The Buzz
Ryder challenges McMillan to boxing match
Jesse Ryder has challenged former New Zealand batsman Craig McMillan to a charity boxing match next month as he continues to work on his physical and mental rehabilitation
Devashish Fuloria
25-Feb-2013
Jesse Ryder has challenged former New Zealand batsman Craig McMillan to a charity boxing match next month as he continues to work on his physical and mental rehabilitation. However, there is more to the challenge. McMillan had blamed Ryder for New Zealand's defeat in third Twenty20 against South Africa in February. Ryder top scored with 52 in the chase but New Zealand went down by three runs, and McMillan claimed that Ryder had slowed down to reach his half-century, costing his team the momentum and the match. Ryder, who took a break from international cricket in March but recently played in the IPL for Pune Warriors, said he was looking forward to McMillan participating.
"Craig's quite a competitive guy and, I imagine, quite a tough opponent," Ryder said in the New Zealand Herald. "It will be good if he takes part. There were a few things he said in the media about being selfish so I want him to step up and help me get back.
"Craig hammered Jesse in the media, now he has the chance to put his chin where his mouth is," the event promoter said. Looks like this war of words might just have to be settled in the ring.
Full postA career in the Army? Yes, says Dhoni
While most cricketers plan a career around cricket post-retirement, India captain MS Dhoni wants to serve in the Army
Devashish Fuloria
25-Feb-2013
While most cricketers plan a career around cricket post-retirement, India captain MS Dhoni wants to serve in the Army. An honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Parachute Regiment already, Dhoni was speaking during a visit to the forward area of the Line of Control (LoC), the line dividing Indian and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
"Why I got here is because of cricket. I would like to serve actively only after cricket. I don't want my cricket to suffer because that is something I am good at. Once my cricket career is over, I would definitely like to serve in the army," Dhoni said.
Taking a break from cricket, Dhoni is visiting the frontline in the Jammu and Kashmir region and will get a chance to interact with the soldiers and their families.
Full postSwing theory hit for a six
The old adage that 'moisture in the air makes a cricket ball swing', is wrong, it seems
Carlyle Laurie
25-Feb-2013
The old adage that 'moisture in the air makes a cricket ball swing', is wrong, it seems. Researchers from Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Auckland conducted tests, using 3D laser scanners in an atmospheric chamber to measure the effect different humidity levels had on a cricket ball. The result? They found no link between moisture in the air and sideways movement of the ball.
The research published in the journal Procedia Engineering concluded that while altitude and the age of the ball both increased swing, there was no link between moisture levels in the air and sideways movement. "It is therefore logical to conclude that humidity may not have the significant influence on swing bowling that is widely assumed," researchers said.
"What is clear is that the scientific community should turn their attention away from the question of humidity and focus their efforts to test the cloud cover hypothesis." Looks like the going just got tougher for bowlers.
Full postSobers' ball not what it seems?
A cricket ball that was meant to have been hit for one of Garry Sobers' six sixes in an over at Swansea in 1968 has been removed from an auction over claims it is not genuine
Andrew McGlashan
25-Feb-2013
A cricket ball that was meant to have been hit for one of Garry Sobers' six sixes in an over at Swansea in 1968 has been removed from an auction over claims it is not genuine.
Journalist and author Grahame Lloyd gave evidence to the auctioneers, Bonhams, which raised doubts over the legitimacy of the ball in question. When it was previously sold at Christie's in 2006 it fetched £26,400.
It was sold by Josie Miller, who was the Nottinghamshire Supporters' Association secretary for 12 years, and she has no doubts over the ball's claims.
"It was the genuine ball. End of story," she told the Nottingham Post. "And Garry Sobers himself signed a letter to that effect, he saw the ball and agreed it was the genuine thing.
Full postWill Gayle storm the silver screen?
Royal Challengers Bangalore star batsman Chris Gayle, the darling of Bangalore's cricket fans because of his big-hitting abilities, is now set to win many admirers in the Kannada film industry - known as Sandalwood
Akhila Ranganna
25-Feb-2013
Royal Challengers Bangalore star batsman Chris Gayle, the darling of Bangalore's cricket fans because of his big-hitting abilities, is now set to win many admirers in the Kannada film industry - known as Sandalwood. Gayle has reportedly been attending Sandalwood star parties and audio launches and such is his popularity that his face can be seen on posters of Kannada movies plastered on the walls alongside the industry's top actors.
Recently, Gayle was the chief guest at the audio launch of the film Kiladi Kitty, prompting crowd frenzy akin to that at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the Royal Challengers' home ground. Having released the movie's soundtrack, Gayle thrilled the audience by dancing to a song from the film along with Haripriya, its lead actress. His footwork is obviously as good as his handwork.
Full postMichael Clarke goes rallying
Australia's captain Michael Clarke, known for his cover drive, is going to try driving of a different kind when he makes an appearance in next week's International Rally of Queensland
Carlyle Laurie
25-Feb-2013
Australia's captain Michael Clarke, known for his cover drive, is going to try driving of a different kind when he makes an appearance in next week's International Rally of Queensland. Clarke will compete in two stages of the race between May 25 and 27. The rally has attracted some of the biggest names in the sport, including former world rally championship stars Alister McRae and Chris Atkinson. Clarke will drive alongside Mark Stacey, who has competed at international level for two decades, and said he was looking forward to racing against the best.
"It's pretty well known that I have a passion for driving, but a part of me has always wondered what it would be like to go up against the best in the business," Clarke said. "There's no doubt that rally driving is one of the most exhilarating sports around and, as someone who puts my heart into everything I do, this is a great opportunity to mix it with some of the world's best drivers."
Full postShahid Afridi set to feature in a biopic
Shahid Afridi is set to become the second Pakistan cricketer, after Imran Khan, to feature in a biopic
Carlyle Laurie
25-Feb-2013
Shahid Afridi is set to become the second Pakistan cricketer, after Imran Khan, to feature in a biopic. The movie titled 'Main Hun Shahid Afridi' [I am Shahid Afridi] attempts to capture the struggles and achievements of the cricketer at the start of his career. According to the Pakistani media, 19-year-old Noman Habib, himself an aspiring cricketer, plays Afridi in the film. Producers say that more than half the film has already been completed and that stadiums in Karachi and Sialkot were used for filming.
Full postBrett Lee strikes a new musical note
Australia fast bowler Brett Lee, better known for dishing out chin music on the green, is now focusing on music of a different kind: music therapy
Carlyle Laurie
25-Feb-2013
Australia fast bowler Brett Lee, better known for dishing out chin music on the green, is now focusing on music of a different kind: music therapy. Lee launched India's first Music Therapy Academy in Delhi to train Indian musicians to bring children as well as grown-ups affected by trauma, illness or cognitive challenges into the national mainstream.
"Music is widely undervalued as a powerful tool to help people overcome trauma, deal with disabilities, express themselves and respond to treatment when suffering from physical and psychological ailments," Lee said. "It is my hope to see many more of these academies established across India to train musicians to use their talent to transform lives of those less privileged."
Lee said that music has helped him cope with several personal crises which included a divorce in 2008. "I turned to music during professional problems, during the personal crisis that I endured a few years ago. Music provided relief after a bad day in cricket and everything else. Music therapy has been brilliant for me," he said.
Full postA unique gift for Tendulkar
There are Sachin Tendulkar fans and then there is Ratilal Parmar, who has spent a fortune collecting currency notes having numbers associated with the numerous landmarks littered across Tendulkar's career
Abhishek Purohit
25-Feb-2013
There are Sachin Tendulkar fans and then there is Ratilal Parmar, who has spent a fortune collecting currency notes having numbers associated with the numerous landmarks littered across Tendulkar's career. Parmar's latest acquisition is a ten-rupee note bearing the number 240412, the date of Tendulkar's 39th birthday.
"I wanted to do something different. That is why I started collecting currency notes that match his records and important dates. I have kept track of his entire career this way," Parmar, 56, told Mid-Day from Morbi, a town in Gujarat, India.
Despite going to great lengths to accumulate his treasure, Parmar has met Tendulkar only once, during the Ahmedabad Test of 2010 against New Zealand. Parmar's desire now is to gift the unique collection to Tendulkar, of course, during a personal meeting. "I want to present Sachin with the notes associated with his milestones, especially the 100th international ton [Parmar has a note numbered 160312 which is the date when Tendulkar reached the record against Bangladesh in Dhaka].
Parmar has had to put a lot of money where his heart is. "This isn't easy to do. I must have spent nearly Rs 10 lakh [one million] to collect these notes," Parmar said. "I knew some people in banks and they would help me find notes matching a particular event. At times, I would have to plead with them." Now who said being a fan involved only emotional investment?
Full postCricket may be a Commonwealth game again
Cricket may have missed the cut for the Olympics but there's a chance it might return to the Commonwealth Games in 2018
Carlyle Laurie
25-Feb-2013
Cricket may have missed the cut for the Olympics but there's a chance it might return to the Commonwealth Games in 2018. Mark Stockwell, the chairman of the Gold Coast CWG, has said that cricket would add an extra bit of magic to the event. The issue was also discussed by the ICC in Dubai recently and the feasibility of including cricket at the CWG is being studied. Cricket was last played at the CWG in Malaysia in 1998 - South Africa won that event - and the driving force for cricket's inclusion that time was Tunku Imran, who is now chairman of the CWG Federation sports review committee. "If the ICC agrees, we could have the sport in the 2018 CWG," Imran said. "But it is not going to be easy."
Full post