Category: opinion

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Victory by two runs in the Greatest Afro-Asian ODI Ever

Players came together to celebrate wickets in the same manner that accountants gather to discuss a book-keeping oddity and the tiny band of Indian supporters waving their national flag allowed it to droop in confusion when Shahid Afridi and Kumar Sangakkara teamed up to dismiss Nicky Boje.

– Neil Manthorp, CricInfo, 17.8.05

If it finishes with a winning margin of two runs then it must be The Greatest Game Ever. Right? Wrong. Continue reading “Victory by two runs in the Greatest Afro-Asian ODI Ever”

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Real Midwinter cricket as Africa meets Asia

While the Asian XI appeared overjoyed about playing with each other, the South African team that charitably took in two Kenyans to give an all-Africa feel to the outfit, behaved like they were on a long-overdue trip to the dentist.

– Ranajit Dam, CricInfo, 17.8.05

It’s a Wednesday in the middle of winter in Centurion. So why aren’t the South African fans thronging in their thousands to see the latest figment of Jagmohan Dalmiya’s cash register… er, imagination? Continue reading “Real Midwinter cricket as Africa meets Asia”

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Old enough to bowl, too young to talk

Cathryn Fitzpatrick had already held her 21st birthday party when Holly Colvin was born. Not turning sixteen till September 7, Colvin became the youngest Test cricketer for the English women on Tuesday. She paid dividends for England by taking three wickets on the opening day of the Hove Test against Australia – Kate Blackwell, Julia Price and Fitzpatrick – but at day’s end was not allowed to talk to the media. Continue reading “Old enough to bowl, too young to talk”

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Bart King must be spinning in his grave today

It’s a hundred years since Bart King, America’s greatest cricketer of all time, graced the playing fields of both his own country and of England as a world-class all-rounder. It was Sunday, August 6, 1905, that five thousand people watched a New York XI lose by fifty runs to the MCC in a two-day game at the Staten Island Cricket Club. American cricket has had its ups and downs since then, but yesterday brought one of its lowest moments. Continue reading “Bart King must be spinning in his grave today”

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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?”

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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”

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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”

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