The Googly

Allen Stanford: "Twenty20 could be bigger that football"

Allen Stanford is a very clever man, or at least I assume he is, as you don't become a multi-billionnaire if you have the brains of a Kookaburra bat.  However, he has said some things today that make me question his intelligence, if not his sanity.

Take this one, for example, "I'm hugely impressed by their [ECB] organisational capacity." He said that without laughing, by the way.  He then followed it with this purler: "Twenty20 has the potential to be the most popular team sport in the whole world in maybe less than 10 years."  Eh?

Far be it from me to question a man as successful as he is, but is he serious?  Twenty20 is still cricket, no matter how you commercialise it, and given that only a handful of ex-British Empire countries are really in any way interested in it I find his prediction doubtful.  And by doubtful, I mean bordering on bonkers.  But he's a visionary is Allen, and he may very well prove me wrong.  Do you think he will?

Does anyone really care about the Indian Premier League?

The auction is over, players have been bought for stupid amounts of money, the world's media have reported it and now... well, who cares?

A pointless tournament will take place at some point in the future, but who is going to be watching?  Do we really care that Adam Gilchrist is playing for Hyderabad for example?  In the US, the all-star games are a novelty that people watch but have absolutely no regard for the result. I for one cannot help thinking that this tournament is of the same ilk.

Maybe I am being too harsh.  What are your views on the IPL?  Are you going to watch?  Do you care who Andrew Symonds or MS Dhoni are playing for?

New Zealand vs England Second Twenty20 International - The Key Moment

New Zealand is a much weakened team without their captain, best batsman and best bowler, but they still need to be put away and England gave the Kiwis a right shoeing in a polished display.

After an excellent start (I'll say that again, an excellent start - 70 runs in total from your openers is worth a lot more than it sounds when it comes off 43 balls), England suffered a traditional collapse losing four wickets in 15 balls. The Trumpet sat back expecting England to consolidate by pushing singles with a view to scoring at 4-5 runs per over before a late slog. But no - the next four overs brought 7, 5, 13 and 12 runs as Shah and Colly stayed on the attack and maintained a strike rate of almost 10 per over. The game's key moment had passed and England were in the box seat.

Why were England able to keep attacking? The Trumpet puts it down to a late middle order comprising Dimi, Swanny and Broad - two all-rounders and a bowler who bats. That cushion assured Colly that another wicket would not spell disaster so the run rate could be maintained. Such is the value of late order batting, even if they don't get to the crease. Ah, but the bowling suffers, I hear the naysayers cry. It does, but when a captain can bring to bear second innings scoreboard pressure, the batsmen get themselves out. Let's keep the formula for the ODIs.

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty]

If it's not broke...

Sharper eyed readers will have noted that our picture shows a cricket trophy being celebrated and no Australians to be seen. Whether this observation has anything to do with suggestions emerging from the Australian Cricketers Association (as reported by Cricinfo) to "improve" T20, can only be conjecture - maybe they had been at the tinnies.

But don't take my word for it - join me over the jump to read them and weep.

"Four stumps instead of three." Ludicrous - you don't even do that in the playground.

"Free hit for batsman's first ball." One off the mark, Sir?

"Five overs limit for bowlers who take a wicket." Possibly, but cricket is complex enough.

"Supersub." Job creation scheme that doesn't work.

"Hand-held TVs for umpires." A solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

"Shorts to be worn." Why?

"Nicknames on shirts." No - T20 is inclusive.

But at least the players do support on-field microphones and interviews for batsmen straight after dismissal. Anything that breaks down barriers between players and fans in T20 has to be right.

What do Googlyers think?

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty]

Whither Twenty20?

Perhaps only cricket could be quite so seized with anxiety over what must rank as the most successful launch of a new sports format in living memory - it's better than beach volleyball FFS! Twenty20 has jumped from astonishingly successful England-based novelty to astonishingly successful world sport in four years and nobody seems to know what will happen next, as Lawrence Booth points out at GU.

Fears seem to be concentrated in two related areas: (i) T20 will impinge on already packed cricket calendars, burn the players out or worst of all, reduce Test cricket to a sideshow; and (ii) the money T20 generates will pull in new Packers who will destroy cricket as we know it. A more minor fear is that T20 will promote "bad habits", though that only seems to apply to batting. The Trumpet doesn't believe that any of these fears is well founded if (and it's a big if) cricket is well led. Test cricket is strong enough to fight its own corner (unlike ODIs for which the writing is on the wall) and money is always useful, if not always used well.

The future for T20 already looks big, but here's one little word that could make even Stanford's and the BCCI's millions look like small change - China.

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty]   

Twenty20 World Cup - The Team of the Tournament

At the end of an exhilarating fortnight of Twenty20 cricket that was everything the moribund ICC World Cup wasn't, The Googly picks its team of the tournament. Before you go over the jump, here's a little secret - no England players made the cut.

1. Matthew Hayden - Written off as a Test player only to return; written off as a Limited Overs player only to return. The man is a marvel and we should salute an All-Time Great in all forms of the game.

2. Chris Gayle - Will anyone ever again play an innings like the one that set the tone for the tournament?

3. Shoaib Malik (Captain) - Handled the Shoaib Akhtar crisis firmly, played beautifully and led his team to within five runs of the Title.

4. Justin Kemp - Defines the bullying South African style as much as his captain: but dominates bowlers, not team-mates.

5. Yuvraj Singh - All that potential at last being realised. Could be the springboard to greatness and the end of Ganguly.

6. MS Dhoni - Delivered every element of his brief. Silenced the doubters (including this one).

7. Misbah-ul-Haq - Who? Geoff Lawson knew who, and was bold enough to say so. Pakistan's Hussey.

8. Shahid Afridi - "Boom Boom" boomed more with the ball than with the bat, but if you were in the playground and playing T20, he'd be first pick.

9. Umar Gul - Most wickets in the fortnight at less than a run a ball, showing that T20 bowling is about discipline and imagination.

10. Stuart Clark - Hit the deck hard and bowled with (wait for it) McGrath-like accuracy.

11. RP Singh - At times swingingly unplayable, the young man bowled as his captain bats and was rewarded for it.

What do Googlyers think?

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty]

ICC World Twenty20 - Villain of the day: BBC TV

It has been clear almost from its inception that the British public love T20 cricket. Lord's has been sold out for a non-ODI Final domestic match for the first time in living memory, counties were building temporary stands to cope with demand and all the marketing surveys showed that "the product worked".

The ICC Twenty20 World Championship could have gone as badly as Paul Collingwood's evening on the tiles, but once Steve Elworthy announced the ticketing policy (to ensure good to full houses) and the rain stayed off, the only question was the size of the ICC's success.

So with T20 a banker and ITV are locked into the Rugby World Cup, where was BBC TV? No live coverage (understandable with Sky in the mix) but no highlights package either? No doubt there will be suits to argue that budgets were committed etc, but The Trumpet has argued before that BBC TV hates cricket and there can be no firmer evidence of that view than its ignoring this glorious carnival for all but 15 second news clips. Resourceful fans of India and Pakistan will get to see their heroes today somehow, but like me, they'll wonder why they pay the licence fee at all.

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image:  Getty]

ICC World Twenty20 - Hero of the Final: Everyone

Let me start by saying that seldom have I enjoyed a cricket match that I have not been physically present at as much as today's ICC Twenty20 Final. Then I must say that not choosing one individual as today's Hero is not a cop-out: it's a genuine reflection on both the match and the tournament. There were just so many contenders that it has proved impossible to pick a singe individual.

I toyed with going for the ICC - and there's a first - but they, and especially Steve Ellworthy the organiser in South Africa - have put on a top-notch show. Everyone has praised this competition: sensible ticket-pricing and allocations ensured full crowds at most matches, and the spectators were allowed to be vocal, wave flags and basically have fun. They provided great atmosphere, so maybe the fans at the grounds should be the heroes? Then there's the players. Almost without exception they entered into the spirit of the event and played with gusto and enjoyment.

Three more sets of multiples deserve mention: the commentators and guests on ball-by-ball coverage on the radio (I found myself actually enjoying Geoff Boycott who laughed with real humour a lot, rather than laughing sardonically), the writers of Over-by-over coverage on the internet - in various places - who brought wit and insight, and OBO contributors from all over the world who dedicated hours of their time to follow and send emails in to all the broadcast matches. All this added enormously to the enjoyment of following the tournament.

However, today a few players must be mentioned as Heroes. Umar Gul - the bowler of the competition and the main reason why Pakistan made the final. He ended as the leading wicket taker with 13 (ahead of Stuart Clark and Shahid Afridi both with 12).

Imran Nazir absolutely blazed the second over, attacking Sree Santh and setting up the match for nail-biting. That over went for 21!

Gautam Gambhir made 75 off 54 balls in the Indian innings - did that win the match?

R P Singh gave an outstandingly controlled show of bowling, got Gul out at the death - did he win the match?

Tanvir Sohail and Misbah put Pakistan back in the match and while 15 minutes before the end, it looked like India's game as given, we got down to the final over with India needing one wicket and Pakistan 13 to win. A Harmisonesque wide from Joginder Singh was not a good start, but then a dot ball. 12 off six balls. Misbah hit the next - a low full toss - way out of the ground. Six off four. Indian captain, the peerless Mahendra Singh Dhoni put his arm around Joginder's shoulder, whispered sweet nothings in his ear, and with the next ball, Misbah was caught by Sree Santh and it was all over.

India won by five balls and celebrations started everywhere. A cliff-hanger of a match. Cricket is the winner and the last word has to go to an Australian:

"Mate, it's been so much fun to be involved with."

Michael Slater on Test Match Special sums up these past two weeks for most of us.

[Image: Getty] [mimitig]

ICC World Twenty20: India Irresistable

A full house at Kingsmead in Durban witnessed a highly skilled and competitive World T20 second semi-final where India held on to defeat Australia by 15 runs. It was a thrilling match with plenty to cheer about for both teams but in the end India, led wonderfully by MS Dhoni, were too strong for a depleted but willing Australian team. 

Australia were playing their first match of the tournament in Durban whilst India were playing their fifth and the extra knowledge acquired during those matches proved to be a crucial factor in India’s success. Dhoni won the toss and asked Adam Gilchrist’s bowlers to have first use of a flat and true pitch that offered little movement off the seam or in the air.

The match began in fits and starts with Virender Sehwag tweaking a muscle in his groin or thigh just two balls into Brett Lee’s first hostile over. He immediately called for a runner and this gave India an advantage in running between the wickets which they exploited ruthlessly. Amongst the confusion of two runners backing up, Australia were under constant pressure in the ring as the Indians continued to drop the ball at their feet and run the cheeky single. The ball was pinging around the infield like a sugar-crazed fat kid in a well-stocked Grubber as not one Australian shy hit the timber early on. The backing-up of the throwing was supremely professional with not one overthrow despite a dozen attempts missing the target.

India batted watchfully and sensibly to the new ball and after the field-restricting first six overs India were 36 for the loss of Sehwag who was out-foxed in Mitchell Johnson’s first over. Australia had definite plans for India’s openers and to a man they bowled short at Sehwag and full to Ghambir. Sehwag, who may or may not have been hampered by his apparent injury (he was bowling only 100 minutes later), fell to one of the oldest tricks in the fast-bowlers manual. Johnson gave him a wide one to start with which Sehwag squirted square for four. The next ball was quicker, straighter and on the same length and predictably the batsman played the same fruitful stroke but was cramped for room and could only get a top edge through to Gilchrist. Australia have picked up Virender in the same fashion on several occasions in Test matches and despite his explosive batting talent he still has a few lessons to learn. Perhaps T20 will revive his career but I am not expecting to see him in the forthcoming Test series against Australia in December.

Interestingly, Australia still had a slip in place as the seventh over began which was bowled quite brilliantly by Stuart Clark. In this eventful over Uthappa was given a life when Pup Clarke spilled a difficult leaping well-timed chance and then the same fielder missed a run out chance from 35 metres the very next ball. Fortunately, Stu Clark picked up Ghambir off the last ball of the over after Brad Hodge made a relatively simple outfield catch difficult by slipping on the dewy outfield as the ball sailed towards him.

Taking a wicket is always cheerful for the fielding team but they are not always welcome in T20. With Ghambir’s demise in strolled the seemingly unflappable star of the tournament, Yuvraj Singh. The elegant left-hander became the first batsman to hit six sixes in an over in international T20 while scoring the fastest ever half-century against a hapless and brain-dead England a few nights ago and he continued in a similar style carting the Australian bowlers to every corner in a match-winning partnership with Robin Uthappa. The stylish pair added 84 in six and half overs and when Uthappa was run out coolly by a clearly frustrated Andrew Symonds, India were well on their way to setting a significant total for Australia to chase.

The Indian skipper and superstar talisman Mahendra Dhoni joined Yuvraj at the crease and both looked comfortable until Yuvraj was deceived by a Michael Clarke arm-ball and with 15 deliveries remaining India were 155/4. Yuvraj scored 70 from 30 balls with five fours and an equal number of sixes. It was a thrilling innings and if Yuvraj can continue his superb clean-hitting when Australia arrive in India at the end of the week, the Australian brains-trust will be enduring many sleepless nights trying to devise a method to curb his ebullience.

Dhoni, now paired with the under-rated Rohit Sharma, opened his shoulders and played some inventive agricultural swipes that would have done a sickle wielding thatch-cutter proud. When he was dismissed run out scrambling for a bye off the penultimate ball, the job was done and India finished with a respectable and hefty 188/5 from the twenty overs allowed.

Australia did not bowl or field below their usual excellent standards. Only one wide was delivered and only one chance was put down. And that was a very difficult opportunity to grasp. A few close run outs were missed but you cannot expect a fieldsman, even some of the best on the planet, to hit the stumps every time. Truth is, India matched Australia’s intensity and backed themselves to put a big total on the board. Runs up front are always important in big games and this tournament has proved that twenty-over cricket is not much different to longer forms of the ancient game. It is only condensed. The same themes apply.

With a crowd that was overwhelming supporting India, which is not surprising given that according to the 2001 South African census 600,000 people of Indian descent live in the Durban metropolitan area, Australia were always going to find nine and more an over a significant challenge.

Gilchrist started strongly regularly clipping anything full on middle and leg through and over midwicket but Hayden found the impressive Shanthakumaran Sreesanth a handful and the aggressive quick beat Hayden repeatedly while the ball was still shiny. Gilchrist was finally dismissed after a whirlwind cameo by a scorching late in-swinging yorker from a gesticulating Sreesanth in the sixth over.

Hodge joined Hayden and after hitting an exquisitely timed maximum over long on, he was dismissed when he middled a hook straight to Joginder Sharma who didn’t have to move in taking a safe catch at backward square leg. Hodge looked in good touch and was a tad unlucky picking out the only fieldsman behind square in the ring on the leg side. 

At 68/2 in the ninth over Australia had some work to do to in their chase and the muscular Queenslanders Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden set about the task as you would expect a world champion pair would in the circumstances. They both batted with determination and flair and when Sreesanth brilliantly bowled Hayden in the fifteenth over Australia had reduced the run rate required to a gettable but difficult 10 runs an over.

At this point with five overs remaining the Indians were showing signs of nerves, fumbling in the field exacerbated by Harbhajan and Yuvraj barking orders to anyone in listening distance, but that all changed when Symonds attempted one cross-batted slog too many and was clean bowled by the wily Pathan with the score at 156/4 with twenty legal deliveries left to bowl.

With three overs remaining and Australia now requiring 30 to win, the Indian senior players, Dhoni, Harbhajan and Yuvraj met mid-pitch for a long and at times quite heated discussion. The game was in the balance and one wrong move could spell disaster for either team and on Yuvraj’s insistence Harbhajan Singh, Australia’s long-time nemesis, came on to bowl with Clarke and Hussey at the crease. It was a telling decision and in hindsight, the most critical over of the match. Harbhajan bowled Clarke with a perfectly pitched dart and then tied up Haddin until the last ball of the over where India gladly gave him the single.

With only three runs and a vital wicket coming from the over, Australia’s run-rate ballooned to in excess of 13 from the final two and when RP Singh deceived Haddin four balls in succession after bowling a beamer first ball, the game was as good as decided. Hussey, who like Sehwag required a runner, was left disappointed and lonely at square leg wondering what might have been if the Australian selectors on this tour weren’t so infatuated with the New South Wales gloveman’s apparent hitting ability. Considering that fifty runs were regularly hit off Australia’s fifth bowler combination of Clarke and Symonds and that Haddin contributed next to nothing in the matches he participated, it takes no imagination to state that Australia should have played Brad Hogg after Ponting and then Watson were declared unfit.   

India were deserved winners and the World Twenty20 has a final that has been dreamed of by around a billion people for decades. India and Pakistan in a showdown for a global trophy. This match-up will obviously be recorded as a major match in cricket’s long and winding history and it will no doubt give this new format credibility and a firm place in the future of cricket. Saying that, there are a few things I, as a spectator and active cricketer, would like changed.

Firstly, to keep the balance between bat and ball, a must for a competitive cricket match, I’d like to see the free-hit scrapped and replaced, if they must have an extra penalty for over-stepping, with a two run penalty instead of the standard one.

Secondly, some of the most famous matches in the cricketing annals have been ties and if a winner must be decided, I’d favour an extra five overs each much like extra-time that you see in other sports to decide the contest. Be far more exciting and credible than a ridiculous bowl-out.

Thirdly, I’d like to see the beamer punished more harshly, not only in T20 but in all forms of cricket. As someone who has had the displeasure on several separate occasions to be beamed by a vengeful fast bowler, I guarantee that it is not a fair contest and is outright dangerous even with a helmet. Rather than a no-ball and a warning, I propose an instant 5 run penalty, a no-ball and a warning. This delivery is becoming more and more prevalent in the game and only a fool would think that it does not affect a batsman’s mind for a short time after. In T20, the match can hinge on a ball and although I think it would have made no difference to the result, RP Singh’s vicious first up delivery to Haddin shook him and with so few balls left and still runs to score it was a sinister, unsporting and unnecessary ploy.

And lastly, I’d like runners to be banned in T20 cricket. Twice during last night’s match the momentum of the spectacle was broken firstly by Sehwag calling for assistance between the wickets and then Hussey. T20 is a short game and sides aren’t regularly bowled out and if the batsman injured his hand instead of his lower appendages he would just politely retire hurt. Seeing Sehwag bowl and field shortly after batting with a runner was suspicious to say the least and if his injury wasn’t too bad he could have retired hurt and returned later in the innings.

That’s it for The Shed at the World Twenty20 and like the Australian team I am now turning my attention to the vastly populated landmass of India where a seven-match ODI series and a single T20 international is scheduled in the coming weeks. Australia learnt plenty at these inaugural championships and will be far better off from the experience. Clearly the two best sides are in the final and it promises to be a cracking contest. The next instalment of this tournament is in England in 2009, the same year as The Ashes, and it won’t surprise me if Australia are once again under-prepared for the hurly-burly of the World Twenty20. The Ashes is the prize that Australian cricket covets most and that’s where their energies will be placed in 20 months time. You can bet your house on it.

[Nesta Quin] [Image: Getty]

ICC World Twenty20 - Villain of the day: The Twenty20 Naysayers

It's hard after so splendid a day of Twenty20 cricket to find a villain, but it is in that very thought that I sought one. T20 isn't to everyone's taste and I respect those who hold such views, but I find the snobbery behind some comments hard to stomach. Here's Soumya Bhattacharya of the Hindustan Times.

"The trouble is, Twenty20 doesn’t seem like cricket to me. It appears to be not so much a speeded-up, watered-down version of cricket, a sort of cricket-lite for dummies who are incapable of comprehending the complexities and subtleties of the greatest game in the world, but an utter impostor. It has whittled away at cricket’s essence; it has snuffed out its soul; it is unrecognisable as the game I adore."

This dummy likes Twenty20.

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty]

New Zealand vs England Second Twenty20 International - The Key Moment

New Zealand is a much weakened team without their captain, best batsman and best bowler, but they still need to be put away and England gave the Kiwis a right shoeing in a polished display.

After an excellent start (I'll say that again, an excellent start - 70 runs in total from your openers is worth a lot more than it sounds when it comes off 43 balls), England suffered a traditional collapse losing four wickets in 15 balls. The Trumpet sat back expecting England to consolidate by pushing singles with a view to scoring at 4-5 runs per over before a late slog. But no - the next four overs brought 7, 5, 13 and 12 runs as Shah and Colly stayed on the attack and maintained a strike rate of almost 10 per over. The game's key moment had passed and England were in the box seat.

Why were England able to keep attacking? The Trumpet puts it down to a late middle order comprising Dimi, Swanny and Broad - two all-rounders and a bowler who bats. That cushion assured Colly that another wicket would not spell disaster so the run rate could be maintained. Such is the value of late order batting, even if they don't get to the crease. Ah, but the bowling suffers, I hear the naysayers cry. It does, but when a captain can bring to bear second innings scoreboard pressure, the batsmen get themselves out. Let's keep the formula for the ODIs.

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty]

If it's not broke...

Sharper eyed readers will have noted that our picture shows a cricket trophy being celebrated and no Australians to be seen. Whether this observation has anything to do with suggestions emerging from the Australian Cricketers Association (as reported by Cricinfo) to "improve" T20, can only be conjecture - maybe they had been at the tinnies.

But don't take my word for it - join me over the jump to read them and weep.

"Four stumps instead of three." Ludicrous - you don't even do that in the playground.

"Free hit for batsman's first ball." One off the mark, Sir?

"Five overs limit for bowlers who take a wicket." Possibly, but cricket is complex enough.

"Supersub." Job creation scheme that doesn't work.

"Hand-held TVs for umpires." A solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

"Shorts to be worn." Why?

"Nicknames on shirts." No - T20 is inclusive.

But at least the players do support on-field microphones and interviews for batsmen straight after dismissal. Anything that breaks down barriers between players and fans in T20 has to be right.

What do Googlyers think?

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty]

Whither Twenty20?

Perhaps only cricket could be quite so seized with anxiety over what must rank as the most successful launch of a new sports format in living memory - it's better than beach volleyball FFS! Twenty20 has jumped from astonishingly successful England-based novelty to astonishingly successful world sport in four years and nobody seems to know what will happen next, as Lawrence Booth points out at GU.

Fears seem to be concentrated in two related areas: (i) T20 will impinge on already packed cricket calendars, burn the players out or worst of all, reduce Test cricket to a sideshow; and (ii) the money T20 generates will pull in new Packers who will destroy cricket as we know it. A more minor fear is that T20 will promote "bad habits", though that only seems to apply to batting. The Trumpet doesn't believe that any of these fears is well founded if (and it's a big if) cricket is well led. Test cricket is strong enough to fight its own corner (unlike ODIs for which the writing is on the wall) and money is always useful, if not always used well.

The future for T20 already looks big, but here's one little word that could make even Stanford's and the BCCI's millions look like small change - China.

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty]   

Twenty20 World Cup - The Team of the Tournament

At the end of an exhilarating fortnight of Twenty20 cricket that was everything the moribund ICC World Cup wasn't, The Googly picks its team of the tournament. Before you go over the jump, here's a little secret - no England players made the cut.

1. Matthew Hayden - Written off as a Test player only to return; written off as a Limited Overs player only to return. The man is a marvel and we should salute an All-Time Great in all forms of the game.

2. Chris Gayle - Will anyone ever again play an innings like the one that set the tone for the tournament?

3. Shoaib Malik (Captain) - Handled the Shoaib Akhtar crisis firmly, played beautifully and led his team to within five runs of the Title.

4. Justin Kemp - Defines the bullying South African style as much as his captain: but dominates bowlers, not team-mates.

5. Yuvraj Singh - All that potential at last being realised. Could be the springboard to greatness and the end of Ganguly.

6. MS Dhoni - Delivered every element of his brief. Silenced the doubters (including this one).

7. Misbah-ul-Haq - Who? Geoff Lawson knew who, and was bold enough to say so. Pakistan's Hussey.

8. Shahid Afridi - "Boom Boom" boomed more with the ball than with the bat, but if you were in the playground and playing T20, he'd be first pick.

9. Umar Gul - Most wickets in the fortnight at less than a run a ball, showing that T20 bowling is about discipline and imagination.

10. Stuart Clark - Hit the deck hard and bowled with (wait for it) McGrath-like accuracy.

11. RP Singh - At times swingingly unplayable, the young man bowled as his captain bats and was rewarded for it.

What do Googlyers think?

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty]

ICC World Twenty20 - Villain of the day: BBC TV

It has been clear almost from its inception that the British public love T20 cricket. Lord's has been sold out for a non-ODI Final domestic match for the first time in living memory, counties were building temporary stands to cope with demand and all the marketing surveys showed that "the product worked".

The ICC Twenty20 World Championship could have gone as badly as Paul Collingwood's evening on the tiles, but once Steve Elworthy announced the ticketing policy (to ensure good to full houses) and the rain stayed off, the only question was the size of the ICC's success.

So with T20 a banker and ITV are locked into the Rugby World Cup, where was BBC TV? No live coverage (understandable with Sky in the mix) but no highlights package either? No doubt there will be suits to argue that budgets were committed etc, but The Trumpet has argued before that BBC TV hates cricket and there can be no firmer evidence of that view than its ignoring this glorious carnival for all but 15 second news clips. Resourceful fans of India and Pakistan will get to see their heroes today somehow, but like me, they'll wonder why they pay the licence fee at all.

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image:  Getty]

ICC World Twenty20 - Hero of the Final: Everyone

Let me start by saying that seldom have I enjoyed a cricket match that I have not been physically present at as much as today's ICC Twenty20 Final. Then I must say that not choosing one individual as today's Hero is not a cop-out: it's a genuine reflection on both the match and the tournament. There were just so many contenders that it has proved impossible to pick a singe individual.

I toyed with going for the ICC - and there's a first - but they, and especially Steve Ellworthy the organiser in South Africa - have put on a top-notch show. Everyone has praised this competition: sensible ticket-pricing and allocations ensured full crowds at most matches, and the spectators were allowed to be vocal, wave flags and basically have fun. They provided great atmosphere, so maybe the fans at the grounds should be the heroes? Then there's the players. Almost without exception they entered into the spirit of the event and played with gusto and enjoyment.

Three more sets of multiples deserve mention: the commentators and guests on ball-by-ball coverage on the radio (I found myself actually enjoying Geoff Boycott who laughed with real humour a lot, rather than laughing sardonically), the writers of Over-by-over coverage on the internet - in various places - who brought wit and insight, and OBO contributors from all over the world who dedicated hours of their time to follow and send emails in to all the broadcast matches. All this added enormously to the enjoyment of following the tournament.

However, today a few players must be mentioned as Heroes. Umar Gul - the bowler of the competition and the main reason why Pakistan made the final. He ended as the leading wicket taker with 13 (ahead of Stuart Clark and Shahid Afridi both with 12).

Imran Nazir absolutely blazed the second over, attacking Sree Santh and setting up the match for nail-biting. That over went for 21!

Gautam Gambhir made 75 off 54 balls in the Indian innings - did that win the match?

R P Singh gave an outstandingly controlled show of bowling, got Gul out at the death - did he win the match?

Tanvir Sohail and Misbah put Pakistan back in the match and while 15 minutes before the end, it looked like India's game as given, we got down to the final over with India needing one wicket and Pakistan 13 to win. A Harmisonesque wide from Joginder Singh was not a good start, but then a dot ball. 12 off six balls. Misbah hit the next - a low full toss - way out of the ground. Six off four. Indian captain, the peerless Mahendra Singh Dhoni put his arm around Joginder's shoulder, whispered sweet nothings in his ear, and with the next ball, Misbah was caught by Sree Santh and it was all over.

India won by five balls and celebrations started everywhere. A cliff-hanger of a match. Cricket is the winner and the last word has to go to an Australian:

"Mate, it's been so much fun to be involved with."

Michael Slater on Test Match Special sums up these past two weeks for most of us.

[Image: Getty] [mimitig]

ICC World Twenty20: India Irresistable

A full house at Kingsmead in Durban witnessed a highly skilled and competitive World T20 second semi-final where India held on to defeat Australia by 15 runs. It was a thrilling match with plenty to cheer about for both teams but in the end India, led wonderfully by MS Dhoni, were too strong for a depleted but willing Australian team. 

Australia were playing their first match of the tournament in Durban whilst India were playing their fifth and the extra knowledge acquired during those matches proved to be a crucial factor in India’s success. Dhoni won the toss and asked Adam Gilchrist’s bowlers to have first use of a flat and true pitch that offered little movement off the seam or in the air.

The match began in fits and starts with Virender Sehwag tweaking a muscle in his groin or thigh just two balls into Brett Lee’s first hostile over. He immediately called for a runner and this gave India an advantage in running between the wickets which they exploited ruthlessly. Amongst the confusion of two runners backing up, Australia were under constant pressure in the ring as the Indians continued to drop the ball at their feet and run the cheeky single. The ball was pinging around the infield like a sugar-crazed fat kid in a well-stocked Grubber as not one Australian shy hit the timber early on. The backing-up of the throwing was supremely professional with not one overthrow despite a dozen attempts missing the target.

India batted watchfully and sensibly to the new ball and after the field-restricting first six overs India were 36 for the loss of Sehwag who was out-foxed in Mitchell Johnson’s first over. Australia had definite plans for India’s openers and to a man they bowled short at Sehwag and full to Ghambir. Sehwag, who may or may not have been hampered by his apparent injury (he was bowling only 100 minutes later), fell to one of the oldest tricks in the fast-bowlers manual. Johnson gave him a wide one to start with which Sehwag squirted square for four. The next ball was quicker, straighter and on the same length and predictably the batsman played the same fruitful stroke but was cramped for room and could only get a top edge through to Gilchrist. Australia have picked up Virender in the same fashion on several occasions in Test matches and despite his explosive batting talent he still has a few lessons to learn. Perhaps T20 will revive his career but I am not expecting to see him in the forthcoming Test series against Australia in December.

Interestingly, Australia still had a slip in place as the seventh over began which was bowled quite brilliantly by Stuart Clark. In this eventful over Uthappa was given a life when Pup Clarke spilled a difficult leaping well-timed chance and then the same fielder missed a run out chance from 35 metres the very next ball. Fortunately, Stu Clark picked up Ghambir off the last ball of the over after Brad Hodge made a relatively simple outfield catch difficult by slipping on the dewy outfield as the ball sailed towards him.

Taking a wicket is always cheerful for the fielding team but they are not always welcome in T20. With Ghambir’s demise in strolled the seemingly unflappable star of the tournament, Yuvraj Singh. The elegant left-hander became the first batsman to hit six sixes in an over in international T20 while scoring the fastest ever half-century against a hapless and brain-dead England a few nights ago and he continued in a similar style carting the Australian bowlers to every corner in a match-winning partnership with Robin Uthappa. The stylish pair added 84 in six and half overs and when Uthappa was run out coolly by a clearly frustrated Andrew Symonds, India were well on their way to setting a significant total for Australia to chase.

The Indian skipper and superstar talisman Mahendra Dhoni joined Yuvraj at the crease and both looked comfortable until Yuvraj was deceived by a Michael Clarke arm-ball and with 15 deliveries remaining India were 155/4. Yuvraj scored 70 from 30 balls with five fours and an equal number of sixes. It was a thrilling innings and if Yuvraj can continue his superb clean-hitting when Australia arrive in India at the end of the week, the Australian brains-trust will be enduring many sleepless nights trying to devise a method to curb his ebullience.

Dhoni, now paired with the under-rated Rohit Sharma, opened his shoulders and played some inventive agricultural swipes that would have done a sickle wielding thatch-cutter proud. When he was dismissed run out scrambling for a bye off the penultimate ball, the job was done and India finished with a respectable and hefty 188/5 from the twenty overs allowed.

Australia did not bowl or field below their usual excellent standards. Only one wide was delivered and only one chance was put down. And that was a very difficult opportunity to grasp. A few close run outs were missed but you cannot expect a fieldsman, even some of the best on the planet, to hit the stumps every time. Truth is, India matched Australia’s intensity and backed themselves to put a big total on the board. Runs up front are always important in big games and this tournament has proved that twenty-over cricket is not much different to longer forms of the ancient game. It is only condensed. The same themes apply.

With a crowd that was overwhelming supporting India, which is not surprising given that according to the 2001 South African census 600,000 people of Indian descent live in the Durban metropolitan area, Australia were always going to find nine and more an over a significant challenge.

Gilchrist started strongly regularly clipping anything full on middle and leg through and over midwicket but Hayden found the impressive Shanthakumaran Sreesanth a handful and the aggressive quick beat Hayden repeatedly while the ball was still shiny. Gilchrist was finally dismissed after a whirlwind cameo by a scorching late in-swinging yorker from a gesticulating Sreesanth in the sixth over.

Hodge joined Hayden and after hitting an exquisitely timed maximum over long on, he was dismissed when he middled a hook straight to Joginder Sharma who didn’t have to move in taking a safe catch at backward square leg. Hodge looked in good touch and was a tad unlucky picking out the only fieldsman behind square in the ring on the leg side. 

At 68/2 in the ninth over Australia had some work to do to in their chase and the muscular Queenslanders Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden set about the task as you would expect a world champion pair would in the circumstances. They both batted with determination and flair and when Sreesanth brilliantly bowled Hayden in the fifteenth over Australia had reduced the run rate required to a gettable but difficult 10 runs an over.

At this point with five overs remaining the Indians were showing signs of nerves, fumbling in the field exacerbated by Harbhajan and Yuvraj barking orders to anyone in listening distance, but that all changed when Symonds attempted one cross-batted slog too many and was clean bowled by the wily Pathan with the score at 156/4 with twenty legal deliveries left to bowl.

With three overs remaining and Australia now requiring 30 to win, the Indian senior players, Dhoni, Harbhajan and Yuvraj met mid-pitch for a long and at times quite heated discussion. The game was in the balance and one wrong move could spell disaster for either team and on Yuvraj’s insistence Harbhajan Singh, Australia’s long-time nemesis, came on to bowl with Clarke and Hussey at the crease. It was a telling decision and in hindsight, the most critical over of the match. Harbhajan bowled Clarke with a perfectly pitched dart and then tied up Haddin until the last ball of the over where India gladly gave him the single.

With only three runs and a vital wicket coming from the over, Australia’s run-rate ballooned to in excess of 13 from the final two and when RP Singh deceived Haddin four balls in succession after bowling a beamer first ball, the game was as good as decided. Hussey, who like Sehwag required a runner, was left disappointed and lonely at square leg wondering what might have been if the Australian selectors on this tour weren’t so infatuated with the New South Wales gloveman’s apparent hitting ability. Considering that fifty runs were regularly hit off Australia’s fifth bowler combination of Clarke and Symonds and that Haddin contributed next to nothing in the matches he participated, it takes no imagination to state that Australia should have played Brad Hogg after Ponting and then Watson were declared unfit.   

India were deserved winners and the World Twenty20 has a final that has been dreamed of by around a billion people for decades. India and Pakistan in a showdown for a global trophy. This match-up will obviously be recorded as a major match in cricket’s long and winding history and it will no doubt give this new format credibility and a firm place in the future of cricket. Saying that, there are a few things I, as a spectator and active cricketer, would like changed.

Firstly, to keep the balance between bat and ball, a must for a competitive cricket match, I’d like to see the free-hit scrapped and replaced, if they must have an extra penalty for over-stepping, with a two run penalty instead of the standard one.

Secondly, some of the most famous matches in the cricketing annals have been ties and if a winner must be decided, I’d favour an extra five overs each much like extra-time that you see in other sports to decide the contest. Be far more exciting and credible than a ridiculous bowl-out.

Thirdly, I’d like to see the beamer punished more harshly, not only in T20 but in all forms of cricket. As someone who has had the displeasure on several separate occasions to be beamed by a vengeful fast bowler, I guarantee that it is not a fair contest and is outright dangerous even with a helmet. Rather than a no-ball and a warning, I propose an instant 5 run penalty, a no-ball and a warning. This delivery is becoming more and more prevalent in the game and only a fool would think that it does not affect a batsman’s mind for a short time after. In T20, the match can hinge on a ball and although I think it would have made no difference to the result, RP Singh’s vicious first up delivery to Haddin shook him and with so few balls left and still runs to score it was a sinister, unsporting and unnecessary ploy.

And lastly, I’d like runners to be banned in T20 cricket. Twice during last night’s match the momentum of the spectacle was broken firstly by Sehwag calling for assistance between the wickets and then Hussey. T20 is a short game and sides aren’t regularly bowled out and if the batsman injured his hand instead of his lower appendages he would just politely retire hurt. Seeing Sehwag bowl and field shortly after batting with a runner was suspicious to say the least and if his injury wasn’t too bad he could have retired hurt and returned later in the innings.

That’s it for The Shed at the World Twenty20 and like the Australian team I am now turning my attention to the vastly populated landmass of India where a seven-match ODI series and a single T20 international is scheduled in the coming weeks. Australia learnt plenty at these inaugural championships and will be far better off from the experience. Clearly the two best sides are in the final and it promises to be a cracking contest. The next instalment of this tournament is in England in 2009, the same year as The Ashes, and it won’t surprise me if Australia are once again under-prepared for the hurly-burly of the World Twenty20. The Ashes is the prize that Australian cricket covets most and that’s where their energies will be placed in 20 months time. You can bet your house on it.

[Nesta Quin] [Image: Getty]

ICC World Twenty20 - Villain of the day: The Twenty20 Naysayers

It's hard after so splendid a day of Twenty20 cricket to find a villain, but it is in that very thought that I sought one. T20 isn't to everyone's taste and I respect those who hold such views, but I find the snobbery behind some comments hard to stomach. Here's Soumya Bhattacharya of the Hindustan Times.

"The trouble is, Twenty20 doesn’t seem like cricket to me. It appears to be not so much a speeded-up, watered-down version of cricket, a sort of cricket-lite for dummies who are incapable of comprehending the complexities and subtleties of the greatest game in the world, but an utter impostor. It has whittled away at cricket’s essence; it has snuffed out its soul; it is unrecognisable as the game I adore."

This dummy likes Twenty20.

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty]

ICC World Twenty20 - Hero of the day: Mahendra Dhoni

The first semi-final today, between Pakistan and New Zealand left me somewhat cold. It was neither thrilling nor fine cricket and my heart sank as I anticipated the second. The signs were that this could also be a stroll in the park - for Australia. But fortunately this was not the case. We were treated to an exciting contest, and one worthy of a world-class semi-final.

Although Yuvraj Singh - recovered from injury - returned the best figures of the day (70 off 30 balls, making that a total in two innings of 128 off just 46 balls), my hero is India's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He led his team brilliantly, never losing control and leading by example. He is called a "no-fear" cricketer, and certainly showed that this evening.

Sree Santh particularly was in belligerent mode, and might pay for that after over-appealing when hoping to get Matthew Hayden out, but in general, the team played the mood appropriately and were fierce but fair.

A mention goes to Umar Gul for his three for 15 earlier in the day, helping Pakistan to their win and ensuring a Sub-Continent Final on Monday.

And in a note for Test Match Special - please don't try to compare old Australian cricketers to classic British actors again. Ian Chappelli as the new Leslie Phillips? That just doesn't work.

[Image: Getty] [mimitig]

ICC World Twenty20 - Villain of the day: Graeme Smith: Alpha Male

At the fall of an Indian wicket, television showed Graeme Smith barking at his team as they gathered on the outer. His team-mates looked like schoolboys being berated by a bad-tempered games teacher. It wasn't good to see men of the experience of Boucher and Pollock so meek in demeanour, nor big men with big talents like the Morkel brothers, crouching to hear the skipper's ire. When catches went down later (as they will do under lights in the T20 format) the senior players didn't bother to conceal their contempt for Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander.

Under pressure, batting against some wonderfully aggressive deliveries between the dross and against a suddenly dynamic Indian fielding unit, the Saffers choked yet again, failing even to get the 126 they needed to progress to the semi-finals. Smith will be angry with his team, but he should consider why his charges consistently react so poorly to pressure and whether constantly projecting his alpha male personality (like Hansie before him) is in the best interest of the team.

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty]

ICC World Twenty20 - Hero of the day: Jonathan Agnew

Maybe it's just me, but I found it hard to be set on fire by the tournament today. Fortunately other engagements prevented me following the first match of the day - a dreadful mis-match between Australia and Sri Lanka. A fine report of that match can be found a bit below here on this site. For figures alone, Stuart Clark (four for 20) gets a mention here tonight, but he wasn't really tested.

Pakistan tops the group after their win against Bangladesh, but I found little to tickle my fancy there either. Afridi, naturally, was fun for his 39 off 15 balls (five fours and two sixes), but he wasn't in long enough to really charm this viewer today. Bangladesh's Junaid Siddique was top-scorer in the match - 71 including six fours and three sixes, but his colleagues were not up to the job.

This left us with the final match of the day: India versus South Africa, and a match full of meaning. A result that would determine not only the progression of these teams but also that of New Zealand. India losing meant SA and NZ through, India winning, and all down to net run-rate.

At one point with Harbhajan Singh claiming three for 11, it looked as though India were cruising to a victory. But then the Saffers stabilised the innings and we had a tense last five overs. South Africa needing 126 to go through, India needing the last five wickets. The scoreboard gave up - not for the first time in this or any tournament.

Tension was high but India got over the line and South Africa were out.

So why, you may well wonder, after this sterling performance from the Indian bowlers and Karthick behind the wicket (an emergency takeover as Mahendra Dhoni suffered some injury to his back in the first couple of overs), have I not picked one of the Indians as my Hero?

It's simple - I needed a laugh and Jonathan Agnew gave me several today, but his best was:

"I've just congratulated ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed for organising a brilliant tournament here, and he nearly fell off his chair." This on Test Match Special.

Anyone who can discombobulate a lawyer is a hero in my book, and to come close to causing injury to M. Speed ain't bad neither.

[Image: Getty] [mimitig]

ICC World Twenty20: Sri Lanka Scheißehaus

Australia dominated from the opening ball of Brett Lee's first over to spliflicate Sri Lanka by 10 wickets with 10 overs to spare at Newlands this morning South African time.

Adam Gilchrist, deputising for the injured Ponting, called correctly and invited Mahela Jayawardene to have a bat. It was a good toss to win with the match beginning at 10am and Australia's fast bowlers used the helpful atmospheric conditions to perfection to have Sri Lanka 43/7 at the halfway mark of their innings.

Once again, Stuart Clarke slipped into McGrath's size fifteen's and hardly bowled a bad ball in decimating the Lankan middle order after Lee and Bracken removed Jayasuria, Tharanga and Jayawardene in the first three overs.

Sri Lanka's dismal performance wasn't because the Australian bowlers were unplayable or that the ball was moving around extraordinarily, it was because the Sri Lankan top-order refused to play straight early on and they paid a heavy price for their impatience and lack of respect. 

Vaas and Mubarak rescued the team from complete humiliation with a 40 run seven over stand but it was all in vain as Sri Lanka were all out for 101 three balls short of the scheduled climax. 

Australia fielded well and apart from a misjudged catch by Brad Hodge, the fielding was professional and without mistake. Michael Clarke, in particular, was electric either in the ring square on the offside or down patrolling the boundary at long on. He took two sharp diving chances in Stuart Clarke's second over to totally put Sri Lanka out of the contest.

Australia's chase was as equally efficient as the fielding and bowling. Little risk was taken with each ball played on its merits and when Hayden smacked his second six into the grandstand at deep long on Australia had not only booked themselves a place in the semi-finals but also ended Sri Lanka's progress in the tournament.

Shane Watson, in the team to replace Ricky Ponting, once again broke down in delivery stride and it may be time for the Australian selectors to replace him with Tasmania's Luke Butterworth as the fast bowling allrounder in the limited overs set-up. This was probably his last chance before going back to domestic cricket to prove himself for the fourth time. He will be a most depressed young man this evening and we can only hope he returns to Brisbane and gets himself completely fit before attempting a return to the hard grind of first-class and international cricket.

The predictable injury to Watson may be a blessing in disguise for the Australian team. The selectors have little choice but bring Brad Hogg into the team and this will strengthen Australia's only apparent weakness, the fifth bowler.

In a portent for the future Test series against Sri Lanka in November, Watson viciously bounced Malinga first ball and he can expect plenty more short stuff as can his team-mates when they make the long trek Downunder later this year.

Considering this match was a knock-out and that if Sri Lanka had any hope they had to bowl Australia out, it was confusing to see Malinga held back till the ninth over when Australia only needed 24 more. Vaas and Fernando were servicable but wickets were needed and if anyone understands Jayawardene's tactics, leave a comment to educate the rest of us. 

All up, a good Australian win but no need to get carried away. Sri Lanka were awful. What was encouraging was that for the third time this week Australia have won matches where a loss would have ended their campaign. This augurs well for the semi-final but make no qualms, South Africa in Durban, will be very tough opponents. 

[Nesta Quin] [Image: Getty]

ICC World Twenty20 - Villain of the day: Andrew Symonds

It's hard to update a well-established product (New Coke and the Godfather Part III are offered in evidence), but Twenty20 has distilled ODI cricket into a heady mix of blasting batting, fantastic fielding and bold bowling. The show is served up in front of crowds who are involved and creating the atmospheres so missed in the Caribbean Fifty50 format. Whereas the World Cup could hardly have been worse, the Twenty20 could hardly be better.

So the Villain of the Day is Andrew Symonds (right). Why? Here's what has has to say at cricinfo.  "It's a frustrating game because you can be beaten by the lesser sides and they have to be good for a shorter period of time. That's why he [Gilchrist] is probably finding it frustrating and I'd probably have to agree with him as well."

Cyclist Bernard Hinault didn't like Paris-Roubaix for similar reasons, but he made sure that he won it - perhaps, especially in the wake of a defeat to a sensational Pakistan team, Roy should have held his tongue until his team did the same.

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty]    

ICC World Twenty20 - Hero of the day: Anonymous

Today is one of those days when pretty much everything goes wrong, and I am sorry for ending the evening in bitter and twisted mode. I knew, of course, that England's fate was in the hands of others - how many times have we bitten fingernails in that cause? But even after the usual-choking Saffers had held nerve to beat Vettori's New Zealanders, I did think England would fight for pride against India.

Some hope. Should have gone to bed and just let them get on with the business of being smashed. However, I have an obligation to bring you readers a hero, and today's is the BBC's online headline writer who said: "England bow out"! Irony unbounded!

England were well and truly smashed out of this tournament and to suggest that they had grace in "bowing out" is, well, it's not what I saw.

Ricky Ponting's Rollers took a big hit when beaten by Zimbabwe in the early stages, and what did they do - came back and made us all remember how fab the Aussies are. England takes a hit and disapppears.

[Image: BBC ] [mimitig}

Stuart Broad, bless him, hit out of the park

Sometimes I watch television for programmes apart from sport. I have a favourite. It's called QI and is hosted by cricket fan and all-time legend Stephen Fry. His regular guest is Alan Davies - a British actor who began his successful comedy career as a stand-up. There is a long-running joke that Alan gets all questions wrong, and Stephen looks at him mournfully and says: "Oh Alany, Alany, Alany!". I rather felt that way today when Stuart, bless him, was hit for six sixes in one over.

Oh Stuarty, Stuarty, Stuarty.

What a hard lesson for the young Broad to learn. Yuvraj Singh is an exceptional hitter of the ball, and I hope Stuart won't be too crestfallen.

Alan came back once to win a round of QI!

[Image: Getty] [mimitig]

ICC World Twenty20: Pakistan Impressive

While Geoff Lawson sat like a stony faced Rapa Nui Moai in the fidgety and excited Pakistan dugout, his charges played some very impressive cricket to defeat Australia by six wickets with four balls to spare at The Wanderers in Johannesburg overnight.

On a warm, humid afternoon Pakistan, led brilliantly by new skipper Shoaib Malik and backed up superbly by every bowler, contained Australia to 164/7 from their 20 overs. Their fielding was slick and classy with Afridi throwing the stumps down on several occasions and their catching was faultless with more than one sharp, difficult chance taken. The athleticism and skill was sublime entertainment and at times this match was, without exaggeration, literally breathtaking. 

Recently, Pakistan removed their three most celebrated players from the current squad, Inzamam, Yousef and Akhtar and have replaced them with players that are hungry to prove themselves.

Left-arm quick Sohail Tanvir, a supposed batting allrounder playing his first internationals for his country, was outstanding in his opening three over spell. He removed both Hayden and Gilchrist and caused Ponting no end of trouble. His unique whippy action, where he appears to bowl off the wrong foot, made the ball difficult to pick up for the Australian top-order and it was a wise decision to include this young man in the squad after Shoaib Akhtar’s latest indiscretion.

Wasim Akram, perhaps the greatest left-arm seam bowler of all, has had a lot to do with Tanvir’s development and it is more than evident in his approach to the wicket and the attacking nature of his overs. Tanvir, who has yet to take a domestic wicket in T20, was a surprise and controversial choice to replace Akhtar but Lawson insisted on his inclusion after he tore through the Australia ‘A’ top order in the recently finished three match ODI series in Pakistan. Incredibly, Tanvir is regarded primarily as a batsman and he has struck several first-class centuries and why it may be too early to call, it looks as though Lawson with the help of his good mate Akram has uncovered a cricket team’s most rare and valuable asset. A genuine allrounder. 

Afridi and Hafeez, the Pakistani spinners, bowled beautifully. Instead of bowling flat and defensively they attacked the Australians and in doing so illustrated to the rest of the sides in this tournament how to defeat the World Champions. Match their intensity and attack at every opportunity. Obviously, Lawson has had an enormous influence on this strategy and although satisfied with the win, I suspect he may have mixed feelings about being such an influential part in Australia’s defeat. He is after all, a very proud member of the Baggygreen elite.

Despite the Pakistani heroics Australia matched them until calamity struck. In the ninth over with Australia scoring at near ten an over, Ponting set off for a quick single and pulled, tweaked or tore his hamstring. A few balls later Ponting, obviously in a lot of discomfort, was cleverly bowled by Hafeez. The wily spinner recognised that Ricky was lame and looped a ball on a teasing drivable length. Ponting unable to use his feet swished an ugly swipe at the turning delivery and was deservedly bowled.

Australia never really recovered from the loss of their inspirational skipper and despite a solid partnership from Hodge and Hussey the favourites were on the back foot throughout their innings.

Umar Gul and Asif ably supported by Tanvir bowled perfect yorker after perfect yorker in the last four overs and when Johnson snicked a ball to third man for a single from the last ball Australia knew that they were 20 or more runs short of a defendable total. 

Pakistan’s innings started poorly, as it has throughout the tournament, and a third of the way through their chase they were precariously poised at 46/4. At this point the resurgent Misbah-ul-Haq joined the classy Shoaib Malik at the crease and for the rest of the match Pakistan dominated.

Misbah, another Lawson inspired controversial selection, is Pakistan’s most decorated domestic T20 player averaging over 50 at a strike rate of 130+ from his 20 matches. His experience showed against a determined Australian attack and the ease that Malik and Misbah chased down Australia’s total illustrated their tremendous skill, temperament and class.

Australia, without Ponting, looked diminished in the field and while Gilchrist did a serviceable job as deputy, it was clear that without their skipper Australia are significantly weakened, tactically and emotionally.

Pakistan, taking on Australia at their own game by playing fearless attacking cricket, exposed a gaping hole in the current Australian T20 attack. Symonds and Clarke sharing the work of the fifth bowler may be successful against less skilled and determined opponents but against a class and now well-coached outfit like Pakistan they looked second-rate.

Pakistan have caused Australia no end of problems as they prepare for the crunch knockout match with World Cup runners-up Sri Lanka tomorrow. There are now doubts over the team balance and Ponting’s injury only exacerbates this problem. It is a great opportunity for the Lankans to revenge Australia while they are in a weakened and confused state. Australia will bounce back, that is undeniable, but this is a chance that Sri Lanka would be keen to advantage.

Summing up, Pakistan were brilliant and if they can play such excellent disciplined cricket in their next three matches they will be deserving winners of the inaugural World Twenty20 Championships. Lawson’s controversial selections of Malik as captain, a seemingly washed-up Misbah and the young and super-impressive Tanvir are now looking strokes of genius. A new dawn has arrived in Pakistani cricket and if the players take heed of Henry's direction perhaps a long and successful era as well. 

[Nesta Quin] [Image: Getty]

ICC World Twenty20 - Hero of the day: Fernando

It's been a very difficult day as far as picking a Hero is concerned. Starting work late, I was able to follow the first few overs of the England innings and it looked as though it might be a knuckles fight for Hero between Jimmy Anderson and Daz Maddy. Such is the stuff of false dawns and strange dreams I discovered when I returned home. Daniel "The Librarian" Vettori put paid to England's hopes, and as I'm saving the bespectacled wonder for later, he can't be today's choice.

The second match of the day pitched the all-conquering (except against Zimbabwe) Australia against ever-entertaining Pakistan. This match was truly exciting and I was so so tempted to have Misbah as Hero. At 33 years-old and with a mere 12 Test appearances and what was described on Test Match Special as a "handful of ODIs" to his name, he was magnificent and was Man of the Match. Pakistan won. But I had him a few nights ago (as Hero). So all to play for in the final match of the day. Sri Lanka v Bangladesh.

Fireworks expected but it didn't quite light up as Sri Lanka won rather easily. But there will be a Winner Takes All match between Sri Lanka and Australia and my choice for today's Hero can only be Sri Lanka's very own Fernando who got Tamin Iqbal and the very dangerous Aftab Ahmed out cheaply.

If I can have official runners-up from other sporting disciplines, then tonight's are the Pipe and Drum Band at Murrayfield who did their job and sent chills up the spine of the opposition and inspired hope in all Scots. That match is still on-going and Ali Hogg has put new meaning into the name "Hoggster".

[Image: BBC] [mimitig]

ICC World Twenty20 - Villain of the day: Paul Collingwood

In the Googly dungeons, there are a few skeletons in the closets, so caution is always advisable when heading towards the moral high ground. But what can one say about the news of Paul Collingwood's choice of Tour entertainment?

The Trumpet is happy to confine himself to questioning just one aspect of the sorry incident - how many misjudgements are required to get an England captain to a lap-dancing club for a beer in the early hours, the day before a crucial match?

Answer - Too many.

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty]

ICC World Twenty20 - Villain of the day: England's selectors

What were the selectors thinking? In an intense fortnight of 100mph cricket and practice in a tournament where fielding is crucial to success (witness England's fumbling defeat against the Saffers last night), Colly has been given no back-up keeper!

Entirely predictably, Matt Prior (right) has damaged a finger in the nets and is "doubtful" for tomorrow. With the keeper standing up vital to the "pace off the ball" strategy adopted by every team except Australia, as long as Prior's finger is still connected to his hand, I expect him to play. England's Head Coach is a keeper as is the batting coach - surely they could have seen this coming? 

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty]

ICC World Twenty20 - Hero of the day: Shahid Afridi

It's taken a while in this thirteen day tournament before being able to do this one, but finally, I get to have Shahid Afridi as Hero. He bowled superbly (though was not as explosive with the bat as we like to see), adding three wickets to the four he took against Scotland last week. Tonight in his four overs although there were no maidens, he took three for 18, and these were the wickets of Mahela Jayawardene (that might have sealed the match), Chamara Silva and Gayan Wijekoon. Just to emphasise his class in the field Afridi took a fine catch to dismiss Jehan Mubarak off the bowling of Umar Gul. Sri Lanka did not do badly but they were out-played by Pakistan who took the win by 33 runs, and I apologise for not illustrating this with a picture of Afridi in full bowling action. Just couldn't resist the smile in this photo.

The runner-up tonight was Arlo White for his comment on Test Match Special:

"Things are a blur in Twenty20". Yep - I can go with that!

[Image: Getty] [mimitig]

Luke is having a shocker

Back in June I wrote that Luke Wright was playing well enough in county cricket, showing enough character and class, to earn a chance to move up to the international stage. I think I may have been wrong. Unfortunately, and it may simply be that England are not as clever as they thought about international Twenty20, Luke has struggled mightily in South Africa. As I write he has the grand total of three runs to his name, all in the losing cause against Australia, and his appearances against Zimbabwe and South Africa have seen him walking away with big fat blobs.

It's not only his batting that has gone to pot. His fielding, particularly against South Africa when he dropped Mark Boucher, has not shown the class that we were expecting.

I often make excuses for England boys on grounds of their youth (and Luke is still only 22 years-old), but in the current ICC Twenty20 Tournament, we are seeing younger ones from Zimbabwe and Bangladesh performing far better.

Now, we know Luke has been named in the One-day squad to tour Sri Lanka starting later this month with the first One-day International on 1st October. I hope his poor form in South Africa, so far, will not damage his chances of selection for this tour. After all, how can good young county players take the next step without exposure to the best the world has to offer?

[Image: Getty] [mimitig]

ICC Twenty20: Australia Continue to Improve

Australia continued their improvement after a long lay-off defeating Bangladesh in a canter by 9 wickets. For the third match in succession the Australian four-pronged pace attack restricted the opposition to a score under 135. For all the talk of T20 being a batsman’s game Johnson, Clark, Lee and Bracken bowled to their strength and completely dominated Bangladesh from the start.

Although only four days into taking this format seriously, Australia have quickly surmised that if you bowl short and quick over off stump the batsman is forced to play a precarious cross-batted shot. Few players outside Australia and South Africa are confident or internationally competent off the back foot and it seems at this point, a winning, wicket-taking run-reducing strategy.

 

Ponting won the toss and in what is developing as a pattern during this tournament decided to field first. Bangladesh openers, Tamim Iqbal and Nazimuddin, began cautiously and solidly and when the first wicket fell at the end of the sixth over Bangladesh were 40/1. The men in green and red continued to bat intelligently albeit tardily hoping to lay a platform, keeping wickets in hand for a burst in the final five overs. Halfway through the 17th over they were looking reasonably good for a final assault at 108/3. But then a little piece of history intervened.

Brett Lee, who is still finding rhythm after a six month long injury induced break, struck three times in successive balls to snare the first international T20 hat-trick. As is often the case during a cricket match, a Bangledeshi error the ball before changed the course and led to this historic moment. 

Aftab Ahmed skied a ball into the vacant mid-wicket area and as the ball plugged into the dampish outfield two Australian fielders converged on it. There was an easy two runs but the sight of muscular Symonds picking the ball up from the turf led to confusion and only a single being taken. So instead of the in-form Aftab on strike, Shakib al Hussein faced the next delivery instead. Cricket almost always punishes you for making rudimentary mistakes and Bangladesh paid dearly for their poor running and communication on this occasion.

The very next ball Brett Lee bowled to plan with a rising delivery over off-stump which Shakib tried to cut square but was beaten for pace and all he could do was thinly top-edge the ball off the shoulder of the bat through to Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist. It was too close to the body to cut and far too often did the Bangladeshi batsman back away towards square-leg to cut rather than getting inside the line to pull or hook.

Next batsman, Mushrafe Mortaza, chose to back away as Lee was in his delivery stride and not believing his luck Brett took a little pace off the ball and pitched it at the base of off-stump for a predictable result.

The third batsman in the hatrick, Alok Kapali, at least had the courage to stand his ground but was trapped plum on the crease by a canny off-cutter and was rightly adjudged LBW.

Lee has been the least impressive of the fast bowling attack so far at this tournament and I doubt that it will be the last hatrick by a bowler playing T20 this campaign. Bracken, bowling the 20th over, was also on a hat-trick but Bangladesh glove-man Rahim thought that one hat-trick an innings was enough and he cautiously played the penultimate ball for a nurdled two behind square rather than give Bracken the opportunity by recklessly trying to hit him into the stands off his first ball faced.

Australia, due to some fine bowling backed up by sharp and incisive fielding, restricted Bangladesh to 123 from their allotted 20 overs. This was never going to be enough and Hayden and Gilchrist helped themselves to a cool 100 from the first 11 overs before Gilchrist was run out pushing for a quick single by a sharp piece of ground fielding by Tamim Iqbal and an equally fine piece of keeping by Rahim.

Ponting strode to the wicket with a determination to see the team home and both he and Hayden were not out when the score was passed with more than 6 overs remaining. Another solid win by the men in yellow and next up will be, perhaps Australia's hardest match to date, against the mercurial team from Pakistan. 

In closing, Australia are finding their feet and are starting to put together the type of cricket that has seen them undisputed World Champions for the last decade. Hayden looks back to his best, Gilchrist is striking them well, as is Ponting and Symonds. Little slogging is taking place with a determination to play attacking yet traditional cricket shots to get the job done. The pace bowling attack, Stuart Clarke in particular, have been excellent and are working in partnerships allowing little respite from their short-pitched chest-high attack. The fielding is starting to intimidate their opponents and this can be seen by the indecisive running of England and Bangladesh in the last two matches.

Australia are looking good to make the semi-finals and one more win over the equally impressive Sri Lankans or Pakistan should see them through to the business end.

[Nesta Quin]

ICC World Twenty20 - Villain of the day: Shaun Pollock

Can you win any cricket match having dropped an average of one catch every five overs? Of course you can't - and that's what cost England their Super 8s' match vs South Africa at a carnivalesque Newlands.

So it wasn't the turning point when KP was run out, but it was a big moment in every sense. KP was at fault for running with his eyes on the ball intent on getting himself between the thrower and the stumps, but isn't that what the coaches tell them to do? I've been waiting for a batsman to dismissed obstructed the field for just this trick - that would wipe the smile off the ex-pros in the commentary box who always call such a manoeuvre "smart cricket".

But what exactly was Pollock doing? Moving away from the wicket towards the ball, when every cricket instinct should have told him to get over the stumps for the return. I'm in no doubt that his apology to KP was sincere, but I've no doubt that Pollock's intention was to give Pietersen a running problem, not to run him out. Can Googlyers account for Pollock's actions?

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty]

ICC World Twenty20 - Hero of the day: Brett Lee

Australia's Brett Lee has to be today's Hero for taking the first hat trick of the tournament (which makes that the first ever international Twenty20 hat trick). His victims were Shahib Al Asan, Mashrafe Mortaza and Alok Kapali as the Aussies never even had to get out of first gear to cruise to a nine wicket win in 13.5 overs. They were cold, controlled and clinical in their performance, and it seems a long time ago that Ricky Ponting described his boys' performance as diabolical when they were crushed by Zimbabwe. A week may be a short time in politics - a couple of days is a short time in a tournament progressing with the speed of this inaugural international Twenty20.

The reason you do not see Brett Lee's picture here is that there are times when results in sport simply cease to matter. The Googly (although dedicated to cricket coverage) does not exist in a bubble.

Today we choose to pay tribute to a true hero and legend - Colin McRrae - whose death was confirmed in the early hours this morning. Former World Rally Champion, and a man who has fans way beyond his sphere of motorsport.

He will be sadly missed, and condolences go to his family - his wife Alison, father Jimmy, brother Alister and all close friends.

[Image: Getty] [mimitig]

ICC World Twenty20 - Villain of the day: Graeme Smith's cool head

It's a cliche to say that the best sporting contests are between opposites: Ali, the boxer vs Frazier, the brawler; Borg, the iceman vs McEnroe, the hothead; and, perhaps, Bangladesh, the romantics vs South Africa, the pragmatists. To the uninitiated, it barely looks a contest at all - the Bangla Boys are young (but look even younger) and slight of stature, whereas the Saffers (as usual) look older than their years and tower above their opponents. But cricket isn't rugby.

We saw exactly what damage the Davids could inflict on the Goliaths at the start of the match. With nothing riding on the result, the Bangla Boys went berserk from the gun. The runs per over reads: 8, 16, 15, 15 to see the scoreboard showing the Bangla boys 54 runs to the good after four overs! But Graeme Smith had kept his head amidst the carnage, as had his bowlers, who (it seems incredible to relate) had taken four wickets in those same 24 deliveries.

From then on, the Saffers, led by their as yet imperturbable captain, bowled in "good areas" then batted aggressively when needed to seal the win and their captain's (slightly tongue in cheek) Villain of the Day award. But some time soon, the Bangla assault won't be accompanied by the clatter of wickets, the fielding side will panic, and these wiry batsmen, mixing superb cricket shots with hideous hoicks, will keep that scoreboard going and post a total beyond the reach of any cricketing nation.

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty]

ICC World Twenty20 - Hero of the day: Sanath Jayasuriya

Not a great day at the World Twenty20 today and no competition at all for Hero. Yesterday's runner-up Sanath Jayasuriya gets it today for a great 61 against New Zealand. His partnerships with Upal Tharanga (worth 82) and Mahela Jayawardene (worth 35) put the match safely in Sri Lanka's hands.

They won by seven wickets.

[Image: Getty] [mimitig]

ICC World Twenty20 - Villain of the day: The Bowl-Out

The World Twenty20 has not disappointed. Spectacular batting, athletic fielding, see-saw matches, vibrant crowds, the occasional shock, and some tough cricket in the middle - what's not to like?

Until tonight. Showing great resolve to play some wonderful cricket in less than ideal conditions and roared on by partisan but good-natured supporters, India and Pakistan played out that most exciting of cricket results - the tie. That was exactly the right result. But someone, no doubt having read too much about "kissing your sister", had decided that Twenty20 needs winners and losers in every match and that the bowl-out was the way forward. It's not.

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty]

ICC World Twenty20: Australia Resurrected

With the sun on their backs and a Zimbabwean sting in their tails, the Australian team late this afternoon in Cape Town played almost perfect cricket to comprehensively defeat England by eight wickets with more than 30 balls to spare. Australia played the new diminished format with the hunger reserved for Test matches and it paid dividends. No quarter was given and the newer members of the England squad seemed spooked by the aggressive nature and technical ability of an Australian XI with plenty to prove. 

Paul Collingwood called correctly at the toss and in what is a debatable decision, chose to bat first on a true but yet to be tested surface. England’s openers, Prior and Maddy, began cautiously and seemed uncomfortable with the high bounce of the new strip. Ponting instantly recognised this and replaced Lee and Bracken after only one over with the new ball, replacing the duo with the impressive Johnson and the ever-reliable Stuart Clarke. It was an incisive piece of captaincy and the extra bounce generated by his taller pacemen saw the wickets of Prior, Wright and Maddy fall in quick succession. Ponting had his Ashes face on and England never recovered from this early setback.

Pietersen shared brief fruitful partnerships with Collingwood and Flintoff before he too succumbed to the pressure. He played such a woeful shot that it defies description. A half-volley on leg stump cleaned bowled him because he was to and fro in the crease with his chest facing the bowler hitting across the line. There were seven overs left and England desperately needed a steady hand at that point. As is often the case against Australia, all of England’s hopes now rested on Andrew Flintoff’s broad but burdened shoulders.

Flintoff looked in good touch and it was obvious that he was not intimidated by the Australian presence. In fact, Fred rose to the occasion hitting a brace of sixes down the ground from Symonds before being tempted into trying to lob short third man from an accurate Johnson bouncer, the delivery directly after Ponting had cleverly moved the fielder into the circle. 

A predictable and familiar rout began after Flintoff’s demise with the last five wickets falling for a paltry eight runs. Full credit should be given to the Australian frontline bowlers who performed admirably and intelligently throughout. Ponting used his multi-faceted pace attack well and on more than one occasion his tactical awareness led to wickets falling and consequently runs drying up.

Bracken after an untidy first over returned to bowl his final three on the trot and when he bowled Broad from the last ball of the innings England had scored 135 from their 20 overs. 

It was a small total on a good pitch and the way England began its innings - either blocking or slogging - was in stark contrast to the Australian approach.

Hayden and Gilchrist waited for the loose ball in the first few overs and were content to have a look and score at an easy run-a-ball. After two solid overs each from Broad and a wincing Flintoff, Collingwood bravely brought himself on and Gilchrist and Hayden helped themselves to four boundaries. James Kirtley, on next in his only over, bowled too full and Hayden hit him for four more scintillating boundaries and each shot straight from the text-book. 

Hayden and Gilchrist continued their merry measured approach but anything slightly off line or length was quickly despatched. It was an impressive opening partnership that was broken in the ninth over with the score on 78. Gilchrist threw his wicket away lofting a drive from Schofield to long on where Flintoff took a safe outfield catch. The Australian skipper joined Hayden and the same clinical pattern continued until Ponting scooped a low full toss back at a visibly suffering Flintoff who nonchalantly accepted the gift in one hand.   

With only 16 runs to win and the skipper back in the sheds, Hayden decided that he’d had enough too. He arrogantly despatched the next three deliveries for 14 before Symonds hit the winning runs with a boundary from his first ball faced.

Ponting’s men, like all champion outfits, responded after a setback with pride and conviction. Their opponents began surprisingly tentatively and a wounded Australian team never let them back in the contest. England looked poor no matter how you analyse it and their specialists and youngsters appeared overawed and diminished by the occasion.

Australia now know that they can play T20 at a high standard and they are only going to improve from this point on. John Buchanan taught the team that in disaster lies oppportunity. It is a lesson not easily learned. Ricky Ponting demanded that the the team give the new format the same care that they give other matches when playing for their country. The team responded with verve and bearing in mind his belated arrival, these last few days illustrate the enormous respect and influence that Ricky Ponting generates amongst his team-mates.

Zimbabwe awoke a giant. If Australia play to their potential in T20 cricket it won't be much fun for their opponents. It will be tough, clinical and uncompromising. And that dear readers, is how cricket is played best.

[Nesta Quin] [Image; Getty]   

ICC World Twenty20 - Villain of the day: West Indies Cricket Administration

After a dismal home World Cup, so long in coming, so long in duration, so short in the memory, the West Indies reached what every cricket fan must hope is the nadir of their fortunes with elimination from the World Twenty20 at the earliest opportunity. With the team struggling to put together winning sessions of Test Cricket, the crash-bang of Twenty20 seemed made for the likes of Dwayne Smith and Marlon Samuels, but it wasn't to be.

Whilst the players bear much of the responsibility, the real villains are the administrators who have overseen as precipitous a drop as there has been in world sport: from undisputed Number One to where? It's for the administrators to locate where the Windies are right now and to find a way out of this swamp. And it's for their brothers in what I still think of as cricket's family to help them.

[The Tooting Trumpet] 

ICC World Twenty20: Bangladesh hammer West Indies (and send them home)

No such pyrotechnics from Crystal Gayle today as he first walked back to the shed clutching a duck-egg, then sat as his team built a gettable total that Bangladesh made look even simpler than that.

Devon Smith made 51, albeit slowly, and that was as good as it was to get as the Windies reached 164-8 in their alloted overs.  Shakib al Hasan was the star for Bangladesh, taking 4-34.

Bangladesh took to their response aggresively, with the star of the show being the frighteningly talented Mohammad Ashraful, scoring 61 off 27 scintillating balls (S/R 225!).  By the time he was sent on his way, his partnership with Aftab Ahmed (right) had done for the West Indies and the match.