Bleacher Report - Articles by Mr Fletcher

India Becoming the Graveyard of Cricket

Mr Fletcher — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:26:53 -0500

As I watch the second test at Kanpur between India and Sri Lanka, it finally dawns on me—after two whole days of mind-numbing batting—that test matches in India (and Pakistan for that matter), are the most boring five days of cricket you could imagine. No wonder test cricket's future is being questioned.

The script never changes, one team racks up a huge score, then the other team racks up an equally huge score, then the five days end in a pointless draw.

In the first two tests between Sri Lanka and India of this tour, the average innings total by both teams, is 560. In these innings there have been ten centuries, four of which have been 150-plus.

I'm sorry but that, quite frankly, is appalling. I'm not saying the batsman aren't talented, but such ludicrous scoring is undermining the reputation of the century maker. I know it's a batsman's game, but come on! Batting records in India are becoming as useful for gauging talent as batting against Bangladesh.

The problem is the pitches. They are lifeless. So far in the series I have not seen even the great Muralitharan turn a ball more than two inches, even then it hit a footmark.

The root of such ridiculously batsman-friendly pitches must be a result of the BCCI's money making machine, stretching tests out to the max. Disgraceful.

All you have to do is look through test history to realise that great test matches are a real contest between bat and ball. Probably more so when the ball has the slight advantage, such as in the 2005 Ashes series where in five tests only eight centuries were scored!!

Four of these came at the Oval, which many including myself considered the worst of all five tests.

It's so much better cricket when you know that the batsmen really have to work hard for the runs. But I'm afraid Indian tests are an absolute disgrace.

I mean no disrespect to Prassana Jayawardene, for example, but his first class high score is 166, and yet he caressed 154 against India. I bet the 166 was a better knock by a country mile ... I found it even worse when people started preaching about how amazing Sachin Tendulkars century was in the first test.

No, it was distinctly average. I bet even he would say so deep down.

And let's be frank, it's not like the bowling attacks are lacking potency. For example, India ripped England to pieces in 2007. And then there's Murali ... 700-plus test wickets, enough said.

Australia: The Demise of the Spinner

Mr Fletcher — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:24:21 -0400

We all knew that post-Warne, the Australian spin threat was never going to be the same in the Test match arena. But few of us could have forseen the reality facing Cricket Australia—where is the next spinner?

26 Tests after Warne waved goodbye to the international stage, Australian spin bowling can only boast one 5-wicket haul (8-215 J.Krejza v. India in 2008) and no frontline spin bowler has a bowling average below 35.

The "best" being Nathan Hauritz averaging 35.26, boasting best innings bowling figures of 3-63, hardly impressive.

Being realistic, nobody was ever going to replace Warne, he was a once in a lifetime bowler. But it is amazing that a country that has dominated world cricket for the best part of two decades can all of a sudden not have a worldclass spin bowler.

Warne's long standing shoe-in "replacement" Stuart McGill only managed four Test matches after Warne before he retired, taking 10 wickets in those Tests for over 65 runs a piece.

Since Warne's retirement in 2007, Australia have tried a variety of spinners to try and fill the void including Cameron White (four Tests - five wickets @ 68), Beau Casson (one Test - three wickets @ 43), Jason Krezja (two Tests - 13 wickets @ 43) and Bryce McGain (one Test - 0 wickets for 149 runs). The future is looking bleak...

What could be said though is that the man in possesion, Nathan Hauritz (six Tests - 19 wickets @ 35) is at least reminiscent of a certain Ashley Giles, unspectacular but steady. But he looks in no way a long term solution to Australia's spin woes.

A glance round the Australian domestic scene wont fill many Australians with confidence either with only one spin bowler (Hauritz) in the top 20 wicket takers of the 2008-09 state season. And even he averaged over 35.

The problem in my view is unknown, worldclass spin bowlers are hardly a rarity in Australian cricketing history with the likes of Benaud and O'Reilly. Maybe it's just a genuine lack of talented spinners coming through grade cricket, who knows.

All I can say for sure is that Marcus North is hardly a matchwinner, as the Ashes have recently shown...

Test Cricket's Greatest XI

Mr Fletcher — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:19:30 -0400

Let me just make it very clear before I start, this XI has been compiled not by favoritism but on a combination of statistics and reputations, reading this it is inevitable that you will not agree with several of my choices and frankly I'm not going to argue!! The true World XI will probably never be known but this is my stab at being world cricket's most controversial selector...

The biggest problem I faced was the actual composition of the team. After much deliberation I have decided that the team in question would be composed of:

5 batsmen, 1 all-rounder, 1 wicket-keeper, 2 spin-bowlers & 2 fast-bowlers

1. Sir Len Hutton - Tests: 79 Runs: 6971 Average: 56.67 Hundreds: 19

His average and run tally speak for themselves. He was a class act and holds England's highest Test score of 364. He also went through his career plagued by many serious injuries which many agree 'hampered' his ability, otherwise he would have undoubtedly been even more prolific.

A complete player, an aggressor and a great accumulator who was the rock of the English batting lineup at a time where the exploits of the 'Don' were stealing the limelight.

2. Herbert Sutcliffe - Tests: 54 Runs: 4555 Average: 60.73 Hundreds: 16

Many people will debate furiously that Jack Hobbs should open the batting for World XI and believe me it was a tight call. But statistically in Test cricket Sutcliffe averaged more and scored one more century than Hobbs in less tests (seven). His Test career was also shortened later in life due to his fighting efforts in WWI so his career could have been even more illustrious.

He ended his Test career in 1935 with an average that has since only been bettered by Bradman, Headley and Graeme Pollock.

3. Sir Donald Bradman - Tests: 52 Runs: 6996 Average: 99.94 Hundreds: 29

'The Don' is unquestionably the greatest batsman whoever lived and arguably the greatest cricketer ever, end of. His average is 40 runs greater than anybody who has ever played the game and his innings to century ratio is absolutely outstanding (one ton every 2.7 innings).

In my opinion his stats will never be bettered due to the demands of the modern game, but even more so by the fact that they are so much of an anomaly in cricketing history. He would also be the captain of the World XI.

4. Sir Vivian Richards - Tests: 121 Runs: 8540 Average: 50.23 Hundreds: 24

Since the days of Bradman no batsman could dismantle a bowling attack quite like Richards. Whilst batting he treated everyone with contempt, strutting to the crease with the aura of a king he batted like no other. From the lowly medium-pacer to the all time greats of the 1970/80s, everybody felt the brunt of the 'Master Blaster'.

You can argue that his batting average for the calibre of this team is "average" and he didn't score enough hundreds but it was the limitless ability he exerted that made him one of the greatest destroyers in cricketing history.

5. Ricky Ponting, Brain Lara or Sachin Tendulkar

Trying to pick between these three modern masters was impossible from a neutral's perspective so I've left it up to the reader to decide! All three played with differing styles but all have dominated the game for either India, Australia or the W.Indies.

Tendulkar or the 'little master' is aggressive technical batting perfected, a great accumulator who has achieved so much arguably carrying the hopes of a nation on his back.

Ponting is technically a joy to watch, with a balanced back-lift and punching follow-through he is arguably Australia's greatest batsman since Bradman.

Lara is one of crickets most exhilarating players ever. A sweeping back-lift and full blooded commitment has seen him rise to the pinnacle of international cricket in a severely underachieving period for W.Indies cricket. He also holds the Test record for the highest score - 400*

6. Sir Garfield Sobers -

Tests: 93 Runs: 8032 Average: 57.78 Hundreds: 26 Wickets: 235 Average: 34.03

Sobers combined powerful silky batting with a great ability to bowl world class left-arm spin, medium-pace or medium-fast. His average for a true all-rounder is only equalled by that of Jaques Kallis of South Africa, his bowling was undoubtedly his second skill but he could have starred in many teams as solely a bowler.

As I've said the only real competitor to the post of all-rounder in this team is Jaques Kallis but I have chosen Sobers on the grounds that he in my opinion boasted greater natural cricketing talent.

7. Adam Gilchrist (Wicket-Keeper)

Tests: 96 Runs: 5570 Average: 47.60 Hundreds: 17 Dismissals: 416

'Gilly' has taken more dismissals per innings than any 'keeper with over 200 to their name. He may not have the pure keeping ability of say an Alan Knott or Rod Marsh but his batting is miles ahead of any other keeper to have played in the Test arena.

He could easily have played as a top-class destructive batsman for any team in the world. A true wicket-keeping great who doesn't get the plaudits he deserves sometimes, an honestly top-class batsman and fine 'stumper' to boot.

8. Shane Warne - Tests: 145 Wickets: 708 Average: 25.41 5w*: 37 10w*: 10

5w* - Five-wicket hauls 10w* Ten-wicket hauls

Shane Warne revolutionised spin-bowling in the 1990s. His ripping leg-breaks were almost sheer perfection. A master of deception he is regarded as the worlds greatest spin-bowler and arguably one of the greatest cricketers to have ever played the game.

His combination of leggies, googlies, flippers, toppers etc made him an unstoppable force who along with Glen McGrath made the Australian team in the 1990s one of, if no the greatest side to play Test cricket.

9. Wasim Akram - Tests: 104 Wickets: 414 Average: 23.62 5w: 25 10w: 5

The left-arm pace of Wasim Akram may be a surprise inclusion on this list but my thinking is that variation in a bowling attack is key. He is a phenomenal bowler in Test history anyway but he is the best left-arm quick to have ever played the game.

His dynamic swing and pace made him a real handful for batsmen around the world throughout the 1990's, one of Imran Khan's so-called apprentices along with Waqar Younis he was simply brilliant. If you can think of a better pace-bowler who can bring as much to the table as Akram I'd love to hear it...

To sumarise, the greatest left-armer, with a great average, a banana like swinger of a cricket ball and mountains of worldclass wickets.

10. Dennis Lillee - Tests: 70 Wickets: 355 Average: 23.92 5w: 23 10w: 7

Like Akram, Lillee will probably be another debatable choice. But of all the fast bowlers who have ever played Test cricket Lillee has earn't the most plaudits. A smooth rhythmical action combined with effortless pace and outstanding accuracy puts him right at the top of the list when you're considering the greatest quicks of all time.

Unlike the W.Indian bowling battery of the 1980s he didn't have constant support (Jeff Thompson though on his day could easily match Lillee) three towering fast bowlers charging in with him so his job was in my opinion more difficult in comparison to the likes of Marshall, Garner, Roberts and Holding etc.

11. Muttiah Muralitharran - Tests: 127 Wickets: 770 Average: 22.18 5w: 66 10w: 22

Murali, like Bradman in some respects is a statistical phenomenon in cricket. With his strange bent-arm action he has racked up more wickets in Tests than anybody else by over 60, more 5 and 10 wicket-hauls as well as doing all this in 20 less tests than his closest rival Warne.

His big-turning off-breaks and mesmerising doosra's are still making the worlds best look foolish. When he finally calls it a day his record like Bradman's is likely never to be bettered. (My only reservation about Murali is the legality of his action, even though he has been cleared twice it still looks like a 'chuck' to me!)

Players that fell by my selection wayside:

- George Headley, Michael Holding, Joel Garner, Glen McGrath, Wally Hammond, Jack Hobbs, Jaques Kallis, Ian Botham, Richard Hadlee, Steve Waugh, Allan Border, Neil Harvey, Fred Trueman, Imran Khan, Geoff Boycott, Courtney Walsh, S.Gavaskar, Graeme Pollock(He would've been included if it hadn't been for the small number of tests he played)... etc...

You may have noticed that throughout I have refered to statistics a fair bit, this is because I think its impossible to make this selection without using them in great depth, even though I personally think that stats are in many cases misrepresentations of real ability...

Indian Cricket Throwing Its Weight over Politics

Mr Fletcher — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 08:39:57 -0400

Without doubt Indian Cricket is a major force on the playing field.

Its team is building great strength and has an abundance of talented athletes just waiting to get their chances. The country has already created magnificent players such as Kapil Dev, Rahul Dravid, Bishin Bedi, Anil Kumble, Sunil Gavaskar, and the little master Sachin Tendulkar to name but six.

But behind this glittering talent lies the BCCI—money obsessed and ambitious. Just look at the IPL. It is comercialised to the max, slapping football-sized price tags and paychecks on players and making them play in the new money spinning circus that is 20/20.

The effect, however much of a great spectacle it was, has not been great. County cricketers are turning down the domestic season for unspeakable amounts of cash. Over time, as more and more join the circus, the county game will see a reduced standard with all the best players going to India.

Just over the past week the BCCI have dropped another bombshell, excluding all ICL players from the tournament and eliminating Kent, who more than deserve their place. For some childish politics, the likes of Rob Key and Joe Denly are going to miss out on the chance to shine on a world stage.

I'm sure the last time players were isolated in such a manner was the South African apartheid. Essentially, Modi has created cricket discrimination in the exact same way.

I mean what have Azhar Mahmood and Justin Kemp done wrong? Nothing, that's what. But this is the power the BCCI has in world cricket.

And if you look at the Harbajan/Symonds affair the Australians stood down from the argument because the Indians threatened to pull out the tour. An entire tour could have been canceled because of some on-field verbals. An almost farcical reaction!

I'm afraid the future in a BCCI dictated world will lead to more exploitation of the cricket brand. Its players and teams will become commercialised to the max and we will no longer be able to see the game for what it is.

Cricket: Aim for the Head, Boys!

Mr Fletcher — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 08:50:41 -0400

Two bouncers an over! What a farce; when the Windies were in their pomp, a batsman wouldn't be looking for the bouncer, but the ball that's on a length!

I mean, batsmen have got all the protection that people in the past never had. I've see clips of Sir Viv Richards walking out to face Jeff Thompson who was slinging the ball over 90 mph at his head and all Viv was wearing was a cap! Why have the rules changed?

I'm not saying today's batsmen don't have the same amount of guts as "back in the day," but I do think batsmen are given too much protection from the rulebook. No longer can a bowler pepper a batsman with an over of fiery chin-music, a batsman can now even predict what's coming.

I mean if a bowler bowls two bouncers in the first two balls of an over, the batsman knows that the next four balls are going to be pitched up because the bowler will get an official warning if he strays short!

I can understand that, when a batsman's chest guard was made of paper and face guard consisted of however much suncream he was wearing that day, restricting the number of bouncers would have been a health and safety precaution.

Now, that's not the case. Come on, ICC, break Brett Lee's shackles so he can break some ribs!

(No offence, Daniel Flynn, hope the teeth thingy only happens once...)

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