# A Cricket World Cup **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 3, 2003, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cricket-world-cup/152577 "2003-02-03T20:23:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![everton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@everton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/everton)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cricket-world-cup/152577/61 "2003-02-10T19:47:14Z")
According to Channel 4 News tonight, the England players have already made their minds up not to play in Zimbabwe and the wrangling is all about how to minimise the financial penalties. The ZCU will certainly cancel their short tour of England next summer and that would cost: £3m from Channel 4 £3m from Sky Television £1.5m from the tournament’s commercial sponsor _npower_ £1m in ticket sales and merchandising =£8.5m in total The value of the World Cup match to Rupert Murdoch’s TV companies is supposed to be £2.5m. The reason SA has given for considering withdrawing from their own tour of England is that they don’t trust the ECB and given the fact that the ECB concealed the second round of death threats against the England players and families from the players themselves means the organisation has lost their trust too. If SA don’t play in England the financial loss to English cricket would probably triple the above figure. It isn’t clear how much compensation, if any, the ECB would be entitled to expect for breach of contract by the Zimbabweans and South Africans, but several county teams depend on support from the national body, so you can see why the ECB don’t want to _cancel_ the Zim match. They have asked the ICC once more to move the fixture to a safe venue, but the meetings they had today have been described as “acrimonious” and the South African police have claimed the recent death threats must be a hoax because they’ve never heard of the Sons and Daughters of Zimbabwe (a flimsy excuse IMHO). One thing is certain – this is the worst possible preparation for an international sporting contest. I have zero confidence that England will proceed beyond the pool stage and I think it’s a disgrace that we’ll never know for sure how England would have performed in a tournament without these distractions. The surprise results so far are adding to the entertainment on the field though. Congratulations to WI and SL, but it’s only just begun. ---
**Author:** ![II\_Gyan\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbe5ce/32.png) [@II\_Gyan\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/II_Gyan_II)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cricket-world-cup/152577/62 "2003-02-11T04:40:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by everton \* > \*\* > The surprise results so far are adding to the entertainment on the field though. Congratulations to WI and SL, but it’s only just begun. \*\* I’m sorry but is the second result a surprise ? ---
**Author:** ![BigNik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/73ab20/32.png) [@BigNik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigNik)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cricket-world-cup/152577/63 "2003-02-11T05:54:28Z")
Looks like Shane Warne has taken some of the wrong drugs in an attempt to get his shoulder right in time, and has pulled out of the first match (probably the series, but that’s not confirmed yet) so that the drugs can leave his system. As MacGill’s been left at home, Australia’s spin attack isn’t looking nearly as fearsome. Suddenly the overwhelming favourites have been brought back to “whelming” status. ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cricket-world-cup/152577/64 "2003-02-11T09:02:01Z")
Shane Warne is out - [sent home after failing a drug test](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/cwc2003/hi/newsid_2740000/newsid_2747600/2747627.stm) > [@](#): > > The 33-year-old said: “I have never taken performance-enhancing drugs, and I do not condone their use.” > The ACB said the positive test had been triggered by fluid reduction medication, which Warne claimed was not performance-enhancing. > Sutherland stressed the test results were preliminary and a B sample was also being examined. > \ > Australia will now apply to the International Cricket Council’s technical committee to replace Warne in their World Cup squad. It is a great pity - who am I going to hate now? 😛 Grim ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cricket-world-cup/152577/65 "2003-02-11T11:44:37Z")
Looks like, as usual, Australia have made lemonade out of lemons…in this case, 310 for 8 batting first against Pakistan, Symonds getting a ton. Still no word on the England decision to play or not against Zim… ---
**Author:** ![BigNik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/73ab20/32.png) [@BigNik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigNik)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cricket-world-cup/152577/66 "2003-02-11T11:53:28Z")
More interesting was Waqar being taken off, in the middle of an over, no less, by the umpires for intimidatory bowling - anyone remember the last time this happened? ---
**Author:** ![hawthorne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hawthorne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawthorne)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cricket-world-cup/152577/67 "2003-02-11T11:53:56Z")
Oh my sainted Aunt. Australia 8/310, Symonds 143\*. Unflappable Umpire Shep _shouts_ at Waqar and banishes him from the attack after his second beamer. I thought Symonds was out here to be the full-time 12th man. He’d well and truly run out of chances. _Now_ he does what everyone knew he was capable of. The Freak (Harvey) looked ominous too. Pakistan - yet again - loses its rag. So much talent, yet they are not a team. I can’t see them chasing this down. Big Inzi looks great though. I still cringe at the wastefulness of using Afridi as a slogging opener. Over the past 5 years he should have been coming in at #7 and told to work on his bowling. Warne’s great judgement strikes again, eh? I fully expect to see the Australian press hypocrites out in force tomorrow (at least in the tabloids). There had better be a VERY convincing explanation, or I guess people are going to assume (note phrasing, please) that it was a mask for the gear. I’m not really surprised by the SL/NZ result, **Gyan9**. Sri Lanka were clearly improving at the end of their Australian tour. Now NZ are supposedly reconsidering their decision not to play in Kenya - proving that one can _never_ be too cynical. The World Cup brings an edge to the one day game. Today’s Australian innings was like a mini Test. Looks like I won’t be getting much sleep for the foreseeable future. ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cricket-world-cup/152577/68 "2003-02-11T12:48:11Z")
In other news - Canada start with 12 for 0 (3.1 overs) in the battle to be the second worst team at the tournament! 😃 Grim ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cricket-world-cup/152577/69 "2003-02-11T12:52:13Z")
And on a more serious note - Henry Olonga, one of the Zimbabwean Cricketers who announced their intention to wear a black armband because they were “mourning the death of democracy in [Zimbabwe]” has [been suspended by his club](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/cwc2003/hi/newsid_2740000/newsid_2748200/2748267.stm) for his actions. Grim ☹ :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cricket-world-cup/152577/70 "2003-02-11T13:34:07Z")
Even listening on Internet radio, I wasn’t surprised that Waqar got taken off…that second beamer was born of frustration. They had the Aussies at 146 for 5 and simply let them off the hook. Well, there goes upset prediction #1 then. Go Canucks! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![II\_Gyan\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbe5ce/32.png) [@II\_Gyan\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/II_Gyan_II)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cricket-world-cup/152577/71 "2003-02-11T14:55:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by grimpixie \* > \*\*In other news - Canada start with 12 for 0 (3.1 overs) in the battle to be the second worst team at the tournament! > > 😃 > > Grim \*\* You got that right. No one can give India competition 😃 ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cricket-world-cup/152577/72 "2003-02-11T15:51:11Z")
Breaking News - [England will NOT play their opening match in Harare](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/cwc2003/hi/newsid_2740000/newsid_2749800/2749831.stm) > [@](#): > > It is not yet known whether the game will be played elsewhere or whether England will forfeit the points from the game. Grim ---
**Author:** ![hawthorne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hawthorne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawthorne)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cricket-world-cup/152577/73 "2003-02-11T16:32:41Z")
A drama-filled Cup already. I’m now confidently predicting a _Weekend at Bernie’s_ style appearance by Hansie Cronje. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cricket-world-cup/152577/74 "2003-02-11T16:49:33Z")
Does anyone know if Warne is likely to get a ban, and if so will it be from International Cricket or all forms? THis is completely motivated by the fact that he is Hampshire’s captain next year and we are paying him a mint. (Incidentally it looks like Mark Waugh may be coming too) ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cricket-world-cup/152577/75 "2003-02-11T17:09:57Z")
It’s a WAG but I don’t think that drug bans extend to all forms of cricket. When Ed Giddins was banned from the County Championship for cocaine, I believe he was still playing club cricket. Warne may be in the clear anyway on appeal. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cricket-world-cup/152577/76 "2003-02-11T19:09:04Z")
[Oh Canada!!!](http://www.wisden.com/series/ODIBulletin.asp?colid=44121107) What an upset! Bangladesh down, South Africa to go! ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cricket-world-cup/152577/77 "2003-02-11T19:19:49Z")
[Let’s try that again.](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/cwc2003/hi/newsid_2740000/newsid_2745000/2745065.stm) There must be no doubt now that Bangladesh is the worst team in the Cup ('course, England hasn’t played yet). Speaking of which, [here’s the official BBC notice](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/cwc2003/hi/newsid_2740000/newsid_2749800/2749831.stm) of the England cancellation. ---
**Author:** ![kiwiboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/35a633/32.png) [@kiwiboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiwiboy)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cricket-world-cup/152577/78 "2003-02-11T19:23:36Z")
Congratualtions to Canada on their first World Cup win. Well, three days in and we’ve already seen five centuries, a couple of upset wins and one drugs scandal. Cricket, you’ve got to love it. And as for Hansie, haven’t the South African team dedicated this world cup to him. (Explains their first up loss…) ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cricket-world-cup/152577/79 "2003-02-11T19:26:50Z")
Well, i’m not exactly sure of the distinction here, but according to the [Sydney Morning Herald](http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/02/11/1044927603591.html) > [@](#): > > Warne’s fate could rest on the legal classification of the treatment under the Australian Cricket Board’s anti-doping policy. If it is declared a “prohibited method” he will be suspended for at least two years, but if it is deemed a prohibited substance then the ban is a maximum of just three months. Like **hawthorne** , i am waiting for the hypocrisy of large sections of the Australian media to show itself in this case. As [Peter Roebuck](http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/02/11/1044927603585.html), one of the best cricket writers around IMHO, says, when it comes to suspicion of using banned substances, > [@](#): > > Australians are inclined to assume that their own are innocent and those suspicious fellows from far away guilty as charged. What really got me is the quote from the cricketers’ representative, Peter May, in the first article i linked to: > [@](#): > > “The clear intention of the [anti-doping] policy is to catch those cricketers who use performance-enhancing drugs and as such we are hopeful of a reasonable outcome for Shane.” Fuck that, i say. The list of banned substances is clear an unequivocal, and all players, coaches, team doctors etc., etc., should know what they are and should avoid them like the plague. Even if they are “just” diuretics. Warne has been a great player, and as an Aussie i’ve cheered many of his fine performances for Australia, but you have to follow the rules. And it seems to me that, on too many occasions, the Australian cricketers think that rules should apply to other teams but not to them. ---
**Author:** ![antechinus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@antechinus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antechinus)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cricket-world-cup/152577/80 "2003-02-11T22:10:40Z")
Warne just passed the stupidity test. He might be one of the top 5 cricketers ever, but he sure aint the sharpest tool in the shed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cricket-world-cup/152577.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cricket-world-cup/152577.md?page=5)