Friday, December 24, 2010

sachin 50th test fifty srikanth speech

Sachin Tendulkar's 50th Test hundred was among the best knocks in his career, according to chairman of selectors Kris Srikkanth.

“I was there when he made his hundred at Perth (114, February 1992), and I think this innings was as good as that,” he said. “The conditions at Perth were more difficult, with the ball flying around off the cracks, but this innings was equally great, the way he handled the situation, with India facing a deficit of more than 480.”

Srikkanth was speaking here on Monday while launching two new business ventures.

The former India skipper said that the toss had played a crucial role in India's defeat at Centurion. “I think it was 90 per cent because of the toss,” he said. “I'm not making excuses, but they were unlucky to bat in those damp conditions on day one. I was proud of the way they batted in the second innings. Looking at that, you can't say that they cannot play fast bowling on bouncy wickets.”

Positive

Srikkanth remained positive about India's series chances. “There are still two Tests to go, and I'm sure they'll at least level the series if not win it 2-1.”

He also said that Zaheer Khan could have made a big difference had he been fit to play, and added that India could have benefited from practice matches before the first Test.

Earlier, Srikkanth introduced two new e-learning initiatives, cricketstrokes.com – an online cricket coaching portal – and edustrokes.com – a portal seeking to teach schoolchildren maths and science concepts through sporting analogies.

“India speaks one common language, and that's the language of cricket,” he said, introducing the venture.

“My idea is to help students gain an easy grasp of concepts by giving them examples from cricket and other sports.

“For example, if someone wants to understand friction better, I'll talk about Wimbledon and the French Open – how serves will zip around on the grass courts but grip and come slower off the clay courts, because they have more friction.”

Edustrokes will consist of three programmes, for three age-group gradations between standard four and ten, he said.

Each programme will have over 30 modules in maths and science, with an interactive element, including live and archived classes (by Srikkanth and a panel of trained teachers) and the option for students to mail in any doubts they want clarified.

Cricketstrokes, meanwhile, will serve young cricketers with around 30 modules covering skills training, handled by Srikkanth and a group of NCA-certified coaches, and fitness drills, taught by Ramji Srinivasan, the Indian team's fitness trainer.

Zaheer's return is good news to indian cricketers


DURBAN: Indian coach Gary Kirsten said the team would receive a boost with Zaheer Khan's return, but would need to prove again its ability to take 20 Test wickets.

“Obviously it's a big boost to the side, he's a quality fast-bowler,” said Kirsten. “But the bottom line is that we need to take 20 wickets. We've shown the ability over the last three years in all conditions. It's up to us to prove it to everybody and ourselves again.”

Asked about the Kingsmead pitch, Kirsten said, “I've only looked at it from the dressing room, but it's a similar colour to the outfield isn't it? Let's see how it comes out.”

Need to apply

With the conditions likely to favour the bowlers, what could India do differently if it were to bat first again? “We let ourselves down in the first Test. We were a 100 runs short. We have to apply ourselves, assess the situation, and see what we can get out of it as a batting unit,” said Kirsten.

“The players are very determined and really motivated. We are well prepared,” he added.

No comment on Raina

Kirsten refused to comment on whether Suresh Raina, under pressure to retain his spot, would play the second Test.

Raina was one of four players who chose not to attend the optional ‘nets', India's first practice session after its two-day break. Captain M.S. Dhoni, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh were the others not present.

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