Aussie cricketers to their better halves

Go home: We want to win World Cup

CRICKET: It appears that not a day passes at the Cricket World Cup 2007 in the Caribbean without some form of intrigue and drama that grabs the headlines.

There was the infamous death of a national coach which had all the ingredients of a Agatha Christie ‘whodunit’ not to mention the thrills and spills on the cricket field itself with minnows turning tables on the established members of the ICC. The latest juicy bit to hit the headlines concerns Australia and New Zealand two teams that are being touted as among the favourites to lift the Cup.

According to a news report players of both teams have opted to pack off their wives and girlfriends home as they feel the presence of their better halves would be a distraction at a crucial stage of the tournament. It seems the players of both teams are hell bent on keeping their focus on cricket and would let nothing stand in the way of victory.

The presence of their partners they contend would not help their cause when what is called for are long partnerships in the middle. Surely the cricketers would know best, being constantly exposed to short legs and long legs driving them to silly point.

That of course is on the playing field. In this instance they would be compelled to encounter the real thing in the cool shade of the pavilion or in their hotel rooms which is bound to have an impact on their performances-so they think.

The scantily clad beauties in the spectator stands are bad enough. They could not afford to be bowled over by maidens if they are to lift the Cup. That they mean business is evident considering that a fair number of wives/girlfriends are world famous fashion models.

We doubt if the players’ decision would go down well with Women’s Lib. They would no doubt be at pains to explain that far from being a distraction the presence of spouses would only spur their men to greater heights on the playing field not to mention of being a source of comfort during times of failure.

Picture a batsman getting out for a duck and walking dejectedly to the pavilion. What more solace would he need than the loving embrace of a wife or girlfriend that would go a long way in dissipating his despair and act as tonic to get his batteries charged for the next encounter in the middle.

There is also the factor that men like to show off before their women and the presence of the latter could only pump that extra adrenal in the players giving to give of their best in the middle.

On the other hand they would also argue that presence of wives and girlfriends would only go to cement relationships and leave little room for armours escaped of cricketing husbands two of whom are already estranged from their wives who were at home during tours.

Rambler