12 Wednesday 14th September, 2011 The Island Features

his point of destination. The white lady , , overhearing the conversation was a lit- tle bit upset it and asked Sobers whether he had no confidence in her? In SL, then called Smilingly, Sir Garfield replied, “I want- ed to get it in Black and White!” Ceylon, was This under no circumstances means that what I have mentioned above about played in a strictly ortho- the six is a ‘white lie’! The fact remains true. Anyone who knows about the six of dox manner to the very AJDN is welcome to shed more light to letter. In other words, it the fact in this column. It will delight the readers and enlighten them. was copybook cricket Ravi Shastri in 1985 bombarded for Bombay with an explosive played in the correct style against Baroda and levelled the feat in first class cricket. BY SINNATHAMBY SIVANANDAN copybook cricket played in the correct your feet and body move- Herschelle Gibbs with his gullible style your feet and body movement artic- ment articulating appropri- sixes became the first to score six sixes six in cricket is very much adored ulating appropriately, which means bril- in a One-day International match for and admired by all the spectators liant strokeplay of elegance. ately, which means bril- South Africa, against Netherlands in Aalike irrespective to the camp Spectators were spellbound watching 2007. Nevertheless, Netherlands was a they belong. It delights everyone and the ball being carried forward in the liant strokeplay of ele- novice. makes the game lively. Panadura bound express train. It was a Within a space of six months, Yuvraj Aggressive, elegant sixes well played real entert(r)ainment to everyone in the gance. Singh, minus the turban in Durban, hit are a real treat to the eyes and applaud- ground. The coach would have been awe- Spectators were spell- six broad spectrum sixes to Broad ed by all. struck at the well-timed and train-ed against England and levelled the feat of Cricket is a game of glorious uncer- strike! bound watching the ball Gibbs. Thereafter he became a ‘You- tainties with fluctuating fortunes. In the To the utter bewilderment and amaze- Tube Singh’ of great fame. run chase during nail-biting finishes, ment of the railway guard, a being carried forward in On the highest number of sixes in sixes smashed tilt the balance and tip ‘Kookaburra’ came inside the wagon ODIs; ‘Boom Boom’ Afridi tops with 289 the scales towards a side that would have with the wings clipped, continuing the the Panadura bound and ‘Master Blaster’ Sanath follows with poised to lose. These crucial, sensational motion with seams intact in the steam express train. It was 270. Their prolific scores and the sixth dramas bring endless joy to the fans and locomotive. sense to hit sizzling sixes in much pleasant memories to relish and cherish The railway guard, unlike Isaac a real entert(r)ain- fun, frolic and fanfare in the stadium. all our lifetime. Newton or Albert Einstein, did not get I am afraid Afridi’s African safari in Technically a six is a boundary in any innovative notion of motion other ment to everyone in Kenya in 1996 was a ‘hatari’ to Sri which the ball is hit over the rope and than the velocity of the intercity train. Lanka. The pinch-hitter punched, pul- adds six runs to the batsman. A bound- He deposited the ball in his serge coat; the ground. The verised and pulped SL. It was like a hur- ary bounces within the rope and clears promptly handed it over to the Station coach would have ricane in just 37 balls scored a brilliant, the boundary line adding four runs to Master at Panadura. The continued brisk yet risky with 17 sixes the batsman. motion of the ball came to a stationary been awe-struck at and he thus tops the table of hitting the When big talkers hold the floor and end at the station thereby offering a ball highest number of ODI sixes too. talk tall in the midst of us, we raise both to the SM to care for without doing ‘ball the well-timed train- ‘Master Blaster’ Sanath is another our hands and indirectly make gestures tampering’! maestro with none to match. He is a real signalling sixes. When the bragging goes The ball was finally retrieved much to strike! treat to watch with his firebrand power- even beyond, we then hint “lost ball.” the amusement of the ‘Mustang’ tent. ,, packed strokes. His cool composure and Unbelievable! You may call this a siz- Management could have preserved the elegance in executing the strokes zling story of a magnificent six of a ball as a monument for the posterity to enhances his stylish stroke-play. mega magnitude or a scintillating six of remember the treasured memories of Perhaps everyone knows he was The hurricane and hectic innings of significance with all its genuineness the glorious six. the first person to hit six sixes off a both are a proof of the Indian subconti- deserving a place in the Guinness Book The lanky, dandy lad, clad in cricket- single six-ball over on 31 Aug., 1968 nent cricket clout. It will forever linger of Records as the longest six. A high ing flannels, was a very versatile and for Nottinghamshire. The unlucky in the minds of the cricketing fans the handled act with a long handle! popular sportsman who hailed from a A.J.D.N. Selvadurai bowler was Malcolm Nash, a seam world over. The modern technological This feat was accomplished by a very elite, eminent and highly renowned bowler who opted to switch from pace to advancement enables us to refresh now Thomian cricketer, who represented and illustrious family. His younger titles, like his contemporary colleague in spin and paid the price for his folly. and then in the You Tube and relish and Ceylon then. He was none other than A. brother D. J. N. Selvadurai (Bobby) was the Thomian team, ex Prime Minster Nash got mashed, bashed and cherish the old memories. J. D. N. Selvadurai (Devanayagam), a another flamboyant flap-eared stalwart Dudley Senanayke. He was a very close smashed; a swashbuckling feat by Adorable Adam Gilchrist with 100 sixes young, tall and handsome cricketer in in cricket at college; a good striker of associate of the then Minister of Sports, Garfield over the outfield by being quick has scored the highest number of sixes in his prime. It is said the round-rimmed the ball with both the bat and the rac- the late V. A.Sugathadasa, and con- in his feet. . The left-handed -keep- bespectacled cricketer, with his dexteri- quet. Sports is in the DNA of the AJDN tributed much for the development of There is a yarn to the effect. Once er batsman, with his high-handle grip, is a ty, wielded the willow in real style and family. sports. when Sir Sobers was travelling in a class of his own in hitting exhilarating lofted a spectacular six in an encounter He ended up as a prominent Proctor The Caribbean cricketer Sir Garfield London Transport Bus, he checked with sixes to the exasperation of the bowlers. at a cricket ground in Slave Island which practising at the Law Courts of Sobers was really an astounding, out- a white lady commuter about the where- He walks out of the crease if he is out went soaring high and landed inside the Hulftsdorf. A veteran in tennis, he was standing and brilliant all-rounder; a abouts of the destination where he was without waiting for the umpire’s decision break van of a moving express train. in the SLTA tennis courts in the maestro in the arena during the late six- supposed to get down. While continuing even if ruled ‘’ by them in doubtful In SL, then called Ceylon, cricket was evenings. All his deuces were of no ties who had left a legacy for the posteri- the journey, he got acquainted with circumstances. played in a strictly orthodox manner to undue advantage for the ace to win a ty to always ponder and wonder. another black lady in the bus and casu- He now captains the Punjab XI and is the very letter. In other words, it was perfect match though he won several ally cross checked with her too about in the midst of ‘Bajajs’ and ‘Bhajjies.’ England confirmed against India that they have developed Australian-like aggression

If England carry on performing like Test cricket, there have been two stand-out this, they could easily achieve the clean teams that have dominated no matter what sweep against India and win the series the conditions – first West Indies, then 4-0. Australia. I don’t know if England are dominating By Shane Warne or are a clear-cut No?1 but they are proba- bly the best side in the world right now, just ahead of South Africa. But it is hard to ngland are improving and have a judge how good England are because India hunger for victory.They have a good have been so poor. Eteam spirit and, as It has been too easy for England. India says, they can still improve. Don’t forget have just rolled over. The best side in the they were 124 for eight on day one of this world misfields every ball on the boundary game. and let them through for four. MS Dhoni But most impressive about England was can’t hold on to his takes behind the stumps Umpire Marais Erasmus, center, how aggressively they approached the situ- and the looks pedestrian. ation. When Australia were on top and dom- speaks to England’s , India have to bounce back to make this right, and during their inating world cricket, the things we wanted a competitive series and the lead has to to do were score fast, take the game away Alastair Cook’s side making cricket match come from Dhoni. He needs to lift everyone. against India at Lord’s cricket from the opposition and intimidate the tail. He looks too nonchalant at the moment. England are doing all those and show- ground, London, Sunday, Sept. 11, He has lost his positive body language. 2011. (AP) ing qualities that will make them No1 if The has to set the tone with the solid progress but still they continue to play like this. fielding. He cannot hang on to a ball behind This match turned because of the the stumps and that is hurting his captain- stick to Plan A and damage limitation. England bowlers’ aggressive mindset. They cy, and having an impact on the So it was partly with England’s assis- were able to make the pitch look completely whole team. He needs to work really hard vulnerable against spin tance that India enjoyed their best pas- different from when the Indian bowlers on his keeping over the next week because sage of play this summer, the nearest the were toiling. you can’t carry on like that. England are becoming a solid one-day to start against Kieswetter, Alastair tourists have come to getting on top. At times the pitch looked flat when There is an argument that says he team. Another victory on Sunday, at Cook and Jonathan Trott in the five This is the worst tour of England that India were bowling but, by showing intensi- should not be playing the next game internationals which are sure to be on India have had since 1974, when again a ty,aggression and a lot of hunger to be best Lord’s against the World Cup holders, because he can’t keep hold of the ball. and England will have won every one- slow, dry turners. The first 15 overs of pop-gun pace attack could not begin to in the world, England demonstrated what compete with England’s; but an end to Dhoni is a quality person and leader so I day series except for two against England’s innings in India could see as could be achieved. their recession is in sight because of am sure he will turn it around but deep Australia since their ‘Cultural much pad-play as Powerplay. It was thoroughly impressive watching down he will feel a bit embarrassed about It will be instructive if Surrey open their young batsmen who cannot only Revolution’ of January 2009. the England fast bowlers in action. how it has been going. their bowling against Somerset next bowl, like Jadeja, but also field. Their intensity and the relentless way His team have real concerns. The bowl- Saturday with a spinner in the CB40 Previous generations of Indian crick- they attacked the batsmen gave India no ing has not looked at all threatening and By Scyld Berry final, also at Lord’s. Kieswetter plans to eters never dived around, but the new respite. They honed in and battered the top India desperately need Zaheer Khan’s vari- drive up the motorway from Cardiff stadiums which their wealthy board order of India. ety and experience. They have to do every- nder Alastair Cook, Englandare straight after England’s fifth ODI ends have built have included sprinkler-sys- England are not carrying anyone. thing they can to get him fit for Edgbaston. finding a way to win games - even on Friday evening, in his attempt to end tems that have made diving a far less Everyone is on top of their game. Kevin As far as the batting is concerned, it is Uif they are also finding a way to Somerset’s record of losing their last six dusty and injurious pastime. The will- Pietersen is in fine form, moves up three down, all down. If you get Sachin look horribly vulnerable against spin, finals. But at least if Surrey open their ingness of young Indian players to to three and plays brilliantly but you can’t Tendulkar, and VVS Laxman which portends ill for their return series bowling with a spinner, Kieswetter may throw, and extend, themselves is a sign keep him there permanently because out, the rest all follow suit because they in India next month. They will be glad have as an opening that India will not drop below mid-table Jonathan Trott is doing so well. can’t handle the intensity of the situation. the Lord’s pitch (No 9 on the square) for partner to slog-sweep him out of the in any format — just as Australia, equal- scored runs here, Alastair The way some of the Indians play the Sunday’s international has not been attack. ly blessed with batsmen and fielders, are Cook will come good again and only Strauss short ball is embarrassing. Suresh Raina used yet this season, which will reduce Cook, meanwhile, should have now regenerating rapidly in . is not contributing with the bat, but he is just does not look like a Test player when the impact of India’s spinners. learned from making a mistake at the England’s job over the next two leading the side superbly. the ball is dug in. He is OK in and pitch had not been used Oval and still emerging with a 2-0 lead. months is to make themselves some- did not have a good one-day matches because teams can’t bowl either, before the third international on He ignored James Anderson, who had thing more than solid: to unearth some game here but that can happen, and it is not that many short balls at him, but in Test Friday. But its dampness and softness taken three on a greenish seam- flair in addition to Eoin Morgan’s which, easy bowling spin against the Indians. He cricket they can batter him. gave India their first sniff of a victory er, from the 14th until the 43rd over, and in four years’ time, can turn semi-final- will bounce back. It is time for India to show some fight over England on this tour, when the left- thereby allowed India to rehabilitate ists into World Cup winners. needed a kick up the butt and why they are the best team in the arm spinner Ravi Jadeja and off-spinner from 58 for five to the extent their lower has this quality, but his and hopefully Strauss and the selectors told world. I would like them to give us more Ravi Ashwin exposed the lack of foot- order scored 176 from the last 31 overs. batting against spin has such a long way him before the Lord’s Test: “If you don’t do spirit, intensity in the field and pride in work that is still inherent in English - The Book of England’s Attacking to go that he can only be a part of well, you’re out mate.” He has responded their performance. and South African - batsmanship. One-day Captains is shorter than England’s squad in India, not the 50-over well and it was lucky he did given the way Don’t worry about money or glamour. The way Craig Kieswetter played at Wisden, if it exists at all; and, world- XI. So do two brilliant young batsmen, Tim Bresnan is playing. This is Test match cricket. India need a lift his last three balls from Jadeja - in vain - wide, the only time that any captain in who can also keep wicket rather less When you become No1 in the world it is and have to find something special in next after a brilliant opening sally against the field seems to attack the batsman is brilliantly: and Jonathan all about depth. Look at England and the two Tests starting at Edgbaston. India’s medium-pacers, has created a rod in the batting Power-play, when the field Bairstow. By the next World Cup, as players on the fringe. Guys such as Chris for England’s backs next month. Ashwin has to be brought in. But next time Cook will have gone by then, Tremlett, Graham Onions and Steven Finn © The Telegraph Group, opens the bowling in the Indian Premier has the chance to finish off an opposi- England will need one or the other, with were not playing at Trent Bridge. London, 2011 League, and he can already be inked in tion in bowling conditions, he must not or without Kieswetter. If you look back over the past 30 years of