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DARYL'S DIARY...now in India for the IPL ...April-May 2008 [Most recent entry firstshed
TWO DAY TEST ENDS IN DRAW Thursday, 30th October, 2008 DHAKA BANGLADESH After the first three days were totally lost due to rain, the second and final Test between the Bangladeshi Tigers and New Zealand's Kiwis ended in a tame draw yesterday at Mirpur here in Dhaka. Md. Ashraful won a belated toss on the fourth morning and invited the tourists to bat first. The Kiwis managed to lose some early wickets and looked cautious at 3/49 but a partnership of 137 runs between Jesse Ryder (91)and Brendan McCullum (66)steadied the ship. A declaration was imminent as the afternoon progressed when Daniel Vettori declared at 6/262 after 75 overs. The Kiwi captain then removed the heart of the tiger when he captured three wickets in his opening over. Going to stumps at 3/13, Bangladesh needed to avoid the follow on score of 162 on the final day. At 6/44 all sorts of scenarios were still possible, until Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Mortaza played the team to a position of safety. Shakib (49) and Mortaza (48) added 78 runs to ensure the Bangladeshis were able to avoid the follow on. New Zealand then meandered through 31 overs to reach 1/79 and to complete the final day of my 75th Test. Jesse Ryder added an unbeaten 39 runs to his 91 run effort on the fourth day. At the end of series presentation ceremony I was delighted to receive a memento to celebrate my 75th Test. Only Steve Bucknor, David Shepherd, Rudi Koertzen and Darrell Hair have completed more Tests. I must be getting old. Cheers Daryl
TIGERS OPEN ACCOUNTCCOUNT Thursday, 9th October, 2008 DHAKA BANGLADESH After a lean patch without ODI success, the Bangladesh Tigers pulled off an upset victory by seven wickets over the touring Kiwis. In the first of three ODIs, Md. Ashraful sent the tourists in to bat and a tight struggle commenced. Openers Jesse Ryder and Brendan McCullum found that the runs just didn't flow with a stand of 47 runs coming to an end in the ninth over. Mashrafe Bin Mortaza kept the brakes on, bowling eight tight overs in his opening spell, capturing three vital wickets. With Razzak applying the squeeze to the middle order, New Zealand slumped from 0/47 to 6/79 after 21 overs. Some batsmen appeared a little rusty after several months away from the game, and after their only warm up game was washed out. Jacob Oram and captain Daniel Vettori then rescued the team with a face saving partnership of 70 runs from 19.1 overs before the tail nudged the total past two hundred. Zunaed Siddiqui entered the game under huge pressure with only 62 runs coming from his first eight international ODIs. But cricket turns up many surprises and the resolute opener held his nerve until the 44th over with victory in sight. His 85 runs (137 balls) included eight boundaries and displayed plenty of patience. He added 109 runs with his captain, Ashraful who remained unbeaten with 60 runs at the celebrations. The new playing condition regarding power plays provided added interest to the contest. The fielding team opted to use their power play immediately after the compulsory innings opening stanza which has become totally predictable. But the batting team can now nominate a block of five overs when only three fielders are allowed outside the fielding circle. When runs started to be more difficult to find, Bangladesh forced the field into the circle after 38 overs, easing the pressure on its batsmen. It will be entertaining to see how the use of this power play opens up opportunities in the latter overs. The big challenge comes on Saturday when the teams meet for the second encounter. Bangladesh will need to excel in the same basics while the Kiwis will be desperate to bounce back from the surprise result. Cheers Daryl
Last weekend the most inexpensive team in the inaugural Indian Premier League won the trophy with a single run from the final ball of the final over. It was as if the ending was scripted with scores tied after 19.5 overs and a bowl out a distinct possibility. The best bowler in the series, Sohail Tanvir then slapped the final ball through midwicket and joyfully completed the winning single with his captain-coach Shane Warne. Earlier, Partiv Patel with 38 runs from 33 deliveries and Suresh Raina with 43 from 30 balls, had given Chennai Super Kings a moderate total that eventually proved challenging to chase. Captain M.S.Dhoni added a swift and unbeaten 29 runs from 17 deliveries but one sensed it was a reachable total. Yusuf Pathan continued his fine series by collecting 3/22. When the chase began, Asnodkar and Shane Watson both contributed 28 runs apiece, but Pathan smacked 56 runs from only 39 balls to take a shaky start (3/42) into grasping distance of the victory. As third umpire, I had a busy night. That's not quite true. I wasn't required for any referred decisions...not one. But I was asked about two boundaries! Sadly we discovered that the walkie talkies were next to useless so I conveyed my answers by standing up and using sign language. On the previous night, I had been on duty in the centre, back at Wankhede Stadium, when Chennai had a huge nine wicket victory over the King's XI Punjab. It was the third occasion when Chennai had beaten their more highly fancied opponents. Early wickets to Ntini and Gony left Punjab reeling at 4/34 and 5/40 when Irfan Pathan lost his wicket in a run out. We have all realized that losing early wickets is almost certainly fatal and this was no different. When Mahela Jayawardene edged to keeper Partiv Patel from a delivery by Alby Morkel, there was no way back into the game from 6/45.The run machine named Shaun Marsh failed on a rare occasion and it became impossible for the tail to kick on. Umpires in this series have been required to officiate without any sense of hearing...and that takes considerable adjustment. A key man with the bat for Punjab was Kumar Sangakkara. He is a player with wonderful skills, but his greatest strength is his respect for the game and for his opponents. I have seen him 'walk' on many occasions and in this vital semi final, it happened again. Gony bowled to him early and he edged the ball to Patel. On this rare moment, I actually heard the edge but didn't really detect any significant deflection. I was weighing up the evidence and considering why the keeper hadn't shown the slightest interest when the batsman took his first step towards the change room. I was aware that we all struggled on field to hear anything but I was preparing to raise my finger when Sangakkara took off. He hesitated momentarily but continued on his way after I nodded to him that I had detected the nick. It may not sound much to anyone not involved at this level, but that was a magical moment for me. I really enjoy seeing professionals at work and Sangakkara qualifies for that team. My next match will be a Test match at Lord's in July...and they don't come along every year. Until that time comes around, I'll be supporting my two Australian Rules Football teams...The Adelaide Crows in the national competition and the Norwood Redlegs in the local grass roots competition. Cheers Daryl
These fans at D.Y.Patil Stadium are hoping their team will squeeze into the semi finals. MUMBAI OR CHENNAI? Tuesday, 27th May, 2008 PUNJAB INDIA Game 53…Jaipur v Mumbai…Monday, 26th May 2008 A win by Chennai tonight will confirm their third placing and a semi final confrontation with The King's XI Punjab. That would ensure that The Royals meet The Delhi Daredevils who completed their preliminary games back on Saturday, in the other semi final. Since then, they have been biding their time while other results have fallen their way. Last night Jaipur was wobbling at 5/77 before Patel and Jadeja added 69 runs to achieve the win with two runs from the final delivery of the game. Had a run out chance been taken by Jayasuriya at the bowler's end, the game would have been decided by the first bowl out of the series. That was my preferred finish but it didn't eventuate. So Mumbai will now be in Bangalore today, needing Adam Gilchrist to fire in Hyderabad tonight. The Deccan Chargers have lost all six home games to this point, and only a win to The Chargers will provide Mumbai with an opportunity to progress tomorrow in Bangalore. I am in Chandigarh, ready for the final qualifying game on Wednesday night. It could be an interesting tussle between the top two teams...with only bragging rights available on the result. The Royals will finish in top spot and the local King's XI will finish in second place...regardless of the outcome. Maybe a key player or two will be rested to keep an unknown factor should these two combinations reach the final on Sunday in Mumbai. The Royals won the only previous encounter at home in Jaipur on the back of an unbeaten 76 runs from Shane Watson. But that is history and was so long ago that Shaun Marsh had not even played a match for The King's XI at that stage. Since then, he has been the most exciting batting factor in the whole IPL. Cheers Daryl
Dale Steyn shares a joke before the Bangalore Royal Challengers defeated the Chennai Super Kings. THE BATTLE FOR THE WOODEN SPOON Sunday, 25th May, 2008 HYDERABAD INDIA Game 51…Hyderabad v Bangalore…Sunday, 25th May 2008 Last night in Chennai, we witnessed a run-fest as both the Super Kings and the Royals racked up over two hundred runs. The visiting Warnie's Rajasthan Royals bolted away with a century opening partnership and set up an imposing challenge for the local Chennai Super Kings. Graeme Smith was powerful in compiling 91(51balls) with 13 boundaries and in partnership with the diminutive Swapnil Asnodkar, added 127 for the first wicket before the little bloke was run out in a tight finish. In a bold attempt to chase down a target of 212 runs, Alby Morkel carried the challenge until the last over with an entertaining 71 runs from only 40 balls. The Chennai Super Kings only fell short by ten runs and it was anyone's game until the last over. Today I reached Hyderabad and enjoyed watching the battle for the wooden spoon...avoiding the wooden spoon that is. The Bangalore Royal Challengers contained Hyderabad to 165, dismissing them from the final delivery. Gilchrist made a subdued 46 from 37 balls to lead the home team in search of a first home ground victory. It wasn't to be as Bangalore chased down the target with five wickets down and six deliveries to spare. Several players contributed but Akhil completed the steady work with an unbeaten 27 coming from only seven balls.
Tonight, The Kolkata Knight Riders led by Saurav Ganguly's unbeaten 86 (53), chased 175 to beat The King's XI Punjab in a second game today that had no bearing on which teams make the final. Rajasthan and Punjab are safely ensconced in the finals calculations with Rajasthan having a strong grip on the top spot. Just who will challenge these two in the semis at the end of this week is still to be determined. Mumbai needs wins on the road on Monday and Wednesday, Chennai must beat Hyderabad on Tuesday, while Delhi has completed its games and now awaits the results of other games to determine its immediate future. Three teams are in a struggle for two places and the match ups for the finals may not be resolved until the 56th and final preliminary game is decided in Mohali on Wednesday night. Cheers Daryl
DELHI IN THE SPOTLIGHT Saturday, 24th May, 2008 CHENNAI TAMIL NADU INDIA
After a promising start to the inaugural Indian Premier League Series, Delhi now find themselves in a knockout match to reach the semi final stage. Delhi's final preliminary match is at home tonight against their arch rival for fourth position...the Mumbai Indians. Victory would mean that Mumbai would need to beat Jaipur and Bangalore away from home to claim the berth. A loss to Mumbai would confirm that Rajasthan, Punjab, Chennai and Mumbai would contest the finals series with the match-ups to be determined by results of the final six games. The most recent game at The Ferozeshah Kotla was the first wash out of the series when the points were shared with the Kolkata Knight Riders. Another washout tonight would mean that the Mumbai Indians would need to win only one of their two final matches...since their net run rate is superior to that of Delhi. The potential clashes between Sehwag, Gambhir, Maharoof and McGrath taking on 6+4dulkar, Jayasuriya, Uthappa and Pollock are exciting. Meanwhile I'll be involved in the early game with third placed Chennai hosting top dog Rajasthan. Both teams will move through to the semis but it should be another big encounter. The world's greatest Test wicket takers in Muralitharan v Warne is worth the entrance money alone...although I won't be paying to get in! Meanwhile Dhoni , Fleming and Morkel will be opposed to Graeme Smith, Watson and Irfan Pathan. These ingredients should provide a spectacle or three. For the players and umpires, the afternoon heat will provide a further test.
Delhi Daredevils captain Virender Sehwag led from the front in Bangalore on Monday night. CAPTAIN LEADS FROM FRONT Monday, 19th May, 2008 BANGALORE INDIA Game 43…Bangalore v Delhi…Monday, 19th May 2008 Captain Virender Sehwag led from the front when his Delhi Daredevils ventured to Bangalore to take on the Royal Challengers. The Daredevils lost their first wicket and icon captain at the end of the seventh over, but already had 90 runs on the board. The task was almost done with a required run rate of only five runs per over...a task that would be comfortable in a fifty over game...let alone a Twenty 20 match. Sehwag made his 47 runs from only 19 deliveries with ten boundaries. Leading run scorer, Gautum Gambhir chipped in with 39 runs to get the innings fired up. Earlier, Maharoof had chipped in with 24 runs from the final over of the Bangalore innings to give their modest score an unexpected boost. It was too little, too late as the target was chased down with five wickets and ten deliveries to spare. The Challengers were well served by wicketkeeper batsman S.P.Goswami who compiled a bright half century from only 42 deliveries. His efforts were rewarded with man of the match recognition. It was a hollow success for the diminutive S.P. as Bangalore has now lost its fifth game in a row. McGrath and Maharoof opened the evening with a tight line and length, both grabbing two wickets apiece. After Sehwag and Gambhir departed, the Daredevils faltered for a moment but steadied to win comfortably. I had previously anticipated a mammoth contest in Mumbai several days earlier when Kolkata came to town, but it was all over in an instant. The Knight Riders collapsed to be all out for a miserable 67 runs. There was no chance of Mumbai stumbling in chase of that inadequate tally and the game was done within six overs as Jayasuriya went for everything. I had been expected to travel from Hyderabad to Chennai today but the chance of another game as a spectator was too much to ignore. I detoured here to Bangalore, watched the contest and will be on another flight in the morning to Chennai. Cheers Daryl
Daryl with host R.K on Neo Sports 10pm slot...Dial C For Cricket WHAT DID YOU WATCH AT 10p.m. LAST NIGHT? Friday, 16th May, 2008 MUMBAI INDIA Game 37…Delhi v Hyderabad…Thursday, 15th April I can’t tell you much about last night’s clash between Delhi and Hyderabad…apart from the fact that the Daredevils enjoyed a 12 run victory over the Deccan Chargers. Chasing 15 runs from the final over proved to be mission impossible as Amit Mishra snared a hat-trick and the Delhi franchise banked the points. I was otherwise engaged at the time, fielding all sorts of challenging questions about technology in cricket and whether or not the umpires are the fall guys. Competition for television viewers is intense here in India where I can daily browse the channels like a menu in a restaurant. The most popular choice is a starter of cricket followed by a main of cricket curry, topped off with a tasty dessert like gulab jamun or the other popular choice…more cricket. On this occasion, I was enjoying the heat in the kitchen as the main ingredient. Who better to grill about these issues than an umpire? Callers from across the country posed a mix of questions that had me throwing in anecdotes and experiences like a chef adds spices…I hope I wasn’t too heavy handed. My dish of choice is a ‘not so spicy’ butter chicken and I was treated to a home cooked delicacy in a friend's home this week. I tried to perform like an umpire and make my decisions impartially, answering with honesty and providing the viewers with my viewpoint from behind the stumps. It was as challenging as umpiring an international game of cricket and I loved the experience to let my hair down! Thoughts now turn to tonight’s huge clash…Mumbai v Kolkata…Indians v Knight Riders…Reliance v S.R.K….6+4dulkar & Jayasuriya v Shoaib Akhtar & Ishant Sharma. Surely this menu is worth the price of a ticket…whatever the price. This is a huge clash with two teams competing to edge closer to a finals berth. May the best team win… Cheers Daryl
Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan and Stephen Fleming, watched by coach Keppler Wessels, contemplate Chennai's innings at Wankhede Stadium before Jayasuriya exploded to blow the contest apart. HERE COME THE INDIANS Thursday, 15th May, 2008 MUMBAI INDIA Game 36…Mumbai v Chennai…Wednesday, 15th May Sachin 6+4dulkar may have only scored a dozen but when he fell, the Mumbai Indians were a comfortable 1/82 chasing 157 to win. It was all downhill from there. This was Sachin's first on field appearance and unquestionably fired up the capacity crowd at Wankhede Stadium . Stealing the limelight at the other end was Sanath Jayasuriya with a little gem of an innings. When he is hot, he can't be stopped. Unbeaten with 114 at the ceremony, Sanath belted eleven sixes and nine other boundaries from a paltry 48 balls. There was nothing that could be done to stop him in such a mood. I recall him scoring 189 in a Sharjah final in 2000 against India when he also seemed invincible. Eight years on and the ageing warrior still has the power, timing and class to entertain. Chennai had earlier struggled to get moving but Badrinath with a half century, Stephen Fleming with 26 at the start and captain M.S.Dhoni unbeaten with 43 runs had together concocted a modest 6/156. Another old stager in Shaun Pollock had strangled the innings with only nine runs coming from his four over quota. Meanwhile youngster Kulkarni, a 19 year old presented well enough to grab 3/33. The damage was done and after the break, the blitz began. Last night I enjoyed the spectacle from the hospitality area. When not appointed to officiate, my preference is to attend the game, support my colleagues and soak up the atmosphere. There was plenty to absorb on this occasion. Tomorrow when the Kolkata Knight Riders clash here with the Mumbai Indians, I'll have my work cut out for me. Imagine Shoaib Ahktar charging in at Tendulkar and Jayasuriya. It's never happened before so what a thrill to be a witness to this clash of the titans. The noise level will be deafening and communication difficult. My Hindi is slowly improving with regular advice and instruction from hotel staff, but sign language will be as good as it gets in the middle tomorrow night. Shabash, shabash... Cheers Daryl
PUNJAB LOOKS PREITY GOOD Monday, 12th May, 2008 CHANDIGARH PUNJAB, INDIA Game 34…Punjab v Bangalore…Monday, 12th May With apologies to part owner, Bollywood’s own Preity Zinta for the headline, the team from the north easily accounted for the originally highly fancied Bangalore Royal Challengers by nine wickets and with more than four overs to spare, here in Mohali tonight. I was hoping to give you my view of the game from my position behind the stumps; however a stomach complaint prevented me from taking my place. It takes something serious to keep me away from a game so I’ll spare you the sordid details. I’ll just say that I haven’t eaten for 36 hours and you may understand my dilemma. Tonight’s win for the King’s XI Punjab takes them to second position, only percentage ahead of the Chennai Super Kings and one victory behind the Rajasthan Royals. These three teams look starters for the semi finals at the end of the month. Just which team takes the last available position is anyone’s guess. Early disappointment, the Mumbai Indians is about to introduce a new player to the series. When it is Sachin 6+4dulkar, anything is possible. When he appears on the replay screen at any ground, even the opposition supporters go wild with delight. He is universally admired and a cult figure wherever cricket is played. The Kolkata Knight Riders have beaten the two cellar dwellers in their last two starts and next meet fellow contenders Delhi for the first time. Along with Mumbai, this looks a three way battle for a semi final berth. There are still four head to head clashes between this trio of teams so results may be critical for survival. The outstanding performer tonight was Shaun Marsh. After watching the opening games from the bench, he grabbed his chance with the departure of Simon Katich, and his contributions have been stunning. National representation must be a matter of “for how long” and not “I wonder if.” With four locals under 22 years of age, there are great opportunities for Indian players as well as overseas lads to gain exposure. There have been some outstanding efforts from players that are totally unknown to me. In a short space of time, we will all know certain new names as they progress through to the national team. Tomorrow I return to Mumbai in better shape than I was yesterday. My next game is one of those crucial head to heads…Mumbai v Kolkata on Friday. Before then, I’ll be watching Mumbai host Chennai…another potential cracker of a game. Cheers Daryl
ACTION IN THE FLESH Tuesday, 29th April, 2008 DELHI INDIA Here in India, two stories have been dominating the media this week… Harbhajan Singh and the IPL team cheerleaders. Both have suffered from overexposure. From cricket writers to members of the public, both have endured the extremes of opinion….from outrage to admiration. Harbhajan has now been suspended for the duration of this IPL series and also required to pay a fine. The cheerleaders will display less flesh for the duration of the IPL series and most people agree that they are fine! If you are not here in India, you can only imagine the passion that these two subjects have evoked. The incidents in Australia during the ill tempered tour are now being reconsidered by the man in the street…certainly by the man on the train. Sitting next to me on The Shatabdi Express, Satinder admitted that he is now reconsidering events when it was assumed that only one team was at fault in the second Test in Sydney. As for the cheerleaders…the criticism appears to be predominantly from politicians, looking to garner support from voters who might be impressed by a stance against a western tradition challenging Indian culture. Popular opinion is that the cheerleaders, who apparently are mainly Australian and American, are adding to the international spectacle that is Twenty 20 cricket. Their skimpy outfits and gyrations have created some opposition and protests, but in games I have attended, the crowds have shown their approval. On both issues, it is refreshing to see that most people have an opinion and the opportunity to express themselves. Cheers Daryl
HERE COMES THE IPL Monday, 21st April, 2008 CHENNAI TAMIL NADU, INDIA Game 5…Mumbai v Bangalore…Sunday, 20th April At last…my first experience in the biggest innovation during my umpiring career…and we are talking about a quarter of a century! The Indian Premier League had started with a bang in Bangalore on Friday night when the hosts were thumped by Brendan McCullum and the Kolkata Night Riders. The opening ceremony was a typical Indian extravaganza…colour, music, fireworks, passion, noise…you name it…they had it. Immediately it was followed by McCullum’s fireworks. His unbeaten 158 was as good an innings as you could see with 13 huge hits into the opposition’s appreciative crowd. I watched him bat in two Tests in March against England and admired his aggressive approach, quick hands and accelerated scoring rate. This innings was more cavalier and will be a benchmark for this series. In fact, it’s going to be a huge effort for anyone to even match this knock. Instead of a benchmark, perhaps it will be a high-water mark! Other games had been played in Delhi, Kolkata and Mohali before the Mumbai Indians entered the fray against the Bangalore Royal Challengers on Sunday night at Wankhede Stadium. Someone decided at the eleventh hour that fireworks should precede the first ball…so presto…it happened. Hey…this is India! My colleague was fellow Adelaide man Steve Davis, and as we stepped onto the ground, we noticed the smoke drifting away into the night air…and the debris on the field! There were hundreds of pieces of shredded plastic and paper littering the field…some were still smouldering! After a scramble to get ground staff into action, we started after ten minutes of hurried housekeeping. Domenic Thornley was surprised by the early bounce and was floored by a short ball from Zaheer Khan that slipped through his helmet protection. His wound just gushed with blood, and took 15 stitches to close up. His right eye appeared totally closed this morning so he will surely be a spectator for several games. Robin Uthappa’s 48 was followed by Shaun Pollock’s quick fire 28 from 12 balls to give the home team a respectable 165 runs to defend. But it was a South African partnership of 55 between Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher that sealed the win for Bangalore by five wickets with two balls to spare. Steve and I have moved on to Chennai today where M.S.Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings are preparing for Sachin and Harbhajan’s Mumbai Indians on Wednesday. With a forecast of 39 degrees, this may be a rehydration day. I wonder whether I can find a decent Australian chardonnay here in Madras. Cheers Daryl KIWIS SCORE FIRST Sunday, 16th March, 2008 ADELAIDE SOUTH AUSTRALIA New Zealand enjoyed one of their most memorable Test victories over England in Hamilton last weekend. The margin…189 runs After officiating in One Day Series in South Africa and Australia, I was looking forward to a keen contest and not just a quick flurry of runs to win a game. Test cricket is all about competing for five days…and Daniel Vettori’s Kiwis certainly achieved that in Hamilton. Winning the toss, the Kiwi captain chose to bat first on a very dry, flat barren pitch. It certainly bore no resemblance to the surface provided there in 2004 when moisture and grass combined to create one of my more bizarre days in Test cricket. On the second day, we experienced part of all four innings on the same day. India lost its final two wickets to be all out for 99. New Zealand replied with a total of 92 all out. India came back to be dismissed for 160 before the home side went to stumps at 0/24 in the fourth and final innings of the game. Last week, Ross Taylor made his maiden Test century in his third Test. I’ve umpired all three games but he’ll have to go it alone in Wellington for the second Test. Jamie How and Daniel Vettori pushed the total to an impressive 470 runs. England initially responded brightly enough with Vaughan and Cook adding 84 runs for the first wicket. After Vaughan (63) and Strauss (43) perished in quick succession, it became a battle for survival with the normally irrepressible Kevin Pietersen restraining his urges to attack. The second day was played at snail’s pace with England adding 4/199 runs from 93 overs. Runs were hard to score with Vettori as tight as a bank manager, conceding only one run/over. When England was bowled out 122 runs in arrears on the third day, only some Kiwi urgency with the bat appeared capable of providing some excitement. Stephen Fleming, in his final Test series entertained with some sparkling strokes before being brilliantly caught in the gully by ball magnet Alastair Cook. Ryan Sidebottom enticed Matt Sinclair to flash at a wide delivery and he was brilliantly snaffled by Cook for two catches in two balls. Enter Jacob Oram…on a hat trick…and he generously obliged by not moving his feet and therefore by making my task simple. Sidebottom completed his hat trick…my fourth of the last eight in Test history…and I’ve been present for the last three. The Kiwis declared seven overs into the final day, giving England 300 runs to chase from a minimum of 81 overs. It was only to take 55 overs as England was bowled out for only 110 runs to lose the Test by 189 runs. Kyle Mills bowled a magnificent spell before lunch, capturing four scalps and sending the tourists to the long break at 4/36. There wasn’t to be any spectacular recovery with Bell unbeaten on 64 and Mills finishing with 4/16 from 13 overs. Chris Martin chipped in later with 3/33. I headed for home and the teams moved on to Wellington for the second Test. Cheers Daryl
MARCHING FORWARD Wednesday, 5th March, 2008 Hamilton NEW ZEALAND What a busy couple of weeks. I’ve been on the move since I umpired the preliminary clash between Australia and India in Sydney on 24th February. Australia was successful on that occasion when India made 299 and lost by only 18 runs with a big effort to get so close. Last Sunday, India went one better when they held Australia to a modest total and then chased successfully to win the first final by six wickets. It was a special day for me as it was my 150th One Day International appointment. I am the first Australian to reach that mark so it’s nice to record that achievement. In recognition, I received an on-field presentation before the game from the ICC which was greatly appreciated. Following that ceremony, the first final featured Sachin Tendulkar’s first and almost certainly, his only one day international century in Australia. It was a magnificent innings and featured a couple of vintage boundaries that were flicked effortlessly over the head of first slip. India has since moved on to Brisbane and won the second game by 9 runs, giving them the series and the trophy. That was a big effort to beat the current World Cup holders in two straight games, and thoroughly deserved by the young and impressive Indian team. Since then, I have moved on to Hamilton, New Zealand where I am officiating in my 70th Test. I obviously like round numbers. England is the touring team and spent the day in the field when Daniel Vettori opted to bat first. With Jamie How, Brendan McCullum and Ross Taylor all scoring half centuries, the game is delicately poised with the Kiwis to resume on the second day at 6/282. Cheers Daryl
HAPPY LEAP YEAR Friday, 29th February, 2008 Melbourne VICTORIA We are getting close to the business end of the season with the final preliminary round game between Australia and Sri Lanka here in Melbourne this afternoon. Sri Lanka has been eliminated from the finals series but will be playing for pride today, knowing they are about to fly home within hours. Australia has qualified for the finals series with India and will be playing to build momentum. It may appear that nothing is resting on this game but in reality there is plenty to play for. I returned from South Africa and Dubai after this series had commenced, so I made a late start. In Perth, I witnessed an emotional farewell for Adam Gilchrist from his adopted state. Today he will play at ‘The Gee’ for the last time and on Sunday it will be goodbye to Sydney. I officiated in Sydney last weekend when India made a great effort in their quest for 318 runs, batting second. That they achieved 299 runs is testament to their fighting qualities. It was a very high scoring game for Sydney where batting second has usually been tough as conditions deteriorate in the night session. I’ll be back in action on Sunday where I’ll achieve a personal milestone. It will be my 150th ODI, becoming the fourth to reach that mark, behind Steve Bucknor, David Shepherd and my colleague on the day, Rudi Koertzen. I was asked this week if I would aim for 200 or even 300. Unfortunately, at this rate, I’d be 71 by the time I reached 300, so I’m currently reviewing my goals! Let’s hope we get to see some great cricket played in the best spirit over the weekend. I’ve read quotes in the media that ‘it can’t be friendly’ out there in the middle. What nonsense. Every team has personalities…and personalities have egos. All we need is a little self discipline and let’s see the games decided on cricket merit. Cheers Daryl
AS THE CROW FLIES Wednesday, 13th February, 2008 Perth WESTERN AUSTRALIA What a week in football! Actually there was only one game, the opening game for the NAB Cup and it was played at The Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club. Not a regular venue but a spectacular one nonetheless. Leaving our hotel for the game on Saturday morning, I gave the taxi driver our destination. He had no idea where Ghantoot might be found. “Take Sheikh Zayed Road and head towards Abu Dhabi,” I directed him. I had done my homework and didn’t want to miss out. After driving past Jebel Ali which currently marks the end of the amazing development of Dubai, we travelled through desert to the border where one Emirate becomes another. We were sharing the trip with Dale, another Aussie in town for the footy…all the way from Broken Hill. Actually he shared the taxi with us. Thanks for the ride, Dale. The Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club did itself proud. A football ground had been created in the desert, complete with temporary grandstands to accommodate about four thousand spectators. The green swathe just looked totally artificial in the barren desert but it appeared to be in perfect condition for the game. I’ve read that if the desalination plants crashed for four days, all the greenery in Dubai would be lost, including several magnificent championship golf courses. February seems to be ideal for such a game in this environment. It is the coolest month of the year, this time it was too cool to even hit the waves of the Arabian Gulf. In the curtain raiser, Dubai Heat held off a slow finishing Dubai Dingoes. The poor Dingoes finished goal-less. These are the top two local sides…actually these are the only two local sides. I wonder if they play home and away before the finals each year? No need for the McIntyre Finals System here. The crowd exceeded six thousand by the start of the main game with a direct telecast beamed home to Australia. I know it is only February…and I know it is only a pre-season competition… and not for premiership points…but our young players showed enough promising signs for me to look optimistically ahead to 2008 and beyond. The game was won in the second term when Adelaide kicked with a breeze…and the result was determined early. All I can say is that our club president did not take the first flight out of the city in disappointment. But we Australians are passionate about our sport. There’s nothing wrong with that. I have now reached Perth in readiness for Friday’s Commonwealth Bank Series game between Australia and Sri Lanka. With all teams, including India registering one victory, this should be great entertainment. It must also mark the final appearance at the WACA for Adam Gilchrist. I’m sure it will be an emotional farewell for one of the game’s most exciting entertainers of the modern era. Cheers Daryl
AN INDIAN SUMMER? Saturday, 19th January, 2008 Johannesburg SOUTH AFRICA There have been dramas galore in the first few weeks of 2008 with India bouncing back to claim a spectacular victory in the Perth Test. After the troubled Sydney encounter, it was a remarkable comeback on a surface where most experts predicted India could not possibly win. I didn’t think it very likely either. Now the teams move to Adelaide where the deciding game is due to start on Thursday. I’ve always thought that the Adelaide Oval provides the ideal playing surface for Test cricket so this could be another epic match. There’s always a little life for the quick bowlers on the opening morning, before the pitch provides perfect batting conditions into the third and fourth days. Cracks appear and widen as the surface dries out, allowing the spinners to come into their own on the final two days. We will probably see India will bring back Harbhajan Singh and Australia bring back Brad Hogg. I was in attendance in Sydney for three action packed days of the Test before moving on to Dubai for a holiday. In a very rare week, we saw persistent rain for four consecutive days, ruling out any visits to the swimming pool or onto the sandy beach. Last night was a rare chance to enjoy the hospitality afforded to the privileged few. My wife and I were guests of Cricket South Africa in The Long Room at The Wanderers Stadium, here in Johannesburg. The West Indies went down to South Africa in the final over of their Twenty 20 clash. Now it’s time for me to go back to work. Tomorrow the two sides meet in a 50 over clash at Centurion, Pretoria, about forty minutes by car from our base here in Sandton, a leafy suburb of the big city. On Monday, we all move on to Cape Town for game two…and another scenic attraction…beautiful Table Mountain. Cheers Daryl
HAPPY NEW YEAR Sunday, 30th December, 2007 Adelaide SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Almost time to turn the calendar…again. Hard to believe that 2007 is almost history and we move into 2008. However that’s reality. I am enjoying some time at home where I watched some of the Boxing Day Test from an armchair and loved it. I was surprised at the ease with which Australia demolished India twice but certainly hope India can find some of their better form and strike back in Sydney next week. I’ll be enjoying a few days at the Test in the crowd for a rare change. Sydney will be on my way to South Africa for an ODI series with the West Indies. In Port Elizabeth last night, the West Indies had their first Test win on South African soil ever. I think it might have been their first Test win anywhere since 2005 so that’s a great moment for them. There are two more Tests before my first ODI in Pretoria in mid January so the Proteas will be desperate to keep that series alive when the next Test begins in Cape Town on Wednesday. I’ve officiated in Cape Town for the last three New Year Tests so this will be a pleasant change to start the New Year. On Christmas Day morning I arrived home from two Tests in Sri Lanka where England lost the series 0-1. The final Test was held in Galle…and marked a return for Test cricket after a three year break forced upon the local league by the disastrous tsunami of 2004. The ground had been restored beyond its former glory and stand facilities had been remarkably completed inside three months with construction continuing around the clock, right up to the opening delivery. Congratulations to all those who worked tirelessly to get the game underway. The facilities were superior to the original and the game was contested on a good quality pitch that was slow but true. After the Sri Lankans declared at 8/499, it was remarkable to see England bowled out for 81. After that, it was a question of whether or not England could hang on for a draw. With assistance from the rain and a fine century by Alastair Cook, England did hang on and Sri Lanka moved into third position on the ICC Test Championship table. Cheers Daryl
NORMAL SERVICE RESUMES Friday, 12th October, 2007 Adelaide SOUTH AUSTRALIA
After a most successful inaugural Twenty 20 series in South Africa, it’s back to One Day and Test cricket. South Africa has won the first Test in Karachi and in the one day stakes, the tourists lead in India and Sri Lanka. Australia leads India 3-1 with two to play while England leads Sri Lanka 3-1 with only one to play. I am currently enjoying a month at home which has been well timed to allow me to watch the major league play offs from the United States. My team is Boston and they are about to play the Cleveland Indians for the American League Championship. I had the trip of a lifetime in July and August when I visited Boston and home field Fenway Park for the first time, watching a three game homestand against the Baltimore Orioles. Looking back to the Twenty 20 series, I must admit that I was quickly converted and became a fan of the format. I officiated in the opening game of the series when Chris Gayle smashed 117 runs from only 57 balls, including ten big hits into the crowd. Herschelle Gibbs with an unbeaten 90 runs carried South Africa through to victory and 36 hours later, the West Indies were eliminated when they lost to Bangladesh. At the end of the series, I was third umpire for the big final and I always enjoy sitting back to watch the best cricketers go about their business. Spectators were provided with hard hats for protection from the big hitting in an ingenious promotion and there were thousands worn at each game. Dancers performed some lively routines at the fall of a wicket or the scoring of a boundary. In the night games, fireworks lit up the skies on a regular basis. For the spectators, there was plenty to enjoy about T20 cricket and I could understand the good attendance figures. Here in Adelaide, I have two grade cricket matches to umpire this month before returning to Johannesburg for two Tests with New Zealand. Daryl
SUB CONTINENTAL FLAVOUR Monday, 24th September, 2007 Johannesburg SOUTH AFRICA
So…the semi finals are done and now it’s down to India and Pakistan to contest the final of the first Twenty 20 World Cup. How interesting after both teams departed prematurely from the World Cup in March. In their previous meeting in this series, the scores were tied and the match was decided by a bowl out when India emerged successfully. India through Yuvraj Singh’s explosive batting eliminated Australia in Durban on Saturday while I was on field in Cape Town to see Pakistan bundle the Kiwis out of the tournament. In that game, Pakistan’s bowlers contained the Kiwis to only 8/143 with Ross Taylor scoring an unbeaten 37 runs from 23 deliveries. Umer Gul again bowled his four overs late in the innings and 3/15 is a remarkable return in this form of cricket. He removed Styris, Fulton and Oram to crush any surge that may have come from the middle order. As a result, Pakistan was able to bat with the knowledge that their innings was more of a one day fifty over run chase. Imran Nazir and Mohammed Hafeez motored along adding 60 runs in 7.1 overs leaving a winning score only requiring a run/ball. Nazir wasn’t the most popular opponent when he batted with a runner following a groin strain. That’s not usually a problem but when he danced down the pitch to loft some of his five big hits into the crowd, there were some concerns from his opponents about his rate of recovery from injury. Nazir’s 59 from 41 balls, and Hafeez with 32 from 21 deliveries, provided the start and the partnership required for the Pakistan chase. In this format, it appears that one partnership or one individual performance can decide a game. I wonder who it will be today in the final. I’ll certainly be watching closely from the comfort of the third umpire’s box. India versus Pakistan in a final? A home team in the final must have been the outcome that the promoters would have liked but this must be a dream come true for the television network. Just how many millions of people will be watching? Daryl
FIREWORKS GALORE Tuesday, 18th September, 2007 Johannesburg SOUTH AFRICA
After a week of preliminary games, we are now into the Super Eights and the entertainment continues daily. The Windies, Scotland, Zimbabwe and Kenyan teams have been eliminated and it’s left to the big guns for the shootout. Last night here in Jo’burg, Pakistan surprised one of the favourites in Sri Lanka with a powerful 33 run victory. Choosing to field first, Sri Lanka took early wickets but we are now becoming accustomed to finding that one decent partnership can turn a game of Twenty 20 cricket. Shoaib Malik and Younis Khan added 101 runs in quick time to help Pakistan reach 6/189. After ten overs the Sri Lankans were on top, holding Pakistan to only 3/69 but veteran Sanath Jayasuriya was pummeled to all parts of the stadium seats, finishing with 0/64 from his four overs. Younis faced 32 balls for his half century but his captain only needed 27 balls for his fifty runs. Sri Lanka was on the ropes early when the openers were gone after only seven deliveries. Jayasuriya was the big loss after being the mainstay in earlier innings. With Afridi grabbing three wickets for only 18 runs and Umer Gul closing the innings with 2/14 from his four overs, Sri Lanka just didn’t have the firepower to achieve their target. This afternoon we have a double header in Jo’burg when Australia meets Pakistan in the afternoon game, followed by Sri Lanka and Bangladesh under lights. One thing is certain. There will be plenty of big hitting and thrills for the crowd. In the late game, big hits and wickets will be celebrated with fireworks. Twenty 20 is certainly here to stay. Daryl
NOW THIS IS DIFFERENT …Twenty 20 Cricket Wednesday, 12th September, 2007 Johannesburg SOUTH AFRICA
Chris Gayle smashed 11 sixes last night on his way to a brilliant century from only 52 balls…and the West Indies lost the match! Yes…I’m back on the internet after a long break from international cricket. After a hectic twelve months mostly on the road, I enjoyed what I decided was a well deserved break. The highlight of my vacation was visiting Fenway Park in Boston to see three major league baseball games in three days. The Boston Redsox has been my team since the mid-sixties…yes…I know that’s forty years. It is a long time ago but I’ve always been a loyal supporter of my favourite sporting teams. Back to the present, I am now in Johannesburg where the first Twenty 20 Cricket World Cup is being contested. Each game is all over in three hours and the entertainment package has been amazing on the first two days. With such an abbreviated game, upsets are on the cards with any team capable of turning on the power at any time. Umpiring this cricket is a new challenge. For me, there’s very limited opportunity to have a chat with anyone so that’s disappointing. The game moves quickly as the fielding team has only 80 minutes to bowl 20 overs. Of course there are unexpected delays that need to be measured and over rates need to be calculated on a regular basis. Last night Gibbs strained a hamstring and required a runner for most of the innings. The extra man on the field complicates the game but such issues must be dealt with as in regulation games of cricket. Last night South Africa chased an imposing target of 206 and cruised home with 14 balls to spare on the back of an unbeaten 90 runs from Herschelle Gibbs. It must have been a relief to have turned the tables on the Windies after I officiated in the opening game of the 2003 World Cup at Newlands in beautiful Cape Town. On that occasion, the locals faced one over less in their innings due to a slow over rate…and lost the match by 3 runs. It was a tough series for South Africa as they later ran into Duckworth/Lewis problems and missed out on the Super Eight stage. Tonight it was Zimbabwe to celebrate after bowling out Australia and successfully chasing the target with a single ball to spare. It was a huge moment for the Zimbabweans who have struggled to overcome all sorts of problems in recent years, just to field a competitive unit. And even more importantly, the win injects huge interest in the remaining games, especially when Australia struggles to stay alive. Here in Jo’burg tomorrow, we have the early game at The Wanderers when the West Indies regroup after yesterday’s opening loss. Bangladesh has some exciting youngsters so any result is possible. Watching tonight’s game on television, I was hoping for a tie. In that eventuality, the game is decided by a bowl out…and that would be great drama. Daryl
AND THEN THERE WERE TWO …UMPIRES Friday, 27th April, 2007 Bridgetown BARBADOS After fifty games of Cricket World Cup 2007, cricket followers around the globe are eagerly awaiting the final on Saturday. In the subcontinent, there may be less interest than usual after the early demise of India and Pakistan. Surprise eliminations like that took the wind out of many sails. Bangladesh and Ireland made the best of their opportunities but have since been eliminated. Most interest here in Barbados is centred on the two teams with Sri Lanka and Australia fine tuning their plans for the big event. For the umpires, it is now possibly time for the most important day in a career. Sixteen umpires left home in February and now it is almost May. Seven umpires returned to their homes after the initial round of games and Billy Doctrove departed for his home in Dominique before the semi finals. With Australia participating in the final, Simon Taufel and I are eliminated from participating. That was understood long before the series began so there is no disappointment from my point of view. There is no doubt that Simon would have officiated had Australia not reached the big game. Friends have suggested that it is an unfair situation but I don’t subscribe to that thinking for a moment. Imagine that an umpire was officiating in the World Cup Final with his nation in the field. Imagine that he makes a poor judgement with an lbw decision and the opposition captain does not receive the benefit of some doubt. There would be a media frenzy and cricket barrackers would be outraged. His outstanding record and brilliant performances up until that moment would be set aside. Only one fact would be highlighted…his country of birth. The same decision by an umpire from a neutral country would be frowned upon and reluctantly accepted. Sad, but true. It is human nature. So the principle of the neutral umpire seems to be working effectively in the modern game where we are placed under incredible scrutiny. Let’s hope it continues. My colleagues who will take the field tomorrow have contrasting experiences as umpires. Steve Bucknor will officiate in his fifth consecutive World Cup Final…an absolutely brilliant record that should stand for many years. It must…at least for twenty years anyway! Steve was my partner in my second Test, an Ashes Test in Melbourne…before the turn of the century. He is meticulous in his preparation and highly focused on his goals. To officiate in the biggest game in the Caribbean is just reward for his efforts and his accuracy as an umpire. I recall meeting Aleem Dar in Lahore in March 2002 when he was fourth umpire for the Asian Test Championship Final. He was fresh faced and bubbling with enthusiasm. As a matter of fact....he still is! Aleem has had a remarkable rise in our ranks and has an outstanding record. He is very committed and deserves this opportunity. Congratulations and best wishes go to my colleagues on the field. Supporting them from the third umpire’s box will be Rudi Koertzen who sets a new world record every time he officiates, since surpassing the previous record of ODIs umpired by everyone’s favourite, the eccentric and lovable David Shepherd. Rudi has also been in excellent form over a long period and must have been close to earning a position on the field. We are all hoping for a tight contest and a fine spectacle to end this marathon event. As umpires we know that the focus will correctly be on the players as I know of no person who pays to enter the ground to watch the umpires perform. Daryl
Tuesday, 17th April, 2007 St.George’s GRENADA Here in Grenada, it is a day off between games and sadly, a travel day for my wife who has departed for Australia after a seven week holiday. The pleasure ships are also on the move, one departing Grenada last night with fans heading for Barbados today for the big clash between South Africa and England. They missed out on a titanic struggle when South Africa secured a semi final clash with Australia by thrashing England by nine wickets. A miserly bowling effort from the Proteas restricted England, bowling them out for only 154 in 48 overs. The ever reliable all rounder Andrew Hall ripped through the middle order finishing with a South African best ever World Cup return of 5/18. Captain Graeme Smith didn’t waste any time in sealing England’s fate when he hammered an unbeaten 89 runs from only 58 deliveries. He was at his powerful and brutal best as he took on all bowlers and smashed 13 sparkling boundaries. Yesterday, Australia had a comfortable win over an under strength Sri Lanka. It was an interesting contest with Sri Lanka not selecting its three key bowlers in Muralitharan, Vass and Malinga. One was left to wonder if any victory over the defending champion might be preferred to occur in the final rather than a dead encounter. After all, Sri Lanka had qualified for a semi final berth and almost certainly will play against New Zealand in Jamaica. Of course, those three bowlers must have simply been unfit to play…….. Tomorrow I return to television duties as third umpire when Ireland takes on Sri Lanka who will be keen to prepare for next Tuesday’s clash with the Kiwis in Jamaica. The Irish are on top of the world and not just geographically. I am told that wins against South Africa and Bangladesh in the same year apparently assures them of ICC One Day status, similar to Kenya. It means that Ireland should be given more exposure by competing against the major powers more often. That’s a wonderful achievement for a team that arrived in the Caribbean as one of the five minnows and a team not expected to leave much of a mark on this event. Daryl PROTEAS TOSSED ASIDE Saturday, 14th April, 2007 St.George’s GRENADA If ever a game was decided by the toss of the coin, this was that game. Local showers ensured that the pitch was covered until just before the coin was flicked into the air. As a result, sufficient moisture was retained in the surface to ensure that the Kiwi bowlers were generously assisted in the first hour of play after Stephen Fleming won the toss. Smith, DeVilliers and Kallis were all gone with only 52 runs on the board within twenty overs and the rest of the innings was spent trying to recover from the early damage. Herschelle Gibbs with 60 runs from 100 deliveries and Ashwell Prince with 37 runs from 57 balls were the main contributors to gathering 7/193 from 50 overs but it never looked to be enough. Shane Bond with 2/26 was his usual speedy self but Craig McMillan surprised with 3/23 from five steady overs to really prevent South Africa from gaining momentum. At 2/42, the Kiwis looked a trifle wobbly but half centuries to Fleming and Scott Styris put the result out of doubt. Craig McMillan claimed the Man of the Match Award when he chipped in with an unbeaten 38 from 55 deliveries to cap off a satisfying day for someone who was considering getting a real job a few months ago. Daryl
BANGLADESH IN A SPIN Sunday, 8th April, 2007 St.George’s GRENADA In Guyana yesterday, Bangladesh pulled off another shock win when they easily accounted for South Africa by 67 runs. In the first round of games, Bangladesh had a memorable win against India in Trinidad, when Rahul Dravid’s team was dispatched for home. On this occasion, Graeme Smith invited the boys from Dhaka to bat first and they struggled to 4/84 before Mohammed Ashraful began the rescue operation. The runs flowed freely in the latter stages as ‘Ash’ fell in the final over for a sparkling 87 from only 83 deliveries with 12 boundaries. Mashrafe Mortaza smacked 25 runs from 16 balls at the death to push the score to 8/251. Big Andre Nel bowled well and celebrated with passion, finishing with 5/45. Most experts considered that Bangladesh was probably a few runs short against such a powerful batting line-up. But the slow bowlers extracted significant turn and put the squeeze on South Africa in the afternoon session. Smith was bowled early by Rasel (1/18) before DeVilliers and Kallis added 45 runs for the second wicket. Then the game fell apart for the Proteas as they lost 3/4 in four overs…Kallis, DeVilliers and Prince. If that wasn’t tough enough, two more wickets in two balls on the dangerous score of 87 to Saqibul Hasan, and the match was over.
For the West Indies and England, this loss opens up an opportunity for a semi final berth. Australia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand all appear to be moving towards the final stages of this long event, but the last finalist is far from decided. England failed today against Australia but meets Bangladesh on Wednesday in Barbados in a key clash. We have moved on today to beautiful Grenada. On Tuesday, the Windies will confront South Africa here in a pivotal clash. Daryl
PROTEAS SHAKE OFF IRISH Wednesday, 4th April, 2007 Georgetown GUYANA Jacques Kallis steered South Africa home to a comfortable victory against a persistent Ireland in a rain affected match here in Guyana yesterday. After several interruptions, Ireland’s innings was reduced to 35 overs and they scrambled to a respectable 8/152 in their truncated innings. Bowlers were restricted to only seven overs with Shaun Pollock taking 2/17 and Charl Langeveldt claiming 3/41. Several batsmen made starts but only Andrew White reached 30 with five boundaries. The Proteas were set a target of 160 runs from their 35 overs, with the Duckworth/Lewis system adjusting the target accordingly. A.B. DeVilliers continued his patchy form when he directed a ball from the huge Irish opener Boyd Rankin into the hands of Kyle McCallan in the gully without a run on his board. Graeme Smith played some powerful strokes adding 41 runs from 45 deliveries with six boundaries before his opposite number in Trent Johnson snaffled a brilliant one handed return catch from his own bowling. The Irish hopes were on the rise when Herschelle Gibbs chipped up a simple catch from the toe of the bat and South Africa has slipped to 3/85. But Kallis with an unbeaten 66 runs and Ashwell Prince with a towering six from the third ball of the 32nd over carried the Proteas home with 21 balls to spare. What was unusual was the poor light prevailing in the latter stages of the match. If the batsmen had been offered the light and it had been accepted, the players would have walked off the field and the finish would have been an anti-climax. South Africa was always in advance of the Duckworth/Lewis requirement so from the end of the 20th over, any light intervention would have produced a South African win. It was pleasing to note that neither Kallis nor Prince were overly concerned about the poor light conditions and played the game out to a finish. We have several days without cricket now so my wife and I are planning to visit The Kaieteur Falls, a brilliant spectacle with water falling 741 feet. Daryl HATS OFF FOR MALINGA Thursday, 28th March, 2007 Georgetown GUYANA What an incredible finish to a cricket match! South Africa crept home by one wicket against Sri Lanka at the newly completed Providence Stadium here in Guyana on Wednesday in the most exciting finish I can remember. The Proteas were cruising with five wickets in hand and needing only four runs to win with six overs remaining. The game was all but over. South African legend Barry Richards left the commentary box and moved into position for the post match presentations. The man of the match was to be Charl Langeveldt who captured 5/39 earlier in the day when Sri Lanka struggled to a modest total of 209 runs. Enter Lasith Malinga for the 45th over at my end. He proceeded to deliver his deadly thunderbolts to snatch an incredible four wickets in four balls. With the last two deliveries of the over, Shaun Pollock was deceived by a superb slower ball and Andrew Hall chipped his first delivery into the air for a simple catch at cover. Chaminda Vass beat the bat several times at the other end in the 46th over. One run was scrambled and only three runs were needed. Jacques Kallis with 86 runs from 109 deliveries had kept the strike when Malinga moved in to begin the 47th over. Driving forcefully outside the off stump, Kallis edged to keeper Sangakkara and the situation was so desperate he decided to stand his ground and hope that I erred. Fortunately I didn’t and the hat trick was complete. The Sri Lankans knew they were back in the game with Makhaya Ntini striding to the wicket. The next delivery totally beat Ntini’s efforts and clattered into the stumps. In Australia we call that a double hat trick….four wickets in four balls. Whatever the name for it, Langeveldt survived the next delivery and so did I. This was drama of the highest order. Three more runs were still needed and Peterson and Langeveldt were all that stood between Sri Lanka and a brilliant comeback. After another eleven dot balls including one from Malinga that ‘shaved’ Peterson’s off stump, a thick edge flew through a vacant second slip and rocketed to the boundary. The Proteas were home. The most interesting aspect of this excitement is the fact that neither my colleague Steve Bucknor nor I realised the enormity of Malinga’s feat. It wasn’t until I was scanning through internet reports later that night that I discovered what had actually happened. I knew he had snatched four quick wickets but didn’t realise that they had come consecutively. In a strange moment earlier in the innings, Kallis had requested that I remove my umpiring hat because he had difficulty sighting the ball as it left the slinging bowler’s hand. I naturally obliged, although after one delivery the batsman then complained about the glare from my ample forehead. It pays to have a sense of humour in my job. Malinga and Langeveldt eventually shared the honours for their outstanding efforts with the ball. My next game on field will be on Sunday when the West Indies meets Sri Lanka. Both are coming back from a loss will be desperate for two points to keep them in contention for the finals. Daryl
TIME FOR BIG BOYS TO PLAY Tuesday, 27th March, 2007 Georgetown GUYANA After 24 games of cricket, India and Pakistan have been eliminated from Cricket World Cup 2007. It’s still difficult for millions of fans around the world to accept. No one could have predicted a competition without those two nations. They join the more predictable ‘evictees’ in Bermuda, Canada, Kenya, The Netherlands, Scotland and Zimbabwe. Of course there is much discussion in the media about whether a team should be eliminated after just two poor performances. In some previous World Cup formats, teams have played more round robin matches in the early stages and two losses wouldn’t result in early elimination. But that was in previous World Cups. The Super 8 stage begins today in Antigua with Australia meeting a host nation on the rise. Last week in Port of Spain, my wife and I attended a cricket concert where noted Calypsonian David Rudder performed his emotionally charged hit, ‘Rally ‘round the West Indies.’ He was brilliant and it was impossible not to be affected by the rhythm and the feeling of unity in the cricket loving atmosphere. The Caribbean population has high hopes for their team in this tournament and today against the powerful Aussies will be a test. At least the loser won’t be eliminated for some time…… I am now in Guyana where the weather has been poor and preparations have been hampered. Tomorrow’s match is between Sri Lanka and South Africa, two teams who could be expected to reach the semi final stage. Sri Lanka comes into the Super 8 stage with the points from their win over Bangladesh. South Africa lost to Australia in a high scoring shoot out last Saturday so they begin here without any points. Hey there…..it’s time to listen to more ‘Cricket Chronicles’ by David Rudder. I’ll turn up the volume and just ‘chill mon.’ Daryl
Bangladeshi players look towards the Super 8s. BEATING THE DRUM IN TRINIDAD Saturday, 24th March, 2007 Port of Spain TRINIDAD Seven teams are through to the super 8 stage of the 2007 Cricket World Cup. Tomorrow here in Trinidad, the last contender will be known when Bangladesh takes on Bermuda. It would be another major upset if the Bermudans could beat Bangladesh but we have already been surprised by several results. A win by any margin for Bangladesh would see them move on to Antigua for a clash with Australia next Saturday. It would also consign India to follow neighbour Pakistan and return home for a hostile reception. I can only feel great disappointment when I read and hear about the reaction of alleged cricket fans to the fate of their nation teams. Yesterday the Indian players tried their utmost but it just didn’t happen for them. Taking the field first, the Indian bowlers beat the bat on numerous occasions without finding an edge. The three big guns, Jayasuriya, Sangakkara and captain Jayawardene were dismissed cheaply for a combined total of only 28 runs. When opener Tharanga was trapped in front by Tendulkar for 64 from 90 deliveries, Sri Lanka looked unsteady at 4/133 from 32.2 overs. Even when the emerging middle order regular Chamara Silva was taken behind by M.S.Dhoni from the bowling of Zaheer Khan for a business-like 59 (68 balls), Sri Lanka had only edged to 6/216 with just 23 balls left in the innings. India was still very much in the game at that moment but old timers Vass and Arnold then rattled on 38 runs to achieve a respectable 6/254. Robin Uthappa and Sourav Ganguly began the chase carefully enough until Uthappa smashed a delivery from Vass straight back at the bowler who gleefully accepted the hot chance. (1/25) Ganguly struggled to find gaps in the field, gathering 7 runs from 23 balls before Muralitharan snatched an outfield catch at full stretch on the run in the 11th over. (2/43) Disaster struck four balls later when Dilhara Fernando found the inside edge of Sachin Tendulkar’s bat before he could get a run on the board. (3/44) At this stage, the Sri Lankan players were firing on all cylinders in the field and their body language reflected their confidence. They were taking every chance offered. In contrast, India just couldn’t f |
