ICC must act with more responsibility

The International Cricket Council, the guardian angels of the game must act with more responsibility when deciding on what is good and profitable not only for themselves, but overall for the game.

We say this because some smart alec got them to agree to introduce the super sub and power play concept to the limited overs game that was progressing smoothly and very interestingly.

Although this funny concept of play was on trial for just a year, it was apparent from the start, that this concept was going to be a failure and an abject failure at that.

Most captains reluctantly agreed to give it a trial because the ICC sheiks in Dubai wanted it tried out to please the alec who brought it to them.

With opposition mounting to the super sub and the power play, the ICC has thankfully decided to call a halt to this nonsense that was making a mockery of the game.

The original format of the limited overs game had enough to make it chockful of interest, bring spectators flocking to the ground and also help players, the respective cricket boards and the ICC have their pockets bulging with money.

The new concept was puzzling to everyone.

Anyway better late than never goes the saying and good on the ICC that they have decided to bury this concept, that should not have been allowed in, in the first place.

Bound to fail

Another ICC concept that is bound to fail is the Twenty20 game.

When there is a 50 over game, what is the big deal in introducing a Twenty20 format? Apparently it is to bring in more money. The ICC as it stands is having enough money pouring into their coffers, if the super series played in Australia was an indication.

In that series the ICC showed scant respect for the dollars by gifting the players, the umpires and the officials money for jam. Some of the players did not seem interested in performing, but were keen on laughing themselves to their respective banks to collect their fat cheques.

Now the ICC seems to be toying with the idea of introducing a Twenty20 World Cup. The 50 over World Cup has enough and more for everyone and let that remain the game after Test cricket.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting made his feelings known about the Twenty20 World Cup and now the Indian and Pakistan Cricket Boards must be congratulated for agreeing that they would not want to play in the Twenty20 format of a World Cup.

The ICC must now rethink the new concept and call a halt to it and not make a joke of themselves as they did with the super sub and power play concept.

Great effort

Muttiah Muralitharan has done what no other human has done in the game of cricket by grabbing 1,000 wickets in both forms of the game. He achieved this feat in the First Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong.

He would have had that over the moon feeling when he pocketed his 1,000th wicket and the man whom he kept mentioning and thanking was 'captain cool' Arjuna Ranatunga.

After the game when he was being interviewed by Ravi Shastri, he said that had it not been for Ranatunga, he would not have been able to progress and rounded it all by saying that had it not been for his former skipper he would not be there talking to Shastri.

Muralitharan's career was on the block when Ross Emerson called him in the Adelaide one-dayer in 1995/'96 against England. Emerson when he did what he did, never expected to meet his Waterloo in Ranatunga.

Ranatunga like a true leader stood by his bowler and threatened to take his team off the field. But the officials of that time Ranjit Fernando and Saliya Ahangama got on the line to Thilanga Sumathipala who was the President and after a long jaw, Sumathipala wanted Ranatunga and players to get on with the game and to leave the rest to him.

The Australian media kept bashing Ranatunga for his finger wagging at Emerson and also instructing the umpire as to how he was to stand against the bowler.

That was the moment when Ranatunga warmed the cockles of all Sri Lankans when he showed and proved that he would not cringe whether it be white or black.

Ranatunga was convinced that an injustice had been done to the bowler and he fought and vowed to fight until the bowler was cleared.

Ranatunga was on a bad wicket, but thanks to the Cricket Board of that time who stood by him and provided him with the best legal eagles that money could buy, Ranatunga got off after having cocked a snook at his detractors. I was at the scene of action.

Muralitharan apparently hasn't forgotten his former skipper and it would have been sweet music to the ears of Ranatunga had he been listening to what Muralitharan was saying about him saving his career.

Ranatunga had the knack of especially getting under the skin of the Aussies and tormenting them. Sadly Sri Lanka is missing a captain of his ability and calibre.

It would be good if the future captain of Sri Lanka is allowed under the guidance of Ranatunga so that he could teach him, the clever points in captaincy and also how to get under the skin of opponents.

Now that Muralitharan has achieved this amazing feat, should he not be made a national treasure?