Pirates of the Caribbean

While the cricket world cup 2007 is underway in the West Indies islands, a sad incident occurred. Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan cricket coach died in his hotel room in Kingston, Jamaica. Born in Kanpur, India, Woolmer was a pleasing personality. His death was thus mourned by many.

People said that Bob was saddened by Pakistan's defeat to novice Ireland, which led to the exit of his team from the world cup. He supposedly could not could not bear the stress anymore as he was already under tremendous stress. Things took a new turn when new evidences cropped up and it was suggested that Woolmer was strangled to death. The betting mafia, which put heavy stakes on this lottery like win or loss situation, was considered responsible for the gruesome act. Hansie Cronje, the South African cricketer was also slaughtered this way, when his plane 'developed a snag' and he died. Jamaica has long been known as a safe haven for criminals. Bob, the man who knew too much, was about to write a book on betting. But he was forced to bid Jamaican farewell instead!

The scenario even changed again when Mark Shields, Jamaica’s Deputy Commissioner of Police, who is investigating the case, was alerted by a tip off that the coach might have died as a consequence of aconite poisoning. Things began to fall in place like a jigsaw puzzle as it explained why Bob, who was physically so well built, gave himself up so easily to his killers. It is one of the best poisons as it can not be detected easily on post mortem examinations, the bitter sweet taste in the mouth can be easily masked, and death resembles natural causes (by heart failure or asphyxia). Aconitine, is the most active principle of the plant. The root of the aconite plant (the most frequently used part of the plant). which resembles horse radish, (an ingredient of salad), acts on the heart to cause fatal arrhythmia in addition to causing gastro-intestinal upset and asphyxia. The root, traditionally, have been applied on arrow-heads by tribals, mixed with alcohol or natural water resources (in Sikkim, India, many British troops died when a fountain was poisoned by local people). Accidental poisoning is also common since it resembles horse radish.

Whatever be the case, the perpetrators must be found out and be given exemplary punishment, as soon as possible. Truth must prevail.

May his soul rest in peace.

Magnus Effect: Swerving the Ball

Tomorrow the festival of colors, Holi will be celebrated all over India with zeal and enthusiasm. Another festive occasion is about to begin in the Caribbean Islands, exactly 11 days hence. The cricket world cup will begin. Cricket is played by few countries across the world, most of them commonwealth nations. Though I was never a sports enthusiast (and I still not am), I do enjoy seeing the game sometimes. This time Australia is my favorite, but team India is not far behind.

I will miss Shoaib Akhtar, the Pakistani speedstar, also known as the Rawalpindi express; Brett Lee, the pacer from 'down under', i.e. Australia; Oram, the Kiwi (New Zealand) allrounder and many a great faces. Oram, of NZ, suffered an injury to his finger, for which he has been declared unfit for the game. But such is his passion for the game, that he prefers amputation of his finger, if that could mean his inclusion in the team. He prefers to play than to sit idle, even if it comes at the cost of his finger!

Some pacers can swing the ball like sultans (Sultans of swing). The swings (horizontal arcs, as you can see in the picture) observed in the trajectory of the cricket ball (also seen in table tennis, tennis, footballs etc.) is a really interesting phenomenon to me. It is not like lopping, which can be explained in terms of gravity, but this horizontal swing seems logic defying. How can an object change its trajectory once it has been ejected? No external force, other than friction and gravity seems to be acting, then why this horizontal deviation? This apparently seems to contradict Newton's first law. This has been attributed to the aerodynamic interaction that occur with the ball. This interaction is known as Magnus effect.

I hope that this explanation of science on this game doesn't put you off. If so, I beg your pardon for making your Rum tasting bitter and the calypso so cacophonic. As of me, I would probably have to bear with the possible lackluster performance of one time batting maestro, Sachin Tendulkar in this tournament.