August 2008 - Posts - Pinch Hitter

August 2008 - Posts

Bradmanesque

Posted by Manoj Madhavan at 
The only time Bradman got out in his 90s was at the age of 92. He died at the age of 92. Bradman did not get his hundered this time but had he been alive he would have turned 100 today. Bradman was special but he too was human. If you read Ian Chappel’s article "My fight with the Don" (27th August, page 19 HT) and "Bradman’s Best"...

More>>

Coming back to me?

Posted by Manoj Madhavan at 
From 2000-06 Marcus Trescothick played 76 tests for England. He, conveniently, stepped out of the 2006-07 Ashes series in Australia by citing excuses ranging from stress to overwork. The fact, though, was something entirely different. Trescothick, I firmly believe, and many cricket enthusiasts agree with, was scared to play Ashes in Australia. Especially...

More>>

Is the "Wall" slowly crumbling?

Posted by Manoj Madhavan at 
Rahul Dravid's cricketing career has come a full circle: he made his debut in Lords, England in 1996, and for many, cricket's Mecca also marked the beginning of the end of an illustrious innings, when he captained India in the 2007 England tour. The Wall scored the only one fifty in the 2007 England tour after which he resigned from the captaincy...

More>>

Another NO-BALL?

Posted by Manoj Madhavan at 
It is in human nature. Talk of taming a raging bull, and we don't mind playing the patience card, waiting for the beast to tire and die a natural death. Now, at one level, wise people say it's the best policy. I beg to differ, even if it is at the risk of being ousted from this rapidly swelling wise men's club. I say, avoiding controversies...

More>>

Spare Sachin

Posted by Manoj Madhavan at 
India's fabulous four never fired in Lanka, and, arguably, we lost the Idea Cup Test series because of a strong-on-paper-but-weak-on-form middle order. Now, understandably, its time for some heads to roll. But, I am not sure if it will happen any time soon. Why? Because this is also time for a change in the selectors: we expect to have a new team...

More>>

Time to hang boots?

Posted by Manoj Madhavan at 
With both Rahul Dravid and Saurav Ganguly out of the Indian team for the ODI series in Sri Lanka, I am afraid the two veterans of more than 600 one-dayers between them, may not after all get a chance to announce their retirement. Bowing out in style, as they say, may not really be meant for them. But then, they don’t have anything to write back home...

More>>

Not Just Cricket, Again...

Posted by Manoj Madhavan at 
Continuing with some more of freak, ticklish incidents. How cricket has changed over the years. In 1926 130 (about 22 overs) odd balls used to be bowled in an hours time! This was recorded in a match at The Oval between England and Australia. Today 12-14 overs (70-80 balls) are bowled per hour. Now we get to see a 17-ball 50 and a 36-ball hundred. Contrast...

More>>