'One of the most boring World Cups' (15 June 1999)
Sections of the British media have blasted World Cup organisers for providing cricket fans with one of the most boring World Cups in recent times
15-Jun-1999
15 June 1999
'One of the most boring World Cups'
Ivan Corea
British media lashes out
Sections of the British media have blasted World Cup organisers for
providing cricket fans with one of the most boring World Cups in
recent times. It all centres on the introduction of the white ball
into the competition. According to the sports writers in the UK, the
opening of the World Cup (which included the very first match between
World Cup holders Sri Lanka v England) at Lord's was a 'damp squib' -
it set the tone for the entire competition held during a rain swept
May and June.
The world's batsmen - Graham Hick of England, Ricky Ponting of
Australia, Shaun Pollock of South Africa and Sri Lanka's frontline
batsmen - Sanath Jayasuriya, Romesh Kaluwitharne, Roshan Mahanama,
Aravinda De Silva, Marvan Attapattu, Arjuna Ranatunga failed to come
to terms with the white ball.
Jonathan Agnew of BBC Radio 4 criticised the use of the white ball in
the 1999 World Cup competition stating that it has resulted in some
very low scores, In a stinging attack titled 'So exciting we're on
the edge of our beds' David Lloyd of the London Evening Standard
lambasted the World Cup organisers accusing them of a 'balls up.'
Lloyd observed: 'A competition which should be the sport's showpiece
event every four years is in danger of being remembered - or, rather,
all too quickly forgotten - for an almost total lack of excitement.'
The London Evening Standard put in down to the introduction of the
white ball: 'The white ball torments batsmen far more than its red
equivalent,' said leading cricket writer David Lloyd. He added:
'Perhaps it is the lacquer, which helps to produce
sometimes-extravagant swing, and may be that also accounts for the
seam staying taller and harder for longer. But everyone knew batsmen
would struggle against it during the first 15 to 20 overs of an
innings, particularly in damp, often overcast English conditions...
and there was no need other than commercialism, for it to be used.'
A white ball demands coloured clothing. Coloured clothing demands a
new design for all 12 competing countries. New designs demand new
replica kits. New replica kits demand loyal fans and parents to pull
out the cheque book. Cricket, always chasing new money, demands to
see the cheque book as often as possible. White ball, more money,
less excitement.
I think the tournament would have been even more exciting if the red
variety - look at the previous World Cup tournaments. They were all
very thrilling. It certainly would have resulted in some marvellous
batting displays - true we have had some great individual innings but
it hasn't set the entire competition alight - the white ball is king
and the willow has tamely surrendered time and time again.
Someone who has been thrilling cricket fans in Lancashire with the
red variety is our very own Muttiah Muralitharan who has become the
hero of the cricketing media. What a difference a World Cup exit
makes - now that Sri Lanka and England have been knocked out in the
first round - Murali does not pose a threat to England players and
cricket writers. So 'controversial Murali' is now 'Marvellous
Murali'. The Daily Mail headlined the feat with 'Marvellous Murali in
Seventh Heaven.' Sri Lanka-born coach Dav Whatmore of Lancashire
exclaimed: 'He could get wickets on glass.' Whatmore's comment even
ended up as The Independent's 'Quote of the Week.' Murali went on to
grab fourteen wickets and prove to the world that he is indeed a
class act. Where are all the critics now?
Meanwhile England has also appointed a committee of eminent person to
examine their debacle in this year's World Cup. A recent letter to
the Sports Editor of the Daily News recommended an excellent
committee of people who know what they are talking about. One hopes
that these eminent persons will play a hands-on role in examining the
whole issue and recommending a new approach and a change of
direction.
Source :: The Daily News