Black Caps Proteas Final?

And the city's dairy herd

    A third, inconsequential day in Mumbai was in danger of dragging its feet as laboriously as the group stages of the World Cup but, fortunately, there’s always something happening in the former Bombay. Even if it’s city Dairy Farming.

    News from Kolkata, meanwhile, is increasingly confusing regarding the fitness of captain, Temba Bavuma. Repeated inquiries about his fitness have been ignored by Proteas management; a crisis could be brewing from a snag. The lack of communication is puzzling.

    Communication is at the heart of India’s surge towards the world’s top economies. Data is cheaper than water and everybody has a phone – not just any phone. A few years ago, the poorer population listened to the cricket on small radios, now they are watching on phones.

    A few more years ago, men gathered on pavements to play traditional board games. They still do, but the game is now on a phone. If you’re frustrated by people walking into each other with fingers on their phones where you live, you wouldn’t want to stroll Mumbai’s avenues.

    Much of the architecture is eye-catching, although some visitors may wish to close their eyes to the colonial history. These amazing buildings were designed by George Gilbert Scott from the comfort of his residence in London, having never been to India.

    Anyway, what about these city cows? I’m no farmer, but there must be a question about their diet of left-over dahls, paneer kormas and naan bread?

    The business-end of the tournament is now upon us. India have smashed their way to nine successive victories while New Zealand have bumbled along to five wins and four losses. New Zealand will win their semi-final on Wednesday because karma has a funny way with things. I suspect South Africa will win on Thursday, too, for similarly strange reasons.

“Local Pub at Rush Hour”