Nikker 'BASHA'
Bewarse Group!!!
Manas with uncle Godfather
Live Cricket Score board
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Monday, March 12, 2007
Cricket World Cup 2007 inaugurated
West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers officially declared the 2007 Cricket World Cup open early on Monday morning (IST) at the Trelawny Stadium in Jamaica.Indian viewers, however, were not been able to see the glittering three-hour-long event live on television. The deferred telecast will be shown later in the day.The ceremony featured over 2,000 singers, dancers and other performers who had been rehearsing for three months. The theme was 'West Indian Energy', and it showcased the rich cultural heritage of the region.The sight of all the players together, and the camaraderie in their ranks, gave local enthusiasts a first glimpse of what the organisers hoped to communicate through their theme song for the tournament, which is called 'the game of love and unity'. As many as 25,000 people at the Trelawny Stadium in Jamaica got to see Sir Garfield Sobers declaring the World Cup open. With the long grand opening now out of the way, it's time to get down to serious business. Pakistan and West Indies will be the first to do that, as they face each other in the first game of the tournament in Jamaica on Tuesday.
01.10GMT And so it is. As the fireworks erupt overhead, and the shimmering dancers shimmer their way to the exits, it's time for the first act of the ninth World Cup to draw to a close. And you know what? I rather enjoyed that. The Caribbean has started its 50 days of festivities in grand style. Now it's time for the on-field action to begin. Join us here at Cricinfo for live and unrivalled coverage of all 51 matches, starting with West Indies against Pakistan, from Sabina Park, Kingston, on Tuesday.
01.05GMT "Wonderful world, beautiful people," sings our Jimmy, as the flags of the host nations are paraded on the outfield. And now all the cast are on the field as well. I sense a grand finale is brewing.
01.00GMT Here comes Jimmy Cliff, a modern-day reggae star, joined on stage by Tony Rebel and Dwight Richards. "People," they declare. "Let's get together and show our power all over the world." Word.
00.55GMT The stadium lights have all gone out. No, don't worry, it's deliberate. There's a special guest being beamed onto the main stage. If it's Jamaica, no party is complete without Bob Marley. Here's Redemption Song, and Three Little Birds, as sung - live - by his former backing singers, I Three. They complete their medley with the words: "Let's get together and feel alright." And you can't say fairer than that.
00.50GMT It's carnival time now - lots of silver and blue booty-shakers from Trinidad and Tobago, and some vast great king and queen costumes. Huge great floats with big teeth and wings. Mildly scary at this time of night. There are all doing a conga round the pitch now, singing "Cricket is my passion, it is in my veins..."
00.48GMT We have a veritable riot of colour on the pitch now. St Lucia's contribution are nothing short of techicolor yetis - "pitchipatchi dancers" I think they are called.
00.45GMT Bollywood has long since tuned out, but here's a little Indian music to change the mood. Lots of Asian influence throughout the Caribbean, of course, especially in Trinidad and Guyana. And lots of Chinese influence in the building of these stadia. Now we've got lots of "plantation girls" all dressed in white on the outfield. Very elegant too, as a clarinet player serenades them all. "What a pretty array of parasols."
"Everybody come and celebrate!" © Getty Images00.40GMT A fine and catchy tune comes to an end. So let's have some fire-eaters to pass the time between songs. That didn't take long - I guess there's only so much fire you can eat. Lots of "winged runners" now run onto the field. "They look like butterflies, so many different colours too," says the voiceover. I think they are getting a little jaded. "This represents the freedom that wings give you." Ah yes, that'd be it.
00.35GMT "Everybody come and celebrate," sing the singers, as the outfield turns into four shimmering circles of dancers. Nice choreography if you can get it. All the islands are getting name-checked in verse. "If you know what I mean, then scream."
00.30GMT We have 2000 yards of yellow fabric now lying on the outfield, representing "the rays of the sun". Glad we cleared that one up. Meanwhile up on the stage, lots of lovelies in very un-PC cricket garb are strutting their stuff. I thought they did away with mini-skirts for cricket around the time that England last won the (women's) World Cup.
00.25GMT One-hundred-and-eighty drummers give way to the choir. "Cricket Lovely Cricket" they all sing lustily. As well they might. That volcanic theme is still in evidence, lots of red-and-gold shimmering going on on stage.
00.20GMT A chap blows a conch-shell. That used to be the sound that summoned slaves to the fields, now it's inviting everyone to come and join in some serious fun-and-games. Some volcanic theme going on, as the players "flow down from the stage like lava". The African drums on display are being given their own "yard style".
00.15GMT There are stiltwalkers on the outfield! The groundsman will be doing his nut ... it's just as well the Trelawny Stadium has done its bit for this tournament. And what a good bit it has done too. In fact, they are stilt-cricketers. I've never seen a man on stilts run into bowl before. Quite a good, loose-limbed action. Got to be careful of over-stepping.
00.12GMT Here's Sir Garfield Sobers, and the Ninth ICC Cricket World Cup has been declared officially open! And there go the fireworks, bursting against the night sky, as the cricketers leave the field and the performers take the stage once again for "an exciting display of energy".
00.11GMT Here comes Steve Bucknor to give the umpires' pledge. I can honestly say I thought, until he opened his mouth just this second, that he was a mute.
00.09GMT The players in front of the podium are starting to sway from leg to leg now. The trooping of the colour, this ain't. Here's Brian Lara to speak for the teams. "What a great honour," he begins. "We promise we shall play to the best of our ability, respect the laws, observe the rules, commit to highest standards of sportsmanship. To all the cricketers, may the best team win, and to all the visitors, may you witness one of the greatest supporting spectacles."
00.04GMT Brace yourselves. It's Percy Sonn. "The West Indies must rank as the most idyllic and stunningly aesthetic cricket-playing country in the world," announces the President of the ICC. Gosh, try saying "stunningly aesthetic" when you're drunk ...
Percy Sonn clears his throat... © Getty Images00.00GMT Right, it's dignitary time. Here's Ernest Valentine-Banks, vice-president of the WICB. "This is what they thought was mission impossible," he intones, as the "best World Cup ever" is promised from the podium. "We have overcome the constraints of nine sovereign states, in the most ambitious event ever untaken by the collective Caribbean."
23.58GMT And everyone's in place, it's time for the World Cup song, as performed by Shaggy and Faye Ann-Lyons among others. Oh God, Mello the mascot's got a bat. What is he about to do? Can't quite hear the lyrics, although they involve "put your hands up", "love and unity", "clap your hands", "come together", "play the beautiful game" and "the rules never change". Yes, they do! What about Powerplays, supersubs, oh never mind ...
23.56GMT Sri Lankans can't help but smile all the time, especially Muttiah Muralitharan. They are followed by Prosper Utseya's Zimbabweans, and then, finally and to a massive roar, the West Indians - "The Inaugural Champions" as Cozier reminds us, as Brian Lara files past to lead his side to their place in the line-up.
23.54GMT New Zealand plod through, proud semi-finalists on occasions too numerous to reiterate. Pakistan look cheery enough as they file past, as Craig Wright leads out the Scotland squad, followed by South Africa in green blazers with yellow pinstripes. "Twice denied the finals by freak circumstances," says Cozier. And I guess he's right.
23.52GMT Ireland somehow resist the temptation to jig their way out to the middle. Kenya, in their sharp green suits lead the African contingent. The Netherlands, on the other hand, have found themselves some hideous orange blazers. There's not a lot you can do with those national colours, I guess.
23.50GMT Canada emerge next, followed by England, who look really rather unamused by all of this. Kevin Pietersen has at least thought to bring his camera. India look much more cheerful, with Sachin Tendulkar grinning ear from ear.
23.46GMT First out are the Aussies, all bleach-blond smiles in their dapper suits and ties. Habibul Bashar leads the Bangladeshis, and the Bermudans come next, tailing a lady in a frighteningly shocking-pink "set-girl costume".
Special mention is made of their heavyweight champion, Dwayne Leverock.
23.44GMT Oh God, they couldn't keep him away for ever. Here's the World Cup mascot, Mello, a sort of bear of no particular racial origin, who represents shared values. And can't bat for toffee. He's followed by Tony Cozier, who is introducing the teams. As the Parade of Teams begins.
23.40GMT "Now that we've found love, what are we gonna do?" ask Third World, rhetorically. Spread it all over the world, that's that they gonna do.
23.35GMT Three decades of music being represented, as Third World take the stage. They once opened for the Jackson Five, dontchaknow. "Everything has a value, and everything has a price. But I'm committed, baby, to keeping this love alive." Sing it brother.
23.31GMT The Prime Ministers are grinding in the VIP Seats - a sight we shouldn't have to see - as Ian Bishop collars Ricky Ponting. "I've really enjoyed the cricket experience here in the Caribbean, I'm very excited, we had a good win against England and the real stuff is around the corner." And Ponting is now a Sean Paul fan, apparently.
23.30GMT Now we go all instrumental, as a guitarist, a saxophonist and a drummer named "Sly" take up the reins. All Jamaican legends, though I've dropped my programme notes and can't name them all. "Sly and Robbie have worked with Mick Jagger and Queen Latifah" says the voiceover, helpfully.
23.29GMT The beat goes on, and onto stage comes Half Pint, with dreadlocks down to his knees, and soul in his voice. "Half Pint gives a full performance," says the voiceover. I wasn't going there, but it's safe now.
23.27GMT "Reggae is calling out to the world, as West Indies welcomes the world," intones the voiceover. I couldn't put it better myself, so I won't. Here comes Gregory Isaacs, "the cool ruler", to take over the vocal duties in his snappy red jacket and panama.
23.25GMT Time for some old-school reggae with Beres Hammond, a diffident chap in a beret, and Baju Banton, a bouncy wild-child with dreadlocks and a snazzy black-and-white shirt. "Can you play some more," they sing. I think they might just do that.
Well, it's easy to sneer about opening ceremonies, but this is genuinely entertaining without being embarrassing. Unlike the 1999 World Cup opener at Lord's, which was entertaining only because it was embarrassing. And because Tony Blair's microphone fused in the rain.
23.20GMT A multi-awardwinning ragga artist named Sean Paul is next, "a dancehall superstar" is how I think he was described, though I'm not sure what halls he dances in. His troupe seem to have taken a leaf out of the Irish book with some nimble foot movement. Very shiny costumes too. Not sure what he's singing about, but his ladies seem enthused. "Give it up to me", it would seem.
23.16GMT Ian Bishop is backstage, and reports that everyone is excited. Not as excited as Lucky Dube, the king of African reggae. It's his turn to take centre stage, accompanied by his red, yellow and green posse of singers. Those are some ample ladies. Good voices too.
23.12GMT Good grief, more Irish japery on stage! One World Cup appearance, and they take over ... Still, that's some spectacular fiddling from John Duffy, accompanied by his brother David on drums. The Duffys is what the band is called. Traditional Irish folk songs to modern pop is what they play, and they are available for weddings and barmitzvahs.
23.10GMT Ian Bishop is interviewing Chris Gayle on stage. "Hopefully West Indies can do well in the World Cup, and that everyone eats some jerk chicken while they're here. Aright." At least, that's a synopsis of what he said.
23.05GMT Time to chill things down a bit, with some mellow "Sounds of the Caribbean". We've got tabla drums and sitars up on stage, and of course, a pair of steel drums. This is a "new style of music from Trinidad" apparently. A fusion of cultures. How appropriate.Jazzy Jones, one of Jamaica's big-time drummers, has joined the jamming session now.
23.00GMT Now it's Alyson Hinds coming at us, with some frankly outrageous booty-shaking, with Marcel Marcano adding some gruff vocals, and some bloke in a red-and-yellow flame suit adding his own style. It's going them dancing in the aisles now, in fact, that looks like Dwayne Bravo who was "feelin' hot hot hot" just then.
22.55GMT Right, now we're back with a bang, with an order to "put our hands in the air". No, it's not a hold-up, it's Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, who are "injecting some carnival spirit into proceedings". There are some Sensai costumes coming at us from Dominica, apparently. Not entirely sure what that means, but we're lovin' it nonetheless.
22.50GMT A bit of a lull in proceedings now as the sun begins to set over the Caribbean. Time for some adverts and a cup of tea. There are, how can we put it, quite a few sponsors who'd like to get their message across.
22.45GMT Begorrah, they get everywhere. Here come a gaggle of Irish dancers. Three of them to be precise. Jolly nimble on their feet they are too. Don't do a lot with their arms, but hey ho.
Ooh, they clapped for a moment there. Splendid jiggery-pokery going out on the stage. The tune sounds remarkably like the final scenes of "Last of the Mohicans" if anyone's ever seen that. Good flick.
A bongo player sets the pace for the evening's festivities © Getty Images22.40GMT Now here's a flavour of the eighth World Cup in South Africa - here's a gaggle of drummers called, I think, "Drum Cafe". They were formed in Johannesburg and have spread all over South Africa, and now all the way to the Caribbean. Good work drummers. They've performed for the Royal Family, Nelson Mandela and George Bush apparently.
"Usually when they perform, the lines between performer and audience blur," announce the voiceover people, clearly not reading from their programme notes.
22.35GMT That completes the initial greetings. Now the stage is cleared, and the big screen is devoted to the World Cup's anti-Aids message. The ICC is supporting UNICEF and UNAIDS to spread the message throughout the Caribbean, the second-most affected region in the world, after sub-Saharan Africa.
And now here comes the singer, Ashe, to put the message to music. "We've got to find a way to protect the future," she sings as she dances across the outfield with her troupe of backing singers. Quite so. "Using entertainment to encourage social change," intones the stadium announcer.
22.20GMT "This evening I am immensely proud to be a West Indian," says Chris Dehring, the chief executive of the organising committee. "This is the moment we have been planning for ten years. This is the moment that makes the sweat and tears worthwhile."
The Ht Ron Dr Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, whose island was so devastated by Hurricane Ivan three years ago, is next up to the podium. "This is the birth of a new dawn," he announces, as he talks of the manner in which the various nations of the Caribbean have worked together to make this event happen. "Throughout our history West Indies have enjoyed and played this game in the best spirit."
Portia Simpson Miller, the first female Prime Minister of Jamaica, extends her greetings to the assembled throng. "The moment is finally here. Jamaica is a cricket-loving country, the sport is deeply embedded in our hearts and lives. We're hear to cheer on every team, as we rally round the West Indies."
22.15GMT Well, here it is. The Cricket World Cup is upon us. The cricketers of 16 nations are gathered at the Greenfields Stadium, Trelawny, the newly-built stadium on the north coast of Jamaica, to take part in the opening ceremony of the ninth Cricket World Cup. We have been serenaded by the Jamaican Military Band, who marched in the formation "CWC 07" and by the singer, Sanchez, who belted out the Jamaican national anthem.
West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers officially declared the 2007 Cricket World Cup open early on Monday morning (IST) at the Trelawny Stadium in Jamaica.Indian viewers, however, were not been able to see the glittering three-hour-long event live on television. The deferred telecast will be shown later in the day.The ceremony featured over 2,000 singers, dancers and other performers who had been rehearsing for three months. The theme was 'West Indian Energy', and it showcased the rich cultural heritage of the region.The sight of all the players together, and the camaraderie in their ranks, gave local enthusiasts a first glimpse of what the organisers hoped to communicate through their theme song for the tournament, which is called 'the game of love and unity'. As many as 25,000 people at the Trelawny Stadium in Jamaica got to see Sir Garfield Sobers declaring the World Cup open. With the long grand opening now out of the way, it's time to get down to serious business. Pakistan and West Indies will be the first to do that, as they face each other in the first game of the tournament in Jamaica on Tuesday.
01.10GMT And so it is. As the fireworks erupt overhead, and the shimmering dancers shimmer their way to the exits, it's time for the first act of the ninth World Cup to draw to a close. And you know what? I rather enjoyed that. The Caribbean has started its 50 days of festivities in grand style. Now it's time for the on-field action to begin. Join us here at Cricinfo for live and unrivalled coverage of all 51 matches, starting with West Indies against Pakistan, from Sabina Park, Kingston, on Tuesday.
01.05GMT "Wonderful world, beautiful people," sings our Jimmy, as the flags of the host nations are paraded on the outfield. And now all the cast are on the field as well. I sense a grand finale is brewing.
01.00GMT Here comes Jimmy Cliff, a modern-day reggae star, joined on stage by Tony Rebel and Dwight Richards. "People," they declare. "Let's get together and show our power all over the world." Word.
00.55GMT The stadium lights have all gone out. No, don't worry, it's deliberate. There's a special guest being beamed onto the main stage. If it's Jamaica, no party is complete without Bob Marley. Here's Redemption Song, and Three Little Birds, as sung - live - by his former backing singers, I Three. They complete their medley with the words: "Let's get together and feel alright." And you can't say fairer than that.
00.50GMT It's carnival time now - lots of silver and blue booty-shakers from Trinidad and Tobago, and some vast great king and queen costumes. Huge great floats with big teeth and wings. Mildly scary at this time of night. There are all doing a conga round the pitch now, singing "Cricket is my passion, it is in my veins..."
00.48GMT We have a veritable riot of colour on the pitch now. St Lucia's contribution are nothing short of techicolor yetis - "pitchipatchi dancers" I think they are called.
00.45GMT Bollywood has long since tuned out, but here's a little Indian music to change the mood. Lots of Asian influence throughout the Caribbean, of course, especially in Trinidad and Guyana. And lots of Chinese influence in the building of these stadia. Now we've got lots of "plantation girls" all dressed in white on the outfield. Very elegant too, as a clarinet player serenades them all. "What a pretty array of parasols."
"Everybody come and celebrate!" © Getty Images00.40GMT A fine and catchy tune comes to an end. So let's have some fire-eaters to pass the time between songs. That didn't take long - I guess there's only so much fire you can eat. Lots of "winged runners" now run onto the field. "They look like butterflies, so many different colours too," says the voiceover. I think they are getting a little jaded. "This represents the freedom that wings give you." Ah yes, that'd be it.
00.35GMT "Everybody come and celebrate," sing the singers, as the outfield turns into four shimmering circles of dancers. Nice choreography if you can get it. All the islands are getting name-checked in verse. "If you know what I mean, then scream."
00.30GMT We have 2000 yards of yellow fabric now lying on the outfield, representing "the rays of the sun". Glad we cleared that one up. Meanwhile up on the stage, lots of lovelies in very un-PC cricket garb are strutting their stuff. I thought they did away with mini-skirts for cricket around the time that England last won the (women's) World Cup.
00.25GMT One-hundred-and-eighty drummers give way to the choir. "Cricket Lovely Cricket" they all sing lustily. As well they might. That volcanic theme is still in evidence, lots of red-and-gold shimmering going on on stage.
00.20GMT A chap blows a conch-shell. That used to be the sound that summoned slaves to the fields, now it's inviting everyone to come and join in some serious fun-and-games. Some volcanic theme going on, as the players "flow down from the stage like lava". The African drums on display are being given their own "yard style".
00.15GMT There are stiltwalkers on the outfield! The groundsman will be doing his nut ... it's just as well the Trelawny Stadium has done its bit for this tournament. And what a good bit it has done too. In fact, they are stilt-cricketers. I've never seen a man on stilts run into bowl before. Quite a good, loose-limbed action. Got to be careful of over-stepping.
00.12GMT Here's Sir Garfield Sobers, and the Ninth ICC Cricket World Cup has been declared officially open! And there go the fireworks, bursting against the night sky, as the cricketers leave the field and the performers take the stage once again for "an exciting display of energy".
00.11GMT Here comes Steve Bucknor to give the umpires' pledge. I can honestly say I thought, until he opened his mouth just this second, that he was a mute.
00.09GMT The players in front of the podium are starting to sway from leg to leg now. The trooping of the colour, this ain't. Here's Brian Lara to speak for the teams. "What a great honour," he begins. "We promise we shall play to the best of our ability, respect the laws, observe the rules, commit to highest standards of sportsmanship. To all the cricketers, may the best team win, and to all the visitors, may you witness one of the greatest supporting spectacles."
00.04GMT Brace yourselves. It's Percy Sonn. "The West Indies must rank as the most idyllic and stunningly aesthetic cricket-playing country in the world," announces the President of the ICC. Gosh, try saying "stunningly aesthetic" when you're drunk ...
Percy Sonn clears his throat... © Getty Images00.00GMT Right, it's dignitary time. Here's Ernest Valentine-Banks, vice-president of the WICB. "This is what they thought was mission impossible," he intones, as the "best World Cup ever" is promised from the podium. "We have overcome the constraints of nine sovereign states, in the most ambitious event ever untaken by the collective Caribbean."
23.58GMT And everyone's in place, it's time for the World Cup song, as performed by Shaggy and Faye Ann-Lyons among others. Oh God, Mello the mascot's got a bat. What is he about to do? Can't quite hear the lyrics, although they involve "put your hands up", "love and unity", "clap your hands", "come together", "play the beautiful game" and "the rules never change". Yes, they do! What about Powerplays, supersubs, oh never mind ...
23.56GMT Sri Lankans can't help but smile all the time, especially Muttiah Muralitharan. They are followed by Prosper Utseya's Zimbabweans, and then, finally and to a massive roar, the West Indians - "The Inaugural Champions" as Cozier reminds us, as Brian Lara files past to lead his side to their place in the line-up.
23.54GMT New Zealand plod through, proud semi-finalists on occasions too numerous to reiterate. Pakistan look cheery enough as they file past, as Craig Wright leads out the Scotland squad, followed by South Africa in green blazers with yellow pinstripes. "Twice denied the finals by freak circumstances," says Cozier. And I guess he's right.
23.52GMT Ireland somehow resist the temptation to jig their way out to the middle. Kenya, in their sharp green suits lead the African contingent. The Netherlands, on the other hand, have found themselves some hideous orange blazers. There's not a lot you can do with those national colours, I guess.
23.50GMT Canada emerge next, followed by England, who look really rather unamused by all of this. Kevin Pietersen has at least thought to bring his camera. India look much more cheerful, with Sachin Tendulkar grinning ear from ear.
23.46GMT First out are the Aussies, all bleach-blond smiles in their dapper suits and ties. Habibul Bashar leads the Bangladeshis, and the Bermudans come next, tailing a lady in a frighteningly shocking-pink "set-girl costume".
Special mention is made of their heavyweight champion, Dwayne Leverock.
23.44GMT Oh God, they couldn't keep him away for ever. Here's the World Cup mascot, Mello, a sort of bear of no particular racial origin, who represents shared values. And can't bat for toffee. He's followed by Tony Cozier, who is introducing the teams. As the Parade of Teams begins.
23.40GMT "Now that we've found love, what are we gonna do?" ask Third World, rhetorically. Spread it all over the world, that's that they gonna do.
23.35GMT Three decades of music being represented, as Third World take the stage. They once opened for the Jackson Five, dontchaknow. "Everything has a value, and everything has a price. But I'm committed, baby, to keeping this love alive." Sing it brother.
23.31GMT The Prime Ministers are grinding in the VIP Seats - a sight we shouldn't have to see - as Ian Bishop collars Ricky Ponting. "I've really enjoyed the cricket experience here in the Caribbean, I'm very excited, we had a good win against England and the real stuff is around the corner." And Ponting is now a Sean Paul fan, apparently.
23.30GMT Now we go all instrumental, as a guitarist, a saxophonist and a drummer named "Sly" take up the reins. All Jamaican legends, though I've dropped my programme notes and can't name them all. "Sly and Robbie have worked with Mick Jagger and Queen Latifah" says the voiceover, helpfully.
23.29GMT The beat goes on, and onto stage comes Half Pint, with dreadlocks down to his knees, and soul in his voice. "Half Pint gives a full performance," says the voiceover. I wasn't going there, but it's safe now.
23.27GMT "Reggae is calling out to the world, as West Indies welcomes the world," intones the voiceover. I couldn't put it better myself, so I won't. Here comes Gregory Isaacs, "the cool ruler", to take over the vocal duties in his snappy red jacket and panama.
23.25GMT Time for some old-school reggae with Beres Hammond, a diffident chap in a beret, and Baju Banton, a bouncy wild-child with dreadlocks and a snazzy black-and-white shirt. "Can you play some more," they sing. I think they might just do that.
Well, it's easy to sneer about opening ceremonies, but this is genuinely entertaining without being embarrassing. Unlike the 1999 World Cup opener at Lord's, which was entertaining only because it was embarrassing. And because Tony Blair's microphone fused in the rain.
23.20GMT A multi-awardwinning ragga artist named Sean Paul is next, "a dancehall superstar" is how I think he was described, though I'm not sure what halls he dances in. His troupe seem to have taken a leaf out of the Irish book with some nimble foot movement. Very shiny costumes too. Not sure what he's singing about, but his ladies seem enthused. "Give it up to me", it would seem.
23.16GMT Ian Bishop is backstage, and reports that everyone is excited. Not as excited as Lucky Dube, the king of African reggae. It's his turn to take centre stage, accompanied by his red, yellow and green posse of singers. Those are some ample ladies. Good voices too.
23.12GMT Good grief, more Irish japery on stage! One World Cup appearance, and they take over ... Still, that's some spectacular fiddling from John Duffy, accompanied by his brother David on drums. The Duffys is what the band is called. Traditional Irish folk songs to modern pop is what they play, and they are available for weddings and barmitzvahs.
23.10GMT Ian Bishop is interviewing Chris Gayle on stage. "Hopefully West Indies can do well in the World Cup, and that everyone eats some jerk chicken while they're here. Aright." At least, that's a synopsis of what he said.
23.05GMT Time to chill things down a bit, with some mellow "Sounds of the Caribbean". We've got tabla drums and sitars up on stage, and of course, a pair of steel drums. This is a "new style of music from Trinidad" apparently. A fusion of cultures. How appropriate.Jazzy Jones, one of Jamaica's big-time drummers, has joined the jamming session now.
23.00GMT Now it's Alyson Hinds coming at us, with some frankly outrageous booty-shaking, with Marcel Marcano adding some gruff vocals, and some bloke in a red-and-yellow flame suit adding his own style. It's going them dancing in the aisles now, in fact, that looks like Dwayne Bravo who was "feelin' hot hot hot" just then.
22.55GMT Right, now we're back with a bang, with an order to "put our hands in the air". No, it's not a hold-up, it's Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, who are "injecting some carnival spirit into proceedings". There are some Sensai costumes coming at us from Dominica, apparently. Not entirely sure what that means, but we're lovin' it nonetheless.
22.50GMT A bit of a lull in proceedings now as the sun begins to set over the Caribbean. Time for some adverts and a cup of tea. There are, how can we put it, quite a few sponsors who'd like to get their message across.
22.45GMT Begorrah, they get everywhere. Here come a gaggle of Irish dancers. Three of them to be precise. Jolly nimble on their feet they are too. Don't do a lot with their arms, but hey ho.
Ooh, they clapped for a moment there. Splendid jiggery-pokery going out on the stage. The tune sounds remarkably like the final scenes of "Last of the Mohicans" if anyone's ever seen that. Good flick.
A bongo player sets the pace for the evening's festivities © Getty Images22.40GMT Now here's a flavour of the eighth World Cup in South Africa - here's a gaggle of drummers called, I think, "Drum Cafe". They were formed in Johannesburg and have spread all over South Africa, and now all the way to the Caribbean. Good work drummers. They've performed for the Royal Family, Nelson Mandela and George Bush apparently.
"Usually when they perform, the lines between performer and audience blur," announce the voiceover people, clearly not reading from their programme notes.
22.35GMT That completes the initial greetings. Now the stage is cleared, and the big screen is devoted to the World Cup's anti-Aids message. The ICC is supporting UNICEF and UNAIDS to spread the message throughout the Caribbean, the second-most affected region in the world, after sub-Saharan Africa.
And now here comes the singer, Ashe, to put the message to music. "We've got to find a way to protect the future," she sings as she dances across the outfield with her troupe of backing singers. Quite so. "Using entertainment to encourage social change," intones the stadium announcer.
22.20GMT "This evening I am immensely proud to be a West Indian," says Chris Dehring, the chief executive of the organising committee. "This is the moment we have been planning for ten years. This is the moment that makes the sweat and tears worthwhile."
The Ht Ron Dr Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, whose island was so devastated by Hurricane Ivan three years ago, is next up to the podium. "This is the birth of a new dawn," he announces, as he talks of the manner in which the various nations of the Caribbean have worked together to make this event happen. "Throughout our history West Indies have enjoyed and played this game in the best spirit."
Portia Simpson Miller, the first female Prime Minister of Jamaica, extends her greetings to the assembled throng. "The moment is finally here. Jamaica is a cricket-loving country, the sport is deeply embedded in our hearts and lives. We're hear to cheer on every team, as we rally round the West Indies."
22.15GMT Well, here it is. The Cricket World Cup is upon us. The cricketers of 16 nations are gathered at the Greenfields Stadium, Trelawny, the newly-built stadium on the north coast of Jamaica, to take part in the opening ceremony of the ninth Cricket World Cup. We have been serenaded by the Jamaican Military Band, who marched in the formation "CWC 07" and by the singer, Sanchez, who belted out the Jamaican national anthem.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Best Cricket Sledges
Wiki refers to sledging as 'exchanging words with opposition player(s) which can put him(them) off their usual game; it is an attempt to "psych out" an opponent'. Cricket is a very interesting game, and sledging adds to it the extra spice that make it much more than just game.
Here is a compilation of the best sledging related incidents, witnessed in the history of cricket…
History:
Sledging has always been a part of cricket. Even the great WG Grace did it. Once in an exhitbition match given out leg-before, he refused to walk and told the umpire: " They came to watch me bat, not you bowl". And the innings continued.
Grace's ability to stand his ground would have done Sunil Gavaskar proud. Once, when the ball knocked off a bail, he replaced it and told the umpire: " Twas the wind which took thy bail orf, good sir ." The umpire replied: "Indeed, doctor, and let us hope thy wind helps the good doctor on thy journey back to the pavilion ."
The best WG Grace sledge was on him, though, not from him. Charles Kortright had dismissed him four or five times in a county game - only for the umpires to keep turning down his appeals. Finally, he uprooted two of Grace's three stumps. Grace stalled, as though waiting for a no-ball call or something, before reluctantly walking off with Kortright's words in his ears: "Surely you're not going, doctor? There's still one stump standing."
The Prasad Vs Sohail Incident:
Hero to Zero in 3 easy steps:
Chasing India's score of 287-8, pakistan got off to a flyer of a start, Amir Sohail and Saeed Anwar went about tearing the Indian bowling attack. Pakistan looked all set to win as they reached 110 odd for the loss of just 1 wicket within the 15 overs.
Play a Great Shot: Amir Sohail was completely bent on demolishing the Indian bowling to pieces, charging down the track to the faster bowlers (if u can call Prasad that) in this particular case he came down the ground (a good 4-5 steps, anymore and he would have hit Prasad too) and slashed the bowl over vacant off side area… the ball disappeared into the fence in a flash … what followed has since been etched in the memories of every cricket fan in the subcontinent.
Act Oversmart: Amir Sohail is no Miandad. But he tries to be,and fails miserably. Sohail after hitting the shot pointed his bat the area where the bowl had disappeared and then towards Prasad apparently gesturing where he will send the next one . Its not everyday that you see a batsman sledging the bowler, and Sohail was about to learn just why.
Get what you called for: Sohail attempting to repeat the shot (albeit with his feet stuck to the ground this time) made room and exposed his stumps, and his weakness, and in return lost his wicket and his face.As the wicket lay uprooted, Prasad returned the favour to Sohail, pointing to the pavilion this time.
The comeback was truly remarkable, almost a miracle …. Prasad has bowled thousands of deliveries and taken hundereds of wickets in his career but, it was this one granted him a place in the History of Indian Cricket .. for ever… the ghost of Miandad's last ball six was exorcised, once and for all.
Steve Waugh Vs Curtly Ambrose Episode:
It really does not get any bigger than this, the two legends of cricket came face to face, literally and engrossed in a verbal duel in a test match in Trinidad. All the juicy details were not to be known until Steve Waugh came out with his autobiography.
Ambrose repeatedly stared Waugh down during a searing spell, and Waugh, who sized up the towering Ambrose, said: "What the f*ck are you looking at? " Ambrose was stunned because, as Waugh says (in his Autobiography), "no one had ever been stupid enough" to speak to him like that. Ambrose replied, "Don't cuss me, man", before Waugh's response, which had nothing to do with bowling.
"Unfortunately, nothing inventive or witty came to mind, rather another piece of personal abuse: 'Why don't you go and get f*cked.' "
The Windies skipper Richie Richardson had a hard time keeping Ambrose from hurting the Aussie.
Viv Richards v Greg Thomas:
This incident took place during a county championship match between Glamorgan and Somerset. Glamorgan quickie Greg Thomas had beaten Viv Richards' bat a couple of times and informed the legendary West Indian ace: " It's red, round and weighs about five ounces, in case you were wondering."
The very next ball was given the King Viv treament and smashed out of the ground, into a river - at which point Richards piped up: " Greg, you know what it looks like. Now go and find it."
Merv Hughes and Viv Richards:
Merv Hughes usually never short of a word while on the field, rarely keeps quite. During a test match in the West Indies Hughes didn't say a word to Viv, but continued to stare at him after deliveries. "This is my island, my culture. Don't you be staring at me. In my culture we just bowl." Merv didn't reply, but after he dismissed him he announced to the batsman: "In my culture we just say f*ck off. "
Sachin Tendulkar Vs Abdul Qadir
The year was 1989, the little master had recently made his debut in Pakistan.
Sachin not even old enough to get a driving licence. Sachin Tendulkar was facing the best bowlers in the business. As the Pakistani crowds jeered and mocked Sachin holding out the placards saying "Dudh Pita Bhachcha ..ghar jaake dhoodh pee", (hey kid, go home and drink milk), Sachin sent the then young leg spinner Mustaq Ahmed hiding for cover (he had hit two sixes in one over. The frustaded mentor of Mustaq Ahmed the legendary Abdul Qadir challenges Sachin saying "Bachchon ko kyon mar rahe ho? Hamein bhi maar dikhao" ("Why are you hitting kids? Try and hit me."). Sachin was silent, since then we all have come to know that he lets his bat do the talking. Abdul Quadir had made a simple request and Sachin obliged, and how. Sachin hit 4 sixes in the over, making the spinner look the kid in the contest. The over read 6, 0, 4, 6 6 6, …and a legend was born.
Ian Healy Vs Runatunga:
Ian Healy's made a legendary comment which was picked up by the Channel 9 microphones when Arjuna Ranatunga called for a runner on a particularly hot night during a one dayer in Sydney… "You don't get a runner for being an overweight, unfit, fat c*nt!"
McGrath to Ramnaresh Sarwan:
Sarwan, the West Indies vice-captain, and McGrath went toe-to-toe in an ugly shouting match in Antigua in May 2003. The incident was sparked after Sarwan, on his way to a match-winning second-innings century, reportedly reacted to lurid taunts from McGrath by telling him he should get the answers from his wife, who was recovering from radiation therapy for secondary cancer.
The details:
McGrath: "So what does Brian Lara's d*ck taste like?"
Sarwan: "I don't know. Ask your wife. "
McGrath (losing it): "If you ever F*&king mention my wife again, I'll F*cking rip your F*fing throat out."
Mark Waugh Vs Adam Parore:
Mark Waugh was standing at second slip, Adam Parore relatively new to cricket came to the crease played & missed the first ball.
Mark Waugh- "Ohh, I remember you from a couple years ago in Australia. You were sh*t then, you're fu*king useless now".
Parore- (Turning around) "Yeah, that's me & when I was there you were going out with that old, ugly sl*t & now I hear you've married her. You dumb c*nt ".
Ravi shastri v/s Mike Whitney:
It is common knowledge that Indian's usually don't resort to sledging, and the Aussies swear by it. In this rare ocassion the tables had turned and it was the Aussies who were at the receiving end.
Shastri hits the ball towards Mike Whitney (the 12th man in the game) and looks for a single, this guy gets the ball in and says:
Whitney: "If you leave the crease i'll break your f***ing head". Shastri didn't bat an eyelid before replying : " If you could bat as well as you can talk you wouldn't be the f***ing 12th man"
Merv Hughes Vs Cronje Merv:
Hughes was one of the greatest exponents of the fine "art" of sledging. Once during a tour game in South Africa Hughes was bowling to Hansie Cronje . It was an especially flat wicket and Cronje was hitting Hughes for fours and sixes all over the place.
After the umpteenth boundary, Hughes headed down the pitch, stood near Cronje, let out a fart and said: "Try hitting that for six." It was five minutes before the guffawing stopped and play could resume.
Robin Smith and Merv Hughes:
During 1989 Lords Test, Merv Hughes said to Robin Smith after he played and missed: " You can't f*cking bat". Simth replied, both with the bat and with words, he smashed Hughes to the boundry and said " Hey Merv, we make a fine pair. I can't f*cking bat and you can't f*cking bowl ."
Miandad Vs Lillee: The 'brats' clash:
Miandad played Lillee to square leg and completed an easy run, with a collision taking place in the center. According to Miandad, Lillee had tried to block him in the path. After a verbal exchange, Lillee went ahead and kicked Miandad on his pads. Miandad, started charging towards Lillee with his bat lifted high above the head, as if to hit him. The umpire's intervention prevented what could have turned out to be a real assault had Miandad gone head with his plans. However, the picture of Miandad hurling his bat at Lillee made the whole incident look even worse, and was promptly declared as the most indignified incident in the history of Cricket.
Lillee's version, to this day, had Miandad first hitting him with the bat, and then swearing at him. He maintained that there was no contact from his side throughout the incident.
Note: The author is awsare if the fact that this incident has nothing to do with sledging, but found the temptation of mentioning the episode was too hard to resist.
The Frog Jumping incident, 1992 India Vs Pakistan:
India vs Pakistan matches are always a treat to watch, and if its the World Cup its stakes are even greater. Javed Miandad, the bad boy of cricket, at the receiving end for once. Miffed by the verbals from Kiran More, he complains " Insaan khel rahe hain janwaar nahin" (Human beings are playing not animals). And after a sharp run out chance, where Miandad closely survives Miandad starts jumping up and down, face distorted imitating Kiran More's appealing. A sight to behold. Pure comedy. Pakistan loses the match but go on to win the cup.
'I did it instinctively', Miandad later told. He added, 'Hey, is this the way you appeal for everything? Don't appeal like that '.
Dropped the Cup?:
Perhaps the most famous sledge in a World Cup match took place the epic Super Six clash between: Australia and South Africa (in 2003). South Africa looked on course to a routine victory with Australian captain Steve Waugh at the crease and on 56. At that stage, Waugh clipped the ball in the air straight to South African fielder Herschelle Gibbs. In his haste, Gibbs dropped the ball when attempting to throw it in the air in celebration as he had not fully controlled it.
As he passed him, Waugh is said to have asked Gibbs: " How does it feel to have dropped the World Cup?". Waugh carried on to make an unbeaten 120 and Australia posted an unlikely win and won the World Cup a few days later.
Waugh has however denied that quote, instead claiming that he said " looks like you've dropped the match".
Hughes Vs Miandad:
The inimitable Merv Hughes has forgotten more about sledging than most people will ever know, so he was more than a little miffed to be on the receiving end in the 1991 Adelaide Test against Pakistan. Hughes and Javed Miandad almost came to blows after the Pakistani batsman dared to call big Merv a " fat bus conductor". But revenge was sweet for Hughes. A few balls later he finally got his man and as Miandad walked past, he could not resist shouting "Tickets, please!"
Dennis Lillee Vs Sunil Gavaskar:
Dennis Lillee and Sunil Gavaskar, were involved in a war of words in the 3rd Test, MCG, February 1981. A historic win for India in that Test would definitely not have taken place had Sunil Gavaskar not calmed down. He clashed with Australian
fast bowler Dennis Lillee, who Gavaskar claims abused him after claiming his wicket and the Indian captain asked non-striker Chetan Chauhan to walk off the field, forfeiting the match. Gavaskar was batting on 70 when Lillee appealed for a leg before decision. Gavaskar showed his bat to the umpire, indicating he had 'nicked' the ball before it hit his pads. Angry words were exchanged between the batsman and the bowler, and Lillee even went to the extent of pointing to the batsman the spot where the ball had his pads. The decision went in favour of the bowler and as Gavaskar started his long, dejected walk back to the pavilion, Lillee turned around and abused him. That was it. Gavaskar snapped, and decided to forfeit the match.
Later, Gavaskar was to write in his book 'Idols': "That (the walkout) was the most regrettable incidents of my life. Whatever may be the provocation and whatever the reason, there was no justification for my action and I realize now that I did not behave the way a captain and sportsman should ."
Flintoff Vs Tino Best:
Best, never short of a word or two when he is bowling, was done up like a kipper by the England all-rounder as West Indies slumped to defeat in the first Test.
Flintoff saw his opponent preparing to face Giles' off-spin and shouted: " Watch the windows, Tino!" The wind-up had the desired effect, causing Best to come charging out of his crease like a man possessed. He took a wild swing at the ball, missed and was promptly stumped by Geraint Jones. Not a broken window in sight. Flintoff could not contain himself and spent the next five minutes giggling like a teenager, as Best sat on the balcony rueing his stupidity.
Viv Richards to Gavaskar:Gavaskar had decided to relinquish his opening position and come in at no 4 for that test. But, Malcolm Marshall fired out Anshuman Gaekwad and Dilip Vengsarkar for ducks, setting the stage for Gavaskar to walk in at 0/2. And he thought there would be less pressure! Viv Richards says "Man, it don't matter where you come in to bat, the score is still zero."
Steve Waugh and Parthiv Patel:
Amidst all the hype surrounding his farewell match, Steve Waugh had to contend with an unexpected dose of his own medicine from a player half his age. As Waugh fought a grim battle to stave off defeat in the series-deciding fourth Test in Sydney, 19 year-old Indian wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel tried to unsettle the veteran batsman through some banter.
The baby-faced Patel egged on the 38 year-old stalwart to play one of his sweep shots one last time.
The India 'keeper was saying, 'Come on, just one more of the famous slog-sweeps before you finish'
Waugh replied: 'Look, show a bit of respect. You were in nappies when I debuted 18 years ago'.
Rod Marsh and Ian Botham:
When Botham took guard in a Ashes match, Marsh welcomed him to the wicket with the immortal words: " So how's your wife and my kids?"
Trueman and Aussie batsman:
In an England v Australia Test during early 1960's Trueman was fielding close to the gate from the pavilion. As a new batsman came out he turned to shut the gate, Trueman said " Don't bother son, you won't be out there long enough."
Daryll Cullinan and Shane Warne:
As Cullinan was on his way to the wicket, Warne told him he had been waiting 2 years for another chance to humiliate him. " Looks like you spent it eating ," Cullinan retorted.
Adam Parore and Daryll Cullinan:
Because Cullinan is well known for being Warne's bunny, New Zealand keeper Parore greeted the South African, carefully playing the first ball from kiwi Chris Harris, with a cry of: " Bowled Warnie!"
Malcolm Marshall and David Boon:
Malcolm Marshall was bowling to David Boon who had played and missed a couple of times.
Marshall: " Now David, Are you going to get out now or am I going to have to bowl around the wicket and kill you?"
James Ormond and Mark Waugh:
James Ormond had just come out to bat on an ashes tour and was greeted by Mark Waugh.
Mark : "F*ck me, look who it is. Mate, what are you doing out here, there's no way you're good enough to play for England"
James: "Maybe not, but at least i'm the best player in my family."
Waugh Vs Jamie Siddons:
In a Sheffield Shield game between NSW and SA, a Waugh twin (not sure which) was taking an enternity to take guard, asking the umpire for centre, middle and leg, two legs - the whole lot. Then he steps away towards leg side and has another look around the field, before re checking centre. Jamie Siddons is at slip, and decided enough is enough. He yells out. "For christ sake, it's not a 'f*ckin test match."
Waugh replies: " Of course it isn't … You're here. "
Mother (in law) of all sledges:
In the 1980's Ian Botham returned early from a tour of Pakistan, and on radio joked "Pakistan is the sort of country to send your mother in-law to." Needless to say the Pakistanis did not find this amusing, and when Pakistan defeated England in the 1992 World Cup Final, Aamer Sohail told Ian Botham " Why don't you send your mother-in-law out to play, she cannot do much worse."
Barmy Army Vs Shane Warne:
England's "Barmy Army" recently decided to sledge leg spinner Shane Warne musically, and it has been described as boorishly personal, but effective. The sledge was based on Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep - the "Where's your poppa gone?" Song. It has been converted to " Where's your missus gone?" (Warne had recently been divorced.)
Special Mention:
Inzamam-ul-Haq once told Brett Lee to " stop bowling off spinners".
On the recent Karachi Test when Irfan Pathan came to bat in 2nd Innings Afridi shouted two times "O mera Shehzada aaya ! " (Oh! my prince has come) .
Here is a compilation of the best sledging related incidents, witnessed in the history of cricket…
History:
Sledging has always been a part of cricket. Even the great WG Grace did it. Once in an exhitbition match given out leg-before, he refused to walk and told the umpire: " They came to watch me bat, not you bowl". And the innings continued.
Grace's ability to stand his ground would have done Sunil Gavaskar proud. Once, when the ball knocked off a bail, he replaced it and told the umpire: " Twas the wind which took thy bail orf, good sir ." The umpire replied: "Indeed, doctor, and let us hope thy wind helps the good doctor on thy journey back to the pavilion ."
The best WG Grace sledge was on him, though, not from him. Charles Kortright had dismissed him four or five times in a county game - only for the umpires to keep turning down his appeals. Finally, he uprooted two of Grace's three stumps. Grace stalled, as though waiting for a no-ball call or something, before reluctantly walking off with Kortright's words in his ears: "Surely you're not going, doctor? There's still one stump standing."
The Prasad Vs Sohail Incident:
Hero to Zero in 3 easy steps:
Chasing India's score of 287-8, pakistan got off to a flyer of a start, Amir Sohail and Saeed Anwar went about tearing the Indian bowling attack. Pakistan looked all set to win as they reached 110 odd for the loss of just 1 wicket within the 15 overs.
Play a Great Shot: Amir Sohail was completely bent on demolishing the Indian bowling to pieces, charging down the track to the faster bowlers (if u can call Prasad that) in this particular case he came down the ground (a good 4-5 steps, anymore and he would have hit Prasad too) and slashed the bowl over vacant off side area… the ball disappeared into the fence in a flash … what followed has since been etched in the memories of every cricket fan in the subcontinent.
Act Oversmart: Amir Sohail is no Miandad. But he tries to be,and fails miserably. Sohail after hitting the shot pointed his bat the area where the bowl had disappeared and then towards Prasad apparently gesturing where he will send the next one . Its not everyday that you see a batsman sledging the bowler, and Sohail was about to learn just why.
Get what you called for: Sohail attempting to repeat the shot (albeit with his feet stuck to the ground this time) made room and exposed his stumps, and his weakness, and in return lost his wicket and his face.As the wicket lay uprooted, Prasad returned the favour to Sohail, pointing to the pavilion this time.
The comeback was truly remarkable, almost a miracle …. Prasad has bowled thousands of deliveries and taken hundereds of wickets in his career but, it was this one granted him a place in the History of Indian Cricket .. for ever… the ghost of Miandad's last ball six was exorcised, once and for all.
Steve Waugh Vs Curtly Ambrose Episode:
It really does not get any bigger than this, the two legends of cricket came face to face, literally and engrossed in a verbal duel in a test match in Trinidad. All the juicy details were not to be known until Steve Waugh came out with his autobiography.
Ambrose repeatedly stared Waugh down during a searing spell, and Waugh, who sized up the towering Ambrose, said: "What the f*ck are you looking at? " Ambrose was stunned because, as Waugh says (in his Autobiography), "no one had ever been stupid enough" to speak to him like that. Ambrose replied, "Don't cuss me, man", before Waugh's response, which had nothing to do with bowling.
"Unfortunately, nothing inventive or witty came to mind, rather another piece of personal abuse: 'Why don't you go and get f*cked.' "
The Windies skipper Richie Richardson had a hard time keeping Ambrose from hurting the Aussie.
Viv Richards v Greg Thomas:
This incident took place during a county championship match between Glamorgan and Somerset. Glamorgan quickie Greg Thomas had beaten Viv Richards' bat a couple of times and informed the legendary West Indian ace: " It's red, round and weighs about five ounces, in case you were wondering."
The very next ball was given the King Viv treament and smashed out of the ground, into a river - at which point Richards piped up: " Greg, you know what it looks like. Now go and find it."
Merv Hughes and Viv Richards:
Merv Hughes usually never short of a word while on the field, rarely keeps quite. During a test match in the West Indies Hughes didn't say a word to Viv, but continued to stare at him after deliveries. "This is my island, my culture. Don't you be staring at me. In my culture we just bowl." Merv didn't reply, but after he dismissed him he announced to the batsman: "In my culture we just say f*ck off. "
Sachin Tendulkar Vs Abdul Qadir
The year was 1989, the little master had recently made his debut in Pakistan.
Sachin not even old enough to get a driving licence. Sachin Tendulkar was facing the best bowlers in the business. As the Pakistani crowds jeered and mocked Sachin holding out the placards saying "Dudh Pita Bhachcha ..ghar jaake dhoodh pee", (hey kid, go home and drink milk), Sachin sent the then young leg spinner Mustaq Ahmed hiding for cover (he had hit two sixes in one over. The frustaded mentor of Mustaq Ahmed the legendary Abdul Qadir challenges Sachin saying "Bachchon ko kyon mar rahe ho? Hamein bhi maar dikhao" ("Why are you hitting kids? Try and hit me."). Sachin was silent, since then we all have come to know that he lets his bat do the talking. Abdul Quadir had made a simple request and Sachin obliged, and how. Sachin hit 4 sixes in the over, making the spinner look the kid in the contest. The over read 6, 0, 4, 6 6 6, …and a legend was born.
Ian Healy Vs Runatunga:
Ian Healy's made a legendary comment which was picked up by the Channel 9 microphones when Arjuna Ranatunga called for a runner on a particularly hot night during a one dayer in Sydney… "You don't get a runner for being an overweight, unfit, fat c*nt!"
McGrath to Ramnaresh Sarwan:
Sarwan, the West Indies vice-captain, and McGrath went toe-to-toe in an ugly shouting match in Antigua in May 2003. The incident was sparked after Sarwan, on his way to a match-winning second-innings century, reportedly reacted to lurid taunts from McGrath by telling him he should get the answers from his wife, who was recovering from radiation therapy for secondary cancer.
The details:
McGrath: "So what does Brian Lara's d*ck taste like?"
Sarwan: "I don't know. Ask your wife. "
McGrath (losing it): "If you ever F*&king mention my wife again, I'll F*cking rip your F*fing throat out."
Mark Waugh Vs Adam Parore:
Mark Waugh was standing at second slip, Adam Parore relatively new to cricket came to the crease played & missed the first ball.
Mark Waugh- "Ohh, I remember you from a couple years ago in Australia. You were sh*t then, you're fu*king useless now".
Parore- (Turning around) "Yeah, that's me & when I was there you were going out with that old, ugly sl*t & now I hear you've married her. You dumb c*nt ".
Ravi shastri v/s Mike Whitney:
It is common knowledge that Indian's usually don't resort to sledging, and the Aussies swear by it. In this rare ocassion the tables had turned and it was the Aussies who were at the receiving end.
Shastri hits the ball towards Mike Whitney (the 12th man in the game) and looks for a single, this guy gets the ball in and says:
Whitney: "If you leave the crease i'll break your f***ing head". Shastri didn't bat an eyelid before replying : " If you could bat as well as you can talk you wouldn't be the f***ing 12th man"
Merv Hughes Vs Cronje Merv:
Hughes was one of the greatest exponents of the fine "art" of sledging. Once during a tour game in South Africa Hughes was bowling to Hansie Cronje . It was an especially flat wicket and Cronje was hitting Hughes for fours and sixes all over the place.
After the umpteenth boundary, Hughes headed down the pitch, stood near Cronje, let out a fart and said: "Try hitting that for six." It was five minutes before the guffawing stopped and play could resume.
Robin Smith and Merv Hughes:
During 1989 Lords Test, Merv Hughes said to Robin Smith after he played and missed: " You can't f*cking bat". Simth replied, both with the bat and with words, he smashed Hughes to the boundry and said " Hey Merv, we make a fine pair. I can't f*cking bat and you can't f*cking bowl ."
Miandad Vs Lillee: The 'brats' clash:
Miandad played Lillee to square leg and completed an easy run, with a collision taking place in the center. According to Miandad, Lillee had tried to block him in the path. After a verbal exchange, Lillee went ahead and kicked Miandad on his pads. Miandad, started charging towards Lillee with his bat lifted high above the head, as if to hit him. The umpire's intervention prevented what could have turned out to be a real assault had Miandad gone head with his plans. However, the picture of Miandad hurling his bat at Lillee made the whole incident look even worse, and was promptly declared as the most indignified incident in the history of Cricket.
Lillee's version, to this day, had Miandad first hitting him with the bat, and then swearing at him. He maintained that there was no contact from his side throughout the incident.
Note: The author is awsare if the fact that this incident has nothing to do with sledging, but found the temptation of mentioning the episode was too hard to resist.
The Frog Jumping incident, 1992 India Vs Pakistan:
India vs Pakistan matches are always a treat to watch, and if its the World Cup its stakes are even greater. Javed Miandad, the bad boy of cricket, at the receiving end for once. Miffed by the verbals from Kiran More, he complains " Insaan khel rahe hain janwaar nahin" (Human beings are playing not animals). And after a sharp run out chance, where Miandad closely survives Miandad starts jumping up and down, face distorted imitating Kiran More's appealing. A sight to behold. Pure comedy. Pakistan loses the match but go on to win the cup.
'I did it instinctively', Miandad later told. He added, 'Hey, is this the way you appeal for everything? Don't appeal like that '.
Dropped the Cup?:
Perhaps the most famous sledge in a World Cup match took place the epic Super Six clash between: Australia and South Africa (in 2003). South Africa looked on course to a routine victory with Australian captain Steve Waugh at the crease and on 56. At that stage, Waugh clipped the ball in the air straight to South African fielder Herschelle Gibbs. In his haste, Gibbs dropped the ball when attempting to throw it in the air in celebration as he had not fully controlled it.
As he passed him, Waugh is said to have asked Gibbs: " How does it feel to have dropped the World Cup?". Waugh carried on to make an unbeaten 120 and Australia posted an unlikely win and won the World Cup a few days later.
Waugh has however denied that quote, instead claiming that he said " looks like you've dropped the match".
Hughes Vs Miandad:
The inimitable Merv Hughes has forgotten more about sledging than most people will ever know, so he was more than a little miffed to be on the receiving end in the 1991 Adelaide Test against Pakistan. Hughes and Javed Miandad almost came to blows after the Pakistani batsman dared to call big Merv a " fat bus conductor". But revenge was sweet for Hughes. A few balls later he finally got his man and as Miandad walked past, he could not resist shouting "Tickets, please!"
Dennis Lillee Vs Sunil Gavaskar:
Dennis Lillee and Sunil Gavaskar, were involved in a war of words in the 3rd Test, MCG, February 1981. A historic win for India in that Test would definitely not have taken place had Sunil Gavaskar not calmed down. He clashed with Australian
fast bowler Dennis Lillee, who Gavaskar claims abused him after claiming his wicket and the Indian captain asked non-striker Chetan Chauhan to walk off the field, forfeiting the match. Gavaskar was batting on 70 when Lillee appealed for a leg before decision. Gavaskar showed his bat to the umpire, indicating he had 'nicked' the ball before it hit his pads. Angry words were exchanged between the batsman and the bowler, and Lillee even went to the extent of pointing to the batsman the spot where the ball had his pads. The decision went in favour of the bowler and as Gavaskar started his long, dejected walk back to the pavilion, Lillee turned around and abused him. That was it. Gavaskar snapped, and decided to forfeit the match.
Later, Gavaskar was to write in his book 'Idols': "That (the walkout) was the most regrettable incidents of my life. Whatever may be the provocation and whatever the reason, there was no justification for my action and I realize now that I did not behave the way a captain and sportsman should ."
Flintoff Vs Tino Best:
Best, never short of a word or two when he is bowling, was done up like a kipper by the England all-rounder as West Indies slumped to defeat in the first Test.
Flintoff saw his opponent preparing to face Giles' off-spin and shouted: " Watch the windows, Tino!" The wind-up had the desired effect, causing Best to come charging out of his crease like a man possessed. He took a wild swing at the ball, missed and was promptly stumped by Geraint Jones. Not a broken window in sight. Flintoff could not contain himself and spent the next five minutes giggling like a teenager, as Best sat on the balcony rueing his stupidity.
Viv Richards to Gavaskar:Gavaskar had decided to relinquish his opening position and come in at no 4 for that test. But, Malcolm Marshall fired out Anshuman Gaekwad and Dilip Vengsarkar for ducks, setting the stage for Gavaskar to walk in at 0/2. And he thought there would be less pressure! Viv Richards says "Man, it don't matter where you come in to bat, the score is still zero."
Steve Waugh and Parthiv Patel:
Amidst all the hype surrounding his farewell match, Steve Waugh had to contend with an unexpected dose of his own medicine from a player half his age. As Waugh fought a grim battle to stave off defeat in the series-deciding fourth Test in Sydney, 19 year-old Indian wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel tried to unsettle the veteran batsman through some banter.
The baby-faced Patel egged on the 38 year-old stalwart to play one of his sweep shots one last time.
The India 'keeper was saying, 'Come on, just one more of the famous slog-sweeps before you finish'
Waugh replied: 'Look, show a bit of respect. You were in nappies when I debuted 18 years ago'.
Rod Marsh and Ian Botham:
When Botham took guard in a Ashes match, Marsh welcomed him to the wicket with the immortal words: " So how's your wife and my kids?"
Trueman and Aussie batsman:
In an England v Australia Test during early 1960's Trueman was fielding close to the gate from the pavilion. As a new batsman came out he turned to shut the gate, Trueman said " Don't bother son, you won't be out there long enough."
Daryll Cullinan and Shane Warne:
As Cullinan was on his way to the wicket, Warne told him he had been waiting 2 years for another chance to humiliate him. " Looks like you spent it eating ," Cullinan retorted.
Adam Parore and Daryll Cullinan:
Because Cullinan is well known for being Warne's bunny, New Zealand keeper Parore greeted the South African, carefully playing the first ball from kiwi Chris Harris, with a cry of: " Bowled Warnie!"
Malcolm Marshall and David Boon:
Malcolm Marshall was bowling to David Boon who had played and missed a couple of times.
Marshall: " Now David, Are you going to get out now or am I going to have to bowl around the wicket and kill you?"
James Ormond and Mark Waugh:
James Ormond had just come out to bat on an ashes tour and was greeted by Mark Waugh.
Mark : "F*ck me, look who it is. Mate, what are you doing out here, there's no way you're good enough to play for England"
James: "Maybe not, but at least i'm the best player in my family."
Waugh Vs Jamie Siddons:
In a Sheffield Shield game between NSW and SA, a Waugh twin (not sure which) was taking an enternity to take guard, asking the umpire for centre, middle and leg, two legs - the whole lot. Then he steps away towards leg side and has another look around the field, before re checking centre. Jamie Siddons is at slip, and decided enough is enough. He yells out. "For christ sake, it's not a 'f*ckin test match."
Waugh replies: " Of course it isn't … You're here. "
Mother (in law) of all sledges:
In the 1980's Ian Botham returned early from a tour of Pakistan, and on radio joked "Pakistan is the sort of country to send your mother in-law to." Needless to say the Pakistanis did not find this amusing, and when Pakistan defeated England in the 1992 World Cup Final, Aamer Sohail told Ian Botham " Why don't you send your mother-in-law out to play, she cannot do much worse."
Barmy Army Vs Shane Warne:
England's "Barmy Army" recently decided to sledge leg spinner Shane Warne musically, and it has been described as boorishly personal, but effective. The sledge was based on Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep - the "Where's your poppa gone?" Song. It has been converted to " Where's your missus gone?" (Warne had recently been divorced.)
Special Mention:
Inzamam-ul-Haq once told Brett Lee to " stop bowling off spinners".
On the recent Karachi Test when Irfan Pathan came to bat in 2nd Innings Afridi shouted two times "O mera Shehzada aaya ! " (Oh! my prince has come) .
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
1979 - 2003 WorldCup Heroes
Clive Lloyd - West Indies (1979)
Kapil Dev - India (1983)
Allan Border - Australia (1987)
Imran Khan - Pakistan (1992)
Arjuna Ranatunga - Sri Lanka (1996)
Steve Waugh - Australia (1999)
Ricky Ponting - Australia (2003)
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Twelth Man in the Circle - C@C
ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, being held in the spectacular islands of West Indies, is the most awaited event for cricket lovers worldwide. C@C brings to you the latest results, updates, team and player profiles, performances, match schedules, details of venues, stadiums, etc. about Cricket World Cup 2007. We also give you an insight into the history of Cricket World Cup, and the records made or broken in the last eight editions of this world championship. Cricket fans and aficionados can now constantly be in touch with the latest news about their favorite team or cricketers in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 with us. C@C provides you the most comprehensive coverage of this quadrennial cricketing extravaganza. Be hooked to C@C to feel the zest, spirit and essence of your beloved sport – Cricket.
ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, being held in the spectacular islands of West Indies, is the most awaited event for cricket lovers worldwide. C@C brings to you the latest results, updates, team and player profiles, performances, match schedules, details of venues, stadiums, etc. about Cricket World Cup 2007. We also give you an insight into the history of Cricket World Cup, and the records made or broken in the last eight editions of this world championship. Cricket fans and aficionados can now constantly be in touch with the latest news about their favorite team or cricketers in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 with us. C@C provides you the most comprehensive coverage of this quadrennial cricketing extravaganza. Be hooked to C@C to feel the zest, spirit and essence of your beloved sport – Cricket.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
