The Surfer
Mohammad Asif was detained in Dubai on suspicion of possessing drugs and Khalid Hussain believes the Pakistan board has only itself to blame for his latest misadventure
Asif’s latest episode involving drugs is by no means an isolated incident. Less than two years back, the fast bowler tested positive for banned anabolic steroid nandrolone along with Shoaib Akhtar. But while Shoaib — the ‘bad boy’ of Pakistan cricket — was relegated to the role of a villain, Asif was treated by our cricket bosses as an innocent kid ‘who didn’t know what he was doing’.
Brett Lee is shaping up as Australia's answer to David Beckham by launching his own line of men's underwear and modelling them himself, AAP reports
"You see these other brands and they're worth A$35 to $45 for a pair of briefs or a pair of boxer shorts and trunks and stuff," Lee told AAP. “Sixteen and 17-year-old kids can't afford that. So we can make briefs with the highest quality with the fabrics we've got for under $10."
The Indian Premier League has finally come to an end and now begins the analysis
The recognition and the riches were welcome; the experience was priceless. For long consigned to second-class status, India’s domestic cricketers were granted a stage to parade their talent and a reference to measure it against. Just as significant was the access they were given to the world’s best cricketing ideas and practices. Ironically the BCCI’s brainchild is an indictment of the way domestic cricket has been administered.
Even in retirement, Warne was stealing his contemporary's headlines. Once, that might have irked MacGill. It has often been said that the New South Welshman's greatest fault was to have been born in the same generation as history's most prolific spinner, and the constant comparisons with Warne often wore thin in the early days. But, over time, MacGill came to accept that his accomplishments would always be compared to the impossible standards of his Victorian rival, that his career would be inextricably linked to Warne's, that there was no escape from the shadow.
No, those in situ are England's best top six. The personnel don't need changing but, in my opinion, the order does. Kevin Pietersen and Bell should each slip down a place to No 5 and No 6, and Collingwood be promoted from six to four. Yes, the latter move appears madness because Collingwood is so desperately out of form, but please hear me out.
With 472 runs and 17 wickets for the Rajasthan Royals, Shane Watson won the Player of the Tournament award, beating Shaun Marsh and Shane Warne to the US$23,500 prize
"The last couple of years were hellish as I missed the Ashes, and it's been a pretty long process since then. But I have been lucky to have one person, my guiding light, who has simply been amazing. Popov [sports physiotherapist] did quite a few different things with my body, he shook it up. And the guidance, time and the knowledge he has given me have been vital in me being where I am now."
The IPL has reached its climax but Hindustan Times ' Pradeep Magazine wants to know why the media has ignored the league's drawbacks and reported it almost as if it was part of the show.
The electronic media thrives on stories of nepotism, corruption and wrong-doings of officials. They even create one where none exists, that is why the silence on stories concerning the dynamic Lalit Modi and a few other board officials, which may not show them in good light, is a little baffling.
New Zealand lost the second Test against England after having the upper hand and Mark Richardson believes Daniel Vettori should be mulling over the lost opportunity more than most because he blew the opportunity to do something he has not done for 11
It's wrong to respond to this revelation by simply saying Vettori is not accomplishing his core responsibility of bowling his country to victory because there is so much more to Vettori's contribution to New Zealand cricket than simply taking wickets on the last day of a Test match, important though that is. There is no question of Vettori's quality, versatility and consistency as a Test bowler.
The Observer 's Adrian Deevoy takes his friend along for an interview with Andrew Flintoff and despite having seen him on innumerable cricket pitches across the years his friend is shocked into silence by Flintoff's sheer physical presence.
For the occasion, Will has devised a series of Mastermind-like questions for the Lancashire lad (specialist subject: the life and times of A Flintoff 1977-2008) in order to ascertain how much Freddie knows about himself. Later, Flintoff will rattle through these at a familiarly impressive rate. Without affectation, Flintoff treats Will as an old friend, indulging his Wisden-weary queries and laughing throatily at his useless jokes. Will marvels at his generosity of spirit for weeks to come.
"A glance at the scoreboard from this week's second Test loss to England would suggest New Zealand's wretched batting performance in the third innings alone decided the outcome," says Adam Parore in the New Zealand Herald
We have become used to these collapses, which tend to be put down to bad sessions. One each at the Basin Reserve and Napier cost New Zealand dearly in their two Test defeats to England earlier in the year. But I believe they have come about as a result of New Zealand actually having to play extremely well to stay with England. At some point they have slipped up, and the results have been disastrous. Even as they have been competing well, there have been signs that all is not hunky dory.