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 – 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 […]

REVIEW – 2012 year-end recap (Best matches of the year)

This is the fifth and final part of my Year-End Review of 2012, and here we look at the best international matches from across all formats that were played in the year. The short list includes two Tests, a One Day International, a Twenty20 international and a Women’s T20 International:- 1) Australia v South Africa 2nd Test, Adelaide […]

REVIEW – 2012 year-end recap (Limited-overs cricket)

Compared to 145 One Day Internationals played in 2011 (mainly due to the World Cup), there were only 90 in 2012. But the year had its share of bilateral series in spite of the many voices pointing out the redundancy of 50-overs cricket. It was a good year for T20 internationals too, with 82 matches […]

REVIEW – 2012 year-end recap (Women’s cricket)

In 2012, lamentably not a single Women’s Test was played. However there were the usual One Day Internationals and Twenty20 internationals which ensured that the women’s game is kept alive throughout the year. Let us look at the highlights and moments of the women’s game in 2012:- – Australia Women recorded the highest successful run chase in women’s ODI’s when […]

IN FOCUS – A heroic show by extraordinary men

Hosts India defeated Pakistan to win the inaugural T20 World Cup for visually-impaired cricketers at Bangalore on December 13. The 12 day tournament consisted of ten teams, and finally it was India who took the title, beating Pakistan by 29 runs in the final. While India definitely played better cricket throughout the tournament to deservedly lift the title (so did Pakistan, […]

VIEWPOINT – Why the FTP is a big joke

‘The ICC Future Tours Programme aims to provide a structured programme of cricket for Full Member countries, with an objective of each team playing each other once at home and once away’ – this is what the official website of the International Cricket Council claims with regard to its Future Tours Programme (FTP). However […]

VIEWPOINT – Lessons to be learnt from Australia

A few days ago, Cricket Australia decided to call back the national team’s star all-rounder Shane Watson from the ongoing Champions League Twenty20 tournament, in order to ensure that he takes part in a few Sheffield Shield games to be ready for the crucial home Test series against South Africa. Cricket Australia must […]

VIEWPOINT – Champions League: A flawed tournament

The most lucrative tournament in the ICC calendar is underway again. It is the fourth edition of IPL 2.0 – better known as the Champions League Twenty20. But looking at the advertisements that preceded the tournament, one could not but help get the nauseating feeling that the IPL is now held twice a year, what […]

VIEWPOINT – A promising victory, but let’s not get carried away

Just after the West Indies saw off Sri Lanka to lift the World Twenty20 title, there was the general ‘good old days’ feeling among many. The media went into overdrive, proclaiming a ‘first World Cup win’ in 33 years. Really, if they do think this West Indies team can overnight match that of the […]