Thursday, June 26, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, Group A, Asia Cup, Lahore 2008
Sri Lanka prove too strong for Bangladesh
June 25, 2008
Sri Lanka 357 for 9 (Sangakkara 101, Kapugedera 74, Jayasuriya 72) beat Bangladesh 226 for 7 (Mushfiqur 44, Mortaza 34*) by 131 runsMohammad Ashraful was left to rue his decision at the toss - on the sort of pitch where they had piled 300-plus the previous day, Bangladesh decided to field first and paid a heavy price as Sri Lanka, fired by some superb top-order batting by Kumar Sangakkara and Sanath Jayasuriya, piled a massive target before inflicting a heavy defeat.
Chasing an insurmountable target, Bangladesh never seemed like waging a battle although a fourth-wicket stand of 78 between Mushfiqur Rahim and Raqibul Hasan played a major hand in delaying the inevitable. For a while the duo played with patience, character even tackled smartly the spin of Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan. But eventually, Muralitharan got the better of their grit, effectively ending the Bangladesh fight.
Earlier the responsibility, once again, fell on Ashraful to play the multiple role of anchor, hustler and finisher. Yesterday, Ashraful had scored a composed century. Today, after his top edge was spilled by Jayasuriya, Ashraful went for a brash pull against a short ball from Dilhara Fernando. The umpire Simon Taufel thought the ball had brushed his gloves but the batsman started his walk with disbelief.
If Bangladesh meandered towards defeat, Sri Lanka always seemed formidable with the bat. Such was the dominance of the Sri Lankans that rarely did their run rate drop below seven. Much of the credit went to the opening pair of Jayasuriya and Sangakkara, who quickly got into the groove once they had gauged that they had nothing to fear from the bowling or the pitch. What unfolded over the next hour was a spectacular batting display that resulted in a 116-run opening partnership, which was the perfect platform for the other batsmen to build on.
It didn't matter that this was the first time in two years the pair went out to open. After the World Cup, this was the seventh pair Sri Lanka had tried out and it proved decisive as it was the first century opening partnership since the 2006-07 New Zealand tour where Jayasuriya had successfully paired with Upul Tharanga.
As Sangakkara caressed the ball to the boundary from close to his body, Jayasuriya cut hard, charged, pulled and hit at everything. Dolar Mahumud suffered the worst carnage as his second over was taken for 25 runs by Jayasuriya, which included two spectacular cuts on his toes past the point boundary.
Bangladesh's bowling was erratic to say the least. Apart from the dependable Mashrafe Mortaza and the left-arm spin of Abdur Razzak, the rest of the bowlers never stuck to the thumb rule of bowling to the fields. Time and again, Ashraful rushed to his bowlers, but as Sri Lanka's final total indicated, that didn't do much good.
Sangakkara took command after Jayasuriya departed, bowled trying to cut Razzak's spin. One of the highlights of the innings came in the 20th over, as Sangakkara clobbered five fours off Mahmud. The first ball was a wide, while the next one was smacked low by Sangakkara past mid-off. The next, a slower one, was swept to long leg for another boundary, after which he smacked one over the bowler's head for the third four. Mahmud had a chance to make amends, but made a mess of a caught-and-bowled chance the next ball. Sangakkara celebrated by sending the last two balls - both of which drifted down the leg side - for fours as well to speed towards his eighth ODI hundred and the second this year.
He accomplished that feat by pushing a single off legspinner Alok Kapali, whose first two balls were pulled for consecutive fours. He fell soon after, though - increasingly tired in the energy sapping heat, he miscued a pull to give Mahmudullah his only wicket.
But Chamara Kapugedera made sure the momentum was never lost, as he piled an intelligent 74, stitching important partnerships with Chamara Silva and Tillakaratne Dilshan. He was especially severe on Kapali, regularly stepping down the pitch to loft.
Sri Lanka now have the leisure of rotating the line-up in tomorrow's final group-stage clash against UAE, while Bangladesh will enter the second round with mixed feelings.
Nagraj Gollapudi is an assistant editor at Cricinfo
Hong Kong v India, Group B, Asia Cup, Karachi 2008
India 374 for 4 (Dhoni 109*, Raina 101, Sehwag 78) beat Hong Kong 118 (Chawla 4-23) by 256 runs
Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his team marked the 25th anniversary of India's World Cup triumph with an emphatic 256-run win over Hong Kong in Karachi to begin their Asia Cup campaign in style. India rested Yuvraj Singh and Ishant Sharma for this game, but they weren't missed much: Suresh Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni helped themselves to centuries against a hapless bowling attack after Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir had built a platform, before Piyush Chawla flummoxed the Hong Kong batsmen.
India put up a near-clinical performance, barring a middle-over spell when Hong Kong's left-arm spinners stifled the batsmen and gave away 47 runs in 15 overs. Had it not been for that India could conceivably have ended the day surpassing the highest total in ODIs - Sri Lanka's 443 - and the largest victory margin in runs with ease. India's 257-run win against Bermuda in the World Cup last year remains the record.
Hong Kong were all but out of the contest once India amassed 374 for 4, but they would be disappointed to be dismissed under 150 and not being able to last 50 overs for the second game in a row. The defeat also ends their challenge in the tournament.
India's innings revolved around two partnerships: the opening stand of 127 between Sehwag - who blitzed 78 off 44 balls - and Gambhir, while Raina, whose 66-ball hundred is the second-fastest by an Indian, and Dhoni amassed 166 for the fourth wicket, an Asia Cup record. Both partnerships came at more than eight an over, and one can gauge how poor Rohit Sharma had been to score 11 off 29 deliveries.
The openers raced to 100 in just 10.5 overs, the quickest India have been to the mark. Hong Kong's opening bowlers didn't pose any menace with their pace, and the batsmen feasted on easy offerings. Tabarak Dar, Hong Kong's captain, then brought on his trio of left-arm spinners, who managed to rein in India's attack. Najeem Ahmed was once again impressive after having given Pakistan a scare on Tuesday, but it was fellow left-armer Najeed Amar who did the damage with the wickets of Sehwag and Gambhir. The two, along with Munir Dar, put the brakes on the scoring as India crawled from 127 in 15 overs to 159 after 25.
Dhoni and Raina, though, managed to more than double the 178 that India had scored after 30 overs. Dhoni, batting at No. 4, was off the blocks quickly, finding the gap through the covers for two fours off Nadeem. He lunged his front foot forward against the spinners, trying to smother the turn. Largely content with the singles, he kept the rate ticking along with Raina.
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Raina, using his advantage as a left-hander, managed to push the left-arm bowlers into the gaps and takes the singles. His fifty came at a run-a-ball, but he cut loose against inexperienced bowlers, with his second fifty coming in just 16 balls as India smashed 129 in the final ten overs.
Both batsmen targeted to clear the straight boundary, with Dhoni launching a couple onto the roof. Raina pummelled three sixes and a four - all over long-on - off the 42nd over from Skhawat Ali, which cost 25 runs. Irfan Ahmed was then smartly chipped over extra cover for four, and a slower one was carted behind square to bring up his first hundred. Raina fell for 101, but Dhoni hung around to compile his fourth ODI hundred.
Not much was expected from Hong Kong in reply, but Tabarak and James Atkinson, the 17-year-old wicketkeeper, showed some resolve against the quicker bowlers. However, he was out stumped as he was stepped out and was beaten by a legspinner in Chawla's first over. What stood out in Chawla's performance today was his ability to surprise the batsmen with turning legbreaks - he often has been guilty of relying on the googlies for picking wickets in the past. He managed to also induce Hussain Butt and Courtney Kruger outside their crease, leaving Dhoni to complete easy stumpings. A top-edged slog-sweep fetched him his fourth, and he finished with impressive figures of 10-2-23-4.
Irfan battled before he was run out for 25, and Sehwag wrapped up the game with wickets off successive deliveries. India now face Pakistan on Thursday, and definitely a much sterner test.
Mathew Varghese is an editorial assistant at Cricinfo
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Asia Cup 2008-Much at stake in ill-timed Asia Cup
June 23, 2008
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There could not have been a worse time - literally and figuratively - to play the ninth edition of the Asia Cup, a concept that is much abused, not always without merit. And when a much-abused concept features a much-abused form of the game, it better have everything going for it.
First of all the timing of this year's Asia Cup is a worry, because it's scheduled in the months of June and July. International cricket has never been played in Pakistan during this period and that sums up the predicament of 50-over cricket, perhaps more so tournaments that feature as many minnows as they do regular teams. So why June, you ask? Easy - there just isn't any other time. As a result, all the really meaningful matches will be played in Karachi, which is expected to be the least oppressive in the summer - owing to sea breeze - and also to be least effected by the expected monsoon.
The tournament comes on the heels of a successful IPL and one look at the teams involved blatantly suggests the possibility of more one-sided, one-dimensional games such as that the recent Kitply Cup, barring the final, threw up. Fifty-over cricket never needed a bigger fillip, and the Asia Cup needs to at least make sure it doesn't go further down. For all the thrills Twenty20 has provided, 50-over cricket still offers considerably more opportunity for the classier side to prevail, the human character to unfold, the twists and turns to pan out, and that is what the tournament needs.
For all the abuse heaped on the Asia Cup, it has something going for it; something that was the basis, 25 years ago, for the formation of the Asian Cricket Council that would in turn devise this tournament. Besides promoting the game in Asia, the major purpose behind the formation of the ACC was to promote a sense of friendship and goodwill between India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The kind that was seen when India and Pakistan sent a joint team to Sri Lanka after Australia and West Indies refused to travel following a bomb blast just before the start of the 1996 World Cup. The kind when South Africa moved out of a tri-series in Sri Lanka in 2005, again out of security concerns, and India decided to stay on and play a bilateral series.
Now in the Asia Cup's silver-jubilee year, when few teams wants to play cricket in Pakistan, and after they've suffered major losses following Australia's pullout, and stand to lose more if the Champions Trophy is shifted elsewhere, it's the Asian countries who are trying to prove that cricket can indeed be played in Pakistan.
India, despite the blip in the final of the Kitply Cup, will go in as favourites. However, once the first three matches are out of the way they should be run close by Sri Lanka and Pakistan. For all three, there is something in the tournament and the upset win for Pakistan in Bangladesh has added the much-needed needle to the contest. India haven't won the Asia Cup since 1995; 13 years sounds like a huge interval for what is essentially a three-nation tournament. They wouldn't want to take it to 15.
For all the increased frequency of India-Pakistan contests, Pakistan are somehow still one loss to India short of a crisis. And with two matches almost assured against their archrivals, and a third one if they can repeat their Kitply Cup success, Pakistan have reason to not take this lightly. Sri Lanka, who have dipped consistently since reaching the final of the World Cup last year, are worryingly seeming to lose out on the power game - both with the bat and the ball, which is what most of limited-overs cricket in the subcontinent is about. Since making the World Cup final they have suffered one-day defeats against England at home, in the CB Series in Australia and in the West Indies. Out of their last 22 ODIs they have won eight - three of them against Bangladesh at home.
Weakened by the absence of Farveez Maharoof and Lasith Malinga and bolstered by the comeback of Sanath Jayasuriya, Dilhara Fernando and Muttiah Muralitharan, they would want to start the process of setting the record right here.
Add to this the proverbial maxim about Bangladesh, UAE and Hong Kong having to prove themselves at this level - Bangladesh under significantly more pressure than the other two - and we have a tournament that the teams should care enough about to make the viewers respond in kind.
Right now, though, the most apt definition for this Asia Cup would be a dry run for the Champions Trophy, but over the next fortnight the teams would want to make it mean more.
Sidharth Monga is a staff writer at Cricinfo
© Cricinfo
Sunday, June 22, 2008
all about cricket bats
Although Middlepeg carries a complete and unsurpassed range of cricket equipment it is our unrivalled selection of the very finest and best cricket bats in world cricket that we are most proud of. From day one it was our quest to ensure that for the first time ever cricketers at all levels could use what are the best cricket bats in the world. These bats are the very same cricket bats used by top international cricketers made exclusively for them by a select few master cricket bat makers. Better still with Middlepegs revolutionary business operation these masterpieces come individually handcrafted for you to your own specifications at prices lower than most 'off the shelf' cricket bats.
Our passion for cricket bats and relationship with numerous Master Pod Shavers sees Middlepeg proudly hold the status of the number 1 seller of custom made cricket bats in the world. Having established Middlepeg as the home and source for both the finest bats in cricket we also carry a carefully selected range of high quality English willow cricket bats which all offer sensational value and true hand crafted performance.
Our range and selection of cricket bats are our pride and joy and we thoroughly enjoy hearing our customers telling us how amazed they are at the incredible performance of their individually handcrafted cricket bat. The same also goes for our master cricket bat makers who treat each of the bats they handcraft as if it was being made for Sir Donald Bradman himself. Middlepeg has a close working relationship and friendship with the Bradbury's and James Laver and we know how much care and dedication goes into every single cricket bat they make which makes it very easy to whole heartedly recommend to you that these are the best cricket bats in the world bar none.
Middlepegs Selection of Cricket Bats
With our collective, life long fascination and passion for cricket gear Middlepegs catalogue offers cricket bats ranging from those which are quite simply the best around through to those which are the best quality and value for money in the world today.
There are a lot of decisions to be made by an individual when deciding which model and style to chose when purchasing a new cricket bat. Whilst your choice of cricket bat is entirely an individual issue that relates to both personal preference and finance, Middlepeg has every possible choice to meet and more than satisfy your individual decision making process.
When deciding which cricket bats to include in our range Middlepeg carries out an exhaustive testing program on all potential new cricket bats and models. This testing program quite literally sees staff from Middlepeg going around the world buying and testing new cricket bats for potential inclusion into our range. First and foremost on our list of 'must haves' is the quality of the craftsmanship and the choice or grade of English willow used in making the cricket bats.
Having visited the worlds foremost experts and suppliers of English willow (see our World of Willow section) we have a thorough insight into what willow is required to make cricket bats perform the way we all want them to perform. The choice of willow used in crafting a cricket bat is of the utmost importance and will ultimately dictate the quality and performance of that particular bat. A good cleft of willow can be made into a great cricket bat but it is quite difficult if not impossible to turn a poor cleft of willow into a good cricket bat. For further information on willow we discuss all aspects of this area in our World of Willow section.
Once you have your willow it is then up to the cricket bat makers skill to ensure that they convert that cleft into the best possible performing cricket bat suitable to that particular cleft of willow.
Today the art of cricket bat making is basically broken into two quite clear categories. These are your general cricket bat makers who produce bats through a mechanised process (ie cricket bat making machines) and your Pod Shavers who are master cricket bat makers who individually hand craft and hand shave all of the cricket bats they make.
Now although there are some very fine cricket bats that come out of a bat making machine there can be no comparison between the quality and performance of a hand crafted cricket bat to one which has come out of a cricket bat machine. Master Pod Shavers like James Laver (Laver & Wood) and the Bradbury's (Bradbury Cricket Bats) are able to hand craft clefts of English willow into cricket bats which simply offer unparalleled quality, balance and phenomenal performance. Given that these two marques of cricket bats are considered to be the best in the world (and used by some of the best players in the world) Middlepeg categorically stands behind these two outstanding handcrafted blades as being a very clear level above all other cricket bats in world cricket.
As mentioned above there are none the less some mighty fine cricket bats that are manufactured with a cricket bat making machine. But again, crucial in this process is the choice of willow used to make that cricket bat. So when deciding which cricket bats to have under this category it was crucial for Middlepeg to be assured that only the best willow was used and that the cricket bats all performed to the highest standard. To ensure these highest standards are maintained all of the cricket bats we carry undergo not only a thorough test program but also at least a season of use in Grade Cricket.
Although Middlepeg carries cricket bats from some well known cricket bat makers we have, through our search for all bats made, discovered some outstanding cricket bats which had never before been offered on the Australian and world wide market. With Middlepegs exclusive and manufacturer direct arrangement with some of these cricket bat makers and in line with Middlepegs Mission we are also able to offer these cricket bats at sensational prices for bats that are of such good quality and outstanding performance.
Laver & Wood Cricket Bats
| Widely regarded as the best cricket bat in the world, crafted by the best and used by many of the best. Handcrafted by Master Pod Shaver James Laver from the finest materials. Each Laver & Wood cricket bat is individually handcrafted to your own personal specifications by James Laver himself. Available through Middlepeg at prices better than many 'off the shelf' bats from cricket shops. For more information please visit Middlepegs Laver & Wood Cricket Bats page |  |
Bradbury Cricket Bats
| The Bradbury's have carved themselves a world wide reputation for handcrafting some of the finest cricket bats in world cricket. Their reputation and craftsmanship as Master Pod Shavers sees their cricket bats being used by numerous top international test players. Each Bradbury cricket bat is handcrafted to your own specifications. For more information please visit Middlepegs Bradbury Cricket Bats page |  |  |
Bellingham & Smith Cricket Bats
| The actual cricket bat used by most of the South African cricket team. All handcrafted by Bellingham & Smiths cricket bat makers these blades offer exceptional performance. Our selection of Bellingham & Smith cricket bats are all personally hand selected by Middlepeg.
For more information please visit Middlepegs Bellingham & Smith Cricket Bats page |  |
MRF Cricket Bats
| Used by the best batsman in the world in Sachin Tendulkar. MRF cricket bats are made from the highest grade English willow. With their simple design, thick edges and stunning graphics they are a classic cricket bat. MRF cricket bats are also crafted with the bowed blade design that many leading batsmen, including Sachin, swear by (see below). MRF cricket bats are sold elsewhere for well over $500 but not at Middlepeg!
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CA Cricket Bats
| Used by numerous Test players (yes 'actually' used) including Inzamam ul Haq. Just like the MRF cricket bats, the CA cricket bats have the simple and traditional design of a classic cricket bat. It is no coincidence that all the better cricket bats going around retain the simple & traditional original design and are without all the "latest fandangled turbocharged shapes and gimmicks". Middlepegs range of CA cricket bats are all handcrafted with a superb bow from Grade 1and Grade 2 English Willow. Middlepegs exclusive deal with CA Sports also means that the entire CA range is offered at sensational prices for such a very high quality cricket bat. You simply cannot buy such high quality English willow cricket bats at Middlepegs prices anywhere else in the world. Click here to go to Middlepegs CA cricket bats catalogue. |  |
BAS Cricket Bats
| Considered the best cricket bats from the sub-continent and accordingly used by a number of international players from all over the world. Middlepeg has a handpicked selection of the top BAS model - the BAS Blaster Vampire.
For more information please visit Middlepegs BAS cricket bats page |  |
AS Sports Cricket Bats
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For more information please visit Middlepegs AS Sports cricket bats page
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Ihsan Sports Cricket Bats
| Established over 50 years ago Ihsan Sports are widely known for the quality and performance of their cricket bats and cricket equipment. No collection of the sub continents finest blades could be complete without the inclusion of these masterpieces. Exquisitely hand crafted these beautifully bowed blades are made with the very finest Grade One willow and we have the very best selection of the top Ihsan cricket bats. The latest addition to our carefully chosen and tested list of cricket bats our Ihsan blades are absolute belters. The Ihsan Crown is in fact so popular (and often imitated by others) that they now come officially stamped with a Certificate proving their authenticity. For more information please visit Middlepegs Ihsan Sports cricket bats page |  |
Matrix Cricket Bats - Exclusive to Middlepeg
| Middlepeg is proud to exclusively and solely launch the World Wide release of the Matrix cricket bat. The most technologically advanced cricket bat in world cricket combining cutting edge technologies with traditional Pod Shaving techniques and hand craftsmanship. Will storm through world cricket circles and has already been grabbed (pre release) by Test cricketers.
See below for history of the Matrix cricket bat. For more information please visit Middlepegs Matrix cricket bat page |  |
| Middlepeg Cricket Bat Packages |
Middlepegs 'Standard' Cricket Bat Package - FREE with ALL cricket bats sold
In keeping with Middlepegs quest to offer our customers unrivalled levels of service, value and quality, all cricket bats ordered through Middlepeg come with our free cricket bat package valued at over $75.
Whilst some cricket shops are still charging customers for items like Bat Bags, facing, oil and so on Middlepegs Cricket Bat Package comes free with ALL cricket bats sold by us. Our free cricket bat packages have taken the world by storm with no competitor even coming close to matching this offer - indeed most as mentioned are still charging for such items.
- Custom full length cricket bat Bag
$25 Gift Voucher- Raw Linseed Oil
- Edge Tape
- Cricket Bat Facing Sheet (standard)
- Cricket Bat Care Booklet
- Sand Paper
- Extra Grip
- PLUS a free gift - A book on Sir Donald Bradman.
Over 90 pages of facts, stats and information on
the greatest batsman ever.
Middlepegs 'Deluxe' Cricket Bat Package & Facing Service - Only $18
Includes all the items in the 'Cricket Bat Package' (see above) plus the addition and application to your cricket bat of our superb and exclusive Middlepeg Cricket Bat Facing. Click here to read all about what is the best cricket bat facing material in world cricket. This package includes the service and bonus of applying your Middlepeg Cricket Bat Facing which includes a;
- all the items in the above package PLUS
- pre application of oil
- post pre-app light sanding
- placement of the facing,
- and the application of edge tape as well.
This is the best pre service available for a cricket bat and this process and 'Middlepegs Cricket Bat Facing' is fully endorsed as the best available by the best cricket bat makers in the world. Middlepegs 'Deluxe Package & Facing Service' is a sensational offer and service valued at over $95 … all this for only $18! (Middlepegs Cricket Bat Facing alone is worth $12!)
| Bowed Blades - 'To bow or not to bow' Although straight blade designs have mostly dominated the cricket scene in Australia and the world, it is now well worth noting that the biggest cricket bat manufacturers in the world have slowly begun to realise the merits of the bowed blade with the release of their "own" bowed blade designs. Cricket bat makers like CA, AS Sports, MRF and others however have been making Bowed Blades for the last 40 years. For these last 40 years the benefits of a bowed blade have been well known by many master Pod Shavers but for reasons unknown the big manufacturers refused to have a bowed blade design. Today they are advertising and heavily promoting 'their' bowed blades. As for Middlepegs views on a bowed blade, having now used a number of CA, AS Sports and MRF cricket bats which feature the bowed blade we feel that there is no question that this simple principle works. This is especially so for the player who likes to hit over the top with the blade providing clearly more power and oomph for the lofted shot. So again, whilst it is obviously up to the individual many people who have never used bowed blades before swear by them after using them for the first time.
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Cricket Bat Selection Tips
With the choice of cricket bats available at Middlepeg we are often contacted by cricketers who are not quite sure which cricket bat to go for. When this occurs it is Middlepegs pleasure to guide you by discussing your personal preferences in a cricket bat using numerous factors such as weight, sizing, style, budget and timeframe. Some of these factors are quite important.
For instance when a customer has been using a cricket bat of their own for some time we like to know the exact weight of the cricket bat they own. And we do mean exact here - kitchen scales are generally not accurate enough. Unless you have very accurate 3 or 5kg digital scales we suggest you pop down to your local Post Office who have very accurate digital scales and let us know the exact weight in kilograms (ie 1.125 kgs) or pounds (ie 2lb 9oz). On this we often find cricketers being surprised by the actual weight of their cricket bat. What is often sold in a shop as say a 2lb 8oz bat is often not that at all. (By the way, since we have been recommending this Post Offices or shops around the world have seen many cricket bats come in to be weighed. It only takes a few seconds so they don't mind at all).
Once we have established your personal views we can then proceed with the best options and alternatives. This is a process that Middlepeg thoroughly enjoys so please do not hesitate to contact us for advice on cricket bat selection.
Middlepeg, Cricket Bats and the Cricket Industry
There is a lot that goes on in the cricket industry when it comes to gear and equipment. Middlepeg through its quest to provide you with the best gear at the best prices has always ensured and will always ensure that our products meet that goal regardless of what happens in the cricket industry.
Today the game of cricket is a very big global industry with business and annual worldwide sales growing steadily. As with all big businesses the quest to increase sales, market share and profits often leads towards a reduction or minimisation of costs which most unfortunately has lead in some instances to a reduction of product quality. Consumers are often paying at least the same (if not more) for products which may not be as high in quality as they should be.
Instead of focusing on product improvement, genuine innovation and not forgetting good old fashion craftsmanship some companies prefer to invest in marketing, advertising, endorsements and other promotional pursuits which contribute little to product quality. Indeed given the astronomical cost of advertising and player endorsements in the game of cricket today it often means there are no budgetary funds available for what companies should be spending their money on - genuine research and development.
This is especially so when it comes to cricket bats where healthy figures are paid out in player endorsements. Whilst paying well known cricketers endorsements to use a product is a totally normal and fundamental right in cricket and all sports industries (and we certainly and absolute totally support a fully open and free market economy) there should perhaps be a little refocus back to product quality and improvement rather then on marketing.
Given the passion that we have long held for cricket bats and the art of Pod Shaving we are meticulous about the cricket bats we offer because amongst other things we share and can relate to the excitement a batsman feels when they are delighted with the performance and balance of their new cricket bat.
And whether it is hosting events like "A Night of Bradman & Blades" (which saw the Bradman Museum and James Laver all come to Western Australia for this Middlepeg function) or traveling the globe in search of the best cricket gear around (see Ultralite Pads) Middlepeg intends to continue bringing cricketers the best choices and prices available. Constantly liaising with the best Pod Shavers in cricket like the Bradbury's and James Laver is also only part of that process when it comes to cricket bats.
Latest and Unique Cricket Bat Designs
With our collective fascination of cricket bats of all makes and designs Middlepeg has acquired a world class collection of the very latest and unique cricket bat designs.
Perhaps our most unique cricket bat we have on show at Middlepeg is the 'infamous' Dennis Lillee aluminium 'ComBat'. This cricket bat (pictured below) created headlines across the world when Dennis Lillee first tried to use the bat in a Test Match against England at the WACA ground over 20 years ago. Unfortunately for Dennis (who was a founder and co-designer of the ComBat cricket bat) the English captain complained that the bat was damaging the ball and the umpires asked Dennis to stop using it. After a bit of a 'debate' Dennis did stop using it and that was the last the world saw of the Combat on the international stage as the International Cricket Council later amended the playing laws so that only wood could be used to make cricket bats.
In discussing the ComBat design with Dennis it was interesting to find out that he and his partner came up with the idea and principle from a piece of aluminium staircase balustrade they had lying around. As for the performance of the ComBat we thoroughly enjoy having a hit with it in our nets as it actually doesn't have that bad a middle on it. You just have to be seeing the ball like a watermelon as the middle or hitting zone is not that big. That said however it was amazing to see Justin Langer having a hit with it in the nets we had set up at the "Night of Bradman and Blades" as quite literally Justin found the middle of it every single time!
Aside from some of our old classic cricket bats Middlepeg is often contacted by many new cricket bat designers asking us to test out their new concept and cricket bat design. Though currently the best cricket bats are still those that stick to the traditional English Willow design it will, given the rate of technological change, not be long before advanced composites and designs produce a cricket bat to rival and perhaps outperform the traditional English Willow cricket bat. That said however, regardless of what composites may contribute to the cricket world they will still not be able to be used as the ICC laws state that only wood can be used in the blade of a cricket bat so change will also have to take place at the ICC.
One such high tech cricket bat that we are very impressed with is the Matrix which is a cricket bat that has undergone substantial and extensive scientific research and development. Matrix cricket bats have Kevlar inserts placed into the handle and the benefits of this can be clearly felt when having a hit with it. Of all the composites that exist today it is Kevlar that offers much in the field of cricket and cricket bat design and given that Kevlar is only used in the handle of the Matrix cricket bat the bat is fully authorised by the ICC and able to be used at all levels of cricket.
Traditional cane handles transfer a reasonable amount of energy into a stroke and the blade. The principle of the Matrix sees the introduction of Kevlar to produce a super stiff handle leading to a correspondingly better transfer of energy than the traditional handle. Our concerns with this revolved around the handles shock absorption properties. However our testing found that the Matrix handles (with the Kevlar insert in the centre between the rubber inserts) gave both the shock absorption of rubber and the stiffness and lightness of Kevlar.
| Middlepeg is still in the process of completing our comprehensive test program on the Matrix cricket bat but all results to date have proved promising. Once our test program is complete and should the Matrix have performed well in an actual season of Grade Cricket we expect to be, on current results, carrying the Matrix cricket bat. If you are interested in the results of our Matrix cricket bat test program please feel free to contact us or stay tuned for further updates.
The awesome blade design of the Matrix
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Interesting Cricket Bat Facts
There are a lot of facts and almost as many fallacies when it comes to cricket bats and people are often quite surprised by many of these facts and issues. We have included this section because we are often asked these questions by our customers and because of reasons which we don't understand, many large cricket manufacturing companies simply do not want you to know. This is not the case with all large cricket manufacturing companies and we genuinely applaud those companies who are transparent and open with their customers.
- Over 80% (and probably much higher) of all cricket bats today are made in India. Regardless of where you might 'think' your cricket bat is made and regardless of what famous brand your cricket bat is the overwhelming probability is that it is made in India. Now…there is actually nothing wrong with this as many great cricket bats actually come from the subcontinent and indeed many of the better Pod Shavers today are from there as well. Also, some of our own biggest selling cricket bat brands come from these very same master cricket bat makers. The only issue here is the widespread public misconception continually perpetuated by some companies that their cricket bats are made locally in line with their 'local' and long standing reputation/s in certain countries. This perpetuation is a fallacy and we along with many in the industry do not understand why certain companies are not proud of where their cricket bats are made. This is not the case with all the large manufacturing companies and we thoroughly applaud those who proudly emblazon that their cricket bats are actually "Made in England" or "Made in Australia" and so on. Perhaps it is time for the cricket industry to self regulate itself at least a little and ask that all cricket bats come mandatory with a "Country of Manufacture" sticker on it. Its mandatory in many other industries so why not in the cricket industry? All companies generally make great cricket bats so why not be proud of where your bat is actually made and stand by it?
- The remaining 20% (probably less) of cricket bats are mostly made in Australia, England, South Africa, Pakistan, and New Zealand.
- All countries that make cricket bats produce both fantastic and not so fantastic bats - it simply depends on the skill of the cricket bat Maker (see our World of Willow section), the quality of the willow used and the techniques used to make the cricket bat (preferably hand crafted and not made by a mechanised cricket bat machine)
- Where are the best cricket bats made? This is obviously a question based on opinion but if we go by the majority of the best international Test cricketers then they would say the best cricket bats come from New Zealand and Australia but that is ONLY because the best Master Pod Shavers are based in these countries. Going by Middlepegs testing program we agree with these views but certainly the ultimate test of a cricket bat makers skill is which world class cricketers are using their cricket bats and we know which bats most Test cricketers are actually using. That said many other cricketers (including the best batsman in the world) like their cricket bats from other cricket bat makers so it does come down to their and your own personal opinions as well.
- Most cricket bats sold publicly in the world today are made by mechanised cricket bat making machines. This is unfortunate as the best cricket bats are hand crafted but you can still find excellent cricket bats which come from these cricket bat making machines.
- English Willow is only sold and classified under 5 grades starting from Grade 1 which is the best going through to Grade 5. Over 90% of the worlds English Willow comes from the JS Wrights & Sons Willow farm (yes 90%!) and this is how they and the remaining 10% classify willow. Try not to get caught up in the marketing pizzazz of statements like "5 Star" willow and so on. When it leaves the Willow farms it is either Grade 1 through to Grade 5 and this is how companies should stick with their willow classifications.
- Prior to the Dennis Lillee aluminium "Combat" cricket bat (click here to see this bat) there were unbelievably no rules or regulations on what a cricket bat could be made of. Following the Dennis Lillee episode the ICC & MCC put rules in place ensuring that the blades of cricket bats were made from wood.
- We don't know what the world record was or is but the heaviest cricket bat we have sold is a custom made bat that weighed 3lb 8oz - this bat was unbelievably huge! Generally the average weight of a cricket bat in and around the world today is approx 2lb 9oz.
- Sir Donald Bradman's record breaking triple test century cricket bat weighed 2lb 4oz. Sachin Tendulkar's cricket bat weighs around the 3lb plus mark.
- Some international cricketers actually use the cricket bats their sponsoring company makes for them and we applaud those that do use the actual cricket bats they are paid to use.
- The majority of the best cricket bat handles in world cricket all come from Indonesia (excluding the Matrix cricket bat handle). Your cricket bat handle is probably from there in fact.
- 'Pod Shaving' is the original traditional and technical term used to describe the process of making a cricket bat.
- The weight of a cricket bat does not dictate its balance, lift or pickup. This is dictated by the skill of the cricket bat maker during the design and shaping of the bat. We have examples of cricket bats that weigh 2lb 12oz that pickup and lift better than a bat weighing 2lb 8oz.
- The price of a cricket bat does not dictate its quality. We have cricket bats worth $250 that perform better than many $400 plus bats out there. It all comes down to the skill of the Cricket Bat Maker, the quality of the willow used and the techniques used to make the bat (preferably hand crafted and not made by a mechanised cricket bat machine)
- Many years ago, some unbelievably used to advise it was best to soak your entire cricket bat in a drum of Linseed Oil. This is not, repeat NOT advisable to say the least. With Linseed Oil application on cricket bats the best rule is "less applied regularly is best" (see Cricket Bat Care section)
- The species of English Willow used for making cricket bats is 'Salix Alba Caerulea'. There are various other types of English willow but these are generally not used in the making of cricket bats. Some have tried to grow 'Salix Alba Caerulea' in other areas around the world but results to date clearly show that the best 'Salix Alba Caerulea' cricket bat willow is only grown in England.
- The first recorded cricket match took place at Coxheath in Kent, England in 1646. The first bats used in cricket (then referred to as 'criquet') were sticks and also shepherds crooks. By early in the 18th century cricket bats looked like curved clubs similar to the one pictured below which is a scene from the Artillery Ground in London. Incidentally 'criquet' was also recorded as being extensively played in Southern France.
- The best willow and cricket bats are only lightly pressed before being completed. Cricket bats which are over pressed during their crafting or production do not have as good a middle and 'ping performance' as bats which are lightly pressed. Lots (and lots) of cricket bat companies detrimentally over press their bats so that they last longer so as to simply have less customer returns.
- One of the worst places to leave a cricket bat is a place where lots of cricketers leave them - in the boots of cars. Heat and humidity are the worst enemies of willow and this is multiplied one hundred fold in a car boot especially in summer when cricket is played.
- Some international Test cricketers can go through as many as one cricket bat per Test match. Some Test players however like to find a blade that they are totally in love with (often found from a choice or selection) and then use it for as long as they can.
asia cup 2008 :You will see me batting up the order - Dhoni
June 22, 2008
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Mahendra Singh Dhoni says India will be looking to score above five runs an over in the middle overs of the Asia Cup, which starts on June 24 in Pakistan. He also said he would bat up the order to avoid the sort of collapse that happened in the recent Kitply Cup final against Pakistan, where they lost wickets at regular intervals and ended up 25 runs short when chasing 316.
"In the middle overs it is important to keep scoring at 5 to 5.5 runs per over at least till the 40th over without losing many wickets," said Dhoni before India's departure for the ninth edition of the Asia Cup. "[In Bangladesh] we did well in the league games but in the final we had a good run rate but lost wickets. Yuvi [Yuvraj Singh] was going well but the lack of an experienced partner didn't help us," Dhoni said, admitting his gamble of sending Suresh Raina ahead of him didn't go well and that he would not repeat the same mistake again.
India have done reasonably well in the middle overs recently: in the last 13 games - starting with the CB Series earlier this year - they have scored at the rate of 5.01 between the 21st and 40th over, and have averaged 34.88 runs per wicket, losing 34 wickets in those overs. While they scored at a good rate during the league matches of the Kitply Cup, Dhoni singled out the loss of wickets at regular intervals during Pakistan's 25-run win in the final as the main cause for defeat.
"You will see me batting up the order," he said in response to the matter.
It has been 13 years since India last won the Asia Cup but Dhoni believed that with a few changes they can clinch victory this year. Instead of resting on the laurels of the CB Series triumph in March or the formidable performances by most of his Asia Cup team-mates in the Indian Premier League, Dhoni said the focus was on coming back from another final loss to Pakistan.
"It is not about what has happened in the past," he said. "We will win more matches than lose if we play to our potential and our capability. If you want to be exceptional side you have to learn from mistakes."
Gary Kirsten, India's coach, echoed Dhoni's sentiments and said that winning the event was one of the goals the team had set for itself as part of the plan for the next year.
India have won the Asia Cup four times, the most by any team, but their last triumph came in 1995.
Nagraj Gollapudi is an assistant editor at Cricinfo
© Cricinfo
The problem with switch-hitting-ian chapell
It is unfair to ask bowlers to say beforehand how they are going to operate and then not subject batsmen to the same rule
June 22, 2008
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Kevin Pietersen was right when he said following the first ODI against New Zealand, "The reverse-sweep has been part of the game for however long." Mike Gatting's futile attempt in the 1987 World Cup final springs readily to mind, but I recall the innovative Javed Miandad was the first to employ the shot.
However, Pietersen was wrong, and for more reasons than just the obvious contradiction, when he went on to say: "That is a new shot played today and people should be saying it's a new way to go." He's wrong for the reason I put forward on total-cricket.com in May 2001.
"While on the subject of legislation there's another case looming where the players are well ahead of the administrators. This happened with Bodyline and the underarm delivery. Whether or not you agree with Douglas Jardine ordering his bowlers to pitch short to a packed on-side field, or Greg Chappell who asked his younger brother to imitate Sir Francis Drake, no one can accuse them of operating outside the laws. If the administrators didn't want Bodyline bowling or underarm deliveries, they should've thought of it before the event and legislated accordingly, rather than castigate the instigators after the event.The same will happen with the reverse sweep if the administrators don't act swiftly to clarify the situation. It is unfair to ask the bowlers to nominate beforehand the way they are going to operate (over or round, left or right arm) and then allow batsmen to change their mode of striking after the ball is in play.
I have no problem with a batsman who cleverly uses his wrists to upset the field placings by reverse sweeping. However, I can't accept that a batsman is allowed to change the order of his hands and/or feet after the bowler commences his run-up, as this in effect makes him the opposite type of player to the one who took strike. By this method a right-hander becomes left (or vice versa) after the bowler commences his run-up and renders the field placings obsolete. This is taking an unfair advantage, while a batsman sticking with the first method is pitting his skill (evenly) against that of the bowler.
If that isn't reason enough to change the law, then administrators should ponder what would happen in a Test if a batsman decides to change mode with his team needing one run to win and only a ball remaining. If three slips and a gully are in position, in theory the batsman would be turning those fielders into four men behind square leg and would have a legitimate claim for a no-ball under the current legislation.
It couldn't happen? Well, I'll bet that's what the administrators were thinking before 1932-33 and prior to 1980-81 when first Jardine and then Greg Chappell jolted them out of their smugness."
| If an adjustment isn't made to the law then it would only seem fair to allow bowlers to weave up to the crease and at the last moment either deliver from over or round the wicket without telling the batsman | |||
I still believe changing striking mode once the ball is in play is unfair and a simple change to the law would eradicate the problem. By including a clause saying "a batsman is not allowed to change the order of his feet or hands from the time of taking his stance to playing a shot" it still leaves the reverse sweep as an option for the batsman but he has to take a risk, and the field placings remain as the bowler originally intended.
How can it be fair when a captain has placed the field for a specific set of circumstances and then the batsman, without warning the fielding side, renders them obsolete by completely changing his stance? If an adjustment isn't made to the law then it would only seem fair to allow bowlers to weave up to the crease and at the last moment either deliver from over or round the wicket without telling the batsman.
Maintaining an even balance between bat and ball is crucial in ensuring the game of cricket remains a fair contest. The administrators are already pushing the envelope by reducing the boundary dimensions at a time when bats are constantly improving; if they are not careful, cricket will become a game of entertainment rather than an entertaining game.
Throughout history bowlers have never been shy about fighting back when they feel they are pushed beyond the limit. They have resorted to chucking, Bodyline, and bowling underarm to even up the contest, and if this anomaly isn't corrected, then I wouldn't blame them for indulging in methods like those to make their protest.
© Cricinfo
NatWest Series [New Zealand in England] - 3rd ODI 2008 scorecard
Played at County Ground, Bristol, on 21 June 2008 (50-over match)
Result New Zealand won by 22 runs
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| New Zealand innings (50 overs maximum) | R | M | B | 4s | 6s | SR | ||
| JM How | b Broad | 10 | 47 | 33 | 1 | 0 | 30.30 | ||
| BB McCullum | c Pietersen b Anderson | 17 | 13 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 154.54 | ||
| LRPL Taylor | b Broad | 8 | 44 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 26.66 | ||
| SB Styris | c  Ambrose b Tremlett | 4 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 66.66 | ||
| DR Flynn | c Tremlett b Anderson | 2 | 36 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 7.69 | ||
| GD Elliott | c Wright b Anderson | 56 | 138 | 102 | 3 | 0 | 54.90 | ||
| GJ Hopkins | c sub (WTS Porterfield) b Collingwood | 7 | 34 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 29.16 | |
 | DL Vettori | c Shah b Swann | 18 | 33 | 27 | 2 | 0 | 66.66 | |
| KD Mills | c Collingwood b Wright | 47 | 44 | 40 | 5 | 2 | 117.50 | ||
| TG Southee | c Pietersen b Wright | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | ||
| MR Gillespie | not out | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | ||
| Extras | (lb 6, w 7) | 13 | |||||||
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| Total | (all out; 50 overs) | 182 | (3.64 runs per over) | ||||||
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| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
| JM Anderson | 10 | 0 | 61 | 3 | 6.10 | (3w) | |
| SCJ Broad | 10 | 4 | 14 | 2 | 1.40 | ||
| CT Tremlett | 10 | 1 | 24 | 1 | 2.40 | (3w) | |
| LJ Wright | 6 | 0 | 34 | 2 | 5.66 | (1w) | |
| PD Collingwood | 10 | 0 | 33 | 1 | 3.30 | ||
| GP Swann | 4 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 2.50 |
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| England innings (target: 183 runs from 50 overs) | R | M | B | 4s | 6s | SR | ||
| IR Bell | c McCullum b Elliott | 20 | 69 | 43 | 3 | 0 | 46.51 | ||
| LJ Wright | c Styris b Mills | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.66 | ||
| KP Pietersen | c Elliott b Mills | 4 | 16 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 30.76 | ||
| RS Bopara | c How b Southee | 27 | 54 | 42 | 4 | 0 | 64.28 | ||
| PD Collingwood | lbw b Southee | 34 | 115 | 80 | 3 | 0 | 42.50 | |
| OA Shah | c Styris b Southee | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | ||
| TR Ambrose | c Taylor b Southee | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | |
| GP Swann | c Taylor b Styris | 29 | 69 | 46 | 4 | 0 | 63.04 | ||
| SCJ Broad | c Hopkins b Vettori | 17 | 42 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 56.66 | ||
| CT Tremlett | c Vettori b Elliott | 3 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 20.00 | ||
| JM Anderson | not out | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | ||
| Extras | (lb 8, w 15, nb 1) | 24 | |||||||
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| Total | (all out; 46.2 overs) | 160 | (3.45 runs per over) | ||||||
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| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
| KD Mills | 10 | 0 | 42 | 2 | 4.20 | (1w) | |
| MR Gillespie | 8 | 3 | 15 | 0 | 1.87 | (1w) | |
| TG Southee | 10 | 2 | 38 | 4 | 3.80 | (1w) | |
| GD Elliott | 5.2 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 1.68 | (2w) | |
| DL Vettori | 9 | 1 | 32 | 1 | 3.55 | (1nb) | |
| SB Styris | 4 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 4.00 | (2w) |
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| Toss England, who chose to field first Player of the match KD Mills (New Zealand) Umpires SJ Davis (Australia) and PJ Hartley |
| Match notes |
- New Zealand innings
- Power Play 2: Overs 10.1 - 15.0
- Power Play 3: Overs 15.1 - 20.0
- New Zealand: 50 runs in 21.1 overs (130 balls), Extras 5
- New Zealand: 100 runs in 35.6 overs (221 balls), Extras 9
- GD Elliott: 50 off 99 balls (2 x 4)
- New Zealand: 150 runs in 47.6 overs (294 balls), Extras 12
- 8th Wicket: 50 runs in 59 balls (GD Elliott 19, KD Mills 29, Ex 3)
- Innings Break: New Zealand - 182/10 in 50.0 overs (MR Gillespie 0)
- England innings
- Power Play 2: Overs 10.1 - 15.0
- England: 50 runs in 14.1 overs (88 balls), Extras 11
- Power Play 3: Overs 15.1 - 20.0
- England Innings: 1x7 ball over (23rd over, TG Southee, called by Umpire PJ Hartley)
- England: 100 runs in 28.4 overs (178 balls), Extras 18
- 7th Wicket: 50 runs in 81 balls (PD Collingwood 23, GP Swann 19, Ex 8)
- Drinks: England - 117/6 in 34.0 overs (PD Collingwood 24, GP Swann 21)
- England: 150 runs in 42.2 overs (263 balls), Extras 22
