Sound but no fury at Old Trafford (8 June 1999)

8 June 1999

Sound but no fury at Old Trafford

John Houlihan

And so in the end, this was a game which passed off with plenty of sound, but little of the anticipated fury as India eventually won an enthralling encounter at Old Trafford to defeat Pakistan, their oldest of cricketing enemies. Despite a billing which predicted that World War III would be visited on Manchester, the crowd were certainly partisan but never riotous and one Asian journalist who works on a Northern community magazine described the pre-game hype as "ludicrous" and a tabloid style attempt to whip up hysteria and hatred that has simply never actually existed between English Asian fans.

Early on there was one unpleasant incident which was quickly stamped on by a swarm of security heavies and the participants were rapidly ejected from the ground. Although the Pakistani supporters were in the clear majority and outnumbered the sometimes isolated pockets of Indians, both groups blended together in the stands in a vast sea of green and sky blue, alternating chants of "Pakistan" and "India" with no ill will or feeling, but rather the traditional banter that has always existed between rival supporters. The massed drums, klaxons and chants gave the game a real sense of atmosphere and occasion and even the chants of "Aloo" which were directed at Inzamam were flavoured with humour rather than any real malice. During the lunch break again both sets of supporters were happy to mingle, transporting vast vats of flavoured rice, tucking into cold curry and chapatis, basking in the afternoon sun, speculating on the game and sharing their infectious enthusiasm. The predicted fireworks were confined to a couple of loud Bangers and with the game finely poised in the late afternoon sun, the Mexican waves which swept the ground were final evidence of the friendly rivalry that the contest had engendered.

The truth is that these two sides invoke a fervour in their supporters which could teach England's cricketing establishment a lesson or two on the importance of atmosphere and passion to the game. Perhaps these qualities scare the English, and we should be scared, because any country which can inspire such devotion and passion in its followers can be assured of a bright cricketing future. England quite patently do not and next time you hear a polite smattering of applause at Lord's, consider that this doesn't reflect a genteel appreciation of the action, but rather sounds a long, drawn out death knell for our game. Every sport must excite, entertain and thrill if it's to capture the popular imagination and the hearts and minds of future generations and as hosts of this World Cup, in both the way we play on the field and the way we support cricket off it, this is a lesson we have patently failed to learn.

As Kumble took the catch which sealed the Indian victory, the crowds gathered beneath the pavilion and there was a fracas and a sudden air of hostility from some young Pakistani hotheads which threatened to bring an unpleasant end to proceedings. However one isolated incident, appalling though it was, shouldn't mar an otherwise perfect day and as the sun beamed down beatifically on Old Trafford, one lone supporter wrapped in an Indian flag and a Pakistan sun hat, summed it up perfectly when he declared, "This was not war, this was a game of cricket". And so it was and thankfully, a memorable and mainly peaceful one at that.