Sydney test 2007-2008

This is a blog born out of the utter disgust I feel at the end of the Sydney test in 2007-08. I had (that is right I “HAD”) respected and loved the Oz style of cricket, which was in your face all the time. But after this game have lost it all.

It started in day one, a team which prides itself on walking when the edge a ball, why didn’t Ponting walk for the caught behind on the leg side? Neither did Symonds, matters made worse when he agreed to being out to Ishant and went on to make a big 100. A wicket at that point would have put India in the driver’s seat and anything could have happened from there on. I think this is a trick employed by them, where they walk when their team is not in trouble, and stay for a verdict when they are in trouble so the umpire thinks that ‘ok this guy did not walk so he must be not out’. The cheapest trick in the book period. The worse was yet to come when Clarke was out of an absolute clear edge to the slips and he stands for a verdict from the umpire. Cheap I say absolutely cheap.

Next, was to bring up an issue as sensitive as racism, in the middle of a test match, to one of our leading bowlers. Even if he had said anything I think the right thing would have been to wait for the end of the test match and the put it down in the captain’s report to the match referee. This kind of thing really messes up a person’s brain, and he starts doubting himself. So another under the belt shoot from the “GREAT AUSTRALIAN SIDE”. A bit if a talk back and they go into needless allegation. Be prepared to receive what you give. Else don’t do it.

Finally, a crucial catch of Ganguly, who is a form of his life, to the slips and Ponting says that accept a fielder’s (Clarke) verdict on the catch, and the umpire agrees. When he could have given it to the 3rd umpire just as well and a result would have come down immediately that the catch was grassed. How can anyone accept the verdict of a fielder who did not walk for what was one of the thickest edges he ever produced in life. If Ganguly had stayed India might have saved the match.

I must also mention that the umpires are equally at fault in the whole system because, they should have done a better job, and must have taken better calls. That is why I did not mention the Dravid dismissal in the 2nd innings here. Also people can argue what about Ponting’s wicket in the 1st innings, I give the same reason as above and umpire mistake. India lost this match due to largely bad umpiring and not because they played bad.

Bottom line I am disappointed that India still lost at the end of a close finish where they should have actually saved the match, but not disgusted with them as in Melbourne where they gave a spineless performance. I am truly disgusted with the Oz style of cricket and they are off my books of favorite cricket team.

Leuven by night: Christmas

This link will take you to some photos of the city of Leuven, the one in which I stay. This was taken a couple of days after Christmas 2007 in the town center.
http://picasaweb.google.com/msashwin/LeuvenByNightChristmas

Double Role

Was going thru the list of releases this deepavali in both Tamil and Hindi movies. And to my surprise for some strange reason a lot of the movies released has the protagonist playing double role in the same movie, either because of rebirth or twin or just 2 individuals who look the same. These movies are Om Shanthi Om, Azagiye Tamil Magan and Vel. It looks like we are going back to the 70's and 80's when we had a lot releases based on this concept.

P.S. My blog is based on what i have read and not watching the movie. So incase it does not have hero playing a double role kindly excuse maddi.

Interesting

http://www.cricketnext.com/news/we-dont-respect-our-heroes/27354-16.html

I need not say more..... but read.

Multi-cultural Enviroment

I have had 2 new guy move into my office today. And now it is a truly multi-cultural working environment. It is made up of one American, one Chinese, one Belgian, one Iranian and me the Indian. Interesting times ahead.

Beginning of the end

Sorry for another cricket post guys, but I really love this game.

So it has begun. The end which we all knew will come one day, but hoped never to happen. The sunset of the career of the famed Indian trio. Sachin, Dravid and Ganguly, the end looks near with Dravid giving up captaincy on 14th September 2007. The possibility of Sachin calling it a day for one-dayers at the end of the year. And Ganguly is defiantly not far behind. All we can hope now is we find talent at least half as good as these 3 guys. Also one small request to the BCCI, let these guys retire on their terms, they deserve it. Don’t insult this group by dropping them at any point. And to the trio “Adios Amigos”. Thanks a lot for entertaining us for so many years.

Akhtar Vs Asif

Well came in this morning to read a amazing story

http://www.cricketnext.com/news/akhtarasif-brawl-ahead-of-twenty20/26767-13.html

Easily one of the best in recent times. Looks like the time when we used to play cricket as kids at the local ground. I really would like to know what was going on Akhtar's mind during the incident. This is my interpretation of the state of mind:

"Man this dude bowls better then me and does not get injured as often as me. I tried to drug him to get him out of the team and still did not work. What do i do with this kind of talent. Wait Wait...... if he does not get injured i will injure him. Where is that club the call a bat. Ahhhhh there it is. hey Asif look here. Bam on his thigh. That must keep him down for a few months. HEHEHEHE."

* This is completely fictional. Not meant to be taken seriously.

Sadly one of the biggest loss to modern day cricket.