Lankan cricket fans bat on for the nation (8 June 1999)

8 June 1999

Lankan cricket fans bat on for the nation

Ivan Corea

The World Champions may be back in Colombo assessing what went wrong with their defence of the title in the 1999 World Cup but their fans are still batting on Sri Lankan cricket fans joined a whole host of guests in the popular BBC Television program 'Cricket Row Z' at the Surrey Tavern in the Oval cricket grounds. This World Cup television program was presented by former England bowler David 'Syd' Lawrence who toured Sri Lanka with the Gloucestershire cricket team.

England fans lamented the sudden departure of Alce Stewart and the England squad who made a quick exit in the first round. They backed Pakistan to win the World Cup Commenting on Sri Lanka's performance, Syd Lawrence asked whether Arjuna Ranatunga, the captain of the World Champions should consider leaving the team.

The Sri Lankan fans refused to be drawn on that one - however they spoke up for Sri Lankan cricket stating that 'the Sri Lankan cricketers will bounce back in the next World Cup.' They have left a wonderful legacy, changing the face of one day cricket. The Sri Lankan team became the world Champions.

It was a nice gesture to see Indian and Pakistani fans rallying around the Sri Lankan fans in their hour of gloom. A show of solidarity from the Indian sub-continent. However Indian fans speaking on the BBC TV program expressed concern about the India v Pakistan match as tensions arose after the skirnnishes in Kashmir. The Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has appealed to the fans to stay calm and Indian captain Mohamed Azahauddin has complained about the lapses in security at World Cup matches.

Meanwhile a debate rages on about the World Cup itself. Johnathan Agnew on BBC Radio 4 complained about the white ball - it has resulted in some very low scores and contributed to some dull World Cup matches. On the other hand, Freddie Truman said there were far too many runs when India played Sri Lanka - in his words it was 'no match at all'. Cricket commentators have also raised the question of having a World Cup tournament in May and June with the cold, rainy season causing havoc during the World Cup. If it was meant to help the England team have an advantage against their opponents it backfired spectacularly as Alec Stewart and the England team were knocked out in the first round.

The demise of cricket in England is the topic of the day - The Minister of Sports, Tony Banks, weighed into the current debate stating that Asian and West Indian young cricketers must be encouraged even further to play for England. However it appears that you will only stand a chance of getting into the national squad if you play cricket in public schools. It is virtually non-existent in comprehensive schools. Football is the national sport and former Minister David Mellor recently wrote that cricket has become a minority sport in England.

It is the youngsters from Britain's minority ethnic community who are keeping the game alive. They are passionate about cricket. There are so many cricket clubs within Britain's Asian Community. If you walk around the East End you will see young Bangladeshi children with cricket bats - the recent success of the Bangladesh team has fired up enthusiasm for the game.

If cricket in the UK is to survive it must be re-introduced into English schools. You have got to grab the attention of the youngsters at grassroots level. England can learn from the Sri Lankan experience - cricket is alive and well - and thriving - in Sri Lankan schools. Even though the Sri Lankan team failed in the 1999 World Cup - they will bounce back in the next with a whole host of talented young players. There are many more Mahela Jayewardenas in the wings. Sri Lanka has the depth in batting but now the search is on for young fast bowlers who have the speed and the accuracy of Shoaib Akhter and Wasim Akram. Sri Lanka needs to re-build the national team and prepare almost immediately for the next World Cup.

Source :: The Daily News