February 09, 2004
 

Cricket

In two contrasting events on the same day, in the same part of the world, two different facets of Indian sport were on display. Irfan Pathan, the new kid on the block was reprimanded by the ICC Match Referee Clive Lloyd for making an exuberant gesture, clapping and beaming Damien Martyn off when he dismissed him in the second final at Sydney. Damien Martyn, like a spoilt child, complained to the umpires even though there were no words exchanged. Perhaps Pathan was applauding Martyn's knock and his return to form? In the same game, Sourav Ganguly was sledged and abused by Brad Williams, yet he did not report it to the umpires, preferring to inform Ricky Ponting, the Australian captain. Ganguly later claimed that he did not want it blown out of proportion.

In contrast, in New Zealand, Indian tennis hero and captain Leander Paes admitted to having sledged his opponent Simon Rea in the crucial deciding Davis Cup reverse singles match of the Asia-Oceania zone I tie. Paes was provoked by the Kiwi captain after he had lost the first set.

The two contrasting incidents also came in two contrasting results. India were whipped left, right and centre by Australia in the 2nd final, while Leander Paes won all 3 of his matches to lead India to a victory. This, by a man who six months ago was staring down an aborted career.

Shane Warne makes his comeback to cricket in a game for Victoria's 2nd XI. Tim Lane feels let down by the convenient manipulation of laws by Cricket Australia officials.

Rambled @ 1:10 PM

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