http://www.ucweb.com/
http://www.ucweb.com/English/UCbrowser/cricket.html
Cricket, apart from the twenty twenty format, is a long, time consuming game to follow. And as someone who is a connoisseur of test cricket, it gets even longer. You want to watch every ball, every shot, and hear every word of commentary, and savour it like a nice sip of vintage wine, but too often, life gets in the way. For fans, keeping track of cricket scores while carrying on with life is something that requires stealth and street smartness, just like batsmen who expertly steal byes.
Growing up as a kid in the 90s, which sounds an archaic world without mobile phones or internet, keeping track of cricket was never easy. Your only sources of information were television sets, and board exam or entrance exam oriented parents made sure you never got enough of it. You had to be smart enough to switch on the TV and a catch a few balls as soon as their attention was elsewhere. Switching on the TV during your dad’s nap and muting it before the broadcast started was so that there won’t be any noise, was a skill in itself. Balconies were the other source; with kids in the neighbourhood relaying scores in sign language as soon as them one of them got info.
Later mobile phones became commoner, and information was always at your fingertips. Still, nothing could beat the pleasure of actually watching cricket, which was a very difficult thing to do while travelling. This is the reason why television showrooms across the country have become mini screening centres, with the public thronging outside them whenever India plays. And they have a special atmosphere of their own, with the joys and despairs of the game being shared with a multitude of unknown.
Even with smartphones, it is not easy to keep track of the game always. Your boss or your wife can get frustrated with your fidgetiness and checking your phone for updates every ten seconds. It calls for innovative ideas on its own – the usual ones being frequent bathroom and tea breaks. To your boss, you say it is an important message from home, to your wife you say it is an important mail from your boss. At your workstation, you have the update page minimized or a web extension to know scores. If none of these works, there are of course those whatsapp groups with similar addict, at least one of which Is sure to post some updates. There is also the added advantage of being able to discuss the game in detail and have some fan fights there – so who was a better test batsman –Sachin or Rahul ?
Today, there are live streaming websites to watch Cricket, and things like UC Cricket which make it much easier to actually watch the game on your phablets or tablets, leave alone getting just score updates. Sometimes, especially while travelling in a metro or a bus or a train, you become a mini broadcaster yourself, with fellow passengers flocking around your device to find out what is happening. Only problem, unless you have a seat, balancing isn't always easy. It has taken some charm away from the feverish anticipation to get updates surely, but there will always be a need to be smart. After all, Cricket is a long game. And life gets in the way too often.
http://www.ucweb.com/English/UCbrowser/cricket.html
Cricket, apart from the twenty twenty format, is a long, time consuming game to follow. And as someone who is a connoisseur of test cricket, it gets even longer. You want to watch every ball, every shot, and hear every word of commentary, and savour it like a nice sip of vintage wine, but too often, life gets in the way. For fans, keeping track of cricket scores while carrying on with life is something that requires stealth and street smartness, just like batsmen who expertly steal byes.
Growing up as a kid in the 90s, which sounds an archaic world without mobile phones or internet, keeping track of cricket was never easy. Your only sources of information were television sets, and board exam or entrance exam oriented parents made sure you never got enough of it. You had to be smart enough to switch on the TV and a catch a few balls as soon as their attention was elsewhere. Switching on the TV during your dad’s nap and muting it before the broadcast started was so that there won’t be any noise, was a skill in itself. Balconies were the other source; with kids in the neighbourhood relaying scores in sign language as soon as them one of them got info.
Later mobile phones became commoner, and information was always at your fingertips. Still, nothing could beat the pleasure of actually watching cricket, which was a very difficult thing to do while travelling. This is the reason why television showrooms across the country have become mini screening centres, with the public thronging outside them whenever India plays. And they have a special atmosphere of their own, with the joys and despairs of the game being shared with a multitude of unknown.
Even with smartphones, it is not easy to keep track of the game always. Your boss or your wife can get frustrated with your fidgetiness and checking your phone for updates every ten seconds. It calls for innovative ideas on its own – the usual ones being frequent bathroom and tea breaks. To your boss, you say it is an important message from home, to your wife you say it is an important mail from your boss. At your workstation, you have the update page minimized or a web extension to know scores. If none of these works, there are of course those whatsapp groups with similar addict, at least one of which Is sure to post some updates. There is also the added advantage of being able to discuss the game in detail and have some fan fights there – so who was a better test batsman –Sachin or Rahul ?
Today, there are live streaming websites to watch Cricket, and things like UC Cricket which make it much easier to actually watch the game on your phablets or tablets, leave alone getting just score updates. Sometimes, especially while travelling in a metro or a bus or a train, you become a mini broadcaster yourself, with fellow passengers flocking around your device to find out what is happening. Only problem, unless you have a seat, balancing isn't always easy. It has taken some charm away from the feverish anticipation to get updates surely, but there will always be a need to be smart. After all, Cricket is a long game. And life gets in the way too often.
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