England tops inaugural ICC Twenty20 Rankings

ICC has launched the ranking system for Twenty20 today, where England, the World Twenty20 champions have topped the rankings in ICC’s inaugural Twenty20 Rankings.

Eoin Morgan, England middle-order T20 specialist batsmen tops the batsmen ratings, Sri Lankan mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis is the top bowler and Australia’s all-rounder, Shane Watson is announced as the No. 1 all-rounder in ICC Twenty20 Rankings.

The England team sealed top spot with 127 points followed by Sri Lanka placed just below them with 126 points. The reaming teams New Zealand in third place with 117 points, South Africa with 113, India with 112, Australia with 11 and Pakistan at 7th place with 97 points, followed by West Indies, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe.

England will lose its No.1, if they lose only T20 in the ongoing India tour which is scheduled on Oct, 29. If England wins their T20 against India they will have a 4-point lead over Sri Lanka, if they England will slip below Sri Lanka and India.

Since August 2009, England has played 20 T20s, where they won 12 and they lost 6 games while 2 ended in no results. Whereas Pakistan played the most matches i.e., 24 during the same period, as the lost more than 50% of matches where placed 7th in the rankings.

England Coach Andy Flower said that the evolution of ranking system for international Twenty20 cricket provides real context to the various series played between member countries on an ongoing basis. He added that until now they haven't had the chance to play a large number of Twenty20 Internationals so this will offer a benchmark as to who is performing at international level.

Bangladesh, along with Associate Members Canada, Ireland, Kenya, Netherlands and Scotland, which have T20 international status, will join the table as soon as they have played at least eight T20s since August 2009 to qualify for a ranking.

Eoin Morgan tops the batsmen ratings followed by Brendon McCullum, Kevin Pietersen, Mahela Jayawardene and Suresh Raina. In the bowling department spinner dominate the ratings as seven spinners were toped in ICC T20 rankings, as Ajantha Mendis topped the bowlers followed by Graeme Swann, Saeed Ajmal, Nathan McCullum and Johan Botha. While Shane Watson ranked No.1 in ratings for all-rounders lined-up along with Shahid Afridi, Davis Hussey, Mohammed Hafeez and Chris Gayle.

Raina and Kohli takes India to 4-0 lead

India makes it 4-0 as the England team failed one again in the ongoing series. India won the 4th ODI with comprehensive 6 wickets at Mumbai on Oct 23. Where the host extends their lead to 4-0 and will be aiming to clean the series with 5-0. 

England 220/10 46.1 Overs (Bresnan 45 and Kevin Pietersen 41, Varun Aaron 3/24)

India 300/5 49.2 Overs (V Kohli 86* and Raina 80)

Man of the Match – Suresh Raina 80 (62)

Suresh Raina’s aggressive 80 from 60 balls and Virat Kohli’s well paced innings of aggression and clam 86* guided India to yet another win the series. Kohli and Raina recued the Indian innings as they were 46/3 when they started together and Team India was in all sorts of trouble losing all the top 3 and Raina, who is finding it hard to hit the into gaps in the series joined the party with man in form, Virat Kohli.

Earlier England won the toss and elected to bat, Craig Kieswetter started counter attack to Indian pacers but both the openers felt back-to-back delivers from Ashwin and P Kumar.  Pietersen and Trott then rescued the England innings adding 73 runs. Vinay Kumar broke the partnership and then spinners showed act by cleaning up the middle order of England and new debutant Varun Aaron was impressive with his pace rattled the tail enders.

In reply, India got off to a sloppy start as they lost three wickets with just 46 runs on the board.  Parthiv Patel and Gautam Gambhir were cleaned up by Finn, while Rahane was brilliant catch by Kieswetter. But the Raina and Kohli pace their innings very well rotating the strike early in their innings and putting the bad balls to boundaries. Soon both the batsmen completed their half-centuries from 65 (Kohli) and 50 (Raina) deliveries respectively.

Then Raina shifted the gears and clobbered the English pace attack to all parts of the ground but perished to Finn. Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni made sure India didn’t lose any further wicket and guided India to a comprehensive 6 wicket win.

India will play their final and 5th ODI against England at Eden Gardens on October 25, 2011.

Virat Kohli completes 1000 runs in a Calendar Year!

The young Indian middle-order batsmen Virat Kohli has scored his 7th ODI century against England in 2nd one-day match at Delhi. Thereby, Kohli has completed 1000 runs in a Calendar year of 2011. Virat Kohli felt 5 runs short of 1000 runs in a calendar year in 2010, where he scored 995 runs.

Virat Kohli has been in great form in this year, when compared to the earlier stages of his career. Earlier Kohli used to get fifties but failed to convert them into big centuries. Now, he is a matured cricketer, playing according to the conditions and game plan of the team. As he is capitalizing the starts to convert them into match winning knocks.

The Delhi lad, Virat Kohli joins Shane Watson of Australia and Jonathan Trott from England, who scored 1000 runs in a calendar year of 2011. Sachin Tendulkar has scored 1000 runs seven times which is most by any batsmen and followed by his former teammate Sourav Ganguly 6 times and Australia’s two-time World Cup winning captain got there 6 times.

Right-handed batsmen, Virat Kholi is the 28th occasion of Indian batsmen to achieve these feet, while iconic batsmen Sachin Tendulkar achieved this feet 7 times and this is most by any batsmen in the World. Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly got to 1000 runs in a calendar year 6 times. The Wall Rahul Dravid and current Indian skipper MS Dhoni did it thrice, while M Azharuddin, Ajay Jadeja and Virender Sehwag scored 1000 runs twice. Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh and now Virat Kholi completed the list of batsmen scoring 1000 runs.

India wraps-up series win against England in 3rd ODI

World Champions India wraps-up series as they won 3rd ODI against England at Mohali on Thursday, thereby India has won the 5-match series with still two games to play and take 3-0 lead. Batting first the tourist piled a good score of 298/4 and India needed 300 runs to win the match and also to complete the series win.

England 298/4 50 Overs  (Trott 98*, S Patel 70* and Kevin Pietersen 64)

India 300/5 49.2 Overs (A Rahane 91, Gambhir 58 and Dhoni 35*)

Man of the Match - A Rahane 91 (104)

India into the field cahsing a stiff total of 299, their openers P Patel 38 (46) and A Rahane 91 (104) started the proceeding exactly the way India wanted too. They scored runs very quickly as they recored first half century stand in the series, Parthiv was the first man to go at 79. While Gambhir 58 (60) took of the responsablity os scoring at quick pace as Rahane passed his innings very well but unfortunate for him to get out on 90’s.

However, India were in a state of bother where they lost two quick wickets in their batting power play as Raina deapated without scoring a single run. The in-form batsmen V Kohli 35 (42) played his part but failed to finish off the things. But, it’s the Indian Skipper MS Dhoni 35* (31) along with R Jadeja 26 (24) sealed the victory to India. 

Earlier, England had pretty dull start to their innings and their captain A Cook 3 (13) was dismissed early in the innings. But Kieswetter 36 (53) along with Trott 98 (107) repaired the England innings; Trott was there up the end of the innings, later K Pietersen took the attack to India scoring at brisk pace. And it was Samit patel 70 (43), who took on the Indian bowlers and his cameo guided England to put on  a huge total. 

The game well belongs to batsmen but the not the bowler, Indian Bowlers looked ordinary. Indian struggled with their bowlers in the summer of England; they need to perform if Team India has to win reaming two games convincingly. England got almost everything right well on track for their first win of India’s tour, only thing England need to improve is their fielding, they need to take catches if they have win.

India Vs England 4th ODI will be played on Oct 23, Sunday at Mumbai.

West Indies Cricket Board asks Gayle to withdraw criticism

The Hard hitting Windies opening batsmen, Chris Gayle is asked to take his bitter criticism of the region's governing body back, if he wants to bring back to life his international career.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) advised that former captain that they are prepared to discuss a way out of the stalemate which has left the 32-year-old dropped from the team. The cricket board wants that Chris Gayle withdraws his comments in order to be considered for selection to the West Indies team, Gayle criticized WICB board of directors on selection.

However, the board is still is waiting for the Gayle response to negotiate the talks and lay the steps for his future. Gayle has had a series of disputes with the WICB, He last player for Windies for World Cup 2011. Although, Gayle has played an active part with IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore. He decided to play IPL IV, after being ignored for the home series against Pakistan.

During an interview, Gayle questioned his treatment by members of the cricket board, including chief executive Ernest Hilaire and coach Ottis Gibson. For being opened up, he once again ignored by the selectors for the ongoing tour of Bangladesh tour.

Former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd, who is the current director of the WICB, said officials had been fair. Lloyd said that first of all, it is unsatisfactory that the matter has gone on for as long as it has. They need time to disclose the issue. He even suggested that Gayle to withdraw the comments will be the intelligent thing to do, to get the issue resolved and have every one move on.

Gayle represented West Indies for 91 Tests and 228 one-day internationals since making his debut in 2000. He scored 6,373 runs in Tests with a highest score of 333, and 8,087 runs in ODI with a best of 153 not out.

S Patel: England will continue sledging

England left-arm spinner Samit Patel has said his teammates are well determined and will continue sledging against the Indians to get them out of their comfort zone.

England is on other side of the coin after being victorious against India in all the formats in their home soil, and now it’s the turn England to face the same the treatment to tourist, as England has up came against two humiliating loses against India in their first two ODIs. England was the one which is dominating the terms on their home soil and now India once again proves they were unbeatable on their home soil, as Indians outplayed England in all the departments.

Patel said the Indians are well aware of being whitewashed in England in all the formats is badly hurting them, and they want to prove their dominance of the game on home soil. He explained the reasons, why several England fielders launched a verbal war against batsmen Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli during the second one-day international. They will be carrying the verbal war with Indian players in an attempt to get the Indians out of their comfort zone.

England's strategy proved costly in Delhi as India stormed to their second crushing win of the series, with Kohli making a brilliant century in a 209-run record third-wicket partnership with Gambhir. He added that sledging was carried on from back home from England to India, and they were sure English team will be happy to get out of the blocks.

Rhodes says Kohli has the ability to match Sachin

Former South African, player Jonty Rhodes feels that the India’s 2007 U-19 World Cup captain, Virat Kohli is capable for some extent to match the extraordinary feats of ‘Cricketing God’ Sachin Tendulkar.

Indian middle-order batsmen, Virat Kohli has already shown his potential with the bat and proved his one of the young promising batsmen in the Indian strong batting line-up to fill the big shoes of Sachin in future. Kohli might only be 22-years-old but he has shown the class, temper, arrogance, fashion and desire to be top performer for India, and this shows he can be a superstar, Rhodes said.

Rhodes insists that Kohli is most consistent in recent past as his conversion rate from fifties to hundreds in ODIs is amazing. Once Kohli gets to fifty, he is a difficult batsman to dismiss and more significantly he carries healthy strike rate all though the innings. If Kohli can able represent India for a longer-period of time like Sachin did, he can achieve compete the records with most ease and passion.

Jonty Rhodes said that Kohli is expected to play a big role in India's success in the future. He is a fine cricketer and a fine athlete. He is a complete all-rounder, he added.  Kohli has scored 2,496 runs in 66 ODIs at an average of 45.38 with the 7 centuries and 16 fifties. Kohli even scored 1000 runs in this calendar year of 2011.

However, Kohli does not have an impressive record in Tests, having scored only 76 runs in 5 innings, Rhodes believes that Kohli can also be successful player in the longer version of the game too. Finally, Rhodes added that Virat has shorts all-round the park and he is much matured player now, he finishes off games for India. And more importantly, he doesn’t throw his wicket and that’s what all Test cricket is all about.

Team India makes a move in ODI rankings

The World Champions, who slip down in the rankings as they failed to win a single match in the England summer, has moved to position in the ICC ODI rankings. Team India has won first two ODIs in a comprehensive way to take 2-0 lead in 5-match series.

England had started the series as No.4 with 113 points but now they slipped to 110 while India has jumped from 112 to 115 points. India only need to win secure the series and also number-four position, If India could whitewash the series with 5-0 they have a chance to rise to third place in the Rankings. But, South Africa, who is present No.3 need to lose first two ODIs against Australia, then only India, will be taking No.3 position. While England can retain their fourth place by winning all the remaining three matches against India.

Indian batsmen also make a move in rankings as Virat Kohli has climbed five places to fourth position, Gautam Gambhir has also improved his ranking and shares the 11th position with Jacques Kallis. Indian skipper MS Dhoni is at fifth position where South Africa captain Hashim tops the batsmen rankings in ODIs. AB de Villires at No.2 and Australia’s Shane Watson at No.3.

In the ODI Rankings for bowlers, England's T-20 skipper Graeme Swann continues to lead the raking with New Zealand's Daniel Vettori second. Indian spinners have also increased their rankings as off-spinner R Ashwin moved five places to finish at 36 and Jadeja also climbed six places to 38th spot. Praveen Kumar is back in top 20’s, which is a good sign for Indian team.

Roger Federer slips to No.4 in ATP Rankings

The Swiss legend Roger Federer was out of Top 3 in the ATP rankings for the first time since 2003. Federer's absence from the Asian tour has proved costly for his rankings. Andy Murray went on win his hat trick titles in Asia and cinched the number three spot from the Swiss Legend.

For the first time in eight years, Roger Federer has fallen out of the top 3 in the ATP rankings. Britain’s Andy Murray moved from fourth to third in the new rankings released Monday, with Federer dropping from No. 3 to No. 4. Novak Djokovic remains No. 1 and Rafael Nadal No. 2. Roger Federer is facing the toughest situation he has ever gone though a rough patch like this. Roger Federer started this season as No.2 and will be ending the 2011 as No.4.

Mighty Scot, Andy Murray surged from fourth to third in the new rankings released Monday, with Federer slumping from third to the fourth spot. Novak Djokovic remains on top and Rafael Nadal settles for second best.

Federer was absent from tour after his U.S. Open semi-final defeat against Novak Djokovic and consequently is out of the top 3 for the first time since July 2003. However, Federer has been sidelined with an injury, the Scot Murray will have only few points to defend his No.3 position before the end of the season, and Murray will be ending the season as No.3 for the first time.

India team unchanged for remaining England ODIs

The Indian selectors named an unchanged squad for the remaining three ODIs against England. The Kris Srikanth led selection committee went with the winning team for the next 3 ODIs and the lone T20 against England. The BCCI selection committee thought it is not necessary to make any changes to the Indian team, which has won the first two ODIs in a convincing fashion against England.

Harbhajan Singh was ignored once again by the selection committee, where they included hard hitting batsmen Robin Uthappa and Yusuf Pathan for the one off Twenty20 International. While Parthiv Patel and Gautam Gambhir were left out of T-20 squad, Gambhir is scheduled to get married this November and decided to skip the T20.

Robin Uthappa played his last international match for India more than three years ago against Sri Lanka in Karachi. He has played 38 ODIs and nine T20 internationals for India. His strong battings performance in the domestic circuit, and most recently his knocks of 56 and 132 for India Green in NKP Salve Challenger Series in Nagpur that has helped him make a comeback in the squad. As Gambhir will be not available Uthappa has a chance to open batting for India, where he is most destructive.

  

ODI squad: MS Dhoni (c and w/k), Gautam Gambhir, Parthiv Patel, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Manoj Tiwary, Ravindra Jadeja, Rahul Sharma, R Ashwin, Praveen Kumar, Sreenath Aravind, R Vinay Kumar, Varun Aaron, Umesh Yadav.

T20 squad: MS Dhoni (c and w/k), Robin Uthappa, Yusuf Pathan, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Manoj Tiwary, Ravindra Jadeja, Rahul Sharma, R Ashwin, Praveen Kumar, Sreenath Aravind, R Vinay Kumar, Varun Aaron, Umesh Yadav.