Why World Cup patriotism does not always pay

Lloyd said he was absolutely certain that his successor should be English. 8220;I just think that if he isn8217;t, then it8217;s just somebody who is drawing a salary,8221; he said.

Which would make Australian Bobby Simpson, who is the Indian team8217;s highly-valued consultant, and New Zealand coach Steve Rixon 8212; another Aussie 8212; a pair of mercenaries.

Not to mention Pakistan8217;s assistant coach Richard Pybus from South Africa and Englishman Bob Woolmer, who is the successful supremo for South Africa.

Bangladesh did not do too badly at the World Cup either, with West Indian Gordon Greenidge at the helm, while Kenya had another West Indian Alvin Kallicharran and former English fast bowler Peter Lever in charge.

Sometimes it may be worth paying for the best, even if your coach cannot sing your anthem. National pride has yet to be credited with taking a World Cup wicket or scoring a run.

Flags of convenience are nothing new in sport.

Recent all-blacks sides would never have dominated rugby union as they have done had the selectors been too fussy about family trees if so, Western Samoa would have done a lot better.

English football sides like Chelsea, who rarely fielded more than two Englishmen last season, and Arsenal 8212; whose major stars, including their manager Arsene Wenger, are all French 8212; would not be the force they are without foreign help.

There are a few players, as well as coaches, at this World Cup who might be accused of falling prey to divided loyalties.

Lloyd had Graeme Hick 8212; he of the Zimbabwean Twang 8212; and Alan Mullally, born in England but bred in Australia, under his command.

But nobody questioned the stoutness of their hearts when they went among the runs and wickets last week.

Nobody suggested New Zealander Roger Twose 8212; who emigrated a few years ago from England after failing to catch selectors8217; eye 8212; was merely going through the motions while compiling match-winning scores against Australia and Scotland.

And few saw a lack of commitment in the bowling of Robin Singh 8212; a West Indian who switched to India in search of international recognition 8212; when he ripped through half of Sri Lanka8217;s batting.

Perhaps Neil Johnson, once of Natal, was holding back when he turned out for Zimbabawe against South Africa last Saturday at Chelmsford, but if he was, he hid it well. He took three wickets and scored 76 runs to win the man-of-the-match award.

Most people accept that modern sportsmen have the right to earn a living, whatever club they choose to play with. Most fans, however tribal, will happily put up with an import.