I thought about this question after a brief discussion on Uncle J's blog on this particular post . Did, a commenter on the post said "I think the IPL should be renamed the Antipodean Premier League anyways cause it would be twice as $%^ without the backbone provided by the Aussies and Kiwis." And he went on to mention that the Aussies had won 14 MoM awards in 34 games, 4 of the top 10 batsmen were Aussies, as were 2 of the top 10 bowlers. It won't be a surprise if the IPL teams are reliant on Aussies as they are the best cricket players in the world. But are the teams actually reliant on them?  read more »

Straightdrive examines the probabilities in the upcoming South Africa Tour of India. S outh Africans have had better tours of India than many other sides, and in 90's and 2000s their record is better than that of even Aus. During this period Aus lost 6 and won 4 against India in 11 tests. SA played 7 tests, won 3 and lost 3. That I think is a very good record. Also they were the first team to beat India in India in a series since 1987. They won the 2000-01 two test series 2-0. Even when they toured for the first time to play tests in 1996 they won a test but lost the series 1-2. They have toured thrice and only the last time they returned without a test victory. For a team that is suspect against good quality spin 3 3 against India in India is a fabulous record. What set them apart from other teams, including Australians, is their disciplined bowling attack. Indian batsmen have always floundered when faced with disciplined bowling. Their loose stroke-play outside off benefited the South Africans the most. In 12 innings against SA, India scored more than 250 only thrice (two of it coming in the last series). On 8 occasions SA quicks have bowled out India for 250 and less. SA must be aware of this record and am sure they will be packing their bowling attack with pacers. In Steyn, Morkel and Ntini, SA has the necessary fire power to make India hop and gasp. Langveldt could provide an additional dimension with his disciplined bowling. The first test will be played at Chepauk, Chennai . Except for the 1989 test against WI, Chepauk always featured a sporting track. Chepauk is known to assist quickies with bit of bounce and will play host to spinners from day 4 on wards. India has won 11 and lost 6 here with 10 draws. The coming first test is going to be the first for SA at Chepauk. They may be tempted to go in with 2 spinners, which I am sure will backfire. They will be advised to go with 3 quicks and one spinner or even 4 quicks and one spinner. Two things may go against SA in the first test. First, Chepauk is one of Sachins favourite grounds. He has played quite a few gems here and one of his best test innings came here against Pak in 1999 though in a losing cause. The other thing that could sap SA is the hot and humid Chennai weather. SA will travel to Ahmedabad to play their second test at Motera . They have played here once before and lost that match. Ahmedabad is famous for Sunnys 10000th run and Kapils 432nd wicket. It is also famous for Srinaths spell that decimated SA in the fourth innings (105 all out) while they were chasing a target of 170 in 1996. India has played 8, won 3, lost 1 and drew 4 at Motera. Motera is known to be one of Indias famous spin tracks; however both Indian and SA speedsters performed well in that 1996 test match . If SA comes to Ahmedbad with one down then they may very well lose the series at the end of the second test. The third test will be played at Green Park, Kanpur and India has won 4, lost 3 and drawn 12 here. They have played two tests here against SA, won one and drawn one. Losses for India at this ground have come against the mighty Windies twice and once against England way back in 1952. It is one of Indias listless grounds and I favour a draw here. SAs chances of winning here is almost zero. In the final analysis, Chepauk presents the best opportunity for SA to defeat India. If it fails to win at Chepauk it may then fail in the series as well.  read more »

The first test between West Indies and Australia at Jamaica has been wonderful to watch/follow/catch the highlights package. A tantalizing final day's play is hopefully in store.

Australia started poorly, but recovered as Ponting made 150 while Hodge, Hussey and Symonds chipped in to help Australia get to 431. In reply, West Indies were rescued only because of Chanderpaul's super century, with some help from Morton and Bravo. Don't forget the immense contribution from Stuart MacGill (2nd best leggie in the world, and all that): 2/100 in 22 overs.  read more »

Delhi Daredevils outclassed the as yet undefeated Chennai Superkings in a high scoring encounter.

Chennai Superkings began at a brisk pace and at one time looked to end up at least 20-30 runs more than they eventually did. Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan propped up the CSK effor with a pleasing half century. The 3D bowlers pegged back the intents of Dhoni and CSK at crucial times with some clever bowling backed up by good fielding. Albie Morkel rattled up some quick runs in the last three overs.  read more »

India vs South Africa: In Anticipation of Day Two, Third Test at Kanpur

South Africa Complete Their Innings on Day One at 265

India have plenty of work to do today, the second day of the match

Scorecard  read more »

I watched Taare Zameen Par on Day 1 of the Perth Test, and i told my friend, that even a 2-2 Test match result by India would not be a superior experience to watching that film. After Perth, i remain steadfastly in the Taare Zameen Par corner, but i must admit that its getting more and more tenuous. One thing is certain, if India do win at Adelaide, it will be the greatest month of cumulative accomplishment ever for two of India's greatest pastimes - Films and Cricket.
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Mahendra Singh Dhoni lost the toss but everything else went right for his team, beginning with some tight bowling, as the Chennai Super Kings won the match against the Deccan Chargers and a spot in the semi-finals at the expense of the Mumbai Indians. Chennai will face Kings XI Punjab, whom they have defeated twice, [...]