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| Wednesday, 3 December 2003 |
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Watered away 'One Dayers' an anti climax by Richard Dwight What a tremendous build up there was, to ensure that the all-round beneficial limited over cricket series between England and Sri Lanka, rose to desired heights and ended as well, on a highly successful note. For apart from cricket, the series meant different things to different people - with hoteliers, tour-operators and shop owners treating it as a preliminary to make the right kind of impression before the staid and spruced conventional test matches began. The organisers, planners, the authorities in question, along with the curator, the Police and security personnel, left no stone unturned to see that 'all's well that begins well'. But alas! what an anticlimax it was when the rains came down in torrents and dashed away all hopes of play, leaving many dispirited and to feel being let down. The rains did reign supreme, "for all the kings horses and all the kings men" - try as they may, simply couldn't put back the game on those too frustating D/N's at the Khettarama Stadium. But how in heaven's name, could they, committed as they were, armed with covers, sponges, buckets, super soper and what have you - wrestle and contend with an almighty creator God. An omniscient God at that who knows when to send down the showers and exactly when to hold it back. Unpleasant though, and unkind as it appeared from the point of cricket. Nevertheless, most if not all of us, for more reasons than one, are thankful that the power of controlling the weather was not vested in the hands of fallible and at times selfish men. And so in the final analysis it was the relentless incessant rains that held sway, to live out the truism 'Man Proposes God disposes". Whilst we say this, it is equally significant to note, that the first 'one dayer' played at Dambulla though Sri Lanka won well ahead of time, was a very tame affair sans any thrills or excitement. With Sri Lanka scoring the required runs of 88 in 13.5 overs without losing a wicket. Spectators who come to expect tense drama and nail biting finishes within the 100 overs, were sorely disappointed despite winning a lack lustre game. Observing the persistent rains many are they who ask, as to whether there is a hoodoo or bad omen hovering over our cricket here. If so, the sooner we get past it in the name and cause would be the better. As for the 'one day' series, it had everything and it had nothing at all - in a sense reminds us of the 'Emperor's new clothes'. Due to a technical error the above article was not presented in its correct perspective and so is published eliminating the errors. |
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