Genuine Genius

On Saturday (26.11.2005), the long standing record of the former Aussie captain Allan Border came to an end, in the most emphatic fashion. He held the record for the maximum number of runs scored by an individual in test matches (11,174). But on Saturday, the Trinidad born Brian Lara broke this record when he scored 226 against Australia on the 2nd day of the second test – in an already lost series. His score of 226 came from 298 balls which included 22 boundaries.

The West Indies had a miserable tour when they lost the first test by a huge margin. However in the second test Brian Lara was the lone fighter, contributing 60% of the total score of the Windies, so as to salvage some pride.

Brian Lara was born on May 2nd, 1969 in Santa Cruz, Trinidad, the youngest of the 7 brothers. He made his test debut against Pakistan in 1990 and made 44 and 6. At that time no one would have thought that one day this young lad would become a prolific batsman. His first test centuary came against Australia in Sydney, where he made 277.

The year 1994, definitely should be a year to remember for all cricketing fans as well as cricketing statisticians. This year saw the tumble of many records. Firstly, his innings of 375 against England saw him break Sir Gary Sobers’ world record score of 365 not out. In the same year, he made another mammoth total of 501 not out for his county Warwickshire against Durham. The record still holds good, for the highest score in First Class cricket.

Nine years later in 2003, Matthew Hayden broke Lara’s record of highest individual score and surpassed it by scoring 380. But Lara was not a man to depend on luck. He wanted only his name against the highest individual score. So in 2004, exactly 10 years later, Brian Lara broke Matthew Hayden’s record of 380, by scoring 400. Incidentally, he reached his highest previous score also in the same venue (St.John’s, Antigua) and also against the same opponent (England).

WHAT A BATSMAN…?

Earlier in 2005, he surpassed Steve Waugh, to move into second place. And on November 26th, 2005, he made history by marching ahead of another Aussie great Allan Border to become the worlds’ leading run scorer in tests. Incidentally by this another feather is added to his cap. He became the first player since Sir Garfield Sobers to simultaneously hold the record for most test runs and highest test score. He also has 8 double centuries to his credit and I think only the legendary Sir Don Bradman has more double centuries than him.

So what now, he has conquered all the frontiers in the test arena, he has only his records to break.

LARA HAS INDEED COME A LONG WAY…

Hats off to one of the legends of the game…!

WAR OF THE CHANNELS

Two political parties, two channels therefore two news and what we get – truth from neither of them. I think people in Chennai would accept my view and can understand me better. For the unknown, it’s the battle between Sun TV held by DMK (political party) and Jaya TV (political & ruling party).

This is indeed what is happening. Each one tries to project a different picture, but the truth is left far behind. What Sun TV does do is, they project and bring into light only things which are against the ruling Government, in which they have succeeded to a huge extent. They never highlight things which the Government has been doing. They are always finding fault and accusing the other. I do accept the fact, that they are rival parties, but my question is Why Play with the Truth.

The Sun TV has got a huge audience appeal and they think they can do whatever they want, but my friends I tell you this, its tough climbing the pinnacle of the mountain but once you reach, you got to maintain, otherwise the fall is going to be sharp and fast.

With the ignorance of the people they are able to play a very tactful game. But all I can see is truly one motive, to bring bad name to the ruling Government. But I am not saying this wrong, it’s acceptable but why do they have to misrepresent facts. This is all one can expect when political parties hold channels. Speaking of this I wonder, how Dayanithi Maran can hold the post of Union Minister for Information and Technology when his family hold a TV channel… no wonder you get Sun TV in almost all parts of the world. I know it’s a debatable question all by itself.

According to the law, only those channels in which 3/4th of the equity is held by Indians, then alone can the television channel broadcast news. This leaves us with only these 2 channels, as Star Vijay and Raj TV are out of question.

What the Tamil audience at large lack is a proper Tamil / English news channel which covers all happenings in the state and also be able to provide the truth. At this rate, I definitely feel those days are not too far away.

3 on the trot

Chennai would have made history if only today’s match between India and South Africa had taken place. For one reason that Sachin Tendulkar would have played the most number of one day internationals than any other in the history of the game, 357. The record earlier was in the hands of the legendary fast bowler from Pakistan, Wasim Akram. Unfortunately a different history was made three games continuously have so far been abandoned in this very same M.A. Chidambaram stadium.

First it was the match between India and Australia in October, 2003.
Next was the test match between India and New Zealand in November last year.
And finally today’s match between India and South Africa.
Incidentally, all the three had one common thing, apart from being played in Chennai, all the matches were abandoned for the same reason. Which is a bad weather condition…precisely heavy downpour.

The south Indian belt is known to receive most of its rainfall from the North – Eastern monsoon which sets during the time of late October and early November and continues till the mid week of December. So, was the BCCI not aware of this when preparing the itinerary or did they underestimate Mother Nature...? A mistake is a mistake only when it is done once…3 on the trot is utter foolishness.

The TNCA (Tamil Nadu Cricket Association) for its part has made a clear print in the ticket itself, “Under no circumstance shall any refund be given”, adding to the misery of the already disappointed cricketing fans. The reason, last year when a similar abandoning took place one die hard cricket fan filed a case that money should be refunded. To prevent all this, the TNCA this time printed clearly “no refund at any cost”. First of all is it right on part of it, when not even one ball is being bowled? Certainly I don’t think so, if the match is abandoned half way through then I can understand but in a situation like this I vehemently feel that refund should be given if not 100%, say atleast 50%. I wish some rule of this sort comes into effect, definitely the Indian board would care a little about keeping matches during this time of the year leave alone refund to the spectators. This sounds as the Height of Optimism.

So, the end result is the series is in a balance, whoever wins the next 2 matches alone can clinch the series. And Eden Gardens is the place where Sachin will make his landmark of playing the most number of caps for India.

THE THREE TASKS

Mr. Mike Newell has indeed done a good job. Well, first of all a big Hi..!! to all Potter fans out there. Today I managed to see the latest of the Harry Potter sequel, namely “HARRY POTTER and THE GOBLET OF FIRE”. Well wow..!! may be too small of a word to describe the movie. But by far this is one of the best of the Harry Potter movies to come out.

A great job indeed by the director, at the same time I have to accept the fact that a lot of things are missing when compared to the book. The starting of the movie itself is something really different. Actually I wanted to see the Quiddich world cup. For those of you who don’t have any clue about Quiddich…all I can say it’s similar to soccer but you fly in brooms rather than run with your legs. The whole first part of the movie has really been rushed through. But the sets are just magnificent and spectacular display of technology.

At the same time this movie didn’t disappoint in many ways, the three tasks which are the prime events of the book have been picturised in the most spectacular way as one can imagine. The man playing the role of Mr. Albus Dumbledore however disappointed in many ways, actually the original man who played this role unfortunately died and he was replaced with a real joker who just over played his part.

Though the hype with regard to the movie is not that high compared to the release of the sixth book…it does satisfy one in many ways.

On the whole it’s a must watch for all Potter fans…!!

CULTURAL POLICING

Well most of India would know this by now, ‘most’ never includes states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and many more can be added. These states are a class apart and can never be included in anything except for scams. We hear people from different walks of life commenting about this – Sania Mirza, Narain Karthikeyan and even the recently crowned Miss Universe talks about this. Even Mrs. Suhasini Manirathnam commented about this and ultimately landed in trouble. I pray that the others don’t land in trouble.

By now most of you would have guessed what I have been trying to say. It’s what one can say as the most stupid thing to crop up – apparently it is the “Kushboo comment on pre - marital sex”. For those who don’t know there is a temple built in the name of the actress…sounds funny but my dear friends this is indeed true, an ardent fan of her built a temple for her when she was in her peak of career. So what has happened to the temple…as of now I don’t have any clue as to what happened to it.

The cause for all this hue and cry regarding Mrs. Kushboo is her statement to a magazine regarding pre – marital sex. Actually what she said was and is her opinion. For heaven sake we are living in a democratic country…remember the fundamental rights of a citizen of the country – “RIGHT TO SPEAK”. What has happened to this, have we forgotten it? It’s her voice of opinion, so why do we take it so seriously. To tell you something, there have so far been 9 cases against her and she is in conditional bail. The worst part is Mrs. Suhasini Manirathnam who supported her did have the piece of cake, 7 cases against her.

The media in the country is taking a different spectrum be it print or electronic. The electronic media makes even the smallest of the issues a big one and manifolds it to a much greater extent, there by increasing the misery of the people. Next the judicial system, isn’t our judicial system pro – active, or should I say over active. Why do they encourage cases of this sort? Can’t it just ignore cases of this kind when there are so many cases pending which require action and it wastes its time on petty issues like this? The result of all this, the print media has been able to increase its circulation by over utilizing the subject and the local media gives top priority to this in their prime time news. (I don’t have to tell you which one…?)

Why can’t we put a full stop to the whole issue and carry on with other works…? Definitely one is prone to irritation when he persistently gets to hear news of this sort. Are we not targeting women in this country – firstly it was Sania Mirza regarding her dress code, next is this. Let’s have a break, why don’t we just carry on with our work and stop poking our noses into issues which don’t concern us in any way.

Well I wonder what if a woman files a case saying that Mrs. Kushboo has in no way offended us – then what would the judicial system have in reply for it…

BRIGHT DAYS AHEAD...

At last my exams got over after a well fought battle with nature. Thanks to the persistent rains my exams which was supposed to get over on Nov 3rd, ultimately got over today. For a change we had our holidays before our exams.
Well the most challenging part in a student’s career would definitely be examinations. They slog too much, definitely not the slog overs of cricket. This is a much tougher one... Speaking of cricket, brings me to the topic, the recently concluded Ind – SL ODI series, was a real treat to watch. The Men in Blue under the watchful eyes of Mr. Chappell and under the leadership of our newly crowned captain have indeed become a new and energized team to watch out for. Though hockey is the national game of the country, cricket has overshadowed it to a greater extent. People have become real fanatics of the game. And when the team makes a thumping victory like this, the joy in all cricket lovers is unimaginable (me included). I don’t think India has won a series in this fashion 6 -1, more so like a set won in the game of tennis. Though we got screwed in the hands of Zimbabwe, this team looks really rejuvenated. At this rate, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Men in Blue lift the world cup for the second time… (Actually could have been for the third time... if not for that erratic first over by Zaheer...) But what has happened has happened. So beware cricketing nations of the world!!

red...Orange...GREEN!!

Hi people.Well I've decided to start my own blog..finally!..after an inspiration from my uncle Mr.Nagarajan. He wanted me to write something so that I keep myself occupied.. so thought about this. Thanks to him.Next will be my friend Kanishkaa, he too desrves the credit.
With regards to the title, I have been trying various options but all in vain and accidently this one clicked. I hope this is easy for you to remember.As of now I have decided to pen down things which happen around me and things which fancy me a lot. Hope you enjoy my work...and keep dropping in your comments. It would be even more better if you could add this to your favorites...