TEST MATCH – THE REAL THRILLER

Who said test match is so boring? It sometimes proves to be much thriller than any other format of the game. The first test match against Australia at Mohali (Oct 01-05 ’10) seems to be one of the most exciting match in the history of cricket. Chasing a target of 216 for India in their home ground is not a tough task for them. But they lost 8 wickets for just 124 runs and no one should have expected that the result would come in favor of India at that time. The crucial partnership of 81 runs between V.V.S.Laxman and Ishant Sharma made this to happen and they both looked so cool but played with much responsibility. Credit goes to both as Laxman played his innings with injury and Ishant, being a bowler he challenged all the Aussie bowlers like a professional batsman. Laxman's innings was very, very special, which is why we call him ‘Very Very Special' Laxman.  He took the team out of danger so many times in the middle order and he has been considering as a long term thorn for Australian cricket team. Zaheer khan who received the Man of the match said “its remarkable how he has got us out of danger so many times. I'll happily give him my award. He deserves it for the way he played.” Ponting admitted that out of five bowlers used, no one could get that one wicket. He added that ‘this is probably more disappointing than Kolkata (in 2001). There's no hiding the fact that it hurts. But this was one of the best and most exciting Test matches that I've been part of, and I'm proud of my team for how they competed’. Ponting is still not able to taste a victory in India as a captain. The game thus ended in favour of India and India leads the series 1-0. The second test will start on 9^th Oct and I hope to see another exciting match in Bengaluru, India.

ASHES AWAY FROM AUSSIES

Its a great time for England as they won the ASHES which is considered to be the most precious one even one step ahead higher than the world cup. After a long struggle England managed to lead the series 2-1. The final match decides the fate of the trophy which was over ruled completely by england over aussies. Flintoff leads England off with a stump in hand, leads them up the race to healthy applause. There's Kevin Pietersen in the dressing rooms, the whole England squad looks to be there, they've all played a part. The Man of the Match is Stuart Broad, he was the one who changed the game dramatically in one spell during the first innings. While England's Man of the series is Andrew Strauss for his brilliant batting and splendid captaincy-nominated by Tim Nielsen. For Australia, Michael Clarke for his dominating batting is the Man of the series nominated by Andy Flower. The Compton-Miller Medal goes to the player who has had the biggest impact on the series, goes to Andrew Strauss.

BUSINESS OF WRITING CRICKET BOOKS

Every Australian cricketer ends up writing a few autobiographical books. Each book has a liberal dose of controversial things written about Indian cricket and its cricketers. The news hungry Indian media laps up the controversy and rakes up a storm (I wouldn’t be surprised if the publishers and media are hand in glove here).The controversy involving their beloved cricketers takes a cricket crazy nation by storm. Then a lot of books sell in India. Probabaly more than the numbers sold in Australia itself. After all few Australians would be interested in reading so much about Indian cricketers. (I am really interested in knowing the sales numbers split between the two countries). Australian cricketers make easy money. Wonder why cricketers from other nations haven’t gotten into the act yet?