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Posts Tagged ‘michael clarke’
Correction, correction…
A lot of so-called “neutral observers” have mentioned that India’s reaction to the SCG test has been way over the top, the BCCI are bullies, the Indian players are hypocrites, Harbhajan Singh is a racist, the burning of effigies is a barbaric act. I could go on and on.
All the above comments/theories are not going to make matters any easy, they are going to further enrage a nation that is already on the brink of pulling out of the tour. Let me point something out before I start shredding these statements apart. First and foremost, cricket is not a passion in India, it is a religion in its most literal term. The psyche of an Indian fan is that their players are like gods that are battling it out with the rest of the world. So what if they lose. Hey the English only won the Soccer World Cup once, and yet over there soccer is the same as what cricket is in India. What about Aussie rules football. Who really knows about this sport besides the Australians. And yet it overtakes cricket or any other sport in popularity. Oh, and don’t even get me started talking about the crowd/players behavior during a Carlton-Collingwood match.
Cricket is not a contact sport, but the way sledging and intimidation is going on, it may very well become. How much crap can a person take before he gives it back. The Indian players are not like bowling pins that every Tom, Dick and Harry comes and knocks them over. This isn’t India under Mahatma Gandhi that believes in non-violence as the key. This is a young and aggressive India who knows its history of being oppressed by foreigners. So why should they be intimidated by a team that has a known history of insulting, abusing and discriminating its opponents.
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Bucknor OUT, Bowden IN
In what is an about turn by the ICC, controversial umpire and the main man who cost India the Sydney test, Steve Bucknor has been removed from the third match to be played in Perth. He has been replaced by Umpire Billy Bowden. The ICC had refused to remove Bucknor in earlier news reports, however, it seems that they have had a reality check in the last few hours.
ICC Chief Executive, Mr Malcolm Speed had the following statement to make:
“It is accepted that Steve, and his on-field colleague Mark Benson, did not have good games by their very high standards and we feel that given the added pressure and attention Steve’s presence would have at the third Test, it is better for the match and for Steve himself if he does not take part.”
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India vs Australia, 2007 - First Test, Day 3
Australia were in complete control even before Day 3 ’s play started and only a miracle could bring India back. Hayden and Jacques ensured that this was not going to happen. Both continued on their fine form with the bat and had put on 83 runs before Harbhajan Singh struck for the first time in this match. As if to prove a point Bhajji struck again and Ponting was dismissed for another cheap innings. Australia were suddenly 89/2 and India had a spring in their steps. Could they repeat their first innings heroics.
The runs, however, were coming at a brisk pace. Jacques scored his second consecutive 50 in as many innings before he was dismissed by Kumble. Hussey fell shortly after and Australia were 161-4. India could sense an opening here, although that was quickly shut down by Clarke and Symonds who counter-attacked the two spinners. Symonds was bowled by Zaheer off a no-ball and that proved costly as he went on to make a quick fire 44 from only 52 balls. Michael Clarke got a well paced 73 as Gilchrist was finding it difficult yet again. Australia declared the second innings at 351/7 setting India a total of 499 to get for a win in the first match.
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Australia vs New Zealand, Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, 1st Match
An easy win for the Aussies as they continue with their dominance in cricket. Ricky Ponting smashed his 24th ton in ODIs and guided Australia to a convincing 7 wicket win over arch-rivals New Zealand. Earlier the Kiwis had posted a respectable 254/7 in their 50 overs. Brendan McCullum was the top scorer from the Black Caps as he got 96. Ross Taylor got to his 50 from only 52 balls. The Kiwis lost wickets at crucial intervals towards the close and that ensured they were around 25-30 runs short.
However, even that would not have been able to stop the Australian juggernaut as Hayden and Gilchrist smashed the bowling to pulp in the first 5 overs. Gilly got 51 from only 29 balls and was clearly the master blaster of the day. Ponting and Michael Clarke then had a match-winning 135 run partnership. By the time Clarke got out, Australia were well and truly on their way to an easy win.
Click here for the full scorecard
Match Highlights
Lou Vincent Wicket
John How Wicket
Scott Styris Wicket
Ross Taylor Wicket
Matthew Sinclair Wicket
Daniel Vettori Wicket
Matthew Hayden Wicket
Adam Gilchrist Wicket
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