Zaheer Khan's pointed sign of aggression

[King]

We saw the new face of Indian cricket at Trent Bridge, and it was not wearing a smile, writes Simon Briggs. More... Zaheer Khan's pointed sign of aggression By Simon Briggs at Trent Bridge Last Updated: 2:07am BST 30/07/2007 Have your say Read comments In pics: Indian batsmen in buoyant mood Video: The Analyst at the Test Trent Bridge scorecard We saw the new face of Indian cricket yesterday, and it was not wearing a smile. By brandishing his bat in the general direction of Kevin Pietersen, Zaheer Khan broke one of the sport's unwritten rules - namely, that verbal conflict is just about acceptable, but physical aggression is beyond the pale. We saw the new face of Indian cricket yesterday, and it was not wearing a smile. By brandishing his bat in the general direction of Kevin Pietersen, Zaheer Khan broke one of the sport's unwritten rules - namely, that verbal conflict is just about acceptable, but physical aggression is beyond the pale. Zaheer made his ugly gesture moments after the fall of India's seventh wicket, when their lead was already past 250. It was clearly prompted by verbal sniping from the England slip cordon - increasingly desperate verbal sniping, no doubt, as the match moved inexorably out of their reach. Yet there is a fundamental difference between such remarks, which are invariably left on the field, according to the players' code of omerta, and a clear visual display of anger, obvious to every schoolboy cricketer in the crowd. During the over, stump microphones suggested that a variety of comments had been traded, involving everything from Zaheer's first shot (edged through the slips for four) to India's big lead. Play was held up for a few moments as the umpires asked for calm; at the end of the over they spoke to Andrew Strauss, the stand-in captain while Michael Vaughan was off the field. Bizarrely, the umpires could be heard discussing a prank involving a jelly bean, which an England player had apparently placed on a length. As the officials conducted their brief inquest, Pietersen kept protesting that they were "talking to the wrong man". The match referee must decide whether to take disciplinary action. If so, the home side should share responsibility for the flare-up. Ever since England's change of management this summer the close fielders have been encouraged to snap and snarl at opponents. The players refer to this policy as either "intensity" or "intent": euphemisms on a par with Steve Waugh's "mental disintegration". But their blatant gamesmanship was bound to cause trouble at some stages. Perhaps we should not be surprised the flash-point came when England had their backs to the wall. "It's a tough game," Matt Prior said during a detailed explanation of England's tactics. "A lot of people are under a lot of pressure; if you can do anything to get one-up on your opponent you're going to try to do that, as long as it is kept within the spirit of the game. "Today has been a tough day's Test cricket and when you are fighting that hard no one wants to take a backward step. It's never nice when you're batting and there are 11 blokes around you giving you a barrage. It can be uncomfortable, but it can definitely be used as an advantage. "It's important to have 11 people hunting together, creating intensity and making the batsman uncomfortable, and it's even more important on a flat wicket, or when the ball's not swinging, or there's a big partnership. It won't stop you losing a session, but you might not lose it as heavily as you would if you hadn't maintained that intensity." If England expected the Indians to turn the other cheek, they expected wrong. There was a time when the Indians used to contract a virulent inferiority complex every time they boarded an aircraft. But these modern players have learnt to square their shoulders and bare their teeth - or worse, as we saw from Zaheer yesterday. After the recent shoulder-barging incident involving James Anderson, it has been a bad month for cricket's gentlemanly image.

[King]

The current Indian team can be the aggressor many a times. Gone are the good old days when Indian players used to smile and get on with it. Now with guys like Sreesanth, Ganguly, Zaheer, Karthik and Munaf in the ranks there is no turning other cheek I guess. I won't be surprised if India turn out to be the one to fire the first shot. I have to say KP was quite shell shocked at Zaheer pointing the bat and walking towards him. Often KP was reminded of the score by Zaheer. For once KP looked a bit mellowed.

[King Tendulkar]

ZK was fuming. KP was saying it was not me who said it! Brillliant :hysterical: About 10 mins later they had made up though. I dont think it was KP who said anything. Its Prior who thinks he is funny. Like he kept calling srresanth Harry Potter

[Gaurav]

Harry potter :hysterical::hysterical:

[King Tendulkar]

To be fair to Prior he is never abusive with swear words etc He just does 1 liners and things to make people laugh. Like in last match telling Karthick that Dhoni would have hit some boundaries by now etc etc. Our boys have just got to deal with it and then dish it out to him when he bats.

[King]

I don't reckon Indian players are saints as well. I think there is absolutely nothing wrong having a word as long as it doesn't get too private.

[King Tendulkar]

Apparently a jelly bean was left on a length. I am not kidding a jelly bean:hysterical: Thats why it all kicked of cos of a jelly bean:hysterical:

[King]

Yup heard that. Prior thinks it's all friendly banter. Wonder why anyone would put jelly bean on a length. Prior doesn't an idea what jelly bean was there for.