Cricket Masala

Azhar curse to blame for Sidhu departure from England tour in 1996
A decade-old secret was revealed by the BCCI secretary who is said to have clarified that the departure of Sidhu from England in 1996 was caused by a swear word from skipper Azharuddin. Apparently, Harbhajan Singh is not the first Indian cricketer to be credited with a curse in the form of the words maa ki. Azhar is said to have used a Hyderabadi curse word which is very similar at certian players, including Sidhu. The opener then walked out of the tour midway during the Test series. At the time it was thought Azhar had insulted Sidhu by pinning a playing XI on the dressing room door. A 3-man BCCI enquiry committee came to know that Sidhu had been sworn at by Azhar.

Murali rules out taking 1,000 Test wickets
Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan believes it will be too difficult for him to reach 1,000 Test wickets before he retires. The 36-year-old has captured a world record 735 dismissals during his 120-Test career. But he said recently - The thing is it is too difficult. You have to be in the game for too long. I am 36 and want to retire when I am on top.
Hectic schedule for Vettori, McCullum

New Zealanders Vettori and McCullum were driven to the airport within five minutes of their IPL match finishing on Wednesday night to rush to England by Thursday morning to play a match on Friday. Vettori and vice captain McCullum took part in practice on Thursday, conducted a press conference and are currently prepared mind and body to be ready for the start of the tour match Essex. Vettori said - We left five minutes after the game. It was tight. But our franchise owners own the airport - so things got through pretty quickly.

McCullum says no comment to question on whether he has been paid for IPL appearances
In reply to a question on whether he has been paid for appearances in IPL cricket, the New Zealand opening batsman Brendon McCullm said no comment when in England. The chances are that the money is yet to come through because of the Indian foreign exchange payment procedures which can be tiresome. Still, the world media would be happy to present the other picture.

Sri Lankan media manager removed by Arjuna Ranatunga
Arjuna Ranatunga, head of the Sri Lankan interim cricket governing body removed the media manager Samantha Algama, allegedly for being too good with the media. Mr. Mendis said that Arjuna Ranatunga has told him to inform me that the SLC no longer required my service as media manager. Ranatunga has said that I was too good with the media and that is why I was removed. Algama, one of the longest serving media managers, said he was doing a honorary job from 2005 without taking a single cent as salary from the SLC.

Mumbai Indians remove all traces of Harbhajan Singh
The exile of Harbhajan Singh from IPL was complete after the Mumbai Indians removed all reference of the spinner from their official material. After the news of Harbhajan's suspension was confirmed, the team set about removing all trace of the spinner as advertising hoardings bearing his face were pulled down, while there is no mention of the controversial figure on the official website of the franchise. The official reason for the move may have been to avoid misleading fans by advertising a player who would not be making any further appearances. But there is no doubt the most expensive team in the IPL have been embarrassed by the incident.
McGrath may write a second cook book while in India

The Australian fast bowling legend Glenn McGrath may use free time in the IPL to write a second cook book. The book may even be on Indian cookery. The Delhi Daredevils pace bowlers is busy expanding his recipe binder with a view to producing a second book. Said the fast bowler with the nickname of Pigeon - Yeah, I love eating and cooking spicy food. I have written one book on barbecue recipes and I will be checking out Indian food next.