April 09, 2008

Swap Analysis.

How would it feel to switch loyalties before the final test match at Kanpur? That is, to spell the betrayal in words, become a South African supporter.

For one, you will cease to be part of cult support groups like the wonder bra camp, the Aussie Fanatics, English Barmy Army, Bharat Army, Chachcha ki fauj (Pakistani) or the Anonymous fan club that supports Sri Lankan, West Indies, New Zealand, Bangladeshi and Sehwag’s cricket.

By supporting South African cricket you will enter the realms of many World Cup knockouts that the Proteas lost, which on form they should have won.

But at Kanpur there won’t be any Duckworth Lewis equation to cause their downfall.

Also Alan Donald, Shaun Pollock and Lance Klusener don’t play the national side anymore.

Klusener however, is still pivotal in losing lost-games that he nearly wins – now for his ICL Club, the Kolkotta Tigers. But that’s Klusener for you. The nearly there man. Mr. Almost. Master Stop short!

Of course, baby faced Boucher the mathematician is still there. He’s partly the D/L man that got some vital statistics wrong. May be he overlooked the fine print next to an Asterix. And though he helped chase down a record 400 odd versus Australia, some demons never leave you.

Then there is Jacque Kallis. He’s been there. But somehow you don’t quite remember him from those worst of times that could have been the best of times.

It’s usually the beaten down faces of Cronje, Pollock, Klusener, Boucher, Gibbs. Right Gibbs isn’t there either, so that’s one choker less, whose droppings drop world cups no less.

But look back a few months, and the choking spirit is still intact. Graeme Smith and his not so merry men mucked up that World Cup twenty20 game against yours untruly, India.

That time though, there was no Kallis. And Smith went blue in the face when asked if they were, “Jaqued” without Kallis.

Kanpur though, is no T20 or one-day world cup game. It’s a test match of far less interest. The stakes, if any, are not Bollywoodesque . The IPL is round the corner. The iconic Indians will do their gig then.

If you are a punter, then it’s South Afrikaaa!

If you are India, for once in the series you should think team selection – ask yourself, what irks the South Africans most - Australians and leg spinners? So even if you can’t play Shane Warne and Rickie Ponting – what’s the next best irritation?

Piyush Chawla and your cockiest batsman. Attention: Yuvraj Singh. It’s the last test of a home series. Come on over for a second helping.

More than beating a winning team, the South Africans can’t beat a winning attitude.

And on second thoughts, I’ll stick with Bharat’s Badmashes. Hopefully, so will the team selection. Over to good Friday.

10 comments:

straight point said...

More than beating a winning team, the South Africans can’t beat a winning attitude....

fabulous!!

with only correction...

we have had enough of half fit players...so kaif for yuvi...

at least he will provide us comic relief by his habit hopping at slips and short leg... ;-))

Gaurav Sethi said...

SP,
mind says Kaif, heart say Yuvi. If India have to beat SAF, Sehwag, MSD or YS can DENT THEM quite badly(as Ramiz would say). But it's also all or nuthin with these guys.
Kaif selection would be the right thing to do. And yeah, the hopping is an added bonus!

straight point said...

besides kaif scoring good at kanpur (assuming) will openup middle order option like anything...

the dravids...the yuvrajs...and others too wont take their place for granted (as it seems to be happening...)

so i am all for kaif!!

Gaurav Sethi said...

but they'll still take Kaif for granted.

straight point said...

NC

your thoughts on india win??!!

Anonymous said...

a comical series... somehow even though SA choked, they played better than India

Gaurav Sethi said...

SP- For me, it's down to saf's inability to win beyond a point, the extra effort drains them; they are not too different from India. My mind goes to our test series in SAF which we should have won. Just like SAF should have...
The 3rd session of day 3 was an open house rave party.

Gaurav Sethi said...

scorpicity, beyond choking, SAF loses interest. Reckon they get bored with their own monotony.

straight point said...

they get bored with their own monotony...

thats a telling statement NC!!!

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