The Md.Yousuf dismissal- and the lead up to that wicket.
Here are my two cents -
Md.Yousuf and Inzamam were doing a good job rebuilding the innings after the initial bone headed display of batting by the Pakistani top order. The recovery was well under way, although the run rate kept mounting all the time.
But that is not the point.
On the outside, it seemed oh so middle overish with the batsmen ambling for their singles and the bowlers and the fielders going thru the motions. There was however, in the overs leading up to the dismissal, a visible lifting of the fielding effort by the Windies.
Players were throwing themselves around, singles were being cut off, hardly any twos were being run.
Over 27 could have marked a change in momentum because the Pakistani batsmen cobbled 6 runs without breaking a sweat.
And that is why I believe over 28, and specifically Marlon Samuels' effort in the outfield, contributed significantly to the Md.Yousuf dismissal.
Here is my explanation why ( blame me if it sounds inane :) )
When a batter is looking to maintain his wicket, it does not make that great a difference being denied runs- because that is not what the objective is anyways.
However, when a batter is looking to move on, being denied runs adds to the pressure. And when the very same batter and his partner are limited to running singles for shots that look like they are heading for the boundary ( no value for money), it brings about frustration.
Marry frustration with pressure and what we have is a batsman trying to do something different- to get more/maximum value for money.
Hence this
| 28.4 | Smith to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, Yousuf takes a step down the track and across to the off, shaping to flick to the leg side, and is almost bowled rounds his legs |
| 28.5 | Smith to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, again the crowd roar their approval as Yousuf makes things hard for himself outside the off stump |
That the wicket fell the very next ball is incidental- in my mind, it is the buildup, application and eventual capitulation to pressure that made this passage of play a most interesting one !
2 comments:
Homer - I missed the middle of the game (bloody work got in the way! :)) but this sounds right.
I'm looking forward to seeing the Aussies today - even though its only against Scotland, some evidence of how well their engines are firing will be on display.
I dont know if we can read anything with the Aussie performance today Samir.
The game is such a mismatch that the Queensland Second XI will be hard pressed to make this a contest.
However comprehensive the win the questions will remain - of the Aussie bowling attack and their capacity to defend totals in the face of determined opposition.
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