THE SPELL WHICH WON AN ASHES

 

Image Credit- ESPN Cricinfo 

Venue- Trent Bridge, Nottingham [August 2015].

It is a dream for every English and Australian cricketer to play in an Ashes series. Furthermore, nothing gets better if one by his solo performance wins an Ashes for his country and makes his country proud. It is further pertinent to note that there have been numerous instances wherein the players just by their individual performances have helped their side win the Ashes trophy.   

One such incidence happened on 6th August 2015.  It was the 4th test of the 2015 Ashes series. England were 2-1 up in the series and were thus looking to reclaim the trophy which they lost to their arch-rivals 20 months back. On the other hand, it was a do or die game for the Aussies who were lagging behind in the series.

The English Captain Alastair Cook won the toss and elected to field first. And Boy! What happened next was simply unbelievable. The Aussies were bowled out for just 60 runs in 18.3 overs. No Aussie batsman was able to face Stuart Broad in his home ground.  Broad bowled a total of 9.3 overs in which he conceded 15 runs and picked up 8 wickets. Whenever the Aussie batsmen tried to play Broad, they ended up giving a catch to the slip cordon. Broad was just unplayable that day.

In response the English declared at 391 runs in their first innings. Charismatic Joe Root scored yet another hundred against their old foes. Furthermore, it is pertinent to note that Stuart Broad even scored 24 not out with his bat. The English had thus piled up a lead of 331 runs. 

David Warner and Chris Rogers put on a 113-run opening partnership to start Australia's second innings. However, Ben Stokes succeeded in breaking the partnership which then triggered a collapse. At the end of second day's play, Adam Voges displayed some resiliency while wickets fell at the other end, bringing Australian total to 241/7. 

On the third day, England captured the final three Australian wickets in just 10.2 overs. As a result of Australia being bowled out for 253, England triumphed by an innings and 78 runs. Broad was selected the game's man of the match, and Stokes recorded figures of 6/36 in the second innings. With one game left in the series, England was able to reclaim the Ashes.

To watch Stuart Broad's spell, click here. 

WHO'S THE GREATEST BATSMAN?

 

Image Credit- The Hindu

It is often debated among the cricket fans that who is the greatest batsman ever to play the game of cricket. Furthermore this has to be determined on the basis of his performance in the longest format of the game i.e. the test cricket. Though one can argue to include performances in ODI cricket as well. But, mostly its the performance in test cricket which matters the most. 

Statistics is the easiest way to determine the same. However stats may not always project the right picture. After all with every generation the nature of the game has changed. As a result we cannot compare the stats of players from different generation. It would be wrong.

However we can compare the statistics of the modern day greats with their own peers and settle this debate of greatness. Currently there are only 3 active cricketers who average more than 50 in the longest format of the game. They are Steven Smith (Avg. 60.89), Marnus Labuschagne (Avg. 59.43) and Kane Williamson (Avg. 53.83). Joe Root (Avg. 49.43), Virat Kohli (Avg. 48.9) and Babar Azam (Avg. 48.63) are not very far from that coveted 50.00 mark. It is pertinent to note that Virat Kohli averaged more than 50 until February 2022. But, in  March 2022 his average slipped below 50.00 and is now currently at 48.90. 

However again just by comparing the average we cannot get the accurate result. Averages might lie. Pitches and playing conditions of Pakistan cannot be compared with pitches and playing conditions of England. One cannot forget the fact that the pitches in recent times have occupied the center stage of innumerable debates. However one can still compare their stats with the contemporary players of their times and check out the difference between the two.

The same has been done by the author of this piece. As a result the editor of this blog felt like sharing the same with his readers. However it is interesting to note that even the author of this piece failed to arrive at a concrete answer. Thus, at last it can be said that no calculation can help us arrive at the answer of this question. So just enjoy the batting of your favorite cricketers till the time they play. 

LETTERS FROM THE PAST

 

 Image Credit- Rajasthan Royals.

In August 2015, Australian opener Chris Rogers and Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara were about to play the final test match of their respective careers. In backdrop of this event author wrote this letter. To be more precise this letter was written on 22nd of August 2015 in response to the article titled, "Duo who turned batting into Science" (Author- Simon Hughes) published in The Telegraph.

In the present-day scenario, where players are not afraid of scoring even by the reverse scoops, these two players have shown that even if one is not a hard hitter, one can still get away with highest runs for his team if he has a proper technique. The research which they both did before a test series is amazing. This shows their dedication towards the game. Today players care only for scoring runs and are least bothered of developing skill. Hence these two players deserve a special place in the history of modern-day cricket because they have the skills, and they also score runs.

Rogers and Sangakkara will be playing their final innings this week. They have done a lot for this classical game. So, when we bid them goodbye from the game of cricket, we must do it gracefully and honorably.  

 

THE BEST OF JIMMY ANDERSON

 

Image Credit- The Guardian

Venue- Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds [May 2016].

Sri Lanka was playing against England in the first test of the three match test series. Sri Lankan Captain Angelo Mathews won the toss and elected to field first. In a bowling friendly pitch Sri Lankan bowlers blew the English top order. At the end of 32 overs, the English scorecard read 83/5. It appeared that the hosts will be bowled out under 150. However, Alex Hales and Jonny Bairstow rose up to the occasion. Hales scored a solid 86 runs knock. Whereas the local lad Jonny Bairstow took the Sri Lankan attack by horns as he scored 140 of 183 balls [13 4's and 1 6's]. Due to Bairstow's ton the English ended up scoring 298 runs in their first innings.

In response when Sri Lankans came out to bat, they looked clueless in front of English bowlers. James Anderson and Stuart Broad picked up 5 and 4 wickets respectively and the visitors were bowled out for just 91 runs in the first innings. The English Captain Alastair Cook decided to enforce a follow on, and the carnage continued. Anderson once again blew the Sri Lankan batting line up and the visitors were bowled out for 119 runs in their second innings. James Anderson picked up another 5 wickets haul and ended the match with the figure of 10-45. 

The Hosts won the game by an innings and 88 runs and took a 1-0 lead in 3 match series. Jonny Bairstow was awarded the Man of the Match award for his excellent 140 runs in such tough conditions. However, this match will always be remembered for the iconic spell of James Anderson. 

In the words of Mike Selvey, "Like an aristocrat greeting a lady with a sweep of his hat, England’s fast-bowler brushed aside Sri Lanka to record his best figures at the ground of 10 for 45". 

To watch James Anderson's spell, click here. 

A KNOCK TO REMEMBER

 

Image Credit- ICC Cricket

Venue- Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, [December 2020].

India was playing against Australia in the second test of the four-match series. It is pertinent to note that in the previous test the Indian team faced an embarrassing defeat in Adelaide wherein they were bowled out for just 36 runs in their second innings. As a result, the morale of the team was down. To make matter worse, Indians were without their regular captain. Virat Kohli was back home [Paternity Leave] and Ajinkya Rahane was leading the side. The Indians were in a precarious situation. 

On Boxing Day, Australian Captain Tim Paine won the toss and elected to bat first as on a bright sunny day it was the best thing to do. However, Jasprit Bumrah led Indian bowling attack blew the Australian batting line-up and the Aussies were bowled out for just 195 runs in 72.3 overs. Jasprit Bumrah was the leading wicket taker for the Indians as he picked up 4 wickets in the first innings.

However, the Indian start to the innings was not a great one as Mitchell Starc picked up the wicket of Mayank Agarwal in the very first over. The scorecard read 0-1 when Cheteshwar Pujara came out to bat. Pujara and Gill added a partnership of 61 runs before Gill being dismissed by Cummins.  

The scorecard read 61-2 and this is when the captain stepped into bat. However, before Rahane could settle down, India lost the wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara. The score was 64-3 and the Aussies were all over the Indians. Pat Cummins was bowling the spell of his life. But this is when the Indian Captain stepped up. 

Firstly, with Hanuma Vihari, Rahane stitched a partnership of 52 runs. After Vihari was dismissed, Rahane had one more 50 runs stand with Rishabh Pant. By the time Pant was dismissed the Indian scorecard read 173/5; 22 runs still behind the Australian total. One more wicket and the game would have come Australia's way.  

But, on that cloudy afternoon we saw one of the greatest batting displays by the Indian Captain. Rahane scored a marvelous hundred in the MCG against a top tier Australian bowling lineup. It is interesting to note that there were occasions where it seemed that the Aussie quicks could get his wicket. But as we say fortune favors the brave; that day the luck was on the side of Rahane. 

Rahane scored a well composed hundred and helped his team take a vital lead against the hosts. By the time Rahane was dismissed the Indian scorecard read 294/6, 99 runs ahead of the Aussie total. It is interesting to note that when Rahane was dismissed which happened because of a runout, he did not display any ill wills against his batting partner Ravindra Jadeja. The captain displayed sportsmanship even at that point of the game when it is not at all easy to keep calm. 

After Rahane's wicket, India lost the remaining 4 wickets in quick time and were eventually all out for 326 runs. Rahane was the leading scorer for the Indians  as he scored 112 runs in 223 deliveries [12 Boundaries].  

[POSTSCRIPT- The Aussies in their second innings were bowled out for 200 runs with visitors needing 70 runs to win the test. In response the Indians lost two quick wickets. However again the captain led from the front and the Indians chased the total comfortably and levelled the series 1-1. For his remarkable bating performance of 112 and 27*, Rahane was awarded the Man of the Match Award.]

To watch Ajinkya Rahane's knock of 112, click here. 

SUPER RISHABH

 

Image Credit- NDTV Sports

Venue- Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham [July 2022].

India was playing against England in the 5th test of the 5-match series. English Captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to field first. In bowling friendly conditions, English bowlers removed the Indian top-order batsmen in no time.  When Rishabh Pant came out to bat, India was 71/4. Soon it became 98/5. The ball was swinging and seaming. It appeared India will be bowled out under 150.  The condition was precarious. 

However, what we witnessed next was nothing short of a magnum opus. Rishabh Pant launched a counterattack against the English bowling. The moment he stepped out of his crease and hit Anderson for 4, we knew that he won't remain quiet whatever the situation be.  Next in the line was Stuart Broad and Matthew Potts who too were hit for a lot of runs. However, the bowler who faced maximum blows from the bat of Rishabh Pant was Jack Leach. He hit him for sixes and fours, one handed/two handed, spin/ no spin. It is interesting to note that in one of his overs, Jack Leach went for 22 runs. 

Pant scored 146 in just 111 balls. His innings consisted of 19 boundaries and 4 sixes. Furthermore, it is pertinent to note that this innings was not only about power hitting, but was also about timing, placement and turning of wrists in an elegant manner. It was a pure masterclass from the Delhi boy. 

By the time Joe Root got rid of Pant, the Indian scorecard read 320/6. Pant did his job in grand style. 

[POSTSCRIPT- In the second innings of the game, Rishabh Pant scored 57 of 86 deliveries. However, the English ended up winning this test match because of the heroics of two Yorkshire lads Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow who guided England to their record run chase of 378.]

 To watch Rishabh Pant's 146 runs knock, click here.