Great Players from India

Sunil Gavaskar of India was not only the first batsman to score 10,000 runs in test matches, he was also the first batsman to score the maximum number of runs in Test cricket before Allan Border. The recored for maximum number of centuries was also in his name till Sachin broke that record. Tendulkar has beaten the record with 35 centuries. On the other hand Sachin Tendulkar was the first batsman in one day cricket to score 10,000 runs. The maximum number of runs in One Day matches and Test matches is also I his name.

In bowling, before Kapil Dev had become the first bowlerto break Richard Hadlee’s World record of 431 test wickets. It is true that India had performed well in home than at abroad. The reason for this has been our wickets, climate, environment and playing in familiar conditions. Every body faces trouble while playing abroad. If India is not able to play well on the bouncy wickets of New Zealand, Australia and on the movement wickets in England, then these countries also face problems in playing on the slow, turning wickets of India. Some of Indian players have been able to adapt to the situations very well. VVS Laxman plays well in Australian Cricket. 

Some Major Contributions to Cricket

Even in spin bowling, the off spin bowled through fingers, the leg spin bowled using wrist, left arm spin and armour bowling are the features of Indian sub-continent. But the British artistry has become ineffective because of one day cricket. Despite the lack of facilities and favourable circumstances, the success of players like Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Jayasurya, Zaheer Abbaz and Wasim Akram is praise worthy. Despite having played on matting wickets, Nayudu played on turf. Gavaskar never got the chance to play fast bowling in India while Kapil Dev never got to bowl on wickets in India that helped fast bowlers. He never had a good opening bowling partner too. Sri Lanka was troubled by political instability and the change of Governments continued even in Pakistan. But still, the three countries continued to dominate the international cricket.

They made significant contributions to the world cricket during all these times. They produced some finr players in cricket who were considered as masters in cricket. Players like Sachin Tendulkar, Jayasurya, Rahul Dravid, Muthayya Muraleetharan, Sourav Ganguly, Wasim Akram, Insamam and many others were masters in cricketing skills. The contributions made by these players are significant in Cricketing World.

Englnd claims Victory

England clinch ICC world t20 in an exciting fashion. It was the all round performance from Kevin Pietersen that helped the English boys reach their hand over t20 cup. Kieswetter made it easy in the mean time. A fine bowling performance from England restricted the Aussies to 147 in 20 overs earlier. It was then a fine partnership between Kieswetter and Kevin Pietersen that anchored English victory in the second session of match. Morgan coming late in the match didn't waited for his captain to do the striking but took the job comfortably as soon as he came. Kevin Pietersen was adjudged player of the tournament while Kieswetter took the man of the match award.

England didn’t got any world cup matches except this one. This will be a real happy event for the cricket fans in England. People were eager to celebrate atleast one event in cricket for them. The England team finally got one to cheer for.

Bangladesh Joining World Cricket

Bangladesh is the tenth and last nation to be granted test status. Before the creation of Pakistan, Bangladesh was known as East Pakistan. Bangladesh has close social and cultural affinity with West Bengal. Their culture, customs, language and dress are more or less similar. The land is fertile but the people are poor. The life of a common man in the village of Bengladesh was miserable. In 1973, East Bengal, that came to be called East Pakistan, became independent after a war with Pakistan. There was lot of blood shed, but eventually their struggle ended in freedom.

In 1976-77, an MCC team led by former captain of ESSEX and then the England sector Brian Taylor came on a tour of Bangladesh. This team played four test matches. Three of them ended in a draw but on a matting wicket in Chittagong, Mcc won by an innings. Bangladesh may not have won the match, but the important thing was that 40,000 people turned up to watch the game in 3 days. In the next International competition, Sri Lanka emerged victorious.

By now Bangladesh is recognized by many people and nations. Bangladesh is also taking part in World Cup matches as well. They even knocked out India in the 2007 ICC World Cup match.

Zimbabwe with Cricket

After being ostracized from international cricket for 21 years, South Africa returned to the fold in 1992. Zimbabwe also got test status in 1992. It started its international carrier by playing in the one-off test against India at Harare. This test ended in a draw. In 1993, the Zimbabwe team toured India to play one test match which it lost. But in 1998, it defeated the visiting Indian team to register its first win. Neil Johnson, Heath Streak, Andy and Grant Flower were the architect of the win over India. It was a big achievement to have defeated an India side that had been playing test cricket for 60 years and which had world class players like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly.

In 1998 itself, Zimbabwe toured Pakistan and registerd its first win on foreign soil by defeating the hosts 1-0. It surprised the cricketing world by wrapping up the match against Pakistan in 4 days. The second test ended in a draw and third test was not played due to bad weather conditions. The Pakistan side has a strong fast bowling players and was regarded a cricketing power at that time. Still the Zimbabwe managed to win a test match against them.

India And Spin Bowling

After the glorious achievements like the series win over West Indies and England in 1971 and the historic victory again over West Indies by scoring 406 runs for the loss of 4 wickets while batting last at Port of Spain,lifting the World cup has been among the glorius achievements of Indian cricket. By then, waving the national flag has started and in 1983, the waving of the tricolour by the spectators at the Lords was a great scene. India was able to achieve all these mile stones in the early ages of Indian cricket only because of the variety in bowling. India stand apart others by its spin bowling magic.

Now to have a glance at the one day matches and test played by India between 1980 and 1990, and 1990 to 2000. Between 1980 and 1990, India played 85 test matches. India won 11 and lost 22. The percentage of success in test was 43. Between 1990 and 2000 India played 69 test matches and the percentage of success was 48.55. It measn the percentage of success is increasing for India. Indi performed very well in the next 10 years that is 2000 to 2010. The success of India has been its variety in bowling.

Shade of Colonialism in Cricket

It is an irony that the origin of cricket took place in England in 1598 and only 278 years after that,the first Test in cricketing history was played in Australia. The beginning of playing Test matches began in England only after that. It was the fifteenth Test in the cricketing history.

Cricket is the national sport of England. It is because of the weather,situation,circumstances and environment that the real pleasure of playing cricket is obtained only in England. Performance in England has also been regarded as the criterion for judging the excellence of a player. It is because of this that the Wisden,regarded as the Bible of cricket,takes into consideration only the performance in England as the basis of selection.

It has been the view of some notable cricket historians that the game originated from 'club ball'. James Poicroft believes that in the thirteenth century, cricket 'club ball' referred to a game which requires both a club and a ball. But it is the view of all that instead of getting embroiled in the controversy over its origin,we should accept that the game developed in England in a natural fashion. Some people believe that the game began in Hampshire's Hembedna region. But it appears more conclusive to regard that its origin took place in Kent and Sussex.

The shape of bat and ball also kept changing and evolving with time. Only some years back,Dr Swear found among the old papers at Richmond a score sheet that is the oldest score sheet found so far. According to it, that match was played on 2 June 1744 between Slindon and London.