While the Indian fielding tamasha was going from bad to worse — or worse to worst, if you prefer — behind the stands, the crowds were trying their diving skills with a throwing machine.
One just had to stand on a stool on a trampoline and throw himself to catch the ball, zipping from the nose of a ball-throwing machine.
While many couldn’t collect the ball directed straight at their hands, there were a few who, despite having had umpteen pints of beer, could plunge to their left and right and collect the ball successfully. Well, perhaps the Indian players also need to do some work over there in between the overs!
Strolling down the road
If any of the Indian cricketers -- right from the likes of Robin Uthappa and Gautam Gambhir to stars like Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly — walk on to the streets of Birmingham, they would be surrounded by fans.
That’s not the case with the England cricketers. Four of the current England squad -- Matt Prior, James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Owais Shah -- were seen roaming on Broad Street, the most happening area in Birmingham, on Sunday evening. And forget anyone going to them to shake hands or ask for autographs, no one even seemed to notice their presence.
{{/usCountry}}That’s not the case with the England cricketers. Four of the current England squad -- Matt Prior, James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Owais Shah -- were seen roaming on Broad Street, the most happening area in Birmingham, on Sunday evening. And forget anyone going to them to shake hands or ask for autographs, no one even seemed to notice their presence.
{{/usCountry}}Well, the Indian cricketers must surely be envying the freedom their English counterparts enjoy. But this also speaks a lot about the state of cricket in English, where football has left the game far behind.
After all, just like the Dhonis and Tendulkars, the Beckhams and Terrys cannot walk freely in most parts of the world.