In its relatively short life the review system has attracted a fair amount of controversy. With a few “no ball” dismissals missed here and there the pressure on the TV umpire has ratcheted up. And unfortunately, Darryl Harper has proved to be not up to the job. Having being moved out of the firing line after a poor on-field performance in the Third Test, he is now in the cross hairs of England’s ire.
In general I am a supporter of the system as if it works well it irons out any errors. However, it’s a bit more difficult to approve if it then commits further errors. Other major problems are that it firstly can undermine the on-field umpire’s authority and also teams can use it as a measure of desperation.
Hapless Harper has managed to make a right old horlicks of this in the Fourth test. How the ICC had the temerity to defend Harper’s Howler for not picking up the snick of Graeme Smith’s bat is one of those denials of spin that A. Campbell would have been proud. Forget who turned the volume up or down, it is an error and there should be a hand or two held up in acceptance of getting a decision wrong. But no, it was knocked back like a Boycott dead bat.
The irony is that they are rightly using technology to help make the right decisions but do not have the full kit e.g. hot spot, snickometer. The lack of important equipment is justified by the cost but that is pretty feeble. The mistakes made create ill feeling and take away from what has been a wonderfully topsy turvy series.
If as looks likely (at lunch on Day Three), England lose the game they will bemoan their luck and rail against the unfairness of the system rather than reflect on their inept batting performance in the first innings which will be the crucial factor.
The ICC have got themselves into a proper pickle as mistakes are being made with the review system. Someone needs to take responsibility but this is the ICC and that is never going to happen. After all the ICC stands for Incompetent, Clueless Clowns.
Showing posts with label South Africa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South Africa. Show all posts
Saturday, 16 January 2010
Friday, 8 January 2010
England's Great Escape - Part Two
It certainly makes for an exciting and dramatic diversion from the bleak midwinter we are currently enduring, but if I have to listen to any more last wicket heroics from G. Onions & Co. I’m not sure that my heart will be able to withstand the pressure. The euphoria of relief in England’s hairy escapology in the First and Third Tests against South Africa outweighs the pleasure in the convincing innings victory in Durban.
The crucial element in any sporting delight is the joy of the unexpected and when the result is not known until the last possible moment. However laudable and merited the Second Test win proved to be, the game had none of the excruciating tension of the drawn matches when serenity gave way to danger and potential failure with such alacrity that a loss seemed inevitable on both occasions. It is the strange and perverse nature of sport that the pleasure derived from two draws outweighs that of a convincing victory.
But none of the tense heroics of the late order batsmen or the stoic partnership of Bell and Collingwood would have been required if one of the top order batsman had not failed so dismally at Cape Town. Kevin Pietersen is quickly becoming a liability to this England team with his show pony (or should that be stallion) antics; his disregard of the team’s cause is at odds with his teammates. He is undoubtedly one of the most talented players in the world and can dominate any bowling attack when well established.
At the moment he is being picked solely on reputation and certainly not on form nor spirit as his contribution to the team in this series has been negligible. Maybe he is in the side to attract the flak of the South African public for whom he acts as a pantomime villain, and this then allows the other players to hide in relative anonymity behind his huge frame. Looking at the stats for the Cape Town test Pietersen lasted a grand total of 24 balls and amassed 6 runs. When what was required was crease occupation and accumulation he achieved neither.
He was the worst performing of all the top order batsman on either side in terms of number of balls faced (24), runs scored (6) and average (3) over this test. In fact he was the worst performing batsman in all of these categories for the whole England side apart from one area – Onions faced only 20 balls but the big difference was the No.11 was not dismissed in either innings, showing admirable grit and application.
So if the final test match in Johannesburg goes to the wire I know who I would want to be at the crease if the game needs saving and we need the right mixture of character, spirit and determination and his name is not Kevin Pietersen. Would the selectors dare to drop him? It’s highly unlikely but would be justified but that doesn’t mean it will happen. Maybe he is being used as a screen for Broad’s fancy footwork or Anderson’s ham-fisted handiwork.
The crucial element in any sporting delight is the joy of the unexpected and when the result is not known until the last possible moment. However laudable and merited the Second Test win proved to be, the game had none of the excruciating tension of the drawn matches when serenity gave way to danger and potential failure with such alacrity that a loss seemed inevitable on both occasions. It is the strange and perverse nature of sport that the pleasure derived from two draws outweighs that of a convincing victory.
But none of the tense heroics of the late order batsmen or the stoic partnership of Bell and Collingwood would have been required if one of the top order batsman had not failed so dismally at Cape Town. Kevin Pietersen is quickly becoming a liability to this England team with his show pony (or should that be stallion) antics; his disregard of the team’s cause is at odds with his teammates. He is undoubtedly one of the most talented players in the world and can dominate any bowling attack when well established.
At the moment he is being picked solely on reputation and certainly not on form nor spirit as his contribution to the team in this series has been negligible. Maybe he is in the side to attract the flak of the South African public for whom he acts as a pantomime villain, and this then allows the other players to hide in relative anonymity behind his huge frame. Looking at the stats for the Cape Town test Pietersen lasted a grand total of 24 balls and amassed 6 runs. When what was required was crease occupation and accumulation he achieved neither.
He was the worst performing of all the top order batsman on either side in terms of number of balls faced (24), runs scored (6) and average (3) over this test. In fact he was the worst performing batsman in all of these categories for the whole England side apart from one area – Onions faced only 20 balls but the big difference was the No.11 was not dismissed in either innings, showing admirable grit and application.
So if the final test match in Johannesburg goes to the wire I know who I would want to be at the crease if the game needs saving and we need the right mixture of character, spirit and determination and his name is not Kevin Pietersen. Would the selectors dare to drop him? It’s highly unlikely but would be justified but that doesn’t mean it will happen. Maybe he is being used as a screen for Broad’s fancy footwork or Anderson’s ham-fisted handiwork.
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Lessons for 2010
The South Africans must be satisfied with the hosting of the Confederation Cup, which has proved to be a well run rehearsal for the main event in a year’s time when the first World Cup held in Africa will begin. After all they have Sepp Blatter’s seal of approval and that’s worth its weight in Krugerands.
As with all rehearsals, it is important to learn the lessons and see if these can make for an even better tournament come 2010 when there will be larger and more cosmopolitan crowds .
The main points of interest, in no particular order, are as follows:
Spain are not invincible.
The shock defeat inflicted on them by the US in the semi-final came at a time when the Spanish were beginning to look so formidable that an undefeated run all the way to the World Cup Final was not out of the question. The fallibility against the US may act as a timely reminder that they cannot take things for granted, or may create doubt when the pressure is on and bring back the mental fragility of previous Spanish teams who flattered to deceive.
The ball will swerve more than at any previous World Cup.
This has happened at every tournament in living memory, so no need for the swerving quotient to slow down. I have a theory here that the ever-increasing propensity of the ball to deviate in the air is more to do with the shine of the ball than anything else, and each successive World Cup organiser produces a shinier ball because it looks good on TV, especially now with HDTV encroaching our viewing.
Vuvuzelas will be a continual aural backdrop.
Many people, including the players, have complained about the noise created by these trumpets. There have been many florid descriptions of the atmosphere but the closest I can get is that it sounds like a swarm of bees but unlike swarms this cacophony never moves, it just hangs there. The South Africans bristled with indignation at any criticism and are sure to insist they are around next year to create a “unique African atmosphere”. May be marginally better than White Stripes anthem of Euro 2008.
Gloves to be worn by outfield players possibly for the first time in a World Cup.
For those who become angered by the sight of players wearing gloves at Wigan in December be prepared for apoplexy. The tournament will be played during the South African winter and several players were spotted wearing gloves during the Confederation Cup. Danny Alvez outdid everyone by sporting a rather natty polo neck under his shirt. Cue comments about playing in Wigan on a chilly December….
Brazil look invincible
The tournament favourites may justify their position if they show a similar resolve and solidity come June 2009. They showed both sides of a class team in looking imperious at times and then vulnerable at others, whilst being able to score late goals and mount a comeback as they did against the US in the final. They have also unearthed a half-decent centre forward in Luis Fabiano who could carry them to glory. As you would expect, with any team managed by Dunga, they have a solid midfield which will hunt down opponents, leaving the niceties of the game to the full backs or the Kakas/ Robinhos of this world.
So the likelihood is that 2010 will be the noisiest, swerviest, coldest and most predictable World Cup ever. So when North Korea beat Brazil in the Quarter-Finals remember where you heard it first.
As with all rehearsals, it is important to learn the lessons and see if these can make for an even better tournament come 2010 when there will be larger and more cosmopolitan crowds .
The main points of interest, in no particular order, are as follows:
Spain are not invincible.
The shock defeat inflicted on them by the US in the semi-final came at a time when the Spanish were beginning to look so formidable that an undefeated run all the way to the World Cup Final was not out of the question. The fallibility against the US may act as a timely reminder that they cannot take things for granted, or may create doubt when the pressure is on and bring back the mental fragility of previous Spanish teams who flattered to deceive.
The ball will swerve more than at any previous World Cup.
This has happened at every tournament in living memory, so no need for the swerving quotient to slow down. I have a theory here that the ever-increasing propensity of the ball to deviate in the air is more to do with the shine of the ball than anything else, and each successive World Cup organiser produces a shinier ball because it looks good on TV, especially now with HDTV encroaching our viewing.
Vuvuzelas will be a continual aural backdrop.
Many people, including the players, have complained about the noise created by these trumpets. There have been many florid descriptions of the atmosphere but the closest I can get is that it sounds like a swarm of bees but unlike swarms this cacophony never moves, it just hangs there. The South Africans bristled with indignation at any criticism and are sure to insist they are around next year to create a “unique African atmosphere”. May be marginally better than White Stripes anthem of Euro 2008.
Gloves to be worn by outfield players possibly for the first time in a World Cup.
For those who become angered by the sight of players wearing gloves at Wigan in December be prepared for apoplexy. The tournament will be played during the South African winter and several players were spotted wearing gloves during the Confederation Cup. Danny Alvez outdid everyone by sporting a rather natty polo neck under his shirt. Cue comments about playing in Wigan on a chilly December….
Brazil look invincible
The tournament favourites may justify their position if they show a similar resolve and solidity come June 2009. They showed both sides of a class team in looking imperious at times and then vulnerable at others, whilst being able to score late goals and mount a comeback as they did against the US in the final. They have also unearthed a half-decent centre forward in Luis Fabiano who could carry them to glory. As you would expect, with any team managed by Dunga, they have a solid midfield which will hunt down opponents, leaving the niceties of the game to the full backs or the Kakas/ Robinhos of this world.
So the likelihood is that 2010 will be the noisiest, swerviest, coldest and most predictable World Cup ever. So when North Korea beat Brazil in the Quarter-Finals remember where you heard it first.
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