Rahul Dravid – an ornament to the game of Test cricket

 The wickets were falling, the track was tricky and the team had a sprinkling of young guns, still not mature enough to handle the pressures of Test cricket. The situation at Jamaica in the recently-concluded first Test against the West Indies called for a player of character, a player with immense patience and skill to ensure that the team does not fall apart. In modern day cricket Rahul Dravid – alongside VVS Laxman – is a master in such crisis situations.

The bricks in Dravid’s cricketing wall may seem old, but it’s still strong. It’s a fortress that stands impregnable against any attack, anywhere in the world, in any conditions. The quiet, no-nonsense Dravid carries on as efficiently as he has over a decade and half at the very top. His flawless technique, top class temperament and granite arel his principal allies. It was a quiet message to doomsday prophets who were writing his obit in an foolish hurry.

On a Sabina Park track that afforded copious turn and unpredictable bounce, Dravid gave a vivid example of triumphing under adverse circumstances by scoring a value-based, match-winning 32nd Test century.

In an innings where the next highest scorer was No. 10 Amit Mishra’s 28, Dravid succeeded with the method that has worked so well for him over the past 150 Tests: playing old-school defensive cricket, shunning the fancy strokes and grinding down the opposition.

Throughout the morning Dravid had been quite and patient. His partner of the previous afternoon, Virat Kohli, was hampered by the short stuff and left. Raina stayed longer but fell a victim to Devendra Bishoo. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and first innings batting hero Harbhajan Singh also did not last long. When Praveen Kumar was bowled by Darren Sammy for a second-ball duck, India were eight down with the lead 256.

The West Indies hoped of an early end of the Indian innings. Instead they were flattened by Dravid, who added 56 vital runs for the ninth wicket with Mishra. He mentored the tail-ender in manner that instilled confidence in Mishra to play some top-quality shots. India took a lead of 325, thanks largely to Dravid’s 112. But for his hundred, India would have been in a mess.

Ravi Rampaul did pose some uncomfortable questions to Dravid early on. Some of his deliveries cut in from outside off, some straightened and a few reared up. But Dravid’s solidity in technique counter had counter for each of the probings.

Kingston seems to bring out the best in Dravid as he had played two epic innings four years ago to help India to victory.

Dravid is still one of the finest batsmen in modern Test cricket – an ornament to the game, on and off the field.

This article has been published in Cricket Country on 25/06/2011 http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/rahul-dravid-an-ornament-to-the-game-of-test-cricket-3616

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

The M.B.B.S degree

I have just received a nice information from Facebook regarding the MBBS undergraduate course. We do have a very hectic and tough undergraduate course than the other existing undergraduate degrees in Bangladesh. But in a sense we hardly receive the due respect.

"M.B.B.S has been chosen as the TOUGHEST course among all courses including BCOM, BCA, IAS, IPS and ENGINEERING by the Guinness Book of World Records on 18 May, 2011. It has 64 university exams + 130 series exams + 174 assignments within 5.5 years (max 1000 working days)".


There you go. Thats how tough it is! 

The life of just an M.B.B.S doctor in Bangladesh is even more pathetic and tougher.

Thank You
Faisal Caesar

Cricket Australia has to learn from the sorry happenings in the WICB and PCB

It’s painfully obvious a lot has changed in Australian cricket beyond their on-field fortunes. When the legendary Steve Waugh was axed from the One-Day International (ODI) captaincy, there was widespread sympathy, but no outrage. However, the changing times are evident in the avalanche of hype that has followed the unfortunate axing of Simon Katich.

First, Michael Slater lashed out at the Australian selectors and then a bitter Katich took the Australian selectors to the cleaners under the glare of the media. Federal Defense Minister Stephen Smith is the latest to join the attack on the national selectors.

Is this Cricket Australia or an enactment by PCB or WICB!

Australian cricket has lost the aura of invincibility. And one of the reasons for the decade-long supremacy was a strong administration. A team studded with stars is bound to have ego clashes and conflicts with the board, but they were managed smoothly and the administrators held control without being dictatorial. The Australian team was renowned for its cricketing juggernaut than controversies. Sadly, Australian cricket finds itself in turmoil at present.

In 1995 when the West Indies lost their empire to Australia, the conflict between West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and two of its key players, Curtly Ambrose and Brian Lara, hit the headlines. The WICB did precious little to nip the problem in the bud and foster a healthy relationship with its players as a result of which has only distanced the players further and soured the relationship further. In such a vitiated atmosphere, it’s natural that the team performances suffer as a consequence.

PCB is in a league of its own

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has no competition in this regard. Since 1992, the PCB’s whimsical acts have repeatedly tarnished Pakistan cricket. Pakistan players have never felt connected with their board nor trusted the officials. PCB officialdom has come across as egoistical men who are more worried about their positions than the betterment or image of Pakistan cricket or its players’ welfare.

In 1993, Javed Miandad was inexplicably axed and a young and inexperienced Wasim Akram was made captain. A revolt then removed Akram the following year and brought Salim Malik as captain. Then Malik was removed because of match-fixing charges… the baton kept changing hands from Rameez Raja, Wasim Akram, Rashid Latif, Saeed Anwar, Aamir Sohail, Moin Khan making Pakistan a laughing stock in the eyes of the cricketing world.

There was infighting in the team, charges traded in public and the Pakistan media stripped its cricket, doing no good for the country’s image. Nothing was being managed maturely. The relationship between Pakistan players and the PCB, if anything, has only worsened since then.

The downfall of West Indies cricket started with the Lara-Ambrose saga and that of Pakistan with the ouster of Miandad from the captaincy. Australia has to learn a lesson from the happenings in West Indies and Pakistan and handle the present imbroglio in a mature manner. Unless there is a healthy relationship between players and their respective board, on-field performance would take a hit. And if Australia has to regain their lost glory, their apex body has to get its act right.

Note: This article has been published in Cricket Country on 14/06/2011 Cricket Australia has to learn from the sorry happenings in the WICB and PCB

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Cricket - West Indies introduced reverse swing to the world?

As far as I am concerned, ‘reverse swing’ was discovered by the charismatic Pakistani fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz in the late 70s. Later on, Sarfraz’s such a lethal discovery was used with maximum effect by Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar.

To the non-Pakistanis, this art was mysterious and despite various doubts, at present, reverse swing is widely accepted as cricket’s most effective discoveries. Now a day, reverse swing is not limited in Pakistan only but countries like England, Australia and India are using this lethal discovery quite efficiently.

It’s widely known that the Sarfraz Nawaz is the father of reverse swing, but I am pretty surprised to read about Andy Roberts’ recent statement about reverse swing. He said, “We began the reverse swing. When Pakistanis came here in 1977 they were surprised to see us do it. It’s no rocket science, you keep the ball polished on one side and it would reverse swing. For it to happen, the other side must have a bit of moisture on it”.

This is a very interesting statement. If Roberts and con really knew about this then why didn’t they use it? Or even if they didn’t need to use it then why were they quite about such a fantastic innovation?

Or, during the 90s when the reverse swing created enough controversies or when, the cricketing world was thinking day and night about knowing the skill of this art, then, why was Roberts quiet during that time? Many ex-fast bowlers were asked about reverse swing but during that time I don't remember Mr. Andy Roberts to speak anything about this matter.  

Regarding the 1976-77 tour of West Indies, Imran Khan in his autobiography has highly praised about the West Indian fast bowlers but I could not find anywhere that the West Indian fast bowlers had shown the Pakistani pacers such an innovative idea. Even if Roberts had shown the Pakistanis this art then which player did he show? Roberts must mention this.

Reverse swing is a discovery of Pakistan and this is a fact. 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Dilshan’s innings will rank among the best played by a captain in Test history

Tillakaratne Dilshan’s 193 injected a much-needed confidence in the shell-shocked Sri Lankan batting line-up. After England piled up 486, what Sri Lanka needed was a collective effort  from their batsmen in setting up a big score, with Dilshan leading from the front – literally and figuratively. And he responded aggressively, but responsibility, to score one of the finest knocks in Test cricket by a captain.

When the head is under attack, the body wobbles, too. The West Indies under Clive Lloyd were known to target the captain because a beleaguered captain can cause great damage to his team. By the same token, if a captain is in full flow, that positive energy radiates through the team.

Here’s my list top five efforts by captains in Test cricket. I didn’t get into crunching numbers or delve deep into statistical analysis; I simply focused on batting epics by captains that touched me most:  

1. Brian Lara 153 not out vs Australia, 3rd Test Bridgetown Barbados, 1999:

Set a target of 308, West Indies were in dire straits at 105 for five, with Glenn McGrath at his menacing best. Yet, there was one formidable challenge before Aussies in the form of Brian Lara, who was batting majestically amid the West Indies ruins.

When the eighth wicket fell, West Indies still needed 60 to get. But Lara was defiant at one end. He inspired Curtly Ambrose to occupy the crease for 82 minutes. Later, last man Courtney Walsh survived five balls – helped by a wide and a no-ball – before Lara crashed Jason Gillespie to the cover boundary to complete a fairytale victory to help West Indies take a 2-1 lead in the series.

It was, arguably, the greatest innings by Lara because there was no safety net. One mistake and the game would have been lost.

Lara may not enjoy the reputation of being a great captain, but this innings was certainly the best knock by a captain in the history of Test cricket.

2. Imran Khan 136 vs Australia, 2nd Test Adelaide, 1989-90:

Pakistan started their second innings with 84 behind Australia. And what a horrendous start it was! Pakistan lost three wickets with just seven runs on the board. Not much later, it was 22 for four.

Imran Khan and Javed Miandad stayed together for nearly three hours before Miandad was dismissed. Pakistan were now 90 for five – six runs ahead and half the side gone! Salim Malik retired hurt which brought Wasim Akram to the scene. The next 729 minutes saw some extraordinary cricket that would have done a classy, top-order batsman proud.

Imran and Akram (123), who was guided all throughout the innings by his captain, added 191 runs for the s to help Pakistan take a lead of 304 that ensured their team a respectable draw.  

3. Brian Lara 213 vs Australia, 2nd Test Kingston, Jamaica, 1999:

Another Lara classic! In reply to Australia’s 256 in the first innings, the shell-shocked West Indian batting line-up were reduced to 34 for four. West Indies needed a Herculean performance from captain Lara. On a sunny, windy Sunday, Lara reignited the passion of cricket throughout the Caribbean. He did it with an unforgettable double-century.

He was circumspect early on, but stepped up a gear to strike Stuart MacGill for two sixes in an over, and Greg Blewett for four successive fours. He drove Shane Warne for a third six, and hit 28 fours in all, batting for 469 minutes and 344 balls. It was poetic murder!

West Indies took a lead of 175 and went on to win the Test by 10 wickets.

4. Sourav Ganguly 144 vs Australia, 1st Test Brisbane, 2003-04:

Australia were off to a flying start in the first Test against India. Mathew Hayden and Justin Langer were mauling the Indian attack. Then followed a dramatic collapse; Australia slumped to 323 all out after being 262 for two at one stage!

 After a good start, India had lost three wickets – including Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar – in the space of four balls from Jason Gillespie. In walked, Sourav Ganguly, carrying a history of grief against the quick stuff, to face the test of his life. But the “Prince of Kolkata” was not be bogged down by the fury unleashed by the Aussie pacemen. He seemed determined and more focused then ever to play the innings of his career – a polished 144 which is now part of Indian cricket’s folklore.

India needed their captain to rock and roll and the captain responded. It surely would have been a winning knock had rain not interfered.

5. Graham Gooch 154 not out vs West Indies, 1st Test Leeds, 1991:

It was a wet summer in England and as all know Leeds is the happy hunting ground for the fast men.

The West Indian pacers, Malcolm Marshall, Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh and Patrick Patterson ripped through the English batting line-up to dismiss the home team for 198. But the West Indian batsmen did not find the going get easy and were bowed out for 172.

 Curtly Ambrose was at his menacing best in the England second innings. His ferocious pace and venomous bounce rattled the English batting line-up, but captain Graham Gooch defied Ambrose and Company in style. He played strokes of high quality with enough guts. He pulled and drove with authority to remain unbeaten on 154 in a total of 252. Thanks to his courageous innings, England won by 116 runs – England’s first home win over the West Indies since 1969.

PS: The above list is my pick of the top five captain’s innings played by captains which I have seen since 1990. You may disagree with me. If you think someone else should have figured in the list, do share your comments.

Note: This article has been published in Cricket Country on 06/06/2011 http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/dilshans-innings-will-rank-among-the-best-played-by-a-captain-in-test-history-3196

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Ranji - Prince of a small state but the king of a great game

In 1889, an Indian teenager was sent to Cambridge where he learnt cricket and became a popular amateur batsman. He practiced in the Cambridge nets where he was first noticed by FS Jackson, the captain of Cambridge. Jackson noticed the youngster taking on a relay of bowlers almost right through the day and asked him why he was tiring himself out.

The young lad replied: “I must practice endurance. I find it difficult to go on after 30 minutes.”

Jackson was unimpressed and his opinion remained unaltered.

Once while walking across the Parker Piece ground, Jackson found a huge crowd had gathered to watch a match. On enquiring, he found out it was the same Indian youngster who caught the attention of the crowd. Jackson stopped by for a few minutes to watch the lad in action. He then said, “Dangerous cricket, with so many unorthodox strokes.” He was fascinated by the lad going down on his knees to pull a ball to leg!

That boy was none other than Ranjitsinhji – Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar.

Of course, Ranjitsinhji – or Ranji as he was popularly known – is better known for inventing the leg glance. While practicing at the nets against the fast bowlers, Ranji’s right leg used to move well across to expose his stumps. Dan Hayward, the great English paceman, was unable to persuade him to keep his foot on the ground and play a defensive stroke.

Defensive cricket was not Ranji’s cup of tea. He did not believe in dull batting and it was this approach that saw the birth of one of the greatest scoring strokes in cricket – the leg glance, a shot that Ranji played by moving across, twisting his body, flicking his wrists and smashing the ball round his legs. The bowler, Hayward, was amazed.

The British called it an unconventional stroke. They said it was not cricket.

But Ranji made it a part of cricketing coaching manual as it was a productive stroke. The British were tradition bound and were rigid in their orthodoxy beliefs. However, Ranji brought a revolution with the “leg glance” and freely admitted that it was evolved through the necessity of defending himself.

His late cut which was executed with so much authority that time just stopped to watch his art and talent. But it was his leg glance that was truly mind-boggling.

Ranji’s batsmanship was dashing and artistic. It has a blend of the aesthetics with savagery. If his cover drive was poetry in motion, then his pulls were ferocious.

Ranji was the one who introduced the flavour of the subcontinent to the West. In this era we are amazed by various unorthodox strokes executed by Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar, but these cricketing legends are just carrying the legacy of Ranji, who gave the British a taste of Indian art.

Ranji was fitting described as a “prince of a small state but the king of a great game.”

Note: This article has been published in Cricket Country on 02/06/2011 http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/ranji-prince-of-a-small-state-but-king-of-a-great-game-3107

Thank You

Faisal Caesar