"The first time cricket came into my consciousness was a few years ago, when Ireland beat Pakistan, " Fergal says.
"I've been a cricket fan for a long time but I have never seen such excitement surround a cricket tournament before, " he said.
Yet this beacon, if found guilty, should play no more cricket for a long time, if ever.
The last time Indian cricket went through a similar ordeal was back in the 1960s, when they lost 17 overseas games on the trot.
It's a new era, with new coaching staff and a good time for England cricket to go forward.
Again, this is mainly an issue for spinners, the most extreme example being Test cricket's all-time highest wicket taker, Muttiah Muralitharan.
Warren Deutrom said that he was sure that "both the ICU and Grafton Group will benefit greatly from this association at such an exciting time for Irish Cricket".
BBC: SPORT | Cricket | Counties | Ireland | Ireland seek ICC cash injection
India were routed in an overseas cricket Test for the eighth time in a row - four by an innings and two by more than 290 runs.
Ganguly took over the reigns of the team in 2000 at a time when Indian cricket was going through a bad phase with batting and match-fixing scandals denting its credibility.
BBC: SPORT | Cricket | International Teams | India | Ganguly gone?
Test cricket's all-time leading run-scorer moved to 47 with a delightful punch to the point boundary but then fell to White, for the second time this series, in uncharacteristic fashion.
But, as a fellow member of cricket's somewhat exclusive leg-spinners' club, Smith admits that one of the main influences on his fledgling career has been one of Australian cricket's all-time greats, Shane Warne.
At the same time, Zimbabwe cricket was torn apart by a dispute between a group of 15 white players and the country's cricket union which followed the sacking of national team captain Heath Streak.
They may, however, decide to give Vaughan more time in county cricket before considering a recall to the Test side for the four-match series against Pakistan which starts in the middle of next month.
BBC: SPORT | Cricket | England | Vaughan refuses to hurry comeback
Cook's punishment was being made to bowl, for the first time in Test cricket, and his rather rusty off-spinners signalled the point when a uniquely cricketing gentleman's agreement could be made and the match could end.
The supremo of its governing body, the International Cricket Council, should have no time to spare for this task.
Sarah Taylor has opted to take some time off from international cricket.
The HTC One SV is available on Cricket's 4G LTE Android rate plans that offer, for a limited time, double the monthly full speed data allowance offered in Cricket's 3G rate plans.
ENGADGET: HTC One SV lands in the US on Cricket Wireless January 16th, $350 off-contract
"Certainly, this is not the time for resumption of such cricket ties, " Indian foreign ministry spokeswoman Nirupama Rao was quoted as saying on Friday.
It will be presented to the England and Wales Cricket Board in a month's time and will address the coach's role in the England set-up following criticism of Duncan Fletcher during the Ashes tour and World Cup.
Twenty20 cricket, which involves batsmen sitting on the boundary edge waiting to go in and bowlers given reduced time to get through their overs, was first launched in county cricket in 2002.
Another time, another place, another cricket writer of repute and Dravid's skills are again put into perspective.
Adams, who hit his first ton in Twenty20 cricket also against Lancashire in June, this time showed his versatility as a batsman.
It was the second time in the history of Test cricket that the side following-on had won and England's unbelievable victory defied all logic.
"A lot of games are finishing early, but I think the quality of cricket we put out in that period of time is much better than five dull boring days, " he said.
But a study of the playing career of the Cambridge University graduate, who made 143 in the 2002 Varsity Match at Lord's, showed that he had spent most of his time in the middle playing club cricket.
It is the first time two full members of the International Cricket Council have contested a series in America.
It is a comparison Fletcher is well-placed to make after his time with Kallis in South African provincial cricket.
BBC: SPORT | Cricket | Ban v Eng 2003 | Clarke hints at future role
"We have not been informed about the exact dates but they are coming some time next month, " said Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan.
The time came long ago for the International Cricket Council to insist that DRS is deployed universally, even if it has to pay for that to happen.
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