The nature of Indian cricket makes it inevitable that much optimism – however unwarranted – is attendant upon each of the team’s fixtures. Coming off a pathos-filled tour of New Zealand? Struggled inordinately against the Netherlands? No matter – against Australia at the SuperSport Park, the fans reason, India will come good. They always have done against top-flight opposition before, haven’t they?
One man contributed much to the reasoning behind this optimism – misplaced, as it transpired. Sachin Tendulkar’s record against Australia, especially in big matches, is majestic, and when he …

For many people especially housewives and manual workers, the hands are the most overworked and ill-used part of the body. They are exposed to all kinds of wear and tear: to the effects of temperature and climate: to frequent wetting: to the onslaughts of harsh chemicals: and to the risk of minor injury and subsequent infection. Yet the care of the hands is often completely overlooked until, say, the skin becomes rough and cracked or a nail is broken.
Chapped hands
The repeated use of soap and water damages the top layer …