The beautiful games

Hey guys

After numerous posts obsessed with cricket, it is time to turn to one related to two of my favourite sports. Football and Tennis are two of the most beautiful games to watch and are among my biggest crazes. Here is a crossword purely on these two games ranging from the World Cup to the leagues in Europe, Wimbledon and other opens. Time for Kick off guys, good luck!


** There are spaces between the first and last name

Across

1. Home country of the only player to win the Champions League with three different clubs (7)----- clarence seedorf
5. Tournament referee at Wimbledon from 1982 to 2005 (4,5)----- alan mills
7. Took out Hingis in first round of Wimbledon 99 (6, 5)------ jelena dokic
9. Total football with Cruyff at Ajax (5, 7)----- rinus michels
10. Pistol Pete's final defeat in Wimbledon (6, 5)-------- george bastl
12. Cause for Sampras' tears against Courier in 1995 Australian Open (3, 9)--- tim gullikson
14. Runner-up when Navratilova won her final Wimbledon singles title (4, 8)--- zina garrison jackson
15. Easy final for Andre Agassi down under in 2003 (6, 9)------- rainer schuttler
17. Led Bulgaria in shock upset of Germany in 1994 WC (9)------hristo stoichkov
18. French manager in 1998 WC (4, 7)---- aime jacquet
19. Handed Steffi Graf a 6-0 6-1 defeat in Berlin (6, 7)-------amanda coetzer
20. Shock death on field (Cameroon and West Ham)(4, 6, 3)----- marc vivien foe


Down

2. Hit crossbar with free kick in 2002 final (8)---- oliver neuville
3. 'White Pele' (4)----zico
4. Bust up with Keane led to the latter missing WC 2002 (4, 8)---- mick mccarthy
6. Doubles partner of the player who was blanked by Graf 6-0 6-0 in the Roland Garros final 1988 (4, 9)------- gigi fernandez
8. Would have been a footballing great if not for Munich (6, 7)----- duncan edwards
11. Scored both goals against Croatia in 1998 semi-final (6, 6)---- lilian thuram
13. Partnered Puskas in legendary Hungary side of 1954 (6, 6)---- sandor kocsis
16. Upset Graf to win 1992 Olympic Gold (8)---- jennifer capriati

It's all in the genes

Hey guys and mostly this time gals..

Another crossword and this time on another of my favourite topics.. genetics- endlessly fascinating and most interesting..do give it a shot and lemme know how it is..



Across

2. mutation in gene on X chromosome (muscular degeneration)-- (10)
3. widely used organism in genetic analysis -- (10)
4. Ethically prohibited form of gene therapy -- (8)
5. prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal disorders -- (13)
6. Hairy pinna(Y chromosome) -- (14)
8. Abbreviation for an autosomal recessive disorder (leads to progressive mental retardation) --(3)
10. In RNA but not in DNA --(6)
14. Process to generate multiple copies of a DNA sequence --(3)
16. Rna to dna synthesis in retroviruses --(7,13)
18. Observable traits, characteristics or behaviour of an organism-- (9)
19. Missed the Nobel for DNA structure --(8)


Down

1. Gene with the potential to cause cancer --(8)
5. DNA Fingerprinting --(4,8)
7. Non-identical twins --(9)
9. XXY --(11)
11. Trisomy 21 --(4,8)
12. Lab where Watson and Crick discovered the double helix structure --(9)
13. DNA->mRNA->Protein --(7,5)
15. Human cloning, really?? -- (7)
17. Controls cell division --(8)


Answer key

Across

2. mutation in gene on X chromosome (muscular degeneration)-- dystrophin
3. widely used organism in genetic analysis -- drosophila
4. Ethically prohibited form of gene therapy -- germ line
5. prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal disorders -- amniocentesis
6. Hairy pinna(Y chromosome) -- hypertrichosis
8. Abbreviation for an autosomal recessive disorder (leads to progressive mental retardation) -- PKU
10. In RNA but not in DNA -- Uracil
14. Process to generate multiple copies of a DNA sequence -- PCR
16. Rna to dna synthesis in retroviruses -- Reverse Transcriptase
18. Observable traits, characteristics or behaviour of an organism-- phenotype
19. Missed the Nobel for DNA structure -- rosalind franklin


Down

1. Gene with the potential to cause cancer -- oncogene
5. DNA Fingerprinting -- alec jeffreys
7. Non-identical twins -- dizygotic
9. XXY -- Klinefelter syndrome
11. Trisomy 21 -- down syndrome
12. Lab where Watson and Crick discovered the double helix structure -- Cavendish
13. DNA->mRNA->Protein --central dogma
15. Human cloning, really?? -- Clonaid
17. Controls cell division -- telomere

crossword 1 answers

Hey guys

hope you had a fun time with the sports crossword

Here are the answers

Across

1. KING tells the umpire not to stop the bowler from bowling bouncers-- Len Pascoe

3. United played them before the Munich crash-- Red Star Belgrade

4. Batsman, journalist, 346 with the Don-- Jack Fingleton

7. Obstructing the field on 99-- Rameez Raja

9. Off the pitch like a crack of doom-- Mohammad Nissar

11. Arguably the greatest fielder ever...(pre Jonty Rhodes)-- Colin Bland

13. Fastest to 200 wickets in Tests-- Clarrie Grimmett

14. Agassi's grand slam completed-- Andre Medvedev

15. first minute goal in 1974 WC final-- Van Neeskens

17. Five goals in a WC game in 1994-- Oleg Salenko

19. Bradman battered, bruised and embarrassed in First Class match-- Eddie Gilbert

20. Can United score? They always do-- Clive Tyldesley (commentator on ITV4)



Down

2. only player to beat rank 1,2 and 3 enroute to title-- Steffi Graf French Open 99

5. Awarded MOM to Nawaz in 1975 WC game without knowing which team won-- Tom Graveney

6. two twin tons in a series-- Clyde Walcott

8. 1993 US and 1997 Wimby final. Both times fell to Pete-- Cedric Pioline

10. 40 wickets in a series...twice-- Terry Alderman

12. Wrong end of a Colin Croft bump-- Fred Goodall

16. Common to Ramsey, Busby and Fergie-- Scotland

18. 4 wickets out of 5 on debut against WI in Delhi-- Arshad Ayub

Next one coming up today on another of my pet topics...

Cross the line..

Hey guys... a first of a few crosswords I wanna put up over the next few weeks. As expected, I start with a sports based one before heading to other stuff. The clues are below the image. Good luck with it and let me know how the standard of questions is.

You can click on the image and open it in another tab before trying it out.

You can either send in your answers in the comments section or better still mail me at madhusudhanramakrishnan@gmail.com




Across

1. KING tells the umpire not to stop the bowler from bowling bouncers (6)

3. United played them before the Munich crash (8)

4. Batsman, journalist, 346 with the Don (9)

7. Obstructing the field on 99 (6,4)

9. Off the pitch like a crack of doom (6)

11. Arguably the greatest fielder ever...(pre Jonty Rhodes)-- (5,5)

13. Fastest to 200 wickets in Tests (8)

14. Agassi's grand slam completed (8)

15. first minute goal in 1974 WC final (8)

17. Five goals in a WC game in 1994 (4,7)

19. Bradman battered, bruised and embarrassed in First Class match (5,7)

20. Can United score? They always do (9)



Down

2. only player to beat rank 1,2 and 3 enroute to title (6,4)

5. Awarded MOM to Nawaz in 1975 WC game without knowing which team won (8)

6. two twin tons in a series (7)

8. 1993 US and 1997 Wimby final. Both times fell to Pete (7)

10. 40 wickets in a series...twice (8)

12. Wrong end of a Colin Croft bump (4,7)

16. Common to Ramsey, Busby and Fergie (8)

18. 4 wickets out of 5 on debut against WI in Delhi (4)

Move over Richie, the clowns are here!

For cricket fans used to the joy of watching quality cricket shows and listening to excellent analysis and commentary on Channel Nine and Sky broadcasts, the IPL coverage will indeed come as a shocking aberration. Undoubtedly, the overall standard of cricket coverage has dropped in the last ten years. This is mostly due to a spurt in the number of ex-cricketers and so-called cricket show anchors (read models, VJs etc). Admittedly the lady hosts are hot, but I cannot fathom the need for these skimpily clad girls to step up and enlighten the world with their extraordinary cricket 'acumen'. They might just as well cavort in the stands or somewhere outside which will at least regale viewers who are least interested in listening to the nonsensical conversations in the studio.

Because I run the risk of being branded sexist or chauvinistic, I hereby start with a disclaimer. There are quite a few girls/ladies who are knowledgeable about the game and are definitely not the ones I am referring to in this piece. I am in fact fortunate to know many of them. I also am not critical of the ones who do not like sports. After all it is their choice. It is the ones in between who do not quite know which way to go. They have boyfriends who love sports or claim to. Hence the girls decide it is best to demonstrate interest in the same lest they end up being left out of the groups. A classic example of the same is when i notice scores of girls in sports bars clueless while watching a Manchester United football game. Now do these girls care to know about the legacy of the club or its rich past. Do they have the slightest idea about the great trio, the Munich disaster or Nou Camp 1999. I bet not. Why then turn up there and stare at the screen? The reason a comedy show like the IPL is successful is because it is targeted at such a population. They don't know much, don't care to know much, don't appreciate the finer aspects and have only a faint idea about the game in general.

I have had enough of listening to these pretentious girls talk about Nadal's posterior and Federer's cut looks. Instead of appreciating the fantastic rivalry and the nature of the contests, they reduce the sport to such a meaningless concept. Messi's hair, Ronaldo's relationships take precedence over their skills and the history of the El Clasico. Well, the IPL is after all bloody entertainment and nothing else. So I can't really expect the brilliance of Test Match Special analysis there. But then the ones who are responsible should realise the fact that the game is being corrupted and adulterated with these ignoramuses trying to pass off as experts. Why on earth did cricket have to get to all this?

I don't think the ones i spoke about are going to ever know the history, listen to Benaud wax lyrical about Holding's silky action or appreciate classic Test match finishes. Neither are these 'smart' girls (lots of guys also fall in this category) going to understand, analyse and appreciate the nuances of football and tennis. But I hope this piece does hammer a fact into these girls' heads. We guys may ogle and think about girls more often than not BUT when it comes to sports and related discussions, we clearly prefer intelligent analysis to shameless exposure and ignorant opinions.

The Don's Achilles heel??

It would be sacrilegious to even consider comparing any batsman with Don Bradman. He is so far ahead of the rest of the pack that it defies logic. It is fair to say that no sport has witnessed such an extraordinary domination by one player. Bradman made tons of runs, scored them remarkably quickly, was involved in numerous record partnerships and averaged near 100 which is astounding. Before I go further, let me summarise a few of Bradman's outstanding records that are unlikely to be matched, let along bettered.

1. 29 centuries in just 52 matches (80 innings)- 1 hundred per 2.75 innings. Headley comes close with one every four innings (10 in 40).

2. Bradman scored 974 runs in a single series in 1929-30 against England. The closest is Hammond's 905 in the 1928-29 series.

3. His lowest average in a series was 55 in the Bodyline series and that was considered a failure.

4. He was one of the quickest scorers and scored 300 runs in a day.

5. In 1936-37, he scored 270, 169 and 212 as Australia fought back to win the series 3-2 after being 2-0 down.

6. His average is first class cricket is over 95 with 117 centuries in around 234 games. Merchant and Headley average nearly 70 (next best)!!

7. Has a 400 and 300+ stand with Bill Ponsford and a 346 run stand with Jack Fingleton.

8. Lost six of his best years to the World War. You can only imagine what his record might have been otherwise.

9. Led his team called the 'Invincibles' in 1948 to England. Did not lose a single game. Australia piled up 700 in a day against Essex.

10. Scored a century as Australia chased down 404 (then a record chase in Tests)

Ok. before you start thinking what is the objective of my piece, let me tell you that analysing stats is useless unless the context is considered.

As an example, I read CLR James' classic 'Beyond a Boundary'- a highly recommended read. In that book and a couple of others, I came across the point that Bradman was the prime example of a batsman who feasted on bowling in good conditions (read flat tracks) but struggled on the really tough ones (sticky/wet wickets). While it is not possible to establish the nature of the wickets without actually seeing them, I have jus done a brief analysis of how Bradman fared in matches where the team posted less than 300. As it turns out, in 22 such innings, he averages just over 28 with 2 centuries, a far cry from his astronomical career numbers. There can be arguments about how other batsmen failed and the reverse logic of the team failing when he failed. Hobbs and Headley were thought of as better players in tougher conditions and I shall try to establish this with some analysis soon. But at the moment, can I dare suppose that this can be considered the 'Achilles Heel' of the great Don??

Bradman in innings where the team total has been less than 300

43 and 0: vs West Indies

13: vs India

2: vs South Africa

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rest vs England

1 and 18

8

0 and 103*

8 and 66

24

71

36 and 13

38 and 0

0

26

103

12

7

Total = 592 in 21 (22 innings and 1 n.o)

Average of 28.2 in innings where Aussies were dismissed for less than 300 shows that he scored when it was lot easier and did struggle when the going was tough.

In a similar context (team scores less than 300), George Headley scored 817 runs at an average of nearly 38 with four centuries. He wasn't known as the 'Black Bradman' for nothing. Hobbs (of 199 FC centuries fame) scored 1639 runs in a similar context at an average of close to 40. I am not sure if this is enough to pass a judgment. That is not my intention anyway, but just an example to show that career figures of any batsman/bowler must be broken down and analysed in greater detail before coming to a conclusion.

Case in point are the stats of Sunny Gavaskar against WI- 12 of his 34 hundreds against them. In matches when Holding/Marshall did not play, he had 6 hundreds at an average over 91. In games they played, he averaged 41. But even the 41 is bloated, because in 20 innings, he scored a 236* and 147* in dead draws. He scored 594 runs in 4 innings and just 151 in the remaining 16 at an average less than 10 and did not pass 20 even once in the 7 innings he was dismissed by Marshall between 1982-83 and 1983-84.

Ace of Pace

For almost every Test cricket fan, nothing symbolises quality Test cricket than the sight of a superb fast bowler steaming in with the new ball to dislodge a top batsman. It surely can't get better than this! I have grown up in the 1990s watching and admiring brilliant line and length bowlers like Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh, the quick Allan Donald and the talented Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. Despite having missed the action in the previous decades which witnessed the best of West Indian fast bowling and the aggression of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson, I have managed to catch the best matches and moments on video. Comparing fast bowlers is as old a debate as the one on who the best batsman is. Intrigued as I have been by this debate, I decided to analyse the great fast bowlers statistically to try and come up with the answer to the big question- Who is the greatest of them all?

Firstly, I decided to consider only the top fast bowlers from each team (only post World War 2 bowlers considered due to similarity of conditions). The criteria for shortlisting the bowlers is purely the bowling average and strike rate after considering all bowlers with a minimum haul of 200 wickets. Here is the distribution.

Format-> Bowler (wickets)

1. Australia- Ray Lindwall (228), Dennis Lillee (355), Glenn McGrath (563)
2. England- Fred Truman (302), Ian Botham (383), Bob Willis (325)
3. India- Kapil Dev (434)
4. New Zealand- Richard Hadlee (431)
5. Pakistan- Imran Khan (362), Wasim Akram (414), Waqar Younis (373)
6. South Africa- Allan Donald (330), Shaun Pollock (421), Dale Steyn (238)
7. Sri Lanka- Chaminda Vaas (355)
8. West Indies -Malcolm Marshall (376), Curtly Ambrose (405), Michael Holding (249),Joel Garner (259)

There can be several books written about the fantastic exploits of these legends, but I shall restrict myself to the task of explaining the various parameters I have used in the analysis.

Although most parameters are self explanatory, I shall provide a brief idea about each of them.

The main factor used in all calculations is the quality factor which is the product of the strike rate and the bowling average. The lower the value, the better the bowler's performance. In all factors, the highest score is used as the base and the other numbers are normalised.

1. factor 1: Overall career quality factor (bowling average and strike rate)
Dale Steyn, by virtue of his outstanding strike rate is on top while Marshall's average of 20.94 brings him second.

2. factor 2: five wicket hauls: Innings per five wicket haul is used to measure the bowler's match-winning ability.
Richard Hadlee is on top followed by Steyn.

3. factor 3: performance in wins: the quality factor is measured in wins.
Once again, Hadlee and Steyn are on top.

4. factor 4: Away performance: accords bonus to bowler if more than 50% of his wickets are in away Tests and measures quality factor in away wins.
Michael Holding and Marshall are on top. Note that Dennis Lillee loses out as a result of not playing many Tests outside Australia and England.

5. factor 5: top-order wickets: percentage of top-order wickets. Vaas and Pollock are slightly ahead of the rest of the pack.

6. factor 6- 3rd and 4th innings performance- measures quality factor in the vital phase of Tests.Marshall and Donald are on top.

7. factor 7- performance w.r.t peers: complex factor which measures quality of peers both in the same team and other teams. Care is taken to ensure that a bowler does not gain significantly if he has played in a weak team (eg Hadlee).
Steyn and Trueman come out on top.

8. factor 8: Performance against the best teams (3 or 4 at most)- Marshall and Trueman are on top.

9. factor 9: Performance in tough bowling conditions: batting average in the period is used to measure which conditions have been the best for batsmen i.e. toughest for bowlers. Bowler stats in these countries is used to calculate this factor.
Marshall and Steyn are on top. Lillee loses out again as a result of poor performances in the few matches he played outside Australia and England.

10. factor 10: best years- The best years (4/5) of the bowler are used to calculate this factor so that the peak performance can be compared.
Imran Khan and Waqar Younis are on top.

Bonus points are given to allrounders who have contributed to Test wins in the batting department too.



Finally, when the results are checked, Malcolm Marshall comes out on top and deservedly so. He performed superbly and was the best of the Wi pacemen. He also impressed in India and Pakistan which were regarded as graveyards for fast bowlers. Steyn comes a very close second by virtue of a stunning start to his career. It will be interesting to see if he can maintain this for the next five years. The next five are Hadlee, Imran, Waqar, Donald and Ambrose. It's highly unlikely that anyone will have complaints about the rankings of these greats. McGrath, Akram and Lillee come within the top 15. The last few positions belong to Botham, Kapil Dev and Vaas, who despite s rich haul of wickets, were definitely not as potent and threatening in all conditions as the bowlers in the top five.

It was an enthralling exercise to go through the amazing stats of these legendary pace bowlers and an even more interesting exercise to work out the parameters. Now all I want to do is get my hands on a collection of DVDs where I can watch some classic fast bowling, which is truly the most endearing aspect of Test cricket.