Kettle calling the pot black?!

Cricinfo reports that:

Pakistan’s opening batsmen Imran Nazir has been found not guilty of breaching the ICC code of conduct during his country’s ODI against South Africa at Durban on Wednesday. Both teams have also been spoken to by Chris Broad, the match referee, about their conduct.

Nazir was charged by the South Africa team management with a Level one offence, clause 1.4, which refers to “Using language that is obscene, offensive or insulting and/or the making of an obscene gesture.”

I did not watch the Pakistani innings, but the highlight do make a passing mention of the incident. But the thing that really amuses me is that South African team management actually made a complaint for anyone abusing Nell, of all people – they must be really thick skinned! Or is it because of Broad’s reputation of being a no-nonsense high handed referee? Amusing!

 

Ashes sledges

Nanda pointed me to Tim de Lisle’s post on The top ten Ashes sledges. Amusing. My favourite:

Mark Waugh to Jimmy Ormond on his Test debut, 2001: “Mate, what are you doing out here? There’s no way you’re good enough to play for England.”
Ormond: “Maybe not, but at least I’m the best player in my own family.”

Well bowled, Shane!

With two Tests to play England has already lost the Ashes, but this piece of news will leave many positive that they have a great chance regaining the urn. Shane Warne, after enthralling spectators world-wide for 15 years, is leaving the game.

The other day me and my good friend Nanda were talking about Warne, and Nanda said:

He is 37, but I don’t think he will quit; nor is there is any sign of waning form to indicate dropping him either.

When one looks back at Warne’s career there are numerous highs on the field, and numerous lows off it. Though he had stepped down from ODI cricket long ago, the semi finals of 1996 and 1999 world cups are the most memorable performances.

Here is wishing Shane a great life ahead outside of cricket! I can’t wait to hear him in the commentary box!

PS: England really have a great a chance regaining the urn – rumours are abound that McGrath might be quitting too.

Sree:1, Nell: 0

If you were busy on Sunday and missed it, here is Sreesanths dance after hitting Nell for a six over long off. I did not particularly admire Sree’s shot selection when we were 9 down and looking to increase the lead past 400; but hey, it was fun! Nell being on the recieving end makes it especially sweet; Nell has gone surprisingly unnoticed by every Match Refree out there despite him getting under the skin of every batsman he had bowled to. Pat Symcox noted on ESPN-Star commentary that Sree might not make much money playing cricket, and Harsha Bhogle cheekily replied that Nell seems to hold on to the money he makes from cricket, and there doesn’t seem to be much for Sree to worry about. Perfect!

Well said, Dravid

Heard this from Harsha Bhogle on telly:

“When we do good, we aren’t as good as they we say we are; when we do poorly, we aren’t as bad as they say we are” – Rahul Dravid

I could not find a reference to the original quote, but kudos to Dravid for daring to say this.

This feels great!

I don’t remember this happening ever – Indian pace bowlers, on tour, bowling out the opposition for less than 100! Of course, one has numerous painful memories of the host pace bowlers bowling Indian batsmen for paltry scores – Kingsmead ‘96, Barbados ‘97 etc. This is news .. and it feels real good! Well done, Sree and Zaheer!

So whats news?

From Times of India this morning (Bangalore edition, page 23):

TOI: The world seems to have turned topsy-turvy for Rahul dravid and his team in the past few months ..

BR: Every time India looses it’s always the end of the world and when they win, there is much song and dance. So whats news?

Lots and lots of energy is spend discussing Indian cricket team’s dismal performance in South Africa. There is a sense of deja vu to it all, and Barry Richards puts it nicely. For those of us feeling this way, this article from 2003 is worth re-reading.