India not doing well in DLF series :(

and that's an understatement. They have played poorly today especially the top order batting who surrendered to an international trundler Dwayne Smith who had taken not more than 40 wickets so far in his career.

India went to the match with SreeSanth replacing Pathan although I think Powar would have been a better option. I am not sure why Powar is not playing regularly anymore. He bowled beautifully against both Pakistan and England even upstaging Bhajji in few cases. Sachin played wonderfully well but got out in an unfortunate way. It happens with him regularly. Why not with Hussey ?

The worse thing about all this. Ganguly backers will be back asking him to be reinstated in the team although he has not done anything during his absence to warrant his presence in the team.

Not just a run in the park

Akash Chopra with next update on 'Scribbles through Summer' Column.
"I always believed that playing cricket was all about scoring runs and taking wickets. Everyone would be your friend while the going was good and you were obviously, only as good as your last innings. So then, I figured this was the mantra to remember when you're getting paid to play, or, more precisely, to perform.

But after a couple of years at Hem Heath Club here, specifically, and as an overseas professional cricketer in England for a few years now, generally, I've realised I've been hugely mistaken.

Please don't get me wrong, you still have to earn your living and perform every time you walk out with the bat or ball in your hand. The prime criteria while negotiating your contract for the next year is your performance that season. But from my little experience, I've learned that the people who get the best deals are the ones who bring more to the table."

Columns - Not just a run in the park : HTCricket.com:

England need to tighten up

"Let's not mince words here. England's one-day cricket is a mess, an unholy trifle of muddled thinking from the coach and selectors right down to the players. It needs stiffening, fast, and with something more substantial than a good sherry.

The 2007 World Cup, targeted by the England and Wales Cricket Board as a must-win competition in their mission statement in 1999, is just seven months away. Unfortunately, England seem no closer to knowing their definitive squad than they were three years ago, planning suited more to Dad's Army than Field Marshal Montgomery"

So Says Derek Pringle , writing for The Telegraph, UK.

Read the full article here
Telegraph | Sport | England need to tighten up