Demystifying – Sunil Narine

He is known as an off-spinner to the world; he shot to lime light with 2011 Champions league donning Trinidad & Tobago colors. But his pre-fix off-spinner is hardly suitable for the likes of his talent and for the one who can make the ball talk in both direction with same bowling action; making him all the more difficult to pick. To begin with he has talent in abundance and looking at his IPL stint. The ball which turned more than foot before crashing master’s off stump is the testimony of the talent and bright future he would have. Looking at the kind of analysis which goes one can surely take a bet on the timelines before he is demystified and batsmen start picking him

This was probably the most awaited test debut in sometime specially in English conditions. Had he debuted back with Australia series; looking at the performance in ODIs he would have surely rattled Australians and giving them tough fight. His ODI performance with economy rate of 3.3 (Kind of economy rated during 70s) and average of 14.45 he took 11 wickets in the series. He didn’t torment Oz players like the days in 1970s & 80s but none the less playing him effectively was as much difficult. Video of number of wickets he took.

Looking at his bowling technique; his bag is full of variety and to top it all has accurate length; the only technique he needs to add to this armory will be how to flight the ball efficiently, something which bowlers like Saeed Ajmal has perfected. His all hyped test debut turned out to be chastening one; when Petersen milked him for runs and boundaries with ease. One of the reasons for drubbing being he is more suited to dryer pitch and warmer weather while in England under cloudy and damn conditions ball won’t wear and tear much hence not spinning as expected. Besides his griping of the ball won’t be subtle due to conditions. In these scenarios while conditions are cold & cloudy, flight and guile will be his major weapons. But having said that; he can look up to Shane Warne whose debut figures were 150/ 1.

Narine’s Knuckle ball behaves like a leg break which comes out of the front of his hand and achieved with extraordinary flick of index and middle finger.

Coming to his technique; majorly he bowls around good length and that is where batsmen can read fate of his delivery and playing as late as possible. His bowling style can be graded into 3 styles namely Off break, Leg Break & Knuckle Ball

Narine’s Knuckle ball behaves like a leg break which comes out of the front of his hand and achieved with extraordinary flick of index and middle finger. So the secret lies with how Sunil Narine grips the ball; when he grips the cherry with middle finger on the seam and other 2 sideways – it will be an off break while if Index finger raised slightly lower  on one half & other two fingers placed slightly higher than index finger; then it will be a leg break. The secret of Knuckle ball is all in the grip when the ball is held with index and middle finger at one side and the other one at opposite side placed a bit lower than index and middle finger.

When Greg Chappell wrote “The Brain is Better Cricketer than you will ever be” he emphasizes on mental aspect involved in the game when competing opposite player of supreme talent and the one who presents lot of diversity and keeps batsmen guessing. Sunil Narine’s case is similar where vision of the batsmen is of perennial importance. To tackle his variation batsmen can visualize the pitch map area from shot of length to full length into matrix form. Based on the ball being pitched in any square of the matrix decides the shot selection. There will be some form of risk associated always when facing someone who can turn the ball in either direction equally with point blank precision. Irony of facing Narine would be; the batsmen must hit the ball without knowing exactly where it is, or precisely when it will be there.

Considering the fact based on Sunil Narine’s bowling pitch map, his 70% plus deliveries are on good length and the ones which are pitched on good length but on wider side has more chance of coming into the batsmen (IPL 5 – Sachin Tendulkar’s Dismissal) or those being top spin which hold its line but skids a bit more than orthodox off-break. Considering his penchant more towards good length delivery; this gives batsmen more time to play the ball & as late as possible. In test match scenario where unlike T20 batsmen is not under pressure to attack almost every ball; he has lot of time to understand and predict the path of delivery.

While playing good length deliveries as late as possible is one option; but dealing with fuller length batsmen will need to make sure get as close to the pitch of the ball as much possible; so even if it deviates after pitching, it will not have moved far enough to beat the edge of the bat. Secondly making sure  playing defensive shot with ultra soft hands in order to make sure if ball deviates and takes the edge, it will not have momentum to reach close in fielders

Facing Sunil Narine will always present a need to predict, to launch a stroke in a particular direction or lofted stroke at point in space without being convinced that ball will arrive in that position at the right time. This cannot be achieved by practice and will remain greatest plus point for Sunil Narine when he dismisses top batsmen. He has the ability to produce deceptive visual information during his approach and delivery, exhibiting misleading signals will persuade the batsmen to play a stroke where the ball mysteriously is not.

Sunil Narine will have to reinvent himself once the magic code is intruded and he becomes predictable. Guile and accuracy will be his true companions if he has to headline major cricketing events.

Bewildered with his talent – IPL franchise KKR consider themselves blessed to have Sunil Narine in their ranks; who was also in shortlist of Mumbai Indians & Pune warriors. His talent was much appreciated in IPL and incidentally WICB was toast of many jokes like “No one can pick Sunil Narine – Not even West-indies picks him”.  This is a modern era where 24 Cameras focus on each and everything player does on the ground; player’s mannerisms are tracked to the “T” in order to devise strategy around. Sunil Narine will have to reinvent himself once the magic code is intruded and he beomces predictable. Guile and accuracy will be his true companions if he has to headline major cricketing events.

Cricket in Modern Times…..

It’s clear that cricket is at critical stage of evolution with three different formats enforcing their way to grab as much eyeballs possible and many fear that very shorter format is ahead in the race while the shorter one and the prime one are lagging behind. All these form of game can still survive provided the organizer and administrators make smart business decisions. The advent of T20 always promised a change; but many test match devotees instantly felt that prime format is in jeopardy. Personally I like all forms of game until its cricket & each format have its own set of required skills which is phenomenal in its own right. One format might require patience of a surgeon to finish the job while other requires the speed of F1 race to make an impact in that particular form.

There is lot of talk around what is in spirit of cricket and what is not; like the one being recently invented switch hit. Analyst, ex-cricketer, MCC or ICC all of them have views about this shot being regularly played by players who are ambidextrous and demonstrate this skill more often; first Pertersen and now David Warner. Personally speaking this kind of invention does bring lot of innovation to cricket and days are not far when a right arm bowler would change his stance at the last minute to deliver left arm over the wicket. Another thought for debate about bowler being ambidextrous; surely that would start another set of debate across genres. While switch hit is being debated; a section of experts also suggest having LBW rule (pitching outside leg stump) scrapped when batsmen attempts switch hit giving bowler fair chance.

David Warner's Switch hit switches on discussion across genres

But having argued on invention; test matches are the purest and prime form of this game; any changes to this format just won’t suit the party. I would always want to see innovation on T-20 front to make the game more interesting and unpredictable; certain allowances towards batsmen being allowed to use switch hit; so are bowlers allowed to change their delivery stance from right arm bowler to left arm bowler at the last minute. Also as part of change it would be great to have ODIs divided into 4 innings as proposed by Sachin Tendulkar and once implemented by cricket Australia; this would generate fair amount of interest in the crowd and lot of one sided games can be avoided as both teams get sufficient chance to analyse the match situation.

Another change I would like to see is T-20 being played in indoor stadiums for that matter Test matches cannot be played indoors as we haven’t graduated to day-night test match yet. But T-20 shall surely make a good match within indoor stadium; benefit being no rain ruined matches. This formula is successfully tried by Cricket Australia nearly 11 years ago when South Africa toured them for 3 ODIs. At some point in time Television Broadcasters & Sponsors will advocate this concept and not live with the tag of game being subject to natural elements. With evolution of league cricket and so much money being invested; the cricket authorities in partnership with their corporate investors shall realize this misfit sooner than later. Indoor stadiums would ensure matches are played and finished, when they should be.

The concept of miking is good but just being used for Player interviews is bit comical. South African Skipper late Hansi Cronje and late Bob wolmer tried this concept in 1999 world cup where Hansi was always wired up and shall get inputs from wolmer at every critical juncture but this move of innovation was banned by ICC; with advent of T20 miking is the form used to interview on field players and to get match bites from them. To make T-20 more interesting if this concept can be extended between coaches and on field captain; which it would make an absolute hit with cricketers and shall make it worthwhile.

These concepts can be cascaded to cricket board approved private leagues. Cricket in Future will be about providing a short format that is fast, furious and exciting. While to retain prime form of the game; both Test matches & T-20s shall need to be re-positioned much like our education system where kids get to choose between Science, Commerce or any other field of their choice; while young cricketers at certain point in their life with guidance of their coach should also get to pick any format of their choice based on their strengths and weakness. Meanwhile we fantasize about these changes to the game; administrators need to maintain the perks at equal level for playing both form of game; to avoid discrimination.

Is Sacking the right path to being Victorious….

Apart from Pakistan who until recent times was under the clout of loosing every game; the subcontinent teams haven’t set the stage on fire overseas. All the major test teams in sub continent have undergone regime change impacting their coaching staff in their pursuit to win overseas. Bangladesh has coaching unit led by Stuart Clarke who took over from Jaime Siddons, Pakistan after Waqar Younis has Mohsin Khan who if news churners are to believed would soon be replaced by Dave Whatmore while Sri-Lanka have even gone a step further and sacked a coach who was just 4-5 months in the system and replaced him with South African Graham Ford. India considered to be best team in sub-continent is managed by Duncan Fletcher after Gary Kirsten. From last 9-10 months it’s been sacking or voluntary move season going on in sub continent; may it be coach or captain.

It’s easy to opine on who to sack and who to keep with the team. The idea here is to put the best team on field hence the accountability has to be shared and not dwelled solely on one or two institution like coaching staff or Captain. The attitude needs to be revamp if winning is the priority for any nation who wants to have longer shot at being Number 1 Test Side. Like in corporate world which is fiercely competitive where organizations have system or framework in place which allows them to attain the leadership position in their segment. Cricketing boards need to run like one corporate organization. Appointing synonymous corporate designations to cricket board officials vis a vis their working style be bureaucratic won’t help the cause.

It’s easy to opine on who to sack and who to keep with the team. The idea here is to put the best team on field hence the accountability has to be shared and not dwelled solely on one or two institution like coaching staff or captain

For once if we analyze Arguments by Geoff Lawson (read here) on India’s performance down under; one would realise that it’s just not cricketing skill; but there is a method to madness. This Aussie bowling attack never gave away any short stuff to cut or play square; they bowled consistent fuller length while the ball swung. The bottom line being plans being well executed. The tour down under has been an eye opener for the likes of VVS and Dravid. Geoff Lawson stresses on the plan which was executed well by the home side compared to what were the shortfalls of visitors. These short falls varies right from technical glitches to mental toughness. While some might argue that age is finally catching up with likes of big 3 but what about others in pipeline whose base has IPL lure written all over it. Make quick money and get out attitude did not make the Legend Rahul Dravid. Likes of Dravid & VVS played first class games in abundance to earn places in national team and the problem with Legend Stories like these is sometimes they are true.

My arguments might not provide the intended solution or a road-map that which leads to ideal situation; but with this argument want the thought process running. Singing the same old tune of IPL being the chief destroyer is an old cliché; while IPL was incepted in 2008 and it’s not out of cradle yet to incur such damage. But these are the times we live in; where lack of framework would be compromised and in turn passed on as a protocol for future cricketers. Every year summer cricket camps have enrolled more kids after IPL; where parents want kids to play IPL one day. But coaches are responsible to avert this mindset and prepare tough cricketers and not seasonal one. First brick to such framework has been put in place by Punjab cricket which has classified IPL for U-21 players hence barring them to be part of IPL. This might not solve the purpose but idea is in place to make them go through tougher chapters of cricket first. Players shall always learn to play T20; but art of grinding in tough conditions won’t be imbibed till they face the toughest conditions until then their game won’t be certified. The tours of Australia and England have vastly pointed towards the deficiency of athleticism while cricketing skill in abundance may not help always in this modern era.

Argus Review which was by far the best thing ever happened to Australian cricket; which resulted in revamp of the system while selectors were shown the boot; a new framework was laid with a clear roadmap

If we analyze Argus Review (read here) which was by far the best thing ever happened to Australian cricket after Allan border took over the captaincy. For once this review was done by someone who was not cricketer or neither had any background. This review was done by someone who is hardcore mining business man and knows how to imbibe corporate culture within sports in order to keep winning. Strong measures were taken which resulted in revamp of the system while selectors were shown the boot; a new framework was laid with a clear roadmap. India lacks that kind of gutsy reviews which if done shall tackle the bureaucracy in system and shall be bigger boot on the egos of those who run the system without being accountable. We can see some sort of freshness in this Australian side once these recommendations were incorporated.

For once this team might be glad that tour down under is done and dusted but bigger challenge lay ahead of the administrators Who to resurrect this team with potential to be back on top; but deficits a framework or system which would be their catalyst.

DRS – To Be or Not To Be….

Introduction of UDRS in late 2000 has always been seen as Universally Disabled Referral System by BCCI. Burning their fingers with DRS in 2008 Sri-Lanka series; the Indian Board is in no mood to recline towards the idea of bringing technology in usage when it’s not 100% full proof. Having given the above argument; it’s imperative to understand Umpire’s decisions on field are bound by human errors which DRS aim to reduce but with 95%+ accuracy levels. While at heart ICC has right intent to maximize fair play with DRS but usage of DRS has been far more complex then it is on face value and it surely a bone stuck in ICC’s throat which they can neither gulp nor chuck it out.

While there are lot of technologies which are part of DRS system like Snickometer, Hot-Spot & most controversial being the ball tracking technology. Ball tracking technology is the one which has caught attention of lot of folks around. It didn’t matter if it was ex-cricketer or an analyst, everyone was obliged to talk about it; irrespective of the fact if they understood it or not. While there are lot of controversial decisions which do not build up a good case for DRS like the one in Semi Final of the World Cup 2011, Sachin Tendulkar got acquitted when a close decision against him was reversed on review; this controversial decision made ICC release public statement on clarifying working of Hawk Eye; See here.

In WC 2011 Semi Final, Sachin Tendulkar got acquitted when a close decision against him was reversed on review; this controversial decision made ICC release public statement on clarifying working of Hawk Eye

Another incident when Australia travelled Sri Lanka in 2011, a controversial DRS supported LBW decision went against Philip Hughes; which on replays showed a different story altogether. While replays suggested that ball would have missed off-stump after pitching on middle stump. While Hawk-Eye pitch mat tracked ball to hit leg stump hence favoring umpire’s decision. While in Phil Hughes’s case as per Hawk Eye the carry (distance from pitching point to point of impact) was 25 CM for this delivery; hence there was margin of error and ball was shown hitting the leg stump. This limitation of Hawk Eye is covered in below paragraph. This decision brought the ire of Simon Taufel most reputed of elite panel. The perspective & the questions raised by him mirrored the feelings of viewers as well. He said -

“What are the technology tools we have to achieve that (read Correct decisions), and then how accurate are those tools? Have we really investigated that from an independent perspective, and have we got a categorical answer with that? Is it reliable on the day, rather than just relying on the provider of that technology to say ‘it is x-amount accurate and the result is right’ and we just take that on face value?”

“From an umpiring perspective, as a third umpire, it is incredibly challenging here [in Sri Lanka] because the frame rates used by Ten Sports per second will be different to the ones used by Sky in Britain. There’s ultra-motion available in the UK, there’s none of that here. We have Hotspot in the UK, we don’t have Hotspot here. The camera rates used by Hawk-Eye here would be different to the camera rates used there.”

So From a layman’s point how does Ball tracking technology work? To answer this; here is the summary of functioning of Hawk-Eye; a predominant vendor of ball tracking technology. As per Hawk-Eye they use the principle of Triangulation; it uses data in the form of visual images and frames provided by 4 high-speed video cameras located at different angles around pitch or area of play. As per information on Hawk Eye website; they use multiple synchronized, high speed vision processing cameras with high frame-rate to capture the path of the cricket ball from the bowler’s hand to the batsman’s point of impact on bat or pad. This process constructs the path of cricket ball by assembling it frame by frame. These frames when assembled produce position of the ball at regular interval (also known as frame rate). These frames enable to calculate how much the ball bounces and what shall be its next position. This principle shows how ball track & prediction of its trajectory is produced if the object blocking (in this case bat or pad) is absent.

Ball tracking has to disected frame by frame capturing of ball trajectory, the area where ball pitches & clear point of impact on either bat or pad. Once the trajectory of ball is determined there is certain confidence level taken into consideration which determines the path of the ball post it hits the object (bat or pad) blocking its path. The confidence level at which the ball path is calculated post it hits blocking object is close to 95+ percent accurate. This technology does not take into consideration like weather conditions, if day light available is sufficient, swing or spin into account; it shall just follow its path straight after point of impact.

There are limitations with offerings from both vendors such as Hawkeye cannot predict the path of the ball with certainty when the carry (distance from pitching point to point of impact) is below 40 cm and the distance from impact to stumps is at least 2m. To understand DRS better we need to understand how it works with both Hawkeye Innovations (who make Hawkeye) and Animation Research Ltd. (who make Virtual Eye). While Hawk Eye captures the action at 106 frames per second; Virtual Eye captures that at 230 frames per second. Which in turn captures more ball positions (Compared to Hawk Eye) from pitching point till the point of impact; See here. Moving ahead with ball tracking technology Animation research intends to introduce Hot Spot cameras to capture the action in order to enhance virtual eye technology. All these innovations call for different level of field testing in order to arrive at best technology which shall hold true under any circumstances for example which vendor can alter its frame rate for a spinner(less frame rates required) and fast bowler(more frame rates required) due to the pace. This kind of flexibility shall evolve DRS from its current form and usage.

ICC made a press statement in mid 2011 about improvement of Ball tracking system post testing; but failed to give any competitive analysis (Virtual Eye vs. Hawk Eye) on the test considered or in the environment in which such testing was done; as basis for this statement; neither was any controversial case from world cup or past decision being studied in order to conclude on the improvement of ball tracking technology. These line items does suggest that ICC wants to implement technology at the earliest without being sure about its nature and accuracy.

Ask this question to any ex-cricketer (who is not Indian) on DRS and answer would be its must for cricket to flourish and these opinions turn into a nonstop debate or more so protest; once a wrong or controversial decision is witnessed. But when questioned more on technical aspect of Virtual Eye or Hawk Eye; I am not sure the answer shall as be as fluent and convincing from ex-cricketers. At times these technology favoring statements are made to achieve “I TOLD YOU SO“ moment in history of cricket. They want to see the ball tracking being done without asking questions on its viability. Having talked in favor of DRS they forget that these ball tracking technology need certain factors such as light, bowling style and speed to be considered for accurate decision making. This where the fundamental difference lies and why Indian Board is not in favor of taking up DRS and its foreign counterparts are.

The question we need to ask here is – Does ICC feel burdened and obligated to promote usage of technology which would sooth their ego or does ICC want to maximize fair play by getting as many decisions right as possible? The prima-facie objective of DRS is to assist umpires in Decision making where as the current scenario involves usage of DRS more as Decision Reversal System. DRS is complicated issue and does not have just hotspot or ball tracking in its premises. It’s just not mere a question of DRS – To Be or Not To Be… or is it?

Bangladesh – Walking on Thin Line

Going through Bangladesh play any form of cricket is quality Kolavari for anyone who understands the game at superficial level or someone who is die hard game follower. I pity the fans; who with hopes in their eyes hustle to grounds or hook to Television set to see their team win some day. But this winning consistency has eluded fans now for more than a decade. The Team still performs like one freshly launched onto international arena. While on the other hand there are likes of Netherlands & Ireland who take pride in the fight they put on the field despite of reprehensible cricketing infrastructure to support game in their countries; these are sadly the associates who try to punch above their weight to be recognized but alas it turns out to be a futile effort every time they do well.

Not sure if Bangladesh Cricket Board has the welfare of the elite version of game at its heart or does BCB think they are left behind while other boards are raking money which reasons introduction of BPL (Bangladesh Premier League). A cheap imitation of IPL and is nothing but encroachment of shorter format over its most elite version. The question arises; are they in for tactical short term goal of making money or strategic long term goal to strengthen cricketing culture.

Bangladesh is quite young in international arena; and initial indulgence with T20 would decide its future as test playing nation.

Bangladesh as a team always leaves its followers wanting for more in terms of the fight they put up while playing the longer version of the game. Bangladesh’s batting has let them down as usual. In eight Test innings this year they went past 300 just once & none of them could manage a century and this is the way it has been since all the foreign coaches came and left their shores. So the problem lies with players and the board; it can be either players are not talented or they are taking the game for granted and board is complacent enough to recognize this adherent problem. Board has it interest more towards the politics at ICC level or is sycophant to heavy cricket boards in subcontinent.

Issues like why Bangladesh players are not selected for IPL or how they can qualify for champion’s league are at the fore front of its management and first class cricket is just a formality to be followed as per ICC guidelines since Bangladesh being a test playing nation. The problem might very well lie in the formation of the Bangladesh board and as it’s learnt that the clubs around Dhaka have a very heavy say in the functioning & proceedings of the board.

It’s ultimately the Test Status which was at the heart of their fight since long and now it needs to be protected and not lose it to the lust of more financial gains on offer by shorter format.

The problem lies at the grass root level where players are deprived of quality first class cricket. Absence of 3 day or 4 day matches are not only hurting players technique to survive longer version of the game but also the culture in which cricket is growing is impacted massively as any kid growing through this era would only want to play shorter version of the game and make quick bucks. Former captain and All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan opined about the ignorance showered on first-class cricket in his newspaper column saying, “We will play the Premier League and BPL after the Pakistan series. But we won’t play four-day cricket, the real area of concern. I don’t want to say much about it because we all know the prescription, but we never take the antidote”. With this level performance and attitude towards the elite version of the game; Bangladesh are walking on thin line where prominent teams would abandon them on the pretext of not deserving a chance to play at the highest level.

There are lot of other avenues apart from playing first class cricket in Bangladesh; BCB can organize County stint for their top 10 players which in itself is an immense learning or organize more first class games with emerging associate nations during off season would bring in the change in mindset and most importantly the technique they carry into the game. Patience is a virtue that needs to be valued while playing the longer version of the game which is clearly lacking when it comes to Bangladesh; flat body language while playing test against Zimbabwe or frequent predictable batting collapses or fielding glitches are few examples of shoddy game they have carried all through last year. Players need to imbibe patience as that is the virtue which fuels up the focus to stay competitive for next 90 overs.

Law the coach of this team shall be on the mercy of this board to arrange some kind of first class cricket all throughout this year in order to iron out the problems pertaining to both mental and technical aspect. Cries for abundant first class cricket are there but on paper and DPL and recently launched BPL comprise of the bread and butter these players earn. Stuart Law by the time premier league ends shall get all round view of how cricket functions in this part of sub-continent. He has bigger challenge to fit in first class cricket culture at the root level of this country.

It’s ultimately the Test Status which was at the heart of their fight since long and now it needs to be protected and not lose it to the lust of more financial gains on offer by shorter format.

Why Punter Is Still Worth a Bet….

Ricky Ponting reminds me of highlander who is battered and bruised but still has the audacity to walk fearlessly when the blade is no longer the sharpest. He is an intractable who would not walk away into sunset but would call it a day on his own terms.

He is belligerent, which is manifested in his on-field conduct. According to former Australian captain Allan Border, “what you see with Ponting is what you get, and he wears his heart on his sleeve”. Mind you there was never a dearth of skill which is in abundance and its combination with courage is what makes Ricky Ponting one of the finest batsmen of this era. Ricky Ponting is one of the very few Australian former captains who has survived the captaincy axe and is still very much in the scheme of Australian cricket speaks volumes of his abilities as sportsmen & more conspicuously as a leader. At the moment he is living a “Saurav Ganguly” life – post captaincy where every move and innings of his would be dissected and one bad innings would call for his head.

There are two ways to analyze him as cricketer; one being the modern day great batsmen and other being Australian Captain; He is the only Oz Skipper who has a diverse record – the best being part of three time World Champion team; twice leading them to title and worst being leading the side to Three ashes defeat and still be a part of Australian National Team which is one of the rare feat. Surely luck cannot fetch you place in national team; there is something which makes him unique and still one of those players whose run scoring blade has not rusted if not the sharpest; but sadly confidence is dented.

He is belligerent, which is manifested in his on-field conduct. According to former Australian captain Allan Border, “what you see with Ponting is what you get, and he wears his heart on his sleeve"

To re-ignite is not everyone’s eminence; but would be illicit to let go before a brutal brawl which would bring him at peace with himself and help me walk into the sunset.

Ponting inherited his test team from Steve Waugh; who in-turn got it from Mark Taylor and Allan Border prior to him. The same team stuck fear in the hearts of opposition & they would loose the game in pre-match practice sessions; such was the work ethic. First 3 years of his captaincy; Ricky Ponting slept soundly at night, safe in the knowledge that regardless of whatever happens on the field, he had as his game covered with Test Cricket’s most lethal combination in the form of Warne & McGrath. He was often criticized for lacking imagination as a leader; but having said that who needs imagination when the team boasted all time greats in his lineup.

As professional he hit a new low with controversy surrounding in 2007-08 season with Sydney gate episode while his arrogance and overconfidence took over cricketing acumen where he claimed catches which were clearly grounded while attempting. As courage, confidence & skill combination is lethal and sure shot recipe of success but abundance of all results in arrogance, for which Ponting was criticized across the sporting fraternity Down Under. This series would remembered as when Ponting learned being humble from none other than Anil Kumble.

<img src="http://sportsmeter.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/ricky-3.jpg" alt="" title=“Ricky 3″ width=”225″ height=”225″ class=”size-full wp-image-145″ />

To re-ignite is not everyone’s eminence; but would be illicit to let go before a brutal brawl which would bring him at peace with himself and help me walk into the sunset.

Ponting is known for playing wide repertoire shots in his armory while the pull and hook being the trademarks; however he shuffles a lot early in his innings while thrusting his front foot occasionally being the reason for his downfall. He also has questionable technique against quality spin; no wonder Harbhajan has got him 13 times in test cricket. But having said that there is still life in his batting which is the prima facie reason of his inclusion in the team. He is the vital cog of inexperienced batting line up; which has Clarke & Hussey being only two other experienced campaigners. As history repeats itself Ponting finds himself in a similar situation as Allan Border in Mid 80s when rebel series to South Africa in defiance of the Gleneagles Agreement robbed Australia great players. This time around the greats retired and Ponting was at the helm managing the reins of inexperienced team. His way of captaincy by consensus would no longer be handy but need of the hour was to be adaptive during the transition period and his critics were silenced with Victory over South Africa during 2009 – Return series in their backyard.

It wasn’t easy for Ponting as leader during the transition phase which resulted due to the retirements of greats like Warne, McGrath, Hayden, Gilchrist, Langer, Martin and Gillespie. Ponting has taken this transition into his stride and changed his leadership style to accommodate new inexperienced talent and guide them through. Axing of Andrew Symonds was a tough call; but message was driven across the team; as no one is above team and discipline shall not be compromised under any circumstances. Ponting shall render himself as agent of Change; post captaincy Ponting’s leadership extends beyond the playing field; he is there to handhold the inexperienced players in tough situations like the one last month in Johannesburg; where Australia won the second test to square the series; thanks to matured innings by certain Punter at Number 3; surviving brute force bowling from Steyn and Co.

Besides his batting prowess; he is heck of a shrewd leader with a tip or two in his pocket for the captain; when in dire straits. He is the ambassador of the work ethic and culture which has been inherited from the teams of Mark Taylor & Steve Waugh who achieved immortality & greatness. Ponting is conscientious to inculcate all time proven work ethic template in this team as a mentor. He is not the leader who would just sermonize about why McGrath was deadly accurate or why was Warne such a master class, How fearless combo of Hayden & Gilchrist were? & what was the secret of Langer’s calmness; but the one to implant this persona in this team; which converted aforesaid players into legends and the legend of Punter is cardboard cutout for this role.

Players like Hughes, Warner, Cummins, Siddle, Marsh, Khwaja & Doug Bollinger could have long International careers ahead of them. They are without any question at an advantage when legend of Ponting’s stature is around who is a versatile personality and has been part of the great immortal era of being victorious every time team set foot on the battle field.

And as the old axiom goes by “Gambling is a principle inherent in nature & nobody has ever bet enough on a winning horse” Punter would still back himself and has enough drive to bet on his ability to be the derby winner. By now he knows “It’s not the size of the dog in fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog”. If he is able to characterize the change and acts consequently; subsequently end result shall comprise victory of the Team Vision and not only him as an individual.

Pitch or Culture: The way we view our Cricket

Last week was not short being from dull to maniac; many of us will have different adjective for the type of test matches or the brand of cricket we witnessed across different continents. These two different types of game also determine the brand of cricket; viewers want to witness. During Mid 90s when I started playing serious cricket; days would start with serious and tough fielding drills and if lucky end with batting practice. There was a prowess of batting culture all the way in the Indian cricketing system & being bowler meant less skilled or someone whose chance of being successful at top level were not very bright. That to me would come across as some sort of caste system where coaches would motivate players to develop into batsmen more often than not & fielding to everyone meant; the player is being abused physically. Coming back to perception on batting; My parents always wanted to see me batting and not fielding or bowling; not just my parents but everyone around me from neighbors to coaches wanted to see team India bat whenever the team played on national television.

There is a contrast in perception of the cricket being watched in every country; while Indian has always been a land of great batsmen outshining great bowlers (not to take any credit away from all the bowlers who ever has taken field for India) & other countries have great balance of both bowlers, batter and not to mention outstanding fielding standards amongst the first eleven on the field. This perception and mindset of watching the brand of cricket we are use to is the reason why we have the tracks on which India plays its domestic cricket. There is huge hoopla or upsurge about Sachin’s 100th century and right from sponsors to broadcasters want to tap that event. Even a today Indians will want to watch a Sehwag, Sachin, Dravid or Laxman in full flow but no one would want to watch each and every ball delivered by Ishant, Zaheer or Harbhajan.

Today Indians will watch each and every shot played by Sehwag, Sachin, Dravid or Laxman in full flow but none would want to watch each and every ball delivered by a Dale Steyn, Morkel or Zaheer

In these times of instant gratification where everyone wants to cash in money with each and every shot played by India’s most wanted batsmen. Even the Ranji Trophy games are batting paradise where a century scored is the new 40 or 50 runs scored. While we analyze the consumer’s inclination towards batting heavy cricket; some of the state boards like baroda should be applauded for the green wicket prepared for their last Ranji Match against MP; which tested batting skills.

While watching India vs WI Test & SA vs Australia gave me two different flavours of the same game; much like in a multi cuisine restaurant where same dish can be offered with different flavours. No wonder the pan on which the dish was prepared was different and hence the different taste. The pitch was much different one on both occasion throws light on kind of the game played; consumers in South Africa, Australia or crowd in England want to watch. One being a slow one assisting batting and spin and other one being a sporty one which had balance between bat and ball unless it led havoc on day 2 which accounted for more than 50% of the match getting over in single day’s play leading to 23 wickets falling. Clearly the second test match was more enjoyable; although broadcasters would have lost some money around but viewers had every moment of this match worth it.

The Newlands Captown Pitch - Led Havoc on Day 2; was bed for classical swing all through out

This is why boards and players should learn as much as they can about the pitch and encourage to develop a culture around this; there are lot many voices in cricketing system advocating the use of sporty wickets but none to be seen around too often during these domestic competitions in India. Overdose of the Spin friendly pitches negates fast bowling reserves as there is almost no help what so ever. At times the impact of the pitches has on individual cricket innings is under estimated; for instance Rahul Dravid’s unbeaten 27 against South Africa at Durban in 1996 was a titanic effort in light of India being dismissed for 66. He batted for 120 minutes against the brutal South African pace attack on a lively track was surely impressive as a five hour century on a more flat track.

India is a country within its pervasive influence; cricket is a dominant strain in our culture consciousness which needs a balance as well. Although our culture does define the way we view our cricket but the boards with deeper pocket also has the responsibility to make the game more interesting as well. India does have advantage of spin friendly pitches but at times due to lack of consistency these pitches flat out and result of the game is compromised. As a cricketing nation these are the conditions being aimed for which shall produce enjoyable match with result in store. Having said that; the change in cultural mindset would enable the best bowlers both of spin & fast genre prosper in the modern game.