Think, boys

In the incompetent darkness that almost reduced the World Cup final to a farce, a very silvery lining was visible. It was this: once the Cup had been held aloft by the mighty and deserving Australians, cricket could once again find, with a newer look, its old self. This summertime carnival in the West Indies was always expected to be a season of exits. It was to have been the last tournament for so many. Alas, no one could have predicted how cruel some of the exits turned out to be Bob Woolmer primarily. Or the ludicrous hysteria that accompanied others primarily India. Or the unexpectedly finality that brought yet more exits8230; no one, for instance, would have thought Brian Lara would snap one day that he8217;d just played his last international match.

So, how is it that order is visible in the immediate future? For that, look at Australia. They came to the Caribbean bruised and vulnerable. They were, by recent form, up for displacement on the grand podium. But, as teams imploded around them, they played their game to their own high standard. As the other teams go about the task of repair and re-enforcement, Australians have done the game this great service. As India and Pakistan seek new coaches and work to a new equilibrium between pampered experience and inexperienced youth, as South Africa and New Zealand wonder why they keeping failing themselves in the home stretch, as England and Sri Lanka work out the gap between competence and excellence, Australia8217;s success had reduced the scope for excuses. Cricket, in their care, will not stagnate for lack of competition.

Long after this World Cup is past, Adam Gilchrist8217;s innings at Bridgetown8217;s Kensington Oval will be returned to. But to Gilchrist who stunned the world in the 2003 Cup by walking 8212; an Australian walking! 8212; must also belong the last words: that he would not announce retirement while feeling low or on a fabulous high. For all the veterans groping between those two extremes, the message is clear: time to think, boys.