Super Sachin
6th September 2009, 13:23
Tuesday will see the start of the Compaq Cup, a Tri Series held in Sri Lanka, between themselves, India and New Zealand. It is a 50 over tournament which will provide these teams a great build up to the ICC Champions Trophy. In this post I will do a preview to the series, followed by a schedule. The tournament lasts from September 8th to the Final on September 14th.
Sri Lanka
Despite great success in the test format recently, Sri Lanka have hit a little rock by losing both T20 games to New Zealand, with the middle order crumbling in the first game, and the top 3 failing in the second game. It goes without saying they need to get their act together, but it will come as some comfort they took the ODI series Vs Pakistan by 3 games to 2, winning that series after the first 3 games. Sanath Jayasuriya is in a low patch at the moment, something which will cause concern to Kumar Sangakkara, despite Sangakkara continuing to back him. Tillakaratne Dilshan is riding high despite failing in the last game, his form in the last few months has been stunning in all formats. Mahela Jayawardene had a good outing in the last game and some good success in the test series, the same goes for captain and wicket keeper Kumar Sangakkara who scored 69.
in the last match as well as holding the number 1 spot in the test rankings. Young gun Chamara Kapugedara has been about a while now and has played some sensible innings, with a match winner in the ODI series against Pakistan just recently. Number one ODI bowler Nuwan Kulasekara will be raring to go aswell. Angelo Mathews has a great chance to really show his worth in this series, and pressure will be on Ajantha Mendis to gain some consistency. Spin king Muttiah Muralidaran should return after his groin injury, and no doubt he will be a key factor in this series along with Lasith Malinga. Thilan Thushara provides more strength for the bowling, along with T20 World Cup player Isuru Udana, and attacking batsman Mahela Udawatte has also made the squad.
I rate their chances once again this series, I can already see them in the final, despite losses in the T20. Hopefully for them Murali will be back, for each team I will pick 3 Key Players and for Sri Lanka I am going with Jayasuriya, Muralidaran, and Dilshan, whose form is brilliant.
India
India are back in to international scene for the first time after their short ODi series against West Indies in June and July, a series they took 2 - 1. Rahul Dravi has been called back in to the side, looking to provide solidarity in the middle order, something they have been lacking with susceptibility against the short ball, something West Indies uncovered in a crunch game of the T20 World Cup. Virender Sehwag has been ruled out after sustaining a shoulder injury for the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League. The little man is back though, Sachin Tendulkar has not played ODI cricket for a while now and will be determined to prove he still has what it takes, he will open with Gautam Gambhir who will be determined to do well. Captain, keeper, and number 1 batsman MS Dhoni will lead the side once again, he led Air India Blue to a victory recently in the BCCI Corporate Trophy, an Indian domestic tournament, with a 61 ball, 106. Yuvraj Singh is a key man in this series, and he will look to display his flair and power, he was in great nick in India’s last ODI series. Harbhajan Singh will lead the spin bowling attack, no doubt he will be key in the middle overs, there’s a match winner in himself, India’s second option for spin is Delhi Daredevil Amit Mishra, Dinesh Karthik has another chance, and Praveen Kumar will be in good company with the quickies, with Ishant Sharma, RP Singh, and Ashish Nehra all in the squad. For IPL success Abhishek Nayar, this series, and the Champions Trophy are key for his career, one feels. Brother of Irfan, Yusuf Pathan, is making a habit of getting in the Indian side now, and India will welcome the return of Suresh Raina after a finger injury.
India have a lot to prove in this series, they have the potential to be the dominant ODI force but the short ball has lately caused some big problems for them. With no Virender Sehwag at the top of the order, pressure is on Gambhir and Tendulkar. Yuvraj, and Dhoni will be key in the middle order to keep the rate ticking along. The quick bowlers attack is very potent but all 4 playing is unliikely, so it will be interesting to see who misses out. I expect them in the final against Sri Lanka, and I believe, Yuvraj, Tendulkar and Harbhajan are key to success.
New Zealand
Buoyed by success in the T20’s, New Zealand and Dan Vettori finally have something to smile about, despite shocking form in the test series. Daryl Tuffey is not back in the ODI series, but Shane Bond is and will most definitely be raring to go. Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder will once again be vital to a Kiwi success, when they both clicked in the T20, New Zealand went on to win comfortably. The reason they are vital is no doubt their big hitting and quick scoring, they make use of the powerplays, something all these 3 teams do, unlike say an England who progressively build on an innings, both techniques can work, but powerplay scoring is very effective. Neil Broom and Grant Elliott will be vying for number 6 spot most likely, and if McCullum declines the gloves, Gareth Hopkins will fill in at 7. 22 year old Martin Guptill is looking to further cement his place at 3, and Ross Taylor, who hit 60 in a T20, happy to stay at 4, big Jake Oram needs a match winning innings soon I feel and at 5, he’s in a great place to provide it. On to the bowlers and the happier Dan Vettori is a vital key to success, with his consistent outstanding performances and stingy economy rates, no Iain O’Brien or Chris Martin in this series, they just played the tests, their spots will no doubtly be filled by Kyle Mills at 9, and a man looking to make an impact on his return Shane Bond. Brendon’s bro Nathan McCullum will be challenging Jeetan Patel for the 2nd spinners spot, and with quickie Ian Butler also lurking around, there should be good competition for the bowling spots.
Although their recent success against Sri Lanka in the T20’s, I am still going against them, I feel they will just miss out on the final, but not by much, and I have a feeling I could well be wrong, and in a way I hope I am, because I feel this could be a very competitive series. Their key players for me are definitely Shane Bond, Dan Vettori, and the 2 openers to get them off to a flier. ( Yes I know I picked 4, they have many key players, that all need to perform.
The Way I See It.
I see India just pipping Sri Lanka in this series, but I think all games should be close, and on their day either of the teams could win any of their matches. This series could be just what 50 over cricket needs, and I hope we get all that it promises.
Schedule
Match 1 - Sri Lanka V New Zealand - September 8th
Match 2 - India V New Zealand - September 11th
Match 3 - Sri Lanka V India - September 12th
Match 4 - Final - TBA V TBA - September 14th
All games are Day Nighters and played at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
All games will have a preview and a review , before and after them respectively.
*link removed*
Sri Lanka
Despite great success in the test format recently, Sri Lanka have hit a little rock by losing both T20 games to New Zealand, with the middle order crumbling in the first game, and the top 3 failing in the second game. It goes without saying they need to get their act together, but it will come as some comfort they took the ODI series Vs Pakistan by 3 games to 2, winning that series after the first 3 games. Sanath Jayasuriya is in a low patch at the moment, something which will cause concern to Kumar Sangakkara, despite Sangakkara continuing to back him. Tillakaratne Dilshan is riding high despite failing in the last game, his form in the last few months has been stunning in all formats. Mahela Jayawardene had a good outing in the last game and some good success in the test series, the same goes for captain and wicket keeper Kumar Sangakkara who scored 69.
in the last match as well as holding the number 1 spot in the test rankings. Young gun Chamara Kapugedara has been about a while now and has played some sensible innings, with a match winner in the ODI series against Pakistan just recently. Number one ODI bowler Nuwan Kulasekara will be raring to go aswell. Angelo Mathews has a great chance to really show his worth in this series, and pressure will be on Ajantha Mendis to gain some consistency. Spin king Muttiah Muralidaran should return after his groin injury, and no doubt he will be a key factor in this series along with Lasith Malinga. Thilan Thushara provides more strength for the bowling, along with T20 World Cup player Isuru Udana, and attacking batsman Mahela Udawatte has also made the squad.
I rate their chances once again this series, I can already see them in the final, despite losses in the T20. Hopefully for them Murali will be back, for each team I will pick 3 Key Players and for Sri Lanka I am going with Jayasuriya, Muralidaran, and Dilshan, whose form is brilliant.
India
India are back in to international scene for the first time after their short ODi series against West Indies in June and July, a series they took 2 - 1. Rahul Dravi has been called back in to the side, looking to provide solidarity in the middle order, something they have been lacking with susceptibility against the short ball, something West Indies uncovered in a crunch game of the T20 World Cup. Virender Sehwag has been ruled out after sustaining a shoulder injury for the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League. The little man is back though, Sachin Tendulkar has not played ODI cricket for a while now and will be determined to prove he still has what it takes, he will open with Gautam Gambhir who will be determined to do well. Captain, keeper, and number 1 batsman MS Dhoni will lead the side once again, he led Air India Blue to a victory recently in the BCCI Corporate Trophy, an Indian domestic tournament, with a 61 ball, 106. Yuvraj Singh is a key man in this series, and he will look to display his flair and power, he was in great nick in India’s last ODI series. Harbhajan Singh will lead the spin bowling attack, no doubt he will be key in the middle overs, there’s a match winner in himself, India’s second option for spin is Delhi Daredevil Amit Mishra, Dinesh Karthik has another chance, and Praveen Kumar will be in good company with the quickies, with Ishant Sharma, RP Singh, and Ashish Nehra all in the squad. For IPL success Abhishek Nayar, this series, and the Champions Trophy are key for his career, one feels. Brother of Irfan, Yusuf Pathan, is making a habit of getting in the Indian side now, and India will welcome the return of Suresh Raina after a finger injury.
India have a lot to prove in this series, they have the potential to be the dominant ODI force but the short ball has lately caused some big problems for them. With no Virender Sehwag at the top of the order, pressure is on Gambhir and Tendulkar. Yuvraj, and Dhoni will be key in the middle order to keep the rate ticking along. The quick bowlers attack is very potent but all 4 playing is unliikely, so it will be interesting to see who misses out. I expect them in the final against Sri Lanka, and I believe, Yuvraj, Tendulkar and Harbhajan are key to success.
New Zealand
Buoyed by success in the T20’s, New Zealand and Dan Vettori finally have something to smile about, despite shocking form in the test series. Daryl Tuffey is not back in the ODI series, but Shane Bond is and will most definitely be raring to go. Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder will once again be vital to a Kiwi success, when they both clicked in the T20, New Zealand went on to win comfortably. The reason they are vital is no doubt their big hitting and quick scoring, they make use of the powerplays, something all these 3 teams do, unlike say an England who progressively build on an innings, both techniques can work, but powerplay scoring is very effective. Neil Broom and Grant Elliott will be vying for number 6 spot most likely, and if McCullum declines the gloves, Gareth Hopkins will fill in at 7. 22 year old Martin Guptill is looking to further cement his place at 3, and Ross Taylor, who hit 60 in a T20, happy to stay at 4, big Jake Oram needs a match winning innings soon I feel and at 5, he’s in a great place to provide it. On to the bowlers and the happier Dan Vettori is a vital key to success, with his consistent outstanding performances and stingy economy rates, no Iain O’Brien or Chris Martin in this series, they just played the tests, their spots will no doubtly be filled by Kyle Mills at 9, and a man looking to make an impact on his return Shane Bond. Brendon’s bro Nathan McCullum will be challenging Jeetan Patel for the 2nd spinners spot, and with quickie Ian Butler also lurking around, there should be good competition for the bowling spots.
Although their recent success against Sri Lanka in the T20’s, I am still going against them, I feel they will just miss out on the final, but not by much, and I have a feeling I could well be wrong, and in a way I hope I am, because I feel this could be a very competitive series. Their key players for me are definitely Shane Bond, Dan Vettori, and the 2 openers to get them off to a flier. ( Yes I know I picked 4, they have many key players, that all need to perform.
The Way I See It.
I see India just pipping Sri Lanka in this series, but I think all games should be close, and on their day either of the teams could win any of their matches. This series could be just what 50 over cricket needs, and I hope we get all that it promises.
Schedule
Match 1 - Sri Lanka V New Zealand - September 8th
Match 2 - India V New Zealand - September 11th
Match 3 - Sri Lanka V India - September 12th
Match 4 - Final - TBA V TBA - September 14th
All games are Day Nighters and played at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
All games will have a preview and a review , before and after them respectively.
*link removed*