There have been a lot of questions over whether the dwindling attention span of the average cricket fan can afford to take in another test of over 1300 runs in the first innings. Questions about the future of test cricket are being raised. People who bet on sports regularly are also considering quitting citing the amount of boredom involved in such games. I am referring to the India – Sri Lanka Test Series. The pitches [...]

The big deal: After a terribly disappointing summer, it’s time for the West Indies to switch gears and try to salvage some pride as they turn to the longer format of the game and it will take a tremendous, near miraculous effort for the West Indies to get their act together. Things in camp Windies are not well, Chris Gayle’s captaincy is under scrutiny, some of his star players are injured and the rest are [...]

As much as I would like to, I cannot promise you that this would be the last post on Pakistan Cricket this month. A lot of murky dirtiness has passed under the bridge and a lot more has been promised. Saying “these are bad times” cannot suffice. That would be overrating the regular sanctity of the way cricket functions in Pakistan, and the way their cricketers function abroad. When the World T20 ended, it was [...]

On a personal front, I love young teens who make it to the national side. The early exposure puts them under performance pressure without the excess need to perform. They always have the time to re-prove themselves lest they fail. If they fail. Most of them grab the opportunity with both hands gleefully. I sincerely hope young Williamson does so too. We are talking about Kane Williamson, who has been selected to play for the [...]

This is the ultimate review of the Second Test at Kolkata of the India vs. South Africa Jaypee whatever Test Championship Series, a Paddle Sweep exclusive. Before I begin, let me dwell a little bit on the first test at Nagpur. South Africa arrived here in India with a lot of humility up front and still more confidence beneath the surface. India were worried about the absence of stalwarts like Yuvraj, Dravid and Laxman. They [...]

The reason I was away was because I was on vacation. Period. Back to the cricket, it seems that a lot of water has flown under the so called bridge, including: west indies losing against the aussies India caught with their pants down ipl moved out of hyderabad clt20 to clash with the english domestic season (LOL) India to play south africa again from tomorrow A lot of water indeed. For the record I am [...]

We are almost on the brink of the so called World Championshitp of cricket. A 2 Test series between India and South Africa. A Series which would also mean the first face off between Paddle and Ms. Print. If you don’t know who they are, look here. A Series which would leave the Aussies wondering about the point of their self-imposed supremacy. A Series to watch out for. A series worth writing for. Sadly, both [...]

first of all, well done Zaheer Khan. As far as the Bangladesh batsmen are concerned, well done to you too. I, as an India fan, would like to thank all the Bangladesh batsmen to remind the Indians that test cricket will still have its hard days. Days where the wickets would dry up. Days where the end of a wicketless session would mean joy for the fielding team, for it would give them a much [...]

[houdini] India is almost set to tour Sri Lanka this year in July-August. Why? Yes, WHY? Most fans are asking the same question to whoever they might ask a question to. The Sri Lankan Cricket Board, now called Sri Lanka Cricket, has its sights set on another tour from India, supposedly to fill the gap in the ftp this year: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is looking to host India for three Tests and an ODI [...]

BREAKING NEWS: Sir Richard Hadlee has just said that India deserved to be the number one test side. So, Ian O Brien is not the only New Zealander who reads this blog. Yesterday, Ms Print wrote something about why India is not the absolute number one team in the world. I strongly recommend you read that one first before coming back here. Here is that post. I somehow disagree as well as agree with Ms Print on this [...]