BOMBAY, 21 March 2003 — We are just one match away from the completion of what has been the longest, the biggest and, in several ways, the richest World Cup of cricket ever. As it is, it’s just not a “winner-take-all” syndrome.
Most of the 14 participating countries will have a share of an enormous largesse that will be distributed. This is apart from the prize money that is there for the four semifinalists.
Irrespective of their performances, the participating countries will get a free grant for the development of the game, ranging from $9 million to $17 million.
In the nine-million group are Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. However, Kenya, one of the surprise semifinalists, is not entitled to this grant as it does not enjoy Test status.
It is understood that several members of the International Cricket Council want this situation to be remedied and that Kenya not be barred from this much-needed cash incentive.
If this does not happen then it will remain one of the tragedies of the 2003 World Cup. There are several other small and big tragedies.
The biggest is the exit of hosts South Africa after the first stage itself, as was the failure of teams like Pakistan and the West Indies to make the Super Six.
The biggest fall was that of the 1992 champions Pakistan who could not beat a single Test team in their group and, with their final match against Zimbabwe being washed out, they were unceremoniously bundled out.
Worse things are happening to this very team and the players on their return home. Many heads are bound to roll, including those of players who are still good enough for international cricket for a couple of years more.
There is no denying the fact that talent grows abundantly in Pakistan but it would be too drastic a step and would be totally unfair to young players like Salim Elahi, Taufeeq Umar, Younis Khan and Mohammad Sami.
Perhaps, if these youngsters had been played regularly, there might have been a different story to tell.
South Africa’s cricket too is in shambles. The sacking of Shaun Pollock as captain, the retirement of Jonty Rhodes and Gary Kirstein and the dropping of Lance Klusener would weaken the future team. But more than that, people hope that the ghost of Hansie Cronier is not allowed to rise again, for all the evil effect it has had on the team. How could there be harmony with half the side continuing to worship the tainted former captain and the other half holding him in utter contempt.
The annihilation of the Zimbabwe team must be among the biggest tragedies of the tournament. Political considerations overtook a couple of players and their fate is nothing short of a great lament.
That Andy Flower and Henry Olonga should go into exile elsewhere and not return to their own country is not something that should ever happen to cricketers.
These incidents are bound to haunt the team in its future engagements in international cricket.
Surprisingly enough, no one talks of the sad predicament of the West Indies team, which had promised so much but achieved so little and that for not entirely their fault.
Carl Hooper had revived West Indies cricket’s sagging spirits with victories in India. With Brian Lara returning to the team and also his best form, the two-time champions had come into the reckoning for the ultimate title.
Like Pakistan and South Africa, the Caribbean’s were knocked out in the first phase itself. Their abandoned game against weak Bangladesh cost them dearly. They lost a couple of games narrowly and that was the end of their campaign.
Four years hence, the West Indies will host the ninth World Cup. After witnessing the grand manner in which this World Cup was organized, the officials will have enormous amount of work to do in the many islands in the Caribbean to cope with the challenge.
Money is going to be the least of their problems, as the event has tremendous corporate support.
The World Cup 2007 is already a big sell-out with the ICC having signed a four-year contract with the sponsors and television companies. What is needed is the upstaging of the infrastructure.
Amid all the grandeur and the efficient management of World Cup 2003, there was a feeling that the event was too long.
The ICC will have to take another look at the present format and particularly the set-up of the Super Six stage.
