Sir, — Uniting for a cause and the issue relating tsunami and sportsmen was great (The Sportstar, Jan. 22). Not many know that sportspersons are generous and helpful. Michael Schumacher came out with a big contribution, which is not only commendable but should also rehab the victims to a great extent.
The Indian cricketers should have followed suit, though some of them participated in charity matches for a cause and helped in collecting money. Top cricket stars should set high standards and examples for others to follow.
Yes, cricketers and film stars can generate a lot of money and make fund raising easy. Posing with the affected alone will not help, they must reach out to help the suffering people.
I am sure if all Indian sportsmen unite, tsunami victims will get the needed succour.
Amina Akhtar, ChennaiSwing bowlingSir, — The article on swing bowlers (The Sportstar, Jan. 29) clearly detailed that when swing bowlers are on a song the best of the batsmen find it difficult to read them.
But the article did not mention anything about the Aussie Damien Fleming, who was one of the finest swing bowlers, who excelled in various conditions with his ability to swing the ball and tie down the best of the batsmen.
Reading about swing bowling reminds me of an article by Bob Simpson in your magazine. He had mentioned that the world champions Australians are vulnerable against quality swing bowling and as if proving his point the Aussies were found wanting against the swing bowling of Pedro Collins in a VB series match as the West Indian polished off the top order with excellent swing bowling.
Surely, swing bowlers have the potent weapon in their armoury to turn a game around.
P. Krishna,ChennaiLong wait endsSir, — After persistent follow-ons and innings defeats, Bangladesh, won the Test and ODI series against Zimbabwe.
Coming after a long wait (which saw several calls for the removal of its Test status), the triumphs must have been doubly sweet.
Unlike the previous series, Bangladesh gave a much improved performance from the very start when it emphatically won the first Test in Chittagong and dominated the Test in Dhaka. Both teams fought equally hard throughout the series but the home team displayed more character and courage resulting in its victory.
Bangladesh had to wait for 35 Tests and five years for a Test and series win respectively in Test cricket. Comparing this kind of success, Bangladesh is not far behind others.
Even during this dubious period, Bangladesh players have created or equalled a number of prestigious records in Test cricket.
Worth mentioning among these records are: the youngest centurion on Test debut, the youngest bowler to get seven wickets in a Test innings, the youngest bowler to get 12 wickets in a Test match, the youngest player to win the man of the series award, hat-trick by a bowler (It took 70 years for an Indian to achieve it), carrying the bat through a completed Test innings, century on Test debut by two batsmen, etc.
At the time when Bangladesh emerged, it did not inherit rich cricketing heritage in terms of great players, professionalism and even established first-class cricket.
It has reached the present level in a short period step by step. This twin victory will hold great value to Bangladesh as a cricketing nation in the fields of international sports.
Kazi Shahadatul Kabir, DohaSame standardSir, — Though Doordarshan enjoys the monopoly of TV rights in India, it has not attempted to improve its sub-standard telecast of sports. Nor does it try to cover the National competitions of all the sports.
Doordarshan stumbles in keeping the high standard as it allows others to bag contracts and at times does not allot time slots for highlights of National championships on a regular basis.
Doordarshan should take a leaf out of Star Sports for its high class telecast of the PHL in Hyderabad.
A.G. Kanetkar, Mumbai
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