Friday, November 21, 2008

The farce in Kanpur

Yesterday we saw farcical ending to Ind-Eng ODI at Kanpur and it is hard to fathom why it ended this way.
The Stadium has flood lights, then why can't these be used when match is being played with white balls. We could even had a full 50 over match if lights were allowed to be used. Not sure why would ICC let captains decide this when cricket administrators have provided them all amenities to continue play even if natural light is low. So, both the captains are clearly at fault here.
If officials were aware that floodlights are not going to be used then either they should have reduced lunch time or reduced number of overs to be played. If 45 min are lost, it means a total of 11 overs should have been reduced and play indeed went on for 89 overs. I am not sure if they went as per ICC rules on this. If so, then these rules need a relook soon.
After ICC world cup and NZ-Eng match earlier this year, it was expected that ICC would have reviewed they way lost time is handled but clearly, ICC has not done its job well. Whether it is officials or rule book, something needs to be reviewed again.
I sam some blogs and media reports which blamed BCCI and Indian officials for this fracas. I do not understand this. BCCI does not control weather and sunshine and it has provided floodlights on this stadium to ensure game can be played. If ICC rules allow people to overlook those facilities, it cannot help anything.
The good part in this drama was that both the captains were aware of D/L coming into picture later in the day. MSD was carrying the scoring sheet for D/L with him and KP made sure that he used all his premium bowlers earlier in the chase and not later. At the time the match was called off, Flintoff and Broad were left with one over each and Swann had bowled out. So, KP gave his best shot to keep the Indian reply in check. But Indian team is far too strong for England under these conditions that they still won it comfortably.
Even if weather had not been a factor, India would still have won it. MSD wasted a lot of deliveries to ensure his wicket is intact because he knew that it was important to just stay there. Under normal circumstances, he would have played faster and India would have won with bigger margin.

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