A-11 Offense

As an ardent football fan (college and NFL), I am intrigued by this new A-11 Offense. More on this later.

Bugs in the cricket review system

ICC has just introduced the review system whereby teams can ask the 3rd umpire to review an on-field decision, if they don't agree with the decision. This is being tried out in the ongoing India Srilanka cricket test series. The system got off to an interesting start to say the least.

More about this decision and bugs with the system here.

Ishant Sharma had seen off Jayawardene and Dilshan had made just 1 when Zaheer Khan slanted one across his bat. There was a big plume of dust as the ball passed over the top edge of the bat, and a sound as well. As the Indians appealed, Mark Benson thought for a moment and then raised his finger. The celebrations had already begun by the time the Indians suddenly realised that Dilshan had no intention of leaving the crease.

As Benson signalled for the replay, all eyes turned to the TV screens. Replay followed replay, yet no one could be absolutely sure whether there had been the thinnest of edges, or if the sound heard was merely bat striking ground. The technology that might have helped, the Snickometer, wasn't to be used, and neither was Hotspot, which was introduced by Sky Sports last year.

With Rudi Koertzen, the third umpire, as undecided as anyone watching, Benson, who had no access to the replays, had little option but to change the decision. In doing so, he opened up an entirely new can of worms. On the first morning of the Test, Dave Richardson, the ICC general manager, had spoken to the media, and emphasised the fact that the final decision would be made by the umpire on the field.

But how could anyone call it Benson's decision when it was Koertzen that actually got to watch the replays and then pass on his perception of what happened? How much is the on-field umpire allowed to ask his colleague anyway? The reversal was Benson's, but in reality, he was doing little more than the job the red and green lights do when the third umpire decides on a run-out or stumping.

I think here's where cricket can learn from the NFL challenge system. If any team on the ground challenges an umpiring decision, the umpire should refer that to the 3rd umpire. The 3rd umpire reviews the decision using all the technology available and approved by ICC. If there is conclusive video/other evidence against the decision given on the ground, then the 3rd umpire in consultation with the on-field umpires should give the decision in favor of the challenging team. If there is no conclusive video evidence available, then the primary decision provided on the ground should stand. Period, end of story. The on-field umpire should not change his decision if his primary verdict is not overruled by the 3rd umpire based on video evidence. This is where the current system fails and it should be corrected.

Furthermore, ICC should embrace all available tested technologies to make the right call. In fact, it would be beneficial if the on-field umpires and the 3rd umpire were allowed to communicate during the decision making process.

Brett Favre retirement saga

Spot on Mr. Don Banks. I am tired of "No.4" retirement saga every year.

Dear Mr. Favre,

You had a fantastic year 2007 - one good throw away from getting to Super Bowl. Had a wonderful tearful retirement press conference. Sportcenter ran "Top 10 Best Favre Moments" at least 10 times.

Please stay retired. Thank you for the wonderful memories.

- True NFL Fan.

BCCI "advises" its players to avoid counties with ICL players

BCCI has "advised" its contracted players to not play in counties that have ICL players. The key word to note here is "advise".

"We don't want our players in teams that have other players playing in unauthorised tournaments," Shah said.

I am not sure if there is a BCCI rule that states that all contracted players must get the approval of BCCI before signing up with any English counties or other counties. I guess there must be a rule. Otherwise, I don't see VVS Laxman or Piyush Chawla waiting for the BCCI permission to sign up with the English counties.

It will be interesting to watch what happens if a non-contracted BCCI player (like VY Mahesh) signs up with a English county that has ICL players. BCCI cannot stop that player. They may through bullying but legally I don't think they can stop that player.

BCCI, "The Bully" is using all its powers to stop ICL. BCCI would be smart accept ICL and acquire some/all ICL franchises and make the next year IPL tournament even bigger. They can alternatively make ICL a minor league version of IPL that would help in identifying more bench players for India.

ICC must make the IPL tournament part of the calendar. I am not sure if there is a market for two mega tournaments (IPL and the one ECB is planning to launch) every year.

Hmm.... If at all BCCI has an iota of interest in improving the game of cricket ...

Crazy dude texting while riding his motorbike

Texting while riding his motorbike.... Craaaaaaaaazy.


http://view.break.com/535445 - Watch more free videos

All those late nights ...

Sarathkumar's daughter is making her acting debut in Poda Podi with Simbu.

Varalaxmi or Varu as she is called at home has done her PhD in microbiology and has an MSc in management from the Edinburgh University in Scotland. Varu has also done a six-month acting course from the prestigious Anupam Kher's Actor Prepares academy in Mumbai.

Very impressive academic achievement. All those late night studying of complex molecular structures is going to be a big waste if she is planning to taking this acting thing seriously. Not that there is anything wrong with that. If she just wanted to act in the first place, she could have avoided all those tough exams and long night study sessions.

I guess she must be one of the very few PhDs in the film industry.