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Posted on 12/23/2008 in Ind v Eng (2008)

And that brings us to the end of an eventful India v England 2008 series. A very close series it may not have been between the two teams on the field, but not so in the race for the fantasy standings. Shown below are the top 3 fantasy team managers and teams for the series. Congratulations Guys and, as I've often requested, I urge you to share some of your fantasy picking secrets with us. Until the next series, thank you for playing and contributing to a most exciting fantasy series.

Top 3 managers, their teams and final points tally:
1. Rajeswaran_Super_Kings whenwilliwin2 with 8583 points
2. andysith Glorias light entertainers with 8349 points
3. hbkjj4u HBK11 with 8249 points

Transfer time

Posted on 12/23/2008 in Aus v SA 2008/09

Before you ring in the changes for the second Test, make it a point to check out the series home. You'll find that Australia are likely to bring in a few new players to strengthen their bowling. They might even be tempted to rejig their batting. Injuries notwithstanding, the South Africans can be expected to stick to the winning combination. You have till December 25th before the traditional Boxing Day Test match kicks off the day after X'mas. As always, if you need any help, feel free to ask me. Adios.

The Parting Shot - Fluctuating fortunes

December 13, 2008

Posted on 12/13/2008 in The Parting Shot

India v England - Today's top 3
Apoc: Nebuchadnezzar: 2316
The_Hit_Squad: English Charm: 2162
coolsuhas: Humka yeh match jeetna hi hoga: 2158

New Zealand v West Indies - Today's top 3
parthii08: nzy: 1582
Ossieruledfootball: OSGOODWASGOOD: 1553
GilokingofSpain: Gayle Forcast: 1538

A quick piece of advise: Check out the top performers' teams because tomorrow is the last day of both Test matches. After that, it'll be time once again to ring in the transfers. So a few tips from the leading teams will prove quite useful.

Speaking of the top fantasy team managers, only Apoc has managed to hold his, or her, place at the top of the Test match standings. Obviously, he, or she, got pretty lucky. If you ask me, luck, more than anything else, plays a massive role in fantasy cricket.

As always, feel free to disagree with me. (At your own peril.)

A very quick primer on how to pick your fantasy team

December 8, 2008

Posted on 12/08/2008 in Aus v SA 2008/09

a. Form is temporary class is permanent: For those who still aren't quite sure what this hoary old cliche means, it means that while it's all very fine to pick on form, and very sensible too, you'd be well advised not to ignore the greats, even if they don't happen to be in great nick. Hint: Ricky Pointing, Matt Hayden and Brendon McCullum

b. Don't take your eye off the ball, and the series home page: Seeing the way players are being picked and discarded in these fickle times, if you don't make it a point to keep track of squad changes you're going to end up with a pretty useless fantasy team.

c. Form is temporary, temperament is permanent: This is a series between two sides that play an aggressive and, sometimes, brutal brand of cricket. Before you pick a guy for your fantasy team, make sure he's not the lily-livered, mentally fragile sort. He'll be of no use whatsoever to your fantasy team.

Well, that's it for now. Feel free to share your picks with me. That way, we'll have something interesting to talk about. And argue over. Adios and let's chat soon.

Comments (26)

December 4, 2008

India v England 2008 (update)

Posted on 12/04/2008 in Ind v Eng (2008)

The squads for the two Tests to be played in Chennai and Mohali respectively have been announced today. It's time then to ring in the transfers. You've got till December 10th to finalise your fantasy teams. Good luck and do make it a point to check out the latest from the series home page. Adios.

PS: Keep in mind that England are a lot better at Test match cricket than ODIs. One thing for sure, the English bowlers will be a lot more effective in the longer version of the game. It's important that you factor that in when rejigging your fantasy teams.

Comments (5)

December 3, 2008

New Zealand v West Indies 2008/9 (Preview)

Posted on 12/03/2008 in NZ v WI (2008/9)

This one is going to be a bowlers' series. At least, that's what I think. A dangerous and quite avoidable thing for someone like me to attempt, you might say. And I hear you. Still, it's an occupational hazard. So here goes.

Like said, I think it's going to be a bowlers' series. In New Zealand, most times it is. As any half-assed cricket writer worth his words will tell you, historically, seamers are the ones that have tended to do well in New Zealand. Batsmen who can play the moving ball too. So keep this in mind when you're picking your fantasy teams.

Continue reading "New Zealand v West Indies 2008/9 (Preview)"

Australia v New Zealand 2008 (Update)

December 1, 2008

Posted on 12/01/2008 in Australia v New Zeland 2008

A quick note to congratulate the leaders at the end of the Test matches of the fantasy edition of the Australia v New Zealand series. Those of you, including yours truly, who haven't got things quite so right, much like the Black Caps, might want to study how these top dogs have gone about the business of staying ahead of the pack. It might help us all, including New Zealand, return a better performance during the ODIs that are scheduled to start on February 1st next year.

Until then, both these teams take a break from each other to play a Test series with other nations (Australia against South Africa and New Zealand play West Indies). Of course, we'll have fantasy games for both these series. And you'll have something else to keep yourself occupied with before the Black Caps return to Australia for the ODIs. Thanks for playing with us so far and continue to watch this space for regular fantasy updates.

November 30, 2008

Posted on 11/30/2008 in MTVV

A quick note to congratulate the winners of the fantasy edition of the SA v Bangladesh series. Those of you, including yours truly, who haven't got things quite so right, much like the Bangladeshi team, might want to study how these top dogs have gone about the business of staying ahead of the pack. It might help us all, including Bangladesh, return with a better performance during the next set of fantasy games (Australia v SA and New Zealand v WI) that are coming up very soon. Thanks for playing with us so far and continue to watch this space for regular fantasy updates.

Ind v England ODI series leaders

Posted on 11/30/2008 in Ind v Eng (2008)

A quick note to congratulate the top names on the leaderboard at the end of the ODI stage. Those of you, including yours truly, who haven't got things quite so right during the first stage of this rather one-sided ODI series might want to study how these top dogs have gone about the business of staying ahead of the pack. It might help us all return with a better performance during the Tests. Until England return, and let's hope they do, thanks for playing and watch this space.

November 28, 2008

India v England update

Posted on 11/28/2008 in Ind v Eng (2008)

Click here to find out what you should do with your fantasy teams. (If you ask me, now might be a good time to give this game a rest and focus on the other two on-going ones.) It's been a hard series for those of you who placed their faith in England. (I did.) Until the next time we meet, which will be as soon as the teams announce their squads for the two Test matches, do spare a thought for the hapless victims caught up in the terror attacks in Mumbai. Talk to you soon.

Australia v New Zealand 2nd Test preview

November 26, 2008

Posted on 11/26/2008 in Australia v New Zeland 2008

The second Test starts soon. There's a few interesting things going on out there in Australia. The man who took 12 wickets on debut and didn't play in the Test after is now injured and may not find a place in the side tomorrow. Jason Krejza's eventful tryst with cricket continues. Then there's Andrew Symonds who's been pardoned, yet again. And thrown a lifeline, yet again. How will he respond? Now might be a good time to look for answers to these and other questions that will affect the composition of your team. Click here to give yourself the best chance of scoring maximum points by getting your transfer strategy right.

November 25, 2008

India v England 5th ODI

Posted on 11/25/2008 in Ind v Eng (2008)

Those of you with teams that have performed as badly as England have (yes, it is possible), here's your chance to salvage some pride. Do check out the series home page so you're in the know about the possible changes both teams are likely to ring in for the 5th ODI and can get your transfers right. Dhoni did say some of the others who haven't had a chance to play will get a look-in.

And what about the English squad? Well, God knows what they're going to do to better their performance so far. All that said, I know what I need to do: think really hard before I finalise my team. After all, 'The Community Managers' too need to raise their game by a notch. Or three.

South Africa v Bangladesh 2nd Test

Posted on 11/25/2008 in SA v Bangladesh (2008)

The second Test starts tomorrow. Now might be a good time to check out the series home page and keep an eye on who's likely to play. That way, you can make sure you get your transfers right. And not commit the same mistakes that I have during the India v England ODI series. Happy transferring.

Comments (4)

November 24, 2008

A bad series for me. Also.

Posted on 11/24/2008 in Ind v Eng (2008)

It's not just England who have performed disastrously in the first four ODIs. So have I and my Fantasy team. I've got my Trump Players wrong. I've been hit by injuries. I've chosen the wrong guys for my team. In short, my performance in this fantasy series has pretty much mirrored that of England's. This after having done so well in the Australia v India game. If you ask me, I'll say it's a combination of luck and poor preparation. (But then, you'd expect that from a losing captain, wouldn't you?)

Consider this: I picked Ryan Sidebottom for the second ODI. But all he has done for me and England in the ODIs so far is threaten to make it to the playing XI only to end up being ruled out of the entire ODI series. I suppose I ought to have followed the fortunes of the team a lot more closely by checking out the series home pages regularly. I didn't. Put simply, I took my eye off the ball. Not surprisingly, I paid for it. Dearly.

Continue reading "A bad series for me. Also."

My team for the second ODI in Indore

November 16, 2008

Posted on 11/16/2008 in Ind v Eng (2008)

Dropped:
Yuvraj
Bell
Broad
Harmison
Anderson

Picked:
Raina
Sidebottom
Bopara
Collngwood
Munaf Patel
Yusuf Pathan
Rohit Sharma
Gambhir (TP)
Prior
Flintoff
Zaheer Khan

Let's play!

Comments (13)

November 11, 2008

India v England is here

Posted on 11/11/2008 in Ind v Eng (2008)

Have you put together your fantasy team? If not, you still have a bit of time and loads of information to help you arrive at your set of choices. Time now for me to go and do just that. I'll be back in a day or three to share my picks with you. Until then, ciao.

PS: Couldn't wait for a day or three, so here's my Fantasy team for the first ODI. Come on, talk to me.

The Community Managers:
G Gambhir
IR Bell
Yuvraj Singh *TP
RG Sharma
YK Pathan
A Flintoff
MJ Prior
JM Anderson
Z Khan
RJ Sidebottom
MM Patel

A couple of changes I've made: Gambhir is now my Trump Player. Sidebottom is gone and in comes Harmison. Also, I've dropped Anderson and drafted in Broad. Let's see how it all pans out.

Comments (20)

November 4, 2008

Posted on 11/04/2008 in India v Australia 2008

Shown below is a list of all the winners for the most hotly contested Ind v Aus series that has just concluded. I'll be contacting every one of you to tell you what you have won and where the prizes will be delivered. Hope you enjoyed playing. I certainly did and even though my team only ended up in the top 1000, I did manage to stay in the top 100 till the final Test. Ah well, maybe I'll do better in the upcoming Ind v Eng series.

The Big VVinners:
Series winner
dilsere920

1st Test
dhoom
manit 11
soni7

2nd Test
Sachins
Prof is smarter then scientist
indiarocks

3rd Test
Desperado
Dubai All Stars
sams sluggers

4th Test
IND VS AUS 04
mercury_rigid
broks11

Here's what all of you will get a share of. Enjoy!

Comments (7)

November 2, 2008

Continue reading "Meet The VVinners (MTVV)"

Posted on 11/02/2008 in India v Australia 2008

It's a time for congratulations and all that. Announcing the THIRD set of the many prizes to be won during the course of the India v Australia Test series 2008. The top 3 team managers on the India v Australia leaderboard for the third Test - 'sunny_sunny', 'Rahul_Mohnani' and 'sam2906', get to win:

October 31, 2008

Posted on 10/31/2008 in Bangladesh v New Zealand (2008)

It's time for congratulations and all that. Announcing the winners of the Bangladesh vs New Zealand 2008 fantasy series. The top 3 teams on the series leaderboard, please take a bow. Thank you for playing. And do keep coming back for more.

October 23, 2008

The Marsh quandary

Posted on 10/23/2008 in India v Australia 2008

Now that the Australians have flown in Shaun Marsh in for Phil Jaques, whom do they drop to accommodate him? Jaques was anyway not in the playing XI. Do you drop Hayden? Unthinkable. Ponting? Maybe, if he wasn't Captain of the side. (Something Kumble will perhaps identify with.) Hussey? He's Australia's top scorer in the series. Watson? Over his dead body. Michael Clarke? He's just run into some good form. Katich? He's scored more than Hayden in the last two Tests. A lot more. So then Australia won't play Shaun Marsh. Which, in my opinion, would be a defensive move. Something Australia can ill-afford after the hiding they suffered in empty Mohali. They need to come out firing at the Kotla. And for that, they'll need some good form and confidence right at the top of the order. Both of which Shaun Marsh has in abundance. So then Australia will play him. For, who else, Simon Katich. (That's ok, he's used to it.)

All this to say, start thinking about your Transfers. I've got 8 ... no, 7. (How many do you have?) I used one up the day I heard Shaun Marsh was being flown in. As far as I'm concerned, the choice to pick him or not is a no-brainer. So what if he made all those runs in 'only' the IPL. He looked a class apart. And utterly invulnerable. Not once in any of his visits to the crease was he in any sort of trouble. You can't argue with that kind of confidence. Especially not on tour. A difficult tour like this one.

Accumulators like Katich stand a lesser chance of succeeding on what promises to be a Kotla wicket literally tailormade for Kumble's 'shooters'. On that kind of surface and under the circumstances Australia find themselves in, they need in their ranks a player with sure footwork, positive attitude and a fresh approach. Put simply, pick Shaun Marsh. Just don't ask me whom to drop.

Comments (7)

October 21, 2008

Continue reading "Meet The VVinners (MTVV)"

Posted on 10/21/2008 in India v Australia 2008

It's a time for congratulations and all that. Announcing the second set of the many prizes to be won during the course of the India v Australia Test and ODI series 2008. The top 3 teams on the India v Australia leader board at the end of the second Test win:

How many people picked Mishra?

October 19, 2008

Posted on 10/19/2008 in India v Australia 2008

What were the odds that Amit Mishra would make his debut in Mohali? Even, if you ask me. Next question: Who expected him to take a five-for in his first Test at a venue not known to aid spinners? Honestly, comments down all of you who have Mishra down as their Trump Player.

October 14, 2008

Continue reading "Meet The VVinners (MTVV)"

Posted on 10/14/2008 in India v Australia 2008

It's a time for congratulations and all that. Announcing the first set of the many prizes to be won during the course of the India v Australia Test and ODI series 2008. The top 3 teams on the India v Australia leaderboard at the end of the first Test win:

3 days to go for Mohali (Update)

October 13, 2008

Posted on 10/13/2008 in India v Australia 2008

It's time to take stock of who in your team was worth their fantasy monies. Note: Sometimes it makes sense to stick with your existing team and give the members another chance to find their feet. Other times, you may have spotted a trend or a player who isn't in the best of form or someone who is definitely going to be dropped and feel confident enough to do something about it.

That's why we've given you 8 transfers to play around with for the whole duration of the Test series. Now's the time when you should consider using them. Click here for all the help you need to make up your minds.

1 day to go for Mohali: I'm sticking with the team I had for the first Test. Of the players in my side, Dhoni, Michael Clarke and Brett Lee were the only ones who underperformed. The rest looked in decent nick, so it's only fair that I keep the faith in them.

Going back to the under-performers, I think they're all too good to not come good sooner rather than later. In fact, my gut feeling is they'll all make a big impact in the Mohali Test. (But not big enough to make me change my choice of Trump Player, the intensely focussed and very hungry Michael 'Mr. Cricket' Hussey.)

And all this to say you have till 9 AM tomorrow to ring in the changes, if any, and finalise your teams for the second Test at Mohali that starts tomorrow. Good luck.

Comments (8)

October 6, 2008

Fresh players added to fantasy pool

Posted on 10/06/2008 in India v Australia 2008

If you've been following our advise and watching this and this space, you'll know the ins and outs of the squad compositions for the two series being currently played in the Aisan subcontinent. Which is why now might be a good time to have second thoughts about your original team. Or if you still haven't picked one, pick one. Or two.

Comments (9)

October 5, 2008

NZ, Bangladesh, who?

Posted on 10/05/2008 in Bangladesh v New Zealand (2008)

I have very little idea who, that's who? Bangladesh cricket is in a state of flux. Players are coming and going like passing fancies. New Zealand is also losing players to the ICL. The two countries in which cricket needs all the support it can get are hardest hit by the most petty and public fight in world cricket. Not that any of that should concern us.

In the world of fantasy, everything is hunky dory. In order to ensure that you continue to get you daily fix, we've put together a little helper called the 'Random Team Generator'. You'll find it just above the panel containing the players available for your fantasy team. Use it. Just in case you have no idea who should and shouldn't be in your team for this particular fantasy series.

Link love: How other teams picked up the pieces. A poignant piece well worth a read considering the events that preceded this series.

I didn't pick Sachin

Posted on 10/05/2008 in India v Australia 2008

I didn't pick Rahul Dravid. I didn't pick Sourav Ganguly. I didn't pick Anil Kumble. In fact, the only player I picked from the 'Fab 5' (four plus Kumble, not Sehwag) was Laxman. Maybe I should pick Sehwag. I'll be back. What's the hurry? I've got unlimited transfers till October 9. But I still won't pick Sachin. And you?

My team: 'The Community Managers'
MEK Hussey (Trump Player)
VVS Laxman
G Gambhir
MJ Clarke
SC Ganguly
SR Watson
MS Dhoni
Harbhajan Singh
B Lee
MG Johnson
I Sharma

Comments (10)

September 29, 2008

Big series. Big prizes

Posted on 09/29/2008 in India v Australia 2008

After a longer-than-normal lull in the proceedings, it's once again time to play cricket. And fantasy cricket. The big two of world cricket are set to clash on Indian soil and, in keeping with the magnitude of the event, we've got some fantastic prizes lined up for the top fantasy managers.

No Symonds. Yes Greg Chappell. No Sourav Ganguly. (Most probably.) And many more stars lining up to parade their skills. The next few weeks promise to be thrilling and you don't want to miss out on any of the excitement. Let's go!

Comments (4)

Posted on 09/29/2008 in MTVV

Congratulations to the VVinners of the the County Championship edition of the fantasy game. For the moment, the only prize we can offer you is pride of place in this post and the promise that we'll have some cool prizes in our future editions. (And we do for the upcoming India v Australia edition of the fantasy series.)

Sooner, rather than later, we'll have rewards for all the top performers that go beyond verbal kudos and virtual 'pats on back'. Until then, please put your hands together for the stellar performers in the league and put your heads together to try and unravel what is it about them that makes them better than the rest of us at fantasy cricket.

County Championships (2008) - The top 5 Fantasy managers:
Jamie_M
BOROMAT
ramzy_kahn
Bennyboy27
head_badger

September 5, 2008

In praise of Flintoff

Posted on 09/05/2008 in Eng v SA (2008)

Not very often does a player making a comeback after a long layoff do so in such great style.

In his first series after injury, Flintoff topped, both, the bowling and batting averages. Quite an achievement for a guy who wasn't even in the picture at the start of the series. So how many of you had Flintoff as your Trump Player at the start of the ODIs? I had him in my team as a Trump Player as soon as he made a comeback.

It's a different matter that I didn't get the rest of my fantasy team composition right, but at least I didn't run out of transfers during the course of the ODIs. Not that bad an achievement considering I had none left after only two of the four Tests.

All this to say, it makes sense to pack your fantasy teams with all-rounders for the ODIs. As always the Tests are a completely different cup of tea. Something to keep in mind when we meet again for the next fantasy series.

Captain Fantasy's Diary #12

September 4, 2008

Posted on 09/04/2008 in Captain Fantasy's Diary

Should points scored by players in a match that has been rained off, count? i certainly don't think so. i think it's unfair. cause that's what happened with me and deprived me of my rightful third place, and prize, in my office league. i say something is 'not right in the pulses.' what say you?

Posted on 09/04/2008 in MTVV

Congratulations to the VVinners of the the England v South Africa edition of the fantasy game. For the moment, the only prize we can offer you is pride of place in this post and the promise that we'll have some cool prizes in our future editions.

Sooner, rather than later, we'll have rewards for all the top performers that go beyond verbal kudos and virtual 'pats on back'. Until then, please put your hands together for the stellar performers in the league and put your heads together to try and unravel what is it about them that makes them better than the rest of us at fantasy cricket.

England v South Africa (2008) - The final standings:
VijayDodia
Dock_ers
MOConnor

August 30, 2008

Posted on 08/30/2008 in MTVV

Congratulations to the VVinners of the Sri Lanka v India edition and and the top players leading in the England v South Africa edition of the fantasy game. For the moment, the only prize we can offer you is pride of place in this post and the promise that we'll have some cool prizes in our future editions.

Hopefully sooner, rather than later, we'll have rewards for all the top performers that go beyond verbal kudos and virtual 'pats on back'. Until then, please put your hands together for the stellar performers in these two leagues and put your heads together to try and unravel what is it about them that makes them better than the rest of us at fantasy cricket.

Sri Lanka v India (2008) VVinners:
chauhannoida11
tutul101
shravan_s

England v South Africa (2008) - the leading contenders:
VijayDodia
MOConnor
DockersDoesDallas

See the final standings of the SL v India editions.

Captain Fantasy's Diary #11

August 26, 2008

Posted on 08/26/2008 in Captain Fantasy's Diary

Just today, I got rid of Stuart Broad from my fantasy side for the England v South Africa ODI at Trent Bridge. And look what he ends up doing to SA and yours truly. Only goes to show, as Lawrence Booth said, making predictions is a mug's game.

I mean, what were the odds of Stuart Broad running through the South African top order? After his insipid bowling displays in the Test series, next to nil if you asked me. I had Harmison in my team. I had Flintoff. I had Collingwood. I even had Prior. On past performance, they all stood a better chance of returning with a good performance than Broad. But it was not to be.

Well, as they say, that's how the cookie crumbles. Alongwith my chances of making major progress with my fantasy team. In other words, business as usual.

Captain Fantasy's Diary #10

August 22, 2008

Posted on 08/22/2008 in Captain Fantasy's Diary

Don't forget to rejig your fantasy teams for the England v South Africa ODIs commencing today. More all rounders, new faces and whole new set of transfers to help you get your combinations spot on. It's not going to be easy. But that's what makes it all the more engrossing. Right? Right.

And to help you make up your mind, here's the preview for today's match at Headingley. Just so you know who among the injury-prone is in and who's not. For starters, Sidebottom is out. Again.

Captain Fantasy's Diary #9

August 19, 2008

Posted on 08/19/2008 in Captain Fantasy's Diary

So I was talking to Mr. Name Withheld (NW) about whether India will get thrashed again and what an ideal fantasy team should be before tomorrow's match. Is it time to bet on Mendis as your Trump? And how many transfers should you waste now? Is it ok to lose all and make a team for the remaining ODIs? And that stopped me in my tracks. Why on earth would you want to be me and use up all your transfers after one ODI? Let's see

NW: how many transfers should u waste now..
NW: is it ok to lose all and make a team for all the reamining ODIs..
avi subu: is it?
NW: I am just tossing ideas...
NW: u see what makes sense..
avi subu: am asking
avi subu: what do you think?
NW: I think its ok....
avi subu: do you have a tream?
avi subu: why is it ok?
NW: ya, but not updated for ages..
avi subu: there are 4 odis to go
avi subu: why is it ok to use up all fuve transfersa?
NW: just to be done with the worry of updating everyday!
avi subu: but that's not good fantasy strategy
NW: who said I am a fantasy guru!
avi subu: but this is fantasy post
avi subu: if you say it, one has to back it up, no
avi subu: we have a serious fantasy audience
NW: hmmmm....
NW: maybe serious , but we can just put the context...let them comment..
avi subu: because i am going to put this conversation on the fantasy blog

And I did. What do you think?

Continue reading "This just in!"

August 18, 2008

This just in!

Posted on 08/18/2008 in SL v Ind (2008)

XI Downing Streets

SL LPC Silva
IND SK Raina
SL DPMD Jayawardene
IND G Gambhir
SL ST Jayasuriya
IND MS Dhoni
SL KC Sangakkara Trump Player
SL BAW Mendis
IND PP Ojha
IND Z Khan
IND Harbhajan Singh

Sold Players
SL BSM Warnapura
SL TT Samaraweera
SL TM Dilshan
IND SR Tendulkar
IND V Sehwag
IND I Sharma

what do you think? thank god, tendulkar made himself unavailable. i would have found it impossible to sell him. after all, you never drop tendulkar. ok.

August 17, 2008

This just in!

Posted on 08/17/2008 in News

our jo in colombo, jamie alter says india are almost certainly go in for the first match with a 6,5 combination. and if that's the case, it's almost definitely going to be a 3,2 bowling attack. which in all likelihood points to ojha getting a look-in. this is for those of you who weren't sure whether ojha should or not be in their fantasy side. at 80000 _FMs, he might be deliver a pleasant surprise. if you ask me, i'll pass.

Captain Fantasy's Diary #8

Posted on 08/17/2008 in SL v Ind (2008)

Just a quick reminder to all of you who haven't yet put together a ODI fantasy team, or two, for the upcoming ODIs between India and Sri Lanka, the first match starts tomorrow. And your time to get together a fantasy team for the match runs out 30 minutes before the official start time.

As you're probably aware, you get a fresh set of 6 transfers to play around with during the ODIs. Use them well. And now, I'm off to take another look at my team. My gut feeling is it's not going to be such a great series for Ajantha Mendis. In other words, a pretty good one for Yuvraj? We'll see.

Captain Fantasy's Diary #7

August 12, 2008

Posted on 08/12/2008 in In-between meals (IBM)

It's time to transfer.

Between the end of the Test series and the start of the ODIs, all fantasy players are given the opportunity to rejig their teams. In order to do this to the best of their ability during the duration of the ODIs, players are given 6 transfers to play around with. Until then, 'transfer away' all you want.

Not that it makes much sense to spend too much time thinking about these things. Just make sure you don't run out of options at the end of one or two ODIs. (That would be me.)

Check out the fresh players who have been added to the respective fantasy pools and at what cost they come. The Indian team in particular has a lot of new faces and it'll be interesting to see which of them provide maximum value for money.

the ODIs are a very different cup of tea and it might make sense to put a little more faith in the teams that didn't do so well in the Tests because they aren't the same teams any more. Time then to put on your thinking caps.

Continue reading "SWISLAW standings #1"

August 5, 2008

SWISLAW standings #1

Posted on 08/05/2008 in SL v Ind (2008)

One of the most exciting things about every series is being able to identify and keep track of the probable 'Shane Watsons' in it. In this post we're going to take a first look at who the front-runners for the 'Shane Watson of the India v Sri Lanka Award' (SWISLAW) are. Let's meet them.

Continue reading "SWESAW update #3"

SWESAW update #3

Posted on 08/05/2008 in Eng v SA (2008)

The SWESAW leaderboard as at 22nd July, 3 pm (IST):
Mornie Morkel: 438/85000_FMs (0.0051)
Ashwell Prince: 432/85000_FMs (0.0050)
Ian Bell: 390/90000_FMs (0.044)
James Anderson: 344/95000_FMs (0.0036)
SCJ Broad: 326/90000_FMs(0.0036)

Honourable SWESAW mentions:
AB de Villiers: 310/90000_FMs(0.0034)
Dale Steyne: 330/100000_FMs (0.0033)
KP: 303/100000_FMs (0.0030)

And that was how the SWESAW looked the last time we met. For those of you who are coming in late, the SWESAW is a most prestigious, albeit mostly unknown, award handed out to players with the highest return on investment. It is named after the Australian all-rounder Shane Watson and was instituted after he ran away with the most valuable player tag at this year's IPL, this after he was ridiculously undervalued. Inspired by the incredible returns players who invested in Shane Watson enjoyed, we thought it only right to immortalise this wholly unexpected 'maxi'-performance with the SW____award.

Last time we looked at the SWESAW standings, and before the momentous third Test in which Graeme Smith made a huge play for the leaderboard, Mornie Morkel was leading the race for the top award that nobody knows about. Has he been dislodged from the top? Let's find out.

Captain Fantasy's Diary #6

July 28, 2008

Posted on 07/28/2008 in Captain Fantasy's Diary

It's a bright, sunny day. The sky is the perfect shade of 'cricket-blue, the kind that commentators love to refer to. The kind that a batsman looks forward to. The kind that come with good batting wickets. And the kind on which Harmison might be asked to bowl the first ball of his return to the English team. What will he serve up this time?

Fortunately for Harmison, this is a home series. Unfortunately for him, that also means his favourite excuse for an erratic performance is no longer available. England are one down in a four Test series. Only two more to go. This is not what England might have expected after dominating the opening exchanges of the first Test. Thoroughly.

Continue reading "Captain Fantasy's Diary #6"

County20 Cup and Pick 'em vviners

Posted on 07/28/2008 in MTVV

Congratulations to the VVinners of the County20 Cup edition of the fantasy game and Pick 'em for the same. Unfortunately, the only prize we can offer you at this point in time is pride of place in this post and the promise that we're working on it.

Hopefully sooner, rather than later, we'll have rewards for all the top performers that go beyond verbal kudos and virtual 'pats on back'. Until then, please put your hands together for the stellar performers in the County leagues and put your heads together to try and unravel what is it about them that makes them better than the rest of us at fantasy cricket.

County Twenty20 Cup fantasy edition top 3:
1. 'bestof15' with 'goodie' at 9280 points
2. 'MOConnor' with 'Sparkle XI' at 8862 points
3. 'trampie' with 'DOLLY DROPS' at 8646 points

County Twenty20 Cup Pick 'em top 3:
1. 'fight' with 'HAT' at 620 points
2. 'sush12' with 'Kent Keys' at 610 points
3. 'gilkumba' with 'gilkumba' at 600 points

Continue reading "Twin terror rocks India"

July 27, 2008

Twin terror rocks India

Posted on 07/27/2008 in Captain Fantasy's Diary

Not floods and pestilence. Not corruption and inefficiency. Not drought and farmer suicides. Not another day of life in a country that only knows how to go on. Because life must … go on. But it needn't, always, without acknowledging some of the things that matter, just a wee bit more. Like the serial bombings in Bangalore and Ahmedabad.

Never before in the history of independent India have two major cities been hit in such a massive way in such quick succession. There was Hyderabad. There was New Delhi. There was Mumbai. There have been bomb blasts before. But there's something different about this time.

I was travelling by the Brindavan Express from Bangalore to Chennai enjoying a packet of chips and a cup of sweet coffee trying to log on to the net from my Tata Indicomm portable net connection without much success when, in the middle of a rare period of slow connectivity, I was 'pinged' by a friend of mine on chat - who, oddly enough, happened to be in China - with the news that the city I had just left behind had been crippled by fear, panic and more than a handful of explosions. In a moment of inappropriate levity, I felt like a terrorist fleeing from the scene of the crime.

Captain Fantasy's Diary #5

July 26, 2008

Posted on 07/26/2008 in Captain Fantasy's Diary

Just so the comments don't get too far ahead of themselves (and 'entries'), this one post to keep things neck and neck.

Entry number 21 (Take that comment number 22!): Thankfully, there's more to this than just one-upmanship. Like what is India going to do today with their tottering first innings and the daunting prospect of a second innings following on against the twin menace of Mendis and Murali and - as one of Captain's readers so incredulously asked - why I have Mendis in my fantasy side instead of Murali?

Continue reading "Captain Fantasy's Diary #5"

Captain Fantasy's diary #4

July 23, 2008

Posted on 07/23/2008 in Captain Fantasy's Diary

No, you cannot change your team just because the start of this Test match has been delayed by rain and a wet outfield. There are better things to do with your time when such natural disasters strike and lay waste to your carefully planned day. Like watching more cricket.

Yes, you have time on your hands. Yes, a day's play lost to rain is a massive hole in what otherwise seemed like a mighty promising day ahead. And yes there are always other games of cricket being shown on at least two or three other channels on the television. After all, in India the cricket never stops.

Continue reading "Captain Fantasy's diary #4"

Captain Fantasy's diary #3

Posted on 07/23/2008 in Captain Fantasy's Diary

8. 00 am (IST): Sold Rohit Sharma.
8. 01 am (IST): Bought Rohit Sharma.
8. 02 am (IST): Sold Rohit Sharma.
8. 03 am (IST): Bought Rohit Sharma.
8. 04 am (IST): Sold Rohit Sharma.
8. 05 am (IST): Bought Rohit Sharma.
8. 06 am (IST): Sold Rohit Sharma.
8. 07 am (IST): Bought Rohit Sharma.
8. 08 am (IST): Sold Rohit Sharma.
8. 10 am (IST): Took a deep breath and thanked my stars I still have unlimited transfers. (But not for long.)

Continue reading "Captain Fantasy's diary #3"

Continue reading "SWESAW Update #2"

July 22, 2008

SWESAW Update #2

Posted on 07/22/2008 in Eng v SA (2008)

Old SWESAW leaderboard as at 20th July, 1 pm (IST):
Ian Bell: 396/90000_FMs (0.0044)
Mornie Morkel: 339/85000_FMs (0.0039)
Ashwell Prince: 324/85000_FMs (0.0038)
KP: 287/100000_FMs (0.0027)
James Anderson: 258/95000_FMs (0.0028)

Has AB de Villiers broken into the top 5? How much lower has the star of the swtch-hitting KP sunk? And is Bell still leading the SWESAW standings? Let's find out.

Captain Fantasy's Diary #2

Posted on 07/22/2008 in Captain Fantasy's Diary

So here's what I've just been told: I have a fresh set of 5 transfers still left to use during the ODIs in the current Eng v SA series. And here I was under the mistaken impression that I had exhausted all my transfers. Actually, I have, but only for the Tests. I've just been under the mistaken impression that six transfers is the limit for the whole series. It is, but only for Tests. Shouldn't there be a little more flexibility?

Continue reading "Captain Fantasy's Diary #2"

Continue reading "Rough landing for India"

July 20, 2008

Rough landing for India

Posted on 07/20/2008 in SL v Ind (2008)

The first match of India's tour of Sri Lanka against the Board XI has not gone well for the visitors. And they can't even blame jet lag. Sri Lanka is not that far away from India.

In fact, the lusciously Caribbeanesque South Asian island of Sri Lanka is just a hop, skip and short flight away from one of India's most important cities, Chennai. (Not China.) But when it comes to conditions, it's a world apart. Which perhaps explains why it tends to take Indian batsmen more than one might expect to get used to. Often, a trip to Sri Lanka has a lot of matches being played on wickets and under conditions that feel remarkably different from those in India, which I still, after all these years of cricket watching, find odd. Because Sri Lanka from the other side of the Palk Straits is just next door. And yet, when it comes to pitches, quite far removed from the kind you find in India.

Put differently, when playing in Bangladesh, you encounter surfaces that are a lot similar to those back home in India. But not in Sri Lanka. To think both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are only a handshake away from India.

A small part of me also sees in Sri Lanka a bit of England, Australia and a lot so of the Caribbean. Which might be the reason you find a lot of English and Australian people owning properties in Sri Lanka and using them as long-stay getaways. Conditions in the Caribbean though, especially in the last 5 to 10 years have turned unusually batsmen friendly. Thankfully not so in Sri Lanka.

Continue reading "SWESAW update #1"

SWESAW update #1

Posted on 07/20/2008 in Eng v SA (2008)

The Shane Watson of the England v South Africa Award (SWESAW) is a prestigious honour bestowed upon a player who maximises his or her 'performance to cost ratio'. Instituted to celebrate the startling performance of Shane Watson in the paradigm shifting IPL tournament, it trains the spotlight on performers who deliver more than what their price-tag demands of them. It gives us great privilege and pleasure to bring you this prestigious, ever changing name of an award in every series.

As you may not recall, the SWACAW for the not-so-memorable Asia Cup held in Bangladesh was won by the unforgettable Ajantha Mendis, who staved off stiff competition from Suresh Raina and Sanath Jayasuriya to bag the said honour. This post, we take a look at the front runners for the SWESAW in the ongoing England v South Africa series.

Captain Fantasy's Diary #1

July 19, 2008

Posted on 07/19/2008 in Captain Fantasy's Diary

1.45 pm, July 19th: More than 75% of the series to go and only 1 transfer left in my bag to play around with. Obviously, this isn't the best way to play fantasy cricket. How did things come to such a sorry pass?

1.47 pm, July 19th: At the beginning of the series, in fact, at the end of day 1 of the first Test between these two intensely competitive sides, a certain gent we know was at the top of the standings of the fantasy league organised in his office. From then on, things have been all downhill.

Transfer 1: What on earth possessed me to sell Pieterson on th second day of the first Test? An erroneous belief that the Trump player could be changed for every day of the Test match. And an irrational conclusion that KP was not likely to do much for the rest of the series.

Continue reading "Captain Fantasy's Diary #1"

Eng v SA, 2nd Test match - Talking Trumps #2

July 16, 2008

Posted on 07/16/2008 in Eng v SA (2008)

First of all, I don't agree. I am appalled. I am upset. I am in trouble. 3 more Tests to go. 5 ODI and I'm down to my last transfer. How unfortunate is that? Very. Guess I'm just going to have to employ my shrewd upper stroey to carve out a fairy tale win for The Harry Potters purely on the back of the most precise Trump Picking (TP) ever seen in the short history of fantasy cricket. Watch this space. History is about to be made. You're about to get a sneak preview into how the best Trump Pickers* (TP*) in the world do their thang. Prepare to be wowed.

Continue reading "Eng v SA, 2nd Test match - Talking Trumps #2"

Sri Lanka v India 2008 series - TLU

July 11, 2008

Posted on 07/11/2008 in SL v Ind (2008)

The XI Downing Streets

LPC Silva
TM Dilshan
RG Sharma
DPMD Jayawardene
SR Tendulkar
V Sehwag (TP)
KC Sangakkara
BAW Mendis
Z Khan
I Sharma
Harbhajan Singh

Continue reading "Sri Lanka v India 2008 series - TLU"

'Eng v SA - 2008' and 'The Harry Potters v The Artificial Intelligents'

July 10, 2008

Posted on 07/10/2008 in Eng v SA (2008)

The last time I tried The Random Team Picker (RTP), I lost my mind. This time, I'm losing no time in recommending it to those of you who still don't have fantasy teams. The industrious 'elves' working behind the scenes - also known as 'Tech' - have drilled some sense into the RTP and now, it throws up teams that don't try to do a 'Rajasthan Royals' on you and actually use upto 99.5% of the stipulated FM_s sensibly. Here's what RTP came up with for me.

Continue reading "'Eng v SA - 2008' and 'The Harry Potters v The Artificial Intelligents' "

Continue reading "Eng v South Africa - TLU"

July 9, 2008

Eng v South Africa - TLU

Posted on 07/09/2008 in Eng v SA (2008)

The Harry Potters
AJ Strauss
IR Bell
HM Amla
AB de Villiers
KP Pietersen (TP)
SCJ Broad
MV Boucher
M Ntini
MS Panesar
DW Steyn
M Morkel

July 8, 2008

FTR - 1

Posted on 07/08/2008 in From The Readers (FTR)

I would like to request you to update the stats and records of Nepalese Cricket player, Such an M. Alam, having perfect 10.
I hope you will update soon.

Sincierly
Chandramani kalfe
Your regular reader...

Australia v West Indies 2008: Meet The VVinners

July 7, 2008

Posted on 07/07/2008 in MTVV

The winner of the Australia v West Indies Series 2008 Edition of Cricinfo Fantasy Cricket is Dinsh_rangarrajan and Gunners who blast their way out of nowehere to grab the top spot in this topsy-turvy fantasy edition that saw the lead change hands with metronomic regularity.

In second and third place are Marksmen and Marksmen and slayer11 and sLayER. One after another. Clearly, there aren't too many women playing fantasy. Note To Self (NTS): Must redress the fantasy cricket boy/girl balance. Must get Ms. Noodle Straps phone number. Must discuss work with her.

One Un-important Observation (OUiO): The loss of Gilchrist hurt Australia. Everyone said it would, and it did. Shane Warne may not care much for Gilchrist's skills, but Haddin (404/85000_) would need to double his contributions to make up for the absence of his illustrious predecessor. In this series, when it came to picking wicket-keepers, it came down to 'wish we didn't have to'.

Continue reading "Australia v West Indies 2008: Meet The VVinners"

The Shane Watson Effect (SWE)

Posted on 07/07/2008 in 'SW' Award

The IPL edition of Cricinfo Fantasy Cricket (CFC) was the biggest game in the history - in terms of sheer numbers - of CFC. After 'Modi's Maxtravaganza', the rules of the games changed. Forever. It's not good enough to be a star. You have to be a Maximum Value Star. (MVS)

An MVS is a star who surprises you with Maxi Performances (MP). An MP is not a Member of Parliament who wastes everybody's time but an outstanding cricket player who makes a series of emphatic statements on the big stage - with bat and ball. only - at no extra cost. In other words, returns. No, Big Returns (BR). BRs and MPs maketh an MVS. Shane Watson was the world's first MVS. Because until then, people really didn't think all that much about the cost of players in such an ... shall we say obvious manner. Except in fantasy cricket.

Continue reading "The Shane Watson Effect (SWE)"

Asia Cup 2008: Meet TheVVinners (MTVV)

Posted on 07/07/2008 in MTVV

The winner of the Asia Cup 2008 Edition of Cricinfo Fantasy Cricket is BigBrown and The Coolies. How politically incorrect is that? You gotta admit, though, it's a pretty clever name. And right here, right now, to it goes the award of The Most Powerful Asia Cup Name Combination (TMPACNC) Trophy.

In second place and third place are AM11 and AMXI and QY74 and SL-I-P 2. one after another.

One Un-important Observation (OUiO): They all had the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in their fantasy teams. The MVP is the winner of the Shane Watson of the Asia Cup Award (SWACAW): In which we don't just look at which cricketer scored the maximum points for their fantasy teams. We also look at what cost.

Continue reading "Asia Cup 2008: Meet TheVVinners (MTVV)"

Continue reading "Time for Afridi to boom"

July 1, 2008

Time for Afridi to boom

Posted on 07/01/2008 in Asia Cup

While the Asia Cup might well be a series of mostly one-sided run-fests, the fantasy edition of it is turning out to be quite a nail-biter. Only 25 points separate the top 3 teams at this stage of the game. Let's take a quick look at their chosen ones before the India vs Pakistan tie later this afternoon.

As I write this, all the three have Indian players as their 'Trumps'. Is that likely to change for this match? Going by the comic state of affairs in the Pakistani camp, unlikely. The beleaguered hosts have spun a surprise of sorts by announcing their XI well in advance of the game. As the great old men of cricket lore love to say: Pakistan are at their most dangerous when down. If conventional wisdom is anything to go by India better, if not beware, at least, be careful.

Spotted but not ribbed:

The story so far in the Asia Cup

June 30, 2008

Posted on 06/30/2008 in Asia Cup

After the 9th match of this less than rapturously received tournament, here's how the star players stack up on the fantasy points table. (I've added in Raina because from the numbers he has returned until now, he promises to do in the Asia Cup what Shane Watson did in the IPL.)

Continue reading "The story so far in the Asia Cup"