Cricket at the cross roads
by Haze's Comment 21/01/2003, 00:00
There is something serene and comforting about settling in your favourite armchair, grappling for the remote, putting your feet up with your beverage of choice and losing yourself in a game of cricket on the box.
You just go with the ebb and flow of the game and enter a state of relaxation as your mind is freed of its complexities. It’s a feeling that is shared by many around the globe and one that is eagerly anticipated.
That was before the last couple of months.
These days it is impossible to even listen to a cricket report let alone watch one without your stomach instantly imitating a tangled worm as stories are regaled from around the world that reflect the current turmoil in this great game. Think about it. Almost every corner of the cricketing globe is throbbing with discontent.
Take these for example.
The political turmoil in Zimbabwe has occupied the front pages of most bulletins as teams and cricket boards debate the issue of honouring their World Cup obligations.
The Sri Lankan team are currently threatening not to participate in the World Cup until their internal player payment disputes are solved.
Kenya are following suit and are taking a similar stance.
India are in the process of digging themselves into a very deep hole along with the ICC as they take a very severe stance on endorsement issues and are currently threatening a total derailment of their World Cup campaign.
Kenyan cricket authorities are eagerly awaiting a recommendation as to whether their country is to be declared safe enough to host 2 games during the World Cup, following the recent devastating bombs in Mombassa.
The Australians have been told to “clean up their act” following the disgrace that Darren Lehmann has brought upon them after his racial outburst.
Pakistan on their tour of South Africa, have just done an excellent job of emulating a sinking ship that shows zero signs of buoyancy.
England have been decimated with injury concerns that have seriously hampered their build up to the World Cup.
Pakistan are faced with their eternally perennial problem of not confidently being able to host teams in their country due to unrest and reluctance on the part of other countries.
India and Pakistan have a better chance of playing a Test series against each other on the moon than in either Pakistan or India.
Umpiring standards continue to frustrate.
The ICC, although at times showing admirable intent, still need to formulate a satisfactory game plan that will see them as the guardians of the game.
There is a real threat of the cricketing world being divided into factions that will seriously harm the longevity of the game and enhance power bases from various continents.
Popularity of the game and subsequent crowd support in some countries is a real concern.
Mismatches between some nations do little to wet the appetite.
Who knows what the influence of the impending war that the Americans seem so intent on starting will have.
Have I said enough?
Is there anyone out there listening?
Make mine a double Jack Daniels.