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Doug Bracewell’s Test performances have been much better than his first-class ones so far. And his tough and disciplined upbringing should help him stay at the highest level

Andrew Alderson17-Dec-2011There is nothing accidental about Douglas Andrew John Bracewell’s rise to prominence in New Zealand cricket. The son of former Test player, now coach, Brendon, the 21-year-old has been immersed in the game since he could lift a bat and roll his arm over. He has three uncles – John, Mark, and his namesake Doug – who played the game at the first-class level, and a cousin, Michael, doing the same. Yet recent evidence suggests Doug is capable of standing on the shoulders of such giants, notably his 9 for 60 in Hobart to help New Zealand win their first Test against Australia in more than 18 years – even if the farcical public mobile-phone voting system failed to award him Man of the Match.Most of the world may not have seen Bracewell brewing as a future New Zealand cricketer. It seems an age since he made his first-class debut for Central Districts in 2008. He has probably been fortunate to be selected, given he isn’t centrally contracted and his first-class bowling record – 46 wickets at an average of 40.65 in 18 matches – in no way compares to the 16 wickets at 19.25 he has amassed in three Tests, which includes two of his three first-class five-wicket hauls.However, Bracewell is a case of New Zealand coach John Wright applying intuition and reaping the benefits of selecting an instinctive competitor over rivals who stack up better statistically.Bracewell grew up having to be physically and mentally tough to survive. His father ran the original Bracewell academy at Te Puna, just out of the Bay of Plenty city of Tauranga (he now runs a similar concept in Napier). Boys aged 10 to 13 would come in over the summer to train. Former Test cricketer Chris Kuggeleijn used to help Brendon with the camp.”It was pretty hard-case,” Kuggeleijn senior reflects. “They’d run 2km or so up to what was known as ‘Get Hard Park’, near the Te Puna rugby grounds. They’d run up hills, sprint and do shuttle runs from the 22-metre mark [on the rugby fields] to the goal line. I think the camp motto was loosely along the lines of: ‘Drop him off a kid, he’ll come back a man’.”It was an environment where you fended for yourself. You slept in bunks, and we always had a barbecue at night with meat, spuds and maybe the odd vegetable. However, you got no milk with your cereal in the morning if you’d bowled too much down leg side the previous day. There was plenty of fun too, like when Brendon would bring out a speed-ball radar for competitions.”

“What you see is what you get with Doug. He does not overcomplicate matters. He bowls a good length, a heavy ball, and keeps things simple. It’s no surprise seeing him succeed”Bracewell’s Central Districts’ coach Alan Hunt

It was not the most politically correct of camps. “It was about instilling discipline,” Kuggeleijn says. “We’d have rugby on the lawn after the cricketing day was done, and I remember Doug and Scott getting into a minor scrap. They had a choice: no ‘Test cricket’ the next day or take a light whack on the arse with a plastic stump in front of everyone. It was nothing drastic. Both dads – me and Brendon – gave each of them a paddle and we all got on with it. I don’t think it did anyone any harm.”Kuggeleijn remembers Bracewell as one of the bigger kids in his year, who “ruled the roost” – which probably came back to haunt him at the private Rathkeale College, where, New Zealand’s reported, he was expelled for attacking sleeping boarders in a dormitory in June 2007. The matter was referred to Youth Aid by the Masterton police but not taken to court.However, Central Districts coach Alan Hunt says Bracewell has been excellent to mentor. “What you see is what you get with Doug. He does not overcomplicate matters. He bowls a good length, a heavy ball, and keeps things simple. It’s no surprise seeing him succeed.”He enjoys life like any young man, but he’s not silly. Doug’s got the Bracewell hardness but he doesn’t say much on the field. He doesn’t get too emotional and he’s not much of a sledger. He just bowls. Doug’s quite worldly-wise and mature. His dad’s been an influence as a firm taskmaster. It’s almost made him 21 going on 31.”New Zealand allrounder Jacob Oram has played with Bracewell at Central Districts since the young bowler’s domestic debut, and led him on the odd occasion. He reiterates the “uncomplicated” theme.”He goes about his business and doesn’t talk or complain a lot; just head down, bum up. You can give him an old or a new ball, tell him to bowl anything from a yorker to a bouncer and he does it.”Hunt accepts he won’t have Bracewell available for the rest of the summer other than in the HRV Cup Twenty20 competition, starting December 18. However, he’s disappointed Bracewell doesn’t have a central contract with NZC. It means Central Districts picks up his salary tab.”I felt he should have been contracted to NZC straight away. It would have allowed us to contract another player. In the past they would have put him on an elevated contract, like Jamie How and James Franklin last summer, but that is not an option with the current budgetary constraints.”Oram says Bracewell is among those rare players who has a better record in Tests than at the first-class level. “I think it comes from having more opportunities to bowl and bat in a Black Caps environment, where he can immerse himself in cricket. He has good instincts and we’ll see more out of him. He’s a bigger talent with the bat than we’ve seen, although there was a glimpse against Australia A, when he made 73 not out off 79 balls. He can play off both feet. He’s suited to No. 8 or No. 9 at the moment, but could eventually sneak into No. 7 as a genuine allrounder.”

Pakistan’s new coach is optimistic about his side climbing the rankings, and making sure the best XI is picked for every format no matter what

Interview by Umar Farooq10-May-2012You were considered the strongest candidate by the Pakistan board. Did you need much convincing or were you always keen?
I had always privately harboured a strong desire to return to international cricket since my last international appointment with Bangladesh [2007]. I went down the path to some degree with the BCCI on two occasions, and once with the PCB, with no joy.I spoke to Wasim Akram, and he played a part to put me through. Thankfully, I was successful on this occasion after discovering a mutual desire from both sides.What attracted you to Pakistan?
It is obviously a high-profile role, being that there are only ten Full Member teams offering the opportunity to coach and manage players over an extended period for 12 months of the year, which is in contrast to the role I was fulfilling at the Kolkata Knight Riders. There is no beginning and ending of the season. It’s a continuous process.I relish the challenge of succeeding in an environment where, perhaps, others have not, and to apply my own particular strengths and style to a very capable set of players.You were in line for a similar role with Pakistan in 2007, but it didn’t work out. How disappointed were you at that time?
Very disappointed. I considered myself the strongest candidate at the time, compared to the other applicants. However, somebody upstairs was definitely looking out for me, as it turned out. That’s the way it’s in life. You can’t always get what you want, and life very often isn’t fair.History shows that that particular period for Pakistan cricket was a fairly troubled one, and in retrospect I am glad that decisions went the way they did. I can honestly say I feel that I am in exactly the right place here today.Was your resignation from the Knight Riders linked to the Pakistan job?
The short answer is yes, and as I mentioned previously, I believe I am exactly where I am supposed to be right now and I am very happy doing what I am doing. In an ideal world I would have started a little sooner, however. Through no fault of my own, I had to endure two months of uncertainty prior to finally signing on March 1.You were born in Sri Lanka, played for Australia, and coached mainly in Asia. Is it that you are more comfortable coaching and living in Asia or are there simply more opportunities to coach in this region?
Yes, you are right, I am very comfortable coaching and living in this region. I am, after all, a product of this region. I was educated in Australia and I played my cricket there, but I still feel a very strong connection to the subcontinent.At one stage there was a possibility that I would be involved with Cricket Australia’s Centre of Excellence, but as it turned out, there was a timing problem and I was unable to have an interview due to the lack of a suitable panel. Ravi Shastri, who was the chairman of the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy at that time, quickly secured my services, and off I went to Bangalore instead.How challenging is it to work in a different culture?
Working in the subcontinent provides its own unique set of challenges to any coach who takes a role within the region. There are a lot of people who are quick to offer advice on virtually any topic, whether they have experience or expertise or not. This is okay when it is merely a comment, but when it proves too big a distraction, it can become detrimental to a team’s performance. That being said, getting more consistency is high on my list of priorities. All the great teams throughout history have excelled in this area, and I firmly believe that without it a team cannot truly achieve the results it is capable of.What do Pakistan need to be No. 1?
Generally speaking, teams that rise to the top of the rankings tend to perform consistently over an extended period and tend to win series by bigger margins. More wins and wider margins are obviously crucial when it comes to rankings.

“To play at this level you have to have a high level of technical ability, that is true. However, I think it’s widely accepted that the real battle at this level is a mental one. Most of these guys know how to play lots of shots but the real test is when to play them, and more importantly, when not to”

Simply put, we have to win more games more often, and where we have the opportunities to create wider margins, we need to capitalise on them, not fritter them away. That is nothing more than consistency in performance to occupy No. 1 and 2 – that is what I am aiming for.What is more important when working with Pakistan cricketers – technical aspects or mental ones?
To play at this level you have to have a high level of technical ability, that is true. However, I think it’s widely accepted that the real battle at this level is a mental one. Most of these guys know how to play lots of shots, but the real test is when to play them, and more importantly, when not to.You have to have a good understanding of the game, and being able to think properly and execute properly is very important. Consistency starts with each individual being responsible for their own performance and accepting that they play an integral part in the overall result.Pakistan are currently in a transition period, with a lot of youngsters being tested in every format. Do you feel they are heading in the right direction?
When the team changes at any point, it’s really the selectors who make those decisions. Big debates are currently going on regarding using players suited to each separate format, but I think time will tell which way the selectors finally go.The bottom line is: you need to pick the best XI, no matter what format you are playing. If that happens to contain the same personnel for each format, so be it. But if there are players that excel in a particular format and not in another, it makes sense to pick the strongest team possible.I feel Pakistan has a wide range of very talented cricketers, some are suited to play all three formats, some are suited to only one format. We will have to see how things progress.How will you ensure you get the best out of the team?
Every player understands that to get the results we need consistency. But more importantly that each player has to contribute to the process. Each player has to take responsibility for their own contribution.There will be days where, despite getting good contributions from many players, we still lose. I believe that if a team gets contributions from the majority of the players, be it with the bat, the ball or in the field, that team tends to come out on top.
We cannot guarantee that we going to win every game we play, but at the end of the day my job is to help the players achieve as close to their maximum potential as possible. And if we can do this, we will win far more games than we lose.Do you think Misbah-ul-Haq fits in every format of the game?
Ultimately it’s the selectors who will decide whether Misbah is selected for any particular format, but I don’t think anybody can dispute that he brings incredible leadership qualities to the party. The players definitely respond to him in a positive way and that can be seen in recent results.But, as with any selection, it will be about what he contributes to the team. He certainly wants to play all formats of the game. He is fit enough and working extremely hard, but at the end of the day it’s a team game. We need to do what is best for the team and it’s up the selectors to pick the combination. It’s not only Misbah but about every player.Do you agree that Pakistan rely mainly on their bowling, and that it’s only on rare occasions that their batting achieves a victory?
To be honest, I am not sure I agree with that statement. If you ask me, we have strength and ability in all departments. What we need to ensure is that the players are achieving their potential and playing the very best cricket possible. If we do that, we will be successful.Yes, the ability to chase scores has not been so good and we obviously can improve in a range of areas, but there is no doubt in my mind that we have an extremely talented batting line-up. We have to ensure that they all make a contribution.”Consistency starts with each individual being responsible for their own performance and accepting that they play an integral part in the overall result”•AFPCriticism in Pakistan can often be without cricket logic. Does that bother you?
I totally agree. I understand there is a huge interest in cricket in Pakistan, and the country is made up of different states [provinces], each of which will have differing views and interpretations about Pakistan cricket and how it should be played, coached or managed.My philosophy is to control the controllable. I cannot control what people say about the team, the players or me. What I can control is my contribution to each player, the team and the Pakistan nation as a whole. As long as I am doing the very best I can, I sleep well at night and leave the rumour-mongering and whispering to others.You are not part of the selection panel. Is that good or a bad thing?
Yes, I do not have a vote in selection. However, it’s a two-way street and I do give my comments and views to the selectors. I can honestly say I have a great rapport with all the selectors, including the chief selector. They appreciate my input, as they have to know what I am thinking with regard to overall strategy, and I too listen to what they think.The key is definitely communication, and we try to speak on a regular basis to avoid the gap so that we are all on the same page. Moving forward, as long as we are able to pick the best XI for those conditions or format, we will get positive results.

Ancient sculptures, national parks, and plenty more to see when you come to Hambantota

Dinesh Chandimal19-Aug-2012Hambantota is a long journey from my home, now in Colombo, and is also very different from the capital. It’s usually hot. The climate is dry compared to the more humid parts of Sri Lanka, and the region is still quiet and calm, not far from the wild sandy beaches of Tangalle on the southeast coast. The national parks of Bundala and Yala, which people visit to see leopards and elephants, are nearby as well.The region was hit hard by the tsunami, but visiting the central town of Hambantota now is a bit like taking a look into Sri Lanka’s future. The new cricket stadium is just one part of the new developments aimed at building Hambantota as a new second city to Colombo – with a new port and an international airport on the way. A new branch of a highway is being built to run from Colombo to Hambantota, which I am looking forward to, because it will cut down on our travelling time for matches. Hambantota is a place for Sri Lanka’s future.I will never forget the first time I travelled from my childhood home on the west coast as a ten-year-old for the famous Kataragama festival. People from all religions, across Sri Lanka, travel to the temple there to celebrate and worship together with prayers and dancing. It’s certainly a fun and special experience. Visit the sacred Kataragama jungle shrine, if you get the chance. You’ll also get to see the famous Maligawila Buddha statue and the Buduruwagala ancient rock sculptures nearby.A must try for visitors is the very good local yoghurt with honey.Hambantota doesn’t have too many hotels, so sometimes the Sri Lanka team stays in smaller hotels in the surrounding areas. To a visitor to the Hambantota region, I would recommend trips to the historical town of Tissa. You’ll see lotus-filled lakes, paddy fields, large and temples.It’s also a great place for wildlife lovers. The Buttala foothills are known for some of the best national parks in the country, especially Udawalawe, a great place to see wild elephants, which sometimes even wander outside the park. You can also visit the elephant orphanage there.The stadium in Hambantota opened only last year for the 2011 World Cup. The ground is very large, still brand new, and set in a wild, open landscape outside the town. The view from high up in the stands, looking down at the cricket and the scenery outside, is fantastic.

Plays of the Day on the opening day of the second Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo

Andrew Fernando at P Sara Oval25-Nov-2012The howlerDRS wasn’t missed in the first Test, but it would have saved Brendon McCullum in the fourth over of the day when he was given out lbw off Shaminda Eranga. Eranga had been firing it into the pads, and though McCullum defended down the wrong line to one that moved in a touch, he got a thick inside edge on the pads and was adjudged lbw. He stared at the umpire, muttering expletives, before punching his bat in frustration as he exited the field.The near-missRoss Taylor’s good luck in the first hour of his innings went some way to negating the misfortune of McCullum’s dismissal, as he edged several times before reaching the 30s. He had edged Eranga over the slips twice in one over – once just evading the tips of Angelo Mathew’s fingers – but his closest call came off Mathews a few overs later. Taylor went back to defend the ball, but Mathews got it to jag back at him, and the Taylor’s inside edge just evaded the stumps on its way to the fence.The physics-defying bailLate in the second session Mahela Jayawardene dived at short midwicket to intercept a Taylor drive, and the ball deflected towards Thilan Samaraweera at short mid-on, who picked up the ball and shied at the stumps, seeing Taylor out of his crease. The ball hit the off stump, causing it to rattle visibly, but the bail stayed firmly in place, leaving Samaraweera to stare dumbfounded at the furniture. Tillakaratne Dilshan jogged to the offending wickets at the end of the over and lifted the bail, just to make sure it wasn’t glued on.The shotTaylor shelved his brute power strokes during his century, and perhaps nothing epitomised this better than the boundary he hit to sign off on day one. Nuwan Kulasekara was bowling with the second new ball, and he went full, searching unsuccessfully for swing. Taylor’s drive was more off a checked push, but he had timed it beautifully and the ball sped past the bowler and to the straight boundary, all along the ground. Mid-off barely moved, except to retrieve the ball from the boundary.

Stats highlights from the third day’s play of the first Test in Chennai

Madhusudhan Ramakrishnan24-Feb-2013MS Dhoni is just 27 runs short of the record for the highest score by a wicketkeeper•BCCI

• MS Dhoni’s 206 is his sixth Test century and highest score surpassing his previous best of 148 against Pakistan in Faisalabad in 2006. It is also his first century against Australia. Dhoni’s knock is also the highest individual score by an Indian wicketkeeper surpassing Budhi Kunderan’s 192 against England in 1964 (also scored in Chennai). Four of the top six individual scores by Indian wicketkeepers have been made by Dhoni. The 206 is also the second-highest score by a wicketkeeper in Tests against Australia (highest for India). The highest is 210 by Taslim Arif in 1980. Dhoni is only 27 runs short of going past Andy Flower’s record for the highest score by a wicketkeeper (232).
• Dhoni’s 206 is now joint-fifth on the list of highest individual scores by Indian batsmen against Australia. The highest is VVS Laxman’s 281 in Kolkata in 2001. India have now scored seven double-centuries against Australia in Tests since 2000. England are a distant second, with three double-hundreds.
• Dhoni scored 106 of his 206 runs against spinners, His scoring rate against the spinners was 6.23 (106 off 102 balls). He was most severe against Nathan Lyon, scoring 91 off just 73 balls at a scoring rate of 7.47. Against the pace bowlers, he scored 100 runs off 141 balls (run-rate 4.25). Dhoni scored 101 runs on the off-side (32 runs behind square) with 12 fours and two sixes. On the leg-side, Dhoni scored just 31 runs behind square but hit 74 runs in front of square including seven fours and three sixes. Off Nathan Lyon, who proved the most expensive, Dhoni scored 57 runs on the leg-side and 34 on the off-side.
• The 206 is also the highest score by an Indian captain against Australia surpassing Mohammad Azharuddin’s 163 in Kolkata in 1998. Among Indian captains with 2000-plus runs, Dhoni has the third-highest average (45.20) behind those of Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar. Dhoni also became the seventh wicketkeeper to go past the 4000-run mark in Tests. His average is the third-highest in the group behind those of Andy Flower and Adam Gilchrist.
• Dhoni’s strike rate of 84.77 is the fourth-highest for an Indian batsman against Australia (100-plus scores). The highest is K Srikkanth’s strike rate of 99.14 in Sydney in 1986. His strike rate is the fifth-highest for an Indian batsman for a 200-plus score. Virender Sehwag holds the top four spots on this list. The number of sixes hit by Dhoni (5) is joint-second on the list of most sixes hit by an Indian batsman in an innings against Australia. The highest is six sixes by Ravi Shastri in Mumbai in 1986.
• The 109-run stand between Dhoni and Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the eighth ninth-wicket century stand for India and their first against Australia. It is also the first century ninth-wicket stand for India since the 143-run stand between Sunil Gavaskar and Syed Kirmani against West Indies in 1983. The partnership is also the eighth century stand for the ninth wicket in Tests against Australia and the first since the 180-run stand between JP Duminy and Dale Steyn in Melbourne in 2008.
• Virat Kohli’s century is his fourth in Tests and second against Australia. He has now scored 998 runs at an average of 41.58.
• The 128-run stand between Dhoni and Kohli is the fourth-highest fifth-wicket stand in Tests played in Chennai. The highest is the 169-run partnership between Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar against Australia in 2001. For the fifth time overall and the first time against Australia, an Indian innings featured four partnerships in excess of 90.
• Lyon conceded 182 runs off his 40 overs (economy rate 4.55) while picking up three wickets. The economy rate is the second-highest for an Australia bowler in Tests since 1990 (min 40 overs in an innings). Jason Krejza has the highest economy rate (4.90) during his bowling performance of 8 for 215 against India in Nagpur in 2008.
• India’s total of 515 is their 13th 500-plus score against Australia (second in Chennai). On the previous occasion they scored 500 against Australia in Chennai (2001), India won by two wickets. No team has lost after gaining a 100-plus lead in Tests in Chennai, Click here.for a list of defeats (after gaining the lead) for teams at the venue batting second and here for a list when teams have lost (after gaining the lead) batting first.

Just as Mad Max struck his own path through the Australian outback, Graham Thorpe was a bastion of consistency in the quagmire of batting collapses

Peter Miller25-Feb-2013England cricket in the 1990s was like a dystopian wasteland where all hope was brief and quickly extinguished. Every small victory or brief period of success was soon eclipsed by ineptitude of the type that the Sydney Thunder would be embarrassed to be involved in. All out for 46 against the West Indies in 1994, losing the Ashes eight times in a row and becoming the worst side in the world after a disastrous Test series against New Zealand in 1999.We often hurt those that we love the most, and the England cricket team left lots of scars on their fans in the 1990s. In among all this torment and horror, there was one man that offered us hope. Just as Mad Max struck his own path through the Australian outback, Graham Thorpe was a bastion of consistency in the quagmire of batting collapses, dropped catches and bowling ineptitude. He started his Test career with a hundred, he finished with 66*. In between, he was solid in defence and exciting to watch when he attacked.Carrying so much expectation was not easy for him, and when he decided to miss the tour of South Africa in the winter of 1999/2000 for personal reasons I was willing to do just about anything to get him to change his mind (and I mean anything). When his marriage fell apart in 2002 leading to further absences from the side I was devastated. I was the only person angrier with Mrs Thorpe than her husband.When he returned to the side in August of 2003 he made us realise what we were missing. Sitting in a stand at the Vauxhall End of the Oval I watched Thorpe struggle and scratch around for hard-fought runs. As any Test match fan will tell you, there are no runs better than ugly runs. When a batsman stays in through sheer bloody-mindedness, it is a true joy to behold.At the other end Marcus Trescothick was scoring a belligerent and faultless double hundred, of which I remember very little. I didn’t care about anything but Thorpe scoring a comeback hundred on his home ground. Once Thorpe was on a roll there was no stopping him and the pulls in front of square and the elegant cover drives came back.When he pushed the ball into the covers for two to get to three figures, I ended up spilling my beer over the man in front of me as I jumped to my feet to celebrate. Neither of us cared, because our Graham had come back to us.In the lead up to England’s 2005 Ashes victory Thorpe was an important part of the middle order that gave some consistency to England’s batting at last, but he wasn’t there when the ultimate prize came. He was discarded for a young South African with a blonde streak in his hair and an inflated sense of his own worth. As Ian Bell struggled his way to a series average of 17.10 with his only real contribution being that he was an excellent target for Shane Warne’s sledges, I couldn’t help but wonder if the wrong player had made way for KP’s inevitable arrival.In another example of the ECB admitting that no one can tour with England full time, Thorpe has now been appointed as England’s one-day batting coach after successful stints in Australia, county cricket and with the England Lions. I am delighted that he is back in the England set up, and I hope his experience of the highs and lows of the life of an international cricketer will act as an excellent guide for the youngsters new to the highest level.He has already been credited with helping in the development of Joe Root who has been immediately successful in England colours. Perhaps he can also guide James Taylor and Ravi Bopara to fulfilling their undoubted potential. What Thorpe brings as a coach is a wealth of experience and a real understanding of the technique. He has been spoken of in reverential terms by all those he has coached.On his appointment as England lead batting coach to work with promising youngsters in 2010, ECB Performance Director Dave Parsons said; “He was very impressive this winter when he worked with England Lions in the UAE earlier this year and both the players and management team held him in extremely high regard.”The resting and rotation of international cricketers and coaches is set to become the norm over the next few years, so it is little surprise that Graham Gooch has ceded this responsibility to someone else. That said I have little doubt that Thorpe will continue to impress in his new role.

He knows what being humiliated in the Ashes feels likes so James Anderson wants to show no mercy in this series to avenge the whitewash of 2006-07

George Dobell 23-Jul-2013It has come to something when an England player is asked if he feels sympathy for an Australian opponent. But so relentless are the misfortunes afflicting the Australian team that one of the architects of their downfall, James Anderson, was asked just that.On one hand it is understandable. Not only have the current Australian squad suffered poor results, they have seen their leading fast bowler withdraw through injury and the coach with whom they started the tour sacked and instigate legal action against their employer. And, all the time, it has become increasingly obvious they are confronted with a superior opponent. With eight more Tests looming between these teams before mid-January, there is a fear that things could turn ugly.But, unsurprisingly, Anderson was pitiless. A member of the England side humiliated 5-0 in the Ashes series of 2006-07 – one of the lowest ebbs in England’s Test history – Anderson has experienced the downside of a life in professional sport and knows that, if the boot was on the other foot, it would not stop kicking.”I don’t really feel any sympathy, to be honest,” Anderson said. “Our job is to win games of cricket. We want to win the series 5-0 and we will be doing everything we can in each game to win.”Memories like losing 5-0 have helped us since then. It’s not a great place for a team to be, being on the end of one of those defeats, so everything we focus on is trying to win every game and hopefully if we keep doing that we will be in a good position at the end of the series.”The bad news for Australia is that Anderson feels that England are yet to play at their best. Their failure to finish off the Australian tail – 10th-wicket partnerships have currently accounted for nearly 30% of the runs Australia have scored in the series – and some fragility in England’s top order – they were 28 for 3 and 30 for 3 in each innings at Lord’s – should ensure there is no complacency and means several players go into the third Test with plenty to prove.Anderson also insisted that, even if England went 3-0 or even 4-0 up over the next few weeks, he would resent being rested from an Ashes Test.”We are happy with the cricket we are playing,” Anderson said. “But there are improvements we can make. We were 30 for 3 in both innings at Lord’s and we have not been perfect with the ball, either. Those 10th-wicket stands are a pain in the backside really and we want to end them.”At the same time when we have been in tough positions we have been able to get out of them so that is positive and there have been some great individual performances as well. That is put to one side now. We have to concentrate on Old Trafford.”

“Cricket is huge in the north of England and I hate Headingley so it is good to play a Test at Old Trafford.”James Anderson on going back to his home ground

Playing a Test at Old Trafford will be special for Anderson. He has only played three Tests on his home ground and was part of the delegation who lobbied for the club to be given planning permission despite a succession of challenges and is delighted to see Ashes cricket returned to Manchester.”It will be lovely to play at Old Trafford,” Anderson said. “It has been eight years since the ground had an Ashes Test so it is very exciting and I am looking forward to it.”Cricket is huge in the north of England and I hate Headingley so it is good to play a Test at Old Trafford. There is so much history at the ground and it was in need of a lick of paint, so I think it is going to be an amazing atmosphere. It looks fantastic. There was a genuine threat to its future. If they didn’t have the money they couldn’t have afforded to do it up and it was looking a bit aged I guess.”Anderson, who was speaking at a Jaguar promotion day, is not convinced that the gap between the England and Australia teams is as big as some are suggesting. He admits that England have, at times, found it hard to gain breakthroughs with the ball, but they have retained their composure, stuck to their plans and, ultimately, won rewards for their efforts.”We knew it was going to be difficult and we’ve found it hard at times, but we have always managed to stay calm,” he said. “We have put a lot of pressure on them with the ball and that is all we can concentrate on. The rest is out of our hands. We just have to try to maintain the pressure we put them under.”We’ve bowled very well and they have had partnerships in both games, but I think we’ve just stuck to our task really well. We’ve had good plans and executed them really well so far and not really let them get away from us and that is crucial to maintain going forward.”James Anderson was test driving the new Jaguar XFR-S. For more information visit www.jaguar.com

The loss of the Pune Warriors franchise will hurt the BCCI financially. But in a volatile market, an eight-team IPL may work in the board’s favour

Amol Karhadkar30-Oct-2013The BCCI’s decision to pull the plug on Pune Warriors, the IPL’s most expensive franchise, after its protracted stand-off with Sahara India Pariwar will doubtless affect the board’s revenues but an eight-team tournament could also have some positives for it.At the moment, the BCCI is “highly unlikely” to replace Sahara with a new owner for the Pune franchise, as they did with the Hyderabad franchise ahead of IPL 2013. Officials believe the eight-team concept, which was the original plan for the IPL, would work better given the current volatile market. Those in the BCCI who have been involved with the IPL since its inception feel the fewer matches in an eight-team league – 60 matches as against 74 last season – will mean fewer afternoon games. This, in turn, will mean more evening games, with their higher eyeball quotient, and will also allow players more time to recover between matches.There’s no getting away, though, from the fact that the BCCI’s revenues – and surplus, as a result – will dip with the reduction in number of teams. The BCCI’s revenues from the IPL had already dipped from Rs 9.56 billion in 2011-12 to Rs 8.92 billion in 2012-13, according to its 2012-13 annual report. Ravi Savant, the board treasurer when the report was finalised, had attributed the dip primarily to the dip in annual franchise fees – from Rs 6.13 billion to Rs 4.6 billion.Deduct Rs 1.7 billion, Sahara’s annual franchise fees, and the BCCI’s revenues for 2013-14 will reduce substantially. In fact, Sahara’s annual fee was more than the combined fees of five existing teams – Delhi Daredevils (Rs 336 million, approx), Kolkata Knight Riders (Rs 300 million, approx), Chennai Super Kings (Rs 364 million, approx), Kings XI Punjab (Rs 304 million, approx) and Rajasthan Royals (Rs 268 million, approx).The IPL sponsorship revenue, which had fallen from Rs 1.92 billion in 2011-12 to Rs 1.8 billion in 2012-13, will come down further with 14 fewer matches next season. Income from media rights – primarily from the broadcaster Multi Screen Media – is linked to the number of matches played every year and that too is expected to fall. All of this will affect the board, and there is no doubt the BCCI’s actual surplus for 2013-14 will be much lesser than the budgeted Rs 3.89 billion in the annual report.The BCCI taking a hit will filter down to its affiliated units, since 70% of the IPL’s surplus is distributed among the board’s 27 full members. The franchises, on the other hand, will not be as affected by Sahara’s termination. The revised number of matches means MSM’s annual broadcaster fees, which form a major chunk of the central income pool for IPL, will also be reduced on a pro-rata basis. According to the IPL rules, 60% of central income is distributed equally among all the IPL teams. And with only eight teams sharing the total income instead of nine, each team will get that bit more. In addition, franchises’ operating costs will be reduced to some extent because of fewer matches.Industry experts feel that the loss in revenue from Sahara’s exit will not affect the IPL’s brand value. “It’s a simplistic calculation. The loss is not a bigger multiple than the value,” says Harish Bijoor, a Bangalore-based brand strategy consultant. “Pune had not established itself as a brand. It was essentially a start-up, so I don’t think the reduction in revenue will actually be more than what the actual value is. Had Royal Challengers Bangalore or Kolkata Knight Riders been removed, the actual loss would have been much more than the current figure; not so with Pune.”Hiren Pandit, a veteran of the media planning and buying industry, feels the BCCI will be prepared to take a financial hit for now. “They don’t need to add a team this year since the full auction that is slated to be held before the 2014 IPL will create enough hype about the event. However, the BCCI has to make up for the losses at some point and the only option to do that is by adding teams, which I think they will do two years down the line.”Pandit also believes that the market will welcome the reduction in afternoon games: “From the TV’s perspective, it will be healthier since there will be higher viewership. Anyone paying money (to the broadcaster) for catching more eyeballs will be happy. So except for the BCCI losing money, I don’t think it (Sahara’s exit) will have any significant impact.”Bijoor sums up the whole issue quite well. “I don’t think the market will be really bothered about the BCCI’s loss in revenue or profits. And anyway, for the BCCI, it’s a small amount,” he says.

RP Singh’s image has suffered since he played a brief and forgettable part in India’s infamous 2011 England tour. Leaner and back in rhythm, the Uttar Pradesh left-armer looks to change public perceptions once again

Nagraj Gollapudi in Bangalore07-Jan-2014RP Singh. Unfit. A talent stalled. A fast bowler gone astray. MS Dhoni’s favourite pick. These are some of the immediate conclusions everyone, not just critics and the media, drew as soon as RP’s name comes up. At some point in the past RP did struggle to find his rhythm, his pace and lost his place in the Indian team.But that was RP in 2011, the last time he played for India, during the tour of England when he was rushed from a vacation in the US after Dhoni told the selectors he wanted a left-arm seamer in place of the injured Zaheer Khan.As a replacement RP did not make many more headlines. He then missed the entire domestic season last year, sidelined by a knee injury. At 25, RP was still young, but he had just played 14 Tests and fewer ODIs than Ravindra Jadeja, who had made his limited-overs international debut four years after him. He was a dangerous bowler in the IPL at times, but RP could not translate that into his performances in first-class cricket.Surely those questions would have clouded his mind during his lengthy wait. This week RP has the opportunity to change those widely held perceptions about him as he leads Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji quarterfinals against favourites Karnataka.The UP selectors decided to put RP in charge instead of Piyush Chawla, under whom the team managed just two outright victories during the eight-round league stage. The fact that RP did not play in UP’s final two group matches did not matter to the selectors, because they had seen enough of him in the first six rounds, in which he took 21 wickets including a five-for in his final match in Kolkata against Bengal.The extra responsibility might just bring out the best from RP. It will give RP, one of UP’s senior-most players, more onus to provide direction to the team.”There is a bhook (hunger) inside him, since he has not played the last two matches, and this match is important for him. I feel he has been bowling with good rhythm and strength and am positive he will take wickets,” says Ashish Winston Zaidi, the former UP fast bowler and captain and currently the team’s manager.A fast bowler is hungry to take wickets every match and Zaidi says he has seen that killer instinct in RP. According to Zaidi, RP has the aura and experience to handle the players and different match situations, which could prove important during knockout matches.As a bowler RP’s biggest strength remains his ability to swing the ball both ways. He is not Mitchell Johnson but his accuracy, when he is in rhythm, can pose batsmen awkward questions. Zaidi provides the example of RP’s spell against Baroda in early November at Moti Baug Stadium, on a pitch where the ball was turning square and bouncing unevenly. Only eight wickets fell to fast bowlers, and RP got six of them.”They had prepared a completely spin-friendly track but he managed to swing the ball in to the right-handers and surprised the batsmen. I remember this guy who left the ball and was bowled,” Zaidi says.During the training session today RP wore an effervescent smile as he conversed with coach Venkatesh Prasad. RP did not bowl at full pelt, but kept his focus more on hitting the right length, which Prasad reckons is a warning sign for Karnataka over the next five days. “The moment he bends his back he hits an outstanding length and it is extremely difficult to play that length. The ball that comes back in to the right-handed batsmen is lethal and that is what I told him today,” Prasad says.The pitch in Bangalore has a greenish tinge, but the grass was being shaved by late afternoon. The bounce is likely to be good, but batsmen should enjoy themselves as the pitch dries. Prasad is not worried because he says he has seen RP extracting movement out of a virtually dead surface in Rajkot against Saurashtra, in a drawn match that produced 1000-plus runs. “It was absolutely flat. We made a plan to bowl short and have a leg slip and short leg and attack. RP executed that superbly,” Prasad says. “On such a track he was getting the ball to bounce and move. He could not get the wickets but still the effort was outstanding.”Time away from work perhaps prevented RP from getting disillusioned and encouraged him to work on his consistency. “It is frustrating to sit out when others are playing,” Prasad says. “But he took that in his stride, worked hard on his fitness and that is why he looks leaner this season.”Prasad believes RP is still one of the best left-arm seamers in the country. Zaidi, meanwhile, is confident RP will wear India colours again. It now remains for RP to go and make the headlines this week without feeling the pressure of those expectations.

Forty-two years old, and more than two decades into a journeyman career, Pravin Tambe is living the dream on the big stage

Nagraj Gollapudi28-May-2014For the first five years of the IPL, Pravin Tambe was the liaison manager for teams at the DY Patil Sports Academy ground, where he has worked since 2004. His kids would push him to get them autographs of their favourite players, and his friends would pester him to get them a picture with Sachin Tendulkar.He kept a notebook handy for the autographs. “But I would feel uncomfortable, because if a player refused I would get hurt,” Tambe says. “I am a touchy guy and tear up if people hurt me.” As for Tendulkar, Tambe did manage to get his friends pictures, but he said he could not utter a word in the batsman’s presence.Five years on, Tambe is the one signing autographs. He finished on top of the wickets table in last year’s Champions League T20. And in the current IPL season he has been Rajasthan Royals’ leading wicket-taker, with 15 at a strike rate of 19.6. He and team-mate Shane Watson are the only bowlers to have taken hat-tricks this season.Tambe’s success has gained the attention it has largely because of his age. Most people can’t believe a 42-year-old can find a role in a tournament and format designed for twentysomethings. Tambe has earned his place by taking wickets, tightening the screws in the middle overs, and being one of Royals’ go-to bowlers.Like the story of offspinner Nathan Lyon, who went on to play for Australia after working as a groundsman at Adelaide Oval, Tambe’s is a tale not written overnight, filled with two decades of hard work and passion.

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It has been 15 years since Tambe married his wife, Vaishali. When they got engaged, he made it clear to her that cricket was his passion. She supported him, but last year, before he was picked for Royals, she questioned his commitment.”We were watching TV after I returned from training,” Tambe says. “She suddenly burst out, asking how many more years I was going to carry on playing, and why didn’t I do something big. She hadn’t said anything like that before.” After he came home from the 2013 IPL, she said: “So you do accomplish what you say you will.”Tambe started playing club cricket in the 1995-96 season with Parsee Cyclists in the D division in Mumbai’s domestic league. He then moved to Parsee Gymkhana in the B division and finally to the top league when he joined Shivaji Park Gymkhana, one of the city’s oldest and most illustrious clubs, one that has produced many Mumbai and India stalwarts.In the course of his time in the game Tambe has bowled against all kinds of batsmen – the illustrious, the industrious, and mavericks. He started out as a medium-pace bowler and lower-order batsman in tennis-ball cricket, where he originally made his name, including in the once-prestigious Matchless tournament.Once, when playing for Orient Shipping in the Thosar Shield, his captain, Ajay Kadam, sensing the pitch was slow, asked if Tambe would try bowling spin, since he used to put some revs on his slower delivery.

“I was the highest wicket-taker in CLT20 and many did ask me to raise my base price to Rs 30 lakhs ($51,000 approx). But more than money, I wanted to play. My fear was: what if no franchise bought me?”

“The advantage of playing in [Take them on].” That gives me a lot of confidence.”Could this be his last IPL? “I don’t think so, because I don’t feel tired. I just want to play on.”Tambe knows his story is now a motivation for others to not give up on their dreams. Youngsters at the club where he coaches used to sulk when they were not selected for Under-16 and U-19 tournaments. “Now whenever a guy gets dropped he tells me he will get picked next time.”Ian Bishop, the former West Indies fast bowler who now commentates in the IPL, points out that Tambe has been successful because he plays every day like it’s his last match. That could be true, because Tambe is past the point of looking at his performances as a ladder to take him to bigger, better things. For him the joy of playing cricket alongside great, good and normal cricketers is his biggest dream achieved.People often ask him about how he managed his transformation. “I only tell them that if you love the game then continue playing. Don’t bother about where you will end up.”