Telly 'jalwa'

ACTION UNLIMITED. That's what the cricketing pitches across the world are readying to offer in days to come. Let the players criss-cross the nations and battle it out under hot sun. Follow them wherever they go, manage a ringside view and catch every nuance of the gentleman's game. And that too, without stepping out of the cool confines of your living room. Howzzaat!

It's on telly and the ESPN-Star Sports channel is all set to unleash the real `jalwa'. It's going to be `Cricket ka asli jalwa' and that too, live and exclusive. Nine of the 10 cricketing nations are set to vie with one another for a whopping 2,008 hours spread over 246 days. The international cricket features 35 Tests and 71 One-Day Internationals, of which India participates in six series around the world for 93 days. Wow, real fun and real maza as the titans clash and the master batsmen and gritty bowlers pour their hearts out on the pitch.

India battles with Zimbabwe in a Test series in June and continues with a triangular One-Day series involving Zimbabwe and West Indies. This is followed by India's tour of South Africa in October 2001 and later a tour of West Indies in February 2002. Come May 2002, India features in a 10-match triangular series with England and Sri Lanka and later in June 2002 in a four-match Test series with England.

For the cricket buffs, even the Ashes will come live on ESPN, with the traditional rivals England and Australia entering into an interesting encounter. Pakistan's tour of England in the forthcoming summer and it's triangular series with England and Australia are also bound to raise the cricket fever. The `asli jalwa' has more, the Kiwi tour of Pakistan followed by South Africa and New Zealand flying down to the kangaroo land.

There are other `jalwas' also and `asli' too, for the ESPN has agreements for broadcast rights to Formula One motor racing and leading Grand Slams -- the US Open and Wimbledon. So, time for hot and real action. Get packs of popcorns, and a lot of them to see you through this gruelling sporting season, and stay glued to the idiot box. Dekho, dekho...yeah hai jalwa. Sorry, asli jalwa!

By T. Lalith Singh

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