With the continued growth of the number websites on the internet in the last few years it’s not surprising that a lot of these don’t meet the demands of the users as webmasters and business owners seek to make easy money.
For example there are a number of cricket review sites on the internet which appear to be ‘spam’ sites with nothing more than ‘sponsored listings’ and no reviews. This is just one problem experienced by many cricket players searching the internet for cricket equipment reviews.
There are a lot of review websites out there on the internet but very few of them focus specifically on cricket equipment, therefore they lack detail and often have very few reviews which leaves users engaged in a perpetual search for the information they want and need.
However many webmasters and online business owners are finally waking up to the fact that website visitors want high quality content and not just a bunch of junk links. For example the release of cricket-equipment-reviews.com has been met with praise and relief as it provides a place for all cricketers to congregate and to read and post reviews without having to waste time trawling many different websites.
The site allows users to register and suggest different types of cricket equipment for review under eight different categories, as well as post their own reviews of the cricket equipment which is already listed on the website. This is exactly what many of website users and especially cricketers have been waiting for and need, as it allows cricketers to read reviews of new and old products alike and make informed decisions before making a purchase.
Thus the onus is now on the business owners to make the extra effort and change their focus back to the user and not on making a fast buck.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Cricket Injuries - Too Much Cricket
Of late the number of injuries to the cricketers of team India is increasing rapidly. In recent past there have been cases when player(s) had gone on foreign tour hiding his [their] injury, which showed up only during the course of play. This had had placed the team in some precarious position in the midst of the tour some times necessitating SOS calls for replacement from home.
Players know very well that they will only aggravate some nagging pain or recurring injury, if they don’t allow it proper rest. They are also very well aware of the fact that they will peril their own playing life if they continue the game with the persisting injury. Why is it then that Indian cricketers hide their injury and take the risk of playing for the national team? Is it sheer love of the game or burning patriotism, which push them to undertake such risk? Perhaps non! Perhaps it is the lure of lucre. Perhaps it’s the fear of losing one’s position in the team.
Today everyone knows that big money is involved in international cricket and playing for the national team not only enables the cricketers get heavy pay packet from the BCCI but a place in the national side also ensures advertisement contracts involving astronomical amounts in terms of money. Most of the players are also very much aware that now the competition is very, very though and one is not sure barring of course a player like Sachin Tendulkar that even after a forced absence from some matches due to injury, ones place will remain secure in the team. If the substitute player performs well, then the original player might find it difficult to make a come back. Haunted by this fear, the player hides his injury and tries to pull on with it so long as possible.
Now the most pertinent question is; why at all the cases of injuries among Indian players have become so rampant all of a sudden? The team physio and the experts have pointed out that the injured players do not get sufficient time and rest for recuperation. This is because the Indian cricket calendar is heavily burdened with international matches. India plays more international cricket than any other country in the world. Take for example, the last 12 months period starting from last year’s world cup cricket championship to the end of Indian’s last tour of Australia. The ODI world cup cricket championship 2007 was played from March 14 to April 28th and India’s last tour of Australia ended on March 4th 2008. in between Indian players never enjoyed a full month’s rest at a stretch from cricket. The world cup ended on 28th April and Indian team after returning from the West Indies embarked on a tour of Bangladesh to play 3 one dayers and two test matches starting form may 10th. Immediately after returning from the Bangladesh tour, the Indian team had to rush to Great Britain to play against Ireland, South Africa, Scotland, Pakistan and then England. The arduous 2 and a half-month long tour ended on September 8th. From London itself the team had to fly to South Africa to participate in the first ever twenty20 world cup championship from September 11 to 24. Returning from South Africa Dhoni’s men had to take on the world one-day champions Australia for a one twenty20 match and seven matches ODI series played from September 29th to October 17. Then came the tough five ODI match series and three test match series against out arch rival Pakistan spread between November 5 and December 12. The eventful [cricket wise] year came to an end but not the ordeal of the Indian masters. In December itself the team India had to live the shores once again, this time for Australia to take on the world champions for a 4 test match series which started from December 26th followed by a 20-20 match and a triangular one day series involving three teams host Australia, India and Sri Lanka. The triangular series ended on 4th march, and Indian team returned home on 6th instant.
So much for the last 12 months. There is no respite for the players for the coming 6 months either. The team is now engaged in a 3 test matches home series against South Africa, which will end on April 15th. This will be followed by the Indian premier league from April 18th to May 23. Asia cup [June 2008], test and one day series against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka [July 23 to august 29] and ICC champions’ trophy [September 11 to 28]. Any player participating in so many matches week after week runs the risk of becoming jaded and injury prone. Therefore to cope up with the heavy international schedule, the much wanted rotation policy [is there any?] could be implemented to the full. If the top players of the country from a pool of say 20-25 are used in different matches judiciously and alternately, it is hoped that the problem of fitness and injury could be tackled successfully.
Players know very well that they will only aggravate some nagging pain or recurring injury, if they don’t allow it proper rest. They are also very well aware of the fact that they will peril their own playing life if they continue the game with the persisting injury. Why is it then that Indian cricketers hide their injury and take the risk of playing for the national team? Is it sheer love of the game or burning patriotism, which push them to undertake such risk? Perhaps non! Perhaps it is the lure of lucre. Perhaps it’s the fear of losing one’s position in the team.
Today everyone knows that big money is involved in international cricket and playing for the national team not only enables the cricketers get heavy pay packet from the BCCI but a place in the national side also ensures advertisement contracts involving astronomical amounts in terms of money. Most of the players are also very much aware that now the competition is very, very though and one is not sure barring of course a player like Sachin Tendulkar that even after a forced absence from some matches due to injury, ones place will remain secure in the team. If the substitute player performs well, then the original player might find it difficult to make a come back. Haunted by this fear, the player hides his injury and tries to pull on with it so long as possible.
Now the most pertinent question is; why at all the cases of injuries among Indian players have become so rampant all of a sudden? The team physio and the experts have pointed out that the injured players do not get sufficient time and rest for recuperation. This is because the Indian cricket calendar is heavily burdened with international matches. India plays more international cricket than any other country in the world. Take for example, the last 12 months period starting from last year’s world cup cricket championship to the end of Indian’s last tour of Australia. The ODI world cup cricket championship 2007 was played from March 14 to April 28th and India’s last tour of Australia ended on March 4th 2008. in between Indian players never enjoyed a full month’s rest at a stretch from cricket. The world cup ended on 28th April and Indian team after returning from the West Indies embarked on a tour of Bangladesh to play 3 one dayers and two test matches starting form may 10th. Immediately after returning from the Bangladesh tour, the Indian team had to rush to Great Britain to play against Ireland, South Africa, Scotland, Pakistan and then England. The arduous 2 and a half-month long tour ended on September 8th. From London itself the team had to fly to South Africa to participate in the first ever twenty20 world cup championship from September 11 to 24. Returning from South Africa Dhoni’s men had to take on the world one-day champions Australia for a one twenty20 match and seven matches ODI series played from September 29th to October 17. Then came the tough five ODI match series and three test match series against out arch rival Pakistan spread between November 5 and December 12. The eventful [cricket wise] year came to an end but not the ordeal of the Indian masters. In December itself the team India had to live the shores once again, this time for Australia to take on the world champions for a 4 test match series which started from December 26th followed by a 20-20 match and a triangular one day series involving three teams host Australia, India and Sri Lanka. The triangular series ended on 4th march, and Indian team returned home on 6th instant.
So much for the last 12 months. There is no respite for the players for the coming 6 months either. The team is now engaged in a 3 test matches home series against South Africa, which will end on April 15th. This will be followed by the Indian premier league from April 18th to May 23. Asia cup [June 2008], test and one day series against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka [July 23 to august 29] and ICC champions’ trophy [September 11 to 28]. Any player participating in so many matches week after week runs the risk of becoming jaded and injury prone. Therefore to cope up with the heavy international schedule, the much wanted rotation policy [is there any?] could be implemented to the full. If the top players of the country from a pool of say 20-25 are used in different matches judiciously and alternately, it is hoped that the problem of fitness and injury could be tackled successfully.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Cricket Fielding Tips to boost your Performance!
That catches win matches is a very old saying and this is very rightly said. Many times in a cricket match, the fielding level of teams is the determining factor in the outcome of a match. A team may have the best batting line up, have the world’s deadliest fast bowlers and spin bowlers, but if the fielding of the team is not up to the mark, winning can be an impossible task. The whole team could be playing well and a misfield from a fielder could suddenly demoralize the whole team. Cricket is a team game and every member of the team must give his best if the team wants to win a match.
Fielding in a cricket match is all about anticipation. Better the level of your anticipation is, better will be your resulting fielding effort. Remember a good fielder is one who is comfortable in fielding at any position, be it the boundary or the slip cordon. Cricket fielding tips are capable of giving you proper fielding guidance if you follow them seriously.
Fielding in the boundary can be very tricky if you do not have the right amount of concentration. The boundary is the nosiest area in a cricket field and any lapse can prove to be fatal to the team. If you are fielding in that position, never be distracted by the noise and bantering from the crowd. Cricket fielding tips suggest that your sole aim must be to follow the movement of the ball and anticipate in advance where the ball is likely to end up.
The golden rule of taking catches while fielding is not to celebrate too soon. Remember what happened to Herschelle Gibbs, when he started his celebrations a bit too early after taking the catch of Steve Waugh in a crucial world cup encounter. South Africa was knocked out from the tournament and Australia went on to win the trophy, all because of a missed catch. Remember to secure the ball in your hand for enough time before you start celebrating. Never get carried away when you have taken the catch, even if you have caught the world’s best batsman for a duck.
Following the cricket fielding tips are crucial while fielding at any position in the cricket field. While fielding at close in positions like slips, gully and short leg, make sure that your stance is proper. Keep a proper distance in between both your feet so that your body weight is divided evenly. Rest lightly on the balls of your feet so that you can easily maneuver yourself to the direction in which the ball is going past you. Remember, that catches should always be taken with soft hands. If you are a close in fielder, never neglect to wear protective gears like helmet and pad. Remember injuries sustained while fielding can turn to be life threatening for a player.
Always be alert while you are fielding, be it at any position. This is a golden cricket fielding tips, which will surely lead you to succeed in the cricket field. If you are fielding in the deep, take care to avoid the sun. Wear protective sunglasses to keep away the sun while you are running to take a catch. Remember the outcome of a match depends on the way you field for your team. Catches really do win matches.
Fielding in a cricket match is all about anticipation. Better the level of your anticipation is, better will be your resulting fielding effort. Remember a good fielder is one who is comfortable in fielding at any position, be it the boundary or the slip cordon. Cricket fielding tips are capable of giving you proper fielding guidance if you follow them seriously.
Fielding in the boundary can be very tricky if you do not have the right amount of concentration. The boundary is the nosiest area in a cricket field and any lapse can prove to be fatal to the team. If you are fielding in that position, never be distracted by the noise and bantering from the crowd. Cricket fielding tips suggest that your sole aim must be to follow the movement of the ball and anticipate in advance where the ball is likely to end up.
The golden rule of taking catches while fielding is not to celebrate too soon. Remember what happened to Herschelle Gibbs, when he started his celebrations a bit too early after taking the catch of Steve Waugh in a crucial world cup encounter. South Africa was knocked out from the tournament and Australia went on to win the trophy, all because of a missed catch. Remember to secure the ball in your hand for enough time before you start celebrating. Never get carried away when you have taken the catch, even if you have caught the world’s best batsman for a duck.
Following the cricket fielding tips are crucial while fielding at any position in the cricket field. While fielding at close in positions like slips, gully and short leg, make sure that your stance is proper. Keep a proper distance in between both your feet so that your body weight is divided evenly. Rest lightly on the balls of your feet so that you can easily maneuver yourself to the direction in which the ball is going past you. Remember, that catches should always be taken with soft hands. If you are a close in fielder, never neglect to wear protective gears like helmet and pad. Remember injuries sustained while fielding can turn to be life threatening for a player.
Always be alert while you are fielding, be it at any position. This is a golden cricket fielding tips, which will surely lead you to succeed in the cricket field. If you are fielding in the deep, take care to avoid the sun. Wear protective sunglasses to keep away the sun while you are running to take a catch. Remember the outcome of a match depends on the way you field for your team. Catches really do win matches.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Fantasy Cricket: Let your Selection Skills Run Riot!
So what images conjure up in your mind when you hear ‘fantasy cricket’? Well as the term itself suggests, it lets your imagination run wild and lets you live your dream. Fantasy cricket basically means a game where you can build up your own fantasy XI. All cricket fans have their own dream XI, and they always wish to create their dream team. Fantasy cricket is an opportunity for such cricket fans to unleash their cricketing brains and use their knowledge to create their dream team.
All cricket lovers at some point or the other have been dissatisfied with the team which has been selected for a match or an entire series. In such a scenario, everyone feels that they know what the best combination of their favorite team must be. Often fans end up frustrated and wish that they could have a say in the team selection process. Well this does not seem possible, so why not settle for the next best option available. Take part in fantasy cricket and choose your own team and see how they actually perform in the cricket field.
There are many online sites which provide cricket fans with the option of playing fantasy cricket. There are some websites where users simply need to get themselves registered for playing the game online. On the other hand there are also sites which require visitors to pay a certain sum of money to be able to play the game.
Playing fantasy cricket is very simple. First of all what you need to do is choose your dream team from the set of existing International players. The player list contains the name of players who are playing in the series and a point value is allotted to them depending on their form and skill levels. Visitors can have their own scoreboard containing the names of the players they have selected for their team. The scorecard will display the performance of your selected players.
As the series gets underway, your selected scorecard will get populated depending on the on field performance of your selected players. Remember winning or losing a fantasy cricket game depends on the performance of the player on the field and not by the reputation they have. For example Sachin Tendulkar is a great player with staggering statistics. However since he has not been active in international cricket for a long time, having him in your fantasy team, can actually be a burden. So use your head while choosing your team and do not go by what your heart says.
Cricket is a team game and so you will have to choose a properly balanced team to play the game. This means that you cannot pack your team with all the top stars of the cricketing world. You will have to think and balance out newcomers with the stars in order to create a team within the allotted point budget. Before you embark on playing fantasy cricket online, make sure that you are very well aware of the rules of the game. I am sure that you do not want be in a situation where you do not know what you are exactly up to while dealing with anything related to your favorite game.
Fantasy cricket provides the opportunity to many cricket fans to realize their dreams of selecting their team. Fans can select their own team and actually see how these players perform in the field. This is a wonderful opportunity for serious cricket lovers. So what are you waiting for, sign up and start playing fantasy cricket.
All cricket lovers at some point or the other have been dissatisfied with the team which has been selected for a match or an entire series. In such a scenario, everyone feels that they know what the best combination of their favorite team must be. Often fans end up frustrated and wish that they could have a say in the team selection process. Well this does not seem possible, so why not settle for the next best option available. Take part in fantasy cricket and choose your own team and see how they actually perform in the cricket field.
There are many online sites which provide cricket fans with the option of playing fantasy cricket. There are some websites where users simply need to get themselves registered for playing the game online. On the other hand there are also sites which require visitors to pay a certain sum of money to be able to play the game.
Playing fantasy cricket is very simple. First of all what you need to do is choose your dream team from the set of existing International players. The player list contains the name of players who are playing in the series and a point value is allotted to them depending on their form and skill levels. Visitors can have their own scoreboard containing the names of the players they have selected for their team. The scorecard will display the performance of your selected players.
As the series gets underway, your selected scorecard will get populated depending on the on field performance of your selected players. Remember winning or losing a fantasy cricket game depends on the performance of the player on the field and not by the reputation they have. For example Sachin Tendulkar is a great player with staggering statistics. However since he has not been active in international cricket for a long time, having him in your fantasy team, can actually be a burden. So use your head while choosing your team and do not go by what your heart says.
Cricket is a team game and so you will have to choose a properly balanced team to play the game. This means that you cannot pack your team with all the top stars of the cricketing world. You will have to think and balance out newcomers with the stars in order to create a team within the allotted point budget. Before you embark on playing fantasy cricket online, make sure that you are very well aware of the rules of the game. I am sure that you do not want be in a situation where you do not know what you are exactly up to while dealing with anything related to your favorite game.
Fantasy cricket provides the opportunity to many cricket fans to realize their dreams of selecting their team. Fans can select their own team and actually see how these players perform in the field. This is a wonderful opportunity for serious cricket lovers. So what are you waiting for, sign up and start playing fantasy cricket.
Cricket Batting Tips: The Sweep Shot And Reverse Sweep
The sweep and the reverse sweep are two batting shots which are not commonly used, especially the reverse sweep which is rarely used. However both shots can be used in certain batting situations and are an effective way to score runs and keep the score board ticking over.
There is a high element of risk with the sweep shot, so good judgement and excellent timing is essential. Avoid playing the sweep and reverse sweep early on in your innings especially to straight deliveries, as it is not a good idea to play it until you have your eye in and know how the pitch is playing and what the bowler is doing. As for example, if the ball stayed low it would be quite easy to misjudge and get out LBW or bowled which you definitely want to avoid, so be patient and play yourself in first.
The sweep and reverse sweep are both cross batted shots and should ideally be played to slow deliveries which are of a good length and not too full. To play the orthodox sweep shot, first wait for the ball to be released before making any movement – DON'T PREMEDITATE THE SHOT!
Once you have determined that the ball is there to play the sweep shot to, move your front foot as far down the wicket towards the pitch of the ball as you can. As you are moving forward bend both knees simultaneously so that you whole body is low down, let your back knee touch the ground to act as an extra base of support. Try to stay balanced and relaxed. Bring the bat down from the off side and across the ball towards the leg side and aim to hit it either in front of or behind square leg. You can roll your wrists over the ball as you hit to help keep it on the ground. Aim to have your arms fully extended when you contact the ball.
To play the reverse sweep, get in to the same position as for the orthodox sweep, however this time, bring you bat down and across from leg side towards the off side, so you are aiming to hit the ball through the gully area. This shot requires very good coordination and timing as you have to twist the bat round so that the bat face faces the off side at the point of contact without altering your grip.
Common problems:
-Premeditating the shot- deciding to play the shot before the bowler has bowled the ball. Wait until the ball is released from the bowlers hand before deciding to play the shot.
-Playing the sweep too early in the innings before getting your eye in. Wait until you are set and know how the pitch is playing and what the bowler is doing before attempting the shot.
-Trying to hit the ball too hard. Good timing and technique is better and more effective as you need to reduce the risk as much as possible.
-Playing the shot to deliveries which are either too full or too short, so good judgement of length is required.
Remember that the sweep and reverse sweep are quite hard shots to master and carry quite a lot of risk, so make sure that if you intend to use them, practice the shots in the nets and in training to get a feel for the shot and so you know when to play it; so that when you come to use them you are confident and skilled enough to do so.
There is a high element of risk with the sweep shot, so good judgement and excellent timing is essential. Avoid playing the sweep and reverse sweep early on in your innings especially to straight deliveries, as it is not a good idea to play it until you have your eye in and know how the pitch is playing and what the bowler is doing. As for example, if the ball stayed low it would be quite easy to misjudge and get out LBW or bowled which you definitely want to avoid, so be patient and play yourself in first.
The sweep and reverse sweep are both cross batted shots and should ideally be played to slow deliveries which are of a good length and not too full. To play the orthodox sweep shot, first wait for the ball to be released before making any movement – DON'T PREMEDITATE THE SHOT!
Once you have determined that the ball is there to play the sweep shot to, move your front foot as far down the wicket towards the pitch of the ball as you can. As you are moving forward bend both knees simultaneously so that you whole body is low down, let your back knee touch the ground to act as an extra base of support. Try to stay balanced and relaxed. Bring the bat down from the off side and across the ball towards the leg side and aim to hit it either in front of or behind square leg. You can roll your wrists over the ball as you hit to help keep it on the ground. Aim to have your arms fully extended when you contact the ball.
To play the reverse sweep, get in to the same position as for the orthodox sweep, however this time, bring you bat down and across from leg side towards the off side, so you are aiming to hit the ball through the gully area. This shot requires very good coordination and timing as you have to twist the bat round so that the bat face faces the off side at the point of contact without altering your grip.
Common problems:
-Premeditating the shot- deciding to play the shot before the bowler has bowled the ball. Wait until the ball is released from the bowlers hand before deciding to play the shot.
-Playing the sweep too early in the innings before getting your eye in. Wait until you are set and know how the pitch is playing and what the bowler is doing before attempting the shot.
-Trying to hit the ball too hard. Good timing and technique is better and more effective as you need to reduce the risk as much as possible.
-Playing the shot to deliveries which are either too full or too short, so good judgement of length is required.
Remember that the sweep and reverse sweep are quite hard shots to master and carry quite a lot of risk, so make sure that if you intend to use them, practice the shots in the nets and in training to get a feel for the shot and so you know when to play it; so that when you come to use them you are confident and skilled enough to do so.
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