My worst Test as coach – Graham Ford

Rex Clementine
reporting from Melbourne

Sri Lanka’s coach Graham Ford has an impeccable record. Even Steve Waugh’s invincibles couldn’t win a series in India, but Ford achieved the milestone when he coached South Africa to a historic series win in 2000. Of the 11 series Ford was in-charge as coach of South Africa, eight ended in victories and one of those victories came against the Sri Lankans in 2001. In that series came Sri Lanka’s heaviest defeat in Test cricket, an embarrassing innings and 229-run loss in Cape Town. The Test ended inside three days.

For someone known for ending Tests in three days, it’s quite tough when the trend is reversed, that’s to be in the receiving end. Sri Lanka’s innings and 201-run loss at the MCG is their third worst in the history and Ford tried to play down the embarrassment.

Saving yours pets from the New Year blast!

Sathva Mithra says that it is time again for a reminder about protecting pet animals, especially dogs, from the terrifying blast of fire crackers at the dawn of the New Year. These blasts in the neighbourhood, sometimes right next door terrify animals; at times even birds fall from their perches on trees, in shock.

Here are some suggestions by Sathva Mithra to protect household pets and save them from running away and getting lost:

* Refrain from lighting crackers in your own garden if you have pets, because they get terrified, just as little children or old people would.

* If you are planning to go out on New Year’s Eve, don’t leave your dog out in the garden, exposing it to these blasts. Dogs must not be left out particularly if you do not have a secure wall round your house; they will creep out through fences and even try to get out through drains. So keep your pets indoors, preventing them from rushing out. The fate that awaits pets that rush out in fright is sad indeed; some get on to the road and are knocked down by speeding vehicles; others creep into drains and are trapped inside, or they fall into the hands of unsavoury characters on prowl for lost pet dogs. Others are attacked by dogs of the area and injured, or they may be stoned, and chased away by people. 

It is your duty to protect the animals in your care. Brave and faithful as they are in normal times, they cannot cope with the terrifying New Year blast. Save them from a terrible plight. Don’t fail them!

Tony Greig dies of heart failure

Cricketing legend Tony Greig, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in October, has died after a suspected heart attack.

(Cull From The Island)

Indian gang-rape victim dies in Singapore hospital Indian police charged six men with murder

Hospital staff carry the body of the Indian gang-rape victim to the police morgue vehicle at the Mount Elizabeth hospital in Singapore.

New Delhi police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said the six face the death penalty if convicted, in a case that has triggered protests across India for greater protection for women from sexual violence, and raised questions about lax attitudes by police toward sexual crimes.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said he was aware of the emotions the attack has stirred, adding it was up to all Indians to ensure that the young woman’s death will not have been in vain.

The victim "passed away peacefully" yesterday at Mount Elizabeth hospital in Singapore with her family and officials of the Indian Embassy by her side, Dr. Kevin Loh, the chief executive of the hospital, said in a statement.

After 10 days at a hospital in New Delhi, the Indian capital, the woman was brought Thursday to Mount Elizabeth, which specialises in multi-organ transplants.