Steyn and Roach

Steyn and Roach in two recent tests at the Oval and North Sound have resoundingly proved why fast bowling is so vital to cricket. Newzealand and England earlier had some hopes of drawing the tests but Steyn and Roach had other ideas. The West Indies were at their best and it must have been after a long time that they had a double century first wicket stand. In Narine, they have a very aggressive spinner but it is their third seamer spot which leaves a lot to be desired.Sammy may be a good captain but he is hardly in Brearly class and even if he is he should play as a batsman who can bowl. After all unless he is better than  Taylor,Edwards and Russell, there can be little justification for him in the bowling line up. Russell as a bowling all rounder will bring more value to the attack., 

Another Challenge

Last year when the series in England promised a cracker,all we got was one where India were pummeled 4-0, from which they are still to recover.South Africa England test series promises to be a competitive one to attract some attention even with the Olympics round the corner. Whoever will win  the series will be ICC No.1 and listeners and viewers in India have a prime time evening viewing of at least an hour or so each evening to look forward to.
The two other formats of cricket on TV or radio can never match this: prime time soap live on TV with contours changing from day one to Five.

the t20 specialists

The West Indies Cricket Team have amidst all despondent comments about them performed creditably in limited overs game more so in t20.They were combative even on the English team, displaying a fighting skill greater than perhaps even than the Australians who are currently touring England.Now they have beaten New Zealand to pulp in the USA.It is an early pointer to the t20 World Cup.This form of cricket is flourishing in the Carribean.The shortest format is actually the game's oldest format except restrictions on number of overs bowled.If t20 keeps West Indian players in business so be it.If Test matches cannot be marketed, it would still be better than say Kabddi in terms of following.May be Test matches could become an amateur pursuit where individuals with jobs other than cricket can play over a short period taking leave of absence.May be in India's case there is a need of state and National association for cricket outside the BCCI and ICC regime.BCCI selects its own team and so is comfortable with the fact that while Gujarat has three teams playing in Ranji Trophy,Chattisgarh and even more populous Bihar has none.This kind of  inequity can only be followed when pleasure of playing is not the main purpose of sport.There is very little evidence of BCCI having done anything at all for those who want to play cricket for fun.An alternate platform for participative and non commercial cricket could be a way out with the Test Cricket set up being handed over to this body as the crown jewel.