Tackling Narine on a tennis court
Ryan Ten Doeschate
25-Feb-2013
Ain't difficult to pick at all, this Narine • Ryan ten Doeschate
April 18
We're making some changes after our loss to Kings XI Punjab at home on Sunday. I'm sitting out tonight so have arranged to go to the stadium this morning and face some net bowling. It's an inspiring experience to see these young bowlers run in and give their all at these sessions, predominantly for our benefit. But it's also a chance for them to be involved, to learn some new tricks - Waz [Wasim Akram] is very good at chatting and sharing his knowledge with them - and of course to rub shoulders with the Gambhirs, McCullums and Kallises of the world.
We're making some changes after our loss to Kings XI Punjab at home on Sunday. I'm sitting out tonight so have arranged to go to the stadium this morning and face some net bowling. It's an inspiring experience to see these young bowlers run in and give their all at these sessions, predominantly for our benefit. But it's also a chance for them to be involved, to learn some new tricks - Waz [Wasim Akram] is very good at chatting and sharing his knowledge with them - and of course to rub shoulders with the Gambhirs, McCullums and Kallises of the world.
The net bowlers are very much a background component of the IPL but, on reflection, are a massive part of our preparation. There are hundreds of guys with great skills, especially spinners, and it just highlights how tough it is to make it to the top of the Indian cricket system.
Tonight's performance was clinical (against Kings XI in Mohali), a superb effort from the guys to bounce back from the disappointment of Sunday. Adam Gilchrist made a good point in his post-match comments: losses will naturally occur but stopping the slide as quickly as possible is the key to keeping afloat in this competitive season. It has been a good night. Binga's [Brett Lee] got his guitar out, a sure sign it's late and tomorrow is going to be a lazy day.
April 19
I've been put onto a new book and it's making the perfect companion for a lazy morning. Behind the Beautiful Forevers is a non-fiction account of life in a Mumbai slum. I've spent a relatively good amount of time in Mumbai and am finding it easy to relate to this story. Of course, it is an unimaginably tough existence, but there is something so appealing about life in this paradoxically purest form. Cliche, but a definite 'one-more-page' book.
I've been put onto a new book and it's making the perfect companion for a lazy morning. Behind the Beautiful Forevers is a non-fiction account of life in a Mumbai slum. I've spent a relatively good amount of time in Mumbai and am finding it easy to relate to this story. Of course, it is an unimaginably tough existence, but there is something so appealing about life in this paradoxically purest form. Cliche, but a definite 'one-more-page' book.
I've also found time to visit Nek Chand's rock garden in Chandigarh. It's a life's work of making sculptures from waste material, something the artist started long before it was popular. Old tiles, plugs, bangles and bottles make for a great afternoon wandering around this labyrinth of lanes, waterfalls and bridges. A very relaxing outing and a great chance to catch up with our team director Joy [Bhattacharjya], without a doubt the cleverest man I know. He must be exhausted from answering all my questions and he looks a broken man by the time lunch is over.
April 20
We've had to stay overnight in Delhi so there's nothing on the official schedule today. Keeping in touch with friends and family is obviously important and I'm using this spare time to Skype my family back home. It can be a lonely time being away for long periods and we're coming up to the five-week mark.
We've had to stay overnight in Delhi so there's nothing on the official schedule today. Keeping in touch with friends and family is obviously important and I'm using this spare time to Skype my family back home. It can be a lonely time being away for long periods and we're coming up to the five-week mark.
We've arrived in Cuttack to a fantastic welcome at the team hotel. It is incredibly humid here, but I manage to get Sunil [Narine] onto the tennis court. I feel like a run around will be a good idea. He's definitely not as tricky to face when the ball can't deviate off its natural path and I end up winning supper off him easily.
April 21
We're training at 3 pm, and it is incredibly hot. The emphasis is on getting our work done quickly without taking any shortcuts. The stadium is tucked away in what looks like a rural part of India, but it is certainly not lacking in any means and a big crowd has come out to watch the practice session.
We're training at 3 pm, and it is incredibly hot. The emphasis is on getting our work done quickly without taking any shortcuts. The stadium is tucked away in what looks like a rural part of India, but it is certainly not lacking in any means and a big crowd has come out to watch the practice session.
The team is being treated to a show by the hotel’s resident magician tonight. Some of the reactions are priceless. It is funny seeing the guys trying to work out the guy’s secrets and methods. A few of us have gathered to watch some magic of another kind, [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Lionel] Messi going head to head in the El Clasico. I do not follow Spanish football, but the level of skill on show is incredible and inspiring. Across all sporting codes there are only a handful of people who exhibit this level of mastery.
April 22
After a rain delayed start the bowlers have again got the job done for us. It turns out to be a comfortable win in the end, but there were some nervy moments in the middle of our innings. The feeling is that we still haven’t fired yet, but the tally of points is half decent and we're nicely placed to make a run for it. With the late start and a long trip back to our hotel we only get back at 2:30 am.
After a rain delayed start the bowlers have again got the job done for us. It turns out to be a comfortable win in the end, but there were some nervy moments in the middle of our innings. The feeling is that we still haven’t fired yet, but the tally of points is half decent and we're nicely placed to make a run for it. With the late start and a long trip back to our hotel we only get back at 2:30 am.
April 23
We're on the afternoon flight back to Kolkata. It's only been a week but it feels like we've been away for ages. It is good to catch up with the guys who didn't make the trip and a few of us are joining Brendon [McCullum] for an appearance at one of Kolkata's malls. We've arrived discreetly at a back entrance, but within a few minutes we are swarmed by people wanting pictures and autographs or just to say “hi”. It's the most surreal feeling, but I guess I still haven't got to grips with how popular cricket is in this city.
We're on the afternoon flight back to Kolkata. It's only been a week but it feels like we've been away for ages. It is good to catch up with the guys who didn't make the trip and a few of us are joining Brendon [McCullum] for an appearance at one of Kolkata's malls. We've arrived discreetly at a back entrance, but within a few minutes we are swarmed by people wanting pictures and autographs or just to say “hi”. It's the most surreal feeling, but I guess I still haven't got to grips with how popular cricket is in this city.
April 24
What a storm that was tonight! The stadium has taken a serious beating and despite the efforts of everyone involved there is no chance of getting a game in. It is always disappointing to have games rained off, but it gives us a good chance to socialise with the Deccan [Chargers] boys. We have a few days’ break coming up so it turns out being quite a heavy session.
What a storm that was tonight! The stadium has taken a serious beating and despite the efforts of everyone involved there is no chance of getting a game in. It is always disappointing to have games rained off, but it gives us a good chance to socialise with the Deccan [Chargers] boys. We have a few days’ break coming up so it turns out being quite a heavy session.