Sriram, Wonderful article. I just could not stop myself from congratulating writer. This is the kind of attacking spirit we need in indians.
If we play bad and some foriegner press makes "Duck Jokes", even indian media joins hands with them. If we perform well, media treats it as kumbhmela happening once in some 20 years. If India has to progress , just not in cricket, we have to be fiercely competitive. And for every Dravid we should have one Saurav.
as much as i would hate to have anyone lose their job i do have to say this seems like a third rate article - cant read beyond the second line of this article. What is this man talking about - sleepy - grumpy - LOTR - (whiule i know what LOTR is ) the purpose of an article is not show off ones intellectual prowess or ones command over the english language but to inform, educate and raise questions and issues.
Please do not allow rank amateurs right these mickey mouse articles - JUST GIVE US PREM PANICKER -
Haven't finished reading it, but love it already. Vey close to what i had been thinking about the Aussies. I reckon Stinky's last stand will end, not in a bang, but in a whimper.
I would suggest caution for all co-fans going into Melbourne. No touring side has made over 400 in either innings in the last 15 years. (India made 445 in 85 last)Bowlers have won matches on odd occasions. However two scores of 300 to 350 tend to win matches. Consistent batting down the order has helped. Hayden has scored centuries the last two times and Langer made 250 last year. When India played last time, Lee ran through the side, although Tendulkar made a hundred. It typically rains in Melbourne on Boxing day(raining now), and overcast conditions are likely to match the lively bounce, although its warmer. Getting Australia under 400 will not be as easy unless Zaheer, Nehra and Agarkar stick to line and length. Bruce Reid has 2 10 wicket hauls in Melbourne. Tall seamers (like Bracken) naturally do well. Akram, Ambrose, Reid, Dean Headly and McGrath. Srinath bowled well the last time around.
Ganguly should consider sending Sehwag down the order with Parthiv in the opening slot along with Akash Chopra. (but Sehwag padded up). Or have Parthiv pad up in case Sehwag or Chopra are out quickly. Bowlers win matches at Melbourne. We would be lucky to draw.
What is this guy talking about? He should put an addendum at the end of his article where he reveals who all these characters (Creepy, Wannabe, Jim, Stinker) are. Sure, I could figure out a few, but when you're reading an article, you don't want to stop and think to figure out who he's talking about. And, while I agree with his comments about McGrath (or whatever he called him in the article), I think he doesn't really appreciate the contributions, the talent, the gutsiness and the overall greatness of Steve Waugh. And, he talks about Sachin's batting prowess (in addition to his bowling skills) but we're still waiting to see him (Sachin) show some of his (Sachin's) purported greatness. The bottom line: go back and take Steve Waugh's career stats with more than a pinch of salt.
