Numero Uno!!

By Paresh Waghela

Even if it's for a day or two, South Africa is now No.1 in ODI Ranking.There is a neck to neck fight for the spot as Australia will be playing their next game against arch rival NewZealand on Sunday and they can again retain their number 1 position provided they are in the mood for winning.
Beating Australia comprehensively by 4-1 in Commonwealth Bank series, The Proteas have shown their utter determination which they started at the beginning of test series.Oz's could only managed to win second game of the series by 5 runs and undoubtedly been surpassed in all aspect of the game by them.
All round performances from Albie Morkel and new sensation of SA "Duminy" once again carried battle on their shoulders with greats like Kallis, Boucher and captain smith missing in the side. Standing captain Johan Botha made it very clear from the word go to keep up the good work that team had done in test series.
The other front runners are "Men in blue" yes Team India who currently are on their juggernaut with 6 consecutive ODI win. They still have 4 games to play against Sri-Lanka.
Shams & Wags will come with another update on India vs SriLanka series after second game to be played on 31st Jan'09 at Premadas Stadium(D/N). Stay tuned!!



[ The author writes a cricket blog called Shams N Wags]

And we say we are real Gentlemen…

From Edit Desk

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By A Bisht


A day before the country’s 59th Republic Day, the hooligans of some Ram Sena broke into a pub at Manglore and verbally and physically abused the women present there. The women were not only pushed out of the pub; but were also chased, abused and tagged.

And all this was done in the name of Indian culture.

Those who oppose such moral policing in the name of religion or culture; usually ask, “who gave them the right to uphold the country’s culture?”

I want to ask something else. If we are a country of peace loving angels, real gentlemen “how come some among us not only verbally and physically abuse its women but also resort to demean them in public”?

And if we’re not the ones, who approve of the actions of such rascals; "how come the same women beaters keep on climbing the political ladder”?

And all this in the Name of culture or religion?

Think it over…

political anomaly?

or lack of will?

or what can explain...that the one who vowed to lead US out of recession will be swearing in today with ceremony expenses touching $50 million...??!!

India Inc touting Modi as the next PM

From Edit Desk

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By A Bisht


Last week one of the biggest news in the country was the touting of Narendra Modi as the country’s next PM, by the key constituents of India Incorporation. They said a man who has brought Gujarat on the path of rapid growth can do so for India as well.

Whether Modi is the right candidate for the PM’s seat or not is a point of debate, but endorsing the opinion of a section of Indian business community as an ultimate truth is utterly moronic. Yes, there may be various other reasons which make or break Modi’s claim to PM office; but saying that he’s the best person to lead the country because Tatas, Ambanis etc. say so; is foolish.

It’s true that Businesses put their weight in more advanced nations too. They not only try to contribute in money terms but also lobby for the candidate of their choice.

But there are other groups too who try to garner support for the candidate of their choice. And each group lobbies for some self interest--Which in a democracy can’t be called a bad thing either, as people who choose their representatives; on a higher level are part of a particular grouping too.

So rather than endorsing a candidate touted by any particular group, wouldn’t it be better to look for a candidate which can further the interests of the group or ideology one adheres to.

If the grouping thing appears too restrictive thought to some; then why not view things from a bigger perspective; like from everyone’s point of view; which means not taking the words of any particular power group on its face value. As in all likelihood the group will be furthering its self interest.

Think it over...

Stepping down the wicket

By Paresh Waghela

Stepping down the track would be very much associated with Haydos, but stepping down and out from the wicket is his latest call. Matthew Lawrence Hayden, the 37 years old smashing Oz's southpaw, who along with Justin Langer use to make a deadly opening pair has finally decided to call it quits. After a year long bad patch and struggling to collect runs, it was about time for him to make way for the others.

He was in a very pedestrian form against the Indians when they toured India. All eyes were set over him to see him play the magical innings that he had once played in 2001 to mark his classical come back. But that was not to be the case this time around in 2008.

Be it home or away, Hayden had a tremendous record .He had broken Lara's record of 375 runs in Test by scoring 380 against Bangladesh.

Undoubtedly he will always be remembered as a player who could dominate in both form of game and could even charge down the wicket to the fast bowlers. Many cricket fans know the way he used to sit on wicket way before start of play (guess that's one of his strategy to dominate wicket unlike bowlers). It was like yoga for him.

For our readers to know he was also a right arm medium pace bowler who bowled 9 over in test and an over in ODI (can any of our reader guess against which country he bowled an ODI over – no prizes) but with no success in terms of wickets.

He is a veteran of 103 & 161Test and ODI matches respectively. Amassing a total of 8625 test runs and 6133 ODI runs, with 59 tons( 30 in Test,  29 in ODI)  and no one  can forget his highest test score of 380 runs against Bangladesh.

While a few days back he was all over the news stating that so far he has not considered his retirement, suddenly his retirement plan has been a jolt for the Australian cricket (I won't be surprised if they already wanted it to happen). Other than his exploits with the bat , he will also be remembered for his weedy words – Remember Obnoxious weed !

[ The author writes a cricket blog called Shams N Wags]

Proteas Smitten!!

By Paresh Waghela


Time and again we have seen this happening and this makes every cricket fan proud, no matter of which ever country he belongs. In comes Graeme Smith with a broken finger walking towards the pitch at the Sydney Cricket ground where the celebrations had already begun thinking that Australia had won as Smith won't come into bat.

Survival of the last wicket was the need of the hour. He was playing with a loose bottom hand as he broke his finger in the first innings of the last match, and he was virtually out of the match until he had to come to bat. Walking in at number 11 was probably the first and the last time he would have had come to bat. Makhaya Ntini gave a good support at the other end.

11 balls to survive was the last equation. Inside edge of the bat and sound of the timber a made the Australians cry out of joy as they won the match of the already lost series. Magical moment for Mitchell Johnson one can say as he as able to convert the most certain draw into a victory.

All praises for the captain Smith as it takes lots of courage to bat with a broken finger as one can understand the pain one has to go through in the case of such injuries. No pain is greater when it comes to play for the country.

If we refresh our memories, same courage of the sorts was shown by our former cricket captain who retired in the series against the Aussies. Yes Anil Kumble had come to bowl with the broken Jaw and took the priced wicket of Brian Lara.

While such thing happens on the cricket field, there is a thick layer of pride that floats in the air and the result of the match if it goes in the direction that's not desired (a loss) seldom hurts.



[ The author writes a cricket blog called Shams N Wags]