20 May 1999
Political statements and sub-continental dilemma and drama
Barely a week into the tournament and the strong aroma of controversy and
trouble as well as shock results are giving this year's World Cup its usual
colourful mosaic patterns.
Apart from the row about the British Home Office's decision not to readily
grant visas to Asian sub-continental supporters wanting to visit England for
the tournament Sri Lanka Tamils made their own forcible political statement
at Northampton on Wednesday.
And India, without Sachin Tendulkar, forced to return home after the death
of his father, lost to Zimbabwe after 51 extras cost them four overs which
led to their demise. Now they have to win their remaining three games to
qualify for the Super Sixes.
It should be pointed out that Zimbabwe's Group A win should not have come as
a surprise; they are no longer the babes in the international woods: gauche
and inexperienced.
Although Zimbabwe's record against South Africa is far from inspiring, they
have borrowed a few ideas to improve their game and as such are no longer be
in awe of their international opposition.
"It's all a matter of attitude and an application of self-belief," Houghton
said before the World Cup started. "When we first met England in that
limited-overs series at home (1996/97) I wrote down the names of their
players and then ours. Against each name I wrote the number of caps we have
in limited-overs internationals and theirs.
"We had a far better record in terms of service and caps and that changed it
all: turned it around and we ended up winning more than just a couple of
games," he commented. "It has gone on from there."
Sound advice from someone who knows what he is talking about and putting
into practice what he has been preaching to a squad which is increasing in
size.
Whether India are so difunctional without Sachin Tendulkar is a question
only the Indians can answer. They are a far better side than their record
here suggests. Sure they did not have the best of preparation in their
pre-tournament warm-ups.
Sunday is their 'must win' day while Zimbabwe no doubt now fancy their
chances of upsetting a mentally battered Sri Lanka on Saturday at New Road,
Worcester. For those who enjoy the music of Sir Edward Edgar, whose poetic,
almost robust romanticism has touches of grandeur if simplicity would
appreciate the nuances of the Enigma Variations. Elgar lived in Worcester
and New Road is part of the walk he once took.
The enigmas in this tournament are India and Sri Lanka who face humiliating
first round elimination.
* * *
Members of the Sri Lanka Tamils living in England, were a touch vociferous
the day South Africa played their country. The LTTE (Liberation Tamil
Tigers Elam) twice 'buzzed' Arjuna Ranatunga's team at Wantage Road in
Northampton with messages which spelt out their opposition and support.
In a poignant reminder of troubles at home a light aircraft flew messages
which were far from complimentary. Banners trailing behind the aircraft
were, "Killing Tamils is not cricket" and "SA, We Tamils Support You" were
two themes which did not go down too well with Sri Lanka media members.
There has also been mixed reception, if not reaction, by the Asian community
in England at some questions being asked on application forms for those
coming from the four countries in the tournament.
'Who does Sachin Tendulkar play for' and 'What country does Arjuna Ranatunga
captain' as well as 'what do the terms lbw and googly mean' are said to be
ways to stop those using the event as an easy entry to England.
For some it is an embarrassment, others see it as a humiliation, but several
Asian media members when asked for their thoughts feel the tough visa
requirements were 'fair and just'. Without mentioning the names of my
colleagues from Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka for fear of reprisals for
their comments, they point out that past World Cup events have been used as
a way to 'uncontrolled passage' into England.
* * *
Amid the murky and frozen surrounds of St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury
England have suddenly found their knight in shining armour to take on South
Africa at The Oval on Saturday.
At Lord's in the opening game it had been Alan Mullally who had laid waste
to Sri Lanka's batting in the opening match of the World Cup, but there was
always the impression the Leicestershire left-arm quick was just a pretender
and not the genuine England bowling hero.
Although you could have fooled some of us: he bowled as controlled as anyone
on a misty day. On Monday, in the shadows of Canterbury Cathedral, however,
up steps the genuine article: Yorkshire's Darren Gough. If in doubt send for
Gough seems like a one-liner about a new TV private eye series. Not for
England though.
It is the motto of the day, the label of England's hopes in the final year
of the millennium.
No doubt it will be the catch phrase of England in South Africa as well next
southern summer.
For now, however, we have Goughie the man in a hundred after reaching his
100th wicket limited overs international wicket against Kenya. Even England'
s captain Alec Stewart must have been impressed with how the change in
bowling tactics upset the visitors in a climate far from the light and
warmth of East Africa.
Gough could provide South Africa's batsmen with some interesting moments
should Hansie Cronje lose the toss a third time. Stewart has so for utilised
the damp and misty conditions (as well as the May chill which eats into your
bones) to get maximum use for his bowlers.
Given the conditions Gough has always been a dangerous bowler when the ball
gets a bit of dirt on it and is able to swing it around. It somehow makes
batsmen more vulnerable to the away swing in late morning conditions.
* * *
The way this British 'summer' is turning out anything above 10C would
constitute heatwave conditions.
We had been told it was going to be 17 C in Canterbury, if it got anything
above 7 C. As the day grew older the temperatures became lower until even
the spectators, when the rain break came at about 6 pm, gave up their
efforts to brave the cold to cheer an England victory.
When the Barmy Army louts congregated in front of the pavilion to cheer
Stewart and his team, even those players with stronger stomachs than most
would have not appreciated the near obscene behaviour.
Source :: Trevor Chesterfield