Doing it the hard way

Had India knocked off the 160 needed in around 30 overs, this match would have been dismissed as an aberration, as Australia having a poor day. Instead, it took them 45.5 overs to inch past the target and the manner in which they were made to struggle could well be the making of a young side. You learn nothing from strolls in the park, like Australia's demolition of Sri Lanka on Friday, but defeats and close finishes contain lessons that sportsmen, no matter how experienced, can afford to skip.

At 102 for 5, the match really could have gone either way. But with the main strike bowlers running out of overs and Brad Hogg not picked in the playing XI, MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma knew that occupation of the crease would more or less guarantee victory. It took them more than 17 overs to add 58 runs, with Dhoni labouring 54 balls for his 17, but it didn't matter as India were able to celebrate a rare win on Australian soil.

There could well be more if the pace bowlers perform as exceptionally as they did on Sunday. Ishant Sharma went for 18 in an over early on, but Dhoni showed enough presence of mind to keep him on. And with Sreesanth both economical and threatening at the other end, Ishant was free to commence another little duel with Ricky Ponting.

Having been dismissed twice at the WACA last month, Ponting was once again troubled by the delivery that Ishant got to shape back in. He finally succumbed to one that bounced a little more than expected while also darting back. Afterwards, Ishant, who's capable of bowling at speeds in excess of 140 km/hr, admitted that he was a little tired. India must conserve him cleverly because he's far too precious a talent to be pushed towards the knackers' yard.

That was almost Sreesanth's fate after the one-day matches against Pakistan last November. But after missing Test series against both Pakistan and Australia, he was back to show just why his career one-day figures don't indicate how well he can bowl in the abbreviated form of the game. In the home one-dayers against Australia, he had made the headlines for his constant chirping at the opposition, even when 12th man. In Melbourne, as he had in Brisbane, he didn't squander energy chasing imaginary shadows. Instead, he did what he does best, bowling beautiful outswing with great seam position.

Between them, Ishant and Sreesanth took seven of the wickets to fall, but  mention should also be made of Irfan Pathan, who appears to have unearthed a new bottle of bowling mojo since his return to the side at the Twenty20 World Cup. For years and years, Indians used to look across the border enviously, as an assembly line produced quality fast bowlers. Now, the wheel is turning, and the lanky Ishant - who wasn't even considered for a Test match on the tour of England last year - is at the forefront of a pace generation that's the envy of most.

Australia haven't played this badly since England upset the odds in the CB Series last year, but any talk of a decline would be extremely premature. After that CB Series reverse and an embarrassing whitewash at New Zealand's hands in the Chappell-Hadlee trophy, some spoke of how the 2007 World Cup would be the most open ever. But spearheaded by Matthew Hayden and a tremendous bowling unit, Australia turned it on when it mattered most to win 11 on the trot.

The challenge for India now is to maintain such levels of consistency, while also making sure that young fast bowlers aren't overplayed as the result of an unforgiving schedule. A few more runs from the batsmen won't hurt either. For the moment though, Rohit Sharma can reflect on a gritty 39 that might just be the most significant innings that he's ever played. Greatness lies many miles away, but keeping your cool against the best in the business is a fine way to start the journey.

Comments

[Billy]

Tendulkar has been doing it for years.

I remember one game he edged the ball to gully and waited for five minutes. Remember when he treaded on his stumps he refused to go.

Shame.

[Todd Shand]

Why didn't Tendulkar walk? He is a cheat as much as Symonds.

[Peter b]

Hi Steve & Dileep,

Just because the ICC allows unpires to stand home ODi's doesn't make it right & given the ICC's track record it's prima facie evidence that it isn't! (end joke)

I agree that the best umpires should stand games but would argue that the criteria of "best" includes a defence against home town bias. Impartiality is a bit like justice. Not only must it be done but it must be seen to be done. I agree it is not the be all & end all as Australian fans could say that an NZ umpire would be against them in a game against Pakistan so there is always some baggage.

Weall agree that standard needs to improve. as the game has moved on & players became more professional umpiring has not moved with them. A problem not just linked to cricket but other sports. Just look at the problems with soccer refs at the highest level.

I believe that sports administrators only pay lip service to umpiring & regard it as a cost rather than the key that enables quality competition.

Dileep, Indian fans are not the only conspiracy theorists. I can assure you there are plenty in Oz.

By the way I still don't know why there aren't any Indian umpires.

Cheers

[Dileep]

I'm with Steve on this one. Frankly, some fans (and not just Indian ones) would find a conspiracy theory in a bowl of cornflakes. You can't make appointments according to such people. The best umpires should stand in the biggest games. As long as there's a system of appraisal in place, nationality shouldn't be an issue. And there certainly needs to be a retirement age. Bucknor and Shepherd were once great umpires, but no one can continue to do the job into their 60s, not with schedules being what they are.

[Steve]

Why does the ICC let them stand in ODI's then Peter? They're full-time professionals now and I really don't care how much Indian fans complain about "racist" or "cheating" umpires on this blog or others.

I must say that I wondered why Modi hadn't picked Aleem Dar to umpire in the IPL along with Steve Bucknor and Darryl Hair. Is it because he is Pakistani?

Anyway, I can't see why they feel it's okay for them to umpire in ODI's but not in Tests.

[Peter b]

Steve,

Re your comments about using home town umpires.

I couldn't be more against this. After the Sydney Test there was enough hysterical accusations of cheating & dishonesty directed at the neutral umprires. Just imagine the reaction if they had been locals. And the Australian replies about subcontinental umpires before the current system.

The danger is they can be accused of favouring the home team or toom prove they aren't they are too hard on the home team.

The issue is that there aren't enough and they are too old.

I'm fit & fifty but I'm sure not up to umpiring a test match.

Bucknoor & Rudi shouldn't be standing games. Sheppard went on for far too long as well

There should be a panel of 20 to 24 young (30 to 50 years)on a solid retainer, good match payments, constant appraisal (promotion & relegation)who go to country before a series to acclimatise (bounce/light/weather) with good support services (counselling/coaching/travel arrangement/fitness.

Proper use of technology. Hot spot is quick & accurate but not hawk eye.

Umpiring should be seen as a proper career path wher you earn enogh to be able to retire early.

Start getting the decisions right and then you can really stamp on dissent and a lot of the heat goes out of the argument.

By the way where are the Indian umpires? I can't believe thate aren't a few who should be on the panel

[Steve]

I see there is an article where Simon Taufel has indicated that he may not renew his contract with the ICC. Too much travel away from family is his reason. Maybe it's about time for the ICC to allow umpires to adjudicate in their own country. Of course if they had strict performance criteria and a performance reviews just like ordinary management employees do in business, then perhaps any suggestion of "home-town bias" could be avoided and umpires made accountable for their performance just like players are. Have a bad game or two and find yourself relegated. Perform well and get the big matches.

It can't be all that hard to design. The only impediment might be the intransigence of the member boards.

Oh...and the wishy-washy management skills of the ICC itself.

[Peter b]

It's curious how the fates work out. I think Ishant only played in Sydney because of injury to another.

Perhaps if that hadn't happend than we still wouldn't be aware of him.

I have long believed it is the good players who take a chance and grab it. Ishant has done this and desrves all the praise he is getting.

Given the recent history of Indian pace bowlers breaking done like you I hope the management of his condition is correct.

[saurabh]

well Sehwag was also given out lbw for a ball that was going above the stumps. So where's the bias?

And was there a possibility of referring to the 3rd umpire that was ignored, as it was (TWICE: Symonds stumped, Ganguly 'caught') in the Sydney test-that-was-a-farce?

Hurts when YOUR team doesn't win because of someone else's mistake doesn't it? grouch all you want, dude...

[Oscar the Grouch]

What a pity that a good, gritty contest has been marred once again by blatant discrimination by non-subcontinental umpires against any sub-continental team. Gilchrist was so obviously out.. However, it was justice to see affirmation of the fact that it is only Australian players who won't walk when out; Indian players would never do that. It has certainly validated the anger of so many Indian fans over the past weeks.

I understand that Cricket Australia will be demanding the dropping of Rudi Koertzen and have threatened to take the Australian Team home if this is not done. What poor sports they are.

Must get off now and take my medication.

[Dileep]

To be fair, there were many in India that appreciated what Greg tried to do with the team. It's just that the methods employed could perhaps have been different. Unfortunately, people see the crappy shows on news channels, the manufactured polls and then some morons burning effigies and think it's the "public mood". The vast majority have better things to do than try and abuse a cricket coach.
I'd just like to see Raina given a go. I reckon Australian conditions could be to his liking.

[Steve]

I think you might be right about "Guru Greg", Peter B. India might find they're going to be more succesful without the big four, and I include Saint Sachin there. Certainly this team is already looking like it will outperform the old guard, especially away from home.

Now maybe it's time for some new blood in the BCCI!

[bunty]

well written but a trifle optimistic; ishant is now a star but he needs to be nurtured with tlc to avoid burn out; the weaknesses remain- virus in odi, yuvi's form, inexplicable non-selection of raina, and not playing uttappa and raina in top 6; jury is still out on r sharma though he kept his head; india also had the rub of the luck on the umpiring. and sachin clearly is not a walker; having said that, save for sending irfan up pointlessly, going in with 4 not 5 bowlers (irfans batting means you can add the extra bowler, carrying on longer than needed with the part time bowlers, msd captained well and got his youngsters to believe in themselves; for whats perceived to be a second xii they did astonishingly well. if yuvi fails vs lanka next game he should make way for raina

[Steve]

Well played India. You've got a future star there in Ishant Sharma. One match however does not a successful series make.

Imagine the hysterical postings if the roles had been reversed though. Poor umpiring decisions, failure to walk when clearly out knicking behind....

Can't see CA demanding the sacking of Rudi though. Taufel is a cut above the rest of the umps isn't he? Too bad we can't get him umpire tests here in Australia.

[Peter b]

I agree. India is starting to look like a balanced team, repeat team. Dhoni's captaincy seems to have created a united tougher front. I think this started in the 20/20 Cup and was enabled Kumble to hold the team together during the tests.

Perhaps Indian cricket owes Greg Chappell a bigger debt than it realises as it was my understanding that it was his push to get younger players into the team and an accent on a team first culture that caused his problems. I would appreciate your thoughts on this.

I also think India face two more challenges over the one you state.

Firstly keeping a cap on expecataitions. One win over Australia does not make a "summer" and does not make up for crashing out early in the West Indies

Secondly addressing the "one percenters" By that I mean improving the little things that add up. Better running between wickets, better ground & out fielding etc. Catching over all, particularly in the slips is fine