West Indies's cricket in a disarray!

Everyone knew that cricket in the Caribbean was going through tough times, but it is sad to see the situation getting worse as it is not just the battle between WIPA and the board, but the coach of the team Dyson has been made a scapegoat for the defeat against Bangladesh and sacked, though one can surely say the side that lost to Bangladesh was a second string side.

The cricket in Caribbean has been on a slow decline for more than 15 years now, but the sad fact is it is getting worse, and probably it has reached its nadir.

I do remember senior players like Marshall, Dujon etc at the time of their retirement in 91/92 saying everything isn't rosy as far as cricket in the Caribbean is concerned.

In 1995 Richie Richardson had problems with the star batsman Lara, and Lara didn't even tour Australia in 95/96. Finally Richardson retired after the 96 world cup as Walsh became the captain. I have also heard about disunity at that time itself.

Lara was finally given the chance to captain the side in 98, but again even in 98 there were problems between the board, and the players association before a tour to SA, though it was resolved just in time, but it did affect the performance of the side as they lost 5-0 in SA.

For a brief period Lara got disillusioned with cricket, and took a break as Adams took over the captaincy, but the Caribbean team lost most of their matches as Adams finally resigned from the role of captaining the side.

Hooper, who had retired from the game came back to take up the mantle of captaincy as he, and the coach Logie did a decent job, but the stop gap arrangement didn't last long, and finally it ended after a disappointing world cup campaign in 03.

Players strike came back to haunt the side in 04 during the tour of Lanka when Chanders took up the mantle of captaining a second string side, and he continued to be the captain in spite of senior players coming back into the side only to see the team lose match after match as he finally resigned as Lara again became the captain.

King the coach of the side at that time wasn't said to be good, and was criticised for his methods as he eventually resigned after the a disappointing 2007 world cup. It was also the last time we saw of Lara. Yes, he was a great batsman, but was involved in too many controversies.

Temporary coaches like Moore came and went as finally Dyson took over, and it looked like Gayle and Dyson were doing a decent job as the team defeated England at home in a test series, and that was a decent achievement, but again the controversies came back to haunt cricket in the Caribbean as the board, and the association fought on the issue of contracts. The board fielded a second string side against Bangladesh, and that side promptly lost to Bangladesh. The board had to find some scape goat, and it was of course the coach Dyson, who was sacked! On the other hand the association lead by Ramnaraine and the board are still at each other's throat, and the board has selected again a second string side for the champions trophy!

So, who is to be blamed for the mess???

The board lead by Hunte seems to be as incompetent as it gets, but I believe players, who have played for the last few years or so also have to take some blame for the cricket in Caribbean reaching such a bad state.

The Caribbean team haven't utilised whatever talent has been there as well as most of the players, who looked like had some talent either were dropped too soon, or have stagnated.

So what is the future for players like Darren Bravo, Barath, Roach etc? Can they make a living out of a sport which is in such a mess?

I have also heard about Trinidad and Tobago even thinking of competing as a different entity!

On this issue Tony Cozier has got it absolutely right as in his column he rightly points out if the the Caribbean team gets fragmented into smaller teams, and end up playing in the proposed second division with Zimb, Bangladesh etc no sponsors would be interested. So, with no money around cricket would ultimately suffer.

So, one can think of players disunity, strikes, bad selection, board being incompetent etc. The situation for a team which produced some of the greatest cricketers like Ambrose, Walsh, Lara, Marshall, Hall, Richards, Lloyd, 3 W'S, Headley, Holding etc can't get worse, and there doesn't seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel!

Can New Zealand upset the apple-cart?

So, with New Zealand embarking on a tour to Srilanka to play test matches, and onedayers I thought of writing an article on how the New Zealand team may fare in Srilanka.

New Zealand in recent times

To start with New Zealand have a young side as they look to rebuild their side. In recent times NZ have lost most of their senior players for variety of reasons like a few players retired from playing cricket. The prime examples being their inspirational captain Fleming, who was also a fine batsman in his own right. Macmillan, Astle, Richardson etc can also be added to the list. A few of them made themselves non available for selection by playing in the unsanctioned ICL league like Bond, Vincent and Tuffey though with ICL gone players like Tuffey have come back into the fold, and their pace spearhead Bond has made a come back to the one day side. Hamish Marshall made himself non available for selection by playing as a kolpak in CC.

So, NZ are looking to rebuild the side though the revolving door policy with regards to selection like they would occasionally pick Sinclair then he would be dropped with say Fulton coming in the side, and again some other player would come in his place hasn't helped their cause. It has also wreaked the careers of players like Sinclair, Fulton etc. Yet another good example would be during the tour of Australia Redmond was picked, but was soon dropped from the side. Redmond had his problems in England as he didn't come forward, but in Australia especially at Adelaide he showed that he was strong on the back foot, and looked ok only to be dropped after making 86 at Adelaide!

All the examples show that NZ'S selectors are inconsistent, and have a revolving door policy.

So coming back to the tour of Lanka it would be tough tour for the NZ team as they have to first counter the hot and humid conditions in Srilanka, which is tough for any foreign team to adjust to, and of course the threat of both Murali and Mendis.

Murali has always been a major threat to opposition teams, but Mendis can be a threat too. Pakistan's batsmen played him well, but he would be a different proposition against the inexperienced NZ'S batsmen!

So, let us have a look at the NZ side

Openers

Guptill, McINTOSH, Cumming

Of the 3 openers it looks like Guptill and McINTOSH would play.

Andy Moles has stressed upon Guptill and McINTOSH to occupy the crease, and look to bat out as many overs as possible, which may really backfire as someone like Guptill is essentially a strokemaker, and he should look to play his natural game.

Guptill has a habit of going hard at the ball, and that may not be the right way to play on the slower wickets of Lanka as one has play late, and look to find the gaps, but him playing a game, which is not natural to him may really back fire.

I haven't see McINTOSH play, but he seems to be ahead in the pecking order at the moment though with NZ'S revolving door policy one can't predict about him being in the side for long, but with Cummming as the reserve opener, who to be frank isn't test math standard I would say McINTOSH should be given a decent run in the side.

Middle order

Taylor, Ryder, Oram, Elliot and Flynn.

I do expect Taylor and Ryder to bat at 3 and 4.

Ross Taylor has become one of their mainstays of the batting. I have a feeling though he has to take more responsibility as a batsman. He has the talent, but has the tendency to throw his wicket away, which a team like NZ don't need. Taylor also has the habit of playing too much on the onside, which against M and M maybe risky. Murali would surely go around the wicket, and bowl doosra to him, and it won't be easy to blindly blast Murali on the on side. Taylor is another player, who has the habit of going hard at the ball, which may land him in trouble on the slower tracks of Lanka.

Ryder has a history disciplinary problems, but he has some talent. At his best he is a clean striker of the ball. He can succeed in Srilanka provided he looks to hit down the ground, and not try to play too many shots square off the wicket. His strength is to play square off the wicket, but on the slower wickets it can be risky. He should take Tresco's approach to his batting. Tresco in 2001 waited for the ball, and tried to play in the V against Murali and co. and succeeded. Ryder can do well in Lanka provided he shows discipline in his batting.

I do expect Flynn to play at 5 or 6. Andy Moles has occasionally tried him at 3, which again is another mistake he has done as Flynn plays better lower down the order, and has the knack of playing well with lower order batsmen. At his best he is a tenacious player, and he may do ok in Lanka as he has got what it takes to succeed in tough conditions, but he shouldn't play at 3!

Oram would likely take up the allrounder slot though he has been in wretched form in recent times, and against the spinners he can look all over the place too. I would prefer Elliot as he plays late, and has improved as a batsman in recent times as he has become a lot more aggressive as a player. The factor I would consider while choosing the allrounder would be Elliot's ability to play late when compared to other NZ'S batsmen, and it may come in handy on the slower wickets of Lanka against M and M. NZ'S management though would likely pick Oram because of his reputation, and he is the better bowler of the two.

McCULLUM, who is now a senior member of the side should play as a wicketkeeper batsman. In recent times he has been reluctant to keep wickets, but if he doesn't take the job of wicketkeeping it would seriously affect the balance of the side as they would be one batsmen short and NZ, who don't exactly have a good batting line up would end up struggling even more.

McCullum as a batsman would as usual play his aggressive game. It may not be the best way to go about on the tracks of Lanka, but I doubt whether he can play in any other way.

Bowlers

Vettori, Patel, Martin, Tuffey, O'Brien( Vettori can surely be considered as a allrounder though)


Vettori, who as we know is the captain of the side has done an admirable job till now especially when one consider the resources at his disposal. As a bowler he is not a big spinner of the ball, but he is a canny left arm spinner as he varies his pace well, and unlike Panesar has a good arm ball. Of course he has improved as a batsman as he has bailed NZ out of trouble on many a occasion.

Patel would be his spin bowling partner. He can be effective with his off spin on a turning track like Galle, but Lankan wickets demand a spin bowler to be very consistent as on slow wickets one can't even think of dragging it short.

Among the seamers I expect Tuffey to succeed in Srilanka though I see he is not playing in the first class match that is going on at the moment. It can be another mistake that Moles would do as Tuffey is bit like the taller version of Kulasekara.

On Lankan wickets unless a seamer is exceptional the bowlers, who would likely succeed are those bowling at about 80- 82 miles per hour, and consistently hit the good length spot to take advantage of the bit of movement one gets to see on Srilankan tracks and Tuffey is good at daoing that.

Skiddier bowlers on those wickets are easier to hit as they come onto the bat easily, and Lankan batsmen are always masters at using the pace, and finding the gaps.

O'Brien is a consistent seamer, who has a good slower ball. He surely can use that slower ball against the likes of Dilshan, Jayawardene, S'weera etc as they all like to stay on the back foot, especially it can be used against Dilshan as he is mainly a back foot player. It can be used as a surprise weapon to bring the Lankan batsmen forward.

Martin is another consistent seamer though he seems to have lost a yard of pace, and has the habit of bowling short. He can be ok on Lankan wickets as he is consistent, but I feel whatever Martin does Tuffey would do better in Lanka.

So let us look at keys to New Zealand's success in Lanka

Adjust to the conditions- The conditions in Lanka is always an obstacle for the opposition as it would be hot and humid, and NZ'S inexperienced players may find it really tough to adjust to it, but they have no other choice, but to adjust as much a they can to the conditions in Lanka.

The threat of M and M- Murali is always a threat in Lanka, but Mendis too can cause damage against NZ'S batsmen as their batsmen are inexperienced, and it takes time to pick Mendis's variations. NZ'S players also have a habit of going hard at the ball, which may not help them against Mendis and Murali. All their batsmen have to wait for the ball, and can look to pick both M and M off the pitch as the wickets are slow it is easier to pick both spinners off the pitch.

NZ also can't underestimate bowlers like Kulasekara, Tushara and the left arm spinner Herath as they all had success against Pakistan. To keep it short NZ'S players have to wait for the ball, and look to find gaps instead of trying to muscle it to the boundary on the Lankan wickets.

Look out for Sangakkara- Srilankan captain Sangakara has been consistent over the years. He can defend well, and when the situation demands can attack. He doesn't seem to have any real weakness, but I believe someone like Tuffey who is consistent can bowl to him as he does make the batsmen play, and occasionally Sanga early in his innings looks slightly vulnerable against spinners so, Vettori can bowl from the other end. S'weera, Jayawardene and Dilshan are all good, but Sanga is their main player.


NZ should look to break the opening partnership - As it would make sure the strong middle order would play against the new ball. Lanka have Pavitrana and Warnapura as their openers, but against Pakistan they struggled a bit so, that is a key area NZ can look to exploit.

Finally it would be a daunting task for the New Zealand team to defeat Lanka as playing against Lanka in their own backyard in hot and humid conditions is really tough, but if NZ are smart with their tactics they may have a slim chance of upsetting the apple-cart.

Anyhow I always like to root for the underdogs so, this time around I would be supporting New Zealand!

Having a look at Ramprakash

Since England's debacle at Headingely there has been a huge debate regarding whether Ramps should be recalled or not? did he fail in tests due to lack of ability, or was it because he didn't had test match temperament?

To start with I am not a fan of Ramps, and if I look at his average of 27.32 I would say he isn't good enough, but if one looks deeper into it I may say the selectors didn't handle him well.

His critics will always say he played in 52 tests, and was given ample opportunities, but they don't see the number of times he has been dropped after every 2 or 3 games.

Ramps made his debut in 1991 against Ambrose Walsh, Bishop and co. and as expected he didn't do well against an superb bowling attack. Next up on the cards he had to play 2 tests against Akram and Younis and was dropped after that series.

It is not right to pick a player against such type of quality bowlers, and then to drop him soon.

Anyhow coming back to Ramps the pattern continued as in 93 he came back against Aus, and did well only to be dropped after another series against Ambi and co.

He was again picked against Ambi and co in 95,but again dropped after 1 bad series against SA.

In 98 he started to play better, and these are his averages in that period.

66.5 against Ambi and Walsh.

31.12 against Donald and co.

47.37 in Aus. against Warne and McGrath.

47.5 against Murali and co.

25.4 against NZ.

Again one bad series and he was dropped!!

He came back in 2000 only to be dropped again after a few games.

In 2001 he again came back, and made a splendid hundred against Aus. only to be dropped in 2002. After selectors dropped him in 2002 he has not played for England.

The selectors never gave him a decent run in the side, and when he looked good in 98 he was dropped after one bad series against NZ though he had succeeded against his nemesis Ambi and Walsh, McGrath, Murali etc.

Anyhow coming back to the test at Oval I would say there aren't many candidates for the middle order slot.

Ramps is still in great form in CC.

I don't see too many question marks regarding his ability as he plays late, and has more time on his hands than the average County batsman.

He is 39 years of age which can go against him.

His mental toughness would be a question mark as he hasn't succeeded in test cricket, but he does average 42 against Australia!

I was against England picking Ramps, but on second thoughts if I look at the candidates available for selection I would say Ramps need not be the worst pick.

Johnson

Johnson was ridiculed for his poor performance at the start of the series, but it looks like he is slowly coming back to form.

At his best, he is not an easy proposition to face as he gets awkward bounce from a good length, and nowadays can swing it back into the batsmen. He has a slingy action, and sometimes it would be hard to pick him because of that.

In my view he was struggling in the early part of the series mainly because he was looking to swing it too much instead of sticking to his strengths of hitting the deck, and getting that awkward bounce. In the test at Headingley though he bowled with better control and looked far better.

He has got some success now, and on a true surface like the Oval he can't be underestimated as it may suit his style of bowling!

Punter's classy knock

It is great to see that Ponting has gone past Border as the highest run getter of the Australian team. He deserves to be the highest run getter of the Australian team as he has been very consistent.

On the way to becoming the highest run getter for the Australian team he has come up with some amazing knocks, and I have been privileged to watch a few of them.

The one knock that I always think highly of is his 197 against Akram, Shoaib and co. on a quick track at Perth in 99. In 1999 Perth still was a lightning quick track, and the opposition had bowlers like Akram, Shoaib etc. So, it was a fine pace attack indeed.

Pakistan on a quick track got cleaned up for just 155 as they couldn't handle the pace and bounce of the WACA track as the Australian quicker bowlers made merry, but Pakistan struck back with the tall Mohammad Akram supported by Wasim had Australia reeling at 54 for 4 what with players like Slater, Waugh twins back in the pavilion it looked like Pakistan had got back in the match. The characteristic of any great team is there would be someone, who would stand up and be counted. On that day it was Punter and Langer.

In 1999 Punter was still known as a player with potential, but someone, who has the habit of throwing his wicket away, and until then he even had a bad series, and there were even calls for him to be dropped for that match at Perth, but on that day he majestically pulled and hooked Shaoib and co to play a great knock. I am still in awe of those shots he played on the back foot, and how quickly he shifted his weight on to the back foot to hit the likes of Shoaib and Akram all over the park. Langer too made a superb century but Punter's majestic knock overshadowed Langer's efforts.

I know that Punter played a fine knock under pressure at Old Trafford in the Ashes 05, but for the sheer pleasure of watching him pull and hook Shoaib and co. on a quick track, and the way he turned game on its head as Australia were in a spot of bother at 50 odd for 4 well, I would say if not his best knock it would have to go down as one of his best knocks!

The photo for this article is Punter celebrating his century at Perth in 1999. I thought I won't get a photo of a match that was played about 10 years back, but thanks to cricinfo I got one!

Having a look at the prospective candidates

After England suffered a humiliating defeat at Headingley against Australia is it time to drop Bopara, or even Bell? if so, who are the candidates to look out for?

So, I thought of having a look at few of the players who can play for England.

Trott

Trott has been picked as the reserve batsman so, he maybe the likely candidate to come into consideration. Trott has had a very good season for Warwickshire as he has scored lots of runs, and should be high on confidence.

The points that can go against him are the track at Edgbaston has usually been a slow track so, he did play on a track on which run scoring wasn't that difficult. I have a feeling he is a bit like Colly, and may even call him as the poorer version of Colly as he does have a habit of trying to work deliveries from the off stump deliveries to the on side, and may get out straight balls, and add to it he is not that good on the off side.

Key

Many cricket fans pick him as the player who can replace Bopara, or Bell, but I have never rated him as a player. Other than an double hundred against a weak Caribbean bowling attack he has looked out of his depth in test cricket.

My opinion is that any decent test bowler who has the ability to move the ball should trouble Key as he is flat footed when he drives, and can play around his front pad.

I also wonder if Patel doesn't look fit how can one say Key is fit?

Shah

He never looked the part as a number 3 batsman as he is a nervy starter. His style of play which includes taking risks may not be suited for the number 3 position.

At number 5 though he can be ok and on a true surface like the Oval it can suit his style of batting as it would allow him to play all those wristy flicks, or those horizontal bat shots.

So, with KP out having an attacking player like Shah at number 5 on a true surface like the Oval is surely not the worst option in the prevailing circumstances.

Moore

Moore of Worcestershire didn't had the best of starts this season in CC, but has just played an important knock against Lancashire, and that shows he is returning back to form. He did make most of the opportunity in the Lions game against Australians at Grace Road by scoring a hundred against Lee, Clark, Johnson and Hauritz. He does look ok against pace, and seems to have the temperament to bat in the top order.

He is basically an opener but in the prevailing circumstances he is worth a gamble.

Horton

Another opener and this time from Lancashire, who if needed can bat at number 3. If England want a player, who goes about his job of accumulating runs without much of a fuss, then he is the payer.

He is usually consistent, but this season he has been in average form in CC. Another player just like Moore, who for some reason rarely gets talked about.

Joyce

I feel that he is one of the more talented batsman in CC. A very graceful player to watch. Joyce the lefthander used to play for Middlesex, but probably in an attempt to play first division cricket is now playing for Sussex.

He did score a hundred for England in the CB series in Australia in 06/07, but failed in few subsequent matches and was soon discarded. At his best Joyce looks a bit it like Gower though occasionally he can get out to soft dismissals.

I wonder why players with some talent like Joyce are discarded very soon, but Key got 15 chances to play test cricket, and still gets talked about!

Hildreth

A good strokemaker, who plays in the middle order, but some cricket fans have the habit of saying as he plays at Taunton he gets easy runs as the pitch at Taunton is usually flat.

He looks good when he gets gets going, but may have a weakness against the inswinger.

Patel

Another player who is wristy and strong on the on side. He can struggle to get his timing right when he plays shots on the off side, and can be a bit of lbw candidate. He can also bowl a bit of left arm spin.

He hasn't had a good season in CC this year.

Morgan

He did play for England in the T/20 world cup. Morgan of Middlesex is a good timer of the ball, but his habit of moving across the crease makes him an lbw candidate.

If he does some work on it he may play test cricket in the future.

Solanki

Solanki was a surprise selection to play in the Lions game against Australia. Botham once even ridiculously hyped him up as the next Sobers.

His tendency of having a high back lift even against bowlers, who bowl full means he would always be in trouble. For example Lee bowled full in the game against the Lions team and his stumps went for a walk.

Denly

At his best he looks like an well organised player, and did scored a fine 90 odd against the likes of Clark and Warne for Kent against Hampshire in 2007, but he is not consistent enough.

Ramprakash

A few fans still talk about Ramps coming back, but he has been given 52 chances, and he is also about 39 now.

Players like Northeast are too young to come into consideration.

After having a look at the prospective candidates my feeling is selectors at most would go for Trott instead of Bopara, and there can be a slim chance of them going for the Kent captain Key instead of Bell.

It would be the usual case of selectors looking at County records, or players who get talked about like Key instead of what Fletcher did in 2000, when he stressed for the selection of both Vaughan and Tresco though at that time neither didn't had good records in CC, but Fletcher saw them as players with test match temperament, and the rest is history!

Clarke in sublime touch

It has been a privilege to see Clarke bat in this particular Ashes series. In 2005 he did struggle in England to counter the swing. It can happen to most players when they first play in England, as one has to play late to counter the swing, but Clarke went hard at the ball, and got himself into trouble in 2005.

In 2009 it has been an different story altogether, as Clarke has looked in sublime touch against the swinging ball. He has played very late, and that has helped him to counter swing. He has also mixed caution with aggression instead of all out aggression that he tried in 2005. A few of the cover drives, or those flick shots he played at Headingley were great to watch.

He has no doubt matured as a player, and he has at the peak of his prowess. I would dare say on the basis of current form he is Australia's best batsman!