Thank you Neil for putting into words some of the outrage that I feel about the hypocrisy of the India-dominated ICC. India decide they don't want to play in the Champions Trophy host country so they are given a free ride to play all their games, including the final, in Dubai. Bangladesh don't want to play in India because of the appalling treatment of one of their players, so they are kicked out of the T20 World Cup - which is what should have happened to India in the CT if money didn't trump morality. Pakistan's decision is debatable but one can understand their frustration with an organisation that uses words like 'fairness' and 'integrity' without embarrassment. The ICC is losing all credibility.
Dear Neil, as an Indian kid growing up in the UAE in the 90s, I became aware of and fell in love with cricket in the run-up to the 1996 World Cup in the subcontinent. I remember watching those exhibition games in Colombo featuring a combined Indian and Pakistani team. I also played cricket with people from all backgrounds, including a fair few South Africans.
Looking back now, it showed true leadership from the BCCI, led by Jagmohan Dalmiya. They stood up for the Sri Lankans against the Aussies and Windies and did so from a position of weakness.
Now that the shoe is on the other foot and the BJP has so thoroughly weaponised sport as part of their neo-fascist project, I see the BCCI bullying others and sadly no solidarity from the other boards.
Bangladesh is in a state of turmoil and Pakistan is, well, as Pakistan always is. There's no ignoring the religious extremism and political violence in either country but banning Mustafizur from the IPL isn't going to bring the man who was lynched back from the dead. In this case, when cricket fans interact with each other, they realise how much they have in common as opposed to how much they're told to hate the "other".
The cricket I played in my childhood and now coach as an adult in Germany is proof that our sport can bring people together. Sadly, the sport is run by the good old team of fascists and unscrupulous capitalists.
Dear Milind, what a fabulous comment to read - it makes writing my column feel worthwhile. Politics, like life, is cyclical so we can only hope that a new generation of Indian politicians and cricket administrators cherish and respect their utterly dominant power rather than 'glory' in it. I was in the room seven or eight years ago when the great Anil Kumble, having been unceremoniously (and suspiciously) removed as national coach, made a speech in which he said of the BCCI: "...with great power comes great responsibility..." Such a shame that cricket has been so weaponised but it's the most obvious 'tool' for the nationalists and bigots, isn't it? Perhaps a more empathetic and less extreme generation will emerge...
Must be a good piece Neil: you've aroused the local fundamentalist-nationalist troll whose school obviously didn't teach him too much joined-up thinking...or any morality.
And, as usual with trolls who love to bully their way arounds forums, is about as thick-skinned as a piece of cling film. Poor little powerless diddums BCCI.
Dear Sid, lovely to hear from you. I wouldn't normally waste time responding to irrational anger - especially if there's an odour of nationalism about it - but this one sounded a little pitiful amongst the yelping. Like an injured puppy. So, I thought I'd check in on him. You know, see if he was alright. :)
Extremely well said, Manners, can't imagine this will win you many friends in India, particularly among the cult-like element of their fanbase, but this all needs saying. The governance and running of the sport is a complete mess, so many conflicts of interest and involvement from politicians, as well as essentially corruption in the draws of ICC events, but "integrity, competitiveness, consistency and fairness" abounds in their minds!
Thank you, Josh. As the great Anil Kumble said shortly after his retirement, and once he'd been removed as national coach: "With great power comes great responsibility."
Where are any of those adjectives (which have literal definitions) found when the ICC fixes tournament draws to ensure India play Pakistan and England play Australia in every tournament? Pointing out laughable hypocrisy isn't crying.
Thanks Neil for the great article. Politics and sport, an old story.
To my mind the T20 WC has been seriously undermined by the no-show of Bangladesh and Pakistan not playing India.
They are always in the same group. The ICC is dodgy- the ‘draw’ is surely rigged.
The ‘USA’ team is intriguing; are there any born in USA? Let's hope ICE is not there, unlike at the Winter Olympics. But good luck to the guys who are representing.
Now we have our Jon-Jon Smuts playing for Italy. He’s never even been there apparently! What Saffa has never been to Italy I ask with tears in my eyes? Ha ha.
Personally, I would prefer India & Australia to be able to field 2 teams. They have more than enough depth. Then we get better cricket.
Go Proteas! Once again, we have a team capable of becoming champions.
I was going to write a column about the 'rigged' draw which sees India and Pakistan in the same group in every ICC event. I still might... but it's not 'rigged' - it's in the contract!! It became a contractual guarantee after the 2007 World Cup which was a catastrophic financial disaster after India and Pakistan were both eliminated at the group stage. It was four groups of four (16 teams) with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka qualifying for the Super Eights at the expense of India while Ireland eliminated Pakistan. After that the broadcasters insisted on at least one guaranteed fixture between India and Pakistan in every ICC event. It's been in the contract ever since. Dave Richardson made absolutely no secret of that when he was ICC CEO. But it isn't publicised because it wouldn't do the ICC's mantra of "fairness and integrity" much good, would it??
Mr. Neil, just love the way you seem raged about the entire development in the upcoming T20 event. Nothing different about your ideology, just another side of the coin where your fundamentalist opponents look down at you and the likes of you. Atleast don't smell like one of those paid NYT stooges who receives all attention and accolades by constantly keeping the Indian PM and dictatorship in a same frame (Kim-Jong, Iran's supreme leader & Putin laughing in the corner). But I will absolutely agree with you the day my mates from India starts spewing hatred against modi.
You sir, are an eloquent writer. But with great writing comes great rhetoric. Only if you find the courage to see through different lens, you would know the depths of geopolitical mess and it's origins.
I can't contain but share my thoughts if such an eloquent writing turns out to be lazy.
Why no Russia in Olympics? Why US, Israel, UK still part of it having bombed and killed millions? Why so much power in their hands?
Although I partially concur with how CA and ECB's involvement are equally important, none of them seem to bother about this matter. By the way, there were days when they used to look down at subcontinent teams and never cared about democratising cricket. They once hold all the cards - at least, BCCI doesn't seem to be anywhere near to it.
But your dream of bringing CA and ECB back to it's pedestal and downfall of BCCI is very much aligned with the sentiments of PCB. No surprise.
Let's wait and watch. But beware, none of this post would make any sense if:
Pak-Ind match occurs on 15
or
PCB faces the sanctions and gets no support from other boards.
I fully appreciate your post and the words of 'caution'. I do try to take my responsibility as a writer seriously. The only lines in my column which might be described as 'flippant' were aimed at the hypocrisy of the ICC which sanctimoniously describe the "fairness and integrity" of the tournaments and events which it organises. The global game would benefit from a more empathetic (and less political) generation of administrators in India who appreciate and respect the power they yield - and the effect it has on the lives and destinies of so many who love the game around the world. It is a big 'ask', I know, and perhaps naieve, but imagine if the BCCI behaved towards the 'smaller' Test nations in the manner they should have been treated 30+ years ago by the other 'big two'... :)
Incredible piece. The Champions Trophy logistics realy expose how hollow those ICC principles are when money's involved. The fact that one team got to avoid all travel while everyone else logged thousands of km is peak competitive fairness. Watched this dynamic unfold during several bilateral series and it's wild how normalized the imbalance has become.
I can't argue against that. Horrific and shameful. So if it's time for 'revenge' then, fair enough. It's just that, when Kings, Emperors and other supreme leaders have starved their minions in centuries gone by, they found that there was nobody to plough the fields and plant crops.
Thank you Neil for putting into words some of the outrage that I feel about the hypocrisy of the India-dominated ICC. India decide they don't want to play in the Champions Trophy host country so they are given a free ride to play all their games, including the final, in Dubai. Bangladesh don't want to play in India because of the appalling treatment of one of their players, so they are kicked out of the T20 World Cup - which is what should have happened to India in the CT if money didn't trump morality. Pakistan's decision is debatable but one can understand their frustration with an organisation that uses words like 'fairness' and 'integrity' without embarrassment. The ICC is losing all credibility.
Dear Neil, as an Indian kid growing up in the UAE in the 90s, I became aware of and fell in love with cricket in the run-up to the 1996 World Cup in the subcontinent. I remember watching those exhibition games in Colombo featuring a combined Indian and Pakistani team. I also played cricket with people from all backgrounds, including a fair few South Africans.
Looking back now, it showed true leadership from the BCCI, led by Jagmohan Dalmiya. They stood up for the Sri Lankans against the Aussies and Windies and did so from a position of weakness.
Now that the shoe is on the other foot and the BJP has so thoroughly weaponised sport as part of their neo-fascist project, I see the BCCI bullying others and sadly no solidarity from the other boards.
Bangladesh is in a state of turmoil and Pakistan is, well, as Pakistan always is. There's no ignoring the religious extremism and political violence in either country but banning Mustafizur from the IPL isn't going to bring the man who was lynched back from the dead. In this case, when cricket fans interact with each other, they realise how much they have in common as opposed to how much they're told to hate the "other".
The cricket I played in my childhood and now coach as an adult in Germany is proof that our sport can bring people together. Sadly, the sport is run by the good old team of fascists and unscrupulous capitalists.
Keep fighting the good fight!
Dear Milind, what a fabulous comment to read - it makes writing my column feel worthwhile. Politics, like life, is cyclical so we can only hope that a new generation of Indian politicians and cricket administrators cherish and respect their utterly dominant power rather than 'glory' in it. I was in the room seven or eight years ago when the great Anil Kumble, having been unceremoniously (and suspiciously) removed as national coach, made a speech in which he said of the BCCI: "...with great power comes great responsibility..." Such a shame that cricket has been so weaponised but it's the most obvious 'tool' for the nationalists and bigots, isn't it? Perhaps a more empathetic and less extreme generation will emerge...
Must be a good piece Neil: you've aroused the local fundamentalist-nationalist troll whose school obviously didn't teach him too much joined-up thinking...or any morality.
And, as usual with trolls who love to bully their way arounds forums, is about as thick-skinned as a piece of cling film. Poor little powerless diddums BCCI.
Dear Sid, lovely to hear from you. I wouldn't normally waste time responding to irrational anger - especially if there's an odour of nationalism about it - but this one sounded a little pitiful amongst the yelping. Like an injured puppy. So, I thought I'd check in on him. You know, see if he was alright. :)
Pakistan and India just played each other in the u19s over the weekend, didn't seem to ruffle many feathers.
Give them time... :(
Extremely well said, Manners, can't imagine this will win you many friends in India, particularly among the cult-like element of their fanbase, but this all needs saying. The governance and running of the sport is a complete mess, so many conflicts of interest and involvement from politicians, as well as essentially corruption in the draws of ICC events, but "integrity, competitiveness, consistency and fairness" abounds in their minds!
Thank you, Josh. As the great Anil Kumble said shortly after his retirement, and once he'd been removed as national coach: "With great power comes great responsibility."
It must be exhausting being so angry. I suggest you have a lie-down to lower your heart rate.
Where are any of those adjectives (which have literal definitions) found when the ICC fixes tournament draws to ensure India play Pakistan and England play Australia in every tournament? Pointing out laughable hypocrisy isn't crying.
Thanks Neil for the great article. Politics and sport, an old story.
To my mind the T20 WC has been seriously undermined by the no-show of Bangladesh and Pakistan not playing India.
They are always in the same group. The ICC is dodgy- the ‘draw’ is surely rigged.
The ‘USA’ team is intriguing; are there any born in USA? Let's hope ICE is not there, unlike at the Winter Olympics. But good luck to the guys who are representing.
Now we have our Jon-Jon Smuts playing for Italy. He’s never even been there apparently! What Saffa has never been to Italy I ask with tears in my eyes? Ha ha.
Personally, I would prefer India & Australia to be able to field 2 teams. They have more than enough depth. Then we get better cricket.
Go Proteas! Once again, we have a team capable of becoming champions.
I was going to write a column about the 'rigged' draw which sees India and Pakistan in the same group in every ICC event. I still might... but it's not 'rigged' - it's in the contract!! It became a contractual guarantee after the 2007 World Cup which was a catastrophic financial disaster after India and Pakistan were both eliminated at the group stage. It was four groups of four (16 teams) with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka qualifying for the Super Eights at the expense of India while Ireland eliminated Pakistan. After that the broadcasters insisted on at least one guaranteed fixture between India and Pakistan in every ICC event. It's been in the contract ever since. Dave Richardson made absolutely no secret of that when he was ICC CEO. But it isn't publicised because it wouldn't do the ICC's mantra of "fairness and integrity" much good, would it??
Mr. Neil, just love the way you seem raged about the entire development in the upcoming T20 event. Nothing different about your ideology, just another side of the coin where your fundamentalist opponents look down at you and the likes of you. Atleast don't smell like one of those paid NYT stooges who receives all attention and accolades by constantly keeping the Indian PM and dictatorship in a same frame (Kim-Jong, Iran's supreme leader & Putin laughing in the corner). But I will absolutely agree with you the day my mates from India starts spewing hatred against modi.
You sir, are an eloquent writer. But with great writing comes great rhetoric. Only if you find the courage to see through different lens, you would know the depths of geopolitical mess and it's origins.
I can't contain but share my thoughts if such an eloquent writing turns out to be lazy.
Why no Russia in Olympics? Why US, Israel, UK still part of it having bombed and killed millions? Why so much power in their hands?
Although I partially concur with how CA and ECB's involvement are equally important, none of them seem to bother about this matter. By the way, there were days when they used to look down at subcontinent teams and never cared about democratising cricket. They once hold all the cards - at least, BCCI doesn't seem to be anywhere near to it.
But your dream of bringing CA and ECB back to it's pedestal and downfall of BCCI is very much aligned with the sentiments of PCB. No surprise.
Let's wait and watch. But beware, none of this post would make any sense if:
Pak-Ind match occurs on 15
or
PCB faces the sanctions and gets no support from other boards.
Hope you're right. Cheers!
Dear Mr.Perera,
I fully appreciate your post and the words of 'caution'. I do try to take my responsibility as a writer seriously. The only lines in my column which might be described as 'flippant' were aimed at the hypocrisy of the ICC which sanctimoniously describe the "fairness and integrity" of the tournaments and events which it organises. The global game would benefit from a more empathetic (and less political) generation of administrators in India who appreciate and respect the power they yield - and the effect it has on the lives and destinies of so many who love the game around the world. It is a big 'ask', I know, and perhaps naieve, but imagine if the BCCI behaved towards the 'smaller' Test nations in the manner they should have been treated 30+ years ago by the other 'big two'... :)
I think the ECB should walk away. The game is becoming unsustainable, and we need to start again from the ground up. It's not doing to be pretty.
Andrew, Andrew...dear me. I know you're only joking. You must be. That'd be like Donald Trump walking away from a beauty pageant.
The organisation that gave us a format that no one else plays? They won’t walk away.
Incredible piece. The Champions Trophy logistics realy expose how hollow those ICC principles are when money's involved. The fact that one team got to avoid all travel while everyone else logged thousands of km is peak competitive fairness. Watched this dynamic unfold during several bilateral series and it's wild how normalized the imbalance has become.
I think you'll find, if you care to look, that there were a great many 'complaints' well before the Champions Trophy started, not just afterwards.
Funny how you should use the word 'dictatorship'. I never said that...
Thank you for assuming I ever 'had it.'
I can't argue against that. Horrific and shameful. So if it's time for 'revenge' then, fair enough. It's just that, when Kings, Emperors and other supreme leaders have starved their minions in centuries gone by, they found that there was nobody to plough the fields and plant crops.
If my column is 'just ragebait' (good word, by the way) why on earth did you take it?
same Modi who has the BCCI's largest ground named after him? Name me another prime minister living who has done this, let alone one in power.