Gwen brings fruitful results for all
The ICC has made a decision at the recently concluded meeting in Hong
Kong to have the same number of teams participating at the next World
Cup. This is a good move made by them to keep the Gentlemen's game
moving smoothly.
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Gwen Herath |
Soon after the 2010 World Cup ended in India it was the grouse from
the leading groups to expel the lesser known countries of the so-called
minnows from the World Cup and to reduce the number of teams to eight
making it a tournament only for the Elite Group.
However, this move had a lot of opposition as the non Test playing
countries and full member ICC countries were to be ousted from the
tourney. In fact it some of the current players too were not in favour
of the above mentioned.
Sri Lanka's women cricket administrator and present President of the
Puttalam District Cricket Association Gwen Herat aired her opposition to
the proposal from very first moment that issue came in for discussion
among the general public. She spearheaded the campaign against the issue
at length by addressing the ICC through the media. Her media reports had
great appreciation from locals and those abroad. After consistent
campaigning and writing many present day cricketers backed her views.
One such person is present New Zealand captain Ross Taylor who came out
openly to criticize the issue.
Herat was instrumental in giving out details at length on the issue
while introducing new formats to help the administrators. Now with the
ICC taking a decision to continue with the same number of teams for the
world Cup. We in Sri Lanka can be proud of our local lady cricket
administrator for playing a leading role to guide the World Cricket
governing body to open their eyes for the betterment of the game and
also making way for the so-called minnows of the game to be among the
cricketing greats.
As the ICC has decided to stick to the former format, Sri Lanka's
Gwen Herat needs high commendation for addressing the world at a crucial
time to help cricket and also to save the day for the countries that
were striving hard to keep cricket moving in their respective countries.
BP |
