The sub continent saves test cricket

First Brendon McCullum helped himself to a hundred and fries, then went back for a double and a shake. Further South that Gayle dude cracked a triple. Not that he knows who Bradman is, but by accident he fell short of the hallowed 334. Speaking to Gayle, I’m told he wanted nothing to do with slow-coach Tubby Taylor’s 334.

Basically, Mc’s double and Gayle’s triple drew it for the islanders. Now the Lankans can go bat to oblivion but they still can’t win the match. A thousand is on the cards, expect Sangakkara to make a case for a sixth day as he pursues his first five hundred plus score.

Elsewhere, Pakistan playing another home-away series, in idyllic sub continental settings drew one unexpectedly. In comparison to the scores on display, Younis Khan settled for a lowly 131. A true match saving innings, wasting everybody’s time including his. He even smiled, in spite of batting with Misbah.

If I was a ball

If you was a ball

Whose bat would you be touched by

If you was a ball

Whose bat would you be touched by

If I was a ball I’d like to stay in shape

I’d like to travel far beyond the boundary ropes

If I was a ball

I’d like to go for an on drive

I’d like fielders running after me

Like boys run after girls

I’d like them to chase me, always interested somehow

Never giving up hope

I’d like to be played off the pads

Pulled and cut and flicked

But never in anger

I may be a ball, but I got my feelings

Feelings that very few can tell

Feelings that very special few can tell

Very, very special few can tell

If I was a ball, I’d like to be touched

By VVS’ bat

He doesn’t ignore, he plays me

With his bat

The pads they’re part of his uniform

What’s with Laxman, he’s always in form

If I was a ball, If you was a ball

Whose bat would you be touched by?


on bored: vvs laxman

Gambhir, Gambhir, Gambhir, Gambhir, Gambhir

In case you’re wondering, that’s for the five consecutive hundreds by Gambhir, Gambhir…he sure likes to repeat himself. Is it the stammer, the stutter? Say what you will of Gambhir, Gambhir..he is one player who could be off the boil one innings, next one he’s ready to fry an egg on his bat – the feet are moving, and so his mind. Usually when Gambhir’s feet move, his world falls into place.

Er..do you think Gambhir’s warranted a repeat? I’m torn on that. After all, it was Gambhir, Gambhir…that scored those five consecutive hundreds; but arguably these five are also Gambhir’s – aren’t they?

For me, there is a definite plan with Gambhir’s ascent to the Daredevil’s captaincy. Only 28, a sure-shot in all forms, where can Gambhir, Gambhir… go from here? I won’t put it beyond Sehwag along with Gambhir, Gambhir… chalking out some plans here.

The nucleus of the present team is Delhi; top three batsman, tallest bowler, second tallest bowler, and second choice spinning allroudner, all Delhi. Then there’s Karthik, not quite Delhi, but a Daredevil alright. Where am I going with this?

Bond was born in the wrong time zone.

A few hours west, and imagine where Bond might have been – Sydney. Playing for New South Wales, McGrath as mentor. Instead, one went Delhi Daredevils, the other Delhi Giants. Does anyone know who the Delhi Giants were? They were Bond’s ICL, for loss of a better word, squad.

Shane was born with a grimace. He bowled with a grimace, even celebrated his wickets with a grimace. Each delivery was an effort ball. The eyes would squint, as if the sun hurt; he was meant for pyjama cricket.

That he returned to test cricket was a gentle reminder of our loss, what could have been – on his day, and they were few and far between, I have seen him rip through India’s heart, surgeonlike. Most days though, it was Bond who was under the surgeon’s knife.

Abrupt yes, but I’ll stop now. This is for Shane Bond after all.


On Bored: Loads on Shane Bond

Sehwag’s mouth to mouth for test cricket.

Take it you saw Sehwag’s innings today, if you didn’t, you will – in the future, it is the future. It just did a mouth-to-mouth for test cricket, how else will you watch him bat for six hours?

Spare a thought for Rahul Dravid, he was there, as he often is. Living his second cricket childhood, when last did you see him box, pat, hug, laugh, grin – always felt, there’s something special when these two bat together; if it’s not a world record threatening 400 something opening partnership, it’s the encouragement you give a friend, an ally, a believer.

Sehwag and Dravid have all that, and some unspoken code of respect and trust. There is a calm that descends upon the two when they partner each other.

My mind goes back to the World Cup 2007 game against Bermuda, captain, Dravid’s ‘stay there’ gesture to Viru.

Today they stayed there. And even though Viru scored all those runs, I’d like to believe, a friend’s gentle nudge goes a long way. It can be lonely when you’re two against eleven.

On Bored: Jatman Sehwag

After five painful days of the Motera test, a new form of abuse:

On Bored: More graphic humour

“I’m going to retire from T20 and ODIs’

'to concentrate on test cricket'

Last over of the Master Debate at Bored Cricket Crazy Indians, between Q (Pak) and Damith (SL), who will clinch it - the test series victory or the T20 World win? Drop by, hop by

The Andrew Flintoff, Shoaib Akhtar and Michael Jackson Musical Tribute: Break Dance!

MJ: OWWWW that hurts!
SA: XGJ&$:)**& YAAA!
AF: I could break Yuvraj’s Ba**s!
MJ: What have you broken guys OWWW!

Chorus:
There’s nothing you cannot mend
If you’re playing cricket with a friend
Just send me all your broken bros
Send me all your broken bros

SA: IHitMaLaagWithMaBaat %#@$$
AF: Gawn out drinkin when I fell over and somethin snapped

MJ: It’s marvellous - to be with you bro, share your worries and your broken hearts
Hold you close, close to my heart, far away from those dirty tarts!
You don’t need no WAGS
You don’t need no shags
If it’s broken, it will mend
It it’s broken, it will mend
Doing the break, doing the break,
Doing the break dance dude

SA: CRAAAZY! Hhaha! NeverSeenAnythingLikeThat MJ! YouROCKMJ!
AF: I’m hungover #@>>>>>>>>> Aspirin anybody?

MJ: You need a rub, I’ll call my masseur
He’ll play the Casio
While we dance out in the patio
Just the three of us, what a ratio
Doing the break, doing the break
Doing the break dance dude.

SA: Naastie maan, youMJ!
AF: Bollocks!

MJ: You’re tough to please
Is your career on lease?
Do they call you pretty boy, wata tease
Have you made enough to pay Doctor’s fees?
I might not always be with you
But I’ll always be with you
Doing the break, doing the break
Doing the break dance dude!

SA: ………
AF: ………

And that’s where we take a Break.

This Win.

This win
Can feel it my stride
This win
Can feel it as i glide
This win
Can feel it my hide
This win
Can feel it my bones
This win
Can feel it my grip
This win
Can feel it my words
This win
Can feel it my groove
This win
Can feel it right now
This win
It just hit me
Again
This win
It feels different
When you’re rested and awake
This win
I can see you clear

This win
Was a long time coming
But did it come
But did it come
But did it come
Come at the right time
Coming!

This win
In quaint little Cow town
This win
In a quaint little drawing room
This win
Against a quaint little team
This win
Against a guy called Guptill
This win
Against a Ryder called Jesse
This win
Against an Irishman who foresees his losses
This win
Against Vettori’s choirboys
This win
In the Land of the long white cloud

This win
How good is this win?
If it weren’t stacked up
Against history
This win
Needs two more
In two weeks
This win
Can’t get enough
This win
Should not be enough.

Like to see the New look in New Zealand at BCC!