Hello everyone and welcome to this week's edition of Paul Seaborne on Cricket. It's been a fairly hectic last few days, with India taking a very crucial 1-0 lead over Australia, more of which to follow, and the commencement of the Stanford 20/20. Also this week we have had the sacking of Pakistan Coach Geoff Lawson, and it is that subject which we shall begin our weeks review.

Lawson took on the role in July 2007, shortly after the tragic and untimely death of former coach Bob Woolmer, after Pakistan’s premature exit from the World Cup. He inherited possibly the toughest job in cricket at the time. The nation is fanatical about its cricket, and an early exit from the World Cup and the tragic sense of loss that engulfed the Pakistan team after Woolmer’s role was vacated in the most tragic of ways.
 
His career began well, as Pakistan reached the final of the first ever 20/20 World Cup, and Pakistan cricket looked to be on the up. However it was to be a false dawn, as Pakistan then went on to lose home and away series against South Africa, before losing to India. Since then there has been little cricket for them to focus on. Australia refused to travel to Pakistan early in 2008, before the Champions Trophy was postponed, and all that has been left for Pakistan is the Asia Cup and one day games against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.
 
I have to say I feel a bit sorry for Lawson. For much of his time in charge there has been little cricket to focus on. He took the job when really no one else wanted it, he has been without the services of his premier fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, and injuries have also to Mohammed Asif and Umar Gul have depleted the fast bowling ranks.
 
Add into all of the above the fact that there continues to be drug scandals surrounding certain players in the Pakistan team, and one can’t help but feel sorry for Lawson.
 
Candidates for his replacement have already been mentioned. One name that interests me is that of Javed Miandad. Miandad was an excellent sever to Pakistan cricket during his playing days, and if he takes the role on, then it could be an exciting period for Pakistan cricket.
 
More news to follow when it emerges though. For the time being Intikhab Alam has taken on the role, and will take charge of matters when Pakistan visits Abu Dhabi later in the year.
 
Also this week, and possibly the biggest news for a while, is the fact that India have taken a 1-0 lead with two to play in the four test series against Australia.
 
Quite simply put, India were brilliant. They out bowled and out batted Australia from the first ball to the last, and were comprehensive winners by over 300 runs. The game was set up by an impressive first innings by India, who amassed 469, including a quite brilliant 102 from the recently retired Suarav Ganguly. Australia in reply were in trouble as early as the 3rd ball when Hayden again was out bowled by his nemesis on this tour,  Zaheer Khan. After that, Australia were constantly in trouble, losing both Ponting and Katich in relatively quick succession, they were always behind the 8-ball, and despite some brave resistance from Clarke and Watson, Australia were eventually dismissed for 268 – a full 201 run deficit. India quickly set about extending that lead, and at 182/0 – a lead of 382 with all ten wickets in the bag, India stepped on the gas, finally declaring 516 runs ahead of Australia, but more importantly, allowing themselves nearly 140 overs to dismiss the visitors and gain that all important 1-0 lead. As it turned out, they only needed 64.4 overs to complete the job, as Australia uncharacteristically folded to just 198 all out, leaving the hosts delighted, and as we move onto Delhi this week – could the Worlds number 1 team be about to lose the series? Remember to check back at www.priceform.com for all my thoughts tomorrow on the third test, I’ll give you a hint, the prices are completely wrong, there is a cracking, stonking bet to be had, more tomorrow…
 
Finally this week – the Stanford 20/20 has begun in Antigua. I have watched both of the warm up games so far and I can honestly say I cannot remember one thing that has happened, apart from Andrew Strauss dropping the easiest chance I have ever seen off Andrew Flintoff. The games have been mind numbingly boring, with neither team so far appearing to give two hoots as to who wins or not (although one assumes this will change on 1st Nov when there is $1m per man at stake)
 
It hasn’t helped that the pitch is extremely turgid. It does appear to me that anything over 140 will be a winning score come Saturday evening.
 
The most sickening sight about this “event” was the sight of Alan Stanford parading around the outfield, shaking everyone’s hand like he is the saviour of Cricket. Couple that with a few scantily dressed ladies draped over each knee and the whole situation is turning into a rather poor publicity event.
 
Cricket has survived for near on 200 years without Mr Stanford, and the sooner he realises he is not the great messiah he thinks he is, the better.
 
Well that’s all I have for you this week – be sure to check into Priceform tomorrow for my preview of the 3rd test between India and Australia.
 
Until then, be lucky
 
Paul