Cricket

Written by Maverick White for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!

Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians | Saturday 06 April | Chennai | 16:30

This season’s IPL started off explosively with a trip down memory lane. The first delivery to Unmukt Chand (the man I had tipped to top score) was a Brett Lee masterclass, moving viciously away off a length to rattle the middle and off stumps. It was exactly the type of delivery that struck fear into the hearts of opening batsmen around the world when Lee was in his heyday. That’s what this tournament is all about, a mingling of the cricket community, young and old, in stormy, frenetic competition. No surprises as Kolkata disposed of Delhi, but a nail-biter saw high-spending Mumbai edged out against Bangalore. This weekend, the Indians seek revenge against the tournament juggernauts.

Written by Maverick White for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Daredevils | Wednesday 03 April | Kolkata | 16:30

And so it begins. The world’s premier T20 competition has arrived, with internationals and Indians alike gearing up for what is sure to be a long and gruelling campaign. The Kolkata Knight Riders, defending champions, take on the tournament’s perennial underachievers, the Delhi Daredevils, in the first match of the competition and with both sides carrying international injuries, neither will field a side they had planned on prior to the tournament. Home form is still a question surrounding Kolkata and they will need to rectify this if they are to follow the lead of the Chennai Super Kings and secure back-to-back titles.

As another season of the IPL rolls around, one would be forgiven for questioning why one might take interest in yet another showy round of 20-over fantastical cricket. When the IPL shows up, it’s almost as though your eccentrically alcoholic Uncle Rhubarb has come over to stay for a few days, a few days being weeks and his brash, uncouth and loud nature eventually leads you to avoid him. However, much like your drunk uncle, the IPL is not without its perks. This year already has seen an explosion of media attention regarding scandals of recreational drug use and political unrest. Sri Lankan players and officials will not feature in the Chennai leg of the competition. This to go with the continued ban of Pakistan from the IPL makes the tournament a controversial one. You really can’t make this up.

Written by Maverick White for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!

India vs Australia | Friday 22 March | Delhi | 06:00

As I expected, the Aussies have been drawn and quartered on their trip to the subcontinent. Admittedly, they haven’t made it any easier on themselves with team politics taking centre stage prior to the third test. However, a mere glance at the makeshift squad they had at their disposal, history and the series that England won in India recently tells a story. Australia do not have a strong enough squad to do well on the road, in conditions largely foreign to their own. Even Australia’s greats have struggled on the subcontinent. And the only way to win tests here, is to beat India at their own game.

Written by Maverick White for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!

New Zealand vs England | Thursday 21 March | Auckland | 23:30

This has been a test series competed between three entities. The English cricket team, the Black Caps and the all-powerful weather. One would hesitate in saying that the weather has benefited the Black Caps the most, though they weren’t in any position to win the second test. They were in the throes of quite a formidable comeback however, and can take heart from the way they have conducted themselves on home soil. They’ll be looking forward to the final test in Auckland, knowing they have played some of their best cricket there in recent times.

Written by Maverick White for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!

South Africa vs Pakistan | Thursday 21 March | Kingsmead | 10:00

Both captains left the Bull Ring pleased on Sunday following the Proteas’ victory over tourists Pakistan, despite Misbah’s side going one down in the series. Pakistan’s leader expressed happiness with the way his charges attempted to chase a mountain of a total after the world’s top two ODI batsmen both recorded centuries. AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla’s record third-wicket stand of 238 was pure limited-overs magic, yet the intrepid tourists made sure the match turned out to be a thriller. Misbah is understandably hopeful of a series comeback, but his bliss should not extend too far. Costly mistakes are the bane of a Pakistan captain’s existence and should be acknowledged accordingly.

Written by Maverick White for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!

South Africa vs Pakistan | Friday 15 March | Centurion | 14:30

A comfortable and convincing victory over Pakistan in the first ODI will reignite public admiration for the Proteas in the limited overs arena. There’s already talk of how settled they looked, how in control of the game they were and how the ‘fringe’ players in the side stepped up to the plate following doubt in their abilities at international level. That is not to say it is not admirable but in my opinion, Pakistan simply made too many mistakes. Whether the tourists have the ability to rectify these mistakes is another question entirely, one that will surely be answered at Centurion.

India vs Australia | Thursday 14 March | Mohali | 06:00

With the Australian camp in a state of disarray; beaten, broken and now divided, the Indians are only one step away from wrapping up a simple series. The Indian side is not without its own misadventures but these seem to be overshadowed by the breakdown in the Australian line-up. It seems the high expectations of the side constantly reinforced by the likes of Clarke and Arthur are a bit unrealistic with the players at their disposal and the conditions they find themselves in. Australia have only won one series in India in the last forty years, were they really expecting a resounding victory this time around? Perhaps they merely wanted to put up a better fight.

New Zealand vs England | Wednesday 13 March | Wellington | 23:30

Another poor series start for the English, but one they will take heart from considering the match situation they found themselves in. They can also thank the gods of cricket for the washed out first day of the first test, without which they may have found themselves one-down in the series. Andy Flower has taken it upon himself to rectify the trend of early series capitulation, while Alastair Cook still searches for answers. New Zealand may well be heartened by Brendon McCullum’s brave words and pride shown in his band of misfits, while also believing that they dictated the terms of the test match. The truth is that the weather dictated the terms and once the English has been suitably embarrassed in their first innings, responded with a consummate display. The draw has set up a tantalising second test.

South Africa vs Pakistan | Sunday 10 March | Bloemfontein | 10:00

Well, it’s clear that the Proteas need a lot of work when it comes to the T20 format. Many reasons, some bordering on excuses, have been thrown around but the fact of the matter is that those who follow the game would’ve seen it coming. South Africa’s T20 cricket has looked dismal for a while now, masked by a high win percentage in one World Cup. Look, I’m not the biggest advocate of the format or its success and if you read anything I write, you’ll know that by now. However, when your country is thoroughly beaten on home soil and has the appearance of veritable rabbits in the T20 game, it’s bound to get your back up. Pride knows little bounds. And it is exactly this which the Proteas will be fighting for in what is certain to be a close ODI series.

New Zealand vs England | Wednesday 06 March | Dunedin | 23:30

England sealed the limited overs portions of the tour despite encountering resistance and now enter what would previously be considered their favoured format. England’s test form has dwindled somewhat over the past year but saw a resurgence against India on the subcontinent. They strike me as a more dangerous limited overs unit these days but still cannot be underestimated in the test arena, following a successful integration of new blood. New Zealand will recognise the hint of an opportunity for upset following the victory for the New Zealand XI against the England XI, the one opportunity the English had to shake the rust from their test-hardened players who did not feature in the T20s and ODIs.

South Africa vs Pakistan | Friday 01 March | Kingsmead | 18:00

The Proteas are the undisputed champions in the test arena, but now enter a format in which they have been notoriously indifferent. Inconsistency and poor game-planning has seen up-and-down results in T20 internationals over recent years, culminating in a disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup. Pakistan made the semi-finals of that competition, losing out to Sri Lanka, and sit sixth in the ICC rankings, one spot and ranking point below the Proteas. However, it seems to me that Pakistan have been the more consistent side of late and have also been a source of South African misery in the competition between the world’s best. This one is going to be tough to call.

India vs Australia | Friday 20 February | Chennai | 06:00

Australia face a daunting task as they travel to the subcontinent to face an Indian side seeking revenge against the West. England’s unprecedented test series victory will have heaped significant scrutiny upon the Indians by their ruthless media and certain changes in their squad signal this intent. The Australians come against the inevitable subcontinent spin challenge and do it with an unstable squad on unstable bodies. Michael Clarke has voiced his concerns of this being his toughest leadership challenge yet. Unless the Australians spinners can replicate the exploits of Swann and Panesar for England, I tend to agree with him.

South Africa vs Pakistan | Friday 22 February | Centurion | 10:30

This test may be a dead rubber, but there is still an important historical aspect to consider. I’m not one who peruses Sport24 articles with regularity for reasons I’d rather not mention here, but I did stumble across one yesterday that caught my attention. It explained how the great Australian test side of the 1990s and 2000s would often lose dead rubber tests. Actually, frighteningly often for a side who dominated the era with such conviction. Whitewashes became as common as an Aussie with impeccable table manners. Would it not be benchmark of comparison for this great Proteas side, potentially beginning an era of dominance, the ability to win fixtures of little overall importance? It would show a ruthless streak required for ranking dominance, akin to the iconic West Indian side of old.

New Zealand vs England | Wednesday 20 February | Napier | 03:00

Well, you can’t say I didn’t warn you. New Zealand seem as though they’ve been on a quest to empty my pockets in recent weeks, pulling off upset upon upset. Perhaps I just don’t see the potential in their ranks, perhaps it is me to blame for short-sightedness in this regard. Following their victory over the English in the first ODI, captain Brendon McCullum has spoken of New Zealand’s “fighting spirit” and it being important to “keep fighting and scrapping like this.” It underlines my previous point last week about the Black Caps having the psychological edge when they feel they have already been written off in the fixture. They revel in their status as underdogs. But how long can “fighting and scrapping” overcome superior ability? In essence, that’s what we’re here to find out.

New Zealand vs England | Sunday 17 February | Hamilton | 03:00

I spoke last time about the consistently inconsistent. I’ve had a tough stint writing about New Zealand of late. In the ODI series against South Africa I suggested betting against them, perilously. I expected England to dominate the T20 series, which they did, with the exception of the second encounter, where I had suggested punting on the English win. The beginning of this ODI series is a daunting prospect for a tipster. The English tick all the boxes and the Black Caps still seem hopeless, but it is the psychological certainty within the New Zealand camp that they’re the underdogs, that this unpredictable side seems to thrive on. Well, here goes…

South Africa vs Pakistan | Thursday 14 February | Newlands | 10:30

It may be Valentine’s Day on Thursday, but there will be no lost love between these two sides. The Proteas dished out a resounding win in the first test, continuing their fantastic form in the test arena and leaving little doubt in their dominance at the top of the rankings. It’s not only the team who tops the test rankings now, they cover all of the top spots in the individual categories as well. Pakistan will need to find ways to survive against the South African pace barrage. This is becoming a prospect that is difficult to envision for any side, let alone a team more used to the slower wickets of the subcontinent.

Australia vs West Indies | Wednesday 13 February | Brisbane | 10:35

The Australians exacted a whitewash in the ODI series, taking it 5-0 with style in what can only be described as a toothless West Indian display. The lack of fight within the West Indian camp was evident throughout and the series also highlighted the huge role that Chris Gayle has to play. Despite promising performances from certain players in the top order, the success of Gayle is paramount. However, the Windies now see a return to their favoured format of T20 cricket, for a one-off encounter in Brisbane.

New Zealand vs England | Tuesday 12 February | Hamilton | 08:00

The Black Caps are in for a scrap in their own backyard. The English are in New Zealand with a point to prove, which they did with emphatic ease in Auckland on Saturday. It was a 40-run win for the English, coupled with a record-breaking total, and their confidence will be high as they enter the second encounter of the three-match series. The Black Caps, after their ODI series victory in South Africa, would’ve been looking for a better performance in the shorter format, especially with the return of the talismanic Ross Taylor. Yet again, it’s back to the drawing board for New Zealand, and one wonders if there can be any prolonged hope for the consistently inconsistent.

Australia vs West Indies | Wednesday 06 February | Canberra | 05:20

The flexible West Indian backbone has been on display once again in the opening games of the ODI series at the WACA. The first ODI was one the West Indians would rather forget and if you’d found yourself taking a brief nap at the start, you may well have missed the match completely. The second ODI saw Australia in a state of collapse, only to rally and plunder in the final overs and push their total beyond early comprehension. Mitchell Starc has been a thorn in the West Indian top order’s side and unless they find a way to halt his five wicket hauls, more of the same can be expected in Canberra.

Australia vs West Indies | Friday 01 February | Perth | 05:20

In what will be the first real test of West Indian limited overs mettle since their victorious T20 World Cup campaign, the men from the Caribbean travel Down Under to face the Aussies in five one-dayers and a solitary T20. The first two of these fixtures will be held in Perth, at the WACA, and with both sides suffering key injuries it could be quite interesting. The Windies are finally beginning to look more of a side that can challenge at limited overs level, with competent game-changers littered throughout their squad. As in the past, it will likely be consistency that plagues the West Indies. Let’s see what we can make of the first encounter.

South Africa vs Pakistan | Friday 01 February – Tuesday 05 February | Wanderers | 10:30

It’s understandable to be a little jumpy. With the Proteas only barely escaping a whitewash in their recent ODI series with New Zealand, the after-effects resonates in a quiet panic among the cricketing public. The sneaking suspicion that lingers among the greater South African fans who follow the sport is that they’ve seen it all before. The Proteas grasped the number one ranking for a measly three months back in 2009. The ranking system was only implemented in 2003, but if worked back against ICC records, the South Africans would’ve held the ranking four times since readmission. For five months in 1999, one month in March 2000 and another month in August 2001. So, one more month at the pinnacle of test cricket would be their longest time at the top of the game since readmission. However, the task of Pakistan now looms larger than their spearhead’s 7ft 1in frame. They’re here to put up a fight.

India vs England | Sunday 27 January | Dharamsala | 05:30

The series started promisingly for the English, recording a rare victory in a recent history of failure in the limited overs format on Indian soil. It definitely sparked interest, following their test series victory, in a potential one-day swoop but the natural balance of things were restored as India took the next three fixtures at a canter. It will be a bitter pill to swallow for England’s tenacious captain Alastair Cook, but all is not lost. A victory here will go a long way for the collective English confidence ahead of a gruelling calendar year and a tough series in New Zealand lying in wait. The question is, do they have enough to topple the Indian machine?

Australia vs Sri Lanka | Saturday 26 January | Sydney | 10:35

Sri Lanka’s long tour of Australia finally culminates in a quick bout of T20 matches, the first of which will take place in Sydney on Saturday. The hosts managed to square up the one-day series after falling behind 2-1 going into the final game. Despite media antagonism in Australia, especially surrounding selection, the Aussies seem to be able to click when the time is right with almost any squad; an inherently Australian trait. Time to predict the unpredictable.

South Africa vs New Zealand | Tuesday 22 January | Kimberley | 14:30

Nothing in this business is ever certain. No matter how much time and energy is expended in poring over stats and and watching clearly one-sided contests, the upset always lingers. My assumption was that New Zealand’s (or rather Martin Guptill’s) T20 victory was about as good as it would get for the Black Caps. However, you can never factor in individual performances that require not only guts and determination, but luck. That evil lady is always lurking, ready to to scupper one side to benevolently benefit another. However, where she gives she takes, and I would say that New Zealand’s luck has just about run out.

South Africa vs New Zealand | Saturday 19 January | Paarl | 10:00

If the test series between these two sides revealed one thing, it’s the obvious gulf between the Proteas and mediocrity. World number one ranking aside, the sheer dominance of the South Africans in all areas of the test series brings to mind the ruthless Australians of the late 90s and early 2000s, relentless in attack and mighty in single-mindedness. The Proteas, once they have a grip on the game are almost impossible to beat. However, this is a different format, one in which the Black Caps are more proficient. Not many sides in the world can go five days against the South Africans. Fifty overs however, is a whole new ball game.

Australia vs Sri Lanka | Friday 18 January | Brisbane | 05:20

Despite their victory in the first ODI spoiling my outside tip on Sri Lanka, I’d had a feeling the Aussies would slip up in the opening two fixtures with a depleted side. Circumstances had not conspired to make it so, it was by Mickey Arthur and his team of sports scientists’ choice to rest key players. Or perhaps it is a necessity, forced by a schedule that is relentless and unforgiving. Irrespective, the series is now all-square at 1-1 and a buoyed Sri Lanka have tasted victory in their favoured format. The third ODI takes place in Brisbane, and promises to be a fiery contest.

India vs England | Tuesday 15 January | Kochi | 08:30

After years of embarrassment in the one-day arena on the subcontinent, the English exacted a hard-fought victory against the Indians to go 1-0 up in the series. English captain Alastair Cook is a man determined, in the same manner as he conducted himself in England’s historic test series victory last month. The more the odds are stacked against the prolific opener, the harder he struggles against them. India may be in a state of disarray but are still formidable when the plan comes together. This proves to be another fascinating encounter, so let’s take a look at the nitty-gritty.

South Africa vs New Zealand | Friday 11 January – Tuesday 15 January | Port Elizabeth | 10:30

I’d love to try to weave a tale of a clash of titans, two giants of the arena straining in an almighty effort to overcome the other in a battle of brains and brawn. I’d love to try to stress the importance of the fixture for both sides, weighing their relative ambitions against a worthy opponent and straining my faculties to find a winner. Alas, this one seems signed, sealed and delivered before the first ball is bowled. The number one test side in the world, proven around the globe against the best will face up against a Black Caps side struggling to string together two decent sessions. The verdict is set in stone…however there is still hope for the punter.

India vs England | Friday 11 January | Rajkot | 08:30

The way the cricket calendar is organised nowadays never ceases to amaze me. A hard-fought test series between these two sides saw the English side etch their names into history with a series win, followed by two rushed T20s for which I struggle to see any necessity. Nevertheless, the English were then bundled home for Christmas while India hosted visiting Pakistan for three heated one-dayers, only to be returned a couple of weeks later to compete in five ODIs. It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me but we’re looking for a punt, so read on and take my words with you to the bookie.

Australia vs Sri Lanka | Friday 11 January | MCG | 05:20

Following a thorough and comprehensive dismantling of the Sri Lankans in the three-match test series, Australia now set their sights on five one-dayers and an ominous start to 2013. The Sri Lankans are bruised and broken but also find themselves back to competing in their favoured format, and will have fond memories of the triangular series they were involved in here just under a year ago. The ODI series promises to be a much closer contest and with a ragtag Australian squad named, the Sri Lankans will fancy their chances for an upset or two.

South Africa vs New Zealand | Wednesday 02 January – Sunday 06 January | Newlands | 10:30 

As the Proteas begin 2013 in defence of a successful 2012, the similarities between opposition, ambition and timing become all the more apparent. In only March of this year/last year (depending on your time of reading), the Proteas travelled to New Zealand in Gary Kirsten’s first away tour as coach, the number one ranking within their grasp if they could exact a whitewash. It was not to be, but allowed them the opportunity to attempt to lay a foundation to mount a challenge of the number one test ranking in England. The subsequent after-effects, if they were to achieve this, would amount to a unit capable of defending the glorious title in the perils of Australia. One success after another was the result and now they face New Zealand, again at the beginning of a test calendar year. But this time, Gary Kirsten’s cunning plan has changed its complexion.

When a side ascends to the lofty heights of the number one test team in the world, questions are asked. The mental query on the tip of everybody’s tongue after the Proteas’ historic series victory in Australia boils down to one thing: Is this the beginning of an era? Cricket has seen many great sides throughout its history and occasionally, these teams come to define a generation of the game. The West Indian side of the 1970s and 80s is the best representation of this, not losing a single series between 1980 and 1995. This was followed by the era of the Australians, who through the 90s and early 21st century were unbeaten in all Ashes series and won three World Cups. These are only two examples from a long history but will the 2010s, and possibly onward, be South Africa’s time to shine?

India vs England | Friday 23 November | Mumbai | 06:30

England’s woeful test calendar season continues and if losing the number one ranking wasn’t enough, they’ve now been thoroughly embarrassed  on the subcontinent. India will go into this encounter buoyed at the thought that they were in control of the first test from ball one, and it was only two partnerships – Cook and Compton; Cook and Prior – that would’ve slightly irritated the Indian attack. Can we expect more of the same in Mumbai? You bet we can.

Australia vs South Africa | Friday 09 November | Brisbane Cricket Ground | 02:00

The Proteas begin their defence of the number one ranking in test cricket, and it doesn’t get bigger, or indeed tougher, than this. They travel to perennial rivals Australia for a set of three tests Down Under and despite shaky preparation in the Australian camp, are in for a dogfight. Australia haven’t played any test cricket since April, but their record preceding that is mighty impressive. The South Africans are riding a wave of success in this format of the game, first and foremost built on six years without a series loss on the road. Few cricket fans would have forgotten South Africa’s heroics in Australia’s backyard four years ago, much less the drama and intrigue of the 90s and early 2000s. Expect an absolutely fascinating and terrifying five day emotional roller-coaster, beginning on Friday.

Sydney Sixers vs Nashua Titans | Friday 26 October | Centurion | 17:30

We now find ourselves at the business end of the Champions League T20 tournament, where one mistake can cause a costly exit. The Sydney Sixers have been far and wide the team of the tournament so far and are yet to drop a game, while the Titans have banded together after the loss of several players and make up the other half of the South African semi-final pairing. Playing at home, the Titans will know that their shot for the CLT20 title has never been closer within their grasp. Only the Warriors in South Africa have made it further in this tournament, losing the 2010 final. With that in mind, let’s have a look at who will likely proceed to the final at the Wanderers.

Super Kings vs Lions | Tuesday 16 October | Newlands | 17:30

Nothing seems to have gone my way so far in the Champions League T20. Both the South African sides turned in superb performances to oust their counterparts, seeming to prove that home ground advantage really is all it’s cracked up to be. Gibbs got a good start for the Scorchers but failed to kick on and Rohit Sharma was bettered only by the ungainly bat of Mitchell Johnson, striding to the crease at number four for the Mumbai Indians. So a few losing bets later and where do we stand? Let’s have a quick gander. 

Australia vs West Indies | Friday 5 October | Colombo | 15:30

Before this World Cup started, the West Indies were among the most feared teams in the tournament, but so far have scraped their way through to the final with one proper conventional win. Australia were looked at as punching above their weight prior to the competition but largely thanks to Shane Watson, have turned it around and look very dangerous, despite their loss to Pakistan. Both sides know they will face the hosts in the final, and Sri Lanka look hungry for victory in front of the home crowd. So who will it be? Let’s take a gander.