Under The Sign Of The Three Swords

Gautam Gambhir does not look completely convinced about something in his first game for Essex.

It might be the hat or perhaps he is just licking his lips in anticipation of a bat?

Gambhir Stays Strong

Strong image, strong stance, strong performance. Double G is back.

It's All About Execution

The coaching mantra of the moment is "we have the players, they just need to execute well". What this really means is "we are getting our arse kicked but we can't sack this useless load of plonkers because we haven't yet developed any one who is better".

I favour a different philosophy, taken from the NFL, which says "next man up". Keep trying until you find some bugger who will front, and if you are Mark Greatbatch (or Tim Neilson), why wait?

Not So Much A Cuddle as A Collision

There is a lot to be said for the old fashioned hand shake or polite clap.

Gambir and Pathan fail to pull off the post wicket celebration. Perhaps it is something they need to practice more or even add a dancing coach to the staff roster.

Sri Lanka Unbalanced

To be fair to Angelo Mathews it is not easy to keep your poise when Gambhir, Sehwag, Dravid and Tendulkar are on fire!

Gambhirs Gone!

Kumar Sangakkara and Rangana Herath have every right to celebrate but given the 100 odd runs that Gambhir scored he should perhaps be given the biggest hand.

Now I am not one to gossip, but...

... where is Ian's other hand?

Just kidding, of course. For the definitive statement on matters, Jrod has as always summed things up simply.

Good Form

Straight back.
Straight bat.
Strong feet.
High elbow.

The Napier Test did not produce a result but it proved to be a batting class worth watching.

The Cricket Occult

Gambhir displays further evidence of mysticism in cricket - a power word etched into the bat to bring about success. Which of course it did. Perhaps the Aussies should try tattooing WIN on their foreheads.

Well Worth Watching

Man I enjoyed watching that day of test cricket. Not sure what I enjoyed more, the batting of Gambhir and Tendulker or the body language of Ponting and friends.

Great six by Gambhir to reach 100 but for me the highlight was his on drives - the shot of a class batsman.

Gambhir Goes Big

Now how does that old fashioned 50/50 game go again?

Oh yes, that's right, smash 6 runs an over and just keep going. Then wait to see if they can do the same.