A slip by a not-slip
During the last test, I'd complained about Dhoni's failure to adequately man the slip cordon, and suggested at one point, that he put Yuvraj in there. Watching Yuvraj drop Ross Taylor has given me some indication of why Dhoni might have been reluctant to do so. For that drop showed remarkably poor technique for a "slipper": Yuvraj merely bent down to his left, and casually reached for the ball with one hand. For those kind of low chances, you've got to try and get both hands to, and under the ball. I'm not sure I've seen Yuvraj in the slips before; and I've just been reminded that just because you're a good catcher in other positions, doesn't mean you'll do well in the slips as well.
And, Simon Doull, I agree, having a sweeper at point when you have taken three wickets in the first hour of a test is lame.
And, Simon Doull, I agree, having a sweeper at point when you have taken three wickets in the first hour of a test is lame.
posted by Samir Chopra at 7:04 PM
10 Comments:
I can't believe I am saying this but we are actually missing Sachin in the slips! See, if he was at first slip, then Laxman at 2 and Dravid at 3 (which is where he took his 181st catch, by the way) would have put Sehwag at Gully, Yuvraj at point and life would be good). That would be a great in-field.
Yuvraj at slip reminds me of Kaif's efforts there. Just because the guy is a good fielder does not automatically make him a good slip fielder. But then who else in this team would have been at 3rd slip? I cannot think of anyone.
Also, give Sehwag a break for putting the guy at sweeper. He was not there at the expense of an in-fielder. He was just there to stop the streak of boundaries which have been coming there since Taylor and Ryder have come in - 8 boundaries there in the last 7 overs, with just one single. Three slips and the gully were still there when the ball was hit to the sweeper.
JQ: Most definitely, missing Sachin in the slips. He is safe as a house. And I agree with the bit about Kaif as well - he never got it together in the slips.
Of the 13 fours scored by the Ryder-Taylor combo, 11 have come in the cover-third man region. As long as he does not remove slips or gullies to post a sweeper, I have no problem with it.
By the way, when the bowler is going to bowl a slower ball why does he not "signal" to the guys behind the wicket to step up?!!! Why, oh why?!
Yup, all he needed to do was say it in Hindi. I remember Agarkar doing that once: "Main isko dhirey waali daloonga"
Even non-verbal cues will do. On my team, at the top of his bowling mark, the bowler stretches to touch his toes, and then starts his run-up. That is a cue to me (the keeper) that it is the slower ball (or the faster one for a spinner). If the spinner checks the sole of his shoe for dirt before bowling, it is going to be a wide down the leg-side for an attempted stumping.
Simple and highly effective!!
You have to change those sorts of signals regularly though, otherwise your opponents will work it out. I recall the TV commentators noticed a signal for a slower ball (adjusting one of the trouser legs) in an international game once. Keeping up a steady chatter in Hindi seems like a safer way to go.
Well, David, I am talking club cricket here. No video's, no scouting. And everyone understands Hindi!
Of course, I do know you were referring to the international scene in your comment. It was Brett Lee, by the way, who did the trouser thingy. And at that time Gilly was miked up and told the viewers that it was a signal for a slower ball!
I remember standing at slips and moving forward a couple of steps when I would see our quick change his grip!
Has Craig McMillan "tinted" the booth with his ICL-blood commentary? I guess Shastri having to come home for a "birthday" party paved the way for McMillan to enter the booth. Reeks of a compromise, doesn't it?
And while we are on the topic of dropped catches at slip, Yuvraj has dropped (again) Franklin on third slip.. Do we have buttery fingers or do we have buttery fingers????
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