Bizarre opening to study tour

Leading players Saurav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar are just two of the many debutants in a modified game of cricket which is still not fami...

Leading players Saurav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar are just two of the many debutants in a modified game of cricket which is still not familiar to many.

Indians play their tour opener against the home side tomorrow where both teams play two innings each yet the match must be completed within three and half hours.

Shane Bond gears up
to go for the kill

Shane Bond gears up to go for the kill
Besides the alien conditions, the Indian cricket team will be tested down-under by a fierce Shane Bond, who backed himself to knock over the strong batting line-up of the visitors in the forthcoming Test and one-day series.

Story continues below this ad

“I think the first Test is our big chance to hit them when they’re not used to the colder weather and the wickets,” said the sensational Kiwi fast bowler Bond, who is in terrific form clocking the fifth fastest delivery in the history at 151.3 km per hour this season.

“They have some truly great batsmen and there is much less margin of error for us – but if they are mentally strong, I can be stronger,” said Bond. Bond, a policeman, burst on to the international scene in Australia last season, taking 21 wickets from nine games to be adjudged the player of the series. Bond is confident that success against the Indians will only add to his growing stature. (PTI)

As if this is not bizarre enough, boundaries are worth eight and 12 runs if hit in the max zone; the next ball to a no-ball and a wide is necessarily just that and a free hit; and besides 11 men in the field, an additional specialist fielder is allowed.

Super Max is a game of hit and giggle but already a part of New Zealand’s domestic schedule and could be cricket’s master plan to spread its pitch in affluent European and US market. The match permits 10 overs each innings to two teams which must be completed in 45 minutes.

Story continues below this ad

A max zone is deep in front of a batsman on strike where no fielder is allowed as the ball is being delivered though a catch inside the marked area is legal.

A brainchild of former New Zealand player and now television commentator Martin Crowe, max cricket is part of a staple of sports programmes dished out by Sky television and tomorrow’s game will be telecast live in India.

“The two innings format means the game is rarely dead even after first innings like in a one-dayer,” said Crowe.

“It also forces bowlers to develop strategies to bowl at the death and batsmen are expected to hit straight. As for no-ball, the next ball is a free hit because no batsman in the history of the game has ever heard a no-ball call early and done anything with it.”

Story continues below this ad

Indians have let it be known they are not too serious about the game though New Zealand is treating it as absolutely vital to their plans this summer.

Captain Ganguly only knows it is a 10-over game and even coach John Wright has only seen it on television. But New Zealand Cricket boss Martin Snedden is hoping it clicks with the audience in India and give it an impetus.

“If they enjoy max cricket, it could take off in a big way,” said Snedden “At the moment it is not taken seriously.” (PTI)

Among dead in Vijay rally stampede, young mother, couple set to marry

Cities1 hr ago

A rally by actor-politician Vijay in Velusamypuram ended tragically with 40 deaths in a stampede. Non-political workers gathered to see the superstar, but exhaustion, heat, and poor planning caused chaos. People collapsed, ambulances couldn't reach, and police presence was inadequate. Vijay's team ignored instructions, and the narrow roads and insufficient crowd control added to the tragedy.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS