Square one

Chuckle. Graham Ford has turned down the job offer to be Indian coach. The money might have been good, but perhaps dealing with seniors reluctant to do fielding practice, a ferocious, man-eating media, and a billion or so fans wasn't his cup of tea. Can't really blame him. (Ford must have known too, that expectations were too high, "Oh, he's now going to set right everything that Chappell got wrong"). Will Emburey get the gig? I doubt it - as I doubt he was a viable candidate to begin with. Perhaps India should look for a bowling and fielding coach, and appoint a stop-gap manager for the England tour. And give Dravid full control over the team.

Meanwhile, the West Indies are putting on a great chase at Old Trafford. No matter what the end-result, they'll have done a great deal to restore some West Indian pride with this effort. I guess Chanderpaul's innings thus far shows that grit and sheer bloody-mindedness can take you a long way (whats that? we already knew that? Fine, have it your way).