IAM NOW IN A TOTAL STATE OF SHOCK. ENGLAND WON FOUR GAMES ON THE TROT Now lets see what happens in the world cup. We wont win it but we now know how to win one day games. Still a long way to go. But its a start. We at least stopped the arrogant aussies in their tracks. I know they are a world class team but they shouldnt be so arrogant and cocky. I respect the way they play on the field but not there attitude off the field like Mr Buchanen when he asked us for a game which they certainly got. Now they know what its like to lose a few games on the trot.

Annanth


I see India have announced their squad for the WC.Apart from the out of form Sehwag are there any other suprises?

Rahul Dravid (captain), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar (vice captain), Saurav Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa, Mahendra Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik (both wicket-keepers), Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Munaf Patel, Zaheer Khan, Santhakumar Sreesanth, Ajit Agarkar.

Credit to England Russ.They have somewhat rescued a failed tour and this should give them real confidence

The squad is announced on Wed.Some hard choices.I think Reade should replace Nixon and Mal Loye should also go.As for Vaughan then he is a great captian but a poor one day batsman.Tough choices.

Hi Robert,
How luck changes hands overnight is quite amazing - the British romping home after giving a lesson or two to the Aussies and the Kiwis doing the same but in more ruthless manner. India has , as I seeit has finally hit the right balance though I am not convinced about Sehwag. Hw could be taken along as he is a useful bowler and a great fielder and then he does score his 30's and 40's. If it was an openers slot the side weren looking at I would opt for Gautham Gambhir whi I feel has got a real raw deal. He has really shown his worth in the Ranji trophy on basis of which the selection for the Indian side is made and can be as destructive as Sehwag. The opening slot could really be a formidable one with Uttapa and Saurav opening the innings, Dravid coming one down, then Sachin for getting a move on with the run rate. This is my feeling - Yuvraj should come in after Sachin and keep the momentum going.Leave the slog overs to either Sachin and Dhoni or yuvraj and Dhoni - this I am convinced will demoralize any team. The fielding too has shown great improvements and we got a glimpse of that against the Windies and as well against the Lankans, who on the first one dayer which was rained off. Jaysuria was hammering the Indians all over the field and truly its the weather Gods who recued India. The other two were really cake walks and not once did I doubt India loosing even if Murali or Vaas were there. The main thing is that the Indians have finally found the right combination and thats taken a massive amount of time and a lot of brickbats for both Dravid and Chappel.
Robert- just one question - what do feel the chances are of UK doing well in the windies or for that matter the Aussies and the Kiwis. The wickets are completely different and from what I saw of the last few matches India played there the pitch were really great and to a large extent would be like an Indian track. I would also like to finish this posting if you feel Munaf Patel really deserves his place in the side. I have always had my reservations about him.

If you or anyone else who are crazy enough about cricket can lay bets a day before any particular match. No money transactions all for Zaheer Khan and would take a chance on Irfan. Ajit Agarkar has been a promising player for a very long time now and thats where it has remained - promising. He was actually an all rounder but I really wonder who gave him that title. The spinners are fine and both Kumble and Harbajan are my choice with Romesh as stand by.
Its just a matter of a couple of weeks and we get underway...... the deciding factor between the Men and the Boys and we know this time it will be battle hard fought keeping the recent victories of the Brits, and the Kiwis over the Aussies and then India getting back into the groove against the Windies and Sri Lanka. matches that recently concluded and surprise, surprise - Man of the series -Saurav Ganguly !!!

England are a different side with Pertersen in the team.They are bound to be confident after the ODI success in Australia.Also Vaughan is a great captain but a poor one day player.On this basis I feel they are one batsman down by playing him instead of Mal Loye.Also taking Nixon the wicket keeper is a big mistake,He is 40 and does not score many runs.Reade would be my choice.

England's weakest area is the bowlers.The West Indies is not a spinners favoured patch and I think Panesar may suffer as a result of this.For example South Africa the new world no1 team are not taking any spinners.

I do not expect England to progress beyond the super 8's.I expect

SA
Aussie
India
Sri Lanka(or West Indies)

to progress to the semis
I have bet on Sri Lanka to win and India to get to the final at least .Both at 7/1.

As for me I will be watching Scotland who have no chance

ps

My cricket tickets arrived yesterday for the WC.I will endeavour to find an internet cafe when over there to give you some updates on the games.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Robert E,

Dear Robert,
You are one lucky guy to get to watch all the matches at the grounds. Anyway, we mortals will have to do with our television sets and hopefully will serve our purpose. The ides of March are finally here and so is the world cup.I am a hard core fan of the Indian cricket side and this time I can say we have a wonderfully balanced team - a batting line up which I would term as the best in the world - with Saurav and Yuvraj rediscovering their form and hopefully Sehwag pulls out some tricks from his cap. The opening slot has been wonderfully placed as if Sehwag and Ganguly open there could be no stopping them and the same applies for Uttapa and Ganguly. Then you have Dravid coming one down followed by Sachin - who has made up his mind on finishing this world cup on a high note. Down the line is Yuvraj who bats with fantsastic grace and powreful shots. The we have Dhoni coming in with a strike rate of over 100 and if there are enough runs on the boa he will go out be the bowlers nightmare. Even the lower rung have their tails up with Agarkar, who on his day can do things, Irfan Pathan who can really bat at any position and of course Zaheer and Harbajan - who too have have never shied away. I lay my bets on India not just reaching the finals but going all out to win this World Cup as this is the last chance for some of the best players innthe world to get their hands on the coveted cup before they hang up their boots.

Ananth

Hi Gang. I was really shocked with the news of the untimely death of Bob Woolmer. He was a super coach and a super person. I didnt know him but I nearly met him one year at a coaching conference but i couldnt go. Now they are saying he was murdered!!!!!! I dont know the facts but it is suspicious. Stupid Freddy Flintoff. Lucky not to have been sent home.

Just been to Scotland v Netherlands must say very disappointed with our lads however the World Cup has been put in perspective with the death of Bob Woolmer. I imagine Pakistan and India are in a state of shock after some shock defeats but I think India will still get through. As for South Africa they have got to be the most physically fit cricket side I have seen yet and I really think they will do well. Watching cricket in the West Indies is very relaxing but I must say it's very hot! I am genuinely looking forward to returning home tomorrow and then going to watch Scotland play Georgia in the Euro championships. As for Englands cricket team they seem to have an attitude problem which they will need to get sorted if they are to have a chance. I still think Sri Lanka will win it and India could finish second.

Must go, all the best

Robert and Lorraine

Dear Robert,
Am typinthis after ages since the Indian team got jammed at the wold cup and made their infamous exit. That had left me in a state of shock like billions of Indians and you should have seen the the way the players came back to India - in hiding, will you beleive that??? Then the next on the list is Pakistan - they have one too many problems in the side and mostly personal. The British too being a good side I think were creating their own problems and I for one am glad the Vaughn has decided to step down from the captiancy.The real match that may have made a difference in the finals were the semis between the South Africans and the Aussies. I just cannot imagine what happend to S.Africa - they just got blown away. The finals between Sri Lanka and the Aussies would have been really close if the weather had not played a spoilsport and the Lankans I feel were short changed.
Anyway, the "revenge" tour to Bangladesh ( can you believe they are calling it that???) starts in another four days and I really have not figured out what the Indian selectors are trying to prove - They claim to have "rested" Sachin and Ganguly - but noone even beleives them for a minute. The mystery is Sehwag - I just do not understand how Dravid can keep having faith in him and the chances he has been given - the same should have been given to the rest of the players also - Irfan Phatan, Harbajan Singh and so many more. Lets see if they come back with their tails between their legs from Bangldesh as that will be the final nail in their coffins.
Take care,
Ananth

Annanth

Its important for India to beat Bangladesh and do it well.Your neighbours are a much improved side but I think the Indians will mean business this time.No complacency,no inflated egos.I have yet to see a name for the new Indian head coach?

Anyway India are touring England later this year and I hope to get along to see them.Test cricket is my preferred form of cricket

All the best to your countrymen and all the best wishes to yourself

Dear Robert,
The Bangladeshis are a very upcoming lot. They have taken time right down there and its time they rose to world standards. I hope that their show their confidence against our Men in Blue and have some real finishes. However, hopefully India will win - nothing seems the same after the show at the world cup. There are new names in the squad and you must have read that Sachin and Ganguly have been "rested" for the one dayers and will play only the tests. I really wonder what "rested" means. Another amazing, mind boggling was the inclusion of Sehwag in the side but Dravid seems to show a lot of confidence in him and guess what as Dravid got injured ( got his nose hit ) at net practise - Sehwag , who to everyones surprise is even in the team will most probably captain the team at the first one dayer against Bangladseh. Lets see that the future hold for us.
England has also been a wavery lot and it seems they depend on luck more then confidence. One thing Robert - did you ever expect them retain the ashes against the Aussies? The upcoming tour of India to your shores will be fun to watch - I am not going to miss a single match, even if it means no sleep ( the time difference).
And honestly cricket at the end of the day is cricket - either you love it or hate it. As I said - I am passionate about it - be it a one days or a test match I also wonder who the new coach will be as there seems to be lot of he-haws going on about the same. Well for the stop gap - they have put Ravi Shastri to carry out the duties and if he does well, I would not be surprised if he is retained as the coach for the forthcoming tours.
I think they really need luck - thanks a lot and take care,
Ananth

ananth

your boys done you proud in the 1st odi.showed grit and determination and guts.looks like dhoni has found his batting form

I am watching the second odi as I type this

Hi Robert,
I was also watching the match its great that India won but there are still of things to worry about. Sehwag is more of a liability to the side now and most Indians feel he is a hinderance to other players who should be tested ( Eg, Robin Uttapa ). These youngsters have been chosen for the tour and are just warming the benches.
Yep, I agree that Dhoni is making his presence really felt (making 91 the last time without a six???? ). Kartick too is not too bad and has three advantages - he is a good bat, an excellent fielder and also the back up wicket keeper. All said and done - the Bangladeshis are making an impact and the Indians are still not too sure of themselves and they will have to sort out all their differences really fast before the other outings begin.
I am really looking forward to the England tour - thats is going to be very interesting as both sides have something to prove.
what say?

Ananth

I watched the England vs West Indies game today.Sarwan and Chandrepaul were superb.Do you think these players would get in the India side?
India appear to be well on top in the test weather permitting.

I think India will do well in England.The conditions will suit their bowlers especially Sreesanth.As for the batsmen then your guys have experience in English county conditions.I think it will be a drawn series.

Ananth

I watched the England vs West Indies game today.Sarwan and Chandrepaul were superb.Do you think these players would get in the India side?
India appear to be well on top in the test weather permitting.

I think India will do well in England.The conditions will s