Showing posts with label Autralia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Autralia. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Historic Win for India

Today India beat Australia in second consecutive final (match for that matter) and took the trophy in final version of CB series. Sachin scored 117 Not Out chasing in first encounter and played valuable 91 in setting up the target in second match.

In second final Pravin Kumar took 4 wickets, all at crucial points. Later Irfan Pathan held his nerve (even when he was beaten badly earlier)to bowl last over. Its one thing to bowl dot balls , altogether different thing to pick up 2 wickets to wrap up the match. Cheers for Piyush Chawla for holding on 2 catches in such pressure cooker atmosphere.

It was a monumental win by few young men, lead by cool, smart and intelligent captain who seems to have taken captaincy like fish taking to water.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Tendlya

Sachin Tendulkar played one of the best innings (unbeaten 124) in recent memory to post a competitive 309/5 at stumps on Day 1 of fourth and final test. Even by his standards, this inning had everything. He got off the mark by driving Brett Lee for 4. He and Laxman set up a wonderful partnership of 126 at run rate of 4.

After tea in the final sesison, he changed his gears. The batsmanship that followed was exhibition of masterful strokemaking. He scored 69 runs in single session hitting spin duo of Clarke and Hogg at run a ball.

For those who care about stats, Sachin's average against Australia in Australia of batting in first innings is, hold your breath, 102.40.

But numbers dont always tell the story. His footwork, the way he came down the track to hit spinners, his placement and accuracy in it to put the shot where he wanted was amazing. As Sunil Gavaskar told him he looked like 'Tendlya' as Mumbai knows him.

There is little history to this beautiful Adelaide ground. This is homeground of Sir Don Bradman. Here itself Brian Lara scored 226 on his last appearance in Australia.And now our own Little master has made his first century at the Adelaide Oval.