Is it a bird, is it a plane?
WOW. What a final. India vs Sri Lanka was every bit as entertaining as I had hoped. It was a fine way to end what has been an remarkable and gripping World Cup. It goes without saying that I jumped about like a loon when India won. Terrific! Granted, I'd have like to see Tendulkar get his 100th hundred on such a wonderful occasion, but you can't have everything. Dhoni's classy finish was most gorgeous and apt in every way.
A few weeks ago, I got sent this picture. Even though it wasn't the Tendulkar show yesterday, he epitomises Indian cricket, so I thought it only fair to share.
I really feel as if we're entering a new era with cricket – a few legends are leaving the world stage, which inevitably opens many doors for new talent. This World Cup was the last international tournament in which Sri Lanka's famous 3 M's will play together, Ponting's captaincy has come to an end (tee hee) and I don't suppose that Super Sachin will be featuring as prominently for too much longer. I’m keen to see what the future holds and hoping that England start working some miracles...
The master plan.
There was a college basketball coach in the 60’s and 70’s named John Wooden. His record at the helm was more than impressive, and for a number of seasons his team went undefeated. Interestingly, while he was responsible for such success, he NEVER talked about winning. I heard him say something about sport (and life) that really stuck with me. He said 'all we can do is have faith that as long as we do what we're supposed to, then things will turn out the way they are supposed to turn out'.
I thought of this yesterday when Roy Hodgson's West Bromwich team served Liverpool up a 2-1 defeat. I can't help but feel there's sometimes a certain element of fate/karma in the way things unfold in sport. We couldn't call for Roy's dismissal quick enough could we? But now look at how he's improving West Brom. It all points to a quality that's distinctly lacking in the modern game – patience.
I'm 100% in favour of the effect that Dalglish has had on us this season, so I'm not suggesting that I wish Roy had stayed. There's just an irony to it which I find interesting. Even if we did lose.
A Real shame.
Yesterday was also notable for a certain 'Special One'. An undefeated home record had to end sometime, didn't it? Poor Jose. Personally, I'd have been miffed at falling one season short of the decade mark, so I expect that he'll have been irked by this too. Shoddy I tell you, just shoddy. ;-)
You'd do well to watch this Sir Alex.
If you can make time to watch this clip of John Wooden then I'd advise that you did so. I doubt Alex Ferguson will be giving a talk like this at the end of his career. This man is class, pure class.
