Brilliance of Melbourne Storm

Melbourne Storm are perfectionist and relentless along with couple of immortals. All these factors make them a perfect team. It is also a combination of these 3 factors that created three brilliant tries against the minor premiers Bulldogs.

The first try they scored was a perfect example of relentless attitude. The try was executed on the right hand side of the Bulldogs defence by persistently running Ryan Hoffman into a gap. Three years ago, the last time the Storm were in the Grand final against Parramatta they executed a similar try. The credit must go to Bellamy because event the most patriotic Bulldogs supporters know their right hand defence is vulnerable with Josh Reynolds and Inu not coming up together leaving a slight gap. Bellamy would not have slept until start of next season if the Storm failed to execute a play and came back with no points. It was mirror image of three years ago where Bellamy exposed the Parramatta right hand side defence of Jeff Robson. It was relentless planning and executing, sheer brilliance.

The second try was constructed by the presence of immortal in Billy Slater. The genius of Slater to explode of the blocks and be in right place at the right time is unmatched by perhaps anyone who has played the game. The phrase that defined that second try was "You can see it coming but you simply cannot stop it".  It is impossible to blame the defence because no matter who the opposition was that try would have eventually been scored, simply by the genius, Billy Slater presence.

Finally, try number three scored by Justin O'Neill. It was a try that defines perfection. Cooper Cronk chip over the top was centimetre perfect and again it was try that could not have been prevented. Importantly, it was no fluke because Cronk would have practice that kick over 100 times this week to ensure when it needed to be executed he put it on a penny. It was sign of pure perfection and sheer hard work.

It is hard to be critical of the Bulldogs because with their major strengths they executed three brilliant tries. Storm were simply too good and should be admired by every single fan of Rugby League.

 

New domestic schedule – Chance for Match Practice

During his brief stint as a commentator in the 2^nd test match between India and New Zealand, Rahul Dravid said “Most important way to learn is by playing cricket in the middle”.  As Dravid continued the camera zoomed in on Rahane, Ishant and Raina.  Perhaps Dravid was trying to convey a message that implied that young players need to spend time practising their art in the middle.

Early season start has meant there is no domestic cricket and the likes of Ishant and Rahane have become water boys once the test match commenced.  In the coming month as the team now shifts its preparations towards the T20, the new domestic schedule presents them with an opportunity to get some much needed match practice.  Also their sheer will to play domestic circuit will definitely set the right precedence for the upcoming players.

Irani Trophy

The first stop will be the Irani trophy starting on the 21^st September in Jaipur, it is fixture between the previous year’s Ranji’s trophy winners against the Rest of India. While the cream of the crop will be in Sri Lanka and another 15 will be with the India A team in New Zealand, there are still some elite players available for selection in Rest of India squad.

Rajasthan vs Rest of India   Date:  21^st Sep – 25^th Sep    Venue:  Jaipur

Some of the prominent players available should be Tendulkar, Pujara, Rahane, Saha, Ishant, Ojha and Yadav.  As Dravid asserted, the match will provide match practice for a player like Rahane in his preferred format and likewise for a Saha.  It will be an opportunity for Ishant Sharma to prove his fitness before the England series and Yadav, Ojha and Pujara can enhance their games.  Even Tendulkar could be present to overcome his problems with the full and incoming delivery. 

It will be interesting how many of the above players are selected to play in the match when the squad is selected on 10^th September.  

The competitive nature of the trophy is a myth but at least for this season the timing of the match is impeccable for some players if they wish to grasp it.

Duleep Trophy

Second stop on the domestic circuit will be the Duleep trophy. It is bewildering to find the existence of Duleep Trophy.  This year it will be held in October and the knockout zone format will clash with the lucrative Champions Trophy in South Africa.  

Match 1 - Oct 6^th -9^th   North Zone vs West Zone (loser eliminated) Venue:  Chennai

Match 2 – Oct 14^th – 17^th Central Zone vs Winner of Match 1 – Venue:  Hyderabad          

Match 3 - Oct 14^th – 17^th South Zone vs East Zone – Venue:  Visakhapatnam

Final – Oct 21^st – 25^th Winners of Match 2 vs Match 3 – Venue: Chennai

With Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai and Delhi participating in the Champions Trophy there will be distinguished absentees. There are players on verge of national selection not involved with franchises in the Champions trophy that should be eligible for the Duleep Trophy.

Indian players available for their respective zones barring injuries are Ishant, Yuvraj, Kohli, (North Zone), Rahane, Pujara, Zaheer (West Zone), Dinda (East Zone), Mukund, Pragyan Ojya (South Zone) and Chawla (Central Zone).

With the knockout format, Duleep Trophy will only provide a solitary match for some of the stars but at least an opportunity exists.  Furthermore, for example if West Zone progresses all the way to the final, it will mean the players like Pujara and Rahane have four day match practice leading up to the test series against England.

The new schedule has ensured there are domestic four day matches since the start of the season. Whether the high profile players participate will depend on the individual, coaching staff, administrators and each zone.

The BCCI have taken a positive initiative by placing great emphasis on the four day domestic matches and time has come to back up that strategy by selecting Indian players in the Irani and Duleep Trophy. After all there is nothing like match practise as suggested by one of India’s greatest batsmen.