Thought of the Day: This Week in Cricket

The cricketing novel "Tales from Far Pavilions", compiled by Allen Synge and Leo Cooper, is a fine and entertaining collection of cricketing stories from non-Test playing nations that was first published in 1984. 

It is easy to categorise most cricket books into "crap" and "not crap", with most being ghost-written players autobiographies that churn out often-heard anecdotes. This, though, is formerly in the latter (not crap) category.

Apart from giving a colourful and historical (some of the stories are from the 19th century) account, what it demonstrates is that there has been a real passion for the game the world over, regardless of administrative support.

With this in mind, I thought it a good time to revisit the major occurrences in last week in Cricket:

Brendan Taylor resigns
Zimbabwean batsman Brendan Taylor resigned from international cricket this week to concentrate on playing County Cricket, or more accurately, on playing a form of cricket in which he will get paid.

That Taylor was paid 58 cents per run in the World Cup may sound ridiculous to many, it seems to be koscher to the good people at Zimbabwe Cricket and the International Cricket Council. 

Artists impression of ZC board

Given the tournament took place in Australia, I'd suggest that the Australian Fair Work ombudsman could get involved to investigate underpayment of staff.

The availability of County Cricket as an escape for Brendan is good for him and other players who have the opportunity to play in leagues where they are paid, but it is hardly a solution to the overriding issue of misadministration occuring in cricket that is threatening its viability and future.

This was also re-enforced by Sri Lanka's Cricket Board accusing the ICC of withholding funds from the World Cup from the teams that participated.  If the ICC is serious about the future of the sport, surely it should pay the participants?

England in trouble, West Indies resurgent?
The first Test between England and the West Indies in Antigua ended in a draw, with new West Indian captain Jason Holder scoring his debut first-class century to save the match.

Given that the West Indies were arguably missing some of their best players in Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo, one could argue this was Englands to lose.

That England were unable to put on a decent score, even with Suliemann Benn as the West Indies primary spinner, says much of the ability of their team.

England have a steady contemporary history of using tours of the West Indies as a means of finding form and momentum going into Ashes series, though it looks like this series may just be a continuation of the travesty that was their World Cup campaign.

I can literally look at this photo for hours

There is a romantacism about West Indian cricket that has helped keep interest in the side internationally for decades, despite falling performances.  Without wanting to be romantic, this side has shown to have some fighting spirit which has been missing from the Carribean for some time. 

Here's hoping some of that local interest and love of the game is still alive in the West Indies.

Bangladesh rises...or is equalisation here?
It wasn't a couple of Test matches, but Bangladesh defeated Pakistan in two consecutive ODI matches this week, which probably shows more on their growth in ability than anything to do with Pakistans decline in it.

Pakistan are still a side with players so talented that they don't seem to need an academy; they seem to almost fall out of the sky.  Bangladesh, in comparison, have been a poor side for a long time but are now starting to put in impressive and consistent performances (in ODI cricket at least).

Perhaps this, and the West Indies - England, series represent the new equalisation in cricket that fans have been wanting?  It has taken time, but Bangladesh and the West Indies are now more competitive than they have been of late, while England and Pakistan have been caught up to.

If only the same could be said for Zimbabwe...

350 reasons for the English to cheer up (not involving the weather)
While it isn't looking great for the English side in the West Indies, there was some happier news for them at home with Liam Livingstone hitting 350 in a National Club Championship match. 

Liam hasn't played a first-class match yet, but with selectors needing new batting talent (particularly exciting talent) to pick given they won't pick Kevin Pietersen et al, he can't be far off.

Vale
Ankit Keshri sadly passed away this week after suffering a stroke caused by running into a teammate while fielding.

Ankit was a substitute fielder for the game and was obviously playing with great conviction and passion.

The cricketing world has lost another of its team-mates, one who loves the game and participates for enjoyment.

Thoughts and best wishes go to his family and friends.