What should be the ideal Test XI against Sri Lanka?

For the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, BCB has announced a 15-man Test squad. Whenever the BCB announces a team, the fans always feel  relaxed and delighted to read the names of Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal. Both these cricketers are Bangladesh’s golden son and the toast of the nation. But sadly, one of the golden sons don’t feature and he’s none other than Shakib Al Hasan. Sadly, the Bangladeshi cricket fans will not witness Shakib’s charisma in Sri Lanka.

If Shakib was carrying an injury then why he played the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) remains a moot question. Rather than participating in the BPL, Shakib should have taken care of his injury more to make himself prepare for the Sri Lanka tour. Even the BCB should have been careful enough regarding this matter. It is understood that Shakib’s presence was important in this year’s BPL, which had been jolted by various issues, but the BCB mustn’t have let Shakib prolong his stay in the BPL. Against such a high profile team like Sri Lanka, a top class performer like Shakib’s presence was much needed.

 This time around, the selectors have been encouraging while picking up the Test team. The inclusion of Enamul Haque junior is a tribute towards a man’s never-ending hard efforts. Since his last Test series way back in 2009, Enamul suffered terrible lack of attention by the Bangladeshi selectors. But such ignorance didn’t let this charming bloke bog down. But he collected  his broken pieces of confidence, fixed them with rock solid intensity and continued to deliver the best on a regular basis in the domestic circuit. In the last two seasons, Enamul has taken 105 first class wickets. The doors didn’t open during the West Indies series but this time around it did open to welcome this hard working man.

The selectors have kept their faith upon Shahriar Nafees and also it’s good to see the composed Jahurul Islam in the team. But shockingly, my eyes couldn’t find the name Marshall Ayub who has been the most prolific run scorer in the last domestic season. Ideally, for the  brittle Bangladeshi middle-order, Marshall would’ve been a perfect choice. The boy has enough patience and his appetite to notch up big scores is the factor which teams like Bangladesh need more  in Test cricket. Rather than persisting with Naeem Islam, the selection of Marshall would’ve been more encouraging. But traditionally, with the subcontinental selectors there will always be a surprising element which will never be understood.  Akram Khan and co simply carried on that legacy.

To fill  a Shakib’s void is not an easy task. The selectors have included the young all-rounder Mominul Haque who showed enough promise in last year’s ODI series against West Indies. But since then, he has been quiet. Not sure whether this young boy will feature in the first XI or not but he has enough talent.

As usual, the pace bowling section remains a big worry. With Mashrafe Mortaza still not fit enough for 5-day cricket and Shafiul Islam not around the corner, the pace bowling’s responsibility hugely depends on a rather erratic Rubel Hossain. There are names like Shahadat Hossain, Abul Hossain and Robiul Islam but none of them are better performers. In that case, the Tigers must focus on utilizing their strength to its maximum level. Bangladesh’s main strength is spin bowling. So, rather than brooding on and over the weak pace bowling, Mushfiq and Jurgensen must focus on our spinners.

There’s no Shakib, pace bowling is weak, fragile middle-order but in my opinion; an ideal Test XI can be surfaced if the right players are chosen to play in the right places. There might be a plan to pick either Jahurul or Anamul Haque Bijoy to open with Tamim Iqbal. But I think, Nafees should open with Tamim with Anamul to come in at number 3 while Jahurul coming in at number 4 and not Naeem Islam. I wish to see Mahmudullah batting higher up the order. With no Shakib around to bat at number 5,  Mahmudullah, should fit the number 5 slot. Mushfiq, Nasir and Sohag Gazi will come to bat at number 6, 7 and 8 respectively.

Enamul Haque junior should be an automatic selection. And I would go with two pace bowlers. Abul Hasan and Rubel Hossain are my picks. Sadly, Mominul will not feature in my team as I prefer to cash on the consistent, tried and tested performers.

My Test XI against Sri Lanka: 1. Tamim Iqbal 2. Shahriar Nafees 3. Anamul Haque 4. Jahurul Islam 5. Mahmudullah Riyadh 6. Mushfiqur Rahim 7. Nasir Hossain 8. Sohag Gazi 9. Abul Hossain 10. Enamul Haque Jnr 11. Rubel Hossain. 

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Faisal Caesar

The legacy of India v Australia must not fade away

The Australians were a ruthless bunch during the last decade. They did not show their opponents on the cricket field any mercy. Match after match, series after series, tournament after tournament, the Australian cricket team remained undisputed champions.

But there was area where their supremacy was challenged. Despite possessing a superb batting lineup and a mean bowling attack, Australia found it tough to beat India in India. They did conquer the final frontier in 2004, but there were also three Test series defeats to a determined Indian team in the same decade.

India-Australia encounters for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy were akin to an enthralling movie or crime novel, laced with drama and intrigue. This unique rivalry reached its peak after the epic fightback from VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid in 2001 at Kolkata. From a hopeless position, India came back hard to level the series emphatically. With that unforgettable win at Eden Gardens the India v Australia contest was ratcheted up several notches and even came to displace the Indo-Pak and the Ashes rivalry as cricket's marquee series.

The Ashes, barring the 2005 summer, remained largely one-sided; India and Pakistan did not meet so often and when they did the cricket was not always engaging; England against South Africa was intermittently eye-catching. For sheer joy of watching Test cricket, no series could hold a candle to India v Australia. It just became an institution of electrifying drama.

And obviously, the credit must be given to two of cricket's finest fighters - Dravid and Laxman. The pair stood up to Australia time and again, most famously in Kolkata and Adelaide and Sydney, and helped instill in the team a new hop and sense of adventure. Through these two, largely, the Indian players were able to challenge the Australian might.

But time moved on. Dravid and Laxman's batting prowess receded, as happens with aging cricketers. The bowlers dried up. Anil Kumble and Sourav Ganguly retired. The last India-Australia series was a brutal 4-0 drubbing by the Australians in which there was nothing exciting. What was expected to be another of dazzling Test series turned out to be a heavily mismatched one.

Does the Border-Gavaskar Trophy still have charm? Will it still generate the same thrill? In Chennai on Friday, a new edition of the contest begins. Both teams are in transition. There is plenty of young talent in the side. Being the home team, India will enjoy the advantage mostly and look set to exploit a brittle Australian batting lineup with spin. To many, another one-sided affair is on the cards. If that happens, this unique rivalry will lose further charm and excitement. Test cricket cannot afford the dramatic legacy of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy fading away. For that, here's hoping for a series that keeps the fans tuned in.

Note: This article has been published today on cricketnext.com http://ibnlive.in.com/blogs/faisalcaesar/3379/64341/the-legacy-of-india-v-australia-must-not-fade-away.html

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Faisal Caesar

Shane Jurgensen has to be our best friend

Life has been very busy and hectic. As soon as the Shabagh movement commenced in February 5, I became a permanent participant there. I almost forgot cricket within this time. Hospital to Shahbagh and Shahbagh to hospital had been my routine. But cricket kept on moving amid my utter lack of attention. When I focused on cricket, I discovered that Cape Town had yo-yo sessions but Pakistan couldn’t hold a firm grip on the Test match, the West Indies digested a hefty 5-0 whitewash in the ODI series downunder, the Kiwis and English are presenting some entertaining cricket, the excitement is building up regarding the Border-Gavaskar trophy, Lanka’s new Test captain has been announced while in Bangladesh a new coach has been appointed.

For more than a month or so, Bangladesh cricket was engulfed by the chaos and confusion of Pakistan tour and participation of the Pakistani players in BPL. It was a very unpleasant experience for the cricket fans who wish to enjoy their Tigers’ progress rather than such ugly tussles. One of the most important subjects of Bangladesh cricket went missing amid this saga and it was about selecting the national team’s full-time coach.

Since the bizarre exit of Richard Pyubus, the Tigers remained without a full-time coach. They had played a major series against the West Indies without a full-time coach. Shane Jurgensen, the bowling coach, was made the interim coach. He proved pretty good as the Tigers came out as the winners in the ODI series if not in the Test series. The BCB was happy with Jurgensen but didn’t think about appointing him as the full-time coach. They kept on knocking at different doors but failed to meet the demands of those high profile customers.

With the Sri Lankan series approaching ahead, the appointment of a full-time coach became critical and for which the BCB deviated from the tradition of appointing high profile names. They gave Shane Jurgensen the responsibility as the full-time coach. A new journey to start for Jurgensen.

Previously, Shane Jurgensen had no experience of playing international cricket. A cricketing promise during the 90’s, Jurgensen played for Western Australia and Tasmania before winning a place at his home state Queensland. After a good stint in the first-class circuit, Jurgensen retired in 2006-07. Then, while being involved in the high performance program, he got involved with New Zealand cricket as their bowling coach between 2008 to 2010. After Ian Pont’s successful stint as the Tigers bowling coach, Jurgensen took over the responsibility in 2011.

Having involved with the Bangladesh cricket for the last two years, Jurgensen is well aware of how tough it is to coach in the subcontinent. Apart from dealing with the ugly critics,  unnecessary interference of the administrators is an irritation which at times crosses the limits. Dav Whatmore faced it, Jamie Siddeons dealt with it while Stuart Law left the scene before facing it. Maintaining a healthy balance between the routine works and such harassments and then moving on will be the toughest challenge for Jurgensen.

At a press conference Jurgensen highlighted that he wished to focus more on the bowling as our bowlers have to face the task of bowling long spells after a T20-diet against the best batsmen of the world. But he must not forget about our weakest link – batting. If the bowlers have to face a tougher task, than the batsmen would find it even tougher to adapt to the 5-day format after shifting from T20 cricket. Installing the right temperament in the batsmen’s mind should bear an equal importance to Jurgensen’s plan. He will have the assistance of Corey Richards, the fielding coach, who will also be the interim batting coach during the Sri Lankan tour.

By the way, the BCB has announced the preliminary squad for the Sri Lanka tour. Sense and sensibility have prevailed this time around. Good to see the selectors not going through emotions but giving the performance a bigger priority. The Test squad is supposed to be announced on February 22 or 23. Shane Jurgensen has an important role to play here. He should help the selectors in making an ideal 15 or 16-man Test squad.

Dav Whatmore gave the Tigers a better shape, Siddons made us play positive cricket, Stuart Law made the boys to play like a fighter and Jurgensen must make this Bangladesh side even better. Being appointed as the full-time coach of a Test side is certainly a highlight in Jurgensen’s short coaching career. But there are tiny battles, tiny issues which Jurgensen has to win.

More than a coach, Jurgensen has to embrace the culture and tradition of this land and get married with the joy and sorrow of the fans and critics. This is very important for every foreign coach who wish to coach the subcontinental teams. Any foreign coach, coaching the subcontinental teams must understand the emotional aspect of this region’s cricket.  Jurgensen will sit on a throne full of thorns. He has to conquer adversity. He has to be our best friend.

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Faisal Caesar

Modern cricketers should not forget county cricket

Top-class cricket teams are getting skittled out for shambolic totals such as 47 and 49, as witnessed in Tests in South Africa this year. They are dumbfounded against the new ball's notorious movements. The conditions were favoring the fast swing bowlers, without a doubt, but these deliveries weren't impossible to negotiate. There's a problem with the mental makeup of the modern-day batsmen.

Too many batsmen don't show enough interest in occupying the crease and are falling into the trap of the moving cherry. Perhaps it has to do with the volume of limited-overs cricket over the years and the advancement of Twenty20 in recent times that has uplifted the urge to score at more than four runs per over in Test cricket. This urge puts pressure on top-order batsmen to score runs at a rapid pace while requisite skills such as immaculate defense, precise footwork, playing with soft hands, occupying the crease, learning to adapt to the conditions and patience are overlooked. And for which, on testing conditions, a lot of modern-day batsmen suffocate.

The importance of staying at the crease for a longer period - much like Hanif Mohammad, Rahul Dravid or Sunil Gavaskar did - doesn't seem to be a part of many modern-day batsmen's mental makeup. With cash rich domestic tournaments like the IPL and BBL such skills are now being shoved in the background. But no matter how dull occupying the crease may appear to be, this old-fashioned ploy is still the best option to survive in testing conditions.

In the late 70s and 80s, limited-overs cricket boomed and it became a brand in the 90s. As time progressed, limited-overs cricket's younger brother, the T20 format, was born and added a rush of adrenaline. But this format's glamorous version, the lucrative T20 leagues, has affected the batting temperament of many modern-day batsmen. Yes, these leagues give the opportunity to earn money, but I just can't support the over indulgence of such these when Test matches are sacrificed.

The battle between Michael Atherton and Allan Donald or the domination of Brian Lara against Wasim Akram or Steve Waugh's unique fight back against a raging Curtly Ambrose is still a part of cricket's folklore. Why don't we witness such battles today? One of the reasons is lack of interest in participating in county cricket which is still the platform to develop as a world-class cricketer.

In the good old days of the late 70s, 80ss and 90s playing county cricket was the utmost priority of many cricketers. To develop themselves into a better product, cricketers of those days participated in county cricket and it helped them to learn how to adapt in various conditions. One of the blessings of county cricket is learning to adapt and develop patience and these qualities can hardly be noticed amongst the modern day batsmen.

Today, county cricket is not the target which is a shame. The players of the present generation should get involved in county cricket so that they don't get perplexed in trying conditions. A good stint with better county teams will be a blessing for the modern day cricketers. But the volume of cricket and the leagues don't allow them. And the ideal balance between all the formats might allow them to think about county cricket. Is that ideal balance possible? In the near future I don't see this ideal balance.

The choice must come from the cricketers. Those cricketers who wish to be a Lara, Waugh or Akram must give county cricket priority.

Note: This post has been published on 8/02/ 2013  Modern cricketers should not forget county cricket

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Faisal Caesar

AB de Villiers - Unique in his own way

At the Wanderers we didn’t witness any fairy tales. There wasn’t any continuation of a Pakistani fight back of yesterday nor there was any over pouring of rain from the heavens to save Pakistan from a heavy defeat. As soon as the South African pace bowlers got the new ball in their hands, they immediately put the Pakistanis on the back-foot. The new cherry swung extravagantly at the hands of Steyn, Philander and Morkel to sink Pakistan.

Being helpless against the moving ball is nothing new for the subcontinental batsmen and as expected the Pakistani batsmen were dumb founded against some relentless display of high quality pace bowling by the Proteas pacers. The South Africans were the favorites in this Test match but they were expected to face a tougher challenge from a Pakistani unit who over the last couple of years have been successful.

Sadly it was not to be. Sadly, it was a one way traffic.

Without a doubt, the South African pace bowling lead by the fearsome Dale Steyn had the bite and heat to torment the Pakistani batting line up but to an extent they could be negotiated only if patience and application was applied along with astute footwork and proper technique. Except yesterday, the Pakistani fort was found too ill-equipped to tackle the drone attacks fired from the South African control room. The Pakistani batsmen’s lack of patience and technique against the notorious moving ball had to be blamed. Time and again, the Pakistani batting is making them suffer and there are no measures to rectify this gray area. The boasting with the newly found bowling sensations will continue without giving much attention to the fragile batting. The alarm bells are ringing for Pakistan. If they are to avoid further more humiliation in the upcoming Test matches then they must think seriously about rectifying their fragile technique against the fast and swinging deliveries. Will they rectify?

Steyn had been just breathtaking. His match figures of 11-60 indicates how lethal he has become over the years to be claimed amongst the ranks of Lillee, Marshall, Imran or Akram. I enjoyed watching Steyn’s merciless and fearsome exhibition of fast and swing bowling, but more than Steyn’s display the newly vested responsibility of AB de Villiers as the Proteas wicket-keeper had attracted me the most.

Last year, during the England tour, Mark Boucher had injured his eye and for which he had to retire from international cricket. In the most desperate hours, the South African think tank threw the gloves to AB de Villiers to fill the gap of the mercurial Mark Boucher. AB de Villiers did have the experience of standing behind the stumps but not on a regular basis. And in Test cricket, he was quite a novice. But, sincere and responsible cricketers never shy away from any given responsibilities. In the course of time, AB de Villiers has adapted himself with this new role excellently.

It was thought that this new role might affect this stylish and dynamic cricketer’s batting. But so far he has been able to maintain a healthy equilibrium between the two jobs with a commanding effort.  Today, at the Wanderers, AB de Villiers equaled the record of England’s wicket-keeper Jack Russell for the most dismissal by a wicket-keeper in a Test match (11 dismissals). Jack Russell had set the record at this same venue way back in 1995. But De Villiers is a part of cricket record books for something even more unique. He became the only wicket-keeper to score a hundred and effect 10 dismissals in a Test match!

Neither the batting has been effected nor the wicket-keeping role is looking shoddy. But both of them are proving richly productive or the South African. Like Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, AB de Villiers is proving himself as a role model of sincerity and superb stamina. And it’s his unique motivation and willpower which allows him to adapt in this crucial role apt and appropriately. Undoubtedly, AB de Villiers is unique in his own way.

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Faisal Caesar

In South Africa, a pace renaissance beckons

Fast bowling is an expression of raw power. Proper fast bowlers are forces of nature. They always command attention. They are more animal excitement than grace or splendor. They are men of fear and of fantasy.

Cricket during the 70s and 80s had a manly charm to it. There were ferocious and mercurial competitors in cricket who graced this glorious game with the flair of Mohammad Ali and Mike Tyson. They scripted some dramatic battles and rivalries which earned their place in cricket's pantheon. Lillee and Thomson v Viv Richards, Holding v Boycott and Imran v Gavaskar. That era had a rush. That era had a spine. That era had battles between bat and ball. That era had sex appeal.

At present, it's more about Amla v Clarke or Pietersen v Sangakkara. We only witness the artistry of the willow artists, the dominance of the bat. In the course of time the rules have turned bias towards batsmen to the extent that there is a shortage of genuine fast bowlers and for which we don't witness the raw power on the cricket field more often.

But from February 1 there is going to be a welcome change. South Africa and Pakistan are all set to dish out the battle of pace which has become a rarity in modern day cricket. Both teams are blessed with some exciting speed merchants. South Africa will unleash virility and violence through Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander while Pakistan will trigger a mercurial intoxication through Junaid Khan, Mohammad Irfan and Umar Gul.

Steyn running in full throttle, fire in his eyes and releasing a cricket ball with thunder; the steep bounce achieved by Morkel; the nagging incisiveness of Philander. Just hold your breath after they finish their wild exhibition. From the other side, a left-handed swinging sultan whose crafty bowling at pace will be an element of danger; a two-meter feet quick looking to evoke the spirit of Garner and Holding; and of course the crafty Gul who by no means will give away an inch to keep this exciting show going at a thrilling pace.

It's a guarantee that we will be gratified to watch an ideal but testing battle between bat and ball. It's a guarantee that Test cricket will not be dull. Junaid v Smith, Irfan v Amla and Kallis, Steyn v Hafeez. Maybe the thrill of the 70s and 80s will return.

Note: This article has been published on 1/02/2013  In South Africa, a pace renaissance beckons

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Faisal Caesar

Does the BCCI live in a dark cave?

In my younger age, India were still big but were not as big as today. They didn’t have the economic strength of today and they were regarded amongst the poorest nations in the third world. But like their neighboring countries they didn’t sit back and watched the time passed away but grabbed each of those opportunities that passed by and utilized them properly. And in the course time they’ve built today’s modern India who are recognized as one of Asia’s biggest powerhouses.

In the most important sectors, the Indians have excelled excellently to demand respect from the international community and today India are way a ahead of their neighbors. Technology is the subject in which the Indians progression is jaw-dropping. In the IT sector brightest Indians have given their utmost talent and effort to establish India as one of the centers of modern technology in today’s world. This India is bright, their citizens are technologically so bright that their brightness outshines their politicians corrupted stories.

But in India, one organization has still not enlightened by the dazzling aura of technology. That organization still loves to drive the crazy money trains, still love to ride in the cars whose silencer-pipe splits cash rather than gas. Yes, the BCCI is still too reluctant to embrace technology which is the demand of the majority of the cricket playing nation. Sadly, India has again struck down the latest attempts of the ICC regarding  the implementation of more consistency of the DRS. The worse part was that they had also threatened to pull out any tour in which the host country will insist to apply DRS.

According to the news we come to know, “At the ICC executive meeting in Dubai the ECB, represented by chairman Giles Clarke, was the only board that spoke in favour of a policy change where the approval of the host country would be enough to implement the DRS. N Srinivasan, the BCCI chief, shot down the proposal and ESPNcricinfo understands that the remaining boards did not make a stand.” (Source: cricinfo)

The DRS is the most debated subjects over the past few years and the majority of the cricket playing nations are ready to apply it. But the BCC’s stance remains stubborn and pathetic! BCCI have forgotten that in democracy the majority always rule and by being the citizen of one of the most successful nation in maintaining the democracy BCCI’s acts are pathetic. By providing 75% of the cash to ICC, BCCI has become an autocratic demon in world cricket.

Is it healthy for cricket?

Things change as because they are meant to. Change polarizes people and for which some people embrace it while others don’t. But change is never a monster but they challenge our very existence,  challenge our comfort zone with newly innovative ideas to open the windows to the world of a new horizon. Technology and its skeptics have always had an unhealthy relationship but in cricket, the silky touches of technology have done wonders in reducing errors. TV replays, Hotspot, Hawk Eyes, Slow-motion cameras have helped more than they have obscured. It’s not possible to move forward in this modern world without the blessings of technology.

There are issues about the DRS’s sensitivity and specificity. It’s a fairly new conception and before even blooming properly, the DRS has been engulfed by a controversial monster. To make a technology flourish, first of all, it’s needed to be used on a regular basis to asses its functional capacities and flaws. No technology will be without flaws but the flaws aren’t constant and can be corrected. Surely they can be modified. By shunning modern technology one only proves himself as a backward-minded fellow who wishes to live in a dark cave.

Is the BCCI that?  I think so. Like the cave people they too are arrogant, illogical and unaware of the modern technologies’ assets.

In the present world of smart phones, laptops, iPhones and so on we must challenge our thoughts, refine them, give ourselves the best chance of being correct. And for which the BCCI must embrace the modern technology – DRS and not be hostile towards it.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar