Total Recall

Though the mind wants to fast forward and think about reaching home, it isn’t quite an effort to rewind and recall the eye-catching moments that one cherished.

In the years to come, like all other World Cups before, this too might have that one image of the winning captain holding the silverware that one will come to associate with the ‘07 West Indian edition. But that wouldn’t say the entire story. While the frequent re-runs of the final game after every four years ensures that the climax stays fresh in the mind, there happens to be a real threat that the less advertised but equally compelling memories can fade away. Putting them in black and white just might help and also record the colour that this World Cup provided.

It all started with a complete blackout of the entire stadium during the opening ceremony and the sudden emergence of a black and white Bob Marley on the giant screen. It was one moment people talk about the most about the colourful show. Considering the wealth of music talent in the Caribbean, it is a lost cause for future organisers to make a song and dance about matching the sound that World Cup ‘07 opened with. But the absence of cricketing greats there was glaring and they made it up by honouring them before the opening game. Better late than never, the rousing reception they got would have made the present West Indian squad pensive.

Since the early days were spent covering Pakistan’s warm-up games, the sight of the entire team praying in the narrow hotel lobby and the guests precariously walking past them conveyed the fragile serenity that surrounded the team. Skipper Inzamam-ul Haq’s first press conference in Urdu and his invariably breaking into his habitual ‘definitely’ before an answer saw some smile, and so did the embarrassed look on his face when his mandatory dope test took about an hour because of a stubborn bladder.

Mishaps continued around the Pakistan team all through the tournament. An early morning fire alarm saw them, along with the Irish and South African cricketers, standing in the hotel parking area wearing pyjamas and crumpled night suits. But the most touching image was the one of the ‘big easy’ Inzi walking to the dressing room trying to hide his tears in front of a few ardent Pakistan fans who stood among empty seats in that inconsequential game against Zimbabwe.

Inzamam had earlier said that not everybody is lucky to get a grand farewell. Though the gifted Brian Lara was blessed since he got a packed house that had young girls crying on friendly shoulders. English fans, who Lara had driven to mental breakdown several times, gave a standing ovation. Holding his hand was his daughter Sydney, named after the venue where he played his first memorable knock. It was a farewell he deserved, yet Lara, like Inzamam, couldn’t hide his bitterness.

Fellow great Sachin Tendulkar’s last World Cup ended with calls for his retirement, especially after his dismissal. Sri Lankan hulk Dilhara Fernando bowled him with an express ball and all Tendulkar could do was that revolting half-squat that players generally do to show that it was the pitch that did them in. But the chorus of aging body and weak reflexes was reaching a crescendo in the stands and back home.

That India lost to teams that were younger, fitter and far more athletic just added to Dad’s Army’s woes. When 18-year-old Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal casually stepped out to swat Zaheer Khan on the second-tier of the stand, a telling point was made. Later in the tournament 36-year-old Matthew Hayden made dancing down the track his favourite routine and another point was made — 30-plus stars can stick to their natural play but not those wearing blue.

Even a 36-year-old grossly overweight part-time cricketer showed Olympic-level athleticism against India, holding catches in slip. Bermuda’s big man Dwayne Leverock’s one-handed catch in the slips was the highlight of this World Cup if not a ‘Ripley’ moment.
It was the Irish fairytale, though, that proved to be the top-selling story at the group stage.

Their intense rugby sessions at nets, spirited play on field and their rather casual jumping over the dressing room fence to go and sit with their wives and children showed the amateurs still have space at the top level. Their victory lap in front of the stand full of crazily dancing, drunk Irish fans showed the undiluted joy that the game can still provide.

Though the big boys were serious most of the times, at times they did drop their guard too. AB de Villiers, after limping to an incredible ton scored with cramps in his legs, was asked about his hitting in the final over. Said he: “Actually, I was trying to get out but didn’t manage.” And then he looked at his captain sitting next to him and said, “no I didn’t mean it actually.” Graeme Smith joined the fun and patted him on the back. It was the same mood at the press conference when Herchelles Gibbs said that he “would take the bowler out for drinks” after scoring six sixes in an over.

Another world record moment was when Lasith Malinga took four wickets in four balls. But despite these records and cricketing highs and lows the most enduring memory will that of Bob Woolmer’s at his last press conference. The crestfallen look at the press conference and his long walk through an army of celebrating Irish fans, with a dazed look on his face, is an image impossible to forget. And also those last lines: “I will sleep over it and let you know tomorrow.”
No cricketing high can wipe out that low.