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The Aussies are finally batting, umpires are making howlers, and Trott’s temper is given a work out. Ah to be at Old Trafford…

Andy Bloxham02-Aug-2013Choice of game
With the Aussies returning to the shores from whence they came, and no Test scheduled for my local venue, Edgbaston (scandalous, I might add), I opted for the curtain-raiser of the pivotal third Ashes Test at an extensively redeveloped Old Trafford.
It’s the first occasion on which I’ve attended the opening day of an Ashes Test match, and nothing quite compares to that spine-tingling first airing of “Jerusalem” as the players take the field. Against the Old Enemy, it’s especially poignant.Key performer
Michael Clarke. Chris Rogers can consider himself rather unfortunate to have missed out here – it was his uncharacteristically fluent and aggressive innings at the top of the order that set the tone for a fine Australian batting performance – but the tourists, as is so often the case, owe much of their early success in this Test match to their brilliant captain.Clarke’s unbeaten century was not his most authoritative, nor was it bursting with the effortless elegance that we’ve become accustomed to, but it steered his team in to what could prove to be a match defining position of strength come the end of a scorching hot day in Manchester. After a tentative start in which he groped at a probing James Anderson like a promiscuous teen, Clarke found his dancing shoes and combined fleet-footed, crisp footwork with nothing short of Rolex timing. He knows a thing or two about making it a big one, too, so expect plenty more to be added on day two.One thing I’d have changed about the day
Well, England winning the toss would have been nice, wouldn’t it? On a magnificent English summer’s day which, when combined with a largely unresponsive surface, provided about as much assistance to England’s seam bowlers as a 16-year-old work experience employee would to MI6, it was just about the perfect day for batting.Oh, and the minor issue of howling third-umpire decisions as part of the DRS process could do with some remedying, couldn’t it?The interplay I enjoyed
Anderson to Clarke. James Anderson possesses a fine record against Australia’s captain, and for 30 minutes or so at the beginning of the latter’s innings it had looked a trend comfortably set to continue. Clarke offered the look of a man batting knee-deep in treacle, but somehow managed to survive the inquisition to see England’s conjuror off and set himself for what was to become his 26th Test century. Only Shane Watson, who served up the batting equivalent of Quasimodo, had looked more out of kilter before reaching double figures.Wow moment
Usman Khawaja’s dismissal being upheld. Then Steve Smith surviving after England were utterly convinced that he had edged a James Anderson delivery through to wicketkeeper Matt Prior. Without seeing replays any clearer than those displayed on the big screen inside the ground, they appear on the face of things to have been a) clearly incorrect and b) another nail in the coffin of a review system that has already had a 300ft deep grave dug by India’s cricketing hierarchy.Filling the gaps
Thwaite’s finest. A roast pork and stuffing bap. Spiced potato wedges. The varied cuisine that filled the gaps between the cricket (and the one in my stomach) had the simultaneous effect of emptying my wallet at a pace swifter than Mike Gatting going up for thirds at an all-you-can-eat buffet.Crowd meter
Pretty quiet, actually. Whether I’m just accustomed to the gladiatorial atmosphere of an England Test at Edgbaston, or whether the English contingent had been shocked in to silence by the sight of an Australian batting unit showing some application and looking like actual cricketers, it was a largely subdued affair.
A word for the large gathering of Aussie “Fanatics” sat behind me, though. They were naturally stunned and delighted in equal measure by the close of play scoreboard, but provided great value throughout the day and took banter as liberally as they dished it out. It is one of the great joys of being a cricket spectator that you can share a beer with someone from the other side of the world and have a good chat, regardless of what is taking place on the field.Close encounter
Jonathan Trott spent a short period of the afternoon session out on the boundary in front of where we were sat, and soon copped some abuse from a well-oiled Aussie. Trott is a batsman renowned for his ability to exist untroubled within his own bubble when out in the middle, but Trott the fielder is clearly a different proposition. Whatever had been said angered the England No. 3, and his Australian assailant was quick to ignore an offer to come down and say it to his face. The Australian bowlers should ask the spectator in question for a few tips.Overall
DRS gaffes aside, that was what Test cricket is all about. Blazing sunshine, unrelenting cricket from both sides and a full house. Australia are in a commanding position, but the beauty of Test cricket is that, come lunch tomorrow, that outlook could have dramatically changed.Marks out of 10
8. Painfully prolonged third-umpire referrals took plenty of the spontaneity out of the game, and the fact that they were then incorrect added a farcical edge that didn’t sit well. Thankfully, the weather and the majority of the cricket made for a tremendous day out.

On a day when Quinton de Kock joined elite company with a third successive century, one of those who had managed the feat before him, Herschelle Gibbs, applauded the young batsman for his carefree method of play

Firdose Moonda in Centurion11-Dec-2013When Quinton de Kock was on 99, he decided he was in a hurry. He charged down the track to Mohammad Shami and swung hard. Luckily for him, it didn’t take the edge but ended up being mistimed down the track. There was a collective gulp at SuperSport Park from all but one man. Herschelle Gibbs was beaming.”Look – he’s not even interested in stats,” Gibbs, who was part of one of the commentary teams, told ESPNcricinfo. “Others would have played a more conservative shot. But at least he wants to do something different.”A delivery later, de Kock tucked one away on the leg side to bring up his third consecutive century. Only Saeed Anwar, Zaheer Abbas, AB de Villiers and Herschelle Gibbs had managed that feat before him.The man on air, Mluleki Ntsabo, reeled off the elite list de Kock had joined and when he got to Gibbs’ name, Sunil Gavaskar fist bumped the South African, interrupting his soft applause. “It’s out with the old and in with the new,” Gibbs bellowed. For the first time since he last turned out for South Africa in May 2010, it sounded like he actually believed those words.Gibbs has not retired from international cricket and he doesn’t let people forget that. Just last month, in an interview with the local press agency, Gibbs reiterated his desire to play at top level. “I’d still like to play for South Africa… I know what I can offer and what I am capable of,” he said then.Fearless cricket is what Gibbs has always advocated and is the thing he believed he could to contribute to an outfit he has often criticised for being too formulaic. Gibbs held that up as the primary reason South Africa have failed to win a World Cup so far, and what he has repeatedly said they need to change if they are to be successful in future events. He usually put himself forward as the man who could lead that strategy but today, he handed the baton to someone else. Someone who reminds him a little bit of himself.”He also doesn’t think a lot,” Gibbs joked. “He is more of an instinctive player. Which is what a lot of 20-year-olds are. I haven’t seen a lot of him but I know he has got all the shots. Now he’s putting the pieces together.”What impresses Gibbs about de Kock is his carefreeness at the crease, something South Africa are trying to keep under some control. That’s why a senior player reminds him to “take it easy” at the end of most overs. De Kock has mostly heeded the advice and reined in the urge to whack everything that comes his way into next week.That was on display today more than usual when he saw off a controlled opening spell of swing from Shami and more discipline from the other two Indian pacers than they have shown in the series so far. “We saw him bat uncharacteristically for the first 40 runs,” Gibbs said. “He kept the big shots in the bag, which was a good thing to see at his age. And then he rode his luck.”De Kock was dropped twice – on 37 and 43 – but did not let that affect the way he played. He had AB de Villiers to run singles with and was allowed some aggression, particularly off Virat Kohli.Once he passed the fifty mark, de Kock converted the knock into a triple-digit score again to keep his record at 100%. He played the drive and pull that he is making his name on, but also continued to charge all the bowlers and punish half volleys.”His shot selection is really good,” Gibbs said. “But his power play is as good as his touch play, which is what you need to score hundreds. He likes the game going forward and is not shy to hit boundaries even in the middle period. He has got all the shots and all the understanding. The more he plays, the more he will learn.”Gibbs predicted de Kock will continue to keep Graeme Smith out of the side and will be one the key players in South Africa’s 2015 World Cup campaign. Gibbs hopes de Kock does not focus that far ahead just yet, however, but concentrates on more immediate matters instead.”Who is the next one-day series against?” Gibbs asked. When he was informed South Africa are not scheduled to play any 50-overs cricket before taking on Zimbabwe next July, he only had one thing on his mind. “He could make it four in four,” he said, referring to hundreds.”I almost did it,” he remembered. Gibbs’ three consecutive hundreds started at the 2002 Champions Trophy when he raised his bat against Kenya and India. In the home series which followed against Bangladesh he scored 153 off 131 balls and saw an opportunity to do it again in Benoni but with South Africa chasing just 155, he ended unbeaten on 97. “We ran out of runs,” he said, with a tinge of regret that soon gave way to smile.So does Gibbs have any advice for de Kock if he finds himself in a similar situation? “No, I don’t really know him that well. I just chatted with him briefly on the plane from Johannesburg to Cape Town after the first Twenty20 against Pakistan. We didn’t speak about too much,” Gibbs confessed. “He didn’t ask my advice. He doesn’t need it.”

Reaction from around the world after Graeme Smith announced his retirement

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Mar-2014″He has been a mighty warrior, a leader of men and an exceptional part of our international cricket. Following the recent retirement of Jacques Kallis from Test cricket, there is no doubt that we are now ready to move into a new era and it is our job to build on the solid foundations that these great players leave behind.””He’s a guy who has always played under a lot of pressure … he has always found the inner strength to make sure he concentrates on his own performances, and he leads the team irrespective of what perceptions of him are, his presence alone will be sorely missed.””I thought he had a year or two, look everyone’s situation is different, maybe it is a good time for him to move on, he’s obviously got his reasons, his personal reasons. I’d rather look back to a superb career, and just say congrats on what he has achieved over many years.””He’s been the spearhead of our team for a number of years, leading the team from age 22, he’s been the heartbeat of the team ever since, he will be sorely missed.”
“@GraemeSmith49 biff,a career to be proud of and a leader who lead from the front!! Our 3 triple century partnerships,my highlight! Congrats.””Hearing huge news out of SA. @GraemeSmith49 is retiring! For what he has done for SA cricket – the man is a legend! Congrats my Surrey BFF!””What a magnificent career @GraemeSmith49 has had as captain and batsman.He can retire knowing he achieved great things in his time.””Congrats @GraemeSmith49 on a wonderful career. Still chuckle at him calling me Peter Schmeichel on tour of 04. #bettergoaliethangloveman””An immense contribution to SA cricket and the game at large. Wonderful career. Congrats and all the very best @GraemeSmith49, #CheersBiff””Huge congrats @GraemeSmith49 on an outstanding career for SA. Great leader and player. SA will miss him @surreycricket welcome him back.””Another great leaves the international circuit @GraemeSmith49 what a legend. Huge loss for SA”

Plays of the Day from the third ODI between New Zealand and India, in Auckland

Abhishek Purohit in Auckland25-Jan-2014The double grab
New Zealand had the chance to shut the game in the 43rd over but let it slip when they reprieved Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin off successive deliveries from Nathan McCullum. Ashwin was in the mood to capitalise and swung McCullum’s first ball of the next over for a straight six. The fifth was carted at deep midwicket, and it seemed to be heading over Martin Guptill, but he stuck a hand out and grabbed it at the edge of the rope. However, realising the momentum was taking him over, he let go of the ball just before his foot popped over the rope. Guptill made sure to lob it high enough to have enough time to step back and stand in expectation as it came down into his hands for the second time.The running roulette
This was straight out of Confusion Central. Kane Williamson hooked a bouncer from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and nervously saw it sail to deep backward square, but it fell comfortably short of Varun Aaron running across from fine leg. Aaron overran the ball and the batsmen were contemplating a second run as he steadied himself to pick it up. Except their thoughts were not in sync. When Williamson wanted it, Guptill hesitated, and when Guptill trotted out, Williamson stopped. Guptill went back, but he suddenly ran out again, only to realise that the ball was on its way. Fortunately for New Zealand, Guptill made it back and comedy was the only outcome.The intrusion
Soon after the game started, a large, inflated ball bobbed onto the field. Virat Kohli strode in the direction of the intruder, took it by the scruff and tried to deflate it on his way to the umpire. But as boos rang around the ground, Kohli changed his mind. He turned and walked towards the straight boundary now and dismissively threw the still-intact ball over the advertising boards.The reception
As soon as Kohli walked in after the fall of the first India wicket, the stand next to the dressing room gave him a standing ovation. As his name was announced over the PA system, a huge roar rose from all corners of the ground. Only Kohli wasn’t on strike; the batsmen had crossed when Shikhar Dhawan’s catch was taken. But a chant of “Kohli, Kohli” rang out and continued for quite some time. He is the new star all right.

And the DJ ruined the spectators’ party

Mihir Gosalia29-May-2014Choice of game
Since Mumbai was hosting the eliminator and a qualifier game, I decided to go for both. I am a Mumbai Indians fan, but this time I wanted Chennai Super Kings to win, because they are one of the most consistent teams in the IPL. They are a strong team. They have a powerful batting line-up who chase down any opposition’s score in the game well.Team supported
Though Mumbai managed to somehow qualify for this eliminator and the home crowd was vociferously supporting them, I knew in the back of my mind, even before the match started, that Chennai would win it.Key performer
Suresh Raina was due for a big score in the tournament not having done that well in this year’s tournament so far. The unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of Suresh Raina and David Hussey won the game hands on for CSK. For Mumbai, Lendl Simmons was the key performer. He has been consistent as an opening batsman for them and scored a well-deserved half-century.One thing I’d have changed about the match
I would have changed the DJ, who was not really entertaining the spectators before the start, during the match or even during the mid-innings.Face-off I relished
Corey Anderson had just played one of the best T20 innings, and is the reason why Mumbai made it to the eliminator game. R Ashwin has been one of the consistent bowlers for his team. After a quickfire 20 off 10 balls, Anderson tried to sweep Ashwin, but top-edged him to Ishwar Pandey at deep backward square leg.Wow moment
After the first six hit by Kieron Pollard went flying into the crowd at midwicket, the big screen flashed the message: ” [This time outside the stadium]”. Pollard tried to oblige, hitting a very high aerial shot off Ashish Nehra, but it was held by Mohit Sharma.Shots of the day
Simmons hit two sixes after he got to his half-century. He first hit Ravindra Jadeja for a one in the 15th over, the ball effortlessly clearing long-off, and then Nehra in the 16th over long-on.Hardship factor
Getting to the stadium and exiting it were very easy since it is located just opposite the Churchgate railway station. I reached the stadium early to secure a good seat. The security checks were quick. There were no specific seat numbers allocated. The seating was spacious, and the chairs were comfortable, though you hardly sit and watch while the game is on.Entertainment
Sixes were followed by smoke released from machines installed in various locations around the stadium. Before the match began, someone from the broadcasting team flew what looked like a remote-controlled camera to record the crowd, which waved at it.Before the match began, they showed the live telecast of the first qualifier in Kolkata, so we got to watch that.Overall
8. Chennai were the better team and the deserving winners. The experience of watching the game at the Brabourne Stadium was a refreshing change as compared to the regular experience at the Wankhede Stadium. The crowd atmosphere was good, though it could have been noisier, with more slogans and at least one Mexican wave.

Australia thought victory over Zimbabwe was a sure thing but they were courting trouble by underestimating their opponents

Brydon Coverdale31-Aug-2014In the early hours of a Tuesday morning in 1983, Australia’s prime minister Bob Hawke famously told the country that “any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up today is a bum”. had just won the America’s Cup. It was one of the nation’s most defining moments of the 1980s, the end of New York Yacht Club’s 132-year hold on the trophy.If that seems a lifetime ago – or more – consider that it was also in 1983 that Zimbabwe last beat Australia in a one-day international. Until today. Any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up to work in Australia today will have other reasons. They might not even believe Australia were currently playing a series, such is the dominance of other sports at this time of year.Michael Clarke and his men won’t mind a bit if this loss, and their subsequent plummet from No.1 in the ODI world to No.4, is buried under the weight of AFL and NRL news in the sports pages. But for the players, coaches and selectors it will serve as a timely reminder that you can be too clever for your own good. It is courting trouble to underestimate your opponents. Better to be reminded of that now than in a World Cup.Trevor Hohns, the selector on duty, looked a lonely figure as Australia slid towards defeat, sitting in an empty bank of chairs in front of the change rooms. He quit as Australia’s chairman of selectors in April 2006, after the team had just won a Test series in South Africa 3-0. Now, on his first tour having been reinstated to the selection panel, he has picked a team that lost to Zimbabwe.Australia thought victory over Zimbabwe was a sure thing. They won’t admit that. But there is no other reason to have left Mitchell Johnson out of the side. There are occasions when fast bowlers need a break, but two matches into a one-day series after a long winter’s break is not one of them. They wanted to see other options. Now they’ve seen them, don’t expect Johnson to rest again any time soon.Not that Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Marsh, Ben Cutting and James Faulkner had much to work with on a Harare pitch that held the ball up more than a clay tennis court. Johnson has shown at venues like Adelaide that he can still make batsmen hop on slow surfaces, and Zimbabwe’s batsmen must have breathed easier when they discovered he wasn’t playing. There was nothing there for the rest of the seamers.

This loss will teach Australia some lessons but will ultimately cost them little. For Zimbabwe, it will make heroes of men like Elton Chigumbura and Prosper Utseya, and will boost the team and their fans immeasurably

All the more reason, you would think, to have chosen Steven Smith. That Australia resorted to two gentle overs from Aaron Finch shows how much they missed an extra spinner. Nathan Lyon couldn’t do it all, though he nearly did enough. Just as importantly, Smith is Australia’s best player of spin besides Clarke. This match proved again that spin-heavy attacks on spin-friendly surfaces will always trouble Australia. Always.A Clarke-less Australia on spinning pitches doesn’t bear thinking about, hence the decision to send him home after the Zimbabwe loss to be assessed after re-injuring the hamstring that kept him out of the first two games. Australia’s next engagements, including two Tests, are against Pakistan in the UAE in October. Getting right for that series must be his only focus.No doubt Clarke was extremely disappointed to lead Australia to their first ODI loss to Zimbabwe in 31 years. But by the end of the summer, or the end of the World Cup, or the end of next year’s Ashes tour of England, he will view it with more perspective. It might be the loss that reminds his men, until today the No.1-ranked ODI side and until recently No.1 in Tests, that they are mortal. That’s no bad thing.Maybe he will even recognise that Australia’s loss was good for cricket. In fact it was great for cricket. There are only ten ICC full members and two have been floundering for years. A win like this for Zimbabwe, in front of loyal and passionate home fans, can only strengthen cricket in Zimbabwe, and that in turn can only be a positive for world cricket.To see the looks of joyous disbelief from the fans at the ground in Harare was to witness that greatest of sporting stories, the broken drought. This loss will teach Australia some lessons but, unless Clarke aggravated his hamstring even more by returning to the field late in the game, will ultimately cost them little. For Zimbabwe, it will make heroes of men like Elton Chigumbura and Prosper Utseya, and will boost the team and their fans immeasurably.No doubt they celebrated like it was 1983. Any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up to work in Zimbabwe on Monday is a bum.

Scotland will feel right at home at University Oval, where they will play two matches

Marc Swain-Rogatski04-Nov-2014The southernmost venue for the World Cup in 2015 is Dunedin. It is the home of Otago Volts, and cricket has a rich history in Dunedin: New Zealand’s inaugural first-class fixture was played in the city, between Otago and Canterbury, back to 1864.The venue
Three games are set to be played at University Oval in Logan Park, a seven-minute drive from the Dunedin town centre. Before this new venue for the summer sport, cricket was played at Carisbrook, in south Dunedin. Rightly nicknamed “The House of Pain”, the stadium was a formidable place for touring teams. If the Otago sun was not shining, visitors often found the cooler conditions hard to adjust to. On the field, the home team would ride a wave of electric support, often from booming rallies of students in the terraces. The ground, also the home for Otago rugby, closed its gates for the last time in 2011, with the covered Forsyth Barr Stadium taking rugby duties and University Oval acquiring cricket.The Oval’s games are all day fixtures and, with the February sun beaming down, will be set up nicely for the first outing between New Zealand and Scotland. The Scottish team has two games at the ground and will get good support, with Dunedin having a proud Scottish heritage.Ground page | FixturesGreat matches (Carisbrook)
New Zealand v England, 5th ODI, 2002
Nathan Astle was one of New Zealand’s finest openers. Supporting this is the fact that he has four of the top ten highest ODI scores at Carisbrook. His highest was 122 not out, in a winning effort against England to seal the series 3-2 for New Zealand.New Zealand v India, 27th match, World Cup, March 1992
This 1992 World Cup match saw Sachin Tendulkar hit 84 to steer India to 230. New Zealand chased down the total with three overs to spare, with fifties by Andrew Jones and Mark Greatbatch.Top performers in ODIs
Most runs: Nathan Astle, 422 at 105.50 | Highest score: Nathan Astle 122 not out v England | Most wickets: Richard Hadlee 18 at 10.44 | Best bowling: Richard Hadlee 5 for 38 v PakistanMajor players
Brendon McCullum | Nathan McCullum | Ken Rutherford | Hamish Rutherford | Glenn Turner | Stephen Boock | Bert SutcliffeHome team
Otago have won the first-class Plunket Shield 13 times since its inception in 1906, and have had recent success in the T20 format, making it to the Champions League T20 twice.University Oval has hosted two ODIs and six Tests so far. The pitch was criticised following the 2013 Test against England for not offering enough to provide a result. However, some exciting domestic games – including several with local hero Brendon McCullum wielding his blade in style – indicate possibilities for some exciting encounters in the South.

Against South Africa in a mutli-nation tournament in 2013, is how Shikhar Dhawan revived his ODI career. He will now face the same opposition while trying to revive some form this time

Abhishek Purohit in Melbourne19-Feb-2015The towering stands of the Melbourne Cricket Ground instantly give you a sense of occasion. Even as the South Africa team played football at the start of their training session at the ground, multiple groups of people were being taken through paid guided tours of the MCG. A group was standing on one level, another on the upper tier, then another one still further up, almost vertically in line. In an otherwise empty ground, even a smattering of people on various tiers created an effect strong enough to give a hint of the spectacle a filled MCG will create when India meet South Africa on Sunday.For Shikhar Dhawan, it all started with India versus South Africa in another multi-nation one-day tournament. The opening match of the Champions Trophy in Cardiff in June 2013 was the first time he and Rohit Sharma opened together, and their 127-run partnership began India’s victory march towards the title. Playing his first ODI in two years, and riding the confidence of a spectacular Test debut hundred three months ago, Dhawan cracked 114 off 94 deliveries, his maiden century in the format.Knowing that Dhawan was prone to compulsively attacking the short ball, South Africa tried to bounce him, but the opener charged fast bowlers and swatted boundaries.Dhawan has had his technical issues, which have been brought to the fore during his earlier miserable run on this long tour of Australia. One knock of note in the Test series when the Brisbane match was more or less over as a contest. Dropped for the fourth Test. Failed in the following one-day triangular series too. Got a break for about a week or so before the World Cup warm-up matches. Made 59 against Australia in the first warm-up match, and then, rose to one of the biggest occasions of them all with 73 off 76 against Pakistan in India’s tournament opener in Adelaide four days ago. Involved in a 129-run partnership with Virat Kohli that set up the match for India.As his hundred on Test debut, the Champions Trophy century against South Africa, and the Pakistan knock in Adelaide illustrate, Dhawan is a confidence player. He will probably always have issues with accurate fast bowling just outside off stump as he likes to remain inside the line and carve deliveries through cover and point. He likes to instinctively play on the up without really getting forward or back.Confidence is a strange thing. As MS Dhoni has said often in the past, it can take a matter of feeling a few deliveries nicely on to the bat for the confidence to return. It can also disappear similarly, making the same erstwhile flowing player look scratchy. You can bat all you want in the nets. It may return, it could even get worse. You could start fretting too much about what is going wrong, and tie yourself up further.Players who rely on confidence and touch, such as Dhawan, need to be handled carefully. Sometimes they just need to be taken away from the everydayness of practice and matches, matches and more practice, and be left to sort themselves out in peace. On India’s tour of New Zealand in early 2014, Dhawan was getting starts in the one-dayers but didn’t get the big runs. Dhoni left him out of the fourth ODI in Hamilton. Dhawan returned to make 115 in the first Test in Auckland and 98 in the second in Wellington.”Whenever you get rest, it is good,” Dhawan had said then. “You are getting a break from the match pressure and you can think what you can do better. I was relaxed and I came back.”India had a few days off in the lead-up to the World Cup where they put away the kit bags and unwinded, and Dhoni said that was one of the key reasons they were able to put behind a forgettable tour so far and raise their performance against Pakistan. Probably the best example of someone having benefited from the break was Dhawan. He was made to hop a couple of times by Mohammad Irfan, but he also hooked the fast bowler for a six. He also left and defended outside off reasonably well.On India’s tour of South Africa in late 2013, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel claimed Dhawan once each on strokes he likes to play – the former on the instinctive cover drive, the latter on the pull. MCG on Sunday will be a much bigger occasion than a couple of bilateral ODIs. Dhawan seems to have regained his touch against Pakistan. The confidence man and the big occasion combined the last time these two teams met in a world event.

Cricket may be a team game but batting is an individual process. Every man will be on his own

Bill Ricquier27-Feb-2015Batting is a very technical thing, far more technically demanding than most sporting endeavors. It is as much about mental elements as it is about physical skill. A peculiarly demanding element is the question of time and not merely in the context of strike rates and targets.One of the TV commentators – Pommie Mbangwa- recently quoted Herschelle Gibbs saying that opening the innings was the easiest job in cricket because the situation was always the same. You can see what he means. If you bat at, say, No.5, you are never sure about the situation when you go in. But when you open, the situation is clear.Batting is a unique sporting phenomenon in this respect. In all other sporting contexts, except baseball, which is similar but not identical, everybody turns up and leaves at the same time. It doesn’t matter whether it is a team game or an individual one – soccer, rugby, tennis, golf, badminton – people might be doing different things but they are working together. In cricket the same is true of the fielding side. People are doing different things – some bowl, one keeps wicket, some are close-in fielders; but it is all about collective effort. They arrive and leave together.Batting, however, is a peculiarly individual process. The pivotal number three position embodied by Don Bradman and Viv Richards, the greatest batsmen of the twentieth century, illustrates this.When Ricky Ponting won the toss and opted to bat against England on a belter at the Adelaide Oval in December 2010, he found himself facing the fifth ball of the match, delivered by James Anderson , after Simon Katich was run out without facing a ball. Ponting was dismissed in Anderson’s next over and Australia never recovered, going on to lose the match and the series. Earlier in 1989, Ponting’s Tasmanian forerunner David Boon had had a successful Ashes series, scoring over 400 runs at No.3. However, he spent the first day of the fifth Test at Trent Bridge sitting in the dressing room with his pads on watching Geoff Marsh and Mark Taylor put on 301 and eventually 329 for the first wicket. You just don’t know what is going to happen.Test cricket is peculiarly susceptible to the vagaries of time but the World Cup encounter between West Indies and Zimbabwe in Canberra illustrated the games that time can play with batsmen, in this case the West Indies top four of Dwayne Smith , Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels and Jonathan Carter.Smith and Gayle came out to open after Jason Holder had won the toss and opted to bat. Smith faced the first ball from Tinashe Panyangara. It was a good length ball and outside off, Smith let it go, which came as a surprise, as he is not generally regarded as a member of the old-school opening club. The next ball was much fuller and straighter and it cleaned Smith up. That was it for him. Smith made the long, lonely walk back to the pavilion.In walked Samuels to face the third ball of the match. That’s the thing about batting at No.3: you might effectively be opening the innings.We all know what happened from thereon. The second – wicket pair began steadily and the score was 73 for 1 in 17 overs when drinks were taken, with Gayle on 41 and Samuels on 27. Gayle upped the ante around the 25th over and this meant that Samuels could afford to take his time till the death overs. West Indies belted 114 in the last seven overs of the innings, finishing on 372 , Gayle 215, Samuels 133*.And Jonathan Carter? Jonathan who?I thought you might ask. Carter is a 27-year old left-hand batsman from Barbados who was to bat at four. He had played five ODIs, all coming earlier this year against South Africa and had a highest score of 40.Carter played only because Darren Bravo had pulled a hamstring in the match against Pakistan. This was a huge deal for Carter, a World Cup game and an opportunity at No.4.His heart must have been in his mouth when Samuels walked out. He got a single off the first ball he faced and Gayle then prepared to face Tinashe Panyangara. Gayle would have been out lbw first ball . There was a huge appeal: not out. Zimbabwe referred it: not out and umpire’s call prevailed. It could have so easily been 1 for 2.But it just wasn’t. Carter had to sit and wait. In the 17th over Samuels was dropped. Carter must have instinctively reached for his gloves and helmet. But no, he had to wait longer. When you are in at No.6 or No.7 you can switch off a bit. But as the next man in, there is nowhere to go. You sit in a dark room, probably not a comfortable one and wait for the two minutes’ notice you’ll get to be challenged, physically and mentally, at the top level. Or not, as the case may be.By about the 35th over Carter’s natural anxiety may have morphed into something slightly different : a realization that, even if a wicket was to fall, it would not be him going out to replace his departing colleague. It would not be the rookie; it would be a ‘finisher’ like Andre Russell or Darren Sammy.As it happened Gayle was eventually dismissed off the last ball of the innings.Four batsmen, four different experiences. All on their own despite a 372-run partnership.On March 29, two opening batsmen – who knows, maybe Smith and Gayle – will walk out to open in the final in front of 90,000 fans. Despite all the chatter and glove-tapping , every man will be on his own.It’s a bit like the feeling expressed by the immortal Barry Humphries: After a busy day , getting ready in his change room and then walking out to face a packed house in a darkened Drury Lane auditorium.’All Alone’.If you have a submission for Inbox, send it to us here, with “Inbox” in the subject line.

Our correspondent is charmed by the rivers Torrens and Swan, and enjoys the public transport system in Australia even when things go wrong

Abhishek Purohit08-Mar-2015February 11
There is one conveyor belt for international arrivals at Adelaide airport. Coming from the huge terminals in Mumbai and Singapore, it feels cramped. Then you get out of the airport. Massive paved open space outside.The Torrens River, just across the road from Adelaide Oval, seems more like Torrens lake: it is that placid. Sign at the end of the bridge says an earlier one was washed away in a flood. Deceptive waters.February 12
Dash for the bus. Think it is one of those free ones. Also seem to have heard driver confirming that. Go and sit in the back. Driver waits. “So are we buying one?” Realise this is not a free ride. Sheepishly walk back up. Ticket now has to be put into a validation machine. Push it in the wrong way. Then push it in the correct way, but hold on to it longer than needed. Ticket gets stuck. Machine gets jammed. “Jesus,” goes driver. Takes off his seat belt. Hauls himself up his seat slowly. Tries to retrieve ticket. No success. Mutters something about hope and settles into seat again. “Why don’t you just walk?” some exasperated passengers call out. Hold my hands up in apology. Bus finally moves.India practising at St Peters College. Beautiful ground, dotted with buildings that look like mini-castles. There are five more such ovals on the same premises, says the manager. Six in all. You cannot be serious. Several Indian cities together don’t have six grounds like this.February 13
This has become a nice routine. Walk from hotel to West Terrace tram stop. Get down two stops later at Adelaide Railway Station. Walk through the concourse. Cross the bridge. We’re at Adelaide Oval. The new ground seems so much more intimidating, so unlike the old one remembered from TV broadcasts and photos. Like Eden Park.Afghanistan and Bangladesh fans at Manuka•Getty ImagesFebruary 14
It is a scorcher today. The walk across the Torrens involves being lashed in the face with hot air. Melinda Farrell, one of ESPNcricinfo’s video correspondents, is dragging herself along, pulled down by the weight of all her equipment. “Are you Melinda?” “Yes.” “Can I help you with your equipment?” “You don’t have to, but yes, thank you.” Nice way to meet a colleague for the first time.February 15
It is still morning, and the madness has already built up for India v Pakistan. Streets leading towards the ground filled with people chanting slogans, singing songs, shouting in general. Australian man plonks down a large bundle at an intersection and starts selling team t-shirts, caps, vuvuzuelas, the works. Enterprise always comes along with India v Pakistan.Past midnight, Hindley Street’s restaurants are overflowing with hungry fans after the game. As far as you can see, all the chairs by the road are taken.February 16
“Any buses for Manuka?” I ask at Canberra airport. Nope. The Australia capital does not do public transport too well.It is such a pleasant change covering a team other than India. The Bangladesh media manager, Rabeed Imam, is helpful as always. Watch the team train from right behind the nets. Tamim Iqbal gets into a hitting contest against fielding coach Ruwan Kalpage’s offbreaks. Steps out and crashes one high and straight. Six, he claims. Two, says Kalpage, reminding Tamim about the big outfield at Manuka Oval. Tamim turns to me for help. Four, I offer as a compromise, saying he timed it quite well. Kalpage feigns shock and gives in. “Thanks for that boundary,” Tamim tells me later.The Perth skyline from across the Swan River•Getty ImagesFebruary 17
Canberra’s streets are like those in some New Zealand town. On the 15-minute walk to the ground, you are lucky if you spot more than a person or two. Some good cafés, bars and restaurants close to the ground, though.February 18
Before the start of the game, spot an Afghanistan supporter wearing and a Bangladesh one wearing a . After the game, spot a possum on the stairs outside the press box. Creature slithers away as I try to get a closer look.February 19
First sighting of the MCG. The outfield is huge by itself, but it is still dwarfed by the scale of those magnificent stands.The brightly lit Yarra riverfront glimmers at night. Can sit on the benches at Southbank and gaze at the water and the skyline on the opposite shore for hours.Excellent tram network in Melbourne. One seems to jump out of every third street.February 21
White Night, a big cultural event. Spectacular motion illuminations projected onto buildings in the city centre. There is even one from . Walkways across the river are packed. Takes nearly half an hour to get across.All kinds of stuff happening at crowded Southbank. Man offering up to A$100 to anyone who can ride his bicycle a few metres. The catch: to turn left, you need to turn the handle right, and left if you want to move right. $20 for five tries. He must have made a small fortune that night.February 22
MCG is a short walk across Yarra Park from my hotel but I take the tram to the city centre on India v South Africa match day. And walk back along the river to the MCG. Cloudy skies make it a greater pleasure. As you cross the William Barak bridge, on which music from many countries is played, the MCG appears to your left, Rod Laver Arena to your right, separated just by train and tram tracks. Surreal.A sun-drenched WACA•Abhishek Purohit/ESPNcricinfo LtdFebruary 23
Have heard a lot about the heat in Australia, and Adelaide did give a sampler, but Perth wins hands down first day with 41 degrees. A short walk feels like your insides will boil over. Turns out to be just a rude welcome, as Perth produces several lovely days. Mild, sunny, windy.February 24
At the eastern corner of the city centre, close to the Swan River, the WACA Ground stands proud against the backdrop of a fiery setting sun. It is deserted barring the odd employee. Best time to soak the image into your soul for a lifetime. The square. The outfield. The stands. The grassbanks. The dressing rooms. The old scoreboard. Those floodlight towers.February 25
Walk down to the riverfront from the ground. The Swan River turns into an estuary in Perth and is 4.5km at its widest point. Waves hit the shore gently. The sun sets in the direction of the Indian Ocean. The sky rapidly changes colour. The lights in the skyscrapers come on. The size of the river adds to the grandeur of the scene.February 26
Annalakshmi on the Swan, a south Indian vegetarian restaurant by the river jetty, becomes a favourite. Eat as much as you can, pay what you want to. Inspired by their spiritual guru, volunteers run the place. And the food is awesome. The taste of the mixed vegetable curry reminds you of the one at Ramanayak, a popular eatery in Matunga in Mumbai.February 27
“I don’t get it when people say Perth is a small city,” says old security guard at the WACA. “It does not have too many tall buildings. But if you see, there are lots that are ten to 12 storeys high. And it is a really spread-out city too.” Perth feels similar to Adelaide in that sense. The city centre looks smaller, though, and most of it shuts down earlier.February 28
The India v UAE game lasts just a little longer than one ODI innings. Mohammad Tauqir gets his press conference done with soon. We wait for MS Dhoni. And wait. India decide to play a game of football, and the captain is in the middle of the action. The India media manager watches from the sidelines. The ICC media manager tries to tell him people with deadlines are waiting, but gives up eventually. About an hour after he should have, Dhoni walks in. Not a single word from anyone about the delay.A brightly lit building during White Night festivities in Melbourne•Abhishek Purohit/ESPNcricinfo LtdMarch 1
Tour of Fremantle. Before that, the bus takes you up to King’s Park from where you can see how Perth stretches all around the Swan estuary. The wind blowing in from the Indian Ocean takes the name of the port town it passes through: Fremantle. Endearing little town centre. Old churches, synagogue, prison, markets, brewery. Take a cruise back up the river to Perth.March 2
Somalian cab driver talks mostly about pirates during the ten-minute ride. “They don’t target Indian or Pakistani ships. We have old links, are on other side of the Indian Ocean. They go for the American or Arab ones. Solid network. Very solid. They know exactly what items a ship is carrying.”Signs off with a gem. “Where I come from, you get bazookas everywhere. Boom!”March 3
Chief selector Rod Marsh and Michael Clarke stand together having a chat in the Australia nets. George Bailey watches keenly from a distance. Captain till not so long ago, now out of the XI. Finally decides to come up slowly. As he approaches, he walks carefully around Clarke while extending a swift handshake to Marsh standing further away. Awkward moment. But the two exchange half a smile after that.March 4
Two big buses waiting to drop media personnel off at designated points in the city after the Australia-Afghanistan game. Am the only one on this trip. “There were three people before you,” says the driver. Case of slight over-capacity here. He does not understand why the big eastern cities look down on Perth. Came here from Sydney himself. Has been a Perth resident for 14 years.March 6
One final time at one of the restaurants on the riverfront, the water shimmering in the sun. As it starts to set later, ground volunteers take a lap of the WACA during the India v West Indies innings break. Perth is done with the tournament. India are done with Australia for now. After three and a half months. Dhoni is asked about the New Zealand leg.”We go to Melbourne. From Melbourne we go to Auckland. From Auckland we drive to Hamilton and we reach at midnight. That will give us less time to think about cricket.” Long journey. Time to switch off. See you on the other side of the Tasman.