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Cricket
Close Up for the month of May
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- Richard Jenkins
This month's cricket action has seen Zimbabwean hopes crushed by Sri Lanka and Muralitharan break the world record. The contentions and accusations over his action rumble on and even fans and admirers of which I am one have to admit that as the laws of cricket stand the doosra was found to be illegal , with 14° of flex.
The British prime minister (Tony Blair ,but watch this space it may change!) said that he was against the cricket tour of Zimbabwe, yet paradoxically said he couldn’t stop it going ahead. The ECB will I understand make a statement later on (this month?) and meanwhile the ZCU and ‘rebel’ Zimbabwean cricketers try desperately to find the pathway of conciliation and compromise in a desperate attempt to save cricket in Zimbabwe. The ZCU terminated the ‘rebels’ contracts , effectively sacking them. However, I feel the door is still open, and the ZCU say this.
England and the West Indies finished honours even ,and the West Indies will tour later in the year.
New Zealand started their tour and seem to be in the process of being smacked all over the park. Kent look set to win (yippee).
Sri Lanka finish at Zimbabwe with the second test at Harare and Australia will follow later
India seems more interested in cricket than the general election, perhaps a career in politics could beckon for Sachin Tendulkar (à la Imran Khan)
Ganguly pointed out that Australia hadn’t beaten India for 4 years and warmed the upcoming contest. I hope to visit Holland to see a match, money and time permitting.
If India win, they will be one step closer to being the world cricket leaders.
Focus on the English game is on the traditional race to see who will score the most runs before the end of May. Hick was the last batsman who scored 1000 runs before the end of May but he did it a while ago and 1000 runs is a target for top quality batsmen.
Strangely enough there isn’t a bowling equivalent such as 50 or 100 wickets , so perhaps this could be introduced if a National newspaper could sponsor it.
Meanwhile the ICC cup goes on in the background, with Nepal looking a good side.
Debate continues on the future of the European game and the possible nature of a European side, perhaps using the West Indies as a template. However, I feel the Dutch set-up isn’t too far from test status , perhaps within 3 years and the Dutch side has appeared in world cups. The European circuit needs better infrastructure and investment and the ICC ten year plan includes this type of development .Certainly the new ruling on player movement within EU countries (now 25) and allied states opens the door to African and Caribbean players.
As for cricket changes, the group headed by former England bowler, Bob Willis made some recommendations, which were (IMHO correctly) rejected . If they had been accepted, English cricket would have been left with six full time professional teams, the rest being part time. You couldn’t pick an England team from six sides.
Tim Lambs place in the ECB set up has been under enormous pressure and unless a firm decision is taken on the Zimbabwian issues then the situation will only worsen;
The beginning of the English season has been (traditionally) blighted by the weather but some games have been held.
Standing so far show (as of 16th May 2004)
CCL1 Lancashire,Middlesex, Kent (top three)
CCL2 Hampshire, Notts, Durham (top three)
NL1 Glamorgan Hampshire,Lancashire (top three)
NL2 Leictershire,Somerset, Yorkshire (top three)
Here’s to better weather in June and the New Zealand tour
I heard the first European Coocoo today, so perhaps the swallows that dive bomb the pasture on our land really do bring summer with them.
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