The other day someone was asking around, “Where’s the Gary Kirsten?” I recalled we had done one post on Gary Kirsten some time back, and then forgot all about him.

He deserves one more.

Everyone’s been so wrapped up in the racial abuse scandal that they’ve possibly not noticed that Gary has been active force behind the scenes.

When India was departing for Oz, he wished them luck and was confident they’ll put a good fight against the opponents.

When hell broke loose after the second Test, he advocated India’s position. Even called Dravid India’s most suitable No. 3.

You can call that a PR approach or whatever, but we’ve got to applaud him for warming up before actually taking on the real job.

What’s more, BCCI is sending him to Perth for a taster of the job.

Good luck, Gary!

Post from: EveryJoe

Gary Kirsten Gears Up

News is that umpire Steve Bucknor won’t officiate at Perth, which means Billy Bowden will be replacing him. And there’s another news that Harbhajan Singh’s ban has been suspended following BCCI’s appeal against the same, which means he can play the rest of the matches. Of course, the team management will decide if he’ll play or not.

Huh, well.

Coins: Actually, this move by the ICC just goes on to show that bucks matter a lot, even if they’ve sworn to the contrary:

the decision was made in the interests of giving the series a fresh start following instances of ill-feeling between the teams and some on-field umpiring errors that have been made in the series so far. It is also designed to create an environment whereby the match can be played without undue attention and added pressure being heaped on the match officials.

Conspiracy: This is the first time ICC has decided to sack an umpire on a team’s request. This shouldn’t have happened. Would FIFA remove a referee if one of the teams complained about them? It only shows ICC doesn’t know how to be in control of things.

(Indians: Consider this from a non-Indian’s perspective. You’ll get my point.)

Cricket: Thanks heaven, we’ll have some actual whacking bats around a cricket pitch. I wonder what BCCI would have done if Harbhajan hadn’t been provincially acquitted. Perth is a bouncy wicket, and it makes sense to play Yuvraj Singh. He deserves a few more chances. Sehwag, anyone? Why not allow Dhoni to let his locks down and enjoy the view from the pavilion instead for a while?

Don’t forget to check out Baseer’s post.

Post from: EveryJoe

Coins, Cricket, and Conspiracy

There is some news that the Indian board will boycott the Border-Gavasker series but looks like they’re still going back and forth with the decision. So we’ll have to wait a day or two to see how things shape up.

Most of the bloggers and newspapers are demanding a  boycott. I might have thought so, too. However, I beg to differ now.

How about we stay and punch the opponents in their nose with two straight, ruthless victories? That, in my opinion, is a better way to answer them back.

If the tour is called of, the BCCI will have to pay a whopping sum as fine, and boycotting would only severe the already sour relationship between the two teams.

Boycotting is really the easy way out. Let’s just stand our ground.

Break their a leg, Men in Blue.

Post from: EveryJoe

Break a leg, Men in Blue

This is the first thing I read on logging in.

BCCI has asked the Indian team to stay in Sydney until the Harbhajan hearing, rather than travel to Perth for the the third test.

Under ICC rules, member countries are obliged to fulfil their tour contracts except when the security of the players is at risk or the touring team’s government orders that the tour should not proceed.

India could also be liable to reimburse Cricket Australia for any losses incurred.
Cricket Australia faced the possibility of a similar fine if it boycotted the tour of Zimbabwe last year.

However, there was another report this morning from Sydney Morning Herald confirming that India won’t pull out of the tour.

The Indian cricket team has confirmed it will not make the contentious move of pulling out of the Australian tour after their spinner Harbhajan Singh was slapped with a three-Test ban.

What the heck? You are confused again, Ozzies.

Post from: EveryJoe

Breaking News: BG Trophy in Danger

Post from: EveryJoe

Mr. Bucknor needs eye check-up. Fast…

Well, I’ve just got down to the normal routine today, and what do I hear?

India bundled out for 196!

That, after the phenomenal Day 1 performance. This just doesn’t go down my throat.

It’s going to be hard for them to pull themselves out after stepping into this dungeon.

Let’s just hope tables are turned on Day 3.

Post from: EveryJoe

Back From Hiatus, and It’s Bad