2008-A great year for cricket

[cochise]

they were unbeaten in test this year

:cantstop: True...and they will start the next one with a loss to SL after contracting Mendisitis.

[bharat297]

Some more things people have missed out on: * Tendulkar becoming the leading run scorer of all time in Tests. The first man to reach 12,000 career runs. * Fairytale finishes to the legendary careers of Kumble and Ganguly * Handing Australia their greatest ever defeat on Indian soil in Mohali * Chasing down the highest 4th innings score ever on Indian soil and the 4th highest of all time against England in Chennai. ... AND THE BEST ONE .... * As i write this India sit at No.2 in Tests and No.2 (equal) in ODIs and on top of that have beaten the No.1 side in both a Test series and ODI series this year. (2-0 in each of them)

[Shane]

Some more things people have missed out on: ... AND THE BEST ONE .... * As i write this India sit at No.2 in Tests and No.2 (equal) in ODIs and on top of that have beaten the No.1 side in both a Test series and ODI series this year. (2-0 in each of them)

roxy, thats one for you !!!

[Lord]

wait for the test series of sa v aus to end.if the saffies dont screw up royally,which i hope they do,they will be no.2 as far as ODIs are concerned,the diff.b/w 2nd rated n no.7 side is grand 12 points

[SachDan]

Telegraph's best and worst of 2008

From Stanford circus to invincible India – a review of the year in cricket Sachin Tendulkar, India and the beguilingly-named Balapuwaduge Ajantha Winslo Mendis lit up 2008 but England's bedding in with Sir Allen Stanford has caused nothing but embarrassment. By Steve James Last Updated: 8:06PM GMT 27 Dec 2008 Team of the Year India. On and off the field they are now indubitably bossing world cricket, despite what the Australians and South Africans might think. Their 2-0 Test series victory over Australia officially ended their opponents' era of relentless domination. And then England suffered. Talent oozes from their every pore. Retiring legends are being replaced with astonishing ease. There is depth in every department, and in Mahendra Singh Dhoni they possess not just a wonderful leader but a wonderfully impressive man too. Player of the Year Forget the usual suspects (Graeme Smith's 1,500-plus runs, Shivnarine Chanderpaul's average of over 100 and Dale Steyn's 64 wickets) and instead laud a chap called Balapuwaduge Ajantha Winslo Mendis, a name as beguiling and mysterious as the spinners the Sri Lankan purveys. At last Muttiah Muralitharan has an ally, and at once the world's batsmen have another serious problem. In 2008 nobody took more than Mendis' 48 wickets (at 10.12!) in one-day internationals and his three Tests against India produced 26 wickets at 18.38. Mr Bassett himself would be proud of Mendis' allsorts – off-spinners, leg-spinners, googlies and flippers – but the signature delivery is the so-called 'carrom ball', held between forefinger and thumb and then flicked off the knuckle of his middle finger. It spits away from the right-hander like a leg-cutter. As a batsman you're better off trying to read a Russian novel. Feat of the Year Sachin Tendulkar's overtaking of Brian Lara as Test cricket's highest run scorer. Genuine confirmation of greatness. What more can you say?:hatsoff: Maybe that his hands are clearly too low on the bat handle. He'd never get away with that as a youngster in England.:cantstop: Best Decision England's return to India. Yes, I know I said they shouldn't have done so. But you weren't there in India, and you're not as lily-livered as me. Worst decision The ECB's bedding of Allen Stanford. Cricket should be nobody's plaything and the England team should be nobody's *****s. I am told the Stanford week in Antigua was delightful. It was well-organised, convivial and excellent fun. I'm sure it was. But so are lots of other boozy, festival-type cricket weeks, but England don't – and shouldn't – play in any of them. At any price. Fast Forward. Best Decision of 2009... Stanford pulls out of cricket. Don't worry about the ECB's coffers. There's plenty in there. And, without Stanford's team and his other demands, maybe a decent English Premier League can be sorted for 2010. One that is significantly different from the current Twenty20 Cup, otherwise we will have overkill. Franchises anyone? ...and the Worst If Stanford remains…. Best Indian Premier League Innings Brendon McCullum's stunning 158 not out in the opener in Bangalore. I mention it because, to be honest, it's the only one I can remember. Didn't see many after that. Too many matches played by teams I didn't know, recognise or care for, on grounds with boundaries unnecessarily shortened and occupied by fielders posing as escorts. So the Setanta subscription didn't last long, but, as a word of warning for those tempted by possible English participation in April, it's bloody difficult to cancel. But there again, if reports are correct, you might be able to pop along to Lord's and watch this stuff next summer. Thank the Heavens That Chris Adams has at last got a job (as Surrey's cricket manager). Anyone in the country not seen his CV? To be fair, it's probably pretty impressive. But let's hope Adams is not to cricket what Martin Johnson is now to rugby. Management and captaincy are two very different disciplines. Shame on the Game Chris Lewis. If actually convicted of drug smuggling, of course, but a Christmas inside is not a great sign. The Game's Shame Zimbabwe. Cricket needs to look in the mirror. There is a huge, nasty, pus-laden boil on its nose. Most Horrible Harbinger Pakistan did not play a Test in 2008. :hysterical::hysterical: Silliest Idea That one make of cricket ball (Duke) will be used in county championship's first division next season, and another make (Tiflex) in the second division. One might swing, the other might not. Isn't England selection difficult enough as it is? Most Damning Pointer Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara opening the batting in England's final ODI of the year in Cuttack. Two Essex lads never before joined at the top of the order, even at county level. All that domestic one-day cricket and this is what we come up with. Cricket Book of the Year Not Marcus Trescothick's Coming Back to Me (Harper Sport) surely. How did that win the William Hill Sports Book of the Year? Brave, candid and gripping when talking about Trescothick's depression, but what about the cricket? Why Ed Smith's cerebral What Sport Tells Us About Life (Penguin) did not make the leap from longlist to shortlist was a mystery. William Buckland's Pommies (Troubador Publishing), was also a fascinating read, albeit for a specialist readership, in comparing the running of English cricket with Australia's. Unsurprisingly, and not without justification, the ECB is panned. For something warmly human and often laugh-out-loud funny why not try There's Only Two Tony Cotteys (Gomer Press)? Unashamed promotion of an old mate's tome, yes, but read it and you'll discover what it's really like to be a professional sportsman. Wishes for 2009 That the umpire referral system is fully implemented. That Michael Vaughan finds his way back as England's Test No 3. That England pick Kent's Joe Denly for the one-dayers. That Andrew Flintoff stays fit. That wicketkeeper Matt Prior is permitted a mistake or two without his place being questioned. That Prior is not asked to bat at No8 or No9 in ODIs. That Glamorgan win a trophy…. OK, this is getting a little fanciful. Happy New Year!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/stevejames/3964942/From-Stanford-circus-to-invincible-India----a-review-of-the-year-in-cricket.html

[cowboysfan]

i agree on the player of the year-it is mendis followed by smith ,steyn and gambhir.

[SachDan]

i agree on the player of the year-it is mendis followed by smith ' date='steyn and gambhir.[/quote'] Any doubts abt Team of the year ?? :--D

[cowboysfan]

Any doubts abt Team of the year ?? :--D

sa,india,sl?

[SachDan]

sa' date='india,sl?[/quote'] India for me without a shadow of doubt :yay:

[Shane]

Its a tough one for me ... its between India and the Saffies India drew SA beat Aus beat Eng loss SL SA drew India beat Eng beat Aus (presumptous) forget BD Our loss to SL and SA's probable win away to the Aussies gives them the edge but only slightly !!!

[Lord]

Its a tough one for me ... its between India and the Saffies India drew SA beat Aus beat Eng loss SL SA drew India beat Eng beat Aus (presumptous) forget BD Our loss to SL and SA's probable win away to the Aussies gives them the edge but only slightly !!!

sa have a definite edge coz all these series are away series for them,whereas we drew sa at home,beat eng n aus at home too.

[Dravid]

Pakistan did not play a Test in 2008.

isnt there a rule you have to play certain # of tests in a year? :D ban these fooks

[kannanp7]

Timeline-October to December in cricketing 2008 Stalwarts depart, empires crumble October 2 Paul Adams, the former South Africa chinaman bowler, announces his retirement from professional cricket. 4 The West Indies women's tour of Pakistan is called off because of security concerns. Former Pakistan offspinner Zulfiqar Ahmed, dies of cardiac arrest in Lahore, aged 81. 6 Wynne Bradburn, who played two Tests for New Zealand against South Africa in 1963-64, dies of a heart attack, aged 69. 7 Sourav Ganguly announces before the first Test against Australia in Bangalore that the series will be his last. Ijaz Butt, the former Test opener, is appointed the Pakistan Cricket Board's new chairman. 8 Pakistan's chief selector, Salahuddin Ahmed, quits his post, claiming a change was made to the original 15-man squad for the four-nation Twenty20 tournament in Canada without the selectors' consent. West Indies opt out of a proposed tour of Pakistan in November because of security concerns. 10 The Sri Lanka Cricketers' Association and the sports minister, Gamini Lokuge, finalise a proposal that could bring in $70 million for Sri Lanka Cricket over the next 10 years. The proposal, to be presented to the BCCI, calls for the full participation of SLC in the IPL and the Champions League for the next decade. 12 David Morgan says the US$70 million proposal between Sri Lanka Cricket and IPL chairman Lalit Modi is " quite unacceptable behaviour against the background of Sri Lanka's signed agreement with the ECB". 14 The BCCI agrees to meet officials of the ICL, and ICL officials hope for an "early resolution" to their quest for official recognition. 15 Anil Kumble hits out at the media's calls for his retirement, their "uncharitable" comments on his fitness and his performance as a player and captain following India's draw against Australia in Bangalore. 16 Discussions between the BCCI and the ICL fail. ICL sources say the BCCI was "ridiculous" in the way it handled the meeting. 17 Sachin Tendulkar goes past Brian Lara's record for the most Test runs, against Australia in Mohali. He also scores his 50th half-century and becomes the first player to cross the 12,000-run mark. 21 India defeat Australia by 320 runs in Mohali, their biggest ever victory in terms of runs. 23 A Pakistan court lifts the life ban imposed on Saleem Malik for his involvement in match-fixing. 24 Geoff Lawson is sacked as Pakistan coach, just days after it was announced that he would serve out the rest of his contract. Adam Gilchrist criticises Sachin Tendulkar in his autobiography, questioning the evidence Tendulkar presented during the Harbhajan Singh-Andrew Symonds racial abuse hearing. Tendulkar later clarifies that Gilchrist called him up and assured his comments were taken out of context. Australia, New Zealand and South Africa plan a multi-nation franchise-owned Twenty20 tournament based on the IPL, which they hope to launch by 2011. 28 The proposed Test series between West Indies and Pakistan, planned originally for Abu Dhabi in November, is cancelled after West Indies cite problems in their schedule. The Stanford Superstars get their hands on the biggest prize of them all © AFP November 1 The Stanford Superstars storm to a 10-wicket win, and with it the US$20 million bounty, thumping England. 2 Anil Kumble retires from international cricket at the end of the Delhi Test against Australia. He finishes third on the all-time wicket-takers' list, with 619 wickets. Ireland become the Intercontinental Cup champions for the third consecutive time when they crush Namibia by nine wickets in Port Elizabeth. 5 Mohammad Yousuf formally signs up for the ICL and is banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board. 8 Hedley Howarth, the former New Zealand left-arm spinner, dies aged 64. 10 India regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after they beat Australia by 172 runs in Nagpur to take the series 2-0. It is Sourav Ganguly's last Test. He finishes with 7212 runs at 42.17 and as India's most successful captain. 12 The ECB and MCC discuss having yellow cards in English first-class cricket for abusing umpires or excessive sledging. 17 Andrew Symonds admits that alcohol played a part in his poor attitude during the year and in his getting axed from the squad in Darwin. 21 The BCCI moves the Supreme Court, challenging the Calcutta High Court's directive to initiate criminal proceedings against six top board officials, including the president, Shashank Manohar, and former president Sharad Pawar. 22 Mahendra Singh Dhoni says the fact that matters discussed in selection meetings are leaked and reported in the media is "disgusting and disrespectful." 25 Andy Moles is appointed New Zealand's coach, replacing John Bracewell. 26 Andrew Symonds apologises after being cleared of any wrongdoing by Cricket Australia for an incident in which a member of the public was alleged to have thrown punches at Symonds in a Brisbane pub. 27 The terror attacks in Mumbai force the cancellation of the ICL World Series in Ahmedabad. The inaugural Champions Twenty20 League is also cancelled. North-West Frontier Province are the Pentangular Cup champions after they beat Baluchistan by 28 runs. December 1 Chennai and Mohali are named as the two Test venues for England's tour of India, replacing Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Australia thrash New Zealand by an innings and 62 runs in Adelaide to sweep the two-Test series. 3 A full-strength England head to Abu Dhabi to train ahead of their Test tour of India, awaiting a security clearance from Reg Dickason, the ECB's security advisor. 7 England announce they will tour India with a full-strength squad after the trip finally gets the go-ahead following team meetings in Abu Dhabi. Sulieman Benn ties the Auckland Twenty20 off the last ball of the match. The game was decided on a Super Over - the first in international Twenty20 © AFP 8 The ICL drops its legal action against Mohammad Yousuf after he was lured out of his ICL contract by the PCB. 9 The inaugural Champions Twenty20 League is postponed by a year and will now be held in India in October 2009. 13 Western Australia and Victoria contemplate approaching Cricket Australia for compensation after being told they must re-qualify for the Champions League Twenty20. 15 India complete a six-wicket victory in Chennai against England, chasing down the fourth-highest total in Test cricket. Sachin Tendulkar scores a match-winning 103. 17 Allen Stanford dissolves the Stanford 20/20 board and sacks all 12 "Legends", sparking speculation that his involvement with cricket is coming to an end. Chris Lewis is remanded in custody after appearing in court via video link, charged with attempting to bring drugs into the UK. 18 India call off their tour of Pakistan, following a directive from the government that it was not feasible "in the prevailing circumstances", following the Mumbai terror strikes. 19 Sri Lanka confirm they will tour Pakistan in January and February for a series of three Tests, three ODIs and a Twenty20, replacing India. 20 It is reported that England are planning to scrap home Test series against Bangladesh after 2010 because of the increasing lack of commercial feasibility of such contests. 21 The ECB insists that despite Allen Stanford's contractual issues with the West Indies Cricket Board, the quadrangular tournament between the Stanford All-Stars and England will go ahead as planned in 2009. 23 Sri Lanka's sports minister Gamini Lokuge dissolves the interim administration of Sri Lanka Cricket, headed by Arjuna Ranatunga. India take the Test series 1-0 against England after the Mohali Test heads to a predictable draw. The ECB agrees a four-year deal with the BBC to broadcast live ball-by-ball commentary of England's international cricket. 24 Ossie Dawson, the former South Africa Test player dies at the age of 89. The ICC faces having to reschedule its next executive board meeting, due to be held in Perth in January 2009, after Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Peter Chingoka is included in a list of 75 individuals barred from entering Australia because of their links to the Robert Mugabe regime. 26 The first Super-Over contest in an international Twenty20. New Zealand and West Indies finish with scores tied after the 20 overs of the second innings in Auckland, following which Chris Gayle hits Daniel Vettori for 25 runs in the Super Over. New Zealand manage 15 in reply, off Sulieman Benn. 30 South Africa become the first team in nearly 18 years to win a Test series in Australia when they take a 2-0 lead in the three-match series with a win at the MCG, chasing down a target of 183 on day five. Dale Steyn stars with 10 wickets, and JP Duminy with 166 runs in the first innings;

[DomainK]

Aussies in a world XI? Not for me- Vic Marks Read the article at your leisure. Have a look at the Vic's 11: Smith Sehwag Pietersen Tendulkar De Villiers Flintoff Dhoni Harbhajan Singh Zaheer Khan Sharma Steyn No Australians. Not even Punter? Everyone is seriously busy in rubbing salt.:hysterical: Source:http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2008/dec/28/cricket

[cowboysfan]

harbhajan singh over mendis and murali-lost his credibility right there .

[DomainK]

harbhajan singh over mendis and murali-lost his credibility right there .

Vics has indeed forgotten that there is a team called Lanka out there. Bad article and bad 11.

[Shane]

Vics has indeed forgotten that there is a team called Lanka out there. Bad article and bad 11.

Messed it up in the bowling dept. the batting is just about fine !!!

[cochise]

Bestest year ever...era of Aussie dominance at an end and the field is left open for all teams to compete for top dog. What a breath of fresh air!!!

[Chorazin Reto]

""harbhajan singh over mendis and murali-lost his credibility right there ."" Exactly, how can you pass up the best spinner in the game atm, and, of course, the prodigy. I would easily replace De Villiers with Ponting.

[kannanp7]

gambir is missing he is good form player