Verdict: Worst World Cup ever
Well, it's going a bit overboard making sweeping generalisations like "Worst World Cup ever" (though that didn't stop Ian Chappell). Nevertheless and despite Australia winning, it's hard to imagine a World Cup going much worse. Here's are some of the tournaments lowlights:
- Bob Woolmer's death: From the moment Bob Woolmer's death was announced, and in particular when it was revealed he was murdered, the World Cup was doomed. This tournament will always be remembered for the dark moment when cricket lost its innocence.
- India, Pakistan eliminated: Huge damage to the integrity of the tournament was done when India was knocked out before the Super 8 stage, as well as Pakistan. Kudos to Bangladesh and Ireland for defeating them but let's be honest - the Super 8's contests were diminished without the two Test nations. And then there's the loss of the huge crowds that would've followed their teams around the Caribbean.
- Poor crowds: Speaking of which, the lackluster crowds (plus the banning of musical instruments) were a large part of the lack of atmosphere throughout the World Cup. The reason? Simply, greed on the part of the World Cup organisers. The price of seeing a game in Guyana was equivalent to two weeks' wages. Madness! The tactic backfired badly - more than 6,000 tickets were given away for the Australia-South Africa semi-final so the stadiums wouldn't look so empty. Giving away tickets to a World Cup semi-final!
- Interminable tournament: it seemed to go on forever. Once Channel 9 began televising games, I developed an eye twitch that lasted over a month (thank goodness they didn't televise the warm-up games). Often when I was in conversation with someone, the muscles in my right eye would begin spasming. The irony is the ICC are planning to schedule even more matches in the next World Cup.
- Boring cricket: As Ian Chappell puts it, "Four decent games out of 50 is not a very high percentage". Mike Selvey gets more specific in tallying the numbers: "10 of the 51 matches went down to the last over, in only three of these was the result in any doubt in that last over. 45 games were decided by winning margins of more than 45 runs or five wickets."
- Lemming like retirements: Some of cricket's biggest superstars have left the game (well, the field at least - I'm sure they'll be popping up in the commentary box) including Inzamam-ul-Haq, Glenn McGrath, Brian Lara and Anil Kumble. Duncan Fletcher as well as every international coach except John Bracewell quit or jumped before they were pushed (and there are big calls in NZ for Bracewell to go too).
- Farcical final: When bad light ended play, both teams assumed and wanted the match over. However, officials insisted they continue. Rudi Koertzen (who seems to be making a play at being the next Darrell Hair) even threatened to resume the game the following day forcing the players to bowl out the last 3 overs in darkness. A lovely way to end cricket's showcase to the world.
| Posted by JC on Tue 1 May |  18 comments |
I agree with all your points JC, except for the one about India/Pakistan. Their early departure may have affected the ticket sales and the enjoyment of watching the super 8s, but not the integrity of the tournament.
India and Pakistan didn't bring their best game, didn't win when they had to, and 2 "minnow" nations took them to task. The tournament can't be held to account for that.
I'm of the opinion it was a positive thing (except for the Woolmer tragedy of course). I have Irish mates looking at the ICC world rankings right now who are over the moon that they are just 3 spots behind England. Cricket is going to have a much bigger following in Ireland in 4 years time, and thats great for the world game.
Posted by Timbo on 2007-05-01 12:36:22
India and Pakistan didn't bring their best game, didn't win when they had to, and 2 "minnow" nations took them to task. The tournament can't be held to account for that.
I'm of the opinion it was a positive thing (except for the Woolmer tragedy of course). I have Irish mates looking at the ICC world rankings right now who are over the moon that they are just 3 spots behind England. Cricket is going to have a much bigger following in Ireland in 4 years time, and thats great for the world game.
Posted by Timbo on 2007-05-01 12:36:22
Bob Woolmer's murder was a terrible thing. but IMO Australia's domination makes up for all the other bad points.
Posted by Chris on 2007-05-01 13:37:55
Posted by Chris on 2007-05-01 13:37:55
I'm not blaming India and Pakistan's elimination on the ICC or the tournament. They only have themselves to blame. They were beaten fair and square by Ireland and Bangladesh. But the Super 8's would've been a better prospect if India and Pakistan had turned up with their A game from the outset.
So England are on the verge of being passed by Ireland in the rankings? Now THAT'S funny!
Posted by JC on 2007-05-01 14:04:43
So England are on the verge of being passed by Ireland in the rankings? Now THAT'S funny!
Posted by JC on 2007-05-01 14:04:43
There is a school of thought, gents, that Australia winning the World Cup (again) is actually bad for the game and that our dominance is partly to blame for the decline in interest.
Now I'd have thought that it would give incentive to other nations to improve their act, but
countries like South Africa, England, India and Pakistan appear to be stagnating. Where is their development? West Indies are a spent force, Zimbabwe are shot. Reckon our ANZAC mates across the ditch, and Sri Lanka, are our only worthy opponents. At least for the present.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-05-01 15:44:29
Now I'd have thought that it would give incentive to other nations to improve their act, but
countries like South Africa, England, India and Pakistan appear to be stagnating. Where is their development? West Indies are a spent force, Zimbabwe are shot. Reckon our ANZAC mates across the ditch, and Sri Lanka, are our only worthy opponents. At least for the present.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-05-01 15:44:29
Cant wait till the test matches against Sri Lanka in summer. They're good competitors and I like them.
And I like to see Australia beat them :-)
Posted by Chris on 2007-05-01 17:19:14
And I like to see Australia beat them :-)
Posted by Chris on 2007-05-01 17:19:14
I guess you got all of them...also its high time grounds in WI are equipped with floodlights...its inexplicable not having lights in a world cup final hosting venue..surely they could have done that in preparation to the WC
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2007-05-01 17:26:23
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2007-05-01 17:26:23
Technically it was never supposed to be a day/night match. And had the umpires any assemblance of the rules...it wouldn't have been.
Posted by Timbo on 2007-05-01 22:27:17
Posted by Timbo on 2007-05-01 22:27:17
I couldn't agree more. A total farce. The final should have been postponed until the following day. Aus. as usual win the toss when they need it. However, they were the best team and once again they win the cup in a contrieversial way. The next one needs to be shorter for the leading teams and the lesser teams need to compete in a round robbin for that right to play in the final matches. However, this one will be remembered for all the wrong reasons and cricket certainly did not win any new fans.
Posted by Terry Rymer on 2007-05-02 18:32:07
Posted by Terry Rymer on 2007-05-02 18:32:07
Before we get too critical,atleast one positive aspect of the WC was that the 4 best teams got to the semis and the best team won it.So despite the length,it brought out the best.This is unlike the Football WC where a bit of luck in knockout matches can knock out anyone..
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2007-05-06 03:08:04
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2007-05-06 03:08:04
Good point Ajesh.
With the current format at least there is no chance of sudden knockouts. The only problem is it leaves too many dead matches at the end of the round robin stage.
Posted by Andrew on 2007-05-06 14:45:28
With the current format at least there is no chance of sudden knockouts. The only problem is it leaves too many dead matches at the end of the round robin stage.
Posted by Andrew on 2007-05-06 14:45:28
The real world cup is soccer cup :)
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