Australia v New Zealand, 3rd Test, Day 3 - Australia win the first ever day-night Test match

Australia’s chase was not as easy as the World Cup final in MCG this year, but they were made to work for it by Brendon McCullum’s men – scoring just runs to win seemed like climbing a mountain. Trent Boult was brilliant with the ball while McCullum showed the intention to fight till the end and like I said yesterday, the positive intent is a very important ingredient in making a contest simmering. People like McCullum plays the game the way it should be played.

A 2-0 win is satisfactory, but Australia should thank Nigel Llong for this. Had Lyon been given out, the result might have been different. Well, anyhow, the first ever Day-Night Test match has been a pleasure to watch. But I am not ready to say that this concept is here to stay, though I want it to stay. I wish to see how the pink ball behaves in the subcontinent as its success on the subcontinent will ensure its longevity. You know what I mean.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar  

Australia v New Zealand, 3rd Test, Day 2 - The Test match is turning out to be an exciting one

Australia were left reeling at 118 for 8 in reply to New Zealand’s 202 and in such a situation, Nathan Lyon attempted a sweep off Mitchell Santner and the ball top-edged into his shoulder and up to slip. The Kiwis appealed for a catch, but the on field umpire S Ravi didn’t raise his index finger and thus, Brendon McCullum went for a review. The video evidences show that Lyon was out, but sadly, it didn’t convince third umpire Nigel Llong and the on field umpire’s decision was upheld.

That decision proved to be a blessing for the Aussies as Peter Neville and Lyon went on to add 74 runs for the ninth wicket which helped them to get out of the rut. Australia managed to take a lead of 34 runs. New Zealand’s reply in the second innings was not satisfactory. The pink ball swung a lot under the lights and thus, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh utilized the conditions well and never let anyone feel the absence of Mitchell Starc who won’t be able to bowl in this Test match due to injury.

I guess, there is a bit of grass on the  Adelaide track to maintain the longevity of the pink ball. This ploy is doing fine in Australia and might prove well in England and South Africa as well. Is keeping some grass is needed for the functioning of the pink ball?  If so, then what about the subcontinent? The pink ball fetched plenty of runs in a warm up game few months back in Australia and its longevity was questioned by many. In the subcontinent, the dew factor in winter and the lack of ability of the tracks to maintain the liveliness of the track in the summer seasons might interfere with the use of the pink ball. No?

But at the moment, my focus is on the outcome of the Third Test match in Adelaide. It has become a fascinating contest and I won’t sit back and start bashing the track or the ball or the twilight effect for the Test match to get finished with three or three-and-half days. Both the teams have shown the intent to win. One team didn’t just went out there to fight while the other didn’t go out there to win. The positive intent exists on both the camps and this has always been one of the most important ingredients in making the contests simmering.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Australia v New Zealand, 3rd Test, Day 1 - Historic moment at Adelaide

First of all, I was privileged to witness the first day of the first ever day-night Test match. Being a fan of traditional cricket, deep down, I was not at all happy about this idea, but in the mean time, I am not someone to get afraid of changes. The concept of day-night Test match is new and it is one cricket’s evolution and not revolution and on a positive note, such changes are expected...yes, expected to add new dimensions to the game and beneficial in increasing more television viewers and spectators at the stadium.  

The center of attraction was the pink ball. There were talks that this ball swings less and might not be helpful for the spinners and above all, there was a big doubt about its durability. But after the first day’s play, the doubt about its durability and swinging abilities might have lessened a bit. In the morning session, it seemed that, the pink ball works well on the seam, but as the floodlights were on and twilight struck in Adelaide, it swung a lot.

So, at the moment, the effect of early morning freshness of the track has been replaced by the twilight effects of the track. Moreover, it did help the spinners as well. I think Lyon will not complain about this neither the batsmen will complain about the problems in viewing the ball, even though, I think, the orange ball would have been better.  But above all, it’s too early to judge this new concept. It’s too early to regard this as an evolution as well.

At Adelaide, it was not a run-fest like Brisbane and Perth. Mitchell Starc was full and pacey while Josh Hazlewood and Peter Siddle were accurate and hungry for wickets as the Kiwis were skittled out for just 202. The Australian batsmen were not comfortable out there. Trent Boult and Tim Southee made the ball talk and swung it at pace to trouble Warner Burns. Both Warner and Burns have been dismissed as an interesting second day awaits for us at Adelaide.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar  

India v South Africa, 3rd Test, Day 3 - India break South Africa's impressive nine-year old record

Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis' patience was much needed throughout the series for South Africa. They did well to defend the ball which posed a threat even after landing on the half-volley length.

But as the partnership started to become threatening, Amit Mishra broke Amla and Du Plessis' resistance. Amla was outclassed by a beauty, but one cannot admire the way Du Plessis' got out - it was a rash shot which was unnecessary and there were many examples of such a hurried-display by the Proteas batsmen at Mohali as well.

As soon as Amla and Du Plessis got out, an Indian victory was just a matter of time and within six days, South Africa's nine-year old unbeaten record in Test series broke.

The Nagpur track has been the subject of debate throughout this Test match. Yes, it was a difficult track to bat, but in my opinion, not an impossible one. Amla and Du Plessis showed us all that patience and technique were mostly required to survive on this track.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

India v South Africa, 3rd Test, Day 2 - The Nagpur track was a testing one, but the Proteas batsmen were very poor

How was the track at Kotla when Viv Richards announced his arrival at the international arena with that epic 192 not out against an attack comprising of Bishan Bedi, Prasanna and Venkataraghavan in 1974-75?  How was the track when Suni Gavaskar scored that epic 96 against Pakistan in Bengaluru in 1987?   How was the track at Mumbai when Kevin Pietersen and Alastair Cook scored those epic hundreds against the Indian spinners?

I guess those tracks were rank-turners and they were as similar as Nagpur. Or, they were more dangerous than Nagpur, I guess.  Why were Viv, Sunny, Pietersen and Cook so successful on such minefields? Viv and Pietersen mixed resolve and aggression brilliantly while Sunny and Cook exhibited the perfect example of how to occupy the crease relying on copybook technique.

Occupation at the crease and copybook technique will never be understood by those players and fans who are the fans of a meaningless format like Twenty20 and those of who are criticizing the Nagpur track should also sit down and watch how the South Africans batsmen batted!

The Nagpur track was a dust-bowl from day one and it seemed that cricket was played on it for days and the second day it was expected to be a testing one, but still, for a champion team like South Africa, boasting with Hashim Amla, Faf Du Plessis and AB de Villiers, was it that dangerous or poor a track to be skittled out for just 79 runs? I don’t think so. The track was substandard, but how good were the Proteas batsmen? JP Dumminy showed how to bat on this track.

 Why are the critics not blaming the technique?

 Were the South African batters enough patient? How many of them got behind the line of the ball and played it late? What about their defence and footwork? How many went on the backfoot? Why the Proteas batsmen were in a hurry? The South Africans knew very well that the tracks will be such and so does the world, then why the hullabaloo? 

At the moment, India are all set to break South Africa’s unbeaten record in Test series since 2006. They way their batsmen are batting, it will an uphill task for them to chase 310 runs.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

   

India v South Africa, 3rd Test, Day 1 - South Africa are 11 for 2 at stumps

I was pretty surprised to see Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada’s length in the morning. Both of them clocked around 140 plus, but speed is useless if your length is not the ideal one. On a track which is offering slow-and-low bounce from the word go, it’s pretty inappropriate to waste your energy bowling too short with pace. A fuller length would have been good for South Africa to script an early breakthrough.

Morkel did correct his length – fullish from shorter – in his second spell and so did Rabada. It helped the Proteas a lot to dry up the runs and build the pressure on the Indian batters. Yes, the pressure did help a lot as the Indian innings suddenly lost its momentum and from 94 for 2, they were found wanting at 125 for 6. But, the collapse was arrested by Ravindra Jadeja and Wridiman Saha as they added crucial 48 runs for the seventh wicket which helped India to post a total which might prove competitive enough given the nature of the track and the spinners India have.

The Nagpur track is slow, low, dusty and cracked. Simon Harmer spit the ball viciously and surely, the Indian spinners are expected to extract a bit more as they are well aware of how to exploit  this track. The South Africa start says it all. Jadeja and Ashwin are back in business as a testing second day awaiting for the Proteas batsmen.

An old fashioned occupying the crease is the order of the day.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Brazil v Peru, 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers - Costa, Augusto and Luis give Dunga space to breath

So, Dunga’s Brazil are now unbeaten in three consecutive World Cup qualifiers. They dashed Venezuela, escaped the Argentine scare and tonight, they outclassed Peru in a commanding fashion. Peru defeated the Selecao just three times in 41 appearances. Again, Peru’s current team are not the most competent sides among the other Latin American teams and thus, Dunga did not have to worry much despite having no proper number nine up in front and no Thiago Silva in defence.

Instead of Thiago Silva, Dunga introduced Gil along with his favorite man Miranda.  Gil fared better as a centre back and I am quite familiar with his abilities as a defender while playing for the Corinthians. But, to fill the gap of Silva is never an easy task.

Perhaps Dunga was affected by the rumor of Tite becoming the coach of Brazil and for which he applied Tite’s 4-1-4-1 formation tonight with Renato Augusto and Elias forming nucleus of the team. Dunga realized how well Augusto and Elias forged at club level and it was evident tonight while Gustavo supported well from behind. Meanwhile, Brazil’s right and left flanks were highly active not because of their wing backs but Douglas Costa and Willian.

Willian and Costa have been simply brilliant as Costa had the best game of his life in yellow shirt. Both Willian and Costa cut the Peruvian right and left zone to threaten them and added enough attacking flair, but they must be thankful to some of the lackluster approach by the Peruvian players at the back.

Peru counterattacked. But, they were less effective as Alisson was quick to act and weathered the storm well. But, Neymar was again found wanting. He lacked the spark of Barcelona and his rush of blood resulted in digesting a yellow card. Well, Neymar you should be careful and control your emotions as you are the captain of the team.

So, Dunga has survived yet again, but is he safe? To remain as the coach of Brazil, I repeat, he needs to choose the right players and shun pragmatism. I still believe Tite should be the coach.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Australia v New Zealand, 2nd Test, Day 5 - It's a draw!

Australia gave the Kiwis a target of 321 runs in 48 overs and when rain robbed further 90 minutes of play, the runs-engorged Test match ended in a draw without any twist in the tale. Steve Smith’s declaration should have been a bit earlier so that his bowlers would get enough time to fetch ten wickets.

While dealing with such tricky situations, Smith acts pretty defensively, which is quite un-Australian. Someone like Mark Taylor or Michael Clarke would have been adventurous in such situations. Well, I hope Smith is really blessed with that Australian-mojo which has made one of their fans since the days of Allan Border.

Mitchell Johnson looked good. Yes, he recaptured the fire and dismissed two batsmen. There were those fuller deliveries fired into the batsmen and those short-pitched cannon balls which harassed the batters all over the world for a while if not for a brief period. But, we shall not see more of him as the Australians are expected to invest faith in the rejuvenated James Pattinson in the inaugural day-night Test match at Adelaide.

New Zealand have fared well in this Test match and this performance will help them a lot to crank up their confidence. In fact, they rediscover their confidence against their big neighbours more often. The Aussies have to be careful at Adelaide.  

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

বেঁচে থাকাটা যে মহান আল্লাহর একটি বড় রহমত সেটি অনেকেই বুঝে না

গত ১০/১১/২০১৫ তারিখে বিএসএমএমিউ-এর হৃদরোগ জরুরী বিভাগে ডিউটি করার সময় আনুমানিক সকাল ১০টার দিকে একজন মধ্য বয়স্ক লোক হন্তদন্ত হয়ে তার স্ত্রীকে হুইল চেয়ারে বসিয়ে আমাদের কাছে আসেন।

লোকটি চিল্লিয়ে বলতে লাগলেন, "ডাক্তার সাহেব আমার রোগী মারা গিয়েছে"।

আমিঃ বাবা, আপনি একটু শান্ত হোন। আমাকে একটু দেখতে দিন।

লোকঃ না, আমার রোগী মারা গেছে। আপনাদের এই ডিপার্টমেন্টের একজন ডাক্তার উনাকে চিকিৎসা করেছেন।

আমি বললাম, "আপনি শান্ত হোন। আমাদেরকে ঠাণ্ডা মাথায় কাজ করতে দিন"।

আমি উনার কাছে কোন কাগজপত্র থাকে সগুলো দিতে বললাম এবং সেই চিকিৎসকের নাম জিজ্ঞেস করলাম।

লোকঃ সেই ডাক্তারের নাম ডাঃ শাহরুখ খান।

আমিঃ এই নামে তো এখানে কোন ডাক্তার নেই।

উনার কাগজপত্র গুলো দেখতে, দেখতে আমি রোগীর কাছে যাওয়ার প্রাক্কালে, লোকটি উনার স্ত্রীকে ঝাঁকি দিয়ে বলতে লাগলেন "এই, তোমার কি হইসে"।

আমি উনাকে বললামঃ আপনার রোগী তো বেঁচে আছে। আপনি রোগী মারা গেছে বলে কেন প্যানিক ক্রিয়েট করছেন? এখানে আরও খারাপ রোগী আছে। তাদের তো সমস্যা হবে।

আমি রোগীকে তার গুলো জিজ্ঞেস করতে লাগলাম। রোগীটি তার বন্ধ চোখ খুলে আমাকে বলতে লাগলেন যে তার মাথা ঘোড়ায়, ঘুম আসে না, মাথা ভাঁড় হয়ে থাকে এবং সব সময় ভয় লাগে। কিন্তু তার কোন বুক ব্যথা নেই।

রোগীটি বেসিক্যালি Phobic Anxiety Disorder-এর পেসেন্ট। তার একটি ইসিজি করানো হয় এবং সেটি ছিলো নরমাল। তার ব্লাডপ্রেশার ছিলো ১৬০/৯০ এবং উনি প্রেশারের ঔষধ খাচ্ছিলেন। আমি উনাকে সেই ঔষধই চালিয়ে যেতে এডভাইস করলাম এবং উনার কাগজপত্রে অনেক পুরনো একটি প্রেসক্রিপশন এবং ইসিজি ছাড়া আমাদের বিএসএমএমইউ-এর কোন কাগজ পাওয়া যায়নি।

আমি লোকটির ভাগ্নেকে - যে কিনা একটু স্থিতধী - বুঝিয়ে বলতে লাগলাম তার আসল সমস্যাটা কি এবং কোথায় নিলে উনার চিকিৎসা ভালো হবে। আমি রোগীটিকে মানসিক রোগ এবং স্নায়ুরোগ বিভাগে রেফারড করলাম।

রোগীর স্বামীকে ডেকে বললাম, "এভাবে বেঁচে থাকা রোগীকে মরে গেছে বলে হৈ হুল্লোড় করবেন না। আপনি যদি মনে করেন যে রোগী মরে গেছে বলে চিল্লালে একজন ডাক্তার রোগীকে খুব মনযোগ দিয়ে দেখবেন, তা না হলে দেখবেন না, তাহলে সেটা ভুল ধারনা। একজন ডাক্তার সব রোগীকেই যথেষ্ট গুরুত্ব নিয়ে দেখেন। এবং অবশ্যই কোন হাসপাতাল এবং তার চিকিৎসক সম্পর্কে মনগড়া কোন গল্প বলবেন না"।

লোকটি মুখ গোমড়া করে তার রোগীকে নিয়ে চলে গেলেন।

মানুষ গুলো খুবই নিম্নশ্রেণীর চিন্তা ধারার হয়ে যাচ্ছে। বেঁচে থাকাটা যে মহান আল্লাহর একটি বড় রহমত সেটি অনেকেই বুঝে না।

 ধন্যবাদ

ফয়সাল সিজার 

Australia v New Zealand, 2nd Test, Day 4 - Steve Smith and Adam Voges steady the Australian ship

What kind of horrendous sportsmanship did the Australians exhibit? Some people have the habit of bringing out the wrong meaning of everything. Ross Taylor responded it well by describing the whole incident as just a coincidence. Taylor said, “When I get out I just walk off the ground as quick as I can," Taylor said when asked if he felt aggrieved that no members of the rival team came to offer their congratulations as he returned to the NZ dressing room. I don’t want to stay out there any longer than I have to”.

Will you just shut up now?

Move on!

By the way, the Australians responded positively despite losing an early wicket. Steve Smith and Adam Voges batted with intent to put Australia in a such a position from where they are well and safe and I can’t foresee them tumbling to defeat. Matt Henry inflicted painful blows in Smith’s right-arm as a welt and bruise appeared below his elbow, but it didn’t stop Smith from cracking three boundaries off Henry’s final over of the day.

The man is brave.

But Ross Taylor deserved a triple ton. He was just ten runs away from the milestone. In reaching 290, Taylor passed Reginald 'Tip' Foster's long-standing mark of 287, set while batting for England at the Sydney Cricket Ground in December 1903. It has been his first century in two years, and is the highest Test score ever made by a New Zealander away from home and the third-highest overall.  In all, Taylor batted for 567 minutes, faced 374 balls and hit 43 fours – the most ever hit in a Test innings in Australia.

Brilliant stuff!

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Australia v New Zealand, 2nd Test, Day 3 - New Zealand fight back

I was following the third test match between Australia and New Zealand at Perth in 2001 where I saw the Kiwi batting line-up to lose their way and lose seven wickets with not-enough-runs  on the board to challenge the might of Steve Waugh’s men. But New Zealand clawed back into the match through Nathan Astle and Adam Parore. I kept on waiting for the start of the Australian innings, but those two Kiwi batters stitched a 253-run stand for the eighth wicket and from 281 for 7, New Zealand went on to declare at 534 for 9.

New Zealand always find a way to bounce back in the game whenever they play against their neighbours.

The memories of 2001 revisited at the WACA today as well. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor kept on batting, batting and batting to script a partnership of 266 runs for the fourth wicket and surpassed the feats of Astle and Parore. Taylor and Willaimson were in complete command replicating the feats of David Warner and Usman Khawaja on day one as both registered three figures. Williamson was dismissed for 166, but Taylor remained as the hero of the day.

His form has not been good and proved shaky against the short-pitched examinations, but at the WACA, he buried all those doubts and lean-patches to essay one of the most memorable knocks on Australian soil. It was a 13th Test hundred for Taylor, and a second double century in his 66-Test career, moving him past Williamson (12) and behind only Martin Crowe's mark of 17 among New Zealanders.

It was also his second hundred against Australia in his eighth Test against them, following on from his stunning 81-ball century effort in Hamilton in 2010. In moving to 208 shortly before drinks in the final session, Taylor also became just the fifth New Zealander to reach 5,000 Test runs.

Moreover, it's the first Test double-hundred by a touring batsman in Australia since Kevin Pietersen's 227 during the 2010-11 Ashes, and the first by an overseas player in Tests at the WACA.

I don’t wish to give credit to the WACA track for the success of Taylor and Williamson. Yes, the track was flat, but did the Aussie bowlers bowl very poorly on this track? Was Steve Smith’s captaincy lacking the intent? I didn’t find the Aussie bowlers to bow poorly or Smith captaining the side defensively. If the Australian bowlers were over thinking about the track then, I must say, they were simply depending too much on the track rather than looking for wickets. Example, Mitchell Johnson.

How fast was Mitchell Starc? He has been just Wow! His fiery spell against Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor has been breathtaking, but it lacked the adventure and aggression like Wahab Riaz. Starc generated speed, but to make such spells the talk of the town and last longer in our memories, there has to be that extra bit of X-factor to add colours to the climax. Wahab does that better than anyone.  
Thank You
Faisal Caesar 

India v South Africa, 2nd Test, Day 1 - India are in commendable position

How can I describe Virat’s India? It’s a unit which plays with the thought that whatever they will do there will a touch of dam care attitude, but not at all callous – their intention is to display a fearless brand of cricket which will only act as a fuel to energize the attacking intent more and more and help India win matches. Even if this new brand of cricket doesn’t work any day still they will create an impact on everyone.

Typical subcontinental track and you go out to toss and after winning it, you decide to field first as the uneven bounce and wear and tear of the track on the final day looms large in your mind. But what does Virat do? He wins the toss and decides to  field first! And straightway, his spinners spun the web of spin around the Proteas batsmen and they were as usual found wanting.

Virat’s bold move didn’t go wasted. He and his men mean business! Even if someone carrying the drinks on the field, his body language conveys the message of aggressive and positive intent.

The anticipation regarding AB de Villiers’ one hundredth Test match was huge and I have not seen such euphoria in India about a non-Indian cricketer. AB responded well, but sadly his partners lacked the form and skill to withstand the spin of Ashwin and Jadeja and above all, the Indian fielding has been staggering. 

At the end of the day India are 80 for 0 and they are in a commendable position.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Australia v New Zealand, 2nd Test, Day 2 - Kane Willaimson continues to shine

Trent Boult looked better as a bowler than the first day as he adjusted his flawed line-and-length on day 2. His pace was not as lively as you would expect to see, but he was found quite a handy customer as most of his deliveries landed in and around the offstump and on that back-of-a-length which is the perfect length. He fetched two wickets while the bulldogged Mark Craig grabbed three wickets, who still remained less impressive to me in the second day.

With the bat, the hero of the day should have been David Warner as everybody expected him to rewrite the record books on the second day, but he was just able to add nine more runs in his overnight total and as soon as he was dismissed, Australia looked for quick runs to swell the total and in the end they declared at 559 for 9.

Mitchell Starc bowled with sharp pace and gave Australia the early breakthrough and after the dismissal of Tom Latham, Taylor stitched a productive partnership with Kane Williamson to end the day without any more hassles.

While I used to play gully cricket, my seniors used to tell me, if you wish to prove yourself a better batsman then, play some strokes through the offside as because until and unless you script shots through that region, you can’t be tagged a classic batsman and any Jack and Harry can swing the bat on the onside and score runs. In those days, the classic batsmen were the heroes of the young generation and were the role models. The wild-swingers-with-the-bat were dubbed as nothing.

Yes, a classic and technically adept batsman can be assumed by his ability to play shots through the offside with the utmost authority and how good a batsman Kane Williamson is can be realized by his ability to caress the cover region with perfectly timed shots. Five boundaries were struck through the covers and each of them were a refreshment for the eyes. He picks the length so early, pivots either on the front or back foot with enough astuteness, then  allows the ball to reach the middle of the bat and ultimately the bat sends the ball to the boundary after a tendered-kiss.

Simply brilliant!

I must thank Kane Willaimson for keeping the classic batsmanship alive. Yes, the power-hitting are a fun, but nothing matches the romance of a sweetly timed stroke through the covers, midon and midoff or midwicket. It’s priceless.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Argentina v Brazil, 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers - Carlos Dunga has been saved by Douglas Costa

I must say that Argentina were the better side at the Monumental stadium tonight. They toyed with the Brazilian defence in the first half and I just can’t understand why they could not crush the Selecao. For a moment, Imy frustrations knew no bound as I witnessed the Brazilian defence and the likes of Neymar and Willian were found wanting. Both Neymar and Willian hardly could dish out their club form against Argentina while I still don’t understand why Ricardo Oliveira gets selected again and again in the team.

Thankfully, Carlos Dunga brought on Douglas Costa in the second half by substituting Oliveira. Costa injected some rhythm in a clueless and lackluster Brazil unit to produce a face-saving goal. Again, ignoring Lucas Moura, Oscar and Coutinho was another exhibition of Dunga’s mind-boggling selection.  

I hate to say this, but tonight, two of Dunga’s favorite players - Miranda and Elias played better than his teammates. Miranda covered the defence and he received little support from a crazy David Luiz, who often reminded me of Felipe Melo of 2010. What was Luiz up to tonight?  You can be determined to build a rugged defence, but rush-of-blood and childish acts have no place in the international arena. A red card was the justified reward for Luiz and now, Dunga must summon Thiago Silva to strengthen the back. But will Dunga summon Thiago?

Again, Elias supported Luiz Gustavo well who was more often outclassed by Baniga in the midfield. Elias maintained the stability in the midfield and tried to mask the poor display up front. Then at the left flank, Felipe Luiz was made to look like a fool by the brilliant Angel Di Maria most of the times, whereas at the right flank, Dani Alves was more productive.

Lucas Lima scored the goal and saved Dunga’s face, but throughout the match he was less impressive. He had an impact on the match with just a face-saving-goal otherwise, he was nothing but an irritating figure for me.

Overall, Brazil lacked the ideal synchronization within themselves. I would like to say that they were suffering a self doubt and not sure what they should do.

Why were the Selecao not synchronous?  I guess, the right players were not in the right place. Yes, of course! How can you expect something fruitful from a Neymar-Oliveira combination? How can you expect creativity without Oscar or Coutinho? How can you expect fluency without the likes of Pato and Lucas Moura? How can you expect safety at the back without Thiago Silva?

Yes, Dunga has been saved by a stroke of luck, but I repeat, he should not be the coach of the Selecao.

Thank You
Faisal Caesar 

Australia v New Zealand, 2nd Test, Day 1 - David Warner mauls the Kiwis

I find no logic of blaming the technology folks. David Warner’s decision was given out by the on field umpire, but the DRS showed that the ball was clipping the bails and in fact, it should have been out and Warner’s stay should have been cut short at 78. But did the DRS make the mistake or the person who was using it? Mate, blame the person and not the technology.

Technologies have made this game even more exciting and beneficial for the players and officials. The technologies aren’t the enemy of the game, but Twenty20 is. Why don’t point your finger towards this bloody Twenty20 format?

But, the first day at the WACA was the carbon copy of Brisbane. In fact, David Warner became a bulldozer who simply mauled the New Zealand attack mercilessly. It was a modern-day butchery of high pedigree - Warner hit his first two balls for four and never looked back. Three hundreds in his past three innings, four in four against New Zealand, 4000 Test runs at an average that today climbed above 50, and a maiden Test double century.

Warner’s impact was so much on day 1 that Usman Khawaja’s second Test ton, which was rather gentler in nature than Warner’s cyclonic display, went almost unnoticed.

GOSH! I am feeling badly for the New Zealand bowlers. How helpless they were today! Renowned pace bowlers like Tim Southee and Trent Boult should have known the length while bowling at the  WACA. McCullum’s aggressive brand of cricket and much hyped tactical moves have been back-fired so far by the brutality of the Aussies – outsmarted, outweighed and outclassed!

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

যে রেজাল্ট খারাপ করে সে কি বড় কোন অপরাধী?

এই দেশে কেউ একটু মেডিওকোর কিংবা কম-কম পারে এমন স্টুডেন্ট হলেই তাকে পরিবার এবং স্কুল-কলেজ গুলোতে খুবই নিম্ন শ্রেণীর  মানুষ হিসেবে বিবেচনা করা হয় এবং উৎসাহ দেবার বদলে সেই স্টুডেন্টটির সাথে যাচ্ছেতাই ব্যবহার করা হয়।  স্কুল-কলেজের শিক্ষকদের মধ্যে এই ধরনের আচরন করার প্রবনতা খুব বেশী দেখা যায়।

একজন শিক্ষকের আসল কৃতিত্ব তখনই যখন সে এই ধরনের মেডিওকোর এবং কম-কম পারে স্টুডেন্টদের দিয়ে ভালো ফলাফল করাতে পারে। আমি এখন পর্যন্ত এমন কোন ক্যারিসমেটিক শিক্ষক পাইনি এবং দেখিনি যে কিনা এই ধরনের স্টুডেন্টদের পেছনে সময় দেওয়ার প্রয়োজন বোধ করেছে। 

কোন ব্রিলিয়ান্ট স্টুডেন্টের ভালো রেজাল্ট করার পেছনে একজন শিক্ষকের কোন কৃতিত্ব আছে বলে আমি মনে করি না। যে ব্রিলিয়ান্ট সে ভালো রেজালট করবেই। তাদের জন্য একটু গাইডলানই যথেষ্ট। কিন্তু শিক্ষকদের উৎসাহ এবং গাইডলান সেসব মেডিওকোর এবং কম-কম পারে স্টুডেন্টদের বেশী দরকার যারা উপেক্ষিত। 

দুঃখজনক হলে ও সত্যি যে আমাদের দেশের শিক্ষকগণ গাইডলান কিংবা উৎসাহ তো দূরের কথা, এদের দিকে ফিরেও তাকায় না। বরঞ্চ এদের সাথে উনাদের আচরণ খুবই অপমানজনক হয়। শিক্ষক মহাশয় যখন দাম দিচ্ছে না তখন ক্লাসের বাকি সটুডেন্টরা এদেরকে দাম কেন দিবে? 

অপমানিত এবং উপেক্ষিত হয়ে এসব স্টুডেন্টরা নিজেদের মধ্যে পড়ালেখা করার উৎসাহ খুঁজে পায় না বরঞ্ছ হতাশাগ্রস্থ হয়ে পড়ে।

এদের আরও বড় সর্বনাশটা করে পরিবারের লোকজন এবং আত্মীয়স্বজনেরা। স্কুল-কলেজ থেকে অপমানকর সময় অতিবাহিত করে এরা ঘরে ফিরে যখন বাবা-মা এর নিকট থেকে আরও বেশী অপমানজনক আচরন পায় তখন এরা হতাশার গভীর সাগরে আরও বেশী নিমজ্জিত হতে থাকে এবং সর্বোপরি, আত্মীয়স্বজদের কটূক্তি এদের জীবনকে আরও দুর্বিষহ করে তোলে।  

এদের মধ্যে কেউ, কেউ খারাপ পথে চলে যায়। কেউ, কেউ মানসিক রোগে আক্রান্ত হয় এবং অনেকেই আত্মহত্যার পথ বেছে নেয়। খুব কম সংখ্যক মেডিওকোর এবং কম-কম পারে এমন স্টুডেন্টরা ফাইট করে সামনে আগায়। এদের সংখ্যা অনেক কম। 

রেজাল্ট খারাপ হলেই কি আপনার ছেলে কিংবা মেয়ে কিংবা সেই মেডিওকোর স্টুডেন্ট কি বড় কোন অপরাধী?  হাতের পাঁচ আঙ্গুল কি সমান? একটি ক্লাসে সবাই কি ফার্স্ট হয়? যে একটু দুর্বল তার কি উৎসাহ না উপেক্ষা, কোনটি পাওয়া উচিৎ? আপনার রূঢ় আচরন কি ভালো কোন ফল নিয়ে আসছে? অনেক গুলো মৃত্যু এবং জীবন নষ্টের জন্য কিন্তু আপনরাই দায়ী।

উৎসাহ দিতে কিংবা বন্ধুত্ব পূর্ণ আচরন করতে পয়সা লাগে না। একটু দিলে তো ক্ষতি নাই।

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