Spring

Spring is here or should I say summer as the temperatures are rising fast. It seems this April is the hottest in Britain since 300 hundreds, wow, that just shows the climage change due to global warming. It's already so warm and don't know what is waiting for us in the summer. While we have been waiting for the sun to shine all these days, we might be soon saying, oh enough of this heat and summer. But I must say that a sunny day really makes my day bright. I feel so fresh and feel good if it's bright in the morning unlike in the winter. I guess that's the case with most people.

Below is a pic of the trees blossoming in front of our apartment.

This pic was taken about 3 weeks back.

As you would have guessed, below is the pic taken during winter when they had shed of their leaves, they look bald :)

What am I thinking now?

It's a big game today. Srilanka Vs Australia and same thoughts are lingering in my mind again. If Srilanka can bat first and post a huge total then ...

Yes! I think that's the only way any team can beat Aussies in their current form. I guess form doesn't really apply to them, they always play well. Form is what is required for Indian cricket players to play well!

This is what Murali had to say about the big match (source BBC)
"This could be the biggest moment in my life. In 1996 I was very young and didn't know much, Now I know about what it takes to win a World Cup. This must be my last World Cup and if we can win it will be the greatest moment in my life - more than my individual records."

And this what McGrath had to say (source BBC)
"I've got a lot of memories here in Barbados. This is where I took my first five-for in international cricket. To me a perfect way to finish would be another five-for, a win, walk off and happy days"
Asked to single out the best batsman he has faced, McGrath gave Brian Lara of West Indies the edge over India's Sachin Tendulkar.
"Obviously the two stand-outs are Brian and Sachin and I feel from bowling to those two guys that probably Brian was slightly in front of Sachin when they were at their peaks," he said.
He nominated West Indies great Curtly Ambrose and former Pakistan left-armer Wasim Akram as the bowlers he most admired.

What was I thinking?

I was thinking if South Africa bat first today and post a huge total then they have a good chance of beating the Aussies. South Africa did bat first after winning the toss but ended up posting a very low total which they cannot defend. Aussies are well on course to another final.

Can they win again and make it a hatrick world cup crown?! or will it be Srilankans who will fight the best of Aussies? we will see soon.

ICC Cricket world cup highlights

Below are the cricket world cup highlights according to me, I am listing them in terms of first ever and worst ever categories:

First ever...
1. Six sixes in six consecutive balls by Herschelle Gibbs, first time in the history of ODI. This is a great achievement against any bowler.


2. Four wickets in four consecutive balls by Lasith Malinga, first time in the history of ODI. This happened when South Africa required 4 runs to win the match with 5 wickets in hand. Unfortunately, Srilanka could not win the match and South Africa managed to pull the thriller. Otherwise it would have been one of the greatest victories.


Worst Ever...
1. Death of Bob Woolmer, this was really shocking and bad for cricket. Only a few days ago I had written blog in which I mentioned cricket as a gentlemen's game, but this sad incident has done no good to the game.

2. Shock exit of India and Pakistan cricket teams

There are other interesting things to observe...
1. Australia has come out very strong after their disastrous form before the world cup. They are looking good and has every chance of retaining the title. They are proving again why they are the best. I will be waiting to see the match between Aussies and Srilankans. Srilankan team has the capability to beat the Aussies.

2. Bangladesh has also showed the other teams what they are capable of. I don't the news headline should no longer read "South Africa's shock defeat to Bangladesh" or anything like that, it's not a shock anymore. They have beaten New Zealand (warm up game), then India and now South Africa. They have beaten Australians before. So I don't think they can be considered minnows anymore, otherwise you could see them causing more upsets!

Interesting sign posts

This was near Trafalgar Square in London...


This was in wales, near to mumbles beach in Swansea...

This was at Glenturret distillery we visited during Easter holidays...

This is in fountain water at Trafalgar Square... look at the no entry sign board

Recent London Trip photos

London

April Foool

The origin of April Fool's day is not certain but it is believed that is to do with New Year's celebrations. It dates back to 1582 when French used to start celebrating the new year on 25th March and end it on 1st April (This date is apparently close to the date of Hindu lunar calendar). After Charles IX came to power, Gregorian Calendar was introduced that replaced the old Julian Calendar and the new year's day was moved to 1st January.

But because of either slow communication or because some people were not happy to accept the calendar change, they continued to celebrate the new year on 1st April. These people were made fun of and were apparently called fools hence April Fool's day. Sounds funny to me!

There are problems with this belief as it is believed that the April Fool's day spread to other Europe countries like England and Scotland even before the Gregorian Calendar was introduced there. So it is not really certain how it is originated. But it was fun to play some silly pranks when we were kids.

Happy April Fool's Day!