Back where it belongs

It was announced on Monday that the Bahrain Grand Prix was to be postponed following the instability of the country at present. Melbourne will now host the race, taking fans back to when it was the ‘one and only’ season opener.

A blessing in disguise could be one way to describe the situation – it causes a two week delay before the first race but does promise to provide one of the most exciting season openings of the modern era.

Bahrain failed to excite last year, despite changes to the circuit, causing many to doubt the entertainment value of rule changes in 2010. However, Melbourne proved that F1 hadn’t become boring and lifeless, paving the way for a fabulous year of racing.

To many, myself included, the chance to watch the drivers battle it around Albert Park is exciting. Fingers-crossed it will give the 2011 season the start it deserves after a thrilling end to 2010.

I, for one, cannot wait.

Melbourne never fails to excite

He's no Geoffrey Boycott...

The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup began yesterday with two of the tournaments host nations – India and Bangladesh – fighting it out in Dhaka. India smashed a 5^th highest ODI innings score, finishing their 50 overs with a total of 370-4, largely down to a superb knock of 175 from opener Virender Sehwag.

However, it wasn’t Sehwag’s massive score that was on my mind when I woke up to see the beginning of Bangladesh’s innings.

Tamim Iqbal, at the age of 21, has entertained cricket fans all over the world more than some international batsmen have in the entirety of their career.

Last year he made his mark on international cricket with a stunning Test century at Lord’s, an achievement not even the great Sachin Tendulkar could accomplish.

His carefree attitude epitomises the new era of cricketer – a batsman who makes use of powerplays, can make any chase look possible and will never cease to entertain.

Can he be one of the world’s best batsmen? At just 21 anything is possible.



Tamim is one to watch during the World Cup



Headbutts, Comebacks and Red Cards - All in a weeks work for the Champions League

The Champions League returned with a bang of monstrous proportions this week. Tottenham overcame Italian giants AC Milan thanks to a late goal from Peter Crouch, but the talking point was of a far more violent incident.

Having already thumped the San Siro turf following a booking that would see him ruled out of the second leg, Milan captain Gennaro Gattuso proceeded to aim a headbutt at Spurs coach Joe Jordan following the full time whistle.

However, unlike Zinedine Zidane's headbutt in the 2006 World Cup final, which cannot be given anything less than a 10/10 for style, Gattuso's attempt was distasteful and petty. Zidane retaliated, Gattuso attacked, and for that he should be given a very lengthy ban.

Arsenal and Barcelona played out an all together less feisty fixture on Wednesday, with the Gooners fighting back (in non-Gattuso fashion) to win 2-1 and set up a fascinating tie at Camp Nou.

Can Manchester United and Chelsea produce something better next week? I doubt it. Boring one-nil victories on the cards...

Zidane floors Materazzi in 2006 World Cup Final



Gattuso shows psycho tendancies on Tuesday night