It is the pitches in South Africa that are making the difference to IPL Season 2. The harder, bouncier wickets, are behaving unlike the pitches in India and the ball is carrying to the keeper much better. Whereas last year we saw a lot of uncontrolled lofting of the ball, this year we are seeing more measured shots, a more correct batting style that is getting results. It isn’t easy to hit the ball around because the ball is climbing up on the batsmen a lot and chances or being caught out are a lot higher. So you have a more watchful and careful batsman who is not throwing his bat at just anything.

Surprisingly for T20 matches more conventional methods or batting seem to be succeeding; the straighter bat getting better results than those playing the cross batted shots. Rahul Dravid is making a hugely positive impression, and so is Sachin Tendulkar and Dravid in particular could hardly be called unorthodox.

This IPL has been great for the established names of international cricket rather than the Johnny – come – latelies. Those old wizards Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan, and Anil Kumble have shown what class is and why they are what they are and where they are; at the top of their game; the former two even after retirement from the game at the international level.

IPL last year and in fact most T20 matches tend to favour the batsmen. The bowlers have neither the time nor the freedom, with all the field and other restrictions placed on them (what can you do in four overs after all) to try and dominate the batsmen. It is interesting for a change to see the bowlers dominate proceedings and dictate the outcome of matches. It is also an interesting change from the usual bludgeoning variety of batting, the unorthodox, often inelegant shots to see some fine stroke play, stylish and well thought out shots that please the eye and remind us that this is what cricket is all about!

With all the emphasis that the IPL places on all the extraneous stuff: the MS Bollywood pageant, the street carnival, the cheerleaders it is good to see real and actual cricket played the way it is supposed to be.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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