MCC study reveals Test cricket is losing popularity

Melbourne, Nov 17 (IANS) A study conducted by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the custodian of the game, has raised fresh doubts on the future of Test cricket.

The study revealed that only seven per cent of followers in cricket-crazy India nominate Tests as their preferred form of the game.

The poll commissioned by Lord's-based MCC covered fans in three countries where Test crowds have declined - India, South Africa and New Zealand.

On the basis of the results, MCC's World Cricket Committee have requested the administrators to give the longest form of the game the 'loving care and attention' it deserves.

'It's not as if the game is falling apart, but it has been scooped by Twenty20 and I think we would be foolish if we didn't think it was universal,' former England captain Tony Lewis, who chairs the committee, was quoted as saying by The Age.

MCC is trying to push its cause for Tests to be staged at night and the global Test championship.

The key findings were presented to the International Cricket Council (ICC) earlier this month in Dubai and both groups reaffirmed their commitment to preserving all three forms.

Taylor century defies Bangladesh

50 overs Zimbabwe 221 for 9 (Taylor 118*, Shakib 3-29, Razzak 3-43, Mahmudullah 3-65) v Bangladesh

Brendan Taylor's maiden international century bailed Zimbabwe's fragile batting from yet another embarrassing display. Bangladesh's spinners proved too crafty for most of the visitors' batsmen again, and a familiar story seemed set to play out again when Zimbabwe were 113 for 7 in the 29th over. However, Zimbabwe's lower order showed more spine than most of their specialist batsmen, supporting Taylor well to lift the target beyond 200.

Full report to follow

Toss Bangladesh chose to field against Zimbabwe

Bangladesh won the toss and chose to field in the fifth and final ODI in which they are striving for a fourth straight victory. On a Chittagong pitch that was expected to have more in it for the quick bowlers than the one on Tuesday, the home side went in with only one fast bowler - Nazmul Hossain - sticking to the combination that has worked so well for them so far in this series.

Zimbabwe are reeling from the loss of two of their senior players, Tatenda Taibu and captain Prosper Utseya, to injuries, leaving them with only 13 fit men in Bangladesh. They made the maximum possible two changes: replacing the erratic seamer Kyle Jarvis with Chris Mpofu, who gets his first game of the series, and Charles Coventry gives way to Forster Mutizwa barely months after equalling the record for highest individual score in ODIs.

Teams
Zimbabwe: Hamilton Masakadza (capt), Mark Vermeulen, Chamu Chibhabha, Brendan Taylor (wk), Forster Mutizwa, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Elton Chigumbura, Graeme Cremer, Ray Price, Malcolm Waller, Chris Mpofu

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Ashraful, Raqibul Hasan, Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Enamul Haque jnr, Naeem Islam, Abdur Razzak, Nazmul Hossain

West Indies upset England for surprise victory

West Indies Women 235 for 6 (Jack 81*, Lavine 49) beat England Women 195 (Edwards 58, Nation 3-22, Lavine 3-26) by 40 runs

Cordel Jack and Pamela Lavine delivered England a surprise defeat as West Indies cruised to a 40-run win in the first ODI in St Kitts. Jack made an unbeaten 81 in West Indies' 235 for 6 and was well supported by Lavine, who also picked up three wickets in England's chase.

The visitors battled to cover for the absence of Claire Taylor and Sarah Taylor and it was left to Charlotte Edwards to guide the chase. She top scored with 58 opening the innings and while Lydia Greenway (41) remained at the crease England had hope of a victory.

But Lavine removed Greenway and then picked up two more wickets in her next two overs to expose the England middle order, before Chedean Nation chipped away at the lower order. Nation grabbed 3 for 22 as the visitors sunk into a hole as the required run-rate ballooned to 13, and they were all out for 195 in the 48th over.

The strong West Indies performance had been set up by their top order. Lavine and Stefanie Taylor built a 75-run opening stand before Lavine and Jack continued to apply the pressure to England's bowlers.

Lavine's 49 combined with her 3 for 26 made her a contender for the Player of the Match, but that prize went to Jack. She struck ten fours and one six in her unbeaten 81, which gave West Indies a formidable total.

England's coach Mark Lane said: "I'm bitterly disappointed with the result today. We were outplayed in all three disciplines and in all honesty we just weren't good enough. We need to show plenty of character tomorrow, we're a great team so we'll dust ourselves down and I'm confident that we'll perform far better tomorrow and play at the level we know are capable of."

The teams return to Warner Park on Thursday for the second ODI before the third and final match on Saturday. Three Twenty20 internationals, also in St Kitts, follow the one-dayers.

Victory would be 'amazing effort' - Ponting

Ricky Ponting has said that if Australia could scrape through for a series victory in India it would be "an amazing effort" given the squad's horrible run with injuries. Australia will begin Thursday's ODI in Hyderabad with the seven-match series locked at 2-2 but with only 13 fit men to choose from.

"If you consider everything that's happened to us over the last couple of weeks, it would be an amazing effort if this group of players were good enough to get over the line," Ponting said in the Age. "I think we showed the other night that if we play even somewhere near our best we're a really good chance of winning the series.

"But with five or six guys - probably more than that - out of our starting XI that aren't here at the moment, we're going along nicely. And we haven't played our best. With our batting we probably left 30-40 runs out there the other night so, hopefully, that all clicks tomorrow, and if it does we know we'll be well in the contest again."

The Victoria allrounder Andrew McDonald and the New South Wales fast bowler Burt Cockley are flying in to boost the squad before the sixth ODI in Guwahati on Sunday. For Thursday's game, the selectors need to choose one of the batsman Adam Voges, the fast bowler Clint McKay or the spinner Jon Holland, and the coach Tim Nielsen said on Wednesday McKay would play "in the next couple of games, if not tomorrow".

"He's a big kid that's done well over here and he brings the ball down from a height," Nielsen said. "We'll hopefully see him get a bit of bounce in the conditions."

The Australians began the series without Michael Clarke (back), Brad Haddin (finger), Callum Ferguson (knee) and Nathan Bracken (knee). As the tour has worn on they have also lost Brett Lee (elbow), Tim Paine (finger), James Hopes (hamstring), Peter Siddle (side stiffness) and Moises Henriques (hamstring).

Australia look to defy odds again

Big Picture

Australia have no business being 2-2 in this series. Seven first-choice men out, followed by two of their replacements (Moises Henriques being the latest). Foreign conditions. Back-to-back matches, spread across the length and breadth of India, suggesting more a sightseeing tour than one of the cricketing variety. Bowlers struggling at the death. Big hitters absent. Horror of horrors, Andrew Symonds is being discussed again by the fans. Conventional wisdom suggests that cannot be a good sign for the Australian team. Look at the scoreline, though - Two wins each. Who told Australia they could compete once their players started going down one by one after the first ODI?

Two-all doesn't mean this becomes a fresh three-match series, as MS Dhoni would suggest. Australia have simply lost too many players, which has made India the favourites though the Mohali loss puts the pressure back on the hosts. They will know losing the series in home conditions against an under-strength Australia will be an embarrassment; a 4-3 result won't be much better received. All of which gives Australia added incentive to win on Thursday and take a step closer to the grand heist.

India have had their share of injury troubles, with Zaheer Khan out for the series and Gautam Gambhir missing the fourth ODI. But the selectors' retaining the existing XV for the final three games suggests Gambhir's injury is not serious, nor is Virender Sehwag's. India need a win in Hyderabad to start their march towards 5-2, anything less than which should disappoint them. By the look of things right now, there are no excuses in sight either.

Soccer Bullies Come Out To Play

Aggressive coaches, players and even parents can be referred to as bullies. But what I find funny is that most bullies would be horrified to be called a bully.

Even funnier, for most of them, it would come as a total shock.

Everyone has been exposed to some form of bullying. Bullying at home, school and even at work.

But does it exist in soccer?

Bullying is an abuse of power by someone who is stronger physically, verbally, mentally and even socially. This abuse usually targets someone younger or someone who can’t block the bully’s mind games or cruel intentions. It usually targets someone who is regarded as mentally or physically weak.

So why does bullying exist? Why do so many youth coaches find the need to use intimidation and aggression as a means of control? Why are some kids subjected to bullying within the dynamics of their team?

Do you know the answer?

The main reason coach’s bully is because they’ve been allowed to get away with it. Over a period of time it has been condoned by players and to some extent parents.

Over the years I’ve encountered two sorts of coaching bullies. The first one, an x-player of the team had a very anti-social personality. During his playing days he would bully the younger players and this continued when he was given the chance to coach. This person, I will not disclose a name for obvious reasons, enjoyed bullying and for some strange reason expected everyone else to enjoy it as well.

The other type of bully is the arrogant, “mr know it all” and egomaniac that doesn’t even realise he is doing it and has no idea that this behaviour is unacceptable. This type of coach doesn’t know how to coach and is often frightened about the stability and safety of his coaching position.

Lets use an example for demonstration.

The coach deliberately leaves Mark out of a training drill and continues to yell at Gerry in front of the entire team. These coaches know what they are doing is wrong but don’t think they will be caught. Nor do they think it’s bullying.

Soccer bullying exists but has not been properly identified. Have you experienced bullying at soccer? If so, what have you done about it?

Players will talk about it, think about it but very rarely report it or do something about it. If your coach is a bully he needs to be put back in his place.

So what happens to the victim, the bully and the teammates?

Can this situation produce a successful soccer team?

The victim feels neglected, hurt and loses confidence. The coach feels superior, powerful and in control. The teammates no longer enjoy the game because they fear the abuse and do not want to be singled out.

So how do you stop this abuse?

Believe it or not, it’s very easy.

Gather around kids and I’ll tell you a secret.

To stop a coach bullying, players must be united. They must develop a friendship and a common language that will eliminate this behaviour and its pervasive effects. As a collective group you can warn the coach that his behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

Remember this, a coach cannot coach without his team. Trust me when I tell you, the coach needs his team more than the team could ever need the coach.

The most important thing you can do as players is to acknowledge that bullying is occurring. Stick together and put a unified front.

Although times have changed dramatically since my playing days and awareness has increased, bullying isn’t going to go away. So remember to stick together like warriors and set your own rules within your gang.

Coaches are a dime a dozen, never put up with abuse!

Soccer Pre-Season: The Baptism Of Fire

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It’s 6.00 am and you’re roused from sleep with blisters and sore legs.

Have you experienced this? Do you know what I’m talking about?

Let me give you some more clues.

The heat hangs in the morning air and the day is ready to begin with the rising sun. You grab your runners and wake up your roommate along with 25 other guys. The smell of pain is in the air while the faces of your teammates paints a picture of misery.

The coach takes a head count and everyone’s here. No one has escaped and you don’t feel fully awake yet. Any ideas?

Does Pre-season Camp ring a bell?

The coach and the assistants are probably no more awake than you, but they will not feel the pain. Pre-season with the addition of heat has the ability to crush you. Chances are you’re already losing your mind and conjuring up excuses why you shouldn’t train. My blisters hurt. My hamstrings are tight or I’m feeling sick.

Sound familiar?

If it does put your hand up and keep it up. For those of you reading this with your hand down, I’m sorry but you’re lying.

Training begins and the pain sets in. You struggle through another brutal session and return back to your hotel room.

The cloak of night closes in and sends you and your fellow teammates to bed. You are sore, the legs are heavy and you wonder how you ever got so unfit during the off-season. The thought of tomorrow and the increased drills and doggies haunts you as you try and sleep.

The sun rises even stronger and the heat has accumulated from the day before. You look up at the sun and you could swear that it’s smiling down on you, laughing at the pain that awaits you.

The moans and groans increase as the coach announces the training drills and the never ending sets of “doggies”. For those of you that don’t know what a doggy is, it’s a sprinting workout which has 5 cones separated by about 5 feet. You sprint to the first one and return to the starting position. The next group begins. When they finish you begin again, but this time you run to the first cone and back and then continue to the second cone and back. Next group starts again. Before you know it, you’re repeating this drill 5 times with each set becoming longer and longer.

By the 5^th set your lungs are about to burst and your legs no longer listen to your brain. Simple running patterns become difficult and the motion of left foot before right foot becomes brain surgery as you gasp for that oxygen.

Although I paint a picture of pain, pre-season must be challenging and painful. Everyone has heard “no pain, no gain” but how many of you have really felt the pain.

Do you know the pain?

The pain when your hands are on your knees and every breath you take feels like the last breath you’ll ever take. The pain that doesn’t let you drink water because the heart is pounding so hard on your chest that you think you are going to die.

That my friends is the pain you need to embrace and hunger for. A great coach once said to me after an exhausting session that pre-season isn’t designed to hurt you or punish you.

“It’s designed to hurt and punish your opponent”.

After a solid pre-season you have the confidence, strength, fitness and the ability to crush your direct opponent. You will look at him and laugh because the pain you felt 2-3 months ago will become his nightmare.

The pain you felt 2-3 months ago will now be inflicted on your opponent as he tries to keep up with you. After the 90 minutes the only thing your opponent will remember is the number on your back and the colour of your heels.

So next time you’re bent over gasping for air, push yourself even harder and enjoy the pain. This same pain will become your ally and will never let you down.

So before you run out for your next match, look to the sun and smile back as you welcome the visitors to a baptism of fire.

“May the winds of destiny blow you to the stars”.