The Slower One

Now that the season is over, like true champions, we shall analyze our fall season's performance in this and upcoming articles. We expect phantom reports from our special anti-consultant [you just do opposite of what he says] Appu. In this article we want to talk about the find of this past season - the slower one. Actually it should be 'the slower ones' as there are two versions which has come to the fore, this season - the 3M version and the abracadabra version.

The biggest worry for the team is the out-of-form of Mummoorthy, the 3M, the real slower one. 3M has come in 'XL' size this season, that's a double upgrade straight from 'M'. We didn't know that that when somebody is out-of-form he also cant field and catch. It has become appallingly clear that 3M will make a very good typist as can be witnessed whenever any round object approaches in towards him. But being a phoenix like Sachin Tendulkar, 3M has promised to rise from [after] the Ashes [series] and work on the basics and get fit and in touch before the spring season. These days, anything anybody wants to give 3M, he wants them to roll it as a ball and throw at him. That way he can practice simple catching. This is in addition to his daily running - hundred rounds around the dining table at his place. Now this has become so serious that he refuses to read the emails we send unless we print it out and roll it into a ball and throw at him. Well, it's all for the team's cause and that's what is defined as "commitment" in oxford dictionary!

The abracadabra slower one is the slickest salvo that has worked well for the Virtual Realists this season. This slower one from the Yagna's repertoire has worked every time as can be seen from his tally of wickets for the season. The Captain too has cleverly used this reliable weapon as part of the team's strategy, e.g. the breakthroughs in the final title match. So what does this ball do? The ball is actually delivered in the off spin release, a typical slow ball variation used by legendary pace bowlers, with the normal stride. The unique thing here being the gripping of the ball by Yagna which doesnt involve the thumb at all! Normally the batsman doesnt have to worry with Y's bowling as it is harmless at best. But then how would he expect such a bowler to even have a variation and that too a slower one? There in lies the secret power. Surprisingly our own 3M refuses to believe in the slow ball strategy. But then he doesn't believe in so many other things like "Sachin" the phenomenon. Didn't we say that 3M has lots to catch up with?

[next an ode to the three new soogies (rookies)]