England Diary: Australians Prove Champions Credentials

Javed Akhtar, Arab News

The hallmark of a champion team is to produce a man of crisis. Like true champions, Australia found not just one but two men who rose to the occasion in the NatWest International against Pakistan at Lord’s on Saturday. The world champions, put in by Inzamam ul-Haq, were struggling at 148 for five, but Andrew Symonds came to their rescue with a breathtaking unbeaten century. And when the Pakistanis, after a fighting fifth wicket stand of 162 between Inzamam and Yousuf Youhana, looked like bringing off an unlikely victory, Michael Kasprowicz hit back with two quick wickets to snuff out their rally. While Symonds has been a regular in the one-day Australian side, Kasprowicz has had to struggle to keep his place. “With the return of McGrath and Lee, one has to do that bit extra to remain in the playing 11. It is good for me and I enjoy working that much harder,” Kasprowicz said. Australians continue to head the one-day championship table of the ICC with 138 points, followed by Sri Lanka 123, New Zealand 117 and Pakistan 105. After Saturday’s win and the Videocon Cup triumph in Amstelveen a week ago, Australia head into the ICC Champions Trophy beginning on Sept. 10 with their morale sky high. Lord’s, the Home of Cricket In hoardings and billboards around the stadium, Lord’s calls itself the home of cricket. It is also home to the legendary Marylebone Cricket Club, popularly known as MCC. Lord’s is to cricket what perhaps All England Club, the home of Wimbledon is to tennis. It is named after Thomas Lord who opened his first ground in Dorset Fields in 1787 leading to the formation of the MCC. The Lord’s ground moved to its third and present site in 1814 and the present pavilion was opened in 1890. In 1899, Albert Trott hit a six clean over the pavilion — a feat never since repeated. Well, perhaps Andrew Flintoff can do it sometime in his career. India’s legendary Sunil Gavaskar had his problems with MCC authorities during his playing days. But he made his peace with them and was given an honorary life membership. Not only that, the MCC have honored the Little Master by naming a stand after him at the Lord’s ground. Similar distinction has been accorded to Sir Garfield Sobers of the West Indies undoubtedly one of the greatest ever allrounders the game has seen. Then there are banners and hoardings commemorating various feats of cricketers. India’s Sachin Tendulkar has two. His 125 at Lord’s has been put up at the entrance to the grandstand and a meeting point has also been named after him. When in London They say when in Rome, do as the Romans do. So also in London. And I found that most Londoners preferred the tube for commuting. So I went to the Paddington tube station and asked at the ticket window for a ticket to Oxford Circus to go for some shopping. “Sir, are you aware that it is cheaper and faster to go there by bus?” asked the man at the window. He then also told me which bus to take to go to Oxford Street. I was amazed by the sincerity and honesty of the man. I wonder if this kind of thing can happen anywhere else in the world. The tube has a vast network and one can go from point to point and very close to one’s destinations. Stations and connections are clearly marked. The bus system is also equally good and efficient. One can buy a day pass or even up to a week, which works out much cheaper. This pass called a Travelcard is valid on tube trains as well as buses. Meeting Old Friends Back on the cricket circuit after a long time, one gets to meet several old friends at the grounds. It was nice to meet Dicky Rutnagur of the Telegraph after a couple of decades. Khalid A.H. Ansari of Mid-Day, Scyld Berry of the Sunday Telegraph, Geoffrey Dean of The Times, photographer Graham Morris, Qamar Ahmed of the BBC, Vijay Lokapally of the Hindu and Sportstar, Debashish Dutta of Aaajkaal and many others. It was nice to exchange notes with them and catch up on what had happened in their lives as also to tell them all about myself and my family.