Cricket

It's the end of the footy season & that means it's cricket season :) Australia are playing India in India, with the first test starting tomorrow. It should be an interesting series, with Australia out to prove that they can play spin, while India would like to keep Australia from winning a series in India, something which Australia hasn't done since 1959, with a team led by everyone's favourite leggie/TV commentator/person from the 12th man they like to impersonate. With the exception of Ponting (and possibly MacGill), this is the strongest Australian lineup available, and it would be interesting to see how the Australian bowling lineup will go. Hopefully, Warne will improve on his average of 55 v India, McGrath will be back in form (proving that his mauling against England in the Champions Trophy was an aberration) and the batsmen (like Gilchrist: 122, 1, 1, 0, 0) can improve on previous efforts in India (although that would be hard for Hayden). Clarke, the "next big thing" will make his debut tomorrow, and I hope he goes well. For India, the loss of Tendulkar, in my opinion, is a greater blow for India then Ponting's loss for Australia. While Ponting is in red hot form right now, Tendulkar seems to be a rallying point for India, and it will be hard to replace him, although I think Dravid & (especially) Laxman pose a greater danger. While India have made some progress with their seam bowlers, it seems that they sense they are in trouble, hence preparing pitches that suit Kumble & Harbhajan Singh from the outset (rather than the more moderate pitches they have been producing in the past few years. For Australia, the backup bowling of Lehmann, Clarke & Katich (if he bowls) will be important, but it might get to the point where Hauritz might be in contention to play. Hopefully it won't be delayed until the 3rd test (if it comes down to that) like last time with Collin Miller. It might be found that Lee's additional pace might be needed as well, most likely at the expense of Kasprowicz, but that would be fraught with danger, as his recent form is similar to Mark Philippoussis (without Delta), and that's one sure fire way to ensure Australia loses. It will be a cracker of a series & (hopefully) one that sees Australia winning. One other thing that caught my eye today: A couple buys the Gonzalez's house, without being told the history behind the house. They have subsequently found out and want out. Without worrying about the contractual details, should the agent have disclosed the history before the sale? Legally, no, but ethically, should they have? The agent's role in this matter, as I see it, is analogous to the dilemma auditors have (that is, who do they owe their duties to), and the perceived gap between what's technically correct and the public's expectation of what's correct. However, that's for another day (& most people have probably skipped this section anyway, but it does show that stuff in lectures does sink in my head once in a while (or i've starting thinking about my assignment)) :)