Bangladesh vs England 1st Test Highlights

Day 4

Day 3

Day 2

Day 1

who will be the stars of the tournament? who will win the tournament? what is your IPL dream team?

Game 6 Rajastan Royals vs Delhi Daredevils

Delhi Daredevils 142 for 4 (Sehwag 75) beat Rajasthan Royals 141 for 6 (Jhunjhunwala 53*) by six wickets

Highlights of Earlier Games…

Game 5 Chennai Super Kings vs Deccan Chargers

Deccan Chargers 190 for 4 (Symonds 50, Gibbs 45) beat Chennai Super Kings 159 for 9 (Dhoni 42, Morkel 42*, Vaas 3-21) by 31 runs

Game 4 Kolkata Knight Riders vs Bangalore

Kolkata Knight Riders 136 for 3 (Tiwary 50, Hodge 50) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore 135 for 7 (Kallis 65*, Mathews 4-19) by seven wickets

Game 3 Kings XI Punjab vs Delhi Daredevils

Delhi Daredevils 146 for 5 (Gambhir 72, Manhas 30*, Sreesanth 2-24) beat Kings XI Punjab 142 for 9 (Bopara 56, Nannes 2-12, Maharoof 2-37) by five wickets

Kings XI Punjab Innings:

More Highlights

Delhi Innings:

Game 2 – Mumbai Indians vs Rajastan Royals

Mumbai Indians 212 for 6 (Rayudu 55, Tiwary 53, Mascarenhas 2-34) beat Rajasthan Royals 208 for 7 (Yusuf 100, Dogra 41, Malinga 2-22) by 4 runs

Game 1 – Deccan Chargers vs Kolkata Knight Riders

Kolkata Knight Riders 161 for 4 (Mathews 65*, Shah 58*, Vaas 2-22) beat Deccan Chargers 150 for 7 (Gilchrist 54, Langeveldt 2-26) by 11 runs

Kolkata Innings:

Deccan Innings:

Yusuf Pathan Records the 2nd Fastest IPL Century

Latest World Cricket Stories

• Bangladesh vs England Test Highlights
• Watch IPL Highlights 2010
• Watch Yusuf Pathan IPL Century Video
• Your IPL 3 Guide 2010
• New Zealand vs Australia ODI Highlights
• IPL Preview: The Lalit Modi Publicity Machine
• What is the Future of Cricket in Australia?
• Bangladesh vs England ODI Highlights
• The Reverse Sweep
• Luke Wright vs Shane Watson

Here’s your IPL 3 guide… Find out what has changed since South Africa last year. Discover all the essential information from scheduling, online broadcasting, security, the auction, potential stars, the pakistanis getting snubbed and much much more.

Schedule and Timing

Season three of the Indian Premier League begins on the 12^th of March and will continue until the final on the 25^th April. Each team plays each other home and away.  Games begin at 10.30GMT/16.00IST and 14.30 GMT/20.00 IST.  The top 4 teams after the league stage play each other in semi finals, 3^rd place play off and the final.  In total, 60 games of T20.

Online Broadcasting

IPL3 will be broadcast on YouTube, after the league and Google struck a deal to show all games.  The landmark agreement gives Google online rights for two years, with the video site showing the games free online around the globe.  Viewers will be able to customise their experience, with various camera angles, and the ability to freeze, pause and rewind play at any time.  While the action can potentially reach millions of computer screens, the feed in many areas will be delayed by a matter of minutes.

Security

Security was a topic of contention in the run up to the IPL, in a busy year for international sport hosted by India.  The hockey world cup, the IPL and the Commonwealth Games are being held, and have received threats from various parties warning of attacks.  The ‘313 Brigade’, a suspected arm of Al-Qaeda warned, all international competitors, in an email a threat subsequently dismissed English security expert Reg Dickason. His report raised question marks over the implementation of the security, with regard to the numerous teams and many venues of the tournament. Bal Thackeray, head of far right political party Shiv Sena ‘banned’ Australian player of all sports in light of recent attacks on Indian students in a move largely to garner publicity.  Thackeray has since withdrawn his ‘ban’.  And clashes in the state of Andhra Pradesh, over the bifurcation of the state have resulted in the movement of current champions Deccan Chargers away from their home of Hyderabad, relocating in Navi Mumbai and Cuttack.  The hockey world cup, now progressing into the semi finals has been completely clear of security issues, amid tight and competent measures.

Bargain of the Auction?

The latest auction for new players was held in mid-January, as Eoin Morgan signed for Royal Challengers Bangalore for $220,000.  He has been spotted practising his reverse sweeps in practice and promises to be an exciting prospect.

IPL 3 Hottest Property

Keiron Pollard is IPL3’s hottest property. When the Trinidadian was last up for auction in 2008, he failed to even attract the base price of $60,000. Since then, a successful season in Australia and blazing performances during Champions League in India caught the eye of potential bidders.  Four franchises each bid the maximum amount for Pollard, forcing a blind auction to secure his signature. He will line up for the Mumbai Indians, who paid the maximum $750,000 and will look for maximum value for money with his big hitting and awkward medium pace.

No Showcase of Pakistan Talent

The auction sparked a diplomatic row as not a single Pakistani player attracted a single bid.  None of the World Twenty20 champions including Shahid Afridi, Mohammed Amer, Umar Gul and Umar Akmal will feature in IPL3. Leading Pakistani politicians have regarded the ‘snub’ as a ‘humiliation’ as a Pakistani parliamentary delegation visit to India was cancelled and calls to boycott IPL3 have been expressed.  The Indian government has denied it had issued advice to franchises against the securing of Pakistani players for political reasons. Issues regarding the permission of visas were cited as reason the players were not snapped up however, question mark over the Indian public’s stance on Pakistan since the Mumbai terror attacks remain. However it must be noted that Pakistani swing legend Wasim Akram is on the staff at the Kolkata Knightriders as bowling coach.

Changes to the Rules

The 10 minute ‘tactical time-out’ ruling, held every 10 overs to aid ‘strategy’ that became a hindrance in IPL2 has been scrapped.  Leading players plus spectators complained at the ultimately interrupting measure, intended to maximise advertising space but publicised as a ‘tactical innovation’. Instead, teams can use a 2 ½ minute strategic timeout in IPL3; the bowling side between the 6^th and 8^th over, whilst the batting team can take their time out between the 11^th and 16^th over.   Broadcasters will similarly take full advantage of these breaks to fill with commercial messages.

Sporting Franchises

The MCC admitted an interest, whilst Manchester City were rumoured to be interested in one of two new franchises being offered for the 2011 season.  Each franchise had a base price of $225m and were available for urban centres currently without ‘IPL teams and associated ‘catchment areas’. Yet a requirement to submit a bank guarantee cheque of $100m to bid and a need for the company’s net worth to be over $1bn proved to be prohibitive and off putting to many potential investors.  The auction attracted just three bids, which were not opened, one of which was late and disregarded.  Since then, such unreasonable conditions have been relaxed and further bids encouraged.  Adani Enterprise, Jaypee Group and Sahara are expected to be prominent in the next round of bidding on the 21st March, whilst a super consortium of Khans: Saif Ali, Kareena and Karishma are expected to join forces with Videocon and the Panchshil Group to gain a franchise for Pune.  The process, widely regarded as a complete flop for it’s over ambitious and stringent clauses has caused many within the BCCI and the IPL governing council to speak out and criticise the process.  This could be the start of rifts arising and rivilaries emerging within the powers of the IPL not to mention two more teams and subsequently, a more jam-packed tournament.

Cricketing Franchises

The Rajasthan Royals, victors of the inaugural IPL season have joined forces with domestic outfits Cape Cobras, Trinidad and Tobago, and Hampshire.  Whilst Victoria are in negotiations and are expected to join shortly. All teams will play under the same ‘Royals 2020’ moniker and wear identical kit, share players and compete in a festival, expected to be held in July. Disregarding the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Lakers, Manchester United and others, the link up has been hailed as the ‘world’s first global sporting franchise’.  The influence and attraction of Indian franchises is strong, as Rajasthan previously negotiated with Middlesex and Leicestershire, the Delhi Daredevils are working with the South African Nashua Titans and the Kolkata Knightriders have expressed an interest in linking with and English county.

New Zealand vs Australia 5th ODI Highlights

New Zealand vs Australia 4th ODI Highlights

New Zealand vs Australia 3rd ODI Highlights

New Zealand vs Australia 2nd ODI Highlights

New Zealand vs Australia 1st ODI Highlights

5 Things to Know About Lalit Modi…

1. Lalit Kumar Modi is the Chairman and Commissioner of the Indian Premier League.
2. He is Sports Illustrated India’s 2^nd most influential person in Indian sport.
3. 16th in Time Magazine’s ‘Best Sports Executives in the World 2008′.
4. The man behind “the World’s Hottest Sports League” according to Forbes magazine.
5. He is also an avid Twitter user.

But do not confuse his ‘tweets’ with the other celebrity’s mundane mumblings – @LalitKModi is another of Modi’s tricks to generate hype around the revolutionary league!

During last year’s Champions League, the broadcaster ESPN Star commissioned a poll during a game asking, “Is Lalit Modi the saviour of Indian cricket?” A resounding 82% of the public participants voted ‘yes’ in agreement.  Modi is viewed as a hard-nosed and ruthless businessman, the ebulient face of the IPL and the pioneer of franchise cricket in one. And the output of his product, channelled through our television screens is carefully controlled for the most impressive impact, even interactive polls.

Again during the Champions League, Modi found himself quaffing drinks and chatting to dignitaries in the plush surroundings of the hospitality suites overlooking play.  In the midst of the action, darting between businessmen, administrators and politicians he was the man of the moment. And there just happened to be a camera nearby to capture such scenes.

At halftime, Modi strode out on the pitch, the supremo busy in dialogue with a gaggle of followers hot on his heels.  The camera was there again, relaying events.  After cutting a swath 20 or so yards onto the field of play, Modi turned round back into the comfort of the suites, much to the bemusement of the crowd expecting to see the great man do a lap of honour and greet the crowd.  Modi had little intention of inspecting the wicket, of touring the ground or waving to the masses.  He had got his shot for the TV audience.

This is the Lalit Modi who is trailed by a live camera to capture the moments of his existence-the businessman, always in action, always busy, always the man in demand.  Viewers of the IPL will be familiar with shots showing Modi tapping away at his laptop, speaking into a phone and simultaneously enjoying the spectacle, observing the odd delivery.  Finishing on one phone, an assistant would hand over yet another handset.  The producer would then cut to another camera just as Modi is handed his Blackberry, perhaps to update his Twitter.

‘Tweeting’ has been accepted as the de-facto method of communication between celebrities and their adoring fans. Lalit Modi uses his @LalitKModi account for exactly that, and more still.  No doubt with the help of an assistant, he replies to questions, messages of support plus abuse through Twitter, but he also uses the micro-blogging site as a means to announce, to make statements and express his own qualms with the world. By means of Twitter he can post what he wants, reply to whom he wants and portray himself and his ideas in the fashion he sees fit.  There are no awkward questions to dodge; they can simply be deleted in a click. It is Modi’s virtual press conference with a huge willing audience, literally at his fingertips.

Modi has already boycotted the Taj chain of hotels, mocked Ricky Ponting’s apprehension over security and blacklisted Chris Cairn’s involvement in the competition, all by Twitter.  By far the most controversial ‘Tweet’ was Modi’s declaration of 2010’s Champions League fixture dates, coinciding with the English season.  ‘Whats the IPL got to do with UK county championship?’ Modi nonchalantly replied when accused of disrespecting county cricket fans. He has not so much shown ‘disrespect’ for the counties, he just views them as a nonentity.  English cricket is barely an obstacle for Modi’s ambitions in new markets and reaching places cricket has never gained a foothold before. But do not be fooled that a love of the game is his motivation.  It is his capitalist spirit.

Modi recently said, with regards to new franchises in the IPL, in the pages The Times newspaper in the UK,  “There is a football club, a very famous football club in the UK, very interested in bidding. Probably one of the most famous football clubs-that is all I can say. Probably top three.  They are interested in taking a stake.” Immediately the speculation began, could it be Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester United?  Using his digital soapbox Modi Twittered, ruling out Chelsea, whilst Manchester United denied any involvement.  Assumptions were made about Manchester City, considering their owner’s Middle-east base and considerable wealth.  Modi knew it would cause a stir, it would guarantee more coverage, and generate debate among the football press and the coveted football market.

Modi’s hints, speculation and stirring gained further press, debate and coverage of the upcoming IPL3, as did the security situation and the failure to secure any Pakistani players, a constant flow of intrigue, debate, controversy and publicity. A ‘last minute’ deal with ITV to screen matches live in the UK depicts Modi as a hero for the UK’s cricket fans, and his confirmation of players arriving in India reassure his followers that they will indeed see their stars in India, with Modi the personal guarantor. And into the final week before the tournament, the emphasis is on building up the expectation of the spectacle.  Deepika Padukone, UB40, Lionel Richie and an ‘ABBA Revival’ are ‘tweeted’ as opening ceremony guests.

Modi did not save Indian cricket. Indian cricket did not need a saviour to rescue it from a time of non-existent peril.  Yet on the back of the 2007 T20 World Cup success Modi had the vision and foresight to synergise cricket, film, business and modern marketing to form India’s most comprehensive entertainment to date.  In doing so, creating the perfect mix for India’s consumer market, and the advertisers who target the burgeoning middle class. In mixing sport along with the ethos of global capitalism urging growth, expansion and diversification, Modi will surely take T20 cricket to the new followers, to the United States and beyond.

With Lalit Kumar Modi, the networker, ruthless businessman, the jolly face of the IPL, the promise maker and deliverer at the helm, there is only one way to keep informed. On his terms, @LalitKModi.

Latest World Cricket Stories

• Bangladesh vs England Test Highlights
• Watch IPL Highlights 2010
• Watch Yusuf Pathan IPL Century Video
• Your IPL 3 Guide 2010
• New Zealand vs Australia ODI Highlights
• IPL Preview: The Lalit Modi Publicity Machine
• What is the Future of Cricket in Australia?
• Bangladesh vs England ODI Highlights
• The Reverse Sweep
• Luke Wright vs Shane Watson

In Australia the game of cricket (the national game) has been thrown into a period of turbulence that precious few seem to know how to emerge from – most conspicuously, the game’s administrators. Much debate about the future of the game, if not the overwhelming majority, centres on the apparent demise of the 50-over game and the rise of T20, however amongst all this there is one factor that receives comparatively little attention. Here’s a clue – the same side always wins.

In the past many would’ve said that Australians are too one-eyed to grow tired of a winning team it, but not anymore. It simply can’t be ignored that a drop in interest towards cricket shown by the Australian public over the recent international summer was in inverse proportion to the performance of the Australian cricket team. At least when they’re playing on Australian shores, the more easily they win, the less we care. Quite simply, the game in this country has become a victim of the national teams’ success.

For Australian cricket fans, it seems you need to follow the team abroad if you want to get the blood pumping. And I must add here, thank you Scott Styris. Thank you for swatting Mitchell Johnson over the fence and then telling him that while his looks could easily place him on the set of Home and Away, so too could his one-dimensional character. After this summer’s results against the West Indies and Pakistan were as a predictable as a master chef contestant serving up steak and mash with a red wine jus, Styris’ show of defiance was just what Australian cricket fans needed.

But back to the drop off in interest in cricket played in Australia. It is my opinion that the decline in interest, both in terms of crowds at the gate and TV sets tuned in, is not something new but when viewed in a wider context, little more than an inevitability.

Looking at test cricket played in this country between 1993/94 and 2009/10, it doesn’t get much more one-sided. While South Africa won a three test series 2-1 in Australia in 2008/09, Australia had been nothing short of dominant for the fifteen years previous to this going back to 1993/94. In this time they didn’t lose a single series and only lost a total of ten tests out of 87 played. What’s more, there were 14 series in this period that were white-washes. Undoubtedly, no matter how good opposition individual performances were at times, such dominance becomes at best tiring and at worst downright nauseating.

Of course one-day cricket hasn’t been as one-sided, and while the game has clearly weathered badly from over exposure, nothing has over-cooked this goose more than the lack of competiveness of so many ‘contests’ (Australia’s recent one-day games against Pakistan and West Indies anyone?).

Stemming from this is not right to assume that it is not the form of the game that matters but the competitiveness of it? Play 15, 20, 30 or 50 overs, it doesn’t matter, as long as there are two teams on the field who are able to take it up to one another. In Australia, for too long teams have toured and been too ready to chuck in the towel comfortable in the knowledge that they’ll appease their fans and selectors when they return home to win a three test series against Sri Lanka. Woopie.

The glaring under performance of teams visiting Australian shores is one of the major issues in the game today and if let to continue the popularity of cricket in this country will continue to decrease, if not plummet.

While the shortened length of T20 evens out contests to some extent as flaws exposed in longer versions of the game remain hidden, surely what is needed is a wider blue-print for avoiding series white-washes like the two that just occurred in Australia. As the numbers tell you, people can’t and won’t keep expending the money or the the emotional energy every year hoping that David will knock-over Goliath.  A critical mass will be reached at some point.

We know that we can’t go on as is, however we hear precious little from Cricket Australia and the ICC and as such we sit and wait, all the while crying out desperately for regular competitive international cricket in Australia. And not just once every decade, but year-in year-out. But what is being done?

While the cricket world as a hole waits to see how the game will emerge from this period of turbulence  ― where suddenly all news is of global T20 franchises and the death of the one-day game ― the greater question of how to make international cricket competitive, at all levels, seems to have slipped from view.

For too long cricket administrators have done too little to redress this gross imbalance in the game. Sitting unseen in their ivory tower, eyes shut, it appears all they want is for the problems of the game to simply go away. If they continue in this vain the game will fade away ― in Australia it has already showed signs of doing so.

While T20 certainly is right in the middle of this, I believe that the seeds that caused this upheaval were not sown with the introduction on T20 cricket but long ago, when all seemed to be sailing along smoothly.

How Might We Change the Future of Cricket?

Latest World Cricket Stories

• Bangladesh vs England Test Highlights
• Watch IPL Highlights 2010
• Watch Yusuf Pathan IPL Century Video
• Your IPL 3 Guide 2010
• New Zealand vs Australia ODI Highlights
• IPL Preview: The Lalit Modi Publicity Machine
• What is the Future of Cricket in Australia?
• Bangladesh vs England ODI Highlights
• The Reverse Sweep
• Luke Wright vs Shane Watson

Bangladesh vs England 3rd ODI Highlights

Bangladesh vs England 2nd ODI Highlights

Bangladesh vs England 1st ODI Highlights

The Reverse Sweep is an irreverent round-up of the week that was in cricket. For further insight into this wonderful game of ours please visit my blog also entitled The Reverse Sweep, or follow me on Twitter @TheReverseSweep.

Have England developed a lucky streak?

Since Andy Flower and Andrew Strauss took the helm, most observers would agree that England have become a more resilient side as evidenced by the nine wickets down draws at Cardiff, Centurion and Cape Town. But have they also turned into a lucky side?

They’ve certainly needed some luck to win the first two ODIs with Bangladesh. In the first game none of the other Bangladesh batsmen had the nous to hang around whilst Tamim Iqbal was blasting away at the other end. And in the second game it took a wonderful hundred from Eoin Morgan and a poor decision by Shakib to bowl a seamer in the 49^th over.

Let’s be honest, England were also extremely fortunate to emerge with a draw in the test series with South Africa where they could have easily lost 3-1. Two washouts in the ODI series that preceded the tests also helped England win that series 2-1. And then of course there was the Ashes last summer. As Strauss put it himself “When we were bad, we were very bad. When we were good we were just good enough.” Strauss’ habit of winning important tosses (Lord’s, The Oval…) also helped as did England getting the better of the umpiring decisions.

So, it seems that England have developed resilience and luck in equal measure. All good sides need both, but can it continue all the way to the end of the Ashes return in Australia next winter?

Hooray for the Black Caps as finally someone gives the Aussies a run for their money?

Last week we prayed that New Zealand would finally give Australia some sort of a contest this winter after the pitiful attempts of Pakistan and the West Indies. Well we certainly got our wish in spades as the Black Caps won the second T20I and then followed that up by winning the first of five ODIs.

Brendon McCullum played one of his all too infrequent brilliant innings to register the second T20I century as New Zealand set the Aussies 215 for victory. Of course, the Australians refused to lie down and actually managed to equal the Kiwis total with Michael Clarke scoring uncharacteristically quickly and Cameron White going bananas. But in cricket’s equivalent of the penalty shootout it was Australia that emulated the England footballers by first scoring only six runs of their over and then Shaun Tait bowled two wides when it was the Black Caps turn to bat.

In the ODI, Scott Styris was the hero in another photo finish as the Black Caps chased down 276. So maybe Australia aren’t as good as I feared and not such a dead-cert for the World T20 in the Caribbean? I certainly hope so.

Was this the worst game ever of international cricket?

I had the misfortune of tuning in to the West Indies-Zimbabwe T20I last weekend. It has to be the worst game of cricket I’ve ever seen. For those that don’t know, Zimbabwe was all out for 105 after recovering from 0/3 after 16 balls. The West Indies then made 79/7 in reply with Dinesh Ramdin playing one of the strangest T20 innings you could ever expect to see (23 not out off 36 balls). If Pakistan had performed like the West Indies, their politicians would have been clamouring to announce the latest match-fixing allegation.

The only highlight of the game was the returning Sulieman Benn taking 4/6 from his four overs. Other than that the only point of note was that it was a good cure for insomniacs. I can hardly wait for the ODI series, which begins today.

John Howard – El Presidente

I don’t know quite what to make of the news that former Australian Prime Minister John Howard will be the next President of the ICC. It does seem a peculiar appointment as other than being a self-confessed cricket tragic, he has no actual experience within the sport. Sri Lankans particularly will be aghast following Howard’s previous accusations of Murali as a chucker. Afghanistan too will be concerned that Howard will block any attempts for their future entry to test cricket on security grounds.

Apparently Howard has been preparing hard for his new role, which is likely to involve some tough negotiations with the likes of Lalit Modi. Though by the looks of this his flipper needs a bit more work.

A big thank you to Eoin Morgan

Speaking to the esteemed Laurence Booth in the Daily Mail after his matchwinning century against Bangladesh, Eoin Morgan spoke of his love for The Reverse Sweep.

Now we’ve been banging the drum for a while now that the Irishman’s special talent merits an opportunity in the test side, so it is great to hear that the admiration is reciprocated. I can assure everyone that this mutual respect has not been consummated in the biblical sense and obviously is just a case of a good cricket writer (he says with a straight face) recognising the burgeoning talent of a player and vice versa.

Keep up the good work, Eoin and thank you for the shout. Rest assured that we will continue to keep the bandwagon rolling for your elevation to the test side. I bet fans of the Bangalore Royal Challengers are salivating at the prospect of Morgan playing in the IPL.

This week’s IPL update…

We’re only a week or so away from the start of IPL3 and the hype has been building as the big kick off nears. Security concerns are still at the fore, although it would seem that most of the Australians, South Africans and English players due to play are either there or on their way. Elsewhere, Lalit Modi has announced on Twitter that “we have signed IPL to be shown on ITV the biggest and best TV platform in the UK”, although I’m not sure that applies to ITV4.

Modi has also been pontificating on test cricket arguing for day-night tests because people no longer have the time to watch five day matches. He has a point, particularly when we look at India. Floodlit tests may not be required in England or Australia where crowds are good, but it warrants serious consideration on the sub-continent and even South Africa, where tests are frequently played out in eerie silence.

The Reverse Sweep list – A list of my cricketing heroes

As some of you will know, the brain behind Cricket With Balls has recently embarked on Cricket Sadist, which is described as “the cricket magazine for sadists and masochists, not tragics”.

Anyway, the first issue is due out on 1 April and I contributed a piece on Douglas Jardine, my all-time cricketing hero. So in order to promote the magazine and subsequently therefore ensure that my Jardine piece makes the cut, here is a list of my all-time cricketing heroes.

Douglas Jardine – You’ll have to read Cricket Sadist to find out why Jardine is at number one, if my article makes the cut that is….

Hedley Verity – England’s greatest ever spinner who tragically died prematurely as a hero in World War II. He took 7 wickets for 9 runs in what proved to be his last match for Yorkshire.

Donald Bradman – He may have been the scourge of England, but 99.94 mean no other words are necessary.

David Gower – My favourite player as a schoolboy. I even tried but failed to change my natural right handed style to be a left hander like him. And like me, also a David G.

Keith Miller – Not only a brilliant cricketer, but also a raconteur and notorious cad. What’s not to like?

Harold Larwood – Jardine’s main weapon in Australia in 1932/33 refused to apologise for Bodyline and never played for England again. I like people with strong principles.

Ian Botham – Great cricketer, crap commentator. But always a hero of mine simply because of 1981 when as a wide eyed nine year old I watched his historic feats at Headingley, Edgbaston and Old Trafford…

Viv Richards – The coolest cricketer ever? He even makes Chris Gayle look positively uncool.

W.G.Grace – Of all the many reasons to like Grace this is my favourite. When he was bowled once, first ball, he promptly picked up the bails and replaced them, repositioning himself to take the next ball. The umpire, not unnaturally, objected. “Don’t be silly,” said WG, and pointed to the crowd. “They’ve come to see me bat, not you umpire.” Magical.

Paul Collingwood – I know. But here I’ve picked the cricketer that reminds me most of my own batting ‘style’. Well the Brigadier Block version anyway.

That’s all for this week folks.

Read previous editions of The Reverse Sweep:

The Reverse Sweep – Issue 11

The Reverse Sweep – Issue 10

The Reverse Sweep – Issue 9

The Reverse Sweep – Issue 8

The Reverse Sweep – Issue 7

The Reverse Sweep – Issue 6

The Reverse Sweep – Issue 5

The Reverse Sweep – Issue 4

The Reverse Sweep – Issue 3

The Reverse Sweep – Issue 2

The Reverse Sweep – Issue 1

That’s what I tweeted yesterday when Luke Wright idiotically played across the line to a straight one from Shakib Al Hasan and was bowled in England’s nail-biting run chase against Bangladesh. Was I being fair? Well, with Eoin Morgan going great guns at the other end all Wright had to do was stay in and farm the strike and England would have won reasonably comfortably.

The similarity between the two is not just because they share a passing resemblance and dreadful hair. Like Watson before 2009, Wright has been given a lot of latitude by his country’s selectors with his actual performances not justifying his continued inclusion in the England T20 and ODI sides. His stats suggest that he is neither good enough with bat or ball to warrant what seems to have become an automatic place.

Let’s look at those stats. In ODIs he averages 21.75 with the bat and 46.36 with the ball. Whilst in T20I, it is 14.87 and 42.80 respectively. Given that he has played 30 ODIs and 18 T20Is, most people would argue that he has had enough opportunities. These stats are similar to his domestic limited overs averages, so should hardly cause a massive surprise. As such I was dumbfounded when he was elevated to the test squad for the South African tour and bemused when Flower and Strauss started talking up his chances of making the test XI, which fortunately he didn’t on that occasion.

Watson of course (much to the chagrin of this writer, who has taken an unfathomable dislike to the Aussie all-rounder), has lately repaid the faith shown in him by the Australian selectors (who now look like wise sages) and has shone in all forms of the game as a hardhitting opener. This seems to have given him the confidence with the ball where he has gone from gun-barrel straight to developing an ability to swing it both conventionally and reverse. His renaissance was confirmed with the recent award of the Allan Border medal as Australia’s outstanding performer of 2009.

To be fair to Watson his level of performance has increased in line with his fitness. Prior to the Edgbaston test last year, Watson’s injury record was so bad it made Andrew Flintoff’s look minor in comparison – one would have thought he was actually made of glass. Wright does not have that excuse as he has remained pretty much injury free, so I feel I am justified in labelling him the shit Shane Watson.

Can Wright emulate Watson, and go from an underperforming wastrel into an international class all-rounder in tests, ODIs and T20? Only time will tell, but this writer will join Shahid Afridi for a sumptuous feast of cricket balls if he does.

Latest World Cricket Stories

• Bangladesh vs England Test Highlights
• Watch IPL Highlights 2010
• Watch Yusuf Pathan IPL Century Video
• Your IPL 3 Guide 2010
• New Zealand vs Australia ODI Highlights
• IPL Preview: The Lalit Modi Publicity Machine
• What is the Future of Cricket in Australia?
• Bangladesh vs England ODI Highlights
• The Reverse Sweep
• Luke Wright vs Shane Watson