England forget what made them great; New Zealand decline further; Ratings 28th August
Russell Degnan

Trying more informative subject lines...

3rd TestEnglandvSouth Africa
Pre-rating1255.491213.90
Form-29.13+35.26
Expected MarginEngland by 71 runs
Actual MarginSouth Africa by 51 runs
Post-rating1243.361230.53
Series rating1128.791337.46

A closely fought match, and a somewhat odd one, in that on the one hand, England might rightly wonder if some better catching and running ought to have earnt them a win, and yet on the other they never really looked like doing so; even after taking a first innings lead. Statistically, the final two tests were perfectly even, but such is the hold South Africa asserted over England following the Oval, that hardly a soul believed they could win, even when they were in a winning position.

Both sides found themselves at 5/54 in the first innings; but South Africa's batting depth came to the fore. Duminy batted incredibly slowly, not at all like the flowing player he began his career as, but with Philander demonstrating his all-round qualities, and Strauss leaving Finn in the field when he was clearly their best option at the crease, they took the score past 300. Bairstow was the revelation of the English innings, though he got tied down approaching his century, eventually getting out to one of a series of poor shots. Swann blazed them into a lead, making up for a complete lack of penetration with the ball. South Africa didn't bowl especially well, but they took wickets, and with last use of the ball were still favoured.

Finn was again pick of the bowlers, and Amla the pick of the batsmen. His 121 was ultimately the difference between the two sides. He was the biggest contributor after being dropped, if not the worst missed chance. Anderson completely fluffing De Villiers was symptomatic of the English team's malaise, as indeed was the way Philander ran through them either side of stumps on day four. Strauss had a horrific series, completely dominated by Morkel; leaving the ball to hit middle stump was the non-stroke of someone in dire need of a break, perhaps a permanent one. England fought, Kallis and Steyn demonstrated their sheer class in removing Trott, and then, for one brief hour, it seemed like Prior, Broad and Swann might slog their way to victory, much as Australia had done last November. If they'd not left themselves so much to do it might have worked. But poor decisions scuppered the comeback, the new ball and Philander again did for Prior - whose irresponsible forst innings dismissal summed up the difference between this England and last year's - and the game was done.

The conclusion brought many a lament for lack of a longer series, but those are misplaced. For starters, what value is there in a series South Africa has already, if not won, at least put themselves in a position not to lose? Secondly, much of the last day interest in this match came from England needing to win, when they might have played out a draw in a longer tie. A longer series isn't a bad idea, but if we are going to reform the schedule, let's at least do so for reasons other than selfishly promoting the best teams to play long series in the English home season. The argument that the "fans want" to see South Africa play is undermined by the reality that there is both a) a lot more money in the ODI and T20 matches, which, by extension must therefore be what fans want and b) too much fan friendly scheduling already, in the form of 15 Ashes tests before South Africa and England next meet. Scheduling is too much orientated to what fans want, not too little.


1st TestIndiavNew Zealand
Pre-rating1023.59876.96
Form-52.86-10.67
Expected MarginIndia by 123 runs
Actual MarginIndia by an innings and 115 runs
Post-rating1032.40862.60

Take a week off, miss a whole test match, but almost no action. I didn't manage to catch any of this game, but if the wails from Kiwi fans and the indifference from Indian ones is any indication this wasn't too pretty. New Zealand were always up against it in this series, coming on the back of a troubled tour of the West Indies, but this time facing superior opposition with something to prove, in conditions that most suited the home team. Taylor is a severe liability at the moment; a series of dropped catches - very unusual for him - coupled with some defensive captaincy, defeatist statements and his own struggling form would lend weight to any effort for him to step down; and yet there is no replacement performing well enough, with the sort of seniority required. There is some potential in this New Zealand side particularly the bowling, but except for the win in Hobart, they've been poor and getting worse for some time.

India, by contrast, couldn't be happier with the start to the post-Dravid, post-VVS era. Tendulkar remains, of course, joining Hobbs, Woolley and Close as the only players to debut in the decade before the decade before every other player in a match. He gave no indication that it will be long before he too leaves the stage, and the talent on display indicates they have little need for him. Pujara dominated India's innings making 159 - it was somewhat surprising he didn't keep his place after an impressive debut against Australia; Kohli and Dhoni lent support, and Ashwin took 12/85 with only Williamson resisting, if not able to score. Another test follows, but if the result differs it would rank as one of the more outrageous upsets of modern times.

Rankings at 28th August 2012
1.England1243.36
2.South Africa1230.53
3.Australia1181.09
4.Pakistan1125.80
5.Sri Lanka1042.97
6.India1032.40
7.West Indies957.33
8.New Zealand862.60
9.Bangladesh601.34
10.Zimbabwe543.69

11.Ireland553.27
12.Afghanistan522.40
13.Scotland444.87
14.Namibia411.84
15.Kenya317.93
16.U.A.E.212.22
17.Netherlands208.86
18.Canada147.79

Shaded teams have played fewer than 2 games per season. Non-test team ratings are not comparable to test ratings as they don't play each other.

Idle Summers 29th August, 2012 00:41:45   [#] [1 comment] 

Monday Melbourne: CCLXVI, August 2012
Russell Degnan

Sunset over the arts centre. Taken August 2012

Melbourne Town 22nd August, 2012 01:25:07   [#] [0 comments] 

Ratings - 14th August 2012
Russell Degnan

2nd TestWest IndiesvNew Zealand
Pre-rating951.55881.02
Form+19.52-10.19
Expected MarginWest Indies by 85 runs
Actual MarginWest Indies by 5 wickets
Post-rating957.33876.96
Series rating1075.15756.97

New Zealand should look carefully at this game. It was eminently winnable, and in the end they were beaten easily; by Kemar Roachs bat no less, in the game's most crucial moment. They squandered first use of the pitch, failing again to score a ton, although Guptill and Taylor made 50s and the tail wagged. The contrast with the West Indies innings, where only Marlon Samuels got past 15 in the top-7 but took full toll, making 123.

In the second innings, Deonarine, Best and Narine took regular wickets at important times - two in particular, just prior to stumps on day 2 were crucial, wth New Zealand's lead was up to 106 with 10 wickets in hand. From that moment on New Zealand capitulated, for 154 in the second innings. Despite taking four second innings wickets late on day 3, being, effectively, only the removal of Chanderpaul away from a lengthy tail and with 70 runs to play with, the West Indies never looked like losing. Roach and Chanderpaul put on 70 for the fifth wicket and an abject tour for the Black Caps came to an none-too-soon end.

The West Indies home performances have improved over the last few years, so we shouldn;t be truly shocked that they defeated a weaker rival. Nonetheless, while there are plenty of weaknesses, they dominated a series that they ought to have been tested in; even where - as here - they conceded the advantage. Their ranking creeps closer to 1000, New Zealand's drifts downwards.


2nd TestEnglandvSouth Africa
Pre-rating1265.731201.26
Form-34.58+39.87
Expected MarginEngland by 82 runs
Actual MarginMatch Drawn
Post-rating1255.491213.90

A tale of two P(i)etersen innings, and their teams' differing approaches. Alviro's 182 over almost 9 hours was never fluent, but still a master-class in self-denial, driving almost nothing, and waiting on the English bowlers. He set up a South African score that while not huge, with rain was nearly impregnible, allowing them to take the game to England on the final day and set a target. This is a relatively new phenomenon, to see Smith looking for wins, even risking an English assault to give his bowlers time to make an impact. It failed to produce a result, but they enter the last test requiring only a draw to take the official top ranking.

Pietersen's 149 was, by contrast, a sparkling counter-attack in a team that seems baffled by South Africa's refusal to roll-over and gift wickets and runs, as so many others do. By the end of the third day the propsect of an English victory, hitherto unforeseen, became more distinct. His second ball dismissal and the subsequent rapid collapse on the fourth morning dented any hope of that, although Prior's 68 pushed England to a small lead. But Pietersen demonstrated the on-field qualities he brings as surely as subsequent events demonstrated that his off-field demeanour is not well liked in the English establishment.

Now dropped, for, of all things, texting the opposition, much has been written about the importance of team ethic, and the need for individuals to subject themselves to it. In this, Flower and Strauss run a typically modern English sports setup; successful where none had been before, by pursuing marginal gains and maximum efficiency at the expense of flair. Pietersen is framed as an egotist, but it strikes me as unfair. He is certainly not typical of someone who knows his value and demands his respect. He comes across as self-confident but insecure, honest and hard-working but hopelessly naive, and no doubt poorly advised.

It is quite obvious that Strauss, and a number of his team-mates can't stand him; Flower, probably, too, not least because of the fall-out over Pietersen's short-live captaincy; and by several people in the ECB. He is isolated, a senior player with a junior role; passed over by (of all people) Stuart Broad for even a minor captaincy position; relentlessly criticised for even minor indiscretions while his team-mates are free to insult him in print and interviews, and (allegedly) through proxy. This inconsistency, and the too infrequently mentioned debilitating effect too much control can have on those temperamentally incompatible with the regime, raises serious questions over the handling of a valuable player. Pietersen's performances are, by and large, beyond reproach, which is not true of the English leadership. England go into a final, important test, missing their best batsman to date, and playing two rookies.

South Africa can hardly have hoped for more; though don't be surprised if the result swings either way. Cricket remains a game of small margins. It is the narrowest of those margins that makes the statement that England can afford to drop Pietersen so much nonsense.

Rankings at 14th August 2012
1.England1255.49
2.South Africa1213.90
3.Australia1181.09
4.Pakistan1125.80
5.Sri Lanka1042.97
6.India1023.29
7.West Indies957.33
8.New Zealand876.96
9.Bangladesh601.34
10.Zimbabwe543.69

11.Ireland553.27
12.Afghanistan522.40
13.Scotland444.87
14.Namibia411.84
15.Kenya317.93
16.U.A.E.212.22
17.Netherlands208.86
18.Canada147.79

Shaded teams have played fewer than 2 games per season. Non-test team ratings are not comparable to test ratings as they don't play each other.

Idle Summers 15th August, 2012 02:39:21   [#] [0 comments] 

Monday Melbourne: CCLXV, August 2012
Russell Degnan

Fog on the river. Taken August 2012

Melbourne Town 15th August, 2012 00:11:21   [#] [0 comments] 

Monday Melbourne: CCLXIV, August 2012
Russell Degnan

Lights on the river. Taken August 2012

Melbourne Town 8th August, 2012 00:07:06   [#] [0 comments] 

Ratings - 3rd August 2012
Russell Degnan

1st TestWest IndiesvNew Zealand
Pre-rating943.46887.90
Form+15.73+4.77
Expected MarginWest Indies by 78 runs
Actual MarginWest Indies by 9 wickets
Post-rating951.55881.02

Like England at the Oval, New Zealand actually batted reasonably well, but didn't go on, having no less than 15 of their batsmen passed double figures without scoring a ton, and batting for roughly half the available overs, but at a much slower rate than the Gayle-powered West Indies top order. Roach (7/115) and Narine toiled away - the latter bowled 85 overs for his 8/223 - although New Zealand will be disappointed not to force a draw given they started the last day with 7 wickets in hand and 30 runs in front. Roach's pair of 5th day spells turned the match, taking 3/6 off 8 overs, and a second blitz by Gayle quickly ended the match in the evening session.

The West Indies thus continue to improve. Their rating is now above where it was when the Bangladesh strike and the fall-out caused a significant drop. New Zealand, by contrast, and the victory over Australia aside, continue to decline. The talent is there for them to play at a better level, although injuries have depleted their batting in this series. Vettori's recent decline, from good to worryingly poor certainly hurts them, and although both Boult and Bracewell have the raw pace needed for this level, both are finding their way. More discipline and pressure is definitely required if they are to keep the West Indies to manageable targets.


Rankings at 3rd August 2012
1.England1265.73
2.South Africa1201.26
3.Australia1181.09
4.Pakistan1125.80
5.Sri Lanka1042.97
6.India1023.29
7.West Indies951.55
8.New Zealand881.02
9.Bangladesh601.34
10.Zimbabwe543.69

11.Ireland553.27
12.Afghanistan522.40
13.Scotland444.87
14.Namibia411.84
15.Kenya317.93
16.U.A.E.212.22
17.Netherlands208.86
18.Canada147.79

Shaded teams have played fewer than 2 games per season. Non-test team ratings are not comparable to test ratings as they don't play each other.

Idle Summers 4th August, 2012 17:19:19   [#] [0 comments]