Lessons round the corner

Life is so uncertain , just like cricket , in most mays which roll out before ourselves as opportunities to discover a new lesson .

Life is analogous to cricket in many ways anyways. I feel this feeling during some of those moments in life , or in cricket even . 'Life , is a series of moments. If you miss them , you miss life'* - somewhere I have read it and it is a good thought, it is..

This morning I discovered yet another simple thing in cricket which could have been learnt any time before , but would not just happen - maybe because thin weak looking boys wont get to bowl with the new ball always! . Ok today I swinged the ball both ways. Thats it. But whats the big deal? Ok,It feels like a big thing because I have not received any coaching on that - just some pictures of the seam position I have seen, and some simple demos in TV. Most of those who play do see them also , but not every person swings the ball - because they dont yearn to learn! And many of those who can swing , are just natural swingers. Not because of their yearning for learning. My team mate mister Jain could swing the ball out - for example. But it is a natural talent , not a theory-learnt-put-into-practical-use . My current team mate Daniel- he is a master of swing bowling , i was inspired by his show at mayajaal B ground during the 2008 CPL tournament - he judjed the wind coming down from fine leg, (after the first ball went wide of offstump offcourse) , and used his natural outswinger to destructive effect. That LBW appeal was nothing less than pure thrill- straightening in the air,skidding,beating the guy all ends up. We were like the most happening team there sometimes.

Ok . About my swing lessons i learnt today.

1. All things you will learn about swing from a physics teacher if you might , all of them is true.

2. But the thing is , you wont be able to position the seam without practice.
Even from 19 years young I could do this. I would mark the seam on a chellson rubber ball with blue ink and i would bowl and bowl and make it stand straight in air. (No point in learning anything further on that kind of ball mind you.)Was it fun learning the finer things by ourselves like me and the great Joys Rajan Kandamparambil used to , most of the time there would be only the two of us and after some 2 hours of 'stand and deliver at full pace' session with a reduced length pitch , anyway, it will be a clash of egos and showing off skills !!!

The pitch should have some little wetness. Oh a fast bowlers delight.

where was I... seam position.. yaaa it should stand still. once you are able to do that , you are halfway on with all your physics knowledge. But, hold on , the beauty of cricket is when you discover the prospect of customisation it holds , and the effect of nature it has upon itself.

Today morning it was thrilling because it was a rare morning of snow in chennai. Visilbility was 100 meter on the OMR - highway. And it ruled the swing! There was not a bit of sun even at 9 am .. Usually it is hot by 8 there.. Flintoff action (open chest)=in swing. Normal side on action=outswing. (Offcourse the seam should stand up.)






It was magic.




*http://health.yahoo.com/experts/yeahdave/8297/if-you-miss-the-moments-you-miss-your-life/



Funny how young people are similar in their ways of having fun no matter which race ..( hmm
.."views i express here doesnt represent those of my company.. etc.. etc.. "
watch this - customise cricket, have fun.





If you are a cricket knowledgable with an interest for swing bowling , here is a perfect tutorial from Damien Fleming - plz go to youtube.. no space here for another embed :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBa1OxNYI-Y