Home Blog Page 488

Privacy Policy

Charbel Coorey
-
0

Privacy Policy for CricBlog

At CricBlog, accessible from https://cricketblog2.blogspot.com.au, one of the main priorities is the privacy of visitors. This Privacy Policy document contains types of general information that is collected and recorded by CricBlog and how it is used.

If you have additional questions or require more information about this Privacy Policy, do not hesitate to contact me via email at cooreycharbel@gmail.com

Log Files

CricBlog follows a standard procedure of using log files. These files log visitors when they visit websites. All hosting companies do this and a part of hosting services’ analytics. The information collected by log files include internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, Internet Service Provider (ISP), date and time stamp, referring/exit pages, and possibly the number of clicks. These are NOT linked to any information that is personally identifiable. The purpose of the information is for analysing trends, administering the site, seeing what pages are being visited, and gathering general demographic information.

Cookies and Web Beacons

Like any other website, CricBlog uses ‘cookies’. These cookies are used to store information including visitors’ preferences, and the pages on the website that the visitor accessed or visited. The information is used to optimize the users’ experience by customizing our web page content based on visitors’ browser type and/or other information.

Google DoubleClick DART Cookie

Google is one of a third-party vendor on this site. It also uses cookies, known as DART cookies, to serve ads to CricBlog visitors based upon their visit to CricBlog and other sites on the internet. However, visitors may choose to decline the use of DART cookies by visiting the Google ad and content network Privacy Policy at the following URL – https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads

Privacy Policies

You may consult this list to find the Privacy Policy for each of the advertising partners of CricBlog.
Third-party ad servers or ad networks uses technologies like cookies, JavaScript, or Web Beacons that are used in their respective advertisements and links that appear on CricBlog, which are sent directly to users’ browser. They automatically receive your IP address when this occurs. These technologies are used to measure the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns and/or to personalize the advertising content that you see on websites that you visit.
Note that CricBlog has no access to or control over these cookies that are used by third-party advertisers.

Third Pary Privacy Policies

CricBlog’s Privacy Policy does not apply to other advertisers or websites. Thus, you are advised to consult the respective Privacy Policies of these third-party ad servers for more detailed information. It may include their practices and instructions about how to opt-out of certain options.

You can choose to disable cookies through your individual browser options. To know more detailed information about cookie management with specific web browsers, it can be found at the browsers’ respective websites.

Children’s Information

Another priority is adding protection for children while using the internet. CricBlog encourages parents and guardians to observe, participate in, and/or monitor and guide their online activity.
CricBlog does not knowingly collect any Personal Identifiable Information from children under the age of 13. If you think that your child provided this kind of information on this website, I strongly encourage you to contact me immediately and I will do my best to promptly remove such information from my records.

Online Privacy Policy Only

This privacy policy applies only to online activities and is valid for visitors to the website with regards to the information that they shared and/or collect in CricBlog. This policy is not applicable to any information collected offline or via channels other than this website.

Consent

By visiting CricBlog and/or sharing information such as your email address, you hereby consent to this Privacy Policy and agree to its Terms and Conditions.

RANT: Why I hate the idea of four-day Tests “saving” Test cricket

Charbel Coorey
-
0

South Africa and Zimbabwe battled in a four-day Test in Port Elizabeth on Boxing Day (which lasted just two days), which disappoints me greatly – so much that I think it’s a really sad for Test cricket.

What this decision highlights is that the focus of the administrators is wrong. Cricket fans crave entertainment, and good cricket, which are elements that Test cricket still well and truly give, providing the conditions enable it. This is more important than ever before, as we are in the day and age of instant gratification.

This leads me to my main point in my argument against four day Tests.

Test cricket is suffering throughout the world not because it’s a poor concept, but because of the influx of flat pitches throughout the world, created to prolong the match as long as possible to please sponsors, advertisers and broadcasters. To save Test cricket, it’s precisely the “revenue” and “money first” mindset that has to change, not the length of the match. Rather, the focus needs to be that good Test cricket will get more people through the gates, and more viewers on television, which will in-turn result in revenue and a revival of the format. At the moment, administrators are focused on revenue, at the expense of good Test cricket, rather than because of it.

Currently, England and Australia are toiling away in the Boxing Day Test on one of the flattest and slowest Melbourne pitches I’ve ever seen. It’s so flat that I’m tempted to follow the Sydney to Hobart yacht race instead. Traditionally, in one of the great aspects of Test cricket, the bowlers would have something to work with in the pitch on the first morning. Yet, we continue to see flat surfaces across the world that favour batsmen, and reduce the value of Test cricket by the second. How does a four day Test fix this and revive Test cricket, the most beautiful and traditional form of the game?

A closer look at the Boxing Day Test pitch between Australia and England

Simple. It doesn’t. All it does is reduce a poor quality Test in terms of time, which still does the game no favours. We should not have fans thanking the heavens that a Test has ended. The opposite should occur.

Also, four day Test might see quicker scoring because of the shorter time available to teams, which means an even less focus on showing great fight and technique. If the pitch is flat, this couldn’t be more boring as there is no battle between bat and ball. If the pitch has something for the bowlers, batsmen will be even less equipped to deal with the moving ball. The fact that people believe four day Tests are the answer is a disgrace.

Also, what four day Tests will do is deprive us of thrilling fifth day finishes. If four day Tests become the norm, I predict that we will say “if only there was a fifth day” many times. A close Test match offers the excitement and drama that not many other sports can offer, simply because the fact that a match can be close after five days of battle is incredible. Yes, there will be the exciting draws with four day Tests, but the match will feel “unfinished”, considering we’re all used to five day Tests. There are so many examples I can think of, but I’ll list just a few today.

  • 2005 Ashes series – Old Trafford Test – Ponting and the Australian tail try to defy England, even with the chance of winning and achieving the highest ever run chase. Australia ended up with a thrilling draw with one wicket left, and is something we would never have witnessed had it been a four-day Test.
  • Bangladesh v England, 2016 Chittagong Test – Day four ended with Bangladesh needing 33 runs to win with two wickets in hand. After day four ended, all my thoughts were about the fifth day’s play and how I couldn’t wait to see how the Test would end. England eventually won by 22 runs. We would have been deprived of such a brilliant finish had it been four days.
  • Pakistan v Sri Lanka, 2017 Dubai Test – Pakistan were 52/5 chasing 317 on day four, and then Sarfraz Ahmed and Asad Shafiq put on an incredible partnership to leave the Test in the balance heading into the final day – Pakistan needed 119 runs, Sri Lanka 5 wickets. On a pitch taking turn, Rangana Herath was the threat, and Sri Lanka eventually won by 68 runs. 
Any other Tests that come to your mind?
In addition, we will see 98 over days in four-day Tests. With over rates the way they are, how often will we actually reach this figure? It remains to be seen.
——
Thrilling Tests offer drama that no other format can provide. The feeling between the end of the fourth day and start of the fifth day is a feeling that should be taken away from any cricket fan. Rather, the focus should be enabling great Test cricket thanks to conditions that provide an equal battle between bat and ball.
Four-day Tests are not the answer to reviving Test cricket.
——
Thank you for reading this piece! Follow CricBlog on Twitter and Instagram.

4th Ashes Test Preview – No Starc, chance for England?

Charbel Coorey
-
0

It’s that time of year again… it’s the Boxing Day Test.

Yes, the Boxing Day Test is great, but there is a bit of an empty feeling for me. This Ashes series had the potential to be the best since 2009, or even 2005, especially looking at the first three days of the first Test in Brisbane which were so closely fought. Since then, Australia, particularly Steven Smith, have gone on a rampage, blowing England off the park and driving a few of their players towards “the Test career cliff.” It has sadly been a one-sided Ashes series to date.

The big change, which will surely be of relief to England, is Mitchell Starc missing the Test due to a heel injury, which I hope isn’t indeed a stress fracture. With no disrespect to Jackson Bird, this reduce’s Australia’s threat significantly, and represents an opportunity for England’s batsmen, especially Cook and Root, to get in the runs. Australia’s batsmen though (even Steve Smith with a slight hand injury) will likely fill their boots on what is expected to be another flat Melbourne pitch against an attack that lacks bite in conditions outside of England.

For England, a loss in Melbourne would break their record for most consecutive Test losses in Australia. Currently, they have lost eight straight, and the last time they’ve endured a run this bad was way back in 1920-25. Who would have possibly predicted this after England beat Australia 3-0 in England in 2013, and 3-1 in Australia in 2010/11?

However, this may very well be a tour that England look back on and say it was one they needed. Their mindset for a long time has been around “economical” and “dry” bowling, focused on maintaining the run rate, rather than looking to actively take wickets. In what they should have known before this series, they now have surely realised. Medium-paced bowling that doesn’t move off the straight simply doesn’t work in Australia – it’s time for pace in the future.

Key to an Australia win

Effective bowling as a unit.
Australia will miss the firepower of Mitchell Starc in this Test, but still possess an attack that can make England feel even more sorry for themselves. Jackson Bird, like Josh Hazlewood, will nag away on a nice line and length, with extra pace provided by Patrick Cummins. Cummins may need to look to bowl fuller – despite bowling really well this series so far, Cummins’ strike rate of 69 can improve, and without Starc, will he continue to play the role of enforcer?
Nathan Lyon will also have a role to play on a Melbourne pitch that may offer him turn early in the Test. The best off-spinner in the world, Lyon will continue to prey on England’s vulnerabilities with great accuracy and turn.

How will Jackson Bird & Australia go in the absence of Mitchell Starc?



Key to an England win

The bowlers need to step up to support their batsmen.

England, in the last 12 months, have lost by an innings three times after scoring 400+ in the first innings. That’s all the proof you need to say that England’s bowlers are not pulling their weight.

Is Stuart Broad in his final Tests? How much longer does James Anderson have? Do you pick Mason Crane or Tom Curran?

Stuart Broad should be dropped, in my opinion. Five wickets at 61.80 is an awful return in such a big series, and just confirms that he struggles in unfamiliar conditions. This is nothing new. Knowing England, though, they’ll go with Broad, Curran and Anderson, even though it would not be a bad idea to give Crane a go to throw something different at the Aussies, seeing how Moeen Ali is struggling big time. No offence to Mitchell Marsh, but if he’s scoring 181 against your attack, something is very wrong…

It has been a shocking series for Stuart Broad

For England to succeed in this Test, their mentality needs to be transferred from negative to positive, and need a Christmas gift delivered by their big stars…

… Including Alastair Cook and Joe Root. However, it’s a double-edged sword because if they do score runs, they’ll cop criticism for leaving it when the series is over to score big. Doesn’t matter, though – they have an unwanted record to avoid in Australia, and simply need to show pride in the England badge and give their fans something to cheer about.

Predicted teams

Mitchell Starc is out, paving the way for Jackson Bird. I think this is harsh on Chadd Sayers, who deserves a Test opportunity for all his fantastic work in Shield cricket over the last few years. Bird won’t let Australia down, though.
Australia XI: 1 Cameron Bancroft, 2 David Warner, 3 Usman Khawaja, 4 Steve Smith (c), 5 Shaun Marsh, 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 Tim Paine (wk), 8 Patrick Cummins, 9 Josh Hazlewood, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Jackson Bird
It will be interesting to see if England go with the leg spin of Mason Crane or Surrey seamer Tom Curran. I expect England will go with Curran, which means they won’t trouble Australia much in the way of spin, looking at how Moeen Ali is bowling.
England XI: 1 Alastair Cook, 2 Mark Stoneman, 3 James Vince, 4 Joe Root (c), 5 Dawid Malan, 6 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 7 Moeen Ali, 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Stuart Broad, 10 Tom Curran, 11 James Anderson

Stats & Facts:

  • Steve Smith has captained Australia in three Boxing Day Tests. His scores in the first innings of these Tests: 192, 134* and 165*. It’s hard to see how England will dismiss him cheaply.
  • England are on a run of eight straight Test defeats in Australia – their worst run since 1920-25.
  • Steve Smith v Joe Root this series: Steve Smith – 426 runs, avg. 142.00. Joe Root – 176 runs, avg. 29.33
  • Alastair Cook has not passed 40 in his last 10 innings.
  • Australia’s last loss at the MCG came in 2010 where England bowled them out for 98 on the first day.

Prediction

It will be a Christmas miracle.
England will avoid defeat in the Boxing Day Test. Without Starc, Australia’s attack doesn’t look quite as menacing and expect Cook and Root in particular to bounce back. I expect the two to score 225+ runs for the match combined, with a century for the England skipper. Both are class players and should not be written off.
However, on a flat MCG pitch, it’s difficult to see how England will take wickets. Expect Steve Smith to go big as well, and with rain expected on the final three days, I will predict a draw.

——-

Thank you for reading this piece! Follow CricBlog on Twitter and Instagram.

A post you might like:

2nd T20I – India v Sri Lanka: A match full of records

Charbel Coorey
-
0

With the way India v Sri Lanka matches have been going in 2017, you always expected India to win the 2nd T20I. However, it was what happened during the game that left us all stunned. It was a memorable game.

Rohit Sharma continues to make batting look easy, and Sri Lanka, despite scoring 172, lost by a huge margin of 88 runs.

Here are the stats highlights from an incredible night in Indore:

Joint fastest T20I hundred

Only last week, Rohit Sharma became the first player to score three ODI double centuries, in a world where no other player has scored two.
As if he hadn’t hurt Sri Lanka enough, he took them apart with simply beautiful batting that was all about manipulating the field and being ruthless. His 35 ball hundred is equal with David Miller’s effort against Bangladesh in October. 
To put their efforts in perspective, the next fastest hundred is an extra 10 balls – 45 balls by Richard Levi for South Africa against New Zealand in 2012.

Fastest T20I hundred for India

Joint fastest T20I hundred in history, fastest T20I hundred for India. Rohit Sharma continues to break records for India in T20I cricket, going past KL Rahul’s 46 ball hundred achieved last year v West Indies.
Say what you want about Sri Lanka not being the best opposition, but a 35 ball hundred is a stunning effort. If it’s easy, more players would do it. Rohit Sharma is arguably the best limited overs batsman in the world, simply because of how quickly he can take the game away from you, before you even have the chance to settle as a bowling unit.

Biggest loss despite scoring 170+

Sri Lanka’s batting has failed them in recent matches, and the time they put a good score on the board, they still lose by 88 runs.
This is the biggest margin of defeat in the history of T20I cricket when scoring 170+ chasing. They beat their own record, after scoring 178/9 against Australia last year, and losing by 85 runs.

Second highest T20I total, and highest for India

India fell three runs short of the highest T20I total in history – 263/3 by Australia. Sri Lanka have been involved in the three highest totals in T20I history:
  • 263/3 by Australia v Sri Lanka, 2016
  • 260/5 by India v Sri Lanka, 2017
  • 260/6 by Sri Lanka v Kenya, 2007
For India, this total is now their record highest. Their previous best was 244/4, in a losing cause v West Indies in 2016.

Second most wins in a calendar year (all formats)

India in 2017 now sit second in the all-time list of wins in a calendar year across all formats. With 36 wins, India went past Australia’s 35 set in 1999.
Most wins in a calendar year:
  • Australia: 38 (2003)
  • India: 36 (2017)
  • Australia: 35 (1999)

More records for Rohit….

Thought the records were done for Rohit Sharma? Think again!
Here are some more records from his incredible knock:
  • 5th batsman to score two T20I hundreds – Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Brendon McCullum, Colin Munro are the others. Rohit is the first Indian to achieve the feat.
  • Most sixes in a year (across all formats): 64, beating AB De Villiers’ 63 sixes two years ago.
  • No player in T20I history reached a century earlier in the innings than Rohit. He reached the mark in the 12th over. Richard Levi and Mohammad Shehzad were previously quickest to the mark in terms of overs (13.2)
  • 10 sixes – most in an innings by an India batsman.
—-
All in all, this is a series which may not have a lot of context, but there was plenty of entertainment in Indore.
Thank you for reading this piece! Follow CricBlog on Twitter and Instagram.

2nd T20I Preview – India v Sri Lanka: Any point of playing?

Charbel Coorey
-
0

Another game, another thumping India win against Sri Lanka in the 1st T20I.

The T20I series began full of hope for Sri Lanka – an experienced team lining up against an India team without some of the best T20 players on the planet. They still have a chance to win this series, but who on earth thinks that is possible looking at the way they are playing? How do you bounce back after not only a disappointing performance in Cuttack, but such a disappointing 2017?

For India, it’d be nice to see them play a few more of their youngsters, instead of waiting till the 3rd T20I, where the series looks likely to be over by then. Players such as Basil Thampi, Washington Sundar, Deepak Hooda and Jaydev Unadkat would really benefit from playing a game with the pressure of the series still alive. Also, the opportunity to play with the likes of Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni would be a wonderful experience. Something to consider for India.

Yuzvendra Chahal was just too good in the 1st T20I

For Sri Lanka, where to from here? It’s safe to say they picked arguably their best possible team in the first T20I, but failed miserably. Firstly, they looked flat and conceded too many runs with the ball, and then their batting matched that of a park team on a Saturday afternoon. They slumped to their biggest ever T20I loss, and are on a run of six straight losses in the format. Lose tonight and they’ll equal their worst ever run – seven straight losses, which was only last year.

Plenty to work on for Sri Lanka

These are tough times indeed. It’s got to the point where plenty of fans are tired of seeing the one-sided contests – will there be a change in Indore?

Key to an India win

It’s easy to say “no complacency” but that’s exactly what the key is. India would have to play really poorly to lose this game against pretty weak opposition.
If India get in front early in the game, whether it’s a quick start with the bat or early wickets with the ball, surely Sri Lanka don’t have the confidence to throw their own big punches. Following on from their biggest ever T20I win, and great performances by KL Rahul, MS Dhoni, Manish Pandey and Yuzvendra Chahal, India have so many different players, particularly their wrist-spinners, that can take Sri Lanka down.
Key to a Sri Lanka win

Three possibilities:

  • Get on their knees, look to the heavens, and say a prayer or two (or three, or four).
  • India forfeit the game.
  • It starts raining heavily out of nowhere and Sri Lanka win a 5-over game on Duckworth Lewis.
I can’t see Sri Lanka winning if India play well. India have to be really poor and complacent for Sri Lanka to have a chance. Game after game, I think about how SL could win, and each time they disappoint me. Can’t see this game being any different.

Predicted teams

Despite my wish to see India experiment with their squad even further, they will probably stick with a similar combination from the first match. I predict Basil Thampi will get a chance.
India XI: 1 Rohit Sharma (c), 2 KL Rahul, 3 Shreyas Iyer, 4 Dinesh Karthik, 5 Manish Pandey, 6 MS Dhoni (wk), 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Kuldeep Yadav, 9 Basil Thampi, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Yuzvendra Chahal
For Sri Lanka, it’s hard to see them stick with the same team after a disappointing 1st T20I performance. Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka are expected to bowl, so they should pick an extra batsman for more batting cover.
Sri Lanka XI: 1 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 2 Upul Tharanga, 3 Kusal Perera, 4 Angelo Mathews, 5 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 6 Asela Gunaratne, 7 Dasun Shanaka, 8 Thisara Perera (c), 9 Akila Dananjaya, 10 Dushmantha Chameera, 11 Nuwan Pradeep

Stats & Facts:

  • India have won their last five T20Is v Sri Lanka
  • Since winning four T20Is in a row in early 2017 (2 v South Africa and 2 v Australia), Sri Lanka have won just one out of their next eight T20Is, including six straight losses.
  • MS Dhoni at number four in T20Is – 244 runs in 11 innings, average 61 and strike rate 151.55.
  • India have won 35 matches across all formats in 2017, the equal second most in history, and most since 2003. Australia won 35 and 38 in 1999 and 2003 respectively.
  • Sri Lanka have lost 38 matches in 2017, the most in history, going past Zimbabwe’s 32 in 2015.

Prediction:

India’s confidence is sky high at the moment, and Sri Lanka have no answers.
India will win, and I will pick one of their wrist spinners to be man of the match, with strong contributions from Shreyas Iyer and MS Dhoni in particular.

BBL: Adelaide Strikers v Sydney Thunder – Match Preview

Charbel Coorey
-
0

Which way will this game go?

Despite my thoughts that both teams will likely finish outside of the top four this season, both the Strikers and Thunder possess exciting talent to keep an eye on. It is almost impossible to choose a winner, and that is the recipe for an exciting clash.

Adelaide Strikers look significantly weaker than last season, especially in the batting department, and will probably have to rely on certain players like the Sydney Thunder on the opening night. Losing the likes of Ben Dunk and Brad Hodge has left a huge hole, and they will be relying on inexperienced players to deliver a successful season. Much will depend on skipper Travis Head and international player Colin Ingram to deliver.

Adelaide’s batting must hold up to give their bowling a chance, which looks promising on paper. 19-year old Afghanistan leg spin sensation Rashid Khan has all the ability to lead Adelaide to a win tonight, and is a certain contender for top wicket taker in this year’s BBL. In a difficult year in terms of recruitment for Adelaide, Rashid Khan is a brilliant pick up. Billy Stanlake, Peter Siddle, and Ben Laughlin are three key fast bowlers that round off a pretty good Adelaide attack.

Rashid Khan will be a key player for Adelaide Strikers

Sydney Thunder, last year’s bottom placed team, have the chance to start the season with two wins. Their performance in the first game vs Sydney Sixers was filled with good and bad, and if they are to make any mark in this competition, they need to show a lot more consistency across the 40 overs. Also, it’d be good not to rely on Shane Watson so much.

Personally, I’m hoping that Callum Ferguson is fit enough to return to move Ryan Gibson out of the side. Without being too harsh on Gibson, his innings of 8 off 17 balls sucked momentum out of the Thunder’s run chase and nearly cost them the game. Again, to make a mark in the competition, you need a well-rounded side, and let go of any potential liabilities. I’m also excited to see the impact Jos Buttler can have in his second match after making a duck in the first, as well as seeing how Sydney Thunder’s attack, especially Fawad Ahmed and Mitchell McClenaghan, back up after a solid effort vs the Sixers.

Fawad Ahmed was super impressive in the first game

The fact that Sydney Thunder have had a game under their belt could be an advantage.

Key to an Adelaide Strikers win


Restricting Sydney Thunder to a low score.

Adelaide’s bowling is their strength on paper, led by Rashid Khan. He will be sure to tie up an end in addition to his ability to pick up wickets, and form excellent bowling partnerships with the fast bowlers.

Sydney Thunder’s batting looked shaky at times vs Sixers – Kurtis Patterson struggled to score quickly enough, Jos Buttler was out for a duck, and Ryan Gibson played an innings to forget. If the Strikers remove Watson early, they’ll really fancy their chances.

Adelaide have the bowlers, and Thunder have the shaky batting line up, to see wickets fall consistently.

Key to a Sydney Thunder win

If Shane Watson gets out early, who will step up?
Sydney Thunder’s batting holds the key in this game – how will they deal with Adelaide’s attack? Runs on the board is the Thunder’s best chance of winning, looking at Adelaide’s vulnerable and inexperienced batting line up. Aiden Blizzard needs to move up the order, which is representative of the aggressive mindset the Thunder need to have.
Fawad Ahmed vs. Rashid Khan – will the Thunder’s batsmen support Fawad Ahmed who was so impressive in the opening game, by nullifying Rashid Khan’s threat?
Like above, Sydney Thunder have the bowlers, and Adelaide the shaky batting, to see wickets fall consistently.
Stats & Facts:


  • In the last two games between these sides, the away side has won. In the previous meeting, Adelaide thrashed Sydney Thunder by 77 runs in Sydney.
  • Shane Watson and Ryan Gibson put on a partnership of 41 in 30 balls against Sydney Sixers. Shane Watson faced just 13 balls out of the 30, and scored 33 runs.



  • Sydney Thunder have won two of the last three matches against Adelaide Strikers.
  • Ben Dunk was the leading run scorer in the last Big Bash (364 runs). How will Adelaide go without him?
  • Shane Watson has top scored for the Thunder in 3 of their last 4 games.
  • In 78 T20 matches around the world, Rashid Khan has taken 112 wickets at an average of 15.66 and economy rate of 5.84.

Prediction

Two pretty evenly matched sides makes predicting the result very difficult. Unlike the Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Renegades game last night, you know this one will be close. Sydney Thunder’s reliance on Shane Watson is a little worrying, as too is Adelaide’s thin looking batting line up. 
However, despite my heart picking the Thunder to win, my head suggests that they may struggle to deal with Adelaide’s attack. The Strikers to win a tight match.
—–
Thank you for reading this piece! Follow CricBlog on Twitter and Instagram.

Other posts you may like:

       

1st T20I stats highlights – India thump Sri Lanka yet again

Charbel Coorey
-
0

“India have thumped Sri Lanka yet again.”

That’s been a familiar tale in 2017.

Since Sri Lanka’s shock thrashing of India in the first ODI just a week-and-a-half ago, India have delivered three hammer-blows (two in the ODIs and one in the T20Is) to leave Sri Lanka’s confidence at rock-bottom.

The big difference this time is that India were without a few of its biggest stars, not just Virat Kohli. Sri Lanka were presented with an opportunity in the 1st T20I to win against an inexperienced India team, but they seemed weighed down by expectation, and this just sums up their very disappointing 2017.

Here is a statistical analysis of the 1st T20I in Cuttack:

Biggest ever win in T20Is

No Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar? No problem. India still managed to achieve their biggest ever win in T20Is.

The margin of 93 runs eclipsed India’s previous biggest margin – 90 runs, which was over England at the World T20 in 2012.

Interestingly, India’s record in T20Is in 2017 before this game was six wins and four losses, which suggested that they have been most vulnerable in this format. With this win, they move to seven wins for the year, and two of these wins sit in their three biggest wins ever (India beat England by 75 runs in Bangalore in February).

Biggest loss ever in T20Is

Joy for India, more despair for Sri Lanka. 
While India achieved their biggest win in the format, Sri Lanka endured their biggest loss. The previous worst, which was an 86 run-defeat v Australia in 2016, lasted only a year-and-a-half.
Where to now for Sri Lanka? Do they make changes for the 2nd T20I or do they keep persisting with players who have contributed to an awful 2017?
Plenty to think about.
Six straight defeats for Sri Lanka


Sri Lanka began the year in brilliant fashion, winning series in both South Africa and Australia.
Since beating Australia to go 2-0 up in that series on the 19th of February, which was their fourth win in a row at the time, Sri Lanka have won just one from their last eight T20Is, including losing their last six. They are now only one loss away from equalling their worst ever run in T20Is, which was set only last year (7 matches).

Leading wicket taker in T20Is in 2017

Yuzvendra Chahal’s 4/23 not only propelled him to the Man-of-the-Match award, but also the most wickets in 2017. He has taken 19 wickets in just 10 games. 
In the process, he went past Rashid Khan (17 wickets in 10 games for Afghanistan) and Kesrick Williams (17 wickets in 9 games for West Indies). All signs point to even more wickets for Yuzvendra in the 2nd and 3rd T20Is against a struggling Sri Lanka outfit.
—-
Thank you for reading this piece! Follow CricBlog on Twitter and Instagram.

1st T20I – India v Sri Lanka: How will inexperienced India go?

Charbel Coorey
-
0

Looking forward to the end of this series? Just want the South Africa v India showdown to start? Think this is pointless?

You may be right… But, when you consider India have not lost a bilateral series in any format in 2017 (excluding one-off T20I loss to West Indies), it will be interesting to see how India’s youngsters go about ensuring this record stays alive.

India will be without Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, three players who have formed part of the core of the Indian limited overs line up. In a way, that actually might increase interest in this series (it certainly has for me) because Sri Lanka would have barely stood a chance against a full-strength India line up. In India’s squad, Basil Thampi, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar and Mohammad Siraj have played a total of two internationals between them. Shreyas Iyer made his debut only last month, and despite Jaydev Unadkat making his debut in December 2010, he’s played just nine games across formats.

This surely represents an opportunity for Sri Lanka to end a disappointing 2017 on a high. In contrast to India, Sri Lanka will get their experienced players back after missing the series against Pakistan recently, and will look to make things right after a missed opportunity after going 1-0 up in the ODI series.

Will they revel in the chance to win a series in India, or will they be weighed down by the possibility of losing to an inexperienced India team?

Key to an India win

Contributions from the likes of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and MS Dhoni is very important, but solid performances from India’s inexperienced players will go a long way to victory.
Why I say this is that good performances from the lesser-experienced players will increase morale and confidence in the playing group, and when any team has these qualities, it is always a difficult task to beat them. Shreyas Iyer in particular looked good in the last two ODIs, and will want to keep the momentum going in Cuttack.
You get the feeling that Sri Lanka’s focus will be on dislodging India’s big players, so if the others can make good contributions, it will set them up nicely.

Key to a Sri Lanka win

Like the ODI series, Sri Lanka’s bowling gives them the best shot at victory.
Against this Indian line up, Sri Lanka’s bowlers must believe that they can set up victory for the team. Sri Lanka’s attack will be the same as the ODIs, except for the rested Suranga Lakmal, and must execute a lot better than they did in the final two ODIs, where India’s batsmen were very much on top.
Can a mixture of sheer pace and spin do the trick for Sri Lanka?

Predicted teams:

India XI: 1 Rohit Sharma (c), 2 KL Rahul, 3 Shreyas Iyer, 4 Dinesh Karthik, 5 Manish Pandey, 6 MS Dhoni (wk), 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Kuldeep Yadav, 9 Mohammed Siraj, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Jasprit Bumrah
Sri Lanka XI: 1 Danushka Gunathilaka, 2 Upul Tharanga, 3 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 4 Angelo Mathews, 5 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 6 Asela Gunaratne, 7 Thisara Perera (c), 8 Sachith Pathirana, 9 Akila Dananjaya, 10 Dushmantha Chameera, 11 Nuwan Pradeep
Stats & Facts:


  • India have a 6-4 record in T20Is in 2017. In recent series, both Australia and New Zealand managed to win games.
  • Sri Lanka have lost their last five T20Is
  • In 24 T20Is, Hardik Pandya averages only 10.76 with the bat, and has an economy of 8.19 with the ball. This has to be the time he steps up, and I have a feeling he’ll have a good series.
  • Sri Lanka captain Thisara Perera has the third worst economy rate in T20Is for bowlers who have bowled at least 20 innings. His economy rate of 8.95 is behind only Andre Russell (9.24) and Elton Chigumbura (9.28).
  • India have won their four T20Is against Sri Lanka.

Prediction

This would have been really easy if India had their full strength team on the park. However, with India missing a few stars, this certainly brings the two teams pretty close.
I was very impressed with Shreyas Iyer in the ODIs, and will back him to have a really good game in the 1st T20I. I also think India’s bowling still has that excellent variety that will trouble Sri Lanka, a team low on confidence and prone to mistakes.
India to win, with Shreyas Iyer winning the Man of the Match award.

6 big predictions for BBL edition 7

Charbel Coorey
-
0
[Updated after first game of BBL]

One of the best T20 leagues in the world, and arguably the best sporting competition in Australia, is here.

Edition seven of the Big Bash is off and running, and already promises to be another exciting season. A nice change from the ongoing one-sided Ashes series, can the Perth Scorchers go back-to-back and pick up their fourth title? Who will be the surprise package – what can the Melbourne Renegades achieve this season? Can Sydney Thunder make a big improvement after finishing bottom last season?

In T20 cricket, anything can happen and the unpredictability of the BBL is what makes it so exciting. Making predictions about a competition like this is a challenge, but thought I’d give it a go.

Here are my six big predictions for BBL07:

Leading wicket taker – Rashid Khan (Adelaide Strikers)

Fans may not have heard of Rashid Khan, but they will know all about him once BBL07 is over. Afghanistan’s 19 year old leg spinning sensation, Rashid Khan has played in T20 leagues around the world including the Indian Premier League, Caribbean Premier League, and Bangladesh Premier League.
In 78 T20s, he has taken 112 wickets at an average of 15.66 and economy rate of 5.84. His control is absolutely superb, rarely ever bowling a bad ball as he just builds the pressure on the batsmen. Rashid Khan is a fantastic pick up by the Adelaide Strikers, and can give their thin squad a real boost.

Rashid Khan has been super impressive in T20 leagues around the world

Leading run scorer – Kevin Pietersen (Melbourne Stars)

This a really tough one, with the likes of Brendon McCullum, Ben Dunk, Aaron Finch, Jason Roy, Glenn Maxwell, Jos Buttler, Moises Henriques and Michael Klinger all in the running for a big season.

Chris Lynn is one of the likeliest candidates and I was thinking really hard about what he can do this season. But, he is coming back from a serious shoulder injury which gives me doubt about his impact. He is a superstar though, and has won countless matches for the Brisbane Heat, including an incredible win from the dead against Sydney Thunder last season. He is one of the cleanest hitters of the ball going around and is very hard to stop when he gets going.

I will go with the man who is still good enough to be playing for England – KP. Even though he has played only two T20s since February, Kevin Pietersen has the ability to help the Stars go all the way this season. One of the Stars’ key batsmen, even more so when Glenn Maxwell goes on international duty for Australia, KP can either set up an innings or explode towards the end. It’s a big call to say a 37 year old will be the top run-scorer, but KP is a one-of-a-kind player.

One positive is that we will no longer have KP in commentary for the Ashes, even though we’ll probably see him in commentary throughout the Big Bash (damn).

Kevin Pietersen is still a class player.

Surprise team

Melbourne Renegades.

In previous seasons, Melbourne Renegades have been one of those mid-table teams that don’t go too far. However, they have a team that can trouble teams in BBL07.

The Renegades team consists of plenty of experience, and will be competitive in most, if not all, of their games. Aaron Finch is a proven limited overs international player, and with the likes of Brad Hodge, Brad Hogg and Cameron White, the Renegades possess plenty of cricket know-how. Tim Ludeman is also a prized scalp from Adelaide, and with international players Dwayne Bravo, Mohammad Nabi, and Kieron Pollard, Melbourne Renegades possess a pretty well-rounded squad and will surprise quite a few people.

How far they can go will also depend on how their bowling goes, which has been a real weak spot in recent seasons.

Melbourne Renegades have a decent squad this season

Bottom team

Adelaide Strikers.
Despite picking Rashid Khan as the leading wicket taker, it’s hard to see Adelaide making any significant impact this season. They’ve lost their top players – Ben Dunk, Brad Hodge and Kane Richardson, and
their batting line up is really thin on experience. They have been touted as a team who are in the “progression” phase.
The Sydney Thunder and Hobart Hurricanes, said to be contenders for the wooden spoon, have a little more in terms of experience, and I expect those two teams (as well as every other team) to finish above Adelaide.

Winners

Perth Scorchers.
There are a few teams that can give the competition a real shake. However, it is really hard to go past Perth, despite missing players to international duty.
In the six BBL editions to date, Perth have reached the final five times, and have won the title three times. They know what it takes to go all the way, have a formidable home record, and will welcome back the Marsh boys and Cameron Bancroft after the Test series is over. Perth’s bowling attack is well-rounded and familiar to us all, and once again will ask plenty of questions to all opponents. 
Will Perth lose a game at home this season? It will certainly be a tough ask for any travelling team.
Perth Scorchers are well equipped to go back-to-back

Big Bash will have a disappointing end

With all the excitement (and rightly so) heading into the Big Bash, it worries me that this competition is ending in February.
The BBL will feature 43 games in 47 days, which is fine because there is so much demand for it. However, the concern is that the competition’s high point – the finals – will be played on school nights. Will interest remain high?
I say this because in 2014, the last time the competition ended in February, Melbourne Stars hosted Hobart Hurricanes in a semi-final at the MCG. Just over 12,000 people showed up, which was even more terrible considering Melbourne Stars were previously undefeated in that season. A day later, Perth hosted Sydney Sixers in the second semi final, and again just over 12,000 people went through the gates.
A crowd unworthy of a semi final – Melbourne Stars v Hobart 2014
I know that the BBL has gone in leaps and bounds since then, but there is always a risk of a meek finish when the competition is longer, and ends when less families will go to the matches due to other commitments. It remains to be seen if the competition will end with a bang, unlike the 2013/14 edition.
In the meantime, it promises to be another awesome summer of Big Bash action.
—- 
Thank you for reading this piece! Follow CricBlog on Twitter and Instagram.

3rd ODI Preview: India v Sri Lanka – India look to keep run going

Charbel Coorey
-
0

I think most cricket fans expected India to bounce back in the 2nd ODI after an awful performance in Dharmasala. However, the manner in which they went about it was stunning, and would have exceeded just about everyone’s expectations.

Thanks to Rohit Sharma, the stand in India captain, India have an opportunity to stretch their winning streak in ODI series to eight. Staring an embarrassing ODI series defeat to Sri Lanka in the face before he walked out to bat in Mohali, Rohit Sharma ensured India didn’t have a start like they did in Dharmasala, and then exploding in the latter part of the innings. The ability to change gears in an instant is a sign of a fine player, and this is exemplified in his numbers. Before Rohit reaches a century, his strike rate is 92. After he reaches his century, this strike rate explodes to 204. He will be hoping for another influential innings in the 3rd ODI to help wrap the series for India.

India would have also been pleased to have had contributions from Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer, with the latter just in his second game. Iyer also displayed a nice change in gears towards the latter part of the innings, after rotating the strike really well in the early part of his innings to ensure the scoring rate always remained healthy.

Shreyas Iyer played really well for his 88 in the 2nd ODI.

India’s bowlers have faced two extremes this series. First, they had to try defend 112, and then they were presented with a total of 392 to defend in the 2nd ODI. They threatened to make a game of things in the 1st ODI, and then cruised through in the 2nd ODI, giving Sri Lanka no chance of chasing the mammoth total, despite Angelo Mathews’ unbeaten 111.

For Sri Lanka, this is a massive opportunity for them. Their ODI record in 2017 has been well documented, but an ODI series win in India will really be a nice finish to a rotten year, and will offer fresh hope for them heading into their assignment in Bangladesh in early 2018. They have not won a bilateral ODI series against India since 1997 – can they somehow fight back from the 2nd ODI thrashing?

Angelo Mathews tried hard but needs more support from his team.

Key to an India win

As the 2nd ODI showed, when India’s batsmen fire, they have too much firepower for Sri Lanka to handle.

India were merciless in the face of a series defeat in Mohali and need to display the same ruthlessness in Visakhapatnam. India will need strong contributions once again from their top order players.

In the decider against New Zealand recently, it was Virat Kohli who stepped up with a century. In the 2nd ODI with the series on the line, it was Rohit who stepped up, with good support from Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer. Who will step up this time?

Key to a Sri Lanka win


Sri Lanka can’t be discouraged after what happened in the 2nd ODI. Rather, they need to remind themselves of what they did in the 1st ODI.

Again, Sri Lanka’s bowling presents their best chance to pick up an upset series win. They’ll need a performance like Suranga Lakmal in the first ODI, as well as ensure they are far less predictable in the slog overs.

The way they went about their bowling and field placements suggested they weren’t thinking clear under the wave of Indian pressure. Sri Lanka need to go into this game with no fear, and believe that India’s somewhat untested middle order can be exposed.

Predicted teams

Expect to see India make no changes to the winning formula from the 2nd ODI. 
India XI: 1 Rohit Sharma (c), 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 Shreyas Iyer, 4 Dinesh Karthik, 5 Manish Pandey, 6 MS Dhoni (wk), 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Washington Sundar, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Yuzvendra Chahal
For Sri Lanka, does Lahiru Thirimanne get another chance despite his awful form? Angelo Mathews was said to have a fitness issue but he has been declared ready to go.
Sri Lanka XI: 1 Danushka Gunathilaka, 2 Upul Tharanga, 3 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 4 Angelo Mathews, 5 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 6 Asela Gunaratne, 7 Thisara Perera (c), 8 Sachith Pathirana, 9 Suranga Lakmal, 10 Akila Dananjaya, 11 Nuwan Pradeep

Stats & Facts:

  • India have won their last seven ODI series, and haven’t lost a series in any format at home in 2017.
  • India have won six ODI bilateral series deciders in a row.
  • Sri Lanka have not won a bilateral ODI series v India since 1997.
  • MS Dhoni needs 102 runs to become to become the fourth Indian – and 12th overall – to reach 10,000 ODI runs.
  • Out of Sri Lanka’s five ODI wins (out of 27 games), two have been against India.
  • Sri Lanka’s last bilateral ODI series came against Ireland in June 2016. Against a Test playing nation (at the time), this extends back to November 2015 against West Indies.
  • In Visakhapatnam, only once (in six ODIs) has a team crossed 300. This was back in 2005, where India scored 356/9 v Pakistan. India have won five out of six ODIs there.
Prediction:


Visakhapatnam has historically enabled a good battle between bat and ball.
In this game, there might be some turn on offer with the pitch said to be dry. India’s bowlers are better equipped to deal with the dry conditions, as the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah can also look to get some reverse swing.
India are experienced enough to see Sri Lanka off, and maintain their strong run of results in limited overs cricket in 2017. India to take the series 2-1, with India’s top order having another good outing. I predict Shikhar Dhawan will be man of the match.
—–
Another post you might like: 


Thank you for reading this piece! Follow CricBlog on Twitter and Instagram.

1...487488489...497Page 488 of 497