Scoops, tricks and retro chic
Razzaq, Michael Jackson, and eighties-style allrounders all make comebacks in our look back at the highlights from the last six days
Osman Samiuddin
16-Jun-2009
Jesse who? Aaron Redmond fills in for Ryder • Getty Images
Stroke of the week
Could it be anything other than the Dilshan? Or the Dilscoop, as people are calling it? How has he not managed to break his own face yet doing it? And when will Sri Lanka stop inventing shots or balls that are named after their players? Look out for the Sangslice, the Sanook, the Jaysweep and the Maslinger.
Could it be anything other than the Dilshan? Or the Dilscoop, as people are calling it? How has he not managed to break his own face yet doing it? And when will Sri Lanka stop inventing shots or balls that are named after their players? Look out for the Sangslice, the Sanook, the Jaysweep and the Maslinger.
Comeback of the week
Having joined the ICL after being dropped from Pakistan's World Twenty20 squad in 2007, there was a fine irony in Abdul Razzaq's return from international wilderness to the very stage where his exile began. The Great Laidback one didn't disappoint, two wickets helping set up a crucial rout.
Having joined the ICL after being dropped from Pakistan's World Twenty20 squad in 2007, there was a fine irony in Abdul Razzaq's return from international wilderness to the very stage where his exile began. The Great Laidback one didn't disappoint, two wickets helping set up a crucial rout.
Note of the week
To Chris Gayle: Paris Hilton called and she asked for her day-glo green shades back.
To Chris Gayle: Paris Hilton called and she asked for her day-glo green shades back.
Greatest contribution to the 80s revival of the week
DJs playing Michael Jackson at grounds between overs and innings, in particular "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," and "Beat It." Cricinfo understands that Jackson, whose career is in a prolonged slump, has been signed up by Lalit Modi to perform at the next IPL closing ceremony. An option to introduce his own franchise, the Neverland Nanas, is also understood to be on the table.
DJs playing Michael Jackson at grounds between overs and innings, in particular "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," and "Beat It." Cricinfo understands that Jackson, whose career is in a prolonged slump, has been signed up by Lalit Modi to perform at the next IPL closing ceremony. An option to introduce his own franchise, the Neverland Nanas, is also understood to be on the table.
Quote of the week
"England are the new Pakistan"
David Lloyd after England beat India
"England are the new Pakistan"
David Lloyd after England beat India
Best preparation for the World Twenty20
Never play a limited-overs international, play instead for Farnsworth (no we don't know either) in the Bolton league and come into the tournament straight off the sofa. No? Aaron Redmond didn't do too badly, replacing Jesse Ryder and immediately making a 30-ball 63. "I didn't have time to think about it. Sometimes it's better to get pulled from the couch," said Redmond.
Never play a limited-overs international, play instead for Farnsworth (no we don't know either) in the Bolton league and come into the tournament straight off the sofa. No? Aaron Redmond didn't do too badly, replacing Jesse Ryder and immediately making a 30-ball 63. "I didn't have time to think about it. Sometimes it's better to get pulled from the couch," said Redmond.
Ploy of the week I
Bouncers, lots and lots of bouncers, at Indian batsmen.
Bouncers, lots and lots of bouncers, at Indian batsmen.
Ploy of the week II
Drop your leading wicket-taker against a side not great against spin. Bring in a batting allrounder in his place. Watch batting allrounder crawl to 25 off 35 balls and lose your side critical momentum. Eventually, watch your side lose the game and go out of the tournament. MS Dhoni, the touch was not so golden there.
Drop your leading wicket-taker against a side not great against spin. Bring in a batting allrounder in his place. Watch batting allrounder crawl to 25 off 35 balls and lose your side critical momentum. Eventually, watch your side lose the game and go out of the tournament. MS Dhoni, the touch was not so golden there.
Ploy of the week III
Here's an idea. Next time you're running in to bowl, your lot in life to be a fast bowler, suddenly point to nowhere in particular. It really gets the batsmen, every time. Ask Stuart Broad and he'll tell you it is as effective as sometimes not lifting your non-bowling arm during your action, or making a funny face during your run-up.
Here's an idea. Next time you're running in to bowl, your lot in life to be a fast bowler, suddenly point to nowhere in particular. It really gets the batsmen, every time. Ask Stuart Broad and he'll tell you it is as effective as sometimes not lifting your non-bowling arm during your action, or making a funny face during your run-up.
Likeliest recruit to the 80s fab four of Imran, Kapil, Beefy and Hadlee
Dwayne Bravo, for a four-wicket haul and an unbeaten, match-sealing 66 - finished with a royal six over extra cover - to upstage defending champions India. More all-round than that ain't possible.
Dwayne Bravo, for a four-wicket haul and an unbeaten, match-sealing 66 - finished with a royal six over extra cover - to upstage defending champions India. More all-round than that ain't possible.
Mischief-making of the week
Daniel Vettori
Daniel Vettori
Stumping of the week
James Foster was not picked in the England side for anything other than his glovework, and how refreshing. It paid off at a crucial moment against India: Yuvraj Singh was just beginning to threaten an onslaught when Graeme Swann lured him into overbalancing on a drive. And even before Yuvraj had realised what was happening, the bails were off, his back foot still dangling in the air.
James Foster was not picked in the England side for anything other than his glovework, and how refreshing. It paid off at a crucial moment against India: Yuvraj Singh was just beginning to threaten an onslaught when Graeme Swann lured him into overbalancing on a drive. And even before Yuvraj had realised what was happening, the bails were off, his back foot still dangling in the air.
Quick thinking of the week
By Angelo Mathews, who was stationed on the wide long-on boundary in the 17th over of West Indies' chase against Sri Lanka, when Ramnaresh Sarwan lofted Ajantha Mendis in his direction. Mathews caught the ball on the right side of the line but, realising the momentum had taken him backwards, flung the ball in the air before he went over the boundary. Looking up, he saw that the ball would land outside the boundary - for six - and so got up, jumped and smashed the ball over the rope, back into play. Like the Mongoose bat, so bizarre even the MCC approved it.
By Angelo Mathews, who was stationed on the wide long-on boundary in the 17th over of West Indies' chase against Sri Lanka, when Ramnaresh Sarwan lofted Ajantha Mendis in his direction. Mathews caught the ball on the right side of the line but, realising the momentum had taken him backwards, flung the ball in the air before he went over the boundary. Looking up, he saw that the ball would land outside the boundary - for six - and so got up, jumped and smashed the ball over the rope, back into play. Like the Mongoose bat, so bizarre even the MCC approved it.
Osman Samiuddin is Pakistan editor of Cricinfo