Grass Is Greener on the Other Side: World Cricket: Part II—The Year To Come

We are eleven days into the New Year, and apart from it being Rahul Dravid’s and Abhay Sundaram’s birthday (shame on you if you don’t know who the latter is!), nothing much is happening on the cricket calendar! YET!

The year is set to kick off with a bang for two of the top cricketing nations of the world, as South Africa take on hosts Australia later today in a T20 International.

Technically speaking, the year has already seen some cricketing action from the likes of New Zealand, West Indies, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe, but the real thing is yet to begin!

Here are a few clashes we can all look forward to:

South Africa against Australia, 5 ODI Series:

Like in the Tests, SA have been the main threat to Australia’s throne in the 50-over game as well, having briefly toppled the Oz during the ’07 World Cup. Ranked 2nd in the world, expect them to run Australia close again this time around.

SA-Aus matches have always provided all time classic moments in the one day format. Some really memorable ones include the famous tied ODI in the ’99 World Cup semi finals, and the world record chase, in what is dubbed as the “Best ODI Ever”, SA successfully chasing an unbelievable 430-odd for victory.

Player to watch out for: Herschelle Gibbs makes his return to the squad. Missing out on the Test team would have hurt this man a lot, especially looking at the result! He has always had a liking for the bouncy wickets, and Australia’s lack of a quality spinner can only improve his chances!

India’s tour of New Zealand (2/3 Tests):

The Test series promises to be a brilliant affair. New Zealand, struggling to beat the likes of West Indies at home, face off against an opponent which has often been unsettled by the climate and pitch conditions of this country. Under a new leadership, India seams to have turned over a new leaf, winning matches it would have drawn or lost in an era gone by.

New Zealand possess one of the world’s finest spinners in Daniel Vettori, but it will be their faster bowlers who will look to trouble the Indian batsmen with assistance from the heavy weather.

Player to watch out for: Rahul Dravid, without a shadow of a doubt, has been on a patchy run ever since India’s tour of the West Indies in late 2006. The Wall’s unusually inconsistent form has been a huge cause for worry, but a return to a country which saw him score a hundred in each inning for the first time in his career may amend that.

The swinging conditions of NZ is one that has always brought out the best in Dravid, and I hope it also brings back that rich vein of form we are all used to from the man!

Sri Lanka’s Tour of Pakistan, 2 Tests:

Pakistan had the better of Sri Lanka last time the southern nation toured up north, but expect the series to be tightly contested this time around. Ajanta Mendis and Muthiah Muralitharan going up against Pakistan’s fragile batting order, and Pakistan’s famed fast bowlers, Md. Asif and Umar Gul taking on the likes of Sangakkara and Jayewardene should make for fascinating viewing. The length of the series is a bit disappointing though.

Player to watch out for: Ajanta Mendis should be having a field day on the dry wickets of Pakistan. The fact that the Pakistani batsmen have hardly had any real match practice should also work in the man’s favour. Another rich haul for ‘The Freak’ is predicted!

Australia’s Tour of South Africa:

The Proteas on home soil this time around. Australia steam rolled their way to victory last time around. Stuart Clark who made his debut in SA will be looking to make a comeback and add that extra edge that his team so, so badly needs!

Indeed, a pace attack including Johnson, Shaun Tait, the newly unearthed Peter Siddle and Clark sounds really intimidating, reminiscent of the West Indies’ pace battery of the 80’s.

Facing them will be a side with pretty good balance. World class pacers in Ntini and Steyn, world class all rounders in Morne Morkel and Jaques Kallis, and world class batting line-up including Smith, Amla, De Villiers and Duminy!

Paul Harris probably the one weak link, but even the left arm spinner seemed threatening on Oz wickets. Interesting times indeed…

Player to watch out for: Tough one, this. So many stars in either side, but I would have to go for a mysterious Mr. X. Who is it? Whoever opens for the Oz’s in the place of Matty Hayden, if not Haydos himself!

The IPL, Part-II:

Probably the most anticipated cricketing event, easily overtaking the cricket World Cup, the second edition promises to be even more spectacular, what with English players getting ready to make an appearance. The ongoing transfer window might prove to spice things up as the likes of Shoaib Akhtar, Kevin Pietersen, and Andrew Flintoff get linked with various teams, ala the English Premier League.

Player to watch out for: Lalit Modi. Okay, he’s not “technically” a player, but with the entire fiscal crisis going around, it will all be up to this man to retain the sponsors, and keep everyone happy.

The World Cup T20, England:

Probably the second most anticipated cricketing event, just slightly behind the IPL. The first edition was eye opening, but that also means, the event in England would face a more demanding crowd to please. On the other hand, the country will also pay host to wilier teams! Happy watching!

Country to watch out for: Defending champions India will face the likes of South Africa, Australia, West Indies, and Sri Lanka, as M.S. Dhoni returns to the tournament that gave him his first taste of success.

And finally…

The Ashes:

Ah, it’s back. Back in England. Injury to Glenn McGrath proved to be a deciding factor last time around, as England won their first Ashes series since the 80’s, but how much damage has the Pietersen-Moores row done to England’s chances, we shall know after their encounter with the West Indies.