Great to interact with Teeshay Shah and Sanjana Ganesan on Match Point’s Blogosphere over the weekend on a really interesting question: “Have Powerplays become a mere formality, considering that they are not a tactical move any more?”

I joined by two colleagues from Sri Lanka, The Island’s sports editor Rex Clementine, and administrator Daniel Alexander, and it was interesting to hear their respective views of what the gentleman’s game has to offer in today’s new era.

Rex admitted to a preference for the way things were, which allowed a team to decide when to use a Powerplay for strategic purpose, also an option that promoted intense fan involvement.

Daniel said that the changes brought greater balance between bat and ball, and allowed for attacking spinners in particular after the initial 10 overs, with boundary-riding fielders to counter the big heavy bats and smaller ovals that have become the norm.

I said that the new laws introduced for the ICC Champions League in England and Wales appear to benefit the batsmen, but may be turned around by bowlers who live by the ‘adapt or die’ mantra, something we saw ICC ODI leading bowler Imran Tahir bring to good effect in the Proteas’ remarkable 96-run win on Saturday.

What do you make of these new law changes, South Africa’s handsome win over Sri Lanka, and our upcoming fixtures against Pakistan on Wednesday, and the group stage finale against India at the Oval in London, on Sunday.

Find me on social media and let me know, and don’t forget to tune into Cricket Tuesday on Radio 2000, during regular programming, to join Andile Ncube and I as we discuss everything you need to know about the Proteas and cricket in South Africa.

 

Image Caption: It was great to be invited to participate by Match Point’s Teeshay Shah and Sanjana Ganesan on the show’s Blogosphere, alongside Sri Lanka colleagues Rex Clementine and Daniel Alexander. Image: Match Point