Political statements and sub-continental dilemma and drama (20 May 1999)

20 May 1999

Political statements and sub-continental dilemma and drama

Barely a week into the tournament and the strong aroma of controversy and trouble as well as shock results are giving this year's World Cup its usual colourful mosaic patterns.

Apart from the row about the British Home Office's decision not to readily grant visas to Asian sub-continental supporters wanting to visit England for the tournament Sri Lanka Tamils made their own forcible political statement at Northampton on Wednesday.

And India, without Sachin Tendulkar, forced to return home after the death of his father, lost to Zimbabwe after 51 extras cost them four overs which led to their demise. Now they have to win their remaining three games to qualify for the Super Sixes.

It should be pointed out that Zimbabwe's Group A win should not have come as a surprise; they are no longer the babes in the international woods: gauche and inexperienced.

Although Zimbabwe's record against South Africa is far from inspiring, they have borrowed a few ideas to improve their game and as such are no longer be in awe of their international opposition.

"It's all a matter of attitude and an application of self-belief," Houghton said before the World Cup started. "When we first met England in that limited-overs series at home (1996/97) I wrote down the names of their players and then ours. Against each name I wrote the number of caps we have in limited-overs internationals and theirs.

"We had a far better record in terms of service and caps and that changed it all: turned it around and we ended up winning more than just a couple of games," he commented. "It has gone on from there." Sound advice from someone who knows what he is talking about and putting into practice what he has been preaching to a squad which is increasing in size.

Whether India are so difunctional without Sachin Tendulkar is a question only the Indians can answer. They are a far better side than their record here suggests. Sure they did not have the best of preparation in their pre-tournament warm-ups.

Sunday is their 'must win' day while Zimbabwe no doubt now fancy their chances of upsetting a mentally battered Sri Lanka on Saturday at New Road, Worcester. For those who enjoy the music of Sir Edward Edgar, whose poetic, almost robust romanticism has touches of grandeur if simplicity would appreciate the nuances of the Enigma Variations. Elgar lived in Worcester and New Road is part of the walk he once took. The enigmas in this tournament are India and Sri Lanka who face humiliating first round elimination.

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Members of the Sri Lanka Tamils living in England, were a touch vociferous the day South Africa played their country. The LTTE (Liberation Tamil Tigers Elam) twice 'buzzed' Arjuna Ranatunga's team at Wantage Road in Northampton with messages which spelt out their opposition and support. In a poignant reminder of troubles at home a light aircraft flew messages which were far from complimentary. Banners trailing behind the aircraft were, "Killing Tamils is not cricket" and "SA, We Tamils Support You" were two themes which did not go down too well with Sri Lanka media members. There has also been mixed reception, if not reaction, by the Asian community in England at some questions being asked on application forms for those coming from the four countries in the tournament.

'Who does Sachin Tendulkar play for' and 'What country does Arjuna Ranatunga captain' as well as 'what do the terms lbw and googly mean' are said to be ways to stop those using the event as an easy entry to England. For some it is an embarrassment, others see it as a humiliation, but several Asian media members when asked for their thoughts feel the tough visa requirements were 'fair and just'. Without mentioning the names of my colleagues from Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka for fear of reprisals for their comments, they point out that past World Cup events have been used as a way to 'uncontrolled passage' into England.

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Amid the murky and frozen surrounds of St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury England have suddenly found their knight in shining armour to take on South Africa at The Oval on Saturday.

At Lord's in the opening game it had been Alan Mullally who had laid waste to Sri Lanka's batting in the opening match of the World Cup, but there was always the impression the Leicestershire left-arm quick was just a pretender and not the genuine England bowling hero.

Although you could have fooled some of us: he bowled as controlled as anyone on a misty day. On Monday, in the shadows of Canterbury Cathedral, however, up steps the genuine article: Yorkshire's Darren Gough. If in doubt send for Gough seems like a one-liner about a new TV private eye series. Not for England though.

It is the motto of the day, the label of England's hopes in the final year of the millennium.

No doubt it will be the catch phrase of England in South Africa as well next southern summer.

For now, however, we have Goughie the man in a hundred after reaching his 100th wicket limited overs international wicket against Kenya. Even England' s captain Alec Stewart must have been impressed with how the change in bowling tactics upset the visitors in a climate far from the light and warmth of East Africa.

Gough could provide South Africa's batsmen with some interesting moments should Hansie Cronje lose the toss a third time. Stewart has so for utilised the damp and misty conditions (as well as the May chill which eats into your bones) to get maximum use for his bowlers. Given the conditions Gough has always been a dangerous bowler when the ball gets a bit of dirt on it and is able to swing it around. It somehow makes batsmen more vulnerable to the away swing in late morning conditions.

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The way this British 'summer' is turning out anything above 10C would constitute heatwave conditions.

We had been told it was going to be 17 C in Canterbury, if it got anything above 7 C. As the day grew older the temperatures became lower until even the spectators, when the rain break came at about 6 pm, gave up their efforts to brave the cold to cheer an England victory.

When the Barmy Army louts congregated in front of the pavilion to cheer Stewart and his team, even those players with stronger stomachs than most would have not appreciated the near obscene behaviour.

Source :: Trevor Chesterfield