Something From The Weekend: Test cricket; Wigan Athletic; Blackburn's banner
The Good, The Bad and The Odd
The Good: Test cricket
After one of the most traumatic weeks in the history of the game, Test cricket responded with a weekend of tense, serious and, crucially, genuine competition. In Delhi, one of the uncorruptibles, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, scored his 24th Test century. While in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe lost a classic to New Zealand by 34 runs on the final evening of the fifth day. It was only Zimbabwe's third Test since the end of their six-year absence. The home side were 101 runs away from their target at tea with seven wickets left – but in the end came up short. It was, however, a sign of their heartening progress.
The Bad: Wigan Athletic
Yesterday's defeat at Wolves was a tragic, self-parodying display by Wigan: neat football in midfield but desperately naive in both penalty areas. As Wigan moved the ball with their usual wit, Hugo Rodallega missed two good chances and a great one. Seconds after, Wigan failed to defend the resultant goal-kick and Wolves were ahead. Some of the later defending would have shamed a Sunday league team, as Wigan again showed how they lack the necessary nerve.
The Odd: Blackburn's banner
Some demands cannot be silenced. Like those demanding the overhaul of an unpopular government, Blackburn fans will always get around the regime pulling the plug on their protests. So on Saturday the Ewood Park faithful responded to the banning of their banners by having an aeroplane fly past with a "Steve Kean Out" sign. If 2011 has taught us anything, it is that popular demands against an incumbent leader will always overwhelm.
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