Unlucky streaks and sponsored welcomes
In this week's edition: the right way to shoulder-charge, no equal pay for equal work, and how to avoid a debt trap
Will Luke
10-Mar-2008
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Running around willy-nilly
The world of streaking was turned on its head last week - or more literally on its crinkly behind - when Andrew Symonds knocked over Robert Murray David Ogilvie, who dangled and wobbled his way onto the pitch in the second final of the CB Series. Judging by the reaction of some commentators in Australia, "Symmo" did his nation and self proud. Sonny Bill Williams, the New Zealand rugby league lock, was gushing in his praise. "He's got that streaker vertical," Williams told the Sydney Morning Herald. "It's always a good sign of a big tackle when you can get both of the other guy's feet off the ground."
The world of streaking was turned on its head last week - or more literally on its crinkly behind - when Andrew Symonds knocked over Robert Murray David Ogilvie, who dangled and wobbled his way onto the pitch in the second final of the CB Series. Judging by the reaction of some commentators in Australia, "Symmo" did his nation and self proud. Sonny Bill Williams, the New Zealand rugby league lock, was gushing in his praise. "He's got that streaker vertical," Williams told the Sydney Morning Herald. "It's always a good sign of a big tackle when you can get both of the other guy's feet off the ground."
The incident further threatens the future of a once popular pastime for the bored, the half-deranged, or those in the crowd simply feeling a bit clammy. But let us thank our stars that common sense has for once prevailed and that Ogilvie laughed off suggestions that he might press charges. What a cheek.
Three cheers for, erm ... thingummybob
There is no doubting Virat Kohli's India deserved to lift this year's Under-19 World Cup trophy, which they did following a tense 12-run win in the final to beat South Africa. And although youth tournaments aren't as feverishly supported as ODIs, you'd expect that a country of a billion people - almost as many of whom rather enjoy the game of cricket - would give their future superstars a rousing welcome. Kohli and Co's reception in Bangalore was certainly spirited but, according to a report in a local newspaper, 80 cheering college students didn't even know the names of the winning team: they were paid by an event management firm to be there. In an odd reversal of gender inequality, the girls were paid Rs 1000 each while the gents only earned a miserable Rs 200. "It is just an hour's job. I don't know anything about the Under-19 team," Arga, one of the college students turned cheerleaders, told the newspaper. "We were told to wait till the team emerged from the airport and then leave." What a disappointment it must be for the young cricketers to have received such a hollow homecoming.
There is no doubting Virat Kohli's India deserved to lift this year's Under-19 World Cup trophy, which they did following a tense 12-run win in the final to beat South Africa. And although youth tournaments aren't as feverishly supported as ODIs, you'd expect that a country of a billion people - almost as many of whom rather enjoy the game of cricket - would give their future superstars a rousing welcome. Kohli and Co's reception in Bangalore was certainly spirited but, according to a report in a local newspaper, 80 cheering college students didn't even know the names of the winning team: they were paid by an event management firm to be there. In an odd reversal of gender inequality, the girls were paid Rs 1000 each while the gents only earned a miserable Rs 200. "It is just an hour's job. I don't know anything about the Under-19 team," Arga, one of the college students turned cheerleaders, told the newspaper. "We were told to wait till the team emerged from the airport and then leave." What a disappointment it must be for the young cricketers to have received such a hollow homecoming.
Bowler of the week
Australia's apparent dearth of quality spinners might not be so acute after all. Joe Roberts, a 25-year-old leggie, took 10 for 104 last week to lead the Camberwell Magpies to a seven-wicket win over the curiously named Footscray Edgewater. That his opponents' team sounds more like a health farm for those with chronic athlete's foot might well have spurred Roberts on in his quest to end the game as quickly as possible.
Australia's apparent dearth of quality spinners might not be so acute after all. Joe Roberts, a 25-year-old leggie, took 10 for 104 last week to lead the Camberwell Magpies to a seven-wicket win over the curiously named Footscray Edgewater. That his opponents' team sounds more like a health farm for those with chronic athlete's foot might well have spurred Roberts on in his quest to end the game as quickly as possible.
Racist slur of the week
In an age of petty political correctness, it was a relief to hear that England's next generation aren't afraid to buck the trend. In a video posted on Youtube by James Harris, Glamorgan's highly promising fast bowler (or Sobers-esque allrounder, depending on which side of the border you live), he and England's Under-19s take part in a Crossbar Challenge - the game inspired by Sky's Soccer AM in which participants (or mugs) are challenged to hit the crossbar from the halfway point. Each of the lads jogs up to the camera to introduce himself: Billy "Wildcard" Godleman, Jamie "Binga" Lee, Chris "The Wizard" Woakes (who came the closest), and the Welsh uploader himself, James "The Sheep" Harris. And yes, Harris' attempt was every bit as wild and woolly as his nickname implies.
In an age of petty political correctness, it was a relief to hear that England's next generation aren't afraid to buck the trend. In a video posted on Youtube by James Harris, Glamorgan's highly promising fast bowler (or Sobers-esque allrounder, depending on which side of the border you live), he and England's Under-19s take part in a Crossbar Challenge - the game inspired by Sky's Soccer AM in which participants (or mugs) are challenged to hit the crossbar from the halfway point. Each of the lads jogs up to the camera to introduce himself: Billy "Wildcard" Godleman, Jamie "Binga" Lee, Chris "The Wizard" Woakes (who came the closest), and the Welsh uploader himself, James "The Sheep" Harris. And yes, Harris' attempt was every bit as wild and woolly as his nickname implies.
When I'm cleaning ... lorries?
Say what you like about the Indian Premier League, and indeed the BCCI, but there's no doubting the quantity of cash floating around will change people's lives. Not necessarily a good thing, you might think, but spare a thought for young Vijaykumar from Cuddapah who has swapped his day job, cleaning lorries, for a spot in the IPL's Hyderabad side. "I didn't even know what the IPL was when I got selected," he said. "Just a few days ago, my seniors explained to me what IPL is all about. I didn't even tell anyone at home that I got selected. When I was playing for Ranji, my only goal was to play well and get maximum wickets."
Say what you like about the Indian Premier League, and indeed the BCCI, but there's no doubting the quantity of cash floating around will change people's lives. Not necessarily a good thing, you might think, but spare a thought for young Vijaykumar from Cuddapah who has swapped his day job, cleaning lorries, for a spot in the IPL's Hyderabad side. "I didn't even know what the IPL was when I got selected," he said. "Just a few days ago, my seniors explained to me what IPL is all about. I didn't even tell anyone at home that I got selected. When I was playing for Ranji, my only goal was to play well and get maximum wickets."
Don't fret about debt
Craig McDermott might be AUS$22m in debt but he's not stopping there. Kicking the threat to one side like an ankle-biting spaniel, he's feeding it like there is no tomorrow, instead. McDermott and his wife, Ann-Maree, live in a $2.5m pile on Brisbane's glittering Gold Coast, and he drives a Porsche Cayenne, despite losing more than $15,000 each day in interest payments. McDermott allegedly borrowed the funds from the failed property company Bridgecorp for his development company, Maxen Developers, in order to buy land on the Queensland coast.
Craig McDermott might be AUS$22m in debt but he's not stopping there. Kicking the threat to one side like an ankle-biting spaniel, he's feeding it like there is no tomorrow, instead. McDermott and his wife, Ann-Maree, live in a $2.5m pile on Brisbane's glittering Gold Coast, and he drives a Porsche Cayenne, despite losing more than $15,000 each day in interest payments. McDermott allegedly borrowed the funds from the failed property company Bridgecorp for his development company, Maxen Developers, in order to buy land on the Queensland coast.
If McDermott needs any financial advice, he could do worse than ask Steve Harmison, the England fast bowler, whose earnings - and those of his colleagues - were revealed on Sunday. Harmison earned £250,000 from his England contract, despite only playing seven Tests and picking up 24 wickets at 35.66. This equates to his most expensive haul yet: each wicket cost his paymasters £9657.
Quotehanger
"I'll try my nuts off every time."
He may be expensive, but at least Harmison's committed enough to risk his, er, purse, it's reassuring to know
"I'll try my nuts off every time."
He may be expensive, but at least Harmison's committed enough to risk his, er, purse, it's reassuring to know
Will Luke is a staff writer at Cricinfo