How long should a hunger strike go on: Holding

The occasion was a relaxed corporate match on a festival day. But when Michael Holding’s around, it’s always special. The most let...

The occasion was a relaxed corporate match on a festival day. But when Michael Holding’s around, it’s always special.

The most lethal bowler of his generation is more famous now as an astute, understated television commentator. But he’s only just returned to commenting on matches involving the West Indies. He’d stopped about a year ago, after Carl Hooper was appointed skipper, saying the team lacked commitment to an extent that did not merit comment.

Today, asked why he’d returned to the fold, he showed a flash of the famous fire. ‘‘How long do you want a hunger strike to continue? Until death? You answer me this and I will answer your questions. I am earning my living by this. Do you want me to stop that?’’ he shot back, evidently peeved.

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Yet, ever the gentleman, he had the grace to explain. ‘‘When Carl was made the captain I made a point and that was it. But life has to go on’’, Holding said.

Meanwhile, on the field, the Aviva XI team comprising of prominent Indian cricketers like Ajay Jadeja, Vivek Razdan, Atul Wassan and Murli Karthik to name a few, defeated the visiting Singapore Cricket Club (SCC) by six wickets in a virtually one-sided encounter.

Batting first, the SCC scored 163 in their alloted 40 overs. Karthik and Wassan were the pick of the Aviva bowlers taking two wickets each while Nikhil Chopra (64) was the top scorer for the SCC. In reply, Aviva XI notched up the required runs in 31 overs for the loss of fou wickets. Jadeja was named the man-of-the-match for his unbeaten 68.

Former India all-rounder Madan Lal and cricket commentator Allan Wilkins was also present on the occassion.