http://www.castrolcricket.com/ee/index.php/castrol_match_preview/ en sports@castrolcricket.com Copyright 2012 2012-02-09T10:53:08+00:00 http://www.castrolcricket.com/ee/index.php/castrol_match_preview/pak_afg_021012/ http://www.castrolcricket.com/ee/index.php/blog/pak_afg_021012/#When:10:53:08Z A monumental day awaits Afghanistan as they take on Pakistan in a one-off ODI at Sharjah, UAE. This will be their first ODI match against any Test-playing nation. They go into the match on the back of consecutive wins against Canada in the ICC World Cricket League Championship held in August 2011.  Since entering the international arena, they have played 18 ODIs and won a staggering 11 of them. Middle-order batsman Nowroz Mangal will lead the side. Shapoor Zadran will in all probability spearhead the bowling attack, while Mohammad Shahzad, their highest run-getter in ODIs, along with the skipper will form the back-bone of the batting line-up. The prodigious Mohammad Nabi will provide great value to the all-round department. The prospect of playing the 1992 World Cup champions will provide a great learning experience for the players. The Pakistan team, which thrashed the English 3-0 in the recently concluded Test series, will again be led by the astute Misbah-ul-Haq. They go into the match on the back of 6 consecutive wins in ODIs. This transformed side has been exceptional in the 50-over arena as they are currently on a 5-series winning streak.    As far as the team composition goes, they have retained the bulk of their Test side except for Taufeeq Umar whose place will be taken by Imran Farhat. Poster boy Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik and batsman Hammad Azam have been included in the squad, while talented all-rounder Abdul Razzaq has again been left out. Either Abdur Rehman or Saeed Ajmal could be rested for the game owing to their marathon efforts in the previous Test series.  It may seem as a warm-up match for Pakistan before the big 4-match ODI series against England begins, but owing to their unpredictable performances in the past against the minnows, they won’t be taking this promising Afghan team lightly. Match1 2012-02-09T10:53:08+00:00 http://www.castrolcricket.com/ee/index.php/castrol_match_preview/aus_sl_021012/ http://www.castrolcricket.com/ee/index.php/blog/aus_sl_021012/#When:10:29:17Z Having drubbed India in the first match of the tri-series by 65 runs, hosts Australia would look to continue their momentum as they meet an unsettled Sri Lankan side in the third match at Perth.  The home side put up a sparkling performance in the first ODI led by the impressive Matthew Wade. After being reduced to 19/2 in the 8th over, the hosts recovered well thanks to some intelligent batting by Wade and Hussey brothers.  Their seam bowlers bowled with great discipline and the likes of Mitchell Starc and Clint McKay were truly magnificent. Ricky Ponting and skipper Michael Clarke did not contribute much with the bat but the former’s contribution in the field was exceptional.   Brett Lee, who suffered a broken foot in the 2nd T20I at the MCG, has been replaced by Ben Hilfenhaus in the squad. But the bowling attack will in all probability remain unchanged. In the batting department, Peter Forrest will probably be handed his debut in place of all-rounder Daniel Christian.  Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have started off on a poor note after a mediocre performance against India at the WACA. The much needed momentum in the batting was missing throughout the innings. They did manage to fight back in the later stages with the ball but it was too little too late.  The batting order needs to put up a much better performance. Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara and skipper Mahela Jayawardena got starts but couldn’t carry on. And the form of Dinesh Chandimal has been a huge boost to the Asian team.  In the bowling department, Dammika Prasad impressed in the previous ODI, while Lasith Malinga will look forward to a much better performance against the Aussies having scalped just a single wicket against India. As the WACA pitch assisted the spin bowlers, the Lions might bring in left-arm spinner Rangana Herath in place of left-hand batsman Lahiru Thirimanne.  Owing to the fact that the Lions have never beaten the Kangaroos in eight ODIs at this ground, it will be a strenuous task for the visitors to get their first points on the board. Match1 2012-02-09T10:29:17+00:00 http://www.castrolcricket.com/ee/index.php/castrol_match_preview/ind_sl_020812/ http://www.castrolcricket.com/ee/index.php/blog/ind_sl_020812/#When:09:00:31Z After receiving a hammering at the hands of hosts Australia in the rain-affected first ODI, India meet a resurgent Sri Lankan side in a World Cup final rematch at Perth in the second ODI of the tri-series. Buoyed by the win in the 2nd T20I at Melbourne, the Indians started off well in the 1st one-dayer against the Aussies but failed to capitalize on a good start. They lost the plot after the rain break and gave away 181 runs from the last 21 overs. Their top order failed and even though Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma led a brave resurrection, they couldn’t carry on resulting in the Asian side sinking to a 65-run defeat (Duckworth-Lewis method). Sri Lanka will now join in as the third team in this series and will go into the match on the back of consecutive wins against South Africa in the Safari. Despite losing the ODI series against the Proteas, they showed great character to fight back and chase down two totals in excess of 300 against a difficult bowling attack. Mahela Jayawardena will lead the side after Tillakaratne Dilshan stepped down from captaincy. Their batting order looks strong with the likes of Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara and Jayawardena, while they have found two new sparkling talents in Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne. Farveez Maharoof makes a comeback to the Sri Lankan squad which will add value to their all-round department. Lasith Malinga, their trump card, will spearhead the bowling attack followed by Nuwan Kulasekara. The Lions may play a lone spinner in the form of Rangana Herath. For India, the stand out performer in the bowling department so far has been Vinay Kumar. The batting order needs to fire big time now. Owing to the seamer-friendly conditions in Perth, India may go in with three pacers. And in all probability, Umesh Yadav will replace Ravichandran Ashwin in the starting eleven, while in the batting line-up, Virender Sehwag may return in place of Rohit Sharma or Suresh Raina. India have already lost one match and conceded a bonus point too. They would be desperately looking to get on board and amass crucial points, while the Lankans would be looking to start off on a positive note. An intriguing contest is definitely on the cards. Match1 2012-02-07T09:00:31+00:00 http://www.castrolcricket.com/ee/index.php/castrol_match_preview/aus_ind_020512/ http://www.castrolcricket.com/ee/index.php/blog/aus_ind_020512/#When:09:25:54Z After going through a horror period during the Test series, the visitors lost the first T20I at Sydney but finally got the first win of the tour, thumping the home side with a solid performance in the second T20I at Melbourne. The focus now shifts to the tri-series which includes a third team in Sri Lanka. India would be looking to carry forward the momentum into the first ODI as they meet Australia at the MCG. The India bowlers were lackluster for most part of the first T20I but they hit back well in the death overs which was a little too late. Their batting order totally crumbled under pressure. The bowlers rectified their mistakes and hit back well in the second T20I which pegged the Aussies back. The batsmen then played intelligently to achieve the team a much needed win. Gautam Gambhir looks in fine nick after a promising half-century in the second T20I. Sehwag has been horribly out of form and needs to fire big time. Sachin Tendulkar will return to the ODI side after a nine-month lay-off so Rohit Sharma or Suresh Raina might have to sit out. Zaheer Khan will in all probability spearhead the pace attack after sitting out of the T20Is. They may go in with three seamers and Umesh Yadav may be included in the team. Australia have lots of changes as compared to the T20I side, Michael Clarke will lead the side, while Rick Ponting and Michael Hussey will return to the team. The bowling department will be led by Brett Lee followed by Mitchell Starc and Ryan Harris. The last time these two met in an ODI at the MCG, the visitors drubbed the home side by five wickets in 2008. Both teams would be looking to start on a positive note and draw the first blood with a long series ahead. Match1 2012-02-04T09:25:54+00:00 http://www.castrolcricket.com/ee/index.php/castrol_match_preview/pak_eng_020312/ http://www.castrolcricket.com/ee/index.php/blog/pak_eng_020312/#When:06:36:47Z In spite of dominating most of the second Test, England surrendered abjectly in the second innings to lose the series. The focus now shifts to the third and final Test which will again be held in Dubai as a surging Pakistan would look to make it 3-0. Having been on the back foot for most of the match in Abu Dhabi, Pakistan scripted a stupendous comeback and bowled out England for 72 after setting up a minuscule target of 145. Their spinners again came to the rescue as Abdur Rehman and Saeed Ajmal ripped apart the English batting line-up with beautiful spell of spin bowling. Bowling is not a worry for the Asian team but in the batting department, their middle order needs to toughen up. Having got starts, they have failed to capitalize and convert them to big scores. Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq has been in good form, while the others also have chipped in with important half-centuries. The only man who has missed out is Younus Khan who needs to fire big time. Pakistan won’t be looking to disturb their winning combination, but there are chances that left-arm seamer Junaid Khan, who bowled just eight overs in the previous match, might be replaced by Aizaz Cheema. It was the over-cautious approach in their second innings that lost England the match. They need to rethink their strategy before going into the third Test. Skipper Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen need to step up and perform, having flopped in both the Tests. Stuart Broad’s aggressive approach while batting in the first innings of the previous Test is something which the other batsmen should take notice of in order to succeed against spin. Owing to their consistent failures against spin bowling, there are chances that Ravi Bopara, a good player of spin, may replace struggling Eoin Morgan in the starting line-up. With the likelihood of the track at Dubai assisting spin bowling in the latter part, England might stick with the same bowling line-up which includes two spinners in the form of Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann. If Pakistan does manage to win the third and final Test at Dubai, they will achieve a consecutive series whitewash, having won the earlier series against Bangladesh, away, 2-0. Match1 2012-02-02T06:36:47+00:00 http://www.castrolcricket.com/ee/index.php/castrol_match_preview/aus_ind_020312/ http://www.castrolcricket.com/ee/index.php/blog/aus_ind_020312/#When:06:23:43Z After a 4-0 humiliation in the Test series, the visitors were hoping that a change of format and infusion of youngsters would bring a change in their fortunes. But the same old story got repeated as they were beaten comprehensively by a new-look Australian side. India would now look to hit back and square the two match series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in order to gain confidence ahead of the tri series. The Australian batting order delivered the goods in the first T20I as they managed to put up a challenging total of 172. Their top as well as middle order chipped in with crucial contributions at important junctures led by the impressive Matthew Wade(72). The bowling department did well to restrict the visitors and David Hussey’s ability to contribute with bat and ball has given the home side freedom to experiment with its all-rounders.The Indian batting order once again failed on a decent batting pitch. Virender Sehwag’s early departure pegged the Indians back. The middle order comprising of Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma didn’t help the cause as they too succumbed to a moderate Australian bowling attack.Gambhir looked promising at one point but failed to carry on. A good start is a must and the visitors have been devoid of that. One positive sign for the touring party was the return in form for skipper MS Dhoni who led a late fightback while chasing. There are chances that leg-spinner Rahul Sharma may make way for all-rounder Irfan Pathan in the starting eleven, while the batting order may remain unchanged. The Australians wouldn’t be looking to disturb the winning combination, but owing to the conditions at the MCG, left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty may be replaced by seamer Clint McKay. This is a last chance for India to gain a much needed momentum before the tri series starts and a win will be a real shot in the arm for the visitors. Match1 2012-02-02T06:23:43+00:00 http://www.castrolcricket.com/ee/index.php/castrol_match_preview/aus_ind_020112/ http://www.castrolcricket.com/ee/index.php/blog/aus_ind_020112/#When:07:04:25Z After suffering a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of the home side in the Test series, the battered visitors would look to gain the momentum in the shortest format of the game as the focus now shifts to first of the two T20 Internationals which will be played at the Stadium Australia, Sydney.  India would be looking to put the Test series nightmare behind them and focus on putting on a much better performance in the T20 Internationals. With a complete change in the format and the team combination, the visitors would be looking to draw first blood which will do their confidence a whole lot of good. The visitors will go into the match on the back of two consecutive losses (both by 6 wickets) in the T20Is which they suffered at the hands of England in Manchester and Kolkata in August and October 2011. The addition of the likes of Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja will inject freshness in the team.  Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir are set to make their comebacks in the shortest format after missing out earlier with injuries. Zaheer Khan will probably spearhead the bowling attack followed by the returning Praveen Kumar and rookie Umesh Yadav. India are most likely to play three pacers and one spinner in the form of Ravichandran Ashwin. There are chances that Jadeja will be given a nod ahead of Irfan Pathan for the all-rounder’s spot. Australia‘s performance in the shortest format has been abject lately and they go into the match on the back of a win and a loss against South Africa at Cape Town and Johannesburg. They too have a new look T20 side and George Bailey will make his international debut as well as lead the side after Cameron White was axed from captaincy and the T20 side. David Hussey, who recently won the player of the series award in the Big Bash League, will add the much needed experience in the batting department along with David Warner. Wicket keeper Brad Haddin has been rested and Victorian Matthew Wade will take his place in the starting line-up. Daniel Christian in all probability will lead the all-rounder’s pack. Fast-bowling all-rounder James Faulkner may be handed his international debut.  Brett Lee will lead the pace attack followed by Clint McKay, while 40-year-old Brad Hogg, who is making a sensational return to international cricket after nearly four years, may be the lone spinner in the starting eleven. The pitch seems to be good for batting and a high scoring fixture is on the cards. The Australians would be looking to extend their domination following a thumping win in the Test series, while the visitors would be looking to hit back hard and start off on a winning note. A cracker of a match is definitely on hands.   Match1 2012-01-31T07:04:25+00:00 http://www.castrolcricket.com/ee/index.php/castrol_match_preview/nz_zim_012612/ http://www.castrolcricket.com/ee/index.php/blog/nz_zim_012612/#When:11:04:12Z The last time Zimbabwe met New Zealand in a one-off Test at Bulawayo in 2010, they nearly pulled off an improbable victory chasing 366 in 114 overs, falling short by just 34 runs. This time around they will face a stern test when they meet the Kiwis in a one-off Test at Napier as they are playing away from home for the first time since 2005. New Zealand will go into the match high on confidence on the back of a thrilling 7-run victory over Australia in their last match at Hobart. They lost the first match of that series but came back strong to level the series 1-1. Zimbabwe on the other hand have lost their last two matches against Pakistan and New Zealand, both at Bulawayo.Skipper Brendan Taylor, who hit a half-century and a century in the previous match, will be the key in the middle order along with Elton Chigumbura. Tatenda Taibu will be crucial down the order. In the bowling department, the pair of Kyle Jarvis and Brian Vitori will have the responsibility of picking up early wickets with the new ball. Chris Mpofu has been ruled out with a lower back injury. With the pitch likely to favour the fast bowlers, debutant Shingirai Masakadza could find a place in the starting eleven. Leg-spinner Graeme Cremer could replace the injured Ray Price. Owing to the pitch conditions, New Zealand could play four seamers in Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Chris Martin, all of whom played in the last Test against Australia. Jesse Ryder is out with a groin injury. Wicketkeeper Reece Young, who has been dropped, could be replaced by BJ Watling. Daniel Vettori will play the lone spinner’s role.  With a green top expected at Napier, it will be a great challenge for the visitors in the swinging conditions. A Bulawayo-type fight will do their confidence a whole lot of good. Match1 2012-01-25T11:04:12+00:00 http://www.castrolcricket.com/ee/index.php/castrol_match_preview/pak_eng_012512/ http://www.castrolcricket.com/ee/index.php/blog/pak_eng_012512/#When:10:24:07Z After receiving a hammering at the hands of Pakistan in the first Test at Dubai, the world no.1 English side would look to hit back hard and square the series in the second Test at Abu Dhabi. After winning the toss and choosing to bat first in the first Test, England threw away the advantage of a beautiful batting track and were bundled out for a paltry 192. Their batsmen were totally clueless against the spin variations of Saeed Ajmal who wrecked havoc with seven wickets in the innings. Nine out of their ten wickets in the first innings fell to the spinners.  The inability of their pacemen to pick up early wickets weakened their grip on the match and finally the failure of their batsmen in the second innings made sure that the match got over well within three days. Throughout the Test, only Jonathan Trott and Matt Prior looked somewhat comfortable against spin bowling.  In the bowling department, off-spinner Graeme Swann did strike but it was too late, the only bowler who seemed ominous was Stuard Broad who bowled with great heart. Chris Tremlett looked lacklustre and went wicketless. With the subcontinent pitches assisting spin, the Poms would most likely replace Chris Tremlett with Monty Panesar, who picked up a five-for in the tour match against Pakistan Cricket Board XI, in the starting line-up. The rest of the team may remain unchanged.  After getting off to a flier, the Pakistan team lost the plot in the first innings of the first Test but did well to assert a decent lead of 146. The middle order got starts but failed to carry on. One of the big positives for Pakistan was the performance of Keeper Adnan Akmal who impressed with his intelligent batting down the order. Their spinners were the key but the pacemen also contributed as Umar Gul sparked the collapse in the second innings and picked up four key wickets.  There are two changes expected in the Pakistan side as Asad Shafiq, who flopped with the bat in the first Test, may make way for the swashbuckling Umar Akmal, while Aizaz Cheema who struggled with an injury in Dubai could be replaced by Wahab Riaz in the second Test. We can expect a slower pitch at Abu Dhabi and England’s prospects of winning the match will depend a lot on how well they handle the Pakistan spinners. Match1 2012-01-24T10:24:07+00:00 http://www.castrolcricket.com/ee/index.php/castrol_match_preview/aus_ind_012412/ http://www.castrolcricket.com/ee/index.php/blog/aus_ind_012412/#When:09:53:16Z After a closely fought battle in Melbourne, Australia dominated the proceedings entirely in the next two Tests and clinched the series with a thumping win at Perth. The focus shifts on to Adelaide and India has nothing but to play for pride, while the home side would be looking to inflict their first series whitewash over the visitors since 1999-2000.   The third Test saw one of the best batting line-ups in the world surrender abjectly to a comparatively inexperienced Australian pace battery at the WACA. After being bowled out for a dismal 161 in the first innings, the visitors were forced into submission by a David Warner blitzkrieg. The big four, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman, failed to put up a good fight in the second innings and the Indians crumbled within two and a half days by an innings and 37 runs.    The only positives for the visitors were the promising performances of Umesh Yadav, who staged a 1st innings fightback with a maiden five-for, and under fire Virat Kohli, who played a brave knock of 75 in the second innings. Meanwhile, the Australian middle order faltered but the damage was already done by Man-of-the-Match David Warner. Their bowlers bowled with great discipline which fetched them key wickets at crucial junctures.  The Adelaide Oval pitch will have something in it for the fast bowlers early in the first day, but will gradually slow down. For Australia, Nathan Lyon will most probably return in the final Test in place of Mitchell Starc. Brad Haddin and Shaun Marsh could retain their places in the playing eleven despite flopping in the previous three Tests.  For India, wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha will replace suspended Mahendra Singh Dhoni. They might go in with two spinners and  off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and left arm spinner Pragyan Ojha may replace Vinay Kumar and Ishant Sharma in the starting line-up. Rohit Sharma has a slight chance of making it to the playing eleven if the selectors decide to drop out-of-form VVS Laxman, but the chances are very bleak. Virender Sehwag will lead the team in the absence of MS Dhoni. The fourth Test venue will offer some confidence to the visitors as they have a draw and a win under their belt in their last two Tests here. The home side on the other hand have won just one of their last four games at this venue. The Indians need to up the ante and the big four need to perform in order to end the series on a high and salvage some pride with a consolation win in the final Test. A win would amount to a huge confidence boost ahead of the T20s and the ODI series. Match1 2012-01-23T09:53:16+00:00