It's becoming like the epic debate of Men vs Women. Let's draw some parallels shall we?
ODIs=Women, T20=Men
Note: The following opinions are meant to make ODIs and consequently women superior. It's just the way it is. Deal with it.
The level of excitement in T20s are higher, but once its over you don't want anymore of it.
The excitement in ODIs are longer...because they last longer.
T20 results are so inconsistent they frustrate you.
ODI results are not...yet they have the ability to be pleasantly unpredictable.
T20s require extra help (from cheerleaders, Bollywood stars, obscene amount of marketing) to attract the crowds.
ODIs just give the fans a fleeting glimpse. They will follow anyway.
T20s gave birth to the scum Lalit Modi.
ODIs have vowed to kick him the nuts whenever possible.
T20s are incapable of satisfying most cricket lovers.
Tours are incomplete without ODIs.
I could go on and on, but I won't. ODIs are not dead. If they were, the cricket blogging world would not have been waiting so keenly for the Champions Trophy. FYI, we rule the world.
Showing posts with label Twenty20. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Twenty20. Show all posts
Monday, September 21, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZULU!
The mighty Lance Klusener turns 38 today. If you dislike him, don't bother commenting on this one. I'm not interested.
For me, Zulu first introduced the concept of assaulting the ball in every sense of the word. Phrases like 'smashed', 'out of sight', 'thrashed' etc. that are used so often in T20 today, were all defined by Klusener. No other player could pull his team out of situations, the way Zulu did in the 1999 World Cup. On top of it, he did with a style that left everyone in awe of him. There was a widely circulating rumour that bowlers were afraid of bowling to a certain Lance Klusener because they could not predict in what manner their balls would be dismissed over the boundary that day. He humiliated the best of the best.
Of course, as the story goes, he later on crumpled under the pressure to perform and was subsequently removed from the team. What shocked me most was the fact that the man who fought like death to give South Africa hope, merely whimpered when he himself was in dire straits. Zulu, unfortunately was also responsible for providing me with my most heartbreaking memory of cricket ever. Yes, it still hurts. Ask any South African fans and they will tell you the same.
But I forgive him. Because despite all of this, he did a lot for South Africa. He won many matches, took many crucial wickets and scored plenty of runs. His contributions are evident when new hitters like Albie Morkel are called the next Zulu. Lance Klusener came at a time when South Africa was accused of playing boring cricket. Let's just say after the World Cup those critics were thrashed out of the ground and out of sight.
His unique bowling style
Just another day at the job
For me, Zulu first introduced the concept of assaulting the ball in every sense of the word. Phrases like 'smashed', 'out of sight', 'thrashed' etc. that are used so often in T20 today, were all defined by Klusener. No other player could pull his team out of situations, the way Zulu did in the 1999 World Cup. On top of it, he did with a style that left everyone in awe of him. There was a widely circulating rumour that bowlers were afraid of bowling to a certain Lance Klusener because they could not predict in what manner their balls would be dismissed over the boundary that day. He humiliated the best of the best.
Of course, as the story goes, he later on crumpled under the pressure to perform and was subsequently removed from the team. What shocked me most was the fact that the man who fought like death to give South Africa hope, merely whimpered when he himself was in dire straits. Zulu, unfortunately was also responsible for providing me with my most heartbreaking memory of cricket ever. Yes, it still hurts. Ask any South African fans and they will tell you the same.
But I forgive him. Because despite all of this, he did a lot for South Africa. He won many matches, took many crucial wickets and scored plenty of runs. His contributions are evident when new hitters like Albie Morkel are called the next Zulu. Lance Klusener came at a time when South Africa was accused of playing boring cricket. Let's just say after the World Cup those critics were thrashed out of the ground and out of sight.
His unique bowling style
Just another day at the jobWednesday, September 2, 2009
What does it take to win a Twenty20?
The Kiwis seem to be unable to win anything other than T20s. The players that fell left and right to the deadly Sri Lankan bowlers have maintained their miserable batting in this game, with the exception of Taylor who also performed averagely in the Tests. The bowler (yes unfortunately for New Zealand, they have only one consistent wicket taker) who bowled tidily in the Tests, did the same phenomenal job in the T20 game. Dilshan, who clobbered the Kiwis in the first test, almost took the game away from them today. Most of the factors remain the same, but the results vary.
So what is it? Are the Black Caps unable to focus for more than 40 overs? That doesn't seem to be case, because they are number 5 in the ICC ODI rankings at the moment. So, they can focus for one day? After that they just follow a pattern of visiting the pitch for a short while and running around the field for fun.
But I like the Kiwis and I think they are a very good team. Horribly underrated though. Look at the current series against Sri Lanka. Both Tests went to Day 5 and they were batting second both times. Awesome Dan's heroics almost won the second test. If only Oram had been able to keep it together!
New Zealand is capable of providing many moments of anxiety for the opposition team and they are certainly capable of winning T20s. Yet they hardly win tests. Sri Lanka on the other hand are number 2 in the Test rankings at the moment. But ICC Test and ODI rankings seem unable to explain the results of this circus of a game. Sometimes it's one individual performance, sometimes it's sheer luck, sometimes its the team. More often than not, it's all about who is unfazed by the demands of the format and can keep his cool till the last ball.
Twenty20 results don't mean anything in a series...I firmly maintain that. But it frustrates me to accept that cricket has become a game of luck and show offs with no brilliant scheming or mind games involved. It gives a platform for mediocre teams to claim glory (the English!) and exceptional teams to fall flat on their faces (Sri Lanka). So even if cricketers have figured out what it takes to win a Twenty20 game, I don't think they should take it seriously. Because the Kiwis will win Friday's T20 and then get hammered at the ODI's. It will happen. You just wait and see.
So what is it? Are the Black Caps unable to focus for more than 40 overs? That doesn't seem to be case, because they are number 5 in the ICC ODI rankings at the moment. So, they can focus for one day? After that they just follow a pattern of visiting the pitch for a short while and running around the field for fun.
But I like the Kiwis and I think they are a very good team. Horribly underrated though. Look at the current series against Sri Lanka. Both Tests went to Day 5 and they were batting second both times. Awesome Dan's heroics almost won the second test. If only Oram had been able to keep it together!
New Zealand is capable of providing many moments of anxiety for the opposition team and they are certainly capable of winning T20s. Yet they hardly win tests. Sri Lanka on the other hand are number 2 in the Test rankings at the moment. But ICC Test and ODI rankings seem unable to explain the results of this circus of a game. Sometimes it's one individual performance, sometimes it's sheer luck, sometimes its the team. More often than not, it's all about who is unfazed by the demands of the format and can keep his cool till the last ball.
Twenty20 results don't mean anything in a series...I firmly maintain that. But it frustrates me to accept that cricket has become a game of luck and show offs with no brilliant scheming or mind games involved. It gives a platform for mediocre teams to claim glory (the English!) and exceptional teams to fall flat on their faces (Sri Lanka). So even if cricketers have figured out what it takes to win a Twenty20 game, I don't think they should take it seriously. Because the Kiwis will win Friday's T20 and then get hammered at the ODI's. It will happen. You just wait and see.
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