Tamim Iqbal Says ...

... "I am coming to kick your Black Cap arse".

Fresh from his hot hundred Tamim, and many of his team mates, will arrive in NZ with a bit more confidence than they have had in the past.

OK, they didn't beat India, but an evolving Black Cap team could well be a ball of string the kittens can have some fun with.

Ryan Not Rolf

Ryan Harris bounces with the joy of being the latest Aussie success story. You can't blame a guy for being a bit excited over 5 for 19 although the least said about the Pakistani effort the better.

Harris looks to be a quintessential Aussie;

strong, hardworking toiler
more bounce than a kangaroo
and a well developed persecution complex

Hopefully he is no relation to pommified Rolf!

The Flexibility Of Youth

Kithuruwan Vithanage rocks back and lets go.

It has been interesting to watch the young stars on the rise at the latest U19 shindig in the not so sunny South Island.

Funny how all the new kids seem to pick up the personality profiles of their top teams - must be something in the water at the academies.

Some Things Must Change?

Please!*!

Tony Greig and Ian Chappell are seen here talking about the pitch in 1975. Is it not about time they stopped and did something else?

Watching a fairly boring "summer of cricket" has highlighted the need for more changes in the commentary team. Keep Bill Lawry, if you must, but give us a break from these dinosaurs.

Even prime ministers and presidents have to give it away sometime.

About Bloody Time

Just occasionally, when you least expect it, someone in NZ cricket does the right thing. Peter "Pingers" Ingram's selection for the squad to play Bangladesh is one of those times.

Not only is it a good choice - Pete's selection sends out the message to all those players in the first class scene, and below, saying, stick at it, do the business and good things can happen.

You can't develop the much vaunted "depth" if you don't create incentive for players to stick around and there have been a lot of guys say "stuff it I am off overseas" lately.

I hope like hell Pete does well at the next level but I already know he is the sort of player we need playing first class cricket in New Zealand.

Young, Blue And Happy

The u19 Sri Lankan side celebrates like they play - as a team.

Keeping His Eye On The Prize

Afridi ignores the distractions and does what he does best.

Not quite well enough on this occasion but you know what I am on about.

The Big Difference ...

... between being a big gun or a hopeful is belief. The Bangla Boys don't quite believe in themselves yet - but that will come in time.

A New Crush

I have decided that Wayne Parnell will become, as they say on ESPN, "my boy".

There are many good reasons for annointing the new kid on the block, but why should I foist my opinions on you all. Why don't you give me 10 good reasons for loving Wayne Parnell.

1. He is better looking and slightly less insane than Nel Boy.
2. He is named after a cowboy.
3. The bigger the boy the bigger the bounce(r).

Assume The Position

Strauss takes a defensive (actually more of a submissive) position in response to a Dale Steyn bouncer.

This image is something of a metaphor for the whole test match to date.

A Talent And Ego So Great ...

... it can distort both time and space.

You have to hand it to the old punter, it was a great way to sign off the player of the decade award.

Full Teapot

As demonstrated by one of my favourite cricketers, The Lion of Huddersfield.

The full teapot is a stance that must be mastered by any fast (medium) bowler if they are to have any sort of career at the higher levels. The Lion here demonstrates the benefit of years of county cricket in mastering the non verbal sulk.

When The Going Gets Hard ...

... the real pro's dig in and get it done.

You get the feeling only one team in the Hobart Test is taking any real pride in what they are doing. A pity since I have very little else to watch.

From A Different Era

I came across this image while looking for a good pic of Gavaskar's hands - which will now not be the answer to the next Name That Cricketer challenge.

It is just a great illustration of how things have changed at the international level.

Some would say it was from a more innocent time. You could make a case for Sunny being innocent but there is nothing about Rod Marsh that suggests virginity!

Alien Life In Cricket

I have known for a long time that Sreesanth had to have alien connections. It is obvious that this is known to the Indian Cricket Board as he is only selected on the odd(!?) occasion.

No one with nostrils that round and flared could really be truely human.

The man(?!) in question is seen here communicating with his alien overlords. The ball is merely a distraction as the real communication device is incorperated into the wrist adornments.

Don't Burst The Bubble

Just give me something constructive, destructive or witty to put in it.

Ask And You Shall Receive

Well, sometimes.

You have to give it to the Saffer lads, that is one concerted appeal, and a nice bit of camera work as well.

He Who Laughs Last ....

... gets to giggle the longest.

Not sure why the Aussie boys would feel it necessary to give Hauritz the tickle up. I am pretty sure he was already very happy.

Still, as I always say, if it works keep giving it to them.

Kinda Annoying

Nice post from Uncle Jrod today on what it is about Shane Watson that upsets people. It is an interesting question, cause the boy can play, and we do get a lot of entertainment from hs antics. My gut instinct still says dork though.

A Big Day Out

Day three at the SCG looks to be a very big day out for all concerned.

It is Jane McGrath Day but can it also be a very big day for Mohammad Yousuf and his boys?

Listening to Bill Lawry and his disciples the Aussies have the Pakistan boys on the rack, but perhaps they are seeing out of only one pink eye.

A Penny For 'em

Pretty In Pink!?

Playing in pink is like wearing lycra, you better be very good looking and stylish to start with or else you are going to look like a dork.

Now I am not qualified to say whether Dan the Man is good looking or not but he has never been accused of being stylish, unless it is the fact that he has a style all of his own.

I blame the MCC/IPL/McGrath Foundation for this explosion of pink and demand that we see a return to more sensible colours before I am forced to watch Scott Styris in a full body lycra jump suit!

Proactive 2010

I have decreed 2010 to be my year of proactivity. A time to do some new things. To that end I present the first image in an onging series which asks you to "name that cricketer" on the basis of a body part. We shall start with an easy one.

Who owns these care worn eyes?