Winning at Cricket - ‘Toss the coin at the auspicious time’
CRICKET: Astrology which was hitherto associated with
auspicious times,timing of national events and the political fortunes of
the country’s Parliamentarians found its way into the realm of sports
the other day as Sri Lanka’s cricketers were progressing into cricket
world cup final in the West Indies known for its voodoo.
Mahela and boys would have been buoyed to know the way well known
forecasters were vying with each other to make bold predictions on the
fortunes of our players based on planetary movements and the advice
proffered based on time charts to be acted upon if Sri Lanka is to hold
aloft the coveted trophy.
The advice ranged from the specific time the players should board the
team bus to prognostications on the batting prowess of Sanath Jayasuriya
on a particular day and the moment the Lankan Captain should go out for
the toss.
One forecaster even went to the extent of declaring that a particular
match would be won on that day purely on the favourable planetary
positions of Sanath Jayasuriya who alas came a cropper.
These were not mere mundane forecasts but bore the stamp of
inevitability with each star gazer coming out with their own
calculations on which time to follow and which malefic period to avoid
in the quest for the World cup.
We are not aware if the cricketers were wired this advise by the
local Cricket Board and that if they made their moves in conformity with
the astrological guidelines. But the whole affair is bound to open up a
new flank in the uses of astrology for the success of Sri Lankan sports.
Given the success achieved by Sri Lanka’s cricketers in the run up to
the final it would not be a bad idea if the local Criketing hierarchy
obtain the birth charts of all our cricketers and hire some of the best
astrologers in the country to guide the destinies of the Lankan team .
They could easily be found passage to accompany the team abroad too
given the number of non cricketing personages who took wing to the
Caribbean for the mega event.Our boys could surely be expected to come
up with star performances what with their every move being guided by the
constellations.
For instance there would be advise of when to leave for the toss and
the exact time for the players to take the field.Bowling changes could
be made based on the result of calculations made from the birth chart of
each individual player.So too with the timing of successful appeals.
Calculations could also be made on which among the opening pair of
batsman should precede his partner when going to the middle and the
specific time they should take guard.
The opening pair of bowlers could linger for that extra second or two
before unleashing the red cherry for successful results as pre-ordained
by the planets while a batsmen may be advised on the specific time to
make the first run of the innings leading to a successful outcome.
Change in the batting order could also be effected depending on who
would perform better in the middle at a particular time while
unnecessary no balls could also be avoided by bringing on a fast bowler
known for his propensity to over step, at a specific time in the day.
Our Cricketing astrologers could also be called upon to assist in the
event of a Duckworth and Lewis fiasco by sending out the most potent
batsman who could get the required runs in the truncated time or
employing a bowler who could do the damage, based on the stars.A batsman
could also be advised when to give it the heave-ho that would send the
ball to the galaxies that aided his power hitting.
The practice could also be extended to cover the Olympics where
Susanthika Jayasinghe could be told the exact time she should settle on
the starter’s block or pull out of the competition due a rahu apaley.
Rambler
Gilly’s balls
CRICKET: Adam Gilchrist or Gilly to his friends and colleagues
had two balls. One in his hand and the other ball he sent to all corners
of the Kensington Oval with such power that friends and foes were
equally mesmerised and flabbergasted.
It was sheer power hitting!
Whether he was helped by the ball in the hand or not should be proved
beyond reasonable doubt.
Similar to the probe that was made to find the legality of Murali’s
bowling action they should find some device to find whether Gilly’s ball
helped him to hammer our bowlers to oblivion.
Or else the ICC should make carrying extra balls when going out to
bat legal and that will add to the number of accessories that a
cricketer is allowed which includes headgear and other protective pads
to safeguard vital organs.
But whatever it is we Sri Lankans will always play this “alien”
gentleman’s game exactly the way gentlemen should play. And although we
were squarely beaten we won’t in any circumstances find excuses to
detract from the defeat we experienced.
Our captain Mahela praised the Aussies including Gilchrist and never
mentioned anything about Gilly’s so-called balls. And when Sanga grassed
a vital catch he signalled that he had not caught the ball. Will any
player in any team playing in a vital game like the World Cup final ever
do a thing like that?
In any case Gilly’s balls have become a hot topic to all and sundry.
But upto now no one from our cricket team had made an official complaint
with regard to the legality of having an extra ball in one’s hand when
hitting the other ball over the ropes. If the ICC finds it illegal they
might need a scanner to detect the extra balls hidden in cricketers’
bodies.
Anyway one last advice to Mr. Gilchrist. Hereafter keep your balls
hidden and do not show them off after completing a century.
Dear Gilly,
It is better to keep THEM where THEY belong rather than exposing THEM
to the broad public and turning your victory a very hollow one!
Silly Mid Off |