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| Friday, April 14, 2000, Chandigarh, India  
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Hyderabad pile up mammoth total |
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Game’s
origins firmly rooted in gambling Kirsten
guides SA to 6-wkt win New
injury may end Ronaldo’s career Tie
with Sweden will be tough: Leander Punjab
hold Goa in Santosh Trophy
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Hyderabad pile up mammoth total BANGALORE, April 13 (PTI) — A sparkling 163 run first wicket partnership between Arun Kumar (71) and Aithun Beerala (74) helped Karnataka to 269 for 2 in the first innings in reply to Hyderabad’s mammoth 711 for 8 declared on the third day of the Ranji Trophy semifinal here today. Earlier, Hyderabad added 48 runs to their overnight score of 663 for six. VVS Laxman, who played for two days was finally dismissed for 353 (758m, 559b, 51x4, 2x6). He fell short by 14 runs to become the highest run getter for his team but failed to surpass 366 made by M.V. Sridhar against Andhra at Secunderabad in 1993-94 season. Laxman was caught by substitute fielder K.N. Ramesh at mid-on after he miscued a shot off Venkatesh Prasad. Laxman added six runs to his score. The rival opening pair of Arun Kumar and Beerala was not overawed by the massive total. They put their heads down and played the ball on merit. Azharuddin introduced left arm spinner Venkatapathy Raju in the eighth over itself to disturb the batsmen’s rhythm but the move failed. The two added 163 runs for the first wicket before Beerala (74, 13x4) was caught by Azharuddin at midwicket of veteran spinner Kanwaljit Singh, Kanwaljit again struck 27 runs later when he had Arun Kumar (71) caught at silly point by Nandakishore. In the process of his innings, Arun Kumar completed 3,000 runs in Ranji Trophy matches, becoming the 11th Karnataka player to achieve the feat. At close, young Roland Barrington was batting with 52 (127m, 121b, 7x4). Hyderabad (first innings) (663 for six overnight) D Manohar c T Naidu b V Prasad 39, Nandakishore c V Bharadwaj b V Prasad 11, VVS Laxman c KN Ramesh b Prasad 353, M Azharuddin c V Bharadwaj b Prasad 123, Venka Pratap b S Joshi 45, Prath Satwalkar c T Naidu b B Akhil 37, Raiz Sheikh c J Arun Kumar b D Ganesh 15, Faiz Ahmed c T Naidu b Prasad 31, NP Singh not out 14. Extras: (nb-24, by-7, w-7, lb-5) 43. Total: (for eight wkts, off 193 overs) declared 711 Fall: 1-24, 2-91, 3-379, 4-504, 5-590, 6-636, 7-683, 8-711. Bowling: Prasad 46-11-121-5 Ganesh 40-5-166-1, MA Khan 25-4-104-0 Joshi 53-6-205-1 B Akhil, 14-1-64-1 Bharadwaj 11-1-29-0 A Vijay 4-0-10-0. Karnataka (Ist innings) Arun Kumar c N Kishore b Kanwaljit 71, M Beerala c Azharuddin b Kanwaljit 74, R Barrington batting 52, V Bharadwaj batting 38. Extras: (b-2, lb-6, nb-26) 34. Total: (for 2 wkts in 75 overs) 269. Fall of wkts: 1-163, 2-190. Bowling: NP Singh
11-1-55-0 Faiz Amhed 6-0-40-0. Raju 27-7-60-0 P Satwalkar
9-2-31-0 Kanwaljit Singh 19-2-59-2, Azharuddin 3-0-16-0. |
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PERTH, April 13 (PTI) — India completed their second win in successive days when they whipped South Africa 3-0 in the Four-Nation Men’s Hockey Tournament here tonight. The impressive victory came the day after India had secured their first-ever win over the hosts Australia in a tournament match (as opposed to a one-off Test) in Australia. With only one more qualifying left-against Germany on Saturday-India look almost certain to qualify for Sunday’s final, reports AAP. India looked the slicker, more inventive side from the start, but it look them 22 minutes to break down a resolute South African defence. The inevitable goal came when Dhanraj Pillay sent a defence-splitting pass to Gagan Ajit Singh, who blasted the ball past goalkeeper Brian Myburgh. India went further ahead after 34 minutes when Baljit Dhillon cracked the ball home. It was a just reward for Dhillon, who played a key role in many of India’s forays. South Africa attacked with greater purpose in the second half, but were unable to penetrate the rock-solid Indian defence. India should have extended their lead when unmarked Deepak Sonkhla received a superb ball from Dhillon, but was unable to control it and the opportunity was squandered.
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Kirsten guides SA to 6-wkt win DURBAN, April 13 (AFP) — Gary Kirsten guided South Africa to a six-wicket win over Australia at Kingsmead as the host country shrugged off the absence of axed captain Hansie Cronje in the first of three limited-overs internationals. It was a triumphant start to the South African captaincy for Shaun Pollock, who led the side to victory yesterday over the World Cup champions in his home town. Pollock was made captain on Tuesday when Cronje was fired after admitting he had taken money from an Indian bookmaker. Kirsten made 97 off 126 balls just 15 days after collapsing with what was diagnosed as a torn disc in his lower spine while batting against Pakistan in a tournament in Sharjah. He had been expected to be out of action for at least three weeks but recovered after three days of bed rest. The left-handed opening batsman put on 129 in a third-wicket partnership with Jacques Kallis (61) and a quickfire 60 for the fourth wicket with Jonty Rhodes (46 not out) before being bowled by a slow full toss by Brett Lee when he was three runs short of his 10th one-day international century, with South Africa needing 13 to win. South Africa earlier seemed headed for an easy triumph when Australia crashed to 120 for seven against disciplined bowling after being sent in. But Damien Martyn made a determined 74 and received good support from tailenders Damien Fleming and Brett Lee as the Australians made a competitive 240 for nine. SCOREBOARD Australia: M Waugh lbw b Pollock 0 Gilchrist c Boucher b Hayward 51 Hayden run out 0 Bevan c Boucher b Ntini 31 S Waugh c Boucher b Ntini 2 Martyn run out 74 Symonds c Boucher b Ntini 20 Warne c Boucher b Ntini 0 Fleming c Ntini b Kallis 29 B Lee not out 24 Extras (lb3, w5, nb1) 9 Total (9 wkts) 240 Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-11, 3-70, 4-79, 5-90, 6-118, 7-118, 8-183 Bowling: Pollock 10-3-43-1, Kallis 10-0-51-1, Hayward 10-0-58-1, Klusener 10-2-27-0, Ntini 10-0-56-4. South Africa: Kirsten b Lee 97 Gibbs c S Waugh b McGrath 0 McKenzie c Symonds b Lee 14 Kallis c Gilchrist b McGrath 61 Rhodes not out 46 Klusener not out 4 Extras (b1 lb2 w9 nb7) 19 Total (4 wkts, 48 overs) 241 Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-32, 3-161, 4-228 Bowling: McGrath
9-2-21-2, Fleming 10-0-60-0, Lee 10-0-57-2, Warne
8-0-47-0, Symonds 5-0 -21-0, S Waugh 3-0-18-0, M Waugh
3-0-14-0. |
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KINGSTOWN, April 13 (AFP) — Fast bowler Franklyn Rose posted career-best figures to lead the West Indies to a morale-boosting 96-run triumph over Pakistan at Arnos Vale in the fourth match of the triangular 2000 trophy limited-overs cricket series here yesterday. Rose, named man-of-the-match, ended with five wickets for 23 runs from 10 overs to help bowl Pakistan out for 117 in 41.3 overs, replying to the West Indies’ 213 for seven off 50 overs. Only vice-captain Inzamam ul Haq with an unbeaten 51 off 94 balls that contained four boundaries showed any resolve for the Pakistanis, whose next match is against Zimbabwe in St George’s on Saturday. On a hard, true pitch and against one of the leading sides in the world, the West Indies’ total looked quite modest, but once new-ball bowlers Curtly Ambrose and Reon King restricted the Pakistanis to 16 for two in the 12 overs they shared, the battle was always going to be uphill. Ambrose had teenage opening batsman Imran Nazir caught behind with the last ball of the first over and King accounted for the dangerous Shahid Afridi when he was caught at mid-off off the first ball of the 10th over. Change bowlers, however, have been the bugbear of the West Indies in recent times, but Rose, in particular, and Nixon McLean, playing in front of his home crowd, did not let Ambrose and King’s work go waste. SCOREBOARD West Indies: Wallace b Mushtaq Ahmed 21 Campbell c Inzamam b Razzaq 22 Hinds b Mushtaq Ahmed 39 Adams c Youhana b A Khan 50 Gayle c Nazir b A Khan 15 Jacobs not out 14 Powell c Y Khan b Akram 12 Rose b Razzaq 6 McLean not out 1 Extras (lb13, w15, nb5) 33 Total (7 wickets) 213 Fall of wickets: 1-49, 2-55, 3-138, 4-170, 5-171, 6-198, 7-209 Bowling: Akram 10-2-44-1; Younis 10-0-50-0; Mushtaq Ahmed 10-0-34-2; Razzaq 9-3-30-2; Khan 10-2-38-2, Afridi 1-0-4-0 (1nb) Pakistan: Nazir c Jacobs b Ambrose 0 Afridi c Wallace b King 5 Y Khan c King b Rose 15 Haq not out 51 Youhana c Hinds b Rose 0 Razzaq b Rose 2 Moin Khan c and b Rose 20 Akram c Adams b Rose 3 Younis lbw b McLean 8 Mushtaq Ahmed b McLean 0 Khan b Gayle 0 Extras (lb4, w3, nb6) 13 Total 117 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-12, 3-32, 4-32, 5-41, 6-88, 7-92, 8-115, 9-116 Bowling: Ambrose
8-2-12-1, King 8-3-17-1, Rose 10-1-23-5, McLean 7-1-27-2,
Adams 4-0-15-0, Gayle 4.3-0-19-1 |
Tie with Sweden will be tough: Leander CALCUTTA, April 13 (UNI) — Indian tennis ace Leander Paes feels India’s next Davis Cup outing against Sweden will be a very tough one, “more so as it would be held in Sweden.” Last time when India played against Sweden was in Davis Cup three years ago. The tie was held in Sweden which India lost 0-3. Commenting on the match Leander, who is in the city for a couple of days before going abroad to play in the Circuit again, said that to compete against a country like Sweden India would have to prepare really well if it wants to put up a good show. Leander said: “Sweden is now one of the very tough teams to play in the Davis Cup. Things would be more difficult for us as we have to play there.” At the same time the world number one tennis doubles player said that Davis Cup was a different ball game than other tournaments. “I’m going to give my best in this match and hope we are able to win at least three out of five matches.” “India so far had a great year, the system has worked fine and we also achieved good results under Ramesh Krishnan’s captaincy,” Leander said and reiterated Ramesh’s view that whatever India would gain now would be a bonus. Asked who he prefers to
be his partner in the doubles and also to play the second
singles, Leander said: “It is the captain who will
decide about it.” |
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MUMBAI, April 13 (PTI) — A masterly, unbeaten, maiden Ranji Trophy double century by Sachin Tendulkar helped Mumbai end up only 15 runs adrift of Tamil Nadu’s imposing first innings total of 485 with two wickets intact on the third day of their semi-final here today. At stumps on a hot and humid day, the hosts were 470 for eight. maestro Tendulkar was unbeaten with a monumental effort of 213 after having batted for close to nine hours overall and for the entire duration of the extended day’s play today.With him at the other end was Abey Kuruvilla (0) and the home team’s hopes rest entirely on Tendulkar to take them past the visitors’ total on the morrow for the vital first innings lead which may decide the outcome of this absorbing contest. Tendulkar, who was not out on 34 in the side total of 141 for 4 yesterday, cracked 19 fours and four sixes in his 535-minute marathon in which he faced 313 balls. Tamil Nadu (first innings): 485. Mumbai (first innings) (overnight 141-4): S Dighe c Paul b Mahesh 55, W Jaffer c Ramesh b Kapoor 12, J Paranjpe c Kapoor b Kumaran 15, S Tendulkar batting 213, R Pawar c Madanagopal b Kapoor 1, V Kambli c and b Mahesh 75, A Muzumdar c Robin Singh b Sriram 47, R Powar c Sriram b Mahesh 13, A Agarkar c Madanagopal b Kapoor 13, A Kuruvilla batting 0. Extras (B-9, LB-7, NB-10) 26. Total (for 8 wkts, in 147 overs) 470. Fall of wickets: 1-41, 2-77, 3-120, 4-127, 5-266, 6-391, 7-412, 8-449. Bowling: Kumaran
23-7-76-1, Mahesh 25-2-97-3, Gokulakrishnan 21-7-72-0,
Kapoor 29-6-93-3, Robin Singh 27-9-48-0, Sriram
22-2-68-1. |
Cronje is still their favourite JOHANNESBURG, April 13 (AFP) — South Africans voted overwhelmingly in a newspaper poll published today to allow fired cricket skipper Hansie Cronje to play again, as details of the bribery scandal that led to his downfall began to emerge. In poll published in “The Star”, 94 per cent of the 7,220 respondents voted to allow Cronje to play for South Africa again, against six per cent who said “no”. “The Star”, meanwhile, named a mysterious South African go-between as Hamid “Banjo” Cassim, a Johannesburg businessman and friend of Cronje with links to two Indian cricketers. The United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCB) fired Cronje on Tuesday after he confessed he had accepted between $ 10,000 and $ 15,000 in cash from an Indian businessman for providing information and forecasts during a triangular one-day series in South Africa in February with England and Zimbabwe, ahead of a South African tour in India. Cronje and teammates Herschelle Gibbs, Nicky Boje and Pieter Strydom could face up to four years in jail in India if convicted. Cassim was the link-man between Cronje and the London-based Indian businessman, Sanjiv Chawla, “The Star” said. South African students launched a game on their “Get a life” website today in which players bowl balls at wickets in front of a New Delhi jail, with Cronje’s face behind bars. Good bowlers break down the wall, and Cronje escapes; bad bowlers are confronted with a picture of Sports Minister Ncgonde Balfour in tears. South Africa and India have no extradition treaty, but foreign ministry spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa said if the Indian government requested extradition, President Thabo Mbeki would then ask Justice Minister Penuell Maduna to establish a magisterial inquiry to determine whether the charges were “of an extraditable nature”. Mbeki, currently attending a G-77 summit in Havana, said South Africa should “not leave any stone unturned” in a judicial commission of inquiry being set up here, Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad told reporters after a cabinet meeting yesterday. He said the government would co-operate fully with the Indian authorities. “The government does not have any intention to protect or prejudice any suspect,” he said. UCB Managing Director Ali Bacher told journalists on Tuesday that Cronje had received somewhere between $ 10,000 and $ 15,000 but “Beeld” newspaper reported today that the sum was actually $ 8,200, which it said Cronje’s brother Hans had counted at Bacher’s request. Bacher said Cronje had not been sure of the exact amount because he had not counted the notes himself. A Reserve Bank official told the “Citizen” newspaper that Cronje could be fined up to 250,000 rand ($ 38,000) for being in possession of foreign currency. STELLENBOSCH: Hansie Cronje’s family is overwhelmed by the support offered to the axed South African skipper who has become the centerpiece of match-fixing scandal rocking the cricket world. “It is in a time like this that you realise who your real friends are, and it’s amazing to see how many real friends Hansie has,” said Cronje’s father Frans Cronje in a statement issued yesterday. Frans Cronje said he was aware that many South Africans felt let down by Hansie Cronje. “I have said it often that all people are falliable and that we have to keep our eyes on God for all the solutions... People must also remember that God is the one that is perfect, not people,” the statement said, adding the family remains proud of Hansie Cronje. In due course, people would know everything about what happened, the statement said. “As far as I know, Hansie never fixed any games, in South Africa or India, he never spoke to any of the players and he never received any money for match fixing in India,” the statement said. The Cronje family
supports Shaun Pollock, who replaced Cronje as captain,
and hopes that the series against Australia will be
successful, the statement said. |
I always played to win: Cronje CAPE TOWN, April 13 (Reuters) — The following is the complete text of a statement by disgraced South African cricket captain Hansie Cronje released today: “I find myself in an awful predicament brought about by my own foolishness and naivety. I realise that I face certain personal difficulties of my own making, but what concerns me most is the hurt and disappointment that I have caused my wife and family, cricket fans throughout South Africa, the United Cricket Board and my teammates in the South African Proteas cricket side. “Some of my teammates have come under the spotlight as a result of the police inquiries in India. I know of no member of any side that I have led who has done anything reprehensible or wrong. Speculation and criticism directed against other members of the team is wrong and unjustified. “As the authorities are at present unwilling to make available the information on which allegations have been made against me, it is unfair and impossible for me to respond to them at this stage. “There is to be an inquiry in South Africa and possibly other legal proceedings. Until there is greater clarity concerning the basis of these allegations, I have been advised that it is inappropriate for me to comment on them and on the rumours and speculation which are in circulation. “All I will say is that I was not involved in fixing or manipulating the results of cricket matches. I always played to win. “The only light that I have seen in these last few dark days has been the magnificent victory of Shaun (Pollock) and his team against Australia last night. “I cannot begin to express the emotion I felt when that side emerged victorious and it must be indicative of the morale and commitment of that side to have won so high profile a game under the circumstances in which they found themselves. “I am truly proud
to have been associated with this side, one and all, and
wish Shaun and the rest of the team nothing but success
in the future.” |
Cronje’s role in England Test to be probed CAPE TOWN, April 13 (AFP) — The controversial fifth Test between South Africa and England in January will form part of the inquiry into match-fixing allegations against disgraced South African skipper Hansie Cronje, an official said here. The Test at Centurion Park, near Pretoria, in which both teams agreed to forfeit an innings after three days of rain, was won by two wickets by England with five balls to spare. United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCB) communications director, Bronwyn Wilkinson, said yesterday that Cronje’s role in the Test would be probed by the judicial commission, which is expected to be set up in the next few days. “UCB president Percy Sonn has confirmed that the last day of the Centurion Park Test would be covered in the inquiry as well as any other major points of suspicion,” Wilkinson said. At Cronje’s suggestion both captains forfeited an innings to make it possible to avoid a draw. It was the first time in Test history, spanning 123 years and 1,483 matches, that even a single innings had been forfeited. SYDNEY: Australian match referee Barry Jarman said today he did not believe the controversial fifth cricket Test between South Africa and England in January was fixed. The Test at Centurion Park, near Pretoria, in which both teams agreed to forfeit an innings after three days of rain, was won by England by two wickets with five balls to spare. The United Cricket Board of South Africa said yesterday they would investigate the match in view of sacked South Africa skipper Hansie Cronje’s admission he took money from Indian bookmakers. It was the first time in Test history, spanning 123 years and 1483 matches, that even a single innings had been forfeited. But Jarman told Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio there had been nothing to suggest any malpractice. “I cannot remember anything that really made me think that way,” he said. “I have been a
betting man all my life and I know what has been going on
but there was nothing there to suggest anything was being
manufactured,” he added. |
ROME, April 13 — (AFP) Inter Milan’s Brazilian football star Ronaldo was stretchered off in agony here last night after barely seven minutes of his return from surgery — after collapsing with an injury to his operated knee. Ronaldo, out for nearly five months, came on for Roberto Baggio in the 58th minute of the first leg of an Italian Cup final with Lazio, which finished 2-1 to the hosts. Ronaldo fell, his face contorted as he screamed in agony, after attempting a body feint in his approach to the Lazio penalty area — only for his legs to give way beneath him. Medics rushed onto the pitch and bandaged the same right knee which had been operated on by Prof Gerard Saillant in Paris on November 30. Ronaldo was driven off the pitch, covering his face with his hands —to the applause of the Olympic stadium crowd, and taken by ambulance to the inter dressing rooms. Club President Massimo Moratti, who had bought Ronaldo from Barcelona in 1997, Italian League President Franco Carraro and Ronaldo’s personal physiotherapist Nilton Petrone were present. Relating the scene, Mr Moratti said: “I went down into the changing rooms and I saw the lad there, crying in front of me. He was in utter despair. But as we have done at other times in the past, we will wait for him, with confidence, because Inter need Ronaldo.” Dismissing any blame on behalf of the doctors who have been treating the Brazilian, he said: “There’s no criticism to make. We can only wait and see what Prof Saillant tells us to do.” But he added: “It really is a terrible shame.” Inter spokesman Sandro Sabatini told reporters: “we are trying to get in touch with Prof Saillant to decide what to do.” Club officials subsequently decided that Ronaldo would fly back to Milan with the rest of the team, ANSA reported last night. The fear was clearly that Ronaldo’s new injury was a serious one, and possibly one that could end his career. Inter medical staff said that the injury could well be to the same knee tendon operated on in Paris. Inter coach Marcello Lippi said he had tried to lift the Brazilian’s spirits by reminding him that, as of last week, he was father of a baby boy, Ronald. “What we have been through today is very moving,” he told reporters. “Ronaldo is going through a period in which professionally he is very unlucky. “But I encouraged him by reminding him that a few days ago he experienced an extraordinary moment with the birth of his son, and that this should give him fresh heart.” “Ronaldo put in so much effort and had such desire to come back after the injury, and after five minutes in the match he got hurt,” Lippi said. “He did it all by himself and when we saw him put his hand on his operated knee, we realised that it could be something serious.” Ronaldo had just ended four months of rehabilitation which Ronaldo himself defined as “a nightmare” and was only the latest in a series of setbacks faced by the 23-year-old in a short but dazzling career. The Brazilian seemed unstoppable as he graduated from PSV Eindhoven to Barcelona and then to Inter Milan in 1997, collecting trophies, awards, a vast personal fortune and twice the tag of the best footballer in the world. But it all started to go badly wrong in a French hotel room on July 12, 1998. Ronaldo was plagued with inflamed tendons throughout the World Cup and his health problems, both mental and physical, reached a climax hours before the final in Paris when he suffered a fit at the team hotel. Ronaldo took a six-week break after Brazil’s defeat, but the effects of the tournament endured. The tendon trouble returned, his form dipped and in April his car was targetted by disgruntled missile-throwing fans waiting for him outside San Siro. He threatened to quit the club. Inter finished the season out of European football, but a rejuvenated Ronaldo came back in September after helping Brazil win the Copa America. After a poor start to the season and a sending-off in the derby against AC Milan, things seemed to be finally improving. Until disaster struck as he tried a body-feint in a match against Lecce. Ronaldo’s foot
became locked in the notoriously treacherous San Siro
turf and he damaged knee ligaments. |
Punjab hold Goa in Santosh Trophy THRISSUR, April 13 (PTI) — Fancied Goa survived a stiff fight from Punjab before settling for a 2-2 draw in a group ‘Y’ quarter-final league of the Santosh Trophy Football Championship here last night. At half time the score was one-all. Francis Silveira struck the lead for Goa in the 33rd minute which was equalised by Sukhjit Singh (45th minute). Goa once again surged ahead through substitute Alvito D’Cunha in the 71st minute but Sukhjit Singh restored parity for Punjab eight minutes later. This was Punjab’s second consecutive draw in as many matches. The match was evenly contested though the Goans had slight edge in midfield exchanges. However, they should have won the match had their strikers been on target. Defending champion Bengal demolished Services 4-0 in the group quarterfinal league here tonight. Striker Raman Vijayan
(52nd and 74th) and substitute James Singh (57th and 81)
scored two goals each. |
Game’s origins firmly rooted in gambling LONDON, April 13 (Reuters) — Despite the retrospective gloss applied by cricketing romantics, the game’s origins are firmly rooted in gambling. Revelations on Tuesday that South Africa captain Hansie Cronje had accepted money from a bookmaker would not have raised a languid eyebrow among the aristocrats who hijacked the game in the 18th century. And they would have been frankly mystified by Lord Hawke’s famous pronouncement about cricket: “You do well to love it, for it is more free of anything sordid, anything dishonourable, than any game in the world.” The gentry had time on their hands and money to lavish on a game devised to fill the long rural twilights. Edwin Stead was one early gamester. Inheriting an estate at the age of 18 he was to live only another nine years as he cheerfully squandered his legacy. Fifty guineas was at stake for a match between Stead’s men and the Duke of Richmond’s team. Three years later the sum had doubled for a match between the Duke and Sir William Gage. In 1833 there were reports of a match for a prize of £ 1,000, a huge sum at the time. Young bloods from the public schools flocked to the matches and bet large sums on the outcome. With money came corruption. William Fennex, credited with devising the forward defensive stroke, wrote: “Matches were bought and matches were sold and gentlemen who meant honestly lost large sums of money.” Another William, Lambert of Nottinghamshire, one of the better players of the day, was implicated in matchfixing and banned for life from the game’s new headquarters at Lord’s. At his level in the pre-Victorian era cricket was a pleasant diversion with no moral pretensions. With its appropriation by the public schools came respectability and with W.G. Grace, the game’s first giant, came widespread popularity. “There is no game in the world more sporting than cricket,” opined the Boy’s Book of Sport. “The word itself is used in everyday conversation to express the idea of fair play. ‘It’s not cricket, we say, when we want to object to something that is unfair.’ The liberal historian George Macaulay Trevelyan went further. “If the French noblesse had been capable of playing cricket with their pirasants, theri chateaux would never have been burnt,” he wrote. The game and its ethics took hold in the British empire, thriving in particular in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The heart of world cricket beats most strongly on the Indian sub-continent but it also from here that the most disturbing reports of match-fixing and corruption now emerge. As in England nearly 200
years ago money and betting seem to blame. |
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