that a match can virtually be decided by the spin of a coin. Tendulkar’s letter also proposed changes in voluntary Powerplays. In each 25-over block, Tendulkar wants only two Powerplays at the behest of the batting side but suggested that up to four bowlers should be allowed up to 12 overs each, rather than the present limit of 10.
One of the prominent matches featuring India seemed to have been lost after spin of coin was 1996 Wills World Cup semifinal when Lankans batted first on a square turner. The match was awarded to Sri Lanka by the referee after a crowd riot which stopped proceedings after India lost eight wickets. Again, Sri Lanka were unlucky when they were forced to chase a large Australia total in fading light towards the end of the 2007 World Cup final in Barbados.
Tendulkar also cited two games in the most recent World Cup when evening dew helped England to achieve a tie in their classic qualifying game against India in Bangalore but then counted in favour of Ireland during their famous run chase against England at the same venue. A split into two equal innings a side was often proposed for the final of the domestic county competition in the UK – originally the Gillette Cup – in the days when it was invariably an advantage to field first, the report said.
The hover cover, instant outfield drainage and sophisticated drying equipment have ensured that matches at Lord’s almost always start on a dry pitch these days, but that is not the case everywhere. In Australia last winter, the inter-state one-day tournament, the Ryobi Cup, was played over 45-overs-a-side, split into two alternate innings of 20 overs followed by two of 25. The format was generally rated a success by Cricket Australia (CA). There were more close finishes, more runs, more wickets and larger TV audiences. Significantly, the new regulations appeared to overcome the relatively dull and predictable middle-over phases of 50-over games.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Sachin - the Legend
मास्टर बल्लेबाज सचिन तेंदुलकर [नाबाद 200] ने कैप्टन रूप सिंह स्टेडियम में इतिहास रचते हुए वनडे क्रिकेट में पहली बार दोहरा शतक लगाने का कारनामा कर दिखाया। उनकी इस ऐतिहासिक पारी की बदौलत भारत ने एकतरफा दूसरे वनडे मुकाबले में दक्षिण अफ्रीका को 153 रन से हरा दिया। मेजबान टीम ने इस जीत से सीरीज में 2-0 की अजेय बढ़त बनाने के साथ ही वनडे रैंकिंग में दूसरा पायदान सुरक्षित रखा।
तेंदुलकर ने अपने स्ट्रोकों का शानदार नमूना पेश करते हुए करोड़ों दिलों को रोमांचित करने वाली नाबाद 200 रन की पारी खेली। इसके लिए उन्होंने 147 गेंद का सामना किया तथा 25 चौके और तीन छक्के लगाए। यह तेंदुलकर का न सिर्फ 46वां वनडे शतक है बल्कि वनडे क्रिकेट में सर्वोच्च व्यक्तिगत पारी भी है। उन्होंने पाकिस्तान के सईद अनवर और जिंबाब्वे के चार्ल्स कावेंट्री [दोनों 194] के रिकार्ड को तोड़ा।
तेंदुलकर ने अपने स्ट्रोकों का शानदार नमूना पेश करते हुए करोड़ों दिलों को रोमांचित करने वाली नाबाद 200 रन की पारी खेली। इसके लिए उन्होंने 147 गेंद का सामना किया तथा 25 चौके और तीन छक्के लगाए। यह तेंदुलकर का न सिर्फ 46वां वनडे शतक है बल्कि वनडे क्रिकेट में सर्वोच्च व्यक्तिगत पारी भी है। उन्होंने पाकिस्तान के सईद अनवर और जिंबाब्वे के चार्ल्स कावेंट्री [दोनों 194] के रिकार्ड को तोड़ा।
Sachin Today's Inning
What does one say about something that has never been seen before? That it is special? Yes it is, incredibly so. That it is incredible? It is that too. That it could not have happened to someone who deserved it more? Absolutely.
Two hundred not out in a one-day international, 2961 matches gone by before this. And then, given that Sachin Tendulkar is the first man in history to get to the mark in his 21st year of international cricket, with mind and body intact through astonishing pressure and responsibility, makes the feat all the more laudable. He’s shown and proved time and again that age is absolutely no criteria to judge a player, it’s what someone does on the field of play that matters. The statistics show that this has been Sachin’s best ever international season, in Tests and one-day internationals combined. He’s been on some sort of golden run-getting spree, notching up the hundreds and more importantly, setting up wins and then winning matches for India. It’s been fascinating to watch.
Twenty years of cricket takes a huge toll on the body and Sachin’s had every injury in the book. But he’s come back from each one, stronger, fitter and mentally, as sure of himself as he’s always been. I thought the way he celebrated when he reached his 200 epitomised the man’s persona. There was no running laps around the field, no aggressive gestures, nothing over-the-top. He did what he always does, raised both his arms, closed his eyes for a moment and quietly acknowledged that it had been done.
Of this innings itself, it wasn’t easy. South Africa have a very good all-round attack. They have quality fast bowlers and yet, he just toyed with them. You could almost see him think, ‘where do I play the next ball?’ It was fascinating stuff. He clearly enjoyed himself on the day, is enjoying this team, and it’s all showing.
But watching Sachin play as he’s been doing, taking pleasure in the various roles he has within the set-up, that of competitor, senior professional, mentor, match-winner; watching him mesh them seamlessly, as always with rare grace, is a learning experience. If the youngsters in the team can take even 10 per cent of what he does, they’ll be better cricketers for it. It’s nice to see an Indian on top of the one-day performances, really nice. And at this point, the only thing left for Sachin really is Brian Lara’s mark. But I’m sure that 401* in Tests is not far around the corner. With Sachin, nothing really is impossible. Even now, at 37, his best is yet ahead.
Two hundred not out in a one-day international, 2961 matches gone by before this. And then, given that Sachin Tendulkar is the first man in history to get to the mark in his 21st year of international cricket, with mind and body intact through astonishing pressure and responsibility, makes the feat all the more laudable. He’s shown and proved time and again that age is absolutely no criteria to judge a player, it’s what someone does on the field of play that matters. The statistics show that this has been Sachin’s best ever international season, in Tests and one-day internationals combined. He’s been on some sort of golden run-getting spree, notching up the hundreds and more importantly, setting up wins and then winning matches for India. It’s been fascinating to watch.
Twenty years of cricket takes a huge toll on the body and Sachin’s had every injury in the book. But he’s come back from each one, stronger, fitter and mentally, as sure of himself as he’s always been. I thought the way he celebrated when he reached his 200 epitomised the man’s persona. There was no running laps around the field, no aggressive gestures, nothing over-the-top. He did what he always does, raised both his arms, closed his eyes for a moment and quietly acknowledged that it had been done.
Of this innings itself, it wasn’t easy. South Africa have a very good all-round attack. They have quality fast bowlers and yet, he just toyed with them. You could almost see him think, ‘where do I play the next ball?’ It was fascinating stuff. He clearly enjoyed himself on the day, is enjoying this team, and it’s all showing.
But watching Sachin play as he’s been doing, taking pleasure in the various roles he has within the set-up, that of competitor, senior professional, mentor, match-winner; watching him mesh them seamlessly, as always with rare grace, is a learning experience. If the youngsters in the team can take even 10 per cent of what he does, they’ll be better cricketers for it. It’s nice to see an Indian on top of the one-day performances, really nice. And at this point, the only thing left for Sachin really is Brian Lara’s mark. But I’m sure that 401* in Tests is not far around the corner. With Sachin, nothing really is impossible. Even now, at 37, his best is yet ahead.
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