Not what the doctor ordered

The next time you see the instantly recognizable face of Dr Ali Bacher on the giggle box, don’t be surprised if his famed black mop of hair is suddenly transformed into a mass of grey.

Hardly a day has gone by without the headlines screaming at us from the front pages of the tabloids of yet another drama surrounding the greatest cricket show on earth.

Let’s revisit the various episodes so far that have had us all exchanging views around the coffee machines at the office.

India started the trend by refusing to sign the ICC World Cup contracts that focused on the issue of the marketing rights of the players throughout the duration of the tournament.

Security and moral concerns regarding playing in Zimbabwe have resulted in England not honouring their commitment to play in that country.

Australia have also expressed their concerns. Kenyan security issues have also placed doubt with the New Zealand fixture in Nairobi.

Confusion abounds regarding England’s handling of the Zimbabwe situation, which in essence has been a public relations nightmare from all parties concerned.

Shane Warne’s well-chronicled exit is obviously the biggest bombshell to rock the tournament…..in fact any World Cup to date.

Racial abuse has raised its ugly head with Darren Lehmann’s outburst in Australia resulting in him sitting out the first of Australia’s games.

Racial abuse again hogged the headlines, ironically in the game that Lehmann missed, as Rashid Latif was reported after a particularly nasty verbal clash with Adam Gilchrist.

Latif has responded angrily to the accusations of being labelled a racist by threatening to sue the entire Australian team.

Pakistan captain Waqar Younis uncharacteristically lost his cool as well in the clash against Australia and resorted to a couple of well aimed beamers to Andrew Symonds that resulted in him being yanked out the attack by umpire David Sheperd.

Two Zimbabwe players, Andy Flower and Henry Olonga staged their own personal protest to highlight the desperate plight of millions of their countrymen under the Mugabe regime by wearing black armbands. Subsequently, they have now both been reported to the ICC.

Jonty Rhodes has broken a bone in his right hand, which threatens to keep him sidelined for 3 weeks if not longer.

The Zimbabwe Cricket Union have stated that they will not allow their team to travel to South Africa to play in any rescheduled matches.

The United Cricket Board of South Africa’s president Percy Sonn has unwisely entered the fray by threatening to halt South Africa’s tour of England after the World Cup, if teams do not play in Zimbabwe.

I must point out that at the time of writing these were the issues currently on the table. It may well be the case that by the time you get around to reading this article there have been some further unsavoury developments.

Feel free to add to the list by adding additional points in pencil upon printing to keep an up to date chronicle on why this World Cup will be remembered forever……largely for all the wrong reasons.