VIEWPOINT – Australia cannot be underestimated in the Ashes

It is a bit surprising to me that many soothsayers are predicting a handsome series win for hosts England in the upcoming Ashes, some even going to the extent of a prospective whitewash. While it is good to be optimistic, one cannot help but think that the touring Australians will at some point show […]

VIEWPOINT – Why the World Test Championship is a phony idea

Let us face it, for all the hoopla created by the ICC bigwigs surrounding the proposed inaugural World Test Championship, it is nothing but a dampener. The format of this competition, slated to be held in England in 2017, is as farcical as any ICC decision of recent times, so there should be no […]

VIEWPOINT – The lip service continues

Last month, the ICC’s Cricket Committee (yes, that of Sivaramakrishnan fame) yet again pretended to make an effort to preserve Test cricket’s ”primacy’, this time by stating that full members will be required to play a minimum number of Test matches every year. I felt optimistic when I came across the concerned article, […]

VIEWPOINT – Time is ripe for a meaningful ODI league

The ongoing Champions Trophy is the seventh and last edition of this tournament, which initially started off in 1998 as a promising knock-out competition to help raise funds for the global development of cricket, but ultimately became a liability in the cricket calendar. Usually held every two years, the 2013 edition is instead being […]

VIEWPOINT – Ireland’s season of opportunities

In the 2013 season, Ireland are all set to take some major steps towards reaching their long-term dream of attaining Test status by 2020. Easily the most impressive and consistent of all non-Test playing countries, the spirited ‘Boys in Green’ will be looking to make the most of every opportunity that comes their way in this extremely crucial […]

VIEWPOINT – Versatility, thy name is A.B

Rewind to five months back, the venue being the Adelaide Oval. Newly crowned Test champions South Africa are in the midst of a much-awaited series in Australia, and a loss there would mean their dream of retaining the mace would be seriously short-lived. The visitors’ much-vaunted bowling attack did not do themselves a favour by hemorrhaging almost […]

VIEWPOINT – A few thoughts on how to protect the game

A few days back, yet another Test series became a doubtful starter as the West Indian and Pakistani cricket boards failed to reach a decision on the scheduling of Pakistan’s two-Test tour to the Caribbean in July. Lamentably, this will be the second Test series in the Caribbean to be cancelled this year, with […]

VIEWPOINT – South Africa continue to raise the bar

World champions South Africa completed yet another big win at Centurion – this time by an innings and 18 runs – to complete a 3-0 whitewash of Pakistan, and in the process finishing a superb home Test summer, a season where they won all five Tests to further widen the gap between themselves and […]

VIEWPOINT – Michael Clarke’s biggest test yet

Back in October 2004, a flamboyant 23-year old from New South Wales became the 389th player to don the Baggy Green. In his very first Test innings at Bangalore, he handled the likes of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh with scant regard, smashing a delightful 151 as Australia took the first step towards achieving a milestone […]

VIEWPOINT – Harbhajan sings a familiar tune

How often have we come across the cockiness of certain Indian cricketers when it comes to judging an opposition’s ability to win matches! Even after the many humiliating overseas losses last season, Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag refused to shed their arrogance. While Gambhir loudly proclaimed something on the lines of ‘let England come to India’ […]