Dandling Ganguly

dcsiva — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:02:00 GMT

Looks like the new broom will be sweeping out the Fab Four some time soon. Straight Point doesn't think much of Srikkanth's apparent plan to make the retirement process public:

i don't have problem with...that knowing their future plans they will groom certain set of players which they deem fit as their reasonable replacements...

i don't even have any problem with management planning their farewell...befitting their stature and the services they rendered...and i sincerely believe...without an iota of doubt that......if we are treated as some force in world stage...most of that credit should go to them...

but what you get in return...this media trial?

Who is the most under pressure. The Press Trust of India reporter thinks Ganguly might be the first to go:

Will Srikkanth and co-selectors Yashpal Sharma, Narendra Hirwani, Surendra Bhave and Raja Venkat pull the rug on the career of Ganguly is the big question ahead of one of the most interesting selection panel meetings.
The 36-year-old Bengal stalwart, who staged a spectacular entry into Tests with a debut ton at Lord's in 1996, made a storming return to the five-day game in South Africa [Images] in late 2006 after losing his place earlier that year.
The classy left-hander amassed over 1100 runs with 239, his career-best score, against Pakistan in Bangalore in late 2007, at a fantastic average of 61.44 last year which compares very favourably with his career average of 41.74 in 109 Tests.
He has been unable to maintain that high in the current year though he has come up with important knocks like the 87 he made against the visiting South Africans at Kanpur that helped India level the three-Test rubber in April.
This, however, was followed by the left hander's poor run in Sri Lanka where his best score was 35 in six innings.

And Dileep Premachandran puts in a strong defense of Laxman:

Ganguly's time already appears to have run out, and it will be interesting to see if either Rahul Dravid or Sachin Tendulkar stay on past the tour of New Zealand next April. Laxman isn't even 34 yet, and calls for his head are utter nonsense. Against his favourite opponents, he may just prove why.

Here's an old post of mine defending the Fab Four as a whole. Finally, in some good news for Ganguly, a new type of reverse swing specifically for medium pace bowlers!

Durham are Kings and Srikkanth's the Chief

dcsiva — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:51:00 GMT

Durham are county champions! Not just that, but the manner in which they won is compelling:

Durham's route to the title has been due to their excellent team spirit, with various people stepping forward to take responsibility and few stand-out performers. Only Michael di Venuto, and he only just, passed 1,000 runs in the Championship and only three batsmen who played more than half the fixtures finished with an average above 22. In bowling, they relied on Mark Davies, Callum Thorp and especially Stephen Harmison for most of their wickets but their rotation system brought forth other wicket-takers. They claimed fewer batting points than four of the eight teams below them and fewer bowling points than five others. But most importantly they won more games than anyone else.

Tooting Trumpet has the individuals' review run down for the division one county season as a whole.

And, of course, Kris Srikkanth is now the chief selector. Sandeep Patil reckons changes are afoot. Straight Point kicks off the analysis of his chiefness' intentions. Finally, Mohan gives us the new look BCCI, complete with a review of the official BCCI website.

Edit: More on the BCCI's website.

Cover Points : kris srikkanth

Dandling Ganguly

Durham are Kings and Srikkanth's the Chief