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Cricket......

Umpire's wicket

The game of cricket has lost it's luster particularly when it is played in Australia. There is no doubt Australian team does put all it's effort to win the match no matter if there reputation is in line. To top it up Australian umpires like Daryl Harper, would not allow the best batsman in the world to show his batting fest. I remember the days, while listening to the radio commentary, when there was a doubtful decision benifit of doubt would go to the batsman.
At first I thought in the first innings what an appelling decision it was give Tendulkar out and I said to myself that Harper has gifted that wicket to the bowler. But in the second innings it was totally disgusting which show Australian team do not play the game with the sportsman spirit and they always have to have the 12th man in the form of umpire to get the match winning wicket particularly when playing in their own country.
In the early part of the summer Pakistan team was disappointed with umpires' behaviour and couple of years back Sri Lankan team was treated in similar manner. To my understanding Indian sub-continent have formidable teams who could match any other cricketing nation in the world. They play against themselves and other nations in the world and boycotting Australia I would say, would to do no harm on their performance.
I believe most cricket fans would agree to my view.
DHURUBA ROY

Australian Umpires have a lower standards

Hi,
Enough it Enough - poor umpiring in Australia make Australia looks terrible in front of the whole world. Umpires like D. Harper,Haire should be given chances in the games like Under 14 Or Under 15 cricket teams. If this is Not cheating then what is it??? "Australian captain Steve Waugh said he though Tendulkar was out but added that the decision had little impact on the outcome of the match". What an idiot?? If this is not a setup then why is he protecting the umpires, which according to whole world was an error by D.Harper. My request to International Cricket Council to see such decisions and suspend this type of umpiring in the future and D. Harper has proved not once but twice that he is non competence. If Australian Cricket Board (ACB) is not bringing Neutral umpires to this test matches then whole should ban playing cricket with Australia (just like Mr. Kerry Packer's time)
SHRINGI ANIL

Indian Cricket

Dear Sir,
It is a sad day in Indian Cricket, when our top bats cannot score a bare 400 runs in two innings. Kapil is very correct in asking Sunil Gavaskar to help the top order in learning to face pace bowling. Between Sunil and Kapil we have the best cricketers to ever play the game. It seems so obvious that they should be involved in all aspects of development of future cricketers in India. We should have Bedi, Venkat and Prasana helping as well. It seems that attitude needs a major overhauling as they appeared to have lost the drive and spirit in the second of the recently concluded match. Is there a 'Sport Psychologist' working with the team? If not there needs to be one. The talent is there, no doubt, but the application and production is very disappointing.
One match or loss , however does not make a completely disaster, but the way the team folded does not bode well for the rest of the tour. It will be a test for Sachin's mettle and resiliency. It will test his resolve and define his captaincy. So far the results have been very disappointing, which I am sure he regrets. I do wish the boys all the best for the rest of the tour, but the greater picture has be re-defined and intensive involvement of the great players of yester-years will be very much appreciated.
SANJIV