EDEN GARDENS - THE UNLUCKY 13TH?

I don't know how many of you believe in numerology and how many of you consider the number 13 unlucky. If you do, then I must let you know that there are a total of 13 cricket grounds across the sub-continent that are scheduled to host the World Cup matches.

1. Mirpur (Dhaka), Bangladesh - Shere Bangla National Stadium
2. Chittagong, Bangladesh - Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium
3. Ahmedabad, India - Sardar Patel Stadium (Motera)
4. Bangalore, India - M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
5. Chennai, India - MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk)
6. Kolkata, India - Eden Gardens
7. Mohali, India - PCA Stadium
8. Mumbai, India - Wankhede Stadium
9. Nagpur, India - VCA Stadium (Jamtha)
10. New Delhi, India - Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium
11. Colombo, Sri Lanka - R. Premadasa Stadium
12. Hambantota, Sri Lanka - Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium
13. Pallekele (Kandy), Sri Lanka - Pallekele International Cricket Stadium

If you believe that 13 is unlucky, then be prepared to see Eden Gardens lose its right to host the remaining matches as well in a few days' time.

54 YEARS IN WAITING

Greame Swann has become the first English off-spinner since the great Jim Laker to take a 10-wicket haul in a Test match against Bangladesh today.

Incidentally, Laker's last 10-for was his famous 19 for 90 in the Ashes Test at Old Trafford, Manchester in 1956. It has taken almost 54 years since then and a sub - continental pitch at Chittagong for another English off-spinner to come along and grab a 10-for.

England's troubles at producing quality spinners have been well documented through history. Many have regarded this inability as also one of the reasons why their batsmen are inept at playing quality spin bowling. So it was hardly surprising that the wait for the next genuinely good English off-spinner lasted more than 4 decades.