Ageing cricketers should make way for youngsters, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wasim-Akram-c96292 - Cricket News Update
The legendary Pakistani pacer, Wasim Akram, on Wednesday was critical of the ageing horses in the Indian camp, after the Mahindra Singh Dhoni led side failed to show some fight against a callow Australian attack in the ongoing four-match Test series which
the tourists trail 0-3.
The ‘Sultan of Swing’ reckoned playing conditions in Sydney and Perth exposed the "physical inadequacies” of ageing cricketers on the Indian roster. Akram said that senior Indian batsmen miserably faltered against the heat and humidity of Perth, as the visitors
faced an innings and 37 runs humiliation in what was their seventh successive Test defeat offshore.
"The conditions at Perth and Sydney exposed the physical inadequacies of an ageing cricketer,” the former Pakistan skipper wrote in his column for a sports website. “Hot and humid conditions can be physically taxing and at WACA, at least three senior Indian
batsmen were simply too tired to move their feet and tackle a moving ball after fielding for almost two days at a stretch," he added further.
The star studded Indian batting line up - laced with the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/R-Dravid-c2229 – miserably faltered against the Australian attack in the ongoing series. None of the visiting batsman, except Tendulkar, could resist the pace
of young Aussie bowlers. Laxman is 37 years old, Tendulkar 38 while Rahul Dravid turned 39 last week.
Akram said that the cricketers nearing 40 should move away from the intensity of international cricket to make way for youngsters.
The 45-year-old former Pakistan pacer, who played 104 Tests for Pakistan claiming 414 wickets, was also critical about the leadership tactics of Indian skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MS-Dhoni-c2028. According to Akram, Dhoni's captaincy in ODI is worth appreciating, however
in Test cricket he lags behind.
"Personally, I think he is a good ODI captain and has definitely not been "cool" in Test matches,” reckoned the legendary pacer who led the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 national side in 25 Tests. “The extent of annihilation overseas has definitely taken the sheen of his "cool"
demeanour," he added further.
Dhoni has been banned for one Test following slow over rate in the only innings of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/V-Sehwag-c2739 will lead the side in the fourth and final Test at Adelaide Oval next week.
Tags: