Revenge Of The Much Maligned

With the performances of Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Broad so far, this version of the Ashes could be called the Stick It Up Them series - the doubters that is.

An Edgy Start

Ed Cowan feels the pain of the first ball outside edge - not the first or last top order batsman to be gone before his eyes have adjusted to the light.

Here We Go, Here We Go, Here We Go...

... now let the games begin.

Too Soon To Tebow?

Resorting to prayer on the first day of the first test is not a sign of great mental strength!

New Blood, Same Atitiude

Alastair Cook Gives It A Slap

Bi Polar Jimmy

Nothing like a days test cricket to put you through the emotional wringer. Funny how the fast bowlers seem to be prone to the greatest mood swings.

Jimmy was cheered up with the help of Photoshop CS5.

Super Shiv

Just don't tread on Superman's cape!

Shiv superised with the help of Photoshop CS5.

Forget the 47 ...

... its the 21 for 9 that is going to be waking you up in the middle of the night.

Stripped Down Kane

If the first test saw Bhaji finally fulfill his batting promise it also saw Kane Williamson announce himself as a batsman of quality. There are plenty of players who can give it a thrash and have a good day, but Williamson's innings was mature and correct. Lord (Sehwag) knows the Black Caps need all the "proper" batsman they can get.

Like A Virgin

It might have been his first time to 100 but there was nothing coy about Harbhajan Singh's innings or his celebration.

Now he has broken the seal who knows what batting feats he may now unleash on the cricketing world.

The Glorious Uncertainty...

..that is cricket.

Is India that bad? Are the Black Caps that good? Nope, but what a great illustration of the importance of being mentally in the game.

Win, lose or draw I bet both teams have already learned that valuable lesson. 

Day One, India Lots

New Zealand Expects ...

... well, not a lot really. It would be nice if we could compete and develop a bit of confidence in some of the new boys.

I propose a three line mantra illustrated in today's image;

Keep your head down!
No Dicks!
No Cock ups!

Hauritz Appeals

But not to many.

It is the mark of a flawed genius such KP to give his wicket away to the real struggler.