The Surfer
'Sajid is no traitor'
Siddhartha Vaidyanathan
25-Feb-2013
Amir Khan, the English boxer, has condemned the abuse of his cricketing cousin Sajid Mahmood, claiming: "He's no traitor, he's our hero." Read the interview in the Daily Mirror here.
Also check out Kevin Mitchell's piece in the Observer where he says that if both Monty Panesar and Mahmood make it to the Ashes squad, they will be plunged into an examination of their character considerably tougher than anything they have so far experienced.
Full postDravid chases sepia dreams
Rahul Dravid recently captained India to a series-win in West Indies, breaking a 35-year barren stretch
Nishi Narayanan
25-Feb-2013
Rahul Dravid recently captained India to a series-win in West Indies, breaking a 35-year barren stretch. He is now considered by many to be the greatest Indian batsman ever. But...
At nine, Rahul Dravid, like any other kid his age, chased cricket icons for autographs, a collection of which - mainly comprising bats and stumps - he has tucked away among his cricket memorabilia
... Dravid would seek autographs. And he would be excited, recalling how he had convinced players to sign. On a couple of occasions, he asked the player's name after getting his signature. It was embarrassing.
More idiocy than infamy
Dean Jones's remark was uncalled for, even by his standards, but Peter Roebuck feels strongly that while Jones needs to serve his punishment, he should be welcomed back to the community
Kanishkaa Balachandran
25-Feb-2013
Dean Jones's remark was uncalled for, even by his standards, but Peter Roebuck feels strongly that while Jones needs to serve his punishment, he should be welcomed back to the community. Roebuck argues that people should direct their anger against oppression of more harmful proportions.
Headstrong but fundamentally generous, the tone of his remark was out of character.But it was a momentary lapse. Let anger be reserved for the violence that destroys lives, and for words intended to hurt.
Read the full piece in The Hindu
Full postMonty finds the hero inside himself
The Times' chief sportswriter, Simon Barnes , can always be relied upon to wax lyrical on a chosen topic
Andrew Miller
25-Feb-2013
The Times' chief sportswriter, Simon Barnes, can always be relied upon to wax lyrical on a chosen topic. And his take on Monty-mania is no exception.
A Sikh playing for the England cricket team, with the Kesh or uncut hair, was always going to stand out from the rest. I saw him step into Test-match cricket this spring, in India, of all places, the place of his ancestors for all that he is Luton-bred. And at once, two things were apparent about him. He couldn’t field but he couldn’t half bowl
Cricket and the meaning of life
If by any chance you should find yourself in Canada this weekend, and more specifically in Toronto at 4.30pm on Sunday, then head down to the South Asian film festival at the NFB who are screening the film Cricket and the Meaning of Life.
ESPNcricinfo staff
25-Feb-2013
If by any chance you should find yourself in Canada this weekend, and more specifically in Toronto at 4.30pm on Sunday, then head down to the South Asian film festival at the NFB who are screening the film Cricket and the Meaning of Life.
The film was voted the winner at the Reel-to-Reel Ontario festival and, as the name suggests, it’s not just a film about cricket – it’s about life itself.
Full postInterview with Ken Gordon
Ryan Patrick, who runs CaribbeanCricket.com, wrote in to point out his interview with Ken Gordon, president of the West Indies Cricket Board
Will
25-Feb-2013
Ryan Patrick, who runs CaribbeanCricket.com, wrote in to point out his interview with Ken Gordon, president of the West Indies Cricket Board. It's worth a read.
But, you had a January deadline. Then another deadline in March. Then another. And another. And they all come and go without agreement. Why should anyone believe that August 31 will be different?
You need not believe it. You have two weeks to wait to find out. Insofar as the ongoing problems that arise with the players, as long as they remain, we'll continue to have serious gaps in acceptance by the fans. We have an understanding with WIPA that these [public] conflicts are not in the best interest of West Indies cricket and we've resolved to honour all agreements. We have to give ourselves some time to go through everything in detail and work [with WIPA] to get everything signed and implemented.
Full postLanger hopes for more bouncers
Peter English
25-Feb-2013
Despite being forced to consider retiring after being hit in the head in his previous Test, Justin Langer has told England’s bowlers to bounce him during the Ashes. However, AAP reported he quickly wished he hadn’t opened his mouth.
"I'd be staggered if I don't cop more bumpers in the next summer than I have through my whole career. If I was the England bowlers I'd be bowling short to me. If I was the England bowlers - look out!"
Fletcher - The Monty maniac
Fletcher is a fellow who by habit will look on a glass as half-empty rather than half-full and, since Panesar's elevation to the England side, it is the spinner's shortcomings with bat and in the field, rather than potential with the ball, that
Nishi Narayanan
25-Feb-2013
Fletcher is a fellow who by habit will look on a glass as half-empty rather than half-full and, since Panesar's elevation to the England side, it is the spinner's shortcomings with bat and in the field, rather than potential with the ball, that have occupied the coach's attention.
A brilliant performance...in the past week appears to have swayed the hangdog coach towards the view that he might just have a genius on his hands.
But can Panesar play Warne's role in England's four-man attack for the Ashes? Read Mike Selvey's piece in The Guardian for more.
Full postThe fielding won it
There were many aspects to admire about England's victory over Pakistan at Headingley, but one of the most notable changes since earlier in the summer - especially the Lord's Test against Sri Lanka when they shelled nine catches - was the quality of
Andrew McGlashan
25-Feb-2013
There were many aspects to admire about England's victory over Pakistan at Headingley, but one of the most notable changes since earlier in the summer - especially the Lord's Test against Sri Lanka when they shelled nine catches - was the quality of the fielding. There were four run-outs (three from direct hits) and some fine catching. Steve James, in the Guardian, pinpoints this improvement as the key to England's series win.
England always want three wickets per Test courtesy of their fielding unit, so that group is in credit by one here; maybe two if you include Collingwood's stunning low catch at third slip to get rid of Umar Gul yesterday.
Simon Hughes takes a similar theme in The Daily Telegraph and says it helped to make up for the loss of Andrew Flintoff.
Full postWith England's attack being understrength, possessing a collection of fast, agile fielders with a deadly aim is the equivalent of having an extra bowler. Don't forget the catching either. Marcus Trescothick put in extra slip-catching practice yesterday morning, as usual wearing weightlifter mitts, and it was he who snaffled the first chance just before midday, a low catch off Matthew Hoggard which had taken an irritating time to materialise.
Ashes, not sackcloth
Jamie Alter
25-Feb-2013
In less time than it takes to make a decent cricket bat, England seem to have fashioned a 'new' team capable of contesting this autumn's Ashes, writes Derek Pringle in The Telegraph.
While England have wrapped up a fine series win against Pakistan, their last Test-match challenge before heading to Australia, the captaincy debate lingers on. Writing in The Independent, Angus Fraser offers food for thought: is Andrew Flintoff still the right man to lead England against Australia...or should it be Andrew Strauss? Who does the big man favour? Read on to find out.
Full post