The way the Guardian sees it

Unaccustomed to defending: "Mario and Steve's new self-help book didn't go down too well with the Birmingham board," reckons Neil Kavanagh, who appears to have broken poor Brucey's neck in a bid to get his bonce into that hat.

Why Indians are good at shooting

We'll never be good at power sports. We'll never be good at most sport. But we are good at shooting. And no, let's do away with all the myth-loaded hokum about how we are meant to be because we're descendants of the great archer Arjun and stuff. Let's just turn to my dear, dear friend Rohit Brijnath writing for Sportstar to tell us why. Depressing stuff. Enjoy.

With love from Prem

Picked this up, among the many things I have picked up from the legendary Prem P of rediff.com, on one of my numerous trips around the world wide web. Good stuff.

It is nice that in this team, even the junior players have been empowered to, and have the confidence to, speak for the team, to put their joys and hopes and dreams and heartbreaks on record.

Vide Mahendra Singh Dhoni's comments on the need for fans to stand up and be counted when the going is not so good.

I am frankly no fan of our developing culture, where even in victory, it has become a parlor game of sorts to find things to slam; to see the cup perenially as half empty, never half full.

One for instance: Comments, both in email and on the comments section of this blog, suggest it is a 'shame' that Harbhajan Singh top-scored in the first ODI, and that it was the bowlers who bailed the team out with the bat -- a point that has been used to excoriate the batsmen.

Granted this -- the batting, especially the shot selection, was pretty ordinary; collectively, the batting did not show the nous to change tack, to throttle back once it had sussed out that the Kotla was a 250, not 300-plus, pitch, and to alter the game plan accordingly.

That would be critical analysis, and it would be brilliant to see more of it in the feedback sections of the media; 'the batsmen suck, tell them all to go home' isn't.

Since when did cricket become a game where our batsmen all score centuries and our bowlers all take five wickets in an innings while the opposition bowlers give away runs and opposition batsmen gift wickets?

At least part of the reason for India's collapse had to be the wicket, which wasn't the best batting track we've seen, and the discipline and ability of England's bowling lineup, which especially early on when everything was going for them, bowled the absolutely right lines and put the batting under tremendous pressure -- so how does that mesh with 'the batsmen suck'?

It could be this flighty, instantly dismissive attitude that Dhoni is talking about -- but against that, Dhoni and his mates in the Indian side also need to be aware of how the fans see it.

All the statistics were against India chasing the required runs on the fifth day at the Wankhede; history was against it; the odds-makers didn't think much of the chances. And yet, if Dhoni had cared to look, and to listen, he would have found that even on that fifth day, with their team in what pundits said was a hopeless position, the fans blew away work, and turned up in their numbers.

They came because they believed in the team; they believed that it had the potential to create history, not be slave to it; they believed the team had the talent to do them proud; they believed that for their team, in home conditions with their backing, nothing was impossible.

And so they came, in their numbers, to see the impossible being made possible.

And they got what? About as uncaring a display of batting as you never want to see again -- led, ironically, by Dhoni himself. Remember that one shocking over? Where he aimed the sort of hit at an ordinary spinner that would have been discouraged even at schoolboy level, saw the fielder drop a sitter, and two deliveries later, hit the same spinner in the same stupid fashion to the same fielder?

Given that, what 'support' could the fans possibly have given the keeper-batsman, and his mates? It was not that India on that day was bowled out by brilliance; it was that they seemed to collectively shrug and go ah, the hell with it, not worth our while. It was, as the captain said, a collective abdication of reason.

And it was unfair on those fans who turned up in their numbers, and who cheered every leg bye, every no ball, every edge that went through for singles... fans who came hoping their team would fight -- not win, just fight -- and were disappointed with the callous capitulation.

So maybe Dhoni and his mates need to realize that Indian fans by and large are more patient, more forgiving, more tolerant than most. That they have stood by this team through long years, decades even, of ordinary performances, without giving up hope, without losing the faith. And they continue to stand by the team -- so maybe it is time for the team to repay that faith, that hope?

Maybe if Dhoni had, instead of finding fault with the fans, put out a statement saying he feels sorry, personally, for that act of total idiocy on the fifth day, the cheers for him would have been even louder the next time he walked out to bat?

In a word, mate -- fan support is not alms you get by begging for it; it is a gift you get for being who you are, and doing your thing with heart, and attitude.

Jealousy?

"Nothing between the ears", "They earn more in a week than I do in a year", "They think they're better than everyone else", "Cap their wages", "They make me sick", "It's all totally wrong - my son gets 25k a year to protect people in Iraq and look at these morons". Just some of the things people in England are saying about their soccer players. Also, just some of the things we like to say about our cricketers. Also, also, just some of the things people who don't have what these 'Stars' have are likely to say about the people they have turned into stars. Yes, our 'Stars' make too much money. But then, so do politicians. So do businessman. So do people in top-management. So does my boss. And so does every extraordinarily successful person; be it in sport or anywhere else. So what? Isn't that what we all aspire to make? Easy money. It's what makes the people who manage to make all these 'disgust-inducing' people 'Stars'. It's also what we make them. More on the matter.

Third-eye speak...

Apparently, Nimbus, the people who've been given the rights to cover, and uncover, everything to do with Indian cricket for the next five hundred years, now have the rights to train their slo-mo crazed cameras on the players two hours earlier than the start of every day's play. Nimbus, of course, say they will not cover anything private or juiceworthy that might embarrass the players concerned. Which only makes Third-eye wonder what the point of the whole exercise might be? After all, if we aren't going to see our players caught in compromising positions, if we're not going to see what we're not normally used to seeing, if we're not going to be given everything but pure sport to keep us glued to what is, essentially and sadly, just sport, why in God's name should we be interested? You see, in this day and age of lifestyle-meets-sport, we're really only interested in lifestyle matters. So if Nimbus has any sense and hopes to recover some of the gazillions they've shelled out to the BCCI, they'll make sure that they're roving eyes will capture a quarrel or two, a shoe being flung across the room or two and maybe even a wardrobe malfunction or three. (Now, that's something Third-eye will be most eagerly looking forward to.)

Freddie's Ring of Fire causes first-degree burns

More years ago than it is prudent to mention I had a student flat on the ground floor of a terraced house in Manchester's Withington and next door lived a beautiful smouldering-eyed girl called Gina who liked her music. The walls between our two houses were thinner than the Times cricket correspondent after his recent E coli poisoning and that meant, in the absence of anything else, this was one passion I could share with her. More from my dear, dear friend Mike Selvey. (Yep, the man who thought for a week, at least, that he was more important than Dubya!)

What is this?

While I grew up with Team India being all about batting - Gavaskar, Shastri, Azhar, Tendulkar, Dravid, and Ganguly - I never thought I'd see the bowling pick up. Then we had a short spell of batting and bowling and as a bonus FIELDING... with Kaif and Yuvy being new additions. Off late... it seems we are going back to being a "one thing at a time" team... Bowling! What is wrong with our batting line-up? OK - let's exclude Dravid and the bowlers from our batting debate...

Sachin...destroy the mantle!

I said this on air today...but the last series between india & england proved that sachin is truly mortal! And thats absolutely fine with me. Sure he's injured and maybe out of form...but some of his wickets were just given away. Don't get me wrong, I love sachin and always will as an indian...but let's just look at him for who he is!! No boo-ing!! No puja-ing!!! Just encouraging him as an indian representative...as a cricketer....as a fellow human being! Don't you think its time we take the mantle of 'GOD' and destroy it?!

Brazil

Now...i don't know why i have soft spot for Brazil but it sure helps that they have such great sporting teams & personalities!!! From the football geniuses of Pele to Ronaldinho...to F1 bright spots like Felipe Massa... I would absolutely love to see someday Brazil in cricket. Though i'd never give up my love for India in cricket...i would absolutely love to see what kind of flair Brazil would bring to the game!!
Can you just imagine samba cricket?!...now thats what i call entertaining

Hairstyles in cricket

From the groomed beard of W.G Grace to the
skunk look of Pietersen, there has always been a "hairy" personality in the world of cricket.Are the tea drinking purist dismayed at the evolution of cricketer's hairstyles?Hit me people....

Futuristic Arsenal get their concoction right

It was a dry spell for Arsenal in the English Premier League as they zoomed into the Champions League. Bagging a victory against Real Madrid and then holding them off for a draw seemed to raise the spirit of the young Gunners. And now even their EPL form seem to be on a high as they challenge Tottenham Hotspur for the fourth spot. It is thus viable to ask have Arsene Wenger’s boys finally got their concoction right? Have they finally gotten over Vieira’s move to Juventes? Are the Gunners finally moving away from being Henry-centric to a team that is capable of winning?

The current Arsenal squad is a blend of youth as well as experience. The earliest signing on the squad was made in 1995 when Dennis Bergkamp was signed in and the most recent signing was that of Emmanuel Adebayor, a forward, in 2006. The youngest players are Francesc Fabregas and Alexandre Song Billong who are 18-years-old and the oldest players are of course Dennis Bergkamp and Jens Lehman who are 36-years-old.

What is interesting to note is Arsene Wenger’s thought process – he has made at least one new signing every year since 1998. In 1998 Fredrik Ljunberg was roped in, in 1999 Thierry Henry, in 2000 we found a midfielder in Robert Pires, and in 2001 defender Sol Campbell made his appearance for Arsenal. Moving on, 2002 was Kolo Toure’s debut for the Gunners, 2003 saw Jens Lehmann (a blessing) and Philippe Senderos, 2004 added a forward and a midfielder to the concoction with Robin van Persie and Mathieu Flamini. In 2005 Wenger included three new signings with Aleksander Hleb, Alexander Song Billong and Emmanuel Eboue. While 2006, saw the promising Adebayor as the fresh face of the year.

As much as Arsenal fans and football fans in general love watching Henry at his best, the recent Charlton defeat was by far the most promising EPL game as Pires, Adebayor and Helb scored - putting up a 3-0 victory. It takes the tension off speculation that Henry might be on his way to Barcelona. As horrible as that would be, at least Arsenal fans know that “we will survive.”

I do believe this is a promising Arsenal side. The drop in form during the tee off this season was largely due to Vieira’s exit and all the new signings. Focusing on one league was probably the only way of some silverware hope this season. However, Arsenal have finally gotten their concoction right and managed to find their ground in this squad.

This season the Champions League, next season the English Premier League? I guess we will have to wait and see…

Sachin's Chagrin

After being on sabbatical for a bit, James Anderson made his comeback felt at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. He answered his nation's call, the occasion was the third and final test of the much anticipated Engalnd's tour of India.

For Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar it was another day in the park. Another test series, another bowling attack to scalp? Not this time around. The God faced so much difficulty in putting wood and leather together, it was horrifying.

After nudging a few deliveries here, and more there, Sachin went fishing. He nudged at a luscious delivery bowled by Anderson, and helped the ball rest in utter peace in the hands of Jones, the wicketkeeper.

Amidst boos and jeers the enigma walked back into the dressing room. The same man who has humbled many-a fast talking cricketers - walked back, head-down, bat tucked under his arm. Looking defeated and weary, Sachin resembled an old lion. One of those felines who now and then assist the rest in the hunting by smacking the almost dead deer with a feeble blow.

I am no authority on cricket and/or wildlife; however I am a fine judge of all things alive and kicking, a huge fan of SR Tendulkar, cricket and of course, the wildlife. I definitely do not see alive or kicking for that matter in SR Tendulkar.

As I am writing this images of Warne scratching his head in Sharjah, Shoaib breaking down in South Africa, Allan Donald with hands on hips looking disgruntled, Wasim Akram shaking his head in dismay come to mind. All these reactions to these bowling greats being humbled by Tendulkar.

The legend, like many in cricket, will go on. This is when questions arise, questions that can be answered by us, the selectors, Sachin’s workmates. But then will he himself answer them?

Is this the end? Should Sachin retire? Will he be forced to step down a la SG?

Of Cricket And Then Some

As the youngster drives the ball over the bowler's head, I stood there thinking, "How many more maestros are we (read: India) going to create? How many more class acts are we going to give birth to?" The answer is probably a smirk or a shrug that reeks of pessimism. However, I am pretty darn sure we are going to deploying many-a balls towards and over the boundaries of the world.

Crunching Numbers

10-0-113-0, 434,438,500,175,164,600. It's been a week for batsmen, statisticians and spinners. The bowlers, especially the Aussie and Protea kind, are probably pitching in to get a bowling machine and save themselves the agony.

Yes, we know both captains and certainly most of the players called the Sunday runbath "the greatest game ever"; something in which they were proud to have played a part. I, on the other hand find it hard to imagine a day, when Mick Lewis, grandchild on his lap, will lounge in front of a cackling fire and relate, misty eyed, the story of how he bowled the worst one day spell in history. My sympathies. The entire match, on the other hand, was a treat of nuclear proportions. Sadistic domination by Ponting, Gibbs, Smith and Hussey, grafting by Katich, late onslaughts by Van Der Wath and Symonds and the icing on the cherry by Mark Boucher. The ground might have been small but the memories loom large.

Closer to home, India beat the Brits rather convincingly in a truncated test match. Munaf might have hauled 7 on debut but the match belonged to that glorious monarch (not servant) of India cricket, Anil Kumble. In Bangalore, the old joke goes that when you're passing through Kumble circle on MG Road, you have to go straight on, even if your indicator proves otherwise. If bowling straight gets you 500 test wickets, please tell me where I can sign up. A deep bow of gratitude from a humble fan of cricket.

Due East of Mohali, a different ilk of spinner operated his way to the 600 mark. Bangladesh (although spirited) might not be the best place for a 600th wicket tour but the smiling assassin will take it, eyes aglint and googling. The race is on with Warny and we get to watch it in our lifetime. Lucky huh?

So while statisticians crunch their numbers and record books are rewritten, all us cricket fanatics can catch a wink of sleep before the Aus/SA, Ind/Eng battles capture our imaginations and fuel our dreams.
(Cartoon by Dundee)

Lagi Bet # 1

The Maha Punter from Madras decrees that the Mumbai match will be a draw. And India will win the England series 1-0. Lagi bet?