ICC better change to India Cricket Council
 The International Cricket Council will not be faulted,but rather
appreciated and applauded,if they changed their name to Indian Cricket
Council (ICC) !
We state this with tongue in cheek, of course. As it is the ICC seem
utterly helpless If this is not so read on.Their Executive Committee
recommended that the use of DRS be made mandatory in international
matches to avoid controversies. But the ICC Board ignored the
recommendation of its Executive Committee to make the use of technology
mandatory in Tests and one-dayers and voted against the proposal.
Quick to object
That was because India was quick to object claiming that the system
was not foolproof. If the members of the ExCo have the courage of their
convictions they would do well to resign, or in the least to pledge that
they will continue the fight to invoke the UDRS. After a meeting ICC had
said in a statement: Board agreed to continue with the present
arrangement where the two competing nations in a bilateral series decide
on the use of the UDRS. If this is the way leadership is delegated, then
the ICC might as well abrogate their own powers and take a walk in the
park.It is apparent that the ICC fears the Indian Board and would not
want to rub them on the wrong side or hurt them, fearing reprisals. They
obviously do not want to make the UDRS System compulsory and a rule for
all countries given the Indian objections.
Joke and comedy
For how long will the ICC continue with this joke and a comedy of
getting some countries who can afford the system to play it and those
who cannot to suffer the consequences? And when and how are they going
to convince the Indians that they cannot have their way and play the
game the way they want it, is open to conjecture. The game was not made
only for the Indians and for them to dictate.They must come down from
their high horse and play the game the way the guardians of the game
want them and everyone to play it , and not use their strong arm tactics
to bully them.
Money bags
Agreed that the ICC cannot do without the Indians,because they are
the money bags of the game today. The Indians will be better appreciated
if they have a change of heart and agree to play the DRS,because other
than for them, every other country is in agreement with the system. Just
because India is the financial powerhouse and have enough votes to stall
any proposal put forward at ICC Board meetings it does not mean that
they are greater than the game.Former South African born England Captain
and now a top class TV Commentator in the game said a mouthful when he
asked India to accept the ‘spirit of cricket is more important than
generating billions of dollars’. Greig said so while delivering the 2012
MCC Spirit of Cricket Colin Cowdrey lecture at Lord’s.
Inexplicable
It is inexplicable that the ICC cannot convince the BCCI to accept
the UDRS and play to it. Almost all captains and cricket playing
countries want it introduced, other than for India.Just that India is a
power because of its fan base and the money it generates, does not mean
that they must be allowed to hold the ICC to ransom and dictate as to
how the game should be played.Apparently the new Chief Executive of the
ICC, former South African wicket keeper who put on the cap of the CE
seems to have startedplaying the ugly ‘reverse sweep’ when he said that
he would not be dragging the powerful India ‘kicking and screaming’ into
accepting the UDRS.
Poor stroke
Now that was not the stroke that one expected from the new CE.He has
accepted that nearly all players and umpires backed the Decision Review
System which checks whether batsmen should be given out.
If that is the case, then the majority supports the system. Then why
can’t Richardson coax India to also play ball and not play the role of
spoil sport. The CE has started his innings in poor fashion and if that
is the case then, India will continue to call the shots. If India has
the voting strength, obviously supported by some other countries, then
it is up to the cricketers of those countries to tell their
representatives in the ICC to change their stance and play supporting
the majority.
Controversial
AFP quoting Richardson said: ‘the introduction of technology has
always been controversial….but slowly but surely that’s changed and I
think we’re pretty much at that point where everyone is accepting,
certainly at international level. ‘I don’t think (the decision is)
negative at all. We’ll be seeing DRS used in the majority of series
going forward and there would be no sense in forcing anything upon
anybody’. There is no need to force India, it is just that there is no
one strong enough in the ICC to get India to see reason. If India is
against it, and that is how they will remain, then for the game’ sake
chuck the UDRS and let’s play the game the way we were taught to play-
that the umpire’s word is law.Little wonder then that the ICC has been
tagged a ‘toothless tiger’.When they will grow their fangs and show that
they are the kings will be interesting to watch.Former Chairman of New
Zealand Cricket is the new President of the International Cricket
Council and it is hoped that he will play a more adventurous innings.The
credit for the UDRS must go to Sri Laka's Attorney at Law Seneka
Weeraratne.
[email protected]
|
