vidya

Food for thought

2008-03-26T04:38:00.000-07:00

From Cricinfo:)

http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/current/story/343780.html

If you count a batsman's runs only when his team won the game, who has scored the most runs in Tests? asked Srikanth from the United States

The top six names on this list are all Australians. Leading the way is Ricky Ponting, who has scored 7112 runs in 82 Test wins. He recently took the record from Steve Waugh, who made 6460 runs in matches Australia won. Then come Matthew Hayden (6052), Justin Langer (5229), Don Bradman (4813) and Mark Waugh (4794). The leading non-Aussie is Inzamam-ul-Haq, who scored 4690 runs in Tests that Pakistan won.

Am very happy!!!!!

The Aussie way!!

2007-05-06T09:45:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to list down the nick name(s) of few aussies that am aware of! Will update the list as and when I can...Will be happy if I could get some of the other aussie fans to assist me too:)
Here ya go!!!!!!
Let me start with Tugga - moi role model:)))
Steven waugh-Tugga
Justin Langer- Alfie
Mat Hayden- Hulk
Ponting-Punter
Martyn-Marto
Symonds-Roy
Gilchrist-Gilly or Churchy
McGrath-Pigeon
Michael Clarke-Pup
Brett lee- Binger (Binga)
Warney-Hollywood
Mark Waugh-Junior
Mike Hussey-Huss or Mr Cricket
James Hopes-Catfish
Michael Bevan-Terminator (need to check this)

Signing off for now,
Cheers,
Vidya

Understanding LIFE!!!!

2006-11-25T06:09:00.000-08:00

Again from a forward...but worth it!!!

ONE MESSAGE THAT INSPIRED ME A LOT!!ONE PARAGRAPH THAT EXPLAINS LIFE!!

Arthur Ashe, the legendary Wimbledon player was dying of AIDS. Which he got due to infected blood he received during a heart surgery in 1983. From world over, he received Letters from his fans, one of which conveyed: "Why does GOD have to select you for such a bad disease" ? To this Arthur Ashe replied: The world over -- 5 crore children start playing tennis, 50 lac learn to play tennis, 5 lac learn professional tennis, 50,000 come to the circuit, 5000 reach the grand slam, 50 reach Wimbledon, 4 to semi final, 2 to the finals, When I was holding a cup I never asked GOD "Why me?” And today in pain I Should not be asking GOD "Why me?" Happiness keeps u Sweet, Trials keep u Strong, and Sorrow keeps u Human... SO....................Always Keep "SMILING"

Best Cricket Sledges

2006-06-21T09:16:00.000-07:00

Its been a long time since I posted a blog on cricket. Well this is again from a forward that I got, but really interesting to all cricket fans, though a lengthy one...Here you go!

History of sledging

Sledging has always been a part of cricket.Even the great WG Grace did it. Once in an exhitbition match given
out leg-before, he refused to walk and told the umpire: "They came to watch me bat, not you bowl". And the innings continued.

Grace's ability to stand his ground would have done Sunil Gavaskar proud. Once, when the ball knocked off a bail, he replaced it and told the umpire: "Twas the wind which took thy bail orf, good sir."
The umpire replied: "Indeed, doctor, and let us hope thy wind helps the good doctor on thy journey back to the pavilion."

The best WG Grace sledge was on him, though, not from him. Charles Kortright had dismissed him four or five times in a county game - only for the umpires to keep turning down his appeals. Finally, he uprooted two of Grace's three stumps. Grace stalled, as though waiting for a no-ball call or something, before reluctantly walking off with Kortright's words in his ears: "Surely you're not going, doctor? There's still one stump standing."

The Prasad Vs Sohail Incident : Hero to Zero in 3 easy steps
Chasing India's score of 287-8, pakistan got off to a flyer of a start, Amir Sohail and Saeed Anwar went about tearing the Indian bowling attack. Pakistan looked all set to win as they reached 110 odd for the loss of just 1 wicket within the 15 overs.
1. Play a Great Shot: Amir Sohail was completely bent on demolishing the Indian bowling to pieces, charging down the track to the faster bowlers (if u can call Prasad that) in this particular case he came down the ground (a good 4-5 steps, anymore and he would have hit Prasad too) and slashed the bowl over vacant off side area... the ball disappeared into the fence in a flash ... what followed has since been etched in the memories of every cricket fan in the subcontinent.
2. Act Oversmart: Amir Sohail is no Miandad. But he tries to be,and fails miserably. Sohail after hitting the shot pointed his bat the area where the bowl had disappeared and then towards Prasad apparently gesturing where he will send the next one.
Its not everyday that you see a batsman sledging the bowler, and Sohail was about to learn just why.
3. Get what you called for: Sohail attempting to repeat the shot (albeit with his feet stuck to the ground this time) made room and exposed his stumps, and his weakness, and in return lost his wicket and his face.
As the wicket lay uprooted, Prasad returned the favour to Sohail, pointing to the pavilion this time.

The comeback was truly remarkable, almost a miracle .... Prasad has bowled thousands of deliveries and taken hundereds of wickets in his career but, it was this one granted him a place in the History of Indian Cricket .. for ever... the ghost of Miandad's last ball six was exorcised, once and for all.
You can also watch the video of the incident.
Steve Waugh Vs Curtly Ambrose Episode.
It really does not get any bigger than this, the two legends of cricket came face to face, literally and engrossed in a verbal duel in a test match in Trinidad. All the juicy details were not to be known until Steve Waugh came out with his autobiography.

Ambrose repeatedly stared Waugh down during a searing spell, and Waugh, who sized up the towering Ambrose, said: "What the f*ck are you looking at? "
Ambrose was stunned because, as Waugh says (in his Autobiography), "no one had ever been stupid enough" to speak to him like that.
Ambrose replied, "Don't cuss me, man", before Waugh's response, which had nothing to do with bowling.
"Unfortunately, nothing inventive or witty came to mind, rather another piece of personal abuse: 'Why don't you go and get f*cked.' "
The Windies skipper Richie Richardson had a hard time keeping Ambrose from hurting the Aussie.
McGrath Vs Brandes

In a showdown of best pacers of two countries, Brandes made up for his complete absence of batting skills by some displaying some great sense of humor and presence of mind.
Aussie paceman Glenn McGrath was bowling to Zimbabwe number 11 Eddo Brandes - who was unable to get his bat anywhere near the ball. McGrath, frustrated that Brandes was still at the crease, wandered up during one particular over and inquired: "Why are you so fat?"
Quick as a flash, Brandes replied: "Because every time I make love to your wife, she gives me a biscuit."
Even the Aussie slip fielders were in hysterics.
Viv Richards v Greg Thomas
This incident took place during a county championship match between Glamorgan and Somerset.
Glamorgan quickie Greg Thomas had beaten Viv Richards' bat a couple of times and informed the legendary West Indian ace: "It's red, round and weighs about five ounces, in case you were wondering."
The very next ball was given the King Viv treament and smashed out of the ground, into a river - at which point Richards piped up: "Greg, you know what it looks like. Now go and find it."
Merv Hughes and Viv Richards:
Merv Hughes usually never short of a word while on the field, rarely keeps quite. During a test match in the West Indies Hughes didn't say a word to Viv, but continued to stare at him after deliveries. "This is my island, my culture. Don't you be staring at me. In my culture we just bowl." Merv didn't reply, but after he dismissed him he announced to the batsman: "In my culture we just say f*ck off."

Sachin Tendulkar Vs Abdul Qadir
The year was 1989, the little master had recently made his debut in Pakistan.Sachin not even old enough to get a driving licence Sachin Tendulkar was facing the best bowlers in the business. As the Pakistani crows jeered and mocked Sachin holding out the placards saying ""Dudh Pita Bhachcha ..ghar jaake dhoodh pee", (hey kid, go home and drink milk), Sachin sent the then young leg spinner Mustaq Ahmed hiding for cover (he had hit two sixes in one over. The frustaded mentor of Mustaq Ahmed the legendary Abdul Qadir challenges Sachin saying "Bachchon ko kyon mar rahe ho? Hamein bhi maar dikhao` (`Why are you hitting kids? Try and hit me.`).
Sachin was silent, since then we all have come to know that he lets his bat do the talking. Abdul Quadir had made a simple request and Sachin obliged, and how. Sachin hit 4 sixes in the over, making the spinner look the kid in the contest. The over read 6, 0, 4, 6 6 6, David had felled Goliath ... and a legend was born.
Ian Healy Vs RANatunga
Ian Healy's made a legendary comment which was picked up by the Channel 9 microphones when Arjuna Ranatunga called for a runner on a particularly hot night during a one dayer in Sydney... "You don't get a runner for being an overweight, unfit, fat c*nt!"
McGrath to Ramnaresh Sarwan:
Sarwan, the West Indies vice-captain, and McGrath went toe-to-toe in an ugly shouting match in Antigua in May 2003, The incident was sparked after Sarwan, on his way to a match-winning second-innings century, reportedly reacted to lurid taunts from McGrath by telling him he should get the answers from his wife, who was recovering from radiation therapy for secondary cancer. The details :

McGrath: "So what does Brian Lara's d*ck taste like?"
Sarwan: "I don't know. Ask your wife."
McGrath (losing it): "If you ever F*&king mention my wife again, I'll F*cking rip your F*fing throat out."
Mark Waugh Vs Adam Parore
Mark Waugh was standing at second slip, Adam Parore relatively new to cricket came to the crease played & missed the first ball.
Mark Waugh- "Ohh, I remember you from a couple years ago in Australia. You were sh*t then, you're fu*king useless now".
Parore- (Turning around) "Yeah, that's me & when I was there you were going out with that old, ugly sl*t & now I hear you've married her. You dumb c*nt".
Ravi shastri v/s Mike Whitney:
Its common knowledge that Indian's usually don't resort to sledging, and the Aussies swear by it. In this rare ocassion the tables had turned and it was the Aussies who were at the receiving end.
Shastri hits the ball towards Mike Whitney (the 12th man in the game) and looks for a single, this guy gets the ball in and says
Whitney: "If you leave the crease i’ll break your f***ing head"
Shastri didn't bat an eyelid before replying : "If you could bat as well as you can talk you wouldn't be the f***ing 12th man"
Merv Hughes Vs Cronje
Merv Hughes was one of the greatest exponents of the fine "art" of sledging. Once during a tour game in South Africa Hughes was bowling to Hansie Cronje . It was an especially flat wicket and Cronje was hitting Hughes for fours and sixes all over the place.
After the umpteenth boundary, Hughes headed down the pitch, stood near Cronje, let out a fart and said: "Try hitting that for six." It was five minutes before the guffawing stopped and play could resume.
Robin Smith and Merv Hughes
During 1989 Lords Test, Merv Hughes said to Robin Smith after he played and missed: "You can't f*cking bat".
Simth replied, both with the bat and with words, he smashed Hughes to the boundry and said "Hey Merv, we make a fine pair. I can't f*cking bat and you can't f*cking bowl."
Team mates Sledging :S
England were playing Pakistan and, at what turned out to be a crucial moment later on, Frank Tyson managed to get an outside edge off a Pakistani batsman after the batsman had been frustrating them on a hot sweaty day. The ball went right through the hands of Raman Subba Rao who was standing in first slip and through his legs. After the over Raman heads over to the bowler and says, "Sorry Frank, I should've closed my legs." Frank Tyson, who didn't find any of this amusing, quipped back, "No, you bastard, your mother should have."
Ian Healy Vs a Short chubby batsman:
In one of the tour matches in South Africa, Australia played Hansie Cronje's province. Cronje was at the non strikers end, there was a short chubby batsman on strike.
Ian Healy yelled to Warne, "Bowl a Mars Bar half way down...We'll get him stumped"
The Aussies and Cronje were all in hysterics, all this was before a classic reply from the batsman.
The exact words: "Nah, Boonie (David Boon) fielding at short leg will be onto it before I can move."
Miandad Vs Lillee: The 'brats' clash:

Miandad played Lillee to square leg and completed an easy run, with a collision taking place in the center. According to Miandad, Lillee had tried to block him in the path. After a verbal exchange, Lillee went ahead and kicked Miandad on his pads. Miandad, started charging towards Lillee with his bat lifted high above the head, as if to hit him. The umpire’s intervention prevented what could have turned out to be a real assault had Miandad gone head with his plans. However, the picture of Miandad hurling his bat at Lillee made the whole incident look even worse, and was promptly declared as the most indignified incident in the history of Cricket.
Lillee’s version, to this day, had Miandad first hitting him with the bat, and then swearing at him. He maintained that there was no contact from his side throughout the incident.
Note: The author is awsare if the fact that this incident has nothing to do with sledging, but found the temptation of mentioning the episode was too hard to resist.
The Frog Jumping incident, 1992 India Vs Pakistan: India vs Pakistan matches are always a treat to watch, and if its the World Cup its stakes are even greater. Javed Miandad, the Bad boy of cricket, at the receiving end for once. Miffed by the verbals from Kiran More, he complains “Insaan khel rahe hain janwaar nahin” (Human beings are playing not animals). And after a sharp run out chance, where Miandad closely survives Miandad starts jumping up and down, face distorted imitating Kiran More’s appealing. A sight to behold. Pure comedy. Pakistan loses the match but go on to win the cup.
'I did it instinctively', Miandad later told. He added, 'Hey, is this the way you appeal for everything? Don't appeal like that'. You can also watch the video of the incident.
Dropped the Cup?
Perhaps the most famous sledge in a World Cup match took place the epic Super Six clash between Australia

and South Africa (in 2003). South Africa looked on course to a routine victory with Australian captain Steve Waugh at the crease and on 56. At that stage, Waugh clipped the ball in the air straight to South African fielder Herschelle Gibbs. In his haste, Gibbs dropped the ball when attempting to throw it in the air in celebration as he had not fully controlled it. As he passed him, Waugh is said to have asked Gibbs: "How does it feel to have dropped the World Cup?". Waugh carried on to make an unbeaten 120 and Australia posted an unlikely win and won the World Cup a few days later.
Waugh has however denied that quote, instead claiming that he said "looks like you've dropped the match".
Hughes Vs Miandad
The inimitable Merv Hughes has forgotten more about sledging than most people will ever know, so he was more than a little miffed to be on the receiving end in the 1991 Adelaide Test against Pakistan. Hughes and Javed Miandad almost came to blows after the Pakistani batsman dared to call big Merv a "fat bus conductor". But revenge was sweet for Hughes. A few balls later he finally got his man and as Miandad walked past, he could not resist shouting "Tickets, please!"
Dennis Lillee Vs Sunil Gavaskar
Dennis Lillee and Sunil Gavaskar, were involved in a war of words in the 3rd Test, MCG, February 1981. A historic win for India in that Test would definitely not have taken place had Sunil Gavaskar not calmed down. He clashed with Australian
fast bowler Dennis Lillee, who Gavaskar claims abused him after claiming his wicket and the Indian captain asked non-striker Chetan Chauhan to walk off the field, forfeiting the match. Gavaskar was batting on 70 when Lillee appealed for a leg before decision. Gavaskar showed his bat to the umpire, indicating he had ‘nicked’ the ball before it hit his pads. Angry words were exchanged between the batsman and the bowler, and Lillee even went to the extent of pointing to the batsman the spot where the ball had his pads. The decision went in favour of the bowler and as Gavaskar started his long, dejected walk back to the pavilion, Lillee turned around and abused him. That was it. Gavaskar snapped, and decided to forfeit the match.
Later, Gavaskar was to write in his book ‘Idols’: “That (the walkout) was the most regrettable incidents of my life. Whatever may be the provocation and whatever the reason, there was no justification for my action and I realize now that I did not behave the way a captain and sportsman should.”
Flintoff Vs Tino Best
Best, never short of a word or two when he is bowling, was done up like a kipper by the England all-rounder as West Indies slumped to defeat in the first Test. Flintoff saw his opponent preparing to face Giles' off-spin and shouted: "Watch the windows, Tino!" The wind-up had the desired effect, causing Best to come charging out of his crease like a man possessed. He took a wild swing at the ball, missed and was promptly stumped by Geraint Jones. Not a broken window in sight. Flintoff could not contain himself and spent the next five minutes giggling like a teenager, as Best sat on the balcony rueing his stupidity.
Viv Richards to Gavaskar:
Gavaskar had decided to relinquish his opening position and come in at no 4 for that test. But, Malcolm Marshall fired out Anshuman Gaekwad and Dilip Vengsarkar for ducks, setting the stage for Gavaskar to walk in at 0/2.And he thought there would be less pressure! Viv Richards says "Man, it don't matter where you come in to bat, the score is still zero."
Steve Waugh and Parthiv Patel

Amidst all the hype surrounding his farewell match, Steve Waugh had to contend with an unexpected dose of his own medicine from a player half his age.
As Waugh fought a grim battle to stave off defeat in the series-deciding fourth Test in Sydney, 19 year-old Indian wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel tried to unsettle the veteran batsman through some banter.
The baby-faced Patel egged on the 38 year-old stalwart to play one of his sweep shots one last time.
The India 'keeper was saying, 'Come on, just one more of the famous slog-sweeps before you finish'
Waugh replied: 'Look, show a bit of respect. You were in nappies when I debuted 18 years ago'.
Rod Marsh and Ian Botham:
When Botham took guard in a Ashes match, Marsh welcomed him to the wicket with the immortal words: "So how's your wife and my kids?"

Trueman and Aussie batsman
In an England v Australia Test during early 1960's Trueman was fielding close to the gate from the pavilion. As a new batsman came out he turned to shut the gate, Trueman said "Don't bother son, you won't be out there long enough."
Daryll Cullinan and Shane Warne.
As Cullinan was on his way to the wicket, Warne told him he had been waiting 2 years for another chance to humiliate him. "Looks like you spent it eating," Cullinan retorted.
Adam Parore and Daryll Cullinan
Because Cullinan is well known for being Warne's bunny, New Zealand keeper Parore greeted the South African, carefully playing the first ball from kiwi Chris Harris, with a cry of: "Bowled Warnie!"

Malcolm Marshall and David Boon
Malcolm Marshall was bowling to David Boon who had played and missed a couple of times. Marshall: "Now David, Are you going to get out now or am I going to have to bowl around the wicket and kill you?"
James Ormond and Mark Waugh
James Ormond had just come out to bat on an ashes tour and was greeted by MarkWaugh……..
Mark : “F*ck me, look who it is. Mate, what are you doing out here, there’s no way you’re good enough to play for England”
James: “Maybe not, but at least i’m the best player in my family”

Waugh Vs Jamie Siddons
In a Sheffield Shield game between NSW and SA, a Waugh twin (not sure which) was taking an enternity to take guard, asking the umpire for centre, middle and leg, two legs - the whole lot. Then he steps away towards leg side and has another look around the field, before re checking centre.
Jamie Siddons is at slip, and decided enough is enough. He yells out."For christ sake, it's not a 'f*cken test match."
Waugh replies: "Of course it isn't ... You're here."

Mother (in law) of all sledges:
In the 1980's Ian Botham returned early from a tour of Pakistan, and on radio joked "Pakistan is the sort of country to send your mother in-law to." Needless to say the Pakistanis did not find this amusing, and when Pakistan defeated England in the 1992 World Cup Final, Aamer Sohail told Ian Botham "Why don't you send your mother-in-law out to play, she cannot do much worse."

Barmy Army Vs Shane Warne
England's "Barmy Army" recently decided to sledge leg spinner Shane Warne musically, and it has been described as boorishly personal, but effective.
The sledge was based on Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep - the "Where's your poppa gone?" Song. It has been converted to "Where's your missus gone?" (Warne had recently been divorced ith ife)
Special Mention:
Inzamam-ul-Haq once told Brett Lee to "stop bowling off spinners".
In the recent Karachi Test when Irfan Pathan came to bat in 2nd Innings Afridi shouted two times " O mera Shehzada aaya ! " (Oh! my prince has come)

Hope you enjoyed it. Signing off-Vidya

Interesting links

2006-05-04T22:59:00.000-07:00

Here is an interesting link to know more about cricket trivia...

http://in.rediff.com/cricket/2006/may/03rajneesh.htm
http://in.rediff.com/cricket/2005/dec/29rajneesh.htm

By clicking those links, you can get access to so many questions!!!pretty interesting...try answering them in ur free time...

Time for some male bashing

2006-05-04T00:19:00.000-07:00

I couldnt find time to WRITE a blog..I thought I could use atleast something that I got as a forward:))..Here you go!!!

Q: What is the difference between men and puppies?
A: Puppies grow up.

Q: Why do men always have a stupid look on their faces?
A: Because they are...

Q: What do men have in common with ceramic tiles?
A: Fix them properly once and you can walk all over them
forever.

Q: What did God say after he created man?
A: I can do better than this! And then he created woman!!!.

Q: What are the two reasons why men don't mind their own
Business?
A: i) no mind ii) no business

Q: Why did Moses wander in the desert for 40 years?
A: Because even then men wouldn't ask for directions.

Q: What is the difference between men and pigs?
A: Pigs don't turn into men when they drink...

Q: What do you do with men who think he's God's gift?
A: Exchange him!!!

Q: Why do men like smart women?
A: Opposites attract.

NOW THE BEST ONE

Q: What makes men chase women they have no intention of
marrying?
A: The same urge that makes dogs chase vehicles they have no
intention of driving.

Hope u enjoyed reading this...signing off for now...

Ten Commandments of Marriage

2006-03-29T22:10:00.000-08:00

Probably old but refreshing

Commandment 1
Marriages are made in heaven. But so are thunder and lightning.

Commandment 2
If you want your wife to listen and pay strict attention to every
word you say; talk in your sleep.

Commandment 3
Marriage is grand -- and divorce is at least 100 grand!

Commandment 4
Married life is very frustrating. In the first year of marriage, the man speaks and the woman listens. In the second year,
the woman speaks and the man listens. In the third year, they both speak and the neighbors listen.

Commandment 5
When a man opens the door of his car for his wife, you can be sure of one thing: Either the car is new or the wife is.

Commandment 6
Marriage is when a man and woman become as one. The trouble starts when they try to decide which one.

Commandment 7
Before marriage, a man will lie awake all night thinking about something you say. After marriage, he will fall asleep before you finish.

Commandment 8
Every man wants a wife who is beautiful, understanding, economical, and a good cook. But the law allows only one wife.

Commandment 9
Marriage and love are purely matter of chemistry. That is why wives treat husbands like toxic waste.

Commandment 10
A man is incomplete until he is married. After that, he is finished

Laws Applicable to all Human Residents of Earth

2006-03-29T21:55:00.000-08:00

1. Lorenz's Law of Mechanical Repair:

After your hands become coated with grease, your
nose will begin to itch.

2. Anthony's Law of the Workshop:

Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least
accessible corner.

3. Kovac's Conundrum:

When you dial a wrong number, you never get an
engaged one.

4. Cannon's Karmic Law:

If you tell the boss you were late for work because
you had a flat tyre, the next morning you will have
a flat tyre.

5. O'brien's Variation Law:

If you change queues, the one you have left will
start to move faster than the one you are in now.

6. Bell's Theorem

When the body is immersed in water, the telephone
rings.

7. Ruby's Principle of Close Encounters

The probability of meeting someone you know
increases when you are with someone you don't want
to be seen with.

8. Willoughby's Law

When you try to prove to someone that a machine
won't work, it will.

9. Zadra's Law of Biomechanics

The severity of the itch is inversely proportional
to the reach.

10. Breda's Rule

At any event, the people whose seats are furthest
from the aisle arrive last.

11. Owen's Law

As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your
boss will ask you to do something, which will last
until the coffee is cold.

12. Howden's Law

You remember you have to mail a letter only when
you're near the mailbox.

13. Gentlemen's Law

When you see a beautiful young hot girl, either she
is married or you are married.

Thats it for now!!!!!!!!!

Few more Quotes

2005-11-28T14:56:00.000-08:00

Here you go:
1. Desire is greater than its capabilities
2. Mind is a terrible thing to waste
3. Never follow standards, Define them!
4. I am not here by chance but by choice
5. Some people are destined to be successful, but most of them are determined to be successful.
6. Deal with realities, and not perception.
7. When something is written without effort is in general read without pleasure-Samuel Johnson
8. God gave you two ears and one mouth-May be he had something in mind.
9. Ask less and thank more!!!!!!!
Thats it for now....

LIFE-How to define it?

2005-09-11T22:58:00.000-07:00

If you could call this poetry, well and good, but I just felt like writing this......

If,
Life is not education,
Life is not work,
Life is not a game,
Life is not a challenge,
Life is not a storm,
Life is not money,
Life is not a bed full of roses,
Life is not beautiful,
Life is not a journey,
Life is not a play,
Then
I ask you truly my friend, What is the definition of "LIFE"?

The Fight for the Urn continues as England takes over Australia today at the Oval

2005-09-08T01:34:00.000-07:00

Finally a team has emerged and has all the capabilities for it to be on top of the world to match the once invincible “Aussies”. Full credit to Michael Vaughan and his men for such an astonishing series and every match was down to the wire and I wish they don’t play the final test for a draw.

The 5th and final test between England and Australia begins today at the Oval. It has definitely been the best series played this year and we will have to wait and see whether England takes the ashes or the Aussies win this match and retain it.

Australia has been holding the ashes since 1989 for 16 long years and no other team in the world has been as dominant as the Aussies for the past decade or so. However, things have changed and this is the only time we are witnessing a tough competition, after the Aussies lost to India in 2001 which they claim to be the best test series ever played in the history of the game. Here is the England team that has all the ingredients in it to become the best team in the world and that could match and threaten the world champions. It will be good to see how the Aussies face this challenge and pressure if England takes the ashes.

It has been a long time since one witnessed swing bowling in test cricket, for it’s the most potent weapon in any form of cricket. The art of swing bowling has long been forgotten since the day Waqar and Akram retired. The current trend is more towards bowling fast and there has not been much emphasis on swing. Today it’s all about hitting the deck at 90+mph and everybody is trying to do that. As Bob Simpson said, one must try to nurture and hone one’s natural skills instead of emulating some great bowler. John Wright met Bob Simpson before India’s tour to Australia and wanted to know what strategy to adopt to beat Australia in Australia. Simpson’s advice was that India should pick Ajit Agarkar who was a swing bowler and infact he did trouble the Aussies that series. Simon Jones has certainly done most of the damage in this series with his controlled swing bowling and it will be a great loss for England in the fifth and final test without him.

No doubt, England has outplayed Australia in all departments and there are a few things that I feel was responsible for the downfall of the Aussies and let me brief them here.

One of the main reasons why Aussies didn’t fare well in this series is mainly due to their inability to handle swing bowling, be it the new ball or the old ball. However, it is tough for any team to handle swing bowling and the pace trio in Harmison (harmo), Flintoff (Freddie) and Simon Jones have consistently troubled the strong batting line-up of the world champs. Simon Jones’s extraordinary ability to swing the old ball has done good to his side and has kept the aussies guessing while Flintoff has been consistently troubling Gilly who has fallen prey to him time and again this series. This shows that England has done a great deal of homework and they are mentally prepared to challenge the world champs and take that number one spot and be on top. All said and done, Ponting was unhappy over the fact that England used the substitutes frequently to ensure that their quick’s rested more in between overs and this is an important point to be noted.

More importantly the Aussies have not learned from their mistakes. They have been bowling too many no-balls and they lacked control. They certainly need to look into it and overcome that if they were to win the final test.

Langer has been out so many times at short leg and still he hasn’t rectified the mistake as his toes always point towards point before he positions himself to play the ball and this mistake was rightly pointed out by Simpson. Hayden has been too arrogant despite his bad run and form and Martyn is always stuck in the crease without playing fully forward or backward. It’s high time that the Aussies realize their mistakes and they need to step down from their arrogance and pride if they were to win the final test and retain the ashes.

Shane Warne has given his best despite losing his family and it is really surprising that he averages highest with 33 and odd with the bat and has certainly the best bowling figures and average with the highest number of wickets (28). Glenn McGrath who as usual said so much before the ashes started, sadly had to miss 2 out of the 4 tests played due to ankle and elbow injuries has finally soothed his ego and has given credit to the English bowlers who have really outplayed them. However, McGrath has promised to deliver his best and is confident that the Aussies will retain the ashes.

Finally, the game is bigger than anyone and my mind says it’s gonna be England but my heart says and will always say it’s the Aussies. Let’s see who lifts the Urn!!!!!!!!

Quotes- Part 3

2005-08-30T02:05:00.000-07:00

Here u go!!!!!!!!Some more that I could think of...These are some thought provoking moments,

1. "Dont be afraid to talk to yourself. Its the only way you can be sure somebody's listening"
2. "Every life has a measure of sorrow, and sometimes this is what awakens us"
3. "Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want"
4. "For every minute you are angry, you lose 60 seconds of happiness"
5. "If everybody thought before they spoke, the silence would be deafening"
6. "Strong reasons make strong actions"
7. "Tears are the summer showers to the soul"
8. "When choosing between two evils, I always like to try the one Ive never tried before"
9. "If the weather were to worry about criticism, then there wouldnt be rain or thunder or sunshine"
10. "There is nothing right in the left part of the brain, and nothing left in the right part of the brain"

Quotes-Part 2

2005-08-27T10:26:00.000-07:00

"Work is Worship"
I was stuck with a tough deadline and I just didnt have enough time to blog. I want to make sure that I post atleast one blog a month. This blog is going to be the continuation of quotes that was posted in my previous blog. Again, I didnt have much to think and write. Let me recollect and put them as and when I find time....Here we go,

1.) "Success should never get to your head, and Failure should never get to your heart"
2.) "There is no gain without pain"
3.) "Procrastination is the mother of all screw-ups"
4.) Let me include this....its a good one....Murphy's law on Sex..."Dont do it, if you cant keep it up"
Thats all for now. Will post, once I find time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Few quotes that i thought might be useful-Part 1

2005-07-31T10:31:00.000-07:00

These are some of the quotes that I feel is important and there are much more.....These are some that I could think of for the moment....lets start!!!!!!!!!

1. Some people are successful because they are destined to, but most people are successful because they are determined to....

2. Wise men talk because they have something to say, but fools talk because they need to say something...

3. You dont love a girl because she is beautiful, but she is beautiful because you love her.

4. A rising tide will lift all the boats

5. There is more success in failure.

6. When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.

7. If you fail to plan, you have planned to fail.

8. This is my favourite quote from Steve waugh who is my inspiration!!!!!!!!!!!!

" When you don't stand for something, You will fall for everything"

These are some of the quotes that I felt should be posted and there are still some more. Once I recollect them, will post them soon....bye for now

Gilly the most destructive batsman on earth

2005-06-30T01:54:00.000-07:00

It has been a long time since i blogged simply because I have run out of topics to write about and todayI thought I could write something about the destructive Adam Gilchrist (Gilly).

I just love the Australian team and Gilly is one of the main reasons why I like Australia. Recently, there was a poll carried out by the wisden cricketer magazine on the most feared batsman in the game and about 20 international bowlers were interviewed and this included Brett Lee, Bhajju, Muralidharan and others. I was really more than happy to note that Gilly headed the list.

The way he plays is amazing and his attitude and approach to the game is worth mentioning. His timing is really sweet and be it the cut or the pull or the sweep, it is certainly a delight to watch him execute them. He treats the bowlers with disdain and has no contempt whatsoever and if we take players in his league like Sehwag, Jayasuriya, Cairns, Klusener, Gayle, I dont think anybody else is as consistent and as destructive as Gilly. He has won matches for Australia single handedly and seldom did they lose when he had taken them off to a flier. He is that sort of a player who can change the course of the match in just a few overs.

He is infact the only wicketkeeper in Australia to have captained both the test and one day teams.Not to forget he started the "Walking Syndrome" which has been forgotten for quite some years in the game of cricket and I can only think of Brian Lara doing it and that too in patches. Steve Waugh never believes in walking and has never walked. Of course, it is upto the cricketers to follow gilly's principle of walking and the good thing here is that is he never insists others to walk. He has set a wonderful example and a perfect benchmark and not many will have the nerve to walk in a World Cup Semi-final match as he did.

I enjoy watching him bat and it will be a huge setback for Australia when he retires and it is going to be the toughest task for the Australian selectors to replace a player of his calibre. He will definitely have a place (of course the opening slot) in the All time XI. I also feel that the manner and the spirit in which Gilly plays the game, makes him one of the world's most exciting, popular and destructive cricketers.

Lets wait and watch Gilly's bat do the talking and he is for sure gonna kick ass in the Ashes. Long live the great man.......

Do you want to support this overpaid underachievers?

2005-03-25T00:59:00.000-08:00

I guess you people understand who and what I am talking about? Yes I am certainly talking about the Indian cricket team. I had been an ardent supporter of this team right from my childhood purely because I was an Indian. The team hasnt done much after they lifted the 1983 World cup and the 1985 World championship in Australia. Of course we also talk about the Sharjah cup finals in 98 and I doubt whether sachin will be able to produce such an innings. Apart from these victories we dont have much to think about or there is little that has left an impact on us. Literally as an Indian Ive been supporting each and every match they played and at one point I realised that they were playing for individual glory and they cared least about the team or the nation. I started hating the Indian cricket team and definitely not our country.
I am sorry I have to blame the Master blaster when it comes to individual glory and records. Please do let me know how many series's he has won for our country.The motto seems to be "Self before team". The third test match which ended yesterday was atrocious. Pakistan never won but India lost, so to say. We also have a Captain who doesnt score runs at all and he is in the side to lead only. Despite the performance of Anil Kumble in this series, I was shocked to see him left out of the one-day side today. Here is a unique selection process where we pick a captain and then choose the 10 players around him unlike choosing the 11 and selecting the captain from it. Any new comer who gets into the side has to perform in only one match. After that, he need not play cricket for the rest of his life as he has contracts, endorsements, adverstisements and many other avenues to earn money. So why would a player play for his country and inspite of all this the government gives them a job.
Take the case of Partiv Patel who started as a promising wicket keeper who is now left in the dark. He has a house in Ambi-valley for his marvellous wicket-keeping skills. Too much publicity will make sure that one fails and success should never get to your head as it has always been the case with Indian players atleast. Another example I would like to tell here is Vinod Kambli. Despite knowing all this we end up in supporting these players who doesnt bother about their country. Without giving serious thought to the matches played, we say that India will win and this is purely bias. Players in India doesnt have the fear of failure and if they perform in one match, the captain ensures that he plays for another 10 matches atleast. The policies have to change and the contract system should be followed as they do in Australia and every player must be given the same match fee.
Today we talk about India had an excellent tour when we were in Australia. We won one test match after years and we drew the series which we ve been doing for years.But did we win any series abroad?Leave alone the sub-continent tours. Winning a match abroad is not our concern and it is about winning the series?It is not about winning battles, it is eventually about winning the war. So when will our beloved Indian cricketers do that? Today the public is doing pooja's for India doing well in the world cup. They dont bother about their family and they dont do this pooja for their sons to do well in examinations.Madness to the core. Good that sania mirza has drawn our attention towards tennis for the moment and hope she continues to do well. Here again, the hype should not lead to her downfall. Its time that the government starts sponsoring and encouraging talents to do well in other sports also. That doesnt mean one has to sponsor Ajith kumar for his racing interests. But a player like Joshna Chinnappa(really talented) should not run out of sponsors or funds.Its high time that we start thinking...
Do you really feel our men in blues must be paid so much for doing so little...Think about these overpaid underachievers....