A perfect (sporting) day

Yesterday was one of those rare days where a lot of sport was played, and every single result went as I’d wish it to. Highlight of the day was seeing the Deccan Chargers, my IPL cricket team, bounce back from last year’s last-place finish (two wins out of 14) to win the second IPL tournament with a thrilling six-run victory over the Bangalore Royal Challengers. After star captain and batsman Adam Gilchrist was bowled by his opposite number for a three-ball duck it looked ominous, but despite posting a below-par 143 in their 20 overs, the team were like tigers in the field and although the Royal Challengers batted themselves into a strong position, a flurry of late wickets turned the tide, and the game was effectively killed by the final ball. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this year’s tournament, and hope Setanta are around to screen subsequent years too. So this is what it’s like to follow champions…

Elsewhere, both Newcastle and Middlesbrough were relegated from the Premier League, which means weaker teams stayed up who Blues hopefully have a chance of competing with next season. England cruised to victory in the one-day international against the West Indies, and Andy Murray overcame a potentially tricky opponent with ease (6-2, 6-2, 6-1) in the French Open. Finally, Jenson Button won the Monaco Grand Prix, which I’d completely forgotten about!