The Extravaganza

The month of March had something awesome to offer.
I had exclusive rights to select which TV channel to be viewed cos there wasn’t anyone around to watch it.

Incidentally there was live cricket being telecast all day round.

To start with India was in New Zealand. For 1st time I was receiving the signals live on my TV. In 1999 and before, I did not have a cable TV connection and in 2003 there was some TV rights issues between cable operators in Pune and STAR TV. This was the reason I got a digital TV as soon as it was in the market.

It was a delight to watch the world’s strongest batting order and hardest hitter on the small grounds of New Zealand. Nice way to start a day.

Then came the women’s world cup of cricket. I had heard and read a lot about girls like MITHALI RAJ, ANJUM CHOPRA, JHULAN GOSWAMI. Now was a chance to watch them live. The girls played the way the boys played in 1980s and 1990s. Light bats, long handles and slog sweeps. After 25 overs 85/2 seemed to be a good score. 230 was a difficult target. This is the cricket I studied as a starter. The fielder standing at the boundary behind the slips was still called the THRID ‘MAN’.. that was funny..

There was an interesting incidence that occurred in India vs England match. Jhulan Goswami – India skipper – was in middle of a quiet spell when nothing much was happening. Suddenly, a ball bumped up from a full length spot and hit the bats’woman’. Wasim Akram was on air then and during the replays he yelled all of a sudden “ why is the bowler apologizing”.

Jhulan Goswami – the spearhead of the Indian attack – apologised to the batsman cos the ball misbehaved off the pitch. No wonder this irritated the pace bowlers club. You know what .. after all these girls were a “BHARATIYA NARI” first and foremost.

I used to watch this before leaving for work and then follow the scores online.

As soon as this ended, it was time for SA vs AUS.
Then there were two best test sides competing for the top slot. SA trying to prove the the victory in Aus was not a fluke and AUS fighting for pride.
Fast Forward to modern cricket. Run Rate in the test was better than the Run Rate in the World Cup match I watched a few hrs earlier. I difference was to be seen. The players playing for life.. Each run been scored as if life depended on it. The fielders throwing themselves around the ball as it they were at a water park. So after vintage cricket, came the new age cricket.
I used to see this telecast while having my dinner.

For the late night show there was England vs WI test series. England in WI and Lara was not part of the WI team. Boy .. what a record Lara has vs England.
But this WI under Cris Gayle is a good team. They know how to win. They know how to fight.
There is something nostalgic about the way cricket is played in the West Indian islands. Those passionate fans dancing on calypso beats and cheering every little thing that their team achieves.

The attendance was much better here than when Australia played in India. So this was refreshing.

WI has some amazing batsman, a crazy Gayle, a sedate Sarwan and a boring Chanderpaul. Fiddel Edwards reminded people of the old WI pace bowlers.
England team on the other had is very predictable. I am at me betting best when England is playing. This timer around too, I won a few good ones … and after a long time.

England lost control of the match for a few hrs on the 4th day of the 1st test and that cost them the series. For all the remaining sessions were fearsome battles. No side giving an inch.

It looked boring but this is the way test cricket is too be played. I can watch such matches with my eyes stuck on the TV.

So after the WI vs ENG again came INDIA in NZ … and the whole cycle repeated itself.

Then again there was Deodhar Trophy super league to fill the gaps as substitute.

Now .. as the 2 test series are over and womens world cup has been done… I am watching AUS vs SA T20 and then will be watching WI vs ENG.
What an anticlimax …