ULTIMATE VICTORY FOR SACHIN

He's done what we've all known he'd do ... in his own time, in his own way!
All honour and glory must go to Sachin Tendulkar. His achievement is that of a colossus of the game!
The first cricketer ever to reach a unique record of 100 international centuries, a total comprising 51 Test and 49 One-Day Match centuries, spanning a career of almost 23 years. Surely the blueprint of a titan – with a record that might last 100 years or even forever! Not since Bradman has any player striven so hard for perfection to gain an unmatched peak of success.
It’s a fitting tribute to Sachin’s determination and skill that he did not let the disappointment of the last year in trying to gain this one elusive record century – which had culminated in huge disappointment when he failed to deliver at Lords, at home against the West Indies, and then recently in Australia – put him off his purpose. Four times in the last year he’s reached scores of over 80 runs but not the big one.
In earlier times he would toss off 4 or 5 centuries a year. But the increasingly taxing build-up to this latest honour was on everyone’s minds – spectators, team mates and opposition players – to the extent that it almost loomed larger than any focus on team victories, and had rattled the Indian side in Australia for the last summer series.
Overnight at Mirpur, Dacca, just a tap to square leg and history was once again Sachin’s alone to savour. A unique individual restored to his rightful place as the greatest cricketer the world has produced in this unique period of cricket history, head and shoulders above the rest of the pack, despite his petite frame. Only 5 foot five, yet with every muscle primed for performance, and sporting a perfectly sized package – close to the ground – for batting glory. Not to mention his superb eyesight and reflexes, anticipating the number of runs he would gain from each ball as it left a bowler’s hand.
Today was no different – he’d gone out to practice a couple of days before with a few young players as if he was just another team member who needed to sharpen his skills:
‘It's never too bad to practice, isn't it? Yes, it was my off day and I wanted to get a feel of things and that's why I turned up. At the end of the day, I love the game and that's why I am here,’ he said.
After his landmark century, once again he looked to the sky (no doubt thinking both of God and his late father), raised his arms (as a salute to God and an acknowledgement of the crowd’s support and excitement) and kissed the Indian logo on his helmet.
Dispensing with the hype of ‘Sachin is God,’ that so many of his faithful fans chant, Sachin’s simple response was ‘I am not God. I am Sachin Tendulkar.’ He’s always been a devout Hindu, a follower of Lord Ganesh, and believes in living a comparatively simple and extremely disciplined life despite the fame and wealth his carefully-managed career has brought him.
‘I felt even after 22 years, the cricket god was testing me over the last one year. I will be honest, I was frustrated at times, but I never gave up.’ Today, as the century neared, Sachin’s batting partner, Suresh Raina, suggested Sachin err on the side of caution and concentrate on singles while Raina took all the risks.
‘I've never played cricket for milestones,’ Sachin said after the game. ‘While playing, I have ended up breaking a few records, but that was never my goal. I play cricket just because I enjoy the game. The 100th hundred was the most difficult.’
This milestone follows so many others he has achieved: he was just a kid when he first played for India’s national team; Tendulkar became the first man to score a double century in an ODI; he was also the first and the only player to score fifty centuries in the history of Test Cricket, and the first to score fifty centuries in all international cricket combined; he became the first batsman to score 15,000 runs in Test Cricket and he passed 30,000 runs in international cricket in 2009; he also holds the world record for playing the highest number of Test and ODI matches.
As described by Cricinfo: “Sachin Tendulkar has been the most complete batsman of his time, the most prolific runmaker of all time, and arguably the biggest cricket icon the game has ever known. His batting is based on the purest principles: perfect balance, economy of movement, precision in stroke-making, and that intangible quality given only to geniuses: anticipation. If he doesn't have a signature stroke - the upright, back-foot punch comes close - it is because he is equally proficient at each of the full range of orthodox shots (and plenty of improvised ones as well) and can pull them out at will.”

And the last word must go to Sachin himself: ‘Enjoy the game and chase your dreams. I think dreams do come true.’

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Recent disappointment in Sydney now a thing of the past.
(Photo CV Williams)

Comment from a fan, Sharon Trevelyan Dean, who wasn't able to post directly on the site:
'An inspiring write-up about an inspiring cricketer. Well done, Christine! :-)'
And for anyone wanting to find out the answer to Jeremy's post below, contact me directly on cvwananda@gmail.com

Two Chances Gone

A hard blog to post, this time, to report that Sachin has again missed his chance at achieving what must be one of his greatest wishes, to celebrate a 100th century at Lords.

In the second innings of this Test match, with India's prospects poor, we were all hoping he could attain the near impossible - all of us: Indians, Australians, South Africans, even Swedes and Chinese - but not the Brits.


Immediately after lunch Tendulkar and Raina come out to massive applause from a standing crowd. During the morning session the noise from the crowd was near deafening after every ball, but in the later session it was all about quiet and expectancy.

Commenting on London’s sunny weather for the match, Cricinfo's Nitin quipped: "Rain gods aren't going to help India. Raina and God might."

But they didn't - and Sachin played too defensively, causing inner tensions, surely.

Facing balls from Tremlett at 132.8 kph – working hard, never harder - with Raina facing similar treatment from Broad at 138.7kph! Swann comes on and ups the ante as far as he’s able, at a reasonable 87.2 kph! He’s pleading for a drive – but Tendulkar focuses on defence.

Cricinfo is definitely a globalising social force when it comes to keeping up with Sachin's play. The text commentary seems to offer a 21st century equivalent of tuning in the crystal/wireless set for radio announcers’ commentaries back in the day. I understand that was more comfy though, perched forward to hear the thud of bat on ball, then relaxing back into a lounge chair before an open fire, with a beer to hand, or a toddy. Or was it just a cup of cocoa?

But now we can also watch on the internet - and we do!
http://crictime.com/server6.htm'

Then suddenly it's all over. Tendulkar's gone to Anderson's skill. Our Sachin walks off the field, head bowed at one point, shy of the honour of a standing ovation shown by admiring spectators who forgive him this lapse.

Only a miracle might one day allow Sachin a third Lords innings ... and it might be some years coming.

Close friend Harsha Bhogle explains that Tendulkar sometimes ‘lapses into defence ... He tells himself I’m going to be here for 12 hrs ... but better to ask questions of the players.’ Harsha's upset for him, clearly, but it's too late, and futile, to chastise.

One keen internet fan tells cricinfo:‘Doing my PHD here in Australia. Have to do some tutoring tomorrow. Am trying to prepare for that. However, can't simply - this Cricinfo commentary is just too addictive. What will I teach my students then?" 'The value of a solid forward defence perhaps?' is the suggestion.

Finally, a defensive focus is of little value without the fire of attacking play.

Tut, tut. Australian university tutors are not so irresponsible about their duties, surely? At least this fellow will now be able to get down to his teaching prep work.

A very sad day for Sachin, for India - and for those who love attacking play, SRT's in particular.

Yet we look forward to the adage, 'he lives to play another day.'

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Searching for Sachin.

Credit photo cricinfo.

Sachin's Achilles Heel

Oh dear, Not again. The nervous thirties, not the nineties.
Sachin is out for 34, caught Swann off Broad's bowling in the third day's play at Lords. He managed six 4s off 58 balls.
That elusive 100th century on that elusive ground, the hallowed home of cricket.
Sachin played confidently until he hit a bad patch in the 30s. And of course we know why - he's never done better than 37 runs at Lords.
After one particular no run today, a short ball down the leg side, Prior collected and appealed. Sunil Gavaskar observed that it was a sign of how desperate the English bowlers were for Sachin's wicket.
Well, they got it. There were plenty of no runs - yet he was also able at times to shine with some of his usual brilliance, such as when directing a slightly wide of off-stump and slightly short ball through to a successful cover point.
He seemed to have it - the footwork, the strength, the grace, the vision. But the thirty-something doldrums - like being a ship at sea that makes no progress - must have rattled him.
Never mind Sachin. There's always next time. And we'll be watching.

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Searching for Sachin.


Photo credit cricinfo.

Sad Birthday for Sachin

It's reported that Sachin Tendulkar spent a quiet day mostly indoors, rather than publicly celebrate his 38th birthday, out of respect for the guru Sathya Sai Baba who died at the age of 85 yesterday.

Yet the Mumbai Indians captain went to work as usual, in a match against Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League at Rajiv Gandhi cricket stadium, Hyderabad.

He is said to have remained inside his hotel room throughout the day to watch television coverage of mourners honouring the guru at the ashram in Puttaparthi.

Then in the evening he led his team to victory, but was not in top form, getting out for 28 runs.

Plans that had been underway to celebrate his birthday - the first since India's World Cup win - were cancelled by management of the Mumbai Indians and officials of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA).

Sai Baba declared himself an “avatar,” in 1940 at the age of 14, claiming to be a reincarnation of another Hindu holy man, Sai Baba in Shirdi, who died in 1918. Shirdi is a town in western Maharashtra state.

The coincidence of the guru dying on Sachin's birthday will hold great significance for many devout followers of the guru, who was worshipped by millions of bhakti worshippers around the world. They disregarded controversy over allegations of fraudulence that tinged Sai Baba's proven reputation for charity and generosity in donating food, clean water and hospital & medical services to the poor.

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Searching for Sachin Tendulkar, plus an ebook of interviews with Sachin's friends and cricket notables.
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THE LITTLE MASTER A TRUE HERO

Yes, Sachin has done it. The first batsman ever to reach the extraordinary Test target of 50 centuries.
It’s a record he may hold long into the future - perhaps always considering the state of Test cricket - with his nearest competitor, Ricky Ponting, back at the 39 mark. The record century, comprising one 6 and twelve boundaries, was gained in front of a buoyant Centurion South African crowd. How would you feel being Dale Steyn bowling to such a colossus?
Take a look at this Ten Sports exclusive video.
Once again Sachin looked to the skies as he achieved the almost impossible – there was no doubt he believed his father’s soul was looking on. In fact he made the comment:
"The first thing obviously I thought of was my father because I wanted to do it for him. Yesterday was his birthday, and I would like to dedicate this to him."
Of his remarkable achievements this year – 7 test centuries - Sachin has commented:
"I am playing for the love of it."
Harish Krishnamachari, the senior vice president of World Sports Group, the marketing firm that handles Sachin Tendulkar, is negotiating a multi-million deal signed between Tendulkar and Coca Cola .
“It (the 50th Test ton) doesn’t make any difference to Brand Sachin. In the last couple of years, he has reached a level where there’s no comparison. Anything he does will not impact the brand. People will just choose to look at what he’s up to next,’’ he said.
And with talk of Sachin’s admirable refusal of a beer sponsorship, he’s a sure thing not to be tempted to ruin his concentration on extreme fitness.
..................................................................................
Alas, I wasn’t lucky enough to be present to witness Sachin's historic feat – quite the opposite in fact – due to a prior commitment in hospital. And it seems timely that I leave this blog unattended for a couple of months with my feet up during the Christmas-New Year break, as it will take that long to heal my recently-broken leg.
In 3 weeks my leggings have gone from this:















to this, after surgery by a specialist referred to as ‘The King of Ankles’ in Sydney. And I can’t even boast I suffered the ‘maisonneuve’ fracture on a cricket pitch.
No disrespect to The Great Tendulkar - but I won’t be posting again anytime soon – though I will nevertheless be up and running when Sachin’s glorious goal of 15,000 Test runs is achieved – a record certain to be knocked over during the upcoming World Cup year.
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Searching for Sachin.
All best wishes for success in 2011 to the most extraordinary cricketer in the world, Sachin Tendulkar ....

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GALA FELICITATIONS

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Sachin’s power to impress almost beyond belief has not yet deserted him. Will it ever? We can only watch in wonder at his latest triumph, a double century and some.

On the Bangalore ground today he stood like a great tree in a forest, a tree on which all the lesser plants rely for protection. Or perhaps a block of granite, a soaring a pillar of security in the centre of his countrymen’s attack on their opponents. Until Tendulkar was defeated, Australia could not advance. As soon as he fell, his team crumbled to dust.


Even the manner of his defeat was appropriate to the occasion. Despite his vigilance, finally Tendulkar was taken by surprise by callow fast bowler, Peter George capturing his first Test wicket, an exceptional gift George will glory in his whole life long.

What drives Sachin? The pursuit of excellence? A competitive nature that insists that the Commonwealth Games will not outshine his own and India’s favoured sport, cricket?

He’s a marvel. His score was accrued through diligence, patience and great attention to detail. His score of 214 runs comprised 92 singles and 11 twos. Even so, in 363 balls he also impressed with 22 boundaries and two amazing sixes. This his 6th double century was a scorcher!

Along with millions around the world, Ricky Ponting surely couldn’t help but feel moved to witness Sachin’s purple patch, so that now he can only call on his teammates, ‘Play up, play up and play the game’.

For, in the spirit of high competition and the example of Sachin as a model of excellence, tomorrow is another day ... another chance for all to excel, Australians especially.

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Copyright C V Williams.

SACHIN’S 49TH TON

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Sachin Tendulkar has scored his 49th Test century – reinforcing his standing as world batting record-holder.

Not long to wait for another Sachin century is what I wrote in this morning’s blog!

Howzatt!!! No, not out. He's very much in.

With batting partner Murali Vijay, Sachin’s doggedness took India to 224 by lunch today in reply to Australia's 478 in the second and final Test in Banglaore.

Sachin Tendulkar, also the record-holder with 46 one-day hundreds, reached his 49th Test ton with 15 boundaries and two sixes in the morning’s play.

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Copyright CVWilliams.

Waiting, waiting, waiting ....

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Great work Sachin!
Nearly there ... 14,000 down and 1,000 to go.

Ever since I started 'Searching for Sachin', I’ve been waiting – for the magical number 15,000 to roll around.
That’s the number for the total Test runs Sunil Gavaskar told Sachin he expected from him, based on his talent many moons ago.
In the first Test in Mohali recently Sachin was edging toward a ton, sitting primed on 98, and smiling – he couldn’t help from smiling in anticipation, as everyone around him was grinning too – and then it happened – he got ahead of himself, lost concentration for a second, and BOOM ... he was out.
Oh dear – I was expecting to write a new blog about his magnificent play – but decided to WAIT until his next century, surely not too far away. Sachin will no doubt be chastising himself about that slip up, I thought, and he’ll be taking steps to correct this imperfection.
So - not another century in the last couple of weeks, but plenty else.
During this time Sachin has received high praise from many quarters.
First, Australian cricket writer, Peter Roebuck, showered him with plaudits (SMH Oct 8), putting the secret to his success down to staying focussed on the ball. Not a new idea – but certainly worth canvassing again, as Sachin’s powers of concentration are legendary.
Roebuck also pointed to a ‘more vital’ reason for his success, which again is not a new concept, but it’s worth remembering that it is an essential for the longevity of his winning approach – and that is that Sachin still loves cricket and he loves to bat.
And Roebuck has had many opportunities to witness this love affair with the ball over the years:
‘Tendulkar loves the game. Even after all these years, all these grounds, hotels, fielding drills and press conferences, it’s not an effort for him to play or practise. Cricket is his game and his way of life. He does not need anything else.’
Roebuck reckons the most underestimated thing about Sachin is his longevity, his constancy.
But others were similarly impressed, resulting in Sachin scoring the most sought after ‘The Sir Garfield Sobers Cricketer of the Year' ICC Award. Sachin totted up 1,000 Test runs this year, as well as becoming the first man to score a double hundred in ODI cricket.

Not only that, he remains our popular hero, also winning the ‘LG People's Choice Award.'
'Better late than never,’ was Sachin’s laconic response at the award ceremony, expanding slightly to praise the team, in particular V.V.S. Laxman and Ishant Sharma.
Now let’s not say, ‘Oh that’s great for a 37 year old’. In fact it’s great for a player of any age – and that’s how Sachin wants to be judged, not as a veteran player holding up well, looking towards retirement. He doesn’t look anywhere except where the next ball is coming from. It’s those around him who have been harping on about what might cause his retirement.
But Sachin’s not going anywhere, at least until he gets those magic 15,000 Test runs under his bat.
Yesterday he crossed the last thousandth increment before his interim goal of 14,000 Test runs, with a cut off the bowling of Australia’s Nathan Hauritz at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.
And this stage between 13,000 and 14,000 runs has involved the fewest number of innings of all the stages!
‘Better than ever,’ cricinfo declared, as crichotline hailed ‘India's all time great Sachin Tendulkar’ as ‘the only person to scale the 14000 peak’.
‘Sachin Tendulkar reaches 14,000 Test runs landmark,’ Britain’s The Guardian trumpeted.
‘Still sprightly,’ Sydney’s SMH Daniel Brettig was disrespectful enough to say – clearly too partisan about Australia’s position, mean-spirited and blind to the significance of Sachin’s achievement. [The error of this Australian chauvinism being corrected in part here, and with Roebuck's insightful praise, I would hope.]
And The Times of India acknowledged the enormity of the physical feat: ‘Tendulkar scales Mount 14,000 in Tests’.
I can only wait with bated breath for the World Cup and Sachin’s 15,000 goal to come. WORTH WAITING FOR ....
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What’s Up? What’s Going Down – more like ...

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Another day of international cricket – another day of allegations of match-fixing, specifically spot-fixing.
Who can take the game seriously? That is when, after all the hours of practice, every day, every year from the time a youngster is introduced to the thrill of taking a wicket or hitting a sixer, the adult form of the game is in danger of becoming a mockery and fraud? When the physical skill and mental strength needed to win at international level are treated with such disrespect by players and entrepreneurs (let’s give them a euphemism) so that the honour of the game comes into question – not once but multiple times in a number of countries – then it’s time to take severe disciplinary action against the perpetrators of this period of shame.
The Pakistani Cricket Board Chairman Ijaz Butt has accused English cricketers of a conspiracy involving "august cricket bodies", following England’s loss in the latest ODI at The Oval. It also follows the British tabloid sting operation on a bookie who allegedly paid money to three Pakistani cricketers, Test skipper Salman Butt and pacers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir for bowling no-balls during the recent Lord’s Test. The three have been suspended from play by the ICC.
Chairman Butt says he’ll soon reveal the names of the people, the parties and the bodies involved in the conspiracy.
So what does all this have to do with Sachin Tendulkar? Absolutely nothing. Nothing at all.
The only common denominator is cricket itself – a game that historically, through the prowess of players of the highest order, has been the source of great sportsmanship and camaraderie, which has in turn led to a breaking down of many class, race and national barriers.
So let’s not have them re-erected.
Sachin himself has come out in favour of action against any players found guilty of involvement in fixing.
Early this month he said the ICC should make ‘a thorough probe into the spot-fixing allegations and take appropriate action if players are found guilty’.
‘If the allegations are true, they will certainly bring disrepute to the game.’
“In my 21 years of international cricket, I have never heard of an Indian player being approached by bookies,” Tendulkar stated.
Sachin also took the unusual move of reminiscing a little about his career, in particular recalling the first press conference of his career as Man of the Match in the second Test against England in 1990.
‘It was at Old Trafford. I was very awkward and I did not know what to do as that was my first press conference. I asked my teammates what kind of questions I might face and how should I answer them. The coach then was Bishen Singh Bedi and he told me, “Don’t get nervous, be confident and do whatever you want,”’ he said.
‘I have been a shy guy and most of the time I prefer to look down when I speak to somebody. I would not look up at the eye of the other person. But I think I have changed, though not much. I have now a sort of comfort level,’ he said.
‘When I was young there were problems initially as people think I am snobbish as I don’t speak out much. They think I am not interested in the things happening around,’ he went on to explain.
Sachin said his first tour of Australia in 1991-92, where he scored two Test centuries, gave him a sense of satisfaction.
He said there were phases in his career when he felt he was doing really well. These included the first tour of Australia in 1991-92, his performance from 1994-96, and in 2003, as the World Cup that year was memorable.
‘The last three years also I think I have done well,’ he said.
Tendulkar said he had been guided well by his family and had never been complacent in his career.
‘It is easy to lose your head. You have been dreaming to get something for a long time and you get it, naturally, it will have some effect on you.’
‘But I think I have never been complacent. There was a time when I was a 16-year-old I could have been affected but from my childhood I have been told by my parents not to take anything for granted. So my approach has been if I score a hundred, then forget it and think of scoring 150 in the next match,’ he said.
Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting departed Australia yesterday for India to prepare for two Tests and three ODIs beginning on October 1st. He told the media that he doesn’t expect miracles from his team, but does expect a very high level of performance over the next few weeks.
All above board between the Indian and Australian teams on and off the field, once again, we hope and trust.
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Steady as she goes in the lead-up to the World Cup

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Just a couple of weeks after being elected Vice President of the ICC, Alan Isaac is proving the best candidate for the job.

Keeping a low key profile, Isaac by all accounts has remained non-inflammatory and fair in decision-making as he goes about CCI business.

It’s a stance in keeping with the decorum expected of the position, and in tune with his experience as a cricket administrator and former captain of Wellington's second XI, and then NZC Chairman since 2008.

"I am looking forward to serving our great sport at international level and protecting the primacy of international cricket," Isaac commented after he got the unanimous nod from the ICC executive board and the full ICC council.

After all, that’s what the job’s about.

"I'd like to think I'm judged on what I achieve or what I don't achieve in two, three or four years' time," he said.

So we can only wait to witness the resilience of Test cricket in the face of the popularity juggernaut of the IPL, and observe the role the ICC plays in fostering international agreement in the best interests of the game.

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Copyright cvwilliams 2010.

CONGRATULATIONS SACHIN!!!

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'It has taken me 20-plus years to get here.’

And yes, Sachin says he’s ‘quite pleased’.

After almost 21 years of Test play, Tendulkar has broken through this long-standing record to become the most capped player of all time with 169 Tests to his name.

The record-breaking, groundbreaking (but not bat-breaking) event occurred today on P Sara Oval in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in the 3rd Test between the two neighbouring South Asian cricketing-rival countries.

But in terms of this most precious record, it was a cricket great from Australia, Steve Waugh - holding the world record of 168 Test caps - who must have been on Sachin’s mind.

On reaching the record, Sachin had scored 13,742 Test runs, including a record 48 centuries, and 17,598 runs in ODIs. He had also taken nearly 200 wickets in international cricket using a variety of bowling styles.

‘The rest of things can be achieved, but for this you need an X number of years, an X number of tours. That's when this thing happens.

‘And I am quite pleased. It has taken me 20-plus years to get here.’

Sachin said his Test career had gone quicker than he expected. Considered a respected elder while also still a champion, he had some words of wisdom to share with young cricketing hopefuls.

‘You just need to enjoy it; it's a circle.

‘You are not always on the top, sometimes there are rough patches, but the simple formula that I have followed is, whenever I have gone through tough phases, I have found a reason to work harder.'

And he tries to 'spend all my energy at something I have been wanting to get better at’.

Sachin said that after his first Test match in 1989, he thought he might not be able to play again. And he’s very happy to have had ‘this privilege of such a long journey at the international level’. Over his Test career he’s missed 14 matches.

Sachin put some of his success down to pre-match preparation.

‘Sometimes I was able to achieve results, sometimes I wasn't, but my preparations were always there.’

Perhaps by missing the final day’s play of the 2nd Test due to a groin strain, Sachin was able to concentrate even harder on pre-match preparation. Thank God this is a man who is determined to override whatever physical strain he suffers – whether persistent, serious or niggling. Given time Sachin has risen above the physical dimension.

‘Really proud of it,’ is how Sachin described his success – and we’re really proud of you too, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. You're a credit to your parents!

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NOT AN INSULT

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Speaking as an Australian, I feel absolutely no insult over the rejection of John Howard as Deputy President of the ICC. None whatsoever. And many of my cricket-loving compatriots feel the same way.

I agree with Peter Roebuck's decription of John Howard as 'an outsider uninvolved in cricket'.

Why should Howard have been nominated? Certainly not on the basis of his provocative comments about Muttiah Muralitharan's bowling action. It was none of his business.

Let's keep conservative politicians in their place - as spectators - and leave sport to talented sports men and women.

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FOR CRICKET STATS FREAKS

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OVER TO YOU AGAIN THIS WEEK, JEREMY GILLING, STATISTICIAN EXTRAORDINAIRE. Your observations of the game are mircoscopic, intense and possibly prophetic when you ask...

'Has chasing down a big fourth-innings target become easier in recent years? If so, does that mean the team batting third needs to be more cautious in setting a fourth-innings target?

Analysis of fourth-innings results over the years suggests that the answer to both questions is yes. The past decade has seen seven fourth-innings scores of 400+ (two of them to win, and in the process eclipse all past winning fourth-innings totals) and 14 of 380+. The entire 134 years of Test cricket have featured just 18 fourth-innings scores of 400+ and 25 of 380+. (Yes, that’s right: every fourth-innings score between 380 and 399 has occurred since 2000.)

It is also clear that the “par” fourth innings target – the score where the odds of getting the runs are about 50:50 – has risen sharply in the past decade.
To demonstrate this, I’ve divided the Test era into eight periods: the nineteenth century; the two pre-war eras of the twentieth century; the post-WW2 years to 1970; and each of the subsequent four decades. These periods seem to strike a reasonable balance between durations and numbers of Tests played, and also form a fairly natural epochal divide.

Of the 1959 Tests played to date (to the end of the England-Bangladesh series), 936 have produced a fourth-innings result (including the two ties, but excluding draws).
I’ve calculated the “par” fourth-innings score for each of these eight periods as the closest fit to the score for which the probability of the batting team reaching a target above that score equals that of the fielding team defending a target below that score. For example, for the 38 eligible Tests played in the nineteenth century, the fourth innings target was 169 or more for 14, and these targets were achieved four times, or 29 per cent of the time. On the other hand, the fourth innings target was 151 or less for 24 Tests, and these targets were successfully defended seven times, also 29 per cent of the time. The par score is the average of 151 and 169, or 160.

BATTING EASIER?

As batting became easier after 1900, and easier again between the wars, so the par score increased – to 216 in the pre-WW1 years and 258 in the interwar period. It then fell back to 235 for the 25 years to 1970, and 227 for the following decade, before jumping again, to 261, in the 1980s.

Then in the 1990s the par score collapsed to a level not witnessed since before WW1. But even more dramatic was the rise in the most recent decade – a 64-run jump to 283. Suddenly, in defiance of decades of accepted wisdom, batting in the fourth innings seems to have become not much more difficult than in the first three innings.

Now it could fairly be said that batting generally seems to be easier these days, and the table bears this out to some extent. Runs per wicket in all innings of all Tests, at 34.62, is at an historic high – more than 10 per cent up on the previous decade. (No doubt high-tech bats, smaller playing areas, and perhaps also greater physical fitness – enabling batsmen to concentrate better for longer – have a lot to do with it.) But even allowing for this – as I’ve done by dividing the par score by the runs per wicket figure – it’s clear that the chasing team has an easier task than at any time since the early twentieth century.

My Table reveals other interesting trends. The first two periods to the outbreak of WW1 saw plenty of upsets – teams were able to chase down an above-par target, or defend a below-par target, more than a quarter of the time. By contrast, in the interwar period, most matches followed the script – just 7 per cent of above-par targets were chased down, and only 10 per cent of below-par targets defended.
From then on the pattern has stabilised, with consistently between one in seven and one in nine Tests not conforming to expectations.

WEIGH IT UP

Is all this a good or bad thing? On balance, I think the game is the poorer now that the final-day drama of batsmen fighting for survival against spinners in their element is being steadily lost. Misbehaving fifth-day pitches are a rich part of cricket lore. Do we really want Test matches to follow the same tempo throughout the five days?'

For a copy of Jeremy's detailed Table of the basis for his conclusions above, email cvwananda.com.au NOW!

Jeremy reckons his detailed analysis has only been possible with Ric Finlay’s dazzling, and very affordable, Tastats Test cricket software, available through www.tastats.com.au.

And that's as close to an advertisement as this column is ever going to go.

Copyright Jeremy Gilling.

See you soon - hopefully with some fresh Sachin material!

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BRETT LEE'S FRIENDLY TAKE ON SACHIN TENDULKAR: "a big kid"

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Copyright cvwilliams

Putting a premium on taking wickets

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According to cricinfo this shot is one of an invisible (yet handsome, you'll have to take my word for it) Ewen Chatfield stretchered off after nearly being killed on the cricket field, in a Test match against England in 1975. Pre-helmet days, Chatfield reportedly swallowed his tongue after being hit unconscious on the temple by a bouncer from English fast bowler Peter Lever. Chatfield, a 'New Zlnd' medium-pace bowler himself, was revived by heart massage.

As a digression once again distracts me from the main focus of this blog - which of course will always remain Sachin Tendulkar - I'm inviting contributions from the cognoscenti on a number of aspects of contemporary cricket which often incite heated debate. So, to begin this week, let's hear it from amateur cricket statistician and 'the Ewen Chatfield of Sunday social cricket', Jeremy Gilling, writing as himself:

Putting a premium on taking wickets
by Jeremy Gilling

Christine has kindly offered me space for an irregular column in which I air a few suggestions for revamping cricket in both its long and short versions. I begin with the one-day (50-over) format.

It is clear that the 50-over game in its present configuration is slowly dying. Crowds for this once hugely popular form of entertainment are down almost everywhere, calamitously so in its domestic manifestation. Most games follow a script that has become tediously familiar. The rules are made ever more artificial and byzantine in an effort to reinvigorate the game, with further tinkering in prospect.

The heart of the problem, in my view, is that, unlike in the traditional unrestricted overs version of the game, wickets don’t count for nearly as much as runs. Worse, the value of a wicket declines sharply as the innings progresses, and is often next to worthless in the last handful of overs. Conversely, batting becomes ever more recklessly extravagant as the overs tick down. The end of innings slog must break the purist’s heart.

A resultant problem is that there’s little room for tactical subtlety. Field settings are dictated by the rules and the stage of the innings. You can even reliably predict who will be asked to bowl when, and what line and length they’ll bowl. Bowlers try to bowl as wide of the off stump as they can get away with without being called. Even deliberate full tosses have their place. It would be sad if it wasn’t so dreary.

My proposal is simplicity itself. Give the batting side 10 bonus runs for each wicket intact at the end of their innings. At the same time, do away with the power play – and perhaps (after the innovation’s been trialled for a while), abolish all limited-overs field restrictions (in other words, scrap the fielding circle – the only restrictions in place would be those that apply in first-class cricket). You could probably even scrap the one-day wide rule.

This reform – which would only apply in games that run their full length (the Duckworth-Lewis formula already allows for wickets lost) – would I think transform the game by bringing wicket-taking back to the fore throughout the innings.

Now suddenly batsmen have to place a value on their wicket at every stage of the game (just like in Test cricket), and will bat accordingly. The ugly crossbat slog – and that dreadful step to leg to hit over the top of covers – will become a thing of the past. Strokeplayers will replace bashers. Bowlers will mix attack and containment just as in a Test (and attacking bowlers will supersede medium-pace trundlers). Captains will balance attack and defence in setting fields.

It would also solve the problem of the tedious middle stage from around over 15 to over 35, which even the administrators have finally recognised is killing the game, where there’s an implicit truce between the batsmen and bowlers: we’ll give you 4 to 5 runs an over so long as you just bunt the ball down to long on and long off for singles.

But the best thing about this proposal is that it would introduce complexity and intrigue into the limited overs game, and require everyone – batsmen, bowlers, captains (and of course spectators/viewers and commentators) – to have their wits about them at every stage of the innings. Suppose, for example, that side A scores 5-250 in their 50 overs (= 300 with the bonus). After 40 overs, side B is 3-200. Under the present rules, that would be a cakewalk for side B – just plod along for 5 overs without losing more than a couple of wickets, then throw the bat. But now, under this proposed format, both sides have to think strategically. Side B will have to decide whether to aim for 31 runs in 10 overs if they’re good enough to keep all wickets intact (remember that side A will be attacking, not just containing), or 41 runs losing just 1 wicket, or 51 losing 2 wickets ... And side A will be making exactly the same calculations. Not only that, but every time a wicket is lost, they’ve got to reappraise their tactics.

Another example: side A scores 5-250 as before, and side B is 5-248 after 49 overs. Game over under the present rules, but under my suggestion, side A still has a real chance – if they can take a wicket before side B scores 3 runs, everything changes. (And just to add a soupçon of spice, you could say that the game stays alive even if side B scores 3 runs off the first ball – that they still have to play out the last five balls without losing a wicket.)

Let’s try it out in the Australian interstate competition next season – we’ve nothing to lose, after all; the game as it stands is dead in the water. I can see only one problem with this suggestion. Channel 9 and Fox Sports would have to hire some intelligent, numerate people as commentators, and I’ve no idea where they’d find them.

Jeremy's next column will be about restructuring the Test championship. Comments welcome from those stirred up by Jeremy's proposal. Please feel free to let fly - & if you have difficulty logging comments on here, email me at cvwananda@gmail.com

In the meantime, next week we'll have a photo and commentary offering on the subject of the great Sachin Tendulkar from Marcus Couto (CCI) et al.

Copyright for main article Jeremy Gilling.
Ewen Chatfield pic 1st Test, Auckland, February 24, 1975 was reproduced on cricinfo www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/image/343409.html with permission from The Cricketer International.
Pic of Jeremy Gilling, not as brave as Chatfield but obviously a little worse for wear while not prepared to don his whites on a cycle trip in Vietnam about 30 years after Chatfield's close shave with death. No connection exists between the two photgraphs as far as I can see, except that Jeremy, as a young lad, must have admired Chatfield to describe himself comparatively.

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Cricket writer Sumit Mukherjee again - best buddies?

Sumit, who so kindly sent me word about the babe-in-blue pics, has a snapshot of his own he's allowing me to share with you all.
So, what did you say that set Sachin grinning, I asked him?
'Can I enrol for long-distance learning?'

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Sachin's Life Beyond Cricket

Can it be true? That Sachin has a life outside of cricket? Now we have evidence of at least some passing interests & adventures - as well as a devout attention to family & friends ...
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/babes_in_blue/ reveals several pleasing pastimes. Sent to us compliments of Sumit Mukherjee.

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...& spirituality, sacred blossoms and all.




It has crossed my mind though that the photo of the man in the blue Nike shirt with headphones, 5th pic from the top, is not actually Sachin. What do you think?
I guess you've also well & truly caught up with the news that Sachin has taken to twittering. You can join the thousands who are tuning in directly: a/c@sachin_rt
75,000 followers on the first day, I'm told! Many more are following now ...

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CONGRATULATIONS TO CHENNAI IN IPL FINAL VICTORY

“Sachin’s captaincy and leadership has been remarkable. … Overall, it has been a wonderful team effort.”

Mumbai Indians’ coach Robin Singh looks on the positive - quoted on the MI website following Chennai Super Kings' win over MI by 22 runs in the IPL final.

Pic from Mumbai Indians' website.

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MANY HAPPY RETURNS

Happy Birthday Sachin

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Both pics generously supplied to ESPN cricinfo by the IPL.

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I'm Back - & 'All is well'

'Where the bloody hell are you?' a few of my loyal blog readers have been asking. Not watching Michael Clarke in NZ, not giving you some info from my interview with Brett Lee as promised last time, nor even searching for Sachin.

Instead I've been in Sydney preparing for and then enduring a pacemaker operation under the special surgeon's hands of Dr Bruce Walker, a wizard. And feeling grateful to the universe for another chance at a healthy life.

So, to a current issue - and yes, I will get back to Brett Lee on Sachin Tendulkar sometime soon. First I want to canvas the question of whether any Australians of non-Indian origin would ever share - or even understand - the sacred status that Sachin holds in Indian society (even while made up as it is of many cultures & religions).

Midday ran a story this week on Marcus Couto, of CCI fame, and his brother, Ricky, a close friend of Sachin - and the way Sachin remains unaffected by fame, having recently greeted Marcus "with the same affection as he did as a schoolboy cricketer."

Marcus then came in for a bit of stick, in an email letter which criticised Sachin for, among other things, not having "grown up".

I would have ignored the correspondent's simplistic invective, but Marcus replied in a manner both measured and heartfelt, as you'll see below.

So what do you think? We treat our cricketers pretty rough, eh? None has achieved saint status - not even the great Donald Bradman, although 'Sir' was a clear mark of respect. Are Australians still tall poppy hackers inhabiting a godless land? Do you agree with Marcus or are you of a more sceptical mind?

Throughout the ages, mankind has been visited by rare individuals whose sole purpose is the spiritual upliftment of humanity. Jesus Christ was one of these visitors, as were Shakyamuni Buddha and Mohammed. These three are well known to us, but there are many others whose names we do not know; some taught publicly, and were known by a few, and others remained anonymous. These individuals were called by different names, at different times, in different countries. They have been referred to as: Ascended Masters, Avatar, Enlightened One, Savior, Messiah, Divine Mother, Messenger, Guru, Living Saint, and the like. They came to offer us what has been called: Enlightenment, Salvation, Realization, Liberation, or Awakening. The words used may be different, but in essence they all mean the same thing. Sachin to me is very close to all these.

If there are gods and idols for every thing specially in India, why not have a cricket God. Some great Cricketer already call him God.
I think, it would be too small an honour for him of Bharat Ratna. He should be given the title of Sir and if I had a dream and was given the power of the Pope at least I would have done on him living Canonization. I am aware this is bit too much to dream of but again it's my dream......and I shall be happy if it remains so.

Marcus

I know many Indians who thought of the philosopher, Jiddu Krishnamurti, as being as exceptional as Jesus Christ - yet the idea is laughable in a secular Australian context. Deeply-held beliefs may never be expressed while people engage in the inane utterances that social repartee demands yet lack of expression doesn't diminish one's faith. How sacred is Sachin, do you think?

(Reference to 'All is well' from 3 idiots. Photo credit to Midday & Pradeep Dhivar - pls inform me if I need authorisation to use this photo without payment so I can take it down immediately.)
Til next week, I hope.

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