Rajan's Wrong un: Ponting lands low blow on the box

World Cup Diary

Alas, poor Ricky, we know him well. I hope readers will forgive me for returning to this column's favourite villain. Propriety if nothing else demands that we report Ricky Ponting saying that rumours of his smashing up a television are grossly exaggerated. He didn't whack it with his bat. Nor did he hurl his gloves in anger at the LCD screen.

In fact, it sustained only minor damage when it "was hit by my box, which I'd thrown down". Poor Ricky.

Proteas proud to set the record straight

A hairy moment for diplomatic relations came yesterday when a scratched recording of the South African anthem stopped abruptly ahead of their game against West Indies. To their credit, the proud Proteas continued singing. Technical trouble and "a poor quality" recording were to blame. Cricketwallahs said they would ensure "a better quality version is used for all matches going forward".

Kiwis need feel-good spin with McCullum

Romantics will be agitating for a Kiwi victory over Australia today, after the horrors in Christchurch this week. Fascinating to see if Daniel Vettori opens the bowling with part-time off-spinner Nathan McCullum – just the sort of trick his predecessor, Stephen Fleming, would have tried.

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