The Surfer
Anoraks in ecstasy after South Africa win
Stephen Moss, The Guardian columnist, pays tribute to the record-breaking feats of Australia and South Africa at Johannesburg.
The Surfer
25-Feb-2013
Stephen Moss, The Guardian columnist, pays tribute to the record-breaking feats of Australia and South Africa at Johannesburg.
While England were struggling to 112 for five in 51 overs against India, the Australians had made an astonishing 434 for four in their allotted 50 overs - 36 runs more than had ever been made in one innings of an international limited-overs match. That is a feat of Bob Beamon proportions …
But the most extraordinary aspect of yesterday's game was what happened after half-time. South Africa roared back and, impossibly, unthinkably, they won, scoring 438 for nine. Beamon's record stood for 23 years; Australia's record had stood for, oh, all of three hours.
Martin Flanagan writes before South Africa’s success and focusses on the behaviour of their crowds in The Age.
Full postThe 127th Royal Thomian encounter
The 127th match between Royal College, Colombo and St Thomas’ College, Mt Lavinia, finished today with a victory for the Royals
Will
25-Feb-2013
The 127th match between Royal College, Colombo and St Thomas’ College, Mt Lavinia, finished today with a victory for the Royals. The encounter - known as the "Battle of the Blues," or the "Big Match" - is 127-years-old and has fielded "many great Prime Ministers, a former President, Ministers and leading citizens of the land" in its history.
There's a feast of information available on the most recent match, including a superb piece by Sripost, a scorecard, some photos and literally dozens of articles about its history.
Of particular interest is Indi's blog. Armed with a camera and a press pass, he provides a fascinating insight into the match and its importance to Colombo:
Colombo is an oven and I’m marinating in beer, coke and arrack at the Royal Thomian match. Boycy got me a press pass and that’s enough to get in. I’m no old boy, but it’s nice to run into so many people I know. Royalists and Thomians are the two elite schools that run Colombo business and society - for better or incestuously retarded worst. There are, however, a lot of good people coming outta there.
Heart of oak
R Mohan offers his tribute to Anil Kumble , the new entrant to the 500 club.
The Surfer
25-Feb-2013
R Mohan offers his tribute to Anil Kumble, the new entrant to the 500 club.
Michael Atherton, the former England captain, says Kumble may lack Shane Warne's spin but perseverance pushed him past 500 Test victims.
When I first played against Kumble (his debut was at Old Trafford in 1990) I thought of him as a one-trick bowler. He had a non-spinning leg-break and a quicker delivery that skidded on. He later added an easily detectable googly and is currently working on a second. His control is far better than it was 16 years ago, but the essence of his bowling remains the same. It is his strength of mind that sets him apart.
Umpire AV Jayaprakash, the man in the white coats during Kumble's 10-wicket haul against Pakistan, relives those moments. He has a interesting side-tale to tell.
Full postAustralian Open makes way for Ashes
The Australian Open - the prestigious 102-year-old golf championship - will be staged a week early this year to accommodate the Ashes .
Will
25-Feb-2013
The Australian Open - the prestigious 102-year-old golf championship - will be staged a week early this year to accommodate the Ashes.
"We didn't think it would be a great idea to put it up against the Olympics of cricket," Golf Australia chief executive Tony Hallam told reporters on Friday.
Greg, tone it down
In what looks like an open letter to Greg Chappell, Rohit Brijnath in The Sportstar pleads with Chappell to draw the line between professionalism and haste
The Surfer
25-Feb-2013
In what looks like an open letter to Greg Chappell, Rohit Brijnath in The Sportstar pleads with Chappell to draw the line between professionalism and haste.
Full postA lot of people sided with you when Ganguly lost his captaincy, but in your lingering fury over this man, maybe you forgot one thing. For all Ganguly's faults, he was our captain, and an inspirational one once, and if we criticised him occasionally, we also deeply admired him.
Pietersen cut goes over school boundary
Freedom of expression came at a high price for a teenager sent home from school for styling his hair like his cricketing hero Kevin Pietersen.
The Surfer
25-Feb-2013
Freedom of expression came at a high price for a teenager sent home from school for styling his hair like his cricketing hero Kevin Pietersen.
Read the full story in The Guardian
But, but, but ... it's not even the first time this has happened. Just what is it with KP inspiring a generation of rebel-headed students? Back in September, another boy got sent home for school for copying KP. And that one was without doubt a worse crime - he was apeing the skunk. Dark days indeed.
Now The Surfer wouldn't pretend to have much sense of style but, really, whether these dudes are choosing to copy the GI Jane look or the dead animal isn't important, we just want to know why.
Full postCharity cricketers head for Mumbai
A team of celebrity cricketers, led by Phil Tufnell, Jack Russell and Rosalie Birch, are heading for India to take on the stars of Bollywood
Andrew Miller
25-Feb-2013
A team of celebrity cricketers, led by Phil Tufnell, Jack Russell and Rosalie Birch, are heading for India to take on the stars of Bollywood. Ever fancied finding out just how good the drummer from McFly is on a crumbling dustbowl? Follow their progress here.
Full postFunny start to final round of Pura Cup
The final round of the Pura Cup starts today and five teams are in with a chance of meeting Queensland, the sixth side, in the final
Peter English
25-Feb-2013
The final round of the Pura Cup starts today and five teams are in with a chance of meeting Queensland, the sixth side, in the final. Comedian Dave Hughes delivered a set to the Victoria squad before their match against Western Australia. The Age reports Hughes, the television funnyman and Bushrangers’ No. 1 ticket-holder, told the side about winning and losing
“Losing is a lot funnier than winning,” he said. “There were a few jokes but I don't think that went down too well with the coach."
The Warriors are worried about Brad Hodge and Marcus North says in the West Australian he won’t be targeted verbally.
Trevor Marshallsea writes in the Sydney Morning Herald about New South Wales’ chances of reaching the final.
Full postLaxman needs dramatic re-entry to remain a force
Shifts are quicker, as dog-fights for the middle order intensifies; nothing is sacrosanct any more, says Harsha Bhogle.
The Surfer
25-Feb-2013
Shifts are quicker, as dog-fights for the middle order intensifies; nothing is sacrosanct any more, says Harsha Bhogle.
Full post