T20 FINAL - A MAGNIFICIENT BATTLE AWAITS

My wish came true. I wanted an India versus Pakistan Final for the inaugural T20 championship. There can't be a better Finale to a highly successful tournament. Such a rivalry always charges up even the neutral supporters. The intensity shown by the players in the middle and the crowds at the ground is such that India vs Pakistan games always rank up as the most anticipated, next to the Ashes. But I still would say that nothing brings more fireworks than the clash of these sub-continental giants.

What makes the final more interesting is that not many imagined that these two teams would have made it into the semis in the first place. The favorites were the teams that made it to the semis in the ODI World Cup. One reason is that those four teams are still strong, and have the players who could fire in the shortest version of the game. Also, both India and Pakistan are missing their major players and many didn't feel that their young teams would rise up to the challenge. They proved us wrong, and in the process both teams have shown us what probably makes a perfect T20 team. A young, exuberant team that doesn't have too many expectations on their shoulders.

Both India and Pakistan have been brilliant in the tournament. While Pakistan have won the major battles more convincingly, India have managed to hold their nerve when their major battles have come down to the wire.

Both teams are quite evenly matched as well which makes the prospects of the final mouth-watering. They have young teams, flamboyant batsmen, tough bowlers, and brilliant, calm captains. On paper, they have lost a match each. I would however discount the bowl-out, which means that Pakistan are virtually the unbeaten team in the tournament. The final however, will be a whole new ball game; the past will matter very little.

Pakistan have done well when either batting first or chasing. India however, preferred to post a total. It will be interesting to see what will happen at the toss, especially since teams at Johannesburg prefer to chase a total. Statistics show that it is the better option too. India will have to think really hard with regard to what they would want to do when they win the toss.

I would say that the game will be decided when India bats. India have the better batting attack, while Pakistan have the better bowling attack.

Pakistan's bowling attack has more variety and is more menacing. Asif has shown us in the recent past that he can be the next Mcgrath. Shohail Thanvir has been bamboozling everyone with his interestingly wierd action. Shahid Afridi and Mohammed Hafeez have done brilliantly in the spin department and then of course there is Umar Gul who has done magnificently at the end of the innings. Overall, it is an awesome bowling attack that has done very well throughout the tournament.

For India, I would say that RP Singh has been a revelation. He's got movement and pace and has been outstanding. His spell against South Africa was one of the best of the tournaments. Another best was from Sreesanth against Australia, and if he continues in the same vein the Pakistani top order will be in trouble again. Irfan Pathan has had a remarkable come-back with the ball, and so has Harbajan. J Sharma needs to bowl more overs like his last one against Australia.

Pakistan's top order has been fragile, except for Nazir's performance in the semi final. Pakistan will be relying on him to carry on that form if they need a good start. Misbah and Shoaib Malik have however been outstanding with the bat, and it will be difficult to shake off the Pakistani middle order. Especially with Afridi yet to come.

All of India's batsmen have made contributions throughout the competition. The openers have given India good starts, Utappa and R Sharma have impressed, while Dhoni has been dashing as usual. And of course there is their trump card, Yuvraj.



BATTING FINDS

For Pakistan, it has to be Misbah ul Haq. He has responded well to the criticism he got after being picked ahead of Yousuf.

For India, R Sharma and Uttappa have been dazzling, but Ghambir has been their highest run scorer and has done very well as opener.

BOWLING FINDS

For Pakistan it is of course Thanvir with his wierd action. Has done very well in filling Shoaib Akthar's shoes. Except that he seems more well behaved.

For India, RP Singh. Simply outstanding.

BIG GUNS

Shoaib Malik has led from the front with the bat, while Afridi has been more effective with the ball, interestingly.

Dhoni has done hit bit with the bat, Harbajan has shown that he still has it with the ball. And then there's Yuvraj.

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC

Both captains have attracted a lot of praise. They are cool, calm, and have led from the front. Dhoni especially has impressed because even though he is an aggressive batsman, he doesn't show that in his personality. He wants his boys to have fun in the middle. Malik has done well to gel his team together, and this is a team that has been known to be notorious in the past when it comes to unity.

ON THE FIELD

They're not known to be very good fielding teams, but in this tournament they have been excellent in this department. It could be due to the fact that they have young and lively team members that have taken fielding in a serious note. The tournament saw many 'lollipops' being dropped. I wouldn't expect many in the final.

BATTLE TO LOOK OUT FOR

Yuvraj against Umar Gul. Can't wait for it.

MY PREDICTION

It's very tough to say. I would love another tie. But a better bowl-out session please.



A dream finale to a highly entertaining and successful tournament. My last wish is that it should be enthralling, with a lot of excitement and tension, and must come down to the wire. I am confident that it will. I'm already losing my finger nails.

A LOOK AT THE T20 SEMIS

Today we are going to witness two matches, where four of the best T20 teams will be battling out for a place in tomorrow's finals.


AUSTRALIA

They were the favorites before the tournament began, mainly because of their batting prowess, and it was theorized that you need such a gift to succeed in T20. But a loss to Zimbabwe out of all teams has placed doubts into many minds, until they bull-dozed through Sri Lanka. The team members themselves said that they are yet to embrace the game fully, and oddly don't seem to enjoy it very much. Whatever one may say, they are still the favorites. Never mess with an Australian team with purpose.

MASTER BLASTER

Just like in the World Cup, Hayden is the leading run scorer in this tournament. If he gets going, there will be only one winner.

BOWLING GENIUS

And just like in the World Cup, the leading wicker taker is an Australian (wonder why they're favorites?) Stuart Clark has been magnificent with the ball. He doesn't have pace, but he has shown that line and length works for him.

WEAK LINK

Australia have lost games while batting first. If they are put in first in the Semis, we're up for an interesting battle.

ALSO LOOK OUT FOR

Andrew Symonds. He is yet to make a good score. If he gets going, the spectators better run for cover.



INDIA

No one expected them to make the semis because they were missing their three big guns. They had a relatively inexperienced side as well, and had not much T20 exposure. Their young team however, have been buoyant and have pulled out some magnificent victories.

MASTER BLASTER

The openers. Sehwag and Gambhir have made a couple of good opening partnerships. Look out for another one.

BOWLING GENIUS

To me, RP Singh has been the revelation. He was absolutely outstanding against South Africa.

WEAK LINK

Their bowling and fielding can be erratic at times.

ALSO LOOK OUT FOR

Irfan Pathan. He has come into the side with a bang, bowling well and still having the ability to hit it big.



PAKISTAN

Another young team has shown us how to do it in T20. Except for the bowlout they have been unbeatable in this tournament. And they have the wide range of talent to help them lift the cup.

MASTER BLASTER

Misbah. After all that controversy regarding his selection, he has been the mainstay in the strong flamboyant Pakistani line-up.

BOWLING GENIUS

Another new kid on the block, Thanvir. His wierd bowling action has deceived everyone.

WEAK LINK

They're top order has been pathetic.

ALSO LOOK OUT FOR

Boom Boom. Afridi has been hitting the ball, but hasn't made any major scores yet. He has been their best bowler too. Shoaib Malik has also impressed with the bat.



NEW ZEALAND

They're always the team that quietly does well in any tournament, but never quite make it to the big stage, except for Mini World Cup in 2000. They have been impressive in this tournament mainly because they do their basics right.

MASTER BLASTER

McMillan and Oram have been outstanding with the bat. And ever reliable.

BOWLING GENIUS

There is alot of praise about Vettori's bowling in this format, because no one expected spinners to shine. He has been a good captain as well.

WEAK LINK

Like Pakistan (who they play in the semis) their top order has failed. Shane Bond hasn't been at his best as well.

ALSO LOOK OUT FOR

Gillespie. He has been a bowler that is tough to handle against.




Let's get ready for some action!

TWENTY20 MADNESS

Not many expected it, but the T20 World Cup is, so far, turning out to be a huge success that journalists and former players are already talking about more T20 games being introduced into the International Cricket calendar. It is a format that is gaining in popularity, and I wouldn't be surprised if all the cricket-playing started introducing it into their domestic circuits. There have been decent crowds in almost every game, and they have been treated to some awesome high-powered action, and that not only from the bat. There have been close games, superb individual performances, and major upsets. Here are some views on the tournament so far.


IT'S NOT ALL 'BANG BANG'

There were many who objected about this new format of the game, about it being a format where players will just have the view to hit every ball from the word go. Not much skill would be required and bowlers will "die a thousand deaths" according to Daryll Cullinan.

I do not however feel that it is all high-powered action from the bat only. There have been instances where the ball has been the deciding factor in some games, and if you have been watching the games you will see that when the batsman swings wildly most of the time they end up sending the ball straight up in the air. Pacemen have resorted to either banging the ball short of a length, or going for good low yorkers. Spinners have been tough to hit out as well. Of course you will get at least one good innings in the match that has a strike rate of over 150, but its not definitely a batsman's game. The Batsman is under constant pressure to score at more than a run a ball, and a wicket or even a dot ball has a greater effect on the the batting team than in most 50 over games.

The way you play T20 is definitely different from ODI and Test matches, but it is definitely not mindless and has proven to be very entertaining indeed. Even the weaker teams have managed to thrill crowds.


POINTS TO PONDER, FOR PUNTER

Before the tournament began, Ricky Ponting said that it was a format that shouldn't be taken too seriously and that teams should just go off and have fun. After losing to Zimbabwe, he said that Australia were "not mentally prepared" and that they have to take the game more seriously.

He got that right.


SANGAKKARA IS SMART, BUT...

Kumar Sangakkara is never short of words when he hears any form of sledging from the opposition. But sometimes I disagree with some things he says. Like when the time Sri Lanka rested Vaas and Murali during the Super eight game against Australia in the World Cup, he said that they were rested because it wasn't an important game and that their earlier game against Bermuda was more important. Really?

Before the tournament, Sri Lanka had two warm up games, one with South Africa and then with Pakistan of which they lost the latter. Sangakkara said that they weren't too worried about that loss because it was just a practice game. I never heard of anyone not taking a practice game that lightly.
Sri Lanka eventually lost to Pakistan in the second round of the tournament.


SANATH, BRILLIANT BUT INCONSISTENT

With his first two innings, he made half centuries, but then followed them up with scores of 5 and 0. He has always been inconsistent. In the first three matches of the World Cup, he had scores of 22, 109 and then 6. Sri Lanka has shown that their batting relies heavily on Sanath in T20. If Lanka are to progress to the next round either Sanath has to go back to making runs, or Lanka will have to find a way to not be overdependant on Sanath.



SPECIALISTS, YOUNG GUNS AND WHAT FAVORITES?

England packed their team with T20 specialists. It didn't seem to be working well for them. India and Pakistan have young teams, India struggles a bit while Pakistan are (technically) unbeaten so far. Australia were the favorites, but they lost to Zimbabwe.

Moral of the story? I really don't know; We are yet to find out what encapsulates a perfect T20 team.



IT's A TIE! NOW FOR A PENALTY SHOOT-OUT

The game between India and Pakistan was the most anticipated, and so far has been the best game of the tournament. Ideally I think it should have just ended with both teams sharing the points, but the creators of the format decided to inject some extra bit of fun and we witnessed an interesting and comical bowl-out.

Many are against the idea of a bowl-out, even the Indian captain, but I think that it works well with such a format of the game that is meant solely to entertain. At the same time, I think bowl-outs aren't necessary unless if its a virtual knock-out game.

India won that battle 3-0. What was comical was that India used Sehwag and Utappa who never bowled during the while match and they were successful, while Pakistan used three specialist bowlers and they all missed the stumps. I thought that bowlers practice with one stump in the nets?



MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE SEMI FINALS

Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand, South Africa

(I Hope Sri Lanka beats Australia though)

WORLD CUP 2007 PREVIEW


Finally, the World Cup has come to an end. Congratulations to Australia. They thoroughly deserved the Cup. Here is a review of how it all went about, with regard to mainly the performances on the field. There won't be a preview of each and every match - it may take the same time as the whole tournament to finish such an article - but the key moments, individuals and matches will be summarised here. The whole tournament was a drag, but there were definitely some moments to cherish


BEST MATCHES
(3) England vs WI

What a game. Went down to the last over, and had the special significance in that it was Lara's last game. It would have been more fitting if the Windies won, but Lara's career has been full of such disappointments - team wise.

(2) SL vs Eng

Another cruch game involving England. 230 was a gettable target for the English, but when faced against the best bowling attack in the tournament it was always going to be difficult. Pieterson and Ball threatened, but then a small collapse tilted the scales back to Lanka. Bopara and Nixon (who was involved in both the tight games) then staged an amazing recovery, and it looked like England would achieve the impossible. A magnificent last over from Dilhara shattered their hopes. Its' rated as the second best game because it was decided in the very last ball. Bopara was bowled by Dilhara, a truly amazing way to finish the game.



(1) Ire vs Zim

If Lanka had won against South Africa then that would have been the best match. But it was not to be. Instead it has to go to the only tie in the World Cup. That tie gave the Irish some momentum, after which they did much better than expected.


BEST INNINGS

(3) Hayden 100 off 66 balls vs SA

The fastest century in a World Cup, and it completely blew the South Africans. He really stamped his authority in the tournament with that knock.

(2) Mahela Jayawardena 115* vs New Zealand

To get a hundred in a World Cup semi final really means something. Wickets had fallen early. but Mahela played an untroubled, cool, intelligent innings that was well paced and action packed at the end. One of the best innings ever.

(1) Adam Gilchrist 149 vs Sri Lanka
World Cup Final. Not a good tournament with the bat before that, but came out with one of the very best at the big event. An innings that made the ultimate difference between the two teams. This has to be Gilly's best in his illustrious one day career.


BEST BOWLING PERFORMANCE

(3) Murali - 3 wkts vs India

India needed a win against Sri Lankato stay in the competition. They were chasing a gettable total, but it was Murali who stood in their way. He bowled doosras around the wicket, bamboozling Sehwag and Dhoni. Magnificent stuff.

(2)Nathan Bracken - 4/19 vs Sri Lanka
And it was taken in 10 overs. Economical, and had wickets. Amazing.

(1) Malinga - 4 wickets vs South Africa
And those 4 came in 4 consecutive balls. Almost turned the match single handedly. Incredible.



BEST CATCHES

(3) Leverock's catch off Uttappa (Bermuda vs India)

Big man, dived to his right to fetch a catch, and he was even out of the ground! Not even Arjuna or Inzi would have tried that!

(2) Collingwood's catch off D. Smith (Eng vs WI)

Amazing stuff. The ball was going towards his left, but instead of catching it with the left hand he used his stronger right hand to scoop the ball out of the air. Who would have thought of catching the ball in that fashion!

(1) Johnston's catch off Akmal (Ire vs Pak)

The catch that sealed Pakistan's fate. Akmal was staging a minor revival, and the the Irish Captain pulls off a stunner Running backwards, he dives and takes the catch just a couple of feet off the ground. Wow.


BEST NEW TEAM
Ireland - No need for explanations


Biggest upset
(3) Ire beating pak
An unknown team beat one of the heavy weights, and knocked them out of the competition. Totally unexpected

(2)Bangladesh beating India
I'm rating this one higher because India were one of the favorites for the Cup, and this upset not only effectively knocked India out of the competition but made the competition lose alot of fans, and finances.


(1) Bang beating SA

This has to take the cake. Bangladesh beats the number one team of the World, yet again. Only difference is that it is not Australia. South Africa lose its number one status. And the wrecker-in-chief was once again, Ashraful.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMEMT - BATSMEN
(3) CHRIS GAYLE

Man of the tournament in the last Champions Trophy. But in front of his home crowd, he managed only one fifty. West Indies's chances dimmed with the failure of one of its stars.

(2) SACHIN TENDULKAR

A fifty only against Bermuda. And his duck against Sri Lanka effectively ruined India's chances of reaching the next round. It has also brought about question marks regarding his immediate future.

(1) MIKE HUSSEY

He was the World's number one batsman at one point of time. I thought he would make the biggest contribution to Australia's success. It was not to be. But they didn't need him anyway.


BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENTS - BOWLERS

(3) MAKHAYA NTINI

One of the best fast bowlers around, but didn't perform with the ball this time. Was even dropped for the last two games South Africa played.

(2) SHAUN POLLOCK

Didn't have a good tournament with the ball as well.

(1) JEROME TAYLOR

To me, Taylor was the biggest disappointment because he was awesome in the Champions Trophy, he failed in home conditions and even Micheal Holding thought that he would be a key figure for the West Indian team. Very unfortunate, but he still has the ability to become a great bowler.


BEST BATSMAN

(3) RICKY PONTING
Consistent as ever. Truly one of the best in the World at the moment

(2) MAHELA JAYAWARDENA
Didn't have a good start to the tournament, but then he peaked at the best time for his team. Led from the front, and his hundred against New Zealand in the Semis was his best knock.

(1) MATHEW HAYDEN
No need for reasons.

BEST BOWLER
(3) BRAD HOGG
Just beats Tait, because he was more economical. A great performer for Australia, and certainly one of the most under-rated.

(2) MURALITHARAN
He was just awesome throughout the tournament, especially when bowling around the wicket to the right handers. Didn't take wickets in the Finals, but was still tough to play against.

(1)GLEN MCGRATH
Awarded Man of the tournament. Any more reasons required?


MY WORLD CUP 11

(1) HAYDEN
(2) GILCHRIST (WK)
(3) PONTING
(4) MAHELA JAYAWARDENA (captain)
(5) KEVIN PIETERSON
(6) SCOTT STYRIS
(7) MICHAEL CLARKE
(8) BRAD HOGG
(9) MURALITHARAN
(10) GLEN MCGRATH
(11) LASITH MALINGA

THANK YOU, LARA



I was watching the last few moments of the England vs West Indies match, in the Super 8's, and I started tearing. It was an emotional time, because another legend of the game was about to bow out of cricket. Brian Charles Lara had one of the most animated careers we will even come across, but his batting brilliance will be forever etched in my mind, and in many other's too.

I would have liked to see Lara sign off, with a hundred to his name, and with West Indies winning that game. In a way, it sort of summed up West Indies' fortunes the last few years. WI always placed a great deal of expectations on Lara's shoulders, and when he failed, so did WI. Yet, Lara has pulled off some amazing one-handed victories, the best being his unbeaten 153 against Australia, an innings that has been spoken about many a time and has been ranked as the best ever. I second that. Many have said that Lara is the best batsman to watch. Indeed he is. He is the classiest player I have seen, and the way he dictates terms with the bat is simply amazing.

Lara, it was a pleasure to watch you bat. Thank you for everything you have done for the sport. You were truly one of the sport's greats. You have left a huge hole in cricket, which will be very tough to fill indeed. May you have, a happy journey ahead of you.

Do or die for Arnold, Chandana and Sehwag
India vs Sri Lanka, February 2007

After a long lay-off after the Champions Trophy, it's back to look at what the cricket World has in store for us. The World Cup is around the corner, and a few tournaments are going around, where teams are trying out different players who have been knocking on the selector's doors for a while. In the case for Australia, they just have too many people knocking and don't know who would get the nod. For England, its the same story. The problem however is different - either they're too inconsistent or get injured.

India, theoretically, should have the best team. They have millions to chose from. But they still are looking for that "killer" combination. The last tournament with West Indies has solved certain problems for a while. Sachin is back in form, which is probably the greatest news for them. For me however, in the batting department, the best news would be the re-emergence of the Prince of Calcutta. Ganguly has taken the opportunity given to him by the scruff, and he has become the most consistent batsman in the Indian line-up. These two along with Dravid, forms a trio of terror. Once these three click, there is no stopping them. The last one-dayer with the Windies proved that.

Uthappa showed his skill as well in the tournament, and along with Dhoni and the ever reliable Yuvraj the problems have been solved with the top 6 batsman. That leaves the big question - where does Sehwag fit in? He has been in terrible form lately, but with a few good knocks in the Domestic scene he has been given another chance to prove himself in the upcoming series with Sri Lanka. He will be however, placed in the middle order. Whether that works for him or not is left to be seen. But looks like he can't make any complaints and it's up to him to perform. His performance will decide whether he gets a ticket to the Caribbean or not.

The bowling department has its share of problems as well. With the exception of Zaheer Khan, whom I should also applaud for coming back into the team with a bang, there have been a range of bowlers who have tried and had their share of successes and failures. There are plans of bringing Kumble back in, and though he hasn't been among the wickets he has definitely stemmed the flow of runs many a time. Harbhajan Singh is not doing too bad, so it's left for some more seamers. Srisanth is a little inconsistent, and Munaf Patel has his share of injury-related problems. And Agarkar, well, things don't seem to get any better for him, though it does look like he will be playing in the World Cup because the selectors do show some faith in him.

The main problem however, lies in Sehwag - where in the world would they place him in the team?

In Sri Lanka's case, the selectors seem happy with the way things have gone over the last few months. The top order seems in good shape. Sanath is showing that the monster that was there in '96 is still there, and with Tharanga, Mahela, Atapattu and Sangakkara, the batting order for the first 5 names will be unchanged.

The bowling department seems to be untroubled as well, though I really feel that Dilhara shouldn't be in the first 11. He is being titled as a wicket-taker, but what's the use of him taking one or two wickets when he gives around 5 to 6 runs per over as well?

I think that with Vaas, Malinga and Murali, Sri Lanka has a strong core in the bowling. And with the Sanath able to bowl a few tidy overs, its left for one or two more bowlers to fill the team card. Mahroof is a handy all-rounder, but a little inconsistent. Other bowlers have been tested before, but when a player is a "test" in the Lankan team, he isn't generally being taken serious.

So eight names are cemented in the line-up. Probable Dilhara will make the ninth, though of course I have objections. The selectors had opted for another bowler (Mahroof most of the times) and Dilshan to fill in the remaining two gaps. Dilshan is , without doubt, one of the best fielders around. His batting however is not convincing. That was why Chamara Silva was tried in New Zealand. He did well in the Test arena, but not in the one dayers and I think he is better suited to Tests.

So I guess thats why Arnold and Chandana are included in the team thats going to play India in a few days time. In my view, Arnold is one of the most reliable batsman Sri Lanka have. He may have had his bad patches, but he is a fighter. What really troubles me is why they dropped him from the team when he was one of the best batsman in the tri-series tournament in Australia early last year. That was really unfair i felt, and I really hope that he does well in India, because he really deserves to be in the World Cup team. He can bowl a few handy overs too, and is a good fielder too. So for me, if its not Dilshan, its Arnold.

And then comes Chandana. What a roller-coaster ride it has been for him. At times he was irreplaceable. At times, he was totally forgotten. He may not be in the same calibre as a Michael Hussey, but he is a very handy one-day player, and a fantastic fielder too. I feel that he could be the perfect man for that last spot in the Lankan team. Its up to him to prove it to the selectors.

With Vaas and Murali rested for this series, it looks like Lanka are trying to figure out which bowlers will make it to the West Indies next month. I hope that Arnold and Chandana will get a place on that plane as well.

Well, it's do or die for them, and Sehwag as well. The first match is scheduled for the 8th of this month.