Monday, April 30, 2007

LOOKING BACK...


1) Looking back, the most comic prediction about this WC was this one being the most open WC ever in the history. And after 54 days as usual Australia steamrolled everyone who came in their way and normal service was restored.

2) Looking back, the most poignant moment this WC produced was Inzamam Ul Haq leaving the field amidst tears after his last match in coloured clothing. Such a huge man both in status and stature, crying and leaving the field was really emotional.

3) Looking back, this WC was an absolute disaster for Pakistan. They crashed out of the WC in the first round itself, their captain resigned from captaincy and retired from one day cricket and as if this was not enough their coach was murdered and they were asked to play in spite of that. Pakistan cricket is in shambles and it is time for us to rally behind them and give our support. No cricketer or for that matter no true cricket lover would rejoice at the sight of a cricket tradition being turned to rags and bones. There is no better sight in cricket than Inzy playing the cover drive with that lazy elegance with the air of a man having a leisurely stroll in his backyard or a full tilt Shoaib Aktar steaming in. We must do everything to see those moments as long as possible.

4) Looking back, the one disappointment for me is I wanted WI to win their last match and see Bria Lara saying good bye with a smiling face. That didn’t happen. But the match was a true reflection of his entire career. Being run out by his team mate, there was a tinge of sadness when he walked back to the pavilion. And after rallying his team for almost 100 overs when the team lost, one couldn’t stop thinking about the disappointments he had in his entire career. But after the match, during the prize distribution ceremony, when he asked “did I entertain?”, the answer was thunderous cheer. Hearing that, the pure joy and happiness of watching Brian Lara for the last 16 years came all of sudden to my mind.

5) This was the most boring WC I have seen. No, not because India crashed out but too many one sided matches, too many unwanted incidents, less crowd and less excitement. The feeling of watching cricket in Caribbean without the involvement of people is so void, so hollow and so empty. It took 7 weeks and 50 matches to find out that Australia is the best, which we already knew.

6) Looking back, personally this has been a satisfying WC. My favourite team Aus won the cup, an effervescent batsman such as Gilchrist won the MOM and my all time favourite McGrath got 26 wickets and Man of the series. But all these things don’t make this a not boring one.

7) Looking back, I am sad that it got over. Now there is nothing to watch at 7 o clock. I am feeling an emptiness inside. And I cant wait for 2011 when it returns to India. It will be wonderful spectacle and I already started the countdown.

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