At a time when Test cricket is fighting to maintain its credibility and relevance it needs some cracking matches to maintain interest. Brisbane may yet provide a tonic, Bloemfontein certainly won't. Bangladesh, after improving with the ball, were predictably blown away for 153 by South Africa's pace attack and are already one down in the follow-on after debutant Imrul Kayes fell for the second time in the day.
What makes Bangladesh's collapse an even greater pity is that for half the day they had fought back impressively to reduce South Africa from 327 for 1 to 441. Shakib-Al-Hasan, who claimed 7 for 36 against New Zealand last month, took another five-wicket haul to work through the lower order but, as against New Zealand, Bangladesh's resurgence was an illusion and this time the false impression was even greater.
Bangladesh may seem a minor player in cricket's bigger picture, but the reality is they have played a significant number of Tests. Even taking into account the exodus to the ICL and a young team it doesn't excuse repeated failings. Some players, such as Mohammad Ashraful, should know better than driving at wide half volleys but don't seem to learn from their previous mistakes. When it comes to describing a Bangladesh batting collapse nothing much has changed - they can't play pace, don't like bounce and have poor shot selection. A scoring rate of four-an-over is pointless if a side is all out in under 37 overs.
Mushfiqur Rahim showed his team-mates what a little composure and a tight technique can achieve - just as he did at Lord's, in 2005, when he debuted aged 16 against a powerful England attack - playing neatly to reach 48 before being trapped lbw by Jacques Kallis. Graeme Smith was clearly keen to give all his attack a run-out, but the last two wickets added 65 to suggest that South Africa lost their focus a little, which is easy to do when the opposition aren't providing a major test.
The life extracted by the South African quicks showed the surface isn't a featherbed. The fact that Bangladesh removed eight South Africa wickets for 114 was commendable, but reinforced how they had underperformed on the opening day as Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla piled up centuries. If Mahbubul Alam, a young honest seamer, could find useful swing with the new ball, then there was little doubt that Steyn would too. It didn't take long for Steyn to make an impression as he removed Tamim Iqbal's off stump before the batsmen knew what was happening. There are plenty more scalps on offer in the second innings.
Morne Morkel, unconvincing in the one-day series as he struggled with wides, started with a series of leg-side deliveries but, with the final ball of his opening over, got Junaid Siddique into a tangle with a shorter delivery and the leading edge lobbed to gully. However, Morkel's form continued to be a concern as he sprayed the ball either side of the stumps.
When pace gave away to spin Bangladesh still had problems. Paul Harris, operating with a broken thumb that prevented him batting, struck in his second over when Kayes lunged forward and was caught at short leg off the last ball before tea. It took just four balls after the break for another breakthrough as Ashraful, who has time and again spoken about batting more responsibly, drove loosely at a full ball from Steyn and edged into the slip cordon.
Makhaya Ntini added to the procession as he benefited from Shakib's loose cut, Mehrab Hossain's limp push and Naeem Islam's weak pull. The South African attack barely had to break sweat and it appeared almost an act of sympathy when Harris was reintroduced for a second spell, but it allowed Rahim to settle and at least save some face.
It's hard to judge how good South Africa's bowling was as they didn't have to be at the top of their game. However, one area that certainly underperformed was the middle order which wasted a chance to ram home the dominant batting display of the opening day. Smith, missing out on his third double-century against Bangladesh, and Amla were both defeated by early swing before Shakib worked his way through the rest.
As Shakib did his job either side of lunch, Ashwell Prince went about his business in a typically unfussy style and nurdled his way to an 80-ball half century. Occasionally he took the aggressive route, using his feet nicely against the spinners, but largely he was content to work the ball against a deep-set field. South Africa would have liked to dominate their way to a total of 500 but perhaps paid for a little overconfidence. In the end, though, it hardly mattered
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Australia vs New zealand 1st Test Day 3 Live streaming
The swing bowler Tim Southee still lives at home on a farm with his family in Northland, but if he keeps performing like this it might soon be the only place he can hide. In three Tests, Southee has grown used to making big impressions and after being a surprise pick against Australia he quickly made himself indispensable with a mature performance that highlighted a fine day for New Zealand.
Southee reduced Australia to 3 for 23, knocking over Matthew Hayden, Simon Katich and Ricky Ponting during a sensational opening spell, and returned after tea to remove Brett Lee with help from a fine diving take from Brendon McCullum. He finished with 4 for 63 off 18 overs as Australia were dismissed for 214.
"It was up there with my first match against England, but I've only played three Tests," he said. "Hopefully there are more days like that."
Southee arrived like thunder against England in March, taking 5 for 55 and then blasting 77 from 40 balls, but didn't take a wicket in the next match at Lord's and was dropped for Iain O'Brien. His inclusion at the Gabba was not expected and he only found out in the warm-ups that he would replace Kyle Mills. It proved the first of many good decisions by Daniel Vettori on the opening day.
"We had to make the most of the conditions early because it was a bowler-friendly wicket and we did so," he said. "We bowled fairly well as a unit and the catching was outstanding, which was an improvement from the New South Wales game, when we put a few catches down. We've worked on that and it was outstanding."
With an immaculate seam position that should attract the attention of his opponents, who struggle with their wrists and release, Southee was able to get the ball to curl away and spring awkwardly off a seaming surface. His action looks like those of the veteran county pros in England, with a bustle into the crease and a jerky delivery, but he is already potent at international level.
Southee, who lives near Whangarei on the North Island, was a useful rugby player who almost made the New Zealand schoolboys side as a blind-side flanker, but he always wanted to play cricket. He is completing a busy year that included being the Player of the Tournament in the Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia, where New Zealand reached the semi-finals, and has kept him away from the family's sheep and beef farm.
He still helps out but has not spent much time there lately. "I haven't been back a lot in the last year or so but I don't mind doing a bit of real work," he said. The way he is going there will be even fewer visits in the future.
Sri Lanka dominant but captain looks for improvement
Despite his team claiming a comprehensive six-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the opening ODI, the Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene is still looking for improvement.
The visitors had an easy stroll in the park and only needed 33.2 overs to chase a paltry 127 set by Zimbabwe who were earlier blown away by Muttiah Muralitharan, the Man of the Match.
"Winning games at this stage is always important and it does not matter who you are playing against," Jayawardene said. "It was, however, not a good performance from our players and we were looking for a much better standard than what we showed today. I think we should have bowled them out for a much [smaller] score than 127."
Jayawardene also paid tribute to Muralitharan for his match-winning spell. "It's not only today that he was outstanding with the ball. It is always a good option to have Murali in the team because he can come in any situation and completely turn things around in our favour. Murali was the main difference in this match because Zimbabwe were looking good."
At 124 for 3, with Tatenda Taibu and Stuart Matsikinyeri still at the crease, it seemed Zimbabwe would set a challenging target, perhaps even as high as 250. But Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis were brought into the attack, blitzing the Zimbabwe middle and lower order. They lost five wickets in 12 balls.
Prosper Utseya, the Zimbabwe captain who yesterday said Muralitharan was "not as effective" as he once was, conceded they had underestimated his impact. "We need to revisit our technique in the next matches because we have learned a lot of things from this one," he said. "Although Murali got four wickets I think we were coping with his turn.
"Looking at the match Taibu and Stuart were in control of the situation and if only they had continued in that same vein maybe we would have got a huge total. If we revisit our technique we will be in a better position to counter him in the next game."
The second of five ODIs gets underway on Saturday.
Harris suffers broken thumb
Paul Harris, South Africa's left-arm spinner, has suffered a fractured left thumb but will be able to play his part with the ball for the rest of the first Test against Bangladesh.
Harris picked up the injury before the match started on Wednesday, but because the toss had already taken place South Africa couldn't change their team. He didn't bat in South Africa's first innings, which was declared at nine down, and took the field wearing a protective plastic guard on his thumb.
When he was thrown the ball he resorted to tape as protection and didn't appear in too much pain during a short spell before tea on the second day. He struck in his second over to remove Imrul Kayes with a catch at short leg.
However, depending on the seriousness of the break Harris will be a doubtful starter for the second Test at Centurion Park next week. If South Africa look for another spin option fellow left-armer, Robin Peterson, would be the most likely choice after being in the squad for tours of India and England this year.
But given Bangladesh's problems against pace, the home side could be tempted to field an all-seam attack which would open the door for Monde Zondeki or Andre Nel.
Harris picked up the injury before the match started on Wednesday, but because the toss had already taken place South Africa couldn't change their team. He didn't bat in South Africa's first innings, which was declared at nine down, and took the field wearing a protective plastic guard on his thumb.
When he was thrown the ball he resorted to tape as protection and didn't appear in too much pain during a short spell before tea on the second day. He struck in his second over to remove Imrul Kayes with a catch at short leg.
However, depending on the seriousness of the break Harris will be a doubtful starter for the second Test at Centurion Park next week. If South Africa look for another spin option fellow left-armer, Robin Peterson, would be the most likely choice after being in the squad for tours of India and England this year.
But given Bangladesh's problems against pace, the home side could be tempted to field an all-seam attack which would open the door for Monde Zondeki or Andre Nel.
Former players call for rule change
The abrupt end to the third ODI between India and England in Kanpur due to fading light has sparked off a debate over the rules and their application. While players involved on Thursday called it "bizarre" and "disappointing", former cricketers pulled no punches, calling for the ICC to step in and ensure that lights at grounds are used to prevent "an absolute farce".
Graham Thorpe, the former England batsman, suggested the match referee (Roshan Mahanama, in this case) should take a firmer call and "act almost as the chief executive of the game."
The match began 45 minutes late, due to fog, and was reduced to 49 overs-a-side affair though the lunch break was not curtailed. With conditions deteriorating at the Green Park Stadium, the umpires, Russell Tiffin and Amiesh Saheba, offered India the light. It was immediately accepted and the D/L method was applied to declare India, batting at 198 for 5 in 40 overs, the winners by 16 runs. England had scored 240 in 48.4 overs.
After the match, the captains, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Kevin Pietersen, said they knew the D/L method would come into play when fog delayed the start. Pietersen said he had requested the match officials to reduce the lunch interval but was told the ICC rules don't allow that.
Andrew Flintoff, the England allrounder, said it was "a bizarre scenario" in the end because he felt England were two wickets away from "pulling something off". "As you can imagine in the dressing room, the lads are down," Flintoff said. "If we had got two quick wickets, we would have been right back in and could have pulled something off. It wasn't to be. As you can imagine, we are a bit disappointed."
Pietersen said the team has tried to get it sorted. "[We] tried to chat with the umpires and stuff but, according to ICC ruling, the break has to be half an hour. It cannot be less than half an hour. We wanted to change the half-hour break. At the 9.15am toss, we wanted to start as early as possible because we knew we are not getting a full game in."
However, an ICC spokesperson said the rules did not apply here as only 45 minutes of play were lost - a minimum of 60 minutes have to be lost for the break to be reduced.
The stadium lights - they are not cricket-specific floodlights - were switched on only after the match was called off to facilitate the presentation ceremony. The playing conditions for the series, endorsed by both captains before it began, is believed to include a decision to not use lights in day matches.
Ravi Shastri, the former India captain, and David Lloyd, the former England coach - both present at the game as commentators - said the decision to use lights should be taken away from the rival captains.
Javagal Srinath, who was debating the issue with Shastri, Thorpe and Lloyd on NEO Cricket, the official broadcaster, said it was up to the home board (the BCCI, in this case) to offer the option of lights before the series and certify they are fit and available.
"ICC should step in and decide," Shastri said. "Why should the two captains meet [on this issue]? They [ICC] should put it in their constitution once and for all that whether you are playing in Australia or Zimbabwe or in England or in India, if the ground has lights, use it, for Christ's sake. Otherwise, it's an absolute farce. Thirty thousand people watching the contest, and you don't have play for 45 minutes because there is fog, which is ridiculous. Take it away from the players and it will make a huge difference."
Lloyd said it was clear the match should have started earlier than it did. "They could have started 40 minutes earlier," Lloyd said. "Take the lights completely away from the captains, and make it a regulation. If and when you have to use the lights, put them on, even if it is a day game, to ensure that there is a decent game of cricket."
But Srinath, who is a member of ICC's panel of match referees, said the suggestion that the lunch interval be reduced to accommodate more overs was not feasible as they players needed time to recuperate. "If you have play close to 50 overs [in the first innings], a break of 30 minutes is mandatory because players have to go back to the dressing room and recuperate," he said. "The 30 minutes to reorganise themselves is a must. In case, if the game is curtailed further, to 20-25 overs, both captains are involved along with the match referee to decide whether a minimum of 10 minutes needs to be cut from the break."
Graham Thorpe, the former England batsman, suggested the match referee (Roshan Mahanama, in this case) should take a firmer call and "act almost as the chief executive of the game."
The match began 45 minutes late, due to fog, and was reduced to 49 overs-a-side affair though the lunch break was not curtailed. With conditions deteriorating at the Green Park Stadium, the umpires, Russell Tiffin and Amiesh Saheba, offered India the light. It was immediately accepted and the D/L method was applied to declare India, batting at 198 for 5 in 40 overs, the winners by 16 runs. England had scored 240 in 48.4 overs.
After the match, the captains, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Kevin Pietersen, said they knew the D/L method would come into play when fog delayed the start. Pietersen said he had requested the match officials to reduce the lunch interval but was told the ICC rules don't allow that.
Andrew Flintoff, the England allrounder, said it was "a bizarre scenario" in the end because he felt England were two wickets away from "pulling something off". "As you can imagine in the dressing room, the lads are down," Flintoff said. "If we had got two quick wickets, we would have been right back in and could have pulled something off. It wasn't to be. As you can imagine, we are a bit disappointed."
Pietersen said the team has tried to get it sorted. "[We] tried to chat with the umpires and stuff but, according to ICC ruling, the break has to be half an hour. It cannot be less than half an hour. We wanted to change the half-hour break. At the 9.15am toss, we wanted to start as early as possible because we knew we are not getting a full game in."
However, an ICC spokesperson said the rules did not apply here as only 45 minutes of play were lost - a minimum of 60 minutes have to be lost for the break to be reduced.
The stadium lights - they are not cricket-specific floodlights - were switched on only after the match was called off to facilitate the presentation ceremony. The playing conditions for the series, endorsed by both captains before it began, is believed to include a decision to not use lights in day matches.
Ravi Shastri, the former India captain, and David Lloyd, the former England coach - both present at the game as commentators - said the decision to use lights should be taken away from the rival captains.
Javagal Srinath, who was debating the issue with Shastri, Thorpe and Lloyd on NEO Cricket, the official broadcaster, said it was up to the home board (the BCCI, in this case) to offer the option of lights before the series and certify they are fit and available.
"ICC should step in and decide," Shastri said. "Why should the two captains meet [on this issue]? They [ICC] should put it in their constitution once and for all that whether you are playing in Australia or Zimbabwe or in England or in India, if the ground has lights, use it, for Christ's sake. Otherwise, it's an absolute farce. Thirty thousand people watching the contest, and you don't have play for 45 minutes because there is fog, which is ridiculous. Take it away from the players and it will make a huge difference."
Lloyd said it was clear the match should have started earlier than it did. "They could have started 40 minutes earlier," Lloyd said. "Take the lights completely away from the captains, and make it a regulation. If and when you have to use the lights, put them on, even if it is a day game, to ensure that there is a decent game of cricket."
But Srinath, who is a member of ICC's panel of match referees, said the suggestion that the lunch interval be reduced to accommodate more overs was not feasible as they players needed time to recuperate. "If you have play close to 50 overs [in the first innings], a break of 30 minutes is mandatory because players have to go back to the dressing room and recuperate," he said. "The 30 minutes to reorganise themselves is a must. In case, if the game is curtailed further, to 20-25 overs, both captains are involved along with the match referee to decide whether a minimum of 10 minutes needs to be cut from the break."
New Zealand bundled out for 156
Mitchell Johnson grabbed four wickets but missed the perfect chance for a hat-trick as New Zealand were bundled out for a disappointing 156 shortly before tea. The excellent efforts of Johnson and his fast-bowling colleagues gave Australia a first-innings lead of 58 and an early tea was taken after Johnson finished with a career-best 4 for 30.
Daniel Flynn, Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder all made starts but the lack of fight from New Zealand's lower order was remarkable. The final four wickets fell for 13 and none of the last five batsmen reached double-figures as Flynn was stranded on 39 having played an admirably watchful innings.
New Zealand went to lunch at 4 for 108 but with Taylor looking strong and Flynn solid, they still had a chance of overhauling Australia's 214. But the downhill spiral began in the first over after the break when Taylor, who had failed to add to his 40, was caught on the crease by a Brett Lee inswinger and was lbw to a ball that would have clipped leg stump.
Grant Elliott survived for a while but did little else and lost his leg bail when Shane Watson nipped one back between bat and pad. From there it was a steady procession of wickets as Johnson collected three in six balls, beginning with Daniel Vettori, who was deceived by a slightly slower and marginally shorter ball and prodded the simplest of catches to Andrew Symonds at point.
Symonds gathered another from the last ball of the same over when Tim Southee also nudged one to point and, when Iain O'Brien was caught at slip from the first ball of the next Johnson over, the bowler was on a hat-trick. He will never have a better chance of getting three from three: he had five balls to attack the stumps of Chris Martin, who has 23 Test ducks and an average of 2.38.
Martin couldn't put bat on ball but neither could Johnson bowl a straight one and it was left to Stuart Clark to finish the innings in the next over when he bowled Martin for 1. An early tea was taken to complete a terrific two sessions for Australia, whose gamble on four fast bowlers had worked, although it had also severely slowed the over-rate and they got through only 45 overs in nearly four hours.
It was fitting that Clark finished the job after he also started the trouble by picking up Aaron Redmond from the first ball of the day. Redmond tentatively nudged at a short-of-a-length delivery he should have left, and edged to slip. Lee soon outsmarted Jamie How, who was bowled reaching at a fullish delivery after successfully driving a similar ball for four earlier in the over.
But Ryder and Taylor kept up an attacking frame of mind and New Zealand added 4 for 101 in the eventful first session. Australian fans were given an enjoyable first taste of Ryder's ability as he struck his way to 30 before gifting his wicket to Watson by edging behind when he tried to cut a wide ball with his feet rooted to the crease.
It was a disappointing end for Ryder, who had hit five fours including a cracking back-foot drive off Lee. His stay was action-packed; he suffered a blow to the groin from Lee so painful that his knees buckled almost immediately and he was dropped on 11 when Brad Haddin dived and grassed a chance he should have left for first slip.
After Ryder departed Taylor kept the aggressive intent, slashing boundaries through the off side with equal parts bravado and good fortune, until he became Lee's 299th Test victim. Lee, Clark and Watson picked up two wickets each and, combined with Johnson's four, it was a strong performance on a pitch that had lost some of its spice.
Daniel Flynn, Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder all made starts but the lack of fight from New Zealand's lower order was remarkable. The final four wickets fell for 13 and none of the last five batsmen reached double-figures as Flynn was stranded on 39 having played an admirably watchful innings.
New Zealand went to lunch at 4 for 108 but with Taylor looking strong and Flynn solid, they still had a chance of overhauling Australia's 214. But the downhill spiral began in the first over after the break when Taylor, who had failed to add to his 40, was caught on the crease by a Brett Lee inswinger and was lbw to a ball that would have clipped leg stump.
Grant Elliott survived for a while but did little else and lost his leg bail when Shane Watson nipped one back between bat and pad. From there it was a steady procession of wickets as Johnson collected three in six balls, beginning with Daniel Vettori, who was deceived by a slightly slower and marginally shorter ball and prodded the simplest of catches to Andrew Symonds at point.
Symonds gathered another from the last ball of the same over when Tim Southee also nudged one to point and, when Iain O'Brien was caught at slip from the first ball of the next Johnson over, the bowler was on a hat-trick. He will never have a better chance of getting three from three: he had five balls to attack the stumps of Chris Martin, who has 23 Test ducks and an average of 2.38.
Martin couldn't put bat on ball but neither could Johnson bowl a straight one and it was left to Stuart Clark to finish the innings in the next over when he bowled Martin for 1. An early tea was taken to complete a terrific two sessions for Australia, whose gamble on four fast bowlers had worked, although it had also severely slowed the over-rate and they got through only 45 overs in nearly four hours.
It was fitting that Clark finished the job after he also started the trouble by picking up Aaron Redmond from the first ball of the day. Redmond tentatively nudged at a short-of-a-length delivery he should have left, and edged to slip. Lee soon outsmarted Jamie How, who was bowled reaching at a fullish delivery after successfully driving a similar ball for four earlier in the over.
But Ryder and Taylor kept up an attacking frame of mind and New Zealand added 4 for 101 in the eventful first session. Australian fans were given an enjoyable first taste of Ryder's ability as he struck his way to 30 before gifting his wicket to Watson by edging behind when he tried to cut a wide ball with his feet rooted to the crease.
It was a disappointing end for Ryder, who had hit five fours including a cracking back-foot drive off Lee. His stay was action-packed; he suffered a blow to the groin from Lee so painful that his knees buckled almost immediately and he was dropped on 11 when Brad Haddin dived and grassed a chance he should have left for first slip.
After Ryder departed Taylor kept the aggressive intent, slashing boundaries through the off side with equal parts bravado and good fortune, until he became Lee's 299th Test victim. Lee, Clark and Watson picked up two wickets each and, combined with Johnson's four, it was a strong performance on a pitch that had lost some of its spice.
PCB under pressure to pick ICL players - Miandad
Javed Miandad, the former Pakistan captain and current director-general of the PCB, has said the board is under a lot of pressure from the public and the media to include ICL players in the national team. Miandad supported the move and accused the Indian board of "bullying tactics" which have caused players to suffer.
The Indian board banned ICL players from playing any representative cricket in and for India, a move that was copied by most other national boards as well. "The BCCI is a very powerful body, but because of its bullying tactics, a lot of people are suffering. All the BCCI needs to do is join hands with ICL," Miandad told Daily News & Analysis, an Indian newspaper. "PCB is under a lot of pressure from the public and the media to include players like Imran Nazir, Rana Naved and Imran Farhat in the team. If there is such talent, why not utilise it? As a cricketer, I would like to see these boys in the Pakistan squad."
Another influential name in cricket, Clive Lloyd, the former West Indies captain and the chairman of ICC's cricket committee, also backed a thaw in relations between the official and unauthorised voices of the game. He hoped the IPL and ICL could co-exist and also believed that similar leagues in West Indies would boost the game in the region.
Miandad also hoped India will tour Pakistan in January, a series that will boost the country's chances of successfully bidding for the postponed Champions Trophy later in 2009. "If they don't tour then how can we expect any other country to ever visit us?" Miandad was against holding the series at a neutral venue said if there were security issues, India could host it instead. "Let Pakistan tour India on the scheduled dates and India can come back for the return tour a little later, when they feel more comfortable."
The Indian board banned ICL players from playing any representative cricket in and for India, a move that was copied by most other national boards as well. "The BCCI is a very powerful body, but because of its bullying tactics, a lot of people are suffering. All the BCCI needs to do is join hands with ICL," Miandad told Daily News & Analysis, an Indian newspaper. "PCB is under a lot of pressure from the public and the media to include players like Imran Nazir, Rana Naved and Imran Farhat in the team. If there is such talent, why not utilise it? As a cricketer, I would like to see these boys in the Pakistan squad."
Another influential name in cricket, Clive Lloyd, the former West Indies captain and the chairman of ICC's cricket committee, also backed a thaw in relations between the official and unauthorised voices of the game. He hoped the IPL and ICL could co-exist and also believed that similar leagues in West Indies would boost the game in the region.
Miandad also hoped India will tour Pakistan in January, a series that will boost the country's chances of successfully bidding for the postponed Champions Trophy later in 2009. "If they don't tour then how can we expect any other country to ever visit us?" Miandad was against holding the series at a neutral venue said if there were security issues, India could host it instead. "Let Pakistan tour India on the scheduled dates and India can come back for the return tour a little later, when they feel more comfortable."
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