Originally Posted by Ten Sports
Sanjay brought up, whether batsmen will be under more pressure, because if the umpire gives him the benefit of the doubt, then the fielding captain can appeal it, and get the decision in his favor.
The discussions lead to one thing and another (I wasn't paying much attention), till Sanjay mentions, "Facing pressure guys, how is it? When you're in those situations when you need 60 runs off 37 balls, or need 30 runs but are batting with the #11 batsman?"
Imran remarked, that even without that situation, you're ALWAYS under pressure in international cricket. It doesn't matter what the situation is, if you've bowled a team out for 100, and are 500/1, you will be under pressure to some extent, because this is international cricket.
Sanjay: Right, Geoffrey?
Geoffrey: Well, I'll just share Imran's sentiments, because you will be under pressure. It just depends on those situations like you mentioned Sanjay, it takes special batsmen to handle those situations.
Sanjay: What sort of batsmen do you mean? We've seen the Laras, the Tendulkars, Kallis, the Waughs, even the great Imran Khan whose sitting with us. *laugh*
Ramiz gives his 2 cents: Well Sanjay, the batsmen who can handle that type of pressure consistently, my opinion theres only 2. Steve Waugh and Inzamam-ul-Haq. Both could be depended on in ODIs, and test cricket. It would not matter what format, any format. If you have a pressure situation, I'd want Steve Waugh or Inzamam at the crease.
Chris Cairns chips in, what about Fleming? Usually when chasing a big score, he'd give us confidence at the beginning of a one day innings by going after the bowlers and getting us to a great start.
Geoffrey: I like Fleming, he's a great player, but could he be trusted at the end of an innings to finish a game off? He's an opener by trade, you cannot determine it.
Sanjay: Imran, what are your thoughts?
Imran: Well Sanjay, I think Inzamam is one of the greatest if not the greatest batsman to play for Pakistan. He was able to absorb presure, and play those special innings when the team needed him. Whenever Inzamam went out to bat, there was a trust that he would make a big score.
I did not see Steve Waugh many times, but when I did, I could tell that he could easily control the situation.
Sanjay: So do you guys feel, that Steve Waugh and Inzamam-ul-Haq can handle pressure better than Lara, Ponting, or Tendulkar?
Boycott: Lara, Ponting, and Tendulkar are great batsmen of this era. But, most of the time, they will not perform when put under pressure. *Boycott starts moving his hands* In my opinion, Steve Waugh and Inzamam are very under-rated batsmen. Most people look at the statistics, and at the top you have Ponting, Dravid, Lara, and Tendulkar.
Then towards the bottom, you have Waugh and Inzamam. Sanjay, if there was a statistic for pressure, they would be at the top.
Sanjay: So you would have Steve Waugh and Inzamam in your team rather than say, Ricky Ponting, Brian Lara, or Sachin Tendulkar?
Imran: Absolutely. NO question about it. Inzamam was able to grasp the World Cup for us, at the age of 22. That semi final innings he played - amazing. Thats real pressure for you, and that at such a young age.
But to be fair, Rahul Dravid has played many pressure knocks for India, but hes in one class under Inzamam and Steve Waugh.
Chris Cairns: Well, I'm gonna be a little biased here, because all three batsmen have destroyed us in the past, but I will have to do agree with that. Its just that in the modern day game, everyone looks at the averages. You don't even think about how this player helped his team win.
Sanjay: Well there you have it - if you have a pressure situation, it seems that you would want Steve Waugh or Inzamam-ul-Haq at the crease.
Now coming back to this review system, would you think that the big 500, 600 scores we see will come down?
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