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March 6 2001
CRICKET'S NEW GLOBAL PRESSURES
As the build up to the
first New Zealand-Pakistan Test is showing, the increased pressures
of a rolling Test world championship are already beginning to show themselves,
and the table has not even started running.
Both teams in Auckland will be without several of their
recognised performers and match-winners, possibly for the whole series.
Pakistan have flown home former captain Wasim Akram (side-strain) as well
as all-rounder Azhar Mahmood (foot and groin injuries), to join Shoaib
Akhtar on the sick list. Still in New Zealand, but carrying injuries are
experienced opener Saeed Anwar, and in-form middle-order batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq,
although Inzamam, might play in the 1st Test in Auckland.
As for the Kiwis, they have been without their first choice bowling line-up
for over six months. Spinner Daniel Vettori is still not fully recovered
from a stress-fracture in his back, and may be out for the series, while
left-arm seamer, Shayne O'Connor is just resuming full training after
a knee injury. Dion Nash and Geoff Allott are both struggling with back
injuries.
New Zealand's biggest loss is all-rounder, and hero in last years ICC
Trophy in Kenya, Chris Cairns who has recently undergone knee surgery
and will be rehabilitating for at least another six months. He commented
in a recent Cricinfo article, "I reminded myself that this is the industry
I have chosen and that the body takes a massive load from what I do."
Not only do these injuries deprive the teams of quality performers, but
the series is devalued, and the watching public will miss out on what
could have been a close-fought contest. Considering the implementation
of the Test championship table from June when Pakistan visit England,
the increased importance of every series result will add to the increased
workload of playing every other Test nation at least once in a five year
period.
More touring and more travelling will require larger squads to cover for
such injury crises as these, freakish though this list is, the sort of
injuries mentioned show the stresses and strains on Test cricketers will
only build in the future. On the other side of the world, England pace-bowler
Dean Headley has given up his battle with a back injury and retired from
the game at only 30. Only two years ago he was taking 6 for 60 as England
defeated Australia in Melbourne, and last Spring he was awarded one of
only twelve England central contracts by the ECB.
Every Test player should be noting the significance of these events. Pressure
on and off the field, coupled with the new cost of failure at the top
level is making the game even harder, the mental and physical requirements
leave little room for error. Just ask Jimmy Adams, who failed to turn
around the West Indies decline and paid the ultimate price. Now he is
not even worth a place in the Test squad to meet the touring South Africans.
I wonder if Carl Hooper knows what he has got himself into? Or will he
be disappearing off into the cricket wilderness again come the summer?
On the subcontinent, where the game is followed with the greatest passion,
Pakistan captain Moin Khan barely survived a recent series defeat by England
with his position intact. In India, after the only the first
Test defeat by Australia, questions are being asked of Sourav Ganguly's
leadership. It all reminds me too much of the way football managers and
coaches are hired and fired at the merest hint of failure and bad press.
No wonder the England side are showing signs of paranoia on-field after
some less than impressive umpiring during their tour of Sri Lanka. Umpires
are only human, but the game seems to be moving past that phase.
Is cricket getting slowly sucked into the global market, along with Football,
the media and entertainment industries, where success and money are the
bottom line? Of course they have always been important, but this game
will be unrecognisable from the one played on small club grounds on summer
afternoons. Maybe I am being pessimistic, but I hope that the game recognises
it's importance not just in financial terms, and ensures it's future.
Long live the great game.
Richard Kendall
See also:
CRICKET MEETS THE 21ST CENTURY
[Part 1] [Part 2]
TEST CRICKET RECEIVES A NEW SENSE OF PURPOSE>
New Zealand v Pakistan 2001
Test Reports: 1st Test>
| 2nd Test> | 3rd
Test>
Web links:
England
'A' Team manager talks about pressures of new World Championship to skySports.com>
Dean
Headley retires>
Chris
Cairns column for NZCricket>
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