Victory at Trent Bridge …

Luck with the toss and day one conditions notwithstanding (England had the same advantage at Lords), India were comprehensively the better side at Trent Bridge.
Whats worrisome for England is that the weak links from Lords – Bell, Prior and the lower batting order – have stayed weak and a few others have been exposed. The [...]

Tough, Tougher, Taufel …

Most traders have (and live) a “losing positions” nightmare. This is roughly how mine goes.
old jeans – hole in pocket(s) – i don’t realize – i put sand in a pocket- it goes down my leg to my ankles – what do i do ? – i put more sand – its now up to [...]

The fab four and our fickleness…

Its not a prompt start to the Trent Bridge Test and sure enough the discussions wander off to the topic thats always kept on simmer these days. The fab four.
Ten days ago, just ahead of the Lords Test they were singing praises of Sachin Tendulkar again, for instance. ‘The Second Bradman says Tony Greig’ kind [...]

And so to Robin Hood Land …

The Lords Test is over. Let there be light !
In my opinion, neither side quite knows what to take away from the sun and rain of London. If the English believe that the bowling was on par with what they had dished during the Ashes of 2005, I strongly suggest they look again (At the [...]

Wearing and changing gear …

Just about the start of day 3 of the first Test.
A nervous start to the game – not that its acceptable by virtue of the fact that its been the norm – with the bowlers being guilty of a poor first day. Then a great comeback. So 268/4 at the end of day 1 becomes [...]

Managing a Clean Slate ..

Everyone knows what this photograph is about. Whats less commonly known, perhaps, is that coming into the “final frontier” series, Michael Slater was grappling with a bipolar disorder. That bit is true. Its also true that he was also going through trouble (and ultimate breakup) in his marriage. There was also a bunch of tripe [...]

Don’t cuss me, man.

“To me, Curtly Ambrose was the supreme fast-bowling machine. He moved, with the ease and grace of a champion athlete across the ground, was beautifully balanced and coordinated, and could blast you out with pace if needed or revert to strategic assault. As well, he owned the trait everyone wants but few possess : the [...]

G’day mate …

Mandela – Gandhi & the BCCI …

Call it the love of the underdog if you will. Or the sheer amazement that the superpower is the underdog. But I love it when the BCCI wins little battles. Even more when nobody acknowledges the victories.
Make no mistake about it. Its not like the BCCI is above reproach. I just think we sometimes rap [...]

May the best man win …

Michael Jordan takes on the Knicks

History is now also his story …

Out on a sunny Centre Court enter two men that are different. As different as red clay is to green grass. So different you’d think they were from different planets or at least different eras. And yet both here chase similar dreams – Emulate Bjorn Borg.
Roger Federer, white pants, white vest and white monogrammed [...]

The Venus Rosewater Dish …

Seriously, thats what the Wimbledon Women’s trophy is called.

The one that Venus Williams is deservedly holding.
All this she did, as she quashed young (“My dad used to put up some targets, if I touched the targets, I get candy. So I was very motivated. Maybe that’s why I’m still loving too much the candies. But [...]

07-07-07 ; The Tour De Force

Its a great day. Possibly the toughest sporting event of them all, the Tour de France flags off today. Different each time. Yet similar in its 23 days. And its unflinching demand. If you don’t believe me click on the link under “Route” and then “Route in a flash” above. 3569.5 km. 1 prologue. 20 [...]

A Few Good Men …

I eat breakfast three television yards away from four thousand bloggers who are trained to pick me off. So don’t think for one second that you can come down here, flash a bit of cricket knowledge, and make me nervous.
Son, we live in a world that needs money, and that money has to be made [...]

Hard punches need Soft Hands …

Luis Sarria made his living with his hands,
as Muhammad Ali’s long term masseur.

From the Sports Illustrated Collection.

Its that pain for gain. Again …

January, 1998.
SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL; Serena Williams Stuns Davenport
… (Serena) Williams, only 16 and ranked No. 96, trailed 1-6, 2-5 and faced two match points at 15-40 when she grabbed control with a combination of wily play and youthful athleticism.
Limping on her bandaged right knee after taking an injury timeout at 1-3 in the second set, [...]

Could you teach us how to win ? …

Graham Arnold is coach to the Australian Socceroos. Apart from having played in 4 World Cup campaigns, he’s been assistant coach to the Aussie team when they were being coached by Guus Hiddink. Oh, and he’s also played a bit of cricket. Sydney grade. With a guy called Steve Waugh.
Steve Waugh’s done a few [...]

The Irish Punt …

Am not sure why one reads of this little tour being a waste of time. And that too by some pretty astute thinkers of the game whose thought process one imagines reflects that of the team. Or is it the BCCI ? Aren’t they supposed to be the same ? I digress …
I thought the whole [...]