Onto today's IPL match Royals v Daredevils.

Caught the back end of this. RR's 141 for 6, was made to look puny when Sehwag smashed 75, including the fastest 50 so far.

They were 60 for 0 at the 6 over mark.

John Emberey and Clive Lloyd provided the wise words in the studio.

Warne looking sylphlike, was RR's best bowler. Tait bowled at rocket pace, 90/95mph and was a touch unlucky, at one point, smashing a huge lump off A.B.de Villiers bat, jamming down on a yorker.

After Sehwag's blast though, it was game over, 17 balls in hand at the death.


Emburey was asked for his tip for the title,his vote went to Deccan Chargers, KKR outsiders.

Lloyd went for Delhi Daredevils.

From the matches I have seen so far, Delhi and Kolkuta look the strongest.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 16/03/2010 18:32 by Seaxe_Man.

John Emburey and Graham Hick were the studio analysts today and very insightful they were.

KingsXI Punjab posted a tasty 203. Embers/Hicky thought that would be enough.

However, Jack Kallis with 89no and Utappa with 51 set up an 8 wk win.

In the first knock, Bopara, with a second 50 took the Orange Cap briefly. JK's innings though took the match and the Orange Cap for RCB.

Eoin Morgan was not required this time.

Both Graham Smith and Dimi Mascarenhas have had to return home from Rajasthan due to injury.

This info is posted on Shane Warne's Twitter site.

Eden Gardens Kolkata Knight Riders v Chenhai Super Kings.

Had'nt seen CSK before. Was impressed with their display here. It what was in the end a onesided game.

M.S.Dhoni captained and batted his side to a 55 run victory, posting 164 off their 20.

The average score at EG for T.20 is apparently 139 but CSK after a slowish start, conserved wickets and scored an awesome amount from overs 17 - 20.

KKR lost wickets regularly on a bowler friendly wicket. Ace would probably reckon he got the ball of the night, which moved late for Dhoni to take the flying edge.

Kemp and Murali kept the pressure on the Riders.

For the losers, Bond and Kartik bowled well but on this occasion, the batters did'nt come up to scratch. 109ao.

Both Emburey and Hick who tipped KKR, were mightily impressed with CSK on the night.

Embers complimenting both Murali and Kartik, but adding, Kartik was IHHO an excellent cricketer but not afraid to voice a contrary opinion, and may find the shorter Somerset boundaries a prob.

I'm clearly missing out on a veritable smörgåsbord of talent and entertainment through my ludicrous habit of working during the day.

Might catch the odd few minutes of this at the weekend, as indeed I did last week.

Only one match 2day. Mumbai Indians v Delhi Daredevils. Match 9.

First time I have seen Mumbai.

Studio wise words provided by two Brownhats, Graham Thorpe and Alex Stewart.

Mumbai finished on 218 for 7 after being put in. Fastest 200 in IPL to date.

Our 'nearly man' Tendulkar cracked a rapid 63.

Dirk Nannnes nearly poleaxed Pollard with a 90mph beamer. Fortunately, he ducked and it missed. Dirk was profuse with his apologies.

The Daredevils have set themselves one helluva chase. Sehwag has it all to do.

More later.....

Unsurprisingly, the 219 target at 11 an over proved too much for the Daredevils, whose insertion of Mumbai backfired bigtime. Once Sehwag and Dilshan departed, the game was up.

The top three of the IPL go into the Champions League and with the standard of batting, fielding and bowling in this form of cricket being very high in the IPL, will pose huge probs for whichever counties get to meet them.

I was impressed with Mumbai. The two West Indians Bravo and Pollard jetted in from the Zimbabwe series, straight in, and did a job. Pollard getting the MOM award.

The IPL rules contain a couple of 'Strategic Timeouts' for either side to regroup and of course, fire a few adverts.

The leading runscorer, presently Jack Kallis, holds the 'Orange Cap'. Presume there is one for the leading wicket-taker, but as yet dunno what that is called.

The exposure on ITV4 will hopefully drum up interest for The Middle's 20/20 season and the rest as well.

I have to agree with Graham Thorpe. The grounding/exposure too big games and big crowds that young Indian players are getting in the IPL: will stand them in good stead and provide India with some likele lads for their 20/20WC squad.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 17/03/2010 17:53 by Seaxe_Man.

Re: New IPL franchises plus odds and ends. Posted by: Vic Demain (IP Logged)
Date: 14 March, 2010 18:36


Should have stuck with the cricket S_M.

Well it panned out alright on Thurs night Vic: so I will take the 4-1 win over Juve as adequate compensation.

Saw a bit of bit of Thurs match Royal Challengers Bangalore v Rajasthan Royals.

RCB won toss and fielded. Mark Ravin Ramprakash and Clive Lloyd were the studio analysts.

When I left RR were 85 for 7 after a Kumar hat-trick.

The studio guests opined that there were too many dot balls in the RR innings, generally diffident batting. The bowling was testing mind, with Steyn cranking up to 90mph on a pitch with pace and carry.

The Royals along with Punjab are now struggling with no wins for either to date.

In 2day's matches Thorpe and Hick were studio guests. First up were Delhi v Chenhai.

Delhi thx to 74 from Northants signing Sehwag posted 185 for 6.

Chenhai chased that down 190 for 5, with an over to spare, thx to Matthew Hayden with his 'Mongoose Bat' cracking 93.

The mongoose bat has a long handle, short blade. Alleged to have 30% more in the sweet area. Hayden seemed out to prove the point.

In the second game. KingsXIPunjab v Deccan Chargers at Cuttack.

Deccan made 171 for 6, Andrew Symonds 50odd and MOM. Punjab on a slow wicket, slumped to 85 for 7, Yuvraj Singh 4, Bopara 38, before Irfan Pathan 60 in 29 balls, breathed belated life to the innimgs, which closed at 165, 7 runs short.

Gilly looked to be in good nick, considering he has not played too much cricket recently.

Good win S_M but surprised you didn't post on the failure of the Gatting Way lights Thursday night.

This Tuesday sees the grand opening to the general public of the Uxb lido, having already been open to Hillingdon residents for the past month as a trial. The Mayor will conduct the ceremony, which is disappointing as HRH opened the adjoining running stadium. All the great and good have been invited, needless to say, I shall be at work.
Always used to say "I wouldn't walk to the end of our road to a pool", well now I can and still won't.

One of your Uxb guys was excited at the prospect Vic, when I looked through a hole in the gate, during the building of the lido, abaht 3 years ago.

Could'nt wait to get in the deep end said he.

No I missed the failed Gatting Way lights Vic. Hoarse and still am from Juve game.

Onto the IPL highlights. Modi is to announce the two new franchises today. SJW may still be involved.

Sat Ahmedabad. Rajasthahn v Kolkata. Here RR suscessfully defended 168 for 7 with tight bowling and fielding to get off the mark.

Shane and Shilpa looked pretty happy. Warne being MOM.

KKR finished on 134 for 5 despite a couple of sixes from Owais when the game was up. They needed 37 with 6 balls remaining.

Irani and Solanki questioned the pace of the KKR innings but you have to give some credit to RR's bowling and backup fielding on a slow pitch. Ace finished on 17no.


Mumbai: Indians vs Bangalore Challengers. Mumbai won toss and batted. Tendulkar looked in fine fettle until the 11th over when MI progressed from 71 for 2 to 76 for 6, losing 4 wickets in five balls.(Kumar 3 plus runout)

Give it some 'humpty' says Danny Morrison. The next ball travelled over the 75 yard boundary for a DLF maximum.

Boucher still looks an excellent keeper on this evidence.

A 50 run stand then ensued until the 18th over, when the lightening quick Dale Steyn took 3 wickets.

RCB fielded well, but MI got 16 off the last over to get up to 151 for 9. Zaheer Khan 23no. Wkts Steyn 3, Kumar 3.

Jack Kallis holder of the Orange Cap, made the chase look easy, finishing on 66no and yet to be dismissed.

He also chipped in bowlingwise and took MOM. He received a little bit of help from Eoin (9no) crossing the line in a 7 wicket win.

Both of these sides look top 3 material.

The two new IPL franchises went for a combined £465mill. One at Pune and the other in Kochi.

MCC were connected to the Pune consortium before withdrawing.

Sundays matches produced wins for Punjab and Deccan. Punjab required a superover to beat Chenhai. This gets them off the mark.

In 2days game: Mumbai v Kolkata. KKR got 155-3 which never looked enough. Gale 75 and Owais a cameo 31 from 24 balls.

Our 'nearly man' 10dulkar, knocked off 71no for MI and a comfortable win to go top.

That man could have sure done a job for us.

Ace was wired for sound and said the wicket suited the slower bowlers which was correct.

He has retained his place despite the arrival of Gale.

Captain Ganguly took a fantastic catch but had too many dot balls in his knock.

In a losing cause Kartik bowled well though he dropped a caught and bowled chance from the 'little genius'.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 22/03/2010 20:17 by Seaxe_Man.

Just one game 2day in Bangalore, where the local Challengers took on Chenhai. Middlesex interest: Eion Morgan.

The leading bowler's cap colour was discovered today, it being purple. Current holder Muttiah Murilitharan.

RCB posted a daunting 171 though that did'nt seem likely with 4 overs left, when Robbie Uthappa cracked 68no and lifted the score from 130 odd.

Eoin missed out in the slog, being bowled through the gate for 1. His contribution being as a sound fielder in the deep taking one routine catch.

The still impressive wicketkeeper batsman Mark Boucher partnered Uthappa at the end.

I find it hard to believe that a saffers lobby, wants Bouch replaced. He kept wicket to both pace and spin excellently.

Bichel remarked how the groundsman, prob prompted by coach Ray Jennings had produced a saffers type wicket with pace and carry.

In the chase, once Hayden with the mongoose was run out backing up, the tight RCB bowling and fielding proved too much. Steyn was 90mph+.

So at 135 - 7 they fell 36 runs short. Kumble captained the side well, and returned figures of 4-0-15-1. Not bad for a 39 year old.

Surrey could be calling.

Taking a leaf out of Middlesx's book, it was announced today that the IPL is also now a contributor to the Breast Cancer Charity.

In yesterday's bottom of the table match. Rajasthan Royals managed to defend their 183 for 5 after Punjab reached 88 for 2 off 7 overs.

Warne then tweaked the bowling and brought about a dramatic collapse.

Today there were wins for Delhi and Mumbai. Tendulkar scored a match winning 72.

Eoin Morgan was runout for 17 for RCB, not checking the ball's whereabouts in relation to the fielder, when taking the second run.

A resurgent Rajasthan Royals team shattered champs Deccan Chargers today by 8 wkts.

Scores DC 148 for 9 RR 151 for 2.

Gilly was out for 1, a rare failure and the ex ICL player Yusef Pathan hammered 73no, 8 sixes, to give RR a third win in a row and move up to third.

Unsurprisingly, Pathan is now elevated to the Indian 20/20 squad.

Warne took 1 for 15 and Shaun Tait with his 90mph rockets 3 for 23.

Revealed to day that the IPL is now richer than the EPL with regard to player contracts.

List is:

1. NBA (USA) Top payers Dallas Mavericks £68,343 per week
2. IPL (India) Top payers Royal Bangalore £57,833 pw
3. MLB (USA) Top payers NYC Yankees £89,897
4. EPL (England) Top payers Chelsea £68,946
5. NFL (USA) Top payers Dallas Cowboys £32,404.

The average league wage places them in the order above.

Source: sportingintelligence.com

But how are the IPL doing when it comes to camera work?

Viewers in the UK certainly missed the shot that resulted in Adam Voges' wicket as ITV cut away from the coverage as they were unwilling to show an Indian advert, so I'm not sure whether it was the fault of ITV or the host broadcaster.

I don't know whether people viewing in other countries saw the shot.

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Click here to read why I sensationally sacrificed the big bucks of Chelsea for the adventure of Watford

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(image on left not representative of how relative my support of Watford is to my support of Middlesex)

Agree JW: camera work not always great: but in the 'personality era', the producer likes looking at VIP's in the crowd or as in football, the managers, while play continues, or maybe a quick shufti at Alan Shearer.

Sat ( in Hull) Mohali. KKR 183 for 5 KingsXI Punjab 144 for 6. Beehappy's man Tiwary did well with 75no for KKR.

Sun: Ahmedabad: Shane Warne's team continued their winning streak, defeating Chenhai by 17 runs. Rajasthan moved up to 3rd. RR 177 for 8 CSK 160 for 6.

Mumbai Mumbai Indians 172 for 7. Deccan 131. Saw a bit of this game. Harbajan Singh turned the game on its head with 49no off 18 balls and then took 3 wickets.

Gilly was out second ball for 0 ct at slip. Tendulkar said afterwards that he brought the spinner on first over, as he was aware that Gilly likes pace on the ball.

Monday game: KKR are playing: Ace to feature? and Shaggy is a studio guest, so, a bit of Middle interest.

Delhi Monday. Delhi v Kolkuta. Jim Rosenthal in the chair. Studio guests Stewy and Shaggy.

Shah was replaced by D.Hussey for the KKR. He appears to be in competition with Hussey and Matthews for the 4th o/s spot. Probably glad he missed out today.

A ruggedly powerful innings by the pocket rocket David Warner of 107no, assisted by Colly 53, which set up a record IPL 4th wk partnership of 128, pretty well did for KKR on a slow wk with a total of 177 for 4.

Commentators were D.Cork, Ravi Shastri,Jeremy Coney and Bish.

Warner as the studio guests implied, is top notch at this form of the game. Cuts, pulls and drives like a good un. Does'nt play too much behind the wicket.

In stature and style not unlike Phil Hughes, though maybe a bit more compact.

At anyrate with skipper Ganguly failing to fire, Chris Gayle out for 30, Hussey for 29, KKR folded to 137 for 9.

DD a win by 40 runs and move to fourth place.

There was an odd moment. Kartik thought he pouched Warner on 96 but the third umpire had him recalled as the ball had been grassed as Kartik grasped it.

Echoes of the Hampshire bloke's alleged catch of Joyce which I am pretty sure the slo mo would have confirmed as the same.

Hussey caught Colly remarkably, knocking the ball up on the rope and then leaping back onfield to take the catch.

Simon Hughes in the chair tomorrow. Should be interesting.

Wed 30th March Brabourne Stadium Mumbai MI v KXIP.

KingsXI welcomed back Shaun Marsh and Brett Lee back from injury. Marsh made a good contribution of 57 before being yorked by Malinga the Slinger in a total of 163ao, which was better than it looked at one time.

Lee had a less satifying return, conceding 10 in his first over and finishing the match for Mumbai Indians in the last over, with 4 wides with the scores level.

As a top v bottom clash it was quite gripping as both sides rose and subsided throughout. Malinga took 4 for 22 and Zaheer 3 for 34.

Tendulkar had a rare failure in MI's eventual 164 for 6. Yuvraj was out for 2, and since not joining The Middle, his form has slumped. Disappointed I guess.

One has to feel sorry for the lovely and enthusiastic lady who is part owner of Punjab. Her emotions go up and down with her team which is mostly down as they are now firmly at the foot of the table.

Yesterday's match saw KKR v Deccan at Eden Gardens att 90,000.

Ganguly won toss and batted, alleged spin factor. Mark Pougatch, presenter, did an ok job. Stewy lone studio guest.

Ganguly at last came to the party crashing 88 in the KKR total of 181 for 5.

This despite 50 from Herschelle Gibbs proved too many for DC who totalled 157 for 5.

2day's match Mohali KingsXIPunjab v Royal Challengers Bangalore.

This match epitimises why Punjab are bottom. They lack confidence and this showed in the fielding and catching.

They did post a fair 181 for 5 but were unable to defend it due to poor outcricket.

Mark Pougatch in the chair, Butcher and Hughes as guests.

Our nearly man Yuvraj Singh posted a cameo 36 off 20 balls for KXP. A fielder's footie skills were likened to Stoke's, which brought no reply from Cork.

The match turned decisively RCB's way in the 17th over bowled by Brett Lee which went for 25, and included dropping 2 catches (one KP) and 5 wides.

End of....RCB cantered home from there.

Eoin Morgan like Shah was on the bench and with Ross Taylor now arrived, difficult to see him returning...but then unlike Ace...he is off to the Caribbean.