Like reverse swing, cricket 2008 has seen some late swings!
The year 2008 witnessed the cricketing monarchs Australia routed at home by the Proteas who finally dropped the monkey of their back. But it doesn’t happen in a day, before Proteas, Indians have left the monkey to scare hell out of the Aussies in January 2008 at Sydney; it was the same monkey [Monkey Gate controversy] which has fuelled the rise of Indian test cricket in 2008.
Indian and England team
All these happenings on the test arena has set the route of a bigger competition in the classic five day version of the game in the coming years; but the future of five day cricket looks worrisome with the advent of T20 at the end of 2007. Now IPL (Indian Premier League) has brought the change in the way we have looked towards cricket [50 Overs or 5 day game without result]. As a sport, cricket has created a new dimension; IPL’s success story is an example of cricket’s ever changing shape.
If Tendulkar has surpassed Brian Lara to set a new record in test cricket, Brendon McCullum blitzkrieg in IPL made cricket more exciting in 2008.
Here at Octansports we have compiled cricket’s eight memorable moments of the year.
Monkey Gate Scandal:
Harbhajan Singh and Symonds at Sydney Test
An incident which has blackened the white shirt of the Gentleman’s game, for which Symonds and Harbhajan Singh can not ever be forgiven. Many believed that second test at Sydney has questioned the character and game ethics of cricket. The confrontation occurred during the second test of Border-Gavaskar trophy when Harbhajan racially abused Symonds, who later said that Harbhajan called him ‘Monkey’. It became more controversial after Harbhajan Singh’s reprieve.
IPL:
Brendon McCullum sending shiver down spines with his blitzkrieg
After the success of T20 World Championship 2007, Lalit Modi conceptualized ‘Indian Premier League (IPL)-a replica of English Premier League (EPL) with utmost success. It began with the blitzkrieg of Brendon McCullum, as the tournament progressed everyone witnessed an entertaining and exhilarating exhibition of modern day cricket. For many reasons IPL [first edition] will be remembered. It has thrown some gutsy batsman-ship as well as courageous bowling performances. If McCullum’s century was a watershed in batting, Sohail Tanveer’s figures of 4-0-14-6 have become an avalanche to climb in the shortest version of the game. Between all the pomp and show Englishmen decided not to be a part of it. Reason too much cricket!
Winner-takes-it-all:
“I will make you an offer which you can not refuse” the famous dialogue from ‘Godfather’ could aptly describe England’s refusal to participate in IPL [Indian Premier League] rather than too much cricket. And why not a three hour extravaganza pays you $20 million if you win!
West Indians with the Stanford Trophy
Allen Stanford, American billionaire has put a prize of $100 million to fund his five-year Stanford super series. It was Englishmen’s bad luck that they lost to West Indies-all-star side and got nothing out of it, but out to embarrassment by their wives whom Stanford lapped- wife of England’s player!!
Tendulkar Surpasses Brian Lara:
Sachin Tendulkar after Surpassing Lara's record
Records are set to be broken; In case of Sachin Tendulkar every record of cricket looks dwarf- forget his own height, his greatness knows no barrier, and he keeps on surpassing every hurdle without a blink. Tendulkar showed it in the second test against Australia at Mohali. The diminutive right hand batsman reached to the towering heights when he surpassed Brian Charles Lara’s record of most test runs (11,953). Today Tendulkar holds most of the cricketing records of test cricket: most test hundreds (41), One Day runs (16,422) with 42 centuries on his name.
Decline of the Monarchs:
Mitchel Johnson- a lone battle ahead
When the year 2008 began no one has ever thought that monarchs of test cricket Australia will be reduced to an average test team; now they are made to fight for every run or made to wait for batsmen’s to make mistakes for wickets. An invincible side within a year turned into beatable team on any given day. The year has seen Australians re-shuffling their line-up again and again for a combination which can either redeem their reputation or prevent anymore decline. Re-shuffling of 26 players in the playing eleven in 2008 is just an example of Aussies disgruntle.
Anil Kumble and Sourav Ganguly bid Adieu:
Anil Kumble waving to the crowd at Kotla
It was hurting to see India’s two great test players bidding adieu in a series. Top leggie Anil Kumble and middle order batsman Sourav Ganguly call it a day in the Border-Gavaskar series. While formers’ decision was surprising, later took the call after continuous pressure from the selectors.
India Wins at Home
India currently ranked second in test cricket
Indians have continued their chariot ride since their surprising win at 2007 T20 World Cup. Their 2-1 loss in the controversial series in Australia didn’t hamper the success; it was subdued in M.S. Dhoni’s leadership when they won the VB series 2-0. At home they had beaten Australia and England. Currently they are the second ranked side in the test cricket which is the biggest achievement since they entered the test scene in 1932.
3rd Test- England Vs South Africa Edgbaston:
Graeme Smith at Edgbaston
For a batsman nothing holds better in his memories than his not-out hundred, which took his team to victory. It becomes more prominent in his career, when he finishes the draught of winning the series. South African captain and opener Graeme Smith did it against England at Edgbaston in the third test. The Proteas haven’t won a test series in England since their re-entry in the cricketing arena. It wasn’t all and all a test match with goods only for Proteas, but the test also saved Paul Collingwood who was under the knife for not performing- sometimes good players stand-up when everyone fails. Later in the evening after his innings Collingwood said, “Today was very special,” he said. “Everything went my way, and it was certainly a day I’ll never forget.”
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