British media praise mighty Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar's stupendous feat of becoming the first cricketer to score a double century in one-dayer was on Thursday hailed by the British media, which described the little master as the "finest batsman" ever.

"Tendulkar underlined his sensational class with a double century in Gwalior. To have reached such a landmark, with a single in the final over, only serves to underline his class and add to the legacy that already surrounds arguably the finest batsman to have played the game," BBC Sports said.

"His innings, the 46th one-day century of his career, was typified by wristy strokes, trademark boundary shots and, above all, stamina as he batted through the entire innings,"

Meanwhile, The Times tried to anticipate whether the Indian can complete a century of centuries in international cricket by the end of this year.

"All kneel down and praise whatever god you fancy for the mighty Sachin Tendulkar. This could just be turning into the greatest year of his international career, more than 20 years after it began," the report said.

"Tendulkar now has 93 hundreds in international cricket -47 in Tests and 46 in ODIs - which is 25 more than the next best man, Ricky Ponting. At the age of 36 and in such great form, he could reach 100 hundreds by the end of the year," it added.

Tendulkar yesterday became the first batsman in the four-decade history of ODI to hammer a double ton as his 200 not out helped India pile up a mammoth 401 for three against South Africa and beat the visitors by 153 runs in the second one-dayer. "Sensational Sachin Tendulkar smashes world record one-day innings and first ever double hundred for India," the headline goes.

In another report, Guardian opined that the stormy knock has hit hard the notion that form of Tendulkar is on the wane. "The blazing innings comes 10 months after his 36th birthday and four years after he was booed off his home ground in Mumbai, with his career apparently in terminal decline.

"Somewhat improbably given today's innings, the abuse had been for slow scoring," the daily said. It was not only Tendulkar's 46th ODI century but also the highest score in one-dayers, eclipsing the previous record of 194 which was held jointly by Pakistan's Saeed Anwar and Zimbabwe's Charles Conventry.

Twenty20 International Cricket Betting – is Australia’s perfect summer over?

Australia’s ‘perfect’ summer is just one win away and despite attempts by West Indies players to convince everyone, including themselves, that they are in with a chance in the final match of their disastrous tour Down Under, no one believes them.

The record books show Australia has not lost a match in the 18 played this summer although they did draw the second Test with the West Indies while rain washed out the Sydney one-dayer. That stat in itself is enough of a reason not to believe captain Chris Gayle and company.

The bookmakers haven’t listened and the cricket lines point to an Australian victory (-300) while the West Indies are outsiders at +220.A lot of the Aussie success this summer though has been through undermanned opponents as opposed to their own invincibility.

The Pakistan team they routed eight-nil was far from the best they have put on a cricket field in the past couple of years and the West Indies’ enigma built on half-heartedness towards anything but limited overs cricket and Twenty20 continues to grow.

They too were without their best players, captain Chris Gayle the most capped member of a team that despite offering glimpses of old-school West Indies batting brutality was dominated by bouts of lethargic stroke play resulting in repeated batting collapses.

Now into their favoured form of the game, many predicted the young Windies to at least put up more of a fight against Australia in the first Twenty20 international played in Hobart. What we got was more of the same. A tidy bowling effort followed by a disastrous showing order from the top order, a middle order debacle that led to a late lower order fight back and a 38-run victory to Australia.

After Australia posted an uneventful 179 thanks in part to a solid 83-run opening partnership between David Warner (49) and Shane Watson (37) and a late order blitzkrieg from wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (37no off 16 balls), the West Indies faltered yet again.

Shaun Tait was again the destroyer for Australia, his third ball sent Gayle ( 5) back to the pavilion, his fourth ball had Narsingh Deonarine (0) following close behind and when he had the IPL’s most expense buy, Keiron Pollard (12) gone in his second over for figures of 3/14 off two, the game was over. Tait finished the game with 3/30 off four overs.

The West Indies tried opening with spin, something that isn’t new in this format but it is one that more and more teams flick to if they fear an opener will tee up on the quicks, such as Australia’s David Warner.

Rest assured you will see spinners taking the new ball in the upcoming IPL tournament a lot more than in years past as teams begin to work out their own winning formula to Twenty20 cricket.

Taking pace off the ball is crucial against the Aussie openers and even though it didn’t quite go to plan last time, it is something that will yield dividends against Warner who has a habit of swinging too hard through the ball and lifting his head. Much like a hack golfer, once his head is in the air, the only result is an air swing and in Warner’s case, a wicket.Once he has a few sighters though, the Windies will have to bring on the quicks and get them to alternate pace and line. Their length needs to be full however, anything short will be dispatched through mid wicket and cover.

For Australia, all eyes will again be on Tait who now moves into Twenty20 World Cup contention, his aggression is considered a must have while Dirk Nannes’ clever change of pace and great line and length make these two the perfect opening bowling combination.

Sydney fans will be hoping to see more of hometown leg spinner and all rounder Steven Smith while West Indies will be looking to Pollard to prove his worth and for Gayle to score some runs.

After topping the averages in the Frank Worrell Test Series with 346 runs at an average of 69.20 including a brilliant 165 not out, Gayle floundered in the one-day series scoring 55 runs in five outings at a paltry average of 13.75.

Firebrand Tait sings bowlers' praises

The South Australian speedster bowled the Windies captain through the gate for 5 as the tourists were restricted to 8 for 141 in reply to the home side's 8 for 179.

The result extended Australia's unbeaten streak this summer while ensuring the Windies have not won a game in any format since August last year.

David Warner's 49 off 32 balls inspired Australia's total before the bowlers knuckled down to ensure the tourists were never in the hunt, Tait finishing with 3 for 30 and Dirk Nannes 3 for 21.

Tait was on a hat-trick after dismissing Gayle and Narsingh Deonarine (0), but Kieron Pollard saw off the third delivery.

"The first couple of years it was a batsman's game, now it's turned sort of opposite and up the front if you can get a couple of early wickets, it ends up being a bowler's game," Tait said.

"It's worked out well for us." Australian captain Michael Clarke said his team's outstanding fielding also made a big difference. "The standard in the field is very important for us," he said.

"It normally sets the standard for the game so if we can continue to work hard at practice and keep taking catches like the boys have been doing, both against Pakistan and here tonight, I think we're taking the right steps forward for the Twenty20 World Cup."

However Clarke said his team should have scored more runs after being given a lightning start by Warner and opening partner Shane Watson (37 off 19), who put on 83.

"After the start we got I would have liked a few more," he said.

"I think we struggled a little bit through the middle there again so we've got some work to do before Tuesday night in Sydney."

Pakistan v England - Eion Morgan and Kevin Pietersen steer England to victory in Dubai

If Duncan Fletcher was watching on Friday night then his report card for Kevin Pietersen will make pleasant reading.

Pietersen finished just seven runs short of what would have been only his second half century since the first Ashes Test of last summer.

And even though he was overshadowed by Eoin Morgan as they compiled England’s biggest ever Twenty20 partnership, he did at least suggest a return to form.

Having asked Fletcher to take the trouble to watch this match on television to see if he could spot any technical flaws in his game, it was imperative Pietersen stayed at the crease. Fletcher had time to make notes for Pietersen faced 43 deliveries.

Having earlier distanced himself from the position as vice-captain by falling back on the desire to “concentrate on batting” Pietersen, so often the peacock, was happy to play the wise old owl as he and Morgan added 112 runs.

“It was an important innings, he used his head, played within his limitations and it was great to see,” said Paul Collingwood, the England captain.

Morgan made 67 off 51 balls and finished the match with his second six of the innings, a shot which won the Head Shoulders Master Blaster award.

England have spent most of their time in Twenty20 cricket scratching their heads and wondering why they can’t clear the ropes. Such aggression was not needed on Friday night. The run-a-ball chase suits English strengths, especially with Pietersen rusty.

The ground was less than half full with the local Pakistani population believed to be saving their dirhams for Saturday's game when Shahid Afridi will play. Afridi, banned on Friday for biting the ball in Australia, is, like many of Dubai’s taxi drivers, a Pashtun from Peshawar. Like the local taxi drivers, he is fast and reckless. Exactly the kind of spirit this match lacked.

Partly that was down to a two-paced pitch which prevented anyone feeling secure. Both sides were crippled by early wickets leaving others to accumulate rather than speculate, the new way of doing business in recession-hit Dubai.

With Ryan Sidebottom and Stuart Broad bowling arrow straight, Pakistan finished in the view of their captain, Shoaib Malik, 25 runs short.

But they had hope. England’s openers, Jonathan Trott and Joe Denly, resembled men looking over their shoulders following the impact made by England Lions Michael Lumb and Craig Kieswetter. Both were soon gone and England slumped to 17 for three when Collingwood was run out.

Morgan and Pietersen started cautiously and at 50 for three after 10 overs England were only a shade ahead of Pakistan at the same stage. But then Morgan, for all his reputation as a clever inventor, showed he also has a taste for the brutal.

He stands still and swings hard with one boundary punched over midwicket of Umar Gul speaking volumes of the confidence England showed as they sensed a job done.

That shot was followed by a lofted straight drive for four two balls later as England scored 50 runs in five overs and the match was won.

Pakistan will aim to restore belief in their embattled team when they take on England in a two-match Twenty20 series at the Dubai Sports City cricket stadium starting here on Friday.

The ICC World Twenty20 champions haven't had the best of times on the cricket field after their stunning triumph at Lord's in June last year. And the team is in disarray after their disastrous recent trip to Australia, where they lost all their matches, including three Test matches and five one-day internationals.

But with an eye on the 2010 World T20 Cup, to be played in the Caribbean in April, the Pakistan team under stand-in skipper Shoaib Malik will hope for a clean sweep against Paul Collingwood-led England.

Malik, who has been involved in a very public spat with Mohammed Yousuf since the Australia tour, took over the reins from regular T20 captain Shahid Afridi, who is serving a two-match suspension after being found guilty of ball-tampering in the fifth and final ODI against Australia.

Afridi, who missed the only T20 match against Australia, is eligible to play the second match against England on Saturday, but he is not in the team and Malik will continue to lead.

On the eve of the match, Malik said he will be happy to hand over the captaincy to Afridi as soon as possible and continue to contribute as a player.

"Afridi is the right choice as captain. It is a great honour to captain your country, but I am doing this only because my country needs me to captain for the next two matches," said Malik.

"Shahid has proved to be a very good leader and has all the abilities to make the boys gel and extract the best out of them."

Malik said he was hopeful of putting together a good team performance against England, and specifically pointed out fielding as one huge area of concern.

"We haven't performed that well after winning the World Twenty20. We have been struggling ever since we went to Sri Lanka, but you try and learn from your mistakes. The dropped catches have surely hurt us a lot and that is one area where we can make a big improvement," he said.

Pakistan will be missing their pace bowler Mohammed Asif, who is banned from entering the UAE after he was caught last year at Dubai airport with banned drugs.

Collingwood, meanwhile, insists that his side will not take their opponents lightly despite their recent misfortunes.

"Pakistan are a very strong Twenty20 side and we're going to have to be right on our game to beat them. It might be a good time to play them, but you never quite know what you're going to get on the day," said Collingwood.

The captain also ruled out an immediate promotion to the England national side for South Africa-born Craig Kieswetter, who impressed in the England A team's shock defeat of the seniors in a practice match on Wednesday.

Kieswetter scored 81, on the first day he became eligible for the national side after a four-year qualification period.

Collingwood said that despite Kieswetter's undeniable talent, the team will persist with Matt Prior.

"I was very impressed with how hard he hits the ball. I wouldn't say he took us by surprise because we've heard a lot about him," he said.

"At the moment, he hasn't got the chance to do that at international level, but in the future, maybe he will. He's certainly got a lot of talent and confidence.

"Kieswetter has done exceptionally well when he's got his chance, but we've got to understand what Matt Prior has done for this team as well."

Twenty20 International Series Cricket Betting – Pakistan vs England

Once again, as has become the norm with Pakistan, their latest tour is shrouded in controversy with embittered powerbrokers clambering for a piece of the pie as well as their 15-seconds of fame. It’s hard to find positives in Pakistan’s disastrous tour of Australia that saw them lose all nine matches.The poor showing will undoubtedly claim the scalp of coach Intikhab Alam and thus the revolving door of Pakistan cricket coaches since Bob Woolmer’s death at the 2007 World Cup continues to rotate freely.

Australian Geoff Lawson lasted 16 months and Alam has spent a similar amount of time with the team, the latter was fired for poor results and despite Alam leading his country to the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup title, has done little since.

Pakistan’s tumultuous cricket history is legendary – unfortunately though it has now become more legendary then their on-field success. The halcyon days of Imran Khan and Waqar Younis made way for controversial figures such as the ill-disciplined Inzamam-ul-Haq, rampant and unpredictable Shoaib Akthar and it seemed around every corner the team was faced with accusations of everything from match-fixing to ball tampering.

Team infighting still appears to be rampant; players on the tour to Australia were portrayed in the media as bickering school kids. The fact they haven’t played a home game in several years after being stripped of their rights to host international teams because of player safety concerns it is easy to understand that this is a team on the ropes.

This two-match back-to-back home series in their proxy home country of the United Arab Emirates against England will be telling on several fronts the most obvious will be the right of Pakistan to still honestly call themselves Twenty20 World Champions. Since beating Sri Lanka in the final last year and holding the trophy aloft, Pakistan have gone on to lose 19 of their past 30 internationals, drawing two and losing nine.

It’s hardly a record that rings a lot of confidence for those looking to back them against England but the good news is that they have won three out of their four T20 internationals, losing to Australia in their recent winless tour.

They have also had success playing in the UAE in fact Pakistan have only played five of those 30 matches in their quasi home town, which just shows you that travel fatigue may be a huge issue for the team and while England have similarly just returned from a two month tour of South Africa, they are by far and away the better rested of the two teams.

This series may see a new coach installed and it may see a few new faces but it is hard to see Pakistan breaking that losing trend, more the pity really because there is so better sight in world cricket than watching Pakistan on fire.

PCB offers coach post to Miandad

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has again offered former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad the coaching job of the national team. The offer was made during Monday’s hearing of Senate Standing Committee on Sports in Islamabad. The hearing was held to talk on the cricket situation and the ongoing dispute between PCB chairman Ijaz Butt and Miandad, who currently holds the post of PCB director general.

Miandad told senators that Ijaz was not interested in involving him in important matters and jobs that lined with his expertise as a former captain and coach. Ijaz informed the committee that he was confident of Miandad’s abilities as a cricketer and had earlier also offered him the job of coaching the team.

Ijaz renewed the coaching offer to Miandad at the hearing, pointing out to the senators that Miandad’s real expertise lay in his cricketing skills and acumen and he was best suited to take on the coaching assignment. But Miandad again made it clear that due to his busy schedule and domestic issues he could not take up a full time coaching assignment.

Senators suggest five-year ban for Afridi

Senator Tariq Azeem Khan suggested in the Standing Committee on Sports that all-rounder Shahid Khan Afridi should be banned for five years from international cricket as his (Afridi) act humiliated the whole nation in the cricketing world.

The committee met on Monday in the chair of its chairman Abdul Ghaffar Qureshi here at the Parliament House.

Later, the committee constituted four-man sub-committee to look into the affairs of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) which is also headed by Abdul Ghaffar Qureshi.

Chairman PCB Ijaz Butt told the members of the committee that the International Cricket Council (ICC) for two matches ban had already penalised Afridi, so according to international laws, a man could not be punished twice.

“The PCB will take action against players after getting the findings of the PCB probe committee,” Butt said.
Tariq Azeem said that the ICC did his job. “The PCB should do perform its job and must take action against Afridi, as his ball-tampering act disgraced the whole nation. We should take action against him and should give a clear massage to other nations that Pakistanis do not support unethical acts,” he said.

Replying the questions from the senators, Ijaz Butt said the current slot of the players was not involved in any match-fixing. “The ICC has a strong system to monitor the match-fixing scandals and its departments are working under the Lord Condon. Every thing is clear and nothing to do with match-fixing,” he said.

The committee also requested President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari that the same cash awards would be given to other gold medal winners of the 11th South Asian Games 2010 which were awarded to Nasim Hamid and Sara Nasir. Pakistan claimed 19 golds in the eight-nation sports gala.

On this occasion, Secretary Sports Anis-ul-Hasnain Mosvi informed the members of committee that president had announced cash award of Rs 200,000 for gold medallists of the South Asian Games. “Minister of Sports will also give them cash awards on their brilliant performance,” he said.

Besides Chairman PCB Ijaz Butt, Secretary Sport Anis-ul-Hasnain Mosvi, Director General Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Amir Hamza Gilani, Chief Operating Officer PCB Wasim Bari, Haroon Rasheed and Javed Maindad also attended the meeting.

Afridi should be banned for life: Arif Abbasi A former chief executive officer of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Arif Ali Khan Abbasi has demanded the life-time ban on Shahid Afridi from cricket for bringing dishonor to Pakistan with his “ball-tampering” controversy in an ODI against Australia in Sydney recently