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March 13, 2020  

This Pepsi Ad. For The ‘Pakistan Super League’ (PSL) 2020 Is Rather Good. You Should Watch It.

by Anura Guruge

From the video below.

This appears on ‘Willow TV‘ quite a bit — during my daily binge of cricket watching.

Usually I FF through all Ads. But, this one has got to me. I watch it. Sometimes even REWIND it!

Wanted to SHARE it with YOU. Check it out. I am sure you will enjoy — at least bits of it.

SMILE.

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by Anura Guruge

February 22, 2020  

What The Heck Is Wrong With The South African Cricket Team — Is It Voodoo?

by Anura Guruge

Click to access my post from 4-months ago.

From: cricinfo.com.

Given the amount of cricket I watch, I have seen a lot of teams — and the recent West Indies team readily comes to mind — play horribly. But, the South African performance against Australia in the 1st T20 was beyond comprehension. It was an absolute, bloody abortion. Jesus wept. I nearly did too.

Yes, there is definite Munda Logic — i.e., African thought process, or, in this instance, to be precise, lack of thought process all together. I think the world of Quinton de Kock. But, as captain he is demonstrating what used to be joked about him. He is NO intellectual. He seems utterly lost as captain.

The dropped bloody catches. I have never seen anything like that?

I don’t believe in that mumbo jumbo, but many of them do and is it possible that they think that they are under a Voodoo spell. Sire played like they were under a dark cloud.

Yes, then there is the possibility of CORRUPTION and match-fixing!

What is going on right now is NOT right. Something is very, very WRONG.

I am very upset. I like this team, BUT not when they play like this — like a bunch of teenage girls all having their monthlies at the same time.

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by Anura Guruge

February 20, 2020  

‘Pakistan Super League’ (PSL) 2020 Opening Ceremony — Only Decent Bit That I Found.

by Anura Guruge

YouTube video.

Start at 27-minute mark.

There was no International cricket of interest — and the South Africa v. Australia starts tomorrow — and I was curious to see if the Pakistanis would be able to march the drama of the IPL Opening Ceremonies. It would appear not. I assume the budgets (and for that matter the crowds) are vastly different.

To be honest I found the program flaccid and rather poorly put together. Yikes.

But, I did enjoy this musical part. ‘North Indian’ music. In Ceylon we used to call it a ‘Sakili Band’. I am sure that is not the right name. But, you may enjoy this trumpet and drum routine.

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by Anura Guruge

February 11, 2020  

Cricket No-Balls, In ‘Big’ Matches, To Be Automatically Adjudged With Technology.

by Anura Guruge

Click to ENLARGE.

Click to access the original from “The Australian”. Google ‘no ball’ for more.

I just knew it would be coming. I had been expecting it for years. Tennis has been using technology to automatically detect foot faults — the so called ‘electronic line judge‘ — for decades.

So, this was due. It will complement and embellish cricket’s ‘Decision Review System‘ (DRS) technology.

From a technological standpoint it will be simpler than ‘ball tracking’, but more involved than ‘ultra-edge’ (i.e., ‘snicko’).

I am, however, not sure how it will work — especially HOW real-time it would be, i.e., how QUICKLY the umpire will be able to signal no-ball. That, as you can appreciate if you know cricket, can make a world of difference. At least in Test cricket there should not be a Free Hit after the call. Either the call is made as the ball is delivered or you just get one no-ball added and an extra ball.

Whatever scheme they use it will chance scoring dynamics. That is my concern.

At least for the last 20-years umpires have been awfully lax about calling no-balls. So, thousands of runs, just as EXTRAS, have gone begging — not counting runs that could have been scored off the extra ball or the no-ball itself, IF it was called as such early enough.

So, suddenly, we will see a spike in SCORES — both overall match scores and individual scores. That bothers I. Makes players of the last two decades look somewhat bad. That is my concern.

Well, I will be keeping an eye on this technology. All said, it won’t be as easy as it sounds. Human judgement may be required. Plus, can players request a DRS on no-balls. We did have that in a Pakistani match. All good stuff. Adds to the drama.

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by Anura Guruge

January 3, 2020  

Seems Incongruous That TWO Touring Test Cricket Teams, One In Australia The Other In South Africa, Come Down With The Flu.

by Anura Guruge

From Google News.

Google for more.

Click to ENLARGE.


Very well could be a total coincidence.

But, it struck me as curious and strange. Two touring teams, thousands of miles apart, getting hit with similar symptoms — affecting MULTIPLE KEY players.

Yes, of course, I am a confessed, professional cynic.

In both instances only the touring team affected — and multiple, key players at that. Home team untouched.

Yes, it could just be a fluke. Let’s hope so.

In cricket we have had match-fixing and at least one act of terrorism. We really don’t want germ warfare getting thrown into the equation!

Well, I am going keep an eye on this. So, watch this space. SMILE.

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by Anura Guruge

January 3, 2020  

Why BOTH The Australian & New Zealand Cricket Teams Are Wearing Black Armbands At The Sydney Test — The Bushfires.

by Anura Guruge

Click to access the Australian “Sporting News” original.

It was hard to miss with both sides wearing the black armbands.

Usually it is to mourn/mark the death of a famous national player or a family member of one of the players, e.g., to honor the death of 22-year old West Indian, Alzarri Joseph’s Mother in February 2019.

Well in this case it is different and I am NOT sure whether black is the right color.

Both teams, RIGHTLY, are honoring the fire and emergency crews that are fighting the horrendous bushfires burning all over Australia.

I am glad (and humbled) that the players are making this gesture. Bravo. Well done.

Just not sure that black is the right color.

Yes, there have been deaths and there will be more due these fires.

But, right now they are honoring those fighting the fires.

I would have preferred to see them wear another color, say red or orange.

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by Anura Guruge

December 31, 2019  

Wishing YOU A Very Happy Hogmanay 2019 – 2020 — From A Bona Fide Greenock First-Footer.

by Anura Guruge

Click to ENLARGE.

If you are NOT familiar with my history with hogmanay, you have missed much, and should really do a search on this blog for ‘hogmanay‘.

Cheers.

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Category ‘holidays‘.
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by Anura Guruge

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