Watch the last shot in this video.

This is a video of Yuvraj Singh’s six sixes against Stuart Broad. But watch the last shot in this video. Its Andrew Flintoff to MS Dhoni….

Reverse Sweep!

Flintoff to Yuvraj….. how do you react?

The Indian Express reports that the Flintoff-Yuvraj summit during India’s batting innings in the game against England during the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup was sparked by the following comment from Andrew Flintoff.

“I will smash your face, you just wait”

This was after Yuvraj had hit him for two sixes. The second one was a hook shot which was in the air for a long time before trickling over the boundary ropes.

Lets assume for a moment that this is true – that Flintoff actually said this to Yuvraj. I should point out that “smash your face” is probably a reference to the bouncer. Yuvraj’s reaction was brilliant in my view. He reacted strongly, and let the umpire know he didn’t like Flintoff’s comment! I wonder how you view this comment. Do you view it as:

a. The white bully trying to intimidate the Indian batsman
b. An abusive rant which someone like Flintoff can get away with
c. A frustrated bowler venting steam
d. A canny bowler trying to get the batsman angry and disturb the batsman’s concentration
e. Don’t care
f. Other (Please elaborate the same in your comment)

Shashi Tharoor saw Sreesanth’s reaction against Nel last year as a sign of a “new India” – one which stood up to the “bully”. I wonder what he would have made of Yuvraj Singh’s innings. I don’t think the subsequent six hitting had anything to do with the Flintoff-Yuvraj episode, but this clearly seems to be the favorite story line.

Do say what you think of Flintoff’s reaction.

Prior chirps….. misses the point…

Andrew Miller writes about the third days play at Trent Bridge. Chirping and on field needle is his subject of choice, and he quotes the new English wicketkeeper Mathew Prior as follows:

“It’s a tough game at the top end and if you don’t enjoy it, you’re going to struggle,” Prior said, while insisting that what is said on the field should remain on the field. “It’s never nice when it’s you batting, and 11 blokes are giving you a barrage, but it comes with the territory. It’s Test cricket, it’s a hard game. We all want to win, we’re all playing to win. You’re going to try anything to get one-up on your opponent, as long as its within the spirit of the game.”

Considering that Prior has only just begun to play Test cricket, may be he might consider letting a few go harmlessly past his off stump before he starts making “It’s Test cricket, it’s a hard game” lines. He’s hardly played Test cricket – most of it has been a home series against the weakest West Indies side in living memory.

When a team is doing well, chirp looks and sounds good and smart. Some wit helps as well. When your 270 runs behind on the first innings, chirp looks stupid. Prior has not been tested and if his professional wicketkeepers appeal which accounted for Sourav Ganguly is his understanding of Test cricket being a “hard” game, then may be a visit to the referee’s cabin will do him no harm.

If Prior wants to learn about chirping, he need look no further than Andrew Flintoff – who’s come up with some priceless lines over the years. Watch this video, and may be Matt Prior could take some of Flintoff’s advice: