The Surfer

No batsman in history has ever — to use a cliché Roebuck would never bring himself to write — let his bat do the talking more often. Whether he has been batting in the shadow of Lara, or Chris Gayle or briefly in charge, Shiv has stood quietly in the background, concentrating so hard he did not have to talk, and apparently oblivious to the events around him.

Now we must recognise that he is one of the ‘10,000 Club' that is reserved for the truly great and praise the fisherman's son who hauled in a great catch without ever causing great waves.

Those anxiety levels, along with the pace battery that caused them, are long gone, but a new clutch of quicks has the speed to discomfit Andrew Strauss and his batsmen, especially if they fail to find form ahead of the first Test on May 17.

I have no doubt without my experiences and performances in England I would not have represented my country or be living the lifestyle I am able to lead with my growing young family. It's not a right to play professional cricket, it's a privilege. Never take it too seriously and enjoy every moment of the journey, regardless of how good or bad.

The links between the FA Cup Final and cricket are closer than you might think. Indeed, I’ve managed to rustle up a XII who featured (or nearly featured in the case of our 12th man) in at least one FA Cup Final and who also played first-class cricket.

Death bowling is a bespoke art, mastered by only a few and, while the yorker has been the traditional go-to ball in any bowlers’ arsenal, these deliveries are becoming increasingly rare. The game has evolved and batsmen are becoming more skilled, especially in the shortest format of the game. Those who wield the willow are continuously inventing new shots. Shots that would have most MCC members choke on their tea and biscuits. Batsmen are becoming smarter and where a towering paceman would once have a diminutive batsman shaking in his spikes, they’re now simply scooping their balls over the keeper and flashing a cheeky smile.

He has led many match-winners, offering the bowlers so much support with just the right amount of inputs. For example, he got teenager Pawan Negi to bowl when Rajasthan Royals was 56 without loss in six overs and told the left-arm spinner to not bowl full length to Ajinkya Rahane and Rahul Dravid since both drive well through the off-side. With bowlers like Morne Morkel and Umesh Yadav – who bowled the decisive last two overs in the team’s memorable victory in the home game against Rajasthan Royals – Viru tells them to bowl freely. By backing his bowlers so much with the right advice and the fields that they would like, Viru is doing a great job.

In the West Indies, cricket is a combination of theatre and a night club. The passion for the game is intense, but regardless of the result, the West Indian people seem to have so much fun. From the moment we arrived at the ground each day, to the moment the last drinks are called in the hotel, there is music, loud, loud music. People dance and sing and smile and laugh. When they are not doing that, or drinking beer or rum, they are talking cricket. To be more specific, they are usually arguing more about cricket, than just talking about it. Such is the passion, that they are all experts, who have an opinion on the fortunes of their national team and the triumphs or downfalls that go with being the West Indian cricket team.

Forced to make glib chat with people whose knowledge of his sport would have been a deep insult to him in his playing days. Forced to make an entry to the sound of a blaring band and blaring words. While cricket; his cricket; our cricket – is reduced to a sideshow of a sideshow. And yet he plays along – trying, somehow, to maintain some little dignity amongst the crass glitter.

Sunil Gavaskar – did he have to? Sunil, did you have to?

IPL is no longer a domestic competition. The ICC must recognise this and clear the international calendar for the IPL to preserve the integrity of Test cricket, or risk weakening it immeasurably.

Test cricket has to be respected by the custodians of the game first and foremost. Central contracts must recognise the importance of the longer version of the game and remunerate Test cricketers handsomely.

The recent domestic first-class cricket competition was an embarrassment and a shambles. It lacked both a sponsor and quality, with match after match being done and dusted in three days.

There is talk of secession in the air and going it alone, whether it be in Jamaica, or Trinidad, or Guyana. Talk is one thing, action another and a split by one or more seems unlikely. If for no other reason than it would leave any breakaway country without international cricket for at least a generation, while it regrouped and sought full membership of the ICC.