By Pragya Tiwari, IANS,
Mohali : It has been a week since all-rounder Dwayne Bravo flew home after injuring his knee in the West Indies’ opening 2011 World Cup game against South Africa but his absence is still being felt in the dressing room.
Apart from being a key player, Bravo was also known to perk up the dressing room with his exceptional sense of humour.
In a dinner recently, skipper Darren Sammy reportedly said that in Bravo they have lost two players – a batsman and a bowler besides a fantastic comedian.
Bravo was in Sammy’s thoughts even in the press conference Thursday on the eve of their match againt Ireland.
“We all are in contact with Dwayne. His surgery went quite well. He also checks upon us. He is an inspiration on the field,” he said.
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Ireland attracts fans to the ground
It was an encouraging turn out at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium despite it being a non-India match.
Indian spectators feel Ireland’s exciting performance has added interest in the match.
“We have come to watch Ireland. They are the team to watch out for in this competition. Even West Indies have exciting players in Kieron Pollard. We are expecting a thrilling match,” said Shivani, a student, who had come with her friends from Chandigarh armed with caps and trumpets.
“The tickets for students have been priced at just Rs.50 so it is easy for us. Even the weather has become cooler. What better way to enjoy cricket.”
PCA joint secretary G.S. Walia told IANS that all the 5,000 tickets with them had been sold out. He, however, said the tickets given to the International Cricket Council (ICC) agencies have seen low attendance.
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Trent Johnston will be selective in his chicken dance
Ireland’s Trent Jonston will now be selective on his famous chicken dance. The 36-year-old pacer, who had to sit out this match with a knee injury, said he is relieved that he is still in India after his nasty fall during the match against the host nation.
“The physio reckons I will be 100 per cent for South Africa next Tuesday if I sit this one out. I am quite relieved I am still in India. When I crashed down onto that rock-hard wicket in Bangalore Sunday, the impact was so great it left a 1.5 inch crater that they couldn’t flatten out with a sledgehammer,” Johnston quipped.
He said he will do his chicken dance only when he takes a big players’ wicket.
“I had decided not to reprise it (chicken dance) in this tournament, but the kids kept pestering me so I decided that if I knocked over a top player, I would do it. Cue the histrionics in front of a billion people when I got Virender Sehwag out Sunday.
“I will now stick to my selective policy. If I get Chris Gayle or Graeme Smith’s wicket, there will be dancing, but not for a No.9 or No.10 batsmen.”