Wisden on India - An Anthology

The 1990  First Test between England and India at Lord’s is a match that has lived long in my memory. 21 years on, I can still recall its many moments of drama; Captain Gooch’s triple ton (after losing the toss and being inserted); Captain Azharuddin then trumping him – not by weight of runs, but by batting with the panache of an aristocrat – deft strokes and wristy flicks to leg; India still 24 runs short of facing the follow on and 9 wickets down – Kapil Dev (one of the true greats) stoically blocks the first two balls of Eddie Hemmings’ over then lifts the next four balls into the Nursery End building site; Gus Fraser then despatches Hirwani with the next ball; Gooch’s other ton (and thus the highest ever aggregate in a single Test match); a double-century opening stand taking England’s lead beyond 400; and some 17 year-old-kid called Tendulkar’s astonishing one handed catch knee-high catch on the run, having covered 30 yards of the outfield.

As if I needed another little nugget to lodge in the memory bank from this extraordinary, though predominantly one-sided, match, I found myself on day five, with India two down and miles behind overnight, wandering the streets of the quaint Cinque port of Hythe. Naturally, my thoughts were pondering events 70 miles away. Will Gus and  Devon blow them away?

Oh, what’s this I see, a model shop, splendid! I stepped into the Aladin’s cave with shelves brimful of Airfix and Hornby.  Better still, the old chap behind the counter (it was always an old chap – a be-cardiganed  citizen moulded from the gene pool of Percy Thrower, Magnus Pyke, Raymond Baxter and Jack Hargreaves) was listening to TMS.

Though it appeared to the untrained eye that I was scanning the display of WWII fighters and bombers, I was in fact craning an ear towards the transistor. Whether Johnners, The Alderman, The Boil, Blowers or Fred was on air I can’t recall, however, just as I was thinking isn’t life great – here I am standing in a model shop in the beautiful Kent seaside village of Hythe, sharing a moment with a kindred spirit – the shopkeeper promptly turned the radio off.

I looked round a look of astonishment on my fizzog, his face like thunder.

“I am trying to run a busineess here. This is a shop. Not a broadcasting house.”

I have always felt that to be a cricket fan is to be part of a brotherhood, a leather and willow freemasonry, a cable knit sweatered cabal, with test and county scores to be shared by the enlightened to the unenlightened. A favour to be happily returned in reverse circumstances.

I am still bemused to this day. Particularly as I was too, at the time, a fellow shopkeeper, who would have chatted all day long to anyone within earshot about any aspect of the game regardless of whether they had any intention of making a purchase. In fact, I would have encouraged them to stay, made them a cup of tea. I just can’t fathom his behaviour. Some folk are born miserable bastards, I suppose.

Lacking a dramatic finish to be classed as one of the greatest of tests, it still rates as a memorable classic, and is thus the first item I look for upon opening this handsome book. (There is something about  a book in a yellow wrapper emblazoned with the letters W-I-S-D-E-N that just does it for me.)

Here it is, page 211. Two paragraphs and four lines of bare stats. Half of page 211. I cast around for more info. Where is the rest of the match report? The scorecards? What about the remainder of the series?

And so it dawned on me, that this is an anthology. Not, as I first thought, a match-by match resume along the lines of the excellent Wisden on the Ashes (which I reviewed
here on 26 May), but, to borrow from Spike Milligan, a book of bits. It is exactly what it says on the tin, but I was just anticipating something a little more… substantial.

And that is my only criticism of the book. No argument at all with the bits that Jonathan Rice has kept in, it’s the bits that have been left out…

The pieces are presented in chronological order and is obviously timed to coincide with this summer’s tour, but I can’t help but think it would have been more tidy to hang on for the completion of the world cup before going to press. They were favourites, after all, on home soil. The reproduction of Prashant Kidambi’s excellent essay on the 1911 Tour from this year’s Almanack would not have gone amiss either as I am sure the appeal of this book would stretch beyond those who buy the Almanack.

The earliest of years, however,  are well-covered and fascinating, particularly as the Indian game was not well reported until more recent times. It brings to life names any cricket lover will have heard of, without quite knowing why -  Ranjitsinhji, The Nawab of Pataudi and Duleepsinhji.

The book predominantly covers Test cricket, although obituaries of key personnel and essays on all Indian Cricketers of the Year  appear throughout the book. Domestic cricket is hardly mentioned and thus nothing of Hanif Mohammed’s knock of 499 in 1959 (a world record for 35 years). I would have loved to read an eye-witness account, particularly as his innings ended by being run out.

My criticisms may be that of a churl, for this is still a mighty fine book, that will make good bedside reading for any cricket lover, particularly if they be an Indian cricket fan.

Wisden on India – An Anthology compiled by Jonathan Rice is published by John Wisden, price £30.

2011 Cricket World Cup

Sadly I missed the live coverage of the dream tie between India and Australia, but managed to catch most of the highlights on TV.

The Australian’s looked to be in decent enough form throughout the majority of the game, but India always looked to be in control of the match, barring a few slapstick moments with the bat when two or three of them seemed intent on getting run out.

India’s win put an end to Australia’s incredible run in the World Cup competition which they have won on the last three occasions, they were also beaten finalists previous to that in 1996.

India now face one of  the nations who were originally going co-host the Cricket World Cup, Pakistan in what promises to be another thrilling game of one day cricket.

In today’s third quarter final tie South Africa collapsed dramatically from a comfortable 108 for 2 off 24 overs, to 172 all out.

Some inspired bowling from New Zealand oversaw the collapse with McCullum 24 for 3 and Oram 39 for 4, skittling the South African batsmen who could manage to add 64 runs between them during the final 20 overs.

New Zealand are the dark horses for me, they may not have the same ability in all levels as the remaining teams in the World Cup, but they have so far done everything they have set out to do in a business like manner.

They will now face the winners of the last quarter final to be played on Saturday between Sri Lanka and England.

2011 Cricket World Cup

In terms of sheer excitement the 2011 Cricket World Cup in South Asia has delivered by the bucket load over the last couple of weeks of group stage matches, some of the most recent highlights being another heroic comeback from England against the West Indies, when their backs were firmly up against the wall and facing elimination from the group.

Following that breathtaking match, Pakistan defied all odds and ended Australia’s World Cup dominance with a stunning victory by 4 wickets to upset the holders and on Sunday India crushed the West Indies spirits with a fantastic 80 run win.

There will be more thrills and spills to come during the knock out stages of the tournament over the next fortnight as the best eight teams in the world do battle for the ultimate One Day International prize, with India and Australia providing the battle of the giants on Thursday March 24th from Ahmedabad, the winners of this match will certainly be the favourites to win the 2011 World Cup.

England will face a tough test in their quarter final clash against 1996 champions Sri Lanka who were runners up in Group A, with the chance of a semi final encounter with the winners from New Zealand v South Africa at stake.

The full 2011 World Cup Quarter Final fixtures:

Wednesday March 23rd – Pakistan v West Indies, Mirpur, 08:30

Thursday March 24th – Australia v India, Ahmedabad, 09:00

Friday March 25th - New Zealand v South Africa, Mirpur, 08:30

Saturday March 26th – Sri Lanka v England, Colombo RPS, 09:00

The semi final games are scheduled for Tuesday March 29th and Wednesday March 30th, with the final to take place in Mumbai on Saturday April 2nd.

2011 Cricket World Cup

Possibly the most exciting World Cup match ever played out in Bangalore on Sunday when the 2011 Cricket World Cup co-hosts and favourites India took on England in their Group B match.

In a game that had absolutely everything, England were left to chase an outrageous 339 runs for victory following India’s sensational innings which included another massive 120 from the run machine Sachin Tendulkar.

Incredibly England’s Andrew Strauss proved how determined he was to spoil the party for India, as he had suggested he would on Saturday, by hitting a career best 158 in a stand that took England to the brink of victory.

But there were more twists still to come in this dramatic match and superb bowling from Zaheer Khan suddenly turned the game on its head when he claimed the wickets of Ian Bell (69) and then Strauss and Collingwood in an inspired period in which he took the three wickets for one run in six deliveries.

A total collapse of England’s batting order appeared to be on the cards as English hearts feared the worst and Matt Prior was on his way back to the pavilion having scored just four runs with England suddenly second best at 289 for six.

But the game had one final twist still to come and some big hitting late on from Graeme Swann and a mighty six off his first delivery from Ajmal Shahzad left England just one agonising run short of causing the biggest upset of the 2011 World Cup so far.

This is what limited over cricket is all about and it is reassuring that England were able to mix it on this occasion with the favourites, and neither team can really complain at the outcome in which they share the points.

India 338 (49.5 overs) tied with England 338-8 (50 overs)

Cricket World Cup – Group B – Bangalore

Pakistan was among the four original host countries participating in this event, but sadly they were forced to withdraw amid security fears.

The fourteen captain’s of the teams taking part in the tournament were paraded around the Bangabandu Stadium in Dhaka in rickshaws at the opening ceremony while performers demonstrated local cultures to the 21,000 strong crowd.

Further entertainment was provided by Indian singer Sonu Nigam, Bangladesh-based Runa Laila and Canadian Bryan Adams.

Cricket crazy South Asia will be itching for the competition to get underway, but was wait until Saturday when Bangladesh host the favourites India at the Mirpur Stadium.

The South Asia Cricket World Cup will feature eight matches in Bangladesh, twelve in Sri Lanka and twenty nine in India, including the final which will take place in Mumbai on April 2nd.

Addressing the crowd gathered for the opening ceremony ICC president Sharad Pawar said: “Our flagship event provides the stage on which players have the rare opportunity to create legend and to write their own chapter in the history of this great sport. The greatest cricketers in the world will grace this event and I am sure that their ability, whether with bat or ball, will provide excitement and enjoyment for all cricket lovers.”

Still looking for his first victory in India as captain of Australia, Ricky Ponting and his selectors have plenty to think about ahead of the upcoming Ashes series this winter.

Interestingly it is the first time that Australia have lost three Tests in a row since 1988 and the once mighty Australia are now ranked below England in the ICC standings, with India firmly cemented in top spot.

Despite England’s form this season, fears of an Australian backlash in the Ashes series is a very real prospect and nothing can be taken for granted by the English team.

As for India, they have no such problems, having introduced debutant Cheteshwar Pujara to the Test match he scored 72 runs to put India on their way to victory on a testing final day wicket, while veterans Tendulkar and Dravid completed the formalities in emphatic style.

The Australian bowlers appeared to have no response to the free scoring Indian batsmen on the final day of the Test and the experienced Tendulkar and Dravid were given the time to pick and choose their run opportunities seemingly at will.

On this performance there is little doubt that India are in superb form throughout the team and they have oozed confidence in this second Test match, sensing that victory was there for the taking and moving in for the kill as if Australia were a wounded animal.

Tendulkar, who scored the winning runs for India was named man of the match and man of the series, having scored a massive 403, an average of 134.5.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting accepted defeat with some dignity saying; “It has been a great series to be a part of as a player, but our second innings batting wasn’t of the standard it needed to be to win the Test match. Deep down I felt we needed a few more runs. Hilfenhaus and Johnson have been exceptional and Shane Watson has been very good at the top of the order. But the rest of us have been a little bit inconsistent.”

Second Test, Bangalore, day five:
India 495 & 207-3 bt Australia 478 & 223 by seven wickets

It was the injured VVS Laxman, batting with a runner, who overcame his excruciating back pain to strike an unbeaten 73 who was the hero of the day as India beat Australia by one wicket to claim the first test in Mohali.

Australia looked to be in command of the match having reduced India to 124 -8 as the home team chased an impossible 216 victory target, but an 81 run stand between Laxman and Ishant Sharma put India within striking distance.

When Sharma fell for 31 India still needed eleven runs to win the match, with the arrival of tail ender Pragyan Ojha at the crease. Having survived both an lbw appeal and a woeful attempted run out that saw the ball run to the boundary for four runs, India sealed the game with a scrambled two runs off Ojha’s pads.

First Test, Mohali (Result)
India 405 & 216-9 bt Australia 428 & 192 by one wicket

The teams will head to Bangalore on Saturday where Australia will look to level the series in the second and final Test.

virender sehwag

India’s unbelievable blitzing of Sri Lanka in the third Test, by an innings and twenty four runs has moved them to become the world’s top ranked Test team for the first time.

And how they deserve to have reached such a pinnacle, made all the more fitting by their recent performances in the final home Test match against Sri Lanka.

Virender Sehwag’s blistering innings of 293, deservedly earned him the man of the match and man of the series awards as India won the series 2-0.

Captain Sachin Tendulkar said of the current Indian team;

“I would not hesitate to say this is the best team I have ever played with, if you look at the batting line-up, right from the number one batsman to the number seven batsman which is Mahendra Singh Dhoni, it’s a solid line-up.”

I think the process of getting to the number one spot really started when (coach) Gary Kirsten and Paddy Upton took over, along with Venkatesh Prasad and Robin Singh.

The aim of the whole team then was to get to be the top in the world. All credit to Kirsten, he handled the team brilliantly and credit also to the other players who have been a part of this team over the last 18-20 months.”

When they are in full flow, India are a true delight to watch, possessing some of the most in form batsmen in world cricket at present, if they can maintain this level of cricket they will be at the top of the rankings for a long time to come.

rahul dravid

Rahul Dravid’s 144 runs for India in the second day of the second test against Sri Lanka in Kanpur took him past Australian Allan Border’s 11,174 runs in Test cricket and into fourth place in the all time scorers list.

Dravid sits behind his Indian team mate Sachin Tendulkar, West Indies’ Brian Lara and the current leader Australian captain Ricky Ponting on the list.

It was also Dravid’s 28th test century, coming in an innings in which India’s two opening batsmen had already scored well over a century each themselves, Sehwag getting 131 and Gambhir a brilliant 167, as the home side built an impressive lead.

India did finally succumb to the bowling of Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath who claimed five of the last six wickets as India finished on 642 all out. It might have been worse for Sri Lanka but at last the wicket appeared to be showing signs of some turn and the spin bowler Herath was able to take advantage.

Things did get worse for Sri Lanka as they came out to bat, Zaheer Khan took the wicket of Tillakaratne Dilshan, before Sri Lanka had scored a run. But the visitors rallied and finished the day on 66 for 1, with both  Paranavitana and  Sangakkara on 30 not out.

Sri Lanka braved the early menace of India’s Zaheer and quickly took a hold on the game, particularly off the superb batting of Dilshan who managed an excellent 112 to put his country back into the match.

It was the second consecutive century for Dilshan since being elevated to opener for his country and it is his tenth test hundred.

Dilshan had formed solid partnerships with both Paranavitana (35) and Sangakkara(31) during the day, before Zaheer snared both Dilshan and Sangakkara leaving Sri Lanka on 194 for 3.

Samaraweera and Mahela then picked up the gauntlet for Sri Lanka by putting on an unbeaten 81 runs between them and ending the day with the scores:

First Innings

India – 426 all out    Sri Lanka – 275 for 3

The match looks quite finely balanced ahead of the third day and you wonder which way it will twist next. Both India and Sri Lanka have put on some excellent displays with the bat, you have to wonder if either side can conjure some magic with the ball.