Ganguly an Australia fan!

Ganguly, and the Australian way

It was his dismissal, to a low catch or bump ball - depending on where your prejudices lie - that sparked the huge debate about Australia and the spirit of cricket. But less than a week after that controversial final day at the SCG, Sourav Ganguly was in conciliatory mood. The man who put some steel into Indian cricket during his days as captain admits that he's a fan of the way Australia plays its cricket.

"I admired how desperate they were to win," he said with reference to the Sydney Test, speaking to the media from the sidelines at India's warm-up game in Canberra. "That's why they have won so many Test matches. They sense a chance of a win and would do anything to get it."

Ganguly's finest hours as Indian captain came against Australia. He stymied Steve Waugh's attempt to breach the Final Frontier in 2001, and led the way with a brilliant 144 at the Gabba as India drew their last series in Australia in 2003-04. But the greatest disappointment also came against Australia, with a 125-run defeat in the 2003 World Cup final.

"When they came out on to the field for the World Cup final, they looked different," he said. "They play their cricket in a different way than the rest of the teams."

After the recent noises about Australia not upholding the spirit of the game, Ganguly wasn't inclined to be too critical. "I don't know what 'spirit of the game' actually means," he said. "Unless you make a fool of yourself on the field, or cross the line, you should be OK."

Sadly, not everyone is in olive-branch mode. With the ICC still to schedule Harbhajan Singh's appeal against racism charges, there was more belligerence from the BCCI. "Let's see what happens, but allegations of racism against a member of our cricket team are not acceptable," said Sharad Pawar, the president of the Indian board. "After the meeting, we will take action."

If he's already decided what John Hansen's verdict should be, why have an appeal in the first place?

Lara Lara Laughs wrote:

Ganguly, and the Australian way

After the recent noises about Australia not upholding the spirit of the game, Ganguly wasn't inclined to be too critical. "I don't know what 'spirit of the game' actually means," he said. "Unless you make a fool of yourself on the field, or cross the line, as Bhajji did, you should be OK."

Lara Lara Laughs wrote:I admired how desperate they were to win. They sense a chance of a win and would do anything to get it.



Still laughing at that. Surely this is just good old Ganguly the provocateur, having a dig at the Aussies under the guise of reconciliation?

Sans Souci wrote:I wonder how the drama of the Sydney test would have unfolded had Ganguly still been captain!?

Lara Lara Laughs wrote:Ganguly as captain with Sreesanth and Harbhajan bowling all day every day. And if things got nasty, they'd bring on Gavaskar as back up.

embee wrote:

Sans Souci wrote:I wonder how the drama of the Sydney test would have unfolded had Ganguly still been captain!?

Punter would still be waiting for the LB to show up for the coin toss...