A doll, a TV star and a headline-grabber
The wonderful world of Shane Warne, some reptiles, lawsuits, and rocks thrown at Australians
Siddhartha Vaidyanathan
08-Oct-2007
 |
|
Warnie takes over from Boonie
This has nothing to do with the beer-drinking record that David Boon set on a flight from Sydney to London (he downed 52 cans) but rather one of Australia's most successful marketing campaigns.
This has nothing to do with the beer-drinking record that David Boon set on a flight from Sydney to London (he downed 52 cans) but rather one of Australia's most successful marketing campaigns.
Warne will have his image cast into a 12 cm plastic figurine which will be sold with slabs of VB beer from December. Like the Boonie figurine, the Warnie will emit any of 60 pre-recorded phrases to coincide with the coverage of matches throughout 2006-07. Warne recently spent four hours in a London studio recording the phrases, but admitted the marketers overlooked most of the ones he came up with. Now that's plain rude.
Warne the impersonator
Our beloved Shane has also been slotted as a special guest on the October 14 finale of the sitcom Kath & Kim. He plays Wayne, a Shane Warne impersonator who woos cricket-loving Sharon Strzelecki. Magda Szubanski, who plays Sharon, said she found Warne very charming while he was on the set.
Our beloved Shane has also been slotted as a special guest on the October 14 finale of the sitcom Kath & Kim. He plays Wayne, a Shane Warne impersonator who woos cricket-loving Sharon Strzelecki. Magda Szubanski, who plays Sharon, said she found Warne very charming while he was on the set.
The Jemima googly
Woman's Day "revealed" that it was Warne's affair with Jemima Khan that thwarted his most recent attempt to reconcile with his ex-wife, Simone Callahan. In an uncharacteristic move, Warne, for once, played spoilsport: "There's absolutely no truth in that one whatsoever," he told reporters in Melbourne.
Woman's Day "revealed" that it was Warne's affair with Jemima Khan that thwarted his most recent attempt to reconcile with his ex-wife, Simone Callahan. In an uncharacteristic move, Warne, for once, played spoilsport: "There's absolutely no truth in that one whatsoever," he told reporters in Melbourne.
|
|
 |
And now for the more run-of-the-mill happenings of the week
Flagging off
A Jalandhar-based lawyer has filed a complaint against the Indian team for "disrespecting" the national flag after they won the World Twenty20. The Flag Act of 1871 has been used for reference. The non-existent Joblessness Act of 1844 hasn't been evoked yet.
A Jalandhar-based lawyer has filed a complaint against the Indian team for "disrespecting" the national flag after they won the World Twenty20. The Flag Act of 1871 has been used for reference. The non-existent Joblessness Act of 1844 hasn't been evoked yet.
Colly and the snakepit
Collingwood and three other members of the England squad in Sri Lanka were left stunned by a two-metre long reptile that crossed their path on the way back to the team hotel. Colly, never one to complain, laughed it off with: "To be honest, we've all been blown away by the fantastic wildlife we've seen." The snakes, it is rumoured, might share the sentiment.
Collingwood and three other members of the England squad in Sri Lanka were left stunned by a two-metre long reptile that crossed their path on the way back to the team hotel. Colly, never one to complain, laughed it off with: "To be honest, we've all been blown away by the fantastic wildlife we've seen." The snakes, it is rumoured, might share the sentiment.
Journos take on Pope
Not the Pope but Philip Pope, the Australian media manager. More than a hundred members of the Indian media were left fuming when Pope announced after the ODi in Hyderabad that a press conference wouldn't begin until the Australian journalists arrived. This was a good 20 minutes after the conclusion of the game, which is when press conferences customarily begin. Ever heard of deadlines, Philip?
Not the Pope but Philip Pope, the Australian media manager. More than a hundred members of the Indian media were left fuming when Pope announced after the ODi in Hyderabad that a press conference wouldn't begin until the Australian journalists arrived. This was a good 20 minutes after the conclusion of the game, which is when press conferences customarily begin. Ever heard of deadlines, Philip?
I am a rock
More from Hyderabad. A projectile was thrown through the window of the Australian team bus as they made their way back to the hotel. Sources close to the team said a boy launched the projectile from a hiding spot at the side of the road, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. No boys, or journalists, were pulled up.
More from Hyderabad. A projectile was thrown through the window of the Australian team bus as they made their way back to the hotel. Sources close to the team said a boy launched the projectile from a hiding spot at the side of the road, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. No boys, or journalists, were pulled up.
|
|
 |
Internet headaches
The ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) officer needed to keep a vigilant eye on the team dressing rooms during the recent Karachi Test between Pakistan and South Africa. The problem arose, according to the Dawn, because of the availability of wi-fi internet access in all parts of the stadium.
The ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) officer needed to keep a vigilant eye on the team dressing rooms during the recent Karachi Test between Pakistan and South Africa. The problem arose, according to the Dawn, because of the availability of wi-fi internet access in all parts of the stadium.
Lt Col Nuruddin Khawaja needed to keep an eye on the two dressing rooms as the rules don't allow either the players or the officials to use laptops in their dressing rooms during the course of an international match. One man's boon is another's headache.
Hansie recalled
A film based on the life of Hansie Cronje is currently being produced by the late South African's screenwriter brother, Frans. "This film is not just about cricket, it's about redemption," said Frans in the Independent. "In the end, Hansie found redemption and was able to rebuild his life."
A film based on the life of Hansie Cronje is currently being produced by the late South African's screenwriter brother, Frans. "This film is not just about cricket, it's about redemption," said Frans in the Independent. "In the end, Hansie found redemption and was able to rebuild his life."
The spectacle of the Bulls
Queensland Bulls are experimenting with special pairs of glasses that have had their bottom halves blacked out, and others that have been blurred in a bid to sharpen batsmen's focus and concentration skills, the Courier Mail reports. What next? Australian batsmen practising blindfolded? Cricketers wearing ear-plugs at nets? At this rate one might even imagine the day when someone gets an Aussie cricketer to shut his mouth.
Queensland Bulls are experimenting with special pairs of glasses that have had their bottom halves blacked out, and others that have been blurred in a bid to sharpen batsmen's focus and concentration skills, the Courier Mail reports. What next? Australian batsmen practising blindfolded? Cricketers wearing ear-plugs at nets? At this rate one might even imagine the day when someone gets an Aussie cricketer to shut his mouth.
Quote-hanger
"With all this sledging, you'd think cricket was a game played in Antarctica."
- The Times of India's Bachi Karkaria on the verbal wars during the India-Australia series.
"With all this sledging, you'd think cricket was a game played in Antarctica."
- The Times of India's Bachi Karkaria on the verbal wars during the India-Australia series.
Siddhartha Vaidyanathan is an assistant editor at Cricinfo