Dear Russ and Trev,
So finally - India did give a bit of "Gandhigiri" and took the test away at Perth.Gandhigiri is a term they use in India to feel bad for the opponebt and forgive them, hoping they have learnt their lesson. Australia was lucky that they also ( the Indians) withdrew their complaint against Hogg. I feel though the Aussies should do the same as far as Harbajjan is concerned. I understand Pointing was his bunny earlier but now it seems Ishant Sharma the 19 year olod has taken over. Pointing got out in almost the exact way in both innings. One thing I am happy is that this is not the first time that India has stopped the Australian juggernaut and have done it so convincingly with all experts talking about the Perth wicket. Australia had never lost a match at Perth and for India to stop them just went to prove some points, I imagine. Kumble has been a source of inspiration for all - leading right from the front and in fact everyone in the side has been contributing in some way or another - as a close knit team. A unified team that India has become.
I agree with Russ on his points. However, walking is a very debatable word - as what happens if the batsman feels he was not out and holds his ground and does not walk? Will the umpires ask for the third umpire? I feel that for all the real tricky situations like being caught, stumped should be given to the third umpire. I am not talking about the straight forward catches or run outs - but just these kind of situations that can go the wrong way.
So is a batsman, who feels he was not out does not walk - does he qualify for being not with the spirit of the game? In this case - would the umpire refer the same to the third umpire and then pass his judgement. Its not that the batsman has really understood that he is out and holds his ground - I would not blame any of the batsmen on that issue. However, if he does know he is out and still holds his ground as Russ said he must be fined by not playing with the spirit of the game. The fielders too should be honest enough as one will appeal if they think its out. Very often - the wicketkeeper may take a "catch" with the ball having brushed the pads -here I agree its a tough call for both the batsman and the wicketkeeper - so fining would not be a great idea under these circumstances. No Balls are something that noone is doing on purpose. It just means try as hard - the bowler is unable to get his run up correct. If the Captain still continues his faith in the baller why fine him for the no balls? Who is benefitting from the no balls especially if heard early and gets smashed away for a boundry - get five runs as well an extra ball. I think that should be left to the bowler and Captain to decide to what he or they must do. One thing however, is if the bowler constantly bowles and runs on the pitch as a part of his run up - after the first/second warning then the umpire should get tough and either fine the bowler of stop him from bowling for the rest of the innings ( which is supposed to be so but we rarely see it happen).

Finally - I mantain India has beaten all the odds and leaving the Aussies in a bit of a disarray - and the loss with affect them in the last match. Till the DOWN UNDER INDIA IS THUNDER (NOW YOU CAN ADD LIGHTENING AND A GALE).

Trev - You dont have to cut your tongue - you are forgiven

With lots of love and warm hugs to everyone who enjoys good cricket.
Ananth

Hi Trev,
All I can say is call back Bucknor and Benson and all will be fine in the Aussie camp. Hayden hopefully will do a Sachin and the others a Sehwag,a Laxman, A Harbajan or a Kumble - which I honestly do not think is possible. I think they (the Aussies) will play for a draw (which again will be moral victory for India). The Aussie fielding today was a misery with so many catches going down. The one good thin was Gilchrist becoming the wicketkeeper for taking highest number of wickets with Kumble as his one up on Boucher. Congrats to him.

So KP won his first test match as captain. I think it was because South Africa won the series so they took their foot of the peddle but a win is a win i suppose. I still think that Vaughan was told to resign as was Collingwood. Jumped before they were pushed. Any comments? We lost the series on the fourth and fifth day of the first test. Thats what i think.