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| Tuesday, 28 September 2004 |
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Sports | |
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Aussies need new blood England burst the invincible bubble that the Australian cricketers were hiding in, by exposing their shortcomings and putting them at the losing end, which would have been unpalatable to the yellow and green shirts. The Aussies were riding a crest of a wave of success, and the arrogant manner in which they were bulldozing their way past all opponents was simply unbelievable. But finally they met their waterloo and quite rightly in England. The Australians have now received their wake up call, and although the Aussie selectors need not rush to panic stations, or press the panic button, it is time that they infused new blood if they are to continue with their dominance. Three quarters of the squad are well over 30 years of age, and while they may last the distance in the established game - Test cricket - they are now struggling to keep up with the one-day bash which requires younger men to play. They must from now, build with the next World Cup in view which they have won twice in a row, if they are to make it three-in-a-row. Umpires still blunder Apparently the modern technology that was used in the ICC champions trophy to aid umpires has not met its purpose or has it been successful. Even with the aid of technology, mistakes have been made, and it will continue to be that way. There have been no balls bowled and they have gone undetected, although the TV umpire was supposed to help the umpires in this aspect. Bad LBW decisions have been made. Though it did not amount to cheating, it affected some of the batsmen and teams. So it is paramount that the ICC rethink their introduction of technology into the game, especially umpiring. Lord's Sterling Pounds 8.2 m re-fit The MCC has closed the Lord's pavilion to start a Sterling Pounds 8.2 million refit. The Long Room will be redecorated, construction of a new roof terrace and bringing the two turrets back into use. Work has already started on this project and is scheduled to be completed in time for the start of next year's cricket season. Lord's has never been closed for any such length of time in 114 years and even remained open during World War One and Two. The pavilion which has Grade two listed status, was built in 1889-90 and is the focal point of a ground acknowledged around the world as the home of cricket. The project will take MCC expenditure on ground improvements since its bicentenary past Sterling Pounds 50 million. Frustrating Spectators who came to the Rose Bowl to watch the Sri Lanka-England ICC trophy match were cursing and even using four-letter words on the organisers. This is because, they had not only to brave the cold and rain, but also had to wait hours to get to their vehicles. It was park-and-ride arrangements which failed badly. After the game was called off thousands had to queue up in heavy rain for buses that came only infrequently from a distant car park. It added insult that a Sterling Pound 5 charge was added to a ticket costing Sterling Pounds 35. Thankfully arrangements during the semi-final between Pakistan and West Indies were much better. |
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