Good luck Lara.
[Photo courtesy: Allan via Flickr]
After an early exit in the worldcup, changes in Indian cricket was much expected. Chappell replaced by three other coaches, Ravi Shastri as main coach, Robin Singh as fielding coach and Venkatesh Prasad as bowling coach.
All these comes as a welcome change since the group has failed to perform as a team. The negative factor in this new wave of change is curbing of player endorsements. I guess nobody should have a say in other's income, if the players aren't performing obviously the player endorsements will take the hit. We all know how brand organizations came upon the players and pulled out of the Ads as soon as the team exited out of the world-cup. Any player performing beyond the expectation is bound to get more endorsements and more exposure. A restriction can only cramp the motivation.
Ravi Shastri takes over as coach while Greg takes a new role of consultant for National Cricket Academy. Rahul Dravid continues to be the captain
Anil Kumble, one of the greatest cricketer bids adieu to one day cricket. After the first match at Afro-Asian cup in 2005, Kumble was ignored by selectors due to poor fielding and thanks to his bowling, which lacked the same venom shown during his prime time. His consistent performance in tests helped him to stage a come back against South Africans in 2006, but couldn't maintain the same consistency in the LOI as it was evident in the fact that offspinner Harbhajan was a preferred choice when it came to spinner selection in the playing eleven.
Anil has done everything right by retiring from LOI. His strengths are still the test cricket. He has won more tests for India than any other bowler, relentless has been his middle name. Nonetheless his contribution to the one day cricket speaks of itself. If HeroCup 1993 final against WestIndies stands out as his best bowling performance, the game against Aussies at his home ground Bangalore witnessed one of the nail biting finish as he and Srinath took India home with their batting skills. He has more wickets in One dayers than any Indian cricketer. Had the Indian team put up a better display at the worldcup 2007, it would have been a fitting sendoff party to this Ace Leggie.
[Picture courtesy: Zahidul at Flickr]
As write this post, South Africans have hammered the Australian bowlers. The 100 for South Africa comes in 14th over. Ponting will certainly have the Johannesburg game in his mind as he ponders for ideas to contain proteas before they could pull off another thriller.
In the game considered as rehearsal of worldcup 2007, Australia scored 377 for loss of 6 wickets against South Africa, thanks to the fastest hundred in the worldcup by Mathew Hayden. The Australian innings was filled with runs in the size of Manhattan Skyscrapers. It was Australian team which scored 434 last year and still lost to South Africa when the two teams met last time. This time after scoring the third highest score of worldcup, Australians are still not confirmed of its victory. Fans are in for another skyscraper game.
It was a disappointing end to India in its world cup campaign. Failing to make it to next round of the tournament, it was a disaster not only to the fans and the team, but also for the organizers. This has been the worst performance for India since 1979 in the worldcup.Unfortunately all the big three of India (Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly) have to end their worldcup on a disastrous note.
