Bucknor’s defence: Rahul Dravid was Leg before wicket. Did not ball flick the pad? And where did I say he was caught behind by Gilchrist? Why make fuss about something which never happened?
Benson’s defence of Ganguly’s dismissal: I did not refer Ganguly’s decision to Bucknor because I trust Ponting more!
Ponting’s defence of Clarke: Clarke is the future captain of Australia. If he does not follow my footsteps, whose footsteps he will?
Bhajji’s defence: When Symonds asked me if there are snake charmers in India, I was just inquiring Symonds if you have watched the movie ‘’Snake in the Monkey’s shadow.’’
Sachin on Bhajji’s outburst to match refree: I did not hear anything. Sunny Sir always advised me to concentrate only on Cricket
Gilchrist on Indian fans still claiming a moral victory out of the match, and expressing outrage at the umpiring: Take a Walk mate.
Speed: Honey, these umpires are my bunny!
Monday, January 7, 2008
Unusual defence
Friday, January 4, 2008
India leading by THREE HUNDRED RUNS at Sydney!
(And the need for CHALLENGES as in Tennis)
Wishful thinking, but just imagine, India holding a lead of 300 plus at this stage rather than of just 69 after the first innings. The match then would have been settled for all practical purposes in favour of India.
Despite such tremendous batting performances by Dravid, Laxman, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Harbhajan, RP and even rookie Ishant, there is a distinct possibility that India could still be under pressure in the final two sessions on the fifth day at Sydney. Though one hopes not with Australia in unfamiliar terrain of being forced to do all the chasing.
In that case, India will only have to blame the injustice meted out on the 1st day – the happenings actually beyond their control. They deserve the highest accolades for coming out of it in such a style and fighting so gallantly to win the first innings exchanges in a tremendous battle. Did not the situation seem hopeless by lunchtime on the 2nd day, with almost everybody expecting another dismal show by a demoralized batting lineup.
Now to ensure fair play, the absence of which could still deny India a win, there were some good suggestions on NDTV and Headlines Today two days back, when Navjot Sidhu, Kapil Dev and Arun Lal had advocated the inclusion of challenges, like in Tennis.
Those challenges would have ensured that the clear nicks of Ponting and Symonds could have been referred to the third Umpire, resulting in sure dismissals due to snickometer.
This inclusion will be controversial for sure. Even in tennis top players like Federer are usually opposed to challenges while lesser players welcome it. This is not because there is some problem with technology, but because marginal decisions by the linesmen, and even Umpires, usually tend to go to the top men.
Similarly, if two or three challenges per team are introduced, they will be opposed by some top players, but the vast humanity of lesser ones will accept them in all humility. That will ensure more fair contests for the have-nots and the underachievers. So, the sooner the better.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Obeservations that VVS made
In a TV interview today, there were two important observations that VVS Laxman made about the track, and the situation at Sydney.
First, he felt that the pitch will have lots of spin on fourth and fifth days and, so, India will have to ensure a big score in their first innings. Already in Australia's first innings, Kumble and Harbhajan got lot many balls to turn and even Hogg turned quite a few, he said.
Second, unlike the pitch at Melbourne, the bounce at Sydney was relatively even because of which he (Laxman) was able to play pull shot so freely. So it should not be too difficult for the Indian batsmen, including Tendulkar and Ganguly – the seasoned batsmen on the crease.
Meanwhile, Australia coach Tim Nielson believes that the match is evenly poised and as the new ball is due after 18 overs on Friday, the first session will be extremely critical for both the teams.
Of course, it will be worth getting up seven hours from now, (Five AM IST) to watch how the 1st session unfolds.
Even if they are unable to take the lead, India will need at least 200 runs more in the 1st innings to put Australia under pressure on a spinning track and hope for the repeat of Adelaide four years ago. In that match, Australia had collapsed in the second innings after taking a small first innings lead of 33, leaving India with a target of 230, which they achieved with four wickets to spare.
With 270 overs still to go, it is anybody’s game. Unless, of course, there is an inspirational spell by someone from the Australian side tomorrow morning, resulting in over 100 lead for the Aussie. That could be a decisive lead on this track for a team batting third.
Four other Links
-- A hundred worth their weight in Gold
-- Rerouting Buch's advice.....
-- Tales of Blind men in Indian Print Media Today
-- Salim, Aur Tum kuch kar bhi kya sakte the! (Salim,...
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
A series that ended in five days thanks to outrageous umpiring!
Four days at Melbourne and one day at Sydney. The Australian brilliance and some rank inept (or biased depending on how you view it) umpiring has finished the series for India.
Kumble's warriors had come to win the series, and not to draw or lose it. Now unless the Indian batsmen score nearly 500 runs in the 1st innings, they can’t hope to salvage a draw or manage a win in this test. And all thanks to the umpires with some bad eyesight and hearing ailments.
Amidst all talks of Australian fightback and Symonds’ brilliance, one fact must not be lost sight of. Symonds was on 30 when given the 1st reprieve by Bucknor, and on 48 when the 3rd umpire granted him another life. Ponting was on 17 when he was given life by Benson. These batsmen are too good not to make a good use of such largess.
Had umpires made correct decisions, Australia would have lost over 150 runs by these two batsmen alone, not counting over 250 in partnership runs.
Some commentators are still calling them lucky breaks. Those comments are more outrageous than the umpiring decisions that were handed out to India, and took the competitive flavour out of the series.
Despite all their grit and determination, Australia had no chance of getting past 200 if the umpiring was up to it. Bad, that it turned out to be so bad with and without technological aids.
Now the only poetic justice in this match will be the weather coming to India’s aid and keeping this series alive. The bunch looks too demoralized now to give a real fight at Sydney.
Indeed, it was a Shameful day for the gentleman's game at Sydney.
Other links posted today
This Sickening Cricket Addiction!!!!!!
Ridiculous decision on half use of Technology
Prophetic Ponting!
Aussie Grit; Deaf Bucknor
Sensational Daylight robbery at Sydney....