After a horrible Ashes where the Aussie team saw ghosts and Jason Gillespie became a ghost of a name where the Australian squad was concerned, Jason Gillespie is back. Not only with wickets, but with runs too! The century from Gillespie proves (once again) that any thing is possible in cricket.

Gillespie did not have a great Pura Cup with the bat making 135 runs at an average of 13.50 with a highest of 33. [Stats attained with the aid of Neil.] However, the defense of Gillespie is underestimated. A solid blocker, Gillespie can stick at the wicket for long periods. His stats for staying at the wicket was a little more than 52 before this test match and is bound to improve as he has already faced 300 balls in the current inning.

Osman Saimuddin writes over at Cricinfo:

… For the purposes of records only should he be called a nightwatchman as he became only the third one to score a Test hundred, but he is much more than that; his Chennai rearguard, fifties against Pakistan and New Zealand over the last year say as much.

But a Test hundred? That surely confirms his as one of the best tailenders, in fact, a tailender who actually isn’t. Lest this seem sarcastic, note the credentials please. Including this hundred, he averages 24.65 from his last 16 Tests with two fifties as well, and if he wishes, he can run those by prodigious Michael `Pup’ Clarke, who averages 25.09, with two fifties and no hundreds from the same.

For the statistically minded, this is the highest score by a night watchman in test cricket history. Tony Mann’s almost 30 year record has been broken.

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Nadia Petrova denied Amelie Mauresmo a number 1 spot. She will have to wait another week. I wasn’t expecting it. Good on you Petrova.

Meanwhile Rafael Nadal defeats Federer one more time. He now has a 3-1 record versus Federer. Perfect come back for Nadal. First defeat for Federer in the year and a build up to a possible long term rivalry for men’s tennis. The clay season with the climax at Roland Garros will certainly be engrossing.

Pete Sampras was called the tennis kid when he went to college. All he used to do was play tennis. His focus, dedication is unmatched. He would even hide pains/minor cramps he used to suffer during a match because according to him it showed weakness to his opponent. He used to hide emotion so well that John McEnroe even complained about it.

How much time does it take Pete Sampras to get bored of life without tennis? A little more than three years. He downplays his contract to play World Team Tennis, requests not to call it a come back and says:

This is more about just getting myself a little busier and focused on something I used to be good at.

Sampras is also scheduled to play an exhibition match in Houston apart from the WTT matches. He is undecided regarding the future but we may well see him in a commentary role. Sampras says that this is completely different from playing professionally:

But to play at the level I used to play is a whole other animal. I’ve done that, and I know what it takes. Me playing a little tennis this year is something I can control; there isn’t any pressure. I can relax and have a little fun. Coming back is not something that crossed my mind.

It is unlikely that Sampras will make an ATP Tour comeback. A come back would mean a dedication, committment and high level of sacrifice. Add to that getting into top physical and game condition. Add to that putting more effort than ever before because at 34 his body isn’t getting younger.

Also, why would Sampras, who has achieved almost every thing the game has to offer (barring the French Open and I don’t think he would target that if he came back) want to return? If Sampras does make an unlikely return because of his unquenchable desire for the game, I am sure he would do it only if he thinks he can match the best. That would mean another competitive match between Sampras and Federer. A mouth watering prospect but unlikely.

I would be happy to listen to him commentate on the game. He has given so many moments of pleasure to his fans. It would be selfish to ask for more. Any match Sampras plays now (like he will at WTT) is an unexpected bonus treat.

The Williams-Sharapova Wimbledon match last year had a large section of the tennis fans and media fuming over the growing importance of power in tennis. The drubbing Martina Hingis gave Sharapova in her best come back result yet must have made quite a few people quite happy then.