Match facts

Friday, November 1, 2013

Start time 1500 local (1100GMT)

Big Picture

On a day when 701 runs were scored in the India-Australia ODI in Nagpur, fans of the 50-over format were reminded of the drama of a low-scoring thriller, as South Africa nudged out Pakistan by one run in a tense game. However, if AB de Villiers has his way, it's unlikely there will be any more tight matches in the series.

De Villiers hoped the win would act as a catalyst for South Africa, creating more consistent one-day form for a team that has struggled to hit the high notes they find with ease in the longer format. "You need a win like this sometimes to turn things around," de Villiers said, while admitting he does not know why the batting line-up continues to fail. "We are not getting partnerships going; not playing well together as a batting unit. I believe we will get there."

Graeme Smith's return has added some stability but South Africa's middle order is still shaky. Technique, although something that cannot be altered overnight, in the UAE conditions and against a crafty spin attack is still being exposed even as the bowlers continue to save the team blushes.

Pakistan are in the same state. Their bowling attack is capable of putting the team in positions of advantage that their batsmen continually squander. They will have to find a way to play their former countryman Imran Tahir and keep runs flowing while the South Africa seamers are in operation.

For now, it remains a contest that resembles a bowl-off between two aggressive attacks feasting on two limp line-ups. In a game ruled by batsmen, that's not necessarily a bad thing, although both teams would prefer to score more runs.

Form guide

Pakistan LWWLW (last five completed games most recent first)
South Africa WLLWL

In the spotlight

A few Pakistan fans joked that because Shahid Afridi had a sensational showing with the ball in the first match, he could be relied on to taper off for the rest of the series. It's a theory he will want to prove wrong. Afridi did not take a single wicket against South Africa earlier this year and has not made a significant contribution with the bat since his innings of 76 against West Indies in July. He will search for some consistency as Pakistan hope to come back in the series.

Faf du Plessis has now gone 10 innings without scoring an ODI half-century and appears the most vulnerable middle-order batsman against Pakistan spinners. He has had a long rope, playing in all but two ODIs since he was selected in January 2011, but with an average of 27.19, his reputation can no longer be the main ground for his selection. Du Plessis needed a big performance in the first ODI to keep his place, but the lack of a suitable middle-order replacement means he is likely to have the rest of the series to turn his form around.

Team news

After their middle order crumbled, Pakistan may consider shuffling personnel. Asad Shafiq and uncapped Sohaib Maqsood will put pressure on Umar Amin for his place but the more pressing concerns are in the wicket-keeping department. AB de Villiers has admitted that Pakistan's tail starts with Umar Akmal, and the hosts may consider replacing Akmal with Sarfraz Ahmed. An attack that dismissed the opposition for under 200 needs little tinkering with, but Abdur Rehman is on hand should Pakistan opt for another spinner.

Pakistan (likely) 1 Nasir Jamshed, 2 Ahmed Shehzad, 3 Mohammad Hafeez, 4 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 5 Umar Amin/Asad Shafiq/Sohaib Maqsood, 6 Umar Akmal/Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 7 Shahid Afridi, 8 Sohail Tanvir, 9 Wahab Riaz, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Mohammad Irfan

Colin Ingram is leading the run charts in South Africa's domestic one-day competition but, with three ducks in his last three ODIs, his form isn't extending to the international stage. Hashim Amla is still waiting for the birth of his second child so South Africa may have no option but to bring Quinton de Kock in, although they may leave the glovework to de Villiers. Tahir's impressive showing in Sharjah is likely to keep Robin Peterson out again and Vernon Philander will also have to await his turn.

South Africa (likely) 1 Graeme Smith, 2 Quinton de Kock, 3 JP Duminy, 4 Faf du Plessis, 5 AB de Villiers (capt & wk), 6 David Miller, 7 Ryan McLaren, 8 Wayne Parnell, 9 Morne Morkel, 10 Lonwabo Tsotsobe, 11 Imran Tahir

Stats and trivia

• South Africa and Pakistan have played two five-match ODI series since 2010-11. Both series have followed exactly the same pattern where South Africa have won the first, third and deciding matches, while Pakistan have won the second and fourth.
• The one run difference between the two teams is the smallest margin of victory (in runs) this year. South Africa were also involved in two matches that ended with a one-wicket margin - both against New Zealand.
• Misbah-ul-Haq is 102 runs behind George Bailey on the list of leading ODI run-scorers in 2013. With 41 wickets, Saeed Ajmal is two wickets behind Ravindra Jadeja on the list of leading wicket-takers in ODIs this year.

Gavaskar expects Kohli to surpass Tendulkar in ODIs

At the rate Virat Kohli is scoring ODI centuries, he is likely to go past Sachin Tendulkar's record 49 hundreds, believes Sunil Gavaskar. Kohli has already scored 17 centuries in 118 matches, while Tendulkar had eight after the same number of matches.

"That is what human progress is all about. Records are meant to be broken," Gavaskar told NDTV. "While we know that some of Tendulkar's records are well nigh impossible to be able to get like 200 Test matches, nor anybody can reach 51 Test hundreds.

"But the manner in which Virat is batting, the record for 49 hundreds looks possible," he said. "Now Virat needs 32 more hundreds to go and the number of ODIs India play he can do it. This cricketing season itself, Virat can get to 20 or 22 hundreds."

Eleven of Kohli's centuries have come while chasing and he needs seven more to break another one of Tendulkar's records - that of most hundreds while chasing.

Gavaskar was also impressed with Kohli's ability to adjust his game according to the state of the match. "He reads the conditions and situations well, he knows the opposition well and that's the reason why he is scoring so consistently," he said.

"India is blessed to have somebody of the talent of Virat Kohli coming through. The fact that he has in his emerging years spent a lot of time with the likes of Sachin, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman and put that experience to good use on the field speaks very highly of this young man's cricketing intelligence. That is the key."

DISMISSING TENDULKAR: BLESSING OR CURSE?

Sachin Tendulkar has marked his guard, he has taken a glimpse at your field, he has lined you up, the crowd is behind him and you have the red leather ball in your hand. You run in hard, get through his defences and send the stumps cartwheeling. Oh dear, what have you just done?

The little master walks away with his head down, the crowd is baying for your blood, there’s an eerie silence in the ground, you know you’re now the target of a billion people. Then, the feeling sinks in. Bloody hell, you’ve just dismissed the best batsman in the world! You know you’ve achieved something great, your team-mates let you know that when they come charging in towards you, bouncing with child-like enthusiasm. Now, you think, you’ve just dismissed a man who holds almost every batting record that cricket has to offer.

What’s life going to be like for you? Surely you’re going to be a star, or wait, is this going to be a curse? The curse of a billion people?

So has dismissing Tendulkar early in their careers been a blessing or curse for the men involved? Let’s take a look.

Waqar Younis: On the 15^th of November 1989 two legends made their debut in Test cricket. One was Sachin Tendulkar and the other Waqar Younis. While Tendulkar didn’t do much in his first Test, Waqar made quite the impression. He castled the other debutant and went on to take three more wickets in the innings. Well, for Waqar, taking the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar was probably a huge blessing. He went on to play 87 Tests and 262 ODIs for Pakistan, taking 373 and 416 wickets in the respective formats.

Allan Donald: A look of determination on his face, sunscreen across his nose and pace that could knock a batsman’s head off. Allan Donald wasted no time in making his presence felt, dismissing Tendulkar on his ODI debut in 1991. Blessing or curse? Well, considering he went on to become one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket, it only has to be a blessing. Not even that last ball run-out in the 1999 World Cup can change that.

Monty Panesar: Monty Panesar made his Test debut in 2006 at Nagpur. He tossed one up, beat the master in flight and trapped him leg before. Seven years later he found himself embroiled in a comical controversy aptly titled ‘The Splashes’ by a British tabloid. Monty found himself out of Sussex and far away from a return to the national side. Looks like celebrating that 2006 personal victory in 2013 without a bottle of champagne cost Monty quite dearly.

Sreesanth: A near-perfect seam position and an unplayable outswinger, Sreesanth was in line to become India’s successor to Zaheer Khan. At least that’s what everyone thought when he dismissed Tendulkar in 2005 in a Challenger Trophy game. The speedster was called-up to play for India within days of that feat and went on to take 75 ODI wickets and 87 Test wickets. Seven years later, he found himself embroiled in a spot-fixing scandal that saw him receive a life ban. So, initial success followed by a big setback. Blessing? Curse? We are pretty confused too.

Saqlain Mushtaq: Less than seven months after making his ODI debut for Pakistan, off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq managed to dismiss Tendulkar at Singapore. Sachin had already scored 100 by then and India went on to win the match, but how did life shape up for the offie? Well, he played 49 Tests for Pakistan and 169 ODIs. In the whites Saqlain managed to claim 208 scalps and in ODIs he ran through 288 batsmen. So, the verdict is…Blessing!

Bhuvneshwar Kumar: The only bowler to dismiss Sachin Tendulkar for a duck in Indian domestic first class cricket. Now he plays for India, in Tests, ODIs and T20s. Easy to say that wicket helped.

Hansie Cronje: He dismissed Tendulkar on eight occasions, the same number of times that Shoaib Akhtar, Daniel Vettori, Courtney Walsh and Jason Gillespie have. And Cronje wasn’t even a full-time bowler. So how did life pan out for this South African? Well, it was good at the start, Cronje going on to become one of the most inspirational captains on the circuit. Then it went south, and how. In 2000 he was caught in one of the biggest match-fixing scandals and was handed a life ban, before being killed in an air crash in 2002.

Mohammad Amir: Deadly in-swingers, outrageous outswingers and bundles of talent. Amir dismissed Tendulkar in the 2009 Champions Trophy for just eight. A year later he ended up accepting money to bowl a huge no-ball and was handed a five year ban from the game. No prizes on the blessing or curse answer.

GOOD PRACTICE FOR SACHIN BEFORE TESTS: ZAHEER

As Sachin Tendulkar signed off his Ranji Trophy career on a winning note, Mumbai captain Zaheer Khan on Wednesday said the veteran batsman's five-hour vigil in the second innings against Haryana has given him the much-needed practice ahead of his farewell Test series against the West Indies next month.

The retiring legend almost singlehandedly guided Mumbai to a four-wicket victory, scoring an unbeaten 79, in one of the most keenly followed matches in the history of Ranji Trophy at Lahli.

"It's important for Sachin and considering the two Tests against the West Indies next month, this has given him much-needed practice. And remember, Haryana has got a good attack and they bowled a disciplined attack," Zaheer told reporters after the match.

Tendulkar, 40, will be walking into international sunset after the rubber against the Caribbean side, and Zaheer has been associated with the veteran for almost a decade and a half.

"It's very difficult to sum up my association with Sachin in one minute. It's been very special, his records speak volumes of the man. He has truly been a master.

"We just want him to enjoy the last two Tests, the way he has always enjoyed...make the most of it."

The left-arm pacer is on a comeback trail and seemed hopeful of returning to the Indian team.

"I am trying to do whatever is in my hand. I have got good match practice by playing the two India A matches.

"I am getting better...bowling fitness is something I am working on. I am feeling confident, it's just about spending more and more time on the field. Match practice is the best practice as it helps the overall game," he said.

GOD and his Challengers

SACHIN TENDULKAR
Age:                                  40 (24/04/1973)
International debut     16 (15/11/1989)
Role                                  Batsmen
Batting Style:                 Right Handed
Bowling Style:               Off break

The 1990s was a mixed time for Indian cricket lovers. Sachin Tendulkar was at his peak, and the nation’s hopes rested on his five-foot-five-inch pocket-sized frame. The outfit in blue didn’t always win but even when they didn’t, Tendulkar’s brilliance always stood out. 

He was a class apart, but you would only know that if you looked at what he was up against.

Over 24 years, as you would expect, he’s had some epic one-on-ones against the best in the business, starting with Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas and Glenn McGgrath in the ’90s, and running all the way down to the likes of Brett Lee and James Anderson in the last 10 years.

Let’s take a quick look at how those battles panned out.

Shane Warne: The blonde magician first bowled at Sachin in his debut Test in 1991 and finished with figures of 1/150, with Sachin’s unbeaten 148 overshadowed – only marginally – by Ravi Shastri’s double ton. Warne and Sachin were part of some legendary contests over the years, most notably in 1998 – the first time Sachin took on the leg-spinner on turning Indian tracks in Tests. Sachin dominated that series in spectacular fashion, dismantling Warne’s leg-stump attack with surgical precision. Tendulkar averaged 54.25 against the leggie and fell to the Australian on just four occasions across all formats. Sachin’s unbeaten 155 against Australia in the second innings of the 1998 Chennai Test was testament to his dominance over Warne.

Now: Warne, who made his debut two years after Sachin, retired from international cricket in 2007 but played in T20 leagues in India and Australia. He is now a fixture in the commentary box.

Muttiah Muralitharan: Murali and Sachin came face to face for the first time in the second Test of India’s tour to Sri Lanka in 1993. Murali was playing only his sixth game, while Sachin had already established his credentials, playing in his 28th Test. Since then their paths have often crossed with both claiming bragging rights from time to time. Murali has dismissed Sachin 13 times across all formats, with only Brett Lee (14) getting more success. But Sachin also held his own, hitting five centuries and four 50s in the 19 Tests against the wily off-spinner. In ODIs, he averages 46.97 in the 47 games featuring Murali with five centuries and 12 half-centuries. 

Now: Murali made his debut three years after Sachin, retired in 2011 and is now actively involved with his charity Foundation of Goodness that supports local communities through education, training and health care.

Glenn McGrath: McGrath is one of the few bowlers who could boast of winning the battle against Sachin. The lanky Aussie, known for his nagging line and length, made his debut in 1993 and faced-off against Sachin for the first time in an ODI in Sharjah next year. McGrath got just one wicket, yup, that of Tendulkar but India won the game by seven wickets. Since then, the pair has crossed paths on nine occasions in Tests and 23 times in ODIs. Sachin has not found it easy against Australia with McGrath in the team, averaging 36 in ODIs and 36.77 in Tests. McGrath has also dismissed the master 13 times across the two formats and thrice for a duck, the most by any bowler.

Now: McGrath retired in 2007 and is now actively involved with the McGrath Cancer Foundation which he started with his wife Jane, who passed away in 2008 after battling breast cancer for several years.

Shaun Pollock: McGrath did not concede a lot of runs against Sachin but Pollock was even better. The South African made his Test debut in 1995, played ODIs for the first time a year later and quickly established himself as one of the better bowlers going around. The two played against each other for the first time in an ODI in 1996 and have played 12 Tests and 28 ODIs against each other. Pollock accounted for Sachin on 12 occasions but what’s more interesting is that he averaged just 6.15 against the pacer.

Now: Pollock retired in 2008 and crossed the fence to join Sachin at Mumbai Indians first as a player and then as mentor and bowling coach.

Chaminda Vaas: Easily Sri Lanka’s best pace bowler until Lasith Malinga established himself, the battles between Sachin and Vaas were a delight since the late 1990s. The left-arm seamer made his debut in 1994 and took on Tendulkar in the same year in an ODI in Rajkot. In the 49 ODIs and 11 Tests, Vaas got the better of Tendulkar 12 times but the Indian too had his say often, averaging 53.41 in Tests and 48.60 in ODIs when Vaas was part of the team.

Now: Vaas, once the bowler to dismiss Sachin on most occasions, hung his boots in 2009 and is now coach of the Kandurata Maroons, who participated in the Champions League T20 in 2013. 

Brett Lee: The fastest bowler to play cricket, well at least since the speed gun was invented. He spearheaded Australia’s pace-attack and sent a shiver down the spine of many a batsman. Tendulkar found him too hot to handle as well, falling to the speedster 14 times. That is the most times he has fallen to any bowler.

Now: After retiring in 2012, Lee continued to fire is rapid deliveries in the IPL and the Big Bash League.

This lot was the exception. They managed to hold their own and at times, dominated Tendulkar, giving rise to personal battles that developed into interesting sub-plots through the years.

It was his struggle against these bowlers that showed Tendulkar was human, after all pace wasn’t his Achilles heel; he averaged 33 against Courtney Walsh, 56.14 against Damien Fleming and 45.33 versus Imran Khan. Spin wasn’t the problem either; he dismissed Saqlain Mushtaq with disdain, averaging 61.80 against the offie who looked unplayable against lesser batsmen.

Over time, Tendulkar found himself battling against the likes of Saeed Ajmal and Anderson. With a shift in generation came a shift in the type of challenge; doosras, carrom balls, reverse-swing and slower deliveries. Despite the changing challenges, his run-tally of 34,273 at an average of 48.54 and the records he broke showed how he always had the upper-hand over his adversaries. Besides, not many batsmen can boast of overcoming challenges across several generations of quality bowlers.

The striker's notched eight goals in all competitions this season and, after struggling for consistency, he feels a positive pre-season has aided him

In-form Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud believes he is reaping the rewards for getting a full pre-season under his belt.

The France international struggled at times during his first campaign in England in 2012-13, but has made an impressive start to his second term with the north London club with eight goals in all competitions.

And Giroud puts his form down to having a better preparation for the season and regaining his confidence.

"I think technically I had it before, maybe I progressed because we have worked on it a lot in training," he told the club's official website.

"It is also [down to] confidence. I did well from the start of the season, I had good preparation with the team - instead of last season when I wasn’t here from the beginning - and I scored early in the pre-season games.

"I feel really confident, the boss made me feel good and that is why I feel good and try to improve every day. It is all about confidence I think."

Suarez was never going to Arsenal,Insists Rodgers

The striker was vocal in his desire to leave during the summer but his boss claims Liverpool never considered a sale to the Gunners or anyone else

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was never going to be allowed to join Arsenal, according to manager Brendan Rodgers.

Suarez publicly stated his desire to leave Anfield during pre-season, with a lack of Champions League football said to be his primary reason, prompting the Gunners bid £40,000,001 million in an attempt to trigger a release clause.

Liverpool held firm, refusing to sell the Uruguayan, and the decision has paid dividends already with Suarez netting six goals in three Premier League appearances since, and Arsenal are his next opponents.

"It was something that was never going to happen. I respect why Arsenal wanted to buy a player of Luis' quality because he's one of the leading strikers in the world," Rodgers told reporters.

"But for us, and the institution that we are, we certainly weren't going to sell to a rival or a competitor. That's something we felt very strongly about from the off.

"It's a great credit to the owners and the leadership of the club that they stood by what my thoughts were as a manager and they backed it all the way."

The Emirates Stadium fixture is hotly anticipated, with Arsenal and Liverpool - two of three highest scorers in the league - making superb starts to the season.

And Rodgers is looking forward to seeing how his side respond to the challenge of playing against the league leaders..

"It's two very good teams - Arsenal are an excellent side and score goals. They've got some top players," he said.

"We arrive at the game really confident and with belief off the back of an outstanding performance [against West Brom]. The players forgot about it very quickly [though] and thoughts turned to this game.

"The quality of our training this week has been outstanding. We look to take it into the game but it will be very difficult."