AB v Murali

The first test pretty much went to plan as far as the aussies were concerned, although Cricket Aust. may not be as happy, with a very poor attendance across all days.

Obviously the rain didn't help, but i guess the cricket public don't think much of the chances of Sri Lanka even though they're ranked No. 3 of the test playing nations. Hopefully the good folks of Tassie will turn up in numbers.

In some ways I hope this helps C.A and the grounds that hold the fixtures rethink their heavy handed policies regarding crowd control and the consumption of alcohol, the cricket is supposed to be a good day out for all involved and if you were to put the number of people through the gates up against the number that are ejected from the ground for unruly behaviour, I think it would be quite a small percentage, even when the poms are here and known to enjoy a lager at the game. Yes we want it to be attractive to families, but come on banning the mexican wave and selling only lite beer are just ridiculous and all that achieves is making it less enjoyable for all and lets not even start about the puncturing of beach balls by security staff if the balls land on the playing surface, absurd!!!

I know about two seasons ago, I spent the whole first session at the pub knocking back a few cold ones watching on the tv before venturing into the ground, just so i could enjoy a cold full strenght beer!

This post was only supposed to be a short note about the 1st test and a little story told by Ian Healy (former Aust. keeper) about the first time that Murali bowled to the great Allan Border, a renown player of spin bowling, well AB faced up and played inside the first ball and looked back down the pitch at this unusual bowler, this continued for the whole over, Murali bowling AB playing and missing and looking a little bemused. At the end of the over Healy walks down the pitch for a chat with his captain and AB says "I'm really having trouble picking this young leg spinner"! to which Healy replies "that's because I'm pretty sure he's bowling off spin AB"!

till next time