Bosman smashed English bowlers in both games

A week ago, I had predicted that the T20I series between England and South Africa would be rather close and should end in a 1-1 score-line here. As it turned out, the prediction wasn’t too far off the mark as the sides traded games and in the end the series was tied.

The two matches were played at Johannesburg and Centurion respectively, the same venues that the Champions Trophy had used. In that tournament, the pitch at Centurion had turned out to be a run-fest, whereas that at Wanderers in Johannesburg was the one on which the bowlers had a gala-time. As it turned out in the series, both the pitches were so full of runs that it almost seemed like the bowlers were there to fill in the number only.

In the first match, South Africa elected to field on the premise that it is rather difficult to set targets in a T20 game on a flat-as-a-pancake pitch. Their decision almost worked as Joe Denly was dismissed off the very first ball, but first Jonathon Trott – playing in the country of his birth – and then Paul Collingwood and Eoin Morgan smacked the hosts around to get to 202/6 in the twenty overs. Morgan was at his merciless best and got to an unbeaten 45-ball 85.

South Africa replied equally strongly with Graeme Smith and his new opening partner, Loots Bosman, adding 97 in less than nine overs. One wicket brought two, but the South Africans looked good to get to their total, when it started to drizzle. At the end of 12 overs, the South Africans were a couple of runs ahead of the target, but a superb over from Anderson brought them a run behind the par score when the heavens opened for good. The match ended there, with the Proteas going down by one run!

They made a fine comeback in the second game as Bazooka Bosman - as he is known - continued his supreme touch to seal Heschelle Gibbs’ ouster – for the time being. His 94 came off only 45 balls, and by the time he was out, the South Africans had scored 170 in only 13 overs! They ended with 241 to their name – lest one forgets, this was in 20 overs only – and then restricted the English side to 157/8 in their twenty overs to easily win the game. Trott scored his first half century in T20Is.

The good news for England was the return of Kevin Pietersen after being out of the game for more than six months due to an Achilles Heel injury.

In the meantime, the IPL committee met in Bangkok to discuss the details of the next season of the IPL. What has emerged is that the players will not be able to sign contracts with the IPL and not feature in the tournament on the grounds of playing for domestic cricket back home. In fact, apart from injuries or international commitments – and extreme scenarios – the players will have to honour their commitment to the league through its entire duration. The rationale behind this has been the move is said to be the advancing of the league to February-March instead of April-May. Many of the domestic competitions are still on, especially in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

There was also an announcement that seven out of the eight franchises have agreed to the inclusion of the extra teams in the fourth season of the IPL. Apparently, Chennai Super Kings has opposed the move so far.

And to end the piece, another piece of trivia for you. South Africa’s 241/6 in the twenty overs was the second highest total in a T20I, behind Sri Lanka’s 260/6 in 20 overs against Kenya in the first edition of the ICC World T20. The highest total ever chased successfully in a T20I is 208 by South Africa against West Indies – again, in the ICC World T20 in 2007.

Who is He?

Lalit Kumar Modi

What titles does he hold?

- Chairman & Commissioner, IPL,

- Vice President, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)

- Creator of the Indian Premier League

Achievements of the IPL

• Dramatically improved the Indian Cricket Boards position on the Internation Cricket Council (ICC)
• Has made T20 Cricket in India one of the largest sports franchises in the world
• Conquered the competition smashing the non ICC backed T20 Indian Cricket League (ICL) in India 4 months prior. It done this by fighting for ICC backing and attracting top world-class cricketers
• Supressed opposition by the English Cricket Board as their county season would become less significant in the international cricket arena

Mission

To create a popular city-based league system using an untried version of cricket using substantial investor funding to recruit the world's best cricketers

Result

A runaway success with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at the forefront of the new era of cricket.

“Of course, I feel vindicated. I would not be speaking the truth if I said otherwise. Sceptics had raised all kinds of doubts and objections before IPL was launched. The concept of city teams was untried and untested. The new short format left analysts wondering whether people would actually be interested and there were also sneaking suspicions about the new league’s ability to attract eyeballs especially as its timings (from early evening to late night) placed it headlong in competition with saas-bahu soaps on television. I am glad that IPL proved to be a runaway success and BCCI was able to realise a long-cherished dream. I think it is all about believing in yourself and having the conviction to carry on with your beliefs in spite of the odds” - Lalit Modi

The World Turns to India for Answers

With Cricket Australia, the English Cricket Board and Cricket South Africa all researching ways to replicate the IPL's success in their own country, the Indian Premier League, Lilat Modi and India can be proud of the international success story they have given the world.

Lalit Kumar Modi - A cheeky yet likeable man who brought success
to the beginnings of the Indian Premier League. Well Done.