Hi Tracey
You're right, of course. We play the REAL footy down here! AND, like my beloved footy team (Port Power, who were absolutely tounced in the Grand Final by Geelong), Australia are being kind and letting the other cricketers have a taste of the top. (That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!)
Love All
Deborah

All my dearest cricketing friends.
Its been a very depressing with India getting a trashing. I guess it was just not their day as nothing went their way and Australia took the win without any problems. Bret Lee did a fantastic job and it was really sickening one Indian departing after another. I switched off my television after Sachin got out as there ws no point.
I hope things change around in the next two matches as then they can level the series. I think Rahul Dravid should be rested as he somehow does not seem to have that zing about him anymore. Sachin and Saurav are doing well and today Saurav had some really bad luck and thats when the wickets started tumbling. However, well done to the Aussies - they are the world champions and deserve to be.

I think Sreesanth is a fluke and his behaviour muct not be tolerated at all. I thin its sick to do the antics he does on the cricketing field - making a fool of himself.His bowling is also not that hot and I feel that a lot of extras could be saved if they did not give him the new ball and especially when you have three really good seamers in your side - Zaheer, Irfan and RP Singh. I think the sudden success has made him feel he is the best and he will land up flat on his face very soon if he does not plant his feet firmly on mother earth.

The India team othewise is a well balanced side who did not have any luck on their side today which resulted in loosing tamely to the Aussies. Well, lets see what lies in store for the remaining two matches. The Indians have to buckle up with all the cricket coming up and nee a great deal of confidence to get into the groove of winning.
Congratulations to all the Aussies and their supporters and especially since they backed their sledging wit the action.

With lots and lots of love and a hug for each one of you
Ananth

Hi Ananth,
We are quite pleased down under that the Aussie's had a win. I hope they can keep it up all of the summer months ahead. Although the press have been saying some of the crowd were a bit hard on Andrew Symonds, monkey noises??? I'm sure he is big enough to take it by now, he certainly knows how to give it. The old saying if you can't take it, don't give it, applies with cricket I'm sure.
Hope your well at the moment,
Trace

Hi Tracey,
The Indians played as though this was the first time they had ever played cricket. They throughly dserved the trashing they got and Australia deserved to win. Lets see how these guys fare in the next two.
Yes, as far as words and actions are concerned, I think the Indians went pretty hard on the Aussies. The idea was okay as one can always see the sledging that goes on whenever Australia plays against any country. The Indian team is now full of the next generation who think aggression in any form is all right. One can see the Indians have picked on a few specially and try to really get under their skin- Symonds, Hayden and Bracken are the chosen ones.
Though I am not one for agressiveness to the extent Sreesanth went against every Aussie was most stupid and am glad he has been warned. I just cannot understand - one can be passionate but if someone is going to clobber you for runs its because you are a bowler! I really wish he would get this under his thick skin.

Another problem is Rahul Dravid - something seems to be bothering him and his mind just does not seem as though he is enjoying the play. I think Sachin or Saurav should have a talk with him alongwtih the new Captain - the very confident Dhoni. If things fall in place - Rahul will be much more a handful for the Aussies as he has always been.

Once the first over had been bowled and Saurav got run out and Rahul came in and departed the next ball with India at 5 for 2 - I decided to go and get ready and go out to one of the malls and thats excatly what I did. I could not bear to see the slauther and I am glad I did not - a nine wicket win for the Aussies and a solid nine wicket loss for the Indians! I wonder how the crowds managed to behave themselves as normally they begin with stones and God alone knows what all - they go smashing the cricketers homes and they abuse them with words that noone in their right mind would use. If they had won or win - they would be laden with money and gifts like what was done at the 20ts championship. The guys actually got cars ( each a diifferent make ) - Yuvraj got the latest Porche and 500,000 US$ besides a part of the price money of 12 million pounds sterling and then to top it all each one in the squad - palying or not were given a luxury apartment by their Sponsers - Sahara.

I think I am going to tell my son to forget everything else and play cricket and just get into the Indian side even as an extra!! He will become a rich man after just one match!!!

Life with me otherwise is fine otherwise - just that I seem to be getting tired faster then I used to get but I am still continuing with my running and regular workouts at the gym.

Take care Tracey and lots of love,
Ananth

Aussies,Indians and Scots chatting about Cricket.

I like it

Hi Robert,
Besides the Aussies,Indians and Scots - I think we must wait for the West Indies, the British, Bangladesh, Srilanka and all the rest. Now that would be great.
One thing about chatting about cricket - at least we do not have to sledge each other and we dont have do antics like our Sreesnath - who behave like a complete moron.
The Aussies have won a well deserved series but I think the words and actions on and off the field went a bit too far. I ,without being biased I do not think any of the Indian players or crowds could have insulted Symonds about his race.Had they done so - Symonds would not have understood a word. The only reason he was targetted was without doubts because he too went after the Indians. Its so strange - him commenting that while the Aussies were practising , the Indians were busy shooting for commercials and how the Indian side was gifted with a lot of money and a house each. The Porsche that Yuvraj got has been a sour point for the poor chap. Why does he not point out that almost all the Aussies are modelling and endorsing Indian products ( ask Bret Lee, Pointing, McGarth etc). I wonder if Symonds did read the nespapers after the Aussies were out from the 20ts. - that it was Yuvraj who hit the six sixes in that one over and it was also the first time that has been done in an international match. Both the other ones - Ravi Shastri and Gibbs did their share in first class matches. He more or less has assured of a backlash against the Indians in the tour to come and find that funny as I do not think , India is going to give up so easily when they meet next. This is a team which is totally a new team full of youngsters who have only been exposed to the international arena now. With three experienced players in Sachin ,Saurav and Rahul - I am sure the Indian team will have matured enough not to just take the backlash but to give it back too.
My only regret is Sreesnath - he is an idiot and behaves like one and as Ian Chappel has mentioned - if India do not pull him down now -he may be another Shoaib Akthar in the making.!!
Well - all I can add is that well done Australia. You'll played some of the best cricket I have seen in a long time and the consolation is that India at least took away one game which no other country has managed for some time now.
Any comments??
Lots of love,
Ananth

Ananth

You have got to hand it to the Aussie cricket team.They are winners but with that comes an unhealthy arrogance and lack of humility.India should not be too hard on their boys,a young team who maybe have shown naievity.

The series against Pakistan will be a better measure of India's progress

Dear Robert,
I have a strong feeling after this one day series against the Aussies - the Men in Blue wont feel the pressure so much with Pakistan and as far as sledging is concerned -it will be there but then no Indo-Pak match is complete without that.
I guess I am being a bit harsh on the guys regarding their behaviour on the field as all the teams in the world have spoken about the sledging that the Aussies do. But once again - Symonds talking about racial discrimination is totally rubbish as noone is bothered about his race. As long as he is in his Aussie outfit - noone is black or white - he is just an Aussie.
In the earlier post I had mentioned about how Symonds made that remark about the Indians making so much money. I do not see the reason as to why not. Not all players are going to playing in team India all the time barring some who will quit when they feel the time is right ( Rahul, Sachin and Saurav) and if they can lead a comfortable life after cricket I do not see the harm. I opened the newspapers tins morning and guess who has signed the dotted line to endorse a number a Indian products - none other then Ricky Pointing. As far as Bret Lee is concerned everyone knows that and they are also waiting for his album release made in India with a Indian background. He has also shown interest in acting in a "bollywood" movie! Do you think Symonds would refuse such offers and offers such as getting a house as a gift by the Aussie Cricket Board and Companies or Indian Companies - I do not think so.
However, saying that - I am still not convinced about Sreesanth. He should either play cricket in an agressive manner but not belittle anyone, not blow his trumpet with following it up with deeds. He has to be brought down to earth. Almost all the ex players are of the same opinion and I find it stupid that the Captain or some of the seriors have to come to the guys rescue everytime.
Symond feels that there will be a backlash when India tour Downunder- what do you feel? Check out the figures as to how many Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and Sri Lankans( they all get together when they are not playing one another! live in Australia and the number that will travel from India as the airfares have become so cheap and Indians have become rich ( thanks to a booming economy). You will even find the most uncouth of Indians there coming in groups to cheer for India and especially if they feel there is a backlash going to be involved.
The Aussies deserved every win as they outlayed India in every department of the game. Sachin and Saurav have been more of less consistent but the rest have a long way to go including Dhoni,. He has the makings of a good captain as he is calm, does not get stressed and leads by example -( some of the stumpings and catches were unbelievable). Symonds, in fact should be feeling great that he has been instrumental in the hammering that the Indians got and I am not sure he got such scores because of his anger but his natural strokes and bowling right in the block hole.
Anyway - I think the Mumbai match should pass off comfortably and surprisingly the Indian public has not raised any anti Indian slogans against any player this time. The last time India lost a match against the British - the idiots went and almost broke down Dhonis house, attacked Kaifs and Irfans homes. If these are not idiots what are they?
Lets see how they fare against the Pakistanis as this will really be a trial to see what they will be like when their turn to tour Australia comes around.
What say to all my boring issues?
Love,
Ananth

Hi Ananth,
India is certainly having a lot of backlash here in Australia for what they are doing to Andrew Symonds. I just don't understand why it is just him, obviously he has upset a few of them with whatever he has said now or in the past!!! although he has come out saying he isn't bothered by what they are doing, it is just our press making a big issue of it. And of course we know there has always been sledging in the game of cricket and Aussie's being as good as anyone with it. I don't know why Symonds would be worried about what the India team get for playing cricket, out cricketers have a very good pay packet plus as you mentioned or the endorsements they make around the world, he certainly can't complain, he doesn't live a bad life at all. As I mentioned my husband is still very involved with cricket also, he is on the board of Dolphins Cricket here on the Gold Coast which Andrew Symonds is a member, we can't even get him to sign anything for charity eg. t-shirt, without going through his manager and the answer can be no most of the time. I hope it doesn't have backlash here during our games in Summer, my family love going to the cricket to enjoy the many mixed cultures that go along and bring some fun and entertainment to the long day of watching. Australian cricket has made a tough stand on allowing things to be taken into the games, but when Sri Lanka would come and other teams from around the world they are so much fun to watch and listen to them singing or playing drums etc. I can remember one year our son was only about 10 or 11, we couldn't get him away from the Sri Lanka crowd he was there joining in on the bongo drums etc, he had a ball. that to me is what Cricket is all about, the fun for everyone!!
I'm sure my family will be there again as they are now planning what games to attend.
Anyway Aussies won the series, India played well to give them a run for their money, so I hope you have enjoyed your cricket watching so far.
Talk soon, Trace

Dear Tracey,
I can vouch for one thing noone was beibg a racist as if that was so - I think we Indians must be the craziest people in the world. Symonds for all the Indians care is an Aussie and hars hitting one. The best way to get under his sking was what the Aussies are famous for - sledging. However, noone can say that he was abused as in India we have 14 official langauges and over a 1000 dialects. One will never know if one is getting insulted. It like, if I travel to South India - I might as well be in Greece as I would not understand a word of what they would say to me.
The point about the Indian cricketers making money and living it up should hardly be a matter of concern for him. Why does'nt he go and confront, Mathew Hayden, Bret Lee or the Captain - Ricky Pointing for their opinions. I am sure he would have also been on the list had he had the brains to keep his mouth shut and forget all that was going on on the stands and worried about the pitch!
Here in India - cricket is a religion and every Indian knows everything about the game and everyone has a hundred opinions on how each player should have played!!!. The idea is that one recognises the quality of play that one demonstrates on the field and paises the player - be it an Aussie or an Indian. I wonder why Symonds does not remember the applause he got not just from the players but also from the crowd? I guess ideas get into his head with a lot of problem - keeping his hair style in view!! I wonder if the Aussies remember the sledging Murali got and thats when he decided never to play in Australia again?
Anyway - the last match was one crazy match with the Indians bent on comitting harakiri and almost did so had it not been for the tail enders. 193 to chase - A score that Australia have never been bowled out for and our famed batting line up falling like ten pins all around. I am glad a few had some sense and finally a win. 4-2 this time - lets see what happens down under next year as these boys would have become experts at the way the Aussie play the game and I do not think the Aussies will be able to do much to get under their skins. That however, is another seiers and another year and who knows what this interim period has in store.

Lots of love and a big hug,
Ananth

WHERE HAVE ALL MY CRICKETING FRIENDS VANISHED TO?

Love,
Ananth

Im here Ananth. As you can see I now have my photo next to my name. A Belated WELL DONE for the 20/20 World Cup win. India thoroughly deserved it and England were just useless but im used to saying that about us in 20/20 cricket. I won the award for our players player this year for the third team. I was quite surprised.

Well hello, nice to see you Russ.

Well done on your cricketing achievement.

Lorraine & Robert

Hi Russ,
Wow - you are doing well.Tell me however, do you think the 20/20s will be a regular feature. I dont know why but I did not enjoy it. You just go wham bam and there are no requirements to show ones abilities as a cricketer. Team India seem to have taken it like a duck to water.
The Pakistanis are here and they had a got day against Delhi day before. They played really more in fun and yet beat the Delhi team led by Gambhir by five wickets. The first ODI starts on the 09th. and both the sides are equally geared up. The wierdest thing though is dropping Dravid- which I do not believe he was dropped but must have taken the desecion by himself to do something and get back into form. He has already started playing the Ranji Trophy for Karnatka and is getting back to form.
Anyway, lets see how the team copes as Sachin gave a long interview this morning and I do not think he is going to gift his wicket away in anyway. I only hope Sehwag and our Captain - Dhoni find their form as if they do - the I would confidently sat God help the Pakistanis.

Will keep you posted and await your remarks.
Lots of love,
Ananth