West Indies batsman Wavell Hinds has signed a one-year deal with Derbyshire as a Kolpak player. He has played 45 Tests and 114 one-day internationals, but hasn’t featured at international level since the Champions Trophy last October.If Hinds was to play for West Indies during this contract he would have to rescind his non-overseas status, so the move means his international future is looking doubtful. However, his aggressive batting and useful medium-pace will be valuable additions to the Derbyshire team.”It is terrific news for Derbyshire that we have been able to add a player of Wavell’s quality and experience to our squad for 2008,” said head of cricket John Morris. “Wavell has plenty of experience in both the Test and one-day international arena and he has proven ability in scoring runs at the highest level. That is exactly what I was looking for in a Kolpak player.”Hinds is the latest big-name signing made by Morris since he took charge at Derbyshire following Rikki Clarke’s arrival as captain last week.
Even on his big day, someone who wasn’t even playing grabbed much of the attention.It just seems so typical of the understated career of Shivnarine Chanderpaul that as he walked onto the field in Multan yesterday for his 100th Test match for West Indies, many eyes were focused on the dressing room, where vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan sat after being dropped for the second Test against Pakistan.Yet that might have been just the way Chanderpaul would have liked it, because there are few cricketers of such longevity who shun the spotlight as much as him.From the time he first fell in love with the game playing it in the fields of Unity Village, all Chanderpaul has ever wanted to do was bat. It doesn’t matter if the bowler is a pre-teen schoolboy or Shane Warne, if the field is shared by cows and goats or surrounded by towering stands packed to the rafters. The attitude is essentially the same: to bat and bat and bat – and then bat some more.As just the eighth West Indian to reach the plateau of 100 Tests, he has broken the mould, not merely as the first of East Indian descent to reach that landmark, but for the fact that his demeanour and stature in the global context of the game is so very different from the others who have completed three figures wearing the burgundy cap.The previous seven – Courtney Walsh, Brian Lara, Viv Richards, Desmond Haynes, Clive Lloyd, Gordon Greenidge and Carl Hooper – are all players fashioned from a template that is so typically West Indian: exciting, brilliant, spectacular, domineering and devastating. Then there is Chanderpaul. He has filled out quite a bit in the nearly 13 years since he made his Test debut as a scrawny 19-year-old, but he is still physically frail, as evidenced by the frequency with which he has been struck down by any number of ailments, ranging from injury to cramps to food poisoning.Unlike the others in the 100-Test club from the Caribbean, his is not a physically commanding presence, nor does he breathe fire and brimstone in the general direction of his immediate opponent in the heat of battle. No sir, for him it is about getting out there and getting the job done with a minimum of gallerying, something he has been quite effective at as his impressive tally of 6617 runs (average 44.70) with 14 hundreds and 39 fifties confirms.It is known that he hates the description of his batting style as “crab-like”, but what else can you say about someone who shuffles across the crease the way he does? Only recently has he reversed a process of becoming exaggeratingly square-on in his batting stance, and heading into this 100th Test, he hadn’t raised his bat in acknowledgement of a hundred for 14 matches.
Unlike the others in the 100-Test club from the Caribbean, his is not a physically commanding presence, nor does he breathe fire and brimstone in the general direction of his immediate opponent in the heat of battle. No sir, for him it is about getting out there and getting the job done with a minimum of gallerying
Yet there is little chance of the 32-year-old Chanderpaul being dropped on form in the near future as there are very few of his kind in contemporary West Indies cricket, the kind who are prepared to do whatever is necessary for the cause of the team.He is not a natural leader, but did not shirk the responsibility of captaincy last year in the midst of the destabilising sponsorship row, even if it contributed to a dramatic decline in his batting form. At the start of the current Asian campaign, he admitted to not being too comfortable opening the batting in one-dayers. However his partnership with Chris Gayle at the top of the order in ODIs has proven so productive that there is really no chance of it being broken up heading into the 2007 World Cup.As quiet and reserved as he appears, Chanderpaul is no shrinking Ti-Marie when a contest is at its most intense. It was on his first tour of Australia in 1996-97, at the age of 22, that he took on the challenge of the number three spot in the batting order as Lara laboured against the threat of Glenn McGrath. The Aussies love to get under the skin of their opponents, but most know they are wasting their time when it comes to Chanderpaul, simply because he is hardly ever put-off by their insults.Their respect for the Guyanese batsman is understandable. On that debut tour Down Under, he tore into Warne and company on a turning pitch in Sydney and got to 71 on the last morning before being conquered by an outrageous delivery from Warne. On his home ground at Bourda three years ago, he plundered the third fastest Test hundred – off 69 balls – of all time and then closed off the series with another century that helped West Indies reach a world record target of 418 in Antigua and avoid the humiliation of a series whitewash.Their careers have followed very different paths, but he will forever be associated with Brian Lara for his role in partnering him to his first world Test record of 375 at the ARG in 1994.No doubt the captaincy issue and sponsorship rift must have created some tension between them, but at the end of the day, Lara would be among the first to acknowledge that hardly anyone has shown the level of commitment to the cause of West Indies cricket at this very difficult time than the “Tiger” from Unity.
Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) soared to the top of the Group B table as they defeated Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) by an emphatic margin of nine wickets on the final day of their Patron’s Trophy match at the Iqbal Stadium at Faisalabad.Having gained a first-innings lead of 120, PTCL downed ZTBL for 252 in their second innings after they had resumed yesterday morning at 104 for 2, still 16 runs adrift. PTCL were thus left with 133 to get, which they achieved in style by reaching 137 for 1. PTCL now have 15 points from their first two matches in the five-team pool. ZTBL have lost twice in as many appearances and have failed to collect any points so far.Riaz Afridi, Peshawar’s fast bowler who has played in a Test match for Pakistan, captured 4 for 34 in 18 overs for PTCL yesterday. He was ably assisted by Babar Naeem, the Rawalpindi left-arm spinner, with figures of 3 for 30 in 11 overs. Mohammad Khalil, another Pakistan player, picked up 2-70 with his left-arm pace to go with his first-innings 4 for 76. Faisal Naved top-scored for ZTBL with 49 off 124 balls that included five fours. During the 79-run seventh-wicket partnership, Zahoor Elahi, a former Pakistan batsman, and Adnan Akmal, the wicketkeeper, appeared to have tamed the PTCL bowling but this did not last very long.ZTBL, who have won the Patron’s Trophy title four times, were beaten by their 2003-04 runners-up Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) in the first round. PTCL, however, took six points from their win over Service Industries in their opening game. PTCL will now play their third-round match against National Bank — who beat Service Industries with a day to spare on Sunday — at the Sheikhupura Stadium from Thursday. ZTBL have a period of rest until the fourth round.Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) claimed the three first-innings points after a draw in their Patron’s Trophy Cricket Championship match against Pakistan Customs at the United Bank Limited (UBL) Sports Complex Ground No.1 at Karachi. Customs, however, remained in second position in the five-team group – after Habib Bank – with six points from two matches. SNGPL have so far made one only appearance in the tournament, but they are at No.3 in the table.Customs resumed their chase of SNGPL’s big first-innings score of 498 yesterday at 237 for 6, still needing another 111 to avert the follow-on. They did so with credit by reaching a total of 375, which however placed them 123 runs in deficit. With no result in sight, SNGPL preferred to gain some batting practice after they had been assured the three points from a draw. They were 100 for 2 in their second innings when the match was called off.Fawad Alam, the teenaged left-handed batsman, unbeaten at 45 overnight, managed to add only two more runs, his 47 coming off 150 balls in just short of three-and-a-quarter hours with five fours. Customs needed to get to a score of 348 to save themselves from following-on. The eighth-wicket stand of 68 served them well in this pursuit. Murtaza Hussain, the offspinner, stuck to his crease for a little over three hours while scoring 58. He found able partners until the end, with 31 runs made for the ninth wicket and another 32 for the last. Azam Hussain, Alam’s partner in the eighth-wicket stand, hit a career-best 49 at a run a ball that included seven fours. Imran Khalid, SNGPL’s slow left-arm bowler, took 4 for 96 runs in 43 overs.In their first-round match of the tournament, Customs had started by beating Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) although they collected only six points instead of the full nine as they had earlier surrendered the first-innings lead. SNGPL did not have a match to play in the previous round, and will now play their third-round four-day match against Group A table leaders Habib Bank at Karachi beginning December 22. Pakistan Customs will have a break until the fourth round.Habib Bank drew with Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in their first-round fixture and then beat KRL on Sunday inside three days of their second-round game. They now have a total of 12 points to their credit. KRL’s next match is coming up against PIA, also from Thursday, at the National Stadium. KRL have been beaten in both the matches they have played upto now.
Ajit Wadekar, the former Indian captain and coach, feels that too much is being made of the quality of pitches used for Test matches. He said that India’s recent dip in form was partly down to Sourav Ganguly being uncertain about his best game-plan.”Sourav is getting confused whether to rely on pace or spin,” Wadekar told Wisden Cricinfo at the launch of the Hat-Trick Cricket Academy in Mumbai, of which he has been appointed the director. “We have a very good set of medium-pacers, and it is important that we strike the right balance. During my time as the Indian coach, between 1992 and 1996, Kapil Dev was on his way out and we only had [Javagal] Srinath to rely on in the fast-bowling department. Now it is a different story. I think we need to sort out our strengths and play accordingly.”Having coached India through the glorious ’90s, when they didn’t lose a single series at home, Wadekar also felt that too much was being made of the quality of the Test pitches. “I think international teams should be willing to adapt to any sort of wicket,” he said. “The Mumbai pitch was surely not a good one, but the ones at Nagpur and Kanpur were OK.”When asked about the current Test at Kanpur, which has been largely reduced to a snore-fest, Wadekar defended the curator, saying he was getting too much flak. “We played on Kanpur-type pitches even when I was the coach. The bowlers need to work out the batsmen. No point in blaming the pitch.”Wadekar added that John Wright, the current coach, needed to be more assertive, and called for a more interactive approach when matches were on. “I don’t see messages being sent out to the captain. You have to do that, because you are getting another view of the game.”He also doffed his hat to Anil Kumble, who is on the verge of becoming India’s highest wicket-taker, and said he was the ideal example of a bowler adapting to different conditions. “He is one of the greatest fighters I have ever seen. He will never complain about the track, and just go out there and slug it out.”Siddhartha Vaidyanathan is on the staff of Wisden Cricinfo in India.
Mike Procter has given his seal of approval to Pakistan’s security arrangements, ahead of South Africa’s Test series later this month. Procter, a former South African allrounder, has been officiating as an ICC match referee during Pakistan’s Test series against Bangladesh, and described the preparations for the tour as “excellent”.The United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCB) is due to test the water for itself this Sunday, when a delegation arrives to discuss the concerns surrounding the matches in Karachi and Peshawar. The UCB has warned that they will not be “sending a team anywhere” unless they are satisfied, but Procter believes their fears are misguided.”It would not be fair for me to comment on the UCB stand on playing in Karachi and Peshawar,” said Procter. “They have their concerns, but they have been in touch with me and taken feedback from me. I have given them my frank views. But I can understand that the negative image and information about some cities in Pakistan to the outside world does have a bearing on how others think about playing in Pakistan.”Last May, New Zealand pulled out of a Test match in Karachi following a bomb explosion outside the team hotel, while Peshawar – in the North West Frontier Province – has been viewed with suspicion by touring sides because of its proximity to Afghanistan. Both cities, however, held Tests in the recent Bangladesh series, and both passed without incident. The UCB has nonetheless asked that the venues be moved.
A troubled Australia will start the final day of the Third Test with just eight second innings wickets in tact and thus battling for survival after anothersix hours of New Zealand dominance at the WACA Ground in Perth today.By stumps on the fourth day of a Test that continues to hold supporters of New Zealand cricket in its permanent thrall, the Black Caps had reducedthe hosts to a scoreline of 2/69 as they confronted the daunting target of 440 to win.That the Australians should have been forced into such a desperate corner in a fight to avert a series defeat owed a deal to some more fine battingfrom the tourists today on their path to a total of 9/256 before a late afternoon declaration. Batting that produced a rare double for a NewZealander, easily the country’s most productive opening stand of the series, and yet more of the intelligent character and brow-beating of thebowlers that had featured on the first two days of the match.In the midst of a union of 77 runs with Mark Richardson (30) that put the Kiwis’ previous opening partnerships in the series in the shade, it wasenterprising youngster Lou Vincent (54) who again set the tone.He survived a run out chance when Ricky Ponting aimed at his stumps from cover point, but was otherwise content to keep fanning the flames of anearly love affair with Test match cricket. Classical strokes flourished throughout an 88-minute stay and he was regularly able to pierce an Australianfield that tended to revolve around understandably defensive settings.Exquisite timing and placement ensured that the scoreboard whistled along at a run-a-ball rate while he was in occupation; only when he chased ashort Brett Lee (4/56) delivery outside the line of off stump to carve a catch to Mark Waugh in the gully did the fun end.He duly became just the second New Zealander in history to consummate a century with a half-century on Test debut, joining another openingbatsman – Rodney Redmond – in that elite bracket.Progress slowed dramatically upon his departure.Mathew Sinclair (29) struggled for a long period, adding just one run in 46 minutes at one stage as he attempted to draw on all of his reserves ofconcentration in resisting Shane Warne (1/75) and Glenn McGrath (1/63). His frustration was such that it even transformed itself into desperationwhen an urgent call for a run from a ball hit straight to Steve Waugh at point resulted in the needless run out of Richardson. Sinclair ultimately outsideedged at McGrath and captain Stephen Fleming (4) came and went quickly, bowled through the gate as he advanced and drove errantly at Warne.Yet there still remained little to disturb the general pattern of New Zealand command.The belligerent Chris Cairns (42) received a promotion in the order and proceeded to play some typically thrilling strokes, duly undermining theAustralians’ best-laid plans of continuing to restrain the visitors’ progress toward their huge lead. His case of knowing exactly how to attack a teamwas persuasively argued once again as he struck two sixes off McGrath with cleanly-clubbed blows over long on and mid wicket respectively andsurrounded them with a mixture of authoritative shots.Sound assistance was rendered by first innings heroes Nathan Astle (40) and Adam Parore (16*), and by Craig McMillan (19) too. It all ensuredthat the lead had not only swelled well beyond the mark of the most successful fourth innings run chase in Test history but also that there were asmany as 17 overs left to bowl before stumps by the time that Fleming called his batsmen in.That meant that the artful and engaging cricket that the Black Caps have played from the outset of this match was able to receive even furtherexpression as Australia’s second innings began.Justin Langer (0) showed great form to be the wretchedly elusive commodity that it is as he survived an imploring lbw shout from Shane Bond (1/27), thenperished from the next delivery anyway as he edged a low catch to Daniel Vettori at third slip. A further calamity awaited Australia as Ponting(26), after several magnificent strokes, inside edged a Cairns (1/11) off cutter back into his stumps.Indirectly, Fleming’s declaration produced a rather touching piece of irony too. After it had been New Zealand on the end of jibes for its inability totake ten wickets in any innings in a succession of games at the start of the tour, the early closure meant that it was instead Australia that finished theseries without managing to claim all ten New Zealand wickets in a single innings.Little wonder that frustration was etched across the Australians’ faces in the field and at the bowling crease for most of the afternoon.By the end, such anger even appeared to spill over into a torrent of verbal abuse from Lee at number ten batsman Bond after he had removed hisleg bail with an inswinging yorker. Lee will be fortunate if he escapes a hearing before match referee Jackie Hendriks.And, if Australia fails to play the get-out-of-gaol card tomorrow, then it can only be imagined that there will be even more pain to follow.
The tour by the Uttar Pradesh’s women cricketers to Sri Lanka isturning out to be a successful one. They have now won three matchesout of three, with one abandoned due to heavy rain. At the NCC Groundsin Colombo on Monday, they defeated a Colts CC XI by 71 runs.Unlike the other two games, which were really tense affairs, UP ranaway with the match after batting first and scoring 130 in 40overs. In the context of a low scoring tour, this was a large total,certainly too much for this Colts side who were bundled out for just59 in 35 overs.Priyanka Shally continued her fine form this tour with a useful 21, aninnings that rescued the visitors who had slumped to 2-2 after havingbeen put in to bat by the home side. Her efforts were ably supportedby Shikha Jaingran, who went on to top score with 26. The pair put on59 runs for the fourth wicket and effectively won the match for theirteam. The pick of the bowlers was Hiroshini who finished with 3-16 offher eight overs. Unfortunately for the Colts, her teammates were alittle too generous with the extras, donating the visitors a veryuseful 30 runs.In reply, the home side never looked like reaching the target. Indikawas the only batsmen to settle with a useful 20 runs but even shefound it difficult to cope with the bowling of Varsha Paphael whopicked up 5-9 off eight overs.
An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in AC Milan machine Alessio Romagnoli.
What’s the talk?
According to Tutto Mercato, the Magpies are one of the teams plotting a move for the Italian central defender ahead of the summer transfer window.
The report claims that Lazio, Juventus and Sevilla are also keen on the 26-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the campaign, although Milan are said to be holding out hope that they can pin him down to an extension.
Imagine him & Burn
PIF must ensure that they can seal a deal to sign Romagnoli on a free transfer as he would be a fantastic addition to Eddie Howe’s squad and would be able to form a strong partnership with Dan Burn at the back.
The Italian defender has been in fine form for the Rossoneri this season and has led the Serie A giants to the top of the table after 30 games. In the league, he has averaged an excellent SofaScore rating of 7.08 across 18 appearances as he has consistently delivered quality performances.
Whilst completing 89% of his attempted passes this term, he has also averaged 2.4 tackles and interceptions and won an impressive 68% of his individual duels. Romagnoli is a strong defender who can read the game and he has been showcasing his ability throughout the current campaign.
Milan legend Paolo Maldini previously hailed the gem, saying: “He is one of the best ever, he is already at the national team. He must have well precise objectives. It’s a growth process. Milan of the last few years did not help Alessio but we now hope that he will help us return Milan back.”
Romagnoli has played 246 Serie A matches throughout his career and this shows that he has the experience to go along with his impressive performances and praise from Maldini. He has consistently delivered over a number of years and is, therefore, not a one-hit-wonder who is having a flash in the pan.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Burn has averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.03 in the Premier League this term, winning 57% of his duels and making 3.1 tackles and interceptions per game. He has proven himself to be a reliable player in the top-flight for the Toon and that is why the Magpies can form a strong partnership by signing Romagnoli to partner with the ex-Brighton man.
Both players are strong performers at the top level and, therefore, can provide a solid base upon which Howe can build the rest of his Newcastle team.
AND in other news, Sold for £30m, now worth £13.5m: Ashley played a blinder for NUFC over £83k-p/w flop…
Manish Pandey and MS Dhoni, rising star and fading force, combined to deliver India victory over Australia at the last possible opportunity in another run-fest at the SCG. Having crumpled in a humiliating heap in Canberra, the tourists were able to hold their nerve this time, helped by a pair of critical Australian dropped catches.David Warner and Mitchell Marsh had made centuries for Australia, but the allrounder conceded 13 from the final over of the night to allow the visitors avoid the ignominy of a 5-0 series sweep. It also provided partial vindication of Dhoni’s longtime belief in seeing out an innings, even if his steady 34 was a diminished version of supreme closing displays he used to be able to put together for his team. Australia were denied an unbeaten home summer.Fluent hands from Shikhar Dhawan and the Man-of-the-Series Rohit Sharma had put India in sight of victory though both men fell short of centuries. Dhawan was brilliantly caught by Shaun Marsh at deep point, before Rohit reached 99 only to edge John Hastings behind and be given out by the umpire Paul Wilson after a dramatic pause for the crowd of 33,710.Pandey, playing his fourth ODI, weathered that moment and pushed on to his highest and best innings for India. His crisp stroke play found plenty of gaps around the SCG and kept the run chase within sight. Dhoni arrived at the fall of Rohit’s wicket and after a halting start India’s captain gradually found his range in time-honoured fashion.The pair allowed the equation to leak out to 35 to win from the final three overs, before taking 13 from the 48th over and nine from the 49th. Needing 13 from the final over, Mitchell Marsh gave away a wide first ball, before Dhoni hammered a six over long off. He then perished trying to repeat the shot, but Pandey squirted a boundary past the gloves of Matthew Wade to reach a deserved hundred and put the result beyond doubt.Heavy rain around Sydney in the lead-up to the match affected the ground staff’s preparation, ironically resulting in arguably the fairest surface of the international summer – excepting the grassy, experimental pitch prepared for the inaugural day-night Test in Adelaide. Dhoni duly sent the Australians in, and was rewarded with early wickets.But after the loss of Aaron Finch, Steven Smith, the captain, George Bailey and Shaun Marsh inside the first 22 overs of the afternoon, David Warner and Mitchell Marsh combined for a partnership all the more impressive for the fact that they had to deal with a moving ball for virtually the first time since Adelaide back in November.Warner’s hundred was his second from as many SCG fixtures this summer, and he also made a century against India on this ground in their Test match last January. His momentum built throughout the innings even as he appeared to try to make certain of a hundred after being dismissed for 93 in Canberra. The resultant celebration is now near enough to choreographed, but Warner added a baby-rocking motion in recognition of the recent birth of his second daughter.Less scripted was the manner of Mitchell Marsh’s celebration, having rattled to a maiden international hundred on the same ground where he made his first Sheffield Shield century for Western Australia in 2011. Twice before this summer, Mitchell Marsh had been promoted by Smith in order to grant the allrounder extra time in the middle, and he had looked awkward each time.This was more the role he has been groomed for, staging a middle-order recovery after early wickets with good judgment and power hitting. There was some drama to Mitchell Marsh’s hundredth run – he spent three nervy deliveries on 99, before flicking Ishant through midwicket to reach the milestone from a mere 81 balls. Mitchell Marsh’s 82nd struck him amidships, and precious momentum was lost in the final 12 balls.Those two overs meant India were chasing a target somewhat skinnier than they had faced in Canberra; Dhawan and Rohit began with venomous intent, and for a time there seemed nothing that would stem their momentum. The stand was worth 123 at comfortably better than a run-a-ball when Dhawan lofted John Hastings and was caught by a leaping Shaun Marsh.Rohit’s prolific scoring in this series was completed by another confident hand, which ended only when a baying crowd and tight field placed by Smith had the opener edging behind. Shaun Marsh had dropped a far simpler chance from him the over before. That wicket may have given Australia the momentum to go on to win, but Dhoni’s early struggles were reprieved when Nathan Lyon spilled another chance at deep midwicket.The spin of Lyon and Smith cost 78 from 10 overs, leaving much responsibility on the shoulders of Hastings and Scott Boland. Mitchell Marsh bowled well enough until India’s final onslaught, and the all-round skills of Glenn Maxwell, missing due to a knee knock in Canberra, were notable for their absence.Ishant Sharma had found seam movement in the very first over of the afternoon, fooling Aaron Finch into shouldering arms to a nip-backer that struck him in the vicinity of the off stump. The umpire Richard Kettleborough raised his finger without hesitation, though ball tracking was to show the ball may not quite have been moving back enough.Smith looked at ease despite his early arrival to the crease, until the introduction of the debutant Jasprit Bumrah who appeared to catch Smith a little off guard. Bumrah generated decent pace from an abbreviated run up and unusual action, and after tying down Smith was able to gain his wicket when a pull shot found Rohit Sharma at midwicket. Bumrah later added the wicket of James Faulkner: his control put other more experienced teammates to shame.Neither George Bailey nor Shaun Marsh were able to prosper, the former fooled by Dhawan’s leg cutter and the latter a run out when Umesh Yadav’s return from the outfield rebounded from the knee of Gurkeerat Singh to disturb the bails. At 4 for 117, Australia were teetering, but Warner and Marsh were to recover the innings in some style. They seemed to have done enough, until a mere seven runs from the final two overs of the innings gave India a glimpse.
Watching Munaf Patel, Ranadeb Bose and Ishant Sharma standing side by side on the eve of the Irani Trophy match, taking turns to bowl, one might have been tempted to feel for Mumbai’s batsmen. Each one of these bowlers is six-and-a-half-feet tall, Bose and Sharma sport mullets and all can appear capable of mean acts. The trio were also India’s second-string bowling attack – Munaf, when fit, is a shoo-in, Sharma had toured Bangladesh and Bose England.Mumbai’s batsmen on the other hand, Wasim Jaffer and Abhishek Nair apart, are diminutive in stature. Two of them, Ajinkya Rane and Prashant Naik, were just one game old and one, Sahil Kukreja, is still raw with one-and-a-half years of first-class cricket to his name.All that said, on a non-supporting pitch it was the short batsmen dominating the tall bowlers. The menace was just restricted to their looks and the frustrated appeals every time they managed to strike the pads. And their captain Mohammad Kaif’s persistence, introducing spin as late as the 36th over, didn’t help the matters. By then, they were a battered lot.Munaf, operating at a speed ranging from mid 120 kph to the mid 130s, rarely put any devil into the delivery. It was easy pickings for Rahane once he realised Munaf wasn’t doing much with the ball. This was a far cry from the Munaf who rattled England on Test debut and the spearhead who was arguably India’s best bowler on their tour to West Indies last year. In fact that bowler has been missing for a while now, what with Munaf ending with none for 71 in his 15 overs, including nine no-balls. Even those figures might not completely represent the tameness he bowled with.
At this stage of his career, with the selectors watching every move, Munaf can ill afford to have more such days
Few other than him may know what is wrong. His fitness issues are public knowledge: his ankle injury restricted him to only one Test innings throughout the tour of South Africa last year. He was then sent back from Bangladesh because of a back injury. Later, after having spent time at the MRF Pace Academy, he said he was fit and was selected for the one-dayers in England. Yet he wasn’t half the bowler he used to be, forcing India’s bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad to comment on his lack of intensity. At this stage of his career, with the selectors watching every move, he can ill afford to have more such days.Bose, the domestic stalwart and the untiring warhorse, came into this match needing to take his game one notch higher. Instead his intensity dipped. He began spraying the ball at a gentle mid-120kph and was duly dealt with. Although he came back somewhat creditably, with a much more accurate spell, he would know that the extra zip was missing. It required him to grab 57 wickets last season for the selectors to take notice; anything less may not be enough.Sharma, the tallest of the three, was thought of as a promising youngster. He had his moments in the tour games in England, showing signs of improvement with every game, but he was a bit too tepid on this occasion. With hardly any movement off the pitch, and a pace that rarely went beyond the mid-130 mark, he was unthreatening throughout the day. He strove manfully – even Abhishek Nayar, one of the centurions, admitted that later – but it was way short of good enough against a quality batting line-up.