Heading for Headingley with a heavy head

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Ajit Wadekar

I was really overjoyed to witness such a huge crowd at Lord’s and Trent Bridge for the first and second Tests. Both the stadia were full house and that too for all the five days. This never happened in a Test series between England and India in England, not even when we were winning at the Oval in 1971 for the first time. The cynics might say that the crowd was full of Indians. No, It wasn’t! Most of it was all Brits. They not only came to have suntan but also to see Sachin, Saurav, Sehwag, Rahul, Bhajji, Anil and that small mouse called Parthiv along with the rest. It’s very refreshing that the genuine cricket is getting back into limelight.

Perhaps, at Lord’s, the Brits thronged because England was winning. At Trent Bridge, they expected a repeat performance but went back disappointed. Thanks to loss of time due to rain and bad light. Also, the non-inclusion of their only spinner Ashley Giles in the team to exploit the turn and the roughs on the last day did help the Indians too in their bid to save the game. However, the crowd was fully compensated by our tremendous fightback to thwart a certain defeat. For a change, the three biggies — Sachin, Saurav and Rahul dazzled with their superb performances. Mind you, some of the umpiring decisions also went against the Indians.

India now at least have a chance to square the series. England, with inexperienced bowlers, have had an upperhand all along so far. Even though the Indian batting line-up has by now sized up the England bowling, who would take 20 wickets of the opposition to win the match? Poor Saurav! He is always playing with three and a half bowlers. Even they are bowling without discipline and direction. Otherwise, how an opposition like this can total 607 runs in an innings? Also, why are we shy of playing two spinners in a match? That has been our strength traditionally and Anil and Bhajji should bowl well in tandem.

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Apart from this, the latest controversy created by ICC is bound to disturb the mental frame of these three senior players along with Sehwag. Never before in ICC Championship or World Cup tournaments, such problems had arisen. Why is it now that the sponsors of these tournaments insist on exclusivity? The answer is simple. These sponsors are really investing huge sums of money in those events.

It is because of that the ICC can dole out about $102 millions to be shared by cricket boards and the players. Yes, it looks like it is at the cost of these great individual players and their sponsors who have contracted them for big amounts with the hope that it would not be breached during the currency of the agreement. Aren’t these governing bodies taking the players for granted because there is no unity among them? Supposing the BCCI decides to compensate to these players for the loss, what happens to their sponsors who have invested so much? Who will bear their losses? May be, BCCI can do it because its coffers are spilling over, but what about other boards?

When it comes to cricketers, people and the media make noises saying that the game is greater than an individual and they should put the team’s interest above their personal gains. Or, are they playing for themselves or for the country? Ha! Why this perception doesn’t apply all citizens of this country?

I am certain that every sportsperson always aspires to play for the country. This has been amply demonstrated by our contingent in the Commonwealth Games at Manchester recently. Who would have expected it to return with 32 gold medals and an aggregate 72 medals with the third place in overall rankings? They really made us proud!

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The point that they may not be still good enough for the Asian Games but a beginning has been made now! They know it for certain that only hard work can fetch victory for the country. And along with it the cash, as the officials and the powers that govern sports in India would like to bask in their glory and the achievements.