Massacrenhas

- 0328 Update - Very rarely do I stay up beyond 3am for an ODI early in the series, but this was thrilling. Dimitri Mascarenhas calls himself a ‘right-handed batter’, and it seems he’s walked out of the Jayasuriya backyard, what with Sri Lankan roots and similar spirit, a fighter to the end. Slog-sweep being his main weapon, he toyed with the bowling, sending five towering sixers before self-destructing, holing out to mid-wicket off a mis-timed pull. RP Singh, as is so often with Indian bowlers these days, planted the choicest of crisp words around. The massacrenhas had ended.

But it was entertainment, nevertheless, although Bell and co. threatened to bore the hell out of the viewers after Flintoff smacked his lips at a flighted Powar delivery, only to find the grateful hands of a waiting Agarkar at mid-wicket. Flight is his strength, although he has loads of improvement on the catching, as does Munaf. Oh, and Powar needs that treadmill, he seriously does.

But the bottom line? India win, it’s 1-1, perfectly set-up ODI series, and Dravid picks up the man of the match award, as he should. Cornflakes, apparently, pumped him - so folks, you know what ought to be for breakfast tomorrow. On a rather serious note, as Dravid himself suggested, this was way, way, better than the second innings at the Oval, where Dravid scored as quickly as a 4-wheeler crawls on prime-time M.G. Road.

Leaving you with a few of my bits from the day, and this simple thought from Ian Chappell:

The best way to contain a batsman is to get them out. I’ve yet to see a batsman score runs while he’s in the dressing room.

Neither have I …

Karthikanth?

Fred Flintoff is arrogant enough to make me address him as ‘Fred, ***koff’ (but hey, I’m not supposed to be biased in this ‘report’) - so let’s leave the powerful lad alone. Speaking of power - and Powar - Karthik lifted his colleague when the offie picked up Fred. I mean, wow, this is stuff straight out of a Rajnikanth flick, considering that it takes one hell of an effort to get Powar off the ground. The commentators say he should try for the Olympics - weightlifting.

That’s a gold medal secured.

Chawla delivers

First one hurried onto Pietersen who defended it to extra cover. Second one in, pitched on middle-ish and crashed into off, Pietersen is left gaping.

Two balls that rocked. Give it up for Piyush Chawla. Sunny says it’s the ultimate insult for a batsman, letting a spinner’s ball meet destination woodwork. True, that. Oh, and while on the subject of timber, in walks Collingwood.

He’s a piece of work - the Indians would be wary. Back to the box, then.

- 0135 Update - Chawla’s gotten rid of Collingwood for 27, seduced him out of his crease and cleaned him up. 18-year old leggie drawing England’s captain out with a googly? Warne would’ve smiled.

Butterfingers

Fielders we’re not, droppers we are. Powar’s just made a mess of a sitter that Bell left flying, and this isn’t the first time in the match. Earlier Dhoni teased, half-attempting a catch just as Ganguly pulled out of it, and Prior was given a chance.

And what did the batsman do? Send two of Agarkar’s (cricket) balls to the fence, prompting a change to bring Munaf in, which turned out to be good anyway. But, dudes in blue, take those goddamn chances.

Haven’t you heard? Catches win matches.

- 0015 Update - Dhoni just dropped Pietersen off Ganguly. Kevy, of all people! Big, big, big miss, and let’s see if India will pay.

Midpowerplays

Halfway through the powerplays, and England are pounding hard. Yessir, we’re getting screwed.

But what do we have here? 76/1 in 10.5 - Dravid’s just taken the catch and Munaf’s just accused Prior of making love to his sister. The ball went right up to the sky, higher than the rents in Bangalore - mind you - so the batsman have crossed. Oops, Munaf takes Cook out next ball - amazing delivery, and hey hey hey hey hey, look who’s winning?

Nobody. Shut up, y’all. Pietersen is in. 76/2 with Munaf’s ass on fire. RP Singh’s pair of bottoms have been warm too. Game still on.

Innings break - 49/99, now in Bristol

No, not the toy franchise in Maharastra, but the scores of Yuvraj Singh and Sachin Tendulkar respectively, in today’s second ODI against England at Bristol. Somehow the milestones just evaded the Indian batsmen. Dravid remained unbeaten on 92, missing out on a milestone himself. Weird. India end up on 329, and that’s a chase-and-a-half for England.

It’s been a spirited performance by the Indians so far, and people might claim that it’s a flat pitch, but the work has to be done anyway. Seeing a big Tendulkar score upfront and Ganguly playing his part in the partnership wasn’t uncommon until recently, and that’s been a good sign. Yuvraj knocked the ball around for a bit, and regained a bit of lost touch. Dravid’s timing, of course, was Godlike today - it isn’t everyday you see him score 92 in 63 with a strike rate touching 150. The beehive stats suggest that he left nothing and defended only four deliveries - quite a rarity for the ’slow and defensive’ captain.

But the innings so far has done two things that stand out. First, it’s rekindled age-old memories of Tendulkar, being his innovative best. And the flat six straight back just had us fly back in time to the ‘98 tour of Sharjah where the Aussie bowlers were taken to the cleaners, the one tournament where Tendulkar really turned it on when India needed it most. Because it’s an unwritten statement that though Tendulkar is the better batsman, and probably has more records to his name, it’s Dravid and Ganguly who made the bigger difference to contemporary Indian cricket.

Secondly, it’s proved a point - we Indians need a kick up the rear to get us into action. Almost always. Every big tournament since 2002 including the 2003 World Cup, we have been slow, slow starters. Why? Why aren’t we proactive with our killer instinct? Why are we still stuck with this reactive approach?

And while you think it over, I’m outa here. Just heard the crowd scream - it’s a boundary, Cook and Prior have announced their arrival - so yours truly is back to the idiot-box. With Pietersen’s promotion in the batting order, this is one helluva contest.

Match on, and my report’s out when they call it a day.