How ICC let the fans down

Not that concerns about over-rates should be dismissed out of hand because the game has slowed down alarmingly and nowadays fewer overs are bowled. Everything else has speeded up, except of course our beloved bureaucracy.

The West Indies set the trend in the 1980’s and the rest of the world has slowed down with them, and with much less reason because India, especially, lean heavily on slow bowlers with short run-ups.

Frankly I did not think Ganguly had a leg to stand on till his argument prevailed. Just as ensuring that his players behave properly falls in the lap of the cricket captain — a point that used to annoy Steve Waugh as he regarded himself not as a headmaster presiding over errant boys but as a man leading other men — so he also has obligations towards customers to prevent the show running over time.

Not that Indian cricket has even bothered much about the common man let alone the paying spectator. Not the least reason to condemn Jamoghan Dalmiya and company at the top of Indian cricket. It has been their failure to show the slightest respect for faithful supporters sitting in extreme discomfort in the stands. Just for a day, Dalmiya and his merry men should be made to swap places, toilets and refreshments with those they are supposed to be serving, those who ultimately pay the bills, because without spectators the game become irrelevant and bankrupt.

Ganguly did on several occasions allow the game to drift along at a rate far below the speed regarded as acceptable by the governors of the game. By doing so he put his position in danger. Everyone knew the rules that had been put in place to stop games going over time. Nor was it a secret that Ganguly was on his second and final warning. A clear-cut preceedure had been laid down and no-one could plead ignorance. Nor were the standards set unreasonable.

Accordingly it came as a considerable surprise to find the duly appointed lawyer finding in favour of the appellant. Evidently Ganguly and his advisors were able to convince the adjudicator that his was a special case and that all sorts of events had occurred calculated to stop his team bowling their overs at the required rate. It must have been a compelling performance.

Only those present at the match under discussion can argue about the particulars of the case. From a distance the verdict seemed surprising, to say the least. After all the required rate is undemanding precisely because all sorts of things take place during the course of a day’s play.

Cricket is played in extreme conditions and sometimes those officiating at the grounds are a little inexperienced. Otherwise the over-rates expected would be much higher. Unless a group of dismayed workers or protesting students invaded the arena it is hard to think of any excuse for India’s dawdling.

The game cannot afford to insult spectators. Test cricket, especially, is dying on its feet. Australia, Indian and England can — to some extent — fill grounds for five-day matches but everywhere else they are played in eerie and demeaning silence. Accordingly efforts to speed up the over rates must be supported. Cricket is competing in a market place.

Admittedly Ganguly’s offence occurred in a one-day match but the same principle applies. If the rule is not to be applied rigorously then what is the point of it? A precedent has been set. Still, the game teaches us many things, including the need to accept the umpire’s decision even when it seems incomprehensible — a point Daniel Vettori has repeatedly been forced to contemplate in Australia as his legitimate appeals for leg before have been rejected by ageing umpires.

Accordingly the verdict must be accepted with appropriate grace. Rightly cricket has instituted due process so the game cannot be accused of high-handedness. Sooner or later every game realises that it is open to challenge in the courts.

Despite the conclusion of the case, though, captains have been warned that they must carry out their responsibilities or take the consequences. My guess is that the next leader called to account for slow over-rates will not be as lucky.

(Cricket News)