By Sreelata S. Yellamrazu

The match went through different periods and each revealed an aspect of India’s cricketing woes in recent times. Some problems appeared chronic, others typical and yet unsuspecting. Yet in the midst of the last opportunity to get into some sort of rhythm and momentum going into the World Cup promises to test India and push the team to truly rise, if win be on their mind.

By Sreelata S. Yellamrazu

The first match in Kolkata was rained out. But the match in Rajkot could not hide India’s flaws. The day after that brought little surprises in terms of the names that made up the final fifteen in the squad to the World Cup. But has Sri Lanka opened wounds and can India stage a dignified comeback?

By Sreelata S. Yellamrazu

After the rather seemingly emphatic victory in the first Test, India went back to its old ways as South Africa staged a brilliant comeback despite weather and unpredictable time schedules to pull the advantage right back home. It appeared all seemed even as the teams head to Newlands, Cape Town for the third and final Test. That all changed with one look at the pitch.

By Sreelata S. Yellamrazu

India was in an envious position, going into the second Test in Durban with a 1-0 lead. It was the hosts that were feeling the heat. Graeme Smith was the most favourite head to roll if the South African media was anything to go by. The onus lay on South Africa to make amends. But the onus rested equally on the Indians to come good and live up to the expectations and thwart history in capturing a series victory. But five days in Durban failed to show India was capable of taking the next inspired step on the ladder to success.

By Sreelata S. Yellamrazu

This was definitely not the way India had planned to go into the Test series against South Africa. Even before the first ball has been bowled in the first Test, India are starting the series on a serious handicap. The Indian team has conceded a heavy psychological advantage and boosted the confidence of the hosts in taking on the luxuriant batting line up of the Indian team which has looked nothing short of paltry in the one day internationals. That apart, the Indian team has had to deal with tremendous pressure and tensions back home in the wake of their rather pathetic performance. It put off the Indian fans, public and even parliamentary officials who left no stone unturned in venting their ire at the state of affairs.

By Sreelata S. Yellamrazu

Victories like these don’t come everyday. And for one player to make such a tremendous impact with such consistency is an unbelievable feat. Yet Paul Collingwood managed to save the ship from drowning. Better still, it allowed England to touch shores of dignified success.

By Sreelata S. Yellamrazu

The match in Goa set up the game nicely for the final of the four match series against Sri Lanka. To top it, India won the match after losing the previous match from a winning position. And would the match in Vishakhapatnam see India in top and raring to go in time for the World Cup?

By Sreelata S. Yellamrazu

England had lost the Ashes. Even pride seemed too little to save. So it seemed in the manner in which they batted out the remainder of the fifth and final Test in Sydney. Sydney looked more like a farewell parade rather than the final Test of the series. Perhaps in keeping with the theme, England did not want to spoil Australia’s party, gifting them a 5-0 whitewash, the first for the Ashes in eighty-five years.

By Sreelata S. Yellamrazu

It was a strange feeling, watching the Indians drown each other in beverage in exhilaration while the England team would have little recourse other than to drown their sorrows in drink. While the Ashes firmly closed its doors yet again on England, the victory for team India in Johannesburg against South Africa opened up the doors for a fascinating series.

By Sreelata S. Yellamrazu

What an interesting couple of Tests have marked the Ashes edition of 2006-’07! If the first Test at the ‘Gabba in Brisbane was about Australia proving it was not beyond its prime to compete at a superior level as demanded that of a champion side, the second Test at the Adelaide Oval was about England putting their best foot forward and trying not to stumble on their own success.