Slapping, slashing and sexier than Cruise
Andrew McGlashan looks back at The Week That Was... January 21 to 28, 2007
Andrew McGlashan
29-Jan-2007
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Being coach of the Indian team is not a job for the faint-hearted. However well they are playing - and India had just held on for an impressive 14-run over West Indies at Nagpur - there's just no pleasing some people. As Greg Chappell made his way through the airport at Cuttack he was greeted by a slap in the back from an irate supporter, who wasn't happy about no Orissa players being in the Indian side. Now, this needs some context. Orissa don't really have anyone who should be in the team - but let not a small fact like that get in the way of a good story. They have played in the Plate League of the Ranji Trophy this season - admittedly winning promotion - but their two leading players, Debasish Mohanty and SS Das had their chance at the top level and weren't up to scratch. India were immediately upgraded to Z-level security, which sounds mighty impressive, but probably won't be enough to stop some fans making their feelings known.
Ponting caught slashing
Here's some toilet humour. Ricky Ponting's untimely loo break created a moment of confusion in the Australia dressing room as they played New Zealand at Sydney. "It was a bit of an unfortunate situation," said Michael Hussey, "I don't want to go into it too much. I think you can ask him about it." Ponting was caught short by Adam Gilchrist's quick departure and it meant Michael Clarke had to come in at No. 3. No worries, he hit a match-winning 75. Another case of the Aussies taking the piss.
Here's some toilet humour. Ricky Ponting's untimely loo break created a moment of confusion in the Australia dressing room as they played New Zealand at Sydney. "It was a bit of an unfortunate situation," said Michael Hussey, "I don't want to go into it too much. I think you can ask him about it." Ponting was caught short by Adam Gilchrist's quick departure and it meant Michael Clarke had to come in at No. 3. No worries, he hit a match-winning 75. Another case of the Aussies taking the piss.
I'm a cricketer, get me out of here
You could be forgiven for forgetting that Sajid Mahmood is still in Australia. He hasn't been spotted much since his loopy full toss to Matthew Hayden which brought the Ashes whitewash to an end. Well, he is still Down Under as part of the CB series squad but if his cousin Amir Khan, the Olympic boxer, is to be believed he'd rather be back in Bolton. After speaking to Sajid, Amir said: "The words he said were 'I'd rather be at home'." But Mahmood quickly tried to pour cold water on the issue: "Australia is one of the best, if not the best, tours a cricketer can undertake - and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else." The tourist board will be pleased.
You could be forgiven for forgetting that Sajid Mahmood is still in Australia. He hasn't been spotted much since his loopy full toss to Matthew Hayden which brought the Ashes whitewash to an end. Well, he is still Down Under as part of the CB series squad but if his cousin Amir Khan, the Olympic boxer, is to be believed he'd rather be back in Bolton. After speaking to Sajid, Amir said: "The words he said were 'I'd rather be at home'." But Mahmood quickly tried to pour cold water on the issue: "Australia is one of the best, if not the best, tours a cricketer can undertake - and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else." The tourist board will be pleased.
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Australia Day brings out the weird and wonderful around Australia. Every Australia Day weekend the small outback town of Charters Towers, in North Queensland, hosts a cricket carnival. From six teams the carnival has grown to a record 194 teams competing in 2007, making it the largest carnival of its type in the world. It swells the 8000-strong population of Charters Towers, near Townsville, by about 3000 and attracts teams of solicitors, engineers and television crews from as far as Brisbane. One team is called 'We have no balls' - surprisingly it isn't made up of the England team.
Red faces or red noses?
It must be a huge relief to a player when their new club shows that they know all about them. So, when Yorkshire issued a press release about Jacques Rudolph's three-year deal he must have been slightly concerned when his name was spelt 'Rudolf', as in the reindeer. The Pro40 one-day kits will make interesting reading in the summer.
It must be a huge relief to a player when their new club shows that they know all about them. So, when Yorkshire issued a press release about Jacques Rudolph's three-year deal he must have been slightly concerned when his name was spelt 'Rudolf', as in the reindeer. The Pro40 one-day kits will make interesting reading in the summer.
Read all about
Well, now we know what happens in all those England team meetings. Never mind horrific loses, inept mistakes and hapless batting - they have set up a book club. "They bring their own books in to discuss and exchange them with the others. Fred has just given me a new book to read," said a team spokesman, "he felt it would be a good idea to help the guys talk and think about things not associated with cricket." It's clear that they certainly aren't associating with cricket very much at the moment.
Well, now we know what happens in all those England team meetings. Never mind horrific loses, inept mistakes and hapless batting - they have set up a book club. "They bring their own books in to discuss and exchange them with the others. Fred has just given me a new book to read," said a team spokesman, "he felt it would be a good idea to help the guys talk and think about things not associated with cricket." It's clear that they certainly aren't associating with cricket very much at the moment.
Sexier than Tom Cruise?
According to 10,000 women (and to argue with one is dangerous enough) that's what Mark Ramprakash is. In a poll conducted by New Women, Ramps came in at 51st place, nine ahead of Mr Cruise. Ramprakash continues to benefit from being nowhere near the current England side and it will be fascinating to see how many of his new legion of female admirers are sat at The Oval on a cold April day.
According to 10,000 women (and to argue with one is dangerous enough) that's what Mark Ramprakash is. In a poll conducted by New Women, Ramps came in at 51st place, nine ahead of Mr Cruise. Ramprakash continues to benefit from being nowhere near the current England side and it will be fascinating to see how many of his new legion of female admirers are sat at The Oval on a cold April day.
Quote hanger
But while Ramprakash may have a future as a dancer or a pin-up, he probably won't be moving into the better industry any time soon. During the second Test between South Africa and Pakistan he was asked where his money was...the reply? "I'm not a betting man... but if I was it's anyone's game at the moment."
But while Ramprakash may have a future as a dancer or a pin-up, he probably won't be moving into the better industry any time soon. During the second Test between South Africa and Pakistan he was asked where his money was...the reply? "I'm not a betting man... but if I was it's anyone's game at the moment."
Andrew McGlashan is editorial assistant of Cricinfo