Harbhajan vs Symonds - Cricketers but not Gentlemen

It's been a controversy to say the least, something that could even have been expected on an Australian tour.Things were said in the Sydney Test and charges were brought on Harbhajan Singh, who allegedly racially abused Andrew Symonds by calling him a "monkey".

Harbhajan has been cleared of the racial abuse part but will be penalized for a lower classification of abuse as he did plead guilty to using some abusive language.

I sometimes wonder what has happened to the gentleman's game. It used to be that cricket was a game and nothing more. There was an element of respect and a good delivery was acknowledged by the batsman, while a good shot was acknowledged by the bowler, all in good spirits. Umpires would intervene only to conduct the game, the batsman would walk if he knew he had hit the ball.

So where has that game gone now? Has competition, sponsorship and commercialization made it ungentlemanly in some way? The game has grown in popularity and it might just be because of the gossip and antics by different players and officials.

You never know, it might just be a way to hype up a series or generate more revenue from newspapers and websites. But it's not cricket any more, a huge money factor is involved as well.

With Twenty20 and day-night Test matches coming into the frame and more money getting into the game, has cricket lost its charm? I sincerely hope not.

Is cricket too commercialised? What do you think...?

Adam Gilchrist - The Last Hurrah

Adam Gilchrist, the Australian wicket-keeper batsman, just announced his retirement from both Tests and ODIs after the upcoming one-day series. A good time to comment on a great cricketing career.

The guy who renamed the role of a wicket-keeper and brought in another kind of an all-rounder to the game who was the "wicket-keeper batsman". Gone are the days when a team is looking for a guy who can just keep wickets and bat at 7 or 8 after the one off all-rounder. Gilly got in the game and brought in the explosive style of batting at the top in ODIs and a similar nature in the middle-order in Tests. He was the man to have in any World XI.

At the retirement of Ian Healy, one of the greatest wicket-keepers himself, the Aussies were looking for the next flag bearer. Least did we expect that the flag bearer would not only take it from Healy but also make it more brighter along the way. This guy is an crucial member of the Aussie Dream Team which won 16 tests in a row twice and a series of World Cups. The recent Aussie team spells domination of World Cricket for over a decade now.

Well-defined behind the stumps and the "Here-she-comes-there-she-goes attitude" while batting made him an essential member of the Aussie Rule. Played vice-captain for a little while in his career as well and many would have loved to see him as captain as well but he has done it all besides achieving that. A well-accomplished career which deserves a salute to another great who played his part in revolutionizing the game.

Lebron James - Mr. Fourth Quarter does it again

Lebron James is the self-proclaimed "Mr. Fourth Quarter" but nobody can deny the fact that King delivers wherever he goes. He was required with 33.6 second left against the champion San Antonio Spurs and he answered the call as he has been doing throughout his career.

The shot led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 90-88 win against their last year NBA Final rivals. A much needed win which should set them back on the track they followed last year which ended at the NBA finals.

The Cavs had Tony Parker to thank for his two crucial missed free throws with 29.4 left on the clock. Manu Ginobili had a shot in the dying seconds and James and the Cavaliers would have breathed a sigh of relief with the missed shot as that would have taken them to a fourth overtime in 3 games.

The Cavs played well defensively and that was the difference in the end. It is important to remember that the San Antonio Spurs swept the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals last year. The Cavs are now on a 3-win streak and would like to continue the good work ahead. They are a championship team and its about time they come to the party.

Laxman - The Thorn in the Aussie Back

V.V.S. Laxman proved again why he is the world's top run-getter against Australia in Australia. A gutsy 79 against some fiery pace from Brett Lee saw the Indian team set up a potential record run chase of 413 runs in the last innings for the 17th straight test win for the Australian team.

Moved down the order, Laxman proved once again why the Aussies fear him so much. This wasn't a free flowing Laxman innings that one usually remembers him for against the Aussies. He had to dig out his runs and 2 late partnerships with Dhoni (38) and R.P. Singh (30) set up what could be a match-winning target.

The hosts closed at 65 for the loss of both the openers. This left the strong Aussie middle order to chase a further 348 runs while still 2 full days to play. With Ponting and Hussey at the crease right now, a lot depends on a steady start tomorrow if they stand any chance in chasing this record target.

By the way things are, one can surely believe that it might not go till the last day as with Indians surely with the wind behind their backs would want to wrap things up quickly. On the other hand the only way the Aussies play these days is quick and if they do get off to a flyer, the only way they can make the Indian go on the back foot is with a counter-attack suggesting the run-chase getting over in 1 day.

A lot to play for considering what has happened during the series. An unlikely bowling attack consisting of Irfan Pathan, Ishant Sharma and R.P. Singh surprised the formidable Aussie batting lineup in the 1st inning and Pathan continued the good work in the 2nd inning getting both openers in the 5th and the 9th over of the innings respectively.

A win for the Indians would go a long way in proving what they have been standing against during the series as well as stopping the Aussies from a record 17th straight test win. A record they would regret not reaching.

An Aussie win which looks a lower chance at the 3rd day's close would really underline their dominance in world cricket killing the biggest 4th inning run-chase record and 17th straight test win with one stone. However, easier said than done.

Makings of a happening day tomorrow.

Roddick Exits in a 5-Set Thriller

The Australian Open 2008 was hit with its first major shock with Andy Roddick going out in a thrilling 5-setter against Philipp Kohlschreiber, the German. The score for the record, 4-6 6-3 6-7 (8-10) 7-6 (7-3) 6-8.

The 6th seeded Roddick went down to the 29th seed Kohlschreiber on the 5th match point in the 5th set. Both coming from HOT Streaks, promised an interesting contest considering an un-noted rivalry from the Aussie Open in 2005 where the German had gone out in the 4th round against Roddick. That was Kohlschreiber best career grand slam performance and he equalled it with this win.
He faces Jarkko Nieminen seeded 24th in the 4th around and possible meet-up with Rafael Nadal in the quarters. Interesting prospect ahead for the German.