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Filed under Cricket News 2008

I eat, sleep, think, write, watch and listen cricket. you can say I (your host behind Itsonlycricket.com) practically live cricket. and always want more..

Yet sometimes, I need a break.

So does Team India. Yesterday, 2 days after sad second test match against Australia, boys went out to shut out their minds off cricket..location was Bondi beach in Sydney. Today they're off to Canberra for practice match against ACT XI starting 10th January (Thursday).

But what's the buzz around the world over this whole issue? where's the matter gone? I've selected some stories from everywhere in written press online, and they all explain Ind v Aus Sydney test from their perspective. and some updates --

**3 match ban on Harbhajan Singh has been put to stay, new judge from New Zealand (John Hansen) comes in to rehear the case and give final verdict. In the mean time, Harbhajan can play any amount of cricket he wants.. if selected into playing eleven. news also suggest that Indian squad is not happy with the stay orders, and they insist on Bhajji's ban to be completely dumb & dusted. not much news on sydney test match being abandoned, like what happened in South Africa 4 years ago.

**Willing to read what Australia captain Ricky Ponting has to say on the whole matter? try Ponting's exclusive column at foxsports. Former India coach John Wright is saying 'Indian fans won't back off' (very appropriately) whereas Wasim Akram is criticizing Australian team to be cry babies who can sledge other teams but can't take a comment back!

**Controversial umpire Steve Bucknor has been replaced from the third test match at Perth, with New Zealand's Billy Bowden who himself was 'not so correct' while standing in 1st test!

**While that thrilling Sydney test match was unfolding on last day (6th January, Sunday), host Broadcasters 'Channel 9' reached a mark of 2.6 million viewers, which is almost equal to the peak of Ashes series Aussies love so much! now, I wonder had Australian team played fair cricket - this Border-gwaskar trophy would have broken all Aussie TV viewership records as by the Sydney test match.. Indian team were just warming up to the task..!!

**Australian captain, in the middle of all the allegations & controversies, went on to say "If India boycotts current tour, it will effect next series between the two countries".. which, of course, is not his prerogative and didn't please the Australian government who have very health relationship with Indian counterparts! In fact, Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is planing to come to India when a India vs Australia match is played here.

You're welcome to our country of cricket, Mr. PM!!

**Indian team have now brought the conduct against Australian spinner Brad Hogg for using offensive words against captain Anil Kumble and Mahendra Singh Dhoni who were trying to save the game on that dirty Sunday. Hearing will be done on 14th of this month.

** Teams left & Sydney cricket ground become a location for Bollywood shoot for film 'Victory'.. Indian version of Bend it like Beckham. Director - Ajit Pal. Film has Sachin Tendulkar, Simon Jones, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Jacob Oram, Allan Border and Sunil Gawaskar. Stars newcomer Harman Baweja and will be released in August 2008. story base? well, Victory is a story of a common Indian boy who comes from a small family, makes it big in International cricket.. fails to handle the success and loses it all. then.. then he fightbacks in climax!!

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