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Tag Archive | Cricket Team
March 26, 2018  

Cheating, Ball-Rubbing, Australians Get Instant Bloody Karma — Loose By 322 Glorious Runs.

by Anura Guruge

This was so good to watch, so good to experience.

Instant bloody KARMA.

Dished out with panache and relish. The cheating Australian bums didn’t know which way to turn. All at sea.

Steve Smith was humiliated as a batsman. Played like a pillock and now we all know that he is a right royal pillock. He should be banned from all cricket for life. He should lose all his endorsements. Cheater, cheater, pants on fire.

Yes, I have made no secret that I am very fond of the South African cricket team. Why? Because they TRULY embody Nelson Mandela’s dream of a rainbow colored South Africa. That team, truly multiracial and multicultural plays as a cohesive unit — race never a factor. That makes me so happy. That is why I root for them.

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by Anura Guruge

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December 6, 2017  

Sri Lankan Bowler Lahiru Gamage Wouldn’t Be Out Of Breath Bowling In Delhi If He Lost 20 Pounds.

by Anura Guruge

I have been meaning to comment on this for quite few months.

Quite a few of the Sri Lankan cricket team carry too much weight around their belly — classic Dahl belly.

Being even 10 pounds overweight makes a difference when playing cricket at the Test level. You are on the field, when fielding, for 6 – 7 hours.

Gamage is the worst — and he is supposedly a fast bowler (though I think he is more medium pace, than anything else).

Him getting sick in Delhi was understandable. He is too fat. Yes, I, given that I too am 20 lbs overweight, should not be complaining, BUT I am nearly 65-years old and no longer playing cricket. [Though to be fair I was fat when I played cricket.]

Anywho …

Gamage needs to go on a low-carb diet.

Suranga Lakmal

Rangana Herath

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by Anura Guruge

November 15, 2017  

As Zimbabwe Frees Itself From The Despot Mugabe, My Thoughts Are With The Zimbabweans.

by Anura Guruge

Click to ENLARGE.

From the New York Time, November 15, 2017.

As I was getting ready to write this I realized to my horror, embarrassment and chagrin that as far as I know I do NOT know of any Zimbabweans on a direct basis! The ‘sins’ of living in rural New Hampshire.

I had the honor and delight to see and meet the ULTRA TALENTED Oliver Mtukudzi, in 2015, when he performed at the HOP. I even got to ask him if he liked (and followed) cricket and the answer was definitely in the affirmative.

I am, as I have stated many times, rather fond of the Zimbabwean cricket team. They play like I used to play. A bit like the West Indians of yore. I am particularly fond of those featured above.

I knew that these were difficult times in Zimbabwe. Mugabe had to go. I just hope it all works out well. They deserve it.

I wish them the very best.

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by Anura Guruge

September 26, 2017  

What Would Happen If International Cricket Players Knelt During The National Anthem?

by Anura Guruge

The Sri Lanka ODI Team (top) & Indian Test Team (in white).

It is even inconceivable to even think of but we all know what would happen. They would immediately be charged by the ICC of bringing the game into disrepute — heavily fined and suspended. That we know because the ICC is, quite correctly, is ultra-strict about behavior and compliance — and let’s face it, cricket has a 400-year reputation for his gentlemanly-manners, sportsmanship and decorum.

Now PLEASE do NOT get me wrong. I have NOTHING against American sportsman (and to-date, as far as I know, it has all being men) taking the knee during the national anthem. It is there right — and I understand that. But, having bummed around the World I also know the pride and significance of national anthems.

Having the national anthems played ahead of Internationals is NEW in cricket. Definitely post 1980. I actually like it. Very moving.

A few things to PONDER and Chuckle IF you are NOT an American.

There are things that WE (e.g., British, Sri Lankan, Indian, Australian, Pakistani etc. etc.) take for granted — like a National Health AND a National Sports Teams, or to be fair TEAMS.

We have our National Cricket Team, National Soccer Team, National Rugby Team.

America really doesn’t — in terms of what the PEOPLE FOLLOW — outside of the Olympics. Yes, they have a soccer team, and a tennis team. But those are NOT their national sports.

Just think IF the U.S. had a National Football Team or Baseball Team.

Just think IF the U.S. played national sports on an International basis — as we do, all the time.

Then the National Anthem issue would really become a BIG deal.

Something to think about.

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by Anura Guruge

September 25, 2017  

India’s Winning ODI Series Against Australia After 3rd ODI Win — Leaves Me In Awe & Amazement.

by Anura Guruge

From Cricinfo. Click image to access their portal for this series.

Just two days, after watching the highlights of the Indians winning the 2nd ODI against Australia, I said that ‘they’, i.e., the Indians, looked invincible.

Then, a couple of hours ago, I watched the 3rd ODI. I thought Aaron Finch’s return, and his magnificent 124, had turned the corner for Steve Smith and Australia. Yes, the middle order dissapointed, but 293 wasn’t too bad of a total.

India just cruised to victory. Yes, there was a few tense moments BUT Dhoni hardly had to face a ball. Hardik Pandya is one heck of a cricketer. He is exciting to watch, batting, bowling or fielding. Can you imagine what his nickname will be in dressing rooms in Australia, England and New Zealand. As far as nicknames go it would not be one that is HARD to take!

What a bloody team. I am in AWE. Indians must be SO happy.

Click to access Wikipedia entry for Hardik Pandya.

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by Anura Guruge

September 22, 2017  

The Current Indian Cricket Team Seems Invincible — 11 International Wins In A ROW!

by Anura Guruge

Click image to access original from the “Hindustan Times”.

I do enjoy watching the Indians and have watched the all 11 of their last games; 9 against Sri Lanka and 2 against Australia. They won them ALL, and three of those were Tests. That is pretty damn impressive. They have now beaten Australia twice on the trot, though the first ODI was rain-affected and based on Duckworth-Lewis. I really expected the Aussies to have fought back with vigor as they did against Bangladesh.

The 2nd ODI was exciting. Lost of drama. Pandya getting hit on the head and then getting run-out off a no-ball. Exciting stuff.

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by Anura Guruge

December 14, 2013  

Watching With Growing Delight The Zimbabwe Cricket Team Playing ODIs Against Pakistan.

Anura Guruge, June 8, 2013.260px-Zimbabwe_Cricket_(logo).svg
…
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.by Anura Guruge

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Hamilton Masakadza in full flow -- like a budding West Indian.

Hamilton Masakadza in full flow — like a budding West Indian.

I have been watching cricket again, more or less daily, for 40 to 90 minutes a day, since February 2011 — first on DISH with their ‘Cricket Pack‘ and since June with the SkyBox TV ‘TEN Cricket‘ option.

During ‘all’ that time, until last week, I had never bothered to watch Zimbabwe or Bangladesh! Since I rarely, if ever, watch live broadcasts of cricket, I can pick and choose what matches I am going to watch. Yes, I am when it comes to cricket a traditionalists and SNOB. I didn’t expect to see cricket worthy of MY time from Zimbabwe and definitely not from Bangladesh — so I just overlooked matches involving them.

Starting last week on TEN there has been a surfeit of Zimbabwe cricket given that Pakistan is on tour. I do like watching the Pakis. They have some outstanding players that I am very fond of: Mohammad Hafeez, Shahid Afridi, Misbah-ul-Haq, Nasir Jamshed (when he is playing well), 9′ 6″ Mohammad Ifran, Saeed Ajmal, the entire ‘Akmal’ clan etc. So, I decided to watch the ODIs mainly to see the Pakis. But, I was in for a surprise. Zimbabwe has some ‘interesting’ (if not outright ‘decent’) players. They have amused me. That they can’t catch to save their lives cracks me up. Yes, I have seen a few outstanding catches, but they drop about 16 for every one they manage to hold onto. Something else that amuses me no end: such a huge, palpable difference in attitude and competence between the white and black players. It is a riot. But, it is all fun.

I have already become a fan of Masakadza and Sibanda. They really can bat — and they look like West Indians when they are in full flow. Echoing the West Indies all the quickies in the Zimbabwe team are black — and most of them are pretty good. So, I have been having a ball watching them. Their dropped catches and relatively below-par fielding reminds me how bad I used to be. So I can empathize. But, I definitely endorse watching these ex-Rhodesians. Maybe one of these days I will sneak in a Bangladesh game.

P.S., These Zimbabweans have LOVELY, catchy names: Tinashe Panyangara, Elton Chigumbura, Prosper Utseya, Timycen Maruma etc. etc.

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