It was touted as the most important match of the Twenty20 World Cup, albeit a warmup match that was not part of the World Cup. Because of the seedings problem we talked about, the only way Pakistan and India can play against each other in this year’s edition of the World Cup is if both of them reach the finals. Possible, but perhaps unlikely.

In the end, it didn’t even turn out to be close. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat, but were soon reeling at 63/5. Thankfully they had kept their run rate up while all the wickets were tumbling, and Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq and Yasir Arafat took them to a respectable 158/6. Under the circumstances, it was very commendable and India perhaps missed a trick by failing to keep the pressure on.

But that was all soon forgotten when the Indian openers slowly, but surely made their march towards the target. A 10-wicket thrashing was in the works when Rohit Sharma fell to a top edge with 19 required. Dhoni once again came in at No. 3 and finished the match off with a couple of quick blows. Pakistan will be pretty disappointed with this outing.

A few quick comments:

1. Pakistan’s batting was better than that in their previous outing when they were all out for 127 against South Africa. They were 65/5 then too, but today they managed to score a few more. Since Sri Lanka only scored 109 against South Africa today, Pakistan’s grade is somewhere like “B-” instead of an “F”. But they have to step up. Thankfully with England and Netherlands in their group, they have time to recover.
2. Bowling is a different issue altogether. Conceding 186 yesterday and 159 in 17 overs is a failing grade. And Pakistan was supposed to have the better bowlers.
3. India too has some bowling problems, especially in the death overs. That is why they lost the New Zealand match. And today, they gave the Pakistani bowlers something to defend. They need to keep the pressure on.
4. Is Dhoni going to be the official No. 3? If so, great. If not and he has been using these warm-up matches for experiments the results of which he is not going to use, then India are going to risk facing some unpleasant surprises.
In summary, good comeback for India after the fiasco against the Kiwis. Some more thinking for the Pakistanis before their first match against England on Sunday.

There are 2 points that I want to make in this article .

London and Las Vegas seldom match . In Cricket , as in any other sport , gameplan and tactics are inherent but there should be a master plan to any tactics. Otherwise it is not risk-taking, but gambling.

Its a fashion in Indian cricket following, we have to have somebody to criticise and hang to the sword. In ODIs till this day it were Sachin Tendulkar, Sehwag and Dravid, Ganguly in past. Kumble, Fab Four in Tests adding Kumble. So in T20s it has to be the captain.
During the IPL and today in the warmup match against New Zealand, we saw M S Dhoni promote himself up the order to No. 3. His record has been inconsistent. Sometimes it has worked and at other times, like today, it hasn’t. This has happened quite a few times that I get a feeling that Dhoni is being too clever instead of thinking strategically and long-term. A loss in inconsequential warm up game to T20 world cup ended the honeymoon for MS. A man who before IPL could do nothing wrong, now stands in a witness box to answer the critics why he promoted himself to # 3. Man to man basis, he is a better batsman than the regular # 3 in T20s -- Raina boy. So what if he had been failure yesterday? All this talk wouldnt have arose if he had scored runs and hadnt got out to the awkward stumping to Vettori boy and McCullum uncle.

Basically, the problem with Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s tactics on a given day is not whether it succeeds or fails on that given day. Every tactic is a risk. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes, winning can be “in spite of” something rather than “because of” something.
Here are the questions that we should ask about Dhoni’s promoting himself to #3:

1. What was Dhoni’s intention for promoting himself? He came in at 42/1 after 5 overs with India chasing 170. India was not in any particular difficulty as they were up with the required run rate. Did Dhoni come as a pinch-hitter or did he come to shepherd the team to victory?
2. If he did come to play an anchor role, why could that role not be performed by Raina, Jadeja, or Yuvraj? Shouldn’t Dhoni’s role as captain be to empower his teammates instead of trying to spoon-feed them and corner all the glory?
3. The way Dhoni played (6 off 4, a boundary off the second ball) meant that he came in to attack the bowling (although that may seem redundant in Twenty20). If so, why do so with India well-placed? Secondly, why not send someone expendable like Harbhajan Singh who can hit a few?
4. Is Dhoni always going to come in at #3? Or is he going to keep everyone guessing when he is going to come in?

I am not against Dhoni batting at any position permanently. I am not even against him for changing the batting order as needed. What I am against is changing it in an ad-hoc fashion with no rhyme or reason.

This is what the random shuffling does to the Indian team. It sends a message to the team members that they cannot adjust to the different conditions on the field as needed. It lowers their confidence and destroys their sense of responsibility because why should they worry about leading the team to victory if Captain Dhoni can step in? When the match situation is ambiguous, the batsmen may be confused what to do. The next time India is 40/1, should they slog or milk the bowling? If Dhoni doesn’t promote himself then and the team loses, would that be a mistake?

The real time for tinkering with convention is when the status quo is risky. Remember the World Cup T20 semifinal match against Australia two years ago. Dhoni decided to bowl out his more experienced bowlers and let Joginder Sharma bowl the last over. Hayden was blazing away and had to be stopped. To stick to the bowling order would have been crazy and Dhoni rightly shuffled his bowlers to perfection. In contrast, what he is doing now with the batting order is silly and superfluous.
Lets look up to the match with Pakistan tomorrow and see how these points are taken care

Geo Super made spoof on ICC Twenty 20 Cricket world Cup. Life line 20 20 Amitabh Bachan

The other day I happened to meet some of the top observers of cricket at a informal drink and dine evening . Among other topics , the T20 world cup was also discussed . The observers who were present on the occasion to express their views included a former batsman Tejoe , cricket observer and a key think tank to the Indian cricket strategies Venkatesh Kumar and S Saini from COTN .

The ICC World Twenty20 kicks off in 6 days with amazingly lop-sided looking groups. Considering this mega event and the different it has made to the world cricket order and to the careers of some of the cricketers like Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh. The top probables which was unanimously reached to were 4 teams India , Pakistan , South Africa and Black Caps New Zealand.


First up Venkatesh said that the two teams he could put his money were New Zealand and Pakistan . He discounted India echoing his opinion as par with Vengsarkar. He said that India and South Africa have played too much of Cricket last 6 months and are fatigued.
He said

I think Pak are one of the favorites definitely.. not only do they have a very good 20-20 record (better win-loss ration than all international teams) but they also boast of the 2 top wicket takers in all T20 internationals - Gul and Afridi.Plus they are also the runners up.

His arguments against S Africa were that very pinpointed . He said " Have they ever won a World Cup? Knowing their luck, rain, a silly run out, or a blazing West Indian bat will keep them away from the title. In the recent past Johan Botha has captained South Africa in T20s. Smith is going to have a hard time taking over.

The final punch that he gave was "South Africa usually start every championship as one of the favorites, and we all know where they end up.I don't see why this time will be any different."

We he had a point well made that 12 of South Africa's world t20 squad members appearing in 7 different IPL teams, its going to be one hell of a confusion-galore dressing room with tons of strategies that neither Arthur nor Smith will know how to comprehend.

Ace batsman Tejoe on the other hand said that it has always been in the T20 form that the underdogs have taken the limelight and eventually win the crown . Eventually it will boil down to which of the unpredictable performers make their day and change the course of the game .

He says

I honestly believe any of the top8 can win, except for England who I just can't see winning 2 games in a row . India and SA are probably strongest on paper but it is being played in English conditions so I'd hesitate in backing India, Zaheer Khan will be key . I'd put my early money on SA but then again I'd never bet on 2020 as it's a bit of a lottery sometimes . My money is on the Black Caps NZ ... looks like a bunch of great guys who are very talented and unpredictable ... should be the series that makes Ross Taylor and Ryder into superstars in my opinion

.

Tejoe was harsh in his evaluation of Australia . He said that it will be interesting to see the Australian squad when it comes out. There has been no assemblance of a settled T20 squad for Australia since it's inception. Seems anyone who can hold a bat or roll the arm over has had a game in the last few years.

Another top Ranji star from North Zone S Saini had the final wrap up comments on India's chances

He said

I think its a good squad, the only change I might have made would've been to have Abhishek Nayar in the side instead of Jadeja, as the squad already has plenty of spin options, another medium-pace all-rounder would have been handy (especially in English conditions).

Who ever wins , seems like another fest for the Cricket fans across the globe . COTN will be closely following the tournament and will bring all the views and analysis.

To comment on the views expressed by the expert panel, send your feedback to cricketonthenet@gmail.com

Kevin Pietersen is on a serious mission after making his most shocking admission to date: "I'm not very good at Twenty20 cricket, am I?"

On the eve of the World Twenty20 in England, Pietersen made the searingly honest appraisal of his short form career so far, but has vowed to make amends next month.



Despite being one of the world's finest batsmen in Test and one-day cricket, Pietersen's Twenty20 career lags too far behind for his liking and he is determined to do something about it.

In fact, Twenty20 cricket hasn't been particularly kind to him at all on the field and for a player of Pietersen's talents and mindset, serial failure simply won't do.

He has made just one Twenty20 50 for England, averaging just 26, and even though he became the most expensive player in the Indian Premier League his record there wasn't much better.

Bangalore Royal Challengers paid $1.55million for him to be their inspirational batsman and captain, but he could only muster two wins from the six games he played, and when he returned home to resume England duties the team reached the final without him.

"I made a great captain didn't I" chuckled Pietersen. "We won two out of six when I was there and then Anil Kumble took over and they got to the final.

"People are going to take pot shots at me over the IPL and the money I earned in two weeks, but it was such a great experience. I loved it.

"To captain the side four days after arriving and not knowing what some of the guys did and not knowing most of their names made it a huge task for me. I wasn't as focused on my batting as I was on trying to learn guys names and what they did.

"The more you play T20 cricket the better you become and I haven't played a lot of it, and I'm not very good at it.

"The more I play it though the more I'll catch up with my records in Test and one-day cricket definitely. I just know that I will get much better at it. I've worked out some new theories about how to go about my batting in T20 and that will make a difference, hopefully starting next week!"

Thankfully for England fans it is rare for Pietersen to consistently fail and the World Twenty20 that begins a week today against Holland is the perfect time to put things right.

Usually when Pietersen puts his mind to something he succeeds, in fact he is probably guilty of switching off when the pressure and intensity is not great enough. He is a big match player and he knows this World Twenty20 will be as big as it gets.

It was less than two years ago that Pietersen called Twenty20 a 'silly game with silly shots' but he admits his attitude to the game has since changed.

If he can start firing and the rest of the side can make their home advantage count, not even the missing Andrew Flintoff should dampen England's chances of glory.

He added: "The way T20 has now turned into a huge, huge business and the way that it has grown into having World Cup T20 tournaments, playing for your country means that my opinion of it has changed hugely.

"You have to be serious about it. You're playing for England in a World Cup at home, that is serious. It is no longer a silly game with silly shots, I want to win it full stop.

"The standard of cricket in the first tournament probably wasn't as good, whereas now the seriousness with which the guys are putting their heads to it means that the standard is going to be really high.

"I'm so excited about this tournament, it is going to be huge. It is a massive event, and since we have never won one of these global tournaments, it is about time we did and that is why it is such a big thing for me.

"It is a shame that Fred is not available, but we can definitely win the T20 World Cup if we play good positive cricket consistently."

PIETERSEN RECORD

Tests: 52 RUNS: 4494 AVE: 50.49 100s: 16 50s: 14

Odi: 92 RUNS: 3127 AVE: 46.67 100s: 7 50s: 20

T20: 15 RUNS: 379 AVE: 26.78 100s: 0 50s: 1

1. Rod Marsh & Ian Botham : When Botham took guard in an Ashes match,Marsh welcomed him to the wicket with the immortal words: "So how's your wife & my kids?" Botham replied: Wife's good but your kids are retarted."

2. Robin Smith & Merv Hughes: During a 1989 Lords Test Hughes said to Smith after he played & missed: "You can't *****ing bat". Smith replied to Hughes after he smacked him to the boundary: "Hey Merv, we make a fine pair. I can't *****ing bat & you can't *****ing bowl."



3. Merv Hughes & Javed Miandad: During the 1991 Adelaide Test, Javed called Merv a fat bus conductor. A few balls latter Merv dismissed Javed. "Tickets please", Merv called out as he ran past the departing batsman.

4. Merv Hughes & Viv Richards: During a test match in the West Indies, Hughes didn't say a word to Viv, but continued to stare at him after deliveries. Eventually Viv said, "This is my island, my culture. Don't you be staring at me. In my culture we just bowl." Merv didn't reply, but after he dismissed him he announced to the batsman: "In my culture we just say ***** off."

5. Ian Healy & Arjuna Ranatunga: Healy's legendary comment which was picked up by the Channel Nine microphones when Ranatunga called for a runner on a particularly hot night during a one dayer in Sydney... "You don't get a runner for being an overweight, unfit, fat c*nt!!!"

6. Shane Warne & Daryll Cullinan: As Cullinan was on his way to the wicket, Warne told him he had been waiting two years for another chance to humiliate him. "Looks like you spent it eating," Cullinan retorted.

7. Glenn McGrath & Eddo Brandes: After Brandes played & missed at a McGrath delivery, the Aussie bowler politely enquired: "Oi, Brandes, why are you so fat?" Brandes retorted, "Cos every time I ***** your wife she gives me a biscuit".

8. Ricky Ponting & Shaun Pollock: After going past the outside edge with a couple of deliveries, Pollock told Ponting: "It's red, round & weighs about 5 ounces." Unfortunately for Pollock, the next ball was hammered out of the ground. Ponting yelled to Pollock: "you know what it looks like, now go find it."

9. Steve Waugh and Parthiv Patel : Amidst all the hype surrounding his farewell match, Steve Waugh had to contend with an unexpected dose of his own medicine from a player half his age. As Waugh fought a grim battle to stave off defeat in the series-deciding fourth Test in Sydney, 19 year-old Indian wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel tried to unsettle the veteran batsman through some banter.

The baby-faced Patel egged on the 38 year-old stalwart to play one of his sweep shots one last time. The India 'keeper was saying, 'Come on, just one more of the famous slog-sweeps before you finish' Waugh replied: 'Look, show a bit of respect. You were in nappies when I debuted 18 years ago' .

10. Special Mentions:

Inzamam-ul-Haq once told Brett Lee to " stop bowling off spinners".

In the recent Karachi Test when Irfan Pathan came to bat in 2nd Innings Afridi shouted two times " O mera Shehzada aaya ! " (Oh! my prince has come) .

Hoggy: Welcome to My World: The Peculiar World of Matthew Hoggard (Hardcover)
by Matthew Hoggard (Author)
I can’t pursuade you enough. Having a Memorial Day long week gave me a chance to read some books, and Matthew Hoggard’s is one that I’m making my way through. It is like no sporting biography I’ve encountered before, which is just as well: most are tedious and premature. Hoggy, on the other hand, has written his with an England career behind him.


Like the man himself, it is unashamedly bonkers and refreshingly obscure. There are scribbles and cartoons (of his wife, Sarah, though they look as though his toddler son Ernie drew them), and whole paragraphs dedicated to his dogs. He attributes his run-up to a quirk in the layout of his garden when he was young. And he is surely the first cricketer, nay sportsman, to mention masturbation as a key aspect of surviving long tours overseas.
I can’t urge you enough to read a paragraph << CLICK TO READ of it . It’ll surely bring a smile to your face