The IPL might have the money but the ICC World Twenty20 has the quality. All the best players in world – except one – will be doing battle for their countries. Who will emerge and with what tactics? Nick Sadleir, who will be our man on the road, casts his eye over the competition.
Author Archives: nicksadleir
Over The Rainbow
Nick Sadleir was a seven-year-old growing up in Johannesburg when he watched an all-white South African cricket team readmitted into the international game. Here he puts into perspective where this different South African side’s Test series victory against England and rise to the top of the rankings ranks.
Click this link to read full article: 38-41 Over The Rainbow
No. 1
South Africa may not be able to ditch the choking tag until they finally win a World Cup but the best side in the world on paper for the last two years proved that they are the best in Tests by comprehensively outplaying England. SPIN’s reporters were there. – By Nick Sadleir
Mumbai Madness
A melange of traffic, people, poverty, wealth – throw in a chunk of Bollywood and a palette of colour and you have Mumbai, India’s most populous city.
From Delhi to Darjeeling – The Islander
New Delhi, India’s capital, is sprinkled with gems: incredible ancient monuments, magnificent museums, unbelievable shopping opportunities, a thriving arts scene and some of the subcontinent’s most delicious cuisine. Charming ruins lie in contrast to modern stadiums (Delhi hosted the 2010 Commonwealth Games) and metro systems.
Click this link for full article: Delhi to Darjeeling Islander 66
Aussie Thrashing – England v Australia ODI Series
It is hard to believe that condemning Australia to a record 4-0 thrashing could ever be boring. England polished their growing reputation, Australia looked like England under Atherton, Hussain and Vaughan. But it was all so routine that the heat was lost. Nick Sadleir watched the series and tries to weigh-up the result.
8-13 20 Things – Jacques Rudolph
Positive discrimination, poor form and unrealistic expectations combined to derail Jacques Rudolph’s first international career as a young gun. A decade later, after five seasons with Yorkshire, he has been quietly re-establishing himself as a contender down the order for South Africa. He told SPIN about his comeback , going hunting and why he doesn’t sledge KP.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Like Premier League football the IPL now has a long tail of brouhaha and scandal, all packed into six weeks, but the fifth edition saw a maturing tournament, with close games and a high-class thrilling final. Nick Sadleir reports.
Click link here to read full article: 56-61 IPL Good Bad Ugly
1 vs 2
England may be the number one Test side in the world but man-for-man South Africa have the higher-ranked players. Their results have not always reflected this over the last year, but with the bowling attack becoming an ever more formidable unit will South Africa finally make their whole greater than the considerable sum of their parts? Nick Sadleir casts an eye over their likely squad and asks why on earth is this clash of the Titans only being played over three Tests?
Click link here to read full article: 16-21 1 vs 2
IPL5: The Rise Of The Fan
Bags of cash and Bollywood bling, but no one really cares about the cricket or teams, do they? Nick Sadleir, already an IPL veteran, travelled to Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur and Mohali and says he can see the emergence of real fan loyalty – as well as some interesting new tactics in IPL5.