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Showing posts with label the Oval. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the Oval. Show all posts
The voices inside Rahul Dravid's head
Greg Chappell's gone, the bad run's behind him, and after years, his name is mentioned ahead of His. Almost, often enough. But what is it with these freak show dismissals - is there a milk of confused human kindness that flows out of Dravid's ears - first that shoelace edge that he didn't refer, and now that spot that never showed up on hot spot - and Dravid has to go on telly and tell everyone he thought he heard a feather? Is this Adelaide, are there seagulls fluttering? Why can't he just stick to technology and say - hotspot never showed up, what I think here, doesn't matter. As it is, you've never been too forthcoming with what you think, why bother now. Or is 2011 that post 2007 English summer gone full circle - don't be too surprised if accepts the captaincy again. Maybe he's heard something we haven't.
Mr Pakistan for a day
Go Gul, go. You knocked 6, and you knocked England out too. You thank Allah, and at times like this, it just about seems the only thing to do. Here’s to better days for Pak cricket. One day at a time.
For hope and services rendered to Pakistan cricket, and its fans, Umar Gul is the first cricketer to receive the Bored Portrait Award. Here's to the mole that became a mountain.
"I say old chap, the Ashes finally seem to be heading home"
Typical English talk on the third day of the final Ashes Test:
Mr. X (OBE - Order of the British Empire) to Mr. Y (MBE - Member of the British Empire): I say ol' chap, the Ashes finally seem to be heading home.
Mr. Y: Well, thank god we had a difference of less than 200 in the first innings or else our lads would've been in quite a conundrum as far as the follow-on was concerned.
Mr. X: Oh.. I say, now that it's in the bag, the lads deserve all the credit and much more for having contributed towards the war effort.
Mr. Y: Yes I believe, Knighthood would follow soon as would high-tea with the Queen.
Mr. X: And of course... a holiday for the whole team in the quaint surroundings of the Himalayas, somewhere near Shimla. Fishing and a few rounds of golf would rejuvenate them ahead of the coming season.
Mr. Y: I propose a toast... "FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE"
Jonathan Trott: cricket with balls.
Around the time England was two wickets down in their second innings, on the second day, Trott busied himself with a batting drill.
He appeared behind the glass like some cricket wild cat, a caged tiger. Batting profile, exaggerated forward defence, straight drive, smooth, brisk movements of the bat. Repeat.
There was something about Trott that evening. There was a definite signal of intent, yes, but more importantly a joy of the game. A joy to be playing cricket, yet alert at the same time, to warm up, both in limb and mind.
Here was a player, who in spite of being a pro, appeared rooted to his cricket basics, not overawed by either situation or debut.
Then there was the back-foot swat through midwicket that Atherton likened to one of Inzi’s. The urgency to get to the hundred mark and not lurk in the nervous nineties. Here was a batsman who partnered all and sundry in both innings, largely unaffected by a tricky run-out, and the personalities around him.
Clearly Trott has in him a bit of the dogged determination of his captain. And when Trott reached three figures, you’d be forgiven for thinking Strauss was the centurion. But then Strauss knows all about scoring a century on debut.
Mother Trott wept tears of joy, and Papa Trott maintained a stoic interest in the cricket. We were at once connected to Trott’s world. It was intensely real, you could call it cricket with balls.
also blogs at Naked Cricket
Ashes: Why England batted on winning the toss.
Nothing to do with their team composition or Australia not playing a spinner, the Oval pitch, the English weather, Bopara's exclusion or Trott's debut. On closer examination, the reason is clear as daylight - England batted, so they won't have to face the embarrassment of losing Flintoff on the first day. Flintoff of course, can still lose it on the first day.
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