Rotation, green tops and Tendulkar's slow fade
The Week That Was
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Graeme Smith and Arjuna Ranatunga reckoned that it smacked of arrogance, and both Steve Waugh and Mark Taylor reckoned that it was a disturbing trend, but Australia carried on regardless with the policy of chopping and changing during the VB Series. Phil Jaques made a superb 94 in one game and found himself out for the next, and with Glenn McGrath also riding the pine, Australia were hammered by Sri Lanka as Brett Dorey and James Hopes discovered the perils of bowling to quality batsmen on a perfect pitch. No matter, the changes kept coming, with Ricky Ponting spending Australia Day on the golf course while a team led by Adam Gilchrist beat Sri Lanka by five wickets. Arrogance or not, Australia still remained clear at the top of the table.
What Champions Trophy?
When Jagmohan Dalmiya was knocked off his lofty perch in Indian cricket, a few might have imagined that the BCCI could be more easily brought around to the establishment line - usually that endorsed by the English Cricket Board or Cricket Australia. Think again. The Sharad Pawar-led board ensured that the renegade reputation remained by threatening not to participate in the Champions Trophy once India had hosted it in October. What they perhaps didn't reckon with was Australia, and four other countries, bidding for the 2008 event. Not that the Indian board will be unduly concerned. Once their demand to have the event shifted from October - a prime month in India's home season - is met, a compromise is bound to be reached. After all, an event of such magnitude without India would attract as much TV revenue and in-stadia advertising as a lawn bowls epic.
Pied Piper
The final-day crowd at Faisalabad grew more restless by the minute as Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf piled on the runs. When Yousuf was finally out, they perked up, only to see Abdul Razzaq walk down the steps. Finally, well into the final session, the anticipation gave way to exultation as Shahid Khan Afridi - Lala to the masses - swaggered out. He made just one before falling to Zaheer Khan, and before you knew it almost half the crowd was heading for the exit. After his spectacular 128-ball 156 in the first innings, you could relate to their sense of deflation.
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Green green grass of home
After the dud pitches prepared at Lahore and Faisalabad, there was such widespread condemnation that it was no surprise when the Karachi strip was unveiled to reveal a healthy covering of grass. But with Inzamam-ul-Haq nursing a back injury and plenty of innuendo as to whether there might be a close shave before the toss, the conspiracy theories fought for space. Such a shame that a series featuring some of the world's most exciting players has come to this - discussion over the fate of a few blades of grass sprouting over packed mud and clay.
Monty didn't get a raw deal
After 46 wickets in the last Championship season, Monty Panesar was touted as a future England prospect. With Ashley Giles firmly ensconced, it appeared that it might be a long wait. But Giles had a forgettable tour of Pakistan, and with his recovery from surgery coming along slower than expected, Paneser finds himself with a February ticket to the land of his forefathers. Nearly thirty years after Bishan Singh Bedi's outspoken comments about John Lever and Vaseline ended his stint with Northamptonshire, another left-arm spinner who prefers to toss the ball up will travel in the opposite direction. If he can be even one-fifth as good as Bedi was, English cricket will be well served.
Insomniacs rejoice
We are living in a material world, and we're suckers for commemorative DVDs. An online site is already advertising DVD highlights of the ongoing Pakistan-India series, where 2791 runs have been scored for the loss of just 36 wickets. Forget Restyl and chamomile tea, and give it a go. You might just be the next Rip van Winkle.
Quote-hanger
"Sachin's controversial dismissal reminded me of a few batsmen who preferred walking off the pitch on their legs rather than being carried away on stretchers when the great Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis were at their brilliant best." - Moin Khan reckons that Tendulkar bottled it at Faisalabad.
Dileep Premachandran is features editor of Cricinfo.
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