The Surfer

The statement would have made us all shift in our chairs and accuse the IPL/ movie stars/ businessmen/ franchise owners of a pragmatism-overload or a lack of courage and that would have been the end of it. Maybe that’s why it was never said. Better to put 11 Pakistani cricketers on the block and then out to dry by talking about “limited slots”, “tactical decisions” and “availability issues”.

Let me begin with SG Test ball. It has a more pronounced seam, which stays that way for almost the entire length of the innings. It helps the quick bowlers release the ball in an upright seam position, as it doesn't wobble much after releasing, and helps the spinners grip the ball better and get more purchase off the wicket as the seam grips the surface well. The ball doesn't swing much when new, but starts swinging when one half becomes shinier than the other. As the shine stays longer, it enables quick bowlers get the swing and slower bowler the drift. The quicks who `release' the ball instead of hitting the deck are more successful with the SG ball as they can get it swing and seam the whole day. The Kookaburra ball, on the other hand, also has a pronounced seam, but it fades away quickly.

I wonder what the umpires were saying to him as they pointed out the apparent canine indentations. "Looks like someone's been chewing on this, skipper," one umpire might say. "Gosh, how strange," Afridi says, "was it a stray beaver? I hear there are a lot of beavers in Perth. Or maybe a dingo."

"But Mark always knew how to schmooze with corporate types, be it out at the races or at the tennis. He was an incredible networker, just loved going out to dinners. He'll be genuine, infectious and passionate in his new role. He used to get so fired up on the field with big diving catches and a willingness to get peppered as an opener just to fill a spot in the side when the middle order was strong."

Greatbatch is an enthusiastic man and he's a straight talker. He hasn't shied away from hard conversations with players. Having two of the three selectors in the team's inner sanctum seems one too many, but give it time. At least a decision has been made and now it's time to move forward.

In effect, he will decide the occupant of the most prestigious and important office in the game. It is an extraordinary state of affairs. His involvement is merely the latest aberration in an absurd episode.

"Scotty kicked a lot of people on the way up, now he's getting kicked by a lot of people on the way down," one said. "He can be a bit of a bully boy with his pranks to try to fit in. Dan would ask if he's a must-have? Most would say 'no'."

Tanvir, who played a key role in the Rajasthan Royals win in 2008, says it was a bolt from the blue when their names were added to the auction list. “I was certain I was going to play for my team!” he told Outlook. “I’d got a letter from Rajasthan Royals saying I’d be playing this season for them, to help me get the visa. Then, three days before the auction, I was told I was going to be put on auction. And then came the humiliation at the auction—there was no need to do this!”