Action of the Week

Read to find out why cricket fans got ‘colombored’ this week. Also participate in our discussions. We want to hear.

For batter or for worse!

1478 runs were scored in the second Test at Colombo. There were two double centuries, three centuries and five half-centuries scored by both India and Sri Lanka. Eight bowlers from both teams (including Suraj Randiv) went past three figures. If you are a cricket fan, then make a run for it.
But what about the people who prepare such tracks for Test cricket; why is it so tough for them to say, "Aye Si Si", and prepare a pitch that will help the bowlers as well? The game of cricket these days makes every bowler feel like Oliver. In India, people wear white clothing at a funeral; that way our cricketers are ready to watch Test cricket die.
By the way the second Test between India and Sri Lanka in Colombo ended in a draw. Bet you knew that already.
Discuss: Do you think Test cricket is boring?
Murali calls it a day, and then calls Bedi a 'controversy monger'!

Muttiah Muralitharan finally broke his silence by lashing out at long-time critic Bishan Singh Bedi. The off-spinner who finished his career on a high after picking up his 800th wicket against India at Galle, called Bedi 'a controversy monger and a ordinary bowler' who took only 200 wickets. The former Indian captain has never stopped himself from calling the Lankan a 'chucker'. Bedi maintains that the ICC had bent the rules for Murali, and that the offie's 'doosra' is illegal.
Murali feels that Bedi would have been hammered if he was playing cricket in today's times. He also added "Bedi is a controversial person. He has lot of controversies everywhere in the world. And he should think about himself first rather than talking about other people".
Murali also said that Bedi's team-mates Erapalli Prasanna and Srinivas Venkatraghavan were much better spinners. Interestingly, Prasanna has backed Bedi; saying that the rules were indeed bent for Muralitharan.
Former Indian spinner Maninder Singh too jumped to Bedi's defence saying that, "If Bedi had been allowed to bend his arm; he would have taken as many wickets".
One thing is clear. This issue will never be 'chucked' out of the window!
Discuss: Is Muttiah Muralitharan's outburst justified?
You make horrible fruit juice Yuvraj!

Suresh Raina took five years to play his first Test match, but just two days to make a century on debut. The stylish 23-year old helped India wriggle out of an uncomfortable position, as he teamed up with Sachin Tendulkar to post a 256-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Raina who came in for the injured Yuvraj Singh, made full use of the opportunity presented to him. The crowd at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo (anybody?) was treated to twelve crisp fours and two sixes from the youngster. Raina who came in when India were at 241/4, had 120 runs against his name on the scoreboard before he was dismissed by Ajantha Mendis.
I thought our batsmen had figured out how to handle Mendis. Carrom lessons anyone?
Discuss: Will Yuvraj Singh be dropped for the third Test?
This one came without 'Waughning'!

Former Australian skipper Steve Waugh feels that the Indian cricket team doesn't deserve to be the No.1 Test side in the world. Waugh feels that India's overseas form is poor, and that their bowling is not upto the mark. The 45-year old who was in New Delhi this week said, "India doesn't look like the No.1 side. The Indian team is struggling at the moment with their bowling and the team does not have the bowlers to take 20 wickets."
Waugh felt that bowling was India's weak link, "India are a very good side. The batting line up is among the best in the world. But the bowling attack seems weak in the absence of senior bowler like Zaheer Khan. I don't see a match winning spinner in the team either. Harbhajan Singh is good but he is not consistent. He only seems to be doing well against Australia. India's bowling has weakened after the retirement of Kumble," he said.
Let's hope Harbhajan Singh is listening.
Discuss: Does India deserve the No.1 ranking?
Gillespie becomes a rhino!

Former Australian fast-bowler Jason Gillespie has decided to take up a coaching job in Zimbabwe. The right-armer who took 259 Test wickets will be coaching the Kwekwe-based MidWest Rhinos. Gillespie who played with the Ahmedabad Rockets in the now defunct Indian Cricket League, is eager to be a part of Zimbabwe's cricketing resurgence.
Gillespie who has scored a double-century in Test cricket, doesn't have any second thoughts about moving to the troubled country. In fact he is taking his family along with him. Midwest Rhinos' chief executive Kenyon Ziehl said that Gillespie was delighted with the prospect of working in the African country.
"We've given him nice accommodation in the town (Kwekwe). Hopefully he will enjoy the experience. It's a huge adventure for him. It's a season's contract. If things work well we will always extend it," he said.
All the best Dizzy!