The Heavy Ball
Sri Lankan team bus driver resigns
Says time for a fresh start and a new direction
Andrew Fernando
08-Apr-2011
The Sri Lankan cricket team's premier bus driver has resigned from his post following the team's defeat to India in the World Cup final. The news comes in the wake of several high-profile resignations and retirements in Sri Lankan cricket, including captain Kumar Sangakkara, vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene, coach Trevor Bayliss, the selection panel headed by Aravinda de Silva, and all-round nice guy Muttiah Muralitharan.
Bus driver Keerthi Peiris said it was a logical time for him to step down as he did not see himself doing the job for much longer, and it made sense for Sri Lanka Cricket to find a long-term replacement looking forward to the 2015 World Cup.
"I'm almost 65 and my position at the front of the bus can't be guaranteed in four years' time, particularly with the amount of gunfire you have to avoid with this bunch, so it's time to pass the reins to someone younger," Mr Peiris said.
Full postMinnows excluded: fans outraged
Also: world's batsmen hold emergency board meeting
Nishant Joshi
07-Apr-2011
DUBAI - Monday, there was a worldwide uproar as it was announced that the 2015 edition of the ICC cricket World Cup would only feature Test-playing nations, a decision met with anguish by fans and batsmen alike.
An ICC spokesman explained the situation: "The World Cup is a global event - there is absolutely no place for teams from around the world to participate in such a competition."
In Holland, riot police used tear gas and water cannons, as the notoriously polite cricket fans of Heerenveen descended on the city centre en masse, chanting well-worn slogans such as: "ICC All Out!" and "Free Tibet! And Holland and Ireland!"
Full postWhy the World Cup was a good thing
ICCBod, a cricket administration insider, looks back at the gains and losses from the World Cup
Alex Bowden
05-Apr-2011
The first thing to say is congratulations to India. By winning the World Cup, you have increased the value of replica India shirts enormously. Here's to a significant price increase with little to no impact on future sales volumes.
I couldn't help but be moved by the crowd's reaction when MS Dhoni hit that six to take the title. The wall of noise proved that sixes are the best thing about cricket - something I've been trying to explain to everyone back at the office for the last six months. I guess you can see all the market research you like, but a moment like that makes the case so much more strongly. Hopefully now my plans to have all boundaries brought in another 10 metres or so will gain some traction with upper management.
Mahela Jayawardene deserves a few words for his performance as well. Without his contribution India might have chased down the Sri Lanka total far more quickly and we could have lost out on a number of ad breaks. If that had happened, the impact on revenue doesn't bear thinking about, so well played, Mahela. It was a great contribution with a very real impact on the bottom line.
Full postA proposition for you
Draw for us. Win (small amounts of) fame and fortune
04-Apr-2011
Hello there.
Answer the simple question below to determine whether you're the one we've been looking for.
Are you a cricket fan who has a sense of humour and can draw?
If you are indeed such an exotic creature, have you considered doing cartoons for ESPNcricinfo's Page 2 cartoons section?
Full postDiary of an Indian fan
A first-person account of the day after a night that comes once in 28 years
Samantha Pendergrast
04-Apr-2011
6.30am Wake up to the sweet sound of birds chirping. The day outside looks beautiful. Why can't every day be as beautiful as this? Because India can't win the World Cup every day. That's right... eat that Australia! India have won the World Cup and I am going to rule the world.
Ouch. Partied too much last night. My head hurts. Whoa, gotta run to the toilet... (retch, cough, retch)... Guess what? We even barf blue.
8.30am What's this? Idlis for breakfast? Is this what world champions eat, I ask Ma. She's too busy preparing for the no-moon day puja, she says, to answer my stupid questions. But mum, that's not true, I say, turning her westwards. There is a beautiful golden orb sitting in Mumbai right now, and if you look really hard, you'll be able to see it. She hails some gods to come rain on my parade.
Full postTears sans slaps, the importance of Shaz, and the worst song ever
Sidelights from the second half of the World Cup? We thought you'd never ask
S Aga
03-Apr-2011
The New Pakistan
Competition for the title was fierce. In the final analysis England, who at most stages in their games gave Ravi Shastri cause to shout - not that Mr Shastri needs cause to shout - that all three results were possible, shot ahead of India, who had rocketed into contention by losing nine wickets for 29 against South Africa. Pakistan themselves were mostly monotonous, not mercurial, despite the best efforts of Kamran Akmal.
Competition for the title was fierce. In the final analysis England, who at most stages in their games gave Ravi Shastri cause to shout - not that Mr Shastri needs cause to shout - that all three results were possible, shot ahead of India, who had rocketed into contention by losing nine wickets for 29 against South Africa. Pakistan themselves were mostly monotonous, not mercurial, despite the best efforts of Kamran Akmal.
The Prophet
As India hunted down the last few runs to victory in the final, in the commentary box Ravi Shastri channelled his inner Nostradamus. Back when India won the World Cup last, he informed us hectoringly, they were captained by a man whose surname began with a D. Just like now! Back then the president of the BCCI was NKP Salve, from Nagpur. Just like now! (Shashank Manohar is from Nagpur.) The weight of these revelations sent tremors through the Wankhede Stadium, which communicated themselves to MS Dhoni out in the middle, who, realising it was ordained in the stars, hit a six to get the match over with. You owe Shastri, India.
As India hunted down the last few runs to victory in the final, in the commentary box Ravi Shastri channelled his inner Nostradamus. Back when India won the World Cup last, he informed us hectoringly, they were captained by a man whose surname began with a D. Just like now! Back then the president of the BCCI was NKP Salve, from Nagpur. Just like now! (Shashank Manohar is from Nagpur.) The weight of these revelations sent tremors through the Wankhede Stadium, which communicated themselves to MS Dhoni out in the middle, who, realising it was ordained in the stars, hit a six to get the match over with. You owe Shastri, India.
The Post-Modern Question
If Navjot Sidhu hasn't yet got the sack for referring to a certain team as cockroaches, does that not make him a resilient little cockroach himself as well?
Full postIf Navjot Sidhu hasn't yet got the sack for referring to a certain team as cockroaches, does that not make him a resilient little cockroach himself as well?
India v Sri Lanka? God help us
The World Cup final is a hideous evil and it must not be allowed to come to pass
Sidharth Monga
01-Apr-2011
There is every chance that at the pre-match press conference the captains will say this is just another match for them. They will, of course, be lying.
This is not just another match. This is worse. This is just another match between India and Sri Lanka. One of 30 ODIs that these sides will have played against each other since July 2008. To go with nine Tests and four Twenty20s.
The World Cup has cheated us. These have been a tough 46 days. England left us in a daze, now losing to Ireland, now beating South Africa. Jonathan Trott was the leading run-getter at one point. Imagine how many times we have watched him scratch and mark his guard.
Full postVictory in Basel
When you're marooned in Switzerland on the day of an India-Pakistan game, there are no lengths you won't go to
Sidin Vadukut
31-Mar-2011
All the times in this true story are approximate. When you are battling against a conspiring world to watch a cricket match, the last thing on your mind is the passage of time. However, I have tried to keep the rounded-off markers somewhat accurate.
8:05 AM: Wait. I just woke up before the alarm on my phone went off. Has this ever happened before? Is there something special happening toda…
Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, India Pakistan India Pakistan match match match match… aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…
Full postShoaib and Sania bring the peace, love and understanding
Our intrepid reporter caught up with the poster-children for India-Pakistan amity ahead of the semi-final
Samantha Pendergrast
30-Mar-2011
Sania: India, India, India!
Shoaib: Whoa, girl, pipe down.
Sania: Or what? You'll ban me? Coz that's all you "former" Pakistani cricketers know how to do.
Shoaib: Ouch. If only you could serve something that unplayable on the court…
Sania: Tennis pun? What next, a volley of abuse?
Shoaib: Okay, what are we fighting about again?
Sania: We're not fighting. We're just trying to tell people that we should be the official mascots of all India-Pakistan matches henceforth. So can you try and act cuddly?
Shoaib: Whoa, girl, pipe down.
Sania: Or what? You'll ban me? Coz that's all you "former" Pakistani cricketers know how to do.
Shoaib: Ouch. If only you could serve something that unplayable on the court…
Sania: Tennis pun? What next, a volley of abuse?
Shoaib: Okay, what are we fighting about again?
Sania: We're not fighting. We're just trying to tell people that we should be the official mascots of all India-Pakistan matches henceforth. So can you try and act cuddly?
Haroon Lorgat: (clearing throat) Excuse me. By using the words "official" and "mascot" in conjunction you have triggered our anti-ambush-marketing clause-hunter. You'll shortly be receiving a show-cause notice and should you fail to respond to it within a week of receiving it…
Shoaib: Oh shut it. Go find a suit to not look good in.
Sania: Yeah, and then stone some poor Indians for wanting tickets to watch the final.
Shoaib: Oh shut it. Go find a suit to not look good in.
Sania: Yeah, and then stone some poor Indians for wanting tickets to watch the final.
(Lorgat runs away crying)
Full postIndia races to get Nehra, Munaf unfit in time for semi-final
Pair hard at work with physio to ensure neither plays. Also: an apology from Dilshan
Anand Ramachandran
28-Mar-2011
With only days to go before their high-pressure semi-final game against Pakistan in Mohali, team India is desperately battling to get seamers Ashish Nehra and Munaf Patel unfit in time.
"Yes, the lack of injuries to Ashish and Munaf is a major concern," said skipper MS Dhoni to bewildered reporters at a press conference. "We're doing our best to get at least one of them out of action, ideally both, to maximise our chances of victory against Pakistan on Wednesday."
Explaining further, Dhoni said "If we can successfully injure one of our seamers other than Zaheer, we can bring in Praveen Kumar as an emergency replacement. Surely you'll agree that it's our best bet now.
Full post