India Cann

Priceless.

"I can honestly say that we have a player called Lionel Cann," says Bermuda skipper Irving Romaine. "He loves India. He has named his child India. His biggest player is actually Tendulkar. Right now I'm hoping Tendulkar does not hit a catch to him because he will probably drop it to watch him bat."

If nothing else, the little stories that come out of these 'lesser-known' nations are worth their participation.

hat-tip: vishnu

not your day

In a very readable list, is this pricless one:

Proof that when you are having an off day, nothing goes your way. In Lahore during England's wretched 1987-88 tour of Pakistan, French was minding his own business in the nets when he was hit on the head by a throw from a spectator returning a stray ball. He was taken to hospital where he was struck by a car outside the main entrance. He had his wound stitched without incident, only to crack it on a low-hanging light fitting as he got up to leave.

Gil-church

An interesting aside to the near- farcical Twenty20 match last night (or wait, were the asides more interesting than the match?) was Vaughan, Gilly and Ponting on the talkbacks with the commentators.
Or should I say Church instead of Gilly? I won’t, cause it sounds stupid, but its not his nickname because- as the Guardian mentions- the last part of his name is Christ. Chatting with the commentators while batting, he spoke of being approached for an autograph in his first Ashes series. He was with a couple of legends, and the kid said, “you’re Steve Waugh…you’re Glen Mcgrath…and you’re Adam Gilchurch”. Apparently it sorta stuck.

They also got Gilly to do a bit of a commentary stint while keeping, claiming he was interested in commentary. I have to say, he was pretty good, especially as he threw it to a break with “Australia right on top…”. Then again, I suppose anyone could say that these days without having any idea of the match state.

And oh, he also said, on that kid, “I hope he knows who I am now”. I am sure he does, Gilly, I am sure he does.

on Howard

The Guardian strings up the Australian PM.

Heaven knows what day this creature is to pitch up at Lord's but you can bet your last brass razoo that he'll be itching to give those fabled analytical skills a run-out.
[...]In 2000 Mark Waugh was palpably in the wind-down period of his career when he hit a surprise six at the SCG. Like a moth to a flame, Howard leant in to the microphone. "I think we're starting to see the old Mark Waugh again," he noted, a comment which if nothing else rendered Waugh's being bowled next ball utterly predictable.

I wouldn't know, but is he really this woeful?

'Warne to cricket fan', no more

The Tsunami match is just getting underway, with Lara leading his team on to bowl to Fleming and Gayle.
But there has been a revelation that is terribly putting off. The great spectacle that some poor/lucky bloke was going to make of himself by facing Shane Warne out in the middle during the innings break, is not happenng anymore. The guy who bid a reported 50,000 pounds to have this honour, it turns out, was a hoaxer.

What a little sh**t.

Athletic Award

As India and Pakistan began what could be a pricess day of Test cricket, Sanjay Manjrekar had his own gem. After a particularly committed effort from Mohd Sami at the loing on boundary, he had this to say:
"I would say this man is the Athlete of The Year for me. With due respect to the likes of Michael Johnson...Sami is the Athlete of they Year"

Hats off, Sanjayji.

You're great, ol' chap, but...

An interesting anecdote that seemed funnier at the time (scotch does that to you sometimes).

In an Indo-Pak cricket match quite a few years ago, Prabhakar managed to get Imran out. In characteristic style, he pumped his fist in the air, pointedly so at the great man as he walked off.
Later, they met in the evening- at a dinner, I think. Prabahakar smiled ruefully and apologised to the highly respected Imran for the gesture, which could easily have been construed as rude. Imran, hardly offended, thought it was a sign of Prabhakar's great spirit. He smilingly told him that it did not matter at all and that, "Tu sher hai....par tu galat side ke liye khelta hai."
(You're a lion on the field, but you play for the wrong team)

I was told this as well, night before last...by a Pakistani who said I was a great guy....but damn, I was on the wrong team!