Logic for semifinal clash..
A friend of mine today questioned the logic for semifinal clashes in tournaments. Usually, if the semifinalists stand 1,2,3,4 on the points table, 1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3. He questioned this saying that this takes the fun out of one of the clashes in the semifinal. Even though 2 vs 3 will be a good contest (speaking in expected terms), 1 vs 4, in all probabilities will be one-sided.

He said if you wanted to make sure 1 should get to the finals - you could very well not have semifinals and have finals - straight between 1 and 2. Whats the point in having a semifinal and taking the fun out of one game, he argued.

He said, for better contests - 1 vs 2, 3 vs 4 is ideal. But because this will eliminate a better team one stage before, we should avoid that and have 1 vs 3 and 2 vs 4, instead.

I did give him a convincing argument against his format and he finally accepted to the current format. And the explanation I gave was simple enough, I thought.

But just want to know if there are other thoughts.. What do you think?

For the records, I am totally unaware of any mathematical facts involving tournaments, when I say all this.. So if you give me any, I will blindly accept.. (after considerable thought! :-)

Bhagwan..
I hear thats what they call Sachin in the Indian Camp these days..

Bhagwan..

Apt title, I would say... Cricket writers have tried many adjectives.. And were found wanting.. This one's simple.. And complete..

If there is one thing that opposing bowlers have to learn - it is that when you take Sachin on, you do that first and then talk about it..

Whoever has gone to press before the actual battle have suffered..

Caddick said he is going to test Sachin with bouncers.. He bowled once.. Four runs resulted.. He tried another.. The ball was thrown out of Kingsmead, Durban.. He didnt try any more..

Shoaib Akthar talked to pressmen more than to his teammates, one felt.. He realized talking is different from actually confronting the Master - and he did that in ONE OVER!

I am a major fan of Akthar too.. For pure pace.. That he finally did take the prized wicket - however tired Sachin was at that time - is just a pointer to the quality of game we had yesterday.. Shoaib taking Sachin was good for the game.. The battle's still on..

"Throughout this campaign there has been a look in his eye, the sort detected in Viv Richards before a final. Sachin means business. A mild man, he realises the time has come to leave his mark upon cricket's most prestigious tournament."

Says Peter Roebuck. Maybe yes. Maybe he has decided that it is time for him to leave an indelible mark on the World Cup.

I would consider myself lucky if that's indeed true - for I lived and watched cricket at this time..

Waiting..
I am just preparing myself for tonight - when Sachin and Sehwag are going to be on one side and Wasim and Shoaib on the other!

For all the build up - this is THE moment of the world cup..

Hope it keeps up to all the hype.. :-)

World Cup News - I
So we spent quite some money and effort in getting the dish in place for the world cup. During all the confusion, I sometimes thought whether all this was worth it..

But now after the first match - its all different.

I could not have asked for more. Lara century, Klusener on the rampage, a nailbiting finish and a Windies victory! My predictions could all end up in a soup but I dont care as long as cricket is this entertaining!

Made my day!! Waiting for the Aussie - Pak clash!! :-)

Feeling sleepy though, so bye!

Andre.. Andre.. Andre..
On the topic of repartees and ripostes, heres what happened at the Australian Open last weekend.

Agassi reaches the podium to get the trophy after demolishing the German newbie. By now, it was no secret, that Agassi - by winning the Open, has won the bet he had earlier with Steffi. The bet was that Steffi should play the French Open mixed doubles if Agassi manages to emerge 4th time victor at Melbourne!

So Agassi did win it and along with it the bet!

During his speech at the podium, he thanked various people and finally remarked "I really dont know what more to say here"

Someone in the audience yells - "Lets talk about Steffi.."

Agassi looks over at that part of the crowd and shoots back - "Hey I dont talk about your wife, right?" (a brief pause) ".. atleast not as far as you know!"

:-)

Right and Wrong -Reloaded..
There is this common thread that never ceases to amaze me.

All beings in the universe (as far as I have seen) seem to have a sense of fairness (the sense that makes them distinguish good from bad, right from wrong).

Makes me think if all this is just a big game and the above is just one of the unwritten rules of the game - which we, as players, follow without realizing..

Predictions..
Here are some predictions for the cricket world cup that's starting soon..

* Australia will realize what it means to play a world cup without the Waughs!
* South Africa, Pakistan, India and Australia will make the semi-finals
* Pakistan will defeat India for the first time in World Cup history!
* South Africa will win the Cup!

Lets see how good I am at this..

Right and Wrong..
The following theory seems to be correct.. surprisingly...

The sense of "right" and "wrong" is absolute!

So let me accept this without much ado..

God..
The following theory should be wrong..

Uncertainity of future is the only thing that makes us assume the existence of a supernatural force (sometimes called GOD!)..
If, in the course of evolution, Man progresses to a state where he can accurately determine future, he wont need the assumption of GOD..

I need time to think and explain why this should be wrong.. And I dont seem to have that!

Anybody's guess?
My English is bad..

Does "anybody's guess" mean something thats an easy guess or something that is so unpredictable that no one can guess??