Random musings - 2: For crying out loud

(In this column of I shall put forward thoughts that course through my mind - too small to be separate blog posts but too long to be passing fancies).

• For the first time that I can recall, Roger Federer did not cry after winning a Grand Slam tournament. Considering that he bawled like a baby after he lost to Nadal at the Australian Open, I was sure he would crack. But the nature of the match must have had an impact on him. His reaction was, dare I say, more Nadal-like when he finally broke Roddick's serve in the 5th set.

• By the way, England, since when did Graeme Swann and Chris Broad become good enough batsmen to warrant sending James Anderson ahead of them as a nightwatchman to protect them?!! Why do teams still use nightwatchmen anyway?

• Had my pre-Wimbledon dark horse, Grigor Dimitrov, not gotten injured and forfeited his first round match, he would have played.....Andy Roddick in the second round.

• If you make a prophecy but don't tell anyone until after it happens, does it count?

• This is a feel-good story, no doubt. (Some may go overboard and say it is historic). But really, getting one batter out in an inning should not qualify you for a win in a game where you need at least 27 outs to record victory.

• Not that I am envious of this guy or anything, but seriously, I wish I were the person who had the chance to wander around foreign lands, following a cricket series and getting paid to report on behind-the-scenes activities.

• Just 4 more Tests and then I will not have to put up with any more articles that over-hype a formerly formidable player. Truly a man whose image far outdid his deeds.
  
  There is no better indictment of his flawed aura than this:
  In the 25 matches that Flintoff has missed since 2005, England have won 12, drawn 10 and lost on only three occasions. In the 23 matches in which he has been present, those numbers are almost exactly reversed - won 3, drawn 7, lost 13.

• Sometimes, looking down and back provides the best possible view of all. I particularly like #7 and #32.

• An interesting way to utilize technology for common purposes and still effect a change.

• Check this out!!! The fact that it occurred during a match makes it even more impressive.

• And finally, just for kicks...