CityCell's luxury offer may hurt batsmen's performance

[sajjadul]

CityCell has offered a luxury car for the first Bangladeshi centurian and a bowler who can claim eight wickets in a match during the two Tests against Zimbabwe. I am sure the copmany is doing so to motivate the players to perform well in their own area.

But my fear is that it will
1. prompt the upper order batsmen to rush to the hundred with reckless strokes. And we all know how much patience a batsman is required to have in a test a match.
2. it will create a grudge among the middle and lower order batsmen since their chance of winning the prize is slim.

If I would want Bangladesh to win this test match series I would offer this prize to the Zimbabwean batsmen instead. Seriously.

[Faisal]

haha u r wrong dude!! dont think they gonaa play bad shot caz of a car.. nope.. dont worry... everything will go smoothly.. we r going to outplay zim.. i think bd will make 650+ runs in their test match in first innings, lol

[sunniath]

It depends on how you want to look at it. It may work as a tonic for the batsmen,or a curse as you mentioned,or it may not have any effect on the players who through their wickets away regardless what is on the menu.
I have always thought that giving financial insentives is encouraging, as our players still do not make a decent earning and do not have any future after retiring.

[Dhakablues]

These cricketers are professionals. They know to get to that century, they have to be in the wicket. You might see that batsmen getting out after scoring their 50's. That wouldnt hurt either... Players like Shumon, Ashraful, Rafique, Kowshik Pilot dont play for money. Biddut, Naimur does.
Nevertheless, CityCell is taking the opportunity to boost their market and such propogandas will work both ways depending on the players.

[sajjadul]

Well said, Faisal, Sunniath and Dhakablues.

I would prefer CityCell to give away those prizes to all the centurians. Not only just to who scores a hundred first.

You see my point.... In that way, the batsman will be more focused on scoring a hundred not just being the first centurian.

This is our, so far the best, opportunity to win a test match. I hope our players do not loose focus by anything else.

Anybody else has any critical thought on this ??

[reinausagi]

I think the prize will have no bearing on the BD batsmen. On the other hand, it may make for some entertaining cricket. I don't care what time of the day or night it is. If the scorecard in the 1st test reads Bashar and Nafees both on 70 n.o., I'm not moving from my computer screen.

If the folk at City-Cell are gambling-men, I'd put up another car for the first double-centurian from the BD team. In light of Ashraful's innings against India, should we not move the bar up?

[Mueid]

sajjadul has got a point...
professionals they maybe....but they r still bangladeshis...lol

[Kana-Baba]

I don't like the idea. Rather than giving brand new cars, citicell could give 10 permanent jobs in their company. that would have more impact among players.

Edited on, January 1, 2005, 11:34 PM GMT, by Kana-Baba.

[ZunaidH]

Originally posted by Kana-Baba
Rather than giving brand new cars, citicell could give 10 permanent jobs in their company. that would have more impact among players.
[/i]

Bad idea to provide jobs that really looks more like welfare. that is colonial mentality. I think we should encourage such idea. Except City Cell should have revised the idea to giving away for the quickest 100 if the team wins.

[sajjadul]

I wish I could know if Dave Whatmore has said anything on this ........ sigh...

[Optimist]

Originally posted by sajjadul
CityCell has offered a luxury car for the first Bangladeshi centurian and a bowler who can claim eight wickets in a match during the two Tests against Zimbabwe. I am sure the copmany is doing so to motivate the players to perform well in their own area.

But my fear is that it will
1. prompt the upper order batsmen to rush to the hundred with reckless strokes. And we all know how much patience a batsman is required to have in a test a match.
2. it will create a grudge among the middle and lower order batsmen since their chance of winning the prize is slim.

If I would want Bangladesh to win this test match series I would offer this prize to the Zimbabwean batsmen instead. Seriously.

If I'm not wrong, the general practice in cricket is to share individual awards. I hope some informed individual will clarify this.

[BushidoTiger]

Originally posted by Dhakablues
These cricketers are professionals.

-Hahaha.. DB, thanks for the first hearty laugh of 05....!!!
Don't mean to be cynical..but I just had to laugh.
Ironically, these guys have proven time and again that they got what it takes. The spoiler had always been, in my opinion, was the lack of professinalism and the work ethic that came w/ it.

[Ahmed_B]

Originally posted by sajjadul
I wish I could know if Dave Whatmore has said anything on this ........ sigh...

Common sajjadul.. u shud take a break now..!
These types of gifts r pretty usual things in cricket.. and as money has started to flow in BD cricket.. these wil happen more and more!!

don tel me u r jealous of those cricketers! (kidding!)

anyway.. Citycell's focuss is quite appropriate in one way.. because batsmen in our team has been lacking concentration and has not been commited enough to stay at the crease and score some tons!... so this declaration will encourage them to think little bigger atleast and it even may bring the first 100 of BD team quite earlier .. which will have only positive effects on the whole team in terms of inspiration..!!

Cheer up maan!

Edited on, January 2, 2005, 2:29 AM GMT, by crickethorizon.

[Haradhon]

Folks, here is how Bangladesh would reach a1st innings 650+ score:
Assuming Ash does not open and Nafis loses his patience, Bashar is most likely to win the City Cell luxury car (if his hooks and pulls do not become easy catches). Once Bashar wins the car he declares that he is gonna give up the car to the next centurion!

[shujan]

Instead of first century, Luxury car should go to the centurion with highest score. So If any body score 110 next person can still get the car by scoring 120. Competition would last until the last innings of the last game.
By the way what car is that Lexus, Mercedes or BMW

[Navarene]

Originally posted by shujan
Instead of first century, Luxury car should go to the centurion with highest score. So If any body score 110 next person can still get the car by scoring 120. Competition would last until the last innings of the last game.

...as if we are gonna see century after century by our batsmen

But I appreciate CityCell's effort to motivate our players in return of whatever business they earn from it.

[shujan]

Originally posted by Navarene

...as if we are gonna see century after century by our batsmen

But I appreciate CityCell's effort to motivate our players in return of whatever business they earn from it.

BD has 3 century in one test against West Indies.

[Mahmood]

Well, if I know the Bangladeshi mentality correctly, this will create some problems.

1. We may see selfish runouts from someone to make sure the partner dont make the century before.

2. We may see dropped catches to ensure the bowler dont get the mark 8 wickets.

I think what team needs to do to benifit from this offer is to make a pact, that who ever wins, it does not matter, they will sell those 2 cars and split the amount between the whole team. That way, the team will play as a team, rather than each player going on the solo mission to get a free car.

[Piranha]

C'mon guys, I'm pretty sure we are over analyzing this situation. As mentioned above, such gifts are pretty common. Although typically, they are announced after a player reached a milestone.

I dont think this will change the outcome one bit. If anything, iot should make things more fun to watch.

However, if we do see such a nasty thing, like a run out or dropped catch - the consequences are going to be enormous.

[battye]

It should be the Man Of The Match / Man Of The Series award in my opinion. Gives Zimbabwe a chance too, makes all players strive to play well, and will prove to make it a very exciting game

[little_master]

Citycell should change the offer.
The offer should be inspiring for wining test, not for any indivisual performance. (Remember Lara's centuries which did not mean anything to the team when they lost all of the tests to SriLanka in last SL tour).

The luxury car winner should fullfill the following condition:
1. Bangladesh would win a test.
2. A bd player would be the man of the match.
OR
3. If the Man of the Series is a DB player, he would win another car.

In this way, citycell may have to spend money for 3 cars AT MOST (MoM + MoM + MoS). (one problem: One can get 3 of the cars, like Ash or Rafiq ).

But if BD would not win a test, citycell would not spent money for cars.
If BD would loose a test but one or more have centuries, that kind of centuries does not mean anything to the team ( though have some to the individual).

Edited on, January 2, 2005, 6:00 PM GMT, by little_master.

[abu_akif]

Originally posted by Rajputro
Well, if I know the Bangladeshi mentality correctly, this will create some problems.

1. We may see selfish runouts from someone to make sure the partner dont make the century before.

2. We may see dropped catches to ensure the bowler dont get the mark 8 wickets.

Have faith in our players Bro! What you wrote may happen in Pakistan team, but not in our team.

I don't think, our players will act like our politicians. I have high regard for them, and I have absolute trust in them.

[bangloboy]

Players in the BD team have money for gas?! Just kidding!

I hope someone gets that car. Sometimes, incentives are important in sports; specially now when our cricket looks like it might pick up better than ever. Corporate BD is being nice, it's about time someone knocked a century or got 8 wkts and drive home to celebrate!

Come on, Rafique is gonna do it! Poor guy works too hard, dont want him to get tired by inhaling Dhaka's carbon monoxide! It's about time he rode around better, besides if he is always breathing well, he'd probably do better. And come on, I hope its a sedan so he can tag along another 4 of the best with him to practice!

Whatever the case, someone better knock that 100 asap or get those wkts!

RAFIQUE! RAFIQUE! RAFIQUE!

[Fazal]

Originally posted by Rajputro
Well, if I know the Bangladeshi mentality correctly, this will create some problems.

1. We may see selfish runouts from someone to make sure the partner dont make the century before.

2. We may see dropped catches to ensure the bowler dont get the mark 8 wickets.

True! And most likely CityCell is also banking on that. Therefore to get this reward, player not only needs to play to his best, he needs to use his teamwork skill also. He needs to collaborate with his team mates by promising some kind of monitory award (of his own) to help him achieve his goal(s). Like a rollex watch, dinner, etc.

If the player is more innovative, then he can also add the opponent players to his collaborative team also...:P

[Sami]

Raj Bhai aita ki bollen... come on man... bangali ato kharap na...