Purple people, sandwich love, and the return of Shoaib
All in our look back at the highlights of the first couple of weeks of the World Cup
S Aga
07-Mar-2011
Sonu Nigam shows off his amazing energy-efficient jacket, which can replace 700 lightbulbs • AFP
The Glitz, the Glamour, the Horror
Sonu Nigam - or Niigaam, as his numerologist knows him - turned up at the opening ceremony in a fetching outfit that made him look like a body double for Aamir Khan in Lagaan emerging out of a mishap in a Jean-Paul Gaultier workroom. Clad in a low-cut blouse, a shiny jacket, and a billowy skirt-like pair of pants, he proceeded to belt out a 1980s-style torch song about going for glory, as the world looked on in what could only be described as fascinated horror.
Sonu Nigam - or Niigaam, as his numerologist knows him - turned up at the opening ceremony in a fetching outfit that made him look like a body double for Aamir Khan in Lagaan emerging out of a mishap in a Jean-Paul Gaultier workroom. Clad in a low-cut blouse, a shiny jacket, and a billowy skirt-like pair of pants, he proceeded to belt out a 1980s-style torch song about going for glory, as the world looked on in what could only be described as fascinated horror.
The Hommage
Fifteen years after Kenya's Tariq Iqbal played his part in his team's upset World Cup win over West Indies, when a ball off the edge of Brian Lara's bat lodged between what were gleefully described as Iqbal's "ample thighs", we had an encore: Canada's chunky legspinner Balaji Rao juggled the ball in his hands before finally clamping it safe between his not inconsiderable legs. It was only the wicket of Wahab Riaz, but then you can't have everything, can you?
Fifteen years after Kenya's Tariq Iqbal played his part in his team's upset World Cup win over West Indies, when a ball off the edge of Brian Lara's bat lodged between what were gleefully described as Iqbal's "ample thighs", we had an encore: Canada's chunky legspinner Balaji Rao juggled the ball in his hands before finally clamping it safe between his not inconsiderable legs. It was only the wicket of Wahab Riaz, but then you can't have everything, can you?
The Bouncebackability
To World Cup-winning Captain, Champion Fast Talker and Ace Palm Lubricator, Ricky Ponting now adds the coveted title of Formidable Groin Protector Thrower. Australia's captain won the title uncontested when he managed to fling one such item so hard at a kitbag in the dressing room after his dismissal against Zimbabwe, it rebounded and struck a television set soundly enough to cause damage. As the rabble-rousing press speculated the damage was inflicted by something more substantial than a flying box - a bat, say - Ponting cleared it all up by saying no, it was indeed his box that inflicted the damage. That's sorted then.
To World Cup-winning Captain, Champion Fast Talker and Ace Palm Lubricator, Ricky Ponting now adds the coveted title of Formidable Groin Protector Thrower. Australia's captain won the title uncontested when he managed to fling one such item so hard at a kitbag in the dressing room after his dismissal against Zimbabwe, it rebounded and struck a television set soundly enough to cause damage. As the rabble-rousing press speculated the damage was inflicted by something more substantial than a flying box - a bat, say - Ponting cleared it all up by saying no, it was indeed his box that inflicted the damage. That's sorted then.
The Truth Told to Shame the Devil
"Everyone did well other than Sreesanth," Virender Sehwag declared at the press conference after the opening game, against Bangladesh. Cue much delight and eloquence about how Viru pulled no punches on the field and off it. Chortle.
"Everyone did well other than Sreesanth," Virender Sehwag declared at the press conference after the opening game, against Bangladesh. Cue much delight and eloquence about how Viru pulled no punches on the field and off it. Chortle.
The Unhittable
This old dog's bite's as bad as his bark: Muttiah Muralitharan went two full matches in a row with not a single boundary struck off him and currently has an economy rate of 3.59 and average of 24. Not bad for a pensioner, given that it's a batsman's game and all. The only fours and sixes hit off Murali so far have been by Canada, that bunch of striplings with no respect for their elders.
This old dog's bite's as bad as his bark: Muttiah Muralitharan went two full matches in a row with not a single boundary struck off him and currently has an economy rate of 3.59 and average of 24. Not bad for a pensioner, given that it's a batsman's game and all. The only fours and sixes hit off Murali so far have been by Canada, that bunch of striplings with no respect for their elders.
The Trouper
Like a punch-drunk, much-battered movie monster you just can't kill, the unsinkable Shoaib Akhtar keeps coming back. A little the worse for wear, a bit more creaky in the joints than usual, and the proud possessor of a limp with a capital L, Shoaib waded in against Sri Lanka and produced a screamer like of old, shooting through Mahela Jayawardene's defence to take his middle stump. Drama fans hugged each other and wiped nostalgic tears from their eyes.
Like a punch-drunk, much-battered movie monster you just can't kill, the unsinkable Shoaib Akhtar keeps coming back. A little the worse for wear, a bit more creaky in the joints than usual, and the proud possessor of a limp with a capital L, Shoaib waded in against Sri Lanka and produced a screamer like of old, shooting through Mahela Jayawardene's defence to take his middle stump. Drama fans hugged each other and wiped nostalgic tears from their eyes.
The Fitting Accessory
Purple hair to go with a purple patch. Props to Ireland.
Purple hair to go with a purple patch. Props to Ireland.
The Stained
Bangladesh's green uniforms have an inexplicable tinge of brown around the waist, giving them a perma-soiled look, as if they've been dragged around in the mud. Which, given how they played against West Indies, they may well have figuratively been.
Bangladesh's green uniforms have an inexplicable tinge of brown around the waist, giving them a perma-soiled look, as if they've been dragged around in the mud. Which, given how they played against West Indies, they may well have figuratively been.
The Locking of the Door After the Bolting of the Horse
Thrilling games are all very well, but stop a minute to think of what they're doing to your health. Well, at least one cricket administrator is looking out for the well-being of fans. After Eden Gardens lost hosting rights to the India-England game, Jagmohan Dalmiya and Co swung into action and declared the CAB would, with every ticket for the remaining matches, throw in gratis a blood pressure check, electrocardiogram and a consultation with doctors. In stark contrast to those heartless Bangalore officials, who provided no more than a free stick across the back for fans who had the temerity to dare attempt to purchase tickets, and then subjected them to a thriller that did said fans' blood pressure not an ounce of good.
Thrilling games are all very well, but stop a minute to think of what they're doing to your health. Well, at least one cricket administrator is looking out for the well-being of fans. After Eden Gardens lost hosting rights to the India-England game, Jagmohan Dalmiya and Co swung into action and declared the CAB would, with every ticket for the remaining matches, throw in gratis a blood pressure check, electrocardiogram and a consultation with doctors. In stark contrast to those heartless Bangalore officials, who provided no more than a free stick across the back for fans who had the temerity to dare attempt to purchase tickets, and then subjected them to a thriller that did said fans' blood pressure not an ounce of good.
The Over My Dead Body
The South Africa-West Indies game in Delhi produced an addition to the list of things you don't do to Geoff Boycott (still on top: running him out) - you don't try to confiscate his sandwiches. "I want to speak to the general or the brigadier, whoever's in charge," Sir Geoffrey threatened after police decided not to allow dangerous commodities like food into the stadium. Suffice to say Sir Geoff and his sandwiches were not parted.
The South Africa-West Indies game in Delhi produced an addition to the list of things you don't do to Geoff Boycott (still on top: running him out) - you don't try to confiscate his sandwiches. "I want to speak to the general or the brigadier, whoever's in charge," Sir Geoffrey threatened after police decided not to allow dangerous commodities like food into the stadium. Suffice to say Sir Geoff and his sandwiches were not parted.