Cricket switch hitting will not be outlawed

Thankfully, common sense is prevailing and Kevin Pietersen’s creativity will not be stifled in the process. Cricinfo reports that the MCC considers the shot “exciting”.

After thinking about it a bit since my post last night, it’s rather funny how people are complaining about the fielding team’s field settings being thrown into disarray when it seems that KP will end up negating their influence by clearing the fence more times than not.

The legality of cricketing improvisation

Interesting cricket story on the Cricinfo website regarding some of Kevin Pietersen’s tactics during his match winning century against New Zealand on Sunday. Apparently he hit a couple of sixes after changing his stance from right handed to left handed as bowler Scott Styris was approaching the crease.

Seems that people are getting a little bit pedantic in their criticisms – I think it’s an effective tactic if a batsman can pull it off. It displays great skill and unpredictability, and should be applauded instead of lambasted and considered against the spirit of the game.

IPL’s most valuable players

As the Indian Premier League approaches semi final time, Cricinfo has brought forward the best value players for the tournament. Unsurprisingly, Western Australia’s Shaun Marsh is up the top of the batsmen, and it’s no surprise, since he’s been firing on all cylinders during the time he’s been playing. He came in during the 5th game for Kings XI Punjab, and despite his late start, he’s the highest run scorer, with 593 runs from 10 games played. He has six 50-plus scores in his ten innings, and only once he’s scored less than 39 – a fabulous statistic which means he must surely come into the Australian one day side in place of the injured Matthew Hayden, and most likely in my opinion be a permanent batting replacement for Adam Gilchrist.

Even though I must admit that at times I’ve not been a fan of Shane Watson, it’s pleasing to see that he’s performed well with both bat and ball in the Rajasthan Royals team and contributed sizeably to the success of SHhane Warne’s team.

Harbhajan Singh and trouble hand in hand once more

Claims that Harbhajan (playing with Mumbai in the Inian Premier League) lashed out and slapped international team mate S Sreesanth (playing for Kings XI Punjab) at the end of the teams’ clash yesterday will be investigated tomorrow according to Cricinfo. It seems that Sreesanth merely said something along the lines of “hard luck” to Harbhajan as players shook hands, and the fiery spinner responded with a slap.

If the video evidence, as suggested, shows that the “assault” took place, I can’t see Harbie getting off lightly. Following his antics in Australia and warnings from the BCCI to calm down and rectify his conduct, I’d say that there’s the scope to ban him, not just from the remainder of the tournament, but for a few international matches. It sets a very low standard for cricketing conduct, where congratulations and commiserations should be cordially offered by both sides at the conclusion of a match. It shouldn’t matter that both players have sorted out the issue as claimed – it’s not a beneficial image for world cricket and is quite similar to the altercation between Javed Miandad and Dennis Lillee which saw Lillee fined and suspended for 2 one day internationals.

Indian Premier League starts tonight!

Because of a busy day ahead tomorrow I won’t be watching the whole match on Channel 10, but Bangalore v Kolkata will be the first match in the inaugural Indian Premier League competition. It is sure to be a spectacle, the likes of which have never been witnessed on any cricket field anywhere on Earth. According to reports, the 2 captains (Rahul Dravid for Bangalore and Sourav Ganguly for Kolkata) will be bathed in a single spotlight as they head to the centre of the Chinnaswamy Stadium for the coin toss.

I can’t help but predict that this tournament will be an overwhelming success and a staple of the annual cricket calendar. The ICC surely cannot resist the calls from its international stars for the regular schedule of international one dayers and Tests to be modified so that the IPL can be staged with as many of those stars as possible – regardless of the exorbitant salaries that some of the elite players are being paid.

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3 hours after thinking I’d posted this, I found I’d only saved it. All I can say is that Brendon McCullum is once again proving how explosive he is, and Kolkata likes gold a lot. To be honest, the shiny golden pads and helmets look so very ridiculous, but I guess it reflects the boldness and extravagance of this competition.

Congrats to Doug Bollinger

The NSW left armer is replacing Ben Hilfenhaus to tour the West Indies after Hilfenhaus was ruled unfit to tour due to a recurring stress fracture of the lower back. Such injuries can carve years off the careers of Test cricketers if not managed properly, so such an action, whilst a let down for Hilfenhaus, will enable him to be best prepared for the possibility of a long summer season come the end of the year. I think that if Bolly is required for a test match or one dayer, he will prove himself to be more than capable.

SMH story here.

Virender Sehwag spanking the Proteas

I was catching up with the live scorecard from the 1st test between India and South Africa at Chennai, and was struck by Virender Sehwag’s batting stats so far:

V Sehwag

not out

273

251

40

3

108.76

That’s 273 runs from 251 balls, with 4o 4’s, 3 6’s, and a strike rate over 1oo. When you see that India’s total runs so far are 401, he’s dominating in every conceivable manner. Considering that they’re chasing South Africa’s first innings total of 540, and that the ever steady and slowish Rahul Dravid’s up the other end, Sehwag may be pushing towards Brian Lara’s record of 400 some time tomorrow.

Indian Premier League auction Part 2 (plus other cricket news)

A second round of auctions is taking place for the Indian Premier League, reports Cricinfo. Not many major names or prices, but given that the big money was spent in the first auction and most squads have little money to throw at potential players, that’s no surprise.

Of particular amusement though is the choice of names created by a couple of the franchises – Kolkata Knight Riders (will KITT be a mascot?) and Delhi Daredevils are rather flamboyant and out there compared to the comparatively staid names found for teams in other sporting competitions.

Of course, the “postponment” of the Australian tour to Pakistan (whether it is more a cancellation than a postponment is open to debate) will enable the Australian players to ensure that they do earn part of their pay packets, as opposed to dodging potential terrorist targets across the border.

In related news, the 2nd test between New Zealand and England will get underway in Wellington on Thursday, and after a quite embarrassing 2nd innings performance by the English at Hamilton (bowled out for 110 chasing 300), English online betting agency bet365 seems to have forgotten previous form and installed England as favourites (13/8 compared to NZ at 2/1). Of course I don’t endorse betting, but thought it was quite a noble example of misguided national patriotism from a nation whose sporting stars promise so much but seemingly deliver the opposite too often.

Going, going, gone??

2 quick wickets have swung the game back firmly into India’s grasp. Methinks that Mr Cricket can’t quite bring this one back.

Trouble…

Cricinfo’s live scorecard will not serve as pleasurable reading for Aussie cricket fans if the rot continues in this innings. If there’s any motivation to lift, it’s to be 2/8 down and know that Adam Gilchrist will have played his last international innings if the house continues to fall.

In related news, Praveen Kumar sort of reminds me of Kapil Dev. India has the makings of a wonderful bowling attack to serve them for the next decade.