“See the websites, the hits that they are getting, the interest that is showing, the amount of people who’ll listen in for half an hour. People can’t afford to give five days to the cricket, but they are still watching with interest.”
–Stephen Fleming

Well, I’ve always believed there are more cricket sites/blogs than football sites/blogs.  I have no stats to prove that, and I maybe wrong, but really, there’s so much interest in cricket– at least online– that I am forced to believe it.

Post from: EveryJoe

Quirky Quip: Right On, Sir Fleming

This is one of the few things that is hard to digest. Adam Gilchrist is going to speak at the India Today Conclave. His topic is ‘It’s Not Cricket’. According to their latest press release, there’s also going to be Peter Roebuck, the famous cricket writer, on their board.

Basically, this is a seminar organized by India Today magazine where they discuss India’s achievements in the past year and how India needs to improve, etc. What Peter Roebuck and Adam Gilchrist have to offer toward India’s development is beyond my understanding.

A ticket costs like Rs. 75000. Well, I’ll pass! I’d better off watching some real cricket when South Africa play in my town next month.

Post from: EveryJoe

Gilchrist to Speak at India Today Conclave

• David from Every Morning Quarterback offers the top NFL free agency winners.
• Jodie from Gossip On Sports brings you the five best coach rants.
• Tim from Do You Nascar provides the latest in NASCAR with the Chase update.
• Rich from College Fast Break provides the top 25 college basketball rankings.
• Allison from BCS Frenzy talks about the best college football rivalries.
• Sandy from Green Posse discusses the best of the worst in golf so far in 2008.
• Jeanne from Hockey Beat shows you the best hockey non-fight.
• Stephen from Hoops Fantasy chooses the best fantasy basketball players today.
• Kris from Jab and Grapple talks about his WWE Top 5.
• Geoff from Knuckle Curve continues his Where Are They Now series.
• Joe from Ladies Court analyzes the top WNBA off-season additions so far.
• Sasha from Light the Torch tells you what team USA basketball needs to do to win.
• James from NBA Obsessed discusses the best NBA player pickups this season. He also chimes in about the worst GM in all of sports at Squib Kick.
• Kori from The Fantasy Kickoff talks about the best fantasy prospects in the 2008 NFL Draft.
• Jyle from The Footie shows you the worst soccer fake ever. Be sure to check out more from Jyle at our newest blog – Sneaks ‘N Gear.
• Blake from All Poker Addicts wants to know if you are entering the 2008 World Series of Poker.
• Al from Dejuiced talks about the Miami Heat who have gone from the best to one of the worst teams in just a few years.
• Erica from Rackets and Balls tells you about the oldest collegiate tennis player – a 60-year-old woman!
• Don from Getting Reel talks about changing with the conditions when things aren’t the best.
• Dinnie from Six and Out discusses who is not on the Forbes greatest athletic achievements list.
• And don’t miss out on the latest from Houston Astros outfielder Hunter Pence. He is itching for baseball season to start at Inside the Ballpark.

Photo credit: istockphoto

Post from: EveryJoe

Best in Sports from the B5Media Sports Channel

No, we aren’t talking about the Billionaire List.

It’s the list of greatest athletic achievements in the last 150 years that has rubbed us the wrong way. Now, isn’t this completely insulting ignorance of the greatest sportsman who ever lived on the face of earth? If Babe Ruth’s 66 home runs and Nadia Comaneci’s perfect 10 qualify, why didn’t Don Bradman’s batting average of 99 persuade them? Should we launch a petition against this injustice to our hero? It’s worth it, believe me. It’s the Forbes magazine.

–

And those of you who are awed by the hefty sum Dhoni and others have pocketed at the IPL, open your eyes. That’s peanuts compared to what Beckham and Tiger Woods are earning.

Post from: EveryJoe

No Bradman in the Forbes List

To say that I expected India to win the CB series would be a lie. In fact, I am not even sure if they deserved to win. You could of course argue that.

I had decided not to watch the second game because it was somewhat understood Australia would bounce back and make room for the third match, which would have then be dubbed as the final of the finals, etc., etc. But of course, I watched most of it.

But oh, India won. More important than the win itself was the fact how Indians remained composed during the death overs. This is one aspect where they definitely have achieved praiseworthy progress. Clinching two wickets in the last over was dreamlike. Couldn’t believe this is the same team that was notorious for conceding extra runs and losing quick wickets in the death overs.

While this is the kind of win that’s going to elevate their confidence manifold, they shouldn’t forget England has already done this. And currently, they are not in a very good situation. So winning over Australia doesn’t mean they are the best team in the world. On a bad day, even World No. 111 can beat Roger Federer, but that doesn’t make them World No. 1 overnight or even better than Federer, for that matter. So basically, what remains to be seen is how Oz-gate will transform Indians– will it make them complacent? Will that fire their enthusiasm, to use a metaphor, to improve their game even more? Time will tell, but we all know, Indians are not very good at handling victories. Something almost always goes wrong. Consistency has been and still remains India’s biggest issue.

Something went wrong with Australia over the past week, and it’s not my business to find that out. But they still are good. And consistent.

Some interesting discoveries:

* After being in the business for about a decade, Harbhajan Singh has finally learnt a few cliches. I am here to play some good cricket. I’m really proud. (Followed by, “Main Thaka Hoon.”)

* Symonds is the kind of guy you could go on a date with without worrying about eve teasers.

* Sachin is a bit like Gandhi. He gets angry. A lot. But won’t show it.

* Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the man India needs. You can’t pinpoint any move he made. Some tremendous leadership by him. Actually, Dhoni has always been a good captain, but this series, especially the second final made me realize that we can’t do without him. Really. Hats off to him.

What discoveries did you make?

Post from: EveryJoe

Great Expectations

Finally, the elusive and much awaited 42nd ton came. At Sydney Cricket Ground. Where it was most needed. Does anyone doubt Tendulkar’s match-winning ability now?

But, the credit for this glory also must go to Gambhir, who selflessly sacrificed his wicket to save Tendulkar.

Post from: EveryJoe

Tendulkar Can Still Win Matches

Asif Karim is the man we were talking about in Cricket Trivia 3

*Played three World Cups: 1996, 1999, and 2003; captained Kenya in 1999.

*Played another sport: Captained Kenya’s Davis Cup team. Woah, he had talent!

* Renaissance Man of Kenya Cricket: Played Kenya’s first 25 ODI’s and was their most popular player for a while.

(I mentioned in the comments he had an India connection. Well, he’s of Indian origin. So that’s the connection.)

Surprise fact: Kenya lost their match against Australia in the 2003 World Cup, but Asif Karim went home with the Man-of-the-Match for his bowling. Interestingly, Brett Lee had struck a hatrick in the same match.

–

There were some other answers, like Dave Houghton, that fit the bill as well, but Asif Karim is what I was looking for.

Oh, and I know I kept you all confused right until the end. You know how I am. Heh.

Thanks for playing. You’re all superb. No, really, I mean it.

The first correct responder was S. Jagadish. Congratulations!

Post from: EveryJoe

Cricket Trivia 3 Answer

I did it. I outsmarted Google this time. None of the folks are getting the right answer!

But here’s to your help.

So far the following responses have come up.

1. Viv Richards: Close, but not quite it. Had an Indian girlfriend, but he played four World Cups. Our trivia guy played just three.

2. Dave Houghton: Uh, no. I heard this name for the first time!

3. Rick Charlworth: Same as no. 2

4. Hansie Cronje: This is again close, but I’m afraid, the answer is no.

Our guy is from Hansie Cronje’s continent and the India connection is that he has Subcontinental origin.

That should be enough?

Post from: EveryJoe

Cricket Trivia 3: Hints

This is a good co-incidence. Two Indian teams have made it to finals of two major tournaments. Doesn’t happen very often.

The juniors beat New Zealand by 3 wickets in a rain-interrupted match.

What’s more exciting to you? The Commonwealth Bank Final or the U-19? For some odd reason, CB final has failed to excite me.

Anyway, onwards and upwards, India. Great going!

Post from: EveryJoe

India in U-19 Cricket World Cup Final

Where have you been freaking around Jesse Ryder? With that kind of heavy build at your disposal, we weren’t expecting this!

Post from: EveryJoe

Snap of the Day: Cracked Jesse