Speed thrills

Plagued by injuries throughout his tumultuous six-year international career,  Kerala pace ace S Sreesanth is coming through another frustrating period. Not only did he miss the tour of West Indies, where he was expected to spearhead the attack in Zaheer Khan’s absence, he’s also seen his replacement, Praveen Kumar, step up to the plate and stake a claim for a regular spot. Ishant Sharma is also bowling with renewed vigour.

Eager to get back in the groove for the England tour, Sreesanth is banking on the thing that works for him – raw pace — injuries be damned.

Making a comeback after his latest injury (tennis elbow) the 28-year-old is in no mood to sacrifice pace even with the physical demands of the modern game in mind.

“I don’t want to be a bowler who gets injured and then comes back and bowls at 120kmph. I want to bowl fast. Even in 2007, I had a back injury and people asked, ‘why don’t you start playing because you can bowl?’ But, I don’t want to just bowl. I want to bowl fast,” Sreesanth tells the HT in an interview. Excerpts:

What’s the status on your injury?
I had a tennis elbow, and a bruise on my bone. For the last year and a half I’ve been on and off feeling pain while bowling. I am training hard and following a proper routine. I am fine now.

What will be the challenge in England?
England are a very good side, they have done well everywhere. The conditions will be helpful, but not getting carried away by the bounce and the swing, like I did on my last tour in 2007, will be the key. It took me two Tests to understand how to bowl in England, and the experience of playing a season for Warwickshire will be to my advantage.

One thing about England is that the conditions are helpful but if you don’t hit the right areas you won’t get wickets. If you can swing the ball with pace, nothing like it. I learnt that from Allan Donald and Ashley Giles, who were my coaches at Warwickshire.

Many feel the contest will decide the top Test team in the world?
We don’t need to discuss that. We’re the top-ranked team, and we have proved it for the last year and a half.

Experts feel you are more suited for Test cricket? Is it because it gives you a chance to bounce back unlike a limited overs game?
It is an honour when a great player says that I am a good Test bowler. But honestly, as a cricketer, I want to play all forms of the game. I want to give my best shot, some days I don’t do well, which is a part of the game. All I can control is to give my best when I get an opportunity. There’s nothing like a one-day or a Test bowler, I just want to play for India and do well in all forms of the game. I have four-five years of very good cricket left in me, I am 28, and 28 to 32 are the best years for a fast bowler, you are more experienced and more fit.

You are known to enjoy the party circuit. How are you preparing for the England series? Have you cut down on partying?
I had my share of celebrations for a couple of weeks (after the World Cup win), but that is history now. I am training hard. I don’t want to be a bowler who gets injured and then comes back and bowls at 120kmph. I want to bowl fast. Even in 2007, I had a back injury and people asked, ‘why don’t you start playing because you can bowl?’

But, I don’t want to just bowl. I want to bowl fast. A lot of people question, why he is not playing? But I had this pain and whenever I bowled fast, it was getting worse. I don’t want to cheat myself. I want to bowl fast and get back in to the team.

Do you think partying affects your performance?
It’s a personal choice. If you know what you are doing and when to do it, then it’s fine. Sab ke liye ek time hota hai. It’s about setting your priorities right, knowing your values… I celebrate when it is the right time. I am not into partying much now. I am not a 19-year-old anymore. I love going out; I used to love partying, even now I go to these get-togethers.

It is more about relaxing your mind and body and taking the mind off cricket. I love to go and watch movies, or may be a small get-together at home with light music and some fun. Partying now is only restricted to when it is the birthday of a very close buddy or a special occasion. I don’t think it will affect your game as long as you don’t overdo it. Anything over is bad… There is a thin line between foolishness and bravery and if you know that line, you will be fine.

You are a two-time world champion, how do you compare the 2007 World T20 triumph with the 2011 ODI World Cup experience?
2011 was a completely different experience from 2007, when I took the last catch in the final. In the 2011 tournament, I hardly did anything. Fortunately, I got to play the most important game — the final.

It is great to be part of World Cup history but that doesn’t stop me. I want to set standards now; I want to take responsibility.

I want to be like Zaheer bhai; follow his footsteps, listen and learn from him, and one day become the main strike bowler of India and win matches. There are 14 Tests coming up, I will miss the three against the West Indies but will still get 11. I want to go to the next level. I have been in and out of the team for six years, and it is high time I consolidated my position and became a match winner.

How did you take it when you were dropped from the IPL team?
I took it in the right spirit. I knew the West Indies and England tours were coming and I motivated and trained myself to be fit for the series. Nobody wants to miss a game, but honestly it gave me time to set goals about what I want to achieve and where I want to be in one year’s time. Someone like Muraltharan, who has 800 Test wickets, was also dropped for some matches, that’s how the format is.

…because you were a current India player who was not finding a place among the seven local players in the Kochi team?
Honestly, I didn’t understand (being dropped for the IPL games) but I was only a player, not the captain or the vice-captain. I was not involved in the team management’s decisions.
 
The DRS has triggered a strong debate, are you for or against it?
It is the Board’s decision, and we respect that. We are under contract.

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BCCI has anti-Pakistan agenda: Former ICC chief Ehsan Mani

Former ICC chief Ehsan Mani says that the Indian board is blocking Pakistan. 

Governance, for instance.
This is for the simple reason that the ICC had three or four processes of electing its presidents. I’m glad that the proposed change, mooted in Hong Kong, has been deferred. The change was going to be very open-ended and do away with the rotation system. Having agreed to the rotations and to suddenly change, it smells to me of an agenda. The way John Howard was rejected was not good for the publicity of the ICC. The new system of electing the president would throw us back to the old days when only one country (England) was having its candidate elected as ICC president. The best man should head the ICC. 

The rotation system may not necessarily give you the best man.
Yes and no. There are very good men in every country. Even Bangladesh and Zimbabwe can throw up good candidates. The question is, are they going to be nominated. The one good way is to have a certain number of independent directors who are not influenced by any country.

You have been critical of ICC’s approach towards Pakistan. What could it have done?
Look, I never criticised ICC for the current situation in Pakistan. The climate is still not conducive for international cricket. I criticised them for the way Pakistan was removed as a host of the World Cup. Pakistan made a reasonable demand of letting them host their matches in neutral venues. Sharad Pawar and David Morgan agreed to that but the next day at the steering committee meeting, India persuaded Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to reject Pakistan’s request. They were unceremoniously removed as hosts. That was sad. Pakistan always stood by India at the ICC.

What do you mean when you said BCCI is trying to exclude Pakistan from every game?
Yes. The proof is very much in front of us. The BCCI has been very active in that. They did not allow Pakistan players in the IPL. You can see that no Pakistani team is involved in the Champions League. The cricket boards in India and Pakistan have always remained independent of military and political tensions between the countries.

Why do you think it has happened?
You should ask those who are running BCCI today. In my time, there were people like Madhavrao Scindia, AC Muthiah, Rajsingh Dungarpur, IS Bindra and Jagmohan Dalmiya who never let politics come into the game. The current people, who are running the BCCI, have let politics into cricket.

But how can the BCCI ignore the government’s advice?
The Indian government is on record saying that it has not given instruction to the BCCI to exclude Pakistani players from the IPL. If you see the FTP, only four countries are playing among themselves.And you look at the number of times India played Australia in the last seven or eight years.At the same time, there is no clear cut schedule between India and Pakistan in the new FTP. It is because the ICC is weak. In my time, every country played with every other country in a four-year cycle. That rule has been corrupted.

But don’t you think India-Australia and India-England series make for great economics?
I can assure you that India-Pakistan series will far exceed the value of any of these series. This argument of economic viability can hold good from an Australian or English point of view but not from an Indian point of view. The right way forward is to put cricket ahead of politics and financial power. Time is a great healer and things will change soon.

What is the way forward for Pakistan cricket?
It is a sad state of affairs in Pakistan. The controversies, from spot fixing to lack of unity, are because of the mismanagement of the PCB.

The ICC has said the boards will have to de-link from the government. Is it possible in Pakistan?
Government interference has harmed Pakistan cricket but this whole thing is not targeted at Pakistan at all. This is motivated by the BCCI because of India’s sports ministry’s proposed legislation for accountability from the national bodies.The BCCI does not want that and that is the real reason. I welcome this legislation. The BCCI can no longer be able to come to the ICC and say that the government does not want an India-Pakistan series

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Edwards wants to be an important part of West Indies cricket

Kirk Edwards, who scored a century on Test debut against India in the Third Test, said his goal is to become an important part of West Indies cricket. The tall right-hander made an assured 110 in more than four hours at the crease and became the first man to make a century at Test cricket's newest venue. 

"It is a special feeling to get a Test century on debut for the West Indies but I would have liked to carry on and make a bigger score for the team. Test cricket is about fighting and I see myself as a fighter."

"We have a lot of strong characters in the team and we will continue the fight out this match."

He also became the 13th West Indian to make a century on debut. His knock pushed the home side to 224/6 in the second innings - an overall lead of 82 with a day left in the match.

During his innings Edwards had the ideal partner in Shivnarine Chanderpaul (73 not out) in a stand of 161.

Edwards,26, played some brilliant shots and also showed great determination. He was cheered by the vocal and colourful crowd of over 7,000 fans - including his father Glendon, who made the trip from Barbados.

"We need the support of the people. I had a great reception from the crowd here in Dominica. I was really impressed and happy with the support that we received here."

Speaking about his temperament, Edwards said he never shies away from a challenge. "I'm always prepared mentally. I visualise what I want and I go after it. I want to be a pillar in West Indies cricket so all these things drive me to achieve my goals."

"There will be obstacles but I always aim for my goals. The youngsters (in the team) need the support, we won't come on the stage and get success overnight.

Edwards spoke of the players he admired and those who inspired him as a boy growing up.

"As a young guy growing up and watching cricket I used to like to watch Viv Richards. I used to love to see Viv Richards on the highlights package (on television)."

"It was a proud moment for me to go to the Kensington Oval - at the old Oval - and see Brian Lara and Carl Hooper play. I used to think to myself that one day I would like to be out there playing as well so for me playing for the West Indies is a dream come true," Edwards added.

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I am a huge Sachin Tendulkar fan, says Daniel Radcliffe

Harry Potter fans can more than just watch their favourite hero's final battle against Lord Voldemort. They can take heart in the fact that Daniel Radcliffe, known for most of his 22 years of life as Harry Potter, is an unabashed Indophile and plans to visit India soon.

For one, he is a big fan of cricket and Sachin Tendulkar and not necessarily in that order. Daniel cherishes an autograph of the Master Blaster. "My friends and I were thrilled to meet Sachin and get his autograph. I am a huge fan, he is truly a legend."

"I wanted to visit India during the Cricket World Cup but got so caught up with my Broadway musical, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, that it left me with no time. But cricket or no cricket, I am certainly planning a trip to India soon," he told TOI.

The British actor knows a lot about India. He said, "I have heard and read a lot about India, especially Midnight's Children, and would like to know more about the country. Indians are huge cricket fans, just like me."

As the Harry Potter film series draws to a close, the actor wants to take home two pairs of glasses that his onscreen persona sports as a reminder of the memorable time he spent on the sets. "I will also take home friendship which will last me a lifetime."

Daniel has been portraying the boy wizard for nearly a decade. "I do not want to break my Harry Potter image, but have been trying other characters and hope the audience will like them the way they did Harry Potter." The actor is confident that his Harry Potter image will not come in the way of his future films. "I don't think of it, but one has to move on. My next film, The Woman in Black, will release in 2012."

The British actor knows about Shah Rukh Khan starrer Chak De. "I have watched a couple of Bollywood films and found them every entertaining."

Though Emma Watson, known for her portrayal of know-it-all Hermione Granger, is paired alongside Daniel in the film, he looks at her as his sister. "We have been working together for over a decade and are very good friends. In the beginning, we felt a little awkward doing the romantic scenes but both of us are professionals and we gave our shots."

So finally what does he have to say to all his fans. "I hope you've been satisfied with the films and I'm sorry we haven't been able to keep everything in. I think Harry Potter fans have a literary curiosity and imagination that is not necessarily associated with fans of all other big franchises, both past and present," said the actor. "Take that curiosity out into the world, do extraordinary things."

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Tendulkar eyes landmark 100th Test century during series with England

Sachin Tendulkar will be reunited with his India team-mates this week, aiming to achieve his 100th international hundred against England in the first of their four-Test series at Lord's, starting on Thursday week. 

But even if he does so on a ground where his highest previous Test score is 37, do not expect the 38-year-old to mark this milestone any differently from the way he has celebrated any other in his 22-year career. 

'I am still learning about the game,' said Tendulkar, who has been rested while India have moved triumphantly through a tour of the West Indies.

'You have to keep your mind open. I figure something out about my batting all the time. Those small adjustments with your footwork or bat-swing improve your game. I love doing that.' 

The Little Master's passion for the game remains so strong that even if he brings this plot-line to its Bollywood conclusion, do not expect the credits to roll just yet. 

'Life without cricket is unthinkable,' he added. 'I still love cricket as much as ever. It is my job, but it is also my passion. I dreamed of playing for my country when I was young (he made his debut at 16) and it is still my dream, it is still fun for me.'

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Mukund disappointed to miss out on a century

Young opener Abhinav Mukund was crestfallen to miss out on an opportunity to score a century after his patient 62 laid the foundation of India's first innings during the third day of the final cricket Test between India and the West Indies at Windsor Park on Friday.

"I am really disappointed. After doing all the hard work when the ball was swinging in the morning, I tried to stick on and then got out to a ball, I must not have got out to many a times," said an earnest Mukund whose 62 laid the foundation of India's strong reply to West Indies total of 204 all out.

Mukund tried to flick a delivery from spinner Devendra Bishoo which rose from a length and took the edge of his bat to go into the hands of forward short leg fielder.

"The first two tracks had a lot of bounce. This one, frankly, looked like an Indian wicket to me," he said.

"But still planting your feet and playing out forward took a lot of effort. But then I started trusting the wicket and could go forward a lot more than in Barbados."

A feature of Mukund's batting on Friday was his backfoot play and the way he handled short-pitched bowling.

"I have played a lot on matting wicket while I was growing up. My dad always told me that a lot of deliveries in international cricket are short so I practiced and can play short-bowling much better."

While Mukund has has moved up the ladder, his friend and fellow opener Murali Vijay is having a wretched series and once again got dismissed for one.

"It's disappointing that he's been struggling a little bit. We are good friends off the field and knowing him, he doesn't allow much to affect him. It's amazing how cricketers can go through ups and downs," Mukund said.

Mukund also felt for VVS Laxman who hit his third straight half-century against the West Indies but failed to convert anyone of them into a hundred.

"He was very disappointed. He has now hit three half centuries in a row. I haven't seen that kind of dismissal and a lot of us even thought if it was legal," he said.

Laxman was dismissed when he let a leg-spin from Shivnarine Chanderpaul go into the gloves of wicketkeeper Calrton Baugh.

He then lifted his leg mindlessly and Baugh, sensing an opportunity, removed the bails that very instant.

India didn't bat with extra freedom in the final session even though the West Indies were running ragged in the field with injuries and sapping heat.

"It might have looked so from the outside since the part-timers were bowling but a lot of those deliveries were outside the off-stump. There were not many run-scoring opportunities," Mukund said.

The 21-year-old feels, weather permitting, India should go on to win the third and final Test over the next two days.

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