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Jacques Kallis on the health of Test cricket, the allrounder’s art, what South Africa’s Under-19s must do now that they’ve tasted success and how he plans to stay whetted for one-day cricket, in a free-flowing Q&A session at Newlands

Firdose Moonda in Cape Town02-Mar-2014’I want to remembered as someone who enjoyed the game. There are a lot of pressures and sometimes you forget to enjoy the game’•Getty ImagesI grew up not wanting to play for South Africa because we didn’t have international cricket at that stage. I wanted to play provincial cricket and that was what I was working towards. To suddenly be exposed to international sport, your goals change. It was a major changing point in my life. It afforded me the opportunity to see places, meet people, explore other things.Have you ever had a regret about retiring from Test cricket first, and have you missed it?
All good things do come to an end. The moment I had begun to lose a little bit of passion or I got a little bit tired, I’d have called it quits. Ideally, I would have liked to finish it at Newlands but everything happens for a reason. I have not missed it yet. I am still involved in the side quite a lot. I have been involved with the guys. We went on the camp before this series, in the bush. I still feel a part of it. Surprisingly, I have watched a little bit more cricket now than I did in my playing days. Life is a lot easier on the couch.Everyone has a favorite ground, what is it about Newlands that is so special to you?
What better ground is there in the world? You’ve got the mountain, you’ve got beautiful weather, you’ve got great facilities. I grew up wanting to play at Newlands, bunking a few classes to come and watch matches. It’s a magnificent place to play cricket. The crowds are always fantastic. They are always behind the guys. The memories play such a big role here.Favourite Newlands memory – double-hundreds or twin hundreds v India?
The [twins] were special to me, even though I had done it before. The way the game was positioned, if we got bowled out then, India could have won the match. To get to that second hundred to set the game up meant a lot. I’ve had plenty of games where I’ve got 30 or 40 and it has meant more to me than a hundred. To get our team to a position from where we couldn’t lose the game was nice.The 200 was also special. There had been a monkey on my shoulder to get one. Fortunately and unfortunately, I got one in Pretoria. [Later] getting it here, it was almost giving something back to Newlands.Pair to double-hundred v Sri Lanka… How did you turn it around?
I focus on my strengths and don’t worry too much about opponents. There are little things you pick up but you want to exert your game plan onto them and not step back and let them make the play. It was a little thing where my movement was a little late and I picked it up straight away [on the video footage]. That was all I needed to see. For the next week, I worked on being a little earlier. It’s little things at this level.How do you feel about comparisons?
I didn’t play the game for statistics. When you play this game you want to be as good a player as you can be and make decision that will benefit the team. I like to believe I got more right than I got wrong. There have been some magnificent players in yesteryear who didn’t play as much cricket as we did and some who didn’t get the opportunity to play at all. If they did and they had the opportunity and facilities that we have today, they probably would have achieved what I achieved and more.How do you intend to stay in good touch [having retired from one format]?
When I want to achieve something and put my mind to it, I want to give it everything I’ve got. I want to be part of a team that wins the World Cup. That’s something that’s missing on my CV. If I didn’t believe we could do it, I would not stick around for it. If I didn’t believe I could make a difference, I wouldn’t do it. We’ve still got 20-odd ODIs before the World Cup and if I am not scoring the runs, I have no right to be in that team. I’ve just sat down with Gary Kirsten and worked out a programme. Not playing Test cricket will give me time to work on one-day skills.Would you consider domestic cricket or a contract in the UK?

I would like to play as much as of the one-day cricket as I can going forward. It’s about getting the balance right.How do you get into your bubble?
I have the ability to go in and out of concentration and it applies to a lot of things in life. We spend six and half hours in the cricket field and you can’t concentrate for that long. I managed to find a way to concentrate for the five or six seconds when a bowler is at the top of his mark or when I am at the top of my mark. That’s the difference between the experienced guys and the younger guys. The younger guys sometimes make mistakes because they think they can concentrate the whole day. You have to learn to switch on and off.Administrative issues in the background of your career, how did you stop that from interfering with your game?
There were some tough times but we are also not silly as players that think it only happens to South Africa. There are issues all around the world. We don’t have a lot to do with what the board has to say and what they do and it doesn’t really directly affect the players. We had faith in the guys that were handling that sort of stuff, to handle it. We were there to play the game. Eventually it gets sorted out, sometimes not as quickly as players would have liked, but we also didn’t get the results the players would have liked. It works both ways.Your opinion on the BCCI’s growing power?

I don’t think anyone really knows if it’s a good or a bad thing. We are going to have to wait and see. If we are brutally honest, the BCCI has had a lot of power over the game for some time, so I don’t think it is really going to change much. My only concern is that they make decision in the best interests of cricket and not only in the best interests of the own cricket, and I think they will do that.

“I know I would not have achieved what I did if I couldn’t bat and bowl. I would get bored fielding in the slips all day.”Jacques Kallis on being an allrounder

T20 cricket v Tests?

Look at the turnout here. Test cricket is healthy. Test cricket is the ultimate. That’s what cricketers want to play. I don’t think there needs to be too many changes. There is some talk about night cricket but I am not a big fan of that, because I think conditions will change. We need to look after Test cricket.Having said that, there is so much money in T20 cricket, we can’t turn our back on it. The pace Test cricket is played at these days is probably twice the pace it was before T20 cricket. It’s opened up a new audience. But we mustn’t overkill it.Ideas to grow Test cricket?
The World Test Championship is a great idea for Test cricket. We need to focus as much attention and cash as we can [on Tests]. We need to make sure the culture of Test cricket stays. When I was growing up, we’d play the odd two-day game. I think it’s vital that we still have that and guys are exposed to a longer form of the game.Allrounders – is it a dying art?
My reasoning is [that is down to] the amount of cricket that is being played. There’s too much to bat and bowl. In South Africa, we produce allrounders because of the conditions. There’s always something in it for the batsmen and something in it for the bowlers. There are some great allrounders coming through. If you look at the history of the game, though, there hasn’t been that many that have really come through.I know I would not have achieved what I did if I couldn’t bat and bowl. I would get bored fielding in the slips all day.What is your legacy?

It’s about giving something back to the game. I don’t want to be seen as someone who just took from the game.I also want to be seen as someone who never gave up, no matter what the situation. It’s something we do as a South African team and we’ve done it a few times recently. There have been so many times when people have written us off and we came back.And I also want to remembered as someone who enjoyed the game. There are a lot of pressures and sometimes you forget to enjoy the game.Your opinion on this game [against Australia]?
Sometimes we give up home advantage. We maybe could have got a wicket that gave a little more. The Australians, when there is some sideways movement, they are not always comfortable. They are very good on a wicket like this. Sometimes we have to be clever with our home conditions.We are under pressure here, but this game is far from over. We are going to have to bat well. I have no doubt we can. A couple of years ago, we were in a similar situation and we bowled them out for 47. Stranger things have happened in this game and all three results are still possible.What is your advice to the Under-19s?
It’s a fantastic achievement [winning the World Cup]. Going into the final, they probably had that chokers tag on them. It just shows South Africans can win tournaments. It will give the national side a lot of pleasure.I learnt a great lesson when I started my career. My first six or seven Tests I scored virtually no runs and I doubted myself. Then I scored some runs and it taught me many lessons. I hope this success doesn’t make them think they’ve made it. Now the hard work starts. Don’t sit back and take it for granted.Your toughest opponent?
Seamer: Wasim Akram. He had the ability to swing the ball both ways. Spinner: Shane Warne. He controlled the game, he attacked, defended. Batsman: Brian Lara.Sachin Tendulkar?
He has done a tremendous amount for world cricket and for taking it forward. He played the game hard but always in the right spirit. To achieve what he achieved is incredible. I enjoyed my battles against him. I always said I will play this game hard but in the right spirit, that I can [leave aside] the game when I am in a country and have a beer with them. That’s the way he played it [too].Hashim Amla?
What a revelation he has been. I remember when he started people said he will never make it with that technique. It shows you what hard work can do. You take the hardworking guy over the talented guy. I’m not saying he is not talented but he also works as hard as everyone. When he gets out, you feel a shiver go down people’s spines. He is a complete player, he is difficult to bowl to, he’s got the guts and the determination.What are you going to do after cricket?
It has been nice to catch up with friends and family. That was the first thing I really wanted to do. My sister has recently got married and she is pregnant now, so its nice to spend time with her.My foundation will take up some of my time. I wont be involved too much in the game at the moment. Perhaps the odd commentary stint… Though, from a coaching and batting point of view, I would like to give back. I would always want to share the knowledge I have been given and learnt.

Flying halfway across the world to watch Bangladesh play? It can be painful

Sheikh Minhaj Hossain31-Mar-2014Choice of game
I came all the way from New York to watch the World T20 from the stadium in Dhaka, because I felt I should cheer for Bangladesh from the stands. I could only manage one week off from work and classes. The Bangladesh v Pakistan match was the third match for the teams in first round and the last one for me in the stadium for this World T20. If Bangladesh had won this match, there may have been slight hope for them. But it was an important game for Pakistan to win because then their match against West Indies would a knock-out for the semis. I really hoped Bangladesh would win, because I wanted to watch a victorious performance from the ground. But considering their recent performances, I would have been happy with a closely fought match too. However, Bangladesh’s miserable performance was not unexpected at all.Team supported
I would like to see Sri Lanka win the trophy because of the number of times they have choked in finals. After the consecutive losses in 2007, 2009, 2012 finals, Sri Lanka deserve to win an ICC trophy, at least for players like Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, since this is their last T20 appearance.Key performer
This one is obviously Ahmed Shehzad for his blistering knock. His batting was a treat to watch. If I had been a neutral fan, I would love to watch this type of pure footwork and timing. Pakistani fans often compare Shehzad with Virat Kohli. Their faces resemble and Shehzad is a class player like Kohli. All he needs is to be as consistent as the Indian batsman. He scored his century off 58 balls but there was no power-hitting or T20 hitting at all. It was all technique and perfect timing with sheer elegance. His innings reminded me the Asia Cup match that Bangladesh lost after scoring 326 runs. Remember, Shehzad was the foundation maker of Pakistan’s chase.Abdur Razzak gave Bangladesh fans something to cheer about with his two early wickets.Things I’d have changed about the match
I would have liked to do something about Mushfiqur Rahim’s negative captaincy and wicketkeeping. When Bangladesh had Pakistan at 71 for 3, with an out-of-form Shoaib Malik walking into bat, Mushfiqur should have attacked him by bringing one or two close-in fielders. Instead, he stuck to his pre-planned defensive fielding set-up and gave the Pakistan batsmen chances to score singles easily and get set. His glovework is also not up to the mark nowadays. He gave two consecutive byes for four against India off Shakib Al Hasan’s bowling and some free byes yesterday as well. The crowd around me was also furious with him when he conceded a bye. People were roaring, “Give the gloves to Anamul”. Also, Mashrafe Mortaza has never been a good death-overs bowler. I would have given the 19th over to Mahmudullah instead of Mortaza.Wow moment
Ziaur Rahman was fielding at fine leg when Kamran Akmal swept Razzak in his first over. When the ball was in the air, a neighbouring spectator predicted the catch would be dropped. But Rahman dived and pulled off a stunner.Close encounter
I was in the Shaheed Mushtaq stand and Nasir Hossain was fielding in front of me at long-off. He dropped a sitter from Shoaib Maqsood and crowd was absolutely furious at him. One of the spectators took off his sandals and showed them threateningly to Nasir. Luckily, since it was the penultimate ball of the innings it did not cost that much. It was the over after Mortaza had conceded 24 runs, with a catch taken off a no-ball. The crowd was obviously disappointed. The same thing happened when Shoaib Malik dropped a sitter off Shakib at the same position. This time the crowd erupted and cheered for Shakib. But Shakib couldn’t cash in, surviving only two more balls after that.Crowd meter
In our stands, there were some Pakistani fans. When the Pakistani fans started shouting, “Pakistan Pakistan”, the rest of the crowd started chanting, “Bhua, bhua” meaning “not good”. Sunday is a working day in Bangladesh. The match started at 3.30pm, so the gallery only filled up after the first ten overs. Shakib got the biggest cheers, but so did Shahid Afridi, when he came to bat. However, the roar was bigger when he was dismissed.ODI v Twenty20
In terms of quality cricket, ODI is better than T20, but for the globalisation of cricket, T20 is the most effective one. Although, I am doubtful whether the “big three” want cricket to be globalised.Overall
It was a pretty disappointing match for me. Shehzad’s classy batting was a treat, but I couldn’t enjoy it since it was against Bangladesh. Their fielding was poor, and there were no spirit and intention to win the game. Pakistan were clinical.
I enjoyed the atmosphere around the field. People had mixed emotions. They were disappointed because of Bangladesh’s performance, but they cheered whenever they got a chance. They made fun of the players, and were entertained by them. It was a great experience to watch the diverse emotion of the fans.Marks out of 10
6

Pakistan’s marks out of ten after their 2-0 defeat in the Tests against Sri Lanka

Umar Farooq19-Aug-2014

9

Sarfraz Ahmed (265 runs at 88.33, strike rate 74.22)
A near perfect series for the wicketkeeper-batsman with three fifties and a hundred, especially as each of those innings was played under immense pressure. A collection of 265 at 88.33 highlighted Sarfraz’s importance to Pakistan, even though his efforts went in vain in both Tests. One of the few positives Pakistan can take away from the 2-0 series defeat.

8

Wahab Riaz (6 wickets at 27.33, strike rate 45.0)
Wavered a bit, but ultimately justified his inclusion in Pakistan’s pace attack for the second Test. Wahab defied all odds on a slow pitch by producing some stunning spells, particularly against Kumar Sangakkara, in the first innings at the SSC. Failed to find a place in the XI at Galle, but with six wickets at 27.33 in the second Test, he is likely to be an automatic starter for Pakistan’s future fixtures.Junaid Khan (9 wickets at 27.33, strike rate 45.3)
A key member of Pakistan’s seam arsenal, Junaid won many sessions for his team but a blow to his head from a bouncer cut him from bowling in the second innings at the SSC. Had he been fit, it is very likely Pakistan could have knocked at least 70-80 runs off Sri Lanka’s total. With nine scalps at 27.33, Junaid ended as Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker.

6

Younis Khan (211 runs at 52.75)
Showed his class with a crafty 177 at Galle in the first innings, but withdrew into his shell after that, scoring just 34 in three innings. Became the first Pakistan player to complete 100 catches in Tests, but Younis’ overall contribution with the bat left a lot to be desired.Saeed Ajmal (9 wickets at 40.11)
The backbone of the Pakistan team in recent years, Ajmal finished with a modest nine wickets at 40.11. Claimed a five-wicket haul in the first Test, but hardly caused any discomfort to the batsmen as he conceded 166 runs, allowing Sri Lanka to take a first-innings lead even though Pakistan had made 451. Was decent at the SSC, though he was mainly in the headlines for having been reported by the umpires for a suspect bowling action.This was probably Misbah-ul-Haq’s worst series both as captain and player•AFP

5

Asad Shafiq (157 runs at 39.25)
A promising young batsman, but Shafiq’s batting completely lacked responsibility. Shared two important stands with Sarfaraz at the SSC, but exploded during his hasty attempts to convert his starts to gold.

4

Azhar Ali (113 runs at 28.25)
Cameos of 30, 41, 32 and 10 were not what Pakistan expected of their No.3. Azhar often started well, but lost his way by choosing bad shots. Was less than focused with the bat, but outstanding with his reflexes in the field at silly point and short leg.

3

Misbah-ul-Haq (67 runs at 16.75)
Probably the worst series Misbah has had as both a captain and a player. Pakistan have not won even a single series under his captaincy since 2012. A poor return of 67 at 16.75, coupled with a series whitewash, is likely to smudge his CV.

2

Abdur Rehman (4 wickets at 68.25)
Though arguably Pakistan’s unluckiest bowler, Rehman, playing his first Test series in almost eight months, looked rusty and was completely out of rhythm.Ahmed Shehzad (86 runs at 21.50)
Young and aggressive, but overconfident and naughty with the bat. Only managed to score 86 at 21.50 as an opener and will no doubt need more time to adapt to the demands of Test cricket.

1

Khurram Manzoor (39 runs at 9.75)
Was on a streak of nine consecutive matches as opener heading into the SSC Test, but his impact was almost non-existent. A tally of just 39 from four innings suggests it could be a while yet before Manzoor plays his next series.Mohammad Talha (2 wickets at 58.00)
Has the necessary ingredients to become a top fast bowler, but his inexperience and lack of control showed that he is not yet ready for top-flight cricket. Talha’s line and length was all over the place in Galle, and he was subsequently dropped for the second Test.

In the absence of Saeed Ajmal and Junaid Khan, Pakistan could put out an attack that has a combined experience of 11 Tests

Umar Farooq in Dubai21-Oct-2014Pakistan’s record against Australia makes for grim reading: only one Test win since 1995, 13 defeats in a row between 1999 and 2010, plenty of those by big margins, and no series win in 20 years.To make matters worse, for the two-Test series starting Wednesday, Pakistan are without several of their best bowlers. Saeed Ajmal and Junaid Khan have been go-to bowlers for Misbah-ul-Haq in the past few years but in their absence, Pakistan could put out an inexperienced attack of Mohammad Talha, Rahat Ali, Yasir Shah and Zulfiqar Babar, who have played a combined 11 Tests.”This is part and parcel of the game,” said Misbah about the new-look bowling attack. “Whosoever comes on the international scene he starts inexperienced, but this is how the life is, you have to make your name and I think these players are good enough to make their names at international scene.”Misbah, though, drew confidence from Pakistan A’s victory in the warm-up game. “It does affect when you don’t have experienced players, those who lead your batting and bowling line-up they have effect on your team, but the way the A team played (at Sharjah), they showed it’s all about determination, if you go and apply yourself you can compete against any team. These boys had done good in domestic level.”Misbah said that even though Australia’s recent Test numbers in Asia aren’t great – out of the last 13 Tests in subcontinent, they have won one, lost eight, and drawn four – he doesn’t expect an easy series. “Everybody knows their (record in subcontinent) but they have already proven themselves in the one-day series that they can really be a tough side. So you can’t just say that their record is poor so we just get through this, you have to really play well, you have to fight hard against them.”Australians are always tough and if you are not putting your 100% and you are not playing good cricket it can be really difficult for you, so what you can assure is put your 100% and your performance should be right at the top to beat them. We have to convert the half chances into full to keep them on toes and it’s very simple, especially in Test cricket you need to stick to your basics and to your strengths and that should be your strategy.”Responding to the statement of Australia’s paceman Peter Siddle – who said he will be targeting the experienced duo of Misbah-ul Haq and Younis Khan – he said he is ready for the challenge. “Obviously we know that the team is going to target the senior players and as important players of the team and this is how cricket or any other sport goes on. If you pass through that, then your team is on a roll, so we will try to get through that and try to tackle that.”In the series against Sri Lanka earlier this year, Pakistan struggled against the left-arm spin of Rangana Herath, who took 23 wickets in two Tests. Australia have a left-arm spinner of their own in Steve O’Keefe, and could play a double-spin attack for the first time in more than two years.Misbah said his side was ready for the spin test. “We have worked a lot on playing spinners keeping in mind Nathan Lyon and their other spinners and all the batsmen have given importance to the spin and everyone knows spin will play important role in this series, especially in Dubai,” he said. “Pitch looks good, a bit different from what you normally get in Dubai. But I think it’s more suitable to our team so again it’s a case of putting your efforts and playing better cricket.”

From a maiden stint in the Karnataka Premier League to being purchased for an astonishing amount in the IPL 2015 auction, KC Cariappa has had a few interesting months

Nagraj Gollapudi16-Feb-2015Who is KC Cariappa? That was the first question nearly everyone would have asked once Cariappa was bought by defending IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders for an astonishing sum of Rs 2.4 crore ($400,000), 24 times his base price.Konganda Charamanna Cariappa is a 20-year-old legspinner from Coorg in Karnataka. Curiously both the BCCI and the Karnataka State Cricket Association had him listed as an off-break bowler. However, Cariappa, known as Carri to his team-mates, confirmed he is primarily a legspinner with a grip that allows him to bowl off breaks and leg breaks.At 5 feet 11 inches, Cariappa is tall for a spinner and bowls with an orthodox round-arm action. The leg break is his stock ball, and he has variations like the googly and the faster one. His other strength, that could make it difficult for batsmen to read him, is his ability to bowl off-spinners without changing the grip.Like many keen and talented cricketers in India, Cariappa started performing in tennis-ball cricket. “I was a Sachin fan. But in my bowling I did not copy anyone. I would bowl with my three-finger grip. My coaches found that interesting and asked me to focus on my bowling,” Cariappa said.Knight Riders have always shown an interest in spinners with unusual actions, picking West Indies offspinner Sunil Narine, Sri Lanka offspinner Sachithra Senanayake and Indian chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav.For Cariappa, the breakthrough with Knight Riders came through an association with AR Srikkanth, who is the team analyst for Knight Riders and Bijapur Bulls, the franchise Cariappa represents in the Karnataka Premier League, which is a state-level, franchise-based Twenty20 league. In his first KPL season last year, Cariappa bowled impressively and finished as the third-highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 11 dismissals. His performances attracted attention from a few IPL team scouts.Cariappa was asked to give a trial during the Knight Riders camp in Hyderabad last September before the Champions League Twenty20.”I was very nervous because it was the first time I was asked to bowl against an IPL team,” Cariappa told ESPNcricinfo. The spinner said he did not bowl anything special: “Nothing like that, I just bowled well.”His bowling must have impressed Knight Riders who asked him to enter the auction. Gautam Gambhir, the team captain and a good player of spin, had failed to read Cariappa consistently and told the team management about this, helping the legspinner’s case.The dramatic rise in his bidding, as Knight Riders contested fiercely with Delhi Daredevils, was not lost on Cariappa who was following the auction, but he never expected the price for which he was eventually bought.”I am very excited. But how this kind of thing suddenly happened I have no idea,” he said. “I thought they were interested in me so I would go for my base price of Rs 10 lakhs. I was not sure about Delhi also bidding.”The last six months have opened up a lot of options for Cariappa. Immediately after the KPL, the Karnataka selectors decided to include him in the 30 probables for the Ranji Trophy. According to one of the selectors, when the panel saw him bowl in the local league tournaments, they failed to read his hand.”Even we thought he was an offspinner to begin with. He is very much in the Sunil Narine league in terms of his action. He has the carrom ball, too which is deceptive. It was this X-factor that prompted us to pick him in the probables,” the selector said.

A six-wicket win with almost 14 overs to spare barely acknowledges the gulf in class between the hosts and Afghanistan, but for those New Zealand players who needed a greater workout, it was a worthwhile outing

Andrew McGlashan in Napier08-Mar-2015A gentle day in the Hawkes Bay sunshine for New Zealand. It was never likely to be much else, but it was not a match without some value despite the overwhelming margin of victory. That looked a distant prospect when Afghanistan were 59 for 6 before a fightback that will not have done the home side any harm.Brendon McCullum’s preferred approach to this match was taken out of his hands when Mohammad Nabi won the toss and batted first. McCullum had declared his hand the day before the game, but instead the first task went to his bowling attack. And we know how that script is going at the moment.It was about being as professional as they could be – and the drop by Martin Guptill to reprieve Najibullah Zadran will no doubt get a cross in Mike Hesson’s notebook – but apart from points in the bag there would have been little gain from Afghanistan being rolled for 80 as looked likely. A six-wicket win with almost 14 overs to spare barely acknowledges the gulf in class, but for those in the crowd as well as those New Zealand players who needed a greater workout, it was a worthwhile outing.Before the match, Adam Milne’s limited workload (25.2 overs in four matches) in the tournament so far – courtesy of the three bowlers operating ahead of him – was pinpointed by McCullum as one of the major reasons behind an unchanged team for the fifth game running. In the longer-term plan drawn up before the World Cup, this could well have been a match he was earmarked to miss. Instead, rather than resting it was thought he needed the mileage.As it transpired he utilised his 10 overs across three spells of five, four and one over. It was a performance that confirmed what is known: quick, but raw. There was a lot of short bowling – a little too much – and his wicket came with a slice to third man. But he touched 150kph. Speed on its own can be more a hindrance than a help, but there are clearly the basic attributes for him to develop although it is a shame he will not be under the tutelage of Shane Bond for much longer.New Zealand have not been afraid to back him in this World Cup. He is a luxury item for them, one they can afford because of the form of Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Daniel Vettori. However, a World Cup quarter-final will be pressure he has never experienced before. And barring injury he will be there. But he will not always be able to come into the attack with the opposition in no real position to attack him; England were on the back foot at 43 for 2, Australia were extraordinarily nine down before he had a bowl and Afghanistan were 46 for 3.We will only really know if the confidence in Milne is misplaced, or another astute call from the New Zealand management when, or if, he is called on by McCullum with the score 60 for 1 after ten overs. However, his place in this side is not solely down to his bowling. The catch he took to end the innings, running from long-on, was a reminder of the athleticism he brings and is significantly ahead of what Kyle Mills or Mitchell McClenaghan would offer in the field.Quality of fielding is also a discipline which helps increase the value of Martin Guptill to the one-day side, notwithstanding his drop in the outfield today, although he remains a polarising player due to his tendency to mix dreamy shots with dim ones. This innings, made on a friendly pitch against an honest attack with no run-rate pressure, was largely a no-win situation for him but he found a promising balance to his attacking and defensive game. He was also outstanding inside the ring.He was 9 off 16 balls when a groan went around McLean Park as McCullum dragged one onto his stumps for a typically blistering 42 from 19. That became 9 off 22 when he played out a maiden from Hamid Hassan, but two drives and a pull in Hassan’s next over were crisp and clean. His last boundary, over the off side, was McCullum without quite the brute force. But, just as it was appearing he would get a neat red-inker he misjudged a run into the off side.Ross Taylor’s innings was far less convincing. Although he was unbeaten, it was a battling 76 minutes at the crease which started with a flat-footed waft and did not exude confidence. It is rare that an entire XI is in form at the same time, but No. 4 is a pivotal position. New Zealand are refusing to talk in terms of ticking boxes as the group stage draws to a close but if they could have one performance from the match against Bangladesh it would be runs for Taylor. After that it is the knockouts, and no more second chances.

This Bangladesh isn’t the side that collapses in a heap at the first signs of pressure. This Bangladesh is the side that can challenge till the end, if not yet beat, the very best

Andy Zaltzman13-Mar-2015Bangladesh will almost certainly not win this World Cup. They will, of course, come considerably closer to winning it than England, who can only dream of being in a position to almost certainly not win a World Cup, rather than being in the position of having confirmed that they will definitely lose yet another one.Bangladesh face a Titanic quarter-final challenge to overcome the renowned iceberg of Indian batting, and the slightly less renowned but thus-far impressive back-up iceberg of Indian bowling. Whatever happens, however, they will leave this tournament with individual and collective reputations enhanced, and in considerably better spirits than when they exited the last World Cup.Four years ago, Bangladesh departed as humiliated co-hosts. The vibrant enthusiasm of their support for their team and the sport, and a gripping win in a low-scoring error-strewn cliffhanger against England, had been deadened by a second horror skittling – 78 all out against an under-strength South Africa, following their earlier 58 all out versus West Indies, an anti-performance that had catapulted them towards the top of the All-Time Batting Incompetence Charts, and provoked some stroppy rocks to be hurled at an innocent bus.Bangladesh were only the third team to be dismissed for under 100 twice in a World Cup, and the first to be bowled out twice for less than 80 in the same tournament.Those two hyper failures were not merely the struggles of a still-new cricketing nation against the established powers of the game. They were abject capitulations against decent but hardly unplayable opposition. Kemar Roach’s pace took three wickets for West Indies, but the remaining seven fell to Suleiman Benn and Darren Sammy for 39 runs in 13 overs. South Africa had rested Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn – Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Robin Peterson took 7 for 26 between them.Even in victory over England, a middle-order collapse of 5 for 14 left them on the brink of defeat, until a ninth-wicket stand of 58 by Mahmudullah and Shafiul, aided by an almost heroic 23 wides in the innings by England’s not-entirely-accurate-then-either bowling attack, saw them to victory. This was a team that seemed to have reached a plateau of minimal elevation, and played with such fragility that a well-timed growl or an accurately-directed frown seemed enough to take a couple of top-order wickets.In 2015, Bangladesh have had plenty of chances to collapse in a jibbering heap, 2011-style. They were 119 for 4 in the 30th over against a fired-up Afghanistan, fueled by the passion of the World Cup debut, in a game that could have set Mashrafe’s men off on a disastrous course. They conceded 319 against Scotland, raising the live prospect of a tournament-wrecking defeat. They were 8 for 2 against England, then 99 for 4, with their quarter-final hopes on the line. Against New Zealand today, they were fortunate to be 8 for 1 after 7 overs, then 27 for 2, having significantly underutilised the middle of their bats and played the swinging ball like an overworked submarine fleet – they were all at sea.But this Bangladesh has not surrendered, panicked, folded or otherwise failed. Shakib and Mushfiqur snuffed out the Afghan fire with 114 in 15 overs to establish a winning platform. They chased 320 to beat Scotland with ease and assurance. Against England, they reconstructed their innings so effectively that their final score of 275 was something of a disappointment. Against New Zealand, they counterattacked, consolidated, then flourished, to post 288, the largest total New Zealand have conceded in the last two World Cups.Even in the heavy defeat against Sri Lanka, after their bowlers had been cauterised by Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara, their batting did not capitulate, reaching 240, after being 100 for 5.Mahmudullah has brough the World Cup logo, as well as Bangladesh’s spirit, to life•Associated PressThis 240 is, so far, their lowest score of the tournament. They surpassed that score only once in 2011 (283 for 9, against India, in a futile pursuit of 371), once in 2007 (251 for 8 to beat South Africa, their only score over 200 in that World Cup), and not at all in 2003 or 1999. This has been, largely, a batsman’s tournament, played under batsman’s rules, and their abandonment against Australia spared them trial by pace, but the improvement is nonetheless marked, in the score book and in the flesh.Mahmudullah, a useful chipper-in from the middle order until recently, has led the way. His hundred today in an excellent, fluctuating match in Hamilton was, after an early escape when dropped by Corey Anderson at slip, a masterpiece of increasing authority and brilliance, of poise, pacing, dancing feet and snapping wrists. He currently averages over 150 as a No.4 in ODIs – admittedly, this is after only seven innings, with four not outs, but those are some numbers that would have Don Bradman rattling his abacus in admiration in his grave.The bowling, brilliant at decisive moments against England, remains relatively blunt. New Zealand’s wickets all fell to careless strokes, but the bowlers remained focused and competitive throughout, supported by fielding that was almost flawless – even the one major flaw, Nasir Hossain’s drop of Vettori near the end, came after a 25-yard sprint and dive as if trying to save a priceless vase dropped from a careless getaway helicopter after a museum robbery. In their last two matches, Bangladesh have looked like a team who can challenge, if not yet beat, the best.What makes their performance in this tournament all the more heartening and impressive is their unfamiliarity with Australio-New-Zealiac conditions. Since the last World Cup, Bangladesh have played the grand total of three ODI series outside Asia – two in Zimbabwe, one in West Indies – totaling 11 matches, only six of which have been played in the last three-and-a-half years. They last played international cricket in New Zealand in February 2010, and their only experience in Australia since 2003 was a three-game ODI series in Darwin in 2008 (further evidence of cricket’s powers welcoming their less lucrative cousins to their bosoms like a cantankerous ichthyophobe mothering a goldfish).

The league stage of the 2015 IPL has just crossed the half way mark, which makes it a good time to analyse what teams have been doing differently this season

Bishen Jeswant30-Apr-2015Sunrisers Hyderabad – A two-man team
Sunrisers batsmen have made six fifties this season. However, only two batsmen have scored fifties for them: four by David Warner and two by Shikhar Dhawan. Only two batsmen have scored 200-plus runs for them this season: Warner (317) and Dhawan (201). Warner and Dhawan have cumulatively scored 518 runs, which is almost 50% of the runs scored by Sunrisers (1042). All of Sunrisers’ other batsmen combined average 20.96 at a strike rate of 115.16.Mumbai Indians – Best in the slog overs, worst otherwise
Mumbai Indians have a run-rate of 12.19 during the last six overs of an innings this IPL, by far the best for any team, with the next-best being 10.83 for Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, their run-rate of 6.94 in the first 14 overs of the innings is the worst for any team. Every other team has scored at more than seven runs per over. Mumbai Indians are responsible for the four highest scores in the last six overs this IPL, and also for the two lowest scores in the first 14.Rajasthan Royals – Best start to a season
Rajasthan Royals started the season with five consecutive wins. This is the best start to an IPL season for any team. Kings XI Punjab started the 2014 IPL with five consecutive wins as well, and eventually finished runners-up in that edition. Royals’ currently have 12 points, the joint-most with Super Kings, and are therefore still reaping the rewards of those wins at the start of season despite not achieving a win in their next four games, two of which were washed out.Chennai Super Kings – Stable playing XI
Super Kings have used only 11 players in the 2015 IPL so far, which means they have played the first seven league matches with an unchanged XI. Interestingly, Super Kings also played the last seven league matches of the 2014 IPL with an unchanged eleven. On the other end of the spectrum are Mumbai Indians, who have already used 19 players this season. Super Kings have been known for their stable squads, having used only 57 players over eight IPL seasons, the fewest for any team that has played in every edition. Royal Challengers Bangalore have used 90 players.The World Cup heroes have continued piling it on for Royal Challengers Bangalore•BCCIKings XI Punjab – Misfiring top three
Kings XI Punjab have already tried six different players in their top three this IPL. Only one of those six batsmen have scored 100-plus runs over their seven games this season – M Vijay, and even he averages only 22.57, at a strike-rate of 106.04. In five of the seven matches this season, the first wicket has fallen for ten runs or less. In fact, their opening batsman Virender Sehwag holds the IPL record for being dismissed in the Powerplay most often: 56 times. Kings XI’s top three average only 19.14, easily the worst for any team this IPL, at a strike-rate of 119.64, the second-worst.Royal Challengers Bangalore – World Cup stars to the rescue
Chris Gayle became the first double centurion in a World Cup, AB de Villiers scored three fifties and hundred at an average of 96.40, Virat Kohli averaged more than 50 and scored a century against Pakistan, while Mitchell Starc was the Man of the Tournament. Each of the Royal Challengers’ three wins in the 2015 IPL have come with significant contributions from these players – Gayle scoring fifties in two of those games and Kohli in the other, while Starc picked up a three-for. De Villiers is their top run-scorer this IPL with 233 runs, at an average of 46.6 and a strike-rate of 165.24. Starc has twice bowled the 20th over of the innings and conceded only three runs per over.Delhi Daredevils – Lots of losing streaks
Delhi Daredevils have made some unwanted records their own this season. They lost their first two games of the 2015 IPL, which meant they had lost 11 consecutive IPL games, the longest-ever losing streak in IPL history. They won the next two games, before having to return to their home venue in Delhi, where they lost to the Kolkata Knight Riders. It was their ninth straight loss at the Kotla, the longest ever home-losing streak in IPL history. Just as they thought their ‘streaks’ were ending, Daredevils lost their seventh match of the season to Royal Challengers Bangalore, their eighth consecutive loss against the Bangalore team!Kolkata Knight Riders – Middle-order prowess
Kolkata Knight Riders’ middle order batsmen (Nos 3 to 7) average 30.58 in the 2015 IPL, the highest for any team. Their strike-rate of 142.46 is only marginally second to Royal Challengers’ (143.32), whose batsmen benefit from playing in the relatively small Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Knight Riders are the only team who have four middle-order batsmen each scoring 100 runs or more this IPL: Andre Russell (130), Manish Pandey (123), Suryakumar Yadav (122) and Yusuf Pathan (104).

The brunt of USACA’s maladministration has often been borne by the players, especially after previous suspensions. It is far better for them to have the ICC’s active assistance than the passive disinterest they have been used to from USACA

Peter Della Penna28-Jun-20156:17

Chance to take US cricket in new direction – Nadkarni

After the ICC’s announcement that USACA had been suspended for a third time since 2005, there was a groundswell of joy on social media through the US cricket community. Administration across the country is hampered by disparate factions from clubs and leagues all the way up to national level. The one thing that unites the majority of stakeholders though is their mutual distaste for USACA, spoken as if it were a dirty four-letter word instead of a five-letter acronym.The knee-jerk reaction from many around the USA is to shout loudly for the rival American Cricket Federation to take control, if only because it isn’t named USACA. In a wider context, not much is known about the ACF, making its bid to take charge of cricket in the USA in USACA’s stead a long and difficult challenge. In announcing USACA’s suspension, the ICC made it clear it still considers USACA its member and will do what it can to resolve its governance and administrative issues. The approach seems to be that the ICC would rather deal with the devil it knows than the one it does not.No matter how appealing ACF may be compared to USACA, ACF still does not meet much of the criteria laid out by the ICC be welcomed into the Associate fold, regardless of whether USACA’s suspension is lifted or they are expelled in 2016.Though the standard of play has been up and down due to funding issues and varying levels of player commitment, the ACF’s national interleague competition meets the ICC Associate application standard of organizing a men’s competition with at least 16 teams. Other than that, they are deficient in several areas.The ACF currently has no full-time paid chief executive or other full-time administrators, no junior development program, no women’s program.It is also unclear whether they meet the threshold of raising their own funds exceeding 10% of the ICC’s annual disbursement to an Associate, currently in the neighborhood of $400,000. According to sources, ACF had revenue of $32,000 last year, $8,000 short of the requirement.USACA may also fall short of several of these criteria, particularly since they have not had a full-time chief executive since Darren Beazley’s resignation last year, but it is far harder to be kicked out of the fold when you’ve had 50 years of Associate membership than to gain it from scratch.While the politicians draw most of the ire for their poor decision-making, the brunt of the maladministration has often been borne by USA’s players. This was especially true in 2005 and 2007, when the USA men’s teams felt the brunt of the ICC punishment.The current edition of the Intercontinental Cup has been spruced up with the promise of a pathway to playing Test matches for elite Associates. When the competition first started in 2004, USA was in the mix as one of the original participants.But a month before the 2005 competition began, USACA was in a heated squabble with the rival group known as the Council of League Presidents. After USA finished 11th out of 12 teams in the ICC Trophy held in Ireland that June and July, the two warring factions submitted separate teams to the ICC for the start of the Intercontinental Cup in August. Despite pleas from then ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed to come to a joint resolution, neither group budged. USA was kicked out of the competition, replaced by Cayman Islands, and has never rejoined. In the process, their players have lost out on countless opportunities to develop their overall skills by honing them through the rigors of multi-day cricket.Just as debilitating for the players was the 2007 suspension. On the eve of the inaugural World Cricket League Division Three, USACA had stalled attempts to ratify a new constitution and a second suspension was handed down. Once again, the men’s team was yanked out of the competition by the ICC and replaced by another member of the Americas region, this time Argentina. Traditionally the doormat of Americas regional tournaments, Argentina finished second and gained promotion to Division Two, a painful reminder of the consequences of that particular suspension for USACA.When USA’s suspension was finally lifted in 2008, they had been dropped all the way down to Division Five. On talent alone, they have always been good enough to be in Division One or Two. But their preparation is habitually poor, leaving them vulnerable to upsets. The fact that USA currently sit in Division Four, and have never been able to get past Division Three in three attempts, underscores how costly the ICC’s penalty was on the players.The ICC has, however, decided to take mercy on USA’s players this time. USA’s on-field struggles since the ICC dumped USA into Division Five in 2008 and told them to work their way up from scratch have been difficult to overcome. It must have been a factor in allowing USA to still compete at the World T20 Qualifier in Ireland, as well as the U-19 team’s participation at the Americas Qualifier in Bermuda.Logistically, things won’t be too much different for the players. Though USACA had routinely lacked funds to make preparation camps possible, the ICC pays for plane tickets and hotel accommodation for every team at its tournaments. With or without suspension, the ICC would have footed the bill for USA in Ireland.The ICC has also said it plans on offering caretaker support in place of USACA by announcing a regional selection trial in Indianapolis this September as part of an ICC Americas team scheduled to take part in the WICB domestic 50-over tournament. The news received an overwhelming response as players had spirits lifted over the prospect of an open selection process they expect to be fair, neutral, with professional talent evaluators unencumbered by dirty politics and favoritism that players have consistently accused USACA administration of engaging in.Beyond the current World T20 qualification cycle, it is unknown how long the ICC will continue to devote resources as a benevolent foster parent to US players. However, players will take whatever the ICC is willing to offer them so long as they are still given opportunities to compete. It is far better to have the ICC’s active assistance than the passive disinterest they have become accustomed to with USACA.

In the seven ODIs so far against New Zealand and Australia this season, England’s pace attack has struggled to take wickets up front

Andrew McGlashan06-Sep-2015The cry of ‘handball’ might have been expected when England played on Saturday. But in San Marino rather than at Lord’s. Instead, it happened during the second ODI, not even in the pre-match game of football that the cricketers now enjoy so much. The hand in question belonged to Ben Stokes, who, in the judgement of the third umpire, wilfully blocked the path of Mitchell Starc’s throw towards the stumps.For the rest of match Stokes sat on the balcony wearing the stern face of someone who had just been the victim of a harsh red card. Yet while those on either side of the debate threatened to tie themselves in knots over the rights, wrongs, maybes and, heaven forbid, the spirit of cricket, there was one fact that should be under no dispute: it was another convincing win for Australia, leaving England a distant second best.Amid his frustration over the Stokes incident, Eoin Morgan did manage to say, “I don’t think it was the winning and losing of the game.” But when Glenn Maxwell removed Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali shortly after there was no doubt England were done.Barring three wins in a row now for England (or two and some rain) they will end an Ashes summer with an ODI series defeat as they did in 2009 and 2013. Trevor Bayliss watched from Sydney as England went toe-to-toe with New Zealand earlier this season and arrived in the country to read glowing reports of the revival of the team’s one-day fortunes.He was unlikely to have been drawn in by the hype beyond, perhaps, being buoyed by the fact that England were willing to embrace new ideals. Yet as he sat huddled in a thick jacket on a chilly, early-autumn day, he will have been reminded that this will be a significant challenge of his white-ball pedigree.Barring his own thoughts on obstruction, he will not have had to make too many additional notes, either, to those taken at the Ageas Bowl. Australia’s innings followed a similar pattern: a solid base at the top (albeit with David Warner’s injury) and a power-packed innings, this time by Mitchell Marsh, to lead a final-ten surge. England did not manage as many middle-over wickets as in Southampton, although they exercised reasonable control: Australia scored 74 from the 20th to the 35th over.And that brings us to the crux. One-day batting orders – particularly for the two sides on show in the series – are threateningly deep: Mitchell Starc and Liam Plunkett are impressive No. 10s. But in turn that puts the onus on wicket-taking rather than defending. It is why Brendon McCullum endorsed attack – sometimes to the level of four slips – for such long portions of an innings.Adil Rashid’s four-wicket haul in Southampton was an encouraging display – and he nabbed Steven Smith for a second time at Lord’s – but he, and England’s other change-bowling options – are having to operate on the back of very little damage inflicted at the top. Steven Finn’s dismissal of Joe Burns was the only reasonably early wicket, when he was bowled in the ninth over, which Morgan acknowledged was a disappointing return given conditions.It continued a trend. In the seven ODIs against New Zealand and Australia so far this season, on only one occasion have England had the opposition more than two wickets down at the 25-over mark. That was at Edgbaston when New Zealand were flinging the bat chasing over 400. Batsmen are allowed to play well, and England have bowled against some in-form players, but a picture is emerging of a one-day pace attack that lacks a cutting edge.England shuffled the pack at Lord’s, bringing in Plunkett for the rested Mark Wood, but the end result was not vastly different. The pacemen were four right-armers. Plunkett nudged the speedgun over 90mph, but when he found the edge of Maxwell’s bat before he had scored there was no one at slip to try for the catch (what would Brendon say?) Plunkett’s pace is about the fastest an England bowler achieves at the moment, but 90mph is the exception rather than, for example, Pat Cummins who is regularly over the mark.It is not that Australia have plucked out huge numbers of the early wickets – at 25 overs England were two down at the Ageas Bowl and three down at Lord’s – but with Cummins’ speed, Starc’s yorkers and Nathan Coulter-Nile’s splice-jarring aggression, Steven Smith has clear wicket-taking options to turn to. And that does not mention the golden arms of Marsh or Maxwell or those on the sidelines: Mitchell Johnson, James Pattinson, Josh Hazlewood and James Faulkner.It is a reminder, as was the World Cup final, that Australia are a notch above. On days when they are off target the ball can fly, but Australia have long put a high value on outright pace. For example, in 2009 and 2010 England felt the full force of blistering spells by Brett Lee and Shaun Tait at Lord’s.The two pitches so far in the series were flat, although not without decent pace and carry. That is how it should be in one-day cricket. While, ideally, the ball should hold the edge over the bat in Tests, in one-day cricket there is no problem with it being the other way – not that the occasional low-scoring scrap would not be enjoyable. It means a tough life for the bowlers, but they need to find a way.However, for England there is no point trying to match something you do not have – or at least not in abundance. You have to work with what is on offer. They have some variety sat on the bench. The combative David Willey has no great pace – even his dad, Peter, said that in an engaging feature shown during T20 finals day – but he is a left-armer who swings it.Reece Topley, the Essex but soon-to-be Hampshire left-armer, has also been added to the squad. Again, he won’t push the speed much past the low 80s but he can bowl a good yorker and, as he showed in the T20, is shrewd with the slower ball. While it would not frighten the Australians, it might make them think. Failing that, they could hope for a helping hand.