Blame Game
The Australian cricket team was a very professional outfit, which believed in just going out to the middle and performing ruthlessly and thrashing the opponents. They showcased themselves as a team that didnt believe in giving excuses. But last week has seen a dramatic turnaround in their behavior. Look what some of the players had to say:
"The reason for our slow over rate was the problems with sight screens." - Matthew Hayden
"I became bad after the Sydney drama, because I took to alcohol." - Andrew Symonds
"I dint perform well because of food poisoning in India." - Brett Lee
What are the others going to say about their bad show ?? Hope not these :
"I got out to Harbhajan repeatedly because I had difficulty in differentiating between the ball and his turban. Its against the game's integrity. The ICC must do something about it." - Ricky Ponting
"I know from history that India got independence from British, and how they ousted the fair skinned guys. So each time I took the field in India, I was afraid of being attacked because I am White." - Cameron White
"My hands used to sweat a lot, like it happens in any equatorial country and that caused a deterioration in my keeping, and it naturally reflected in my batting." - Brad Haddin
"My nickname is Pup, and it was an agony for me to see the state of puppies in India living with the stray dogs. That made me "generally unwell" during the last test, and India won it." - Michael Clarke
Any other ideas folks ? Leave them in the comments.
To more serious matters now. India has taken a 2-0 lead in the ODI series. Yuvraj moving up 11 ranks to 6th place, and India moving to 3rd place are also very healthy developments. What made me really go 'wow' were these words from Dhoni after the 2nd ODI:
"What is the most important for us is to enjoy each other's victory. If I make a half century, I will naturally be happy. But if my team mates are happy for me, and if they decide to perform differently to contribute for the victory, like fielding well to save runs and take good catches, then that is what shows we are developing as a good team."
Such striking and true words from the captain, and why wouldnt a team perform well under him ? Already vice-captain Sehwag is a living proof of the enjoying-others'-performance philosophy. He has this genuine smile and happiness in his face when he applauds for a team-mate's half-century or wicket. These small gestures mean a lot to the team, and with this sort of a leadership, I believe the Indian team will go places. Good luck !
"The reason for our slow over rate was the problems with sight screens." - Matthew Hayden
"I became bad after the Sydney drama, because I took to alcohol." - Andrew Symonds
"I dint perform well because of food poisoning in India." - Brett Lee
What are the others going to say about their bad show ?? Hope not these :
"I got out to Harbhajan repeatedly because I had difficulty in differentiating between the ball and his turban. Its against the game's integrity. The ICC must do something about it." - Ricky Ponting
"I know from history that India got independence from British, and how they ousted the fair skinned guys. So each time I took the field in India, I was afraid of being attacked because I am White." - Cameron White
"My hands used to sweat a lot, like it happens in any equatorial country and that caused a deterioration in my keeping, and it naturally reflected in my batting." - Brad Haddin
"My nickname is Pup, and it was an agony for me to see the state of puppies in India living with the stray dogs. That made me "generally unwell" during the last test, and India won it." - Michael Clarke
Any other ideas folks ? Leave them in the comments.
To more serious matters now. India has taken a 2-0 lead in the ODI series. Yuvraj moving up 11 ranks to 6th place, and India moving to 3rd place are also very healthy developments. What made me really go 'wow' were these words from Dhoni after the 2nd ODI:
"What is the most important for us is to enjoy each other's victory. If I make a half century, I will naturally be happy. But if my team mates are happy for me, and if they decide to perform differently to contribute for the victory, like fielding well to save runs and take good catches, then that is what shows we are developing as a good team."
Such striking and true words from the captain, and why wouldnt a team perform well under him ? Already vice-captain Sehwag is a living proof of the enjoying-others'-performance philosophy. He has this genuine smile and happiness in his face when he applauds for a team-mate's half-century or wicket. These small gestures mean a lot to the team, and with this sort of a leadership, I believe the Indian team will go places. Good luck !
Comments
good thing said about the sadarji turban...