Whiner Warne

Humility, that low, sweet root, From which all heavenly virtues shoot.

Unfortunately, Shane Keith Warne doesn't think so. Yesterday, after temporarily equaling the world record of highest number of wickets, he started shooting from his lip.

It's explainable to be proud of the record. It's remarkable that the feat has been achieved mostly on those tracks which were fast bowlers friendly. But what was need to belittle somebody else's achievement, while basking in one's own glory.

Murli no doubt had spinner friendly tracks at his disposal, bowls longish spells and undoubtedly, chucks big time but these are not the reason's enough to pat one's own back. He chose to forget that while Murli spent most of his carrier bowling subcontinent batsmen who are good against spin, while he himself has made loads against spin minnows like England and NewZealand and faltered miserably against India (recurrent memories of Tendulkar hitting over the top -remember?). Of course, Murli never took dope and never had any dealings with bookies or blank called any lady nurse either. Is Warney proud of that as well?

For Murli, it's better he takes refuge in the fact that - It is better to be envied than pitied.

Yesterday, Billy Bowden , the umpire did to Australia what he and Bucknor did to India in the last test match between India and Australia at Sydney - refusing genuine LBW appeals. Atleast he was consistent. Though Aussies had more Parthiv Patels to contend with. They had dropped as many as 4 catches at the last count. This can be of no consolation to what was meted to India but atleast it has lessened some pain.