Quote of the Week
'I've been told I probably won't be going to the West Indies because it's probably a waste of resources.' - Brad Hogg has been told that he is in Australia's plans for the T20 World Cup, but he won't be going on the upcoming Caribbean tour due to excess baggage charges.

De-bat-able
England coach Andy Flower reacts to defeat in the second Test at Abu Dhabi:

'At the moment I think it's up for debate on the batting front whether players have the skills to cope in Asia.'

The Media Column is delighted to present all sides of that debate in full:

Do England's batsmen have the skills to cope in Asia?

Nope.

It's A Mystery
'I don't know when he will be able to play cricket again for Pakistan because of the five-year ban.' - Mohammad Ijaz, brother of Mohammad Amir, speaks out after the latter's release from prison.

Surely we know exactly when he will be able to play cricket again for Pakistan because of the five-year ban?

It's September 2015, though the ICC are reportedly considering a reduction.

Gonna Live Forever
The BCCI are often accused of treating the public and media like morons and this week saw a classic example from a spokesman:

'No players from the Indian team will be retiring. It is a rumour. Baseless. Incorrect.'

What, ever? At least two of that middle order are not expected to play Test cricket again.

Meanwhile Open writer Boria Majumdar challenged the BCCI on their distanced complacency to journalists by asking the big question:

'Does India consider Test cricket its top priority?'

He's kidding, right?

Bailey's Cream of the Crop
Reaction to the appointment of George Bailey as Australia T20 captain has been varied:

'Who?' say some.

'Him?' say others.

But the man himself remains bullish:

'I certainly think my record stands up against anyone.'

44: Number of players with a better Big Bash average than Bailey (19.00).

Over 50: Number of players with a better Big Bash strike rate than Bailey (110)

Music Latest
First, the bad news: Omari Banks, the former West Indies all-rounder, has announced his retirement from cricket at the age of 29.

Now the good: His first single, 'Move On', will be released next month.

Childish Giggle of the Week
From the Daily Mail online:

'Relief for Bell? England No 4 recovers from stomach bug in time to face Pakistan'

Bell is England's number five.

Perhaps confusion arose because the story was about his number twos...

(Exit the Media Column stage right, cackling triumphantly)

One To Watch
ESPN Cricinfo reports:

'The Woolf Report suggests that an ICC director should not concurrently hold any leadership or executive post with their home boards. For example, N Srinivasan is currently both an ICC director and president of the Indian board but, if the recommendations are accepted, he can't retain both posts.'

Last time Srinivasan had this problem?

When someone pointed out that his ownership of the Chennai Super Kings was a chronic conflict of interest with membership of the BCCI board.

The solution?

The BCCI changed its rules to allow it.

Heretic! Heretic!
Writing for LiveMint, Aakar Patel has this to say about a quite well-known Indian batsman:

'A middle-class opportunist who will take advantage where he can find it.'

The time to buy shares in Aakar Patel effigies is now.

But guess what?

'Aakar Patel's book on India will be published by Random House later this year'!

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