American Psycho

So there's more Indian money out there, about to be spent by a Mr Jay Mir, who is looking to cash in on cricket. Cash in not only on India's cricket obsession, but to take it to the ex-pats of all nationalities around the world. An unofficial T20 league in America.

Good idea, but who is going to play? Adam Hollioake and Graeme Hick are the first names to be released to the media. Thus the lack of hype. Just imagine the press conference after those names are dropped....cue deadly silence broken only by crickets and a silly ringtone playing from a stray mobile that hasn’t been turned off.

It was also announced on Monday that John Emburey is going to coach a World XI. Part of his contract probably states that if someone has too many whiskies the night before, he might have to bowl a few more rollers. Truthfully though, I can't imagine who is going to play in this, or how competitive it will be. Here's the way I see it all happening, with a few likely suspects...

Mr Mir and his minions will try as best as possible to replicate the IPL, simply to honour it. American Psycho T20 will also have a "technical time out" - which will allow the physio to strap together the about-to-fall-off limbs of Graham Dilley and Craig McDermott. I'd watch just to see if Dilley still looks like that kid from "Blue Lagoon."

Every five overs a full drinks trolley will enter, sponsored by Johnny Walker. "Keep on Walking" will be emblazoned on the side. Many of the players will come to hate this statement, as muscle stiffness won't allow them to walk after tonight's game.

On contractual request of the players, the drinks trolley is exactly that. The 12th man must be a professional barman with the ability to mix cocktails and play the piano. The entrepreneurial Mr Mir will not let this opportunity to pass. Bars at the grounds will be obliged to sell "Hick Highballs", "Hollioake Wallbangers" and the ever popular "Emburey Ernest Hemingways".

The 12th man's other duties will include keeping players out until ungodly hours after the games and then be the designated driver. He will also have to schedule golf tee-off times and apologise for non-appearance at American Psycho matches.

Once the cricket does get underway though, it should be fun. Every time someone hits a six, sorry, a Mr Jay Mir Maximum, all the players have to down their drinks (inclulding the commentators - who will be paid in drinks). If you drink out of the wrong hand, you'll have to down another one.

The theme for the league should be is 80s retro. To add to the authenticity, players will be required to wear luminous shell suits, sheepskin pads with real buckles and gloves with those prickly green bits. The organisers will also make sure that when players score 50s or 100s, a few idiots will run onto the field, shake their heroes’ hands and offer them a sip of their drink.

In further tribute to the 80s and IPL style, the first team meant to register are the "Dallas Texans". Rumour is that Allen Stanford, JR and Bobby Ewing are the money behind it all.

SRK and the KKR will be represented too. A legendary West Indian team will make an appearance with Gus Logie as captain and Tony Cozier as coach. Apparently they are favouring the name of "Detroit Diff'rent Strokes."

I can't wait.

IPL:Finally....Spotted...excitement on Safari

In Africa, if you are planning a game drive, your timing has got be spot on. You either need to go out before sunrise or late afternoon to sunset. Up to this point, trying to spot a good game in the IPL was like going on a game drive at midday. The animals were simply lazy, camping under big trees and out of sight. Last night, finally there was some excitement on the IPL African safari.

The game between the KKR and the Rajasthan Royals finally got me to sit down for longer than 10 minutes. Admittedly, I didn't watch the whole game - but saw the real excitement I guess....the super over.

The Royals' Munaf Patel's below-par over towards the death and Gaunguly's sheer guts got KKR back into the game. No-ball 6 and then the free hit next delivery going for 6 breathed life into them. Ganguly was fuming when Yashpal Singh got out. He had spoken to him the ball before and the youngster partner politely ignored - to get out, trying to be a hero. Ganguly surely then knew the die was cast. It was.

Ganguly got out and the game proceeded to go to a super over. Effectively - Game Over for KKR.

Despite Gayle's brave 15 off the super over, oddly bowled by Karman Khan - who got 3/18 in his 4 overs. 18 years old, ungainly action, would you back him? Warne did, though, and the commentators do seem loathe to question his calls. As if his legendary status puts him beyond it. The fact that the decision to bowl him paid off is a non-factor; Khan only got 2 from 7 deliveries in the area for his set field.

His over was all over the shop. Gayle was always aiming mid-wicket, mid-on, with two men at backward point, man at cover sweeper. Left-arm over, surely you have got to bowl it a half a foot outside off . Cut down the batter's options and let him make the running.

Kahn went full first ball, off-stump; decent area. Next ball - waist high full toss and hit McCullum bang on the right hand. Should have been called a no-ball. Ball 3 - too wide outside off, he is trying. Then too straight, 4 to square leg. AROUND the wicket then! (what is he thinking?) 4 over mid-on - who is up in the ring! CHRI....SIS. Back to over the wicket, 4 to mid-wicket. Last ball, he finally gets it right, Gayle slices it to cover sweeper. 16 to win.

The mystifying "Mendis Code" was made to look like 2 piece jigsaw by Yusuf Pathan. 18 runs, no trouble.

The drama was great, and made fantastic TV. The only trouble - it took 20 minutes to bowl these 2 overs. Probably 15 of those minutes to choose the 3 batters and 1 bowler from each side. There's drama, then there is a dynasty.

I do have a life.