Last week I spoke about the pending danger facing world cricket. The Indian, Australian and English (and Welsh) cricket boards formed an alliance in a bid to take over world cricket. I am sure by now you know the gist of it. On Saturday in Singapore the International Cricket Council (ICC) voted in favour of this proposal. Surprisingly only Sri Lanka and Pakistan objected. From July Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Chairman Narayanaswami Srinivasan will be the new ICC chairman so you can think for yourself how that is going to play out. Going forward when you see ICC you may as well read BCCI.
I am afraid to say this could well be the end of the sport I have come to cherish since a boy. South Africa are currently number one in the Test rankings but I am afraid that a decade from now the Proteas will be what the West Indies have become – a fallen power. The immediate effects will not be obvious but given time I predict all future ICC World Cup semi-finals will feature India, Australia, England and a lucky loser from the rest of the bunch.
Generally home and away tours follow a four-year cycle. Well forget that. Henceforth it will be our privilege and honour to welcome India, Australia and England to South Africa and probably for a two Test, three T20 tour, if the super powers are gracious enough to grant Cricket South Africa that much.
Henceforth, all Test series between two of India, Australia and England might as well be called The Ashes as it will simply symbolise the death knell for the sport that we have witnessed before our very eyes this weekend. Forever remember 8 February 2014 as the day cricket died. With respect to Reginald Brooks I thought I would close off with an obituary this week:
In Affectionate Remembrance of
WORLD CRICKET,
which died at Singapore on
8th FEBRUARY 2014,
Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and acquaintances
R.I.P.
N.B.—The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Mumbai.