Shane Watson 185* (96) v Bangladesh, 2nd ODI 2011

ICC T20 World Cup 2012 : Pak V SA, Pak full ing

The man behind the biggest cricketing superstition

 David Shepherd doing his famous routine when the scoreboard showed Nelson

On this day 254 years ago, into a prosperous Norfolk family, was born a man who would lead England to many memorable victories.

Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand Full Super Over WT20

Stats | ICC World T20, 2012

1. The run-rate in the game (9.12) is the 7th highest in WT20 matches (min 30 overs) & the 2nd highest in a #WT20 game involving Pakistan.

SUPER EIGHT SCHEDULE

Group E: SL, NZ, ENG, WI
GROUP F : IND, AUS, SA, PAK

5 wickets in 1 over new world record | ICC World T20, 2010

Can u believe | 20 runs off 1 ball |

INDIA vs ENGLAND T20 Highlights 2012

Irfan Pathan vs Alex Hales "Keh Ke Lunga"

Pakistan must not lose to Bangladesh by 36 or more runs

New Zealand from Group D have already advanced into Super Eight Round due to their superior Net Run Rate (+1.150) whereas Pakistan and Bangladesh are still not confirmed for the next round.

If Pakistan are to go in Super Eight, they must not lose to Bangladesh by margin of 36 or more runs when they play on Tuesday (September 25) in Pallekele. Or if Pakistan bat first then they must not let Bangladesh chase target before 16 overs. In other words, if Bangladesh win by at least 36 runs or chase the target in less than 16 overs, they will knock out Pakistan from the event and will go through along with New Zealand.

If the match between Pakistan and Bangladesh is washed-out (No Result) then Pakistan will qualify for Super Eight Round.

pyar ka punchnama :D

yuvraj n dhoni teasing each other seeing deepika... and bhajji :p

ms dhoni - oh sree udhar gf nahi hai idhar aa ja thora :p

Dhoni's 1st International Wicket

Ishant Sharma v Ponting Legendary Spell Perth 2008

India vs Pakistan Bowl Out 2007

Yuvraj Singh 70(30) - India vs Australia T20 World Cup 2007 at Durban

Yuvraj Singh Comeback Crowd Ovation [Ind vs Nz 2nd T20 Chennai]

Sachin Tendulkar's first odi ton

Is it fair to target Sachin Tendulkar: Analysis of over 38 batsmen in Test history?

Three times on the trot the ball has crashed into Sachin Tendulkar’s stumps and we are reminded of the similar dismissals of Rahul Dravid not too long ago. 

Sachin Tendulkar's stumps being struck by the cherry once too often – three times out of three in the New Zealand series – makes one wonder if one is hearing the death rattle of a noble career.

After all, fresh in our immediate memory are the 11 times Rahul Dravid has been bowled after turning 38 

.

 Although not many will remember the exact figure, the repeated sound of the ball finding a fissure in the wall and its way to strike timber still makes us wince. And that heart stopping clatter is being echoed innings after innings for Sachin Tendulkar.

If we take all cricketers into consideration from the very beginning of Test cricket, we find that bowled constitutes 21.49% of the total dismissals. If we consider all the innings played by those under the age of 38, this figure is 21.37%. For men over 38, this jumps to 25.65%.

Statistically, this deviation is significant – we can say that the proportion of bowled dismissals becomes considerably more after the age of 38 with 99.98% confidence.

All Batsmen	Under 38	Over 38	Total
Other dismissals	61081	1879	62960
Bowled	13054	482	13536
Total	74135	2361	76496
Percentage bowled	17.61	20.42	17.70
p-value	0.9997

If we consider only the top order batsmen, leaving out tailenders who are prone to get bowled anyway – by taking only the ones who batted at numbers 1 to 7 – the results are similar. The percentage leaps from 16.43 for the under-38 to 19.29 for over-38, which, again, is statistically significant. We can say so with 99.92% confidence.  

Batting at 1-7	Under 38	Over 38	Total
Other dismissals	44140	1393	45533
Bowled	8675	333	9008
Total	52815	1726	54541
Percentage bowled	16.43	19.29	16.52
pvalue	0.9992

However, the curious fact is that the batsmen at batting orders 1-7 have an overall average of 35.91, which shoots up to 37.80 for the 38-plus group. The reason is obviously that to bat at this level when over 38, one has to be very, very good – a Jack Hobbs, a Don Bradman or a Rahul Dravid.

If we look at a sample of individual batsmen across time who have played past 38, we find that not everyone gets bowled more often. In fact, for Hobbs, Geoff Boycott and Clive Llyod, the percentage decreases drastically. And if we consider that Bradman was bowled 44% of the times he was dismissed post-38, we do find it has little to do with quality or performance.

	Overall Dismissals		Before 38		After 38		Percentage Bowled
	All	Bowled	All	Bowled	All	Bowled	Overall	Before 38	After 38
J Hobbs	95	24	43	14	52	10	25.26	32.56	19.23
P Hendren	74	26	28	10	46	16	35.14	35.71	34.78
D Bradman	70	23	52	15	18	8	32.86	28.85	44.44
T Graveney	110	26	74	16	36	10	23.64	21.62	27.78
C Cowdrey	173	31	162	28	14	3	18.13	17.28	21.43
G Boycott	170	30	111	22	59	8	17.65	19.82	13.56
C Lloyd	161	27	134	24	27	3	16.77	17.91	11.11
V Richards	170	36	154	34	16	2	21.18	22.08	12.50
G Gooch	209	36	154	27	55	9	17.22	17.53	16.36
S Waugh	224	39	216	38	8	1	17.41	17.59	12.50
R Dravid	254	55	230	44	24	11	21.65	19.13	45.83
S Tendulkar	282	51	258	46	24	5	18.09	17.83	20.83

Yuvraj Singh's victory over cancer to be featured in TV series

His highs, his lows, his struggles and his successful battle against cancer - cricketer Yuvraj Singh's journey has been captured in a three-part series "Zindagi Abhi Baaki Hai" to be aired on national television. He says when he grows old, he will be able to recall what happened to his life

In "Zindagi Abhi Baaki Hai", which will be aired on Colors, Yuvraj will narrate his experience with cancer.

"Each part of the (three-part) series has its own meaning. I have shot whatever I could. In that stage whatever I have gone through in the past six to seven months, it's going to show the highs and lows," Yuvraj told 

Irfan Pathan Hat-trick v Pakistan Karachi 2006

Why Dhoni's value to the team is unparalleled in history of Indian cricket

Indian cricket has never had a wicket-keeper who could double up as a genuine batsman in the manner of MS Dhoni. Add the phenomenal captaincy numbers to the equation and we have a gift to cherish, the like of which the nation has never seen before 

To put this in perspective let us look at Dhoni compared with the regular wicket-keepers of the past.

Amir eyes 2015 return to international cricket

Pakistan's banned pacer Mohammad Amir is hoping to be allowed back in international cricket in 2015, when he would complete a minimum five-year ban for his role in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal that shook the game.

‘First-class cricket essential for U-19s’

Promising under-19 cricketers should be tested in first-class cricket before elevation to the senior team, India ‘A’ coach Lalchand Rajput said here on Monday.

“You can’t directly jump from under-19 to senior team.”

He stated that first-class cricket, like ‘A’ tours, are of a higher standard than junior cricket. “The standard of batting, bowling and fielding in India ‘A’ is different, and the pressure is slightly higher than the under-19 level.

It helps the under-19 cricketers who are picked for India ‘A’ to experience this level and make themselves ready for the big league.”

Ashwin, Kohli achieve career-best rankings in Test

Off-spinner R. Ashwin broke into the top 20 for the first time in the ICC rankings for Test bowlers released on Tuesday.

Virat Kohli vaulted 12 places to achieve a career-best ranking of 35 in the Test batsmen rankings.

Ashwin, who took 5/69 in New Zealand’s second innings on Monday, jumped seven places to a career-best 18th position.

The Chennai bowler finished the series with 18 wickets and gained 26 places on the bowlers’ table through the course of the series, as India whitewashed the Kiwis 2-0 in the two-match series.

Pragyan Ojha, who ended with a match haul of 7/148, moved up a place to career-best 14th.

Pace bowlers Zaheer Khan (15th) and Umesh Yadav (48th) slipped a place each.

South Africa’s Dale Steyn still leads the rankings for Test bowlers.

The other Indian batsman to make upward movement is Mahendra Singh Dhoni who moved up two places to 36th.

Batsmen losing ground after the Bangalore Test include Sachin Tendulkar in 16th (down by five), Virender Sehwag in 23rd (down by one), Gautam Gambhir in 38th (down by two) and Cheteshwar Pujara in 58th (down by two).

MS Dhoni is a happy man, says is ready for England and Australia

 India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Monday ticked all the positive boxes while asserting that he was quite happy with the overall performances of the team that is unlikely to see any kind of "reshuffling" for the forthcoming home Test series against England and Australia.

Speaking to media after leading India to a 2-0 series sweep against New Zealand here Monday, Dhoni said he was not unduly worried about the poor form of some of his batsmen, notably opener Gautam Gambhir and Sachin Tendulkar, while making a case for a longer run to the younger players rather than judging them on the basis of a couple of innings.

"No reshuffling. I think, it is just a matter of time before he gets going. I thought he batted quite well in the second innings," said Dhoni with reference to Gambhir who had scores of 22, 2 and 34 in three innings in the two Tests against the Kiwis.

With regard to Tendulkar, the captain said: "Everytime we talk about Tendulkar's form, he comes up with a big innings and I am waiting."

Dhoni was dismissive of criticism of Suresh Raina's injudicious shot that cost him his wicket in the second innings here and emphasized that younger players needed to be given a long run.

"Like I said, there are two ways of dealing with pressure. Either you go for your shots, like Raina did, or soak in the pressure, like Virat (Kohli) who batted brilliantly. It depends on the individuals, but I feel we need to back the youngsters, for that's the way to groom them," said Dhoni.

The Indian captain again made a strong case for playing home Tests on pitches that assist spin, but in the same breath, Dhoni praised spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha for their effort on tracks that did not assist them, but favoured the batsmen.

"I would like to see us batting on turning tracks, but our spinners were brilliant (in the just-concluded series) on pitches that didn't help them, but I feel that the fast bowlers need to chip in.

"Ashwin and Ojha complemented each other and hunted well on pitches that were good to bat on. Ashwin has been bowling brilliantly and is learning variation while Ojha bowled well in the first innings here," said Dhoni.

Pepsi ICC World T20 Film - Ranbir, Dhoni, Virat & Raina

India as No.1 v England as No. 1, A comparison

The No.1 ranking is the ultimate aspiration for an individual, team or a nation. Being World No.1 gives a particular entity an aura of absolute power and authority. The hard work put in attaining the No.1 status involves immense planning and execution of skills. The harder part comes when teams have to stay at the No.1 status for a prolonged period. This statement is the written gospel in any sport and cricket is no exception. 

In the modern age, we have observed that teams have not managed to stay on top for a long period. Australia was the last team to remain on top of the cricketing pyramid for close to 15 years. With the decline of the Australian empire, nations like India and England have slugged it out to become the Kings of cricket. Although both teams attained the No.1 ranking, they have not managed to establish themselves. 

It is said that the basic necessity of a conqueror is a strong cavalry, artillery and disciplined foot soldiers. In the modern era, a powerful country is defined by having a strong navy, air force and ground troops. In cricket, dominance of a team is signified by strong bowling, batting and fielding. In this article, we look at how England and India managed to relinquish the ruler's throne due to the inconsistency in one of the factors. 

INDIA AND ENGLAND: A GLOSSARY OF THEIR PERFORMANCES 

India became the World No.1 team in the Test arena following their 2-0 series win against Sri Lanka in December 2009. This was the result of much-improved performances in the international arena as well as strong home performances. After attaining the World No.1 status, the team performed consistently throughout 2010 without losing a series. Not only were they dominant for the whole of 2010 and for half of 2011, they consistently showed grit and fight against all opponents. Dominant teams are known to adapt in any situation and the Indian team was no different. 

When England assumed the World No.1 ranking in Tests, it seemed that their domination would be ominous. On pitches that offered assistance to bowlers and where batsmen had their techniques tested regularly, one thought that the aura of this team was one of complete supremacy. However, if one looks at it, England seemed to be overwhelmed by the No.1 ranking. The stats below highlight how India and England fared when they became No.1. 

INDIA

	MATCHES WON	MATCHES LOST	MATCHES DRAWN
TEAM INDIA
	HOME (7)	4	1	2
	AWAY (15)	5	6	4
	TOTAL (22)	9	7	6
TEAM ENGLAND
	HOME (6)	2	2	2
	AWAY (5)	1	4	0
	TOTAL (11)	3	6	2

*The India statistics begin from January 2010 till August 2011. The series against Bangladesh was their first series since assuming the title of World No.1 and it includes the 0-4 loss to England where they relinquished the top spot. The England stat starts from the time of the Pakistan series in 2012 as that was first Test that they played as No.1 and it includes the recently concluded series against South Africa. 

BATTING PROWESS 

India always had the better batting order. It was expected that with the batting prowess at their disposition, it would be very hard to dislodge them from their perch. The figures here show that the top and middle order contributed consistently. This table compares the figures of the Indian batting during their ascendency and during their tenure as the No. 1 team in the world. 

INDIA 

PLAYERS	PERIOD	MATCHES	INNINGS	RUNS	FIFTIES	CENTURIES	AVERAGE
RAHUL DRAVID	BEFORE NO.1	12	20	1010	6	3	50.5
	DURING NO.1	20	31	1519	2	7	49
SACHIN TENDULKAR	BEFORE NO.1	12	18	1093	5	4	60.72
	DURING NO.1	19	29	1995	7	8	68.79
VVS LAXMAN	BEFORE NO.1	12	15	917	7	2	60.13
	DURING NO.1	19	28	1411	12	2	50.39
GAUTAM GAMBHIR	BEFORE NO.1	10	18	1551	4	7	86.17
	DURING NO.1	14	24	783	5	1	32.63
VIRENDER SEHWAG	BEFORE NO.1	12	21	1091	5	2	51.95
	DURING NO.1	17	31	1487	8	5	51.27

* The statistics of the Indian team before attaining the World No.1 ranking are from the start of the Australian tour to India in 2008 till the series against Sri Lanka in December 2009. 

One observes that most of the batsmen maintained their consistency for a prolonged time. Their consistency barely dipped since they acquired the No.1 ranking till they lost the England series 0-4. Gautam Gambhir had a golden run in 2008-09 with an average of 86.17. However, as soon as India acquired the No.1 ranking, he suffered a loss of form and his average dipped to 32.63. The variable of 53.54 basis points is the highest among all the Indian batsmen taken into account in this period. 

The batting average of the awesome quartet of Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman was 50 plus during both the periods. The Indian middle order was formidable and consistent, which ensured their longetivity at the top of the mountain. 

One can observe that the Indian top order scored consistently in both the periods. Thus, one can say that India lost the World No.1 ranking when both the bowling and batting unit failed to perform at crucial intervals(mainly in England). 

ENGLAND 

The statistics of the England players has even more contrasting aspects. In this case, their fortunes varied from plenty to nothing. Before they assumed the No.1 ranking, the whole team performed as a unit and their performances were no less than the juggernauts of the early West Indies or Australian teams. This table takes a look at England's performance in the batting department. 

PLAYERS	PERIOD	MATCHES	INNINGS	RUNS SCORED	FIFTIES	CENTURIES	AVERAGE
ANDREW STRAUSS	BEFORE NO.1	12	17	563	4	1	33.12
	DURING NO.1	11	21	697	2	2	33.12
ALASTAIR COOK	BEFORE NO.1	12	16	1504	4	6	94
	DURING NO.1	11	21	687	3	1	32.71
JONATHAN TROTT	BEFORE NO.1	10	15	810	3	3	54
	DURING NO.1	11	21	711	5	1	33.86
KEVIN PIETERSEN	BEFORE NO.1	12	16	1055	5	3	65.94
	DURING NO.1	10	18	715	2	2	39.72
IAN BELL	BEFORE NO.1	12	12	1164	5	5	97
	DURING NO.1	11	19	500	6	0	26.31
MATT PRIOR	BEFORE NO.1	12	12	653	3	3	54.42
	DURING NO.1	11	17	519	4	0	30.53

*The period before they were World No.1 is taken from the Ashes series in November 2010 till they achieved the 4-0 whitewash against India. The statistics of the team during the No.1 period is from the Pakistan series till the end of the recent South Africa series. 

The statistics of the England team are staggering to say the least. During the period from the Ashes till achieving a whitewash against India, the bowling and the batting functioned as a thorough unit. The batting, right from the openers till the lower middle order gave consistency a whole new meaning. Barring Andrew Strauss, who has had the same average in both the time periods, the rest of the players have a massive variable. 

Take the instance of Alastair Cook and Ian Bell. Bell's average from the period of the Ashes till the Indian whitewash was a staggering 97. Ever since England occupied the top spot, his average is a paltry 26.31, a massive difference of 70.69 basis points. Alastair Cook had achieved such a level of consistency that his average in that period was 94. In the period in which England occupied the No.1 ranking, his average has dropped down to 32.71, a difference of 61.29 basis points. One observes that most of the England batsmen in the current period have a batting average in the low 30's, barring Kevin Pietersen who has an average close to 40. 

Not only has the averages of all the players dipped, the number of big scores scored by the batsmen has also gone down. During the period before they attained the No.1 ranking, the top order batsmen from the openers till the wicket-keeper scored 24 fifties and 21 centuries. During the period when they were No.1, the top order batsmen have scored 22 fifties and six centuries. One thing that can be established from this is that England's slide from No.1 was primarily due to the loss in form of the batsmen. 

THE ABILITY TO TAKE WICKETS IN ANY CONDITIONS 

Most analysts say that for winning a Test match, a team has to take 20 wickets. During India's time at the top of the Test summit, they had the services of Zaheer Khan who admirably led the attack. The attack did not have jaw-dropping legends, but they were able performers who contributed when the team needed them the most. Be it in home or away conditions, the Indian bowlers ensured that the efforts of the batsmen were not wasted. This table highlights how the Indian bowlers came into their own during that period. 

PLAYERS	PERIOD	MATCHES	WICKETS	5 WKT HAULS	10 WKT HAUL	AVERAGE	STRIKE RATE
ISHANT SHARMA	BEFORE NO.1	10	31	0	0	33.09	62.8
	DURING NO.1	19	69	2	1	34.63	57.9
ZAHEER KHAN	BEFORE NO.1	12	42	3	0	33.52	62.4
	DURING NO.1	11	53	2	1	22.71	42.4
HARBHAJAN SINGH	BEFORE NO.1	11	52	1	0	30.53	66.7
	DURING NO.1	18	63	2	0	39.85	83

During this period, one can observe that Harbhajan Singh was a pivotal member in the bowling line-up. In 11 matches, he picked up 52 wickets just before India attained the No.1 ranking. Zaheer Khan demonstrated his ability as the leader of the pack during this period. Before attaining the No.1 ranking, Zaheer had picked up 42 wickets with an average of 33.52 with a strike rate of 62.4. During the time India were No.1, Zaheer was a top notch performer. He picked up 53 wickets at an amazing average of 22.71 with a strike rate of 42.4. 

It is important to point out that there were other back-up bowlers who contributed at vital times to the fortunes of the team. Sreesanth, in the 11 matches that he played during India's tenure at the top spot, picked up 29 wickets at an average of 50.27. Pragyan Ojha also wheeled away diligently by taking 33 wickets in nine games, but he had a high strike rate of 91.7. However, in the case of Ojha, he was used as a bowler who bottled one end up. His economy rate of 2.85 is the best among the Indian bowlers during this period. 

With injuries to Zaheer Khan, the loss of Harbhajan Singh's form and the inconsistency of Ishant Sharma, the bowling line-up lost its potency and it was left to new-comers like Praveen Kumar, Varun Aaron and Umesh Yadav to fill the gap. In India's case, a total failure in both bowling and batting departments during the England series resulted in them being dethroned from the No.1 ranking. 

ENGLAND 

The most common thing present in the dominating West Indies and Australian teams were their battery of pace bowlers. England's pace battery was no less the envy of the world during their ascent to the top. They had bowlers who possessed the ability to bowl in any conditions. James Anderson and Stuart Broad were the masters of swing both at home and away. This table highlights the bowling performance of the team from both the periods. 

PLAYERS	PERIOD	MATCHES	WICKETS	5 WKT HAULS	10 WKT HAUL	AVERAGE	STRIKE RATE
JAMES ANDERSON	BEFORE NO.1	11	52	1	0	26.3	53.2
	DURING NO.1	10	36	1	0	29.25	73.2
STUART BROAD	BEFORE NO.1	9	35	1	0	25.62	58.3
	DURING NO.1	9	40	2	1	27.77	57.3
GRAEME SWANN	BEFORE NO.1	12	40	2	0	35.22	69.6
	DURING NO.1	11	39	2	1	32.58	69
TIM BRESNAN	BEFORE NO.1	5	27	1	0	17.62	38.7
	DURING NO.1	6	16	0	0	46.56	90.7

One can observe that the England bowlers had taken wickets consistently. The only Achilles heel could be the inconsistent selection of Tim Bresnan. The musical chairs played over the fourth pace bowler did not boost his confidence and he struggled after England acquired the No.1 ranking. 

CONCLUSION 

From all these statistics, one thing is clear though. The major factor necessary for a team to stay No.1 in Tests for a prolonged period is consistency in both bowling and batting. India's bowling performance deteriorated in the England series and this affected the batsmen. In England's case, it is vice versa as the poor form of the batsmen led to the bowlers getting demoralized. The failure of the bowlers to set up games and the inability of the batsmen to capitalize on it hurts a team completely. In the recent series against South Africa, England did not help themselves by dropping nine catches, a rarity for such a highly rated England team. 

If one observes the history of empires, they have inevitably declined after being on top for long. The Romans, Mongols, Greeks, Mauryans and the British Empire all bear testament to the above statement. South Africa will now have to tread on this double-edged sword carefully, but for the moment, they can savor the moment and bask in the glorious sunshine.