So much has been written about the 20th anniversary of Sachin Tendulkar's Test debut that it's hard to know what else to say. In his 160th test he ended up reaching 30,000 international runs, 43rd test match century and 88th international century all in all in a period when he and cricket are celebrating 20 years of international cricket for such a humble player.
The Little Master seems to have been around for ever but then of course twenty years is a very long time by cricketing standards. It helps to have been a child prodigy, making his debut at only 16, and to have suffered relatively few serious injuries. Others have enjoyed similarly lengthy international careers but the likes of Gooch and Cowdrey played until their forties and Imran Khan was 39 when he finally retired. The thing about Tendulkar is that he is not still playing out of any nostalgic loyalty felt by the Indian selectors; he's still there on merit and he could surely play on at the top for a while yet. OK, so he may not score triple-centuries as he did as a 15 year-old. In fact, he has yet to compile a first-class 250, but his 42 Test centuries, more than 12,700 Test and 17,000 ODI runs make him a serial record-breaker, with only Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis and teammate Rahul Dravid of the current greats to keep him on his toes.
Funny to think Sachin started out as a potential fast bowler! Somehow I reckon a 5 ft 5 inch paceman would not last very long yet his 154 mostly medium-pace or spin ODI wickets make him one of his country's most successful bowlers, too. Oh, and don't forget more than 230 international catches, although his two brief spells as India's captain were less memorable. Nobody survives twenty years at the top of cricket without a few losses of form here and minor controversies there but while the runs keep flowing, Tendulkar would always be forgiven.
Barring some sort of disaster, He must surely reach the 30,000 international run mark and beat Steve Waugh's record of 168 Test matches. However, Tendulkar's greatest legacy will be his popularity, both with other players (including the bowlers he has punished over the years!) and fans. Yes, he is revered in his cricket-mad home country but all cricket enthusiasts around the world respect his talent and he will draw large crowds everywhere he plays. He's not the ruthless attacker he once was but that recent one-day 175 proves he can still take bowling attacks apart when he wants to.
I'll leave the glowing quotes to the likes of Warne, Donald, Sehwag and Bradman but as a cricket fan it's just good to see him keeping going, the look of concentation broken by childish smile of delight when he breaks another record or helps his side to another win, whatever the competition might be. I wrote earlier that he seems to have been on the scene forever and right now it feels that he could keep going for another eternity. It will certainly be a sad day when he finally puts his bat away for the last time but at only 36, time is on his side. I'll be glad to write another article in 2014 when Sachin Tendulkar reaches a quarter-century at the top.
Saturday, 21 November 2009
Friday, 20 November 2009
India v Sri Lanka Test Series 2009 - Gambhir & Tendulkar Centuries Draw Test For India
The draw was always the most likely result and that is how it ended up with 7 centuries and 21 wickets in five days of test match cricket. So for the ones who are trying to save test match cricket they are in the wrong country as it is the TV companies who pay on the number of days of cricket resulting in flat batting wickets.
The morning session started with India 144 runs in the deficit and Sri Lanka requiring 8 wickets and knew a couple of quick wickets the pressure will transfer to India and anything would be possible. The only wicket of the morning session was on Mishra who caught him quite brilliantly by Dilshan who dropped him earlier on, then it was down to a determined batting performance by Gambhir and Tendulkar who ended up scoring centuries. Gambhir did a lot of the hard work on day 4 but ensured on day 5 there would be no hiccups or sense of any collapse. The way Gambhir played was quite superlative the way he replicated his Napier innings, if he was not able to score runs it did not bother him too much where against Angelo Matthews he batting 30 consecutive balls, and against spinners who either batted way back in the crease or met the ball before it spun. He took his time to reach 90 but then his a couple of boundaries to reach his 7th test century and the 4th in the second innings and where his second innings average is 59.55 compared to his overall average of 54.22.
After lunch Gambhir played his one rash shot which ended up in losing his wicket leaving it to Tendulkar to ensure the test is drawn. Tendulkar went into total defensive mode where there was a period where he scored 3 runs out of 26 balls but after tea India had erased Sri Lanka’s lead allowing Tendulkar and Laxman to bat more attacking. Tendulkar reached 50 shortly after tea and both teams knew what the final outcome so it was only a matter of time and whether Tendulkar would reach his century. Rightly or wrongly both teams continued to stay on for Tendulkar to reach his century, the bowlers decided to bowl wide off sump but Tendulkar did not fall for the tactic and played a ODI type innings.
Tendulkar did finally reach his 43rd test match century, 88th international century and also went past 30,000 international runs while celebrating 20 years of international cricket. The records and all the applause goes to Tendulkar, but for India they can be pleased the character they showed under pressure where Sri Lanka can take confidence from dominating most of the test match.
The morning session started with India 144 runs in the deficit and Sri Lanka requiring 8 wickets and knew a couple of quick wickets the pressure will transfer to India and anything would be possible. The only wicket of the morning session was on Mishra who caught him quite brilliantly by Dilshan who dropped him earlier on, then it was down to a determined batting performance by Gambhir and Tendulkar who ended up scoring centuries. Gambhir did a lot of the hard work on day 4 but ensured on day 5 there would be no hiccups or sense of any collapse. The way Gambhir played was quite superlative the way he replicated his Napier innings, if he was not able to score runs it did not bother him too much where against Angelo Matthews he batting 30 consecutive balls, and against spinners who either batted way back in the crease or met the ball before it spun. He took his time to reach 90 but then his a couple of boundaries to reach his 7th test century and the 4th in the second innings and where his second innings average is 59.55 compared to his overall average of 54.22.
After lunch Gambhir played his one rash shot which ended up in losing his wicket leaving it to Tendulkar to ensure the test is drawn. Tendulkar went into total defensive mode where there was a period where he scored 3 runs out of 26 balls but after tea India had erased Sri Lanka’s lead allowing Tendulkar and Laxman to bat more attacking. Tendulkar reached 50 shortly after tea and both teams knew what the final outcome so it was only a matter of time and whether Tendulkar would reach his century. Rightly or wrongly both teams continued to stay on for Tendulkar to reach his century, the bowlers decided to bowl wide off sump but Tendulkar did not fall for the tactic and played a ODI type innings.
Tendulkar did finally reach his 43rd test match century, 88th international century and also went past 30,000 international runs while celebrating 20 years of international cricket. The records and all the applause goes to Tendulkar, but for India they can be pleased the character they showed under pressure where Sri Lanka can take confidence from dominating most of the test match.
Thursday, 19 November 2009
India v Sri Lanka Test Series 2009 - Gambhir Fights Back, As Sri Lanka Hold The Advantage
Sri Lanka hold the advantage going into the fifth day after scoring a massive 760/7 and a lead of 334 with India still requiring another 144 to get Sri Lanka to bat again but India will be required to bat the whole day if they are to save the test.
The morning started with India playing the waiting game not knowing when Sri Lanka would be declaring which played into the batsmen hand. Both Mahela and Prasanna continued where they left on day 3 by scoring easy runs near 4 runs an over. Mahela reached 250 and 9000 test runs with Prasanna reaching 150 in a partnership of 351 for the sixth wicket which is a world record. Even when the new ball was taken Zaheer and Ishant were not able to trouble the batsmen and allowed them to score boundaries quite easily and they collected two more wickets which had no bearing on the outcome. India also reached a couple of there own records which they cannot be to pleased off with Mishra conceding 203 runs, Harhhajan 11 short of 200.
The declaration finally came 1 hour after the lunch sessions with India knowing they had to bat four and half sessions to save the game and they knew they were not too many demons in the wicket. The approach of the openers was going to be vital and with Sehwag there was only going to be one way he bats and he aggressive from ball one which had unsettled the Sri Lankan’s. Sehwag provided chances and it did seem he could bat the whole day and run the fielders like a rag and there was a chance Sri Lanka may have to bat again but it was not meant to be as Herath got the big wicket which bought in centurion Dravid joining Gambhir.
India were in comfortable hands with the wall Dravid and Gambhir who looked to replicate his innings he played in Napier earlier in the year. Neither batsmen were troubled by the spin which was slow spin and played the ball as late as possible. Sangakkara bought on the faster bowlers and he was rewarded with the Welegedara removing Dravid which was debatable and Sri Lanka knew that was a massive wicket. India bought in nightwatchman Mishra and he played well with Gambhir to negotiate 15 overs for the day.
It was a day with Sri Lanka started in control and they end the day in the same position and they have a whole day to get the final 8 wickets to win the first test. India know they still have a lot work to do but with Gambhir at the crease and the wicket not having too many demons saving the test is the most likely result but a collapse from India is not out of the question.
The morning started with India playing the waiting game not knowing when Sri Lanka would be declaring which played into the batsmen hand. Both Mahela and Prasanna continued where they left on day 3 by scoring easy runs near 4 runs an over. Mahela reached 250 and 9000 test runs with Prasanna reaching 150 in a partnership of 351 for the sixth wicket which is a world record. Even when the new ball was taken Zaheer and Ishant were not able to trouble the batsmen and allowed them to score boundaries quite easily and they collected two more wickets which had no bearing on the outcome. India also reached a couple of there own records which they cannot be to pleased off with Mishra conceding 203 runs, Harhhajan 11 short of 200.
The declaration finally came 1 hour after the lunch sessions with India knowing they had to bat four and half sessions to save the game and they knew they were not too many demons in the wicket. The approach of the openers was going to be vital and with Sehwag there was only going to be one way he bats and he aggressive from ball one which had unsettled the Sri Lankan’s. Sehwag provided chances and it did seem he could bat the whole day and run the fielders like a rag and there was a chance Sri Lanka may have to bat again but it was not meant to be as Herath got the big wicket which bought in centurion Dravid joining Gambhir.
India were in comfortable hands with the wall Dravid and Gambhir who looked to replicate his innings he played in Napier earlier in the year. Neither batsmen were troubled by the spin which was slow spin and played the ball as late as possible. Sangakkara bought on the faster bowlers and he was rewarded with the Welegedara removing Dravid which was debatable and Sri Lanka knew that was a massive wicket. India bought in nightwatchman Mishra and he played well with Gambhir to negotiate 15 overs for the day.
It was a day with Sri Lanka started in control and they end the day in the same position and they have a whole day to get the final 8 wickets to win the first test. India know they still have a lot work to do but with Gambhir at the crease and the wicket not having too many demons saving the test is the most likely result but a collapse from India is not out of the question.
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
India v Sri Lanka Test Series 2009 - Jayawardene Double Hundred Takes Sri Lanka In To A Commanding Position
Sri Lanka are in total command of the 1st test against India and that is largely down to there ex captain Mahela Jayawardene scoring his 6th double century and taking Sri Lanka to a lead of 165 by the close of play on the third day.
India were only able to take two wickets on day which was down to the slowness of the wicket, where the fast bowlers could not generate any swing, and the spinners were unable to take advantage of the spin that was on offer on the wicket. India knew there chance will come with the new ball so Dhoni decided to use his spinners in the first ten overs that told the story of the attitude of the Indian team which cost them as Sri Lanka are the only team capable of winning. The best bit of bowling came from Zaheer and Ishant with the new ball where Zaheer created doubt in Samaraweera’s mind with a variety of deliveries then Ishant beat him couple of times then Samaraweera tried to pull and was caught by Yuvraj. This was the only excitement India would get and a time they would have the advantage over Sri Lanka as they only got one more wicket with Harbhajan removing Angelo Matthews.
Once both Jayawardene came to the crease it was a total domination in a partnership of 216 for the sixth wicket. Both batsmen batted beautifully against the lack lustre Indian attack where Mahela removed Zaheer from the attack by scoring three boundaries of four balls which bought in the spinners and both Jayawardene negotiated them easily scoring. Dhoni tried to change things around in the field but to no avail and were scoring at 60% strike rate. In the second session of the day both had scored 108 runs of 166 balls with them running 84 of those runs.
After tea Dhoni decided a new tactic asking his spinner to bowl around the stumps to a 6-3 field and neither batsmen did not take the challenge up and were happy to score ones and two’s and boundaries when possible. An interesting stat was the India has bowled 17 no balls which was the total scored by Gambhir and Sehwag and where Sri Lanka scored 200 runs in running them out of 591 runs is a remarkable stat.
With a lead of 165 Sri Lanka will be looking to take the lead past 250 meaning they will not have to bat again in the match and will ideally will only want to bat one session in the fourth day. The third day could not have gone any worse for Dhoni and his men as they have backs against the wall, they inevitable will be they will have to bat out the test to save the test but they can try and slow down Sri Lanka’s declaration. The first day was a test of India’s character and mental strength and they will have to show even more over the next two days.
India were only able to take two wickets on day which was down to the slowness of the wicket, where the fast bowlers could not generate any swing, and the spinners were unable to take advantage of the spin that was on offer on the wicket. India knew there chance will come with the new ball so Dhoni decided to use his spinners in the first ten overs that told the story of the attitude of the Indian team which cost them as Sri Lanka are the only team capable of winning. The best bit of bowling came from Zaheer and Ishant with the new ball where Zaheer created doubt in Samaraweera’s mind with a variety of deliveries then Ishant beat him couple of times then Samaraweera tried to pull and was caught by Yuvraj. This was the only excitement India would get and a time they would have the advantage over Sri Lanka as they only got one more wicket with Harbhajan removing Angelo Matthews.
Once both Jayawardene came to the crease it was a total domination in a partnership of 216 for the sixth wicket. Both batsmen batted beautifully against the lack lustre Indian attack where Mahela removed Zaheer from the attack by scoring three boundaries of four balls which bought in the spinners and both Jayawardene negotiated them easily scoring. Dhoni tried to change things around in the field but to no avail and were scoring at 60% strike rate. In the second session of the day both had scored 108 runs of 166 balls with them running 84 of those runs.
After tea Dhoni decided a new tactic asking his spinner to bowl around the stumps to a 6-3 field and neither batsmen did not take the challenge up and were happy to score ones and two’s and boundaries when possible. An interesting stat was the India has bowled 17 no balls which was the total scored by Gambhir and Sehwag and where Sri Lanka scored 200 runs in running them out of 591 runs is a remarkable stat.
With a lead of 165 Sri Lanka will be looking to take the lead past 250 meaning they will not have to bat again in the match and will ideally will only want to bat one session in the fourth day. The third day could not have gone any worse for Dhoni and his men as they have backs against the wall, they inevitable will be they will have to bat out the test to save the test but they can try and slow down Sri Lanka’s declaration. The first day was a test of India’s character and mental strength and they will have to show even more over the next two days.
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Sachin The Great
Whichever way you look at it, Sachin Tendulkar is one of the all time greats. He made his Test cricket debut at the age of 16 against Pakistan. Some 20 years later he is still going strong. The game has changed in many ways but his class has remained the same.
His career has spanned the generations. In the Pakistan side he debuted against were the likes of Javed Miandad, Imran Khan and Abdul Qadir. In the Indian side was Kapil Dev and Ravi Shastri. To be good at such as tender age is one thing but to be just as prolific 20 years later means you are a legend. He has scored over 12,700 runs at an average of 54.58. He has 42 test centuries and will probably score many more.
He means a lot to the Indian side. The thing is that he is always in the game. In the few instances he hasn’t put in with the bat, he has done so with the ball and in the field. Against Australia he took wickets which helped them in the 2001 series.
Tendulkar appreciated the fact that if you wanted to be labelled as the best then you had to do well against the best and it is no coincidence that Tenduklar played well against Australia. In the highly controversial 2007/08 tour of Australia, Tendulkar scored 493 runs in four tests. Countless times cricket betting has written him off and he has bounced back every time.
While it easy to put his individual statistics and put him on a pedestal above the team, Tendulkar is the ultimate team player and would rather the team wins than he does well.
He had a stint as captain and he didn’t prove to be the best captain, but he has still played in the team and puts in as a senior player.
Tendulkar biggest’s strength has been his ability to adapt. As the game has evolved he has still stayed at the top of the tree. He was able to make the transition to open the batting in one –day cricket. He has also been able juggle Twenty20 cricket with the two other forms of the day.
What makes him really great is his complete lack of ego. He appreciates and respects the traditions of the game. Fame and success hasn’t changed him from the humble teenager he started as. He is as modest then as he is now.
David Wiseman writes for this blog. He also writes about greyhound betting.
His career has spanned the generations. In the Pakistan side he debuted against were the likes of Javed Miandad, Imran Khan and Abdul Qadir. In the Indian side was Kapil Dev and Ravi Shastri. To be good at such as tender age is one thing but to be just as prolific 20 years later means you are a legend. He has scored over 12,700 runs at an average of 54.58. He has 42 test centuries and will probably score many more.
He means a lot to the Indian side. The thing is that he is always in the game. In the few instances he hasn’t put in with the bat, he has done so with the ball and in the field. Against Australia he took wickets which helped them in the 2001 series.
Tendulkar appreciated the fact that if you wanted to be labelled as the best then you had to do well against the best and it is no coincidence that Tenduklar played well against Australia. In the highly controversial 2007/08 tour of Australia, Tendulkar scored 493 runs in four tests. Countless times cricket betting has written him off and he has bounced back every time.
While it easy to put his individual statistics and put him on a pedestal above the team, Tendulkar is the ultimate team player and would rather the team wins than he does well.
He had a stint as captain and he didn’t prove to be the best captain, but he has still played in the team and puts in as a senior player.
Tendulkar biggest’s strength has been his ability to adapt. As the game has evolved he has still stayed at the top of the tree. He was able to make the transition to open the batting in one –day cricket. He has also been able juggle Twenty20 cricket with the two other forms of the day.
What makes him really great is his complete lack of ego. He appreciates and respects the traditions of the game. Fame and success hasn’t changed him from the humble teenager he started as. He is as modest then as he is now.
David Wiseman writes for this blog. He also writes about greyhound betting.
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