A Real Head Scratcher

Despite some clown of a commentator saying "well it's now a one all draw" neither team is on the board. You can be sure that there will be plenty learned from the experience and it will be interesting to see who makes the best adjustments. If the Aussies some how drop the second test even Bill Lawry may have to say something negative about his team which would only be balanced by Tony Greig becoming even more insufferably schizophrenic than usual.

Any Thing You Can Do...

Day Three

A Good Day's Work

Happy Birthday Peter Siddle

Call of the day came from Ian Healy - "he's edged it, and almost caught it".

Had it been someone other than an Australian the call would have been more like "he's dropped it the pommy plonker".

When Two Tribes Go To War...

... it is usually over a slightly bigger prize than this little urn. But we all know it is about pride not prize and I can't wait to watch them "get it on".

Be Careful What You Wish For

Mark Greatbatch asked for two draws and a series loss and that is just what he got.

You can look on the development bright side as much as you want, but just like catching MS Dhoni for 98, it is only a hollow victory if you don't win in the end.

One Up/One Off/One Down

A bit of the old beige spirit from Andy McKay.

Stopping Tendulkar from getting his 50th test hundred is not a bad way to take your first test wicket. No body doubts that is just a matter of time however.

McKay's other hand seems to suggest the inevitable - the Black Caps to lose the series 1 down.

A Touching Moment

Captain Smith gets his arms around AB de Villiers after he had broken one of the bosses batting records.

A sporting gesture, but what do you suspect he was really thinking?

A General Warning

This man should, under no circumstances, be allowed near a loaded weapon or any object that has a sharp edge. Do not approach him as he will almost certainly approach you.

A First Time For Everything

Andre Russell shares the excitement of taking his first test wicket. Let's hope for the West Indies sake it is the first of many.

Caribbean Pirates Sack Galle

More looters than lovers, the pirate chief gets a hug from his first mate before he goes on to flay the locals and earn every piece of silver he might get.

Truth Is Always Stranger Than Fiction

Harbhajan Singh - world record holding batsman!

Three Down, Two To Go

Johan Botha sums up how I feel about having Test cricket to watch. Three days of entertainment and there is still more to come. Beats the hell out of all that hit and giggle stuff as far as I am concerned.

A Hot Day In Old Dubai

Here is an image for all of you believers in the fantasy of 'keeper/batsman as sex symbol.

Boucher does not adhere to the old coaching adage of "practice the exact way you will play" but then the heat in Dubai can do funny things to a man.

Facing Harbhajan

Watch the ball and forget about the crazy man at the other end.

In Starc Contrast

I got the obvious headline out of the way early just in case this fella is around for a while.

What I like about Mitchell Starc is not that he is another fresh faced, fast, bouncy, left armer, but rather the absence of visible tattoos.

That can only be a good thing, as I am formulating a theory that once the tattoos reach below the sleeve the player starts to lose their mojo. More tattoos, less production. 

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!

A Second Farewell

I have already done a salute to Ntini but couldn't resist this great photo of him and I added the flag for the benefit of Purna. It has also helped to take my mind of the fearful thumping we are about to get at the hands of the Indian team. Viva the distraction!

Inside Out, Upside Down

Afridi playing a very Afridi shot during a very Pakistan performance. They are a commentators joy 'cause there is always something to talk about.

BIg Tie, Big Job

And so it begins. With smiles and hopes, and dreams, and positive thoughts.

I am looking forward to seeing how it all ends but I will say that Strauss, while no Douglas Jardine, is at least calm and stoic - both traits he will need before this summer is over.