Ben on...the twists and turns of the Chappell–Hadlee

For the third year in a row the Chappell–Hadlee trophy has changed hands. It has got to be the most dynamic cricket tournament. Pity about the quality of the cricket this year.

Ben on...bad news I am having trouble accepting

I managed to miss this until today, but Sportsfreak is reporting that Shane Bond has signed with the rebel ICL from next season. The only other people who seem to be running this are Sportal and they are only reporting the Sportsfreak story (with the addition of an ambiguous statement by Steve Addison). Apparently the deal is that Bond will start with the ICl next year, but will have dispensation to play in the Black Cap tour to England as a non-contracted player immediately before the ICL tournament.

With all due respect to the Sportsfreak guys, I'm going to have to wait until I hear this in the mainstream media (it'll come out next month Sportsfreak reckons) before I can accept it. I know the money being offered is staggering and a few T-20 games a year will be easier on his body, but I simply cannot conceive of why the world's favourite cricketer would turn Judas – the fall is just too great. (And the uniforms too ugly!)