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Just not plain "HOWZAT!"

Monday, February 24 2003

Whenever Brett Lee takes a wicket, it is usually exhilarating. Just as he took the wicket of Indian hotshot Sehwag in the World Cup, Lee was at his usual fist pumping self and this particular sight of Lee’s is one of my most favorite cricket moments. This display of aggression and total ecstasy is one to treasure. The other Australian bowlers have their unique way of celebrating a dismissal. Mcgrath does the typical fist pumping although this one doesn’t have the vigor of a Lee. Jason Gillespie spreads his arms like an eagle, and the world’s greatest spinner Shane Warne has his own style of appealing for an LBW by bending down as if literally begging to the umpire.

Another manner of appealing that has been fashionable among bowlers all over the world is the Mcgrath-esque appeal. When Glenn Mcgrath knows that the batsman is trapped in front and he is absolutely sure of the umpire’s decision, he simply doesn’t bother looking back and continues running towards his mates. The umpire usually complies with Mcgrath mainly because the batsman is either trapped right in front of the stumps or thinly edged one to ‘keeper Gilchrist. Indeed, this form of appealing for a decision is very helpful as far as convincing the umpire that it is “out”.

Gregg Blewett was mainly a batsman for Australia every time he played but whenever he bowled and got the chance of appealing for a decision, he would go down to his knees as if he were being granted a knighthood! Saqlain Mushtaq of Pakistan usually appeals in this way more out of desperation after bowling some really long spells. Another world- class off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan simply charge towards the umpire with his index finger pointing towards him. In any other case, this would have been treated as rude behavior by the elders!

West Indian bowlers are said to be the most polite in the world. They don’t swear at the batsman, not even the umpire. They simply give them a glare of disdain if things don’t go their way. Former fast bowler Curtly Ambrose used to beat on an imaginary drum everytime he got a wicket. Another former West Indian wicket- keeper Dave Williams used to be so short that he had to jump to give big Ambrose and Walsh high- fives.

Wasim Akram and Shane Warne seem to be the loudest on the cricket field. Their sigh of ‘Catch it!’ is audible even to the TV audience. Wasim screams for a decision with both hands up. Showman Shoaib Akhter is the man to watch every time Pakistan is on the field. He never has a dull moment in the field. When he bowls, he is a stroke of lightning. Tearing away, he runs as fast as he bowls, according to some experts. And if by chance he sniffs something erring with the batsman’s technique, he would let it rip both verbally and cricket- wise. Australians love him for his linguistic abilities (or the lack of it!).

Cricket is a business now and whatever the player does in front of the camera, wittingly or not, is entertainment. Very recently, Ronnie Irani play-acted with the crowd in Australia even when his team was hopelessly losing. These things keep a cricket match alive and I am sure almost all of us would love to see another Brett Lee wicket just to watch his celebrations.


Posted by Isam