Clumsy Cricket
As we all know, ICC Champions Trophy has commenced amid much fan fare. The event is bi-yearly and eagerly awaited. But fifth day into the competition, and I have begun to have serious doubts whether this is really a 'Champions' trophy. Have a look at the following scores.
Match 1 : England beats Zimbabwe by 152 runs.
Match 2 : New Zealand defeats USA by 210 runs.
Match 3 : Kenya loose to India by 98 runs.
Match 4 : South Africa prevails over Bangladesh by 9 wickets.
Match 5 : Australia crushes USA by 9 wickets.
Only one match lasted for full 100 overs (courtesy India), while Aus-USA match didn't even last for 32 overs. Similar story is going to be repeated today. The picture is very clear. This is a farce in the name of entertainment. The ICC is taking people and sponsors for a ride. Matches are over even before we are back from the office. All we get to see is recording or highlight of previous matches. The matches themselves are hardly competitive as a result whole interest of the tournament is killed. All this is for more money, whatever happens to audience.
As if this is not enough, Sony Set Max steps in. Some people never learn. After pathetic Extra-Innings funda during WC and last ICC trophy - nothing has been done to improve upon that. Charu Sharma, Mandira Bedi, noodle straps, tarot cards - all are still the same. Commentary team stinks. Kris Srikanth, Arun Lal, Tony Greg, Barry Richards are making the experience even more torturous. The only saving grace are Ian Chappel and Michael Slater perhaps.
ICC must wake up and introduce two tier system of tournaments to stop the dilution of the excitement of such major tournaments. Neither it can't afford so many one sided contests for long, as sponsors would start backing off soon nor can we, the audiences, bear this.
Match 1 : England beats Zimbabwe by 152 runs.
Match 2 : New Zealand defeats USA by 210 runs.
Match 3 : Kenya loose to India by 98 runs.
Match 4 : South Africa prevails over Bangladesh by 9 wickets.
Match 5 : Australia crushes USA by 9 wickets.
Only one match lasted for full 100 overs (courtesy India), while Aus-USA match didn't even last for 32 overs. Similar story is going to be repeated today. The picture is very clear. This is a farce in the name of entertainment. The ICC is taking people and sponsors for a ride. Matches are over even before we are back from the office. All we get to see is recording or highlight of previous matches. The matches themselves are hardly competitive as a result whole interest of the tournament is killed. All this is for more money, whatever happens to audience.
As if this is not enough, Sony Set Max steps in. Some people never learn. After pathetic Extra-Innings funda during WC and last ICC trophy - nothing has been done to improve upon that. Charu Sharma, Mandira Bedi, noodle straps, tarot cards - all are still the same. Commentary team stinks. Kris Srikanth, Arun Lal, Tony Greg, Barry Richards are making the experience even more torturous. The only saving grace are Ian Chappel and Michael Slater perhaps.
ICC must wake up and introduce two tier system of tournaments to stop the dilution of the excitement of such major tournaments. Neither it can't afford so many one sided contests for long, as sponsors would start backing off soon nor can we, the audiences, bear this.
posted by Unknown at 11:57 AM
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