Category Archives: Miscellaneous

Short Jabs: A New Cricket Podcast

There is a new podcast show “Short Jabs”, on the way from the basement of the Couch household. It is in addition to the Couch Talk series, so the three of you that listen to it, need not worry. Since … Continue reading

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Posts on Ponting

A wonderful bunch of writers and bloggers (and a former Indian great) have penned evocative pieces of prose on the occasion of Ricky Ponting’s retirement from International Cricket. I thought it would be a good idea to assemble them in … Continue reading

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How to make a 4-hour flight to Antigua in to 12 hours of running around Manhattan?

It was a pretty simple, straightforward plan. Take the bus to Manhattan. Take the NYC Airporter to JFK. Fly out to Antigua. Watch cricket. I did not account for one thing – the fact that I am an idiot. You … Continue reading

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A Very Very Special Evening

VVS Laxman’s batting is known for its immaculate silken timing. It was no surprise then, that he walked in to Paradise Biryani Pointe, the venue for a meet-and-greet in East Windsor, NJ where DVD highlights of the epic 2001 India-Australia … Continue reading

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The “Spirit of Cricket” Lecture That Wasn’t

The Spirit of Cricket. It is a nebulous idea, many would claim. It has been abused, beaten in to shapes that would suit select narratives and used to hammer away at perceived injustices. But the essential core of that vague … Continue reading

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The Shane Warne Psych Job

A champion spinner, sweet talker, brilliant competitor, degenerate gambler, bull shitter and master of theatrics, Shane Warne was many things. It was the combination of all these qualities that made his bowling the most riveting piece of action any time … Continue reading

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Scottie Pippen “Second Banana” Syndrome

Together, they won six championships: Three in a row, two-year break and then, three in a row. They are the central pieces of one of the greatest dynasties in the sport. They are both among the 50 greatest players to … Continue reading

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Of Handshakes and Cricket Etiquette

A few friends and I were recently in Australia, to watch the India-Australia test series. As the MCG test ended with Umesh Yadav getting caught by David Warner, the Australian team rushed towards Warner and formed a huddle, backslapping each … Continue reading

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Roger Page Bookstore

Tucked into the quiet Melbourne suburb of Yallambie is the home of Roger Page, which doubles up as his cricket bookstore. From almanacs to out-of-print books, from must have classics to hot off the press, they are all there. During … Continue reading

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Tour of MCG

“If you can kick it or hit it, put it in the MCG, Melbourne will turn up to watch it” said the proud Melbourne native and MCG Tour guide Barrie Johns, while standing on the balcony at the Members Reserve, … Continue reading

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