Author - Cricket Warrior

What We Learned From the New Zealand Series About the New Brand of English Cricket

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The clouds finally seem to be lifting from English cricket

 

Talk is cheap in sport. It is all very well firing out sound bites, bringing in business speak to the dressing room and press conferences, talking about new philosophies, a new brand.  Ultimately there is only one place where any sportsman, sporting team and their management will be judged, and that is on the field of play.

Go back a few short weeks, English international cricket, at least in the long form of the game, was on its knees. One test win in 17 tells its own story, but it was more than just results. It was a side lacking in so much more than test wins. There was no direction, no unity, no confidence, no identity. Undoubtedly there were a good number of both potential and proven players in and around the squad, but the former were being dismantled mentality before even being picked, while the latter – if they were picked – were having to do it on their own. It was not a team, never mind whose it was supposed to be.

When the new team was announced, the management team that is, with Ben Stokes at the forefront, along with his new coach and director of cricket there was a lot of talk, but most were sceptical much would change, certainly not this summer. What we have just witnessed in the three tests versus New Zealand – the World Test Champions let us not forget – was nothing short of phenomenal. Not just in the manner it was achieved, but with the speed in which everything has been turned around.

A lot said Stokes was the only man for the captaincy purely because there were few, if any other options. It smacked of a gamble, something that is extremely unfamiliar territory for the ECB. Even putting aside Stokes’ recent forced time out from the game, on paper he does not fit the template from which England captains are made, certainly not successful ones. The all-rounder may not quite qualify to be included as one of the most eccentric sports stars, but he does not come without controversy.

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The biggest challenge is to replicate county form on the international stage

At the end of the third test, actually, way before that, the eleven men in England livery were undoubtedly part of Ben Stokes’ team. There was an identity, a unity, a brand, if you want to use that word again. Everyone was playing their own game, but it was a game they were used to, the one that had got them picked for the England side in the first place, and it was one they used to benefit the team.

There was an obvious mind shift and one that has come right out of the new captain’s own mentality. He talked before about wanting to play exciting, aggressive cricket, but it is one thing saying it, it is completely another doing it. Add in the factor of you are playing for your country, for your career, with some of the world’s best test bowlers steaming in at you and it is incredibly easy for those words, that philosophy to go out of the window. And that is one of the most impressive things we have learned from this series. Again and again, this England side were put under tremendous pressure from a very good side, but every single time, as opposed to buckling under that pressure, and reverting to the safety first, negative, even insipid cricket we have become used to, they to a man, came out fighting, came out swinging, with both bat and ball.

To chase down 279 at Lords, 299 at Trent Bridge and 296 at Headingly – the first time in history a side has ever chased 250 plus in three successive test matches – is the very epitome of exciting, aggressive cricket. If people are wondering how to attract younger fans to the game, Stokes and crew have just shown them.

Of course it will not always be this successful, and when it doesn’t go right it will be another test of Stokes’ captaincy and the players’ newfound belief, but for the first time in what seems like years, it really does seem that this England side could once again be on the verge of something special, and what’s more, it is going to be a hell of a lot of fun watching them achieving it.

 

What’s the Solution to Boosting Interest in Cricket Among Younger People?

What’s the Solution to Boosting Interest in Cricket Among Younger People?

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Cricket is one of the most-watched sports in the world. The Indian Premier League alone attracts around 380 million viewers, while big Test matches like the Ashes can also attract big crowds. This interest in the sport also translates into high demand for cricket betting markets, with most bookmakers offering odds for all major competitions. Many major brands, like Skybet, even run free bet promotions that cricket fans can take advantage of when placing wagers on matches.

But while cricket is popular in countries like India and England, the vast majority of its followers are older. Unlike other sports, like football, basketball, and even Formula 1, cricket has struggled to adapt to changing tastes and appeal to a younger demographic.

This is clearly going to be a problem as while it may mean cricket has a large following now, it will eventually lose this over time as current fans die and new generations are not there to replace them. So how can cricket build a rapport with new audiences?

Video Games

Football has FIFA, basketball has NBA 2K, and American football has Madden, but what does cricket have? Video games are popular among people of all ages, but especially younger people.

Sports leagues have found that producing quality video games have helped to drive interest in their product. This has worked especially well through esports with individual sports teams setting up or affiliating with official esports outfits to build a relationship with new groups of fans that may not have otherwise paid any interest to what they do.

So far, cricket has struggled to create a popular video game that appeals to young people. The most recent attempt, Cricket 22 by Big Ant Studios has been a good step forward in establishing a long-running franchise but it has so far only managed to attract existing cricket fans.

A Reality TV Show?

For a long time, Formula 1 has had a similar demographic problem. This was mostly brought on by the former CEO’s insistence that only older fans were important since they had the money to buy the products sold by sponsors.

However, after F1 was sold in 2017, the new owners signed a deal with Netflix to create Drive to Survive, a documentary series that shows the personal side of the sport, the relationships between the drivers, and what happens away from the track.

The show has been widely credited with boosting interest in Formula 1 with younger viewers and helping it get a foothold in the United States after decades of failed attempts.

This approach could be one for cricket to replicate, using a reality TV style that helps to make the sport appear more human and less rigid.

Chennai Super Kings Prove Experience Is Invaluable

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The Chennai Super Kings won their fourth IPL title in 2021. They also extended their record of appearing in the most finals. This year it was the ninth time they have contested the final in the competition.

CSK had one of the oldest rosters in the IPL. Faf du Plessis (37 years old), Ms Dhoni (40 years old), Imran Tahir (42 years old), Robin Uthappa (35 years old) and Moeen Ali (34 years old) all starred for the champions.

The Super Kings finished the regular season in second place behind Delhi Capitals. They won nine of their 14 matches to qualify for the playoffs. Although they had a blip at the end of the regular campaign, losing their last three matches, they had more than enough points to make the post-season.

Dhoni’s side produced two big performances in the playoffs to lift the title. They defeated Delhi by four wickets to reach the final. The Super Kings then recorded one of their highest scores of the tournament to prevail by 27 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders in the final.

Chennai’s captain will now be looking to help India win the T20 World Cup. Although he is now retired from international cricket, Dhoni is a mentor to the team. India are +400 joint-favorites in the online sports betting to prevail in the UAE and Omar.

Runs Were Not a Problem for CSK In 2021

The top two runscorers in the 2021 IPL were both from CSK as Rutaraj Gaikwad and du Plessis finished their campaign with 635 runs and 633 runs respectively. Both players were very consistent across the year. Not only did they have impressive averages, but their strike rates were also high.

The highlight of the year for Gaikwad was his maiden IPL century against the Rajasthan Royals. The Orange Cap winner got his side off to a fast start in the final, scoring 32 runs from 27 balls.

Du Plessis, one of the leading South African players in the world, was just two runs behind his teammate in the leading runscorer standings, had another fantastic season for his franchise. Like Dhoni, the South African has made a lot of appearances for the Super Kings. This is his third title in the IPL.

Can Chennai Defend Title In 2022?

Only two teams in history have been able to defend their IPL title. Chennai managed it in 2011, while more recently, the Mumbai Indians did so in 2020. The Super Kings are expected to retain a strong roster for 2022 which will give them a great chance of a repeat success.

There are some reports suggesting Dhoni could step down as captain but continue to play as a batsman and wicketkeeper. Talks regarding his future are likely to take place after the T20 World Cup.

There will be two new franchises introduced to the competition in 2022 so it will be even more difficult to win the trophy. Chennai will once again have a lot of experience in their side which did well in 2021. They will be hoping to add more quality in the IPL auction early next year.

Chennai will have Mumbai’s record of five IPL titles in their sights next year. Victory would put them level with their rivals in the all-time tournament wins standings.

Does Warner hold Ashes key for Australia?

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David Warner was tormented by Stuart Broad in the 2019 Ashes series in England, failing to make an impact for Australia, although the 2-2 draw allowed the Baggy Greens to retain the urn. All eyes will be on the 35-year-old in potentially his final series against England in the 2021/22 Ashes on home soil.
The left-hander will be determined to improve his record against the Three Lions by leading a strong effort that sees the Aussies win their third-straight home series over Joe Root and company. Australia are the favorites in the cricket betting odds at 1/3 to win the series, and the strength of their batting unit will be key to a potential victory.

Warner will be hopeful that he has not suffered psychological damage against the Three Lions after suffering at the hands of Broad. In five matches and ten innings against England in 2019, Warner averaged a paltry 9.50 with the bat after scoring only 95 runs across the series. Those figures were bloated by one knock of 61 at Headingley, which ironically came in a defeat for Tim Paine’s men.
Warner failed to progress beyond single figures in eight of his ten innings. His veteran presence and a lack of alternatives has allowed the left-hander remain at fixture at the top of the order for the Baggy Greens. However, he will not want to overstay his welcome if he continues to struggle. Warner has produced a fine career as an opener for the Aussies, although he has never managed to shake the tag of being a flat-track bully. It is evident in his statistics that Warner has relished the flat pacey surfaces in Australia rather than the turning tracks or the seaming wickets of India.

Warner averages an incredible 63.20 at home with 18 centuries and 12 fifties. The 18 centuries make up 75% of his Test match hundreds, including three against England and a sensational 335 not out against Pakistan in 2019 at Adelaide. Warner has had no issues dealing with the Three Lions when on a familiar round, averaging 63 exactly in Australia’s 4-0 win in the 2017/18 series and 58.11 in the 2013/14 whitewash of Alastair Cook’s England side. On both occasions, Warner used his aggression to put the tourists to the sword, tiring out the legs of James Anderson and Broad.
When on tour, Warner has been exposed to the new moving ball. Anderson and Broad are masters of seam and swing in English conditions, resulting in his struggles overseas. The left-hander has bounced back after failing to fire in England at the past to lead Australia back to the urn, but whether he has one more effort in him remains to be seen. Given the uncertainty regarding the rest of their line-up, Australia need Warner at his imperious best in the Ashes. He cannot expose Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith to the new ball, which would hand England a golden opportunity to win their first series Down Under in 11 years. Warner could quietly be the most important player in the series.

This Is How the Big Bash Is Competing with the IPL and Standing Its Ground

There’s no denying the success of the Indian Premier League. With Star India paying $2.55 billion for its current TV rights deal, the IPL is firmly cemented at the top of the T20 tree. Even purists are fearful that the format may overtake Test matches as the king of the sport.

For another twenty over competition to usurp the IPL is almost unthinkable. The Big Bash isn’t doing that per se, but it is holding its ground in the battle of the T20 tournaments. By doing this, it’s paving the way for other nations to take on the IPL in the future. Here’s why.
Embracing Technology
Cricket is a sport full of traditions, so modern twists aren’t often embraced. Merely changing from Tests to T20 games was controversial back in 2008. Well, the Big Bash is taking the strategy to the next level, with interesting results.
The 2020/21 season, for instance, embraced a series of new rules that lit up the action. The most popular was ‘Power Surge, a powerplay regulation that gives the batting team the option to play a two-over period at any point during their innings. ‘Bash Boost’ was another rule that created excitement because it shook up the rankings by awarding a bonus point to the team that scored the most runs after 60 balls. Of course, these introductions also impacted different aspects of the game that supporters love, such as the cricket betting that reveals whether a side has a strong chance of winning a match or the tournament outright. The ‘Bash Boost’ was particularly integral to this since teams could secure points regardless of the outcome of the game, leveling the playing field for the lesser franchises and providing better value for money for bettors and fans.
Simply put, the Big Bash is developing innovative ways to stand out from the crowd, and it’s working as TV figures for the latest version of the competition were the best of any season yet, with 44.82 million tuning in.

Timing the Fixture List Perfectly (IPL – Big Bash)

Going toe to toe with the IPL isn’t a smart move. The Big Bash doesn’t attempt to take on the IPL and win. Instead, it utilizes its strengths to perfection. For example, the event begins in December and finishes at the end of January. As it’s winter in the Northern Hemisphere, there’s barely any cricket taking place, which means there is only one place to go for a dose – the Big Bash.
This dovetails with the format, which isn’t the same as the IPL. Firstly, there are fewer games. The IPL has more than 60 whereas the Big Bash has fewer than 45. Plus, the latter has rest days so that matches aren’t played constantly. Finally, the matches take place in the mornings in Europe and the afternoons in Asia, making them accessible.
The fact that the cricket calendar is bare when the Big Bash begins combined with a less intense structure ensures the fall off during the competition isn’t as considerable, if it happens at all.
Australia’s premier T20 cricket tournament isn’t bigger than the IPL, but it’s maintaining its course. Who knows? In the long term, it may overtake its Indian rival if it leverages the same tactics.