Salutations to the power of imagination

Imagination is such an amazing thing. It transforms one’s thinking and cuts across spectrums.
When I first heard about the half-clay, half-grass Rafael Nadal-Roger Federer match, I got that irresistible gush of adrenaline…that unexplainable feeling, the feeling of F***…Oh My God…what an idea!
There are some ideas that floor you the moment you hear them and the ‘Battle of Surfaces’ takes the cake. Credit also to Rafa and Roger for agreeing to play such a unique match.
The envelope has just been stretched. So, let me stretch it a little further. How about having four different surfaces for the four quarters of a tennis court.… is that next? The first hurdle will the footwear used by the players. But I am sure shoe manufacturing companies will come up with an all-surface shoe if that happens.
Can the same idea be tried out in cricket too, to ascertain the best team for all surfaces? Can a surface be made, where half the pitch is from Perth and the other half from Chepauk. Would it not be a mind boggling prospect if that happens.
Why not something freakish also in Formula 1. Why don’t all the drivers be given Ferraris or McLarens just for one race to see who is best driver is?
Why not have Alonso drive a Spyker for one race. Let’s also see Karthikeyan compete in a Ferrari for one whole season.
Let’s see if the envelope can be stretched further.

PS: Comments on how innovative things like ‘Battle of Surfaces’ can be done in other sports are welcome.

stoptheaussies.com

Perfect is boring. In times where the Australian ruthless has been drawing awe, cricket enthusiasts have to resort to praying rather than expecting opposition to raise their standard. Beating Aussies in World Cups will soon be as rare as England winning the Ashes. How often does that happen…19 years at last count!

Teams in other sports have dominated like Australia, but that has happened only in phases. In fact in 2002, Michael Schumacher was winning with such robotic efficiency that that the FIA had to change some rules to stop him and Ferrari. It’s a different matter that Schumacher won the title even the next season, but was less lethal.

Can the ICC, easily the world’s most impotent body, do something similar! Like Shaun Tait cannot bowl more than 145kmph, McGrath has to compulsorily bowl two balls on leg stump every over, Hogg should inform the batsman before bowling a googly.

Matthew Hayden is no doubt a great batsman. But on a lighter side, he could go down in history as the one who forced the umpires to wear helmets while officiating.
Can somebody please tell him there is a demarcated area on the pitch called the crease, where normal batsmen are supposed to stand while facing up to the bowler and not half-way down the pitch. And Ricky Ponting, can you please play for India?

Enough of singing praises of the Aussies let’s get down to some way to stop them.
South African Airways, in their ad had suggested the best way to beat the Aussies. Put them on the wrong flight. After their semi-final mauling, they sure would have liked to.
Add purgatives in their breakfast on the morning of the final.
Allow Muralitharan to bowl 25 overs.
Let the whole Lankan team bat twice.
Play the final at Premadasa.

Ok. By now you must have realized that even me in my most sane mood, have to resort to insanity to counter the Aussies.

This World Cup many captains and coaches have resigned. After the semi-final even I’m resigned… resigned to my fate of seeing the Aussies coming to India in 2011 still as World Champions.
Australia, take a bow.

Under the Southern Cross I stand.
A Sprig of wattle in my hand
A native of my native land
Australia, you bloody beauty

Don’t want them to sing this song at Barbados…the Australian team song which they sing after every win.

Lankans make sure you turn up unlike the Proteas.
GOD can you do something about it…please?

— A disgruntled Australia hating cricket fan