FIGJAM

A good friend told me yesterday that this was the acronym the Aussies use as a nickname for Kevin Pieterson. It stands for 'F*ck I'm Good, Just Ask Me.' I've always called him "The Ego,' but his performance last night was simply awesome.

He has been accused, and one suspects always will be, of showmanship and a singular devotion to himself, but as long as he can produce match-turning innings as he did at Lord's on the fourth day, his team-mates will be mad to complain.

I suppose the same descriptor could be given to Shane Warne as well, but few batsmen can change the course of a game, with such minimal support and under such trying conditions:

England were in danger of being bowled out for under 200 today. The Indian bowlers did themselves credit in the morning session. The sun was shining and the conditions were not helpful to swing bowling as they were on the first three days but the Indian medium pacers stuck to a run-denying line, and RP Singh combined some sharp balls with the knack of picking up wickets to reduce England to 132 for five a few minutes before lunch. Considering that England had lost six for 26 in the first innings, India were in with a chance.

As it happened, England lost their last five for 31. In between, though, Matt Prior stayed with Pietersen long enough after lunch for England to add 120 runs in 25 overs. Prior wasn't a spectator, but the session after lunch bore Pietersen's stamp. His game is based far more on calculation than on instinct and he picked his spots surgically.

I suppose India still have a chance - since rain is a chance event. Thank god I learnt about influence diagrams last semester. Remember anything in an oval is a uncertain event. Let's hope the gods of managerial decision science smile down on the Indians tonight - failing that, let's hope someone makes a big hundred.