Idle musings

THE MATCH - AND AFTER     After 7 years, there has been an Indian team touring Pakistan for a cricket series. The one day series got off to an eventful start. See http://in.rediff.com/cricket/2004/mar/13india.htm for details.     It was clear that the players felt the sense of the occasion. The Pakistani opening bowlers bowled far too many wides and no-balls, which would be discussed at length during the day by the cricket commentators. However, the Indian openers also felt the nerves, I thought. There was bravado in Sachin's shots, but a lot of it appeared put on. Sehwag was almost sedate in comparison, initially. The unconvincing opening made me feel that the bowlers could get an upper hand. In fact, Inzamam-ul-Haq said that had the bowlers been more disciplined, the moisture in the wicket might have caused more problems to the Indian batsmen. As it was, there were a couple of close shaves : a catch off a no ball and a dropped catch ; Sachin and Sehwag both gaining lives.     Sa