CLT20- An unforgettable journey

CL T20 – An Unforgettable Journey

T20 cricket is the craze among the present generation in the 21st century. Regarded as the mostinnovative and attractive format of all the three, it continues to win millions of hearts worldwide. The journey started as a dream run with the introduction of the Indian Premier League in 2008 by Lalit modi.Then as a sequel to a blockbuster movie, Champions League T20 came as a sequel to IPL every year.

Preview CL: Chennai Super Kings

PREVIEW: CHENNAI SUPERKINGS IN CL T20 2010

All set to roar at CL T20 2010…

Frankly speaking, Chennai Superkings is reputed to be the most consistent team in the IPL journey so far. It will be much of a surprise if CSK doesn’t continue to pump excitement in our veins in the upcoming mega blockbuster event CL T20 2010 in the rainbow nation. Doug Bollinger, one of the best pacers, roped in by CSK this year, will be playing for Chennai in the Champions League this year and will be a significant asset to the team.

Sach is God-Sachin Tendulkar

SACH IS GOD- SACHIN TENDULKAR

Billions of Whistles for IPL 3

The Indian Premier League is regarded as the most innovative invention when it comes to the world of cricket. IPL season 1 introduced to us 8 teams which became bonded to us immediately.

Aussies name their UK tour squads

Cricket Australia has named the T20 and One Day squad for the Australia tour of England and Australia A squad for a series against Sri Lanka A. Even though Micheal Clarke had a poor run in the T20 World Cup, CA has retained him as the T20 Captain.

Shaun Marsh makes an comeback to the One Day team after being ruled out of the New Zealand tour with injury. His younger brother, Mitchell Marsh too has been given a chance to play in the Australia A team.

But, Australian test squad has not yet been announced.

Australia team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris commented:

“Peter Siddle is recovering well from a lower back stress fracture sustained during the Australian summer. However it was felt that there was too big a risk for his to return for the tour of England and Ireland, particularly with the important 12 months coming up. Peter remains on target to return to the playing field at the start of the Australian domestic summer. Brett Lee is recovering from the elbow muscle injury that he picked before the ICC World Twenty20 and is yet to commence bowling.”

“Brett Lee is recovering from the elbow muscle injury that he picked before the ICC World Twenty20 and is yet to commence bowling.”

SQUADS

ODI squad Shane Watson, Shaun Marsh, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Cameron White, Brad Haddin, Steven Smith, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Ryan Harris, Clint McKay, Doug Bollinger.

Twenty20 squad Shane Watson, David Warner, Michael Clarke (capt), Cameron White, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Brad Haddin, Daniel Christian, Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Ryan Harris, Dirk Nannes, Shaun Tait.

Australia A four-day squad Ed Cowan, Usman Khawaja, Michael Klinger, George Bailey (capt), Peter Forrest, Andrew McDonald, Tim Paine, Mitchell Marsh, Steve O’Keefe, Ben Hilfenhaus, Josh Hazlewood, Peter George, Mitchell Starc.

Australia A one-day squad Tim Paine, Usman Khawaja, Adam Voges, George Bailey (capt), Travis Birt, Aaron Finch, Andrew McDonald, Mitchell Marsh, Xavier Doherty, Brendan Drew, James Pattinson, Jake Haberfield, Josh Hazlewood.

SCHEDULE

VB Tour of The British Isles
17 June Australia v Ireland, Clontarf, Dublin (One-Day International)
19 June Australia v Middlesex, Lord’s (One-Day Tour Match)
22 June Australia v England, Rose Bowl (One-Day International)
24 June Australia v England, Cardiff (One-Day International)
27 June Australia v England, Old Trafford (One-Day International)
30 June Australia v England, The Oval (One-Day International)
3 July Australia v England, Lord’s (One-Day International)

VB Pakistan Series
5 July Australia v Pakistan, Edgbaston (Twenty20 International)
6 July Australia Pakistan, Edgbaston (Twenty20 International)
*8-9 July Australia v Derbyshire, Derby (Two-Day Tour Match)
*13-17 July Australia v Pakistan, Lord’s (1st Test)
*21-25 July Australia v Pakistan, Headingley (2nd Test)

Australia A Series
18-21 June Australia A v Sri Lanka A, Allan Border Field, Brisbane (Four-Day Match)
25-28 June Australia A v Sri Lanka A, Townsville (Four-Day Match)
2 July Australia A v Sri Lanka A, Townsville (Twenty20 Match)
4 July Australia A v Sri Lanka A, Townsville (One-Day Match)
7 July Australia A v Sri Lanka A, Townsville (One-Day Match)
10 July Australia A v Sri Lanka A, Allan Border Field, Brisbane (One-Day Match)

Don't take opponents lightly: MSD

Remember what happened last time when India visited the Caribbean Islands for the World Cup 2007. Yes, the stunning defeat for the Men in Blue by the Bangla Tigers. That game changed the course of India’s World Cup Journey with a unexpected exit.

Dravid and Co had overconfidence of beating the Bangladesh team so did they lose. But MS Dhoni this time is taking it seriously.

Here are his words:-

If you ask me, I would not consider our opening match against Afghanistan as a practice game. I don’t take my opponents lightly. At the end of the day you have to win whichever team you play.

I don’t know much about them. It is good in a way because if we know too much about a side then you are thinking too much about them. However, our preparation will remain the same as if you are playing the best opponent in world cricket

We can’t really relax against whichever team you are playing. At the end of the day you are representing India and you have to be at your best when you turn up on the field.

We don’t actually need to play a warm-up game as the way we have shaped up after the long journey, there wouldn’t have been any good coming out of it. It is good that we can rest and have a rigorous practice session and get back into the groove and prepare for the match against them

Let us see what happens…

Sehwag out of T20 World Cup

Just a week before the T20 World Cup to kick start,The Indian team has seen a injury- Virender Sehwag, player of DD has injured his shoulders just like what happened last year.

But the selectors have not made the same blunder as they did in the last T20 World Cup. Wiser selection has been done by choosing Murali Vijay, the experienced campaigner and one in the top 5 run scorers in the IPL.

Some of you might think Vijay is a test player and won’t fit in Viru’s aggressive shoes. But, he has been selected because of his superb playing in the IPL this year.

Will he do wonders? Lets wait and see.

West Indies T20 Squad

The West Indies Cricket Board has made hell of surprises in  the T20 World Cup squad. The yougies, Adrian Barath, Darren Bravo and Lendl Simmons who played a major role in domestic T20 tournaments for WI have not been chosen.

But, Veterans Shiv Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Jerome Taylor made a comeback to the West Indies team.

Andre Fletcher who with his poor run has not been dropped from the squad. He will open along with the long stand Opener Chris Gayle. He will also be a reserve keeper for Dinesh Ramdin.

The Chief of the selectors said:-

Wavell Hinds has been recalled and he brings a wealth of experience. He is a knowledgeable cricketer and we believe can make a good contribution in the middle-order as well.

The strength is in the all-round ability of the team. Overall, we have a balanced side with good all-round strength. We want to prepare well, because good preparation leads to good results

We have Chris Gayle at the top of the order and he can be a match-winner. It is also good to have our experienced players in the middle-order – Shiv Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan – and this gives us strength in the batting.

We are confident our players will deliver on the home stage. If we play as a unit we have a very good chance of winning the ICC T20 World Tournament

SQUAD:-

Chris Gayle (Captain), Sulieman Benn, Dwayne Bravo, Shiv Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Andre Fletcher, Wavell Hinds, Nikita Miller, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Darren Sammy, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Jerome Taylor

England name Yardy and Lumb in squad

The England Cricket Board has named two new uncapped players, Micheal Yardy and Michael Lumb for the T20 World Cup this month in the Caribbean islands.

It is surprising to hear the name of Craig Kieswetter in place of the experienced campaigner Matt Prior.

Michael Lumb brought back Rajasthan team from crisis by opening the innings. The 30 year old English player has been given a chance to prove his worth.

Michael Yardy who led the Susex Sharks with his all round bowling and batting performance too has been given a go to his international career.

Meanwhile, Ravi Bopara who is having a good run in the Indian Premier League will make a comeback in the T20 World Cup.

Graeme Swann and James Tredwell will lead the spin attack while James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Ajmal Shahzad, Tim Bresnan and Ryan Sidebottom.

SQUAD:-

Paul Collingwood
James Anderson
Ravi Bopara
Tim Bresnan
Stuart Broad
Craig Kieswetter
Michael Lumb
Eoin Morgan
Kevin Pietersen
Ajmal Shahzad
Ryan Sidebottom
Graeme Swann
James Tredwell
Luke Wright
Michael Yardy

Juan Theron in SA T20 squad

The South African cricket Board has named the T20 squad for the Caribbean tournament starting April 30th. Juan Theron is the only new and uncapped player.

Good signs for South Africa is that Graeme Smith who went back home from IPL suffering an injury will be alright and will lead the team in the Cup.

However, Wayne Parnell and Justin Kemp who got themselves injured in the IPL won’t get a chance to play in the T20 World Cup.

In Parnell’s absence, Juan Theron who impressed everyone by leading the bowling attack of KXIP from the front in IPL and won the match for them has been given a place in the squad.

With the presence of Rory Kleinveldt, the all rounder adds depth to both bowling and batting. He was a part of the Under 19 team and is in fine form now.

The Coach of South Africa told:-

I am delighted that we have Graeme Smith back from injury to lead us in this campaign. At the same time it is sad to lose players of the calibre of Wayne Parnell and Justin Kemp.

Rory Kleinveldt will be a good like-for-like replacement for Parnell. He is capable of opening the bowling or operating at first change and he has also been a regular death bowler for the Cobras which is an important area for us. Rory also gives us some good batting options down the order

Rusty Theron has impressed everybody both with his skills and his temperament both in domestic cricket and in the Indian Premier League. He was a key player for the Warriors in doing the domestic limited overs double.

South Africa are placed with India and Afghanisthan in the Cup.

SQUAD:-

Graeme Smith (capt), Jacques Kallis, Loots Bosman, Johan Botha, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Rory Kleinveldt, Charl Langeveldt, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Juan Theron, Roelof van der Merwe