Stories

Nasser Husain: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“All the best for your charity but no sympathies for your injured fingers for what you did to me in the NatWest final.”

Nasser Husain has a long memory. He may no longer don English colours but his bloody-mindedness survives. Yuvraj Singh is the target of the jab above.

What he really meant:

“I know what you can do—healthy and injury-free. Broady remembers too.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Half a dozen roses for my Indian friend and a get-well-soon card, please. Overnight delivery.”

Test cricket and life

I’d say Test cricket grows on you.

In the beginning, there was only Test cricket, you knew of nothing better. Tests were cricket, cricket were Tests. Then India won the World Cup in 1983, and you realized that there was an exciting, faster-paced brand of cricket, a form in which India were world champions, a form that could bridge the gap between good teams and great.

And if you were a schoolkid, Test cricket paled in comparison. Who had the time to follow five gourmet meal of a game over 5 days, when you could get instant Maggi and masala?

But you grew older, and just like your appreciation of music finessed, so did your appreciation of the nuances of the longer version of the game.

Sure, you still found it difficult to find time to enjoy 30 hours of timeless cricket but you discovered that it mirrored life. That patience pays more, that it’s about plugging away and hoping that things will turn around.

It’s life, in a microcosm.

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Upali Dharmadasa: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“What has been happening was the player trying to be the ruler. If the player becomes the ruler we can’t play a game."

Sri Lankan sports minister, Upali Dharmadasa, is less than pleased with Kumara Sangakkara’s speech at the Marylebone Cricket Club exposing the shenanigans within the Sri Lankan Cricket Board.

What he really meant:

“We politicians can’t play cricket, can we? But neither can he (Sangakkara), if he’s administrating. Does he want a party ticket?”

What he definitely didn’t:

“By the players, for the players, of the players.”

Venus Williams: What she said, really meant and definitely did not

What she said:

“While I’m playing well, I’m just going to try and dominate.When I’m done, I’ll dominate somewhere else.”

Venus Williams is still struggling with her form—evinced in her World Team results. The five-time Wimbledon champion feels that she will be just as competitive in her outside interests as she is on-court, once she retires from the game.

What she really meant:

“Domination’s the name of the game—be it tennis, fashion or anything else.”

What she definitely didn’t:

“I guess that explains why Serena has more majors than me.”

Maria Sharapova: What she said, really meant and definitely did not say

What she said:

“Even though it was really tough, I think he kept believing that one day he would have more, even if it was one trophy, even if it was one more dollar, one victory over another, yeah.”

Maria Sharapova describes her father, Yuri, as being eternally optimistic and a great believer in the American dream.

What she really meant:

“My father had a never-say-die spirit that served him (and me) well.”

What she definitely didn’t say:

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”

Ross Taylor: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“I missed the phone call from John Buchanan. I was trying to pick wedding songs for this coming Saturday. I had the music going a bit too loud.”

Ross Taylor was too busy preparing for his up-coming marriage to bother with a phone call from John Buchanan, informing him that he’d been chosen captain of the Kiwi cricket team.

What he really meant:

“The stereo was cranked up. I did not hear the phone ring.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Can you turn up the volume, please?”

Serena Williams: What she said, really meant and definitely did not

What she said:

“Nah,I’d have a heart attack first."

Serena Williams is under no illusions about her fighting spirit—on court. When asked if she’d concede match if requested by her mother, Oracene Price—fearing for her health, the four-time Wimbledon champion categorically replied in the negative.

What she really meant:

“I’d rather die.”

What she definitely didn’t:

“I’m a Purple Heart.”

Francesca Schiavone: What she said, really meant and definitely did not

What she said:

"You should ask Roger (Federer) because I don’t have a lot of (grasscourt) wins.”

Francesca Schiavone admits that she is not well-equipped for grass and believes she should pick up some tips from six-time champion, Roger Federer, on how to cope at Wimbledon.

What she really meant:

“Roger Federer has won the title six times. He’s the best person to approach for advice on how to play at Wimbledon.”

What she definitely didn’t:

“Grass is for cows—and Roger.”

Gary Kirsten: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“I want to go to war with this guy.”

Gary Kirsten is so impressed with Mahendra Singh Dhoni that he would not mind charging off to war, as long as he has the Indian skipper by his side. Kirsten feels that he was the “inspiration” to the Indian squad because of his work ethic whereas Dhoni’s “presence” was the calming influence.

What he really meant:

"Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the best person to have beside you,  watching your back in battle.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“We’ve read ‘The Art Of War’ like a zillion times.”

Stuart Clark: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“"I can categorically say we won’t be paying Chris Gayle one quarter of our salary to come and play."

Sydney Sixers general manager, Stuart Clark, makes it clear that it is unlikely that his side will spend a quarter of a million dollars on the West Indian opener for the Big Bash league. Each side is restricted to a salary cap of one million Australian dollars.

What he really meant:

“We can’t afford free agents like Chris Gayle—not at those prices. Our focus is local.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“We’re discriminating against Chris.”