Why not just make him President for Life?

The Cricket Association of Bengal has amended its constitution to allow Jagmohan Dalmiya to serve a third term as its president. A special general meeting of the CAB voted this week to remove the clause in its constitution limiting an association president to holding a maximum of two terms in the post. This will allow Dalmiya to continue as CAB President beyond July this year, which is also the month when his term as president of the ICC expires. Joint Secretary of the CAB, Debdas Bannerjee, stated, “We are not denying the fact that we changed the constitution for Mr Dalmiya. The CAB needs him. He is the man who can mobilise funds for us.” Last week, Dalmiya was named to the newlycreated position of Chairman of the Asian Cricket Foundation (ACF).

– CricInfo365, 7.4.00

No surprises Wednesday night at Eden Gardens, except that there was an election at all. Jagmohan Dalmiya, the man with more hats than a bald hydra, has been re-elected president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). Continue reading “Why not just make him President for Life?”

John Howard back in the CCCP

John Howard at the presidential lectern in the White House with George W Bush. John Howard at the Pentagon with Donald Rumsfeld. John Howard being praised by Rupert Murdoch at a black tie dinner. John Howard with Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street. John Howard visiting Aussie blast victims in a London hospital. John Howard chatting with John Major in the member’s pavillion at Lord’s. John Howard with headphones and mike in the CCCP (Central Cricket Commentary Position) live to air on the Beeb.

Never more than this week has the Australian prime minister reminded me so much of Woody Allen in “Zelig”.

Or maybe Forrest Gump. Continue reading “John Howard back in the CCCP”

Great farces of our time: the bowl-out

Surrey have enjoyed making heavy weather of their victories lately. Monday night’s quarter-final in the 20-over comp came down to a Duckworth-Lewis tie (Duckworth-Lewis tie in a 20 over game? sheesh). But instead of doing the obvious – five overs each way of extra time, and if it’s a draw come back Wednesday morning for the replay – they went for the next most obvious tie-breaker, the penalty shootout… er, the bowl-out.
Continue reading “Great farces of our time: the bowl-out”

My prediction for the Ashes

I think England will probably win two of the five Tests, but I also think Australia will probably pick up two. I reckon it will be a two-all draw, Australia retaining the Ashes.

– Rick Eyre, BBC Radio Five Live, 21.6.05

I said it on radio last month and I’ll stick with it now. The England-Australia Test series will finish in a 2-2 draw, which means Australia will retain the Ashes.
Continue reading “My prediction for the Ashes”