Muttiah the Mighty.

Like a viking god, Murali entered the mortal fray and wielded his willowy hammer. In a blaze of sponsors logo’s, surplus joints and eyeballs, he bent fate to his will and salvaged an incredible victory for the Lions, who for the second time looked to have been tamed by the Tigers.

Credit to the Wizard of the Willow, but also to the losing side (just).

Zimbabwe have just beaten Bangladesh in the first ODI. The power struggles continue in Bangladesh, but at least the Shak put in another hearty display! 3 wickets for 11 runs in 10 overs, and the only six of the match before he was caught for a disappointing 15.

I’m considering signing him for the Hawk-Mouth invitational XI, to be based on nothing but whimsy and personal preference…

Shak that thing!

“Shakib returns, there are fielders in the deep.” – J.R.R. Tolkein writes for Cricinfo.

And the very next ball Sanga’s caught and bowled! A huge moment in the match after the Lawyer’s anchoring 50.

And the next ball but one, Kulasekara’s out too!
Unbelievable, and they’re now odds-on favourites to win the game!

SHAK!

Can they do it?!

After the most unlikely victory over Sri Lanka to reach the Tri-nations final against the same opponents, Sri Lanka are halfway to an even more most unlikely repeat performance!

This time it’s with the ball that they aim to win it, having folded for 152 in their 50 overs. Sanath was run out in the first over by that man, Shakib Al Hasan, and the rest of the top order followed him out the door. Sanga is the only one showing resitance to Hossain and Mortaza, the openers. He is on 10 off 29.
The Love Shak is still waiting in the wings, shining his halo.

Who’s that man? It’s Shakib Al Hasan!

World class players in the Bangladesh squad are as few and far between as Jaques Kallis’ two front teeth. 

Mohammed Ashraful is that infuriating mix of massive talent, inconsistency, and a burden the size of a country, but he’s definitely very good.  Have a look at some of these shots against England.

Young.

The other is new-kid-who-doesn’t-block  Shakib Al Hasan (pictured). A mainstay of the team at only 21, he can bat and bowl with equal and great proficiency. Career-best bowling figures of 7 for 36 came against New Zealand, and earlier today he smashed 92 off 69 against the  spin twins Mendis and Murali to lead his side to victory over Sri Lanka in the Tri-nation series in Bangladesh. These are serious scalps for a team that usually struggles to beat Zimbabwe.  

In his last four ODI’s he has scored three half centuries and taken five wickets.  In his last four tests (against S.A. and Sri Lanka) he has averaged 26.75 and taken 22 wickets. He’s a spinner, so he’ll be tested away from the friendly, slow surfaces he’s accustomed to, but of course, he may enjoy batting on harder, more carrying wickets too. It’s a catch 22. He can’t lose. 

He will be hoping for more international cricket than Bangladesh currently have scheduled this year, however, as they only have three ODI’s against Zimbabwe before the World Twenty20 tournament in June. We’ll be watching him, but in the meantime, you can become his friend on Facebook or follow his forthcoming diary at www.bigstarcricket.com.

World’s best in waiting.

This teasing text landed in my inbox over Christmas from [insert witty callsign here]. It was certainly something to think about whilst munching on a turkey over Christmas.

“1. Katich
2. Vaughan
3. Amla
4. KP
5. Ryder
7. Flintoff
8. Swann
9. Morkel
10. Edwards
11. Johnson
12th man Oram

Predicted best world XI (test) for 12 months into the future.”

There are some notable omissions, and some surprising inclusions. How can Sharma be forgotten? How can it be forgotten that Ryder is in the team? Why is Oram so forgettable generally?

Can we agree on a Heaven Eleven for one year hence?

Let’s find out.