Talking Cricket: Michael Parkinson (17 May 1999)

17 May 1999

Talking Cricket: Michael Parkinson

The Electronic Telegraph

The opening ceremony of the Cricket World Cup was a feeble overture for a major event. They have had better do's in Cleckheaton, and VE Day in our street left it standing.

In fact, the entire lead-up to the event has been feeble and amateurish.

I have seen little or no advertising. Where were the poster and the television campaigns heralding a great sporting event?

I know we are besotted by football to the exclusion of all else, but even more reason to make the nation aware of the alternative. It is no good tippy-toeing about. Cricket has got to get stuck into the opposition if it is to survive and prosper.

A concert planned for the Albert Hall was cancelled because of lack of interest, and/or artists being unavailable. Given the length of time this World Cup has been in the planning I find that unbelievable.

The World Cup song will not be released until the end of May. What on earth is the good of a theme song being published halfway through proceedings? Again, the organisation looks sloppy and disorganised.

But the most disappointing and pitiful sight of all was the pavilion at Lord's barely half full on the opening day. Those MCC members who boycotted the opening day because they had been asked to pay for tickets did cricket a great disservice.

They showed the world the smug, selfish face of privilege. They demonstrated the stupidity of allowing a private members' club to have such a powerful and malignant influence on the game.

Just when cricket is trying to broaden its appeal, MCC gargoyles scare people off.

They should be told by the sensible men at MCC - and there are a few - that Lord's does not belong to them.

It belongs to the world of cricket. If that is not acceptable, cricket must find another home. Then MCC members will have the place to themselves and nothing to bellyache about.

Please God.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)