Cricket world cup I

Cricket is the flavour of the season. The circus is back in the sub-continent. Teams from different parts of the world are here to entertain and in the process try and win the world cup of cricket.  It has all been true to character till now. Sreesanth was his normal self with Ricky in a practice match.  It took the Australian captain a couple of days plus to retaliate with his groin guard – he avenged the on-field transgression on a, possibly mute (that is how TVs in dressing rooms are tuned) television set in the dressing room.  50-50 has not abdicated its place in favour of 20-20. Sample these for thrills - England has specialized in upset results. It toiled against Holland where it just about managed a win; tied a match with India it should have won; Lost to its neighbour Ireland for the upset of the century (as yet); won against SA, a match it should have lost. Then they have gone and lost and Pietrson and Broad to injuries.

 Bangladesh is blowing hot and cold in consonance with the weather along their coast line; for good measure some ‘pebbles’ were thrown at the West Indies team bus, waking them up from their dreams of returning to the days of Lloyd and Richards.

 So far India has flattered to deceive; they have struggled in all their matches. There is time yet, ardent Indian fans say. ICC on their part has added spice to proceedings…One day the 2.5m rule in URDS saved Ian Bell of England against India and a week later it could not save Ireland’s ‘whatishisname?”. Here is another problem; with so many minor teams and newer players, remembering names and faces has become a problem…what did the Irish do after losing the match? They went and lost a bag of bats.

Yesterday Pakistan was faring very well till the 45^th over, playing them into a winnable situation. That is when they realised this possible win against New Zealand would be their fourth in a row in a world cup and so duly conceded 100 runs in the last 5 overs. We will have to wait to know if ICC will investigate this.

There is lots of entertainment lined up for summer - cricket world cup, IPL, budget session, assembly elections, CBI show, mud slinging, et al.