Widiculous World Cup (Cricket in General)

Name: opinions4u

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Product:	Cricket in General
Date:	10/03/03 (51 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: It's cricket and it's great!

Disadvantages: England are out, Too many elements of luck to make for a great competition

A quick apology - this was entered under "Cricket in general" so how it ended up her I do not know! I have requested a move!

Now for those of you not familar with the game, the object is to go out and get the side out in the middle out. when they are out you can go in and then you go out and they try to get you out.

The World Cup is the highlight of this sport. A festival of one day cricket stretching over 2 months, currently taking part in southern Africa.

I have, over the years, fallen in love with the one day game. As well as being the financial saviour of what was once considered our national sport, I find nothing more compelling than a spin bowler such as Muralitheran pinning down a flamboyant batsman such as Flintoff.

So, what of this World Cup?

Well, laughably, the English cricketing authorities signed a contract agreeing to play in Zimbabwe, despite the awful political situation there (see my review from the back end of last year) back in 2001. Strangely, our government and cricketers spotted this at the back end of 2002, but we only decided not to play at the last minute, based on some tenuous security threat. Clearly principles were less important than money. Safety eventually more important. Zimbabwe were awarded a win.

There are one or two other quirks of this competition that I find odd.

Why is it being held in the rainy season? While the Duckworth Lewis method of calculating results in rain affected matches causes a titter or two, it is a tried and tested formula that makes for fair play. But surely scheduling this event for a drier period in the calendar would have removed the lottery of bad weather that effectively knocked England and the West Indies out (I do accept the point that our lack of discipline and disappointing captaincy when set up to beat Australia didn't help!).

On the subject of rain, why are no matches scheduled to have a second day in case
of this? Weird to say the least. At least give us a chance of a result!

The joy of the day/night game brings in the crowds. There is
something weird and wonderful about cricket under lights. But, in a part of the world where atmospheric conditions change as night falls, the game becomes a lottery. Win the toss and bat in daylight and the ball moves about in the air a lot less, making run scoring easy. Bat at night and the path of the ball is less predictable meaning almost certain defeat. This is not a test of skill, but a case of guessing heads or tails right. England claimed a glorious win over Pakistan. Had Pakistan won the toss, I don't doubt the glory would have been with the Asians!

Depsite these criticisms, I have enjoyed watching teams like Canada, Holland and Namibia. The Kenyan's have proved they are worthy of inclusion in more international competition and could even make the semi finals. Tendulkar's magnificent 98 for India. Bichel's brilliant demolition of English batting. The never say die attitude of Australia, a lesson of sporting attitude any team from any sport should look to emulate.

The lottery of weather, the toss and floodlights aside, the cream has risen to the surface. Perhaps the best two sides in the world, India and Australia, should meet in the final. I hope so. The power of Sehwag. The majesty of Bevan.

There are lessons to learn for the next World Cup in the West Indies in 2007. I for one hope that both the West Indies and England have stronger teams then!

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