The Reverse Sweep

All out for 88, 80, 72, 74, 98, 82, 96, 47, 51, 72, 99: Cricket or skittles?

Being bowled out for under 100 used to be commonplace back in the time of Queen Victoria, but until recently instances were few and far between in the modern game and normally (although not always) featured Bangladesh. 

However, since Pakistan visited England in 2010, it is as if the likes of George Lohmann and the Demon have been reincarnated such has been the regularity in which batsmen have been skittled.

In just 18 short months there have been 11 instances of a side being bowled out for less than 100. Pakistan leads the way with four, closely followed by Australia with three and England, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Zimbabwe all with one each.

And with India’s batsmen hardly covering themselves in glory and none of Bangladesh, New Zealand and West Indies having a line-up that would have bowlers quaking in their boots, we seem to be entering a new era (with DRS undoubtedly playing a vital part). And they say cricket is a game for batsmen?

There have of course been several instances in the same period of batsmen gorging themselves on impotent bowling attacks. For example, India conceded ten individual scores of 150+ to batsmen in their recent tours of England and Australia and most will recall Alastair Cook’s passable impersonation of the great Jack Hobbs in Australia last winter.

In contrast to the 11 sub-100 scores there have been two team totals of over 700 (one each for England and India) and another seven above 600.

Test cricket seems to have become a game of extremes and is all the better for it. The leading teams all have their problems: England struggle against spin in Asia, India against seam and swing outside the subcontinent, Australia’s batting is still suspiciously brittle, Sri Lanka are sliding, Pakistan’s strength is its bowling attack and South Africa seem unable to grasp the mettle despite perhaps having the best balanced side. It all makes for appetising viewing for fans.

It all goes to show that despite some opinions to the contrary, Test cricket is and always will be the most exciting and unpredictable form of the game.

Where next?

Michael Clarke, Lara Bingle and Australia's 47 all out

88 all out & other batting collapses

Geoff Boycott's dose of Yorkshire humour on England's 72 all out

Check out all our Reverse Sweep cricket heroes and zeroes

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2nd Test: Australia vs New Zealand - Australia marks out of 10

David Warner  - 9: One swallow may not make a summer but Warner’s valiant, unbowed if ultimately futile maiden Test hundred suggested that those (including us – see The David Warner experiment) who said he would be found out at the top level were premature in their assessment.

Phillip Hughes – 2: Four innings, four failures and four c Guptill b Martin’s on the scorecard. Cut a sad and disconsolate figure as he departed in full knowledge that the axe is about to fall. Averages just 24 since returning against England at the WACA one year ago.

Usman Khawaja – 4: Got starts in both innings but was unable to go on; being found out outside off stump on both occasions. It seems the new generation of Australian batsmen are just as susceptible in swinging and seaming conditions as the old.

Ricky Ponting – 3: Not a happy homecoming to the scene of his last Test hundred - now 31 innings ago - and the mode of dismissal in both innings suggested that as the Rolling Stones once sang the best batsman Australia has produced since Bradman is ‘Out of Time’.

Michael Clarke – 5: As at Johannesburg, the skipper followed up a century in the first of a two Test series with two low scores – including a misjudged shouldering of arms that was reminiscent of his dismissal to Simon Jones at Old Trafford in 2005. Continues to impress with his attacking captaincy and skilful handling of a young, inexperienced attack.

Mike Hussey – 3: Two more failures, which means that since his starring role in Sri Lanka, Mr Cricket has only totalled 83 runs in seven innings. Did take his now customary wicket with the ball.

Brad Haddin – 2: Smart piece of quick-thinking to stump Ryder, but reckless, irresponsible and to be frank brainless dismissals in both innings could yet prove to be his Test epitaph.

Peter Siddle – 7: Enjoyed leading the attack and impressed with three wickets in each innings. Once again added vital runs when his team were in trouble in the first innings, but couldn’t repeat the trick second time around.

James Pattinson – 9: This Test cricket lark - easy isn’t it? Pattinson would be forgiven for thinking so after adding eight wickets here to six on debut in Brisbane. India’s batsmen are likely to prove a much tougher proposition, but with the parallel emergence of Cummins, Australia have found a pair of likely lads to spearhead its bowling attack for years to come.

Mitchell Starc – 2: Was flattered with two fortuitous wickets in the 1st innings and his poor performance may have had some Australians pining for Mitchell Johnson. He really was that bad.

Nathan Lyon – 7: Continues to impress both in terms of his talent and temperament. Nearly succeeded in carrying his side over the line in partnership with Warner and his disappointment was palpable as he sunk to his knees in despair when dismissed with just seven more runs required.

Where next?

2nd Test: Australia vs New Zealand - New Zealand marks out of 10

James Pattinson and Big Brother

1st Test: Australia vs New Zealand - Australia marks out of 10

1st Test: Australia vs New Zealand - New Zealand marks out of 10

Cricket zeroes: Channel 9's Commentary Team

Check out all our Reverse Sweep cricket heroes and zeroes 

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

2nd Test: Australia vs New Zealand - New Zealand marks out of 10

Martin Guptill – 4: Nicked Siddle to the keeper in both innings and looked particularly angry – as he should have been – for his needless poke on the second occasion. Showed safe hands to snare four catches in the Black Caps impressive slips cordon.

Brendon McCullum – 3: Has found opening the batting in Tests in Australia much more difficult than in India last year. Showed extreme restraint and diligence on the first morning but – as in the 2nd innings – was caught behind the wicket both times after edging attempted drives. Would serve his country better at five or six.

Jesse Ryder – 2: Completed a poor series by being embarrassingly stumped down the leg-side off Hussey. Has all the talent in the world but needs to apply himself better.

Ross Taylor – 8: Recovered well after poor judgment on the first morning to play a crucial, resolute and responsible captain’s knock second time around. Led the side well, set attacking fields throughout and rotated his bowlers intelligently. Dictator Dan may have a worthy successor after all.

Kane Williamson – 6: Looked far more comfortable at five and his classy contribution to the vital partnership with Taylor reinforced the positive impression he made in his debut series in India.

Dean Brownlie – 8: His 56 on the first day was worth a hundred in the context of the conditions and he dug in well second time around too. Perth born – so Australia’s loss is certainly the Black Caps gain for arguably the batsman of the series.

Reece Young – 5: Continued to look tidy enough behind the stumps but on the showing of this series is not equipped to bat at seven. If his back can take it, McCullum should be handed the gloves back.

Doug Bracewell – 9: Inspirational. His combination of swing, bounce and clever variation proved too much for Australia and his haul of nine for 60 really deserved the MOM award ahead of Warner. The Black Caps may have unearthed a gem in this 21 year old.

Tim Southee – 7: Provided decent seam support and usual lustre with the bat. Understandably enjoyed outfoxing an embarrassed Ponting with his 1st innings dismissal.

Trent Boult – 8: Hugely impressive on debut although he couldn’t have wished for a better pitch or conditions to make his Test bow.

Chris Martin – 8: As consistent as ever and sparked his side’s second day fightback by taking the first three wickets. Added what proved to be a crucial 23 for the last wicket with Boult and completed his full set of Hughes scalps for the series.

Where next?

2nd Test: Australia vs New Zealand - Australia marks out of 10

James Pattinson and Big Brother

1st Test: Australia vs New Zealand - Australia marks out of 10

1st Test: Australia vs New Zealand - New Zealand marks out of 10

Cricket zeroes: Channel 9's Commentary Team

Check out all our Reverse Sweep cricket heroes and zeroes 

1st Test: Australia vs New Zealand - New Zealand marks out of 10

Brendon McCullum - 5: Started like a train with three boundaries in the first over of the match, but ended up caught in the slip cordon in both innings and was given a bit of a going over by Pattinson on the third evening. However, the Black Caps need him swinging at the top of the order.

Martin Guptill - 4: Got into double figures twice but couldn't get any further after a loose drive first time around and a tame fend to short leg on the fourth morning.

Kane Williamson - 3: Has talent but is too high in the order at three. Struggled against Lyon on day one and was out for a duck attempting to drive a fired-up Pattinson in the second over of day 4. 

Ross Taylor - 2: Made the wrong move in choosing to bat after winning the toss and the two shots he played to be dismissed were abysmal especially the wild attempted square drive just before lunch on the first morning. Needs a lesson in responsibility from Vettori.

Jesse Ryder - 5: Showed poor judegment in both innings: the wild flat-footed slash to gully in the 1st innings was woeful enough but the limp scoop to mid-off off Lyon second time around was inexcusable.

Dean Brownlie - 8: It took a man playing just his 2nd Test to show the top five how to do it. Came to the crease both times with his team in desperate trouble and dug in impressively especially in unison with Vettori in the 1st innings.

Daniel Vettori - 9: The side's best batsman, best bowler (he even opened the bowling), best leader and only player of genuine Test class. Although he took his wicket, Mike Hussey proved Dictator Dan's achilles heel running him out with a direct hit attempting a suicidal single just four runs short of a deserved hundred in the 1st innings and then handing him a rare Test wicket with a soft dismissal second time around.

Reece Young - 5: Tidy enough behind the stumps but doesn't exactly inspire confidence with a bat in his hands.

Doug Bracewell - 4: Should have had Clarke not once, not twice but three times and will still be ruing his error in bowling the Australian skipper off a no-ball. Found the Australian batsmen a much tougher proposition than the Zimbabwe line-up he took six wickets off on his debut, which is hardly a surprise.

Tim Southee - 4: Looks more of a third or fourth seamer and faded badly after getting some extra lift to snare Warner early in Australia's 1st innings. Likes a swing with the bat.

Chris Martin - 6: As steady as ever and seems to have Hughes's number after having him caught in the gully in both innings. Desperately lacks quality seam support. As woeful as ever with the bat, Martin is the ultimate number 11.

Where next?

1st Test: Australia vs New Zealand - Australia marks out of 10

Zimbabwe: An example of where sport and politics should mix

India vs New Zealand: 2nd Test - New Zealand marks out of 10

Check out all our Reverse Sweep cricket heroes and zeroes 

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

1st Test: Australia vs New Zealand - Australia marks out of 10

David Warner - 3: First foray to the crease in Tests wasn't a success and one wonders whether asking the T20 specialist to step up to this level is like expecting a good sevens player to make an instant impression in the 15 man code.

Phil Hughes - 3: The second member of Australia's most unlikely opening partnership since the days of Packer was caught in the gully off Martin in both innings. Ed Cowan must be scratching his head as to how Hughes and Warner get selected ahead of him.

Usman Khawaja - 6: Looked comfortable at the highest level once again before Ponting called him for a sharp single from the first ball after Tea. More caffeine required next time Usman.

Ricky Ponting - 7: We asked a few weeks ago if Ponting had lost his punch, but like any great former champion, if you put a sub-standard journeyman (like the Black Caps attack) in front of them they are still able to demonstrate their class. Still without a ton in 29 Test innings though and Ponting will rue the chance he let slip here.

Michael Clarke - 9: Captaincy certainly seems to sit well with Pup. He handled his inexperienced bowling attack well and with imagination and struck his third hundred in six Tests as skipper to demonstrate how he is thriving on the added responsibility. The cowed figure of the last Ashes series is now completely transformed.

Mike Hussey - 5: Almost 12 months to the day since Hussey saved his career on this ground. But he couldn't repeat the trick this time scratching around for 15 before being outfoxed by Vettori. It was small revenge for the bowler after Hussey's direct hit had left him four short of a hundred.

Brad Haddin - 7: With many observers questioning his place in the side, Haddin couldn't have asked for a better early Christmas present than this New Zealand attack and he responded with a typically brusque 80.

Peter Siddle - 6: Led the attack well on a pitch he enjoys, but part of him must be concerned that the strong performance of the young guns may put his place at risk when the likes of Harris and Cummins return. Not a number eight on this showing.

James Pattinson - 9: Recovered from a chastening first over in Test cricket to decimate the Kiwis 2nd innings and show that the future of the Australian bowling attack is not just about Pat Cummins. It would seem that just like Labour party did in choosing Ed over David, England picked the wrong brother.

Mitchell Starc - 6: Was expensive and a bit wayward - well what do you expect from a left arm bowler called Mitchell? But did enough on debut to suggest there could be more to come. Useful runs too. 

Nathan Lyon - 9: Hugely impressive again. Got flight, turn and bounce throughout and troubled all of the New Zealand batsmen. After having had more spin doctors than Tony Blair had in his 10 years as Prime Minister, Australia finally seemed to have found a suitable (if purely mortal) replacement for that bloke called Shane.

Where next?

1st Test: Australia vs New Zealand - New Zealand marks out of 10

The David Warner Experiment

Has Ricky Ponting lost his punch?

2nd Test: South Africa v Australia - Australia marks out of 10

1st Test: South Africa v Australia - Australia marks out of 10

Ashes 2010/11: Australia series marks out of 10

Check out all our Reverse Sweep cricket heroes and zeroes 

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

The David Warner Experiment

We first came across David Warner a few years ago when he smashed the England bowlers all over the park in a five over, six-a-side tournament in Hong Kong.

So we weren't that surprised to see him just a few months later handing out similar punishment to South Africa in his T20 debut for Australia when he scored 89 from just 43 balls.

Given his struggle in stepping up to the 50 over format - Warner has an average of 21 from 10 ODI at strike rate of just 78 - and the fact that he wasn't picked for the Sheffield Shield for New South Wales until recently, it seemed that Warner was the first T20 specialist to emerge on the international stage.

So we were surprised to see Warner's name in the Australian squad for the 1st Test with New Zealand at the Gabba. Picking Warner seemed a wild punt by Australia's selectors and suggested that they have a real paucity of opening batsmen - although Ed Cowan is one name that comes to mind - to replace the injured Shane Watson.

We said something to that effect on Twitter and were gently referred to Warner's first-class average of 60, albeit from only 11 games and with a top score of 211 made against the terrifying Zimbabwe A bowling attack.

Warner's dismissal today suggested that he may struggle to adapt to Test cricket. Tim Southee is hardly Dale Steyn or Chris Tremlett, but Warner could not cope with a well directed short delivery and tamely gloved the ball to Reece Young behind the stumps after seemingly being unable to drop his wrists.

It would be unfair to judge Warner on just one innings at the highest level, but we would hazard a guess that Warner's Test career will be a short, stuttering and rather brief affair - a bit like a game of Twenty 20 in fact.

Where next?

Who will be the Lovers & the Shaggers of the World T20?

2nd Test: South Africa v Australia - Australia marks out of 10

1st Test: South Africa v Australia - Australia marks out of 10

Mumbai's thrilling final ball draw shows the true value of Test cricket

Who are cricket's likely future greats?

Check out all our Reverse Sweep cricket heroes and zeroes 

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

South Africa choke in the World Cup - Part V

 
Whilst credit should go to New Zealand for ruthlessly exposing the mental fragility and brittleness of the opposition, this had to be the worst choke of all in a World Cup history littered with chokes for South Africa.

To put it bluntly, South Africa couldn’t have self-asphyxiated any better if they had all been wearing suspenders, put oranges in their mouths and tied a belt around their throats.

South Africa has still to win a knockout match in the World Cup.

In 1992, they were plain unlucky.

In 1996 they won their group and were then stunned by the fourth placed team from the other group in the quarter final (sounds familiar?). But in their defence, it took a hundred by Brian Lara at the peak of his powers to defeat them.

Three years later they had two chances to extinguish Australia. Herschelle Gibb’s infamous drop and a superlative hundred from Steve Waugh in the first game and keystone cops running between the wickets by Allan Donald and Lance Klusener in the semi-final saw the Proteas splutter once again.

When they hosted the tournament in 2003, South Africa exited at the group stages after fatally misunderstanding Duckworth Lewis.

And then in 2007, it was old nemesis Australia again in the semi-final and a right royal thrashing.

But even with that chequered history, Friday was something special.

South Africa were on easy street at 108/2 with only 114 needed from 26 overs.

They faced a New Zealand attack of Nathan McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Jacob Oram and Tim Southee; which with all deference to Vettori is hardly the four horsemen of the apocalypse.

Even when Jacques Kallis was out, South Africa should have eased to victory.

But they didn’t.

What unfurled can only be described as mental disintegration. How else can you explain the run out of AB De Villiers?

And that is why the South African cricket team will continue to be tagged as chokers.

Sounds fair enough to us.

Where next?

Lay off England after World Cup proves a bridge too far

Check out our Reverse Sweep XIs

Read all our 2011 World Cup posts here

World Cup Zeroes: Herschelle Gibbs

South Africa: Don't mention the 'C' word...

An XI of unlikely World Cup heroes and a not so heroic 12th man

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

World Cup Team Previews: New Zealand - Can SuperDan save the day?

 
Having lost 14 of its last 17 ODIs – including a chastening 4-0 reverse in Bangladesh last autumn, New Zealand will enter the World Cup with some trepidation. In previous tournaments, the sum has proved greater than the parts and the Black Caps have done generally well reaching the semi-finals five times. In 2011, they will be relieved if they progress from the group stages where a very tricky encounter with Zimbabwe awaits them.

Strengths

The Black Caps may lack strength in depth, but they do have some quality players in Vettori, Taylor, Brendon McCullum, Ryder and Oram. If these five perform well and inspire the lesser players in the side to contribute then New Zealand may prove to be the dark horses they have been in previous tournaments.

Weaknesses

Vettori apart, the bowling attack is weak and as the warm-up against India showed is susceptible to conceding big totals. The batting too has proved to be brittle and collapses are all too common. Their recent record on the sub-continent does not bode well either.

Main man

In his last assignment as captain, old SuperDan himself – Daniel Vettori – will yet again have to perform a passable impersonation of Atlas if the Black Caps are to progress past the quarter-finals.

Look out for…

With plenty of air travel between the games, watch out for more stories about unlikely lothario Tim Southee. Fathers all over the subcontinent will be locking up your daughters in anticipation. Jesse Ryder is also unlikely to emerge unscathed from a six week sojourn without at least one shameful drunken episode.

Prediction

It wouldn’t come as a huge surprise to The Reverse Sweep if New Zealand made an early exit, but we tip them to scrape past Zimbabwe into a quarter-final with India, where they will be well and truly mullered.

Where next?

World Cup Team previews: Part 1 - India: Glory or effigies?

World Cup Team Previews: Part 2 - South Africa: Don't mention the 'C' word...

World Cup Team Previews: Part 3 - Bangladesh: Shock & Awe

World Cup Team Previews: Part 4 - West Indies: Calypso or Collapso?

World Cup Team Previews: Part 5 - England: How far can resilience take them?

World Cup Team Previews: Part 6 - Ireland/Canada/Kenya/Netherlands: Last chance for the minnows?

World Cup Team Previews: Part 7 - Zimbabwe - An army of spin

World Cup Team Previews: Part 8 - Australia: Four in a row?

World Cup Team Previews: Part 9 - Pakistan: Tigers or Pussies?

World Cup Team previews: Part 10 - Sri Lanka: Will lightning strike twice?

Our XI to shine at the World Cup

Check out all our Reverse Sweep heroes and zeroes 

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

India vs New Zealand: 2nd Test - New Zealand marks out of 10

 
Another performance full of pluck and quality from New Zealand showed that India are going to have to make a marked improvement to get the win they need in the final test at Nagpur to secure the series.

But on this form don't count against New Zealand sneaking what would be a major shock series win.

Here's how the Black Caps rated in Hyderabad (see India marks out of 10 here):

Tim McIntosh - 9: Magnificent and gutsy comeback after bagging a pair at Ahmedabad scoring a deserved hundred in the first and 49 in the second to ensure that the first innings deficit was overhauled with no wickets down. Maybe he is a test match opener after all?

Brendon McCullum - 9: The latest batsman after the likes of Dilshan and Watson to prove that in any aspiring middle order batsman is a test opener struggling to get out. You can't ask for much more than a double hundred in the second innings on India - even on this runway of a pitch.

Martin Guptill - 7: Made India and Sreesanth pay for his dismissal off a no ball in the first innings and can count himself unlucky not to have reached three figures.

Ross Taylor - 4: A couple of failures with the bat means that New Zealand's star batsman is the only one of the top six yet to shine in this series. Will it be his turn at Nagpur? 

Jesse Ryder - 7: A terrific knock in the first innings confirmed the impression he made in Ahmedabad that his appetite for runs is nearly as large as his huger for hamburgers. If he can just stay fit...

Kane Williamson - 7: Poor decision prevented him from becoming only the seventh man to begin his Test career with back-to-back centuries. An immense talent.

Daniel Vettori - 8: A fine bowling display full of variety and cunning earned Superdan a deserved five wicket haul and with his charges continuing to perform with the bat his shoulders must feel slightly less burdened than Atlas for once..

Gareth Hopkins - 6: Safe again with the gloves, but his first innings dismissal means he has a lot of work to do with the bat.

Tim Southee - 6:  Bowled with plenty of heart and fire - just ask Sreesanth and got Dravid with a beauty. Is he quick enough to be a test opening bowler though?

Brent Arnel - 3:  Went wicketless and now averages 68 after three tests - how  Vettori must wish that injuries hadn't led to Shane Bond having to call it a day.

Chris Martin - 8: Bowled much better than his figures of 1/87 suggested and the ultimate tail-end rabbit even managed to score more runs (3) than his career average (2.37).

Where next?

1st Test ratings: New Zealand and India

Au revoir to Shane Bond 

Specialist openers - an endangered species?

India vs New Zealand: 1st Test - New Zealand marks out of 10

 
New Zealand will have mixed emotions following the conclusion of the 1st Test at Ahmedabad. There will be pride that they gave the number one ranked test side a real run for their money in their own backyard.

But there will be disappointment also that they were unable to take advantage of the position that Chris Martin's inspired spell of bowling gave them when India looked into the abyss at 15 for five in their second innings. Daniel Vettori will know that in the final reckoning at the end of the three match series, his side may come to regret letting India off the hook.

Tim McIntosh - 0: After bagging a pair, McIntosh gets his third zero of the match. In danger of becoming Zaheer Khan's bunny after getting out to him twice.

Brendon McCullum - 6: His first test since relinquishing the gloves for good and he played well for his 65 until he was brilliantly stumped by Dhoni. We're not too sure about his bowling though.

BJ Watling - 2: Bowled by the first ball of spin he had faced in India, which doesn't bode well for a improved performance in the next two tests.

Ross Taylor - 6: Looked calm and assured in compiling 56 before playing a terrible shot to gift Harbhajan his only wicket of the match. 

Jesse Ryder - 8: Ryder's talent may not quite much the size of his girth, but his composed hundred means he now has a test match average of 52. New Zealand will hope that Ryder regains full fitness in time for Hyderabad.

Kane Williamson - 9: You cannot ask much more from a 20 year old on test debut to score a hundred against the number one ranked side and New Zealand look to have found a real talent on this showing. A long and successful career beckons.

Daniel Vettori - 8: Superdan was his usual reliable self taking four wickets in a long and controlled stint of bowling and hitting a useful 41. If he had hit the stumps with Harbhajan stranded early on the final day then he could have been celebrating a famous victory.

Gareth Hopkins - 6: Outfoxed by Ojha in his only innings but kept tidily enough to suggest that McCullum's days with the gloves are indeed over.

Jeetan Patel - 5:  After a poor performance on the first day and a torrid time at the hands of Sehwag, Patel bounced back well to snare Tendulkar and Laxman on the second day. Went at nearly five runs an over though.

Hamish Bennett - 3:  Injured his groin on the first day so his 15 wicketless overs for 47 will be his only contribution of the series. If he had been fit on the final day, who knows?

Chris Martin - 8: Bounced back after a poor performance in the first innings to bowl an inspirational spell with the new ball in the second, which nearly won his side the match. Figures of five for 63 on that pitch means that Martin deserves all the plaudits that came his way.

Where next?

India vs New Zealand: 1st Test - India Marks out of 10

Au revoir to Shane Bond 

Daniel 'Perseus' Vettori fails in his impossible quest

Cricket World Cup 2011: How are the protagonists shaping up?

One World Cup has just concluded with Spain rightfully crowned champions for the first time, so thoughts can now turn to cricket's World Cup, which begins on 19 February 2011 when India take on Bangladesh in Dhaka.

There has been a slew of one day international cricket recently and as such this seems an apt time to look at each of the contenders for the crown. Can anyone wrest the World Cup trophy from Ricky Ponting? Or will Australia lift the trophy for an incredible fourth successive time?

As we've already pointed out (see What cricket can learn from football in how to stage a World Cup here), the competition itself will run for an excessive six weeks and is comprised of two groups of seven, from which the eight quarter finalists will emerge. Thankfully, the dreadful Super Six/Eight stage has been consigned to the history books. The two groups are as follows:

Group A: Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and the minnows Canada and Kenya.

Having won a series 4-2 in India last autumn soon after retaining the Champions Trophy, Australia are still the team to beat despite the recent Nat West Series reverse to England. A powerful batting line-up (what a luxury to have Michael Hussey coming in at six or seven) will be augmented by Brad Haddin (injured for the games with England). And if they can get their best bowlers fit then it is difficult to see Ponting's side not at least reaching the semi-finals. No one will fancy facing a quartet of Bollinger, Johnson, Tait and Harris even on the slower pitches of the subcontinent. But could the lack of a top class spinner cost the Aussies in the end?

Sri Lanka will also be strong given that they could play at home right up to and including the semi-final. They may have lost the recent Asia Cup final at home to India, but their recent form has been good. Kumar Sangakkara has an excellent and varied line-up of bowlers including Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews and Muttiah Muralitharan who will be determined for a one day swansong as happy as his test exit. Add to that a strong batting line-up including the skipper, Tillakaratne Dilshan, the imperious Mahela Jaywardene and the consistent Thilan Samaraweera, then most observers would back the Lankans to also make the semi-finals.

Although Pakistan were knocked out in the preliminary stage of the Asia Cup, their performances under new (and now only limited overs) captain Shahid Afridi were much improved with the losses to Sri Lanka and India both going to the wire. The top order is a bit shaky and invariably relies on the Akmal brothers and the skipper to get it out of trouble, so a recall for Younis Khan and/or Mohamamd Yousuf must be on the cards. Any side that can name Umar Gul, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Aamer in its XI will be confident of restricting the opposition to gettable targets and then there is the joker in the pack of Shoaib Akhtar. As ever, Pakistan will be dangerous floaters.

New Zealand will be tough to beat as usual, but with Shane Bond retired and some of their more established names past their best, heavy reliance will be placed on (Super)Dan Vettori and Ross Taylor. The Black Caps would seem to be most at risk from coming a cropper against a Zimbabwe side fresh from beating India twice and Sri Lanka once in the recent triangular competition they hosted. When you add in the mix, Zimbabwe's useful complement of spinners, it wouldn't be a massive surprise if they made the quarter finals ahead of Vettori's men. The two minnows in the group, Canada and Kenya can be discounted with the latter a shadow of the side that shocked everyone by reaching the semi-finals in 2003.

Group B: India, South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland and The Netherlands.

Just like the England football team, India will have to cope with ridiculously high expectations from its media and supporters, which will be compounded by the fact that they are playing at home. Will they be able to cope with the pressure? At least MS Dhoni is an excellent captain who has won a major trophy (this year's IPL) on Indian soil (as well as the 2007 World T20). And when you add the skipper to a batting line-up that includes Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, then you begin to understand why most Indian supporters hopes are high; more so if Yuvraj Singh can regain form and fitness. But it is the bowling department where India look short outside of the excellent Harbhajan - even Zaheer Khan has looked out of sorts recently. The recent triumph at the Asia Cup came after a shadow side had been embarrassed in Zimbabwe. Semi-finals at least, but winners?

A lack of quality spin options could cost South Africa dear on the subcontinent, although any team containing the batting prowess of Amla (especially on subcontinent pitches), Smith, De Villers and Kallis plus the pace and brilliance of Steyn will be tough to overcome, even if the proteas have no spinner of note. But then comes the typical South African problem of underperforming (some would say choking) at pretty much every World Cup. They have recently easily beaten West Indies in the Caribbean, but can they overcome the Asian giants, Australia or even England? We doubt it.

England's one day fortunes have taken a sudden rise in the last nine months and their supporters will be dreaming that Andrew Strauss' men can repeat their World T20 success and win the World Cup for the first time. Most of the side is settled and with Ravi Bopara announcing himself in the final game of the series with Bangladesh as the answer to the number six conundrum, only one or two doubts remain. Does Andy Flower stick with Michael Yardy as Graeme Swann's spin twin or does he twist with the precocious Adil Rashid? The only other doubt concerns the new ball opening pair. James Anderson has been out of sorts, but probably has enough credit in the bank. Tim Bresnan however, is clearly not an international bowler of sufficient class so Ajmal Shahzad who impressed against Bangladesh, the great survivor Ryan Sidebottom or Steve Finn could join Anderson in the XI. Whether England can actually win is debatable especially given their poor recent record on the subcontinent, but they have their best chance since 1992.

With Bangladesh playing at home and the West Indies increasingly in turmoil, Chris Gayle's men could suffer the ignominy of failing to get out of the group. Bangladesh have some talented players and if they can have more days in the sun like they did at Bristol against England (rather then the subsequent defeats to Ireland and Netherlands), then more familiarity with the winning habit could make them dark horses on home pitches next year. West Indies were humiliated by South Africa 5-0 at home recently and a huge improvement is required before the main event starts in just over seven months. Don't discount the most dangerous of the minnows Ireland either, who will be spirited opposition for anyone. The Netherlands though can expect to be the whipping boys of this group and certainly won't repeat the success of their footballers by reaching the final.

For now, we predict that the winner will come from one of Australia, Sri Lanka, India and England, with Pakistan being the dark horses.

If cricket was at the football World Cup...

Earlier this week we wrote a post comparing certain cricketers to some of the footballers on show at the World Cup. For example Kevin Pietersen's ability to divide opinion as a love and hate figure whilst being vain and a bit of a mincer we judged as a deadringer for Cristiano Ronaldo.

So, to coincide with the start of the World Cup quarter finals today, we turn our attention to the teams. If cricket's nine test sides were at the World Cup, which footballing nation would they be?

Pakistan are France - Bit of an obvious one this one. The football world was amazed by the dysfunctional, disloyal and mutinous French, but thanks to Pakistan and the PCB, cricket is familiar with having a crazy team and an even crazier administrative board within its ranks. L'equipe de France is only an apprentice in controversy compared to the old hands of Pakistan.

India are England - Both full of richly talented performers but who continually fail to deliver on the big stage that is the World Cup to deflate the huge media expectation at home. 44 years of hurt for the England football team is nearly equalled by India's 27 year gap since they won the cricket World Cup in 1983. However, at least India are the number one ranked test side; the England football team have done nothing as good.

England are Spain - Until recently, both sides had failed to deliver on the big stage for a very long time. England had a false start with winning the 2005 Ashes, but since the introduction of Andy Flower as coach have regained the Ashes and now won the World T20. Spain finally broke their quarter final hoodoo in the 2008 European Championships and now both teams dream of the ultimate success of a football World Cup and an Ashes win in Australia. Both have a really good chance.

Australia are Germany - England's biggest foe in cricket and football respectively, both are now rebuilding after long periods of success. Whilst both are not quite the side they were in days of yore, both tend to raise their game for England and like nothing more than rubbing the nose of St George in the mud. It is a fool that would ever rule out the Australian cricket side and the German football team.

South Africa are Portugal- Consistently strong teams that never seem to win anything and have a tendency to choke. South Africa have stumbled with the victory line in sight in so many competitions, but the 1999 World Cup particularly sticks out with the two games against Australia and Herschelle Gibbs dropping the World Cup. Portugal too had the ultimate opportunity for a trophy when they played obdurate Greece at home in the European Championship Final of 2004, but contrived to lose 1-0 with Ronaldo finishing the game in tears (ha ha).

Sri Lanka are Holland - Continually punch above their weight, limited resources and a small population, and do so with a huge degree of style whilst even managing to win things. For Sri Lanka, it was the 1996 World Cup and strong subsequent performances plus colourful players such as Jayasuriya, Da Silva, Sangakkara, Vaas and Murali. Whilst for Holland, read the 1988 European Championship victory, two World Cup finals and some of the greatest footballers ever in Cruyff, Gullit and Van Basten.

West Indies are Italy - Fallen champions. Italy unbelievably finished bottom of a weak group containing Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia just four years after winning the World Cup. West Indies have been on a downward spiral ever since Australia won their elusive series in the Caribbean in 1995. Italy will rise again though, but will the demoralised West Indies?

New Zealand are Paraguay - Always seem to qualify for the second stage, but are then found wanting due to a lack of stardust and strength in depth. Dependable, tough to beat but ultimately boring. Finally, with South America having a history of dictators, Daniel Vettori would be right at home.

Bangladesh are Cameroon/Nigeria - Despite continuous stories saying Bangladesh are getting better they continue to lose and rank at the bottom of the pile. Whilst African football is reasonably strong and has a number of the best players in the world, the predictions of many (including Pele) that an African country would win the World Cup has failed to materialise and only Ghana made it past the group stage in South Africa. So it may be a bit of an unfair comparison to Cameroon and Nigeria, but for failing to even win a match in this year's World Cup, for now they are Bangladesh.  

Au revoir to Shane Bond

It’s sad to see that Shane Bond has announced his retirement from cricket following New Zealand’s exit from the World T20. It seems he has finally bowed to the inevitable after a series of injuries, which has severely curtailed what would otherwise have been a very successful career.

 

In announcing his retirement, Bond said “I know the time is right for me to step down. I have given it everything when playing for the Black Caps. I will miss the camaraderie because it has been a privilege to play along such a great bunch of guys who are so committed to do their best for New Zealand. Playing with pride for the Black Caps over the years has meant so much to me.”  

 

 

Bond was undoubtedly the Black Caps best bowler since Richard Hadlee, so he will be missed by the Beige Brigade and Super Dan, as well as lovers of express pace bowlers the world over.

 

His record was remarkable in many ways and he departs with 87 wickets at 22.09 in 18 Tests, 147 at 20.88 in 82 ODIs, and 25 at 21.72 in 20 Twenty20 internationals. Those stats are as good as the best fast bowlers of the last twenty years like Glenn McGrath, Malcolm Marshall, Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram.

 

If he had been blessed with an injury free body, then he could have retired in the same bracket as these legendary bowlers. Instead, he will have to be content with being regarded as New Zealand's second best fast bowler ever and with many Black Cap supporters bemoaning what might have been.

 

World T20 Super Eights: Group E Predictions

As we wrote earlier this week, the World T20 has left us a little bit cold so far. A combination of rain, ridiculous Duckworth Lewis results, an overkill of T20 after the IPL and the pointless preliminary group stage (why not just have two groups of six?) have all contributed to our state of disappointment. The only bright spot to date has been Afghanistan, and they deserved five not two matches in our opinion.

Anyway the business end of the tournament starts today with two Group E matches. First, England take on reigning champs Pakistan and then New Zealand face South Africa, with both matches taking place in Barbados. Indeed, the first two round of matches of each group takes place in Barbados, which if yesterday is anything to go on will see low scores and extreme pace to the fore.

So, who will make the semis? For what it's worth, here is our preview of Group E. Group F comprising of Australia, India, West Indies and Sri Lanka will be previewed later.

Pakistan

With Shahid Afridi captaining literally anything can happen. Will be pleased that they cannot face their bogey side Australia again until the semi-finals at least. Whether they implode or emulate their victory last year is anyone's guess.

Player to watch: Who else but Mr Afridi, sixes and controversy are never far away

Who else? Mohammed Aamer and Saeed Ajmal

Weaknesses  Where do you start? Inconsistency, infighting and not exactly the shrewdest skipper in the World.

Prediction 4th in the group

 

England

In T20 England are nearly as inconsistent and unpredictable as Pakistan. We haven't really seen the bowling yet because of the rain, but the batting fired against West Indies and then limped against Ireland. Our prediction to win the tournament before it started, we don't feel so confident now.

Player to watch Eoin Morgan was brilliant against West Indies and Ireland, and his strength and unorthodoxy is perfect for T20.

Who else? Ryan Sidebottom - more for the tantrums then the wickets, and Kevin Pietersen who could leave at any minute to fly home to be at the birth of his first child. Also if Frank Duckworth makes an appearance, look out for Paul Collingwood and his 5lb bat.

Weaknesses Ryan Sidebottom again. How he gets into the side ahead of James Anderson, we will never know. The fledgling opening partnership is unproven and Tim Bresnan opens the bowling.

Prediction Group winners - we have to stick with our original prediction even if it is likely to mean a visit from the men with white coats.

 

South Africa

The move to pace friendly Barbados is likely to favour South Africa's Plan A; though the absence of a Plan B could still get them into trouble in the latter part of the tournament. A strong batting line-up also makes the Proteas favourites to progress.

Player to watch Dale Steyn, the world's best bowler

Who else? Steyn's partner in crime Morne Morkel plus Jacques Kallis who won't excite but can be counted on for runs.

Weaknesses  No Plan B. Kallis may score runs but tends to get bogged down meaning hitters like Albie Morkel, AB De Villiers and JP Duminy are sometimes left in the hutch until too late.

Prediction 2nd in the group

 

New Zealand

The perennial dark horses have looked good so far. Super Dan is flying and his team of mostly journeymen generally rise to the occasion in these sort of events and normally punch above their weight.

Player to watch Scott Styris - runs, wickets but don't expect a smile from probably the ugliest man in cricket

Who else? Shane Bond should enjoy the Bridgetown pitches, Ross Taylor is one of the best T20 batsmen around and Super Dan seems to have an endless supply of krypton.

Weaknesses A heavy reliance on Super Dan and a lack of real quality means that if their opponents perform well then they usually lose. They also have a dreadful record against South Africa.

Prediction It's close, but 3rd in the group

 

World T20 preview and predictions

Just five days after the end of the IPL season, international cricket resumes with the World T20 in the Caribbean. Although, it will be a less frenzied affair with no DLF maximums, no timeouts and praise be to God, no Danny Morrison, it is not exactly an example of good scheduling by the ICC. And coming under a year after the last World T20 in England, no-one could argue that cricket in general is adopting a less is more approach to the youngest form of the game.

The competition itself is structured in the same way as a year ago with four initial groups of three being whittled down to two groups of four in the Super Eight stage, before the semi-finals and final. Group A sees holders Pakistan up against Bangladesh and Australia, and with Shahid Afridi captaining pretty much anything could happen. Shorn of Shoaib Malik, Rana Naved, Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan through the mismanagement of Ijaz Butt and one of the best T20 bowlers in the world in Umar Gul through injury, Pakistan may even struggle to get past unpredictable Bangladesh.

Despite losing a warm-up match to Zimbabwe and Brett Lee to injury, Australia has to rank amongst the favourites for the trophy; though the decision to leave Doug Bollinger at home could come back to haunt them. We'll take the Aussies to top the group and Bangladesh to get past Pakistan and cause more match-fixing allegations from their oh so wonderful politicians.

Group B sees last year's runners up Sri Lanka take on New Zealand and Zimbabwe. King Kumar's boys should do well on the expected slow pitches of the Caribbean and New Zealand don't generally get beaten by the minnows, so despite the boon of beating Australia, the ever-improving Zimbabwe are likely to miss out here.

The wonderful story that is Afghanistan qualifying for the competition is likely to end abruptly with India and South Africa the opposition in Group C, and the hosts West Indies and England will have too much firepower for Ireland in Group D.

Then the real business will start with the Super Eight stage although the bizarre way in which those groups will be constituted is confusing to say the least. By our reckoning, assuming Australia, Sri Lanka, India and England win the preliminary groups, the two Super Eight groups will be Bangladesh, New Zealand, South Africa and England in Group E, and Australia, Sri Lanka, India and West Indies in a much tougher looking Group F. But we could be wrong and we're already on the phone to Professor Stephen Hawking in order to get a better understanding of how this works.

Anyway, taking for granted that we are correct; and for England's sake we hope we are, then the Reverse Sweep's belief that 2010 is going to follow 1966 and 2003 in the annals of English sporting glory looks a distinct possibility. With T20 being a great leveller, the selectors finally picking the right squad and England having a good balance between bat and ball, Paul Collingwood's men should be right up there in contention for the trophy. We take them to go through to the semi-finals with South Africa from this supposed Group E.

If Group F looked like this then it would rightly be called the group of death. All four teams look strong with India led by the excellent MS Dhoni and Australia the two favourites for the competition. But don't rule out the hosts who will be looking to make up for their disappointing performance when hosting the World Cup in 2007. With Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, West Indies have the impact players that win a T20 match in a five over spell. And with T20 having that element of unpredictability we go for the hosts to join India in the last four.

With South Africa likely to choke in the semi-final and the West Indies probably running out of steam, we at the Reverse Sweep are predicting an India-England final with the absence of Sachin Tendulkar meaning that England will finally break its duck of having never won a limited overs ICC world trophy. But we won't be massively surprised if we get it wrong.

In terms of the cricketers to look out for, here are our tips (one per country) as the likely stars: England - Kevin Pietersen, India - MS Dhoni, South Africa - Dale Steyn, West Indies - Kieron Pollard, Australia - Cameron White, Sri Lanka - Angelo Mathews, Bangladesh - Tamim Iqbal, New Zealand - Ross Taylor, Pakistan - Shahid Afridi, Zimbabwe - Elton Chigumbura, Ireland - Niall O'Brien, Afghanistan - Mohammad Shahzad.

Let the festivities begin, and then roll-on quickly so we can get some test cricket...    

In defence of the tie

One of the many wonderful things about cricket is that the Americans (and the French, for that matter) cannot comprehend it. They don't understand how a game can last for five days and still be a draw. Draws or ties are anathema in the US and all their major sports have overtime to ensure a winner emerges in every game - even if the match is part of a league where draws could be easily accommodated.

A draw can be a wonderful thing in cricket as England's three great escapes in the last 12 months at Cardiff, Centurion and Cape Town would testify. A tied match is even better with the Brisbane test between Australia and West Indies in 1960rightly recognised as one of the greatest test matches ever. Even in ODI, a tied match is allowed and who can forget the tied semi-final between Australia and the choking South Africans in the 1999 World Cup?

But as with many things T20 does it differently. In the last few weeks we have witnessed two tied T20 matches between Australia and New Zealandand then in the IPL on Sunday between Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings. But were hands shaken with honours even? No, we had to endure cricket's equivalent of a penalty shootout the Super Over.

As described on Wikipedia, the Super Over is described as thus "At the end of a tied match and before the Super Over, each team nominates a "mini team" that consists of three batsmen and a bowler who bat and bowl in their teams' Super Over, respectively. The team that scores the most runs in their Super Over is the winner of the match."

Sounds simple enough, but to me in cricket it is completely unnecessary. The honourable nature of a tie or a draw is one of the things that makes cricket special and places it above other sports. If God played any sport, it would be cricket. Of course, as part of Lalit Modi's plan of conquering America, the World and then Mars the Super Over is a crucial tactic in converting the uneducated to the virtues of man's greatest invention after beer.

Invariably even the worst inventions have at least one bright spot. The Super Over is no exception as judging by the two matches above, Australians are rubbish at it. In fact they are so bad that they could be the cricketing equivalent of England in penalty shootouts. Matt Hayden's airshot for the Chennai Super Kings was a shot in the arm for bowlers and a defeat for the Mongoose.

But please get rid of the Super Over. Neither Australia or New Zealand deserved to lose and by contrast neither Chennai or Punjab deserved to win.

 

 

 

 

Daniel 'Perseus' Vettori fails in impossible quest

As the weekend was spent travelling, I've only now caught up with the outcome of the second ODI between Australia and New Zealand at Auckland.

I'm still trying to fathom how Duckworth Lewis calculations meant that New Zealand had to chase 266 runs from 45 overs and had two of their powerplay overs deducted. Given that Australia had scored 273/7 from 50 overs, it seems unfair to say the least that the Black Caps only had their target reduced by eight runs but had to do it from five less overs, two of those powerplays.

At first I thought John Howard's influence as the next President of the ICC was already taking effect; anyone who saw his sour face on handing the Webb Ellis Trophy to Martin Johnson in 2003 will understand what I mean by that.

But no, it seems Duckworth Lewis is akin to Greek Mythology and that the team batting second will be given an impossible quest in order to prevent ignominious defeat and a painful death.

On Saturday, Duckworth Lewis decided to see if Daniel Vettori could emulate Perseus. To save his beloved New Zealand from certain death, he had to combat the Three Gorgons and cut off the head of Medusa without looking directly at her as that would involve turning to stone, death and defeat. Then with the overs running out he had to save the Kiwis from the dastardly Australian Kraken by making Mitchell Johnson stare at the face of the head of Medusa, thus turning him to stone.

To Vettori's credit he managed to defeat the Gorgons and obtain the head of Medusa and only failed because as Johnson's mother is even more fearsome than Medusa, he is the only mortal that can look in the face of Medusa and live.

If only Vettori had used the head of Scott Styris...

 

Australia beaten at last thanks to Brendon McCullum century

Last week I wrote a post suggesting that the Australians are the hot favourites for the World T20 tournament in the Caribbean, and bemoaned on my regular Reverse Sweep column on Pongo and World Cricket Watch that no-one seemed to want to give them a game. 

Maybe Brendon McCullum read this because today he unleashed himself on an Australian attack flaying Shaun Tait and Dirk Nannes in particular to all corners of the AMI Stadium in Christchurch. Unfortunately, Sky has chosen not to show the series, so I didn't actually witness the carnage. But a 100 off 50 balls to register only the second T20I hundred tells you everything you need to know.

When McCullum is hot he is very hot and I guess that his innings today invoked memories of his stunning introduction to the IPL when playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders he launched the inaugural tournament with an unbeaten 158, still the highest total in Twenty20 cricket. McCullum is too inconsistent to be compared with the greatest of wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist, but on his day he is unstoppable.

 
Naturally the Australians refused to lie down despite having to chase 215 for victory and they nearly got there with Michael Clarke being run out off the last ball of the innings so that the scores were level after 20 overs. Like many others, I've said before that Clarke is not well suited to T20 cricket and that his strike rate is just not high enough. Well he refuted that today by hitting 67 off only 45 balls.Cameron White was the real star of the Australian effort though with an unbeaten 64 off of only 26 balls.

So, with the scores level it went to the one over eliminator, where just as he had in the last over of the Australian innings, Tim Southee bowled excellently to limit Australia to just six runs. Tait then had a nightmare, bowling two wides, and the Black Caps reached their target easily.

For me the Aussies are still the hot favourites, but the wonderful thing about T20 is that it only needs one player to smash a quickfire hundred to upset the formbook. So, the Aussies will be wary of the likes of McCullum, Chris Gayle, Virender Sehwag and Tillakaratne Dilshan should they come up against them in the Caribbean.  

Bond retires from Tests after brief comeback

After returning to Test cricket for the first time in two years in the 1st Test against Pakistan last month and promptly getting injured, Shane Bond has retired from Test cricket henceforth. See Cricinfo story here. New Zealand seem to have suffered a rush of retirements from the long form of the game recently with Bond joining Iain O'Brien, Jacob Oram and Scott Styris with the pipe and slippers on the sofa. With an already threadbare squad and only superman Daniel Vettori, Ross Taylor and Brendan McCullum anywhere near world class, the future does not look good for the Black Caps.