Hold the phone. It’s still cricket season. Those burly boofheads may be rubbing in the liniment but there is still some cricket to be played yet in Australia this summer. And that is the Pura Cup final. It starts this Saturday at the SCG and is between the Blues and the Vics, who finished level on top of the table. Those two teams were runaways from early on and could not have been much more even. In fact, the pivotal match was a few weeks ago when both teams met at the SCG. The result was a draw with a first innings tie! The final will be at the SCG as the Blues had the better net run rate. They also remained undefeated (outright) but lost two matches on first innings.

Stuart MacGill returned to first class cricket last week and immediately took a five wicket bag. With Pakistan cancelled, I’m not sure how much it helps him but it’s a good effort. I thought a successful comeback was beyond him.

Looking further afield, NZ is set to take on England, in the second Test in Wellington. The Black Caps trounced the Poms at Hamilton, despite a second innings hat trick from England’s Ryan Sidebottom. Well done, him.

South Africa are currently dismantling Bangladesh in a One Day series but the two Test series, won 2-0 by South Africa, was not without interest. In the first Test, Bangladesh were dismissed for 192. No surprises there. There was a surprise when South Africa trailed by 22 on the first innings. They recovered to win fairly comfortably.

Next Test saw things return to normal. South Africa posted an opening stand of 415. Yes, Smith (232) and McKenzie (226) set a new Test world record for the 1st wicket. The innings was closed at 7/583 but it turns out that the first wicket surpassed Bangladesh (259 & 119) all on its own.

IPL bubbles along with the second auction held yesterday. Catfish (James Hopes) was the biggest winner scoring himself a $300k contract. IPL simmers along for the Aussies. I still see trouble. CA has been quick to point out that Pakistan may be cancelled but the West Indies tour starts on 16 May, less than a month after IPL starts. James Sutherland says that they are “now considering what the appropriate lead-in is going to be for the team” prior to the tour. Tim Nielsen says that playing cricket on the sub-continent is hardly ideal lead-up to cricket in the Caribbean. Oh please. Perhaps they will be required to attend boot camp with John Buchanan.