So England have lost yet another test match in the subcontinent. The number one ranked test side have now lost four in a row - unthinkable only a few short months ago. So what's going wrong - and how can things be changed so England can be good again?
Well to start off, it's obvious where the problem lies. England's batting in the subcontinent - against spin in particular, is horrific. While the batsmen were booking in for bed, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and another night against India last summer, there's been none of that determination to remain at the crease in the four tests of this tour. While there are obvious technical flaws in most of the batsmen, much of the issue is mental. How can Rangana Herath, who England destroyed back at home turn from a pie-chucker into a world-beater? Herath is the same bowler as he was 8 months ago, there's very little mystery to him, but England's fragile mental state to spinners in the subcontinent made him look like a cross between Hedley Verity, Jim Laker and Shane Warne. Any issues over facing Herath are solely between the batsmen's ears, which is making their previously adequate techniques fall to mush when a spinner is thrown the ball.
So what can be done? In between trolling Indian fans on Twitter and combing his new hair, Michael Vaughan made a good point about mental baggage. Before 2005 England hadn't won an Ashes series in 18 years, and had been consistently humped by the Aussies, so most of the team that he inherited came into games against Australia expecting to lose. Vaughan then got rid of the players with mental scars about playing Australia, and got in a new brand of Ashes newbies who promptly went on and won. Vaughan's point was that a similar approach may well work here, with seemingly all of England's current side paralysed by fear of spin, and waking up in cold sweats after dreaming of Suraj Randiv's teesra. Basically, Vaughan advocated getting rid of the batsmen and starting again with a fresh bunch, a group who may or may not be as good technically, but at least wouldn't fall into the trap of consistently getting themselves out.
Vaughan's argument does have it's merits, but it would be very difficult to just "bring in a new bunch". To start, who would they be? As strong as the county system is at the moment, it isn't brimming with test-ready players who'll be able to swim when they're thrown in at the deep end. Plus, who do you drop? Cook, Bell, Pietersen and Trott all made double-tons last summer, Prior is the best wicket-keeper batsman in the world, Patel has only just come into the team, and Strauss is the captain. (More on him here). These are all clearly very good batsmen (how else would England have got to that number one ranking?) but seemingly only Jonathan Trott has the mental stability to dig in on the subcontinent. When the players get back to England in a few months, chances are that all of the batsmen will fill their boots and make everyone eat their words.
So what can be done? Well, if teams sometimes play 'horses for courses' bowlers at certain grounds, why not horses for courses batsmen? Monty Panesar is purely playing in these tests because they expect it to spin, so why not a spin-specialist batsman? Having a James Taylor or an Owais Shah to only play if the ball's going to rag square may be quite unorthodox, but why should the batting order be set in stone? Dropping Pietersen for Joe Root for subcontinental games may seem unfair to KP, but isn't Panesar getting picked a little harsh on Steve Finn? As England and India's fluctuating fortunes have proved, cricket is a very different game depending on where in the world it's being played, so surely the smart thing to do is to pick different players depending on the different conditions? It's certainly something worth considering, as while England may well beat the West Indies and South Africa in the summer on green seamers in Durham, the four test series that follows in India could be a very long one for England fans unless something drastic changes.
Showing posts with label Owais Shah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Owais Shah. Show all posts
Thursday, 29 March 2012
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
The ODI Bell tolls for Ian
The curious case of Ian Bell has plagued England's One Day side for quite a while now. Clearly ridiculously talented, Bell just hasn't got it together in ODIs, with just one century from 108 games and a worse-than-expected average of just 34.04. While his test form has gone through the roof in the past two years (this Pakistan series excepted), if anything his ODI form has gone downhill, with only one fifty in the last fourteen games. After not making the team for the first four games of England's most recent ODI tour, he hasn't even made the squad for this to-be-played Pakistan series in the UAE. So is Ian Bell's ODI career over? Or indeed, should it be?
Well, simply put, the performances of Ian Bell in ODIs sum up England's failing in the fifty over format. A few starts here and there, but very rarely the big match-winning score, and when the pressure's on, he hasn't been the man to put his hand up for the team (Bell averages just 26 in games England have lost). Add to that a poor away record (averaging 28 in games outside England), and Ian Bell's ODI history is a microcosm of England and their general lack of consistent ODI success.
The stats may be harsh on Bell, as he has been shunted up and down the order, having been employed in every position from aggressive opener, to middle-order nurdler, even to number eleven tailender (admittedly coming in with a runner due to a broken foot), and the England management's inability to find a regular slot or gameplan for Bell could well sum up why England just haven't got it right in fifty over cricket as well. But, he's been given countless chances to impress at ODI level, and hasn't done it. Eventually somebody had to be ruthless and give him the boot.
Mediocrity has almost become a by-word for English batsmen in ODI cricket over the past ten years, and probably well before that as well. Players who are clearly naturally talented, or have had sparkling test careers just haven't cut it in limited over cricket, yet have been allowed prolonged stays in the side, without ever producing. Owais Shah - 71 matches, averaging 30 with only one hundred. Michael Vaughan - 86 matches, averaging 27, no hundreds. Ravi Bopara - 69 matches, averaging 29 with no hundreds. These are not numbers that lead to a successful side. You can add to that post 2008 Kevin Pietersen - 36 matches, averaging 25 with no centuries. The culture of "well, he's clearly a good player / scored runs in tests, so let's keep him in" has led to England being nothing more than a second rate ODI team, and if England are to become successful, has to stop.
There's no real room for sentiment in international cricket, and while Ian Bell's test exploits should be celebrated, his ODI form should be downright ridiculed. While being a good test batsman can sometimes mean you'll be a good ODI player, the Venn Diagram doesn't totally intersect. Just ask "good in ODIs, not so good in tests" Eoin Morgan for proof that the two disciplines require different talents, and don't always lead to the same results. In the likes of Alex Hales, Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow, England have some incredibly exciting young batsmen, who's games are perfectly set up for limited over international cricket. These are the players who England should be playing, not Ian Bell, and after a long time, it seems that the England management have realised it. While Andy Flower has spoken about how dropping Bell for this series isn't the end of his ODI career, if England are to make a success of it in the short-forms, hopefully this will be the last that we see of Ian Bell in ODIs.
Well, simply put, the performances of Ian Bell in ODIs sum up England's failing in the fifty over format. A few starts here and there, but very rarely the big match-winning score, and when the pressure's on, he hasn't been the man to put his hand up for the team (Bell averages just 26 in games England have lost). Add to that a poor away record (averaging 28 in games outside England), and Ian Bell's ODI history is a microcosm of England and their general lack of consistent ODI success.
The stats may be harsh on Bell, as he has been shunted up and down the order, having been employed in every position from aggressive opener, to middle-order nurdler, even to number eleven tailender (admittedly coming in with a runner due to a broken foot), and the England management's inability to find a regular slot or gameplan for Bell could well sum up why England just haven't got it right in fifty over cricket as well. But, he's been given countless chances to impress at ODI level, and hasn't done it. Eventually somebody had to be ruthless and give him the boot.
Mediocrity has almost become a by-word for English batsmen in ODI cricket over the past ten years, and probably well before that as well. Players who are clearly naturally talented, or have had sparkling test careers just haven't cut it in limited over cricket, yet have been allowed prolonged stays in the side, without ever producing. Owais Shah - 71 matches, averaging 30 with only one hundred. Michael Vaughan - 86 matches, averaging 27, no hundreds. Ravi Bopara - 69 matches, averaging 29 with no hundreds. These are not numbers that lead to a successful side. You can add to that post 2008 Kevin Pietersen - 36 matches, averaging 25 with no centuries. The culture of "well, he's clearly a good player / scored runs in tests, so let's keep him in" has led to England being nothing more than a second rate ODI team, and if England are to become successful, has to stop.
There's no real room for sentiment in international cricket, and while Ian Bell's test exploits should be celebrated, his ODI form should be downright ridiculed. While being a good test batsman can sometimes mean you'll be a good ODI player, the Venn Diagram doesn't totally intersect. Just ask "good in ODIs, not so good in tests" Eoin Morgan for proof that the two disciplines require different talents, and don't always lead to the same results. In the likes of Alex Hales, Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow, England have some incredibly exciting young batsmen, who's games are perfectly set up for limited over international cricket. These are the players who England should be playing, not Ian Bell, and after a long time, it seems that the England management have realised it. While Andy Flower has spoken about how dropping Bell for this series isn't the end of his ODI career, if England are to make a success of it in the short-forms, hopefully this will be the last that we see of Ian Bell in ODIs.
Sunday, 3 April 2011
2011 County Players To Watch - County Championship
Check the average tables at the end of the season. These guys will be leading them. The players who will rip it up in the whites this season.
Owais Shah - Essex: It sort of annoys me to be writing about Shah doing well for a county other than Middlesex, but the simple fact of the matter is that were he still turning out for the Middle, he wouldn't have made this list. After England hopes were dashed once and for all, complacency (which was never far away) set in, and a very ordinary season with little application followed. However, after it was announced that he wasn't getting his contract renewed, Shah pulled an "F-You" century out of the bag, solely so he could turn his back on the pavilion when he made it. With a new county to impress (and more importantly, an old one to stick two fingers up to) expect plenty more defiant centuries from a batsman with oodles of talent.
Samit Patel - Nottinghamshire: Poor old Samit. No matter how many runs he scores (ample, just like his portion size) and how many wickets he chips in with (lol, chips) his unwillingness to shed the poundage means he won't get another international chance, unless he changes his ways. But England's loss is Notts' gain, and if he fires them to another County Championship, they'll give him all of the pies he can eat. Which is probably more then you could even imagine.
Joe Denly - Kent: Speaking of fat batsmen... No too obvious? OK, I'll go for his opening partner. Denly is clinically underrated - in fact I'd find space for him in any England side. While Kent didn't have the greatest of years last time up, in Division Two, Denly should regain the form that saw him into the England side in the first place. Whether he opens, or bats at three behind Key and Northeast, my unwavering faith in Joe Denly makes him a sure selection for my CC players to watch.
Come back later for some more of my county players to watch...
Owais Shah - Essex: It sort of annoys me to be writing about Shah doing well for a county other than Middlesex, but the simple fact of the matter is that were he still turning out for the Middle, he wouldn't have made this list. After England hopes were dashed once and for all, complacency (which was never far away) set in, and a very ordinary season with little application followed. However, after it was announced that he wasn't getting his contract renewed, Shah pulled an "F-You" century out of the bag, solely so he could turn his back on the pavilion when he made it. With a new county to impress (and more importantly, an old one to stick two fingers up to) expect plenty more defiant centuries from a batsman with oodles of talent.
Samit Patel - Nottinghamshire: Poor old Samit. No matter how many runs he scores (ample, just like his portion size) and how many wickets he chips in with (lol, chips) his unwillingness to shed the poundage means he won't get another international chance, unless he changes his ways. But England's loss is Notts' gain, and if he fires them to another County Championship, they'll give him all of the pies he can eat. Which is probably more then you could even imagine.
Joe Denly - Kent: Speaking of fat batsmen... No too obvious? OK, I'll go for his opening partner. Denly is clinically underrated - in fact I'd find space for him in any England side. While Kent didn't have the greatest of years last time up, in Division Two, Denly should regain the form that saw him into the England side in the first place. Whether he opens, or bats at three behind Key and Northeast, my unwavering faith in Joe Denly makes him a sure selection for my CC players to watch.
Come back later for some more of my county players to watch...
Friday, 10 September 2010
Shah Not So Ace
I don't know how many people saw Owais Shah's dismissal at Lord's today. Shah's departure from Middlesex has been well documented, as he is clearly one of the most talented batsmen in England, and nobody wants to lose a player of his quality, and who is also an academy graduate.
However, at times Shah's application, concentration and shot selection leaves a lot to be desired. Middlesex were chasing a modest target, and a few wickets had fallen. The side were struggling, and needed senior man Shah to stand up and make runs which could have led to a win. Shah threw his wicket away with an ugly swipe which was caught at mid-on.
If one shot could sum up why Shah is being let go, it was that one. Owais will be looked back on as one of Middlesex's best players of the noughties, but the time has come for him to leave. After knowing his time as an England player has gone, Shah appeared to lack the motivation to make big scores - perhaps highlighted most pertinently when he made only his second ton of the season after hearing of his departure. His decision to not acknowledge the pavilion highlights his displeasure, but again raises questions over his temperament. If he only made runs as a sign for selfish reasons, why didn't he make runs when the team needed them throughout the summer?
Owais Shah's final shot for Middlesex may not have made much of a difference to a game that Middlesex lost convincingly, but it served to further underline the reasons for his departure.
However, at times Shah's application, concentration and shot selection leaves a lot to be desired. Middlesex were chasing a modest target, and a few wickets had fallen. The side were struggling, and needed senior man Shah to stand up and make runs which could have led to a win. Shah threw his wicket away with an ugly swipe which was caught at mid-on.
If one shot could sum up why Shah is being let go, it was that one. Owais will be looked back on as one of Middlesex's best players of the noughties, but the time has come for him to leave. After knowing his time as an England player has gone, Shah appeared to lack the motivation to make big scores - perhaps highlighted most pertinently when he made only his second ton of the season after hearing of his departure. His decision to not acknowledge the pavilion highlights his displeasure, but again raises questions over his temperament. If he only made runs as a sign for selfish reasons, why didn't he make runs when the team needed them throughout the summer?
Owais Shah's final shot for Middlesex may not have made much of a difference to a game that Middlesex lost convincingly, but it served to further underline the reasons for his departure.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
A (sort of) Middlesex season review
It seems like only yesterday I was looking forward to the start of the county season. It wasn't too long ago that I was so optimistic about Middlesex's season - especially due to the form of Steven Finn. It seems like only moments ago that Middlesex started to lose some games, and I stopped writing about them.
After 7 county champo games in the blink of an eye (with a small smattering of 40 overs in there too), attention was turned to the T20, which was undoutably the focal point of the cricketing summer (mainly due to it's invasive nature and 170 odd matches).
But now the T20 has come and gone; the group stages of the CB40 are over, and Middlesex are playing their last game of the season.
Where has the time gone?
To say it has been an up and down season for Middlesex would be an understatement. There have been some electrifying performances; such as the CC wins over Surrey, Sussex and Glamorgan, but there too have been some timid defeats. Far too many timid defeats. In the T20, we had a 50% win/loss ratio, with some epic wins over Essex, Kent and Hampshire, following and preceding terrible defeates to Surrey, Gloucestershire and Sussex. And the less said about the CB40 the better!
So where now for Middlesex? Iain O'Brien's visa issues are well documented, and of course we all hope he's able to extend his stay at Lord's. Pedro Collins has to leave due to a change in Kolpak laws, and we all wish Pedro well; a good performer in all codes of the game this year. And Owais Shah is leaving, released by the club, perhaps due to money, perhaps due to poor performances, probably a combination of both.
Chris Rogers will arrive as an overseas player for next year, and if he can maintain his 60+ average at the top of the order, it could be a very good piece of business. Eoin Morgan is staying, having re-signed his contract, but the nature of the international calendar means we'll be without him, Strauss and Finn for long spells of the season.
While this season has been often one to forget for Middlesex, there have been some positives. There have been plenty more wins then last season - proof that Angus Fraser is slowly turning it around. The emergence of Toby Roland-Jones and John Simpson as very good young county players (and potential internationals in the future) is very encouraging, as has been some infrequent performances from Josh Davey, Adam London and Sam Robson.
The problem with Middlesex at the moment is that we're a team in transition; a side who are building on our way to bigger and better things. With very promising, talented youngsters, as well as some players like Dawid Malan who are continuing to flourish, we could be in with a chance of promotion next year if we remain consistent. But that's probably me just being blindly and optimistically deluded.
After 7 county champo games in the blink of an eye (with a small smattering of 40 overs in there too), attention was turned to the T20, which was undoutably the focal point of the cricketing summer (mainly due to it's invasive nature and 170 odd matches).
But now the T20 has come and gone; the group stages of the CB40 are over, and Middlesex are playing their last game of the season.
Where has the time gone?
To say it has been an up and down season for Middlesex would be an understatement. There have been some electrifying performances; such as the CC wins over Surrey, Sussex and Glamorgan, but there too have been some timid defeats. Far too many timid defeats. In the T20, we had a 50% win/loss ratio, with some epic wins over Essex, Kent and Hampshire, following and preceding terrible defeates to Surrey, Gloucestershire and Sussex. And the less said about the CB40 the better!
So where now for Middlesex? Iain O'Brien's visa issues are well documented, and of course we all hope he's able to extend his stay at Lord's. Pedro Collins has to leave due to a change in Kolpak laws, and we all wish Pedro well; a good performer in all codes of the game this year. And Owais Shah is leaving, released by the club, perhaps due to money, perhaps due to poor performances, probably a combination of both.
Chris Rogers will arrive as an overseas player for next year, and if he can maintain his 60+ average at the top of the order, it could be a very good piece of business. Eoin Morgan is staying, having re-signed his contract, but the nature of the international calendar means we'll be without him, Strauss and Finn for long spells of the season.
While this season has been often one to forget for Middlesex, there have been some positives. There have been plenty more wins then last season - proof that Angus Fraser is slowly turning it around. The emergence of Toby Roland-Jones and John Simpson as very good young county players (and potential internationals in the future) is very encouraging, as has been some infrequent performances from Josh Davey, Adam London and Sam Robson.
The problem with Middlesex at the moment is that we're a team in transition; a side who are building on our way to bigger and better things. With very promising, talented youngsters, as well as some players like Dawid Malan who are continuing to flourish, we could be in with a chance of promotion next year if we remain consistent. But that's probably me just being blindly and optimistically deluded.
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Delhi Daredevil FC
One month ago today, thanks to your votes, I decided to follow the Delhi Daredevils. On Sunday, they bowed out of the IPL, after losing narrowly to the Deccan Chargers. So, how did my month of supporting the Double D's go?
To start, it was more than a month. Just before last year's IPL, I decided that to enjoy it properly I needed to pick a team. And I chose the Delhi Daredevils. I liked their adidas kit, I liked the fact that Paul Collingwood and Owais Shah were signed to them, and I liked the fact that Dirk Nannes actually played for them. As I've previously said on the blog, I didn't pay much attention to IPL2, so I didn't actually notice that Delhi didn't win until I saw a piece on Cricinfo celebrating Deccan's win. However, in view of my position as Lingfield's premier cricket blogger, I vowed to follow this year's version. And thanks to your votes, I again supported the Daredevils.
Just like the Daredevils, I started off well. I was there (well, watching on ITV4) when Warer hit his ton, and as victory after victory led Delhi to look as though they would qualify comfortably. And then, the wheels came off. I was no longer watching, with overall IPL length cheif amongst a list of factors stopping me following the DD's. Amazingly, having no idea how anyone was doing IPL-wise, I turned on ITV4 late on Sunday afternoon to see my boys 7 down needing 50 from the last 5. And despite a Collingwood 50 (who at least got a game this year), Delhi fell agonisingly close. Oh dear.
My support of Delhi is a bit like my support of Crystal Palace. As a Chelsea fan, there are often bigger and more tropical fish to fry, but I keep an eye out for my local team, and want to see them succeed. But for all my goodwill, I don't lose any sleep when they lose. In a cricketing sense, Middlesex are my Chelsea (maybe not the best example), and Delhi are my Palace. Just like the Eagles, Delhi
do have a large number of passionate supporters, but ultimately, they play in a league I'm not really interested in. (Sorry Palace fans)
To start, it was more than a month. Just before last year's IPL, I decided that to enjoy it properly I needed to pick a team. And I chose the Delhi Daredevils. I liked their adidas kit, I liked the fact that Paul Collingwood and Owais Shah were signed to them, and I liked the fact that Dirk Nannes actually played for them. As I've previously said on the blog, I didn't pay much attention to IPL2, so I didn't actually notice that Delhi didn't win until I saw a piece on Cricinfo celebrating Deccan's win. However, in view of my position as Lingfield's premier cricket blogger, I vowed to follow this year's version. And thanks to your votes, I again supported the Daredevils.
Just like the Daredevils, I started off well. I was there (well, watching on ITV4) when Warer hit his ton, and as victory after victory led Delhi to look as though they would qualify comfortably. And then, the wheels came off. I was no longer watching, with overall IPL length cheif amongst a list of factors stopping me following the DD's. Amazingly, having no idea how anyone was doing IPL-wise, I turned on ITV4 late on Sunday afternoon to see my boys 7 down needing 50 from the last 5. And despite a Collingwood 50 (who at least got a game this year), Delhi fell agonisingly close. Oh dear.
My support of Delhi is a bit like my support of Crystal Palace. As a Chelsea fan, there are often bigger and more tropical fish to fry, but I keep an eye out for my local team, and want to see them succeed. But for all my goodwill, I don't lose any sleep when they lose. In a cricketing sense, Middlesex are my Chelsea (maybe not the best example), and Delhi are my Palace. Just like the Eagles, Delhi
do have a large number of passionate supporters, but ultimately, they play in a league I'm not really interested in. (Sorry Palace fans)
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
A Tale of Two Counties.
Middlesex have the oldest captain in County Cricket; Shaun Udal is now 41.
On the other side of the Thames, Surrey have the youngest; Rory Hamilton-Brown is 22 and has never captained a county side before.
Yesterday Middlesex signed young Australian T20 opener David Warner for their FP T20 campaign.
Yesterday Surrey signed Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds for theirs.
Warner is 23, and has a long international career ahead of him.
Symonds is 34; and having been suspended from Australian selection thrice in a year, is very unlikely to ever play internationally again.
Warner is in top form in the IPL, having hit a brutal 107 from 69 balls for the Delhi Daredevils as they beat the Kolkata Knight Riders, with Delhi sure to reach the semi-finals
Symonds has been inconsistent as the Deccans have struggled to defend their IPL title; looking set to miss out on the knockout stage.
Warner will join Adam Gilchrist at Middlesex, as well as internationals Eoin Morgan, Owais Shah, Pedro Collins and Iain O'Brien.
Symonds will join world record holder James Benning, Mark Ramprakash and Piyush Chawla.
Middlesex are a side who are rebuilding.
Surrey are a side who are rebuilding.
I look forward to the opening partnership of Gilchrist and Warner at Lord's - and pub landlords around Vauxhall are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Symonds. I'd guess that Udal will have an easier time captaining Gilly and Lloyd than Chris Adams and RH-B do with Roy. With such world stars as Symonds, Warner, Gilchrist, Sangakkara, Tait, Nannes, Pollard, Dilshan and Gibbs, it's clear that this years Twenty20 Cup will be of great quality. And hopefully there'll be the same result as 2008.
On the other side of the Thames, Surrey have the youngest; Rory Hamilton-Brown is 22 and has never captained a county side before.
Yesterday Middlesex signed young Australian T20 opener David Warner for their FP T20 campaign.
Yesterday Surrey signed Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds for theirs.
Warner is 23, and has a long international career ahead of him.
Symonds is 34; and having been suspended from Australian selection thrice in a year, is very unlikely to ever play internationally again.
Warner is in top form in the IPL, having hit a brutal 107 from 69 balls for the Delhi Daredevils as they beat the Kolkata Knight Riders, with Delhi sure to reach the semi-finals
Symonds has been inconsistent as the Deccans have struggled to defend their IPL title; looking set to miss out on the knockout stage.
Warner will join Adam Gilchrist at Middlesex, as well as internationals Eoin Morgan, Owais Shah, Pedro Collins and Iain O'Brien.
Symonds will join world record holder James Benning, Mark Ramprakash and Piyush Chawla.
Middlesex are a side who are rebuilding.
Surrey are a side who are rebuilding.
I look forward to the opening partnership of Gilchrist and Warner at Lord's - and pub landlords around Vauxhall are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Symonds. I'd guess that Udal will have an easier time captaining Gilly and Lloyd than Chris Adams and RH-B do with Roy. With such world stars as Symonds, Warner, Gilchrist, Sangakkara, Tait, Nannes, Pollard, Dilshan and Gibbs, it's clear that this years Twenty20 Cup will be of great quality. And hopefully there'll be the same result as 2008.
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
More IPL stuff
Contrary to previous predictions, I have actually watched a fair bit (a few overs here and there) of the IPL. However, I still haven't been fully involved in it - mainly as I do not have a team. While picking a team might be easy, each has their own unique charms that could attract me to them.
Delhi have Paul Collingwood and Dirk the Diggler; Bangalore have Eoin Morgan; Kings XI have Ravi Bopara, Rajasthan have Warne, Mascarenhas and Tyron Henderson; KKR have Owais Shah; and the rest have players who I'm either not interested in or I dislike.
So I am handing it over to you, my loyal Short Third Fans; pick for me an IPL team. I will forever follow them, look out for their score, buy their shirt, whatever. You have three days to vote.
The Short Third Man
Delhi have Paul Collingwood and Dirk the Diggler; Bangalore have Eoin Morgan; Kings XI have Ravi Bopara, Rajasthan have Warne, Mascarenhas and Tyron Henderson; KKR have Owais Shah; and the rest have players who I'm either not interested in or I dislike.
So I am handing it over to you, my loyal Short Third Fans; pick for me an IPL team. I will forever follow them, look out for their score, buy their shirt, whatever. You have three days to vote.
The Short Third Man
Sunday, 14 March 2010
The Short Third Man's IPL Update
While I did protest slightly strongly that I would not be watching the IPL, I lied. As the test match drew to a close earlier, the Royal Challengers of Bangalore took on the Knight Riders of Kolkata (I hope the Hoff is getting royalties...).
Looking at the teams, I saw three Middlesexers - Eoin Morgan, Owais Shah and Murali Kartik (well, he used to be a Middlesexer). While Shah and Kartik donned the historic black and gold of the Knight Riders, Morgan's my favourite, so I supported Bangalore. Eoin was due to bat at 7, but Bangalore's top order batted so badly he was in by the 6th over. And out by the 7th (bowled by Kartik). Once Morgan was out, Bangalore took a tactical time-out; I went upstairs and never returned.
The game was over as a contest, and I later checked the score to see Kolkata won by 7 wickets. But the IPL yet again failed to draw me in. I guess I was unlucky, as the one game I was able (i.e. not doing something else) was the worst game of the tournament so far, with fireworks from Shah, Pathan and Mathews making the host commentators very excited. And I don't even want to go into the bizarre television which was ITV4's coverage.
So will I start to watch IPL3? As with this game, if I have nothing better to do, I will watch. And probably only if players I like are involved.
Looking at the teams, I saw three Middlesexers - Eoin Morgan, Owais Shah and Murali Kartik (well, he used to be a Middlesexer). While Shah and Kartik donned the historic black and gold of the Knight Riders, Morgan's my favourite, so I supported Bangalore. Eoin was due to bat at 7, but Bangalore's top order batted so badly he was in by the 6th over. And out by the 7th (bowled by Kartik). Once Morgan was out, Bangalore took a tactical time-out; I went upstairs and never returned.
The game was over as a contest, and I later checked the score to see Kolkata won by 7 wickets. But the IPL yet again failed to draw me in. I guess I was unlucky, as the one game I was able (i.e. not doing something else) was the worst game of the tournament so far, with fireworks from Shah, Pathan and Mathews making the host commentators very excited. And I don't even want to go into the bizarre television which was ITV4's coverage.
So will I start to watch IPL3? As with this game, if I have nothing better to do, I will watch. And probably only if players I like are involved.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)