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

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

Zimbabwe: An example of where sport and politics should mix

The recent passing of Basil D'Oliveira reminded us that in extremis there are times when sport and politics have to mix and that sport can play its part as an accelerator of change.

With Zimbabwe having been readmitted to Test cricket earlier this year and several prominent players such as cricketer-for-hire Chris Gayle and Rory Hamilton-Brown participating in the domestic Stanbic Bank 20 Series, one could be forgiven for wondering what is going on.

Robert Mugabe is still firmly in control of the levers of power and Zimbabwe's people are still living under his tyrannical rule, but the ICC and the aformentioned cricketers seem oblivious to this.

As Ben Elton might say, "we like a bit of politics" and Zimbabwe is the subject of our column on All Out Cricket this week. Have a read of An Opportunity Missed To Influence Change in Zimbabwe and let us know what you think - particularly if you are from that once prosperous country. 

Where next?

Watch Zimbabwe bowler Keegan Meth losing four front teeth

Zimbabwe in quite good shock

"Your guys took one hell of a beating..."

Zimbabwean cricket heroes: Andy Flower, Henry Olonga, Duncan Fletcher

The Politics of Cricket

Chris Gayle may be cool, but we're not sure even he can carry this look off...

Check out all our Reverse Sweep cricket heroes and zeroes 

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

Watch Zimbabwe bowler Keegan Meth losing four front teeth

Now we’ve always known at The Reverse Sweep that Zimbabwe’s bowling attack is pretty toothless, but we didn’t think that this meant literally.

We challenge anyone not to watch this video all the way through (the most gratitious replay is at the end) without grimacing in mock pain at the fate that befalls the hapless (and wonderfully named) Keegan Meth. Ouch!

 

Where next?

Watch Michael Vaughan's stunning comeback

Our Top 20 Cricket Blogs

See Ian Botham stink the place out in Sky's new Ashes advert

Luke Wright breaks his cricket bat

England's ten greatest cricket captains 

Cricket XIs: Cricketing Criminals

10 reasons why Ian Botham may have worn sunglasses at the premiere of 'From the Ashes'

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

Arrogant ICC takes the magic out of the World Cup by killing the Associates

 

To make a dreadful decision once that provokes an outcry of disgust from the people that follow your sport is bad enough.

To do it again having seemingly agreed to review your erroneous decision is not only unforgivable but downright arrogant and stupid.

Everyone agrees that the Cricket World Cup is too long and that the last three editions have had too many meaningless matches.

But getting rid of the Associate nations and depriving them even of the chance to try and qualify for the tournament is not the answer.

It is the decision of a corrupt, out of touch and money grabbing organisation that wants to make the World Cup an exclusive old boys network – if you are not a full member you will be summarily removed and evicted for a minimum of eight years.

As we’ve written before, one of the ICC’s main objectives should be to spread the game of cricket worldwide.

Instead the decision to limit participation in the next World Cup to its 10 full members effectively makes cricket a closed shop.

Some of the most memorable moments in World Cup history have seen David upset Goliath.

Sri Lanka beat India in 1979 and were subsequently awarded Test status. In 1983, Zimbabwe stunned Australia at Trent Bridge. Kenya beat West Indies in 1996 and then triumphed over Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe en route to the semi-final in 2003.

And who can forget Ireland? In the last two tournaments they have beaten Pakistan, Bangladesh and England as well as achieving a tie with Zimbabwe – who they are actually higher than in the ICC’s own ODI rankings.

Of course it was Ireland’s success in 2007 as well as Bangladesh surprising India that has inadvertently caused the ICC to act in this heinous manner.

The ICC was not prepared to tolerate the likes of India and Pakistan being knocked out in the group stages.

It hit them where it hurts grubby administrators most – in the pocket.

Hence the two groups of seven in the recently completed World Cup.

Even if one of the Associates managed to surprise a full member – as Ireland memorably did to England, the chances of them progressing to the quarter-finals were still thin as they would need to beat at least one other full member.

It’s called taking the magic out of the cup.

The ICC should expand the tournament not contract it.

It’s quite simple really. Four groups of four with the top two in each group going through to the quarter-finals.

Not only does it help spread the wonderful game of cricket worldwide, it also produces a shorter tournament with 31 matches instead of the 49 we had this time.

And it means every game matters.

By losing to Ireland, England would probably have been knocked out if they had been in a group of four. And they would have deserved it.

So instead of seeing the story of Irish cricket develop and the probable debut of Afghanistan in the World Cup (and who wouldn't shed a tear if that happened), we will be subjected to a members only dirge.

It stinks.

So, please follow the advice of cricketwithballs and tell the ICC exactly what you think about their shameful decision. You can contact them by email at [email protected] or you via Twitter @cricketicc.

Go on, your World Cup depends upon it.

Where next?

Our best XI of the 2011 World Cup

Bruce Springsteen was born to run, MS Dhoni was born to lead

Netherlands 1 ICC 0

REVEALED: The ICC's plans for the 2015 Groundhog Day Cricket World Cup 

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 Heroes: Duncan Fletcher

 
Most England supporters would probably concur that Duncan Fletcher is a bit of a hero for the salvage job he did as coach of the England team.

In partnership first with Nasser Hussain and then Michael Vaughan, Fletcher took England from the bottom of the pile to second in the Test rankings. Series were won in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies and South Africa, and of course England also triumphed over Australia in the truly historic 2005 Ashes.

But ODI cricket and especially World Cups. Why would Fletcher deserve hero status for that?

With England he doesn’t. Fletcher never fully cracked the 50 over format as a coach and England’s performances in the 2003 and 2007 tournaments over which he presided were nothing to write home about.

No, we have to go back to our childhood to explain why Fletcher is a World Cup hero.

Rewind back to the 1983 tournament and Zimbabwe are about to play its first international match ever against a powerful looking Australian side at Trent Bridge.

No-one gave Zimbabwe much chance and with the likes of Lillee, Border, Hughes, Marsh and Thomson in the visitors dressing room that was hardly a surprise.

But Zimbabwe’s skipper Fletcher, showing some of the steely determination that was later the hallmark of his coaching, decided to impersonate Gary Sobers for a day.

With the bat, he stroked a quickfire unbeaten 69 to lead his side to a competitive 239 for six and he then took the first four Australian wickets to fall as the Baggy Greens stumbled to ignominious defeat.

Unfortunately neither The Reverse Sweep nor our father was the punter in the crowd who reportedly bet £100 on a Zimbabwean victory at odds of 200/1, but all the same this was a game that will forever resonate in our cricketing brain.

For embarrassing the hun, Duncan Fletcher is a deserving World Cup hero.

Where next?

Read about our other cricket heroes and zeroes

Check out our Reverse Sweep XIs

Read all our 2011 World Cup posts here

Cricket Zeroes: John Buchanan

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

Cricket Heroes: Henry Olonga

Henry Olonga was a decent(ish) bowler for Zimbabwe around the time when they reached their peak as a test playing nation at the end of the 1990s, taking 68 wickets at 38.5. But it is not his feats as a slightly wayward fast bowler that make him a Reverse Sweep hero. Nor is it his music, which isn't quite to our taste.

No, Olonga is a real authentic hero for the stand that he took, along with Andy Flower during the 2003 World Cup, which took place in Zimbabwe and South Africa. Their decision to wear black armbands to mark the 'death of democracy' in Zimbabwe was the most memorable moment of what was an overlong and fairly tedious World Cup.

It certainly provoked fury amongst President Mugabe and his shadowy henchmen. Olonga bore the brunt of the repercussions including excommunication from the team, death threats and subsequent exile. But he bore his fate with customary decency and with a smile on his face. As we said, a true hero.

Where next?

Heroes: Andy Flower

Read about our other cricket heroes and zeroes

Check out our Reverse Sweep XIs

Read all our 2011 World Cup posts here

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

It's time for a mid-World Cup break

 
Given that the World Cup lasts nearly as long as the football season, we've decided to take a mid-tournament break.

Hopefully, by the time we get back the England team will have stopped bowling pies and collectively fielding like a blindfolded Kamran Akmal.

The break couldn't come soon enough. We'd kind of been looking forward to today as it presented the possibility of two upsets. Unfortunately, Zimbabwe left all their batsmen back in Harare and the less said about Bangladesh's efforts today the better.

The only thing we can't quite understand is why the Bangladesh fans stoned the West Indies team bus. Surely, if anyone should have been stoned then it should have been their own team?

Anyway on that note we will depart. Whilst we are away they'll be a few World Cup Heroes and Zeroes post appearing on the site to keep our three readers amused.

Where next?

Read about our cricket heroes and zeroes

Check out our Reverse Sweep XIs

Read all our 2011 World Cup posts here

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

Cricket XIs: A composite Associate World Cup XI

 
With the ICC dictating that the Associate sides will not be present at the next World Cup, there has been no end of debate as to the justification or otherwise of this decision.

Indeed, as an extension of something we heard on Test Match Sofa, perhaps the identity of the 10th side in the next World Cup should be a ‘Best of the Rest’?

As the XI names below suggest, a team formed from the combined strengths of Zimbabwe (not strictly an Associate side we know but they're in scope for us), Ireland, Netherlands and Canada (sorry, Kenya but none of your lot make it) could be quite competitive:

1. Brendan Taylor (Zimbabwe)

Has ODI hundreds against South Africa and Sri Lanka to his name in the last 12 months and just pips the promising Netherlands opener Alexei Kerverzee to a spot in this side.

2. Ed Joyce (Ireland)

He may have been too quickly dispensed with by England, but a first-class average of 45 proves that Joyce is a genuinely good batsman.

3. Tom Cooper (Netherlands)

The Australian born batsman with the completely non-Dutch sounding name looked good against England and West Indies and has a startling good average of 69 in ODIs.

4. Ryan ten Doeschate (Netherlands)

Has an Associate batsman ever played a better innings at the World Cup than ten Doeschate’s wonderful hundred against England? Like Cooper, has an ODI average in the high sixties, although unlike his team mate does have a Dutch name.

5. Tatenda Taibu – Zimbabwe

Has a claim to be the best wicket keeper on show in the tournament and is decent enough with the bat to average 30 in over 130 ODI.

6.  Rizwan Cheema - Canada

A career ODI strike rate of just under 120 means that Cheema would add impetuous to the efforts of those above him in the order. An IPL contract would surely follow.

7. Elton Chigumbura – Zimbabwe

13 fifties and 81 wickets in his ODI career makes the Zimbabwean captain an obvious pick for this XI.

8. Trent Johnston - Ireland

This team still needs a bit of animal about it and the scary looking Johnston provides that as well as naggingly accurate medium pace and useful late order runs.

9. Ray Price – Zimbabwe

The spinner with the attitude of a fearsome fast bowler is ranked the third best ODI bowler in the world and certainly tied Watson and Haddin up in knots in Zimbabwe’s opening match.

10. George Dockrell – Ireland

The 18 year old slow left armer looks a real prospect and could well follow Eoin Morgan in making the move across the Irish Sea to a place in the England side sometime in the future.

11. Boyd Rankin – Ireland

The 6 ft 8 in quick averages under 30 in all forms of the game and would be expected to be the leader of the attack in this XI.

Where next?

Netherlands 1 ICC 0

The real reason why Ricky Ponting smashed that TV

Cricket Heroes: Test Match Sofa

Check out our other Reverse Sweep XIs

Read all our World Cup posts here

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

World Cup Team Previews: Zimbabwe - An army of spin

 
Zimbabwe served notice last year that their cricket may be on the rise again with two wins over India and one over Sri Lanka in a triangular competition they hosted. Although the format of the competition has been designed to prevent the smaller teams progressing, Zimbabwe are likely to feel quietly confident that they could upset New Zealand and progress to the quarter-finals.

Strengths

Zimbabwe have some decent players in opener Brendan Taylor, captain Elton Chigumbura, wicket-keeper Tatendu Taibi and grisly spinner Ray Price. Their army of spinners and medium pacers will suit the pitches of the sub-continent.

Weaknesses

There is an obvious lack of strength in depth and they disappointed in the World T20 last year after similarly impressive performances in the warm-up matches where they beat Australia and Pakistan.

Main man

Elton Chigumbura is likely to lead from the front with middle order runs and wickets.

Look out for…

The antics of the meanest, toughest and most nasty spinner around – Ray Price sledges like Merv Hughes and as such is compulsive viewing.

Prediction

Although they may run New Zealand close, we tip Zimbabwe to fall at the first hurdle albeit with the consolation of wins over Kenya and Canada.

Where next?

Zimbabwe in quite good shock

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?

Our XI to shine at the World Cup

Check out all our Reverse Sweep heroes and zeroes including Henry Olonga and Andy Flower

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

Heroes: Andy Flower

 
We’ve always admired Andy Flower at the Reverse Sweep. Anyone that averages 51.54 in 63 Tests is obviously a quality batsman. To achieve it whilst mostly keeping wicket and even more so when playing for a Zimbabwean side that was regularly on the receiving end of heavy defeat makes it a staggering feat.

The best example of Flower’s status as a great batsman came in 2001 when he scored 142 (out of 286) and 199 not out (out of 391) against South Africa – Zimbabwe lost by nine wickets but Flower still reigned supreme and at one time was ranked number one in the ICC ratings.

Flower’s brilliance as a batsman was matched by his actions as a human being when together with Henry Olonga he chose to wear a black armband during the 2003 World Cup to mark the ‘death of democracy’ in Zimbabwe.

That courageous action prompted the end of his international career, but after sterling service to Essex, Flower was elevated to the England coaching set-up by then Head Coach Peter Moores.

Since taking the head role from the deposed Moores at the start of 2009, Flower has earned the gratitude of every England supporter for comprehensively winning the international cricket equivalent of snakes and ladders.

There has been the odd snake – Jamaica 2009 (in his first Test at the helm), Headingley 2009 and Johannesburg 2010, but other than that Flower has steered England to climb pretty much every ladder that has come their way.

Other than that initial foray against West Indies, England are unbeaten in seven series since (six wins, one draw), including of course Ashes wins home and away.

Flower’s stamp on England’s limited overs team is arguably even more remarkable. In T20, the team that lost to the Netherlands in the World T20 in England, became champions one year later in the Caribbean.

Whilst in ODI, the improvement since losing 6-1 at home to Australia in 2009 has been incredible with five straight series victories since. As such, hopes are high for the forthcoming World Cup. If Flower leads England to the crown there and takes them to number one in the ICC Test rankings  they should make him Prime Minister.

And if all this wasn’t enough reason to make Flower a Reverse Sweep hero, the fact that he stays out of the limelight and doesn’t try to take credit for the team’s success – are you reading this John Buchanan? – seals the deal.

Andy Flower – a great cricketer, a decent bloke, a brilliant coach and a Reverse Sweep hero.

Where next?

Heroes: Henry Olonga

The Greatest Batsmen Ever: Part 1 (30-21) (featuring Andy Flower), Part 2 (20-11), Part 3 (10-1)

Is Andy Flower the next 'Tinkerman'?

Read our Ashes 2010/11 coverage

Check out all our Reverse Sweep heroes and zeroes including amongst others VVS Laxman, James Anderson, Graeme Swann and John Buchanan

Follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

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.

India's not so ideal preparation for the Asia Cup

When Suresh Raina's shadow Indian side were beaten in the group stages of the Triangular one day series in Zimbabwe, we thought it may be a blessing in disguise for their chances in the Asia Cup.

Not only would they have the might of the players that were rested from the trip like captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan, but the players that were humbled by Zimbabwe would have more time to prepare for what is and should be a much more important assignment for India.

With the World Cup looming ever closer, the Asia Cup should be a good barometer of India's chances of achieving immortal status and sparking a slew of celebratory Bollywood movies by winning the biggest prize in limited overs cricket at home in front of their fervent supporters.

So when we checked Cricinfo on Saturday, we wondered if we had drunk one too many glass of red wine the night before. Why? Because Cricinfo said that India were playing Zimbabwe in a Twenty 20 match in Harare. So that meant that seven of India's squad for the Asia Cup were in another continent only five days before they were due to play Bangladesh in Dambulla.

This utter madness was compounded when we checked Cricinfo again yesterday and saw that India and Zimbabwe were playing a second Twenty 20 match. Whoever in the BCCI agreed to this crazy schedule should be taken out and shot. Well maybe not shot, but at least summarily sacked. He won't admit it in public, but we doubt that skipper Dhoni is amused that half of his squad will not be able to join him until today at the earliest.

Even if India won both games to save further embarrassment from their safari in Harare, how can playing two Twenty 20 games on another continent be any sort of preparation for the Asia Cup three days later?   

Zimbabwe in quite good shock

A week or so we asked whether Zimbabwe should be readmitted to test cricket.We came down on the 'no' side, but not for cricketing reasons.

In 2010, Zimbabwe have made a number of impressive strides forward on the cricket field. They beat West Indies in the Caribbean (ok, so does everyone nowadays) in a Twenty 20 match and then followed this up by winning the first game in a five match one day series. They did lose the series 4-1 eventually, but these successes have proved to be no flash in the pan.

They then beat Australia and Pakistan in Twenty 20 matches in the run up to the World T20. They were only warm-up matches and they failed in the main event, but any win against Australia in particular is something to celebrate.

Now they have beaten India twice and Sri Lanka once in a triangular one day competition being played in Zimbabwe. Both opponents have rested key players, but it is the manner of the victories that have been so impressive.

In the first win over India they chased down 286 to win with ten balls to spare. Then they completely outplayed the same Indian side that included players like Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Amit Mishra in the second game. After restricting India to 194/9, they chased down the target with 70 balls to spare. That is a performance that even a rampant Australian side would be proud of.

Then yesterday, Sri Lanka had them on the rack. Tillakaratne Dilshan had finally found some form with 78, but when he was out at 122/0 in the 21st over, Zimbabwe's spinners calmly got their side back into the game before they eventually dismissed their more illustrious opponents for 236. Then the batsmen again calmly went about their work, Brendan Taylor hit an unbeaten 119 and Zimbabwe eased to an eight wicket win.

And it is the calmness and seeming certainty that they were going to win each time that has been so impressive. Tendulkar, Dhoni and Sehwag for India, and Sangakkara and Jayawardene for Sri Lanka may have been missing, but both line ups are still packed full of experienced supposedly better players than Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe are certainly more impressive than Bangladesh. In fact take away Tamim Iqbal and Shakib, and Bangladesh would lose to Zimbabwe every time.

If it wasn't for Robert Mugabe and his vile henchmen then Zimbabwe would be welcomed back into the fold. Unfortunately, he is a rather large problem. So for the time being, Zimbabwe's cricket team will just have to make do with these small but increasinly more significant victories. 

Is it time Zimbabwe was readmitted to test cricket?

Yesterday was a day for the little guys. Whilst Bangladesh launched a spirited fightback at Lord's, Zimbabwe were beating an admittedly under-strength India by six wickets in the first match of a triangular one day series also involving Sri Lanka in Bulawayo.

India thus joined Australia, Pakistan and West Indies as teams beaten by Zimbabwe in Twenty 20 and/or one day internationals in 2010. No doubt this will provoke more debate as to whether Zimbabwe should be fully readmitted to the ICC fold and once again join the test playing nations of the world. This is likely to prove as contentious an issue as that currently surrounding the appointment of John Howard as ICC President in waiting.

Zimbabwe's last test was in 2005, when India completed an easy 2-0 series victory by ten wickets in Harare. By this time, the problems in the country had led to the enforced retirement of most of its leading players like Andy Flower, Murray Goodwin and Henry Olonga and the side was a shell of the one that had actually been quite competitive at the turn of the century. No cricket fan will ever forget Olonga and Flower donning black armbands to protest against the "death of democracy" in Zimbabwe during the 2003 World Cup; for each it was the last time they represented their country, and for Olonga in particular it meant vilification from the regime and exile from his homeland.

In terms of competitiveness and cricket infrastructure, Zimbabwe is probably on a par with Bangladesh and could actually be stronger in test cricket given that a first-class set-up has been in place for a much longer period. New coach Zimbabwe Alan Butcher certainly believes that they will be ready for test cricket in a couple of years as this piece on Cricinfo explains. But we should perhaps be wary of people with vested interests. 

Indeed, has the political situation changed to such an extent that it merits Zimbabwe's re-admission? Especially when considering that Robert Mugabe will undoubtedly use it to legitimise his corrupt and despotic regime. Despite Mugabe's power sharing agreement with Morgan Tsvangirai and the fact that the US dollar is now the nation's currency, which consequently means that the supermarkets are stocked with food again, is this enough for the ICC to welcome Zimbabwe back into the fold?

Ideally, sport and politics shouldn't mix but this would appear to be a legitimate exception. Is Mugabe still subjugating his people and syphoning off most of its wealth to an elite few whilst crushing any sign of dissent with overwhelming force? Will the farmers that have had their homes forcibly taken be allowed to return? And will Mugabe use the return of test cricket in Zimbabwe to legitimise his vile regime? The answers to these three questions are probably yes, never and of course, which should give the ICC plenty to ponder.

It is perhaps understandable that South Africa, grateful to Mugabe for his support and shelter to the ANC during the Apartheid era, is loathe to withdraw its support for his regime. As such Cricket South Africa will inevitably come down on the side of Zimbabwe's readmission. But the English, Australian and New Zealand representatives at the ICC will no doubt block this under pressure from their respective governments. It will certainly be a long, drawn out and bitter debate. One hopes that brave men like Olonga will be considered by the power brokers before they make their decision.

For now though, whatever the outcome, it is great to see a resurgence in Zimbabwe cricket even if it would appear to be far too early for them to play test cricket again. That perhaps should wait until Mugabe is either no longer at the helm or has at least been completely marginalised by a more open and democratic leadership.

 

 

"Your guys took one hell of a beating..." - The Sequel

As probably heard on Harare radio last night..

"Oh my God, the boys have done it again. Ijaz Butt, Imran Khan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Shahid Afridi, your guys took one hell of a beating.

The World T20 is surely now ours. Australia and Pakistan beaten. Who care's if they were only warm-up matches. I tell you this, the mighty Zimbabwe cricket team are going to win the World T20. F*** you Gordon Brown and your colonial team, this proves that the mighty Robert Mugabe is the best leader in the world, Zimbabwe is the best country in the world, we have the best cricket team on the planet and Elton Chigumbura is the best player ever - Australia and Pakistan simply couldn't handle him."

And as per two days ago, the voice apparently behind this memorable rant? His face is revealed below, and you thought Danny Morrison was bad.

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...    

"Your guys took one hell of a beating..."

As probably heard on Harare radio last night..

"Oh my God, the boys have done it. Ned Kelly, Kylie Minogue, Dame Edna Everage, Don Bradman, Lara Bingle, Michael Hutchence, John Howard; especially John Howard you mutha f*****, your guys took one hell of a beating.

It may only have been by one run and it may only have been a warm-up game, but I tell you this, the mighty Zimbabwe cricket team are going to win the World T20. F*** you Gordon Brown and your colonial team, this proves that the mighty Robert Mugabe is the best leader in the world, Zimbabwe is the best country in the world, we have the best cricket team on the planet and Elton Chigumbura is the best player ever - boy did you see him bit that cricket ball."

And the voice apparently behind this memorable rant? His face is revealed below, and you thought Danny Morrison was bad.

 

Finally, Chris Gayle loses his cool

It has finally happened. The coolest dude in cricket has finally lost his temper with his bumbling side following a second successive loss to Zimbabwe. I'd always thought that Gayle losing his cool was as likely as Gordon Brown getting a positive approval rating. Obviously I was wrong.

Speaking after the game, an honest Gayle reserved his ire for three batsmen in partcular saying "In the Australia series, I saw improvements in the likes of Pollard and Smith. To come here ... and the way they went about it, I must say I am very disappointed in those two guys and Ramdin. Those guys were key for us and the way they went about it was a terrible display. It is very disappointing and sad to see how they went about it."

Maybe Gayle's propensity to get out to Doug Bollinger in Australia has finally chipped away at that cool veneer? But his criticism of the three amigos was spot on. In what despite my negative comments yesterday was a fascinating contest, most of the West Indies batsmen snookered themselves in their run chase by getting out to ridiculous shots. Smith in particular was at fault after getting out with only four needed from the last three balls. Gayle went further and refused to offer excuses saying "When you do crap, it's definitely crap and there is no excuse." This kind of honesty is refreshing in a World where cricketers, footballers and rugby players and managers are all too ready to offer excuses or blame the match officials when things go wrong. Gayle, who could have easily referred to the mad schedule that saw his side play T20Is in Sydney last Tuesday and then Trinidad on Sunday,  thought that the West Indies played crap, so he said so.

Luckily for Gayle, there are four more matches in the series for his side to redeem themselves, which even though Zimbabwe are better than most people would have thought, should surely see West Indies win the series. Shouldn't it?   

Are you an insomniac?

If you are one of these unlucky souls, the National Institution for Acute Insomnia (NIAI) has some instructions for you.

Tune into Sky Sports at 13.30 GMT today for the first ODI between West Indies and Zimbabwe.

The NIAI are confident that following 'the worst cricket match in history' played between the same two sides on Sunday, similar fare can be expected today (I exonerate the newly freed Sulieman Benn from any criticism). The added bonus being, of course, that today's match is 50 rather than 20 overs per side.

If in the supposed most exciting and fastest scoring form of the game, the two sides can only amass 184 runs in 40 overs, what woes await over 100 overs and how slow will Dinesh Ramdin's strike rate be this time after his peculiar 23 not out off 36 balls on Sunday?

The NIAI read reports of people falling asleep in the crowd and Sky Sports received several complaints from the few viewers that managed to stay awake after the commentators themselves were found to have nodded off.

So insomniacs of the World, don't fear help is at hand.

As a footnote, can you imagine the match fixing claims that would have been thrown at Pakistan if having had Zimbabwe 0/3 after 16 balls and then only needing to chase 106 for victory they only reached 79/7 in their 20 overs?