amitabh jotwani

If you saw the World Cup Final on Saturday, you probably know what I am talking about. It really was a fitting climax to what has been a boring and probably the worst organized World Cup ever in the history of Cricket…

You would say the bottom line is – Australia are still the champs…and I would not disagree…Gilchrist played an innings of his life to take the Aussies through…I would only like to add that I think Srilanka got a raw deal and an unfair final….largely because of the insane and dumb people organising the event…the ICC

Why do I say an unfair final?? read on….

An Unfair Final

1. The fact that the World Cup final was reduced to 38 overs a side took the sheen off the final – It just suited the Aussies more with their powerful hitters.
2. The D/L confusion – It took the umpires good 15-20 mins to let the Srilankans know the revised target. Srilanka were 140 odd for 2 wickets when it started to rain again…now per D/L system Srilanka was trailing at this point. So they lost a few quick wickets trying to speed things along. Not that they were badly placed for a full 38 over game…but they were now made to play the “What if it rains” game..which cost them the wickets of sangakara and jaisurya…
3. Unknown target – Srilanka was not given the revised target for good 10-15 mins…so they were now playing with less that 15 overs remaining without knowing the new target…the umpires were all confused..the refree has no idea…wait a min…who is it hurting….it’s costing Srilanka the World Cup…BTW NO LIGHT IS OFFERED
4. Playing in the dark – Believe it or not, Srilanka ended up playing atleast the last 10 overs in dark. The stadiums in the carribean have no flood lights!

An embarassing Final

1. Srilanka played the last 10 overs in fading light. The last 3 in pitch darkness.
2. Confusion all round concerning the D/L system and what the revised target would be for Srilanka.
3. The umpires and the refree were confused about the rules of D/L and use of the reserve day.
4. The game should have been over per the D/L system long before. The umpires insisted in continuing.
5. With 3 overs left, batsmen take the light offer and walk off. Aussies celebrate, presentation dias rolls to the ground and the crowds party. But the umpires bring the players back on the field and get them to play the last 3 overs in pitch darkness.
6. 800 dancers perform at the closing ceremony in pitch darkness. The crowds can’t see anything.
7. The Aussies lift the World Cup 16 teams were fighting for in pitch darkness.

What if?

Now I agree that it was a dead rubber with Srilanka needing 70 odd runs off 3 overs. But here’s my what if

1. What if it wasn’t a dead rubber?
2. What if Srilanka needed 30 runs off the last 3 overs with Malinga and Vass at the wicket?
3. A slim chance but a chance indeed.
4. Wouldn’t it have been unfair for them to play the last 3 overs in pitch darkness?

It’s a pity the World Cup had to end this way – but I guess it was just a perfect finale to a bizarre World Cup…I am not going to remember this one for long…Are you??