Posted on 17th July 2008 by vcode in Cricket News |England Cricket
THE ENGLAND CRICKET TEAM
England cricket team is one of the strongest cricket teams around the world. Passionate about the sports, each player of the England cricket team sets an example of its own. England is, and always has been the home of cricket. It was the nation that introduced the sport to the world and even now continues with its innovations. This can be substantiated by the fact that all forms of cricket- Test, One Day Internationals and Twenty-Twenty- originated in England. The England Cricket Team has been one of the better teams in world cricket for the majority of the cricket they have played.
History
England played the first ever Test in history in 1887 against Australia. Australia and England were at the time the two leading cricket playing nations in the world and England played the bulk of their cricket with them. England were a strong opponent to beat always and maintained their stronghold over cricket for many years. However in the recent past, the England Cricket Team showed signs of decline and their performances were less than satisfactory. This was in the1990s when they failed to register wins against the West Indies and lost the Ashes series to Australia consecutively from 1989 to 2003. However the team has now begun to perform well again and the bad phase seems to be over.
Players
England have always boasted of having the best players in the world right from WG Grace to Fred Truman to Andrew Flintoff. In the current teams, there are a few cricketers who are not only world class, but have also been consistent match winners for England. Led by captain Michael Vaughn, a wonderful batsman himself, to the Ashes hero Kevin Pietersen and bowling sensation Steve Harmison, the team is filled with a talented bunch of players. Under the watchful eyes of coach Duncan Fletcher, the players would surely hope to better their performances in the quest for World Cup 2007.
Performance
England dominated world cricket for many years and it was in 1882 that England lost its first Test to Australia. In the days after that, the Australia and England remained arch rivals and were severe competition to each other on the cricket field. The early 1900s saw England so particularly well, and the majority of the credit for this went to WG Grace. The Bodyline Series of 1932 was a shameful incident that cast a black spot on England’s cricketing history. England won it the use of unsporting tactics that shocked everyone.
The 1990s were probably the worst decade for English cricket. They went on a complete downslide and also finished at the bottom of the ICC Test Rankings in 1999. However the team have pulled themselves up and since 2000 have once again started to perform well. Though the England have never won the World Cup, they have finished as runners up thrice. The England Cricket Team, with talent and heritage in their kitty, are one of the best and most respected cricket teams in the world.
Chances in the 2007 World Cup
England cricket team is the talk of the cricketing world these days. The budding talent and co-ordination in the team should make them the top contenders for 2007 world cup. If England concentrates to fill up the gaps in batting inconsistencies, it should be the English cricket regime for quite some time. England should easily play all the matches in the 2007 world cup.
Posted on 16th July 2008 by vcode in Uncategorized
THE NEW ZEALAND CRICKET TEAM
The New Zealand cricket team is popularly known as the Black Caps. The current captain of New Zealand Cricket team is Stephen Fleming. Stephen Fleming is the Black Caps’ most successful captain, having led New Zealand to 25 Test victories more than double that of any other captain. One characteristic aspect of New Zealand team is that it comprises many bits and pieces players; this probably explains the team’s better showing in one-day internationals than the tests.
History
The team played their first Test in 1930 vs England in Christchurch, and became the fifth Test nation. It took the team until 1956 to win a Test, against the West Indies at Eden Park in Auckland. They played their first ODI in the 1972 -1973 season vs Pakistan in Christchurch. New Zealand began their journey into test cricket in 1930 against England in Christchurch, New Zealand. It took them 16 years and heaps of effort to register their first win- which came against West Indies in Eden Park in Auckland in 1956. Some of the legends attached to New Zealand are Richard Hadlee, Martin Crowe, Chris Cairns.
New Zealand did poise a good challenge in 1992 world cup and was expected to be in the finals of the same. But the bowlers let down the team and lost the semi-finals against Pakistan.
Performance
New Zealand’s performance in the last test has not been in the least commendable with a comprehensive test series loss again South Africa. In the ODIs, though the have been faring much better. The series against West Indies ended 4-1 in their favour. Stephan Fleming’s innovative captaincy tactics have qualified him for the best test captain’s contention. Nathan Astle, gifted batsman, can be extremely destructive on his day. He will enter the World Cup 2007 with lot of expectations to further New Zealand’s cause in the tournament. Then there is Chris Cairns, a gifted all rounder, who is subject to availability, since he has retired from test cricket and is known to carry injuires at the most inopportune moments.
All said and done, barring few senior players, New Zealand is a young side and is learning its cricket fast.
Chances in the 2007 World Cup
New Zealand does have the cricketing talent. But bulk of the players doesn’t perform in a single match. Cricket being a team game, needs team performance. Not many expect New Zealand to win the World Cup 2007, but not a few will deny that New Zealand has the potential to deal some telling blows to the best teams in the world. New Zealand should post a good performance in 2007 world cup.
Posted on 15th July 2008 by vcode in Cricket News
THE SOUTH AFRICAN CRICKET TEAM
Popularly known as The Proteas, the South African Cricket Team is one of the stronger teams of the world. This cricket team is administrated by Cricket South Africa. The South African cricket team is a full member of the International Cricket Council with participation is test and one day matches.
South Africa is currently ranked 2nd in one day internationals according to ICC ratings. South Africa has not won a single major tournament so far; in fact it has the uncanny knack of doing everything right till the final, before finally losing out steam. In spite of such failings, no one has any doubts about South Africa supremacy, next to Australia, in world cricket.
History
South Africa started its World Cup campaign in 1992. Since then it has reached semi-final twice and is yet to win the world cup.
Players
Herschelle Gibbs is an attacking batsman and a brilliant one on his day. Australians will not forget in hurry Herschelle Gibbs’ onslaught against them in the historic one-day in Johannesburg, where he guided South Africa to victory with 111-ball 175. Jacques Kallis is one of the best all-rounders in business. A lot of South Africa’s fortunes will be resting on the broad shoulders of this gifted player. Shaun Pollock has to lead the new ball bowling attack with Makhaya Ntini, who too is an impressive seamer. The former, being more experienced and accurate will be expected to provide early breakthroughs to the South African side.
Performance
It was simply the clash of the titans when Australia came to South Africa for a series against them in February 2006. The ODIs, as expected, were evenly contested and ended 3-2 in the favor of the hosts. The Australians swept the tests matches, much to the disappointment of the home crowd. The tests debacle notwithstanding, the ODI results showed that, if at all, only a thin margin separates the one-day sides of Australia and South Africa.
Due to some unfortunate reasons of grave security concerns, South Africa pulled out of the tri-series in Sri Lanka. India was to be the third team in the tournament. The tri series, which ultimately got called of, would have been an acid-test for the South African side, where its ability to adapt under different conditions would have been sorely tested.
Chances in the 2007 World Cup
South Africa has lost venom in its play after the 2003 world cup. Authorities should be working hard to find new talent and induct them as soon as possible. Though South African team has not won any world cup, it has posted superb challenges to the opposing teams. South African side abounds in talent, what they could do with more is a little bit of luck. South Africa is the only side that has been beating the Australian side consistently and looks the most likely of the teams to quash Australia’s hopes of winning the world cup thrice in a row.