India and 400+ score ODIs

Now that the storm of the most exciting ODI match in history is over, I have a few observations regarding such high ultra-high scoring games. I think with Twenty20 (PRO20) matches being played, batsmen are developing a capability of non-stop hitting. Its no more a question of hitting when the field is up or when the PowerPlays are on. Its about constant hitting. Being an Indian fan I am concerned about this. My basic reason of worry is that BCCI has declared that India will NOT play Twenty20 games at all since its an 'absrurd' format. Fair enough. But what about the constant-fast-scoring ability other Twenty20 playing team players are inherently developing? Can Indian players match up with such peers? Its not an immediate crisis but something worth pondering.

According to me, India will get in a win/win situation if they decide to play Twenty20 matches with an alternate squad. The likes of Dravid, Tendulkar need not play these games. Sehwag, Yuvraj, Raina, Ramesh Powar and others who are young and can be honed to gain multidimensional capabilites can be included. Not only will it improve the current players game, but it will introduce new hitters for a stint in ODIs.

Wreck-ord

What just happened will go down as the best revenge anyone has ever had (or maybe will ever have). South Africa has been jolted too many times by Australia in the past. Being so near is actually being most far from the final target. SA have experienced this more than any Cricket playing nation. But that is history. New history is now written.

SA successfully chased a target of 434 against Australia. (That they did it in 49.5 overs with only 1 wicket remaining are mere details which will be forgotten). Herschelle Gibbs played the innings of his life slamming 175 off just 111 balls. Graeme Smith ably supported in the mammoth run-chase. In essence, what SA did to Australia is equivalent to what Andy Dufresne did while inside the Shawshank prison to Warden Sam Norton in The Shawshank Redemption. First let Australia set a World record and then not only break it, but set a twin record of the highest score and highest chase in the history of ODIs.

As statistics tumbled, an unimaginable result ensued when the likes of Van der Waath and Boucher steered SA to victory. Now you either bask in the victory glory or search reasons for why all this happened!