black and blue

So the Indian cricket team's nike sponsorship shall come along with a new kit, a piece of news that seems to be buried in few parts of the web. Its a dark blue, though more like a blue-black, harkening to the days of the 1992 World Cup. But there seems to be no yellow or saffron elements in it, and it seems a bit 'neither here nor there'. A better call can be made when we actually see them unveiled in the Pak ODIs I suppose.
Assuming , of course, they actually 'unveil it' in a reasonable manner, unless they believe these dashing chaps here holding them up is good enough till the MiBB* march out.

pic AFP

*Men in BlueBlack

tony-shony

I know I am probably being petty, but isn't there something incongruous in Tony Greig waxing eloquent here. And did the report have to be titled 'Tony Greig sees the future in black and white'? And And I might as well go the whole hog and be unecessarily hyper:

I always took it as a bit of a compliment to cop it from the crowd out here, but
we always went down the light-hearted course. There were no racist overtones

And how would you know, Tony? Racists overtones to a team full of white people? I don't think so.

inanity

In typical fashion, Star News declared in their post match, pre- pakistan tour analysis that Harbhajan had never bowled in Pakistan, Kumble and Pathan a mere 3 tests each. What inexperience!
Well, given we played in Pakistan in 2004 after years, what did you expect? Bring back Kapil?

slurs

so what is with people? if you spend the money to go watch a cricket match (and, I assume, the beer you consume there), why waste it if all you end up doing is this? Get a life. I suppose these are the people who have Lehmann posters up in their rooms.

Meanwhile, I don't quite get why Ganguly should be meeting with Pawar. It smacks of either political overtones, desperation, pettiness, or all of these- and I am not saying its one-sided either. If he makes it to Pakistan now, it will be seen as a tainted selection; if he is not picked in the playing XI (which he might not if this man has anything to say), there will be another uproar- treating a former captain with no respect by letting him (forcing him) to languish in the dressing room.

Sigh. The webs they weave...

Motera

So 'Pao Bhajji' had the Lankans in a spin with some good bouncy off-spin stuff. (Talking of bouncy, Warney's leg breaks are hitting chaps on the helmet in Perth...), but the Lankans are making sure India doesn't have it easy. India is 2 down, and SL's body language is real positive.

Is it just me, or does the Motera crowd seem rather genenerous (by Indian standards) with their applause?

return...

It is after very long that I write here. But enough about that already. Suffice it to say that multiple blogs are hard to maintain- not to mention indulgent, ambitious and fun. If one did not have a job, one would write more.
Or would one…

It is also after very long that the Indian team is without both Dravid and Ganguly in this the third Test against Sri Lanka being played in Ahmedabad. ‘nuff said about Ganguly and his unceremonious exit, though- I only hope I don’t write on this topic because the melodrama takes another twist soon.
94 tests is a long time, and a lineup sans Dravid leaves me a little uncomfortable, and a tad wistful. In a few years time, after a couple of (dare I say it) retirements, things shall get very difficult indeed. I mean- I don’t know about the team, they’ll be difficult for me.

What a packed day, though. As Pathan follows up his excellent batting innings with a wicket, things are back to normal at Perth after South Africa threatened to take the Aussies to the brink in their backyard. Hodge and Hussey are having a rollicking time of it, and Clarke must wonder whatever happened to the Golden Boy Pup he had become. And an obviously (but unjustifiably) tiring (and depleted) English side are trying to restrict the Pakistanis and equalise a series.
What a day to return to cricket blogging. I only hope I stick around, because at the moment my brain is still somewhere in Delhi.
I, of course, am not.

break

normal service after servicing

lout

It seems increasingly likely that I will not post my thoughts on the Ashes. I never meant for a series review, more an out pouring of the moments and memories that led most of us to push all other sporting activity to the side for the span of a couple of months. So I chose to use a relatively good week at work to ‘recover’ (bah, what an excuse) from the cricket, and now, faced with far more demanding work weeks, don’t see myself spouting eloquently on this gargantuan series.

Of course, meanwhile other things keep happening. The wheel keep turning in world cricket, or threaten to fall off if you’re talking about the Indian perspective. Everyone has read everything there is to about Ganguly “being asked to step down”. There are many things to ponder, debate and argue but it seems more and more unlikely to me that Ganguly will be able to gracefully walk away (as a captain) into the sunset like he deserved to for his contributions to Indian cricket. Instead, what must surely be the fag end of his captaincy career (let his batsmanship still have a chance), is marked by the very bickering and pettiness that he helped us forget about. It’s a pity, really.

While his unglamorous hundred the other day was a display of gritting your teeth and trying hard, in some ways it can also be seen as symbolic, and symptomatic, of something else you’d think ails Indian cricket- the desire, always, to ensure your place in the setup is safe. This is not to say his innings was at the cost of team interest- it was not, but too often, starting with the administration, it is too much about keeping your place, your power and your hold.

And oh, I sound far more cynical than I feel, by the way.

waiting

How long can one wait to 'do justice' in words to the series just concluded?

One

1 year to this blog today.

no big deal, I guess, especially with the layoff for a couple of months when I moved countries. just thought I would note it.

Day 1 at The Oval

The Rock Star & the One Man Band
Shane Warne’s sheer poetry with the ball is drowned out by the clashing beats of his persona. Bowling with a majesty that is nothing if not riveting, his art could have been poetry if it weren’t for the way he is- he is more the in-your-face rock star than the beautiful poet, more Morrison than Blake.

Yesterday, he was a lone warrior. If there was one reason any English supporter (or a neutral who might ‘feel’ for them, and be glad that the dominating team is being challenged) would not mind Australia retaining The Ashes, it would be Shane Warne. He is the one you would feel bad for, his passion. And this defiance in the face of loss or adversity was visible yesterday. On a first day pitch that offered only a little assistance, amidst a bowling attack that looked toothless at worst and manageable at best, he donned his leather jacket and took to the stage in a blinding flash of drama and style. What followed was a mesmerising act, leaving all who witnessed it in awe of the depth, character and talent that characterise his performances. If Australia lose the Ashes, more than anyone else, it will be a travesty to this man.

Side notes:
Simon Katich had been speaking to Warne a few overs before the Strauss dismissal, and moving in straighter from his sill mid-off position. At one time, he and Warne chatted, and I could hear Warne say as he walked back to his mark “just ask punter”. Not long after, Katich took that stunner (photos 4 & 5) to dismiss Strauss.

Andrew Flintoff
Played beautifully, played with class. When he gout out, though, it seemed to me there might have been a bit of anxiety writ on his face as he walked off, knowing that England might be looking at a score lower than what would take the heat off (photo 18) them. Unlike Flintoof, who looks at ease and like he is enjoying himself most of the time.

It might just have been both teams were a tad defensive (safe) in the way they played yesterday- England once Warne was bowling, Australia most of the time Warne was not.

Awaiting

In about 6 hours, the most anticipated test in recent history shall commence. Well, at least the most anticipated Test since Lord’s in July, or Edgbaston or Old Trafford…
Its been that sort of series, hasn’t it.

At the start, most of us would have, at best, hoped wildly that the series would come down to the last test. How many actually believed that The Oval would host a decider is quite another thing. Expectations ranged, not so widely, from England wining nothing to winning a dead test to winning a solitary live one. Everything else was in the realm of hope, be it for an Englishman or a neutral. And everything else was in the realm of the unreal, even nightmarish, for everyone down under.

Yet, 43 days and four tests later this is no nightmare. Not even the most ardent Australian fan can fault the series. It is more than anyone could have asked or hoped for, more than the most gifted of scriptwriters could have created- anticipation has, inexplicably and wonderfully, risen from test to test.

Today we are left talking about how much Jones and McGrath will affect this decider, whether some players who till recently were atop a hill are over it, whether the lions will be left licking their wounds, or will they claw their way back, if weather will, eventually, play a part in this series, or if it could boil down to the toss of a coin.

Truth be told, none of it really matters. This series has already transcended such trivialities- leaving them as mere points of discussion. We would be better off contemplating the riveting charm of this game, yet it can be hardly articulated, so we settle for the normalcy of such discussions. Its just that sometimes, they seem almost incidental in the bigger picture.

After every test I have tried to consciously lower my expectations, not wanting to be disappointed, not believeing such exhilarating cricket could sustain itself. Every time, I have been proved wrong. Every time, I have been left happily shaking my head. Whatever happens at the Oval, I will still be here, marvelling at this game.
Its been that sort of series, hasn't it.

preparation

Am I wrong, or is this pretty un-Australian? It definitely is not like the Australia I have known/seen for a few years now. What sense could it make for Ponting to defend his captaincy prematurely, even if it could be practise for a week later? It smacks of insecurity to me. Like last week’s issue, this is not about whether he is to blame or not. It is about why he is talking about it to begin with.

And this one seems really garbled to me:

"I said as early as the second Test I probably wasn't as sharp at changing
momentum at different times and being as defensive when I needed to be,"Ponting
said. "You go in on what you think is right at the time. I'm not a great one at
looking back and analysing previous Test matches or previous innings and picking
out what I've done well or what I haven't done well because I actually feel I'm
doing the right things at the right times in the game."

So he says that
a. he knows at one point he wasn’t decisive enough with the field changes.
b. yet he will not look back at tests and analyse what he’s done because he believes he is doing all the things that matter, at the times they are needed.

In other words, he says he is the first to acknowledge he wasn’t sharp enough, but actually he has done everything right, so no looking back required here.

Um…what, again?

the tri series

It seems odd, and a trifle guilty, even, to ponder about a (meaningless) tri-series on the eve of the most anticipated test match since…well, since the last one! But I will, if only a little.

India lost a tri-series that was more of a 3 match contest between India and New Zealand. India won one of these three matches, and that was the one in which neither the unsettling Bond nor the excellent Vettori played. In doing so, the team lost yet another final. That makes it a hopeless 12 lost of 16 played since 2000. Worse, there remains just the one (one) final we have won in the same period. 5 years, 16 finals, one victory. Can you blame them when they say South Africa have been dethroned as COWs (Chokers of the World)? Sigh, you can’t.

Yet there is more to feel uneasy about than the loss. There is the unease itself, that slowly permeates you as a follower of your team, filling you with dread, eroding the confidence you had waited years to build. Indeed, the confidence the team had taken years to create. There is the haplessness, at not knowing what exactly is going on, not understanding, and getting the feeling that nobody really knows what’s going on.

There was Pakistan in 2004, and then there has been this endless downward spiral. The odd spark, the odd performance, but it seems to be back to those unpredictable days of Indian cricket when the only thing you could count on was inconsistency. Losing one-day tournaments and series galore, a worrying loss to Australia at home, a tedious victory over the South Africans and a meaningless one against the Bangladeshis- then, a disheartening draw with our neighbours.

It just seems too reminiscent of years that seem now distant- when you asked “what is going on?”. Everybody has answers, and nobody has answers. Everybody has ideas, nobody knows if they are worthwhile, because nobody can really pinpoint what’s wrong. [or can we? After all, that’s what we do sitting in our proverbial armchairs). Heck I, for one, just can’t say what wrong? Everything looks so listless, so devoid of purpose and energy. At any point in the batting innings, someone could get out. Nothing we do inspires confidence because nothing we do seems to last.

But I rant. Other observations, less of the rambling variety.
- Ganguly. I can’t help but think that his time is up. What he and Wright did (and they did) is over. Let Dravid have a go with Chappell (who must surely wonder what exactly he’s got himself into)
- Harbhajan has looked woefully out of form for a while now, possibly a year or more. Frankly, he has outlived the halo of his famous series against Australia a long time ago. I don’t know if it excessive awareness of his much scrutinised action or plain lack of form, but he has looked quite harmless for some time now. The problem is, the replacements are an ageing Kumble and an unimpressive Karthik.
- selection. What’s with Balaji missing out? And no, I won’t start with Agarkar the-potential-man again.

Of course, now come the even more meaningless Tests. Nothing much to gain. Like I said before, anything short of crushing victories in both games, and everyone will be at them again. Ganguly is either a worried man, or one who doesn't care. Either way, it's unsettling.

Final- Ind v NZ

What a cracker of a first over from Shane Bond. I don't think too many people on the field (or off it for that matter) had any idea what was happening with a couple of those balls. Vicious swing, and movement off the pitch. Sehwag was cut in half and had little idea what was going on. Shahstri then sais Ganguly was looking determined and he liked his body language against Bond. Well, his body can say what it wants. He needs some runs. And India need desperately to win this one.

I won't be able to liveblog too much for this one, though. Work beckons.

off-field

Some not so on-the-field-thoughts I liked reading.
The Spin (who had messed up his subscription list for a while, or did not like my email id too much) rethinks the possibility that cricket is the new football.

You know that cricket is finally making a mark on the nation's consciousness
when England players are the subjects of red-top kiss-and-tells. It is a fine
moment for our game.

Elsewhere, this trend of thought is called twaddle, and I can’t help but agree. But the point he makes is about cricket becoming popular amongst women, like so:

My own theory is that women are finding in cricket an antidote to just about all
the things that most of them detest about football: not merely the inescapable
ubiquity of the Premiership, both on television and in the conversation of their
male partners and friends, but its total lack of class.

Then Sue mott, who’s writing tone I liked when I first read this in july (seems so long ago), is grateful cricket is not football, nor will be.

Cricket will never be football, to its eternal relief. It will enjoy itself
during this lavish spell of fortune and capitalise on the benefits at grassroots
level that this wonderful Ashes series must produce. But Freddie Flintoff will
never be David Beckham, which is entirely good for Freddie Flintoff, and Kevin
Pietersen will only be Sir Elton John in the experimental hair-do
department.

But her process of recovery from Trentbridge makes even nicer reading with gems like this:

A perfectly sensible primary school teacher in her forties telephoned at this
point to report that if England lost she was going to hang herself from her
apple tree. And put the phone down. One might have alerted the Samaritans in
such circumstances but that would have meant missing the next ball. She'd have
to take her chances.

And this

Cricketers may have played finer innings, bowlers may have bowled better balls,
batsmen may have conjured truer shots but for sheer, knife-in-the-gut spectacle,
we have never seen anything like it.

Mark Nicholas, too, talks about the ability of this series to draw out the most unlikely of fans and followers- like his godson’s sisters.

...never, in the 16, 11 and eight years they have been on the planet - has any one
of them struck up a conversation about cricket. Were I to do so do, they would
probably go and play with the traffic.

Gideon Haigh (does he write everywhere?), besides his excellent tour diary on cricinfo, contemplates the chance that winning is wearisome for this Aussie side.

Ricky Ponting's Australians, by contrast, have sometimes looked very sated
indeed, like those handsome lions in wildlife documentaries apparently always
snoozing on the savannah after gorging on zebra. "Hunt?" they seem to say. "For
another camera crew? Forget it. I only work for Attenborough."

I don’t know. Its hardly thinkable that an Aussie is bored of 8 ashes wins. That's Ashes wins, mind you. Make no mistake, these lions are going to fight back. The only thing is, will they wait till they are down in this test as well, before getting fired up? This time, that could be too late- they have to hit the ground running at The Oval, at the risk of chipping their claws. Better a proud manicure later on than an embarassed licking what could be your own (very deep) wounds.

not so (sub)tle

The Urn is not in a Pratt’s hands. Nor residing in a Fletcher smile, and definitely not in a Vaughan fist-pump. It is uncomfortably twitching between Aussie fingers, unsure of its fate, but preparing for some travel, Similarly, no smiles, taunts or rule-stretches are going to put it on a boat to the mother country- that ticket will be issued by two teams- one reluctantly , the other gleefully.

So why Ricky Ponting chooses now to let loose his deepest feelings about fielding substitutes might be open to debate, but is not much of a mystery to me. It serves little purpose at this juncture, but does reflect one thing- this captain, even this team, is rattled. Other words come to mind. Frustration. Haplessness. Cribbing. Venting.

Of course, I don’t say this because of the subs-issue; that itself is a sub-issue. It is a symptom, not a cause. Lets not worry- at this point- whether he is justified or not. Sure, bowlers going off at will for so-called nature calls is really a bit much, and Fletcher and Vaughan could do better to explain their subbing system (how, I don’t know, because the objective seems clear and only the most creative of excuses could convince most of us otherwise). So let that debate be. I just believe that this is hardly the time to get so touchy about it, irrespective of how long it has been troubling you. Surely there are more pressing matters at hand, ol’ chap- like a test match it is imperative for you to win. Is a sub is going to snatch that urn from under ya nose?
No, I thought not. So think about those who could mate, ‘cause it’s all ready to happen.

(like someone in office said- Warne and Mcgrath couod have their own team meeting and say- ok its you ‘n’ me mate, we gotta keep these burnt bails with us, awright?)

Ind v Zim

Ok. so we finish with 226. Just explain to me why Agarkar came up before Pathan and JPY for the last 2 balls. I mean, I know he is the most promisign allrounder and all that, but....sheesh
226/5. End of innings.

So Dhoni has let loose a fair bit, reaching to 55 off 41 with one lost ball. If only he could have Ok.
gone nuts a little earlier, my stake in the office kitty would have a better chance. ah, well. Just thram them, that's all I ask. Next post much later. leave office. cook. guests for dinner.
217/4.49 overs.

"Its obvious Dhoni has been given a mandate" says Harsha, "to go out there and hit". And follows it up with the obvious- "which begs the question, what was the mandate given to the first four batsmen?" "they're expecrienced, Harsha" replies Sunny. Right, but its just a question of when they plan to show that. Yuvraj, for example has scored 20 off 49.
163/4. 43rd over.

Its been a lethargic afternnon in Harare. The Indian National team- playing what has varyingly unofficially been described as second string, third string, B-team, and youth team of Zimbabwe- has struggled to gather any momentum whatsoever. Dravid's stumps were cleaned up by a fastish delivery from Prosper Utseya (don;t you just love that name- Prosper? Though why Ravi Shastri keeps calling him Prosper 'professor' Utseya, I haven;t the foggiest). Then Kaif, who took a presposterous number of balls-122- to make a half decent score-65- threw it away with a soft dismissal to an albeit excellent catch. Yuvraj has looked suitably lacklustre and undependable, while Dhoni has only just opened up with two rollicking shots to the long on area. Its into the final 10 overs, and the score is disheartening.
152/4. 41overs (41!).

So I can't be doing the regular update thing for this match. But what can I say when the SCG fellow is out to a medium paced short ball from someone called Andrew Ireland? A long vociferous supporter of dada, I find myself helpless against the belief that his time is nigh. But more on that later.

India lost the toss. Super sub out of the window. heck, should that even matter against this Zimbabwe side? You;d think not, right? Except the team is at 68/2 after a staggering 19 overs. Power pLays wasted. Sehwag's ill, so that's a good think- Rao gets a chance at the top. Only he gets another duck. Great ball, though (following up the corker he received from Bond the other day).
Actually, the way Kaif has been playong (and given Dravid's tendency to accumulation), the power plays ending might be a good thing- more singles, more runs. I've got a couple of notes riding on the Indian total- I said 252-, so guys, er...wake up.

72/2. 20 overs.

phew

aargh. No time to blog. What a match yesterday!
I thought Geraint Jones may just have ensured his public lynching but he now has Hoggard and Giles to thank. Warne and Lee- champion efforts from them. I hope Simon Jones recovers- it will be the first time all 5 Tests of an Ashes series have seen an unchanged English side since 1884-85! And, ideally, Pidgeon should be back as well- so everyone can give it all they've got. Its an Ashes beginning for so many people in the English side, but an end for many in the Aussie team...

And the session count is looking like a complete massacre. Who would've thought.

Meanwhile Ganguly wants the batsmen to perform. Watch out, a formidable Zimbabwean attack awaits...And uh, who plans this stuff anyway?

Ind v NZ

oh, for a little more committment from the top order. aaargh.
157/8. 35overs.

no comments. only a quiet drink and solace unfound.
67/8. 17 overs.

So I am consigned to trying to follow the second half on the Net. Pay through your nose for cricket, but one channel cannot show two matches, and The Ashes it. Can't say I fault that, can't say I am satisifed either :)
At 17/3 over my worst fears are coming true- Bond is killing us. Two of the three bowled, I see. 215 suddenly looks different, dunnit?
19/3. 5th over

Mid inning break
NZ 215 all out.
Two crucial, brave and attacking innings saw NZ reach 215. Not a great score, but (heck you know what's coming ...) competitive. Mcullum and McMillan both played positive innings in the midst of absolute batting chaos for the Kiwis. This pitch does not look like it justifies anything of this sort, but there you are. NZ batted right up to no.11-with Adams. That depth and the positive outlook of these two made sure this was not a 150-160 total.
Our very own Monu (nehra) had the best figures, and he has been consisiten for some time now. Agarkar and Bhajji were very expensive, with the former going for nearly 7 an over. And now I hear Sunny saying Agarkar does not get the field he deserves, so he is going for runs. Sigh...

The super sub strategy for both teams has worked out just fine. Nehra shall relax now and Rao will come in, and Bond will be waiting to have a crack at India, especially the captain. Irrespective, India really should not end up on the losing side here. It will be a lot of good work wasted, and self doubt revisited. Hopefully, neither of those shall fructify.
lunch

The 8 overs since I posted l;ast have seen 46 runs. The partnership between McMillan and Oram has crossed 50 sometime ago- it is now a healthy 73(88). My good friend Ajit and new acquanitance JPYadava have failed to capitalise on the wonderful start that Pahan and Nehra provided. To be fair JP Yadav was only going for under 4 an over. Harbhajan is back on now, and has been going at about 7 an over.
A run out! What a stroke of luck! The dangerous Oram is dismissed in a terrible mixup, bringing the potentially even more dangerous Cairns to the crease. And now McMillan's gone for a run-a-ball 54 that rejuvenated this innings. Agarkar induces a false stroke and its a simple catch for Pathan at mid-off. It is 7 down, and India are back in control. They must make sure that the screws are tightened.
Over in the northern hemisphere, Pietersen just stroked a spanking boundary.
Lord, what a bounty of cricket you have given us...!
134/7. 30 overs

A little time away from the tv screen, and NZ has tumbled to 5 down. I just heard Harsha say that Ajit's catch was a very good one, then the discussion on Agarkar's promise and his frustration started. I am not one to do this, but I will say this here- the only way his (very regressive) selection will stand redeemed for me is if he takes the series by storm. Nothing less.
JP Yadav and his flowing locks are into the scene now, and McMillan has sped to a run-a-ball 16 with that last smashed four off Agarkar.
18 overs 59/5

You think the last minute hurried rushing about toreach Bulawayo has done some good? because Nehra and Pathan have ensured that the Kiwis are 13/2 in the 6th over, and besides that being a good start, the bowling is looking good. New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat, but the super sub strategy seems to have been fine for both teams. NZ will bring in Bond after their batting, and India can get Rao in to strengthen the chase. And there! Nehra has just struck again. Plumb in front, and they are reduced to 13/3. Now just hope we don't let this go. I shall try and write in as often as I can (though I don't know which match I will be getting to watch- this or the Ashes). I must admit I am suitable excited about the India NZ match, more than I thought I would be.
Meanwhile, where is the Indian cricket blogging community? Can we get some live commenting happening somewhere sometime?

7overs- 15/3

Trent Bridge- Day 1

Day 1 of the fourth test might have ended with England only just taking honours (and not as many of them as they looked set to), but that’s really not the point. For me, this day was all about something else. Not something we have seen for the first time this series, but something we have not seen in so consistent a manner- a lacklustre Australian side. The body language seemed low on energy, no-balls came in giant Christmas socks for the English, catches were dropped, and it was a bit of luck that saw them end the day having really lost only the one session, in my opinion.

Will England win the Ashes? Who knows, given that they have to bugger-all win both matches from here. But a drawn series here will be one that Australia will walk away from with much the heavier hearts than England. In that old inexplicable and sometimes silly phrase- a draw would almost be a ‘moral victory’ for England, and a would feel like escape for Australia- for they look much the less inspired team. Irrespective of how this series ends and where that little urn goes (or stays), Cricket Australia must be worrying.

If they aren’t, they should be.

wed, 24th

It’s just another test, Ricky? It better not be, matey, cause if you guys play as carelessly (and, dare I say, overconfidently?) as you have been, it might not be that easy as just another test for the (erstwhile?) juggernaut. But Tait's playing, and that's exciting. And if McGrath fails the fitness test, this could be a dodgy test for them...

Meanwhile the much awaited(?) Rest of the World squads have been announced. I too had polled in my selection to cricinfo. I can’t believe Shoaib has made it to both sides, and though he will probably be entertaining, this juggling of entertainment and form/skill is something that can only be proven right or wrong in hindsight. Vaas must surely make the side but he doesn’t. I would still prefer Sangakarra in both forms of the game, and surely Inzy could have been slotted in there somewhere? (And what's with squads of thirteen?)

India in Zim

So the Indian team is off to Zimbabwe, and will reach a grand total of 1.5 days before their first match, against the Kiwis. Don’t expect anything spectacular, for there has been little time for things to change since Sri Lanka, and even less effort.

For Ganguly, this really is a no-win tour. Apparently he has been having as long as three hour net sessions in Kolkata to prepare for the tour. The thing is, what can he prove? Sure, if we win the tri-series there will be much assuaging of feelings, but that’s a big if. New Zealanad have been in Zimbabwe for a while, are always a challenging ODI side (to say the least), and India are continuing a seriously long and seriously lacklustre phase of form. Beating Zimbabwe is really not going to count for much (confidence-wise, form-wise or perception-wise).

In the Tests, its even worse. Nothing but the most comprehensive of wins in both Test matches can be viewed as acceptable. Who would possibly accept this Zimbabwe side taking a test to the 4th, or worse, 5th day? Win the series, and it’s no big deal- it is only 'this Zimbabwe side'. Win it by anything but huge margins, and you still 'don’t have the edge'. On a personal not, Ganguly could pile up whatever he wants in terms of runs in these two tests- it cannot make an iota of difference to the questions being asked about him holding a position in the Test squad. And God forbid he doesn’t rack em’ up- do we really see him continuing then? We are all going to still end up watching a fair bit of it, but I know which channel I will tune into when Flintoff steams in to Gilchrist and Taibu readies to face Pathan.

Strength

Thats what the white band on Shane Warne's wrist says. I saw him acknowledge the crowd yesterday after his 600th, point out the band and kiss it for all to see. I wondered what it was, and now I know.
Irrespective of what else he may be, what a bowler he is. genius.

Old Trafford

The third test is due to start in moments. Unfortunately, the only thing that keeps coming to mind is that how can we be anything but a tad let down. After Tests 1 & 2, how can anything match up to those thrills?
Then I think- maybe nothing can. But maybe nothing needs to. For that is the beauty of test cricket- maybe they will play sober, unfrenzied, dare I say, normal cricket- and we will still be fascinated, won’t we. I can only hope the tussle goes on, the fight is till the brilliant mixture of a street scrap and a polished contest.

McGrath is running around the pitch, bowling, even, and they seem hopeful. I have my doubts, but that’s not based on anything as such. Lee being back is great of course, without the both of them it might have been too much of a blow. With the both of them, it might be too much of a blow as well, but for the other side.

The calls everywhere have been for more ‘sane’ cricket, and that would seem logical. Neither team played conventional test cricket at Edgbaston, and that will be the most important thing for them to address. Of course, there will now be the fear of playing conventionally, carefully, and having the other side ambush you with an approach similar to the last match. And in doing so, take the game away in the matter of a couple of session, even a single one. Yet, I don’t believe either team should be (will be?) foolhardy enough to throw caution to the winds again. The Flintoffs, KPs and Gilchrists should play as is their wont- nothing changes there. It is the Haydens, Clarkes, Strausses (or “Straussy”, as Warne would say). The Vaughans, Martyns and Bells that need to get their act together.
Either way, it is another cracker in prospect in a series that hasd already surpassed my expectations.

And that’s the toss- England bat, and they will face Lee and Mcgrath.

Session count

1st Test
day1-E/E/A day2-d/A/A day3-A/E/A day4-A

2nd Test
day1-E/E/A day2-E/E/E day3-A/d/E day4-E

3rd Test
day1-E/E/E day2-E/A/E day3-A day4-E/E/E day5- E/d/A


4th Test
day1-E/A day2-E/E/E day3-E/A/E day4-E/E/E

5th Test - does it matter???:)

This post has been updating and is linked from the ‘session count’ in the sidebar.

thoughts on the live advert for Test cricket

My two-pie bit on yesterday, and indeed, the preceding 3 days. I might not say anything epochal, but then- what do I know, I just write.

Edgbaston was a rollicking ride that test cricket has always the ability to be, sometimes is, and often is supposed to not be. For even the hardiest of believers in the charm of Test cricket, though- old school or new- this was a roller coaster that threatened to leave you giddy with exhilaration. Much like a good long row of full beer mugs would, actually, but I digress.

The second test was pivotal, really, immeasurably so for one team- and that is the team that played the match with the desperation that they surely felt coursing through their veins in the lead up. A 2-0 deficit was always going to be virtually another end to another Ashes in the most hopelessly predictable of ways. It must have been a possibility England would have been all to aware of, with substantial help from their unforgiving media. We’ll never know how much of a boost the exit of McGrath just before the toss would have been for team morale, but it was definitely reflected on the pitch. Ponting’s call at the toss might have been right, but his call on whether to bat or bowl was not. It is a decision that, I suspect, he is not getting too much (neough) flak for as yet. A certain toss in Brisbane and a certain England captain come to mind, though conditions, and teams, were substantially different then. It is only at the end of the series that this call might look more, or less, telling.

Again, I wonder if it was the absence of McGrath that allowed the English batsman to play with such abandon in the first innings. More likely a combination of a plan and a matter of striking while the iron was hot, the end result was stunning. England racked up an astonishing 407 on the first day and set was would be an equally astonishing tone for the rest of the match.
All batsmen then batted with similar lack of caution that sometimes bordered on, and often was, reckless. It was the sort of batting that ensured we were on the edge of our seats, couches, beds or bar stools- but it was also poor play.

I am not sure what is better- uniformly rash cricket or good judgement from one team and not so good from another; seeing that the former is more likely to produce thrills of the sort we have just been through, while the latter is what we have gotten used to (and bored of) in Australia’s long reign at the top. It really works both ways, for both are fabulous to behold. Somehow, though, coming at the time it did- when Australia’s supremacy was starting to border on the dull, and when the oldest rivalry was being played out- I’m rather enamoured by this impetuousness that offers equality.

Australia almost entered the match on the same high they left Lord’s with, tempered at the last minute by the withdrawal of their most dependable performer. The feeling of loss that they then stepped onto the pitch with, was never really assuaged. England, on the other hand, had an unexpected boost to what was surely an already fired up mind and body. They never let either go.

Today, Australia will be smarting but can’t be expected to wallow in their loss. They will be charged up in a way they seldom have been in recent years, for they will be fighting for pride that has very rarely been attacked thus. England, on the other hand, might still be feeling the rush. Letting that disturb their focus is a worry that we should not have about this England team- as long as they are concerned about it. It’s the one thing that could ruin them- getting carried away. I don’t expect them to, though- and Old Trafford promises to be a cracker. The only thing is- how can anything top what we have seen till now?

And, can anything at all top the most diversely and bizarrely entertaining opening days we have seen at Lord’s and Edgbaston? I don’t think so, but then- what do I know.

Sunday

What was a scintillating Saturday should make for an overwhelming weekend as England are poised for a famou win. Spearheaded by the talented, spirited, passionate and thoroughly enjoyable Andrew Flintoff, England are on the brink of an Ashes victory that actually matters, squaring up a series that is justifying all the hype that preceded it. This the second match truly was a crucial one- a win for Australia would pretty much ensure which way the Ashes were blowing- the same theu have been for 17 years. In the face of that, England have come up with a spirited performance in a seesawing match- in the process entertaining us no end. While this is hardly conventional Test cricket, no one can argue that this is afr too entertaining to condemn. One day hangover or carelessness, who cares?

Meanwhile theother cricket for the Sunday has turned out to be a semi final with the West Indies oulling off a surprise win over Sri Lanka yesterday. And, this was a Lankan side that included Murali, Zoysa and Jayasuriya. Today, though, they will be without the consistent though irritating Chanderpaul, leaving them a terribly inexperienced side (um, they have been one all tour, actually). Kumble and Yuvraj come in from the previous match, but I have still seen pretty much nothing of the series, and it promises to stay that way.

The Ashes, on the other hand, are coming out of my ears- and I would not have it any other way. Who cares who to support, when there is such fantastic cricket to see, and cricket with such an edge.

Edgbaston

The second test is not too far away now, and there is a lot of excitement not because of anything else but because a certain MLL* has just been ruled out of the match, and we await the news on how bad his ankle is. Apparently he fell over on a cricket ball, while chasing a football. Or so Darren Lehmann says. Saw a few pictures, he seemed to be in a lot of pain, and I find it a little incongruous people are laughing about it. Can't expect Englishmen to not be upbeat from it, but heck some discretion might be in order. :)

Either way, this should definitely even things up a bit. Its still overcast over in Edgbaston, but with the MLL* out, they're thinking it might work for Australia to bat first and let Warne loose on Days 4 and 5. Open house on how much this will affect the match- my take is that could be pretty crucial. Gillespie and Kasper might not be able to fill in the shoes too well. They'll miss the guidance of McGrath. Crucial, yes- whether it will be decisive, only time will tell.

Toss- Australia win and will have a bowl. There's some of that discretion I was talking about from Marc Nicholas. Vaughan maintains they were going to have a bat anyway; now I can't say how good (bad) the pitch might be, but England have a great chance here to rack up some runs and negate the Warne factor towards the end of the match, if it goes the distance. The second test, and the excitement is on again. Over at Will's the barrage of comments should be starting anytime now...!

*MLL- Master of Line&Length

Dambulla

been off the radar for a while, and am afraid it might contnue to be a little like that. India have just won the toss and opted to bat in the 4th ODI, and I have seen nothing of the series till now. Not a look at Raina and Rao, nor at this West Indies team, which seem to have plummeted after a surprisingly refreshing start in the test series. Jayasuriya is lucky, after his brave but risky effort in the first ODI. I just heard Murali and Jayasuriya are not playing, so thats good for India, I suppose.

Meanwhile, Ganguly is back in today's match and is probably the most curious facet to the match. He also seems alternatively peeved and furious with the selection for the Afro Asian ODIs, where he has been ignored. I don't think he needs to be taken just because he has scored nearly 10,000 runs, and instinctively I would think he may not make an Asian XI. Yet, to see people like Shoaib- who is exciting but could not have possibly been picked on 'form'- is an indicator that the selection has gone more for exciting or popular players rather than only those who have performed.

Yuvraj is not playing. hmmm. Well here they go. Ashwin has had some good liveblogging going for these matches...

reads: general, and very worthwhile.

I sometimes (often, actually) find myself not supporting anyone while watching a match (in any sport). Why I may be doing it is probably explained here, in a must read. I shan't quote from it.
We may not like them all, but we should enjoy them while we can.

link via the very wide sightscreen.

and more on excellence here, where the magician is written on, again.

When the ball leaves his hand, time seems to slow down as if the moment demands relishing, the breath holds in the lungs as his deliveries hover, plummet, skid, dart, spit, turns, every over with enough disguise to impress a chameleon

PS- are they really pushing the man up to Number 4? Hmmm.. not sure how good an idea this is...

war

Not content with following the Ashes series from afar, English and Australian
soldiers are staging their own five-match 'Desert Ashes' in Iraq. The venue for
last Thursday's opener was a rolled-out patch of earth next to the helicopter
landing site in the southern town of Al Muthanna. Resplendent in gold-and-green
pyjamas donated by Cricket Australia, the Aussies swept home by 119 runs - a
massive margin in a 25-over game. Each match is scheduled for the first day of a
Test, starting with a coin toss synchronised with Michael Vaughan's in England.

link

money spun out

Should I feel guilty for having a slightly smug feeling passing through me as I read this?

reads

'If they can't send over a better side than this there's not much point in the Ashes.'

'Send them home.'

'Maybe their women's team would like a game.'

And these were not said about England:)

This and much more in a great piece on the off-field goings-on at Lord’s in The Observer.

Propriety takes a bit of a hit, though, when the Grace Gate opens at 8.30am.
This is the signal for the poshest land-rush in sport, as the spectators walk
briskly through, ties flapping around the collars of cream jackets, each member
keen not to look too desperate in the scramble for a seat. In the middle of the
Tavern Stand throng, cheers greet the popping of the first Champagne cork. It is
9.09am.

Then there is this about smugness...er-arrogance...um, sport...Oh just go read it.

The Australians never really cottoned on to the idea that sport was a way in
which gentlemen amused themselves. They had this crazy idea that it was serious.

Refreshing to read, in the midst of all the joyous and/or dismal writings on the first Test.

inanity

Bob Willis at the start of Day 1 (though you have the give the Sky team credit for this one, he was surely fed the lines) :
-said in a hopeless attempt at pulling off a Vegas announcer style-

"In the red and blue corner....England"
"In the yellow and green corner, Australia"
"The world heavyweight championship...."
and best of all
"Get ready to rumble"

Sheesh.

ps- I have added a count for the sessions won on the right. Thanks for the idea, Will (I think I got it from you?)

The Ashes Day 1

ho hum. the poll is over, and a measly 95.2% of the votes say Australia will take that litte urn thing all over again (well, the Crystal cup, at any rate).

Australia wins 3-1 52.4%
Australia wins 3-2 19.0%
Australia wins 3-0 19.0%
England wins 4.8%

(total) Australia wins 95.2%

And as I write this, Australia have won the toss and will bat first. There's a kitty coming up at work for the score at lunch today- am not sure am a part of it. Let's see- the talk is over, and it finally begins. England are already up against it, then, though Vaughan seemed unperturbed. Here's wishing them well. ( a little 'weller' than Australia, cause they need it...and so do we!)

19 for no loss, 5 overs. A couple of knocks fo the openers from the tall bloke from Durham. Hoggard is looking a little patchy right now- and there, another no ball just smashed for four.There is a kitty at work for the scoreline at lunch. I'm in- going for 90/2. There is even a 150-0 there somewhere!

43-1, and Kevin Pietersen just had a horrible start to his career. Dropping the Australian captain on a duck in your first test, the first morning of an Ashes series. That has got to hurt, KP old chap. Great ball to dismiss Hayden, though- and coming after the didgy start Hoggard had. Admittedly, he had a good shape going since morning, except he was a little off the mark. But there's Harmison's hardwork paying off as well. Langer is going for his shots, carrying none of the baggage others possibly may be from being in England for over a month. I'd back hi m to be unbeaten at lunch, and England must hope they have not lost the chance to pick up Ponting- weak starter that he is.
And there- Ponting just got the nastiest one of them all on his cheek. This is seriosu stuff, and people are bandying the world that ends in '....line' around the office.

66-2, in 16 overs, and Harmison just goes off to make way for Flintoff bowling his first Test over against the Aussies. It has been a splendid spell from the premier bowler- he came hard at the Aussies, but did not get carried away. England will be glad they did not let Ponting make the most of the retrieve he got from KP.
This has been a cracker of a first session, and irrespective of where Australia go from here (they are still entirely likely to be 300 odd at the end of the day), this has been a exhilirating show of intent from England.
And I say that, Flintoff gets his first Ashes wicket in his first Ashes over- the dangerous and gritty Langer is gone! It is 66-3, and Flintoff gets a rousing round of applause- the first maiden of the day, and Flintoff has a dream start to his first Ashes.
Ah, I am loathe to, but I must leave now-back home-

-and my word! I just can't seem to hit 'publish' here, as Martyn plays a rank bad shot to give Jones a wicket off his first ball! this has gone from exciting to shocking. Can the other Ashes debutant, Clarke, pull his team out from here? It is 66-4...

The second session is about to begin, and this has been one of the most exhilirating starts to a test match in a long time. Of course, there is much cricket that remains to be played, but it has been an inspired start from the home team. A gilly century, though, would make this the most astonishingly special day of Test cricket. Mouth watering, and since I languish without a laptop, I shall have to run to the computer for comments on Will's blog or updates, and with a sprained foot that's going to be dodgy...

6 down! Just when Gilchrist looked like he was settling in for a Gilly classic, Flintoff has gone and done it. Incredibly pumped, and fiery despite being carted for a few, Flintoff has got the big big wicket, which will bring The Warne in, fresh from marital discord and hundreds for Hampshire.

Final session: 32 overs, 82 runs, 7 wickets.
What a day it has been. 17 wickets have fallen as I write this, with the last recognised pair in the England lineup just being separated. England might have had the better of the three sessions in the game, but Australia are going to lounge in the hotel pool less in need of a relaxing jacuzzi than England, you'd think. Suddenly Ponting's scar might just be a symbol of hard fought victory rather than an ambush he did not survive.

So much for all the "long in tooth", " ageing", "not quite spring chickens" and "over the hills" we read about McGrath off late. Wicket number 500 was Trescothick, and soon he had the entire top 5. One might not like it, but this man is probably going to be a force to be reckoned with till the day he hangs up his newly acquired gold Pony 500 boots.

Meanwhile, it does not look like Australia's record at Lord's is under threat. See, this is it- this is why you can never lie back and say-"oh, they're screwed now." Nope, not about them Aussies.

And on that note, me and my horribly sprained right foot shall retire for the night.

reads

Mark Nicholas offers a spooky, and entertaining, list of coincidences that might just get your hopes up a little more, if you’re an Englishman.

In a piece that fervently wishes for England’s cricket team to take this season by the scruff of the neck, Sue Mott in The Telegraph tell us that Sebastian Coe is the favourite in the BBC Sportsperson of the Year stakes, and then reveals some (to me almost startling) facts.

Ian Botham was the last cricketer to win the BBC poll, in 1981. But the Sports Journalists' Association award that same year went, ironically, to Seb Coe instead. Len Hutton was the last cricketer to win the SJA poll in - wait for it - 1952.

1952? Contrast this with India, where some cricketer receiving an award every year is de rigueur.

Simon Hughes paints a gentle portrait of Andrew Flintoff. For me- more than anyone els, even the searing hot KP- I’d love to see Flintoff take this series by storm. He genuinely has the ability to, and if he can the series will be immeasurably richer.

There’s more on Flintoff in this piece, that also has this from Bob Woolmer:

"I've always felt that the way to overcome Australia is to wear down their
bowlers," Woolmer said. "They only have four main bowlers and they aren't as
young as they were. To win, England have to wear them down as the series
progresses."

I quite agree, actually. The Australians must not be allowed to dictate the pace of the game, must be made to feel uncomfortable, and that will only happen if they are forced to play a game different from their own. This here, though, might a bit much to hope for:

England's best chance of winning the Ashes is to play the long game, to keep
Australia in the field and ensure that Glenn McGrath tumbles exhausted out of
bed on the second morning of the fourth Test after a wearing summer and thinks:
"I'm not sure if I want to do this any more”

...and more of Woolmer’s advice for Englishmen here

A fantastic cricketer says he will continue his walking habit, and responds to an attemptedly tricky question thus:

When asked what he would do if Australia were two short of victory in the final Test with one wicket at hand he replied: "I wouldn't nick it."

...and you know what? I believe him on both counts.

In other news, it is interesting to note that some people in Pakistan- news editors- are possibly still suffering from a long forgotten Toronto India-Pak series hangover. They still think of ol’ Ganguly as an all-rounder…

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?

Poll!

I could not resist.
So there is an Ashes poll on the right, and you can make a reckless (or well thought out) prediction, if you feel so inclined. For those who have a radically different scoreline in mind, leave a comment, and that shall be incorporated in the final analysis, after the ...er, thousands of votes pour in.

And, um- apologies for the slight Aussie skew in the poll. I maintain my happily neutral stand, but have to give in to some instinct...:)

update: the first vote for an england win is in! how many before 21st, when this closes?

@ Colombo

whassa happening?
Windies recovered to make 281/6 on Day 1, eventually wrapped up for 285, Murali took the solitary wicket, and Sri Lanka were tottering at 47/4 with Jayasuriya, Atapattu, Sangakarra and Jayawardene gone.
?

Final ODI

So there you go- the toss is done, and the Aussies have put England in on what seems a pretty good track to bat on. Botham and Lehmann were talking of 260-70, even 290 as being par for the course.
Again, the team winning the toss is the only one can that can hope to exploit the advantage that the Super Sub rule offers. Till a couple of weeks ago, Australia would surely have batted first on this track, but with Hayden in and Katich as an extra batsman, they would back themselves to chase even a biggish total.
England, on the other hand, will not only miss out on exploiting the new rule, but in this case hope they don't have to use it- Solanki can only come in here if England find themselves ina tight spot. Skewed rule, this.

and ol' Shep goes " Right gentlemen, play!". It is underway.

er...

come again?

Apart from the security, Bevan [representative of the England Players Association] was also concerned about England players having enough things to do while in Pakistan, the report added. The source was cited as saying that Bevan was "assured by the PCB that there was plenty to do for the English players like playing golf even at smaller centers like Multan and Faisalabad."

(stresses mine)
Am I missing something, or is this a bit ridiculous? What happened to exploring a new country, imbibing a different culture, or simply warming up for the next match?

read the original piece here in The News

Focus

Some of us may have doubts about Warne's ability to bounce back from what would seem like gut-wrenching personal turmoil.
Mark Nicholas has none.

Even to begin to think that the recent shambles in his private life will affect Warne's cricket is to miss the point completely. That shambles will concentrate his mind absolutely. The Ashes will be an escape route. A chance to put the madness and its consequences aside, and to remind his audience of the reason for their fascination in the first place.

Sub-super thoughts

Ok, so I thought the Super Sub rules meant something else. Up until the first one-day, I thought I was clear on the experiment, and believed it meant that a team announces a squad of twelve and then announces its playing eleven once the toss is done.
Of course, this is not the case. A team announces a playing XI, and a Super Sub. The captain then proceeds to the toss and hopes his selection works.

Somehow, I have believed that my misunderstanding of the rule is probably a better way of implementing this innovation. The team announces a squad of twelve and then pulls one guy out after they know if they are batting or bowling. It more or less ensures that a team will use the super sub, thus encouraging whatever spectator interest and ‘increased quality’ that was envisaged to begin with. It effectively means that the team will pick (usually) an additional specialist, depending on their strengths and weaknesses, and so have a stronger overall side.

Sure, it means there is less of a gamble. For those of us who believed that this rule eliminated the charm of the risk that team selection was (with XI players only), I suppose this gamble that a team is required to take works. My instinctive reaction, however, is that the purpose of the Subs, one would think, is to not only increase strategy and excitement, but increase the quality of cricket being played. Allowing the XI to be named after the toss increases the chances of this enhanced quality.

I have to admit I am a little torn here.
My problem with the current implementation is that it is too much of a gamble, and one that is not really necessary. If we are corrupting the old way of committing to eleven players, then we should corrupt it enough. This will probably encourage the bits and pieces players who can come in either way (or, of course, genuine all-rounders who are rare in the game already; if the allrounder is truly world class he will probably be in the eleven anyway) The good thing is that there is at least some lottery element retained, though the success of (of a specialist as substitute) is more dependent on chance than strategic selection.

My only problem with the other way is that there is no gambling at all. It will, however, let us see more specialists at work, and the good thing is that we are likely to see a team with a better chance of defending a total, or chasing it. In all, it will allow for a more rounded team performance- exploiting conditions, and resources, to the fullest.

Tax exemptions

So the Champions Trophy in India next year is finally confirmed, with the tax exemptions being granted.
Mr Mani is grateful.

Rule changes

Want the rules to create more buzz? Involve the public more?
Nick Whittock has some ideas. Fun.

Priceless.
Absolutely priceless, except someone, somewhere, deserves to be flogged....

oye BCCI

I suppose its good I find myself with so many words to choose from. Except its not. I am dismayed, annoyed, frustrated, ashamed and incensed. All at the same time.

As if it was not enough that the Indian Board more or less thrives on machinations within the (dis)administration. Or that nothing matters more to the powers that be than power. Or that these powers have no accountability, and no one to question how they run the body like its their own kingdom. Nope, thats not enough. One has, of course, to live with the fact that the Indian Board is hell bent on making an ass of itself in the international arena, scripting the newest chapter in the Ganguly-ban story.

When will these power games stop? Because thats all this is about- showing everybody how much clout India has in the world game. What clout is this, that is based on such churlish behaviour? What influence is it, that needs to flex its muscles like a school bully?

You are a cricket Board, your responsibility lies to your players, the followers of the game in your region and, above all, to the game itself. Is this the way you choose to uphold the spirit of the game, by laughing in the face of its laws? This blatant attempt to show the world your strength serves aught but to belittle the very game you wish so desperately to control.

And please, do not demean our intelligence by telling us that you are doing the 'right' thing by standing behind, and beside, your captain. This is not a personal attack, that he needs you to fight alongside him. This is not a slur on his character that he requires you to help him erase. It is a law of the game he plays, the very law that you are meant to be loyal to. So don't even try to mask your disloyalty with misguided solidarity.

Don't, because you will only sicken me further.

my previous thought on this, when it first happened.

Charlie Brown

Simon Briggs in the Telegraph

Where Waugh's steely-eyed Clint Eastwood impression was part of Australia's armour, Ponting's round, ingenuous face can make him look like a put-upon Charlie Brown. Saturday was like a typical Peanuts cartoon: Charlie/Ponting ran up to kick the ball, only for Lucy/Giles to whip it away at the last minute.

Weekend, & one-dayers

What a weekend.
Schumacher manages a podium though Alonso still wins and Raikonnen comes in second after starting the 13th position on the grid. But I could hardly be concerned with F1, the number of other things that were happening. The Championships in its final three days, with classic matches in the women’s half as Venus won. Federer is walking on another plane these days. Beating top seeds in the semis and finals, that too in straight sets. The man seems absolutely unmatchable. To crown the tournament (for Indians), Mahesh Bhupathi and Mary Pierce won the mixed doubles late last night. If that was not enough, Saturday was consumed by the Live8 concert, a marvel of conceptualisation and execution.

That it coincided with one of the most amazing matches in recent cricket history, is quite another story, which has been well documented in many places. Suffice it to say that these are the times when doubts are spectacularly dispelled for the disbelievers in cricket’s ability to excite, unnerve and overwhelm in equal measure; and for those who are unsure about following cricket not involving their own nation. This was a game for anyone, anywhere who knows what cricket is. Simply brilliant.

There is some irony in all of this though. In the weeks immediately preceding the introduction of ICC’s new experiments in ODI cricket, the cricket world has gotten to see some exceptional cricket matches like this and this, even more so this and this. And this, of course, crowned a happily unpredictable tournament. But, in all their wisdom, the people in the know have brought in new rules. While I have been sitting with my backside comfortably parked across the ample surface area of this hotly debated fence, I doubt if anyone can debate that these new rules will, at the very least, be interesting. With every surge of resistance that I feel regarding the spirit of the game being violated, I cannot help but think about how the cricket world must have reacted to the advent of the shorter game, the use of a white(!) cricket ball, coloured clothing… I think it might be worth remembering that our first reaction is mostly always to resist change.
Let’s give this a chance- if we let ourselves, we might just enjoy this.

aaargh

It is a tie. i CANNOT believe this.
The finals have ended in a tie. This is insane. I cannot believe I am not watching this.
(Shame, shame.)

I do not know if the Final of any tournament has been tied. INSANE.

the Final

>48 reqd off 42. I cannot believe I am not watching this. damn.

> 24/4. The great hope, KP, has departed. The only hero of the last Ashes, Vaughan, has departed. The openers have gone. All without a whimper. If the summer was due to really start today, England might just be wishing it had not. Sub 200 was not the Australia we know. But this is.

> 183 for 9. England better not lose it from here. Either way, Australia are in some trouble.

> This is unbelievable stuff. Left work at 50 off for 1, came back to 5 down. Proceeded to see the better part of 28 dot balls that included a wicket. 28. That is the most un-Australian thing I have seen in a long time. (besides that match a couple of saturdays ago).

> There you go. England have won the toss and invited Australia to bat first. Overhead conditions, the pitch being covered...everything indicates that Australia could have a tought time if it batting.

If England needed a chance to win this final, they just got it.
(and I think I might be missing chunks of the mtach...ouch)

July 30/ 31. please.

So you have two teams eager to embrace the new rules (bring them on!), get into wat could be an exciting phase sooner rather than later, and you have these people nitpicking on the start date of their tournament.
(irrespective of what any of us think about the 'innovations', surely it is better to dive right in that look for ways to not?)

the Championships

Watching a fascinating tussle between V Williams and Sharapova.
How unidentifiable this is from the women's tennis we saw growing up.
It looks nothing like it.
Nor, in fact, does it sound anything like it.

9th ODI

Australia,while heading for a prety certain win, are still looking scratchy. I am very surprised how they allowed the Bangaldeshis to score 250, given they were 75 for 5. And the opening patrnership, while not looking woefully out of form, still inspires not too much confidence, forget the awe they ususally have been.

Meanwhile, they have finally confirmed that the new ODI regulations will bein place for the Natwest Challenge. Interesting times.

inanity

Bob Willis to Darren Lehmann:
"So, do you think Glenn McGrath will be back in the team on Saturday (for the finals)?"

Um, let's see Bob. He doesn't, you know, deserve to be there. Let's just drop him. (After all, we know what Will calls him)

Shane

Some wonderful articles on Warne around.

They are an odd yet understandable mixture of condemnation and sympathy, admiration and disappointment- much like his life graph has been. As has been the demanding and confusing task of being a Shane Warne fan. One cannot (I, for one) help but admire his greatness when he has a cricket ball in his hand. Off the field, he demands to be cherished, but insists on doing everything he can to make it tough as hell to unequivocally admire him. A fan must, with every statement on his love for the cricketer, add the caveat that his non cricketing deeds are overwhelmed by his bowling achievements. The rare fan might admit to being further attracted by his rogueish deeds, but I suspect a lot of us- given a favourable disposition towards the man courtesy his talent- are entertained by the crazy lifestyle he leads. The power of his cricketing deeds is such that it is easy to find people who are so mesmerized by his genius that they can ignore his ‘social’ transgressions- in fact, be further enchanted by them.

At the most basic level, however, there will always remain the admiration. At this point, it is hard to be unsympathetic. This is a man who has captivated us all many a time-if not all the time- and to have him go through an obviously distressing time in his life cannot be anything but…well, distressing. What will be interesting is how he handles it all. From his track record, you can almost surely expect a fightback (in the larger sense of his life, translating onto the cricket field), though I suppose one must not underestimate the wrench that marriage breaking up can be.

Some excerpts:

from Peter Roebuck's lovely piece

Genius allows a man to inhabit a fanciful world of permanent adolescence. On the field the genius can write his own script. Off it, the magic is lost.

Malcom Conn, with a few anecdotes, on Warne's failings.

Cricket's most successful bowler believes he is constantly attacked by dark forces summoned to persecute him. For Warne lives in a simple world of simple pleasures. There is light and dark, good and evil, black and white.

Trevor Marshallsea on the man who looks for love-too much, and in the wrong places.

What the separation will achieve - apart from peace and quiet for his wife - will be to reinforce the disappointment for so many Australian cricket fans who would so dearly like to love him. The irony is that Warne, insecure despite his achievements, dearly wants to be loved. Sometimes a little too much, as the scandal sheets reveal.

Pints / preachers

The fact remains that sportsmen and alcohol are hardly strangers in the night, and most of the game's mythical booze-ups have involved Australian cricketers. And while such binges are far less common in the new professional era, you'll still spot the odd cricketer at the bar on an evening off, just as you might spy a doctor, journalist or accountant

An excellent perspective on the Symonds affair.

Just when normalcy returned...

Just when things were getting back to normal on the pitch, the ICC figured they had to go and throw the proverbial spanner. The new regulations, if nothing else, are interesting (what a nicely neutral word), and if they do truly start as early as the Natwest Challenge (which I wish they do), we could have some interesting times debating and analysing all of this stuff.

My views on this soon, I hope. For now work consumes, and it is at these times you wonder and marvel at the passion of these people who blog so committedly (not to mention excellently). Of course, most things are not free, and if you have never been (which is well nigh impossible) to Will's site, go there now, and see if you can help the blog out.

Solkar

Indian all rounder of the 70s, Eknath Solkar, has passed away. Most (and definitely this generation) knew him as an outstanding close in catcher (he took 53 in a mere 27 tests), to whom, ineed, many of the spin quartet's scalps can be attributed.

Remembrances here, here and many here.

transition worries

Harsha Bhogle believes that the Australian team goes beyond a couple of losses, but wonders- like many of us- if the transition from the older members of the team to new ones is precariously close to being out of hand.

They will be hoping to stagger the release of their older generation a little better this time. If they wait till the World Cup of 2007, and that in itself might be an optimistic date, they run the risk of having to use a broom.

Mohd Ashraful, fresh from his heroics in the Natwest Series, has credited his time in the Indian domestic setup for honing his skills. Also, SauravGanguly's words seem to have done some good.

Ashraful believes that his batting has become more aggressive due to three reasons: the confidence he gained during his stay in India, the huge expectations back home and, most importantly, his long chat with Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly this year.

5th ODI

> They're back. Believe me, they are.

> This is such slow, attritional stuff. But not the kind you savour in Test match cricket.

> So England are bowling, Vaughan is out, and Symonds and Lee are back. But, um, why is Clarke left out? Any injury? dropped?

age

There is no doubt that this is an ageing, but far from aged, team.

Very well put, in Jim Maxwell's as yet disappointing blog.
I just get the feeling, though, their age will be a hot topic once we are done with this series, irrespective of where the urn travels.

ODI priority?

R Mohan in the Deccan Chronicle is wondering why there is no humour discovered in the Aussie slip ups. For himself he only has this to offer

The better jokes actually came out of the opening of the Shane Warne portrait at Lord’s, when the news was let out of the bag that the artist may have retouched her work because the world’s leading Test wicket-taker was thought to have been portrayed too big Down Under.

...though he does ask a (strangely unconvinced) question about Warney:

I find this quite extraordinary that the world’s best bowler is not turning out for Australia in one-day cricket merely because he thinks he can stretch his multi-million dollar career by sticking to the Test arena, in which he is only 17 wickets away from a magical 600.Quite apart from the huge variety and options that he represents to a captain in the middle overs, his sheer attitude is something the Aussies could do with as they try to pick up the gauntlets after spending some time on the floor, punched by the world’s lowest rated one-day team.

Well, I am not debating (though we could) whether Warne will be an asset to the team or not. But what is "extraordinary" about him leaving the ODI arena? I think it is perfectly understandable, it is his choice, and there needn't be any questioning of the motives.

I am happy Lara, for one, is taking time off from tri-series next month. Seeing how his Test form is, can you blame him?

Sympathy

The Age suggests that there will be little sympathy for an Australian side that loses.
Leaders in any field always have those waiting for their fall, ready to pounce with unabashed glee and bask in the sunshine they have sorely missed, being in the shadows of the best.

Sure, it won’t be any different for this team.But what has been exciting about this last (“disgraceful”) week is that we can expect some good cricket.

We've been spoilt for a long time now. At any given time over the past dozen years there have been five or six all-time greats in the team.

I am not so sure. The number of (nearly) all time greats has not fallen drastically- whether they can perform at their best is the question (if, indeed, it is being asked yet)

Killer Chris

People perceive me as a bit of a gentle giant, but there is aggression in me. I quite enjoy hitting batsmen. I hit Ally Brown on the head against Surrey and that gave me quite a lot of pleasure.

How nice, Chris. We are officially scared now.
From a report where Derek Pringle ponders whether Vaughan missing out today's match is a bad thing or irrelevant.

Bond

This is good news, about Shane Bond. I did not realise tha he is 30 already, though. It doesn;t leave him with much time, which is a pity because he is pretty lethal, so good to watch.

inanity

The first- rather overwhelming- innings has just come to an end, and David Gower is speaking to one of the 2 centurions in the match, Paul Collingwood.

Was there a feeling, after their win against Australia the other day, to teach Bangladesh a few lessons?

Um, and you expected Collingwood to say "Yes, of course, David. That'll put them in their place, those impertinent brats!"

4th ODI

> So ok, they did not manage 400. Not even, 398. Strauss seemd to be tiring, and eventually missed out on carrying his bat by just the one ball. A good couple of overs at the end ensured the Bangladesh would not have an ignominous entry in the record books. As it is, conceding the second largest total ever in ODIs is embarassing enough.

> 350??? Ya right. 30 balls to go. 338. they are thinking of all kinds of records here.
(think of the time KP would have had here!)

>Mortaza is back into the attack with 8 overs to go. What a hopeless task he has in front of him. Will Collingwood get a hundred? Will they cross 350? How much down to earth can you be thrown back in a few hours?

> Trescothick and Strauss launched into the Bangladeshi medium pacers like they were waiting for this warm up match. Because that is what it is looking like. Despite Saturday, Ithink we have seen the last Bangladeshi victory for the summer. One can only hope the surge of beating Australia makes them perform well in whatsleft of their tour.

premature

A one-day cricketing dynasty, it seems, may be coming to an end.

Come now- premature, surely?

Can they handle victory?

John Buchanan after the famous weekend:

...we are now in new territory and, I say this tongue in cheek, England are in new territory, too. It will be interesting to see how they deal with that."

Its good to see he is looking to maintain the Aussie style of throwing everything back onto the Englishmen. I cannot wait for Thursday's match.
And, by the way, I think they can surely deal with victories. Whether they are allowed to keep winning, is quite another thing...but this England team looks nothing near wimpish.

Lists

It is time for some lists. Collingwood's catch has prompted a list of memorable catches. I can never forget Adam Bacher sending Sachin back when he was on a scintillating 169- that hurt. Yuvraj pulled of a ripper against Bangladesh last December, and Vasbert Drakes was pretty unbelievable against Canada in the WC 2003. Rhodes took enough stunners to be confused as to which one you are recalling.

Then there are a couple of lists of upsets here and here . Saturday's is the biggest for me (it is likeJordan-Karthikeyan winning in a face-off race with a Schumacher-Ferrari, which is what the farce last night almost was, by the way- the race, not the win), and Windies losing to Kenya in '96 is probably my first memory of a genuine upset.

And oh, Christopher Martin Jenkins is still reserved and calm about England's famous win, while calling it "the most embarrassing week of their [Australia's] cricket history", his advice is:

Hyperbole must be firmly resisted despite all Australia’s largely self-inflicted wounds and for all the excellence of England’s unified team performance. This was...a much-improved performance by Australia, especially in the field, where they have been so unusually fallible after their two months’ rest from cricket.

...and believing McGrath's bowling "superb" and Watson's "with a cool head" (um, remember his scrap with KP?). Unbelievably though, his unhyperbolic wariness still allows for this statement :

...if Harmison bowls as fast and rhythmically as he did yesterday, England will win the Ashes.

Oh well- the emphasis is mine- and why not. Read it here.

on KP

If I were an Englishman I'd like to whack some of these commentators. They don't, like all commentators(scroll down a bit in the linked post), believe in the mozzy concept. The way they were gushing about Pietersen's innings (while he still played it), was downright unnerving. He gave me no reason to think he'd get out, but they sure did. One that I recall off hand is this from Bob Willis:
"He won't get distracted, he is totally focussed".
That's an invitation for the curse, if ever there was one.

And the other thing I found...well, shall I say a little premature, was the
"these are shades of Viv Richards",
and this was repeated. Oh well, he looked absolutely fantastic yesterday, but that might be a bit much, don't you think?

It would seem otherwise. Mark Nicholas, for one, does not think so.

Of all the cricketers to have illuminated one-day cricket only Viv Richards might have done such a thing, or, at a pinch, Clive Lloyd and Adam Gilchrist.

(Um, There was this guy called klusener I remember, for one)
Again, I think the innings was absolutely breathtaking in its precision and dominance, but slow down guys, slow down with the praise-showering. Nicholas continues:

He hits the ball murderously hard, favours the same leg-side quarters as Sir Vivian but is able to smack the thing down the ground with such venom that fielders barely move a muscle in self-defence, never mind boundary protection.

Please Do Not take the name of someone who is this young in the same breath as Sir Vivian. If not for anything else, for Pietersen's sake.
The thrust of his column though, is pertinent as hell- Australia seem to have lost that aura.

To beat the Australians this weekend an opponent had simply to play better than them. This is easier said than done of course, against such wonderful cricketers, but previously there was baggage to deal with, brought about by the juggernaut of self-assurance that rolls into town with them.

Now work beckons. Though this work, I have been extremely happy to do, surrounded by images and sounds of the Natwest series.