Carribean Collapso

A tour to the world's most powerful cricket board getting cancelled mid way is certainly an extra ordinary occurrence.  The impasse between the WICB and the players that led to this calamity is a storm that has been brewing for some time. Although, timely mediation has made sure, it remains inside the tea cup instead of spiraling out of control. At a time when a list of players from the islands ply their trade in the IPL, their returning home ruining a tour is bound to create flutters. With bilateral tours being suspended and a question mark over the player's participation in the cash rich league, its a melt down that could have been avoided if a few cool heads prevailed. But then, sensible negotiations is a quantity hard to tag in these days of chest thumping diplomacy. The whole episode is another strong indication toward crumbling international cricket. Players no longer put a premium on showcasing their skills for their countries. The burgeoning 20-20 leagues around the globe have become the main recourse for them. Its a carrot that is as easy to come by as its juicy. With just a handful of test playing nations clear of bankruptcy fears, time is nigh when only the clique of the top three that now control the ICC would really be playing any meaningful five day games. Times, they are a changing and most aficionados would not take heart from that. The gentleman's sport is now so much more closer to becoming the mercenary's gamble.

Serena Williams made sure she avenged her group stage defeat to Simona Halep in the finals of the WTA world tour final. She has been the dominant player on tour all year round, not without a few blips but has managed to round off the year in style. The challengers to her throne have been many including contemporary Sharapova and new comers like Halep. Most have dazzled like night flies without putting up a sustained fight. That she managed to get past Wozniacky in the semis after the Dane served for the match and led in the deciding tie break, is testimony to the fact that the competitive instincts remain intact within the American. One would like to call this the WTA rankings topper's twilight but the way she has blown opposition off the court, a few more years of winning majors is not out of the question. With 18 already in the bag, Margaret Courts' mind boggling all time record of 24 looks to be on the line. It would only be a question of hunger than anything else for the younger Williams as she fights forth for the highest laurel of them all.

Winner takes all

Rafael Nadal has had a few bad years with fitness issues. 2014 would count amongst one of them. With a glittering first half and a thundering 9th title on the Parisian clay, the season turned into a night mare for the Spanish matador. With back and wrist problems, he spent most of the time recuperating than competing and when it was time to return, that quite useless appendix made its presence felt. He has called time on the 2104 season opting out of the Paris masters and the world tour finals and whether the new year would bring him better luck is a question we all need to wait for an answer. With Rafa's withdrawal another slot opens up for the elite eight men season ending tourney. Murray did his chances no harm with a facile win over another man fighting for his place, David Ferrer at the Valencia open. The two men who would again be favorites to make the final and fight it out would be the top two seeds. Roger would have the additional incentive to go all out and finish at the top of the rankings should he land the title. By all means, that would be an achievement, few thought the Swiss was capable of after his troubles at the grand slams in recent years. Champions do have a way of making a mockery of popular opinion.

Real Madrid burst through two big games this week in getting past Liverpool in the Champion's League and then downing Barca at the Bernabeau. With Ronaldo in fine fettle, they are shaping up to be the team to beat this European season. With Man City losing out to the Hammers, Chelsea managed to consolidate their lead at the top. Man United and Liverpool continue to languish while the Saints occupy the second place behind the blues. Ronald Koeman's team have been a revelation this season and if they can hold their own till the Christmas games, a chance at playing Champion's League football next year is a distinct possibility.