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A selection of tributes to India batsman Rahul Dravid, after he announces his retirement from Test cricket

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Mar-2012″Jam was a great character to have in the dressing room. He was someone who loved challenges; whatever was thrown to him throughout his career, whether he was asked to open, whether he was asked to keep wicket. He had a long contribution to Indian cricket. He had a great career. Someone who will definitely be missed.”

“We’ve always had some good battles. He is a very quiet and kind man. I had the good fortune of playing with him at the IPL and he was a man that worked hard on his game. He set high standards for himself and for India. What he has achieved in the game is incredible. He had one of the best techniques in the game and was always a prize wicket to get. The game will be a little poorer without him but I wish him well in his retirement.”

“‘I’ve been very lucky to have a really good association with Rahul. He’s probably the nicest guy – no he is the nicest guy – that I’ve met in cricket. He’s a phenomenal man. He loves the game with so much passsion, it’s in his blood and in his heart. He is certainly going to be sorely missed by the Indian public and the cricket loving public as well. I suppose I’m lucky that he’s my captain for Rajasthan, so I’ll continue to talk cricket [with him] as much as I possibly can, because I do love talking to him. He’s got a lot of knowledge to be able to share.”

“There was and is only one Rahul Dravid. There can be no other. I will miss Rahul in the dressing room and out in the middle. I have shared the best moments with him. Our many century partnerships are testimony to the hours we spent together in the middle. For someone who has played 164 matches and over 13000 runs, no tribute can be enough.”

Jam it was a pleasure & privilege to have playd with u and ur presence in the dressing room alwys added to our confidence. Will miss u lots

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) March 9, 2012

“He was a perfectionist. His determination, technique and commitment towards the game was something special. It’s really tough to become another Rahul Dravid. It will not happen overnight. It has taken him long to get here; one has to go through a lot of hardships and commitment.”

“Everyone knows he is a legend of the game. He has been a great motivator and we all looked up to him. The manner he prepares for each and every Test match, it was a lesson for all of us.”

Wall for team but a shoulder for team mates. Impregnable for opposition, motivation fr us. That’s Rahul bhai. Got my ODI & Test cap frm him.

— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) March 9, 2012

“[He’s] A constant friend and colleague I depended on for advice. An inspiration and a role model. Among Karnataka’s finest cricketing sons.”

“It will be a big hole to fill.”

“We have been privileged to see one of the finest cricketers India has produced. He is the kind of person who cannot be matched, he is actually irreplaceable. None of us want to see such players go away, we like to think they are permanent. It is a sad day. I have watched him grow from playing cricket in Chennai, there is hardly anything [left] for him to achieve. Thank you Rahul, thank you for what you have given to Indian cricket.”

“Dravid is not only a great cricketer but also an ambassador of the game, a role model and a gentleman. Runs apart, he is a cricketer who should be emulated by the youngsters.”

U may be retiring but your legacy will live on..true champion,take a bow Rahul Dravid

— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) March 9, 2012

The latest Bracewell in international cricket may be named after a star from across the pond, but Australians aren’t quite top of his list

Interview by Sharda Ugra23-Apr-2012Which Doug are you named after – your uncle Douglas William Bracewell or Doug Walters?

Doug Walters. My dad was a huge fan and knows him quite well, and he’s come out to NZ a couple of times and helped on my Dad’s academy. Dad’s loved him as a cricketer and a good bloke and he’s named me after him. The last time he came out to New Zealand and saw us when I was in high school, I was about 16 – about five-six years ago.Did he call you after Hobart to say well done?
No. I haven’t heard from him for a while.Is he your favourite Aussie?

I don’t have a favourite Aussie.Is there any man in the Bracewell clan who hasn’t played cricket?

There’s only one – Uncle Richard. He hasn’t had much sporting background. The others have played rugby and cricket. My uncle Mark played first-class rugby, and also my Dad. I played rugby until high school and I had to choose.How come you chose cricket?

Well, in high school I liked rugby more. But I broke my ankle, which ended my rugby season, and then in cricket I got selected for my associate and I started getting paid, so rugby kind of fell off the list.How many Bracewells have played in a match together? All six at any time? At any level?
No, never. My uncles played against each other a couple of times. There’s good stories there. I played with my cousin, who is my age, at the Under-19 World Cup. Two of my uncles played on the same rugby team, I think.Where were you when the All Blacks won the World Cup?
In Zimbabwe on a cricket tour. We could only see the first half because we were on the bus – we stopped and watched the first half and then had to leave. One of the guys was Skype-ing his girlfriend and she had her computer up to her TV, so we were watching that. There was a bit of shouting in the bus, and we were very happy. A couple of guys were asleep and tired from the night before, but most of the boys were watching.What was the hardest exercise at your Dad’s academy?

There were a few. There was a park – my Dad called it “Get Hard Park” – it was down the road from the academy and he would make us do sprints up a very steep hill. Good for you, but tough. That was the hardest.

My biggest weakness is probably fast food. Pizzas. I’ve eaten about 20 here already

Tell us about your tattoo. Does it mean anything?

The one that’s on my forearm doesn’t mean anything – it’s just a design I like. The one that goes up my shoulder is all family-oriented, all my brothers and sisters, mum, dad, nephews and nieces. It’s just family and where I was born. It is called is the closest to a butter chicken, isn’t it?The closest to a butter chicken is about half a kilometre from the Kotla.

Well, I do like a good butter chicken. The food here is definitely more spicy. I don’t do well with spicy – mild medium is enough for me. But I’ve had a lot of hotel food, and the curries are very, very good at the ground.Who’s going to win the Under-19 World Cup this year?
New Zealand.

William Bosisto and Ashton Turner, who have played together at school and then in age-group cricket for Western Australia, have been critical to Australia winning three out of three games in the Under-19 World Cup

George Binoy in Townsville18-Aug-2012Australia captain William Bosisto and offspinner Ashton Turner, two of four players from Western Australia in the Under-19 World Cup squad, have not made headlines yet. Those have gone to the fast-bowling group and the more aggressive batsmen but the duo’s contributions have been critical to Australia winning three out of three games in Group A.Bosisto’s only made 78 runs in three innings, but is yet to be dismissed in the tournament. His unbeaten 35 against England steered Australia through a testing period of the chase and helped secure victory. His contributions, and his ability to not give away his wicket, have not escaped the coach Stuart Law’s attention. He said there was “no nonsense” about Bosisto.”I’m really pleased with the captain, the way he’s handled himself on the field, and with the bat he’s yet to be dismissed,” Law said. “He just goes about doing the same thing all the time, and to be a consistent international cricketer you’ve got to stay pretty much the same all the way through, no matter what the situation. He’s done that brilliantly.”In Australia’s third game, Bosisto faced 84 balls for his unbeaten 36 against Ireland, showing patience even though the target was only 130. “I think that’s my role in this side, we’ve got a lot of aggressive players who like to get moving and get the scoreboard ticking over,” Bosisto said. “So I think my role is to rotate the strike and get those blokes on strike so they can score quickly. And then when it comes to the end of the innings, I can score quickly too.”Law was also impressed by Bosisto’s captaincy during the group stage. “When he’s had the opportunity to really attack, he’s done it,” Law said. “He’s probably been too aggressive and that’s not a bad thing, that’s a great thing. If you can teach captains to be aggressive and set fields to take wickets rather than set fields to stop a bad ball getting hit for four, it’s amazing how many good balls are bowled.”Shane Warne always emphasised the importance of a good rapport between a captain and a spinner and Bosisto has that with Turner, who became Australia’s first-choice spinner after Ashton Agar broke a finger. While a four-pronged pace attack has been the spearhead of the bowling unit so far, Turner’s managed to take the most wickets, seven in three games.Bosisto and Turner go way back, having played against each other at school and then with each other in age-group cricket for Western Australia. Turner reckons he’s played more than 100 games of cricket with Bosisto.”We get on really well, he knows my game really well, he knows how I bowl in certain situations,” Turner said. “He’s very good at reading the game and knowing when he wants the spinner to come on. When I feel like it is time for me to bowl, I generally look over and he’s already thinking about it and he gives me the nod and I’m ready to go.”The feeling is mutual. “It’s quite easy captaining blokes who know the fields they want,” Bosisto said of Turner. “He’s a smart cricketer himself so he knows how he’s trying to get the batsman out and restrict scoring. I think we work quite well together. We kind of know how the other thinks.”Coming into this World Cup from Western Australia, Turner’s had to get used to a couple of things he wasn’t quite familiar with. “I haven’t played too much cricket in Brisbane or Townsville so it’s sort of new for me as well. [The pitches are] quite hard, they are not really suitable to spin bowling, but I’ve been able to get a bit out of it, so it’s pleasing.”The three-match series against Pakistan on the Gold Coast before the World Cup warm-ups was also the first time Turner played a 50-over game with a new ball at either end. He’s enjoyed bowling with a ball that is about ten overs old. “I find it really easy to grip and obviously it drifts quite a lot, especially because it’s so hard,” Turner said. “I think it offers a little more variation, because if it hits the shiny side, which is harder, it does skid on a bit. The seam is hard still so some spin and some slide on.”Turner’s chosen a craft in cricket that is quite easy to be average at but difficult to master, and few finger-spinners in Australia have had long international careers. He knows the importance of developing into an attacking bowler rather than a largely defensive one. “I like to read the play and know that when the situation suits I can be attacking,” Turner said. “It’s not always about being attacking every ball, but when I feel like I have built pressure, and pressure is coming from the other end, I can slow the ball down and I can try and drift it a bit. I can really put some revs on it and try and spin it as much as I can.”As the pitches wear during the latter stages of the World Cup, Turner’s role in the Australian attack could be more prominent. And when this tournament is done, he and Bosisto will return to Western Australia, where they both have rookie contracts for the coming year.

South Africa and Australia have consistently produced high quality, exciting Test cricket when playing each other recently. Will the battle for the title of world’s best throw up another classic series?

Brydon Coverdale in Brisbane08-Nov-2012First it was 2-1 to South Africa. Then it was 2-1 to Australia. Next it was 1-1 in a pitifully short series last November. The battles between Graeme Smith’s men and Australia over the past four years can be bracketed together, such has been the shared narrative running through the contests, and the two teams will walk out on to the Gabba on Friday locked together at 4-4. There has not been a draw or a dull match among them. Now it’s time for the decider. A grand final spread over four weeks and three cities.Of course, it is not strictly correct to call this the tiebreaker, for they meet again in South Africa in 2014. But by then the teams from those 2008-09 encounters could be those of a bygone era. Should Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey retire after next year’s back-to-back Ashes – if they make it that far – Michael Clarke and Peter Siddle may be Australia’s only remnants of that first 2008 series. South Africa have also lost a few veterans and by 2014 may have said goodbye to Jacques Kallis, although he appears so indestructible that he might still be around when Pat Cummins retires.Victory by any margin in this series for either team will give them a lead in their head-to-head, as well as the ICC’s Test championship mace – the latter perhaps only briefly though, as England’s results in India could shuffle the table again. The fact that the No. 1 ranking is up for grabs, as it was when Australia under Ricky Ponting toured South Africa in early 2009, is an indication of how little separates these teams. This time it’s Smith’s side that holds top spot, but given the troughs Australia have been through over the past four years it’s difficult not to think South Africa should be further in front.Have they made the most of this period of South African strength, an era in which Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and lately Vernon Philander have clinically dissected batting line-ups all over the globe? Do they have the killer instinct required to stay on top, and to increase the gap between themselves and the rest of the world? It is notable that over the past four years, South Africa have won less than half the Test matches they have played; Australia have won more than half of theirs, despite two Ashes debacles.But enough numbers. To reduce these contests to a set of statistics is like describing the Mona Lisa as oil on poplar, 77cm x 53cm. Over the past four years, the meetings between Australia and South Africa have been as remarkable as modern Test cricket gets. They have been eagerly anticipated by fans from all over the cricket-playing world. If every Test match was as gripping as the eight put on by these two sides, day-night cricket wouldn’t be necessary because fans would skip work to watch it.

Over the past four years, the meetings between Australia and South Africa have been as remarkable as modern Test cricket gets. If every Test match was as gripping as the eight put on by these two sides, day-night cricket wouldn’t be necessary because fans would skip work to watch it.

Think of Mitchell Johnson breaking Graeme Smith’s hand in Sydney, and the spine-tingling sight of Smith walking down the SCG race late on the final afternoon, barely able to hold the bat but determined to give his team every chance of salvaging a draw. Think of Johnson’s blood-on-the-pitch spell in Durban, where his bouncer struck Kallis under the grille, leaving his chin wounded and forcing him to retire hurt. Remember the twin tons Phillip Hughes scored in that match, his second Test.Think of South Africa’s near world-record chase of 414 at the WACA, when the debutant JP Duminy showed poise beyond his years to score an unbeaten half-century, and the 166 he scored the following week in Melbourne, where he and Steyn humiliated Australia’s bowlers with a four-hour tail-end partnership. Think of Marcus North’s debut hundred and Johnson hitting catches into the crowd as Australia won with three debutants at the Wanderers. Think of poor Bryce McGain, Australia’s 37-year-old rookie, being belted out of Test cricket in Cape Town, where Johnson’s thrashed 123 in a losing cause.And, of course, remember the day at the same venue last year when Australia were 21 for 9. Yes, . They scrambled to 47. On a day of carnage, parts of all four innings took place, only the third time it had happened in all of Test history. And on either side of the massacre, the greatest innings Michael Clarke has ever played, and a pair of match-winning hundreds from Smith and Hashim Amla. And finally, think of Pat Cummins, 18 years old and barely out of school, resurrecting Australia’s hopes with a match-winning display full of youthful joie de vivre at the Wanderers a week later.There is no reason to expect any less of this series. It is a battle between the world’s best pace attack and a bowling group with a bright future ahead of them. In the role of Cummins this year is the 22-year-old James Pattinson, whose swagger and skill make him irresistible to watch. Pattinson bowls with the speed and the outswing of Steyn. He doesn’t yet have the same consistency, but he is unquestionably the man to watch in Australia’s attack.The pace-friendly pitches at the Gabba and the WACA should help make this another series to remember. How will Amla handle the Australian conditions? Will David Warner’s bite match his bark? Will AB de Villiers be a shadow of the batsman he once was, now that the wicketkeeping duties are on his mind as well? Will Ponting be able to reproduce the form he showed last year against a blunt Indian attack?Does Mickey Arthur hold the inside knowledge that will end South Africa’s outstanding record away from home? And if South Africa win the first Test, can they go in for the kill?We’re about to find out. Enough talk. Let the grand final begin.

The Women’s World Cup was memorable because the powerhouses were challenged by lesser teams, but the game needs significant investment immediately

Abhishek Purohit20-Feb-2013Sri Lanka beating England and India; West Indies beating New Zealand and Australia. Women cricketers have been playing World Cups for the past 40 years but such results were scarcely imaginable, even as late as the 2009 edition. For showing that traditional powerhouses Australia, England and New Zealand can be beaten on the biggest stage by sides that hardly get to play them otherwise, this World Cup is a watershed in the spread of the women’s game.This tournament came amid increasing visibility for the women after the ICC’s commendable move to have them and the men playing the World Twenty20 together, with the women’s knockouts preceding the men’s on television. The cheers from the Premadasa crowd – growing every minute in anticipation of the men’s final – for Jodie Fields and her Australian team after they won the tournament in Colombo were spontaneous and heartwarming.While the people of Mumbai were largely ignorant of or indifferent to the Women’s World Cup, it was their loss as they missed out on some fascinating cricket. The women put up a spectacular display throughout – the power of Deandra Dottin and Eshani Kaushalya, the swing of Anya Shrubsole, the aggression of Katherine Brunt, the athleticism of Ellyse Perry, the tactics of Jodie Fields, the skill of Lisa Sthalekar, the talent of Harmanpreet Kaur, the vivacity of Holly Ferling, the dominance of Suzie Bates and much more.Sri Lanka and West Indies came out of nowhere and impressed, but the old order showed staying power. Australia were outstanding right through, and England would have probably given them a fight in the final, had they not suffered two narrow losses. To West Indies’ credit, they did a complete turnaround in the Super Six, winning all three games after suffering heavy defeats to India and England in the group stage. Hosts India were the biggest disappointment of the tournament. Sri Lanka ambushed them with the bat, and Mithali Raj’s comment that she had never expected Sri Lanka to make so many runs said it all.New Zealand captain Bates, the Player of the Tournament, said that with teams such as West Indies and Sri Lanka getting better and better, her team was in danger of falling behind if more resources and tours weren’t organised. Such a prognosis from one of the foremost players of the game should be taken note of, and not only by New Zealand Cricket.All boards have to invest more, and all teams have to play more. If ever the administrators needed evidence that most of the major teams can play consistently competitive women’s cricket, this World Cup provided that. If the cricket community is serious about women’s cricket, it will have to put in the money now. Looking at short-term or even medium-term returns is no way to grow a product. In industries such as insurance, companies take decades to break even. That does not mean the world lives without insurers.Player of the Tournament Suzie Bates said her team needed to play more matches to stay competitive•AFPThe business acumen of India’s administrators made the men’s game the lucrative industry it is today. It is a cash cow in India, generating massive profits far beyond what is required to keep it growing. In business, a cash cow is used to finance and grow other operations of the same company. Will the BCCI do the same for the Indian women’s team? At the moment, it is not even a remote possibility.Just providing your academies and grounds to the women and paying them peanuts is apologetically insufficient investment. What is the use if they don’t play most of the time? Twenty six ODIs in four years between the 2009 and 2013 World Cups? MS Dhoni and his men played around five times that number. Merissa Aguilleira and her West Indies women played close to 40. No wonder India sank at the slightest hint of pressure against England and Sri Lanka.For all their potential, Sri Lanka and West Indies have a limited pool of players at or close to the top level. It is understood to be just about 50 women in Sri Lanka and they will face a problem in the coming years when the likes of Shashikala Siriwardene, Kaushalya and Chamani Seneviratna depart. It is almost always a struggle for West Indies when Stafanie Taylor and Dottin don’t fire. There is no reason, especially after their World Cup heroics, why both sides have to wait for the next World Cup to play the big opponents.There is also no reason, after a few stars have hopefully been created in this World Cup, why the world has to wait for the next World Cup to hear about them again. A great like Mithali Raj might possibly not even be around when the next one comes along.It is here that the ICC needs to make its goal of a binding FTP for the women’s game come true sooner than later. Cricketers are supposed to play cricket, after all, and not lay dormant waiting for the big stage to be made available once in a while. There couldn’t be a better time for women’s cricket to be taken seriously by everyone, especially the administrators. It will be unfortunate if the world keeps waiting for 2017.

From Balachandhran

Cricinfo25-Feb-2013From Balachandhran. S, India

At its simplest level, sport is about possibilities. We fans dream up spectrums of possibilities. We align ourselves based on these spectrums, pledge our allegiances and set ourselves up for emotional and sometimes even physical reactions based on how things actually turn out. Most times our dreamt up possibilities are restricted by our citizenship – in itself a simple piece of paper, if you think about it.It is perhaps then all for the good that there still exist a few in the realm of sport who make you forget about these restrictions and think only about the sporting possibilities. It takes no special skill to surmise that I am talking about Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar and the possibilities that only he brings to the sport that he adores and so beautifies and typifies – cricket.I lay the blame squarely on Sachin Tendulkar – for making it so hard to write yet another article on his prowess and achievements and landmarks, which show no signs of fading away. Superlatives pale. Praise falls flat and comparisons do not seem to fit, if only because we are finding it harder to find appropriate standards of comparison as time goes on. Cricket’s prolific writing community has driven itself against the wall praising his two decades in the game. It has worked itself into a fury trying to explain to the layman about his passion for the game; his unsurpassed mastery of the art of batting. It has tired of continuously extolling his virtues on and off the field as a champion and a true sportsman. So much so that when you want to write about Tendulkar or his exploits it pays to take some time to think deeply to try and not repeat either yourself or the numerous others who have tried their hand at the same exercise over the years.I have a confession to make. Nothing seemed to suggest itself as exemplary enough. As momentous and unique enough to grace yet another occasion, yet another peerless achievement by the maestro. For a while I was stymied when trying to write about his latest achievement – that of scoring a double century in an ODI contest. Yet another time when he carried his bat through and batted for his team’s entire quota of 50 overs.I have heard it said that emotions tend to illuminate even the darkest paths where the light of reason fizzles out and leaves you alone. This is a case in point. If following sport is in essence a vicarious pursuit into which you throw not yourself but your faiths on individual players and/or teams, then nobody qualifies to be a Vicar quite as much as Tendulkar.The magnitude of emotions, enjoyment and realization he has been able to convey and amplify to millions and maybe even billions of people over the years across borders of nationhood, religion, economic means, caste, creed and colour ensures that it is so. It is not difficult to describe the drives, the cuts, the pulls and the cutest of nudges that he essayed today on his way to the first double-century in one-day internationals. But it would merely be superfluous.His supporters may very well be in the right if they argue that this was always on the cards. A splendorous 175 four months ago had already tantalised his fans. Informed and tempted them about this possibility. And when a summit beckons, Sachin cannot be far behind. He finds a way to the top. And so it was today. 200 not out off just 147 deliveries against the third-ranked side in the world.A successful man cannot have people simply singing praises about him. Ask his detractors. They would point out that the Roop Singh Stadium at Gwalior had short square boundaries, lightning fast outfields and an absolute marble-top of a wicket. And they would be absolutely right. But here is something they might consider. Give a top-class artist a canvas. Give him a room and give him a vista. See what he comes up with. For the art produced thereof we credit the artist himself; not the canvas for its whiteness and blankness. Not the room for the comfort it offered. Not even the vista for its having conveniently presented itself. They are all incidental. Art is transcendental. So too is Tendulkar’s batting.Much has been made of his drive for runs. Of the man’s sheer hunger for putting bat to ball and staying on there at the crease much to the bowlers’ bemusement. Forget the fact that he is largely peerless and matchless. He also appears tireless with the bat in hand when you observe his speed and skill when sprinting up and down the wicket putting pressure on the fielders at 36 years of age. Countless have been the questions posed to him about his desire to play the game and of the day when he wants to hang up his boots.Perhaps they have been posed in an attempt to find out just how long the game will be graced by his presence. The game’s own need of his genius does not however go far when trying to explain his superhuman dedication to the craft of batting and of the sheer determination that has powered him to make several sacrifices in order to be there for his team.In typical Sherlock Holmes fashion, if we eliminate the possibilities one by one it only leaves one last item. That Sachin Tendulkar needs the game just like we mortals need our oxygen, our daily fix of sports and the fount of vicarious joy it promises. That his bat is not an extension of his body as has been often said. Perhaps quite the opposite – that he is an extension of his bat. That his body arranges itself conveniently so that the bat may strike the ball at the most opportune time with optimum speed.All the better for our vicarious enjoyment. That he gives of himself every time through his bat so that we may once again experience the heady breathlessness that sports brings into our lives. So that over the years we all have a bit of Sachin Tendulkar in us. And that he suggests, in the true spirit of Vicar-ship, the existence of sublimation and transcendentalism in sport, also leaving us with the comfort that even after he ceases to perform his superhuman deeds on the cricket pitch he will live on in our minds – fuelling our dreams and defining our spectrums of possibilities.

From Brad Hinds, Australia

Cricinfo25-Feb-2013
Among the many players who have drifted in and out of the Australian side over the past few years, Shane Watson is one of the few who have solidly remained•AFPShane Watson may best be described today as the product of a ‘long-term investment plan’ by Cricket Australia. It’s been an interesting development for Cricket Australia, whose managerial and administrative decisions over the past few years have become increasingly dubious and contentious. Very few have paid off. In Watson’s case, the returns have been exceptional.Watson always had respectable first-class batting and bowling figures, but the first few years of his professional career on the international stage playing for Australia were plagued with a seemingly insurmountable array of problems. Primarily, there was little confidence in Watson’s longevity. He was continuously hampered by injuries between 2005 and mid 2009 (ranging from stress fractures and hamstring problems). Even more problematic, there was little confidence in his ability to make valuable contributions in the batting order despite his useful medium-pace bowling. In his first 13 Test Innings – spread sparsely between 2005 and the middle of 2009 when he alternated between sixth and seventh in the batting order – Watson scored 257 runs at only an average of 19.7 with a solitary half-century.He had a solid but noticeably exploitable technique, and Watson had a tendency in the early stages of his career for being trapped lbw. Of course, these forgettable performances (and subsequent injuries, evidently) were easily overlooked when Australia’s normal line-up consisted of great players performing at their prime; Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee, Shane Warne, Justin Langer, Damien Martyn. Watson was only ever a substitute. He was never called in as a permanent replacement.But since the retirement of those players (with the exception of Lee in ODI’s), Watson was a key figure that Australia seriously needed to consider in trying to rebuild the team. Watson had Test experience, and this was an advantage when mulling over the many players available who had no international experience at all. When Matthew Hayden retired in 2009, someone had to take his place. The decision, therefore, to give Watson the opportunity to open the batting with Simon Katich – with his apparent fragility and flawed technique – was understandably met with harsh criticism and deep apprehension. It was a precarious gamble; one whose result could be decided only by Watson.The result? Years of hesitation and apprehension has given way to profound respect and admiration. Despite the myriad of reasonable concerns since that decision, Watson has developed into an enviable cricketer, and one that Australia simply couldn’t be without. Through the tribulations – physical, mental, social – he has emerged perhaps as one of the world’s most complete international allrounders. The board’s faith in him and the guidance of Ricky Ponting, who Watson credits as being a large contributing factor in his development as a professional cricketer, has paid off.Indeed, when you consider how far he’s come and the extent of his current achievements, his story is almost a romantic one. He is a fighter – a typical Australian quality. Whereas other cricketers in his position may have buckled under the pressure, Watson did not. Rather, the criticism seems to have propelled him to perform above and beyond even the highest of public expectations. Among the many players who have drifted in and out of the Australian side over the past few years, Watson is one of the few who has remained. He has never been in any danger of losing his spot since receiving it. He has embraced the new role that he plays, despite it having been foreign.As vice-captain, a promotion he only just recently acquired since Ponting stood down and Michael Clarke took over, he is already a leader in every facet of the game. As a batsman, he is the very embodiment of the modern cricketer; an obvious product of the increasing importance placed on the shorter formats of the game. He is powerfully built, relies more on brute strength as opposed to delicate timing, and is very versatile. He is shaping to be an outstanding fielder despite his bulky physique, and he is exceptionally handy as a medium-pace bowler who frequently takes wickets.He has shown the capacity to adapt well to changing conditions around the world and especially with regards to the differences between cricket formats. On the field he can be a force to be reckoned with. He is both very aggressive and completely dominating. Watson has rarely been bogged down by bowlers. That said he is also a very humble player. When off the field he maintains a calm and collected disposition, and he appears to be both quiet and oddly gentle.Since he gained the opening position in Tests, he has scored 1696 runs at an average of 50 with 14 half-centuries, two centuries, and a top score of 126. On the ODI scene especially, Watson has even more impressive figures and is becoming an increasingly feared individual across the world with his ability to dominate the scoring from the get-go on almost any pitch and against any opposition. Between 2002 and April 2009 Watson scored a total of 1263 runs across 36 innings at an average of 35 with a top score of 126. In 2009, he scored 1013 runs across 20 innings at an average of 50.6 with a top score of 136 not out. From 2010 to today he has hit 1589 runs at an average of 48 with a top score of 185 not out. (Click for Watson’s career summary in Tests and ODIs.)The frequency at which he scores fifty or more has increased over the years. In Tests he scored only one half-century between 2005 and 2009. In 2009, he scored six half-centuries and one century. In 2010 he scored eight half-centuries and one century. In ODIs he scored seven half-centuries and a century between 2002 and 2009, an average of one per year. In 2009, he scored three half-centuries and as many centuries. In 2010 he scored seven half-centuries. In 2011 he has already scored five half-centuries and two centuries, including knock against Bangladesh.Despite his accomplishments, Watson isn’t free of criticism or ridicule. His tendency to fall after getting himself in, persistently plagues his batting. His particular tendency to get out in the 90s has been the source of much humor in the cricket community. That is a phase that he will probably grow out of as he settles even more comfortably into his role as opening batsman. The run won’t last forever – the runs won’t always keep coming. But if Watson maintains his positive approach to his game, there’s no doubt he’ll continue to be a defining symbol of Australian cricket for many years to come.

He had to carefully plot his way to the second new ball, but by keeping his best bowlers fresh, New Zealand’s captain has just about kept his side in this series

Jarrod Kimber25-May-20135-0-14-1. That was Kane Williamson’s return after 61 overs. Brendon McCullum would have benn pretty confident that Williamson could have helped rest his seamers for one last new ball dash.It had been a good day for Williamson. He had taken the wicket of Ian Bell. He had beaten the bat of Jonny Bairstow. He’d kept up an end, got decent spin, been economical and dismissed the No. 4. He was doing more than a part time spinner would have been expected to do on the first day. One crusty old scribe had even said he’d take 150 career wickets based on his early spell.On any day a part time spinner is most useful in that period from the 60th to 80th over. On a long day like this, he’s even more important. Anything around three an over would have been handy. Another wicket would have been a bonus. But the 63rd over changed all of McCullum’s plans.A floated offspinner from Williamson was driven through wide mid-on to the padded boundary triangle. It was the sort of shot that made old men in the members’ seats nod at each other with a glint in their eye.The third ball was a fraction short, but there was little room outside off. Bairstow nimbly gave himself room and played a beautiful cut shot for two, that turned into three with an overthrow.When Root had last faced Williamson, he’d scored only a single off a complete over. There had been a decent appeal for an lbw. Williamson might have hoped for a quiet last three balls, maybe, even a chance of a wicket.That seemed improbable as Root came down the wicket confidently flicked a full toss for another boundary. The next ball Root moved across his stumps and played another sweep. This time there was no appeal, just a boundary as the ball went very fast and fine. With 15 runs in the first five balls of the over, Root could have been forgiven for blocking the last one. He reverse swept it for four.19 runs in the over. Williamson dragged out of the attack. McCullum’s plans in tatters. They’d outwitted his chancellor, bested his swordsman.When the over started, it didn’t look like an obvious plan; it just looked like a loose ball being dealt with. But the intent on the last four balls was blatantly clear. These two young batsmen were not content with sitting back and waiting for the new ball. They were using their aggression to tire the Kiwi bowlers out before they got the new ball in their hands. Root was also trying to get his hundred in before Tim Southee and Trent Boult came back on.It was great, attacking, smart cricket. Both players weren’t content with waiting for something to happen, they were changing the face of the game.McCullum also knew exactly what was happening, some captains would have locked Williamson in the basement. McCullum refused to allow England to dictate. After only four overs, he brought him back from the other end. The end he had taken him off after an over where he’d taken Bell and beaten Bairstow.Root and Bairstow continued to attack. This time it didn’t end in a bunch of boundaries, just good milking. Williamson tried darts, legside fields and even stopping in his delivery to see what Root was planning to do. Root late cut, Bairstow reverse swept, and Root walked across his crease and played a delicate paddle pull. Williamson’s two overs back went for 12 runs, and McCullum had to shelve him.But McCullum didn’t give in altogether. Southee bowled two overs after Williamson’s 63rd. Boult bowled none. Instead McCullum rode his two workhorses, Neil Wagner and Doug Bracewell, into the ground. He was risking it all on the fact that a fresh Southee and Boult was worth more to him with the new ball.Because of the attacking, it wasn’t until the 79th over that Williamson came back on. Giving Bracewell one over off. This time, Root and Bairstow just played him out. There was no need to attack him now.Root was rewarded for his smart work with a hundred, but in keeping Boult fresh, McCullum had done very well. The first delivery with the new ball, Boult took a wicket. Then another in his next over. Then another in his next over. He’d broken the alliance of young Tykes, and taken an extra one as well.Had Prior been caught off Southee, New Zealand would have ended the day with all of England’s batsmen gone. Perhaps even with England all out. Instead they had to bowl to the close, and Bracewell bowled one over (the second last) with the new ball. He suffered from cramp during it. And then during Southee’s last over, Bracewell was brought off the field after barely moving to field a cut from Prior.McCullum, who looked just as sore, had gambled with Wagner and Bracewell’s fitness, yet won three wickets and given New Zealand some hope of saving this series. Williamson finished with 9-0-49-1.

New Zealand have form and confidence on their side as well as the spin options that could yet prove crucial in this tournament

George Dobell at Edgbaston11-Jun-2013It speaks volumes for the resilience and versatility of New Zealand cricket that, despite all the challenges and setbacks they face, they continue to produce teams that compete and surprise.It should never be overlooked that New Zealand is a country with a population of around 4.5 million in which cricket is very much a second sport to rugby. That they continue to produce players such as Mitchell McClenaghan, the latest in a batch of impressive seam bowlers, and a team that can take on nations blessed with vastly greater populations is remarkable. While other international teams have huge pools of players, New Zealand somehow continue to develop talent from a country with a population smaller than some of the cities of their rivals.That having been said, the last few years have not been the easiest. New Zealand have slipped to eighth in the Test and T20 rankings and seventh in ODIs. Before their thoroughly deserved ODI series victory over England and a somewhat nervy win over Sri Lanka in their first outing in this competition, they were seen as outsiders for this tournament.But that may be changing and, unusually, they might be considered favourites in some quarters for their game against Australia at Edgbaston on Wednesday (although not by the bookies). Australia are ranked No. 2 in the ODI s but, without their injured captain Michael Clarke and clearly in the midst of a transitional period, they do appear ripe for the plucking.If New Zealand do prevail, it will all but confirm their qualification to the semi-final stage. Bearing in mind the balance of their side and the benefits they will have taken from having had longer than the other sides in the competition to acclimatise to the conditions, they look dangerous opponents.If they are to progress to the latter stages of this event, it seems likely that their spin bowlers will play a key role. While most onlookers felt that seam and swing would hold the key to this event, the somewhat surprising character of the pitches has led to a reappraisal of that view.The pitches at Cardiff and Edgbaston, in particular, have been unusually dry. Spinners have played a huge role not just in containing batsmen, but in dismissing them and, as the event progresses and the pitches are re-used, they should wear more and make spin ever more important.New Zealand are better placed than some sides to cope with that. While the record of their batsmen against spin remains modest – they played Graeme Swann poorly in the Test at Headingley – their current side does contain three men capable of exploiting the conditions with the ball.Daniel Vettori may not be the spin bowler he once was. All those overs, all those injuries and all those years have taken their toll on him. But he is experienced, he is reliable, he is calm and he can bat. His presence would still be a major boost. Indeed, if Vettori plays, there is a possibility New Zealand will deliver up to 30 overs of spin in the game, with Nathan McCullum and Kane Williamson also likely to contribute.

“We’re one game into the tournament and we know that spinners are playing a big part, so it’s something we can adapt to”Tim Southee

“If you look at the tournament before it started,” Tim Southee said, “you tend to think that, in England, it might nip around and the seamers might be the main wicket-takers. But those surfaces have been pretty dry and with them tending to play two games on each wicket, then in the second game obviously the spinners are going to come into play even more.”The wicket in Cardiff was dry and the spinners played a massive role. I haven’t had a look at the wicket at Edgbaston yet, but certainly we weren’t expecting spin to play such a major part. But I guess now we’re one game into the tournament and we know that spinners are playing a big part, so it’s something we can adapt to.”Vettori is not certain to be fit for Wednesday’s game. He will undergo a fitness test on the morning of the game before any decision is taken. Grant Elliott has already been ruled out due to a tight calf muscle.There was no hubris from Southee, who has arguably been the pick of New Zealand’s seamers throughout the tour, as he looked ahead to Wednesday’s game. He understands that Australia are smarting from defeat against England and knows they will be aching to put in a much-improved performance. He knows they have a point to prove.But he also knows they are a team in transition, still coming to terms with the loss of great players who dominated for so long.”It’s been a while since we’ve played them but we tend to lift a little bit more when we play against the Aussies,” Southee said. “It’s still pretty evenly poised between us. They’ve got a good side and they’re coming off a loss and with a point to prove. They’ll be hungry to turn the tournament around and grow some momentum.”They were so dominant for so long, but those players all retired at the same time, so it left a massive gap and I guess they’re still trying to fill it. You have to understand that the players that left were exceptional and you’re not going to replace them overnight.”But they’ve still got some great players. Look at Shane Watson and David Warner: on their day they can tear a side apart. And they have bowlers like Clint McKay, who has a great one day record. They’ve shown that they aren’t a poor side, but they’ll be disappointed in the results they’ve produced of late.”

Newly turned freelance, Simon Jones talks about the 2005 Ashes, Lord’s teas, and sleeping next to a snorer

Interview by Jack Wilson14-Oct-2013So it’s T20 all the way from now on for you. Are you looking forward to the new challenges?
I’m excited about the future. I’m feeling good physically, I’m mentally refreshed, and it’s a case of wait and see what happens now. It was nice to finish well in the YB40 final at Lord’s, to show what I can do. Hopefully a couple of people saw me in action, but now I’m in that awkward time of just waiting. There are so many competitions in the world, it would be foolish not to try and play anywhere. There are different experiences to be had and different environments to sample. There’s T20 leagues in Bangladesh, India, New Zealand and Australia now. The West Indies is one I’d like to go out to, and England, of course. I want to give T20 a good go.Think back to your first day as a Test cricketer. Batting at 10, you hit 44 off 43 balls. Could you even have imagined that?
It was awesome. I loved my batting. I think it’s one of the reasons Duncan Fletcher picked me, because I could do a bit with the bat. I went in with a no-fear attitude. India were a very good team but their bowling was not quite as strong as their batting, although they did have Zaheer Khan, Ajit Agarkar and a few others. I thought, “I’m just going to enjoy myself here.” Freddie [Flintoff] was at the other end and he told me, “Don’t worry about it, it’s just a game of cricket, go and hit it.”. So I did.You enjoyed batting then?
Of course, I think you have to. When you’re facing someone like Brett Lee, who’s steaming in with a load of aggression and trying to intimidate you, it’s a great challenge.Take your mind back to 2005 and ball to Michael Clarke. Ever find yourself watching it on Youtube?
I’ve seen it a few times. It keeps me going when I go back and look at some of the stuff I’ve done. It gives me a little bit of clarity to where I want to go and why I’m putting myself through things. I’m not being big-headed, but it just keeps me on track.Is that the best ball you’ve ever bowled?
In terms of where the game was at, and the way I’d set him up with four awayswingers and got one to come back, yes. We were playing an incredible Australian team – one of the best to play the game – and it was a massive occasion. But I’ve bowled a couple of jaffas in my time.Edgbaston 2005 – the greatest Test ever. What was it like to play in?
It was a different league – but horrible at the same time. We expected to go out on that last day and turn them over, but Brett Lee and Shane Warne batted incredibly well. Warney is a difficult customer to bowl to and runs carried on coming. When I dropped that catch I thought I’d dropped the Ashes. I just wanted the ground to swallow me up. Luckily the boys kept on going and it was a great feeling for Geraint [Jones] to take that winning catch. Him and Gilchrist had dropped some that series, but that’s what pressure does. I was so relieved for him.

“Edgbaston 2005 was a different league – but horrible at the same time”

Was the Ashes win the highlight of your career?
Easily. You don’t get better than that. It was the best team that had played the game, who had ten to 15 years of domination, and we beat them. If Australia put out their second team at that time they would have beaten sides. They had some incredible boys on the bench who’d walk into other teams.Who is the best captain you’ve played under?
Matthew Maynard was very good. He just wanted you to relax and enjoy yourself. I liked playing under Nasser Hussain as you always knew where you stood with him. He always backed you too. There’s one picture of me with my arm around him during my first Test and I was telling him I couldn’t feel my legs I was so nervous. He’s laughing his head off at me! Warney was like Maynard. He just wanted us to relax, enjoy ourselves and test ourselves.And the best of them?
I’d have to go with Nasser.Which batsman from the past would you most like to bowl at?
Don Bradman. His stats are incredible. I know it’s a long time ago but I’d still like to have a go at him.Where in the world do you get the best teas?
Lord’s. I always look forward to having a bat and filling my boots at tea. The fitness guys don’t like it but the lads do.Do you keep your old kit for memories?
I do, it’s good to look back sometimes. I must have something like 25 cricket bags in the garage full of old stuff that I kept from when I was 12. It’s all safe in plastic bags away from the moths.What’s more rewarding, smashing a batsman in the ribs or taking out their off stump?
It depends who the batsman is and if you’ve got a bit of niggle with them! I’d say getting them out.In 2006, magazine did a poll of the world’s sexiest men. Do you know where you finished?
() Ninth.Simon Jones’ best ball: the one that bowled Michael Clarke at Old Trafford, 2005•Getty ImagesWho is the worst room-mate?
A guy I shared with at Glamorgan, Dan Cherry. He was an unbelievable snorer. I ended up beating him with a pillow. He tried his best to lay on his side but then he’d roll over on his back and he’d be gone. It was as if he was cracking nuts in his mouth.Who is the best Welsh sportsperson of all time?
There are a few, but I’m going with Colin Jackson.What are you like at other sports?
I played football, rugby, athletics and pretty much everything when I was younger. I was just in a generation that did everything and didn’t really have an option. At school I loved football over cricket. I was tiny up until I was 16. I went through Millfield School for three years and just shot up there. I went being 5ft 5ins to 6ft 3ins so quickly. My mum came to pick me up once and she didn’t recognise me!Who is the biggest practical joker?
Matthew Hoggard. He’s so mischievous. He changed the password on Duncan Fletcher’s laptop once and you could see the annoyance on [Fletcher’s] face. When he came in I went down like a prawn sandwich, but Hoggy found it funny! I think he realised afterwards that maybe he shouldn’t have done it.