Arm Ball

It was quite amusing for me to find India being blamed for this concept. He conviniently forgot that he was one of those who began the exodus to the Packer circus in 70s and then was the board member in the ICL which began in 2007 and which gave rise to the “lucrative” options available to modern day cricketers today.

Andrew Flintoff rejected ECB’s central contract to be able to play in T20 tournaments world wide. For all the injuries and form concerns aside, he along with his friend KP remains IPL’s highest paid cricketers. And its ironical that the concerns on the freelance concept getting popular come from this 2 cricketers.

KP was quoted to have said that the English setup needs a change as players may find the county cricket a bit too exuastive.

The bottom line is that the English cricket season coincides with the start of IPL every year.

English cricket writers and admins easily forget that they began the T20 concept in 2003 and now they are the ones who are suddenly bothered about the life of Test cricket. Perhaps their vision is limited to the Ashes and perhaps for them life begins at the Ashes and ends at Ashes.

Its their own players now who have concerns over their own schedule and the domestic setup. Its very easy for them to go blame BCCI for all the ills in the cricket, but they forget one thing no big player from BCCI’s custody has slipped to go play in ICL or has embraced the concept of freelance cricket.

Its very easy for everybody in the world to blame BCCI for the ills in the world. Be it in the sports minister in India who suggests BCCI to accept WADA proposals or the lesser sportsmen in the country who at many times are benefitted by the grant provided by the BCCI for their expenses. Be it the ex-players who jump the gun to ICL and when the shop is closed they come back asking for favors.

Likes of PCB, Arjuna Ranatunga, Tony Greig, WICB blame BCCI for the ills in their own countries respectively. But little do they forget that the ICC is being funded by the star players and the money from India.

Before pointing out a finger to India for every ill, the respective board or individual should review their own position in the context and then point a finger to anybody else. That is take responsibility for your own actions.

BCCI is no saint, but its certainly not the evil its made out to be. After all it has shown the world that in a country like ours where everything is a creamy job for politicians, the game can still rule the headlines 9 out of 10 times for its performance on the field and has given the country some real valued sportsmen who have kept performing despite every road block and stumbling blocks.

But are we ready to accept this achievement of BCCI or is it going to be always eggs and pichkaris thrown at BCCI’s face…

None from England managed to stick to the wicket and play a long innings to bat Australia out of the game. Bell was at 3, Trott was at 5. Finally after lot of mulling and thought process hardly any change was made in the England team. Much ado about anything. Thats like khoda pahad nikla chuha.

Siddle has been an unsung hero for australia and his 4 wkts got Australia back into the contest at 2/176.

The Ashes has been low on quality, more on the hype. Both sides have failed to create the spark of 2005, or even 2006 – 07.

In the end I shall stick to my scoreline of 2-1 for Australia. 340 would be the par score for Australia to bundle out England and then bat the way they have done in the past to get an edge over England for rest of the series.

2001 and 2007 Australia – India series were far better than this contest…..

Faction in Pakistan team after Galle loss and Sara collapse, claims Inzy Aloo Haq.

Ricky Ponting questions England tactics….

Buchanan slams Indian greats……

This headlines make no difference to the readers. They are default and keep coming once in a while. I guess they shouldnt even be published in the newspapers or sites. Flintoff is always injured, Pakistan is always riddled with factions and ex-players always slam current players. Aussie coaches reel Indians and Ricky Ponting talks of moral high…..

Are they joking us?

Strauss, Cook, Bopara didnt score high and got carried away in hype and hoopla. Fell to cheap dismissals.

Hilfy and Johnson have been the bowlers for the Australia who have bowled quite well. Somehow Australia right now lack a genuine pace bowler like Lee who could run down the opposition in a torrid spell.

Not so long ago Clark was their best bowler, but he is not in the side today. Hauritz hasnt bowled that bad so far. Right now Ponting is trying to run through the 80 overs to may be get the new ball. 17 more balls to go right now.

Australia would be happy to restrict England below 335 or 340. All in all a good Test match cricket on day 1 of Ashes.

Session wise scoreline :

Session 1 : Australia
Session 2 : England
Session 3 : Australia so far.

With Albie Morkel back in the team, Amy would be very happy to see him .

And Laxman Shivramkrishnan is back in the commentary box to torture all of us. Why in the world we need to listen him and Arun Lal. Praveen Kumar is a let down. He doesnt relish non swinging conditions. I am sure Rahul Dravid would hate Port Elizabeth. In 2007 New year test India had a first innings lead and they squandered the chance to win the series by treating Paul Harris as Shane Warne, slowed down the proceedings and ultimately lost the test and the series.

Kallis is being leaking runs. 3 in over so far. 20 runs off the over.

CSK cruising along. 104 in 10th over. Hayden on fire. Australia are missing him. Tactical time out to follow something which has been criticised by Sachin Tendulkar too. Ranjit Fernando is back too.

Who is more dumb ?

Preitz
Shilpa
Juhi
Neeta?

Fashion writers would have ball at the IPL venues. Gays too would have ball (gay writers who write for Fashion magazines). More than the performance with the bat and ball they would write who was more hot and who got more kisses (flying of course)and with whom you (girl) would like to go to bed with…..Ahh that would be crap!! Imagine Freddie in crickat gear appearing on same fashion magazine or MS and the ex favorite of girls — mr Wall. Oodi baba.

Alright there is fun, money and auction. Bottomline is its CRICKET — a game of bat and ball. Not the other balls. Let the game maintain its sanity amidst the intrusion of dirt and unwanted glitz elements.