The myriad WAR: The Ashes!

The British are known for preserving their culture. They have the history of dominance, the history of reigning the world, the history of being the best. One more history they posses, and that is, the game of Cricket. This history has one important chapter, very important; The Ashes. The Ashes is itself a sub-history of cricket battles between two top rivalries, England and Australia. Every cricket lover knows the fundamental of the Ashes. These two teams consider regaining and retaining the ashes as the prestigious battle. The teams disperse and excel, players’ career gets deteriorated or sets on track by the results of this battle.

This ashes journey has provided many players, records, new tactics, and strategies to tackle with the best players of opposition. The thread for England starts from Jack Hobbs, Dennis Compton, Douglas Jordan, Larwood, Fred Trueman, Bob Willlis and extends to Botham, Gooch, Gatting, Atherton, Caddick, Freddie, Vaughn, Cook. Australia’s list starts from Sir Don Bradman, Miller, Richie Benaud, Lillie, Thomson, Border, to the legendary players like Steve Waugh, Ponting, Macgrath, Warne, Hayden, Brett Lee. Such is the importance of this chapter; some of the series have been named after the highlight or notable performance of players. e.g. The Body-Line Series, The Botham Series, The 2005 Series.

History tells that Australia has been the dominant side to control the ashes. But in the recent past, England, with its classical cricket, has outplayed Australia on its home turf as well as their backyard. In the last series, 2011-Australia, we all have seen the gutsy performance of England and frustrated, desperate attempt by Australia. The Victorians were, of course, the England side. This time too, the odds are favoring England. England batting has been performing with solidity, with the Cooks, the Bells, the Trotts, being the genuine test match players, have the capacity to play inexorably with consistency.

The new lad Joe Root has also shown his class during the series, in India. Under the crisis situation, Matt Prior is the man who has saved England more often than not. Under the typical English swinging condition, Anderson, Finn, Stuart Broad could prove lethal. The spell from Anderson in the Melbourne match back in 2011, in Australia, was exemplary, where he showed how to use new ball to get batsmen out with swing and seam movement.

Australia’s current “grahadasha” is only worsening its prospect to think about regaining the Ashes. Considering the recent performances, Australia’s batting looks feeble. It is nowhere near the mighty line-up that used to control the game all the time. Clarke, Watson, Cowen, Warner have to buckle down with the intent to match with the class of the Englishmen. If any chance Australia could create, that would be from their bowling unit. Siddle, Johnson, Pattinson, Starch, the big hearted performance from this foursome can give Australia a glimmer of hope. Nevertheless, it’s a real pleasure to watch the war of test match between two classical and “ancient” sides. The battles would be won by one team or the other, but the fire would be long lasting, the ashes would be ever burning, the war would be myriad!!

Ritesh R Kadam
9011020015

Numero Uno!

"Woh sikandar hi dosto kehlata hai, Haari baaji ko jeetana jise aata hai…" Keeping this song in mind I, and if I am not wrong, every cricket follower stayed awake till 1:00am with the fear of six and hope of dot ball. When the later came true, the surge of happiness flew in our blood and the sense of gratification was enthralling. The vociferous celebration by the team including Dhoni, who is seldom seen pouring his expressions, was indication of the real achievement. Being in a state of positive mind and keeping faith on the available ability helped fight against the adverse situation. That is what Indian Cricket Team showed.

Off the field:

A lot was being talked when Dhoni did not utter a word on the then burning issue of IPL Entertainment Fixing (it is better to name it 'entertainment' only than calling 'cricket'). Speculations were on the high as he was associated with the franchisee whose relative was relishing the bet on his own team. He was being treated as scapegoat for not expressing any views. Many were expressing that he should at least say few lines, the news-starved media was leading this race. Dhoni was aware with the fact, a few lines could be turned into an essay by the media surfing for a 'breaking news', and that could hamper the preparation, distract the players and ultimately halt the team’s prospect. Wisdom lies in silence, keeping it in the mind, Dhoni, with his troops had landed on “the Queen’s land". The alien condition; (the word famously used by Ian Chappel) damp weather, cold waves, moving deliveries, bowler-friendly pitches under which we had lost all the matches during last encounter with the British, had stuck to the tail of the adverse scenario.

The run towards the Championship:

We look at cricket as hedonism, so we were optimistic that Indian team would do well. In most of the ICC events, we relied on the performance of other teams to proceed ahead, but this time we were steps ahead from other participants and marched to the throne, with final battle engaged with The Queen’s Eleven. The reds were preying the blues from all the corners under the worst condition they had faced till date. Ganguly had commented, if India wanted to protect this total, they had to get all ten Englishmen. It looked bleak at 20 runs required in 16 balls with still 6 Englishmen to follow. Under this predicament situation, only faith and motivation of the leader could have helped to transcend. Yes, we had these two with which we managed to transcend and grabbed the throne of championship.

The Stay at the wicket:

For any team to maintain the tag of champions, its top five batsmen need to be consistent in their innings. Under this current lot, Shikhar Dhawan, Kohli, Dhoni, Karthik, and Raina look settled. Rohit, well praised by the cricket greats for his batting style, needs to curb his casual approach. I still feel Yuvraj, Gambhir, and Sehwag would be needed to strengthen the batting. Our bowling unit is progressing nicely to form a reliable attack; just need to sharpen the axe. Sir Jadeja is performing a lot better, at least, for the current period. We have lifted the champions trophy from the United Kingdom, Dhoni needs to keep his kingdom united, if we are to reign for a long period and stay Numero Uno.

Ritesh Kadam
9011020015