Tait to play for Madurai Ultrasultans and the knock of Misbah

This World Cup 2011 saw some great cricket writing as the coverage perhaps was at its peak.

England had little to celebrate  but this site did throw up more than interesting articles.  A satire is a literary genre or form usually meant to be funny – its purpose is to be constructive criticism using wit as a weapon.  

Here are a couple of ones read at : www.kingcricket.co.uk  Really good satire indeed  :   One after the Aussie Loss and the other after Pak loss – both to India

Australian fast bowler, Shaun Tait, has announced his retirement from Twenty20 cricket, saying that at the age of 28 he can no longer subject his body to the punishing two-over spells demanded of him.

Tait said:

“I’ve never really been the biggest fan of cricket and I just don’t know that it’s worth putting my body at risk for the game any more. I think the longer formats – Tests, one-dayers and Twenty20s – are probably just a bit too much for me at my time of life, so I’ve made this decision to prolong my Super Over career.”

Tait has recently signed a deal with the Madurai Ultrasultans to compete in next season’s Super Over Super League, a five-over a side competition in which he would only have to bowl six balls in a match – plus the inevitable wides.

Chasing 261 against India, Misbah-ul-Haq didn’t panic. As the run-rate climbed, Misbah kept his cool and as wickets fell, he stood firm, maintaining an almost tangible air of lack-of-intent.

Dead-batting the ball again and again, Misbah sought to wear down the Indian attack to the extent that the match had almost gone for Pakistan before he leapt into action. Then, a man sensing his opportunity, he dead-batted some more.

Misbah wasn’t going to be put off by the fact that Pakistan needed eight or nine an over. He was in the zone. Only when the rate reached six runs a ball did he act, at which point he failed to score, surrendering the match.

It was majestic stuff. Fantastically admirable in its sheer wrong-headedness. Recognising that fact, the giant 28,000 crowd – a crowd that even Wolverhampton Wanderers would be proud of – put aside India’s victory in favour of a magnanimous standing ovation for that man Misbah.

Well played, Misbah. Well played.

Regards – S. Sampathkumar