March 23, 2007
Cricket: Amar's Chitra KathaSports
Day 13 of my Cricket tuition: I’m feeling a bit woozy from all the head-spinning developments regarding certain tragic events of this World Cup. Surely there is no better moment to focus on sweeter aspects of the game, specifically how an essay penned by my erstwhile intern Amar Shah showed up on ESPN the other day. I felt nothing but consummate delight when I followed the link which was submitted repeatedly to the bunker’s hotline; there in baby blue, with his gorgeous wife too, the boy whom I had been surprisingly fond of, even before we had ever met.
It was 2002 and Amar Shah was a student from the University of Florida. I was in a windowless office at Preston Gates, near the White House. I began receiving persistent instant messages from someone with a memorable, if young-sounding screen name. Typical questions about what his internship would be like and how he should prepare gave way to actual conversation and fellowship. Who was this kid? That first day of our program, I remember that though I was excited about finally meeting all of my interns, I was extra-curious about the one who would later jump up in a hyperactive and spontaneous moment mid-orientation and show off how he already knew not just our names, but our AIM screen names, as well. And I thought he had just been chatting with me. ;)
That summer, I held his hand as he crushed on the unattainable: a girl so stunning, she looked as if she had stepped out of a Moghul miniature. I fretted over him while he bounced around the Hill; I kept him company when he was the last of my baby birds to fly away, that tear-drenched August day. It was fitting that Amar’s would be the final flight to leave DC; it was a small comfort that I had a few extra hours to spend with someone I had grown so attached to, someone who since then has always made me proud.
It turns out that in an odd, small way I am AKKA to the world, as my horoscope spookily predicted I would be way back in 1989, in Seventeen magazine’s deluxe astrology section which was published in honor of that now-ancient new year. I fuss over everyone, I worry about them, I boss them around, I pinch their ears…but most of all, I love and never forget them, nor do I pass up an opportunity to brag about them as if I were their PR rep, as if they were my own.
Amarshah, I always knew you’d be huge. I just didn’t think you’d convince such a dime to marry you and grace your side while you did it. ;)
Cricket’s Yogi Berra, Navjot Singh Sidhu, once warned, “Wickets are like wives — you never know which way they will turn.”
Perhaps that’s why my wife Tejal threatened to take off the Indian cricket jersey she had reluctantly worn when she saw the line in front of the NAZ8 Cineplex. I had woken her up at 5:30 a.m. on a Saturday to venture to Lakewood, near the city of Artesia, which is known as the “Little India” of Southern California. We were set to watch the India versus Bangladesh ICC World Cup match on the big screen with a movie theater full of wicket-crazy cricket nuts. By all accounts there was no better place in America where a cricket fan could go to experience the visceral feel of a real match. Plus, it was free. But now, with the sun still yet to rise, and a cold chill in the air, my wife crossed her arms and nudged me in the chest.
“We look like posers,” she said. “We’re the only ones wearing these shirts.”
She let me know that my brilliant plan of wearing the sky blue, Sahara-endorsed jerseys that I brought back from India was a stupid idea. Though the crowd was mostly Indian-centric, everyone was clad in coats, jeans and five o’clock shadows. Tejal also pointed out that she was the only girl.
When one of the men in line saw us approaching like a pair of twin Smurfs, he blithely commented that Tendulkar and Dravid had arrived, referring to the last names of legendary star Sachin Tendulkar and captain Rahul Dravid.
Any article which references the smurfs is genius. Read the rest at ESPN. I’ll just sit here like a properly chuffed elder sister, gloating about how fabulous Amar is while you do. He’s a little bit of perfect, isn’t he? :)
anna on March 23, 2007 12:31 AM in Musings, Sports · T·r·a·c·k·b·a·c·k address · Direct link · Email post
my favorite and most loved enlightened despot.
Why Jay Gatsby, as I live and breathe...
Hush little baby, don't say a word-- no one here knew of my totalitarian past as an absolutist monarch. ;)
Anna u a hero! just cause u atleast
to report on something which matters so much to us foolidh little !!!What's the Mallu term for Cupid's Arrow?
Well done ANNA.
as Steven moffat would say...Brilliant!!!!!!!
dear anna, I am lovin every one of ur post. Now whos ready for INDIA vs SRILANKA!!!!!
Interesting debate on India at the Guardian Jeet
Why the World Cup must go on
What a black cloud this is though.
When one of the men in line saw us approaching like a pair of twin Smurfs, he blithely commented that Tendulkar and Dravid had arrived, referring to the last names of legendary star Sachin Tendulkar and captain Rahul Dravid.
Aw, how corny is that, turning up in matching (baby blue) jerseys; they had the snark coming.
Let's get the match on!
I was expecting the "Woolmer would have wanted it to go on" line but all that lofty respect and spirit of the game mumbo jumbo aside, it should go on for all services workers and peripheral, yet important, laborers whose wages and livelihoods depend on the World Cup. I'm sure they've been waiting for this event for years.
I'm sick to my stomach and can't enjoy any of it but there's more to an event like this than the fan.
The World Cup should go on -- but it'll be hard to enjoy it as much after all this. That article in the Guardian is the first one I've read that explicitly states that members of the Pakistan team must also be under suspicion -- and a quick survey of my mates said the same.
Zaheer is taking some time to get into his rhythm. This is his chance to redeem himself, though I don't like the constant comparisons to the 2003 final at Cricinfo.
Agarkar bowled a tight over, though I'm still sceptical about him.
Urgent: Can anyone recommend a strong viewing location in Edison, NJ (or similar Indian-heavy area) for the rest of today? Thanks!
Austin too!
Siddhartha, don't know for sure but I would bet any restaurant in Edison would show the match.
Assume everyone saw Shashi Tharoor's lament about Americans and cricket in today's NYT? The self-congratulatory tone fell a bit flat as he didn't acknowledge Woolmer's death.
I'm interested in any other viewing option in NYC area to stop in on today -- homes, bars, whatever. If there are people with opinions or commentary to share I'll interview them for a radio story. I'm particularly looking for India supporters today since it's looking like today is absolute must-win. Email me with any leads. Thanks!
Siddhartha, I think the Leela Lounge (On 3rd and Broadway) will be showing it
YESSS!!! Jayasuriya GONE!!!!!!!
Siddhartha, South Asian student groups at Columbia or NYU will probably be your best bet, they are sure to have arranged TV transmission of the match and will have lots of
pontificatingopinions to offer.Anyone remember the WC when Jayasurya ended Manoj Prabhakar's career?
No repeat performance today then.
re: Edison, NJ: You might want to reach out to the Edison Cricket Club and see if they have any good leads.
Siddhartha, I have more-than-average knowledge about cricket in New Jersey; I'll email you off-blog with some ideas.
Sri Lanka accused India of sabotaging Jayantha's candidacy for Secretary General post by fielding Shashi Tharoor and actively campaigning against Sri Lanka.
Don't be hating.........!
I just took a quick glance but it looks like Bro Shashi is hating all around. On Sri Lankans, definitely -- good catch, Chandare. And especially on Americans. Bro Shashi might now be hip to the idea that there is a growing community of South-Asian-Americans who have loyalties on both continents. It also says that Bro Shashi has a forthcoming book called "The Elephant, the Tiger and the Cellphone: India, The Emerging 21st Century Power.” At a minimum, that's a clumsy title and haven't, like, five other people already written basically the same book?
Jayawardane gone to great catch by Dhoni.
Are there really enough desis in the US who are loyal to cricket still, what about the second gen? I don't think I could bear it if a child of mine was more interested in baseball than in cricket. ABDs, how do you and your parents feel about the game?
Yo SP, where you been? Abdabdabd!!!
Siddhartha, try these folks , they may have some leads.
SP you mind reader, I was wondering about ABDs and 1.5ers myself.
We can't help it khoon mein kharabi and all, but what gets some of you non DBDs interested in the game?
Siddhartha,
Once caught Shashi on C-SPAN Book TV, promoting his last book(Nehru?).He sounded great.Haven't read anything by him yet though.
This damn match is cutting into my workload!(60/2)now.
A Brit-Irish friend and I will be on the 12.01 train from Penn Station to Metropark. Anyone want to meet us, just holla.
Run rate at 4.03. Oh, we can hope!
Oh, come on SP! I already pointed out that cricket has a long history in the US, and even today it's not insignificant, and growing strongly. The other side of this is that baseball is also played in India. Amateur Baseball Federation of India Yes, even I played it! OK, someone had to show me what and how, and it was just a couple times, but still! My guess is WW-II American GIs took it there, and so it was big in areas where they were stationed in large numbers - Bangalore, Calcutta, etc. Today, with all other kinds of American influence in India growing, I expect baseball in India will also grow. In fact, visiting ABDs could spread it there!
Tharoor's article was incomplete for not having mentioned Americans's cricketing past and present, and baseball in India - creating a bigger disjuncture between the two sports cultures than actually exists, and which is, moreover, probably not going to be sustained very long in a globalizing world!
Good luck India. I'm off to watch it at the pub.
dada(rather sourobh-da)! another gone
In fact, check this out
Link
Well yes, cricket has a long history in the US, but I've yet to meet people who are US-born and are really into the game. It would be hard to, without the supporting nationalist culture around it, I suppose, not to mention the facilities, and social acceptability factor (does any sport bring out the snickering in Americans as much as cricket?) Nice to hear that there are some ABDs really interested in it, though. Similarly, the few kids I know who have a baseball bat and know a little bit about the game back home tend to have family in the States, but their interest in the game is generally quite fleeting.
Ganguly brought in for an over to unsettle the Lankan batsmen, predictably. Must get Tharanga. He's getting a bit too comfortable.
YESSSSSS SAngakarrrraaaa ouuuuuuut!!!
dada does the damamge!
105/3 baby
Holy smoke, there really is something here! Ok, no threadjacking, no more from me here on this...
Link
Jeet,
Don't open the champagne yet.
If you say that really fast, it sounds like kabbadi! kabbadi! kabbadi!
1. It's a medium for desi fraternity among the boys of all ages -- basically a boy's club. They see their dads get really into it and they think it's the guy thing to do.
2. It's a bit of a novelty. They like being into something they know is inaccessible to their baseball-football-white bread-and-kool aid friends. If you bring samosas and Gatorade or Taco Bell in between overs you'll make life-long cricket players out of them.
3. Can't really tell you much about how to get girls into it. Usually, when ABD girls are into cricket, it's in the way that Anna is into it. They generally just want to learn the rules so they can know what's going on when they watch it. Sometimes it's prompted by a crush on a player (pro or amateur :). In any case, it's a safe space, and a platonic way to have an "in" with the guys, which always feels like somewhat of an accomplishment for girls (the way a guy would feel if he suddenly had an in with all the girls because he was into makeup or something else that's "girly"). Sure, they get infantalized, but they also get showered with attention and made to feel all special, like the little baby sister, so most of them consider it a fair trade-off.
(Yes, I'm gendering. But I'm not making any assumptions, I'm just telling you how gender is relevant, for better or for worse.)
with India playing..I know!
Op-ed on cricket by Shashi Tharoor...beautifully written: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/23/opinion/23tharoor.html
tendulkar!!!!!! tharanga goooooone
YEAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
Neighbours will think I'm nuts.
Nice observations, Shruti, but let's not forget Women's Cricket, or Women's Baseball either!
Gender is not irrelevant to my interest in Ozzie Vice-Captain Lisa Sthalekar!
I know, I know, there's a match going on...
Nice analysis, Shruti. I broadly agree. The father-son bond, the family bond, brownitude, resistence to American singularity (there's soccer for that, too)...anything both Jamaicans and Australians do gotta be cool. Off to a cricket party folks; its time to get the kingfisher on. Go India! abdabdabd!
Not celebrating yet. Vaas has been a thorn in India's side. W/ bat or ball.
The gender observations are pretty accurate. Though I've frequently watched matches with older male relatives of the "bhagao saale ko" school where I've had to explain things to them. And it's very different when you're playing cricket with the boys, they don't cut you much slack then. The importance of sex appeal *coughIrfancough* must never be underestimated, especially in reviving the interest of those put off by the match-fixing scandals.
A good example of the desi male comfort zone with Pretty Little Things Trying to Understand the Game was when Mandira Bedi was recruited to add a little oomph to cricket commentary on Indian TV - all the (overwhelmingly male) 'experts' (whether on TV or just in living rooms across the nation) loved to make fun of her 'basic' questions and girliness but of course they wouldn't want to bring on a real woman expert like, say, an ex-cricketer - no, the arrangement whereby they indulgently explained the game to the Little Woman while reinforcing their sense of superiority, enjoying the eye-candy, and shaking their heads at the idea of a "bimbette expert" suited them just fine.
exactly.
Two of my best gora friends, both born and raised in the Midwest are cricket obsessed. I think this can be explained by their anglophilia but still quite interesting. One spent some time and India, and my friends invited him to watch a game. Later, they told me they were amazed by his knowledge of obscure players and matches from the 1960s
If I have boys, I will name my children Malcolm Marshall Chandra and Sie Vivian Richards Chandra, to ensure that the glorious sport is always with them
Purnima Rau Chandra does not have the same ring
India letting it slip. Not good.
two wickets in quick time!
WPUJC Vaas..that is the longest name ever!!!!
254 (255 to win) doable?
@51,
nontrivial.
Depends on whether the top order decides to collapse once again/Murali is able to do damage. Commentators were saying the pitch offers some turn. Also, India will be more motivated than Sri Lanka as SL are already through, though that could just translate into more pressure => collapse.
SP (#45):
Spot on - like Donna Symmonds or Anjum Chopra... shameless plug
Also, another gripe about Set Max: they're AD CRAZY! They cut into commercial a half-second before the end of the over, and most times if there's a wide or no ball at the end of the over they'll miss the actual last ball because they didn't wait for the umpire's signal. They also often come out of commercial after the first ball of the over, which is annoying enough in the middle of an innings, but at the death it's super pissing off.
Interesting side-dialogue.
I had never really known or cared about cricket, not until I was told about some Malayalee kid who had everyone talking about his "in your FACE"-dance...once I googled and YouTubed, I was hooked, thanks to Sreesanth's antics. I wrote a post about him. Mutineers loved it, they asked if we would cover the World Cup, as well, and I said:
Everyone was unbelievably sweet about my newfound interest and encouraged me to give it my best shot.
And that's exactly what I've tried to do-- blog about everything BUT game analysis b/c I am neither able nor interested in doing so. I put some effort in to this, because I wanted to keep my promise to World Cup fans, but I tried to stay true to myself, too. I only wrote about something if it interested me. Despite some unclear-on-the-concept ingrates who have criticized me for not doing enough/how I've handled this, blogging cricket has been fun. I love what I'm learning, even if my initiation comes at a bleak time for the game.
So this stuck out when I read it, not because I think SP was talking about me (denial is a comfortable place?), but just because of everything I've already mentioned:
Because truthfully, I don't feel that way, I don't feel like I'm being treated like that. And I hope I'm not seen as some bimbette...anything. Anyway, I'm off for some Amsterdam-- my Mummy is hungry and so am I. :)
Technically, there's no difference anymore.
Or maybe this bimbette who naively, always considered herself a feminist, typed too soon.
I have never seen Mandira Bedi, so I can't comment as passionately as Vivek did about her. I guess I'm just grateful that I haven't mentioned how Manish Malhotra designed the saris I change in to every 20 minutes-- that would've been bad, apparently. Whew! THAT was close.
Very true. Wasn't thinking.
I'm watching seriously for the first time and loving it. Come on India! Though I love the look of the Lankan bowler, Malinga.
Dada is gone...but sehwag looks good out there, just needs to keep his calm
and here come the little man
Disaster!
It's all over :(
44/3 (11.3 ov)
Tendu fizzles in crunch time. Again.
I'm only following it over the web - but India need to boost their run rate by 40% to even have a chance...
nahi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What's up jeet??
;-))
This sucks, Sehwag better step up. This is not good, so not good.
Oh this is good....
I'm worried about my homie Malinga who has not got a wicket yet.
Anna, just for the record - I don't think there's any comparison, for so many more reasons than I want to get into here. Maybe folks will disagree with my take on Mandira Bedi, but I'm sticking to it, and I think you ain't no Mandira Bedi (or at least from what I can glean from your writing and her screen presence - neither of which is much to go on, really).
chandare, while I'm behind India on this one (mostly because I want to watch some WC matches on TV with my dad when he visits next month and it'll be bonus if India's still in), I'm really enjoying having a Sri Lankan supporter here.
I figured India would have to get Sri Lanka all out for under 200 to have a chance in this one. I hope I'm wrong...
If India wins this ,I have my line ready for indian friends("we let you win 'cause we want the 1 billion crazy fans watching the WC")
BTW Shewag just hit a huge six.
In a sea of indian desi dudes at corp glued to a large screen TV,
there was a lil sl desi gal... didn't want to seem like I was
interested in the game at all ... although I had been watching since 6:30 Am.
But then SL hit a 6er... and I couldn't contain my joy, and my
identity has been given away.
I walk by the screen to see how my fellow indians are doing and I get some stares, and I really hope India wins cuz the repercussion to them and me might be a little too harsh... don't know if I could handly a crowd of stares ;P
Chandare... yey for us!
I'd given up on Sehwag. Looks like Dravid's wager might pay off after all.
Folks I don't think India is going to win....I'll be happy to eat my words after 5pm. I keep telling myself that if India does not go on to the super 8s, I'll be able to concentrate on my dissertation more (some consolation...but works for me).
livinsimplee,
They say SL can afford to loose this and still go to super8.
I don't know whether the match is fixed or not will be good to have India in the super8 instead of Bangladesh .(Nothing against young B'desh team,Come next world cup ,they will be good team if they keep up this form).
Vivek,
It's cricket,so it aint over until its over!
and there goes Sehwag!!
Nahi !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who knows what will happen in Bermuda vs.Bangladesh match .Bermuda might win .wink .wink. ;-)
yuvraj beta..kahan bhaag rahe ho?
run out
yuvraj beta..kahan bhaag rahe ho?
Ghar Ko.
dhoni...tu dhul gaya!
Hear that sound? That's the sound of hope draining from the world.
Kudos to Sri Lanka.
Damn...
I'm looking forward to seeing what shape cricket commentary here takes if India and Pakistan are both out and Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are both in...
I am really worried about Chappell now. (after Bob Woolmer's case)
Spare a thought for Indian fans. Early morning blues.
Oz V Sri Lanka finals w/ Lanka lifting the cup would be a paisa vasool game.
hehe Shodan, for you maybe. Here $$'s down the drain I guess.
Indian players are in a hurry to get of the pitch
Agarkar you confused soul
true. Dravid probably told Agarkar to play slow and pick singles, but he was trying to get big shots!
Dravid blasting off!~!
Bechare Jeet... I heart you and your bleeding heart.
:(
Dravid Zindabad........he is our last hope
Late night blues, surely? And they can still sleep on it if India lose...
4 fours in a over .
Now this is doable India.
;-))
I told you ,it aint over until it's over
4 fours in an over .
Now this is doable India.
;-))
I told you ,it aint over until it's over
I am now thinking that Bermuda should defeat Bangladesh !!! go Bookies !!!
dravid gone ...thanks for last hurrah
let me tell you, after the consecutive nights of royal challenge and sleep at 3 am, and then having to teach at 9 a.m., it's both!
no........no..........
go Bhajji!!
hahahaa! Sorry I have to laugh that we've pinned our hopes on Bhajji! Such is the state we're in
hehe Sahej. I am laffing sitting here seeing bhajji trying to pull a shot!
I am relying on bookies now, to make Bermuda win against Bangladesh!
yes go bhajji..go home!
what happened to Dhoni??
He came..he saw...he conq...
no he was out lbw, first ball!
come on india. win this match. you can do it. mm patel and harbhajan singh. you can do it :D
Dhoni: Took all the time to tighten his gloves (and what not). faced (Murali I guess) and was plumb LBW
M Patel: opens with a boundary. All SMILES on his face.
well, in Dhoni's defense, its important to look good when you come up to the crease I guess!
patel is da man.... he is the greatest cricketer alive
Now I wish I'd posted this earlier, but after the Sri Lankan innings were over I guessed that Sri Lanka would win by 93 runs.
oh my god...wat r u saying? u mean patel didnt pull it off?
bhaji is putting a show:
Best batting line-up, my aankh.
shodan..shodan
its maa ki aankh
shodhan... dont despair so soon. I assure you india will not lose this game as long as patel and harbhajan are out there (well, i mean unless they manage to play out the 50 overs, of course :P)
get that net run rate up and gooooooooo bermuda!
Light the fire. India is ablaze. Tendulkar Yuga. Agni. Tendulkar jersey thrown into a box. Idiots.
Oh please, how long have you been waiting to type that? Just have a drink and chill out
Go Bermuda !! Go Bermuda!!
I hope Bangladesh wins cuz India just doesnt deserve this, better luck next time. Tendulkar, Dravid, Ganguly I guess it just wasnt meant to be, to have that trophy in your long lists of awards.
As we do that, could some experts weigh in on India's chances now?
Cricinfo said:
all but? Is there still some hope?
man of the match, man of the series..etc
... Only hope is if someone slips Bermuda a leetle bhaang to defeat Bangladesh.
I was kidding when I said it ain't over until it's over.
i think it would be nice if india and pakistan could relinquish their test playing statuses to nauru and tuvalu respectively.
may the bermuda triangle truly exist. and yes, i've drunk plenty vivek. this team makes one consume his sorrows.
Tendu 0 / Dhoni 0 / Extras 8
Go Extraz
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Commiserations people.
Hope you all still keep an interest in the tournament.
Congratulations to Sri Lanka fans.
Lasith Malinga looks like he stepped out of an M.I.A video.
Just heard a reporter on NDTV interviewing dissapointed fans in Bombay say to the camera -- 'It's been a World Cup of tragedies, none bigger than India crashing out of the tournament'
Maybe it's not a bad thing for Indian cricket to be deflated a little by this.
well, i thought i would be having a celebratory dinner at the moment, but not to be. this really hurts (especially the looks on the players' faces, probably the last world cup for a few, but they only have themselves to blame), even though i mostly expected it. spent the day watching it at a theater for the experience. india bowled and fielded well initially, but then typically lost the plot - bowling a toothless harbhajan (today) for his full 10 overs whilst the better bowlers didn't get their full quota. allowing singles and a damaging partnership between silva and dilshan. too many extras. we just don't seem to have the ability to administer the final blow with ruthlessness. but the target was still within reach. uthappa doesn't seem to be an opener with sense - he threw his wicket away arrogantly hitting airy-fairy shots against the likes of vaas. ganguly too threw it away. i know tendulkar will get scathing criticism for not stepping up, but i think he got out to a good ball. while sehwag and dravid were going strong there was a chance, even when after sehwag got out, but the runout of yuvraj and dhoni killed it. agarkar needs his head checked - bowled well but batted like a dunce in that over.
oh well, congrats to sri lanka. they look an excellent unit and i hope it's a lanka-windies final, with either winning it all. i am definitely a south asian today :) go bermuda :)
Sri Lanka is the better team. Murali and Co were absolutely on. I agree WGIIA, Tendulkar went down on a good ball. The heart of India's side consists of illustrious has beens; only Dravid showed some heart. Laxman, imo, was missed. Everyone was hoping for something akin to aged France's feat in the football World Cup, but it was not to be. Here's to rebuilding -- to the future.
Vivek! What's the post-match squawking like in India? Anguish? Que sera sera? or PUTAIN DE MERDE!!!!?
Is it even possible to squawk que sera sera?
Yah, sure, I'm with you but while we rebuild, can we ween ourselves just a wee bit off of cricket and INVEST IN A PROPER NATIONAL SIDE IN FOOTBALL.
Crikey.
I haven't been outside today. The only squawking I heard was yesterday when my grandmother called me during the match and informed me in no uncertain terms that India would lose, that Sehwag needed to be tossed, and that Sachin needed to retire. I replied that this was exactly why I hadn't called her for a week.
I never liked cricket anyway; it's a silly game. But I thought I'd just say that it is very clear to me that India lost because the Umpires were blatantly biased. ICC and America are bitchily conscious of India's ascension towards a position of global supremacy and wanted to humiliate India on the global stage. If all our appeals were upheld, Sri Lanka would have folded for less than 100 runs. Also, none of our batsmen were out; clearly, the Umpires were paid off. I am not being a sore loser or anything. I'm merely stating facts. I'll never watch stupid cricket again.
Yes! I love it! Anguish and putain de merde it is. India has adopted English paranoia in some bizarro Fanonian mashup.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO KENYA!!!
I should add: you'd have better luck reading the papers online than posing that question to someone sitting in Madurai :P
Australia 111/1 (15.2 ov). Gladly tonking SA bowlers for 7.23 per over.
The only team capable of stopping the Oz juggernaut is getting an almighty pasting.
Australia 246/2 (35.4 ov). Hayden scored the fastest WC century.
Kenya 53/2 after 13 - delayed start, 43 overs a piece...
PICK IT UP KENYA! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
UberMallu, are you being sarcastic, or serious? Most of the Indian wicket losses were pretty definitive. And even if the umpires were biased during the Shri Lankan batting, 255 is not an unreachable goal.
77/4 after 20
HANG IN THERE KENYA!
Dear South Africa,
Bermuda called. They want their record intact.
Is, like this cricket thing over yet? I haven't been this completely bored by sports talk since someone explained curling to me.
don't feed the trolls :D