England v India, Shane Warne’s Twitter prediction: Was it merely a coincidence? – ICC World Cup 2011
England was playing in a stadium where the spectators were Indians, a crowd that is known to be antagonistic. Indian crowd can be a cause of trouble for the visitor teams, as they showed a similar temperament back in 1996 World Cup and during a Test match
between http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 and India in 1999. The players had to escape the ground because of uncontrollable Indian supporters. These factors could have influenced the English team’s inability to defeat India at their home ground.
But Professional teams like England who managed to beat http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 recently in Ashes series at their home ground, proved they are psychologically and mentally strong enough to deal with tough matters and such circumstances.
This “psychological aspect” cannot in reality put pressure on England. Logically there has some other reason behind England’s shocking performance.
Sachin Tendulkar smashed a terrific knock in this match but no one knows what happened to the strong Indian batting line up after Tendulkar’s departure. India was on 236/3 at that time (38.2overs). Why they were not able to survive for a complete 50 overs
after that, remains to be the million dollar question.
The Indian team could not put a stop to the onslaught brought by the English lower order. It was rather strange the way http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 managed to collapse the English batting line up suddenly courtesy of Zaheer Khan, when England was in a commanding position. If
it had been Wasim, Akram, Waqar, McGrath or Shane Warne, it would have been simple to absorb that kind of magical performance. But Zaheer Khan is someone who averages around 30 runs per wicket and has never rated as a reliable fast bowler.
If Ajmal Shahzad can bang a huge six on 3rd ball of the 50th over, why could he not even try to attempt a second run on the last ball of the same over. If Munaf Petal managed to deliver a perfect slower ball to Graeme Swann, in 49.2
over, what made him bowl a half volley to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ajmal-Shahzad-c42489 on very next ball.
Munaf Patel averages 29 runs per wicket and was powerless to stop 12 runs from the tail but somehow he managed to stop two runs on the last ball.
There is a big question in the mind of cricket fans, Yusuf Pathan fumbled at mid-off while fielding on the last ball of the match but English batsman did not make any attempt of a second run.
Professionally, a batsman always prefers to get the target. There is no cricketer in the world who would not like to avail the chance to win. Even at the cost of his wicket on the last ball of the match.
English batsmen should have taken a chance to puzzle the opponent, which could give them expected over-throw or any such opportunity. If England’s batsmen should have tried for winning the match, result could not have gone against them, as they had tied
the match already. But English batsmen were satisfied and went ahead to congratulate the Indians like nothing had happened after levelling the score, especially when winning the game was possible.
Most of the all, one cannot fathom Shane Warne’s Twitter prediction.
Predictions in cricket are about win or about a thrilling contest considering the abilities of opponents, not about a tie. Cricket is not a game like soccer or hockey where draws are expected. One day cricket matches hardly ever result in draws, but this
is a different case altogether.
Shane Warne tweeted:
“Looking forward to the game between India and England today should be a cracker… My prediction a tie”
Soon after the match ended, Warne tweeted again:
“Before you think there was something untoward re prediction of a tie, thought it was going to be a cracker-tie was tongue in cheek-but right”
Practically this prediction could not simply have been a co-incidence. Shane Warne has previously been involved in match-fixing controversies. He “predicted” an unusual match outcome and no one can forget that he is still playing in the controversial IPL
and has good relationships in the land of bookies (India).
Questions to be answered:
When will ICC investigate this match? How will the ICC keep this global event clean, in the land of bookies? Can ICC punish Indian and English cricketers if they are guilty? Will ICC try to save the culprits?
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