It's time for the healing touch

Among all virtues, prudence is perhaps the most under-rated and the one least followed. But history has shown that those who are careful and display foresight have ultimately benefited or triumphed. It is paramount now that the cricket fraternity the world over believes in this and treads softly on what are undoubtedly troubled waters.

A few days down the line, after everyone has got over the emotional period and begun to see events with a more rational frame of mind, they would all probably admit that there have been mistakes made all around and by everyone involved. Being over emotional is not going to solve the problem and it is best to remember that there are larger issues involved - like the future of the game itself.

What has happened over the past few days in the Mike Denness controversy is bad enough. What is disconcerting is the uneasy feeling that this is only the beginning of potentially the worst crisis in the game. The ripples are certain to widen and all member countries of the ICC are bound to be engulfed in the turbulent sea. After all, they will be expected to take a stand one way or the other at a meeting to be called to discuss the vexed issue which has already snowballed into a major controversy that may even split the game's governing body. Make no mistake. The ramifications are that serious.

And to think that it all started with a mistake made by an over zealous match referee who forgot one of life's well known adages associated with handing out justice ­ the punishment must fit the crime. Also, he compounded matters by pulling up players of only one side while allowing members of the other team to go scot free even as they were obviously guilty of much the same offence.

Thereafter one folly followed another. The situation called for diplomatic handling but the parties involved got carried away to such an extent that muscle power, ego clashes and one-upmanship became the order of the day. Countries affiliated to the game's governing body took the law in their own hands, leaving the ICC, considered toothless for long, no choice but to display their authority in no uncertain terms. In the meantime, everyone shot off their mouth, and in doing so only succeeded in adding fuel to the fire. The matter was discussed in parliament, Prime Ministers expressed their view - and the game, already badly hit by the match-fixing scandal, was hit for a six.

Now is the time for the healing touch. Administrators should put aside their differences, forget about personal egos, ignore the narrow outlook of just their country's viewpoint and think only in the larger interests of the welfare of the game. Issues like the players right to appeal, the role of the match referee and clearly marked rules for dealing with illegal acts on the field, should be discussed thoroughly.

It would appear that the ICC has appreciated the value of a prudent approach as can be seen in its latest statement wherein it states that it is determined to resolve the controversy in the best interests of cricket around the world. The ICC has said that suggestions for potential changes to the disciplinary process will be discussed at the next Executive Board meeting. And taking the cue, Indian Cricket Board chief Jagmohan Dalmiya has also displayed the right spirit by saying that the BCCI would try to sort out its row with the ICC in a "sporting manner". By admitting that controversies would not help cricket and by adding that "we are a family", the former ICC president has sent out the right signals.

"We will discuss the issue with the ICC and find a solution that is acceptable to all parties. Let the dust settle," he is quoted to have said.

However, the fundamental issue at stake, as the ICC put it, is the right of the governing body for world cricket, to appoint referees and umpires, and for those officials to make decisions that are respected by both players and Boards. Without this right, the ICC has pointed out, the game could descend into anarchy.

Few can argue with this viewpoint. If member countries start taking the law into their own hands, the image of the game will take a beating. Certain laws have to be followed stringently, for if exceptions are made, they could set a bad precedent, and set off a chain of unacceptable events. There is a proper forum for raising contentious issues, which cannot and should not be solved at the point of a gun. It is very important that all member countries remember this.

We should be creatures of logic. Instead, human beings frequently become creatures of emotion. A few days down the line, after everyone has got over the emotional period and begun to see events with a more rational frame of mind, they would all probably admit that there have been mistakes made all around and by everyone involved. Being over emotional is not going to solve the problem and it is best to remember that there are larger issues involved - like the future of the game itself. This is not an issue involving India, South Africa and the ICC. This is a problem confronting world cricket. It is paramount that administrators put aside their regional or parochial interests and accept this.