The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Pitches and spinners have impacted batting momentum

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Pitches and spinners have impacted batting momentum

Teams are struggling for consistent batsmen in the middle-order, writes Ravi Shastri

No team has yet touched 200 runs in the IPL-II. Just one century has been seen. It’s a curious statistics in a format which is innovating and improvising constantly.

Shorter boundaries, heavy bats, lightning quick outfields and yet 200 is still a mirage.

Two themes have been noticeable. The pitches in South Africa, after a season of use, are now worn out. So despite rollicking start by openers of a few teams, the scoring retards in the middle overs.

It’s an oft-repeated statement in this IPL that batting teams are losing momentum — though Deccan Chargers on Thursday was an exception — after the strategy breaks. They are losing wickets in a clutch. But this is happening because spinners start turning their arms over at this stage.

Scoring quickly against spread fields is a sticky proposition. The middle-order feels the heat once openers have fired. In trying to maintain or up the tempo, they tend to take more risks. And falter.

Few successes

It takes no genius to work out that very few middle-order batsmen have made a name for themselves in this IPL. A.B. de Villiers and Tillakaratne Dilshan have been exceptions and Suresh Raina is finally hitting his straps.

Dwayne Smith was marvellous on Thursday but that’s about it. Teams are struggling for consistent batsmen in the middle order. Spinners, pitches and expectations are all combining to take a toll.

What spectators have lost out in terms of big boundaries, they have gained in the matter of close finishes. Battles are more even. Games are being decided in the final over. That makes it an open field.

The best can bite the dust and the worst can have their days. There will be more edge-of-the-seat thrillers ahead.

And don’t forget, some teams will really benefit with the return of the Aussies.

TCM

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