Hindustani classical music - the millennia-old premier art form of the subcontinent - is almost impossible to appreciate without understanding its meanings and symbols. For anyone ignorant of that context, the form can be both aesthetically confusing and fundamentally boring.I began thinking about the subtle difference between something that one person might find boring and another would view as a work of art, while watching the fourth day of the third Test between England and Pakistan.Pakistan had taken two quick wickets and were bowling wide of the stumps with a spread field. All over TV and social media, people complained of how boring it was. Could a little context have provided greater appreciation?Let us return to our analogy. Understanding the context, and purpose, of classical music is almost essential to be able to enjoy it. It has been often posited that Hindustani classical music was developed to embody the concept of time as held in Hinduism: time is understood to be cyclical, not just at the level of days and seasons but also at the level of the universe, with long cycles of change. Cycles are understood to repeat, yet also not be exactly similar to each other.About seven centuries ago the influence of Sufi Muslim thought on Hindustani classical music began to show. The Sufi musician Hazrat Inayat Khan wrote that the whole universe is a single mechanism working by the law of rhythm […] cycles of rhythm with major cycles and minor cycles interpenetrating uphold the whole creation in their swing. Musically, then, the idea developed of repeating cycles with subtle changes of rhythm within them serving as a theme of expression for the artist.In a way, Michael Holding, Shane Warne and perhaps millions of others were subjected to a similar performance at Edgbaston. Both the former bowlers, who were commentating when Rahat Ali embarked on a series of maidens against Joe Root, were aghast at Pakistans tactics. To them it seemed like an admission of defeat right when Pakistan looked strongest. The ESPNcricinfo commentary team agreed.52.4 Rahat Ali to Root, no run, too wide once again, not entirely sure what the tactic is... but Misbah gives his man a big clap for his determined widthEven when Pakistans negative tactics are explained, as Nasser Hussain did in the commentary box right after, they are explained within the framework of pragmatism and conservatism. There is very little understanding of why they do what they do. At the heart of these tactics is the belief that modern batting has changed irrevocably. After almost two decades of neo-liberal Australianism in which Test batting sped up considerably and players started playing shorter formats more often, cricket has come to a precipice. Unlike before, where perhaps a batsman needed a vacant cover to be tempted into a drive, modern batsmen now play shots compulsively, particularly their go-to shots. Even if a fielder is present, they need to play that shot just to feel in control.The trick, then, is to make them wait for it, and to force them to lash out eventually and make a mistake. So the plan is to repeat cycles of the same bowling line, using subtle changes in length and movement to serve as the rhythm. After a couple of overs of dot-balls, Rahats changes began to entrap Root.54.3 Rahat Ali to Root, no run, thats sharp again, a bit of extra nip from a good length, and the angle brings the edge of Roots bat into peril. Gets away with it 54.5 Rahat Ali to Root, no run, good probing line, swinging late, outside off, and Root is lured by this one. The pressure is starting to tell...54.6 Rahat Ali to Root, no run, that is a very fine over, the fourth maiden in a row, as Root is once again forced to make a decision outside off, and just about keeps his bat out of harms wayMuch like with Hindustani classical music, the appreciation of these variations is not possible if one expects a basic, linear narrative. Ideas recur but in subtly different ways. Bowl wide and sometimes get one to seam, or to swing, or to roll by innocuously. Like notes in classical music, none of the variations are out of place or without purpose. Instead, they keep building, note by note, ball by ball, towards the same cycles, similar yet apart.My favourite performer in this entire spell was Root, who knew of the trap that was being laid for him, and yet also realised that his only purpose was to play a single note. Eventually he played his part, only for Mohammad Hafeez to destroy the entire spell by failing to hold on to the catch.It would be unfair to say Pakistan lost the Test due to Hafeezs dropped catch. The poor bowling later that day, and the collapse the day after, were more immediate causes. But that passage of play on day four was the moment that a team that has forged its identity in crickets backwaters composed its own virtuoso performance. It is an eternal shame that it fell apart right when it was hitting its peak. Wholesale Jerseys . Los Angeles star goalie survived those perilous gymnastics with no problem, and he eventually backstopped the Kings to a skid-snapping win. Quick stopped 27 shots in his return from a 24-game injury absence, Jeff Carter scored the tiebreaking goal with 7:55 to play, and the Kings snapped their five-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night. China Soccer Jerseys . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. http://www.footballjerseyschinawholesale.com/ .Y. - Free agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, fresh off winning the World Series with Boston, reached agreement with the rival New York Yankees on a seven-year contract worth about $153 million, a person familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday night. Discount Football Jerseys . It might not have mattered. While the Dodgers are preparing for the playoffs, the Padres showed their future has promise behind two rookies. Wholesale Soccer Jerseys 2018 .ca. Kerry, Just watched the shootout in the Coyotes/Leafs game and I have to ask, why was the James van Riemsdyk goal allowed to count? All of the video replays we were shown on TV were inconclusive about whether the puck had entirely crossed the line or not. BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Leonard Floyd figures he will take a moment to scan the stadium, soak it all in. Then it will be time to show what he can do.The Chicago Bears are counting on big things from the outside linebacker after drafting him with the ninth overall pick. That starts with the preseason opener against the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos on Thursday night.I try to do a circle and look at all the fans and stuff, Floyd said. And I get locked in on focusing on the game.It will be a big moment for Floyd and the Bears. Chicago drafted the Georgia standout with the idea that his speed and athleticism would help jolt a defense that lacked playmakers a year ago.Not only will the Bears be getting their first look at Floyd, they will also be seeing receiver Kevin White in a game situation for the first time.The No. 7 pick in the 2015 draft, he was sidelined last season by a fractured shin. Instead of forming a fierce tandem with Alshon Jeffery, White was a spectator.The Bears, meanwhile, are trying to pick themselves up after going 6-10 and finishing last in the NFC North. With just 11 wins over the past two years, they come into their second season under general manager Ryan Pace and coach John Fox looking for much more.The development of Floyd and White could go a long way toward determining if they get it.Its all about that `exam, Fox said. Those exams are those preseason games and I cant think of a better test than the defending world champs Thursday night.The Bears are trying to build a strong young core under Pace and Fox after years of shaky drafting under former GMs Jerry Angelo and Phil Emery. It sure would help if White and Floyd thrived, and there are big expectations for both players.The 6-foot-4 Floyd is a key addition to a defense that made big strides last season under coordinator Vic Fangio yet still had some huge deficiencies. Chicago rosee from 30th to 14th in the rankings but tied for 22nd in sacks and was just 30th in interceptions.ddddddddddddThe Bears addressed that by overhauling their front seven, adding 336-pound free agent defensive end Akiem Hicks and backing him with inside linebackers Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman. With his speed and athleticism, Floyd brings a skillset that management believes will produce bigger numbers in the NFL than in college. Floyd had 4 1/2 sacks for Georgia last season, but he wont be dropping back in coverage the way he did in college.He will also be playing on both sides of the field and occasionally move inside, which could give him an edge over slower guards.It gives me an opportunity to make plays from different areas on the field, Floyd said. Pretty much all outside linebackers have the opportunity to play left, right and sometimes in the middle.The past two weeks have been eye opening for Floyd.Hes been soaking up as much as he can from the coaches as well as veterans such as Willie Young, Sam Acho and Pernell McPhee, trying to improve on his weaknesses. Hes trying to stay patient and focus on the big picture. But he also understands the pressure to make a quick impact.Ive got the highest expectations on myself, he said. I put the most on myself.Game notes Jeffery said no decision has been made about whether he will play on Thursday. The receiver practiced on a limited basis Monday and Tuesday after suffering a mild hamstring strain last week. Fox and quarterback Jay Cutler have said they hope Jeffery plays in the preseason, particularly after sat out the 2015 preseason and went on to miss seven games last season because of a variety of injuries.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap Authentic Jerseys Discount NFL Jerseys Wholesale NFL Camo Jerseys Cheap NFL Autographed Jerseys China Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Store China Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale Throwback Jerseys Cheap Stitched Jerseys China NFL Hoodies Cheap Authentic Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys China Camo China NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China ' ' '