Cutting back, but just for now
Wednesday May 03, 2006
Cutting back, but just for now
By Rahul Banerji
Former Indian cricket board chief Inderjit Singh Bindra's statement in Abu Dhabi in the wake of Asia's successful bid for the 2011 World Cup seems to indicate that finally, the administrators appear to be taking heed of the fact that too much cricket is being played in too much of a hurry to fulfil promises of huge revenues. Or is it so?
Examine what he said over the weekend about a proposed tri-nation series in Abu Dhabi this September involving India, Pakistan and Australia: "Pakistan have problems with September's schedule because they will have just returned from England followed by the fasting month of Ramzan," Bindra said at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. "September is hot weather in Abu Dhabi as our experience in April showed."
So does this indicate a change of heart? Not really. Read on. "We are looking at cooler weather to play these matches, which would be a good warm-up ahead of the Champions Trophy. We are looking at the options such as Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore too has shown keen interest to play host to such an event.
"We also have a commitment with the West Indies Board to raise funds to help in next year's World Cup by playing a three-match series in North America. They played a key role in our bid to win the 2011 World Cup and to help them is an obligation.
"The UAE and Abu Dhabi are important as an offshore venue for us. The BCCI will reach a decision where they would be heading in the coming weeks."
So in effect, instead of playing the tri-series in the heat of the United Arab Emirates, it will now be shifted to the humidity of KL or Singapore in September. And for good measure, in return for a vote in Asia's favour at Sunday's World Cup bid, three more matches somewhere in the United States to benefit the cash-strapped West Indies Cricket Board. All this in addition to matches on the regular international calendar.
So much for giving the players - who have turned into virtual cash cows, especially for the powers that be of the Indian board - a break.
On the other side of the fence, the Australian Cricketers Association -- probably the most vociferous critic of the International Cricket Council's inability to rein in the burgeoning number of money-making matches, has termed the proposed tri-series (whether in Abu Dhabi or east Asia) a "meaningless tournament". But until players from the countries that are making the serious cash speak out, it will remain an exercise in futility.
Wednesday May 03, 2006
Cutting back, but just for now
By Rahul Banerji
Former Indian cricket board chief Inderjit Singh Bindra's statement in Abu Dhabi in the wake of Asia's successful bid for the 2011 World Cup seems to indicate that finally, the administrators appear to be taking heed of the fact that too much cricket is being played in too much of a hurry to fulfil promises of huge revenues. Or is it so?
Examine what he said over the weekend about a proposed tri-nation series in Abu Dhabi this September involving India, Pakistan and Australia: "Pakistan have problems with September's schedule because they will have just returned from England followed by the fasting month of Ramzan," Bindra said at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. "September is hot weather in Abu Dhabi as our experience in April showed."
So does this indicate a change of heart? Not really. Read on. "We are looking at cooler weather to play these matches, which would be a good warm-up ahead of the Champions Trophy. We are looking at the options such as Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore too has shown keen interest to play host to such an event.
"We also have a commitment with the West Indies Board to raise funds to help in next year's World Cup by playing a three-match series in North America. They played a key role in our bid to win the 2011 World Cup and to help them is an obligation.
"The UAE and Abu Dhabi are important as an offshore venue for us. The BCCI will reach a decision where they would be heading in the coming weeks."
So in effect, instead of playing the tri-series in the heat of the United Arab Emirates, it will now be shifted to the humidity of KL or Singapore in September. And for good measure, in return for a vote in Asia's favour at Sunday's World Cup bid, three more matches somewhere in the United States to benefit the cash-strapped West Indies Cricket Board. All this in addition to matches on the regular international calendar.
So much for giving the players - who have turned into virtual cash cows, especially for the powers that be of the Indian board - a break.
On the other side of the fence, the Australian Cricketers Association -- probably the most vociferous critic of the International Cricket Council's inability to rein in the burgeoning number of money-making matches, has termed the proposed tri-series (whether in Abu Dhabi or east Asia) a "meaningless tournament". But until players from the countries that are making the serious cash speak out, it will remain an exercise in futility.