HOW TO BEAT TEAMS?

Each team has its own strength and weakness. Some of their players play specifically well against certain teams. Here are few strategies that we must follow against certain oppositions.

SOUTH AFRICA

Against Proteas we must play both Kumble and Harbhajan. There is a general perception that Proteas bowlers find difficult to bowl at left-handers. Then Ganguly and Yuvraj would be key. Since they bat deeply, we must take their wickets regularly; we should not relax.

Problems:

1. Pollock’s opening spell – runs are dried and important wickets are lost

2. Batting of allrounders – players like Pollock, Boucher and Hall resurrect their innings and also score quickly.

3. Tight fielding – Often our good scoring shots are blocked

Solutions:

1. Attack Pollock – Take calculated risks against them

2. Attacking spin bowling & field placements

3. Devise and practice strategy to score quick singles and to find gaps

NEWZEALAND

Kiwis also more like Proteas but with lesser quality. Against Kiwis too we must employ both Kumble and Harbhajan. We must take their wickets regularly.

Problems:

1. Bond’s spell – wickets are lost in a heap

2. Tight fielding - Often our good scoring shots are blocked

3. Bats deep down
Solutions:
1. Play positively against bond
2. Devise and practice strategy to score quick singles and to find gaps
3. Fool low-order batsmen with clever use of spin bowling and use of yorkers

AUSTRALIA
Aussies are don’t want to be stretched. They can’t withstand sudden aggression or tough play. Examples are India’s famous victories against them in Kolkatta and Adelaide. Playing positive and attacking cricket against them is sure to get good results. We should not relax against them until the last ball is bowled.
Problems:
1. McGrath’s bowling
2. Top order batting – Gilchrist, Hayden and Ponting
3. Tight fielding - Often our good scoring shots are blocked

Solutions:
1. Attack McGrath
2. Somehow try to get them early. Ponting is especially vulnerable early in the innings.
3. Devise and practice strategy to score quick singles and to find gaps

SRILANKA
They are good in all departments. I guess they are vulnerable under pressure especially their inexperienced batsmen and pace bowlers.
Problems:
1. Jayasuriya’s explosive batting
2. Vaas opening spell
3. Their slow bowlers

Solutions:

1. Get Jayasuriya early

2. Attack Vaas and don’t give wickets to him

3. Play positively against Murali & co.

PAKISTAN
Their batsmen are mostly flashy. Bowlers have potential to take important wickets at crucial junction. Play positively against them. They bat deeply like Proteas, so we should take wickets at regular intervals.

Problems:

1. Batting - Afridi, Inzy, Younis Khan

2. Bowling – Gul at start and Naveed at death

Solutions:

1. Don’t give them easy runs. Be tight. Get Afridi early

2. Play positively and cautiously against them

WESTINDIES

Windies are unpredictable. Remove their top order cheaply.
Problems:
1. Gayle, Chanderpaul, Sarwan
2. Bowling of Gayle, Samuels, Bravo

Solutions:

1. Get them early

2. Attack Gayle, Samuels and Bravo. Never allow them to settle.

ENGLAND
Never under estimate English team. Just do the basics correctly.
Problems:
1. Batting - Flintoff, Pietersen
2. Bowling - Flintoff

Solutions:
1. Get Flintoff and Pietersen early
2. Play Flintoff according to merit of his bowling