Shoutouts - Part 1

Shoutouts is going to be a new (and hopefully ongoing) topic on this blog where I will commemorate, honor, ridicule or simply mention noteworthy tidbits from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. I have a memo going on my phone where I keep a list of everything that I find worth writing about, and a blog will be posted as soon as I have enough of these. (And you thought that boring-internet-less subway rides couldn’t be useful?)

So, in this first installment, here are some Shoutouts going to:

All of you!! For helping my blog cross the 100-hits mark! Last time I checked, we were 118 (not out). (I must confess that maybe 20% of these are just mine, but hey it is 100 nevertheless). Thanks to everyone who has visited my blog a second time. For folks who only came once and not again, I wish you would give this another chance. I promise I will step it up :)

Harsha Bhogle. If there was anyone who wasn’t yet excited about the World Cup, then Harsha’s ‘WC Daily Video Blog’ is just what the Doctor ordered. Harsha’s violent hand movements will stir you out of hibernation and shove you right into the World Cup mania. It takes some focusing and healthy eye muscles, but you will get used to it.

The Dutch. How about Netherlands scaring the senses out of the English!?! A day after I wrote at length about the low level of skill shown by the associate nations, the Dutch took it personally and came back to almost produce the greatest upset in WC history. Thanks to some very sensible batting (and some very nervous hitting) down the order, the English dug out of the hole. However, these insanely close defeats for the associate nations hurt just as much as the big ones. For folks who missed it, well you really missed it!

Munaf Patel for finally bowling Yorkers that weren’t full tosses on leg stump. And the honest smile. One just can’t see Munaf smiling and not feel that he is the real thing. Never thought I’d say this, but You go Patel!

R Ashwin for the crooked cap he wore all through the warm up game against Australia. About time we got some rapper-ishtyle in Cricket. Go Ashwin-homeboy!

New Zealand for continuing to deal in shock-therapy – coming out of a string of extreme defeats and dive right into extreme victories (that gave them an-unheard-of NRR of over 7.0!!). Both of these make for great records, but one wonders if it is doing anything for this already-disillusioned side. 

More importantly, spare a thought for people suffering through the Earthquake that hit the beautiful city of Christchurch. Our prayers and thoughts are with them.

Geoff Boycott for returning to the sub-continent as part of the commentary team. Though he can’t talk about his favorite Prince-of-Calcutta anymore, just listening to his seriously-Yorkshirish commentary brings back warm and fuzzy memories. He is as good as ever, and having him commentate on games is one of the best experiences to cherish in this tournament.

Madan Lal and Laxman Sivaramakrishnan for being conspicuous by their absence in the WC so far. We could all do with some painfully-plain-saying-like-it-is commentary. You both are being sorely missed. 

Boundaries for Books. Reliance Life Insurance and Room to Read Foundation joining hands to promote Literacy campaigns is just a great effort that all of us should get involved with. This is an initiative where Reliance will donate Rs 25000 for every six that is hit in this tournament to help create libraries and provide books for disadvantaged children. While the batters (and bowlers) are doing their bit by hitting sixes all over the place, you can get involved by visiting www.roomtoread.com/worldcup. 

I hope to keep posting newer versions of ‘Shoutouts‘, but what I would really love is to hear tidbits that all of you found interesting. If you have anything to add to the ones I posted, or have others of your own, feel free to leave comments. Peace out for now!