7 Things England Can do ....

So much talk is going on about England's lowest ever in its cricket history. Here are 7 things that they can do to improve the situation.

1. Invent a time machine: Go back to the 18th century, and change the law to something as follows: Criminals would remain in England, and for each criminal one innocent person would be exported to Australia. This reverse chain reaction would have created a strong England team (i.e. Aus team).

2. LBW: Remove LBW law from the cricket rules. This allows a perfect replacement of England cricket team with their stronger football (soccer) team. Players like Beckham, Gerrard will play far far better than the current cricket team: of course they'll kick every ball.

3. Medal of Shame: Just because they won ONE Ashes series, all of them got MOH awards. Now, establish a rule that allows the Queen to present Medal of Shame. May be then at least Flintoff's proud players will do something.

4. Make the ECB pay a bonus every time Duncan Fletcher smiles. He usually has a look as though he has just been robbed of 1m$.

5. Attack Shane Warne....by sledging
Invent more sledging methods against players like Shane warne. One particular example: Ian Bell walks in the middle. Before facing his first ball, he gets a ring from his mobile. He takes out the phone, and says 'Oh text message....dirty one', Shane it is for you, from a nurse". During the drinks break, ask Shane if he needs some drugs, and you could get it for him through the england dressing room. etc, etc!

6. Bring down Mc Grath...
Before the start of a test match, put lots of cricket balls completely covering the ground. Wait & Pray that Mc Grath will step on to one of them. That ball also would be awarded a 'Medal of Honor'.

7. Pieterson (reminds me of a frog)
Teach him not to come down the track for every ball, and it is PERFECTLY okay to play from the crease. Currently he has fractured his rib, and remind him that something else could be broken too....
>>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dROB7_eZa14<<


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P.S: Just for fun!!!

Title Defence Off To a Shaky Start

:: by Harish ::

Friday was the day when the Spring Season of the Indoor League kicked off. We started our campaign against Down N Out at 10 pm. Prior to the match, there was a team meeting where team ‘KAPTAN ‘ Mummoorthy addressed the team explaining the new strategy of giving responsibilities to a set of 5 players in both the batting and bowling dept. and encouraging all of us to give our best shot. Kicha, our toss man, won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first. Kicha and Kaushik opened the batting. Moorthy’s advice seemed to have the right effect on our openers who batted beautifully.

Kaushik in particular was in sublime form driving and flicking off his hips. He seemed to be in exceptional touch. Kicha at the other end was scratchy to start with but then grew in confidence. Our opponents seemed down and out and were clueless about how to bowl to our openers. After a good solid start the openers fell in quick succession. Kaushik was looking to accelerate when he fell trying to clear long on. Kicha who had always problems sighting the ball (inspite of new eye glasses with correct vision) followed him. Jaggu and Sreeram replaced them, lived dangerously. The calling and running between the wickets kept us at the edge of our seats. Jaggu soon was walking back after a terrible mix up. What followed was chaotic, a procession of wickets. We finished at 90, an average score considering the start. It was up to our bowlers to deliver the goods. Moorthy and Jaggu were as usual lively and were giving problems to their openers. After the initial break thru wickets started falling. Yagna, Bharath and Koushik who replaced our opening bowlers also chipped in with useful wickets. They were 5 down for around 30 and things looked rosy. The tide turned. Positive batting from their lower order and some bad bowling from us kept the match interesting. Kicha, our coach [ரொம்ப கோச்சுகிறவன்] for the match, was livid and was really upset with the number of extras we were conceding [46 for this match]. They needed 30 from the last 5. Game on. Yagna bowled an amazing over where he was on the spot and gave nothing away. After that over the match was pretty much sealed. Finally, Bharath finished the match by bowling a tight last over. We had scrapped through!

We had won but our performance left a lot to be desired. After the game Ashwin and Moorthy worried about our performance in the match and how we needed to tighten up our game for us to defend the title successfully. I am sure we will get better as there is scope for tons of improvement.

Bottom line: Ashwin, Bharath, Harish, Jaggu, Karthik, Kaushik, Kicha, Moorthy, Sreeram, Yagna

[greener the normal, bluish the better, reddish the worse]

May you rest in peace, Nattu!

Hey almighty! Move over and share that seat with our beloved founder of Virtual Reality. For you had already committed the mistake of taking him on your team, a lot early.

Nattu (Natraj Iyer to all those poor souls who didn't get to know him) met with a fatal accident on 31st Dec, 2006, exactly a week ago. Its reported that his van went airborne on hitting the median and landed on the opposite side of the highway and rolled to a stop. I pray for his soul to rest in peace.

Imagine a bag of or a room full of, even better imagine a truckload of ideas generated every minute. Add to that the maximum amount of cheer, indomitable spirit and sea full of friendliness and now you can get an idea of what a person Nattu was. Nattu may not be known for punctuality, geekiness, astonishing mathematical skills etc. But if you were looking for a smart, cherubic, team leader with perseverance and a go-getter, Nattu would have been the ideal answer.

One fine day in 2002/3, Nattu uttered that the official team of Purdue university cricket club (PUCC) is no more the place for enjoying cricket especially when it comes to the indoor tournaments. Everyone doesn't get a fair chance to play and its only a set of 3 or 4 people who get to do anything. Nattu included yours truly and Srini (another specimen from PRECISE+Tamil combination) into an immediate high level committee and thereby was born PUCC II team. Even though people were discontent with the PUCC affairs they were not willing to do anything about it. Nattu put the foot forward and formed the new combination that included an amazing set of individuals ranging from great talents to sheer hobbyists. But they were a team! They gained instant accolades and went on to win tournaments. Then PUCC II became 'Nawab's navaratan Biryani' reflecting the color of desi life with the right spices. And after the Brownestone Gang merger along with Tamilisation became the present 'Virtual Reality', the current ruling champions. And it all started with you Nattu, we'll remember you for that.

Having worked with Nattu in the Shape Search group, which once again was the result of his idea, and have founded and played with him as PUCC II and also have partied with Nattu and gang, I can certainly tell you that Natraj was a great team leader who is simply fun and joy to work with or party with or whatever you may choose to do. Our deep heartfelt condolences go to Emily, Nattu's remaining half. We shall cherish those memories, oh Nattu, may your soul rest in peace. You were a true sport!