Island Cricket

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Australia's security fears nudging Champions Trophy to Sri Lanka

Posted by Hilal

Australia have joined New Zealand in refusing to accept assurances from an International Cricket Council delegation that the Champions Trophy can safely take place in Pakistan next month. Their response makes a further delay inevitable and increases the likelihood that the competition will be switched to Sri Lanka, writes David Hopps of the Guardian.



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I can't think of life without cricket: Sanath Jayasuriya

Posted by Hilal

Sri Lanka went on to win the Asia Cup and Jayasuriya's blitzkrieg capped him as the highest run-getter in the six-nation tournament. His statistics in the tournament were hard to ignore as he averaged 75.60 and had a strike rate of 126.00, scoring two hundreds and one fifty.

A few excerpts can be found below, the original article can be found here.

"There were a few things that I worked on after the Australian series early this year. It was the off-season and there were no domestic competitions, so I had a few sessions with the bowling machine and worked ever so harder on my physical fitness," he said.

His rich experience in cricket helped him take failure with poise as he worked his way to the side.

"When you are going through a bad patch, it's very important not to panic. There are so many factors that contribute to poor form and you just need to patiently work on them and the important thing is to revert to basics," Jayasuriya said.

"I regained my touch towards the end of the IPL and was happy to be part of the Asia Cup squad. It was a pleasant experience to win the tournament in Pakistan. We hadn't won any major competition in Pakistan since winning the World Cup," Jayasuriya remarked.

The left-hander says he is now looking forward to the upcoming five-match series against India that starts on Monday.

When asked what went wrong with the Indians in the Tests, Jayasuriya admitted being lost for words.

"It's hard to understand. They are such a strong batting side, for me the best in the world without any doubt. But Sri Lanka gave India no chance. They kept the pressure on and it's not easy when Ajantha (Mendis) and Murali bowl in tandem. I thought Sri Lanka had a good plan, which they executed to perfection. There was someone to rise to the occasion at every crucial point."

"But I am sure they (Indians) will bounce back. Sachin is a class act, Rahul and Sourav are quality players. The point is when you are having such a long career, like they have had, you are bound to have a poor series. It happens to all players in the world, but the problem here was all three of them struggled at the same time," Jayasuriya added.

The veteran also showered praise on young spinner Mendis who finished the Test series with a world record of 26 wickets.

"I am really happy for what Ajantha has done. He's come up the hard way and his rise to stardom is something of a fairy tale. He's a quiet kind of chap, who wants to keep improving. I have a particular liking for blokes who are the first to practice and the last to leave and Mendis is something similar. When you play at this level you need to keep working harder and improve your game every day," Jayasuriya said.


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Sanath back to hurt indians in ODIs

Posted by Hilal

During India’s disappointing outing in the Test series against Sri Lanka, one problem that they didn’t have to worry about was how to contend Sanath Jayasuriya. Having retired from Test cricket last year, Jayasuriya was busy hosting studio shows in Dubai during the Test series and his return to the side is sure to haunt Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his Indian teammates, writes Rex Clementine for the Island.

"I don’t think there’s any complacency whatsoever. This is a new and young side and M.S. Dhoni has done well as a captain. We are aware that it’s going to be a tough contest and we need to play good cricket. We have done well and got the momentum and we need to continue in that manner," he told The Island yesterday.

"We had a good Asia Cup and we have done well in Tests. So the confidence is there and we have to be on top of our game in what’s going to be a keen contest," Jayasuriya added.

"I felt good after the Asia Cup and very happy to be back in form. I was not in the team and some people had faith in me and I am happy with what I did. But then again, everything is in the past and you need to do it all over again as a new series begins."

Jayasuriya said that he had a couple of days off after the Asia Cup tournament and has been involved in training with Sri Lanka ‘A’ team since. "I had one week off. Then started training as usual. The ‘A’ team was training and I was doing the routine training with Prabath Nissanka and Mario Villavarayan, the trainers appointed by the board."




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Friday, August 15, 2008

Ambul Thiyal-Anga makes his comeback....

My name is Ambul Thiyal-Anga. As you would have guessed by now I'm a cricketer. More specifically an opener, by name, at times even by trade.

I have an extensive repertoire of strokes but only play few, that is how good I am. Or how good I was. You see, I hit a rough patch a while ago.

My confidence had eluded me. But no more.
My timing was amiss. But No more
Nay, no more.

Ambul Thiyal-Anga was called into action, as he so often is, against the might of the Indians recently. It was my chance to prove to the world the legend of Ambul was not faded but spreading wider. To prove that to the ones that gave up on me that I'm stronger, faster, well drilled like a finely tuned machine. All clock work like a fresh off the mill Swiss chronometer.

Yes I was ready.
I walked to the middle to face the new ball, fearless as I had done before. But this time It would be different. This time, it would be all my way. The daunting chase ahead of me did not make me nervous. Rather it made me acutely aware that this was where Ambul Thiyal-Anga was meant to be at this moment. This is the moment that Ambul would re capture his lost throne.

A brisk few boundaries boosted my already brimming confidence. I was set. Today would be my day. I reach a half century. The crowd goes wild in the stands. I acknowledge them briefly. Knowing that I would soon be gaining more adulation's when I reach the milestone I am destined for today. Even the opposition sense it. They are not dealing with a mere mortal. I can see it in their eyes. The fear. The loathing. The hint of jealousy. I'm not perturbed.

The bowler runs in. I already know his plan. I'm two steps ahead of him. He is unaware. My foot moves into position with a serenity that amazes even me. The bat flows through. My muscles searching , aching, for the perfect moment to make contact, but at that most glorious moment I'm distracted, by someone in the crowd perhaps.

It is over. I have edged it and the brutish keeper has snuffled up the chance. For a moment , disbelief. From bowler, keeper and even umpire.

I am out.

I stand there, bat in hand. Pin drop silence all around. I move back into my stance. Practice the perfect sensual shot that was meant to have been played.

But that I did not.



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Mahela's toughest decision as captain

Posted by Hilal

It gets kinda stale hearing the usual jargon at a post match interview or reading the same old question and response on a website or news paper that's why this interview deserves a mention.

Lokendra Pratap Sahi of the Telegraph seems to have pressed all the right buttons to get Mahela to speak genuinely about his toughest decisions as captain.

Toughest decision as captain

Probably not giving Maravan (Marvan) a match in the last World Cup... It wasn’t anything personal and, to his credit, he didn’t take it personally either... It was a tough one, yes, but a captain has the responsibility to take such decisions... If someone else can take those decisions better, then it will be time to leave the captaincy... I’m transparent and the players are free to ask questions. I won’t say that I’m not going to give reasons for a decision taken by me... Once a captain is transparent, he doesn’t have to worry.

Style of captaincy

I’m very impulsive... One can plan a lot of things, but it all gets down to how the bowlers bowl and how well the batters have been able to adjust to the conditions... Strategy, I think, has to be flexible with a Plan B and a Plan C ready all the time... I do go with my instincts and if I feel that something could work, I give it a shot... When I get back to the hotel, I shouldn’t be thinking that I ought to have tried what I’d thought could work.

Lastly, just how long did it take to get over the disappointment of losing the 2007 World Cup final (to Australia)

Look, I believe that cricket is just a game and there will be winners and losers... Looking back, we gave everything we had... The boys were brilliant throughout and, in the final, we lost to the better team on the day... One can look back and regret or move forward with the belief that we gave it everything... I took the latter route... Had I been a neutral, I would’ve sat back and enjoyed Adam Gilchrist’s blazing knock (149 in 104 balls)... Unfortunately, being the opposition captain, I was at the receiving end... Had it been Sanath Jayasuriya’s day, then the Australians would’ve been at the receiving end... That’s how it goes in cricket.




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[Video] 3rd Test, Day 4 | Sri Lanka Vs India 2008

by Hilal

Click here for video



Sri Lanka wrap up an emphatic victory over India to win the Idea Cup series 2-1. The Lankans have now won 12 of their last 15 series at home, and have not lost to India at home since '93.

This series victory puts Sri Lanka in the number 4 spot in the ICC Test Cricket rankings with just one point separating the 3rd and 4th spot.

Video features full post match presentation & the players posing with the trophy for photos. +/- Expand Post

Thursday, August 14, 2008

ESPNSTAR Sports Vs The Fans of Cricket

by Hilal

My step son is of Caribbean decent, but having grown up largely in North America he has little or no interest in the sport of Cricket. Therefore, I decided one Sunday afternoon to show the little man the greatness of the likes of Gary Sobers by quickly pulling up the famous six-6's clip on YouTube. To my shock and dismay the video could no longer be found and the account which uploaded the video shut down due to Copyright infringement.

Where does one living in a quiet corner of Canada, or any non-cricket playing nation for that matter, go to watch such a rare moment? Should such a rare moment have been removed and a YouTube account shut down for an insignificant three-minute T20 video from the IPL, or 30 runs scored by Sachin during an ICC tournament?

Has cricket done enough to archive great moments such as this even for historic value?

ESPNSTAR – now the media partner for the ICC – is in the process of systematically removing cricket videos from YouTube. All clips from ICC-related events and matches telecast by ESPNSTAR are being removed for Copyright infringement. Die-hard cricket fans, who keep these networks in business, are being branded as criminals.

It is imperative for these networks to identify the primary reason behind these uploads instead of branding a large part of their own audience as criminals.

A Cable/Satellite TV subscriber has a video of their favourite cricket moment or favourite player uploaded to their own YouTube account for the same reason a fans goes out and purchases a poster of their favourite player, a back pack or even a T-Shirt. As a fan you would not want to visit ESPN or any other website to catch a glimpse of your favourite player? Instead you want the poster/image to be hanging on YOUR wall.

I must emphasises at this point that I understand where broadcasters and rights holders are coming from, but thus far there have only been three entities in cricket history who have filed copyright infringement claims against the fans of the sport: ESPNSTAR, ICC and the Indian Premier League. The uploaded videos are not being passed off as the uploader's own work. On the contrary, it is clear to all that the videos are indeed owned by the broadcaster. The purpose of a 10 minute YouTube video of a 8-hour long event is for review, comment and criticism. Most importantly, they serve as a free historic archive and promote the sport to a wider audience. These videos are uploaded with no financial consideration and as result should fall under the 'fair-use' clause of Copyright law.



Section 107 contains a list of the various purposes for which the reproduction of a particular work may be considered "fair," such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Section 107 also sets out four factors to be considered in determining whether or not a particular use is fair:

1. the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;

2. the nature of the copyrighted work;

3. amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and

4. the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.*


* Youtube and other social media video hosting sites offer more than just the ability to view these videos - user groups, communities and discussions that take place due to these videos and other videos of varied subjects and cannot be replicated by a broadcaster who owns rights to only certain footage, as a result it would be a grossly exaggerated view to conclude that these videos are a cause of loss of revenue-as the right holders cannot amass the same diverse audience Youtube draws.

http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html


Why have other broadcasters not taken the same route?

It is financially not a smart move - with over a billion viewers worldwide of which a large percentage own a computer, a broadband Internet connection and a Youtube account the broadcaster is looking at an uphill battle - for what cost and subsequently what outcome?

The positives of such actions are few and far between.

Digital copyright laws will eventually adapt and change to modern day demands but what damage have we already done?

During the 2007 Cricket World Cup YouTube took cricket to households in Texas, Norway, Finland and to countless other viewers who had no interest in the sport. The videos did not provide a substitute in any way to watching the games live, but viewers caught a glimpse of Cricket due to the YouTube video's high placement rank in search results. The ICC, which claims to be working tirelessly to spread the game far and wide, have successfully cut out a free means of spreading cricket.

We, the fans of the sport, ask the ESPNSTAR representatives to speak to us. Come up with a suitable alternative instead of branding everyone a criminal. In their quest to monetize and commercialise everything, broadcasters are lashing out at their own customers in the most cruel manner possible. It is a customer relations and PR catastrophe just waiting to happen.

In the United States, cricket telecasts are run by an unfair monopoly with fans requiring multiple subscriptions to competing service providers in order to watch cricket. That too, at exorbitant prices. With the economy standing where it is at the moment, it is impossible to ask many families earning modest wages to dish out $60 to watch a series. Cricket can never flourish in a nation where only the social upper class can afford to watch it.



Articles of interest:
Cricinfo - ICC targets YouTube World Cup clips
Cricinfo - Once more cricket shoots itself in the foot
ICC Demand YouTube Videos Removal
Cricket videos on Youtube
World Cup videos banned from YouTube

DIGG THIS!



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Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Stumped by PJ

by Damith S.




A recent poll conducted online revealed that most cricket fans out there reckon that our boy PJ is the best man behind the sticks going around.

Which I would say is a fairly accurate analysis when you consider his keeping ability. When the Indians, including their much loathed 'Fab 4' , went cross-eyed trying to read Mendis and Murali, who will from here on be referred as MnM, (not the mint, but the bowlers), PJ seemed to pick up what the two 'freaks' were doing with constant ease.

Which leaves me dumbfounded as to his complete ineptness ,it seems, in hitting the ball off the square. The man's managed to earn himself a spot in the team solely on his keeping ability, which says a lot about his keeping but unfortunately for Sri Lanka his lack of runs will surely tell sooner rather than later.

PJ usually comes in at number 6 or 7 and by no means can that be considered the tail end of our batting line up. At least not in the modern game. His lack of runs needs to catch the eye of the selectors who must be mindful that he is not indispensable. Sangakkara can be used at any given time to take up the gloves when we need to bring in the additional batsmen/all-rounder or bowler (my personal choice but thats for another day.) The notion of 'off loading' Kumar is a bit dodgy if PJ keeps failing to notch up the runs.

Expecting PJ to to average around 30-35 cannot be asking him too much. Mark Boucher averages 30, Mcullum 31. I believe these are fair comparisons as both Boucher and Mcullum fulfill similar roles for their teams and bat at similar positions.

From what I have seen PJ has the technique to get the runs, its possibly due to a lack of confidence and nerves that get him out.

A day will come when Sri Lanka needs to rely on Jayawardene getting the runs for them and on the evidence of his 21 tests so far that seems highly unlikely to happen. However, I think PJ should be given the opportunity to prove himself while the team it self needs to realise that this is one of the areas that needs to improve going forward if SL are to challenge the big boys in the pegging order overseas.

PJ's stats

Career summary
v Australia 2007-2007 2 38 37 9.50 0 2 2
v Bangladesh 2002-2007 5 139 120* 46.33 1 13 5
v England 2007-2007 3 150 79 37.50 0 6 2
v India 2008-2008 3 107 49 26.75 0 3 5
v New Zealand 2006-2006 2 80 37 20.00 0 3 0
v Pakistan 2000-2000 1 - - - - - -
v South Africa 2006-2006 2 72 42 36.00 0 6 1
v West Indies 2008-2008 1 26 21 26.00 0 4 0
v Zimbabwe 2004-2004 2 4 4 4.00 0 4 0


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