Too Hot To Handle

I got a busy weekend ahead folks so I will leave it up to you to come up with a pithy, ironic, cute or obscene comment to go in the box. Something about heat and/or cramps would be appropriate, not that appropriate should be a guideline.

Don't Mind Me

I am just playing with some new texture backgrounds and effects.

JP Duminy, like his team, looks in touch and in control, which could be an ominous sign for their opponents over the next few months.

The X Factor

So Xavier Doherty is the next new great white hope of Aussie spin bowling - I wish him better luck than the last few to amble up to the crease.

I know Hauritz has been around for a while but he really only brings V Factor - V for vanilla that is.

Maybe, like most pro sports, we could have a trading marketing where the Black Caps could send Vettori across the ditch in exchange for a couple of openers and a fast bowler.

Stripped Down V

OK, I have started to add a bit more colour but it is finally sunny at my place so I can't resist.

This driving image is based on a photo of Tim Weston, local lad and Central Districts representative.

International Man Of Mystery

Has cell phone, will travel, and can impersonate air line pilots as required.

Shoaib Akhtar, the fresh old face of new cricket.

Written In Stone

Not quite one for the ages but Kohli's innings shows that when you are on top someone will always come through, and in the really good teams it ain't always the same bloke. Depth, depth and confidence - not a bad winning formula.

Stripped Down IV

Don't bother trying to guess who this is, even I didn't recognise the name.

I did like the image though, and having spent far too much time on creating this "simple" image it gets posted for the shear sake of it.

I would send it as a coaching tip to the Black Caps management but apparently they don't know anything about cricket anyway.

When Two Smiles Go To War

I know which one I have more faith in. The Pup has very little to be happy about and if he doesn't score some runs soon the odds on him being the new Mr Grumpy would seem to be getting longer by the game.

MS on the other hand can look forward to playing the Aussies and then the rest cure that the Black Caps would seem destined to be.

The Bangla Boys Bounce

Can't fault the Bangla Boys for there enthusiasm, commitment and quality of cricket. They deserved to win the series about 27 to 0.

My comments on the Black Caps go something like this.

Useless!#!$*Overpaid##!!^%*Under prepared!#@$!%^Anemic?!@?!Embarrassments@#!?!

Young Young Gun

Well done young Kane Williamson. Despite starting his international career with a couple of blobs he quickly realised his potential in fairly adverse conditions.

Pity so many of his experienced team mates looked like they had hardly ever played the game.

A Very Indian Celebration

Members of the Indian team showing plenty of Eastern promise. It is promise that they are delivering on having got the mix between old and young just about right. They could well be the No. 1 Test team for some time.

I know how much the Aussies hate to lose but I have a sneaky feeling two hard fought losses to the top test team may prove a better Ashes preparation than England's confused and long winded romp with the flaky Pakistanis. 

Life After Cricket?

Middle Age Spread

I was always under the impression, backed up by some personal experience, that as you aged your middle got bigger.

Seems to me that the middle of the aging Aussie batting line up is getting thinner. Could it be some sort of Jenny Craig effect?

In The Pink

It has been said before, Tendulkar just keeps maturing like a good wine.

This images is a little pink so I will stretch my very thin credibility and suggest that he is a Rose - understated, sparkling and very good ones are very rare.

If Sachin was a wine what would he be, and why?

No Prizes For Guessing ...

...who's making this slashing shot.

The Little Master passes yet another milestone, which makes you wonder where it might all end.


Another ton tomorrow will just keep adding to the legend.

A Frightening Prospect

I got a real shock when I came across the original Getty Images photo of this Ricky Ponting portrait.

I know he was getting an award but I am just not use to that upside down frown on his weather worn dial.

The haircut also seems to be channeling Alfalfa from the Little Rascals, a movie so old even I struggle to remember it.

Stripped Down III

This one has retro appeal (sick!).

Who do you think it might be?

Very Very Solid Laxman

Laxman seen here promoting the old adage that "winners are grinner's".

Ponting seems more bemused than anything but I am sure that gradually turned into a bout of classic grumpiness.

Stand Tall And Deliver

Hilfy The House continues the trend of lethal after tea bowling. India will have to score plenty of runs early if they are to beat the afternoon batting blues and win the game.

What Is In The Tea?

Seems like something is happening to the bowlers, especially the left arm quicks, at the tea interval. Either that or the batsman on both sides are tiring late in the day.

Room here for a conspiracy theory or two?

Perfect Timing

Shane Watson's timing could not have been better. Here I am about to promote my first Stripped Down t shirt (see left), which just happens to be an representation of him going over the top, and he has the good sense to score a ton on day one. Well done that man!

Not quite so sure there will be a demand for an image of Ricky (Mr Grumpy) leaving the field after being run out - what we might call a niche market.

Box On

Monty is a great, and famous, name for a boxer but I don't see young Panasar footing it as a pugilist.

I would like to see him wear the head gear as he strides to the crease at the Gabba with Cardiff still on his, and the Aussies, mind.