Arise, Sir Sachin?
A possible knighthood for Tendulkar and the Hollywood Ashes fail to ignite
Jenny Thompson
28-Jan-2008
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Putting your money where someone else's mouth is
It's one way to make sure you can watch the cricket in peace: buy the team yourself. Bollywood king Shah Rukh Khan did exactly that, scooping the Indian Premier League's Kolkata side for big bucks, after a BCCI official had previously accused him of turning up to a Twenty20 match to advertise his new film (by association). "The one thing I hope that does not happen is that people think I am watching a cricket match to promote my film," Shah Rukh said defiantly. Of course not. "I will be supporting my team," he said, wriggling into his team's shirt and kissing its badge.
It's one way to make sure you can watch the cricket in peace: buy the team yourself. Bollywood king Shah Rukh Khan did exactly that, scooping the Indian Premier League's Kolkata side for big bucks, after a BCCI official had previously accused him of turning up to a Twenty20 match to advertise his new film (by association). "The one thing I hope that does not happen is that people think I am watching a cricket match to promote my film," Shah Rukh said defiantly. Of course not. "I will be supporting my team," he said, wriggling into his team's shirt and kissing its badge.
Brown butts in
Gordon Brown, Britain's prime minister, believes Sachin Tendulkar should be considered for a knighthood for his rich contribution to the game - and, like any good politician, he is determined to have his say even though it's not up to him to decide. "It is a matter for an independent honours committee, but I'm sure the people recognise that just like Sir Don Bradman and others who were awarded honours as honorary knighthood for the work they did for cricket, there is of course a strong case for reward." Tendulkar gave a timely nudge, nudge to the idea with a silken hundred in Adelaide.
Gordon Brown, Britain's prime minister, believes Sachin Tendulkar should be considered for a knighthood for his rich contribution to the game - and, like any good politician, he is determined to have his say even though it's not up to him to decide. "It is a matter for an independent honours committee, but I'm sure the people recognise that just like Sir Don Bradman and others who were awarded honours as honorary knighthood for the work they did for cricket, there is of course a strong case for reward." Tendulkar gave a timely nudge, nudge to the idea with a silken hundred in Adelaide.
Raking in the chips
A less worthy topic, now, and a question: What have Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Monty Panesar got in common, off the pitch? Well, they're both going to have their mug on the front of crisp packets following a deal for Dhoni who is set to appear in ads for FritoLay, joining the ranks of players endorsing fast foods such as KFC, all of whom are clearly hoping to make elite athletes out of all of us.
A less worthy topic, now, and a question: What have Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Monty Panesar got in common, off the pitch? Well, they're both going to have their mug on the front of crisp packets following a deal for Dhoni who is set to appear in ads for FritoLay, joining the ranks of players endorsing fast foods such as KFC, all of whom are clearly hoping to make elite athletes out of all of us.
In the pink ... again
Speaking of already done ... New Zealand are the latest to latch on to the idea of using a pink bat handle to promote breast cancer awareness, with four of their team set to use the grips during England's tour there which begins next month. In another first for their country, they entered a beach cricket competition with little hope of winning - as their captain Martin Crowe joked, "We don't play beach cricket as we don't have any sun." They took on Australia's Allan Border, Jeff Thomson and gang, and an England including Graham Gooch, Adam Hollioake and Graeme Hick. But oh he of little faith: in the first year of the tournament, Crowe's side went on to win, beating that other sun-deprived nation, England, in the final.
Speaking of already done ... New Zealand are the latest to latch on to the idea of using a pink bat handle to promote breast cancer awareness, with four of their team set to use the grips during England's tour there which begins next month. In another first for their country, they entered a beach cricket competition with little hope of winning - as their captain Martin Crowe joked, "We don't play beach cricket as we don't have any sun." They took on Australia's Allan Border, Jeff Thomson and gang, and an England including Graham Gooch, Adam Hollioake and Graeme Hick. But oh he of little faith: in the first year of the tournament, Crowe's side went on to win, beating that other sun-deprived nation, England, in the final.
"Ashes" fail to ignite
Over on the other side of the globe, in America, there was great fanfare for the launch of the cheesily titled G'day USA! Hollywood Ashes cricket match, which promised A-listers such as Russell Crowe, Jude Law, Robbie Williams and Daniel Radcliffe would don the whites in LA. But none of them turned up to say g'day. Then again, perhaps they were wise: the only screen icon to show, Mel Gibson, didn't play but was nearly wiped out by Steve Waugh's six in the VIP tent.
Over on the other side of the globe, in America, there was great fanfare for the launch of the cheesily titled G'day USA! Hollywood Ashes cricket match, which promised A-listers such as Russell Crowe, Jude Law, Robbie Williams and Daniel Radcliffe would don the whites in LA. But none of them turned up to say g'day. Then again, perhaps they were wise: the only screen icon to show, Mel Gibson, didn't play but was nearly wiped out by Steve Waugh's six in the VIP tent.
Alastair, cooking up a musical feast
He's not just a pretty face, former choirboy or an England opening batsman, don't you know: Alastair Cook is also an excellent musician. His talents are being put to use on a record for children's TV but whether he's aspiring to team up with guitarist Mark Butcher or for a guest gig in Brett Lee's band Six and Out is yet to be confirmed.
He's not just a pretty face, former choirboy or an England opening batsman, don't you know: Alastair Cook is also an excellent musician. His talents are being put to use on a record for children's TV but whether he's aspiring to team up with guitarist Mark Butcher or for a guest gig in Brett Lee's band Six and Out is yet to be confirmed.
Tee whizz
You've got to admire the chutzpah: giving away an international cricket career to back yourself to take up a sport you've never played before and don't know if you'll be any good at. But that's what Johmari Logtenberg, 18-year-old South African wunderkind, has done: giving up the game she's played for her country for four years to pick up the golf clubs. Inexperience is so far proving no handicap: she's playing off 12.
You've got to admire the chutzpah: giving away an international cricket career to back yourself to take up a sport you've never played before and don't know if you'll be any good at. But that's what Johmari Logtenberg, 18-year-old South African wunderkind, has done: giving up the game she's played for her country for four years to pick up the golf clubs. Inexperience is so far proving no handicap: she's playing off 12.
Quotehanger
"I'm now the oldest in the team but I'm also enjoying my cricket."
Matthew Hayden is adamant he won't be retiring anytime soon in response to the media piling in to ask him his opinion following Adam Gilchrist's sudden departure from the game
"I'm now the oldest in the team but I'm also enjoying my cricket."
Matthew Hayden is adamant he won't be retiring anytime soon in response to the media piling in to ask him his opinion following Adam Gilchrist's sudden departure from the game
Quoteclanger
"I'm always up for a challenge, but eating a kangaroo's bits is no way to prove yourself."
Darren Gough dismisses talk that he is about to go on TV reality show I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here
"I'm always up for a challenge, but eating a kangaroo's bits is no way to prove yourself."
Darren Gough dismisses talk that he is about to go on TV reality show I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here
Jenny Thompson is an assistant editor at Cricinfo