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T20 IS DANGEROUS

Brian Lara has said that the rapidly increasing popularity of T20 cricket is not dangerous for test cricket.

Lara was talking to the reporters after the opening ceremony of Bangladesh Premier League. Lara is the ambassador of that league.

When asked if the increasing popularity of T20s is affecting the test cricket adversely, Lara said, “No, I don’t think so. I know people like watching T20s more than test matches, but, it doesn’t mean that test matches will not survive.”

“Many people still like watching test matches. In 2011, when India had visited England, the stadiums were completely filled in all the four test matches. Also, during the Ashes series in 2010-11, the stadiums were jam packed.”

“I think if we have to draw people towards the stadium to watch test matches, we need to prepare result oriented pitches. The pitches that were used in the recently played test series between West Indies and Bangladesh are not going to pull the crowd in. They were just dead pitches.”

When asked if the technique of a batsman gets affected if he plays too many T20 matches, Lara said, “It’s also a wrong perception. You look at batsmen like Chris Gayle, David Warner and Virender Sehwag. They play a lot of T20 cricket, but, they are very good test match players as well.”

“Somebody like Chris Gayle can easily score 200 runs in one day in the test matches and that is what the spectators come to watch. They want to see aggressive cricket even in test matches.”

When asked about the performance of the West Indies team on the Bangladesh tour towards the end of last year, Lara said, “They did a fine job in test matches. To win both the test matches on those flat decks was really incredible. But, they should have done better in the ODIs.”

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PANESAR LEFT OUT

Monty Panesar has not been included in the England XI for the first test match against India at Ahmedabad and many former cricketers are questioning this decision of the England team management.

The England captain and coach thought that the Motera pitch was going to be helpful for the seam bowlers, but, the pitch has turned out to be a square turner. The ball has been turning from the very first day and the only spinner that England went with, Graeme Swann, took five wickets in the first innings. The Indian spinners are also getting the same kind of purchase from the pitch and they took eight wickets together in England’s first innings.

The former Indian captain, Sourav Ganguly, said, “I am very surprised that Monty has not been included in the XI. The pitch was looking completely dry and anyone could tell that it was going to assist the spin bowlers. Monty is a quality spin bowler and you got to give him a playing chance on these kinds of pitches. It’s absolutely bizarre that he has been kept out.”

“Tim Bresnan is a decent bowler, but, I don’t think he is going to create too many troubles for the Indian batsmen on these pitches. And, you look at the speed with which he has bowled in the first innings. He was bowling in the mid 120s. If he is going to bowl like this, there is no point including him in the XI.

Another former Indian captain, Ravi Shastri, agreed to what Ganguly said. Shastri said, “I completely agree with Sourav on this topic. Monty’s presence was necessary. His presence would have helped Swann as well. If Monty had played, Pressure would have applied from both the ends which might have resulted in a few more wickets.”

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GREAT START

The England Cricket Team made a great start in the second test match against India at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, but, couldn’t quite capitalize on that start and let India bounce back in the match.

The wicket at the Wankhede Stadium was a rank turner and it was expected to turn right from the first day. Alastair Cook lost the toss again and England had to bowl first again.

There were a couple of changes in the England team. Ian Bell had flown back home. So, on his place, Jonny Bairstow was included in the XI. The second replacement was an obvious one. Considering the nature of the wicket, England had to play with two spinners and that’s what they did. Tim Bresnan made way for the left arm orthodox spinner Monty Panesar.

England was off to a brilliant start. There was some swing in the air in the first hour and Anderson made good use of it. He bowled a perfect in swinger to the left handed Gautam Gambhir and trapped him in front of the leg stump. The first wicket was down when the score was only four and India was under a bit of pressure.

Sehwag and Pujara played a few shots and took India past 50. But, when the score was 52, Sehwag tried to play Panesar through the leg side, but, he was beaten in the air and was clean bowled.

Sachin Tendulkar was knocked over by a beauty from Panesar. Kohli looked good during his brief stay at the crease, but, he didn’t manage to keep a drive along the ground and was caught in the covers off the bowling of Panesar.

Yuvraj was beaten by a marginally spinning delivery from Swann and got clean bowled. India was in a spot of bother at 119 for 5, but, Pujara along with the skipper MS Dhoni provided the steadiness to the innings. These two added 50 runs for the sixth wicket. Dhoni became the fourth player to be dismissed by Panesar as he edged one to Swann at Gully.

R Ashwin came to bat no. 8 and he looked pretty comfortable at the crease. He added 97 runs with Pujara for the seventh wicket and the partnership is still unbeaten.

At the end of the first day’s play, the score of India was 266 runs for the loss of 6 wickets. Pujara and Ashwin were not out on 114 and 60 respectively.