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                 CLARKE READY FOR IPL.......

With a successful tour of the West Indies completed, Australia captain Michael Clarke has now shifted his focus to what will be his first stint at the IPL. Clarke is expected to arrive in India on April 30, to join his franchise, Pune Warriors. This will be something of a Twenty20 return for Clarke, who last played in the shortest format in October 2010.

"The crowds look fantastic [at the IPL] and it's going to be nice. To be honest with you, to be back playing some Twenty20 cricket, I'm looking forward to that. I've never been to the IPL. I've said for a long time that when the opportunity comes up and I feel that it's right for me, I'd love to get over there and have a crack and see what it's like," Clarke said after the Dominica Test. "I am looking forward to it. We [Australia] have a good break this winter. I've only got two one-day tours the whole winter, so if I was ever going to go this is the opportunity."

In 2009, Clarke had pulled out of the IPL auction, citing Australia's busy schedule. He then retired from Twenty20 internationals in January 2011 in order to focus on ODIs and Tests. In fact, the only domestic Twenty20 games he has played were six matches way back in 2004, for Hampshire in England.

The other Australia players headed to the IPL Shane Watson - Rajasthan Royals Michael Hussey - Chennai Super Kings Ben Hilfenhaus - Chennai Super Kings Ryan Harris - Kings XI Punjab David Warner - Delhi Daredevils

Clarke said he is happy to play under former India captain Sourav Ganguly and observe his method of working. "I think that Sourav's always been a nice guy. I've always got along with him well and I look forward to playing under him. It seems like he's doing a really good job as captain-coach over there, I've spoken to a couple of the boys and they seem to be really happy about how things are. So, yeah, for me it's an eye-opener."

At the time of signing Clarke, Warriors captain Ganguly had said the franchise were interested in Clarke, despite his lack of Twenty20 experience, since he has all-round ability. "He can bat and he can bowl. He is a big player," Ganguly had told ESPNcricinfo. Ganguly will now be hoping that Clarke's arrival will help thwart what has been a poor run for Warriors - the team had begun the tournament well, winning three of their first four games, but have since lost four of five.

Here is a short story by me and as you would  expect its a funny one. 


                                                     Bus 54


A blonde was visiting Washington, DC for the first time. She wanted to see the Capitol building. Unfortunately, she couldn't find it, so she asked a police officer for directions.

"Excuse me, officer, how do I get to the Capitol building?"

The officer replied, "Wait here at this bus stop for the number 54 bus. It'll take you right there." She thanked the officer and he drives off.

Three hours later the police officer returned to the same area and, sure enough, the blonde is still waiting at the same bus stop. The officer got out of his car and said, "Excuse me, but to get to the Capitol building, I said to wait here for the number 54 bus. That was three hours ago. Why are you still waiting?"

The blonde replied, "Don't worry, officer, it won't be long now. The 45th bus just went by!"

I dont think everyone has this feeling. Do you??

The Paradox Of Choice

Is it just me or is there way too many Android phones, and nothing that really makes any of them stand out?

When I walk down the street I can immediately spot people playing on their iPhones, but I am always left wondering about the others I see tapping and swiping away on something in their hands. Is it an Android phone? If so which one?

Up until now most handset makers have tried a shotgun approach - throw as many slightly different handsets out as possible and hope one hits. The main differentiators up until now have primarily been slight changes in screen size, and hardware specs. Neither of which are ever going to be exclusive to one manufacturer, so we end up with the arms race we have now.

Android is a fantastic operating system, and is only going to get better, but it lacks three compelling features that I think handset makers need to start thinking about if they want to stand out.

• Connectivity
• Clear handset upgrade path
• Software is the main attraction

By connectivity I mean that I want my phone, my tablet and my computer to all play nicely with each other. Apple already does this and it is one of their more popular features. You can stream or send content quickly and easily from your iPhone to an iPad or to and from your computer and even an apple tv.

I know the thought of this probably makes CEO's everywhere foam at the mouth, but why don't you all show the same level of collaboration that you are on Android and the Linux Kernel (most Android handset makers support Linux in a huge way - thanks folks!) and make your devices talk seamlessly to those from other companies.

Let an HTC phone stream video to a Galaxy tab and so on. If you don't start talking to each other, then someone is going to start doing it instead and you will lose in the long run.  We are entering the age of the internet of things, not the age of the internet of "my things" and "their things".

As for the clear upgrade path, for an iPhone user, when the time comes to replace your phone - namely when the contract runs out - Apple is standing there like some great fruity butler : "Your new phone sir/maam". There is no thinking, no comparing specs, no worrying if you can understand and use this particular flavor of iOS or any other concerns. Just a nice sheepy "baa baa, thanks James" and on to the next hyper expensive product (after a visit to bank to get a second mortgage first).

If only Android manufacturers could get this right they would gain themselves some long term dedicated customers. Right now the upgrade paths look more like trees, with each generation sporting seemingly dozens of off shoots, none of which is a clear inheritor.

Luckily it seems that one maker is finally getting the picture: HTC apparently plans to release fewer Android models this year, and hopefully put more effort into each of those. Yay!

Software. Software. Software. Do I need to keep repeating it? The endless race for ever so slightly better hardware than the opposition will continue indefinitely and with no clear winner. But it is the software that makes the real difference. It is here that the biggest gains can be made.

iPhones contain good hardware, but they are often behind many Android handsets when you start counting Hz and Gbs, yet they remain wildly popular. Why? The software stands out.

So carriers, please stop inflicting your problems onto handset makers and forcing them to junk up the OS so much that they can't upgrade it and owners can't use it.

Handset makers I implore you also, make one or two versions only, stick with them, update them and make them work across all your phones.

This ties in with the clear upgrade path above. It makes very, very good business sense to get users addicted to your phone OS by keeping it updated, clean and powerful, even if their phone is a few years old. Once you start dropping support for 6 month and 12 month old phones, and stop upgrading their OS, you are basically saying to the customer "thanks for the money. Now go away, we don't need you anymore".

What effect is that going to have on customer loyalty do you think? (hint: not good)

Android has a very bright future, as much as Apple rages against it, but I feel that this future could be accelerated by some shifts in how manufacturers produce their phones. I want to see these shifts so that we can all benefit.

Here is a good-one that I liked.
There'll be more of those.

About bats.......friendly and sound advice on how to buy a bat online, prepare it for use and how to look after it It is widely accepted amongst good cricketers and good bat manufacturers that a bat is a tool of the trade, its raw materials are naturally grown and not man made. A good bat is produced by craftsmen and their aim is to combine excellent hitting power with durability. The combination is not always, if at all easy. Softer pressed bats tend to “go better’ but are even more likely to crack. The harder pressed bats last longer but often hitting power is compromised. The bat makers aim is to strike a balance between the two to make the best all round cricket bat. Here at owzat-cricket we know about bats and look for this all important balance in all the bats that we buy. Being cricketers ourselves, we understand the importance of the pick up and feel of a bat. All bat makers and batsmen alike agree that this is far more important than the dead weight of the bat. With careful attention to balance, a bat maker can produce even say a 2lb 13oz bat with a very light pick up weight. For this reason we give a weight range indication for all bats that we stock and grade them from light, medium or heavy where applicable to a particular bat. This enables you to select the exact bat you are looking for by selecting from the drop down lists that we provide with each bat. You can then be assured that our expert staff will send you the correct pick up that you are looking for, in effect we try to become your ears, eyes and arms in interpreting your requirements. If for any reason you think we have got it wrong, we will either exchange or refund your bat if not totally satisfied, no quibble.....we understand how personal choosing a cricket bat is !

about willow grades.... the following notes, put together with the help of some of the best UK bat makers, we hope will help you understand the characteristics of a cricket bat and guide you in the decision making process of choosing a new bat. Most bats are made from English Willow which by nature is a soft fibrous wood, with a “honeycomb” type cell structure. It is perfect for the manufacture of cricket bats because of its natural moisture and its ability to be pressed in the manufacturing process to give great ball striking qualities. Starter and particularly smaller Junior size bats tend to utilise more lower priced Kashmir Willow... this is harder and therefore more resilient but generally gives less ball striking satisfaction. Our Willow grading guide is set out below :-

Grade 1 plus - G1+.... the very best of English willow, often reserved for the manufacturers own Pro Players and utilised in such bats described as Limited Edition, Ultimate, SPS or Pro-Performance. Unbleached with straight even grains and absolute minimal marking or discolouration in the face. Grade 1 - G1 .... top quality English Willow, used in such bats described as Pro, Original, Titanium, Premier or Players. Good straight grain structure and unbleached with minimal marking or discolouration in the face. Grade 2 - G2 ... Unbleached English Willow with some irregular grain patterning and some minor blemishes and possible reddening in the blade.Grade 3 - G3 ..... Usually unbleached English Willow with irregular grain pattern and some marking and discolouration in the blade. Grade 4 - G4 ... English Willow usually bleached and often non oil with a covering to the face of the bat.

bat preparation and maintenance .... once you have your new bat we hope that these few tips will help you prepare and look after your new “pride and joy”....enabling it to give you many hours of run scoring enjoyment at the crease. a note about pre-prepared or pre-knocked in bats ....this means that they are part prepared in the factory, including oiling, pressing under a roller and some hand mallet knocking in. We, along with the manufacturers still recommend  some further knocking in with a bat mallet around the perimeter of the face of the bat and some gentle net practice against an older, softer cricket ball before full match use.

1. Give your new bat a light sanding and a coat of linseed oil (natural face bats only), applied with the fingers, or a soft cloth. There is no need to oil the back or shoulders of the bat and please take care not to oil around the splice, as this loosens the glue. Please make sure you give the toe at least a couple of coats, this helps prevent water ingress into the bottom of your bat. Do not over oil, a couple of coats is ample.

The all important task of applying Linseed Oil to your bat...don’t forget the toe

2. Start the knocking in process, which should really involve between 1 and 2 hours total work time before match use. Knocking in is the process of compressing and knitting together the willow fibres to prevent ball damage to the surface of the bat. Use either an old softer cricket ball ball or preferably a bat mallet to do the job. Concentrate on the face edges, where a genuine ‘nick’ might make contact with the bat and keep working until they have a rounded and compacted appearance. Do not strike the side edges or toe of the bat. To prepare the face of the bat either bounce a ball on it or lightly tap with the mallet, increasing the force over the knocking in period.

A wooden bat mallet is best, remember to round off those edges of the face

3. Before match play, using an old cricket ball hit a few close catches and some throw downs in the nets. Once in full use, keep a close look out for any minor damage. Attend to any minor damage as it occurs with wood glue and fibre bat tape. Don’t worry about ‘crazy cracking’ as in the picture down to the left, this is quite normal and will not adversely affect the performance of your bat. However the application of a clear anti-scuf sheet (about £5), will minimise any surface damage.

The application of a clear anti-scuf sheet will keep surface damage to a minimum.

	4. Another useful addition for your bat is the new style Toe Guards or Toe-Tec as shown below (about £6 for a pack of two). These protect against water ingress, friction and the dreaded ‘yorker’ and in our view will definitely prolong the life of your bat.

Toe guards are easy to apply...and really work well.

	5.... and finally enjoy scoring all those runs. When it comes to winter storage, give your bat a clean and a coat of oil and store it face up, laid down flat, best in a cool, dry atmosphere. Please keep it away from radiators and do not store it in the airing cupboard......good luck!

Here is an interveiw with the Delhi Daredevils all-rounder
Irfab Pathan..

What one question do you wish journalists wouldn't ask you? 
"When are you getting married?" First I say, "When I get married, I'll tell you." Then I've said, "I will get married to my cricket." Then I say, "I'll get married after my brother." Sometimes I just laugh. Obviously when I get married the whole world is going to know.

Actually, there is another one: "Why has your pace dropped?" I always wondered who they had watched bowling earlier - I have never been a 150kph bowler, always 130. Now it doesn't bother me.

Do you like being an allrounder? Doesn't every bowler really want to be a batsman?
My first love is bowling. I would call myself a bowler who can bat. Nowadays every bowler knows how to bat. You have to bat all the way to Nos. 9 or 10. Like all bowlers, my batting is getting better. Now I'm feeling confident with big hitting. When batsmen hit me out of the park, it's good to have something to give back to the opposition by hitting one out of the park myself.

What's the biggest six you've hit? 
I remember two: against RP Singh in an IPL game in Cuttack, maybe in 2010. I think it went out of stadium - either 102m or 110m. The other, off Ben Hilfenhaus, went to the second tier of the SCG, more than 100 metres, off a pull shot.

Was Yusuf impressed? 
I called and asked if he'd seen it, [telling him] that it had been bigger than one of his. He said he'd seen it, and it wasn't really that far, and besides Sydney was a good ground to hit shots like those.

Is there one batsman from the past you would like to bowl to?
Definitely Sir Viv. I've watched his videos, and I think he would have been outstanding in Twenty20 cricket.

How would you have got him out?
You know, he liked to take the inswing ball on his pads and flick it over midwicket or square leg… never mind, I would just be happy to bowl to him.

Why don't you have a tattoo? 
Because that's not me. I previously thought tattoos were of mehendi/henna [made of natural dyes], that only women would put designs on their hands and feet, but now I know that's not true.

What do you think of guys who have tattoos?
I'm not judging them because of their tattoos. People are different. Sreesanth works differently from me, Umesh [Yadav] has a tattoo and he's a nice guy. You don't know a person's story by their having a tattoo, do you? Why judge?

What about T20 cricket do you really not like?
I wish I could bowl more than four overs, especially if I am bowling well. Actually, I like T20 cricket. Everyone says, "Oh you don't need to have skills". I don't agree. In four overs you have to treat every ball like an over. Sometimes you get physically more tired in 20 overs than 50 overs. In T20 you need to up your skills all the time, be on top of your game.

Your mom's biryani is a famous one. Are you a good cook
Tea and omlette, that's all I can make. Nothing else. The rest I eat.

How many biryanis you have eaten at a time?
Four full plates of my mom's biryani. What you get outside, in restaurants - it's no comparison. I had come back home after a tour, I asked my mom to cook biryani, and I made sure my stomach was empty.

Kite-flying is a big deal in Gujarat. Were you neighbourhood champions? 
We used to be kite-flying champions, kite-catching champions. I loved it. There's a lot of technique involved. I've once fallen ten feet off a low terrace because I was looking up at the sky. The last time I was involved in the kite festival was two years ago. What I don't like about it is that the thread cuts your hand. It's really tough to eat after that, because it stings your hands.

Who is a hero for you outside cricket?
My mother is my hero. She is a very strong woman. She has had health issues, but is the pillar of the house. I think of her as a vast ocean who has taken in all the pain and difficulty so she can look after us. She is my hero, and my dad too, of course. Among sportsmen, Muhammad Ali.

What did you say to Yusuf when he came home after the World Cup?
That we were really proud of him. It was more than words. But I did say it was great that there was at least one Pathan in the World Cup-winning side.

What would you say to him if you knocked his stumps over?
Make sure I stay away from him for the next few days, keep my mouth shut and don't say anything.

Have you ever arm-wrestled? Who wins?
We tried a long time ago as kids. Not anymore. He'd beat me hands down. He is way stronger.

Do you cry while watching movies?
Not cry, but yes, I get emotional - like [while watching] Seven Pounds or The Pursuit of Happyness, the Will Smith films. That's where I came close. Now I have more control over my emotions, I think. I don't get crazily happy or crazily sad. When we beat Kolkata Knight Riders three years ago, and I won Man of the Match after hitting three sixes or so, I would have been jumping. But now I was very calm and controlled.

Munaf, Nehra and Ashwin in a 100-metre race - who will win?
Ashu bhai [Nehra]. I really believe that.

Hello everybody this is N J Imaad with your blog with many different topics and links to keep you enjoying for the  rest of the day. This is the intro post so not much in this one.......