new ground...

3 ODIs against Australia in Ireland. Perfect preparation, one would presume, for the 3 tests against England that follow. Take a look at India's schedule starting now till next April- its quite staggering, really.
No, Mr deLisle, no one seems to think less is more. Its the goose and eggs, again...but who seems to care.

the geese again

So while i was talking about geese, eggs and their colour, Mr Modi and the BCCI were enumerating just how well balanced and sensible they are. here is their take, and the Mumbai Mirror's, on the small matter of money. Falling television ratings (and general perception being less excited ) with each passing series is obviously the precise reason to play Pakistan more often.

Keep at it guys, you fill me with confidence and pride.

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

money spun out

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

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.

coaching a decision

In a few hours the Committee that ‘interviewed’ the candidates hoping to be India’s next cricket coach are expected to make an announcement. It has clearly and conveniently been stated that the announcement will be merely that-an announcement; it is hoping for way too much to expect anything conclusive to be revealed. Rediff, though, seems to be a little more optimistic. In the same breath that they say June 15 is the deadline, they say the coach may be named today. The BCCI as I know it will announce the coach just before a good night’s sleep on June 15. If not later. (If I have to eat these words, I am perfectly fine and hungry)

Cricinfo’s account of things (the only report I have read thus far) paints a helplessly predictable picture. Delays in the process. One candidate spending about three times the amount of time he was allotted, and another being rushed due to prior appointments (with the PM, no less- mostly about tax exemptions for the Champions Trophy, amongst other things, I am sure. Of course, The Honourable Shri Dalmiyaji was present not only at the interviewing process but was accompanying Ranbir Mahendra to the PMO. Or is Mahendra the one who was tagging along?)

Jimmy Amarnath has been, quite frankly, a bit of a pain in recent times. One had just begun recovering from his singing exploits on Fourth Umpire last month, and now he’s been cooing inanities on the coaching issue- the use of Fair&Lovely to enhance his coachin“I don’t have a laptop, but I have a lap”, and clichés about an Indian coach for the Indian team. Before I sound completely prejudiced, I do not dislike the guy. But really, there is nothing much to suggest (scroll down to the bottom) that he makes good coach material; and the noises in favour of him (made mostly by himself) are sadly for the wrong reasons. As is the biggest pull for haynes- the fact that he knows the West Indies, and we play the next World Cup there. Er- what about Tests, then?

What's interesting is how both sides of the process d the contenders) state that money is not a concern. If that is true, hallelujah for passionate cricket Boards and coaches. (hmmm, why am I not convinced...)
I guess Chappell seems the most likely to get it, though I wouldn't bet my money on anything here. Something in my gut says Moody would do a good job, and is more likely to instill the attitude and professionalism that is the Australian Way, but then- what do I know.

-If yesterday was anything to go by, don’t be surprised if the decision is made an hour or so late on account of faulty air conditioning or something.
-and how come Sri Lanka is waiting for India to complete their process before fixing on their coach?

Denial

The game's governing body has made a ruling, it has been appealed against, the appeal turned down, and the rules clearly state that is that.
Well, for some people, that is this.

It's just power games to these guys. I can give them this much- Chris Broad does seem to be a bit over-enthusiastic doing his job as schoolmaster...er, referee. But that does not call for such ego-play.
'Jagmohan Dalmiya says it is not over.' Sheesh, you aren't even Pres anymore, jaggu dada.

The Court of Arbitration? Hello? The guy has been fined, warned and has bowled his team's overs really really slowly. Just accept the decision and go back to your power machinations within that fiefdom...er, Cricket Board.

Ahmedabad

The PCB did not like it but agreed to us leaving some of their centres out of the schedule. I dont see why the BCCI cannot, equally, just accept their take on it and not go rushing to the GOI.

Then there is this, the best invitation:
"Pakistan is scared of losing at Ahmedabad"

What utter nonsense. If you want to make them feel welcome, this is hardly the best way, no?
Sheesh...

BCCI woes

"Deadlines don't worry us. As long as we make good money everything will be fine."

I can't believe that a BCCI official actually said this- and I am sure he thought it was a smart thing to say. While Cricinfo does not make clear who said this or in what context and when, I can't see how this could make sense. Months after a ridiculous election took place, infighting ensued, the courts got involved, and the matter then (supposedly) got resolved, we still do not know anything about Mahedra Singh's agenda, his vision or his plans to ensure Indian cricket flourishes. (and no, I don't mean financially).
The Pakistan tour is still getting finalised less than a month from its commencement, players have not received bonuses, and the telecast rights issue remains in limbo.
Ugh.

Sports Body, or...?

16.15pm IST
The BCCI presidential elections have got some serious coverage- in all sections of the media. With the involvement of the Left, Soniaji and other miscellaneous Congress influences, it sounds like anything but an election in the premier sporting body in the country. There is no talk of any of the candidates' involvement with the game at any point in their lives, or with administering it. It is only about the numbers, the camps and the predictions. It's not a good feeling, this. At least Mahendra has been involved with running the game for 30 years. Pawar's been politicking, bickering, and generally looking corrupt.

oh, and also. The current selection committee's tenure is over tomorrow. So the team for the Test series, to be selected on Oct 2, will be handled by a new set of guys. At any rate, the BCCI did not think it relevant or necessary to send any of the selectors (or anyone) to watch the current match between India Seniors and India A. In which, of course, the Seniors have just gotten all out for 213. Oh boy. And I notice that Nehra retired hurt fromthe A side's batting and hasn't bowled. Here we go again. Zaheer and Pathan for the tests, I would think. Backed up by the spinners, but what about Karthik? And if the elections are postponed to tomorrow, as looks likely, then who will watch the Mumbai match with the Aussies? The selectors will walk in and pick a team that very day...?
Does no one think of all this?

Champions Trophy Day 5

Tony Greig(stadium): "Mundeera, do you have all your Net Run Rate calculations ready, (for the match between Pak and Kenya)?"
Mandira(studio) : " Tony, I wanted to ask you- how does one calculate Net Run Rate?"
If they want Mandira to ask the questions non cricket enthusiasts would ask (why would they ask?), they should at least ensure that her questions are taken seriosuly. The panelists usually smile (sometimes indulgently) and talk of something more sensible. Sigh, Mandira...

Ayaz Menon suggests that if the Ken-Pak match (now to be played tomorrow, hopefully) ends up being a 20 over game, Kenya could upset the Pakis. Sure, Ayaz.
Sri Lanka take on (or is that only 'show up against') Zimbabwe. Mark Nicholas confirms his faith in the latter's abilities: "If Zimbabwe could pick their 11 from any cricketer in the entire world, how low down the pecking order would (opener)Brendan Taylor be?...A club cricketer?"

Prem Panicker's big query is "Can I wear my shoes to the match?"
The oddest things is why the hell is this not more of an issue?!

In India, the BCCI goes through a radical change. An era is coming to an end, with Dalmiya having to step down fom the President's post after 3 years running, as per the rules.
[Dalmiya: "Era? End? Sheesh, what children..."] Every problem has a simple solution.
["Observe and learn, novices."]