While many people are relieved over a drastic crackdown on Cricket’s infamous ’15 Degree Bend Rule,’ the International Cricket Council (ICC) can be justifiably condemned for taking so long to bring some fairness back into the game.
A criticism should not come as a surprise, given ICC’s lackadaisical approach in the decision-making process, a prime example of which is consistent use of the Decision Review System (DRS) by Test-playing nations.
However, the latest ban on five international bowlers is one of the best (delayed) decisions that ICC has made and deserves due recognition.
Striking trouble
The action on chucking episodes has taken a rather sluggish stance since the Muttiah Muralitharan era. Shane Shilingford and Marlon Samuels have had their share of trouble with ICC in the recent past regarding their suspect action.
But hardly anyone noticed or cared. They were not in the category of bowlers that could phenomenally change the course of a game.
Kane Williamson got away with it rather easily. Well, just about! Had his part-time bowling won the match for the Black Caps against England in Auckland, it would have been a different story. Sri Lankan Suchitra Senanayake drew attention from on-field umpires as well as England team officials.
Saeed Ajmal
But seeing Saeed Ajmal banned is certainly a noteworthy event, especially since the World Cup is less than six months away.
Why? Well, simply because Ajmal is in a league of his own. He is the best in the world of spin masters after Muralitharan and Shane Warne. I admit that mentioning Muralitharan may draw flak into this debate. But why have we suddenly banned the king of the current spin generation?
A player makes a spectacular entry onto the international scene at the late age of 30 and gets nearly 450 international wickets in the three forms of the game, including several match and series winning performances.
His performances see him rise to the Number One bowler in the world, and sees Pakistan through to the Semi Final of a World Cup. He makes even Sachin Tendulkar feel squeamish at the crease.
Ironically, his action has been not very different now to when he made his debut in 2007. Next minute he is banned from bowling just as the team starts forming their squad for the World Cup.
Sunil Narine
The ban placed on Sunil Narine is an equally important development. After all, he has been virtually unplayable in the shorter form of the game, and has been one of the assets of the Windies and KKR squads.
Seeing the names of Kane Williamson, Prosper Utseya and Sohag Gazi on the list did not cause that much excitement. Surely, even they would admit under pressure as to how they rode their luck so far.
I distinctly recall a post-match presentation in the late 1990s at which Grant Fowler was being handed the Man-of-Match Award for his batting performance that saw Zimbabwe beat India. In his acceptance speech to Ravi Shastri, Fowler said that his thoughts on the batting performance were secondary and that he was actually more relieved at not being called for chucking during the match.
At least the bloke was being honest!
Orchestrated moves
Could Australia have wrapped up a 3-0 win against Pakistan in Dubai and deny India the Number 1 ranking had Ajmal been allowed to bowl? Would the Champions League final result be any different had someone of Narine’s calibre be allowed to bowl and contain Suresh Raina’s explosive innings?
Was it not obvious to the ICC for several years that Ajmal’s arm bent more than fifteen degrees? Of course, he has been tested before but the procedures and acceptance were more accommodative, thereby allowing him to continue.
So has ICC’s decision making process now shifted gears so rapidly to enforce a crackdown six months out from the World Cup?
I am sure that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) would not see the timing of this in the same light as the pundits of the game.
Is there a genuine intent to clean up the act before the World Cup?
I admire the stance taken but what has intrigued me is the timing of this action.
Whatever be the intention of the ICC, whatever be public speculation, this move is a brilliant step in the right direction to uphold the spirit of the game.
West Indies in India
The top two ODI spots were up for grabs recently – India had a chance to regain the top ranking it secured in a series victory against the Windies. Australia’s clean sweep against Pakistan kept the race on for the top spot but nature had its final say as Cyclone Hudhud meant a cancellation of the third ODI at Vizag, leaving the Indian stats-crazy fans with longer wait for a shot again at ODI glory by the men in blue.
Some Indian media channels claim of a plot by BCCI to ensure Narine’s absence from the West Indies squad to ensure ‘smooth ride’ for India’s home ODI series is far-fetched. This speculation was thankfully short-lived as Team India proved them wrong by succumbing to a comprehensive thrashing in the 1st ODI, further exposing their recent troubles with consistency.
Some pride was restored in the Second ODI but not before some anxious moments when Dwayne Smith was at the crease, looking increasingly threatening as the game progressed. Smith’s exit saw the Windies implode in a far too familiar fashion to then lose the match rather hurriedly.
This series presents a perfect platform to experiment with alternate opening combinations. Surprisingly, the Indian team management, who historically shy away with experimentation, has been welcoming this time round. Rohit Sharma’s injury and Shikhar Dhawan’s loss of opening firepower, coupled with India’s desire to regain popularity at least on the ODI scene, has possibly forced them down this track.
Whatever the cause, it is a great thing to see, although mindful that it is on home turf in conditions significantly different to this part of the world.
Fortunately, or possibly due to brilliant planning on BCCI’s part, India have a tri-series against England and hosts Australia, just before the World Cup. The last match of the series is a mere fortnight before India’s cup campaign start against Pakistan in Adelaide. One would expect the line-up and batting order all but firmed up at the start of that series.
Ravi is a Project Management professional evincing keen interest in Cricket and has been an umpire for Auckland Cricket. He lives in Auckland.
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