Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Some useful tips for Rahul Dravid

There was a cricketer called George Gunn who played for Nottinghamshire and England. Quite a character, he was, going by the description of him by Neville Cardus.

His test career was a pretty long one too. He played 15 tests over a period of 23 years. According to Wikipedia:

His Test career was an unusual one, all but one of his 15 Tests being outside England. He was not selected for the 1907-8 tour of Australia, but visited the country anyway, for the good of his health. It was arranged that he could be called upon by England if necessary. In the event, it was necessary, and he appeared in the first Test at Sydney. Scores of 119, in his first innings in Test cricket, and 74 ensured that he would play in all five Tests. He made another century, 122, in the fifth Test, also at Sydney. He topped the averages, with 462 runs at 51.33. He was only chosen for one Test in England's home series against Australia in 1909, making 0 and 1 in the second Test at Lord's, but toured again in 1911-2. Though not quite as successful as four years earlier, he made 381 runs at 42.33. After World War I, he was out of favour, and his final four Tests did not come until 1929-30, on a tour to the West Indies when several veteran players (e.g. Rhodes and Sandham) seem to have been chosen as a reward for long service.

Anyway, let me tell you why I suddenly remembered George Gunn. Cardus writes that George Gunn had a keen sense of wit. Once when he was clean bowled he picked up the fallen stump- much to the bemusement of the fielders and the umpires- placed it back on the hole and gave it a friendly tap, before nonchalantly walking back to the pavilion.

Seeing Rahul Dravid getting bowled repeatedly in every innings and walking back dejectedly, I wish he would follow the example of George Gunn. The next time he is bowled, he should casually pick up the uprooted stump, inspect it carefully for damages, place it back on the hole, give it a friendly tap with his bat, check the alignment and replace the bails,  before walking back to the pavilion. I am sure that this will completely spook and disorient the Aussies, and make things easier for the Indian batsmen who follow.



1 comment:

Sandeep said...

Dravid ek accha player hai Accha hua jo is cricket ki durty politics (gandi raajniti) se bach gaya. cricket ab sirf cricket nahi raha ab usme buhot sara politcis aa gays hai. best luck Dravid for your free life.