H*ll, Pakistan vs. Windies and Rhubarb Crumble for Tumbling Wickets

Ugh!  Since the World Cup wrapped up, I have been going through the worst h*ll a girl can go through...that's right, I'm living a practically cricket-free existence and my gawd it's been h*ll on wheels.  Sure, the IPL is going on with all the fanfare and cheerleaders and big names, but it all seems a little "Harlem Globetrotter"-esque, meaning it's more about showboating than cricketing.  I'm sure that it must be very exciting if you live in India and watch the matches live; but here in Australia the games are not broadcast, and we've got a slow internet connection so watching on the webbernetz is a no-go.  Phooey!

So thank goodness for me and all other cricket-watching people of the world that our little h*llish existence will soon become a heavenly one:  PAKISTAN IS TOURING THE WINDIES AND THE FIRST MATCH IS ON THE 23rd!!!!!!!  Yee-haaaa!

Oh yeah, I want Victory Fingers!!  Lots!!!!

Seriously, nothing can make a girl like me happier than some proper international cricket...I'm thrilled about the T20, ecstatic about the ODI's....and flipping over the moon about TEST cricket!  YES!  YES!  YES!  It's been so long since I've seen a test match that I've almost forgotten what it's all about!  My cricket drought is about to be over in just a few more days!  And we'll be seeing lots of the bestest team in the world...the lovely lads of Pakistan! 

I'm also looking forward to seeing the Windies, to see what they've done with the team since the world cup. 

Chanderpaul:  Not playing in the T20 or the ODI's!!! Boooooooooo

That crazy Chanderpaul dude with the crazy front-on batting stance won't be there, and neither will Chris Gayle.  Major frowny face, those guys made the World Cup very entertaining.  Oh well.

But basically, today we're going to learn how to make a basic rhubarb crumble so we can encourage Windies wickets to tumble.  Yes.  A little bit of this healthy dessert will give Pakistan's bowlers even more of an edge, and I'm sure the lads will take plenty of Windies scalps.  Long live Pakistan bowling violence!

Rhubarb Crumble to Make Wickets Tumble

Rhubarb is a very tart vegetable which looks like red celery.  Only eat the stalks, because the leaves are toxic.  Right, go put on an apron and get your act together before I scold you.

Ingredients
at least 2 cups of chopped, raw rhubarb
a few tablespoons of  white sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup oats
3 tablespoons butter

Preheat your oven to 180 C or 350 F.
Spread the chopped raw rhubarb into a greased, 8 inch baking dish.  Make sure the layer is at least 1 inch thick.
Spread the white sugar on top of the rhubarb.
In a separate bowl, use a pastry cutter or two knives to cut the butter into the flour, until the flour resembles bread crumbs.
Stir in the oats and brown sugar.
Spread the flour, oat and sugar mix over the rhubarb in the baking dish.
Bake at 180 C (350 F) for anwhere between 25 and 40 minutes, until the top is golden and the rhubarb is soft.

Sprinkle with icing sugar and serve by itself, with ice cream or with custard.

So you see, with all the nutritional goodness of rhubarb and oats, you'll be in tip top form with a spring in your step and a song in your heart....just what our lovely lads need!  Right on, guys!  Let's see you destroy the West Indians, just like you did a few weeks ago!!!!   Be good to us, your loyal fans, and give us your best!

Happy Cricket, Happy Rhubarb Crumble (Make those wickets tumble!)