As the ICC has said that there’s no way in hell they’re moving it, I think we can count this one as a forfeit. To be fair, they’re only following the precedent they set in Singapore.
Looks like the Aussies will play, though, and who knows what the kiwis are doing…
And yeah, the Aussie media is pretty strong on the “our boys are drug-free, it’s those foreigners that cheat” slant. I believe the longer ban is if it’s deemed that the player deliberately took drugs to give themselves an advantage. Warne will be treated to the lesser penalty, for drugs that are taken “honestly” or “accidentally”, “not realising” that they’re banned substances.
Wisden.com (the free front page, in case anyone’s interested) is now suggesting that the Eng v Zim match could be rescheduled by the ICC, meaning that England would forfeit neither points nor money. No word yet on what the ZCU says about that, nor how that would inevitably wreak havoc on the schedule. But it looks like the ICC is softening its stance.
I can answer both of your questions at once, actually. Wisden.com is the site reporting the ICC’s second thoughts. (I also just saw confirmation of that on Sky Sports News, straight from the mouth of Kelly Dagliesh, rowr. Umm, sorry about that.) I can’t link to the site itself, nor can I cut and paste, but I think the article is on the free portion of the site.
I’ve also been listening to Wisden’s Internet audiocast of the matches. I have a subscription to the site; I’m not sure if it comes as part of the free site, although I know you can get a subscription for the duration of the Cup. The commentary isn’t too bad, actually: the two Indian commentators seem to be settling into their roles. The only problem is that the sound cuts out occasionally, usually at inopportune points. Wisden says they’re working on it.
No-one would since the USA vs.Canada cricket match is the oldest international sporting event in the modern world, predating even today’s Olympic Games by nearly 50 years.
Oh come on!! It is childish in the extreeme to hold on to grudges forever - the man is dead for goodness sake - whatever you think of his wrong-doings (and they were legion), let the man rest in peace and be remembered for the good things he did. It is largely due to the efforts of the South African cricket team and Cricket Board during Hansie’s time as captain that SA Cricket is as far along the road to integration as it is today.
Accept the fact that, to many South Africans (of all races) Hansie was, and will be, a leader and hero to whom they looked up and admired - in spite of his failures. As one black cricketer put it:
And I wish I believed there was a hell he could rot in. Warning - the following is off-topic, but a response is demanded. If anyone wants to take this further I’ll be happy to meet them in the Pit.
The guy made millions hand over fist to do one thing - play cricket to win. His greed meant that he took even more dosh to throw games. Then his greed meant that he recruited his entire team to do the same. May they all suffer gastrointestinal infections leading to their painful deaths. Finally he blamed everyone he could find - including his god - to avoid taking responsibility himself.
There’s no excuse. He was a greedy little turncoat with the morals of a sewer rat who deserved far worse than he got.
Remembered for the “good things he did”? Bulls_it. Evil people of all natures still have people who look up to them. It doesn’t mean that they deserve to be excused or forgiven. It just means that people are idiots.
Cronje has left himself, in life or death, one purpose - to be an object lesson. Take him and every other fraudulent quisling who’s taken cash to betray his side, put their heads on pikes and stick them in the Long Room to let them serve as reminders to anyone else who might think twice about taking the dirty dollar (or rand, or rupee, or pound) to turn tail on their responsibilities.
I spit on his grave. I spit in the faces of those who look up to him. Those who do not know their history may be doomed to repeat it, but those who know their history and resolutely ignore the inconvenient portions don’t have the excuse of ignorance.
On another note, I’m watching the South Africa/Kenya game on Fox Sports 2, and just heard the ad for tonight’s delayed telecast. “India’s power and majesty… against the inexperience of the Netherlands. That’s what the World Cup is all about”. I am not making this up.
You’re right, and this will be my last comment on this topic in this thread…**
All I can say is that (as a white South African) I am very glad that those in charge during the transition to Democracy in our country had a more tolerant outlook on life than you do - I owe it my life…
Aren’t they just!! India are going to be restricted to well under 250 - they are India 201-7 (48 overs) at the moment. I wonder if the Dutch batting lineup is going to be able to follow this up?
It seems that the Dutch batsman thought the target was in reach and got nervous. If India had scored 300+, there would have been no pressure and perhaps a better batting display. Oh well…
How the heck did we win a cricket match in world competition? Despite being given a cricket bat as a kid (my dad’s a Brit), and reading intently all the cricket-related stuff written by Douglas Adams, I still have no clue what goes on in that sport.
They think it’s all over…it is now. Holland 136 all out (van Bunge 62). If I were van Bunge, I would be having a quiet word with the rest of my side. Ah well, Gyan, you needn’t have worried…the match was following the “minnows’ tailenders fill their boots” scenario so beloved of Bangladesh and Kenya. Besides, the Indian bowlers needed to rest up for the Aussies.
Can I get a little perspective on Canada’s win over Bangladesh? One of the papers here claimed it was the equivalent of Tonga beating Canada in curling or Jamaica winning the gold in bobsleigh. The latter I might buy a little but the former not so much, since Canada is the universally acknowledged #1 curling country by a mile and Tonga only has ice in drinks. Is Bangladesh a traditional cricket power? Where does this rank in the all-time sports upsets?
