Cricket needn't be turned into a carnival

First off, I have to say that I will eat my humble pie with a generous dash of whipped cream & cranberry sauce. The Poms (read Flintoff) did what I didn't think they could, albeit by 2 runs. Without rendering long homilies about either teams' performance, suffice to say that Andrew Flintoff has grown in stature through these last 5 days. Flintoff's self belief, confidence and consequently performance will now have peaked. He is today, now, the most dangerous all rounder in world cricket...probably the most dangerous since Ian Botham. Freddie Flintoff take a bow. The poms, a pat on the back. Old Trafford beckons next & with it, interesting times for my boys in baggy green. Its Freddie's home turf so expect more fireworks is what I'll say.

The Edsbaston test in being the most thrilling encounter I've ever witnessed goes to prove a point that is taking on increasing stridency in the recent past. With the advent of twenty20, many doomsayers predicted Test cricket & even the one day game losing audiences & hence relevance. I've consistently said that test cricket is test cricket and I think the dispute stands settled. While twenty20 is good, wholesome fun with buxom cheerleaders, bands, beers & bonhomie all around, the 10 year olds watching the game will not be inspired to take up cricket with the burning desire to play for their countries by watching cricket interspersed with scantily clad women titillating their Dads next to them holding their pints of lager. What will inspire them is the sight of Warne bowling 30 masterful overs unchanged, Flintoff bowling, Flintoff batting Flintoff celebrating, Flintoff putting on 70 runs for the last wicket, Glenn Mcgrath getting his 500th and on and on. These are the sights & moments that spur an aspiring cricketer and for so long as there will be aspiring cricketers, a ticket to an Ashes contest will be dearer than any cricketing contest on earth. More power to twenty20 I say but cricket as it was meant to be played & watched always will be so long as we have games like the Edgbaston one.