Let’s be very clear about what just happened. Cricket New Zealand instructed its national team to leave Rawalpindi less than an hour before the toss in the first of a scheduled three-match ODI series which was to be followed by five T20Is. It was New Zealand’s first tour to Pakistan in 18 years.
Yup. I landed in London a few days before the final test of that iconic 2005 series. Life went on. Was at Trafalgar Sq. for that crazy, fun parade :). Hypocrisy. It's anti- black; anti- Asian & anti- African. OR is all about the IPL....?
David, I sometimes wonder whether it is consciously 'anti' anything, or anyone. Perhaps the sense of superiority is just so embedded in some societies that they only have time and space to think about themselves rather than actively contemplating the fate of others...
Wonderful article. Amazing that India stated Covid issues meant they left England early. England now site mental issues. NZ state security issues. But amazingly these three events straddled the IPL. Coincidence?????
Thank you, Neil. A very well written article - saying it as it should be said. Once again it is all about the IPL and the BCCI and who has the most influence (controls the purse strings). Would it not be great if Pakistan beat both England and New Zealand and go on to win the T20 World Cup next month. A small consolation!
Are there any other sport in the world with this power imbalance? Where rich/powerful countries can just make it up as they go along, with no regard for the rest. My heart breaks for the Pakistan players and supporters.
There must be other sports with such an imbalance, although I can't immediately think of any! The balance of power fluctuates in other sports but there is no chance of a shift in power in international cricket.
"Rules for thee and not for me". The ECB also pulled out of the SA series with fear of C-19, which was all it really was "FEAR". It really is a shame the PCB and CSA jumped through so many hoops to accommodate them. Oh, and let's not forget the Australian Cricket team cancelling before even getting on a flight. Seems as though the BCCI and IPL dollars speak a far nicer language. Shameful.
The Australian bolshy cockiness is interesting to note. Time Paine confidently stating that the Ashes "...will definitely go ahead whether Joe Root is here or not." And Nathan Lyon saying that two weeks of quarantine and two months in a bio-secure bubble was "...a small price to pay." From a team which hasn't played a single Test match away from home since the pandemic started...
Good work Manners and thank you for holding the ECB to account. This is very frustrating as an England fan and massively embarrassing. Sorry Pakistan - people, players and board - that we have failed to stand with you when we owe you. Shameful ECB.
Lets hope that Pakistan beat the pants off NZ & Aus. A further plus Russell Domingo & Bangladesh do the same!!!
Yup. I landed in London a few days before the final test of that iconic 2005 series. Life went on. Was at Trafalgar Sq. for that crazy, fun parade :). Hypocrisy. It's anti- black; anti- Asian & anti- African. OR is all about the IPL....?
David, I sometimes wonder whether it is consciously 'anti' anything, or anyone. Perhaps the sense of superiority is just so embedded in some societies that they only have time and space to think about themselves rather than actively contemplating the fate of others...
Wonderful article. Amazing that India stated Covid issues meant they left England early. England now site mental issues. NZ state security issues. But amazingly these three events straddled the IPL. Coincidence?????
Thank you, Tony. My pleasure. Sort of. I'd prefer I didn't have to write siuch articles. And...no, I don't think it is a coincidence. Seriously.
Thank you, Neil. A very well written article - saying it as it should be said. Once again it is all about the IPL and the BCCI and who has the most influence (controls the purse strings). Would it not be great if Pakistan beat both England and New Zealand and go on to win the T20 World Cup next month. A small consolation!
That's a lovely thought, Dan. It would be a huge consolation and an appropriate moral victory - although not a financial consolation, unfortunately.
Are there any other sport in the world with this power imbalance? Where rich/powerful countries can just make it up as they go along, with no regard for the rest. My heart breaks for the Pakistan players and supporters.
There must be other sports with such an imbalance, although I can't immediately think of any! The balance of power fluctuates in other sports but there is no chance of a shift in power in international cricket.
"Rules for thee and not for me". The ECB also pulled out of the SA series with fear of C-19, which was all it really was "FEAR". It really is a shame the PCB and CSA jumped through so many hoops to accommodate them. Oh, and let's not forget the Australian Cricket team cancelling before even getting on a flight. Seems as though the BCCI and IPL dollars speak a far nicer language. Shameful.
The Australian bolshy cockiness is interesting to note. Time Paine confidently stating that the Ashes "...will definitely go ahead whether Joe Root is here or not." And Nathan Lyon saying that two weeks of quarantine and two months in a bio-secure bubble was "...a small price to pay." From a team which hasn't played a single Test match away from home since the pandemic started...
Well said Neil! In a world where you have to sing for your supper, it's refreshing to hear an honest voice saying it like it is.
Thank you, Ghalieb. It's a disgrace.
Good work Manners and thank you for holding the ECB to account. This is very frustrating as an England fan and massively embarrassing. Sorry Pakistan - people, players and board - that we have failed to stand with you when we owe you. Shameful ECB.
Of all the shocks the biggest is that ECB's 'board' took the decision to cancel the tour without consulting the players!