Dhoni sets new record

Sport
MAHENDRA Singh Dhoni becomes the first captain in history to lift all three ICC trophies.

MAHENDRA Singh Dhoni becomes the first captain in history to lift all three ICC trophies.

On the Crease with Vumi Moyo

The Catholic University wins the ZTISU games and we put the umpires under the spotlight.

How ironic that the competition that was meant to prove to the world that one-day International Cricket is still alive was decided by a 20 over a side match after the weather intervened once again.

When it seemed that play would not be possible, the sun eventually shone through and there was just enough time to play 20 overs a side, the minimum required to achieve a result. The Indians lost the toss and had been inserted.

They limped to 129 in their innings and even the most optimistic Indians thought they had choked when it mattered most. England appeared well on course until the spinners came on and changed the game.

Dhoni’s captaincy was always under the spotlight, how to use his bowlers in defending such a low total. Dhoni passed all tests thrown at him with flying colours.

The biggest turning point was going to what was his least impressive bowler of the match, Ishant Sharma for the 18th over.

This was reminiscent of former Zimbabwe captain Alistair Campbell, giving the ball to the erratic but devastating Henry Olonga in a crunch 1999 World Cup game against the Indians. Olonga could just have easily bowled three wides, but instead took three wickets in the over to win the game for Zimbabwe.

Dhoni must have had the same gut instinct as Campbell, because after going for an early boundary in the over, Sharma then bowled two huge wides and it appeared the match would end in that over.

The commentators were having a debate about the bowling change and the general consensus was Dhoni had erred and hence cost his team the championship. Sharma, from the blue then removed both set batsmen in consecutive deliveries and won the match for his side, proving beyond doubt that Dhoni is indeed captain fantastic.

He has now won the T-20 world cup 2007, ICC world cup 2011 and Champions trophy 2013.

The Catholic University from Harare, won the ZITSU games beating Bulawayo Polytechnic in a thrilling final at BAC. Bulawayo Poly won the toss and elected to bat.

They scored 119 in their 20 overs. The Catholic University got home with 1wicket to spare. The standard of cricket was a little better than years gone by, but a lot of work is needed to bring the standard up to other tertiary institutions, the world over.

Tuskers Cricket is holding a Basic Intermediate umpiring and scoring course for teachers at Queens this week.

The three day course is designed to improve the officiating at mostly school games and increase the number of knowledgeable officials in general. The majority of participants are teachers from the franchise.

On the subject of umpiring, not many agreed with Bruce Oxenford’s decision to give Ian Bell out at a crucial point in the final. There appeared to be no conclusive evidence from TV replays, but the Australian umpire saw enough to send Bell on his way. As if to make up for his earlier decision, Oxenford then gave Stuart Broad not out in almost similar circumstances.

I’m sure the whole of England would have rather had Bell than Broad in the run chase. The Ashes series is a couple of weeks away and that decision and the Root-Warner incident is fueling an explosive situation.

Give us your thoughts on that decision, the Ashes and any cricket issues you like handled right here on the crease.