Will it be my dream series?

This time its a much composed team compared to last year's 5-0. Far more composed men with equal mix of young and experience. Australia have all the rights and reasons to win this ashes and I would like to put the "Goddamn five to nothing mate" pic of Aussie team in my Facebook cover DP.

Why Australia has to win this?

More than a rivalry war, it is a long time missing target for Australia to win a series in England. the last 3 teams travelled to England had returned back with defeats since 2005. There must be a milestone for that, though Clarke's army doesn't play for milestones, If I have to say it in Michael's voice, "Happy with the win, but it's never enough"! That's in the blood of Aussies, they keep their fight further and further, attacking the opponent with full swing of power. That's how this "Never say die" spirit came to them and, well, to me too.
No matter your openers fail, middle order fade, there will always be a fight be carried on from the tail enders. There is a hidden power to the yellow army, that is, their batting line up is deep till number eleven!

One more reason for a win is to prove the world that we are world champions not by default nor by the fortune, but by our talent. As always happen, this time also the english media have started their sledging job by questioning the talent of Steve Smith, the number one batsmen of the world! I'm pretty sure Smithy won't take that serious, rather he would reply with his bat.

And the ever aggressive David Warner had changed a lot and stopped his misbehaving attitudes on and around the ground, a welcoming change. I always thought of Aussies playing with the spirit, because even if they play without sledging, they will definitely win. So, I'm looking forward to see the silent and calm Warner to show his aggressiveness only with the bat and cover fielding stunts, as how the whole world would like to enjoy with him if he do that, as how everyone loves Brendon.

And as how the English media stated the Aussie team, "Daddy's Army", there is a point to prove that this ashes for the retiring legends of Australia and prove that the selection of them upon the younger guys correct. This series is for Hadds, Mitch, Clarkey, Rogers, Watto and for Ryano especially. The guy who fought for his team even with his entire career he was having pain when bowling those 148kph stunners. Ryan Harris should get a proper retirement reward by this ashes win.

I have some wishes, for what it means world to me. If I see Pup and Watto partner up in the middle and destroy the Englishmen all over the park, at least in one match, that would be my day! I would like to see them playing together probably for the last time with tears filled in my eyes...

And I like to see Warner and Smithy go places in this series, wanna see them gun big tons to obtain their form.

I want Starcy and Mitchy to reap the stumps of the pommies at every possible gap they got.

If these all happens, I'll be happy to spend my rest of the days in this earth, thinking about these memories.

All the best for Ashes Team Australia! let the flag fly higher and higher!!!

Let's do this for Ryano and for our little brother Hughes.


Cheers!

Cricket's historical day!

Fastest fifty and fastest century!

The humble and gentle AB Devilliers! The best batsman of the world. 

South Africa, always the best team, my second favorites in cricket!

True leader, True friend...

This is the first time I've cried for a cricketer. As captain and as a good friend, stated as Phil's "Big brother", Michael Clarke did a fantastic job in delivering a speech which covers all the aspects of the people who mourn for Hughesy.

Stay strong and play with confident in coming years Clarky, you have to do this for Phil, your "little brother". All the best Team Australia, May the spirit of Hughes be with Australian Team and may you guys keep going places for him.

Michael Clarke's full Speech :

I'm deeply honoured to have been asked by Phillip's family to speak today. I am humbled to be in the presence of you, his family, his friends and his community. He was so proud of Macksville and it is easy to see why today.


Taken from the game, his family and loved ones at the age of just 25, he left a mark on our game that needs no embellishment. I don't know about you, but I keep looking for him. I know it is crazy but I expect any minute to take a call from him or to see his face pop around the corner. Is this what we call the spirit? If so, then his spirit is still with me. And I hope it never leaves.


I walked to the middle of the SCG on Thursday night, those same blades of grass beneath my feet where he and I and so many of his mates here today have built partnerships, taken chances and lived out the dreams we paint in our heads as boys.


The same stands where the crowds rose to their feet to cheer him on and that same fence he sent the ball to time and time again. And it is now forever the place where he fell. I stood there at the wicket, I knelt down and touched the grass, I swear he was with me. Picking me up off my feet to check if I was okay. Telling me we just needed to dig in and get through to tea. Telling me off for that loose shot I played. Chatting about what movie we might watch that night. And then passing on a useless fact about cows.


I could see him swagger back to the other end, grin at the bowler, and call me through for a run with such a booming voice, a bloke in the car park would hear it. The heart of a man who lived his life for this wonderful game we play, and whose soul enriched not just our sport, but all of our lives.


Is this what indigenous Australians believe about a person's spirit being connected with the land upon which they walk? If so, I know they are right about the SCG.


His spirit has touched it and it will forever be a sacred ground for me. I can feel his presence there and I can see how he has touched so many people around the world. The tributes to him from cricket lovers kept me going.


The photos, the words, the prayers and the sense of communion in this loss from people across the globe have shown me his spirit is in action. It has sustained me and overwhelmed me in equal measure. And the love of my band of baggy green and gold brothers and sisters have held me upright when I thought I could not proceed.


His spirit has brought us closer together - something I know must be him at work because it is so consistent with how he played and lived. He always wanted to bring people together and he always wanted to celebrate his love for the game and its people.


Is this what we call the spirit of cricket? From the little girl in Karachi holding a candlelight tribute to masters of the game like Tendulkar, Warne and Lara, showing their grief to the world, the spirit of cricket binds us all together. We feel it in the thrill of a cover drive. Or the taking of a screamer at gully, whether by a 12-year-old boy in Worcester or by Brendon McCullum in Dubai. It is in the brilliant hundred or five-wicket haul, just as significant to the players in a Western Suburbs club game as it is in a Test match.


The bonds that lead to cricketers from around the world putting their bats out, that saw people who didn't even know Phillip lay flowers at the gates of Lord's, and that brought every cricketing nation on earth to make its own heartfelt tribute.


The bonds that saw players old and new rush to his bedside. From wherever they heard the news to say their prayers and farewells. This is what makes our game the greatest game in the world. Phillip's spirit, which is now part of our game forever, will act as a custodian of the sport we all love.


We must listen to it. We must cherish it. We must learn from it. We must dig in and get through to tea. And we must play on.




So rest in peace my little brother. I'll see you out in the middle.

Fare the well Champ! The man the community loved back!

Rest in Peace Philip Joel Hughes! you will be remaining in our life as 63* :'( #408 forever

You are the Champion of Macksville, and a beloved famous son of Macksville and Australia!

Rest in peace Phil!

It was a shocker to hear about the sudden end to Hugsey's life. I was heartbroken when my manager told about it in middle of our critical meeting. Nothing else was going into my mind ever since I heard this! Damn! Why God? A 25 year old young kid has to exit from this world in such painful way?

My thoughts and prayers are with Phil's family and friends. David Warner and haddin were severely affected by his loss. Saw David spending the whole time since Hughes got hit in the ground till now with him. Stay strong warnie, this is what humankind is. Earning people shows the importance of one's loss.

Also, it wasn't your fault Sean Abott. It was merely an accident and you are not responsible for this. Stay strong man.

I'm not gonna watch cricket for somedays. 

We miss you Hugsey! May your soul rest in peace...

Steven Smith the future!

In recent times of Australian Cricket history, they couldn't find the proper replacement for Punter at one down position, as he was exceptionally driving that place with steady runs.

After Ponting's retirement, there were so-many options and initially it was working fine with Watto. But due to his injury concerns, he couldn't be the replacement for that spot for long time. In times it was occupied by Clarke, Mc Hussey, Hughes, Marsh, etc. But nothing clicked, yet so far.

But with the last 2 ODI performances (including today's) added to the Pakistan series in UAE, I tend to feel it will be SPD Smith!

Smithy has an Asian type of batting technique and Australian type of thinking power; which allows him to play according to the situation anywhere in the world, doesn't matter whether that's in Asia or Australia.

moreover, he applies the street cricket techniques when the opponent team tries with all the field setup against to him, so that they will be clueless where he's gonna hit the ball!

As world's best batsman currently, A B Devilliers stated, "Smithy will be a nightmare for the other team's captains", and said rightly so...

Australia finally found the best replacement to Punter, and probably for Clarke too, if he is not gonna make it for WC2015. 

Here's a soul from Srilanka wishing you good luck Smithy! Way to go!!!

Regaining world number 1!

It was a yellow day yesterday in Abu dhabi!

Who would have thought of a pakistan collapse in the final overs.
Maxwell couldn't do anything wrong when he was bowling the last over, just 2 runs to defencd, and pakistan 8 down.

Bowl number 1 : A dot. O
Bowl number 1 : A wkt. W
Bowl number 1 : A dot. O
Bowl number 1 : A dot. O
Bowl number 1 : A dot. O
Bowl number 1 : Wicket. W

So All together : OWOOOW!!!! Oh Wow :)

That was the best bowling figures in terms of last over while chasing, Hats off to Maxi!!!

Every single player from Aussie's dent had contributed for the win, they bowled beautifully, didn't ever let Pakistan move past from them.

All 6 bowlers were used handy by Bailey, He was just amazing in the field, setting good bowling changes and fielding set up.

when Aussies started with the bat, it was again smithy to do the rescue mission, and with the help of warnie, he achieved it.

We got a better number 3 in Smith, All bowlers backing their best to control the arena, what else you want!

it will only produce you to go high in places,
The series is 3-0, a complete whitewash!
and yet again, Aussies are the world number 1s in rankings, even without Pup and Watto!

Glory Glory Australia!
Never Say Die!!!

~Aussie Fan Anojan

Yellow is our colour, win is our mantra!

Aussies came to UAE as underdogs; finished up as winners of only t20, series winners of ODIs. Only test is remaining for a clean sweep.

Pakistan were the real underdogs without their clique trio hafees, ajmal and junaid.

Thanks to maxwell for a timely knock, he was not in his usual skin, this was the first time he was hitting a 50 with a strike rate of 60s.

Aussies are ready for the crown 2015. Are you ready my fellow fans. 

Never say die!

~Aussie fan Anojan

Payback is given! Properly.... ;)

They were 2 times champions of IPL; they were the champions of champions league 2010; they were the heartbeat of every chennaites and yellow bleeding guys all over the world;

But, but, there were some unfinished businesses: they lost to KKR in finals on 2013, they were defeated by Kings XI 3 times this year. The one unfinished business was successfully completed 2days before, as how I explained in the last blog post here

So today, the match started with evenly poised predictions; in Twitter the ratings were read as 52-48, favouring KKR. 

KKR was batting first, in one position of the game 200 was reachable for them. 

But pavan Negi bowled very well. To the surprise of all, the man who thinks different, Dhoni, brought in the spinner at the penultimate over; and to delight his captain's thought, he made it count and went for just 2 runs with 3 wickets! 

They scored 180 runs, which is just a little more than average in chinnaswamy stadium Bangalore.

Then started the CSK innings. As usual, smith was off to a brisky start and ended up to a slow Yorker of Aussie young quick, Pat cummins! Thereafter, until the end of the match, CSK was more composed to the chase. 

It was that man Raina! My favourite! He was dealing in sixes mostly, gave no respect to piyush chawla, didn't treat him as a bowler at all, hit him for 2 sixes in his first over. It was a treat to watch his stroke play and the movement of his legs. He handled the pressure and KKR's bowlers very well and finally went on to make his century!!!! That too as unbeaten!

Suresh was supported nicely by Brendon Maccullum, and in death overs by dhoni, who promoted himself to 2 down. 

Almost all the KKR bowlers hit everywhere. If you are a CSK fan, it was all so easy with those 8 sixes from Raina and those 2 helicopters from Dhoni! 

And finally it was so clear that KKR came all the way to finals just because of Sunil Narine! Otherwise they are not at all near to even Kings XI. 

So it's a beautiful Saturday night for me then, where the payback is given so nicely! The message for every haters of CSK, don't mess up with us! We comeback strong and strong. We have consistent players, we got a good captain in Dhoni with best players like Raina, Baz, Duplesis, Jaddu, Smith, etc

Nowadays the paybacks getting delivered soon as possible, yeah? ;)

Cheers!

~CSKian Anojan.

CSK back again!

It was a match between arch rivals, a rivalry war for them, for the world it is a semi final of champions league.

After putting up a defending 182 on board with the help of Dwayne Bravo's onslaught, CSK started with Ashish Nehra against Virendar Sehwag and Vohra. 

When they started building a score, there was a mighty marvelous catch from point region by Brendon macullum to remove Sehwag! What a catch that was, that's the trouble other teams have when a team has two wicket keepers; they do field as how they keeping behind the stumps! And when you have world class fielders, who are ready to fly for every bowl towards them, what else a bowler needs? That's what happened with CSK bowlers, since their fieldsmen supported them to make their bad bowls into dots, they started delivering good lengths.
That was the first effort on field by Baz, later, twice Faf duplesis dropped catches, which are very much hard to take, Continued by a tremendous catch by him! 

Both Nehra and Mohit kept their lines streight and took 2 wickets each, with nehra took maxwell for a duck.

Then, as usual, Dhoni's golden touch worked once again with Pawan Negi, taking 2 wickets in his first over. Then came the chennai localide, Ashwin, taking 2 wickets in the same over, that of bailey and perera!

It was all happening for Chennai with beautiful bowling and hard and tight fielding. They had tightened their grip on Kings XI and by the time I'm typing this, its reading 91/9 with late assault from Raina, taking 2 wickets. 

What else you need, reserve your tickets for finals and keep calm and support CSK, the real kings, forever! The payback is given to Kings XI, scores read as 3-1 now, will be raised to 3-3 next IPL :D.

One more reason to be happy for, now that both Kings XI and Hurricanes are out of the tournament, all Aussie guys can fly to UAE for T20s against Pakistan and show the angry there 😀

~CSKian Anojan 

Pup and Watto!!!

If the topic is Aussie Cricket, the first two names appears in my mind is "Shane Watson and Michael Clarke". 

Currently both of them are injured and yet to be fit for the upcoming UAE tour against Pakistan. Pup's hamstring injury is a major one, which he is struggling for about 2 years continuously. There should be a proper final treatment for him and the fact about him is, in the 100 tests he had played, only once he was dropped out, that too was because of family issues. Unlike Pup, Watto's trouble is a minor one, a small stretch in his toe. Since it happened in the nets before they flew to Zimbabwe, watto had to sit back in country. There are 100% of chances for him to be part of the playing eleven in UAE. 

Recently the young Australians were shining in matches in absence of this two. The two 80plus scores along with a hat trick of sixes against dale Steyn made Mitchell marsh to be included in the test side. Steve smith and Alex Doolan are the other 2 to watch for in place of Clarke. Of course smithy was playing alongside Clarke but now if captain pop couldn't make it to the XI, then the big part of him should be played by him. There is still question whether to select Doolan or Hughes, in my point of view they both are equally talented, Doolan should be given with some chances compare to the lives given to Hughes already. 

It is too early to compare the youngsters with these two, always they have the upper hand in the current team, they still have the fuel in them. 

Whatever happens, if my favourite heroes getting elected into the team, it will be treat to watch. I'm still believing to see those classy fours through point and elegant pulls to long on from captain super cool, 

and those brutal sixes and smashing cricket shots from the ever talented watto! 

Hope! Never say die...

~Aussie fan "Shanan"

Du plesis.... Fabulous

Today's match had proven who is Faf duplesis! The super strong forarm player; stood like a wall in one side when the wickets were fallen; played a gem of an innings when the team really wanted; solid defends; power cracker sixes; bullet fast boundaries; this all tells how composed this South African is. He is living in the form of his life as I said in the earlier post. 3 centuries in 4 matches for him.

Any South African player is a gift for cricket, they play the spirit of cricket, next to Aussies, they are the favourites of mine. 

Now in this triangular series, they meet Aussies in finals! A lively match is on cards guys, get ready to watch finch and maxi grinds up Steyn and co.

Happy day of cricket for me!

Yes it was! The young Aussie team had registered a much needed win against saffers right after they were defeated by a minnow Zimbabwe team.

When Aussies lost to Zimbabwe, people started making critics about this team. But George bailey's men proved those all were wrong. 

The best part of the match was when the young Mitchell marsh took on dale Steyn deliveries! Man, he was electrified. This is the first time the world number one got hit consecutive 3 sixes in an over. 

And the best thing was, all three Mitch guys played so well, one with the bat and all three with the bowl! 

Alrighty, we are headed up to finals, hope to see saffers again and clinch the trophy.

Not to forget, Faf du plesis is in the form of his life, that hit wicket was a sad end.

Never say die! Aussies all the way!!!

~ long live men in yellow!

Good and bad day in terms of cricket

The cricket day just begun by 1.30pm, when arch rivals but thick friends off the field, Australia and South Africa had started the ODI.

Nothing much to say than explaining why I'm feeling good and bad. 

Always the bad side first, so the bad news is, my favourites, Aussies lost the game even after they posted a huge 327 on board. 

The good news is....

Centuries from Finch, Raina, ABD and Faf!!!

Of course the last photo isn't from the live match! :) 

Champions - yet again!

For nearly 3 years, a team was in its bad time to the depth. They were facing all kind of miseries: on the field, off the field, in media, family problems, etc.

They were the champions for nearly 2 decades in cricket history. They have produced legends to this game of cricket. They were unbeatable and there were times even their squad in the bench can beat any international cricket playing XI!

Suddenly, as it happens in movies, as it happens to all in their lives, there came a major blow, as almost all of the players were retiring from cricket. Some were by force and some made way to the youngsters. The best part was, they all retired at their form were in peak!

Yes I'm talking about Australian cricket team.

The only seniors Aussies were having after 2009 were Ricky and Hussey. And they both announced their retirement; former on November 2012 and later on December 2012. Later, Australia's performances were widely talked and commented in all the Medias, as it will be the end of era for their capitalization in cricket for 20 years.

After the series win against Srilanka on December 2012, Aussies did not taste any victories until November 2013. They ended up in a draw with SA, another drawn series with NZ, which came after decades, and worse than these, they lost series of India and England in away.

The pain when you were at peak and fell off will be worse than any other wound you get. In that way, when Aussies got the things wrong, it was them even a cricket IL literal’s topic was.

Some individuals showed up their talents even when they were losing, but it was not coming as a whole from the team. But things suddenly started changing with the sacking of Micky Arthur and the announcement of new coach Darren Lehman.

The team introduced for the ongoing ashes is not different from the one which lost to England as 3-0. But what Clarke and Lehman did was, encouraging the patrol and giving them another chance to show up. Pup was confident of his mates, believed in their self-confident, and that made the story happened.

Rogers, Harris and Bailey and even some other guys in the playing XI are of the last years of cricket of their career. But still they found the fuel left in them and fired, to show the rivals England how capable they are to regain the ashes.

It’s the entire “Never say die” attitude which won them ashes.

There are few rises of the underdogs witnessed.

Davey Warner, with his T20 style aggressive batting and the off ground attitudes, he was almost not in the list for expecting 2 centuries and 2 fifties so far! He found the real Hayden in him, made a perfect opener role for tests. Way to go lad.

Secondly, Steve smith, with lots of pros and cons on his expectations of being the next captain of Aussies, he again showed up himself with the bat. He really battled well in the 3^rd test with a fine ton, his pull shots were lovely to watch. He is really matured enough and he is for sure not the kid smith anymore.

Then, cameo of Mitch Johnson. with his bowling and batting. He almost threatened Englishmen with his mustache and chin music bowling! He regularly touched 150kmph and hit the pitch hard with full hearted effort! Very aggressive with the bowling, and sometimes, verbally too (sledging guys ;) ).

The other bowlers, Siddle and Harris, gave Mitch the perfect support and hit the bowl in the right areas to give England no mercy. Nathan Lyon, was in his high form, far more better than his counterpart, Swann.

Not to forget, the captain, Michael Clarke, was performing as the real Michael we want. With that superb century in Adelaide, he led the way of aggressiveness. No doubt about it, Aussies are the only team that play aggressive cricket in tests and they love it! So do we, not?

So it’s the time back as we feel champions! It was a phoenix effort. They dogged down into low level, they had the time of transform, they fought hard to get back their glory, and finally they got it with a bang!

That is what a real Aussie is about, fight hard and party hard!