How to get Switzerland to the World Cup and also watch Out of the Ashes

I've not had much time to blog of late.  However, on the bus home from work the other day, I did have time to come up with a plan to get Switzerland to the 2015 World Cup.  This plan won me a copy of Out of the Ashes on DVD, courtesy of King Cricket.  Thanks King.

I've blogged about Out of the Ashes plenty already, but it really is a very good film.  A friend pointed out to me that it's available to UK web-users on BBC iPlayer until the end of the month.  What are you waiting for?  Go watch it now.

Is Steyn as deadly as Lillee?

The final day of the heavyweight tussle in Cape Town may have ended in stalemate, but the previous four produced some great Test cricket. In between two epic knocks by Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn and Sachin Tendulkar produced a battle for the ages. Steyn's sizzling spells on the third day showed just why he's ranked the number one bowler in the world right now. Cricinfo just published a piece I wrote on the South African quick, comparing him to Dennis Lillee.

Liz Hurley? Oh behave, Shane!

I was entertained by what Alex Bowden, aka King Cricket, had to say on Sunday about the rumours surrounding Shane Warne and Liz Hurley. (Hover your mouse over the picture on his post to read a rather dubious caption). It appears the Times then decided that there was sufficient evidence for and interest in the story to jump into the gutter and basically reprint the contents of the original News of the World article. As both of the aforementioned Murdoch publications are tucked away behind paywalls, you have to turn to a third if you want to get at the full story for free online.

As one punter who commented on the Times' article put it:

"No! Please! Don't do this to me! Brain overheating...synapses melting...too...many...jokes..."

Out of the Ashes: The Rise of the Afghan Cricket Team

This weekend, while Cook, Pietersen and company were piling on the runs in Adelaide... while a depleted Indian ODI side was cruising to an unassailable 3-0 lead against New Zealand... and while torrential rain was frustrating both the West Indian tourists and their Sri Lankan hosts... over in Dubai, Afghanistan's cricketers were collecting yet another piece of silverware. This time it was the ICC Intercontinental Cup, the first-class tournament between the world's leading non-Test nations. The Afghans drew their opening game back in August - their first taste of four-day cricket - before winning six on the trot to finish as unbeaten champions. Given that they also beat Ireland to win the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier earlier this year, are they now at the top of the waiting list for (though admittedly still a long way off) Test status? Certainly they've continued to improve rapidly since narrowly missing out on World Cup qualification in April 2009.

Back in February, I blogged about the fact that I was waiting for the release of "Out of the Ashes," a documentary following the Afghan team's remarkable rise "from refugees to the world stage." Since then, the film has gained Sam Mendes as an Executive Producer, been named "Best of the Fest" at the Edinburgh Film Festival and won an international peace and sport prize. Last month, I finally got to see it, thanks to an eagle-eyed friend who spotted that it was out on (very) limited release in London.

Hussain skewers Gower

While the current England captain and his likely successor were piling on the runs this morning, up in the Sky commentary box, one former England captain was crippling another, while a third chuckled away in amusement.



"Lord Gower hobbles away..."

Graeme Swann and the sprinkler

Yesterday I wrote 100 words on the Times website on why a digital description is worthwhile. Why? Well, partly because I wanted the chance to win a free iPad, but partly because I really think it is. This morning, Uncle Murdoch sent me a karmic reward, in the form of a great column by Athers revealing the answer to my question - England's response to Douggie B's moves? The sprinkler...



Skip back to the start of the video to watch more of Swanny's capers. Team England look pretty relaxed, it has to be said. Fingers crossed they get the chance to crack out their victory dance at the Gabbattoir later this week.

Gladiators versus the Rat Pack

I have to say I've not had much time to keep abreast of all the Ashes hype, so I thought I'd check out YouTube to see whether I could find any ads like the IPL3 ones to get me in the mood. Based on what I found, I'm inclined to believe the series will be a bit of a mis-match.

England, exhorted by Centurion Botham and led by a roaring Wing Commander Strauss, are preparing for gladiatorial combat. Watch the ad closely and you will notice a cameo by Simon Hughes as an ogre who sharpens Strauss' bat.



While England are getting psyched up, the Aussies are making Facebook friends and singing songs for some guy called Damo from Perth.



What is Douggie Bollinger up to? The man is just inspired. How are on earth are England going to deal with moves like that?