Is cricket losing direction?

Stuart Hess reflects on happening's in world cricket and is left to ponder; is cricket in a state of shambles?

Stuart Hess reflects on happening's in world cricket and is left to ponder; is cricket in a state of shambles?

Published May 21, 2015

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Why does cricket look like its in a right old mess at the moment?

Has that always been the case?

This is not to reflect on the laughable state of affairs that is the English cricket team, it’s the rest of the sport, from Zimbabwe’s Tour to Pakistan to the seeming crash of the Champions League T20, that makes it seem as if cricket is a complete shambles.

This was not the way it was supposed to be when the ‘big three’ national bodies took over the running of the ICC last year.

Besides the money – which was the major reason for their takeover of the leadership of the ICC – the argument publicly proffered by Giles Clarke , N Srinivasan and Wally Edwards for their becoming cricket’s big cheeses (sorry Matt Prior) was that their stronger leadership would provide better direction for the game. Well that has not been the case.

Zimbabwe are in Pakistan for a tour for which the ICC won’t provide umpires and match referees on account of security concerns. While it’s been reported that some of Zimbabwe’s players were petrified at the thought of touring Pakistan, their desperation for international competition (and hopefully compensation) has seen them set aside those concerns to tour a country other cricket nations don’t want to go near. Pakistan, of course, are only too grateful to host the Zimbabweans – having been forced to play ‘home’ matches in the UAE in recent years – and have provided presidential-level security.

While that’s going on, two legends of the game are reportedly fronting a proposed ‘rebel T20 league.’

Shane Warne and Sachin Tendulkar are apparently approaching some big name ex-internationals to play a series of T20 matches in the US, hoping to use that as a launch pad for a new league in India which could extend internationally.

Then there’s the Champions League T20, a crucial source of income for players in this country, who don’t have international contracts. The fate of that tournament will be decided at a meeting in Kolkota this weekend. And from a playing perspective there are more rule changes being proposed for One-Day cricket, which the ICC’s executive will consider at their next meeting.

These events suggest a sport in which leadership is severely lacking. The ICC can’t get a handle on providing direction for the sport. It’s a worrying state of affairs and there seems to be no end in sight. - The Star

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