Uninspiring World Cup, a thing of the past
By ANIMonday, January 17, 2011
LONDON - The World Cup has become the most overblown and uninspiring global sporting event.
The 2011 World Cup might be a big deal for the host countries of India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, but it is tedious for the rest of the world and exactly what fading 50-over cricket didn’t need.
One-day cricket may have the occasional pep pill with a close finish or an exciting run chase but too many games are predictable and it is no surprise that the 20-over slap-and-dash game has now become the premier short-form game.
We have to face facts and those facts are that Twenty20 cricket is now king. Test cricket should always have its place, mainly because of its marquee series like the Ashes, but the 50-over game has reached its use-by date.
Next month, 14 international teams will gather in the subcontinent for a week of who-cares “warm-up” games followed by another six weeks (believe it or not) of World Cup matches.
The official schedule says the Cup kicks off on February 19 with the inaugural match between Bangladesh and India, but in reality it doesn’t start until March 23 when the quarterfinals finally start.
The only thing that seems to matter to cricket’s toffy-nosed administrators is the billions of dollars from television revenue they will get under the eight-year broadcasting deal which specifies World Cups must have at least 50 matches.
Sport is about entertainment and fans don’t get nearly as much bang for their buck with 50-over cricket as they do with its 20-over cousin.
Former Australian batsman Michael Bevan feels no allegiance to the game he dominated for more than a decade.
Asked about the probable death of one-day cricket, Bevan said: “I wouldn’t be disappointed. As a cricketer, it’s really enjoyable playing in front of big crowds, and Twenty20 allows that to happen.” (ANI)
