ICC Champions Trophy 2009 (CT 2009) - a One Day International (ODI) competition is all set to start in Johannesburg from tomorrow (22-Sep-2009) with the inaugural match that will be played South Africa (SA) versus Sri Lanka (SL).
The CT 2009 is a 15 game tournament in which teams of eight countries will play. Two groups A and B have been setup with 4 teams in each group...
Group A - Australia, India, Pakistan, West Indies
Group B - England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka
Each team will 3 games to qualify for the semi-finals, ie. 12 (6 each group) qualifying matches to decide the top 2 teams. These 12 match of the 2 groups in CT 2009 will be played between 22-Sep-2009 to 30-Sep-2009.
The top 4 teams - (2 from each group) will play the semi-finals on 2-Oct-2009 and 3-Oct-2009 and the winner of the semi finals will play the finals on 5-Oct-2009.
Showing posts with label cricket. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cricket. Show all posts
Monday, September 21, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
New Zealand stops Dhoni's Men
After a streak of wins in the Twenty20 (T20) games, New Zealand has finally brought the Indian winning spree to a grinding halt - 2 consecutive matches lost. Much to the disappointment of the cricket fans from India, there favourite team India has lost 2 games in succession to the New Zealand team.
Yeah! Yeah! I know! No team can go on winning all the games they play, but one cannot stop expectations from building up when we see our countrymen winning game after game, match after match. This time, too, the team had left for New Zealand after a successful tour of Sri Lanka.
Quite naturally, expectations from the team are at a long time high.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the team's captain, has demonstrated praiseworthy leadership. He has received a lot of recognition for being able to maintain his cool even in the toughest of times and this particular trait of his has been attributed to be the main reason behind team's improved performance in the last few series.
But then, I believe it is good for the team to lose a match or two once in a while. It reminds everyone that they are not unbeatable and must keep up the practice and hard work at all times.
I would only like to say to the team - "Don't get disheartened by a couple of lost matches, there are many more to come where you can prove that you have it in you. You must go out and prove that we are the best."
Yeah! Yeah! I know! No team can go on winning all the games they play, but one cannot stop expectations from building up when we see our countrymen winning game after game, match after match. This time, too, the team had left for New Zealand after a successful tour of Sri Lanka.
Quite naturally, expectations from the team are at a long time high.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the team's captain, has demonstrated praiseworthy leadership. He has received a lot of recognition for being able to maintain his cool even in the toughest of times and this particular trait of his has been attributed to be the main reason behind team's improved performance in the last few series.
But then, I believe it is good for the team to lose a match or two once in a while. It reminds everyone that they are not unbeatable and must keep up the practice and hard work at all times.
I would only like to say to the team - "Don't get disheartened by a couple of lost matches, there are many more to come where you can prove that you have it in you. You must go out and prove that we are the best."
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Indian Premier League - the business of cricket
The recent auctions by Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has transformed cricket from a sport to a commercial venture.
If my calculations are correct, I believe already the gross bidding may have exceeded Rs. 6000 crores (US$ 1.5 billion) including franchises, players and the television rights bought by Sony Entertainment for more than 3000 crore.
It was really surprising to see the amount of commercial interest displayed by some of the top business houses and Bollywood personalities in bidding first for the franchises and then for the players.
With so much publicity around the financials at stake around the favourite Indian sport, it remains to be seen how the common man reacts to the issue. After all, it is the common man who is not only expected to meet the entire cost, he is expected to deliver a handsome profit for the bidders who have already invested so much.
With eight local (Indian) teams with players from all over the world, surely the national loyality issue is out of the picture. It would be interesting to see how much support these games could get what different venues of generating revenue are adopted. Obviously, the most popular route will be advertising and ticket sales.
If the anticipated advertisement revenue is generated and if all the advertising transforms into additional business for the advertisers it could mean a massive spurt in growth in the overall national economy.
If my calculations are correct, I believe already the gross bidding may have exceeded Rs. 6000 crores (US$ 1.5 billion) including franchises, players and the television rights bought by Sony Entertainment for more than 3000 crore.
It was really surprising to see the amount of commercial interest displayed by some of the top business houses and Bollywood personalities in bidding first for the franchises and then for the players.
With so much publicity around the financials at stake around the favourite Indian sport, it remains to be seen how the common man reacts to the issue. After all, it is the common man who is not only expected to meet the entire cost, he is expected to deliver a handsome profit for the bidders who have already invested so much.
With eight local (Indian) teams with players from all over the world, surely the national loyality issue is out of the picture. It would be interesting to see how much support these games could get what different venues of generating revenue are adopted. Obviously, the most popular route will be advertising and ticket sales.
If the anticipated advertisement revenue is generated and if all the advertising transforms into additional business for the advertisers it could mean a massive spurt in growth in the overall national economy.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Andrew Symonds shines at Nagpur
Australian middle order batsman and all-rounder - Andew Symonds - was the man of the day at Nagpur in the 6th ODI against India on 14 October 2007, Sunday.
A consistent and reliable player - Andrew - played true to his reputation.
His unbeaten century (107 in 88 balls) paved the wave for a huge total of 317 that the Australian side compiled when they batted first after winning the toss. As a bowler he proved himself to be the most economical - 10 overs 39 runs.
All in all - he stood out as the single name that played an important role in Australia's 18 run win against India.
A consistent and reliable player - Andrew - played true to his reputation.
His unbeaten century (107 in 88 balls) paved the wave for a huge total of 317 that the Australian side compiled when they batted first after winning the toss. As a bowler he proved himself to be the most economical - 10 overs 39 runs.
All in all - he stood out as the single name that played an important role in Australia's 18 run win against India.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Phew! India and its close finish victories
It seems that the Indian cricket side has made it an habit of close finish / nail biting victories.
Since the start of the Twenty20 games, all the victories that the country's cricket team has managed to claim all have been close finishes. All games were open right to the last over with scales tipping from one side to the other like a wild pendulum.
This was also the case in the yesterday's 4 ODI match against Australia that was played at Chandigarh. After loosing 2 games and 1 draw (washout) the Indian team fought back hard to bring itself back into the series.
Right into the last over the game was wide open with the opponents standing a better chance to win Dhoni's Devils fought and fought good. They managed to win the match and tame the Australian Kangaroos who have been on a winning spree all around the global arena.
The Indian team needs to buck up and put a little more into the game so that the audiences have a comfortable time watching their team win, instead of the present high tension scenario that sends the viewers' blood pressure shooting through the roof.
Since the start of the Twenty20 games, all the victories that the country's cricket team has managed to claim all have been close finishes. All games were open right to the last over with scales tipping from one side to the other like a wild pendulum.
This was also the case in the yesterday's 4 ODI match against Australia that was played at Chandigarh. After loosing 2 games and 1 draw (washout) the Indian team fought back hard to bring itself back into the series.
Right into the last over the game was wide open with the opponents standing a better chance to win Dhoni's Devils fought and fought good. They managed to win the match and tame the Australian Kangaroos who have been on a winning spree all around the global arena.
The Indian team needs to buck up and put a little more into the game so that the audiences have a comfortable time watching their team win, instead of the present high tension scenario that sends the viewers' blood pressure shooting through the roof.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
The pressure on seniors is very high
Post Twenty20 the pressure on the senior players who have rejoined the team has increased many fold.
Known as stalwarts of the Indian side - Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Saurav Ganguly - face the extra pressure during the series against Australia that is being played in India this season.
Dhoni and his team played excellent cricket and showed team work in South Africa to win the hearts of the Indian masses. The team had to be re-aligned to accommodate the seniors of Indian Cricket.
If their performance is not up to the mark they are definitely in for a lashing from the cricket fans. The first game saw Sachin dump his wicket in the very third over at Bangalore. Luckily, rain washed out the game and stopped any adverse reaction to the miserable display was suppressed.
Had India lost, these senior players would have definitely not have heard the last of it.
Known as stalwarts of the Indian side - Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Saurav Ganguly - face the extra pressure during the series against Australia that is being played in India this season.
Dhoni and his team played excellent cricket and showed team work in South Africa to win the hearts of the Indian masses. The team had to be re-aligned to accommodate the seniors of Indian Cricket.
If their performance is not up to the mark they are definitely in for a lashing from the cricket fans. The first game saw Sachin dump his wicket in the very third over at Bangalore. Luckily, rain washed out the game and stopped any adverse reaction to the miserable display was suppressed.
Had India lost, these senior players would have definitely not have heard the last of it.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Twenty20 team receives a hero's welcome
After conquering the world in the Twenty20 tournament just concluded at South Africa, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his boys have reached India on 26 September 2007.
They were awarded a hero's welcome.
From the airport the team went taken to Wankade Stadium for a felicitation ceremony organized in their honour. They travelled the route in an open bus, waving out to the thousands of fans who lined the streets to greet them.
Traffic jams and rains failed to douse any of the enthusiasm of either the fans or the cricketers.
At the stadium, however, the politicians tried to hog the show. BCCI big guns and Maharashtra politicos sat in the front row on the stage. Captain Dhoni was the only one to get a seat in the front row.
The politicians were immediately taken by the press for trying to shine in the light of the cricketers achievements.
The team prepares for the forthcoming games against the Australians which will be played in India.
They were awarded a hero's welcome.
From the airport the team went taken to Wankade Stadium for a felicitation ceremony organized in their honour. They travelled the route in an open bus, waving out to the thousands of fans who lined the streets to greet them.
Traffic jams and rains failed to douse any of the enthusiasm of either the fans or the cricketers.
At the stadium, however, the politicians tried to hog the show. BCCI big guns and Maharashtra politicos sat in the front row on the stage. Captain Dhoni was the only one to get a seat in the front row.
The politicians were immediately taken by the press for trying to shine in the light of the cricketers achievements.
The team prepares for the forthcoming games against the Australians which will be played in India.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Impressive start to the Twenty20 games in South Africa
It was powerplay all throughout.
A combined total of 413 runs in 40 overs by the two sides in a playtime of about 3 hours.
South Africa won the toss and elected to field first.
The West Indies amassed 205 runs, as what would appear to be a massive total by One Day International standards, in the allotted 20 overs. South Africa delivered an equally fast game by scoring 208 runs to achieve that target in 2nd ball of the 18th over.
The game today saw a shower of boundaries. There were 54 occasions in the course of the match when the balls travelled across the boundary for a 4 or 6 during the game. The impressive knock of 117 runs in 57 balls with 7 fours and 10 sixes earned him his man of the match.
The series certainly promises to be entertaining from the perspecitve of an audience.
A combined total of 413 runs in 40 overs by the two sides in a playtime of about 3 hours.
South Africa won the toss and elected to field first.
The West Indies amassed 205 runs, as what would appear to be a massive total by One Day International standards, in the allotted 20 overs. South Africa delivered an equally fast game by scoring 208 runs to achieve that target in 2nd ball of the 18th over.
The game today saw a shower of boundaries. There were 54 occasions in the course of the match when the balls travelled across the boundary for a 4 or 6 during the game. The impressive knock of 117 runs in 57 balls with 7 fours and 10 sixes earned him his man of the match.
The series certainly promises to be entertaining from the perspecitve of an audience.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
ICC World Twenty20 starts today at South Africa
ICC World Twenty20 - South Africa 2007 starts today at South Africa. The first game of the World Cup tournament will be played between South Africa and West Indies at Johannesburg.
The Twenty20 tournament at South Africa is set to usher a new era in the life of the game of Cricket. Each match in this tournament is expected to last about 3 hours, during which each side will face one inning each of maximum of 20 overs.
Some of the major differences in the rules from convention cricket are as follows...
The Twenty20 tournament at South Africa is set to usher a new era in the life of the game of Cricket. Each match in this tournament is expected to last about 3 hours, during which each side will face one inning each of maximum of 20 overs.
Some of the major differences in the rules from convention cricket are as follows...
- Each no ball will cost the bowler 2 runs and the next ball shall be a free hit ball. The rules for a no-ball will apply for this ball, ie The batsman can be dismissed only by a run-out, hitting the ball twice, obstructing the field or handling the ball.
- Each bowler gets maximum 4 overs.
- Umpires can penalize either side with 5-run penalties for wasting time.
- At the most there can be 5 fielders on the leg side at any time.
- Maximum 2 fielders outside the 30 yard circle for the first 6 overs.
- Maximum 5 fielders outside the 30 yard circle after the first 6 overs.
- 20th over must start by the 75th minute. 6 penalty runs per over will be added to the score for the overs bowled after the 75th minute.
- In case of a tie there will be a bowl-out to decide the winner.
CRIC-GAME - Interesting Cricket Issues
I am starting this new blog today to focus on interesting cricket related issues.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)