Au revoir, Kallis

What a classic cricketer you have been. A humble servant of the game for about 18 years. Will truly miss the upcoming tests without you.

Lots of the old team is going off. Tests don't look the same anymore. What with even Swann moving out before boxing day [the fact that I took a shortish vacation made me realize that he announced his retirement only today. A shocker!]

The old guard is stepping down... another spring, another bloosoming period... except that the current lot doesn't seem up to it. Fraught with risks and opportunities.

Interesting Martin Crowe has a nice write up on Kallis

I will surely rate him on the very top... up there with Sir Garfield. Stats though make him look even better than Gary.

I see Ian Chappell's take slightly late. Here

Difficult customer to please... and those are good words from him.

 

New beginning?

WOW. I see that Darren Bravo has made a maiden double century. Brilliant.

For someone who was dubbed to have the silken touch of the cricketing GOD himself Lara, its quite satisfying to see Darren Bravo come of age.

Pleasing to see it happen... that too in the 2nd innings. Sterling character shown when the team is down in the dumps.... following on and looking up desperately for succor and steel... and he has provided them all that. and more. For the time being, atleast.

In 45 completed innings plus the one currently, 4 hundreds and 8 fifties doesn't look like a stellar performance... but considering that he has got a score of 50+ approx 1 out of less than 4 innings makes it look very appealing.

Should be interesting to watch this guy grow!

 

Hostile. Brilliant. One for the history books

One for the history books, really.

Brilliant hostile stuff from Mitch. Been down for almost 4 sessions and they come back. And how.

Last 10 overs, England : 9/6. From 3/82 to 91/8.

What a team... whadda playa

Engrossing.
Bundled out for 253, they come back with all their guns firing... and the nuclear tipped missile Dale Steyn has also been unleashed. Result: Opposition neutralised for 49. In about 30 overs.

Dale Steyn has even more ridiculous figures of 8/6... of 8.1 overs. of which 6 were maidens.

Its just the 5th session of the match. Go, Saffers. You seem to deserve the No 1 currently!

Finally, he retires

Took a long time coming. And finally, Tendulkar retires from ODI's. One big problem that ails BCCI has come to an end with this decision. Now, if only the fur blot Dhoni also retires from Test cricket, we can see winds of change. 

I am not holding my breath though. 

Finally, Tendulkar will be doing what he should probably be doing - playing tests and ensuring that his legend stays on. Took a long time coming - about a year or two delayed... but better late than never. 

Ponting retires

Took a long time coming... but loved the way you fought till the end. 
Thanks, mate, for all the entertainment. You have been a brilliant artist. 

There were times when people hated you but it seems fitting that most stand up in respect when you have decided to retire and the rancor is not to be seen.

Update: A nice read up here. Considering that its written by an English guy [the Poms] it makes it even more special. there you go, Punter

Boucher Retires

What a guy. what a man. He is truly one of the greats of the game to ever have graced the cricket field.


"The symmetry of the numbers, too, would have intrigued those who believe in planetary alignment. The third Test of the series would have been his 150th and last, at the home of cricket. But now there will always be something slightly Bradmanesque about his record international haul of 999 international dismissals."


Link here

SA vs Aus 2nd test

What a test match. Eye popping action and lovely lovely finish to the match.

Game see-sawing between both teams - check
Amazing intensity shown by both sides - check
Good sportsmanship and gamesmanship shown by both sides - check
People who have their careers on the line trying to redeem themselves - check
Debutant coming out and making an impact - check
Weather plays spoilsport but also gives a window of opportunity - check

Overall, a fantastic game. Great advert for Test Cricket. Ponting mostly lives another day. Off to Aus to face NZ and India in the summer. Fantastic. Simply fantastic.

Go on, you beauty!