Wednesday, November 29

Incredible Yousuf breaks Richards record!

From Cricinfo...

72.5 Collymore to Mohammad Yousuf, FOUR, that's it Yousuf becomes the highest scorer in a calender year, breaks the record of Viv Richards. It was on the middle and leg, driven well wide of mid on, the ball races to the fence. Raises his bat to the crowd, wonderful effort from him
...and he's still going!

What an amazing year he has had! This record couldn't have gone to nicer fellow. Critics can't even argue that the opposition bowling wasn't quality. England, India, Sri Lanka and the West Indies have faced him.

What an great run. Hopefully this continues for a while...

Playing South Africa away, on their surfaces would be a true test and challenge.

Thoughtful gestures by the PCB

I've been following the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) website for a while now, and I've noticed that the Board puts out a condolence media release when a former player or even a member of the players family passes away. I think its a very thoughful gesture and it might just be our culture or environment. I am not sure if I have seen any other cricket board's follow this practice though the subcontinental boards might.

Other than that, its quite impressive how organized the PCB is regarding its media releases. This month of November is not even over yet, and there are some 40 releases listed here.

Could Ganguly return?

Well, if the media reports are to be believed, Saurav Ganguly could return to the Indian team. The Indian teams recent decline in form, injuries and inexperience in this current squad means the selectors must be forced to reconsider Ganguly. From CricInfo...

India's stuttering form in the one-day arena may have an unlikely beneficiary: Sourav Ganguly is in line for a recall to the Test side, nine months after he was jettisoned followed the resounding 341-run defeat at Karachi.

Ganguly, Gautam Gambhir and VRV Singh are likely to be named in the squad for the Tests when the selectors meet on Thursday and, with Rahul Dravid not certain to play in the opening Test, Ganguly could join VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar in the middle order for what is likely to be a tremendous test of India's batting resources.

Wealth of experience is being considered an asset after Suresh Raina, Mohammad Kaif and Dinesh Mongia failed to make the transition on the bouncier pitches in South Africa. Ganguly has one Duleep Trophy century to his name this season, and the team's think-tank and the national selectors also reason that his will to succeed after all the travails of the past 18 months will inspire him to rediscover the sort of form that he last showed on the arduous tour of Australia three years ago.
If he does does return, there will certainly be some friction between him and Greg. I also don't know how the current players would take to his return. THere has to be some bad blood. These players were quiet while they watched their captain get sidelined by the administration.

One thing is for sure, there would be nothing more exciting then a blazing Ganguly century against a strong South African attack! This poor guy must be so pissed at the BCCI's mistreatment of his career, that he must be aching to perform. Ganguly has overcome hurdles before. He certainly has my support and I really hope he gets selected and lets his bat do the talking.