The ICC have finally reacted to the absolutely pathetic conditions of the Sir Vivian Richards Antigua ground!
Given that a test against England had the pin pulled on it because the surface was deemed unsafe for players in February, it seems quite hopeless that it has taken this long (over a month- the test was on the 13th) to actually implement any action. The alarm bells must have been ringing well before the test but somehow it was allowed to start... and then be forcibly finished after only 10 balls!
It is all good and well to be developing an academy and training facilities in Dubai, but when an important cricketing region like the West Indies has this happen, is it any wonder athletic kids there chase the dollars in the USA through sports like basketball, when they see "premium venues" in conditions unfit for international contest?
Let's hope the ICC follows up on this debacle with some grass roots support of the area and a commitment of assistance to providing a world class playing venue and surface; not just for cricket, the people of Antigua, or the kids that should one day be the next Windies stars, but to honour again the great man whose name hangs on the gate!
stoph verismo
down the wicket
http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=785527 brief explination
http://icc-cricket.yahoo.com/media-release/2009/March/media-release20090317-49.html detailed from the ICC
I agree Stoph. Such a shame that Windies cricket has been reduced to what it has. Sir Viv would be chewing furiously on his gum, glaring at all and sundry. You are so right about the talent in that area chasing dollars. One can only wonder what might have been. Imagine trying to stop a quick single with Bolt at one end and Powell at the other.....
ReplyDeletestrewth! i didn't even think of the sprinter potential! just the tall bowlers that i know have been looking at basketball.
ReplyDelete1 run to point!
2 runs to mid-wicket!
6 all run!
i know that there is a lot of poverty in the region, but surely there is a pay off for the ICC to have at least 3 International standard stadiums and grounds!
One run when the ball is hit straight back to the bowler. They could run 7 at Adelaide down to cow corner.
ReplyDeleteLet's face it, cricket is being raped by money and the IPL. The public wants test cricket on a spiritual level but are not willing to go and watch it. The younger generation have limited attention spans thanks to PS3 games with 5000 levels and 50000 characters. Monotonous pursuits no longer hold any interest to them and have slipped from their consciousness like Asteroids and Burgertime. Twenty20 while entertaining lacks the true aspect of mental toughness that cricket was founded on.
I think it really stems back to the early 70s though: to me 20/20 is the world series cup incarnate. The days of untimed tests with uncovered pitches are so far behind us (at least mentally for many cricket followers) that we've forgotten the founding mental toughness as Sampson puts it. People have been cultured to want a result which is achieved in one day in bright clothing with big hitting. I can't understand how commentators can believe 20/20 and the IPL will help test cricket. How the hell will it do that? By further disenfranchising youth from 5 day cricket? Removing the need to bowl a long and strategic spell or bat through a session? Give me a break.
ReplyDeleteNL and LRO, i couldn't decide which post i liked better!
ReplyDeleteanytime someone rips on video games i'm on-side (mmm asteroids on 2600) FUGGIN timewasters!
...then again, long strategic spells is total horn fodder for me too!
,
lame as it is 1x POTD each! sorry! i'll try to be harder in the future.
"i'll try to be harder in the future."
ReplyDeleteAre you talking to us, or the missus Stoph....??
anyone who'll listen!
ReplyDeleteany port in a storm at my age.