Had a Great Fall ...

I still remember the time of the year when I landed in the US and especially in Minnesota. Though it was theoratically late summer, weather in Minnesota was swiftly welcoming the Fall with trees in and around the university campus displaying vivid colours. It was an awesome sight especially along the Scenic Drive which runs parallel to the Lake Superior with all the red and orange coloured trees lined up. The colours were much more prominent towards the end of September and early October before the leaves started fading away. As I had not seen anything like this before, I was awestruck with this form of Mother Nature and relished it for as long as it lasted. The fall season in the northern regions though beautiful, can sometimes be short as a cold wave might bring in the winter's first snow shower in no time. Even though the Californian (Bay Area) weather does not leave any room for complaints (believe me, it cannot be bettered), I still miss those colours as they are not as prolific here. I have often heard New England, Maine, Boston to have sights worth travelling for in Fall Season and may be I will someday cover up for lost opportuinities by visiting these areas. But if you also consider the Winter that follows in such places, you realise why life is a great leveller.

Time to crown the pseudo-champions

Beginning this weekend, we head into an exciting 6 months of cricket beginning with Champions trophy, Ashes and ending with WC'07. The Champions Trophy in particular has no mere importance in the cricketing calendar than being a money spinner for the ICC (and this time for the BCCI). Its format has often been criticised in the past and the criticism more often being that it sends the losing team (due to knock out structure) home after just 1 game which made it an unneccesary engagement amidst the already packed calendar. Also, there was not a need for another WC (though it was very unlike) where all the cricketing nations competed for a not-so-recognised reward. Thats what I meant by"pseudo-champions".
In this year's edition, the format has been revised with a group structure which although being a revenue driven move adds much more excitement. I know a lot of people, including myself, might be feeling "if this was not almost another WC"? Their argument is right as it will be going on for a month and involves atleast 20 games or so. But, as one of the game's most loyal fan, I would say "the more the merrier".
So, if we are to look at this year's tournament and predict the semi-finalists, who would they be? Looking at some of the possibilities I think we will have Australia (this was so easy), India (It would be foolish not to back them at home) from Group A and Pakistan (even without Inzy, I think they are a formidable side) and Q1 (Srilanka or WI: depending on who is the first qualifier). The second qualifier will go to Group A and I do not see that team going in from there. Also, both these teams have been in good form of late. And the pseudo-champions? That's a tough question but I will definately put my 2 cents on Aussies NOT being that team. Let's just keep this trophy away from them (they have never won it yet :))