Sunday, February 25, 2007

Beware the Beast

An hour and a half from kick-off. Many people arent convinced, but its going to be the Beast's day.

Monday, February 12, 2007

Some insights

A friend of mine recently attended a Shaz and Waz show exclusively set up for high-networth clients in Jersey. Apparently they kept the audience going for couple of hours recounting their experiences with their respective national teams.

Waz was talking about how he did try to bring in modern training methods to the Pakistani team. He realised that the gap between the Aussies, South Africans in this regard was immense. So they got this US-based Pakistani trainer to teach them the art of sliding. At the end of the first briefing session, the US-based Pakistani trainer opened the floor for questions.

After much sheepish grins all around, Inzy lifted his hand and said: But I dont want to slide. That was that. Spare a thought for the guru of modern cricket Bob Woolmer today.

Before the 2003 worldcup, Waz got this 'nother US-based Pakistani motivational speaker to lift the team. After a brief morning training session, the entire team was hauled into a conference room. The motivational speaker was introduced and he promptly dimmed the lights and put put on a video of true champions exhibiting grit and determination. As the video came to a close, Waz got up and switched on the lights. The entire team, in the meantime, had gone to sleep. With Inzy clutching onto 3 cushions.

To a query on why the Indian and Pakistan teams dont have a plan - like the Aussies or SA, Waz said they always had a plan. But the problem was it was forgotten by the next morning. Inzy especially, who had no recollection.

More later.