It's A Simple Game

Bowl. Cut. Catch.

What else is there?

A Bit Of A Stretch

For those of us who remember those years when Shiv Chanderpaul seemed like the only one actually playing for the West Indies it seems very strange for Ernest Hilaire to lump him in with all those other guys who did not provide "application and discipline" over the last 15 years. He is smiling here but not with the slur on his name. Seems to me from this great distance that it is the West Indian administrators who have most lacked application, discipline and nouse over the last decade or so.

I Love To Have A Beer With Duncan ...

In the immortal words of Slim Dusty ...

I love to have a beer with Duncan
I love to have a beer with Dunc.
We drink in moderation
And we never ever ever get rollin' drunk
We drink at the Town and Country
Where the atmosphere is great
I love to have a beer with Duncan
'Cause Duncan's me mate

I figure Duncan Fletcher can be pretty relaxed taking up the coaching role with India. Lets face it, if you have coached England, captained Zimbabwe and advised New Zealand, there will be few problems you haven't already had to deal with.

Cheers Dunc!

Very Very Out

Venugopal Rao doesn't die wondering, but he does die (at the crease at least). Looks like he might have been working on a new shot - the slog cut!

A Classic Twist

Saeed Ajmal giving it plenty of concentration and rotation in his latest outing against the pride of the Windies.

Blue And Gold Big Shot

My little homage to Kumar Sangakkara.

Poise, power and presence,

Too Relaxed Mon

Chris Gayle might be having his problems with the WI Cricket Board but it is hard to see him getting depressed about it. The smile is always there and his batting still has plenty of earning power left in it.

In Stark Contrast

As befits a Good Friday posting, here is a very simple, dark and spare Michael Clarke. I am not suggesting he should be nailed to anything but I am sure he would like to resurrect his teams world ranking.

The Three Captains

While looking for some old images to practice my colourisation on I stumbled on a great old photo of Frank Mitchell (South Africa), CB Fry (England) and Syd Gregory (Australia) taken before the Triangular Series of 1912. Couldn't resist seeing how it might look with some modern captains arm in arm.

Now that's old time style.

Old Fellas

I am working on my colourisation of old photos skills. This old legend has had a quick once over - but who is he?

The Big One

Nice to see Big Jesse finding some form and the fence. I just hope he saves some for the next season and doesn't just become a sub continent crusader.

A Not So Golden Moment

Virat Kohli does not appear to appreciate the fireworks that are marking his dismissal. In the IPL there is an explosion to mark every event.

The Man In The White Hat

Who is this tall, dark and anonymous stranger?

In the best tradition of the good guys in white hats riding to the rescue John Buchanan is about to put NZ Cricket right, although I am not sure who he is going to have a showdown with. What does worry me is the analogy suggests that the guys in black hats(caps) are the baddies. His problem might be that they are not so much bad as just pretty average - there is no magnificent seven cricketers he can build his posse around.

Left Arm Fast

Possibly the easiest Who  Dat I have provided so it is a race to see who can get this guys name into the comment box first.

Over The Top

Adil Rashid showing the finger form that can bring you 11 wickets in a first class game.

Kinda wonder when he is going to bring that tweak to the bigger stage.

Rise Up

There has been a lot of one day cricket lately but the Aussie v Bangla Boys series shapes as a very important one for both sides. Both need to rebound from the World Cup experience and prove something to themselves and those long suffering supporters.

Guess Who?

A classical shot from a classical player - but who is it?

Well done Nair - we should spare a thought for the Great Wall of India, all those contributions and no World Cup reward at the end.

Taking The Next Step

While all the resignations and quiet firings continue (until morale improves) it is quite refreshing to see Brett Lee keep on keeping on.

Run in and bowl fella - you are a long time retired.

Too Good To Go

Kumar Sangakkara is far too good a captain to let slip away just for the sake of "new blood".

The future will take care of itself - Sri Lanka should just be grateful they have such a good leader for the present, cause there are plenty of other sides who are having to consider fairly average options.

Too Soon?

Four years go fast folks so start planning that Southern Hemisphere sabbatical now.

The Shot Heard Around A Sub Continent

One For The Ages

And one for Sachins' scrapbook.

Rock Stars

Different teams, different ages, different personalities, different haircuts, but both have that rock star street cred - and look.

Boom Boom Drop

It's OK Younis, any one who has ever played the game knows the feeling.

Of course, very few of us have done it in a World Cup semi final.