Tuesday, December 13, 2011
'My target is to play good cricket in Australia'
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Bengal wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha is backing his excellent domestic form to make the cut in the upcoming tour of Australia.
Life has not been fair to Wriddhiman Saha. Born in the same era as India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is the automatic first choice wicketkeeper, the 27-year-old from Bengal never got enough opportunities to prove his worth at the international level.
However, Saha has no complaints; he feels getting into the Indian squad is a big achievement in itself.
He is in exceptional form in the Ranji Trophy this year, scoring 234 runs in three games, at an average of 117.
And, not surprisingly, he was named the second choice wicketkeeper for the tough four-Test series in Australia, starting later this month.
Saha's first taste of international cricket was rather unpleasant. Making an unexpected Test debut against South Africa in Nagpur last February, following a freak injury to Rohit Sharma during practice on the morning of the match, he was bowled for a duck by Dale Steyn. A gutsy 36 in the second innings couldn't save the match, but earned him a lot of appreciation.
Opportunities, though, have been limited since then, as he got to play just three One-Day Internationals.
Saha spoke with Sonil Dedhia, before leaving for Australia, on his preparations for the tour and what inspires him to continue to push for the wicketkeeper's slot despite Dhoni's presence.
How does it feel to make it to India's Test squad to Australia?Obviously, it is an honour to make it to the Indian Test squad. I feel elated at being selected.
You had a fantastic run in the domestic season. How are you looking forward to the Australia tour?Yes, I had a good domestic season and I am looking forward to the tour of Australia. My target is to play good cricket. There are a couple of practice matches, and if given a chance I would like to prove myself for my country and the team.
'Aussie cricket crisis' declared after New Zealand defeat
Sydney, December 13, 2011
Australia reacted with a wave of panic on Tuesday after falling to a first home Test defeat to New Zealand in more than a quarter of a century with a series against India just two weeks away. "Aussie cricket crisis", "Black Monday", the "Lowest of the Low", "The Flat Empire" were the headlines adorning the back pages of the country's newspapers above pictures of celebrating New Zealand and forlorn Australian cricketers. "Once the kings of world cricket, Australia are no longer capable of putting away eighth-ranked New Zealand and ... they are in disarray heading into the series against India," read the back page of Sydney's Daily Telegraph.
The thrilling drama of the conclusion to the Hobart Test, which New Zealand won by seven runs, was largely forgotten as critics lined up to take pot shots at the team.
Opener Phil Hughes, who was out in almost identical fashion in all four innings of the series against the Black Caps making just 41 runs, was the most pilloried but experienced batsmen Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey were also lambasted for failures.
"The time has come for change," Richard Hinds wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald. "Most pertinently, the time when a couple of much-loved veterans, Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey, could nominate their retirement dates has passed."
Former coach Bob Simpson led calls for the recall of Simon Katich, who controversially lost his central contract with Cricket Australia in June despite being one of his country's best Test performers over the previous three years.
The 36-year-old opener, however, told the Telegraph he thought his Test career was probably over.
"I pretty much know they've made their decision, there is nothing much else that has happened," said Katich, who was reprimanded last week for comments suggesting captain Michael Clarke had been behind the loss of his contract.
As after the Ashes humiliation against England last year, the whole system of Australian cricket came in for considerable scrutiny.
Many commentators, as Clarke did on Monday, pointed to the fact that the struggling batsmen would have only Australia's new Twenty20 competition in which to find their form before the first of four Test against India begins on Dec. 26.
India, who play their first tour match in Canberra on Thursday, have never won a Test series in Australia but arrived ranked second in the world with their hosts still languishing in fourth place.
Patrick Smith suggested the country's cricketers had displayed a "soft centre" in Hobart rather than the grit and determination that marked the wearers of the baggy green caps during the heyday of Australian cricket.
"A side supposedly intoxicated with the grisly Australian culture does not lose to an earnest but ordinary Kiwi side," he wrote in the Australian.
"This Australian side is neither technically sound nor stern of character. It might be enthusiastic but any fourth XI side can boast such a common quality."
First Published: 10:59 IST(13/12/2011)
Last Updated: 11:01 IST(13/12/2011)
Last Updated: 11:01 IST(13/12/2011)
The thrilling drama of the conclusion to the Hobart Test, which New Zealand won by seven runs, was largely forgotten as critics lined up to take pot shots at the team.
Opener Phil Hughes, who was out in almost identical fashion in all four innings of the series against the Black Caps making just 41 runs, was the most pilloried but experienced batsmen Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey were also lambasted for failures.
"The time has come for change," Richard Hinds wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald. "Most pertinently, the time when a couple of much-loved veterans, Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey, could nominate their retirement dates has passed."
Former coach Bob Simpson led calls for the recall of Simon Katich, who controversially lost his central contract with Cricket Australia in June despite being one of his country's best Test performers over the previous three years.
The 36-year-old opener, however, told the Telegraph he thought his Test career was probably over.
"I pretty much know they've made their decision, there is nothing much else that has happened," said Katich, who was reprimanded last week for comments suggesting captain Michael Clarke had been behind the loss of his contract.
As after the Ashes humiliation against England last year, the whole system of Australian cricket came in for considerable scrutiny.
Many commentators, as Clarke did on Monday, pointed to the fact that the struggling batsmen would have only Australia's new Twenty20 competition in which to find their form before the first of four Test against India begins on Dec. 26.
India, who play their first tour match in Canberra on Thursday, have never won a Test series in Australia but arrived ranked second in the world with their hosts still languishing in fourth place.
Patrick Smith suggested the country's cricketers had displayed a "soft centre" in Hobart rather than the grit and determination that marked the wearers of the baggy green caps during the heyday of Australian cricket.
"A side supposedly intoxicated with the grisly Australian culture does not lose to an earnest but ordinary Kiwi side," he wrote in the Australian.
"This Australian side is neither technically sound nor stern of character. It might be enthusiastic but any fourth XI side can boast such a common quality."
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