Cricket quotes

Not only is he stocky in stature, he's got a big heart.

Aamer Sohail describing the portly Ramesh Pawar.

The Matara Mauler

He's back, and with a bang that left the Chennai Super Kings shellshocked. Defending 157, the game was shut out from them after just six overs when the score read 78/0. When Sanath hits sixes over point, you know what's coming! When 140 kph deliveries are flicked over midwicket, you just stand and admire. That's what Dhoni should have done yesterday - he looked like a man who'd just seen a ghost. He was never a part of the Indian team in the late 90s, that was regularly walloped by Sanath. This was probably the first time he'd encountered a feeling of hopelessness and helplessness. Sachin, on the other hand, must have been a mighty relieved man. Better to be on Sanath's side when he's in that mood.

I haven't been watching the IPL matches too closely. Cricket matches, I feel, are getting bogged down due to too many interruptions. Time is wasted in conferences after each ball, each shot to the boundary, each third umpire referral. Only the explosive batting of three people are worth wasting all that time - Gilchrist, Yuvraj and of course, Sanath. And I got full value yesterday.

As per script in the EPL - mostly

Man U clinched the title, winning 2-0 as expected against Wigan. There were a few nervous moments for Man U at the JJB - they were lucky a penalty wasn't awarded against them, and luckier when Scholes wasn't sent off for a second bookable offence. Cristiano Ronaldo signed off a phenomenal season with yet another goal, taking his tally to more than 40! And he's a winger, for crissakes.

About the only thing that didn't go according to script was Chelsea drawing 1-1 with Bolton. Would have thought they would win comfortably, but they were surprisingly tentative. John Terry had to be stretchered off after 10 minutes with a suspected broken shoulder, and Chelsea didn't look themselves after that.

In fact, I felt that all teams were playing somewhat tentatively in yesterday's matches. The restraint was palpabale, you could almost feel that they wanted to get over with the match, and heave a sigh of relief that the season was over.

Here's looking forward to a great match in the Champions League finale.

Cricinfo humor

... is mostly quite good, but not this.

Talking about UP bowler Sudeep Tyagi...

He has learnt a lot under the guidance of the UP bowling coach Ashish Winston Zaidi, the Amar Akbar Anthony of Indian cricket.

Hmm.

It's going down to the wire

Come the last 5 overs of a run chase in any ODI, and this is the most often heard phrase from the commentators, notably Messieurs Tony Greig and Bill Lawry. This year is the first time since I've been following football that the Premier League title race is literally "going down to the wire". Man U and Chelsea are level on points with one game to go, but Man U have the better goal difference. Man U have an away game against Wigan, which they are unlikely to lose. Chelsea play Bolton at the Bridge, and are favorites to win. So in all probability Man U will take the Premier League.

The two teams meet in the Champions League final 2 weeks from now, and who can bet for either team here? Man U have the history behind them, but this season Chelsea seem to have all the luck.

It really is going down to the damn wire.