Might And Power

The old adage of class being permanent was proved once again by MS Dhoni. In full flight he is a powerful sight - frightening if you happen to be the bowler.

Six - Four - Hop

"He was a great man and a tremendous man to umpire with. He was a good bloke, he'll be sadly missed."

Yes Dickie Bird, he will be.

Thank God for the characters of cricket and thanks for David Shepherd.

Rampant Pinkos

Just when you thought Bangladesh were a star on the rise they get extinguished by Zimbabe. Or could it be that the boys in pink are the rising stars?

Either way, watch your backs West Indies.

The Enthusiasm Of Youth

There is a lot of tiredness in the cricket blososphere at the moment. Too many average games in the between seasons period seems to have left us a little jaded.

Time to look at it all through someone elses eyes. Every time I have visited Cricinfo in the last few days this image has caught my attention. If you forgive the barbed wire this is a picture of hope for our game.

Consistently Unorthodox

Harbhajan Singh can't help himself, he just has to do it his way. The Ausies do bring out the "best" in him and it was almost enough in the first ODI.

Can't wait to see what they get up to next time round.

When Fantasies Collide

Tom Brady at the Oval! Two of my great loves, the Patriots and cricket, coming together in a very strange way. God knows what each would make of the other.

Now if they could work some single malt whisky into the scene my day dream would be complete.

The Secret Diary of Andy Moles, Aged 48 And A Bit

In the best traditions of Web 2.0 how about you all contribute to the thoughts of Coach Moles - just leave a comment.

Monday - the little players have been picking on me.

Tuesday - Dan says he is my friend, but I am not so sure. Today they all stopped laughing when I arrived at the team meeting!

Wednesday - I have started sniffing  balls to make myself feel better. It doesn't seem to be working.

Thursday -Mr Vaughan says the NZC have complete confidence in me.

Friday - I am fired!

Saturday - Looks like I get a year or two on full pay - and I don't even have to watch the Black Caps play.

The Gong Show

When you think about it the MBE is a very appropriate award for Graeme Hick, as there is no doubting he is a child of the Empire. He has lived and played in a good number of the old colonies.

As appropriate might have been a Distinguished Service Medal for a guy who has played one hell of a lot of cricket.

The Bolt

If there is one thing that West Indies cricket needs right now it is a shot of Usain Bolt. Talent and charisma are in short supply, so bring in the real deal.

Actually a round of electro shock treatments for the WICB wouldn't be a bad idea either.

The Big Ugly

No disrespect to Brett Dorey but it is good to see an image of an "old fashioned" style of cricketer. Seems you have to go to Aussie to find any non hit and dance cricket at the moment.

Begone Spring, roll on Summer!

Remember The West Indian Titans

The first in an occasional series to remind ourselves that the Windies were once Titans who bestrode the cricket world and scared the hell out of everyone.

RR was just one of what seemed like a production line of powerhouse batsman.

It would be great to think they could rise again.

Mystery Stylist - revealed

Who is this mysterious left handed stylist?

He is obviously the product of some good coaching.

And now Andy Flower is a pretty good coach himself.

Big Red

Young Alister McDermott shows some form and some Queensland Red fire.

A slightly redder chip than the original old block the young fella shows the strongest genetic echo in the way he applies that zinc!

The Truly Artistic

Not one of mine but the work of a real artist, one Jane Kellahan. Jane is a Kiwi who managed to win the $20,000 first prize in the inaugural Australasian Cricket Art Prize. It was judged, and will hang, at the SCG.

Seems the aussie judges were not told who had painted what, which is why they ended up giving the dosh to a Kiwi lady who doesn't actually like sport. Not a bad old picture though.

Remember When ...

... West Indian fast bowlers were huge.
... the comb over was a fashion statement.
... umpires had to bend to watch that front foot.
... the Big Bird was not a T20 mascot.

Hair Case

I have begun to notice a pattern in my recent postings - there is a lot of hair. What this might mean is beyond me but it might be a subliminal suggestion caused by the Lion of Huddersfield at the top of the blog page.

Any hoo - I came across this image of Mike Brearley (OBE) from 1979 which I just couldn't resist. Great beard, but that must of been a huge seagull that dropped one on him.

Enigma or Enema?

As we approach the return of KP I still can't make up my mind - is he just a misunderstood soul who is seeking approval or does he just give me the shits?

Either way he would have been right at home in the 1980's.

A Real Trooper

The ends Warney will go to just to support the sponsor. Lighting up the Dunhill golf tournament was just another day in the life of a legend about town.

Caption Time!

Any thoughts folks on a suitable caption for this one eyed man?

Just Out Of Reach

Not so much a metaphor for but an accurate description of the "big" final.

Well done the Aussies but I still can't quite grasp how the Black Caps got there. So well done to them as well.

Exciting If Not Aways Effective

I see the knives are out for some of the Pakistan boys. Supporters have got to learn that you can't have everything. Afridi can't be brilliant and consistent, in the same way that Ponting can't be great and humble or Elliot can't be a battler and sexy.

Just let them be and enjoy it when it all works out.

A Killer Punch

OK, it has bugger all to do with cricket but I can't resist the image.

This one round and seven seconds worth of "Fight of The Century" generated a lot of press in NZ. I can only hope that the Champion's Trophy final lasts a little longer and is at least a bit closer.

What A Bunch Of Tossers

A great collection in fact, but sadly none will be involved in tossing at the start of the semi finals.

It will be interesting to see if the toss proves to be the critical moment in both games.

Ask Not "For Who The Bugle Blows"

It doesn't sound for India or South Africa but that can't be helped.

You can register your vote in the sidebar for which one of the "big" 4 seems most likely to call themselves Champions in a day or two.

The Blue Bugler is actually announcing the most recent permutation of this humble blog, and if you don't like it you can always pucker up.

The Exuberance Of Youth

Great to see the youthful energy of the Pakistan side which is something of a contrast to the Poms and Ockers who are about to enter round 27 of a never ending bout.

Seldom have I seen the Aeroplane performed with more vigour, or with more aerodynamic precision.