Thursday 28th July, 2011 15

BY FIRDOSE MOONDA over the middle overs of the match with the ball and squeeze Broad returned match figures of , the South the opposition for runs. He seven for 94, not to mention a vital Africa allrounder, has admitted thinks there is still room for 74 not out in the second innings, as to being “disappointed but pre- him to play that role in that he put in his best showing since the pared,” after being stripped of future. “Morne [Morkel], Dale 2009 Ashes. the national Twenty20 captaincy [Steyn] and Imran are all attack- ing bowlers and you can’t only Strauss said: ‘’Stuart was out- earlier this year. Botha was standing. When your place in side is announced as ’s have that. Even though Lopsy [] can play a called into question it’s a big test of successor to the lead the containing role, he bowls with Strauss believes character as much as anything. Twenty20 team in August last the new ball so batsmen will ‘’Stuart showed immense charac- year and was widely tipped to take him on.” become ODI as well, but Botha’s edge may lie in his ter over five days. He bowled very lost out on both jobs when AB all-round ability.“I think my well and his second innings 70 was de Villiers was named captain batting will help me stay in con- crucial to the outcome of the game. in June. tention,” he said. During this He showed his class here and it is a “The captain must be the year’s IPL, Botha was promoted timely reminder to everyone of first pick in the team and with to number three in the batting all the spinners around at the line-up for Rajasthan Royals by what a great talent he is.’’ moment it’s difficult to say who Shane Warne and played some England can rule world England have named an the No.1 is, so I knew it was match-winning knocks. “I don’t unchanged 12 for the second Test in unlikely I would become cap- think I will be able to bat that England captain Andrew Strauss believes outstanding. Nottingham, with Bresnan again tain,” Botha told ESPNCricinfo. high up the order for South joining the side from Lord’s. Africa, because of the quality of England are perfectly placed to seize the ‘’They were five down at tea (on day Botha’s ascendency was forced Chris Tremlett appeared to backward during the 2011 World players we have here, like JP opportunity to leap ahead of India and become five) and we had to work very hard struggle at times with a Cup, when the emergence of Duminy and , but officially the world’s best team after a thrilling to open up an end. Once we did Pakistan-born legspinner Imran hopefully my performances [in victory in the first of the four Test series that we finished them off brilliant- hamstring niggle, regu- Tahir and the form of left-arm the IPL] put something into between the sides. ly. larly leaving the field after spinner left him someone’s mind.” With the bowling for attention, but lower middle-order exposed for England lit up the landmark 2000th Test ‘’Looking at our first innings total (474 fighting for his place in the with a fine team performance, declaring in for eight declared), that was a magnificent Strauss confirmed he was starting XI. being brittle at the World Cup, the least it could have done was expected to be fully fit. Botha’s suspicions that he both innings and bowling out India for under performance too. Kevin was mainly give the selectors an idea of how would not be 300 twice to seal a 196-run victory. responsible for that – it was the next cap- There were one of the great innings © The Telegraph tain were con- standout perform- I have seen since Group, London, firmed when ers throughout 2011 Andrew the ranks, with Hudson, con- Kevin Pietersen venor of selec- Was prepared to lose tors, hinted (202no) and Matt that the Prior (103no) contributing appointment crucial knocks and James would aim to Anderson’s five for 65 on the final day cap- promote conti- ping a complete bowling performance. being involved in nuity.“I T20 captaincy - Botha The sides meet again at Trent Bridge on the side.’’ thought they Friday, with the home side knowing they can Strauss also had good reason would look for someone who to strengthen it. would be able to take over from ’s first task of replace India at the top of the ICC rankings by to be pleased with Stuart Broad’s Graeme [Smith] as Test captain the summer will be to take on winning the four-match series by two or more showing in the match. one day and so that would mean Australia, a rivalry that has matches. The seamer was under pres- looking for someone who plays always attracted interest. The ‘’To be number one you have to grab your sure after a slow start to the sum- all three formats, so I knew it last time the two teams played a series, Botha captained South opportunities and I think we did that very well mer against Sri Lanka and many couldn’t be me - I don’t play all in this game,’’ Strauss said. felt that fit-again Tim Bresnan formats,” he said. Botha has Africa to victory in the Twenty20-leg. Botha is looking ‘’It’s the first of a four-match series but deserved a chance to stake his only played in five Tests in his forwarded to playing the career, as a second-spinner, we’ve demonstrated that when we play well claim ahead of Broad. Australians we’re a match for anyone. Now we just have to But Strauss and team director behind Paul again, especially Harris. because they are play well again. Andy Flower showed their faith de likely to have his ‘’We are aware that this is just the opening in England’s new Twenty20 cap- Villiers’ was Royals’ team-mate salvo in the series, but Lord’s is a hard wicket tain and were rewarded by a Andrew Strauss believes England can unveiled as Shane Watson in as the game goes on and the performance was much-improved display. end series against India as officially captain in the mix. “He the best team in the world. (AP) June, when wasn’t in the Botha was side the last overseas, con- time we played tracted as a them and I’ve Twenty20 profes- seen what he sional in the can do; he can United Kingdom by win games county side single-handed- Is T20 eating away at Test ? Northamptonshire. ly.” Having almost expected Botha marvelled at BY ANAM ARSALAN Stuart Broad’s all-round effort was it, Botha was able to deal And the reason beats all odds — he shunned something England would boast with his emotions maturely.“I Watson’s It was hyped beyond comparison about for years to come. was busy playing and so I got solo efforts - the 2000th Test in the history of his gloves and took to bowling. Of course the No wonder Strauss was seen say- over the disappointment quick- during the cricket had even non-followers ing, “The series is up there with the ly,”he said. IPL from move earned a few brickbats too when the up-close and stand up and take notice. Ashes.” He is able to acknowledge Meanwhile, India or for that mat- the credentials of his colleague is now back No wonder there was a lot at captain took off his keeping gloves and hand- home and ter BCCI needs to think if the with no malice and is even hop- stake as the No. 1 Test team was up about to shortest form of the game packed to ing he will be able to play a part against the No. 3 Test team. The ed them over to Rahul Dravid and started to embark on the hilt during the cash-rich IPL is in assisting de Villiers. “He is a Test was especially crucial for the an extreme bowl. eating away its players. great player and he will do a statisticians and Sachin solo per- Tendulkar’s fans as it was the 100th Every season the Indian Premier good job. I think it this will real- formance a fiver. first two Tests, was Zaheer Khan ly lift his game,” Botha said. “I Test between India and England League ends up with a few bruised of his own. and Sachin was eyeing his 100 inter- And the reason beats all odds — (hamstring) and Gautam Gambhir players lying by the way side. will give him as much as he can This week- he shunned his gloves and took to (elbow). Gambhir batted on the take. It’s not every day that you national century, even though he Let’s not take into account end, Botha has often said that he does not bowling. final day, but Zaheer, even though India’s tour of the Caribbean - ask for something of the senior will spend chase milestones. Of course the move earned a few he showed up with the bat in sec- which certainly wasn’t up to the players but sometimes you do 24 hours Zaheer Khan last played during brickbats too when the captain took ond innings, would be iffy for the standards of international cricket. need them in a match situa- cycling at off his keeping gloves and handed second Test starting at Nottingham the IPL and was short of the much- Worst, Chirs Gayle, the man whose tion and I will contribute St them over to Rahul Dravid and from Friday. needed match practice for the all-round blitz made the Bangalore then.” George’s started to bowl. Tendulkar, it was later known, longest version. However, the end Royal Challengers’ bosses pockets More pressing in Park in One reasoned that it was the batted with a viral infection and Botha’s mind is wrest- result was not what Sachin Port absence of Zaheer Khan, who missed two sessions during fielding go heavy with advertising money, ing back his berth in Tendulkar and India fans would Elizabeth to pulled his hamstring on the first on Day 4. was seen sitting out. the side. “I didn’t get raise money for have desired. The Master Blaster The IPL certainly needs a cut in as many wickets as failed to score his elusive ton by a day that prompted him to do so, but England on the other hand got three educational the move certainly grabbed eyeballs everything right from Day 1. terms on matches or else it will Imran or Robin in charities. It’s Botha’s huge margin - getting out on 34 and continue to witness injured players the World Cup with purists flashing their knives They lost the toss, so the decision fourth appearance in 12 respectively and India ended up and drop outs like Lasith Malinga, but I did my job, in the open. that skippers hate to take was off the gruelling event. losing the match a huge 196-run who refused to tour with Sri Lanka, which was to margin. Kapil Dev called it a mockery of Andrew Strauss’s head and so was How does he plan to citing an injury while continued to contain at one combat the inevitable Call it bizarre, but it was India while Sourav Ganguly the British media, which loves to play in the IPL. end so guys got exhaustion that will skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, stood up in support of MSD, saying, tear apart their team much like the What’s worse is that other Test wickets at the creep in? “When who caught all the attention and “He wanted to give his bowlers the Indian media. other end.” you’re scared of not Rahul Dravid, who scored his much needed rest.” Then Kevin Pitersen’s maiden playing nations too are planning Botha has been falling off, that’s maiden Lord’s Test century, or Meanwhile, the injury-list for double at Lord’s in the first innings such fire-packed T20 leagues. hailed for his what keeps you Sruesh Raina, who scored a dogged India grew. followed by Matt Prior’s century in God Save Test cricket! ability to boss Johan on.” 78, or Praveen Kumar, who claimed Joining Virender Sehwag, out for the second innings along with (India Today) Botha

‘What struck me was the age of those queuing. These were not octogenarians waiting for a seat in the pavilion; these were young men, teenagers, children Sri Lankan cager wins Italian Championship The English papers are bursting at the seams with with parents.’ cricket content Tuesday morning following England’s That led Fraser to conclude with the following: win over the number one team in the world. ‘There are many doom-mongers who say that inter- But they’re not just full of gloating - rather there is est in Test cricket is dying, and cricket must work hard excitement at what such a glorious match with its sold- to ensure it retains its position as the pinnacle of the out crowds means for Test cricket. game. But those who wonder where the next genera- There is also analysis of why India were quite so tion of Test followers are should have been at Lord’s poor, but first let’s start with some praise for the hosts yesterday,because they were there, too, experiencing as Derek Pringle writes in The Telegraph. Test cricket at its best.’ ‘The best team won and England, despite fluffing Now, let’s talk about Billy.Two hugely controversial four catches, were hugely impressive in taking the hon- (okay they’re not controversial, just rubbish) decisions ours. Their pack mentality was so focused that even are to some degree overlooked in the papers because they ultimately proved irrelevant, with England sewing up the match in good time. Geas However, it hasn’t com- Basketball What the English papers say pletely escaped the attention, Club that won and Vic Marks does more than just moan about the lack of the Italian DRS in the Guardian - he Under-15 All 2000th Test match looks at Bowden the man, who Island has even admitted that certain Basketball India’s experienced veterans could not prevent it from emotions can impact his deci- Championship. running them down. sions. ‘By his own admission, Bowden may be all too The Italian Under-15 All Island Basketball champi- ‘Not everything went to plan during the match. onship was won by Geas Basketball Club recently and There was a wobble in their second innings, when they aware of who is down the other end when he is umpir- ing. In 2004 he stood in Steve Waugh’s final Test and he one of the key members of the team was a Sri found themselves 62 for five. Lankan. The 14-year-old Niwanthi de Silva started ‘But whereas such jeopardy would previously have could not resist sharing his admiration for the Australian captain. “I would hate to be bringing up my playing the game at the age of six and having made floored them, they have so much belief and quality run- significant strides in the sport so far,she is looking for- ning through the team that such setbacks become mere bent finger as a controversial decision [with Waugh at the crease],” he said before that game. “I just hope he ward to make it big. aberrations, something for the analyst to bring up at Niwanthi’s parents moved to Italy in 1990 and both the next team meeting under ‘Any Other Business’.’ doesn’t get his pads in the way or his bat is wide enough to get a thin edge.” Which was probably best were basketball players as well. While her mother Another former England fast bowler Angus Fraser Ganga Alahendra, a past pupil of St. Paul’s Milagiriya is director of cricket at Middlesex these days, so it was left unsaid. ‘There are other reasons why Tendulkar, in particu- represented Cager Eaglets and Garudas in the 1980s especially pleasing for him to see queues snaking before representing Sri Lanka Schools, her father around Lord’s on Monday. lar, has reservations about the DRS. Most umpires tend to be more wary of giving the great players out. They Kapila de Silva represented Delmege Group in Howeveritwastheaverageageofthecrowdonday M til B k tb ll