Around the Wicket

Volume 5 - Caribbean Capers

Greetings and apologies. I must confess to a stuff up. When I read that the 1st test started on May 23rd – I assumed that was Caribbean time, and as a result – I thought I had 24 hours before the start of the test. So you could imagine my surprise and horror, when I flicked the TV on before heading to work this morning, and saw the great Ricky Ponting destroying the Windies. Instantly – I knew I had blown my much hyped Pre-series edition of Around the Wicket, which I figured would make it on to the site before the first ball had been bowled. So, I humbly apologise for my timing, which is more off than Mike Hussey’s was in the first dig. (Hey, I couldn’t have made that joke pre-series… and that’s what we call turning a negative into a positive.)

Anyway – on to my Series Predictions.

1) Excitable media types to have a field day creating witty headlines if Dwayne Bravo makes a ton, or young spinner Amit Jaggernauth takes 5 for. For example – Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, and Jaggernauth Juggernaut. I should write captions…

2) The same excitable media types calling for Shane Warne to be flown to the Caribbean if Stuey MacGill gets injured again.

3) Brad Hodge to once again be dropped after making a big score.

4) Chris Gayle to again make fun of Andrew Symonds’ lack of rhythm on the dance floor.

5) Something which smells a lot like rope burning will ensure that outfielders will always have a smile on their face, but have funny cravings for a packed of salt and vinegar chips.

Quite honestly – this series is shaping up rather ominously for the West Indies. They are going to be smashed all over the park, and put up no fight at all. I predict a whitewash, and man of the series will go to Ricky Ponting – who will debunk the myths that he has “lost it” or isn’t “in form” at the moment. (I was going to write that before the test too…) As Courtney Walsh’s T-shirt used to say: “Form is temporary, Class is permanent.” Here’s to the skipper of Australia – all class.