Growing with memories of Cricket world cup

In South Asia, if there exists any common religion among its population (of nearly 1.7 billion), “It is this,It is this”

Cricket is not merely game, it improved relations among countries, it united rivals, it was considered symbol of racially oppressed fighting against their colonial masters and so on. Few examples that prove cricket is not merely a game

India-Pakistan

There exists lot of diplomacy from ancient period. In lexica of diplomacy, new term called cricket diplomacy too added. India and Pakistan often tried to reduce their tensions in name of cricket diplomacy. Indian fans will remember the love they experienced in streets of Lahore when they went for watching India-Pakistan match in Lahore during 2004. Similarly Pakistan players will remember many sporting gestures by viewers during matches in India.

Srilanka

When Srilankan cricket team won world cup in 1996, even Tamil tiger rebels waved srilankan flags. Rivalry between tiger rebels and Lankan government was unparalleled, as thousands died in their clash. 1996 world cup victory of their national team united them for few days.

Afghanistan/Pakistan

During Afghan/Soviet war, Flood of afghan refugees arrived and settled in areas around Peshawar, Pakistan.  These refugees studied in Pakistan colleges, ate Pakistan food, along with this they learned their favorite game “Cricket”. Today Afghanistan cricket players were once playing “Gully” cricket in their refugee camp, and their favorites were Imran khan, Wasim akram

West Indies

In 1950’s people living in Caribbean were made to believe great Britain as their mother land. They were invited to work in great Britain for some menial jobs to develop their war ravaged country. By 1970’s racism was wide rampant in England targeting black people from Caribbean. This made ordinary Caribbean people to believe if west indies wins cricket match against England or Australia, they won against colonial imperialists. West indies players were already aware of these people sentiments. Clive Lloyd their captain, laid the foundation for building strong team based on these sentiments. When invincible west indies players dominate, scorch opposition (esp England,Australia), Caribbean people felt national pride, even daily wage poor people felt confident they won’t be cowed down by racism. West indies cricket team ruled world cricket from late 70’s to early 90’s. Their accomplishment of ruling world cricket for more than decade changed the past perceptions of superiority.

South Africa

Before 90’s,South Africa cricket team was banned from participating any matches due to its racial apartheid policies. One famous moment is when South African cricket team offered  blank cheque to Viv Richards team to participate in rebel tour in south Africa. Viv Richards refused to participate due to social image and sentiments of his people. Cricket became arena not just for sport, also battle against racism

My Personal experiences/memories with World cup

My cricket world cup journey started from 1992 in small town of udumalpet.During every world cup,i have sweet/bitter memories related to games,incidents, public opinions. Here i am collating some of the memories/moments which are still green in my memory with respect with every world cup

1992 World cup:

 As our 6th standard annual examinations were approaching, some classmates were busy in collecting mysterious cards. They often buy “Big Fun” bubblegum from local shops, though there were no big advertisements in streets/roads/radios. This buying spree is unusual, as bubblegum didn’t promise fresh breath or bright teeth. Slowly through whispers i found there is a secret behind this bubblegum buy spree. There is a card wrapped around the bubblegum. You need to carefully unwrap the card, otherwise it will get tore. Kids cared more about this card than bubble card itself.

This card contain pictures of some superstar cricketers of that era(like Viv Richards, Kapildev). Each card has few points - would be worth either a certain number of runs or a wicket. Gifts/prizes will be given if somebody collects 250 runs or 10 wickets. In school classrooms, kids with more number of cards feel pride and special about them. This festive atmosphere brought awareness about cricket, induced to follow world cup.

Those days we depend on one TV channel, Doordarshan. Since the matches were happening in Australia/New Zealand, we need to wake up early. Generally we used to view 2^nd innings of the match or near end of first innings of match due to the timings(around 6:30AM)

The nine teams and officials line up for photos on a ship in Sydney Harbour 

Some of the match moments which I remember even today

1992 World cup was first world cup for cricket south Africa. Earlier they were banned and isolated in world sport, for nearly two decades. This was due to their previous government’s apartheid policies. New entrant south africa performed well from start, but unfortunately their journey ended due to nature. During one of semifinal between south Africa and England, South Africa needed 22 from 13 balls. South Africa has fair chances of winning, but rain intervened at that time. When the match was restarted, winning run/ball equation has been changed, now 22 runs in 1 ball. This happened due to television demands and game could not be extended after certain minutes. Umpires bowed to these demands and game was shortened.

As getting 22 runs in 1 ball is impossible, south African cricketers end up in despondent mood. Though South African cricket team performed exceeding expectations, nature stopped their further progress 

Jonty Rhodes runout of Inzamam ul Haq

Generally South African players known for setting benchmark for fielding standards. This run out is one of crown example of it.

Javed Miandad and Kiran more episode

1992 world cup is the first world cup where India and Pakistan clashed each other for a world cup match. Generally India Pakistan matches are high pressure matches where tensions and passions run high. This match exhibited same. In middle of match, there was war of words between kiran more and miandad. This heat raised further when kiran more appealed for a wicket in more hyperactive manner, miandad mocked kiran more by continuously jumping in air

1992 World cup Final

England and Pakistan played each other to decide winner of world cup.England were one of clear favorites for winning world cup.Pakistan played in Pakistan way of most unpredictable way. One big positive of Pakistan team was, they were lead by inspiring charismatic leader. On final day,Imran khan roused his teammates by wearing cornered tiger in his
t shirt during toss. His words of “Cornered tiger most dangerous than tiger,will play like cornered tiger” indicated the way they going to attack opponents. Finally the tigers mauled the opponents and Rest is history

Some lighter moments which I want to share,  I watched final in a neighboring friend house who is a Muslim. While watching final match my neighboring house aunty was so passionate about Wasim akram, Imran khan, which is still green memory for me.


Best players in the tournament: Martin Crowe, ....

Future superstars who showed signs in 1992 WC: 
  - Wasim akram,Inzamam,Tendulkar,Lara,Donald

New techniques 
Mark Greatbatch -
One of earliest known pioneer in Pinch hitting(Scoring aggressively in first 10 overs). Following the footsteps of Greatbatch, other pinch hitters(like Jayasuriya,Sehwag,Gilchirst) arrive

                                                           --- to be continued