Six and Out - Some Serious Cricket

June 29th, 2008

Asia Cup 2008 Super League : India rout Bangladesh

India completed yet another professional match in their Professional Match winning streak by completely routing Bangladesh in the first match of the super 4s in the ongoing Asia Cup 2008 in Karachi, Pakistan.

When Bangladesh began well, about 60/1 in 10 overs (much better than Pakistan), MSD decided to let them score as many as they could, as Raina was there to get it (no Sehwag in this match). The Bangladeshis swelled with pride after getting 283 in their alloted overs, with Ian Chappel even going on to say strange things (it runs in the family), knowing little that the Indians wanted more and more batting practice and wouldn’t have minded 359.

Alok comeback-kid Kapali scored a ton. Well played. Period.

When India came on to bat, Raina completed his 300 runs in 3 outings (yes, another ton) in this series. Gambhir got 90 odd. Rohit Sharma dissappoined (Sachin, where art thou?), though it didn’t matter. We chase everything in 42 overs.

This is the most blogspace Bangladesh deserve, so I am off.

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June 27th, 2008

Asia Cup Rules

Two groups (A and B) with three teams each, play a round robin league. Top 2 teams from each group qualify to the super 4s. Another round robin. The top 2 reach the final. The points from the initial group stage are carried forward to the super 4.

Somebody asked me this.

Thanks

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June 27th, 2008

Asia Cup 2008 : India thrash Pakistan….again

This is turning out to be something we have to get used to now. Barring an odd defeat in an odd final, India seems to have got the better of Pakistan these days. Anyway, this match wasn’t that boring for me not to report it, though it could have been better.

It all began in an all too familiar fashion. A feeling of déjà vu, you might say. As Dropmal was dropped, skip Malik decided to end his ruefully bad form by opening the innings and batting even more ruefully till the time he saw Ishant Sharma’s face. 26/0 in 10 overs sure tells a tale. They managed to get 299 eventually as Malik finally got a century (you can always trust India’s bowling).

In walked GG and Viru. Out walked Umar Gul, soon to be followed by GG. What was Dhoni thinking, to send Raina at 3? Whatever it was, it worked. He scored 84 at a SR of 120. And yeah, Sehwag got a ton. And India won in 42 overs. Duh, this is repetitive.

P.S. The new guy is worse. Bring Dropmal back

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June 25th, 2008

Apologies, and Beau is not that bad

First of all, I am really sorry, for not posting for a week. The reasons were beyond my control. Being a student, exams are unavoidable. So, a lot seems to have happened in my absence, the least being the critics’ scribbles on the Beau Casson post. All I have to say to that is that I may have got carried away, and he may be good. So, this is an apology, respecting the views of my readers

I will be back with more cricket. Keep Refreshing.

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June 13th, 2008

Its Official : Beau Casson is good for nothing

An Ordinary Aussie! :o

I know Mr Casson Sr would have a hard time reading this, but its cool. I feel credit must be given where credit is due. I know all of you don’t want to read a lot about Beau, so I will keep it short.

There was a reason why I kept hyping Casson in my previous posts. The reason was Shane Warne. Warnie had given an interview when he said that he will NOT make an Ashes comeback. He said that there were some very promising spinners waiting in the Aussie ranks. He specifically mentioned Beau Casson then and said that everyone should watch out for him. I was all excited when he made his debut in this very test match.

I saw him bat, and he looked like a fairer Stuart Matsikenyeri. Too dodgy and too contrasting to the other Aussies on the day. He was not here for his batting though.

His bowling, though it came after a bit of wait, was pathetic. He maybe a talent, but you got to bowl better than than on a pitch with some bounce.

Apologies to his lovers.

7 1       43       0      (6.14)

Just doesn’t cut it, specially against the Stanford Indies!

Latest Score : WI :  189/7 ……Aussie second innings would decide everything

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June 13th, 2008

West Indies vs Australia : 3rd Test : Session 4

It is really rare to see Shivnaraine Chandrapaul (I am sorry if I goofed with the spelling) and Sewnaraine Chattergoon (i don’t care here) play in the same team. Though it would be really amazing if they played for different teams. NOT!

At lunch, the match is precariously poised. West Indies are at 89/3 with the Chrab and the off-spinner Gayle batting well, the former still on the crease. While a few other bloggers have mentioned that they like the pitch, what I like more is the application by the bowlers, sans Midge (Mitchell Johnson) of course. 

MG Johnson
4
0
31
0
7.75

yeah, the stats tell all. I think the best batsman for the West Indies has to be Midge.

The wait is still on, to see how Beau Casson fits in the shoes of Stuey. I won’t want that, if I were young Beau. Lots of injuries you see. Legspinning as an art is diminishing as I type this. I hope he is worse than Piyush Chawla. We so want the best leg spinner in the world in our side.

Current Crap Commentary : None yet, keep refreshing

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June 13th, 2008

Bridgetown Weather

When I feel that a test match could become interesting, I normally keep a tab on all the factors affecting the match. Weather is one of the most important factors affecting a match. 

I Bring to you : Georgetown Weather. Everyone stand up and clap

A tropical wave is affecting the island.

Generally cloudy to overcast with showers and isolated thunderstorms at first, becoming mostly fair by late afternoon. Tonight: Mainly fair.
In-depth weather discussion

Waiting for Day 2

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June 13th, 2008

Lords Ashes Test : Strange but true

Maybe not that strange. England haven’t won the Lords Ashes Test for 74 years. Here is a look at the different Ashes Tests played at Lords and won by England

• England won by inns & 5 runs on July 21-23, 1884
• England won by inns & 106 runs on July 19-21, 1886
• England won by 7 wickets on July 21-23, 1890
• England won by 6 wickets on June 22-24, 1896
• England won by inns and 38 runs June 22-25, 1934

Cool

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June 13th, 2008

Pakistan cricket chief gives feelers to team

While watching the India v Pakistan match, I was wondering about the attitude of the Pakistan Players. They looked as it they are on a walk in a park in downtown Karachi. Super Laid Back, smiling, chatting with their IPL teammates et al. It was as if they were just chilling as they knew that they would be in the final. Lack of Resolve is the buzz phrase here.

This is what Naseem Ashraf, the Chief guy in Pakistan Cricket, wrote in a letter to the Team Management: (six and out takes no responsibility of the leak):

Last night’s performance against India in which we lost by over 100 runs was embarrassing.

It is not a question of losing a match but our overall performance and the lack of resolve and commitment bothered me.

We were smiling and joking as if we were some junior team which was happy just to be given the privilege of playing against a top team. This has to stop.

Ashraf singled out wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, describing his performance as “pathetic”, particularly an incident when he dropped a catch but still claimed it.

This is unsporting behavior but perhaps one has to give him the benefit of the doubt. But I do not want such behavior from our players please warn everyone. We ought to be looking at playing another wicketkeeper,” Ashraf added

Quite needed, though I just don’t like blame games. Sir, please put your pads on or just let them play. Or call the selectors to get your niece selected.

Photo : Ankit Mishra

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June 13th, 2008

West Indies vs Australia : 3rd Test : Session 2 & 3

I am so feeling I told you so right now. But not quite. 300 is still gettable. The Aussies reached 226/7 at the end of day 1. It could have been more, but it rained, and then it rained again. Symonds played his restrained-affluent best ad scored 67.

Beau Casson is in! This has been the happiest day in my blogging career. I finally got to see Beau on TV. After all the hype and the like, he appeared to be calm and collected. He batted much better then Stuey for sure. The bowling remains to be seen. I so hope the rain stays away. This one is going to be a nice match, with Australia winning of course.

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