Finals

Wimbledon: Its all about winning the title for 4th time. Federer won Wimbledon championship beating Nadal. It was worth watching match. Federer, the emperor was at his best winning the first set 6-0. Nadal looked worried. He was lost in his world. He did not come up untill he won a break point in the second set. But Federer did not let his focus go down. He won the second set, 7-6 easily in the tie break(7-5). The third set went in a similar method. Federer serving 13 aces,over 30 unreturned services was sure of winning the title. But in third set tie break Nadal played well to clinch the set. In the fourth set Federer proved why he is so difficult to play with. He finished 6-0 7-6 6-7 6-3.Federer wore his jacket on the pocket three cups were already there. He was happy to tell he would add one more on that pocket.

World Cup : At the begining of the world cup very few had imagined that Italy would reach finals and win the cup. I am a great fan of Brazil, Germany, Argentina but never of France. When my favos got off the tournament, I wished Italy would win the Cup because they deserved it. Many feel it was wrong that Italy got a penalty against Australia. In that case I feel it was neither good France got their first goal in the finals through the penalty. In the 7th minute Zizu scored a goal for France by a penalty shot. He was lucky or say France was lucky to get that converted into a goal. But Italy dominated the rest of the game. The 19′ haeder goal by Matterazzi was awesome.His powerful header left the keeper helpless. In the 36′Totti does a superb header which hits the bar. In a free kick at the 77′ Pirlo’s kick misses by inch. Again Italy were unlucky. At the 14′ of extra time Buffon stops a good header by zizu. Zizu gets wild 6 minutes after that. Even now I wonder what made him act like that. He got a red card for his wild act. He finishes his career in a bad manner. It was great disappointment to see that. Finally at the penalty shoot out Azzurri won 5-3 to lift the Cup.

Brazil and Spain share the FIFA fair play award. Golden boot was awarded to Klose scoring 5 goals(which is the least since many years). Buffon, the cool keeper of Italy got Lev Yashin award which is awarded for the best goal keeper. He had not allowed anyone to score untill finals unless his own team mate Zaccardo(self goal) He deserves the award as his saves were very valuable. Zizu gets golden ball for his great performance throughout the world cup.

Wc,Wim,Windies tour…..

Foot ball fever is all around again. At the semis stage of the world cup, many expected and favos getting knocked is certainly a new sign in the game. Starting from the so called world number 1 team,Brazil. It was more than a disappointment to them. Being the last wc for Ronaldo he could not do much. He was far unable to shut the mouths who pointed out him to be unfit to play. He was almost playing as before but his sharpness was not with him. Roberto Carlos annouces retirement. Brazil was strongest on papers, but were unlucky also did play to their fame. Czech Republic and Netherlands exit without much sound. Czech gets humiliating knock from Ghana. Netherlands looses to Portugal. England failed to do good. Lampard, Rooney fail to play their best. Rooney was also given red card against Portugal. Beckham resigns from captaincy. Argentina looses the game in an undeserved manner.Riquelme, Crespo were sustituted well before. No Saviola, no Messi. They had shown symbols for fighting till last but Germans played well at the shootout. All the above teams are one in top ten teams of the world. I don’t want to say much about France. Zidane, Henry and Vieira are the only players to play in that team. They had to go out before last 16 but were very lucky to reach semis. Italy get into semis unexpected. Germany and Portugal deserve to be in the finals, according to me. Lets wait and watch whats next.

Wimbeldon: As before Roger Federer is at his best. His match against Henman was eye-catching. He proved why he is called emperor. Andy Roddick exits at round 3. Sad about Aggasi. He meets Nadal and departs. He gives a emotional speech about his last wimbeldon. What a return from him! Ferrero goes out. Roger Federer, Marcos Baghdatis, Lleyton Hewitt,Rafael Nadal, Radek Stepanek and others proceed from 4th round.

West Indies tour: India wins the last test and also the series. It creates history by winning a test series in WI after 35 long years. Also first test series win outside India after 20 years. I consider Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble being the resposibility for this victory. In India cricket is the game given most importance. Dravid scores: 49,62 in first test.146 in 2nd, 22, 68 in 3rd and 81, 68 in the last test. When all the bats failed it was Dravid The Wall stood without a crack. Not to forget other good performance by Laxman and Jaffer. Kumble took 22 wickets, also batted with high confidence. Great performance by him.

Dhoni rules

Mahi started off as a footballer. He played football for couple of years then changed to cricket in school. He managed to get into the Under 16 and the Under 19s district level.In 1999-2000 he made his debut in the Ranji Trophy. In 2000-2001 he played in the Duleep Trophy, Deodhar Trophy,In  the domestic competitions he was very consistent. His consistency and lack of good wicket keeper who can bat well gave him the entry in the Indian cricket team.

India from past did not have a good wicket keeper who can also bat well. Only few countries have such wk. Adam Gilchrist (Australia) has one of the best wk in the world who can bat well. Other than that Kumar Sangakkara(Srilanka), Kamran Akmal(Pakistan) have nowadays started similar kind of era.

But Dhoni is different from all of them. Unlike others he does not open the innings but still has a very good strike rate and average, say one of the best till date. He is ranked no.1 in ICC ratings for batsmen. His style is different from others. His knack of hitting sixes is awesome especially the ones over extra covers off both fast bowlers and spinners. He has played 42 matches, 38 innings in which he has hit 44 -6s. One 6 per match. he has finished 3 matches by hitting 6, say he is good at finishing. He is also a good runner between wickets. Recently in the 2nd match in Abu Dhabi he introduced a shot: Hitting behind the wicket just beside the wicket keeper which the commentator named as 'Dhoni sweep'. He is a hard hitter. Its a record to score 1000 runs in very less number of matches. He scored them in just 30 matches. However he has the ability to score runs faster.In previous tour to Pakistan he and Yuvraj finished a matched in which throughout they were in RR of over 8. But he did not panic. His average against Pak is more than 200!! Few months before in the Ranji Plate Semi finals against Haryana, Jharkand were chasing a big total of over 500 runs , which had two bowlers who played for India- Joginder Sharma and Amit Mishra. Jharkand’s top order collapsed. He smashed 109 off 75 balls.In Duleep finals a few years back one hour left for the end of day, he smashed 60 off just 47 balls. 

Now he is ruling. World's no.1 batsmen. Hope he maintains the position. 

Note: Dhoni and Akmal have played equal no. of matches and innings. 

All time great match:SA Vs Aus

It was on a fine sunday that a historic match was going on between South Africa and Australia. I did not watch the beggining of 2nd innings. I went out with my friend to 4th block. There in a tv we saw the match and as everyone must have thought we decided that 434 is a big score to chase and SA would loose the match. But when I reached home,Gibbs and Smith were well placed. But still could not predict who would win. Later it was Boucher, Johan van der Wath and the tailenders who really helped SA to blow 438 runs. Boucher played a patience tested batting. Van der wath thrashed 35 off 18 balls(1×4,3×6).

In first innings Gilchrist(55), Ponting(164) and Hussey(81) helped Aus to reach 434 easily, scoring 134 runs in last ten overs. As usual starting fire was put on by Gilchrist. Ponting played as he had in WC final (it was the same pitch) punishing all the bowlers for good balls too. Hussey played well too.

Even though the total seemed impossible to be chased Smith did not panic. You could have seen him taking singles and he did took calculated risks only when he felt it was necessary to. Then all credit goes to Gibbs.It was a superb knock from him. Boucher played nicely.He did not panic either eventhough at one side wickets kept on falling. Totally it is a all time great match.

“I’m sure everybody here today had one of the greatest days of their lives,It was a great game of cricket.” Australian captain Ricky Ponting said at the aftermatch presentation.

Ponting and Gibbs were jointly awarded man of the match but Ponting declined it, saying Gibbs deserved the honour alone.

“We played really well and got an unbelievably big total but Herschelle and the boys have just been too good,Herschelle deserves it (the man of the match award) more than me after making 175 and being on the winning team.” said Ponting.

“It’s huge,” said Smith. “We have got to come back down to earth. We’re all over the moon and want to savour the moment.”

I saw the match highlights and took time to post this…..

Kumble 500 Wickets

We congratulate Steve Harmison on being the 500th victim for Anil Kumble who is from Bangalore,Karnataka.

This was what I saw on Sunday in front of a shop in Jayanagar 4th block. Anil has made all of us proud by taking 500 wickets.He is the first Indian bowler to take 500 wickets. He is only the third spin bowler to achive this, however he is the fifth bowler in world to do this. Kumble is not well known for his spin but for his intelligence while bowling.His weapons are variations of pace, trajectory, perfect length. He will be the most effective bowler even after bowling the maximum overs. He has the ability to keep the batsmen thinking. Not to forget his hard work his ability of attacking the opponents even if he is not well.

When one manages to bowl 14 overs, with a broken jaw, despite doctor’s advice to not do so, you know that that someone is more committed to his cricket, than his life itself. That, in a line sums up Anil Kumble, probably one of the greatest leg-spinners of all-time.

This was what I read recently in net,but I dont remember where!!!

Check out Anil Kumble’s Stat.

No Warne next World cup

Shane Warne in an interview with Fox Sports said: “At this stage, I’m retired. I’m 37 later this year and I think I know my game pretty well. I know I can’t bowl for hours in the nets like I used to because when I wake-up I won’t be able to move the next day.”

This was not a shock for all but a mere disappointment to his fans. Do look at his career records. Its very impressive but he is aged. He turns 37 on September 13th. He is gifted with a unique way of turning the ball. When I first saw his bowling action I did not believe his effortless but powerful spin. I always enjoyed to watch Warne bowling to Sachin. Now would surely miss it…..

L Balaji

Baliji,one of the hot favourite when he was included in the Indian cricket team for Pakistan tour has been forgotten…. He had gained a fabulous fame. His fame is just in few cricket lovers memory.Whenever he walked into the pitch whether with a ball or bat in his hand,the voices from the stands showed a reflection of his talent.His charming smile was also very popular.

Hey where has he gone now??? He was pushed out of the team and they gave safe reason saying he was injured. Was he really dropped due to injury?? No doubt the bowlers are doing good job in the present tour, but there is always a necessity of a good right arm bowler as all the three pace bowlers included in the team are left arm bowlers.

However I was moved by reading an article about him at Cricinfo. Read it and tell me what do you feel about it…