“As the ICC has increased the number of T20 Internationals that countries can play against each other, the number of two-Test series are becoming more common, which I would rather not happen at all because they are a nothingness of a nothing”. This is what the great former Indian batsman Rahul Dravid said […]
Read More VIEWPOINT – Is there a bigger dampener than a two-Test series?The 20th Commonwealth Games are underway in Glasgow with the best sporting talent from Commonwealth nations in action. Cricket – one of the lasting legacies of the British empire – continues to stay away from the quadrennial event, even though almost all the cricketing nations are members of the Commonwealth. However, cricket […]
Read More SPECIALS – Cricket’s tryst with the Commonwealth GamesThis two-Test series was originally scheduled to be held last year, but was postponed to accommodate more ODIs and irrelevant domestic T20 games. This is South Africa’s first Test series in Sri Lanka since 2006 and hence a much awaited one. A third Test would have been ideal, but yet again three ODIs were […]
Read More IN FOCUS – South Africa in Sri Lanka Test series 2014 : PreviewAs Ireland continues with its struggle to break the ICC glass ceiling in order to attain Test status, it is pertinent to note that the Irish team’s very first win over a Test nation came way back in 1904. When one talks of great Irish wins, Sion Mills, 1969; Kingston, 2007 and Bangalore, […]
Read More Record Book – Ireland’s very first win against a Test nationConsidering the discouraging last few months of corruption charges in the sub-continent, bullying of the have-nots at the ICC and myriad hotch-potch two-Test series, the denouement of the Test season could not have been more refreshing. The three-Test series between South Africa and Australia is locked at 1-1 after two duels, and the finale […]
Read More IN FOCUS – A mouth-watering showdown in store at NewlandsFittingly, the last Test series of the 2013-14 season is also the most eagerly awaited. And for a change, it is not a two-Test rubber. Australia v South Africa has probably produced the most hard-fought cricket ever since the latter’s readmission into the international fold, and expect it to be no different this time. […]
Read More IN FOCUS – Australia in South Africa Test series 2013-14 : PreviewWe might never know the exact reason for the severe shortening of this series – but what we do know is that scheduling just two Tests between the top two nations (as per the rankings) is akin to disrespecting Test cricket and its loyalists. On the brighter side, at least one can look forward […]
Read More IN FOCUS – India in South Africa Test series 2013-14 : Preview“Sport has the power to change the world…it has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking […]
Read More VIEWPOINT – Naming future India-South Africa Test series after Mandela would be aptSouth Africa are set to face their first trial by spin since becoming world champions last season when they take on Pakistan in the latter’s ‘home’ territory. Lamentably, this will be yet another series of only two Tests between two top teams. There is no reason why South Africa cannot play three Tests against […]
Read More IN FOCUS – Pakistan v South Africa (in UAE) Test series 2013-14 : PreviewRewind 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 […]
Read More VIEWPOINT – Versatility, thy name is A.B
The Cricket Cauldron 