From: 9063iyerm@vms.csd.mu.edu (Murali Iyer)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.cricket
Subject: Re: NEWS FLASH - Azhar captain
Date: 30 Sep 1992 16:06:55 GMT
Organization: Marquette University - Computer Services
Reply-To: 9063iyerm@vms.csd.mu.edu
NNTP-Posting-Host: vmsd.csd.mu.edu

In article <20814@plains.NoDak.edu>, ksrao@power.ee.ndsu.nodak.edu writes:
>
>         Azharuddin has been retained as the captain of the Indian touring team
>to SA and Zimbabwe. The announcement came in a press conference today addressed
>by Vishwanath the chairman of the selection board. The captain of the team to
>play England will be selected later. Azhar is given the notice, effectively.

This might mean a few changes from the side which torued down under. Azhar was
obviously not happy with some of the players, and might be in a mood to get
back at them. Manoj Prabhakar's performance would be the only thing in his
favour, because if I had been Azhar, I would have taken offense at many of the
things he is reported to have said against Azhar. Manjrekar's position also may
be in doubt, since he too was reportedly not too eager to perform in Australia,
always laying the blame at someone else's doorstep. And in his case, the
performances are not all that impressive. 

I wonder who Azhar was referring to when he said he was not too happy with the
youngsters. Because, youngsters/newcomers then were Srinath, Banerjee, Kambli,
Sachin, Amre, Jadeja. Am I missing some names? Anyway, of the above, Srinath
performed quite well, so did Amre and Jadeja in the limited chances they got.
That leaves Kambli and Banerjee (Notice that I am leaving Sachin's name out of
this, only a fool would say anything against him). Also some of the reports
about Srinath said that he got bogged down by unfavorable decisions and
conditions, and gave up on occasion. "He would do well to relax and concentrate
on bowling at his best ability", some reporter said about Srinath. But everyone
hailed him as the right partner for Kapil, so his position may be secure. 

>
>       I cannot understand the selection of selection committee at all.

Welcome to the club, Dr.Rao. :--)

>Vishwanath had to dash from Guyana for the selection committee meeting; it
>should mean that he did not watch the Duleep Trophy, Deodhar Trophy and
>possibly a part of Irani trophy; and he is the chairman !!!!
>

Knowing Vishy, I would say that he knows every aspiring player's abilities and
weaknesses in and out. That's not to condone the board's action in appointing a
man who has witnessed any of the "selection" games , the Chairman of the
selection committee. And I might be exaggerating Vishy's knowledge of "all the 
players". :--) :--) 

It is mainly the zonal representatives who come in witha bunch of names from
their respective zones, and they are all voted on, with the chairman having the
decisive vote in case of a dead-lock. So, understandably, there will be a lot
of lobbying and politicking going on right this minute. Vishy may be too
incorruptible to fall into these traps. He might just smile, say "balls to you"
and walk out of the meeting if his arm is twisted. 

Anyway, it is good news that the selection committee has continued place its
faith and trust in a captain. Correct me if I am wrong, but Azhar has not had a
single successful series, except against Sri Lanka in a one-off series. But
also a point to be noted is that he has not led a series at home. All his
series have been abroad. Reports and post-mortems of the series down under
blamed Azhar for unimaginative captaincy and running out of ideas midway thru.
Also, the many complaints from players are not good for the team, at any time. 
But this tour gives Azhar a chance to apply whatever he learnt on the previous
tour, and become a better captain. I wish he had a different manager, though.
Somehow Wadekar does not inspire a helluva lot of confidence.............. 
But, only time can tell, eh?

Here's wishing Azhar good luck on this tour to SA. 

>K. Sankara Rao                          e-mail ksrao@power.eee.ndsu.nodak.edu

Thanks for the info, Rao Saheb.

-Murali