The tale of two captains
Dear Cricket loving friends,
July 19, 2007 when Indian captain Rahul Dravid and his English counterpart Michael Vaughan goes for deciding the toss for the first test of NPower series, they will be carrying a lot of similarities between them. I will restrict the time frame to the past 5 years to derive the similarities. The similarities go like this – First, the class is permanent which can’t be bound by time frames and both possess it in big way. Both are excellent players in the test format of game and can be undoubtedly called one of the finest players ever represented for their respective countries. Both are right handed batsmen and currently come one down in the batting order. Coming to statistics and facts there careers started zooming after 2001 i.e. from nPower test series held during Jul-Sep 2002. Before the series also Dravid had the reputation of classy and one of the better batsmen especially in non subcontinent pitches. His scoring rate was more in away from India pitches but most of his knocks came in either for a losing or leveling cause. In sub continent also though he had scored heavily but most of them ended in a supporting role to the knocks of other batsmen. In summary despite performing consistently at the top level the “Match Winner” tag eluded him. The same goes for Michael Vaughan also. He also came with a low profile into the 2002 Ind-Eng series. But in the previous series against Sri Lanka he had notched up a century saving the first test for England.
For Vaughan the nPower test series started with a good note scoring a century in first test against India at Lord’s. England with the help of huge first innings lead went on to win the test taking the lead of 1-0 in four test series. Meanwhile Dravid stood tall amongst ruins by scoring 46 and 63 in the lost test. The second test at Nottingham appeared to belong to Michael Vaughan when he scored magnificent 197 to help England score more than 500. Indians were forced to follow on but in the second innings Dravid led the Indian resurgence with a well made 115. With other main batsmen also pitching in, India saved the match comfortably. The third test at Headingley brought out one of the best innings from current Indian captain. Under extremely bowler friendly conditions Dravid along with Bangar frustrated the impressive English bowling attack by not losing the second wicket for 170 high quality runs partnership. The second day Sachin and Saurav produced a run feast and as a result England was forced to surrender for an Innings defeat. Dravid’s fighting 148 won him Man of the Match award. Now the series was 1-1 which made the final test more interesting. India’s desire of a series win in England was thwarted by elegant 195 by Micheal Vaughan at The Oval when England piled 515 runs by second day. But Indians had the answer in Rahul Dravid who matched Vaughan in all batting aspects and even went on to score a double hundred which eluded the latter. Dravid’s 217 helped India to come close to English total. Vaughan continued in second innings from where he left in first innings. But rain playing the spoil sport on 5th day and the match ended in a draw. Amongst the two contenders Man of the Match trophy went to Dravid again. The whole series was well fought by both sides but India looking at the then performances away from home played better. Anyways it was a fight between equals as the series read 1-1 in 4 tests. The heroes from both sides also had similar numbers in their contribution. Vaughan in 7 innings scored 615 runs averaging 102.50 which consisted three centuries and a half century. Dravid equaled Vaughan in number of tons and fifties while scoring 602 runs in six innings with 100.33 a piece. As statistics revealed, for their magnificent performance throughout the series they both won jointly the “Man of the Series” trophy.
The similarity aspect continued in their respective country’s next Australian sojourn after the 2002 series. In 2002-03 Ashes series Vaughan amassed 633 runs in 10 innings of 5 tests averaging 63.3. But he couldn’t help England as Aussies lifted the Ashes by winning 4-1. But the series defeat didn’t stop him winning ‘Man of the Series’ award. Similarly when India toured down under next year for 4 test series, Dravid piled 618 runs in 8 innings averaging 123.6. India fared better than England by leveling the series 1-1 and Dravid was named “Man of the Series”. By this both had transformed themselves from better batsmen to one of the best in world.
After taking the reins from Nasser Hussain in 2003, Vaughan has become the most successful captain for England by leading in 22 test victories. Dravid has been leading India from 2005 and has led India to a series victory in West Indies last year. He has so far led the team seven times in test winning cause.
Now the question is in 2007 edition of nPower test series can Dravid or Vaughan or both produce the same magic which they did five years back? Will they flood the English grounds with tons of runs again? Only time will tell. Till then enjoy the cricket.
Thanks and Regards,
Chetan
July 19, 2007 when Indian captain Rahul Dravid and his English counterpart Michael Vaughan goes for deciding the toss for the first test of NPower series, they will be carrying a lot of similarities between them. I will restrict the time frame to the past 5 years to derive the similarities. The similarities go like this – First, the class is permanent which can’t be bound by time frames and both possess it in big way. Both are excellent players in the test format of game and can be undoubtedly called one of the finest players ever represented for their respective countries. Both are right handed batsmen and currently come one down in the batting order. Coming to statistics and facts there careers started zooming after 2001 i.e. from nPower test series held during Jul-Sep 2002. Before the series also Dravid had the reputation of classy and one of the better batsmen especially in non subcontinent pitches. His scoring rate was more in away from India pitches but most of his knocks came in either for a losing or leveling cause. In sub continent also though he had scored heavily but most of them ended in a supporting role to the knocks of other batsmen. In summary despite performing consistently at the top level the “Match Winner” tag eluded him. The same goes for Michael Vaughan also. He also came with a low profile into the 2002 Ind-Eng series. But in the previous series against Sri Lanka he had notched up a century saving the first test for England.
For Vaughan the nPower test series started with a good note scoring a century in first test against India at Lord’s. England with the help of huge first innings lead went on to win the test taking the lead of 1-0 in four test series. Meanwhile Dravid stood tall amongst ruins by scoring 46 and 63 in the lost test. The second test at Nottingham appeared to belong to Michael Vaughan when he scored magnificent 197 to help England score more than 500. Indians were forced to follow on but in the second innings Dravid led the Indian resurgence with a well made 115. With other main batsmen also pitching in, India saved the match comfortably. The third test at Headingley brought out one of the best innings from current Indian captain. Under extremely bowler friendly conditions Dravid along with Bangar frustrated the impressive English bowling attack by not losing the second wicket for 170 high quality runs partnership. The second day Sachin and Saurav produced a run feast and as a result England was forced to surrender for an Innings defeat. Dravid’s fighting 148 won him Man of the Match award. Now the series was 1-1 which made the final test more interesting. India’s desire of a series win in England was thwarted by elegant 195 by Micheal Vaughan at The Oval when England piled 515 runs by second day. But Indians had the answer in Rahul Dravid who matched Vaughan in all batting aspects and even went on to score a double hundred which eluded the latter. Dravid’s 217 helped India to come close to English total. Vaughan continued in second innings from where he left in first innings. But rain playing the spoil sport on 5th day and the match ended in a draw. Amongst the two contenders Man of the Match trophy went to Dravid again. The whole series was well fought by both sides but India looking at the then performances away from home played better. Anyways it was a fight between equals as the series read 1-1 in 4 tests. The heroes from both sides also had similar numbers in their contribution. Vaughan in 7 innings scored 615 runs averaging 102.50 which consisted three centuries and a half century. Dravid equaled Vaughan in number of tons and fifties while scoring 602 runs in six innings with 100.33 a piece. As statistics revealed, for their magnificent performance throughout the series they both won jointly the “Man of the Series” trophy.
The similarity aspect continued in their respective country’s next Australian sojourn after the 2002 series. In 2002-03 Ashes series Vaughan amassed 633 runs in 10 innings of 5 tests averaging 63.3. But he couldn’t help England as Aussies lifted the Ashes by winning 4-1. But the series defeat didn’t stop him winning ‘Man of the Series’ award. Similarly when India toured down under next year for 4 test series, Dravid piled 618 runs in 8 innings averaging 123.6. India fared better than England by leveling the series 1-1 and Dravid was named “Man of the Series”. By this both had transformed themselves from better batsmen to one of the best in world.
After taking the reins from Nasser Hussain in 2003, Vaughan has become the most successful captain for England by leading in 22 test victories. Dravid has been leading India from 2005 and has led India to a series victory in West Indies last year. He has so far led the team seven times in test winning cause.
Now the question is in 2007 edition of nPower test series can Dravid or Vaughan or both produce the same magic which they did five years back? Will they flood the English grounds with tons of runs again? Only time will tell. Till then enjoy the cricket.
Thanks and Regards,
Chetan
posted by Chetan | 4:21 AM
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