Reviews, Reflections, Recollections

Just a blog filled with my usual irreverent observations about life and all that.

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Location: Singapore, Singapore

enjoys reading and is perpetually trying to find space for all of the books he owns in his room. He also enjoys films, and in particular, going to the cinema. Although a self-confessed trivia buff, reports that he is an insufferable know-it-all are completely unfounded. He enjoys a nice glass of tipple now and then, be it a pint of beer, a glass of wine or a single malt whisky.

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

The Ashes: What A Series

Most of last evening was spent listening to BBC Five Live's broadcast of the last day of the final test of the Ashes. Like many other people worldwide, I was captivated by this larger than life series, and it was perhaps typical of the excitement of the series as a whole that the test and the Ashes hung in the balance right up to the last day. This series and this match in particular, proved beyond doubt that cricket can be captivating, exciting, edge of your seat kind of stuff, and it has surely done an immense amount to spread cricket to the mainstream.

It was definitely excellent stuff, especially what has to be a career defining knock by Ashes rookie Kevin Pietersen. Considering the great controversy that had surrounded his selection, with England stalwart Graham Thorpe in the running by till the final days of the first test, Pietersen has more than lived by to expectations, scoring an innings that saved England and earned him man of the match honours. To score your maiden test hundred is often difficult enough, to do so with the Ashes hanging in the balance, under untold amounts of pressure is taking it to another level, and Pietersen has done so, has innings of 158 was magnificent, not just for the brashness and flair in which an Ashes record 7 sixes were sent flying, but in equal measure for the level of maturity and doggedness that he showed in ensuring that England were safe. I wrote in an earlier post about Pietersen's heroics in the NatWest series, and I was always a huge supporter of him being part of the Ashes squad and I am extremely glad that the confidence the selectors placed in him, as well as his own much vaunted confidence in himself, has been very much vindicated. With this knock he even ended up as the highest runs scorer in the series to boot - not bad for a rookie

Pietersen annoys cricket traditionalists because he is a larger than life character. From his hairstyle which is a cross between that of a skunk and a cockatoo, to his bravado and love of taking the centre-stage, he has annoyed any number of people. Then there are the criticisms against his playing style, which can be described as 'devil may care' - going for broke on every shot and attacking every ball. While it can be unorthodox to say the least, and is certain to give any top level coach heart palpitations, this is the stuff that the neutrals, the mass public, everyone who has previously derided cricket in their lives, responds to. Sport is life in a glass bubble, a reflection of life in small scale, magnifying each emotions, be it the euphoria of success or the bitter disappointment of defeat. This Ashes has been memorable partly for the depth of emotion shown - be it Pietersen grandstanding to the crowd, or Warne appealing energetically for an out after another one of his trademark swinging balls.

So all in all, what a grand occasion, what a wonderful series, what a great advertisement for cricket. Forget the fact that they were playing for a small little thing no longer than the average person's ring finger, this was sport at its best, and most invigorating - passion, glory and excitement.

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